Top 5 Series I Want To Start/Finish In 2016

I have gotten, what feels like, so far behind on my series reading! There is so much I am just dying to dive into and so little time to do it! So here is a list of the top 5 series I want to start and finish this year. I am not going to lie, it feels so weird doing this considering I used to never read anymore than the first book in a series...weirddd (PS. There may be so a few to many exaggerations, but its hard to dampen my excitement.)

Series I want to start

1. Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling 

I mean lets be real, its a tragedy that I haven't read this series yet.

 (Once this post is up I will have read the first two books though)

2. Throne Glass series by Sarah J. Maas

Everyone raves on and on about how good this series is and I just cannot wait to dive on into it! I already have the first book and it's killing me to just see it sit there on my bookshelf.

3. Legends Saga by Stacey Rourke 

When I read the first book in this series, Crane, at the beginning of 

the year I absolutely loved it and I just can't wait until I to read 

the rest of it, sadly I believe the other two books are only in 

ebook form...so...may be awhile.

4. Immortal Instruments series by Cassandra Clare

I am going to be honest, in 2015 I tried twice to read the City of Bones and so 

far I just haven't been able to get into it. Crossing my fingers that this

 is the year I actually finish it. 

5. Mistborn series by Brandon Sanderson

The Mistborn series is one of those series that I know very little about but 

am so anticipating the read! I've been trying to avoid spoilers about this series like the plague. 

Series I want to finish

1. Lunar Chronicles by Marissa Meyer 

As I have mentioned before, this is one of my favorite series. 

I have a whole post about it so I wont say much here but can't 

believe how much has happened in this series. (By the time this is posted I will have actually finished the series)

2. A Song of Ice and Fire series by George R. R. Martin 

Craziest bunch of books I have ever read! I haven't even read books 

4 and 5 yet but if they are anything like the first 3 than I know I will

be far from disappointed. Oh, I can we just talk about the fact that 

Martin needs to finish the 6th book already. Like, damn. 

3. The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis

For such a short series I can't believe how long it is taking me to 

get through this. I've wanted to read the series for so long it almost 

bothers me that it is taking so long. *sigh*

4. The Winner's Trilogy by Marie Rutkoski 

I read the Winner's Curse last summer and thought it was such 

a good read. So far I feel like this series is going to have a lot of

both fighting and romance and I'm definitely looking forward to 

both of those!

5. Red Rising Trilogy by Pierce Brown 

HOLY SH*T. Red Rising had me on the edge of my seat, hanging on

 to every word and nothing I can say will compare to how great of a read it 

actually is. The anticipation I have to get a hold of the other two books

 is crazy. - review

Yes Please Book Review

Yes Please by Amy Poehler

“Saying “yes” doesn’t mean I don’t know how to say no, and saying “please” doesn’t mean I am waiting for permission.” - Amy Poehler, Yes Please 

My opinion of this books is probably a little bias but I just freaking love Amy Poehler. She is one of my all time favorite women in Hollywood and I am so happy to have finally picked her book up. It made me laugh, it made me cry, it put me through a mild existential crisis. I couldn't ask for anything more!

 As always she was genuine, honest, and hilarious all at once, without shying away from discussing the darker sides of life, but she approaches them with hope and an uplifting spirit, always being the optimist. She really gets into the fact that she isn't a perfect person but that she is who she is and that's something everyone has to learn to live with. Her ideas on haw everyone has a currency was so refreshing and really highlights how down-to-earth she is as a person. Even when she is talking about sad or more serious issues she always manages to add in her own quirk and sarcastic tones. 

One of the tings that really brought the book together fro me is when she talks about events and shows she has been on because I can imagine her in those roles. For example, she dedicates an entire chapter to what is was like being on the show Parks and Recreation and what it meant to her; she even adds a little bit about all the main people in the show. This definitely filled me with emotions because that is one of my all time favorite shows and to hear her talk about how she was filming the last season while writing the book was definitely something. She also talks a lot about Tina Fey in the book which was so great considering the two of them are my all time favorite comedy duo. I had never known that they knew each other for so long and through so much, it really puts into perspective what true friendship is like. 

