Best of the Bunch September 2013

Best of the Bunch is a book blog hop hosted here on the last day of each month, where we can look back over the books we have read over this past month and give a Best of the Bunch award to our favourite book of that month.

I always put up my post on the last day of the month, but remember, you can add your link in anytime in the following month :D
For more info and to grab the button and stickers visit the BOTB page here and then when you've written up your post, add your linky to the list below. 

September 2013

This month I have read-

• Shades of Earth by Beth Revis (Across the Universe, book 3) - 5 of 5 stars
• Requiem by Lauren Oliver (Delirium, book 3) - 4 of 4 stars
• Arcadia Burns by Kai Meyer (Arcadia, book 2) - 4 of 5 stars
• If You Find Me by Emily Murdoch - 5 of 5 stars
• Monsters by Ilsa J. Bick (Ashes, book 3) - 3 of 5 stars
• The Madman's Daughter by Megan Shepherd - 4 of 5 stars
• Siege and Storm by Leigh Bardugo (Grisha series, book 2) - 4 of 5 stars
• Unravel Me by Tahereh Mafi (Shatter Me, book 2) - 5 of 5 stars

I don't need to say that I read some A-mazing books this September, so choosing the best one is going to be a very hard decision, but here goes.

The winner of Best of the Bunch September 2013 goes to...

drumroll..

If You Find Me by Emily Murdoch!

If You Find Me  by Emily Murdoch
Goodreads

THERE ARE SOME THINGS YOU CAN'T LEAVE BEHIND ... 

A broken-down camper hidden deep in a national forest is the only home fifteen-year-old Carey can remember. The trees keep guard over her threadbare existence, with the one bright spot being Carey's younger sister, Jenessa, who depends on Carey for her very survival. All they have is each other, as their mentally ill mother comes and goes with greater frequency. Until that one fateful day their mother disappears for good, and the girls are found by their father, a stranger, and taken to re-enter the "normal" life of school, clothes and boys. 

Now, Carey must come to terms with the truth of why their mother spirited them away ten years ago, while haunted by a past that won't let her go ... a dark past that hides many a secret, including the reason Jenessa hasn't spoken a word in over a year. Carey knows she must keep her sister close, and her secrets even closer, or risk watching her new life come crashing down.

I read very few contemporary stories, as I'm a bit of a fantasy/ dystopia book nut- but I absolutely LOVED this one (Full review to come soon). It is sad, and moving, and uplifting, and tragic, and hopeful all in one. I read some amazing books this month, with mostly all 4 and 5 star ratings given, but this one stands out to me, and the story will definitely stick with me for a long while. While I was reading it I was totally engrossed, and when I wasn't reading it I was thinking about the characters and itching to be able to pick it up again. It is such a good book. 

Honourable mention goes to Unravel Me by Tahereh Mafi (Shatter Me, book 2). It's no secret that I love this series, and this sequel was just as thrilling as the first. I just love the quirky writing style as well. 

-----------------------------

So I'd love to know- what was the best book you read/ reviewed this month? Link it up here! 

Already written up a monthly wrap-up post? Why not link it up here!? And don't forget to visit the other blogs to get some great new book recs. 

Just let me know- Who gets your bananas?

Sunday Post 29th September 2013

The Sunday Post is a weekly meme hosted by Kimba at The Caffeinated Book Reviewer ~ It's a chance to share news~ to recap the past week on the blog, showcase books and things we have received and share news about what is coming up on our blog for the week ahead.

I got a fair few awesome books this week, check it out!

Borrowed from the library

• Fathomless by Jackson Pearce.
• The Sound by Sarah Alderson. 

Audiobooks

• Not a Drop to Drink by Mindy McGinnis- I've seen so many positive reviews of this book this week, so I'm looking forward to reading this one.
• Tiger Lily by Jodi Lynn Anderson- This book has been on my wishlist for over a year!
• When the World was Flat (and we were in love) by Ingrid Jonach, a new Strange Chemistry title about alternate dimensions. 

For Review (via Netgalley)

• The Mephisto Mark by Trinity Faegan (Mephisto series, book 3). I'm kind of hooked on this series
• Taste of Darkness by Maria V. Snyder (Avry of Kazan series, book 3) I love anything this author writes, so I can't wait to get stuck into this one.

They all look so good right? Which one should I read first?

• Tomorrow is the last day of the month which means it's time for Best of the Bunch- the monthly wrap-up and recap for September. So stop by and let me know which book wins your "Best of the Bunch" title. Click the button below for more info about how to join in. 

