January: Author of the Month

January has come to an end, and much like the book of the month, now is time to share the author of the month!   WEEE!! 

There were several candidates for this month's choice, but I think I finally settled on one...the one that put me through the most hell through this month when I was reading their books...

P.C. CAST

I'd read three of her books this month and I loved each and every one of them.  I even started following her on Facebook and had several fangirl moments...where I was exactly like this: 

and this

When she liked my comment, and ultimately my status on my facebook page.  SERIOUSLY?! How could I not fangirl? 

January: Book of the Month

It is the end of the month and that means that it is time to reveal my choice for the book of the month! Yeah, I know most try and do this at the beginning of the month...but, since when do I do things like anyone else? I mean, really...me? Like everyone else?  You've forgotten a few things about me haven't you? 

Anyway, enough of that!  Time to get back on topic!  This month's book of the month is....

This book...seriously is absolutely FANTASTIC!  Comically so. I mean, Mark Watney was among the first to step foot on Mars...and there is a very, very good chance he'll be the first person to die on Mars.  There will more than likely be, the "Mark Watney Memorial Crater," somewhere near the landing sight where his crew was.  But, ya know, he'll be remembered of course! 

However, it would seem, he isn't quite ready to give up just yet.  Will his resourcefulness be enough to ensure that he won't die before he can get rescued?  

You'll enjoy this comical and enjoyable book about a man's struggle to survive odds that should actually have killed him.  

Review: Wonder

Title: Wonder
Author: R.J. Palacio
Format: Paperback
Pages: 315
Date(s) Read: November 20-23, 2015
Rating: 4

Summary: 
August Pullman is not your ordinary ten-year-old.  Ordinary kids don't make other ordinary kids run from them on the playground.  Auggie was born with a terrible facial defect.  He's been homeschooled for his whole life, and for the first time he is being sent to a real school.  He wants to be accepted, but will he be? 

Review: 

Wonder is one of those books that will resonate with anyone that reads it.  Anyone who has been bullied while growing up, or is currently still being bullied.  This is a coming of age story, and ultimately it is something that all of us fight with.  Accepting who you are, accepting what you are and being proud of that - no matter what.  No matter your looks, no matter your clothes, no matter your family.  Be proud of who you are and who your family is.  

This book teaches us that, you really shouldn't judge people by initial impressions and appearances.  You have no idea the fights that they fight, the troubles they are dealing with or what truly lies within their hearts.  This book reminds us to strive to be less judgemental.  

Augustus is by far one of my favorite characters, and while the end was a touch neat and shiny for my tastes....I would still highly recommend this book to anyone and everyone.  

This isn't a book with an action packed plot, this isn't a book with a plot that is super exciting.  It doesn't need to be, and doesn't need any major plot twists or turns to make it anymore interesting than it already is.  Some of it was transparent, and I could guess which way things were going to go, but I honestly don't really care.  The writing makes it easy to imagine the world, to make it feel all the more real and you could actually picture the family as a real family you'd want to be a part of. 

Review: The Young Elites

Title: The Young Elites
Author: Marie Lu
Format: eBook (Kindle)
Pages: 336
Date(s) Read: July 21-24, 2015
Rating: 5

Summary: 
Adelina Amouteru is a survivor of the blood fever. Teren Santoro works for the King.  Enzo Valenciano is a member of the Dagger society.  Their lives will collide in unexpected ways.  Adelina wants to believe Enzo is on her side and that Teren is the enemy, but is this the case? 

Review: 

Marie Lu has been one of my favorite young adult authors since I read the Prodigy series.  This one, however, is above and beyond her first series.  I love this, I always have. This was no exception, and I am definitely going to have to get my hands on the second book in the series. 

I think the biggest reason I absolutely love Marie Lu's writing style is because she has a way of taking older tropes and archetypes and giving them a new and unique spin.  The world for this is something that feels almost familiar, and that makes you feel complacent...until the rug is yanked out from under you and the world you know is twisted upside down.  

Adelina Amouterou is a malfetto; marked and ostracized by her community. She survived a virus that killed so many before her.  Her hair, silver, or shock white.  One eye, and a scar to match lost because of the virus.  She is flawed.  That makes her even more likable.  I absolutely adore this protagonist.  Her darkness, her almost anti-hero qualities are absolutely wonderful to me.  

There is more to Adelina than I have already said, at least in small quantities...however to give more away would lend itself to bringing a few spoilers into play and I don't like doing that.  

The Young Elites is both epic in scope and yet full of specific, near poetic detail. The prose provide us a glimpse into Marie's background of design. The ending was absolutely crushing, and unexpected.  I am quite glad that I actually took the time to read this book, and I am looking forward to the continuation of this series. 

