MY FAVORITE BOOKS OF 2015!

Happy New Year's Eve, everyone! I hope your year has been fabulous, and I can't think of a better way to end my first year of book blogging than with my favorite books that I read in 2015!

I loved every single one of these books (clearly), and when I went to my shelves, I picked these 10 (two on this list I have gotten from the library) off without a moment's hesitation. These books range from some I read in January to ones I read in December. 

Some Stats about my favorite books:

Stand-alones: 6

The starts of series: 3

Whole series: 3

Average rating of my favorites: 4.71

No over-consumed genre

Number of favorite pages consumed: 8633 

Average publication year: 2011

YA: 8

Adult: 4

Not pictured: A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness

I had no trouble organizing these from favorite to most favorite until I got to my top four. I sat around holding these four for a solid ten minutes (I also took back-up pictures of every order option that there was) before I settled on this arrangement.

There won't be a lot of explanation as to why I picked this book over that book or what made one book more special than another because then we would be here all day.

12. All the Bright Places by Jennifer Niven

This book wrecked me. I absolutely loved this book, and reflecting on it, I can see that I read this book at the right time. I didn't need to read it when I read it, but reading it early in the year really helped me deal with the rest of the year.

goodreads review

11. The Book Thief by Markus Zusak

I am so glad that I read this book for school. I am also really glad that I read the book alongside the audiobook--definitely the way to go if for some reason you haven't picked up this masterpiece already.

goodreads review

10. The Infernal Devices Trilogy (Specifically, Clockwork Prince) by Cassandra Clare

Did I expect much going into this series? No, I expected very little. While the conclusion was a bit of a let down, the characters in this series do things to me that I never expected. And even though I still dislike Will Herondale and the overall end to this series, the character development in the second book alone is something that I will not soon forget.

goodreads reviews (I, II, III)

9. The Shatter Me Trilogy by Tahereh Mafi

I can't pick a favorite out of this series, and I wouldn't want to because all of them work together wonderfully. I love how Mafi crafted these beautiful characters and relationships and how she developed them thoughout the series.

This is one of the things that really kickstarted all the feels that I felt this year.

reviews

8. Carry On by Rainbow Rowell

I would like to redirect you here because I can't coherently talk about this book right now. I just love it beyond words.

7. Vicious by V.E. Schwab

Superpowers, monsters, friendships gone awry, and friendships gone right.

Do you like complex characters and/or X-Men? Yes? Then, please read this.

review

6. Me Before You by Jojo Moyes

How do I words about this book? I am not the same person I was before I read this book. I see things differently, and I see people differently. I understand ignorance, and I want to teach people how to learn, not just be upset that they don't already know.

review

5. A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness

Again, with the words. Pick up the illustrated version if you can, but if you can't the story is still beautiful nonetheless.

Again, I am not the same.

review

4. The Raven Cycle (Specifically, The Dream Thieves) by Maggie Stiefvater

Even though there is technically one other YA book above this one, I still stand beside this truth: this series is the best thing in YA right now. The series is almost over, and right now this series is one of my all time favorites.

I love the second book specifically because we get to see so much of Ronan. Not only do we get to see Ronan, we also see our Raven Boys apart for the first time. And then we see them come back together. It's magical. Literally.

review

3. All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr

This is one for the rereads. It deserves all the praise that it gets. Please read it, and don't let the fact that it is "literary fiction" turn you away from reading it.

Please read it.

goodreads review

2. Outlander by Diana Gabaldon

I read this mammoth in a week. The longest book I read in 2015, and I read it in a week. I think it is over 800 pages, but somehow I managed.

If you can't seem to get through this book, I recommend watching the TV show alongside it because it is one of the best book adaptations I have ever seen.

This book is a roller coaster of emotions, and these characters are ones that I want to know more and more about every passing day.

review

1. Illuminae by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff 

This book was such an experience. It is written in such a unique way, and I genuinely cared about every single character in this book--human or not. It made my anxiety go through the roof at points near the middle-end, but it was completely worth it.

