Showcase Sunday #112

Showcase Sunday is a weekly Meme that I am taking part of. This weekly meme is hosted by Vicky over at Book, Biscuits and Tea.

Click images to take you to Goodreads.

This may look like a lot of books for just one week but this is from the last few weeks.

Physical Books

  

The first two where surprise review books as I hadn't even requested them but I'm so happy that I have them as I have wanted to read them for awhile now so I'm very excited to read them. The las two books my mum brought them for me which I am so pleased about as I have loved both of these series and I can't wait to see how it ends especially The Ruby Circle.

Bought Kindle Books

I loved Lost & Found so when Finders Keepers was only 99p I had to get it. Although Near & Far wasn't as cheap I had to get it as I can't have book 3 without book 2.

Free Kindle Books

  

  

Free Samantha Young and Sawyer Bennett you can't go wrong!

Kindle Review Books

  

  

  

What did you receive this week?

BOTM #28

I had a great month of reading this month as a few of them where 5 stars I haven't had this many great books read in the same month for awhile now. Here's what I read in January 2014:

• The Secret of Ella and Micha (The Secret, #1) by Jessica Sorensen - 5/5
• The Winning Season by Alison Packard - 5/5
• Splintered (Splintered, #1) by A.G. Howard - 3.5/5
• Gerard's Beauty (Kingdom, #2) by Marie Hall - 4/5
• Wild Cards (Wild Cards, #1) by Simone Elkeles - 5/5
• My Soul to Take (Soul Screamers, #1) by Rachel Vincent - 4.5/5
• Tempting the Best Man (Gamble Brothers, #1) by J. Lynn - 5/5
• Losing It (Losing It, #1) by Cora Carmack - 5/5
• Lola and the Boy Next Door by Stephanie Perkins - 5/5
• Suddenly Royal (Suddenly, #1) by Nichole Chase - 5/5

And the book of the month goes to...

Suddenly Royal (Suddenly, #1) by Nichole Chase

I absolutely adored this book even more than the other five stars I gave because if I could give this book more I would! My other five star books are still five star ratings and I love them so much but this book just took me somewhere no other book has ever done for me it's the best book I have read so far.

My review will be up at some point during this week so look out for that.

Book Review: Lola and the Boy Next Door (Anna and the French Kiss, #2) by Stephanie Perkins

Format: Paperback

Publishers: Dutton

Published: 29th September 2011

Pages: 338

Genre: YA, Contemporary Romance

Main Characters: Lola, Cricket

Date Read: 23rd January - 28th January 2014
 

Rating Given:

 

 

Blurb:

 

Budding designer Lola Nolan doesn’t believe in fashion...she believes in costume. The more expressive the outfit--more sparkly, more fun, more wild--the better. But even though Lola’s style is outrageous, she’s a devoted daughter and friend with some big plans for the future. And everything is pretty perfect (right down to her hot rocker boyfriend) until the dreaded Bell twins, Calliope and Cricket, return to the neighborhood.

When Cricket--a gifted inventor--steps out from his twin sister’s shadow and back into Lola’s life, she must finally reconcile a lifetime of feelings for the boy next door.

I received this for my Birthday a couple of years ago and I have only now read it, I know I can't believe it took me this long either.

The cover is so cute and feels like it is Cricket and Lola. I do think that it might be a little cheesy but for the first time I don't care it's too cute for me not to like it.

I must admit for most part of this book I was rating it lower than what I have done as there was certain things that I didn't like but by the time I finished the book I loved it too much to not give it the full five out five that it deserves. It wasn't anything to do with the story it was more the character I had issues. The story was great and so sweet at times it did have some of that magic that Anna and the French Kiss had. The thing I loved the most was that you could see how both their feeling had progressed but there was times that did break my heart a little. Towards the end of the book I was so addicted to the book that I honestly didn't want to put it down and then when it did end I was sad as it had come to an end but it was a cute ending.

