Stacking the Shelves #5

Stacking The Shelves is all about sharing the books you are adding to your shelves, may it be physical or virtual. This means you can include books you buy in physical store or online, books you borrow from friends or the library, review books, gifts and of course ebooks! Hosted by Tynga's Reviews.

Kindle Buys:

Nook Buys: 

Library:

The Time Travelers: Volume 1 by Caroline Cooney.

Alanna: The First Adventure by Tamora Pierce

Morrigan's Cross by Nora Roberts

Use book store 

Skinny Dip by Carl Hiaasen

Where She Went by Gayle Forman

Flipped by Wendelin Van Draanen 

Waiting on Wednesday: Deception

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

Book: Deception
Author: C.J. Redwine
Release Date: August 27, 2013


From Goodreads:
Baalboden has been ravaged. The brutal Commander's whereabouts are unknown. And Rachel, grief stricken over her father's death, needs Logan more than ever. With their ragged group of survivors struggling to forge a future, it's up to Logan to become the leader they need—with Rachel by his side. Under constant threat from rival Carrington's army, who is after the device that controls the Cursed One, the group decides to abandon the ruins of their home and take their chances in the Wasteland.



But soon their problems intensify tenfold: someone—possibly inside their ranks—is sabotaging the survivors, picking them off one by one. The chaos and uncertainty of each day puts unbearable strain on Rachel and Logan, and it isn't long before they feel their love splintering. Even worse, as it becomes clear that the Commander will stop at nothing to destroy them, the band of survivors begins to question whether the price of freedom may be too great—and whether, hunted by their enemies and the murderous traitor in their midst, they can make it out of the Wasteland alive. 

In this daring sequel to Defiance, with the world they once loved forever destroyed, Rachel and Logan must decide between a life on the run and standing their ground to fight

brought to you by: the broke and the bookish

Top Ten Tuesday: Top Ten Books I've Read So Far In 2013

brought to you by: the broke and the bookish

Jeni's Picks

1. My Fairest Beauty by Melanie Dickerson: Fairytale retellings are so much fun and this one doesn't disappoint. 

2. The Tutor's Daughter by Julie Klassen: I'm a big fan of historical fiction and Julie Klassen is one of my favorite authors. This book reminded me a little of Jane Eyre. It started off kind of slow but once I got into it I couldn't put it down. 

3. Once a Witch and Always a Witch by Carolyn MacCullough: I love books about witches. This series also included time travel which is another favorite genre of mine. 

4. The False Prince and The Runaway King by Jennifer A. Nielsen: These books were fantastic. I read them to my girls and they would beg me to read another chapter. They even had me reread passages because of how funny the main character is. I highly recommend reading them both. The only downfall is the last book in the trilogy doesn't come out till March 2014. 

5. Pushing the Limits by Katie McGarry: I'm not a hug fan of YA contemporary but all the positive reviews of this book pulled me in. I enjoyed Noah and Echo's story and am looking forward to reading Beth's story next. 

Emily's Picks:

6. Divergent by Veronica Roth. This book took me a little while to get into, but about half way in, I was hooked. I still need to read the second book, but I am holding off until the third one comes out.

7. The Light Between Oceans b ML Stedman.  I don't normaly pick books like this.  I tend to gravitate towards fantasy, or YA, or Jane Austen.  But I read some great reviews on this book and wanted to give it a try, and was glad that I did.  It's not a happy book by any means, but it is a book that makes you think!

8. Chalice by Robin McKinley. I love Robin Mckinley and was exicted to see some new books by her. I liked this one, it had her old flair in it, which I had been missing. 

9. Unearthly. By Cynthia Hand. I haven't been a huge fan of Angels and Fallen Angels, and their half angel off spring..but I liked this book.  It was interesting and I would give this series a go.

10. A Monstrous Regiment of Women (Mary Russel #2) by Laurie R King. I loved the first book in this series, The Beekeepers Apprentice.  It's about Sherlock Holmes after retirment. And a young women very much Sherlock, but who is suprising in a lot of ways as well.  I liked the second book.  It was entertaining.  I enjoy the relationship between Holmes and Russel. 

Stacking the Shelves #4

Stacking The Shelves is all about sharing the books you are adding to your shelves, may it be physical or virtual. This means you can include books you buy in physical store or online, books you borrow from friends or the library, review books, gifts and of course ebooks! Hosted by Tynga's Reviews.

From my trip to England. I love how some of their covers are different then ours, especially The Light Between Oceans.

