the Reading Rush | Instagram Challenge Day 2

Since I really tried with this challenge, I’d thought I’d share with you the photo, why I chose this book and how I took it!

Here’s the challenge:

Challenge Day 2: Take a photo of an outfit inspired by a book cover! // Photo by @arianddante! // To enter use the hashtag #rrbookoutfit in your caption! // The prize is open internationally and is the August @owlcrate “Storms & Seas” box, which includes a new signed YA book and bookish goodies! // You have 23 hours to enter and we will announce the winner right before midnight!

Once I heard Laur was chosen for an Instagram challenge, I knew I was going to do it. One of my favorite covers this year is Christine’s book, Again, But Better. I really love the outfit of Shane on this cover and it’s definitely something I’d wear. When I woke up and saw the challenge, I knew exactly what book outfit I’d want to re-create. I mean, come on. I already had an outfit EXTREMELY similar so I decided to go out and take a photo. Mind you, I live in Florida and it was about 90 degrees outside. I had my boyfriend and my mom record videos of me walking back and forth, holding my bag and the book in the correct hands.

It was going to rain soon after this photo was taken so I had to wake up and just take the photo. I had several different edits chosen but I thought this one looked the best.

The editing process wasn’t really that hard. I just added the Again, But Better cover over my photo. Since our outfits are incredibly similar, it almost blends in. I’m quite proud of this photo because I tried really hard to get it to match. My Instagram theme is an entire mess right now but let’s not talk about it. At least my challenge photos are doing well and I’m proud of them!

Are you participating in the Reading Rush challenges? Let me know!

 

May YA Book Releases

I can’t believe it’s already May. This post should’ve gone up on the 1st but I didn’t even realize it was May already! I apologize for the late posting but here’s some of my anticipated releases for this month.

1. Aurora Rising (The Aurora Cycle #1) by Jay Kristoff & Amie Kaufman [May 7th, 2019]

“From the internationally bestselling authors of THE ILLUMINAE FILES comes an epic new science fiction adventure.

The year is 2380, and the graduating cadets of Aurora Academy are being assigned their first missions. Star pupil Tyler Jones is ready to recruit the squad of his dreams, but his own boneheaded heroism sees him stuck with the dregs nobody else in the Academy would touch…

A cocky diplomat with a black belt in sarcasm
A sociopath scientist with a fondness for shooting her bunkmates
A smart-ass techwiz with the galaxy’s biggest chip on his shoulder
An alien warrior with anger management issues
A tomboy pilot who’s totally not into him, in case you were wondering

And Ty’s squad isn’t even his biggest problem—that’d be Aurora Jie-Lin O’Malley, the girl he’s just rescued from interdimensional space. Trapped in cryo-sleep for two centuries, Auri is a girl out of time and out of her depth. But she could be the catalyst that starts a war millions of years in the making, and Tyler’s squad of losers, discipline-cases and misfits might just be the last hope for the entire galaxy.

They’re not the heroes we deserve. They’re just the ones we could find. Nobody panic.”

Pre-order this book at your local bookstore! 

2. Again, But Better by Christine Riccio [May 7th, 2019]

 “From one of the most followed booktubers today, comes Again, but Better, a story about second chances, discovering yourself, and being brave enough to try again.

Shane has been doing college all wrong. Pre-med, stellar grades, and happy parents…sounds ideal—but Shane’s made zero friends, goes home every weekend, and romance…what’s that?

Her life has been dorm, dining hall, class, repeat. Time’s a ticking, and she needs a change—there’s nothing like moving to a new country to really mix things up. Shane signs up for a semester abroad in London. She’s going to right all her college mistakes: make friends, pursue boys, and find adventure!

Easier said than done. She is soon faced with the complicated realities of living outside her bubble, and when self-doubt sneaks in, her new life starts to fall apart.

Shane comes to find that, with the right amount of courage and determination one can conquer anything. Throw in some fate and a touch of magic—the possibilities are endless.”

You can read my full-length review about this book here.

Pre-order this book at your local bookstore! 

 

3. Kingsbane by Claire Legrand [May 21st, 2019]

 “In this sequel to the instant New York Times bestseller Furyborn, two queens, separated by a thousand years, connected by secrets and lies, must continue their fight amid deadly plots and unthinkable betrayals that will test their strength—and their hearts.

