#TBRTakedown 3.0

It's finally time for my readathon to come back!

Here is my announcement video on my YT channel:

It's almost time for #TBRTakedown 3.0! Get excited!

Here is all the information you need to know for the readathon :)

SIGNUP HERE: https://t.co/fueYsrMvMS

January 4th (12:00 AM) - January 10th (11:59 PM)

TWITTER: https://twitter.com/leaninglights

INSTAGRAM: http://instagram.com/leaninglights/

YOUTUBE: http://youtube.com/c/leaninglights

HASHTAG: #TBRTakedown

TBR Challenges

1. Read a book from your most recent book haul.

2. Read a book on your TBR Shelf over a year (or longest).

3. Read a book outside your comfort zone! (Genre, content, etc).

4. Read a first book in a series

5. Complete a series/Read a sequel in a series

6. Read a FIRE color book (Fire colours such as shades of red, pink, purple, lilac, burgundy.) Lucky Colors for 2016

7. Read a non-novel item: poem, verse, novella, short story, etc.

*You can use one book for multiple challenges.

*There is no set number of book you need to read.

*This readathon is FUN! So relax and enjoy!

I hope you join me for #TBRTakedown 3.0!

Harry Potter Meme of the Week #2 - Skrewt v. Slug?

Would you rather care for a blast-ended skrewt or get hit with the slug eating curse?

VS.

To be quite honest, this is a no brainer.

I'd much rather care for a blast-ended skrewt, despite their dangerous and large appearance, I trust that I could have the proper equipment available to me and possible help from Hagrid... but eating/vomiting slugs? 

Just no.

HP Meme of the Week is a feature created by Uncorked Thoughts.

Waiting on Wednesday #6 | Morning Star by Pierce Brown

Morning Star

Red Rising, Book 3

by Pierce Brown
Website | Twitter | Goodreads

Publication Date: February 9, 2016
Publisher: Del Rey
ISBN: 9780345539847

Available for pre-order:
Amazon | Book Depository | Barnes & Noble

*DISCLAIMER: Morning Star is the third and final book in a series and therefore the synopsis may contain spoilers for the previous books in the series.

Born a lowly Red in the mines of Mars, Darrow lost his beloved wife to the treacherous Gold overlords. Vowing to fight for the future that his wife believed in, Darrow joins a secret revolutionary group and is remade into a Gold so that he can infiltrate the ruling class and bring them down from the inside. Now, after years of hiding amongst the Golds, Darrow is finally ready to declare open revolution and throw off the chains of oppression. Nothing in Darrow’s world has been easily won, and this final fight will be the most harrowing of all.

Red Rising is a SUPER hyped series that I have just gotten around to reading.

I have started the second book, Golden Son, and hope to finish it by the end of the month.

The world is very interesting and while I wasn't OBSESSED with the first book, I thought it was a really strong start and I've heard the second book is even better!

Morning Star is the third and final book in the trilogy and it comes out in February!

What are you waiting on this Wednesday?

*Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly feature hosted by Breaking the Spine. 

Top Ten Tuesday #4 - 2015 New-to-Me Authors!

Top Ten New-To-Me Favorite Authors I Read For The First Time In 2015

What do you think of when you think of new-to-me authors? My instinct says that it is authors who are not 2015 debut authors, but were authors that I picked up for the first time this year. Here is a list of the best new-to-me authors I've read so far this year!

Sophie Kinsella

This is a classic case of, "better late than never!" I kept hearing great things about her stand-alone books, so I decided to give them a try. And I'm really glad that I did because it gave me the opportunity to fall in love with Sophie's writing without feeling the pressure to commit to a 8+ (and growing) series. 

I am so glad that I have read Sophie's books and I look forward to many more in the future.

Read in 2015:

Remember Me

Can You Keep A Secret

Twenties Girl

The Undomestic Goddess

I've Got Your Number

Finding Audrey

Colleen Hoover

You may be surprised to discover that I am new to the Colleen Hoover train.

I didn't pick up her books until 2015!

I have loved most of her works and there is something so addictive and fast-paced about her writing.

2015 was supposed to be my year to take all the unread CoHo books I had on my shelf and get them read and I succeeded for the most part!

