Thursday, August 31, 2017

August 2017 Wrap Up & Book Haul!!


Happy last day of August, Bookworms!
This month has gone by too quickly, but I'm SO ready to say goodbye to it,
because...
FALL IS RIGHT AROUND THE CORNER!!
If you can't tell, Fall is my most favorite time of the year.
Cooler weather. Sweaters and Hoodies. Beautiful Colors.
SO MANY BOOKS TO READ.

Fall is the most perfect time of year. I love it!!

Ahem, moving on...
Keep scrolling to check out my August Wrap Up & Book Haul!!
 *My August Book Haul*

Wonder Woman: Warbringer by Leigh Bardugo
The House of Hades by Rick Riordan
There's Someone Inside Your House by Stephanie Perkins
Etiquette & Espionage by Gail Carriger
Falling Kingdoms by Morgan Rhodes
Daughter of the Pirate King by Tricia Levenseller
The Dreadful Tale of Prosper Redding by Alexandra Bracken
Genuine Fraud by E. Lockhart
Spinning by Tillie Walden

*My August Wrap Up*

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban by J.K. Rowling (reread)
The Mark of Athena by Rick Riordan
The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin (reread)
Starfall by Melissa Landers
Lord of Shadows by Cassandra Clare

** Ebooks and Audiobooks Not Pictured **
Who's That Girl by Blair Thornburgh
Lucky in Love by Kasie West
The Secret History of Us by Jessi Kirby
Brooklyn Girls by Gemma Burgess

*  Library Books *
The Lying Game by Ruth Ware


Ah, August was a pretty cool month for books.
I added quite a few new ones to my collection, and I can't wait to get started on them.
I didn't get to read as much as I had planned on,
but... I'm totally not going to complain about the 10 books I did get to read.

Check back tomorrow for my September TBR and Most Anticipated Releases posts!
Here's hoping for an awesome book month in September!!



Wednesday, August 30, 2017

Waiting on Wednesday #288 - Turtles All The Way Down by John Green

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/15837671-turtles-all-the-way-down
Turtles All The Way Down
by John Green
Website | Twitter | Facebook

Publication Date: October 10th 2017
Publisher: Dutton Books for Young Readers
ISBN: 9780525555384

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

Sixteen-year-old Aza never intended to pursue the mystery of fugitive billionaire Russell Pickett, but there’s a hundred-thousand-dollar reward at stake and her Best and Most Fearless Friend, Daisy, is eager to investigate. So together, they navigate the short distance and broad divides that separate them from Russell Pickett’s son, Davis.

Aza is trying. She is trying to be a good daughter, a good friend, a good student, and maybe even a good detective, while also living within the ever-tightening spiral of her own thoughts.

In his long-awaited return, John Green, the acclaimed, award-winning author of Looking for Alaska and The Fault in Our Stars, shares Aza’s story with shattering, unflinching clarity in this brilliant novel of love, resilience, and the power of lifelong friendship. (Goodreads)

John Green has a new book coming out!
Is there actually anyone out there who is NOT excited about this book??
I know I'm pretty darn excited!
I even preordered a copy for myself, and one for my daughters,
because I have no plans to share.
haha!!
I can't wait to check this 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, August 29, 2017

My Thoughts: The Lying Game by Ruth Ware

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/32895291-the-lying-game
The Lying Game
by Ruth Ware
Website | Twitter | Facebook

Publication Date: July 25th 2017
Publisher: Gallery/Scout Press
Pages: 370
ISBN: 9781501156007
Genre: Adult Fiction | Mystery | Thriller
Source: Library Copy

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

From the instant New York Times bestselling author of blockbuster thrillers In a Dark, Dark Wood and The Woman in Cabin 10 comes Ruth Ware’s chilling new novel.

On a cool June morning, a woman is walking her dog in the idyllic coastal village of Salten along a tidal estuary known as the Reach. Before she can stop him, the dog charges into the water to retrieve what first appears to be a wayward stick, but to her horror, turns out to be something much more sinister...

The next morning, three women in and around London—Fatima, Thea, and Isabel—receive the text they had always hoped would NEVER come, from the fourth in their formerly inseparable clique, Kate, that says only, “I need you.”

