~Stacking the Shelves #62~

                Welcome to Stacking the Shelves was created by Tynga and the full details can be found on her page.  Basically you showcase the books you bought or received each week.  Little, or not so little, weekly book hauls. 

Physical Books:

Check, Please!:  #Hockey by Ngozi Ukazu

Black Wings Beating (The Skybound Saga #1) by Alex London

The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas

Audiobooks:

Two Dark Reigns (Three Dark Crowns #3) by Kendare Blake

Wildcard (Warcross #2) by Marie Lu

                This was a huge week for me!  I'm so excited!  Two are for an event I'm going to which makes it even more fun!  Share a link below with what goodies you got this week. 

Movie Corner #18

                Hello happy movie fans!    So it's been a blah two days off but I did just get some books I can share on Saturday so that brings me up.  I didn't see many movies but I did see two that I really enjoyed so I call it a win!  That said here is what I’ve seen the last two weeks:

A Simple Favor:  5 Stars

                This movie had my interest from the start since I adore Anna Kendrick in so many of her movies and the trailer had me hooked.  I could totally relate to having a friend who seems so much more sophisticated than myself and how sometimes you think you know people only to find that you don't.  I loved the concept and the way the movie played out was amazing.  So many fun and smart moments to keep you on edge.  It had lots going for it for sure and I liked it even more than I thought I would so that's a huge plus!

The House with a Clock in Its Walls:  5 Stars

                So I saw this movie last night finally and it was so much fun.  It was everything the trailers promised.  It was funny and cute an full of magic for sure but it also layered in much deeper moments and themes as well.  I really enjoyed the movie and the visuals are amazing.  The magic in general was well done but the house was a character all itself and managed to be both creepy and amazing! 

*****

                Not that many sadly but bright side I've really loved the two I saw.  I do have some more I'm excited to see and I'm already sorting out which are top priorities.  The next two weeks some top contenders are Hellfest, Night School, Small Foot, Little Women, Venom, The Hate U Give (though I need to read the book first),  and A Star Is Born.  I can't see them all  but I do hope to see several….which do you think sound most interesting?  What movies have you seen recently?  What should I see?

~Can't Wait Wednesday: King of Scars (Nikolai Duology #1)~

                Can't Wait Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Wishful Endings.  Basically books that are not yet out that we are dying to get our hands on.  This week’s pick is:

King of Scars (Nikolai Duology #1) by Leigh Bardugo

Out:  1/29/19

From Goodreads:

                Nikolai Lantsov has always had a gift for the impossible.  No one knows what he endured in his country’s bloody civil war—and he intends to keep it that way.  Now, as enemies gather at his weakened borders, the young king must find a way to refill Ravka’s coffers, forge new alliances, and stop a rising threat to the once-great Grisha Army.

                Yet with every day a dark magic within him grows stronger, threatening to destroy all he has built.  With the help of a young monk and a legendary Grisha Squaller, Nikolai will journey to the places in Ravka where the deepest magic survives to vanquish the terrible legacy inside him.  He will risk everything to save his country and himself.  But some secrets aren’t meant to stay buried—and some wounds aren’t meant to heal.

Why I’m Waiting:

                 Ummm I really loved Nikolai and I am stoked we will get to see how things worked out for him.  That is enough said to be honest but come on doesn’t hurt she’s an auto-buy author for me! 

                What are you waiting on?  Tell me below what you think of this title and leave a link to your CWW as well so I can check it out.

Reading Challenge Wrap-Up: September

                Hello happy readers!  The challenges are pretty self-explanatory but for full details on the challenges themselves please visit the challenge tab.  Also please share your yearly wrap-up / challenges as well I’d love to see how everyone else did!  I am also having an extra two fosters for a short time while their normal foster is out of town and yeah I have been spoiler Bella is perfectly laid back for me but these two have crazy energy!  Plus 1 to 3 is huge and I love them but glad it's temporary I might have to ease on up to more!  Anywho here is my September wrap-up! 

