Spring Bookish Bingo Wrap-Up '17

Hello everyone! It is time for my wrap-up of the Spring Bookish Bingo. I have no idea how I did so let's get straight into it to see. 

COMPLETED READS

Magic: Caraval by Stephanie Garber

POC on Cover: Ronit & Jamil by Pamela L. Laskin

2017 Debut: Empress of a Thousand Skies by Rhoda Belleza

Green Cover: Vengeance Road by Erin Bowman

Politics or Govt: Joyride by Anna Banks [there are laws and things mentioned]

Multi POV: The 100 by Kass Morgan

Historical: The Valiant by Lesley Livingston

Paranormal: The Whispering Skull by Jonathan Stroud

Spring Release: Hunted by Meagan Spooner

Free: Any Book

Retelling: Kingdom of Ash and Briars by Hannah West

Just Words on Cover: Illuminae by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff

Purple Cover: Empress of a Thousand Skies by Rhoda Belleza

Adapted to Movie/TV: The 100 by Kass Morgan 

Sisters: Caraval by Stephanie Garber

Over 500 Pages: Illuminae by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff

Witches: HP and the Cursed Child 

Blue Cover: Caraval by Stephanie Garber

DID I GET A BINGO?

No. Sadly. 

See you soon for the Summer Book Bingo! I'm excited

MAY '17 WRAP-UP

So, it's the end of the month and that means another wrap-up!

I had an alright reading month especially since I had a ton of work between actual schoolwork and AP exams. Unfortunately, I had to take a break from blogging because I was really stressed and busy.

I did go see two movies in the theater this month and watched a little TV. I saw Guardians of the Galaxy Volume 2 which was amazing and baby Groot was the cutest. I also saw Pirates of the Caribbean Dead Men Tell No Tales which was amazing as well though not as good as the original three. I started season 2 of The Vampire Diaries and season 2 of The 100. I recommend both TV shows.

The layout of this wrap-up looks a little different from my past wrap-ups as I added books that I want to read in June. This past month I started a new feature called Bookish News and Stuff which should be a monthly feature.

Join my book club: here.

 Anyways...

Time to talk about the books I read this month.

PHYSICAL BOOKS

The first physical book I read was The 100 by Kass Morgan. It is very interesting to compare such a badass TV show to its book counterpart. The TV show is so much better than the book, that I will say. The character development is so much better in the TV show as well. There is hardly any development in the book for the characters. Unfortunately, Raven does not exist in the book which is upsetting because I love her. She is such a strong character whose loss really shows through the book. That all being said, I still enjoyed the book and ended up rating it 3 Crowns.

The first physical book I read was Lockwood & Co. The Whispering Skull by Jonathan Stroud.  I love this series so much and this was another great installment in the series. It reminds me a lot of Rick Riordan's books with the humor and intriguing characters. I really enjoy these books and I promise that some reviews shall come when I get the time. 

The third physical book I read was Harry Potter and the Cursed Child by J.K. Rowling, John Tiffany & Jack Thorne. I have heard both terrible things about this book and very good things about this book so I was very hesitant to pick this one up. I ended up actually enjoying it because I loved seeing my favorite characters again. [though, where was Luna??]  I did have some minor quips with this though and I will discuss them in a discussion post later this summer. I rated this 3.5 out of 5 Crowns.

The fourth physical book I read was Vengeance Road by Erin Bowman. YA Westerns are now my new favorite thing. Why aren't there more of these?? [Que me trying to write one in the near future] The main character was very badass and I enjoyed reading about her. I ended up rating this 4 Crowns.

The fifth physical book I read was Illuminae by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff. I have put this off for so long because I didn't understand the awkward format of the book. And now I am wondering why it took me so long to read this because it was freaking amazing. The characters and the setting and the dialogue and the villain... I can't even form accurate sentences because this book was fantastic. I can not recommend this book enough. I rated it 5 Crowns.

AUDIOBOOKS READ

I really got into audiobooks this month and I started checking them out online from my library. Anyone who hasn't tried out an audiobook before needs to. They are amazing.

