Brooke Riley | author

aesthetics

introducing my new wip

January 11, 2023

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2023 reading and writing goals + january TBR

January 04, 2023

Hello and Happy New Year!

Today, I wanted to share with you some of my goals for this year. I also want to talk about my January TBR!

This year, the keyword I'm going for is simplicity. I need things to be simple, achievable, and relaxed. I have found that the simpler things are, the better it truly is. Making things too complicated takes the fun out of it.

Many of my "resolutions" this year are personal mental and physical goals. But I'm going to share my writing and reading goals for this year.

draft {wip name redacted}
self-edit {wip name redacted}
give the second draft to my critique partner (aka Faith)
find betas for the next draft
send to my editor
get a cover made
publish
write at least two blog posts a month and publish them to both blog and newsletter

I am super hopeful about this work in progress, but I also am not going to force myself to get everything set up with this book, either. I understand that starting a new project is going to take some time.

But I can't wait to reveal more soon!

read 24 books
make a tbr for each month and read those books
tentative goal: read 50 books
reread shadow and bone for January
reread the summer we forgot in the summer

24 books is my goal on GoodReads, but I also want to read at least two books a month. I lose sight of reading when I get super busy. I want to learn how to make time for it.

This leads me to the next part of this blog post!

Each month, I am going to set a two-book TBR (to be read) goal. Life is busy and I don't think we always need some long list of books to try to accomplish. having two books is attainable and easy, giving me at least two weeks per book. Most likely, I'll read more than that in some months, but this gives me more room to attain my reading goals.

For the month of January, my TBR is simple.

reread Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo
Book of Night by Holly Black

Currently, I'm reading The One by Kiera Cass, which is part of The Selection series. While super cheesy and very 2010's writing, I'm enjoying the simplicity of it.

What about you, friend? any reading goals for the month? any personal goals you want to share? let's chat in the comments!

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december wrap up + 2022 wrap up

December 28, 2022

I can't say much about the month of December. There's a lot of stress that comes with the holidays. I got sick at the beginning of the month and struggled to catch up with everything I needed to do with the rest of the month.

However, here we are, in the final moments of 2022.

(and thanks to Faith for letting me steal the format of her wrap up posts!)

music of 2022

For some reason, Spotify won't allow me to share my Top Songs of 2022, but if you were wondering, it was a lot of Starset and PVRIS.

Music is a big driving force in my life. But I have to be able to Vibe with both the music and the lyrics to connect to a song. So a lot of these songs had lyrics and vibes that hit deep to me.

artist shoutouts:

-Starset. Always and forver

-PVRIS. Always a comfort to listen to

-The Arcane Soundtrack BECAUSE IT IS SUPERIOR

-Munn for deep lyrics

-Shy Martin for that one song that keeps hitting me in the feels

-Tate McRae for speaking the truth about growing up

-Halsey for those two songs that do hit me deeply (Thanks, Faith!)

A lot of my music looks like I've been going through it. And that's because I am, lol. JKJK I'm okay, I just connect with sad music a lot. IDC it hits different.

favorite lyrics from the year

winter in your soul//you've got no love in your bones//tryna find some heart from you is like draining blood from stone ~ Winter, PVRIS

in my mind//endless sea//calling from the bottom but you don't hear me//send your line//down to me//meet me on the surface I will never leave ~ DIVING BELL, STARSET

when I feel like this//when I get so into myself//I lose track of where I'm going//then lose track of how to get going again~ are you ten years ago, PVRIS (this is actually a cover, but it is the only acceptable version of the song okay!!)

I don't wanna be someone who loses all their faith//and who their family hates because they're changing//God give me a sign right now//before my time runs out//because my faith and hope are ever-fading ~ religion's epitome, Munn

books of 2022

so my Goodreads goal was 23 books. I had a personal goal of 50 books, but I can assure you that I did not read 50 books. HOWEVER, I did reach 23 books! It required a late night of reading despite having to get up early the next day for work, but so be it!!

