Clean Sweep ARC Challenge Sign-up

Hosted by Kimberly @ Caffeinated Book Reviewer & Kristin @ Addicted to Happily Ever After

The minute I saw Kimberly post this challenge on her blog I just knew I had to participate. I have a small pile of ARCs I would like to read so when I come home from BEA I will have more of a fresh slate. I also would love to get my netgalley review rating up again. Fingers crossed! My goal is to read at least 5 ARCs. That may not seem like a lot, but I feel like it is still a challenge but also attainable.

NetGalley ARCs

Some Physical ARCs

  

Other e-ARCs

ARC for Blog Tour

TTT #61: My Favorite Bookworm Delights

Hosted by The Broke and the Bookish

1. When my book on hold is ready to pick up at the library.

2. Getting a new bookmark.

3. Fangirling over the same book with a complete stranger.

4. Finding out a coworker reads the same types of books as you do!

5. The feel of a new book. I pet my new book when I get one. No shame here!

6. Snuggling my puppy while reading a good book with a hot mug of coffee.

Bash is getting so big! 

7. The moment I find a new ship to ship. Swoons....

8. Meeting one of your favorite authors for the first time.

Review: This Is Where It Ends by Marieke Nijkamp

This Is Where It Ends by Marieke Nijkamp (Jan. 2016)
285 pages
Genre: Young Adult/Contemporary
Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire
Source: I received this book as a gift for my birthday!
Purchase: Barnes & Noble | Amazon | The Book Depository
My Rating:

Goodreads Summary: 10:00 a.m.
The principal of Opportunity, Alabama's high school finishes her speech, welcoming the entire student body to a new semester and encouraging them to excel and achieve.

10:02 a.m.
The students get up to leave the auditorium for their next class.

10:03
The auditorium doors won't open.

10:05
Someone starts shooting.

Told over the span of 54 harrowing minutes from four different perspectives, terror reigns as one student's calculated revenge turns into the ultimate game of survival.

+ Add to goodreads

My Review

This is Where it Ends made me tremble with a million different feelings. The synopsis did prepare me for an intense read, but I still don't think I was ready.

This is going to be a tough book to write about. School shootings are terrible tragedies that occur way too often. I really wish some kids were not so afraid to speak up about others and about themselves if they are having a tough time, but I know it is more complex than that. Mental illness is not properly addressed in our society and people should not feel ashamed to ask for help, but that isn't always the case. I don't want to go on a long rant about this so now so I shall just focus on the book.

This Is Where It Ends will stay with me for a quite a while. We get 54 harrowing minutes of a school shooting told from four different perspectives. Each teen has a close connection to the shooter, and each point of view will break your heart. One minute these kids' lives were all about just worrying about school and college until disaster struck. I could feel the tension of the kids stuck in the auditorium with the shooter, and with the ones forced to be outside and feeling helpless to help their friends and family.

This book is well written and the characters are real. You have to be in a certain frame of mind to read this one. It will make you cry.

Stacking the Shelves (3)

Hosted by Tynga at Tynga's Reviews

Stacking The Shelves is all about sharing the books you are adding to your shelves, may it be physical or virtual. This means you can include books you buy in physical store or online, books you borrow from friends or the library, review books, gifts and of course ebooks! **My birthday was at the beginning of April and I just wanted to share my bookish birthday presents with you all. :D

My Bookish Birthday Loot

The Books

~ The Dark Days Club by Alison Goodman

~ This is Where it Ends by Marieke Nijkamp

~ The Lifeboat Clique by Kathy Parks

~ Stars of Fortune by Nora Roberts

~ A Criminal Magic by Lee Kelly (My husband actually got this for his birthday, but I plan on reading it too.)

Other Bookish Items

~ "My workout is reading in bed until my arm hurts." Bookmark

~ Harry Potter Coloring Book

~ Personal Library Kit

Library Loot #44

Library Loot is a weekly event co-hosted by Claire from The Captive Reader and Linda from Silly Little Mischief that encourages bloggers to share the books they’ve checked out from the library.

** I can't wait to read this week's loot! The only problem is having to try and decide what to read first! #BookNerdProblems

My Library Loot

1. & 2. I checked out two adult books this week!

3. It's finally here!

4. My new audiobook! I just started it and it is hilarious!

5. This one should also give me some laughs.

6. This is my middle grade book of the month.

7. I could use a new romance book in my life. I really enjoyed the first book in this series.

NA Review: Edge of Chaos by Molly E. Lee

Edge of Chaos by Molly E. Lee (March 2016)
229 kindle pages
Genre: New Adult Romance
Source: I bought this book on Amazon.
Purchase: Amazon
My Rating:

Goodreads Summary: Blake Caster has been in an emotionally abusive relationship with Justin for so long, she can’t tell what is normal anymore, and so she clings to the one thing that is solidly hers—her passion for extreme weather.

