Weekend Reads: Blood, Ink and Fire by Ashley Mansour

I have to confess something, I'm in a book hangover right now.  Not in a book hangover but 2 books hangover because I read these 2 books in a series back to back and I can't get them out of my head, they are all I can think about it and trust me if the third book was out I would be reading it right now :(  AHHHHH  This is killing me.  If you don't know which books I'm talking about and would like to join me in my misery; it's Paper Princess and Broken Prince by Erin Watt.  Yep, those books were so good and they had such huge cliffhangers that I don't know what to do with myself now.  I started reading a new book last night because...I just need to get out of this book hangover and read other books and this is the book that I'm currently reading and will be reading this weekend:

Blood, Ink and Fire by Ashley Mansour

I got this book from NetGalley a while ago and because I read Paper and Fire and am loving that series and this book is somewhat similar (in this book reading is prohibited) I have to read so...that's what I am doing it.  I'm literally maybe 10 pages in, so can't tell you what I feel about it yet, but we will see.  

What are you doing this weekend?  What books have given you book hangovers?

XOXO,

Nelia

Book Review: Rise by Anna Carey

Book review time and we are reviewing the last book on the Eve trilogy, ah I'm sad and happy at the same time, this was such a great trilogy.  I loved reading it but I was so sad once it was over and I'm going to be sad again that I'm reviewing the last book :) :(

Ok...here are the first 2 reviews:  Eve and Once and let's jump in to the 3rd one:

Rise by Anna Carey

Eve is trapped in the palace and forced to play the part of the happy princess of The New America and the bride of her father's top adviser.  But her whole life is a lie.  Why?  After losing her soul mate, the love of her life, Caleb, she feels dead inside and outside.  The only thing that is keeping her going is Caleb's memory and the revolution he started.

She has taken over where he left off with the help of Moss.  Moss is the undercover subversive in the King's court and both of them are planning to take down The New America, beginning with the capital, the City of Sand.  But the rebels are to gain her trust and she has to perform the ultimate act of rebellion first-to kill her father, will she do it?

If I thought the first two books were full of actions, this book was hands down the top one.  And Eve?  She is one of the best female characters, nothing stopped her and she had a lot of things going one in this book that you will think she would back her down a bit but no, this girl was always on a roll.  Loved her and Caleb?  Ah, I love, love him...talk about someone that gives you space and lets you make your own decisions.  The ending?  Perfect and I loved that the author gave us more, we don't always get that in a book but I'm glad that we did.

The writing was great, I think it made a huge difference on these books, it was the kind of writing that grabbed you from the beginning and it was so easy to read to.  Ah and 5 out of 5 stars for this one too.

XOXO,

Nelia

Book Review: Once by Anna Carey

Back with another Book Review and back with Book 2 of Eve Trilogy, let's do this...because I'm still tired from the weekend and I wish it was Friday already lol.

Of course if you haven't started this Trilogy this will contain spoilers and please don't spoil yourself...if you are interested in starting, you can read Book 1-Eve review HERE.

Once by Anna Carey

Eve can finally sleep in peace, at least she can sleep without worrying about people chasing her.  She is living in Califia, a haven for women.  But it did cost her this peaceful sleep, she had to leave Caleb behind, the boy that she loves; wounded and alone and that troubles her more than anything.

One day when word comes that Caleb is in trouble, Eve doesn't think twice and leaves Califia and sets out into the wild again looking for Caleb, however she is captured and brought to the City of Sand, the capital of The New America.

Once Eve gets inside the City walls, she uncovers the most shocking secret about her past and she forced to confront the reality of her future.  She starts to live a life she never thought possible but one that she doesn't want it either.  Once she finds out that Caleb is alive, she attempts to flee her prison so they can be together, but she finds out that fleeing her new life is even more deadly than living in the wild.  Eve finds herself again facing more decisions about saving the people that she loves or losing Caleb forever.

This book was even better than the first one, fast pace?  Yeah!  Action?  Lots and lots of it!  Romance?  Yes!!!!  Friendship?  OMG, yes and that makes even better!  I freaking loved this book and this trilogy of course, once I was done reading this one I picked one the 3rd and final book right away.

Ah and of I gave it 5 out of 5 stars.