- 23 books read

- 8,675 pages read

- average rating of 4.2 stars (as an author, I can't really write bad reviews anymore, so this isn't that accurate, but the protocol for being an author is not writing bad reviews, haha.)

favorite books:

Okay, okay, these books are so so good and I love how EASY this fantasy is to get into. I hate complicated fantasy where I can't understand anything going on. This book is simple, yet so amazing for all the details. READ IT!

A buddy read with Faith, my bestie! But also, Caroline George can honestly write anything and I will read it in a heartbeat. She is an amazing author and her work is perfect. I have no notes, I love this book and can't wait to reread it in the summer of 2023. I will be rereading this annually.

Okay, so I am not one for contemporary fiction all that much. I need something more, like magical elements or dystopian universes. But this book was something else. I don't know how to describe how much I loved this book. I usually can't follow contemporary, but I felt like I identified with the main character. It's so good. Please read it, even if contemporary is not your thing, it's really gripping.

Another buddy read with Faith and YES I GOT THE OWLCRATE FOR THIS ONE AND I AM SO HAPPY I DID!! LOOK AT THAT COVER!! This book is creepy in a way, and because I know some readers are sensitive to that, I will warn you now that this does have some occult themes. Think Raven Boys. But as a fan of Hadestown, the Orpheus and Eurydice vibes in this were IMMACULATE. I loved this book. Kelly Andrew is an instant buy author for me.

And this series. I read books two and three this year. This series is so good. If you like mysteries that aren't about murder, you'll love these. Also, I am #TeamJameson and I am not ashamed. Grayson is fine and all, but JAMESON HAS MY HEART!! I can not begin to tell you how excited I am about the spin-off books.

What can I say? It's The Blood Race spin-off. I loved these books. The Blood Race series holds my heart. I'm so excited for the future of Kate's and Abbie's books. I need more of it in my life.

writing of 2022

-I published the third book to my trilogy

-I've decided what will be next for my post, HWR trilogy publishing plans

I didn't write much this year. I edited Here We Stand a lot, went over the edits my editor gave me, formatted it, and published it, and that was my year. I had a lot of plot bunnies, but I couldn't really focus on anything but getting this book out. It was the only project I worked on due to the tight deadline.

life in 2022

-january: lots of goals being made, but definitely not met

-february: i don't recall except valentine's day exists

-march: getting pretty tired of my job and struggling with new management issues

-april: left my job, went back to my old one since it's new management, current hiring date managed to be my old hiring date, so if you needed proof of God...

-may: 23rd birthday, How We Rise is two!

-june: summer was actually really hot this year

-july: kind of hard, super hot, lots of heat warnings

-august: lots of work, editing

-september: my grandmother passed away, traveling to Kansas for the burial, driving 14 hours from Kansas back to Texas, lots of emotions, taking a break from my book

-october: favorite month, quickly working away on edits, halloween

-november: Thanksgiving, emotions, finishing the edits, formatting, and getting Here We Stand ready for preorder

-december: got pretty sick, and published Here We Stand while sick, kind of a bummer

It's been a long year. Yet it feels like I blinked and it was all over in an instant. I guess that's kind of how things feel when you're in your 20s trying to navigate life.

But enough about me! let's talk in the comments. tell me all about your year, the highs, the lows, the in-betweens. I want to hear about it!

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november wrap up

November 30, 2022

remember when wrap-up posts were super popular in the blogosphere? we'd talk about the songs we discovered, the books we read, the posts we put up diligently in the month, the things we did...

I miss those.

unfortunately, I am a boring human. I wake up, go to work, come home and work out, do some random things, and go to bed. and then it starts over.

I haven't written since I've been getting things together for Here We Stand's release. And to be quite honest, I'm struggling to figure out what my next big Idea is. I have so many WIPs just hanging out, waiting for their turn. but I'm not sure which to work on, or if I want to try something new.

so while there's not much to talk about for the month, I did read two books. And I want to talk about them because I enjoyed the experience of reading both.

The Selection by Kiera Cass

So back when I was eighteen, I tried reading this book and didn't finish it. I gave it a bad mark and moved on. But recently, I decided to try again, thinking I would just roast it to my best friend, and then laugh at cringe 2010's writing.

I was wrong.

