January Confessions

The theme of this month has been snow, snow and more snow. We got hit hard with a blizzard and it was our first snowfall of the season.  I am glad we got some snow (since my son loves to play in it), but now I am ready for spring! Who is with me?

Books Read in January:
1.  Passenger by Alexandra Bracken - 3.5 out of 5 stars
2.  A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas - 5 out of 5 stars
3.  The Other Me by Saskia Sarginson - 4 out of 5 stars
4.  The Heir and the Spare by Emily Albright - 3.5 out of 5 stars
5.  Assassin's Heart by Sarah Ahiers - 3.5 out of 5 stars
6.  Truthwitch by Susan Dennard - 4 out of 5 stars (Review to come)
7.  Banished (Forbidden #2) by Kimberley G. Little - 4 out of 5 stars (Review to come)
8.  The Outlandish Companion by Diana Gabaldon - 4 out of 5 stars

1.  Favorite Book:  A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas was my absolute favorite of the month. I LOVED this book and can't wait to continue with the series. I highly recommend it if you are fans of YA fantasy. 

2.  Biggest Surprise: The Other Me by Saskia Sarginson - I am trying to read more adult fiction and I am so glad I checked this one out. It had a bit of everything that I enjoy: historical fiction, family drama, a coming of age tale, and romance.

3.  Biggest Disappointment: I wouldn't say I was disappointed by any book in particular, but I read a lot of just "ok" books this month....books that were definitely middle-of-the-road reads, but compelling enough to finish.

4.  Favorite Post from January:  What I Want to See More of in Young Adult Literature

5.  Favorite Part of January: I loved watching my son play in the snow, thanks to the Blizzard of 2016. Thankfully we didn't lose power, so we were able to enjoy all the snow while still keeping the house warm. My son definitely enjoyed the snow more this year than last....we couldn't get him inside! (I'd still rather be at the beach!) 

What was your favorite book that you read this month? 

6th Blogoversary and an International Giveaway!

Somehow it has been six years since I started blogging about books. I really can't believe it. I remember when I first started as part of my professional development plan at work. I am so glad I have stuck with it!

You guys have seen me through some awesome vacations, some low moments in my life, some high moments in my life, the birth of my son, fangirl moments, surreal moments, and so much more. My blog has been a place for me to go to talk about books and I've made some great friends along the way. For that I will always be grateful.

The other day I was thinking about the fact that I have stuck with blogging for so long. Why do I do it? I do it because I love it.  I love to read and share my thoughts with all of you and in turn, I get to hear your thoughts and recommendations as well.  I don't do it for hits, for popularity, or for the publishers. I do it for me. And I think that's why I haven't thrown in the towel yet. I've witnessed many blogs come and go over the past six years.  My advice? Do it for you. Do what you love. Read what you love. Don't worry about what other blogs are doing. Be kind. And never stop making it fun. 

So, with that said, I am showing my gratitude for six years of awesomeness by hosting a fun giveaway. It's an international giveaway for up to $20 to spend on books of your choice at the Book Depository as long as it ships to your location. 

The deadline for the giveaway is February 7th.  Please refer to my giveaway rules. Good luck and more importantly, thank you for six great years. 

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When I'm Not Reading YA: Children's Book Edition (8)

I love reading with my son and he has quite the collection of books. Would you expect anything less? Here are the books we are currently loving. There's a great combination of some new books as well as some oldie-but-goodies: 

Little Elliot, Big City by Mike Curato- This book is gorgeously illustrated. It's one of my favorites when it comes to the illustrations. I love the message of friendship and helping others as well.

A Hole in the Bottom of the Sea by Jessica Law - My little guy loves sea animals, so this book is a hit in my house. It teaches the food chain; plus, it comes with a CD with a sing-along and animation.

The Dinosaurs are Having a Party by Gareth P. Jones - This book is one of my son's favorites. If you know a dinosaur obsessed boy or girl, get this book for them.  The dinosaurs invite a little boy to their party and chaos ensues when he actually attends. There are many laugh-out-loud moments.

