Top Ten Tuesday: Favorite Bookish Websites

A weekly meme hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl

This is actually a very hard list to put together. There are really only a few bookish websites that I use regularly and I didn't think it would be possible to list my favorite blogs because there would be entirely too many. So here are some of the sites I use.

1.) Goodreads

This is the obvious choice because for the msot part I use Goodreads daily. Not only do I use it to update on the books I am reading but I use it to find books and info about books. Lately I am kind of liking it more than my blog because there is much better engagement.

2.) Audible

As many of you know I am obsessed with audiobooks. I have been a member of Audible for a very long time. Even before I had a blog I had Audible for my audiobooks. 

3.) Overdrive 

The other place i get all my audiobooks from is Overdrive. When I loved back to Rhode Island, one of the first things that I did was get a library card so I could borrow books and audios from Overdrive. I am a terrible library patron but with Overdrive I don't get fines.

4.) Thriftbooks

I really like Thriftbooks because you can order older books at super cheap prices. I do a podcast where we read the Fear Street books by R.L. Stine. I get all my Fear Street books from Thriftbooks because they're like $4.

5.) Amazon

I know, I know, Amazon is terrible. But the books are cheap and they get delivered on release day. Plus I have Prime which means free shipping. DON"T HATE ME!

6.) ComiXology

A few years ago I got very into comics and this site made that so easy. Not only is it super simple to download any comic but they have great sales and this cool thing called Unlimited where you can read stuff for free. If you like comics I definitely recommend it.

7.) Hypable

This isn't really a bookish website, but it is a pop culture site that does a lt of book related things. A lot of book covers are revealed on Hypable and they do fun articles that I love as a book lover. At very least they are worth a follow on social media.

8.) Blogger

Again, not really a bookish website but because that's how I use I am including it. Without blogger I wouldn't have this blog and that would be sad 

There you ave it, all the bookish websites I love. What sites made your list. Leave me a comment with your thoughts. Thanks for stopping by and HAPPY READING!

These Rebel Waves Blog Tour: Guest Post with Sara Raasch

About the Book:

Title: These Rebel Waves
Series: Stream Riders #1
Author: Sara Raasch
Amazon / Goodreads

Synopsis:Adeluna is a soldier. Five years ago, she helped the magic-rich island of Grace Loray overthrow its oppressor, Argrid, a country ruled by religion. But adjusting to postwar life has not been easy. When an Argridian delegate vanishes during peace talks with Grace Loray’s new Council, Argrid demands brutal justice—but Lu suspects something more dangerous is at work.

Devereux is a pirate. As one of the outlaws called stream raiders who run rampant on Grace Loray, he pirates the island’s magic plants and sells them on the black market. But after Argrid accuses raiders of the diplomat’s abduction, Vex becomes a target. An expert navigator, he agrees to help Lu find the Argridian—but the truth they uncover could be deadlier than any war.

Benat is a heretic. The crown prince of Argrid, he harbors a secret obsession with Grace Loray’s forbidden magic. When Ben’s father, the king, gives him the shocking task of reversing Argrid’s fear of magic, Ben has to decide if one prince can change a devout country—or if he’s building his own pyre.

As conspiracies arise, Lu, Vex, and Ben will have to decide who they really are . . . and what they are willing to become for peace.

Guest Post:

I asked Sara how real life pirates inspired These Rebel Waves. Here are her answers.

One book in particular ignited the pirate-inspired raiders that wreak havoc in THESE REBEL WAVES: Colin Woodard’s THE REPUBLIC OF PIRATES. It details the Golden Age of Piracy in the Caribbean and the various players that made it such a sordid time—namely, one deliciously enticing pirate named Samuel “Black Sam” Bellamy.

His career as a pirate captain lasted less than a year (and he died at the age of 28), but in that time, he captured/raided more than 50 ships. He was way nicer than most of his fellows and deigned to show *gasp* mercy to the crews of ships he captured. His own crew loved him; he earned a reputation for being the Robin Hood of the Sea. There’s way more to his life and death, of course, but reading about Black Sam stuck him firmly in my brain. What sort of person must he have been, to be successful and merciful in an industry that required ruthlessness?

Black Sam stayed in the back of my head as I worked out the characters in THESE REBEL WAVES, particularly with my pirate POV character, Devereux “Vex” Bell. His name is even a homage to Black Sam Bellamy, a tribute to the real life pirate who was such an appetizingly enticing figure.

