JANUARY BOOK HAUL (aka the New Year Haul!)

The Rose Society by Marie Lu

Hello,

New Year is long gone. Okay, a month gone.. A lot of things already happened. I'm saving up all over again but I'm still not placing myself on a buying ban. That will happen on June or July (preparation for MIBF2016). But I'm really proud of myself for not buying anything for the entire month (except for my 16-color Prang Watercolor. It was my personal gift for getting in the Dean's List. Yay Me!).

I'm so glad that the local bookstores finally had The Rose Society. I got it late December so it didn't make my December Book Haul post. It took FOREVER!! Now where's Winter? That's the other book I'm hoping to find.

[REVIEW] This is Where It Ends

Series: N/A
Author: Marike Nijkamp
Genre: young adult, contemporary, thriller, LGBT, mystery, crime
Published: January 5, 2016
Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire
Purchase: Amazon | B&N

10:00 a.m.
The principal of Opportunity, Alabama's high school finishes her speech, welcoming the entire student body to a new semester and encouraging them to excel and achieve. 

10:02 a.m.
The students get up to leave the auditorium for their next class. 

10:03 a.m.
The auditorium doors won't open. 

10:05 a.m.
Someone starts shooting. 

This explosive, emotional, page-turning debut about a high school held hostage is told from the perspective of four teens—each with their own reason to fear the boy with the gun. 

Marieke Nijkamp is a storyteller, dreamer, globe-trotter, geek. She holds degrees in philosophy, history, and medieval studies, and is an executive member of We Need Diverse Books, the founder of DiversifYA, and a founding contributor to YA Misfits. She lives in the Netherlands. Visit her at mariekenijkamp.com.

[BOOK BLITZ] Elementals: The Prophecy of Shadows

Series: Elementals #1
Author: Michelle Madow
Genre: young adult, fantasy, mythology, magic, witches, romance
Publisher: Dreamscape
Published: January 26, 2016
Purchase: Amazon | B&N | Kobo | iBookstore

Filled with magic, thrilling adventure, and sweet romance, Elementals is the first in a new series that fans of Percy Jackson and The Secret Circle will love!  

When Nicole Cassidy moves from sunny Georgia to gloomy New England, the last thing she expects is to learn that her homeroom is a cover for a secret coven of witches. Even more surprisingly … she’s apparently a witch herself. Despite doubts about her newfound abilities, Nicole is welcomed into this ancient circle of witches and is bedazzled by their powers—and, to her dismay, by Blake—the school’s notorious bad-boy. 

Girls who get close to Blake wind up hurt. His girlfriend Danielle will do anything to keep them away, even if she must resort to using dark magic. But the chemistry between Blake and Nicole is undeniable, and despite wanting to protect Nicole from Danielle’s wrath, he finds it impossible to keep his distance. 

When the Olympian Comet shoots through the sky for the first time in three thousand years, Nicole, Blake, Danielle, and two others in their homeroom are gifted with mysterious powers. But the comet has another effect—it opens the portal to the prison world that has contained the Titans for centuries. After an ancient monster escapes and attacks Nicole and Blake, it’s up to them and the others to follow the clues from a cryptic prophecy so that they can save their town … and possibly the world. 

[WEEKLY MUSING] The 5th Wave Movie

i hate taking photos at night -___-

Hello,

Last Sunday we went out and watched The 5th Wave. I didn't like it.

I like the book but I have to admit that I wasn't that of a big fan. I like the storytelling. I like the thrill. I like Zombie. I like Ringer. I like Nugget. I like the entire Squad 53. I like Cassie. I don't like Evan. I don't like Cassie's relationship with Evan.

BEN PARISH IS DEAD.
I don't miss him. Ben was a wuss, a crybaby, a thumb-sucker.
Not Zombie.
Zombie is everything Ben wasn't. Zombie is hardcore. Zombie is badass. Zombie is stone-cold. -p213

This few words from the book honestly got stuck to me. You know, because is Zombie is my fave.

This post is mostly me raging about the things I DID NOT LIKE about the movie. Don't hate.

