WWW (36) and Waiting on Wednesday (April 17th, 2013): CROWN OF MIDNIGHT by Sarah J. Maas and A DARKNESS STRANGE AND LOVELY by Susan Dennard

W. W. W. Wednesday is hosted by Should Be Reading a great blog that I subscribe to. Here's how it works... Each Wednesday I will answer the following questions:

What are you currently reading?

What did you recently finish reading?

What do you think you'll read next?

I've been a really slow reader lately, so I haven't had much to share.  With Spring upon us, I've had loads of work to do in my garden, softball season for my girls, and have had to go to wok on top of it.  Reading has, sadly, not been super-high on the priorities list.  That said, I've recently read some amazing books, so I had to take the time to do this week's WWW...

What are you currently reading?

The Rules by Stacey Kade~ So far, this one's pretty good.  It's intriguing, and there are enough questions that I'm turning the pages at a pretty good clip.  Stay tuned.  It releases next week, so my review will be up soon.

Dear Life, You Suck by Scott Blagden~ This one is shaping up to be quite funny.  I've just started it, so I can't give a solid opinion just yet, but I have a good feeling about it.




What did you recently finish reading?

Siege and Storm by Leigh Bardugo~ OMG, ya'll!  This book is freaking amazing!  If you liked Shadow and Bone, you are in for a serious treat!  If you haven't read Shadow and Bone, well, I just feel sorry for you.

The Program by Suzanne Young~ As a fan of her other books, I was really eager to read this one.  It was good, but not as good as I had hoped it would be.  Look for my review this week or next.

If You Find Me by Emily Murdoch~ Another win.  I was blown away by the range of emotions this book evoked.  If you are a fan of issue-driven Contemporary YA, this is a must-read.  Check out my review HERE.

Mind Games by Kiersten White~ Again, an author whose prior stuff I've loved.  This one, just okay for me.  It was good enough that I will read book number two, but I wasn't blown away like I had expected to be.  Read my full review HERE.

Clockwork Princess by Cassandra Clare~ All I can say is... TEARS!  What a beautiful, unexpected, and bittersweet ending.  As soon as I can think of it without tearing up, I will post my review.

Jane Austen Goes to Hollywood by Abby McDonald~ A cute, modern retelling of Jane Austen's Sense and Sensibility. An easy, fast day and a half read that was perfect after the tears of Clockwork Princess.  Full review to come.

Out of the Easy by Ruta Sepetys~ Um.  This was a book club pick that I would have otherwise never read.  Can I just say?  Effing AMAZING!  Thank you to whomever chose this for April, because I adored it!  Review coming soon.

What do you think you'll read next?

Icons by Margaret Stohl~ I'm so excited to read this.  I can't wait to see what she can do without Beautiful Creatures writing partner, Kami Garcia.  Plus, she's so amazingly nice, and this book seems pretty dark, so I'm intrigued!  It releases May 7th, so look for a review next week or so.

Criminal by Terra Elan McVoy~ I've professed my adoration of Terra's writing before, so I'm, of course, excited to read this.  It' a stretch from her standard YA Contemporary fare though, so I'm doubly excited!  Stay tuned.  It also releases May 7th, and I will probably do a signed giveaway with my review.

"Waiting On" Wednesday is another fun blog event. Hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine, this event gives us a chance to talk about the books we anxiously await the release of. Since there is ALWAYS a looooooong list of books I'm waiting on (I actually keep a spreadsheet), I figured this is one that I MUST do.

I'm giving you not one, but two WoW books today.  I will call it The BFFs Edition, since the authors of my two featured books are buds.  I had the opportunity to meet both this past summer at DBF, and they were both so great, and since I loved each of their debuts, I am SO waiting on their book number twos!  So without further ado...

Crown of Midnight by Sarah J. Maas

An assassin’s loyalties are always in doubt.

But her heart never wavers. 

