2015 End of the Year Survey

This survey is hosted by Jamie @ The Perpetual Page Turner, and it highlights your bookish and blogging year. I saw it on Rachel's blog (A Perfection Called Books) and thought it looked like a good way to wrap up the year.

~2015 Reading Stats~

Number of Books You Read: 54

Number of Re-Reads: 1

Genre You Read the Most From: fantasy

~Best in Books~

1. Best Book You Read in 2015?

Contemporary: All the Bright Places by Jennifer Niven
Fantasy: The Wrath and the Dawn by Renee Ahdieh
Sci-Fi: Illuminae by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff

2. Book You Were Excited About and Thought You Would Love But Didn't?

Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard or To All The Boys I Loved Before by Jenny Han (I didn't hate them, but I didn't like them as much as I thought I would)

3. Most Surprising (in a good or bad way) Book You Read?

A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas or Illuminae by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff—both in a good way!

4. Book You "Pushed" the Most People to Read (and they did)?

The Wrath and the Dawn by Renee Ahdieh, although I'm pretty sure most people didn't need me pushing it on them since it has such high (and well-deserved) praise.

5. Best Series You Started in 2015? Best Sequel of 2015? Best Ender of 2015?

Series Starter: The Wrath and the Dawn by Renee Ahdieh

Sequel: The Rose Society by Marie Lu

Series Ender: Endure by Sara B. Larson

6. Favorite New Author You Discovered in 2015?

Renee Ahdieh and Sabaa Tahir

7. Best Book From A Genre You Don't Typically Read/Was Out of Your Comfort Zone?

Illuminae by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff

8. Most Action-Packed/Thrilling/Unputdownable Book of the Year?

Illuminae by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff

9. Book You Read in 2015 that You Are Most Likely to Re-read Next Year?

I don't normally re-read books (as seen in my reading stats above), so I don't really have any re-reading plans for 2016.

10. Favorite Cover of a Book You Read in 2015?

Endure by Sara B. Larson (photos don't even do it justice)

11. Most Memorable Character of 2015?

Magiano from The Rose Society. He is so quirky and delightful to read about, and he has somehow managed to make his way into my extremely elite list of book boyfriends (current member count: 7)

12. Most Beautifully Written Book Read in 2015?

Definitely The Wrath and the Dawn by Renee Ahdieh. That book was absolutely stunning.

13. Most Thought-Provoking/Life-Changing Book of 2015?

All the Bright Places by Jennifer Niven or The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky

14. Book You Can't Believe You Waited Until 2015 to Finally Read?

Crown of Midnight by Sarah J. Maas

15. Favorite Passage/Quote From a Book You Read in 2015?

“Some things exist in our lives for but a brief moment. And we must let them go on to light another sky.” - Renee Ahdieh, The Wrath and the Dawn

16. Shortest and Longest Books You Read in 2015?

Shortest: The Old Man and the Sea by Ernest Hemingway (128 pages)

Longest: Illuminae by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff (599 pages)

17. Book that Shocked You the Most?

Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe

18. OTP of the Year (you will go down with this ship!)

Shazi and Khalid (The Wrath and the Dawn by Renee Ahdieh)

19. Favorite Non-Romantic Relationship of the Year?

Enzo and Raffaele (The Young Elites by Marie Lu)

20. Favorite Book You Read in 2015 From an Author You've Read Previously?

Crown of Midnight by Sarah J. Maas, A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas, or The Young Elites / The Rose Society by Marie Lu

21. Best Book You Read in 2015 Based SOLELY on a Recommendation From Somebody Else/Peer Pressure?

I don't really think anyone pressured me into reading anything. I mean, there were people strongly suggesting that I read Crown of Midnight, but I would have picked it up anyway. They catalyzed my reading of the book more than they peer pressured me into reading it.

22. Newest Fictional Crush From a Book You Read in 2015?

Khalid (The Wrath and the Dawn), Enzo (The Young Elites), Magiano (The Rose Society)

23. Best 2015 Debut You Read?

The Wrath and the Dawn by Renee Ahdieh

24. Best Worldbuilding/Most Vivid Setting You Read This Year?

The Wrath and the Dawn by Renee Ahdieh

25. Book that Put a Smile on Your Face/Was the Most FUN to Read?

The Amazing Book is Not on Fire by Dan Howell and Phil Lester

26. Book that Made You Cry/Nearly Cry in 2015?

Ummm... more than five books I read this year made me cry. But I absolutely BAWLED when I read All The Bright Places by Jennifer Niven. No shame.

