2013 Paranormal Reading Challenge

The goal is to read at least one book featuring each of the following paranormal creatures:
     Vampires
     Werewolves/Shifters
     Fey
     Angels/Nephilim
     Mermaids
     Dragons
     Zombies
     Demons
     Witches/Wizards
     Ghosts
     Aliens
     Other (ie: sirens, unicorns, centaurs, timetravel etc.)

Guidelines

1 This challenge runs from January 1, 2013 to December 31, 2013.
2 You must have a blog to able to participate, since reviews must be added to the linky.
3 When you sign up with the linky, please put the link to your post about joining the Paranormal Reading Challenge.
4 You're welcome to list your books beforehand or just add as you go.
5 Sign-ups are open until December 1, 2013
6 At the beginning of each month, the host will post a kick-start post, each month featuring a different category of paranormal creature. This post will also include a linky to include your reviews from that month.
7 Each review you link will qualify you for an entry into the monthy giveaway and if your review includes the feature paranormal creature of that month, you get a bonus entry.
8 Each book can only count for one category, even if it contains more than one paranormal creature. For example, Twilight contains both vampires and werewolves, but you can't use it for both the vampires and werewolves/shifters categories.
9 Everyone who completes the challenge will be entered into a grand prize giveaway at the end of the year.
10 If you read multiple books from one category, feel free to add them to the linkies. Don't stop at just one!
11 Book can count for other challenges.

Each month, the hosts will be featuring one of the creatures on the list at both Megan Likes Books and Auntie Spinelli Reads.

     January - Vampires
     February - Angels/Nephilim
     March - Fey
     April - Demons
     May - Aliens
     June - Zombies
     July - Witches and Wizards
     August - Mermaids
     September - Dragons
     October - Ghosts
     November - Werewolves/Shape-shifters
     December - Other

You can sign-up HERE.

BOOKS I READ

Reviewed:

1. Glass Houses (The Morganville Vampires #1) by Rachel Caine

2. Warm Bodies (Warm Bodies #1) by Isaac Marion
3. Sovereign Hope (Hope #1) by Frankie Rose
4. Unspoken (The Lynburn Legacy #1) by Sarah Rees Brennan
5. Shiver (The Wolves of Mercy Falls #1) by Maggie Stiefvater
6. Linger (The Wolves of Mercy Falls #2) by Maggie Stiefvater
7. Forever (The Wolves of Mercy Falls #3) by Maggie Stiefvater
8. Before I Wake (Soul Screamers #6) by Rachel Vincent
9. With All My Soul (Soul Screamers #7) by Rachel Vincent
10. Clockwork Princess (The Infernal Devices #3) by Cassandra Clare
11. Unravel Me (Shatter Me #2) by Tahereh Mafi
12. Hunting Lila (Lila #1) by Sarah Alderson
13. The Iron Traitor (The Iron Fey: Call of the Forgotten, #2) by Julie Kagawa
14. Splintered (Splintered, #1) by A.G. Howard
15. The Girl in the Steel Corset (Steampunk Chronicles, #1) by Kady Cross
16. The Girl in the Clockwork Collar (Steampunk Chronicles, #2) by Kady Cross
17. The Girl with the Iron Touch (The Steampunk Chronicles, #3) by Kady Cross
18. Written in Red (The Others, #1) by Anne Bishop
19. Carnival of Souls (Untamed City #1) by Melissa Marr
20. Imaginable (Intangible, #2) by J. Meyers
21. Ascend (Trylle, #3) by Amanda Hocking
22. Spell Bound (Hex Hall, #3) by Rachel Hawkins
23. Unraveling (Unraveling, #1) by Elizabeth Norris
24. Unbreakable (Unraveling, #2) by Elizabeth Norris
25. The Faerie Prince (Creepy Hollow, #2) by Rachel Morgan
26. The Faerie War (Creepy Hollow, #3) by Rachel Morgan
27. Shadows in the Silence (Angelfire, #3) by Courtney Allison Moulton

Not yet reviewed:

28. The Reaping (The Fahllen #1) by M. Leighton
29. Pivot Point (Pivot Point #1) by Kasie West
30. Dark Kiss (Nightwatchers #1) by Michelle Rowen
31. Origin (Lux, #4) by Jennifer L. Armentrout

2012's Worst Cliffhanger

Last year my worst cliffhanger was:

The Son of Neptune

Heroes of Olympus #2

by Rick Riordan

Goodreads | The Book Depository

It was so bad I had the urge to throw the book across my room. Like, you-only-need-one-step-and-that's-it type of cliffhanger, but no, I had to wait for a really, really long time before Percy takes that step. Ugh! My sister was reading this last year and I was outside doing something when she suddenly went out of the room and I sneaked inside to know which part she was. I saw that she was really close to the ending but there are still a handful of pages left (little did she know she'll be seeing the glossary after a few turn of the page!), so I told her: "Don't shout". She looked at me confusingly and replied: "Whyy??" I just sighed and said in my ultra-bored voice: "Nevermind.." A few minutes later, I heard her shouting like mad. Me? Ha. *evil laugh*

   This year it's:

Opal

Lux #3

by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Review | Goodreads | The Book Depository

Yup. So that's it. I'm dying to read the sequel. Emphasis on DYING! Some of my sister's friend whom I introduced this series has finished Opal,too, and we pretty much had the same reaction. My sister, however, hasn't read it yet. Hearing our frustrations, she says she won't let herself be THAT affected with the ending. We'll see.

On a side note, I think this will be my last post for 2012! I'm sure these last days will be very busy. I won't be having much time to do another post so I guess I'll just greet you in advance. Happy New Year! I don't have any plans yet for my birthday, you know. LOL! But anyway, see you in 2013! :)

UtopYA 2013 Reading Challenge

Challenge Rules

1. The books must be written by a panelist or attendee of UtopYA Con 2013.
2. The challenge will start on January 1, 2013 and end December 31, 2013 but you may join at anytime.
3. You don't have to have a blog to participate. Just join in on the fun somehow!
4. The books can be in any format (ebooks, paperback, scroll, etc.)
5. To join the challenge: if your a blogger, make a blogpost with the challenge button and tell us what level you've picked and link your post to the linky. Everyone else, tweet/facebook/pin/etc. what level you picked with a link to this post and link the direct link to the linky.

Levels

5- Gnome

10- Fairy

15- Mermaid

20- Werewolf

25- Vampire

30- Angel

I'm going for the Angel level!

If you're interested in joining, you can sign-up HERE.

I READ:

The Coincidence of Callie and Kayden (The Coincidence #1) by Jessica Sorensen
The Redemption of Callie and Kayden (The Coincidence, #2) by Jessica Sorensen
Sovereign Hope (Hope #1) by Frankie Rose
The Reaping (The Fahllen #1) by M. Leighton
The Childe (The Childe #1) by C.A. Kunz
Anew (The Archers of Avalon #1) by Chelsea Fine
Awry (The Archers of Avalon #2) by Chelsea Fine
Avow (The Archers of Avalon #3) by Chelsea Fine
The Secret of Ella and Micha (The Secret #1) by Jessica Sorensen
The Forever of Ella and Micha (The Secret #2) by Jessica Sorensen
Beauty From Pain (Beauty, #1) by Georgia Cates
Beauty from Surrender (Beauty, #2) by Georgia Cates
Going Under (Going Under, #1) by Georgia Cates

2012 Books That Made Me Cry

You know it's a good book if it spills out heartfelt emotions from you. I'm not talking about heartfelt dislike or hatred for the book; I'm pretty sure you know what I mean. I do feel a lot when I get carried away reading especially ones that are so skillfully written and gives me the heart-clenching, punch-in-the-gut-feeling, making me scream, gasp, teary-eyed..

But there are only a select few of those books that made honest-to-goodness bucketful of tears stream down my face. Books that I consider really special and memorable. That's why I'm putting them in my 2012 list, because they certainly made a place in my heart this year!

The Fault in Our Stars

by John Green

Review | Goodreads | The Book Depository

Of course I cried. I cried A LOT. But the part where I cried so hard I was having difficulty breathing was Augustus' letter. Reading it is like looking at the bigger picture of the entire journey you've had with this book up until the time where you are reading that letter.

My Top 10 Books of 2012

This is an amazing year! I've read a lot of good books this 2012 but of course, there are those that really stood out. So without further ado, here are 10 of my favorite books this year:

10. Awry (The Archers of Avalon #2) by Chelsea Fine | Review

I liked Anew but this one is much, much better! The fact that the first book ended with a cliffhanger made me want this so bad. It did not disappoint me like most of us worry about when it comes to sequels.

9. Obsidian (Lux #1) 

by Jennifer L. Armentrout 

Review

I know. I can't believe I've set this aside for who-knows-how-long before I finally picked it up. I really thought this isn't my type of book, turns out I'm missing something amazing. I was crazy afterwards and suggested to my sister that she has to read it immediately. She said she doesn't want to so I told her to try just one chapter, see if she likes it. When I checked back on her, she's halfway through. See?

Random: Christmas Break

Hello everyone! How's your day going? Today is December 21, the day when the Mayans allegedly said to be the "end of the world" but what do I see when I look out the window? A clear sky and a relatively nice, cool weather.