  

The Berenstain Bears at the Aquarium by Jan and Mike Berenstain - My son is just starting to get into the Berenstain Bears books and this one has been a hit. If you know a little one who loves the aquarium, like my guy, then they will enjoy this book.  

Are You Ready to Play Outside? by Mo Willems - My son loves Elephant and Piggie. Their adventures are always fun. This book is a great read aloud and I love that it reinforces the fact that you can still have fun outside even if the weather isn't perfectly sunny.

Curious George Visits the Zoo by Margaret and H.A. Rey- You can't go wrong with Curious George for little kids. In this installment, he gets into trouble at the zoo by feeding the animals.  George will, of course, redeem himself!

Just a Big Storm by Mercer Mayer - We love the Little Critter books. They are funny, whimsical, but they actually teach a lesson.  This book focuses on a storm that comes into Critterville and knocks out the power. It's been actually helpful in explaining storms to my son and what happens when you lose power.

Poor Puppy and Bad Kitty by Nick Bruel - This book is so silly and my son loves it. It makes him laugh out loud all the time. Not only is it silly, but it reviews counting and the alphabet, which is always good.  It's also a great companion to the Bad Kitty book. 

Harold and the Purple Crayon by Crockett Johnson- This classic is a must read for little ones. I love the importance it places on imagination. A timeless read for sure.

Any new children's books that you recommend? We love checking out new-to-us books. Let me know!

Waiting on Wednesday: What Happens Now

This is a weekly meme hosted by Jill from Breaking the Spine.  "Waiting on Wednesday" spotlights upcoming releases that I'm eagerly anticipating.

What Happens Now by Jennifer Castle

Pub. Date: June 7, 2016

Goodreads says, ""I know what it is to want something so badly, you feel like your cells aren’t properly bonded together without it. I also know what it’s like to get that something And honestly, I’m still not sure which is worse..." Ari Logan is battling to win her war against depression and the dark night she hurt herself on purpose. It’s not easy: her best friend is drifting away, her mom’s emotionally checked out, and she spends her days playing caregiver to her handful of a half-sister, Danielle. But it’s summer, and anything is possible... That’s when Camden Armstrong steps onto the beach of Ari’s local swimming lake.  At first, Ari quietly longs for Camden from afar, seeing in him everything she wants to be. When the two discover a true connection the following summer, Ari lets herself fall not just for the quirky and self-assured Camden but also his friends, tumbling into their world of independence, adventure, and shared sci-fi fandom. As Ari’s romantic dreams come true, she must unlock the mysteries of the very real and troubled boy behind her infatuation, while also struggling with her own demons, obligations, and loyalties."

This sounds like a summertime read with substance. Also, can I please be transported to that cover? Love it! What do you guys think? 

Book Review: Assassin's Heart by Sarah Aheirs

Pages: 400

Genre: YA Fantasy

Pub. Date: February 2, 2016

Publisher: Harper Teen

Source: Publisher for review

My Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars

 

Goodreads says, "In the kingdom of Lovero, nine rival Families of assassins lawfully kill people for a price. As a highly skilled member of one of these powerful clans, seventeen-year-old Lea Saldana has always trusted in the strength of her Family. Until she awakens to find them murdered and her home in flames. The Da Vias, the Saldanas’ biggest enemy, must be responsible—and Lea should have seen it coming. But her secret relationship with the Da Vias’ son, Val, has clouded her otherwise killer instinct—and given the Da Vias more reason than ever to take her Family down. Racked with guilt and shattered over Val’s probable betrayal, Lea sets out to even the score, with her heart set on retaliation and only one thought clear in her mind: make the Da Vias pay. With shades of The Godfather and Romeo and Juliet, this richly imagined fantasy from debut author Sarah Ahiers is a story of love, lies, and the ultimate vengeance."

