Waiting on Wednesday: Bridge of Souls & Lost in the Never Woods

Bridge of Souls
(Cassidy Blake #3)
by Victoria Schwab

Expected publication: March 2nd 2021
by Scholastic Press

Where there are ghosts, Cassidy Blake follows ... unless it's the other way around?

Cass thinks she might have this ghost-hunting thing down. After all, she and her ghost best friend, Jacob, have survived two haunted cities while travelling for her parents' TV show.

But nothing can prepare Cass for New Orleans, which wears all of its hauntings on its sleeve. In a city of ghost tours and tombs, raucous music and all kinds of magic, Cass could get lost in all the colourful, grisly local legends. And the city's biggest surprise is a foe Cass never expected to face: a servant of Death itself.

Cass takes on her most dangerous challenge yet...

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Lost in the Never Woods
by Aiden Thomas

Expected publication: March 23rd 2021
by Swoon Reads

When children go missing, people want answers. When children go missing in the small coastal town of Astoria, people look to Wendy for answers.

It's been five years since Wendy and her two brothers went missing in the woods, but when the town’s children start to disappear, the questions surrounding her brothers’ mysterious circumstances are brought back into light. Attempting to flee her past, Wendy almost runs over an unconscious boy lying in the middle of the road, and gets pulled into the mystery haunting the town.

Peter, a boy she thought lived only in her stories, claims that if they don't do something, the missing children will meet the same fate as her brothers. In order to find them and rescue the missing kids, Wendy must confront what's waiting for her in the woods.

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•     •     •

Two more awesome upcoming releases this week!

I absolutely adore Victoria Schwab's Cassidy Blake series, and I feel like I have been waiting forever for this third book to release! I am very excited to check it out!

And Lost in the Never Woods sounds absolutely fantastic as well! I can't wait to read it.

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

My Thoughts: You Should See Me in a Crown by Leah Johnson (Audiobook)

You Should See Me in a Crown
by Leah Johnson
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Publication Date: June 2nd 2020
Publisher: Scholastic Press
Pages: 328
ISBN: 9781338503265
Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary

Narrated By: Alaska Jackson
Audiobook Length: 7 hours 18 minutes
Audio ISBN: B0868WKW76
Source: Own / Library Borrow

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Liz Lighty has always believed she's too black, too poor, too awkward to shine in her small, rich, prom-obsessed midwestern town. But it's okay -- Liz has a plan that will get her out of Campbell, Indiana, forever: attend the uber-elite Pennington College, play in their world-famous orchestra, and become a doctor.

But when the financial aid she was counting on unexpectedly falls through, Liz's plans come crashing down . . . until she's reminded of her school's scholarship for prom king and queen. There's nothing Liz wants to do less than endure a gauntlet of social media trolls, catty competitors, and humiliating public events, but despite her devastating fear of the spotlight she's willing to do whatever it takes to get to Pennington.

The only thing that makes it halfway bearable is the new girl in school, Mack. She's smart, funny, and just as much of an outsider as Liz. But Mack is also in the running for queen. Will falling for the competition keep Liz from her dreams . . . or make them come true? (Goodreads)

You Should See Me in a Crown if the very first release by debut author Leah Johnson, and WOW... what a book! I really did not expect to love this book as much as I did, but it was SO good, and just what I needed to read right now!

For most of 2020 I have been in a pretty massive reading slump, (as I am sure a lot of people are), and I’m always on the lookout for *the* book that will hopefully pull me out of that slump. This book is the book that did just that. I loved SO much about it!

For instance...

The characters in the story were great. ALL of them! But especially Liz, and her crush, Mack, the new girl in school who is also running for prom queen with Liz. They were SO cute, you guys! And I loved watching their relationship grow over the course of the story. Also, I love Liz’s family, and her friends as well. Books with great friendships are the best.

The storyline for this book has it all. It’s both cute and fluffy, while also tackling a lot of the heavier topics as well. These are the kinds of stories that we need out in the world right now. This book will leave you with a smile on your face as you turn the last page, and you’ll be rooting for the characters right up until the end. I really did not want the story to end.

Also, while I own a print copy of this book, I opted to check out the audiobook after listening to a sample of Alaska Jackson narrating the story. She did such a good job with the voices and telling the story, that I absolutely had to give it a listen. I’m so glad I did!

