Wednesday, 31 December 2014

2014 Wrap-Up


Hey everyone! Today is the 31st of December, the last day of 2014! This post will be the last post I will post as of this year! I am so very surprised and delighted that I was able to continue this blog for such a long time. I have to admit that at a few points in time, as I felt that my blog wasn't reaching greater heights and I could spend the time blogging to do other things, I had wanted to give up. However, I have since decided not to and will be continuing this blog into the New Year of 2015 and onwards! Here, I present to you a wrap-up of everything I have done this year! 
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Total Books Read in 2014= 63

Here is the list of books that I've read this year:






Number of Book Reviews as of 2014= 31

By Alphabetical Order:

a

Avery (Blog Tour) - Charlotte McConaghy

b

Bang In The Middle - Robert Shore
Brunette Ambition - Lea Michelle

c

City of Heavenly Fire - Cassandra Clare
City of Lost Souls - Cassandra Clare 
Cress - Marissa Meyer

d

Dorothy Must Die - Danielle Paige

i

I'll Give You the Sun by Jandy Nelson
Isla and the Happily Ever After - Stephanie Perkins
I've Got Your Number - Sophie Kinsella 

k

Keeping Her - Coma Carmack

l

Love, Rosie - Cecelia Ahern

m

p

Percy Jackson and the Greek Gods - Rick Riordan

r

Ruin and Rising - Leigh Bardugo

s

Scare Crow - Julie Hockley 
Shadow and Bone - Leigh Bardugo

t 

The Bravest Princess - E. D. Baker 
The Covenant Series - Jennifer Armentrout
The Darkest Minds - Alexandra Bracken 
The Fault In Our Stars - John Green 
The Geography of You and Me - Jennifer E. Smith  
The House of Hades - Rick Riordan 
The Queen of the Tearling - Erika Johansen
The Unofficial Girls Guide to New York - Judy Gelman and Peter Zheutlin
The Winner's Curse - Marie Rutkoski

w

We Were Liars - E. Lockhart
What I Thought Was True/Sneak Peak Review - Huntley Fitzpatrick, Huntley
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Acknowledgements

For this end year thank you message, I would first like to thank every single book blogger out there - you guys gave me the courage to start this blog and start posting my various views about books! 

 Next, thank you to all the book tours who have given me opportunities to participate in their book events and learn more about how books are publicized. 

 Thank you to the different authors and publishers who work so hard to publish books and for constantly treating us book bloggers greatly and giving us ARCs to read and love!

 Finally, thank you to everyone who has ever read a post on my blog! Thank you so much guys!


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Tuesday, 30 December 2014

Waiting on Wednesday #25 - The Winner's Crime by Marie Rutkoski


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

This week's pre-publication "can't-wait-to-read" selection by me is:



The Winner's Crime


Author: Marie Rutkoski

Publication Date: 3rd March 2015

Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux (BYR)

Page Count: 416 Pages
(Hardcover)





Summary from Goodreads: 
Book two of the dazzling Winner's Trilogy is a fight to the death as Kestrel risks betrayal of country for love.

The engagement of Lady Kestrel to Valoria’s crown prince means one celebration after another. But to Kestrel it means living in a cage of her own making. As the wedding approaches, she aches to tell Arin the truth about her engagement…if she could only trust him. Yet can she even trust herself? For—unknown to Arin—Kestrel is becoming a skilled practitioner of deceit: an anonymous spy passing information to Herran, and close to uncovering a shocking secret.

As Arin enlists dangerous allies in the struggle to keep his country’s freedom, he can’t fight the suspicion that Kestrel knows more than she shows. In the end, it might not be a dagger in the dark that cuts him open, but the truth. And when that happens, Kestrel and Arin learn just how much their crimes will cost them.

My Thoughts regarding this book:
This one is another one of my most anticipated books of 2015. I really really adored The Winner's Curse because of its concept and everything that I even wrote a full review about it. The link to that review is here. I loved it so much that I gave it a 4 out of 5 stars, back when I was using that system. :D Can't wait to 
--- Do comment down below and let me know of your WoW! ---
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Sunday, 28 December 2014

Book Blast - Angel Burn by L.A. Weatherly


Angel Burn
By: L.A. Weatherly
Series: Angel #1
Publication Date: 27th December 2011 (paperback), 24th May 2011 (hardback)
Publisher: Candlewick Press
Page Count: 464 (paperback), 449 (hardback)
Genres: Young Adult, Paranormal Angels

 Buy Links: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository

They're out for your soul.
And they don't have heaven in mind...

