Weekly wrap-up: June 1-7

Long week, and I know my weeks are only going to get longer. I'll be lucky if I can read one a week from here until August.

Completed:

The Forever Song (Blood of Eden #3) - Julie Kagawa: 4 stars. Predictable yet ultimately satisfying finale. Review here.
Take Me On (Pushing the Limits #4) - Katie McGarry: 3 stars. Ahhhh! Epilogue to "Crossing the Line"!!! *dies* As for Take Me On, I'm really sad because I had been looking forward to this book so much, and I know that Katie worked really hard on it....but it just wasn't for me. :(

Currently Reading:

Dreams of Gods & Monsters - Laini Taylor
Divergent audiobook - Veronica Roth

New to my bookshelf this week:

Library:

City of Fallen Angels audiobook - Cassandra Clare

Bought:

B&N:

The One & Only - Emily Giffin

Half Price Books:
Baby Proof - Emily Giffin (2 copies)
Something Borrowed - Emily Giffin
Where We Belong - Emily Giffin (2 copies)
Heart of the Matter - Emily Giffin

Giveaways & Contests:
Playing Dirty - Jennifer Echols

Events Attended:
6/3: One & Only tour with Emily Giffin

Review: The Forever Song by Julie Kagawa

Rating: 4 stars

Pub Date: April 15, 2014

Publisher: Harlequin Teen

Genre: young adult post-apocalyptic paranormal (vampires) romance sci-fi action adventure ALL THE GENRES

Format/Source: DRC, Netgalley; hardcover, bought from B&N

Status: final book in the Blood of Eden trilogy

Summary:

Vengeance will be hers.

Allison Sekemoto once struggled with the question: human or monster? With the death of her love, Zeke, she has her answer.

Monster.

Allie will embrace her cold vampire side to hunt down and end Sarren, the psychopathic vampire who murdered Zeke. But the trail is bloody and long, and Sarren has left many surprises for Allie and her companions - her creator Kanin, and her blood brother, Jackal. The trail is leading straight to the one place they must protect at any cost - the last vampire-free zone on Earth, Eden. And Sarren has one final, brutal shock in store for Allie.

In a ruined world where no life is sacred and former allies can turn on you in one heartbeat, Allie will face her darkest days. And if she succeeds, her triumph will be short-lived in the face of surviving forever alone.

THE FINAL HUNT IS ON.

Waiting on Wednesday: Isla and the Happily Ever After by Stephanie Perkins

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine that spotlights upcoming releases.

Isla and the Happily Ever After 
Anna & the French Kiss #3

by Stephanie Perkins

Dutton
August 14, 2014

 

Summary:

From the glittering streets of Manhattan to the moonlit rooftops of Paris, falling in love is easy for hopeless dreamer Isla and introspective artist Josh. But as they begin their senior year in France, Isla and Josh are quickly forced to confront the heartbreaking reality that happily-ever-afters aren’t always forever.

Their romantic journey is skillfully intertwined with those of beloved couples Anna and Étienne and Lola and Cricket, whose paths are destined to collide in a sweeping finale certain to please fans old and new.

Why I want it:

I have been waiting for this book for two years. I NEED this book! Stephanie's writing isn't realistic; it's just straight-up real. I love literally everything about Stephanie's books from the plot to the characters to the romance to the friendships to the humor to the teeniest, tiniest quirky detail.

Why I think you should want it:

Stephanie is one of the queens of contemporary and is absolutely 100% a must-read author, even if you're not normally a contemporary fan. Based on all the positive hype from authors who have read it and the sneak peek I've gotten at Isla (stop freaking out, I haven't read it. Said sneak peek is on Netgalley), this is one incredible book! Isla lives with her extreme shyness, but she has such strength of character, which shows especially in the moments when she finds her voice to stand up to bullies and ugly situations. Even in the very first chapters, the connection between Isla and Josh is utterly palpable. All of Stephanie's characters are unique and stand out in a crowd, but I think Isla and Josh are the most alone out of all of them. I am VERY intrigued to see where Stephanie takes this novel, and I think it's one that is really going to touch the hearts of everyone who reads it.

