Tuesday, May 31, 2016

May Reads 2016

I tried book blogging before...it didn't work out. I ramble too much. A few years I decided to post once a month with a small blurb about each book I read that month. It works better for me. So much so that I'm going to continue this year. You can click on any picture and it'll take you to the Goodreads page.



Right of First Refusal by Dahlia Adler

I love love love Dahlia and her books. RoFR was no exception. From story to characters to scenery I feel like these girls could be friends and their setting a place I'd like to hang out. Can't wait for the next book in the series. 


The Raven King by Maggie Stiefvater

Wow...this book. This series!!!! I can't believe it's over. I couldn't get through it fast enough. So sad to see it end.


  



Dead Island, Dead Escape and Dead Frozen by Tim Moon

If you're a fan of zombies you'll really enjoy these horror and gore filled books set in beautiful, remote locations. Tim does a wonderful job of mixing friendship and humor with a not so happy outcome.


The 5th Wave, The Infinite Sea and The Last Star by Rick Yancey

The 5th Wave and The Infinite Sea (not sure why pic is backwards, dumb internet) were a re-read for me. I was SO super excited for the Last Star to release this month. And now I wish it would go to that special place where books die. The only other book that has disappointed me this much was Allegiant. So there's that.

All American Boys

All American Boys by Jason Reynolds and Brendan Kiely

Rashad is absent again today. Such ordinary words that grow and gain so much power through this amazingly written, tough story. There's two sides to every story. Which will you be on? Right or wrong? I don't think this book could be read or listened to or discussed enough.

Boys of Summer by Jessica Brody

Best way to describe this is friendship of Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants meets the angst of The Summer Series from a boys POV. I loved it. Each character felt so real and different that the chapters stood out in their own way with each POV change.


The Winner's Kiss by Marie Rutkoski

Now THIS is how you end a series. Though book three dragged a little here or there I overlooked that because the plot made sense, the characters stayed true to themselves and it wrapped up nicely.


The Selection by Kiera Cass

Another re-read (had to before the 5th and final book) and a favorite. I adore this series. I didn't think I would when I first started it but it quickly changed my mind. 


When We Collided by Emery Lord

Can't even breathe (in a good way) after this ending. All emotions were bottled up until he realizes what "how we say goodby" is really about and then they came crashing down. A messy love story, beautifully told.


Tuesday, May 24, 2016

Currently May 24th 2016

To keep up blogging I decided to join Katy Upperman in her CURRENTLY blog posting. Plan to do it every other Tuesday (you can see her original post here).


Loving...


That school is coming to an end. Only 7 days left. Yes, I'm a working mom and my son goes to day care but it is a lot less stressful to drop him off for a day of friends and fun than making sure homework is done and tests are studied for.


Reading...

The Winner's Kiss. I'm going slow. Not ready for the series to end.


Watching...

The OC. I adore this show!


Listening To...


The Last Star by Rick Yancey FINALLY! I downloaded it as soon as I woke up this morning and got started on it.



Thinking about...

Putting yourself out there.


Anticipating...
The weekend! Two three day weekends in a row!! 

Wishing...


 That my house sells.


Making me happy...


Field day! It was fun watching kiddo with his classmates all day. And as long as we were in the shade it wasn't too hot.

 






What's currently making you happy?

Tuesday, May 10, 2016

Currently May 10th 2016

To keep up blogging I decided to join Katy Upperman in her CURRENTLY blog posting. Plan to do it every other Tuesday (you can see her original post here).


Loving...
The past weekend. Saturday was spent with family. Sunday morning kiddo and I went to the beach where I had a vegan carrot cake cupcake for breakfast, followed by a trip to the bookstore and then back to my parents for more family time. 


Reading...

A friend recommended In Her Defense by Julianna Keyes so of course I had to get it, read it and I LOVED it. Followed that up with two re-reads, Last Will and Testament by Dahlia Adler and The Winner's Curse by Marie R. Both so good in their own way. Now I'm working on the companion/sequel to those two.

Watching...

Game of Thrones with the husband. So glad it's back on, even though half the time I'm lost. And Girl Meets World with kiddo. SO bummed that we've already finished season 2. Season 3 needs to hurry up! Oh, I got to catch the Tampa Bay Lightening game Sunday and THEY WON! Next up, Eastern Conference Finals!!!


Listening To...


The Raven King....OMG! THIS BOOK! I have half of the last chapter to go before I had to go to work. UGH.


Thinking about...

Moving. We've put our house on the market as of today and are in the process of looking for land and building. Scary stuff. 

Anticipating...
The weekend! We're going to look at plans for a house and hit up the local minor league base ball game. 

Wishing...


 That field day wasn't canceled. Was all set and ready to go and then rain happened. So not my day.

Making me happy...


Flowers from my dad. He buys all the moms flowers every year and every year my mom yells "I'm not your mutha". I love it.





What's currently making you happy?

Sunday, May 1, 2016

April Reads 2016

I tried book blogging before...it didn't work out. I ramble too much. A few years I decided to post once a month with a small blurb about each book I read that month. It works better for me. So much so that I'm going to continue this year. You can click on any picture and it'll take you to the Goodreads page.



The Dream Thieves by Maggie Stiefvater

I didn't like this book as much as the first the first time around. But I seemed to pick up on a few more things on my second listen. 


Summer Skin by Kirsty Eagar

This book was utterly incredible. The story, the setting, the characters, the WRITING...amazing. I thought Raw Blue was great and then this happens. Jess is one of those characters you can't help but root for. She's imperfect and broken and real. I want to be her best friend. And Mitch, damaged, redeemable Mitch. Must read book. A favorite for sure.


Blue Lily, Lily Blue by Maggie Stiefvater

So much mystery! Second time listening to the series and I picked up on a lot more this time around. I can't wait to see how it ends with The Raven King. 



Always Second Best by Elodie Nowodazkij

Sometimes you read a book thinking this is really good, I'm enjoying this book and then the plot twist smacks you in the face and wow and then it ends and you're thinking how did I not read this sooner all while in tears. That was this book.


In Her Defense by Julianna Keyes

Wow! What a book. Nothing like your friend mentioning a hot IT guy to make you want to read a book. And hot nerd Eli was. I really enjoyed the chemistry between the main characters and the growth they both went through. There was an OH SHIT moment where I wanted to deck Eli. I won't say more.


The 100 Series by Kass Morgan
The 100, Day 21, Homecoming

So different from the show but so good in it's own way. It's more like the book and show have a similar premise and character names, similarities stop there. 


The Winner's Curse by Marie Rutkoski

THIS BOOK! I higly enjoyed it the first time around when it was originally published. I'd heard how crushing the second book was so I waited until I had book three in my hands to start it. Of course I had to do a reread before going 


Last Will and Testament by Dahlia Adler

I absolutely adore this book. This is a re-read for me and a very much enjoyable one. It is full of heartache, friendships, new love and laughter. Dahlia spins such wonderful stories I can't wait to read them all.


The Siren by Kiera Cass

This book was oddly compelling. I wasn't sure at first how I would like it and where the story would take me but in the end I found myself in tears as the heartache came crashing to an end.


The Winner's Crime by Marie Rutkoski

Wow oh wow. There's not much I can say about this book other than it brought so many more questions I can't wait to get answered. I'm not a big fantasy reader but I want more of this.