Top Ten Books of 2015

Is it really time to make a Top Books of 2015 list? It cannot be! While I enjoyed a lot of books this year, I don't feel like this year was as full of mind blowing books like other years because I made this list fairly easily. To hear in more detail why I loved my top five books of the year check out my Top Five Wednesday video from today.

10) Ocean at the End of the Lane by Neil Gaiman - This book was beautiful and captured my attention so completely. It was a fantastic read and a great first foray into Neil Gaiman's works. I can't wait to read more.

9) A Madness so Discreet by Mindy McGinnis - While I was reading this story I knew it was a gem. The historical elements are very well researched and I enjoyed the female friendships in this book immensely.

8) Outlander by Diana Gabaldon - This book really surprised me. I expected it to be all romance but there were so many other elements as well. I enjoyed it a lot and am anxious to continue on with the series.

7) Fullmetal Alchemist Series by Hiromu Arakawa -  Go read this manga series right now! I was obsessed with this series over the summer and couldn't get the volumes from the library fast enough.

6) Heir of Fire by Sarah J. Maas - This book blew me away. The new characters and change of pace really pulled me back into the story. I loved it and I can't wait to read Queen of Shadows. I think I want to reread the first three (or four?) books in the series before I do that though.

5) The Final Empire by Brandon Sanderson - I didn't believe this book could live up to all the hype but it did! I loved it. The magic and characters were amazing. The magic system was so unique and interesting. I can't wait to continue with this series!

4) A Darker Shade of Magic by V.E. Schwab - The world building in this book was amazing. I can't wait for book two and to see what Schwab has planned for these amazing characters!

3) The Martian by Andy Weir - This book! I could not put it down while I was tearing through it. It was an amazing story and the characters made this book exceptional. The movie was fantastic and I wish I could read it for the first time all over again because the experience was so powerful.

2) S. (The Ship of Theseus) by J.J. Abrams and Doug Dorst - Another amazing experience! I was completely absorbed in this book and had a hard time thinking about anything else while I was reading. I recommend taking your time while reading this and setting aside time to read through it several times to get the full experience.

1) The Accident Season by Moïra Fowley-Doyle - What to say about your favorite book of the year? It was amazing and magical. The writing was lovely and narration (I listened to the audiobook) was beautiful. I loved the characters and got lost in their story. I want everyone to read this and can't wait to read it again.

  

   

Top Ten Anticipated Releases for the First Half of 2016

There are so many amazing books coming out in 2016. The first half alone is chock full of books I cannot wait to read!


1) The Raven King by Maggie Stiefvater (Expected Publication: March 29, 2016) - I CAN'T CONTAIN MY EXCITEMENT ABOUT THIS BOOK ANY LONGER. The final book in The Raven Cycle series is my most anticipated book of the YEAR not just the first half.

2) A Gathering of Shadows by V.E. Schwab (Expected Publication: February 23, 2016) -  Personally, I need this book right now! The end of book one left me on the edge of my seat and I can't wait to see Kell and Lila reunited!

3) Passenger by Alexandra Bracken (January 5, 2016) - Pirates and time travel! Of course I'm excited about this one. I just cannot wait and it comes out in just a few days!

4) Lady Midnight by Cassandra Clare (Expected Publication: May 17, 2016) - Finally we will get back to the Shadowhunter world! I'm anxious to get into this new series by Cassandra Clare and see where all our old favorites are!!

5) The Hidden Oracle: Book One in The Trials of Apollo by Rick Riordan (Expected Publication: May 3, 2016) - I am thrilled about this new series. Ever since reading The Goddess War series by Kendare Blake I have a soft spot for Apollo.

6) A Court of Mist and Fury by Sarah J. Maas (Expected Publication: May 3, 2016) - I loved the first book in this series and can't to see where the story goes in this next book!

7) Stars Above by Marissa Meyer (Expected Publication: February 2, 2016) - I need to finish Winter then get my hands on these short stories so I can draw this series out at long as possible.

8) The Winner's Kiss by Marie Rutkowski ( Expected Publication: March 29, 2016) - Who isn't excited about the wrap up to this series? Especially now the publisher has decided to stick with the original covers. I am thrilled!

9) Blackhearts by Nicole Casttroman (Expected Publication: February 5, 2016) - More pirates!

