Tuesday, January 31, 2017

January 2017 Wrap Up & Book Haul

*January Book Haul*

Windwitch by Susan Dennard
RoseBlood by A.G. Howard
Wayfarer by Alexandra Bracken
Windfall by Jennifer E. Smith
Rebel of the Sands by Alwyn Hamilton
Traitor to the Throne by Alwyn Hamilton
The Names They Gave Us by Emery Lord
Breaking by Danielle Rollins
The Dark Days Pact by Alison Goodman

*January Wrap Up*

By Your Side by Kasie West *
A Thousand Pieces of You by Claudia Gray **
Wayfarer by Alexandra Bracken
Ten Thousand Skies Above You by Claudia Gray **
Leviathan by Scott Westerfeld **
RoseBlood by A.G. HOward
Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty
Caraval by Stephanie Garber *
Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver **

* not pictured  ** audiobook


January was a great month for books!
I didn't get to read as many as I wanted to,but 9 books isn't too bad.
There were a lot of great January releases added to my collection,
as well as some upcoming books that I'm super excited to get started on.

My February TBR is a little overwhelming,
but I'm hoping that I can focus long enough to put a dent in it as well.
Lots of great books coming out next month, so I'm ready to get to it!

What new books did you get in January??
What books did you read??



Top Ten Tuesday: Graphic Novels on my TBR


January 31: All about the visuals: Top Ten Favorite Graphic Novels/Comics or Ten Comics on My TBR or Top Ten Favorite Picture Books

To be honest, I'm super new to graphic novels! I read a few at the end of last year though, and really enjoyed them, and now I want to read more! I've discovered quite a few I didn't know about when making this list, and now I'm so excited to start them!

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/29772863-wires-and-nerve-volume-1 https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17333322-miss-peregrine-s-home-for-peculiar-children

1. Wires and Nerve, Volume 1 (Wires and Nerve #1) by Marissa Meyer - I've been seeing this book around a LOT lately, and I'm super curious! I still need to finish the original series first, but hopefully I can get to it soon!

2. Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children: The Graphic Novel (Miss Peregrine's Peculiar Children Graphic Novels #1) by Ransom Riggs - I just read Miss Peregrine's last year, and really, really enjoyed the book! I still need to read the second and third books in the series, but I'm also adding the graphic novel to my list as well!

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18621560-iron-king-1 https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/22571758-legend

3.  Iron King (The Iron Fey Manga #1) by Julie Kagawa - How did I not know this was a thing? I LOVE the Iron Fey series!! I must get a copy of this soon.

4. Legend: The Graphic Novel (Legend: The Graphic Novel #1) by Marie Lu - This is another series I need to finish (start) before I can read the graphic novel, but it's good to know this is out there waiting on me!

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/7736086-the-lightning-thief https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/30754980-big-mushy-happy-lump

5. The Lightning Thief: The Graphic Novel (Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Graphic Novels #1) by Rick Riordan - This was actually one of the first graphic novels I ever read! Last year I read the first three novels in this series, and I'm anxiously waiting to get my hands on the fourth and fifth novels. :)

6. Big Mushy Happy Lump (Sarah's Scribbles#2) by Sarah Andersen - Another first for me, I read Adulthood is a Myth last year, and I LOVED IT! Very relatable. I can't wait for this second book!

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13226173-the-infernal-devices https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/16074534-city-of-bones

7. The Infernal Devices: Clockwork Angel (The Infernal Devices: Manga #1) by Cassandra Clare - Again, how did I not know that these were a thing?!?! I totally would have read them sooner if I had. Luckily my library as the three novels in this series, and I can't wait to get started on them!

8. City of Bones: The Graphic Novel (The Mortal Instruments: Graphic Novel #1) by Cassandra Clare - Again, see above. My library does not have this set, but hopefully they will get them in soon.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/7306986-pride-prejudice https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/10042151-sense-and-sensibility

9. Pride & Prejudice (Jane Austen: Marvel Adaptations) by Nancy Butler, Hugo Petrus, Jane Austen - AHHHHHH! I actually think I knew about this one before, but I must have completely forgotten, because I totally would have read it sooner. There are actually quite a few P&P graphic novels out there, so I'm excited to read them all!

10. Sense and Sensibility (Jane Austen: Marvel Adaptations) by Nancy Butler, Sonny Liew, Jane Austen - Same as above! I have both of these on hold at the library, and I can't wait to read them!


There you have it! My small list of graphic novels on my TBR.
Have a suggestion of a novel I should try?? Leave a comment below and I'll check it out!

Monday, January 30, 2017

My Thoughts: Caraval by Stephanie Garber

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/27883214-caraval
Caraval
(Caraval #1)
by Stephanie Garber
Website | Twitter | Facebook

Publication Date: January 31st 2017
Publisher: Flatiron Books
Pages: 407
ISBN: 9781250095251
Genre: Young Adult | Fantasy
Source: For Review/Own

Add to Goodreads

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

Welcome to Caraval, where nothing is quite what it seems.

