Friday 31 October 2014

Happy Halloween!



Happy Halloween! I love this time of year and I thought I’d do something a bit different today since the veil is supposed to be thinner between our world and the next. To get in the spirit of all things ghoulish, devilish, and otherworldly, I’m going to share some of my favourite spooky and scary bookish things! And there might be a 666 element to the post too… Keeping in the devilish spirit, of course!


6 Creepy Reads

This is dedicated to all things creepy and atmospheric, but not really scream-your-head off horror related! I chose six books that I think are fairly non-horror fan friendly :)


On Demon Wings by Karina Halle

I HIGHLY recommend the entire Experiment in Terror series – and they CANNOT be read out of order, it’ll ruin the series, trust me! – but a couple of them are scarier than others… with, in my opinion, On Demon Wings being the scariest. Dead Sky Morning comes a close second though…

Thursday 30 October 2014

Review: Crane by Stacey Rourke


Crane by Stacey Rourke book cover

Title: Crane
Author: Stacey Rourke
Series: The Legends Saga, #1
Format: Kindle
My rating: 4.5 / 5
Setting: Sleepy Hollow
Pages: 221

Add to Goodreads



The Horseman is unending,
his presence shan’t lessen.
If you break the curse,
you become the legend.



Washington Irving and Rip Van Winkle had no choice but to cover up the deadly truth behind Ichabod Crane’s disappearance. Centuries later, a Crane returns to Sleepy Hollow awakening macabre secrets once believed to be buried deep.

What if the monster that spawned the legend lived within you?

Now, Ireland Crane, reeling from a break-up and seeking a fresh start, must rely on the newly awakened Rip Van Winkle to discover the key to channeling the darkness swirling within her. Bodies are piling high and Ireland is the only one that can save Sleepy Hollow by embracing her own damning curse.

But is anyone truly safe when the Horseman rides?

-- As seen on Goodreads


Wednesday 29 October 2014

WoW #33 - Shutter by Courtney Alameda



Waiting On Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.


Shutter by Courtney Alameda

Tuesday 28 October 2014

Teaser Tuesday: Upside Down by Lia Riley



Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!


My Teaser: Upside Down by Lia Riley


Another wave barrels forward with my board poised directly at my head. My reflexes are slow and before I can protect myself, the fiberglass collides with my left temple in a sick crunch. The fin slices my cheek as if in afterthought. I sink into the wash, ears ringing. The world retreats into a murky sound.

-- Upside Down, Loc 836


book cover

Title: Upside Down by Lia Riley
Series: Off the Map, #1
Genres: New Adult; Contemporary

Add to Goodreads


If You Never Get Lost, You’ll Never Be Found

Twenty-one-year-old Natalia Stolfi is saying goodbye to painful memories—and turning her life upside down with a trip to the land down under. For the next six months, she’ll pretend to be a carefree exchange student. Everything is going to plan until she meets a surly surfer with hypnotic green eyes, and the troubling ability to see straight through her act.

Bran Lockhart is having the worst year on record. After the girl of his dreams turned into a nightmare, he slunk back to Melbourne to piece his life together. Yet no amount of disappointment could blind him to the pretty California girl who gets past all his defenses. He’s never wanted anyone the way he wants Talia. A single semester abroad won’t cover something this serious. But when Bran gets a stark reminder of why he stopped believing in love, he and Talia must decide if what they have is once-in-a-lifetime . . . or if there’s a plane to California with her name on it.

-- As seen on Goodreads



What do you think? What book are you reading this week? Leave a link to your post so I can stop by, or tell us in the comments.



Monday 27 October 2014

Blog Tour Review: Loop by Karen Akins


I’m so excited to be taking part in the Blog Tour for Loop, hosted by St Martin’s Press! Loop is Karen Akins debut novel, and it was released on 21st October 2014 and it’s been so hard to keep my fangirling in check until my tour stop date! I have a review for you today, hope you enjoy!