I am so excited for the sequel to be released!

review


Have you read any of these books? Tell me your thoughts on them down in the comments!

Also, share with me your top books of 2015 because those are my favorite videos and posts at the moment!

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Established Series That I Want to Pick Up in 2016!

Why are there so many series in the world? Why? Why? I want to read them all (well, most of them).

I OWN THESE AND NEED TO READ THEM NOW

*these are not all completed series, but I own at least the first in each of these series and want to read  them*

• The Winner's Curse Trilogy by Marie Rutkoski: Funny story, I thought for the longest time this book was called "The Winter's Curse" and was so confused when I heard people talk about "The Winner's Curse". Anyway, the third book is coming out in 2016, and I just ordered the first two from BD, so here's to hoping I like it!
• The Lotus War Trilogy by Jay Kristoff: Ezra's bits (the bits by Jay) in Illuminae were just as amazing as Kady's, so I just bought this entire trilogy off Book Outlet. Talk about hoping I like a series.
• The Fever Series by Karen Marie Moning: I have heard such amazing things about this series. I have the first two series, and I hope to read them in January!
• The Cemetery of Forgotten Books Trilogy: I have acquired the first two books in this series, and I have heard nothing but amazing things (are we sensing a trend?) and need to just go ahead and read them.
• Six of Crows Duology: I won an ARC of this book ages ago--and am seriously considering getting a final copy because it is beautiful--but "I wanted to read the Grisha trilogy first" and so now I am reading the Grisha trilogy first. This is next.
• The Diviners Series by Libba Bray: I have the first book in this series. I love New York in the 20's and I love paranormal. I have no excuse to not have this read by the end of 2016.
• The Mara Dyer Trilogy: I got the first of this series off Book Outlet, and while I haven't heard the greatest of things about the finale, I am excited to read this series.

I HAVE HEARD SUCH GOOD THINGS AND I WANT TO CONSUME THEM

• The Study Series by Maria V. Snyder: I didn't like Throne of Glass, but people say this is better content wise. So I am excited (and nervous) about that.
• Falling Kingdoms Series by Morgan Rhodes: Everyone who I know who has read this series loves it. I at least want to start this series (that currently has four books out). Not going to lie, I am a little intimidated.
• Daughter of Smoke and Bone Trilogy by Laini Taylor: I have heard so many amazing things about this series, and I finally feel like I can read it without skittering away like a little fantasy newcomer.
• The Heroes of Olympus by Rick Riordan: This is a series that I may or may not read. I want to try the first book and see how I feel about the multiple perspectives thing. We'll see.
• A Darker Shade of Magic Series by V.E. Schwab: I love Schwab's writing, and this sounds amazingly interesting. I think that's about it.
• The Girl of Fire and Thorns by Rae Carson: This series has all the praise! I want to understand! Also, it doesn't sound super intimidating, so that is always a plus!

Have you read any of these series? Which ones should I pick up first? Tell me down in the comments!

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Series I Want to Finish in 2016

I start a lot of series, and I just don't finish them. Some books I have zero interest in continuing on with the series, but I won't name names. However, there are a handful of series that I have started and just need to finish

SERIES I STARTED IN 2015 AND NEED TO FINISH 

• The Mortal Instruments by Cassandra Clare: I am really interested in this story, and in addition to feeling completely out of the loop, I feel like I have remained relatively unspoiled for this series. That will probably end come very soon with the release of the Shadowhunters TV show (that I am very excited to watch) and the release of Lady Midnight. I also have the boxset coming my way, so there's that.
• The Grisha Trilogy by Leigh Bardugo: I really enjoyed Shadow and Bone even though it wasn't my favorite. I can definitely see potential for where the story will go, and I am excited to continue on before I read Six of Crows.
• Me Before You Duology by Jojo Moyes: I loved Me Before You so much, and while this isn't a necessary read, I do want to see what happens to Lou. 
• The Lunar Chronicles by Marissa Meyer: This one is a little bit iffy for me. I have the audiobook on hold from the library, so that will be how I read it if I do end up reading it. I wasn't the biggest fan of the first two books, but maybe my views have changed after taking a break.
• The Girl Online Duology: After reading my review of Girl Online you might not think I would follow up to a book I gave two stars. However, I do own a copy, and feel like I should at least give it a shot. Saying that, if I'm not loving it, I may not make myself continue.

