Wednesday, December 30, 2015

Bookish Shops I Love

~Wrapping Up 2015: Bookish Shops I Love~

I love bookish items, to the extreme. And while I don't necessarily have a lot of bookish items, these are shops that I've been stalking for a while now and am going to binge buy from very soon. They're so cute and have the best items!

*Disclaimer: None of these shops asked me to make this list or be put on it. This is just my honest-to-god fangirling over here*

MyBookmark on Etsy
This shop has the cutest bookmarks! I follow them on Instagram and it's hilarious and aweing how many bookmarks they have created. This is what they create, for so many different books and series:
Cool, right?

HappyHelloCo on Etsy
They have the cutest character bookmarks for everything from Throne of Glass to Harry Potter!
See?

Bookwormboutique on Society6
This shop sells ALL the bookish items I could ever want. I'm getting floor-to-ceiling bookshelves with a window seat and instead of boring throw pillows, all my pillows will be from this shop right here. They sell EVERYTHING from mugs to duvet covers! Seriously, just check them out and buy stuff.

This is all about the candles. Candles that smell like books, candles themed after books, it's great. Even though I don't burn candles in my room, I do have a wax melter and they have wax tarts. Hollah! I'm looking forward to getting one of these soon. I've been following them on Insta for months and am super excited to finally place an order soon!

Lastly, Redbubble
This one's for obvious reasons. I can't even put all the stuff they have but they have something for everyone. My most recent purchase was a laptop sleeve in this design:
It's gorgeous. They also have a beautiful Throne of Glass themed studio pouch I've got my eye on...hmm...


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Thanks for reading. I hope I inspired you and/or introduced you to new awesome bookish shops! 
xoxo
Lauren

Top 15 Books/Series of 2015

~Wrapping Up 2015: Top 15 Books/Series of 2015~

These are my top books and series I read in 2015
Enjoy

1. Throne of Glass series by Sarah J. Maas

2. Lux series by Jennifer L. Armentrout
 

3. A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas

4. Academy: Ghost Bird series by C.L. Stone

5. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone: Illustrated by J.K. Rowling & Jim Kay

6. The Dark Elements by Jennifer L. Armentrout

7. Falling Kingdoms by Morgan Rhodes


8. The Kiss of Deception by Mary E. Pearson

9. Halo trilogy by Alexandra Adornetto

10. Twilight: Life and Death by Stephenie Meyer

11. City of Heavenly Fire by Cassandra Clare

12. Defy & Ignite by Sara B. Larson


13. Doon by Carey Corp and Lorie Langdon

14. Slayers by C.J. Hill

15. Magnus Chase and the Sword of Summer by Rick Riordan

~

There you have it; my top 15 books/series of 2015. I did count series/trilogies as 1 entry or else the entire list would be Ghost Bird and Throne of Glass. I hope you enjoyed. What were your favorite books of 2015? 
xoxo 
Lauren



Series I Want to Start in 2016

~Wrapping Up 2015: Series I Want to Start in 2016~

It's no secret that I have not read all the books out there. In fact, I was missing from the entire book reading community for a year and a half because of Wattpad, which has left me racing to catch up to everyone. That being said, there are lots of series I want to start in 2016, as well as a lot I want to finish up, but that's a whole new conversation.

5. Outlander by Diana Gabaldon.
I wasn't actually sure I was going to want to read this after watching the TV show, but it was at Barnes and Noble and I read a couple pages and decided I needed to have it. Much more details in books, aye?

4. The Lunar Chronicles by Marissa Meyer
This has been so hyped up, but when it first came out when I was in middle school, I wasn't sure I was going to like it. But then it blew up. I have high expectations for this book, but I've also told myself because I have such high expectations, I probably won't like it as much. With that whole thing, my expectations then tend to lower so I expect to not like it. So hopefully that balances itself out and I do enjoy this series.

3. Bloodlines series by Richelle Mead
Confession time, I actually have read and own the first two books. But I've forgotten all that has happened, and I want to continue on because I really wanted the third one but fell out of touch with it. So hopefully I can get all the books and marathon the series, because I like doing that.