Loop by Karen Akins book cover

Title: Loop
Author: Karen Akins
Series: Loop, #1
Format: eARC, kindly provided by
St. Martin's Press. This didn't influence
my opinions in any way.
My rating: 4.5 / 5

Add to Goodreads


At a school where Quantum Paradox 101 is a required course and history field trips are literal, sixteen year-old time traveler Bree Bennis excels…at screwing up.

After Bree botches a solo midterm to the 21st century by accidentally taking a boy hostage (a teensy snafu), she stands to lose her scholarship. But when Bree sneaks back to talk the kid into keeping his yap shut, she doesn’t go back far enough. The boy, Finn, now three years older and hot as a solar flare, is convinced he’s in love with Bree, or rather, a future version of her that doesn’t think he’s a complete pain in the arse. To make matters worse, she inadvertently transports him back to the 23rd century with her.

Once home, Bree discovers that a recent rash of accidents at her school are anything but accidental. Someone is attacking time travelers. As Bree and her temporal tagalong uncover seemingly unconnected clues—a broken bracelet, a missing data file, the art heist of the millennium—that lead to the person responsible, she alone has the knowledge to piece the puzzle together. Knowledge only one other person has. Her future self.

But when those closest to her become the next victims, Bree realizes the attacker is willing to do anything to stop her. In the past, present, or future.

-- As seen on Goodreads


Saturday 25 October 2014

The Highs, Lows and Lots of Pretty Books - StS #10 & SP #12



This week I'm linking my recap post to two memes. The Sunday Post is a weekly meme hosted by Kimba @ Caffeinated Book Reviewer, and It's a chance to share news, recap what has happened on the blog, what is upcoming and anything everything in between. Stacking The Shelves is hosted by Tynga's Reviews and is all about sharing the books you are adding to your shelves, may it be physical or virtual.


Friday 24 October 2014

Gif and Seven Deadly Sins Tags



It’s taken me longer to get around to doing these tags than I had hoped! Better late than never, right? Monique over at Mo_Books tagged me to do the Gif tag, and Val over at The Innocent Smiley tagged me to take part in the Seven Deadly Sins tag, so… I thought I’d combine them both into one uber-long tag post!


I’m always hesitant to tag people, some don’t like tags, and others have already done them… so… if you like tags and you haven’t done either tag… well then… YOU’RE IT!!


Thursday 23 October 2014

Review: Reborn by C.C. Hunter


Reborn by C.C. Hunter book cover

Title: Reborn
Author: C.C. Hunter
Series: Shadow Falls: After Dark, #1
Format: Kindle
My rating: 3 / 5

Add to Goodreads


Return to the beloved world of Shadow Falls, a camp that teaches supernatural teens to harness their powers—and where a vampire named Della will discover who she’s meant to be.

For Della Tsang, Shadow Falls isn't just a camp: it's home. As a vampire who's never fit in with her human family, it's the one place she can truly be herself. But when a mysterious new guy arrives at camp, Della’s whole world is thrown into turmoil. Chase is a vampire with secrets, who knows more than he’s telling. But the more time she spends with him, the more she begins to trust this attractive stranger—and feel drawn to him. But romance is the last thing she wants—as she keeps telling Steve, the hunky shapeshifter who won’t stop trying to win her heart. And if Della isn't careful, he just might succeed.  When a new case puts everyone she cares about in danger, Della’s determined to do everything she can to save them . . . even if it means teaming up with Steve and Chase, who leave her more confused than ever. With their lives on the line, will Della and her friends survive—with their hearts intact?

-- As seen on Goodreads


Wednesday 22 October 2014

WoW #31 - The Conspiracy of Us by Maggie Hall



Waiting On Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.


The Conspiracy of Us by Maggie Hall

Tuesday 21 October 2014

Teaser Tuesday - Unhinged by A.G. Howard



Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!


My Teaser: Unhinged by A.G. Howard


The flowers close in and push me toward him, rough, leafy hands scraping across my neck and cheeks, cinching my hair at the scalp so I can’t lean away. He smiles, so close that I feel the heat of his breath on my face.

“I won’t let you,” I insist. “I won’t let you into my world.”

