Link up at Tynga's Reviews

Bookoutlet got me last week with their president's day sale. I ended up ordering 10 books from them, as well as a few I picked up in other places for a good price. So, it's a pretty big haul this week, but I'm so excited about a lot of these.

Bookoutlet Haul

         

1-3. Anna and the French Kiss Series - Super excited to own hard copies of these books! I read the first one a long long time ago, but never got to the other ones. I did rate the first one highly though, so I'm definitely going to reread it when I read the rest.

4. The Storyspinner - I've seen a few people that really enjoyed this book recently, and it was less than $3 in hardback, so I picked it up. I'm going to read it soon before the sequel comes out next month.

5. Far Far Away - I don't know much about this one, but a few author's I love have mentioned loving this book... I had to check it out.

6. Steelheart - I've been wanting to read Brandon Sanderson for a LONG time. Now I finally own one of his books! 

7. Fangirl - I read this one a couple of years ago. I think I was still in college. I enjoyed it a lot more than Eleanor & Park. I decided to pick it up purely for sentimentality reasons... I might reread it before I read Carry On too.

8. Salt & Storm - So, this one is a cover buy. I'll probably read it eventually, but guys, I just love the cover... I know that isn't a reason to buy a book, but what can I say.. I'm weak when the bok is under $2

9-10. Lux Beginnings and Opposition - I lve love love this series, so I bought these 2 while they were on sale on bookoutlet... then I got lucky and got the 2nd book super cheap as well through Amazon. Woohoo!!

Other Book Purchases

   

1-2. Alienated Series - I loved the first book... it's light and funny and adorable. So, when I saw these on sale the other day at the store I picked them up. Now I can get caught up before the 3rd book comes out later this year.

3. The Forbidden Wish - This is one of my most anticipated reads this year. I was too excited for it, so I ended up preordering it. The cover is gorgeous you guys... like I love it... this is another one I'll be reading very soon.

4. Lux Consequences - Since I got the 1st and 3rd book during the Bookoutlet sale, I had to buy this one too. Luckily I found a like new copy on Amazon for like $2. I LOVE this series. I just finished rereading it since I got my beautiful hard copies. I just need to read the final book, probably next week. 

There is my pretty big haul this week. What can I say, I'm a glutton for books. Have you read any of these books? What did you think of them?

Waiting on Wednesday: Crooked Kingdom

Link up at Breaking the Spine

Crooked Kingdom

Leigh Bardugo

Series: Six of Crows (#2)

Publish Date: September 22, 2016

Add to Goodreads

Summary (Taken from Goodreads)

Kaz Brekker and his crew have just pulled off a heist so daring even they didn't think they'd survive. But instead of divvying up a fat reward, they're right back to fighting for their lives. Double-crossed and left crippled by the kidnapping of a valuable team member, the crew is low on resources, allies, and hope. As powerful forces from around the world descend on Ketterdam to root out the secrets of the dangerous drug known as jurda parem, old rivals and new enemies emerge to challenge Kaz's cunning and test the team's fragile loyalties. A war will be waged on the city's dark and twisting streets―a battle for revenge and redemption that will decide the fate of magic in the Grisha world.

Why I'm Waiting

I've heard amazing things about this series and I love Bardugo's Grisha series. I'm trying to wait closer to the release date of this one to read the first one, but guys I'm so so so so so so so so so so so so excited. I saw the cover yesterday and about flipped out, which would have been bad at work. But, it is so pretty! Maybe I'll say screw it and read the first now... but I just know I'm not going to want to wait for this one and September is so far away...

Top Ten Tuesday: Books outside my comfort zone that I have enjoyed recently

Link up here

So, this is going to sound bad, but I don't go out of my comfort zone in books very often. I know what I like, and I like what I know. I can't keep up with my tbr as it is, so, even though I know there are 10 gazillion wonderful books out there that I've never looked at, I'm okay with sticking to my favorites. 

That being said, I didn't really discover a love for fantasy series until, well, last summer. Seriously guys. I was obsessed with contemporary and romance stories. Sometimes I'd delve into paranormal... but fantasy kind of intimidated me. So, this is basically going to be a bunch of fantasy novels, with a few others tossed in. I can't say they're no longer mhy normal genre... but this time last year I would have laughed if I'd been told a few of my favorite series were high fantasy.