10)  The Crown's Game by Evelyn Skye (Expected Publication: May 17, 2016) - This sounds like so much political intrigue and warring strategy I just cannot wait.

    

     

Christmas Booktube-a-thon TBR

It's the Christmas Booktube-a-thon! Three days of reading and tweeting and reading! If you want to see my progress check out my twitter. I'll be doing my updates there. I'm very excited about this readathon! Happy Reading! 

Books Mentioned:

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince by J.K. Rowling

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by J. K. Rowling

The Immortal Heights by Sherry Thomas

Vengeance Road by Erin Bowman

16 Book to Read in 2016

There are so many books on my TBR shelf and I am dying to read them all. These are the 16 I want to check out the most. I'm so excited to start reading the books on this list! What will you be reading in 2016? Any of these? 

Top Five Series to Start in 2016 (Top Five Wednesday)

When this topic showed up on I decided to look back on the series I named the last time it came at the end on 2015. Last year for this topic I named these five series:

Finnikin of the Rock
The Madman's Daughter Series
The Name of the Wind
Outlander
The Knife of Never Letting Go

I only started one of these series, the Outlander Series, and I'm so upset with myself. I wanted to read these series a lot. So this year I am going to up the stakes a little bit. If I do not start these four series by the end of 2016, I must get rid of these books. I must give them away or donate them. High stakes! I've set reminders for myself every month so hopefully I'll remember them in 2016.

I also want to read the following five series, but the do or die rules do not apply to these five.

1) Avalon by Mindee Arnett - I've had these two books for ages and I want to read this duology so badly! I've heard nothing but good things and anything Firefly-esque is right up my alley!

2) Firebird Series by Claudia Gray - This series sounded so good when it came out and I even preordered it! There is time traveling and romance! I can't wait to read it.

3) The Sevenwaters Trilogy by Juliet Mariller - I have heard nothing but good things about Mariller and I'm anxious to read at least one of her books in 2016. I've had the trilogy on my shelf for a while and I need to pick it up.

4) Books of Faerie by Maggie Stiefvater - While the Raven Cycle is my favorite series at the moment, I really want to read more books by Stiefvater. This is only a duology so I hope I can knock it out quickly if I enjoy it.

5) The Wrath and the Dawn by Renee Ahdieh - I was so anxious to get my hands on this book and haven't pick it up. Just like so many others! This

    

Ten Ten Books I Want Santa to Leave Me

We are getting so close to Christmas and I am so excited!! This week the topic for Top Ten Tuesday is all about the books we are hoping Santa will leave under the tree. This list could be infinitely long. I had so many books on my wish list this year. However, I narrowed it down to these ten.

1) The Illustrated Harry Potter by J.K. Rowling - Why don't I own this yet!! Since this came out I've been really anxious to pick it up. If I don't get this for Christmas, I'll be picking it up post-Christmas. Everyone is raving about this book and I really want to check it out.

2) Newt's Emerald by Garth Nix - This sounds like such a fun book. I believe it is a stand alone fantasy and I just want it in my hands. I love the way Nix builds worlds and all his characters are fantastic!

3) Shadow of the Wolf by Tim Hall - A dark retelling of The Adventures of Robin Hood sounds right up my alley.

   

4) To All the Boys I've Loved Before by Jenny Han - So many people have raved about this series and I just want to check it out. I'm not a huge contemporary reader but this sounds so good.

5) Ungodly by Kendare Blake - I just need to finish this series ASAP

6) First and Then by Emma Mills - A Pride and Prejudice and Friday Night Lights crossover? What more description do you need?

  

7) A Dance with Dragons by George R.R. Martin - I should probably catch up on this series before the next book comes out right? Will it ever come out?

8) The Heart of Betrayal by Mary E. Pearson - I'm excited to start this series and I think when I read book one I'll want book two as soon as possible.

9) Ash and Bramble by Sarah Prineas - When I heard about this retelling of Cinderella, I was very intrigued. I'm anxious to read it and I would really like to have it on my shelves.

10) Carry On by Rainbow Rowell - While I know I should read a Rainbow Rowell contemporary before I read her fantasy, I kind of want to start with this then read her other books. This just sounds fun!