SERIES I SHOULD HAVE FINISHED A LONG TIME AGO 

• The Princess Diaries by Meg Cabot: This is another one that is up in the air. I might decide not to finish this series, but I do want to at least try and read the next few books.
• A Series of Unfortunate Events by Lemony Snicket: I still haven't read The End somehow. I reread the first book last year, and even if I don't finish this series by the end of 2016, I do want to at least reread a few more of these books.
• The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis: I reread The Magician's Nephew last year, and I want to continue reading the series this year! (Even if I don't finish it. Are you sensing a theme here?) 

PLAYING CATCH UP WITH SERIES

• The Bone Season Series by Samantha Shannon: Does this series have a better name? Because it should. Anyway, I got The Mime Order as soon as it came out in 2015, and I need to finish it before the third book comes out.
• The Cormoran Strike Series by Robert Galbraith: I read the first book in this series last summer, and have had this book since it came out. I have heard amazing things about the third book and really want to get caught up with this series before the fourth book releases.

What series have you started and not finished? Which of these should be my top priority? Tell me down in the comments!

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The Raven Cycle (#1-3) by Maggie Stiefvater | Series Mini-Reviews

I love this series. It focuses on a group of high school kids in Henrietta, VA: four boys from the local private school and Blue, the psychic's daughter. One of the boys from Aglionby, Richard Campbell Gansey III, is on the search for a Welsh king and first crosses paths with Blue . . . as a ghost. On St. Mark's Eve, Blue sees the ghost of Gansey--which, when not a psychic yourself, means that the person you saw is either your true love or you kill them.

This is the best YA series I have ever read, and I can't believe I only read it this year.

Also, beware, that there might be subtle spoilers for the first book in the series in the synopsis and review of the second, etc.

The Raven Boys by Maggie Stiefvater
Published: 18 September 2012 by Scholastic Press
Format - Length: Audiobook - 11 hours and 8 minutes
Source: Library's Overdrive
Genre: Young Adult, Urban Fantasy, Paranormal
Goodreads - My Goodreads Rating
Buy it! - Amazon, Kindle, Barnes and Noble

“There are only two reasons a non-seer would see a spirit on St. Mark’s Eve,” Neeve said. “Either you’re his true love . . . or you killed him.”

It is freezing in the churchyard, even before the dead arrive.

Every year, Blue Sargent stands next to her clairvoyant mother as the soon-to-be dead walk past. Blue herself never sees them—not until this year, when a boy emerges from the dark and speaks directly to her.

His name is Gansey, and Blue soon discovers that he is a rich student at Aglionby, the local private school. Blue has a policy of staying away from Aglionby boys. Known as Raven Boys, they can only mean trouble.

But Blue is drawn to Gansey, in a way she can’t entirely explain. He has it all—family money, good looks, devoted friends—but he’s looking for much more than that. He is on a quest that has encompassed three other Raven Boys: Adam, the scholarship student who resents all the privilege around him; Ronan, the fierce soul who ranges from anger to despair; and Noah, the taciturn watcher of the four, who notices many things but says very little.

For as long as she can remember, Blue has been warned that she will cause her true love to die. She never thought this would be a problem. But now, as her life becomes caught up in the strange and sinister world of the Raven Boys, she’s not so sure anymore.

