Waiting on Wednesday #10

Hey everyone and happy New Year! To kick things off this year, I will be participating in Waiting on Wednesday. WoW is a weekly meme hosted by Jill @ Breaking the Spine. Every week we showcase upcoming releases that we are excited about.

This month I picked Dark Breaks the Dawn by Sara B. Larson!

Here's some stats:
Pages: 320
Publsiher: Scholastic Press
Expected Publication Date: May 30, 2017

On her eighteenth birthday, Princess Evelayn of Eadrolan, the Light Kingdom, can finally access the full range of her magical powers. The light looks brighter, the air is sharper, and the energy she can draw when fighting feels almost limitless.

But while her mother, the queen, remains busy at the war front, in the Dark Kingdom of Dorjhalon, the corrupt king is plotting. King Bain wants control of both kingdoms, and his plan will fling Evelayn onto the throne much sooner than she expected.

In order to defeat Bain and his sons, Evelayn will quickly have to come into her ability to shapeshift, and rely on the alluring Lord Tanvir. But not everyone is what they seem, and the balance between the Light and Dark comes at a steep price.

Why I'm Waiting

I really enjoyed reading Larson's Defy trilogy. While it isn't my favorite  by any means, the books were entertaining and I grew to really care for the characters. I'm really digging this idea of a scheming princess. I'm sure everything will fail miserably one way or another, and I'm in for the ride!

What are you waiting on this Wednesday?

Thanks for stopping by and I'll see you soon in another post!

Happy Reading!

Genni @ Ready, Set, Read!

TTT: Best Contemporary Books of 2016!

Hey everyone and welcome back to blog! I'm Genni, and today I'll be participating in Top Ten Tuesday. This weekly meme is hosted by The Broke and Bookish. This week our topic is " Top Ten Best Books Of 2016." 

Since I am going to be doing a later post about my all around favorites of 2016, I am going to be showing all of you my favorite contemporary books I read this year! Throughout 2016, I got a lot more into fantasy, but I still love some good old contemporary!

None of these are in particular order, and not all of these are young adult! The books with links to them are links to my reviews.

10) The Unexpected Everything by Morgan Matson
Morgan Matson has not once disappointed me with her contemporary novels. I know that this book was most people's least favorite of hers, but this is actually my favorite! The relationships were so well done and I loved how raw everything felt. This book cemented Matson as one of my favorite YA contemporary authors. 

  9) The Sound of Us by Julie Hammerle
If I had two words to describe Hammerle's debut novel they would be quirky and fun. Kiki, the main character, was so hilarious. I really loved reading from her POV, which made up for the romance, which was just a tad lackluster. The ending was so well done, and I'm Hammerle is on my radar!

BOOK REVIEW | United by Melissa Landers

Title: United
Author: Melissa Landers
Series: Alienated Trilogy #3
Source: I got United through my local library.

After thwarting a deadly coup and saving the alliance between their worlds, Cara and Aelyx have finally earned a break. Their tiny island colony is everything they dreamed it would be―days spent gathering shells on the beach and nights in each other’s arms.

But the vacation is short-lived.

The treaty between Earth and L’eihr has awakened an ancient force that threatens to destroy them all. The Aribol, mysterious guardians charged with maintaining interstellar peace, deem the alliance a threat to the galaxy. They order a separation of the races, decreeing humans and L’eihrs must return to their own planets within the month or face extinction. In fact, they already have agents in place on Earth, ready to begin.

With the clock ticking, Aelyx and Cara assemble a team of colonists and race back to Earth, where they unite with old friends to solve the mystery of who the Aribol are, what they want, and the real reason the alliance has provoked them. As tensions build to a full-scale war, Aelyx and Cara must fight harder than ever―not just for their future, but for the survival of both their worlds.

Series I Finished in 2016!

Hey everyone and welcome back to my blog! I'm Genni, and today I'll be talking about the series I finished this year! I started plenty of series this year, but I'm happy to say that I finished quite a few as well.

