Friday 31 January 2014

No Books Allowed - January 2014


Welcome to No Books Allowed. This is a monthly feature hosted by me, used to discuss things things in life which aren't connected to books. This post can be used to talk about days out, music, TV, video games, films etc for all those book bloggers out there who do occasionally do stuff other than read and go to book events!

Who Wore It Better #2 - A Million Suns

Who Wore It Better is a meme created and hosted by Nitzan at The Book Babes Read and co-hosted here on Beautiful Bookish Butterflies by Amanda and Stacie. We don't talk about clothing or fashion and we definitely don't talk frills and spills, we talk books and their covers and who we think has the best. This week, Amanda's talking about the covers for A Million Sun, the second book of the Across the Universe trilogy. She hasn't yet gotten to the second installment and is still seriously considering..

Monday 27 January 2014

Book Review - Dark Star

Dark Star
Author: Bethany Frenette
Series: Dark Star #1
Genres: Paranormal, Urban Fantasy | Young Adult
Release Date: 3rd September 2013
Publishers: Disney Hyperion
No. Pages: 384
Source: Gifted
Rating: 
Buy From: Amazon | Book Depository | Barnes and Noble | Waterstones
Audrey Whitticomb has nothing to fear. When your mother is the most powerful superhero in the Twin Cities, it’s hard not to feel safe. But when Audrey is lured into the night air by something most definitely not human, the time for feeling safe is over.

Now Audrey knows the truth: her mom doesn'’t just stop criminals. She fights Harrowers.. merciless beings who were trapped Beneath eons ago. Some have managed to claw their way into our world, and they want Audrey dead because of who she is: one of the Kin. There is some good news, though. Audrey has powers of her own. Being able to read someone else’s mind and glimpse the future can be very useful. If she’s able to get close enough to Patrick Tigue, a powerful Harrower masquerading as human, she could use her Knowing to figure out his next move.

But it won'’t be easy, not if Leon, her mother’s bossy, infuriatingly attractive sidekick has anything to do with it. Lately, he hasn'’t let Audrey out of his sight. When an unthinkable betrayal puts Minneapolis in terrible danger, Audrey discovers a wild, untamed power within herself. It may be the key to saving herself, her family, and her city. Or it may be the force that destroys everything, and everyone she loves.

Friday 24 January 2014

Book Review - The Geography of You and Me

The Geography of You and Me
Author: Jennifer E. Smith
Standalone
Genres: Contemporary, Travel | Young Adult
Release Date: 15th April 2014
Publishers: Poppy
No. Pages: 337
Source: Review Copy - Poppy
Rating:
Buy From: Amazon | Book Depository | Barnes and Noble | Waterstones
Lucy and Owen meet somewhere between the tenth and eleventh floors of a New York City apartment building, on an elevator rendered useless by a citywide blackout. After they're rescued, they spend a single night together, wandering the darkened streets and marveling at the rare appearance of stars above Manhattan. But once the power is restored, so is reality. Lucy soon moves to Edinburgh with her parents, while Owen heads out west with his father.

Lucy and Owen's relationship plays out across the globe as they stay in touch through postcards, occasional e-mails, and -- finally -- a reunion in the city where they first met.

A carefully charted map of a long-distance relationship, Jennifer E. Smith's new novel shows that the center of the world isn't necessarily a place. It can be a person, too.

Thursday 23 January 2014

Book Review - Dreamless

Dreamless
Author: Josephine Angelini
Series: Starcrossed #2
Genres: Mythology, Urban Fantasy | Young Adult
Release Date: 5th July 2012
Publishers: MacMillan
No. Pages: 503
Source: Purchased
Rating: 
Buy From: Amazon | Book Depository | Barnes and Noble | Waterstones
As the only scion who can descend into the Underworld, Helen Hamilton has been given a nearly impossible task. By night she wanders through Hades, trying to stop the endless cycle of revenge that has cursed her family. By day she struggles to overcome the fatigue that is rapidly eroding her sanity. Without Lucas by her side, Helen is not sure she has the strength to go on.

Just as Helen is pushed to her breaking point, a mysterious new Scion comes to her rescue. Funny and brave, Orion shields her from the dangers of the Underworld. But time is running out. A ruthless foe plots against them, and the Furies' cry for blood is growing louder.

As the ancient Greek world collides with the mortal one, Helen's sheltered life on Nantucket descends into chaos. But the hardest task of all will be forgetting Lucas Delos.

Monday 20 January 2014

Book Blogger or Booktuber

Bookish Musings is a feature here at Beautiful Bookish Butterflies that allows one of us to share our thoughts and opinions, talk and discuss things happening in the book and blogging community or share a personal book related issue we have. Today, Amanda is talking about the Pro's and Cons to starting a Book Blog or a Booktube Channel. Many people consider which would be best for them and I've known a few people, including myself, whom would have loved to know the pro's and cons before hand, so lets takes a look.