27. Hidden Gem of the Year?

This book was published over twenty years ago, but I read A Lesson Before Dying by Ernest J. Gaines over the summer for summer reading, and was so glad I discovered it

28. Book that Crushed Your Soul?

All the Bright Places by Jennifer Niven

29. Most Unique Book You Read in 2015?

Illuminae by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff

30. Book that Made You the Most Mad (doesn't necessarily mean you didn't like it)?

Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe or A Lesson Before Dying by Ernest J. Gaines

~Your Blogging/Bookish Stats~

1. New Favorite Book Blog You Discovered in 2015?

Since I just started blogging this year, I discovered so many amazing blogs, so I can't choose!

2. Favorite Review You Wrote in 2015?

Probably my review for An Ember in the Ashes since it was really fun to write and it was my first review I posted on my blog!

I also really loved my review for Red Queen since it was my first GIF review, which ended up being somewhat of a normal review. I didn't realize how much GIFs could help spark ideas for what I wanted to write!

3. Best Discussion/Non-review Post You Had on Your Blog?

On Reading in Order (Whether It is a Series or Not)

4. Best Event that You Participated In (author signings, festivals, virtual events, memes, etc.)?

BookCon 2015!

5. Best Moment of Bookish/Blogging Life of 2015?

Creating Project Serendipity with Claire, Aila and Ava and seeing how many and how quickly everyone signed up! We ended up having 70 people sign up, which is absolutely crazy! I definitely have to give credit to Claire for coming up with the fantastic idea.

6. Most Challenging Thing About Blogging or Your Reading Life This Year?

Definitely juggling school, reading, and blogging. So much to do, so little time to do it.

7. Most Popular Blog Post This Year on Your Blog (whether it be by comments or views)?

Project Serendipity (121 views)

8. Post You Wish Got a Little More Love?

A Court of Thorns and Roses (Review)

9. Best Bookish Discover (book related sites, bookstores, etc.)

BookedYouUp (Etsy), Happy Hello Co. (Etsy), Evie Seo (Society 6), The Strand (Bookstore)

10. Did You Complete Any Reading Challenges or Goals that You had Set For Yourself at the Beginning of This Year?

No, not really. I "completed" my Goodreads challenge, but probably half of the books I counted were manga or Wattpad stories. Not that I have anything against manga and Wattpad (I actually love it), but they are much quicker reads than a normal novel would be. And I signed up for a ton of other challenges that I failed miserably, but it's okay. I'll do better in 2016.

~Looking Ahead~

1. One Book You Didn't Get to in 2015 But Will Be Your Number 1 Priority in 2016?

There are so many, but if I have to choose one, I'd say Carry On by Rainbow Rowell. I was really looking forward to reading it, but never got around to it.

2. Book You are Most Anticipating For 2016 (non-debut)?

Truthwitch by Susan Dennard and Passenger by Alexandra Bracken

3. 2016 Debut You are Most Anticipating?

I couldn't narrow it down to just one, but my Top Three are probably The Girl from Everywhere by Heidi Heilig, The Star-Touched Queen by Roshani Chokshi, and The Crown's Game by Evelyn Skye!

4. Series Ending/a Sequel You are Most Anticipating in 2016?

The Rose and the Dagger by Renee Ahdieh and Gemina by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff

5. One Thing You Hope to Accomplish or Do in Your Reading/Blogging Life in 2016?

Read more! I'm aiming for 75 books for 2016, even though I just scraped the 50-book mark for this year. I have big aspirations for the new year.

6. A 2016 Release You've Already Read & Recommend to Everyone?

The only 2016 release I've read so far is Reign of Shadows by Sophie Jordan. It's definitely a unique take on a classic fairytale, so I'd definitely recommend it!

December Wrap-Up

I hope you all had a lovely holiday and have a happy New Year! Between the holidays and a lot of gift cards, I got a lot of books this past month that I'm super excited to show you all. Unfortunately I did not do as much reading as I hoped this month, but that's okay.