BotW: Jan 31-Feb 6: Eleanor & Park

Hello lovelies!!! Guess what, it's Sunday...and you know what that means! It is Book of the Week time!!! YAY!!! *tosses confetti around and giggles*

Forgive me if there is little fanfare with this one, am typing this while sore, but wanted to end the month on a high note and get things done.  My neuropathy is giving me fits. I can live with it, simply because I have to...and have for the last 5-6 years.  Joyous. 

Anyway, enough of that...here is, without further adieu this week's book of the week: 

This book.  All the things.  I am currently reading it, and ultimately I am nearly done with it.  I started yesterday, and despite the fact that holding physical books hurts like hell right now, I am still going to finish this book today.  

I absolutely love the story, and this is not the first book of Rainbow Rowell's that I've read and fallen in love with.  Her writing is fantastic, and I must say this will definitely be one of those books that will stay with me for a while.  I love books like this and will always love books like this and chances are this will be one of my go to reads for a while when I need something and can't quite put my finger on it. 

Eleanor...

Park...

Star-crossed sixteen-year-olds who know that first loves never last, and yet they are brave enough to try.  This is love, set over the course of one school year. 

Review: Throne of Glass

Title: Throne of Glass
Author: Sarah J. Maas
Format: Ebook (Kindle)
Pages: 432 
Date(s) Read: July 6-15, 2015
Rating: 4 (Originally 5)

Summary:
After serving a year of hard labor in the salt mines of Endovier, 18-year-old assassin Celaena Sardothien is dragged home before the Crown Prince.  She's offered her freedom, but on the condition she acts as his champion in a competition to find a new royal assassin.  When her opponents begin turning up dead, it is up to Celaena to find out who is killing them off (if she can) before it's too late. 

Review: 

Okay, in the time it has taken me to review this book, I've opted to give it one less star than I originally gave it at the time.  This, however, does not mean that I enjoyed the book any less.  It was a very good read.  

I was more or less hooked from the very beginning, the plot at least to me wasn't entirely as solid as it could have been.  Little things here and there kept throwing me, and it did give me a bit of a vibe for the Poison Study series by Maria Snyder.  However, it had its moments that pulled it enough away from that series to ensure that it could and would ultimately stand on its own.  Premise, however, does at least to me scream Poison Study because our dear heroine is rescued from prison, given a chance to live, no further charges, however if she fails then there is only death. 

The writing was very good, and I do commend Maas on her talent.  The prose was good, and ultimately I will be finishing the series - hopefully I'll manage to skip over the cliches that tend to abound in her writing and the rest of the series continues to diverge from it's likeness to Poison Study.

Review: White Oleander

Title: White Oleander
Author: Janet Fitch
Format: Paperback
Pages: 446
Date(s) Read: July 21-24, 2015
Rating: 4

Summary: 

Ingrid is a brilliant poet, however, she is also locked up for murder.  Astrid, her daughter goes through a series of Los Angeles foster homes.  Each home a unique experience.  This is the story of their journeys and self-discovery...though mostly Astrid. 

Review: 

This is one of the few books where I've seen the movie before I realized it was a book.  However, I liked the movie and I honestly really, really liked the book.  This book is absolutely stunning, and I can say the same for the movie.  However, this is not the review for the movie...it is for the book. 

There are many reasons I love this book and have often found my thoughts returning to it and the story it offers.  In this day and age, we take so many things for granted.  Home.  Family.  Safety.  In this story, it makes us question how solid these things really are for us.  At any given point we can lose any number of these things, and this ultimately puts things in so much perspective. 

The story in itself is beautifully written.  It almost reads like poetry..almost.  The prose easily draws you in, and forces you to become part of the story.  To follow your own journey of self-discovery along with Astrid.  You can't help but find yourself drawn so effortlessly into the story, to feel the descriptions as if you were living them yourself.  The sweltering heat of the California summer in August. That hot, sweltering breath against your neck...sticky and miserable. 

This, is not an easy read.  Not by any means, and you'll find yourself hardened at times.  However, it is something that should be read.  It is the kind of book that tears you apart, but ultimately puts you back together again...stronger than you were before.  Your heart will ultimately thank you for what you've read.  

#TBT: My First Review

So, when I first started this book blog thing....I never thought it would last this long.  Never thought that it would take off as it has (I've got my base followers and figure it can only go up from here right?).  My first book review was clunky, and I honestly had zero clue as to what I was doing or if I was doing it 'right' or not.  Four years and one day since I posted my very first review over on my old blog site. 

I'd originally set up over on wordpress, Confessions of a Bibliophile was born.  A thought, a whim, and ultimately it became something that I grew to love and adore doing.  Stresses of life not withstanding, I've weathered many a storm and still bounced back and provided quite a bit of reviews and a variety of other things since that very first day.  My blog had originally been a personal one, that I shifted to a book focused blog because my life is so centered around books.  I read as often as I can, and ultimately tried my hand at book reviews. 

