Monthly Wrap Up and TBR: February - March 2014

Some of the people who live locally hate February. They have very little money left over from Christmas and New Year, they are starting to become demotivated when it comes to their resolutions, and the weather is terrible. It's all very sad, and the village gets a bit depressed. But I managed to avoid this trend, and I've had a brilliant month!

On the Blog

No books absolutely blew my mind, but I did review a number of very entertaining reads such as Flame, Fangirl, Uninvited, and Secret. Plus some not so great ones. Tatum discovered Grave Mercy, and reviewed The Returned, which sounds like an awful book and yet she still gave it two stars. I don't know, I don't understand her rating system.

I got very excited for some February debuts, as well as February's Epic Rec, even if it is soul-destroying. I discussed why I don't care about the female-to-male ratio in YA books, and Lauren gave her views on the dreaded love triangles and instalove. She, Tatum, and I also talked about our book club read, The Naturals, in a giant post that seems to have intimidated people into not commenting.

Monthly Wrap Up and TBR: January - February 2014

Reading wise, January was a very average month for me. I read some very good books, but nothing blew my mind like it has in the past, which is unfortunate because a lot of these books had such potential. Even though I said I wasn't going to, I did end up reading mostly review copies. This is good, because it means I'm getting through the giant stack, but I also want to try to balance my reading with my own books as well. Hopefully that will improve in February.

On the Blog

Tatum and I reviewed a bunch of books: No One Else Can Have You, Erased, Avalon, Taste of Darkness, Eleanor & Park, And We Stay, White Cat, Bitten, Fugitive X, and Cress.

January was also the month that I relaunched my Debut Showcase feature, which had been on hiatus for a while. Speaking of relaunching, I also posted my first book haul post in forever.

Judith and I hosted Epic Recs, which was once again open for the public. As far as we can tell, everyone has been having a great time, especially Gaby and Lisa, who are so enthusiastic about this project. Love it!

Me in January

Nothing much happened out in the real world. It's now only six weeks until I visit Dee in Virginia, which is so exciting that I can't handle it. I am currently on a random health kick, and am trying to eat healthily. Well, I'm trying not to snack so much. Healthy is subjective. I watched The Wolf of Wall Street, and it kicked off my intense adoration for Leo DiCaprio again. I kept up with my new year's resolution to comment on other blogs more often - I hope the people that I'm following are appreciating the new me!

Monthly Wrap Up and TBR: December 2013 - January 2014

December was a very slow and frustrating reading month for me. I have been in a giant reading slump for the past three weeks, and it was showing no signs of ending until I took part in a 24 hour readathon, which kicked me up the backside and got me reading. Here are the books that I read:

November Wrap Up and December TBR

As expected, November was a busy month for me, with three birthdays in the family, the build up to Christmas, and a whole bunch of family drama. I expect December to be even busier, so I do wonder how my reading is going to go. My plan for the first week of December is to get all my December posts written so that I don't have to worry about those, and to get cracking with my January ones. 

Also in November, I went to see Catching Fire, and I'm going again tonight. SUCH a good film, you guys! It reawakened my love for Finnick, and Finnick/Katniss. I don't even care, they should have been endgame.

October Wrap Up and November TBR

The month of October started out really well, as far as reading goes. I read some amazing books in the beginning, and I was sure people would think I was crazy for rating most of them between four and five stars. Then, at the end of the month, things took a downward spiral, and I ended up really disliked the last two books that I read. But it's fine, November's going to be great, I can tell. 

September Wrap Up and October TBR

September was a great month, although I didn't have much time to just sit back and relax. I spent the first couple of weeks running around like crazy, trying to get things sorted before my holiday, and on the 18th I set off for Rome. I spent an amazing five days there, and I wish I could have stayed longer. I definitely want to go back in the near future! I recorded the first four days of my trip, and I plan on putting all the videos up on my Youtube channel at some point this month. 

