Rewind & Review: What month are we in again?

Hosted by Shae Has Left the Room

It's apparently March. I'm not sure if I should be excited that the semester is halfway over or terrified that we're approaching the hard assignments at the end. My spring break is technically over today, but I won't be going back to school until tomorrow (hooray for afternoon classes). Unfortunately, I've also been working on school all week. Fun.

Books I received: 

• The Fixer by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

Books I read [in the past two months]: 8...ish

What I'm reading now/next:

• I'm Glad I Did by Cynthia Wells

Bookish (and not-so-bookish) happenings: 

• School kills. 
• Thankfully, spring break saves...and then sadly pulls the rug out and tortures you with homework.
• I kitten-sat for my brother and sister-in-law, which you can see on my Instagram, summer.mcdaniel. 
• The two books that recently blew me away were A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas and Lion Heart by A.C. Gaughen. Both were for different and various reasons.
• Changes are coming! 

As you can see, there aren't a lot of happenings. I mean, yeah, normal stuff happens and probably other things that I'm not thinking of. School accomplishments, fangirling moments, the regular. As for the changes, stay tuned. 

Anyone else freaking out that it's already March?

2014 End of Year Book Survey Part 1

[Sorry, for some reason the graphics are all wonky in coloring]

 Another year has ended, which means it's time for the 2014 end of year book survey, which is hosted by Jamie at the Perpetual Page-Turner. Today will be Part One and on Sunday, check back in for Part Two. I also added a few questions of my own in the reading stats because my reading log is extensive and I thought it a shame to not use it. Organization is wonderful.

Number Of books you read: I read 53 books this year, which is really sad. I didn't even complete half of my goal, but I should've realized how many changes I'd be going through and how busy I'd be.

Number of re-reads: The number above does not reflect rereads because I didn't keep track of those. However, I estimate the number of rereads to be 3.

Genre You Read The Most From: Contemporary wins out at a total of 32 books. Fantasy came in second place at 16, sci-fi at 2, then mythology, historical, and dystopian tying at 1.

Format You Read the Most Out of: I read 20 e-galleys, 17 hardcovers, 11 physical ARCs, and 4 paperbacks.

Source You Mostly Used: 26 from the publisher, 14 from the library, 5 from Shae, and the others from various sources.

Publisher You Read the Most From: 16 from HarperCollins, 7 from Scholastic (all Harry Potter), 6 from Bloomsbury, 6 from Macmillan, 5 from Simon & Schuster, 4 from Disney Hyperion, and 2 from St. Martin's Press. Harlequin, Hachette, HMH, Random House, and Penguin all tied at 1.

I was going to list how many ratings I gave books, but it got confusing. I actually had 9 5-star reads though, which I think is a win. And mostly all my reads were published in 2014.

1. Best Book You Read In 2014?

And of course, I couldn't possibly pick only one so I'm breaking it down by...contemporary and fantasy. That's embarrassing. I realized these two dominated the game so here's the best contemporary and best fantasy!

Contemporary: Rites of Passage by Joy N. Hensley

Fantasy: The Winner's Curse by Marie Rutkoski with a second place tie between Crown of Embers by Rae Carson and Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone (and the Deathly Hallows)by J.K. Rowling

2. Book You Were Excited About & Thought You Were Going To Love More But Didn’t?

We Were Liars by E. Lockhart. I DNF'd it and skimmed the ending.

3. Most surprising (in a good way or bad way) book you read in 2014?

Don't Touch by Rachel M. Wilson

4. Book You “Pushed” The Most People To Read (And They Did) In 2014?

Technically, I pushed my beloved favorites from previous years more. But from the books I read this year, I probably pushed The Winner's Curse by Marie Rutkoski the most and Don't Touch by Rachel M. Wilson recently.

5. Best series you started in 2014? Best Sequel of 2014? Best Series Ender of 2014?

Best series: Harry Potter by J.K. Rowling, hands down.

