Monday, February 29, 2016

March To Be Read






I can't believe it's already March, seriously I say this all the time, but where did February go? It feels like yesterday was the first. Anyway, it's time to showcase what I plan to read this month.  I ended up not getting to a lot of the books that I wanted to read in February, so you're going to see a few of those on this list as well.  

What I Plan To Read:




The Dream Thieves by Maggie Stiefvater 

I just started this book, so it's only fitting that it's the first book on my list.  I'm super excited about reading this one.  This time it's not in audio, but luckily Scholastic had sent me a hard copy of The Dream Thieves.  I am so excited to see what's going to happen to the group! 
 
 

 


Blue Lily, Lily Blue by Maggie Stiefvater
 
I'm really trying to get the second and third in this series finished by the end of this month.  That way I'm ready for the fourth book, which is being released April 26th of this year.  This way I can jump right back into the story without a problem 

 
 
 
 
 

 


White Cat by Holly Black
 
This one has been on my shelf for awhile waiting to be read, so I plan on changing that this month.  White Cat does have a new cover, but this is the edition that I own.  I've read some mixed reviews about this one, but I'm excited to see for myself. 
 
 
 
To Read from Netgalley 
 
 


The Star-Touched Queen by Roshani Chokshi
 
I was going to read this next month, but I can't wait! I've been dying to get my hands on this one since the end of last year, when I saw it all over BookTube.  If you don't know about this book, make sure you click the link above.  
 
 
Audio Books: 
 
 


The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan 
 
 
I started listening to this one at the end of February, so I'm more than halfway through and will finish it the first week of this month.  I'm not sure if I like it or not, it's so different than the movies, we shall see though.  
 
 
 
 
 Unraveling by Elizabeth Norris

This is my maybe book for the month.  It's been on my Audible list for awhile, so I'm hoping I can get to it this month, if not it will be the first audible book I listen to next month. 





If I get through all of these, I'm not sure what I'll read, but if I do I'll post a update to this post. I hope you all have a great month full of fantastic books!!! Make sure you come back to see my thoughts of each of these books.  





 

It's Monday...What Are You Reading?






This meme started with J Kaye's Blog   and then was taken up by Sheila from Book Journey. Sheila then passed it on to Kathryn at the Book Date.  It's a meme where you share what you read last week, what you're currently reading and what you plan on reading that week.  




Last Week I Read

Alienated by Melissa Landers 


This Week I'll Be Reading 




The Dream Thieves by Maggie Stiefvater 


 If you could steal things from dreams, what would you take?

Ronan Lynch has secrets. Some he keeps from others. Some he keeps from himself.

One secret: Ronan can bring things out of his dreams.

And sometimes he's not the only one who wants those things.

Ronan is one of the raven boys—a group of friends, practically brothers, searching for a dead king named Glendower, who they think is hidden somewhere in the hills by their elite private school, Aglionby Academy. The path to Glendower has long lived as an undercurrent beneath town. But now, like Ronan's secrets, it is beginning to rise to the surface—changing everything in its wake.

Of The Raven Boys, Entertainment Weekly wrote, "Maggie Stiefvater's can't-put-it-down paranormal adventure will leave you clamoring for book two." Now the second book is here, with the same wild imagination, dark romance, and heart-stopping twists that only Maggie Stiefvater can conjure.


This Week I'm Listening to..





The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan


Percy Jackson is a good kid, but he can't seem to focus on his schoolwork or control his temper. And lately, being away at boarding school is only getting worse—Percy could have sworn his pre-algebra teacher turned into a monster and tried to kill him. When Percy's mom finds out, she knows it's time that he knew the truth about where he came from, and that he go to the one place he'll be safe. She sends Percy to Camp Half Blood, a summer camp for demigods (on Long Island), where he learns that the father he never knew is Poseidon, God of the Sea. Soon a mystery unfolds and together with his friends—one a satyr and the other the demigod daughter of Athena—Percy sets out on a quest across the United States to reach the gates of the Underworld (located in a recording studio in Hollywood) and prevent a catastrophic war between the gods.




What about you, what are you reading this week? 


Tuesday, February 23, 2016

Teaser Tuesday #86







Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:


  • Grab your current read
  • Open to a random page
  • Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
  • BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
  • Share the title & author, too, so that other Teaser Tuesday participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teaser.

 "I'm a hit man." "Hard to find work these days, is it?" The Gray Man replied, "I would've had an easier time in accounting."