Read in 2015:

Slammed

Point of Retreat

This Girl

Hopeless

Maybe Someday

Maybe Not

Ugly Love

Confess

Jonathan Maberry

I wasn't sure if I should put authors that I have only read one book by on this list but I loved this man's book SO much that I couldn't not!

I was challenge by a friend to read Patient Zero by Jonathan Maberry at the end of 2014. Of course, I almost waited until the year was over to get to it. And I will be the first person to tell you I'm not a fan of zombie. I just find them weird and usually gross. HOWEVER, I didn't know what I was getting into with Joe Ledger. He's my new book boyfriend and I have since bought the entire series and can't wait to read more about Joe!

Read in 2015:

Patient Zero

Mary E. Pearson

When The Kiss of Deception came crashing into my life, I wasn't ready for it. I loved it and was literally DYING for the next book in the series. So when The Heart of Betrayal finally came out, I read it immediately. I love them so much, so when I found out that Mary had other books, I finally decided to pick them up. I just finish the first book in her Jenna Fox series and have picked up the second two books from the library to read!

Read in 2015:

The Kiss of Deception

The Heart of Betrayal

The Adoration of Jenna Fox

Morgan Rhodes

Ah, Falling Kindgoms.

Morgan Rhodes also came crashing into my life in 2015. Her books were getting an insane amount of hype on the internet and so I decided to finally pick up the first book and read it. And then I immediately when out and bought the next two. Morgan's Falling Kingdoms series is hailed as YA-Game of Thrones and/or light Game of Thrones and to a point, I would say that's true, but it is definitely it's own entity and definitely worth reading!

Read in 2015:

Falling Kingdoms

Rebel Spring

Gathering Darkness

A Book of Spirits and Thieves

Anthony Doerr

All the Light We Cannot See is probably my favorite book of all-time. I bought it originally in the summer of 2014 and read about 80 pages of it and never continued on for whatever reason. So when my book club decided to read it, I jumped in. I cannot begin to tell you what this book means to me. It's SO beautifully written and it definitely changed my life. I have since bought all of Anthony's other books and hope to read some of them in 2016.

Read in 2015:

All the Light We Cannot See

Ellen Hopkins

Ellen Hopkins is an iconic name when you think of young-adult literature. She is ground-breaking and constantly challenging the world in which teenagers live. Her stories are heart-breaking and brave and while I've only read three of her books, I look forward to reading many more.

Read in 2015:

Crank

Glass

Fallout

Andrew Smith

Ryan Dean West!

I finally read Winger and then it's sequel, Stand-Off in 2015. I had been putting it off despite the hype around the book because I didn't see how I would want to read a book from the perspective of a 14-year-old boy. But I was wrong and I fell in love with Ryan Dean (despite being so annoyed with him sometimes) and Andrew Smith's writing. I look forward to reading more of his books in the future!

Read in 2015:

Winger

Stand-Off

Leigh Bardugo

Leigh Bardugo's Grisha trilogy is one of the most hyped series on BookTube and in the YA book community. I couldn't stop hearing about it in 2014 and though I had bought the books, I never actually picked them up until halfway through 2015. And while I really enjoyed them, I didn't ever connect fully to the characters. So I was happy to hear that Leigh was writing another series set in the Grisha world (which is AWESOME), and I was much happier with Six of Crows. I like Leigh's writing and I look forward to seeing what she does next!

Read in 2015:

Shadow and Bone

Siege and Storm

Ruin and Rising

Six of Crows

Meg Cabot

And last but not least, we have Meg Cabot, author of the very famous Princess Diaries series.

I never read Meg's books growing up, despite being the right age for them as they were released. The truth is I didn't read much middle-grade/young-adult as a teen. So I decided to finally read the iconic series this year, after the newest book, Royal Wedding came out. The series is light-hearted and fun and while I didn't LOVE it, I enjoyed the world and would like to pick up other books by Meg.

Read in 2015:

The Princess Diaries

Princess in the Spotlight

Princess in Love

Princess in Waiting

Princess in Pink

Princess in Training

Party Princess

Princess on the Brink

Princess Mia

Forever Princess

Royal Wedding

Waiting on Wednesday #5 | The Fate of the Tearling by Erika Johansen

The Fate of the Tearling

The Queen of the Tearling, Book 3

by Erika Johansen

Website | Twitter | Goodreads

Publication Date: June 7, 2016
Publisher: Harper
ISBN: 9780062290427

Available for pre-order:
Amazon | Book Depository

*DISCLAIMER: The Fate of the Tearling is the third and final book in a series and therefore the synopsis may contain spoilers for the previous books in the series.