What do you want Santa to leave you for Christmas? Which books are you hoping for? I'm very excited to see if I get any of these.

   

My Last Top Ten Tuesday ---> 

Wine Book Tag

QUESTIONS:
1. Box Wine - a book that people will judge you for liking but you like it anyway!
2. Organic Wine - a book that doesn't have any added crap in it and is just written perfectly.
3. Gluehwein - a really spicy, wintry read.
4. Sauvignon Blanc - a really sharp and aggressive read that you couldn't put down!
5. Pinot Noir - a book you didn't expect much from but ended up getting blown away!
6. Chardonnay - a good summer read that was super-zesty.
7. Rose - a book that has a little bit of everything in it.
8. Shiraz - A full-bodied book that is dark and juicy
9. Merlot - a smooth easy read with a soft finish.
10. Champagne - Your Favorite Book

The creator of the tag is Boho Bookworm and you can find her channel here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ffYyw8aZE4

Last Minute Books to Give as Gifts!

There is less than a week until Christmas! Those shopping days are disappearing fast! Are you shopping for a book lover in your life? Are you a book lover shopping for a friend? Trying to decide what book to give? I have a few suggestions!

I've separated them by genre or category? Some are genre. Some are sort of genres? You'll see!

Looking for a Holiday Themed Gift? 

 

Both of these collections are chock full of holiday spirit. They are a lot of fun to read. Let it Snow is three interconnected stories all centered around Christmas. While My True Love Gave to Me is twelve holiday themed stories that are not connected. They are all contemporary romance and both books are young adult.

Review - The Bane Chronicles

Series: The Bane Chronicles #1-11

Genre: Paranormal 

Source: Purchased

Published: McElderry Books (2014)

Hardcover - 528 pgs

Add it // Buy it

Rating: 4/5 

Fans of The Mortal Instruments and The Infernal Devices can get to know warlock Magnus Bane like never before in this collection of New York Times bestselling tales, in print for the first time with an exclusive new story and illustrated material.

This collection of eleven short stories illuminates the life of the enigmatic Magnus Bane, whose alluring personality, flamboyant style, and sharp wit populate the pages of the #1 New York Times bestselling series, The Mortal Instruments and The Infernal Devices.

Originally released one-by-one as e-only short stories by Cassandra Clare, Maureen Johnson, and Sarah Rees Brennan, this compilation presents all ten together in print for the first time and includes a never-before-seen eleventh tale, as well as new illustrated material.

After reading this collection of stories, I would say this is an essential for any Shadowhunter Chronicles fan. The collection is a ton of fun to read. As I wait for Lady Midnight anxiously, I was happy to slip back in the Shadownhunter world for a short time. This is also really interesting because we finally read from a non-Shadownhunter point of view and get an entirely different view on the world and some of our favorite characters.

Once again Clare’s writing submerges me in her world and I ship everyone! (She makes it easy too!) I loved following Magnus through the years and watching his character change and stay the same. These are a great set of stories that are a mix of feels both good and sad.  While Magnus’s humor shines through during all the stories, some of them are more serious than others. Clare and the other authors addresses problems in her world I had questions about when I read the series. I liked the way the other contributors to this collection fit their stories into Clare’s world so seamlessly as well.

Personally, I enjoyed reading all the stories together. I did space them out a little bit and read one each day. It’s a large book so this worked rather well for me. Basically, if you love Cassandra Clare’s other books, I expect you’ll like this collection.

Happy Reading! 

My Favorite Reviews of 2015

This year I wrote more reviews than any other year I've been blogging. Part of that is because I've finally gotten on a better schedule. (It isn't perfect but who can stay on top of their blog 365 days a year?) Anyway this year I wrote a lot of reviews and I'm proud I did. Today I'm going to cover the reviews I'm most pleased with or the ones I enjoyed writing the most this year!

S. by J.J. Abrams and Doug Dorst - I was so excited to write this review because I enjoyed this book so much! It was such a unique and interesting book and I wanted to push it on people as much as possible!

Outlander by Diana Gabaldon - I was obsessed with Outlander for about a month over the summer and I had a ton of fun talking about this book.

The Martian by Andy Weir - When I finished this book I immediately started pushing it on people. I pushed it on all my coworkers and family members. I couldn't stop talking about it and when I wrote my review I still couldn't tone down my excitement!