[REVIEW] UnWholly

Series: Unwind #2
Author: Neal Shusterman
Genre: young adult, science fiction, dystopia, fantasy, romance, thriller, horror, adventure
Published: August 28, 2012
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers
Purchase: Amazon

The Harvest Camp revolt was victorious, but the war on unwinding is just beginning.

Thanks to Connor, Lev, and Risa, and their high-profile revolt at Happy Jack Harvest Camp, people can no longer turn a blind eye to unwinding. But even as the future of unwinding is brought into question, AWOL kids are still fighting to make it to their eighteenth birthday. 

Connor has his hands full running the Graveyard, a safe haven for kids like him who escaped unwinding. Risa, paralyzed from the waist down after the attack on the camp, is afraid that she may be more of a burden than a help. And Lev finds himself involved in an underground movement to rescue tithes, where he is practically worshiped as a god. 

One of them will be betrayed. One of them will go on the run. And one of them will cross paths with Cam, a teen who doesn't exist. A twenty-first-century Frankenstein's monster, Cam is made entirely out of the parts of other unwinds. 

And none of them will be ready for the startling truth behind unwinding... 

[WEEKEND READS] Busy as Hell!

Hello,

When I don't post anything new, you know I'm busy. Why I don't have scheduled post is stupid of me. I'm generally lazy and most of the times I don't want to hassle myself in posting when I don't really feel like doing so. I have draft reviews and notes on the books I read so I don't really mind having them a bit late (so this is me making an excuse, hahaha).

I so glad to finally have the next few days off from several school works (except for writing a bit of my thesis' chapter 1) because of University Week. I'm really excited to get around reading a few books just because I won't have to work on some school stuff.

Eleanor & Park | Rainbow Rowell
Finished it a couple of days ago and I really LOVE the ending. It's one of those endings that makes you a tad bit sad yet at the same time makes you smile at those last few lines of the novel. I LOVE the development of Eleanor and Park's relationship - I like how they started off awkwardly then ended up helplessly in love with each other. It really gives off that coming-of-age feel especially on the romance aspect of the story.
Revealed (Rumors #2) | A.C. Arthur
I have such mixed emotions for this one. The revelation caught me off guard and I don't exactly know what to feel about it. It certainly was unexpected but seriously? Such reasons? Such twist? I should have expected it but I guess I always rule that possibility out whenever I read mystery novels. Review will be up soon.

[WEEKLY MUSING] 2016 Reading Challenge

Hello,

This year, I decided not join any Reading Challenge just so I don't have to track anything or such. I guess that's just me being lazy and not trying to actually commit myself to anything. Instead of joining individual challenges, I decided to just place everything in here. At the very least, I'm in control of what I want to achieve and not just read a certain something (unless I join every reading challenge possible).

I want a little bit of everything which is why I decided to just create my personal reading challenge instead of tediously joining every challenge available and updating everything once or every other month. I started my Book Journal this year so that will help me track everything I'll be reading this year along as well as  this challenge.

[WEEKEND READS] Yeah? Yeah.

current read.

Hello,

I suck at reading classics. I said last week that I was reading 1984. And I tried really hard to really keep reading it but my interest just falters a lot especially with school back at full swing once again. I'll read it again soon. I'll finish it. I don't want to leave a book unfinished. So soon... I promise.

I think that setting it aside for now is the best choice. I don't want to get stuck reading something I'm not enjoying. Maybe when I'm in a better mood for it, I'll pick it up once again and read it from the very beginning (just like what I did with Wuthering Heights years ago - took me the third time reading it to actually finish it).

This is Where It Ends | Marieke Nijkamp
Such a great read. I had mixed feelings about the multiple POVs. It was intriguing and I had questions (really stupid once maybe) that were left unanswered which I am not happy about. But the ending really moved me. Review will be up soon :)

[REVIEW] The Earth is Singing

Series: N/A
Author: Vanessa Curtis
Genre: young adult, historical fiction
Published: January 27, 2015
Publisher: Usborne Publishing
Purchase: Amazon

My name is Hanna Michelson.

I am fifteen. 

I am Latvian. 

I live with my mother and grandmother. My father is missing - taken by the Russians. 

I have a boyfriend. When he holds my hand, everything feels perfect. 

