Saturday, July 27, 2013

ReReadathon 2013 Final Recap

ReReadathon is hosted by Bookshelvers Anonymous

Original post here.
I did not do all that great for this challenge.All I managed to re-read was graphic novels and manga, and I only managed to re-read 5 of those. Overall I did not read as much this month as I normally do. I guess because my family and I are moving and I did not have as much time as I usually do to read. Packing takes up so much time. *sigh* But I did at least manage to re-read those graphic novels and manga. Below are my thoughts on what I re-read:

Amelia Rules!: Her Permanent Record by Jimmy Gownley
I actually started a re-read a few months ago for this series and have been re-reading this series over time. I finished the last volume in this again this month and I absolutely loved it. Like I always do! This series makes me happy when I read it. If you have not read this series yet you should! I just wish there was more in the series.

Ugly Ducklings Love Revolution Volumes 1, 2, 3, and 4, by Yuuki Fujinari
This series was not on my original list, but I saw it on my shelf and decided to try and re-read it. I still liked it, though I still wish they would not have made such an difference between how she drew Hitomi and everyone else.

I may still be able to re-read something else this weekend because we will be completely moved in to our new home and we will also not have Internet for a few days. All distractions removed. : ) I will update this post if I manage to re-read anything else.

Tuesday, July 23, 2013

What Do YOU Think? Feed Readers

What do you think of this? I made it and thought that every time I
do a discussion post I could use this.
I know I'm kinda late talking about this topic. But I'm curious now that Google Reader has been shut down for awhile now, what do you use to manage your feeds?

I tried Feedly and while it was okay, it just was not what I was looking for and I found that I was not using it as much as I used Google Reader.

Then I tried Bloglovin' and I did not like the layout that much.

I also researched a lot of other feed readers and I just could not find any that I liked.

Then I heard about AOL Reader and I've found so far that I really like it. It still has some little glitches that they need to work out, but I think they have done really well taking in feedback and making it overall work well. ( especially since they just launched beta mode not that long ago. ) The only thing I would change about it is that I wish it did not feel quite so busy. ( though I know the ad's are not going to go away. ) but overall I do think it is the best replacement of Google Reader for me.

I know a lot of people love Feedly and Bloglovin' so I guess I'm just weird that I don't like them that much.

But my question for all of you is, what feed reader do you use now? And what ones have you tried?

Sunday, July 21, 2013

I am now on Twitter!

I now have a Twitter account!

Follow me @bookgeek2872

Do you follow blogs on Twitter?
I'm going to try and remember to tweet my reviews when I post them.

Review: Wolf-Speaker

Wolf-Speaker by Tamora Pierce

When Daine is summoned by the wolf pack that saved her life a year earlier, she knows she has to go. She and Numair travel to Dunlath Valley to answer the call. But when they arrive, Daine realizes with a shock that it's not just the animals whose lives are threatened; people are in danger too. Dunlath's rulers have discovered black opals in their valley and are dead set on mining the magic these stones embody. Daine learns that Dunlath's lord and lady plan to use this power to overthrow King Jonathan -- even if it means irreversibly damaging the land and killing their workers.
On a mission to save both her animal friends and her human ones, Daine has to master her wild magic in order to fight for the kingdom and triumph over the would-be usurpers.

-summary and cover via goodreads




Plot: I love this book! It was fun to see a different part of the characters world and I enjoyed it a lot, though I missed seeing the places in the first book.

Characters: The characters are a lot of fun! I liked the wolves. Kitten the dragon was adorable. All the animals were fun. I liked Flicker the squirrel. Daine was just as good a hero as the first book. I wish Numair was in the book more. I also missed some of the characters from the first book.

The Cover: I like it.

Overall: I wanted to read this one because I read the first book in the series, Wild Magic and I absolutly loved it! I was a bit scared though because I was afraid I would not like this one as much as the first book. While I did not love this one as much as I loved the first one ( Though it would be very hard for me to love it as much as the first one because I loved it so much! ) I enjoyed it a lot and am exited to read the next book in this series! I definetly recommend this series if you love fantasy and even if you don't, try it. I think you might like it!

I checked this book out from my local library.

Wednesday, July 17, 2013

Waiting on Wednesday: Defy

Waiting on Wednesday is hosted by Breaking The Spine


This Wednesday I'm Waiting on: Defy by Sara b. Larson

A lush and gorgeously written debut, packed with action, intrigue, and a thrilling love triangle.

