Waiting on Wednesday #48: Life Debt by Chuck Wendig July 6, 2016

“Waiting on Wednesday” is a weekly event hosted by Jill at the Breaking The Spine. It showcases upcoming releases we’re anticipating!

My pick of the week is:

 

Life Debt (Star Wars: Aftermath #2)

By: Chuck Wendig

Coming: 12 July 2016

Publisher: Del Rey

Summary:

Set between the events of “Return of the Jedi” and “The Force Awakens, “the never-before-told story that began with “Star Wars: Aftermath” continues in this thrilling novel, the second book of Chuck Wendig s “New York Times” bestselling trilogy.
“It is a dark time for the Empire. . . .”
The Emperor is dead, and the remnants of his former Empire are in retreat. As the New Republic fights to restore a lasting peace to the galaxy, some dare to imagine new beginnings and new destinies. For Han Solo, that means settling his last outstanding debt, by helping Chewbacca liberate the Wookiee s homeworld of Kashyyyk.
Meanwhile, Norra Wexley and her band of Imperial hunters pursue Grand Admiral Rae Sloane and the Empire s remaining leadership across the galaxy. Even as more and more officers are brought to justice, Sloane continues to elude the New Republic, and Norra fears Sloane may be searching for a means to save the crumbling Empire from oblivion. But the hunt for Sloane is cut short when Norra receives an urgent request from Princess Leia Organa. The attempt to liberate Kashyyyk has carried Han Solo, Chewbacca, and a band of smugglers into an ambush resulting in Chewie s capture and Han s disappearance.
Breaking away from their official mission and racing toward the “Millennium Falcon” s last known location, Norra and her crew prepare for any challenge that stands between them and their missing comrades. But they can t anticipate the true depth of the danger that awaits them or the ruthlessness of the enemy drawing them into his crosshairs.
Praise for Chuck Wendig s “Aftermath”
“Star Wars: Aftermath “[reveals] what happened “after” the events of 1983 s “Return of the Jedi.” It turns out, there s more than just the Empire for the good guys to worry about. “The Hollywood Reporter”
The Force is strong with “Star Wars: Aftermath.” ” Alternative Nation”
“”
The “Star Wars” universe is fresh and new again, and just as rich and mysterious as it always was. “Den of Geek””

Why I’m excited:

In all honesty, I’ve been on a big Star Wars kick since Episode VII was announced. I get geeky and all excited over Star Wars books. They’ve been my book drug of choice since high school. I’m pretty sure I read every one that my library had at the time. Some of them more than once. I was in London in 1999 and we had some time to kill in the train station. We ducked into a bookstore. I picked up a Star Wars book. I’m in Europe and I buy a book. Yep. I’m really excited to read the new canon books. I adored the original expanded universe and I’m really excited to delve into the new one. I still need to read the first book of these, but I know I’ll get to it soon.

Why I need you to be excited:

Star Wars. Nuff said.

A Bookish Tour June 13, 2016

Not sure if I have ever done a bookshelf tour post before, but I thought I would do one today. My bookcases are currently stuffed to the gills and will probably be redone or added to in the coming year, but I thought I would give you a glimpse into my organisation. Keep in mind this is strictly my YA books. My children’s, middle grade, and adult bookcases are super hot messes. We recently attempted to reorganise my children’s bookcase, but there are so many that it is still super stuffed and messy haha. The kiddos also need a new bookcase, but hubby isn’t wanting to budge on more bookcases until we remodel downstairs. *sigh* Anyway! Welcome to my shelves!

The first two bookcases are actually small bookcases in my bedroom at the foot of my bed. They were empty for a while until I reorganised my books back in early spring. I decided to move favourite series and oversized books to these bookcases to free up some space on my main YA bookcase. It helped, for like a week until I reorganised that bookcase! haha. Left picture: Top shelf: JK Rowling/Robert Galbraith’s books and Cassandra Clare’s Shadowhunter books. Bottom shelf: Sarah J Maas, Melissa de la Cruz, and two of the Eragon books that wouldn’t fit anywhere else. Right picture: Top shelf: the rest of  my Harry Potter collection. Companion guides and more foreign editions (German, Spanish, and French). Also Jodi Meadows collection. Still on the hunt for an Incarnate ARC if you can help a girl out! (This shelf is also precarious now. I went to put Mirror King on the bookshelf and it collapsed. I couldn’t find all of the pins to put the shelf back up! Not that the bookcase is in the best of shape anyway haha) Middle shelf (which is laying on the books on the bottom shelf!) is full of oversized books. I just kinda have them shoved on here for this picture because The 5th Wave trilogy is in my June TBR. Bottom shelf: A combo of oversized books and my Maggie Stiefvater collection. Ballad is also in th stack, but I just realised from this angle you can’t see it. Oops!