2. The Selection trilogy by Kiera Cass
I've been wanting to read this trilogy and recently discovered 2 of my closest reading friends have read this trilogy and LOVE it. It has been raved about, and I want to get into it but I'm also nervous. I don't really know too much about it, but I know there's some sort of selection in it. Obviously.

1. The Raven Cycle by Maggie Stiefvater
I've been very interested in this series for a while now and I'm hoping to pick up the first book soon so I can jump right into it. Now that I have a job, I can buy books a lot more which means reading a lot more. Hollah! 
But I've heard a lot of good things about this and I just love me a female protagonist surrounded by guys (Ghost Bird, Scarab, Throne of Glass, etc, etc). 

~

Thank you for reading. I hope you guys are enjoying your last few days of 2015. What are some series you want to start in 2016?
xoxo
Lauren





Monday, December 28, 2015

Most Anticipated Reads of 2016

~Wrapping Up 2015: Most Anticipated Reads of 2016~

These are not my most anticipated releases of 2016 because I already made that post. But there are a vast number of books I'm excited to finish and start reading in 2016. I've narrowed it down to my top 10 (not including new releases of 2016).

10. Illuminae by Jay Kristoff & Amie Kaufman
This is such a cool book and I just picked it up yesterday. I'm excited to get to it after I finish the two books I'm in the middle of currently.

9. Outlander by Diana Gabaldon
I also picked this us yesterday when I was at the bookstore. I actually have already watched the TV series, and I wasn't entirely sure I was going to read the book, but when I was at the bookstore I saw it. It was so beautiful and I read a couple pages and had to buy it. And of course I got the 20th anniversary edition. So excited!

8. Poison Study by Maria V. Snyder
I've heard great things about this from Sasha from abookutopia on YouTube and thought I'd give it a try. I did get the UK cover for Christmas, so Yay! Excited to read this book next year, whenever that may be.

7. Destined for Doon by Carey Corp & Lorie Langdon
I finished Doon a while back and I'm very excited to continue on. We were left at a cliffhanger and I can't believe that it took me so long to get this book.

6. Starcrossed by Josephine Angelini
I've been interested in this book for a while now and recently got the UK cover for Christmas, so I'm pretty excited to read it soon.

5. Stone Cold Touch by Jennifer L. Armentrout
I finished White Hot Kiss a while ago and it was left at a huge cliffhanger that made me so mad. I'm ready to continue on with this series! Because Roth is my favorite and I need him to come back!

4. The Heart of Betrayal by Mary E. Pearson
I recently finished The Kiss of Deception and loved it. I needed the second book and didn't want to wait to order it on Amazon so I could get it cheaper, so I picked it up at the bookstore yesterday. Super excited to read it in January (because I probably won't finish it by Thursday).

3. Endure by Sara B. Larson
This comes out next year and I'm very excited, even if it wasn't on my anticipated releases list because I hadn't read Ignite yet. But I got the prior book for Christmas and read it the day of, and now I'm very excited for the next one.

2. Carry On by Rainbow Rowell
Sadly, I was at the bookstore and could have gotten it but it was too much versus Amazon's price, so I'm getting it there. But I am very excited to read this and continue on with the wonderful world of Simon and Baz.

1. Slayers: Friends and Traitors by C.J. Hill
I STILL haven't gotten my hands on it, but when I do it'll be such a quick read. I'm very excited to jump back into this world, whenever that may be.

~

Thanks for reading. I'll see you on my next post.
xoxo
Lauren





Tuesday, December 22, 2015

My Most Anticipated Releases of 2016

~Wrapping Up 2015: Most Anticipated Releases of 2016~

Hello! There is a huge spike in posts coming this upcoming week because we're wrapping up 2015! Here are my top 6 (7?) most anticipated releases of 2016!

Coming in at Number 6 (7?) we have The Trials of Apollo by Rick Riordan
Publishes: May 3, 2016
This new series by Rick Riordan sounds SO good. And I'm excited he's having another Greek mythology series (and hopefully Percy makes an appearance). 

Onto Number 5 (6?) is Magnus Chase and The Hammer Of Thor (Book 2 in the Gods of Asgard) by Rick Riordan. 
Publishes: October 4, 2016
I fell in love with Magnus Chase and am very excited to continue on in this trilogy (still sad it's not longer). Hoping that this one is even better than the first! 