The Final Empire by Brandon Sanderson - Again when I finished this book I wanted to talk about it with everyone and found a way through my review to do that. I sorted out my excitement and final thoughts on this book by writing everything down.

A Madness so Discreet by Mindy McGinnis- This book arrived on my doorstep and I started reading it the same day. Usually when this happens the book ends up being one of my favorites. This was true and I immediately wrote the review to prove it!

  

Review - The Curiosities by Maggie Stiefvater, Tessa Gratton and Brenna Yavonoff

Series: None

Genre: Short Stories 

Source: Purchased

Published: Lerner Publishing Group (2012)

Hardcover - 304 pgs

Add it // Buy it 

Rating: 4/5

From acclaimed YA authors Maggie Stiefvater, Tessa Gratton, and Brenna Yovanoff comes The Curiosities: A Collection of Stories.

- A vampire locked in a cage in the basement, for good luck.

- Bad guys, clever girls, and the various reasons why the guys have to stop breathing.

- A world where fires never go out (with references to vanilla ice cream).

These are but a few of the curiosities collected in this volume of short stories by three acclaimed practitioners of paranormal fiction.

But The Curiosities is more than the stories. Since 2008, Maggie, Tessa, and Brenna have posted more than 250 works of short fiction to their website merryfates.com. Their goal was simple: create a space for experimentation and improvisation in their writing—all in public and without a backspace key. In that spirit, The Curiosities includes the stories and each author's comments, critiques, and kudos in the margins. Think of it as a guided tour of the creative processes of three acclaimed authors.

So, are you curious now? 

These three ladies pack a powerful punch. Each one has a great style and their stories are fantastic. Unlike most short story collections this one is full of writing advice and guidance as well.  All three authors talk about the challenges they faced while writing and how these particular stories in this collection challenged them. Plus the authors are critique partners and talk about how their friends have grown while writing which is really interesting. I loved reading how each author experimented while writing this collection. This would be a lovely addition to your collection if you were an aspiring author.

These short stories are not short on impact though. During many of the stories my hair stood on end, I laughed and cried. They are crafted so well and all the authors have mastered the short story. There were ones that appealed to me more like you see in any collection. While I thought I would favor one author’s style over the others, they varied a lot in the different stories and I ended up enjoying them all equally. I’m anxious to read a full length novel by Tessa Gratton or Brenna Yovanoff now that I’ve read these! Check out this collection! There is even a second set of stories now.

Happy Reading! 

Top Five Books to Read by the Fire (Top Five Wednesday)

At my house we have a wood stove. I absolutely love it too. It makes the entire house warmer, but on cold weekend afternoons it is lovely to read (or sleep) by the fire. I love to get lost in books while sitting in that room while I'm warm and relaxed. These are the books I recommend curling up by the fire with.

1) Outlander by Diana Gabaldon - When I was reading Claire's adventure in Outlander, I was completely obsessed with this book. I could not put it down even though it is a large book. I definitely could see myself reading a huge chunk while sitting by my fireplace.

2) Frigid by J. Lynn - This book is really easy to get wrapped on in. It is a little cheesey and predictable, but I still love it. I read this book in one sitting and since it it set during a blizzard, it is perfect to read by the fire.

3) The Ocean at the End of the Lane by Neil Gaiman - This is a story featuring magical realism and was easy to got lost in. Plus it is very short so you could hang out by the fire and read this in one evening.

4) Grave Mercy by Robin LaFevers - This historical fiction is feisty and fun. The characters are really intriguing and the rest of the series is just as good. I want to curl up with this massive book again soon!

5) Sabriel by Garth Nix- I would recommend listening to listening to this audiobook while curled up by the fire. The audiobooks for this series are fantastic, but I can't guarantee Tim Curry's voice won't put you to sleep in that situation! It is so soothing.

    

My Last T5W---> Top Five Retellings! 

December Currently Reading

What am I currently reading? What are you currently reading? Normally I film these posts but this week I have no time to film! So today I'll just cover the books I am reading at the moment.

1) My True Love Gave to Me edited by Stephanie Perkins - These twelve stories have really kick started my reading this month. I've really enjoyed the ones I've read so far and am anxious to finish the rest. I think I only have three or four more!

