Stacking the Shelves #69

Stacking the Shelves is a meme hosted by Tynga's Reviews in which we feature all the book goodness that we received, borrowed or purchased during the previous week. All links are to Goodreads.

Hello gorgeous people!  Thanks for joining me for a really exciting STS!  Why am I so hyped, you might ask? Well, you don't have to beg, I'll tell you. I had an awesome time at the American Library Association (ALA) Midwinter exhibit and I got a lot of books that were really unexpected (read all about it here).  See my awesome haul:

Purchased for Kindle

Draw Me In by Megan Squires - I saw this one in Goodreads and it had great reviews.

En un rincón del alma by Antonia J. Corrales - I decided to start reading books in Spanish again and this is my first try. 

For Review

The Truth About Alice by Jennifer Mathieu - This books sounds really great! Thanks to Macmillan for this pretty :)

For Review Too... AKA ALA Haul

Legend: (A) = Adult  (MG) = Middle Grade  (*) = Signed

The Secret Side of Empty by Maria E. Andreu (Running Press)* - 3/11/14

Fire & Flood by Victoria Scott (Scholastic)  - 2/25/14

Take Back the Skies by Lucy Saxon (Bloomsbury) – 6/3/14

Since You’ve Been Gone by Morgan Matson (Simon & Schuster) – 5/6/14

I Become Shadow by Joe Shine (SOHO Teen) – 6/10/14

The Mark of the Dragonfly by Jaleigh Johnson (Belacorte) – 3/25/14

Ask Me by Kimberly Pauley (SOHO Teen) – 4/8/14

Liv, Forever by Amy Talkington (SOHO Teen) – 3/11/14

The Ring & the Crown by Melissa De La Cruz (Hyperion) – 4/14/14

The Scar Boys by Len Vlahos (Egmont) – 1/21/14

Half Bad by Sally Green (Viking) – 3/4/14

The Dumbest Idea Ever! By Jimmy Gownley (Scholastic) MG – 2/25/14

Don’t Call Me Baby by Gwendolyn Heasley (HarperTeen) – 4/22/14

Split Second by Kasie West by (HarperTeen) – 2/11/14

Buzz Kill by Beth Fantaskey (Houghton Mifflin) – 5/6/14

One Past Midnight by Jessica Shirvington (Bloomsbury) – 7/22/14

Dangerous by Shannon Hale (Bloomsbury) – 3/4/14

The Crooked Branch by Jeanine Cummins (New American Library) A – 3/5/13

Starbounders: Rebellion by Adam Jay Epstein and Andrew Jacobson (Harper Collins) MG - 5/13/14

Her Dark Curiosity by Megan Sheperd (Balzer and Bray, Harper Collins) – 1/28/14

Noggin by John Corey Whaley (Simon & Schuster) – 4/8/14

To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before by Jenny Han (Simon & Schuster) – 4/22/14

The Art of Falling by Kathryn Craft (Sourcebooks)*  - 1/28/14

The Strange and Beautiful Sorrows of Ava Lavender by Leslye Walton (Candlewick Press) – 3/25/14

Alienated by Melissa Landers (Disney Hyperion) – 2/4/14

The Abominables by Eva Ibboston (Amulet) MG

The Geography of You and Me by Jennifer E. Smith (Little, Brown and Company) – 4/15/14

This Side of Salvation by Jeri Smith-Ready (Simon Pulse) – 4/1/14

The Finisher by David Baldacci (Scholastic) – 3/4/14

Better off Friends by Elizabeth Eulberg (Point, Scholastic) – 2/25/14

In the Shadows by Kiersten White and Jim Di Bartolo (Scholastic) – 4/29/14

V is for Villain by Peter Moore (Hyperion) – 6/20/14

Don’t Look Back by Jennifer L. Armentrout (Hyperion) – 4/15/14

Songs Only You Know by Sean Madigan Hoen (SOHO)* A

Firstborn by Lorie Ann Grover (Blink, Zondervan) – 1/28/14

The Qwikpick Papers: Journey to the Fountain of Poop by Tom 

Angleberger (Amulet)* MG – 5/20/14

The Surprise Attack of Jabba the Puppet by Tom Angleberer (Amulet)* MG - 8/6/13

The Thickety: A Path Begins by J.A. White (HarperTeen) MG – 6/6/14

16 Things I Thought Were True by Janet Gurtler (Sourcebooks) – 3/4/2014

The Museum of Extraordinary Things by Alice Hoffman (Scribner, Simon & Schuster)A – 2/18/2014

The Summer of Letting Go by Gae Polisner (Algonquin) – 3/18/14

The Body in the Woods by April Henry (Henry Holt) – 6/17/14

The Prince of Venice Beach by Blake Nelson (Little, Brown)