None of these are in particular order. Any of the links are links to my latest review of the series. :)

The Selection by Kiera Cass
I'm just going to say it: I don't really like this series. They are easy to read, but I don't feel connected to the characters. I can only tell you four of the characters names in the Selection, and that isn't saying much because there is a huge cast! My ship did sail, so I guess I'm happy with that. This series was fun to read, but in the end it was forgettable.

Waiting on Wednesday #9

Hey everyone and welcome back to my blog! I'm Genni, and today I'll be participating in the weekly meme Waiting on Wednesday. Waiting on Wednesday is hosted by Jill @ Breaking the Spine. Every week we highlight upcoming releases we're excited about!

This month I picked Flame in the Mist by Renee Ahdieh!

BOOK REVIEW | Bride of Alvar by Silver Reins

Title: Bride of Alvar
Author: Silver Reins
Series: Redemption Book #1
Source: I read the ebook of this via Wattpad!

All her life Lucy's mother has insisted Lucy is promised in marriage to a king from another world. Determined to take control of her life, Lucy gets engaged to her very normal boyfriend. However, before she can make it down the aisle, a darkly handsome and mysterious King Alvar appears and tells her the time has come for her to marry him and become his queen. Now Lucy's idea of reality is thrown upside down as she becomes entwined in determining the fate of both her world and Alvar's.

Waiting on Wednesday #8

Hey everyone and welcome back to my blog! I'm Genni, and today I'll be participating in weekly meme Waiting on Wednesday. Waiting on Wednesday is hosted by Jill @ Breaking the Spine. Every week we highlight upcoming releases we are excited about!

This month I picked Shadow Run by Michael Miller and Adrianne Strickland!

TTT: I'm Looking Forward To For The First Half Of 2017

Hey everyone and welcome back to blog! I'm Genni, and today I'll be participating in Top Ten Tuesday. This weekly meme is hosted by The Broke and Bookish. This week our topic is "Top Ten Books I'm Looking Forward To For The First Half Of 2017." 

I'm interpreting this as 10 books that I plan to read in the first half of 2017 that are going to be 2017 releases. If you want to check out a list of books that I want to read this upcoming year that are already published, go over here!

There are a ton of books that I am looking forward to this year, and this is only a handful of them! This is in order of publication date. 

10.) Frostblood by Elly Blake
Publication Date: January 10
Frostblood is a the first book in a new YA fantasy series that follows Ruby, a fireblood, in a world in which cold reigns supreme. The synopsis also mentions that Ruby is taken to fight against frostbloods in the king's tournaments. While the plot seems run of the mill, the book has been getting good reviews! I have high expectations. 

AUDIOBOOK REVIEW | Trial by Fire by Josephine Angelini

Title: Trial by Fire
Series: Worldwalker #1
Author: Josephine Angelini
Audio Publication Date: September 2, 2014
Pages: 374
Source: I got this through my local library!

Love burns. Worlds collide. Magic reigns.

This world is trying to kill Lily Proctor. Her life-threatening allergies keep her from enjoying many of the experiences that other teenagers take for granted...which is why she is determined to enjoy her first (and perhaps only) high-school party. But Lily's life never goes according to plan, and after a humiliating incident in front of half her graduating class Lily wishes she could just disappear.

Suddenly Lily is in a different Salem - one overrun with horrifying creatures and ruled by powerful women called Crucibles. Strongest and cruellest of all the Crucibles is Lillian . . . Lily's identical other self in this alternate universe. This new version of her world is terrifyingly sensual, and Lily is soon overwhelmed by new experiences.

Lily realizes that what makes her weak at home is exactly what makes her extraordinary in New Salem. It also puts her life in danger. Thrown into a world she doesn't understand, Lily is torn between responsibilities she can't hope to shoulder alone, and a love she never expected.

But how can Lily be the savior of this world when she is literally her own worst enemy?

T5W: Books I Want to Finally Read in 2017

 Hey everyone and welcome back to my blog! I'm Genni, and today I'll be participating in Top 5 Wedensday, a weekly meme hosted by Sam from Thoughts on Tomes. Lainey from Gingerreadslainey is the founder of Top 5 Wednesday. 