DECEMBER HAUL

Bought (pre-holiday haul)
- Sakura Hime, Vol. 1 by Arina Tanemura

Gifted
- Vicious by V.E. Schwab
- The Orphan Queen by Jodi Meadows
- Carry On by Rainbow Rowell
- Zodiac by Romina Russell
- The Amazing Book is Not on Fire by Dan Howell and Phil Lester
- Sakura Hime, Vol. 2 by Arina Tanemura
- preorder of Truthwitch by Susan Dennard
- preorder of Passenger by Alexandra Bracken

Bought (post-holiday haul)
- Sakura Hime, Vol. 3 by Arina Tanemura
- Sakura Hime, Vol. 4 by Arina Tanemura
- Endure by Sara B. Larson

DECEMBER READING

Read:
- The Rose Society by Marie Lu (review coming soon!)
- The Amazing Book is Not on Fire by Dan Howell and Phil Lester (such a fun read! No review, but I highly recommend it if you love Danisnotonfire and AmazingPhil on YouTube!!)
- Sakura Hime, Vol. 1 by Arina Tanemura
- Sakura Hime, Vol. 2 by Arina Tanemura
- Outspoken by Lora Richardson (review here!)
- Endure by Sara B. Larson (devoured it in one day, review to come!)
- Sakura Hime, Vol. 3 by Arina Tanemura
- Sakura Hime, Vol. 4 by Arina Tanemura

Currently Reading:
- Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain (for school)
- The Color of Water by James McBride (also for school but really enjoying it so far)
- Vicious by V.E. Schwab (THIS BOOK IS PHENOMENAL)

~Alexandra

Waiting on Wednesday (27)

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that you are eagerly anticipating.

Ever the Hunted by Erin Summerill
Genre: Young Adult/Fantasy
Publisher: Harcourt Children's Books
Publication Date: December 27, 2016

About Ever the Hunted (via Goodreads):

Seventeen year-old Britta Flannery is at ease only in the woods with her dagger and bow. She spends her days tracking criminals alongside her father, the legendary bounty hunter for the King of Malam—that is, until her father is murdered. Now outcast and alone and having no rights to her father’s land or inheritance, she seeks refuge where she feels most safe: the Ever Woods. When Britta is caught poaching by the royal guard, instead of facing the noose she is offered a deal: her freedom in exchange for her father’s killer.

However, it’s not so simple.

The alleged killer is none other than Cohen McKay, her father’s former apprentice. The only friend she’s ever known. The boy she once loved who broke her heart. She must go on a dangerous quest in a world of warring kingdoms, mad kings, and dark magic to find the real killer. But Britta wields more power than she knows. And soon she will learn what has always made her different will make her a daunting and dangerous force.

This book sounds absolutely FANTASTIC. Okay, so I'll admit that maybe I was first attracted to the drop-dead gorgeous cover, but the synopsis definitely does not disappoint. I love a good betrayal story and am super excited to see how powerful Britta is, as well as how dark the magic and how mad the kings really are in the story. I can't believe this book doesn't come out for another year!

Most Anticipated Releases For The First Half of 2016 - Top Ten Tuesday #6

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish. This week's topic is "Top Ten Most Anticipated Releases For The First Half of 2016".

1. Truthwitch by Susan Dennard

2. Passenger by Alexandra Bracken

3. The Rose and the Dagger by Renee Ahdieh

4. A Torch Against the Night by Sabaa Tahir

5. A Court of Mist and Fury (A Court of Thorns and Roses #2) by Sarah J. Maas

6.  The Crown's Game by Evelyn Skye

7. The Star-Touched Queen by Roshani Chokshi

8. The Girl from Everywhere by Heidi Heilig

9. Blackhearts by Nicole Castroman

10. And I Darken by Kiersten White

Outspoken (Review)

Outspoken by Lora Richardson
Genre: Young Adult/Contemporary
Publication Date: August 16, 2015
Format/Source: digital copy from the author

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Find it on Goodreads | Amazon

About Outspoken:

Penny Beck is a girl who says yes when she means no.  She keeps to herself, follows the rules, and does what she’s told.  After a disastrous experience with her boyfriend, she's determined to change from the spineless person she’s always been into the strong woman she wants to become.  All she needs is a little practice.  

