Week in Review • Week 51 AND 52

Happy Sunday, and Welcome to my weekly Week in Review post!

Here I share all the things I've been up to during the previous week.
Check back every Sunday for new post updates!

Now, here's what I've been up to this week!

(I didn't have much to report for last week, so this is my week 51 & 52 in review!)

Over the past two weeks I've managed to read quite a few books! The three books above are all review books that I read. I'm a little behind on writing reviews at the moment, but I'm hoping to have my thoughts for these books up in the next few days. All of them were pretty great reads!

I also finally finished my re-read of The Shadow Queen by C.J. Redwine, and I'm now looking forward to reading The Wish Granter and The Traitor Prince soon! And I finished The Serpent's Shadow, the last book in the Kane Chronicles series by Rick Riordan, and I'm SO excited to finally be starting the Magnus Chase series in January!

AND, I read ALL of the books in the The Chronicles of Narnia series this past week as well. I'd been wanting to read the series for a while now, mostly because I hear good things about the books, and also because I wanted to watch the movies as well. I happened to be looking at the narrators for the audiobooks last week, and there were SO many awesome readers for the audio, I decided that I HAD to listen to the books right then. I'm so glad I did!

I've spent the past two weeks trying to get caught up on my movie watching goal, (which is to watch 100 movies in 2017), and I think I'm actually going to pull it off! I have four movies left to watch on my list, and those are all movies with New Year's themes or settings, and I'm planning to watch them later today!

We mostly watched a LOT of Christmas movies over the past two weeks, and a few old favorites as well, so I'll spare you the pain of listing them all here. We did go see Pitch Perfect 3 in theaters this week, so that was fun! Here's hoping I can do a better job of keeping up with my movie goal in 2018!

I can't believe that this is my last update for 2017! What a year it has been. I've read a lot, listened to a lot, watched a lot, (not really), and walked a lot! I'm really looking forward to seeing what 2018 has in store for me, and I have my fingers crossed that it's all good things!!

That's all for me this week! So, until Next Year...

18 Books I Plan to Read this Winter

Sooooo, I meant to share this post on the first day of Winter, but didn't actually get it up in time, thanks to some health issues. But, better late than never, right?!

I am always so happy when Winter rolls around. It brings Christmastime, a New Year, and cold weather that's perfect for snuggling under a blanket with a warm drink and a good book. This is my most favorite season ever!!

And with a new season comes a new seasonal TBR! I started making these TBR's earlier this year, and I really love how they push me to read books that I've want to read for a while, but never had time to get to. So, here are just a few books I'm hoping to read this Winter!!

1. Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen - Pride and Prejudice is one of my most favorite books, and I want to start a new tradition of reading the book every year. So it's one of the first books I plan to start this year!!

2. The Fellowship of the Ring by J.R.R. Tolkien - I am stepping WAAAAAY outside my comfort zone for this book, as I've never really been interested in it, but I wanted to give it a try to see how it goes! I'm hoping to watch the movies as well.

3. Still Me by Jojo Moyes - I am SO excited for this book to release! I just recently finished my re-read of Me Before You, and I'm planning to start re-reading After You soon. Still Me will be released on my birthday, and it will be the best gift ever!

4. Goodnight from London by Jennifer Robson - I've been meaning to read this book since it was released earlier this year, and I still haven't gotten around to it! It sounds awesome, and I can't wait to check it out.

5. The Bear and the Nightingale by Katherine Arden - I have to admit, I'm super curious about this book! I've seen a lot of talk about it lately, and I can't wait to check it out.

6. The Alice Network by Kate Quinn - This is yet another book that has been on my TBR for way too long! I literally pass by my copy of it every day, and I still haven't picked it up. I plan to fix that soon!

7. Lilac Girls by Martha Hall Kelly - Lilac Girls is another book that I've been meaning to read since it was released! I was gifted a copy for Christmas, and I'm super excited to finally read it.

8. The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah - This book has been on my TBR for FOREVER! I think I'm the only person I know that hasn't read it. I can't wait to dive into it.

9. Between Shades of Gray by Ruta Sepetys - Ah, yet another book that I've been meaning to read but haven't got to. The last book I read by Ruta I really loved, and I'm hoping I will this one as well!