“Too little, too late,” he murmurs against my humming skin. “By the time they find your body, I’ll already be there.”

-- Unhinged, page 38


book cover

Title: Unhinged by A.G. Howard
Series: Splintered, #2
Genres: Fantasy, Retellings, Young Adult

Add to Goodreads


Alyssa Gardner has been down the rabbit hole and faced the bandersnatch. She saved the life of Jeb, the guy she loves, and escaped the machinations of the disturbingly seductive Morpheus and the vindictive Queen Red. Now all she has to do is graduate high school and make it through prom so she can attend the prestigious art school in London she's always dreamed of.

That would be easier without her mother, freshly released from an asylum, acting overly protective and suspicious. And it would be much simpler if the mysterious Morpheus didn’t show up for school one day to tempt her with another dangerous quest in the dark, challenging Wonderland—where she (partly) belongs.

As prom and graduation creep closer, Alyssa juggles Morpheus’s unsettling presence in her real world with trying to tell Jeb the truth about a past he’s forgotten. Glimpses of Wonderland start to bleed through her art and into her world in very disturbing ways, and Morpheus warns that Queen Red won’t be far behind.

If Alyssa stays in the human realm, she could endanger Jeb, her parents, and everyone she loves. But if she steps through the rabbit hole again, she'll face a deadly battle that could cost more than just her head.

-- As seen on Goodreads



I'm loving Unhinged so much! I did mention in my Stacking post on Saturday past that I have a bunch of ARC's to read, and I was afraid I'd give into temptation when this little gem showed up in the post last week. Well, erm... *ahem* ... I gave in. I mean, once I opened the box and I glanced at the book, it screamed "Read me. Read me now!" How could I say no! Books I need to read? What books?! I don't remember any other books...


What do you think? What book are you reading this week? Leave a link to your post so I can stop by, or tell us in the comments. Happy Reading!



Monday 20 October 2014

Review: Scarlet by Marissa Meyer


Scarlet by Marissa Meyer book cover

Title: Scarlet
Author: Marissa Meyer
Series: The Lunar Chronicles, #2
Format: Paperback, owned
My rating: 5 / 5
Pages: 452

Add to Goodreads


This is not the fairytale you remember.

But it’s one you won’t forget.

Scarlet Benoit’s grandmother is missing. The police have closed her case. The only person Scarlet can turn to is Wolf, a street fighter she does not trust, but they are drawn to each other.

Meanwhile, in New Beijing, Cinder will become the Commonwealth’s most wanted fugitive – when she breaks out of prison to stay one step ahead of vicious Queen Levana.

As Scarlet and Wolf expose one mystery, they encounter Cinder and a new one unravels. Together they must challenge the evil queen, who will stop at nothing to make Prince Kai her husband, her king, her prisoner . . .

-- As seen on Goodreads


Saturday 18 October 2014

Stacking the Shelves, #9



Stacking The Shelves is hosted by Tynga's Reviews and is all about sharing the books you are adding to your shelves, may it be physical or virtual.


Friday 17 October 2014

Music -- F&F Friday


Feature and Follow Friday is hosted by Parajunkee of Parajunkee’s View and Alison of Alison Can Read. The goal is to increase blog followers and to make new friends. If you want to take part, answer the question posted and add your post to the linky, follow the hosts and the featured blogs, and hop from blog to blog leaving a comment to say hello, and follow as many or as few blogs as you like.


This Weeks Question:


Share the song you can’t stop listening to via ... *cough* me :)


How can I resist answering this question? ;)

I love music, it’s no secret. The only downside … very, very few people like what I like! I rarely listen to the radio anymore. I come from the Blur, Oasis, Audioslave, Green Day among so many others, and the worshipping Nirvana generation… so the radio sounds quite different now than it did back then! I do tend to keep all my musical loves quiet - I end up getting very strange glares and judgements when I do open up - but hey, you get used to it!

I’m going to share two songs, as there is no chance I’ll be able to limit it to one.

I doubt many will know who they are, but my first song is by a band called Opeth.

Harvest - Opeth



I thought I’d choose a more well-known band for this one, so I went with Coldplay.