Friday 17 January 2014

Book Review - The Distance Between Us

The Distance Between Us
Author: Kasie West
Standalone
Genres: Contemporary | Young Adult
Release Date: 2nd July 2013
Publishers: Harper Teen
No. Pages: 320
Source: Gifted
Rating: 
Buy From: Amazon | Book Depository | Barnes and Noble | Waterstones
Seventeen-year-old Caymen Meyers studies the rich like her own personal science experiment, and after years of observation she’s pretty sure they're only good for one thing - spending money on useless stuff, like the porcelain dolls in her mother’s shop. So when Xander Spence walks into the store to pick up a doll for his grandmother, it only takes one glance for Caymen to figure out he’s oozing rich. Despite his charming ways and that he's one of the first people who actually gets her, she's smart enough to know his interest won't last. Because if there’s one thing she's learned from her mother's warnings, it’s that the rich have a short attention span. But Xander keeps coming around, despite her best efforts to scare him off. And much to her dismay, she's beginning to enjoy his company.

She knows her mom can’t find out - she wouldn't approve. She'd much rather Caymen hang out with the local rocker who hasn't been raised by money. But just when Xander's attention and loyalty are about to convince Caymen that being rich isn't a character flaw, she finds out that money is a much bigger part of their relationship than she'd ever realized. And that Xander's not the only one she should've been worried about.

Thursday 16 January 2014

Who Wore It Better #1 - Daughter of Smoke and Bone

Who Wore It Better is a meme created and hosted by Nitzan at The Book Babes Read and co-hosted here on Beautiful Bookish Butterflies by Amanda and Stacie. We don't talk about clothing or fashion and we definitely don't talk frills and spills, we talk books and their covers and who we think has the best. This week, Amanda's talking about the covers for Daughter of Smoke and Bone, the first book of the Daughter of Smoke and Bone trilogy. She hasn't yet read the series, but after admiring these covers, she's definitely planning on it..

Book Review - And We Stay

And We Stay
Author: Jenny Hubbard
Standalone
Genres: Contemporary | Young Adult
Release Date: 28th January 2014
Publishers: Delacorte Press
No. Pages: 240
Source: Review Copy - Delacorte Press
Rating: 
Buy From: Amazon | Book Depository | Barnes and Noble | Waterstones (Audio)
When high school senior Paul Wagoner walks into his school library with a stolen gun, he threatens his girlfriend Emily Beam, then takes his own life. In the wake of the tragedy, an angry and guilt-ridden Emily is shipped off to boarding school in Amherst, Massachusetts, where she encounters a ghostly presence who shares her name. The spirit of Emily Dickinson and two quirky girls offer helping hands, but it is up to Emily to heal her own damaged self.

Wednesday 15 January 2014

DNF Book Review: Anything To Have You

Anything To Have You
Author: Paige Harbison
Standalone
Genres: Contemporary | Young Adult
Release Date: 7th February 2014
Publisher: MIRA Ink
No. Pages: 368
Source: Review Copy - Mira Ink
Rating:
Buy From: Amazon | Book Depository | Barnes and Noble | Waterstones
Nothing should come between best friends, not even boys.
ESPECIALLY not boys.

Natalie and Brooke have had each other's backs forever.
Natalie is the quiet one, college bound and happy to stay home and watch old movies. Brooke is the life of every party, the girl everyone wants to be.
Then it happens - one crazy night that Natalie can't remember and Brooke's boyfriend, Aiden, can't forget. Suddenly there's a question mark in Natalie and Brooke's friendship that tests everything they thought they knew about each other and has both girls discovering what true friendship really means.

Tuesday 14 January 2014

A Confession From Your Blogger

Personal Pickings is a feature here at Beautiful Bookish Butterflies that allows one of us to approach subject personal to us that has no link or connection to our bookish endeavors. Today, Amanda is confessing something quite personal to her and advises that people whom are sensitive to mental illness issues to not continue reading this post.

Sunday 12 January 2014

Book Review/Author Interview: Bloody Secrets

Bloody Secrets
Author: Jackie Trippier Holt
Series: Dirty Monsters #2
Genres: Contemporary, Paranormal | Adult
Release Date: 31st January 2013
Publishers: Book Snuffler Publishing
No. Pages: 124
Source: Purchased
Rating: 
Buy From: Amazon | Book Depository | Barnes and Noble | Waterstones
"1st November. Venue: Bournemouth."

I thought everything was going well. Despite their natural apprehension, the troupe has been performing spectacularly well – so much so that the Hallowe'en acts prompted a visit from one of our forefathers, Mr Harvey Burfoot. The veil between life and death is, after all, thinnest at Samhain.

"It was a heady evening! My guard down, I accidentally mentioned my plan, explaining how it would give Burfoot's Circus security and space to develop our skills. The idea was not completely disregarded, so I have high hopes. While I still have not discovered who is borrowing The History and presumably reading it, I'm certain I soon will. Also, the townies accused us of stealing their wallets. I've no idea if this is true. There was an unpleasant scene as we packed up to leave for Blandford Forum, diffused thanks to my taking charge, with help from Bridget's spells and The Boy's natural charm.

I'm sorry to report that not sure how to hesitant to repeat not sure what happened after that but one of the performers has run away left us. She packed in the night and has apparently gone back to the Real World, knowing what the penalty is for desertion.