Scarlett has never left the tiny isle of Trisda, pining from afar for the wonder of Caraval, a once-a-year week-long performance where the audience participates in the show.

Caraval is Magic. Mystery. Adventure. And for Scarlett and her beloved sister Tella it represents freedom and an escape from their ruthless, abusive father.

When the sisters' long-awaited invitations to Caraval finally arrive, it seems their dreams have come true. But no sooner have they arrived than Tella vanishes, kidnapped by the show's mastermind organiser, Legend.

Scarlett has been told that everything that happens during Caraval is only an elaborate performance. But nonetheless she quickly becomes enmeshed in a dangerous game of love, magic and heartbreak. And real or not, she must find Tella before the game is over, and her sister disappears forever.

A mesmerising, magical and stunningly imaginative debut novel for anyone who loved The Night Circus and Daughter of Smoke and Bone.
(Goodreads)

My Thoughts...

I have to admit, I was pretty curious to read Caraval by Stephanie Garber, especially after reading so much hype about the book. I had heard the book was pretty awesome, and I couldn't wait to read it for myself to see what the fuss was about. I definitely was not disappointed; Caraval was great!

I absolutely loved the storyline for the book. It was mysterious and completely captivating. As I was reading the book, I actually felt like I was IN the story. All of the magical aspects of the book were completely fascinating as well. I love that the story kept me guessing throughout the WHOLE book; I never knew what to expect next as I turned the pages. I love when a book does that! I'm definitely on board for reading the second book as soon as it's released, and I was be impatiently waiting to get my hands on it!

There are SO many characters that I love in the story, including the main character, Scarlett. I love that she's so strong, despite the horrible father that she has, and that she's willing to do whatever she has to do to protect her sister. It was really interesting to follow her on her journey through this magical world. There was also Julian, who, to be honest, was hard not to fall in love with. *grin*. There are a few more interesting secondary characters in the story that you will love, and a few that will you will not love in the least, but they are all very well written, and I was left wanting to know more about quite a few of them.

Overall; Caraval was a really great read, and is definitely a most welcome addition to my bookshelf! I'm now even more excited to get my hands on the next book in this duology, which does not yet have a name or release date, but I still can't wait to have. Pick up a copy of Caraval today!



Sunday, January 29, 2017

Week in Review • Week 4


I really don't even know what to say about this past week. It's just been a horrible, train-wreck of a mess that has done nothing but made me extremely angry and distracted. (If you follow my Twitter feed at all, or live in the US, you totally know what mess I'm talking about.) Because of that, I've not accomplished hardly anything worth updating about this week. Sigh.

Here is what little I accomplished...


https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/19486412-big-little-lies https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/27883214-caraval

I did manage to finish one book this week, Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty, which was absolutely fabulous! I read the bulk of this book in just one day, and I loved it. It really kept me guessing. And now I'm even more excited for the tv series!

I'm *this* close to being finished with Caraval by Stephanie Garber as well, which is SO much better than I expected! I had hoped to finish it on Saturday, but I was not feeling well, so I'm hoping to finish it up today.

I did not really manage to watch any TV or movies this week, other than one episode of This is Us. I'm still behind on SO many shows! I *still* haven't watched Victoria on PBS, which I have been DYING to watch. I'm also still behind on Emerald City, after only watching the first episode, and I didn't get to watch Riverdale, either!

Sigh. Hopefully I can get caught up on these by next week.


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


I'm still puttering along with my bullet journal, and that has been really great for me this week. One day I will share it with you guys, but I'm still not really in a place where I actually like what I'm doing. I'll get the hang of it soon though.

Also, the end is in sight... the end of Basketball Cheer season, that is! Do you know how many hours a week I spend sitting in the bleachers? A LOT. Haha! I'm really looking forward to having my evenings back again. :)

So, yeah... this weekend update has been pretty depressing, and I do not like that!
Here's hoping that I have a REALLY good week next week, and will have lots to update about.
Tomorrow is my birthday, so I at least have to have that one good day, right? :)

What have you been up to this past week??



Friday, January 27, 2017

My Thoughts: By Your Side by Kasie West

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/30256248-by-your-side
By Your Side
by Kasie West
Website | Twitter | Facebook

Publication Date: January 31st 2017
Publisher: HarperTeen
Pages: 352
ISBN: 9780062455864
Genre: Young Adult | Contemporary
Source: Edelweiss

Add to Goodreads

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

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? (Goodreads)

My Thoughts...

By Your Side by Kasie West was my very first read of 2017. I wanted to pick something that I knew I would love for my first read of the year, and as I adore Kasie's books and contemporaries are my favorite genre, I just know that this book would be the perfect pick. And it was!