The characters I did like but it took a while for me to warm up to Lola. She did have a lot of selfish tendencies which made me dislike her a lot of the time she really did use Cricket even when she knew how he felt. I did end up liking her closer to the end as she seemed to see the error of her way and therefore she grew up and I started to like her a lot more than I did. I absolutely adored Cricket which I was surprised about as he was a good guy and I thought I liked the bad guy but it just goes to show good guys can win. He was always there for anyone who needed him even if it meant hurting himself and I loved hi all the more. I loved Lola's Dads they where so funny at times but they where also strict but I didn't mind because I completely agreed with them. I loved that we got to see Anna and Étienne they where so cute together and they where there for Lola when she didn't deserve it.

Overall a great story even if Lola annoyed me at the beginning I ended up liking her towards the end.

2014 TBR Pile Reading Challenge

  I completely failed this in 2013 so I thought I would join Bookish and try again in 2014 with a more reachable target. I will try and go over my goal but no promises.  For all the information about this challenge click on the button at the top of this page.   My goal this year is: 11-20 - A Friendly Hug   Here is what I plan on reading (Subject to change):   1. Splintered by A.G. Howard 2. Breathe by Abbi Glines 3. Poison Princess by Kresley Cole 4. City of Lost Souls by Cassandra Clare 5. Apollyon by Jennifer L. Armentrout 6. Storm by Brigid Kemmerer 7. Beautiful Disaster by Jamie McGuire 8.Tiger Lily by Jodi Lynn Anderson 9. Lola and the Boy Next Door by Stephanie Perkins 10. Fathomless by Jackson Pearce 11. Under the Never Sky by Veronica Rossi   Good luck everyone!  

Top 10 of 2013: Day 5

 

So this is my first time doing one of these but I have wanted to join one for ages and although I'm a day late I thought I would join in anyways. This is hosted by Two Chicks On Books click on the above button to heard over to their blog.

Top 10 Books I’m looking forward to in 2014

 

This is another hard list to make as there are always new books that I find being released in 2014 and they all seem fabulous.

 

10.

Broken (Avena #2) by Marianne Curley

Release Date: 4th November 2014

Looking forward to see what happens next as the first one was very interesting.

 

9.

White Hot Kiss (The Dark Elements #1) by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Release Date: 25th February 2014

New book from Jennifer which I can't wait to read really should get the prequel before I start this one.

 

8.

Unhinged (Splintered #2) by A.G. Howard

Release Date: 7th January 2014

Even though I am yet to read Splintered I'm still looking forward to this one.

 

7.

Maybe Someday by Colleen Hoover

Release Date: 18th March 2014

This one sounds really interesting and I have heard so many great things about Colleen Hoover, I really should read her books.

 

6.

Lady Thief (Scarlet #2) by A.C. Gaughen

Release Date: 11th February 2014

I loved Scarlet and now I can't wait to see what Scarlet gets up to next.

 

5.

Silver Shadows (Bloodlines #5) by Richelle Mead

Release Date: 29th July 2014

I already can't wait for this one even though I'm still reading The Fiery Heart.

 

4.

Dorothy Must Die (Dorothy Must Die #1) by Danielle Paige

Release Date: 1st April 2014

I always love a retelling and at the moment Wizard of Oz so I can't wait for this different take on Dorothy.

 

3.

Isla and the Happily Ever After (Anna and the French Kiss #3) by Stephanie Perkins

Release Date: 13th March 2014

Loved Anna and the French Kiss so I can imagine how good this one will be.

 

2.

Opposition (Lux #5) by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Release Date: 5th August 2014

(No cover for this book yet)

Can't wait to find out how this will all ends although I'm sad that it's coming to an end.

 

1.

(Not actual cover)

City of Heavenly Fire (The Immortal Instruments #6) by Cassandra Clare

Release Date: 27th May 2014 (This could change as I think its moved back since the beginning of the year)

Another series coming to an end in 2014 and am really sad that my favourite series is coming to an end. I'm also very worried about that top line Who Will Survive!

