Wednesday, December 31, 2014

2014 End of Year Book Survey

2014 End Of Year Book Survey This survey is made and hosted by Jamie from The Perpetual Page-Turner. This is the 5th Annual survey, but it is my first time participating!

And it has been a lot of fun picking my answers for this! Though I think most of them are repetitive!

I can't believe that this is the last day of 2014! This year has gone by so quickly!

I hope all of you had a wonderful year, and I hope that you all have an AMAZING year next year!

Tuesday, December 30, 2014

Top Ten Tuesday #39: My Ten Goals for 2015


Top Ten Tuesday hosted by The Broke and the Bookish. Their blog can be found here.


December 30th: Top Ten Goals/Resolutions For 2015 Bookish/Blogging or Other

Sunday, December 28, 2014

My 2015 Challenges!

I really like participating in various Bookish Challenges. I participated in a few this year and really had fun doing it, even if I didn't reach my goals.

So here are the challenges that I am signing up for this year!

Thursday, December 25, 2014

Top Ten of 2014: Best Book Boyfriends of 2014



Thursday, December 25th – Best Book Boyfriends of 2014 (MUST be from a book released in 2014 and from a book you’ve READ in 2014)




Book Blogmas Day 12: Merry Merry





12 Days of Book Blogmas! is hosted by Parajunkee
Merry Merry: share your fave gift!


Did you get something great this Christmas Eve? Or maybe you got the great gift last year! Tell us about it. Best Christmas gift ever. Merry Christmas!

Wednesday, December 24, 2014

Top Ten of 2014: Best Couples




Wednesday, December 24th – Best Couples Of 2014 (Readers/Bloggers choice. Please fill in the blank with ONE of these topics – Villains, Contemporaries, Dual POV’s, Novellas, Adult titles, New Adult titles, Love Triangles, Couples, Bad Boys or Debuts. REMEMBER – this list MUST be from books you’ve READ in 2014)

After giving this some thought I decided I want to share some of my favorite couples from books that I read that were released this year. But at the same time I don't want to ruin any surprise romances since a couple might not be too obvious. So instead of sharing the names of the couples, I am sharing the book titles. And if you have read them, then you probably will know what couple I am talking about. (Unless there is a love triangle and we have different ships. :P)
In every book I have chosen, the romance involves the main character + another character. So I think it will be fairly easy to know the couple if you have read them. And if you haven't, then maybe my love for these couples will inspire you to meet them as well. 

Book Blogmas Day 11: The Night Before


12 Days of Book Blogmas! is hosted by Parajunkee

The Night Before: share the perfect recipe.

 Have a yummy hot chocolate drink? Or maybe some great cookies for Santa. Please share!

Tuesday, December 23, 2014

Top Ten of 2014: Best Book Covers of 2014

A week event hosted by Two Chicks on BooksReading YA RocksTales of a Ravenous Reader, and Magical Urban Fantasy Reads.

Tuesday, December 23rd – Best Book Covers of 2014 (MUST be a book released in 2014. Would be best if it’s a book you’ve READ in 2014, but it’s not required)



Book Blogmas Day 10: All I Want + Top Ten Tuesday #38


12 Days of Book Blogmas! is hosted by Parajunkee

All I Want: What books are you wishing for?

Wishing for any great books? What books would you like to see in your stocking?



Top Ten Tuesday hosted by The Broke and the Bookish. Their blog can be found here.


December 23rd: Top Ten Books I Wouldn't Mind Santa Bringing Me This Year

Since both of these are pretty much the same topic, I decided to combine them together. So here is my list of the top books I am wishing Santa would bring me this year.

Monday, December 22, 2014

Top Ten of 2014: Best Books I've Read in 2014

A week event hosted by Two Chicks on Books, Reading YA Rocks, Tales of a Ravenous Reader, and Magical Urban Fantasy Reads.

Monday, December 22nd – Best Books I’ve Read in 2014 (Doesn’t have to be released in 2014, just a book you’ve read in 2014)




Book Blogmas Day 9: Free For All


12 Days of Book Blogmas! is hosted by Parajunkee

Free For All: Post Anything You Wish.

For my Free For All, I am going to share a list of some of my favorite Christmas movies.


Sunday, December 21, 2014

Book Blogmas Day 8: Deck the Halls


12 Days of Book Blogmas! is hosted by Parajunkee

Deck the Halls: show-off your style.

Is your tree up? Do you have lights up on the outside? Take a picture and share! If you don’t decorate, maybe post a picture of what you would WISH your house would look like during the holidays.