2) The Accident Season (Audiobook) by Moira Fowley-Doyle (Narrated by Colby Minifie - I just started this one today. I take a walk every day at lunch and have been listening to audiobooks during that time. This is my latest choice and am enjoying it.

3) Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince - Really really need to finish up this book and this series before the end of the year! I've been picking and pecking at this one but not making a lot of progress.

  

The Joy of Christmas Tag

Leading up to Christmas is one of my favorite times of the year. This tag got me even more excited and the questions are a lot of fun to answer!

Links: 

Sam (Novels and Nonsense) 

Original Tag

Happy Reading! 

My TBR Shelf - TBR Tag and Graphs

We talk about TBR (To Be Read) piles an awful lot in the community. Some people make lists for each month of what they will read as a TBR. To me though, the TBR is all of my unread books I own and the books I hope to read someday. Personally, monthly TBRs don’t work for me, but I love to look at my list of books I own to try and decide what I should read next. Amazingly, but not surprisingly, there is a tag all about TBRs and it was so fun to do.  

This post was inspired by The Perpetual Page Turner’s post from last year about TBRs. You can find her post here. She was tagged. I was not and I do not know where the tag came from originally.

How do you keep track of your TBR?

I have two methods to help me keep track of my enormous TBR. I have a shelf on Goodreads for all my owned but unread books. I also have my unread book separated out from my other books. So I have a digital and physical representation of my TBR pile. It is a constant reminder.

Is Your TBR Mostly Print of Ebook?

By a large margin my TBR is print books. While I pick up ebooks regularly, I’ve never read or purchased them as much as I do print books.  

How do you determine what to read next?

I don’t? Usually I don’t end up reading what I think I want to read. It doesn’t make a lot of sense I know. I usually pick out a few books and try them all. Eventually one will stick and I will end up reading that book. I don’t have a decision making process though and TBR lists never work for me.   

My Favorite Sherlock Holmes Stories

Earlier this year I finished my Sherlock Holmes Collection. It took me years but I finally finished the last Sherlock Holmes story in that book. Overall  I really enjoyed the stories and loved reading the book. It was formatted beautifully and I loved carrying it around with me.

When I picked this book up again, it usually took me a few pages to adjust to the writing again. The style is very different than what I'm used to reading. Doyle spends a minimal amount of time on description except when it comes to the crime scenes. The character though are so interesting. I really enjoyed following their adventures.

A Study in Scarlet: 

Synopsis: In the debut of literature's most famous sleuth, a dead man is discovered in a bloodstained room in Brixton. The only clues are a wedding ring, a gold watch, a pocket edition of Boccaccio's Decameron, and a word scrawled in blood on the wall. With this investigation begins the partnership of Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson. Their search for the murderer uncovers a story of love and revenge-and heralds a franchise of detective mysteries starring the formidable Holmes. (From Goodreads)

Why I Loved It: This is where Sherlock and John meet. It is fantastic and so many little things reminded me of the BBC Sherlock series. In this first story Holmes and Watson really hit it off and their fantastic chemistry is born. This one was great!

Review - S. by J.J. Abrams and Doug Dorst

Series: Standalone (an epic one) 
Genre: Mystery
Source: Purchased
Published: Mulholland Books (2013)
Hardcover: 457 pgs
Rating: 4.75 / 5 
Add it // Buy it 

A young woman picks up a book left behind by a stranger. Inside it are his margin notes, which reveal a reader entranced by the story and by its mysterious author. She responds with notes of her own, leaving the book for the stranger, and so begins an unlikely conversation that plunges them both into the unknown.

THE BOOK: Ship of Theseus, the final novel by a prolific but enigmatic writer named V. M. Straka, in which a man with no past is shanghaied onto a strange ship with a monstrous crew and launched onto a disorienting and perilous journey.

THE WRITER: Straka, the incendiary and secretive subject of one of the world’s greatest mysteries, a revolutionary about whom the world knows nothing apart from the words he wrote and the rumours that swirl around him.

THE READERS: Jennifer and Eric, a college senior and a disgraced grad student, both facing crucial decisions about who they are, who they might become, and how much they’re willing to trust another person with their passions, hurts, and fears.