10. Code Name Verity by Elizabeth Wein - Another book that has been on my shelf for way too long! I've heard nothing but good things about this book. I'm hoping to read it soon!

11. The Orphan's Tale by Pam Jenoff - I actually had this book from the library earlier this year, but didn't have time to read it before it had to be returned. I MUST read it this year!

12. All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr - Yet another book that I feel like everyone has read but me. I'm super curious about this one!

13. Prisoner of Night and Fog by Anne Blankman -  This is yet ANOTHER book that I've had on my TBR for forever! Super curious to dive into it!

14. The Women in the Castle by Jessica Shattuck -  This book was released earlier this year, and while I tried really hard to work it onto my TBR, I just couldn't make time to read it. I'm hoping to get to soon!

15. Love and Other Consolation Prizes by Jamie Ford -  I have not read anything by this author before, but I have one of his previous books on my TBR for a while now, and I'm super curious about it and this one!

16. Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi -  I'm starting my re-read of the Shatter Me series this winter, in preparation of the new book that's releasing in March that I'm also super curious about.

17. Unqualified by Anna Faris -  Ok, Anna Faris is too cute, and I'm super curious about her book! I have the audio for it, and I'm planning to start it soon!

18. What Happened by Hillary Rodham Clinton -  What Happened is the next pick for my book club, and I have the audio for it as well! Super curious for this one.

There you have it, friends! Just a few books that I've been meaning to read for too long, that I hope to finally read this Winter. These do not include new releases and other books on my monthly TBR's, but I'm hoping I can stay caught up!

What books are you excited to read this Winter??

Waiting on Wednesday #299 - Hero at the Fall by Alwyn Hamilton

Hero at the Fall
(Rebel of the Sands #3)
by Alwyn Hamilton
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Publication Date: March 6th 2018
Publisher: Viking Books for Young Readers
ISBN: 9780451477866

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When gunslinging Amani Al'Hiza escaped her dead-end town, she never imagined she'd join a revolution, let alone lead one. But after the bloodthirsty Sultan of Miraji imprisoned the Rebel Prince Ahmed in the mythical city of Eremot, she doesn't have a choice. Armed with only her revolver, her wits, and her untameable Demdji powers, Amani must rally her skeleton crew of rebels for a rescue mission through the unforgiving desert to a place that, according to maps, doesn't exist. As she watches those she loves most lay their lives on the line against ghouls and enemy soldiers, Amani questions whether she can be the leader they need or if she is leading them all to their deaths. (Goodreads)

Ahhh, is anyone else *really* excited to get their hands on this book??
I. Can't. Wait!

Of course I totally plan to re-read Rebel of the Sands and Traitor to the Throne
before Hero at the Fall is released,

even though I've already read the first book twice already,

and pretty much have it memorized at this point.
The story is just SO good, and I can't wait to see how it will all wrap up in the end.
:)

**"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 #298 - Honor Among Thieves & Heart of Iron

Honor Among Thieves
(The Honors #1)
by Rachel Caine
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& Ann Aguirre
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Publication Date: February 13th 2018
Publisher:  Katherine Tegen Books
ISBN: 9780062570994

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Petty criminal Zara Cole has a painful past that’s made her stronger than most, which is why she chose life in New Detroit instead moving with her family to Mars. In her eyes, living inside a dome isn’t much better than a prison cell.

Still, when Zara commits a crime that has her running scared, jail might be exactly where she’s headed. Instead Zara is recruited into the Honors, an elite team of humans selected by the Leviathan—a race of sentient alien ships—to explore the outer reaches of the universe as their passengers.

Zara seizes the chance to flee Earth’s dangers, but when she meets Nadim, the alien ship she’s assigned, Zara starts to feel at home for the first time. But nothing could have prepared her for the dark, ominous truths that lurk behind the alluring glitter of starlight. (Goodreads)

Heart of Iron
by Ashley Poston
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Publication Date: February 27th 2018
Publisher: Balzer + Bray
ISBN: 9780062652850

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Seventeen-year-old Ana is a scoundrel by nurture and an outlaw by nature. Found as a child drifting through space with a sentient android called D09, Ana was saved by a fearsome space captain and the grizzled crew she now calls family. But D09—one of the last remaining illegal Metals—has been glitching, and Ana will stop at nothing to find a way to fix him.