 Yep again this is more than two sentences, but I couldn't stop.  It's really hard to stop at just two.  Hope you enjoyed this little tease into what I'm reading right now.




Monday, February 22, 2016

Review: How Willa Got Her Groove Back


Title: How Willa Got Her Groove Back
Author: Emily McKay
Series: Willa and Finn Book 1 of 3
Creative HeArts #2)
Publisher: Entangled: Crush
Format: Ebook
Published Date: February 22nd
ISBN #:  1633754812
Challenges: Read for a tour

Authors WebsiteGoodreadsBuy This
When your life feels like a bad movie, rewrite the script. When Willa Schofer’s father comes home from a business trip with an über-famous new fiancée, Willa’s senior year blows up in paparazzi-fueled flames. Overnight, she has a new house, a new car, and a new soon-to-be stepbrother—the unbelievably hot, unbelievably arrogant, Finn McCain. Thank god he’s constantly pushing her buttons, or she might do something irresponsible. Like fall for the jerk. Just when Willa’s decided to avoid him for, oh, ever, Finn lands in the center of her senior project team. Seriously—how hard is it to shake a guy? At least her work on the project snagged the attention of the (second) hottest guy in school. He might only be into her because of her famous stepmom, and he’s not quite as exciting as a certain annoying housemate, but at least she’s allowed to crush on the guy. Because crushing on your annoying stepbrother? So not cool. This Entangled Teen Crush book contains an unbelievably hot bad boy, an unbelievably famous actress, and all the drama that comes with adding both to your family. Oh, and a forbidden flirtation with a soon-to-be stepbrother.








It's been awhile since I've read any contemporary books, so when the chance to read How Willa Got Her Groove Back by Emily McKay came around, I jumped at the chance.  I couldn't wait to dive into a great contemporary read, what I didn't know at the time was just how much I was going to love this book. 

The main character of Willa, at first I didn't think I was going to like her, mainly because she seemed like a little whinny girl, but in a way I get where she's coming from.  I can't deny I wouldn't have done the same or acted the same exact way.  I ended up loving the character and laughed at a bunch of her lines.  She's sarcastic and hilarious in parts of this book.  I will say I really would love to see the art she mentions in this book.  The park sounds amazing! 

My main complaint about this book and I'm hoping they change this in the next two books in the series, is that there really wasn't enough romance for me.  I loved seeing the tension and romance, what little there was, between Willa and Finn, I just wished there had been more.  

Finn, I think I should mention Finn in this review as well.  I always love the whole bad boy vibe in books, but to me he really wasn't the whole bad boy.  Yes he rode a motorcycle, but I actually wanted to just give him a hug.  After everything he's been through, I totally understood why he didn't want his mom to go through with her plans to get married to Willa's dad, even if he does like him. 

The writing style of this book was one that I really liked, easy to read and a fun to read at that.  Got to love these type of books. Most of the story is told in Willa's pov, first person story and seeing everything through her eyes.  I really enjoyed that about this book the most. Makes reading relaxing if you know what I mean.  I can't wait to read the next book in this series, hopefully there is more romance for Willa and Finn.  

I also wanted to mention this fantastic book cover.  All of the book covers over at Entangled publishing is amazing! I don't know who does their covers, but they are some of my favorites.  (Just a little shout out to the cover designers.) The fonts are perfect and I really love that it doesn't show the images of their faces.  Gives me a chance to see who I think would be prefect for the characters. 

If you like contemporary reads then How Willa Got Her Groove Back is the perfect book for you. 




So since I wanted a bit more romance in this one that I thought should have been in the book in the first place, I'm giving How Willa Got Her Groove Back an Ali's Bookshelf...





Here at Ali's Bookshelf we accept books in exchange for a honest review. The book above came from the publisher and was reviewed for a blog review tour.  Good Choice Reading Promotions is the tour company that the tour is through.  We also use Book Depository Affiliate links at times.

Blog Tour: How Willa Got Her Groove Back: Details and Giveaway


How Willa Got Her Groove Back by Emily McKay
Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary Romance
Series: Creative HeArts #2, companion series
Publication: February 25th, 2016
When your life feels like a bad movie, rewrite the script.

When Willa Schofer's father comes home from a business trip with an über-famous new fiancée, Willa's senior year blows up in paparazzi-fueled flames. Overnight, she has a new house, a new car, and a new soon-to-be stepbrother--the unbelievably hot, unbelievably arrogant, Finn McCain. Thank god he's constantly pushing her buttons, or she might do something irresponsible. Like fall for the jerk.

