Thursday, July 31, 2014

July Book Haul & Roundup


July went by in the blink of an eye! July is my favorite month, but this was my first time working over the summer, so things were a little hectic and different. So earlier today I realized it was already July 31st (Nooo :-() and thought I'd do a roundup of all the books I got throughout the month.

Not pictured: Afterworlds by Scott Westerfeld


 Afterworlds by Scott Westerfeld
Scott was signing copies of Afterworlds at BEA/Bookcon but unfortunately I missed him there. However, earlier this month I was able to win a copy from Grace, a fellow book blogger.

The Iron Knight by Julie Kagawa
This is one of my favorite series written by one of my favorite authors. I had read this book on my kindle the day it was released a few years back, but Yiling got me a print copy for my birthday! I reread it and it rekindled my love for The Iron Fey series.

Diamonds in the Rough by Michelle Madow
This book was actually my Waiting on Wednesday a few weeks ago, and I was lucky enough to get an ARC of it from the author. It reminds me so much of Gossip Girl, which was my favorite TV show for a while.

The Girl Who Never Was by Skylar Dorset
A few years ago, I had an obsession with faery YA novels and this will be my first faery series in a long time so I'm excited to revisit the faery world. :-)

The Fever by Megan Abbott
I have never heard of the author prior to winning this novel from a fellow book blogger, Alexis, but it looks different from what I normally read and a good change of pace.

The Beautiful Ashes by Jeaniene Frost
Fantasy is my favorite genre, and although I mainly stick to YA, the synopsis looks so interesting and the cover is absolutely beautiful!

The Young World by Chris Weitz
I'm really picky about Dystopian novels, especially since there are so many of them lately, but I've heard great things about Chris Weitz and his writing!

Unfortunately, due to work, I haven't been able to finish all of them yet, but I'm hoping to make a dent on that "TBR" list soon.

Until next time!

Monday, July 21, 2014

[Giveaway Hop] Christmas in July

Christmas in July Giveaway Hop

For our Christmas in July giveaway hop, we are giving away an ebook of Let It Snow by John Green,  Maureen Johnson, and Lauren Myracle (it is three stories in one).

Let It Snow goodreads synopsis:

Sparkling white snowdrifts, beautiful presents wrapped in ribbons, and multicolored lights glittering in the night through the falling snow. A Christmas Eve snowstorm transforms one small town into a romantic haven, the kind you see only in movies. Well, kinda. After all, a cold and wet hike from a stranded train through the middle of nowhere would not normally end with a delicious kiss from a charming stranger. And no one would think that a trip to the Waffle House through four feet of snow would lead to love with an old friend. Or that the way back to true love begins with a painfully early morning shift at Starbucks. Thanks to three of today’s bestselling teen authors—John Green, Maureen Johnson, and Lauren Myracle—the magic of the holidays shines on these hilarious and charming interconnected tales of love, romance, and breathtaking kisses.


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Check out the other awesome giveaways in this hop!


Wednesday, July 16, 2014

Waiting On Wednesday (5) - Sisters' Fate

Waiting on Wednesday

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by Breaking the Spine that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.


Sisters' Fate by Jessica Spotswood
Series: The Cahill Witch Chronicles

Publication Date: August 14, 2014





Goodreads summary:

A fever ravages New London, but with the Brotherhood sending suspected witches straight to the gallows, the Sisters are powerless against the disease. They can’t help without revealing their powers—as Cate learns when a potent display of magic turns her into the most wanted witch in all of New England. 

To make matters worse, Cate has been erased from the memory of her beloved Finn. While she’s torn between protecting him from further attacks and encouraging him to fall for her all over again, she’s certain she can never forgive Maura’s betrayal. And now that Tess’s visions have taken a deadly turn, the prophecy that one Cahill sister will murder another looms ever closer to its fulfillment.

Why Sisters?

One of my favorite fantasy elements is magic- the wonder of doing almost anything and the tolls it takes on others- and this wonderful series demonstrates this so well. It's the third book (and final!) of the series, but I strongly encourage anybody who has not yet read the series to do so. I can't wait to see how everything will play out with Cate, her sisters, and Finn and can't wait for August to pick this one up!