After a year of hard labor in the Salt Mines of Endovier, eighteen-year-old assassin Celaena Sardothien has won the king's contest to become the new royal assassin. Yet Celaena is far from loyal to the crown – a secret she hides from even her most intimate confidantes.

Keeping up the deadly charade—while pretending to do the king's bidding—will test her in frightening new ways, especially when she's given a task that could jeopardize everything she's come to care for. And there are far more dangerous forces gathering on the horizon -- forces that threaten to destroy her entire world, and will surely force Celaena to make a choice. 

Where do the assassin’s loyalties lie, and who is she most willing to fight for?

(Courtesy of Goodreads)

Publisher: Bloomsbury USA

Publication Date: August 27th, 2013

My Expected Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

I adored the first installment of this series, Throne of Glass, and have eagerly been awaiting the next.  I will undoubtedly be begging someone for an advance copy of Crown of Midnight, because August is far too far away for me.  I need me some more Celaena NOW.  Read my review of Throne of Glass HERE.

A Darkness Strange and Lovely by Susan Dennard

Following an all-out battle with the walking Dead, the Spirit Hunters have fled Philadelphia, leaving Eleanor alone to cope with the devastating aftermath. But there’s more trouble ahead—the evil necromancer Marcus has returned, and his diabolical advances have Eleanor escaping to Paris to seek the help of Joseph, Jie, and the infuriatingly handsome Daniel once again. When she arrives, however, she finds a whole new darkness lurking in this City of Light. As harrowing events unfold, Eleanor is forced to make a deadly decision that will mean life or death for everyone.

(Courtesy of Goodreads)

Publisher:  HarperTeen

Publication Date:  July 23rd, 2013

My Expected Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★  

I really enjoyed book one in this series, Something Strange and Deadly, and expect I will enjoy book number two even more now that all the pesky set-up is done.  You just can't go wrong with steampunk, zombies, and mysterious hotties.  This one releases on my daughter's birthday so I will have to celebrate by buying myself a finished copy (because I fully intend to beg, borrow, or steal an advance copy), because that cover is absolutely to die for, and I need to have it on my shelf.  Read my review of Something Strange and Deadly HERE.

So that was my BFFs Edition of Waiting On Wednesday!  What are you Waiting On?  Leave your link, so I can check it out!

WWW (35) and Waiting On Wednesday (March 7th, 2013): Antigoddess by Kendare Blake

W. W. W. Wednesday is hosted by Should Be Reading a great blog that I subscribe to. Here's how it works... Each Wednesday I will answer the following questions:

What are you currently reading?

What did you recently finish reading?

What do you think you'll read next?

So, this is the first WWW/WoW I've done since going back to work for the first time in 11 years because I am FINALLY learning to manage my time!  I've not had as much time for reading, and even less for blogging, but I think I'm beginning to catch up...

What are you currently reading?

Fuse by Julianna Baggott~ I totally loved Pure, the first book in this trilogy (read my full review HERE), but I'm having a difficult time getting into this one.  I'm kind of on a hiatus from it right now, so I can read something else...

Spellcaster by Claudia Gray~  I just started this one, and am already really liking it.  I love stories about witches, and this one is quite different from the standard fare.  Look for a review early next week.

The Wishing Spell (The Land of Stories, Book #1) by Chris Colfer~  So, who knew Kurt from Glee could write?  I'm reading this one to my eight year old daughter, and really loving it!




What did you recently finish reading?

Notes From Ghost Town by Kate Ellison~  LOVED this one!  I wasn't all that impressed with Kate Ellison's debut, The Butterfly Clues, but I thought her second go was amazing!  Read my full review HERE.

Breaking Point by Kristen Simmons~ I really enjoyed this one too.  I finally read Article 5 in preparation of reading this, and thought it was great.  Breaking Point was a fantastic second installment.  Read my review HERE.



What do you think you'll read next?