White Hot Kiss by Jennifer L. Armentrout (Harlequin) – 2/25/14

Like No Other by Una LaMarche (Razorbill, Penguin) – 7/24/14

The Secret Hum of a Daisy by Tracy Hoczer (Putman, Penguin) MG – 5/1/14

Faking Normal by Courtney C. Stevens (HarperTeen) – 2/25/14

Cruel Beauty by Rosamund Hodge (Balzer and Bray, Harper)

Pirates and the Farm by Denette Fretz and Gene Barreta (ZonderKids) (picture book)

Let’s Get Lost by Adi Alsaid (Harlequin) – 7/29/14

Panic by Lauren Oliver (Harper) – 3/4/14

Maybe One Day by Melissa Kantor (HarperTeen) 2/18/14

The Last Forever by Deb Caletti (Simon Pulse) – 4/1/14

A Matter of Souls by Denise Lewis Patrick (Lerner)* - 4/1/14

Sex & Violence by Carrie Mesrobian (Lerner)* - 10/13

The Cryptid Files, The Loch Ness Monster by Jean Flitcroft (Lerner) MG – 5/1/14

Attack of the Heroes by Rich Thomas (Disney) MG – 4/1/14

Game Over, Pete Watson by Joe Schreiber (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt) – 3/11/14

Dare Me by Eric Devine (Running Press)* - 10/8/13

Toxic Heart by Theo Lawrence (Delacorte, Random) – 4/8/14

Avalon by Mindee Arnett (Balzer and Bray, Harper) – 1/21/14

Viva la Pizza! The Art of the Pizza Box by Scott Wiener (Melville)* - 10/21/13

Swag!

Watch out for a package in the mail Arianne ;)

What's stacking your shelves this week?

Top Ten Books I Resolve to Read in 2013

Top Ten Tuesday is a meme created by The Broke and the Bookish

These are books that I have sitting in my bookshelves patiently waiting to be read.  I'm so far behind that's not even funny!  I am determined, whoever to get caught up (see here if you doubt me).

I have a signed ARC of this book!

I need to know the ending!

Love Daughter of Smoke and I'm sure this one is just as good.

I love Julie's writing, I need to read this one :)

With the conclusion coming soon, I need to get caught up!

No explanation needed, right?

I've heard wonderful things about this one.

Ditto

Ditto again. Really!  In so many best of 2012 lists!

Just the cover makes me want to read it :)

What is in your Top Ten this week?

Bookmark This Week #13

I don't know about you but I probably own a good number of bookmarks.  I think this might be the case of all bookish people, but the problem is that I can never find one when I need it.  I end up using whatever I can find - receipts, post-in notes, ribbon, take out menus - because I really don't like to bend the pages of my books (and I often borrow them from the library.)

I thought it would be fun to share with you what exactly I am using as a bookmark every Monday.  Today I'm reading Storm, The Elemental Series by Bridgid Kemmerer. I'm using a signed Shine bookmark that I received from the fabulous Jeri Smith-Ready.

Please leave a comment to share your bookmark with me! Oh, and let me know if you like to see this feature every week or even see it as a meme /hop. If you are reading an eBook, please comment about your eReader's cover or on what interesting things are in your cover or case (I keep all sort of stuff inside my kindle's cover too!)

What are you using as a bookmark today?

Stacking the Shelves #12

Stacking the Shelves is a meme hosted by Tynga's Reviews in which we feature all the book goodness that we received, borrowed or purchased during the previous week. All links are to Goodreads.

Purchased (Physical Books)

The Secret Mistress by Mary Balogh - I felt like a good historical romance...

Purchased for Kindle

Eternal Starling by Angela Corbett - I found this book while participating in the YA Scavenger Hunt this week; it looks awesome. 

Truly Madly Yours by Rachel Gibson - The wonderful Nereyda from Mostly YA Book Obsessed  featured this book last week as one of her favorite romances, so I decided to buy it.  We have very similar tastes, so I'm bound to love it too :)

Spill Over by Jolene Perry - This one was recommended to me via Goodreads (can't remember by whom, sorry!).  Sounds good, have you read it?

Library

Purity by Jackson Pierce - I really enjoyed Sisters Red, so I quickly grabbed Purity when I saw it at the library. 

Blackwatch by Jenna Burtenshaw - This is Wintercraft #2, if you haven't read book #1, you should.  Its a very unique fantasy series. 

For Review 

The Paladin Prophecy by Mark Frost - Doesn't this cover looks awesome?  It sounds like the amazing start of a new series. Thank you for Random House for the opportunity.

Covet by Melissa Darnell - This is The Clann #2, Crave was pretty good and I can't wait to read the sequel. Thank you to HarlequinTeen.