This week we are featuring the top five books we want to finally read this upcoming year. This isn't upcoming releases, but those that I have meant to read for a year or more. 

Waiting on Wednesday #7

Hey everyone and welcome back to my blog! I'm Genni, and today I'll be participating in weekly meme Waiting on Wednesday. Waiting on Wednesday is hosted by Jill @ Breaking the Spine. Every week we highlight upcoming releases we are excited about!

This week I chose Pretty Fierce by Kieran Scott! 

I found this one while going on Netgalley. I'm pretty sure it is still open to to request!

 

Kaia has been on the run her whole life. The daughter of professional assassins, she knows true danger—and she’ll do anything to survive. After her parents vanished during a job gone bad, Kaia’s spent the last year in hiding, trying to blend in as an ordinary teenager, and there’s no one who makes her feel more normal or more special than her boyfriend, Oliver. But when she’s jumped by a hit man, and Oliver catches her fighting back, Kaia’s secret is exposed. In a split-second decision, she flees the small town, taking Oliver with her. With professional killers stalking their every move, can Oliver and Kaia protect each other long enough to uncover the mysteries of her past?

Why I'm Waiting

Once I read "the daughter of professional assassins" I was in! I'm looking forward to seeing what her thought processes are like. Obviously she grew up in a different environment! The romance seems really cute as well. I haven't read a mystery/thriller book since Conspiracy of Us, so I'm looking forward to it!

What did you pick this week? Are you looking forward to Pretty Fierce?

Thanks so much for stopping by and I'll see you soon with another post!

Happy Reading!

Genni @ Ready, Set, Read!

TTT: New To Me Authors I Read For the First Time in 2016!

 Hey everyone and welcome back to my blog! I'm Genni, and today I'll be participating in Top Ten Tuesday. TTT is hosted by The Broke and Bookish. This week our topic was "Ten Top Ten New-To-Me Authors I Read For the First Time in 2016!"

The author's name will be linked to their goodreads page! :)

10) Josephine Angelini
This year I read Trial by Fire! It is the first book in Angelini's Worldwalker trilogy. I really enjoyed Trial by Fire; I had a couple issues here and there, but I will be continuing on! 
 
9) Susan Dennard
I also read Truthwitch by Susan Dennard this year! It did pretty well setting up the characters and world. I just posted my review of this!

BOOK REVIEW | Truthwitch by Susan Dennard

Title: Truthwitch
Series: The Witchlands #1
Author: Susan Dennard
Publication Date: January 5, 2016
Pages: 415
Source: I got this through my local library!

On a continent ruled by three empires, some are born with a “witchery,” a magical skill that sets them apart from others.

In the Witchlands, there are almost as many types of magic as there are ways to get in trouble—as two desperate young women know all too well.

Safiya is a Truthwitch, able to discern truth from lie. It’s a powerful magic that many would kill to have on their side, especially amongst the nobility to which Safi was born. So Safi must keep her gift hidden, lest she be used as a pawn in the struggle between empires.

Iseult, a Threadwitch, can see the invisible ties that bind and entangle the lives around her—but she cannot see the bonds that touch her own heart. Her unlikely friendship with Safi has taken her from life as an outcast into one of reckless adventure, where she is a cool, wary balance to Safi’s hotheaded impulsiveness.

Safi and Iseult just want to be free to live their own lives, but war is coming to the Witchlands. With the help of the cunning Prince Merik (a Windwitch and ship’s captain) and the hindrance of a Bloodwitch bent on revenge, the friends must fight emperors, princes, and mercenaries alike, who will stop at nothing to get their hands on a Truthwitch.

October and November Wrap Up!

Hey everyone and welcome back to my blog! Today I am going to be wrapping up the books I read in October and November! Because I completely forgot to do an October wrap up, I'm going to just do them both in one post.

I think it's safe to say I am out of my reading funk!! I wouldn't necessarily call it a reading slump because I was still reading a decent amount of books for me, but I wasn't reading as much as I wanted to and I wasn't feeling the push to read either. Now I have more free time, and I'm my passion for reading is back in full force!

These two past months, I've read some amazing books! Four of these 16 are my favorites of the year!

