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julie kagawa

Book Haul

Letterbox Love (23)

Posted on 8 December, 2013

Letterbox Love is a UK based feature where book bloggers showcase the books that they received that week, be they e-books, paperbacks, hardbacks or any other format. It is hosted by Lynsey from Narratively Speaking.

I’m going to tell you a story. Are you sitting comfortably? This week I didn’t get any books at all and I was really proud of myself and so happy. That is until today when I went into my town and bought nine books. Yes, I know! Don’t look at me like that! I’m addicted, okay? *scurries away*

Bought

The first place I stopped was WH Smiths where I bought the Frostbite and Shadow Kiss by Rochelle Mead, the second and third books in the series. I liked the first book but didn’t love it so I’m hoping that they’ll get better as the series go on. I’m not a huge fan of the new covers but they are growing on me. The final book I bought in the shop was Gone by Michael Grant, which has been recommended to me a number of times and it’s such a well-known book that I can’t not read it.

I then stopped by good ol’ Waterstones and picked up Graffiti Moon by Cath Crowley. This was recommended to my ages ago – so long ago that I can’t remember the person who told me to read it – and I’ve finally bought it. I’m always in the mood for a good contemporary book, and this certainly looks promising. Because I loved The Key to the Golden Firebird so much, I decided to buy Suite Scarlett by Maureen Johnson. I’ll read anything that Hot Key publish and I’m jumping up and down just thinking about starting this one. Finally, I bought Ketchup Clouds by Annabel Pitcher because it’s a book that frequently comes up at the book club I run and so I thought I’d join in on the conversation too.

My final stop was at The Works. If you don’t know what The Works is, it’s a crafty, bookish, random shop that sells everything really cheaply. One of the deals they have is 3 books for £5 so I obviously took advantage of this and came out with these brilliant books. The Iron Legends by Julie Kagawa is a series of novellas set in between each book and I’m really looking forward to diving back into the world once more. Maria V. Snyder’s Touch of Power has a very interesting premise, and do I need to say anything about Stardust by Neil Gaiman? I can’t wait to read all three.

What did you haul this week? Link me to your own posts or let me know below!

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November Wrap-Up and December Goals | 2013

Posted on 4 December, 2013

It’s December! I love the Christmas atmosphere of this month – we can finally open our advent calendars, put up our Christmas trees and spread the festive spirit! I’m feeling particularly cheery this year and have a few Christmas posts planned for this month, which I’m really looking forward to writing. A very exciting month ahead!

November was as exciting as I’m hoping December will be and I managed to get a lot read. Woo! I’ve been in a reading slump since the start of September so I’m glad that I’ve finally broken it and I’m getting back into the swing of finding time each day to read. I’m trying to set twenty minutes aside each day to read and this has really helped me feel a lot better and also get a lot more read.

The books I read in November were:

The Iron Knight by Julie Kagawa, The Darkest Minds by Alexandra Bracken, My Life Next Door by Huntley Fitzpatrick, The Key to the Golden Firebird by Maureen Johnson, The Isobel Journal by Isobel Harrop, Storm and Stone by Joss Stirling, When It Happens by Susane Colasanti, Severed Heads, Broken Hearts by Robyn Schneider.

Choosing a book of the month is going to be very hard, because all of them were so good!
I’m going to have to choose The Darkest Minds because I was totally hooked, and also The Isobel Journal because it’s a favourite of mine now. They’re both completely different, so it’s nice to see a variation in what I’m reading.

Things of note that happened in November:

– I did NaNoWriMo, and then stopped at 12,000 words! You may think that I failed and I know people have been asking me why I stopped and the reason I did stop was because I didn’t feel like I needed to go on. I wasn’t trying to reach 50,000 words this month, although that would have been amazing. Instead I wanted to get something written. So I don’t think I failed and I’m very proud of myself for writing so much in such a short space of time: I think I wrote it in around 5 days.

– I went ice skating! I went with a few of my friends to an ice rink close to me which has been put up for the holiday season and I had so much fun. I’ve always loved ice skating and actually didn’t fall over! I’m hoping to go a few more times in the coming weeks because I realised just how much I enjoy it. I loved watching Dancing on Ice when I was younger and am in awe of the people who can do all those moves and not fall over! I’m so clumsy!

– I went to laser quest, and I failed. It was my friend’s birthday and thirteen of us went. It was lots of fun, but I came 11th. I obviously didn’t channel my inner Katniss Everdeen enough. Maybe next time!