Lea Saldana is a member of the infamous Saldana Family, which makes her a trained assassin.  Her family is one of the many families of trained assassins, as murder is commonplace and not a crime in Lea's world as long as the murder is committed by an assassin (a.k.a. a clipper) from one of the families.  Lea is hiding a big secret though. She has been secretly seeing Val, a member of the Da Vias family,  and any Da Vias member is a sworn enemy of the Saldanas.  One day there is an attack on the Saldana family home and everyone is killed except for Lea. She finds out that the Da Vias family is behind this horrid act.  Not only is Lea devastated, she is also motivated by revenge.  So, she flees her hometown to search for her Uncle Marcello, the only other living Saldana family member.  It might be harder than she thought to find her exiled uncle; plus, there's many dangers lurking outside the city walls.  Ultimately, the question is will her uncle help avenge her family's death and what role did Val play in the murder of her family? Sarah Ahiers debut, Assassin's Heart, has so much potential and many things that I liked about it, but ultimately, it ended up being just an ok read for me.  

One aspect of Assassin's Heart that I enjoyed was Lea. She's a tough heroine and I love to see that in young adult literature. She is definitely someone who'd be friends with Celaena from the Throne of Glass series--they both are tough, determined and indepdenent.  I truly felt for Lea when it came to her family and their untimely death  Although I am not always a fan of revenge plots, I could see why she would want to seek justice in this case.  But the problem is Val.  Did he have anything to do with the attack on her family? The possibility is always floating in the back of Lea's mind along with major guilt regarding her secret romance.

I felt that the world-building had a lot of potential in Assassin's Heart, but it was lacking explanation. It never felt fully fleshed out.  There are many assassin families, there are various gods and goddesses, dangerous ghosts, and many rules regarding clippers. It felt like a lot of info that never really meshed in my mind. 

Another aspect of Assassin's Heart that I enjoyed was all the adventure and action. It was constant and kept me on the edge of my seat.  Be forewarned that it was pretty violent at times (I mean she is a trained assassin!), as the focus was on revenge.  

Fans of Grave Mercy may enjoy this book as there are many similarities, but essentially, Assassin's Heart ended up being just an ok book for me; entertaining, but not overly memorable.  

Stacking the Shelves (95)

 

With Malice by Eileen Cook- Thanks to HMH Kids and Edelweiss

The Painter's Daughter by Julie Klassen - Thanks to Bethany House

 

Eligible by Curtis Sittenfeld - Thanks to Random House and NetGalley

Banished by Kimberley Griffiths Little - Thanks to HarperCollins and Edelweiss

A Walk in the Sun by Michelle Zink - Thanks to HarperTeen and Edelweiss

Truthwitch by Susan Dennard - I borrowed this book from my library, so I could read it during the blizzard!

So what do you guys think? Have you read any of these books or are they on your TBR list? Let me know! This meme is hosted by Tynga at Tynga's Reviews.

Friday Giveaway!

Happy Friday, everyone! It's not often I get to give away ARCs of adult novels, so I am excited to share this giveaway with you all today. Thanks to Flatiron Books, I am giving away an ARC of The Forgetting Time (pub. date of February!) by Sharon Guskin and an ARC of The Other Me by Saskia Sarginson. If you missed my review of The Other Me, you can check it out here.  This giveaway is open to US readers only and please refer to my giveaway rules.  Good luck and thanks for visiting!

