BOTM #14

So in November I had a great month of reading where nothing I read was rated under 3 stars and even those I loved in parts. I have done a vlog of the books that I have read and books that I am going to read in December. (warning the video quality is a bit bad)



Books that I have read in November:

• Reread: Twilight by Stephenie Meyer - 4.5/5
• Reread: New Moon by Stephenie Meyer - 3/5
• Reread: Eclipse by Stephenie Meyer - 3.5/5
• Reread: Breaking Dawn by Stephenie Meyer - 4.5/5
• Finale by Becca Fitzpatrick - 5/5
• Destined by P.C. & Kristin Cast - 3/5
• Butterfly Kisses by Mia Castile - 3.5/5
• The Trouble With Nightingale by Amaleen Ison - 4/5
• Half-Blood by Jennifer L. Armentrout - 4.5/5
• Phoenix by Jennifer Mason-Black - 3/5
• Breathe by Sarah Crossan - 3.5/5
• League of Strays by L.B. Schulman - 2.5/5

And the book of the month goes to...

 

In the end there was only one book that could be my book of the month and that is Finale by Becca Fitzpatrick. I loved this series and the last book in this series is no different as I loved this book too. I am sad that the series has come to an end but what an end it was and I will be rereading this series at some point. For full review click here.

It's Monday What Are You Reading? #57

It's Monday What Are You Reading is a weekly meme hosted by Book Journey in which we plan our reading week!
(Click on images to send you to Goodreads)

Finished Reading

(Click on title for review)

 

Destined by P.C & Kristin Cast 

Butterfly Kisses by Mia Castile

The Trouble With Nightingale by Amaleen Ison 

Half-Blood by Jennifer L. Armentrout

 

 

Currently Reading

 

Breathe by Sarah Crossan

It seems like a good book but so far it has been a bit slow however things are starting to happen so I'm sure it's going to be even better.

 

 

Reading Next

 

League of Strays by L. B. Schulman

 

Phoenix by Jennifer Mason-Black

 

Love Sucks by Sage Collins

 

 

 

 

So that's what I'm planning on reading in the next week. Let me know or leave links to what you're reading below.

 

 

 

 

Book Review: Butterfly Kisses (The Butterfly Chronicles #2) by Mia Castile

May contain spoilers.

 

Format: e-arc

Publishers: Entwined

Published: October 2012

Pages: 168

Main Characters: Lacey, Chase, Lana

Date Started: 2nd November 2012

Date Finished: 22nd November 2012

Rating Given:

 

Blurb from Goodreads;

Everything changed for the Baxter sisters last spring. Lacey blew it with Henry her lifelong crush, only to discover a blooming relationship with her best friend, Chase. While he picked her up and put her back together, they grew closer over the summer. Now that school has started, he’s found popularity thanks to his band Cate’s Ashes, and he’s hiding secret phone calls and text messages. Plus, did his ex-girlfriend just appear out of the blue at his show? Forcing Lacey to wonder if he’s over the feelings he pronounced for her at the beginning of summer. Add to the tension, a realization and secret of her own to keep about her worse enemy. Lacey vows to be the bigger person and keep Byron’s revelation, but what will it cost?

Meanwhile, as Lana tries to find herself again after her suicide attempt, she’s befriended by the school’s resident bad girl, Britt, and new chicano boy, Tomas, in the same week. Britt offers unconditional acceptance that Lana didn’t realize she craved, while Tomas brings out the best in her, and makes her feel alive again. Britt is dangerous and daring, while Tomas exudes security and safety. Vices come easily when you are already addicted to something you crave, and Lana muddles through figuring out who she wants to be.

With their parents constantly arguing, and their dad moving into the guest bedroom, the pressure on the girls may explode destroying them all. Is there a place for happiness when their world is crumbling around them?
 

I actually had this book before the first one as I didn't know this was the second book. When I did finished the first book I didn't see where it could go next and what did happen I never expected.

This cover is pretty much the same as the first one but what is white in this one was black in the first. I did actually prefer this one as there is more black in this one making it stand out a bit more.

