Week in Review • Week 26

Happy July, All! I seriously can't believe this year is going by so quickly.
I feel like it just started! But, I'm glad it's finally July.
This is the month I've been waiting for! *grin*

Just a heads up... my week has been pretty crappy,
so I'm not sure it's even worth it to post about,

but, here's what I've been up to this week:

This week I only managed to finish one book, which kind is pretty sad because I've had such a good reading streak going lately. Sigh. I did finish reading The Lost Hero by Rick Riordan, and I'm excited to move on to the next book this month!


The kiddos and I watched The Mummy Returns this past week as well. I forgot how much I like this movie! I really want to see the new Mummy movie now. :)

If you follow me on Twitter, you'll probably know how COMPLETELY FRUSTRATED I have been past few days thanks to Photobucket. Due to their new TOS, you can no longer share your photos from their site onto third party sites, which means that I can't share any photos I have uploaded there to my blog anymore. And I only have about six freaking years worth of blog photos there, sooooo.. I'm kind of up the creek without a paddle at the moment. I have NO idea what to do, and I'm wondering if it's even worth trying to save the blog. Maybe it's time to close it down for good? I don't know yet. I do know it will take a LONG time to fix everything back, and I don't really have time at the moment. Sigh.

Ugh.

I'll stop complaining now. :)
This pretty much sums up my week.
Hopefully I'll have a better week to report next week,
so...

My July 2017 TBR & Most Anticipated Releases!!

Hellooooooo, July!!

Can you believe that it's July already?? Half of the year has come and gone!!
I'm actually thrilled that July is here, not only because it's FINALLY starting to feel like summer with the kids done with their activites, but also because our vacation is right around the corner, and I'm so excited!!

I'm keeping my TBR for this month kind of on the short side. I have a few review books to read, and I'm rereading Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets again this month with the Wizarding World Book Club. I'm also super excited to get started on the second book of the *Heroes of Olympus* series by Rick Riordan as well. The book 5 books in my stack are the ones that will be going to the beach with me in few weeks! I'm SO excited to finally read the new Jenny Han and Sarah Dessen books. :)


* My July TBR*

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by J.K. Rowling
The Son of Neptune by Rick Riordan
Wesley James Ruined my Life by Jennifer Honeybourn
The Little Paris BookShop by Nina George
The Summer House by Hannah McKinnon
Lost and Found Sisters by Jill Shalvis
Here's to Us by Elin Hilderbrand
Once and For All by Sarah Dessen
Always and Forever, Lara Jean by Jenny Han

I also have a few audiobooks and summer-themed books from the library to read as well!

e-Arc's to read:

Coming up for Air by Miranda Kenneally
Who's That Girl by Blair Thornburgh
Changes in Latitudes by Jen Malone


July Pre-Orders:

Forever in Love by Susane Colasanti

More Exciting July Releases:

The Lying Game by Ruth Ware
Lucky in Love by Kasie West
Secrets of the Tulip Sisters by Susan Mallery


There are SO many great books that I'm looking forward to reading in July!!
I really can't wait to get started on them.
Can you believe that I only have one book pre-ordered for this month?
That was a shock for me as well. Ha!

What's on your TBR for July??
Here's hoping we all have a great month, and Happy Reading to you all!!

June 2017 Wrap Up & Book Haul

*June Book Haul*

Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone by J.K.Rowling
*Hufflepuff Edition* Hardback and Paperback
Once and for All by Sarah Dessen
The Son of Neptune by Rick Riordan
The Fate of the Tearling by Erika Johansen
The Summer House by Hannah McKinnon
Lost and Found Sisters by Jill Shavis
Here's to Us Elin Hilderbrand
Warcross by Marie Lu
Genuine Fraud by E. Lockheart
Midnight Jewel by Richelle Mead
Reign of Serpents by Eleanor Herman
Our Dark Duet by Victoria Schwab

*June Wrap Up*

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by J.K. Rowling
The Lost Hero by Rick Riordan
When Dimple Met Rishi by Sandhya Menon
Words in Deep Blue by Cath Crowley
Royal Bastards by Andrew Shvarts
The Moon and More by Sarah Dessen
Saint Anything by Sarah Dessen

*not pictured*
The Forever Summer by Jamie Brenner
Until it Fades by K.A. Tucker
The Gentleman's Guide to Vice and Virtue by MacKenzie Lee
Secrets in Summer by Nancy Thayer
Midnight at the Electric by Jodi Lynn Anderson


June was another good month for books,
and I love all the ones I added to my collection!
(Especially the new Harry Potter editions, which I LOVE!)
I can't wait to get started on the books I haven't read yet.

