30 Jan 2019

#Discussion: 2019 Reading Goals + TBR

30 January 3 Comments

I know that generally if I write out a TBR or reading goals or whatever, I don't stick to it. But I need to figure out what I have left on my outstanding piles and what I actually feel like reading, so post! My progress will be updated as I read more through the 2019 Reading Challenge widget embedded into this in terms of pure number, but I hope to have more update and progress reports for the goals I listed below!



2019 Reading Goals + TBR

2019 Reading Goals

2019 Reading Challenge

2019 Reading Challenge
Jamie (Books and Ladders) has read 13 books toward her goal of 150 books.
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I am hoping to read 150 books this year! According to the Savvy Reader's 50 Book Pledge website, I'm on track to read 247, but I bet that will slow down as time goes on. At the time I'm writing this post, I have read 14 books. I am hoping to finish about 3 more before this post goes live but we shall see.

My hope for this year is to read...

29 Jan 2019

#ARC Review: THE LONELY DEAD by April Henry

29 January 0 Comments

THE LONELY DEAD

Author: April Henry
Series: N/A
Source: ARC via Publisher
Publisher: Henry Holt and Co. Books for Young Readers
Publication Date: January 29, 2019
Overall Rating:
Diversity Rating:


Summary:
A killer is on the loose, and only one girl has the power to find him. But in this genre-bending YA thriller, she must first manage to avoid becoming a target herself.

For Adele, the dead aren’t really dead. She can see them and even talk to them. But she’s spent years denying her gift. When she encounters her ex best friend Tori in a shallow grave in the woods and realizes that Tori is actually dead -- that gift turns into a curse. Without an alibi, Adele becomes the prime suspect in Tori’s murder. She must work with Tori’s ghost to find the real killer. But what if the killer finds Adele first?

Master mystery-write April Henry adds a chilling paranormal twist to this incredibly suspenseful young adult novel.
Purchase:
Amazon | Chapters | TBD
Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book and chose to review it. This in no way impacts my opinion.

I am not sure this even warrants one star. I'm so mad and disappointed. I should have probably stopped reading at page 7 (!!!) when the author started talking about how medication "dulls" and negatively impacts people or maybe a little later when she states the main character would never be liked because she was overweight. But the constant bombardment of negative stereotypes and stigma towards those who take medication made me so angry and upset.

28 Jan 2019

ARC #Review: LEGENDARY by Stephanie Garber

28 January 0 Comments

LEGENDARY

Author: Stephanie Garber
Series: Caraval #2
Source: ARC via Publisher
Publisher: Flatiron Books
Publication Date: May 29, 2018
Overall Rating:
Diversity Rating:


Summary:
A heart to protect. A debt to repay. A game to win.

After being swept up in the magical world of Caraval, Donatella Dragna has finally escaped her father and saved her sister, Scarlett, from a disastrous arranged marriage. The girls should be celebrating, but Tella isn’t yet free. She made a desperate bargain with a mysterious criminal, and what Tella owes him no one has ever been able to deliver: Caraval Master Legend’s true name.

The only chance of uncovering Legend’s identity is to win Caraval, so Tella throws herself into the legendary competition once more—and into the path of the murderous heir to the throne, a doomed love story, and a web of secrets…including her sister's. Caraval has always demanded bravery, cunning, and sacrifice, but now the game is asking for more. If Tella can’t fulfill her bargain and deliver Legend’s name, she’ll lose everything she cares about—maybe even her life. But if she wins, Legend and Caraval will be destroyed forever...

Welcome, welcome to Caraval . . . the games have only just begun.
Purchase:
Amazon | Chapters | TBD
Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book and chose to review it. This in no way impacts my opinion.

See my review of CARAVAL!

Wow I'm disappointed. I was hoping for so so so so so much more out of this one but it felt repetitive and boring and took me so long to get through even though I finished it in a couple hours. All of the issues I had with CARAVAL were amplified in LEGENDARY. Nothing about this one felt new, innovative, or even all that fun.