With the first one I was into it straight away but this time it took a little while longer to get into but once I was into it I really enjoyed it. There was a lot more romance in this book which I liked as I always love a good romance in my books. This time around we also got to see things from Lana's point of view which was nice to see where she was coming from and how she was coping from the aftermath of book one. For most part I could kind of guess what was going to happen but then there was things that I just didn't see coming. One of the shocks was so unbearable I was in tears as it was so heartbreaking and now I don't know how I will get through the next book but I will have to read it just to find out what happens next.

Lacey was a bit immature in the first book but I really felt she grew into herself a lot more which was nice to see. Even though we didn't get to know Lana much in the first book we did find out how she was back then to how she was now and she has also grown up a lot since then. I love Chase just as much (maybe more) as I loved him in the first he is so sweet and really funny. I really enjoyed the relationships between the two sister grow as well as some new relationships with both friends, new friends and boyfriends.

Overall I preferred the first one and this was just a bit too heartbreaking which had me thinking about it long after I finished it.

 

It's Monday What Are You Reading? #56

It's Monday What Are You Reading is a weekly meme hosted by Book Journey in which we plan our reading week!
(Click on images to send you to Goodreads)

Finished Reading

(Click on title for review)

 

Eclipse by Stephenie Meyer 

Breaking Dawn by Stephenie Meyer

 

Reread both these books in time to watch the film which I loved and I will do a review for the film in a couple of weeks as I don't want to give anything away.

 

 

Currently Reading

 

Destined by P.C. & Kristin Cast

Not too bad a book but I feel like nothing is really happening. Now that I have finished my rereads I will definitely get this one finished this week.

 

Butterfly Kisses by Mia Castile

Like Destined I will definitely get this one finished this week. I feel like I have been reading this one for ages yet last week I never even read it.

 

 

Reading Next

 

Half-Blood by Jennifer L. Armentrout

I can't wait to start this series I have heard nothing but great things about it so I am sure I will enjoy it too.

 

The Trouble with Nightingale by Amaleen Ison

If you read my post a couple of weeks ago you would have seen that I was planning on reading this but I never got around to it so I'm going to try again.

 

 

 

So that's my week of reading planned let me know what your reading or leave me links to your post so I can take a look.

 

 

 

 

Teaser Tuesday #47

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! To find out more about the books click on the picture which will take you to Goodreads.




My Teasers:

Destined by P.C. & Kristin Cast

And we walked into a future that was already making my stomach clench and feel like a raging IBS episode was going to hit me at any moment.
Ah, hell. - Page 22

I decided to chose this teaser as I don't feel like it will give anything away which I found hard to find with this being book 9. I also haven't read much of it yet so I don't know what to think about it as of yet.

Eclipse by Stephenie Meyer

"Ow! OW!" I screamed, frantically hopping up and down in agony while I clutched my hand to my chest. It was broken I could feel it.
Jacob stared at me in shock. "Are you all right?"
"No, dammit! You broke my hand!" - Page 331

Like the first teaser I had problems finding a teaser that didn't spoil anything for anyone hasn't read/seen it. I chose this one because I found it one of the funniest scenes it makes me laugh everytime I read this particular part.

Butterfly Kisses by Mia Castile

After a long, awkward moment, we start talking about school, everyone, gossiping a little even, and she, too, asks me about Tomas. Lacey really grilled me the other night. I tell her that we are just friends as my phone goes off in my hoodie pocket. I pull it out, and see that it’s a text from Tomas asking how my house arrest is going. My face instantly reddens, and she begins to laugh. - Page 50

I may still be reading this book but it doesn't mean I don't like it, it's just I am reading a lot of books so I haven't gotten around to reading this one yet but I'm sure that will change as of next week. (Teaser may differ to final copy as this is from an arc copy)

It's Monday What Are You Reading? #55

It's Monday What Are You Reading is a weekly meme hosted by Book Journey in which we plan our reading week!
(Click on images to send you to Goodreads)

Finished Reading

(Click on title for review)

 

Finale by Becca Fitzpatrick

Twilight by Stephenie Meyer

 New Moon by Stephenie Meyer 

 

 

Currently Reading

 

Destined by P.C & Kristin Cast

Not read much of this book as of yet but it seems alright although not the best book I've ever read.

 

Butterfly Kisses by Mia Castile

I still haven't gotten around to finishing this book yet but that's not because it's bad more that I am reading two other books at the same time.