The four girls were best friends at Salten, a second rate boarding school set near the cliffs of the English Channel. Each different in their own way, the four became inseparable and were notorious for playing the Lying Game, telling lies at every turn to both fellow boarders and faculty, with varying states of serious and flippant nature that were disturbing enough to ensure that everyone steered clear of them. The myriad and complicated rules of the game are strict: no lying to each other—ever. Bail on the lie when it becomes clear it is about to be found out. But their little game had consequences, and the girls were all expelled in their final year of school under mysterious circumstances surrounding the death of the school’s eccentric art teacher, Ambrose (who also happens to be Kate’s father).

Atmospheric, twisty, and with just the right amount of chill that will keep you wrong-footed—which has now become Ruth Ware’s signature style—The Lying Game is sure to be her next big bestseller. Another unputdownable thriller from the Agatha Christie of our time. (Goodreads)

My Thoughts...

As soon as I discovered The Lying Game by Ruth Ware, I knew it was a book I would want to check out. I read The Woman in Cabin 10, also by Ware, last October and really enjoyed the story, so I was curious to see what she had come up with next. I was also super excited that Reese Witherspoon picked the book for her RWBookClub pick, and her thoughts on the book made me even more curious to check it out. I'm really glad that I did!

The story is told from Isa's point of view, and is told in both present and past tense. I love the close friendship that Isa has with Kate, Fatima, and Thea. You know they had to be super close if Kate text them all one thing and they all come running. They know each other extremely well, considering the amount of time they were actually in school together was rather short, so you know the bond they have and the experiences that she shared most have been pretty strong for them all to be so close. I was completely fascinated by their story.

I expected to get through this book a lot quicker than I actually did, but it took me a little while to get into the story, not really because of the story itself, but because I was just always really busy and/or distracted when I tried to read the book. I finally forced myself to sit down with no distractions, and when I did, I few through the pages. The storyline for the book was mysterious, and kept me guessing as to what would happen next. There was quite a twist at the end of the book that I didn't really see coming, but probably should have. I do love a book that keeps me guessing!

Overall; The Lying Game was a really interesting read, and I'm glad to have had the time to check it out! I'm even more curious now to check out In a Dark, Dark Wood, which I currently have on my Fall TBR list, as I hear it's pretty great as well. ;)


Monday, August 28, 2017

My Thoughts: The Mark of Athena by Rick Riodan

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/12127750-the-mark-of-athena
The Mark of Athena
(The Heroes of Olympus #3)
by Rick Riordan
Website | Twitter | Facebook

Publication Date: October 2nd 2012
Publisher: Disney-Hyperion
Pages: 586
ISBN: 9781423140603
Genre: Young Adult | Fantasy | Mythology
Source: Own

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

Annabeth returns in the third installment of the biggest series yet from Rick Riordan, author of the #1 New York Times best-selling Heroes of Olympus, Kane Chronicles, and Percy Jackson and the Olympians series.

In The Son of Neptune, Percy, Hazel, and Frank met in Camp Jupiter, the Roman equivalent of Camp Half-blood, and traveled to the land beyond the gods to complete a dangerous quest. The third book in the Heroes of Olympus series will unite them with Jason, Piper, and Leo. But they number only six—who will complete the Prophecy of Seven?

The Greek and Roman demigods will have to cooperate in order to defeat the giants released by the Earth Mother, Gaea. Then they will have to sail together to the ancient land—Greece itself—to find the Doors of Death. What exactly are the Doors of Death? Much of the prophecy remains a mystery...

With old friends and new friends joining forces, a marvelous ship, fearsome foes, and an exotic setting, The Mark of Athena promises to be another unforgettable adventure by master storyteller Rick Riordan. (Goodreads)

My Thoughts...

The Mark of Athena by Rick Riordan was probably one of my most anticipated reads for August, and for good reason! I really didn't expect to enjoy this series as much as I am, and even as much as I did the first Percy Jackson series, but I swear, the books just get better and better as they go along.

