Goodreads Monday (6/26/2017)

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: Stealing Snow (Stealing Snow #1)

Author: Danielle Paige

Published: September 20th 2016 by Bloomsbury USA Childrens

Goodreads Summary:

First kisses sometimes wake slumbering princesses, undo spells, and spark happily ever afters.

Mine broke Bale.

Seventeen-year-old Snow has spent her life locked in Whittaker Psychiatric—but she isn’t crazy. And that’s not the worst of it. Her very first kiss proves anything but innocent…when Bale, her only love, turns violent.

Despite Snow knowing that Bale would never truly hurt her, he is taken away—dashing her last hope for any sort of future in the mental ward she calls home. With nowhere else to turn, Snow finds herself drawn to a strange new orderly who whispers secrets in the night about a mysterious past and a kingdom that’s hers for the taking—if only she can find her way past the iron gates to the Tree that has been haunting her dreams.

Beyond the Tree lies Algid, a land far away from the real world, frozen by a ruthless king. And there too await the River Witch, a village boy named Kai, the charming thief Jagger, and a prophecy that Snow will save them all.

I started reading this book earlier this year, and stopped for awhile (mainly because it was an ebook from the library and I was just a little lazy in checking it back out again). I really enjoyed the first half that I read, so I need to finish the book before apparently the second book comes out next year.  I don’t know why I thought that it was just a standalone book. Have you read this book? What did you think of it?

What is on your TBR shelf this week?

Arc TBR Takedown Read-A-Thon Week 3

I started Sam @RiverMoose-Reads Arc TBR Read-A-Thon reading challenge this week, so I am still playing catch up on the weekly blogging posts (luckily I was only 3 behind so after this one I am all caught up).

The first week we were to do our list of Arcs we currently had and I 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 3 (June 15th): Most disappointing Denials

For me, I don’t really get disappointed in being denied. I kind of just shrug it off and say better luck next time. It seems as if I am normally denied on NetGalley from very popular/famous authors, and I am always approved for indie authors. So, if it’s an author  I know that I have very little chance of getting approved of, I don’t put much hope into actually getting it. But who knows, maybe one day I’ll get lucky and get approved for one of those most anticipated books!

I’ve only been using NetGalley for almost 2 years now and I have only been denied 26 times and approved for 52 titles. So, as you can see I am active, but not as much as I would like to be. Maybe that has some impact on whether or not I am approved for certain books.

Some books I was denied that were disappointing to me even though I try not to be were:

• Daughter of the Pirate King by Tricia Levenseller
• Stealing Snow by Danielle Paige (I am in the middle of reading this now, and I am really enjoying it)
• Missing by Kelley Armstrong (one of my favorite authors!)
• And the Trees Crept In by Dawn Kurtagich
• Caraval by Stephanie Garber

How do you handle denials from NetGalley or any other similar eArc website? What books have you been denied that was really disappointing?

Goodreads Monday (6/19/2017)

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: By Your Side

Author: Kasie West

Published: January 31st 2017 by Harper Teen

Goodreads Summary:

In this irresistible story, Kasie West explores the timeless question of what to do when you fall for the person you least expect. Witty and romantic, this paperback original from a fan favorite is perfect for fans of Stephanie Perkins and Morgan Matson.

When Autumn Collins finds herself accidentally locked in the library for an entire weekend, she doesn’t think things could get any worse. But that’s before she realizes that Dax Miller is locked in with her. Autumn doesn’t know much about Dax except that he’s trouble. Between the rumors about the fight he was in (and that brief stint in juvie that followed it) and his reputation as a loner, he’s not exactly the ideal person to be stuck with. Still, she just keeps reminding herself that it is only a matter of time before Jeff, her almost-boyfriend, realizes he left her in the library and comes to rescue her.

Only he doesn’t come. No one does.

Instead it becomes clear that Autumn is going to have to spend the next couple of days living off vending-machine food and making conversation with a boy who clearly wants nothing to do with her. Except there is more to Dax than meets the eye. As he and Autumn first grudgingly, and then not so grudgingly, open up to each other, Autumn is struck by their surprising connection. But can their feelings for each other survive once the weekend is over and Autumn’s old life, and old love interest, threaten to pull her from Dax’s side?

Kasie West has slowly become one of my new favorite contemporary romance authors, but just behind Sarah Dessen (who shall always remain #1 for me). This is my second West book, and I’ve had it on my shelves since February. I actually forgot I had it until about last week when I opened my Uppercase box again, and it was sitting inside. I have a list of books I need to finish first, but as soon as they are done this is going straight to the top of the pile!

