Top Ten Tuesday: 2015 Releases I Meant to Get to But Didn't

Hey guys and welcome back to my blog! I'm Genni, and today I'm participating in the weekly meme hosted by the wonderful ladies over at The Broke and Bookish. If you haven't checked them out, make sure to do so!

This topic for this week are the ten books that were released last year that I meant to read but did not. There are a handful of books I can think of right off the bat. Though I had an amazing reading year, it doesn't mean that I got to every single book I wanted to read.

1.) The Winner's Crime by Marie Rutkoski
I know! I'm horrible for not reading this already! *Hangs head in shame* The Winner's Curse was one of my favorite books of 2014, if not the top book of 2014. I'm just so hesitant to read this one because I don't want to be disappointed. I've had it from my library for months now and I'm actually looking at it right now. January seems to be a good month to read it. Plus, now I don't have to wait that long for The Winner's Kiss!

2.) The Rose Society by Marie Lu
Me not reading The Rose Society is not as bad as some others on this list. I enjoyed The Young Elites, but didn't love it. However, my friends have loved this book and said it was so much better than the first. I'm interested to see how much darker Adelina becomes in this book. I also am staring at this one as I type. Maybe I'll read this after my current read?

3.) Their Fractured Light by Amie Kaufan and Meagan Spooner
Talking about current reads, this is it! Their Fractured Light did release pretty late into last year (think Dec. 1), so that is a reasonable answer for why I haven't finihsed the concluding novel in one of myfaorite trilogies. However, I am currently reading it and loving it so far! By the time your reading this, I'll be done with the book. (I gave it 4.75 Stars! This was a great concluding novel!)

4.) Zero World by Jason M. Hugh
I won Zero World in a giveaway opportunity hosted by my friend Lauren at Always Me way back when I started my blog in the summer last year. I do want to get to reading this book my the time March rolls around. Lauren adored the book and I can't wait to see what I feel as well!

5.) Every Last Word by Tamara Ireland Stone
This book was getting so much hype that I actually bought it full price! A shock, I know! This also showed up on a lot of favorites of 2015 lists, so I'm eagerly anticipating reading this. If I don't have this read by the summer, I'll read it then.

6.) Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard
Red Queen was so hyped it was insane! I actually went to a book signing the day before the book was officially released, so I've had it for a while. I was just about to read this book last year when the book community went crazy for it. I wanted to read this after the hype went down just so I knew my opinion wasn't in any way changed because of the love for it.

7.) The Wrath and the Dawn by Renee Ahdieh
I had the same type of experience with The Wrath and the Dawn as I did with Red Queen. I did try reading this book a while back and got around 80 pages in but then stopped. The story was really interesting, I just didn't have the time to read it. I do see myself reading this in 2016, but I don't know when.

8.) The Replaced by Kimberly Derting
To be quite honest, I might not even read The Replaced this year. The Replaced is a sequel to The Taking, which made my favorites list of 2014. I actually read a good portion of the book last year and decided to put it down just because I was so underwhelmed by what was happening. The plot was going in a direction I didn't necessarily like, so I don't know if I will be reading this one.

9.) Conspiracy of Blood and Smoke by Anne Blankman
Conspiracy of Blood and Smoke is the final book in this historical fiction duology by Anne Blankman that follows Hitler's "cousin" that falls in love with a Jewish reporter. I didn't mean to not read this book in 2015, but I understand why. Historical fiction is always a genre that is hard for me to get into, and though I adored the first book, I'm always hesitant to read the genre.

10.) November 9 by Colleen Hoover
I didn't think that I would read November 9 last year just because my library doesn't have any Colleen Hoover books, but there was a bit of hope for me! I was just about to buy this book at Barnes & Noble with a gift card I got for Christmas, but instead bought Ugly Love because it was cheaper. I ended up adoring Ugly Love, so I'm not too torn up by it!

What were some 2015 releases that you didn't get around to? Have you read any of the ones listed above? If you did a Top Ten Tuesday, make sure to link it down below! I'd love to see it. :)

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

Happy Reading!

Genni @ Ready, Set, Read!

Cover Talk: The Problem With Forever by Jennifer L. Armentrout

The cover just recently dropped for Jennifer L. Armentrout's upcoming release. and it is beautiful!

