Saturday, July 30, 2016

Stacking the Shelves #106


Stacking the Shelves button

Stacking the Shelves is a weekly meme hosted by Tynga's Reviews that lets us share what we've added to our shelves.


In the excitement from meeting Victoria Schwab a couple weeks ago, I completely forgot to haul This Savage Song. I had to get both editions since I love the book! Did you guys hear the film rights have been picked up by Sony Pictures? YAY!
 
Ripple and This Savage Song
   
I also won Gena/Finn from Nichole @ Ya Reads. Thank you! This book took quite a trip before it finally reached me lol...

Pickles and Gena/Finn
 
Huge thank you to SMP for Nevernight! I wasn't expecting a finished copy so thank you so much! I am beyond excited <3

Pickles and Nevernight

What did you add to your shelves this week?

Thursday, July 28, 2016

Review: Summer Skin by Kirsty Eagar


Summer Skin by Kirsty EagarSummer Skin
by Kirsty Eagar
February 1, 2016
352 pages


Goodreads Summary:
Jess Gordon is out for revenge. Last year the jocks from Knights College tried to shame her best friend. This year she and a hand-picked college girl gang are going to get even.

The lesson: don't mess with Unity girls.

The target: Blondie, a typical Knights stud, arrogant, cold . . . and smart enough to keep up with Jess.

A neo-riot grrl with a penchant for fanning the flames meets a rugby-playing sexist pig - sworn enemies or two people who happen to find each other when they're at their most vulnerable?

It's all Girl meets Boy, Girl steals from Boy, seduces Boy, ties Boy to a chair and burns Boy's stuff. Just your typical love story.

A searingly honest and achingly funny story about love and sex amid the hotbed of university colleges by the award-winning author of Raw Blue.

 

Wednesday, July 27, 2016

WoW #107: Teach Me to Forget by Erica M. Chapman


Waiting on Wednesday button

Waiting on Wednesday is hosted every week by Breaking the Spine which lets us showcase an upcoming release we are excited about! 


Teach Me to Forget by Erica M. ChapmanTeach Me to Forget
by Erica M. Chapman
December 2, 2016
256 pages

Goodreads Summary:
Ellery's bought the gun, made arrangements for her funeral, and even picked the day. A Wednesday. Everything has fallen into place.

Now all she has to do is die.

When her plans go awry and the gun she was going to kill herself with breaks, she does the one thing she has control over--return it and get a new one. After tormenting the crusty customer service associate by trying to return the gun with the wrong receipt, Ellery gets caught by the security guard who also happens to be someone she knows--the annoyingly perfect Colter Sawyer from her English class.

Colter quickly uncovers her secret and is determined to change her mind. After confessing his guilt over his brother's suicide, he promises not to tell her secret. Ellery tries to fight her attraction to him as the shadows of her past cling tight around her, but when she's faced with another tragedy, she must decide whether her love for one boy is more important than a lifetime of pain.

 
This book sounds incredibly sad but I want to read it.

What are you guys waiting on this week?

Monday, July 25, 2016

Event Recap: Elise Kova and Danielle L. Jensen Signing @ Chapters Metrotown

 
As some of you may already know, I'm a big fan of Elise Kova (author of the Air Awakens series) and Danielle L. Jensen (author of The Malediction Trilogy). Last Saturday they were in Vancouver and did a joint signing at Chapters Metrotown. It was such a surreal experience meeting them!
 
Elise and Danielle at Chapters Metro!
Elise and Danielle at Chapters Metrotown!
 
I was about 20 mins early and they were still setting up so I stood off to the side. And yep, I was the creepy girl who was staring and grinning at them lol. My hubby said they probably don't recognize me but they smiled when they saw me so I took that as a good sign (or they're just being friendly) :P

Danielle and Elise signing <3

I was first in line and after some (internal) squealing followed by speechlessness from me, they started signing my books. I couldn't believe they were right in front of my eyes O.O Anyways I backed off after they were done to let others meet them but I told them I'd be back lol...
 
