December/Christmas Book Haul

This is a mixture of books that I've gotten this month and a few that I got at the end of November. I haven't done a book haul since the summer so this is long overdue. I have a lot of books here! Prepare yourself, here we go!

1. Shadowfever by Karen Marie Moning
I actually just bought this book yesterday with one of my Barnes and Noble gift cards! This is the fifth book in the Fever series. This series is ADDICTING. I started the first book and finished it in a day. I couldn't stop reading! The first book is Darkfever and you should really check it out. In my opinion the series is like an adult version of Cassandra Clare's Mortal Instruments series. Romance, action, THE FAE, you have it all in this series.



2. Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë 
This is one of my favorite classics. My roommate got me the special Penguin edition for Christmas and I love it with all my heart! It's so beautiful my picture really doesn't do it justice.





3. Poison Study, Magic Study, and Fire Study by Maria V. Snyder
I got these three books for Christmas! I read the first book about a year ago on my kindle and I loved it. For some reason I just haven't gotten around to reading the other books. A lot of people love this series so I'm hoping I'll be able to finish it over my winter break. But I think I need to reread the first book because I have no idea what happened. All I can remember is that it's a lot like Throne of Glass and I loved Valek. Yep, that's all I remember.

4. Frostfire and Ice Kissed  by Amanda Hocking
I got both of these books really cheap on BookOutlet (the BEST book buying website). I started the first book, Frostfire, but I kind of got sidetracked with finals and other books (like the Fever series ;)). This is another young adult fantasy read and I've been told I should read Hocking's other series first before I read this one. I might do that because I only got 20 pages into Frostfire and I was a little confused.

5. Jackaby by William Ritter
I've only heard great things about this book. I also purchased this on BookOutlet and I'm so happy I found it on there. I've heard it's kind of like a mix of Doctor Who and Sherlock Holmes set in the late 19th century. I'm really excited about this one because I love books that are set in the Victorian era in England, it's an addiction. I hope I like it but honestly I already know I will.

6. The House by Christina Lauren 
I got this book way back in November I think. This was kind of like an impulse buy because I wasn't planning on buying it but the blurb made it sound so good! I started a little of it but I wasn't really grabbed by it, partly because there was insta-love, which I hate. I'm hoping to give it another chance because it seems creepy and interesting.

7. Walk on Earth a Stranger by Rae Carson
Another book that I've heard great things about! A lot of people have been telling me this was their favorite book of 2015, so I really need to read it. It's supposed to be sort of like a fantasy mixed in with historical fiction, which is a combination that I always love. I think it takes place in the American west in the Gold Rush era. I've only read one other young adult western and that was Vengeance Road by Erin Bowman. I think westerns have the potential to become the next big YA market because there really aren't a lot of them out there.

8. Wolf By Wolf by Ryan Graudin
I JUST BOUGHT THIS YESTERDAY AND I AM SO EXCITED. I'll probably read this once I'm done with Shadowfever....The basic concept is that the story takes place after World War II and instead of the Allies winning the war, the Axis Powers have won the war. Meaning that Hitler is still alive and in control. I've always wanted to read a book that has to do with an alternate reality where Germany didn't lose WWII. Last semester I took a class focusing on Nazi Germany so I am excited to put my knowledge from that into reading this book.  

9. A Thousand Nights by E.K. Johnston 
I've been reading this since November....but I never hauled it which is why I am including it in this post. I've really been having a tough time trying to finish books lately. This is really good it's just that I started the Fever series and ughhhh. This book is a retelling of A Thousand and One Nights like The Wrath and the Dawn (one of my favorite books of 2015). It's really good I just once again got pulled down with work and distracted by other books. But I will finish it soon!

10. Instructions for the End of the World by Jamie Kain
I got this book for Christmas and I really wanted it! I've been seeing ok reviews about it but I really want to read it and see for myself how it is. The summary clicked with me and I was immediately interested. It has to do with a girl and her sister who are moved to a rural area because their father believes that the end of the world is upon them. This book is definitely a contemporary mixed in with some adventure. I really can't wait to read it.

