Top Ten Tuesday: Confessions of a Book Blogger

We usually do Teaser Tuesdays today but I JUST finished Girl of Nightmares and I really like this week's topic.

Blogger Confessions:
Ten secrets that revolve around the world of books. :)

1. I HATE paperback. 
I will spend the extra 10 dollars every time to get a hardback book. If I have a book in paperback sitting on my shelf, it pretty much promises that it will be sitting there for a long time.

2. I feel super dirty getting books from the library. 
It may make me a total book snob, but I hate libraries. I don't like that tons of people have touched the books before me. I like going to pretty Barnes and Noble and sipping a nice Venti black tea from their cafe. I'm a book snob and I've embraced it.

3. I grab the bottom book in the stack. 
On more than one occasion at more that one location, grabbing the book from the bottom of the stack has gotten me either a higher quality book, or even an autographed copy. It's my own personal little ritual. Even some of my friends who will buy me books, know to grab the back copy. :)

4. I skim through details. 
If the author is going on and on about a certain architectural feature, or landscape... I admit... I totally skim through it looking for key words.

5. I Secretly Want A Nook. 
I always tell people that I don't want one because I like the feeling of a real book in my hands... which is very much true. BUT... there are so many books and short stories that come out only in an ebook format that I just really want a Nook so I don't miss out on those.

6. There is absolutely no rhyme or reason to my shelf system, but I can tell you where every book is, without fail. 
If Nic calls me and asks me to tell her where a specific book is on my shelves, I can do it without even thinking... and I have 6 bookshelves all either full or double shelved.

7. I Usually know how I'm going to rate a book by about 3/4 of the way through it. 
There have been a couple of surprises where the ending was so amazing that it had boosted the rating, but usually about 3/4 of the way through I book I can pretty much tell exactly what I'm going to say about it in a review.

8. I LOVE love triangles. 
I don't care how many authors use the one girl/two guys love triangle plot... I love it, I will always love it.

9. I almost always pick the guy that I'm not supposed to. 
Team Gale. Team Christian. Team Jules. Team Xander.Team Zenn. I don't know what it is about these "losing" boys... but I just love them.

10. I RARELY lend my books out. 
I've had too many horror stories where I lend my books out and they either come back ruined or dirty. There is a SUPER SUPER small list of people who I even let touch my books. Nic is really the ONLY person in the entire world who has free range to take whatever she wants whenever she wants. Even my sisters aren't allowed to take anything without some sort of insurance. :) My books are my babies... I make sure they are well taken care of when they are away from me.

In My Mailbox

So I'm very much aware that it is Monday... and In my Mailbox posts are supposed to be on Sundays... but I really didn't have time to do this post yesterday and I knew I was getting some new books today. :) I ran out to Barnes and Noble with my buddy Hannah yesterday and also met up with a good friend today who was delivering me a bunch of ARCS YAY!!!

So here's what I got in the past 2 days:

I've been waiting for this one for quite a while. I'm really excited to finally have it in my hands. I'm fairly certain that it is the most beautifully stunning cover that I've ever seen. This is most of why Hannah and I drove out to BN yesterday. :) It technically isn't supposed to be out until tomorrow but I had a hunch that it would be on the shelves...and it was. :)

I actually hadn't heard of this book when I pulled it out of my pile of new ARCS. I figured it would be one that would be sitting on my shelf for a little while while I read my way through the others. Then I read the synopsis... guys...this book looks SOOOO COOL! I thought I knew exactly what I was going to read after I finished Girl of Nightmares but apparently this decision is going to be harder than i'd originally anticipated.

I personally don't really know much about this book. I do know that it has been all over the bloggersphere lately and that it is a featured Breathless Reads book this year... so you know it'll be good. :)

I just love this cover. :) When the Breathless Reads books were first announced, this was the book I was most excited for. It has been a while since I've read a historical fiction and I think it's about time that I pick one up. I just love the mask on this cover... makes me want to go to a masquerade. :)

This is another book that I've seen A LOT around the blogs. I was really excited when I saw I had received this book. It looks really cool!!














That's what I got this weekend. :) What did you guys get?

Waiting on Wednesday

I'm not a patient person. One has to wait for so many different things throughout life that I just get sick of waiting. Books are especially troubling to wait for. If I finish one book and there is a sequel...it's only natural that I would like to start reading that book now...rather than a year later. It's really frustrating sometimes. The Vampire Queen series is an extreme example to this frustration. I read Infinite Days probably two years ago. I was really excited to start to read the next one: Stolen Nights. It's a really good story, and I was excited to see how it would continue. Then the book release got pushed back, and back, and back. Basically I've been waiting for this book longer than any other... So this week I thought it would be fitting to talk about the queen of Waiting on Wednesday books... Stolen Nights by Rebecca Maizel.