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Have a great weekend,

Book Review: The Heir and the Spare by Emily Albright

Pages: 288

Genre: YA Realistic Fiction

Pub. Date: January 18, 2016

Publisher: Merit Press

Source: Publisher for review

My Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars

Goodreads says, "Family can be complicated. Especially when skeletons from the past pop up unexpectedly. For American Evie Gray, finding out her deceased mother had a secret identity, and not one of the caped crusader variety, was quite the surprise. Evie’s mom had a secret life before she was even born, one that involved tiaras. In this modern day fairytale, Evie is on a path to figure out who her mom really was, while discovering for herself what the future will hold. Charged with her late mother’s letters, Evie embarks on a quest into her past. The first item on the list is to attend Oxford, her mom’s alma mater. There, Evie stumbles upon a real life prince charming, Edmund Stuart the second Prince of England, who is all too happy to be the counterpart to her damsel in distress. Evie can’t resist her growing attraction to Edmund as they spend more time together trying to unravel the clues her mother left behind. But, when doubts arise as to whether or not Edmund could ever be with an untitled American, what really ends up unraveling is Evie’s heart. When Evie uncovers all the facts about her mom’s former life, she realizes her mom’s past can open doors she never dreamed possible, doors that can help her be with Edmund. But, with everything now unveiled, Evie starts to crack under the pressure of new family responsibilities and the realization that her perfect prince may want her for all the wrong reasons."

Evie Gray's deceased mother has left her a letter on everyone of Evie's birthdays, except this year it's different.  This year it's more of a quest. Evie has to enroll in Oxford University (her father and mother's alma mater) and the quest will continue from there.  Evie, being a clueless and American, meets Prince Edward Stuart, but has no clue who he is until after the fact.  The two hit it off and become fast friends; Edward even helps Evie uncover the truth surrounding her past, which is also part of her mother's quest.  Evie's feelings start to develop for Edward with the more time she spends with him and once she realizes who he is, she knows that he would never seriously date an untitled American.  However, Evie uncovers the truth regarding her mother and it's a game changer for sure.  The Heir and the Spare by Emily Albright is a fun and lighthearted debut; essentially, it's the love child of The Royal We and The Princess Diaries.

My favorite part of The Heir and the Spare was Evie learning more about her deceased mother and her ancestry. It's kind of cool that her mother had her embark on this life-changing quest despite the fact that she has been deceased for many years.  Evie is a relatable girl next door type of character and I think many young adults will like her.  She did annoy me from time to time with how she would push people away, but then again, she did have a lot of new information to process.

Enter Prince Edward. He's just the "spare" in Royal family, but he's Royal nonetheless.  Who doesn't love a modern fairy tale? I knew where The Heir and the Spare was going, but I didn't mind. I liked the predictability and the bubbly quality to this story; it's just what I needed.

Although  The Heir and the Spare wasn't as good as The Royal We, it still held my attention and I rooting for Evie from the get-go.  I knew we would get our happy ending and I couldn't wait to get there. 

So, if you are looking for a frothy sort of read to curl up with this winter, check out The Heir and the Spare.

Waiting on Wednesday: Eligible

This is a weekly meme hosted by Jill from Breaking the Spine.  "Waiting on Wednesday" spotlights upcoming releases that I'm eagerly anticipating.

Eligible by Curtis Sittenfeld

Pub. Date: April 19, 2016

Goodreads says, "From the “wickedly entertaining” (USA Today) Curtis Sittenfeld, New York Times bestselling author of PREP and AMERICAN WIFE, comes a modern retelling of PRIDE AND PREJUDICE. Equal parts homage to Jane Austen and bold literary experiment, ELIGIBLE is a brilliant, playful, and delicious saga for the twenty-first century. This version of the Bennet family—and Mr. Darcy—is one that you have and haven’t met before: Liz is a magazine writer in her late thirties who, like her yoga instructor older sister, Jane, lives in New York City. When their father has a health scare, they return to their childhood home in Cincinnati to help—and discover that the sprawling Tudor they grew up in is crumbling and the family is in disarray. Youngest sisters Kitty and Lydia are too busy with their CrossFit workouts and Paleo diets to get jobs. Mary, the middle sister, is earning her third online master’s degree and barely leaves her room, except for those mysterious Tuesday-night outings she won’t discuss. And Mrs. Bennet has one thing on her mind: how to marry off her daughters, especially as Jane’s fortieth birthday fast approaches.  Enter Chip Bingley, a handsome new-in-town doctor who recently appeared on the juggernaut reality TV dating show Eligible. At a Fourth of July barbecue, Chip takes an immediate interest in Jane, but Chip’s friend neurosurgeon Fitzwilliam Darcy reveals himself to Liz to be much less charming. . . .  And yet, first impressions can be deceiving. Wonderfully tender and hilariously funny, ELIGIBLE both honors and updates Austen’s beloved tale. Tackling gender, class, courtship, and family, Sittenfeld reaffirms herself as one of the most dazzling authors writing today."