Best sequel: Killer Instinct by Jennifer Lynn Barnes...again, hands down.

Best series ender: I actually didn't finish many series (and I read a lot of standalones), but The Bitter Kingdom by Rae Carson deserves this title.

6. Favorite new author you discovered in 2014?

SO MANY. How can I choose? Emery Lord, Rosamund Hodge, and J.K. Rowling will now forever by in my heart.

7. Best book from a genre you don’t typically read/was out of your comfort zone?

This doesn't really apply to me, but I guess I'd have to say Cruel Beauty by Rosamund Hodge, which was in a mythology-type of genre.

8. Most action-packed/thrilling/unputdownable book of the year?

HARRY POTTER HARRY POTTER HARRY POTTER. Specifically Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. I had already started and finished a HP book that day and then decided to start and finish that one in the same day as well.

9. Book You Read In 2014 That You Are Most Likely To Re-Read Next Year?

Better Off Friends by Elizabeth Eulberg and The Winner’s Curse by Marie Rutkoski

10. Favorite cover of a book you read in 2014?

The Winner’s Curse by Marie Rutkoski, no doubt.

11. Most memorable character of 2014?

Hermoine Granger because she kicks butt in brains and power.

12. Most beautifully written book read in 2014?

I’m not sure. I wish I had put these kind of details in my spreadsheet! Don’t Touch or Cruel Beauty, I guess.

13. Most Thought-Provoking/ Life-Changing Book of 2014?

Since You’ve Been Gone by Morgan Matson or Don’t Touch by Rachel M. Wilson

14. Book you can’t believe you waited UNTIL 2014 to finally read?

Wait for it...Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone by J.K. Rowling. Were you expecting anything else?

15. Favorite Passage/Quote From A Book You Read In 2014?

There were many that stood out to me (especially in Harry Potter), but I tweeted out this one:

“Of course it is happening inside your head, Harry, but why on earth should that mean it is not real?” - Dumbledore from Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

16. Shortest & Longest Book You Read In 2014?

Shortest: 256 pages - Summer of Yesterday by Gaby Triana and Summer State of Mind by Jen Calonita

Longest: 870 pages - Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix by J.K. Rowling

17. Book That Shocked You The Most

Excluding the plethora of surprises througout Harry Potter (although that in of itself is surprising since I knew so many deaths beforehand), KILLER INSTINCT BY JENNIFER LYNN BARNES! She always manages to surprise me.

18. OTP OF THE YEAR (you will go down with this ship!)

Even after all this time, I instantly thought of Elisa and Hector from the Fire and Thorns series by Rae Carson.

19. Favorite Non-Romantic Relationship Of The Year

The great Harry Potter trio (he sought them out afterwards, which I thought incredibly important) and all the Cress friendships.

20. Favorite Book You Read in 2014 From An Author You’ve Read Previously

I don’t think it’s fair if I count series in here so it’d have to be Since You’ve Been Gone by Morgan Matson

21. Best Book You Read In 2014 That You Read Based SOLELY On A Recommendation From Somebody Else/Peer Pressure:

Open Road Summer by Emery Lord. I never read the back cover until many, many people recommended it.

22. Newest fictional crush from a book you read in 2014?

I did feel rather flushed when reading about Aelyx from Alienated.

23. Best 2014 debut you read?

I already said I loved Rites of Passage, so not counting that, Alienated by Melissa Landers was so much better than I hoped.

24. Best Worldbuilding/Most Vivid Setting You Read This Year?

Harry Potter.

25. Book That Put A Smile On Your Face/Was The Most FUN To Read?

Landline by Rainbow Rowell, The DUFF by Kody Keplinger,

26. Book That Made You Cry Or Nearly Cry in 2014?

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. ROLLER COASTER OF EMOTION.

27. Hidden Gem Of The Year?

Alienated by Melissa Landers! And I still think Bright Before Sunrise by Tiffany Schmidt needed more recognition

28. Book That Crushed Your Soul?

If it made me tear up, of course Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows crushed my soul.