So, today, I share with you my first review, for The Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett, which you can read by clicking here.  Since then I have had the opportunity to meet so many fantastic authors and read so many wonderful books. I hope that the next four years bring me many more wonderful experiences and books to read and review!  

Love you all! 

What was your first review?  First author interview?  First experience book blogging? 

Wish List Wednesday: End of the Month Releases

WISHLIST WEDNESDAY!!!

Every booknerd has a wish list...it's usually a synonym for their TBR pile...which as we all know grows exponentially every time another book is read.  Seriously.  God forbid you've read the first book in a new series...EVERY other book that comes out in that series gets added to the TBR pile.  Don't even try to deny it...you are all guilty of it!  I know I am, unashamedly so! 

Anyway, here are some of the books that have come out in the last day or so that have wormed their way onto my wish list (read TBR pile)! 

The Selection is one of my favorite series, and the fact that Kiera Cass has a new book coming out that isn't in the series, makes me happy.  I want to see more from her.  I am still missing a couple of books from the Selection, but I'll fix that eventually.  For now, I want this book...seriously.  The cover is pretty and the premise of the story sounds absolutely fantastic.  

The following is taken from the blurb,

"You must never do anything that might expose our secret. This means that, in general, you cannot form close bonds with humans. You can speak to us, and you can always commune with the Ocean, but you are deadly to humans. You are, essentially, a weapon. A very beautiful weapon. I won't lie to you, it can be a lonely existence, but once you are done, you get to live. All you have to give, for now, is obedience and time..." 

Cannot wait to get my hands on this in print or ebook. 

Charlie Jane Anders is the editor-in-chief over at io9.com and this book has definitely caught my attention.  I am definitely looking forward to this book, I love reading her reviews over on io9.com, and I've not had the privilage of reading any of her books before.  I will have to remedy this situation...seriously!  Beyond that, I think part of the reason this one ended up on my wish list is because the cover is absolutely WONDERFUL.  The birds against the background...really does make it look like birds in the sky.  Sorry, I'm a sucker for a pretty cover...which tends to lead me into trouble with books... but oh well!  

Here's a bit from the blurb - 

But now they're both adults, living in the hipster mecca San Francisco, and the planet is falling apart around them. Laurence is an engineering genius who's working with a group that aims to avert catastrophic breakdown through technological intervention into the changing global climate. Patricia is a graduate of Eltisley Maze, the hidden academy for the world's magically gifted, and works with a small band of other magicians to secretly repair the world's ever-growing ailments. Little do they realize that something bigger than either of them, something begun years ago in their youth, is determined to bring them together--to either save the world, or plunge it into a new dark ages.

What books are you looking forward to? 

Top Ten Tuesday: Series Commitments

Top Ten Tuesday!  Yup, back at it.  Getting things done.  Providing you with lists of my favorite things...things I want...things I just felt like listing...bookish things.  Why?  Because it is what I do! 

Anyway...book series.  Seriously, every time we open a book, we have to get ready to make that commitment! I know I have to be, simply because I have book OCD, and if I start a series, I have to finish it...no matter how many books are in it....I'm looking at you Immortals After Dark series.  

Today's top ten I'm sharing some of my favorite series, what are some of yours?  Let me know in the comments! 

FAVORITE SERIES

10. The Giver Quartet - Lois Lowry

9. Black Dagger Brotherhood - J.R. Ward

8. The Dwellers Saga - David Estes

7. The Kingkiller Chronicles - Patrick Rothfuss

6. Alpha & Omega and Mercy Thompson - Patricia Briggs

5. The Fever Series - Karen Marie Moning

4. Lexy Cooper Mysteries - Christa Charter

3. The Hunger Games - Suzanne Collins

2. The Mortal Instruments/Infernal Devices - Cassandra Clare

1. Harry Potter - J.K. Rowling

Seriously, you have NO idea how hard this list was for me to make.  I have so many series that I absolutely adore, and I could have at least done a top fifteen or twenty without even batting an eye!  

Share your favorite series in the comments! 

Review: The Tiger's Wife

Title: The Tiger's Wife
Author: Tea Obreht
Format: Hardcover
Pages: 338
Date(s) Read: July 1-5, 2015
Rating: 3

Summary:

Grief struck and searching for clues to her grandfather’s final state of mind, she turns to the stories he told her when she was a child. On their weekly trips to the zoo he would read to her from a worn copy of Rudyard Kipling’s The Jungle Book, which he carried with him everywhere; later, he told her stories of his own encounters over many years with “the deathless man,” a vagabond who claimed to be immortal and appeared never to age. But the most extraordinary story of all is the one her grandfather never told her, the one Natalia must discover for herself. 