Also, I just have to mention on the pictures and quote pages in the book. They really help put you into her shoes plus its a good laugh to see her pre-stardum. Go Amy, keeping it real since before I was born *insert thumbs-up here*  (5/5) 

Unpopular Bookish Opinions

We all have those books that we really want to love along with everybody else but no matter how hard we try we just can't.

1. Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn
It is so hard for me not to like this book. The concept was incredible and the psychopathic tendencies of both spouses were entertaining in themselves but for some reason the book as a whole was in some ways so painful to finish. I knew within the first 100 pages that this was not a book for me and I struggled to finish it. This will probably be the only Gillian Flynn book I ever read.

2. Twilight series by Stephanie Meyer
One thing I can say in regards to this series is that it is definitely one of those books that I feel everyone has an opinion on. I read all of the books in this series when I was in middle school and the only one I can safely say I enjoyed was The Short Second Life of Bree Tanner. But the other ones felt a little dragged on to me. The story line was poorly executed and the writing style was just not for me, however, I do understand why so many people enjoyed this series.

3. Life as We Knew it by Susan Beth Pfeffer
This is probably one of the most boring books I have ever read. Again, I believe it had an interesting concept and I really like the cover of the book but I just could not get into it no matter how hard I tried. The only thing I really liked about the book is how the author really got into what it would be like if the moon got knocked closer to earth; explaining everything from weather to gas to food supplies.

4. If I Stay by Gayle Forman 
In so many ways this was a beautiful story but that was all there really was for me. I feel like it was an idea that has been done a lot and the author never really got into depth with the characters. I dis kind of enjoy the end but the whole entire middle section was just not to my liking.

5. Miss Peregrines Home For Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs 

Okay, I get that so many people absolutely love this book and the series as a whole, and I agree, it is a really good series. I mean, I've only read the first two but I do really want to read the third one. Anyways, it is not the whole series I have a problem with, it is literally just the first book that I am not really crazy for. I feel like all it did was build and build but nothing huge really happened in it, like an extended beginning. BUT I will say that I really enjoyed the second book (though still not my favorite) and I hope that the third one is even better. 

 

2016 Book Goals

So in the year of 2015 I, for the first time ever, participated in the Goodreads reading challenge (I think that is what is called). My goal in the year of 2015 was 52 books and I have definitely exceeded that goal. Considering I only just got into reading this year I am very proud of the fact that I have made it to 69 books, which includes everything from exceedingly long high fantasy books all the way to quick passed manga. I must say that I am so happy that I decided to challenge myself to finally read all the unread books on my bookshelf, and start reading series that I have been wanting to get my hands on.
In the year of 2016 I definitely plan on amping up my reading game and actually try to read 60 books! Which is going to be exciting because there are a lot of series I plan on starting/finishing, eg. Throne of Glass, The Winners Trilogy, A Song of Ice and Fire, and so much more. I can already tell that my reading challenge next year is going to be better than this year because there are so many amazing books I plan on reading. I do hope that I will be able to read more than 60 books, but I do have plans to move cross country, go back to school, and start a new job in the up coming year so I can already tell that this new year is going to be something interesting.

Top 5 Favorite Fandoms

Top 5 Wednesday was created by gingerreadslainey (YouTube, Goodreads) and if you would like to join, here is the link for the Goodreads group with all the information. Anyways, who doesn't like a good fandom? Everyone has a guilty pleasure and I believe participating in fandoms is one of the best kind. 

5. Game of Thrones 

So I actually feel kind of weird putting this as one of my favorite fandoms considering I have never watched any of the episodes, but the books are freaking amazing. Like no joke, some of the best books I have ever read, in fact I have mentioned John Snow more than once in some of my other posts. And my anticipation for the last two books in the series is so strong, George Martin is killing me right now. 