Alexa Hollen is a fighter. Forced to disguise herself as a boy and serve in the king's army, Alex uses her quick wit and fierce sword-fighting skills to earn a spot on the elite prince's guard. But when a powerful sorcerer sneaks into the palace in the dead of night, even Alex, who is virtually unbeatable, can't prevent him from abducting her, her fellow guard and friend Rylan, and Prince Damian, taking them through the treacherous wilds of the jungle and deep into enemy territory.

The longer Alex is held captive with both Rylan and the prince, the more she realizes that she is not the only one who has been keeping dangerous secrets. And suddenly, after her own secret is revealed, Alex finds herself confronted with two men vying for her heart: the safe and steady Rylan, who has always cared for her, and the dark, intriguing Damian. With hidden foes lurking around every corner, is Alex strong enough to save herself and the kingdom she's sworn to protect?

-summary and cover from goodreads

I heard about this book on another blog ( which I do not remember the name of. : ( ) a few weeks ago and thought it sounded interesting. I've been looking for some new and good YA fantasy to read, hopefully this will be good!

This book will be released January 7th 2014

Monday, July 15, 2013

Top Ten Authors That Deserve More Recognition

Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by The Broke and The Bookish Blog
This list was even harder this week to make, because there are so many authors that I wish would get more recognition than they do. Now I know for some of these a lot of people do read these authors books ( at least I see that people online are reading them. ) but I'm also basing this on when I talk to someone in person and they have no idea who this author is or if they do, they've never read their books. Here's my list this week!

All links go to the author's page on goodreads. ( so you can add their books to your to-read pile : ) )

Top Ten Authors That Deserve More Recognition

1. Deva Fagan
My favorite book by her is Circus Galacticus. She is a very fun MG author and I really like her books.

2. Jimmy Gownley
I love Jimmy Gownley's graphic novels so much. They make me laugh and they also have some serious moments too. They're also pretty much the only graphic novels I've gotten my mom to read, and that means even if you don't normally read them they're a great graphic novel to try.

3 Ally Carter
Okay, I think I manage to get her books on every TTT post I do. I know a lot of you have read her books but everyone I meet in real life have never read them! If you have not read Ally Carter's books you need to go and get them. Now. I'll wait.

4. Mark Crilley
I read his Akiko series when I was younger and loved them. Now I love his Miki Falls series and re-read them every once in awhile.

5. Stephanie Burgis
I love the Kat books! I still need to read the last one and will probably read it soon. She writes really fun MG books.

6. Jeanne Birdsall
Her books make me smile and I just feel happy reading them. The Penderwicks are a lot of fun!

7. Janette Rallison
Another author whose books make me laugh!

8. Miku Sakamoto
 I wish the rest of the Stolen Hearts manga series would release in English. I loved the first two! If you can find Vol. 1 & 2 definitely read them.

9. Helen Dunmore
Ingo is still a favorite MG series of mine. Though I need to track down a copy of the final book and read it.

10. Laura Dower
Madison Finn was my favorite MG series when I was younger and I still like it a lot. She writes very good MG books.

What's your Top Ten?

Thursday, July 11, 2013

Review: Wild Magic

Wild Magic by Tamora Pierce

Thirteen-year-old Daine has always had a knack with animals, but it's not until she's forced to leave home that she realizes it's more than a knack — it's magic. With this wild magic, not only can Daine speak to animals, but also she can make them obey her. Daine takes a job handling horses for the Queen's Riders, where she meets the master mage Numair and becomes his student.

Under Numair's guidance, Daine explores the scope of her magic. But she begins to sense other beings too: immortals. These bloodthirsty monsters have been imprisoned in the Divine Realms for the past four hundred years, but now someone has broken the barrier. It's up to Daine and her friends to defend their world from an immortal attack.

The mage Numair, the knight Alanna, and Queen Thayet enlist thirteen-year-old Daine's help to battle the dreadful immortal creatures that have recently begun to attack the kingdom of Tortall.

-Summary and cover from Goodreads

Plot: I originally read this book when I was about eleven, Though I could only remember a few scenes from the book and that I had loved it. I remembered it recently and picked it back up. I loved it again! The plot was so much fun. The world the author has built is really cool and you want to go to Tortall.

Characters: I liked Daine a lot and thought that she was a really good heroine. I also liked all the animals in the book. Numair was a favorite of mine and I loved him in the story a lot. I liked Onua. Alanna's kids were fun, so were the Queen's kids.

The Cover: I don't remember the original cover of the book I read. but this was the cover of the one I read this time and I really liked it! I liked that it does not have people on the cover so we can imagine the characters for our selves. I assume the pony on the cover is Cloud, Daine's pony.

