Thursday, December 31, 2015

December Wrap Up & Book Haul

*December Book Haul*

Happily Ever After by Kiera Cass
The Goblin's Puzzle by Andrew S. Chilton
The Geography of You and Me by Jennifer E. Smith
The Eye of Minds by James Dashner
I'll Give You The Sun by Jandy Nelson
The Lost Hero by Rick Riordan

Other Bookish Gifts:
Sorry, All Booked Up Calendar
Me Before You & Finnick Odair Bookmarks
(Thanks Kathy!)


*Books Read in December*

A Thousand Nights by E.K. Johnston
The Eye of Minds by James Dashner
Dirty Rowdy Thing by Christina Lauren


So, December was not the best month for me in terms of 'books read'.
I only finished 3 books all month, and all of these were read this last week of December.
What a month!!
Between the Christmas Rush, being sick almost all month, my daughters eye injury
and our neighborhood flooding, there wasn't much time for me to read.
Hopefully things will calm down with the New Year,
because I have LOTS of books to read!!

Also, I love everything in my Book Haul for this month!!

Tuesday, December 29, 2015

Top Ten Tuesday: Most Anticipated Releases For The First Half of 2016

December 29: Top Ten Most Anticipated Releases For The First Half of 2016

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/25494343-lady-midnight https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/16131489-the-last-star

1. Lady Midnight by Cassandra Clare- I've been a fan of Cassandra Clare's since I first started reading YA books, and I'm really, really excited to read something new by her. This book is massive, and sounds really awesome, and I'm So Very Excited to finally read it!

2. The Last Star by Rick Yancey - I absolutely can't wait to see how this series is going to end! I really enjoyed the first two books in the series, and I'm dying to see how it's going to end!

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/20443235-the-winner-s-kiss https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17378527-the-raven-king

3. The Winner's Kiss by Marie Rutkoski - The third and final book in the Winner's Trilogy has me super curious to see what's going to happen for Kestrel and Arin. I'm waiting impatiently to see how this ends for them!

4. The Raven King by Maggie Stievater - I can't believe this is the final book in the Raven Cycle series! I'm dying to know how it's going to end, BUT I TOTALLY DON'T WANT IT TO END!!

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/25663637-when-we-collided

5. When We Collided by Emery Lord - I've loved ALL the books that Emery Lord has written so far, and I'm super excited to read something new by her!!

6. The Unexpected Everything by Morgan Matson - I haven't read all of Morgan Matson's books, yet, but the ones I have read, I've really enjoyed. So excited to read this new one, and I love the cover!

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17927395-a-court-of-mist-and-fury

7. A Court of Mist and Fury by Sarah J. Maas - A Court of Thorns and Roses was the first book I've read by Sarah J. Maas, and I'm definitely intrigued to see where this series is going to go next!

8. Glass Sword by Victoria Aveyard - I was really intrigued by the uniqueness in Red Queen, and I'm super curious to see what's going to happen next as the series goes along!

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17928147-walk-the-edge https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/25689049-hearts-fingers-and-other-things-to-cross

9. Walk the Edge by Katie McGarry - I love, love, love Katie McGarry books, and I am really looking forward to reading Razor's story!

10. Hearts, Fingers, and Other Things to Cross by Katie Finn - I am so obsessed with this series. I LOVE IT, and I can't wait to see how it's going to end, even though I don't really want it to end!


You guys, these are only a few of my most anticipated reads for the 2016!
Seriously, I think it's going to be another amazing year for books.
Hopefully I can keep caught up, as I'm still so behind on my most anticipated 2015 releases!

Wednesday, December 23, 2015

Waiting on Wednesday #226 - A Season for Fireflies by Rebecca Maizel

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/26869838-a-season-for-fireflies
A Season for Fireflies
by Rebecca Maizel
Website | Twitter | Facebook

Publication Date: June 28th 2016
Publisher: HarperTeen
ISBN: 9780062327642

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/26869838-a-season-for-fireflies

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

A story of second chances from the author of Between Us and the Moon, which Kirkus Reviews called “what first love is meant to be.”

A year ago, Penny Berne was the star of her high school’s theater department, surrounded by a group of misfit friends and falling in love for the first time. Now her old friends won’t talk to her, her new best friend is the most popular girl in school, and her first love, Wes, ignores her. Penny is revered and hated. Then, in a flash, a near-fatal lightning strike leaves Penny with no memory of the past year—or how she went from drama nerd to queen bee.

As a record number of fireflies light up her town and her life, Penny realizes she may be able to make things right again—and that even if she can’t change the past, she can learn to see the magic where she never could before.