 4. Lord of the Rings 

I've seen the movies for this trilogy like a million times, but it wasn't until this year that I actually sat down and read the books and I am SO happy that I did. They are so much better than the movies and actually make me love Pippin' even more (yes, he is by far my favorite character) the only downfall in regards to the books opposed to the movies is that I don't get to stare at a blonde, elven Orlando Bloom. 

3. The Office 

Jim and Pam are by far my all time favorite tv couple. I cannot get enough of them, fun fact when I first watched this series I had a thing for John Krasinski, but I digress. This series always manages to make me laugh (and cry), it is so great and I can't speak enough kindness about it. 

2. Parks and Recreation 

Amy Poehler is one of my all time favorite people and all my goals. I love every single character in this show and Ben Wyatt is basically my spirit animal. This show is so good and I love how it is funny and at the same time emotional and serious. So many amazing things happen and I would give anything for my life to turn out as great as any of the characters in this show. 

1. Supernatural 

This show has been my favorite show of all time for pretty much ever and is probably one of the most emotional shows I have ever watched in my entire life. Its so dynamic and really gets into how hard it is to live in the grey area of life in regards to what is right and what is wrong. Everyone in the cast does such an exceptional job and even in real life I love all of them (I mean have you seen their families? serious life goals right there). I could go on and on about this show but I truly feel like you have to watch some of it before you really make your own opinion on it. #AlwaysKeepFighting

Red Rising Book Review

Red Rising by Pierce Brown

I have been wanting to read this book since it came out and I am so happy I finally picked up. It took me longer to get into it than I thought, i.e. part one was kind of confusing, but once the book starts to pick up the pay-out is so worth it.
Part one of the book is a little bit confusing in that there are a lot of things introduced in a short period of time. You meet the main character Darrow, as well as his wife and family, also you are introduced to the world they live in and their culture (I suppose that's the best way to describe it).
The rest of the book is kind of crazy. So much happens in this book and they really get into what happens all of them are feeling and what golds have to go through to get to where they are in the book now. The institute that he is striving to get to (which he obviously gets into) end up being an animal he was in no way expecting.
The war strategy in this book is pretty damn crazy, I was in no way expecting it to be as intense as it was. Because this book was nominated and the second book in the Red Rising Trilogy, Golden Son, won the Goodreads Choice Award for Science Fiction (2015), I thought this was going to be a heavy science fiction book but the fantasy and dystopian was definitely just as prevalent. Also, all the side notes of Roman gods and earthen history added so much to everything that was happening. Overall this book in no way disappointed and it is most definitely one of my favorite books I read all year. 4.5/5

Dec. Wrap-Up and Jan. TBR

Must say that I am a little disappointed in the fact that I wasn't able to finish more than two books this month, BUT I am so happy that I got to spend two weeks with my best friend (who lives on the other side of the country as me) and the holidays with my family.

December Wrap-Up

1. A Book of Spirits and Thieves (Spirits and Thieves #1) by Morgan Rhodes 
2. Red Rising (Red Rising #1) by Pierce Brown

January TBR

1. Winter (Lunar Chronicles #4) by Marissa Meyer 
2. Crane (The Legends Saga #1) by Stacey Rourke 
3. The Horse and His Boy (Chronicles of Narnia #3) by C.S. Lewis 
4. Blood and Snow (Book 1: A Snow White Re-imagining) by RaShelle Workman 

