Top Ten Tuesday- Bookish Resolutions

I generally don't make New Years Resolutions. It seems arbitrary to decide to change something just because of the Ancient Roman's assessment of the passage of time says that now we start again. But cynical tirades aside I am down for personal growth and it's a good opportunity to try and better yourself, plus I do love a good challenge. I'm going to stick to the bookish kind of resolutions/goals/challenges here.

1.) Read at Least 60 Books (5 a month)

I've never kept track of how many books I read in a year so I'm starting with a clearly attainable goal and next year I'll do something more challenging.

2.) Complete 12 Series

I'm taking part in Read.Sleep.Repeat's 2014 Completed Series Challenge. There are so many series that I want to start and a bunch that I've read the first book and not the last. My goal is 

to complete one series a month.

3.) Read More Debuts and New Releases

Last year I only read a few 2013 releases. The more time I spend in this book blogging community the more I learn about new releases and I want to read more this year. This leads me to...

4.) Read 15 Standalones Released in 2014

To help in my goal of reading more new releases I am taking part in the 2014 Standalone Reading Challenge hosted by IceyDoesBooks and Diznee. The goal is to read fifteen books by the end of the year that are standalones released this year.

5.) Read some New Adult Books

I've wondered about this new trend in publishing, it intrigues me. I want to read a few to check it out.

6.) Win NaNoWriMo again!

Last year was my first year taking part. It was really fun and I want to do it again. I'm already formulating ideas for my new book. 

7.) Attend Author Signings and Talks

Pittsburgh doesn't get that many but last year I missed a few that I would have liked to have attended.

8.) Interact More with Other Bloggers/Authors

I try to comment and respond to comments on my blog. But this year I want to do that more and also interact a lot on Twitter, because...

9.) Attend BEA 

Attending this event has been a dream of mine for awhile. This year I'm doing it. My plan is to attend this and the book blogger conference. I'm really excited to meet some fellow bloggers and learn tip and info to improve my blog, learn about the new and upcoming books, plus the free books are quite a big draw! Anyone else planning on going?

10.) Keep Blogging Consistantly

In the past I have fizzled out after awhile but I've been doing really good lately. So my biggest goal is to just keep it up!

So there you have it. My resolutions and goals for 2014. What are your goals for this coming year? Leave me a comment. Happy New Year and Happy Reading!

2014 Standalone Reading Challenge

So I announced in December that I will be taking part in the 2014 Completed Series Reading Challenge. One of my goals/resolutions for this upcoming year is to read more debuts. I realized after completing my End of the Year Survey that I didn't read a single one last year and I only read one book that was released in 2013. So I found this challenge that will help me meet these goals. Plus I think it's funny to do two challenges, one about series and one about standalones.

So here are the details about the challenge.

 

Hosted by IceyBooks and Dizneeee’s World of Books

The Challenge

To read 15 Young Adult and Middle Grade standalone novels in 2014 released in the United States between January 1, 2014 and December 31, 2014.

Eligible Books

-YA/MG standalone novels. This means that the book can not have an announced (sometimes sequels happen unexpectedly) sequel, prequel, follow up, etc.
-Companion novels count towards the challenge as well. Companion novels take place in the same world as a novel but usually follows the life of a different character. It can be read independently from the book that came before it.
-Released between January 1 – Decemeber 31, 2014 in the United States. If a book was previously released in another country but is being releasing in the US for the first time, it is eligible. At the same time, if you live in a country where it was previously released, but it is being released in the states for the first time – lucky you – it counts.
-Must be read in 2014
-Can be read in any (legally) readable format: ARC, Paperback, Hardcover or e-book. Audio books do not count toward the challenge.

The List

For a list of eligible challenge titles to get you started towards your goal, please visit this Goodreads List (please note, the list is not comprehensive or final). You are more than welcome to vote for standalones you feel will fit the list.

Participation Perks

There will be a prize pack given away each month to a random participant. You gain entries into that month’s prize pack by linking up your challenge-eligible reviews. There will also be giveaways on the hosts’ blogs to go along with special posts with authors. And of course, there are random giveaways that we may throw in here and there!

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My Challenge List:

(To be updated throughout the year as I complete the books, at this page)

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Book Review: Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo

Title: Shadow and Bone Author: Leigh Bardugo Published: Henry Holt, 2012 Amazon Goodreads Synopsis: Surrounded by enemies, the once-great nation of Ravka has been torn in two by the Shadow Fold, a swath of near impenetrable darkness crawling with monsters who feast on human flesh. Now its fate may rest on the shoulders of one lonely refugee.  Alina Starkov has never been good at anything. But when her regiment is attacked on the Fold and her best friend is brutally injured, Alina reveals a dormant power that saves his life—a power that could be the key to setting her war-ravaged country free. Wrenched from everything she knows, Alina is whisked away to the royal court to be trained as a member of the Grisha, the magical elite led by the mysterious Darkling. Yet nothing in this lavish world is what it seems. With darkness looming and an entire kingdom depending on her untamed power, Alina will have to confront the secrets of the Grisha . . . and the secrets of her heart.