Clocks - Coldplay.




Follow on Bloglovin

Thanks for stopping by! My other links are in the side bar at the top of the page if anyone is interested in following me, or friending me on Goodreads, etc.. :)

Happy Friday, and have a great weekend!





A-Z Bookish Survey


This survey was created by Jamie @ The Perpetual Page-Turner, and I'm very late to take part – she created it way back in 2013! – but… I just couldn’t resist! Before I started blogging, I took part in lots of reading challenges on Goodreads, and quite a few of them were A-Z challenges, and this reminds me of those. Sadly, I don’t get time to update or take part in them anymore, but maybe things will calm down a bit eventually!


Author you’ve read the most books from:

Agatha Christie. I only found this out recently when I did Top Ten Tuesday topic when I counted all the Christie books I own. I bought and read most of them way back when I was in college, or shortly after graduating.


Best Sequel Ever:

Gosh, this is hard! I have to choose one I read this year that won't leave my mind, and that's Resistance by C.J. Daughery

(I’m assuming “sequel” in this case can mean any book in a series that isn’t the first book.)


Currently Reading:


Reborn by C.C. Hunter


Drink of Choice While Reading:

I don't usually eat or drink when I’m reading, but if I do drink anything, it’ll be just water or coffee. And I’ll keep them well away from the book or my iPad! Ever since I accidentally spilled water on my laptop a few months ago, I’ve become a little paranoid!


E-reader or Physical Book?

I love the convenience of eBooks, but there isn't really a contest - physical books will always win out for me.


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

Oh Lordy! As much as I’d like to say someone uber-popular like Daemon Black, in reality it would have been a guy like Tucker Avery from Unearthly – only minus the cowboy hat – or Varen Nethers from Nevermore.


Glad You Gave This Book A Chance:


Forbidden by Tabitha Suzuma -- This book broke me in hundreds of different ways. It completely shocked me, and I’m really glad I wasn’t put off by the subject matter. It was completely worth it.


Hidden Gem Book:


Forever My Girl by Heidi McLaughlin


Important Moment in your Reading Life:

Gosh, there has been so many, but probably one of the more recent moments would be when a friend of mine introduced me to Goodreads. The amount of books I’ve read has exploded since then!


Just Finished:


Crane by Stacey Rourke


Kinds of Books You Won’t Read:

Non-Fiction -- Ok, maybe not NEVER, or WON’T, but they remind me too much of school, and text-books and ... yeah *shudders* Sorry, not for me right now.


Longest Book You’ve Read:

According to GoodReads, it’s The Host by Stephanie Meyer (but I don’t think that’s correct!)


Major book hangover because of:

I have three that won’t leave my mind right now – Resistance by C.J. Daugherty (That ENDING!! *Aarrghh!*) – Splintered by A.G. Howard (Moooorpheus!) – Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas (Best new series I’ve read in what feels like forever!)


Number of Bookcases You Own:

5 floor-to-ceiling, and 2 half height bookcases. Not all of them are full of books (unfortunately!) I use them as other storage as well. But *Cough* yeah… I might have a slight addiction!


One Book You Have Read Multiple Times:


Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen


Preferred Place To Read:

In bed :)


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

Ahh, I’m not very good at collecting quotes. Questions like this makes me wish I did! A recent one would be from Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone (and yes, I do plan on reading the other six, soon!!)

“It takes a great deal of bravery to stand up to our enemies, but just as much to stand up to our friends.”


Reading Regret:


Insurgent by Veronica Roth -- I wish I had stopped after Divergent. I loved that book, but Insurgent was a let-down, and spoiled my memories of it.


Series You Started And Need To Finish (all books are out in series):


Unearthly by Cynthia Hand


Three of your All-Time Favorite Books:

This list keeps changing, but today it'd be:

Angelfall by Susan Ee
Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins


Unapologetic Fangirl For:

Twilight. Yeah, yeah, yeah. The rose-tinted glasses might have faded since I read it, but it’s responsible for introducing to me how awesome the Young Adult genre is. For that, I’ll be a fan for a long time to come ;)

Very Excited For This Release More Than All The Others:

End of Days by Susan Ee -- Sadly, there isn't a cover yet.


