Friday, 16 December 2016

#Blogmas Days 7, 8, 9 and 10: DECEMBER BOOKS ON MY SHELF '16



December Books on my Shelf!

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

Sorry that this post is so late. I am really slow at TBR's I know. But here it finally is. These are mostly books that I really need to read or books that have a winter feel to them. Let's get into it.




The first book I have on this list is Crooked Kingdom by Leigh Bardugo. I am so so excited to start this one but also pretty scared because it's the last one and people have said it is sad and I don't want any of my babies to die.

Kaz Brekker and his crew have just pulled off a heist so daring even they didn't think they'd survive. But instead of divvying up a fat reward, they're right back to fighting for their lives. Double-crossed and left crippled by the kidnapping of a valuable team member, the crew is low on resources, allies, and hope. As powerful forces from around the world descend on Ketterdam to root out the secrets of the dangerous drug known as jurda parem, old rivals and new enemies emerge to challenge Kaz's cunning and test the team's fragile loyalties. A war will be waged on the city's dark and twisting streets―a battle for revenge and redemption that will decide the fate of magic in the Grisha world.


The second book on this list is Jackaby by William Ritter. I have had this on my TBR for awhile now but I never checked it out from the library, until last month. I have actually finished this one and I will be doing a review as soon as I can.

“Miss Rook, I am not an occultist,” Jackaby said. “I have a gift that allows me to see truth where others see the illusion--and there are many illusions. All the world’s a stage, as they say, and I seem to have the only seat in the house with a view behind the curtain.”

Newly arrived in New Fiddleham, New England, 1892, and in need of a job, Abigail Rook meets R. F. Jackaby, an investigator of the unexplained with a keen eye for the extraordinary--including the ability to see supernatural beings. Abigail has a gift for noticing ordinary but important details, which makes her perfect for the position of Jackaby’s assistant. On her first day, Abigail finds herself in the midst of a thrilling case: A serial killer is on the loose. The police are convinced it’s an ordinary villain, but Jackaby is certain it’s a nonhuman creature, whose existence the police--with the exception of a handsome young detective named Charlie Cane--deny.

Doctor Who meets Sherlock in William Ritter’s debut novel, which features a detective of the paranormal as seen through the eyes of his adventurous and intelligent assistant in a tale brimming with cheeky humor and a dose of the macabre.





The third book on this list is Heartless by Marissa Meyer. I am actually currently reading this and it is such a good book so far. That being said, I am only 20 or so pages into it. But I can't wait to marathon read this book. Going to be starting my winter books this weekend though.

Catherine may be one of the most desired girls in Wonderland and a favorite of the unmarried King, but her interests lie elsewhere. A talented baker, she wants to open a shop and create delectable pastries. But for her mother, such a goal is unthinkable for a woman who could be a queen.

At a royal ball where Cath is expected to receive the King’s marriage proposal, she meets handsome and mysterious Jest. For the first time, she feels the pull of true attraction. At the risk of offending the King and infuriating her parents, she and Jest enter into a secret courtship.

Cath is determined to choose her own destiny. But in a land thriving with magic, madness, and monsters, fate has other plans.





The fourth book on this list is Winterspell by Claire Legrand. I am so excited for this one despite having this for over a year and never picking it up. But it is The Nutcracker so I have to read it guys.

The clock chimes midnight, a curse breaks, and a girl meets a prince…but what follows is not all sweetness and sugarplums.

New York City, 1899. Clara Stole, the mayor’s ever-proper daughter, leads a double life. Since her mother’s murder, she has secretly trained in self-defense with the mysterious Drosselmeyer.

Then, on Christmas Eve, disaster strikes.

Her home is destroyed, her father abducted—by beings distinctly not human. To find him, Clara journeys to the war-ravaged land of Cane. Her only companion is the dethroned prince Nicholas, bound by a wicked curse. If they’re to survive, Clara has no choice but to trust him, but his haunted eyes burn with secrets—and a need she can’t define. With the dangerous, seductive faery queen Anise hunting them, Clara soon realizes she won’t leave Cane unscathed—if she leaves at all.