29. Most Unique Book You Read In 2014?

If by unique you mean diverse, Don’t Touch by Rachel M. Wilson and Say What You Will by Cammie McGovern.

30. Book That Made You The Most Mad (doesn’t necessarily mean you didn’t like it)?

Side Effects May Vary by Julie Murphy because I hated the main character, but oddly still liked the book.

Don't forget I'll be having Part Two of this survey on Sunday!

December (more like Bookember, amiright?) recap

December may have been the nicest month to me this year. I received a crazy amount of books, finished books I wanted to get to, and finished my first semester away from home. While I went back to a blogging slump and had a few frustrating circumstances come my way, I feel relatively good with how I'm closing my year off. Now onto the books!

For review:

• A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas (Bloomsbury)

Hand-me-downs aka books Shae was getting rid of: 

• Princess in the Spotlight by Meg Cabot
• A Death-Struck Year by Makiia Lucier
• This Lullaby by Sarah Dessen
• Evidence of Things Not Seen by Lindsay Lane
• Marie Antoinette, Serial Killer by
• The Madman's Daughter by Megan Shepher
• An Abundance of Katherines by John Green

Gifts: 

• How Zoe Made Her Dreams (Mostly) Come True by Sarah Strohmeyer (Thanks, Shae!)
• Meant to Be by Lauren Morrill (Thanks, Shae!)
• Princess of Thorns by Stacey Jay (Thanks, Mom!)
• Broken Hearts, Fences, and Other Things to Mend by Katie Finn (Thanks, Shae!)
• The Distance Between Us by Kasie West (Thanks, Emma!)
• On the Fence by Kasie West (Thanks, Emma!)

Number of Books I Read: 6

What I'm Reading Now/Next: 

• Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire by J.K. Rowling
• Broken Hearts, Fences, and Other Things to Mend by Katie Finn
• Princess of Thorns by Stacey Jay

Bookish (and not-so-bookish) Happenings:

• As you can see (or saw on Twitter), I finally cashed in my Harry Potter virgin card! I've already gone to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal, but I definitely want to go back now. After the books, I'll watch the movies!
• I finished my first semester of college. I was going to do a recap, but I'll think I'll hold off for the end of the year. Only because I'm lazy and really don't want to think of school anymore. 
• I attended the Bloomsbury Shindig earlier this month (or late November) where the wonderful Bloomsbury employees showed us 2015 releases. 
• DID YOU SEE ALL THE BOOKS I GOT? 
• I also ordered a package from Better World Books that should be coming next week. 

Don't forget I'm currently hosting a giveaway for The Start of Me and You by Emery Lord, which you should go enter in NOW. Watch out for my 2015 End of the Year Book Survey this week! 

Rewind & Review: January 27 - February 9

Hosted by Shae Has Left the Room

What a crazy two weeks it's been. It's actually been more of a blur, really, but that seems to be the pattern for me these days. Another great pattern that I hope continues: I've been picking more "win" books than "loser" books! 

Books I Was Given:

• Cruel Beauty by Rosamund Hodge (thanks to Epic Reads!)
• Racing Savannah by Miranda Kenneally (thanks to Miranda herself!)

Books for Review:

• We Were Liars by E. Lockhart (Random House via NetGalley)
• The Edge of Falling by Rebecca Serle (Simon Pulse via Edelweiss)
• The Treatment by Suzanne Young (Simon Pulse via Edelweiss)

Number of Books I've Completed: 2 *cue sad sound effects*

What I'm Reading Now/Next:

• Fire by Kristin Cashore
• We Were Liars by E. Lockhart

Previous Blog Posts:

• Top Ten Tuesdays - Worst Worlds/Characters
• The Blogging Age
• Review: ALIENATED by Melissa Landers
• Top Ten Tuesday - Emotional Books
• Review: BRIGHT BEFORE SUNRISE by Tiffany Schmidt