Swag

I received a sticker, signed book plate, two signed Shine bookmarks and a thank you letter from the wonderful Jeri Smith-Ready for being in Team Kilt for the YA Crush Tournament. 

What is stacking your shelves this week?  

Stacking the Shelves #3

Stacking the Shelves is a meme hosted by Tynga's Reviews in which we feature all the book goodness that we received, borrowed or purchased during the previous week. All links are to Goodreads.

I didn't do a Staking the Shelves last week since I had family coming from Puerto Rico, so these are two weeks worth of books.  

Purchased / Free for Kindle

Epic Fail by Clair LaZebnik - This book was a bargain in Amazon and I couldn't help but get it.  Have you read it? 

The Vampire's Warden by S.J. Wright - This book was recommended to me in Goodreads (sorry!  I can't remember by whom).

Salt Bride by Lucinda Brant - I saw this historical romance while browsing in Amazon and I liked the description.  A girl needs a little romance once in a while :)

Falling by Shirley Miranda - Another recommendation, I really need to keep track of these...

First Visions  by Heather Topham Wood - This books sounds incredibly good, I found it by browsing reviews from by Goodreads' friends.

Purchased (Physical Books)

Shine by Jeri Smith-Ready - I cannot wait to read the conclusion of the Shade trilogy!

The Irish Duke by Virginia Henley - This romance and the one below were on sale in BAM and as I said, sometimes I need a little romance.

Lord Wraygourne's Betrothed by Ho Beverly - Isn't this a pretty cover?

For Review

Temptation by Karen Ann Hopkins - There is something about forbidden love that I really enjoy.

The Goddess Legacy by Aimeé Carter - I love the Goddess Test series and this is a collection of short stories about the characters.  Bound to be good!

Pushing the Limits by Katie McGarry - This one looks like a great contemporary, and I like this type of books.

Princes Academy: Palace of Stone by Shannon Hale - If you haven't read any of Shannon Hale's book, you are missing out on an amazing storyteller.  I adored the first book and can't wait to read the sequel.

Amber House by Kelly Moore, Tucker Reed and Larkin Reed - Just the fact that the story takes place in Maryland it's enough to make me read it :)

City's Son by Tom Pollok - Doesn't this books loos awesome?

Thank you to Boomsbury, Scholastic, Harlequin Teen, Flux and NetGalley! 

What is stacking your selves this week?

Please come celebrate Reading with ABC's first Blogiversary with me!  Click here for the giveaways and remember to check often as I will post more giveaways throughout the month. 

Spring Fever: Top Ten Books I'd Play Hooky With

 Top Ten Tuesday is a meme created by The Broke and the Bookish

Translation: This is my list of Top Ten Books that I will drop anything to read.  As a warning, this has been known to happen in the past :)

1.  Destined by Aprilynne Pike - This is the conclusion of the Wings series, can't wait!

2.  Until I Die by Amy Plum - *sigh* for Vincent.

3.  Shine by Jeri Smith-Ready - Can't wait for the conclusion!

4.  Bitterblue by Kristin Cashore - I have been waiting for this book forever! If you haven't read Greceling and Fire, what are you waiting for?

5. Struck by Jennifer Bosworth - This book sounds truly awesome.

6.  Insurgent by Veronica Roth - Again, if you haven't read Divergent, start now!

7.  The Selection by Kiera Cass -  This book sound so interesting!

8.  Before I Wake by Rachel Vincent - I love the Soul Screamers series with a passsion!

9.  Deadlocked by Charlaine Harris - Although the past two books were a bit disappointing, I can't help but wishing I have book 12 of the the Southern Vampire series in my hand right now!

10. Exile by Rebecca Lim - This is book #2 on the Mercy series.

What books are in your Top Ten this week?

 

Top Ten Books in my Spring TBR List

Top Ten Tuesday is a meme created by The Broke and the Bookish

These are the books that I plan to read this Spring:

1. Destined by Aprilynne Pike - This is book four and the conclusion of the Wings series, I can't wait for May!


2. Hemlock by Kathleen Peacock - Another May book that I can't wait to read.

3.Harbinger by Sara Wilson - I actually won an ARC of this book from Goodreads and I haven't had a chance to read it yet. 

4. A Beautiful Dark by Jocelyn Davis - This gorgeous book is patiently waiting in my bookshelf (Billy) and I really want to read it. 

5. Legend by Marie Lu - I've heard wonderful things about Legend and I really need to read it. 

6. Tempest by Julie Cross - I need to read Tempest! It looks so good :)


7. The Scorpio Races by Maggie Stiefvater - I love Maggie's writing and this book cannot be anything short of wonderful!

8. The Girl in the Clockwork Collar by Kady Cross - I have this book in my Kindle, courtesy of NetGalley and Harlequin and I HAVE to read it soon.