Now my main YA bookcase in our office/den. We have three big bookcases in our office/den. The first is my Adult/School books. The second is overflow adult with my middle grade collection. The third, above, is my YA. The fourth is the kiddos’ bookcase stuffed full with picture books. If you notice, there are books with flags on them. Those are all unread books. I finally gave up on keeping my TBR books from my read books separate, but wanted a system to ID unread books. This system is not completely foolproof. The kiddos like stealing my flags on books they can reach, like the Ruta Sepetys books in the last picture. Everything easily fit on my bookcase for maybe a month. I’ve been promised floor to ceiling bookcases in my office when we remodel, but I need more space now! I’m thinking I might pick up another bookcase soon. Not sure where I’ll put it yet though! haha. Most of these, excluding the majority of my Melissa de la Cruz, JK Rowling, and Stephenie Meyer books have been accrued in the last four or so years. The bulk coming in since right around when I started blogging. Pretty sure Hubs thinks I have a book hoarding problem. I do not think so!

Anyway, that’s my organisational system. All books on the YA case are alphabetical except a few that have been displaced, but I didn’t feel like completely overhauling my bookcase for one or two books. How do you organise your books? I love the idea of by colour, but I HAVE to have all of my books together by author haha. It bothers me if they’re not!

Please Be Kind, Rewind: 16 November 2014 – 4 April 2015 April 4, 2015

It feels good to be back! After a break for summer, then drama stirring every time I was ready to jump back in, I was afraid I might just hang up my blogger hat. The idea to start a blog for some of the adventures with the kiddos has sparked the desire to fully jump back in the YA blogging world too. I can’t let drama get me down from about what I’m passionate!

Instead of trying to do a FULL recap from NOVEMBER until now, I’ll just let my reading speak for itself and start back with recaps next week. I will recount as best as I can remember on books I’ve gotten. No hope on library books except for what I have on hand now though. I will still include books I get/read with the kiddos, but there will no longer be Tot Time Thursday reviews/posts. All things children’s lit, homeschooling, etc will be over on our new blog Voyages of the Backyard Explorers!

affiliate links used below

Completed: (Starting in November til today)

Perfect Ruin by Lauren DeStefano
Burning Kingdoms by Lauren DeStefano
No Intention of Dying by Lauren DeStefano
The Orphan Queen by Jodi Meadows
The Winner’s Curse by Marie Rutkoski
The Winner’s Crime by Marie Rutkoski
The Red Tent by Anita Diamant
The Strange Case of Finley Jayne by Kady Cross
The Girl in the Steel Corset by Kady Cross
The Girl in the Clockwork Collar by Kady Cross
The Dark Discovery of Jack Dandy by Kady Cross
Die Once More by Amy Plum
The Madman’s Daughter by Megan Shepherd
Her Dark Curiosity by Megan Shepherd
A Cold Legacy by Megan Shepherd
The Start of Me and You by Emery Lord
The Girl of Fire and Thorns by Rae Carson
The Crown of Embers by Rae Carson
Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard
The 5th Wave by Rick Yancey
The Bitter Kingdom by Rae Carson
Artemis Fowl by Eoin Colfer
Artemis Fowl: The Arctic Incident by Eoin Colfer
Gilt by Katherine Longshore
The Eternity Code by Eoin Colfer
Artemis Fowl: The Opal Deception by Eoin Colfer
Artemis Fowl: The Lost Colony by Eoin Colfer
The Time Paradox by Eoin Colfer
Tarnish by Katherine Longshore
Brazen by Katherine Longshore
Artemis Fowl: The Graphic Novel

Read with the Kiddos
Ladybug Girl and the Dress-up Dilemma
City Adventures #1: Help Is On The Way! (Lego Reader)
Ten Rules of Being a Superhero (Christy Ottaviano Books)
Ninja!
Bitty Baby and Me
What Is a Princess? (Disney Princess) (Step into Reading)
Scuffy the Tugboat and His Adventures Down the River
Tiny Toons Adventure: Happy Birthday, Babs!
Luke Goes to Bat
The Gingerbread Kid Goes to School (Penguin Young Readers, L2)
Potty (Leslie Patricelli board books)
Dinosaurs Before Dark (Magic Tree House, No. 1)
On the Night You Were Born
The Knight at Dawn (Magic Tree House, No. 2)
A Perfectly Messed-Up Story
Murray’s First Book of Words (Sesame Street First Board Books)