Anyway, we just had our exams last week which actually ended somewhat funny. Well, why not? No more school to think about for the next few weeks! It's 7.30PM on Friday and we had just finished taking our last exam (Mechanics) for our prelim and everyone is in high spirits. Our exam was a little mind-boggling and the power even went out twice during the test so we were all acting silly afterwards. You'd probably think that's nothing but my major classes consists of 4 girls (including me) and the rest are obviously guys. We're all waiting for each other to finish and then discuss our answer and weekend plans outside the classroom until we decided to go and took the elevator down. The boys teased us and proceeded to jumping inside the elevator where there are like, 15 of us in there. Ugh! Boys. Leave it to them to act all childish. Funny thing though is that the elevator suddenly stopped between floors so the boys were all like, 'ooh, we're trapped!'. If I didn't know better, I'd think they're cool with being stuck inside if it wasn't for their relieved faces when the elevator descended again. It was our turn to crack up then.

Now I'm here and oh-so-free! Well, not really. I have a busy Christmas break ahead. I got a haircut and paid my dentist and acupuncturist a visit yesterday. Today, our club is having an outreach program at a home for the aged. Tomorrow I'm going on an hour ride back to my high school for a reunion and then the day after an overnight party with my classmates (I'm thinking of going shopping later for something to wear). On the 24th I'm going back to my hometown and celebrate Christmas there with my cousins and then return at our house here in the city on the 26th; my sister says she has to review for a quiz bee and has to process her third semester enrollment. That means I'm going to celebrate New Year and my birthday here! That also means I can't do much blogging then. My mom forbid me to bring my laptop anywhere if you can believe it. She says I spend my whole time attached to the hip with it, to which I responded that 'I DON'T'. LOL!

Ohmygod. I'm rambling. Actually, I just wanted to greet you guys today a Happy Not-The-End-of-the-World and in advance - Merry Christmas! :)

2013 Sequel Reading Challenge

The goal: To read as many sequels as you can. You set your goal at whatever number works for you.

GUIDELINES:

1 The challenge runs from January 1st to December 31st. 

2 Any books started before Jan. 1 will not count.
3 Any book after the first book in a series counts. Books in the same series also count.
4 Novellas also count, as long as it is after book #1. (ex: #1.5, #2.5, etc)
5 Sign ups will be open until December 1st, 2013.
6 Add the URL of your challenge post to the linky widget. (If you'd like to wait, it's ok to use your blog URL and send me your link when you get the post up)
7 At the end of each month I will post a linky for you to add your sequel reviews to.
8 I will try to do some giveaways throughout the year for participants (as long as I can afford it).
9 There will be a giveaway at the end of the year for all participants who completed the challenge.

I'm going for 15 sequels to read. Hopefully if I finish them before the year ends, I'll move my number up. As for now, I have no exact list yet but I'll keep track of them here.

If you'd like to join, you can sign up here.

BOOKS I READ

Reviewed:

1. Double Crossed: A Spies and Thieves Story (Gallagher Girls, #5.5; Heist Society, #2.5) by Ally Carter

2. Perfect Scoundrels (Heist Society #3) by Ally Carter
3. Prodigy (Legend #2) by Marie Lu
4. Scarlet (Lunar Chronicles #2) by Marissa Meyer
5. Unravel Me (Shatter Me #2) by Tahereh Mafi
6. Linger (The Wolves of Mercy Falls #2) by Maggie Stiefvater
7. Forever (The Wolves of Mercy Falls #3) by Maggie Stiefvater
8. Clockwork Princess (The Infernal Devices #3) by Cassandra Clare
9. Before I Wake (Soul Screamers #6) by Rachel Vincent
10. With All My Soul (Sou Screamers #7) by Rachel Vincent 

11. Don't Look Now (PERSEF0NE, #2) by Michelle Gagnon
12. The Iron Traitor (The Iron Fey: Call of the Forgotten, #2) by Julie Kagawa
13. The Faerie Prince (Creepy Hollow, #2) by Rachel Morgan
14. The Faerie War (Creepy Hollow, #3) by Rachel Morgan
15. The Girl in the Clockwork Collar (Steampunk Chronicles, #2) by Kady Cross
16. The Girl with the Iron Touch (The Steampunk Chronicles, #3) by Kady Cross
17. Unbreakable (Unraveling, #2) by Elizabeth Norris
18. Ascend (Trylle, #3) by Amanda Hocking
19. Spell Bound (Hex Hall, #3) by Rachel Hawkins
20. Imaginable (Intangible, #2) by J. Meyers
21. Phoenix (Black City, #2) by Elizabeth Richards
22. Shadows in the Silence (Angelfire, #3) by Courtney Allison Moulton

Not yet reviewed:

23. Neverfall (Everneath #1.5) by Brodi Ashton
24. Origin (Lux, #4) by Jennifer L. Armentrout

25. The Star Dwellers (The Dwellers, #2) by David Estes

Review: Opal by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Opal (Lux #3)
by Jennifer L. Armentrout
Published: December 11, 2012




No one is like Daemon Black.