Rielle Dardenne has been anointed Sun Queen, but her trials are far from over. The Gate keeping the angels at bay is falling. To repair it, Rielle must collect the seven hidden castings of the saints. Meanwhile, to help her prince and love Audric protect Celdaria, Rielle must spy on the angel Corien—but his promises of freedom and power may prove too tempting to resist.

Centuries later, Eliana Ferracora grapples with her new reality: She is the Sun Queen, humanity’s long-awaited savior. But fear of corruption—fear of becoming another Rielle—keeps Eliana’s power dangerous and unpredictable. Hunted by all, racing against time to save her dying friend Navi, Eliana must decide how to wear a crown she never wanted—by embracing her mother’s power, or rejecting it forever.”

Pre-order this book at your local bookstore! 

 

4. We Hunt the Flame by Hafsah Faizal [May 14th, 2019]

“People lived because she killed.
People died because he lived.

Zafira is the Hunter, disguising herself as a man when she braves the cursed forest of the Arz to feed her people. Nasir is the Prince of Death, assassinating those foolish enough to defy his autocratic father, the king. If Zafira was exposed as a girl, all of her achievements would be rejected; if Nasir displayed his compassion, his father would punish him in the most brutal of ways.

Both are legends in the kingdom of Arawiya—but neither wants to be.

War is brewing, and the Arz sweeps closer with each passing day, engulfing the land in shadow. When Zafira embarks on a quest to uncover a lost artifact that can restore magic to her suffering world and stop the Arz, Nasir is sent by the king on a similar mission: retrieve the artifact and kill the Hunter. But an ancient evil stirs as their journey unfolds—and the prize they seek may pose a threat greater than either can imagine.

Set in a richly detailed world inspired by ancient Arabia, We Hunt the Flame is a gripping debut of discovery, conquering fear, and taking identity into your own hands.”

Pre-order this book at your local bookstore! 

 

5. I Wish You All The Best by Mason Deaver [May 14th, 2019]

 “When Ben De Backer comes out to their parents as nonbinary, they’re thrown out of their house and forced to move in with their estranged older sister, Hannah, and her husband, Thomas, whom Ben has never even met. Struggling with an anxiety disorder compounded by their parents’ rejection, they come out only to Hannah, Thomas, and their therapist and try to keep a low profile in a new school.

But Ben’s attempts to survive the last half of senior year unnoticed are thwarted when Nathan Allan, a funny and charismatic student, decides to take Ben under his wing. As Ben and Nathan’s friendship grows, their feelings for each other begin to change, and what started as a disastrous turn of events looks like it might just be a chance to start a happier new life.

At turns heartbreaking and joyous, I Wish You All the Best is both a celebration of life, friendship, and love, and a shining example of hope in the face of adversity.”

Pre-order this book at your local bookstore! 

 

6. Dev1at3 by Jay Kristoff (Lifelike #2) [May 2019]

“After the climactic battle in Babel, she finds herself separated from Ezekiel and Cricket in the wastelands. Lemon’s abilities to manipulate electricity mark her as a deviate, and deadly corporate operatives are hunting her to use as a weapon in the war between BioMaas Incorporated and Daedelus Technologies. Instead, Lemon finds herself falling in with a group of fellow deviates—a band of teenagers with astonishing abilities, led by an enigmatic figure known as the Major, who may hold the secrets to Lemon’s past.

Meanwhile, Cricket finds himself in possession of the puritanical Brotherhood, a religious cult set for a head-on collision with the Major and his band. Searching for Lemon, Ezekiel finds a strange ally in an old enemy, and uncovers a plot that may see him reunited with his beloved Ana.

And inside Babel, a remade Eve hatches a plan to bring an end to the world.”

Pre-order this book at your local bookstore! 

 

7. Romanov by Nadine Brandes [May 7th, 2019] 

“The history books say I died.

They don’t know the half of it.

Anastasia “Nastya” Romanov was given a single mission: to smuggle an ancient spell into her suitcase on her way to exile in Siberia. It might be her family’s only salvation. But the leader of the Bolshevik army is after them . . . and he’s hunted Romanov before.

Nastya’s only chances of survival are to either release the spell, and deal with the consequences, or enlist help from Zash, the handsome soldier who doesn’t act like the average Bolshevik. Nastya’s never dabbled in magic before, but it doesn’t frighten her as much as her growing attraction for Zash. She likes him. She thinks he might even like her . . .