The thrilling conclusion to the New York Times bestselling Tearling trilogy.
In less than a year, Kelsea Glynn has transformed from a gawky teenager into a powerful monarch. As she has come into her own as the Queen of the Tearling, the headstrong, visionary leader has also transformed her realm. In her quest to end corruption and restore justice, she has made many enemies—including the evil Red Queen, her fiercest rival, who has set her armies against the Tear.

To protect her people from a devastating invasion, Kelsea did the unthinkable—she gave herself and her magical sapphires to her enemy—and named the Mace, the trusted head of her personal guards, Regent in her place. But the Mace will not rest until he and his men rescue their sovereign, imprisoned in Mortmesne.

Now, as the suspenseful endgame begins, the fate of Queen Kelsea—and the Tearling itself—will finally be revealed (via Goodreads).

I don't have words.

This is hands down my most anticipated book of 2016.

Love doesn't begin to express what I feel for this series.

It's political, violent and romantic.

It's smart, complex and unpredictable.

It's freaking amazing.

If you haven't read The Queen of the Tearling yet, PLEASE do.

The final installment of the trilogy comes out in June and I for one, cannot wait!

What are you waiting on this Wednesday? 

*Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly feature hosted by Breaking the Spine. 

Reading with Friends Makes Everything Better :)

JOIN US IN BOOK CLUB!

Christmas Giveaway!!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Harry Potter Meme of the Week #2 - Hermione's World

Hermoine is the best.

I love her.

She was so influential to me as a kid and teen growing up.

I even think she was a big reason I became a booknerd.

So the prompt for today is:

Rename the books from Hermione's point of view.

Genius.

Hermione is the most present character in the series besides Harry, so it makes sense she would have an opinion about all the crazy that went down.

1. WELCOME TO THE WIZARDING WORLD AND THE TWO MOST AMAZING/ANNOYING BOYS YOU WILL EVER MEET.
2. MORE CRAZY BOYS AND GETTING PETRIFIED IS NOT HOW I IMAGINED MY SECOND YEAR GOING.
3. THE YEAR IN WHICH I AGAIN DO EVERYTHING FROM TURNING INTO A CAT-THING TO TIME-TURNING ISH TO SAVE THE WORLD.
 4. S.P.E.W. ANYONE?
5. UMBRIDGE CAN BITE ME.
6. I HATE LAVENDER BROWN.
7. SAVING THE WORLD IS HARD. THANK GOD HARRY HAD ME.

Obviously I went with funny titles because I love Hermione's sass-level.

The fact is, she is the ONLY reason why Harry had a chance and everyone knows it.

Hermione is unwavering in her loyalty, morals and love.

She is passionate, kind and brilliant.

Let's hear it for the brightest witch of her age.

Waiting on Wednesday #4 | Walk the Edge by Katie McGarry

Walk the Edge

Thunder Road, Book 2

by Katie McGarry

Website | Twitter | Goodreads

Publication Date: March 29, 2016
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
ISBN: 9780373211623

Available for pre-order:
Amazon | Book Depository

One moment of recklessness will change their worlds

Smart. Responsible. That's seventeen-year-old Breanna's role in her large family, and heaven forbid she put a toe out of line. Until one night of shockingly un-Breanna-like behavior puts her into a vicious cyber-bully's line of fire—and brings fellow senior Thomas "Razor" Turner into her life.

Razor lives for the Reign of Terror motorcycle club, and good girls like Breanna just don't belong. But when he learns she's being blackmailed over a compromising picture of the two of them—a picture that turns one unexpected and beautiful moment into ugliness—he knows it's time to step outside the rules.



And so they make a pact: he'll help her track down her blackmailer, and in return she'll help him seek answers to the mystery that's haunted him—one that not even his club brothers have been willing to discuss. But the more time they spend together, the more their feelings grow. And suddenly they're both walking the edge of discovering who they really are, what they want, and where they're going from here.

It's no secret that I love Katie McGarry.

I read a ton of young-adult contemporary in 2014 and have read much less in 2015.

However, a contemporary author I will always read is Katie.

Her books are magic and I love the way she interprets the world.