 

Eclipse by Stephenie Meyer

I'm now onto rereading this book which I like a little bit more than New Moon but still not as good as the first.

 

 

Reading Next

 

Breaking Dawn by Stephenie Meyer

With me trying to get this series reread before Friday I will be mainly focusing on this series rather than starting new books.

 

 

 

So that's what I'm read/reading this week let me know what your reading.

Teaser Tuesday #46

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! To find out more about the books click on the picture which will take you to Goodreads.




My Teasers:

Finale by Becca Fitzpatrick

"I'll bring my stuff over later this week. My mom is driving me crazy, and we both agree I need somewhere else to crash for a while. Your place is as good as any. Well, I for one am glad we had this talk. If there's one thing my dad taught me, it's that Nephilim stick together." - Page 75



Good start to the last book which is why I picked this teaser as it doesn't give anything away if you have only read a couple of the books.

Twilight by Stephenie Meyer

Another complication, Edward had said.
Billy still stared at me with intense, anxious eyes. I groaned internally. Had Billy recognized Edward so easily? Could he really believe the impossible legends his son had scoffed at?
The answer was clear in Billy's eyes. Yes. Yes, he could. - Page 206


I thought I would pick a less obvious quote from this book. I must also say I seem to be just as addicted to this book as the first time I read it.

Butterfly Kisses by Mia Castile

"If I feel overwhelmed, I will not be afraid or ashamed. I am who I am; no one can change that. I am strong and brave. I am worth my life." This is the mantra my therapist wants me to tell myself, to remember my value. The hallway has emptied, and I close my locker, afraid that I might be late on my first day. - Page 6 (Quote may differ to final copy as this is from an arc)


This book I have only just started but it seems good so far just not as good as the first in this series.

It's Monday What Are You Reading? #54

It's Monday What Are You Reading is a weekly meme hosted by Book Journey in which we plan our reading week!
(Click on images to send you to Goodreads)

Finished Reading

(Click on title for review)

 

Ashes by Ilsa J. Bick

Really bad week of reading hopefully that will change this week.

 

 

Currently Reading

 

Finale by Becca Fitzpatrick

Only just started it but I am already enjoying it can't wait to see how it all ends.

 

Butterfly Kisses by Mia Castile

Again only just started but I feel this one hasn't started as good as Becoming a Butterfly but I'm hoping it will pick up soon.

 

Twilight by Stephenie Meyer

This is a reread as I'm hoping to get the series in before I go see the film although I don't think I will but I'm going to give it a go.

 

 

Reading Next

 

Destined by P.C. & Kristin Cast

 

The Trouble With Nightingale by Amaleen Ison

This book is only 38 pages long so I'm sure I will get it read pretty quick.

 

 

 

 

So that's everything I am going to read this week please leave links below to your posts or just let me know what your reading.

 

 

 

 

 

BOTM #13

As of the 1st November I haven't done my wrap-up post on YouTube but I will be doing one during the weekend so I will leave a link to it on here once I have uploaded it.

So in October I had a great month of reading where nothing I read was rated under 3 stars and even those I loved in parts. So here's the books I read in October:

• The Diviners by Libba Bray ***
• Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins *****
• Alice in Zombieland by Gena Showalter *****
• Mystic City by Theo Lawrence *** 1/2
• The Paladin Prophecy by Mark Frost ***
• A Soldier's Secret by Marissa Moss ****
• Becoming a Butterfly by Mia Castile ****
• Die For Me by Amy Plum ****

And the book of the month goes too...

 

Alice in Zombieland by Gena Showalter

This month's book of the month was really hard for me to choose as I had a couple five star ratings and even the four stars could have won any other month but this on. In the end I went for Alice in Zombieland as it was down to the characters which I loved even more than my other books and it had me on more of a roller coaster ride of emotions. I am also not a big fan of zombie books but this book changed that for me. To read my full review click here.

 

So that was my pick did you agree with my choice? or would you have picked a different book? What was your favourite book you read in October?