That is, until she’s on one side of a firing squad . . . and he’s on the other.”

Pre-order this book at your local bookstore! 

 

8. With the Fire on High by Elizabeth Acevedo [May 7th, 2019]

“With her daughter to care for and her abuela to help support, high school senior Emoni Santiago has to make the tough decisions, and do what must be done. The one place she can let her responsibilities go is in the kitchen, where she adds a little something magical to everything she cooks, turning her food into straight-up goodness. Still, she knows she doesn’t have enough time for her school’s new culinary arts class, doesn’t have the money for the class’s trip to Spain — and shouldn’t still be dreaming of someday working in a real kitchen. But even with all the rules she has for her life — and all the rules everyone expects her to play by — once Emoni starts cooking, her only real choice is to let her talent break free.”

 

Pre-order this book at your local bookstore! 

 

 

Are you looking forward to any of these upcoming releases? I’m so excited about I Wish You All the Best by Mason Deaver!

Again, but Better [SPOILER FREE REVIEW]

“Shane has been doing college all wrong. Pre-med, stellar grades, and happy parents…sounds ideal — but Shane’s made zero friends, goes home every weekend, and romance…what’s that?

Her life has been dorm, dining hall, class, repeat. Time’s a ticking, and she needs a change — there’s nothing like moving to a new country to really mix things up. Shane signs up for a semester abroad in London. She’s going to right all her college mistakes: make friends, pursue boys, and find adventure!

Easier said than done. She is soon faced with the complicated realities of living outside her bubble, and when self-doubt sneaks in, her new life starts to fall apart.

Shane comes to find that, with the right amount of courage and determination one can conquer anything. Throw in some fate and a touch of magic – the possibilities are endless.”

Edition: Hardcover

Release Date: May 7th, 2019

Page Count: 384

Publisher: Wednesday Books

My Rating:  stars ★★★★ out of ★★★★★ stars (4/5)

 

I was kindly sent an e-arc of this book by the publisher through NetGalley. The opinion is my own.

THIS REVIEW IS SPOILER FREE!

I have been following Christine on social media for so long so I’ve obviously been following her writing series since the beginning. If you’re not familiar, Christine has made writing videos from the moment she started her book and they’re still ongoing. It’s been such an interesting journey to watch Christine struggle with drafts and rewrites to finally getting to sign her first ARC at Yallfest. Once we were finally given the description of her book, I pre-ordered it immediately.

I loved the idea of uncertain 20 year old who decides she’s going to study abroad in hopes to meet new people, make new friends, and learn about something she’s truly passionate about. Also, maybe find an incredibly cute boy on the way. As a clueless almost 20 year old, I needed to finally read something like this.

I’m going to quickly get out some of my more negative thoughts and disclaimers first before anyone thinks my rating doesn’t match up. I gave this only 4.0 stars because I had some minor issues with the book that I would if this was any author. I’m not being extra nice because I follow Christine and love her. I truly did love this book but we’ll get into that in a second.

• First, this didn’t ever seem like a YA novel. I think this would be better off marketed as a New Adult novel instead. The main character is 20 years old and in college, studying abroad where drinking is legal. There’s nothing in this book that makes it unreadable to Young Adults but it just makes more sense? It gave me the feeling of a New Adult novel too but the category of New Adult is just now beginning so who knows.
• Second, I felt a shift between the first and second half of the book. The writing seemed to drag a bit in the beginning and I could obviously tell this is someone who doesn’t have experience writing novels. The writing at the beginning is quite lack luster but it’s not terrible. It just could’ve been better and I’m sure as Christine starts writing more, it will. This could have something to do with that not much happens in the first half of the book. It’s a lot of introducing of new people and experiences. The second half of the book was so, so entertaining and brilliant. The writing gets better almost instantaneously for some reason that I couldn’t tell you. I ended up finishing this book in one night because I was so excited to keep reading after I finished part one. I just think the writing is amateur and awkward. She uses phrases like “what the fudge” and the word “Epic!” a lot and I wasn’t a fan. It doesn’t make sense for the character to use the phrase “what the fudge” while other characters did curse. Maybe it’s just a quirk — but it was excessive and annoying.
• and a quick Disclaimer, this book is VERY Christine. But, I feel like nobody would notice this if her life wasn’t online. This is her first book and she’s worked so hard on it. It feels like this book is reminiscent of her own experiences and memories she may have. Her main character, Shane, is quite similar to her but I wouldn’t say exactly. I obviously do not know Christine besides her Youtube channel but Shane and Christine definitely have the same quirks (loving Lost, the username and love of writing, etc.) I don’t think this is at all wrong but just a personal preference. Some people might find it a bit lazy, but I think it makes the reading experience even more fun.