On a cross-country trip to check on her grandpa, she strives to become bolder and more outspoken with the strangers she meets.  Penny's plan is to practice saying and doing what she wants without worrying about what anyone else thinks.

Then she meets Archer, an introspective loner to whom she finds herself drawn.  She realizes she does care what he thinks, very much. Will Penny be able to stick to her plan, or will she revert back to her people-pleasing ways?

Outspoken was nice and quick read. It took a few chapters for me to get into the story, but I overall enjoyed it.

My favorite part of the novel was definitely the characters. They all had such unique backstories and personalities, and it was really interesting to learn about their quirks. On the other hand, however, their interactions with each other were a bit forced and the flow seemed a bit off. Speaking of which, the chapters sometimes cut off in the middle of a conversation. I understand why a specific line was chosen, as it packed a punch, but at the same time I was waiting for an argument or some sort of conclusion to the conversation and it never came.

I liked the idea of the story, as I could connect to the main character, Penny, in many ways. However, the story seemed a bit rushed and although I could see the changes in Penny, I would have liked to see a bigger character arc and a more gradual change. For a majority of the story, I thought she was pretty outgoing and successful, with only the occasional struggle in her "No Quest".

The romance was okay, but I thought it was a bit abrupt. I think Penny and Archer were good together, but it did seem a bit instalove-y to me. Perhaps I just did not have a good sense of time in the novel though, as months went past when I thought only days had. Maybe that was my own problem for not keeping track, but it was a bit difficult to tell the shift in time throughout.

There were a few things that threw me off guard, like the mention of rape and drugs a few times throughout the story. This did unnerve me, so I'd definitely be wary if those types of things bother you. It is not a huge part of the story, and it is not too graphic, but just be cautious.

All in all, Outspoken was a decent read. It did not blow me away, but I still ended up liking it enough. I would still recommend giving it a try if you like the sound of the story, it just was not quite the book for me.

My Rating: ✪✪

December SST: Interview with Ryan Dalton, Author of The Year of Lightning

The Year of Lightning by Ryan Dalton

Series: The Time Shift Trilogy #1

Genre: Young Adult

Publication Date: December 8, 2015

About The Year of Lightning: 

When 15-year-old twins Malcolm and Valentine Gilbert moved to a new town, they never imagined that the old house across the street could bring them so much trouble. A secret machine has reawakened inside, with the power to pierce time itself.

Meanwhile, lightning storms are breaking out all over town. They’re getting worse every week, and seem to enjoy striking kids who just want to pass science class and mind their own business. When Malcolm and Valentine discover a connection between the house and the storms, their situation goes from mysterious to crazy stupid dangerous. Someone is controlling the great machine, and their purpose is nearly complete.

In a race against time, the twins must uncover the chilling plan, the mastermind behind it, and the force that’s driving the deadly storms. They’ll hunt a powerful enemy that threatens their town’s existence, and the only clues are written in the sky.

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INTERVIEW

1. What was your inspiration for The Year of Lightning?

One day, a picture popped into my head and I couldn't stop thinking about it. I saw an old, abandoned house with no doors, only windows. No way in or out. Then I envisioned walking by that creepy old house and seeing a face in the window, staring right at me.

I kept asking questions about that person, how they got in there, what they were doing, and as I answered those questions the story for The Year of Lightning was born. It's been described as "Monster House meets Back to the Future."

2. Do you listen to music when you write? If yes, do you have a specific playlist for The Year of Lightning?

Music is a huge part of my creative process. I make playlists for every book, and the songs help me develop scenes and find their rhythm. In fact, making a playlist of one of my earliest stages of story building. The playlists consist of all types of music, whatever is speaking to me at the moment, everything from instrumental soundtracks to rock. Even as I type this, I'm listening to music from Doctor Who.

When I do the actual writing, though, I rarely listen to music with lyrics or heavy beats because I find it distracting. So I'll usually listen to very chill relaxation music or thunderstorm sounds. I'm a huge fan of RainyMood.com, especially since we don't get much actual rain here in the desert.

3. Without spoilers, what was your favorite scene to write?

Hmm this is a tough one, but there's a scene later in the book where two unlikely side characters gain an unexpected victory. That was probably my favorite scene to write. Second favorite would be a scene at about the midpoint of the book, where two characters have a very open and honest moment with each other.

