Goodreads Monday (8/14/2017)

Goodreads Monday is a meme hosted by Lauren @Page Turner,  and the idea is to post a book that’s on your TBR pile and show it off. This is a great way to show off books I have not yet managed to read!

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This week I have chosen:

Title: Once and For All

Author: Sarah Dessen

Published: June 6th 2017 by Viking Books for Young Readers

Goodreads Summary:

As bubbly as champagne and delectable as wedding cake, Once and for All, Sarah Dessen’s thirteenth novel, is set in the world of wedding planning, where crises are routine.

Louna, daughter of famed wedding planner Natalie Barrett, has seen every sort of wedding: on the beach, at historic mansions, in fancy hotels and clubs. Perhaps that’s why she’s cynical about happily-ever-after endings, especially since her own first love ended tragically. When Louna meets charming, happy-go-lucky serial dater Ambrose, she holds him at arm’s length. But Ambrose isn’t about to be discouraged, now that he’s met the one girl he really wants.

Sarah Dessen’s many, many fans will adore her latest, a richly satisfying, enormously entertaining story that has everything—humor, romance, and an ending both happy and imperfect, just like life itself.

I have loved every single Sarah Dessen novel that I have read so far, and I have read almost all of them! I typically read a lot of fantasy, so sometimes it’s nice to dive into another genre for a change. Dessen is one of my favorite contemporary authors, and I wish she would come to south Texas sometime in the near future!

What’s on your TBR shelf this week?

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Goodreads Monday (7/31/2017)

Goodreads Monday is a meme hosted by Lauren @Page Turner,  and the idea is to post a book that’s on your TBR pile and show it off. This is a great way to show off books I have not yet managed to read!

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This week I have chosen:

Title: Midnight Crossroad (Midnight, Texas #1)

Author: Charlaine Harris

Published: January 1st 2014 by Ace Hardcover

Goodreads Summary:

From Charlaine Harris, the bestselling author who created Sookie Stackhouse and her world of Bon Temps, Louisiana, comes a darker locale – populated by more strangers than friends. But then, that’s how the locals prefer it…

Welcome to Midnight, Texas, a town with many boarded-up windows and few full-time inhabitants, located at the crossing of Witch Light Road and Davy Road. It’s a pretty standard dried-up western town.

There’s a pawnshop (someone lives in the basement and is seen only at night). There’s a diner (people who are just passing through tend not to linger). And there’s new resident Manfred Bernardo, who thinks he’s found the perfect place to work in private (and who has secrets of his own).

Stop at the one traffic light in town, and everything looks normal. Stay awhile, and learn the truth…

I really loved the Sookie Stackhouse novels, and I never even heard of this series until I saw a preview for the new show that started last week! I happened to catch a repeat of the series premiere, and it was very intriguing. So, I am very interested in reading this series to see if the show follows the books as well as True Blood did (I just won’t mention the awful last season).

What’s on your TBR shelf this week?

Waiting on Wednesday (7/12/2017)

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by  Jill from Breaking The Spine that shows the upcoming books that many of us are anticipating! This week, I’m waiting for…

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Title:  The Savage Dawn (The Girl at Midnight Series #3)

Author: Melissa Grey

Expected Publication:  July 11th 2017

Publisher:  Delacorte Press

Goodreads Summary:

The sides have been chosen and the battle lines drawn.

Echo awakened the Firebird. Now she is the only one with the power to face the darkness she unwittingly unleashed . . . right into the waiting hands of Tanith, the new Dragon Prince. Tanith has one goal in mind: destroy her enemies, raze their lands, and reign supreme in a new era where the Drakharin are almighty and the Avicen are nothing but a memory.

The war that has been brewing for centuries is finally imminent. But the scales are tipped. Echo might hold the power to face the darkness within the Dragon Prince, but she has far to go to master its overwhelming force. And now she’s plagued by uncertainty. With Caius no longer by her side, she doesn’t know if she can do it alone. Is she strong enough to save her home and the people she loves?

Whether Echo is ready to face this evil is not the question. The war has begun, and there is no looking back. There are only two outcomes possible: triumph or death.

I know technically this book came out yesterday, but since I don’t have it I can count that as still waiting for it right?

I read the first book earlier this year, and really enjoyed the start of the series. So, I am really interested in reading on how Echo’s story ends and the outcome of the war.

What are you waiting for this week?

Goodreads Monday (7/10/2017)

Goodreads Monday is a meme hosted by Lauren @Page Turner,  and the idea is to post a book that’s on your TBR pile and show it off. This is a great way to show off books I have not yet managed to read!