Now, onto the things I loved!

Christine did a WONDERFUL job with character development and growth. Christine was able to portray Shane’s inner thoughts constantly but not in a way it was overwhelming. Shane is a very anxious and thoughtful person. She’s in her head a lot and she comes off as almost naive or innocent? She’s extremely passionate about writing and knows the direction she wants to go in, but is held back by her family. I feel like Christine’s style of writing went perfectly with the personality of her main character. She’s funny but also incredibly nervous that makes the situation awkward but not too awkward. Since her character is funny, this book made me laugh out loud a few times. I even laughed reading the acknowledgements.

As for Pilot (the love interest), his character fell flat for me. He wasn’t that interesting or anything. He was an average character who played character. I found their banter really cute and they have some adorable interactions but overall, he’s just okay. It’s hard to talk about their relationship without spoiling anything but I feel like people blame Shane too much for his actions. It’s common people always blame the woman but I hope future readers understand her situation more than the reviews I’ve seen recently. Oh, they also totally remind me of Ross & Rachel from the TV show Friends. I’ll go more into this in my spoiler review. I also can’t forget her roommates! I liked the Disney roommate but I found it hard to like them in the second half of the book. Nothing against the book personally but some of their actions just royally upset me. You’ll understand immediately whenever you read the book.

On a personal level, this book is incredibly relatable. There isn’t enough college related books so being able to read a college student with pretty obvious anxiety was nice. It also makes me long for studying abroad even more. It brought me into a world I wish I lived in for awhile but took a spin near the end. There is a plot twist that most probably won’t see coming but I did. It seemed pretty obvious to me from the moment a certain character was introduced but I think this ending makes the book so much better. I think it helped the story a ton and was definitely the best part. If this book didn’t take that turn, this would’ve been a three star book for me. But, I ended up finishing this book all in one sitting once I reached part two. I loved it. It becomes so much more emotional and raw than the beginning and it had the type of ending I loved. It’s those endings you never see coming or the ones you don’t exactly wish for. Christine did an excellent job of ending this story and wrapping things up. This book portrayed a lost college student in the most satisfying way. From dealing with her family, her major, her friends and her love life, it was all so lovely. I definitely can’t wait for others to read this to hear their thoughts!

 

Find Again, But Better at your local bookstore!

 

 

To hear my thoughts elsewhere, follow me on social media: Goodreads | Instagram | Twitter

 

 

Upcoming Reviews 04.15.19

Good afternoon! I decided that today would be the best time to share with you all the reviews I should have coming up in the next few months. This list is obviously going to change as I receive and request new books to review. Most of the books that I review are kindly sent to me. Any books that I read for fun and review anyway will usually be a mini review.

I also want to clarify these reviews SHOULD go up a week before the release date but I can’t promise anything. The dates might change but the review should be up around the times that I say. So, with that being said, let’s list off the reviews!

 

• Daisy Jones & the Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid [MINI REVIEW]

I’ve been meaning to write this mini review for so long now and I’m going to write it right after this post (hopefully) so there’s no set date for this but it is coming, I promise!

• Again, But Better by Christine Riccio [SPOILER FREE REVIEW]

Post date: April 30th, 2019. This review is already scheduled to go up the week before the release date. I was kindly sent an e-arc of this book through NetGalley!

• Where I End & You Begin by Preston North [REVIEW]

Post date: May 28th, 2019. I was sent an e-arc of this book through NetGalley! I already have a rating of it on my Goodreads because I’ve already finished and enjoyed this book.

• We Are Lost & Found by Helene Dunbar [REVIEW]

Post date: The date isn’t exactly set since I haven’t read this book yet but I usually post the week before so technically, this should be going up on August 27th, 2019. Wow, I’m ahead of myself!