It's Monday What Are You Reading? #53

It's Monday What Are You Reading is a weekly meme hosted by Book Journey in which we plan our reading week!
(Click on images to send you to Goodreads)

Finished Reading

(Click on title for review)

A Soldier's Secret by Marissa Moss

Becoming A Butterfly by Mia Castile

Die For Me by Amy Plum

 

 

Currently Reading

 

Ashes by Ilsa J. Bick

Only just started it but I'm not sure what to think about it yet as things are only just starting to happen so hopefully it will pick up soon.

 

 

Reading Next

 

Butterfly Kisses by Mia Castile

 

Finale by Becca Fitzpatrick

I actually haven't got this book but I am hoping to have it by the end of the day so I will make sure I start it sometime this week and I for one can't wait to read it.

 

 

So that is what I am planning on reading this week leave me links to your posts and I'll come take a look.

 

Book Review: Becoming A Butterfly (The Butterfly Chronicles #1)

Becoming A Butterfly (The Butterfly Chronicles #1) by Mia Castile

 

Format: e-book

Publishers: Entwined Publishing

Published: 22nd May 2012

Pages: 276

Main Characters: Lacey, Chase, Henry

Date Started: 23rd October 2012

Date Finished: 25th October 2012

Rating Given:

 

Blurb from Goodreads:

16 year old Lacey was never the center of attention, unless she was tripping, stammering, or being deposited into a pool by the local popular kids. All she wanted was to fit in, until one night when everything changed.
Jade and Tasha, her two best friends, helped her create an online personality that was everything she wanted to be - and it was only the beginning. In doing so she attracted the attention of Henry, her lifelong crush and next door neighbor. Unfortunately it was Farrah, her online personality and not herself, he was interested in.
She also attracted Chase the brooding, quiet, anti-social new kid of Brownsburg High School, who easily figured out her secret and blackmailed her. They forged a friendship that was both unique and complicated.
Lacey must decide if revealing herself to Henry and her entire school as the cool, charming, and funny Farrah is worth possibly losing him forever, and she finds herself needing to make an even harder decision than she ever thought possible. When did the lines between truth and lies get so blurred?

Becoming a Butterfly is a story about coming of age and finding yourself when you never knew you were lost.

To be honest with everyone I never knew about this book until a few weeks ago when the author was talking about the second book to this series. I actually asked if I could review the second one not realizing that it was the second until she asked if I had read the first one which she also sent me and I'm so grateful that she did as I really enjoyed this book.

There's not much going on in the cover but because I love black and white together I in turn love this cover. I don't see that the cover resembles what the story is about which I would have liked it even more if it had done. The title's font should have been done a bit more simpler as it is hard to tell what the title actually says.

From the moment i started this book I knew I was going to really enjoy this book as I was hooked by the first couple of pages. It was a great quick read as usually when I read e-books I take a lot longer to read but somehow I read this a lot quicker than the hard copy book that I was reading at the same time. One of the things that I loved about this book is that this not just a contemporary romance but it was also a coming of age novel which was beautifully written. I did find it a bit predictable in places but there was something that happened that did shock me which I just wasn't expecting.

Lacey started of as someone who wouldn't do or say anything that was out of place but during the book she grew into a stronger person. What seemed to make her stronger was when she made up her own alter ego Farrah but her alter ego also made her change in bad ways too. There was times when she did annoy me though as she just couldn't open her eyes but overall she seemed like a sweet girl. Chase I loved he had me smiling for most of the book but like Lacey there was times when he annoyed me but I think that was mainly at the beginning. Henry I grew to like him as at first he seemed like a jerk.

Overall a very moving book that I would recommend everyone to read. Now I need to get on with the second book which I'm sure will be just as good as this one.

It's Monday What Are You Reading? #52

It's Monday What Are You Reading is a weekly meme hosted by Book Journey in which we plan our reading week!
(Click on images to send you to Goodreads)

Finished Reading

(Click on title for review)

 

Mystic City by Theo Lawrence

The Paladin Prophecy by Mark Frost 

 

 

Currently Reading

 

A Soldier's Secret by Marissa Moss

Not my normal kind of book but it's very interesting and I am really enjoying it.

 

 

Reading Next

 

Becoming A Butterfly by Mia Castile

 

Die For Me by Amy Plum

I have had this for awhile now so thought I should read it and I've heard great things about it so I'm looking forward to reading it.