I personally relate to her characters so much and I appreciate the topics she tackles in her stories.

I read Nowhere But Here thinking it wouldn't live up to her previous series, Pushing the Limits.

I was wrong.

It was better.

Walk the Edge is the second installment in the Thunder Road series and to be quite honest,

I am DYING to get my hands on it.

Like, I would consider selling an organ to get an arc.

Kidding.

But seriously.

What are you waiting on this Wednesday? 

*Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly feature hosted by Breaking the Spine. 

Top Ten Tuesday #3 - Fictional Families I'd like to Celebrate Thanksgiving with!

Funny story.

I actually made a video (basically) about this topic on Monday.

I had no idea this was the Top Ten Tuesday topic, but it worked out perfectly!

Here are my book recommendations for YA contemporaries featuring family!

What are some books featuring family that you love?

November Weekly Wrap Up #3

I read 5 books this week.

It was pretty epic.

What did you read this week?
And what did you think of the books I tackled?

November Book Haul!

Most of the books I got in November...

So I went a little crazy!

What's a booknerd to do?

What books did you buy in November?

Harry Potter Meme of the Week #1 - JKR

It's no secret that I love Harry Potter.

So when I found a weekly meme dedicated to HP, I had to jump in.

Today's prompt is:

Favorite J. K. Rowling moment?

There are so many.

Honestly, it's really hard to choose.

I think the first time I remember JK Rowling being totally awesome.

I think my favorite thing (I really can't pick a single moment) is her quotes.

She's so freaking quotable.

And every time I read her interviews, press releases, etc., I can't help but tear up and appreciate her and everything she has done for us. 

I mean, I'm tearing up just looking at her face.

Thank you for my childhood, Ms. Rowling!

HP Meme of the Week is a feature created by Uncorked Thoughts.

The Revolution of Ivy

The Book of Ivy

by Amy Engel

Website | Twitter | Goodreads

Publication Date: November 3rd, 2015
Publisher: Entangled Teen
ISBN: 9781633751156

Available to purchase:
Amazon | Book Depository | Barnes & Noble

*This book was sent to me from the publisher in exchange for an honest review - all opinions are my own*

**PLEASE READ: The Revolution of Ivy is the second in a series and will contain spoilers for the first book in the series in the synopsis and the review.**

Ivy Westfall is beyond the fence and she is alone. Abandoned by her family and separated from Bishop Lattimer, Ivy must find a way to survive on her own in a land filled with countless dangers, both human and natural. She has traded a more civilized type of cruelty--forced marriages and murder plots--for the bare-knuckled brutality required to survive outside Westfall's borders.
But there is hope beyond the fence, as well. And when Bishop reappears in Ivy's life, she must decide if returning to Westfall to take a final stand for what she believes is right is worth losing everything she's fought for. (via Goodreads)

I wasn't sure WHAT to expect after The Book of Ivy ended with our poor Ivy exiled to outside the fence. I was 1) terrified of the gross and awful rapist guy 2) terrified of the gross and awful rapist guy. That storyline was gut-wrenching in the first book and I was 100% sure he would be back in the second book.

And the biggest selling point of book 1 for me was the romance and we start Revolution with our love interests separated, so I was a tiny bit hesitant when picking up book 2. And while I was happy with how the romance played out, I thought the rest of the story was equally just as compelling.

I really liked Ivy's journey in Revolution because I felt like she grew up a lot and learned about herself and I think she needed to be away from Bishop to do that. Not because of Bishop but because was only 16 when they got married and she needed time to be independent from her family AND Bishop -- otherwise reuniting them would have felt cheated to me and I wouldn't have been as excited.

Ultimately I really enjoyed The Revolution of Ivy and I think it was a great sequel to The Book of Ivy. I think I enjoyed it the slightest bit less than the first book, but it was still a fantastic book I recommend everyone read!

  GIF from here.

4.25 out of 5 stars!

The Book of Ivy

The Book of Ivy

by Amy Engel

Website | Twitter | Goodreads

Publication Date: November 4th, 2014
Publisher: Entangled Teen
ISBN: 9781622664658

Available to purchase:
Amazon | Book Depository | Barnes & Noble

After a brutal nuclear war, the United States was left decimated. A small group of survivors eventually banded together, but only after more conflict over which family would govern the new nation. The Westfalls lost. Fifty years later, peace and control are maintained by marrying the daughters of the losing side to the sons of the winning group in a yearly ritual.

