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Top Ten Tuesday: Bookish Things I am Thankful for

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Jeni's Picks:

1. I am grateful I was taught how to read.  I can't imagine not being able to read. 

2. I am so thankful for my Kindle: I wish I could've owned one when I was a teenager. Although my minimum wage job back then wouldn't of been able to pay for my reading habit.

3. Authors. I love to read but I hate writing so I am so grateful for people that love to write and share. I love curling up on the coach and just getting lost in someone else's world. Love it. So thanks to all the authors out their willing to take a risk and show people what you got.

4. Used Book stores: I save so much money going to local used book stores especially on kids classics for my daughters. 

5.  Translators. Thank you, Thank you for working so hard so that I can read books from around the world. 

Emily's Picks

1. I am grateful for diligent editors, who take the time to edit the books we all love. (and I am even grateful for the little mistakes I find in books, let's admit that they are fun too find)

2. I am thankful for a Grandmother who showed me that reading could be a wonderful past time..she did this by reading, a mountain of books in a week's time. I can still picture her, on her couch, with a book resting on her lap, with her reading glasses perched on the tip of her nose.

3. Imagination. Without it, we wouldn't have places to go, like Middle Earth, or Narnia, or even the coasts of Cornwall.

4. I am thankful for books that have changed me in some small way, like The Help, or The Hiding Place, Number the Stars, Night, or even Jane Eyre.

5. I am thankful for stand alone novels. I love a good trilogy (or series), but there is something beautiful about finishing a book, and knowing the story is resolved, for good without having to wait a year or longer for THE END

Waiting on Wednesday: 

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

Running On Empty

Book: Running on Empty

Author: Colette Ballard

Release Date: May 6, 2014

From Goodreads:

What does it feel like when you die—in those final moments? Do you feel the physical pain, or just the pain of your regrets? What does it feel like when you realize you can’t answer these questions because you’re not the victim?

You’re the killer.

River Daniels lives an ordinary life as a high school junior growing up in the confines of rural Texas until her boyfriend’s brutal attack leaves her both a murderer and a fugitive. When River’s closest girlfriends come to her aid, they make a hasty decision to not only help her, but leave their own troubled lives behind and join in her escape. The girls manage to elude police for months, but with every near-miss, River’s life spirals further out of control, until she finally hits rock bottom. Realizing she must stop endangering her friends and find evidence proving she acted in self-defense, the girls decide to make a risky move. River must face her ugly past and the one person she was protecting the night her world caved in, the guy she has loved for as long as she can remember

Prince of Shadows

Book: Prince of Shadows

Author: Rachel Caine

Release Date: February 4, 2014

From Goodreads: 

A standalone built around the character of Benvolio, from Romeo and Juliet. The novel will be told from the point of view of Benvolio, who is Romeo’s cousin and, in Shakespeare’s play, attempts to get the lovelorn Montague interested in other girls after it’s discovered that Juliet is a member of the clan his family despises: the Capulets. Caine’s novel, her agent said, explores a scenario in which Romeo and Juliet are not the only couple to fall into dire romantic straits and is “a tale of intrigue, betrayal, hatred, and tragedy,” about “lovers lost, and lovers found.” 

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Top Ten Tuesday: Top Ten Books I'd Recommend to X Person

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Jeni's Picks:

1. Teenagers:  The Only Alien on the Planet by Kristen Randle or Heart on a Chain by Cindy C Bennett

These books both deal with abuse and bullying. Hard topics but I think both authors did an excellent job. These are books that stay with you for awhile after you finish reading them. 

2. Friends to read to their daughters:  The Goose Girl by Shannon Hale or The Princesses of the Midnight Ball by Jessica Day George

My mom read a lot to us when I was a kid and she loved fairy tales. I think that is where my love of fairy tale retelling comes from.  

To read to their boys: The False Prince by Jennifer A. Nielsen

This book is so much fun to read out loud. You could read it to your girls too. Mine loved it. 

3. Dad: The Harry Bosch Series by Michael Connelly

My dad loves mystery/police/crime books. When I was a teenager we read all of David Morrell's books together. This is another great series. I think my dad is on book 8. 

4. Historical Fiction loving Friends:  I love historical fiction and recommend The Maid at Fairbourne Hall by Julie Klassens, Friends and Foes by Sarah M. Eden, Edenbrooke by Julianne Donaldson and The Merchants Daughter by Melanie Dickerson. 

I've read every book by Julie Klassen and have loved them all. I preorder every Sarah M. Eden book. Edenbrooke is one of my favorite books. I've read it numerous times. Melanie Dickerson books are great fast reads. 

5. Paranormal Loving Friends: Mercy Thompson Series by Patricia Briggs, The Hallows series by Kim Harrison and The Hex Hall Series by Rachel Hawkins. 

