Top Ten Tuesday: Books I Read In 2013

brought to you by the broke and the bookish

Jeni's Picks: Wow this is hard to narrow down…I will try my best. 

1. Blackmore by Julianne Donaldson: While I didn't like this book as much as her debut Edenbrooke, I did enjoy it. I hope this author well keep creating more stories.

2. Drops of Gold by Sarah M. Eden. This is by far my favorite book from this author. I read it 3 times this year. Her next book comes out at the beginning of January. I will probably do a little dance when it comes in the mail.

3. Once a Witch and Always a Witch by Carolyn MacCullough: My sister Emily recommended this duet to me. I love books about witches and these two books are perfect for a weekend read. The ending didn't disappoint and I even better I didn't have to wait three years for it to end. 

4. The Runaway King by Jennifer A. Nielsen: This book was amazing. Such a great sequel to The False Prince. I can't wait until the third and final book in the trilogy is released. February seems so far away.
5. The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie by Alan Bradley: This was another recommendation from my sister Emily. She has been begging me to read this for awhile now. I read it out loud to my girls and they loved it too. It helps that the main character is around their age. 

 

 

 

Emily's Picks

 

1. Divergent by Veronica Roth. This one took me by surprise, and I like being surprised.  I need to finish this series, and have them waiting for me.

 

2. Something Strange and Deadly by Susan Dennard I liked this book, it was interesting, it had non-scary zombies, and I liked the characters. And it was something I could let my 13 year old read.

 

3. The Light Between Oceans by M.L. Stedman this book was something I would have never read on my own.  It is not a book I would pick up and think oh, I'm going to love this one!  But I thought the story was thoughtful, and invoking, and it meant something.

 

4. Enclave by Ann Aguirre I liked this book, it was interesting.  I liked the ending, and honestly, I thought it could end right where it did.  I had no interest in furthering the story, but I liked it.

 

5. Unenchanted by Chanda Hahn this was a book I got on Amazon, and I actually liked it. I bought the whole series.  It was cute, unique, and funny, plus my 13 year old loved it.  So, that's a plus. 

Top Ten Tuesday: New to me authors of 2013

brought to you by the broke and the bookish

Jeni's picks:

1. Stephanie Bond: I read her Body Movers series and loved it. It reminded me a little of the Stephanie Plum novels but I actually think I liked these more. I hope the 7th book comes out soon. 

2. Rhonda Pollero: The Finley Anderson series were a fun read. They got better with every book. My sister introduced me to this author after I made her read The Body Movers series. 

3. Gayle Forman: I actually bought her book If I Stay a long time ago but it sat on my shelf for awhile. When I finally read it I was kicking myself for not reading it earlier. It was one of my favorite books of the year. 

4. Huntley Fitzpatrick:  My Life Next Door was a great read. It reminded me so much of my large family. 

5. M.L. Stedman: The Light Between Oceans. I was so excited to read this book. I bought it while I was in England on vacation. It is a bit melancholy so beware you might need some tissues while reading it. 

Emily's Picks

1. Susan Dennard: Something Strange and Deadly Series. This popped up on my TBR list and having a hard time deciding what to read next, I picked this up. I liked it and bought the next book in the series, A darkness strange and lovely. The third book doesn't come out till next year, but I thought this was interesting. It was recommended for those that liked the Clockwork Angel. 

2. Maggie Stiefvater: Lament was the only book I have read of hers, although I understand her werewolf series is popular.  I have yet to read it. I loved this book. There was something haunting and strange about this faerie tale. And I would love to have her write more about the story line, I know there is another book, but I understand the story follows another character.

3. Julianne Donaldson: Edenbrooke.  This was a fun read, and honestly, it wasn't something that I would have picked up on my own, but having it recommended, by someone I trust, I read it.  And liked it. So, I would have missed out on a fun adventure if I hadn't listened. 

4. Teri Brown: Born Of Illusion. I picked this book up on a whim in the YA section in my library.  And was surprised by the results. Magic, illusion, seance, romance, all combined in this nicely written story.  It's too bad I have to wait until next year sometime for the next instalment.  I enjoyed this book.

5. Veronica Roth: so, I was really late in the game on this one. I was a little burnt out on the whole dystopian world idea.  How many more are coming? ugh. And I wasn't impressed by Divergent, at first, until half way through, when suddenly this book grew. And then I wanted more. But please, please, please, Hollywood, stay true to the story! Thank you. (Hunger Games, you came close)

Top Ten Tuesday: Our Winter To be Read List

Top Ten Tuesday: Our Winter To be Read List

brought to you by the broke and the bookish

Emily's List.

1. Something Strange and Deadly by Susan Dennard this book has been on my tbr list on goodreads for a while, and I needed to review a new book series for my daughter to read. I have this on my kindle, and so far, it looks promising.

2. Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas. So, I sort of bought this book a couple of months ago, and then promptly forgot about it. It happens when you have a long list of tbr's. Shrug. It's on my winter list. 

3. Insurgent by Veronica Roth. So, there was this book series everyone read, and someone was avoiding...oh that would be me. I read the first book, wasn't sure until half way into the first book if it was even something I would enjoy..so, I am starting over, because I tend to forget things. But I will happily do so before diving into this series for REAL. 