This captivating new novel about first love, second chances, and the power of memory is perfect for fans of Lauren Oliver’s Before I Fall and Katie Cotugno’s How to Love. (Goodreads)

I read Maizel's *Between Us and the Moon* last year,
and I really enjoyed how thought-provoking the story was.
I'm really looking forward to reading this new book by Maizel!
It sounds really interesting. :)
**"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking The Spine,
that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.**


Tuesday, December 22, 2015

Top Ten Tuesday: Books I Wouldn't Mind Santa Leaving Under My Tree This Year

December 22: Top Ten Books I Wouldn't Mind Santa Leaving Under My Tree This Year

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/9275658-legend https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6604794-the-sky-is-everywhere

1. Legend by Marie Lu- I've had this on my TRB for FOREVER, and I just want to read it already!

2. The Sky is Everywhere by Jandy Nelson - I had both of Nelson's books on my TBR, and my lovely friend Kathy gifted me with I'll Give You the Sun recently! Now I just need The Sky Is Everywhere. :)


https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13112869-not-a-drop-to-drink https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18692431-everything-everything

3. Not a Drop to Drink by Mindy McGinnis - I really enjoyed McGinnis' *A Madness So Discreet*, and I'm dying to read this series as well!

4. Everything Everything by Nicola Yoon - Everyone has read this book but me, and I just want a copy for my very own!!!

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18798983-the-wrath-and-the-dawn https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/15789443-something-real

5. The Wrath and The Dawn by Renee Ahdieh -Yet another book that I'm behind on that sounds AMAZING! I want!

6. Something Real by Heather Demetrios - I read *I'll Meet You There* by Demetrios earlier this year and LOVED it! I need *Something Real* in my life ASAP!

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13138736-their-fractured-light https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/16101128-the-5th-wave

7. Their Fractured Light by Amie Kaufman and Meagan Spooner - I read the first two books in this series and adored them so much! I'm so behind on this book. I need it!!

8. The 5th Wave by Rick Yancey - Really, really enjoyed this series, and I need to add it to my bookshelf soon!

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18007564-the-martian https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/22055262-a-darker-shade-of-magic

9. The Martian by Andy Weir - Read this book, loved it, but I don't have my own copy... yet!!

10. A Darker Shade of Magic by V.E. Schwab - I think everyone I know BUT me has read this book. I must have it!


These are only a FEW books that I'd love for Santa to bring me!!
I have a Wishlist about a mile long of the rest of the books I'd love to have.
Soon, I shall have them ALL!
BAHAHAHA!!
;)

What books do you want SANTA to leave under your tree??

Sunday, December 20, 2015

The 12 Days of Dasher Blog Tour & Giveaway!!



Hey Bookworms!!

Today I'm participating in the 12 Days of Dashner Blog Tour!
This tour is to celebrate the release of the final book in The Mortality Doctorine series,
The Game of Lives!

I've just started reading this series, and so far I'm really enjoying it. Have you read it?
If not, here's your chance to win a SIGNED COPY of the whole series!

That's right, you could win The Eye of Minds, The Rule of Thoughts AND The Game of Lives,
AND they are SIGNED by James Dashner himself.
Want more information? Keep reading!!

___________________________________________________


*About the Series*

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/19322262-the-eye-of-mindshttps://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17700320-the-rule-of-thoughtshttps://www.goodreads.com/book/show/23257464-the-game-of-lives

Only weeks ago, sinking into the Sleep was fun, and Michael used to live to game. The VirtNet combined the most cutting-edge technology and the most sophisticated gaming for a full mind-body experience. But now every time Michael sinks, he risks his life, as the VirtNet has become a world of deadly consequences. The Mortality Doctrine—Kaine’s master plan—has nearly been realized, and little by little the line separating the virtual from the real is blurring. If Kaine succeeds, it will mean worldwide cyber domination. And it looks like Michael and his friends are the only ones who can put the monster back in the box—if Michael can figure out who his friends really are.

The Mortality Doctrine series has been hailed as “an intriguing read for the digital generation” (Kirkus Reviews) and “a gripping page-turner” (BookPage), delivering “an adrenaline rush” (School Library Journal). The series has captivated Dashner fans and became an instant New York Times bestseller. THE GAME OF LIVES is sure to follow suit.

Dashner is the author of the #1 New York Times bestselling Maze Runner series, which has sold 12 million copies to date, and has seen major motion picture adaptations of both The Maze Runner and most recently The Scorch Trials. Maze Runner: The Scorch Trials debuted at #1 at the box office and continues to entertain moviegoers around the globe. The DVD and Blu-Ray release is slated for December.

___________________________________________________


More about the Books...

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/19322262-the-eye-of-minds
by James Dashner
(The Mortality Doctrine #1)

Publication Date: October 8th 2013 | Publisher: Delacorte Press
Pages: 308 | ISBN: 9780385741408 | Genre: Sci-Fi

Add to Goodreads

Available for Purchase:


 Michael is a gamer. And like most gamers, he almost spends more time on the VirtNet than in the actual world. The VirtNet offers total mind and body immersion, and the more hacking skills you have, the more fun. Why bother following the rules when most of them are dumb, anyway?