 

Waiting on Wednesday #14

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

Here's this week's book I can't wait for...

 

Isla and the Happily Ever After (Anna and the French Kiss #3)

by Stephanie Perkins

Release Date: 13th May 2014

 

Blurb

From the glittering streets of Manhattan to the moonlit rooftops of Paris, falling in love is easy for hopeless dreamer Isla and introspective artist Josh. But as they begin their senior year in France, Isla and Josh are quickly forced to confront the heartbreaking reality that happily-ever-afters aren’t always forever.

Their romantic journey is skillfully intertwined with those of beloved couples Anna and Étienne and Lola and Cricket, whose paths are destined to collide in a sweeping finale certain to please fans old and new.

I stumbled on this book last week when looking for some new WOW's and I couldn't believe I never knew about it but now that I do I can't wait! I loved Anna and the French Kiss so much but I still haven't read book 2 but I do have it and will read it after I reread Anna's book again.
I don't think that this will be the final cover but who knows worser covers have happened!

 

What's your WOW?

2012 Top 12

Hey everyone so now we are coming to the end of 2012 and so I decided to do a Top 12 of 2012 of the books that I have read in 2012. The video above is slightly different to the list below as I never had actual books for a couple of them so I decided to use the ones I couldn't in my list on my blog.

12. Candlewax by C. Bailey Sims
11. Ascend by Amanda Hocking
10. Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins
9. Immortal City by Scott Speer
8. Clockwork Prince by Cassandra Clare
7. Divergent by Veronica Roth
6. Alice in Zombieland by Gena Showalter
5. Scarlet by A.C. Gaughen
4. Chain Reaction by Simone Elkeles
3. The Vanishing Game by Kate Kae Myers
2. Onyx by Jennifer L. Armentrout
1. Pushing the Limits by Katie McGarry

So that's my top 12 what do you think of my list? what's yours? leave me links to you top 2012 post.

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?

Book Review: Anna and the French Kiss

Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins

 

Format: Paperback

Publisher: Speak

Published: 4th August 2011

Pages: 372

Main Characters: Anna, Etienne

Date Started: 3rd October 2012

Date Finished: 7th October 2012

Rating Given: *****

 

Blurb from Goodreads:

Anna can't wait for her senior year in Atlanta, where she has a good job, a loyal best friend, and a crush on the verge of becoming more. So she's not too thrilled when her father unexpectedly ships her off to boarding school in Paris - until she meets Etienne St. Clair, the perfect boy. The only problem? He's taken, and Anna might be, too, if anything comes of her crush back home. Will a year of romantic near-misses end in the French kiss Anna awaits?

 

 

I had wanted this book for such a long time and then a couple of months ago I was sent a RAK and I was so happy it was a copy of this book. Even though I have had for a bit now it took me awhile to actually pick it up I just wish I picked it up sooner as I loved every minute of it.

 

I'm not a huge fan of the cover as for me it's a bit cheesy looking. Even though I find it a bit cheesy I still think it's a cute cover I just wish we could see Etienne.

 

From the moment I started this book I was hooked even if it didn't have the action that I have come to love it just wasn't needed in this very cute read. I loved that it didn't just have the romance side of it but also the relationships between family and friends. I even love the setting of the book as that's not usually something I really pay any attention to but I now want to go visit France which I never had wanted to before this book. I found this book to be a sweet and quick read which I highly recommend.

 

The characters I loved they just made the book that much more entertaining. Anna was a great female character as she was funny and she also cared about everybody but there was times when i thought she was a bit of a hypocrite. Etienne well where do I start he was just so sweet and funny. I don't usually like good guys as the main I'm a bit of a bad boy fan (even if there was times when he was a little bit bad but he just couldn't help the way he felt) but Etienne changed that for me as I just fell in love with him from the moment we was introduced to him. They wasn't the only great characters as there was some side characters which I found just as funny and sweet. With every book there is always a bad character and this is no different it just happens that it wasn't the main characters which I am very thankful for.

