Tuesday, January 31, 2017
Monthly Wrap-Up: January 2017
Monday, January 30, 2017
It's Monday! What Are You Reading? #86: Just, the Same...
It's Monday! What Are You Reading? a meme hosted by Kathryn at Book Date / Teach Mentor Text & Unleashing Reads.
Sunday, January 29, 2017
Sunday Post #113: Dragon Ball Super was (Finally!) Dubbed and NOBODY TOLD ME!
Welcome to The Sunday Post hosted by Kimba @ Caffeinated Book Reviewer, where I talk about what is going on in life and the blog, and show you all the bookish things I got that week!
Saturday, January 28, 2017
Literary Nails!
In the past, I've done bookish nail art inspired by one particular book/series, but today I present you with nail art inspired by books themselves!
Friday, January 27, 2017
Cover Reveal: Life is but a Nightmare (Elysium Legacies #2) by Erin Hayes
It's been a while since I hosted a cover reveal, but then I saw this book was going to have a cover reveal in one of Xpresso Book Tours emails and I was like...
Why? Because a.) It's Greek mythology and b.) It's the sequel to Death is but a Dream (which I loved!) and I had NO idea there was going to be a sequel! I am so excited!
Thursday, January 26, 2017
Review: Heartless (Pretty Little Liars #7) by Sara Shepard
Title: Heartless
Series: Pretty Little Liars #7
Previous books in this series: Pretty Little Liars (#1) | Flawless (#2) | Perfect (#3) | Unbelievable (#4) | Pretty Little Secrets: a Pretty Little Liars Collection (#4.5) | Wicked (#5) | Killer (#6)
Author: Sara Shepard
Genre: YA, mystery
Publication date: January 2010
Published by: HarperTeen
Source: Library Book
Add it to your Goodreads shelf
Buy it: Amazon | Book Depository | Book Outlet | Thrift Books
Synopsis:
Four gorgeous girls are telling very ugly stories.
First Emily, Aria, Hanna, and Spencer claimed they found a dead body in the woods behind Spencer's house, only to have it vanish without a trace. Then, when the same woods went up in flames, they swore they saw someone who's supposed to be dead rise from the ashes. And even after all that, the pretty little liars are still playing with fire. Call me heartless, but it's about time someone shut these liars up for good. After all, nobody likes a girl who cries wolf—least of all me
Spencer... oh Spencer. She finally finds out about her birth and her real parents after all that confusion! And it surprised, but I am so glad that her parents were actually nice to her in this book because they were being huge jerks in the last couple ones. Spencer also finds out some super dark secrets about her dad and... other stuff involving Ali. Crazy stuff, I tell ya, crazy!
Wednesday, January 25, 2017
Review: Killer (Pretty Little Liars #6) by Sara Shepard
Title: Killer
Series: Pretty Little Liars #6
Previous books in this series: Pretty Little Liars (#1) | Flawless (#2) | Perfect (#3) | Unbelievable (#4) | Pretty Little Secrets: a Pretty Little Liars Collection (#4.5) | Wicked (#5)
Author: Sara Shepard
Genre: YA, mystery
Publication date: June 2009
Published by: HarperTeen
Source: Library Book
Add it to your Goodreads shelf
Buy it: Amazon | Book Depository | Book Outlet | Thrift Books
Synopsis:
In picture-perfect Rosewood, Pennsylvania, ash-blond highlights gleam in the winter sun and frozen lakes sparkle like Swarovski crystals. But pictures often lie— and so do Rosewood's four prettiest girls.
Hanna, Aria, Spencer, and Emily have been lying ever since they became friends with beautiful Alison DiLaurentis. Ali made them do terrible things—things they had to keep secret for years. And even though Ali was killed at the end of seventh grade, their bad-girl ways didn't die with her.
Hanna's on a mission to corrupt Rosewood's youth, starting with a very attractive sophomore. Aria's snooping into her boyfriend's past. Spencer's stealing— from her family. And pure little Emily's abstaining from abstinence.
The girls should be careful, though. They thought they were safe when Ali's killer was arrested and A's true identity was finally revealed. But now there's a new A in town turning up the heat. And this time Rosewood is going to burn.