There Was A Cold Lady Who Swallowed Some Snow by Lucille Colandro

Title: There Was A Cold Lady Who Swallowed Some Snow
Author: Lucille Colandro
Illustrator: Jared Lee
Length: 32 pages
Publisher: Scholastic
Classification: Children's Book
Release Date: December 2013

Here's the newest twist on the familiar tale of There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed A Fly.There was a cold lady who swallowed some snow.I don't know why she swallowed some snow.Perhaps you know.This time, the old lady is swallowing everything from snow to a pipe, some coal, a hat, and more! With rollicking, rhyming text and funny illustrations, this lively version will appeal to young readers with every turn of the page. And this time, there's a surprise at the end no reader will be able to guess!

Saturday, December 20, 2014

Book Blogmas Day 7: Tell a Tale


12 Days of Book Blogmas! is hosted by Parajunkee


Tell a Tale: share a holiday tradition.

Share a tradition, or holiday tradition you would like to implement within your family.


Friday, December 19, 2014

Book Blogmas Day 6: Stocking Stuffers


12 Days of Book Blogmas! is hosted by Parajunkee

    Stocking Stuffers: best holiday books.

List some great holiday books, about the holidays or are just great, inspiring books to read during the holidays?

I haven't really read many specific holiday books. So this list is also a couple of  holiday books that I want to read.

Wednesday, December 17, 2014

Book Blogmas Day 4: Naughty List


12 Days of Book Blogmas! is hosted by Parajunkee


Naughty List: book characters on the naughty list.

What are your favorite characters that you KNOW would be on the naughty list?

Tuesday, December 16, 2014

Book Blogmas Day 3: Present Perfect

12 Days of Book Blogmas! is hosted by Parajunkee


Present Perfect: perfect book lover gifts
Name some wonderful gifts to give book lovers.

I think there are a lot of great gifts that you could give to book lovers. Besides books and gift cards to various book stores, here are some gifts that I think book lovers would like to receive:


Bookish Tote Bags

I personally love tote bags. And I love Bookish tote bags even more. They come in handy for all kinds of things. But especially for going to the Library to check out books. Book sales. And even the book store. They could also come in handy when attending bookish events like BEA. Or other author signings. 

And if you haven't already, you should check out these adorable tote bags that Becca @ Pivot Book Reviews paints! 

Bookish Mugs

I am actually not a huge coffee drinker myself. And I don't drink tea. But there are some really cute bookish mugs out there that I would love to have anyways. And I think that there are quite a few book lovers out there that enjoy drinking hot beverages while reading. If they don't, the mugs could be used to hold bookmarks, drink some other kind of beverage, or hold pens.

Like this cute Anna and the French Kiss trilogy mug!

Bookish Prints

Bookish art prints. Or prints of favorite book quotes. I would love to put those all over my house. And it would make a cute addition to a library/reading room.

Like this awesome print! Perfect for Lunar Chronicles Fans! (I LOVE THIS!)


Bookish T-shirts

T-shirts of favorite book series are a good option too!


What are some of your favorite bookish gifts to get fellow book lovers?

Monday, December 15, 2014

Book Blogmas Day 2: Christmas Card Exchange

12 Days of Book Blogmas! is hosted by Parajunkee


Day 2: Christmas Card Exchange: Post a Christmas Card

Post a Christmas Card on your blog and then tag your blogging friends and readers that you would like to “receive” this card. Let them know via email or twitter.

Sunday, December 14, 2014

Book Blogmas Day 1: Spread The Love (With Giveaway)

12 Days of Book Blogmas! is hosted by Parajunkee


Day 1: Spread The Love: Host a holiday giveaway

Host a Holiday Giveaway, minimum $10 value. Treat this just like a Blog Hop, give away whatever you want. Suggestions: Books from your own stash, gift cards, Holiday Gift Baskets etc.

Wednesday, December 10, 2014

Waiting on Wednesday #6: Firefight


"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Breaking The Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.



Firefight (Reckoners #2) by Brandon Sanderson

Publication Date: January 6, 2015
Publisher: Delacorte Press


(source)
They told David it was impossible--that even the Reckoners had never killed a High Epic. Yet, Steelheart--invincible, immortal, unconquerable--is dead. And he died by David's hand.
Eliminating Steelheart was supposed to make life more simple. Instead, it only made David realize he has questions. Big ones. And there's no one in Newcago who can give him the answers he needs.
Babylon Restored, the old borough of Manhattan, has possibilities, though. Ruled by the mysterious High Epic, Regalia, David is sure Babylon Restored will lead him to what he needs to find. And while entering another city oppressed by a High Epic despot is a gamble, David's willing to risk it. Because killing Steelheart left a hole in David's heart. A hole where his thirst for vengeance once lived. Somehow, he filled that hole with another Epic--Firefight. And he's willing to go on a quest darker, and more dangerous even, than the fight against Steelheart to find her, and to get his answers. 


