Goodbye August, Hello Birthday Month.

This month has been my month of getting back into the swing of blogging, visiting other blogs, commenting, etc. Overall, I only published three posts but that's fine, especially considering I didn't come back until the middle of August!

Four Reasons Why You Should Read The Fixer Immediately

The Fixer by Jennifer Lynn Barnes - Published on July 7, 2015 by Bloomsbury - Goodreads

Top Ten Tuesday: My Auto-Buy Authors

This weekly meme is hosted by The Broke and The Bookish.

Creating this post has made me realize something I didn't realize before: I don't really have as many auto-buy authors as I thought I did. Maybe I've deemed someone an auto-buy author after finishing a really amazing book by them and later on those feelings diminish a bit. And maybe I'll change my mind about these authors being those I'd immediately buy something from (ok not really! Because these authors books are gooood). Without further ado:

The Struggle of Leaving a Hiatus Behind

It's definitely been a while since I last posted. I hadn't planned on being gone for so long but life has a way of changing your plans for you.

Waiting On Racing The Sun by Karina Halle

This weekly meme is hosted by Breaking The Spine. 

Racing The Sun by Karina Halle
Publication Date: July 28, 2015
Publisher: Atria Books
Page Count: 336 pages
Summary: It’s time for twenty-four-year-old Amber MacLean to face the music. After a frivolous six months of backpacking through New Zealand, Australia, and Southeast Asia, she finds herself broke on the Mediterranean without enough money for a plane ticket home to California. There are worse places to be stuck than the gorgeous coastline of southern Italy, but the only job she manages to secure involves teaching English to two of the brattiest children she’s ever met. It doesn’t help that the children are under the care of their brooding older brother, Italian ex-motorcycle racer Desiderio Larosa. Darkly handsome and oh-so-mysterious, Derio tests Amber’s patience and will at every turn—not to mention her hormones. But when her position as teacher turns into one as full-time nanny at the crumbling old villa, Amber finds herself growing closer to the enigmatic recluse and soon has to choose between the safety of her life back in the States and the uncertainty of Derio’s closely guarded heart.

I read the companion novel of this book, Where Sea Meets Sky, and loved it. The book really pulls you into New Zealand and all the places the characters are exploring, and portrays the beauty so well. It definitely had me itching to visit those places myself, so I'm looking forward to seeing how things will work in this one!

Top Ten Authors I Really Need To Meet One Day

The weekly meme is hosted by The Broke and The Bookish.

I'd honestly love to meet all the authors who write books I love but these four are definitely ones I have the strongest urge to meet! Funny thing, I was close to meeting Sarah at her recent Charlotte event but I wasn't able to travel down to North Carolina the day of, unfortunately. I was super sad about this!! Now without further ado:

Review: A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas

A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas
Publisher: Bloomsbury
Publishing Date: May 5, 2015
Page Count: 416 pages
Summary: When nineteen-year-old huntress Feyre kills a wolf in the woods, a beast-like creature arrives to demand retribution for it. Dragged to a treacherous magical land she only knows about from legends, Feyre discovers that her captor is not an animal, but Tamlin—one of the lethal, immortal faeries who once ruled their world. As she dwells on his estate, her feelings for Tamlin transform from icy hostility into a fiery passion that burns through every lie and warning she's been told about the beautiful, dangerous world of the Fae. But an ancient, wicked shadow grows over the faerie lands, and Feyre must find a way to stop it . . . or doom Tamlin—and his world—forever.

Review: Cress by Marissa Meyer

Cress by Marissa Meyer
Publisher: Feiwel & Friends
Publishing Date: February 4, 2014
Page Count: 592 pages
Summary: Cinder and Captain Thorne are fugitives on the run, with Scarlet and Wolf in tow. Together they’re plotting to overthrow Queen Levana and her army. Their best hope lies with Cress, who has been trapped on a satellite since childhood with only her netscreens as company. All that screen time has made Cress an excellent hacker; unfortunately, she’s just received orders from Levana to track down Cinder and her handsome accomplice. When a daring rescue goes awry, the group is separated. Cress finally has her freedom, but it comes at a high price. Meanwhile, Queen Levana will let nothing stop her marriage to Emperor Kai. Cress, Scarlet, and Cinder may not have signed up to save the world, but they may be the only ones who can.