One of the things I like most about The Mark of Athena is that the seven heroes are finally together at last. You'd think that it would be hard keeping up with 7 Greek and Roman Demigods, but it's not. Each character is awesome, and all for completely different reasons. I really enjoy going along on their adventures with them. The secondary characters are pretty cool as well, including Coach Hedge, who never fails to make me laugh.

The storyline for the book follows along the same line as the previous book, and as with those previous books, I was completely hooked. There's really never a dull moment when you're reading this series, and that's definitely another thing I love about it. There were so many parts in the book that had me rolling with laughter, which is apparently exactly what I need at the moment. I'm really, really glad that all of the book in this series have already been published, because I don't know what I would have to do if I actually had to wait for the next book in the series to be released. *Grin*

Overall; The Mark of Athena was a great addition to The Heroes of Olympus series, and now I'm super excited to move on to The House of Hades next! I can't believe that I only have two more books to read before this series is complete, but, that just means that I can finally move on to ANOTHER of Rick's series. If you've not checked out this series yet, I highly recommend it! :)


Sunday, August 27, 2017

Week in Review • Week 34


Good Sunday morning, Bookworms!!

Did you have a really great week this week?? I hope you did!
Mine was busy, as usual, and pretty exhausting.
I didn't even have the energy to sit down to do any post this week.
Ooops.
But, I did manage a bit of reading, so that's something!

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/12127750-the-mark-of-athena https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/16045001-brooklyn-girls

This week I finished two books, the first being The Mark of Athena by Rick Riordan, which was really awesome. (I swear, this series just gets better and better as it goes along!)

The second book I read was Brooklyn Girls by Gemma Burgess, which was a book club pick for this month! I really love book club, it's always so much fun!


I've not watched any movies or tv this week, BUT, a lot of things on my Netflix and Hulu watchlists are expiring at the end of the month, so I'm going to try to watch them. Fingers crossed!

https://www.instagram.com/thereaderbee/

If you're on Instagram, do check out the September Book Challenge that Lori (loriimagination) and I are hosting again next month! It's a lot of fun, and we'd love for you to join us!!


We will also be doing a read-along next month as well, so check our Instagram's tomorrow for more information on that!

Can you believe that August is almost over? This month has gone by way too quickly, and I feel like I've not accomplished anything. I still have SO much to do before the month is over. I guess I'd better get to it! :)

So, that's all for this week...

Sunday, August 20, 2017

Week in Review • Week 33


Good morning, Bookworms!!

Despite having a pretty crazy week, I actually have things to update today!!
I finished two whole books, and watched a movie. Not too bad, I think!

Here's what I've been up to this week...

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17347383-harry-potter-and-the-prisoner-of-azkaban https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/25026403-starfall

This week I managed to finish two books, the first being my re-read of Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban by J.K. Rowling, which I listened to on audiobook. You guys, if you've not listened to the audiobooks for this series before, I do recommend you check them out. Jim Dale is the BEST narrator ever!!

I also finally read Starfall by Melissa Landers, which wasn't actually on my TBR for this month, but I just really wanted to read it. :)

I'm *still* reading The Lying Game by Ruth Ware. The story is really good so far, but I'm having a hard time focusing on the book. I'm hoping to finish it this week though. :)

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0061418/
Whooo, hooo! I actually watched a movie this week! It was Bonnie and Clyde (1967) which I watched with my fellow book club ladies! I have never seen this movie before, but I definitely enjoyed it!

https://www.instagram.com/thereaderbee/

This week has been the longest week ever, and I'm so glad it's over. ESPECIALLY because I'm SO super excited for the Solar Eclipse that is happening tomorrow!! My city is in the path of totality, so I'm hoping to get a good glimpse. Good thing I purchased my Nasa approved solar glasses weeks ago, because you can't find them hardly anywhere now! I can't wait. :)

That's about all for this week! Can you believe we only have 10 days left in August? I have SO much reading I need to get caught up on this month! Gah!

See you next week!