The poor Liars never seem to catch a break, do they? This new ‘A’ is threatening them once again, telling them to find Ali’s real killer... or else. And oh my god, is Ian not dead? He said he was innocent, so...
Tuesday, January 24, 2017
Review: Wicked (Pretty Little Liars #5) by Sara Shepard
Title: Wicked
Series: Pretty Little Liars #5
Previous books in this series: Pretty Little Liars (#1) | Flawless (#2) | Perfect (#3) | Unbelievable (#4) | Pretty Little Secrets: a Pretty Little Liars Collection (#4.5)
Author: Sara Shepard
Genre: YA, mystery
Publication date: November 2008
Published by: HarperTeen
Source: Library Book
Add it to your Goodreads shelf
Buy it: Amazon | Book Depository | Book Outlet | Thrift Books
Synopsis:
In idyllic Rosewood, Pennsylvania, four very pretty girls just can't help but be bad. . . .
Hanna will do anything to be Rosewood's queen bee. Spencer's digging up her family's secrets. Emily can't stop thinking about her new boyfriend. And Aria approves a little too strongly of her mom's taste in men.
Now that Ali's killer is finally behind bars, the girls think they're safe. But those who forget the past are condemned to repeat it. And they should know by now that I'm always watching...
Oh my god! So many crazy, intense things happened, I don’t even know where to begin!
Monday, January 23, 2017
Sunday, January 22, 2017
Sunday Post #112: Make Up & Nail Art
Welcome to The Sunday Post hosted by Kimba @ Caffeinated Book Reviewer, where I talk about what is going on in life and the blog, and show you all the bookish things I got that week!
Friday, January 20, 2017
DNF Review: Fools Crow by James Welch
Title: Fools Crow
Author: James Welch
Genre: Adult, historical
Publication date: November 1987
Published by: Penguin Books
Source: School book
Add it to your Goodreads shelf
Synopsis:
Set in Montana shortly after the Civil War, this novel tells of White Man's Dog (later known as Fools Crow so called after he killed the chief of the Crows during a raid), a young Blackfeet Indian on the verge of manhood, and his band, known as the Lone Eaters. The invasion of white society threatens to change their traditional way of life, and they must choose to fight or assimilate.
The story is a powerful portrait of a fading way of life. The story culminates with the historic Marias Massacre of 1870, in which the U.S. Cavalry mistakenly killed a friendly band of Blackfeet, consisting mostly of non-combatants.
My first DNF review! Let's get to it...
So I had to read this for my myth and symbolism class... and what it had to do with what we were talking about, I have no idea.
Thursday, January 19, 2017
Review: Black Heart (Curse Workers #3) by Holly Black
Title: Black Heart
Series: Curse Workers #3
Previous books in this series: White Cat (#1) |
Red Glove (#2)
Author: Holly Black
Genre: YA, urban fantasy
Publication date: April 2012
Published by: Margaret K. McElderry Books
Source: Library Book
Add it to your Goodreads shelf
Buy it: Amazon | Book Depository | Thrift Books
Synopsis:
In a world where Magic is illegal.
Cassel Sharpe has the most deadly ability of all. With one touch, he can transform any object - including a person - into something else entirely. And that makes him a wanted man. The Feds are willing to forgive all his past crimes if he'll only leave his con artist family behind and go straight. But why does going straight feel so crooked?
For one thing, it means being on the opposite side of the law from Lila, the girl he loves. She's the daughter of a mob boss and getting ready to join the family business herself. Though Cassel is pretty sure she can never love him back, he can't stop obsessing over her. Which would be bad enough, even if her father wasn't keeping Cassel's mother prisoner in a posh apartment and threatening not to let her leave until she returns the priceless diamond she scammed off him years ago. Too bad she can't remember where she put it.
The Feds say they need Cassel to get rid of a powerful man who is spinning dangerously out of control. But if they want Cassel to use his unique talent to hurt people, what separates the good guys from the bad ones? Or is everyone just out to con him?
Time is running out, and all Cassel's magic and cleverness might not be enough to save him. With no easy answers and no one he can trust, love might be the most dangerous gamble of all.