But some rules were made for a reason. Some technology is too dangerous to fool with. And one gamer has been doing exactly that, with murderous results.

The government knows that to catch a hacker, you need a hacker. And they’ve been watching Michael. If he accepts their challenge, Michael will need to go off the VirtNet grid to the back alleys and corners of the system human eyes have never seen—and there’s the possibility that the line between game and reality will be blurred forever.


https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17700320-the-rule-of-thoughts
by James Dashner
(The Mortality Doctrine #2)

Publication Date: August 26th 2014 | Publisher: Delacorte Press
Pages: 325 | ISBN: 9780385741415 | Genre: Sci-Fi

Add to Goodreads

Available for Purchase:


From the New York Times bestselling author of the Maze Runner series comes The Rule of Thoughts, the exciting sequel to The Eye of Minds. Fans of the Divergent series by Veronica Roth and The Hunger Games will love the new Mortality Doctrine series.

Michael completed the Path. What he found at the end turned everything he’d ever known about his life—and the world—completely upside down.

He barely survived. But it was the only way VirtNet Security knew to find the cyber-terrorist Kaine—and to make the Sleep safe for gamers once again. And, the truth Michael discovered about Kaine is more complex than they anticipated, and more terrifying than even the worst of their fears.

Kaine is a tangent, a computer program that has become sentient. And Michael’s completing the Path was the first stage in turning Kaine’s master plan, the Mortality Doctrine, into a reality.

The Mortality Doctrine will populate Earth entirely with human bodies harboring tangent minds. Any gamer who sinks into the VirtNet risks coming out with a tangent intelligence in control of their body.

And the takeover has already begun.


https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/23257464-the-game-of-lives
by James Dashner
(The Mortality Doctrine #3)

Publication Date: November 17th 2015 | Publisher: Delacorte Press
Pages: 352 | ISBN: 9780385741439 | Genre: Sci-Fi

Add to Goodreads

Available for Purchase:


Michael used to live to game, but the games he was playing have become all too real. Only weeks ago, sinking into the Sleep was fun. The VirtNet combined the most cutting-edge technology and the most sophisticated gaming for a full mind-body experience. And it was Michael’s passion. But now every time Michael sinks, he risks his life.

The games are over. The VirtNet has become a world of deadly consequences, and Kaine grows stronger by the day. The Mortality Doctrine—Kaine’s master plan—has nearly been realized, and little by little the line separating the virtual from the real is blurring. If Kaine succeeds, it will mean worldwide cyber domination. And it looks like Michael and his friends are the only ones who can put the monster back in the box—if Michael can figure out who his friends really are.

___________________________________________________


*About the Author*


JAMES DASHNER is the author of the New York Times bestselling Maze Runner series, as well as the Thirteenth Reality series and two books in the Infinity Ring series. A former CPA, Dashner is now a full-time writer, creating novels that legions of readers have enjoyed. He lives with his family in Utah. To learn more about him and his books, visit JamesDashner.com, follow @jamesdashner on Twitter, and find dashnerjames on Instagram.

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram

___________________________________________________


Check out the other stops on this blog tour!!

12 Days of Dashner Blog Tour:
December 12-23, 2015

December 12th The Irish Banana Review
December 13th Mundie Moms
December 14th: Bookhounds YA 
December 15th: No BS Book Reviews
December 16th Fiction Fare
December 17th: Once Upon A Twilight
December 18th: My Bookish Ways
December 19th: The Reader Bee
December 20th: The Young Folks
December 21st: Page Turners Blog
December 22nd: Fangirlish
December 23rd: Bookish Lifestyle

___________________________________________________

*Now for the Giveaway!!*

US Only
ONE lucky winner will receive and autographed set of
*The Mortality Doctrine*!!
Giveaway ends 12/26

Good luck!!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Thursday, December 17, 2015

Merry Christmas Giveaway 2015!!


It's time for my yearly Christmas Giveaway!!
2015 was an amazing year for books,
and I can't wait to give away one of my favorites to YOU!
Keep scrolling for your chance to enter to win!!





These are just a few of my most favorite reads of 2015!!
Have you read any of them?? ALL of them??
Which one would you pick??
Enter now for a chance to win one!!


*Giveaway Rules*

ONE lucky winner gets to choose ONE of the books listed above.

Open US & International
(As long as TheBookDepository delivers to your area.)

Giveaway ends on 12/24/15
Winner will have 48 hours to respond.

Must be 13 years or older to join.

By entering in this giveaway, you are agreeing to the terms above.


a Rafflecopter giveaway