Ana’s desperate effort to save D09 leads her on a quest to steal the coordinates to a lost ship that could offer all the answers. But at the last moment, a spoiled Ironblood boy beats Ana to her prize. He has his own reasons for taking the coordinates, and he doesn’t care what he’ll sacrifice to keep them.

When everything goes wrong, she and the Ironblood end up as fugitives on the run. Now their entire kingdom is after them—and the coordinates—and not everyone wants them captured alive.

What they find in a lost corner of the universe will change all their lives—and unearth dangerous secrets. But when a darkness from Ana’s past returns, she must face an impossible choice: does she protect a kingdom that wants her dead or save the Metal boy she loves? (Goodreads)

This week I'm excited to bring you not one, but TWO Waiting on Wednesday picks!
These two book covers look so pretty together, I just had to share them both.
And did you read those summaries?? Both books sound really awesome!
I managed to get my hands on an e-ARC for both books,
and I'm super excite to get started on them!!

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

Week in Review • Week 50

Happy Sunday, and Welcome to my weekly Week in Review post!

Here I share all the things I've been up to during the previous week.
Check back every Sunday for new post updates!

Now, here's what I've been up to this week!

This past week I finished 4 books, which is not as many as I had hoped, but definitely better than none! Two books I read this week were re-reads for me; Me Before You by Jojo Moyes was the first on my list, and I also re-read Let it Snow by John Green, Maureen Johnson, and Lauren Myracle, which is a pretty adorable holiday read, and our December #AlltheBooksReadalong pick as well!

I also finished The Throne of Fire by Rick Riordan, and I'm hoping to finish up The Serpent's Shadow this week, so I can move along to the Magnus Chase series in January! I also read Comfort & Joy, which is the first book I've ever read by Kristin Hannah, which was also a good holiday read as well.

I also managed to squeeze in three holiday movies this past week as well. A Charlie Brown Christmas is one of my most favorite Christmas movies, and I'll probably end up watching it a few more times before Christmas is over. I also watched How the Grinch Stole Christmas, and The Santa Clause as well.

I am so beyond happy right now, because Christmas Break starts in just a day and a half! The hubby is officially on vacation for the rest of the year, and the kiddos will be on break starting Tuesday, and I can't wait. :) I'm really looking forward to some lazy holiday days!

This coming week I plan to finish up the last two review books that I have to read for the year, and I'm hoping to get all my blog posts scheduled as well, then I plan to spend the rest of the year reading books and watching movies! That sounds like heaven, right?? ;)

That's all for me this week, friends! I hope you've all had a great week as well!

My Thoughts: Bonfire by Krysten Ritter

Bonfire
by Krysten Ritter
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Publication Date: November 7th 2017
Publisher: Crown Publishing
Pages: 288
ISBN: 9781524759841
Genre: Adult Fiction | Mystery | Thriller
Source: For Review

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Should you ever go back?

It has been ten years since Abby Williams left home and scrubbed away all visible evidence of her small town roots. Now working as an environmental lawyer in Chicago, she has a thriving career, a modern apartment, and her pick of meaningless one-night stands.

But when a new case takes her back home to Barrens, Indiana, the life Abby painstakingly created begins to crack. Tasked with investigating Optimal Plastics, the town's most high-profile company and economic heart, Abby begins to find strange connections to Barrens’ biggest scandal from more than a decade ago involving the popular Kaycee Mitchell and her closest friends—just before Kaycee disappeared for good.

Abby knows the key to solving any case lies in the weak spots, the unanswered questions. But as Abby tries to find out what really happened to Kaycee, she unearths an even more disturbing secret—a ritual called “The Game,” which will threaten the reputations, and lives, of the community and risk exposing a darkness that may consume her.