Overall; if you haven’t noticed... I really, really enjoyed You Should See Me in a Crown! This book was a fantastic read, and JUST what I needed to pull me out of my reading slump. I devoured it and wanted more at the end. Leah Johnson is definitely going on my list of auto-buy authors, and I can’t wait to read more by her in the future!

Waiting on Wednesday: Call Down the Hawk & The Guinevere Deception

Call Down the Hawk
(Dreamer Trilogy #1)
by Maggie Stiefvater
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Publication Date: November 5th 2019
Publisher: Scholastic Press
ISBN: 9781338188325

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The dreamers walk among us . . . and so do the dreamed. Those who dream cannot stop dreaming – they can only try to control it. Those who are dreamed cannot have their own lives – they will sleep forever if their dreamers die.

And then there are those who are drawn to the dreamers. To use them. To trap them. To kill them before their dreams destroy us all.

Ronan Lynch is a dreamer. He can pull both curiosities and catastrophes out of his dreams and into his compromised reality.

Jordan Hennessy is a thief. The closer she comes to the dream object she is after, the more inextricably she becomes tied to it.

Carmen Farooq-Lane is a hunter. Her brother was a dreamer . . . and a killer. She has seen what dreaming can do to a person. And she has seen the damage that dreamers can do. But that is nothing compared to the destruction that is about to be unleashed. . . . (Goodreads)

WHOOO! A new book from Maggie Stiefvater!!
I don't know about you guys, but I love The Raven Boys series SO much,

and I can't wait to get my hands on this new book!
(I have both the book AND the audiobook pre-ordered for this ones!

The Guinevere Deception
(Camelot Rising #1)
by Kiersten White
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Publication Date: November 5th 2019
Publisher: Delacorte Press
ISBN: 9780525581673

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From New York Times bestselling author Kiersten White comes a new fantasy series reimagining the Arthurian legend, set in the magical world of Camelot.

There was nothing in the world as magical and terrifying as a girl.

Princess Guinevere has come to Camelot to wed a stranger: the charismatic King Arthur. With magic clawing at the kingdom's borders, the great wizard Merlin conjured a solution--send in Guinevere to be Arthur's wife . . . and his protector from those who want to see the young king's idyllic city fail. The catch? Guinevere's real name--and her true identity--is a secret. She is a changeling, a girl who has given up everything to protect Camelot.

To keep Arthur safe, Guinevere must navigate a court in which the old--including Arthur's own family--demand things continue as they have been, and the new--those drawn by the dream of Camelot--fight for a better way to live. And always, in the green hearts of forests and the black depths of lakes, magic lies in wait to reclaim the land. Arthur's knights believe they are strong enough to face any threat, but Guinevere knows it will take more than swords to keep Camelot free.

Deadly jousts, duplicitous knights, and forbidden romances are nothing compared to the greatest threat of all: the girl with the long black hair, riding on horseback through the dark woods toward Arthur. Because when your whole existence is a lie, how can you trust even yourself?

*THE FIRST BOOK IN THE CAMELOT RISING TRILOGY* (Goodreads)

Ummmm, did you read that summary?!?!
This. Book. Sounds. AWESOME!!
I just received a finished copy in the mail last week,

and I'm SO super excited to dive into the book!!

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

Waiting on Wednesday: Tunnel of Bones & The Girl the Sea Gave Back

Tunnel of Bones
(Cassidy Blake #2)
by Victoria Schwab
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Publication Date: September 3rd 2019
Publisher: Scholastic Press
ISBN: 9781338111040

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Trouble is haunting Cassidy Blake . . . even more than usual.

She (plus her ghost best friend, Jacob, of course) are in Paris, where Cass's parents are filming their TV show about the world's most haunted cities. Sure, it's fun eating croissants and seeing the Eiffel Tower, but there's true ghostly danger lurking beneath Paris, in the creepy underground Catacombs.

When Cass accidentally awakens a frighteningly strong spirit, she must rely on her still-growing skills as a ghosthunter -- and turn to friends both old and new to help her unravel a mystery. But time is running out, and the spirit is only growing stronger.

And if Cass fails, the force she's unleashed could haunt the city forever. (Goodreads)

Have you checked out this middle grade series by Victoria Schwab?? I read the first book, City of Ghosts, last year, and really enjoyed it! I am very much looking forward to reading the sequel when it is released!