Worst Bookish Habit:

Once I start a series, unless I hate one of the books in the series, I just have to finish it. This might not be so bad for trilogies, but when you begin a series that already has ten or so books published… yeah, not so fun!


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


Die for Me by Amy Plum


Your latest book purchase:


Unhinged by A.G. Howard


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

Resistance by C.J. Daugherty. I tried my best to read it slowly, so I could savour it since it’ll be a year until the next book in the series comes out and all that good stuff. So, I would stop reading and try to fall asleep. An hour later I’m still awake, thinking about the book and end up giving in and continuing on reading!




Thursday 16 October 2014

Review: The Academy: Introductions by C.L. Stone


The Academy: Introductions by C.L. Stone book cover

Title: The Academy: Introductions
Author: C.L. Stone
Series: The Ghost Bird, #1
Format: Kindle freebie
As of typing this, it's still free.
My rating: 4 / 5

Add to Goodreads


With an agoraphobic mother and a barely-there father, Sang abhors the isolation keeping her in the shadows. The only thing Sang craves is a fresh start and to be accepted as ordinary by her peers, because for her being different meant being cast out alone.

When her family moves to a new school district, Sang infiltrates a group of boys nearly perfect in every way. Grateful for an influence outside of her parents’ negativity, she quickly bonds with the boys, hoping to blend in and learn from them what it means to have a natural relationship with friends.

Only the boys have secrets of their own and they’ll do anything to keep her safe from the knowledge of the mysterious Academy that they've sworn allegiance to. Bit by bit, Sang discovers that her friends are far from the normalcy she expected. Will her loyalty change when she's forced to remain in the dark, or will she accept that she's traded one house of secrets for another?

Meet Kota, Victor, Silas, Nathan, Gabriel, Luke and North in a story about differences and loyalty, truth and mystery, friendships and heart-throbbing intimacy.

The Academy, ever vigilant.

-- As seen on Goodreads


Wednesday 15 October 2014

WoW #30 - The Sacred Lies of Minnow Bly by Stephanie Oakes



Waiting On Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.


The Sacred Lies of Minnow Bly by Stephanie Oakes

Tuesday 14 October 2014

Teaser Tuesday: Crane by Stacey Rourke



Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along!


My Teaser: Crane by Stacey Rourke



“Dark grows near, sense the fear,” a voice, possessing the deep rasp of death, croaked in the sing-song tempo of a nursery rhyme. “Cloak of night, brings Horseman’s plight. His pricy toll, will be a soul. Run and hide, before his ride. Or the dead –" The face of a haggard old woman peeked around the back of the chair, her mouth open in a wide, toothless grin. A shock of white hair framed her ghastly face, falling to gaunt shoulders in wiry wisps. “– Shall claim ye head.”

-- Crane, from Kindle edition: Loc 144 - page 10


Crane by Stacey Rourke book cover

Title: Crane by Stacey Rourke
Series: Legends Saga, #1
Genres: New Adult; Fantasy; Horror; Retellings

Add to Goodreads



The Horseman is unending,
his presence shan’t lessen.
If you break the curse,
you become the legend.


Washington Irving and Rip Van Winkle had no choice but to cover up the deadly truth behind Ichabod Crane’s disappearance. Centuries later, a Crane returns to Sleepy Hollow awakening macabre secrets once believed to be buried deep.


What if the monster that spawned the legend lived within you?

Now, Ireland Crane, reeling from a break-up and seeking a fresh start, must rely on the newly awakened Rip Van Winkle to discover the key to channeling the darkness swirling within her. Bodies are piling high and Ireland is the only one that can save Sleepy Hollow by embracing her own damning curse.

But is anyone truly safe when the Horseman rides?

-- As seen on Goodreads



With Halloween around the corner, I decided to go with a slightly creepier quote this week.

What do you think? Leave a link to your post so I can stop by if you like, or tell us in the comments.