11. Carry On by Rainbow Rowell
I'm a little late on this one....Do I even need to explain this book? I suppose I do. This is kind of a spin-off of Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell. If you've read  that then you'll completely understand the premise of this book but I do not think that you need to read Fangirl in order to read this book. I love Rainbow Rowell's writing so I'm really excited to read this.

12. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone: Illustrated Edition by J.K. Rowling, illustrated by Jim Kay
IT'S JUST SO BEAUTIFUL. If you saw my holiday book tag you'd know that I really wanted this book for Christmas. Well, I got it and I can't stop looking at it. It's magnificent.

Before I end this haul I also want to share this really amazing bookmark that my sister gave me for Christmas!

I love mermaids so she found this awesome mermaid tale bookmark! It came all the way from Ukraine, the store is called MyBOOKmark! You should check out the crafter's etsy here! And she's having a sale so I'd totally check it out!! :)


There you have it folks my December book haul! Hope you enjoyed it! What books did you get this month?

My Holiday Book Tag 2015

Happy Holidays and Merry Christmas everyone! I can't believe it is already Christmas eve night! I hope you all are enjoying the holidays with your family and loved ones! I've been able to spend time with one of my sisters today and it has been one of the best days I've had in awhile. I think that this is what Christmas is all about: spending time with those that you love, especially people that you don't get to see as often. All throughout the day I started to think of some of my favorite books to read around the holiday season and I wanted to share them with you! This is my Holiday Book Tag 2015!

1. Pick a book that makes you think of the holidays.

Harry Potter all the way!  Even the movies are something I always watch around Christmas time. The Harry Potter series is something that gives you all these warm and fuzzy feelings. It just feels like home to me. You can always go back to it and never be bored. I tend to pick up and read at least one of the books in series around the holidays.

2. Pick a book that you'd give as a gift.

That's a tough one. But I'd probably give either I'll Give You the Sun by Jandy Nelson as a gift or Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas. Both of these books are just wonderful and I think everyone would  enjoy! Also any book by Rainbow Rowell is a good gift as well! 

3. Pick a book you want this Christmas.

I asked for A LOT of books this Christmas. But one of the main ones that I really really want is the Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone: Illustrated Edition . This actually came out in October but I decided to wait until Christmas to ask for it. IT IS BEAUTIFUL. Whenever I go to Barnes and Noble I always grab a copy and flip through the pages. I can't wait to eventually get my hands on it. If I had to choose a book that is non-Harry Potter it would have to be the Poison Study series by Maria V. Snyder. I read the first book, Poison Study, more than a year ago and I never got around to reading all of the other books in the series! But I really enjoyed it so I'm hoping I get the next book! http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51d4yFcvsLL.jpg

4. Pick a book that takes place in the winter or has a winter setting.

This is a tough one but out of all the books that I have read I think of The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe by C. S. Lewis. This is just a classic winter tale that I will always love. Although at some point the setting does change to spring, I still will always think of winter. 

5. Pick a holiday themed book.

The first holiday themed book I read was Let it Snow which includes stories by John Green, Maureen Johnson, and Lauren Myracle. I read it way back when I was in middle school but the stories have always stuck with me. I like to reread them around the holidays. Another more recent holiday themed book that came out recently is My True Love Gave to Me: 12 Holiday Stories edited by Stephanie Perkins. A bunch of authors came together to write some pretty terrific holiday stories that I think everyone can enjoy! 

6. Pick a book that you got during the holidays one year and loved. 

Before I was really into regular books, I read a lot of comics. Especially, Archie comics. One year my parents got me the special edition of the Archie Marries... story. I loved this book with a passion and still do. Even though I rarely read my Archie comics anymore this specific book and all the others book my parents got me have a special place in my heart.