One of the temps Texas (left) siting with Bella watching
Jackpot (not pictured) run in circles

Goodreads Challenge:

Goal: 100

At:46

2018 Debut Authors (#DebutAuthorChallenge):

Goal: 12

At:  8

Brave Enough by Kati Gardner (review)

2018 Series Ender Challenge:

Goal: 15+

At: 10

What I’ve Read:

Smoke in the Sun (Flame in the Mist #2) by Renee Ahdieh

Mount TBR Reading Challenge 2018:

Goal: 48

At: 17

What I've Read:

Wink Poppy Midnight by April Genevieve Tucholke

2018 New Releases Challenge:

Goal: 31-60

At: 29

What I've Read:

Brave Enough by Kati Gardner

Smoke in the Sun (Flame in the Mist #2) by Renee Ahdieh

2018 Audiobook Challenge:

Goal: 30

At: 26

What I've Listened:

Smoke in the Sun (Flame in the Mist #2) by Renee Ahdieh

Wink Poppy Midnight by April Genevieve Tucholke

                So some are doing pretty solid and others not so much.  I hope to get a surge here towards the end and finish a few of the challenges at least!  I'd love to hear how you're doing so link back to your wrap up!

Top Ten Tuesday: Books by FAVE authors I still haven't read...

                Hello everyone!  Top Ten Tuesday is just how it sounds, a topic is picked and we put our Top Ten for that in a post and share and check out everyone’s answers.  Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by The Artsy Reader Girl. 

The top ten today is:  Books by my FAVE authors I still haven’t read yet!!!

Titan series by Jennifer L. Armentrout- Okay so honestly I’m hella behind on her books in general because OMG the woman can write and has tons out but I finished the original series and wanted to continue on but I’ve stalled…mostly since I listened to the one I kind of want to continue listening which means waiting for sales or credits lol

All the Crooked Saints by Maggie Stiefvater- So yeah I love her as an author and a person and I had this on my wish list forever only holding off because I’m broke but I recently ordered it so hopefully this won’t be one for much longer!

Landline by Rainbow Rowell- Honestly I don’t have an excuse for this just one of those that hasn’t happened yet for some reason.

There’s Someone Inside Your House by Stephanie Perkins- Okay so I got this at the signing when it came out but didn’t get to it at the time but I did try and save it so I could read it around Halloween because come on it seem like a good fit!

The Language of Thorns:  Midnight Tales and Dangerous Magic by Leigh Bardugo- This book looks so pretty!  Why is it not on my shelf yet???

The Magisterium series by Cassandra Clare and Holly Black- Two authors I adore (even though I am woefully behind in all things Holly Black) I am caught up in everything else Cassandra Clare I think but I need to read these!

Renegades & Heartless by Marissa Meyer- How am I so behind?  No idea how it happened but the more books/series I add the more I need to step up my reading game!

The final two books in The Glittering Court series by Richelle Mead- Yep these…thought I’d wait for the 3^rd to come out so I could read them together and of course I haven’t gotten 3 yet because I’m trying to be a responsible adult…

The first 2 books in the new House of Night Other World series by P.C. Cast & Kristin Cast- The original books were one of the first few series I really dove into as I started reading post school and have continued reading so when it continued in a new series I was ready but somehow I haven’t started yet.

A Reaper at the Gates (An Ember in the Ashes #3) by Sabaa Tahir- I was so excited for this.  I still am.  I just got behind and haven’t had a chance to read it yet. 

               

                So what do you think?  Tell me what you think of my list in the comments below.  Also please link back to your Top Ten as well so I can check out your list and see what I missed!

In the Afterlight (The Darkest Minds #3)

                Hello happy readers!  So the bright side to me being MIA for a while is that I did get to finish some books so now I can get ahead so next time things get crazy I won’t get so off track.  That said I finished another book which at the time I thought was the series ender until I found out the new book isn’t a spin-off but is being marketed as book 4 set into the future some.  So while I’m sad it won’t count towards my series ender challenge I did finally finished the original trilogy with In the Afterlight (The Darkest Minds #3) by Alexandra Bracken and I can’t believe it took me so long to get there!  I am ready to start the newest book because I let my friend read it first and she loved it so that should be on the horizon before too long.  I previously reviewed the first two books here:  The Darkest Minds / Never Fade.