Monday 13 October 2014

Face Your Fears - The Bookish Edition


Last week I got a copy of Spiders by Tom Hoyle in the post, which I won in a Goodreads giveaway. I included it in my Stacking the Shelves post on Saturday, and a comment Val from The Innocent Smiley made got me thinking. What if you have a fear of spiders and received this book in the post? How would you react!? I don’t mind spiders at all, but I know there are people with a very real fear of them, and it got me thinking about triggers for these very real fears.



In short, I want to ask all of you a couple of questions. I don’t have an answer I can give that I’m a hundred percent happy with, so I thought I’d throw them out there and see if anyone has experienced this, and what other people’s opinions are.


Please Note: While there are so many situations that can trigger different things for different people, in this post I’m referring to fears and phobias such as a fear of flying, heights, small spaces, bugs, etc.


Ok, the questions are:


What if, completely unbeknownst to you, your biggest fear or phobia was realistically recreated in the book you’re currently reading? Would you stop reading, or keep going? How would you react to that, or have you ever experienced anything like this before?


Before we go any further, according to oxforddictionaries.com, the definitions of dislike, fear and phobia are as follows:

DISLIKE:
verb
verb: dislike; 3rd person present: dislikes; past tense: disliked; past participle: disliked; gerund or present participle: disliking

1. feel distaste for or hostility towards.

FEAR:
noun
noun: fear; plural noun: fears

1. an unpleasant emotion caused by the threat of danger, pain, or harm.

PHOBIA:
noun
noun: phobia; plural noun: phobias

1. an extreme or irrational fear of or aversion to something.

After reading these definitions and thinking about it quite a bit, I probably throw around the word “fear” a little too easily when the term “dislike” would probably be more accurate. For example: moths. I do not like moths. Especially the way they fly around so randomly, and when you swat them away they actually decide that flying right at your face is the best way to escape from you! Arrgghh! I might say in casual conversation I have a “fear” of them, but this isn’t really the case. I’m not really afraid of them, they aren’t going to harm me - I just intensely dislike them! Ok, I HATE them!


I have a huge list of things I dislike, but the list of things I’m fearful of is actually a lot shorter than I first thought. The biggest fear I have is probably being buried alive. The only phobia I could claim to have would be a semi-strong case of claustrophobia. If I can see a way out of a small space, I can manage to get over the fear kind of easily. A glass lift (or elevator) for example, would be the perfect example. I’m usually alright as long as I can see out, but put me in a completely enclosed lift that I can’t see out of, then I’m terrified! It makes very little sense thinking about it but the terror is completely real, and I’ve experienced this horrible, debilitating fear quite a few times.


Putting these in a bookish light, I’ve read a couple of books that touched on both claustrophobia and a few where a character was temporarily buried alive. Now, while I didn’t particularly enjoy reading these scenes, I wouldn’t say my fears were triggered.


Ok, attempting to answer my own question: While I do experience the emotions characters go through during these scenes, none of the books I’ve read so far has triggered any of the intense reactions I’d experience if it was me in the situation, or have experienced in the past.


I don’t have a fear of heights – thankfully – but it’s probably one of the most common fears I see cropping up in the books I read. A character will casually mention they don’t like heights, then a hundred pages later, off they go scaling a building one handed or hanging off the edge of a two hundred meter cliff, and hey presto, they appeared cured. No debilitating fear. No crying and screaming. No huge panic attacks. No wanting to puke their guts out. Maybe I’m not looking at this right, but sometimes it seems like real fears are 'dumbed-down' a bit and not taken as seriously, so characters can easily triumph over the fear?


What about you? I’d love to hear what you think on this. Have you ever experienced a real sense of fear or terror when you were reading?


Saturday 11 October 2014

Stacking the Shelves, #8



Stacking The Shelves is hosted by Tynga's Reviews and is all about sharing the books you are adding to your shelves, may it be physical or virtual.