The first audiobook I listened to was By Your Side by Kasie West. I had heard really bad things about this book from many people on Goodreads and I was a little confused because Kasie West writes amazing contemporaries. When I saw this audiobook online, I decided to listen to it because I had never listened to a full audiobook before. This book was amazing. I rated this 5 Crowns. I adored the main characters, the issues the book dealt with and the cute adorable romance. I highly, highly recommend this.

The second audiobook book I listened to was Joyride by Anna Banks. I am in love with this book and the characters. The person who read the part of Carla was amazing at the Spanish accent and the person who read Arden's was great as well. I loved how it dealt with some major issues such as racism and immigration and I highly recommend that you listen to this one to get the full experience. I rated this one 5 Crowns as well.

The last audiobook that I listened to was Caraval by Stephanie Garber. This book was something that has been hyped up since last year, before its' release date. I am very happy to say that it lived up to the hype. I do admit that the beginning of this book did not intrigue me. But once we reached the third or so chapter, I was so on board. The audiobook made everything more intense and stressful and made the book so much better and more immersive. I rated this one 5 Crowns as well.

I have learned to really enjoy audiobooks so I will be listening to more. 

ARC'S READ

NONE

REVIEWS IN MARCH: 

OTHER POSTS: 

MUSIC MONDAY:

NONE

TOP TEN TUESDAY: 

NONE

TOP FIVE WEDNESDAY: 

NONE

WEEKLY WRAP-UP:

DISCUSSIONS/OTHER:

Bookish News and Stuff #1

April '17 Wrap-Up

May '17 TBR

FAVORITE COVER OF THE MONTH:

NEW FICTIONAL BAE'S: 

Bellamy Blake from The 100 by Kass Morgan [He's bae in both the TV show and the book]

Dax from By Your Side by Kasie West

Lockwood from The Whispering Skull by Jonathan Stroud

Arden Moss from Joyride by Anna Banks

Julian from Caraval by Stephanie Garber

Jesse from Vengeance Road by Erin Bowman

Ezra from Illuminae by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff

TV SHOWS I WATCHED THIS MONTH:

MOVIES I WATCHED THIS MONTH:

CHALLENGE UPDATES:

2017 New Release Challenge: 

1. FrostBlood by Elly Blake

2. Wanted by Betsy Schow

3. These Ruthless Deeds

4. It Started with Goodbye

4. 10 Things I Can See From Here by Carrie Mac

5. Freeks by Amanda Hocking

6. Hunted by Meagan Spooner

7. Ronit & Jamil by Pamela L. Laskin

8. Empress of a Thousand Skies by Rhoda Belleza

9. The Valiant by Lesley Livingston

10. By Your Side by Kasie West

11. Caraval by Stephanie Garber

NetGalley Challenge: 

1. FrostBlood by Elly Blake

2. Wanted by Betsy Schow

3. These Ruthless Deeds

4. It Started with Goodbye

4. 10 Things I Can See From Here by Carrie Mac

Series Ender: 

None

Debut Challenge: 

1. FrostBlood by Elly Blake

2. It Started with Goodbye 

3. Caraval by Stephanie Garber

Retellings Reading Challenge: 

1. Ash by Malinda Lo

2. Wanted by Betsy Schow

3. Heartless by Melissa Meyer

4. Kingdom of Ash and Briars by Hannah West

5. Hunted by Meagan Spooner

Beat the Backlist Challenge:

1. Ahsoka by E.K. Johnston 

2. Of Fire and Stars by Audrey Coulthurst

3. Black Widow Forever Red by Margaret Stohl

4. Everything, Everything by Nicola Yoon

5. These Vicious Masks by Tarun Shanker and Kelly Zekas

6. Glitter by Aprilynne Pike

7. Ash by Malinda Lo

8. Ever the Hunted by Erin Summerill

9. Heartless by Marissa Meyer

10. A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness

11. The Screaming Staircase by Jonathan Stroud

12. The Orphan Queen by Jodi Meadows

13. City of Ashes by Cassandra Claire

14. The Thousandth Floor by Katharine McGee

15. Scythe by Neal Shusterman

16. Kingdom of Ash and Briars by Hannah West

17. City of Glass by Cassandra Claire

18. Little Black Dresses, Little Black Lies by Laura Stampler

19. Nemesis by Anna Banks

20. The 100 by Kass Morgan

21. The Whispering Skull by Jonathan Stroud

22. HP and the Cursed Child by J.K. Rowling

23. Joyride by Anna Banks

24. Vengeance Road by Erin Bowman

25. Illuminae by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff

Flights of Fantasy Challenge: 

1. FrostBlood by Elly Blake

2. Of Fire and Stars by Audrey Coulthurst

3. Ash by Malinda Lo

4. Ever the Hunted by Erin Summerill

5. Wanted by Betsy Schow

6. Heartless by Marissa Meyer

7. The Orphan Queen by Jodi Meadows

8. City of Ashes by Cassandra Claire

9. Freeks by Amanda Hocking

10. Kingdom of Ash and Briars by Hannah West

11. Hunted by Meagan Spooner

12. Nemesis by Anna Banks

13. Empress of a Thousand Skies by Rhoda Belleza

14. The Whispering Skull by Jonathan Stroud

15. Caraval by Stephanie Garber

16. HP and the Cursed Child by J.K. Rowling

Diverse Reads 2017:

1. Of Fire and Stars by Audrey Coulthurst

2. Everything Everything by Nicola Yoon

3. Ash by Malinda Lo

4. 10 Things I Can See From Here by Carrie Mac

5. Ronit & Jamil by Pamela L. Laskin

6. Joyride by Anna Banks

WHAT BOOKS I AM LOOKING FORWARD TO NEXT MONTH:

NEW BLOG FINDS

NONE

SONGS ON REPEAT

Kids in America - Riverdale Cast

Into the Black - Chromatics

Bad Liar - Selena Gomez

Ways to be Wicked - Descendants Cast

Believer - Imagine Dragons [This is my jam!]

Prom Queen - Mary Kate Kestner

Crying in the Club - Camila Cabello

High Enough - K. Flay

Strip it Down - Liam Payne

I Walk the Line - Halsey

Strangers - Halsey

 BOOKS I WANT TO READ NEXT MONTH

The graphics at the top belong to me. The background pictures for them, however do not.

MAY BOOKS ON MY SHELF '17

May Books on my Shelf!

I got this idea to call it Books on my Shelf from http://cornucopiaofreviews.blogspot.com/

I know this is rather late but I really wanted this to go up because I have a ton of books to read and I want to get through as many as I can. Let's get into it.

The first book I have on this list is The Whispering Skull by Jonathan Stroud. I already love this series so much because it is a lot like Rick Riordan books with humor and great characters. I am about 20% through this book and I am loving it. I can't wait to finish it.

In the six months since Anthony, Lucy, and George survived a night in the most haunted house in England, Lockwood & Co. hasn't made much progress. Quill Kipps and his team of Fittes agents keep swooping in on Lockwood's investigations. Finally, in a fit of anger, Anthony challenges his rival to a contest: the next time the two agencies compete on a job, the losing side will have to admit defeat in the Times newspaper.

Things look up when a new client, Mr. Saunders, hires Lockwood & Co. to be present at the excavation of Edmund Bickerstaff, a Victorian doctor who reportedly tried to communicate with the dead. Saunders needs the coffin sealed with silver to prevent any supernatural trouble. All goes well-until George's curiosity attracts a horrible phantom. 

Back home at Portland Row, Lockwood accuses George of making too many careless mistakes. Lucy is distracted by urgent whispers coming from the skull in the ghost jar. Then the team is summoned to DEPRAC headquarters. Kipps is there too, much to Lockwood's annoyance. Bickerstaff's coffin was raided and a strange glass object buried with the corpse has vanished. Inspector Barnes believes the relic to be highly dangerous, and he wants it found.