Here are the 16 books I read in October and November, from worst to best!


16) Perfect Addiction by Claudia Tan
Date Read: October 16
Perfect Addiction is the sequel to Perfect Illusion, which is mentioned later in this post. While I enjoyed its predecessor, I can't say I liked this one. I couldn't connect to the characters; in fact, I very much disliked them and the actions they made. I was extremely frustrated during the book. 2.25 Stars

Waiting on Wednesday #6

Hey everyone and welcome back to my blog! I'm Genni, and today I'll be participating in weekly meme Waiting on Wednesday. Waiting on Wednesday is hosted by Jill @ Breaking the Spine. Every week we highlight upcoming releases we are excited about!

This month I am participating in SciFi month, which is hosted by Rinn @ Rinn Reads and Lisa @ Over the Effing Rainbow! In order to tie that in, I am going to be showing everyone an upcoming science fiction read I'm looking forward to.

This week, I chose Unearthed by Amie Kaufman and Meagan Spooner! 

There is little to know about Unearthed except that it's expected publication is sometime in 2017!

Here is the little blurb they have shared:

Jules Addison and Amelia Radcliffe join forces in a tomb-raiding race on a newly discovered planet to unravel the secrets of an ancient, long-extinct civilization — only to uncover a revelation that could spell the end of the human race.

Why I'm Waiting

I absolutely loved Kaufman and Spooner's Starbound series. I finished the trilogy January of this year and couldn't wait for the duo's next release. Their trilogy is one of my favorite YA trilogies out there, so I have extremely high hopes and anticipation for this one!  The whole tomb-raiding and ancient civilization spark my interest even more. And just in case you don't like the cover, don't worry. It's not the official one. ;D

What did you pick this week? Are you looking forward to Unearthed?

Thanks so much for stopping by and I'll see you soon with another post!

Happy Reading!

Genni @ Ready, Set, Read!

Music Monday | Lady Gaga

Hey everyone and welcome back to my blog! I'm Genni and today I'll be participating in my first ever Music Monday post! Music Monday is hosted by my good friend Lauren @ Always Me. I've always wanted to participate for a while and I finally am! 

Here are the rules:

Every Monday share one or two of songs you've been enjoying lately.  It doesn't have to be a specific genre, new, or one of your favorites - just something you'd like to share with others.  If possible, share a music or lyric video of the song and your thoughts on the song(s), artist(s), and/or music video(s).

AUDIOBOOK REVIEW | A Thousand Pieces of You by Claudia Gray

Title: A Thousand Pieces of You
Series: Firebird Trilogy
Author: Claudia Gray
Publication Date: November 4, 2014
Pages: The physical copy has 360 pages
Source: I downloaded the audiobook through my online local library!

A thousand lives. A thousand possibilities. One fate.

Marguerite Caine grew up surrounded by cutting-edge scientific theories, thanks to her brilliant physicist parents. Yet nothing is more astounding than her mother's latest invention—a device called the Firebird, which allows people to leap into alternate dimensions.

When Marguerite's father is murdered, all the evidence points to one person—Paul, her parents' enigmatic star student. Before the law can touch him, Paul escapes into another dimension, having committed what seems like the perfect crime. But he didn't count on Marguerite. She doesn't know if she can kill a man, but she's going to find out.

With the help of another physics student, Theo, Marguerite chases Paul through various dimensions. In each new world Marguerite leaps to, she meets another version of Paul that has her doubting his guilt and questioning her heart. Is she doomed to repeat the same betrayal?

As Marguerite races through these wildly different lives—a grand duchess in a Tsarist Russia, a club-hopping orphan in a futuristic London, a refugee from worldwide flooding on a station in the heart of the ocean—she is swept into an epic love affair as dangerous as it is irresistible.

Waiting on Wednesday! #5

Hey everyone and welcome back to my blog! I'm Genni, and today I'll be participating in weekly meme Waiting on Wednesday. Waiting on Wednesday is hosted by Jill @ Breaking the Spine. Every week we highlight upcoming releases we are excited about!