Inspired by The Nutcracker, Winterspell is a dark, timeless fairy tale about love and war, longing and loneliness, and a girl who must learn to live without fear.





The fifth book I have on this list is Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. I have not read this one yet. I know, I am a Harry Potter fanatic and I have NOT read this one. I'm sorry. I promise to read it this month or January if I don't get to it. I'm both excited and terrified!

It's no longer safe for Harry at Hogwarts, so he and his best friends, Ron and Hermione, are on the run. Professor Dumbledore has given them clues about what they need to do to defeat the dark wizard, Lord Voldemort, once and for all, but it's up to them to figure out what these hints and suggestions really mean.

Their cross-country odyssey has them searching desperately for the answers, while evading capture or death at every turn. At the same time, their friendship, fortitude, and sense of right and wrong are tested in ways they never could have imagined.

The ultimate battle between good and evil that closes out this final chapter of the epic series takes place where Harry's Wizarding life began: at Hogwarts. The satisfying conclusion offers shocking last-minute twists, incredible acts of courage, powerful new forms of magic, and the resolution of many mysteries.







The sixth book I have on this list is the Book Club Book for this month which is A Study in Charlotte by Brittany Cavallaro. I am excited for this one because it is a Sherlock retelling and I'm all about that.

The last thing Jamie Watson wants is a rugby scholarship to Sherringford, a Connecticut prep school just an hour away from his estranged father. But that’s not the only complication: Sherringford is also home to Charlotte Holmes, the famous detective’s great-great-great-granddaughter, who has inherited not only Sherlock’s genius but also his volatile temperament. From everything Jamie has heard about Charlotte, it seems safer to admire her from afar.

From the moment they meet, there’s a tense energy between them, and they seem more destined to be rivals than anything else. But when a Sherringford student dies under suspicious circumstances, ripped straight from the most terrifying of the Sherlock Holmes stories, Jamie can no longer afford to keep his distance. Jamie and Charlotte are being framed for murder, and only Charlotte can clear their names. But danger is mounting and nowhere is safe—and the only people they can trust are each other.






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

Sunday, 11 December 2016

Weekly Update: 12/5 - 12/11

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 was a productive week in terms of school. I got a lot of things done and am on top of my work for the most part. Also Hairspray Live was this week [I didn't watch the whole thing but the soundtrack is amazing]

I have also been watching Legends of Tomorrow because #newobsession.

And so many books came!

I started Blogmas as well and am trying to catch up but we'll see. Also, I am so excited for Christmas so prepare yourself for some posts this week! :)

Also, if you didn't join my book club, go join!!



New Books

Purchased:


 






Library: 





Received for Review: 








In Case You Missed It


This Week I Read
  
  





Next Week I'm Reading


 





Upcoming Reviews







Upcoming Posts



Monday:  December TBR 

Tuesday: Gift Guide for Book Lovers 

Wednesday: NONE

Thursday: NONE

Friday: TBD

Saturday: TBD

#Blogmas Day Four, Five and Six: November Wrap-Up




So, it's the end of the month and that means another wrap-up!  I did not have a good month. I only read five books, but to be fair, I was busy trying to get good grades. [still doing that btw]

I also watched TV. I watched The Flash, Once Upon a Time, and Supergirl. Oh and I started up Legends of Tomorrow. I love the show so far. So you will probably hear fangirlling.

Also I started a book club which you can find here.

 Anyways...

Time to talk about the books I read this month.


PHYSICAL BOOKS






The first physical book I read was And the Trees Crept In by Dawn Kurtagich. This was a Horror/Paranormal YA book that I honestly thought I would hate and die screaming in terror. Well, that wasn't the truth. It was hella scary. Like really creepy. I freaked out more than once which is why it took me awhile to finish it and I ended up finishing it in November, rather than October. But, it was a good book. I rated it 4 Crowns.

