Past. Present. Future - May 2018

This feature highlights the books I've read, the books I'm reading, and the books I'm going to read; just a fun little way to keep track of everything!

I'd love for you all to join in if you want! Leave me a comment to your post or just let me know in the comment what's your Past. Present. Future. in Books!

PAST:

Brightly Burning by Alexa Donne - I loved this book so much!  Full of romance, mystery, and space, Alexa Donne does an amazing job of re-imagining such a beloved classic as Jane Eyre.  Such a great job in fact that you do not have to know anything about Jane Eyre (or even like that book) to enjoy reading this one.  Interesting look at a possible future for the Earth, with a little The 100 vibe as well!  Check out my review for more info!

PRESENT:

All Out: The No-Longer-Secret Stories of Queer Teens Throughout the Ages edited by Saundra Mitchell - This is a short story collection about, as you can see from the title, queer teens.  M/M, F/M, trans males, trans females, gender queer, and more is all represented.  I'm loving it so far, especially that not only is the queer rep really expansive, but the cultural rep is as well.  It ain't all white up in this book, which is still rare in the book community here in the States.  One to add to your collection!

FUTURE:

Shadowhouse Fall by Daniel José Older - This is the second book in the Shadowshaper series. I loved Sierra and her friends as they discovered their gifts in the first book, Shadowshaper.  So getting to see them grow even more both in power and friendship will be great.  Of course nothing is ever that simple, so the danger will grow as well.  A great latinx rep, with all the flavors of Brooklyn too; definitely an urban fantasy series you need to read!

If  you've read any of these books, let me know what you thought (but NO spoilers) down below in the comments!

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Waiting on Wednesday - Undead Girl Gang by Lily Anderson

 

Waiting On Wednesday is a weekly meme, started by Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming/recent releases that we seriously can’t wait to read

Here's my pick for the week:

Undead Girl Gang

written by Lily Anderson

Publication Date: May 8, 2018

Mila Flores and her best friend Riley have always been inseparable. There's not much excitement in their small town of Cross Creek, so Mila and Riley make their own fun, devoting most of their time to Riley's favorite activity: amateur witchcraft.

So when Riley and two Fairmont Academy mean girls die under suspicious circumstances, Mila refuses to believe everyone's explanation that her BFF was involved in a suicide pact. Instead, armed with a tube of lip gloss and an ancient grimoire, Mila does the unthinkable to uncover the truth: she brings the girls back to life.

Unfortunately, Riley, June, and Dayton have no recollection of their murders, but they do have unfinished business to attend to. Now, with only seven days until the spell wears off and the girls return to their graves, Mila must wrangle the distracted group of undead teens and work fast to discover their murderer...before the killer strikes again. 

(Summary from Goodreads)

Amateur witchcraft turn necromancy?  Yes, please!  I love the mix of the supernatural and murder mystery.  Also, look at that cover!!!!  I need this to grace my shelves immediately!  Luckily, Undead Girl Gang hit shelves yesterday across the nation, so oops I bought it!

What book are you waiting for?

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Waiting on Wednesday - Undead Girl Gang by Lily Anderson

 

Waiting On Wednesday is a weekly meme, started by Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming/recent releases that we seriously can’t wait to read

Here's my pick for the week:

Undead Girl Gang

written by Lily Anderson

Publication Date: May 8, 2018

Mila Flores and her best friend Riley have always been inseparable. There's not much excitement in their small town of Cross Creek, so Mila and Riley make their own fun, devoting most of their time to Riley's favorite activity: amateur witchcraft.

So when Riley and two Fairmont Academy mean girls die under suspicious circumstances, Mila refuses to believe everyone's explanation that her BFF was involved in a suicide pact. Instead, armed with a tube of lip gloss and an ancient grimoire, Mila does the unthinkable to uncover the truth: she brings the girls back to life.

Unfortunately, Riley, June, and Dayton have no recollection of their murders, but they do have unfinished business to attend to. Now, with only seven days until the spell wears off and the girls return to their graves, Mila must wrangle the distracted group of undead teens and work fast to discover their murderer...before the killer strikes again. 

(Summary from Goodreads)

Amateur witchcraft turn necromancy?  Yes, please!  I love the mix of the supernatural and murder mystery.  Also, look at that cover!!!!  I need this to grace my shelves immediately!

What book are you waiting for?

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Waiting on Wednesday - Isle of Blood and Stone

Waiting On Wednesday is a weekly meme, started by Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming/recent releases that we seriously can’t wait to read

Here's my pick for the week:

Isle of Blood and Stone

written by Makiia Lucier

Publication Date: April 10, 2018

Ulises asked, "How can I look at these maps, see this riddle, and do nothing? They are my brothers."