4. Which character was the most enjoyable to write?

Tough choice again, as they're all rewarding in different ways. The most fun to write, though, is a supporting character named Fred Marshall. He's mouthy and overconfident, but carries more depth than he reveals at first. He often injects much-needed levity and light into tense, emotional situations.

5. Is there a specific reason why you chose twin protagonists?

When I came up with the idea, the characters started talking to each other in my head almost immediately, and that's what sold me on it. I loved their interplay, and it was fun exploring what their similarities and differences might be. While I developed more ideas for the trilogy, they became dependent on that twin dynamic, until I could no longer envision this story through just one protagonist's point of view. Nothing else but twins felt right. As the trilogy progresses, readers will see that connection and all it involves becoming more and more important in the story.

6. Describe your book in five words or less.

Lightning is rarely cooperative.

7. When did you decide to become an author?

I remember saying at seven or eight years old that I was going to write books. I had always loved to read so much that it was never even a question. It always felt natural and inevitable—I wanted to write and knew it would happen. Of course, when eight-year-old me announced that to adults, they had a good laugh. I remember being confused and wondering why they thought it was funny. Even at that age, I was serious about it. It took some years to make it to publication, but the road has definitely been worth it, and so far it's been as awesome as I'd hoped for all those years.

8. What is your favorite part about being an author?

Hearing someone say they loved the book is pretty hard to beat. When they get excited about a plot point, or express strong feelings about a character like they're a real person, or even comment on elements of my system of time manipulations, it hits me that I'm doing what I've always wanted to do. Writing books and knowing people enjoy them is a pretty tough feeling to beat.

There's also something I've heard mathematicians talk about. They call it getting a "math high," where the calculations happen so beautifully and the work is so satisfying that it gives them a huge endorphin rush. I think writers experience a "creation high." There are times when everything sings in perfect harmony, when the music and the words and the emotions are all flowing together. It's a rush of being completely in love with and excited and satisfied by what's happening on the page. I love those moments.

9. Are you working on any new projects right now?

The Year of Lightning is the first novel in The Time Shift Trilogy. I recently finished my second draft of the sequel, called The Black Tempest, and that's currently in the hands of a few trusted beta readers. I'm also in the early stages of outlining Book 3, which is going to be super cool.

I always have some side projects happening. Right now I'm working with a playwright friend on some geeky scripts for live table reads. I have a sic-fi board game in development and will hopefully be able to launch it within the next couple years. And right now I'm working with artists and voice actors on the book trailer for The Year of Lightning.

So I've definitely got my hands full!

10. If you could give one piece of advice to aspiring authors, what would it be?

It's some of the hardest advice to hear, but also some of the most essential. Don't rush learning your craft and finding your voice. Don't be in such a hurry to get published that you cut corners. When you take enough time to learn the tools and discover who you truly are as a creator, that will come across in your work. People will see the quality and authenticity and they will want to support you.

Also, I'm going to cheat and give a second piece of advice. Find your local writing community and make yourself a part of it as early as possible. Get into a writing group. Find beta readers both in and out of the genres you're interested in (they can teach you something). Go to book and author events, comic and pop culture conventions, and offer yourself to the community. As you start contributing, others will contribute back to you. Writers tend to be a pretty close-knit culture, so develop those connections as early as possible.

About the Author:

Ryan Dalton is author of the young adult Time Shift Trilogy. His debut novel THE YEAR OF LIGHTNING will be released on December 8, 2015. Ryan splits his time between writing books during the day, fighting crime at night, and hanging out in his awesome underground lair. Please do not tell anyone he's Batman. It's a secret.

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Blog Tour - The Secrets We Kept by Lily Velez (REVIEW + GIVEAWAY!)

The Secrets We Kept by Lily Velez 

Publication Date: November 8th 2015

Genres: Contemporary, Romance, Young Adult

Goodreads | Amazon | B&N

About The Secrets We Kept: One year. That’s how long it’s been since childhood sweethearts Sully Graham and Cadence Gilbertson broke up, since one adoption and one out-of-state move turned their worlds upside down.

Suddenly, Cadence is back in New York City, but something’s different about her. The light in her eyes, the music in her laughter, the warmth in her smile—all of those things have entirely vanished. In their place stand the makings of a girl Sully can’t even begin to recognize, much less understand.