Goodreads:
Lenah Beaudonte should be dead. But having sacrificed herself to save another, she finds herself awakening with strange powers that are neither vampire nor human—and a new enemy on her trail. In her vampire life, Lenah had thought that being human was all she ever wanted; but the human heart suffers pain, heartbreak and loss. 

With her new powers growing and the dark force of the Nex after her soul, Lenah faces a choice: between the mortal love of gorgeous Justin, whose passion fed her human soul, and taking a different path to become the mistress of her own destiny, wherever that may lead...

Teaser Tuesday

Teaser Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by Should Be Reading. It's super easy to participate: 1. Grab your current read. 2.Open to a random page. 3. Choose 2 sentences This week I'm reading Girl of Nightmares by Kendare Blake which is the sequel to Anna Dressed in Blood. I love how creepy this series is... super dark.

   

   "Anna is waiting in my bedroom. Her head lolls as if on a broken neck; her eyes roll up to mine."
                                             ( Pg. 102)

The Time WIll Come

I have 2 shelves of books that I bought a while ago and just haven't had time to get to reading. It makes me a little sad when I look at those shelves because I feel very unaccomplished...then I go to my other shelves and feel a little better. ;) It is always difficult for me to pick a book that has been collecting dust on my shelf because honestly I do want to get around to all of them... it just might take a little while. This week was a little easier to choose than most weeks... I'm not sure why. This title just sort of screamed at me from the bookshelf.

This week's Time Will Come book is: Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins

This isn't the cover that I own...but I like this one better... it's sweet, so I chose to use this picture instead. :) I'm actually not a huge fan of Contemporaries BUT everyone loves this book...seriously I mean EVERYONE loves this book. I bought last summer in paperback and planned on reading it this summer...but of course, I left it at my apartment 5 hours away and failed to grab it the one time that I went back. SO... I'm hoping that after I read a few others that I've been excited to read... I'll pick this one up. Have any of you read it? Did you love it?

A Music Break

Everyone likes a little music during their day. Here are some of my favorite youtube videos/songs.













Hope you have a nice relaxing day filled with music and books!! :)

In My Mailbox

I splurged a little this past week. I usually wait to find books for cheap or try to borrow them instead in order to save money, but I just REALLY wanted to buy a few books. So I did! I had a coupon so I ordered The Pledge by Kimberly Derting because I have been making myself wait to buy it but I just couldn't wait anymore! Not with the sequel coming out relatively soon. Then me and Del went to Barnes and Noble (our most favorite hang out spot ever). She told me to pick up all the books I wanted so that we could sit and figure out which ones to buy. So I did. By the time I was done I had two huge stacks in my arms while she had one large stack, most of them being mine. We took a good half hour or so to read the synopses, look at the beautiful covers, talk about what we've heard from others about each book, and to figure out if I could borrow any of them from others or the library. Once it was all said and done, I ended up with Shadowcry by Jenna Burtenshaw and Journey to the Fringe by Kelli Swofford Nielsen. Apparently I was in an adventurous mood that day! So thank you to The Story Siren for hosting this lovely meme and we would love to hear what you got in your mailboxes this past week! And in my opinion, if you haven't checked out any of these books yet, you seriously need to. I started reading the beginning of each one and they are all VERY well-written and look like they'll be amaszing!! Otherwise, have a happy Sunday everyone!

The Pledge by Kimberly Derting

Goodreads Summary:
In the violent country of Ludania, the classes are strictly divided by the language they speak. The smallest transgression, like looking a member of a higher class in the eye while they are speaking their native tongue, results in immediate execution. Seventeen-year-old Charlaina has always been able to understand the languages of all classes, and she's spent her life trying to hide her secret. The only place she can really be free is the drug-fueled underground clubs where people go to shake off the oppressive rules of the world they live in. It's there that she meets a beautiful and mysterious boy named Max who speaks a language she's never heard before . . . and her secret is almost exposed.

Charlie is intensely attracted to Max, even though she can't be sure where his real loyalties lie. As the emergency drills give way to real crisis and the violence escalates, it becomes clear that Charlie is the key to something much bigger: her country's only chance for freedom from the terrible power of a deadly regime.

Shadowcry by Jenna Burtenshaw

Goodreads Summary:
The Night of Souls—when the veil between the living and the dead is thinnest—is only days away.

