January Wrap – Up

Hey guys!! I feel like January went really slowly… almost like it didn’t want to end AT ALL!!! Or is that just me? I have been ill for the most part of it, which is probably why it went so slowly for me! Anyway, because I was ill for the beginning of January (like couldn’t get out of bed ill), and I fell ill again, and my son was ill and my husband fell ill (with the man flu), I didn’t have such a great month reading. However, I did get through some books, and here they are…

Read:

The Accident Season by Moira Fowley – Doyle – 3/5 stars – This was my first read of 2017 and I was pretty disappointed…

Wanted by Betsy Schow – ARC , 5/5 Stars– This is by far one of my favourite series out there so far! This is the second book and I LOVED it

City of Bones by Cassandra Clare – 4/5 stars – This was my first time reading Clare and I had a ball!!

City of Ashes by Cassandra Clare – 4/5 stars – Again, I had a great time reading this!

The Lost Girl by Candy Atkins – 5/5 Stars – I was sent a signed copy of both the first book in the series and this one as well… and ironically enough it got lost in the post. They had to send it again!!

Last Stand by Rachel. E. Carter, ARC – 5/5 stars – This was the final instalment in the series… and it was everything I wanted and so much more!!

Books Started:

City of Glass by Cassandra Clare – I did start this book, and then I stopped about 1/4 of the way through to beta read something. When I came back to it, I found I was no longer in the right mood for it. I didn’t want to force myself to read through it when I was enjoying it because I know I won’t like it if I do! I will come back to this when the mood takes me 😀

A Shadow Bright and Burning by Jessica Cluess – I am currently reading this and, whilst I am enjoying myself, it hasn’t blown me away.

Book Haul:

All The Bright Places by Jennifer Niven

Game of Thrones by George R. R. Martin – Illustrated Edition

The Lost Knight by Candy Atkins

The Lost Girl by Candy Atkins

Heir of Thunder by Karissa Laurel – The author actually approached me with a review request for this one 🙂

Last Stand by Rachel E. Carter

Carve the Mark by Veronica Roth

Special Blog Posts:

Roseblood by A. G. Howard – Release Day Blitz

The Black Mage Series by Rachel E. Carter – Cover Reveals

Goodreads Monday:

This is a weekly meme that I host on my blog, so I am going to add this section to my monthly wrap up!

The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins – January 2nd

The Retribution of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin – January 9th

All the Bright Places by Jennifer Niven – January 16th

Proof of Lies by Diana Rodriguez Wallach – January 23rd

Carve the Mark by Veronica Roth – January 30th

*phew* finally got to the end of this post!! Unfortunately I didn’t have a great reading month, but I am hoping the February will be better!!

How was January for you guys? Let me know in the comments!

Goodreads Monday

Goodreads Monday is a weekly meme hosted here. In order to participate, choose a random book from your TBR and show it off!! Don’t forget to link back here!

Hey guys! I wanted to check out a link in system so that those of you who participate can linkup at the end of this post and see what everyone else is posting… BUT I was ill – again! So, I am going to have a look and get back to you guys on that next week! Anyway, this weeks pick for me is a book that has a lot of controversy surrounding it. I have heard the arguments from both sides and I do understand that the book is problematic because it has hurt readers… however, I would still like to give this book a chance.

Carve the Mark by Veronica Roth

Published: January 17th 2017 by Katharine Tegen Books

On a planet where violence and vengeance rule, in a galaxy where some are favored by fate, everyone develops a currentgift, a unique power meant to shape the future. While most benefit from their currentgifts, Akos and Cyra do not—their gifts make them vulnerable to others’ control. Can they reclaim their gifts, their fates, and their lives, and reset the balance of power in this world?

Cyra is the sister of the brutal tyrant who rules the Shotet people. Cyra’s currentgift gives her pain and power—something her brother exploits, using her to torture his enemies. But Cyra is much more than just a blade in her brother’s hand: she is resilient, quick on her feet, and smarter than he knows.

Akos is from the peace-loving nation of Thuvhe, and his loyalty to his family is limitless. Though protected by his unusual currentgift, once Akos and his brother are captured by enemy Shotet soldiers, Akos is desperate to get his brother out alive—no matter what the cost. When Akos is thrust into Cyra’s world, the enmity between their countries and families seems insurmountable. They must decide to help each other to survive—or to destroy one another.

I did really enjoy Roth’s Divergent series (despite the horrific ending!!), and I have had this on my TBR since I found out about it! I am definitely excited to see what this book is like 🙂

What books are on your TBR’s? Feel free to let me know in the comments.

Top Ten Tuesday

Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by the Broke and Bookish

Hey guys!! It is time for another TTT!! This week is freebie week, so I thought I would share with you guys the top ten books I am most looking forward to this year! I didn’t do this at the beginning of the year because I was so ill, so I just thought I would skip out on it, but now I have the chance to show you guys what I am excited to get my hands on! In no particular order, here they are:

10.  A Court of Wings and Ruin by Sarah J. Maas – There is obviously a mixed bowl of people who adore Maas and people who despise her… I adore her and, to be honest… I have been hibernating since last may just because I NEED THIS BOOK!!!!!!!!!!! I cannot wait to see what the cover is going to look like!