When he set out to prove his feelings for me, he wasn’t fooling around. Doubting him isn’t something I’ll do again, and now that we’ve made it through the rough patches, well... There’s a lot of spontaneous combustion going on.

But even he can’t protect his family from the danger of trying to free those they love.

After everything, I’m no longer the same Katy. I’m different... And I’m not sure what that will mean in the end. When each step we take in discovering the truth puts us in the path of the secret organization responsible for torturing and testing hybrids, the more I realize there is no end to what I’m capable of. The death of someone close still lingers, help comes from the most unlikely source, and friends will become the deadliest of enemies, but we won’t turn back. Even if the outcome will shatter our worlds forever.

Together we’re stronger... and they know it.

2013 Witches & Witchcraft Reading Challenge

I'm joining another challenge for 2013! This time it will be books about witches and witchcraft and since I'm a big fan, might as well kick it for a year.

Challenge Rules:

1 This challenge will run from Jan 1, 2013 - Dec 31, 2013. Melissa's Eclectic Bookshelf will be posting a place to link up a sign-up post, reviews and a wrap-up post. (Note: You do not have to review the books to participate, but only those who link up reviews will be entered for the prize)

2 Grab the reading challenge button and post this reading challenge on your blog to track your progress. Please include a link back to the sign-up post so others can join the reading challenge too. You do not have to be a book blogger to participate- you could track your progress and post reviews on Goodreads, Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Smashwords, etc.

3 Any full length book that includes a witch as a main character or major witchcraft elements counts. They may be fiction or non-fiction. However, they should not be reference books which are not read cover to cover-I will leave this to your discretion.

4 Books can be any format (bound, eBook, audio).

5 Re-reads and crossovers from other reading challenges are allowed.

6 You can list your books in advance or just put them in a wrap-up post. If you list them, feel free to change them as the mood takes you.

7 When you sign up in the linky put the direct link to your post about joining the 2013 Witches & Witchcraft Reading Challenge.

8 You can move up levels, but no moving down.

9 Sign-ups will be open until Dec 15, 2013, so feel free to join at any time throughout the year.

10 Have some Witchy Good Fun !!!

The Levels:

Initiate: Read 1 - 5 Witchy Books

Maiden: Read 6 - 10 Witchy Books

Mother: Read 11 - 15 Witchy Books

Crone: Read 16 - 20 Witchy Books

I have no list available yet but I'm going with the level Initiate.

You can sign-up HERE.

BOOKS I READ

Unspoken (The Lynburn Legacy #1) by Sarah Rees Brennan

Untold (The Lynburn Legacy, #2) by Sarah Rees Brennan

Spell Bound (Hex Hall, #3)

Carnival of Souls (Untamed #1) by Melissa Marr

Cover Reveal: Double Crossed: A Spies and Thieves Story by Ally Carter

Double Crossed: A Spies and Thieves Story
(Heist Society Novella)
by Ally Carter
Expected Publication: January 22, 2013



Macey McHenry—Glamorous society girl or spy-in-training?

W.W. Hale V—Heir to an American dynasty or master thief?

There are two sides to every coin. Whether these two can work together is a tossup.

Born into privilege, Macey and Hale are experts at mingling with the upper class. But even if they’ve never raised an eyebrow at the glitz, neither teenager has ever felt at home with the glamour.

When Macey and Hale meet at a society gala, the party takes a dangerous turn. Suddenly they’re at the center of a hostage situation, and it’s up to them to stop the thugs from becoming hostile. Will Macey’s spy skills and Hale’s con-man ways be enough to outsmart a ruthless gang? Or will they have to seek out the ultimate inside girl to help?

The worlds of Heist Society and the Gallagher Girls collide in Ally Carter’s fast-paced, high-stakes and tantalizing new story. Get a behind the scenes glimpse as Ally delivers an irresistible thriller that is full of her signature style and savvy twists.

Review: The Moon Dwellers by David Estes

The Moon Dwellers (Dwellers #1)
by David Estes
Published: June 30, 2012



In a desperate attempt to escape destruction decades earlier, humankind was forced underground, into the depths of the earth, creating a new society called the Tri-Realms.