Thursday, August 17, 2017

My Thoughts: The Secret History of Us by Jessi Kirby

The Secret History of Us
by Jessi Kirby
Website | Twitter | Facebook

Publication Date: August 1st 2017
Publisher: HarperTeen
Pages: 288
ISBN: 9780062299468
Genre: Young Adult | Contemporary
Source: Edelweiss

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


A near drowning…a coma for days…and then…

Olivia wakes up to realize she doesn’t remember. Not just the accident—but anything from the last four years. Not high school. Not Matt, the guy who is apparently her boyfriend. Not the reason she and Jules are no longer friends. Nothing.

That’s when it hits her—the accident may not have taken her life, but it took something just as vital: her memory. The harder she tires to remember things, the foggier everything gets, and figuring out who she is feels impossible when everyone keeps telling her who she was.

But then there’s Walker. The guy who saved her. The one who broke her ribs pumping life back into her lungs. The hardened boy who keeps his distance despite Olivia’s attempts to thank him.

With her feelings growing for Walker, tensions rising with Matt, and secrets she can’t help but feel are being kept from her, Olivia must find her place in a life she doesn’t even remember living. (Goodreads)

My Thoughts...

I was really excited to read The Secret History of Us by Jessi Kirby, as I had read her previous book, The Things We Know By Heart last year, and really enjoyed it. I just knew that I was going to like The Secret History of Us as well, and I did!

The story definitely starts off with a bang, and it completely grabbed my attention and didn't let go. We follow Olivia as she wakes up in a hospital with absolutely no memory of how she got there. As the story goes along, the pieces of what happened the night of the accident start to slowly come together, and if you're anything like me, you'll fly through the pages trying to put all those pieces together. I was hooked. Coming in at just 288 pages, this book was a really quick read, and I found myself not wanting it to be over as I turned the last page!

Can I say that I can't even imagine being in Olivia's shoes? She definitely handled it much better than I would have, which would have been a blubbering, sobbing mess. She's definitely a strong character, and she has your right along with her as she tries to piece together exactly what happened. She has a really great, supportive family, who do their best to try to help her the best way they possibly can. I don't really feel like we got to know much about some of the secondary characters in the story, but in this case, I was more than ok with that, as I really just wanted to know more about Olivia. Ok, ok... I would have liked to know a little bit more about Walker as well. *wink*

Overall; I really enjoyed reading The Secret History of Us, and I'm even more curious to read more of Jessi's books now! Golden, In Honor, and Moonglass in particular have been on my TBR for a while now, and I'm definitely going to have to pick them up soon!


Wednesday, August 16, 2017

Waiting on Wednesday #287 - Daughter of the Siren Queen by Tricia Levenseller

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/34499216-daughter-of-the-siren-queen
Daughter of the Siren Queen
(Daughter of the Pirate King #2)
by Tricia Levenseller
Website | Twitter | Facebook

Publication Date: February 27th 2018
Publisher: Feiwel & Friends
ISBN: 9781250096012

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

The capable, confident, and occasionally ruthless heroine of Daughter of the Pirate King is back in this action-packed sequel that promises rousing high seas adventures and the perfect dash of magic.

Alosa's mission is finally complete. Not only has she recovered all three pieces of the map to a legendary hidden treasure, but the pirates who originally took her captive are now prisoners on her ship. Still unfairly attractive and unexpectedly loyal, first mate Riden is a constant distraction, but now he's under her orders. And she takes great comfort in knowing that the villainous Vordan will soon be facing her father's justice.

When Vordan exposes a secret her father has kept for years, Alosa and her crew find themselves in a deadly race with the feared Pirate King. Despite the danger, Alosa knows they will recover the treasure first . . . after all, she is the daughter of the Siren Queen.

In Daughter of the Siren Queen, Tricia Levenseller brings together the perfect mix of thrilling action, tense battle scenes, and a heart-pounding romance. (Goodreads)

Last year I had the pleasure of reading Daughter of the Pirate King by Tricia Levenseller, 
and I really enjoyed the book SO MUCH!!
I am really excited to read Daughter of the Siren Queen when it's released in February!
I must know what's going to happen next.
Add the books to your TBR today!
**"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking The Spine,
that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.**


Tuesday, August 15, 2017

Top Ten Tuesday: Book Recommendations If You're New to Contemporaries



August 15:  Ten book recommendations for ______________:

Good morning, Bookworms!! I'm often asked to recommend books to people who are new to contemporary novels, so I chose to share a few of my picks for today's Top Ten Tuesday!!


https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/15749186-to-all-the-boys-i-ve-loved-before https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/15395725-the-truth-about-forever

1. To All the Boys I've Loved Before by Jenny Han - This book is one of the first books that I always recommend to someone that is new to contemporaries! I love the everything about this book. If you haven't read it yet, do it! Also, it's going to be a movie soon!