December Goals:

Books I’m Hoping To Read in December:

Let It Snow by John Green, Maureen Johnson and Lauren Myracle – I’m planning to read this a few days before Christmas, and I am so excited. I’ve heard amazing things about it and it certainly looks promising. I can’t wait!

Memory by Christoph Marzi – This is a review book I have and I love the sound of it. I’m not sure if I’ve read anything similar to it before so I’m looking forward to reading something a bit different.

Della says: OMG! by Keris Stainton – Eeeep! I’m a huge fan of Keris’ books and this is the only one I haven’t read. It sounds fab!

How I Live Now by Meg Rosoff – I’m super nervous about starting this because there’s so much hype, and there’s even more now that it has been translated onto the big screen. I’m really looking forward to it, though.

The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold – I thought it was finally time I gave this a go. I’ve read the first chapter or two and I enjoyed it, so hopefully the rest will be just as good.

Burn for Burn by Jenny Han and Siobhan Vivian – My friend recently read this so I thought I’d give it a go too and it sounds absolutely amazing. Can’t wait!

The Naturals by Jennifer Lynn Barnes – This has been likened to Ally Carter’s books, which I loved, so I feel super excited to start it. It sounds so kick ass! It’s also a review book, so expect a review sometime soon!

The Killing Woods by Lucy Christopher – I was at the launch in October and really enjoyed the part that Lucy read out, so I can’t wait to read the whole book. Another review book!

This Song Will Save Your Life by Leila Sales – One that I’ve heard amazing things about and I know I’ll completely adore it, because I don’t think I know of anyone who hasn’t. Yay! Another review book!

Legend by Marie Lu – This sounds awesome and I have a gorgeous hardback copy which just adds to the reading experience. I’ve heard amazing things about it and so I’m keeping my fingers crossed I enjoy it.

Allegiant by Veronica Roth – I decided that if I didn’t read it now I would just keep putting it off, so here we are! I have no idea what I’ll think of it, but lets hope I think positive things!

Other Goals:

– I’m hoping to get a lot of posts out this month because I’ve been neglecting the blog a lot lately. I have loads of ideas so I just need to get on and write the posts now!

– Enjoy myself! This is something I really need to focus on because I’ve been feeling like blogging is a huge pressure for ages now. I just want to relax and have fun.

How was your November? Have you set yourself any goals for December? Let me know!

Book Haul

Stacking the Shelves (13)

Posted on 17 August, 2013

Stacking The Shelves is all about sharing the books you are adding to your shelves, may it be physical or virtual. This means you can include books you buy in physical store or online, books you borrow from friends or the library, review books, gifts and of course ebooks! It is hosted by Tynga’s Reviews.

I’ve such a great haul this week with some brilliant books!

To Review:

Arclight by Josin L. McQuein- This one sounds really intriguing and I love the cover. Thank you, Electric Monkey!

Charm and Strange by Stephanie Kuehn- I’ve heard some amazing things about this one and I’m looking forward to seeing what everyone is on about. Thanks, Electric Monkey!

Library

It’s no secret that I have the best library ever and I couldn’t resist stopping by earlier this week.

The Weight of Water by Sarah Crossan- I’ve already read this and absolutely adored it. It’s one of the most beautifully written books I’ve ever read and I’m so glad I picked it up.

The Disappeared by C.J. Harper- This one sounds really good and it’s UKYA so I’ll read it whatever. 🙂

Invisibility by David Levithan and Andrea Cremer- I’ve heard good things about this one and the premise sounds absolutely amazing.

Red Ink by Julie Mayhew- I saw Tracy’s tweets about this book and thought I’d give it a go myself because she’s Book Recommender Extraordinaire and it sounds so good. I also really love Hot Key’s books.

Given:

A massive thank you to Fiona from Eventide Reads for both of these pretties!

Glow by Amy Kathleen Ryan- This one sounds amazing and I’ve seen some really glowing reviews…Excuse the pun! The cover is gorgeous, too!

Across the Universe by Beth Revis- This is actually my second copy of this but I haven’t read it yet. I must do soon!

THANK YOU, FIONA!

Won:

Dare You To by Katie McGarry- I won this from Emma at Never Judge a Book by Its Cover. I read it back in January but am super pleased to have my own copy of the book. Thank you, Emma!

e-Books

Bought:

Keeping Her by Cora Carmack- I read this as soon as it was delivered to my Kindle and it was AMAZING. I love Cora’s books soooo much!

To review:

The Iron Traitor by Julie Kagawa- I haven’t read the last Iron Fey yet or the first Call of the Forgotten but this will hopefully kick me into reading it. Thank you, Harlequin Teen/Mira INK!