9. Throne of Glass #6 by Sarah J. Maas – Again, Maas… but IT’s THE CONCLUSION AND I NEEDED IT LAST SEPTEMBER *Ahem*

8.  Carve the Mark by Veronica Roth – Unpopular opinion alert! Ive seen the controversy surrounding this book, however, I would like to read it for myself and decide myself whether or not it is really racist or not. I have seen people who have torn this book apart because they believe it is racist and I have seen people stand up for this book because they do not view it as racist. Everyone interprets books differently, so, before anyone decides to hate on me here, I want to have the chance to interpret and decide for myself. Besides, I loved the Divergent series and I can’t wait to read more from this author 🙂

7.  A Bond of Blood and Fire by Karen Tomlinson – So, I absolutely LOVE A Bond of Venom and Magic (YOU SHOULD ALL BE READING THIS BOOK BECAUSE IT IS ALL AMOUNTS OF AWESOME!!!!!!!!) and I literally cannot wait for this book! I have already beta read this book and it was everything I wanted and more! So, I just want a signed copy of this to be sat next to the signed copy of ABOVAM on my shelf where they belong…

6.  Dividing Eden by Joelle Charbonneau – I recently added this to my TBR and I have already seen some really amazing things about this book from the reviews trickling in! I definitely can’t wait to get my hands on a copy!

5. Eternity Fades by Katelyn Anderson – This book doesn’t have a Goodreads page yet, BUT, the author is nearing the end of the writing process!! I absolutely LOVED Everlasting Flame and I cannot even begin to tell you how excited I am to be getting my mits on this book…

4.  First We Were IV by Alexandra Sirowy – This sounds really really interesting!!! I want to know EVERYTHING!!

3.  Now I Rise by Kierstin White – I really enjoyed the first book in this series and I cannot wait to see where Lada goes next!

2.  The Last Magician by Lisa Maxwell – Ummmmm… Can we just have a look at how awesome this cover is?!? Couple that with the blurb and then try and convince me you guys don’t want this book in your lives!!

1.  We Now Return to Regular Life by Martin Wilson – This book sounds like it could be a really powerful read if done right and I am really looking forward to it!!

So that’s it!! These are just some of the books that I am really excited about getting this year and they all look really awesome!!

Are you guys looking forward to any of these books?? What topic did you guys pick this week? Feel free to drop links and comments and I will check them all out!

Top Ten Tuesday

Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by the Broke and Bookish.

Hey guys! It has been a while since I have done one of these and what a week to decide to come back to it! This week is top ten quotes from book that I have read in the past year or so. However, I am going to change this slightly to my favourite quotes from books in general. So, in no particular order:

10. “A mind needs books as a sword needs whetstone, if it is to keep its edge.” George R. R. Martin, A Game of Thrones

9. “Becoming fearless isn’t the point. That’s impossible.It’s learning how to control your fear, and how to be free from it.” Veronica Roth, Divergent

8. “The world is indeed full of peril, and in it there are many dark places; but still there is much that is fair, and though in all lands love is now mingled with grief, it grows perhaps the greater.”  J. R. R. Tolkien, The Fellowship of the Ring

7. “Fear cuts deeper than swords.” George R. R. Martin, A Game of Thrones

6. “The more you know who you are, and what you want, the less you let things upset you.” Stephanie Perkins, Anna and the French Kiss.

5. “Once upon a time, an angel and a devil fell in love. It did not end well.” Laini Taylor, Daughter of Smoke and Bone.

4. “Books are easily destroyed. But words will live as long as people can remember them.” Tahereh Mafi, Unravel me

3. “It takes ten times as long to put yourself back together as it does to fall apart.”  Suzanne Collins, Mockingjay

2. “Libraries were full of ideas–perhaps the most dangerous and powerful of all weapons.”  Sarah J. Maas, Throne of Glass

1. “No one knows what he or she is capable of until things are at their darkest.”  A. G. Howard, Splintered.

That’s it! I think a lot of these quotes are either bookish or relevant to current events – hence the reason they are some of my favourite quotes at the moment! What were yours? Feel free to leave comments and answers below!

Top Ten Tuesday

Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by the Broke and Bookish.

Hey guys! I realise I haven’t posted in the last couple of weeks – I seem to have spent most of my days sleeping! Problems of a pregnant woman! Either way, I am posting this Weeks TTT which is top ten books that feature diversity! So without further ado and in no particular order:

10.  Dragonlance by Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman. These books feature a wide range of people, species and minorities in general. Plus, each person has their own demons and their own social problems to face!

9.  Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard. This book represents people of different classes and treatments based purely on the colour of their blood. I loved this book and can’t wait for the next one!!

8.  Pointe by Brandy Colbert. Abduction, anorexia, love interests etc. Do we need any more diversity?

7.  Splintered by A. G. Howard. Despite the fact that this couldn’t be realistic in any sense or form, all you have to do is compare the characters that come from Wonderland to those who come from the real world to see the diversity. It is almost like a culture shock!