In the finale to the series, since finding out about his awesome powers, the FBI have been working with Cassel. Cassel is actually thinking about going straight and joining the Feds officially. But something doesn’t feel right in this latest mission. The Feds have asked Cass to take out Patton, but he fears that the Feds are double crossing him. Is it possible that the good guys aren’t so good after all?
Wednesday, January 18, 2017
Review: Red Glove (Curse Workers #2) by Holly Black
Title: Red Glove
Series: Curse Workers #2
Previous book in this series: White Cat
Author: Holly Black
Genre: YA, urban fantasy
Publication date: April 2011
Published by: Margaret K. McElderry Books
Source: Library Book
Add it to your Goodreads shelf
Buy it: Amazon | Book Depository | Thrift Books
Synopsis:
CURSES AND CONS.
MAGIC AND THE MOB.
In Cassel Sharpe's world, they go together. Cassel always though he was an ordinary guy, until he realized his memories were being manipulated by his brothers. Now he knows the truth - he's the most powerful curse worker around. A touch of his hand can transform anything - or anyone - into something else.
That was how Lila, the girl he loved, became a white cat. Cassel was tricked into thinking he killed her, when actually he tried to save her. Now that she's human again, he should be overjoyed. Trouble is, Lila's been cursed to love him, a little gift from his emotion-worker mom. And if Lila's love is as phony as Cassel's made-up memories, then he can't believe anything she says or does.
When Cassel's oldest brother is murdered, the Feds recruit Cassel to help make sense of the only clue - crime-scene images of a woman in red gloves. But the mob is after Cassel too - they know how valuable he could be to them. Cassel is going to have to stay one step ahead of both sides just to survive. But where can he turn when he can't trust anyone - least of all, himself?
Love is a curse and the con is the only answer in a game too dangerous to lose.
In this installment of the Curse Workers series, someone close to Cassel is murdered. The FBI offer him a deal if he helps them out with the case. But will Cass help the Feds, or will he keep the trust of his Curse Worker family?
Tuesday, January 17, 2017
Review: White Cat (Curse Workers #1) by Holly Black
Title: White Cat
Series: Curse Workers #1
Author: Holly Black
Genre: YA, urban fantasy
Publication date: May 2010
Published by: Margaret K. McElderry Books
Source: Library Book
Add it to your Goodreads shelf
Buy it: Amazon | Book Depository | Thrift Books
Synopsis:
CASSEL COMES FROM A FAMILY OF CURSE WORKERS - people who have the power to change your emotions, your memories, your luck, by the slightest touch of their hands. And since curse work is illegal, they're all criminals. Many become mobsters and con artists. But not Cassel. He hasn't got magic, so he's an outsider; the straight kid in a crooked family. You just have to ignore one small detail - he killed his best friend, Lila, three years ago.
Cassel has carefully built up a facade of normalcy, blending into the crowd. But his facade starts to crumble when he finds himself sleepwalking, propelled into the night by terrifying dreams about a white cat that wants to tell him something. He's noticing other disturbing things to, including the strange behavior of his two brothers. They are keeping secrets from him. As Cassel begins to suspect he's part of a huge con game, he must unravel his past and his memories. To find out the truth, Cassel will have to outcon the conmen.
I really liked White Cat! It had a very interesting world, very reminiscent of the X-Men world, which isn’t a bad thing ‘cause I love me some superheroes! Except in this world full of what’re called ‘Workers,’ our main character Cassel is a non-Worker. Even worse, a non-Worker in a family full of workers! He’s always felt left out, always wanted a power. But you know what they say, be careful what you wish for...
Monday, January 16, 2017
Sunday, January 15, 2017
Sunday Post #111
Welcome to The Sunday Post hosted by Kimba @ Caffeinated Book Reviewer, where I talk about what is going on in life and the blog, and show you all the bookish things I got that week!
Saturday, January 14, 2017
Random Reads: Finish that Series! (January 2017)
So, this used to be a feature hosted by imlovingbooks.com, and, well, I don't know what happened, but I loved this feature so I thought I'd continue on with the theme of it just for myself! This actually really helps me finish off those books I've been putting off! In particular, series!