The Girl the Sea Gave Back
by Adrienne Young
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Publication Date: September 3rd 2019
Publisher: Wednesday Books
ISBN: 9781250168481

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The new gut-wrenching epic from the New York Times bestselling author of Sky in the Deep.

For as long as she can remember, Tova has lived among the Svell, the people who found her washed ashore as a child and use her for her gift as a Truthtongue. Her own home and clan are long-faded memories, but the sacred symbols and staves inked over every inch of her skin mark her as one who can cast the rune stones and see into the future. She has found a fragile place among those who fear her, but when two clans to the east bury their age-old blood feud and join together as one, her world is dangerously close to collapse.

For the first time in generations, the leaders of the Svell are divided. Should they maintain peace or go to war with the allied clans to protect their newfound power? And when their chieftain looks to Tova to cast the stones, she sets into motion a series of events that will not only change the landscape of the mainland forever but will give her something she believed she could never have again—a home. (Goodreads)

Does this story sound awesome, or what?? I have had Adrienne's Sky in the Deep on my TBR for the LONGEST, and now I'm adding this to my list to read ASAP as well! I am really looking forward to checking it out!

That's all for me this week... What about you??

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

Waiting on Wednesday: Maybe This Time & Truly Madly Royally

Maybe This Time
by Kasie West
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Publication Date:
Publisher: Point
ISBN: 9781338210088

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One year. Nine events. Nine chances to . . . fall in love?

Weddings. Funerals. Barbecues. New Year's Eve parties. Name the occasion, and Sophie Evans will be there. Well, she has to be there. Sophie works for the local florist, so she can be found at every big event in her small hometown, arranging bouquets and managing family dramas.

Enter Andrew Hart. The son of the fancy new chef in town, Andrew is suddenly required to attend all the same events as Sophie. Entitled, arrogant, preppy Andrew. Sophie just wants to get her job done and finish up her sketches so she can apply to design school. But every time she turns around, there is Andrew, getting in her way and making her life more complicated. Until one day she wonders if maybe complicated isn't so bad after all . . .

Told over the course of one year and following Sophie from event to event, this delightful novel from master of romantic comedy Kasie West shows how love can blossom in unexpected places. (Goodreads)

Squeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!
It's a new book by Kasie West, y'all!
I don't know about you guys, but I am ALWAYS excited for a new book by Kasie!
And this one sounds great, so I'm SUPER excited to check it out!!

Truly Madly Royally
by Debbie Rigaud
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Publication Date: July 30th 2019
Publisher: Point
ISBN: 9781338332728

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Fiercely independent and smart, Zora Emerson wants to change the world. She's excited to be attending a prestigious summer program, even if she feels out of place among her privileged, mostly white classmates. So she's definitely not expecting to feel a connection to Owen, who's an actual prince of an island off the coast of England. But Owen is funny, charming...and undeniably cute. Zora can't ignore the chemistry between them. When Owen invites Zora to be his date at his big brother's big royal wedding, Zora is suddenly thrust into the spotlight, along with her family and friends. Everyone is talking about her, in real life and online, and while Owen is used to the scrutiny, Zora's not sure it's something she can live with. Can she maintain her sense of self while moving between two very different worlds? And can her feelings for Owen survive and thrive in the midst of the crazy? Find out in this charming romantic comedy that's like The Princess Diaries for a new generation. (Goodreads)

The Princess Diaries for a new generation??
Count me in!!
This book sounds wonderful, and just the kind of book I love at the moment.
I can't wait to check it out!!


Those are my WOW picks for this week!!
What upcoming books are you excited for??

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

Waiting on Wednesday #325 - #MurderTrending & City of Ghosts

#MurderTrending
by Gretchen McNeil
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Publication Date: August 7th 2018
Publisher: Freeform
ISBN: 9781368010023

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WELCOME TO THE NEAR FUTURE, where good and honest 8/18 citizens can enjoy watching the executions of society’s most infamous convicted felons, streaming live on The Postman app from the suburbanized prison island Alcatraz 2.0.

When eighteen-year-old Dee Guerrera wakes up in a haze, lying on the ground of a dimly lit warehouse, she realizes she’s about to be the next victim of the app. Knowing hardened criminals are getting a taste of their own medicine in this place is one thing, but Dee refuses to roll over and die for a heinous crime she didn’t commit. Can Dee and her newly formed posse, the Death Row Breakfast Club, prove she’s innocent before she ends up wrongfully murdered for the world to see? Or will The Postman’s cast of executioners kill them off one by one? (Goodreads)

Does this book sound interesting, or what??
It's been too long since I read a book by Gretchen McNeil,

and I really can't wait to check it out!