Review:

Okay, so it has taken me nearly six months to process this book...and figure out what I wanted to say.  That and a few other factors have caused the lapse in my reviews.  However, that is not here or there.  

I flip flopped between 2 and 4 stars for this one, but ultimately settled on 3 as it was a good solid middle ground for where I am sitting with this book.  I like fantasy and I like magical realism, however, this book I'm not entirely sure what to think.  I know there was a lot of hype about this author and her book, but ultimately when I got to reading it...it was, while well written, quite convoluted and at times hard to follow. 

I did enjoy the richness of the Eastern European legends that are interlaced throughout the story.  That was one of my favorite things about this book, however, it was still a bit much at times.  To the point, I'm not, even now sure how to explain myself where this book is involved.  Which is really maddening. 

There is a lot that goes on in this book to be certain, and at times I had to struggle to keep up with it, you have the following things that go on in this story:

• Narrator's Mission with Zora to get medicine to the orphans
• The mystery of the dead body
• the mystery of Grandfather's disappearance and death
• Grandfather's childhood
• The Tiger's Wife
• and the tales of the Deathless Man.

That is a LOT! Also, I feel that some of the folklore got lost or missed by some of the other things that were going on. 

BotW: Jan 24-Jan 30 - Go Set a Watchman - Harper Lee

Hello lovelies!  I realize, I'm a day late, but at least you are getting that pretty little book of the week!   Love you all and not even gonna waste time chattering.  Let's get down to business.  

This week's book of the week is definitely a good one, and one I'm decidedly getting ready to sink my teeth into (after I finish my library books...so super late this month or early next month).  

Go Set a Watchman 

Harper Lee

Okay, everyone who has read To Kill a Mockingbird knows that this book is a good thing.  Seriously.  To know that Harper Lee has published a second book makes me very happy.  I always enjoyed To Kill a Mockingbird even when I read it for high school English.  

This novel is set two decades after To Kill a Mockingbird and we once again get to revisit Atticus Finch when his daughter "Scout" returns home from New York for a visit.  Civil rights tensions are prevalent throughout this story as it takes place during political movements and tensions that helped transform the south during that time period.  

Many of the characters from To Kill a Mockingbird show their faces in this novel, and it provides us with an up close and personal view of Jean Louises' transformation during her bittersweet homecoming.  Secrets are learned, and many things are thrown into question. 

I am anticipating the need for tissues when I ultimately get into this book.  I will more than likely pair it with a re-read of To Kill a Mockingbird which won't take me anytime at all to get through.  

Heads Up!

That gif pretty much sums up how the last 2 weeks or so have been.  A dash of depression tumbled around with a cold, throw in a massive amount of work being a royal pain in the ass, and a few other things that I'd rather not get into and you've got the last few weeks in a nutshell.

My TBR pile has been altered...thanks to trips to the library, because bad things always happen to my library card when I go to the library...Case in point, I stopped in there yesterday, just to go to the bathroom (we were out walking, it was the closest one) and I walk out with a book.  Seriously, I can't even go in there for like 5 minutes without coming without a book.  I have a problem.  Don't get me help...*grins* 

I've finished a few, and I will still get to the books that I own that are on this month's TBR...and chances are that won't be until the end of the month, beginning of next month...but eventually, as usual all the books get cleared out of my TBR at some point (even if they get carried over a week or so).  There is one book that I will be super excited to add to my TBR list and share with you, but I can't do that until next month....sorry lovelies!   But, check out the changes...over there on the TBR list for the month. Anything with an L next to it is a library copy and ultimately moves to priority on the reading list due to ya know, the fact that I have to give it back eventually. 

My goal today is to attempt to wrap up all the reviews for the month, get them scheduled for the right days so check out through the week.  I might push a few through early, I've not decided yet since I've missed about 3 weeks of reviews on about twenty six books.  Not counting the nine books that I have slated for this week (thank you trusty planner for making me feel like a horrible failure for skipping things).  2016 has started kinda bumpy and I'm hoping to get my shit together and ultimately smooth things out.  

So, enough with this rambling and such.  Time to get my butt in gear and slam out some reviews, Top 10 Tuesdays, Wish List Wednesdays, and What's on My Kindle for the week!  I might even throw in some Throwback Thursdays if I'm feeling a bit frisky!  This week will be filled with lots of things for the blog.  First post you should look for is this week's book of the week! 

Lots of love! 

Review: The Society

Title: The Society
Author: William Wilde
Format: E-book
Pages: 289
Date(s) Read: June 30-July 5, 2015
Rating: 3

Summary: A detective investigates a secret women's society linked to unexplained deaths. 

Review: 
I was given a copy of this book by the author in exchange for an honest review.  Thank you for the opportunity to review this book. 

