February Wrap-Up

February Wrap-Up!

 

This is a monthly post that I put on so you know what's been happening within the last month and anything major I have in stock for next month, including by my TBR pile. 

So February, eh?

 

Well, for me February has been rather stressful. We started back at school on the 2nd and since then I have had nothing but overloading loads of homework. It has not been very fun. At all.

I haven't been doing much else really. I haven't been shopping or too the movies - though I am dying to see Seventh Son and Jupiter Ascending. Also, I've had barely anytime to read... *sniffles*

Next month, I will hopefully get some more time to relax and actually read.

 

What's been happening this month blogwise?

 

Cover Reveal:

Life is But a Dream

Numbers Game

Consent
  

Extras:
Waiting on Wednesday #11New Releases of Feb, 2015
Versatile Blogger Award
Recommend A... Book With Romance

Help! I'm in a Reading Slump...

 

Reviews:

 

 

Storm Fall (Rebel Wing #2) by Tracy Banghart

We Were Liars by E. Lockhart

 

Read (including reviewed books above):

 

 

17 First Kisses by Rachael Allen

Old Wolf by Avi

Magic Study (Study #2) by Maria V. Snyder

 

 

Full Moon (Dark Guardians #2) by Rachel Hawthorne

When I Dream of You by Rosa Sophie

The Emerald Atlas (The Books of Beginning #1) by John Stephens

 

 

Tomorrow, When the War Began (Tomorrow #1) by John Marsden

Geek Girl (Geek Girl #1) by Holly Smale

Perfect (Pretty Little Liars #3) by Sara Shepard

 

 

February TBR:

What's coming up in the next month? I think I have a few cover reveals planned and lots of reviews that I've planned. I also want to start doing some memes again, namely Top Ten Tuesday, but we'll see.

The Goals? Read all the GBRs for my group this month. I normally only get one read.

What I Plan on Reading:

 

 

 

Cover Reveal: Consent

Cover Reveal for Consent:

 

 

 Author:  Nancy Ohlin

Published: Simon Pulse; 10th November, 2015

 

Links:   Goodreads  |  Pre-order

Description: 

 

Genres: young adult, contemporary

 

Bea has a secret.

Actually, she has more than one. There’s her dreams for the future that she can’t tell anyone — not her father and not even her best friend, Plum.

And now there’s Dane Rossi. Dane is hot, he shares Bea’s love of piano, and he believes in her.

He’s also Bea’s teacher.

When their passion for music crosses into passion for each other, Bea finds herself falling completely for Dane. She’s never felt so wanted, so understood, so known to her core. But the risk of discovery carries unexpected surprises that could shake Bea entirely. Bea must piece together what is and isn’t true about Dane, herself, and the most intense relationship she’s ever experienced, in this absorbing novel from Nancy Ohlin.

 

About the Author:

 

 

Website  |  Facebook  |  Twitter  |  Goodreads

 

I am the author of Beauty, a YA retelling of the Snow White tale, and Always, Forever, a YA retelling of Daphne du Maurier's Rebecca. Always, Forever was originally published in hardcover as Thorn Abbey. I've also contributed to several celebrity novels, including a New York Times-bestselling YA trilogy.

I'm currently hard at work on my next YA novel, which will be as mind-bending as my last one (I hope!).

My favourite cures for writers' block are long walks, long showers, popcorn, chocolate, and really expensive coffee. I talk to myself a lot while I write (you know, to make sure the dialogue zings).

Review: We Were Liars

Review of We Were Liars

by E. Lockhart

 

 

My Thoughts:

 