Patricia Briggs Mercy Thompson series are the best werewolf books out there. 

Kim Harrison series are a mix of witch, vampire, werewolf and demons. I love this series. 

Rachel Hawkins is an awesome author to meet in person. Her books are full of sarcasm and I love it. 

Emily's Picks: 

1. Pre-Teenagers: The Grimm Legacy by Polly Shulman. I recommended this book to my daughter who at the time was 11, and had just finished Percy Jackson.  She loved this book.

2. Mystery Lovers who like strong female leads: The Beekeepers Apprentice by Laurie R. King. This book was filled with adventure, a witty, smart and strong female lead, and Sherlock Holmes. I recommend this series to any one who loves mysteries, light romance, and suspense.

3. Modern Readers tip toeing into the Classics.  I like a good Classic book every once in a while, but I don't read them all the time. The style of writing is different, they loved the English language, shall we say? So, for those Modern readers who have yet to try Classics, I recommend Pride and Prejudice. by Jane Austen. (and not just because it's been made  into three BBC mini series..including one with Colin Firth, or a film with Mr. Macfadyen)

4. Fantasy Lovers who also like fairy tales.(and no, these are not the same) I recommend The Hero and the Crown by Robin Mckinley. She has a way of weaving a tale. And you feel like you have stepped into a fairy realm. I love her older books, and would recommend them. another favorite of hers, is Beauty, which is a fairy tale.

5 Love Stories for beach day seeking readers, or my Spring. Sleeping Tiger by Rosamunde Pilcher. (or anything by this lady) She is the best at writing love stories, without writing sex. I love picking up one of her books. It feels like Coming Home. 

Waiting on Wednesday:

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

Book: My Name is Rapunzel

Author: KC Hilton

Release day: December 1, 2013

From Goodreads:

My tale has been told again and again, and I’ve heard each one. Except for my hair, I barely recognize the pitiful renditions. Muddled versions, crafted to entertain laughing children…but the children wouldn’t have laughed if they’d known the real story. It wasn't their fault. They didn't know the truth. Nobody did.

My name is Rapunzel. I will tell you my story. I will tell you the truth.

Why I am waiting: I love fairy tale retellings. I hope this one doesn't disappoint

Book: The Shadow Prince

Author: Bree Despain

Release date: March 11, 2014

From Goodreads: 

Haden Lord, the disgraced prince of the Underrealm, has been sent to the mortal world to entice a girl into returning with him to the land of the dead. Posing as a student at Olympus Hills High—a haven for children of the rich and famous—Haden must single out the one girl rumored to be able to restore immortality to his race.

Daphne Raines has dreams much bigger than her tiny southern Utah town, so when her rock star dad suddenly reappears, offering her full tuition to Olympus Hills High’s prestigious music program, she sees an opportunity to catch the break she needs to make it as a singer. But upon moving into her estranged father’s mansion in California, and attending her glamorous new school, Daphne soon realizes she isn’t the only student in Olympus who doesn’t quite belong.

Haden and Daphne—destined for each other—know nothing of the true stakes their fated courtship entails. As war between the gods brews, the teenagers’ lives collide. But Daphne won’t be wooed easily and when it seems their prophesied link could happen, Haden realizes something he never intended—he’s fallen in love. Now to save themselves, Haden and Daphne must rewrite their destinies. But as their destinies change, so do the fates of both their worlds.

Why I'm waiting:

I really liked her Dark Devine series so I'm excited to read something new from this author. I'm sure I'll like it. 

Top Ten Tuesday: Cover I would redesign

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Jeni's Picks

1. 

Mercy Thompson novels I'm just not a fan of these covers. If my sister hadn't read these before me and sworn to how good they were, I would have never bought them.  I

2. 

I love Marcia McClure's books. They are what I call Fluff reads; Silly, predictable but fun. I've been reading her books for years and I've always hated the covers but this last year some of her books have gotten new covers. Thanks goodness. It was time. 

3. 

The Brandy Alexander mystery series are some of my favorite books but the covers are just so boring. I liked this series better than stephanie plum and I wonder if the covers looked better would the series be more popular. 

4. 

The only alien on the planet is a great book and I recommend it to people all the time. I'm not sure if its the cover or the title but I seriously have to beg the person I'm recommending it too to read it. This book has a powerful message and its wonderfully written. Everyone that has borrowed it returns it with great reviews.  What do you think is it the title or cover that turn people off? 

5. 

The lexi Carmichael mysteries. I liked these books but the first book in the series could use a little make over. I just don't like it. 