From Maggie Stiefvater, the bestselling and acclaimed author of the Shiver trilogy and The Scorpio Races, comes a spellbinding new series where the inevitability of death and the nature of love lead us to a place we’ve never been before.

Blue is sensible, and she would like you to know that.

Honestly, though, this book is amazing mostly because of the characters. Gansey is for-sure swoon worthy, but I'm trying (and failing) to not get too attached (for obvious reasons). Ronan is mysterious, but definitely intriguing. Blue is sensible and not your "typical YA heroine" because of it. I hold grudges against people named Adam, but I am hoping for some character growth within the later books. Noah is funny, and I love learning about him in this book.

I do love how much of this book is focused on friendship. It's very refreshing within the YA genre, and definitely not something we see a lot. Also there's a present family in this book which makes me really happy. The family at 300 Fox Way is in no way conventional, but it's a family and they are there for Blue. 

I felt like because I listened to the audiobook, I missed part of the ending--where Maggie Stiefvater likes to throw new bits and pieces of information to the reader--that I know I wouldn't have missed otherwise. But that wasn't the book's fault, that was mine. Also, this narrator isn't for everyone, but Will Patton sounds like someone that I know personally that tells crazy stories so I got along well with the narrator.

The Dream Thieves by Maggie Stiefvater
Published: 17 September 2013 by Scholastic Press
Format - Length: Audiobook/Hardcover - 12 hours 45 minutes/439 pages
Source: Library/Overdrive
Genre: Young Adult, Urban Fantasy, Paranormal
Goodreads - My Goodreads Rating
Buy it! - Amazon, Kindle, Barnes and Noble

If you could steal things from dreams, what would you take?

Ronan Lynch has secrets. Some he keeps from others. Some he keeps from himself.

One secret: Ronan can bring things out of his dreams.

And sometimes he's not the only one who wants those things.

Ronan is one of the raven boys—a group of friends, practically brothers, searching for a dead king named Glendower, who they think is hidden somewhere in the hills by their elite private school, Aglionby Academy. The path to Glendower has long lived as an undercurrent beneath town. But now, like Ronan's secrets, it is beginning to rise to the surface—changing everything in its wake.

Of The Raven Boys, Entertainment Weekly wrote, "Maggie Stiefvater's can't-put-it-down paranormal adventure will leave you clamoring for book two." Now the second book is here, with the same wild imagination, dark romance, and heart-stopping twists that only Maggie Stiefvater can conjure.

This book follows mainly on Ronan, and I was absolutely okay with that. After reading this, he is by far my new favorite character in this series, if not of this year. I love the depth given to him. We see his family, his struggles, his enemies, and his backstory. Oh his backstory. We also see more of Blue and the boys and her family. But we don't just see Ronan, we also get to know much more about Adam (who, at this point, I have begun to sympathize with) and his relationship with his family as well as with Gansey. Also between Gansey and his family. Just family, guys, I love it.

I love the ever-growing themes of friendship and family that this series has, but I also love the romantic element that this book holds. I live off of any moment with Blue and Gansey.

We are also introduced to a new character: the Gray Man, Mr. Gray. I won't say much about him (because spoilers) except that I love how Stiefvater takes his seemingly unrelated storyline and weaves it in with that of our Raven Boys and the ladies at 300 Fox Way.

While we don't get as much plot development in this installment of the series, the character development that we see is amazing.

This book is, by far, my favorite of the series so far.

Blue Lily, Lily Blue by Maggie Stiefvater
Published: 21 October 2014 by Scholastic Press
Format - Length: Hardcover/Audiobook - 391 pages/10 hours 3 minutes
Source: Library
Genre: Young Adult, Urban Fantasy, Paranormal
Goodreads - My Goodreads Rating
Buy it! - Amazon, Kindle, Barnes and Noble

There is danger in dreaming. But there is even more danger in waking up.

Blue Sargent has found things. For the first time in her life, she has friends she can trust, a group to which she can belong. The Raven Boys have taken her in as one of their own. Their problems have become hers, and her problems have become theirs.