Honestly, not even six months later, and I'm drawing a blank on the majority of this book.  Very little actually stuck with me as to why I gave it three stars.  I must have liked and enjoyed something about it to have given it three stars.  Yet, at the same time I do not honestly have the drive or the desire to read it again.  I know that there was a point where I very nearly added it to my do not finish list, however I pressed forward and actually did finish it.  

There needed to be a bit more development, and it also struck me as a bit too much like Death Becomes Her or something along those lines.  Very rarely has a book left such a non-impression on me.   I hate saying it, but I wish I could truly put my finger on just why I am so very meh about this book. 

BotW: 1/10-1/16: The Wrath & the Dawn - Renee Ahdieh

Welcome to this week's Book of the Week! YAY! Another week where I remembered to do the things I was supposed to...at least this post anyway...and at least I'm starting the week off right then.  ANYWAY! Let us not discuss my failures....or rather my inability to stick to the schedule that I SET UP FOR MYSELF! .... Moving on! 

This week's book of the week is another that is on my current TBR list for January, and that I own and will get to.  Provided I can stop doing bad things to my library card and bringing home more books that have to be read on a deadline.  

Without further adieu....I present to you this week's book of the week...

The Wrath & the Dawn 

Renee Ahdieh

I've actually had this in my possession for a couple of months, as I'd won it from a giveaway on Goodreads...while I'd actually had it checked out to read from the library.  Yeah...see how my luck works sometimes! I've heard good lots and lots of good about this book. I plan on getting to this book at some point this month (as I said above) but as we know I have horrible issues with self restraint when it comes to doing bad things to my library card. 

Anyway...about this book...

Khalid, the Caliph of Khorasan, is a monster. Each night he takes a new bride.  However, each night he has a silk cord wrapped around their throat.  Things are progressing in such away...and ultimately Shahrzad's dearest friend has become one of Khalid's victims.  Now, she is vowing vengeance and her plan involves volunteering to be Khalid's next bride.  She vows to stay alive, but to end his reign of terror once and for all.  

This is a retelling of A Thousand and One Nights, and it is decidedly one that I am looking forward to sinking my teeth into hopefully sometime before the end of the month! I was insanely pleased by winning this book from the publisher from a giveaway.  It is so very pretty to look at! 

Review: As Mad as a Hatter by Catherine Stovall

Title: As Mad as a Hatter: A Short Story Collection
Author: Catherine Stovall
Format: E-book
Pages: 144
Dates Read: November 29-December 1, 2015
Rating: 4.5/5

Summary: Madness is a state of frenzied or chaotic activity.  Twelve short stories.  Six poems.  We are given a delightfully chaotic and frenzied view beneath the top hat that the Hatter wears.  Catherine Stovall's delightfully mad muse. 

Review: 
I was gifted a copy of this short story collection by the author in exchange for an honest review.  Thank you for the opportunity Catherine! 

Where in the hell do I start with this fantastic collection of short stories and poems?  I have absolutely no idea.  Let's see if I can do this collection justice with my review or if I will fall short because I cannot properly find the words to express the nostalgia and reminder of Stephen King and other authors ability to capture and hold my attention with their twisted, beautiful, and insane ideas.  

The narrative is fantastic, the description is picturesque in its quality.  The mental imagery is a kaleidoscope of perfection from the crispness of her descriptive passages.  I greatly enjoy delving into the Hatter's madness every now and then and find myself fancying a trip again soon.  

"Drift Back Home," is one that will forever strike me to the core.  The experiences are known to adults, as well as couples with children, or anyone who has been cracking under the pressure.  The sadness in this tale of hopeful coincidence is what continually draws me back to it.  

"Independence Day," is quite sinister and is decidedly one of my favorites!  Though, "Room Number Four," and "The Queen's Art," will definitely make one a bit more wary of staying in seedy motels, or betraying a person's trust.  

All in all, this collection is one of my favorites and I will perpetually be re-reading it. 

Review: Death Eater Collection by Catherine Stovall

Title: Death Eater (The Complete Collection)
Author: Catherine Stovall
Format: E-book
Pages: 
Date(s) Read: November 25-28, 2015
Rating: 4.5/5

Summary: A story about a girl, a boy and the devil himself.  Thirteen lives are lived.  Twelve deaths mourned.  They have one chance left.  19 year old Vega Williams struggles against the pull and promise of death.  Her protector and guardian Zane strains against the chains of hell.  Both are cursed by Eurynome to live and love and die by their own demons.  Can they save each other and prove that love can survive anything, even death?

Review: 
I was given this collection by the author in exchange for an honest review.  Thank you Catherine for the opportunity to once again delve into this world. 