The Light Between Oceans by M.L. Stedman

Gideon the Cutpurse byLinda Buckley Archer

The Secret Keeper by Kate Morton

The Snow Child by Eowyn Ivey

Poison Study by Maria V Synder

Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn

Kindle:

Nook: 

Emily's Review: Lament

Lament: by Maggie Stiefvater..  I had picked this book up at a used book store as a second thought.  The cover of the book wasn't very appealing, but I like books about faeries and decided to give this a try.  It was late at night and I couldn't sleep, so I cracked this book open and began to read.  I was instantly taken in by this book.  The night kept creeping in, and I kept reading.  By three thirty in the morning I closed the book and was done.  And it was the first time in a long while, that I didn't want a story to end. I wanted this author to keep writing about the main characters, Deirdre and her mysterious love, Luke.  I wanted to know where their story would end up.  I wasn't nearly satisfied with the ending.  Although it was fabulous and I understood why it ended the way it had..I just wanted more!  

The basis of this book?  Deirdre is a musical prodigy and while practicing for a concert, she meets a strange and handsome boy named Luke.  He introduces her to a strange world that has always been around her, but that she has been unaware of until now.  He is also a faerie assassin  and he has a secret.  Will this secret keep Deirdre from the boy she has grown to love?  Or bring them together?  

I loved this book. And would recommend it to anyone who liked Wondrous Strange or the Iron King.  Enjoy.
 (From my understanding, there is a second book, but the author chose a secondary character as the main character in that book.  I can't say if I'm happy about that or not. We shall see, we shall see.) 
Emily

WAITING ON WEDNESDAY:A HEART DECEIVED 
"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

Book: A Heart Deceived

Author: Michelle Griep

Release date: June 20, 2013

From Amazon:

Miri Brayden teeters on a razor's edge between placating and enraging her brother, whom she depends upon for support. Yet if his anger is unleashed, so is his madness. Miri must keep his descent into lunacy a secret, or he'll be committed to an asylum—and she'll be sent to the poorhouse. 

Ethan Goodwin has been on the run all of his life—from family, from the law ... from God. After a heart-changing encounter with the gritty Reverand John Newton, Ethan would like nothing more than to become a man of integrity—an impossible feat for an opium addict charged with murder. 

When Ethan shows up on Miri's doorstep, her balancing act falls to pieces. Both Ethan and Miri are caught in a web of lies and deceit—fallacies that land Ethan in prison and Miri in the asylum with her brother. Only the truth will set them free.

brought to you by: the broke and the bookish

Top Ten Tuesday: Top of your Summer To Be Read List

brought to you by: the broke and the bookish

Jeni's Picks

1. Siege and Storm  by Leigh Bardugo: I loved Shadow and Bone, and I'm usually not a fantasy lover.  I hate having to wait for the next book in a series. Lately I've been buying books that are part of trilogies but I'm waiting to read them until all the books are out. This is one book I will break my rule for.

2. Glimmer of Hope by Sarah M. Eden: I absolutely love every book by this author and this summer she is coming out with two books. This one and Longing for Home. I can't wait to read them. Her last book Drops of Gold was fantastic. 

3. The Secret Keeper by Kate Morton: I've only read one other Kate Morton book which was The Forgotten Garden. I liked that book but everyone tells me this one is better. Hopefully it won't disappoint. 

4. The Princess Academy by Shannon Hale: I read this book when it first came out so I think it is time for a reread.  Also my girls are old enough now that I will get to read it to them. Plus I want to read the second book that just came out  Princess Academy: Palace of Stone. 

5. Janitors by Tyler Whitesides: I host a bookblub for girls ages 8-11 and they have all begged me to read this book.  I've added it to my summer TBR list so they'll be happy. I've actually met him in person twice and he seems like a really nice guy. 

Emily's Picks

6. Hourglass by Myra McEntire. This book has been on my to read list for a while, and thanks to Jeni, I can finally read it. It's waiting on my night stand right now.

7. The Selection by Kiera Cass.  I have been reluctant to read this one, but have decided to give it a try.  Mainly, I have been an aspiring writer since the age of 12 (aren't we all?) and actually wrote a story that sounds very similar to this years ago, like in my early 20s so...you know.  Not the same, no.  But similar idea. more fairy tale-ish.  But I am willing to give this a go. After my ego has healed a  little. HA!

8. Insurgent (Divergent #2) by Veronica Roth. I had a hard time with the first half of Divergent. And then ended up loving the book.  So, sometimes you can't judge a book by the first couple of chapters. I have the book, it's waiting for me.  I have a lot of reading to do this summer.