The trick with found things though, is how easily they can be lost.

Friends can betray. Mothers can disappear. Visions can mislead. Certainties can unravel.

Second favorite of the series simply because of where the plot takes us in this. We didn't get quite as much character-driven-ness in this one, but we did get lots of plot-driven-ness.

Things I learned while reading Blue Lily, Lily Blue:

1. Maggie Stiefvater isn't afraid to mess with our emotions.
2. I don't want Gansey to die because he and Blue and perfect for each other.
3. Pynch needs to happen.
4. I love how Maggie Stiefvater focuses on characters, but not so much where she does a horrible job at plot development and world building.
5. This could be all about the romance, but it isn't. Gold star for you, Maggie.
6. Malory (?--I mostly listened to the audio for this one) was really kind of annoying and maybe not even necessary. 
7. MORE CHARACTERS. -- They are all kind of crazy and I love it.

HAVE YOU READ THE RAVEN CYCLE? No? Go pick it up now before the fourth book comes out! Then come back here and tell me what you thought!

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Stacking the Shelves [36]: So Many Books, So Little Self-Control

Stacking the shelves is a weekly meme hosted by Tynga's Reviews, and it's all about sharing the books that have come into your possession throughout the week, whether it books added to your collection, ebooks, library books, etc. Sunday post is a weekly meme  hosted by Caffeinated Book Reviewer where bloggers can recap their week, showcase books, and share news.

The Stacks

Look at me, conquering the library. (When I already have shelves of books to read.)

• THE ADORATION OF JENNA FOX & THE FOX INHERITANCE: Literally picked these up solely on the recommendation of Shannon @ Leaning Lights. She recently read this series and liked it, so when I saw it I naturally had grabby hands.
• IF I STAY & WHERE SHE WENT: I just saw the If I Stay movie (I KNOW! I KNOW!) and loved it to bits and pieces. I've heard the movie was a really faithful adaptation, but I really want to read the story as well. (Because I loved it that much.)
• A DARKER SHADE OF MAGIC: I love Victoria Schwab and I have no excuse for not having read this book already.
• THE DREAM THIEVES & BLUE LILY, LILY BLUE: I HAVE DISCOVERED THE MAGIC OF MAGGIE STIEFVATER (Thank you, Cait!) and I have devoured this series this month. (4 stars to TBR, 5 stars to TDT, and I am currently devouring BLLB!)
• HONOR GIRL & THE SLEEPER AND THE SPINDLE:  Honor Girl is one that I have seen around through the Landfall Freight unboxings, and I just had serious grabby hands when I saw this. It will be my first experience into Graphic Memoirs, so I am excited. Also, I was browsing the Neil Gaiman section and grabbed this the second I saw it.
• MS. MARVEL, VOL. 3: Just finished volume 2 for this series, and it is so amazing. So much fun, and it portrays such good messages. (I still love Lumberjanes more, though.)
• THOR, VOL. 1 & 2: DO YOU LIKE SUPERHEROES? DO YOU LIKE KICK-BUTT FEMALES? READ THIS. Just do it. It's my standout comic book series for the year.

• GRAVE MERCY & THE HOUSE OF THE SCORPION: Did a little #BooksforTrade-ing this month. I was so happy to get my hands on these two because while I haven't heard much what I have heard has been great.
• WHITE OLEANDER & S: White Oleander is a real-life-friend recommendation that I snagged off Book Outlet, and literally S sounds perfect. Also, it was imagined by J.J. Abrams (creator of Lost), and it was 50% off on Book Outlet. I couldn't not.
• THE HERO OF AGES: I NOW OWN THE WHOLE SERIES (in matching, floppy editions from Book Outlet) SO I HAVE NO EXCUSE. I NEED TO READ THIS SERIES.
• THE GAME OF LOVE AND DEATH & MENAGERIE: I can't remember who it was (and I am too lazy to check) but someone in the book blogging community was having a book sale, and I have wanted these two for ages. They were, together, $9. Yes, please.
• THE QUEEN OF THE TEARLING: I already own the paperback, but this beautiful hardcover was in my Books-A-Million's bargain section for $5 so I needed it. Clearly.

