March Book Haul!

I know. You think you're seeing this wrong. Because I haven't posted anything in over a month. Bear with me.

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 School for Good and Evil | Salt to the Sea | A Gathering of Shadows

Definitely broke that whole "read 5 before you buy 1" book buying ban. But I'm working on it. You really shouldn't have expected me to just stop buying books so suddenly. AGOS is one that I preordered (Also, I got this beautiful double-sided Rhysand card when I met Victoria in March) so it technically doesn't even count.

I also had to pick up Ruta Sepetys new book because I am absolutely obsessed with all historical fiction, especially the stories that aren't typically told or are told from an atypical POV.

Middle grade. Magic school. That's all I needed to know about ASFGAE. That's all I know. That's all I want to know. I've wanted to read this book for a while, and I finally picked up my own copy. (Also, "children's" paperbacks are super cheap, so I had to.)

The Winner's Crime | The Raven Boys | The Dream Thieves | Blue Lily, Lily Blue | Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone (Illustrated)

These are all books that I ordered at the end of 2015 and just now got my hands on.

This is what happens when you go to college, work weekends, and subsequently don't go home until there's a book festival. The only one that I haven't read is TWCbecause I still haven't read the first and was waiting for the third book's release.

Lady Midnight

Lady Midnight. Lady Midnight. Lady Midnight. Lady Midnight. Lady Midnight. Say it five times in the mirror and hopefully Magnus Bane will appear in another Cassandra Clare book. (But, seriously, I don't know how I'm going to make it through 720 of a book without Magnus.) (Obviously, I don't know how to cope with this.)

I've heard absolutely outstanding things about this book. I'm about 100 pages in right now, and it's already my favorite Cassie Clare book. *fingers crossed that it stays that way*

Have you guys picked up or read any of these books? Let me know down in the comments!

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January and February Haul | STS [38]

Stacking the shelves is a weekly (in my case, monthly) 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

Bought Books

• THE MARTIAN: I wanted to reread this book and annotate it because I am a nerd and this was my favorite book of 2015, so don't judge me.
• THE SCORPIO RACES, A DARKER SHADE OF MAGIC: I GET TO MEET MAGGIE AND VICTORIA IN MARCH. Obviously I needed more books by them to get signed because duh. 
• THE GIRL FROM EVERYWHERE: I have heard such wonderful things about this book, so this is one of my preorders for the year. I am so incredibly excited to get to it.
• FINNIKIN OF THE ROCK, THE LIGHT BETWEEN OCEANS: Now, I know this portion technically breaks my book buying ban, (because I allowed myself preorders, books I've already read, and books to get signed at the book conference I am attending in March) but these are both used books and I am planning on reading TLBO with Shannon's book club in the second half of 2016.

Library E-Books and Audiobooks

• CRESS: I got the audiobook for this one because I feel like I should give this series a second chance. So far, this is the best of the three, but I'm not very far into it so things could change.
• THE UNDOMESTIC GODDESS: Audiobooks are definitely the way to go if you pick up a Sophie Kinsella in my opinion. This is one of people's favorites of her's and--even though I am not very far into it--it's really good so far!
• THE FAVORITE: Ahh, Selection short stories. I've already read this and gave it four stars because I love Marlee and loved hearing her story. Definitely pick this up if you liked her character.

Physical Library Books

• WEIGHT: Another one that I have already read. This one I gave somewhere around 3.5-4 stars. This is a really great retelling of the story of Heracles and Atlas. It's a short and really enjoyable read!
• THE CONSPIRACY OF US: I literally picked this one up based solely on the review by Lainey @ Ginger Reads Lainey on Youtube. She absolutely raved about this book, and I had to pick it up when she mentioned one of my buzzwords: Alexander the Great.
• THE FALSE PRINCE, THE RUNAWAY KING: This is supposed to be a really amazing MG fantasy series, like one of the absolute best. I'm excited.
• THE EVOLUTION OF MARA DYER, THE RETRIBUTION OF MARA DYER: Something I am less excited about, but still reasonably looking forward to reading. I halfway loved the first book, and am more intrigued than excited to read the rest of this series.

elsewhere in the book world!

LOOK AT IT. LOOK AT IT. LOOK AT IT.

THE GEMINA COVER IS HERE.

IT MATCHES. 

ALSO THERE IS A DESCRIPTION.

(That I won't put here because of spoilers.)

Also the tagline: "What do you believe?" makes me very excited to read this. 

October 18th 2016 could not feel further away.

What books have you gotten this year so far? Are you as excited for Gemina as I am? Tell me down in the comments!

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#FridayReads | 12 February 2016

I'm starting to have my Fridays off of work again! It's a wonderful, magical thing.

