Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish

I love upcoming releases and looking ahead. It's like an obsession. I think I get more excited about newly announced books than any thing else. My goodreads page has a huge bord full of unreleased books as well as seperate boards organizing new releases by dates.

I've been on a fantasy book kick lately, which is why my books are mainly in that genre. If my mood shifts there could be a completely different list on any given day. For now though, here are some releses I can't wait for. All are being published between January and June!

              
  

In no particular order.
1. The Love that Split the World
2. Firstlife
3. The Great Hunt
4. Court of Mist and Fury
5. Wanderlost
6. The Marked Girl
7. A Study in Charlotte
8. Into the Dim
9. The Forbidden Wish
10. Passenger

Do you have any of the same books? What are you most looking forward to? I'd love to hear from you!

Oh and completely off topic. Did you guys see that Maas released a summary for the next Throne of Glass book?! I'm so excited!

What a load Santa brought!

Well, another Christmas has come and gone. My son has opened all his toys, played with them, and is quickly deciding he has nothing to do. Okay, maybe not. I went a bit crazy on presents this year for him. But, what can I say... he's at such a fun age to shop for. His 2nd birthday is in 2 days. I'm dreading it. I never gave him permission to grow up... In fact, I have grounded him multiple times for doing just that.

My parents are still in town. It's been crazy and exhausting. I haven't had a nice day at home to just relax since the middle of December. They are staying through my son's birthday, which is awesome! I hate living across the country from our entire family. Seriously, everyone we care about it on the East Coast. I miss them all, and I'm so jealous of their warm Christmas. It snowed here, and we were driving to the mountains. I have such bad anxiety as it is, but in the snow, I'm a complete mess. Luckily my son was napping in the car, because I used some poor choice words more than once on the drive. It was beautiful though, I cannot get over the view out here.

Anyways, on to books. I must have been VERY good this year. Santa brought me some great reads! Quite a few I've read before, but I asked my husband for hard copies. I typically read on my nook. It is easier with L running around all day. But, favorites I always, ALWAYS hard copies of. I usually try to get copies that are hard back too. Here is a picture of all of my Christmas goodies.

Please ignore the fact that I took pictures on my kitchen floor. It was the best solid color surface I could find.  Don't look too closely at it. It probably has apple juice spills and chocolate smudges everywhere. I got a fancy steam mop from my mom, but I haven't tried it out yet. I can't wait to though. And yes, that is BB-8 in the back. L is obsessed with him. He saw the little plushie at the Disney Store and HAD to have it... now it sits forgotten on the floor of my kitchen.

Anyways, Look at that loot!! I've read the entire Throne of Glass series, and Court of Thorns and Roses, but my husband got me hardbacks of them! I'm so so so so so so excited about them. Oh and Court of Thorns and Roses is SIGNED!!! It's got a big, beautiful signature inside. Maas was here in September, and I missed it. But, my husband was able to find one of the extra books that she signed! I'm so ridiculously excited. The rest of them I haven't read yet, so I can't wait to dive into them. I'm thinking first I might read Illuminae. I've heard amazing things about it. Or maybe I'll reread the Mara Dyer series and finally read the end(it's paperback because my other 2 are paperback and I'm weird and need uniformity). I'm not sure... I'm just enjoying having them to stare at right now.

So what books did Santa bring you for Christmas? Or, what bok do you think I should start with? 

I hope everyone else had just a wonderful a holiday as I did! I can't wait to blog more than I did this year in 2016!

Review: The Air He Breathes by Brittainy C. Cherry

The Air He Breathes 

Brittainy C. Cherry

Series: Elementals #1

Published September 25, 2015

Rating: ★★★

Summary: (Taken from Goodreads)

I was warned about Tristan Cole.

“Stay away from him,” people said.
“He’s cruel.”
“He’s cold.”
“He’s damaged.”

It’s easy to judge a man because of his past. To look at Tristan and see a monster.

But I couldn’t do that. I had to accept the wreckage that lived inside of him because it also lived inside of me.

We were both empty.
We were both looking for something else. Something more.
We both wanted to put together the shattered pieces of our yesterdays.