This year, it is my turn.

My name is Ivy Westfall, and my mission is simple: to kill the president’s son—my soon-to-be husband—and restore the Westfall family to power.

But Bishop Lattimer is either a very skilled actor or he’s not the cruel, heartless boy my family warned me to expect. He might even be the one person in this world who truly understands me. But there is no escape from my fate. I am the only one who can restore the Westfall legacy.
Because Bishop must die. And I must be the one to kill him… (via Goodreads)

 My thoughts on The Book of Ivy are quite simple: I loved it.

It's been awhile since I have picked up a straight young adult dystopian book and I have to say that the experience was refreshing. This book is a testament to the idea that less can be WAY more. There is nothing complicated or overly complex about the book and honestly, it is part of what made is so enjoyable.

Amy Engel was able to capture something familiar yet enticing with her balance between politics and romance. The Book of Ivy, at it's core, is a romance between two teens on the opposite sides of a political war. You have Ivy, who is the daughter of a gilted would-be leader, who is determined to bring his family back to power. Then there is Bishop, the privileged and seemingly spoiled son of the president of Westfall, Mr. Lattimer. But there is a lot more to both teens story than meets the eye.

So on the joining of their families through their arranged marriage, we see them in a new position, away from both influences and forced to face the truth that both families may have lied and that they might not be what the other was expecting.

I found the romance in this book SO ADDICTING. It was a slow burn that had me turning pages, unable to put it down. I HAD to know what happened next between Ivy and Bishop and just when I thought I knew what would happen, I would be thrown off-guard.

It's a fast-paced read that will have you begging for more. And that ending?!

4.5 out of 5 stars!

Waiting on Wednesday #3 | Riders by Veronica Rossi

Riders

Riders, Book 1

by Veronica Rossi
Website | Twitter | Goodreads

Publication Date: February 16, 2016
Publisher: Tor Teen
ISBN: 9780765382542

Available for pre-order:
Amazon | Book Depository

For eighteen-year-old Gideon Blake, nothing but death can keep him from achieving his goal of becoming a U.S. Army Ranger. As it turns out, it does.
Recovering from the accident that most definitely killed him, Gideon finds himself with strange new powers and a bizarre cuff he can't remove. His death has brought to life his real destiny. He has become War, one of the legendary four horsemen of the apocalypse.
Over the coming weeks, he and the other horsemen--Conquest, Famine, and Death--are brought together by a beautiful but frustratingly secretive girl to help save humanity from an ancient evil on the emergence.
They fail.
Now--bound, bloodied, and drugged--Gideon is interrogated by the authorities about his role in a battle that has become an international incident. If he stands any chance of saving his friends and the girl he's fallen for--not to mention all of humankind--he needs to convince the skeptical government officials the world is in imminent danger.
But will anyone believe him?

Veronica Rossi's Under the Never Sky series was one of my favorites from 2014.

I thought her writing was brilliant and let's just be honest:

Perry is a MAN.

I also read the first book in her new adult series, Boomerang.

I am very excited for Riders.

I think it has the potential to be the next big series in YA!

If you haven't read Ms. Rossi's books yet, I highly recommend you do!

What are you waiting on this Wednesday?

*Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly feature hosted by Breaking the Spine. 

November Weekly Wrap Up #2

I read 3 books and 1 short story this week!

Check out this video to hear my thoughts.

What did you think of these books?

Booking Through Thursday #2 - Nostalgic Books

What book (or books) from your childhood do you think about most often? That had the most effect on your life?

I think of my childhood books in terms of age.

I was a pretty faithful reader and I would stick to my favorites and read them over and over again.