Three years into her Meteorology degree, Blake meets professional storm chaser, Dash Lexington, who is as gorgeous as he is daring. Instantly recognizing her passion and skills in analyzing weather data, he makes a spot for her on his tight-knit storm chasing team. Dash and Blake form a fast friendship and it forces her to realize just how toxic her relationship with Justin is. She can’t deny the lightning-worthy chemistry she has with Dash or how her heart stalls every time he gets too close to a tornado.

With each chase and the cherished moments with Dash, Blake discovers her own self-worth and gains the strength to end things with Justin for good. But he won’t go easily. As Blake tries to sever ties with one man, she fears she’ll lose the other to his dangerous obsession—and she doesn't know if she’ll be enough to save him from the impending storm that could end them all.

+ Add to goodreads

My Review

I don't read New Adult books very often, but I was in the mood and I read a good review of this one somwhere in the blogosphere so I figured I would give it a try. (I hate when I can't remember where.) The minute I read that it was about storm chasers and romance I knew I had to read Edge of Chaos. So I went on Amazon and purchased an ebook for only 99 cents. It was probably the best 99 cents I have ever spent!

Does Edge of Chaos have a steamy romance? Without a doubt.

Does it feature interesting and complex characters? Absolutely. You will love Dash. Guaranteed.

Are there some awesome storm chasing scenes? There are some great ones, but I could have used even more. 

Does one of the characters have a whole bunch of emotional stuff going on? Yes, but not in a frustrating way. I did at times just wish I could yell at Blake to dump her fool of a boyfriend, but I can see why she was having a hard time. It was sad.

Does Edge of Chaos add some uniqueness to the New Adult genre? Yup. It was never boring and I definitely felt the feels.

Is there an adorable dog that you just want to snuggle? Ummm.... heck yes! What more could you want?

Should you read this book? I am going with a big fat YES. It is only 99 cents on Amazon people. Get on it!

TTT #60: Ten Books Every Adrenaline Junkie Should Read

Hosted by The Broke and the Bookish

I had the hardest time picking what to write about this week, but I never pass up an opportunity to give book recommendations. I ended up choosing books that adrenaline junkies would like, aka books that are full of action and tense scenes.

1. Rebel of the Sands by Alwyn Hamilton - Non-stop action!
2. Edge of Chaos by Molly E. Lee - The main characters chase tornadoes.
3. Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo - I wouldn't want to go up against the creatures in this series.
4. Illuminea by Amie Kaufman & Jay Kristoff - This one is a thrill ride.
5. The Testing by Joelle Charbonneau - Talk about having to keep your wits about you.

6. Vicious by Victoria Schwab - You will know why I put this on the list once you read it.
7. Inherit Midnight by Kate Kae Myers - Some of the challenges will make your heart rate speed up.
8. The Scorpio Races by Maggie Stiefvater - Those water horses are intense.
9. The Rise of Aurora West by Paul Pope - Fighting monsters would get your blood pumping.
10. Y: The Last Man by Brian K Vaughan - The title kind of explains it.

A Straight to the Point Review: Rebel of the Sands by Alwyn Hamilton

Rebel of the Sands (#1) by Alwyn Hamilton (March 2016)
314 pages
Genre: Young Adult Fantasy
Publisher: Viking Books for Young Readers
Source: I borrowed a copy from the library, but now I plan to buy it for myself.
Purchase: Barnes & Noble | Amazon | The Book Depository
My Rating:

Goodreads Summary: Mortals rule the desert nation of Miraji, but mythical beasts still roam the wild and remote areas, and rumor has it that somewhere, djinn still perform their magic. For humans, it’s an unforgiving place, especially if you’re poor, orphaned, or female.

Amani Al’Hiza is all three. She’s a gifted gunslinger with perfect aim, but she can’t shoot her way out of Dustwalk, the back-country town where she’s destined to wind up wed or dead.

Then she meets Jin, a rakish foreigner, in a shooting contest, and sees him as the perfect escape route. But though she’s spent years dreaming of leaving Dustwalk, she never imagined she’d gallop away on mythical horse—or that it would take a foreign fugitive to show her the heart of the desert she thought she knew.

+ Add to goodreads

My Review

Rebel of the Sands is a MUST READ for every single person ever. Here is why...

This book is so full of action that I guarantee you will not be bored for a single second.

As for the characters, you won't be able to help but love them. 

So what about the romance? It's so freaking steamy and real. I ship Jin and Amani so hard!

The world building is done so extremely well that you will be able to feel the sand grit in your eyes.

The best thing of all, this may be the first book in a series, but there is not a huge cliffhanger. 

What more could you want in a book? Seriously. Go read this book right this very second. You won't regret it. This is going to be one of my most favorite books of 2016. I have already started pushing it on everyone I know.

Waiting on Wednesday #17: The Female of the Species

"Waiting On Wednesday" is a weekly event, hosted by Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

Because... What the What?!?!