Story 1: Condemned to Die - 4 stars
This is our introduction to Vera Williams and her guardian Zane.  This is the story that made me fall in love with them.  Hands down.  This is by far a fantastic story of revenge for love, and I continue to re-read it as often as I can because I adore the relationship between Vera and Zane.  There is a lot more I could say about this one, but I'm not for one to give away spoilers.  I would highly recommend delving into this world and falling in love with this couple. 

Story 2: Destined to Live - 4 Stars
This story is Vera's last life.  There has to be a loophole.  There has to be something that can be done.  Zane finds a loophole.  However, the demon does what he does best and proceeds to torment Vera, making her relive each time she'd taken her life...all twelve times.  Then as he is in control, ensures that she wants to end her life thus wasting her last life.  I am all the more in love with Zane and Vera. 

Story 3: Fated to Return - 4.5 Stars
OH. EM. GEE.  I did not expect that conclusion.  Deceptive blurb concerning Vera and Zane's hunt for answers only added to the wonderfulness of this story.  The groundskeeper...interesting little thing that turned into a surprise.  The battle that happened, perhaps could have been a touch grander - but was still awesome none the less.  Despite a couple of things that came up that made me briefly go huh, this book ended up getting the highest rating of the three.  I highly recommend this series to anyone who wants a first glimpse into the work of Catherine Stovall. 

Thank you again for the opportunity to read and review this series! Absolutely loved every moment of it! 

BotW: 1/3-1/9: Welcome to 2016!

So, this week's book of the week has actually been in my possession since November I think.  I got it as an early Christmas gift, and well, have been saving it for 2016, as one of my first books of the year.  I will probably be starting it within the next 2-3 days after I finish the small stack I have from the library.  

I have greatly been looking forward to this book, and it was originally on the top of my wish list, but has now been removed at least in paperback copy (I'd kill for a hardback as well, simply because I'm like that).  Trust me, there will be a review on this one forth coming!  So, are you all curious yet? 

Here is this week's Book of the Week! 

Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe

I am seriously, and one hundred percent anxious to read this book.  I am amazed at myself to have the willpower that I did to hold off on reading it for about 2 months!  Though, to be honest, I've had The Bone Season by Samantha Shannon in my hands for almost 7 months and haven't read it yet (don't judge me!).  

Seriously? Isn't this cover ABSOLUTELY amazing?! I am in love with the intricate detailing around the edges.  I also happen to adore the genre.  Contemporary has given me some serious feels as of late, and I have a feeling that this one will definitely require at least a momentary delve into my box of tissues.  

Here is a bit about this fantastic book if you've not heard anything about it (or have been living under a rock).  

1. Aristotle is an angry teen, whose brother is in prison. 
2. Dante is a know-it-all...with an unusual way of looking at the world. 
3. They are both loners. 
4. Absolutely wonderful things happen when these two loners start spending time with each other! 

Yeah, definitely starting this one very, very soon! 

What's On My Kindle? First 2016 Edition!

Welcome to the first 2016 edition of "What's On My Kindle?"  If it is a new year, that means Christmas has come and gone, and what do I usually get for Christmas (from at least 1 person)...that's right, an Amazon gift card.  What do I get with an amazon gift card? KINDLE BOOKS!  WEEEE!!!  

So yes, there was an influx of Kindle books (though not as many as usual).  I did buy a couple of higher priced books this year that I'd been lusting after so I didn't stretch the gift cards as widely as I usually do.  However, I did get some really good ones that I'm definitely interested in (hopefully) getting to this year. 

1. Glitched (Lexy Cooper Mysteries #4) - Christa Charter
2. The Soulkeepers Series Box Set: Books 1-6 - G.P. Ching
3. Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda - Becky Albertalli
4. Days of Blood & Starlight (Daughter of Smoke & Bone #2) - Laini Taylor
5. Night of Cake & Puppets (Daughter of Smoke & Bone Novella) - Laini Taylor
6. The Dragonfly Season (Streetlights Like Fireworks #2) - David Pandolfe

I know, not a lot of books, but they are ones that I needed, wanted or were missing in various series.  Needed the Lexy Cooper book to finish out the series thus far, needed book 2 in Daughter of Smoke & Bone, the novella was a bonus. I had like one or 2 books in the Soulkeepers series, but honestly could not pass up getting the box set for something like $0.99 now could I? 

So, if you got any Amazon or B&N gift cards this year for Christmas...what did you get? Inquiring minds and all that! 

Books of 2015

2015 is officially gone! Done.  Over.  Yet my TBR pile, much like my waistline has gained a bit in the last twelve months.  Though, I've managed to trim the waistline more than the TBR (because let's face it...I read 1 book, and suddenly 10-15 end up on my TBR list because apparently I've committed myself to a series).  Here, are the books that I've mange to get read during the months of 2015, all 160 of them! 

