Queen of Books: August 2016

Monday, 29 August 2016

Music Monday #27

I got this idea from the blog Trust in the Words.

I'm Gonna Love You by Sofia Carson

Sofia Carson released this song last week sometime and I am already obsessed. Sofia Carson has such a nice voice and her songs are beautiful. Give this one a listen.

What's in your headphones?

Happy reading everybody! <3

Sunday, 28 August 2016

Weekly Update: 8/22 - 8/28

I have decided to start doing a weekly post called weekly recap where I update you on my life, reading and watching. Plus any posts I have done or will do.

I had a horrible week in terms of blogging and reading. I am going back to school tomorrow which sucks and I'm super nervous about it. I will not be blogging or reading as much in the coming weeks but I will try my best to read two books a week.

New Books

Purchased:

Library:

Friday, 26 August 2016

Birthday Haul '16

It is that time of the year. My birthday was this month and I got a lot of books and other goodies for my birthday. I have slowed down on buying books in the last three months which is why there haven't been any book hauls. Basically, I have told myself that I can buy three a month because I have so many books and I am running out of space. I need to clear out my shelves but I don't know what to get rid of...

I got most of these gifts from my parents and sister but I also got some money from my grandparents and I spent it on movies and books. I did get some other gifts from friends but I am not featuring them in this post as it would go on forever.

Anyways, let's jump right into this haul.

BOOKS

1. A Daughter of No Nation by A.M. Dellamonica

I have had this book on my Goodreads To Read list for a year now and I finally asked for it. I believe it has something to do with pirates and I am always down for some pirate lore.

2. The Beauty of Darkness by Mary E. Pearson

I have already read this book as I got an ARC from NetGalley but I loved this book so so much so naturally I asked for this for my birthday and it will look so pretty on my shelf when I finally reorganize.

3. Winter by Marissa Meyer

This is part of my favorite series so naturally I wanted it. But now all my books don't match.

4. The Vanishing Throne by Elizabeth May

I loved this book so so much. I already owned the first one so now I have both. I am complete.

5. Air Awakens by Elise Kova

I have been looking for this book at a good price for the longest time. Finally I decided to request it for my birthday because then I wouldn't be paying for it and I would probably receive it.

6. A Book of Spirits and Thieves by Morgan Rhodes

This is the spin-off series to Falling Kingdoms. I adore the Falling Kingdoms series so I wanted to try this series out as well.

7. The Shadow Hour by Melissa Grey

The Girl at Midnight was such a good YA book that I wanted the second one. And I adore the cover. I believe it is the UK cover.

GRAPHIC NOVELS

1. The Throne of Fire by Rick Riordan

When I found out that this graphic novel was out, I knew I had to have it. I have started to collect graphic novels and since I love Rick Riordan, this was a must need.

2. Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen

I saw this on the Barnes and Noble website for cheaper than in the store so I bought it with some money I received for my birthday.

MOVIES

1. Pride and Prejudice and Zombies

I actually really enjoyed this movie so I asked for it for my birthday!

2. Zootopia

This is my new favorite Disney movie. I first saw it this summer and now I am obsessed so I got it with some money I got for my birthday.

3. Star Wars Episode II Attack of the Clones

I've been wanting this movie for a year or so. I have the original trilogy and The Force Awakens but this is the first of the prequel trilogy that I own.

POP VINYL DOLLS

1. Scarlet Witch from Avengers Age of Ultron

I love POP dolls. Scarlet Witch is so adorable and she is one of my favorite Superheros so I asked for this one as well.

2. Elizabeth Bennett from Pride and Prejudice and Zombies

I technically didn't get this for my birthday but Elizabeth is so cute. I adore her outfit and hairdo.

FRAGRANCES

1. Lucious Peony Fragrance

This fragrance smells really nice and I got it from my sister.

2. Lilies and Freesia Fragrance

I also got this fragrance from my sister and I love the smell so much.

That is it for this blogpost. I'll see you all soon!

Thursday, 25 August 2016

Miss Peregrine's Home For Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs Review

This is a spoiler free review!

Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children

Written by Ransom Riggs

Genre: Young Adult/Paranormal/Mystery

Publisher: Quirk

Release Date: June 7, 2011

Pages: 352

Source: Library

Places to Get this Book: Amazon Barnes and Noble Book Depository

Recommended Age: 13 and up!

Summary:

A mysterious island. An abandoned orphanage. A strange collection of curious photographs.

A horrific family tragedy sets sixteen-year-old Jacob journeying to a remote island off the coast of Wales, where he discovers the crumbling ruins of Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children. As Jacob explores its abandoned bedrooms and hallways, it becomes clear that the children were more than just peculiar. They may have been dangerous. They may have been quarantined on a deserted island for good reason. And somehow—impossible though it seems—they may still be alive.

