Top Ten Tuesday- Bookish Resolutions

Before we get into this week's list. I want to talk to you a bit about 2013. Looking back at 2013 I am completely dissatisfied with what I read. I feel like I didn't really read anything amazing. I read some great books, but I don't feel like I read anything so totally amazing or original. Nothing that stayed with me. I don't think I read anything super memorable. So, I want to change that in 2014. I have thought long and hard about how to make this new year a great reading and blogging year.

Top Ten Tuesday is hosted over at The Broke and Bookish.

So...

Top Ten Goals/Resolutions For 2014 (bookish, not bookish or a blend)

Reading Resolutions: 

1) Read outside of my comfort zone- I read A LOT of contemporary last year and I think it put me in a little bit of a rut. Don't get me wrong, I love me some contemporary. But I would like to broaden my horizons this coming year. Read more post-apocalyptic, dystopian, steam punk, fantasy... anything. 

2) Tackle the unread books on my shelf- I would like to read ONE book a month from the books on my shelf that I absolutely needed to own but still haven't read. I don't know if that means that I make a TBR jar or I just chose a book at random for the month. We'll see. 

3) Make monthly TBR Lists- Once upon a time I would have a list of five or six books that I would want/need to read for the month. Sometimes these lists did feel a little restrictive and that would stress me out, but for the most part I really appreciated them. It helped keep me organized- especially when it comes to review books. I know that I don't need to stick to these lists and if I stray it's not the end of the world. 

4) Read a classic or two- I have been saying this for years. But I mean it this time! I am going to read Pride and Prejudice this year, I am going to read Jane Eyre this year. I am hoping to get at the very least those two read.

5) An hour a day- I used to be able to read for hours on end. But these day I am so distracted by the internet and my phone and other things that I won't pick up my book, or I'll read for a couple of minutes here and there. I would like to dedicate a time where I just read, and I think an hour is not an unreasonable amount of time. It can be done. 

Blogging Resolutions: 

1) One review a week- This has always been a kind of "rule" of mine. There was a time or two or six where I failed at this because I got a little lazy. Also, I am not, nor will I ever be, that blogger who posts five reviews a week. I don't have that kind of time, and I don't think it's necessary. I am a busy girl with lots of other commitments. But I think I can get out one solidly written review a week. 

2) Post Twice a week- Along side my review once a week, I would like to have an additional post. Be that Top Ten Tuesday or a book haul or some kind of discussion. I don't want to overwhelm people with posts but I don't want to be a strictly review blog. That's boring and I like to talk about books. 

3) Comment more- I know loads of people say this. But I want to be more present in the blogging community. I read a lot of blogs, but I don't always comment. I think that I am going to start. A lot of work goes into blog posts and I want to acknowledge by commenting more. 

4) Review older books- More like don't be afraid to review an older title. There are so many books out there that I haven't read. And sometimes I read a book and want to share my thoughts on it, but won't because it's an older book and no one cares. I need to let that go, and just go for it. I need to review what I want to review! 

5) Not so many review books- I can fall so behind with review books. Sometimes I request to many on Netgalley, or get to carried way when requesting books for review. So I need to be more realistic when it comes to review books and what I can handle. 

Those are my resolutions and goals for the upcoming year, please link yours below so I can see what everyone else it up to. 

~Happy Reading Everyone! 

2013 End of the Year Book Survey

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!! I have been painfully absent from the blog these past few weeks and I think it's exactly what I needed. While I have been experiencing a bit of guilt over it, this time away has also allowed me to reflect on my year as a reader and blogger. It was kind of magical.

But anwayho, I bring to your the 2013 End of the Year Book Survey that Jamie over at The Perpetual Page Turner has come up with. She's been doing this for four years and looking back, so have I. This is my fourth survey. Crazy.  Lets get on with the show!

Best Book You Read In 2013? 

Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell: This was such a fantastic book. 2013 was all about contemporary and new adult for me. I read so much of it, that I was beginning to hate it. But Fangirl did great things for both genres.I am sure everyone has read this book, but if you haven't, do yourself a service and get on it. 

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

Eleanor and Park by Rainbow Rowell: I know this may be a little funny. The best book I read of 2013 was by Rainbow Rowell, and the book I was most disappointed with was also by her. I think this book was super hyped up for me, and I didn't relate to Eleanor like others did. In reality I just didn't like her. I didn't hate the book, but I did think I would like it more than I did. 

Most surprising (in a good way!) book of 2013?

Altered by Jennifer Rush: This one took me by surprise. It was REALLY good, and I don't think enough people have read this one. It's super action packed, has some smexy boys in it, and it's all plot twisty. Along with all of that, it's very well written. Jen Rush did a good job. Erased (the sequel) comes out next week and I am SO excited to get my hands on it. 

Book you read in 2013 that you recommended to people most in 2013?

Crash Into You by Katie McGarry: This book was SO good. I have gushed about it, I have told people to read it, and I gifted it three times since reading it. I loved this book. It has the perfect amount of angst and aww in it. Isaiah is a great character. What more can I say? Read this book. 

Best series you discovered in 2013?

Ten Tiny Breaths by KA Tucker: while her books aren't really a series, they are more companion books. The two books that I have read- Tiny Tiny Breaths and One Tiny Lie- were both really great. I have Four Seconds to Lose sitting on my shelf and I am very eager to get to it. These books were more than I expected them to be. I was impressed. 

Favorite new author you discovered in 2013?

KA Tucker: as mentioned above. I loved both of the books I read by her, and I imagine I will continue to like what she offers. 

Best book that was out of your comfort zone or was a new genre for you?

I played in safe in 2013. I read nothing that pushed my limits. Shame on me.

Most thrilling, unputdownable book in 2013?

Siege and Storm by Leigh Bardugo: Loved this book. I read it SO fast when I got it. It's one of those books that once you've started you just have to keep going. 

Book You Read In 2013 That You Are Most Likely To Re-Read Next Year?

The Raven Boys by Maggie Stiefvater: This one of the first books I'd read in 2013. And I really enjoyed it. But I think I rushed through it when I read it. I would like to reread it before I dive into The Dream Thieves. 

Favorite cover of a book you read in 2013?

Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea: I love this cover. I love the font of the title, and I love the cliff and the grey tones. It's amazing how great this cover it, but the cover for it's sequel is horrible!

Most memorable character in 2013?

Allyson Healey from Just One Day: There was a time during this book where Allyson was not a fun character. But she transitions and it's beautiful and I loved every minute of it. Specifically the last half of the book. 

Most beautifully written book read in 2013?

Out of the Easy by Ruta Sepetys: This was the first book of Sepetys that I have ever read and it was amazing. I should have known that it would be great considering what people have been saying about her debut Between Shades of Gray. It's wonderful and so beautifully written- you can't help but get lost in it.

Book that had the greatest impact on you in 2013?

1) Golden Boy by Abigail Tarttelin: This book was heavy. And as I mentioned in my review, it has me considering my values and where those values came from. This is another novel that ins't talked about enough. 

2) 45 Pounds (more or less) by KA Barson: this book in an important one. It talks about body image and dieting and eating disorders. God read it. 

Book you can’t believe you waited UNTIL 2013 to finally read?

Outlander by Diana Gabaldon: Anywho who enjoys reading historical romance has read this book, and believe it or not, historical romance used to be the only thing I read and still, I had never read this one. And it's basically a classic. I think my grandmother ever read this one before she died. It was good but boy was it LONG! But I did it! 

Favorite Passage/Quote From A Book You Read In 2013? 

“Every star has been set in the sky. We mistakenly think they were put there for us.”

-Perfect Ruin by Lauren DeStefano

Shortest & Longest Book You Read In 2013?

