Weekly wrap-up: December 29 - January 4

Guys, I have managed to finish one book per day thus far in 2014 AND I have already started hitting some challenge/resolution goals (more about challenges tomorrow and resolutions in this week's TTT post)! I am off to a roaring start! *book shimmy/happy dance* Bummer blog news is that work is about to increase exponentially, but at least I have some great things to look forward to such as YAK fest 2014, the Dark Days tour coming up in Feb, and finalizing plans for TLA. Also, I'm trying to be better about writing more posts in advance instead of being a pantser of a blogger. More plotting required! 2014 is going to be AH-mazing, I can just tell! How has your week been? If you had a holiday break, was it a good one? What are your first reads of 2014? Let me know!

Completed:

Three (Article 5 #3) - Kristen Simmons: 4 stars. Great finale. My heart may have stopped once or twice, but I'm really satisfied with this.

"Reunion" - Meg Cabot: 5 stars. This is a short story in the anthology Girls' Night Out, and features Meg's adorable email format, which is a favorite of mine, as well as Meg's penchant for cute romances. I wish this was a full-length novel!

"A Thing of Beauty" - Emily Giffin: 3 stars. Also part of the Girls' Night Out anthology. Cute story, but it seemed like a forced set up. If this were a full-lenth novel, I would probably like it a bit better because it wouldn't be as random.

Her Dark Curiosity (Madman's Daughter #2) - Megan Shepherd: 4 stars. Really great follow up to a wonderful and wonderfully creepy debut. This sequel is exhilarating, sexy, and chock full of crazy twists. I can't wait for #3!

Reread:

These Broken Stars (Starbound #1) audiobook - Amie Kaufman & Megan Spooner. Narrated by Jonathan McClain, Cynthia Holloway, and Sarge Anton: 4 1/2 stars, same as the actual book. I know I JUST read These Broken Stars, but I was so excited when I heard a sample of the audio, I had to reread it immediately. I was a little disappointed in the interrogation scenes as they are one of my favorite parts of this book. Sarge and Jonathan's relationship wasn't antagonistic. At first, I wasn't wild about Jonathan's Lilac voice or Cynthia's Tarver voice, but I got used to them. I still would have preferred if they'd read the dialog in one another's chapters, though. Jonathan is absolutely perfect as Tarver. His emotions during THAT PART are spot on, and when he said things like, "Oh, HELL NO," I couldn't keep from laughing out loud. Very well done audio.

Currently Reading:
The Prophecy (Fulfillment Series #1) - Erin Albert. I read this at the behest of several blogger friends. I was very concerned by the beginning, which was not at ALL to my liking, but things have picked up. Glad I kept reading!
Just One Day audiobook - Gayle Forman. I love this book. I need to schedule a reread of the actual book again.

New to my bookshelf this week:
Library:

Falling Kingdoms - Morgan Rhodes. I didn't realize this series was a must-read until just a couple months ago. Now I feel like I need to know what's up!

Incarnate - Jodi Meadows. Time for a reread, courtesy of Bonnie of A Backwards Story and Alexa of Alexa Loves Books.

Bought: I am in full-on event prep mode. My wallet is about to be much lighter and my bookshelves much heavier! The good news for you guys is that some of these titles are very likely to pop up for giveaways in the coming months...

She Went All the Way - Meg Cabot
Prom & Prejudice - Elizabeth Eulberg
Transparent - Natalie Whipple
Everneath - Brodi Ashton
Blue Bloods - Melissa de la Cruz
Scorched - Mari Mancusi
Firelight & Vanish - Sophie Jordan

Giveaways & Contests:

The Prophecy - Erin Albert. Courtesy of Christina of Ensconced in Lit and Erin herself! Thank you!!

Ignite Me (Tahereh Mafi) & Dorothy Must Die (Danielle Paige) chapter samplers. Huge thanks to Alexis of Lexi Swoons!

Faking Normal swag courtesy of Courtney Stevens. Thank you!!

DRCs:
Lila and Ethan Forever and Always - Jessica Sorensen. Thank you, Forever!
The Destiny of Violet & Luke - Jessica Sorensen. Also thanks to Forever!
Under the Hood - Sally Clements. Thank you, Entangled Bliss!
Royally Lost - Angie Stanton. Thank you, Harper Teen! I have so excited about this book since I first discovered it at a Waiting on Wednesday stop. So glad to have the opportunity to read it early!