Anticipated Releases of 2016

1. The Winds of Winter (A Song of Ice and Fire #6) by George R.R. Martin?????
   In some places it shows that it will be coming out in 2016 but there isn't an official release date yet, but regardless my fingers are crossed that it will be coming out sooner rather than later. 
2. The Darkest Magic (Spirits and Thieves #2) by Morgan Rhodes 
3. The Raven King (The Raven Cycle #4) by Maggie Steifvater 
4. Heartless by Marissa Meyer
   Alice and Wonderland retelling? I might die. 
5. Untitled (Untitled #1) by Marissa Meyer
   New series by one of my favorite authors!!
6. The Hidden Oracle (The Trials of Apollo #1) by Rick Riordan 
7. The Fever Code (The Maze Runner #0.6) by James Dashner 
8. The Winner's Kiss (The Winner's Trilogy #3) by Marie Rutkoski
9. Lady of Midnight (The Dark Artifices #1) by Cassandra Clair 
10. Stars Above (The Lunar Chronicles #0.5, 0.6, 1.5, 3.1, 3.6) by Marissa Meyer
    Not one for reading novellas but I love this series so much that I may make an exception. 
11. And I Darken (The Darken Series #1) by Kiersten White 
12. The Muse of Nightmares by Laini Taylor
13. Passengers (Passengers #1) by Alexander Bracken 
14. Crooked Kingdom (Six of Crows #2) by Leigh Bardugo
    I still haven't read the first book yet but I feel like I am going to love it.
15. Untitled standalone  by Stephanie Perkins
    Based on Scream with no supernatural killer just an average knife wielding maniac? Yes, please. 
16. The Reader (Sea of Ink and Gold #1) by Traci Chee
17. This Savage Song (Monsters of Verity #1) by Victoria Schwab
18. The Forbidden Wish by Jessica Khoury
19. Revenge and the wind by Michael Modesto 
20. The Great Hunt by Wendy Higgins 
21. Stealing Snow (Stealing Snow #1) by Danielle Page 
22. Paper and Fire (The Great Library #2) by Rachel Caine 

Favorite Reads of 2015!

So I know that there is a Top 5 Favorite Books of the Year for the goodreads Top  group, but I was having so much trouble only choosing 5. Besides, choosing the order is just too hard. The struggles.
(PS. The order is based on the order I read them throughout the year)

•  Cinder (The Lunar Chronicles #1) by Marissa Meyer
  I have never really been one for cyborgs and such like that, in fact, as a rule, i never read books with them, but this has got to be the biggest exception to that rule EVER! Blew me away how she mixed someone like Cinderella with cyborg qualities. 
•  A Game of Thrones (A Song of Ice and Fire #1) by George R.R. Martin
  Everyone I know has basically been raving over how totally incredible this tv series is so I thought it would be a good idea to pick the books up first and I am so happy I did. Probably one of the best first book in a series I have ever read. 
• Scarlet (The Lunar Chronicles #2) by Marissa Meyer 
• Cress (The Lunar Chronicles #3) by Marissa Meyer 
• The Winner's Curse (The Winner's Trilogy #1) by Marie Rutkoski
  Got to love a good story of an enslaved civilization breaking free of its 'master'. This book took turns I wasn't expecting and I am so happy I decided to pick it up. Plus the romance was so ridiculous I can't not like it. 
• The Two Towers (The Lord of the Rings #2) by J.R.R. Tolkien
  This is such a classic series. There are obviously some problems I found within this series but I have to say that the second book was so incredible. I love the multiple perspectives as the fellowship slowly separates and all the incredible world building within the series as a whole. 
• A Storm of Swords (A Song of Ice and Fire #3) by George R.R. Martin
  The best book in the series so far. I can't get over all that is happening in this series, but this book made me go through some serious emotional turmoil. SO MANY FEELS. I can't even count the amount of times I wanted to either hug or stab a character. 
• Relentless (Relentless #1) by Karen Lynch
  This book surprised me in so many ways. I found it as a free eBook on my Kindle and thought I would give it a try. Because it was a free eBook I wasn't expecting anything particularly memorable about it, but holy...it was something else. Such a fun and relatively quick read. I cannot wait to read the next books 
• A Book of Spirits and Thieves (Spirits and Thieves #1) by Morgan Rhodes
  I'm not going to say much here, check out my review. 
• Red Rising (Red Rising #1) by Pierce Brown
  This book was freaking incredible, I was not expecting it to be nearly as intense as it was but that just made it so much better!