I absolutely adore this cover! In comparison to Jennifer L. Armentrout's other book covers, this is a masterpiece. All of her covers are cheesy and kind of cringe worthy to cart around in public, particularity the Lux series. I didn't have any expectations for this cover but I am astounded at how good this cover turned out. I really love the whole entire water color aspect and typography. The colors make the book really stand out and I can't wait to this on the shelves!

I have read an excerpt of this book, and boy am I excited for it! I don't know too much about this upcoming novel except that it is a young adult contemporary following a girl, Mallory, that is entering public school after being home schooled for quite a while. She is starting her senior year and has major problems with talking and is socially awkward. From the excerpt, I think something life altering happened to our main character that made her the way she is. Mallory likes anonymity and being just another face in the crowd, but her plan doesn't come into fruition because a guy she knows from her past, Rider, is in her class. I have really high expectations for this and I cannot wait! I have only read one other young adult contemporary by Jennifer L. Armentrout, The Dead List, but haven't read her others like Don't Look Back. However, I am familiar with her new adult contemporary, so I already know that I will like this one! Fingers crossed I'll even love it!

Here is the goodreads blurb if you want to know more! It sounds as if the story will be really intense, relationship and plot wise. I could not be more excited! :D


For some people, silence is a weapon. For Mallory “Mouse” Dodge, it’s a shield. Growing up, she learned that the best way to survive was to say nothing. And even though it’s been four years since her nightmare ended, she’s beginning to worry that the fear that holds her back will last a lifetime.

Now, after years of homeschooling with loving adoptive parents, Mallory must face a new milestone—spending her senior year at public high school. But of all the terrifying and exhilarating scenarios she’s imagined, there’s one she never dreamed of—that she’d run into Rider Stark, the friend and protector she hasn’t seen since childhood, on her very first day.

It doesn’t take long for Mallory to realize that the connection she shared with Rider never really faded. Yet the deeper their bond grows, the more it becomes apparent that she’s not the only one grappling with the lingering scars from the past. And as she watches Rider’s life spiral out of control, Mallory faces a choice between staying silent and speaking out—for the people she loves, the life she wants, and the truths that need to be heard.

What do you think about the cover? Are you anticipating Jennifer L. Armentrout's newest upcoming release? 

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

Happy Reading!

Genni @ Ready, Set, Read! 

Book Review: The Dead List by Jennifer L. Armentrout

The Dead List was so addicting and fun!

I can never get enough of Jennifer L. Armentrout! She seems to show up every single month in my wrap ups and January will be no exception. The Dead List is actually a free online read on the website Wattpad! I've read a plethora of books from the wattpad app, and while there have been plenty I have really liked, there were others that were complete misses for me. However, I had high hopes for this one because I am so familiar with Jennifer L. Armentrout.

The Dead List is a contemporary thriller that follows our main character Ella after she is almost murdered. I haven't read much thriller or watched much for that matter, so unlike for some people, this was a breath of fresh air. There were some parts of the book that had a very Scream like vibe, but besides that I didn't mind the book not being as original compared to her other books. 

The Dead List was so much fun to read. It wasn't without it's faults, but the story and the characters carried it through for me. I was more interested in the plot than the characters because they didn't stand out for me. Ella is a classic character that is beautiful without really knowing and has several guys pining after her. Jensen, the love interest, is the classic jock (ex jock in this novel) that is a bit mysterious and a lot misunderstood. Though they were cookie cutter characters, their actions and what happened to them were not. 


Throughout the novel there are two different stories being told that intertwine with each other. While the storyline of the serial killer that attempted to murder Ella was the primary story, the secondary one was just as interesting. I love how they were connected with each other and it kept me on my toes. While I was guessing who the murderer was right along with the other readers on the wattpad app, the big reveal did take me by surprise. 

I really loved the romance of this book. While it was a bit predictable, the dialogue between the two sold it for me. What I love about all the relationships that Jennifer L. Arementrout writes about is how swoon worthy and intriguing they are. The idea that Jensen and Ella used to be best friends that grew apart because of a tragic accident kept me wondering what exactly had happened. 

Though The Dead List does get some criticism for its lack of originality, I enjoyed it as a whole. The plot intrigued me the whole entire time I was reading it and there was no dull point in my reading experience. If you are new to the app or thinking about getting it, I would recommend this one. The romance was cute and at times sexy, with the story achieving its goal of being thrilling. 