About the Author

Sara Raasch has known she was destined for bookish things since the age of five, when her friends had a lemonade stand and she tagged along to sell her hand-drawn picture books too. Not much has changed since then — her friends still cock concerned eyebrows when she attempts to draw things and her enthusiasm for the written word still drives her to extreme measures. Her NYTimes bestselling SNOW LIKE ASHES trilogy is available now and her upcoming pirate fantasy, THESE REBEL WAVES, releases August 7, 2018. None of those feature her hand-drawn pictures.

Buy the SNOW LIKE ASHES trilogy now and preorder THESE REBEL WAVES! http://sararaasch.tumblr.com/books

Website: http://sararaasch.tumblr.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/seesarawrite
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Snow-Like-Ashes/463392000376989
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/seesarawrite/
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6947727.Sara_Raasch
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/sararaasch

Alright everyone, I hope you enjoyed that little peak into some of the inspiration for These Rebel Waves. Definitely check out the book. I've been reading it all week and I'm really enjoying it. Come back on Monday for more of my thoughts. Thanks for stopping by and HAPPY READING!

Waiting on Wednesday: The Lady's Guide to Petticoats and Piracy by Mackenzi Lee

A weekly meme hosted by Breaking the Spine

Title: The Lady's Guide to Petticoats and Piracy Series: Montague Siblings #2 Written by: Mackenzi Lee Published: October 2, 2018 by Katherine Tegan Books (Harper Collins) (Amazon / Goodreads) Synopsis: Felicity Montague is through with pretending she prefers society parties to books about bone setting—or that she’s not smarter than most people she knows, or that she cares about anything more than her dream of becoming a doctor. A year after an accidentally whirlwind tour of Europe, which she spent evading highwaymen and pirates with her brother Monty, Felicity has returned to England with two goals in mind—avoid the marriage proposal of Callum Doyle, a lovestruck suitor from Edinburgh; and enroll in medical school. However, her intellect and passion will never be enough in the eyes of the administrators, who see men as the sole guardians of science. But then a small window of hope opens. Doctor Alexander Platt, an eccentric physician that Felicity idolizes, is looking for research assistants, and Felicity is sure that someone as forward thinking as her hero would be willing to take her on. However, Platt is in Germany, preparing to wed Felicity’s estranged childhood friend Johanna. Not only is Felicity reluctant to opening old wounds, she also has no money to make the trip. Luckily, a mysterious young woman is willing to pay Felicity’s way, so long as she’s allowed to travel with Felicity disguised as her maid. In spite of her suspicions, Felicity agrees, but once the girl’s true motives are revealed, Felicity becomes part of a perilous quest that will lead her from the German countryside to the promenades of Zurich to secrets lurking beneath the Atlantic.

 
Why I'm Waiting:

I absolutely love Mackenzi's writing. I read her debut a few years back and really really enjoyed it and since then I have been reading all her books. However, my favorite book from her is Gentleman's Guide. So when I found out there was going to be a follow up novel from Felicity's perspective I was so excited. I loved Felicity in the first book and I can't wait for more from her.

But even if I didn't love the author and the first book in the series, I think I still would have been super excited about this book. I mean it is a historical fiction novel about a young woman who subverts society's expectations and takes up with pirates and goes on an adventure to solve a mystery. Those are some of my all-time favorite things and things I want to see more in books. I am super pumped to read it.

I got an advanced copy of this at ALA and I was so freaking excited. This was one of my top three must get books at ALA and I am so glad I got it. I have plans to read it next month because I need some Felicity in my life. And if there is a little Percy and Monty, all the better.

What about you? What are you waiting for this Wednesday? Are you waiting on The Lady's Guide to Petticoats and Piracy along with me? Leave me a comment with your thoughts. Thanks for stopping by and HAPPY READING!

Top Ten Tuesday: Books I Would Want to Mash Up

A weekly meme hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl

1 & 2.) The Custard Protocol by Gail Carriger and Jackaby by William Ritter
I think this would be such a fun series to together because basically I want the team from The Spotted Custard to team up with the gang from Jackaby and solve mysteries. Just imagine Rue stealing Charlie's shape OR Jackaby and Percy in the same room!

3 & 4.) Stalking Jack the Ripper by Kerri Maniscalco and The Gentleman's Guide to Vice and Virtue by Mackenzi Lee
The reason I want these books to mash up is because I want Audrey Rose to meet Felicity. They can talk about how they want to be doctors and how society is the worst and won't let them because they are women. Also, Thomas and Monty together would be amazing.

5 & 6.) A Darker Shade of Magic by V.E. Schwab and Harry Potter by J.K. Rowling
These are both books about magic and Londons with a hidden magic, It seems like a natural mashup. But basically I just want the characters from ADSOM to go to Hogwarts.