• DARKFEVER & BLOODFEVER: So many people rave about this series. They say it's quick and addicting. I love quick and addicting.
• UNRAVEL ME: I now own the complete series! *Jumps for joy* I read this series earlier this year and have been slowly collecting the PBs for future rereads. Now I can reread!
• SHADOW AND BONE & SIEGE AND STORM: Gifts from my lovely #TBTBSanta! The lovely Rachel @ NerdHerdReads was such a great secret santa and gave me the first two in this series! I have already read the first book (a little underwhelmed--probably a victim of hype) but I am excited to go into the rest of the series with lower expectations.
• RUIN AND RISING: Clearly I needed to go out and buy the matching third book for myself. Doi.
• FALLING INTO PLACE: Another bargain section snag from BAM! It was only $3 and only about 2 of my friends on GR have read it. I wanted to give it a shot as I saw it circling a lot of blog tours earlier this year.

What I Read

    

    

*covers link to my goodreads reviews*

When I Wasn't Reading

Sleeping. Buying books (see above). Deciding whether or not to get the TMI boxset. Pining overr BILLY bookshelves from IKEA. Tweeting. Drinking an absurd amount of hot chocolate and watching an absurd amount of Doctor Who and Criminal Minds.

The usual.

OH! And I finished my first semester of college! My GPA isn't what I want it to be, but I know that I can raise it to where I want it next semester.

You Might Have Missed

I did (part of) #MerryBookmas.

I posted some reviews (Me Before You, Girl Online).

Top 10 New to Me Authors!

I pretend to be a beauty blogger and talk about my favorite things from Fall

Etsy Spotlight is back! w/ Afternoon Coffee

Most Anticipated 2016 Releases (Debuts and Non-Debuts)

Upcoming

6th Annual End of the Year Bookish Survey

Series I Started and Need to Finish in 2016

Series I Want to Start in 2016

2015 Goals in Review

December Wrap Up + January TBR

#TBRTakedown 3.0 TBR

FAVORITE BOOKS OF 2015!

I have a lot planned for the upcoming year! I am so thankful for each of you that have stuck with me the past year-ish and I welcome every new one as well!

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Top 12 Most Anticipated 2016 Non-Debut Releases

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVE, EVERYONE! I hope everyone is having a fantastic time with friends and families!

There are so many amazing books coming out this next year! So much so that I had to make two lists because one would have just been too long. (Check out yesterday's post about debut releases.) Here are the books by authors that I already love as well as authors with some amazing backlist that I need to read. (I have already pre-ordered the first two on this list.) I will definitely be reading all of these at some point because they all sound amazing.