Just when Willa's decided to avoid him for, oh, ever, Finn lands in the center of her senior project team. Seriously--how hard is it to shake a guy? At least her work on the project snagged the attention of the (second) hottest guy in school. He might only be into her because of her famous stepmom, and he's not quite as exciting as a certain annoying housemate, but at least she's allowed to crush on the guy.

Because crushing on your annoying stepbrother? So not cool.


_________________________________________________________

About the Author

Emily McKay is a life-long fan of books, pop-culture and anything geeky. She has a black belt in Tae Kwon Do and baking cookies. When she’s not kicking-ass and scooping cookie dough, she’s watching videos from Screen Junkies (her favorite Youtube channel) or Pemberly Digital or Classic Alice. Okay, she has a Youtube problem! She’s seeking help. Really. Though, she may also have a slight problem with procrastination.

When the internet is down and there are no chocolate chips in the house, she does write books – everything from Harlequin romance novels to post-apocalyptic YA. Though her interests may appear broad, the common denominators are swoony heroes and snarky humor.


Tour Schedule

February 22nd
Bookish Things & More, http://www.bookishthingsandmore.com
Confessions of a YA and NA Book Addict, http://confessionsofayaandnabookaddict.blogspot.com
Ceres Books World, http://ceresbooksworld.com
My Crazy Bookish Life, Www.mycrazybookishlife.com,

February 23rd
Books are Love, hello-booklover.tumblr.com
To Borrow or Buy, http://toborroworbuy.com/
Book Jems, Www.bookjems.com

February 24th
U.S. - Brazil Book Review, www.usbrazilbookreview.blogspot.com
Book Briefs, http://bookbriefs.net

February 25th
Go Read A Book, www.goreadabook.org

February 26th
Becky on Books, http://beckymmoe.com
Kitty's Book Spot!, 2kasmom.Booklikes.com
Books and Needlepoint, 
http://booksandneedlepoint.blogspot.com
The Cover Contessa, 
http://www.thecovercontessa.com



Giveaway

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It's Monday...What Are You Reading?






This meme started with J Kaye's Blog   and then was taken up by Sheila from Book Journey. Sheila then passed it on to Kathryn at the Book Date.  It's a meme where you share what you read last week, what you're currently reading and what you plan on reading that week.  




What I Read Last Week

This past week I read more than I have in a long time. 

Ready Player One by Ernest Cline 
Love Me, Love Me Not by Alyxandra Harvey 


What I'm Reading This Week


The Dream Thieves by Maggie Stiefvater


 If you could steal things from dreams, what would you take?

Ronan Lynch has secrets. Some he keeps from others. Some he keeps from himself.

One secret: Ronan can bring things out of his dreams.

And sometimes he's not the only one who wants those things.

Ronan is one of the raven boys—a group of friends, practically brothers, searching for a dead king named Glendower, who they think is hidden somewhere in the hills by their elite private school, Aglionby Academy. The path to Glendower has long lived as an undercurrent beneath town. But now, like Ronan's secrets, it is beginning to rise to the surface—changing everything in its wake.

Of The Raven Boys, Entertainment Weekly wrote, "Maggie Stiefvater's can't-put-it-down paranormal adventure will leave you clamoring for book two." Now the second book is here, with the same wild imagination, dark romance, and heart-stopping twists that only Maggie Stiefvater can conjure.





 Alienated by Melissa Landers

 

Two years ago, the aliens made contact. Now Cara Sweeney is going to be sharing a bathroom with one of them.

Handpicked to host the first-ever L’eihr exchange student, Cara thinks her future is set. Not only does she get a free ride to her dream college, she’ll have inside information about the mysterious L’eihrs that every journalist would kill for. Cara’s blog following is about to skyrocket.

Still, Cara isn’t sure what to think when she meets Aelyx. Humans and L’eihrs have nearly identical DNA, but cold, infuriatingly brilliant Aelyx couldn’t seem more alien. She’s certain about one thing, though: no human boy is this good-looking.

But when Cara's classmates get swept up by anti-L'eihr paranoia, Midtown High School suddenly isn't safe anymore. Threatening notes appear in Cara's locker, and a police officer has to escort her and Aelyx to class.