6.  Shatter Me be Tahereh Mafi. A book with a minority of people who face a social stigma based on the fact that they have powers. Plus, you know, dystopian society and all that…

5.  The Selection by Kiera Cass. 35 girls, all from different upbringings, backgrounds, classes and locations.

4.  Two Boys Kissing by David Levithan. Levithans books normally feature some form of diversity in it – so I decided to go with the first book of his that I ever read, which features gay teens as well as a chorus of men who passed away from aids and a bunch of teens facing problems of their own in relation to their sexuality.

3. The Fat Girl by Marilyn Sachs. An overweight girl who faces the stigmas of high school society and an abusive relationship.

2.  To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before by Jenny Han. Our MC has a Korean background – so some of the culture differences show within this book is a form of diversity.

1.  Divergent by Veronica Roth. Need I explain this one?

So that’s it? What’s on your lists? Feel free to leave links and comments below.

Top Ten Tuesday

Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by the Broke and Bookish.

Hi guys! I am sorry I have been absent – moving house and all that! I am currently back at my dad’s house, but I will be going back to our new house later- so I have time to do a quick TTT :-). This week it is Top Ten favourite books from the last three years. This is probably going to be really hard since there are so many amazing books out there. However, in no particular order:

10.  Forbidden by Tabitha Suzuma. I absolutely loved this book! I was really wary of actually picking it up at first because of the subject matter – but this book is definitely worth the read. It has has you feeling things you never thought possible!

9.  Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi. This entire series had me hooked from the get go and I felt so sad when it came to the ending of the series. I wish there were more books!

8.  The Selection by Kiera Cass. Anyone who knows me knows just how addicted I was to these books! I freaked when I found out that she is going to be writing another installment and I literally cannot wait to get my hands on it!

7.  Divergent by Veronica Roth. While I loved all three books, this one was definitely my favourite. I loved the characters and the pace of the book. This is one of those books that I could happily read over and over again.

6.  Wither by Lauren DeStefano. Other than the fact that the Author and I share the same first name, I was surprised by how quickly I flew through this book. I liked the dystopian world she set at my feet – I really need to read the rest of the series.

5.  The Academy: Introductions by C. L. Stone. For regular readers of my blog, you all know just how fast I flew through these books. I have also been put onto the mailing list for ARC versions of the authors new releases because I loved them that much! Need I say more?

4.  The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin. This is one of those books that make you question everything you know about reality. I love it!

3.  The Distance Between Us by Kasie West. Anything Kasie West is sure to be a book that I will adore. I have loved everything she has written so far. This book is one of my favourites of hers because of the dynamics of the characters. I felt like I could relate to everyone and I ended up enjoying the book more because of it.

2.  Queen of Someday by Sherry D. Ficklin. This was actually my first ever approved ARC on Netgalley and I ended up absolutely loving it! I also recently read the next installment – which comes out later this year, which was even better than this book!

1.  Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins. This is a really cutesie series and really lifts your mood if you are in a bad one! From all three books this is definitely my favourite one – but I really did love them all! I loved the fact that the characters are reoccurring ones throughout the series!

This is it guys! It was a pretty hard list to conjure and I feel bad about leaving out some of the other books that I love! What are your Top Ten? Feel free to leave either an answer or link in the comments below and I will check them out.

Top Ten Tuesday

Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by The Broke and Bookish

Hi guys! This weeks TTT is based on our favourite heroines! There are so many to pick from, I am not even sure where to start! so in no particular order:

10.  Juliette from Shatter Me. I loved her as a character. She is strong, she never gave up but she also learned through her mistakes and she took the advice of others.

9.  Katniss from The Hunger Games. I can see Katniss being on a lot of lists this week – so we don’t need to say much, other than she is a strong character!

8.  Sang from the Ghost Bird Series. While she isn’t a strong character in the sense of Katniss or Juliette, Sang is strong in her own way. She is a quick learner and very very loyal. Her character is constantly growing, which is what I love about her.

7.  Celaena from Throne of Glass. Again, another strong female lead who I can see being on quite a few lists!

6.  America from The Selection. America is strong willed and stubborn, but this doesn’t stop her character from learning throughout the series. She is also a loyal character. Some things don’t get her down, whereas others do and I feel like this makes her more realistic.

5.  Beatrice/Tris from Divergent. Obvious choice – again!

4.  Mare from Red Queen. Mare is a fighter. She doesn’t just sit back and take what they throw at her. “Anyone can betray anyone.”

3.  Alyssa from Splintered. While currently reading Ensnared, I am reminded of just how much I love Alyssa! She takes the word crazy and gives it a whole new meaning – and she does this in style!

2.  Karou from Daughter of Smoke and Bone. Karou is a character who never gives up. No matter what happened throughout this entire series, she pushed through it and found a solution to whatever problem was facing her.

1. Alexa from Defy. I think if you gave anyone a female lead who is forced to disguise herself as a boy, who manages to earn a place on the elite prince’s guard, that they will love her!

This was such a hard choice! I feel like there are so many more that I left out of the spotlight and I am left feeling guilty! What were your choices? Feel free to leave a link or your answers in the comments below and I shall check them out! 🙂