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This week I have chosen:

Title: Windwitch (The Witchlands #2)

Author: Susan Dennard

Published: January 10th 2017 by Tor Teen

Goodreads Summary:

Sometimes our enemies are also our only allies…

After an explosion destroys his ship, the world believes Prince Merik, Windwitch, is dead. Scarred yet alive, Merik is determined to prove his sister’s treachery. Upon reaching the royal capital, crowded with refugees, he haunts the streets, fighting for the weak—which leads to whispers of a disfigured demigod, the Fury, who brings justice to the oppressed.

When the Bloodwitch Aeduan discovers a bounty on Iseult, he makes sure to be the first to find her—yet in a surprise twist, Iseult offers him a deal. She will return money stolen from him, if he locates Safi. Now they must work together to cross the Witchlands, while constantly wondering, who will betray whom first?

After a surprise attack and shipwreck, Safi and the Empress of Marstok barely escape with their lives. Alone in a land of pirates, every moment balances on a knife’s edge—especially when the pirates’ next move could unleash war upon the Witchlands.

Happy day before Amazon Prime Day! I’m hoping that tomorrow they have some books on my to buy pile on sale….although I am supposed to be on a book buying ban, but if the right price comes around who can resist?

This week for Goodreads Monday, I have chosen Windwitch by Susan Dennard. This book has been on my shelf since it has come out, and eventually I should take it off of my shelf! Especially considering I loved the first book so much! I think my fear of a sequel letdown is holding me back from reading it. Have any of you read this book? Thoughts?

What is on your TBR shelf this week?

ARC TBR Takedown Read-A-Thon Week 6

I started Sam @RiverMoose-Reads ARC TBR Read-A-Thon reading last month, and I’m excited that it’s time for another weekly blog post!

The first week we were to do our list of ARCs we currently had and I also explained the read-a-thon a little bit more fully, you can see my original post here.

On my list of TBR Arcs are:

1. Metaltown by Kristen Simmons
2. Bad Blood by Dimitria Lunetta
3. Quinsey Wolfe’s Glass Vault by Candace Robinson
4. Fallen Flame by J.M. Miller
5. Dragon Redeemer by Amy Bearce
6. House of Ash by Hope Cooke
7. Fall of Thrones and Thorns by Jennifer Ellision
8. Riot of Storm and Smoke by Jennifer Ellision
9. The Ghost King by Jeff Altabef
10. When I Cast Your Shadow by Sarah Porter
11. Immersed  by Jennetta Penner

So far, I still haven’t received any news on whether or not I’ve been approved for any more eARCs from NetGalley.

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Week of July 6th: Explain You Review System/ Review Policy

Everyone has their own way to give star ratings, and I try to be very subjective when giving them out. I think I am very picky when giving out 5 star ratings, and I tend to give more 3 and 4 star ratings than anything else. Below I broke down my star rating system.

5 Stars – LOVED IT!  Would recommend the book to others.

4 Stars – Enjoyable and a great read.

3 Stars – An okay read – did not love it but liked it.

2 Stars – It was okay.

1 Star – Did not like it – was not enjoyable and lost interest in it.

Typically, for eARCs on NetGalley I only request the ones I have an interest in, so I never have a problem with deciding if I want to read the ARC or not. When a publisher or author asks me to review their book, I typically want to know what genre their book is in and the blurb. That way I can also look up what else the author has written and decide if it is something that I am interested in. I also take into account how many ARCs I already have, and if I have any deadlines coming up whether its for reviews or in my personal life. After accepting an ARC, I keep my reviews pretty unbiased and stick to just what I liked and didn’t like about the book. If an author/publisher requests a review, but asks that I contact them first if I am going to give anything less than 4 stars, I typically go ahead and pass on those books. I don’t like being told that in order to read a book and leave a review I have to follow certain guidelines and potentially skew my review just to fit their criteria. I like giving 100% honest reviews, and there are other books out there that I could read that lets me do that.

How do you  review books? What is your star rating breakdown?

Mid Year Freak Out Book Tag

Hey guys! I am in the middle of some books right now. So, as a result of not having I a book review to post anytime in the near future, I decided to do a book tag! I found this book tag by Eden @Thrice Read, and let’s be honest they find the best book tags and I love seeing theirs and actually doing some of them. So without further ado here are my answers!

1. Best Book You’ve Read So Far.

Hmm…this is a hard one. Looking back through my lists I only gave three 5 star ratings this year! So then I’ll have to say Caraval by Stephanie Garber, Letters to the Lost by Brigid Kemmerer, and Truthwitch by Susan Dennard

2. Best Sequel You’ve Read So Far

I’ve actually only read one sequel so far this year, and I wasn’t impressed with it as I only gave it 2 stars. Sooo I guess since that was the only book I read it’ll have to do. 

3.New Release You Haven’t Read Yet, But Want To?

There are so many new releases that I want to get my hands on!! Some of them include Our Dark Duet by Victoria Schwab and Once and for All by Sarah Dessen.

