Literary Junkies

Its time for Literary Junkies!  I love linking up with Taylor and Lesley and sharing what I've been reading!

This month’s questions:

1) What are you currently reading? Tell us about it!

2) How many books have you read this year? Do you set reading goals for yourself?

3) What do you think are the best and worst book-to-movie/TV show adaptations?

4) What is the first line of your favorite book?

5) What’s your favorite quote from a book?

Here are my answers:
1. What are you currently reading? Tell us about it!
Well, right now I am at the in between space where I just finished a book but haven't started another. 

I just finished Extras by Scott Westerfeld which is the final book in the Uglies series.  These books were...ok. I lost steam about halfway through the second book but had to finish the series! Extras was a bit better than the other but for the simple fact that it supplied the reader with more information about the way these people live.

I am getting ready to start Pandemonium by Lauren Oliver and am so so excited!  Delirium (the first in the series) blew me away!  Plus, left me scrambling to the library for the next after that cliffhanger!  Here is what Goodreads has to say (if you haven't read Delirium there will be spoilers!)

I’m pushing aside 
the memory of my nightmare, 
pushing aside thoughts of Alex, 
pushing aside thoughts of Hana 
and my old school, 
push, 
push, 
push, 
like Raven taught me to do.
The old life is dead.
But the old Lena is dead too.
I buried her.
I left her beyond a fence,
behind a wall of smoke and flame.

Lauren Oliver delivers an electrifying follow-up to her acclaimed New York Times bestseller, Delirium. This riveting, brilliant novel crackles with the fire of fierce defiance, forbidden romance, and the sparks of a revolution about to ignite.

2) How many books have you read this year? Do you set reading goals for yourself?

I never started setting reading goals until I became a member of Goodreads.  Not only can I easily keep track of all the books I have read but setting a goal keeps me reading!  So far this year I have read 118 books!  I have been lucky enough to find great books and have had lots of free time!

3) What do you think are the best and worst book-to-movie/TV show adaptations?

ha well the worst has got to be The Host!  I could barely contain my laughter BUT it was a hard adaption and Im not sure how else they could have done it.
The best...eh. I dont think any movie adaption comes close to what the book offers.

4) What is the first line of your favorite book?
Too many to pick!!

5) What’s your favorite quote from a book?

"Books may well be the only true magic" Alice Hoffman

"A university is just a group of buildings gathered around a library" Shelby Foote

Literary Junkies

Yay!  Its Literary Junkies time! I love linking up with Taylor & Lesley to share some books I'm loving!

Here are this month’s questions:

1. What are you currently reading? Tell us about it.
2. Autumn is coming! What’s your go-to drink when curling up with a book at night?
3. Printed books vs. e-books: What are the pros and cons of each?
4. Buying books vs. library books: Which do you prefer and why?

Here are my answers:

1. What are you currently reading? Tell us about it.
I just finished City of Fallen Angels by Cassandra Clare. It was...ok? I was actually really disappointed because I have LOVED the entire series up until this book.  I felt like this book was all about relationship angst between Jace & Clary and Alec & Magnus and even Simon & Isabelle & Maia. Ugh.  It was too much love drama and not enough actual plot. Here's what Goodreads says:

The Mortal War is over, and sixteen-year-old Clary Fray is back home in New York, excited about all the possibilities before her. She's training to become a Shadowhunter and to use her unique power. Her mother is getting married to the love of her life. Downworlders and Shadowhunters are at peace at last. And - most importantly of all - she can finally call Jace her boyfriend.

But nothing comes without a price.

Someone is murdering Shadowhunters who used to be in Valentine's Circle, provoking tensions between Downworlders and Shadowhunters that could lead to a second bloody war. Clary's best friend, Simon, can't help her. His mother just found out that he's a vampire and now he's homeless. Everywhere he turns, someone wants him on their side - along with the power of the curse that's wrecking his life. And they're willing to do anything to get what they want. At the same time he's dating two beautiful, dangerous girls - neither of whom knows about the other one.

When Jace begins to pull away from Clary without explaining why, she is forced to delve into the heart of a mystery whose solution reveals her worst nightmare: She herself has set in motion a terrible chain of events that could lead to her losing everything she loves. Even Jace.

Love. Blood. Betrayal. Revenge. The stakes are higher than ever in City of Fallen Angels.

..........................................................................................................................................

I also just started the second book in the Last Survivors series, The Dead and the Gone. I am very excited to get into this book, I LOVED the first one. Since I am literally on page 5 I will let Goodreads tell ya about it: 

Susan Beth Pfeffer’s Life as We Knew It enthralled and devastated readers with its brutal but hopeful

look at an apocalyptic event--an asteroid hitting the moon, setting off a tailspin of horrific climate changes. Now this harrowing companion novel examines the same events as they unfold in New York City, revealed through the eyes of seventeen-year-old Puerto Rican Alex Morales. When Alex's parents disappear in the aftermath of tidal waves, he must care for his two younger sisters, even as Manhattan becomes a deadly wasteland, and food and aid dwindle.

With haunting themes of family, faith, personal change, and courage, this powerful new novel explores how a young man takes on unimaginable responsibilities.

2. Autumn is coming! What’s your go-to drink when curling up with a book at night?
Hot chocolate!  And sometimes hot apple cider! Yum!

3. Printed books vs. e-books: What are the pros and cons of each?
I like both but love printed books the best. I like the convenience of e-books for traveling but honestly I mostly end up just playing with the apps.  I have a Nook color which has a lot of tablet features but my favorite is that it actually has color! It seems more sophisticated than the Kindle. Nothing can top a real, printed book though.  The new book smell, the crack of the spine, the sound of turning the pages.  The best!
4. Buying books vs. library books: Which do you prefer and why?
The library and I are best friends.  I love that I can request books online and go pick them up or just casually stroll through the shelves.  I usually only buy books that I have read or big series.  I also get a ton of my books second hand from Goodwill.  I have found entire series at Goodwill for a fraction of the price!

Okay, so those are my answers. Now it’s your turn to link up! 

Literary Junkies

I am super excited to be linking up with Taylor for Literary Junkies!  I am a big big reader so when I find other people that love books as much as I do, I get a little giddy!


Join in on the fun and create your own post answering the following questions! Don’t forget to link your post below!

1. What are you currently reading? Tell us about it!
The Murmurings by Carly Anne West
   

This book is exactly what the cover promises, creepy!  Sophie's sister Nell started hearing the voices when she was really young which eventually landed her in a psychiatric facility. Everyone assumes Nell just went crazy, everyone except Sophie. After Nell commits suicide, Sophie starts to piece together the events leading up her death but ends up with more questions than answers. Then Sophie starts to hear the whispers, is she going crazy too?

2. What is one book you think every person should read at least once in their life? Why?
Harry Potter. Period.

3. Do you think you could ever write a book? If so what genre would it be?

I would LOVE to write a book. I used to write a lot when I was in high school but the habit kind of fell away as I got older.  If I was to write a book it would definitely   be of the Young Adult genre

4. Do you listen to audiobooks? Do you look for the same things in an audiobook that you do in one you’ll read?

I have just recently jumped on the audiobook bandwagon. I have to drive about 45 minutes to school every other day so this has been the perfect time to start! 

5. Can you suggest a book of each type for others to try:

Fantasy – No suggestion

Nonfiction – I'm not super into nonfiction so I don't read it very often. The last one I read, way back in April was The Secret Lives of Wives:Women Share What it Really Takes to Stay Married.  

Fiction – The Time Between by Karen White

Romance – Sorry I got nothing for ya

Classics – The Great Gatsby

Young Adult – All Sarah Dessen.

Happy Weekend + A Book Lovers Survey

So obviously I've been living under a rock because I just discovered this whole world of book bloggers, including Jamie from The Perpetual Page Turner.  Ok well she recently did this fun survey all about her favorite books and I wanted to join in!

Here is a terrible, super grainy picture of my bookcases

Author you've read the most books from:

Kate Brian. I feel like her books only half count because they are such easy reads and so short. My second most read author is Tess Gerritsen. She writes the Rizzoli & Isles series, great crime novels!

Best Sequel Ever:

uh Harry Potter?  Of course.

Currently Reading:

City of Glass. I am way behind the times when it comes to Cassandra Clare but her books are amazing!  I cant seem to put any of them down!

Drink of Choice While Reading:

Lately its been Mimosas since I don't get the chance to pick up my book until the end of the day.

E-reader or Physical Book?