Everyone in the book blogging community raves about this book and this series. I always approach things with this much hype with trepidation, I’m a glass half empty kind of girl. It definitely is the kind of book that I would enjoy: high fantasy, odious characters, and elements of Russian folklore and history. But despite my trepidation, the book was everything that I had hoped it would be and more.

When I was finished reading the only way to describe my feelings of this book is to compare it to a roller coaster. This book was up, and then it was down. It turned left, it turned right. It was fast, it was slow. It was full of unexpected twists, turns, and nonstop thrills. And just like all roller coasters it was extremely fun and when it was over, I wanted to go again (good thing there are two more books!)

My favorite part of the book was the characters. First and foremost there was Alina, our protagonist and narrator. When we first meet her she is a meek and not confident girl who thinks that she has been wrongly destined for not only her power but her position as savior. And while she did sometimes come off as whiny I did like her for her reluctance. She’s catapulted into this position and while I think deep down she wants to help she doesn’t have a hero complex at all and doesn’t even know what to do or how to do it. It’s this reluctance that makes her all the more realistic and likable. As she develops throughout the story I found myself rooting for her to grow and succeed. Next we have The Darkling, when we meet him he is the mysterious and charismatic leader of the magical Grisha and the second most powerful person in the country of Ravka. As Alina starts to spend time with and around him she is able to witness his incredible powers and develops a sort of romance with him. He is the kind of character that you know there is so much more going on under the surface. As the story develops my feelings for him changed more times than I can count. Just when I thought I had him figured out he did something completely different, and just when I thought of him as the villain of the story I ended up sympathizing with him. I wasn’t quite sure if he was doing the right things for the wrong reasons or the wrong things for the right reasons. He is clearly very dark, selfish, power-hungry, and conniving. He is like a politician with magical powers and I LOVED him. There were many more interesting and ominous secondary characters that made me feel like they knew so much more than they are letting on.

But that was the world of this story. It is a world full of secrets, mystery, and magic. Leigh Bardugo definitely showed instead of told about the world of Ravka and the Grisha and it caused me to want to know everything right away. The world was so interesting and unique but I felt like at times it was being built a little too slowly and it was sometimes frustrating. As the reader I felt like there were things being held back from me and while it succeeded in what I assume was its purpose of creating an ominous and mysterious story it was also maddening! I spent much of the book wondering and imagining what would happen next and where the story would end up going. It was the kind of book where I felt like every little statement and action was a clue as to where the story would develop and I was trying to piece these clues together to figure it all out, but as this is the first book of a trilogy it would make later books confusing or dull if they gave us all the information right away. The plot was a little slow at the beginning as the scene and characters but it didn’t wait very long to start with the action. When the action did pick up however it didn’t last very long. There would be a big battle or big reveal and a whole chunk of the book where nothing much would happen.

On the whole the book met and exceeded all my expectations. It was an interesting story with compelling characters and it took me on quite a ride. I can’t wait to read the rest of the series and see how this series develops.

I give Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo 9 out of 10 stars.

If you are one of the few people who seem to not have read this book yet then you definitely should, especially if you like epic fantasy, interesting and complex characters, and books with lots of mystery. If you have read Shadow and Bone, leave me a comment and tell me your thoughts and Happy Reading!

Feature and Follow Friday #7

 

Hosted by Alison Can Read and Parajunkee's Views

How it Works: 

The Feature & Follow is hosted by TWO hosts, Parajunkee of Parajunkee's View and Alison of Alison Can Read. Each host will have their own Feature Blog and this way it'll allow us to show off more new blogs!

How does this work? First you leave your name here on this post, (using the linky tools -- keep scrolling!) then you create a post on your own blog that links back to this post (easiest way is to just grab the code under the #FF picture and put it in your post) and then you visit as many blogs as you can and tell them "hi" in their comments (on the post that has the #FF image). You follow them, they follow you. Win. Win. Just make sure to follow back if someone follows you!