Rating:  5 Stars

                Many were killed.  Ruby lose someone close to her and looking back could break her.  The ones who survived the LA bombing move north to regroup with their prisoner, a fellow Orange like Ruby who is basically a twisted evil genius.  They are set back but they are determined to regroup and continue to free other Psi kids from the “rehabilitation camps” and bring an end to the corrupt government that has hunted them and covered up the cause of IAAN.  Despite her attempts to save him by erasing herself from his memories Liam is back and a small bright spot in the sea of bleakness.  Still the repercussions of her choice and everything that has transpired since has left everyone with demons as we reach the conclusion to this journey and see what will happen and who will survive. 

                So I read the first two books back in January 2016.  I enjoyed them and meant to continue on but for whatever reason I took a break before finishing it and it just kept getting pushed back.  So with the movie and new sequel coming out I was determined to finish it and be caught up again.  With two years between I was a bit nervous that I would have forgotten things but I was able to dive right back in.  A couple of the names (non-core) were a bit rusty but it was very easy to fall back into this world and remember what was happening.  That says a lot about the writing.

“Everyone needs reality to punch them in the face every once in a while.  Keeps you on guard.”

                The pacing for this book did seem a bit faster than the others.  We are left a bit broken and defeated but not ready to give up.  They need to regroup and figure out the best way to finish this once and for all.  Saving kids from the camps and getting the government exposed for the liars they are seems to be the main focus as it should be.  No one is fighting for themselves anymore they are fighting for a better world for all children which I love.  There is a lot happening with the powers and process.  Everyone has a different theory of what method to use and which would best serve the needs of the group.  This can divide people and it's true you can all want the same goal but have different ways of going about it.  I liked seeing that as it seemed very true to the world they Bracken has built. 

                Ruby and Liam.  I was devastated when she took his memories in the first book.  To have all their sweetness erased and for him to look at her and not know her was hard in book two but in a way some parts of this were harder.  Everyone has been through so much and being in Ruby’s POV I could see all of her pain both for the losses she has suffered and the consequences of her actions.  She is an Orange and while some trust and respect her there will always be the knowledge that she can get in anyones head.  There are parts that have you down but also some very amazing parts that just bring you back up and fill your heart.   

               

                Overall as a series my only downside is that I wish I had read all together and not taken so long in between but that is on me.  Bracken did an amazing job in each of the following books making sure she reminded the reader who everyone was and what happened last without being over the top about it.  I cared for these kids and their fight.  It was such a complex story full of challenging and important issues and I think that for the most part the majority of it was handled though there are still some open questions given the ending but I am hoping with the next book and the time jump we will see more of what became of everyone and the world as a whole.  While this was a story about kids with powers the whole world as a whole suffered in devastating ways during this time and a fact that is never lost. 

                Until next time…

~Stacking the Shelves #61~

                Welcome to Stacking the Shelves was created by Tynga and the full details can be found on her page.  Basically you showcase the books you bought or received each week.  Little, or not so little, weekly book hauls. 

E-Book (Review):

The Darkest Star (Origin #1) by Jennifer L. Armentrout

The Dark Lands (Angelbound Origins #5) by Christina Bauer

Shifters and Glyphs (Fairy Tales of the Magicorum #2) by Christina Bauer

Audiobooks:

Wink Poppy Midnight by April Genevieve Tucholke

                So I've been doing pretty good on my book buying and working on books I already have.  That said I did get some review books so win!  I also took a bit of time from the computer for my birthday and then some RL stuff got in my way but I hope to dive back in and start fresh.  I've missed chatting with everyone!  Another good week, I lucked out and some got approved for one I requested months back and the others came up as available!  I should get a new audible credit in the next day or two as well and a pre-order I’m waiting on.  Share a link below with what goodies you got this week. 