Emily's Picks

1.  The Body Finder by Kimberly Derting. This one is a fail for me. Mainly  because out of all the beautiful YA covers out there, this one just is one note. A flower? Beautifully lite, yes, but a flower? I liked this book, and this is one of the first new YA novels I read as an adult and liked it. I just wish it was a better cover.

2. The Iron King by Julie Kagawa. This book cover is alright. But for me, it's just a little busy. Either have the pretty girl on the cover, and not the vines, or have the vines and not the pretty girl. I don't like cluttered covers. But again, this is a book I really liked and would recommend reading if you enjoy YA and faerie novels.

3.  Lament: The Faerie Queen's Deception. by Maggie Stiefvater. I loved this book.  It was a great faerie read. But the cover(s)? Awful. They need a new edition, with a new beautiful cover. Not one of the old editions have a beautiful cover, and the book I have? Is the ugliest one of all.  So, thank goodness I didn't judge this book by it's cover.  

4. The Sword Of Shannara by Terry Brooks. I could have picked any High Fantasy novel cover, and told you that it needed a revamp. I don't know why these covers tend to lean towards the ultra cheesy, because inside is not cheese..well, in most. But inside these misguided covers are well written thought out prose, and it's sad that more people do not read High Fantasy. But I think it gets a bad rap, mainly because hello? Look at the cover, would you read a book with covers that look like cartoons? Admittedly, some have gotten better over the years, but they still cling to the cheese. 

5. Hex Hall by Laura Hawkins. I thought this was a fun series. But the covers? I don't know.  I thought they could have come up with something prettier. I thought some of the other editions have better covers. But again, that is just my opinion.

Stacking the Shelves #6

Stacking The Shelves is all about sharing the books you are adding to your shelves, may it be physical or virtual. This means you can include books you buy in physical store or online, books you borrow from friends or the library, review books, gifts and of course ebooks! Hosted by Tynga's Reviews.

Kindle buys: 

Waiting on Wednesday: The Shadow Throne

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

Book: The Shadow Throne (The Ascendance Trilogy, #3)

Author: Jennifer A. Nielsen

Release Date: February 25, 2014

From Amazon:

War is coming. . . . Join Jaron as he embarks on his final adventure!

 Second Choice

Book: The Mirk and Midnight Hour

Author: Jane Nickerson

Release Date: March 11, 2014

From Goodreads: 

Jane Nickerson's second novel, also set in the "Strands" world, is based on the Scottish 'Ballad of Tam Lin,' and is set in Mississippi during the Civil War. Violet Dancey, a 17-year-old whose father has left to fight in the Civil War, is forced to confront Thomas, a hurt Union solider near her home. She must decide how to approach the enemy--and how to deal with her growing attraction to him.

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Top Ten Tuesday: Sequels We Can't Wait For

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Jeni's Picks

1. The Shadow Throne by Jennifer A. Nielsen: My kids and I are anxiously awaiting the release of the this book. The first two books in the series were so good. I can't wait to see what happens in the third. If you haven't read The False Prince go out and buy it. 

2. As You Are  by Sarah M. Eden: Third book in the Jonquill brother series. I can't wait to read Corbin's story. 

3. The Retribution of Mara Dyer (Mara Dyer, #3) by Michelle Hodkin: I loved the first book but I haven't read the second one yet. I'm waiting till the series is done to finish all the books. 

4. The One (The Selection, #3)by Kiera Cass: This is another series I am waiting to read all together.

5. Of Neptune (The Syrena Legacy, #3) by Anna Banks: I'm so happy she decided to write another book in this series. Yeah!!!.

Emily's Picks

1.  Mirror Sight (Green Rider #5) by Kristen Britain. Miss Britain takes forever to write her books.  I loved the first book in this series, and was happy that it was only a trilogy, and then it turned into a fourth..and then a fifth book. I loved the characters, so I'm hoping I enjoy the rest of the series.

2.  The House of Hades (The Heroes of Olympus, #4) by Rick Riordan. I have yet to read the third book in this series, it was taken over by my daughter. So, I really need to finish this.  The fifth book is coming out next year, The Blood of Olympus, so I'm not in a huge hurry to read this series.

3. Evertrue by Brodi Ashton.  Everneath was an impulse buy, and I sort of bought into the story line. I need to finish the second book, but I would like to see where the author takes this series.

4.  Goddess Interrupted and The Goddess Inheritance by Aimee Carter I know that these have been out for a while, but I sort of forgot about this series, and would like to finish it. See I have trend going.

5. Night Broken (Mercy Thompson #8) by Patricia Briggs this is the urban fantasy series that keeps on giving.  I have looked forward to every book in this series. And I can't wait until this one comes out. I love Mercy Thompson and Patricia Briggs does a great job sustaining my interest.