 Willow knows she's different from other girls, and not just because she loves tinkering with cars. Willow has a gift. She can look into the future and know people's dreams and hopes, their sorrows and regrets, just by touching them. She has no idea where this power comes from. 

 But the assassin, Alex, does. Gorgeous, mysterious Alex knows more about Willow than Willow herself does. He knows that her powers link to dark and dangerous forces and that he's one of the few humans left who can fight them. When Alex finds himself falling in love with his sworn enemy, he discovers that nothing is as it seems; least of all good and evil.

 Book Trailer


About the Author
Lee Weatherly was born in 1967 and grew up in Little Rock, Arkansas, USA. She lives with her husband in Hampshire, England, where she writes, goes on walks, tries out new recipes and has a cat named Bernard.
L.A. Weatherly is the pseudonym for Lee Weatherly. You can follow her on Twitter at @LA_Weatherly

Links: Website | Twitter | Goodreads | Facebook


Giveaway
6 Winners will receive a copy of Angel Burn by L.A. Weatherly
INT | Must be 13+ to enter


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Saturday, 27 December 2014

Top 10 Wrap Up - 2014 Edition


Hey everyone! 

Today I'm putting up my wrap-up for my top 10 series! So far the posts in this series include":

Thank you for joining me in this Top 10 2014 Edition thing! Have a Merry Christmas everyone!
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Friday, 26 December 2014

Top 10 Series/Books - 2014 Edition


Hey everyone! MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Today I'll be talking about my final post for this year, the theme is 'Top 10 Series/Books"! This list includes the top 10 series/books that I enjoy reading - basically my favorite books. This list is in no particular order.

The other posts in the Top-10 list for 2014 so far include:

Tomorrow I will be posting a wrap-up of all my top 10 posts for 2014 so please do out for that too! :)
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Without further ado, I present my top series/books! This list is in no particular order.
1. The Mortal Instruments series

Author: Cassandra Clare

Thoughts: I love the Shadowhunter Chronicles. I love them now and I'll love them forever. I know many people think Cassie shouldn't continue the world of the shadowhunters but I love the idea because I don't think I could have put their world down. I would be devastated if that was the end of her shadowhunter books.
2. The Throne of Glass series

Author: Sarah J. Maas

Thoughts: If you have never read the ToG series, go and read it now! Sarah J. Maas is perfection and her stories are perfection too!
3. Percy Jackson and the Olympians series

Author: Rick Riordan

Thoughts: Percy Jackson taught me to love reading. I will always love the series because of Percy and I will always love him.
4. Mara Dyer trilogy

Author: Michelle Hodkin

Thoughts: I haven't read the last book yet but I have loved the first 2 so far and the writing is so sophisticated and the story so beautiful and I love it so much.
5. The Hollow trilogy

Author: Jessica Verday

Thoughts: This is not a very famous series but I love it! The plot, the writing, the characters and just everything! I haven't read anything else by Jessica but I will always love this series!
6. I'll Give You the Sun

Author: Jandy Nelson

Thoughts: I just read this this year and I love it so much. It's my favorite stand-alone of all time and just its so sweet and angsty and just go read it please.
7. Maximum Ride series

Author: James Patterson

Thoughts: The ending was disappointing but I still really loved all that HAS happened. Max was the first female YA main character that I loved and I really adore her for being strong for herself and her family and for making this series such a great one.

8. Anna and the French Kiss series

Author: Stephanie Perkins

Thoughts: I feel that the Anna and the French Kiss series are the very best contemporary romances out there! This was probably the first contemp YA book that I read and truly loved and it will always remain in my heart even though it has officially ended.
9. Lunar Chronicles series

Author: Marissa Meyer

Thoughts: It just keeps getting better and better! Sci-fi YA Fairytale twist stories. 

10. Harry Potter series

Author: J K Rowling

Thoughts: Finally, the series who will always remain in my heart fondly and forever.
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Alright that's it from me this season! Merry Christmas everyone! I'm so happy that I ended this with this top 10! I'm so gonna do this next year!
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*All pictures and graphics do not belong to me. I take no credit for any of it.
** All opinions are mine and are in no way influenced by anyone or anything.
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Thursday, 25 December 2014

Top 10 Authors - 2014 Edition (Day 9)


Hey everyone! MERRY CHRISTMAS!