Fangirling hard ;)
I'm fangirling!
 
After the initial group of people, I got back in line with my cousin who got her books signed and I got some more books signed ;) It was so much fun talking to Elise and Danielle about their books~ They were so generous and down-to-earth (and read and right in front of me!)!

Chatting with Elise and Danielle!
Chatting with Elise and Danielle~

I also got all the hugs!!!! Extra ones for Melissa too <3


ALL the hugs!
HUGS! *squeals*

After I got everything I brought signed, I stuck around and chatted with Elise, Danielle and a couple other readers. We were basically hogging Elise and Danielle's attention #sorrynotsrry Elise drew me a scene from Crystal Crowned! It's very spoilery so I won't share it here but if you want to see, let me know ;)

Elise drawing~
Elise drawing~
 
It was fun meeting new friends! Jenna is a member of the Tower Guard too!  She cosplayed as Vhalla! You guys should follow her @novavandorwolf as well as Rennie @ketsivaun, a fellow AA fan!
 
Tower Guard picture!
Elise with her Tower Guards!
 
It was absolutely amazing getting to meet Elise and Danielle (and Vhalla and Cécile)!! Thank you so much for coming to Vancouver and please come back and visit again <3 <3
 
Me with Elise and Danielle <3 <3

It's giant Vhalla and Cecile!

Saturday, July 23, 2016

Stacking the Shelves #105


Stacking the Shelves button

Stacking the Shelves is a weekly meme hosted by Tynga's Reviews that lets us share what we've added to our shelves.


Indigo Online had a little sale where some Harry Potter things were half price. I have the original copies of these two books but I decided I needed these too XP I had to share this picture because Ripple has the most innocent expression lol. My dad was helping him model ;)

Ripple with Harry Potter books

About two weeks ago I visited the Amazon Bookstore in Seattle. I got The Star-Touched Queen, Summer Days & Summer Nights and The Rose & The Dagger for a really good deal!

Pickles and The Star-Touched Queen, Summer Days & Summer Nights and The Rose & The Dagger

What did you add to your shelves this week?

Friday, July 22, 2016

Review: P.S. I Like You by Kasie West

 
P.S. I Like You by Kasie WestP.S. I Like You
by Kasie West
July 26, 2016
304 pages
 
Goodreads Summary:
What if the person you were falling for was a total mystery?

While Lily is spacing out in Chemistry one day, she picks up her pencil and scribbles a line from one of her favorite songs on the desk. The next day, someone else has written back to her on the desk! Soon enough Lily and the mystery student are exchanging notes, and lyrics, and even sharing secrets. When Lily finds out that her anonymous pen pal is a guy, she's flustered -- and kind of feels like she's falling for him. She and her best friend set out to unravel the identity of the letter writer -- but when the truth is revealed, the guy is the LAST person Lily could have ever imagined it to be. Now that Lily knows the truth, can she untangle her feelings and gather the courage to listen to her heart?

From beloved author Kasie West (The Distance Between Us) comes an utterly charming story about mixed messages, missed connections, and the magic of good old-fashioned secret admirer notes.
 

Wednesday, July 20, 2016

WoW #106: The Replacement Crush by Lisa Brown Roberts


Waiting on Wednesday button

Waiting on Wednesday is hosted every week by Breaking the Spine which lets us showcase an upcoming release we are excited about! 


The Replacement Crush by Lisa Brown RobertsThe Replacement Crush
by Lisa Brown Roberts
September 6, 2016
259 pages

Goodreads Summary:
True love can’t be strategized.

After book blogger Vivian Galdi’s longtime crush pretends their secret summer kissing sessions never happened, Vivian creates a list of safe crushes, determined to protect her heart.

But nerd-hot Dallas, the sweet new guy in town, sends the mission and Vivian’s zing meter into chaos. While designing software for the bookstore where Vivian works, Dallas wages a counter-mission.