What is on your TBR shelf this week?

Arc TBR Takedown Read-A-Thon Week 2

I started Sam @RiverMoose-Reads Arc TBR Read-A-Thon reading challenge this week, so I am still playing catch up on the weekly blogging posts (luckily I was only 3 behind so I am almost caught up).

The first week we were to do our list of Arcs we currently had, 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 2 (June 8th): What do you do when you have to DNF or negatively review an arc?

This is kind of a hard question, I don’t really like to DNF books but if I have to I will. My philosophy is that are plenty of unread books out there waiting for me to read than to suffer through a book that doesn’t have my interest at all. I do try to give books a chance though. I will at least read a couple of chapters or at least 50-100 pages before calling it quits. Thankfully, I haven’t really had to DNF a lot of books, but when I do I find it extremely more difficult to write a review since I didn’t read the entire book.

On the question how I negatively review an arc, I am just totally honest in my opinion. I would rather hear someone’s honest opinion than read all these glowing reviews only to strongly dislike the book. I like reading the mix reviews because then I know what I am getting myself into, and then can base my judgement myself rather than wondering why so many people loved the book and I didn’t. When I write a negative review, I just try to be critical in my analysis but then also say some things that I did enjoy about the book. I don’t like leaving negative reviews, but I will if I have to.

What do you do when you have to DNF or leave a negative review? Let’s start a discussion!

 

TBR Takedown Read-A-Thon

Thanks to a blogger that I recently started following, I saw this read-a-thon in one of her blog posts and just had to check it out. The TBR Takedown Read-A-Thon was created by Sam @RiverMoose-Reads (<— Click here to see the original post).  I thought this was a great idea, mainly because it’s summer and I just started knocking off some of my arcs on my list.

This read-a-thon started June 1st and ends July 31st, so I am already a few weeks behind and I’ll spend the rest of the week to catch up!

Rules (because everything has to have rules to follow in order to feel accomplished in completing something ;)):

• Each book that counts must be an arc or review copy sent to you by an author, publisher, bookstore or review site like Netgalley.
• Can be ebook or physical or audiobook.
• Any genre.
• Must be reviewed within the Read-A-Thon time frame (or, confirm review written and scheduled for release day).
• Everyone welcome to join.
• Non-review copy/arc reads will only count if you are COMPLETELY caught up on your arc/review copy TBR AND they are backlogged books (out a year +) (Also applies for those who want to participate but don’t have any ARCs).
• Leave a comment on the original post and she will add you to her master list.
• NO REQUESTING NEW ARCS DURING THE READ-A-THON,  IT DEFEATS THE PURPOSE.

She also included levels and prizes for each level accomplished, which I thought was a really nice touch. Other than the read-a-thon, she included blogging weekly topics. I thought this was a great idea, and was one of the reasons I really wanted to join.

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Week one (June 1st): What ARCS do you currently have? + Top 10 Most Anticipated to Read Arcs.

I really don’t have exactly 10 arcs waiting to be read right now, mainly because I only request a few at a time so that I don’t feel overwhelmed by the sheer amount of TBR books. But, I do have some right now (and I will include the ones I already read when the read-a-thon started).

Some of the titles will have links to my reviews if I have already read it.

Bad Blood by Demitria Lunetta

Published: March 14th 2017 by Delacorte Books for Young Readers

Source: NetGalley

Rating: 3 out of 5 stars

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Quincey Wolfe’s Glass Vault (Glass Vault series #1) by Candace Robinson

Published: May 16th 2017 by CreateSpace

Source: NetGalley

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

I am on the list to receive the second and last book in the duology, but unfortunately that won’t happen until August after the read-a-thon ends.

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Fallen Flame (Fallen Flame #1) by J.M. Miller

Expected Publication: June 19th 2017

Source: NetGalley

Rating: 3 out of 5 stars

 

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Dragon Redeemer (World of Aluvia #3) by Amy Bearce

Published: May 23rd 2017 by Curiosity Quills Press

Source: Curiosity Quills Press

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Metaltown by Kristen Simmons

Published: September 20th 2016 by Tor Teen

Source: Wiley Publications

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House of Ash by Hope Cooke

Expected Publication: September 26th 2017 by Amulet Books

Source: NetGalley

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Riot of Storm and Smoke (Threats of Sky and Sea #2) by Jennifer Ellision

Published: August 17th 2015

Source: NetGalley

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Fall of Thrones and Thorns (Threats of Sea and Sky #3) by Jennifer Ellision

Published: September 27th 2016

Source: NetGalley

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Well I have 8 so far, so that isn’t too bad. I do have a couple waiting approval through NetGalley, so hopefully I will be able to add them to this list pretty soon.