~Can't Wait Wednesday: The Girl King~

                Can't Wait Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Wishful Endings.  Basically books that are not yet out that we are dying to get our hands on.  This week’s pick is:

The Girl King by Mimi Yu

Out:  1/8/19

From Goodreads:

                All hair the Girl King.

                Sisters LU AND Min have always understood their places as princesses of the Empire, Lu knows she is destined to become the dynasty’s first female ruler, while Min is resigned to a life in her shadow.  Ten their father declares their male cousin Set the heir instead—a betrayal that sends the sisters down two very different paths.

                Determined to reclaim her birthright, Lu goes on the run.  She needs an alley—and an arm—if she is to succeed.  Her quest leads her to Nokhai, the last surviving wolf shapeshifter.  Nok wants to keep his identity secret, but finds himself forced into an uneasy alliance with the girl whose family killed everyone he ever loved…

                Alone in the volatile court, Min’s hidden power awakens—a forbidden, deadly magic that could secure Set’s reign…or allow Min to claim the throne herself.  But there can only be one Emperor, and the sisters’ greatest enemy could turn out to be each other.

Why I’m Waiting:

                This one caught my attention because of the battle for the crown.  I liked that it was supposed to be given to a girl and that when it is taken away she (and possibly her sister) fight for it.  Plus wolf shapeshifter….yes please!                   

                What are you waiting on?  Tell me below what you think of this title and leave a link to your CWW as well so I can check it out.

Movie Corner #17

                Hello happy movie fans!    I made a split second decision on Monday when I was feeling a bit down, as I normally do on so close to my birthday, that I'd take this week off from posting in general.  But yesterday, Wednesday the 12th my actually birthday turned out to be pretty awesome and it got my spirits back up so I am jumping back in full speed.  Only saw a couple movies given the limit now but still not bad.  That said here is what I’ve seen the last two weeks:

Kin- Rating:  4 Stars

                This one really surprised me.  I don't know what I was expecting it to be the trailer looked a bit unclear for me but had my interest.  That said I was impressed.  I don't really know how to describe it but I enjoyed the brotherly bonding of this.  It had more emotional appeal than I first thought and for that I enjoyed it.  

Peppermint- 5 Stars

                Okay so this one was one of my most anticipated movies.  I saw a trailer for it some time back and it just gave me chill bumps.  I love Jennifer Garner in action roles, it took me back to Alias days.  That said the movie was great and just what I wanted and expected.  There was a couple small things I do have questions about when I think back on it but honestly I just enjoyed it overall and overlooked them. 

Alpha- 4.5 Stars

                This one I was on the fence about wanting to see.  I liked the idea of it but I figured it would have very little dialog as a large chunk of the movie is between a boy and a wolf and that could be amazing or horrible.  Well I decided to go for it and I really enjoyed it.  There isn't a ton of dialogue/conversations and any that do occur are in subtitles so be warned if you don't like reading subtitles then you may want to hold off.  The movie found a way to capture your attention and keep you hooked as the movie is played out.  You feel for this boy and this wolf and want them to bond and succeed through their troubles and trials.

*****

                So upcoming I'm super excited for A Simple Favor and The House with a Clock in the Walls.  I will have to see what else is coming out in the next couple weeks but those are top two!  What movies have you seen recently?  What should I see?

~Can't Wait Wednesday: A Curse So Dark and Lonely~

                Can't Wait Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Wishful Endings.  Basically books that are not yet out that we are dying to get our hands on.  This week’s pick is:

A Curse So Dark and Lonely by Brigid Kemmerer

Out:  1/29/19

From Goodreads:

                Fall in love, break the curse.

                It once seemed so easy to Prince Rhen, the heir to Emberfall.  Cursed by a powerful enchantress to repeat the autumn of his eighteenth year over and over, he knew he could be saved if a girl fell for him.  But that was before he learned that at the end of each autumn, he would turn into a vicious beast hell-bent on destruction.  That was before he destroyed his castle, his family, and every last shred of hope. 