Operation Replacement Crush is in full effect. And Dallas is determined to take her heart off the shelf.

 
She's a book blogger! Also the replacement crush sounds cute ;)

What are you guys waiting on this week?

Monday, July 18, 2016

Cover Reveal: Undecided by Julianna Keyes


Undecided Cover Reveal Banner

Today I'm sharing the exciting reveal of the brand new redesigned cover for Undecided by Julianna Keyes! I read and loved the book a couple months ago! You can check out my review HERE and learn more about the book below :D


Undecided
(Burnham College #1)
by Julianna Keyes
April 4, 2016
325 pages


Goodreads Summary:
Nora Kincaid has one goal for her second year of college: be invisible. Last year’s all-party-no-study strategy resulted in three failed classes and two criminal charges, and if she messes up again she’ll lose her scholarship. But there’s one problem with her plan for invisibility, and his name is Crosbie Lucas: infamous party king, general hellraiser…and her new roommate’s best friend.

Crosbie’s reckless reputation and well-known sexcapades aren’t part of Nora’s studious new strategy, but as she’s quickly learning, her new plan is also really boring. When Crosbie’s unexpected gestures of friendship pull her head out of her books long enough to see past his cocky veneer, she’s surprised to find a flawed and funny guy beneath it all. The muscles don’t hurt, either.

But as Nora starts to fall for Crosbie, the weight of one of last year’s bad decisions grows even heavier. Because three failing grades and two misdemeanors are nothing compared to the one big secret she’s hiding…


Proceed to see the new cover ;)

Sunday, July 17, 2016

Event Recap: Victoria Schwab Signing for This Savage Song


Most of you guys know I am a huge Victoria Schwab fan. Back in February I drove down to Seattle for her A Gathering of Shadows signing. It was so great getting to meet and talk to her! When she announced she'd be in Seattle again for her This Savage Song tour, I knew I had to go (again). So last Saturday we drove down to Seattle! My sister and her boyfriend decided to tag along with my hubby and I and we made it into a mini getaway~ 
 
We arrived at the University BookStore about 30mins before the event was scheduled to start. The place was huge and at first I was afraid I was at the wrong bookstore since there were no sign of the signing anywhere. After asking, we were directed upstairs and I saw this beautiful display!
 
Victoria Schwab books!
All the Victoria Schwab books!
 
There were quite a lot of people there already but we found some good seats and settled in to wait for Victoria's appearance. Just before the even started they added more chairs because there was a lot of people!
 
We're the tourists lol....
Happy us (mostly me)~
 
Then right on time a bookstore employee came out to introduce Victoria to the crowd. Victoria steps up to the podium and starts talking about her newest release, This Savage Song. Then she encouraged the audience to speak up and ask her questions. For any one who asks her something, she gave a Human/Monster tattoo. I was lucky enough to have been picked and scored a pair of those precious tattoos. Woohoo! They're looking nice on my bookshelf next to my Victoria Schwab collection ;)
 
Victoria Schwab speaking!
Victoria doing a little Q&A.

I tried to take notes on what Victoria was saying so I can tell you guys but I didn't want to be rude and kept looking down at my phone while she was speaking so I didn't catch everything. Here are a few things I managed to jot down:
 
1. Victoria talked about how she's a connect-the-dot-writer. She has major plot points in mind and then she expands her writing out from there.

2. If she could pick a world to be in she'd pick Red London because she wants magic (me too)! She also said Hogwarts but she would want it to be 6 years before the events of Harry Potter so she can go to school peacefully and graduate before all the craziness starts ;)

3. Her inspiration behind The Archived came from a dance number called Gravity on SYTYCD. It's the perfect depiction of the kind of relationship Mackenzie and Owen had.

4. Vengeful, the sequel to Vicious is set 2.5 years after the ending of Vicious. Some characters are in prison and some are not exactly 'complete'.