9. Until I Die by Amy Plum - CANT WAIT!!!


10. Shine by Jeri Smith-Ready - The third book in the Shade series. I need more Zach now!

How about you?  What is in your Top Ten this week?

 

Top Ten YA Male Characters to Pine For

Top Ten Tuesday is a meme created by The Broke and the Bookish 

This week we have a Top Ten freebie and we get to choose our very own Top Ten.  This is my list of the dreamiest, handsomest, best male characters in YA:

1. Prince Ash from the Iron Fey Series by Julie Kagawa – Oh, my gosh!  I don’t even know where to start.  If you are familiar with my blog you know I absolutely adore Ash.  He is the epitome of every desirable characteristic in a man. LOVE ASH *period*

2. Jace from the Mortal Instruments series by Cassandra Clare – Jace is handsome, loyal, loving, and he knows how to fight for what he wants.

3. Zach from the Shade Series by Jeri Smith-Ready – You have to appreciate a guy with an accent that is comfortable enough to wear a kilt, right?

4. Tucker from the Unearthly series by Cynthia Hand – Tucker is so sweet, romantic, accepting, and loyal, I love him!

5. Edward Cullen from the Twilight Saga by Stephenie Meyer – I know that a lot of you might not agree, but I happen to be a Twilight fan and I am Team Edward all the way!

6. Jax Stone from Breathe by Abbi Glines – Jax is not only handsome, rich and famous, but one of the best human beings I ever read about.  He is so caring and romantic that I have read the last part of this book many times.

7. Tod from the Soul Screamer series by Rachel Vincent – I have to confess that I was a fan of Nash until book three, after that I changes to be a Tod fan.  I think he’s the best of the brothers, what do you think?

8. Jay from the Body Finder series by Kimberly Derting -  I love Jay, he is so in love and he is not afraid to show it and put Violet first. Always.

9. Etienne St. Clair from Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins – Oh St. Clair!  Although he’s judgment was a little off for a while there, he was triumphant at the end.  He is handsome and charismatic, but not perfect.  Love you!

10. Harry Potter from the Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling – Love Harry Potter (what’s not to love?) after all he is the chosen one.  Harry is loyal, a great friend, and so courageous. 

I am dying to see your Top Ten this week!

Enter my 300 Follower Giveaway  here!

Review: Shift by Jeri Smith-Ready (Shade #2)

Title: Shift by Jeri Smith-Ready
Published: May 3rd, 2011 by Simon Pulse
Source: Library
Grade rate: B

Aura’s life is anything but easy. Her boyfriend, Logan, died, and his slides between ghost and shade have left her reeling. Aura knows he needs her now more than ever. She loves Logan, but she can’t deny her connection with the totally supportive, totally gorgeous Zachary. And she’s not sure that she wants to.
Logan and Zachary will fight to be the one by her side, but Aura needs them both to uncover the mystery of her past—the mystery of the Shift.
As Aura’s search uncovers new truths, she must decide whom to trust with her secrets…and her heart.

My Review

I loved 'Shade'.  One of the things I liked the most is that the setting is Baltimore, and as you know I live in Maryland.  It's great to know the places that the characters like, live in, eat at, and visit.  Nevertheless, I had mixed feelings about 'Shift'.  The first part of the book was somewhat confusing to Aura, therefore I felt confused.  Her feelings and the attitude of those around her changed so fast that it left me reeling.  The second part of the book, was much better and coherent for me, it flowed easier and was more interesting.

Aura is a likable character, she is pretty and intelligent, but although I can understand her feelings of mourning and loss, I can't understand why she seems to cling to Logan and the love they once shared.  The boy is DEAD *period*  I am not saying that she should be instantaneously ready to date or fall in love, but she should recognize that, and move on.  And what happened with Dylan, what on earth was that? 

Zachary, on the other hand I love.  He is not only gorgeous, smart, has the patience of a saint, but most important he is in love with Aura and he is ALIVE.  See the difference?  I do hope that everything works out for them because they make a great couple.  Other characters of importance were Megan and Logan's siblings, they were well fleshed out, but took a back burner to Aura and all her relationship problems. 

Once the part about Aura's angst was sort of over (and honestly it was tiring) I loved the rest of the plot.  We learn a lot about the Shift, and Aura's mom.  It becomes more fast paced and I can't wait for 'Shine' the conclusion of the trilogy, due out Summer of 2012 (another whole year to wait *sigh*)

If you like paranormal and romance, you should give this series a try.

About the cover - I like the cover.  The black background makes it mysterious and the burst of red is a significant part of the story.