With that, I give this book 

4 out of 5 Stars!

Have you read any of Jennifer L. Arementrout's books? What was your favorite? 

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

Happy Reading!

Genni @ Ready, Set, Read!

P.S. Sorry for my mysterious disappearance! Finals week killed me. :D

Book Review: Ugly Love by Colleen Hoover

Ugly Love tore me apart and put me back together again!

I have heard such great things about this Colleen Hoover book and it did not disappoint. If you don't know who Colleen Hoover is, she is a new adult author that has become one of my favorite authors. After reading Maybe Someday earlier in 2015, I was worried that I would be disappointed by this one. Luckily and thankfully, I was not. I adored the story!

Ugly Love tells the story of Tate Collins and Miles Archer. When Tate movies in with her older brother, Corbin, she doesn't realize her life is about to get a lot more complicated. Besides knowing that, I would go into this book blind. That is what I have done with a three of the five novels I have read from her and those have turned out to be my favorite.

This book was set up in a great way. Instead of being completely linear, the book follows two points of view. Tate's point of view takes place in present day, while Miles' point of view takes place six years ago. I haven't read a book with that type of point of view, and only know of one book that does the same thing, which is I'll Give You the Sun by Jandy Nelson. I loved how the past and present intertwined and how parts of the past would come up in the present.

I didn't realize how much I would cry in this book. I had only about 100 or so pages left and hadn't cried yet, so I didn't realize what all the mayhem was about. Though I know that there is always a tragic crisis, but I wasn't expecting what happened. This one struck me harder than the others and I was just a ball of tears. From the last 100 pages, I cried both sad and happy tears until the very end.

In comparison to the other Colleen Hoover books I have read, this is my second favorite. Maybe Someday holds this cake, but this was a very close second. My only issue was that some of Tate's reactions were annoying. She didn't stand up for herself as much as I wanted to throughout the book, which was my main problem.

Besides that, I want to remain vague with the book. It is best going into the book without knowing much, but do know that this book has very polarized opinions. While others love this, there is also a good amount that sees major flaws. Do know that this book is racier in comparison to some other works by Colleen Hoover, so if you don't like reading sex scenes then the book might not be for you. They aren't detailed, but it is obvious what is going on.

With that, I give this book

4.75 out of 5 Stars!

Have you read Ugly Love or any of Colleen Hoover's books? What is your favorite Colleen Hoover novel to date?

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

Happy Reading!

Genni @ Ready, Set, Read!

December 2015 Wrap Up!

Hey guys and welcome back to my blog! This past December, I read 9 books, 1 novella, and 1 bonus short story! I went into a bit of a reading slump past November, so I'm glad I got out of the rut and back into things. I read some really amazing books, and some even made it's way onto my favorites list of 2015! I'll be recapping every book I read in the month and if I did a review, I will link it!

1.)Breathe Into Me by Sara Fawkes
Rating: 4.25 Stars
Breathe Into Me is a new adult novel that I bought on a whim from Book Outlet. I wasn't expecting much, but this was exactly what I needed. In fact, I read this book in 4 to 5 hours! It was a great stress reliever and the story was just plain old fun. There are some twists and turns throughout the book I was not expecting, which was really refreshing. Check out my review of it here! 

2.) The Crystal Key by Christopher Bailey
Rating: 3 Stars
I read the Crystal Key through a read to review opportunity I had through one of the goodreads groups I am in. While I didn't love the book, it was really fun to read. Though I like science fiction, it is sometimes hard for me to get into, which was the case for this book. About half way through, the book really picked up and I had fun with it. Read my full thoughts here! 

3.) The Wedding by Jennifer L. Armentrout
This was just a cute little bonus story after the events of the Lux series. It clocked in at eight pages. I can't really give it a rating with it being so short, but make sure to only read this after reading the series beforehand. If you liked the Lux series, you would find this story really cute, like I did.

4.) City of Fallen Angels (Mortal Instruments #4) by Cassandra Clare
Rating: 4 Stars
City of Fallen Angels is the fourth book in the mortal instruments series. I was a bit hesitant to pick this one up after being mildly disappointed by Clockwork Angel. City of Glass, the third book, was my favorite and really blew me away, so I didn't want this one to fall short. Though I didn't like it as much as City of Glass, I really liked it. I appreciated that it wasn't as dark as the others. You can read my full review here.