Well that's it for my tag! I hope you liked it and you guys use it on your own blogs! Happy Holidays everyone! 

~~~Love, Whitney

Top Ten Books of 2015!

Well, it's that time of the year again! I have to choose my favorite books of the year! This is going to be tough but I think I can power through it. If you click on the titles of the books mentioned it will take you to my review of the book or its page on Goodreads. Here we go!

10. All the Rage by Courtney Summers
I read this book way back in April when it first came out. I had read another book by Courtney Summers called Fall for Anything and loved it. After that I wanted to get my hands on anything else she had written! So when I heard about this book I knew I had to read it. It deals with some tough issues and it can get really dark. However, it is a beautiful story that left me speechless.




9. The Mime Order by Samantha Shannon
This is the second book in the Bone Season series. This is one of those series that gives me the Harry Potter feelings. Samantha Shannon's writing just really reminds of J.K. Rowling and how I would feel when I read Harry Potter. There's so much action in this book and it's just such an interesting world and I LOVE IT. The first book is The Bone Season so if you haven't read it, I definitely recommend it. Did I mention this will be a 7 book series? MORE TO LOVE PEOPLE!

8. A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas
IT'S A SARAH J. MAAS BOOK WHERE CAN YOU GO WRONG? Seriously, this is another author that gives me Harry Potter feelings. I loved this book. This is a separate series from Sarah's Throne of Glass series. Also it's a little more New Adult than Young Adult. This first book is essentially a retelling of the Beauty and the Beast but with fae. However, I believe the next book will be a different retelling but dealing with the same characters. Anyway, I'll probably enjoy anything written by Sarah J. Maas so this had to be on my list!

7. Mosquitoland by David Arnold 
I read this in the beginning of the summer and LOVED IT. Mosquitoland is a stand-alone contemporary and tells the story of the journey of a young girl named Mim. It involves a road trip, a lot of interesting characters, a sassy narrator, and a wonderful twist. It's one of those books you have to dive straight into and get lost in. I absolutely loved it.




6. I'll Give You the Sun by Jandy Nelson
I was a little late to the party on this one. This book came out in 2014 but I put it off for awhile because of school work and I tend to read a lot more fantasy during the school year if I do get the chance to read. This is another contemporary stand-alone and it is just a beautiful story. Honestly, now that I'm writing this and thinking about it, I want to reread it again. I read this in 3 days while I was stuck in my dorm at school because of the massive snowstorms happening in New Hampshire. It was a good book to read during that time because it takes place in California so I was able to picture myself there instead ha! Anyway, I just adore this book. Jandy Nelson loves to write in metaphors and create flowing and beautiful sentences. She has a talent and she really showed it with this book.

5. An Ember in the Ashes by Sabaa Tahir
I AM A SUCKER FOR ANYTHING THAT HAS TO DO WITH ROMAN HISTORY. And this book is all about it! It's told in dual point of views between a soldier, Elias, and a slave, Laia. There are some fantasy elements mixed in with the history, which makes the story even better. I think we also are expecting a sequel in 2016. This book is action-packed, it's one of those books that feels like a movie is playing in your head.

4. All the Bright Places by Jennifer Niven
A book hasn't made me cry like this one did in a long time. I could not stop thinking about this story after I read it because I was so shocked and so upset. It leaves you with a lot of thoughts, good and bad. I was surrounded by tissues once I finished the last page, it was not a pretty sight.






3. The Wrath and the Dawn by Renee Ahdieh
Another wonderful retelling story. These type of books seem to be really getting popular and I think we'll be seeing a lot more of them in 2016. Retellings either sink or swim and this one definitely swam and then some. I love this book, from the cover to the beautiful writing and characters. It's a retelling of the classic story of A Thousand and One Nights and it just really works.

2. Winter by Marissa Meyer
This book was the epic finale of Marissa Meyer's Lunar Chronicles and IT WAS AMAZING. It was the perfect end to this series and everything that I wanted to happen, happened. Everything tied together and it just worked. The first book in the series is called Cinder so if you haven't read this series, I'd definitely check it out!





And finally. My number one book of 2015 was......

1. Queen of Shadows by Sarah J. Maas