Review:

This book surprised me a lot. I originally expected it to be a type of horror YA book because when you see a black and white cover with a little girl, that's what you originally assume. But it turned out to be a lot different than what I expected.

COVER

The cover actually really creeps me out. I mean, a little girl who is levitating? Please tell me that I'm not the only one who is mega creeped out by this.

WORLD-BUILDING

The world building was a tad bit confusing but it became a little easier to understand after awhile. There is a lot of information for the reader to understand within the book and it comes spaced out.

Then there are the characters.

JACOB

"I used to dream about escaping my ordinary life, but my life was never ordinary. I had simply failed to notice how extraordinary it was."

Jacob was kind of a different character. I have been reading a lot about female protaganists lately but Jacob was still different within the male protaganist section. Jacob doesn't believe in anything mystical or fantastical at first. He does want to escape his 'ordinary' life but he doesn't realize how different his life is. Jacob was one of the characters that I liked the most, more than most of the other characters if I'm being honest.

EMMA

I feel like Emma wasn't in this book nearly as much as she should be. Emma seems to be a pretty strong character. She stood up for her own and didn't let anyone else control her. I really enjoyed Emma as a female character.

PLOT

I thought the plot was wonderfully done. There were twists and turns that I could have never seen coming. I admit the first part of the book was rather slow which annoyed me a tad bit. But overall it was just what I needed.

ROMANCE

Emma and Jacob were cute but their relationship moved a little fast for my taste. I expect their relationship will progress in the next few books though.

WRITING

The writing wasn't to perfection but I still really enjoyed reading it.

Final Thoughts:

I highly recommend this book. It isn't nearly as creepy as it looks and it has good characters and an interesting plot line. I can't wait to read the next one.

Quotes from the Book:

“When someone won't let you in, eventually you stop knocking.”

“We cling to our fairy tales until the price for believing in them becomes too high.”

My Rating: 5 out of 5 Crowns

Tuesday, 23 August 2016

Top Ten Tuesday || Tuesday: Top Ten Tuesday is Ten Books That Have Been on Your TBR Since You Started Blogging

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly feature hosted by The Broke and the Bookish that other bloggers are welcome to join in, to create Top Ten lists on varying topics. This week it's Top Ten Books That Have Been on Your TBR Since You Started Blogging. Honestly, this is a tad embarrassing.

Yay! Time to embarrass the book blogger. Honestly, there are way too many books that I could use for this list and most of them I own.

1 Snow Like Ashes

I have owned this for two years and I have never picked it up. I bought it on a whim at Barnes and Noble because I liked the cover but I never bothered to read it. I need to get around to it when I stop having so many other books to read.

2 Grave Mercy

Grave Mercy is a book I have been wanting to get around to since the summer before I began to book blog and yet I have never checked it out or bought it because it looks a little overwhelming.

3 Trial by Fire

I have had Trial by Fire for three years and I have never picked it up because I keep reading mixed reviews so I am kind of scared to read it for myself.

4 Stolen Songbird

I don't know why I haven't picked this up. Maybe because I think I won't like it but I really need to get around to reading this.

5 Princess of Thorns

Princess of Thorns is something that I have wanted to read, but other books get in the way. For example, I have so many library books that I never read books that I actually own.

6 Winterspell

It was a pretty good book though. Winterspell is a darker Nutcracker retelling and it seems to be a really good book. It has also gotten pretty good reviews. I have had this book for less than a year so that is my excuse for not reading it yet.

7 Cruel Beauty by Rosamund Hodge

Cruel Beauty is something I've also been meaning to read for a long time. I just haven't found the right time.

8 Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo

Shadow and Bone is something I should get to reading soon as I have already started Six of Crows.

9 The Testing

This is a book that I have started at least three times but have never managed to finish it

10 The Immortal Rules by Julie Kagawa

I was planning on reading her whole Iron King series first but I think I may start this before the end of the year.

Monday, 22 August 2016

Music Monday #26

I got this idea from the blog Trust in the Words.

You Don't Own Me by Grace ft. G-Eazy

I am OBSESSED with this song. It is on the Suicide Squad Album and I am obsessed with that album but this is one of my favorites, besides Heathens which I already featured last month. This song is both catchy with or without the rap part but I like it with the rap. It's so catchy, give it a listen.

What's in your headphones?

Happy reading everybody! <3

Sunday, 21 August 2016

Weekly Update: 8/15 - 8/21

I have decided to start doing a weekly post called weekly recap where I update you on my life, reading and watching. Plus any posts I have done or will do.

This wasn't such a great blogging week. I had a ton of distractions such as going out and the Olympics. Which brings me to, the Olympics is ending today. :( I can't believe it. I have lived for the Olympics, these past two weeks. Especially the gymnastics, swimming and equestrian.

Next week is the last week of summer vacation so I am unsure how much blogging will get done and then after that, I will be blogging once or twice a week.

New Books

Purchased:

Library: