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Thursday, December 31, 2015

Favorite Books of 2015

It's the end of 2015 and it's time to look back at all the books that I've read this year and pick my favorites, it's not an easy decision let me tell you, but here are 10 books that I picked out of the 104 that I read this year:

1. The Martian by Andy Weir


Totally my favorite this year, made me laugh out loud, made me cry and made me want to learn more about science, this is the kind of the book that booknerds love. lol

2. Winter by Marissa Meyer


Final book in the Lunar Chronicles, if you haven't started this series yet, PLEASE go and read it because this is like one of my top favorite series of all times.  And this book?  OMG it was over 800 pages long and I LOVED every single one of them and I could read more and more if Marissa Meyer kept writing.  I loved everything about this book and cannot gush anymore about it, so go and read it.

3.Ugly Love by Colleen Hoover


Last year I finished my year reading for the first time a Colleen Hoover book and I felt in love with her writing and this year?  I read lots and lots of her books and loved every single one of them, but Ugly Love?  My favorite for sure.

4. The Queen of the Tearling by Erika Johansen


Another long book but so well written and that kept you wanting more and I cannot wait to read the next one (I already have, I just have to read it lol).  Ah, I read this book during 4th of July weekend and now it just brings back SO many amazing memories.

5. If I Stay by Gayle Forman


When I was narrowing down these books, I knew I had to pick this one fore sure ,why?  The story was amazingly written, but also touched really close to my heart.  I read this book in about 24 hours and once I was finished I couldn't wait to watch the movie.  I cried and cried with this book and totally recommend it.

6. Rebel Belle by Rachel Hawkins


This book had so much hype the year before that I wasn't so sure that I was going to even like it but the minute I started reading?  I just fell in love with Harper and OMG, just thinking about it now, I just want to re read it, that's how much I enjoyed. lol

7. Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn


I remember the day when my co workers were talking about this book and I just knew then that I had to read it and that night I just picked it up and was done reading it a couple days and HOLLY MOLLY, so many twists and turns, I have never read a book like this book and that's why it is here.  I don't read that many thrillers, so if you guys can recommend some more like this one I would totally read it.

8. Since You've Been Gone by Morgan Matson


Another book that had so much hype and I was a little bit unsure about reading it, but I was in love with it, and I actually didn't want to finish reading once I started.  So many adventures in this book and the best part of it all?  It's all about friendship and of course throwing in a little romance never hurt anyone.

9. Alive by Scott Sigler


A new author/book that came out this year and totally blew me a way was this one: Alive.  I cannot wait to read the next book, it was creepy, scary, adventures and just amazing.  I loved it and cannot really recommend it enough.

10. The Fault In Our Stars by John Green


And last but not least FOR SURE, it's TFIOS, I finally gave in and read this book, I totally went to it blind, I didn't watch the movie and when people talked about it and just walked away.  I knew it was about cancer teenagers so I knew from the beginning that I was going to cry but OMG, I just didn't know how much it was going to break my heart over and over again.  Did you know that it took me over 6 months after finishing reading the book to watch the movie?  Yeah, I'm a baby lol


Which books were your favorites this year?  And which books would you recommend?

And what are you reading goals for 2016?

XOXO,

Nelia

Tuesday, December 22, 2015

Gift Guide: Book Lovers

Wow, I'm REALLY behind this year.  I just cannot believe that Christmas is really around here and that this Year is pretty much over.  And let's not talk about how I don't even remember most of this year AGAIN, PCS/TBI, you suck, sorry I just needed to get that out.  Now that I did that, I did want to put out some Gift Guides and this year I want to start with book lovers, just because let's admit this blog has become more and more bookish this year, right?  So, let's get started:

Gift Guide for Book Lovers:

1. A ereader/tablet/Kindle: I love physical books but I also love my Kindle, and if you LOVE books as much as I do, sometimes it just doesn't matter how you read them, sometimes it matters how faster and how cheaper you can get them.  And Amazon kindle has amazing deals sometimes and when the books that I've been wanting for a while go on sale for $1.99 or $2.99 trust me I'm all over it.  So, this is a great gift for a book lover.


2. Book light: You know because you do love those physical books and when you just cannot put that book down at night you need a book light to keep going, right?  :)


3. Bookmarks: Personalized ones, or ones with quotes are my favorites.  I just hope I get some this Christmas. lol  Etsy have some lovely ones...


4. Bookish Mug: Love them and I want a whole collection of them and I'm pretty sure every book lover does too.


5. Book: If you are a book lover, you have made your book list and gave it to your family and friends, right?  I did and there is nothing better than getting another book or two or ten for Christmas lol.



That's just a few book gifts, this list can keep going but you get the point.  What gifts are you expecting this year?

XOXO,

Nelia

Thursday, December 17, 2015

Book Review: A Court of Thorns And Roses by Sarah J. Maas

Happy Thursday and Happy Book Review; today I'm bringing you my very first Sarah J. Maas book, I know; you probably already read all her books and love her already, and I? I'm behind, as always lol.
I didn't start to read the Throne of Glass series this year like I wanted to, but I did picked up this one and OMG, I loved every single minute of it and cannot wait to read more of her books and especially read the next book of this series.  So, without further do:

A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas


Nineteen year old huntress Feyre is in the woods again hunting but something incredible happens, she spies a wolf, a beast like creature that arrives to demand retribution for it and what does she do?  She actually kills it.  And because of it she is dragged to a treacherous magical land she only knows about it from legends.  Feyre discovers that her captor is not an animal, but Tamlin, one of the lethal, immortal faeries who once ruled their world.

As she stays on his estate, at first she tries to hate Tamlin and ignore him, but soon her feelings transform into a fiery passion that burns through the lies and warning she's been told about the dangerous world of the Fae.  But an ancient, wicked shadow grows over the faerie lands and Feyre must find a way to stop it or Tamlin and world will be forever be doomed.

I loved to read this book about Faeries and this world?  OMG, it was amazing, I felt like I was there with them, loved it.  Sarah's writing is just phenomenal and amazing and everything you can think of.  I wish I could explain more, but you just have to read it to find out.  Well, I did forget to tell you that this story is a retelling of Beauty and the Beast, ah I'm pretty sure that you want to read it even more now, right?

So, what are you waiting for, go and read it...I gave this book 4 out of 5 stars.

XOXO,

Nelia

Wednesday, December 16, 2015

The Queen of the Tearling by Erika Johansen

Hi all, welcome back for another book review...it feels good to be doing a couple reviews a week again.  And with the end of year almost here (I know, I know...I shouldn't have mentioned), I have realized that I'm not going to review all the books that I read in 2015, crazy.  But on the other hand, I have actually accomplished my GoodReads challenge for this year. YEAH, Wahoo...I have read over 100 books, I feel accomplished and really happy.  I'm continuing to read, of course, I mean why would I stop, right?  Now the question is: How many books should I read next year? 

Ok, now let's get to today's review:

The Queen of the Tearling by Erika Johansen



This book follows Princess Kelsea Raleigh Glynn on her nineteenth birthday, she was raised in exile and now it's time for her to go back to the castle and claim her throne.  But it won't be an easy journey, that's for sure.  Kelsea, was raised loving books and learning and bears little resemblance to her mother, the frivolous Queen Elyssa.  But, don't mistake her for that, because she is not defenseless, inexperience but around her neck hangs the Tearling sapphire, a jewel of immense magical power and also accompanying her is the Queen's Guard, brave knights led by enigmatic and dedicated Lazarus.  Kelsea soon realizes that she will need all of them to survive a cabal of enemies who will use every weapon they have (from assassins to the darkest blood magic) to prevent her from wearing the crown.

Despite her royal blood, Kelsea feels like nothing so much as an insecure girl, and now she has to lead all these people and a kingdom of which she knows almost nothing about. Once she gets to the capital she soon learns horrors that she never thought possible, her kingdom is not what she imagine it would be and she starts to make amendments right away, making most of her people love her right away; while scaring others, because of the tyrannical ruler of the neighbor county: Mortmesne and their ruler; the Red Queen.  The Red Queen is possessed of the darkest magic and she has made people's lives miserable for years, including Kelsea's kingdom until a treaty was made, but one that is not what Kelsea wants for her people and now that she is back, she is ready to fight and re negotiate with this Red Queen.

But Kelsea doesn't just have to worry about the Red Queen, she soon learns that she also has to worry about her own servants and aristocracy and her own guard, because she cannot trust everyone there, there is always someone around the corner willing to kill her.

This book is filled with politics and self discovery and loyalty and the more I read?  The more I wanted to read.  I can't wait to read the next book, if you haven't read this book yet, I totally recommend it, and be prepared because it's not a short book, it's a long an amazing book.  I gave this book 5 out of 5 stars and would give more if I could :)

And that will do for my review today.

XOXO,

Nelia

Friday, December 11, 2015

Weekend Reads: Little Women and Yes Please and The 5th Wave

Happy Friday everyone!!! And it's only 14 days until Christmas Day and I have SO much Christmas shopping to do lol.  I'm going to log in to Amazon in a little bit and get to work and tomorrow I'm going to go to the stores with my mom and hopefully get done or pretty much done with my Christmas shopping.  How are you guys doing with your shopping?  Are you done?  Or are you late shoppers like me?

Already, now that I'm done complaining about my Christmas shopping let's get back to today's post, which is what I'll be reading this weekend, which is another mess altogether lol.

I'm currently reading 3 books and my goals is to finish 2 of them this weekend and then just get back to reading one book at a time, reading more than one book is driving me bananas lol

Let's see my list:

First up: I'm listening to the Audiobook of Yes, Please by Amy Phoeler and I'm almost done with it, I only have about an hour and half left and I'm going to finish it this weekend, I promise.


Next up is The 5th Wave by Rick Yancey , I was a little more than half way with this book when my elibrary book time expire and now it's driving me CRAZY, I can't stop thinking about it, so I'm going to stop by Public Library today to see if they have it and if they don't have it?  I just going to buy it and finish it the book, period. lol


And I just started reading Little Women by Louisa May Alcott last night and I can see that I'm going to LOVE this book, so I don't want to have other books around for me to finish it, I want this book to have my 100% attention and it's going to have it.  And this book is going to be my classic for this year and oh boy, I'm so happy that I picked this one.


So, there you have it, a crazy Weekend TBR this weekend, together with some crazy shopping trips and I'll have a splendid crazy weekend.  Love it.

Have a great weekend!!!

XOXO,

Nelia

Where She Went by Gayle Forman

It's Book Review Time, oh yes...oh yes...oh yes.  Ok, I just making a song on my head with that just sentence, who else does that?  Well, probably only me lol.

Alright, I'm going to just jump to today's book review:


Where She Went by Gayle Forman



Three years, that's how long it has been since that day...the day of the horrible accident.  And that makes three since Mia walked out of Adam's life FOREVER.

Mia is in Juillliard as a rising star and Adam is in the opposite coast and he is also a LA tabloid fodder, why?  Because of his new rock start status and his celebrity girlfriend too.  But, Adam is in New York and by himself for one night and change and life brings him and Mia together again.  At first Adam isn't so sure that he wants to spend one last night with Mia, but she is...everything that he has imagined that she would be and she doesn't mind talking to him now so together they explore the city.  New York, the city that has become Mia's home, together they revisit the past and open their hearts to the future-and each other.

This book is told from Adam's point of view and to tell you the truth, I wasn't so sure I was going to like this book so much.  I loved If I Stay because of how Mia told her story, and I really connected with her.  But after the first chapter, Adam had me and my heart.  I felt for him, I wanted to reach out and tell him not to put himself down and that everything was going to be ok.  Well, I guess you can say that I connected with his character as much as I connect with Mia's. 

When Adam found Mia and she started to talk to him like everything was ok?  I wanted to go there and yell at her and tell her; what was wrong with her, why wasn't she sad or crying, Adam was still feeling all those...feelings and she was just standing there.  But then I remember that this book was from Adam's point of view and she was probably feeling all those things too and we just couldn't see it. 

I really enjoyed reading this book, it's not often that we see the aftermath of a devastation of grief, how people cope and how life really just keep on going around us, even when we don't want it to go.  Another thing that I loved, the lyrics of music that was in this book, music is what has always put this family together and it really meant a lot that it still meant everything to these characters, even after everything.  And it was nice to see a light the end of the tunnel for them, a new hope and a new future.

4 out of 5 stars, really enjoyed another great book by Gayle Forman.  If you haven't picked this conclusion to If I Stay, do it, you will not regret it.

XOXO,

Nelia

Tuesday, December 8, 2015

Book Review: Of Neptune by Anna Banks

Who's ready for another Book Review?  I am, Oh YEAH... And today we are going to finish off The Syrena Legacy with:

Of Neptune by Anna Banks


This is the third and final book in The Syrena Legacy, read book 1 Of Poseidon and book 2 Of Triton reviews before reading this one haven't yet and as usual I'm going to try not to put spoilers.  But if you haven't read this trilogy don't read this review, start with the review with book one and then start reading the trilogy.  Hope you enjoy and let's get started:

Emma and Galen are ready for some time alone, after all they have been through it is about time, right?  It's time to be away from the kingdoms of Poseidon and Triton and surprisingly, Emma's grandfather, the Poseidon King, suggests the two visit a small human town called Neptune.

Emma doesn't tell Galen that her grandfather told her to go to Neptune and keeps that secret to herself, but she herself gets a surprise when she arrives in Neptune.  Neptune is a small town home to both Syrena and Half-Breeds alike.  Emma at first thinks that is amazing meeting so many people just like herself, but Galen isn't too crazy about the town and some of the people there.  Emma doesn't listen to Galen and starts to enjoy the town and the Half-Breeds too.  But soon they meet a Half-Breed name Reed, who can barely hides his feelings for Emma and they definitely didn't expect to find themselves in the middle of a power struggle that threatens not only their love, but their ocean kingdoms. 

Oh, I really enjoyed this final book and conclusion to this trilogy, at first I wasn't too crazy with the plot line, but as the book progressed I got more and more excited about it.  There were times I wanted to go inside the book and go and shake and yell at Emma and maybe slap her a couple times too, lol.  And for the first time I felt really bad for Galen and I wanted Emma to really listen 100% to him because for the first time he was right.  Ah, I don't want to give anything away, but if you have started this trilogy and didn't like how the first or second book ended, well you need to continue because this book right here?  It's amazing and will change everything.

I gave it 5 out of 5 stars, great finish and it ended amazingly, job well done Anna Banks.  Loved everything about and how well she wrapped everything.  Totally recommend it.

XOXO,

Nelia

Friday, December 4, 2015

Weekend Reads: The 5th Wave by Rick Yancey

Well...what can I say that I haven't said about a Friday?  lol This weekend it's super special, it's the hubby's Birthday weekend (his birthday is Monday, but we are going out Saturday night with friends, so...YUPPY), then Sunday, I think we are going to get our Christmas Tree, woohoo.  Cool stuff happening this weekend, I will post a picture of my finished tree on Instagram so don't forget to follow me :).

So, let's get back to today's topic and to the book that I'm currently reading and that I will be reading this weekend:

The 5th Wave by Rick Yancey


With the movie coming out soon it was about time to read this book, so I'm wicked happy to finally be reading and crossing this book off my TBR list!!!

Have you read The 5th Wave?  What did you think of it?  And what are you plans for this weekend?  Christmasy stuff?

Have a good weekend!

XOXO,

Nelia

Thursday, December 3, 2015

Book Review: Of Triton by Ann Banks

Wow, I've MIA for quite a bit on my blog and to tell you the truth I didn't mean too, there hasn't been much happening in my life, well besides LIFE.  Work is busy, the head has been acting up these last couple weeks so I have been "trying" to take it easy and rest but Holidays coming up things are just more hectic so...I pretty much don't have an excuse.  Sorry...I do need to rest my brain and I don't even know how and I have been driving my family crazy lol, I will plan our family vacation for February and maybe they will leave me alone?  Do you think that will work?  I sure hope so, I have so much shopping to do and then wrapping and decorating and still have to work and let's not forget the kids lol lol

But, let's get back to today's post, shall we?  I'm back today with a book review, and I'm actually sitting in my office at work and I think I may type a few book reviews today so I can just post it when I'm driving around like a crazy person, yeah that sounds a good idea.  The only problem is; how long do I have until a kid comes and bothers me or how long until my husband tells me it's enough computer time for today...I can never win, but I'm going to try my best, that's the only thing I can do, right.  And know I'm ready, I promise :) let's jump to the review.

Of Triton by Anna Banks


This is the second book of The Syrena Legacy, please don't read this review if you haven't read book 1 and don't want to spoil yourself.  I do have book 1's Review up; Of Poseidon

Emma has learned that her mother is the long-lost Poseidon Princess and with that she also learned that she is a Half-Breed, meaning that she is half human and half Syrena.  And that also means that she is a freak in the human world and an abomination in the Syrena world and the Syrena law states that all Half-Breeds should be put to death.  So, Emma is pretty much screwed. 

But to make matters worse, with the reappearance of Emma's mom, the two Kingdoms-Poseidon and Triton-are now against one another.  Emma is left with the hardest decision ever, should she listen to Galen and keep herself hidden from the Syrena world and this way she is safe and just hope everything solves itself?  Or should she risk it all and reveal herself and her Gift and save a world of people that she's never known?

This second book brings us lots of more action and lot of more Syrena world and why the two Kingdoms have been fighting all these years and why they are fighting now.  I loved how a strong character Emma is and how she makes her own decisions and because of that a lot is discovered in this book. 

You will get to see some romance again, but there wasn't as much as I was expecting but I did still enjoyed it.  There are lots of drama throughout the book and that will keep you engaged a lot.  And of course Anna Banks knew how to add more twists in this book to get you hooked and crave the third and final book.

Overall I really enjoyed this book and there is just something that pulls me to read and gets me hooked, I don't know, these books are just another guilty pleasure and I loved it.  I gave this book a 4 out of 5 stars.

Have you read it yet, if not do it, you will definitely enjoy a world of mermaids and humans where lots of drama is involved.

That will do it for today.  Hope you all have a good week.

XOXO,

Nelia 

Wednesday, December 2, 2015

December 2015 TBR

It's December, Oh Yeah...it's Christmas time; but it also means it's the end of another year.  Wow, I can't believe 2015 is coming to an end, this year sure flew by and it's funny that I don't remember some of it?  Concussed brain, you are killing me lol.  But anyways, let's get back to today's post...I'm ready to pick some books to read this month, I'm not sure how many I want to read but here is what I have so far:

1. The 5th Wave by Rick Yancey



2.  Little Women by Louisa May Alcott



3. Eve by Anna Carey



4. Once by Anna Carey



5. Slammed by Colleen Hoover


That's it so far for December, I may finish the Eve Trilogy or/and the Slammed Trilogy this month but we will see how the month goes.  And I HAVE to read Little Women because that's my classic for the year and I can't believe that I haven't read one yet, so right after I finish reading The 5th Wave I'm picking that one up and getting it over with.   What are you reading this month?

XOXO,

Nelia