4. Most Anticipated Release For Second Half of 2017

This definitely goes to Leigh Bardugo and her new book Wonder Woman: Warbringer!

5. Biggest Disappointment?

Hm…I would probably have to say Wires and Nerve by Marissa Meyer. I wasn’t very impressed with the art and the writing wasn’t the same caliber as with the series.

6. Biggest Surprise?

I normally don’t read bibliographies, but I found myself really enjoying Talking as Fast as I Can: From Gilmore Girls to Gilmore Girls, and Everything in Between by Lauren Graham.

7. Favourite New Author

She isn’t new to the scene, but I discovered her for the first time this year! So my new favorite author is Susan Dennard! I absolutely loved Truthwitch and I can’t wait to read more books by her!

8. Newest Fictional Crush

Hm…this is a hard one. I don’t think I have one.

9. Newest Favourite Character

I really liked Scarlett Dragna from Caraval by Stephanie Garber.

10. Book That Made You Cry

There has been a few books that made me cry this year, but the one that made me cry the most was Letters to the Lost by Brigid Kemmerer. If you haven’t read this book yet, I definitely suggest you pick it up!

11. Book That Made You Happy

Hm…I don’t know if a book has ever left me feeling happy, but excited to read it? Sure. I guess if I had to choose one, I would choose Vassa in the Night by Sarah Porter. The book as a whole didn’t make me happy, considering that it was a little confusing and kind of out there, but the way that it ended had a happy ending. Sooo…there’s that, I guess that counts.

12. Favourite Book To Movie Adaptation You Saw This Year

I’ve only seen Before I Fall, but I haven’t had a chance to read the book yet.

13. Favourite Review You’ve Written This Year

I would probably say…my favorite review so far this year was for Truthwitch.

14. Most Beautiful Book You Bought So Far This Year?

Considering that I haven’t bought that many books this year, since I am on a ban, I’ll just have to go with Caraval

15. What Books Do You Need To Read By The End of The Year?

There is way too many books to list! A few of them though would have to be Unhooked by Lisa Maxwell, Metaltown by Kristin Simmons, and Windwitch by Susan Dennard

June Wrap Up

Hey all, I know it’s already almost a week into July, but with the holiday it was a little busy at my house. I had to play protector to my dogs who were terrified of the fireworks. Thankfully, my neighborhood didn’t go all out like they normally do, so we only had to really deal with it for two days. Other than that, it was nice just being able to stand in my living room and watch fireworks without having to deal with mosquitos and the summer heat! How did you spend your fourth?

This month was a good reading month for me. I was able to read a good amount of books, but then I hit a reading slump near the end of the month. =/ I’m going on vacation soon (and we’re driving, ugh) so hopefully I’ll be able to read a bunch of books on the road.

This month I read:

Not bad considering I’ve been reading like one book a month during the Spring semester. I feel like now that it’s summer I have more time to do things, but I just have no motivation to do so, especially since I am supposed to be writing my thesis which is due at the end of the month!

1. 13 Reasons Why by Jay Asher 4 out of 5 stars
2. Bad Blood by Demitria Lunetta 3 out of 5 stars
3. Quinsey Wolfe’s Glass Vault by Candace Robinson 4 out of 5 stars
4. Fallen Flame by J.M. Miller 3 out of 5 stars
5. Rook by Sharon Cameron 4 out of 5 stars
6. House of Ash by Hope Cook 4 out of 5 stars

I really suck at giving myself a monthly TBR pile, so I’m not going to make one the month of July. I’ll just read whatever book I pick up, because honestly it’s probably been on my TBR shelf for awhile. I’ll just set a goal of reading 5 books this month! I think that will be more obtainable!

In June, other than reading and my normal weekly blog posts, I started an ARC TBR Takedown Read-A-Thon hosted by Sam @RiverMoose-Reads. You can check out my first post with all of the info below. If you have a bunch of unread ARCs you can still join! It goes until the end of the month!

ARC TBR Takedown Read-A-Thon

I am on a book buying ban, so I haven’t bought a single book since probably April! Which I am very proud of myself for. Although I really want Sarah Dessen’s new book that just came out earlier in June, and of course when Leigh Bardugo release’s her book all bets are off!

How was your month of June? Did you accomplish any reading or blogging goals?

Waiting on Wednesday (7/5/2017)

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by  Jill from Breaking The Spine that shows the upcoming books that many of us are anticipating! This week, I’m waiting for…

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Title:  The Last Magician

Author: Lisa Maxwell

Expected Publication:  July 18th 2017

Publisher:  Simon Pulse

Goodreads Summary:

Stop the Magician.
Steal the book.
Save the future.