August Wrap Up and September TBR

I had a great month in July, but August was even better! I have had a fantastic month this month, both with reading and with my real life stuff. I surpassed my reading goal for the month, I took part in Bout of Books and met some great people, and I introduced Tatum to One Tree Hill. She's currently dying from Naley feels, or she would be here with me.

July Wrap Up and August TBR

July turn out a lot better than I thought it would! I mean, I caught a horrible cold and lost my voice for a few days, but the fact that I read a bunch of amazing books made up for it. I didn't despise any of my ten reads this month, and, like I just mentioned, I finally reached my goal of double figures! I'm so pleased. 

Monthly Wrap Up: June 2013 + Debut-a-thon

Once again, I didn't reach my goal of ten books, however I did start my job (which I love) and I did host the debut-a-thon. So I shouldn't be too hard on myself, right? I had a really great month in June, and I hope this new trend continues!

Monthly Wrap Up: May 2013

I didn't get as much reading done this month as I did last month because I went to visit a friend for a week and have otherwise been slogging through books that were a) long and b) not very absorbing. But it's okay because PERSEVERANCE.

Books read in May

1. Around the World in Eighty Days by Jules Verne
2. Bitten by Kelley Armstrong
3. Jamrach's Menagerie by Carol Birch
4. Midnight's Children by Salman Rushdie
5. Inferno by Dan Brown
6. White Crow by Marcus Sedgwick
7. Witch Light by Susan Fletcher
8. The Summoning by Kelley Armstrong
9. Wool by Hugh Howey

Book of the Month

This was actually pretty tough to choose because I really loved Witch Light, Wool and The Summoning but ultimately I picked Bitten because I just couldn't put it down. Kelley Armstrong has ruined my life, man.

Reviews

The Book of Lost Things - John Connolly

Bitten by Kelley Armstrong

I didn't quite reach my goal of ten books this month, but I did reach my goal of getting a full time job, so I think I can be forgiven, y/y? I start as a Word Processor/Editor on Monday! I'm very excited, because this means that I can do something I love while getting paid for it. *sobs* I'm not sure how this is going to affect my reading yet. It might actually help, because I'll have less time for procrastination, and more money to buy ALL THE BOOKS.

Books read in May

1. Where I Belong by Gwendolyn Heasley
2. The Rules for Disappearing by Ashley Elston
3. Parallel by Lauren Miller
4. Boy Nobody by Allen Zadoff
5. The Summer I Became a Nerd by Leah Rae Miller
6. Erased by Jennifer Rush
7. Frostbite: The Graphic Novel by Richelle Mead and Emma Vieceli
8. Unbreakable by Elizabeth Norris
9. Such a Rush by Jennifer Echols

Currently Reading: Transparent by Natalie Whipple

Currently Reading: The School for Good and Evil by Soman Chainani

Currently Reading: A Storm of Swords P. 2 by George R. R. Martin

Book of the Month

This book has ruined my life. Elizabeth Norris is so evil and talented, it makes me want to cry. Anyone who saw my breakdown on Twitter knows what Unbreakable did to me. 

Reviews

Where You Are by Tamara Webber
Sweet Evil by Wendy Higgins
Where I Belong by Gwendolyn Heasley
The Rules for Disappearing by Ashley Elston
Parallel by Lauren Miller
Boy Nobody by Allen Zadoff
The Summer I became a Nerd by Leah Rae Miller
Frostbite: The Graphic Novel by Richelle Mead, Emma Vieceli and Leigh Dragoon
How My Summer Went Up in Flames by Jennifer Salvato Doktorski
Unbreakable by Elizabeth Norris
Such a Rush by Jennifer Echols

How many books did you guys read this month? What are your goals for next? Do let me know! I'm going to be aiming for ten books again, but who knows if I will make it. Let's hope so!

Monthly Wrap Up: April 2013

I managed to read a bunch of books this month! I'm so proud of myself, and I think I was only able to do so because a) there were days where I was reading a couple of books at a time, and b) I took part in the 24 Hour Read-a-Thon!