                Nothing has ever been easy for Harper Lacy.  With her father long gone, her mother dying, and her brother barely holding their family together while constantly underestimating her because of her cerebral palsy, she learned to be tough enough to survive.  But when she tries to save someone else on the streets of Washington, DC, she’s instead somehow sucked into Rhen’s cursed world.

                Break the curs, save the kingdom.

                A prince?  A monster?  A curse?  Harper doesn’t know where she is or what to believe.  But as she spends time with Rhen in this enchanted land, she begins to understand what’s at stake.  And as Rhen realizes Harper is not just another girl to charm, his hope comes flooding back.  But powerful forces are standing against Emberfall…and it will take more than a broken curse to save Harper, Rhen, and his people from utter ruin.

Why I’m Waiting:

                 I saw this on another CWW recently and just knew I wanted to read it.  I didn’t even realize it was a Beauty and the Beast retelling until later but the idea is fascinating.  I love books where someone is taken from one world and put in another it just makes me wish I could do that :)

                What are you waiting on?  Tell me below what you think of this title and leave a link to your CWW as well so I can check it out.

Top Ten Tuesday: Binge Worthy Shows / Series

                Hello everyone!  Top Ten Tuesday is just how it sounds, a topic is picked and we put our Top Ten for that in a post and share and check out everyone’s answers.  Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by The Artsy Reader Girl. 

The top ten today is:  Binge worthy shows/series

I've picked shows that are finished.  One season or twelve.  They are finished and I have re-watched them at least once.

Moonlight- So it only got one season but it will forever hold a place in my heart.  If you read my about me page you understand.

Leverage- sometimes bad guys make the best good guys.  A group with different skill sets work together and play a modern day version of Robin Hood in a way. Full of fun plans and schemes.  What's not to love.  These characters…I adore them!

Bones- Booth and Bones.  The squints.  Come on this is an awesome show.  I love these characters and how everything has built together.  But what I also love is the cases. Watching them work their magic and solve these cases is on point.

Veronica Mars- I still want more!  I had a friend over to watch the movie the day it was available to order on TV and I have read the first book that happens post movie though I've held off on the second book because honestly the first audiobook was ready by Veronica herself and the second wasn't and it annoyed me lol but if they mentioned another movie or anything I'd be there in a heartbeat!  Marshmallow to the end!  #TeamLogan

White Collar- One of the best con-men/forgers/etc who has a good heart decides to work with the FBI agent who brought him in.  I love the different cons and all but really the characters and the connections between them is just amazing.

Dexter- A serial killer with a moral code.  A dark passenger as it were.  It has it's ups and downs and there are some archs I wasn’t as in love with but overall it kept me intrigued that’s for sure.

La Femme Nikita- So I was probably a bit to young when I watched the first season of this back in the day but I loved it even when I didn't understand some aspects.  So when I got to watch all 5 seasons eventually years later I was in love.  I have the seasons on DVD and have been itching to do a marathon.  At one point I knew so much random facts about this show it was crazy.  I mostly remembered how much of a crush I had on Michael back in the day and every time I watch it.  I also remember wanting to pull of some of the styles...it never worked!

Firefly- Of course this list isn't complete without this entry.  I re-watch this season at least once a year and I still get mad every time when I get to the end and there is no more.

Burn Notice-My Name is Michael Weston and I used to be a spy.  Again Spy shows are flipping awesome and I loved how the dynamic with the characters from the start.  I also loved how he broke things down, though after the fact I learned they had to cut some things out because apparently they gave too much detail on occasion which when re-watching I did see the shift in less info and yep totally makes sense. 

House-  Who didn't love House and his jack a$$ attitude.  He was brash and unapologetic for sure but you kind of love him for it.  The cases were so out there and strange it was always fun. 

A couple I love watching re-runs of on TV but weren't included because they are still running…

Criminal Minds / Supernatural / The Big Bang Theory

               

                I know I've left some of the other ones out because let's be honest this could be top 50 and I'd still have some left off.  I watch way too many awesome shows and I'm always down for a re-watch!  So what do you think?  Tell me what you think of my list in the comments below.  Also please link back to your Top Ten as well so I can check out your list and see what I missed!