26 Jan 2019

#StackingTheShelves (4): January 26, 2019

26 January 1 Comments
Stacking The Shelves is hosted by Tynga's Reviews and is all about sharing the books you are adding to your shelves, may it be physical or virtual. This means you can include books you buy in physical store or online, books you borrow from friends or the library, review books, gifts, and of course ebooks!
It has been quite a January! I haven't read as much as I would have liked, but I am still proud of the accomplishments I have made this month. I think it is so fun and helpful to let you guys have these weekly summation posts so I am going to continue doing them!

25 Jan 2019

#Review: THE QUEEN OF BLOOD by Sarah Beth Durst

25 January 0 Comments

THE QUEEN OF BLOOD

Author: Sarah Beth Durst
Series: The Queens of Renthia #1
Source: Purchased from Kobo
Publisher: Harper Voyager
Publication Date: September 20, 2016
Overall Rating:
Diversity Rating:
Summary:

An idealistic young student and a banished warrior become allies in a battle to save their realm in this first book of a mesmerizing epic fantasy series, filled with political intrigue, violent magic, malevolent spirits, and thrilling adventure

Everything has a spirit: the willow tree with leaves that kiss the pond, the stream that feeds the river, the wind that exhales fresh snow . . .

But the spirits that reside within this land want to rid it of all humans. One woman stands between these malevolent spirits and the end of humankind: the queen. She alone has the magical power to prevent the spirits from destroying every man, woman, and child. But queens are still just human, and no matter how strong or good, the threat of danger always looms. 

With the position so precarious, young women are chosen to train as heirs. Daleina, a seemingly quiet academy student, is under no illusions as to her claim to the throne, but simply wants to right the wrongs that have befallen the land. Ven, a disgraced champion, has spent his exile secretly fighting against the growing number of spirit attacks. Joining forces, these daring partners embark on a treacherous quest to find the source of the spirits’ restlessness—a journey that will test their courage and trust, and force them to stand against both enemies and friends to save their land . . . before it’s bathed in blood.
Purchase:
Amazon | Chapters | TBD
I learned about this during the 2016 #FrenzyPresents event and knew I needed this one immediately. I purchased a copy when it went on sale on Kobo and then... promptly forgot about it. But I finally got to it as my first read of 2019 and I was happy and disappointed by it.

23 Jan 2019

#Discussion: Book Recommendations Based on TITANS Characters

23 January 0 Comments
I spent this weekend binge watching TITANS on Netflix, the start to the Netflix DCU Canon. I am now obsessed. So obviously I want to talk about it and am going to do so the only way I know how. I will be giving you 3 book recommendations based on each of the main Titans in the show! Also, I love that this show is deeply flawed but shows people being and acting realistically, so if you haven't seen it yet, definitely watch it!


RAVEN

Rachel Roth, also known as the Raven, is a girl with lethal dark magical powers. She is half-human, half-demon, but all magic. Young, impressionable, and full of raw power, Raven is by far the strongest of the Titans. As a comment on the show TITANS, how much did they pay to have snippets of Game of Thrones in there?

If you want to read like Raven...


STARFIRE

Kory Anders, aka Starfire, is an alien from the planet Tamaran. She was sent to Earth to "secure" Raven but she lost her memory and ended up befriending her instead. Definitely the biggest badass mother fucker on the team, I loved this version of Starfire in TITANS.

If you want to read like Starfire...


21 Jan 2019

#Review: EMPRESS OF A THOUSAND SKIES by Rhonda Belleza

21 January 0 Comments

EMPRESS OF A THOUSAND SKIES

Author: Rhonda Belleza
Series: Empress of a Thousand Skies #1
Source: Purchased from Kobo
Publisher: Razorbill
Publication Date: February 7, 2017
Overall Rating:
Diversity Rating:
Summary:

Crown Princess Rhiannon Ta'an wants vengeance.