Here is my list by age: 

• Bernstein Bears (age 2-6)
• I learned to read with this books. I read them until I fell asleep and before I could read, I would memorize them as my parents read them to me. That's how I learned -- I would recite it by memory and then go back by myself and say the words until I was actually reading.
• A special memory I have is that every Sunday afternoon after church, my dad would take me to the local bookstore and let me pick out one Bernstein Bear book. Then we would go for bagels at the bagel shop across the street. It was highlight of my week for years :)
• Mandie (age 7-12)
• Mandie books are sort of the Christian Nancy Drew. They each deal with a new mystery and Mandie is always the girl to solve them. I haven't read them in 15 years but I kept them to read with my daughters, who will be old enough in a few years :)
• My mom would lie in bed with me and read me a chapter a night (sometimes two if I could get it out of her) and that was out nighttime routine. Reading was always important in our house and the Mandie books remind me of that.
• Harry Potter (age 10-18)
• What do I even say about Harry Potter?
• This book series doesn't even really fit on this list because I still read it in my late twenties and I will always read them.
• To put it simply, Harry Potter is everything. I would not be who I am without those books. They were so special and I was lucky enough to grow up with Harry, as the books came out. It was a phenomenon and such a wonderful time to be a reader. Harry Potter single-handedly brought reading back to children and I am forever grateful.
• The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants (13-18)
• I didn't read as much in high school, as I was busy with sports, friends, school and boys, but one series I did read and love at the time was Sisterhood. I loved these girls and I also loved the movie they made.
• I loved how each of them was so independent from the rest but they also formed the perfect circle of friends. I was lucky enough to grow up with 3 girls who are still my closest friends, so I felt I could relate to this series a lot.
• My Sister's Keeper (age 15)
• One of the only stand-alone books I read in high school was My Sister's Keeper. It was my first Jodi Picoult book and it blew my mind. I still remember reading it like it was yesterday. I read it tucked away in a corner in my high school's library.

What are the childhood books that you think about most often?

Booking Through Thursday is a weekly bookish meme :)

 

Waiting on Wednesday #2 | Frozen Tides by Morgan Rhodes

Frozen Tides

Falling Kingdoms, Book 4

by Morgan Rhodes
Website | Twitter | Goodreads

Publication Date: December 15, 2015
Publisher: Razorbill
ISBN: 9781595147073

Available for pre-order:
Amazon | Book Depository

**PLEASE READ: This synopsis is for BOOK 4 in a series & may contain spoilers for previous books.**

Rebels, royals, and monsters wage war over the Mytican throne in the shocking fourth book of the Falling Kingdoms series, from New York Times bestselling author Morgan Rhodes.
CLEO: Reeling after a bloody showdown in Limeros ending with Amara’s abduction of the water crystal, and a vacancy in the Mytican throne, Princess Cleo must cast aside her feelings and look toward her kingdom with the eyes of a Queen.
MAGNUS: With the kingdom in chaos, Princess Lucia still missing and quite possibly in danger, and a shocking realization about Cleo, the steely prince is once again torn between love and duty, leaving him wondering whether he’s strong enough to rule his people.
LUCIA: The young sorcercess has had her vengeance after the cruel death of her first and only love. Heartbroken and unable to trust anyone, she allies with the awoken Fire god, who also seeks revenge.
JONAS: After escaping death by the skin of his teeth, the defeated rebel—along with a mysterious stranger–leader reunites with Princess Cleo, only to find himself a mere pawn in a dangerous hunt for the elusive Kindred.
KING GAIUS: Abandoned by Melenia and betrayed by his own children, Gaius flees Mytica and sails to Kraeshia, where he attempts to ally with the famously brutal emperor across the Silver Sea.

Falling Kingdoms is a series that is the epitemy of YA fantasy.

It is fun and alluring, full of shocking twists and turns.

I read books 1-3 earlier this year as well as book 1 in the spin-off series.

I am HIGHLY anticipating this new book because I think it will offer new and exciting adventures and places we haven't yet been in the FK world.

What are you waiting on this Wednesday? 

*Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly feature hosted by Breaking the Spine.

Top Ten Tuesday #2 - Upcoming Movie Adaptations

Top Ten Book To Movie Adaptations I'm Looking Forward To

*This list is in no particular order.

