Happy Thanksgiving!

I hope y'all eat lots of yummy food and have no regrets or tummy aches!

Enjoy the day with the people you care about and love.

Waiting on Wednesday

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Jill over at Breaking the Spine! And this week i am waiting on:

As Princess of Wonderland Palace and the future Queen of Hearts, Dinah’s days are an endless

monotony of tea, tarts, and a stream of vicious humiliations at the hands of her father, the King of Hearts. The only highlight of her days is visiting Wardley, her childhood best friend, the future Knave of Hearts — and the love of her life.

When an enchanting stranger arrives at the Palace, Dinah watches as everything she’s ever wanted threatens to crumble. As her coronation date approaches, a series of suspicious and bloody events suggests that something sinister stirs in the whimsical halls of Wonderland. It’s up to Dinah to unravel the mysteries that lurk both inside and under the Palace before she loses her own head to a clever and faceless foe.

Part epic fantasy, part twisted fairy tale, this dazzling saga will have readers shivering as Dinahs furious nature sweeps Wonderland up in the maelstrom of her wrath. 

Familiar characters such as Cheshire, the White Rabbit, and the Mad Hatter make their appearance, enchanting readers with this new, dark take on Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland.~Goodreads

Yes. Just yes. Whimsical Wonderland, Wardley, the White Rabbit?! Yes. AND THAT COVER?! So insanely gorgeous. I need this book! 

What are YOU waiting on?

Everything, Everything by Nicola Yoon

Everything, Everything

Author: Nicola Yoon

Publisher: Delacorte Books for Young Readers

Pages: 308

My disease is as rare as it is famous. Basically, I’m allergic to the world. I don’t leave my house, have not left my house in seventeen years. The only people I ever see are my mom and my nurse, Carla.

But then one day, a moving truck arrives next door. I look out my window, and I see him. He’s tall, lean and wearing all black—black T-shirt, black jeans, black sneakers, and a black knit cap that covers his hair completely. He catches me looking and stares at me. I stare right back. His name is Olly.

Maybe we can’t predict the future, but we can predict some things. For example, I am certainly going to fall in love with Olly. It’s almost certainly going to be a disaster. ~Goodreads

Everything, Everything took me by total surprise. This book is funny and heartbreaking and cute and frightening and everything. Everything. 

I really enjoyed the characters in this book. You’d think Madeline would be so utterly depressed from not being able to do anything or go anywhere but she is has a strong sassy spirit. I really enjoyed seeing her checkup charts; I thought that was a unique touch. (The ways the chapters are set up make it such a fast read.) I also thought it was neat that her mom was her doctor, maybe a touch overly protective, but rightfully so. 

Then there is Olly. Oh, how there is Olly. I adored Olly. I mean the boy does parkour for crying out loud = h.o.t. He is sweet and funny and his e-mails/AIMs with Mads?! Loved. But my favorite thing they do? Window staring. Sounds super creepy, I know, but it’s actually the cutest thing and it made my heart do weird flippy floppy things.

The twist to this story?! THE TWIST! I did NOT see it coming and oh my goodness gracious. Just wowza. Perfect. A+. 

This book was so, so good. I would DEFINITELY recommend! 

Waiting On Wednesday

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Jill over at Breaking the Spine! And this week i am waiting on:

As heir to a kingdom of floating continents, Kali has spent her life bound by limits—by her duties as a member of the royal family; by a forced betrothal to the son of a nobleman; and by the edge of the only world she’s ever known—a small island hovering above a monster-ridden earth, long since uninhabited by humans. She is the Eternal Flame of Hope for what’s left of mankind, the wick and the wax burning in service for her people, and for their revered Phoenix, whose magic keeps them aloft.

When Kali falls off the edge of her kingdom and miraculously survives, she is shocked to discover there are still humans on the earth. Determined to get home, Kali entrusts a rugged monster-hunter named Griffin to guide her across a world overrun by chimera, storm dragons, basilisks, and other terrifying beasts. But the more time she spends on earth, the more dark truths she begins to uncover about her home in the sky, and the more resolute she is to start burning for herself.~Goodreads

Does this not sound freaking incredible? Yeah, it sounds awesome, I know! Go add it to your TBR! (P dot s- I call dibs on Griffin!) 

Teaser Tuesday: Everything, Everything by Nicola Yoon

Teaser Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by MizB over at Should Be Reading!

To participate all you have to do is:

•Grab your current read

•Open to a random page

•Share two (2) "teaser" sentences from somewhere on that page

•BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure what you share doesn't give too much away! You don't want to ruin the book for others!) 

 Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

“You’re different than I though you’d be,” I blurt out.

He grins and a dimple forms just under his right eye.

“I know. Sexier, right? It’s OK, you can say it.”

I guffaw. “How do you manage to carry around an ego that size and weight?”

“It’s the muscles,” he shoots back, flexing his biceps and raising a single comical eyebrow. ~Pg 72.

This book was everything. Everything. It was sooo so good. I love Olly!  Definitly can't wait to read more from Nicola Yoon!

Fragile Spirits by Mary Lindsey

Fragile Spirits (Souls #2)

Author: Mary Lindsey

Publisher: Philomel

Pages: 311

Paul has always known he was a Protector, fated to serve a Speaker who could hear the voices of spirits lingering after death and help those souls find peace.

Vivienne ignores the voices of the dead.

Paul has always followed the Protector’s rule book, preparing diligently for the day when he’d be matched with his Speaker and fulfill his destiny.

Vivienne never does what she’s told.

So when Paul is matched with Vivienne, they both find the pairing less than satisfactory. But a kidnapping, a malevolent spirit and power stronger than both of them may just prove that they are two halves of the same whole.

In a stunning story about the beauty of fate and the power of secrets, Mary Lindsey returns to the world of Shattered Souls with a breathtaking thrill-ride of a novel.

**Note from author: This book begins one month after Shattered Souls leaves off. Lenzi and Alden are featured in this book, but reading Shattered Souls is not a prerequisite.~Goodreads

I was extremely hesitant to read Fragile Spirits for two main reasons:

1.   I had read its predecessor, Shattered Souls, over three years before—and I wasn’t sure  I’d be able to pick back up and know what was going on.

2. Shattered Souls was so incredible (fan girl rant here), I didn’t think its sequel would be able to compare in the slightest.                                  

My hesitation was completely unnecessary. Mary Lindsey’s writing is fantastic. She created a world that is so unique and intricate yet so easy to follow and get lost in—it’s amazing. I LOVE this world. (I so want a book about someone who works at the Intercessor Council. Someone who reads and files all the reports?! Maybe with a dash of office romance?! Yes please.)

In this second installment we are introduced to Protector 993, Mr. Paul Blackwell. Let me just start by saying he is the epitome of adorable.  I fell hard and fast for Alden but with Paul it was gradual, with each flip of the page. He is intelligent and thoughtful and supportive and so sweet. He is extremely levelheaded, even in a crisis—he is calm for others around him. Even when he is angry—he doesn’t lash out (just counts in his head like a cutie). He went through so much when he was younger, he comes with some heavy baggage yet he is still this caring, honest guy and I respect Paul so much.

Then we have Vivienne.  Miss Sassy McSasserton. She is so closed off and rude in the beginning that it took me awhile to warm up to her. She has her reasons for being that way and I felt for her. Her quick wit and bold persona won me over though. She's pretty much a BAMF.  And can I say character growth like WHOA. At the start of the book she’s ignoring the hindered and by the end she’s saying, “Game on” for kicking some malevolent ass. Yeah, she’s great. 

Another character I really enjoyed was Charles. To me he read as more than just Paul's boss, he was like Paul’s father figure. And oh my gosh the scene between him and Paul in Charles' office?? Yeah, I really like the dude.

And don’t you worry, all of our friends from the first book make an appearance in this installment as well. I loved getting to see little snippets of what Lenzi and Alden and Race were up to. 

Unfortunately, one of the most dangerous malevolent spirits is back too and he is a major a$$ "Anyone mind if I smoke?" You'll get why that was SUCH a DICK thing to say once you read the book (because I know you’re going to want to after seeing that gorgeous cover and reading this marvelous review :P )  I wanted to knock the guy’s teeth out. Only problem was he was kinda possessing a character I liked. And I didn’t want to knock HER teeth out, ya know?

Also, THANK YOU to Mary Lindsey for chapter 21! During the chapter I said to myself, “I want this one thing to happen” because I knew it NEVER would. And then it DID happen and I was like, “AHHH! NO WAY!” In-freaking-credible chapter. 

I love this series because not only is it funny and suspenseful and sexy at times, it's so emotional. I FELT ALL OF THE FEELS while reading this. I did not want to put it down. The characters are amazing, the world is incredible, the writing is beautiful--I can't say enough good things.

I would HIGHLY recommend this series. I hope with all my heart that Mary Lindsey gives us another installment! 

Gratitude Hop Giveaway!

Autumn is by far my favorite time of the year! I love the cooler temperatures outside, I love the leaves chaning colors and I love the overall coziness of the season! Also, ya know, all the yummy treats that accompanying the hoildays :P

Hosted by I Am A Reader, Not A Writer & Bookhounds!

Some things I’m EXTREMELY thankful for:

My family, especially my little nieceypoo! 
My super handsome REAL life NOT fictional boyfriend :P  (he is the sweetest boy in the whole world and he is also my best friend.)
Twitter (so obsessed)
Books ♥ (obvi!)
Carbs. (WHY ARE THEY SO GOOD?!)
Fictional boys (always and forever)
Books ♥
My wonderful job
Music ♫ ♫ ♫
Books!

Speaking of books, how about a super awesome bookish prize? Yes? Yes. 

If you’re not sure what OwlCrate is, it’s a subscription that sends you one new YA book a month, along with 3-5 other bookish goodies! So cool! Check them out here:

This giveaway is for ONE month of OwlCrate! 

To enter fill out THIS form! 

(US ONLY)

Everything Leads to You by Nina LaCour

Everything Leads to You
Author: Nina LaCour
Publisher: Dutton for Young Readers
Pages: 307

A wunderkind young set designer, Emi has already started to find her way in the competitive Hollywood film world.

Emi is a film buff and a true romantic, but her real-life relationships are a mess. She has desperately gone back to the same girl too many times to mention. But then a mysterious letter from a silver screen legend leads Emi to Ava. Ava is unlike anyone Emi has ever met. She has a tumultuous, not-so-glamorous past, and lives an unconventional life. She’s enigmatic…. She’s beautiful. And she is about to expand Emi’s understanding of family, acceptance, and true romance.~Goodreads

I was SO excited for this book. As soon as I read the synopsis I thought, “I NEED to read this.”

Unfortunately, it all fell a little flat for me. Reading the synopsis versus reading the actual book is what Emi would refer to as a “collapse of the fantasy.”

The plot line had potential yet the story dragged. I felt as though I was being TOLD what was happening during each chapter and not shown. Every other scene Emi thought that the moment was “more than” or “bigger than” what was actually happening—I didn’t get the feeling that those moments were pivotal at all.

The characters are so one-dimensional. All of the girls, including the main character Emi, read identical to one another. (Charlotte, Emi’s best friend was slightly sassier, so I’ll give her that.) 

Then, perhaps the biggest miss of the story, is the "romance." Emi is supposed to feel this immediate “connection” to Ava--that didn’t translate at all. All of the sudden there’s a “spark” between them because Ava blushed so she obviously must like Emi. The so-called romance came out of nowhere. In no way did I see this “connection” or “spark.” I barely even saw a friendship form. 

I’m sure the story was supposed to be exciting and romantic, it just didn’t read that way to me.

Honestly, I would’ve rather read a book about the old couple who showed up in a couple of the scenes. 

The only reason I’m giving this book 2 stars instead of 1 is for the West Coast Gangsta Rap/N.W.A. reference.

Waiting on Wednesday: Rebel of the Sands

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Jill over at Breaking the Spine!

She’s more gunpowder than girl—and the fate of the desert lies in her hands.

Mortals rule the desert nation of Miraji, but mystical beasts still roam the wild and barren wastes, and rumor has it that somewhere, djinni still practice their magic. But there's nothing mystical or magical about Dustwalk, the dead-end town that Amani can't wait to escape from. 

Destined to wind up "wed or dead," Amani’s counting on her sharpshooting skills to get her out of Dustwalk. When she meets Jin, a mysterious and devastatingly handsome foreigner, in a shooting contest, she figures he’s the perfect escape route. But in all her years spent dreaming of leaving home, she never imagined she'd gallop away on a mythical horse, fleeing the murderous Sultan's army, with a fugitive who's wanted for treason. And she'd never have predicted she'd fall in love with him...or that he'd help her unlock the powerful truth of who she really is. ~Goodreads

Okay, so I was super, super pumped about Rebel of the Sands after reading the above synopsis. THEN the Penguin Spring 2016 sampler came out with the first TWO CHAPTERS.... you guys. Guys. GUYS. IT IS SO FREAKING GOOD. TWO CHAPTERS AND I AM HOOKED. I need this book ASAP! Go, get on outta here! Go read those chapters! Be sure to come back and let me know what you thought, we can squee together over the "Eastern Snake" ;)

If You Could Be Mine by Sara Farizan + GIVEAWAY!

If You Could be Mine
Author: Sara Farizan
Publisher: Algonquin Young Readers
Pages: 247

In this stunning debut, a young Iranian American writer pulls back the curtain on one of the most hidden corners of a much-talked-about culture.

Seventeen-year-old Sahar has been in love with her best friend, Nasrin, since they were six. They’ve shared stolen kisses and romantic promises. But Iran is a dangerous place for two girls in love—Sahar and Nasrin could be beaten, imprisoned, even executed if their relationship came to light.

So they carry on in secret—until Nasrin’s parents announce that they’ve arranged for her marriage. Nasrin tries to persuade Sahar that they can go on as they have been, only now with new comforts provided by the decent, well-to-do doctor Nasrin will marry. But Sahar dreams of loving Nasrin exclusively—and openly.

Then Sahar discovers what seems like the perfect solution. In Iran, homosexuality may be a crime, but to be a man trapped in a woman’s body is seen as nature’s mistake, and sex reassignment is legal and accessible. As a man, Sahar could be the one to marry Nasrin. Sahar will never be able to love the one she wants, in the body she wants to be loved in, without risking her life. Is saving her love worth sacrificing her true self?~Goodreads

If You Could Be Mine was unlike anything I’ve ever read. Not only was it culturally different from what I’m used to reading it was also thematically different. I was hooked from the start and couldn’t put it down until I finished. 

The realism of all the feelings and struggles portrayed throughout the story were just so spot on to me. 

I really liked the main character Sahar, for me, she was easy to relate to. The intensity, the worry and the insecurity that comes from loving someone so incredibly much but feeling as though you’re not worthy or good enough for them to love you the same, pulses out from every page. At times I wanted to  reach through the page, shake her, and tell her that she IS worthy and the people she cares for are not. One of the things I liked most about Sahar was that even though she feels less than exceptional as times, she never comes across as self-deprecating. She is smart and selfless and kind and giving and brave. And I enjoyed that she used humor during her turmoil, because honestly, I tend to be the same way :P 

(I still can’t get over the fact that she was willing to give up her entire identity in order to be with the girl she loves, that just blows my mind. The only slightly negative thing I could say about Sahar is that she reads as desperate at times, but it's easy to understand why.)

As for the love of Sahar’s life, Nasrin, she tends to come off as  selfish, spoiled and bratty. There were times where I just…couldn't even. She started out fine, but the more I read the more I started to disliked her. Unfortunately, for her, she has to deal with the consequences of her actions. And that’s all I’ll say about that.

Some of the secondary characters were really great as well, like Sahar’s cousin Ali and his friend Parveen. Both were wonderful support to Sahar and unique and amazing in their own rights. I would totally read a book about each of them.

I think Sara Farizan laid out the LGBT world respectfully and compellingly. The detail of the changes in which transsexuals have to go though and the struggles they face added such a huge realism factor to this book. I applaud her so much for the way she described and approached it. Then again, I’ve never read a book that touches on the topic of transexuality before (feel free to recommend some in the comments!) so I could be way off base, but I personally think she did a good job.

To me this book read as really fast paced, which I enjoyed but some may see it as rushing through the storyline. Some of the dialect was hard for me to understand so I had to make an educated guess as to what it meant or look it up but I think it added another needed element to the story.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book. I literally did not stop reading until I finished. If You Could Be Mine was captivating and heart-rendering and I would definitely recommend it. 

~~~~~~~~~~~~Character Interview~~~~~~~~~~~~~

After finishing the book, I really wanted to get to know Nasrin some more. Even though she wasn't my favorite, maybe I was missing something and she was kind a enough to answer a few questions for us!

Hi Nasrin! Thank you so much for stopping by!

So, Sahar and you have been best friends for a long time, what is one of your favorite memories of the two of you together?

Nasrin: We have so many wonderful memories. You're going to make me cry thinking about some of them! She probably wouldn't want me to share our moments to the public. Honestly, I think some of our best times together when we were little kids, playing together on the playground or in my house, when things weren't so complicated.

What do you admire most about Sahar?

Nasrin: How much time do we have? :) One thing that I really adore about her is how smart she is and she never makes me feel like I'm not as smart as she is. Most people think I'm not so bright, and maybe they're not wrong considering some of the choices I make, but Sahar always treats me like her equal.

What would you say is your biggest fear or insecurity?

Nasrin: I'm worried about what happens to me when my looks fade. I also worry about being lonely sometimes. I am usually surrounded by lots of people, but still feel a kind of loneliness I can't describe. It's like something is always missing.

QUICK ROUND!

Early Bird or Night Owl?

Nasrin: Night Owl!

Favorite Food?

Nasrin: I love anything sweet.

Celebrity Crush?

Nasrin: I think Daniel Davari is so cute. He's the goaltender for the Iranian soccer team, but he grew up in Germany. I can't understand a word he says, but who cares 
with a face like that!

Who cares, indeed ;)

If you want to learn more about Nasrin, enter below for a chance to win a copy of the book!

*Looks Around*

*Taps mic* ehem...is this thing on?

Hi there. I missed you. Yes, you! Right there, behind the screen. Cute hair by the way, love the socks too! Or um, toes if those aren't socks...

I'm not really sure what kind of audience is still left around this ghost blog. I abandoned this place- something I never thought would happen.

I moved from Minnesota to Georgia and began saying things like, "y'all" and "soda" and then before you know it not only my blog but reading was a thing of the past. 

Heartbreaking, I know. 

I wouldn't say taking a break from blogging and reading was a mistake. Because sometimes we all need a little break. Taking a break for as long as I did was the mistake. I miss the friends I made through blogging. I miss squeeing about book covers and new releases. I miss my fictional boys *sobs*

Most of all, I miss you. My followers, commenters, supporters. 

I'm hoping y'all can forgive me and maybe squeeze me back into your favorites tab. 

If you're new here or have been here before, feel free to leave a comment so I can check out your blog or say hello! 

Oh, one last thing.....

*SMUSH HUGS YOU*