T5W: Books Featuring Paranormal Creatures

Top 5 Wednesday is a great Goodreads group with a new topic each week. Check out my original post for more information! This week's Top 5 Wednesday is Books Featuring Paranormal Creatures. Here is the previously mentioned paranormal creature topic. This topic will revolve around one type of paranormal creature of your choice. So books featuring vampires, werewolves, shapeshifters, demons, fae, zombies, etc. 

I have changed this weeks up a bit to include paranormal creatures in general as I didn’t do the other topics this month. I have included witches, wizards, supernatural humans, demi-gods, and more!

1. Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo
First, I haven’t finished this book. I love it, but I am just not reading. It’s horrible! But, what I’ve read so far I love the characters in this book and all of their quirky characteristics. This is my first Leigh Bardugo book and I am so hapy I finally picked one up. I had to return this to the library, but once my reading mojo is back I think I will just pick this one up from the bookstore.

2. The Heir Chronicles by Cinda Williams Chima
I have ready book one, The Warrior Heir, so far and love the take on witches, wizards, and the like. The two different sides, Red Rose and White Rose, are so intriguing. I loved the magical tournament idea and look forward to reading the rest of this series.

3. Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard
I don’t want to give much away, so I will stick with what is summarized on Goodreads. Reds are commoners living in a Silver world where they have god-like superpowers. A young red is thrown into the Silver Palace without knowing what’s going to become of her. I really enjoyed this series and recommend it to all those who want to read about a young heroin looking to fix the segregated world.

4. Percy Jackson and the Olympians by Rick Riordan
What list of paranormal creatures would be complete without Percy Jackson and his world of creatures. I love all of Rick’s work and mythology in general. I love the fast paced story line and the young heroes and heroines in these books.

5. House of Night by P.C. Cast
Lastly, I had to include vampires. I think the House of Night is very under-hyped. I think more people would love this series if they were to pick it up. I read this a few years ago and haven’t kept up with the new releases, but in total there are 12 books in the series. This serious shows the challenges of young vampires living in a mixed world of human and vampire. The characters attend a vampire school and deal with their own world of problems.

Honorable mentions, Harry Potter by J.K. Rowling and Vampire Diaries. I figured that Harry Potter was a given and I shouldn’t use it. But I mean who doesn’t love all of the paranormal creatures, witches and wizards in Harry Potter? I didn’t include Vampire Diaries because I haven’t actually read the books, but I have watched the TV series and LOVE it.

What are some of your favorite books featuring paranormal creatures?

Review: The Adventurers Guild

Title: The Adventurers Guild (The Adventurers Guild #1)
Authors: Zack Loran Clark and Nick Eliopulos
Release Date: October 3, 2017
Page Count:320
Genre: Middle Grade Fantasy
Rating: 4.5/5

"Few ever asked to join the Adventurers Guild. . . . Their members often died young."

Summary:
Freestone, one of the last cities standing, is surrounded by Dangers. The city uses guilds to keep everything running smoothly The least favored guild, The Adventurers Guild, has been known to turn up missing or injured members. They are the ones responsible for keeping the city safe and venture out into the trees to gather supplies. Nobody wants to be part of this guild, but they get to draft whomever they choose. When Zed and Brock find themselves part of this guild, they uncover a conspiracy they never thought could be true. It will take everything they have to save their city.

First Thought
When's the second one releasing!

First, thank you NetGalley and Disney Hyperion for the ARC. Second, thanks for leaving me in suspense for book 2 before this one is even published.

I really enjoyed the world building and suspense in this book. The story goes at the perfect pace and provides a dual perspective of an adventure unlike any other. It's a great introduction to fantasy with elves, dwarfs, and magical creatures. My favorite parts of this book have to be the characters and relationships built. I thought the two main characters, Zed and Brock, were perfectly different. They showed the power of teamwork when things get rough and playing to eachother's strengths.

I would recommend this to the Percy Jackson/Harry Potter loving reader. I can't wait for the second installment!

T5W: Books to Read Without the Synopsis

Top 5 Wednesday is a great Goodreads group with a new topic each week. Check out my original post for more information!

This weeks topic is Books to Read Without the Synopsis. We all know that some synopsis writers spoil events that happen halfway through the book or have heard reviewers say "its best to go into this one blind." Discuss those books.