This is a review of a sequel, so beware of spoilers! If interested in the series, you kind find the review of the first book, Cinder, here.

Review: Scarlet by Marissa Meyer

Scarlet by Marissa Meyer
Publisher: Feiwel and Friends
Publishing Date: February 5, 2013
Page Count: 452 pages
Summary: Cinder, the cyborg mechanic, returns in the second thrilling installment of the bestselling Lunar Chronicles. She's trying to break out of prison--even though if she succeeds, she'll be the Commonwealth's most wanted fugitive. Halfway around the world, Scarlet Benoit's grandmother is missing. It turns out there are many things Scarlet doesn't know about her grandmother or the grave danger she has lived in her whole life. When Scarlet encounters Wolf, a street fighter who may have information as to her grandmother's whereabouts, she is loath to trust this stranger, but is inexplicably drawn to him, and he to her. As Scarlet and Wolf unravel one mystery, they encounter another when they meet Cinder. Now, all of them must stay one step ahead of the vicious Lunar Queen Levana, who will do anything for the handsome Prince Kai to become her husband, her king, her prisoner.

This is a review of a sequel, so beware of spoilers! If interested  in the series, you kind find the review of the first book, Cinder, here. 

Goodbye March, Hello April.

Well this is my first monthly re-cap on the blog! While I've thought about doing these for a while, I'm not so sure why I'm just now starting one up. Laziness? Possiblyyy.

Review: A Darker Shade of Magic by V.E. Schwab

A Darker Shade of Magic by V.E. Schwab
Publisher: Tor Books
Publishing Date: February 24, 2015
Page Count: 400 pages
Summary: Kell is one of the last Travelers—rare magicians who choose a parallel universe to visit. Grey London is dirty, boring, lacks magic, ruled by mad King George. Red London is where life and magic are revered, and the Maresh Dynasty presides over a flourishing empire. White London is ruled by whoever has murdered their way to the throne. People fight to control magic, and the magic fights back, draining the city to its very bones. Once there was Black London - but no one speaks of that now. Officially, Kell is the Red Traveler, personal ambassador and adopted Prince of Red London, carrying the monthly correspondences between royals of each London. Unofficially, Kell smuggles for those willing to pay for even a glimpse of a world they’ll never see. This dangerous hobby sets him up for accidental treason. Fleeing into Grey London, Kell runs afoul of Delilah Bard, a cut-purse with lofty aspirations. She robs him, saves him from a dangerous enemy, then forces him to another world for her 'proper adventure'. But perilous magic is afoot, and treachery lurks at every turn. To save all of the worlds, Kell and Lila will first need to stay alive — trickier than they hoped.

Top Ten Books From My Teen Years + Childhood

This is a weekly meme hosted by The Broke and The Bookish. 

This weeks topic: Top 10 books from my childhood (or teen years) that I would like to revisit. Below are the books from my teen years I would definitely like to to revisit (or already have), and as a bonus I also shared books from my childhood that have really stuck with me through the years, especially because I feel like they're such classics.

Review: Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard

Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard
Publisher: HarperTeen
Publishing Date: February 10, 2015
Page Count: 383 pages
Summary: The poverty stricken Reds are commoners, living under the rule of the Silvers, elite warriors with god-like powers. To Mare Barrow, a 17-year-old Red girl from The Stilts, it looks like nothing will ever change. Mare finds herself working in the Silver Palace, at the centre of those she hates the most. She quickly discovers that, despite her red blood, she possesses a deadly power of her own. One that threatens to destroy Silver control. But power is a dangerous game. And in this world divided by blood, who will win?