The Female of the Species by Mindy McGinnis

Release Date: Sept. 20, 2016

Add to goodreads

Goodreads Summary: Alex Craft knows how to kill someone. And she doesn’t feel bad about it. When her older sister, Anna, was murdered three years ago and the killer walked free, Alex uncaged the language she knows best. The language of violence.

While her crime goes unpunished, Alex knows she can’t be trusted among other people, even in her small hometown. She relegates herself to the shadows, a girl who goes unseen in plain sight, unremarkable in the high school hallways.

But Jack Fisher sees her. He’s the guy all other guys want to be: the star athlete gunning for valedictorian with the prom queen on his arm. Guilt over the role he played the night Anna’s body was discovered hasn’t let him forget Alex over the years, and now her green eyes amid a constellation of freckles have his attention. He doesn’t want to only see Alex Craft; he wants to know her.

So does Peekay, the preacher’s kid, a girl whose identity is entangled with her dad’s job, though that does not stop her from knowing the taste of beer or missing the touch of her ex-boyfriend. When Peekay and Alex start working together at the animal shelter, a friendship forms and Alex’s protective nature extends to more than just the dogs and cats they care for.

Circumstances bring Alex, Jack, and Peekay together as their senior year unfolds. While partying one night, Alex’s darker nature breaks out, setting the teens on a collision course that will change their lives forever. Acclaimed author Mindy McGinnis artfully crafts three alternating perspectives into a dark and riveting exploration of what it means to be the female of the species.

What are you waiting on?

TTT #59: Bookish People You Should Follow On Twitter

Hosted by The Broke and the Bookish

I can't say that I am a big fan of this week's topic, mostly because I had such a hard time deciding on what I wanted to do. Sigh. I guess I finally decided to just go with talking about some people I think you should be following on Twitter. In no particular order...

1. Epic Reads | @EpicReads | Quizzes, videos, infographics, and more!

2. Swoon Reads | @SwoonReads | Cover voting and swoons!

3. Bout of Books | @BoutofBooks | Know when the next read-a-thon will be.

4. The Recaptains | @Recaptains | Keep up to date with all the new book recaps.

5. Brooding YA Hero | @BroodingYAHero | Hilarious!

6. Book Riot | @BookRiot | Fun and informative on all things bookish.

7. NOVL | @TheNovl | Blog tours, polls, and more.

8. Fierce Reads | @FierceReads | Giveaways and bookish fun.

9. B&N Teen Blog | @BNTeens | Full of entertaining posts!

10. We Need Diverse Books | @diversebooks | It's in the name.

Review: The Love That Split the World by Emily Henry

The Love That Split the World by Emily Henry (Jan. 2016)
390 pages
Genre: YA Other
Publisher: Razorbill
Source: The Library.
Purchase: Barnes & Noble | Amazon | The Book Depository
My Rating:

Goodreads Summary: Natalie Cleary must risk her future and leap blindly into a vast unknown for the chance to build a new world with the boy she loves.

Natalie’s last summer in her small Kentucky hometown is off to a magical start…until she starts seeing the “wrong things.” They’re just momentary glimpses at first—her front door is red instead of its usual green, there’s a pre-school where the garden store should be. But then her whole town disappears for hours, fading away into rolling hills and grazing buffalo, and Nat knows something isn’t right.

That’s when she gets a visit from the kind but mysterious apparition she calls “Grandmother,” who tells her: “You have three months to save him.” The next night, under the stadium lights of the high school football field, she meets a beautiful boy named Beau, and it’s as if time just stops and nothing exists. Nothing, except Natalie and Beau.

+ Add to goodreads

My Review

First things first, look at that beautiful breathtaking cover! Seriously. This is my favorite cover of 2016 so far. The cover alone is what convinced me to read this book. So what do I think of the words behind that amazing cover? I can say with complete honesty that The Love That Split the World is like no book I have ever read before. I am honestly not even sure what genre to categorize this book as, but that didn't stop me from loving the story.

Natalie is one heck of a young lady. I am so glad that I will never have to go through what she has. Natalie is just trying to figure out who she is and who she wants to be, which is hard for any teenager, but seeing visions while going about your every day business makes it a little more complex. Then she meets Beau, who happens to help her and yet make everything that much harder. I won't be forgetting any of these characters any time soon, BUT I also had a hard time relating to the characters which made me take a little longer to warm up to some of them. I did always like Natalie. As for the love aspect of this book.... I am not sure what to say. It was a little bit too insta-love for me, even if there was a reason behind the way Beau and Natalie acted.

The Love That Split the World is a book full of old legends and creation stories. I loved hearing them, but I also sometimes wish there were a few less because I tended to thing "get to the point of this story and what is going on with Natalie." The pacing of this book wasn't perfect for me. At times I found it to be slow while others I was completely captivated. Sometimes I would ask myself "now where is the plot again?" 

Overall I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. It was beautifully written and very unique. I just wish I could have really shipped the romance, and that I didn't have flashes of being bored while reading. As for recommending this book to others, I have no idea what to say. It's so different and so very good. I guess you should just give it a try.