Top 5 Favorite Fairy Tale Retellings

Fairy tale Retellings are some of my all time favorite stories to read. I absolutely love a good twist on an old classic.

1. Lunar Chronicles by Marissa Meyer

I am not going to say much because I already wrote a post about the first three books in this series. But wow, it really is so great. (PS, I havent actually read Winter yet but I have read Fairest) 

2. Fairest by Gail Carson Levine

A take on Snow White, taking place in the same world as Ella Enchanted. This book is definitely for younger audiences but it was my favorite book in middle school and I still love it today. 

3. A Curse Dark As Gold by Elizabeth C. Bunce

A twist on Rumpelstiltskin by the Brothers Grimm. Such an incredible story of family, riches, love, and what one is willing to sacrifice for all of it. 

4. Splintered Series by A.G. Howard

Spin-off on Alice's Adventures in Wonderland. The book takes place around Alyssa Gardner who's ancestor is Alice Liddell. This book has curses, destiny and one hell of a love triangle. Such a fun read.

5. Depravity (Beastly Tales #1) by M.J. Haag

A take on Beauty and the Beast. I was not expecting the way this story went and how well and slowly it built up. My only complaint is that I wish the three part series was one large book instead of three individual ones. (PS. I have only actually read Depravity but I do plan on finishing the series)

Favorite Holiday Reads!

So not all of these are directly related to Christmas but they all put me in the holiday spirit! We all know that the holidays are coined to be the 'Happiest Time of the Year', a time spent with friends, family, and loved ones. All of these stories are close to my heart, especially during the holiday season. Especially the Polar Express because I believe that if magic exists, the holidays are proof of it.

"Holi-day a restoring thing, which, by a blast of magic, turns man into himself."
 -G.K. Chesterton 

A Book of Spirits and Thieves Book Review

 A Book of Spirits and Thieves by Morgan Rhodes

This is the first book I have ever read by Morgan Rhodes so I will admit that I had some pretty high expectations, however, this book in no way let me down! This book takes place from 3 perspectives (Crystal, Farrel, Maddox), and shows how two different worlds connect; Mytica and Toronto.
The beginning of this book was a little slow for me and it actually took me the first 60 or so pages just to get into it, but after that I practically couldn't put it down, in fact the last half of the book had me so hooked I didn't put it down. I will admit that there were some parts that were pretty predictable, and a few of the minor characters could have had some more substance. But, the world building and the differences in character personalities among the main characters make up any of the lacking elements. The writing style was nice and the characters were all so interesting to follow in their own way. Some of the outcomes I did not see coming, and there were things that I swore that were coming to happen but turned a way I would not have predicted. The Society aspect of this was so intriguing itself, and everyone within the society, as well as all the society itself, left me wanting to know more. The book as a whole was a great begging to series and makes me want more Morgan Rhodes. (Motivation to finally pick up the Falling Kingdoms series) I absolutely cannot wait for the next book to come, especially considering this one left you with a bit of a cliff hanger. 4.5/5

Top 5 Series I Want To Start Next Yea

Top 5 created by gingerreadslainey
Goodreads group: https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/118368-top-5-wednesday

1. Harry Potter by J.K. Rowling
I mean come on, this is a must read!


2. Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Mass
I literally hear about this book everywhere and I am dying to know what the hype is all about


3. Falling Kingdoms by Morgan Rhodes
A Book of Spirits and Thieves is so freaking good, I need more!


4. The Bone Season by Samantha Shannon
I don't know much about this series but I here so many good things about it and I am in the mood for something new.


5. The Mortal Instruments by Cassandra Clare
I have tried to start this series so many times I don't know what to say....