Books Read in April

1. The Collector by Victoria Scott

2. The Madman's Daughter by Megan Shepherd

3. Fractured by Teri Terry

4. Arclight by Josin L. McQuein

5. The Rules by Stacey Kade

7. A Clash of Kings by George R. R. Martin

8. Dead Silence by Kimberly Derting

9. The 5th Wave by Rick Yancey

10. Reboot by Amy Tinterra

11. A Storm of Swords Part One by George R R Martin

12. Where You Are by Tammara Webber
13. Sweet Evil by Wendy Higgins

Monthly Wrap Up: March 2013

Books Read in March: 

Well, I thought I was out of my reading funk but then Veronica Mars happened and I was swiftly back in it. Veronica and Logan have taken over my life!

1. Between the Lines by Tammara Webber

2. Mila 2.0 by Debra Driza

3. Half-Blood by Jennifer L. Armentrout

4. Poison by Bridget Zinn

5. Scandal by Lauren Kunze and Rina Onur

6. Taken by Erin Bowman

7. The Archived by Victoria Schwab

8. With All My Soul by Rachel Vincent

9. Monument 14 by Emmy Laybourne

Book of the Month:

This is actually a bit upsetting because I didn't read any amazing books in March. I read a few good ones, even a great one, but nothing blew my mind. Should I blame Veronica Mars for that as well?

I've decided to go with With All My Soul, since it was a great ending to one of my favourite series. I'm definitely going to miss waiting for the next book!

Amber's Reviews:

Between the Lines by Tammara Webber

The Nightmare Affair by Mindee Arnett

Mila 2.0 by Debra Driza

Feedback by Robison Wells

Poison by Bridget Zinn

Scandal by Lauren Kunze and Rina Onur

Half-Blood by Jennifer L Armentrout

The Archived by Victoria Schwab

Tatum's Reviews:

The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks by E. Lockhart

Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor

The Dead-Tossed Waves by Carrie Ryan

The Dark and Hollow Places by Carrie Ryan

What was your book of the month? If you've posted a monthly wrap up, then feel free to link it in the comments!

Monthly Wrap Up: February 2013

I have been in a huge reading funk this month, but I think I have finally broken free of it. Let's cross our fingers for me, okay?

Books Read in February:

1. Scarlet by Marissa Meyer
2. The Reece Malcolm List by Amy Spalding
3. Born Wicked by Jessica Spotswood
4. City of a Thousand Dolls by Miriam Forster
5. Requiem by Lauren Oliver
6. Burn for Burn by Jenny Han and Siobhan Vivian
7. Pretty Girl Thirteen by Liz Coley
8. The Nightmare Affair by Mindee Arnett

Monthly Wrap Up: January 2013

I wasn't able to read as much this month as I did in December, but I still got a tonne of books read, and I found a couple of AMAZING ones!

Books Read in January:

1. Pivot Point by Kasie West
2. Out of Easy by Ruta Sepetys
3. Zom-B Underground by Darren Shan
4. Sister Assassin (Mind Games) by Kiersten White
5. Altered by Jennifer Rush
6. Override by Heather Anastasiu
7. Vortex by Julie Cross
8. Shades of Earth by Beth Revis
9. Prodigy by Marie Lu
10. Night School: Legacy by C J Daugherty
11. Feedback by Robison Wells
12. The Indigo Spell by Richelle Mead
13. Dance of Shadows by Yelena Black

Book of the Month:

It wasn't hard for me to pick a book this month, because of this book! Pivot Point was a fairly close second, but I've been fangirling over Altered for weeks, and didn't want to stop now!

Reviews: 

• Paper Valentine by Brenna Yovanoff
• Falling Kingdoms by Morgan Rhodes
• Through the Ever Night by Veronica Rossi
• Zom-B Underground by Darren Shan
• Revolution 19 by Gregg Rosenblum
• Burning Blue by Paul Griffin
• Altered by Jennifer Rush
• Vortex by Julie Cross
• Shades of Earth by Beth Revis
• Variant by Robison Wells
• Infinite Sky by C. J. Flood
• The Disappeared by C. J. Harper
• Night School: Legacy by C. J. Daugherty
• Prodigy by Marie Lu
• Out of the Easy by Ruta Sepetys
• The Prey by Andrew Fukuda

Let me know what books you read this month in the comments! What was your favourite read?