The second book I have on this list is A Court of Mist and Fury by Sarah J. Maas. I haven't read this yet which is actually really surprising. I adored the first book when I read it last year and the third book has come out so now I have to read this one. I am really excited to read it.

Feyre survived Amarantha's clutches to return to the Spring Court—but at a steep cost. Though she now has the powers of the High Fae, her heart remains human, and it can't forget the terrible deeds she performed to save Tamlin's people.

Nor has Feyre forgotten her bargain with Rhysand, High Lord of the feared Night Court. As Feyre navigates its dark web of politics, passion, and dazzling power, a greater evil looms—and she might be key to stopping it. But only if she can harness her harrowing gifts, heal her fractured soul, and decide how she wishes to shape her future—and the future of a world cleaved in two.

The third book on this list is Vengeance Road by Erin Bowman. I am already reading this book and the main character, Kate is such a unique character and the book is very unique as well. It is a Western which is something that I have never read before.

Revenge is worth its weight in gold.

When her father is murdered for a journal revealing the location of a hidden gold mine, eighteen-year-old Kate Thompson disguises herself as a boy and takes to the gritty plains looking for answers—and justice. What she finds are untrustworthy strangers, endless dust and heat, and a surprising band of allies, among them a young Apache girl and a pair of stubborn brothers who refuse to quit riding in her shadow. But as Kate gets closer to the secrets about her family, a startling truth becomes clear: some men will stop at nothing to get their hands on gold, and Kate’s quest for revenge may prove fatal.

The fourth book on this list is The 100 by Kass Morgan. As I told you before, I am watching the TV show and I want to see what it is based on. It is so different so far but I am enjoying it so I am keeping at it.

No one has set foot on Earth in centuries -- until now.

Ever since a devastating nuclear war, humanity has lived on spaceships far above Earth's radioactive surface. Now, one hundred juvenile delinquents -- considered expendable by society -- are being sent on a dangerous mission: to recolonize the planet. It could be their second chance at life...or it could be a suicide mission.

CLARKE was arrested for treason, though she's haunted by the memory of what she really did. WELLS, the chancellor's son, came to Earth for the girl he loves -- but will she ever forgive him? Reckless BELLAMY fought his way onto the transport pod to protect his sister, the other half of the only pair of siblings in the universe. And GLASS managed to escape back onto the ship, only to find that life there is just as dangerous as she feared it would be on Earth.

Confronted with a savage land and haunted by secrets from their pasts, the hundred must fight to survive. They were never meant to be heroes, but they may be mankind's last hope.

The fifth book I have on this list is Harry Potter and the Cursed Child by J.K. Rowling. I have had this out for so long from the library but I've heard both bad and good things about it. I am worried about starting this but I will probably do so.

The Eighth Story. Nineteen Years Later.

Based on an original new story by J.K. Rowling, Jack Thorne and John Tiffany, a new play by Jack Thorne, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child is the eighth story in the Harry Potter series and the first official Harry Potter story to be presented on stage. The play will receive its world premiere in London’s West End on July 30, 2016. 

It was always difficult being Harry Potter and it isn’t much easier now that he is an overworked employee of the Ministry of Magic, a husband and father of three school-age children.

While Harry grapples with a past that refuses to stay where it belongs, his youngest son Albus must struggle with the weight of a family legacy he never wanted. As past and present fuse ominously, both father and son learn the uncomfortable truth: sometimes, darkness comes from unexpected places.

The sixth book I have on this list is Joyride by Anna Banks. I have this out as an audiobook from the library and am currently listening to it whenever I am doing my blog or stuff like that. I am currently adoring it because the people reading it are amazing and the characters are hilarious. Contemporaries are really my thing lately.

A popular guy and a shy girl with a secret become unlikely accomplices for midnight pranking, and are soon in over their heads—with the law and with each other—in this sparkling standalone from NYT-bestselling author Anna Banks.

It’s been years since Carly Vega’s parents were deported. She lives with her brother, studies hard, and works at a convenience store to contribute to getting her parents back from Mexico.