Elias reached across the table and flicked aside two shells with a fingertip. The map curled into itself. "It's bound to be a goose chase. You know that?"

"Or a treasure hunt," Ulises countered, "and you've always been good at those."

Nineteen-year-old Elias is a royal explorer, a skilled mapmaker, and the new king of del Mar's oldest friend. Soon he will embark on the adventure of a lifetime, an expedition past the Strait of Cain and into uncharted waters. Nothing stands in his way...until a long-ago tragedy creeps back into the light, threatening all he holds dear.

The people of St. John del Mar have never recovered from the loss of their boy princes, kidnapped eighteen years ago, both presumed dead. But when two maps surface, each bearing the same hidden riddle, troubling questions arise. What really happened to the young heirs? And why do the maps appear to be drawn by Lord Antoni, Elias's father, who vanished on that same fateful day? With the king's beautiful cousin by his side-whether he wants her there or not-Elias will race to solve the riddle of the princes. He will have to use his wits and guard his back. Because some truths are better left buried...and an unknown enemy stalks his every turn.

(Summary from Goodreads)

I think the mix of what sounds like historical and fantasy makes for a great story.  I like the idea of this mystery that needs to be solved, but that the background of the author is in historical fiction, so even the summary sounds like this could have really happened.

What book are you waiting for?

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Top Ten Tuesday - Ten Books We Meant To Read In 2017 But Didn't Get To

Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme created at The Broke and the Bookish. This meme was created because they are particularly fond of lists there at The Broke and the Bookish. They'd love us to share our lists with other bookish folks and would LOVE to see your top ten lists!

Each week they will post a new Top Ten list complete with one of their bloggers’ answers. Everyone is welcome to join. All they ask is that you link back to The Broke and the Bookish on your own Top Ten Tuesday post AND post a comment on their post with a link to your Top Ten Tuesday post to share.  If you don't have a blog, just post your answers as a comment. 

The topic this week is:

Ten Books We Meant To Read In 2017 But Didn't Get To

Oh, ho, ho do I have SEVERAL of these!  I am so bad at starting books and then leaving them, which I think falls into this category perfectly.  In addition, there are just some books that I got, was really excited about, then never read....so yeah, my bad!

I'm only going over 5, because these were all on my "Current Reads" shelf on Goodreads that I never bothered to finish on time.

 Everything Is Awful: And Other Observations by Matt Bellassai - This was suppose to be the 70th book I read in 2017, then oops, I never finished it.

 Escape from Asylum by Madeleine Roux - At least I finished the Asylum series itself, but with vacation, and the fact I wasn't driving back and forth to work, this audionovella was discarded.

 The Upside of Unrequited by Becky Albertalli - I have only read two pages of this book.  I don't know what my problem is, because I adored Simon Vs. the Homo-Sapiens Agenda.  But I'm going to get this one done, and fall in love!

 Ramona Blue by Julie Murphy - I know, I know, I know, what have I been doing!  I promise that I am going to finish this book, because Julie is an absolute peach and her books should be immensely enjoyed by all!

 Of Fire and Stars by Audrey Coulthurst - I'm almost 50% done with this, and I just am "eh" about it.  I don't want to DNF because it's actually good, I just don't think it's great.  But I do want to finish it out.

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#Spookathon 2017

Reading challenges seem to help get me out of my slumps because they have a deadline attached.  And I have been in one heck of a slump lately.  BUT it is the spookiest time of the year, and my favorite holiday is almost here.  So I hunted for a reading challenge that fits right in with the season, and behold, #Spookathon!

Lala from BooksandLala, Shannon from Bookerly, and Paige from Paige's Pages are hosting the #Spookathon, which runs from October 16 - October 22!  The point is to read some spooky books and have fun!

There are challenges to do for the event, but they are in no way a requirement!  I find the challenges make it even more fun though, so I'm definitely doing them!

For this year, the challenges include:

1. read a thriller 2. read a book with a spooky word in the title 3. read a book based on a childhood fear 4. read a book with orange on the cover 5. read a book that has a spooky setting

So my TBR list is a little ambition for a week to read, especially as I have Junior League things to take care of this week, but I'm optimistic (also I picked two audiobooks, so those will get done quickly) I'll get them all read!

Here's the TBR

  1. Read a Thriller - I chose There's Someone Inside Your House by Stephanie Perkins.  I've heard really great things about this book, and it is a divergence from what I'm use to by Stephanie, so I'm excited to see how creepy it is!

  2. Read a Book with a Spooky Word in the Title - I chose Because You Love to Hate Me: 13 Tales of Villainy edited by Ameriie really just because I wanted to read it, but then it fit the challenge by having 13 Tales of Villainy in the title.  13 is unlucky and villainy implies evil, so they can be spooky!