XOXO,

Nelia

Weekend Reads: Paper Princess and Destined for Doon

The weekend is finally here and I can't wait to rest and go down to our boat.  We are having friends and family coming over so hopefully I will have time to do some reading as this weekend I have a Buddy Read book to read.

Here are the books that I will be reading this weekend:

Destined for Doon by Carey Corp and Lorie Langdon (I love the covers for this series)

I started this one last night and I forgot how quick and easy of a read these books are, I'm already 150 pages in and I'm hoping that I will be done with this one this weekend too, because...


Paper Princess by Erin Watt

I'm Buddy Reading Paper Princess with a bunch of great people on a Facebook book group who is managed by a great author (Siobhan Davis).  This should be fun, it's only 370 pages, so that's a short one too and if the story is catchy and fun it will be a quick read too.

What are you guys reading this weekend?  Are you doing anything fun?

XOXO,

Nelia

Book Review: Graphic Novels Part 5

It's time to review some more Graphic Novels; let's do it?  Alright...

1. Sex Criminals-Volume 1

This Graphic novel follows 2 two people who have the power to stop time during sex, first they don't realize that each other have the same power until they hook up and when they find out they start to discuss what they should do while the world around them is in a pause mood.  Eventually they decide to rob a bank, what they don't know is that there are others like them around and they are around to stop people with ideas like them.  Even though the concept of this Graphic novel sounded really good, I just couldn't get into it, it took me a while to get to the end of it and just could not connect with the characters and I don't think that I will be continuing with this series.  3 out 5 stars, only because the art was pretty good.

2. Saga-Volume 2

Spoilers for this one if you haven't read the first volume yet.  Marko and Alana are still on the run with their little girl but on this Volume they get the help and surprise visit from Marko's parents.  This series is just amazing. Loved this Volume.  4 out of 5 stars.

3. Saga-Volume 3

Saga keeps on getting better, the young family is of course still running away, now with Marko's parents in town.  In this Volume they are traveling to a cosmic lighthouse on the planet Quietus, why?  Because they think their literary hero can help them.  But their enemies are closing in on them.  Lots of actions on this Volume.  4 out of 5 stars.

4. Saga-Volume 4

Hazel is a toddler now and the young family has ran away to a strange new world and are trying to live a kind of a "normal" life but of course life is not easy and things are looking to be as hard even when enemies are not nearby.  But the enemies are still trying to find a way to locate them, but first they have to take care of themselves, this volume everyone is trying to piece themselves together.  4 out of 5 stars.

5. Saga- Volume 5

My favorite so far of the series, so much happens on this one.  Gwen risk everything to cure The Will, Marko makes to weirdest alliance, with non other than with Prince Robot IV, why?  To find their missing children, who are trapped on a strange world with terrifying new enemies.  While Alana is losing her mind on what she should be doing.  Loved, loved this volume and cannot wait to read the next one.  5 out 5 stars.


6. Rat Queens-Volume 1

New GN series that I started this month and I like it, it's the first volume so we will see how it goes, there is magic involved so that's a plus of course.  So bad ass female characters that are always trying to keep peace but not afraid to kill?  Yeah, pretty dam cool.  And right away on the first volume there was a mystery for the Rat Queens to discover and it just picked up from there.  Lots of fighting scenes and you get some romance too, soooo a little of bit of everything.  4 out of 5 stars and I will definitely continue with this series.


That's all the Graphic Novels I've read up to date.  I cannot wait to pick up Volume 6 of Saga and continue reading Rat Queens and pick up other ones too.

What Graphic Novels to you recommend?  Any of your favorites here?

XOXO,

Nelia

Favorite Places to Read

Do you have a favorite place to read?  Do you only read on a certain place?  Or can you read anywhere?

I do have favorite places to read, but I also can read anywhere, pretty much...I think.  I especially love having my kindle app and downloading as many books there as I can and be able to read anywhere.  For example, now a days I spend lots of times at doctors offices, either for my parents or even for myself (as you may or may not know I was in a car accident a couple years ago and suffered a Mild Brain Injury-Concussion- and have been suffering from headaches ever since and therefore I see lots and lots of doctors and spend so much time on doctors office) and while I'm waiting on a doctors office, if I don't have my physical book with me I just pull out my Kindle or my phone and read, 10 minutes or 20 minutes?  It gets my mind out of the appt and relaxes me.  I also read while my husband is driving, if I don't have to talk (lol), sometimes he works late so I get to read at the dinner table while I'm eating by myself (bad habit? probably).  I read at work too, lunch break or not :)  There is also the days when I drop the kids to Karate classes and I have to wait for them, I read while I wait and watch them (multitasking-another bad habit lol).