The only surviving heir to an ancient Kalusian dynasty, Rhee has spent her life training to destroy the people who killed her family. Now, on the eve of her coronation, the time has finally come for Rhee to claim her throne - and her revenge.

Alyosha is a Wraetan who has risen above his war refugee origins to find fame as the dashing star of a DroneVision show. Despite his popularity, Aly struggles with anti-Wraetan prejudices and the pressure of being perfect in the public eye.

Their paths collide with one brutal act of violence: Rhee is attacked, barely escaping with her life. Aly is blamed for her presumed murder.

The princess and her accused killer are forced to go into hiding - even as a war between planets is waged in Rhee's name. But soon, Rhee and Aly discover that the assassination attempt is just one part of a sinister plot. Bound together by an evil that only they can stop, the two fugitives must join forces to save the galaxy.
Purchase:
Amazon | Chapters | TBD
So disclaimer: I stopped reading this at 55%. But I asked people what the ending was and read some other reviews and oh boy did I dodge a bullet. This was boring, poorly written, and had so many plot holes that I basically fell to the depths of hell while reading.

19 Jan 2019

#StackingTheShelves (3): January 19, 2019

19 January 1 Comments
Stacking The Shelves is hosted by Tynga's Reviews and is all about sharing the books you are adding to your shelves, may it be physical or virtual. This means you can include books you buy in physical store or online, books you borrow from friends or the library, review books, gifts, and of course ebooks!
I'm really loving doing these Stacking The Shelves posts! I hope you guys like them as well, especially how I incorporate Instagram into the posts as well. Let me know if there is something else you want to see or for me to add in to this!

In case you missed it, I kicked off Science Fiction and Fantasy Fridays again! I am starting with a giveaway for a copy of THE FIFTH SEASON by N.K. Jemisin.


  • BLUD by Rachel McKibbens

18 Jan 2019

#Review: THE LONG GAME by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

18 January 0 Comments

THE LONG GAME

Author: Jennifer Lynn Barnes
Series: The Fixer #2
Source: Purchased from Kobo
Publisher: Bloomsbury USA Childrens
Publication Date: June 7, 2016
Overall Rating:
Diversity Rating:
Summary:

The Kendricks help make the problems of the Washington elite disappear…but some secrets won’t stay buried.

For Tess Kendrick, a junior at the elite Hardwicke School in Washington, D.C., fixing runs in the family. But Tess has another legacy, too, one that involves power and the making of political dynasties. When Tess is asked to run a classmate’s campaign for student council, she agrees. But when the candidates are children of politicians, even a high school election can involve life-shattering secrets.

Meanwhile, Tess’s guardian has also taken on an impossible case, as a terrorist attack calls into doubt who can—and cannot—be trusted on Capitol Hill. Tess knows better than most that power is currency in D.C., but she's about to discover firsthand that power always comes with a price.
Purchase:
Amazon | Chapters | TBD

I absolutely loved THE FIXER so I immediately purchased THE LONG GAME and then promptly didn't read it for two years. But that's okay because I read it now and I absolutely loved it! I love that this is basically Scandal for YA and the twists and turns were perfect.

16 Jan 2019

#Discussion: 5 Favourite Merch Items + Where to Buy Them

16 January 1 Comments
Today's post is not sponsored at all but I am telling you all about my favourite merch items (mostly for books) and what stores I generally buy them from. Let me know in the comments some of your favourite merch items - or if you have the same ones as me!

1. Mugs

I own a lot of mugs in general, but mugs that show off my fandoms???? YES PLEASE!! I have so many mugs and I love taking them to work to have "casual" conversations about books I love. They are actual selling points! I usually buy them off of Society6, like the one in the post below!

2. Prints

I love love love prints, especially the ones on Society6 (this is a recurring theme in this post). However, I really love when authors post their own art on there as well! It's official fan art! I then like to get them plaqued to hang on my walls!