 Today I'll be talking about my 9th post in the series. In this edition, the theme is 'Top 10 Authors"! This list includes the different authors whose books I particularly like reading. This list is in no particular order.

The other posts in the Top-10 list for 2014 so far include:

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Without further ado, I present my top favorite authors! This list is in no particular order.

 Note: The author bio comes from either goodreads or the authors website itself.
1. Cassandra Clare

Author Bio: Cassandra Clare was born overseas and spent her early years traveling around the world with her family and several trunks of fantasy books. Cassandra worked for several years as an entertainment journalist for the Hollywood Reporter before turning her attention to fiction. She is the author of City of Bones, the first book in the Mortal Instruments trilogy and a New York Times bestseller. Cassandra lives with her husband and their two cats in Massachusetts.

 Links: Website | Goodreads | Twitter | Facebook | Tumblr

 Thoughts: I will always love Cassie Clare and her Shadowhunter series - especially since her writing got so much better now! 

2. Charlotte McConaghy

Author Bio: Charlotte started writing when she was 14 in her home town Armidale. She now has six books published and lives in Sydney. She loves to read and write sci-fi/romance/fantasy. She has just released 'Fury', a dystopian sci-fi novel published by Momentum, and 'Thorne', the second book in her romantic fantasy series 'The Chronicles of Kaya', published by Random House.

 Links: Website | Goodreads | Twitter

 Thoughts: Even though Charlotte isn't necessarily a very well-known author, I have always really admired her sophistication in writing and the high-fantasy worlds and plotlines she spins up!

3. Sarah J. Maas

 Author Bio: Sarah J. Maas is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of the Throne of Glass series. Heir of Fire, the third book in the series, will be out in September 2014.

 Links: Website | Goodreads | Twitter | 

 Thoughts: Sarah J. Maas is one of the most perfect writers ever! Her writing is beautiful and she brings in the most wonderful elements into her novels! I love how her stories include faeries and assassins and royalty and just look under my "Top 10 Genres" and you will realize that these are some of my favorite things ever!

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I know that I promised my top 10 authors but honestly I don't really have many authors I would consider my absolute favorites. The above 3 are the ones that I would buy every single book they publish and love every single one of them as I have with all their previous books. These few are those who come super close to being one my top too but I'm still testing their books out ya know. This list is also in no particular order.

4. Stephanie Perkins

Author Bio: Hi, there! I'm Steph, and I wrote ANNA AND THE FRENCH KISS, LOLA AND THE BOY NEXT DOOR, and ISLA AND THE HAPPILY EVER AFTER. I also edited (and contributed a short story to) a romantic holiday anthology called MY TRUE LOVE GAVE TO ME. My next YA novel will be horror—a teen slasher published by Dutton.

 Links: Website | Goodreads | Twitter | Tumblr | Blog 

 Thoughts: I love Stephanie's writing because of all the fluffy details in the book and just everything! However, as I didn't like Isla as much as I hoped I would, I am including her here for the time being.

5. Michelle Hodkin

 Author Bio: At the age of sixteen, Michelle Hodkin lost the rights to her soul in a poker game with pirates just south of Natchez. Shortly thereafter, she joined an acting troupe and traveled the world performing feats of wonder and mischief. She has been seen on stages nationwide and earned rave reviews for her one woman performance of Titus Andronicus before writing the New York Times bestselling Mara Dyer Trilogy. The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer and its sequel, The Evolution of Mara Dyer are available now, and the third book in the trilogy, The Retribution of Mara Dyer, hits shelves on November 4th, 2014. Michelle lives with her three rescued pets and may or may not be a reliable narrator of her own life.

Links: Website | Goodreads | Twitter | Tumblr | Pinterest

Thoughts: Mara Freaking Dyer. Nuff said.
6. Jandy Nelson

Author Bio: Jandy Nelson received a BA from Cornell, an MFA from Brown in poetry, and another MFA from Vermont College in writing for children and young adults. A literary agent for many years, she is also a published poet. The Sky Is Everywhere is her first novel. Jandy lives in San Francisco.