But my favorite places to read and that I know that I will really read in peace and get lots of reading done are:

1. My bed, especially that time when everyone else is also in bed and sleeping, yeah that's the perfect and probably my favorite time.

2. In the boat, I love boating and when we get to go to our boat and my husband is taking care of boating things?  I get to enjoy reading and catching some sun at the same time.  Talking about perfection lol.

3. The beach, I mean...what is better than seating by the ocean and reading a book?  Nothing!

4. My backyard, yeah I get lots of reading there, even if the kids are around, they are playing and tiring themselves out together with the dog.  Perfect summer days!!!

5. My reading seat/corner in my bedroom, that's a new addition this year and I love it, my kids see me there and leave me alone because it's reading time :)  I love it when my little one comes with a book and joins me, yeah, she is my mini me and nothing makes me happier than seeing her doing something as productive as reading. ( I love this chair)

That's top favorite places to read, what are yours?  Where do you read?  Comment below...


XOXO,

Nelia

Book Review: Peter Pan by J. M. Barrie

Ah, it's time to review a classic and not just any classic, this is one of my favorites childhood's favorites and I'm pretty sure one of many kid's favorite story.  Let's do this?

Peter Pan by J. M. Barrie

During a starry night, Peter Pan and Tinker Bell go into a house and lead three Darling children over the rooftops of London and away to Neverland.  What's Neverland?  Neverland is the island where lost boys play, mermaids splash and fairies make mischief.  But also in Neverland you will find a villainous-looking gang of pirates, led by Captain James Hook, who is as terrifying as it can get.

Magic and excitement are in the air, but if Captain Hook has his way, someone will be walking his plank and swimming with the crocodiles and Peter Pan makes sure that doesn't happen, but will he always be able to make sure that doesn't happen?

Are all the boys happy in Neverland?  Are the three Darling children happy there or do they want to go back to their house in London?  One thing with Neverland is the longer you stay there the less you remember of your old life and that's something the three Darling's are not sure they want...will Peter let them leave or will he do everything for them to stay?

This book?  Ah, it was sooooo good to re read an old children's classic and I'm planning on doing more of these this year.  I loved, loved the writing, of course and my rating?  5 out of 5 stars for sure.  I read this book with little 6 year old daughter and she fell in love with it and that just made my heart full and totally happy.  Please read even if you know the story and have read it as a kid, there is nothing like nostalgia, trust me.

XOXO,

Nelia

July and Reading Challenge Update

Reading Challenge...It's July so we are half way through this year already, so I thought it was time to do a quick update on where I am with my GoodReads Reading Challenge.  My Goal this year is reading 100 books, as you know I did pretty good last year, my goal was 100 and I ended up reading 104.

So...so far this year I have read...drum rolls please:

59

Not bad, right?  I know...pretty proud of myself, I really hope I keep on going like this for the remaining of the year lol.

Another Challenge/Goal for 2016 was to finish some series and here are a few that I have finish it so far:

1. The Infernal Devices by Cassandra Clare: And OMG this one has become one of my favorites for SURE.  AH the feelings!

2. The Book of Ivy Duology by Amy Engel: Another great duology; totally recommend it.

3. Anna and the French Kiss/Lola and the Boy Next Door and Isla and the Happily Ever After by Stephanie Perkins: I loved these books so much and I've always wanted to go to Paris,but now?  Even more.

4. Locke &  Key Graphic Novel Series by Joe Hill: This one wasn't even on my list but I've read it and really enjoyed it.

     

5. Eve by Anna Carey: I had these books on my shelf for a couple years now or longer and I don't even know why I hadn't read them but now I have read them and I love it.  They are an amazing dystopian trilogy and totally recommend it.

  

6. Boxers and Saints by Gene Luen Yang: Graphic Novel duology...I was looking for some Graphic Novel material to read and came across these and I really enjoyed it.  The art was great and you get to learn some history...bonus.