Shadowhunters and Downworlders, edited by Cassandra Clare- EEP! I’m a huge fan of Cassandra Clare’s books so can’t wait to read this one! Thank you BenBella Books INC!

Rolling Dice by Beth Reekles- I liked The Kissing Booth and this one sounds better than that, so hopefully I’ll enjoy it! Thank you, Random House!

What did you get this week? Link me to your own book hauls!

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A to Z Book Survey

Posted on 12 August, 2013

The A to Z Book Survey was created by Jamie from The Perpetual Page-Turner. I love her blog so much (seriously, she’s one of my blogging idols) and she does the End of Year Book Survey every year which is such a good idea. I’ve seen this going round the blogosphere for a few days now and I thought I’d give it a go myself because it’s such fun.

Author you’ve read the most books from:

According to Goodreads, I’ve read the most books by Cassandra Clare (7), but I know that according to my bookshelf it is Meg Cabot. I’ll read anything written by both.

Best Sequel Ever:

I’m going to choose Unravel Me by Tahereh Mafi for this one because I couldn’t put it down. I love her books so much and this one exceeded Shatter Me by miles.

Currently Reading:

At the time of writing this (yesterday), I was reading The Infinite Moment of Us by Lauren Myracle, which I’m finding very difficult to get into. 🙁

Drink of Choice While Reading:

I only drink water so that’s going to have to be my answer. Although when I’m reading I usually forget to drink anything.

E–reader or Physical Book?

I’ll always love physical books, and nothing will beat them for me, but I am trying to read more e-books because they’re so much cheaper and it’s much easier to buy novels that aren’t so freely available here in the UK. This saves me having to buy a hardcover for a book I might not enjoy.

Fictional Character You Probably Would Have Actually Dated In High School:

Levi from Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell! My ultimate book boyfriend. *swoon*

Glad You Gave This Book A Chance:

Wings by Aprilynne Pike, because I was very close to DNF-ing it.

Hidden Gem Book:

The Avery Shaw Experiment by Kelly Oram. I didn’t expect to love it as much as I did!

Important Moment in your Reading Life:

Starting my blog. I wouldn’t be the reader I am today without it, because blogging made me read more and look to other genres that weren’t familiar to me.

Just Finished:

Faking It by Cora Carmack which I LOVED. I love her books so much now!

Kinds of Books You Won’t Read:

I don’t like reading vampire novels, but I will tolerate them. I do avoid time travel novels now because I just have a lot of problems with them.

Longest Book You’ve Read:

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix by J.K. Rowling

Major book hangover because of:

Shaman of Stonewylde by Kit Berry. It’s the last book in my favourite series

Number of Bookcases You Own:

I have two shelves that run the length of my wall, one that runs half and a big bookcase. And I still don’t have enough room…

One Book You Have Read Multiple Times:

City of Bones by Cassandra Clare. Whenever I’m in a reading slump, I’ll pick it up and it always helps me get out of it.

Preferred Place To Read:

I can read just about anywhere, but I love reading in my chair which normally has things heaped up the sides and fall on me pretty regularly. I’d take a picture but it’s so messy the sight would probably horrify you.

Quote that inspires you/gives you all the feels from a book you’ve read:

“‘After all this time?’

‘Always,’ said Snape.”

It gets me every time!

Reading Regret:

This is a really hard one for me to answer because there’s nothing that I wish I had done differently. I’m still really young so I can’t say I wish I had done things years ago and I read so much anyway that I can usually fit in anything that I want to read. I’m going to leave this one blank for now.

Series You Started And Need To Finish(all books are out in series):

The Iron Fey series by Julie Kagawa. I only have one more book to go!

Three of your All-Time Favorite Books:

Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell

City of Bones by Cassandra Clare

Magus of Stonewylde by Kit Berry

Unapologetic Fangirl For:

Anything Rainbow Rowell, which is pretty ironic seeing as though one of her books is called Fangirl.

Very Excited For This Release More Than All The Others:

Ignite Me by Tahereh Mafi! Words cannot explain how excited I am. 😀

Worst Bookish Habit:

I do buy a lot of books that end up sitting on my pile for months and months. My TBR pile takes up two shelves.

X Marks The Spot: Start at the top left of your shelf and pick the 27th book:

Crescendo by Becca Fitzpatrick

Your latest book purchase:

Faking It by Cora Carmack for my Kindle.

ZZZ-snatcher book (last book that kept you up WAY late):

Losing It by Cora Carmack! I stayed up all night reading it!

Have you done this survey? Link me to your own posts if so!

(sorry for the lack of pictures. My post wouldn’t format them properly. :))