Have you been waiting for Isla and Josh's story as long as I have? If not, 1. where have you been?! and 2. are you interested in reading it now? What are you waiting on most this week? Thoughts & picks in the comments!

PS I got to meet Stephanie in February, and it was one of the best days of my life! I really hope I have the chance to see her again soon.

PPS I may have a signed copy of Anna just waiting for the right moment for a giveaway...

Lux: Beginnings & Lux: Consequences Release Day Blitz

Today I'm celebrating Jennifer L. Armentrout's best-selling Lux series with the release of Lux: Beginnings and Lux: Consequences, bind-ups of the the first four books in the series with newly made over covers and plenty of exclusive bonus content! Check out all the details and enter to win hardcover copies of both books!

Author: Jennifer L. Armentrout
Release Date: June 3, 2014
Publisher: Entangled Teen
Genre: young adult contemporary romance
Status: books 1 (Obsidian) and 2 (Onyx) of the Lux series

Summary:

Now available together for the first time, don't miss Obsidian and Onyx, the first two books in Jennifer L. Armentrout's bestselling Lux series. Also includes bonus content exclusive to the print edition! "A thrilling ride from start to finish," says RT Book Reviews.

Starting over sucks.

When we moved to West Virginia right before my senior year, I’d pretty much resigned myself to thick accents, dodgy internet access, and a whole lot of boring…. until I spotted my hot neighbor, with his looming height and eerie green eyes. Things were looking up.
And then he opened his mouth.


Daemon is infuriating. Arrogant. Stab-worthy. We do not get along. At all. But when a stranger attacks me and Daemon literally freezes time with a wave of his hand, well, something…unexpected happens.
The hot alien living next door marks me.

You heard me. Alien. Turns out Daemon and his sister have a galaxy of enemies wanting to steal their abilities, and Daemon’s touch has me lit up like the Vegas Strip. The only way I’m getting out of this alive is by sticking close to Daemon until my alien mojo fades.
If I don’t kill him first, that is.

Book Buy Links:

   

----------

Author: Jennifer L. Armentrout
Release Date: June 3, 2014
Publisher: Entangled Teen
Genre: young adult contemporary romance
Status: books 3 (Opal) and 4 (Origin) of the Lux series

Summary:

Now available together for the first time, don't miss Opal and Origin, the third and fourth books in Jennifer L. Armentrout's bestselling Lux series. Also includes bonus content exclusive to the print edition! "A thrilling ride from start to finish," says RT Book Reviews.

No one is like Daemon Black.

When he set out to prove his feelings for me, he wasn’t fooling around. Doubting him isn’t something I’ll do again, and now that we’ve made it through the rough patches, well... There’s a lot of spontaneous combustion going on.

But even he can’t protect his family from the danger of trying to free those they love.

After everything, I’m no longer the same Katy. I’m different... And I’m not sure what that will mean in the end. When each step we take in discovering the truth puts us in the path of the secret organization responsible for torturing and testing hybrids, the more I realize there is no end to what I’m capable. The death of someone close still lingers, help comes from the most unlikely source, and friends will become the deadliest of enemies, but we won’t turn back. Even if the outcome will shatter our worlds forever.

Together we’re stronger...and they know it.

Book Buy Links:

   

----------

Author: Jennifer L. Armentrout
Release Date: August 5, 2014
Publisher: Entangled Teen
Genre: young adult contemporary romance
Status: book 5 of the Lux series

Summary:

Katy knows the world changed the night the Luxen came.

She can't believe Daemon welcomed his race or stood by as his kind threatened to obliterate every last human and hybrid on Earth. But the lines between good and bad have blurred, and love has become an emotion that could destroy her—could destroy them all.

Daemon will do anything to save those he loves, even if it means betrayal.

They must team with an unlikely enemy if there is any chance of surviving the invasion. But when it quickly becomes impossible to tell friend from foe, and the world is crumbling around them, they may lose everything— even what they cherish most—to ensure the survival of their friends…and mankind.

War has come to Earth. And no matter the outcome, the future will never be the same for those left standing.