City of Ghosts
(Cassidy Blake #1)
by Victoria Schwab
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Publication Date: August 28th 2018
Publisher: Scholastic
ISBN: 9781338111033

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Cassidy Blake's parents are The Inspectres, a (somewhat inept) ghost-hunting team. But Cass herself can REALLY see ghosts. In fact, her best friend, Jacob, just happens to be one.

When The Inspectres head to ultra-haunted Edinburgh, Scotland, for their new TV show, Cass—and Jacob—come along. In Scotland, Cass is surrounded by ghosts, not all of them friendly. Then she meets Lara, a girl who can also see the dead. But Lara tells Cassidy that as an In-betweener, their job is to send ghosts permanently beyond the Veil. Cass isn't sure about her new mission, but she does know the sinister Red Raven haunting the city doesn't belong in her world. Cassidy's powers will draw her into an epic fight that stretches through the worlds of the living and the dead, in order to save herself. (Goodreads)

Is anyone else SOOOO excited for this new book by Victoria Schwab??
*raises both hands*
This is yet another book that I can't wait to get my hands on,

and I'm super curious to finally check it out!!


What exciting new books are YOU waiting for this week??

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

Waiting on Wednesday #309 - Save the Date by Morgan Matson & Listen to Your Heart by Kasie West

Save the Date
by Morgan Matson
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Publication Date: June 5th 2018
Publisher: Simon Schuster Books for Young Readers
ISBN: 9781481404570

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Charlie Grant’s older sister is getting married this weekend at their family home, and Charlie can’t wait—for the first time in years, all four of her older siblings will be under one roof. Charlie is desperate for one last perfect weekend, before the house is sold and everything changes. The house will be filled with jokes and games and laughs again. Making decisions about things like what college to attend and reuniting with longstanding crush Jesse Foster—all that can wait. She wants to focus on making the weekend perfect.

The only problem? The weekend is shaping up to be an absolute disaster.

There’s the unexpected dog with a penchant for howling, house alarm that won’t stop going off, and a papergirl with a grudge.

There are the relatives who aren’t speaking, the (awful) girl her favorite brother brought home unannounced, and a missing tuxedo.

Not to mention the neighbor who seems to be bent on sabotage and a storm that is bent on drenching everything. The justice of the peace is missing. The band will only play covers. The guests are all crazy. And the wedding planner’s nephew is unexpectedly, distractingly…cute.

Over the course of three ridiculously chaotic days, Charlie will learn more than she ever expected about the family she thought she knew by heart. And she’ll realize that sometimes, trying to keep everything like it was in the past means missing out on the future. (Goodreads)

Um, does this book sound hilariously wonderful, or what??
Plus, it's Morgan Matson, so you knooooooow it's going to be good.
Just the summary for this book has me longing for summertime.
I can't wait to check it out!!

Listen to Your Heart
by Kasie West
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Publication Date: May 29th 2018
Publisher: Point
ISBN: 9781338210057

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Talking to other people isn't Kate Bailey's favorite activity. She'd much rather be out on the lake, soaking up the solitude and sunshine. So when her best friend, Alana, convinces Kate to join their high school's podcast, Kate is not expecting to be chosen as the host. Now she'll have to answer calls and give advice on the air? Impossible.

But to Kate's surprise, she turns out to be pretty good at the hosting gig. Then the podcast gets in a call from an anonymous guy, asking for advice about his unnamed crush. Kate is pretty sure that the caller is gorgeous Diego Martinez, and even surer that the girl in question is Alana. Kate is excited for her friend ... until Kate herself starts to develop feelings for Diego. Suddenly, Kate finds that while doling out wisdom to others may be easy, asking for help is tougher than it looks, and following your own advice is even harder.

Kasie West's adorable story of secrets, love, and friendship is sure to win over hearts everywhere. (Goodreads)

Ah, and yet another book that has me longing for summertime!
And this one sounds like a lot of fun as well!
And it's Kasie West, who ALSO never fails to disappoint!!
I'm so excited for both of these books!!

Your turn!! What book are you Waiting for this week??