Also, jokes on you if you thought I would actually do #Rainbowthon . . . but here's to hoping that I might finish off with a bang? Technically I still will have read from books of four colors of the rainbow. That's close enough, right?

I am about halfway through ADSOM and my reread of The Martian, so I really want to get those read and finished very soon.

Also, I have never read The Wizard of Oz. For as many times as I have seen the movie, this is basically a sin.

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

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My Total Cheat of a #Rainbowthon 2.0 TBR

Let's pretend that this looks like the most beautiful rainbow you've ever seen. 

Riley's Video | Jillian's Video

Essentially, (they tax us relentlessly) the goal of this readathon is to read books with spines a) that make up the colors of the rainbow (red, orange, yellow, green, blue, purple) or b) all of one color.

Red: The Girl with All the Gifts by M.R. Carey

Orange: Room by Emma Donoghue (which, yes, I know is a complete cheat . . . but orange is there!)

Yellow: The Girl with All the Gifts by M.R. Carey

Green: The Wizard of  Oz by L. Frank Baum

Blue: Darkfever by Karen Marie Moning

Purple: The Wizard of  Oz by L. Frank Baum

This readathon takes place from 7 February 2016 thru 13 February 2016.

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Pre-Book Buying Ban Book Haul | Stacking the Shelves [37]

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.

Starting at the beginning of January, I started a book buying ban. I have resolved to read five books before buying one. (I am allowing myself to buy books that I have already read as well as a handful of books for a signing coming up in March.)

These are all books that I bought before the book buying ban started (and a preorder) with Christmas money.

The Book Outlet Boxing Day sale is a magical thing. Definitely got a little arm workout holding all of these up (because no I do not work out, and yes, this was kind of heavy).

• THE FANGIRL'S GUIDE TO THE GALAXY: I was really surprised to see this one on Book Outlet, and honestly, I have wanted this since it came out just for the novelty of it.
• THE LOTUS WAR TRILOGY (I, II, III): If you've followed me for a bit, you know that Illuminae was one of my absolute favorite books of 2015. I am super excited for Kristoff's new series coming out later this year, so I wanted to read some of his individual books before picking up his newest. What I know: Japanese, Steampunk, Fantasy. I need to know no more.
• THE SHELL COLLECTOR: Another case of "I loved X book" (All the Light We Cannot See) "and want to read more of this author" (Anthony Doerr). 
• WOLF IN WHITE VAN, HOW TO BUILD A GIRL: I know very little about both of these, but the little that I have heard has been amazing, so I wanted to pick them up while I had the chance.

LOOK HOW PRETTY THIS BOX SET IS. I don't care what anyone else says about these covers, I love the spines (and the covers are pretty okay). I am at book 3 right now, and I am going to try (and probably fail) to finish this series before Lady Midnight releases.

• THE WINNER'S CURSE: I've wanted to read this series for a while and when I got wind (or tsunami if you were on Twitter that day) of the cover change, I snagged the first two UK covers from Book Depository because I had planned on buying the paperbacks for this series. (The second one got lost in the mail, and then they resent it but it is sitting at my house two hours away.)
• STOLEN: I forgot to include this one in my last haul. But this one was the result of a #BooksforTrade on twitter.
• PASSENGER: Pre-ordered this one. Still haven't read it. Story of my life.
• SIX OF CROWS: I know, I know. "But Monica, you already have a signed ARC of this book." Correct, and now I have a beautiful, black-edged finished edition that can match the sequel.

Since I will no longer be doing weekly book hauls replaced with these monthly book hauls, I will still have an update of some of the posts that I have done within the past month.

January on the Blog

Reviews this month:

My Favorite Book of 2015 (and ever?) AKA: The Martian by Andy Weir

The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin

Reading Wrap-Ups:

Books #1-5 | 2016

Other:

6th Annual Bookish Survey

2016 Reading Goals

Ten Books I Need to Read in 2016

I hope y'all like this new format. It will definitely help me out with my book-buying because I found that I hated not having a weekly STS, so I would make sure I had a book every week. 

What books have you gotten this month? Tell me down in the comments!

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A List of My Confused Thoughts on The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin | Review

I am so confused on how I feel about this book.

On one hand, it was weird and different and unique and completely unlike anything I've ever read before.

On the other hand, it was like every other YA contemporary (even though this is a far cry from contemporary) I've read.

Let me explain this to you in the best way that I know how, lists!