Mind Games by Kiersten White~  I'm kind of behind on my review reading, and this is one of the books that I am dying to read.  It looks fabulous, and I've heard wonderful things about it from other bloggers.

Dear Life, You Suck by Scott Blagden~ Another one I'm looking forward to.  Scott's a funny, funny guy, and I am super excited to read and review his debut!

"Waiting On" Wednesday is another fun blog event. Hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine, this event gives us a chance to talk about the books we anxiously await the release of. Since there is ALWAYS a looooooong list of books I'm waiting on (I actually keep a spreadsheet), I figured this is one that I MUST do.

I haven't done one of these in ages, but I really wanted to profess my love and excitement for this upcoming book.  I had the honor of introducing this wonderful author at the Decatur Book Festival this past summer, and she was just great (very gracious about my fangirling).  I loved her first two books, Anna Dressed In Blood (read my review HERE) and Girl of Nightmares (read my review HERE), so it only stands to reason that I would be looking forward to her next book...

Antigoddess by Kendare Blake

Old Gods never die…

Or so Athena thought. But then the feathers started sprouting beneath her skin, invading her lungs like a strange cancer, and Hermes showed up with a fever eating away his flesh. So much for living a quiet eternity in perpetual health.

Desperately seeking the cause of their slow, miserable deaths, Athena and Hermes travel the world, gathering allies and discovering enemies both new and old. Their search leads them to Cassandra—an ordinary girl who was once an extraordinary prophetess, protected and loved by a god.

These days, Cassandra doesn’t involve herself in the business of gods—in fact, she doesn’t even know they exist. But she could be the key in a war that is only just beginning.

Because Hera, the queen of the gods, has aligned herself with other of the ancient Olympians, who are killing off rivals in an attempt to prolong their own lives. But these anti-gods have become corrupted in their desperation to survive, horrific caricatures of their former glory. Athena will need every advantage she can get, because immortals don’t just flicker out.

Every one of them dies in their own way. Some choke on feathers. Others become monsters. All of them rage against their last breath.

The Goddess War is about to begin.

(Courtesy of Goodreads)

Publisher:  TorTeen

Publication Date:  September 10th, 2013

My Expected Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★  

What are YOU Waiting On?

WWW (34) and Waiting On Wednesday (July 18th, 2012): Through the Ever Night by Veronica Rossi

W. W. W. Wednesday is hosted by Should Be Reading a great blog that I subscribe to. Here's how it works... Each Wednesday I will answer the following questions:

What are you currently reading?

What did you recently finish reading?

What do you think you'll read next?


I've been working more on playing catch-up with my reviews and have spent less time than I would have liked to reading, but what I've loved what read so far this week!

What are you currently reading?

City of Lost Souls by Cassandra Clare~ As promised last week, I'm FINALLY reading this book, and so far, it's spectacular!  I may be finished by the time this post goes live, so look for my review over the next few days!

The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate~ I'm reading this to my 7 year old daughter and it's just great!  Such a warm, gorgeous, uplifting story!  I hope people still read this book 50 years from now!



What did you recently finish reading?

Stupid Fast by Geoff Herbach~ Not at all what I expected when I started reading this book.  It's definitely a coming-of-age novel,but it is so much more.  It was emotionally charged, funny, and honest.  A great book for teen boys!  Review coming soon.

Lies, Knives, and Girls In Red Dresses by Ron Koertge~ Pretty brilliant!  Not sure who its audience is.  I think adults would enjoy it more than teens, but I don't think they'll pick it up.  They should!  Read my review HERE.

Quarantine: The Loners by Lex Thomas~ A great premise, but disturbingly violent and graphic.  Definitely not what I expected!  Read my full review HERE.




What do you think you'll read next?

Something Strange and Deadly by Susan Dennard~ I never got to this one this past week, so it is next on my list.  I'm really, really looking forward to it!  Look for my review next week!