Arden Moss used to be the star quarterback at school. He dated popular blondes and had fun with his older sister, Amber. But now Amber’s dead, and Arden blames his father, the town sheriff who wouldn’t acknowledge Amber's mental illness. Arden refuses to fulfill whatever his conservative father expects.

All Carly wants is to stay under the radar and do what her family expects. All Arden wants is to NOT do what his family expects. When their paths cross, they each realize they’ve been living according to others. Carly and Arden’s journey toward their true hearts—and one another—is funny, romantic, and sometimes harsh.

The last book I have on this list is the Book Club Book for this month which is Illuminae by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff. I have been wanting to read this for a long time and it looks so unique. I hope some of you join me in reading this, this month.

This morning, Kady thought breaking up with Ezra was the hardest thing she’d have to do. This afternoon, her planet was invaded.

The year is 2575, and two rival megacorporations are at war over a planet that’s little more than an ice-covered speck at the edge of the universe. Too bad nobody thought to warn the people living on it. With enemy fire raining down on them, Kady and Ezra—who are barely even talking to each other—are forced to fight their way onto an evacuating fleet, with an enemy warship in hot pursuit.

But their problems are just getting started. A deadly plague has broken out and is mutating, with terrifying results; the fleet's AI, which should be protecting them, may actually be their enemy; and nobody in charge will say what’s really going on. As Kady hacks into a tangled web of data to find the truth, it's clear only one person can help her bring it all to light: the ex-boyfriend she swore she'd never speak to again.

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

APRIL '17 WRAP-UP

So, it's the end of the month and that means another wrap-up!

I had an okay reading month. I didn't read too many books but I was studying for my AP exams most of the month which I have just finished. Yay! Blogging didn't do so well either.

But spring break was this month and I watched a lot of TV and a couple movies in the theater. I finished the entire first season of the 100 which was amazing and I bought season 2 from Barnes and Noble. I also finished the first season of Pretty Little Liars and started the second season. I actually like this show which is surprising. I saw Beauty and the Beast for the second time in the theater with my friend and I enjoyed it just as much.  The second movie I saw in the theater was Power Rangers. Quite a few people I know did not enjoy this movie but I loved it. It was hilarious and the diversity was really important.

Join my book club: here.

 Anyways...

Time to talk about the books I read this month.

PHYSICAL BOOKS

The first physical book I read was Ronit & Jamil by Pamela L. Laskin. I did not enjoy this book because it wasn't at all what I expected. I have a full review up which I will link down under the review section. I ended up rating it 2 Crowns.

The second physical book I read was City of Glass by Cassandra Claire. I really enjoy this series. It is so much fun. I love the characters and the story. I was a little confused because it ended so nicely and yet there are still three or four more books. I ended up rating it 5 Crowns.

The third physical book I read was Little Black Dresses, Little White Lies by Laura Stampler. I was so surprised because I enjoyed it. Contemporaries aren't usually my thing but lately I have been enjoying this genre so much. This book was so much fun. I loved the main character, Harper, and the whole setting of New York and working at a magazine was amazing. I rated this 4 Crowns.

The fourth physical book I read was Nemesis by Anna Banks. This was such an interesting book with an interesting main character named Sepora. I also loved Tarik and a review should be up as soon as possible. I rated this 4 Crowns.

The fifth physical book I read was Empress of a Thousand Skies by Rhoda Belleza. This book was amazing. It reminded me a bit of other science fiction space books like Starflight and The Lunar Chronicles. I also love how there was no love interest for Rhee and she was really badass so far. I'm excited for the next book. I rated this 4 Crowns.

The sixth and last physical book I read was The Valiant by Lesley Livingston. I loved this book as well because it was about Ancient Rome and the main character was a female gladiator. I rated this 4 Crowns.