Overall: You know how some books just make you feel good reading them and you love the characters and you just can't get them out of your head? That's what this book is for me. I just felt happy reading it. I loved the story, the characters, and the world the author created and I am very exited to get the next book in the series! If you have not read this book you need to go and read it right away!

I checked this book out from my local library

Wednesday, July 10, 2013

Waiting on Wednesday: Ask Again Later

Waiting on Wednesday is hosted by Breaking The Spine

This Week I'm Waiting on: Ask Again Later by Liz Czukas


Despite what her name might suggest, Heart has zero interest in complicated romance. So when her brilliant plan to go to prom with a group of friends is disrupted by two surprise invites, Heart knows there's only one drama-free solution: flip a coin.

Heads: The jock. He might spend all night staring at his ex or throw up in the limo, but how bad can her brother's best friend really be?

Tails: The theater geek...with a secret. What could be better than a guy who shares all Heart's interests--even if he wants to share all his feelings?

Heart's simple coin flip has somehow given her the chance to live out both dates. But where her prom night ends up might be the most surprising thing of all...


-summary and cover via goodreads

I think this book looks like it will be a lot of fun!

This book will be released March 11th 2014

Thursday, July 4, 2013

Happy 4th of July!

                              The 4th of July is one of my 
                                      favorite holidays!
                     I hope you all have a safe and happy 4th!
                                               Here's a appropriate song for the 4th. :)

Wednesday, July 3, 2013

Waiting on Wednesday: Elusion

Waiting on Wednesday is hosted by Breaking the Spine



This Wednesday I'm Waiting on: Elusion by Claudia Gabel & Cheryl Klam

Soon, Elusion® will change the world and life as we know it.

A new technology called Elusion is sweeping the country. An app, visor and wristband will virtually transport you to an exotic destination where adventure can be pursued without the complications—or consequences—of real life.

Regan is an Elusion insider. Or at least she used to be. Her father invented the program, and her best friend, Patrick, heir to the tech giant Orexis, is about to release it nationwide. But ever since her father’s unexpected death, Regan can’t bear to Escape, especially since waking up from the dream means crashing back to her grim reality.

Still, when there are rumors of trouble in Elusion—accusations that it’s addictive and dangerous— Regan is determined to defend it. But the critics of Elusion come from surprising sources, including Josh, the handsome skeptic with his own personal stakes. As Regan investigates the claims, she discovers a disturbing web of secrets. She will soon have to choose between love and loyalty…a decision that will affect the lives of millions.

Suspense, thrills, and romance fuel this near-future story about the seductive nature of a perfect virtual world, and how far one girl will go to uncover the truth behind the illusions.


-summary and cover via goodreads

This book looks like it will be interesting. I absolutely love the cover because of how pretty it is!

This book will be published March 18th 2014

Monday, July 1, 2013

June 2013 Recap

I've seen other blogs do monthly recap posts and I decided it would be fun to do one myself. Here is my first monthly recap!

                        June 2013 Recap

Reviews:
This is What Happy Looks Like












TTT and WOW Posts:
Top Ten Books Featuring Travel in Some Way
Top Ten Beach Reads
Top Ten Books at the Top of My Summer TBR List
Top Ten Books I've Read So Far in 2013
Waiting on Wednesday: Pirouette
Waiting on Wednesday: Alienated

Other Posts:
This is What My Happy Looks Like

Fun Bookish News, Posts, Etc. Around The Web
Ally Carter announced a new series named Embassy Row! ( I'm just so excited for this! )
Epic Reads has a list of recommended YA Fantasy books ( Found via Twitter )

My Most Played Song This Month:
Better Than This by Hunter Hayes

What do you think of my first monthly recap?

ReReadathon 2013


Bookshelvers Anonymous is hosting a ReReadathon for the month of July.
I was having trouble deciding whether or not I should join the ReReadathon because July is pretty packed full of stuff as it is and I have a lot of new books to read already, but I think it sounds like fun, so I decided to try and participate in it.

Here are the books I hope to pick to re-read from:
He's With Me by Tamara Summers
Sleepaway Girls by Jen Calonita
Howl's Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones
Her Permanent Record by Jimmy Gownley
The Penderwicks at Point Mouette by Jeanne Birdsall
Tuesdays at the Castle by Jessica Day George

I will be lucky if can at least re-read two of these. The ones I will most likely re-read are Tuesdays at the Castle, Howl's Moving Castle, and Her Permanent Record.





























I hope that I can actually re-read some of these! Good luck to anyone else participating!