5. Victoria's newest book, not part of any of her current series, is coming out in 2018 from Tor. It's called The Invisible Life of Addie Larue (spelling of name not exact). It's set in modern Brooklyn about a girl who made a deal with the devil. She got to live forever but it's in a world where no one remembers her until one day, a boy calls her name. It was inspired by romantic poetry she had read. I'm so frigging excited for this book! The way Victoria described it! Even my sister and her boyfriend wants to read it!!
 
The Q&A lasted about an hour and then the signing started. It was really organized since we went row by row. I was super nervous when I got in front of Victoria. At first I was really quiet and just watched her sign. I wonder if she remembers me? I can only dream :P I gave her the small bottle of maple syrup I brought for her (cause I'm Canadian you know, haha). She said her flatmate likes to cook with maple syrup. Then of course I had to ask her to come to Canada for future signings. She mentioned she's been trying very hard and Tor might let her tour in Canada when A Conjuring of Light releases! I was so excited to hear that! Now I have all my fingers and toes crossed!!!!!

Victoria signing my books~
I was internally fangirling hard.

I was probably begging her to come to Canada lol...
Talking about possible signing in Canada~

I also sort of met Nikki from There were books involved. She was helping Victoria with the signing. Sorry if I was awkward in any way! I was pretty nervous XD Thank you to both Victoria and Nikki were being so friendly and lovely!!

Picture with Victoria Schwab <3
 
Special thanks to my sister's bf for trying to get the special swag for me! And lots of love to my hubby and sister for being my personal photographers <3 <3

Saturday, July 16, 2016

Stacking the Shelves #104


Stacking the Shelves button

Stacking the Shelves is a weekly meme hosted by Tynga's Reviews that lets us share what we've added to our shelves.

 
My first #booksfortrade! Since I'm in Canada where shipping is super expensive, I don't do any trades. But I really wanted to read Wanderlost so I made it work ;) Yay~

Ripple and Wanderlost

Then I went crazy on BookOutlet... I didn't mean to but #sorrynotsorry :P

Pickles with books!

What did you add to your shelves this week?

Thursday, July 14, 2016

Review: Warrior Witch (The Malediction Trilogy #3) by Danielle L. Jensen

 
*Review contains spoilers from the previous books.
 
 
Warrior Witch by Danielle L. JensenWarrior Witch
(The Malediction Trilogy #3)
by Danielle L. Jensen
May 3, 2016
384 pages
 
Goodreads Summary:
The thrilling conclusion to the breakout Malediction Trilogy by Goodreads Choice finalist Danielle L. Jensen.

Cécile and Tristan have accomplished the impossible, but their greatest challenge remains: defeating the evil they have unleashed upon the world.

As they scramble for a way to protect the people of the Isle and liberate the trolls from their tyrant king, Cécile and Tristan must battle those who’d see them dead. To win, they will risk everything. And everyone.

But it might not be enough. Both Cécile and Tristan have debts, and they will be forced to pay them at a cost far greater than they had ever imagined.


Wednesday, July 13, 2016

WoW #105: Bound by Blood and Sand (Bound by Blood and Sand #1) by Becky Allen


Waiting on Wednesday button

Waiting on Wednesday is hosted every week by Breaking the Spine which lets us showcase an upcoming release we are excited about! 


Bound by Blood and Sand by Becky AllenBound by Blood and Sand
(Bound by Blood and Sand #1)
by Becky Allen
October 11, 2016
304 pages

Goodreads Summary:
Jae is a slave in a dying desert world.

Once verdant with water from a magical Well, the land is drying up, and no one remembers the magic needed to keep the water flowing. If a new source isn’t found soon, the people will perish. Jae doesn’t mind, in a way. By law, she is bound by a curse to obey every order given her, no matter how vile. At least in death, she’ll be free.

Lord Elan’s family rules the fading realm. He comes to the estate where Jae works, searching for the hidden magic needed to replenish the Well, but it’s Jae who finds it, and she who must wield it. Desperate to save his realm, Elan begs her to use it to locate the Well.

But why would a slave—abused, beaten, and treated as less than human—want to save the system that shackles her? Jae would rather see the world burn.