Still, despite the collective history of heartbreak between them, he’s convinced he can win her trust again, and he’s committed to proving the invincibility of their love no matter what it takes.

But Cadence is quietly harboring secrets of her own. Dark secrets. Ugly secrets. Secrets that could break a person. And though broken herself and unbearably lonely, she’s determined to protect Sully from her terrible, biting truths. Even if it means locking him out of her life forever.

The only problem is it seems her heart hasn’t quite received the memo. One glimpse of him is all it takes for her to trip into familiar (and, she’ll admit, addictive) feelings that threaten to all but consume her. Now her biggest fear is that her secrets will begin to slowly unravel one by one…long before Sully’s resolve ever does.

The Secrets We Kept is a moving story about first love, friendship, and forgiveness, and the enduring bonds that forever connect us and give us our strength.

The Secrets We Kept is a beautifully written novel about loss, love, friendship and hope.

The plot was very character-driven, which I enjoyed immensely. I felt a deeper connection to the characters, and I thought Velez balanced the foster care/adoption lifestyle, the characters' internal and psychological struggles, and the romance extremely well. Sometimes a certain aspect of a book can overpower the rest, but Velez did not disappoint. She weaved the different components and themes of the story in a way that helped the story instead of hurt it.

There were a few parts that seemed cliche to me (like Cadence's secrets), but compared to what I've read in the past, Lily Velez wrote it so much better. I also thought that some of the conflicts resolved too quickly once the conflict escalated, but as cliche as it sounds, I could not put the book down. I kept wanting to know more and refused to stop until I got the answers I wanted and needed.

The characters were all very well-developed and felt real and raw. Their lives truly exemplified the idea that life is like a rollercoaster — there were so many times when they were on the brink of falling and were constantly trying to make it back to the top. All of the characters were absolutely maddening at times, but at the same time I couldn't help hut love them and want to cheer them on. They all go through so much throughout the novel, and I just wanted them to be happy again.

Sully and Cadence were extremely cute together. Even though most of the novel was building up to them getting back together (or not), the snapshots of their lives before California were absolutely adorable and all I wanted was for them to have moments like that again. It was frustrating to see them struggling within the relationship with each other as well as with their family and friends, but based on the circumstances I could understand why they acted the way they did.

As individual characters, Sully and Cadence were definitely interesting. It was hard to see them close themselves off from their loved ones and I grew irritated with them at times, but I know that I could probably not do much better if I was in their shoes. 

Overall, The Secrets We Kept was a quick and enjoyable read.

My Rating: ✪✪✪ 1/2

~~

About the Author:

Lily Velez has been writing stories since she was six years old. Not much has changed since then. She still prefersthe written word and her overactive imagination over the ‘real world’ (though to be fair, her stories no longer feature talking dinosaurs). A graduate of Rollins College and a Florida native, when she's not reading or writing, she spends most of her days wrangling up her pit bulls Noah and Luna, planning exciting travel adventures, and nursing her addiction to cheese. All this when she isn’t participating in the extreme sport known as napping. You can learn more about Lily and her books at www.lilyvelezbooks.com.

Lily's debut young adult novel, The Secrets We Kept, released on November 8, 2015.

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Waiting on Wednesday (26)

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that you are eagerly anticipating.

A Study in Charlotte by Brittany Cavallaro
Genre: Young Adult/Mystery/Contemporary/Retelling
Page Length: 336 pages
Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books
Publication Date: March 1, 2016

About A Study in Charlotte (via Goodreads):

The last thing sixteen-year-old Jamie Watson–writer and great-great-grandson of the John Watson–wants is a rugby scholarship to Sherringford, a Connecticut prep school just an hour away from his estranged father. But that’s not the only complication: Sherringford is also home to Charlotte Holmes, the famous detective’s enigmatic, fiercely independent great-great-granddaughter, who’s inherited not just his genius but also his vices, volatile temperament, and expertly hidden vulnerability. Charlotte has been the object of his fascination for as long as he can remember–but from the moment they meet, there’s a tense energy between them, and they seem more destined to be rivals than anything else.