I didn't get to read ALL the books on my June TBR,
but I read most of them! And 12 books isn't bad at all!
I'm still working my way through *Lady Midnight* and
*Midnight Jewel*, so hopefully I can finish those soon.
I loved rereading Harry Potter, and I'm thrilled to have finally started the
*Heroes of Olympus* series as well.
And I am really loving all the summer books I'm reading!!

Here's hoping for another great month in July!!

Waiting on Wednesday #282 - The Dreadful Tale of Prosper Redding by Alexandra Bracken

The Dreadful Tale of Prosper Redding
(The Dreadful Tale of Prosper Redding #1)
by Alexandra Bracken
Website | Twitter | Facebook

Publication Date: September 5th 2017
Publisher: Disney-Hyperion
ISBN: 9781484778173


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

"I would say it's a pleasure to meet thee, Prosperity Oceanus Redding, but truly, I only anticipate the delights of destroying thy happiness."

Prosper is the only unexceptional Redding in his old and storied family history — that is, until he discovers the demon living inside him. Turns out Prosper's great-great-great-great-great-something grandfather made — and then broke — a contract with a malefactor, a demon who exchanges fortune for eternal servitude. And, weirdly enough, four-thousand-year-old Alastor isn't exactly the forgiving type.

The fiend has reawakened with one purpose — to destroy the family whose success he ensured and who then betrayed him. With only days to break the curse and banish Alastor back to the demon realm, Prosper is playing unwilling host to the fiend, who delights in tormenting him with nasty insults and constant attempts trick him into a contract. Yeah, Prosper will take his future without a side of eternal servitude, thanks.

Little does Prosper know, the malefactor's control over his body grows stronger with each passing night, and there's a lot Alastor isn't telling his dim-witted (but admittedly strong-willed) human host.

From #1 New York Times best-selling author Alexandra Bracken comes a tale of betrayal and revenge, of old hurts passed down from generation to generation. Can you ever fully right a wrong, ever truly escape your history? Or will Prosper and Alastor be doomed to repeat it? (Goodreads)

I don't read middle grade books often,

(unless it's about Percy Jackson or Harry Potter, obviously),
but this book is by Alexandra Bracken, so OF COURSE I want to check it out!
It sounds pretty awesome. 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.**

Top Ten Tuesday: Best Books You've Read In 2017 So Far

June 27: Best Books You've Read In 2017 So Far

1. Caraval by Stephanie Garber - I read Caraval back in January, but the book definitely made a BIG impression on me! I still remember reading it like it was yesterday. I can't wait for the next book!

2. Daughter of the Pirate King by Tricia Levenseller - This book was SO cool! Not only did it have pirates, but it had GIRL pirates! I loved this book, and I can't wait to get my hands on the sequel of this one as well.

3. The Upside of Unrequited by Becky Albertalli - This is the second book I've read by Becky, and it is yet another favorite of mine! This book made me smile SO much. Love!!

4. Ramona Blue by Julie Murphy - This book. I loved it so much, I didn't want the story to end. I can't wait to see what Julie has next for us!


5. The Names They Gave Us by Emery Lord - I've yet to read a book by Emery Lord that I didn't love, and this book was no exception! Definitely a2017 fave!

6. When Dimple Met Rishi by Sandhya Menon - You guys, this book is definitely a fave of mine for 2017. IT'S SO CUTE!! I must reread soon.
  