Friday, January 13, 2017
Review: Spell Bound (Hex Hall #3) by Rachel Hawkins
Title: Spell Bound
Series: Hex Hall #3
Previous books in this series: Hex Hall (#1) | Demonglass (#2)
Author: Rachel Hawkins
Genre: YA, paranormal
Publication date: March 2012
Published by: Disney Hyperion
Source: Library book
Add it to your Goodreads shelf
Buy it: Amazon | Book Depository | Thrift Books
Synopsis:
Just as Sophie Mercer has come to accept her extraordinary magical powers as a demon, the Prodigium Council strips them away. Now Sophie is defenseless, alone, and at the mercy of her sworn enemies—the Brannicks, a family of warrior women who hunt down the Prodigium. Or at least that’s what Sophie thinks, until she makes a surprising discovery. The Brannicks know an epic war is coming, and they believe Sophie is the only one powerful enough to stop the world from ending. But without her magic, Sophie isn’t as confident.
Sophie’s bound for one hell of a ride—can she get her powers back before it’s too late?
I love anything witchy and magical, and Spell Bound was just a fun read! This whole series was amazing! Snarky Sophie and swoon-worthy Archer... LOVE! There were a lot of surprising twists and turns in the story, which I loved. And it was just a fantastic ending to the series, but it makes me sad! *cries*
Thursday, January 12, 2017
Review: Cassidy Jones and the Luminous (Cassidy Jones Adventures #4) by Elise Stokes
Title: Cassidy Jones and the Luminous
Series: Cassidy Jones Adventures #4
Previous books in this series: Cassidy Jones and the Secret Formula (#1) | Cassidy Jones and Vulcan's Gift (#2) | Cassidy Jones and the Seventh Attendant (#3)
Author: Elise Stokes
Genre: YA, urban fantasy, paranormal
Publication date: September 2014
Published by: JACE Publishing LLC
Source: For review from author
Add it to your Goodreads shelf
Buy it: Amazon
Synopsis:
They need. They seed. They breed.
An inhuman evil lurks in the depths of Lake Washington— an evil that walks among us. They look like us...they talk like us...but they are not us. And when Cassidy Jones discovers that they threaten life as we know it, can she summon the power to stop them? In her greatest test yet—and her greatest adventure— the world hangs in the balance against a relentless and insidious adversary: the Luminous.
Oh my gods, you guys, this series is so awesome! But I’ve already told you that ;) It’s just such a fun world full of insane villains trying to take over the world for one reason or another. Good thing Seattle’s got Cassidy, superhero extraordinaire!
Wednesday, January 11, 2017
Review: Cassidy Jones and the Seventh Attendant (Cassidy Jones Adventures #3) by Elise Stokes
Title: Cassidy Jones and the Seventh Attendant
Series: Cassidy Jones Adventures #3
Previous books in this series: Cassidy Jones and the Secret Formula (#1) | Cassidy Jones and Vulcan's Gift (#2)
Author: Elise Stokes
Genre: YA, urban fantasy, paranormal
Publication date: May 2013
Published by: JACE Publishing LLC
Source: For review from author
Add it to your Goodreads shelf
Buy it: Amazon
Synopsis:
Some Secrets Are Better Left Buried...
When the mysterious Gavin Phillips returns to Seattle after a prolonged and unexplained absence, he threatens to expose fifteen-year-old Cassidy Jones’s incredible secret: she is a superhero. But his presence is far more sinister than she realizes, for it soon becomes apparent that his hidden agenda holds a dark and dangerous intent that will unleash an unparalleled evil upon an unsuspecting world. Can Cassidy stop him before all is lost?
While on a school trip to an Egyptian exhibit at a museum, Cassidy overhears a plan to rob the place. Even worse, she sees someone she knows, someone close. Cassidy and Emery make a plan to put stop to this, seeing as how they may have found a chip from his mother’s experiment. You know, the one that gave Cassidy her superpowers. Yeah.