Monday, July 14, 2014

Top Ten Tuesday (2) - Top Ten Favorite TV Shows

Top Ten Tuesday is a an original feature/ weekly meme that was created at The Broke and the Bookish. Each week a new topic is presented and this week's is:

Top Ten Favorite TV Shows
(Other types of stories)


Yiling's Picks
This is going to be a hard one due to the (extremely) large amount of TV I watch haha.


1. Orphan Black- My current favorite and obsession. I like to think that if I were to ever come up with a tv show, it would turn out to be something like Orphan Black. It's intense, kick-ass, smart, and funny. There are so many twists that I never see coming and it has everything that I could ever want in a show. Tatiana Maslany is brilliant (and I still can't believe that she isn't nominated for an Emmy??) and so is this wonderful, wonderful show. 

2. Friends- I have absolutely no idea how many times I have watched this show. There have been countless re-runs of it on tv (yeah I probably watched all of them) but I still have not gotten tired of it yet. It's one of the funniest shows ever and it never fails to put me in a great mood. I connect so much with all of the characters and urgh I love it so much! (ok this might be my absolute favorite)

3. Young Justice- (nope this my favorite too gahh too many) I actually came across this show when I was obsessed about The Legend of Korra. There were so many people talking about it, so I decided to tune in and oh man am I glad that I did. Yes It's animated, but it's such an amazing show. The storylines amazed me and the characters are so dynamic. Especially for a "kid's show" it deals with a lot of mature topics. I have watched this show countless times and can't believe that it was canceled. (I mean it won a Emmy and has a 8.6 rating on IMDB which is really good.)

4. American Horror Story- After my friends couldn't stop talking about it, I had to watch it. And it was amazing. I'm not that big of a fan when it comes to the horror genre mostly because it's pretty cheesy- people makes bad choices and bad things happen oh no. But I think that the beauty of this show is that it follows a plotline (as opposed to random killings) and it's so interesting to see how it's all going to play out. 


5. Chuck- I honestly not sure what I was going to put down for my last choice because there are so many shows  that hold this spot for me. But then I remember how I would come home every day to squeeze in a couple extra episodes of Chuck and I feel that I needed to add it to my list. While the show is mainly a comedy, I can still remember how emotional I was when I watched the last episode. Chuck contains all the elements I love- drama, comedy, romance (and yes there were even musical numbers!) and intertwines into such a beautiful story.  


Alice's Picks
So I thought this would be really easy, but then I realized it wasn't when I actually started thinking about it.


1. Merlin: Merlin is one of the ones I'm sure is definitely my #1. I still remember turning on the TV one Sunday evening almost five years ago and discovering this magnificent TV show. Although it has been over for a few years now, it will always be my favorites. Legends + magic + hot guys + amazing story line = what's not to like? Besides, Arthur and Merlin have the best bromance ever. <3

2. Legend of the Seeker: I actually found this show by googling "TV shows like Merlin". I found most of the characters likable and it was a perfect mix of action, intrigue, and a dabble of comedy. I haven't actually read any of the books (oh gasp!) since I discovered the show before the books but I hope to one day.

3. Supernatural: Of course this was going to be on here! Who doesn't love the Winchesters?  I'm into the paranormal/fantasy theme so this show was probably a given for me, but for some reason I waited until a few months back to watch it. This show has every supernatural/mythical creature you can think of; from vampires to faeries to killer clowns.

4. Once Upon a Time in Wonderland: I love Alice in Wonderland and also love the twists they did with this show. I actually ended up liking it better than OUAT. I feel like even the villains, (maybe not Jafar haha) have redeeming qualities and that is what makes them so multidimensional and well-developed. I'm so sad it got cancelled. :-(


5. The Lying Game: Although it is not an original idea, it is the first twin show I've watched and I really liked all the plot twists; they weren't too much or too confusing like PLL.


What are your favorites? Are guys planning on starting on new shows? (Me and my friends are going to start Penny Dreadful this Friday!)