  3. Read a Book Based on a Childhood Fear - I chose Dark Eden by Patrick Carmen because, while it is not directly about a personal childhood fear, the characters in the book are all being treated for their personal fears.  I thought this would be extra scary because than I'm not just embracing one fear, but multiple fears!

 4. Read a Book with Orange on the Cover - I chose Turtles All the Way Down by John Green, which I realize is not a scary book in the traditional sense.  But it does deal with mental illness, which takes center stage in a lot of psychological thrillers and it is a sort of mystery story as well.  So I think it can squeak into the #Spookathon (plus I was reading it anyway because it's JOHN GREEN!)

 5. Read a Book that has a Spooky Setting - I chose Asylum by Madeleine Roux because, hello, old sanitarium turned dormitories?  That's creepy AF!  I've also been wanting to read this series since the book came out in 2013.

 6. Bonus Book - If I get done with my other 5 books, I chose to add in Anna Dressed in Blood by Kendare Blake.  I've heard it's super creepy and dark, so perfect for a spooky reading challenge.  It's also been sitting on my bookshelf for a while, so I feel like I need to get to it!

So that's my TBR list for #Spookathon!  Are you all participating?  If you are, let me know what you're reading!  If you're not, give me some suggestions for future scary books I might read this month!

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Past. Present. Future. May Edition

This feature highlights the books I've read, the books I'm reading, and the books I'm going to read; just a fun little way to keep track of everything! 

I'd love for you all to join in if you want! Leave me a comment to your post or just let me know in the comment what's your Past. Present. Future. in Books!

PAST:

Riveted by Jay Crownover - I don't really talk about many adult books on this blog, but I do read them.  Specifically, I love romance -- probably my #1 fave adult genre.  And Jay Crownover does romance spectacularly.  Modern, hot, and with a satisfying happily-ever-after, she delivers each time.  Riveted is no exception; Book 3 in her Saints of Denver series, oh man do Church and Dixie sizzle.  Loved it for sure, but for older readers only!

When a Scot Ties the Knot by Tessa Dare - Speaking of romance, here's another I read, well listened to, recently.  I thought getting an audiobook of a romance novel would be weird, but Tessa Dare's writing mixed with the amazing narrator, Carmen Rose, it was super enjoyable.  While I prefer modern romances, I do love to delve into a good historical romance, and this one had such charming leads in Maddie and Logan (Holy God Logan!).  Again, for older readers only!




PRESENT:

One of Us is Lying by Karen M. McManus - I'm typically not a big mystery fan, but when I read the summary of this book, I was intrigued!  I love The Breakfast Club, and this is inspired by that with a murdery twist.  I also had the opportunity to be a part of the blog tour with Rockstar Book Tours, and I am very excited to write my review!  If you're not typically a murder mystery fan, I suggest picking this one up because you'll still really enjoy it!




FUTURE:

More Happy Than Not by Adam Silvera - I have only heard amazing things about this book (all of Adam Silvera's books actually).  This was one of my book club's picks for this year, but unfortunately I missed that month (argh family stuff).  So it is for sure on my TBR list!

If  you've read any of these books, let me know what you thought (but NO spoilers) down below in the comments!

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Waiting on Wednesday (99)

Waiting On Wednesday is a weekly meme, started by Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming/recent releases that we seriously can’t wait to read

Here's my pick for the week:

Chaotic Good

written by Whitney Gardner

Publication Date: March 13, 2018

Soon-to-be senior Cameron hopes to complete her costume portfolio away from the online abuse she has endured since winning a cosplay contest dressed as a character from a game she's never played. Unfortunately, the only comic shop in her new town—her main destination for character reference—is staffed by a dudebro who challenges every girl who comes into the shop.

At her twin brother's suggestion, Cameron borrows a set of his clothes and uses her costuming experience to waltz into the shop as Boy Cameron, where she is shocked at how easily she's accepted into the nerd inner sanctum. Before she can say "Demogorgon," Cameron finds herself drafted into a D&D campaign alongside the dudebro; a friendly (almost flirtatiously so) clerk; a handsome Dungeon Master, and her brother Cooper, dragged along for good measure.

But as her "secret identity" gets more and more entrenched, Cameron's portfolio falls by the wayside—and her feelings for her DM threaten to make a complicated situation more precarious. Cosplay, comic shops, and college applications collide in this geek-girl anthem from You're Welcome, Universe author Whitney Gardner, complete with fully illustrated comic pages from Gardner herself.