Pre-order Links:

   

 

 

About the Author:

# 1 NEW YORK TIMES and USA TODAY Bestselling author Jennifer lives in Martinsburg, West Virginia. All the rumors you’ve heard about her state aren’t true. When she’s not hard at work writing. she spends her time reading, working out, watching really bad zombie movies, pretending to write, and hanging out with her husband and her Jack Russell Loki.

Her dreams of becoming an author started in algebra class, where she spent most of her time writing short stories….which explains her dismal grades in math. Jennifer writes young adult paranormal, science fiction, fantasy, and contemporary romance. She is published with Spencer Hill Press, Entangled Teen and Brazen, Disney/Hyperion and Harlequin Teen. Her book Obsidian has been optioned for a major motion picture and her Covenant Series has been optioned for TV.

She also writes adult and New Adult romance under the name J. Lynn. She is published by Entangled Brazen and HarperCollins.

Author Links:

  

Giveaway:

One winner will receive hardcover copies of both Lux: Beginnings and Lux: Consequences. Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Cover Reveal: Mirror X by Karri Thompson

Mirror X

The Van Winkle Project #1
by Karri Thompson

June 30, 2014

Entangled Teen

 

Summary:

Cassie Dannacher wakes up in a hospital over 1,000 years into the future after her space capsule is retrieved from space. She soon learns that 600 years prior to her arrival, the earth was struck by a plague, killing over half of the world’s population. Naïve and desperate, Cassie, who longs for home and is having trouble adjusting to the new, dictatorial 31st century government, is comforted by Michael Bennett, the 20-year old lead geneticist at the hospital where she was revived.

But why is Cassie in genetics’ hospital in the first place, and why do several of the people around her seem so familiar, including Travel Carson, the hot and edgy boy she is fated to meet? Soon she discovers there is a sinister answer to all of her questions – and that they want something from Cassie that only she can give.

Pre-Order Links:

   

Excerpt:

Michael took a seat on the edge of my bed, rocking me toward him. When the side of my thigh met hisknee, my heart rate doubled, and I drew in a deep breath.

“Before you were awakened I spent hours at your bedside imaging what you were like, how your voice would sound, how you looked when you smiled. When your red lips pulsed, when your chest heaved, and you took your first breath, I kept my emotions in check. But now, now that you’ve ‘awakened,’ everything is different. I can’t sleep. I can’t stop thinking about you.”

I ignored the pain and tilted closer until the space between our faces was less than a foot. My heart, my mind, my soul—everything yearned for his affection at that moment.

“I feel the same way, too.”

I closed my eyes, wanting this handsome, earnest guy to take me into his arms and tell me he’d make them let me go. My lungs expanded with his warm breath and spicy scent. When his lips met mine, every atom in my body danced, urging me to pull him closer and tighten my grip upon his back.

His kissing became more fiery and I reacted by kissing him harder. It wasn’t until his mouth moved to my neck, that I came to my senses and drew away.

“Not yet,” I said, scooting away.

“I know,” he said between breaths, rising from the bed. His wiped his forehead with the sleeve of his uniform and returned to the chair. “I can’t…we can’t. We can never…,” he said abruptly. “It’s against protocol. I-I should go.”

About the Author

Karri’s debut YA novel, Amateur Angel, was released May 1, 2012. The next book in that series, Hollywood Angels, came out September 1, 2013. The first book in her upcoming dystopian trilogy, The Van Winkle Chronicles, will be released by Entangled Publishing Spring 2014.

Author Links:

  

Giveaway:

One winner will receive an e-galley of Mirror X! Open INT!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Cover reveal brought to you by:

Review: The Fault in Our Stars screening

Rating: 5 tissues + 2 napkins

Release Date: June 6, 2014

Production: Temple Hill Entertainment

Runtime: 125 minutes

Summary: 

Hazel and Gus are two teenagers who share an acerbic wit, a disdain for the conventional, and a love that sweeps them on a journey. Their relationship is all the more miraculous given that Hazel's other constant companion is an oxygen tank, Gus jokes about his prosthetic leg, and they met and fell in love at a cancer support group.

Monthly wrap-up: May 2014

May was an okay month, but I'm hoping June is going to be much better!