9. Darklight (Wondrous Strange #2) by Lesley Livingston. I really liked the first book in this series, so I'm willing to give the second book a chance.

10. In Defense of Food by Michael Pollan. I read a lot of nutrition books and this is by far the one I end up going back to time and time again.  I would recommend this book to anyone who is interested in why we eat, what we should eat, and why it's important.  Plus, I find it informative and entertaining.  You should also try Eat to Live, which is also great.  But tends to be a little preachy. I read Mr. Pollan's book every couple of months to refresh my memory and because I like too. Enough said. :)

Thumbing Through the Past Thursday: First Test

Thumbing Through the Past: First Test.
By Tamora Pierce

Camille's Skinny:
This is a wonderful book for girls. It is about a girl named Keladry, who is 10 year old and her journey of becoming a knight. You go on a adventure with her as she fights bullies and mystical creatures. This book was definitely for a younger age but it was still a fun quick read.
Foxy Rating would be 3.5 out of 5 foxes.

WAITING ON WEDNESDAY: INFINITYGLASS

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

Book: Infinityglass (Hourglass, #3)

Author: Myra McEntire

Release date: August 6, 2013

From Goodreads:

      The stakes have risen even higher in this third book in the Hourglass series.  The Hourglass is a secret organization focused on the study of manipulating time, and its members — many of them teenagers -­have uncanny abilities to make time work for them in mysterious ways. Inherent in these powers is a responsibility to take great care, because altering one small moment can have devastating consequences for the past, present, and future. But some time trav­elers are not exactly honorable, and sometimes unsavory deals must be struck to maintain order.  

      With the Infinityglass (central to understanding and harnessing the time gene) at large, the hunt is on to find it before someone else does. 

      But the Hourglass has an advantage. Lily, who has the ability to locate anything lost, has determined that the Infinityglass isn't an object. It's a person. And the Hourglass must find him or her first. But where do you start searching for the very key to time when every second could be the last?

brought to you by: the broke and the bookish

TOP TEN TUESDAY: TOP TEN BEACH READS

brought to you by: the broke and the bookish

Jeni's Picks:

1. Loves Music, Love to Dance by Mary Higgins Clark: I definitely need a good mystery when  I go to the beach and I love Mary Higgins Clark books. This one and All Around Town are my favorites. 
2. The Light Between Oceans by M.L. Stedman: I just read this book and it was so good. I could picture myself  reading this while lying by the ocean. The ending isn't super happy but it was an excellent read.
3. Saving Francesca by Melina Marchetta: I love a book that makes me laugh and this book did just that. I read this while on vacation in Lake Havasu last year and it was a perfect beach read.
4. Of Poseidon by Anna Banks: Mermaid books work great for beach reads.  Another great mermaid book is The Forbidden Sea by Sheila A. Nielson, which has a little mystery mixed in too. 
5. Snow in April by Rosamunde Pilcher: You have to have a romance beach read too. I love Rosamunde Pilcher. I reread her books every summer.  This one is my favorite but Shell Seekers and September are close behind. 

Emily's Picks

6. Edenbrooke by Julianne Donaldson. This was a quick read, which is what I think of as a beach read. This book was a cute romance novel, with a good love story.  It's perfect summer read.

7.  The Pelican Brief by John Grisham. I like reading action adventure mystery books.  This book I dig out every summer, this is one of them.  I like Darcy's character and how smart she is. Plus she is being chased, who doesn't like a girl being chased? 

8. Loose Ends (Mary O'Reilly #1) by Terri Reid these books are offered on kindle. I found Loose Ends as a kindle deal and thought i would give it a try and pleasantly surprised.  Mary O'Reilly died and came back with the ability to see ghosts.  She is also a private investigator.There are eight books in this series.

9. Weather Too Young by Marcia Lynn McClure. Lark Lawrence is in need of some help and asks to be hired by the Evan brothers to be house keeper and cook on their ranch. She keeps a secret from the brothers, and gives her heart away to one.

10. Cry Wolf (Alpha and Omega) by Patricia Briggs. if you like Mercy Thompson, you'll like this series. This has more romance, but is still action packed. I liked this book and the characters

Top Ten Tuesday: Books Featuring Travel in Some Way

TOP TEN TUESDAY: BOOKS FEATURING TRAVEL IN SOME WAY

brought to you by: the broke and the bookish

Jeni's Picks

1. In Honor by Jessi Kirby

2. East by Edith Patton: My niece begged me to read this book because she loved it. I have to say I agree. I didn't like how it switched narrators but I loved the story. I also liked Jessica Day George's version Sun, Moon, Ice and Snow. I have favorite parts in each. Before I read this I had never heard of this tale before. Jessica Day George recommended I read Ice by ? another version of this tale. 

