Best of the Bunch February 2014

Yeah, I still have no internet connection- normal service will resume from next week.... I hope!

In the meantime please bear with me, and for now, link up your posts in the comments section.

Thankyou!

Best of the Bunch January 2014

Apologies for the late posting- I have had no internet connection all week!

Well, I have had a busy month this January despite there not being any evidence of it on the blog!

I am house-hunting, and helping plan my sister's wedding, and I have also been to Paris for a weekend-

Aside from that it has been extra busy at work and I am shattered!

I have still been reading well though, and this has been my January in books-

January 2014

• Tempest Rising by Tracy Deebs - 3 of 5 stars
• Tempest Unleashed by Tracy Deebs -3 of 5 stars
• Tempest Revealed by Tracy Deebs - 3 of 5 stars
• Spirit and Dust by Rosemary Clement-Moore -4 of 5 stars
• Shadowplay by Laura Lam -4.5 of 5 stars
• My Life Next Door by Huntley Fitzpatrick -5 of 5 stars
• These Broken Stars by Amie Kaufman -4 of 5 stars
• Witch Finder by Ruth Warburton -4 of 5 stars
• The Mephisto Mark/ Only You Mephisto Covenant, book 3) by Trinity Faegan -3 of 5 stars

And the winner of Best of the Bunch January 2014 is...

...dramatic pause...

... My Life Next Door by Huntley Fitzpatrick!

My Life Next Door  by Huntley Fitzpatrick
Goodreads

"One thing my mother never knew, and would disapprove of most of all, was that I watched the Garretts. All the time."

The Garretts are everything the Reeds are not. Loud, messy, affectionate. And every day from her rooftop perch, Samantha Reed wishes she was one of them . . . until one summer evening, Jase Garrett climbs up next to her and changes everything.

As the two fall fiercely for each other, stumbling through the awkwardness and awesomeness of first love, Jase's family embraces Samantha - even as she keeps him a secret from her own. Then something unthinkable happens, and the bottom drops out of Samantha's world. She's suddenly faced with an impossible decision. Which perfect family will save her? Or is it time she saved herself?

A transporting debut about family, friendship, first romance, and how to be true to one person you love without betraying another.

I actually read this book on the recommendation of a fellow blogger who had it as her Best of the Bunch pick last month. I pestered the library to buy a copy of the book, read it and loved it. It's romantic, has a great plot, excellent characters and is really well-written.  

That was my Best of the Bunch pick for this month. What has your month been like?

Let me know- link up below!

Thanks!

Exciting New January Releases

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

Most hotly anticipated

Flame by Amy Kathleen Ryan (Glow, book 3) Goodreads

Book 2 ended on a bit of a cliffhanger- but I'm desperate to know what happens next. I'm very excited to see the conclusion of this series, and I've already pre-ordered the book. 

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

• Enders by Lissa Price (Starters, book 2)
• Hollow City by Ransom Riggs (Miss Peregrines, book 2)
• Shadowplay by Laura Lam (Pantomime, book 2)- I absolutely loved Pantomime- I can't wait to read this.

• A Breath of Frost by Alyxandra Harvey
• Perfect Lies by Kiersten White (Mind Games, book 2)- Book one was published as Sister Assassin in the UK
• Unhinged by A.G Howard (Splintered, book 2)

• Erased by Jennifer Rush (Altered, book 2)
• Pawn by Aimee Carter- I have read this already and loved it.
• Timestorm by Julie Cross (Vortex, book 3)

• Cruel Beauty by Rosamund Hodge. I really like the sound of this one.
• The Queen's Choice by Cayla Kluver. This is the start of a new fantasy series. It is not being published in the UK (as far as I can tell), but it deserves a mention because I loved Kluver's other series. 

• Witch Finder by Ruth Warburton. A new series set in the 1800s.
• Uninvited by Sophie Jordan. This is a new series about a girl whose genetic test reveals she is destined to become a murderer. 

Any of these that you are looking forward to? Are there any that I've missed off this list that you are excited to read?

Best of the Bunch December 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.
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. 