The Goddess Legacy by Aimee Carter~ I was a little late to the party with this series, but I'm caught up now!  I can't wait to read the individual stories of all the other gods and goddesses of Olympus through Aimee Carter's eyes!  Review to come!

For Darkness Shows the Stars by Diana Peterfreund~ I absolutely LOVE the cover of this book, but I was on the fence as to whether I would read it or not.  Persuasion is not my favorite Jane Austen novel, so I wasn't sure I wanted to read a modern retelling, but I have heard so many RAVE reviews of this book, that I am now dying to read it!  Stay tuned!

"Waiting On" Wednesday is another fun blog event. Hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine, this event gives us a chance to talk about the books we anxiously await the release of. Since there is ALWAYS a looooooong list of books I'm waiting on (I actually keep a spreadsheet), I figured this is one that I MUST do.


Since today is MY BIRTHDAY, if any of you have an advance copy of the below book, and want to share, I will graciously accept!  ;-)

Through the Ever Night by Veronica Rossi

A world-defying love is put to the ultimate test in the heart-stopping sequel to Veronica Rossi's "masterpiece," Under the Never Sky. (Examiner.com)

It's been months since Aria last saw Perry. Months since Perry was named Blood Lord of the Tides, and Aria was charged with an impossible mission. Now, finally, they are about to be reunited. But their reunion is far from perfect. The Tides don't take kindly to Aria, a former Dweller. And with the worsening Aether storms threatening the tribe's precarious existence, Aria begins to fear that leaving Perry behind might be the only way to save them both.

Threatened by false friends, hidden enemies, and powerful temptations, Aria and Perry wonder, Can their love survive through the ever night?

In this second book in her spellbinding Under the Never Sky trilogy, Veronica Rossi combines fantasy and dystopian elements to create a captivating love story as perilous as it is unforgettable.
(Courtesy of the HarperCollins Children's Winter 2013 Catalog)

I adored Veronica Rossi's debut novel, Under the Never Sky (read my review HERE).  It was one of the first books I read in 2012 and it is still, 100+ books later, one of my favorites.  I can't wait to find out where Aria and Perry end up and whether or not they can survive the harsh realities they are going to face.  Also, that cover!  Perry is hot stuff!  Loving him taking the place of Aria from the Under the Never Sky cover.  It makes me wonder who will grace book three's cover...  Cannot wait!

Publisher:  HarperCollins

Publication Date:  January 8th, 2013

My Expected Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★  

What are YOU Waiting On this week?

WWW (33) and Waiting On Wednesday (July 11th, 2012): Clockwork Princess by Cassandra Clare

W. W. W. Wednesday is hosted by Should Be Reading a great blog that I subscribe to. Here's how it works... Each Wednesday I will answer the following questions:

What are you currently reading?

What did you recently finish reading?

What do you think you'll read next?

I've read some really great books lately, but I haven't been as quick as usual with my kids driving me nuts..

What are you currently reading?

Stupid Fast by Geoff Herbach~ This was Never Eighteen author, Megan Bostic's (see my interview HERE), favorite read of 2011, so I've been itching to read it.  It's from a male POV, so it gets bonus points there, plus it is just really well done.  Look for a review over the next week or so...

Quarantine: The Loners by Lex Thomas~ This book came out yesterday, and I'm a little behind on my reviews, but I'm so glad I didn't skip this one, because it's great.  It's another favorite author recommendation, this one by Kami Garcia (Beautiful Creatures, etc.)

Fablehaven by Brandon Mull~ This is a re-read.  I'm reading it to my son and loving it even more the second time around.  Brandon Mull is fabulous!

What did you recently finish reading?

Don't You Wish by Roxanne St. Claire~ This book REALLY took me by surprise!  I was expecting something along the lines of Gossip Girl- fun, shallow, entertaining- but it was SO, much more.  Such a smart read!  Check out my full review HERE.