1. Griefed - Christa Charter

2. One - Kiera Cass

3. House of Mystery, vol. 1: Room and Boredom - Matthew Sturges

4. Lazarus, Vol. 1: Family - Greg Rucka

5. xkcd, vol. 0 - Randall Munroe

6. Become Your Own Bliss - Veronica N. Cuyugan

7. Alice in Zombieland (White Rabbit Chronicles, #1) - Gena Showalter

8. Burned (House of Night #7) - P.C. Cast

9. Witchling (Otherworld/Sisters of the Moon #1) - Yasmine Galenorn

10. The Cuckoo's Calling (Cormoran Strike, #1) - Robert Galbraith

11. Summer Wind - Christa charter

12. The Guild (The Guild #1) - Felicia Day

13. Awakened (House of Night #8) - P.C. Cast

14. The Red Queen (The Cousins' War, #2) - Philippa Gregory

15. Fragile Things - Neil Gaiman

16. Dead Heat (Alpha & Omega #4) - Patricia Briggs

17. Attack on Titan, vol 1 - Hajime Isayama

18. Attack on Titan, vol. 2 - Hajime Isayama

19. Attack on Titan, vol. 3 - Hajime Isayama

20. Ashes (Ashes Trilogy #1) Ilsa J. Bick

21. Blue Bloods (Blue Bloods #1) - Melissa de la Cruz

22. Changeling (Otherworld/Sisters of the Moon #2) - Yasmine Galenorn

23. Darkling (Otherworld/Sisters of the Moon #3) - Yasmine Galenorn

24. A Game of Thrones (A Song of Ice and Fire #1) - George R.R. Martin

25. Eyes Wide Open (The Outlaw Chronicles #1) - Ted Dekker

26. The Collected Poems of Emily Dickinson - Emily Dickinson

27. The Red Hand (Tribe #1) - Kaelyn Ross

28. Clarity (Clarity #1) - Loretta Lost

29. Prince Charming Must Die (The Grimm Chronicles #1) - Isabella Fontaine

30. Hunting (The Hunting Saga #1) - S.M. Hineline

31. Banging The Boy Next Door (The Boy Next Door #1) - Katy Baker

32. Learn Japanese Vocabulary - English/Japanese Flashcards - Animals - Flashcards eBooks

33. Four Days with Hemingway's Ghost - Tom Winton

34. Auschwitz: A Doctor's Eyewitness Account - Miklos Nyiszli

35. Mother Teresa: A Life Inspired - Wyatt North

36. Jack and Djinn (The Houri Legends #1) - Jasinda Wilder

37. the Tragic Fate of Moritz Tot - Dana Todorovic

38. Nikola Tesla: Imagination and the Man That Invented the 20th Century - Sean Patrick

39. A Lil Nasty Book (An Urban Novella) - Ben Harris Jr. 

40. The Unscheduled Stops - Sinead MacDughlas

41. Unfriend Yourself - Kyle Tennant

42. The Labyrinth - Kenneth McDonald

43. Eighth Grade Bites (The Chronicles of Vladimir Tod, #1) - Heather Brewer

44. The Wizard of Time (The Wizard of Time #1) - G.L. Breedon

45. Roasting in Hell's Kitchen - Gordon Ramsay

46. Feast, Stray, Love (#1 Feast) - Kevin Anthony

47. Hoo-Doo Country Horrors - Jonathan Moon 

48. The Pursuit of Happiness: 21 Spiritual Rules to Success - Jennifer O'Neill

49. Soul Enchilada - David Macinnis gill

50. The Demon's Lexicon (The Demon's Lexicon #1) - Sarah Rees Brennan

51. 3500: An Autistic Boy's Ten-Year Romance with Snow White - Ron Miles

52. The Somali Doctrine - James Grenton

53. A Child al Confino: The True Story of a Jewish Boy and His Mother in Mussolini's Italy - Enrico Lamet

54. Tales from the Crib - Jennifer Coburn

55. Champion (Legend #3) - Marie Lu

56. Virtuosity - Jessica Martinez

57. Under the Never Sky (Under the Never Sky #3) - Veronica Rossi

58. So Long, Lollipops (An Until the End of the World Novella, #1.5) - Sarah Lyons Fleming

59. Cupcakes, Trinkets, and Other Deadly Magic (The Dowser, #1) - Meghan Ciana Doidge

60. The Silver Linings Playbook - Matthew Quick

61. Wetter - Harper Bliss

62. Beautiful Creatures (Caster Chronicles, #1) - Kami Garcia

63. The Shadow in the Garden - Braden McElroy

64. The Slow Regard of Silent Things (The Kingkiller Chronicle #2.5) - Patrick Rothfuss

65. The Moon Dwellers (The Dwellers #1) - David Estes

66. Anna and the French Kiss (Anna and the French Kiss, #1) - Stephanie Perkins

67. Chomp - Carl Hiaasen