ONCE AGAIN IT'S SARAH J. MAAS. IS THERE ANYTHING ELSE TO SAY? This is the fourth book in the Throne of Glass series and as per usual it was AMAZING. If you haven't heard of the Throne of Glass series jut go right now and buy or borrow the first book. Ok? GO DO IT NOW. I love this series with a burning passion and this book might be my favorite so far. Probably because of  a certain fae by the name of Rowan......

So there you have it! My favorite books of 2015! There are plenty of other books that I read that I really enjoyed as well. It was tough to choose! What were your favorite books of the year?

REVIEW: Queen of Shadows (MINOR SPOILERS)

No words at the moment.


All I know is that I love this series with all my heart and this fourth book did not disappoint. It left me completely satisfied and I just LOVED IT. 


I can't get over how good this book was. I CAN'T.


I'LL WARN YOU NOW. There will probably be some minor spoilers in here. So read the book. And if you haven't read the series yet, WHAT ARE YOU DOING RIGHT NOW? Drop everything and go read this series. 


"Let's go rattle the stars." 


Ok! I have a lot of thoughts on this book so bear with me. QOS picks up right were HOF left off, Aelin has come back to Rifthold and her goals are to get Aedion out of the glass castle and to destroy the King of Adarlan once and for all. As per usual, Aelin is KICK-ASS. Celaena was kick-ass too but Aelin IS NEXT LEVEL. Because she acknowledges her identity now she uses that to motivate her. Aelin knows who she is and what she must do to take back Terrasen and try to fix this world. However, in no way will Aelin and her court will be able to take back the kingdom peacefully. A LOT has to happen, including a lot of bloody battles and killings. 


"I don't care how long it takes, or how far you go: I'll burn and your gods-damned kingdom to ash. Then you'll learn how much of a monster I can be."


Chaol Westfall. Oh Chaol....Let me tell you something, I LOVED Chaol in the first two books. I mistakenly thought he was endgame for Aelin as most of us did. It wasn't until HOF that I realized he wasn't the perfect man I thought he was. He still needed to grow and learn a couple of things. However, in the beginning of QOS I absolutely despised Chaol. The way he was blaming Aelin for everything and not understanding the position that Dorian in was getting really frustrating. BUT THEN WE SEE CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT. Sarah J. Maas is a pro when it comes to character development. It's so gradual and wonderful to read about. Chaol has an internal struggle throughout the book and that has to do with what's going to happen to Dorian. Is he really evil now? Or is there a way that the magic can be reserved and the prince can return to his true self? This is something Chaol struggles to answer throughout the book. Another struggle he has is trusting Aelin because she had lied to him so much. How can he trust that with her magic she won't imprison and torture the citizens of Adaraln just like the king? Chaol has always hated magic but by the end of the book he has learned to accept it. He also learns to accept himself the good and the bad.


"'Maybe I don't want to be that person anymore,' he said. That person-that stupidly loyal, useless person- had lost everything. His friend, the woman he love, his position, his honor. Lost everything, with only himself to blame."


LYSANDRA. Ok Lysandra has been one of my favorite characters ever since I read The Assassin's Blade. And I know that sounds strange because we only encountered her for a little but I have always been interested in her and her life. I had a feeling there was something more to her and I'm so glad I was right. She's still one of my favorite characters especially now that we know she  (view spoiler). And what she did Evangeline? HEROIC. LYSANDRA IS A HERO. And if anyone who thinks differently can fight me. Also I totally ship her and Aedion together. NO SHAME.


ELIDE. Elide Lochan. Another strong female character that I think we will develop more and more in the next two books. I can sense she has an important role and I can't wait to see her grow as a character. I hope she finds Aelin and her crew and they help stop Perrionton and Vernon. 
Manon Blackbeack was also a major part because of her role as the Wind Leader. I loved how we learned a bit more about Asterin and her background. Manon is finally starting to figure out that her grandmother is evil. I hope that she'll find a way to unite with Aelin and they can take down Perrington together. I loved the scene between Manon and Elide when they were talking about Elide's hope and her connection to Terrasen. We again see a different side of Manon and her ability to feel something more than the bloodlust that her grandmother has poured into her.


"The Wing Leader said from behind her, 'Do you believe monsters are born, or made?'
From what she'd seen today, she would say some creatures were very much born evil. But what Manon was asking...'I'm not the one who needs to answer that question,' Elide said." 