The storyline for the book was really cute, just like the rest of West's novels. Imagine being accidentally locked in a library over a three day holiday weekend. Yeah, who of us wouldn't love that?? (Of course, I would also want unlimited amounts of food as well, but, yeah.) Three days uninterrupted in the library? Count me in! That is exactly what happens to our leading lady, Autumn. And when she realizes she's not completely alone in the library, things get even more interesting. This storyline, it was really great, and I flew through the pages in just a few hours time.

I was able to relate to Autumn in more ways than I expected, expect for the fact that she totally didn't take advantage of BEING LOCKED IN THE LIBRARY FOR THREE DAYS. Haha. I know, not everyone can be bookworms, but still. I definitely related to her through her anxiety issues, and I'm sure a lot of you will be able to relate to that as well, and I'm glad that I'm seeing this more and more in books. Dax, the guy that Autumn finds herself locked in the library with, was really interesting as well.

Overall; By Your Side is another great addition to the Kasie West collection! I really enjoyed the storyline and the characters, and I definitely plan to read this book again in the future. And, of course, having read this I am now EVEN MORE excited to get my hands on Kasie's next release, Lucky in Love, due to release in July! Check both of these books out today!


Wednesday, January 25, 2017

Waiting on Wednesday #268 - It Started With Goodbye by Christina June

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/27830287-it-started-with-goodbye
It Started With Goodbye
by Christina June
Website | Twitter | Facebook

Publication Date: May 9th 2017
Publisher: Blink
ISBN: 9780310758662

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/27830287-it-started-with-goodbye

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

Sixteen-year-old Tatum Elsea is bracing for the worst summer of her life. After being falsely accused of a crime, she’s stuck under stepmother-imposed house arrest and her BFF’s gone ghost. Tatum fills her newfound free time with community service by day and working at her covert graphic design business at night (which includes trading emails with a cute cello-playing client). When Tatum discovers she’s not the only one in the house keeping secrets, she finds she has the chance to make amends with her family and friends. Equipped with a new perspective, and assisted by her feisty step-abuela-slash-fairy-godmother, Tatum is ready to start fresh and maybe even get her happy ending along the way.

A modern play on the Cinderella story arc, Christina June’s IT STARTED WITH GOODBYE shows us that sometimes going after what you want means breaking the rules. (Goodreads)

Did you know that contemporaries are my absolute favorite??
And that this book is a modern retelling of the Cinderella storyline??
Ahh!! Yes, count me in, please!! This story sounds like it's going to be really great.
I managed to snag a review copy of the book, and I can't wait to dive into it!!

So tell me...
**"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking The Spine,
that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.**


Tuesday, January 24, 2017

Top Ten Tuesday (Freebie): Movies for Valentine's Day


January 24:  FREEBIE ---
(that super specific list you want to make?? All yours to tackle this week!)

With Valentine's Day right around the corner, I decided to use this Top Ten Tuesday Freebie
to make a list of movies I want to watch for Valentine's Day! I've not yet seen any of these, and I'm excited to finally do so! Have a suggestion on something I should watch? Leave a comment below! I'd love to hear your faves. :)

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0098635/ http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0108160/

1. When Harry Met Sally - I'm watching this with my book club girls in February, and I'm SO excited! I think I have seen parts of it before, but never all the way through.

2. Sleepless in Seattle - I actually have seen this movie before, but you can't watch one Meg Ryan movie without watching another!!

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0098258/ http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0047437/

3. Say Anything - I love John Cusack, and I've always wanted to watch this movie. I'm making it a priority in Feb!!

4. Sabrina - I've seen the remake for this movie that starred Harrison Ford and Julia Ormond, but I've never seen the original. I'm excited to watch it!

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0050105/ http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0034583/

5. An Affair to Remember - I can't believe I haven't seen this movie before. *ducks head in shame*

6. Casablanca - Same as above. How have I not watched this already??

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt3783958/? http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0243155/

7. Lalaland - I've been wanting to see this movie since I first discovered it, and I MUST go see it before it's out of the theater!

8. Bridget Jones Diary - I've always wanted to watch this movie. I read the book way back when, and thought it was interesting!

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0033045/ http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1185416

9. The Shop Around the Corner - This movie was the inspiration for one of my most favorite movies, You've Got Mail. I keep meaning to watch it!

10. When in Rome - Is Kristen Bell adorable, or what?? I've been wanting to watch this for a while now as well. I can't wait to finally do so!


And, of course, I have a list of my faves to watch as well!!

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0147800/http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1041829/http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0368933http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0125439
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1216492http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0209475/http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0100405/http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0414387
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0114924/http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0107048/mediaviewer/rm979620352http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1564367/mediaviewer/rm2349303040http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0128853/

Tell me, what movies do you watch for Valentine's Day?
(If you watch them, that is.)