• A Monster Calls 
• Patrick Ness. Enough said.
• A Monster Calls was one of my top books of 2014. I was so moved and captivated by it and I think a movie adaptation will be SO interesting.
• I'm trying to view it as a new and separate work, so I don't get my expectations too high, but I'd be lying if I said I wasn't dying to see it!!
• The Shack 
• This is a book I need to reread. I read it in college (so a long time ago) and it's a book that has always stuck with me. It's so abstract and out there, so I'm SUPER interested to see how they do it.
• Me Before You 
• This is sort of becoming the list of books I need to read before the movies come out :)
• I have Me Before You sitting on my shelf for quite awhile now, but I have been hesitant to pick it up because I was spoiled on the ending.
• I still plan to read it and I know the movie adaptation has Sam Claflin (Catching Fire) and Emilia Clarke (Game of Thrones) starring... so despite being spoiled, I still plan to pick it up before the movie release!
• The Fifth Wave 
• Yet another TBR book. Sort of.
• I have to admit I've lost steam to pick up The Fifth Wave in the last year.
• It was very hyped a couple years ago when I found BookTube and the book review world, but I feel like it has lost steam and has move mixed reviews now that the hype has died down...
• But still, I would be interested to see how Chloe Grace Moretz handles this sci-fi story.
• Allegiant 
• Oh, Allegiant. How though is detested by many.
• I am not one of those people who HATES Allegiant, but I also wasn't completely blown away like I was with Divergent.
• Still, I plan on seeing both films, though maybe not in theaters.
• Ascendant 
• Allegiant Part 2 has gone rogue and renamed itself Ascendant.
• I have no idea what this title change means but I think it's at least interesting.
• This is the film that people have been waiting for and I think that it's going to be a hot mess.
• I'm sorry... I thought Insurgent was terrible and I have little hope left for the last two films. But I will see them.
• Mockingjay Part 2 
• This is the film we are SO CLOSE to getting and the one that is probably at the top of my anticipation list (okay, it's second)!
• I have loved all 3 films we have gotten from this series and I am waiting on baited breath for the final installment in a few weeks.
• My body is not ready.
• Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children 
• Nobody shoot me, but I haven't actually read Miss Peregine's.
• Waits for pitchforks...
• I meant to years ago and even my sometimes reader husband has read it over a year ago.
• This adaptation is coming out in 2016 and is already filmed.
• It was directed by Tim Burton and will be a big success at the box office.
• Now to read it.
• Maze Runner: The Death Cure
• I will be the first to tell you that I have no intention of reading the Maze Runner series.
• I've just heard enough bad things about the books, that I've lost all motivation to press on.
• However, I did LOVE the first movie, The Maze Runner. I thought it was fun and much more action-packed than I was anticipating.
• I haven't yet seen The Scorch Trials, but I'm excited to get to it soon!
• The Death Cure is the third book in the original trilogy and I look forward to the movie adaptation!
• Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them
• Have you seen the pictures?
• Have you heard of JK Rowling?
• Have you heard of Harry Potter?
• Are you from Mars?
• I cannot express how excited I am for a fresh new story set in the Harry Potter universe. I'm excited for the time period, the story, the ACTORS.
• Seeing all the promo release stills of Eddie Redmayne as Newt is DOING THINGS TO ME.
• The best part of being in the HP fandom right now is that JK Rowling is letting the world live on with plays, movies, and new books. She is giving us more of the world because frankly, there is an infinite quantity left to give.
• This movie is going to be amazing... no if's and's or but's about it.

What upcoming book-to-movie adaptations are you anticipating?

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly feature by The Broke and Bookish.

Can You Keep a Secret?

Can You Keep a Secret?

by Sophie Kinsella
Website | Twitter | Goodreads

Publication Date: February 26, 2008
Publisher: The Dial Press
ISBN: 9780385336819

Available to purchase:
Amazon | Book Depository | Barnes & Noble

Meet Emma Corrigan, a young woman with a huge heart, an irrepressible spirit, and a few little secrets:
Secrets from her mother:
I lost my virginity in the spare bedroom with Danny Nussbaum while Mum and Dad were downstairs watching Ben-Hur.
Sammy the goldfish in my parents’ kitchen is not the same goldfish that Mum gave me to look after when she and Dad were in Egypt.
Secrets from her boyfriend:
I weigh one hundred and twenty-eight pounds. Not one eighteen, like Connor thinks.
I’ve always thought Connor looks a bit like Ken. As in Barbie and Ken.
From her colleagues:
When Artemis really annoys me, I feed her plant orange juice. (Which is pretty much every day.) It was me who jammed the copier that time. In fact, all the times.
Secrets she wouldn’t share with anyone in the world:
My G-string is hurting me.
I have no idea what NATO stands for. Or even what it is.
Until she spills them all to a handsome stranger on a plane. At least, she thought he was a stranger.
But come Monday morning, Emma’s office is abuzz about the arrival of Jack Harper, the company’s elusive CEO. Suddenly Emma is face-to-face with the stranger from
the plane, a man who knows every single humiliating detail about her. Things couldn’t possibly get worse—Until they do.