After her parents and sister are abducted by the Enforcers, seventeen-year-old Adele, a member of the middle-class moon dwellers, is unjustly sentenced to life in prison for her parents' crimes of treason.

Against all odds, Adele must escape from the Pen and find her family, while being hunted by a deranged, killing machine named Rivet, who works for the President. She is helped by two other inmates, Tawni and Cole, each of whom have dark secrets that are better left undiscovered. Other than her friends, the only thing she has going for her is a wicked roundhouse kick and two fists that have been well-trained for combat by her father.

At the other end of the social spectrum is Tristan, the son of the President and a sun dweller. His mother is gone. He hates his father. Backed by only his servant and best friend, Roc, he leaves his lavish lifestyle in the Sun Realm, seeking to make something good out of his troubled life.

When a war breaks out within the Tri-Realms, Tristan is thrust into the middle of a conflict that seems to mysteriously follow Adele as she seeks to find her family and uncover her parents true past.

In their world, someone must die.

Me and My Bookshelf (7)

This is where I feature the books I received, bought, gifted or won that are newly added in my physical shelf, which means no e-books and the like. It is usually posted on Saturdays.

 I'm so happy with my recent haul. Got me really high and giddy! My TBR pile for Christmas break is already high; can't wait to get lost in them soon. Anyway, here are the beauties I recently added in my shelf.

Music and Lyrics (5)

“What is living in the now to you?” I ask.

“Just that dwelling and planning is bullshit,” he says. “You dwell on the past, you can’t move forward. Spend too much time planning for the future and you just push yourself backwards, or you stay stagnant in the same place all your life. Live in the moment, where everything is just right, take your time and limit your bad memories and you’ll get wherever it is you’re going a lot faster and with less bumps in the road along the way.”

A beautiful thought quoted from The Edge of Never by J.A. Redmerski. When I read this part, I just knew what the perfect song for this one is.

What I'm Reading Today

Classes were suspended today because of a storm; it's expected to hit our city later this afternoon. I really hope it'll just pass and not stay here. Anyway, I was not that ecstatic of the school announcement since I only have one class today - a lab exam - at 7.30AM and when they announced it I was already done and out of the room. So class or no, I'm still free for the rest of the day! Without anymore to do, me and my friends decided to have breakfast and hot chocolates at one of the cafes and fast-food joints near our school. It isn't even 9AM yet and most of them are already swarming with college students.

So here I am at home now, living young, wild and free. Ha! Kidding! But what better way to spend this cold morning than lock myself in my room, curl up in bed, and get lost in a good book? Right? Right?

Here's what I decided to read today:

Cover Reveal: School Spirit

School Spirits 
(Hex Hall Spin-off #1)
by Rachel Hawkins
Expected Publication: May 14, 2013

Fifteen-year-old Izzy Brannick was trained to fight monsters. For centuries, her family has hunted magical creatures. But when Izzy’s older sister vanishes without a trace while on a job, Izzy's mom decides they need to take a break.

Izzy and her mom move to a new town, but they soon discover it’s not as normal as it appears. A series of hauntings has been plaguing the local high school, and Izzy is determined to prove her worth and investigate. But assuming the guise of an average teenager is easier said than done. For a tough girl who's always been on her own, it’s strange to suddenly make friends and maybe even have a crush.

Can Izzy trust her new friends to help find the secret behind the hauntings before more people get hurt? 

Rachel Hawkins' delightful spin-off brings the same wit and charm as the New York Times best-selling Hex Hall series. Get ready for more magic, mystery and romance!

2013 TBR Pile Reading Challenge

Welcome to 2013 TBR PILE Reading Challenge!!!

6 BLOGGERS, 12 MINI-CHALLENGES, 24 BOOKS TO WIN!!!

We all have those books. We buy them, win them, they’re gifted to us. Then we put them up on a bookshelf and there they stay, collecting dust, waiting for the time when we’ll finally decide to pick them up.

Join us on a quest to dust off your TBR Pile and read all the books you’ve been telling yourself you’ll read next time you’ll get a chance. This is your chance! And we’ve got PRIZES!!!

November Reads

Wow! I read 16 books this month! Can you believe it?! Well actually, I can. It's just surprising; what with school and lots of other stuff to do. But anyhow, I'm very happy with the result. This month is such an amazing experience with books. I've read a lot of great ones and I'm very proud of myself, so much that I'm giving myself a mental pat right now. And yes! Another month has ended. We got - how many? 23? - days before Christmas! Time to plan and create my wishlist. I'm really looking forward to December! But I digress. Here are my November reads!