Links:  Website | Goodreads | Twitter 

Thoughts: I'll admit that I've only ever read one book by her AKA "I'll Give You the Sun", which is also my favorite book of 2014. Because of how struck and affected I was with that book, Jandy Nelson immediately rose to become one of my all time favorite authors.

7. Rick Riordan

Author Bio:

Links: Website | Goodreads | Twitter | Blog

Thoughts: I will admit it first hand that I did not enjoy Rick's Kane Chronicles at all. However, I've always loved his Percy Jackson series and his Heroes of Olympus series. As such, I still consider him a personal favorite of mine.

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Finally, her who will always remain in my heart fondly and forever.

8. J. K. Rowling

Author Bio: Biography

Thoughts: I love the Harry Potter series. They were my child hood and I will forever love Rowling's writing. I just haven't read the rest of her books to put her down as my favorite of the favorites but she is one of them still.
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Alright that's it from me. I honestly did try to think of more authors that I could add to this list but I could come up with no more! I honestly read a lot from many authors but none have struck me as much as these authors do. 

 Finally, do look out for my FINAL Top 10 post tomorrow! The theme will be 'Top 10 Books/Series'! I cannot believe that we have come so far with this series!

 If you are interested, please still do join me in creating this top 10 2014 end year series comment down below the link to your top 10! I would be most glad and excited to look at it :)
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*All pictures and graphics do not belong to me. I take no credit for any of it.
** All opinions are mine and are in no way influenced by anyone or anything.
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Wednesday, 24 December 2014

Top 10 Genres - 2014 Edition (Day 8)


Hey everyone! Today I'll be talking about my 8th post in the series. In this edition, the theme is 'Top 10 Genres"! This list includes types of book genres that I seriously adore for books and those that I seriously dislike. As this is a mostly young-adult fiction book blog, this list only involves young-adult fiction book genres.

The other posts in the Top-10 list for 2014 so far include:
Note: Some of these 'genres' are very specific and may not be considered typical 'genres' because I seriously like/dislike such genres for books.

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Favorite Types of Genres

 I will first share my 5 favorite types of genres before I continue with my least favorites. This list is in no particular order.
1. Contemporary (Romance)

I love contemporary genres regardless whether they involve romance although that is always an added bonus!

2. (High) Fantasy

I love all types of fantasy, especially high fantasy and worlds that I would never be able to venture in without books!

3. Paranormal -> Faeries

I really adore faery books for whatever reason and I am always hoping to find other faery books to read!

4. Dystopian/Utopian

I mostly really enjoy Dystopian/Utopian books because I think the way that the author builds the world is superbly interesting and really intriguing to read about.

5. Royalty

As I have mentioned some of these 'genres' don't really make sense but I'm really into royalty being in books! It's one of my favorite things. As such I have included this as a 'genre' haha.

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Least Favorite Types of Genres

 I will now share my 5 least favorite types of genres. This list is in no particular order.
1. Paranormal -> Angels

There was only ever 1 series which involved Angels that I really liked but other than that Angels are a no no for me.

2. Paranormal -> Zombies

I have tried reading many zombie themed books but I can never get to the end. I honestly seriously will not read them ever again. That's how much I dislike zombie books.

3. Paranormal -> Werewolves

Another paranormal theme that I can't stand. I'm not sure if its because of the concept or whatever reason, I just honestly dislike these specific parts of the larger, wider paranormal genre as a whole.

4. Paranormal -> Witchcraft

There are many sorts of paranormal novels that I honestly enjoy but these 4 are the ones that I really have a problem with and mostly refuse to read as long as these are the main themes of the book. If they are an added side theme, I'm perfectly fine. I just don't really like the concept behind these.

 5. Historical

I don't especially like historical settings. I'm not sure why but I always zone out in this books. I enjoy history itself but I can never sit through a full historical novel.

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That's it from me! Do look out for my Top 10 post tomorrow! The theme will be 'Top 10 Authors'! Do join me in creating this top 10 2014 end year series if you would like to and please comment down below to your top 10! I would be most glad and excited to look at it :)
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*All pictures and graphics do not belong to me. I take no credit for any of it.
** All opinions are mine and are in no way influenced by anyone or anything.
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Waiting on Wednesday #24 - Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard


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

This week's pre-publication "can't-wait-to-read" selection by me is:


Red Queen
Red Queen #1


Author: Victoria Aveyard

Publication Date: 10th February 2015

Publisher: Orion

Page Count: 320 Pages
(Hardcover)






Summary from Goodreads: 
The poverty stricken Reds are commoners, living under the rule of the Silvers, elite warriors with god-like powers.