Thursday, July 10, 2014

[Book Blitz] Against the Darkness


Against the Darkness (Cimmerian Moon #1)
Release Date: 06/04/14

Summary from Goodreads:
This one time, at band camp…aliens invaded earth. Sounds like a bad riff on an old joke, doesn’t it? Unfortunately for me and my friends, it’s all too true. I thought a mess like this only happened in the movies but, as I watch the alien ships hovering over the major cities, I suddenly realize I’m a thousand miles away from my Mom. From home. From safety.

Darkness may have fallen over the world, but I won’t let it claim me. I’ll do anything I have to get back to Michigan. Yet nothing could prepare me for what we find on our trek north from Tallahassee. There’s hardly anything the aliens haven’t bombed. Survival, at any cost, is the name of the game for the few people who haven’t been killed or captured. As if trying to stay free and alive isn’t enough, I think I just met the love of my life. And he’s just the kind of bad boy who’ll tear down the walls I’ve built around my heart—then break it.


Available from:
Amazon * Barnes & Noble


Excerpt 1:

“Please mom,” I say, whining. “I really don’t want to go.”
“Sinta, you know I love it when you help me out, but this conversation is getting old. We’ve been going round and round like this for months. You’re going, end of story.” She pulls into an empty parking space and turns off the car. “I’ll help you with your things,” she says, popping the trunk.
Feeling defiant, and with nothing else to lose, I cross my arms and don’t move. She opens her door and gets out. I hear her saying good morning to some of the other parents and kids, but I don’t budge.
I recognize the kids passing my car with their bags either in their hands or over their shoulders. Some look my way and smile. Some even wave enthusiastically. All are in grades below mine. With this being my senior year, I don’t expect many others from my class to be here. Like I told my mom, band camp isn’t needed for anyone’s college application, especially since most of us seniors applied for college last summer or during the beginning of first semester. Besides Mia and Ian, I expect to be hanging around a bunch of younger kids.
Through the side mirror I see my mom coming up to my door. I quickly lock it. Childish? Yes.
She raps on the window and, when I don’t answer, she raps again, this time faster and harder. When I still ignore her she leans closer to the window. “For the love of God, if you keep it up I will unlock this door and drag your skinny tail out and strangle you in front of everyone here and still make you get on that bus.”
My mom has never hit me before, she’s full of threats and they usually prove empty. I turn to see her glaring daggers at me.
The look on her face says that she intends to do as she said and more. I open the door and step out and around her. I grab my duffle and sleeping bag from the trunk and head to the bus.
“Aren’t you going to at least kiss me goodbye?” she yells out after me.
“I can’t. I need to hurry. I don’t want the fun to start without me.”
“Sinta!”
Without turning I raise my hand in the air, saying bye. Of course she’ll be mad for a little while, but then she’ll start missing me. I’m her only daughter and she forced me to go on a trip I didn’t want to take. I think by tomorrow afternoon she’ll be calling the camp to check up on me.
I set my things next to the other bags on the ground by the side of the bus and climb the stairs. I only stop briefly to see if Mia has made it yet.
Yep.
She and Ian are huddled in a back seat, kissing.
Lovely. The fun is starting already.
I walk down the aisle, passing ninth and tenth graders. Closer to the back are the eleventh graders and, taking up the last three rows, the twelfth graders. Myles Jackson or MJ as he’s called and Shayla Day have a seat across from Mia and Ian. Seeing MJ surprises me, because he’s a jock and the number one football prospect from Michigan. He doesn’t need band camp to go on any application. Michael and Aaron take up another seat, with MJ’s best friend Eric and his girlfriend Melissa across from them. Then there’s Daniel and Andrew taking up a seat, and across from them is an empty one.
“We saved you a seat,” Mia says, pulling her mouth away from Ian’s long enough to talk and breathe.
“Thanks,” I say sliding into it. I put my ear buds in and pull the hood of my Huron Band sweatshirt over my head.
Just as soon as I close my eyes I feel the dip in my seat. Opening one, I peek to catch a glimpse of Wade Hill squeezing into the seat next to me.
“Sorry, Sinta,” he says, after settling in. “I asked Mrs. Franklin for my own seat but she told me there wasn’t enough room. Mrs. Burgess told me to sit next to you, since you’re so skinny.”
I close my eyes. This is a punishment.
I hear the creak of the door closing and, after a few minutes, the bus begins to move.
“Testing, testing,” Ms. Burgess’ voice projects over the loud speaker. She’s the new young teacher who just started teaching at our school this year. “How about I sing everyone a nice little lullaby to get you all to sleep, hmm?
Oh. My. God.
“Can someone please tell her she isn’t auditioning for American Idol,” I mutter.
Wade laughs. His meaty arm brushes up against mine as he does.
Let the fun begin.