Shortest: Crossing the Line by Katie McGarry- 67 Pages 

Longest: Outlander Diana Gabaldon- 870 pages

Book That Had A Scene In It That Had You Reeling And Dying To Talk To Somebody About It? (a WTF moment, an epic revelation, a steamy kiss, etc. etc.) Be careful of spoilers.

Favorite Relationship From A Book You Read In 2013 (be it romantic, friendship, etc). 

Isaiah and Rachel in Crash Into You, hands down! 

Favorite Book You Read in 2013 From An Author You’ve Read Previously 

Perfect Ruin by Lauren DeStefano: There is something kind of amazing about reading a book by DeStefano. Specifically something new. She has an amazing way with words. and Perfect Ruin was a pleasure to read. 

Best Book You Read In 2013 That You Read Based SOLELY On A Recommendation From Somebody Else:

Pivot Point by Kasie West- SO good! 

Genre You Read The Most From in 2013?

Contemporary: Which I think needs changing in 2014. 

Newest fictional crush from a book you read in 2013?

Sam from Altered by Jennifer Rush- Whewwwwwwwwww...  that's all I can say. 

Best 2013 debut you read?

Pantomime by Laura Lam

Most vivid world/imagery in a book you read in 2013?

Perfect Ruin by Lauren DeStefano- as I mentioned in my review of this book. I felt like a citizen of Internment by the time I was done reading. I loved how descriptive the world building was (it was basically the whole of the book). 

Book That Was The Most Fun To Read in 2013?

The Reece Malcolm List by Amy Spalding: This was a cute story and had me chuckling a lot.

Book That Made You Cry Or Nearly Cry in 2013?

Ten Tiny Breaths by KA Tucker- this one had me almost crying. It dealt with some heavy issues and it was sad. 

Book You Read in 2013 That You Think Got Overlooked This Year Or When It Came Out?

45 Pounds by KA Barson- This was a great book and it had a fantastic message and I don't think it got enough attention. It really was amazing, and yes, it did deal with some intense things, it wasn't overbearing on the issues front. It wasn't a downer to read. I wish more people would pick it up. 

And voila! Here is my year in review! I am looking forward to 2014 and seeing what amazing reads it will being me. 

~Happy Reading Everyone! 

Best of 2013 Giveaway Hop

2013 saw some really great releases from all kinds of authors- some debuting their first novel and some their tenth. Today, for you, I have a list of the my top five favourite books of 2013 and some lucky person gets to pick one to take home and enjoy for themselves.

Thanks so much to the hosts of this Giveaway Hop:

 I Am A Reader, Not A Writer & Bookhounds 

The Prizes:

1) Crash Into You by Katie McGarry (My Thoughts)
2) Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell (My Thoughts)
3) Perfect Ruin by Lauren DeStefano (My Thoughts)
4) Out of the Easy by Ruta Sepetys (My Thoughts)
5) Altered by Jennifer Rush (My Thoughts)

The Rules:

• This giveaway is open internationally as long as the book depo ships to your country.  
• Just fill out the Rafflecopter below.
• Make sure to check out all the other blogs participating in this hop- links below! 
• Good look everyone! 

  a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Top Ten Tuesday: Winter TBR

I love making TBR lists and with the exception of the Fall TBR I have been pretty successful with TBR lists. But maybe this time, it will be better.

Top Ten Tuesday is hosted over at The Broke and Bookish.

Top Ten Books On My Winter TBR

1) The Book Thief by Marcus Zusak- I have had this book on my shelf for a looooooong time. But I haven't been putting it off. But with the movie out and people talking about how good it is. I need to get around to it (I may or may not have already started it). 

2) Four Seconds to Lose by KA Tucker- I just finished One Tiny Lie a couple days ago and I really enjoyed it- a lot. Maybe even more than Ten Tiny Breaths. 