3. The Rose Garden by Susanna Kearsley: This book surprised me. This was the first book I read from Kearsley and I loved the way she wrote that I ordered all her books and read them all. I'm a sucker for time travel novels and this one didn't dissapoint. It does have some adult content so younger readers shouldn't read it. 

4. Dragon Slippers by Jessica Day George: One of my favorite authors. I have loved every book she has written. I read this one to my daughters and they loved it too. They both wanted to learn to sew after reading this. Great story that I highly recommend to moms with middle grade aged girls. 

5. In the Hall of the Dragon King by Stephen R. Lawhead: My dad recommended this to me. It took me a little while to get into this book but once I did I couldn't put it down. I really enjoyed this book. I have bought some other books from this author but I haven't read them yet. I wish I had more time to read. 

Emily's Pick's

6. The Blue Sword by Robin Mckinley. After reading Beauty, I wanted more of Ms. McKinley's lyrical writing and dove right into the Blue Sword.  I loved this book. This another book that I brush the dust off of and join Harry Crewe on an unforeseen adventure into a strange land where love, mystery and magic awaits.

7. Sleeping Tiger by Rosamunde Pilcher.  I know I've featured this book before on my list.  But I love this book, and it's got traveling all over it.  Selina wants to find her father, and travels to a small spanish island, thinking she has found him, only to discover that the man she thought was not her father.  This book was funny, and cute, and a really good summer read.

8. Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen. This has a theme of traveling in a few ways if you want to get really deep.  One, the sisters travel to several places.  Not only are they forced to move from their beloved home and live in a small cottage, but they travel to London.  Marianne also likes to walk, which seems to get her into trouble, a lot.  But also, the characters make several transitions, from Marianne, the romantic, and Elinor, the responsible one. Each who change in the book.

9. The Witch of Blackbird Pond by Elizabeth George Speare.  Kit Tyler has spent her formable years in the shimmering sands of the Caribbean and then is forced to come to the cold and stark land of Connecticut. She is wild and free and is viewed as a threat to those in the closed off Puritan community.  I read this book when I was 12, and loved it.  I read it again later, and still loved it.  I would recommend this book to any one, ages 10-100.

10. Don't Fear the Reaper by Michelle Muto this book was on the creepier side, but I like creepy. It's about redemption, and what we would do if given the chance for revenge.  Would we take it?  I found the themes in this book to be disturbing, but in a good way.  I thought this was a new twist in the YA genre. 

Movie-Moment Monday: The Nine Lives of Chloe King

Movie-Moment Monday: The Nine Lives of Chloe King
By Celia Thomson
My Foxy Book Review: Young 16 year old Chole King finds out that she is not an ordinary girl.  Instead, she is part of a rare race called the Mai. They have cat like features in which Chole has to learn to control.  Also, she has to stay alive from a of hunters, and live a normal life and find love.

My Foxy Book Review: The books had a great plot.  Some parts of the book, the teenage girls were a little whiny, but they could be fun read for young adults. I do wish the writer had written it differently in some parts. There is a love triangle just in case you hate those.
My Foxy Rating: 2.5 out of 5 foxes. It was a little juvenile for me.
My Foxy book Movie rating: PG

Book VS Movie:
This was made into a TV series. I loved the series better. I thought the writers did a wonderful job, but unfortunately it only lasted for one season. I did like a part in the book where Chloe gets betrayed by someone and I wished that it was in the TV Series.

Sunday Special: Orphan Train

Sunday Special: Orphan Train
By Christina Baker Kline

Camille's Take:
Orphan Train is about a story of two orphans and how they share their story with each other. One orphan is Vivian a 90 years old  and the other is Molly a young 17 years old girl.
This book caught me by surprise. At times I was unsure but by the time I come to the end I fell in love with the story. I enjoyed Vivian's retelling more than Molly's. I give this book 4 out of 5 foxes. Movie rating would be borderline PG 13-R because of language and a small amount of sexual content. Over all a dramatic read with a good ending.

Jeni's Take: 

This story is about  two people; Vivian, an older women and Mollie, a girl in foster care. Mollie is sentenced to do community service to make up for trying to steal something. Her service is to assist Vivian in cleaning out her attic.  I loved Vivian's story. I found I really didn't care for Mollie's. I would skim past all the Mollie parts just to get back to Vivian's. I really liked the idea of the book but I wish that this book just focused on Vivian. Rating 3 out of 5 foxes.