Currently Reading:
Maid of Secrets by Jennifer McGowan
Mummies in the Morning (Magic Tree House, No. 3)
Pirates Past Noon (Magic Tree House, No. 4)

New to Our Shelves:
From My OTSP Secret Sisters (last round and current round)
Catching Jordan by Miranda Kenneally
Lola and the Boy Next Door by Stephanie Perkins
The Archived by Victoria Schwab
The Girl in the Steel Corset by Kady Cross
The Girl in the Clockwork Collar by Kady Cross
The Goddess Test by Aimee Carter
Goddess Interrupted by Aimee Carter
The Goddess Inheritance by Aimee Carter
Twisted Fate
The Last Apprentice (Revenge of the Witch)
The Other Queen by Philippa Gregory
The Lady of the Rivers: A Novel (The Cousins’ War)
The White Queen (The Cousins’ War)
The Red Queen (The Cousin’s War)
This Shattered World: A Starbound Novel

From Mary:
Vampire Academy (Vampire Academy, Book 1)
A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J Maas
Uninvited by Sophie Jordan

Giveaways/Book Swaps/ARCs
Maid of Wonder by Jennifer McGowan
Pushing the Limits by Katie McGarry
Bloodlines by Richelle Mead
Let the Sky Fall
Fairest: The Lunar Chronicles: Levana’s Story
Rebel Angels (The Gemma Doyle Trilogy Book #2)
Extraction by Stephanie Diaz
Rebellion by Stephanie Diaz

Library:
Artemis Fowl: The Graphic Novel
The Artemis Fowl #2: Arctic Incident Graphic Novel 1st (first) Edition by Colfer, Eoin (2009)
Artemis Fowl The Eternity Code Graphic Novel
Artemis Fowl: The Opal Deception Graphic Novel (Artemis Fowl (Graphic Novels))
Captive (The Blackcoat Rebellion)
Maid of Secrets (Maids of Honor)
Tarnish by Katherine Longshore
Brazen by Katherine Longshore
Gilt by Katherine Longshore

Purchased:
Gilt by Katherine Longshore
The Orphan Queen by Jodi Meadows
Maid of Secrets (Maids of Honor)
Maid of Deception (Maids of Honor)
Origin by Jessica Khoury
Juliet Immortal
Venom (Secrets of the Eternal Rose)
The Scorpio Races
Red Riding Hood
Playing Dirty by Jennifer Echols
Pawn (The Blackcoat Rebellion)
The Girl of Fire and Thorns

How’ve you been lately? Read anything good recently? Have you checked out our new blog extension yet? Tot Time Thursday now has its own blog at Voyages of the Backyard Explorers!

Top Ten Tuesday #50: Fall TBR September 23, 2014

 

Each week, the girls over at The Broke and the Bookish think up a fun theme for the week and participating bloggers around the net join in. The theme for this week is:

Top Ten Books on My Summer TBR

 

I was doing better with my TBR lists! (Winter 6/10Fall3/10Spring TBR 6/11 ) I read 3/10 for Summer. I did hit a major slump, so that didn’t help matters any. Here’s to doing better!

1. Poor Katie. This book has been on my lists for AGES.

2. I *should* have Defiance up since I’m gonna have to read it again, but since I’ve read it already, I’m going with #2!

3. I’m kinda nervous about this one. I’ve seen both good and bad, so I’m hoping it’ll be on the good side for me!

4. This is one that will FOR SURE be read. I’m in the process of binge rereading Blue Bloods so I’m refreshed!

5. Mary got me an ARC at an event AND my OTSP Secret Sister sent me a copy, so DUH. It’s moved up the list!

6. SO EXCITED!!!

7. I started it, but had to take it back to the library. I requested it again and had to wait for it. Now it’s back and I’m all over it.

8. I still have September and October ARCs to read, but I AM SKIPPING TO THIS!

9. Mary, you can get off my back now. (;

10. I’m equal parts excited and nervous for this! I had a love-hate relationship with Matched…. SO….

Tell me, what’s on YOUR fall TBR? (:

Top Ten Tuesday #43: Summer TBR June 17, 2014

Each week, the girls over at The Broke and the Bookish think up a fun theme for the week and participating bloggers around the net join in. The theme for this week is:

Top Ten Books on My Summer TBR

I’m starting to do better about my TBR lists (Winter 6/10Fall3/10)! I read 6/11 books from my Spring TBR. I’m such a mood driven reader that it sometimes proves difficult to stick to a reading plan. I think I have a good mix of books for this summer so hopefully I can get closer to actually finishing this time! (:

The Fault in Our Stars by John Green. I think it’s time to read it. I stumbled across a spoiler, but I think I’m in a mindset to handle it.