(Summary from Goodreads)

I know this book doesn't come out until NEXT year, but I NEED IT!  It sounds exactly up my alley.  I've been a geek my whole life.  I love sci-fi, fantasy, superheroes, comics, video games, tabletop games; anything you think a typical geek is into, I'm probably way into it (Marvel comics), or have dabbled in the scene (D&D for instance).  But the places that hold my near and dear are often the realm of the dudebro who mansplains to me exactly what I already know, or just makes me feel so uncomfortable I have to leave.  Which really sucks!  Luckily, being a seasoned lady, I tell 'em to fuck off, but little middle school/high school Eli was too intimated to even try!

The fact that Cameron uses her cosplay skills to go incognito to her comic book store is so awesome, and a possible solution I would've used if I had any talent in that area whatsoever.  I love books like this, that deal with fandom and the geeky side of things.  I can't wait for this one to hit shelves!

What book are you waiting for?

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Waiting on Wednesday (98)

Waiting On Wednesday is a weekly meme, started by Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming/recent releases that we seriously can’t wait to read

Here's my pick for the week:

Three Sides of a Heart

edited by Natalie C. Parker

Publication Date: December  19, 2017

In this collection, edited by Natalie C. Parker, some of your favorite YA authors tackle the much-debated trope of the love triangle, and the result is sixteen fresh, diverse, and romantic stories you don’t want to miss.

A teen girl who offers kissing lessons. Zombies in the Civil War South. The girl next door, the boy who loves her, and the girl who loves them both. Vampires at a boarding school. Three teens fighting monsters in an abandoned video rental store. Literally the last three people on the planet. 

What do all these stories have in common?

The love triangle.

You may think you know the love triangle, but you’ve never seen love triangles like these.

(Summary from Goodreads)

Uh, this book checks all my yeses off: romance CHECK, love triangles CHECK, anthology CHECK, amazing authors who are mostly women DOUBLE CHECK!  

I love a good love triangle, even when they are frustrating, and I believe these amazing authors, the ladies especially, (Rae Carson, Brandy Colbert, Katie Cotugno, Alaya Dawn Johnson, E.K. Johnston, Tessa Gratton, Garth Nix, Veronica Roth, Sabaa Tahir, Brenna Yovanoff, Renee Ahdieh, Julie Murphy, Justina Ireland, Lamar Giles, and Bethany Hagen) will deliver the goods!

Is it December yet!!!!???  

What book are you waiting for?

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Waiting on Wednesday (97)

Waiting On Wednesday is a weekly meme, hosted at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming/recent releases that we seriously can’t wait to read

Here's my pick for the week:

The Other F-Word

by Natasha Friend

Publication Date: March 7, 2017

A fresh, humorous, and timely YA novel about two teens conceived via in vitro fertilization who go in search for answers about their donor.

Milo has two great moms, but he's never known what it's like to have a dad. When Milo's doctor suggests asking his biological father to undergo genetic testing to shed some light on Milo's extreme allergies, he realizes this is a golden opportunity to find the man he's always wondered about. 

Hollis's mom Leigh hasn't been the same since her other mom, Pam, passed away seven years ago. But suddenly, Leigh seems happy—giddy, even—by the thought of reconnecting with Hollis's half-brother Milo. Hollis and Milo were conceived using the same sperm donor. They met once, years ago, before Pam died. 

Now Milo has reached out to Hollis to help him find their donor. Along the way, they locate three other donor siblings, and they discover the true meaning of the other F-word: family.

(Summary from Goodreads)

 This book sounds like a really interesting take on finding family.  I like all the different aspects that seem to be a part of it: having lgbt parents, being fertilized from a donor, having a half-sibling only related to you through said donor, experiencing the loss of a loved one, and discovering who you are in this great big world.

Can't wait to read this one for sure; this is the kind of contemporary book that I am all about!  

What book are you waiting for?

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Back to School Book Blast [Giveaway]!

I always love this time of the year because it is back to school for most of the U.S!

Back to school as a kid was always my favorite time of year because I got new clothes, new supplies, and best of all, new books!  My parents always let me get two new books to start the year off, and I've kept the habit (nowadays the limit is definitely more than two!).

So as I have some extra copies of some of my favorite books that I got from ALA, I figured I'd share the tradition with all of you in honor of a happy start of the beginning of the new school year.

Now, you don't have to still be in school to enter!  I have been fully done with my Masters for 2 years now, and I still love me some school.  So if you're young, old, graduated, or just starting off, check out the seven books I have in store for one lucky winner to set them up just right for the new school year!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Terms & Conditions

Open only to US residents!

No entries outside of US! 

Must be 13 years old to enter. 

ONE winner will win ALL 7 books

Winner must have a mailing address within the US.

NO P.O. Boxes.

Prize will be mailed out by blog owner.

Eli to the nth claims no responsibility for lost prizes.

Winner will be contacted by email. 

Winner has 48 hours to respond with mailing address.

Mailing address will be deleted upon delivery of box.

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