December 2013
This month I have read-

• The Killing Woods by Lucy Christopher - 3 of 5 stars
• Allegiant by Veronica Roth (Divergent, book 3) - 4 of 5 stars
• Fractured by Sarah Fine (Guards of the Shadowlands, book 2) - 3.5 of 5 stars
• Vanish by Sophie Jordan (Firelight, book 2) - 4 of 5 stars
• The Fiery Heart by Richelle Mead (Bloodlines, book 4) - 4.5 of 5 stars
• When the World was Flat (and we were in love) by Ingrid Jonach - 3 of 5 stars
• Taste of Darkness by Maria V. Snyder (Healer Avry of Kazan, book 3) - 4.5 of 5 stars
• Girl of Nightmares by Kendare Blake (Anna Dressed in Blood, book 2) - 4 of 5 stars

I have reviewed- 

• The 100 by Kass Morgan (My review)

I also wrote a post of my top ten books of 2013

And the winner of the Best of the Bunch for December 2013 is...

...dramatic pause...

Fiery Heart by Richelle Mead!

Fiery Heart  by Richelle Mead
Goodreads

Sydney Sage is an Alchemist, one of a group of humans who dabble in magic and serve to bridge the worlds of humans and vampires. They protect vampire secrets – and human lives.

In The Indigo Spell, Sydney was torn between the Alchemist way of life, and what her heart and gut were telling her to do. And in one breathtaking moment that Richelle Mead fans will never forget, she made a decision that shocked even her . . .

But the struggle isn't over for Sydney. As she navigates the aftermath of her life-changing decision, she still finds herself pulled in too many directions at once. Her sister Zoe has arrived, and while Sydney longs to grow closer to her, there's still so much she must keep secret. Working with Marcus has changed the way she views the Alchemists, and Sydney must tread a careful path – or risk being sent to re-education. Her skill with magic is growing in ways she never imagined – but that doesn't stop the near-constant threat of evil magic users, Vampire Hunters, and Strigoi from growing ever closer.

I adore all of Richelle Mead's books anyway- her writing just sucks me into these worlds and puts me square in the shoes of her characters, but I think this series has gone from strength to strength and this book is probably the best one so far. It's action packed, so romantic, funny and smart. I cannot wait to get my hands on the next book in the series. 

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?

Thanks for stopping by!

Top 10 books read in 2013

Well it's nearly the end of the year now, and I wanted to sum up the best books of the year.
These are the top ten books I read in 2013...

Boy, this has been a hard list to narrow down!

• Clockwork Princess by Cassandra Clare (Infernal Devices, book 3), probably the most anticipated release of this year- and it didn't disappoint!
• Altered by Jennifer Rush. A surprising thrill ride of a book, very clever.
• Scarlet by Marissa Meyer (Lunar Chronicles, book 2)- I love everything about this series.

• Angel Fever by L.A Weatherly (Angel, book 3). I was so excited to read this one- I picked it up the second it arrived and then couldn't put it down. This series is so absorbing.
• Deadly Hemlock by Kathleen Peacock. Not sure you like werewolf books? Then try this book- it may just change your mind! I love it.

• Etiquette and Espionage by Gail Carriger. The potential of this series is huge- I felt like it was a new Harry Potter series, with magic and intrigue, humour and a great cast of characters in a school setting. 
• Dare You To by Katie McGarry (Pushing The Limits, book 2). I didn't think anything that strayed from the story of Noah and Echo would ever be as good- but this one took my breath away just as much as the first in the series. This one kept me awake at night because I couldn't put it down. 

• The 100 by Kass Morgan. I can literally not stop thinking about this book- it's got it all- action, survival, a great cast of characters, a romance and a good back story. 
• Days of Blood and Starlight by Laini Taylor (Daughter of Smoke and Bone, book 2). I love this series so much- the complexity of it and the great characters, and the beautiful writing... if I was stranded on a desert island I would want this series with me to reread over and over again.
• If You Find Me by Emily Murdoch. This book made me cry. I admired the strength and integrity of the main character so much, and the story itself kept me gripped. This is another book I couldn't put down. I always say I don't read very many contemporary novels, but the ones I have picked up this year have been incredible. 

So, those were the best books I read in 2013.

I read a lot of really amazing books this year, and I've enjoyed reminding myself of these gems I loved throughout the year.