Frozen by Erin Bowman (I actually started this yesterday so GO ME!) I received an ARC of this and a finished set of Taken and Frozen from HarperCollins. I HATE that I put it off until now. LOVE.

Panic by Lauren Oliver. Another season TBR for this… hopefully summer is the time! 

As You Turn Away by Molli Moran. Ugh. It keeps slipping through the cracks. MUST READ.

Pushing the Limits by Katie McGarry. I’ve been sorta in a mood for contemporaries so Katie and Jennifer Echols are on the radar.

On the Fence by Kasie West. I have an ARC and like I said above, kinda in a contemporary mood.

The Murder Complex by Lindsay Cummings. I KNOW. This should’ve been read age go, but ya know. 

Oceanborn by Amalie Howard. Amalie told me to check the acknowledgements, so I’m super intrigued. Plus, Lo. I neeeeeeds him.

Deception by CJ Redwine. CJ sent me a signed copy, and I’m so excited to read it and my ARC of Deliverance in one go. Mmmm Logan.

Rites of Passage by Joy Hensley. I sent this to my kindle THE DAY it went up and then haven’t read it yet. *sigh* Now would be the perfect time to read it while hubby’s at a military school himself haha! (: LOVE Joy!

Tell me, what’s on your Summer TBR? In case you’re interested, these are the reviews to the books I completed from my Spring TBR: Code Name Verity by Elizabeth Wein, Rose Under Fire by Elizabeth Wein, Prisoner of Night and Fog by Anne Blankman, After the End by Amy Plum, Frozen by Melissa de la Cruz & Michael Johnston, and The Falconer by Elizabeth May

Top Ten Tuesday #31: Spring TBR March 18, 2014

Each week, the girls over at The Broke and the Bookish think up a fun theme for the week and participating bloggers around the net join in. The theme for this week is:

Top Ten Books on My Spring TBR

I didn’t do well at all with my Fall TBR. I did MUCH better with my Winter TBR, but still not the best. December was packed with family things. January was infected with sinus ilk for all four of us. February I did better. The beginning of March has been great. I hope my Spring TBR will go well! I’m still a big mood driven reader and right now I want to read all the WWII books. Good thing I have a few! I also need to get back into my ARC reading. Fantastic thing that I have an ARC that fits both of those bills. (;

Code Name Verity/Rose Under Fire by Elizabeth Wein

Prisoner of Night and Fog by Anne Blankman

As You Turn Away by Molli Moran

Pushing the Limits by Katie McGarry (yes, this is STILL on my TBR. I’m DETERMINED this spring it WILL be read!)

The Almost Girl by Amalie Howard

After the End by Amy Plum (I can’t wait anymore. I have to read it NOW)

Frozen by Melissa de la Cruz (My trusty fall back if a reading funk happens. I love Melissa!)

The Falconer by Elizabeth May (I can’t wait much longer. I’ve wanted to read this for so long and I’ve waited long enough!)

Panic by Lauren Oliver

Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi (NO SPOILERS! )

What’s on your TBR for this spring? Any good recommendations based on these?

Top Ten Tuesday #21: Winter TBR December 10, 2013

 

Each week, the girls over at The Broke and the Bookish think up a fun theme for the week and participating bloggers around the net join in. The theme for this week is:

 

Top Ten Books on My Winter TBR

 

 

I’ll admit. I didn’t do well with my Fall TBR. I got distracted. It happens. My mood changes. I’m very mood driven in my reading. I’ve learned already that I can’t stick to a reading schedule. Here’s hoping this list will go a bit better!

 

 

1.Divergent by Veronica Roth. DO NOT spoil this for me. I have avoided all spoilers and all movie news thus far and I want to keep it that way. (:

 

 

2.Pushing the Limits by Katie McGarry. I’m so excited to read Katie’s books! (:

 

 

3.Under the Never Sky by Veronica Rossi. I’ve been dying to get to this series and things just haven’t played out. I have an ARC of Into the Still Blue, so I have a goal of making it play out.

 

 

4.The Book Thief by Marcus Zusak. I know, I know. I still haven’t read this amazing book. I’m on it. (:

 

 

5.Her Dark Curiosity by Megan Shepherd. PRAISE THE LORD for Harper auto approval. The lovely Alex had already sent me a copy on my kindle, but NOW I have my OWN. Does happy dance.