Girl of Nightmares by Kendare Blake~  I adored the first book in this series, Anna Dressed In Blood (read my review HERE), and was so tickled to be given an opportunity to review the sequel.  It was fabulous!  Expect my review in the next week or so.

Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi~ Finally!  This got put away on a bookshelf and forgotten, and when I rediscovered it, it was kind of like Christmas.  It is as good as YA gets, but most of you already know that...

A Midsummer's Nightmare by Kody Keplinger~ Loved it!  Kody really GETS the teenage mind (of course, that may have something to do with the fact that she's barely out of her teenage years), but she has the wisdom of someone MUCH older.  Read my review HERE.

What do you think you'll read next?

City of Lost Souls by Cassandra Clare~ No, I have NOT read this yet!  I have been wanting to, but time has been so sparse and I feel an obligation to read the books publishers send me first, so it has been serially set aside.  NO MORE!  It's next!

The Unquiet by Jeannine Garsee~ This comes out next week, and it has been high on my TBR since I received it a couple of months ago.  It has a brilliant cover and the story looks great.  Definitely reading it AFTER City of Lost Souls!

Something Strange and Deadly by Susan Dennard~ I've not heard a negative word about this book, and can't wait to dig in.  Look for my review right before it comes out on July 24th! 

"Waiting On" Wednesday is another fun blog event. Hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine, this event gives us a chance to talk about the books we anxiously await the release of. Since there is ALWAYS a looooooong list of books I'm waiting on (I actually keep a spreadsheet), I figured this is one that I MUST do.

Given that the cover reveal for this much-anticipated-by-everyone-in-the-free-world book was yesterday, I'm sure this will be the subject of many a WoW this week, but screw being different!  I'm too excited!!

Clockwork Princess by Cassandra Clare

In Clockwork Princess, Tessa and her companions travel all over the world as they race to stop the clockwork army before it’s too late. As Jem’s health worsens alarmingly and his friends search desperately for a cure, can Tessa choose between the two boys she loves—even if it means never seeing the other one again?

(Courtesy of Goodreads)

I really like Cassie Clare's The Mortal Instruments series, but I LOVE her The Infernal Devices series.  It is one of my all-time faves, so OBVIOUSLY, I'm eagerly awaiting this third book!  Look at that cover!  LOVE!  I can't wait to read how the Tessa-Will-Jem love triangle works out, and to this day, I don't know who I want her to end up with.  All I know is that this is my MOST anticipated release of 2013, without a doubt!!!!

Publisher:  Margaret K. McElderry Books

Publication Date:  March 19th, 2013

My Expected Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★  +++++++


What are YOU Waiting On this week?

WWW (32) and Waiting On Wednesday (May 30th, 2012): UnWholly by Neal Shusterman

W. W. W. Wednesday is hosted by Should Be Reading a great blog that I subscribe to. Here's how it works... Each Wednesday I will answer the following questions:

What are you currently reading?

What did you recently finish reading?

What do you think you'll read next?

I'm excited to be back to my weekly memes and I couldn't have picked a better week since I have six books going at the moment...

What are you currently reading?

Arise by Tara Hudson~  This is the sequel to Tara's 2011 debut, Hereafter, which I loved (read my review HERE).  I'm only about a third of the way in, but I'm really enjoying it so far. Look for my review later this week.

Fated by Alyson Noel~  I've been looking forward to this book.  I love her Riley Bloom series, but not so much her Immortals series. So far, this book is shaping up to be a good one.  Stay tuned.

Immortal City by Scott Speer~  I'm buddy reading this one with my oldest daughter, and so far it is excellent.  It's quite original, and I'm having a difficult time controlling my urge to read ahead of her....

On the Banks of Plum Creek by Laura Ingalls Wilder~  My younger daughter and I are still plugging away on the Little House series.  Our goal is to finish by the end of summer.  I love this series, and this is one of my favorites!