The Bravery In Blogging

I have to admit, I'm not the bravest person. I would much rather taker the safer route in any task if it's an option that is given. I have never been proud of this fact so when I manage to get the guts and challenge the instinct that goes for safety, I'm not afraid to admit I feel pretty freaking proud of myself for doing it.

Review: Snow Like Ashes by Sara Raasch

Snow Like Ashes by Sara Raasch
Publisher: Balzar + Bray
Publishing Date: October 14, 2014
Page Count: 416
Summary: Sixteen years ago the Kingdom of Winter was conquered and its citizens enslaved, leaving them without magic or a monarch. Now, the Winterians’ only hope for freedom is the eight survivors who managed to escape, and who have been waiting for the opportunity to steal back Winter’s magic and rebuild the kingdom ever since. Orphaned as an infant during Winter’s defeat, Meira has lived her whole life as a refugee, raised by the Winterians’ general, Sir. Training to be a warrior—and desperately in love with her best friend, and future king, Mather — she would do anything to help her kingdom rise to power again. So when scouts discover the location of the ancient locket that can restore Winter’s magic, Meira decides to go after it herself. Finally, she’s scaling towers, fighting enemy soldiers, and serving her kingdom just as she’s always dreamed she would. But the mission doesn’t go as planned, and Meira soon finds herself thrust into a world of evil magic and dangerous politics – and ultimately comes to realize that her destiny is not, never has been, her own.

Review: If The Viscount Falls by Sabrina Jeffries

If The Viscount Falls by Sabrina Jeffries
Publication Date: January 27, 2015

Publisher: Pocket Books

Page Count: 400 pages
Format: eArc
Summary: From New York Times bestselling author Sabrina Jeffries, the deliciously sexy fourth book in the “Duke’s Men” Regency romance series—the first of which was called “a totally engaging, adventurous love story” (RT Book Reviews, Top Pick). The heir presumptive to the Viscount Rathmoor, Dominick Manton once had his heart’s desire within reach—a bright future as a barrister and engagement to Jane Vernon, a wealthy baron’s daughter. Then a shattering betrayal by his vindictive brother George snatched away Dom’s inheritance and his hopes of offering Jane a secure future. Brokenhearted, and attempting to end their engagement without destroying Jane’s reputation, Dom staged a betrayal of his own to convince her that he’s not the husband-to-be that she thought. Now George is gone and the viscountcy restored to Dom, since his brother’s widow, Nancy—Jane’s cousin and closest confidant—never bore an heir. But when Nancy goes missing, a panicked Jane calls on her former fiancé to track down her cousin. Dom knows the mistakes of the past may be unforgiveable—but now, entangled together in mystery and danger, will they rekindle a passionate longing that was never lost to begin with? (via goodreads)

Top Ten All Time Favorite Books

This is a weekly meme hosted by the girls at The Broke and The Bookish.

This Weeks Topic: All Time Favorite Books Of The Last 3+ Years aka the books I reread endlessly

In no particular order:

Review: The Raven Boys by Maggie Stiefvater

The Raven Boys by Maggie Stiefvater
Publication date: September 18, 2012
Publisher: Scholastic Press
Page Count: 416 pages

Summary: 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.

I've seen a lot of hype for this series. A loooot. Not just from bloggers but even from people I follow on tumblr. So much passion for this series and it's characters. Especially it's characters. I'd heard about Richard Gansey III way before I even learned where he was even from. And the fan casts and graphics people on tumblr made were absolutely flawless. (For example, some I've loved recently are here, here, and here). What I'm trying to say is, I had expectations. Lots of them, more than I've had for a book in a long time. I also thought I knew how the book would go because of a lot of what I heard. But I was wrong. This book was nothing like I expected it to be. 

And I loved it.

The Sisterhood Of The World Bloggers Award Tag!

I was tagged by Meg @ Adrift on Vulcan for the Sisterhood of the World Bloggers Award! This is the first tag I've been able to participate in so it was exciting to answer the question, they were very interesting. Without further ado, my answers!