ARC'S READ

NONE

REVIEWS IN MARCH: 

Ronit & Jamil by Pamela L. Laskin: 2 Crowns

OTHER POSTS: 

MUSIC MONDAY:

NONE

TOP TEN TUESDAY: 

NONE

TOP FIVE WEDNESDAY: 

NONE

WEEKLY WRAP-UP:

3/6 - 4/9

4/10 - 4/16

DISCUSSIONS/OTHER:

February '17 Wrap-Up

March '17 Wrap-Up

April Books On My Shelf '17

Book Tag #2: The Writer's Tag

FAVORITE COVER OF THE MONTH:

NEW FICTIONAL BAE'S: 

Tarik from Nemesis by Anna Banks

Alyosha from Empress of a Thousand Skies by Rhonda Belleza 

Cai from The Valiant by Lesley Livingston

TV SHOWS I WATCHED THIS MONTH:

 

MOVIES I WATCHED THIS MONTH:

CHALLENGE UPDATES:

2017 New Release Challenge: 

1. FrostBlood by Elly Blake

2. Wanted by Betsy Schow

3. These Ruthless Deeds

4. It Started with Goodbye

4. 10 Things I Can See From Here by Carrie Mac

5. Freeks by Amanda Hocking

6. Hunted by Meagan Spooner

7. Ronit & Jamil by Pamela L. Laskin

8. Empress of a Thousand Skies by Rhoda Belleza

9. The Valiant by Lesley Livingston

NetGalley Challenge: 

1. FrostBlood by Elly Blake

2. Wanted by Betsy Schow

3. These Ruthless Deeds

4. It Started with Goodbye

4. 10 Things I Can See From Here by Carrie Mac

Series Ender: 

None

Debut Challenge: 

1. FrostBlood by Elly Blake

2. It Started with Goodbye 

Retellings Reading Challenge: 

1. Ash by Malinda Lo

2. Wanted by Betsy Schow

3. Heartless by Melissa Meyer

4. Kingdom of Ash and Briars by Hannah West

5. Hunted by Meagan Spooner

Beat the Backlist Challenge:

1. Ahsoka by E.K. Johnston 

2. Of Fire and Stars by Audrey Coulthurst

3. Black Widow Forever Red by Margaret Stohl

4. Everything, Everything by Nicola Yoon

5. These Vicious Masks by Tarun Shanker and Kelly Zekas

6. Glitter by Aprilynne Pike

7. Ash by Malinda Lo

8. Ever the Hunted by Erin Summerill

9. Heartless by Marissa Meyer

10. A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness

11. The Screaming Staircase by Jonathan Stroud

12. The Orphan Queen by Jodi Meadows

13. City of Ashes by Cassandra Claire

14. The Thousandth Floor by Katharine McGee

15. Scythe by Neal Shusterman

16. Kingdom of Ash and Briars by Hannah West

17. City of Glass by Cassandra Claire

18. Little Black Dresses, Little Black Lies by Laura Stampler

19. Nemesis by Anna Banks

Flights of Fantasy Challenge: 

1. FrostBlood by Elly Blake

2. Of Fire and Stars by Audrey Coulthurst

3. Ash by Malinda Lo

4. Ever the Hunted by Erin Summerill

5. Wanted by Betsy Schow

6. Heartless by Marissa Meyer

7. The Orphan Queen by Jodi Meadows

8. City of Ashes by Cassandra Claire

9. Freeks by Amanda Hocking

10. Kingdom of Ash and Briars by Hannah West

11. Hunted by Meagan Spooner

12. Nemesis by Anna Banks

13. Empress of a Thousand Skies by Rhoda Belleza

Diverse Reads 2017:

1. Of Fire and Stars by Audrey Coulthurst

2. Everything Everything by Nicola Yoon

3. Ash by Malinda Lo

4. 10 Things I Can See From Here by Carrie Mac

5. Ronit & Jamil by Pamela L. Laskin

WHAT BOOKS I AM LOOKING FORWARD TO NEXT MONTH:

 

NEW BLOG FINDS

NONE

SONGS ON REPEAT

John Wayne - Lady Gaga

Now Or Never - Halsey

Kissing Strangers - DNCE ft. Nicki Minaj

Beauty and the Beast Album - Various Artists

I Feel Love - Riverdale Cast

The graphics at the top belong to me. The background pictures for them, however do not.