3) Rules of Civility by Amor Towles- I was supposed to have this read by the end of November for Book Club. But we cancelled our meeting, but I still want to read this book. SO that is my plan. It looks pretty good. 

4) The Descent by Alma Katsu- This one was in my fall TBR but I only just recently got my hands on it. SO to be fair... This one is for review so I am hoping to read it soonish. 

5) Cress by Marissa Meyer- I am pretty excited about this one. That's all. 

6) Me Before You by Jojo Moyes- This is a big maybe. I really really want to read this one. It was in my Fall TBR and I thought for sure that I would have it read by now, but I haven't. I say maybe because I have heard that this one is a wee bit sad and I have also heard that The Book Thief is a little sad as well, so we'll see.

7) Erased by Jennifer Rush- I loved Altered when I read it last year and I have been eagerly awaiting it's sequel. I am very excited. 

8) Heaven is for Real by Todd by Todd Burpo- I've heard about this story by a number of people and I really want to read the book. I also saw the trailer for the movie last week and I am pretty curious. Hopefully I'll get to it soon. 

9) Something Real by Heather Demetrois- This looks really cute and I am pretty excited to give it a try. I hope I can get to it sooner rather then later. 

10) Lolita by Vladimir Nabakov- I said at the beginning of this year that I would read this book. I wanted to read a Russian classic and Lolita is the only one I own. I am hopeful. 

~Happy Reading Everyone! 

My Thoughts: Something Like Normal by Trish Doller

When Travis returns home from a stint in Afghanistan, his parents are splitting up, his brother’s stolen his girlfriend and his car, and he’s haunted by nightmares of his best friend’s death. It’s not until Travis runs into Harper, a girl he’s had a rocky relationship with since middle school, that life actually starts looking up. And as he and Harper see more of each other, he begins to pick his way through the minefield of family problems and post-traumatic stress to the possibility of a life that might resemble normal again. Travis’s dry sense of humor, and incredible sense of honor, make him an irresistible and eminently lovable hero.

Where to start. I decided to read Trish Doller's debut Something Like Normal soon after her second novel came out and I couldn't get my hands on it. I had been seeing a lot of praise for this new author and I wanted in on the experience. I had initially thought that I would never read Something Like Normal because of it's militaristic themes- it just wasn't something I was interested in- which we'll get to in a bit. But... almost everyone who had read this book had good things to say about it, so I gave it a go.

Let me begin by saying that I may step on some toes with this review. I am going to share my opinions and it is just that- my opinion. Edit: This review has been sitting here for a while and I was never sure if I was going to share it. I guess if you are reading this, I decided to share it.

As I mentioned before, I had originally thought that I would never read this book because of it's military setting. The protagonist- Travis- is a soldier on leave from the navy. I generally don't like the attitude that North American  media outlets take when it comes to the military. There is extreme reverence of those in the military and it makes me SO uncomfortable. I do not believe that I am free because people chose/are choosing to serve in the military- to me this is silly.  So, because I was believing that this is what I was going to get in Something Like Normal made a little grumpy at it. But Doller surprised me with her book and I am very appreciative about it.

Tavis has just spent a year serving in the navy and is home on a month long leave before receiving his next assignment. He has spent the last several months in Afghanistan, and survived a number of traumatic events while there. One of them being the death of his closes friend. So naturally Travis is dealing with some pretty heavy stuff. Except: when he gets home, his parents' relationship is on the rocks and his younger brother is dating his girlfriend. What a wonderful home coming.

What I found really interesting about Something Like Normal was how not perfect Travis was. He wasn't the picture perfect soldier coming home. He made some really dumb decisions and said some ridiculous things and sometimes his logic was lacking. I liked that. I also found it really interesting how unpatriotic he was. There was no "God Bless America" coming out of him. He didn't feel like it was his American Duty to serve in the navy. Well that was not the sense I got from the story. This was not something I had anticipated.

