December Wrap Up

Wow, can you believe the year is over?  It's kinda mind-boggling to realize that 2016 is practically upon us.  I feel like I'm still waiting for 2015, which was a big year for me.  Well, 2016 looks to be a good year, too, full of tons of new books that I'm eager to read.  This month I had a rather moderate goal to read five books, and I far surpassed it.  The first half of this month was some of the best reading I've done all year, and while I did hit a lull in the middle, I managed to pick myself back up just in time for January.

Of all the books on my December TBR the only one I haven't managed to read is White Night by Jim Butcher.  I love the Dresden Files, but this one just seems to be committed to not getting read.  I want to finish/catch up on the Dresden Files in the new year, so I will certainly be reading this, it's just a matter of when.  The rest of the books on my TBR have been read, which is awesome!

1. Cress

Cress was a  fantastic read, and I feel like I've talked this one up quite a bit lately, since it made such an impact.  My review for this has been published, so if you're curious to see all my thoughts, go check that out.

2. Shadow and Bone

I wasn't completely stunned by this one upon finishing, but I did think it was a very good book.  However, the more time that passes since finishing, the more I find myself thinking about it.  Shadow and Bone made an impact and really was a fantastic read.  I'll be finishing this series in the new year, hopefully, and also, hopefully, be reading Six of Crows.  If you're curious, my review has been published.

3. The Golden Braid

This was an ARC I really wanted to get to this month, and I'm so glad I finally did get to it.  It had a slow start, but by the end I was so wrapped up in it that I couldn't put it down.  It's the final (I think) book in a series I haven't read the rest in, but you can read them in any order, and I plan to at least read the first book in this series in the new year.  My review is here, if you want more in-depth thoughts.

4. Soundless

I love Richelle Mead, she's easily one of my favorite authors.  She was one of the first YA authors I ever read, actually, and I still love Vampire Academy to death (though I haven't finished Bloodlines...).  I picked this up, and while it's not her best work, it's also not a bad book.  I'd recommend it once all the hype/hate dies down.  My review is here.

5. Bentwhistle the Dragon in a Threat from the Past

This was a book I received from the author in exchange for an honest review.  He was actually kind enough to send me the whole trilogy, which I plan to read over the course of the next few months.  I rather enjoyed this one, though there were some flaws (particularly where the plot dragged in the middle).  Also, it should be noted that this is not epic fantasy, but urban fantasy, something I didn't realize until I started.  My review for this will be up on Tuesday.

6. Snow Like Ashes

This is the poor book that got caught up in my slow-down of reading in the middle of the month.  It wasn't a bad book, but I did have some problems with it that I addressed in my review (which will be up next Friday).  I do plan to read the sequel at some point in the new year, because overall, it was a good book.

7. Shadows Edge

Okay, so as of writing this post, I haven't finished this book.  But I'm practically done with it (100 pages left) and won't let myself go to sleep tonight before I finish.  So far, I absolutely love it, it's so much better than the first book, and there are so many awesome characters, and scenes, and moments.  Basically, this could be a five star book (it'll depend on the ending) but will for sure be a 4.5 star book.

I also managed to read quite a few graphic novels and manga this month, all of which I rather enjoyed.  I read volumes 8 & 9 of Noragami and volumes 1 & 2 of Blue Exorcist.  I also read volumes 4 & 5 of Hawkeye (volume 4 blew my mind) and volume 1 of Star Wars, which was also really, really good.

I tried to catch up on all the shows I was behind, but it just didn't happen, sadly.  I did manage to finally finish the fourth season of Once Upon a Time, and will start catching up on season five once I've caught up on Doctor Who (I have ten episodes left, or something like that).

How was your month?  What was your best read?  Can you believe 2016 is tomorrow?  Let me know in the comments!

Fall Wrap-Up

Haha, well, I might be a little late on this one, since fall has long since passed at this point.  I wanted to continue the tradition of seasonal wrap-ups, though, and talk about my favorite reads from the last few months.  So, without, further ado, here are my favorite reads since this summer:

Horimiya Vol. 1

This is probably the only manga that's managed to catch me within the first few pages.  Thanks to my friend, M, who recommended it to me (and a few seconds later I ordered it) and got me hooked.  Absolutely adorable romance about two high schoolers with secrets.  I really recommend you pick this up.  Plus, volume two comes out in only a few weeks (I'm so excited!).

Cress

This was my favorite installment so far.  It totally blew me away, and just

rocked my world completely.  I recommend reading my review if you want to see me get all nostalgic for it.

Shadow and Bone

This one took me far to long to get to.  I loved it (though I didn't give it five stars) and am so glad that I finally picked it up.  Only holding off on buying the next book because of funds.

Hawkeye: Rio Bravo

Mind blowing amazing conclusion to an already amazing series.  I don't think anything else will be able to top this ending for quite some time.