Then perhaps we could finally remember how to breathe.

Links

Goodreads Amazon 

Cover Comments

I like that the cover model really does look like the main male character in the book. Honestly, it kind of makes me giggle because it is such a hipstery looking cover.

My Review:

The more I think about this book, the less I feel like I liked it. I had such high hopes too. After all, this book is really really highly rated on Goodreads. A lot of people were toting as their favorite this year, so I knew I was in for a good time. Right? Apparently not.

I think my problem with the story is that it all felt too rushed. I didn't feel a connection to the main couple, because it felt like everything happened in the matter of a few pages. I really wish is were a longer book and they could have developed their relationship a little bit slower. I guess I just didn't feel like their love was believable in the time I got to see them.

The story is heartbreaking. Especially the flashbacks. They had me in tears almost every time. Cherry wrote that initial pain after a loss so so so well. I had to give my son a really long and big hug after one particular scene. The pain was well written. I could feel the torture they felt coming off of the page to me. That is probably why I gave this book 3 stars instead of 2.

My absolute favorite part of the book was Emma. Oh my goodness, that little girl stole my heart. She was the most believable and lovable part about the book. I really loved reading about her interactions with Tristan. In fact, I'd go so far as to say I felt as if she helped heal his pain more than Elizabeth. I felt more of a connection between those two. But, all around Emma was just so sweet and adorable, and such a 5 year old! Of course, I'd be lying if I said I don't have a huge soft spot for kids in books.

Now, can I just say the ending was ridiculous. I really didn't feel the whole added twist was necessary to the story at all. It took a believable story and made the whole thing absurd in my head. I feel like Cherry just went a little bit too far with it.

Would I recommend it? It probably wouldn't be the first book out of mouth. However, others seem to be LOVING this book. Maybe the problem lies with me. I don't know, but if you like the heartbreaking romances, this will probably be a book you thoroughly enjoy. For me though, I'd give this book a solid 2.5 stars.

Waiting on Wednesday: The Love that Split the World

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Breaking the Spine

Title: The Love that Split the World

Author: Emily Henry

Release Date: January 26, 2016

Synopsis: (from Goodreads)

Natalie Cleary must risk her future and leap blindly into a vast unknown for the chance to build a new world with the boy she loves.

Natalie’s last summer in her small Kentucky hometown is off to a magical start... until she starts seeing the “wrong things.” They’re just momentary glimpses at first—her front door is red instead of its usual green, there’s a pre-school where the garden store should be. But then her whole town disappears for hours, fading away into rolling hills and grazing buffalo, and Nat knows something isn’t right.

That’s when she gets a visit from the kind but mysterious apparition she calls “Grandmother,” who tells her: “You have three months to save him.” The next night, under the stadium lights of the high school football field, she meets a beautiful boy named Beau, and it’s as if time just stops and nothing exists. Nothing, except Natalie and Beau.

Emily Henry’s stunning debut novel is Friday Night Lights meets The Time Traveler’s Wife, and perfectly captures those bittersweet months after high school, when we dream not only of the future, but of all the roads and paths we’ve left untaken. 

Add to Goodreads

My Thoughts: Do you see that beautiful cover?! Did you read the awesome synopsis?! I don't think there is any question as to why I'm waiting.. This one sounds amazing all around. I love that it is a mixture of contemporary and fantasy. I just can't wait one bit!

Top Ten Tuesday

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish. This week's theme is a Halloween freebie. I decided to go with the theme Halloween Literary costumes.

                  

1. Effie Trinkett from the Hunger Games: I'm sure most people would choose Katniss, but think of how much fun it would be to put on a ridiculous amount of makeup, and the weirdest outfit you can find. That would be how I'd do Effie. I'm not usually a big person on getting dolled up, but I love the idea of dressing up in something crazy like her.

Luna Lovegood from Harry Potter: I know I went trick or treating as a Hogwarts student once in elementary school, but if I had the chance, I would do it again this time as Luna. I love all of her cute little accessories and quirks. Actually, the older I get, the more I love and adore Luna.