What sets this Hop apart from others, is our Feature. Each week we will showcase a Featured Blogger, from all different genres and areas. Who is our Feature today? Find out below. Just remember it is required, if you participate, to follow our Features and you must follow the hosts (Parajunkee & Alison Can Read) as a courtesy. How do you follow someone? Well, if you have a preference, state it in your #FF post. A lot of blogs are transitioning to Wordpress in which they do not have the luxury of GFC, so an RSS subscription is appreciated or if you choose an email subscription. If you don't have GFC please state in your post how you would like to be followed.

This Weeks Question:

What were your favorite books of 2013?

 This Weeks Answer:

Check out my Top Ten Tuesday for more details but the list is here.

1.) The Heart is A Lonely Hunter

2.) Divergent

3.) A Storm of Swords

4.) Fangirl

5.) The Magician King

6.) Rebel Angels

7.) Splendor

8.) Ready Player One

9.) Even Cowgirls Get the Blues

10.) Unholy Night

11.) The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay

12.) The Fault in Our Stars

13.) The Tipping Point

What were your top books of this past year? Leave me a comment!

The Wolves of Midwinter

Title: The Wolves of Midwinter Author: Anne Rice Published: Knopf, 2013 Amazon Goodreads Synopsis: Now in her new novel, as lush and romantic in detail and atmosphere as it is sleek and steely in storytelling, Anne Rice brings us once again to the rugged coastline of Northern California, to the grand mansion at Nideck Point—to further explore the unearthly education of her transformed Man Wolf.   The novel opens on a cold, gray landscape. It is the beginning of December. Oak fires are burning in the stately flickering hearths of Nideck Point. It is Yuletide. For Reuben Golding, now infused with the wolf gift and under the loving tutelage of the Morphenkinder, this Christmas promises to be like no other . . . as he soon becomes aware that the Morphenkinder, steeped in their own rituals, are also celebrating the Midwinter Yuletide festival deep within Nideck forest.   From out of the shadows of the exquisite mansion comes a ghost—tormented, imploring, unable to speak yet able to embrace and desire with desperate affection . . . As Reuben finds himself caught up with the passions and yearnings of this spectral presence and the preparations for the Nideck town Christmas reach a fever pitch, astonishing secrets are revealed, secrets that tell of a strange netherworld, of spirits—centuries old—who possess their own fantastical ancient histories and taunt with their dark, magical powers.

I have to say, I was a little disappointed by this book. It is my first experience reading anything by Anne Rice, and I think I misunderstood her writing style. I was expecting more Stephen King and less Danielle Steele.

But first, the good. I wanted to read this book because it completely fit into my theme of a Supernatural Christmas, and it was exactly what this book was. There is a whole part of the book where they explain the overlap between our current holiday festivities and how they relates to ancient pagan traditions. It was a really unique perspective and a topic that has always interested me.

The takes place during the holiday season and as the title may lead you to believe it is about werewolves, but as the protagonist of this story the wolves, or Morphenkinder, are less like the Big Bad Wolf of old and more like superheroes. The world that the inhabit is full of other immortal characters including some interesting ghosts, and a character that is so interesting that I want to know much more about them (I'm still unclear as what species they are).

Whatever my dislike of this book, the writing was very good. It was ominous and poetic. The imagery was incredible. Anne Rice does an amazing job of setting the scene and allows the reader to effortlessly imagine themselves there. The problem however was that I felt like she relied entirely too much on this imagery and didn't really take much effort on an actual plot for the story. It was two-thirds of the way over before something interesting happened but it was over so quick that I was left dissatisfied and honestly confused. The book took too much time explaining things and asking questions that it never really answered. I know that this is only one book of a series but it felt like a very early book, and it did not capture my interest enough to want to read more of the series.

Did you yawn after seeing this?

But I really only have myself to blame for my dislike of the book. I knew it was the second book in a series and I tried to read the first one but I couldn't really get into it and never. Instead of deciding to read something else I was stubborn and told myself, "I said I would read this and so I will read this!" But I also didn't really read it, I listened to the audiobook. That may have also been my second mistake. I love reading audiobooks, but if there is not a lot of action then I generally don't enjoy the book as much.

On the whole the book wasn't bad, but it wasn't good either. It was generally just... MEH! I give it a 6 out of 10.

Have you read this book or anything else by Anne Rice? Did I pick the wrong book? Should I try something else by her? Leave me a comment and Happy Reading!

January TBR- High Fantasy

I don't know what it is about winter that makes me want to read fantasy book. Maybe it's because I want to escape into another world while mine is so uninviting. Maybe it's because winter is a time to curl up under a blanket with a hot beverage and spend all day reading which lends itself so perfectly to the frequently lengthy fantasy books. Or maybe I'm making this whole thing up. Either way this January my plan is to read books that are High Fantasy.