Then a Sherringford student dies under suspicious circumstances ripped straight from the most terrifying of the Holmes stories, and Jamie and Charlotte become the prime suspects. Convinced they’re being framed, they must race against the police to conduct their own investigation. As danger mounts, it becomes clear that nowhere is safe and the only people they can trust are each other.

Equal parts tender, thrilling, and hilarious, A Study in Charlotte is the first in a trilogy brimming with wit and edge-of-the-seat suspense.

I am a huge fan of Sherlock Holmes and John Watson. Confession: I still need to catch up on Sherlock. Anyhow, this book just sounds absolutely fabulous! I don't read a lot of mysteries anymore, but I used to be obsessed with them when I was younger, and I am really looking forward to seeing the relationship between this new generation of Watson and Holmes! 

Project Serendipity

So who likes compliments? *raises hand*

I KNOW WE DO.

Welcome to Project Serendipity, created by Aila, Ava, Alexandra, and Claire, where we make it our mission send out compliments to brighten YOUR day. Why?

Because you deserve it.

The first step is to fill out this form, so we know who's joining up. After a certain period, we'll be pairing you with a blogger who you may or may not know. Y’all will exchange compliments.

This way, you can learn about new bloggers, and it also ensures that everyone gets a compliment! Use your sneakiest skills to discover more about the blogger you're assigned to, including but not limited to: 1) Checking out their blogs, 2) Following their Twitter, 3) Messaging a friend of theirs.

BUT WAIT, THERE'S MORE!

Although we're pairing you guys up, after you write a compliment to the person you were assigned, feel free to write a compliment to ANYONE. Heck, you can go down the list of participating bloggers and send a couple of lines to as many people as you'd like. The limit is the amount of stars in the universe, my dears. The more, the merrier!

Step two is to deliver said compliments to us. Once you sign up, we’ll send you a form via email you can fill out to send your compliments. In this form, we ask you include the name of the blogger you are complimenting, and one corresponding compliment in the following box! If you want to send more than ten compliments, just re-submit!

A disclaimer: we want these to be heartfelt compliments, guys. None of that "hay how r u ur cool" kind of stuff. Talk about any shared interests, or if you thought one of their discussion posts was especially engaging, or even recommend a book you think they would like!

Now here's the cool part: we'll be making specially designed "cards" to go with your compliment. No more of those standard, Arial-font messages, because we're going to spice it up a little and bring a bit of cheer and color to your world. (Please note that we will also be skimming over the letters when decorating; everything that happens in the text STAYS in the text.)

Finally, on the day of release we will be sending out these lovely compliments to each complimentee’s email box for a glorious surprise that will surely make their day!

Here is the form for you marvelous participants:

Follow the hashtag #PSerendipity on Twitter for more updates!

Guy in Real Life (Review)

Hi guys!! So I read Guy in Real Life back in January, but back then I didn't have a blog, so I never formally posted a review. I uploaded one to Goodreads at the time, but I figured I'd bring it to the blog since I just rediscovered this review and wanted to share it since I really enjoyed the book at the time. I will admit that my taste has changed over the past year, but I still think the book is worth a read.


Guy in Real Life by Steve Brezenoff
Genre: Young Adult/Contemporary
Page Length: 386 pages
Format: Hardcover (purchased)
Date Read: December 28 - January 4

About Guy in Real Life (via Goodreads):

From the acclaimed author of Brooklyn, Burning comes Guy in Real Life, an achingly real and profoundly moving love story about two Minnesota teens whose lives become intertwined through school, role-playing games, and a chance two-a.m. bike accident.

It is Labor Day weekend in Saint Paul, Minnesota, and boy and girl collide on a dark street at two thirty in the morning: Lesh, who wears black, listens to metal, and plays MMOs; Svetlana, who embroiders her skirts, listens to Björk and Berlioz, and dungeon masters her own RPG. They should pick themselves up, continue on their way, and never talk to each other again.

But they don't.

This is a story of two people who do not belong in each other's lives, who find each other at a time when they desperately need someone who doesn't belong in their lives. A story of those moments when we act like people we aren't in order to figure out who we are. A story of the roles we all play-at school, at home, with our friends, and without our friends-and the one person who might show us what lies underneath it all.

A girl rides her bike and nearly runs over a drunk boy on the sidewalk. This is the way that Svetlana Allegheny and Lesh Tungsten meet. As their lives cross for the first time, they quickly depart from each other's lives, not realizing that their lives have been greatly changed by this encounter.