 

 

Are you excited about these upcoming releases? Have you read the ones already out? I’d love to know!

 

Pre-order any of these books at your local bookstore! Pre-orders help books out IMMENSELY.

 

 Wanna help these books out even more? Add them over on Goodreads!

March 2019 Wrap Up

Ah, I’m finally reading again! I actually read enough to make a wrap up for this month. I don’t know about you but March felt like forever. It must’ve been because I read six books this month! I know it may not seem like a lot to some, but I’ve been going through a serious slump so this is enough for me. Luckily, I enjoyed them! Let’s talk about each one individually, shall we?

So, the first book I read this month was:

1. Becoming by Michelle Obama

I listened to this on audiobook and loved it. The audiobook is quite long but it was worth it. I’d listen to it while cleaning, driving to work, going to bed, etc. I eventually switched from audiobook to the physical copy near the end because it was so enticing and interesting that I just had to read it faster. I truly loved learning about her life and I wrote a mini-review about it. I’ll link it here!

Edition I read: both Audiobook and Physical copy

Date Started and Finished: March 2nd to March 5th

Rating: 5/5 stars ★★★★★ (How can I give the best first lady less than 5 stars?)

My Review | Goodreads Progress

2. Saga vol. 9 by Brian K. Vaughan and Fiona Staples

I finally got around to reading the latest edition of Saga and honestly, I’m shocked. I can’t believe there’s a year long hiatus until the next one. They really ended it like that, eh? I have a review for this as well! Don’t worry, there’s no spoilers 🙂

Edition I read: Physical Copy

Date Started and Finished: March 9th

Rating: 5/5 stars ★★★★★

My Review | Goodreads Progress

3. Again, But Better by Christine Riccio

I was lucky enough to request this arc on Netgalley and receive it the next day. I read most of this book in one sitting because it was so fun to read. I have a review going up a week before the release date so stay tuned for that! Unfortunately, I won’t share too much of my thoughts until then. But, for now, here’s my rating!

Edition I read: ARC e-copy that was kindly sent to me by the publisher through Netgalley 🙂

Date Started and Finished: March 4th to March 9th

Rating: 4/5 stars ★★★★

My review will be up on April 30th!| Goodreads Progress

4. What Makes Girls Sick and Tired by Lucile de Pesloüan

I received an e-arc of this from the publisher through NetGalley! I enjoyed this read but it was underwhelming. I think a lot more could’ve been added to it. To know the rest of my thoughts, I have a review here.

Edition I read: ARC e-copy that was kindly sent to me by the publisher through Netgalley 🙂

Date Started and Finished: March 13th

Rating: 3/5 stars ★★★

Review | Goodreads Progress

5. City of Ghosts by Victoria Schwab

I was feeling in the mood for a middle grade novel and decided to finally pick up Victoria’s middle grade book. I ended up reading it all in one night and thoroughly enjoyed it. It’s also really cute for a ghost story lol. I don’t review middle grade because I’m an adult and I don’t read this critically. But, here’s my rating!

Edition I read: Library E-Book

Date Started and Finished: March 16th

Rating: 4/5 stars ★★★★

Goodreads Progress

6. Daisy Jones & The Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid

AH, I loved this book. I haven’t written a mini review for it yet but I’m going to. I enjoyed this book so much and I wasn’t expecting to. I don’t know why exactly but it was everything I love to read about. It’s set in the 70s, follows a rock band with two strong female band members and it’s told in a unique interview format. It’s a brilliant book. I’m so mad at myself for not picking up this ARC copy at work.

Edition I read: Hardcover

Date Started and Finished: March 18th to March 25th

Rating: 4.5/5 stars ★★★★★

Goodreads Progress

 

Have you read any of these books? If you have, let me know how you felt about them! I’d love to chat about these books. I’m so happy with my reading this month! It’s so much more than usual. Hopefully, April’s reading will be just as success. If only I can find a book as wonderful as Daisy Jones!

 

 

 

Keep up with me on Social Media!

Instagram | Twitter | Tumblr | Pinterest | Goodreads |

4 Books I Currently Have Pre-Ordered

Today, I wanted to talk about the books I currently have pre-ordered! If you didn’t know, pre-orders are so important for the authors and books. Pre-order numbers (the more, the better) usually determine if the book is going to be promoted more and the overall success of the book. Publishers often look to pre-order numbers to gain perspective about how well the book will do and if this author is someone they should keep around.

