Top Ten Tuesday (42)

Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme created by The Broke and the Bookish. We'd love to share our lists with other bookish folks and would LOVE to see your top ten lists!

This weeks topic is Top Ten Books I Read in 2013. I'm going to make this super easy and do the last ten books I read! 

1. Everyday by David Levithan.
2. Reboot by Amy Tintera.
3. Champion by Marie Lu.
4. Not A Drop to Drink by Mindy McGinnis.
5. Sentinel by Jennifer L. Armentrout.
6. The Burning Sky by Sherry Thomas.
7. Pawn by Aimee Carter.
8. The Program by Suzanne Young.
9. This Song Will Save Your Life by Leila Sales.
10. The Infinite Moment of Us by Lauren Myracle.

That was just a couple of the amazing books I got read this year! Let me know how you guys did this year in the comments <3 br="">

Dirty Little Secret by Jennifer Echols Review

Reading Level: Young Adult
Publisher: MTV Books
Source: Conference
Stand Alone
Bailey wasn’t always a wild child and the black sheep of her family. She used to play fiddle and tour the music circuit with her sister, Julie, who sang and played guitar. That ended when country music execs swooped in and signed Julie to a solo deal. Never mind that Julie and Bailey were a duet, or that Bailey was their songwriter. The music scouts wanted only Julie, and their parents were content to sit by and let her fulfill her dreams while Bailey’s were hushed away.

Bailey has tried to numb the pain and disappointment over what could have been. And as Julie’s debut album is set to hit the charts, her parents get fed up with Bailey’s antics and ship her off to granddad’s house in Nashville. Playing fiddle in washed-up tribute groups at the mall, Bailey meets Sam, a handsome and oh-so-persuasive guitarist with his own band. He knows Bailey’s fiddle playing is just the thing his band needs to break into the industry. But this life has broken Bailey’s heart once before. She isn’t sure she’s ready to let Sam take her there again…

Review
I'm gonna be honest and say I had some troubles getting into this. It started off way slow! Once it got going, I fell in love. The concept was amazing as were the characters.

This tells the story of Bailey. Her family shunned her because of her younger sisters recording contract. She is forced to move in with her grandfather. She gets a job playing in a couple tribute bands. In one of those bands, she meets someone who could change her life forever.

It took me some time to get used to Bailey. She had a pretty big back story. It effected her personality. It took a very long time for us to see the true Bailey. She was an incredibly great character. Once you get used to her she is very enjoyable. Now Sam, was absolute perfection. He couldn't have been better. One thing I loved about Sam and Bailey was their complexity. They had to learn to work together and it wasn't easy.

This book really had an amazing storyline. It was so unique! Once I got into it, I couldn't stop reading. I loved the Nashville setting. I loved all the music aspects. I loved that I couldn't predict the story. I was really happy to see a more mature read. It was just enough to satisfy. Overall I'm surprised by how much I loved this story! I can't wait to see more from this author!

Top Ten Tuesday (41)

Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme created by The Broke and the Bookish. We'd love to share our lists with other bookish folks and would LOVE to see your top ten lists!

This weeks topic is Top Ten Books I Wish Santa Would Bring Me. I always ask for books for Christmas, so this is a easy topic for me! This will be a mix of books I'm asking for and ones that I hope Old Saint Nick will just know about.

• Harry Potter boxed set-Yes, I already own all of the books, but I see that pretty, new boxed set everywhere and my shameless book collector heart beats a little faster.
• Champion by Marie Lu-Not getting this the day it came out killed me. Seeing all the rave reviews and talk about the ending since then has just made it worse. I'll be reading this as soon as I get it.
• These Broken Stars by Amie Kaufman & Meagan Spooner-I read this book and absolutely loved it. I read it as an ARC and with a cover like that how can I not want to own the gorgeous finished copy?
• The Book Thief by Markus Zusak-I know, I can't believe that I haven't read this book either. I've heard so many people say it's their favorite book and I want to see the movie so bad. The only reason I haven't just bought it is because I want the pretty UK edition of it. Don't ask me why. I don't know myself.
• Dare You To and Crash Into You by Katie McGarry- I loved Pushing the Limits and ever since I read it I've been waiting and dying to read the next two. I'll definitely do a little happy dance when I finally have these in my hands.
• Looking for Alaska by John Green-I want this one for the same reasons I want the Harry Potter boxed set and The Book Thief. I've read it, but for some reason I think I need to own the super pretty UK edition. I don't even have room for the books I already have.
• Sentinel by Jennifer L. Armentrout-This is one of my favorite series by one of my favorite authors and I honestly don't know what I'm going to with myself now that it's over.
• Vampire Academy by Rachelle Meade-Another how haven't I read this book. It's so many people's favorite series. I would love the boxed set, but I figure it might be best to just start with the first one.
• Perfect Ruin by Lauren DeStefano-This authors Chemical Gardens series is one of my favorite dystopian series out there. The premise of this book sounds so cool and different and if she writes the same way as she did before, I know I'm going to love it.

That's it! I could definitely come up with more, but I don't think Santa's sleigh would be able to get off the ground. What about you? What are you hoping Santa will bring you tonight? Let me know in the comments and I'll see what if I can get a last minute word to the North Pole :)

I hope all you lovely people who read our blog have a lovely Christmas, New Years, and winter break! Read some good books *<: font="">

Twin Falls by Lena Brown Review

Reading Level: Young Adult
Publisher: Buzz Books USA
Source: Publisher
First book in a possible series
*This was gifted to me by publisher for review*
Twin Falls, Texas
Population: Unknown.
What if you thought you were all alone in the world, only to find out you had a secret twin in a hidden colony deep under the red dirt in the middle of nowhere? After her mother dies, Eve is sent to live with a family she never knew, just days before her 16th birthday. The one-horse town is a cover for the Order of the Messenger Angels, but their enemies, The Crusaders, believe they are evil incarnate and won’t stop until the Order is wiped out. Eve’s heart — and her life — are in danger. Can she save them before it’s too late?

Review
This was a little on and off for me. It was just okay for me. It had some good aspects and some bad.

This tells the story of Eve. It's time for her to face her past and get back to Twin Falls. As she gets used to her new life, her powers grow and she discovers who she really is.

The characters in this story didn't wow me but they weren't bad. Eve had a great snarky personality. I loved how strong she was. I wished we had gotten to know Alphia a little more. We didn't get to see a whole lot of her. I liked both Luke and Jude but hated how Eve was practically with both of them. It wasn't like a love triangle. She had feelings and moments with both of them. By the end I found myself wishing we had gotten to see more of all the characters.

I'm a huge fan of angel books. I always have been. I loved the twins concept and the differences between them.  I liked that everyone had their own purpose. There wasn't a lot of action. The storyline was a little confusing. At times it was all over the place. I loved the underground school and the Texas setting. overall this may have just been okay but it was still enjoyable.

Waiting on Wednesday: Earthquake by Aprilynne Pike

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

My pick this week is:

Earthquake by Aprilynne Pike

Expected publication: July 15th 2014 by Razorbill

Tavia Michaels has discovered that she’s an Earthbound—a fallen goddess with the power to remake the Earth—and that a rival faction of Earthbounds, the Reduciata, has created a virus that is literally wiping swaths of the planet out of existence. 
Tavia is captured and imprisoned before she can act on this information, along with her eternal lover, Logan. Huddled in a claustrophobic cell, they lose track of the days, their attempts to escape proving as ephemeral as Tavia’s newly gestating powers. But then Tavia and Logan are mysteriously rescued. . . .
They’re brought to the underground headquarters of the Curatoria, another group of Earthbounds that Tavia doesn’t fully trust. There, she’s told that she can save the Earth before it disappears. She agrees.
Tavia quickly realizes that she isn’t like other Earthbound, and as her abilities continue to awaken, they begin to threaten her centuries-long relationship with Logan. When Benson—Tavia’s former best friend and romantic interest—appears at Curatoria headquarters, Tavia will again have to make a choice about who to be with even as she tries to stop the virus that is destroying the world and uncover the truth about the two Earthbound organizations that have her tangled up in their webs.

Earthbound seriously blew me away! I'm a huge fan of this author. The wait for this pretty is going to be torture!

Let me know what you guys are waiting on in the comments!

Top Ten Tuesday (40)

Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme created by The Broke and the Bookish. We'd love to share our lists with other bookish folks and would LOVE to see your top ten lists!

This weeks topic is Top Ten New To Me Authors I Read In 2013. I actually managed to get a few new to me authors this year so this should be a fun topic.

1. Mary Lindsey. This author lives in Texas and I've met her a million times. She is so nice! I finally had a chance to read one of her books and I've become a big fan! 
2. Aimee Carter. I got the chance to meet this author at a signing. Hearing her talk about her upcoming book had me excited to read. I got the chance to read Pawn and loved it to pieces! 
3. Kasie West. I had always wanted to read this authors books but never got the chance. Now I'm addicted and cant wait for more from her!
4. Victoria Scott. This is another Texas author. She is so sweet. I finally joined the Dante Walker fan club and I'm so glad I did!
5. Shannon Messenger. I had my eye on Let The Sky Fall forever but never got the chance to read it. Once I did, I became addicted. That series is something special! 
6. Jamie Canosa. This is a self published author that we've reviewed for. Those books are probably the best self published titles I've read!
7. Katie McGarry. I became a fan of this author at the beginning of the year. Now I'm a little obsessed!

That's all I could think of! Let me know who you guys would pick in the comments! 

November Monthly Wrap Up

Hey guys! I know this wrap up is a little late so sorry for that! Be sure and let us know what your TBR plans for this month are in the comments <3 font="">

Jasmine's wrap up

Marissa's wrap up

These Broken Stars by Amie Kaufman and Meagan Spooner Review

Reading Level: Young Adult
Publisher: Disney Hyperion
Source: Conference
First book in the Starbound series
It's a night like any other on board the Icarus. Then, catastrophe strikes: the massive luxury spaceliner is yanked out of hyperspace and plummets into the nearest planet. Lilac LaRoux and Tarver Merendsen survive. And they seem to be alone. 


Lilac is the daughter of the richest man in the universe. Tarver comes from nothing, a young war hero who learned long ago that girls like Lilac are more trouble than they’re worth. But with only each other to rely on, Lilac and Tarver must work together, making a tortuous journey across the eerie, deserted terrain to seek help. 


Then, against all odds, Lilac and Tarver find a strange blessing in the tragedy that has thrown them into each other’s arms. Without the hope of a future together in their own world, they begin to wonder—would they be better off staying here forever?

Everything changes when they uncover the truth behind the chilling whispers that haunt their every step. 

Lilac and Tarver may find a way off this planet. But they won’t be the same people who landed on it.
A timeless love story, THESE BROKEN STARS sets into motion a sweeping science fiction series of companion novels. The Starbound Trilogy: Three worlds. Three love stories. One enemy.


Review
I think I could fangirl about this book for the rest of my life. It was so amazing I don't even have words. 

This tells the story of Lilac, the richest girl in the world. And Tarver, a war hero. They are forced together after their ship is yanked out of hyperspace. They find themselves on a new planet and must survive. 

I didn't enjoy Lilac as much as Tarver but she was a great character. She had a very unique personality. She was a little stubborn at times. I liked seeing her grow up a little and at least try to be useful. Tarver was the most amazing character. He too was very unique. I loved his strength. I loved that he didn't baby Lilac but was still caring. Both characters changed and grew throughout the story. It was really cool seeing them grow stronger and grow closer. I loved that there was no insta love. In fact they hardly even liked each other for quite some time. They ended up having a really cute relationship. It was very complex. 