With tantalizing twists, slow-burning suspense, and a remote, rural town of just five claustrophobic miles, Bonfire is a dark exploration of the question: can you ever outrun your past? (Goodreads)

My Thoughts...
I have to say I was super curious to start Bonfire, not only because the summary for the book sounded really interesting, but also because it was written by actress Krysten Ritter, who seems pretty awesome. So when I was handed the opportunity to read the book, of course I jumped on it! And I’m so very glad I did!

Let me start by saying that I went into this book not really knowing what to expect, other than reading the summary. I purposefully stayed away from reviews of the book because I wanted to go into it not knowing much. I’m so glad I did! Meeting Abby Williams was interesting, and going back to her hometown with her, after being away for more than a decade, was also interesting, and, at times, incredibly painful. I can’t imagine being in her shoes, and having to reface the past that she left behind. But, I loved her willingness not to let something go, even when everyone around her was telling her to do just that. She was much stronger a person than she gave herself credit for, and that made me like her even more.

The storyline for the book was definitely interesting, and held my curiosity as I turned the pages. I did figure out most of the plot pretty early in the story, and I would say that’s because I’m good at stuff like that, but it’s really just because I’m naturally pretty suspicious of anyone and everything, and I guessed right pretty early on. (I’m totally weird like that.) Regardless, I still really enjoyed the book, and flew through the pages in no time. This book was a really quick read for me!

Overall; I really enjoyed reading Bonfire, and I’ll definitely be keeping my eye out for more books by Krysten Ritter in the future! If you love a good mystery, do check out Bonfire for yourself, and I do hope you enjoy it as much as I did!

My Thoughts: The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern (Audiobook)

The Night Circus
by Erin Morgenstern
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Publication Date: September 13th 2011
Publisher: Doubleday Publishing
Pages: 400
ISBN: 9780385534635
Genre: Adult Fiction | Fantasy | Historical
Source: Own

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The circus arrives without warning. No announcements precede it. It is simply there, when yesterday it was not. Within the black-and-white striped canvas tents is an utterly unique experience full of breathtaking amazements. It is called Le Cirque des Rêves, and it is only open at night.

But behind the scenes, a fierce competition is underway - a duel between two young magicians, Celia and Marco, who have been trained since childhood expressly for this purpose by their mercurial instructors. Unbeknownst to them, this is a game in which only one can be left standing, and the circus is but the stage for a remarkable battle of imagination and will. Despite themselves, however, Celia and Marco tumble headfirst into love - a deep, magical love that makes the lights flicker and the room grow warm whenever they so much as brush hands.

True love or not, the game must play out, and the fates of everyone involved, from the cast of extraordinary circus per­formers to the patrons, hang in the balance, suspended as precariously as the daring acrobats overhead.

Written in rich, seductive prose, this spell-casting novel is a feast for the senses and the heart. (Goodreads)

My Thoughts...
The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern was one of those books that had been on my shelf for too long, and had been on my TBR even longer, before I finally had the chance to read it. I’d been meaning to read it for quite a while, but I always let other books get in the way of actually reading it. While I was making my Fall TBR list this past summer, The Night Circus found its way onto the list, not only because I was absolutely determined to finally read it, but also because I was told that it was great to read during the Fall season, so that’s what I did. I’m SO glad to have finally read this book, and I’m totally kicking myself for not reading it sooner, because I absolutely loved it!

There are so many things in this story to love, including the characters, which were many, but all of which were unique. Celia and Marco were two of my particular favorites, and I love how their lives entwined as the story went along. The storyline for the book was unique and the writing completely drew my full attention as I turned the pages. I’ve read quite a few books over the years, and I can’t say that I’ve read anything like this book before, and I absolutely loved it.

Though I have the book sitting on my bookshelf, I opted to listen to the audiobook, and I’m so glad I did. The audio is narrated by Jim Dale, who I absolutely love, and who also narrates the Harry Potter series, which I happen to be listening to at the moment as well. His voice felt familiar and lyrical as he read me The Night Circus, and I couldn’t have asked for a better first experience for reading this book. I absolutely can’t wait to read it again, and hopefully soon!

Overall; I was told that I would just love The Night Circus, and I totally did! I really wish I would have read this book sooner, but I’m thrilled that I finally found time to read it regardless. I loved it, and it’s definitely going to be a book that I re-read very often. If you haven’t yet checked the book out, I highly recommend that you do so!