4. A Red Herring Without Mustard (Flavia De Luce #3) by Alan Bradley. Who doesn't love Flavia? I have to read the rest of this series. It's coming, it is. Like poison running through my veins..slowly but surely.

5. Of Triton by Anna Banks. So, I am not usually a mermaid type of gal. I tried and didn't love it. But then there was this book called Of Poseidon, and I thought, maybe I do like some mermaid books when they aren't silly. 

Jeni's
1. The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie by Alan Bradley: I'm reading this to my girls and so far we have enjoyed it. 
2. Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card: I haven't read this series yet but everyone tells me it is really good. So I figured it would be a fun winter read. 
3. Hood by Stephen R Lawhead: I've loved his others series and this one is a Robin Hood retelling. I'm pretty sure I'm going to love it. 
4. Boundless by Cynthia Hand: I have been meaning to read this book forever. I even started it awhile back but just wasn't in the mood. My goal is to finish by the end of the year. 
5. Friends and Foes by Sarah M. Eden:  I read this book every year around Christmas time. 

Waiting on Wednesday: The Dancing Master

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

Book: The Dancing Master

Author: Julie Kalssen

Release date: January 2014

From Goodreads:

Leaving London, dancing master Alec Valcourt moves his mother and sister to remote Devonshire--but is stunned to discover that dancing is prohibited! He finds an unlikely ally in Miss Julia Midwinter, but her questions about his past are becoming harder to evade. Together, can they bring new life to this quiet village--and heal long-kept-secret scars?

Why I'm waiting: Julie Klassen is one of my favorite authors. I preorder all her books. 

Grave Visions

Book: Grave Visions

Author: Kalayana Price

Release date: July 12, 2014

From Goodreads:

If you want to hear voices from the dead in Nekros City, you call Alex Craft. She's a Grave Witch with reasonable rates and extraordinary powers, who specializes in revealing the secrets of the dead. But now she's the one fighting to keep her own secret. She's not human—and her newly discovered heritage is causing havoc for her both in the human realm and in Faerie. But her status as an unaffiliated fae also makes her an ideal candidate to investigate a new street drug that has surfaced in several of the spaces between the human and fae worlds. 

This glamour-infused drug causes hallucinations that turn real—at least for a while and often with deadly consequences. Searching for the source of this drug—and its purpose—lands Alex front and center in the conflict brewing in Faerie and she must find answers before she's dragged so deep she loses her freedom.

Why I am waiting: I loved the first three books in this series and this fourth one has been a long wait. The author posted she was having some problems so her series were put on hold. July seriously can't come fast enought

brought to you by: the broke and the bookish

Top Ten Tuesday: 2014 Release I'm Dying To Read

brought to you by: the broke and the bookish

Jeni's Picks: 

1. The One by Keirra Cass: Can't wait to finish this series. I've been putting off reading number 2 so I can finish the series all at once. (release date: May 6, 2014)

2. The Dancing Master by Julie Klassen. I love her books and I'm so excited for her new book. (release date: one site says December 24, 2014 and another says January 1, 2014) 

3. As you Are Sarah M. Eden: I love this author. She has had a tough last year because she was diagnosed with RA but she keeps on creating. So excited to read Corbin's story in this next book of the jonquil brothers. Seriously, she gets better with every books. (release date: January 2014)

4. The Shadow Throne by Jennifer Nielsen: My girls and I are huge fans of her first 2 books. We have been waiting anxiously for this last book in her Ascendance trilogy. Yeah!!!! (release date: February 25, 2014)

5. Defy by Sara B. Larson: A debut that looks amazing. I love stories where the girl dresses like a boy to be a knight. (release: January 7, 2014)

Emily's Picks
*disclaimer I don't usually check to see what books are coming out. Jeni usually keeps me informed (it helps she is the best sister ever.), so I'm a little behind and might not be "dying" for these books, because as of today, I might not have been aware any of these books were coming out. :) *

1. The Blood of Olympus  (The Heroes of Olympus #5) by Rick Riordan. I have really enjoyed this series, and considering I still need to read the last two books in the series, I am content to wait until October for this release.
2. City Of Heavenly Fire (The Mortal Instruments #6) by Cassandra Clare. I truthfully thought that she could have ended this story on book 4, but it will be interesting to see where she takes this series.
3. Renegade (Mila 2.0 #2) by  Debra Driza. I actually saw the first one on someones list on goodreads, and thought: this is too weird for me.  I am not usually a Sci-fi type gal.  But I am willing to give a try.  And the second one is due out next year. So, i might wait until all three are out to start reading.
4. Evertrue (Everneath #3) by Brodi Ashton. I read the first book, thinking I would love this story, because I usually like retelling's of Greek mythology.  This one didn't thrill me at all. But I have the second book, and I like a finished set. So, eventually, I will take a gander and read this series.  Who knows?  This might end up like Myra Dryer and I might just end up loving it the second time around.
5.  After the End (After the End #1) by Amy Plum.  I was scanning books on goodreads and this came on my radar. It looks pretty good and sounds like a mix of the movie The Village and the Hunger Games type book so I would most likely enjoy it.