This month I am participating in SciFi month, which is hosted by Rinn @ Rinn Reads and Lisa @ Over the Effing Rainbow! In order to tie that in, I am going to be showing everyone an upcoming science fiction read I'm looking forward to. 

BOOK REVIEW | Gemina by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff

Title: Gemina
Series: Illuminae Files
Authors: Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff
Publication Date: October 18, 2016
Pages: 608
Source: I got Gemina from my local library! 

Moving to a space station at the edge of the galaxy was always going to be the death of Hanna’s social life. Nobody said it might actually get her killed.

The sci-fi saga that began with the breakout bestseller Illuminae continues on board the Jump Station Heimdall, where two new characters will confront the next wave of the BeiTech assault.

Hanna is the station captain’s pampered daughter; Nik the reluctant member of a notorious crime family. But while the pair are struggling with the realities of life aboard the galaxy's most boring space station, little do they know that Kady Grant and the Hypatia are headed right toward Heimdall, carrying news of the Kerenza invasion.

When an elite BeiTech strike team invades the station, Hanna and Nik are thrown together to defend their home. But alien predators are picking off the station residents one by one, and a malfunction in the station's wormhole means the space-time continuum might be ripped in two before dinner. Soon Hanna and Nik aren’t just fighting for their own survival; the fate of everyone on the Hypatia—and possibly the known universe—is in their hands.

But relax. They've totally got this. They hope.

Once again told through a compelling dossier of emails, IMs, classified files, transcripts, and schematics, Gemina raises the stakes of the Illuminae Files, hurling readers into an enthralling new story that will leave them breathless.

Discussion | Is Terraforming the Solution to Earth's Evergrowing Problem? + Book Recommendations!

Earlier this month, I saw a video about terraforming and really made me start thinking. First, take a spin with the video if you are interested in our species' future on our home planet Earth.

The video talks about terraforming options. This includes Mars, Venus, Titan, and Europa. To be honest, I always thought that we wouldn't need another Earth for a good 5-7 billion years. That's when the sun will expand until becoming a white dwarf. In this expansion, earth  would die. But if we continue with how we are treating Earth today, the expiration date is much closer. It's still well after my life span on Earth, but it's harrowing to think that humans might cause the demise of our planet. 

Waiting on Wednesday #4

Hey everyone and welcome back to my blog! I'm Genni, and today I'll be participating in weekly meme Waiting on Wednesday. Waiting on Wednesday is hosted by Jill @ Breaking the Spine. Every week we highlight upcoming releases we are excited about!

This month I am participating in SciFi month, which is hosted by Rinn @ Rinn Reads and Lisa @ Over the Effing Rainbow. In order to tie that in, I am going to be showing everyone an upcoming science fiction read I'm looking forward to. 

TTT: Sci-Fi Books I've Added to My TBR

Hey everyone and welcome back to my blog! I'm Genni, and today I'll be participating in Top Ten Tuesday. TTT is hosted by The Broke and Bookish. This week our topic was "Ten Books I've Added To My To-Be-Read List Lately." If you didn't know, I'm participating in Sci-Fi month. Because of this, I'm going to put a little science fiction twist on this post.

What Movie Should I Watch? [POLL]

Hey everyone and welcome back to my blog! If you didn't know, I am participating in Sci Fi month, which is hosted by Rinn @ Rinn Reads and Lisa @ Over the Effing Rainbow.

I'm having a hard decision deciding what science fiction movie to watch (on Netflix) to review. I decided that I would let you decide instead and then see my reaction! I have a good feeling about what book will read, but I still want to see the results!

Chicken Challenge Wrap Up!

Hey everyone and welcome back to my blog! I'm Genni, and today I'll be wrapping up November's month long Chicken Challenge. The Chicken Challenge is hosted by Lys @ the Mad Reader! It was a ton of fun, but I wish I was able to do more! Unfortunately I was a bit too busy to get to everything I wanted to.

My TBR for the Chicken Challenge included:

A Promise of Fire by Amanda Bouchet 
Survive the Night by Danielle Vega
Anya's Ghost by Vera Brosgol
An Ember in the Ashes by Sabaa Tahir

Chicken Challenge Posts!