 

 

So that's what I'm planning on reading this week let me know what you're reading or leave me a link to your post and I'll get back to you.

 

 

 

1 Year Old Blog!

 

Hey everyone,

As you may have realized from all the giveaways going on my blog has turned one today (19th September) which I for one can't believe how quickly that time has gone.

I want to thank my wonderful (344) Followers I love you all you have made my year by all of you following or even commenting. It's great to hear what everyone has to say about our shared love of books.

 

 

http://katesbooklife.blogspot.co.uk/2011/09/books-received.html - Here is a link to my very first post. It was a Book Recieved post which you may realize that I no longer do this and now I do a Showcase Sunday here's the latest SS post -  http://katesbooklife.blogspot.co.uk/2012/09/showcase-sunday-16.html

 

http://katesbooklife.blogspot.co.uk/2011/09/ballad-gathering-faerie-books-of-faerie.html - This is a link to my first ever review which I don't think it says as much as my latest review post - http://katesbooklife.blogspot.co.uk/2012/09/book-review-stone-girl.html. Whats so weird about both of these is that they are both one star rating books!

 

Looking back I haven't rated many books 1/5 (there are only 4!) but out of those here is a link to my least favourite book that I have read over the year - http://katesbooklife.blogspot.co.uk/2011/09/pride-and-prejudice-and-zombies.html. Throughout the year I have ben blogging I have rated 20 books 5/5 but here's the link to my favourite http://katesbooklife.blogspot.co.uk/2012/02/vanishing-game.html. It was a lot harder to chose my favourite as on different days it could have easily have been another book but this is the one I love today.

 

I have added loads of things throughout the year and I have also added other social networking sites to go with this blog (Click on the sites title to send you to my pages).

 

Facebook

Goodreads

Twitter

YouTube

Pintrest

Google+ Kate BookLife

 

 

 

Birthday Celebration Giveaways

Shattered Dreams by Ellie James (UK ONLY)

Lex by James Mylet (UK ONLY)

Secrets, Lies, and Locker 62 by Lil Chase (UK ONLY)

Vampire Shift, Doorways, Black Hill Farm, Cowgirls & Vampires all by Tim O'Rourke (INT)

2 Winners of Swag from Mia Castile and 1 winner of Becoming a Butterfly by Mia Castile as well as some swag (US ONLY)

Click on the titles to send you to the giveaways.

 

Over this past year I have learnt new things and changed the way I blog but I still have a lot to learn as you can tell by this post!

Thank You everyone can't wait for more years to come :)

Birthday Celebrations Giveaways #7 & 8 (US ONLY)

So today is my blogs first birthday so I am going to do a few giveaways today. So for this giveaway I am pleased to tel you that the lovely Mia Castile has kindly said she will giveaway some swag (swag for Becoming a Butterfly) and also her first book (ecopy) Becoming A Butterfly also with some swag. With the author sending these prizes herself she wants this to be a US only giveaway (Sorry to my UK followers but there are other giveaways going on for you guys and also International giveaway going on as well).
To find out more about Becoming a Butterfly read on or click the image which will take you to Goodreads.

16 year old Lacey was never the center of attention, unless she was tripping, stammering, or being deposited into a pool by the local popular kids. All she wanted was to fit in, until one night when everything changed.
Jade and Tasha, her two best friends, helped her create an online personality that was everything she wanted to be - and it was only the beginning. In doing so she attracted the attention of Henry, her lifelong crush and next door neighbor. Unfortunately it was Farrah, her online personality and not herself, he was interested in.
She also attracted Chase the brooding, quiet, anti-social new kid of Brownsburg High School, who easily figured out her secret and blackmailed her. They forged a friendship that was both unique and complicated.
Lacey must decide if revealing herself to Henry and her entire school as the cool, charming, and funny Farrah is worth possibly losing him forever, and she finds herself needing to make an even harder decision than she ever thought possible. When did the lines between truth and lies get so blurred?

Becoming a Butterfly is a story about coming of age and finding yourself when you never knew you were lost.

**This is a MATURE YA FICTION SERIES**


Sound like your kind of book? Enter the second rafflecopter (Giveaway #8) form (the first one is swag only!) below. There will be 3 lucky winner, GOOD LUCK!!

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