5.) Stone Cold Touch by Jennifer L. Armentrout
Rating: 4.25 Stars
6.) Every Last Breath by Jennifer L. Armentrout
Rating: 4.25 Stars
7.) Bitter Sweet Love by Jennifer L. Armentrout
Rating: 4 Stars
All three of these are part of the Dark Elements series by none other than Jennifer L. Armentrout. Armentrout is a great author to read when you are not really sure what to read. Stone Cold Touch and Every Last Breath were the second and third books of the series and concluded the trilogy. Bitter Sweet Love was a prequel novella. To read my thoughts on the whole series, click here!

8.) The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls
Rating: 5 Stars
Though I had to read The Glass Castle for my AP English class, I was shockingly surprised at how much I loved this book. I don't read too much nonfiction or memoirs, and I was so happy to read something that grabbed my attention. I would recommend this book to anyone. Jeannette Walls' life, especially childhood, is a great story.

9.) Rock Star: The Song by Kate Ward
Rating: 2 Stars
Unfortunately, Rock Star: The Song was another run of the mill freebie on ibooks that just didn't connect with me. The characters were bland and I didn't care about the story. The novel ended a way that was obviously trying to get the reader to buy the next book, and it just didn't work for me. In general, the novel just wasn't compelling enough in order to recommend it to anyone.

10.) Ten Tiny Breaths by K. A. Tucker
Rating: 4.25 Stars
I feel like if I didn't accidentally spoil myself for the big twist at the end, I would have liked this book a whole lot more. Although I new the plot twist, I still enjoyed the book for what it was and really loved the story. The character development is astounding and if you are new to new adult, I would recommend it. I'm still a beginner at the whole genre, but I really liked this one and I'm looking forward to reading some of the other books in the companion series.

11.) Ugly Love by Colleen Hoover
Rating: 4.75 Stars
Ugly Love blew me away. I've read a fair share of Colleen Hoover since the start of 2015, but I didn't expect to love this as much as I did. Though Maybe Someday is still my favorite Colleen Hoover book (and new adult book in general) this really sucked me in. I will be doing a review for this soon! In comparison to others, Maybe Someday is my favorite followed by this novel and then Confess, Hopeless, and Slammed.


Other Posts of the Month!

Top Ten Tuesday: 2016 Novels I'm Looking Forward To!
November 2015 Wrap Up
Book Traveling Thursday: Diverse Book
December 2015 TBR
Currently Reading #6
Top Ten Tuesday: New To Me Authors I Read for the First Time in 2015
Top 5 Wednesday: Retellings
Book Traveling Thursday: Favorite Retelling
Meeting Marissa Meyer!
One Lovely Blog Award!
Black Friday Book Haul!
Book Traveling Thursday: Giving Book
10 Biggest Disappointments of the Year
TBR Jar for 2016!
Movie Review: Vampire Academy
Top 5 Wednesday: Series I Want to Start
Best Surprises of 2015
Least Favorite Books of 2015 Most Anticipated Books for the First Half of 2016
Books That Broke the Trope in 2015

That's a wrap on December 2015! I had some really great reads in the month and posted a lot more than I had anticipated. What were some of the books you have read in December?

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

Happy Reading!

Genni @ Ready, Set, Read!

Best Books of 2015!

Hey guys and welcome back to my blog! I'm Genni, and today I'll be showing you the best books I have read in 2015. I read quite a lot of books in 2015 (123!), which surpassed my goodreads goal on 100. With a total of 35,718 pages read, my average book was 290 pages long. I'm very pleased to say that I finished quite a lot of series, and only a few are showcased down below! While I did have my disappointments, 2015 was mainly a year of surprise. My average rating last year was 3.8 stars! Needless to say, I am really proud of myself and hope this year is just as good.

Here are some of my favorite books of 2015!

Standalones

Young Adult

 New Adult

Best Series

Finished This Year

1.)Unearthly Trilogy

 

2.)Shatter Me Trilogy

3.)Dark Elements Series

         

 4.)Defiance Trilogy

5.)Lunar Chronicles

6.)White Rabbit Chronicles

Ongoing/Started This Year

       

Novellas

And those were my favorite books of 2015! Do we have any books in common? If you did a post like this, be sure to link it below. I'd love to check it out. :)

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

Happy Reading!

Genni @ Ready, Set, Read!