7. Everland by Wendy Spinale - I really did not expect to enjoy this book as much as I did, but you guys, it was SOOO good! I really need to read the sequel asap!

8. The Gentleman's Guide to Vice and Virtue by Mackenzi Lee - I just finished this book last week, and it was seriously so good! I still need to get my thoughts up on it, but it's definitely a fave!

9. Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty - I read this book earlier this year, right before the show came out on HBO, and I really enjoyed it! I still need to finish watching the show, and I also need to read the rest of Liane's books as well!

10. The Forever Summer by Jamie Brenner - I actually just finished this book this week, and I REALLY enjoyed it! Not only because of the summer/beach theme, which I LOVE at the moment, but also because it really kept me guessing.

2017 has been a GREAT year for books, and I've read so many awesome books,

but above are just a few of my faves. I can't wait to see what the rest of 2017 brings!!

My Thoughts: Until it Fades by K.A. Tucker

Until it Fades
by K.A. Tucker
Website | Twitter | Facebook

Publication Date: June 27th 2017
Publisher: Atria Books
Pages: 368
ISBN: 9781501133381
Genre: New Adult | Contemporary
Source: Netgalley

Add to Goodreads

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

Twenty-four-year-old truck stop waitress and single mother Catherine Wright has simple goals: to give her five-year-old daughter a happy life and to never again be the talk of the town in Balsam, Pennsylvania: population two thousand outside of tourist season.

And then one foggy night, on a lonely road back from another failed attempt at a relationship, Catherine saves a man’s life. It isn’t until after the police have arrived that Catherine realizes exactly who it is she has saved: Brett Madden, hockey icon and media darling.

Catherine has already had her fifteen minutes of fame and the last thing she wants is to have her past dragged back into the spotlight, only this time on a national stage. So she hides her identity. It works.

For a time.

But when she finds the man she saved standing on her doorstep, desperate to thank her, all that changes. What begins as an immediate friendship quickly turns into something neither of them expected. Something that Catherine isn’t sure she can handle; something that Catherine is afraid to trust.

Because how long can an extraordinary man like Brett be interested in an ordinary woman like Catherine…before the spark fades? (Goodreads)

My Thoughts...
Until it Fades is the very first book I've ever read by K.A. Tucker, though I have quite a few of her books on my TBR. I've wanted to read something by her for quite a while now, and Until it Fades sounded like the perfect book to start with. And it was!

The book is full of all kinds of interesting characters, including the main character, Catherine, who has quite the back-story. You can't help but feel for the girl for all that she has been through, and I was able to relate to her in quite a few ways. I definitely appreciated her determination throughout the book, especially when it came to her daughter. And I kind of love Brett Madden for entering her life and turning everything around. The relationship between the two is really sweet, and put a smile on my face more than a few times.

The storyline for the book was really interesting, and made for a very quick read. It's a contemporary novel, which is my most favorite genre, especially lately, and it was a little predictable, but it was just what I needed to read at the moment. I really enjoyed reading the book, and I kind of didn't want it to end!

Overall; Until it Fades was an interesting read, and I'm thrilled to have finally read something by K.A. Tucker. I'm even more excited to read the rest of her books that are on my TBR now, and I'm hoping to get to some of them soon!

Week in Review • Week 25

Good Sunday morning, Bookworms!!
Can you believe that the last week of June starts tomorrow??

Where has the month gone?
I feel like it's gone by so quickly, and I've not accomplished anything.
Sigh.

Here's what I was up to this week!

This week I finished two books, The Forever Summer by Jamie Brenner, which I enjoyed a lot more than I expected to, and Until it Fades by K.A. Tucker. I'm hoping to have my thoughts for Until it Fades up on the blog tomorrow!

I didn't watch any movies this week, but I have spent some time trying to get caught up on Timeless and Riverdale!!





If you're on Instagram, join Lori (@loriimagination) and I for our July Book Challenge, #AlltheBooksJuly!! We had SO much fun hosting this in June, and I can't wait to get started on the July prompts. :) Join us!