 

Overall one of the best contemporary romance I have read this year and I can't wait to get stuck into Lola and the Boy Nextdoor which I have heard that Anna and Etienne appear in.

It's Monday What Are You Reading? #50

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)

 

The Diviners by Libba Bray 

Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins (Review coming soon)

 

 

Currently Reading

 

Alice in Zombieland by Gena Showalter

 

I only started this yesterday but I am already hooked although very sad which made me nearly cry so I am hoping that it will be a little happier.

 

The Paladin Prophecy by Mark Frost

 

This is a very intriguing book looking forward to seeing what is going to happen next.

 

 

Reading Next

 

Mystic City by Theo Lawrence

 

Only received this last week but i want to read it as it will be coming out at the end of the week so I need to get a review up soon.

 

 

So that's what I'm planning reading this week, let me know what you're reading.

 

 

 

It's Monday What Are You Reading #49

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)

 

Onyx by Jennifer L. Armentrout 

Yesterday by C.K. Kelly Martin

 

 

Currently Reading

 

The Diviners by Libba Bray

I started this the beginning of last week but it is a huge book so I am still reading it. It has started really slow with nothing much happening but it is slowing picking up.

 

 

Reading Next

 

Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins

I can't wait to read this book it has had rave reviews so I'm hoping I will love it too.

 

The Paladin Prophecy by Mark Frost

Another long book but hopefully it will be a better book.

 

 

 

So that's what I'm planning on reading this week, let me know what you're all reading.

 

 

 

Showcase Sunday #16

Showcase Sunday is a new weekly Meme that I am taking part of. This weekly meme is hosted by Vicky over at Book, Biscuits and Tea and for more info click on the SS image which will take you straight to the blog. Click on the titles of the books to take you to Goodreads.

This weeks Showcase Sunday is my birthday edition, so if you want to check out some of my other prezzies watch the vlog if not I will mention the books below.

Books mentioned in the vlog:

Review Book:
The City's Son by Tom Pollock

Gifted Books:
Beautiful Disaster by Jamie Mcguire
Angelfall by Susan Ee
Lola and the Boy Next Door by Stephanie Perkins
Fathomless by Jackson Pearce

January RAK Wrap Up

This month I was very lucky as I was sent books from two people which was the following:

Blood Magic by Tessa Gratton - This was an arc copy so a different picture but I was so pleased to get this as I have been after it a while now. This was from Sarah over at Whispering Words so thank you very much to Sarah.


I also received these two books Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins and Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi from Inga over at Me and Reading and I was so very grateful for these books as I have been wanting these for ages and I have heard so many great things about them so I am looking forward to reading these as well. Another huge thank you to Inga!

In My Mailbox #15

In My Mailbox is a weekly meme that is hosted by The Story Siren. This is where we show what we have either bought or was given throughout the week gone by.









This week my RAK's arrived which I am very much looking forward to read.

Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins

I know that I got this last week but I didn't get enough time to take it off my wishlist but the one I got last week I gave to my sister as she likes these kind of books and I will be keeping this weeks.

Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi

I have been after this book for what seems like ages now and was so happy when someone sent me it for a RAK I can't wait to read this book.

This week my mum got me some books as well as a kind of late Christmas present as I had a lot of trouble with the one she has replaced it with.

Haunting Violet by Alyxandra Harvey

Another book by Alyxandra Harvey and I am really looking forward to reading it I hope it's a good as her others.

Haunting Violet by Sarah Alderson

I have seen this around a lot with a lot of good reviews so I am hopeing that I will enjoy it just as much as everyone else seems to.

Abandon by Meg Cabot

This was on offer in Tescos which should have been £7 but was down to £4.50. I have also heard good things about this book as well.

I have also got a few books from netgalley that have sounded interesting so I am looking forward to reading them.

I am (Not) the Walrus by Ed Briant

This is Not a Test by Courtney Summers

Starters by Lissa Price

I absolutely LOVE this cover I hope the story is just as beautiful if it is I will have to buy it!

Whats in your mailbox this week?