The second book I read was An Ember in the Ashes by Sabaa Tahir. This was such a good book. I have put off reading this for the past year because I thought it would be bad. :( But I was wrong as it was actually amazing. I mean not amazing, cause I did rate it only 4 Crowns but it was still pretty good.



The third book I read was Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo. This is another book that I had put off for forever. I have owned it for like two years and never picked it up because I was scared, as usual. But it was really good. I loved the characters [especially the Darkling. He's evil but also bae] And I rated this 5 Crowns.

The fourth book I read was Magnus Chase and the Sword of Summer by Rick Riordan. This was another book I put off. [I'm sensing a pattern here] I also really enjoyed this one. I love Rick Riordan books and I am excited to read the next one but not yet cause I need to finish so many books first. I rated this 5 Crowns. 



ARC'S READ





The first and only ARC I read was Woe for a Faerie by B. Brumley. I did not enjoy this book as much as I had hoped. I'm really sad because I love fairies but I ended up only rating it 2.5 Crowns.  I did do a review of this book so you can check that out. 



REVIEWS IN NOVEMBER: 






OTHER POSTS: 

MUSIC MONDAY:



TOP TEN TUESDAY: 

NONE

TOP FIVE WEDNESDAY: 

NONE


WEEKLY WRAP-UP:


DISCUSSIONS/OTHER:




FAVORITE COVER OF THE MONTH:





NEW FICTIONAL BAE'S: 


The Darkling from Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo

Elias from An Ember in the Ashes by Sabaa Tahir



TV SHOWS I WATCHED THIS MONTH:

 




WHAT BOOKS I AM LOOKING FORWARD TO NEXT MONTH:




NEW BLOG FINDS


SONGS ON REPEAT

Hairspray Movie Soundtrack 


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

Saturday, 3 December 2016

#Blogmas Day 3 Winter Book Bingo '16 - '17





Hello everyone! It is time for another Book Bingo. I know right, it is already time for the Winter Book Bingo. This year is almost over. *cries* 

Anyways. 

This seasonly challenge is hosted by Bekka from Pretty Deadly Reviews. You can find the original post and the rules here The reading categories give us plenty of wiggle-room though I may change a couple categories to suit me better. I will mention the categories that I edit, later on with my TBR. This runs from December '16 - February '17. 

Here is the card and my TBR: 







B






GREEN COVER:  Heir of Fire by Sarah J. Maas

BANNED BOOK: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by J.K. Rowling

NOT YA: A Court of Mist and Fury by Sarah J. Maas

CRIME: A Study in Charlotte  by Brittany Cavallaro

TWITTER POLL: TBD


I






ALTERNATIVE FORMAT: Maximum Ride Volume 1 by James Patterson

2017 DEBUT: Caraval by Stephanie Garber

WHITE COVER: Winterspell by Claire Legrand

SURVIVAL: The Death Cure by James Dashner

NATURE ON COVER: Far from the Madding Crowd by Thomas Hardy


N

 



SET ABROAD: The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight by 

ROMANCE: A Court of Mist and Fury by Sarah J. Maas

FREE

BLUE COVER:  Jackaby by William Ritter

UNRELIABLE NARRATOR: Pretty Little Liars by Sara Shepard


G





SEQUEL: Crooked Kingdom by Leigh Bardugo

GR CHOICE NOMINEE: Heartless by Marissa Meyer

SCIENCE FICTION: Frost by M.P. Kozlowsky

LGBT: Ash by Malinda Lo

COVER BUY: Night Speed by Chris Howard


O






OWN VOICES: The Wrath and the Dawn by Renee Adieh

PINK COVER: The Iron Queen by Julia Kagawa

DEC, JAN OR FEB RELEASE: Crystal Storm by Morgan Rhodes

SUPER HYPED: RoseBlood by A.G. Howard

URBAN FANTASY: Morganville Vampires Volume II  by Rachel Caine