As much as I hate to see Summer go by so quickly, I can't WAIT for July to get here already. As of today, all of the kids are finished with their summer camps and practices, and we have ALL of July free. Plus, our vacation at the beach is only 3 weeks away, and I can't wait. :)

That's all for me this week. I hope to have a better update for next week!

Waiting on Wednesday #281 - Warcross by Marie Lu

Warcross
(Warcross #1)
by Marie Lu
Website | Twitter | Facebook

Publication Date: September 12th 2017
Publisher: G.P. Putnam’s Sons Books for Young Readers
ISBN: 9780399547966


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

From #1 New York Times bestselling author Marie Lu—when a game called Warcross takes the world by storm, one girl hacks her way into its dangerous depths.

For the millions who log in every day, Warcross isn’t just a game—it’s a way of life. The obsession started ten years ago and its fan base now spans the globe, some eager to escape from reality and others hoping to make a profit. Struggling to make ends meet, teenage hacker Emika Chen works as a bounty hunter, tracking down players who bet on the game illegally. But the bounty hunting world is a competitive one, and survival has not been easy. Needing to make some quick cash, Emika takes a risk and hacks into the opening game of the international Warcross Championships—only to accidentally glitch herself into the action and become an overnight sensation.

Convinced she’s going to be arrested, Emika is shocked when instead she gets a call from the game’s creator, the elusive young billionaire Hideo Tanaka, with an irresistible offer. He needs a spy on the inside of this year’s tournament in order to uncover a security problem . . . and he wants Emika for the job. With no time to lose, Emika’s whisked off to Tokyo and thrust into a world of fame and fortune that she’s only dreamed of. But soon her investigation uncovers a sinister plot, with major consequences for the entire Warcross empire.

In this sci-fi thriller, #1 New York Times bestselling author Marie Lu conjures an immersive, exhilarating world where choosing who to trust may be the biggest gamble of all. (Goodreads)

Does this book sound completely fascinating, or what??

Emika sounds really awesome, and I can't wait to 'meet' her!
I've only read one book by Marie Lu before, but I have ALL of her books on my TBR.
I'm super excited to get started on Warcross!!

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

Top Ten Tuesday: Top Ten Series I've Been Meaning To Start But Haven't

June 20:  Top Ten Series I've Been Meaning To Start But Haven't

1. Throne of Glass Series by Sarah J. Maas - Would you believe that I have ALL of the books in this series sitting on my shelf, and I STILL haven't read it yet?!

2. Six of Crows Series by Leigh Bardugo - Same as above. I own this and Crooked Kingdom, and I still haven't read it yet. Sigh.


3. The Darkest Minds Series by Alexandra Bracken - I just recently added this series to my collection, having read Passenger and Wayfarer by Alexandra Bracken. All the movie news has me SUPER excited to finally start the series.

4. The Dark Artifices Series by Cassandra Clare - I can't believe I'm even admitting to owning a Cassandra Clare book that I've not yet read. UGH, what is wrong with me?? I'm hoping to squeeze this one into my TBR this month.


5. Talon Series by Julie Kagawa - Again, how do I own a WHOLE series by Julie Kagawa that I haven't read yet? WHAT IS WRONG WITH ME?!?!

6. Legend Series by Marie Lu - I just recently added this series to my collection, but I've been waiting to read it for quite a while now. I can't wait to finally do so!


7. The Heroes of Olympus Series by Rick Riordan - Ah! I just recently re-read the Percy Jackson series, just so that I would have to story fresh in my mind and can FINALLY start this series! I'm really looking forward to it.

8. Shades of Magic Series by V.E. Schwab - Again, I own all the books in this series, and I STILL haven't read it. *hangs head in shame*


9. The Bone Season Series by Samanta Shannon - I just added the first two books in this series to my collection last month, and I'm dying to start it already! The series sound so good.

10. The Queen of the Tearling Series by Erika Johansen - I added this series to my collection at the same time as The Bone Season series, and I'm just itching to start it! It sounds So good.

There you have it. My embarrassingly long list of series that I own and haven't yet started.
I need to fix this soon. SO MANY BOOKS!!