Sunday, February 1, 2015
Top Ten Books of 2014
So this video was supposed to go up a week ago, but thanks to iMovie, that didn't happen. Never the less, here it is. Today's post is a video of my top ten favorite books of 2014. Enjoy!
Wednesday, January 28, 2015
Waiting on Wednesday (#27)
This week's selection is...
A Darker Shade of Magic
by V.E. Schwab
Synopsis: Kell is one of the last Travelers—rare magicians who choose a parallel universe to visit.
Grey London is dirty, boring, lacks magic, ruled by mad King George. Red London is where life and magic are revered, and the Maresh Dynasty presides over a flourishing empire. White London is ruled by whoever has murdered their way to the throne. People fight to control magic, and the magic fights back, draining the city to its very bones. Once there was Black London - but no one speaks of that now.
Officially, Kell is the Red Traveler, personal ambassador and adopted Prince of Red London, carrying the monthly correspondences between royals of each London. Unofficially, Kell smuggles for those willing to pay for even a glimpse of a world they’ll never see. This dangerous hobby sets him up for accidental treason. Fleeing into Grey London, Kell runs afoul of Delilah Bard, a cut-purse with lofty aspirations. She robs him, saves him from a dangerous enemy, then forces him to another world for her 'proper adventure'.
But perilous magic is afoot, and treachery lurks at every turn. To save all of the worlds, Kell and Lila will first need to stay alive — trickier than they hoped.
Tuesday, January 27, 2015
Top Ten Books I Would Read If I Had a Book Club
1. Clash of Kings by George R.R. Martin: None of my friends have read the Game of Thrones books, and I would love to discuss this with more people!
2. Mistborn by Brandon Sanderson: There is going to be a read-a-thon for this book on YouTube later this year, and I can't wait to read it and discuss it with people!
3. The Age of Innocence by Edith Wharton: I need a push to read this book, because sometimes reading classics intimidates me.
4. Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell by Susanna Clarke: This is another book that I would need the push of a book club to read!
5. Winger by Andrew Smith: I think that this would be a really fun book to discuss with a group of readers.
6. Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare: I just wanted to throw this book in here, because I really want to re-read it! 7. The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss: I need encouragement to read this chunky one, but I know I'll love it when I do!
Sunday, January 25, 2015
Sapphire Blue by Kerstin Gier
Title: Sapphire Blue (Precious Stone #2)
Author: Kerstin Gier
Release Date: October 30th, 2012
Publisher: Henry Holt
Source: Own
Add it: Goodreads
Buy it: Book Depository
At least Gwen has plenty of help. Her best friend Lesley follows every lead diligently on the Internet. James the ghost teaches Gwen how to fit in at an eighteenth century party. And Xemerius, the gargoyle demon who has been following Gwen since he caught her kissing Gideon in a church, offers advice on everything. Oh, yes. And of course there is Gideon, the Diamond. One minute he’s very warm indeed; the next he’s freezing cold. Gwen’s not sure what’s going on there, but she’s pretty much destined to find out.
My Review
I was really looking forward to reading Sapphire Blue. Ruby Red left on such a good note, and I was so excited to read the next installment. Since this is the second book in the Precious Stone trilogy, there will be spoilers for the first book, Ruby Red.
The first thing I noticed right off the bat when I was reading Sapphire Blue was the romance. It was insta-love, and it happened right at the end of Ruby Red and carried into Sapphire Blue. I don't like insta-love, so that really peeved me that it was in this book.
I felt like this book wasn't as captivating as Ruby Red was. It was slightly bland, but still interesting and energetic. Not as much happened, and there wasn't very much drama.
The characters were still good. Gwen is still trying to understand the time travel gene that she was born with, and is still slightly naive. I'm still trying to figure out Gideon's character, but I'm thinking that I like him. And of course, Lesley is still the best friend that anyone could as for.
Rating: 4/5 worms
Wednesday, January 21, 2015
Waiting on Wednesday (#26)
This week's selection is....
The Way We Bared Our Souls
by Willa Strayhorn
Synopsis: If you could trade your biggest burden for someone else’s, would you do it?
Five teenagers sit around a bonfire in the middle of the New Mexico desert. They don’t know it yet, but they are about to make the biggest sacrifice of their lives.