         

1. The Husbands Secret by Liane Moriarty - This is the only book that is just basic literature. I read this because Moriarty was so highly recommended... and it was pretty good. I don't read a lot of Austrailian author's or general literature (chick lit?) drama? I don't know... but if there isn't a fantastic love story it's not my normal pick, so this was out of my normal.

2. Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas - the one that set it off. This is how little I paid attention to fantasy... I'd never heard of this book until last June. I literally saw it on Goodreads and bought it on a whim knowing nothing about it. Now, this series is one of my absolute favorites... right next to Harry Potter.

3. The Golden Dynasty by Kristen Ashley - This is by one of my favorite authors, but I'd put it for so long. The book is about a girl that is ripped into a fantasy world that is completely primitive... think Aladdin meets Ghengis Kahn. Yeah, I had no interest. But, I wanted to read the rest of the series so I picked this one up, and I ended up completely loving and adoring it.

4. Poison Study by Maria V. Snyder - another fantasy series that I really enjoyed and didn't expect to. I had a challenge on Goodreads that led me to read this one, and, no surprise, I loved it.. I need to read the rest of the series but I want to buy them in hardcopy first.

5. The Winner's Curse by Marie Rutkoski - Like I said, fantasy wasn't my thing until recently and I've been eating it up the last year.

6. Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo - I actually tried to read this one a couple years ago when it first released. It didn't happen. I think I got about 15 pages in and got bored... So glad I picked it back up because I love this whole series and want a Nikolai spinoff... Ms. Bardugo, if you read this, please make it happen.

7. The Wrath and the Dawn by Renee Ahdieh - I just didn't think I'd like this... I did't think the Arab culture would keep my interest since I know so little about it. I was wrong though... this book had me by the heart. No doubt it will be one of my favorite reads of 2016.

8. Passenger by Alexandra Bracken - I'd heard of Bracken before, but I put off the Her Darkest Minds series because I don't typically read much dystopian. It got so repetitive after the Hunger Games fandom that I have been off of it for awhile... but I digress. I had heard wonderful things about Bracken, so I decided to try her new series even though I'm not usually a big historical fiction reader. I loved it. The time travel, the research, the everything was great in this book.

9. Illuminae by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff - I picked this up because the documentation style peaked my interest. I'm not a sci-fi reader. It's a slow process to enter into it. Anyways, I loved this book.

10. Covenant Series by Jennifer L. Armentrout - If you have read back on my blog, you know I'm kind of a big Armentrout fan. Despite this... I had zero interest in this series. Like zip, zilch, none. It just wasn't for me... I was certain of it. But, then last week I was trying to read Glass Sword and decided I wanted something more romantic (since it was the day before Valentine's Day and all)... so I chose this one at random. Yeah, I was wrong about it not being my style. I think I love this series more than the Lux series. I devoured it.. like read all 5 books and 3 novellas in less than a week. Then, I started rereading the Lux series for no reason (I'll finish the 4th book today). So yeah, for the last 1.5 weeks I've been stuck in a Armentrout vortex. I tried to pick up a few other books, but I think I'm stuck reading her for a while thanks to this series... Now I can't wait for The Power which releases today! I've heard Alex and Aiden make an appareance and well, I love them! 

Okay, sorry for the fangirling on the last one, but guyssss I literally can't get off her books right now and I put this series off for years, what is wrong with me!?!?

Like I said, this was basically Alexis does fantasy. I tried to throw a few other books in there for you as well though. Have you read any of these books? I'd love to hear from you... maybe I'll pull my head out of Armentout's books this week long enough to respond... *shuffles feet guiltily for lack of commenting or posting the last week or so*

Top Ten Theme songs that remind me of books

Link up here

So, I love music. Almost as much as I love books. I' not going to lie though, books win. Anyways, every now and then I hear a song and just think how perfectly it goes with a book I've read. So, I thought I'd feature some of these songs and the books they remind me of today. I thought about linking you all to the actual song but I got lazy... so if you haven't heard the songs before I suggest looking them up. I don't typically listen to top hits or anything, but I do listen to, well, a bit of everything.  I'll add just a little sample of lyrics to each song.