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

My Thoughts: Lucky in Love by Kasie West (Audiobook)

Lucky in Love 
by Kasie West
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Publication Date: July 25th 2017
Publisher: Scholastic
Pages: 333
ISBN: 9781338058017
Genre: Young Adult | Contemporary
Source: Audiobook

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Can’t buy me love…

Maddie’s not impulsive. She’s all about hard work and planning ahead. But one night, on a whim, she buys a lottery ticket. And then, to her astonishment—

She wins!

In a flash, Maddie’s life is unrecognizable. No more stressing about college scholarships. Suddenly, she’s talking about renting a yacht. And being in the spotlight at school is fun…until rumors start flying, and random people ask her for loans. Now Maddie isn’t sure who she can trust.

Except for Seth Nguyen, her funny, charming coworker at the local zoo. Seth doesn’t seem aware of Maddie’s big news. And, for some reason, she doesn’t want to tell him. But what will happen if he learns her secret? (Goodreads)

My Thoughts...
I was really looking forward to reading Lucky in Love by Kasie West, as I’ve pretty much adored all of her previous books, and I was super curious to see how this one would compare. Needless to say, I loved it, just as I knew I would, and it’s definitely going on my list of books to re-read again soon!

There are a lot of characters to like in this book, including Maddie, the main character. I found myself relating to her in more than one way, except for the winning the lottery parts. (I would LOVE to know how that feels though!) I love her determination throughout the story, and am definitely envious that she knew what she wanted from her future, and was willing to do what she had to to get it. She has some great friends, though they do go through some trials throughout the story. I have to say that Seth was my favorite character in the story though. While others seemed fake, he didn’t, and I definitely appreciated that.

The storyline for the book revolves around Maddie winning the lottery, and the effects of that. This is the second book I’ve read this year that’s about a character winning the lottery, and I have to say that it really is fascinating to see how different viewpoints on the storyline. I can only imagine what people who win the lottery go through, so seeing it from someone else’s point of view is interesting. And, of course, the romance in the book is sweet, as it is in all of Kasie’s books that I’ve read so far. I think I enjoy that the most.  *grin*.

Also, I listened to the audiobook for Lucky in Love, and I think the narrator, Laurence Bouvard, did a great job with the voices! I will definitely be checking out more audiobooks narrated by her soon.

Overall; Lucky in Love is another great addition to Kasie West’s growing collection!! I can never get enough of her books, so it’s probably a good thing that she’s a writing machine. I just picked another of her upcoming releases for my *Waiting on Wednesday* pick recently, and I’m super excited to check it out as well!

My Thoughts: Everland by Wendy Spinale (Audiobook)

Everland
(Everland #1)
by Wendy Spinale
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Publication Date: May 10th 2016
Publisher: Scholastic Press
Pages: 312
ISBN: 9780545836944
Genre: Young Adult | Fantasy | Retelling
Source: Own

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The only way to grow up is to survive.

London has been destroyed in a blitz of bombs and disease. The only ones who have survived the destruction and the outbreak of a deadly virus are children, among them sixteen-year-old Gwen Darling and her younger siblings, Joanna and Mikey. They spend their nights scavenging and their days avoiding the deadly Marauders—the German army led by the cutthroat Captain Hanz Otto Oswald Kretschmer.

Unsure if the virus has spread past England’s borders but desperate to leave, Captain Hook is on the hunt for a cure, which he thinks can be found in one of the surviving children. He and his Marauders stalk the streets snatching children for experimentation. None ever return.

Until one day when they grab Joanna. Gwen will stop at nothing to get her sister back, but as she sets out, she crosses paths with a daredevil named Pete. Pete offers the assistance of his gang of Lost Boys and the fierce sharpshooter Bella, who have all been living in a city hidden underground. But in a place where help has a steep price and every promise is bound by blood, it might cost Gwen more than she bargained for. And are Gwen, Pete, the Lost Boys, and Bella enough to outsmart the ruthless Captain Hook? (Goodreads)

My Thoughts...
To be honest, I had Everland on my TBR for a while, but I didn’t know when I would have time to get to it. Then I helped with a promotion for the newest book in the series, and the more I read about the book, the more curious I became. When I noticed my library had the series on audiobook, I decided to go ahead and give them a try, and I’m SO GLAD I DID!!