Tuesday, January 10, 2017
Review: It's a Mall World After All by Janette Rallison
Title: It's a Mall World After All
Author: Janette Rallison
Genre: YA, contemporary romance
Publication date: October 2016
Published by: Rally Point Press
Source: Bought e-book
Add it to your Goodreads shelf
Buy it: Amazon
Synopsis:
If they gave out diplomas for what you learn at the mall, Charlotte could graduate with honors. Ever since she got a job as a perfume spritzer, she's become an expert on all things shopping related―oh, and she's getting really good at spying on her classmates who hang out there. What she hasn't mastered is the art of convincing her best friend Brianna to dump her boyfriend Bryant. After Charlotte caught him flirting with a mysterious, blond-haired stick figure, she knows he's up to no good. Worse still, now Brianna is taking his side. Charlotte must prove who is right, once and for all, and that means catching Bryant in the act. This is where her mall roaming skills will come in handy. Perfume anyone?
Guys, you know I don’t typically read contemporary books because I just find them too everyday-life for me. I need something supernatural in my life (and not just the TV show ;) which I love)! So it’s strange that I would start off 2017 with this book, right? But I just felt like reading this! I love Janette’s other paranormal books (including those under her pen name, C.J. Hill) so I thought I might give this a try and oh my god I am so glad I did because I loved it! It was so much fun! Will I start reading more contemporary books? Hey, don’t push me lol ;) I will probably read all of Janette’s other contemporary books though. That’s a start, right? She is just amazing and I highly recommend this book!
Monday, January 9, 2017
It's Monday! What Are You Reading? #83: Contemporary? Me??
It's Monday! What Are You Reading? is a weekly meme hosted by Book Journey.
Sunday, January 8, 2017
Sunday Post #110: Back to Work... *sigh*
Welcome to The Sunday Post hosted by Kimba @ Caffeinated Book Reviewer, where I talk about what is going on in life and the blog, and show you all the bookish things I got that week!
Friday, January 6, 2017
Review: How to Protect Your Neighborhood from Circus Werewolves (Slug Pie Story #4) by Mick Bogerman
Title: How to Protect Your Neighborhood from Circus Werewolves
Series: Slug Pie Story #4
Previous books in this series: How to Navigate Zombie Cave and Defeat Pirate Pete (#1) | How to Rid Your Swimming Pool of a Bloodthirsty Mermaid (#2) | How to Destroy the New Girl's Killer Robot Army (#3)
Author: Mick Bogerman
Genre: Middle Grade, paranormal
Publication date: September 2016
Published by: Slug Pie Stories, LLC
Source: Paperback for review from publishers
Add it to your Goodreads shelf
Buy it: Amazon | Book Depository
Synopsis:
The circus is in town, and Mick Bogerman has a fail-proof plan to sneak inside the adults-only Macabre Pavilion. But there’s something weird about the A. Linville & Purnima Bros. Circus this year. Angry parents and crying kids exit early by the carload. Maybe it’s the clowns. Yes, they wear the standard stark-white faces and red bulbous noses, but underneath their painted smiles, there’s something not quite right. What's more, after the full moon rises . . . they howl.
When Mick and his friends rescue a caged boy from the clown’s clutches they set off a series of disasters that threaten their entire neighborhood. Can Mick become the leader his neighbors need and protect them from the pack of hungry predators infiltrating their town?
Man, I am really loving this series! It’s just so exciting and fun! And seeing as how we’re dealing with kids in a super dangerous situation, it’s also kind of insane (but in a good way)! I honestly cannot believe they went up against these crazy werewolves. It was dangerous AF, but they somehow managed to work together and take them on to save one of their own.