Can I talk about Rowan and Aelin now?! I don't want to get too into it but all I have to say is....YESSSSSS. Sarah J. Maas totally tricked me in HOF. I thought Rowan and Aelin were building this awesome friendship, which they did. I totally thought nothing else could come from it, I hoped and PRAYED that something more would come but by the end of the book I accepted that they were only going to be friends rather than lovers. BUT BOY OH BOY AM I SO GLAD I WAS WRONG. Their relationship is just awesome and it's everything that I would want in relationship. Except I'm in not a fantasy world full of fae and magic and just AWESOMENESS. Sigh. Anyway, I loved their relationship and I can't wait to see more in the next book.


I have so many thoughts but they're all so jumbled. I just loved it. That's all you really need to know. The battles are epic, the characters are witty and just so strong, and the plot feels like a film playing in your head. I love it. I love Sarah J. Maas. She's so talented. So read this book and read her entire series!!


"'What if we go on,' he said, 'only to more pain and despair? What if we go on, only to find a horrible end waiting for us?'
Aelin looked northward, as if she could see all the way to Terrasen. 'Then it is not the end.'" 

REVIEW: The Sacred Lies of Minnow Bly (no spoilers)

This was an amazing book. Honestly.

I've never read a book that has to do with cults but I've seen information about them on the news and such. Although this book is fiction I can't help but think there is a certain amount of truth to this novel. I'd really recommend this book to anyone from young adults to adults.

"It's a small kind weapon, this story. I stab someone with it and they hurt, every time."

I don't even know how to begin writing this review. It was just so good that I can't put it into words. However, I have to try and write something! Anyway, our narrator, Minnow Bly, is a 17-year-old girl that has recently escaped a cult called "the Community." When we first meet her she is standing trial for a crime she did in fact commit. She is sent to a juvenile dentition center and must stay there until her 18th birthday. While Minnow is locked away she meets Dr. Wilson and with him we see her story unravel and how her life has led up to this moment.

"'You did nothing wrong,' is what Angel says on the occasions I talk like this, but I know it wasn't normal or right what I did, and I question how it all could have happened. Not just for me, but everyone in the Community. How each of our hands went from farming and praying to hurting and killing."

You can't help but feel bad for Minnow. She's lost her hands, her family, and her love. It was interesting to read a book about a cult like this. At moments it was very graphic so if you're not used to that, beware. But for me those graphic details of Minnow losing her hands or Minnow's attack on the man in the park is what made the story so real and intense. With this story you just want to keep reading and reading so that you can piece together the puzzle of why Minnow is in jail. In a way the reader's role is the same as Dr. Wilson's who believes talking to criminals is like piecing together a puzzle. However, it takes awhile for Minnow to reveal to us and the Doctor what her story is. She vows in the beginning of the book that she will never tell the truth but by the end of the novel we see Minnow develop into a much stronger character because she has to come face her past.

"Even after months of healing, it doesn't take much to make me bleed."

While I really enjoyed learning Minnow's story and how she came to be involved in the Community, I also really enjoyed reading about Minnow's time in prison. One of my favorite characters has to be Angel, Minnow's roommate, because she is so honest and also so wise. Minnow was really able to grow as person because of Angel and her support for her. I loved their relationship.

And then there's Jude. I thought everything that happened with Jude was so sad, he broke my heart. I'm also wondering about a certain part of the book where Minnow sees him again. I don't want to spoil anyone but I don't think this is really a spoiler. I think what happened in the orchard was all in Minnow's imagination. I do not believe that Jude lived after what the Prophet and the Community did to him. Anyone else? I found that part in the orchard to be a bit confusing. Anyway, I also really liked Jude and Minnow's relationship as well but it was also heartbreaking to read about. When Jude started singing their song after what the Prophet did to him, I cried. IT WAS JUST SO SAD.

"Jude taught me what love was: to be willing to hold on to another person''s pain. That's it."

