Month: March 2016

The Science of Swooning

Posted March 28, 2016 in Discussions / 11 Comments

Like most YA book bloggers, I read a LOT of books within the same genre. Sure, I read a lot of sub-genres within Young Adult (fantasy, paranormal, contemporary, etc), but the I read so much from the overarching Young Adult genre that sometimes I worry that I am becoming desensitized to certain elements, particularly my level of investment and intrigue in the romantic relationships. I feel like lately I tend to miss out on the emotions that these relationships are supposed to evoke, and I had come to the conclusion that I either: Was outgrowing these relationships now that I’m […]

Stacking the Shelves [25]

Posted March 25, 2016 in Stacking the Shelves, Weekly Features/Memes / 17 Comments

Stacking the Shelves is a weekly feature hosted by Tynga’s Reviews where bloggers share the books that they’ve added to their shelves this week, whether borrowed, bought, virtual, physical, etc! This is my first stacking the shelves since June. Geez! Life has really gotten in the way of my STS posts (which I actually talked about this week on the blog). I have definitely acquired a LOT of books since last June, and with so many great 2016 releases (and a job which equals money to buy books with!) I am hoping to be able to post more STS posts […]

The Blog Balancing Act: On Working Full Time and Keeping Up With Your Blog

Posted March 23, 2016 in Features / 28 Comments

I’ve mentioned it here and there over the course of the past 7 months, but I recently started working full-time at an amazing job in a big city. It was my biggest lifestyle change since graduating from college, and it has shaped and changed the course of my life in amazing ways. However, there’s no denying that is also significantly impacted my blogging, which up until I started this job had been one of my main focuses. Book blogging still remains my favorite hobby and one of my largest passions in life, and what I’ve learned is that I didn’t […]

The Distance Between Us by Kasie West | Review

Posted March 21, 2016 in Reviews / 4 Comments

The Distance Between Us came highly recommended to me after my first, rather lackluster, experience with a Kasie West novel, The Fill In Boyfriend. There seems to be a consensus that The Distance Between Us is the best of West’s contemporary novels, so I decided to assign it my “lunchtime read” at work (which is where I choose a short novel to keep in my desk and only read exclusively on work breaks). I didn’t go into the book with that many expectations, and found it to be a cute and quick read with some plot holes and characters who […]

Coveting Covers: Be Still My Shadowhunter Heart

Posted March 16, 2016 in Coveting Covers, Features / 16 Comments

Coveting Covers is a feature that highlights international or special/limited edition book covers that are not the “standard” ones sold in the US. I would love to add these covers to my collection! Perhaps one of the most talked about series right now, The Mortal Instruments books were recently released with all new paperback covers in the US, which are no doubt gorgeous (those spines!) However, a set of new covers released in the UK, Australia, and Ireland by Walker Books have caught my attention with their simple and colorfully stunning covers: Aren’t they gorgeous? Much less crowded than the […]

Top Ten Books on My Spring TBR

Posted March 14, 2016 in Top Ten Tuesday, Weekly Features/Memes / 24 Comments

Top Ten Tuesday is a fun weekly feature hosted by the fantastic blog The Broke and the Bookish. This week’s topic focuses on one’s Spring TBR, however I recently talked about all of the new releases I’m anticipating through June. This week I’m going to focus on the books I aim to read this spring aside from all of the highly hyped, shiny new releases I have my eye on. Queen of Shadows by Sarah J Maas I literally just started this book right after finishing HOF because I need more Aelin and Rowan in my life. The Assassin’s Blade […]

Heir of Fire by Sarah J Maas | Review

Posted March 14, 2016 in Reviews / 13 Comments

“She was the heir of ash and fire, and she would bow to no one.” I never thought I’d be a Sarah J Maas fangirl. I read Throne of Glass and was underwhelmed. I read Crown of Midnight, and it was shockingly good, but I was suspicious that it was more due to certain plot elements rather than an overall love for the series itself. However after I discovered my love affair with A Court of Thorns and Roses, I decided it was time to give the Throne of Glass series another chance to wow me. And wow me it […]

Devoted by Jennifer Mathieu | Review

Posted March 9, 2016 in Reviews / 6 Comments

*Many thanks to Macmillan and Brittany @ The Book Addict’s Guide for my copy of Devoted! Jennifer Mathieu has managed to write a stellar sophomore novel that, like her debut The Truth About Alice, provides a riveting view into a social issue that might make most uncomfortable to look too closely at. While The Truth About Alice focused on slut-shaming and bullying, Devoted addressed modern day religious fundamentalist communities, and as a religious studies major I have to applaud Mathieu’s handling of the topic. Devoted focuses on Rachel, a nearly 18 year old living in a Christian fundamentalist community (the […]

Top Ten Characters Everyone Loves Who I Just Don’t Get

Posted March 7, 2016 in Top Ten Tuesday / 41 Comments

Top Ten Tuesday is a fun weekly feature hosted by the fantastic blog The Broke and the Bookish. This week the topic is: Top Ten Characters Everyone Loves Who You Just Don’t Get. I have a feeling I’m going to create a disturbance with some of my picks (and I will be the first to admit many may be influenced by my salty attitude toward certain popular book ships). Time to stir up some trouble! Ron Weasley from Harry Potter: I’m sorry, I have never liked Ron from Day 1. He rivals Percy for being my least favorite Weasley. I […]

Bookish Standards: What Do You Consider Acceptable Physical Conditions?

Posted March 7, 2016 in Discussions / 34 Comments

As a book blogger and lifelong voracious reader, I’ve always purchased a lot of books from various vendors. Many of my book purchases are made online, as they fit into my budget and the delivery method is convenient for my busy schedule. However, I find that more often than I’d like, my books come in semi-damaged condition that I cannot control since I am not picking them out myself (I am totally that person who checks every single copy at a bookstore to ensure I’m purchasing the most flawless one). I don’t crack spines, don’t dog ear pages, etc. so […]