This was incredibly hard for me for two reasons. First, I usually read books I have heard about around the book community. Second, my memory is horrible! But here are 5 books to just dive in and read. I won't be putting any information for these, because well, you should just go read them! I do want to add that any and all sequels should be on this list.

1. Ready Player One by Ernest Cline
2. The Sun is Also a Star by Nicola Yoon
3. The Maze Runner by James Dashner
4. A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman
5. The Warrior Heir by Cinda Williams Chima

What books would you add? Did you post a T5W, link below!

Review: The Warrior Heir

Title: The Warrior Heir
Author: Cinda Williams Chima
Page Count: 426
Genre: YA Fantasy
Controversial Topics: Segregation
Rating: 4/5

“Just remember who you are... The world will try to change you into someone else. Don't let them. That's the best advice anyone can give you.”

Summary
Jack thinks he’s just another nerdy kid doing his best to get through school. His main worry, making the soccer team. He never realized the world he was born into. Jack is a wizard or a warrior, who can really know with his experimental surgery and all.

First Thought
OMG, seriously!

So, it took me longer than it should have to read this book. I would read a few pages and get mad and not want things to happen so I would close the book and scream! I was happy to say I was in my car on lunch at work when I swore out loud. I knew something was happening with two of the characters, but I didn’t want to believe it.

This magical world was exactly what I needed. The two different roses fighting over a warrior was intriguing. The history of the families and the meaning behind the weapons were thrilling. I am excited to read the next book in the series.

This was recommended by a co-worker and was my first read by this author. I have already picked up the second and third books. However, I might need an emotional break from them first.

T5W: Classes Based on Books/Characters

Top 5 Wednesday is a great Goodreads group with a new topic each week. Check out my original post for more information!

This weeks topic for Top 5 Wednesday is Classes Based on Books/Characters

It's back to school season, so let's discuss some classes you'd like to take either based on books or based on characters' skills. I ENCOURAGE YOU TO NOT USE HARRY POTTER, because that is too easy. You are supposed to make up your own classes. For example, you could use How to Dismantle a Dystopian Regime for The Hunger Games or Archery 101 with Katniss.

1. The Hacker Life 101 – Illuminae by Amie Kaufman
Professor: Kady Grant
Take a trip on a ship to evacuate the planet and learn how to hack into the web of data to find the truth. Learn to use friends and enemies to find the answers you seek.

2. How Not to Start a Hiking Trip – Wild by Cheryl Strayed
Professor: Cheryl Strayed
Learn how to take your crumbling life and learn about yourself while hiking the PCT. This course will show what not to do when you start hiking for the first time in your life. Learn from real life experiences.

3. Love Triangle: The Basics – Twilight by Stephanie Meyer
Professor: Bella Swan
Interested in two completely different men? Want to have both? Learn how to split your attention and keep both men waiting for you.

4. Hosting a Tea Party – Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll
Professor: Mad Hatter
How to have a mad and thrilling tea party. Enough said.

5. Surviving Social Awkwardness – The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion
Professor: Don Tillman
Are you a socially awkward individual? Do you wish you could fall in love? Join this course to understand what people expect you to say and not say.

What an interesting school this would be! 

T5W: Books from Before You Joined

Top 5 Wednesday is a great Goodreads group with a new topic each week. Check out my original post for more information!

This weeks topic for Top 5 Wednesday is Books from Before you Joined________. These are some of your favorite books from before you joined the online book community, whether that be booktube, goodreads, blogs, bookstagram, twitter, tumblr, etc.

1. Harry Potter Series by J.K. Rowling – This is a given. I have grown up with Harry Potter. The first book, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone was published in 1997 when I was 9. I remember reading each book as they were published. I grew with the characters and have very fond memories reading them. Then, going to every movie with my dad when they came out in theaters. Even the last few when I was moved out of the house, we made it a date to go together.

2. 1984 by George Orwell – This was a required reading in high-school. I think I've re-read the book 3 or 4 times since then.

3. Percy Jackson Series by Rick Riordan – I loved Rick’s first books in the world with Camp Half-Blood. I didn’t join the book community until 2013 and not actively until the past year or so.

4. Twilight Series by Stephanie Meyer – I have to say these books and the House of Night series got me back into reading after college destroyed my love for it.