• I'll also be posting all the exciting new releases coming out this October that I'm looking forward to getting my hands on!

Thanks for stopping by my blog today- if you like what you see please follow me via GFC or Bloglovin, or if you prefer, subscribe via email or Feedburner on the left hand sidebar. 

Wishlist Wednesday #37

Wishlist Wednesday is a weekly book blog hop hosted by Dani at Pen to Paper where we will post about a book that has been on our wishlist for some time, or just added, that we can't wait to get off the wishlist and onto our bookshelves.

Okay- I know I've found yet another retelling of the Beauty and the Beast story, but what can I say? I like reading old myths and fairytales retold in new ways. This one sounds pretty cool- a fantasy with a forbidden love story which has been compared to Graceling (a brilliant book), and the cover is very clever- with the staircase morphing into a rose. I haven't seen any reviews of this one about anywhere, but it has still caught my attention.

Cruel Beauty  by Rosamund Hodge
Goodreads

Graceling meets Beauty and the Beast in this sweeping fantasy about one girl's journey to fulfill her destiny and the monster who gets in her way-by stealing her heart.

Based on the classic fairy tale Beauty and the Beast, Cruel Beauty is a dazzling love story about our deepest desires and their power to change our destiny.

Since birth, Nyx has been betrothed to the evil ruler of her kingdom-all because of a foolish bargain struck by her father. And since birth, she has been in training to kill him.

With no choice but to fulfill her duty, Nyx resents her family for never trying to save her and hates herself for wanting to escape her fate. Still, on her seventeenth birthday, Nyx abandons everything she's ever known to marry the all-powerful, immortal Ignifex. Her plan? Seduce him, destroy his enchanted castle, and break the nine-hundred-year-old curse he put on her people.

But Ignifex is not at all what Nyx expected. The strangely charming lord beguiles her, and his castle-a shifting maze of magical rooms-enthralls her.

As Nyx searches for a way to free her homeland by uncovering Ignifex's secrets, she finds herself unwillingly drawn to him. Even if she could bring herself to love her sworn enemy, how can she refuse her duty to kill him? With time running out, Nyx must decide what is more important: the future of her kingdom, or the man she was never supposed to love.

I always love books with kick-ass girls as the lead character. This book sounds predictable, but I think it could be sweet and moving too. It's on my wishlist anyway. What do you think of this book? 

Wishlist Wednesday #36

Wishlist Wednesday is a weekly book blog hop hosted by Dani at Pen to Paper where we will post about a book that has been on our wishlist for some time, or just added, that we can't wait to get off the wishlist and onto our bookshelves.

I've heard mostly good things about this one- and I do love a good fantasy novel with magic and power and all that jazz. Plus the cover! Just look at the cover! This one releases in hardback in the US this week. 

The Burning Sky  by Sherry Thomas
Goodreads

It all began with a ruined elixir and an accidental bolt of lightning…

Iolanthe Seabourne is the greatest elemental mage of her generation—or so she's being told. The one prophesied for years to be the savior of The Realm. It is her duty and destiny to face and defeat the Bane, the greatest mage tyrant the world has ever known. A suicide task for anyone let alone a sixteen-year-old girl with no training, facing a prophecy that foretells a fiery clash to the death.

Prince Titus of Elberon has sworn to protect Iolanthe at all costs but he's also a powerful mage committed to obliterating the Bane to avenge the death of his family—even if he must sacrifice both Iolanthe and himself to achieve his goal.

But Titus makes the terrifying mistake of falling in love with the girl who should have been only a means to an end. Now, with the servants of the Bane closing in, he must choose between his mission and her life.

Love the sound of this book, it is on my wishlist. 

Some reviews for The Burning Sky-
Jen@ The Starry Eyed Revue - 4 of 5 stars
Renu@ The Page Turner - 5 of 5 stars
Bridget@ Dark Faerie Tales - 5 of 5 stars (plus extract)

And a video...



Yeah, I know, the trailer is pretty confusing, but it looks good right? Has anyone read this one already? What did you think of it?
Thanks for stopping by my Wishlist Wednesday today- what book has pricked your ears up this week?

Sunday Post 15th September 2013

The Sunday Post is a weekly meme hosted by Kimba at The Caffeinated Book Reviewer ~ It's a chance to share news~ to recap the past week on the blog, showcase books and things we have received and share news about what is coming up on our blog for the week ahead.

A few new books came to me this week...