1. Late Great Planet Earth by Plumb.
The Sky is falling
voices crying out in depseration
hear them calling
Everybody, save yourself.








2. Winter Song by Sara Bareilles and Ingrid Michaelson.
This is my winter song to you
the storm is coming soon, 
it rolls in from the sea

My voice; a beacon in the night
My words will be your light
to carry you to me




3. Knights of Cydonia by Muse
Come ride with me
Through the veins of history
I'll show you a God who
Falls asleep on the job







4. Dancing by Elisa
Time is gonna take my mind
and carry it far away where I can fly
The depth of life will dim
my temptation to live for you...

So I put my arms around you, around you
And I know that I'll be leaving soon
My eyes are on you, they're on you
And you see that I can't stop shaking



5. All I Wanted by Paramore
Think of me when you're out
when you're out there
I'll beg you nice from my knees
And when the world treats you way too fairly
Well it's a shame I'm a dream

All I wanted was you
All I wanted was you



6. Fast as You Can by Fiona Apple
I let the beast in to soon, I don't know how to live
without my hand on his throat; I fight him always and still
Oh darling, it's so sweet, you think you know how crazy
How crazy I am







7. Black by Pearl Jam
Sheets of empty canvas, untouched sheets of clay
were laid spread out before me as her body once did
all five horizons revolved around her soul at the earth to the sun
now the air I tasted and breathed has taken a turn

Ooh, and all I taught her was everything
Ooh, I know she gave me all that she wore

(This song is also The Darkling from the Grisha series to a tee)


8. Arms by Christina Perri
I never thought that you would be the one to hold my heart
But you came around and you knocked off the ground from the start

You put your arms around me
and I believe that it's easier for you to let me go
you put your arms around me and I'm home





9. Slow Love Slow by Nightwish
Come and share this painting with me
Unveiling of me, the magician that never failed

A deep sigh coiled around my chest
Intoxicated by a major chord
I wonder
Do I love you of the thought of you




10. End of an Era by Oliver Boyd and the Remembralls
Don't you ever wonder what
will happens when it ends
how can we let go of the 
ones that we call friends
and I know, it's only a story, but
for so many it's more than that
It's a world all on it's own where we
want to put on the sorting hat.





Okay, I know that last one was created specifically for the Harry Potter series... but it so perfectly describes my feelings when the series came to an end. Super excited about the new script... but I want more more more!

So, what do you think? Do these songs match or am I crazy? That's what I love about music... it is completely open to interpretation. What songs remind you of a certain book?

Stacking the Shelves {6}

Link up at Tynga's Reviews

I had a pretty smal week this week. I have bought so much recently that I don't need a whole bunch. Although, I still have my never ending list of books I want to buy.

Books I bought

    

Glass Sword - I had this preordered. So excited to read it since I loved Red Queen. I started it last night, so hopefully I'll have it finished this weekend.
Unhooked - I love Peter Pan retellings. This one has gotten really good reviews on Goodreads so I went ahead, took the plunge and bought it. Can't wait to read it.
Falling Kingdoms Books 2-4 - You might remember I got the first book last week and mentioned how I'd wai until I had the whole series to read it. Well, I'm impatient and they were all pretty well priced online... so I bought them. This is probably the next fantasy series I'll be working through.

That's all I got this week. Like I said, it was a small week. There is a book sale going on that proceeds go to Habitat for Humanity. I'll probably stop by there this afternoon.I really am trying to pull back on my purchasing some though.

What'd you get this week? I'd love to hear from you!

Review: Truthwitch by Susan Dennard

Truthwith
Susan Dennard
Series: The Witchlands (#1)
Published: January 5, 2016
My Rating: ★★★★

Summary: (Taken from Goodreads)
In a continent on the edge of war, two witches hold its fate in their hands.

Young witches Safiya and Iseult have a habit of finding trouble. After clashing with a powerful Guildmaster and his ruthless Bloodwitch bodyguard, the friends are forced to flee their home.