Monthly Wrap Up: November 2012

November was an insanely busy month for me, so I didn't expect to get much reading done. I'm impressed I managed to read seven books, though, considering there were three birthdays, a funeral and just general craziness happening throughout the month. I did start NaNoWriMo and once again I failed. I will be trying again in June, though!

Books Read in November:

1. Scent of Magic by Maria V Snyder (Enjoyable)
2. Ten Things We Did (and Probably Shouldn't Have) by Sarah Mlynowski (Enjoyable)
3. Elemental by Antony John (Enjoyable)
4. Higher Institute of Villainous Education by Mark Walden (Bland)
5. Undeadly by Michelle Vail (Enjoyable)
6. Splintered by A.G. Howard (Enjoyable)
7. The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold

Book of the Month:

Ten Things We Did (and Probably Shouldn't Have) by Sarah Mlynowski

Most of the books I read this month were good, but nothing amazing and so nothing really stood out from the bunch. I picked Ten Things because it's hilarious, witty, and deal with real teenage problems. Serious problems, as well, like STD's. Yup. Sarah Mlynowski is awesome.

Reviews:

• The Evolution of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin
• The Devouring by Simon Holt
• Survive by Alex Morel
• When She Woke by Hillary Jordan
• Two Truths and a Lie by Sara Shepard
• My Life Next Door by Huntley Fitzpatrick
• Elemental by Antony John
• Undeadly by Michele Vail

Monthly Wrap Up: September 2012

Unfortunately, September didn't go as well as I had been hoping. I started out by reading four books in the first week, and then UnWholly put me in a horrible reading funk because it was just SO. FREAKIN'. GOOD. But I still read loads of awesome books!

Books Read in September:

1. Blackwood by Gwenda Bond (Bland)
2. Storm by Brigid Kemmerer (Essential)
3. Elemental by Brigid Kemmerer (Short)
4. Spark by Brigid Kemmerer (Essential)
5. Survive by Alex Morel (Enjoyable)
6. Breathe by Sarah Crossan (Essential)
7. Spellbound by Cara Lynn Shultz (Bland)
8. Ashen Winter by Mike Mullin (Essential)
9. UnWholly by Neal Shusterman (All Time Favourite)
10. Black Heart by Holly Black (Enjoyable)

At the time of writing this, I'm also in the middle of reading My Life Next Door by Huntley Fitzpatrick, so I may have finished that by midnight!

Book of the Month:

Storm by Brigid Kemmerer

I was expecting to love this as much as I did. I mean, I thought I'd like it, sure, but I did not expect to find it AMAAAAAAAZING. You guys, this book is awesome. If you haven't read it yet then I urge you to do so. I would be hosting a giveaway for multiple copies of this book if I could. EVERYONE should read this!

Reviews:

• Spark by Amy Kathleen Ryan
• Zom-b by Darren Shan
• Blackwood by Gwenda Bond
• What's Left of Me by Kat Zhang
• Storm by Brigid Kemmerer (BOOK OF THE MONTH WOOOOP!)
• Spellbound by Cara Lynn Shultz
• Breathe by Sarah Crossan
• Unwind by Neal Shusterman
• UnWholly by Neal Shusterman

Overall, I'd say it was a pretty good month! What did you get up to in September? 

Book of the Month: Jan - Mar 2012

The first quarter of 2012 is already over, which means I get to do my first Book of the Month post. I've missed doing these posts since I haven't done one since last year! I have read a lot of books already, and some really great books over the past three months. So here are my favourite books so far!

January

Standalone

Release Date: March 1, 2011 (UK)

Publisher: ATOM

Goodreads | My Review | Essential

When I first bought this I wasn't expecting to love it quite as much as I did. I really like mystery novels, and this was a fantastic one. I absolutely adored it. Since I read it, I've been recommending it to everyone!