Moving to Number 4 (5?) we have The Academy: Ghost Bird Book 10: First Kiss by C.L. Stone. 
Publishes: (Expected) April 2016.

No cover available

I haven't even finished The Healing Power of Sugar yet but the next book in the Ghost Bird series is still one of my most anticipated reads of 2016. I love love love this series to the moon and back. 

Next we have Number 3.2 (4?): Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets: Illustrated by J.K. Rowling and Jim Kay.
Publishes: Unknown

No cover available

I fell in the love with Harry Potter when I was 6. And I fell in love with it all over again when the Sorcerer's Stone released this year. I am SOOO excited for these beautiful illustrated editions. I can hardly wait and will be preordering as soon as they're available to do so!

Coming in at Number 3.1 we have the one that is making these numbers all janky. I'm not sure if this counts, but it is the Throne of Glass coloring book!!!! When this was announced I screamed and am still in shock that it's actually happening. I'm going to have a bookish themed coloring book collection!
Publishes: September 6, 2016

No cover available

This is honestly one of the greatest things I've ever heard of! I am soo excited! And it releases the same day as the 5th book! Meaning I can read and color at the same time! I'll have to get 3, one for my friend and two for me (one to color and one to keep safe). Holy crap I'm super excited.


Next we have Number 2 with A Court of Mist and Fury by the astounding Sarah J. Maas.
Publishes: May 3, 2016

Holy shit holy shit! So excited! Especially because ACOTAR really really really made me laugh and cry and everything in between. I love this trilogy and am super duper excited to see what happens next (especially with Rhysand). I'm preparing myself for a lot of guyxguy testosterone pissing contests between Rhysand and Tamlin because of Feyre.

And rounding out at Number 1 we have Throne of Glass 5 (Title not yet released) by Sarah J. Maas. 
Publishes: September 6, 2016
(No cover yet so here's some bamtastic fan-art of Celaena)

It's safe to say I'm in love with this series. I have been in love with it since I picked up the first book and read it until I finished it (from approx. 9 at night to 2 in the morning). I finished the rest of the series within a month and I am super excited for whatever happens next. I just wished that I had either found it sooner or later (because I could have had the feels for longer or been able to read all of the books at once...). It's not a far cry to insanity. Love love love this book series. Favorite series of all time (and 2015) by my favorite author of all time Sarah J. Maas.

~

Thank you all for reading. Stay tuned for my next Wrapping Up 2015 posts! 
xoxo
Lauren






Thursday, December 17, 2015

Let's Talk: The Kiss of Deception


Title: The Kiss of Deception
Series: The Remnant Chronicles (Book 1)
Author: Mary E. Pearson
Publication Date: July 8, 2014
Date Started: December 7, 2015
Date Finished: December 13, 2015
Rating: 5/5 stars

*semi-spoiler free review*

Bonjour y'all. I finished up The Kiss of Deception last night and it was fantastic! I had heard so many great things about it that I was worried it wouldn't live up to my expectations, but it far surpassed those. Honestly, this has made it onto my Top 15 of 2015 list! Without a doubt!
Anyway, I first heard of this book when I watched Sasha from abookutopia talk about books that blew her mind. This book was on the list. She told us there was a major plot twist she didn't see coming, and neither did I.
It was only after this plot twist (and the yelling of many, many, MANY obscenities) that I remembered that I went into this knowing there was a plot twist. And it made me so mad I didn't see this coming. I SHOULD HAVE seen it coming, but I didn't.
Anyway, here's the blurb from the back of the book:
SHE FLEES ON HER WEDDING DAY.
              She steals documents from the Chancellor's secret collection. She is pursued by bounty hunters sent by her own father. She is Princess Lia, seventeen, First Daughter of the House of Morrighan.
                  The Kingdom of Morrighan is steeped in tradition and the stories of the bygone world, but some traditions Lia can't abide. Like marrying someone she's never even met to secure a political alliance. 
       Fed up and ready for a new life, Lia escapes to a distant village on the morning of her wedding day. She settles among the common folk, intrigued when two mysterious and handsome stranger arrive-and unaware that one is the jilted prince and the other an assassin sent to kill her. Deceptions swirl and Lia finds herself on the brink of unlocking perilous secrets-secrets that may unravel her world-even as she finds herself falling in love.