Lo has a family history of MS, and is starting to come down with all the symptoms.
Thomas, a former child soldier from Liberia, is plagued by traumatic memories of his war-torn past.
Kaya would do anything to feel physical pain, but a rare condition called CIP keeps her numb.
Ellen can’t remember who she was before she started doing drugs.
Kit lost his girlfriend in a car accident and now he just can’t shake his newfound fear of death.
When they trade totems as a symbol of shedding and adopting one another’s sorrows, they think it’s only an exercise.
But in the morning, they wake to find their burdens gone…and replaced with someone else’s.
As the reality of the ritual unfolds, this unlikely group of five embarks on a week of beautiful, terrifying experiences that all culminate in one perfect truth: In the end, your soul is stronger than your burdens.
What are you waiting on this week? Let me know down below!
Tuesday, January 20, 2015
Top Ten Books That I Want to Read Right Now
Top Ten Books That I Want to Read Right Now
Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish. They give bloggers a topic and we say our top ten things that fall under that list. This week was a freebie, so I decided to go with the top ten books that I want to read right now!
1. Vicious by V.E. Schwab: I've wanted to read this for so long! A book about villains? Sign me up!
2. Outlander by Diana Gabaldon: I've never read a book about Scotland, and I've only heard good things about it.
3. The Bronze Horseman by Paullina Simons: I've been really in the mood for historical fiction lately, and even though this book is over 800 pages, I really want to read it!
4. Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare: I read this book back in 2012, but I'm really in the mood to read it again and finish this series.
5. A Clash of Kings by George R.R. Martin: I read A Game of Thrones two years ago, and I'm in a fantasy mood right now, so I need to pick up this book now!
6. Since You've Been Gone by Morgan Matson: I've been wanting to read a Morgan Matson book for so long, and this one has been calling to me.
7. The Diviners by Libba Bray: I love Libba Bray's books, and this one has been sitting on my shelf for too long. However, I hate the new cover. I mean, why would you mess with the perfection of the first cover?
8. A Thousand Pieces of You by Claudia Gray: The idea of parallel universes just draws me in!
Sunday, January 18, 2015
Ruby Red by Kerstin Gier
Title: Ruby Red
Author: Kerstin Gier
Release Date: May 10th, 2011
Publisher: Henry Holt
Page Number: 336
Source: Own
Add it: Goodreads
Buy it: Book Depository
Synopsis (Goodreads): Gwyneth Shepherd's sophisticated, beautiful cousin Charlotte has been prepared her entire life for traveling through time. But unexpectedly, it is Gwyneth, who in the middle of class takes a sudden spin to a different era!
Gwyneth must now unearth the mystery of why her mother would lie about her birth date to ward off suspicion about her ability, brush up on her history, and work with Gideon--the time traveler from a similarly gifted family that passes the gene through its male line, and whose presence becomes, in time, less insufferable and more essential. Together, Gwyneth and Gideon journey through time to discover who, in the 18th century and in contemporary London, they can trust.
My Review
So, this book was basically amazing. Not gonna lie. It was an extremely fast read that I flew right through, and I was mesmerized the whole time.
This book was about a Gwyneth who can time travel. That's basically all you need to know, besides the fact that this book was so action packed that I didn't want to put it down. I was drawn into the world of time travel instantly, and I didn't want to leave. However, I will say that I felt like this book was really short, even though it is the first book in the series.
I was really worried about reading a book that had been translated. Yes, I'd read translated books before, but not knowingly. I was afraid that somethings in this book would get lost, but that wasn't the case. I understood all the references and the dialogue and writing wasn't choppy like I expected it to be. Guess I can leave those stereotypes behind next time I jump into a translated novel.
Gwyneth was a good main character. She was strong when she needed to, but she also had the innocence of someone who hadn't been exposed to a lot of things, which I feel is rare in Young Adult literature today. As for Gideon, he drove me crazy half the time, but I ended up liking him in the end. The rest of Gwyneth's family was just a giant soap opera, and it was hysterical to read about. And Gwyneth's friend Leslie was everything a best friend should be: loyal, caring, and imaginative. The characters get a gold star.
Rating: 5/5 worms
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