7 & 8.) Invictus by Ryan Graudin and Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte
Invictus is a heist novel but with a time travel spin. Wuthering Heights is one of my favorite classics because it is a tortured love story where the characters ruin one another's lives. I don't know why but I want a tortured love story like this where the characters travel through time and space to mess up one another's lives.

9 & 10.) The Raven Boys and The Historian
This is not a book that I want to mashup because I want the characters to meet. In this mashup I want a Raven Boys type book involving Dracula. I love books that involve the real life Dracula and a group of boarding school students learning about him and unfolding secrets.

11 & 12.) Little Women and The Lunar Chronicles
The Lunar Chronicles is a science fiction retelling of fairy tales including Cinderella and Little Red Riding Hood. One of my all-time favorite books is Little Women. I think a science fiction retelling would be amazing. A story of family set in space.

There you have it, my list of books I would like mashed up. What books made your list? Leave me a comment with your thoughts. Thanks for stopping by and HAPPY READING!

Book Review: Neverworld Wake by Marisha Pessl

Title: Neverworld Wake Written by: Marisha Pessl Published: June 5, 2018 by Delacorte (Amazon / Goodreads) Synopsis: Once upon a time, back at Darrow-Harker School, Beatrice Hartley and her six best friends were the cool kids, the beautiful ones. Then the shocking death of Jim—their creative genius and Beatrice's boyfriend—changed everything.  One year after graduation, Beatrice is returning to Wincroft—the seaside estate where they spent so many nights sharing secrets, crushes, plans to change the world—hoping she'll get to the bottom of the dark questions gnawing at her about Jim’s death. But as the night plays out in a haze of stilted jokes and unfathomable silence, Beatrice senses she’s never going to know what really happened.  Then a mysterious man knocks on the door. Blithely, he announces the impossible: time for them has become stuck, snagged on a splinter that can only be removed if the former friends make the harshest of decisions. Now Beatrice has one last shot at answers... and at life.  And so begins the Neverworld Wake.

This book was really good. I had heard good things about the author so when I saw that she was signing copies of this one at ALA, I decided to pick up a copy I am so glad that I did and that I took the time to read it because I really enjoyed it.

I would say that this is the kind of book that you kind of want to go into without much knowledge so I don’t want to say too much. I went into to it thinking it was a mystery and there were definitely some good aspects of the genre. Much of the book is about finding out the truth of something that happened years ago. I really liked the way it all unfolded. It was a complex mystery with a lot of moving parts and things didn’t even fall into place until the very end. It reminded me of some of my favorite mysteries in that way because you didn’t get the full story until every piece of the puzzle was laid out for you.

But I think my favorite part of the book was the other aspect of the plot which is the more sci-fi/fantasy elements. It mentions the “Neverworld Wake” right there in the synopsis but for some reason I had no idea that this was going to happen. And I am so glad I didn’t know anything because it all felt so fresh and interesting. So in the interest of keeping things vague for you I will just say I found this really fascinating and there were lots of surprises that had me pretty shocked in the best possible way.

As far as the characters, they are the characters that I prefer in a mystery. By that I mean they are the kind of people where they are complex and imperfect. If you are going to have a mystery where you suspect one of the characters of doing something wrong you definitely need characters where that seems possible. What I liked about these characters is that they were all unlikely but possible culprits and I appreciated that.

All in all I think that this was a really engaging and interesting read. It kept me hooked from beginning to end and had plenty of moments that surprised me. I am now very interested to read Night Film and experience more of this author's writing.

I give Neverworld Wake by Marisha Pessl 9.5 out of 10 stars

Buy/Borrow.Bypass: Buy/Borrow. I loved this book and would definitely recommend this to fans of mysteries should check this out especially if you want a book with a subtle sci-fi/fantasy twist.

Have you read Neverworld Wake? What did you think? Leave me a comment with your thoughts. Thanks for stopping by and HAPPY READING!

Book Review: The Darkest Legacy by Alexandra Bracken

Title: The Darkest Legacy Series: The Darkest Minds #4 Written by: Alexandra Bracken Published: July 31, 2018 by Disney Hyperion (Amazon / Goodreads) Synopsis: Five years after the destruction of the so-called rehabilitation camps that imprisoned her and countless other Psi kids, seventeen-year-old Suzume "Zu" Kimura has assumed the role of spokesperson for the interim government, fighting for the rights of Psi kids against a growing tide of misinformation and prejudice. But when she is accused of committing a horrifying act, she is forced to go on the run once more in order to stay alive.  Determined to clear her name, Zu finds herself in an uncomfortable alliance with Roman and Priyanka, two mysterious Psi who could either help her prove her innocence or betray her before she gets the chance. But as they travel in search of safety and answers, and Zu grows closer to the people she knows she shouldn't trust, they uncover even darker things roiling beneath the veneer of the country's recovery. With her future-and the future of all Psi-on the line, Zu must use her powerful voice to fight back against forces that seek to drive the Psi into the shadows and save the friends who were once her protectors.  From #1 New York Times best-selling author Alexandra Bracken comes a harrowing story of resilience, resistance, and reckoning that will thrill loyal fans and new readers alike.