The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien~  I'm reading this to my son so that we can go to see the movie when it comes out (squee!).  This is one of my favorite books of all time and he is LOVING it!

Fifty Shades of Grey by E.L. James~ I had to see for myself what all the hype is about.  Honestly, I'm having an extremely difficult time getting through it.  The writing is just so bad...




What did you recently finish reading?

The Difference Between You and Me by Madeline George~  This book was a decent LGBT coming of age story.  It wasn't my favorite, and I'm certainly glad I got it from the library, but I liked it well enough.  Full review to come...

Dreamless by Josephine Angelini~  This book is the sequel to her 2011 debut, Starcrossed (read my review HERE).  It was one of my my most anticipated 2012 releases, and I was not disappointed!  It was great!  Read my review HERE.

Born Wicked by Jessica Spotswood~  An extremely good 2012 debut.  I love stories about witches, and although I'm not a big fan of Historical Fiction, I quite enjoyed this book.  Full review coming soon.

Thumped by Megan McCafferty~ This is the follow-up to last year's phenomenal Bumped (read my review HERE).  It was just as good, and much different than I expected it to be.  It was one of those read-in-a-day books.  Full review coming soon.

Insurgent by Veronica Roth~ Another sequel to a beloved 2011 debut; I loved Divergent (read my review HERE), and I loved Insurgent just as much.  The next year is going to be painful, waiting for the final installment!




What do you think you'll read next?

Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo~ This book releases next week and since I have heard such wonderful things, it has been moved to the top of my TBR.  Look for a review sometime this weekend.

Timepiece by Myra McEntire~ I am so excited to read this! Its predecessor, 2011 debut, Hourglass, was one of my favorite books last year (read my review HERE), and I've been waiting a long time to read this!  It releases on June 12th, so look my my review in the days before.

Underworld by Meg Cabot~  I loved the first book in this series, Abandon (read my review HERE), and have been looking forward to this. I just picked up my copy the other day, and am looking forward to digging in!

"Waiting On" Wednesday is another fun blog event. Hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine, this event gives us a chance to talk about the books we anxiously await the release of. Since there is ALWAYS a looooooong list of books I'm waiting on (I actually keep a spreadsheet), I figured this is one that I MUST do.


I have been waiting for the cover of this week's book to be revealed for ages so that I could highlight it.  Now that it has been, I can...

UnWholly by Neal Shusterman

Thanks to Connor, Lev, and Risa — and their high-profile revolt at Happy Jack Harvest Camp — people can no longer turn a blind eye to unwinding. Ridding society of troublesome teens while simultaneously providing much-needed tissues for transplant might be convenient, but its morality has finally been brought into question. However, unwinding has become big business, and there are powerful political and corporate interests that want to see it not only continue, but also expand to the unwinding of prisoners and the impoverished.

Cam is a product of unwinding; made entirely out of the parts of other unwinds, he is a teen who does not technically exist. A futuristic Frankenstein, Cam struggles with a search for identity and meaning and wonders if a rewound being can have a soul. And when the actions of a sadistic bounty hunter cause Cam’s fate to become inextricably bound with the fates of Connor, Risa, and Lev, he’ll have to question humanity itself.

Rife with action and suspense, this riveting companion to the perennially popular Unwind challenges assumptions about where life begins and ends—and what it means to live.

(Courtesy of Goodreads)

Unwind is one of my all-time favorite books and Neal Shusterman is probably my favorite YA author- he is brilliant! When I heard that he was writing UnWholly way, way back when, I was so excited I could barely contain myself. As he wrote the book, he sporadically tweeted his progress, and it made me that much more eager to get my hands on a copy! Now its release date is only a few months away, and I am beside myself with anticipation! This is, hands down, my most "Waited On" book of 2012 and August 28th can't come soon enough!

Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers

Publication Date: August 28th, 2012

My Expected Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★+++++

What are YOU Waiting On this week?