"Harvey, if you're reading this, please don't hurt her."

Thursday 9 January 2014

Book Review - Jessie Hearts NYC

Jessie Hearts NYC
Author: Keris Stainton
Standalone
Genres: Contemporary | Childrens, Young Adult
Release Date: July 2011
Publishers: Orchard Books
No. Pages: 255
Source: Purchased
Rating: 
Buy From: Amazon | Book Depository | Barnes and Noble | Waterstones
Jessie's just arrived in New York, hoping to forget about her awful ex.
New Yorker Finn is in love with his best friend's girlfriend.

They might be perfect together, but in a city of eight million people, will they ever find each other?

Wednesday 8 January 2014

From Hobby to Snobby

Bookish Musings is a feature here at Beautiful Bookish Butterflies that allows one of us to share our thoughts and opinions, talk and discuss things happening in the book and blogging community or share a personal book related issue we have. Today, Amanda is talking about admiting to wanting to change things she's been on her blog. The post that inspired this one was on Cuddlebuggery by Steph, and she talked about how blogging has become less of a hobby and more like an unpaid job, catered to entertaining other bloggers, which reminded me of my blogging journey, which reminded me of something I did as a child and it's heartbreaking to see the resemblance between the two..

Monday 6 January 2014

Book Review - The Immortal Rules

The Immortal Rules
Author: Julie Kagawa
Series: Blood of Eden #1
Genres: Dystopian, Vampires | Young Adult
Release Date: 24th April 2012
Publishers: Harlequin Teen
No. Pages: 485
Source: Purchased
Rating: 
To survive in a ruined world, she must embrace the darkness…

Allison Sekemoto survives in the Fringe, the outermost circle of a walled-in city. By day, she and her crew scavenge for food. By night, any one of them could be eaten. Some days, all that drives Allie is her hatred of them—the vampires who keep humans as blood cattle. Until the night Allie herself dies and becomes one of the monsters.

Forced to flee her city, Allie must pass for human as she joins a ragged group of pilgrims seeking a legend—a place that might have a cure for the disease that killed off most of civilization and created the rabids, the bloodthirsty creatures who threaten human and vampire alike. And soon Allie will have to decide what and who is worth dying for… again.

Enter Julie Kagawa's dark and twisted world as an unforgettable journey begins

Sunday 5 January 2014

Book Review - The Selection

The Selection
Author: Kiera Cass
Series: The Selection #1
Genres: Dystopian, Romance | Young Adult
Release Date: 24th April 2012
Publishers: Harper Teen
No. Pages: 336
Source: Borrowed
Rating: 
For thirty-five girls, the Selection is the chance of a lifetime. The opportunity to escape the life laid out for them since birth. To be swept up in a world of glittering gowns and priceless jewels. To live in a palace and compete for the heart of gorgeous Prince Maxon.

But for America Singer, being Selected is a nightmare. It means turning her back on her secret love with Aspen, who is a caste below her. Leaving her home to enter a fierce competition for a crown she doesn't want. Living in a palace that is constantly threatened by violent rebel attacks.

Then America meets Prince Maxon. Gradually, she starts to question all the plans she's made for herself--and realizes that the life she's always dreamed of may not compare to a future she never imagined.

Friday 3 January 2014

Bookish Musings - Reading goals.

Bookish Musings is a feature here at Beautiful Bookish Butterflies that allows one of us to share our thoughts and opinions, talk and discuss things happening in the book and blogging community or share a personal book related issue we have. Today, Stacie is talking about some reading goals she's set herself, what books she would like to get around to and why

New Years Resolutions

Bookish Musings is a feature here at Beautiful Bookish Butterflies that allows one of us to share our thoughts and opinions, talk and discuss things happening in the book and blogging community or share a personal book related issue we have. Today, Amanda is talking about her New Years Resolutions.

Thursday 2 January 2014

Book Review - Unearthly

Unearthly
Author: Cynthia Hand
Series: Unearthly #1
Genres: Paranormal, Angels | Young Adult
Release Date: 4th January 2011
Publishers: Harper Teen
No. Pages: 435
Source: Gifted
Rating:
In the beginning, there's a boy standing in the trees... Clara Gardner has recently learned that she's part angel. Having angel blood run through her veins not only makes her smarter, stronger, and faster than humans (a word, she realizes, that no longer applies to her), but it means she has a purpose, something she was put on this earth to do. Figuring out what that is, though, isn't easy.

Her visions of a raging forest fire and an alluring stranger lead her to a new school in a new town. When she meets Christian, who turns out to be the boy of her dreams (literally), everything seems to fall into place and out of place at the same time. Because there's another guy, Tucker, who appeals to Clara's less angelic side.

As Clara tries to find her way in a world she no longer understands, she encounters unseen dangers and choices she never thought she'd have to make between honesty and deceit, love and duty, good and evil. When the fire from her vision finally ignites, will Clara be ready to face her destiny?

Unearthly is a moving tale of love and fate, and the struggle between following the rules and following your heart