For those not very familiar with the subgenres of Fantasy, High Fantasy is a story set in a completely imaginary world that is unrelated to our own, often one where magic exists in some way, or by the epicness of the characters, themes, and plots (often both).

There are three ways to categorize it:
1.) A world totally independent of our world which doesn't exist, think Lord of the Rings
2.) An alternate world is entered through a portal, think Chronicles of Narnia
3.) An unknown world exists within our world, think Harry Potter.

I prefer the first two as in the last one the lines get a little blurry when it comes to high and low fantasy. So now that I have explained myself here are my picks for January.


A Feast for Crows by George R.R. Martin
Goodreads Amazon
Synopsis: Book 4 in the A Song of Ice and Fire series. This series fits in to category 1 of High Fantasy and is about the fictional land of Westeros and the power struggle to control it. This book looks mostly at the political intrigue aspect of the series.






A Dance With Dragons by George R.R. Martin
Goodreads Amazon
Synopsis: Book 5 in the A Song of Ice and Fire series. This book and the previous one were intended to be one book so I am marathoning them. This one is more about the magical elements in Westeros. A Storm of Swords (Book 3) was one of my favorites of 2013 and I hope these next two do not disappoint. 






Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo
Goodreads Amazon
Synospis: This also fits into category 1 of High Fantasy (I've heard some debate about this but I'll have no lip from you) and is book one in the Grisha trilogy. It is set in the fictional land of Ravka and tells the story of Alina who discovers a magical power withing her and joins the Grisha who are like magical soldiers.






Siege and Storm by Leigh Bardugo
Goodreads Amazon
Synopsis: Book 2 in the Grisha trilogy. I've heard great things about this series and I am really excited to read the first two books and finish the series later this year. I may also read the two novella that go with the series.






Stardust by Neil Gaiman
Goodreads Amazon
Synopsis: There has been some debate over which category this fits in but my assessment is the second. It is the story of a half-fairy boy who is completely lovesick and goes on a quest to find a fallen star in the magical realm. I've been wanting to read something by Neil Gaiman for awhile and I'm really excited that this will be my first one. I'm going to listen to the audiobook which is actually narrated by Mr. Gaiman



Depending how these go I may add a book or two that is not High Fantasy (I'm already a quarter of the way done with A Feast for Crows), probably one that comes out in January but for the time being, here's my list.

What are you reading in January? Leave me a comment and check back for my reviews!

December Wrap Up

Another month (and year) over! It feels like only yesterday it was May and I was packing up and moving to Pittsburgh. I had another good month of reading and blogging. I finished a series, reread a classic, and tried an author I've wanted to read for awhile. I read five books and one audiobook this month, which is one more than I planned.

The Quick Reviews:

Rebel Angels by Libba Bray
Full Review
Rating: 9 out of 10
My Thoughts: Book Two in the Gemma Doyle trilogy was even better than the first. The characters are complex and interesting, the world within a world dark fantasy story is unique, the mystery is complicated but solvable, and there are tons of deep themes about humanity and society.

The Sweet Far Thing by Libba Bray
Full Review
Rating: 8 out of 10 
My Thoughts:  A fitting ending of a great series. All the great things about the first two books plus so many surprises! The action was a little slower and it was a little longer than it needed to be resulting in some pacing issues but it was still great!




Unholy Night by Seth Grahame-Smith
Full Review
Rating: 8 out of 10
My Thoughts: An incredible and interesting adventure about the "Three Kings" in the biblical story. The characters are odious and interesting, there's tons of action, and amazing imagery especially when it comes to the explanation of gore. A great read if you're looking for a supernatural Christmas story.




Little Women by Louisa May Alcott
Full Review
Rating: 10 out of 10
My Thoughts: One of my favorite books. It is funny, sad, and sweet. It's a story about love, loss, and family that makes you feel all warm and fuzzy. The perfect book to read at Christmastime.





Cross My Heart and Hope to Spy by Ally Carter
Rating: 7 out of 10
My Thoughts: Book Two in the Gallagher Girls series about a girl studying to be a spy in a secret boarding school. The book is fun and light but is also an interesting coming of age story with some easy too solve mysteries and memorable characters.




The Wolves of Midwinter by Anne Rice
Full Review to Come
Rating: 6 out of 10
My Thoughts: Book Two in The Wolf Gift Chronicles. It feels like a very early book in what will end up being a longer series. It didn't really enjoy it too much. The characters were interesting but there was not enough action and too much ominous explanations of things that it ended up being very confusing. It was disappointingly dull.



What have you read in December? What's the last book you plan to read in 2013 and the first book you plan to read in 2014? Leave me a comment and check out the full reviews if you have or plan to read any of these books! HAPPY READING!