About the Author
A.M. Griffin is a wife who rarely cooks, mother of three, dog owner (and sometimes dog owned), a daughter, sister, aunt and friend. She’s a hard worker whose two favorite outlets are reading and writing. She enjoys reading everything from mystery novels to historical romances and of course fantasy romance. She is a believer in the unbelievable, open to all possibilities from mermaids in our oceans and seas, angels in the skies and intelligent life forms in distant galaxies.

Author Links:
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Wednesday, July 9, 2014

Waiting on Wednesday (4) - Diamonds in the Rough

Waiting on Wednesday

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Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by Breaking the Spine that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.


Diamonds in the Rough by Michelle Madow
Publication Date: October 28th 2014





Goodreads summary:
All-access doesn't mean no problems.

The three Diamond sisters survived the summer in style after coming to live with their long-lost billionaire father. But making a place for themselves at their exclusive new Las Vegas private school is throwing them any number of gold-plated curves. Savannah's YouTube stardom turns into a Sweet Sixteen reality show extravaganza with complimentary enemies on the side. Dangerous flirtations don't keep Peyton from a gamble that will risk far more than she planned to bet. And when Courtney and the sisters' archenemy, Madison, uncover two explosive secrets, it will rock even this town of glittering illusion and turn their lives upside down all over again.


Why Diamonds in the Rough?
It has been a while since I read contemporary fiction; recently, I have been sticking to fantasy and paranormal, so this is the first contemporary I'm excited for in a long time! This series also reminds me of Gossip Girl, and I loved these books (and the show) when I was younger so I'm excited to revisit that. 





Saturday, July 5, 2014

A to Z Book Survey


AtoZsurvey
This tag was created by Jamie at Perpetual Page Turner last year, and she recently revived it in a youtube video.

Author you’ve read the most books from:

Julie Kagawa (The Iron King, Iron Daughter, Iron Queen, Iron Knight, Lost Prince, Immortal Rules, Eternity Cure, Forever Song - whoa, that was a mouthful! She definitely tops the list at eight).

Best Sequel Ever:

The Eternity Cure by Julie Kagawa. I liked it even more than the first book (probably because of Kanin & Jackal)!

Currently Reading:

Darkness Before Dawn by J.A London and Talon by Julie Kagawa

Drink of Choice While Reading:

Soda. Coca-cola, preferably. ;)

E-reader or Physical Book?

Physical book!

Fictional Character You Probably Would Have Actually Dated In High School:

 Ari from Poison Study by Maria V. Snyder

Glad You Gave This Book A Chance:

Grave Mercy by Robin LaFevers

Hidden Gem Book:

Poison Study by Maria V. Snyder

Important Moment in your Reading Life:

Discovering The Iron King by Julie Kagawa. It is what got be started on reading YA!

Just Finished:

 Grave Mercy by Robin LaFevers
Kinds of Books You Won’t Read:
Adult, erotica

Longest Book You’ve Read:

The Boleyn Inheritance by Phillipa Gregory (592 pages)

Major book hangover because of:

The Forever Song by Julie Kagawa *cries*

Number of Bookcases You Own:

I have two small shelves in the living room but they're not actually mine because everyone in my family puts books there... I think I still have some kids books in there. I have a makeshift bookcase in my room.