Albion is at war . . . and losing.

The wardens have descended, kidnapping innocent citizens for their army, but looking for one in particular.

And fifteen-year-old Kate Winters has just raised a blackbird from the dead.

As her home is torn apart by the wardens, Kate's discovery that she is one of the Skilled—the rare people who can cross the veil between life and death—makes her the most hunted person in all of Albion. Only she can unlock the secrets of Wintercraft, the ancient book of dangerous knowledge. Captured and taken to the graveyard city of Fume—with its secret tunnels and underground villages, and where her own parents met their deaths ten years ago—Kate must harness her extraordinary powers to save herself, her country, and the two men she cares for most. And she'll make a pact with a murderer to do it.

Those who wish to see the dark, be ready to pay your price.

Journey to the Fringe by Kelli Swofford Nielsen

Goodreads Summary:
Long ago, Stone Mages were revered in Lyria. They were men and women who could use powerful tradestones to harness their unique gifts of wind, rain, and earth to help those around them. But war with the Southern realm has threatened the mages with extinction. The truth about the tradestones has been lost, and the remaining magic is dwindling. When Princess Ivy, the beloved daughter of the king, is abducted, it seems that all hope for Lyria is lost as well. But when an unlikely group of loyal subjects embarks on a dangerous journey to the far-distant Fringe, the hope of restoring crown and kingdom is renewed. Among the group is Simon, a fool with wisdom beyond his years; Gilda, a nonmagical witch; Burr, a young thief; and Merrick, a jaded sea captain. Their quest will test their courage, their strength, and their friendship. But at the Fringe, they encounter a truth that will change everything they thought they knew about themselves, and this small band of heroes must embrace the power that is their birthright and stand together as Stone Mages of Lyria.

Shelf Candy

Everyone knows the old "don't judge a book by its cover" saying... but I'll be the first to admit that a pretty cover never hurt anyone. Covers give you a little peak at what the book is about and the over all mood of the story. Honestly, there are times when I walk through the YA section at Barnes and Noble and see a pretty book and want it strictly because the cover is so freaken beautiful that I know it will look ever so beautiful on my bookshelf. I have also been burned many times after buying the hardback cover and then a year later find the paperback cover to be stunning; so much so that I briefly consider buying the paperback too. :)

A couple of weeks ago, I was searching through Goodreads and just happened upon this book. I was immediately drawn to the super powerful cover but then the summary was awesome too. I can't wait for this one to come out!

Let us look at the beautiful cover:

Things I love:
First of all, I love dance. I'm awful... but I'm addicted to So You Think You Can Dance. One day I will write a book about a dancer. I also love the petal dress. I want a tutu made of rose petals!!!!! It's just such a frighteningly beautiful cover, it makes me just want to hold the book... well and then read it. :)









That is all from me today. Now back to reading. :)

Still On My Mind

It's always really hard for me to pick just one book or even series that I can't get out of my mind. Honestly, I think about so many on a daily basis. I'm either talking about one with Nichole, or blogging about another, or reading about a book on someone else's blog... or something will happen to me during the day that will just remind me of a particular book. Lately, I've been thinking a lot about A Great and Terrible Beauty by Libba Bray.

I received this book as a birthday present from my aunt and uncle when I was 14. I thought it was such a pretty book and I was excited to start reading it. I was hooked from page one.

Years later it is still one of my favorite books and very easily my favorite series. I recommend it to people without hesitation almost constantly. I think about it every time I hear the names: Gemma, Pippa or Felicity. I think about it every time I see it at the bookstore or even when I see another Libba Bray book at the bookstore. I'm just in love with this book.

And almost every time that I do think about this book... I think that I need to read this series again. It has been far too long and I feel like I need to dive back into Gemma's world...or worlds. :)

Waiting On Wednesday

So for today's Waiting On Wednesday (hosted by Breaking the Spine), I want to focus on The Essence by Kimberly Derting. It's the sequel to The Pledge which I JUST got in the mail!! I have been waiting to read this one but I try to wait until it's closer to the sequel's release because I hate waiting so long to continue the story. I avoided temptation for a while I think! But just the excitement of reading The Pledge has got me excited for its sequel. So today I am squealing over The Essence with its beautiful cover and (expectantly) epic story!!

The Essence by Kimberly Derting
Expected Publication Date: Jan. 1st, 2013

Goodreads Summary:
 Poor child. Poor, wretched child. You have no idea what you’re up against. No idea how to stop me, do you?