I knew going into this book that it was a Peter Pan retelling with a twist,  but that didn’t at all prepare me for the story that I was about to read. I absolutely love retellings, and as I’ve not read many so far this year, I was really looking forward to diving into this one. I have to say I was definitely impressed!! The storyline was fascinating, and, as it was a retelling, very familiar. I enjoyed the twist in the storyline as well. The characters were also interesting, although at times it was hard to keep up with them all, but I loved Wendy and Pete and all the rest of the crew as well!

As I mentioned above, while I have a physical copy of this book, I opted to listen to the audiobook through my public library instead. I am so glad that I chose to do it this way, as the audiobook was SO GOOD!! The narrators were both great, Fiona Hardingham narrated for Wendy, and Steve West for Hook, and they were both perfection. If you have the option to listen to this on audiobook, you should totally should. You won’t regret it at all!

Overall; I really enjoyed reading Everland, so much more than I expected to! The storyline and characters were great, and I love the narrators for the audiobook as well. I’m super curious to get started on the next book, Umberland, which just recently released into the wild. I hope I enjoy it as well!

Waiting on Wednesday #279 - All the Crooked Saints by Maggie Stiefvater

All the Crooked Saints
by Maggie Stiefvater
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Publication Date: October 10th 2017
Publisher: Scholastic Press
ISBN: 9780545930802

Available for Pre-Order:
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Here is a thing everyone wants:
A miracle.

Here is a thing everyone fears:
What it takes to get one.

Any visitor to Bicho Raro, Colorado is likely to find a landscape of dark saints, forbidden love, scientific dreams, miracle-mad owls, estranged affections, one or two orphans, and a sky full of watchful desert stars.

At the heart of this place you will find the Soria family, who all have the ability to perform unusual miracles. And at the heart of this family are three cousins longing to change its future: Beatriz, the girl without feelings, who wants only to be free to examine her thoughts; Daniel, the Saint of Bicho Raro, who performs miracles for everyone but himself; and Joaquin, who spends his nights running a renegade radio station under the name Diablo Diablo.

They are all looking for a miracle. But the miracles of Bicho Raro are never quite what you expect.

Maggie Stiefvater has been called “a master storyteller” by USA Today and “wildly imaginative” by Entertainment Weekly. Now, with All the Crooked Saints, she gives us the extraordinary story of an extraordinary family, a masterful tale of love, fear, darkness, and redemption. (Goodreads)

Whooo hoooo!!
A new book by Maggie Stiefvater, COUNT ME IN!!
Does this book sound interesting, or what??
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.**

Waiting on Wednesday #266 - Lucky in Love by Kasie West

Lucky in Love
by Kasie West
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Publication Date: July 25th 2017
Publisher: Scholastic
ISBN: 9781338058017


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

In this new contemporary from YA star Kasie West, a girl who wins the lottery learns that money can cause more problems than it solves, especially when love comes into the picture.

Maddie doesn't believe in luck. She's all about hard work and planning ahead. But one night, on a whim, she buys a lottery ticket. And then, to her astonishment --

She wins!

In a flash, Maddie's life is unrecognizable. No more stressing about college scholarships. Suddenly, she's talking about renting a yacht. And being in the spotlight at school is fun... until rumors start flying, and random people ask her for loans. Now, Maddie isn't sure who she can trust.

Except for Seth Nguyen, her funny, charming coworker at the local zoo. Seth doesn't seem aware of Maddie's big news. And, for some reason, she doesn't want to tell him. But what will happen if he learns her secret?

With tons of humor and heart, Kasie West delivers a million-dollar tale of winning, losing, and falling in love. (Goodreads)

Did you know that we are getting not one, but TWO new books from Kasie West this year?!?!
The first, By Your Side, is set to release at the end of this month,

THEN we get Lucky in Love in July!!
*cue happy dance*


I've already had the pleasure of reading Be With You, which was great,
and now I'm anxiously awaiting Lucky in Love!!
Hurry July!!

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

My Thoughts: The Bad Beginning by Lemony Snicket (Audiobook)

The Bad Beginning
(A Series of Unfortunate Events #1)
by Lemony Snicket
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Publication Date: September 30th 1999
Publisher: Scholastic Inc.
Pages: 176
ISBN: 9780439206471
Genre: Childrens | Fiction | Fantasy
Source: Library

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Dear Reader,

I'm sorry to say that the book you are holding in your hands is extremely unpleasant. It tells an unhappy tale about three very unlucky children. Even though they are charming and clever, the Baudelaire siblings lead lives filled with misery and woe. From the very first page of this book when the children are at the beach and receive terrible news, continuing on through the entire story, disaster lurks at their heels. One might say they are magnets for misfortune.