Review

As you can tell, I've been on a Sophie Kinsella kick the last month or so. This is the sixth book I've read by Kinsella and none have them have been a disappointment. I have my favorites, of course, but they all pack a successful punch and I am happy to continue my delve into her chick-lit world.

Can You Keep a Secret? proved to be no exception. It was on trend for the classic Kinsella formula and I thought the premise was a lot of fun, full of laughs and classic Kinsella cringe-worthy embarrassment.

I didn't love the main character as much as other Kinsella books but I still had a great time. I bit of a stretch for believability as well but it didn't take away from the overall enjoyment. Overall I had a lot of fun but I don't know if I'll remember this story as much as some other ones by this author.

4 out of 5 stars

The Grownup

The Grownup

by Gillian Flynn
Website | Facebook | Goodreads

Publication Date: November 3, 2015
Publisher: Crown
ISBN: 9780804188975

Available to purchase:
Amazon | Book Depository | Barnes & Noble

A canny young woman is struggling to survive by perpetrating various levels of mostly harmless fraud. On a rainy April morning, she is reading auras at Spiritual Palms when Susan Burke walks in. A keen observer of human behavior, our unnamed narrator immediately diagnoses beautiful, rich Susan as an unhappy woman eager to give her lovely life a drama injection; however, when the "psychic" visits the eerie Victorian home that has been the source of Susan’s terror and grief, she realizes she may not have to pretend to believe in ghosts anymore. Miles, Susan’s teenage stepson, doesn’t help matters with his disturbing manner and grisly imagination. The three are soon locked in a chilling battle to discover where the evil truly lurks and what, if anything, can be done to escape it.

Review

There's not a whole lot to say about this one. It started SUPER interesting -- in a completely differently place than I was initially anticipating. I was really excited to see what dark and twisted places Gillian would take the story and while it did go some weird places... it didn't pay off for me in the end. I wasn't WOWed or really interested by the end. I finished it and was like, "okay... that's it?" It just felt like it could have been more. It's obviously a work of short fiction, so for the amount of pages it had, I think it did pack a punch. Bottom line, however, is that it was forgettable.

3 out of 5 stars 

On My Shelf #2

The tag is simple.

Pick 5 books randomly off your shelf & talk about them :)

Do you have any memories with these books?

November Weekly Wrap Up #1

I read 5 books this week!

Check out this video to hear my thoughts.

What did you think of these books?

Remember Me

Remember Me

by Sophie Kinsella
Website | Twitter | Goodreads

Publication Date: February 26, 2008
Publisher: The Dial Press
ISBN: 9780385338721

Available to purchase:
Amazon | Book Depository

Lexi wakes up in a hospital bed after a car accident, thinking it's 2004 and she's a twenty-five-year old with crooked teeth and a disastrous love life. But, to her disbelief, she learns it's actually 2007 - she's twenty-eight, her teeth are straight, she's the boss of her department - and she's married! To a good-looking millionaire! How on earth did she land the dream life??!
She can't believe her luck - especially when she sees her stunning new home. She's sure she'll have a fantastic marriage once she gets to know her husband again. He's drawn up a 'manual of our marriage,' which should help.
But as she learns more about her new self, chinks start to appear in the perfect life. All her old colleagues hate her. A rival is after her job. Then a dishevelled, sexy guy turns up...and lands a new bombshell. What happened to her? Will she ever remember? And what will happen if she does?

Review 

Remember Me is another smash hit in a long line of bestsellers for Sophie Kinsella. It is the story of a woman who last her memory and has to find it, along with all the secrets and develops along the way.

I wasn't the biggest fan of the romantic dynamics of the book, but it was entertaining as all get out to watch. It would have been a 5-star read until the last chapter. Not a bad ending, but I was hoping for something else.

I still want to know how Sophie is able to write the most cringe-worthy embarrassing scenes that make you almost want to turn away because they are so uncomfortable... yet at the same time you can't put it down because it's so hilarious. It is a rare gift to be able to balance that dynamic and Ms. Kinsella has it.

Most Kinsella fans have probably read this book (I am very late to the party), but I really had fun and if you haven't picked Remember Me up yet, I highly recommend it :)

4.5 out of 5 stars