When I heard that Alex was writing a new book in the world of The Darkest Minds I was over the moon. I absolutely love that series and I was so excited to find out what happened next to these characters. And I really enjoyed this book. It was a good companion and an enjoyable return to the world.

Speaking of the world, I think that was the best part of this book, the world. Alex does some really interesting things with this book. Usually you don't get to check back in and find out what happened after the characters save the world and dismantle the government. It was great to be able to do that with this book, especially because things were not all sunshine and rainbows. It showed how hard it is to not only restore the government but also regain the trust of people who viewed you as enemies for entirely too long. There was a lot of politics in this book. It's a near future dystopia but this feels very current. It was fantastic and interesting in a way that I love in my books.

There was also a lot of really interesting things that this book did with the powers. In the first few books we learned a little bit about some of the psionic powers but the one that we got the most information about was Orange because Ruby was the protagonist. Now our main character is Zu so we learned a lot more about Yellow powers. And wow, have Zu's powers developed. She uses them in some really cool and really hardcore ways throughout the book. But then there are new characters with new powers in this book. I don't want to give too much away but just suffice to say, there are some really cool new powers and I liked seeing them in action.

The other thing I really appreciated about this book was the characters. I feel in love with the gang in The Darkest Minds trilogy so being able to find out what happened to them next. Zu is just a preteen in the original series but now she is all grown up. And grown up Zu is even more amazing than Zu in the original series. If you were hoping for the demure and shy girl that we first met then you will sadly be disappointed. Oh wait, no you won't because this Zu is smart, resourceful, sassy, and tough. I love this Zu. I also love seeing some of the other characters from the original series. We get a good amount of Chubs which was fun and some great moments with Vida, Liam, and a little Ruby. But Zu and the new characters really take center stage here and that was perfectly fine with me.

My only criticism with this book is the plot. Now don't get me wrong, I liked the plot. There was alot of action and adventure, the stakes were incredibly high, and I spent a lot of time on the edge of my seat. The only problem however is that it didn't really feel like a standalone, which it was. It was a weirdly self-contained story that didn't really feel complete. It's a long book, which I am cool with, but I think this book would have been a little bit better if it was a duology. I think some of the plot points could have been explored a little more if there was a second book. It wasn't bad, I just think it could have been better if there had been more. But maybe that is just because I am not ready to say goodbye to these characters and this world.

All in all this was a interesting and engaging read with a fantastic world and amazing characters. It was great companion novel to one of my favorite series.

I give The Darkest Legacy by Alexandra Bracken 9 out of 10 stars

Buy/Borrow/Bypass: Buy. If you are a fan of The Darkest Minds then you definitely need to read this book to find out what happens next to your favorite characters and the world of this series.

Have you read The Darkest Legacy? What did you think? Leave me a comment with your thoughts. Thanks for stopping by and HAPPY READING!

July Wrap Up and August TBR

Read in July:

Wow, I actually ended up having a really good month of reading in July. This used to be normal for me but it has been a long time since I read over 10 books in a month and in July I ended up reading 13 books. Managing to read this many books in a month when I had so much going on is a pretty big accomplishment and puts me back on track for my Goodreads goals. To be fair though most of them were audiobooks and three of them were comics. But still, it's an accomplishment.

For challenges, this year I'm low key doing challenges. I set a Goodreads goal of reading 120 books in a year. I am back on track for that goal having read 72 books total for the year and if I can maintain 10 a month then I will meet this. Which is really good because I did not want to have to lower it to 100. For the rest of the challenges I only low key set them. I want to read 20 debuts this year. I didn't read any this month so I'm still at 8 total for the year which is behind schedule but I will probably make that up in the fall. I want to read 36 books from Netgalley and Edelweiss and I read 1 this month which brings my total up to 13 for the year. I haven't really been reading e-books lately so I am very behind on this one so I'll probably need to lower it to 24. I also want to read 20 backlist books. This month I read 3 which brings my total to 14 for the year so I'm doing well on that.