 

7. The Winner's Trilogy by Marie Rutkoski: I have finally finished reading the third and final book of this trilogy and I cannot believe that it's over.  I really enjoyed this trilogy and the reason that I did it's because these books are so different from all other YA books; you read them and get sucked in even if there is nothing happening for a while, you are still captivated.  Love it and my favorite cover?  Probably The Winner's Crime...love that blue.

 

8. The Selection by Kiera Cass: The Selection is over, these books...some people hated, some people loved.  They were my guilty pleasure, that's for sure and when The Crown came out, I went out and bought it because I just needed to know how it all was going to end it.  The end?  Totally surprised me, so there, Kiera Cass did some something that people didn't see it coming.  Thank You for this book and for all of them, i loved all of them.

9. Vengeance Trilogy by Aaron Galvin: The author contacted me and asked me if I wanted to continue with this trilogy and he would provide me with books 2 and 3 and I couldn't say no, I loved book 1 and I knew that I was definitely going to read books 2 and 3 I just didn't know when.  When he contacted that just meant that I was going to do sooner rather than later and sooner I did and did I love them?  Heck yes, I did.  Witches, revenge, family and lots of action...my kind of books.  Totally recommend this trilogy.

 

I think that's about it for series that I have finished so far this year, I have a few more that I want to finish it this year and I am going to do it for sure, I promise.  What are your reading goals for this year?  And how are you doing so far?

XOXO,

Nelia

Book Review: Glass Sword by Victoria Aveyard

It's book review time and tomorrow is my Birthday, Yippee!!!  I'm going to be good and just jump in to the review:

Glass Sword by Victoria Aveyard

Mare is back with her Silver ability and her power to control lightning which has turned her into a weapon that the royal court tries to control.  She makes her escape from Maven, the prince and who she thought was her friend but who betrayed her at the end.  But she uncovers something startling; she isn't the only one of her kind, there are many, many others like her and she is going to find them and build an army.

While Mare sets out recruiting other Red-Silver fighters to join her, she has to deal with Maven, now a evil as can get King, who is setting up traps where ever she goes or where ever she sends her people too, sometimes killing Red-Silvers before she even gets to them.

Sometimes Mare thinks she is becoming the kind of monster she is trying hard to defeat, will she become one or she still be Mare at the end of it.  And can she deal with all the lost lives at the cost of the rebellion, a rebellion that she is leading?

Already, so Glass Sword picked right up from where Red Queen left out but don't expect as much action as the first book because there isn't, there I said it.  But, is Glass Sword still good?  I'm going to be honest and say that the first half of the book was a little hard to be through, because I was waiting for things to happen and when they weren't happening, I got a little frustrated, but the second half of the book things started to get a little more interesting and it picked up the pace a little more.  We got introduced to a lot more characters throughout the book, and I do have a couple new favorites and I wasn't expecting that, especially on a second book of a series, right?  Mare, drove me a little crazy at times, but I did understand where she was coming from and by the end of the book she was back at been a kick ass character.  Maven?  Holly molly, he is as evil as you can expect a character to be and more, and sometimes you just need an evil character like that to spice up a book and I'm liking it, well...not really liking, I want to kill him myself but it's making the books so much better.

I ended up giving Glass Sword 3.5 out of 5 stars, the ending was great and left me wanting more which is great and means that I do want to read the next book and I will but I did wanted a lot more from this one.

XOXO,

Nelia

Book Review: The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins

Happy Tuesday!!! And can we please start with Congratulating Portugal for their win on the Euro2016?  WOOHOO...Go Portugal and Ronaldo and all the team, they did an amazing job, so PROUD.

Ok, time to stop bragging about soccer and move on to today's topic which is another book review and today's book review is a thriller (which totally doesn't go with a win on a soccer tournament lol) let's just do this:

The Girl on the Train by Paul Hawkins

Rachel has been taking the same commuter train every morning and night and every day she rattles down the same track and flashes by a stretch of cozy suburban homes and she stops at a signal that allows her to daily watch the same couple breakfasting on their deck.  And by watching them day after day she starts to feel like she knows them somehow, she even gives them names, Jess and Jason.  From what she can see, their life is perfect, no unlike her own, the one she has recently lost.