So, I tend to pre-order books for authors I know I already love and have been looking forward to their newest release. I usually don’t do this for debut authors or books but I think that’s where it’s most important. I recommend you watch this video by Ariel Bissett about why pre-orders are so important in the publishing world and what they can do for books. It’s short and an easy watch but you realize how much your simple pre-order can mean.

1.Wayward Son by Rainbow Rowell

I have always auto-bought Rainbow Rowell’s books so this is not surprise. Right whenever this book was announced and I could pre-order it, I did. I love Carry On so much. I can’t believe there was a time when people didn’t think there was going to be a sequel. When I finished Carry On, it felt like there was going to be a book two. Also, Rainbow Rowell’s love for Baz couldn’t deal with one book. I’m so excited for the sequel now that I obviously had to pre-order. The new cover was done by the same artist who did the Carry On paperback (which is beautiful). Definitely check out his art too because wow, he did Simon and Baz some serious justice.

Publication: September 24th, 2019

Pre-order it here.

 

 

2. Call Down the Hawk by Maggie Stiefvater

This is the first book of the brand new Dreamer trilogy. Now, Maggie Stiefvater has been talking about this Ronan trilogy for so long on twitter and she’s been hyping it up day by day. As someone who finished the Raven Cycle last year, I love Ronan and Adam so much. I was so devastated whenever I finished the Raven Cycle because I loved these characters so much and I didn’t want their adventures to end. It’s been so exciting to follow Maggie while she tweets about this trilogy. I remember telling her whenever I met her that the Dream Thieves was my favorite one out of the four and she said it’s hers too! I can’t wait to be able to dive back in to Henrietta and see what Maggie has in store for these characters again!

Publication: November 5th, 2019

Pre-order it here.

 

 

3. Again, but Better by Christine Riccio

Although I received an ARC for this book, I still pre-ordered. The pre-order count on debut novels are so important so I can’t wait to receive this physical copy! I actually pre-ordered right when the description was available because it sounds so intriguing. If any of you are interested in reading my review, it’ll be posted on April 30th, 2019 at 12:00pm eastern standard time! I’m posting it so late after reading because I want to respect the release date and most of the time, authors prefer it closer to the release!

Here’s a short description for those who haven’t heard of Again, But Better yet: “Shane has been doing college all wrong. Pre-med, stellar grades, and happy parents…sounds ideal—but Shane’s made zero friends, goes home every weekend, and romance…what’s that?

Her life has been dorm, dining hall, class, repeat. Time’s a ticking, and she needs a change—there’s nothing like moving to a new country to really mix things up. Shane signs up for a semester abroad in London. She’s going to right all her college mistakes: make friends, pursue boys, and find adventure!

Easier said than done. She is soon faced with the complicated realities of living outside her bubble, and when self-doubt sneaks in, her new life starts to fall apart.

Shane comes to find that, with the right amount of courage and determination one can conquer anything. Throw in some fate and a touch of magic—the possibilities are endless.”

Publication: May 7th, 2019

Pre-order it here.

 

4. Tunnel of Bones (City of Ghosts #2) by Victoria Schwab

I recently just pre-ordered this because I finally got around to reading City of Ghosts this month and I absolutely loved it. I missed reading middle grade so it’s so nice that one of my favorite authors, V.E. Schwab, has written some herself! I will buy anything that she writes anyway but I really enjoyed this one. I would share a description but this is a sequel so I don’t want to spoil anything. Unfortunately, I don’t have a review for this first book either because I don’t feel comfortable reviewing middle grade. I just read it for fun, not to review.

Publication: September 3rd, 2019

You can pre-order it here.

 

 

And that’s it! Those are the four books I currently have pre-ordered. I’m sure this list will get longer as we get farther into the year. I like to pre-order books closer to the release date (a few months) so I remember about the money being taken out. Amazon is amazing and they don’t charge you until the book has shipped. This is why I prefer to pre-order on there because other online retailers tend to charge right away and I don’t like that. I would prefer pre-ordering books from independent shops or bookstores but I don’t know any that don’t charge right away for pre-orders. If you do, let me know!

Do you have anything pre-ordered right now? I’d love to know.