Safi must avoid capture at all costs as she's a rare Truthwitch, able to discern truth from lies. Many would kill for her magic, so Safi must keep it hidden - lest she be used in the struggle between empires. And Iseult's true powers are hidden even from herself.

In a chance encounter at Court, Safi meets Prince Merik and makes him a reluctant ally. However, his help may not slow down the Bloodwitch now hot on the girls' heels. All Safi and Iseult want is their freedom, but danger lies ahead. With war coming, treaties breaking and a magical contagion sweeping the land, the friends will have to fight emperors and mercenaries alike. For some will stop at nothing to get their hands on a Truthwitch.

Links
Goodreads

Cover Comments
I originally only wanted this book because of the beautiful cover. I mean look at it guys. It's just so pretty and so bada**. Honestly, I'm really loving the awesomeness of Fantasy covers lately. They just keep looking better and better.

My Thoughts
I've had a hard time rating this book. I really really really enjoyed it once I got into it, but it took a long while for me to get into it. The first half, especially, dragged by. I was about to put it down. But, looking back on it, it really built it up to make this a great read. I think that, combined with something else I'll talk about later are the reason's I've settled on 4 instead of 5 stars.

I really loved the world Dennard has created. She has made all of this world where people are witches, and each of them has a different magicalpower from controlling the tides, to small things such as creating magical clothing. Some magical powers are dangerous in that the bearer can be taken advantage of of killed just because of what they can do. I loved the premise of the land, but I didn't feel like Dennard really took the time to fully build and develop the world for me. I want to know more. More about the witches, more about the different people. Just more. 

Let's talk about our main girls in this book. Safiya and Iseult are what best friends, or thread sisters. They became thread sisters after Iseult saved Safiya's life when they were just children. Safiya is a truthwitch. She can sense whether a person is being truthful or trying to decieve you at all times. Because this is sucha powerful power, especially in politics, she has hidden her power her entire life for fear of being held capitve or killed. Safiya comes from nobility. Her parents died and left her in the care of her alvoholic uncle, who sent her away to be hidden and trained. There she met Iseult. Iseult was probably my favorite character. She's so quietly strong. Where Safiya is outspoken and makes rash decisions, Iseult is there to balance her perfectly. She is a threadwitch. I'm kind of confused on what this means. She can sees the threads that tie people together. The threads also have colors that tell her about emotions and feelings. Iseult comes from a clan of outcasts. They live on the fringes of society and are not welcomed by other witches. They are essentially gypsies. Iseult's mother sent her away when she wasn't proved powerful enough by her mother's standards to take over someday. These girls are so perfect. They are both willing to do ANYTHING for the other. They know eachother through and through and I just loved the special bond between the two of them.

In the book, Iseult and Safiya stumble into a plan to take down the hierarchy. They are sent away for their own safety with the aid of Prince Merik, who is just focused on saving his own country. They are pursued by Aeduan. A bloodwitch who can track them anywhere given enough time using the scent of their blood. Did I mention I love Aeduan? No? I can't wait to see him develop more in future books. Anyways, when the secret of Safiya's power is revealed, our heros find themselves in an adventure of a lifetime trying to escape capture and secure their freedom. They are chased by other countries, they battle sea monsters, and our girls discover there may be more to their relationship than they originally thought with a deep prophecy at bay.

I do warn you though, there is a pretty horrible cliffhanger. Like I'm dying to know what will happen next and hate that I have to wait a whole year! Not smart me, not smart! It was cruel of Susan Dennard to leave me like that! So sad and cruel because I need to know now!

I don't want to give much more than that. But I will say... keep pushing through the first bit. Once you get there, this book becomes so fast paced. I took 5 days to read it and most of the book was read that last day when I could no longer put it down. I can't wait to read more. I really definitely recommend this book, I get this great feeling that this series will get better and better!

Review: P.S. I Still Love You by Jenny Han

P.S. I Still Love You
Jenny Han
Series: To All the Boys I've Loved Before (#2)
Other Books in this series: To All The Boys I've Loved Before (#1)
Published: May 26, 2015
My Rating: ★★★★

Summary: (Taken from Goodreads)
Lara Jean didn’t expect to really fall for Peter.
She and Peter were just pretending. Except suddenly they weren’t. Now Lara Jean is more confused than ever.
When another boy from her past returns to her life, Lara Jean’s feelings for him return too. Can a girl be in love with two boys at once?