Well, it seemed perfect until TODAY, until she sees something shocking, it's only for a minute, until the train starts to move again, but it's enough for her to start to panic and know that something bad has happened to "Jess" and because of that feeling she goes to the police and report it.  However, once she is at the police station, she isn't such a reliable person as she thinks she is, her past and her recent action comes up and the police doubt her and sends her home.  But soon she finds herself entangled not only not in the investigation (because she cannot let it go) but also in the lives of everyone involved (because the people involved are closer to her than she thought).

Even though this book had so much potential and the story line was pretty interesting and that was probably the only reason I kept reading, the main character, Rachel, drove me crazy.  She was not stable at all and instead of taking care of herself she kept ruining her life more and more.  I understood that she wanted to help and find out what happened to "Jess", but I felt like she should have realized that she needed to be 100% herself to do that.  Ah...she really aggravated me up until the very last couple chapters.

I ended up giving this book 3 out of 5 chapters, people kept comparing this book to Gone Girl and I don't agree, even though Gone Girls main girl was crazy, she was genius crazy, that's a difference.  But the story line was good and that was the reason I still gave the book 3 stars.

XOXO,

Nelia

Weekend Reads: The Winner's Kiss and A Court of Mist and Fury

Hello Friday and Hello Weekend!!! I'm pretty busy this weekend, I'm going out tomorrow night to see Cirque du Soleil with friends and then we are off to the Cape and enjoy at least one day of boating and "rest" and some reading time.  But before that I'm doing lots of errands today and tomorrow all day :( bummer...anyways, at least my readings are pretty exciting.  Here are the books that I will be reading this weekend:

The Winner's Kiss by Marie Rutkoski

I'll probably be done reading this one tonight, AH...I'm so excited to be finishing up this trilogy but at the same time sad that it's over, and this book? OMG, it has given me so many feelings.


And once I'm done reading The Winner's Kiss I will be reading:

A Court of Mist and Fury by Sarah J Maas

Yes, I finally got hold of a copy of this and I going to devour it and after hearing only amazing things from it I cannot wait to start it.


What are you reading this weekend?  Have you read any of these books?

XOXO,

Nelia

Book Review: Me Before You by Jojo Moyes

It's time to review another book and I can't believe it's time to review this book, I read this book back in February and I have been meaning to post this review before the movie came out and then when that didn't happen I have been meaning to go watch the movie and post a book and movie review BUT I haven't had a moment to go watch the movie so...I'm just going to post my review and maybe update it later after I watch the movie, right?  Right...so, let's get to the book?


Me Before You by Jojo Moyes

Lou Clark likes to know what is going on around her, like how many steps it takes from the bus stop to her home or that she really likes to work at her job in The Buttered Bun Tea shop and she also knows that even though she has a boyfriend she might not love Patrick.  However she doesn't know that she is about to lose her job and that what's is coming will change her perspective in life forever.

Will Traynor loved life more than most people do and he enjoyed to the max, however a motorcycle accident took away his desire to live.  He hates the way he has to live know and he is miserable every day and all day long and he does not hide that from everybody around him, but he also knows what he has to do to stop all that and he is going to put a stop to it.

What Will and Lou is that both their lives are about to interconnect and change one another forever.  Lou never realized that taking care of someone like Will would open up so many doors and change someone so much as Will has done to her and Will never thought that Lou would be the one that could make him smile again but will it be enough?

This book, OMG...I know so many people have been reading and watching the movie so you know what I am talking about, but if you haven't read it, please do it, because you will love it.  I spend the whole book thinking one thing then another, never knowing exactly what would happen and the ending...it broken me to pieces and yes I cried like a river with this book.  My rating?  5 out of 5 stars for sure and totally, totally recommend it.  Maybe the reason I haven't gone and watch the movie is because I know how it ends and I'm still not quite ready for it????  But, I do want to watch it and I know that I will.

Ah, let me also mention that I loved the writing style and cannot wait to read more of Jojo Moyes books and I have heard nothing but amazing things about her other books.  Have you guys read any of her other books?

XOXO,

Nelia

July 2016 TBR

It's JULY, my Birthday Month, YEEPEE...What do I want???  Let me see...I want to relax this month, go the beach, do fun stuff with the kids, read lots of books and spoil myself-you know just because it's my Birthday month and I should be allowed too, right?