You may notice that this is a rather short list, and while I read a ton of books that I liked, I haven't read that many that I absolutely loved and blew me away.  Which is a shame, and something I hope changes by the next time I do a wrap up.

Friday 56: Cress

Friday 56 is hosted by Freda's Voice.  Click here to join in on the fun.

Rules: Grab a book, any book.

Turn to page 56, or 56% in your eReader.

Find a sentence, or a few, and post it.

This week I'm spotlighting Cress, which, if you've read my review, you may realize I absolutely loved.

Here's the description taken from Goodreads:

In this third book in the Lunar Chronicles, Cinder and Captain Thorne are fugitives on the run, now with Scarlet and Wolf in tow. Together, they’re plotting to overthrow Queen Levana and her army.

Their best hope lies with Cress, a girl imprisoned on a satellite since childhood who's only ever had her netscreens as company. All that screen time has made Cress an excellent hacker. Unfortunately, she’s just received orders from Levana to track down Cinder and her handsome accomplice.

When a daring rescue of Cress goes awry, the group is separated. Cress finally has her freedom, but it comes at a high price. Meanwhile, Queen Levana will let nothing prevent her marriage to Emperor Kai. Cress, Scarlet, and Cinder may not have signed up to save the world, but they may be the only hope the world has.

From page 56 of Cress:

Even as her husband, he would continue to defy Levana for as long as he could.

5 Star Book Review: Cress (The Lunar Chronicles, #3)

Author: Marissa Meyer

Website, Facebook, Twitter

Edition: Hardcover

Buy Links: Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Book Depository

Goodreads Link

Rating: 5 Stars

There may be SPOILERS for the first two books in the series below, so tread carefully.  Though, I really recommend you read those first, because, hello, this series is amazing!  Also, this is more of a love letter and thank you to this book than a proper review.  You'll see what I mean when you read it.

Cress was my favorite book in the Lunar Chronicles so far, and I don't think anything can top it.  I don't think Winter can even come close.  I mean, I don't know that for sure, but this book was just so good, every page of it was like another piece of candy.

Two things I want to point out as being really important to me while reading: 1) Marissa Meyer knows how to write a good kissing scene, and 2) This book has made me happier than any book has for a while now.

The first requires very little explanation.  She writes breathtaking kiss scenes.  I recommend them.

The second, though, seems slightly more personal.  As you all know, I love to read, and reading is, generally, really fun.  It can drag while I'm reading a book I don't particularly like, but I pretty much enjoy the experience.  Sometimes, though, some books just have more magic than others.  And I haven't had one of those books since July.  That book, if your curious, was The Mermaid's Sister.  I've read some fantastic, amazing books since then, but none have swept me off my feet and completely taken me to another world where my mind was solely focused on it.  With college, and other things going on in my life, stress levels have been high.  Even while reading books in my favorite series', like Queen of Shadows, other things haunt the corners of my mind.  It makes it hard to focus, and hard to enjoy the story.

But Cress returned all that magic to my life.  I didn't realize how much I was reading, or what was going on in the world around me.  In fact, time ceased to exist for those magical moments where I was living in the world of the Lunar Chronicles.  I didn't have time to think or guess where the story might lead, I didn't have time to think about the holiday shopping I need to do, I didn't bother to think about my grades, I just read, and read, and read.  And it was so amazing.  It was the perfect thing to have happen to me, the most perfect relaxing thing that could have happened.  I feel refreshed, like a new person, and it's such a wonderful feeling.

Sure, all books make me happy to an extent.  But Cress made me euphoric.  Maybe it was the characters (who were so great, I'm so invested with all of them, I think I'll die if any of my babies get hurt), the writing (which as always was simple yet powerful), or the plot (which kept me at the edge of my seat).  Who knows and who cares.  This book is, quite simply, magical, and I am devastated that I did not pick it up sooner.

So, to summarize: read this book.  It's worth it.  Read this series.  It's worth it.

December TBR

Wow, it's December already!  That's so crazy, it only feels like January.  Okay, maybe it doesn't feel like January, but I still can't believe how quickly the year has passed.  Well, now I'm on break for a month (yay for me!) and it's really great to be in my own bed, surrounded by all (or at least most) of my books.  And the food.  Man, I missed the food so much.  The books on my TBR shouldn't change too much this month, but the order might.

1. Cress

Okay, quick confession.  When I wrote up my TBR on a list, and started the month early this morning, this book was totally part of my TBR pile.  And, well, I had already started it last month, but still.  Well, I finished it.  So it's not really to-be-read anymore.  But guys, it was so good!  Why did it take me so long to read this one!!  I'm absolutely breathless!!!  I just thought I would include it on this list in case you were wondering where it disappeared to in between my November Wrap-Up and this post.