What I liked:

• It was so gripping. I basically read the entire book in a day, which never happens to me. That definitely says something for the pacing. It was action-action-flashback-action.
• Super gripping, super weird. I was really intrigued by this whole mystery aspect of the book. It drew me in from the very beginning and it didn't let me go until the end. 
• Daniel! I loved Daniel, and I could read a whole contemporary novel about Daniel and his escapades with love and enjoy every second of it because he is hilarious. He keeps the story light when it gets a little bit too dark. He's a great brother. He supports Mara even when she doesn't think she is doing the right thing. He stands by her side when Mara thinks she's going crazy. Best brother award goes to Daniel.
• Another light spot in the dark was Noah. Even though he's a bit overprotective for my liking and comes across as a total asshat, he's doesn't force Mara to do things. He doesn't belittle her, and he knows her limits. He's sweet and British--and while 100% not my type--I think he is good for Mara and what she needs. 
• Hodkins played with reality and it was super cool. It's a super creepy story in a completely normal, everyday setting. It's a bit throwing at first, but I love how she incorporated the elements of "What the fuck?" in with "Casual, Florida prep school." (Honestly, the only thing I know to compare it to would be a horror/thriller movie.)
• Is this what it's like to read an unreliable narrator?

What I didn't like:

• Is this what it's like to read an unreliable narrator?
• Wow, there's like a super cool best friend for Mara. And he's black. And he's bi. And he's a super-genius who can help Mara with all of her schoolwork. And he's Jewish. And he gets thrown to the side for the "sake of the plot". No no no no. I think this last half of this book would have been infinitely better with him in it. Just saying. 
• Because there were so many contemporary elements to this story, I had to suspend my belief . . . a lot, which is something I don't like doing. I can handle having to suspend disbelief for a few moments. A few are okay, but having to suspend my disbelief for an entire novel is a bit cumbersome.
• "Bad boy falls in love with new girl" cliché. Accompanied by "Bad boy isn't as bad as everyone says" cliché. The whole romance felt a little too Bella + Edward for me as well as Juliette + Warner (near the end of Unravel Me + Ignite Me).
• I'm not sure what the plot was. I thought I knew, but then it took this weird, complete 180 degree turn about 100 pages from the end. 
• Powers? What? So confused?
• There is basically zero explanation for anything that happens in this book. I need explanations to thrive, people. 
• The time frame of this book is incredibly unclear. I think it's spring time, but then there was a costume party and then sudden heat and also Mara came into the school "in the middle of a trimester" . . . I don't know what this means. Most schools have semesters, so I can't quite grasp how a "trimester" works in a school.
• Mara skips a lot of school. Her parents definitely would have been contacted about it by now . . . by the government. 
• Mara pretty much needs constant supervision, but Dad is not present and Mom is just like "Mara, you need supervision" but then doesn't enforce it.
• What you think happened at the beginning of the story, ended up being what happened, but it was revealed like a plot twist? Was I not supposed to be expecting that?
• WHAT THE HECK? THAT'S NOT AN ENDING.

 

The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin
Series: Mara Dyer #1
Published: 27 September 2011 by Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing
Format - Length: Hardcover - 452 pages
Source: Book Outlet
Genre: YA Paranormal
Goodreads - My Goodreads Rating
Buy it! - Amazon, Kindle, Barnes and Noble

Mara Dyer doesn’t think life can get any stranger than waking up in a hospital with no memory of how she got there.
It can.

She believes there must be more to the accident she can’t remember that killed her friends and left her mysteriously unharmed.
There is.

She doesn’t believe that after everything she’s been through, she can fall in love. She’s wrong.

Have you read this book? Tell me what you thought of it down below!

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The Next Five Books I Want to Read | TBR [1]

The Last Five Books I Read

I actually already read one book and decided not to include it (really forgot to), but you will see it on my next "Next Five Books" post.

• Burial Rites by Hannah Kent: I have heard amazing things about this book. It is also my book club (Shannon @ LeaningLight's "Read With Friends") pick for next week, so it is finally giving me the push that I need to read this one!
• Cress by Marissa Meyer: (On Audio from Library) I'm finally doing it! (And enjoying it?) I didn't really love the first two in this series. Also, I have 4 days to listen to this aprox. 15 hour audiobook. *eyes bug out in stress*
• City of Glass by Cassandra Clare: I love this series so far, and I need to know what happens ASAP (even though I kind of already do) as well as finish this series before the release of Lady Midnight.
• A Darker Shade of Magic by V.E. Schwab & The Scorpio Races by Maggie Stiefvater: I GET TO MEET THESE TWO LADIES IN MARCH. AND I NEED TO READ ALL OF THEIR BOOKS BEFORE THEN.

I am incredibly excited to read all of these books within the next few weeks! I hope you all like this format because I really do. As a scheduler, it feels nice to have reading scheduled out. (Is that weird?)

Which of these have you read? Tell me your thoughts down below!

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