 

 

6.Evertrue by Brodi Ashton. Oh. Man. I so cannot wait to see how this plays out.

 

 

7.Frozen by Melissa de la Cruz and Michael Johnston. I ADORE Melissa. I fell in love with her Blue Bloods series in high school and I’m excited to read ONE of her new series!

 

 

8.Pawn by Aimee Carter. I’ve been piddling around and not getting to this and it makes me sad. It’s a top priority now.

 

 

9.A Tale of Two Centuries by Rachel Harris. So hoping to get this for Christmas. I’ve dropped hints to hubby, but if that doesn’t happen, I have a gift card just for it!

 

 

10.The Almost Girl by Amalie Howard. Oh, I can’t wait to read another of Amalie’s books! (: I’m so excited for this ARC!

Tell me, what’s on your TBR? Anything good I need to check out?

 

Please Be Kind, Rewind: 1 – 7 December 2013 December 7, 2013

Completed:

Mockingjay  by Suzanne Collins (audiobook) 5 stars

Cress Chapter Sampler 1-5 by Marissa Meyer (ebook) 4 stars.

Cress Chapter 1 by Marissa Meyer (ebook, Netgalley) 4 stars.

 

Currently Reading:

My Chemical Mountain by Corina Vacco 

The Shadowhunter’s Codex by Cassandra Clare & Joshua Lewis

Pawn #1 by Aimee Carter (DRC, Edelweiss)

City of Bones by Cassandra Clare (audiobook)

 

Read to the Kiddos:

Go, Dog, Go by PD Eastman. (for the millionth time!)

Fast as Lightning by Disney. Punk would give it 5 stars. I don’t care for it haha.

 

New to my shelf:

The Falconer by Elizabeth May (EW, eARC)

Return to You by Julie Cross (eARC, author)

 

Many thanks to Harlequin for these! (:

Crash Into You by Katie McGarry (EW, eARC)

Pawn by Aimee Carter (EW, eARC)

The Iron Traitor by Julie Kagawa (EW, eARC)

 

Many thanks to HarperCollins for auto approval! (: These are just a few I’m most excited about!

After the End by Amy Plum (EW, eARC)

Into the Still Blue by Veronica Rossi (EW, eARC)

The Taking by Kimberly Derting (EW, eARC)

Prisoner of Night and Fog by Anne Blankman (EW, eARC)

Her Dark Curiosity by Megan Shepherd (EW, eARC)

Sea of Shadows by Kelly Armstrong (EW, eARC)

 

From the library:

The Madman’s Daughter by Megan Shepherd (want it to get some love so they’ll get Her Dark Curiosity!)

Asunder by Jodi Meadows (same as MD, they MUST get Infinite!)

The Shadowhunter’s Codex by Cassandra Clare & Joshua Lewis

The Archived by Victoria Schwab

The Clockwork Prince by Cassandra Clare (audiobook)

The Clockwork Princess by Cassandra Clare (audiobook)

Allegiant by Veronica Roth (ebook)

Please Be Kind, Rewind: 17 – 23 November 2013 November 23, 2013

Hubby was away at a military class this week and it was not a good week for reading. My kiddos became toddler terrorists! They were AWFUL this week. Hopefully this weekend and the holiday week will make up for the atrocity of this week! My inlaws are coming in so I know the kiddos will love seeing Grandma and Pa! I hope you all have a great Thanksgiving week! Does anyone go out on Black Friday? I have before, but once stores started opening ON Thanksgiving, I gave it up. I shop on Amazon. It’s also easier with two small ones. (:

Completed:

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins (audiobook) 5 stars. This was a great job on audiobook!

Currently Reading:

The Clockwork Scarab by Colleen Gleason (I think I’m going to come back to this one!)

Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins (audiobook)

 

Read to the Kiddos:

The Clockwork Scarab by Colleen Gleason (Our naptime ritual continues! Punk has been napping in our bed cause he won’t stay out of Bug’s bed. He’s been handing me my Kindle and asking me to read.)

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins (audiobook, Punk LOVED listening to this in the car!)

I SWEAR I will get better at keeping track of the kiddos’ books again.

 

New to my shelf:

Champion by Marie Lu via library

Pushing the Limits by Katie McGarry (ebook, Amazon)

Perfect Ruin by Lauren DeStefano via library

Not a Drop to Drink by Mindy McGinnis via library