1. PASSENGER BY ALEXANDRA BRACKEN: Now I haven't read The Darkest Minds but I am so, so excited for this release. Another time travel novel. Plus pirates. Regan @ Peruse Project recently read and really enjoyed this one. Seriously, so excited! 
2. LADY MIDNIGHT BY CASSANDRA CLARE: I haven't finished TMI yet, but I have until March. I love the world Cassandra Clare has created, and I am super excited to see where she goes with it!
3. THE RAVEN KING BY MAGGIE STIEFVATER: I am currently reading Blue Lily, Lily Blue and Maggie Stiefvater has quickly become one of my all time favorite authors. I am so excited to read the last book of The Raven Cycle. #SaveGansey2016
4. GEMINA BY AMIE KAUFMAN & JAY KRISTOFF: The sequel to one of my favorite books of the year, Illuminae, is coming out in the fall of 2016. If you loved the first book, and can't wait for the synopsis to come out, you can read Jay Kristoff describe it here. I am excited beyond words.
5. THIS SAVAGE SONG BY VICTORIA SCHWAB: I adore Vicious by V.E./Victoria Schwab. Also, this is pitched as, by the author herself, "Sin City + Romeo and Juliet - romance + monsters." It plays with the idea of monsters and humans and rival families, and it just sounds amazing. And it's Victoria Schwab, so I'm sure that it will be. 
6. THE UNEXPECTED EVERYTHING BY MORGAN MATSON: While not a favorite author, Morgan Matson's books are super fun and entertaining (I haven't read Second Chance Summer because I don't really like sad teenager books.) and this one sounds just as fun.
7. THE SONG RISING BY SAMANTHA SHANNON: This is the third book in the Bone Season series, and while I haven't finished the second book, I love this series because of it's uniqueness. I can't wait to continue this series (and finally see the cover). 
8. A COURT OF MIST AND FURY BY SARAH J. MAAS: I didn't like the Throne of Glass series, and while ACOTAR wasn't an absolute favorite of this past year, I am excited to see where our characters go. Because we get more Rhysand, and that's literally the entire reason I'm excited about this book.
9. THE HIDDEN ORACLE BY RICK RIORDAN: APOLLO IS MY FAVORITE GOD. I AM SO EXCITED FOR THIS. (I will probably try to start and finish HOO before this comes out, but I won't push myself too hard.) I LOVE RICK RIORDAN. 
10. NEVERNIGHT BY JAY KRISTOFF: Illuminae was a favorite book from this past year, and Jay Kristoff has an extensive backlist with one particular series (The Lotus War Trilogy) that I am super intrigued by. This is a story about assassins and revenge. Count me in.
11. THE GLITTERING COURT BY RICHELLE MEAD: Another author with a giant backlist that I haven't read yet, but honestly, none of them have seemed interesting until this one. It's the start of a new fantasy series that mixes Elizabethan times and the Western Frontier. Dudes, it sounds amazing.
12. THE FORBIDDEN WISH BY JESSICA KHOURY: Female Jinni, Zahara, is in a love story with Aladdin. Thank you, I will just take this. (Also this cover is the most gorgeous thing I've seen.) 

What books are you anticipating this next year? There are more that didn't make the list (Futhermore by Tahereh Mafi, for example), and I am looking forward to so many amazing releases that I am anticipating. Tell me your most anticipated release down in the comments!

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Top 8 Most Anticipated 2016 Debuts! | Time Travel Galore

There are so many amazing books coming out this next year! So much so that I had to make two lists because one would have just been too long. Here are the books by debut authors that I am beyond looking forward to. (I have already pre-ordered the first three on this list.) I will definitely be reading all of these at some point because they all sound amazing.

1. INTO THE DIM BY JANET B. TAYLOR: It's pitched as an Outlander for teens. Also Diana Gabaldon has the front blurb. I don't need to know anything else.
2. THE GIRL FROM EVERYWHERE BY HEIDI HEILIG: More families of time travelers! Hawaii in 1868, and a duology. Also "breathless adventure and enchanting romance", so count me in!
3. ASSASSIN'S HEART BY SARAH AHIERS: This is pitched as "Godfather meets Romeo and Juliet" and it sounds absolutely amazing. There are nine rival assassin families in this fantasy world. One day, our main character wakes up to find her family murdered and her house in flames. Oh, and she's in a secret relationship with the son of the family that is probably responsible. I am so, so excited for these 400 glorious pages.
4. A STUDY IN CHARLOTTE BY BRITTANY CAVALLARO: So the great-great-grandson (Jamie Watson) and the great-great-granddaughter (Charlotte Holmes) are friends and know each other and go on Sherlock-y type adventures together. I am all for this. 
5. BEAUTIFUL BROKEN THINGS BY SARA BARNARD: I was going to preorder this, but I think it might only be avaliable through the UK at the moment. It is avaliable through Book Depository, so I might end up getting it that way. ANYWAY, Maddie @ Heart Full of Books and Sarah @ Sarah's Chapter recently read and loved this. Apparently, it's a contemporary about friendship with basically zero romance. This sounds great. 
6. A FIERCE AND SUBTLE POISON BY SAMANTHA MABRY: A cursed girl name Isabel. There are legends surrounding this girl, who she is and what she looks like and what she can do. They say she's filled with poison, and when a boy named Lucas starts receiving letters from Isabel, he turns to the cursed girl to help him find his missing girlfriend.
7. THESE VICIOUS MASKS BY TARUN SHANKER & KELLY ZEKAS: "Jane Austen meets X-Men . . . set in Victorian London." Need I say more?!
8. THE STAR-TOUCHED QUEEN BY ROSHANI CHOKSHI: A standalone fantasy inspired by Indian mythology? Yes, please, and thank you. Also, there is something about magic and a marriage promising Death and Destruction. I couldn't ask for more. 

