Best of the Bunch October 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. 

October 2013

Oy... this month has been the worst month yet for me posting anything- but I SWEAR I am not giving up blogging, and will be back soon!

This month I have read-

• The Fall of Five by Pittacus Lore (Lorien Legacies, book 4)- 4 of 5 stars
• Defiance by C.J Redwine- 4 of 5 stars
• Walking Disaster by Jamie McGuire (Disaster, book 2)- 3 of 5 stars
• Siege by Rhiannon Frater (As the World Dies, book 3)- 4 of 5 stars
• The Vincent Boys by Abbi Glines- 3 of 5 stars
• The Darkest Minds by Alexandra Bracken- 4.5 of 5 stars
• The Lost Girl by Sangu Mandanna- 3 of 5 stars
• Vortex by Julie Cross- 3 of 5 stars
• The Friday Society by Adrienne Kress- 4.5 of 5 stars

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

drumroll..

The Darkest Minds by Alexandra Bracken!

The Darkest Minds  by Alexandra Bracken
Goodreads

When Ruby woke up on her tenth birthday, something about her had changed. Something alarming enough to make her parents lock her in the garage and call the police. Something that gets her sent to Thurmond, a brutal government “rehabilitation camp.” She might have survived the mysterious disease that’s killed most of America’s children, but she and the others have emerged with something far worse: frightening abilities they cannot control.

Now sixteen, Ruby is one of the dangerous ones.

When the truth comes out, Ruby barely escapes Thurmond with her life. Now she’s on the run, desperate to find the one safe haven left for kids like her—East River. She joins a group of kids who escaped their own camp. Liam, their brave leader, is falling hard for Ruby. But no matter how much she aches for him, Ruby can’t risk getting close. Not after what happened to her parents.

When they arrive at East River, nothing is as it seems, least of all its mysterious leader. But there are other forces at work, people who will stop at nothing to use Ruby in their fight against the government. Ruby will be faced with a terrible choice, one that may mean giving up her only chance at a life worth living.

This book blew me away with how emotional it actually is! Its a great story too- thrilling and action-packed, but I mainly loved the bonds between the characters, and the journey they take together. Its a fabulous sci-fi/ superhero journey. A great read- recommended. 

Honourable mention goes to The Friday Society by Adrienne Kress. This book is such a fun steampunk detective novel with kick-ass girl leads. I laughed and felt for them and cheered them all on. Brilliant book. 

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?

Thankyou so much for reading this post/ adding your link/ leaving a comment etc. Please be aware that I am away until Saturday evening so will not be able to reply/ visit back/ comment back until then. Do still leave me a message though- I love reading them and always appreciate every single one! 

Sunday Post 6th October 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 some cool new books this week...

• From the library  I borrowed Linked by Imogen Howson
• Won from a Goodreads FirstReads prize, The Bitter Kingdom by Rae Carson (Fire and Thorns, book 3). I'm a little behind with this series- I have only read the first book so far, but I loved it, so I was thrilled to receive this one.
• On audiobook I downloaded The Killing Woods by Lucy Christopher.
• For review (courtesy of Harlequin and Netgalley), Pawn by Aimee Carter- I absolutely love the sound of this book, it sounds very thrilling and fresh, with plot twists and deceptions all over the place!

I posted 

• Best of the Bunch September a monthly wrap-up post with a linky list for all your entries. Tell us your favourite book of the month. 
• Exciting New October Releases where I post the YA books releasing this month
• I wished for Notes From Ghost Town by Kate Ellison on Wishlist Wednesday
• I have also been taking part in the Fraterfest readathon hosted by Caffeinated Book Reviewer, by reading through Siege by Rhiannon Frater. I am currently on page 247/ 359 and it is so good so far- it looks like it will be a great conclusion to the series. 

• Lucy at Project UKYA is putting together a campaign video and needs photos of something to do with UKYA. Go to the website (link below) for more info on how to take part

Thanks for stopping by today- what bookish goodies did you get this week? 

Wishlist Wednesday #38

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 had an eye on this one for a while- it looks like a contemporary mystery with issues of mental health and a romance. It definitely sounds intriguing. 

Notes from Ghost Town  by Kate Ellison
Goodreads

(Synopsis from Amazon.co.uk)

Olivia Tithe was excited for the summer and spending it with her best friend, Stern. But that was ruined when he was mur­dered...by Olivia's mother. Flashing forward, Olivia's life has been transformed since that awful night. 

After her mother's incarceration, Olivia must move on, but she hates her father's new fiancée, Heather, and with her dad's new real estate development (she calls it Ghost Town) in the works, she barely sees him. But a new boy, Austin, has kindled feelings inside her that she hasn't felt since Stern's death. 

Arriving at the same time as this new guy is a mysterious note that brings Stern's murder back to the forefront; Olivia knows that she must discover the truth behind her friend's death once and for all.

Anybody read this one already? 

Some reviews of this book-
Jenea at Books Live Forever- 5 of 5 stars
Heather at Buried in Books- 4 of 5 stars
Beckie at Bittersweet Enchantment- 4.5 of 5 stars

Thanks for stopping by!

Exciting New October Releases

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

Most hotly anticipated

The Killing Woods by Lucy Christopher  Goodreads

Why I'm looking forward to reading it...
I don't usually read a lot of crime/ thriller type books, but Stolen by Lucy Christopher is one of my favourite ever books, so I'm really excited about reading this new novel by her. All the early reviews I've seen of it so far have been positive, and it sounds really good- very gripping. 

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

• Allegiant by Veronica Roth (Divergent series, book 3). I cannot wait to read this book and find out what happens in the concluding part of this incredible series- so excited for this. 
• Resist by Sarah Crossan (Breathe series, book 2)
• Through the Zombie Glass by Gena Showalter (Alice in Zombieland, book 2)

•  Haze by Paula Weston (Shadows, book 2)
• Perfect Ruin by Lauren DeStefano- this one sounds really intriguing, a science fiction novel from the author of the amazing Chemical Garden series. 
• Shadowlark by Meagan Spooner (Skylark, book 2)

• Teardrop by Lauren Kate
• Ten Tiny Breaths by K.A Tucker
• This Sing Will Save Your Life by Leila Sales. This one looks really good- about a shy girl who DJs at a party and grows in confidence.

• Revealed by P.C and Kristin Cast (House of Night series, book 11)
• Tiger Lily by Jodi Lynn Anderson- this has been out for a while, but published in the UK for the first time- yay!
• Also, I'm trying to find out if Altered by Gennifer Albin (Crewel, book 2) is publishing here in the UK- different websites give conflicting information. There is nothing on Faber's website, but Waterstone's lists it without a cover or name. Amazon offers the US cover design. I'm confused! If anyone can enlighten me I want to read it, and it might be coming out this October. 

Phew! That a lot of books! All mostly blue/ purple covers I notice as well. 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 October?