Thursday, June 30, 2016

June 2016 Wrap Up & Book Haul


*June Book Haul*

Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda by BeckyAlbertalli
Rose Under Fire by Elizabeth Wein
Flying by Carrie Jones
Nemesis by Anna Banks
The Graces by Laure Eve
The Stars Never Rise by Rachel Vincent
Sea Spell by Jennifer Donnelly
With Malice byEileen Cook
Empire of Dust by Eleanor Herman


*June Wrap Up*

My Lady Jane by Cynthia Hand, Jessica Brody & Jodi Meadows
Everything, Everything by Nicola Yoon
A Season for Fireflies by Rebecca Maizel
The Maze Runner by James Dashner (Reread!)
And I Darken by Kiersten White
The Heiresses by Sara Shepard
Fates & Furies by Lauren Groff  (not pictured)


While June was another slow month for me,
I'm thrilled to FINALLY be out of my reading slump!!
Now if I can just get out of my blogging slump, life would be great!!
Here's hoping for a LOT more reading in July!!
(Can you believe it's July already!?)

How many books did you read in June??



Monday, June 20, 2016

Thank God It's Monday!! Blog Tour - Guest Post with Jessica Brody!!


*Hey, Bookworms!!*

Today we are kicking off the
Thank God it's Monday! Blog Tour
for Jessica Brody's upcoming release, A Week of Mondays!!

Keep reading to find out more information on this awesome book and author,
and check out the guest post from Jessica below as well!!


*About the Book*


Ellie is having the worst Monday of her life. She messes up her school  speech for the class vice presidency position, she manages to take the world's  worst school picture, she bombs softball tryouts, and the icing on top  of this awful cake: her perfect boyfriend who is in a high school rock band dumps her. At the end of  the day, Ellie wishes she could redo everything. When she wakes up the  next morning, she discovers that it's Monday again! She has six more chances to redo the day in the hopes of having everything go exactly the way she wants. But in the process, she just may find out that what she really wants and what she actually needs are two very different things.

Add to Goodreads

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | The Book Depository



*Guest Post from Jessica!!*

ELLISON “ELLIE” SPARKS: An idealistic, ambitious sixteen-year-old junior with a lot on her plate.

Those were the first words I ever wrote about Ellie Sparks. They were written in a synopsis for my publisher when I was first trying to sell them on the idea for a book called A WEEK OF MONDAYS.

Of course, you can’t write an entire book about a one-sentence character. Just like you can’t live your entire life as a one-sentence person. But every character has to begin somewhere. And this is where Ellie began for me.

As an idealistic, ambitious sixteen-year-old junior with a lot on her plate.

In my mind, this is who she had to be. I thought, if you’re going to write about a girl who relives the same horrible Monday over and over again, trying to “get it right,” these are the adjectives that must describe her. She has to be idealistic enough to think she can fix everything in her life. Yet, she also has to be ambitious enough to try it. And how else are you going to fill seven Mondays with interesting storylines if the main character doesn’t have a lot on her plate.

So there was Ellie. And there was me, ready to write her, thinking I understood her. Thinking I knew everything I needed to know about her. 

This is the writing process for me. I start with an idea of who someone is. I draw a box around them, like an identity fence. I stuff them inside and I lock the gate. I tell them, “This is who you are. Don’t try to change that. Don’t try to be or do anything else. I don’t have time for detours. I’m on a deadline.”

I never learn.

A WEEK OF MONDAYS is my tenth published novel and I’m still trying to lock characters inside fences. Eventually, though, they always break free. They always get bigger than their boxes. And even though I try to adjust, I keep drawing bigger and bigger boxes around them, trying to contain them to the world I built, the world I envisioned, they never quite want to stay inside. Just like people. You can try to identify them, label them, build a fence around them that makes you feel safe, and yet they’ll always surprise you. Because no character—no human being—fits inside a box.  

One of my favorite reviews of A WEEK OF MONDAYS says, “Watching Ellie relive her horrible day is something like peeling an onion. Each Monday, a piece of her people-pleaser facade melts away, revealing more of her real self.”

I smiled when I read that because it wasn’t until then that I realized exactly what had happened in the writing of this book. I had done it again. I had tried to put yet another character in a box, and she had slowly, word by word, page by page, Monday by Monday broken free.

This book is ultimately a story of self-discovery.

Seven days. Seven chances to completely reinvent yourself. Wear different clothes, make different choices, explore different paths, say different things, be different people.

Because sometimes it takes a whole week of Mondays to figure out who you really are. And when you finally do, you may find yourself thinking 'Thank God It's Monday' after all.

For the next five Mondays, blogger friends across the internet will be sharing their best and worst Monday. Follow along with us online with #TGIM and #AWeekofMondays, because whether a Monday is memorable for good reasons or memorable for bad reasons, we stand to learn a lot about ourselves.


*About the Author*

Jessica Brody is the author of several popular books for teens, including the Unremembered trilogy, 52 Reasons to Hate My Father, and The Karma Club, as well as two adult novels. She splits her time between California and Colorado. Find out more at jessicabrody.com.




Thursday, June 16, 2016

Review: Lost in Love by Susane Colasanti

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/26074114-lost-in-love
Lost in Love
(City Love #2)
by Susane Colasanti
Website | Twitter | Facebook

Publication Date: May 3rd 2016
Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books
Pages: 352
ISBN: 9780062307736
Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary
Source: Edelweiss

Add to Goodreads

Available for Purchase:
Amazon | Barnes & Noble | The Book Depository

In this second book of the City Love trilogy by bestselling author Susane Colasanti, three girls share a Manhattan apartment the summer before college begins. Lost in Love captures the essence of summer love, self-discovery, and sisterhood, a perfect fit for fans of Sarah Dessen, Jenny Han, and Jennifer E. Smith.

Sadie was convinced that Austin was her soul mate, but after discovering his secret she wonders if she even knows him at all. Darcy was all about fun boy adventures with no strings attached . . . until her ex moves to New York City to win her back. Things are getting serious with Rosanna and her boyfriend, but will she be able to break free of her past and let him in? With no parents, no rules, and an entire city to explore, this is the summer that will change their lives forever.

Told from alternating points of view, Lost in Love weaves a story of first love, first heartbreak, and everything in between. (Goodreads)

My Thoughts...

Last summer I picked up City Love by Susane Colasanti, and found it to be a really fun summer read. So of course I was excited to finally start Lost in Love, especially after that pretty massive cliffhanger ending in City Love, and I was dying to know what was going to happen next.

The story is again told from our three main characters points of view. I actually really enjoy books that are written this way, as I feel we get SO much more information when it comes from all of the characters involved. I liked being able to see a little bit about each girl, and what was going on in their lives. Things weren't so great for them in this book, unfortunately, but that bond that was beginning to form between Sadie, Rosanna and Darcy in the first book is starting to get even stronger as the story goes along, and I'm enjoying watching the friendship between them grow.

The storyline for the book follows along the same storyline for City Love, so if you've read that book, you will know what to expect from Lost in Love. The story felt a bit darker this time around, as there were so many hearts being broken and so much going on, it felt a bit different than the first book. I'm curious for the third book in the series, however, as I'm super curious to how it will all end for these three friends.

Overall; If you like a good summer read, you should definitely check out the City Love series. These books are really fun reads, and, as I mentioned before, I'm super curious to get my hands on the third book in the series to see what's going to happen next!!



Wednesday, June 15, 2016

Waiting on Wednesday #244 - What Light by Jay Asher

What Light
by Jay Asher
Website | Twitter | Facebook

Publication Date: October 11th 2016
Publisher: Razorbill
ISBN: 9781595145512
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/29093326-what-light

Available for Pre-Order:
Amazon | Barnes & Noble | The Book Depository


From Jay Asher, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Thirteen Reasons Why, comes a romance that will break your heart, but soon have you believing again. . . .
Sierra's family runs a Christmas tree farm in Oregon—it's a bucolic setting for a girl to grow up in, except that every year, they pack up and move to California to set up their Christmas tree lot for the season. So Sierra lives two lives: her life in Oregon and her life at Christmas. And leaving one always means missing the other.

Until this particular Christmas, when Sierra meets Caleb, and one life eclipses the other.

By reputation, Caleb is not your perfect guy: years ago, he made an enormous mistake and has been paying for it ever since. But Sierra sees beyond Caleb's past and becomes determined to help him find forgiveness and, maybe, redemption. As disapproval, misconceptions, and suspicions swirl around them, Caleb and Sierra discover the one thing that transcends all else: true love.

What Light is a love story that's moving and life-affirming and completely unforgettable.
(Goodreads)

Um, does this book sound great, or what??
It's been a while since I've read a book by Asher,
but this one sounds awesome, and I can't wait to check it out!!
**"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking The Spine,
that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.**


Tuesday, June 14, 2016

Top Ten Tuesday: Most Anticipated Releases For The Second Half Of The Year

 
 
June 14: Top Ten Most Anticipated Releases For The Second Half Of The Year

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/25944798-the-beauty-of-darkness https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/28960100-a-million-worlds-with-you

1. The Beauty of Darkness by Mary E. Pearson - The Beauty of Darkness is the third and final book in the The Remnant Chronicles. It's totally my most anticipated read for 2016, and I can't wait to finally have it in my hands!! I'm dying to know how it's going to end, even though I don't want it to end at all!!

2. A Million Worlds with You by Claudia Gray - Another end to another great series!! I adored A Thousand Pieces of You and Ten Thousand Skies Above You. Another series that I don't want to end, but I'm super curious to see what's going to happen next!!

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/25558608-a-torch-against-the-night https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/23299512-this-savage-song

3. A Torch Against the Night by Sabaa Tahir - This is book #2 in the An Ember in the Ashes series. I really enjoyed the first book so much, and I'm curious to see where the story is going to go next!

4. This Savage Song by Victoria Schwab - This will be my very first read ever by Victoria Schwab!! I have the first two books in her Shades of Magic series sitting on my shelf, just waiting for me to start them. I'm excited to finally read something by her, and This Savage Song sounds AWESOME!!

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/28512486-frost-like-night https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/28110143-furthermore

5. Frost Like Night by Sara Raasch - I adored the first two books in the Snow Like Ashes series, and I'm really, really excited to see what's going to happen next for Meira and her crew!!

6. Furthermore by Tahereh Mafi - I'm super excited to read a new book by Tahereh Mafi!! It's been too long since I finished the Shatter Me series. I really enjoy her writing style, and I can't wait to start her newest read.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/29093326-what-light https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/23267628-the-fever-code

7. What Light by Jay Asher - I really enjoyed Asher's 13 Reasons Why and The Future of Us, and What Light sounds really, really good. I can't wait to read it!!

8. The Fever Code by James Dashner - I read the first three books in The Maze Runner series a few years ago, and really got into the story. I still need to read The Kill Order before starting The Fever Code, but I plan to do so soon as I'm currently participating in the The Maze Runner series Binge Read! #DashnerDash

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/28763485-the-sun-is-also-a-star https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/23008469-witch-s-pyre

9. The Sun is Also a Star by Nicola Yoon - This is another author I've not yet read a book by, but I have Everything, Everything from the library, and I'm excited to start it! I love the cover for The Sun is Also a Star, and I'm excited to read it as well!

10. Witches Pyre by Josephine Angelini -  The Worldwalker Trilogy is another series that I love that is coming to and end that I don't want to come to an end!! The first two books in the series were awesome, and I can't wait to read book #3 finally!!


There are SO many great books still to come out this year,
and I want to READ THEM ALL!!
Of course. Haha!!
What books are YOU excited for??

Monday, June 13, 2016

Review: Wanderlost by Jen Malone

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/26244548-wanderlost
Wanderlost
by Jen Malone
Website | Twitter | Facebook

Publication Date: May 31st 2016
Publisher: HarperTeen
Pages: 352
ISBN: 9780062380159
Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary
Source: Edelweiss

Add to Goodreads

Available for Purchase:
Amazon | Barnes & Noble | The Book Depository

Not all those who wander are lost, but Aubree Sadler most definitely is on this novel’s whirlwind trip through Europe.

Aubree can’t think of a better place to be than in perfectly boring Ohio, and she’s ready for a relaxing summer. But when her older sister, Elizabeth, gets into real trouble, Aubree is talked into taking over Elizabeth’s summer job, leading a group of senior citizens on a bus tour through Europe.

Aubree doesn’t even make it to the first stop in Amsterdam before their perfect plan unravels, leaving her with no phone, no carefully prepared binder full of helpful facts, and an unexpected guest: the tour company owner’s son, Sam. Considering she’s pretending to be Elizabeth, she absolutely shouldn’t fall for him, but she can’t help it, especially with the most romantic European cities as the backdrop for their love story.

But her relationship with Sam is threatening to ruin her relationship with her sister, and she feels like she’s letting both of them down. Aubree knows this trip may show her who she really is—she just hopes she likes where she ends up. (Goodreads)

My Thoughts...

I absolutely couldn't wait to get started on Wanderlost by Jen Malone! This book seriously sounded like the perfect book to start off my summer break, and it totally was!!

The main character in this story, Aubree, sounded a lot like me. She was perfectly content with the boring life that she had in Ohio, and planned to spend the summer by the pool with her friends. But this trip to Europe is exactly what she needed. It forced her so far out of her comfort zone, and I loved every part of the journey that she took. And let's not forget the people that she took the journey with, these seniors were seriously some great characters, I adored them.

The storyline for the book was fun and completely enchanting. Not only did it get me super excited for summer, but it also made me want to travel to Europe and experience all the things that Aubree experienced on her awesome journey. One day I will totally make that happen, and I absolutely can't wait!!

Overall; If you love books about road trips and traveling, with a sweet romance on the side, you're totally going to want to check out Wanderlost!! It's a perfect summer read, so add it to your TBR right now!! I'm super excited to read more by Jen Malone in the future!



Friday, June 10, 2016

Giveaway: Sea Spell by Jennifer Donnelly

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/20646696-sea-spell

Sea Spell

by Jennifer Donnelly

In Stores June 14th!!

Order your copy now!!
(Or check out the giveaway below and enter to WIN!!)

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | The Book Depository



*About the Book*

At the end of Dark Tide, Book 3 in the Waterfire Saga, Astrid leaves her mermaid friends to confront her ancestor, Orfeo, the evil force behind the rise of the monster Abbadon. Orfeo possesses one of the six talismans that the merls need in order to keep the monster locked up forever. But without the ability to songcast, how will Astrid be able to defeat the most powerful mage in history? 

Meanwhile, Serafina and her Black Fins train goblin troops for battle against her uncle Vallerio’s death riders. Will Sera ever see her beloved home—and her beloved Mahdi—again, or will the Volneros take over the mer realms while Orfeo takes on the gods themselves? Nothing less than the fate of the underwater world is at stake in this breathtaking finale.


*More books in the series*

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18601430-deep-blue https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/20646683-rogue-wave https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/20646690-dark-tide

Deep Blue   |   Rogue Wave   |   Dark Tide



*About the Author*

Jennifer Donnelly is an award-winning author of both adult and young adult books, including Deep Blue, the first book in the Waterfire Saga. For adults she has written a trilogy of best-selling books that includes The Tea Rose, The Winter Rose, and The Wild Rose. Her first young adult novel, A Northern Light, received many accolades, among them the Los Angeles Times Book Prize, a Carnegie Medal in the UK, and a Michael L. Printz Honor. Her second young adult novel, Revolution, was named a Best Book of 2010 by Kirkus Reviews and School Library Journal, and the audiobook received a 2011 American Library Association Odyssey Honor. She lives in New York's Hudson Valley.
For more information, visit www.jenniferdonnelly.com.