To Mare Barrow, a 17-year-old Red girl from The Stilts, it looks like nothing will ever change.

Mare finds herself working in the Silver Palace, at the centre of
those she hates the most. She quickly discovers that, despite her red blood, she possesses a deadly power of her own. One that threatens to destroy Silver control.

But power is a dangerous game. And in this world divided by blood, who will win?

My Thoughts regarding this book:
This book is my most anticipated of 2015 and I absolutely cannot wait for it! Honestly hope it will be good based on the reviews that other bloggers have given. *Crosses fingers* Also, that amazing cover.
--- Do comment down below and let me know of your WoW! ---
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Tuesday, 23 December 2014

Top 10 Covers - 2014 Edition (Day 7)


Hey everyone! Today I'll be talking about my 7th post in the series. In this Iedition, the theme is 'Top 10 Covers"! This list includes types of book covers that I seriously adore for books and those that I seriously dislike. 

The other posts in the Top-10 list for 2014 so far include:
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Least Favorite Types of Covers

 I will first share my 5 least favorite types of covers before I continue with my favorites. As I do not want to offend any authors, I will not be posting the book covers and titles under this segment. This list is in no particular order.


1. Covers with Real Life Models

Thoughts: I cannot stand covers with real life models. Although I said this list is in no particular order - this is the one type of cover that I absolutely cannot stand. 

2. Overdone Covers

Thoughts: Have you ever seen those covers where there seems to be too many things in it and it feels like the cover designer added too many details? Yeah, I really dislike those kinds of covers.

3. Fakish Covers

Thoughts: Sometimes people really need to go for photoshop lessons. There are some covers that really look very fake because the photoshop wasn't done well.

4. Covers with Ugly Fonts

Thoughts: There are so many covers with really horrible fonts that I can name and I honestly wished I could change it because the effect would be so much better.

5. Covers with dull colors

 Thoughts: I know that this seems weird but I really dislike books that have weird dull colors. I am fine if its used with significance but there are some books that have really weird colors that don't make sense and don't fit the cover.





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Favorite Types of Covers

 Finally I have come to my 5 favorite types of covers! I tried to come up with titles for each type but couldn't come up with as many as I would have liked to. Here are the types of covers that I really love. This list is in no particular order.


1. Covers with models that are graphically drawn

I don't really know how to explain this but I have some examples of this types of covers. I really adore them especially if they are done nicely, like these 3:
  • Insanity by Cameron Jace
  • Prisoner of Night and Fog by Anne Blankman
  • Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas

2. Covers with titles that are handwritten/designed

It seems that many covers now have handwritten or specially designed titles that make each book look super unique. Here are some of my favorites:
  • Side Effects May Vary by Julie Murphy
  • The Improbable Theory of Ana and Zak by Jennifer Echols
  • I'll Give You the Sun by Jandy Nelson

3. Colorful Covers

Colorful Covers. Seriously who doesn't love them! Here are some of my personal favorites:
  • A Thousand Pieces of You by Claudia Gray
  • Ignite Me by Tahereh Mafi
  • Snow Like Ashes by Sara Raasch

4. Covers with Significance/Symbols

I love covers that have a simple single symbol of some sort but holds much significance to the book, such as these books:
  • Cinder by Marissa Meyer
  • Dorothy Must Die by Danielle Paige
  • Legend by Marie Lu

5. Simple but Mysterious Covers

I really like these covers because although they don't really tell you much about the story itself, they make you intrigued with the story with all the mysterious elements found in the cover that makes you go "What kind of cover is that?! I still want to read it though." :P
  • The Final Empire by Brandon Sanderson
  • The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin
  • Hourglass by Myra McEntire

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That's it from me! This took way too much time though haha! Do look out for my Top 10 post tomorrow! The theme will be 'Top 10 Genres'! Do join me in creating this top 10 2014 end year series if you would like to and please comment down below to your top 10! I would be most glad and excited to look at it :)


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*All pictures and graphics do not belong to me. I take no credit for any of it.
** All opinions are mine and are in no way influenced by anyone or anything.
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