68. Grave Witch (Alex Craft #1) - Kalayna Price

69. Mr. Mercedes (Bill Hodges Trilogy #1) - Stephen King 

70. The Miseducation of Cameron Post - Emily M. Danforth

71. Cinder (The Lunar Chronicles, #1) - Marissa Meyer

72. The Journal of Curious Letters (The 13th Reality, #1) - James Dashner

73. Shatter Me (Shatter Me, #1) - Tahereh Mafi

74. Fablehaven (Fablehaven #1) - Brandon Mull

75. The Tiger's Wife - Tea Obreht

76. The Society - William Wilde

77. Prudence (The Custard Protocol, #1) - Gail Carriger

78. Landline - Rainbow Rowell

79. Across the Universe (Across the Universe #1) - Beth Revis

80. A Million Suns (Across the Universe #2) - Beth Revis

81. Throne of Glass (Throne of Glass #1) - Sarah J. Maas

82-104. StepShifter books - Ophelia Sikes

105. If I Stay (If I Stay #1) - Gayle Forman

106. Bittersweet - Sarah Ockler

107. White Oleander - Janet Fitch

108. The Young Elites (The Young Elites #1) - Marie Lu

109. The Sisterhood of the Travelling Pants (Sisterhood, #1) - Ann Brashares

110. Unravel Me (Shatter Me #2) - Tahereh Mafi

111. The Giver (The Giver Quartet #1) - Lois Lowry

112. Fangirl - Rainbow Rowell

113. Soulless (Parasol Protectorate, #1) - Gail Carriger

114. The Lost Days (Emily the Strange Novels, #1) - Rob Reger

115. Dark Times (Emily the Strange Novels #1) - Rob Reger

116. A Midsummer Night's Scream - R.L. Stine

117. Speak - Laurie Halse Anderson 

118. Without Tess - Marcella Pixley

119. Every Day (Every Day #1) - David Levithan

120. The Drafter (The Peri Reed Chronicles #1) - Kim Harrison

121. Me and Earl and the Dying Girl - Jesse Andrews

122. The Night Children - Kit Reed

123. In the Path of Falling Objects - Andrew Smith

124. Attic Clowns: Complete Collection - Jeremy C. Shipp

125. All the Bright Places - Jennifer Niven

126. The Last Donut Shop of the Apocalypse - Nina Post

127. Stork (Stork #1) - Wendy Delsol

128. Enclave (Razorland, #1) - Ann Aguirre

129. The Darkest Minds (The Darkest Minds #1) - Alexandra Bracken

130. Fairest (The Lunar Chronicles, #3.5) - Marissa Meyer

131. The 5th Wave (The 5th Wave, #1) - Rick Yancey

132. A Monster Calls - Patrick Ness

133. The Initiate (Divergent, #0.2) - Veronica Roth

134. The Son (Divergent, #0.3) - Veronica Roth

135. The Traitor (Divergent, #0.4) - Veronica Roth

136. The Transfer (Divergent, #0.1) - Veronica Roth

137. The Demon King (Seven Realms, #1) - Cinda Williams Chima 

138. Confess - Colleen Hoover

139 As You Wish: Inconceivable Tales from the Making of The Princess Bride - Cary Elwes

140. Beautiful Darkness (Caster Chronicles, #2) - Kami Garcia

141. The Miniaturist - Jessie Burton

142. These Broken Stars (Starbound, #1) - Amie Kaufman

143. Since You've Been Gone - Morgan Matson

144. Wonder - R.J. Palacio

145. Mr. Penumbra's 24-Hour Bookstore (Mr. Penumbra's 24-Hour Bookstore #1) - Robin Sloan

146. Colorless Tsukuru Tazaki and His Years of Pilgrimage - Haruki Murakami

147. A Tree Grows in Brooklyn - Betty Smith

148. Dragon's Oath (House of Night Novellas #1) - P.C. Cast

149. The Bazaar of Bad Dreams: Stories - Stephen King

150. Lenobia's Vow (House of Night Novellas #2) - P.C. Cast

151. Neferet's Curse (House of Night Novellas #3) - P.C. Cast

152. Dark Places - Gillian Flynn

153. Asylum (Asylum #1) - Madeline Roux

154. Chinese Cinderella: The True Story of an Unwanted Daughter - Adeline Yen Mah

155. Rags & Bones: New Twists on Timeless Tales - Melissa Marr

156. Boy Meets Boy - David Levithan

157. The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas - John Boyne

158. The Queen of the Tearling (The Queen of the Tearling #1) - Erika Johansen

159. Etiquette & Espionage (Finishing School #1) - Gail Carriger

160. Red Rising (Red Rising Trilogy, #1) - Pierce Brown