In this charming and heartfelt sequel to the New York Timesbestseller To All the Boys I've Loved Before, we see first love through the eyes of the unforgettable Lara Jean. Love is never easy, but maybe that’s part of what makes it so amazing.

Links
Goodreads - Amazon - Barnes and Noble - Book Depository

Cover Comments
Once again, I love the cover. It's similar to the first cover, adorable, light, and girly girly girly. I love the designs of these books. Don't change it Simon and Schuster!! Just don't. Well, I guess I don't are too much if you do since I already own these covers, but yeah just leave it alone.

My Thoughts
I'm going to start by saying that I did really enjoy this book. It was just as cute, fun, and fast paced as the first book. I read it in a day. I didn't want to put it down. It was adorable. But, I didn't enjoy it as much as I loved the first one. Don't get me wrong. It still was very highly rated, but I just wanted something a little more you know... I don't know what it is, but I felt like just something that made me absolutely adore the first book was missing.

This book starts up right where the first book ended. Lara Jean is feeling hopeful that she might be able to fix things with Peter and they continue to live happily ever after. As the two patch things up, they decide to really give being a couple a go. Yay! But, Lara Jean is still very naive and has a really hard time trusting Peter since he still hangs out with his ex and her nemesis Genevieve. I kind of understand her feelings. Genevieve was a bitch through most of the book. As Lara Jean pulls away from Peter, she reconnects with another middle school 'love' John. 

Now, let me back up. I loved the family dynamic about 10,000,000 times more in this book. It was good in the first book, but in this book you really get to see how unbelievably close this family is. Lara Jean will do anything for her family, and her family will do anything for her. Are they perfect? No. Do they fight? Sure. But, they are a picture of what a family should be. Close, loving, and willing to bend the world for each other. I love for once seeing a great family in YA. No tortured family history, they love each other and it's wonderful to see.

Now, I really like Lara Jean and Peter. I don't like the drama they go through, but it's very high school. I remember having a huge arguement with my boyfriend in 10th grade because he met up with a girl that hated my guts at a bowling alley. It was petty and silly, but at the time it was the end of the world for me. High school girls are notoriously insecure. Thank you hormones. Lara Jean is so insecure. Sometimes I was rolling my eyes at her insecurity. I mean, the guy stood up in front of the whole school for you and you don't like that he said hi to someone else. Come on. 

I think what I love the most about this couple is that Han doesn't set them up to be this perfect forever couple. She lays them out like a high school couple. Maybe a first love, maybe more. Only time will tell. They aren't perfect, they don't lose the world in each other's eyes, and that is great. It is a realistic high school relationship. It doesn't pretend to be something greater. I think that's why I connect with these books... they truly remind me of what my high school experience was like.

Now, John is more that perfect guy. When he and Lara Jean meet up, it is an instant connection. He has eyes only for her and is willing to do whatever he can to get her. He was a little too perfect, but he's everything Peter isn't. Lara Jean has no doubts to his devotion to her. He makes it clear that he iked her from the beginning. Even in middle school, he had a huge thing for her. He even takes an interest in Lara Jean's hobbies like volunteering at the local nursing home. He is kind and careful to never overstep his boundaries with Lara Jean.

I'm not going to tell you who Lara Jean picks. But, I was happy with her choice. I think Han was true to a normal teenager. I kind of don't think that Lara Jean was worthy of the guy she picked. She put both these boys through the ringer with her insecurities and indecision. However, it says a lot about her pick that he wants to be with her anyways. 

Like I said, I still loved this one, but I think maybe it was the fact that Lara Jean was kind of annoying, it just wasn't as special to me. It didn't have the same magic. Does that mean you shouldn't read it? No! Especially if you want some closure to the story. It was a lot of fun, you should definitely still read it. A lot of people preferred this one to the first. I think if you enjoyed the first you'll enjoy the second book as well. So go read it now!