One Book You Have Read Multiple Times:

Just one?! The Immortal Rules by Julie Kagawa

Preferred Place To Read:

Sofa

Quote that inspires you/gives you all the feels from a book you’ve read:

Inspires me: “Everyone makes choices in life. Some bad, some good. It's called living, and if you want to bow out, then go right ahead. But don't do it halfway. Don't linger in whiner's limbo.” - Maria V. Snyder 

Reading Regret:

Same as Jamie haha! Not having read Harry Potter when I was younger.

Series You Started And Need To Finish(all books are out in series):

Most of the series I want to finish are actually those that haven't been completed yet, so none that comes to mind immediately... maybe The Goddess Test series by Aimee Carter.

Three of your All-Time Favorite Books:

The Iron King by Julie Kagawa, Poison Study by Maria V. Snyder, The Immortal Rules by Julie Kagawa

Unapologetic Fangirl For:

Too many to name!

Very Excited For This Release More Than All The Others:

Shadow Study by Maria V. Snyder! It's coming January 2015. : ) 

Worst Bookish Habit:

I tend to pick up a lot of different books, read a few chapters, and put them down again never to be read for a few weeks.

X Marks The Spot: Start at the top left of your shelf and pick the 27th book:

N/A

Your latest book purchase:

Darkness Before Dawn by J.A London

ZZZ-snatcher book (last book that kept you up WAY late):

Honestly, I don't like being up late. But I remember The Goddess Test by Aimee Carter keeping me up later than I wanted to be way back.

[Giveaway] One Month Blogiversary

Fireworks for 4th of July & our one month blogiversary! ;)
Happy Independence Day! Hope you guys are enjoying your BBQ and fireworks. :-)

Our one month blogiversary is tomorrow; we officially launched our blog on June 5th! After we attended BookCon with some of our other friends, we were inspired to create a book blog together to express our mutual love for reading. To our followers, thank you for sticking around!

We also hit 1000 page views yesterday, July 3rd!

To celebrate, we are hosting a giveaway for both US and international followers.


Giveaway

The giveaway is for both international and US residents. 

Books 




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Wednesday, July 2, 2014

Waiting on Wednesday (3) - Messenger of Fear

Waiting on Wednesday

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by Breaking the Spine that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.


Messenger of Fear by Michael Grant

Publication Date: September 23, 2014






Goodreads summary:

Mara wakes in a field of dead grass, a heavy mist pressing down on her. She is terrified, afraid that she is dead. Then a beautiful young man dressed in black appears. He calls himself Messenger of Fear.

This boy is able to move effortlessly through space and time. He also sees the darkness in human hearts. He sees the evils done: the destructive lies, the cruelty, the bullying, the violence. And if the world does not bring justice to those who do evil, he will. He offers the wicked a game. If they win, they go free. If they lose, they will live their greatest fear. Either way, their sanity will be challenged.

It is a world of fair but harsh justice. Of retribution and redemption. And mystery. Why was Mara chosen to be the Messenger’s apprentice? What has she done to deserve this terrible fate? She won’t find out until three of the wicked receive justice. And when she does, she will be shattered.

Why Messenger?

This book sounds so interesting! It's a concept that hasn't really appeared before in books and the summary instantly drew me when I first read it. I love stories with plots in which the main character is questioning their situation, because it allows me to discover with them the answers to the questions that are posed. (And also the book is written by Michael Grant. The author who wrote the Gone series. Which is one of my all time favorites. So I will definitely be reading this when it comes out.)

I found this alternate cover on Goodreads (I believe it is the UK edition) and I have to say that I like this one a lot better than the US edition. I'll probably order it on Book Depository so I can have this cover instead. 

Freedom to Read Giveaway Hop

Freedom to Read Hop
This is our first ever giveaway hop, and we are so excited to be participating in this one! 

Wonderland Novels Giveaway:
This is for both international and US residents. Choose from one of the following ebooks!


If you submit any false entries, ALL your entries will be disqualified. Please do not submit false entries- We do check! 
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