Cara finds support in the last person she expected. She realizes that Aelyx isn’t just her only friend; she's fallen hard for him. But Aelyx has been hiding the truth about the purpose of his exchange, and its potentially deadly consequences. Soon Cara will be in for the fight of her life—not just for herself and the boy she loves, but for the future of her planet.


What I'm Listening To





The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan


 Percy Jackson is a good kid, but he can't seem to focus on his schoolwork or control his temper. And lately, being away at boarding school is only getting worse—Percy could have sworn his pre-algebra teacher turned into a monster and tried to kill him. When Percy's mom finds out, she knows it's time that he knew the truth about where he came from, and that he go to the one place he'll be safe. She sends Percy to Camp Half Blood, a summer camp for demigods (on Long Island), where he learns that the father he never knew is Poseidon, God of the Sea. Soon a mystery unfolds and together with his friends—one a satyr and the other the demigod daughter of Athena—Percy sets out on a quest across the United States to reach the gates of the Underworld (located in a recording studio in Hollywood) and prevent a catastrophic war between the gods.







So there you have it, what I plan to read this week! 

 


 

Wednesday, February 17, 2016

Ali Talks: You're Too Old To Read That




As you might know Ali Talks is a post I really enjoy posting here on the blog.  It's one where I can talk about many different topics varying from books, blogging, to every day stuff like bullet journaling.  Yep I said bullet journaling! Today though I'm going to be talking about something that has happened to me recently.  Actually it's happened to me a lot throughout my reading life.  

How many of you have ever been reading something out in public or even at school and was told you're too old or even too young to read that? 

First off, you should know something about me, I do not and will not censor anything someone wants to read.  Reading is a gift and it's something that you can do to relax and books take you on an adventure that you normally wouldn't get to take.  So in my house I do not censor what my kids are reading. I feel really strong about this and when it happens to my kids or to me, I pretty much go on a long rant about it.  Honestly, you should be able to read what you want to read when you want to read it! 

Like I said, I feel rather strongly about this subject.  Anyway, the other day I was standing in Wal-mart looking at the Young Adult section and I picked up one of the books that I hadn't heard about before.  I know shocker right, a book that I hadn't heard about, trust me it actually happens.  It's rare, but it does happen.  Well anyway, I was reading the summary and it looked and sounded fantastic.  Before I could place this newly found fantastic sounding book, I was stopped by a older woman and was then told that I didn't want to read that and that I was standing in the wrong section of the book isle.  

I knew what was about to happen. I was going to be told that I was too old to be reading those type of books.  I had to hold back my snort and stop myself from rolling my eyes.  Putting a small smile on my face I turned toward the lady and asked what she meant.  I was taught that you were always polite to your elders, so I tried to be as polite as I could even though I knew she was trying to tell me what and what not to read.  

As soon as she finished telling me that those type of books were only for kids and that I should be reading in the other section for adults only, I put the book in my cart and told her what I normally do. I really wanted to say how old do you think I am, but I didn't. Instead I said "Ma'am, this genre of book isn't only for children.  Young Adult books are for anyone that wants to read them, just like every other book in this store and others.  I don't believe in being told what I can and can't read.  But, if you would like a great book recommendation you should read this."  I picked up Fault in our Stars and showed it to her.  After that I proceeded to explain to her that it was a great and tragic love story.  When I was done, I placed the book I was showing her back on the shelf and told her to have a good day.  

Once I went to walk away I watched her pick the book back up and place it in her cart. That of course made me happy and I hope she enjoys the book as much as I did. 

The same thing has happened to my daughter at school and my son as well.  Being told you're too old or too young to read a book just isn't okay to me.  My daughter was told she was way too young to read Harry Potter.  Her teacher literary sent me a letter home stating the fact that I shouldn't be letting her read a book that was so over her head.   Now I thought teachers were supposed to help students not beat them down.  If my kid wants to read Harry Potter, you better bet that I'm going to let her.  

The moral of my stories is that if you want to read something, even if people think it's way out of your age rang then read it! Don't let anyone stop you from reading what you want to read.  Now I don't want a bunch of parents coming to me and telling me that I told their son or daughter to read whatever they want, so here's the deal if you're parent says no, then wait till they say you can or you get old enough to read what you want.  To those parents that feel their kid shouldn't read something that they want to read, just remember before you say no that reading is a gift that should be used! 





I know this post is probably going to get some of you upset or cheering as well, just remember that this is my take on this topic.  Everyone is entitled to their own opinion. I would love to know your take on things though so tell me your thoughts on censoring books below in the comments.  






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