The Books

1.) The Secret by R.L. Stine Rating: 7 out of 10 [Podcast Website]

2.) Paper Girls Vol 3 by Brian K. Vaughn and 
Cliff Chiang Rating: 9.5 out of 10
3.) Smoke and Iron by Rachel Caine Rating: 9.5 out of 10 [My Review]
4.)  Imaginary Girls by Nova Ren Suma Rating: 8.5 out of 10 [My Review]
5.) Through the Dark by Alexandra Bracken Rating: 9 out of 10 [My Review]
6.) Bright We Burn by Kiersten White Rating: 9.5 out of 10 stars [My Review]
7.) Paper Girls Vol. 4 by Brian K. Vaughn and Cliff Chiang Rating: 9.5 out of 10
8.) Lumberjanes Vol. 5: Band Together by Noelle Stevenson, Shannon Waters,
and Carolyn Nowak Rating: 8.5 out of 10
9.) Puddin by Julie Murphy  Rating: 9 out of 10 [My Review]
10.) Out of the Easy by Ruta Sepetys Rating: 9 out of 10 [My Review]
11.) Competence by Gail Carriger Rating: 9 out of 10  [My Review]
12.) The Burning by R.L. Stine Rating: 8 out of 10 stars [Podcast Website]
13.) The Darkest Legacy by Alexandra Bracken Rating: 9 out of 10 stars [Review to Come]

To Be Read in August: 

I am once again participating in this awesome event run by the lovely ladies of ReadSleepRepeat. It's a month where you try to read your advance reader copies and with my stack from ALA, I definitely need that. My goal was to read 12 books in August and I want 8 of them to be ARCs. It's is on the higher end of reading for me but I want to try and get back on track. I think that it's doable but hopefully I'll at least get 10. I want to keep on track for my goal of reading 120 books in the year and that will make sure I maintain that.

Books for Review

Heroine's Journey by Sarah Kuhn - Add to Goodreads

I started reading this recently and I want to keep reading it. I've been so bad with e-books though so let's see how long it takes me to finish.

Girl at the Grave by Teri Bailey Black - Add to Goodreads

I think I was interested in reading this book and then I saw it recommenced by Kerri Maniscalco and her book recs are usually really fantastic so I was extra glad to get an ARC on Netgalley.

Campfire by Shawn Serles - Add to Goodreads
I picked a copy up at ALA and I'm excited to read it but I am waiting because I think we are going to buddy read it and then review it on my podcast as a special episode.

#murdertrending by Gretchen McNeil - Add to Goodreads

I have not read any of Gretchen McNeil's books but she has been on my list for awhile now. I picked this one up at ALA and I think I am going to take it with me when I go to DC for work next week.

These Rebel Waves by Sara Raasch - Add to Goodreads
I am so excited for this pirate fantasy book. I have been a fan of Sara's for awhile and I remember learning about this book and really wanting to read it. I'm part of the blog tour for this so come back next week so come back for a fun post!

Darius the Great is Not Okay by Adib Khorran - Add to Goodreads
I picked a copy of this up at ALA and it sounds like a really interesting contemporary. It's not my typical read so I may wait a little bit before I read it but it definitely sounds like a book

Seafire by Nathalie C. Parker - Add to Goodreads
Another book I picked up at ALA and another kind of ocean inspired fantasy. I am really excited about this one because it's about sisters.

A Room Away from the Wolves by Nova Ren Suma - Add to Goodreads
I love Nova's books and I am super excited to read her newest one. I got a copy at ALA and I am excited to read it.

New Releases

City of Ghosts by Victoria Schwab - Add to Goodreads
Victoria is an autobuy author for me. I am super excited to read her new Middle Grade book. It sounds really interesting!

Neverworld Wake by Marisha Pessl - Add to Goodreads
Ihave heard really good things about Night Film so I am excited to read her YA novel. My library hold on the audiobook should be coming in soon so I am planning to read this as soon as that comes in.

The Cheerleaders by Kara Thomas- Add to Goodreads
I wanted to read this book last month but I don't have a copy so I was waiting for it to be released to pick up a copy of the audiobook.

Backlist Books

Between Shades of Gray by Ruta Sepetys - Add to Goodreads

Speaking of library holds coming in. I think all the ones I have are all going to come in at once and that includes this one. After loving Out of the Easy I am excited to read this one.

There you have it. Some of the books I hope to read in July. As always, these are subject to change. I may read all of these or I may only read a few and then read a bunch of different ones. But honestly I think this list I can stick to. Thanks for stopping by and HAPPY READING!