Though revenge clouds her vision, she agrees to help if the kingdom’s slaves are freed. Then Elan’s father arrives. The ruler’s cruelty knows no limits. He is determined that the class system will not change—and that Jae will remain a slave forever.

 
I love a good revenge story and this one sounds delicious!

What are you guys waiting on this week?

Monday, July 11, 2016

The Crystal Tour - Exclusive Excerpt & Review: Crystal Crowned (Air Awakens #5) by Elise Kova



Crystal Crowned by Elise Kova
Crystal Crowned
(Air Awakens #5)
by Elise Kova
July 12, 2016


Goodreads Summary:
Long live Solaris.

One bloodthirsty ruler has been overthrown by another, casting the shadow of death over the Solaris Empire. Vhalla Yarl stands upon the stage of fate, prepared to do battle one final time. Fragile alliances will be tested and new bonds will be formed as the world is reshaped. She fights as the champion of peace, but when the night is darkest will she be able to pay the price of a new dawn?


Saturday, July 9, 2016

Stacking the Shelves #103


Stacking the Shelves button

Stacking the Shelves is a weekly meme hosted by Tynga's Reviews that lets us share what we've added to our shelves.


Precious @ Fragments of Life hosted a debut author event and I very luckily won a signed copy of The Marked Girl. Thank you to the author for sending a signed personalized finish copy to me :D

Pickles and The Marked Girl

Kingdom of Ash and Briars made it before the postal strike! Thank you so much to Thomas Allen & Son for the copy. I'm super excited to read it!!
 
Pickles with Kingdom of Ash and Briars

What did you add to your shelves this week?

Thursday, July 7, 2016

Review: This Savage Song (Monsters of Verity #1) by Victoria Schwab


This Savage Song by Victoria SchwabThis Savage Song
(Monsters of Verity #1)
by Victoria Schwab
July 5, 2016
464 pages


Goodreads Summary:
There’s no such thing as safe in a city at war, a city overrun with monsters. In this dark urban fantasy from acclaimed author Victoria Schwab, a young woman and a young man must choose whether to become heroes or villains—and friends or enemies—with the future of their home at stake. The first of two books, This Savage Song is a must-have for fans of Holly Black, Maggie Stiefvater, and Laini Taylor.

Kate Harker and August Flynn are the heirs to a divided city—a city where the violence has begun to breed actual monsters. All Kate wants is to be as ruthless as her father, who lets the monsters roam free and makes the humans pay for his protection. All August wants is to be human, as good-hearted as his own father, to play a bigger role in protecting the innocent—but he’s one of the monsters. One who can steal a soul with a simple strain of music. When the chance arises to keep an eye on Kate, who’s just been kicked out of her sixth boarding school and returned home, August jumps at it. But Kate discovers August’s secret, and after a failed assassination attempt the pair must flee for their lives. In This Savage Song, Victoria Schwab creates a gritty, seething metropolis, one worthy of being compared to Gotham and to the four versions of London in her critically acclaimed fantasy for adults, A Darker Shade of Magic. Her heroes will face monsters intent on destroying them from every side—including the monsters within.


Wednesday, July 6, 2016

WoW #104: Labyrinth Lost (Brooklyn Brujas #1) by Zoraida Cordova

 
Waiting on Wednesday button

Waiting on Wednesday is hosted every week by Breaking the Spine which lets us showcase an upcoming release we are excited about! 
 

Labyrinth Lost by Zoraida CordovaLabyrinth Lost
(Brooklyn Brujas #1)
by Zoraida Cordova
September 6, 2016
339 pages

Goodreads Summary:
Nothing says Happy Birthday like summoning the spirits of your dead relatives.

I fall to my knees. Shattered glass, melted candles and the outline of scorched feathers are all that surround me. Every single person who was in my house – my entire family — is gone.