One of the things that often upsets me about the military and soldiers who return after serving, is how down playing Post Traumatic Stress Disorder is. PTDS is not often talked about. Men don't like to admit that they are struggling with it. There is this stigma attached to it and it is seen as a weakness. Trish Doller does not let that happen in this book. Travis's mom is pretty awesome and is incredibly supportive of her son and his vocation in the navy. She's a totally navy mom. She also knows something is going on with her son and takes him to talk to someone when he feels overwhelmed. And she doesn't judge him for that.

I suppose I should talk about the relationship Travis has with Harper. And while it was sweet and I liked that she didn't coddle him and she doesn't censor things when she's talking to him. However, for me, this romantic relationship wasn't the most impressive thing for me in this book. There were a bunch of other amazing interactions between Travis and the various characters.

Trish Doller wrote a great book. Her story telling was authentic and it was bias. I could never tell whether she was for the military or against the military, and as a reader who isn't sure about novels about the military this was something I was very grateful for.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book and I am glad that I caved to peer pressure and read it. Now please oh please can I get my hands on Where the Stars Still Shine.

~Happy Reading Everyone!

These Are a Few of my Favourite Things (2)

Where has the month gone? November went by in a flash, and it's been busy. SO, in saying that, I don't have a lot of favourites this month, but I have enjoyed a few things this past month, and I am here to share them with you.

TV:

DOCTOR WHO!!!

OK, so if you follow me on Twitter or Instagram, you surely know about my obsession with all things Doctor Who. But November brought us The Day of the Doctor (The 50th Anniversary Special). But it goes further than that. The show FINALLY found it's way onto Canadian Netflix, and I thought it would be a good idea to rewatch the series. There were a couple episodes here and there that I chose to skip, and all of season four- I am sorry, I don't like Martha Jones. Anywho... Doctor Who has taken up the majority of my month- I didn't blog or really read, because I was spending time with David Tennant and Matt Smith.

I suspect Doctor Who might make next months favourites as well. With the Christmas special and Matt Smith's exit from the show (oh, my heart feels sad just thinking about it).




Music:

Don't Judge Me...

Miley Cyrus- Bangerz

While, I may not like Miley's personal life decisions and I may think she looks absolutely ridiculous- I actually kind of like her album. She's got a pretty amazing voice and I am kind of a pop junky. So I've been enjoying this album. I have enjoyed the song FU a bit (oh, I can feel all of your judging me!).



Lorde- Pure Heroine

This little girl is seventeen years old. For some reason I find this crazy. This album is really good. I am not sure I like Lorde's cocky attitude. She;s said some things that are not great. But, none the less. This is a good album. Tennis Court is one I have enjoyed.







Beauty:

I got a new job this past month (I am working retail in the mall- just to pass the time). This new job requires that I put a little more effort into my appearance. So I have a few beauty favourites:

Revlon Color Stay Top Coat- I love nail polish and I I have been painting my nails a bit this past month. I had initially tried a top coat by Sally Hansen and it was so bad, that I wanted to cry, because it destroyed my beautiful manicure. I then went back to my old faithful and I probably will never try anything again. I love this stuff. It makes my manicure last all week, with minimal chipping, and it's shiny. It's brilliant.

Teddy (eye kohl) by MAC- I love this pencil. I have been using it for years and it's beautiful. I like to be low maintenance, so I can sweep this across my lash line put on some mascara and I look presentable and able to be at the mall. Teddy is a beautiful brown colour with gold flecks in it. It makes me boring brown eyes look okay.





And because this is a book blog after all:

Book:

Crash Into You by Katie McGarry (My Thoughts), I loved this book. I wasn't expecting to enjoy it as much as I did. You should just read my review. It explains everything.









That's all for my favourite things this month. I hope you all are enjoying this little feature and seeing some of the things that I love (aside from books). I have been having fun sharing. Til next month.