This book was less like a novel and more like experiencing a piece of art. The concept is so unique and it is executed brilliantly. The Ship of Theseus is the basis for the other parts of the story. It is a strange book to read on its own though. While I enjoyed The Ship of Theseus, it was a means to an end for me. During certain parts I was very invested in the characters, but at other points I was frustrated the book seemed to be moving in circles.

I enjoyed reading the margin notes much more. While I was reading this section I was transported and totally wrapped up in the characters, Jennifer and Eric have such a great dynamic and they were my favorite part of this. Their story came alive in the margins of this book. This book gave me a serious book hangover and I was thinking about it long after I finished my many read throughs.

Speaking of which, be prepared to read through this book several times. Even though you may not read every word on every page during each read though, I made my way though the book many times in order to read all the different parts. I'll be posting a reading guide for this, but the different colors of margin notes indicate different points in time. It makes more sense to read all the margin notes of one color before reading the notes of another color.

Because we are not reading from anyone's point of view, I was confused at certain point during Eric and Jennifer's exchanges in the margins.  They write about different events you don't have a reference for. I could piece things together especially with help from the inserts but it interrupted my reading experience several times.

There are so many threads in this book and even after reading through the book six times, I don't think I picked up all the details. As the synopsis mentioned, there are three different storylines and  I would suggest taking notes. I started to feel like the theories and speculation was out of control so I began keeping a list of character. Once I started taking notes to keep track of everyone, I enjoyed myself even more.

Please let me know if you've read this and if you enjoyed it. I don't know anyone who has read it and would love to discuss what you thought of the mystery in the story.


Thoughts While Reading:

Happy Reading!

Book Outlet (and More) Unboxing!

Over the past few weeks I have gone mad shopping. I guess it has been a case of retail therapy to help deal with the stress of the holidays. Plus of course Book Outlet has an amazing sale. I also picked up one book from Amazon and Barns and Noble because they had discount codes on books! How to resist?

Books Mentioned: 

Darcy's Tale Deluxe Edition by Stanley Michael Hurd

Thieftaker by B.D. Jackson

A Plunder of Souls by B.D Jackson 

All the Rage by Courtney Summers

The Mirk in the Midnight Hour by Jane Nickerson

Thieve's Quarry by B.D. Jackson

The Ice Dragon by George R.R. Martin

Forbidden by Kimberley Griffiths Little

The Lost Sun by Tessa Gratton

In Search of Lost Dragons by  Élian Black'mor, Jezequel Carine, Hannah Gorfinkel-Elder

Oblivion by Jennifer L. Armentrout 

Happy Reading! 

Top Five Wednesday - Favorite Retellings

This week Top Five Wednesday is featuring one of my favorite types of stories. Retellings! I enjoy retellings of all sorts and this list will include many different types! Usually I participate in video form but this week I just wanted to do a list of these excellent retellings.

1) For Darkness Shows the Stars by Diana Peterfreund - This is a futuristic dystopian retelling of Persuasion by Jane Austen. It is my favorite Jane Austen retelling that I've read. It gave me all the same feels as Persuasion, but with a unique and interesting twist on the setting and characters.

2) Antigoddess by Kendare Blake - This series doesn't get as much love and attention as I think it deserves. It is not a straightforward retelling, but Blake does incorporate a slew of Greek myths in her story. Basically the Greek gods of legend are dying and have split into factions to try and stop the end of their lives. The books contain a lot of violence and are darker than most of the YA I've read. I enjoy them a lot and cannot wait to read the final book the series.

3) Entwined by Heather Dixon - This is a lovely retelling of the Twelve Dancing Princesses story. I enjoyed the characters and the romance that played out in this book.

4) Beauty by Robin McKinley - Another retelling that really captured my attention! I really enjoyed this book and it is a fantastic retelling of Beauty and the Beast. While the story is familiar it never felt dull or like I knew exactly what would happen. McKinley added a lovely flourish to the story that made me adore it.

5) Cinder (The Lunar Chronicles) by Marissa Meyer - Everyone loves the Lunar Chronicles including me! These retellings of fairytales are based in a futuristic sci-fi setting where tensions are tight between Earth and the Moon while a plague ravages the earth. I love all the fairytale elements in these stories while there are still many surprises and unexpected twists.

    


My Last Top Five Wednesday ----> Top Five Audiobooks