I love THE SCORPIO RACES by @maggie_stiefvater so much that I buy all the artwork I can find for it so I can show off my love on my walls. The two typographical prints are by @eviebookish (who has the most ah-mazing designs!) and the Sean and Puck print is from Maggie's society6 store. What's one book or series you buy everything for? // It happens at the start of every November: the Scorpio Races. Riders attempt to keep hold of their water horses long enough to make it to the finish line. Some riders live. Others die. At age nineteen, Sean Kendrick is the returning champion. He is a young man of few words, and if he has any fears, he keeps them buried deep, where no one else can see them. Puck Connolly is different. She never meant to ride in the Scorpio Races. But fate hasn’t given her much of a chance. So she enters the competition — the first girl ever to do so. She is in no way prepared for what is going to happen.
A post shared by Jamie @ Books and Ladders (@booksandladders) on

15 Jan 2019

ARC #Review: FAMOUS IN SMALL TOWN by Emma Mills

15 January 0 Comments

FAMOUS IN A SMALL TOWN

Author: Emma Mills
Series: N/A
Source: ARC via Publisher
Publisher: Henry Holt
Publication Date: January 15, 2019
Overall Rating:
Diversity Rating:


Summary:
For Sophie, small-town life has never felt small. She has the Yum Yum Shoppe, with its famous fourteen flavors of ice cream; her beloved marching band, the pride and joy of Acadia High (even if the football team disagrees); and her four best friends, loving and infuriating, wonderfully weird and all she could ever ask for. 

Then August moves in next door. A quiet guy with a magnetic smile, August seems determined to keep everyone at arm's length. Sophie in particular. 

Country stars, revenge plots, and a few fake kisses (along with some excellent real ones) await Sophie in this hilarious, heartfelt story.
Purchase:
Amazon | Chapters | TBD
Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book and chose to review it. This in no way impacts my opinion.

I am so in love with Emma Mills' books, characters, and writing. She makes every character unique while having the same feel to them: vulnerable, unsure of how to move forward, and always willing to try and do as much as possible for their friends. I love that Emma is able to make so much happen in her books that are generally about living your life as a high school student. Yes, there is always conflict and relationships and messiness, but that's everyone's lives. I highly recommend any and all of Emma's books.


14 Jan 2019

#Review: A CONJURING OF LIGHT by V.E. Schwab

14 January 0 Comments

A CONJURING OF LIGHT

Author: V.E. Schwab
Series: Shades of Magic #3
Source: Purchased from Chapters
Publisher: Tor Books
Publication Date: February 21, 2017
Overall Rating:
Diversity Rating:
Summary:
Witness the fate of beloved heroes - and enemies.

THE BALANCE OF POWER HAS FINALLY TIPPED...
The precarious equilibrium among four Londons has reached its breaking point. Once brimming with the red vivacity of magic, darkness casts a shadow over the Maresh Empire, leaving a space for another London to rise.

WHO WILL CRUMBLE?
Kell - once assumed to be the last surviving Antari - begins to waver under the pressure of competing loyalties. And in the wake of tragedy, can Arnes survive?

WHO WILL RISE?
Lila Bard, once a commonplace - but never common - thief, has survived and flourished through a series of magical trials. But now she must learn to control the magic, before it bleeds her dry. Meanwhile, the disgraced Captain Alucard Emery of the Night Spire collects his crew, attempting a race against time to acquire the impossible.

WHO WILL TAKE CONTROL?
And an ancient enemy returns to claim a crown while a fallen hero tries to save a world in decay.
Purchase:
Amazon | Chapters | TBD
Do you ever get tired of running? 
No. 
Then you haven't left enough behind.

Hoo boy. I waited a LONG time to read this one because I didn't want the series to end. But Victoria is writing a spin-off that takes place after the conclusion so I figured I should probably get on it. And OMG. This blew me away. A fantasy of truly epic proportions.