5. Berenstain Bears by Stan and Jan Berenstain – Yes, these were my favorite children's books. I think we had them all! I loved reading these with my sister and brother. We used to play school and I read them as a teacher.

What is on your list? Comment below!

Review: The Sun is Also a Star

Hey everyone! It's been a hot minute since I last posted a book review. I have been in a killer reading slump. But, I think I am doing better. So, I have decided to revamp my reviews a bit and shorten them to more of a chatty review. Let me know what you think. 

Title: The Sun is Also a Star

Author: Nicola Yoon

Page Count: 348

Genre: YA Contemorary, Romance, Fiction

Controversial Topics: Inter-racial relationships, illegal immigration

Rating: 3/5 stars

"If people who were actually born here had to prove they were worthy enough to live in America, this would be a much less populated country"

Summary

Two young people with a busy day ahead of themselves find each other running into one another throughout the day. Is it coincidence or fate? Natasha, a complete science/facts person, is being deported within 12 hours and Daniel, the hopeless romantic/dreamer, has an interview to determine his entire future. How will the next 12 hours play out? 

First Thought

Well it wasn't Everything, Everything. 

I know I shouldn't automatically judge this book based on Nicola Yoon's other book, but I do. I was really hoping that the mixed reviews were wrong and I'd love this more than the other. I think the unlikeliness that two young people would have "insta-love" in 12 hours really threw me off. 

I did enjoy the POV's of others within Natasha and Daniel's lives. I think I was more attached to side characters though. I just wasn't fond of Natasha and her crusty attitude. Daniel, the hopeless romantic, was an easy to love character. I felt the character development had so many holes and really could have been amazing. I was also completely expecting the ending... can't say more about that.

"Maybe part of falling in love with someone else is also falling in love with yourself."

Now, don't get me wrong, it is a cute contemporary and I don't regret the read. It was light and I enjoyed it. I wouldn't purchase this book for my collection, but it's worth a rental at the library. 

Have you read The Sun is Also a Star? What were your thoughts on it? Post any reviews below, I'd love to check them out. 

Read-A-Thon ALERT (08/21/7 - 08/27/17)

Did you hear? There’s a read-a-thon happening this week on Goodreads! Lindsay is hosting the read-a-thon via a Goodreads group. Head on over and join in the fun. There aren’t any specific challenges or goals, but everyone is adding their own. I have been in such a reading slump I hope this helps me get out of it!

Here are my very light goals for the week (08/21/17-08/27/17):

1. Read at least 800 pages.
2. Read a book by a new to me author.
3. Read every day.

Do you have any reading goals, reading slump suggestions, or read-a-thon tips? Check out my tips posted during the Dewey’s 24-Hour Read-a-thon a while back. 

T5W: Character's Fitness Routines You Want

Top 5 Wednesday is a great Goodreads group with a new topic each week. Check out my original post for more information! 

This week's topic is Character's Fitness Routines You Want! Think super powers, adventures, and athleticism. Here are my top 5. 

1. Quidditch - Harry Potter by J.K. Rowling: I would want to be a Seeker! Or any player of a Quidditch team to be honest. I mean who wouldn’t love flying around on a broom chasing a ball? Yes please!!

2. Camp and Battles - Percy Jackson by Rick Riordan: I’d love to workout at Camp Half Blood. Learning to battle, capture the flag, and all the other camp sports. How fun?!

3. Workout Sitting - Ready Player One by Ernest Cline: Sit in a chair and workout in a video game. That would be the lazy way out, but I would enjoy it. P.S. Movie adaptation is coming out next year!

4. Hiking - Wild by Cheryl Strayed: It would be such an adventure to walk the Pacific Crest Trail. I’d make sure I had the right shoes though. (If you've read it you know what I mean)

5. Running - Maze Runner by James Dashner: The runners are amazing! They run through the maze all day long without tiring. Like seriously, I can’t even run a block. 

Do you have any other fitness routines that you would want to have? Post them below. Also, link up your post for T5W in the comments.

Been MIA

Hello fellow book peeps! I have been completely out of the book world for the past few months. I haven't been reading even. Terrible I know! I've been in a serious rut. I am hoping to jump back in head first the next few weeks. If you all have suggestions for getting out of a reading slump... please let me know!