I have been in a reading slump for a couple of weeks now, stuck in a loop of bad book after bad book after bad book with seemingly no escape. In Search of Sam was exactly the type of book I needed to read to get out that vicious cycle. It was light. It was fun. It was a bit of a "nothing" read but it had great bunch of characters and a great storyline. What I loved most about it was that it didn't really have a plot. That does sound a bit ludcrious but it meant that the story was more focBeneath was a fast paced short story about a girl in Witness Protection. The story itself was very well written but it was so short! The plot was jam-packed with action but rushed and anticlimactic. I liked the protagonist well enough but she was rather gullible and a bit of sheep. There was some romance attempted - which seems pretty ridiculous when you think about it. How can you develop a relationship in thirty pages? I thought they were cute together but I just didn't believe it would have worked out for Anna so easily. Overall, I enjoyed this for what it was but it could have vastly benefited from some development. Note: a copy was provided courtesy of H.B. Moore through Ebooks for Review in exchange for an honest review. No compensation was given or taken during this process.Beneath was a fast paced short story about a girl in Witness Protection. The story itself was very well written but it was so short! The plot was jam-packed with action but rushed and anticlimactic. I liked the protagonist well enough but she was rather gullible and a bit of sheep. There was some romance attempted - which seems pretty ridiculous when you think about it. How can you develop a relationship in thirty pages? I thought they were cute together but I just didn't believe it would have worked out for Anna so easily. Overall, I enjoyed this for what it was but it could have vastly benefited from some development. Note: a copy was provided courtesy of H.B. Moore through Ebooks for Review in exchange for an honest review. No compensation was given or taken during this process. I equally liked and disliked this. I equally feel in love with the characters and wanted to slap them senseless. I equally wanted to weep over the ending and slam the book into the wall of frustration. I have read everyone's reviews, I seen so many vlogs and read countless blog posts and I just don't know what to say. I agree with practically all of the negative and positive reviews - and don't really have much more to add. - I liked the writing style. Personally, I found it abosutley gorgeous. It was pretty, poetic, readable and flowed perfectly. - I didn't like Candence but I enjoyed the other characters. They weren't as shallow as I would have expected them to be but they could have been fleshed out a tiny bit more. - The non-chronological timeline was slightly confusing. - Gat drama just that: needless drama. - The ending. The only other thing I want to say is that I wasn't a fan of the ending - I've seen it done too many times before and it always leaves a sour taste in my mouth. There are always too much confusion afterwards, too many contradictions, unanswered questions... its too messy. At the same time, I'll admit it was kind of beautiful. I did cry because holy shit, the writing is beautiful and it bought back so many painful memories of lost friendships and it really made me feel the feels . There isn't much more to say. A semi-tick of approval. It had me emotionally involved but the ending a big no-no. A copy was provided courtesy of Allen & Unwin Australia, in exchange for an honest review. No compensation was given or taken during this process.

Details:

Series: standalone

Publication: May 13th, 2014

Source: Allen & Unwin Australia

 

 3 stars
 

If you enjoyed this, you might enjoy:

 

 Don't Look Back by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Shadowlands (Shadowlands #1) by Kate Brian

Choker by Elizabeth Woods

Cover Reveal: Numbers Game

Cover Reveal for Numbers Game:

 

 

Author:  Rebecca Rode 

Release Date: March 2015

Links:   Goodreads

Cover Design: Yocla Designs 

Description: 

 

Genre: young adult, dystopia

 

Treena can’t wait for Rating Day. Her high score will mean a life of luxury, showing the world that she’s a valuable member of society, not a pathetic waste of space. It won’t hurt her chances with her top-Rated boyfriend, either. But when the big day arrives, her true number shocks everyone.

 

To get her life — and boyfriend — back, she must go undercover and expose a military spy. Doesn’t sound too hard, except that someone seems to want her dead. And then there’s the mysterious soldier with a haunted past and beautiful brown eyes. Together, they discover a dark numbers conspiracy, one that shatters the nation’s future. They must band together if they are to survive the dangerous game of numbers — and the terrible war that rages within Treena’s heart.

 

About the Author:

 

Website  |  Facebook  |  Twitter

 

By day, I'm a busy mom of four who struggles with housecleaning and cooking. By night... well, I'm still a busy mom of four. But scattered into those rare quiet moments is my life's passion - writing. 

 

My first book, How To Have Peace When You're Falling To Pieces, was released in March 2013. It's a nonfiction quick-fix book for moms whose lives feel as crazy and out of control as mine does - and from what readers are saying, it's fun and entertaining to read. I also write for Deseret News and KSL.com on occasion, and some of my articles have also appeared in Schooled Magazine.

 

Help! I'm in a Reading Slump...

I haven't posted a review in awhile and the reason is pretty simple: I haven't been reading.

 

Gasps. Eyebrow raising. Distant screaming.

 

 

Yes, I know that's pretty weird for me but I have been in a HUGE reading slump these last couple of weeks and I just cannot shake it off. I have tried every book I own and just end up putting it down after a chapter or two, bored. Then I'll try another one, and another one, never settling. I am currently reading four or five books and it just isn't working.

 

This is me asking for your help.

 

I need a book to focus on. The only questions is which one? Help me by letting me know which one I should read next.

You can vote on the poll below (or on my sidebar). Please only the one book you think and then click "vote". In one week's time I'll check back and then I'll read through them in order from highest amount of votes to lowest amount of votes.

Thanks in advance voters!

 

What Should I Read Next?

	We Were Liars by E. Lockhart
	Fire Study by Maria V. Snyder
	The Dead of Night by John Marsden
	Rebel Belle by Rachel Hawkins
	Beautiful Disaster by Jamie Maguire

  Show results

Votes so far: 0
Days left to vote: 6

Recommend A... Book with Romance

Recommend A... Book With Romance!