Friday 10 October 2014

Blog Ahead 2014 Sign-Up



Blog Ahead 2014 Sign-Up


When Charnell from Reviews from a Bookworm mentioned this challenge, and then I found out more information about it when Trish over at Between My lines signed up, I thought it was a brilliant idea! I have tried to maintain a week of posts scheduled in advance, but since I took a week off last month, that lovely buffer I was creating has dwindled away to a terrifying zero posts scheduled! The Blog Ahead challenge is NaNoWriMo for bloggers, giving us the chance to write up an extra 30 posts and scheduling them in advance. It’s hosted by Anna @ Herding Cats and Burning Soup, and runs for the entire month of November. Here are the official rules:


The Goal

The basic goal is to get "ahead" in your blog posts.

At the end of the month of Nov you'll have 30 additional pre-schedules than when you started the month.

ex--If you Start with 5 pre schedules--End with 35 pre schedules
Start with 10 pre schedules-- End with 40 pre schedules

Who Can Join

Any blogger. New, seasoned, Blogger, Wordpress
Any heat level, genre or theme, etc

Types of Posts

Anything you want :)
meme, review, guest post, interview, discussion, etc.
It doesn't have to be book related

What to do Next?

Sign Up HERE!



With December fast approaching and with everything Christmas and New Year’s brings, I’d love to have the blog taken care of for that entire month. It scares me that I don’t have any posts done for the rest of October or November… and I’m thinking and planning on what I’ll post in December! Eeep!

This will be a huge learning curve for me – I’ve never taken part in NaNoWriMo or any other time-limited writing challenge before… so this should be interesting! Whether I manage to complete all 30 extra posts or not, it’ll be amazing to have a bank of posts taken care of in advance.



Thursday 9 October 2014

Review: The Wilds by Jules Hedger


The Wilds by Jules Hedger book cover

Title: The Wilds
Author: Jules Hedger
Series: Reign and Ruin, #1
Format: eARC, kindly provided by the
author in exchange for an honest review.
My rating: 3.5 / 5

Add to Goodreads


Coming home to New York in summer holidays is nothing short of torturous. Maggie's mother is officially the worst widow ever and her wayward uncle can't see past the heroin or the twisted pictures he paints. Lonely is normal and normal is becoming unbearable.

Plagued by nightmares and left behind to pick up the pieces of a fallen king, an opportunity of escape leads Cirrus to take a dangerous gamble; a gamble that snatches Maggie out of her uncle’s apartment and into a dangerous world of shifting sand and treacherous beauty.

Now Maggie must fight for a nation she never knew existed. But who can she trust when everything around her is melting like paint? Even more, the man she's fighting against is at once the captor and her savior, the villain and her friend. They could be each other's salvation or destruction, the choice is up to them . . .

-- As seen on Goodreads


Wednesday 8 October 2014

WoW #29 - Hold Me Like a Breath by Tiffany Schmidt



Waiting On Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.


Hold Me Like a Breath by Tiffany Schmidt

Tuesday 7 October 2014

Teaser Tuesday - Loop by Karen Akins



Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!


My Teaser: Loop by Karen Akins


I’m only about 30% in, and I had so many potential teaser quotes to choose from already. I’ve gone with one right at the beginning – I hope you like it!

Monday 6 October 2014

Review: Darkness, Be My Friend by John Marsden


Darkness, Be My Friendbook cover

Title: Darkness, Be My Friend
Author: John Marsden
Series: Tomorrow, #4
Format: Paperback, owned
My rating: 4 / 5
Pages: 274

Add to Goodreads



Their country ravaged. Their families taken. Their solution - fight.

After the trauma of the invasion and the pain of their tragic losses, Ellie and her friends have finally found sanctuary.

But after five months away, they are called upon to return to the fight.

The gang have got used to feeling safe. They've suffered enough. And Ellie is sick with fear at the thought of returning to combat.

But sometimes there's only one answer: We're going back.

-- As seen on Goodreads


Friday 3 October 2014

Autumn 2014 Tag



I found this tag a couple of weeks ago posted by Fee @ Makeup Savvy, and I loved the idea and even though Journey Through Fiction isn’t a beauty blog, I’d love to do the tag! The original tag was created by Georgina @ Makeup Pixi3, who loves creating tags for each season, and thank you for creating this one.


