Shon's January Reading Wrap Up & Book Haul

January Reading Wrap Up

OMG! Where has the month gone. It seems like only yesterday we were saying Happy New Year to one another. I read 0 books this month. Instead of reading I have spend the entire month binge-watching Plan With Me videos on YouTube.

January Book Haul

Lady Renegades by Rachel Hawkins

Map of Fates by Maggie Hall

The Orphan Queen by Jodi Meadows

Fallen by Lauren Kate

Career of Evil by Robert Galbraith

The Fiery Cross by Diana Gabaldon

Lady Midnight by Cassandra Clare

Top Ten Tuesday #58: Top Ten Favorite Graphic Novels/Comics

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish. This week’s topic is Top Ten Favorite Graphic Novels/Comics or Ten Comics on My TBR or Top Ten Favorite Picture Books

Shon's Favorite Mangas

Bleach by Tite Kubo 

Vampire Knight by Matsuri Hino

Skip Beat! by Yoshiki Nakamura

Ouran High School Host Club by Bisco Hatori 

Love Stage!! by Eiki Eiki

 

Tina's Favorite Mangas

Nana by Ai Yazawa // So bittersweet and heart breaking. You can't read this without tears streaming down your face from laughter or crying bitterly for love gone awry.

 

Kare Kano by Masami Tsuda // This girl excels at everything, the only thing she hasn't experienced is love; and she will strive to excel at that too. Love the humor. Great slice of life story.

Basara by Yumi Tamura // Such a badass epic fantasy. Always down for a good girl-disguise-as-boy-to-fight-in-a-war story.

 

Red River by Chie Shinohara // Girl gets dragged into the water and goes back into time (in Turkey? Anatonia?). Another great epic fantasy. I fail to finish the story.

20th Century Boys by Naoki Urasawa // Back in the days, I read tons of shonen comics. This is one of my loves. Why? Mostly because it has such a huge cult following. Anything written by Urasawa is darn amazing. The in depth stories, the complex layers, and world building is out of this world. Want to be my Tomodachi?

What are your favorite mangas/manhwas? Please share with us in the comments below.

Friday 56! January 27, 2017

The Friday 56 is a weekly blog meme hosted by Freda’s Voice.


1] Grab a book, any book.
2] Turn to page 56 or 56% in your eReader.
3] Find any sentence, or few, just don't spoil it.
4] Post it.

"Where in the beginning their skin had been ugly shades of brown and pink splotched with swaths of purple where the blood had initially settled, now their bodies swelled and stretched. There was no give in the fishing line wrapped around their wrists and the skin split beneath it. A glistening liquid oozed out, smearing on the table and dripping into their tea."

From the book:

Slasher Girls & Monster Boys by April Genevieve Tucholke, Stefan Bachmann, Kendare Blake, Jay Kristoff, Jonathan Maberry, Carrie Ryan, Nova Ren Suma, Leigh Bardugo, A.G. Howard, Marie Lu, Danielle Paige, Megan Shepherd, McCormick Templeman, Cat Winters

& with that being said ...

Happy Friday!

Have a safe weekend!

Xo,

Wendy

Thursday Thrills 1/26/2017

Happy Thursday Thrills! I'm back with 5 thrilling things to cheer you on as we get closer to the end of the week and with that being said the last Thursday Thrill for the end of the 1st month to 2017! Wow does time fly by! 

1] This past weekend I went shopping, and stumbled upon this gem which was on sale for $10! SCORE. 

2] And still learning :)

3] Wise Man, that Albert Einstein! Too bad Google maps only knows my work/home locations *sigh*

4] #ThrowBackThursday ! Favorite place in Downtown LA and in desperate need to go back 

5] BUT I'm on a "NO SPEND" week. 

me vs. me 

Have a fun and safe weekend! 

XO,

Wendy

"Waiting On" Wednesday #18: The Edge of Everything

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly meme, hosted by Jill at Breaking The Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

Title: The Edge of Everything
Author:  Jeff Giles
Publisher:  Jeff Giles
Expected publication: January 31th 
Genres: Fantasy, Young Adult 

It's been a shattering year for seventeen-year-old Zoe, who's still reeling from her father's shockingly sudden death in a caving accident and her neighbors' mysterious disappearance from their own home. Then on a terrifying sub-zero, blizzardy night in Montana, she and her brother are brutally attacked in a cabin in the woods--only to be rescued by a mysterious bounty hunter they call X.

X is no ordinary bounty hunter. He is from a hell called the Lowlands, sent to claim the soul of Zoe's evil attacker and others like him. Forbidden to reveal himself to anyone other than his victims, X casts aside the Lowlands' rules for Zoe. As X and Zoe learn more about their different worlds, they begin to question the past, their fate, and their future. But escaping the Lowlands and the ties that bind X might mean the ultimate sacrifice for both of them.



What are you waiting for this Wednesday?  Let us know in the comment section below.

-Shon

Top Ten Tuesday #57: Top Ten Books I Read Before I Was a Blogger

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish. This week’s topic is Top Ten Books I Read Before I Was a Blogger. (FREEBIE WEEK)

Books Shon Read Before She Was a Blogger 

1. Twilight by Stephenie Meyer
I was coming off a book hangover. (This was before I knew what a book hangover was). I remember  the cast of Twilight being on the cover of EW. Somewhere in the article, it said that  Twilight was the next Harry Potter. And since I was coming off my Harry Potter high I decided to pick this book up. Oh boy!!! Was I disappointed!

2.  The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
I was a little late to the Hunger Games party. I did not read The Hunger Game trilogy until a month before Mockingjay, Part 1 came out. 

3. Fifty Shades of Grey by E.L. James
I had to, everybody and their grandmother was reading this book.


The next four books on my list are books that Wendy and/or her cousin, Leslie, made me read because they were super excited that the movies where coming out. I'm a type of person, that once I start a book, I like to finish it. (Unless it's really really bad). I read both the Vampire Academy and The Mortal Instruments series. Both Wendy and Leslie stop reading VA. And I'm not sure if Wendy ever picked up the Mortal Instruments series (which I did buy her the complete set for Christmas couple years back).

4. The Fault in Our Stars by John Green

5. Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead  

6. City of Bones by Cassandra Clare

7. Divergent by Veronica Roth

Books Tina Read Before She Was a Blogger

8. Daughter of Smoke & Bone by Laini Taylor
I asked Shon for a book recommendation, this is what she gave me off her tbr back in 2012. I'm so grateful to her and I can't imagine reading a fantasy as good as this series. The writing and world building is just amazing.

9. Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi
I don't remember how I came across this book but I know it was published in the same year as DOS&B. And I was looking for a fantasy/dystopia novel.

10. Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas
This was also read before blogging and goodreads. I was late to the game and the series was already at book 3. I knew it'd be good from seeing rave reviews, I just didn't think I'd get hooked. But I love badass heroines and that is my weakness.








What are some of the books you read before you were a blogger? Let us know in the comments down below.

Manic Monday #7: Favorite Opening Line

Hello bookworms. It's Monday again. And I'm back what another bookish lists. Last week was the first Beat The Back List Instagram challenge. One of the challenges was to pick your favorite opening line. This got me to thinking about all my favorite opening lines, of course I only pick one for the photo but there's so many good ones out there I decide to do a bookish list of all my favorite ones. 

 “Today was the day a thousand dreams would die and a single dream would be born.” – The Kiss of Deception, by Mary. E. Pearson

 
“Looking back, none of this would have happened if I’d brought lip gloss the night of the Homecoming Dance.” – Rebel Belle, by Rachel Hawkins

 “It has been sixty-four years since the president and the Consortium identified love as a disease, and forty-three since the scientists perfected a cure.” –Delirium by Lauren Oliver

“The screw through Cinder’s ankle had rusted, the engraved cross marks worn to a mangled circle.” –Cinder by Marissa Meyer

“Joost had two problems: the moon and his mustache.” –Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo

Let us know in the comments down below what are some of your favorite opening lines. Happy reading!

Sunday Post #3

The Sunday Post is a weekly meme hosted by Caffeinated Book Reviewer. It’s a chance to share News. A post to recap the past week, showcase books and things we have received and share news about what is coming up for the week on our blog. You can find more info here: Sunday Post Meme.

We will be hosting two giveaway soon over on our Instagram, be sure to follow us so you can win some bookish goodies. 

Last week was a slow week.  Shon and Wendy spent their time planning in their The Happy Planner and Erin Condren's LifePlanner.

So, this happen...

• Manic Monday: #TACKLEYOURLIBRARYCHALLENGE17

• Book Review: The Stars Never Rise by Rachel Vincent

• Top Ten Tuesday: Top Ten Underrated/Hidden Gem Books I've Read In The Past Year Or So

• "Waiting On" Wednesday: Caraval

• Thursday Thrills

• Friday 56!: Afterparty by Ann Redisch Stampler

Monday, January 23rd 

• Manic Monday

Tuesday, January 24th 

• Top Ten Tuesday: Top Ten Books I Read Before I Was a Blogger

Wednesday, January 25th

• "Waiting On" Wednesday: The Edge of Everything

Thursday, January 26th

• Thursday Thrills

Friday, January 27th 

• Friday 56!

Friday 56! January 20, 2017

The Friday 56 is a weekly blog meme hosted by Freda’s Voice. 

1] Grab a book, any book.

2] Turn to page 56 or 56% in your eReader.
3] Find any sentence, or few, just don't spoil it.

4] Post it.

"And I feel bad for her, I do, but mostly what I feel is even more doomed. At least her father's scandal was a good-family kind of one-a glam studio power grab he lost. ( I looked it up.) The kind without a junkie in it. What if everyone knew about me?"

From the book:
Afterparty by Ann Redisch Stampler

Have a safe weekend!

Xo,

Wendy

Thursday Thrills 1/19/2017

So does this Thursday really count!?! Because Monday was a Holiday and it feels like a Tuesday! No worries though, this Thursday Thrill post will kick start your weekend. Comment down below what your weekend plans consist of or better yet, What book you will be reading!? ♥

1] In honor of Fifty Shades Darker coming out soon 😉

2] I might have a book hangover this weekend

3] What IS a book hangover, allow le chart to explain

4] Book Outlet is taking all my money

5] And last but not least, my excuse for not going to the gym this weekend 

Hope you enjoyed Thursday Thrills this week

Xo,

Wendy

"Waiting On" Wednesday #17: Caraval

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly meme, hosted by Jill at Breaking The Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

Title: Caraval
Author: Stephanie Garber
Publisher: Flatiron Books
Expected publication: January 31th Genres: Fantasy, Young Adult 

Welcome to Caraval, where nothing is quite what it seems.

Scarlett has never left the tiny isle of Trisda, pining from afar for the wonder of Caraval, a once-a-year week-long performance where the audience participates in the show.

Caraval is Magic. Mystery. Adventure. And for Scarlett and her beloved sister Tella it represents freedom and an escape from their ruthless, abusive father.

When the sisters' long-awaited invitations to Caraval finally arrive, it seems their dreams have come true. But no sooner have they arrived than Tella vanishes, kidnapped by the show's mastermind organiser, Legend.

Scarlett has been told that everything that happens during Caraval is only an elaborate performance. But nonetheless she quickly becomes enmeshed in a dangerous game of love, magic and heartbreak. And real or not, she must find Tella before the game is over, and her sister disappears forever. 


What are you waiting for this Wednesday?  Let us know in the comment section below.

-Shon

Top Ten Tuesday #56: Ten Underrated/Hidden Gem Books

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish. This week’s topic is Ten Underrated/Hidden Gem Books I've Read In The Past Year Or So (up to you if you want it to be those published in the past year or so or just ANY underrated book you've read recently).

Wendy's Picks

1. Dash & Lily's Book of Dares by Rachel Cohn, David Levithan
2. Paper Princess by Erin Watt
3. Sugar Daddy by Sawyer Bennett
4. The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin

Shon's Picks

5. The Girl in 6E by A.R. Torre
6. Unraveling You by Jessica Sorensen
7. Him by Sarina Bowen & Elle Kennedy
8. Losing It by Cora Carmack
9. Drink, Slay, Love by Sarah Beth Durst

Tina's Pick

10. Fair to Hope by Sam Reed

Monday Reviews - The Stars Never Rise

The Stars Never Rise by Rachel Vincent
Published June 9th 2015 by Delacorte Press
Genres: Fantasy, Dystopia, Paranormal, Romance, Young Adult
Page: 368
Rating: 5 of 5 stars
Review by: Tina
 
Synopsis 

Sixteen-year-old Nina Kane should be worrying about her immortal soul, but she's too busy trying to actually survive. Her town's population has been decimated by soul-consuming demons, and souls are in short supply. Watching over her younger sister, Mellie, and scraping together food and money are all that matters. The two of them are a family. They gave up on their deadbeat mom a long time ago.

When Nina discovers that Mellie is keeping a secret that threatens their very existence, she'll do anything to protect her. Because in New Temperance, sins are prosecuted as crimes by the brutal Church and its army of black-robed exorcists. And Mellie's sin has put her in serious trouble. 


Review

This book is not what I expected. I didn't read the blurb before starting so imagine my pleasant surprise at the complexity of the story and the well thought out and executed scenes. And each moment is epic. Wow what a find! Every scene becomes better and better. I'm already looking forward to the next book. What exciting discoveries will Nina uncover that will outshine the secrets of The Stars Never Rise?

Manic Monday #6: #TACKLEYOURLIBRARYCHALLENGE17

Two of our fellow bookstagrams are hosting a reading challenge on Instagram. After posting my completed series list, I realize that I need help so I'm going to join as many tackle your TBR reading challenge I can. So a shout out to Ashley (@ash.reads) and Lauren (@bookschief_managed) over on Instagram for coming up with this challenge. 

There are 15 challenges. Pick book you own but have not read. For more information click here.


Challenge One: SERIES YOU MEANT TO START IN 2016
The Young Elites by Marie Lu

Challenge Two: CONTEMPORARY
Shade Me by Jennifer Brown

Challenge Three: NON YOUNG ADULT
Red Rising by Pierce Brown


Challenge Four: COVER YOU AREN’T FOND OF
Ruby Red by Kerstin Gier
 
Challenge Five: OUTSIDE SCENERY ON COVER
The 5th Wave by Rick Yancey

Challenge Six: OVER 500 PAGES
The Dark Days Club by Alison Goodman

Challenge Seven: RECOMMENDED BOOK


Challenge Eight: BOOK WITH MULTIPLE AUTHORS
Burn for Burn by Jenny Han & Siobhan Vivian

Challenge Nine: PRE 2016 DEBUT
The Wrath & the Dawn by Renee Ahdieh 

Challenge Ten: #BOOKISHLETTER [one of  your initials]
Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo 

Challenge Eleven: BOOK WITH CHAPTER NAMES
Falling Kingdoms by Morgan Rhodes

Challenge Twelve: TITLE YOU LOVE
Snow Like Ashes by Sara Raasch 

Challenge Thirteen: BOOK WITH ROYALTY
The Queen of the Tearling by Erika Johansen,

Challenge Fourteen: PERSONLESS COVER
Assassin's Heart by Sarah Ahiers

Challenge Fifteen: A STANDALONE BOOK
Uprooted by Naomi Novik

#tackleyourlibrarychallenge17

Sunday Post #2

The Sunday Post is a weekly meme hosted by Caffeinated Book Reviewer. It’s a chance to share News. A post to recap the past week, showcase books and things we have received and share news about what is coming up for the week on our blog. You can find more info here: Sunday Post Meme

We will be hosting a giveaway over on our Instagram, be sure to follow us so you can win some bookish goodies. 

Shon is back at it again, she join another reading Challenge. She is working very hard to get some books off her TBR.

So, this happen...

• Manic Monday: Popular Books I Haven’t Read Yet
• Top Ten Tuesday: Top Ten 2016 Releases We Meant To Read But Didn't Get To
• "Waiting On" Wednesday: Carve the Mark
• Thursday Thrills
• Friday 56!: The Amateurs by Sara Shepard

Monday, January 16th

• Book Reviews - The Stars Never Rise
• Manic Monday: #TACKLEYOURLIBRARYCHALLENGE17

Tuesday, January 17th

• Top Ten Tuesday: Ten Underrated/Hidden Gem Books

Wednesday, January 18th

• "Waiting On" Wednesday: Caraval 

Thursday, January 19th

• Thursday Thrills

Friday, January 20th

• Friday 56!

Friday 56! January 13, 2017

The Friday 56 is a weekly blog meme hosted by Freda’s Voice. 

1] Grab a book, any book.
2] Turn to page 56 or 56% in your eReader.
3] Find any sentence, or few, just don't spoil it.
4] Post it.

" Her brain hiccupped, and she recalled an e-mail he'd sent about his favorite books. One Hundred Years of Solitude by Marquez. Underworld by DeLillo. The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. They were some of her favorites, too. Had he really read them?"

From the book:

The Amateurs by Sara Shepard

Have a safe weekend!

Xo,

Wendy

Thursday Thrills 1/12/17

Hello Ya'll 😊 Its that time again! It's time for Thursday Thrills! WOO! (okay I'm going to chill with the exclamation points. lol) Thursday Thrills just reminds me that it's almost Friday and who doesn't like Fri-yay's?

1] Favorite Movie that includes a book : Beauty and the Beast



2] When they ask if I have "plans" for the weekend...



3] 6 Simple Steps to read more! yes please!

4] This always happens to me! Whyyyy...



5] Bookish Games



Welp...



Hope you enjoyed Thursday Thrills this week.

Xo,
Wendy