Why Am I Excited For This Book?
I have been waiting for this book for what feels like forever now. I read Steelheart at the beginning of the year and LOVED it! It was my first Brandon Sanderson book and since reading it I decided I needed to read his other books (I am currently, slowly reading Mistborn). 
I am excited for this book because book 1 was AMAZING! And I can't wait to see what happens next!!! So glad I don't have to wait much longer!

What book are you waiting on this Wednesday? Are you looking forward to Firefight?

Tuesday, December 9, 2014

Top Ten Tuesday #37: New-to-Me Authors I Read This Year


Top Ten Tuesday hosted by The Broke and the Bookish. Their blog can be found here.


December 9th: Top Ten New-to-Me Authors I Read in 2014
I have a ton of new-to-me authors that I want to include on this list. The last few years I started getting back into reading. But I wasn't reading as much as I have this year. I am so happy that I branched out and found so many new-to-me authors this year. And I am looking forward to finding some more next year!

Friday, December 5, 2014

Book Blitz: Compulsion by Martina Boone +Giveaway


COMPULSION (HEIRS OF WATSON ISLAND, BOOK 1)
by Martina Boone
Simon & Schuster, Simon Pulse
Hardcover, 10/28/14 
ISBN: 1481411225

Summary from Goodreads:

Three plantations. Two gifts. One ancient curse.

All her life, Barrie Watson has been a virtual prisoner in the house where she lives with her shut-in mother. When her mother dies, Barrie promises to put some mileage on her stiletto heels. But she finds a new kind of prison at her aunt’s South Carolina plantation instead–a prison guarded by an ancient spirit who long ago cursed one of the three founding families of Watson Island and gave the others magical gifts that became compulsions.

Stuck with the ghosts of a generations-old feud and hunted by forces she cannot see, Barrie must find a way to break free of the family legacy. With the help of sun-kissed Eight Beaufort, who somehow seems to know what Barrie wants before she knows herself, the last Watson heir starts to unravel her family’s twisted secrets. What she finds is dangerous: a love she never expected, a river that turns to fire at midnight, a gorgeous cousin who isn’t what she seems, and very real enemies who want both Eight and Barrie dead.


Compulsion Teaser

Drained by the aftereffects of anger and adrenaline, Barrie found herself breathing in Eight’s recklessness, swept up in it, and suddenly it didn’t matter where they were going or what he planned to do. His moods were contagious, dangerous to her equilibrium.
He stopped at the beach, the same beach where they’d seen the turtle nest. Neither of them said a word while Eight retrieved a musty-smelling towel from his trunk and caught Barrie’s hand, lacing their fingers like they were made to fit. 
They ran barefoot over the dunes and through a break in the pickets that held back the sea oats. The moon turned the white sand to diamond dust, and Eight laid the towel down above the hide-tide marker of shells and seaweed and damp, dark sand. He sat down and drew her against him, her back against his chest. His arms wrapped around her, and she leaned into the solidness of him. His heartbeat washed through her like the waves, until she didn’t know whether the pounding of it was hers or his.
When she sighed and relaxed, he eased her down and leaned over and finally kissed her until she felt like she was going to fall. She reached for him, kissing him more deeply. His lips were scalding on hers, leaving her tingling and whole instead of so, so alone. She wanted the feeling, the moment, to never stop.

Ten Favorite Things

1. Favorite YA Novel (right now)

Still The Daughter of Smoke and Bone series by Laini Taylor and Maggie Stiefvater’s THE SCORPIO RACES. But there are so many amazing books that came out this fall and I’m reading some that are coming out in 2015 that just floor me. SO much lovely goodness.

2. Favorite Book of All Time

Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen

3. Favorite TV Show/Movie (right now)

Suits. I adore clever dialogue! And Game of Thrones and The Walking Dead.

4. Favorite Song (right now)

There’s an amazing mash up called “Truly Brave,” which is a mix of Cyndi Lauper’s “True Colors” and Sara Bareilles' “Brave.” It was done for children’s cancer, but it’s what I’d love to play for Barrie, who starts of scared of pretty much everything and has to go through things that would make a Navy Seal feel fear. I think every young woman going out into the world for the first time should adopt this song as an anthem. Women need to be brave and make their voices heard.

5. Favorite Word

Magic. Or minion. Magical minions.

6. Favorite Snack

Nutella.

7. Favorite Movie

The Shawshank Redemption.

8. Favorite Personal Hero

Malala Yousafzai

9. Favorite Animal

Dogs, because they demonstrate the meaning of unconditional love. Cats because they are mysterious and enigmatic but loving. Horses because they are magic and grace and heart.