Physical book.  I have a Nook Color that I adore but I mostly just use it when I am traveling and cant bring along 4-5 books.  There is really nothing like holding a book, smelling the paper and hearing the page turn.

Fictional Character You Probably Would Have Actually Dated In High School:

Patch from the Hush Hush series. Dark and mysterious..a little on the side of crazy, my ideal guy in high school!

Glad You Gave This Book A Chance:

Beautiful Lies by Jessica Warman  Wow this book blew me away!  I had never heard of the author but randomly picked this up from the library and boy am I glad I did!

Hidden Gem Book:

A Mango-Shaped Space by Wendy Mass  This book sat on my to read list for years before I finally got around to reading it. Its such a beautiful and interesting story, its now one I read over and over. 

Important Moment in your Reading Life:

Discovering Goodreads <<<  Agreeing with Jamie. I fell off the reading wagon a couple years ago for no real good reason.  My friend told me about Goodreads and it reintroduced my into the world of reading. I will be forever grateful!

Just Finished:

Bad Girls Don't Die by Katie Alender

Kinds of Books You Won’t Read:

History. As informative as they are, they are so dry! I cant make it through the first chapters.

Longest Book You've Read:

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix,  870 pages.

Major book hangover because of:

Most of Sarah Addison Allen's books. Her books are just so magical!

Number of Bookcases You Own:

2 really tall ones.  Although the second one is quickly being filled!

One Book You Have Read Multiple Times:

A Mango-Shaped Space.

Preferred Place To Read:

Bathtub!  I take a bath every night, its my favorite place to relax and catch up on reading.

Quote that inspires you/gives you all the feels from a book you've read:

"Books may very well be the only true magic." Alice Hoffman

Reading Regret:

Probably the reading hiatus I took a couple years ago.  It seriously put me behind and I really missed out on some wonderful stories (that I now have to catch up on)

Series You Started And Need To Finish(all books are out in series):

The Hunger Games. I LOVED the first book, tolerated the second, and couldn't get around to even picking up the third.  I even bought it!  Eventually I will read it...I hope!

Three of your All-Time Favorite Books:

The Horse Whisperer by Nicholas Evans

  Savages by Don Winslow

Wildflower Hill by Kimberley Freeman

Unapologetic Fangirl For:

Gossip Girl. I read these books in high school (and was obsessed). Then the show came out and the obsession continued.  I need to reread!

Very Excited For This Release More Than All The Others:

Allegiant by Veronica Roth  I am a newby to dystopia but I read these books back to back and couldn't put either of them down! 

Worst Bookish Habit:

Oh boy.  Dog earing pages, always returning my books late to the library, starting and not finishing....

X Marks The Spot: Start at the top left of your shelf and pick the 27th book:

Little Bee by Chris Cleave  This is one that I picked up on a whim at Goodwill but haven't gotten around to reading yet!  If you've read it, let me know how you liked it!

Your latest book purchase:

The Pretty Little Liars series. Only a couple more to go!

ZZZ-snatcher book (last book that kept you up WAY late):

The Book of Broken Hearts by Sarah Ockler This not only kept me up late reading but I cried my eyes out!  Such a beautiful story!

Summer Reading

Hello everybody!  I hope all of you are having a great weekend!  

One of my favorite things to do is to read.  I have always been a huge reader, choosing to delve into the worlds in my books instead of staying in my own. Somewhere along the way, I lost the love I had of reading. I'm not sure what happened, maybe my life got too busy or I forgot what a joy it is to crack the spine on a new book and smell its rich pages. I've recently rediscovered this love and its grip on my heart is as strong as ever.  

I wanted to start sharing books that I have enjoyed with some of you. Also, some books that are on my too read list!  Maybe some of you will discover your new favorite book!

Books I Loved

The Moon and More by Sarah Dessen

And Then I Found You by Patti Callahan Henry

The Time Between  by Karen White

Breathless by Jessica Warman

Books to Read

The Book of Secrets by Elizabeth Joy Arnold

The Mourning Hours by Paula Treick DeBoard

Big Girl Panties by Stephanie Evanovich

The Life List by Lori Nelson Spielman

What books have you been reading this summer?  I LOVE finding new books and would love to hear your favorites!

The best way to keep track of all too read books as well as books you have already read I use Goodreads.  I highly recommend it!! You can follow along with my evergrowing book list here.