• Insignia by S.J Kincaid- the fist book in a series that is getting great reviews.  Audiobook
• Fall of the Five by Pittacus Lore (Lorien Legacies, book 4). I'm pretty excited about this book, and I'm planning to read it next.  Audiobook and borrowed from the library. 

I have no other bookish news to share at the moment- what new books did you get this week?

A-Z Survey

On loads of blogs lately I keep seeing this A-Z survey, created by Jamie at The Perpetual Page-Turner. I have loved reading all the different answers everyone has given to this, and I wanted to throw myself into this too. I know I'm really late to the party here, but here it is

AAuthor you’ve read the most books from:

I have read everything ever written by Maria V. Snyder, and loads of Richelle Mead's books.

BBest Sequel Ever:

 There are few series or sequels where the second book beats the first, but the first examples that come to mind are Clockwork Prince by Cassandra Clare and Where She Went by Gayle Forman. 

CCurrently Reading:

Monsters by Ilsa J. Bick- I'm struggling with this one a bit, it's very harsh and depressing and there are SO MANY different viewpoints to keep track of.

At work I'm reading If You Find Me by Emily Murdoch- so good so far!

On audiobook I'm listening to Siege and Storm by Leigh Bardugo.

I usually have 3 or 4 books on the go at any one time!

DDrink of Choice While Reading:

Tea. I love drinking tea. I can tell I'm completely absorbed in a book when I find a mug of stone cold tea next me that I'd forgotten about, and have to get up to make another one.

E-E-reader or Physical Book?

I prefer reading a physical book personally, and I love having the book on display on my bookshelves afterwards. I quite like reading on my kindle, but when I re-read my favourite books I like to dip in and out, and just re-read the best chapters and it's easier to do this with a physical book. I have been known to buy a paperback copy of a book I already own and read on kindle. 

FFictional Character You Probably Would Have Actually Dated In High School:

I wouldn't have dated anyone fictional in High school- I was the biggest loser!

G

Glad You Gave This Book A Chance:

I didn't like the look of Divergent by Veronica Roth at all when it came out. Thank goodness for all the book blogs I read raving about it which convinced me to give it a chance! I love this series!

HHidden Gem Book:

I really enjoyed Angelfall by Susan Ee, which started off as a self-published book- a real hidden gem.

IImportant Moment in your Reading Life:

Learning to read... 

JJust Finished:

Requiem by Lauren Oliver.

KKinds of Books You Won’t Read:

I have never been interested in crime/legal/courtroom type books, and I've never been attracted by the "chick-lit" books like Sophie Kinsella- not saying that these are bad books- just that I have never been tempted to pick one up. 

LLongest Book You’ve Read:

The Diviners by Libba Bray is pretty long- but worth it! 

MMajor book hangover because of:

The Harry Potter series, and also the end of Breaking Dawn, I felt like nothing would ever move me like that again!

NNumber of Bookcases You Own:

One big one, and three small ones. But I have loads of books also just in piles on the floor. 

OOne Book You Have Read Multiple Times:

Fifty Shades Freed by E.L James. It's a secret though!

PPreferred Place To Read:

In bed or in the garden in the sunshine. I sometimes sit and read for an hour in a coffee shop after work- it feels very self-indulgent.

QQuote that inspires you/gives you all the feels from a book you’ve read:

“She craved a presence beside her, solid. Fingertips light at the nape of her neck and a voice meeting hers in the dark. Someone who would wait with an umbrella to walk her home in the rain, and smile like sunshine when he saw her coming. Who would dance with her on her balcony, keep his promises and know her secrets, and make a tiny world wherever he was, with just her and his arms and his whisper and her trust.” 

-Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor

RReading Regret:

Lending 50 Shades of Grey to my mother. I still haven't gotten it back yet. 

SSeries You Started And Need To Finish:

This could take a while- there are so so many series, where I have read the first book, loved it, but STILL haven't gotten round to reading the rest.  Eyes Like Stars, Firelight, Nightshade, The Ghost and the Goth, Forgive My Fins... 

TThree of your All-Time Favorite Books:

Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor, Poison Study by Maria V. Snyder, Noughts and Crosses by Malorie Blackman.

UUnapologetic Fangirl For:

The Vampire Academy series by Richelle Mead- love this series! 

VVery Excited For This Release More Than All The Others:

Cress by Marissa Meyer, and (yes I can have two!) Dreams of Gods and Monsters by Laini Taylor

WWorst Bookish Habit:

Keeping library books for months even after I've read them... because I haven't reviewed them yet.