What initially made me want to read Guy in Real Life by Steve Brezenoff was, I admit, the cover and title. Although it is minimalistic, the cover was intriguing without being loud. The next thing that drew me in was the front flap summary, naturally. Not only did it pique my interest in a general sense, but the summary also reminded me of a book I absolutely adored: Eleanor and Park by Rainbow Rowell. I was not expecting a book quite like Rowell's, as she is one of my favorite authors, but Steve Brezenoff's novel does hold dear to my heart in its own way.

Brezenoff deftly weaved teenage humor and wit into the story. I laughed out loud so many times I could not keep track, often surprised by the guffaw that would suddenly burst forth from my mouth. (Luckily nobody was in the room at the time, and equally if not doubly lucky that I do not guffaw on a regular basis.) Growing up with an older brother, I can very much confirm the way Brezenoff describes Lesh's gaming schedule: very often and for very long periods of time.

To be completely honest, I was quite worried about the gaming scenes, however Brezenoff easily held onto my attention by writing the gaming scenes from the perspectives of the actual avatars within the game, fully immersing me into the world of MMOs and RPGs.

As far as the romance between Svetlana and Lesh, I greatly enjoyed how complex, real, and raw the emotions were. It was far from insta-love, which I am quite glad about, and the gradual buildup made it all the more enjoyable. Although at times I wanted to scream at the characters for their stupid decisions and behavior, I knew in my heart that it was only what real people would go through. For that, I have to give Steve Brezenoff credit. I believe he was extremely accurate in his character development and relationship development. Although at times, I was not quite sure how it would work out between Lesh and Svetlana, two very different characters, I could truly see how, as the front flap describes, "two people who do not belong in each other's lives, who find each other at a time when they desperately need someone who doesn't belong in their lives."

Despite many times where I felt my heart nearly getting wrenched out of my chest, the overall story was quite heartwarming. I believe the ending was a perfect ending to the book. It wasn't a true happily ever after, it definitely had it's fair share of bittersweet elements, but there was still hope by the end, and for me that was enough. I loved Lesh and Svetlana's journey throughout the pages of this novel, and by the end could see how they truly came out as better people in the end, through all the good and the bad, and with help from each other.

Waiting on Wednesday (25)

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that you are eagerly anticipating.

The Girl from Everywhere by Heidi Heilig
Genre: Young Adult/Fantasy/Time Travel/Historical
Page Length: 464 pages
Publisher: Greenwillow Books
Publication Date: February 16, 2016

About The Girl from Everywhere (via Goodreads):

Heidi Heilig’s debut teen fantasy sweeps from modern-day New York City to nineteenth-century Hawaii to places of myth and legend. Sixteen-year-old Nix has sailed across the globe and through centuries aboard her time-traveling father’s ship. But when he gambles with her very existence, it all may be about to end. The Girl from Everywhere, the first of two books, will dazzle readers of Sabaa Tahir, Rae Carson, and Rachel Hartman.

Nix’s life began in Honolulu in 1868. Since then she has traveled to mythic Scandinavia, a land from the tales of One Thousand and One Nights, modern-day New York City, and many more places both real and imagined. As long as he has a map, Nix’s father can sail his ship, The Temptation, to any place, any time. But now he’s uncovered the one map he’s always sought—1868 Honolulu, before Nix’s mother died in childbirth. Nix’s life—her entire existence—is at stake. No one knows what will happen if her father changes the past. It could erase Nix’s future, her dreams, her adventures . . . her connection with the charming Persian thief, Kash, who’s been part of their crew for two years. If Nix helps her father reunite with the love of his life, it will cost her her own.

In The Girl from Everywhere, Heidi Heilig blends fantasy, history, and a modern sensibility with witty, fast-paced dialogue, breathless adventure, and enchanting romance.

THIS BOOK IS ONE OF MY MOST ANTICIPATED DEBUTS OF 2016. Time traveling through different myths and legends?!?! *heart eyes* PERSIAN THIEVES, CHANGING THE PAST, MAPS THAT LET YOU SAIL THROUGH TIME!!?!?! *flails* This book sounds so perfect. I need it. I need it so badly.