Posts

Black Bird of the Gallows by Meg Kassel

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Source: Local Indie Pub Date: September 5th, 2017 Publisher: Entangled Teen Series: N/A Format: Finished Copy    I can't believe 2018 is finally here! Black Bird of the Gallows by Meg Kassel was my first full read of the new year!  I am still making my way through Oathbringer and my re-read of Red Rising !  I first saw this book being showcased at BookCon last June.  I was waiting in line for a signing at the Entangled Teen booth and the cover caught my eye.  I wasn't able to get a copy at the Con, but when my local bookstore had it on the shelf, I snatched it up!      I am teetering between a 3.5 or a 4-star rating for Black Bird of the Gallows .  The magical realism or magical contemporary (if that is a thing) really made me think of Twilight .  There was some dialogue that instantly made me think of the awkward pauses and stares in the movie that Edward and Bella exchange.  It's not entirely a bad thing, however, I think that style of writing detracte

Beat The Back List 2018

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            December is here which means 2018 is knocking on our door!  I felt that I muddled through 2017, especially once summer hit.  I didn't read as much, and even when I tried to get back into it, my heart wasn't there.  I am determined to change that for next year and the best way to get me on track - Beat the Back List 2018! Austine is a champ for hosting this challenge.  She created this challenge when noticing her TBR was filled with new and unreleased titles (so is mine).  Backlist titles get overshadowed by hot new titles, especially with 3-4 new YA titles being published every Tuesday.  Interested in joining?! You can  sign up here !    You can check out what books I have on my BTB '18 TBR on my  Goodreads ! I plan on re-reading many titles as well since many series are concluding or have follow up novels published in the upcoming year!  I am super excited and hope that I can show lots of love to some different titles!  I think an ACOMAF re-read is in

ARC Review: As You Wish by Chelsea Sedoti

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Source: Boston Teen Author Festival Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire Pub Date: Jan. 2nd, 2018 Series: N/A Format: Physical ARC         As You Wish by Chelsea Sedoti has blended contemporary fiction and fantasy in a curious, yet heartbreaking tale about the power of wishes. I was really intrigued by this "coming of age" story. In Madison, you get one wish on your 18th birthday. Most families want their children to wish for money. For them, it is the solver of all their burdens. However, if you don't wish for money, what will happen to you in 10 or 20 years.        I enjoyed Sedoti's writing style and how the book was mapped out. As the story was told through the main character, Eldon, it counted down to his wish day. Interspersed was a "wish history" of several supporting characters. I looked forward to those segments because it brought a deeper understanding of the power these wishes held. For some it was their only means of escape, for others it was

So What's Going on With Book Blogging?

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     I have been trying to find the words to describe my unexpected hiatus.  I've tried to write this blog post for at least three weeks and finally, I put my foot down.  If I am being realistic, this slump came after BookCon.  Even though I was in a place I felt so inspired, some of the behavior and lines I saw discouraged me.  I suddenly became very unhappy with the old blog.  I used Wix and while it is a fantastic site, it's not the greatest for blogging.  When I settled on Blogger, I felt more motivated.  It was the simple, yet still kept my theme. That was back in August... here we are halfway through October!  I want to get back into blogging and posting on Instagram.  I miss the interactions I would have with my followers and chatting about books! There are some things that are still getting in the way of my return.     I feel the need to address the negatives about my book blogging.  So this is me, calling myself out. 1.) I have ARC envy.  How can you not when scores

ARC Review: Flashfall by Jenny Moyer

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Source: Netgalley Publisher: Henry Holt & Co.  Pub Date: November 15th, 2016 Series: N/A Format: e-ARC ~Review originally posted September 8th, 2016~       I received a free copy of this title from NetGalley and Henry Holt & Co Publisher in exchange for honest feed back.   I don’t know if I will be able to put into words how much I loved this book.  Moyer has created an amazing story of destruction, magic, love, and survival, that tugged at my heart.  I got really excited to read this book when I participated in a twitter chat hosted by Brittany’s Book Rambles.  She had some swoony teaser graphics that just about made me fall out of my chair.  I wondered to myself why I hadn’t picked this book up sooner!  I think it is safe to say this has been one of my favorite books of 2016.           Dystopian fiction is a serious weak spot for me.  The world Orion and Dram, our main characters, live in is SCARY.  Radioactivity has ravaged the planet making it almost un

ARC Review: Invictus by Ryan Graudin

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Source: BookCon Pub Date: September 26th, 2017 Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers Series: N/A Format: Physical ARC      Invictus was one of the few ARCs I picked up while I was at BookCon in June.  I tried my best to hold it during the last few chapters and not give my boyfriend (who was sitting next to me) a reason to laugh at my blubbering self.  This novel was utter science fiction perfection! Add this to your Goodreads TBR IMMEDIATELY! (if it is not already on there!)       These main characters are the ultimate time travelers.  Together they travel back to any time period to snatch exquisite items such as wine or art.  It is then sold on the "not so black market" to wealthy upper-class citizens.  One aspect I loved about this novel is the futuristic Roman setting.  While many science-fiction novels take place on wondrous spaceships or other planets, we get a glimpse into what other parts of the world may look like in the future.  AKA somethi