What debut novels are you looking forward to this year? Tell me down in the comments!

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#FridayReads |16 December 2015

Guys, I love Maggie Steifvater. In these last few weeks of the year, she has quickly climbed to be one of my top authors ever. I am about a third of the way through The Dream Thieves and I am absolutely head over heels in love with Ronan. I love how this book focuses a lot on Ronan and his past and his life. It's just really amazing.

And since #Cramathon starts tomorrow, I really want to try and finish The Dream Thieves today. Or at least read as much of it as humanly possible (and considering I read 300 pages of Clockwork Princess last Saturday, I think I can do it).

Also, I am supposedly halfway through My True Love Gave to Me. In reality, I haven't read any of it, so I want to read as many stories as I can of this anthology this weekend. 

What are you reading this weekend? Tell me down in the comments!

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Bookmas Day 6: Six Books That Fell Prey to the Hype

Guys, it's almost Christmas!! Hailey @ HailsHeartsNYC created a 12 days of Christmas based book challenges alongside a "read as much as you can" readathon. She made a video explaining each of the daily challenges on her youtube channel here.

On the sixth day of Bookmas, my true love gave to me six overhyped releases.

I would first like to point out that my true love wouldn't give me overhyped releases because he would know me too well to put me through the torture of pretending I liked these books.

I would also like to preface this list with this: I am not bashing any of these books. If these are some of your favorite books, I am not calling you and/or your reading tastes stupid. I personally, just did not like these books--mainly because they didn't live up to my expectations.

• Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas: To me, it felt like a hundred Harry Potter fanfictions that I had read before. Nothing was new. Nothing was different, and I hated her writing style. (Also, I have purposely spoiled myself for the rest of the books in this series, and it just sounds unnecessarily ridiculous.)
• Everything, Everything by Nicola Yoon: I don't like predictable books. The journey that this book took me on was okay, but it wasn't anything special for me. It's the classic YA with instalove that corrects all issues. (And apparently, love is the most important thing in the world? No thanks.)
• We Were Liars by E. Lockhart: I might partially blame the audiobook for this one as well. I didn't even make it a third of the way through this audiobook before I had to pull over at a rest stop and download something else. I thought the characters were just generally horrible people, and the narrator made it sound too much like an episode of Gossip Girl where the rich kids are complaining about how much they hate being on their private island. Shut up. 
• The Lunar Chronicles by Marissa Meyer: These books are too long. For a book called Scarlet I want to read about Scarlet, and not spend half of the book with Cinder (whom I didn't really like in the first place). 
• Eleanor & Park  by Rainbow Rowell: This is another one that was just okay for me. It was the not-instalove that still solved all the protagonist's problems. Also, it was predictable.
• The Fault in Our Stars by John Green: I get it, she has cancer. She's sad. But get up and do something other than watch America's Next Top Model. Thank you.

Well, now that you guys all hate me, tell me some of the books that you think are overhyped down in the comments!

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