A modern Pride and Prejudice retelling? YES! It sounds like a lot of fun. Let's hope this one doesn't disappoint.  What do you guys think? 

Top Ten Tuesday: Books I've Recently Added To My TBR

This week's Top Ten Tuesday focuses on books that we recently added to our never-ending to-be-read pile.  Here are my latest:

1.  And I Darken by Kiersten White - This one sounds like a promising fantasy.

2.  The Last Time We Were Us by Leah Konen - You know I'm all about the summertime love stories.

3.  The Season of You and Me by Robin Constantine - Another summer romance set in New Jersey- love that!

4.  Whisper to Me by Nick Lake - Another summertime romance, but this one sounds a bit more serious.

5.  Ruined by Amy Tintera - I love the sound of this fantasy as well.

6.  The Glittering Court by Richelle Mead - I loved Mead's Vampire Academy series, so I am excited to check this one out.

7. A Court of Mist and Fury by Sarah J. Maas - After reading A Court of Thorns and Roses, the first book in this series, I immediately added this one to my TBR list.

8.  Heartless by Marissa Meyer - An Alice in Wonderland prequel by the author of Cinder...a must read for sure!

9.  Eligible by Curtis Sittenfeld - A modern retelling of Pride and Prejudice. Sounds fun, right?

10.  Leave Me by Gayle Forman - It's her adult debut and I am really curious about it, even though the premise seems a bit depressing.

So, what books have you added to your TBR list? Let me know! This meme is hosted by The Broke and The Bookish. 

Book Review: The Other Me by Saskia Sarginson

Pages: 304

Genre: Adult Fiction/Historical Fiction

Pub. Date: January 12, 2016
Publisher: Flatiron Books

Source: Publisher for review

My Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Goodreads says, "THE OTHER ME spans from 1930s Germany to 1990s England as Saskia Sarginson explores whether our identities are tied to where we came from, and if it's possible that sometimes history doesn't get the story right. 1986, London - Klaudia is about to start high school. She's embarrassed by her German father, never knowing what he may or may not have done during the war. In 1995 Leeds, Eliza is a young woman in love - with her life as a dance student, and with her boyfriend Cosmo. But Eliza is living a lie, running away from a past of which she was always ashamed. But when her mother dies and she is called home, she can no longer deny her roots, even if it will cost her everything. And woven throughout the novel is Ernst's story - Ernst is one of two brothers growing up in Nazi Germany. One rallied for the Fuhrer, one held back. One dedicated his life to the Nazi regime, one did not. When Eliza learns a long-buried family secret, it will completely change how she views her past and her future. By exploring identity, memory, and history, Saskia Sarginson deftly shows that it is the people we think we know the best who sometimes surprise us the most."

Klaudia Meyer is a shy homeschooled girl living in 1980s London.  It's her first year of high school (and real school!), so she's a bit nervous, especially since her father works at the school as the caretaker.  Klaudia's childhood has been anything but normal.  Her parents are strict, religious, and she hasn't really interacted with other young adults.  She loves to dance and has always dreamed of taking dance lessons, but her parents say they can't afford it.  While at high school, she realizes that the other kids make fun of her father since he has a German accent and Klaudia comes to realize that he fought for the Nazis during WWII. This has brought much shame to her, especially when her classmates find out that he's her father.  Then there's Eliza living in the 1990s in Leeds, England. She's a dance student and seems to have her whole life in front of her: a steady boyfriend, a best friend, and she's following her dream of becoming a professional dancer.  But there's one problem. Her life is built on a lie and what happens when people find out the truth? Will her walls come crashing down?  Lastly, there's Ernst living in Nazi German during WWII.  All he has got is his brother as he is adopted and his family treats both boys horribly. Now that Hitler has taken over, things get more complicated. Ernst's brother is all for Hitler, but Ernst is hesitating.  Is this the path he really wants to take?  Saskia Sarginson weaves a tale that at first seems disjointed, but as readers gain more information, the picture gets clearer and things start to make sense in The Other Me.  There's something here for everyone: a coming-of-age story, a historical story, a romance, and a family drama.