Chicken Challenge Tag
Movie Review | The Human Centipede
Book Review | A Promise of Fire by Amanda Bouchet

If you participated in the Chicken Challenge next year, make sure to link your wrap up! I'd love to know how you guys did. Though I'm disappointed that I didn't get to all the books I wanted, I didn't think I would be able to. Hopefully I will be more successful the next year!

Thanks for stopping by and I'll see you soon with another post!

Happy Reading!

Genni @ Ready, Set, Read!

Sci Fi Month 2016 | Second Time's the Charm!

Hey everyone! If you didn't know, last year I participated in Sci Fi Month! It is hosted by Rinn @ Rinn Reads and Lisa @ Over the Effing Rainbow! I was kind of a mess last year. I had recently started my blog, and I didn't really know what I was doing. I have hopes that this year will be much better!

MOVIE REVIEW | THE HUMAN CENTIPEDE

The Human Centipede is a cult classic in the horror genre. For the Chicken Challenge this month, I took part in watching a horror movie of my choice and reviewing it. Let me just put this out there: I wish I rewatched The Cabin in the Woods instead of watching this.

I'm sure you know what the human centipede is, but if you don't here's the low down. Basically, two really dumb college girls go to a party and get lost. Their tire blows, and they are stranded in the creepy woods. Because these girls are really dumb, they decide to get out of their car, walk around for over an hour alone looking for service, and then go into a stranger's home. Of course, this stranger is a deranged scientist. He worked separating conjoined twins in his hey day, but now he is seriously messed up. He drugs the girls, and then cuffs them to a hospital bed in his basement. In the basement there is another victim. The doctor tells them of his "genius" plan, to conjoin the three of them and make a human centipede. The mouth will be attached to the anus in order for them to eat. Creepy as hell, correct?

Chicken Challenge Tag!

This month I have been participating in the Chicken Challenge, which is hosted by Lys @ The Mad Reader. She just relocated her blog to here!

Name a book that scared you!
I don't read scary books or thrillers that often. But if I had to choose, I'd go with Illuminae by Jay Kristoff and Amie Kaufman! Illuminae is not really a thriller, but it does get really intense after a while. There is this great scene where Cady is going through an abandoned ship that is littered with zombies. I was pretty scared for Cady the whole time I was reading that scene!

What is the funniest prank you've pulled?
I actually haven't pulled a prank! I'm a goody-two shoes! Haha.

Share a spooky/ghost story
I don't know if this is spooky, but it did frighten me! Over the summer, I finished up watching Hannibal, a NBC show focused on Hannibal Lector. The finale was disturbing, to say the least. That night, I had a nightmare of cannibals eating me alive; I could feel them! I woke up to my own screams. Needless to say, it was a rough night of sleep!


What's the scariest movie you've watched?
I would have to say The Shining. I watched The Shining at a pretty young age, and just recently watched it again last year. The movie creeps me out to no end. I'd be screwed if my dad became evil like Jack did. American Horror Story does come to mind as well. Even though it's not a movie, it is scary and creepy! I couldn't get through Freak Show because I was so creeped out. This seasons though, Roanoake, is great. I'm loving and it's scaring the wits out of me weekly!

What is your dream costume?
I have another bad answer for this! There is not really an iconic character that I have always dreamed about dressing up as. Maybe I'll figure it out by Halloween, but it doesn't seem like it! 

Weirdest thing you've eaten?
I'm normally am up for anything, but I can't say I've eaten anything weird per say. I've eaten just about anything you can find in a small town. I have had a ghost pepper though, and that's one of the hottest peppers around. 
 

If you were a fictional villain, who would you be and why? 
I always like villains that have some background and morals. When a villain is just pure evil, I feel like they have no depth. The villain I choose for this question had the right intention (in a way) but made all the wrong decisions. He does have a shot of redemption though! I chose AIDAN from Illuminae!

So that was the Chicken Challenge Tag! Once again, check out Lys' blog for all Chicken Challenge details.

Thanks so much for stopping by and I'll see you soon with another post!

Happy Reading!

Genni @ Ready, Set, Read!