2. Soundless

Surprised to see this one on here?  I actually am a little.  But it was black Friday, and while I hadn't exactly planned to pick this one up for a while, I just couldn't prevent my fingers from clicking buy when I was perusing Barnes and Noble.  But I used a coupon, so hey, not a bad choice.  This should arrive tomorrow (fingers crossed) and I'll be starting it ASAP.  I know it's a bit of a shorter book so I don't think it will take me very long to read at all.

3. The Golden Braid

Yes, this is another Rapunzel retelling.  I'm behind on the ARCs I need to read, and I thought this would be a good fit for the month.  This is another shorter one, so I'm hoping it doesn't take long at all to get through.  I'm looking forward to reading it, since when I requested it I was super stoked.

4. Shadow's Edge

This is the biggest book on my TBR, but if it's half as good as the first in this series (which I read last month) I should be able to fly through it.  I've had plenty of time to read, and that won't be changing.  My roommate, who recommended the series, promises it's even better, though, which makes me unbelievably excited to start it.

5. White Night

Harry, I have missed you so much.  Can you believe it's been since June when I picked up a book in this series?  I can't!  I don't really know why I haven't picked it up sooner, since I've probably had it since then as well.  The Dresden Files are one of my favorite series and every book is just so enjoyable.  This one won't take me long to read at all- they never do.

6. Bentwhistle the Dragon in a Threat from the Past

I received copies of the first three books in this series from the author, Paul Cude, and I plan to get to at least the first one this month.  I'm really excited to explore these!  I peeked at some reviews on Goodreads (which I rarely do, since I try to stay unbiased in my reading and bad reviews can really screw with my mind) and found mostly positive reviews.  It sounds like a fun ride, and is a rather moderate size, so it shouldn't take me super long.

I have a few other books I might read if I finish all of these (which actually seems sort of likely right now), including Iron Warrior, The Retribution of Mara Dyer, and The Death of Dulgath.

Manga's I'm looking to read: Noragami volumes 8 and 9 (which releases later this month) and Noragami: Stray Stories.  I also want to read volumes 4 and 5 of Hawkeye.  If there's still time, I'll be picking up the first two volumes of Pandora Hearts and the first two volumes of Blue Exorcist.  I'm eager to read them all, but I must pace myself.

TV wise, I need to catch up on Flash and watch the crossover events for both Flash and Arrow.  I also want to catch up on SHIELD, Once Upon a Time, and Doctor Who.  Besides these shows I don't know what I'll be watching.

What books are you guys planning to read this month?  Any the same as me?  Let me know in the comments and thanks for stopping by!

November Wrap Up

So, this was a bit of a shot month, looking back at how much I actually managed to read.  And I don't think I set goals to high, either.  I had five books I wanted to read, and I only got through two of them.

The first book I had planned to read was Sword of Shannara but I only got 230 pages into it.  I don't want to call this one a DNF yet, because I still want to try and finish it.  I think it may end up sitting for a while, but hopefully I just wasn't in the mood for it.  One thing that was really bothering me as I read it was the lack of female characters.  I don't think, up until the point I had got, one had even been mentioned and that was killing me a bit.

Then I wanted to read Dawn of the Jedi, but decided to push it off in favor of another fantasy book, to try and redeem the genre for me.  So I skipped down to Way of Shadows, a book my roommate has been begging me to read for ages now.  I managed to finish this one, but not until the 25th.  It took me some time to read, and I'm honestly not sure why, since I ended up really enjoying it.  My review for this one will be published this Friday.

I was afraid I wouldn't have time to finish any other books this month, but, less than an hour ago, I managed to finish Dead Man's Drive, a book I received for review from the publisher.  I liked this one, it was a good urban fantasy for some light reading.  I still haven't written the review, but I do plan to publish a review next Friday, so keep your eyes peeled for that.

I also started Cress the other day and am currently on page 230.  So far, I absolutely love it!  Why did I put this one off for so long??

I did do a lot of manga and graphic novel reading, though.  I read the first volume of Guardians of the Galaxy, and the third volume of Hawkeye.  I enjoyed them both, though neither received five stars.  I also managed to read volumes 5, 6, and 7 of Noragami (all five stars) and am in the middle of volume 8.  I still love this series dearly.  The last manga I read was the first in a new series, Horimiya, wasn't something I would normally pick up but a friend recommended.  And it was so good!

I did watch Jessica Jones in the span of two days, and my review of it will be going up tomorrow.  I enjoyed it, just not as much as Daredevil.  I also binged Blue Exorcist, which was so amazing I don't even have words for it.  I have a review for that coming up in a few days as well.

So how much reading did you guys do this month?  Did you watch Jessica Jones?  Let me know in the comments!

November TBR

It's been a while since I've done a monthly TBR, but I kind of miss them, so I thought I'd get back in the habit.  I know, now, after months of pretty much judging my reading patterns, that I get through about five books a month, and about that many graphic novels/manga as well.  My TBR is subject to change, but I'm fairly certain that these are the ones I will for sure get to.