I don't read sy fy a lot but when I do I enjoy it. I had really high expectations for this. It met them easily. The storyline was fantastic. It was very action packed and suspenseful. The world building was very well done. Some of those twists made me scream. I didn't see anything coming. Overall in case you can't already tell, I adored this story. It was perfect and I cannot wait for more. 

Waiting on Wednesday: After the End by Amy Plum

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

My pick this week is:

After the End by Amy Plum

Expected publication: May 6th 2014 by Harper

She’s searching for answers to her past. They’re hunting her to save their future.
World War III has left the world ravaged by nuclear radiation. A lucky few escaped to the Alaskan wilderness. They've survived for the last thirty years by living off the land, being one with nature, and hiding from whoever else might still be out there.
At least, this is what Juneau has been told her entire life.
When Juneau returns from a hunting trip to discover that everyone in her clan has vanished, she sets off to find them. Leaving the boundaries of their land for the very first time, she learns something horrifying: There never was a war. Cities were never destroyed. The world is intact. Everything was a lie.
Now Juneau is adrift in a modern-day world she never knew existed. But while she's trying to find a way to rescue her friends and family, someone else is looking for her. Someone who knows the extraordinary truth about the secrets of her past.

 

Doesn't this sound amazing? World War 3 and a unique setting! I'm a huge fan of this author so I cannot wait!

 

Top Ten Tuesday (39)

Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme created by The Broke and the Bookish. We'd love to share our lists with other bookish folks and would LOVE to see your top ten lists!

This weeks topic is Top Ten 2014 releases I'm dying for!

1. Ignite Me by Tahereh Mafi.
2. Infinite by Jodi Meadows.
3. The Warrior by Victoria Scott.
4. Opposition by Jennifer Armentrout.
5. Earthquake by Aprilynne Pike.
6. Evertrue by Brodi Ashton.
7. Of Neptune by Anna Banks.
8. Idols by Margaret Stohl.
9. What I Thought Was True by Huntley Fitzpatrick.
10. Isla and the Happily Ever After by Stephanie Perkins.

What are you guys most excited for in the upcoming new year? Let me know in the comments <3 font="">

The Planet Thieves Dan Krokos Review

Reading Level: Middle Grade
Publisher: Starscape
Source: Publisher
First book in The Planet Thieves series
The Planet Thieves is the first thrilling installment of a new middle-grade series by Dan Krokos.
Two weeks ago, thirteen-year-old Mason Stark and seventeen of his fellow cadets from the Academy for Earth Space Command boarded the SS Egypt. The trip was supposed to be a short routine voyage to log their required spacetime for summer quarter.
But routine goes out the airlock when they’re attacked by the Tremist, an alien race who have been at war with humanity for the last sixty years.
With the captain and crew dead, injured, or taken prisoner, Mason and the cadets are all that’s left to warn the ESC. And soon they find out exactly why the Tremist chose this ship to attack: the Egypt is carrying a weapon that could change the war forever.
Now Mason will have to lead the cadets in a daring assault to take back the ship, rescue the survivors, and recover the weapon. Before there isn’t a war left to fight.

Review
I didn't love this but I did enjoy it. I've never read a sy day middle grade before. 

This tells the story of Mason and his fellow cadets. They are aboard the SS Egypt. They expect an easy ride but are very mistaken. Their ship is attacked. Mason and the cadets are all that's left. 

I feel like the only character we got to fully know was Mason. We got to see the others but I didn't really connect with them. Mason was fabulous though. He was a super great leader. I liked that everyone had their own job to do and purpose to the story. There was a lot of characters with a lot going on. It was a little hard to keep up. I liked seeing the cadets take care of each other. I hope to see more of everyone in the next book. 

I loved the sy fy aspect of this storyline. It was very unique. But, I didn't like that there was always an insane amount of things going on. I liked the good guys vs bad guys. I loved all the pictures. There was lots of actions and suspense. If it focused a little more on the characters and less story it might have gotten 5 stars. It was still very enjoyable and exciting though. I highly recommend!