Do not get me wrong, this is by no means some mystical, magical book with elite (get it? elite!) writing. However, that is what made me love it this time around! The simplistic nature of this book honestly calmed me. It was my calm and joy. I loved it. I gave it four stars because, again, it's not this bright and shining, outstanding piece of literature.

But it is enjoyable and wonderful all the same.

Plus, someone who treated me poorly hated this book and to love something later, something that someone who abused you hated, it's another level of empowerment.

I also want to mention that, while Aspen is by no means the best character, he's not some abuser like people say. At least not in this book. He's been through a lot, too! And honestly, he's just very misguided. I can't speak for future Aspen, but as of this book, he really doesn't deserve all the hate.

Maxon is very much a Male character written by a woman vibes, but it's okay.

Honestly, if you're looking for a simple read to help you conquer what's left of your Goodreads reading goal, I totally suggest this book.

My Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Ride With me by Lucy Keating

Y'all know I'm not much of a contemporary reader girl. I love Abbie's 100 Days of Sunlight, but that's about as far as my contemporary love goes. HOWEVER!!!

This book changed the game for me. This book... oh my word this book. I loved it. I loved it so much. I related much to the main character. The way her heart was closed into the walls she made. And then bring in the male main character and his snark and sass. PERFECTION!!

I loved this book. It was fun to read. It also helped me cope with life and relax a little from everything going on around me.

I enjoyed it very much. I definitely recommend this as a quick read as well. But it's so enjoyable. It's the perfect balance of fluff, life, action, and comedy to make it enjoyable.

My Rating:⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

That's about it for my reading. There is one more book I'm currently in the midst of reading and I'm hoping I'll finish it before the end of the day you're reading this. but because I did not finish it when writing this post (aka, the night before you read this) I am not going to count it in here.

Now, as for music. I discovered some new songs from bands I knew about and some new bands I never knew about. But I'm in a music slump. I struggle to know what to listen to right now. I'm counting down the days til my Wrapped comes out and reignites my love of music. It will probably also remind me of songs I forgot about.

I'm not in my Christmas vibes yet, even though the season is upon us.

And as for bookish updates, Here We Stand is available for preorder!! you can preorder off Amazon or really anywhere you buy books online. I'm pretty excited for it to come out, even though it's really bittersweet to be in this place.

That's about it for the month of November. I know it's kind of boring, but I really don't do too much to be exciting.

I hope your November went smoothly!

Thank you so much for reading. If you enjoyed this post, make sure to comment below or share it with your friends!

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Here We Stand | An update + announcement.

November 20, 2022

Hello, dear friend.

You may already know this if you follow me on social media, but Here We Stand is coming out super soon! I did a cover reveal over on Instagram. But in case you missed it...

Whose side are you on?

War is on the horizon. The resistance is at its weakest. Peter, now forced to be a soldier for the government, tries to feed information to Andre. But when it becomes too dangerous to hide what he’s doing from the watchful eyes of the guards— and Evan— he must decide what he’s willing to risk for the rebellion.

Raegan is fighting hard for healing— physically and emotionally. After losing Peter, her entire world has shifted. But she’s determined now more than ever to get stronger and fight for the truth she believes in. But the battle to heal isn’t easy. She’s faced with a choice; give up, or fight?

A couple of years later, Raegan’s and Peter’s worlds collide once more. As everything is falling apart at the seams around them, they have to decide whose side they’re on. Everything they’ve ever known hangs in the balance.

The gripping finale to the How We Rise trilogy!

Here We Stand is releasing on December 13th, 2022.

That week is very important to me. Recently, my grandma passed away after a years-long battle with cancer. She loved reading my books and was very excited for the third one to come out. Unfortunately, she never got the chance to read it.

Now, I don't tell you this to guilt you into buying my books or feeling bad for me. But the week I am publishing HWS is during the week of her birthday. And I think it's really special how God lined all of that up.

Here We Stand was a hard book to figure out. This ending is going to shock a lot of people, I think. I know it shocked me when it first played out in my head.

I'm so happy to be able to put this book out there in your hands.

That's about it for the update! Now for the announcement...

PREORDERING IS LIVE!