X X Marks The Spot: Start at the top left of your shelf and pick the 27th book:

Immortal Rules by Julie Kagawa

YYour latest book purchase:

All Our Yesterdays by Cristin Terrill

ZZZZ-snatcher book (last book that kept you up WAY late):

Dare You To by Katie McGarry- I couldn't put it down

Thanks for stopping by my A-Z post! I hope you've enjoyed getting to know me a little better. 

Wishlist Wednesday #35

Wishlist Wednesday is a weekly book blog hop hosted by Dani at Pen to Paper where we will post about a book that has been on our wishlist for some time, or just added, that we can't wait to get off the wishlist and onto our bookshelves.

Dark Star  by Bethany Frenette
Goodreads

Audrey Whitticomb has nothing to fear. Her mother is the superhero Morning Star, the most deadly crime-fighter in the Twin Cities, so it's hard for Audrey not to feel safe. That is, until she's lured into the sweet night air by something human and not human--something with talons and teeth, and a wide, scarlet smile. 

Now Audrey knows the truth: her mom doesn't fight crime at night. She fights Harrowers--livid, merciless beings who were trapped Beneath eons ago. Yet some have managed to escape. And they want Audrey dead, just because of who she is: one of the Kin. 

To survive, Audrey will need to sharpen the powers she has always had. When she gets close to someone, dark corners of the person's memories become her own, and she sometimes even glimpses the future. If Audrey could only get close to Patrick Tigue, a powerful Harrower masquerading as human, she could use her Knowing to discover the Harrowers' next move. But Leon, her mother's bossy, infuriatingly attractive sidekick, has other ideas. Lately, he won't let Audrey out of his sight. 

When an unthinkable betrayal puts Minneapolis in terrible danger, Audrey discovers a wild, untamed power within herself. It may be the key to saving her herself, her family, and her city. Or it may be the force that destroys everything--and everyone--she loves.

Come on- it's got superheroes in it!  This one was actually just released in paperback this week and I really love the sound of it. People with powers, a romance, good vs evil... I'm intrigued. If only I had more money I could buy all the books I want! For now though, it's on my wishlist.  

Exciting New September releases

These are some of the new books coming out this month that I am most excited to read...

Most hotly anticipated

Monsters by Ilsa J. Bick (Ashes, book 3)  Goodreads

Why I'm looking forward to reading it...
I have loved every book in this series so far- it is gripping, desperate and emotional, and each book has ended on a nail-biting heart-wrenching cliff hanger! I need to know what happens next! Will there be a happy ending?!?

Also released this month-
(please note these are the UK covers and release dates)

• Antigoddess by Kendare Blake, the newest series from the author of Anna Dressed in Blood- I'm looking forward to this.
• The Dream Thieves by Maggie Stiefvater (Raven Cycle, book 2)
• More Than This by Patrick Ness. In my opinion this author can do no wrong- it's bound to be great isn't it?

• Briar Rose by Jana Oliver, a new imagining of Sleeping Beauty
• The Chaos of Stars by Kiersten White, a new YA paranormal novel featuring the mythology of the Egyptian gods.
• The Coldest Girl in Coldtown by Holly Black

• Fire and Ash by Jonathan Maberry (Benny Imura, book 4). Zombies, oh yeah.
• United We Spy by Ally Carter (Gallagher Girls, book 6)
• Untold by Sarah Rees Brennan (Lynburn Legacy, book 2)

• Conjured by Sarah Beth Durst- because it's Sarah Beth Durst... need I say more!
• Hurt by Tabitha Suzuma. This author is the queen of writing a contemporary romance that will rip your heart out! Need this one.
• The Returned by Jason Mott. This one looks seriously creepy- about a group of people who seem to return from the dead years later, completely unchanged. 

• Once We Were by Kat Zhang (Hybrid Chronicles, book 2)
• Sweet Legacy by Tera Lynn Childs (Medusa Girls, book 3)
• The 100 by Kass Morgan- this book sounds amazing- futuristic, romantic, exciting, the works!

• Deception by C.J Redwine (Defiance, book 2)
• The Elites by Natasha Ngan, a futuristic adventure from a debut author.
• The Fall of Five by Pittacus Lore (Lorien Legacies, book 4). Cannot wait to read this one- I love this series more and more as it goes on. 

• When The World Was Flat (and we were in love) by Ingrid Jonach
• Model Misfit by Holly Smale (Geek Girl, book 2)

Phew! That was a long list! Any of these that you're also excited to read? Any books that I've missed off this list that you are looking forward to this September?