Bookish (and not-so-bookish) Happenings: 

• The feedback and comments I got from The Blogging Age discussion was AMAZING. Really, I actually wasn't sure about the post and then whap, I was slapped with great, insightful comments. And Jamie, who I consider the blogging queen, thrilled me to pieces. 
• I had an interview for a Scholar Program at a university I'm looking at and they offered me a spot RIGHT THEN. I thought that was pretty cool, but I still need to decide if I want to join.
• I haven't been on Twitter much thanks to school sucking all the time out of my life. 
• You know how I was off of sweets during January? Well, I definitely made up for it this past couple of weeks. I don't know if I'll ever be able to do it again. 
• Did anyone else freak out about The Fault in Our Stars trailer? I DID.
• I just wanted to say that Joanne Rock is one of the nicest authors out there. I feel like I give her virtual hugs all the time. 

Upcoming Blog Posts: *

• Top Ten Tuesday - Swoon-worthy Books
• Shippin'
• Review: CRUEL BEAUTY by Rosamund Hodge
• Top Ten Tuesday - Blogging Loves
• A Whole New World
• THE GIRL OF FIRE AND THORNS Series Recap

*Subject to change

The hoopla of Valentine's Day is coming up, brace yourselves. Happy reading!

To buy any of the books mentioned in this post, click this button: 

Fierce Reads Tour 2013 Recap

Ever since my sister told me about how the awesome Fierce Reads tour will have a stop in our state, I have been anticipating the event. Fast forward a few months and feel my despair that it might not happen. Long story short: my parents are the best and did everything to make sure I got to go.

Hopefully you will hear my appreciation and giddiness in the next sentence: I MADE IT! Excuse my jumbled up thoughts as I try to process these great moments in my life. So I arrive, get some good, on the end, front row seats that is RIGHT in front of Leigh Bardugo. The authors file in and there I am, grinning like a fool, but doing the thing where you try not to smile and end up looking pained resulting in an awkward smile.

The best example of an awkward smile.

They each introduce their book and then we get into a Q&A. Since I wrote as quickly as I could instead of recording the conversation this time, I'll just give you a rundown on what I learned:

• When asked how they felt about trilogies and if it was the publisher's or their choice: Jessica Brody said it was a little of each. Gennifer Albin said that she has only thought of stories in three parts, thanks to Star Wars and Indiana Jones (because there were ONLY ever three of those) and it made sense for her to do a trilogy. Leigh Bardugo stated at the end that if you look, trilogies are a myth and stand-alones rule the New York Times bestseller list. 
• When asked about their crush-worthy male leads: LB said she doesn't set out to write a love interest. She doesn't care if anyone likes him, she just values competence. "He just has to do his job! All of my male love interests have a life outside the protagonist and that's all I want." (Note: GO BARDUGO!) JB doesn't set a list of all the qualities her love interest has to have. Like LB, she gives him an agenda. EL (Emmy Laybourne) wants an honest character and hopes that's what a reader is attracted to. AB mentions abs...which made everyone start amen-ing
• Anna Banks is working on a Sasquatch romance. 
• When asked how old they were when they were published and when they seriously wanted to write: EL said she wrote her first novel at 38 and advised to measure in depth, not time. JB wrote a fantastic story about a puppy and a kitten when she was 7 and when she "published" it, she knew that's what she wanted to with a real book and first sold a novel at 26. "Everyone has their own timeline," she said and rewrote her book 4 times. AB agreed and started after writing a letter to the editor. GA sat down and wrote when she had nothing left to lose when she and her husband lost their jobs and was published right before her 30th birthday (happy birthday to Gennifer!). LB said she was 38 and while she wished she had written sooner, she knew that it was the best time. 
• When asked if they were genuinely friends: LB, "No." EL, at the same time, "Yes." Then of course, the funny JB chimed in, "We're all good actresses." Note: They were all really funny together and acted as if they were lifelong friends.
• When asked if they read other YA books and how to avoid plagiarism: AB said she hasn't read any of the great mermaid books out there just to avoid plagiarism while writing her series. GA agreed and said she can't read Divergent while she writes and reads ARCs that are out of her comfort zone. LB says that when she reads amazing YA books, she feels like, "I'm a hack and want to live in a shoe if I read something really good." 
• When asked if the Sophomore Slump is actually hard or if they are raring to go: They all pretty much agreed that they dream about writing a standalone now. AB said the 2nd book wasn't hard for her, but the 3rd one harasses her. 
• When asked if they would let Hollywood "trash" their novels by making them into a horrible movie: LB said that not only does Hollywood make great movies (for example: Catching Fire looks amazing), but the authors don't really have a say. Shadow and Bone is optioned by Dreamworks and she has to trust them because she has no control. EL chimed in and said it depends on the author's status. 
• When asked how they feel about negative feedback: They all agreed that they tried not to read it. JB said that if she does read it, she goes to one of her favorite books on Goodreads and finds a crappy review on it. LB suggested to "fake it till you make it." All in all, they were unanimous in  saying that there will always be negative reviews and you just try to avoid them. 