You can preorder an ebook or paperback copy of Here We Stand right now! When writing this, the hardcover is still processing with Ingram Spark. But as soon as it is available and ready, I will be updating this post with the link!

Preorder Here We Stand

Amazon (paperback) | Amazon (ebook) | Barnes and Noble

I did a lot of work to make the formatting of Here We Stand the best it has ever been. And I'm so thrilled with how it turned out. Also, if you love thick books, Here We Stand is bigger than the other two books! I'm so happy, as I've always wanted to write a thick book!

The ebook formatting also was a challenge, but once I figured everything out, it turned out so well! I'm really happy with it.

Speaking of ebooks, if you are an ebook fan, right now the preorder is marked down! I have given the ebook a special preorder price!

This story means a lot to me and so does your support!

That's all for now!

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aesthetics

books i've read as songs I like

October 26, 2022

so I’ve been seeing some posts going around in the blogging community where people take songs they like as books on their TBR (to be read) based off the vibe. but I don’t have a really interesting TBR, or really one at all. there are only a few books here and there that I want to read, but I don’t have a designated list currently.

so, I decided, why not take books I love or books I’ve read, and pair them with a song I love. this will also give you more books for your TBR AND more songs for your playlists, so it’s a win-win for everyone.

without further ado…

anywhere but here | PVRIS

it feels so sad in the summer//we're goin' under//pull up the covers//sounds like car crashin' thunder//losin' a lover//your mother, your brother//I want, I want you to take me//anywhere but here//I want, I want you to take me//anywhere but here, anywhere but here

I could explain how this whole song is absolutely The Raven Cycle, but then I'd have to post all the lyrics and that is not today's post. but just go listen to the song and tell me it doesn't make you think of Gansey and Blue and the Raven Boys going out into the woods and speaking Latin to the trees.

diving bell | STARSET

oh, this wasn't in my plans//abandoned ship and heading for the sand//oh, the albatross crash-lands//I've got the sinking feeling that I never can go home//if I stare into the abyss will it stare into me//in my mind//endless sea//calling from the bottom but you don't hear me//send your line//down to me//meet me on the surface I will never leave

okay hear me out. I know y'all are probably tired of me screaming about STARSET every chance I get. I know not everyone is going to be into rock music. HOWEVER, this is Nikolai's song. there is not one song besides this one that could ever describe Nikolai more. this song is definitely my favorite song of all time, but I have always thought it fits Nikolai in the Shadow and Bone trilogy. Maybe even in the King of Scars duology. Give this song a chance, it's not heavy on the rock side, and imagine Nikolai on his airship. it fits beautifully. case closed.

winter | PVRIS

can you burn a fire in my flesh?

//cause your love's so cold, I see my breath//I can't take another night//always frozen by your side//don't lose sleep//you can steal some body heat from another//ice cold to the touch//no, I'll never be your snow-covered lover //that shit was pathetic, I need love//I'm warm flesh and blood//call me spineless, but at least I've got a heart between my lungs//you feel too little and I feel too much

Alina and the Darkling. because THE DARKLING IS TOXIC. (Mal for the win, all day every day, please and thank you.) I feel like this captures Alina's realization that the Darkling is a toxic, toxic being. also the song is a bop and deserves more attention.

I don't wanna ruin your party | Munn

'cause I don't wanna ruin your party//where you see all the damage you've caused me//you get everything that you wanted//I don't wanna ruin your party//a heart can't judge if eyеs don't see//the hellish ways you treated me//I'll take the pain and turn the cheek//I'll be the victim you'll always need

I mean... it feels very much like the beginning of the book. The way everything is going for the friend group, especially Morgan and Darby. it just feels like it fits them.

that's really all I have for today! this was a really fun post to do! I love being able to tie in two things I love: books and music.

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make sure to leave a comment as well if you enjoyed this post! I'd love to connect with you and talk about books, music, and more! and if you've read these books, tell me some songs you think fit them!

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introducing my new wip

Characters:

Wesly "Wes" Andrews

Alric "Ricky" Vasquez

Layla Foster

Olivia Jameson

Everest Wilson

Music:

Keywords:

What Runaways is about