2. The Truth About Forever by Sarah Dessen - Sarah is another go-to author that I recommend to someone looking for a great contemporary! It's hard to choose just one favorite of hers, but I really love The Truth About Forever!

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/31449227-ramona-blue https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/30653853-the-upside-of-unrequited

3. Ramona Blue by Julie Murphy - I have had the pleasure of reading all of Julie Murphy's books the books that Julie Murphy has released so far, and they are all so good! Dumplin' is being made into a movie, and I bet it's going to be great as well!

4. The Upside of Unrequited by Becky Albertalli - Becky has two awesome books out so far, and they are both SO GOOD. If you've not yet read Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda or The Upside of Unrequited, add them to your TBR ASAP! And, yes... SIMON IS GOING TO BE A MOVIE TOO!!

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18692431-everything-everything https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/16068905-fangirl

5. Everything, Everything by Nicola Yoon - This is the only book that I've read so far by Nicola Yoon, but I loved it, and I can't wait to get started on The Sun is Also a Star! (Yep, Everything, Everything is ALREADY a movie! I still need to watch it!)

6. Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell - I've read almost all of Rainbow Rowell's books, and they are all great! Fangirl is a particular favorite of mine. I need to reread it soon so that I can FINALLY read Carry On!

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17838528-the-unexpected-everything https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/30038906-the-names-they-gave-us

7. The Unexpected Everything by Morgan Matson - I've only read about half of Morgan Matson's books so far, but I've really enjoyed all the ones I have read, including The Unexpected Everything!!

8. The Names They Gave Us by Emery Lord - I have read all of Emery Lord's books, and they just get better and better with every new one she comes out with. Definitely check out her books!

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17453983-anna-and-the-french-kiss https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/25486998-p-s-i-like-you

9. Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins - This book is probably one of the very first YA contemporaries that I read, and I instantly fell in love with the genre. I really need to reread the series soon!

10. P.S. I Like You by Kasie West - If you've recently check out my last few Waiting on Wednesday picks, you'll know how much I really love Kasie West! I've read all of her contemporary novels, and she has quite a few out now! All her books are quick, fun reads. Do check them out!


That's my list for this week!!

What did you choose for your Top Ten Recommendations for today??
Leave a link so I can check out your post!!
And have a great Tuesday, all!
 
 

Sunday, August 13, 2017

Week in Review • Week 32


Good Sunday morning, Bookworms!!
Did you guys have a great week??
Mine was busy, but I did manage to accomplish a few things!!
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/30285562-lucky-in-love https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/32703429-the-secret-history-of-us

This week I finished reading not one but TWO books, and I DNFed another book, which I *still* haven't gotten used to doing, but have done a few times already this year. My thoughts for Lucky in Love by Kasie West are on the blog already, and The Secret History of Us by Jessi Kirby will be up this coming week!

I'm currently reading three books and listening to two audiobooks at the moment, so hopefully I'll have a much better book update next week. :)
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0094137

I only had time to watch one movie this week, and of course it's a fave that I've seen about a MILLION times already, but Three Men and a Baby never gets old. *grin*

I *really* need to spend some time working on my movie watching goal for the year. Like with books, I set a goal to watch 100 movies again this year, and I've only managed 40 so far. I must fix that soon!

https://www.instagram.com/thereaderbee/

School has officially started back in our area, but we all survived the first two days back, so that's great for us. Next week will be their first full week back, and hopefully it will continue to go well. Though being back to school means less reading time for me, as I'm usually spending most of my time in the car waiting for people or carpooling people around. I'm hoping that I can manage my time better this year though. We shall see!!

That's about all for me this week!