February

Series: Mara Dyer #1

Release Date: March 1, 2012 (UK)

Publisher: Simon and Schuster (UK)

Goodreads | My Review | All Time Favourite

This is another one that I clearly adored. I even marked my favourite sections and quotes with post-it notes, which is something I never usually do. Again, I recommend this to everyone!

March

Series: Delirium #2

Release Date: February 28, 2012

Publisher: HarperTeen

Goodreads | My Review | Essential

I love everything that Lauren Oliver writes, and this was clearly no exception. I actually preferred this book to it's prequel, Delirium! It was such a good read, and it was written in an unusual manner, with two timelines overlapping so we could see how the main character has grown.

Let me know if you have read any of these, or if you are interested in reading them! I'd love to know what you thought.

Book of the Month: April - Jun '11

Back in March I picked out the three books that I enjoyed the most for January, February and March. These books are the ones I enjoyed the most during April, May and June. It was hard to choose the books this time around - much harder than before! So, let's get started. 

April's Book of the Month is

The Summer I Turned Pretty by Jenny Han

This book is the perfect summer read. It's about a girl who spends her summers at a beach house with her mum's friend and her sons. It's a really fun read, with some heavier stuff thrown in. I definitely recommend reading it if you haven't already, perhaps take it to the beach or the pool on a sunny day. I'll be taking the second book with me to Crete this year!

My review of The Summer I Turned Pretty

May's Book of the Month is

Poison Study by Maria V Snyder

Ah, the beginning of a new favourite series of mine! Poison Study is set in a fantasy world, and it's about a girl named Yelena who becomes the Commander's new food taster. She has to learn to test for poisons, whilst also learning to fight and to.. well, I shan't say too much ;) But Yelena is an awesome main character (think Rose Hathaway awesome) and Valek is HOT STUFF. 

My review of Poison Study

June's Book of the Month is 

Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins

I know, I know, it took me AGES to pick up this book. But everyone was right, it's freakin' awesome! The main characters are fantastic, and the writing is brilliant. It's set in Paris and the descriptions made me feel like I was right there, walking around the school and the city. Definitely pick this book up if you haven't already!

My review of Anna and the French Kiss

Book of the Month: Jan - Mar '11

This is going to be a new 'feature' for my blog. I just thought it would be nice to look back every three months and choose my favourite book of the month, and to tell you guys a little bit about it. I was going to make it a monthly thing, but I decided to do it every three months so then I have a bit more time to ponder over it and I won't just pick the last book I read!

January's Book of the Month:

Choker by Elizabeth Woods

This is a YA debut for 2011. It's realistic fiction, and based around a girl named Cara who misses her best friend Zoe. Zoe then shows up again, and asks to stay with Cara for a while. All of a sudden, there's a murder. To make matters worse - the victim is Cara's next door neighbour. It's a really thrilling read, and definitely rather creepy! 

You can read my review of Choker here.

February's Book of the Month:

Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead

I should stop going on about this book before I frighten you all away, but I can't! I love this book - and the rest of the series - so much. Too much to stop thinking about it! This is the first book in the VA series, and it's about a girl named Rose who is training to be a Guardian. She overcomes lots of obstacles in this series, one of those being her more-than-a-crush on her mentor - the hot and sexy Dimitri Belikov *swoon*. I know this book is a vampire book, and this seems to put a lot of people off, but they're not your traditional vampires! I won't go into detail about what exactly they are, but I can tell you that the Moroi and Strigoi are much more interesting than your Bella and Edward - and even Dracula!

You can read my review of Vampire Academy here.

March's Book of the Month: 

Demonglass by Rachel Hawkins

I can't say too much about this book, as it is the second in the Hex Hall series and I don't want to spoil the first book for those who haven't read it. I will say, however, that Sophie has matured, and has also become a lot more snarky! And also more intelligent. Archer is hot, as always, and Cal is adorable. I loved this book much more than Hex Hall, and highly recommend it!

Review to come!