In modern day New York, magic is all but extinct. The remaining few who have an affinity for magic—the Mageus—live in the shadows, hiding who they are. Any Mageus who enters Manhattan becomes trapped by the Brink, a dark energy barrier that confines them to the island. Crossing it means losing their power—and often their lives.

Esta is a talented thief, and she’s been raised to steal magical artifacts from the sinister Order that created the Brink. With her innate ability to manipulate time, Esta can pilfer from the past, collecting these artifacts before the Order even realizes she’s there. And all of Esta’s training has been for one final job: traveling back to 1902 to steal an ancient book containing the secrets of the Order—and the Brink—before the Magician can destroy it and doom the Mageus to a hopeless future.

But Old New York is a dangerous world ruled by ruthless gangs and secret societies, a world where the very air crackles with magic. Nothing is as it seems, including the Magician himself. And for Esta to save her future, she may have to betray everyone in the past.

Happy day after 4th of July!!! Hopefully, my neighborhood will stop with the fireworks already because my poor dog can’t take it anymore! She hates this time of year, and I wish there was something I could do for her.

With that being said it’s time for another WoW!!! This week I have chosen The Last Magician by Lisa Maxwell. I seem to be on a Maxwell kick, because my Goodreads Monday post was another book of hers! This new book of hers sounds very intriguing, and I can’t wait to get my hands on it!

What are you waiting for this week?

Goodreads Monday (7/3/2017)

Goodreads Monday is a meme hosted by Lauren @Page Turner,  and the idea is to post a book that’s on your TBR pile and show it off. This is a great way to show off books I have not yet managed to read!

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This week I have chosen:

Title: Unhooked

Author: Lisa Maxwell

Published: February 2nd 2016 by Simon Pulse

Goodreads Summary:

For as long as she can remember, Gwendolyn Allister has never had a place to call home—all because her mother believes that monsters are hunting them. Now these delusions have brought them to London, far from the life Gwen had finally started to build for herself. The only saving grace is her best friend, Olivia, who’s coming with them for the summer.

But when Gwen and Olivia are kidnapped by shadowy creatures and taken to a world of flesh-eating sea hags and dangerous Fey, Gwen realizes her mom might have been sane all along.

The world Gwen finds herself in is called Neverland, yet it’s nothing like the stories. Here, good and evil lose their meaning and memories slip like water through her fingers. As Gwen struggles to remember where she came from and find a way home, she must choose between trusting the charming fairy-tale hero who says all the right things and the roguish young pirate who promises to keep her safe.

With time running out and her enemies closing in, Gwen is forced to face the truths she’s been hiding from all along. But will she be able to save Neverland without losing herself?

This has been on my TBR shelf for over a year, and I think it’s time I take it off this summer. At the end of the summer, my husband and I will be moving to a new house with our new baby girl and so I have started the packing process. The first room to get packed up? My part of the office. Meaning about 95% of my books are now in boxes and ready to be moved to the new place in a couple of months. With that being said, I left out about 10 or so books from my TBR shelf so that I would have to read them before moving. Unhooked made the cut, so hopefully I will actually start it pretty soon!

What is on your TBR shelf this week?

ARC TBR Takedown Read-A-Thon Week 5

I started Sam @RiverMoose-Reads ARC TBR Read-A-Thon reading challenge earlier this month, and I’m excited that it’s time for another weekly blog post!

The first week we were to do our list of ARCs we currently had and I also explained the read-a-thon a little bit more fully, you can see my original post here.

On my list of TBR Arcs are:

1. Metaltown by Kristen Simmons
2. Bad Blood by Dimitria Lunetta
3. Quinsey Wolfe’s Glass Vault by Candace Robinson
4. Fallen Flame by J.M. Miller
5. Dragon Redeemer by Amy Bearce
6. House of Ash by Hope Cooke
7. Fall of Thrones and Thorns by Jennifer Ellision
8. Riot of Storm and Smoke by Jennifer Ellision
9. The Ghost King by Jeff Altabef

So far, I still haven’t received any news on whether or not I’ve been approved for any more eARCs from NetGalley.

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Week of June 29th: When/Why Do You Request Arcs

I normally only request ARCs if the premise intrigues me. To me if it has a good one, then I’ll just go ahead and request it regardless of who the author is or where it’s being published. I would rather read a good book by a new up and coming author, than a book that might just be okay by a well established author.

I typically only request ARCs if I don’t have any pending reviews in my NetGalley account, or if I am just looking for a new book in general. Since NetGalley can sometimes take a few days or longer to approve or deny, I try to anticipate my reading needs and my availability to read them. Although, my physical TBR shelves are overflowing, I like to read at least one ARC in between my other books. Sometimes, I just also read a bunch of eARCS back to back because they are on my Kindle and I tend to do a lot of reading at night before bed.

When do you typically request ARCS?