10. Favorite Place in the World

Prague, Czech Republic because it’s the next best thing to a fairy tale place.

Buy Compulsion
Compulsion is available anywhere books are sold. Signed copies are available from One More Page Books. You can also order with the special “I have a Compulsion for reading” bookplate from Eight Cousins.
Buy Links:
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Martina Boone was born in Prague and spoke several languages before learning English. She fell in love with words and never stopped delighting in them.

She’s the founder of AdventuresInYAPublishing.com, a Writer’s Digest 101 Best Websites for Writers site, and YASeriesInsiders.com, a Tumblr site devoted to news, giveaways, and insider secrets of much-loved and up-and-coming YA series.

From her home in Virginia, where she lives with her husband, children, and Auggie the wonder dog, she enjoys writing contemporary fantasy set in the kinds of magical places she’d love to visit. When she isn’t writing, she’s addicted to travel, horses, skiing, chocolate flavored tea, and anything with Nutella on it.






Book Blitz Organized by:

Wednesday, December 3, 2014

Waiting on Wednesday #5: I'll Meet You There


"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Breaking The Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.



I'll Meet You There by Heather Demetrios
Publication Date: February 3, 2015
Publisher: Henry Holt & Co.

(source)
If seventeen-year-old Skylar Evans were a typical Creek View girl, her future would involve a double-wide trailer, a baby on her hip, and the graveyard shift at Taco Bell. But after graduation, the only thing standing between straightedge Skylar and art school are three minimum-wage months of summer. Skylar can taste the freedom—that is, until her mother loses her job and everything starts coming apart. Torn between her dreams and the people she loves, Skylar realizes everything she’s ever worked for is on the line.
Nineteen-year-old Josh Mitchell had a different ticket out of Creek View: the Marines. But after his leg is blown off in Afghanistan, he returns home, a shell of the cocksure boy he used to be. What brings Skylar and Josh together is working at the Paradise—a quirky motel off California’s dusty Highway 99. Despite their differences, their shared isolation turns into an unexpected friendship and soon, something deeper. 


Why Am I Excited For This Book?
So I was excited about this book before I even read the summary! This year I read Something Real by Heather Demetrios and fell in love. I love the story and the characters. And I love Heather's writing style. After reading that book, I decided I wanted to read all of her future books. Another reason I am looking forward to this book is because of the letter that Heather wrote that was sent out with the ARCs. No, I didn't receive an ARC (I wish) but Heather did post the beautifully moving letter HERE on her blog.
I'm looking forward to this book because I think it can be a beautiful, powerful, and moving story. 

What book are you waiting on this Wednesday? Are you looking forward to I'll Meet You There?

Tuesday, December 2, 2014

Top Ten Tuesday #36: Ten Books I'm Looking Forward to in 2015


Top Ten Tuesday hosted by The Broke and the Bookish. Their blog can be found here.


December 2nd: Ten Books I'm Looking Forward to In 2015
There are WAY more than 10 books that I am looking forward to in 2015. So it is really hard to keep it to just 10! A lot of the books I am excited about made my list for Ten Sequels I Can't Wait to Read to Read, I decided to leave them off this list, even though they are some of my most anticipated books for 2015. (I did this so I could include a few others I am looking forward to).

Monday, December 1, 2014

Suspicion by Alexandra Monir

Title: Suspicion
Author: Alexandra Monir
Length: 368 pages
Publisher: Delacorte Press
Classification: Young Adult, Paranormal, Mystery
Release Date: December 9, 2014
Source: e-galley via NetGalley (Thank you so much Random House/Delacorte Press!)
Read: November 2014
Mysterious. Magnificent. Creepy. Welcome to Rockford Manor. "There's something hidden in the Maze." Seventeen-year-old Imogen has never forgotten the last words her father said to her seven years ago, before the blazing fire that consumed him, her mother, and the gardens of her family's English country manor. Haunted by her parents' deaths, Imogen moves to New York City with her new guardians. But when a letter arrives with the news of her cousin's untimely death, revealing that Imogen is now the only heir left to run the estate, she returns to England and warily accepts her role as duchess. All is not as it seems at Rockford, and Imogen quickly learns that dark secrets lurk behind the mansion's aristocratic exterior, hinting that the spate of deaths in her family were no accident. And at the center of the mystery is Imogen herself--and Sebastian, the childhood friend she has secretly loved for years. Just what has Imogen walked into? Combining a fresh twist on the classic REBECCA with a spine-tingling mystery and powerful romance, SUSPICION is an action-packed thrill ride.
***I received an e-galley of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review***

November Highlights

Another month gone. November was a pretty good month for me. I am happy with the amount of books that I read this month. I had a wonderful Thanksgiving and birthday spent with family and friends.
Books Read: