Sunday, July 31, 2016

July 2016 Wrap Up & Book Haul


*July Book Haul*

Hamilton: The Revolution by Lin-Manuel Miranda
Alexander Hamilton by Ron Chernow
Gameboard of the Gods by Richelle Mead*
Icons by Margaret Stohl*
The Smaller Evil by Stephanie
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire by J.K. Rowling
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban by J.K. Rowling
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by J.K. Rowling
Not a Drop to Drink by Mindy McGinnis
In a Handful of Dust by Mindy McGinnis

*Found these for a DOLLAR at the Dollar Tree!!


*July Wrap Up*

This Savage Song by Victoria Schwab
The Vacationers by Emma Straub
Bay of Sighs by Nora Roberts
The Scorch Trials by James Dashner


SIGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH.

I had planned to get SO MUCH READING done over summer break,
and it's totally not happening. AT ALL.
Silly me for thinking I'd actually get anything done with three kids,
and all their friends, being home for summer.
HAHA!
Luckily, they all go back to school in about a week in a half,
so hopefully I can get back to my normal routine. :)

The books I did manage to read this month were all really great!
And I'm excited to add my new Hamilton books to my collection.
(If you follow me on Snapchat or Twitter, you'll know just how obsessed I am.)
*wink*

Here's hoping August will be the month I get caught up!!

How did your July turn out??



Tuesday, July 26, 2016

Book & Movie Review: The Maze Runner by James Dashner (Audiobook)

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6186357-the-maze-runner
The Maze Runner
(The Maze Runner #1)
by James Dashner
Website | Twitter | Facebook

Publication Date: October 6th 2009
Publisher: Delacorte Press
Pages: 384
ISBN: 9780385737944
Genre: Young Adult | Sci-Fi | Dystopian
Source: Library

Add to Goodreads

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


"If you ain't scared, you ain't human."

When Thomas wakes up in the lift, the only thing he can remember is his name. He's surrounded by strangers--boys whose memories are also gone.

Outside the towering stone walls that surround the Glade is a limitless, ever-changing maze. It's the only way out--and no one's ever made it through alive.

Then a girl arrives. The first girl ever. And the message she delivers is terrifying. (Goodreads).

My Thoughts...

My first experience with The Maze Runner by James Dashner was back in 2014, when I started listening to the audiobook of the series. I remember really enjoying the story, and I ended up binge-listening to the next two books in the series as quickly as possible. When I heard about the #DashnerDash, a binge read of the series in anticipation of The Fever Code's release on September 27th, I knew I wanted to participate! This time I actually read the book, instead of listening to the audiobook, and I FINALLY watched the movie as well. Here are my thoughts on both!!

As I mentioned above, it's been a good 2 years since I first read The Maze Runner, and I was worried that I might have forgotten a lot of the story since I've read a LOT of books since then, but once I got back into the story, everything was surprisingly familiar to me. I love the setting for the story. Can you imagine, living in a huge maze? I also really loved all the characters, and most importantly, the friendships that were formed over the course of the story. It was all great, and I really loved diving back into the story.

I ended up enjoying the movie a lot more than I expected to, even despite all the changes from the book. I do understand that they have to make some changes when they make a movie adaptation, but for me, those changes can either make or break a movie. These changes I was not at all annoyed with.  All of the actors in the movie were so great, especially Thomas, Chuck, Newt, Minho, Frypan, and yes, even Galley. Theresa as well. Also, the graphics in the movie were pretty awesome. That maze was HUGE!! I loved how realistic it all looked, and I can't wait to watch the next movie.

Overall; This is my second time reading The Maze Runner, and I can't wait to continue on with the series. I'm excited to read ALL the books this time as well! Check back soon for my book & movie review for The Scorch Trials, which I'm reading now!! There's still time to participate in the #DashnerDash reread, so if you haven't started reading the series, here's your chance!! And don't forget to check out the movies as well!



Friday, July 1, 2016

My July 2016 TBR & Most Anticipated Releases!!

Hey, Bookworms!!

Can you believe that it's July already?!
Half of 2016 has already come and gone.
I'm currently 4 books behind on my reading goal for the year,
So I need to step up my reading game this month!

One thing I'm really excited for this month is that I'm starting my
Harry Potter Readathon!!
One of my goals for 2016 is to reread the series
and actually finish it this time!
I'm so excited to get started on it, and ALL the other books I have planned for July!!


My July TBR includes:

This Savage Song by Victoria Schwab
Poppy by Mary Hooper
How to Keep Rolling After the Fall by Karole Cozzo
A Week of Mondays by Jessica Brody

The Last Star by Rick Yancey
(I'm DETERMINED TO READ THIS!!)

The Scorch Trials by James Dashner
(#DashnerDash Reread!!)

Harry Potter and the Sorcerers Stone by J. K. Rowling
(for my Harry Potter Re-Readathon!!)


Here are some more July releases I'm super excited to read:


Flying by Carrie Jones

What books are you most excited for in July??