My Thoughts: Crash Into You by Katie McGarry

The girl with straight As, designer clothes and the perfect life-that's who people expect Rachel Young to be. So the private-school junior keeps secrets from her wealthy parents and overbearing brothers...and she's just added two more to the list. One involves racing strangers down dark country roads in her Mustang GT. The other? Seventeen-year-old Isaiah Walker-a guy she has no business even talking to. But when the foster kid with the tattoos and intense gray eyes comes to her rescue, she can't get him out of her mind.

Isaiah has secrets, too. About where he lives, and how he really feels about Rachel. The last thing he needs is to get tangled up with a rich girl who wants to slum it on the south side for kicks-no matter how angelic she might look.

But when their shared love of street racing puts both their lives in jeopardy, they have six weeks to come up with a way out. Six weeks to discover just how far they'll go to save each other.

**Review copy received through Netgalley

Whew!!! Did I ever love this book. Just to warn you, this may be more of a gushy, "ermergerd, you need to read this book," kind of deal. Crash Into You was fantastic!

Ok- So I first read Pushing the Limits by Katie McGarry last fall. And I loved it. I thought it was brilliant and I loved how she tackled contemporary YA (you can read my review here). Not long after that I read Dare You To (My Thoughts) and McGarry's novella Crossing the Line.  Both were good, and I enjoyed reading them, but I didn't adore them like I did Pushing the Limits. I was certain that Pushing the Limits was a one off and that McGarry's books would be good (really good even), but nothing would be like that first time. Then came Crash Into You, and I take back everything I ever thought about Pushing the Limits being an isolated incident.

It was hard not to be excited for this book. Isaiah was a much loved character and I was eager to read his story. In the previous two books, Isaiah was an endearing guy, who was incredibly loyal to those he cared about. But he was lonely and I desperately wanted him to have his happy ending.

Crash Into You begins with Rachel preparing to give a speech at a charity function her parents host in memory of her older sister, Colleen, who passed away from leukaemia before Rachel was born. Because Rachel has always felt like a replacement daughter she does her best to please her parents and make them proud. Even if it means hiding an anxiety disorder (brought on by public speaking) that leaves her physically ill. It also doesn't help that Rachel has four older brothers who constantly feel like it is their job to "protect" her and they always know what's best for her, claiming that she is too weak to know better. It is after this even that Rachel needs an escape- one she often finds driving her car at top speeds. This is when Rachel finds herself at a drag race and meets Isaiah.

Isaiah is at this race to make some quick cash. But things change when the cops show up and he finds himself saving Rachel's butt and in turn Rachel saving Iasiah's butt. And thus, they fall in love.  No, not really. But this is where their relationship begins.

Lets talk about why I loved this book. Rachel- she was fantastic. She was SO sweet. Especially when it came to Isaiah. Rachel was incredibly insecure, this is partially due to her brothers, and partially due to her anxiety. But for some reason when she's around Isaiah, she becomes this brave girl who says what's on her mind. This is constantly surprising her and I loved that. Sometimes Isaiah would say or do something that he thought was in her best interest and she would shut it down, she turned into a sassy pants with him. If only she could be that way with her brothers. There were a few times during the reading of this book that I would find myself saying that it would suck to have brothers like her. They were so patronizing and selfish and almost uncaring when it came to her feelings. It absolutely frustrated me.

Crash Into You introduced us to to Abby. Katie McGarry knows how to write characters that hit you where it hurts. Abby made me want to weep. She seemed snarky and confident, but she was also very lonely and her immediate friendship with Rachel told a deeper story. I am hoping that we get to see more of her soon (I am feeling certain that we will).

Overall, Crash Into You was amazing and I think it's my new favourite by Katie McGarry. I was so invested in this story and the characters that I found myself up until 7:00 am one morning finishing it, and as soon as I was done, I was ready to start all over again. It was that good. I have already ordered a couple copies as gifts, because this book needs to be shared. SO read this boys and girls. It's so worth it!

~Happy Reading Everyone!