I just really loved this book. THERE'S SO MUCH TO TALK ABOUT. And there's so many questions that the book leaves you wondering. The big one being the nature God and if there is God why does he let these things happen. I really enjoyed Angel's explanation of God. She believes that God is kind of like a deadbeat dad that never shows up for anything. I think she's trying to say that God created all this stuff in the word but now he's left it. He's left his creation so that we as human beings can figure it out for ourselves. I could discuss this all day because I just find it so interesting. The author did a great job of making the reader think and question certain things.

This is just an amazing book. Definitely different from most of the YA out there right now. It's a such a real story with real characters. I honestly would recommend this to everyone. When I was working at the beach this past weekend I was reading this and an older man who comes to the beach every weekend wanted to know what I was reading. And I showed him and explained to him the book and he was so interested in it. He said as soon as I returned it to the library he was going to check it out! So seriously, young or old you should read this book.

REVIEW: Saint Anything (no spoilers)

 I really enjoyed this book! Sarah Dessen has always been one of my favorite YA authors. I remember reading my first book by her way back in the 7th grade...I believe it was The Truth About Forever (great book by the way). Anyway, this recent book of hers did not disappoint! Compared to some of Dessen's other books I thought the subject matter in this one was a bit more serious and I found it really interesting to read about. I'd definitely recommend it to fans of Sarah Dessen or to anyone interested in a YA contemporary! 

"I was used to being invisible. People rarely saw me, and if they did, they never looked close. I wasn't shiny and charming like brother, stunning and graceful like my mother, or smart and dynamic like my friends. That's the thing though. You always think you want to be be noticed. Until you are." 




For Sydney's whole life her older brother, Peyton, has had their parent's attention all to himself because of his legal problems and bad behavior. The beginning of the story opens with Peyton being sentenced to prison after hitting a young boy on a bicycle while driving under the influence. Even though Sydney's brother has been sent to prison her mother's focus is still on him, which leaves Sydney alone and still invisible. Until she meets the Layla and the rest of the Chathams, especially Mac. For the first time in her life Sydney doesn't feel so invisible but she still wishes that her parents would notice her. 




"I'd done the right thing. I always did. It just would have been nice if someone had noticed." 




I connected with this book. I could really relate to Sydney and her struggle of being invisible and wanting to have some attention from her parents. I think at times we have a feeling of being invisible whether that's when we're with our parents or with friends, it's something everyone can relate to. But once Sydney jumps out of her comfort zone and connects with Layla and Mac we see her become a happier and more vibrant character. Everything that has been weighing her down with her parents, her brother, and creepy Ames starts to disappear. 




"We moved quickly, then faster still, the night and woods big and wide all around us. It was one of those moments that, even while it was happening, I knew I would remember forever, even before the ring came into view and my grasp. I didn't reach for it, though; I didn't need to. I felt like I'd already won." 




I don't think I'll be able to get through this review without mentioning creepy Ames. HOW DID HER PARENTS NOT NOTICE??? I mean I know her parents are pretty oblivious but still. Her parents really annoyed me. I think in every Sarah Dessen book I read the parents annoy me! But that's a good thing because it shows how realistic these characters are. And by the end of the book Sydney was able to understand her parents a bit more, especially her mother. Her parents love her and Peyton but they also have to deal with the fact that their son almost killed someone and they have to live with that for the rest of their lives. Although the books ends on a happy note, not everything's perfect and Sydney knows this. There's still things to work through with her brother and parents that will all come with time. 




"That was just it. You never know what lay ahead; the future was one thing that could never be broken, because it had not yet had the chance to be anything. One minute you're walking through a dark woods, alone, and then the landscape shifts, and you see it. Something wondrous and unexpected, almost magical, that you never would have found had you not kept going. Like a new friend who feels like an old one, or a memory you'll never forget. Maybe even a carousel." 




I really enjoyed this book. There hasn't been one book by Sarah Dessen that I haven't loved so if you haven't read any of her books, pick one up! Compared to her other books I thought this one dealt with a more serious issue and she wrote about it in a way that was really eye-opening. Give it a read!