3. Max from Where the Wild Things Are: This would be a costume for my son. I adore this book, and Max is my son to a tee! Plus, this costume is so cute and snuggly. I just love it. I almost did Max this year, but I think next year he'll be the perfect age at 2.5.

4. Celaena Sardothien from Throne of Glass: How awesome would it be to dress as a beautiful assassin for Halloween. It'd be downright breathtaking!

5. Viola Swamp from Miss Nelson is Missing: I have a confession. I did this on Book Character Day last year at work. I read the book to my kids the day before, then came in dressed as Viola the next day. My kids thought it was hilarious, when I pretended to be mean and terrifying.

6. Fifty Shades of Gray: This costume just cracks me up. I'd never think to do this. I could see my husband doing something like this though.

7. White Witch from Chronicles of Narnia: Another character that would be so much fun to do. Getting the long flowy white gown and putting the white hair spray in my hair. I could make myself look terrifying!

8. Peter Pan's Shadow from Peter Pan: I stumbled upon this one yesterday while looking for pictures and had to replace one of my other choices with it. How genius is this costume?! You see a million Peter Pans, so I could pair up and have a blast messing with one!

9. Moaning Myrtle from Harry Potter: This is another fun Harry Potter character. I love the idea of the toilet seat!

10. Dorothy from Wizard of Oz: Yes I know this isn't very original. But I love everything about this book, movie, play, whichever version. I LOVE IT. It helps that I played Dorothy in middle school in a play, so I'd have the costume... yes I still fit in my middle school clothes. I stopped growing in 5th grade.

Review: Rebel Belle

Rebel Belle
Rachel Hawkins
Series: Rebel Belle #1
Published April 8, 2014
Rating: ★★★★

Summary (taken from Goodreads)
Harper Price, peerless Southern belle, was born ready for a Homecoming tiara. But after a strange run-in at the dance imbues her with incredible abilities, Harper's destiny takes a turn for the seriously weird. She becomes a Paladin, one of an ancient line of guardians with agility, super strength and lethal fighting instincts.

Just when life can't get any more disastrously crazy, Harper finds out who she's charged to protect: David Stark, school reporter, subject of a mysterious prophecy and possibly Harper's least favorite person. But things get complicated when Harper starts falling for him—and discovers that David's own fate could very well be to destroy Earth.

With snappy banter, cotillion dresses, non-stop action and a touch of magic, this new young adult series from bestseller Rachel Hawkins is going to make y'all beg for more.

Links
Goodreads Amazon Barnes and Noble

Cover Comments
I love this cover. It's so perfect for a Southern Belle gone rogue. I love everything about it, down to the font used for Hawkin's name. The simplicity is perfect... and it really gives you a feel for the book.

My Review:
If you like Buffy or Veronica Mars, you will probably like this book. Harper has that same spunk that those girls have... and she's wrapped into a pretty southern belle bow. This book was so much fun, mainly because of Harper's commentary on what is happening in her life, as it literally changes course in every way. Sadly, I found David's character to be a bit more stale than he could have been. Actually, I felt like I knew even other minor characters better than him at the end of the book. Hopefully in the second book he'll develop a bit more.

Harper is that girl. Think back to your high school days. That girl that was in every club, well known, smart, and gorgeous. You'd love to hate her... but she is actually nice for the most part on top of it all. She has everything going for her, until an accidental encounter leaves her in charge of protecting a guy she has hated since grade school.

I felt like a lot of time was given to developing Harper's story, but at the same time it got a little boring sometimes. She'd just woken up with superpowers! I wanted to see more of them. There wasn't as much action as you'd expect in the book, but still enough to keep me turning pages.

I felt like this was a quick and easy book. Not too heavy at all... just light and fun read. Things never got so complicated that I was stressed, but it was still enough to keep me interested in what would happen next. Even though it is a paranormal book, it read very much like a contemporary book. Just pure fun!

I'm back!

It's been a year and a half, but I decided to give my blog another go. Let's see if I can actually keep up this time. This time I'll be taking it slow and steady, not trying to rush into everything. So here I am just saying hi!