Waiting on Wednesday #297 - Everless by Sara Holland

Everless
(Untitled #1)
by Sara Holland
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Publication Date: January 2nd 2018
Publisher: HarperTeen
ISBN: 9780062653659

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In the kingdom of Sempera, time is currency—extracted from blood, bound to iron, and consumed to add time to one’s own lifespan. The rich aristocracy, like the Gerlings, tax the poor to the hilt, extending their own lives by centuries.

No one resents the Gerlings more than Jules Ember. A decade ago, she and her father were servants at Everless, the Gerlings’ palatial estate, until a fateful accident forced them to flee in the dead of night. When Jules discovers that her father is dying, she knows that she must return to Everless to earn more time for him before she loses him forever.

But going back to Everless brings more danger—and temptation—than Jules could have ever imagined. Soon she’s caught in a tangle of violent secrets and finds her heart torn between two people she thought she’d never see again. Her decisions have the power to change her fate—and the fate of time itself. (Goodreads)

Can we first talk about the gorgeous cover for this book?!?!
It's SOOOOO pretty!!
Second, does that story sound awesome, or what?
I've had an advance copy of this book in my possession for too long,

and I'm SO excited that I get to start it soon.
I hope it's great!!

**"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: A Million Worlds with You by Claudia Gray

A Million Worlds with You
(Firebird #3)
by Claudia Gray
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Publication Date: November 1st 2016
Publisher: HarperTeen
Pages: 419
ISBN: 9780062279026
Genre: Young Adult | Science-Fiction | Fantasy
Source: Own

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A million universes. A million dangers. One destiny.

The fate of the multiverse rests in Marguerite Caine’s hands. Marguerite has been at the center of a cross-dimensional feud since she first traveled to another universe using her parents’ invention, the Firebird. Only now has she learned the true plans of the evil Triad Corporation—and that those plans could spell doom for dozens or hundreds of universes, each facing total annihilation.

Paul Markov has always been at Marguerite’s side, but Triad’s last attack has left him a changed man—angry and shadowed by tragedy. He struggles to overcome the damage done to him, but despite Marguerite’s efforts to help, Paul may never be the same again.

So it’s up to Marguerite alone to stop the destruction of the multiverse. Billions of lives are at stake. The risks have never been higher. And Triad has unleashed its ultimate weapon: another dimension’s Marguerite—wicked, psychologically twisted, and always one step ahead.

In the conclusion to Claudia Gray’s Firebird trilogy, fate and family will be questioned, loves will be won and lost, and the multiverse will be forever changed. It’s a battle of the Marguerites…and only one can win. (Goodreads)

My Thoughts...
A Million Worlds with You is the third and final book in the Firebird series by Claudia Gray, and I’m so thrilled that I’ve finally read the book! The book has been sitting on my shelf for way too long, and I was absolutely determined to finish it before the year was over. I’m glad I finally had the opportunity to read it; it was a great conclusion to one of my most favorite series!!

I read the first book in this series, A Thousand Pieces of You, way back when it was first released in 2014, and I immediately fell in love, not just with the story, which is awesome on its own, but with the characters as well. I love the main character, Marguerite, as well as her family and friends, and it was interesting to take this journey over the course of the three books with her. Also, her relationship with Paul is one of my all-time favorite romances. They are just too cute together, and though their relationship was far from perfect, they are still so good together, and I love them so much.

The storyline for the series has been pretty awesome to read as well. I’ve never been much of a science-fiction reader, but I’ve read quite a few books in the genre lately and really enjoyed them. I think that’s one thing that held my interest so much while reading this series. I can’t say I’ve read many, if any, other books on multi-dimensional travel, and I was definitely hooked, and I definitely want to read more now.

Overall; A Million Worlds with You was a great ending to a really great series! While I’m glad to have finally read the book, really hate to see the series come to an end. I know this is one series I will definitely be re-reading in the future, and I’m pretty excited to check out Claudia’s newest book as well, Defy the Stars, which was released earlier this year! If you haven’t yet checked out this series, I highly recommend you do so, and I hope you love it as much as I do!