*Excerpt*
Read the prologue of Sea Spell here.


*Official Links*
Learn more at waterfiresaga.com
Follow Disney Books on Twitter and Instagram
#WaterfireSaga


This post is brought to you in partnership with Disney-Hyperion.



*Giveaway*
One (1) winner receives:
A copy of Sea Spell and branded nail polish.

Giveaway open to US addresses only.
Prizing and samples provided by Disney Publishing.


a Rafflecopter giveaway




Thursday, June 2, 2016

My June 2016 TBR & Most Anticipated Releases!!


Hey, Bookworms!!

June has finally arrived, and with it comes a new TBR!!
I'm keeping it pretty simple this month, because Summer Break has arrived
and I have SO many books on my summer reading list that I want to read!!
I'm hoping to actually get caught up on my reading over the break,
but we shall see how that goes. Wish me luck!!

As you can tell below, I have quite a few Sarah Dessen books on my TBR.
Summer just isn't Summer with a good Sarah Dessen book!!

Pictured above are just a few books that are on my TBR for this month!!


My June TBR includes:

A Court of Mist and Fury by Sarah J. Maas
The Last Star by Rick Yancey
Walk the Edge by Katie McGarry

Keeping the Moon by Sarah Dessen
That Summer by Sarah Dessen
What Happened to Goodbye by Sarah Dessen

A Season for Fireflies by Rebecca Maizel
What Happens Now by Jennifer Castle
And I Darken by Kiersten White
Autofocus by Lauren Gibaldi
My Lady Jane by Cynthia Hand, Brody Ashton & Jodi Meadows
Red Velvet Crush by Christina Meredith

Here are some more June releases I'm super excited about:

How it Feels to Fly by Kathryn Holmes
Empire of Dust by Eleanor Herman
Run by Kody Keplinger
The Marked Girl by Lindsey Klingele

And because I love summer themed books...

Mystic Summer by Hanna McKinnon
Forever Beach by Shelley Noble

What books are you most excited for in June??



Wednesday, June 1, 2016

May 2016 Wrap Up & Book Haul


*May Book Haul*

The Last Star by Rick Yancey
Broken Hearts, Fences, and Other Things to Mend by Katie Finn
Revenge, Ice Cream, and Other Things Best Served Cold by Katie Finn
The Raven King by Maggie Stiefvater
Lost in Love by Susane Colasanti
A Court of Mist and Fury by Sarah J. Maas

Stealing Snow by Danielle Paige
Twelve Days of Dash and Lily by Rachel Cohn & David Levithan
Nemesis by Anna Banks
The Lovely Reckless by Kami Garcia
Blood Red Snow White by Marcus Sedgwick
738 Days by Stacey Kade
Never Ever by Sara Saedi
Sing by Vivi Greene
Unrivaled by Alyson Noel
Losing Gabriel byLurlene McDaniel
Aerie by Maria Dahvana Headley


*May Wrap Up*

Dream On by Kerstin Gier
The Square Root of Summer by Harriet Reuter Hapgood
Lost in Love by Susane Colasanti
Wanderlost by Jen Malone
The Season of You and Me by Robin Constantine
The Unexpected Everything by Morgan Matson
Breaking Nova by Jessica Sorenson * Not pictured


May was a great month for books, but not so much for reading.
I managed to read 7 books, out of the 20+ books that were on my TBR,
but life was just too busy, and I'm totally not going to stress over them.
I have all summer to get caught up!

The books I read were great, and I love all the new books I've added to my collection.
I'm looking forward to reading the ones I haven't read yet as well!

Thanks to all the publishers and the lovely Allison for sending all the ARC's!!

How many books did you read in May??