Now for my favorite part: the meet and greet! I My mom and I got to go first and Leigh Bardugo was the first author so when we met her, my mom mentioned Shelver and Bardugo excitedly chatted about her. I was also there to get my wonderfully sweet friend Jen (from Starry-Eyed Revue) a signed Siege and Storm so when I told Bardugo that it was for "Starry-Eyed Jen," she exclaimed, "OH! Starry-Eyed Jen? I love her!" My smile was so wide, I felt like I was Jen. Then it came time to tell her who I was and I was slightly nervous because what if I said that we talked before and she doesn't remember me? But she did! She even proved it by saying that I was the giraffe. It was one of the proudest moments of my life. Since I always make things a bigger deal than it is, here is a picture of not only myself with Bardugo, but also my face.

She was extremely nice, chatting with me, offering buttons, and even a really cool bookmark. Of course, she also signed my pile of books. I would show those pictures, but my computer is being extremely stupid and slow so just get the best metaphor you can think of for "slow" and times that by about ten.

Then we move on to Gennifer Albin who has a really cool-sounding book, but I unfortunately haven't read it. However, she was also really sweet and even chimed in on our giraffe conversation. And right next to her was Anna Banks who I haven't read her series either, but as you can see, I was so happy from the event that I couldn't even keep a complete straight face.

Jessica Brody was the third and one of the nicest people I have EVER met. I come up, tell her who I am, and she was the one who was excited. We had been talking on Twitter and was just as nice (if not more so) in person than she was on Twitter. She instantly gave me hug (huggers unite!) and took a picture with me. 

And then realized that we never got a hugging picture so we did another one and this hugging picture is probably the best picture I have ever been a part of. Note: I would also like to add that she tweeted out to be not long after to post the picture. I have decided that we would be the perfect best friend pair. (Play along, Jessica!) 

By the time I got to Emmy Laybourne, there was a separate line for her and I couldn't wait because my mom and I had to travel to my grandparents' house (she didn't want to get there late and neither did I). However, as I was leaving, Jenna (from Jenna Does Books) was on the side and I got a quick photo with her.

It really is great that my icon was a giraffe considering that I'm 5'10". 

All in all, the whole event was greater than I expected. I was able to meet some amazing authors, snag swag, meet a nice blogger, and get my books signed. I might have even annoyed my mom on the ride to my grandparents' by chatting about the event, the authors, the pictures, and by dissecting everything I said along with what they said.

Technically, it was a recap, but even more so, it was my way of squealing and getting excited all over again by positing it on here. I thank you all for reading because if not for this blog, not only would I have not been able to have such amazing experiences, but I also wouldn't have an outlet to go to.

Happy reading! I suggest you read the Fierce Reads' authors' books!