Though it has been months since Charlaina—Charlie—defeated the tyrant Sabara and took control of the Ludanian crown, Sabara has not disappeared. The old queen’s Essence has fused itself to Charlie’s psyche and is viciously fighting to overpower Charlie.

Balancing her new duties as Queen and battling both Sabara’s voice and a growing resistance to her rule push Charlie to the brink of exhaustion. She wants to be the same old Charlie she has ever been but now she is Your Majesty.

As Charlie journeys to an annual summit to meet with the leaders of nearby Queendoms—an event where her ability to understand all languages is the utmost asset—she is faced with the ultimate betrayal. And the only person she can turn to for help is the evil soul residing within.

Happily Ever Endings: Possession by Elana Johnson

What is it?
Happily Ever Endings was created by Amber of Down The Rabbit Hole due to the relatively frustrating feeling one has when it has been a while since they have read a book and now they are unsure of how it ended. This tends to be a problem when that book is part of a series. AND SO... this fabulous idea was brought to life. Obviously, there will be spoilers...so if you haven't read the book... don't read the post. There is also a mega list of posts which you can find over at Down The Rabbit Hole. Link on sidebar.

WARNING: THIS IS NOT A REVIEW AND DOES CONTAIN SPOILERS. IF YOU HAVE NOT READ POSSESSION DO NOT READ THE REST OF THIS POST. 

Title: Possession
Author: Elana Johnson
Summary:
Vi knows the Rule: Girls don't walk with boys, and they never even thinkabout kissing them. But no one makes Vi want to break the Rules more than Zenn...and since the Thinkers have chosen him as Vi's future match, how much trouble can one kiss cause? The Thinkers may have brainwashed the rest of the population, but Vi is determined to think for herself.

But the Thinkers are unusually persuasive, and they're set on convincing Vi to become one of them...starting by brainwashing Zenn. Vi can't leave Zenn in the Thinkers' hands, but she's wary of joining the rebellion, especially since that means teaming up with Jag. Jag is egotistical, charismatic, and dangerous--everything Zenn's not. Vi can't quite trust Jag and can't quite resist him, but she also can't give up on Zenn.

This is a game of control or be controlled. And Vi has no choice but to play
Do NOT continue if you have not read Possession. Spoilers Ahead.

Click Read more to discover the full synopsis of Possession including the ending.

In my Mailbox

Woohoo! I love new books!! I've been so good this year, not buying too many books, but this past Wednesday I went to BN with my friends Molly and Dave and after a few hours of wondering around I let myself buy a few. Four to be precise. What did I get you ask... well I'll tell you:

1. Eventide by Terry & Laura Hickman

I was wondering around the SCI/FI / FANTASY section and happened across this one. I read the first couple pages and it looks both funny and epic; so naturally I had to get it. I've been in kind of a fantasy kick lately, so I hope I get to this one soon.










2. Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card

This book literally followed me around the bookstore. It was in the sci/fi section, then it was in the Ya section twice, and then it was up at a bookshelf by the cashier... I took that as a sign. Nichole and our friend Mitch were talking to me about this book this past weekend and Mitch mentioned a time when I promised him that I would one day read this book. Also... I've been really good about reading books from authors that I want to read but haven't yet. Orson Scott Card is one of those authors... so two birds with one stone right. Plus, it was six dollars. WIN!







3. An Object of Beauty by Steve Martin

This book is one that my buddy David recommended to me and it was only $5.98. I read the first couple pages and it read really easy and seemed like something that could keep my attention... so I figured I would give it a try. If I don't like it... I can always throw it at David. Muahaha.











4. Girl of Nightmares by Kendare Blake

This cover is so intense... I love it!! I've been waiting for this book for about a year now. :) I'm so happy it's finally sitting snug on my shelf right next to Anna Dressed in Blood. Soooo preeeettttyyyyy.

That's it for me this week. What did you all get????

Shelf Candy

I read this book a while ago. A year maybe. Two perhaps. Who knows?! I really enjoyed it though and eventually want to read the second one but who knows when that will be released... it's been pushed back like a billion times. I have the original cover but I'm super jealous of THIS awesome cover. It's very Snow White... which really doesn't make any sense... but it's puuuuurdy. I really don't see what it has to do with the book at all... there are no forests... or apples... but this cover is just so pretty... I want this one instead. 

Stare at the pretty.  

Freaken Hot Fridays: Supernatural

It's Friday and I know I've done this topic before but it makes me so happy..... so much so that I feel like I need to talk about it again so you all truly understand how much I truly love this topic.

Alright, Alright, I'll tell you! You don't need to yell! I am in love with the TV show Supernatural.