Alex is a bruja, the most powerful witch in a generation…and she hates magic. At her Deathday celebration, Alex performs a spell to rid herself of her power. But it backfires. Her whole family vanishes into thin air, leaving her alone with Nova, a brujo boy she can’t trust. A boy whose intentions are as dark as the strange markings on his skin.

The only way to get her family back is to travel with Nova to Los Lagos, a land in-between, as dark as Limbo and as strange as Wonderland…

Beautiful Creatures meets Daughter of Smoke and Bone with an infusion of Latin American tradition in this highly original fantasy adventure.


So excited for this one I even joined the Street Team! Can't wait :D

What are you guys waiting on this week? 

Monday, July 4, 2016

Review: Defending Taylor (Hundred Oaks #7) by Miranda Kenneally


Defending Taylor by Miranda KenneallyDefending Taylor
(Hundred Oaks #7)
by Miranda Kenneally
July 5, 2016
304 pages


Goodreads Summary:
Captain of the soccer team, president of the Debate Club, contender for valedictorian: Taylor’s always pushed herself to be perfect. After all, that’s what is expected of a senator’s daughter. But one impulsive decision—one lie to cover for her boyfriend—and Taylor’s kicked out of private school. Everything she’s worked so hard for is gone, and now she’s starting over at Hundred Oaks High.

Soccer has always been Taylor’s escape from the pressures of school and family, but it’s hard to fit in and play on a team that used to be her rival. The only person who seems to understand all that she’s going through is her older brother’s best friend, Ezra. Taylor’s had a crush on him for as long as she can remember. But it’s hard to trust after having been betrayed. Will Taylor repeat her past mistakes or can she score a fresh start?


Sunday, July 3, 2016

Mini Event Recap: Eileen Cook's With Malice Launch @ Chapters Metrotown


Any one who lives in Vancouver, Canada would know that book signings are rare in Canada. Even more so for us on the west coast. So last Friday I was extremely lucky to attend a book event! Eileen Cook celebrated the launch of her latest YA novel, With Malice at my local Chapters store.

Eileen Cook's With Malice!
 
I arrived with a couple minutes to spare and found a seat beside the Raincoast ladies. It was really nice to see some familiar faces (hi Melissa and Fernanda)! The seats started filling up and by the time Eileen came out, all the chairs were taken and people were standing around. Yes a full house!
 
Eileen introduced With Malice to us and the idea behind the story. Then she read two passages from her book. Both of which were great ones that I remember from when I read the book. After that she did a little Q and A session with the audience. I asked her if she ever considered giving Jill partial memories instead of a complete blank. Eileen answered that she did but she liked the idea that Jill didn't know anything. She wanted Jill to have to figure it out like the readers do. She answered various other questions about her editing process and the ambiguous ending to With Malice. I love that she intentionally left it that way. For me it really completed the story. Before she started signing, she did a little giveaway but too bad I didn't raise my hands fast enough haha... XD
 
Eileen answering questions.
 
After the event, I walked around the store and saw these beauties!! They must be preparing for Danielle and Elise's signing in July?! Yayy!
 
Stolen SongbirdAir Awakens!
 
I also stuck some bookmarks into Elise and Paula's books ;) It was fun but I think the sales was eyeing me suspiciously lol...
 

 Overall it was a very fun event. There was a lot of laughter and I'm so glad I went!

Saturday, July 2, 2016

Stacking the Shelves #102


Stacking the Shelves button

Stacking the Shelves is a weekly meme hosted by Tynga's Reviews that lets us share what we've added to our shelves.


Thank you so much to Jamie @ Books and Ladders for sending me The Crown's Game! It was a beautiful story :)

Pickles and The Crown's Game
 
I was so excited to have won a signed copy of Undecided from Shane @ Itching for Books. It was very neat to find out that Julianna Keyes is actually a local author ;)
 
Ripple and Undecided
 
Thank you always to Raincoast Books <3 I got Kiss Cam, Write This Down and Labyrinth Lost for review!

Pickles' haul!!

What did you add to your shelves this week?
Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...