 

This is the perfect time for this post. Why? Its Valentine's Day!

 

I know that most people don't celebrate this "holiday" - well, at least not here in Australia they don't - but I thought this would a be cute way of spreading the love with my fellow bloggers, and I get to recommend some awesome books at the same time. Its a win-win for all!

 

So I've seen this meme a few times before but haven't been able to trace its origins so I don't have anyone to link back to. If you did create the "Recommed A..." post please just let me know. I don't mean to steal your thunder without crediting you.

 

Anyway, I've split this into categories so if you don't like that particular genre you can skip it. Enjoy and I hope you all find a new book to add to your Valentine's TBR.

 

 

Contemporary Romance:

 

Anna and the French Kiss
by Stephanie Perkins

 

 

Goodreads  |  Amazon

Everything Leads to You 
by Nina LaCour
 

 

Goodreads  |  Amazon

 

This is What Happy Looks Like 
by Jennifer E. Smith

 
Goodreads  |  Amazon

(Sad/Serious) Contemporary Romance:

Love, Lucas
by Chantele Sedgwick

 

Goodreads  |  Amazon 

 

 Girl Saves Boy

by Steph Bowe

 

Goodreads  |  Amazon


Graffiti Moon
by Cath Crowley

Goodreads  |  Amazon

Paranormal Romance:

Wings
by Aprilynne Pike

 

Goodreads  |  Amazon 

 

Shiver

by Maggie Stiefvater

 Goodreads  |  Amazon


Clockwork Angel
by Cassandra Clare

 

Goodreads  |  Amazon

Unearthly
by Cynthia Hand

 

Goodreads  |  Amazon

The Host
by Stephenie Meyer

 

Goodreads  |  Amazon

Love You to Death
by Meg Cabot

 

Goodreads  |  Amazon

Middle Grade Contemporary:

 

Ginger Snaps
by Cathy Cassidy

 

Goodreads  |  Amazon

New Adult Contemporary:

 

In Too Deep
by Eliza Jane

 

Goodreads  |  Amazon
 

Adult Contemporary:

 

Dont Let Go
by Sharla Lovelace

 

Goodreads  |  Amazon

Versatile Blogger Award

Versatile Blogger Award

 

 

Yes, that's right peeps! I have been nominated for the Versatile Blogger Award and let me tell you, I am so very honoured that anyone would think of my little blog to nominate.

 

Many thanks to:

 

Christy and Erica @ Novel Ink

 

... for their nomination.

Please check out these girls' blog (click on the link above), its amazing!

 

 

Rules:

 

The rules are pretty simple:

 

1. Nominate 15 other bloggers relatively new to blogging.

2. Let the bloggers know that you've nominated them.

3. Share 10 random facts about yourself.

4. Thank the blogger who nominated you.

5. Add the Versatile Blogger Award picture to your post.

******* 

 

 

My Nominations for the Versatile Blogger Award:

 

1. Olivia @ Olivia's Catastrophe

2. Danna @ A Reading Habit

3. Evie @ Prescription Fiction

4. Izzy @ The Reading Izzy

5. Lola @ Hit or Miss Books

6. Kate @ Kittens and Books

7. Morrighan Rose @ Elysian Fields

8. Marlleyy @ Butterfly Fly Away Reads

9. Carole @ Carole's Random Life

10. Gloria @ Gloria the Violinist

11. Kate @ On Book and Movies

12. Britt @ Tara Belle Talking

13. Amy @ Tripping Over Books

14. Sarah @ YA Bookaholic

15. Kitty + Fari @ My Little Corner For Books

 

 

10 Random Facts About Myself:

 

1. I am still in high school. Its sucks, I know.

 

2. This is month is my one year blogversary!

 

3. I play piano and clarinet.

 

4. My favourite bands/singers are Imagine Dragons and The Script.

 

5. If a book has werewolves in it, I'll want to pick it up no matter what.

 

6. I am a TV obsessive. I love too many shows to even list but it all started with Ghost Whisperer.

 

7. My OTP is Stucky.

 

 8. I am in a lot of fandoms but I am first and foremost a Potterhead.

 

9. My favourite movies are Captain America: The Winter Soldier, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban and The Imitation Game.

 

10. I love salt and pepper calamari.

 

**

 

Well, that's my Versatile Blogger Award nominations post. Thank you so much to Christy and Erica of thinking of me. I am honoured to receive such an award from peers. Thanks again! 

 

I just want to add a quick thanks to any and all of my followers. I love you all and want to thank you for all your support and comments.