Looking back...
List of May reads

Meg Cabot - Pants on Fire audiobook
Eoin Colfer - The Supernaturalist audiobook
Debra Driza - "Origins: The Fire" (Mila 2.0 #0.5)
                    - Mila 2.0 (Mila 2.0 #1)
                    - Renegade (Mila 2.0 #2)
Gayloe Forman - "Just One Night" (Just One Day #2.5)
Emily Giffin - Something Borrowed (Rachel & Darcy #1) audiobook
Emma Hart - Late Call (Call #1)
Sophie Jordan - Foreplay (Ivy Chronicles #1)
                       - Tease (Ivy Chronicles #2)
Lindsey Leavitt - The Chapel Wars
Richelle Mead - Gameboard of the Gods (Age of X #1) audiobook
                       - The Immortal Crown (Age of X #2)
Kristin Rae - Wish You Were Italian
Laini Taylor - Lips Touch: Three Times audiobook


Looking ahead...
June releases I'm excited about:
Ruin & Rising - Leigh Bardugo
#scandal - Sarah Ockler
Say What You Will - Cammie McGovern
Fan Art - Sarah Tregay
17 First Kisses - Rachael Allen
The Things You Kiss Goodbye - Leslie Connor
Just Like the Movies - Kelly Fiore

June TBR:
Once again, I missed all the ones I wanted to read in May so my June will look like this:
The Forever Song - Julie Kagawa
Dreams of Gods & Monsters - Laini Taylor
The Outsiders - S.E. Hinton
In the Shadows - Jim di Bartolo & Kiersten White
What I Thought Was True - Huntley Fitzpatrick
Noggin - Corey Whaley
The Treatment - Suzanne Young
City of Heavenly Fire - Cassandra Clare
The Burning Sky & The Perilous Sea - Sherry Thomas
Take Me On - Katie McGarry
Black Ice - Becca Fitzpatrick
This Shattered World - Amie Kaufman & Meagan Spooner

Audio TBR:
Divergent - Veronica Roth
Insurgent - Veronica Roth
City of Fallen Angels - Cassandra Clare
City of Lost Souls - Cassandra Clare
Anna & the French Kiss - Stephanie Perkins
Something Blue - Emily Giffin

Resolution Progress:

You can check out my full resolution post HERE, but I'm just going to gloss over these really quickly.

1. Post more reviews: *headdesk*

2. Create a backlist for schedule-able reviews: This is going to continue to be on the backburner until I can get a grip on the books I'm reading now, rather than the ones I read a while back.

3. Read 150 books: 72, according to Goodreads

4. Reread 20 books: I think I hit 21

5. Listen to 20 audiobooks: 19!

6. Read 5 classics: *le sigh* none yet 

7. Blog redesign: Again, this is on pause. I'm aiming for August

8. Make more blogger friends: Yes! This was a good month for friends.

9. Read at the gym: This isn't happening right now with the bum leg, but we'll see about when it heals.

10. Be more organized: Lol, this is a riot of a resolution.

Challenge Progress:

I signed up for a LOT of challenges this year. I wondered if I was crazy or suddenly decided I liked masochism, but so far, it's going really well. The good thing is that some of my books count for multiple challenges, which is really helpful. You can check out the full details of my challenges HERE or track my progress in the challenges tab at the top, but here's a quick rundown on where I am today:

2014 New Challenges:
Standalone Challenge: 8/15. Halfway there!
Series Challenge: 23/12 COMPLETED!
Netgalley & Edelweiss Challenge: 23/25 I'm working on actually getting the reviews done & will definitely be increasing my goal. I want that good percentage!
Real Book Challenge: 32 of 21-3 COMPLETED! Time to increase that goal!
Jumble Your Genres Challenge: 2/12 Need to catch back up this month.
TBR Pile Challenge: 31 of 31-40. Will probably increase this one soon.
A-Z Challenge: 9/26

NEW CHALLENGES:
Summer Reads 2014 hosted by My Heart Hearts Books
Quarterly Challenge #14 hosted by the Young Adult Book Club on Goodreads

Challenges already in progress:
50 State Challenge: 33/52
50 Countries Challenge: 20/50
YA Challenge: 8/25