And because I want to read lots of books, here are some of the ones I know for sure that I want to read:

1. Blood, Ink and Fire by Ashley Mansour-I got this one from NetGalley a while ago and last month I finished Ink and Bone & Paper and Fire (2 books in the same series) books about books, and now I'm obsessed about these kinds of books and I have this one and have to read it. :)

2. The Winner's Kiss by Marie Rutkoski- It's time to finish this trilogy and I cannot wait to do it. YEAH

3. Destined for Doon by Carey Corp and Lorie Langdon-book 2 in the Doon Series; I really enjoyed the first book and I own all the books and I want to finish the series this year so...it's time to get started on it.

4. Harry Porter and Sorcerer's Stone By J. K. Rowling- I'm gonna do it, I SHOULD have started this re read by now but it's going to happen, it is...

5. Paper Princess by Erin Watt-this is a buddy read that I'm doing with a Facebook group and this book sounds sooo interesting, I cannot wait to start reading (we start on 7/22)

6. Game of Thrones by George R. R. Martin

I'm going to continue reading Game of Thrones and hopefully finish this book this month, I REALLY HOPE I DO.

7. The Unexpected Everything by Morgan Matson

And last but not least, I'm finishing up TUE by Morgan Matson.

What are you reading this month?  And what are your plans for this summer month?  And who's birthday is this month???

XOXO,

Nelia

June 2016 Wrap Up

June is over??? I can't, I just can't even believe that June is over...SLOW down Summer, let us enjoy you to the max and for that to happen you need stay here as long as you can, right?  Okay, now that we have settled that let's move on to June's Wrap up...lol

I really can't believe that June is over but I did enjoy it a LOT, lots of beach days and my skin is sun kissed for sure.  And I got lots of reading done, here are the books that I read this month:

1. City of Fallen Angels by Cassandra Clare: 3.5 Stars

4 books done and only 2 more to go on The Mortal Instruments Series, YEAH.  This one was a little slow for me, still good and loved to see all these characters but I wanted a little more action.  Hopefully on the next one.


2. Stars Above by Marissa Meyer: 5 Stars

It just felt amazing to be back on this world and this book didn't disappointed me and the end? OMG, that is all I'm going to say.


3. The Traitor Baru Cormorant: 4 Stars

This book, I don't hear much about it and it was recommend by a co worker but do I recommend it?  Heck yes.


4.  Saga, Volume 4: 4 Stars

Keeps on getting better as the story continues.


5. Ink and Bone by Rachel Caine: 4.25 Stars

This book, OMG, my first time reading a book about books and this did NOT dissapointed me at all.  I loved it and this cover?  Beautiful.


6. Paper and Fire by Rachel Caine: 5 Stars

I have an eARC of book 2 of The Great Library and I had to read it right after I finished Ink and Bone and Oh it didn't let me down, this book 2 was even better than book 1 and lots of times books 2 are not that great.  I cannot wait for this series to continue.


7.  The Nightmare Affair by Mindee Arnet: 3 Stars

I read this one of GoodReads bookclubs that I belong and I was quick and fast pace read.  I did enjoy even though I did see how most of the things were going to be before it happened.  I think this is a trilogy and I may even pick the other books up and see how it story continues.


8.  Second Chance Summer by Morgan Matson: 5 Stars

9. Saga, Volume 5: 5 Stars

I'm all caught up on this series, when is the next volume out?  And this volume was definitely my favorite so far.

10. Game of Thrones by George R. R. Martin: Still reading...

I'm 300 pages in, as I'm telling people: I'm one book in a book lol.  Maybe if I focused my whole attention to this book I would be done already, but I like how I'm reading like now.

11. The Unexpected Everything by Morgan Matson: Still Reading...

I started reading this a couple days ago and I'm already over 100 pages in and it's getting good now and I can't wait to see what happens.

And that's all for June.  Overall, I read 9 full books and I'm still reading 2 books.  Not many 5 stars books but the ones that were 5 stars totally blew me away, my favorite book this month is a tie between Paper and Fire and Second Chance Summer.   Paper and Fire was non stop action but Second Chance Summer?  It's all about family and friends and love and totally heart breaking and I loved both of them for different reasons and recommend them.

What did you read this month?  And what books do you recommend?

XOXO,

Nelia