At first I was really drawn to Klaudia's coming-of-age story. I truly felt for her, because she has been so sheltered. I wanted her to branch out and live life now that she was in a real high school, but things weren't easy for her. At all.  Her father is pretty much the reason why things don't go swimmingly, but also she isn't very forthcoming.  This trait stays with her throughout The Other Me; Klaudia has a tendency to omit the truth and this mistake will haunt her.  Also, it broke my heart to see Klaudia bullied just because her father is German and a former Nazi.  She couldn't seem to escape this one fact.

Eliza is very similar to Klaudia in that they both hide the truth from their friends; instead of being honest about their situations, they sort of gloss it over to keep up appearances.  Eliza is better at this than Klaudia as she has built her whole world up on this one lie.  But what happens when she meets the boy of her dreams? She can't continue to lie to him or can she?

Ernst's story was also interesting in The Other Me. I loved the historical details and how his sub plot really made me think. He had to choose between his country, his brother, and his heart. War is not easy on anyone and I think it was interesting to see how someone on the "other side" (the Nazis) might struggle, which we often don't see in literature.

I was really skeptical regarding the simple of fact of how will these three very different people will come together to create a full picture, but Sarginson pulled it off very well. She switched from point of view to point of view expertly and slowly the truth unraveled in The Other Me.

Be forewarned, The Other Me can be a little depressing and sad at times, but I think it was a smart read and one that made me think about history and the truth regarding our own ancestry.

Stacking the Shelves (94)

Assassin's Heart by Sarah Ahiers  - Thanks to Harper Teen and Edelweiss

Seven Ways We Lie by Riley Redgate - Thanks to Amulet

 

Love & Gelato by Jenna Evans Welch-  Thanks to Simon Pulse and Edelweiss

The Last Time We Were Us by Leah Konen - Thanks to Katherine Tegen Books and Edelweiss

  

Burn by Elissa Sussman - Thanks to Greenwillow Books

Ruined by Amy Tintera - Thanks to Harper Teen and Edelweiss

So what do you guys think? Have you read any of these books or are they on your TBR list? Let me know! This meme is hosted by Tynga at Tynga's Reviews.

Friday Five (27) and a Giveaway

Happy Friday! Sometimes I like to talk about what I am currently into that is not necessarily book related. Here's what I have been up to/thinking about/enjoying lately. Let me know what you think! 

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1.  The Return of Downton Abbey - I am both simultaneously excited and anxious about this season. I LOVE this show, but I am sad to see it end.  Let's hope for a happy ending!

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2.  All the TV Shows - I feel like there's been a drought of really good TV shows and then BAM, we are hit with some awesome ones. I am excited to check out Shadowhunters (let's pray it's better than the movie), Mercy Street, and War & Peace.  

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3.  Hot Crab and Shrimp Dip - I made this super easy dip as an appetizer for my Christmas Eve party. It was really good and I highly recommend it if you enjoy seafood.

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4.  Making a Murderer - Anyone else watching this? I first heard about it a few weeks ago from Tara over at Running N Reading.  Man, this show is KILLING me. I am furious. I only have a few episodes left, so no spoilers please, but seriously. I watch it and say over and over again....is this real life?

 

5.  A YA Giveaway - Thanks to Amulet and Skyscape, I am giving away two young adult ARCs to one lucky US reader:  Seven Ways We Lie by Riley Redgate and Pearl by Deirdre Riordan Hall.  Both books come out this March! I wish I had time to review both, but my review pile is overflowing.  So, I'm going to give an extra entry to a reader who will review it on Amazon, Goodreads, or his/her blog, etc.  The deadline is 1/24 and please refer to my giveaway rules. Good luck! 

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Happy Friday and thanks for visiting,