I'm training to be a dancer. 

But none of that matters now. 

Because the Nazis have arrived, and I am a Jew. And as far as they are concerned, that is all that matters. 

This is my story.

[REVIEW] Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children

Series: Miss Peregrine's Peculiar Children #1
Author: Ransom Riggs
Genre: young adult, fantasy, mystery, horror, historical fiction, time travel, supernatural, paranormal, adventure
Published: June 4, 2013 (first published June 7, 2011)
Publisher: Quirk Books
Purchase: Amazon

A mysterious island. An abandoned orphanage. A strange collection of peculiar photographs. It all waits to be discovered in Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children, an unforgettable novel that mixes fiction and photography in a thrilling reading experience. As out story opens, a horrific family tragedy sets sixteen-year-old Jacob journeying to a remote island off the coast of Wales, where he discovers the crumbling ruins of Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children. As Jacob explores its decaying bedrooms and hallways, it becomes clear that Miss Peregrine's children were more than just peculiar. They may have been dangerous. They may have been quarantined on a deserted island for good reason. And somehow - impossible though it seems - they may still be alive.

[WEEKLY MUSING] Fave 2015 Reads

some of my fave reads

Hello,

I'm obviously late for the party. Everyone else have posted their fave lists. But better late than then never, yeah?

2015 was a great and crazy year (kind of feels that I describe everything the same way.. ugh). I'm so glad to have tried and several new authors and series yet disappointedly finished only a couple or so. Turns out, it's 2015 when I started reading the Lunar Chronicles and Throne of Glass which I both fell in love with. I started a few series such as The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer which I'd love to continue but still can't seem to do so for various reasons.

[WEEKEND READS] Happy New Year!

current and recent reads

Hello,

Belated Happy New Year to everyone! 2015 has been one crazy hell and I've always been in and out of blogging but considering it as a mere hobby going side by side with my studies, I'd say I'm doing quite well :)

Along with the start of a new year, I'd like to work on another weekly post and this time I'd feature books I recently, currently, and would like to read. Also, I'll be including anime marathon I had in the past week (if any).

The Standout (A Robin Bricker Novel) | Laurel Osterkamp
Mystery novel. Three POVs. I really like the mystery of the novel. It intrigued and kept me guessing until the end. There was a small number of suspects but I was never really sure (and I even had my suspect wrong). Full review will be up soon :)
On Thin Icing (A Bakeshop Mystery #3) | Ellie Alexander
It felt so amazing to be back on this series!! I LOVE the food, Jules, the appearance of Carlos, the mystery, the location. This is such a lovely cozy read and I highly recommended cozy mystery series!
UnWholly (Unwind #2) | Neal Shusterman
I reread this book because I'm going to read the third book, UnSouled, soon. I just need a breather book before proceeding to it (haha). Anyway, even though this is a reread, it really felt like it's the first time I read it. I still strongly felt for some moments, and had goosebumps on some. Really reminds me of why I like Neal Shusterman :)

[REVIEW] On Thin Icing + Interview

full tour schedule can be found at CBB Book Promotions

Series: A Bakeshop Mystery #3
Author: Ellie Alexander
Genre: adult, mystery, cozy mystery
Published: December 29, 2015
Publisher: St. Martin's Press
Purchase: Amazon | B&N | Powells

Welcome to Torte-a small-town family bakeshop where the treats are killer good.

It's the dead of winter in the sleepy town of Ashland, which means no tourists-and fewer customers-for Jules Capshaw and her bakery. But when she's asked to cater an off-season retreat for the directors of the Oregon Shakespeare Festival, business starts heating up...until Jules finds a dead body in the freezer.

"An intriguing new series." -Reader to Reader

Someone at the retreat has apparently iced the bartender, a well-known flirt with a legendary temper-that is, before a killer beat him to the punch. Then, from out of nowhere, Jules's own ex-husband shows up at the shop-and soon becomes a suspect. With accusations piling up higher than the snow-and thicker than a chocolate mousse cake-Jules has to think outside the (recipe) box to find the real culprit...and make sure he gets his just desserts.

"A delectable tale of murder and intrigue." -Portland Book Review on Meet Your Baker