Goodreads Monday (6/12/2017)

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: Rook

Author: Sharon Cameron

Published: April 28th 2015 by Scholastic Press

Goodreads Summary:

History has a way of repeating itself. In the Sunken City that was once Paris, all who oppose the new revolution are being put to the blade. Except for those who disappear from their prison cells, a red-tipped rook feather left in their place. The mysterious Red Rook is a savior of the innocent, and a criminal in the eyes of the government.

Meanwhile, across the sea in the Commonwealth, Sophia Bellamy’s arranged marriage to the wealthy René Hasard is the last chance to save her family from ruin. But when the search for the Red Rook comes straight to her doorstep, Sophia discovers that her fiancé is not all he seems. Which is only fair, because neither is she.

As the Red Rook grows bolder and the stakes grow ever higher, Sophia and René find themselves locked in a tantalizing game of cat and mouse.

Daring intrigue, delicious romance, and spine-tingling suspense fill the pages of this extraordinary tale from award-winning author Sharon Cameron.

I discovered Sharon Cameron last year when I received The Forgetting in one of my YA book subscription boxes. I really enjoyed that book and decided to check out some of Cameron’s other books. Rook has been on my TBR shelf for a while now, and I finally checked it out at the library, when a friend and I decided to go there on a whim. I’m hoping to start reading this today or tomorrow since I have an actual deadline of when I need to return the book. This book has a lot of mix reviews, so I am hoping that I enjoy is as much as I did The Forgetting!

What is on your TBR shelf this week?

November Wrap Up and December TBR

Another month has come and gone and now it is December! When did that happen?! I just so happen to love December, mainly because Christmas happens and then a week later it is New Years and then a week later it’s my birthday! That is almost a month of celebrating, and I am okay with that!

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In November I read:

1. Feed the Flames by Annette Marie, Check out my review here.
2. Reap the Shadows by Annette Marie, Check out my review here.
3. Unleash the Storm by Annette Marie, Check out my review here.
4. Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them: The Original Screenplay by J.K. Rowling, Check out my review here.
5. Red Death by Jeff Altabef, Check out my review here.
6. Crooked Kingdom by Leigh Bardugo, Check out my review here.

Not bad, I think I read more this month than I did in October! What books did you read in November? Which one was your favorite? Mine was Crooked Kingdom hands down! I love the world that Bardugo has created for us, and I wish I was part of the Dregs!

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Other Posts:

1. Goodreads Mondays #14
2. Goodreads Mondays #15
3. Goodreads Mondays #16
4. Waiting on Wednesdays #13
5. Waiting on Wednesdays #14
6. Waiting on Wednesdays #15
7. Waiting on Wednesdays #16
8. Waiting on Wednsdays #17
9. Uppercase Box Review
10. Lit-Cube “Sorting Hat” Review
11. The Best Damn Book Box “Oz” Review

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Book Haul:

1. Legend by Marie Lu
2. Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them: The Original Screenplay by J.K. Rowling
3. The Sun is Also a Star by Nicola Yoon
4. The Wonderful Wizard of OZ by Frank L. Baum
5. The Chemist by Stephenie Meyer
6. Heartless by Marissa Meyer
7. How to Hang a Witch by Adriana Mather (ebook)
8. The League of Beastly Dreadfuls by Holly Grant

I think I need to put myself on a book buying ban for the rest of the year. My TBR shelf is overflowing with books! Ah!!

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This month has been a very busy month for me, especially at school. I am in the middle of writing my thesis proposal, okay I have hardly started on it and I was supposed to have finished back in August…oops. I did do a training on how to properly use a Wink Vibracore, so if you need core samples let me know 😉

Other than school taking up my life, my husband and I did go to Baton Rouge for Thanksgiving to visit friends. It was a nice little break away from home and thinking about anything school related! I got a lot of reading done.

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December TBR: (I don’t know why I give myself a TBR, I never stick to them.)

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/21414439-truthwitch?ac=1&from_search=true

Maybe if I give myself only 4 books that I have to read this month, I will be most likely to finish them. We shall see!!! I might throw in a Christmas themed book as well.

What is on your TBR for this month?