Thursday, January 5, 2017
2017 Reading Challenge
January:
1. It's a Mall World After All by Janette Rallison
2. Cassidy Jones and the Seventh Attendant (Cassidy Jones Adventures #3) by Elise Stokes
3. Cassidy Jones and the Luminous (Cassidy Jones Adventures #4) by Elise Stokes
4. Give Me a K-I-L-L (Fear Street Relaunch #6) by R.L. Stine
5. Black Heart (Curse Workers #3) by Holly Black
6. Texas Gothic (Goodnight Family #1) by Rosemary Clement-Moore
February:
7. Lullaby (Ellie Jordan, Ghost Trapper #7) by J.L. Bryan
8. The Keeper (Ellie Jordan, Ghost Trapper #8) by J.L. Bryan
9. Cassidy Jones and the Eternal Flame (Cassidy Jones Adventures #5) by Elise Stokes
10. Ring Around The Rosy, Not Another Ghosty (Mellow Summers #11) by Janet McNulty
11. Hickory Dickory Dock The Ghost In The Clock (Mellow Summers #12) by Janet McNulty
March:
Nada :(
April:
12. Spirit and Dust (Goodnight Family #2) by Rosemary Clement-Moore
13. The New Girl (Fear Street #1) by R.L. Stine
May:
14. The Overnight (Fear Street #3) by R.L. Stine
15. The Librarians and the Lost Lamp (The Librarians #1) by Greg Cox
16. The Prom Queen (Fear Street #15) by R.L. Stine
17. One Evil Summer (Fear Street #25) by R.L. Stine
18. The Haunting of Hex House (Young Adult Horror #3) by Jackson Dean Chase
19. Come to the Cemetery (Young Adult Horror #1) by Jackson Dean Chase
20. Because We Told Her To by Sal Conte
21. The Dead Lifeguard (Fear Street Super Chiller #6) by R.L. Stine
22. Summer Horror (Fear Street Collector's Edition #6) by R.L. Stine
June:
23. The Librarians and the Mother Goose Chase (The Librarians #2) by Greg Cox
24. High Tide (Fear Street Super Chiller #12) by R.L. Stine
25. Trapped (Fear Street #51) by R.L. Stine
July:
26. The Babysitter (The Babysitter #1) by R.L. Stine
27. Poison (Elemental Assassin #0.1) by Jennifer Estep
28. Web of Deceit (Elemental Assassin #0.2) by Jennifer Estep
August:
29. Alex Finch: Monster Hunter (The Monster Files #1) by Cate Dean
30. Ball Gowns and Blood Stains by Dorothy Dreyer
31. Missing (Fear Street #4) by R.L. Stine
32. Spider's Bargain (Elemental Assassin #0.5) by Jennifer Estep
33. Web of Death (Elemental Assassin #1.5) by Jennifer Estep
34. Wasted (Elemental Assassin #2.7) by Jennifer Estep
September:
35. Roar (Stormheart #1) by Cora Carmack
36. Beanstalker and Other Hilarious Scarytales by Kiersten White
37. The Knife (Fear Street #14) by R.L. Stine
38. The Masked Truth by Kelley Armstrong
39. Clockwork Angel (The Infernal Devices #1) by Cassandra Clare
40. Tangled Dreams (Elemental Assassin #3.5) by Jennifer Estep
41. Tangled Schemes (Elemental Assassin #3.7) by Jennifer Estep
42. Spider’s Nemesis (Elemental Assassin #4.5) by Jennifer Estep
43. Pink Lock Picks and Sequined Witch Hats by Carla Rehse
44. Thread of Death (Elemental Assassin #5.5) by Jennifer Estep
45. The First Evil (Fear Street Cheerleaders #1) by R.L. Stine
October:
46. The Second Evil (Fear Street Cheerleaders #2) by R.L. Stine
47. The Third Evil (Fear Street Cheerleaders #3) by R.L. Stine
48. Cheerleaders (Fear Street Collector's Edition #12) by R.L. Stine
49. The Girl Who Saved Ghosts (The Unbelievables #2) by K.C. Tansley
November:
50. Halloween Night by R.L. Stine
51. The Mind Reader (Fear Street #26) by R.L. Stine
52. Spell Book & Scandal by Jen McConnel
December:
53. The Tower (Ellie Jordan, Ghost Trapper #9) by J.L. Bryan
54. Spartan Heart (Mythos Academy spinoff #1) Jennifer Estep
55. The New Year's Party (Fear Street Super Chiller #9) by R.L. Stine
Wednesday, January 4, 2017
Top 10 Favorite Books of 2016 + Year in Books
First, let's take a look at how many books/pages I read in 2016:
Tuesday, January 3, 2017
Monday, January 2, 2017
It's Monday! What Are You Reading? #82: All the Silent Nights!
It's Monday! What Are You Reading? is a weekly meme hosted by Book Journey.
Sunday, January 1, 2017
Sunday Post #109: I Went on Vacation!
Welcome to The Sunday Post hosted by Kimba @ Caffeinated Book Reviewer, where I talk about what is going on in life and the blog, and show you all the bookish things I got that week!