Let me take you back to 2005 with a happy little 15 year old Delilah enthusiastically watching the end of the newest Gilmore Girls episode. She sees that this new show is premiering immediately after GG and is about two brothers hunting these supernatural creatures in search of their mothers killer. The hook: Jared Padelecki is one of the brothers. Jared played my favorite boy in Gilmore Girls and so as a loyal GG fan I felt obligated to watch this new show. AND I FELL IN LOVE. I love everything about this show and in the past 7 years I have gotten approx. 45 different people to start watching it, own every season and avidly internet search to find out the next seasons spoilers. I'm obsessed. Healthily of course. :)

Now what compels me to do another post about this fabulous series you ask...?

Two things:
1. Season 7 comes out on DVD in the next couple of weeks and Season 8 is due to start up in a month.
2. Almost every time I search the Bloggerverse for new blogs or look at various reviews on Goodreads... I tend to discover more and more supernatural fans.

It makes me SOOOO happy when I see a GIF of Castiel or a picture of Dean. I love this show soooo much and it is always nice to see those who are equally in love. The greatest thing about being a blogger is getting to meet/talk to a bunch of people who love the same kinds of things that you do, whether that be a book, movie or TV show, it is just a great feeling.

Happily Ever Endings: Lies Beneath by Anne Greenwood Brown

What is it?
Happily Ever Endings was created by Amber of Down The Rabbit Hole due to the relatively frustrating feeling one has when it has been a while since they read a book and now they are unsure of how it ended. This tends to be a problem when that book is part of a series. AND SO... this fabulous idea was brought to life. Obviously, there will be spoilers...so if you haven't read the book... don't read the post. There is also a mega list of posts which you can find over at Down The Rabbit Hole. Link on sidebar.

WARNING: THIS IS NOT A REVIEW AND DOES CONTAIN SPOILERS. IF YOU HAVE NOT READ LIES BENEATH DO NOT READ THE REST OF THIS POST. 

Title: Lies Beneath
Author: Anne Greenwood Brown
Summary:
Calder White lives in the cold, clear waters of Lake Superior, the only brother in a family of murderous mermaids. To survive, Calder and his sisters prey on humans, killing them to absorb their energy. But this summer the underwater clan targets Jason Hancock out of pure revenge. They blame Hancock for their mother's death and have been waiting a long time for him to return to his family's homestead on the lake. Hancock has a fear of water, so to lure him in, Calder sets out to seduce Hancock's daughter, Lily. Easy enough—especially as Calder has lots of practice using his irresistable good looks and charm on ususpecting girls. Only this time Calder screws everything up: he falls for Lily—just as Lily starts to suspect that there's more to the monsters-in-the-lake legends than she ever imagined. And just as his sisters are losing patience with him.

Do NOT continue if you have not read Lies Beneath. Spoilers Ahead.

Click Read more to discover the full synopsis of Lies Beneath including the ending.

Review'd: Possession by Elana Johnson

Book Review:

Title: Possession 

Author: Elana Johnson

Published June 7th, 2011 by Simon and Schuster

Goodreads Summary:

Vi knows the Rule: Girls don't walk with boys, and they never even think about kissing them. But no one makes Vi want to break the Rules more than Zenn...and since the Thinkers have chosen him as Vi's future match, how much trouble can one kiss cause? The Thinkers may have brainwashed the rest of the population, but Vi is determined to think for herself.

But the Thinkers are unusually persuasive, and they're set on convincing Vi to become one of them...starting by brainwashing Zenn. Vi can't leave Zenn in the Thinkers' hands, but she's wary of joining the rebellion, especially since that means teaming up with Jag. Jag is egotistical, charismatic, and dangerous--everything Zenn's not. Vi can't quite trust Jag and can't quite resist him, but she also can't give up on Zenn.

This is a game of control or be controlled. And Vi has no choice but to play.

DeLibrarie Review:

I really, really enjoyed this book. It was really fast paced and full of action that kept me from putting the book down. The plot of the story was really engaging and while the terminology "Goodgrounds" "Badlands" seemed a little paint-by-numbers, I really liked the world that Elana Johnson created. I was always pressured to keep reading to find out what the next twist would be. The only thing that kept this book from being a "5-star" for me was Violet (the main character). She was either pissed or crying throughout the entire book. It made any building relationships a little hard to believe because she was mad at every character constantly. It just got a little old and there were times when I just wanted to smack her. Overall, I really enjoyed this book and plan on rushing to the bookstore tomorrow to pick up the second one.