If you are reading this and would like to take part, consider yourself tagged :D


1. Ok we're talking coffee's - What's your favourite seasonal drink from Starbucks/Costa/Cafe Nero etc?

I cannot function without at least one cup of coffee in my system each day, but my tastes don’t usually change that much with the seasons. I try not to buy coffee out too often anymore – trying to penny pinch as much as I can! – but when I do stop in for a yummy coffee, I’m addicted to anything with vanilla in it. Or if I’m not in a sweet mood, just a plain double shot cappuccino. Then there will be those days that the only thing I crave is a hot chocolate!


2. Accessories - What do you opt for, scarf, boots, gloves?


The autumn and winter are my two favourite seasons, and I love the cold weather and I have a pretty good tolerance for really cold days. I usually skip gloves as it gets really awkward taking them on an off to do anything, but I do love wearing scarves when the weather gets really cold. There is nothing better than bundling up in lovely warm jacket, scarf and biker boots and having a walk in the park with my dog in the cold mornings.


3. Music - What's your favourite music to listen to during Autumn?


I’m a moody reader, and I’m just as moody with the kinds of music I listen to. I never really notice if the season has an impact on what I listen to – I tend to like the same music year round! If it’s anything involving rock, metal or alternative, I’ll be listening to it.

My only little complaint on the music front – Shops: please hold off on Christmas music until after Halloween and we are actually in the winter months! Please! I’ll be a Grinch by the middle of October. The Christmas adds have already started on the TV, I really don’t want to walk into a shop and hear carols yet. Ok, here endeth the rant… sorry about the freak out!


4. Perfume - What's your favourite scent for this time of year?

This is an interesting one. I have a really sensitive sense of smell, and some scents and perfumes (or aftershaves for that matter) end up giving me a splitting headache, or in the worst case, feeling ill if I’m around strong scents for too long.

When I find a scent that agrees with my temperamental nose, I usually to stick with it to the bitter end! My favourite would be Chance from Channel. I love it, and this reminds me that I should put this on my Christmas list… I could do with a new bottle!


5. Candles - What scents will you be burning this season?


I love Yankee candles, and I was gifted a Crème Brulee one not too long ago. Even just looking through the apple candles in shops makes me start craving apple crumbles! I really want to love the honey and spice candles, but they are a bit too strong for me in long doses.


6. What do you love most about Autumn?


I love walking through parks when the leaves are starting to turn on the trees, and the squirrels are running everywhere – even if it drives my dog, Jade absolutely manic! I love that she is so much happier in the Autumn/Winter. She’s a Siberian Husky and her coat isn’t designed for the warm months, even the Irish warm months!

Another think I love is walking along the beach when the sea is really rough, and the waves are crashing over the rocks. That sound is surprisingly so relaxing. It’s even prettier at night time, when there is a full moon. Oh my goodness, so beautiful.

And the food! I love autumn food, and starting thinking of making casseroles, yummy apple crumbles and sticky toffee puddings.


7. Favourite Make-up look?


In the autumn, I tend to wear a bit more eye make-up than I would in the spring/summer. I favour darker shades and begin to wear heavier eyeliner and lots of mascara, too. I usually leave my lips and cheeks neutral, with just a sweep or two of blush if I feel like it.


8. What are you looking forward to most in Autumn?


Everything I mentioned in question six, and on a bookish front, I’m looking forward to getting my hands on Unhinged by A.G. Howard, Crown of Midnight and Heir of Fire by Sarah J. Maas, and Boundless by Cynthia Hand!

Oh, and the yummy food – lots of yummy food… No more lettuce until next year, woohoo! (Ok, that’s probably a stretch of the truth, but in honest a salad is not the most appetising thing to me in the autumn or winter!)


Thanks for reading, and leave a link if you decide to do this tag so I can visit!


Wednesday 1 October 2014

WoW #28 -- Dreamfire by Kit Alloway



Waiting On Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.


Dreamfire by Kit Alloway

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