Safe to say I was very intrigued going into this book, and I have no regrets about reading it. I absolutely loved it. From the very first page I was drawn into this fantasy world. I loved all the deceptions and plans that were woven carefully and through each other.
This book made me think a lot, mostly about how hot the prince and assassin would be in real life. I'm not kidding. But it made me think a lot beyond the book too, which I really enjoyed.
There was a big huge plot twist that I didn't see coming. When it came I yelled obscenities for five minutes straight (ask my sister: she timed me) and had to refrain from throwing the book at my closet. But holy hell was it a good one. Brilliantly played, Mary E. Pearson, brilliantly played.
Lia is such a relatable character, even if she's a prince. I related to a lot of what she felt and it made me connect on a deeper level than just reading her story. That's how all books should be--and most are.
Oh yeah, I also cried a lot. And cheered. And yelled.
I gave it a 5/5 stars for a very good reason, and now this book is on my top books list. I'm very excited to get the next book, though I'm refraining from buying it immediately so that I don't overdraw my bank account because of Christmas shopping.
Thanks for reading. I highly recommend this book. Definitely a good read for anyone who likes fantasy, independent females, and love.
xoxo -Lauren

Sunday, December 13, 2015

BOOKS I NEED RIGHT NOW!!!

Okay, it's no secret that I'm a book lover that loves books (obviously). And we book lovers love buying books--even if our wallets don't. And I'm no stranger to buying tons of books at once; in fact, I am currently editing a huge bookish haul for my YouTube channel. Yay me!
Back to what I was saying, I love buying books. But there are so many damn books I want to buy, but I've narrowed down the list to a few of my top ones (that are currently published). Don't even get me started on books I'm waiting on.
Without further ado, here we go.

So a lot of these are sequels or continuing books in series, or spin offs. I used to try and finish a series before starting a new one, but that hasn't been happening lately and it's overwhelming. I want the next books in each series, but can't get them because...money. I have gotten some books for Christmas (I don't actually get them until them) so those aren't on this list.

But here are the top 5 books I NEED RIGHT NOW!

Number 5: The Infinite Sea by Rick Yancey
I finished up The 5th Wave, aka the first book in this trilogy, about a month or so ago. I loved it, and I really want to continue on with this series. But I had to wait for this to be out in paperback and I still need to read it...so yeah. 
I hated the cliffhanger--but I also love them... It's a problem.

Number 4: Carry On by Rainbow Rowell
I loved reading Fangirl last month, especially when she would read parts of her fanfiction to Levi. And this is her fanfiction, and I've heard nothing but great things about this book. Which is why I need it. Not just read it, I need to OWN it. 

Number 3: Slayers: Friends and Traitors by C.J. Hill
I finished off the first book in this series a long time ago, and I absolutely loved it. But it ended in a--you guessed it!--cliffhanger. And I've been dying to get my hands on it for a while now. But alas, it hasn't happened yet. Hopefully soon...

Number 2: Stone Cold Touch by Jennifer L. Armentrout
I just finished the first book in this trilogy (White Hot Kiss) and absolutely loved it. Jennifer L. Armentrout has gotten me hooked on ANOTHER series. Gosh.
Anyway, the book before this ended on a cliffhanger!!!(Who would have guessed?)!!! I need the next one now, because my ship must sail on!

Number 1: The Heart of Betrayal by Mary E. Pearson
I just finished The Kiss of Deception right before uploading this, so the feels are still going strong. I picked up the first book because Sasha Alsberg (abookutopia on YouTube) talked about it in a video about books that blew her mind. I had forgotten about the plot twist until I GOT TO THAT PART AND SCREAMED OBSCENITIES! 
This whole book was great and halfway through it started dragging my heart through the mud. And then it ended in a fracking CLIFFHANGER!!! Why?! Thus, the reason why I need the next book. 

Thank you for reading. I hoped you enjoyed this rant/post.
xoxo -Lauren