In this short book alone, the three youngsters encounter a greedy and repulsive villain, itchy clothing, a disastrous fire, a plot to steal their fortune, and cold porridge for breakfast.

It is my sad duty to write down these unpleasant tales, but there is nothing stopping you from putting this book down at once and reading something happy, if you prefer that sort of thing.

With all due respect,
Lemony Snicket
(Goodreads)

My Thoughts...
I've known about the Series of Unfortunate Events books for quite some time now, but have never actually read them. My kids read the series when they were younger, and while I've been curious about the books before, I never really had the time to pick them up, and didn't plan to anytime soon. That is, until I saw the trailer from Netflix for the new show they created, starring Neil Patrick Harris, and now I want to read ALL THE BOOKS! *Grin*

I didn't know what to expect when I started reading The Bad Beginning. As I mentioned above, I had never read the books before, and have never seen the movie starring Jim Carrey either, so I had no idea what kind of story I was getting into. But, it was very much entertaining! I loved the characters; the children, Violet, Klaus and Sunny were all wonderful kids, who just really had the worst luck. Count Olaf was evil and despicable, and I'm dying to know what he's going to be up to next. There are some interesting secondary characters as well! The storyline was engaging, and very fast paced. Coming in at under 200 pages, this really was a quick read. I'm really looking forward to reading more of the series!

I actually decided to listen to these books in audiobook format, once I discovered that they were narrated by the super talented Tim Curry. I'm SO glad I decided to read them this way, as Tim was an excellent narrator! The voices he made for each of the characters were so much fun, and I can't wait to continue listening to the rest of the books in the series. (Yes, he narrates them all!) So good.

Overall; The Bad Beginning was an interesting start to the Series of Unfortunate Events series! I'm really excited to get started on the second book, The Reptile Room, to see what's going to happen next for the Baudelaire children!

My Thoughts: P.S. I Like You by Kasie West (Audiobook Review)

P.S. I Like You
by Kasie West
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Publication Date: July 26th 2016
Publisher:  Point
Pages: 330
ISBN: 9780545850971
Genre: Young Adult | Contemporary
Source: Library

Audiobook ISBN: 9781520014890
Publisher: Ideal on Dreamscape Audio

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Signed, sealed, delivered…

While spacing out in chemistry class, Lily scribbles some of her favorite song lyrics onto her desk. The next day, she finds that someone has continued the lyrics on the desk and added a message to her. Intrigue!

Soon, Lily and her anonymous pen pal are exchanging full-on letters—sharing secrets, recommending bands, and opening up to each other. Lily realizes she’s kind of falling for this letter writer. Only, who is he? As Lily attempts to unravel the mystery and juggle school, friends, crushes, and her crazy family, she discovers that matters of the heart can’t always be spelled out… (Goodreads)

My Thoughts...
When I first discovered P.S. I Like You by Kasie West, I knew it would be a book that I wanted to read. All the books I've read by West so far have been great, and I knew this one would not disappoint as well. And, it didn't! P.S. I Like You is probably my most favorite read by West so far!

The main character in the story, Lily, is adorable. I love her love for music, and could definitely relate to her through that. Actually, I could actually relate to her in so many ways. She was great. I love her family as well. They are huge and wild and totally loving. She has the type of family that I LOVE to read about in stories. I guess because it reminds me so much of my little family.

I adore the storyline for the book. I had read a review before I started the story that said it reminded the reader of the movie You've Got Mail, which just so happens to be my most favorite movie ever, so I couldn't wait to read the book to see this for myself. And it did totally remind me of the movie! An anonymous penpal, who is easy to talk to, easy to relate to, and trying to figure out who it is. Ah, I totally fell in love with this story.

P.S. I Like You is the second audiobook that I've listened to by Kasie West in the past week, so yeah, you can totally say I'm hooked. I really enjoyed the narrator for the book, Shannon McManus, who also narrated The Fill-In Boyfriend. She did a great job with the different voices, and held my attention throughout the story. Excellent job!

Overall; I can't seem to say enough about how much I loved this book. SO good, and I'm definitely going to have to get a print version to add to my shelf soon. If you're a fan of fun contemporaries, definitely check out P.S. I Like You, and ALL the books by Kasie West!