The Liebster Award

I'm very excited to tell you all that I've been nominated for the Liebster Award, an award given by bloggers to recognize other awesome, new blogs! Thank you so much to Cilla @ Paved With Books for nominating me for this award! 

There are a few rules concerning this award: 

• First, if you're nominated, thank the blog who nominated you by linking back.
• Nominate at least 3 bloggers and up to 11 other bloggers you think are worthy of this award. They must have less than 200 followers.
• Answer the 11 questions the blogger you were nominated by left you.
• List 11 other random facts about yourself.
• Leave 11 questions for your nominees.

I'll be nominating the following three people! 

• Sarah's Bookish Blog
• ABookNation
• Foxing Pages

Here are my answers to the 11 questions Cilla left me:

1. What three books are on your must-read list for 2016?

This is such a hard questions, but I think I have to go with Lady Midnight by Cassandra Clare, The Raven King by Maggie Stievater, and The Crown by Kiera Cass.

2. If you had to eat the same food everyday, what would you chose?

I've actually thought about this before, and I'd definitely chose Chicken Pot Pie! I feel like it covers most of the food groups, and it's just loaded in nutrients so I don't, like, die or anything. 

3. What is your favorite thing about blogging? 

My favorite thing about blogging would probably be just all the amazing opportunities you get. I've met so many amazing people, and I've learned so much about the publishing world through my blog. It's really helped me figure out where I want to go with my life, and I'm so happy I mustered up the courage to begin this blog back in October.  

4. What do you prefer: tablet or laptop? 

Laptop- every time. Laptop, laptop, laptop. It's just so much more difficult to navigate a tablet, and mobile websites and apps are never as good as the actual website.  Plus, typing on a computer is much easier. 

5. Noodles or rice? 

Um.  Noodles. Duh. I'm a runner, I have to love pasta.  

6. What book do you always recommend? 

Recently, I've been recommending What We Saw by Aaron Hartzler.  Along with that, I recommend the Mortal Instruments by Cassandra Clare. 

7. Do you have a favorite Disney movie? 

When I was younger, it was the Little Mermaid.  I still love that movie, but I think Inside Out has taken over now.  Oh but the Lion King is good, too.  So is Tangled... ugh this is such a difficult question!

8. What is your comfort food? 

Chocolate.  Is that even a question?  

9. What is your favorite quote? 

I was actually just talking about this with a friend!  I've got different quote categories, and within those categories, I have favorite quotes.

My favorite running quotes would be: 

"I run to add life to my days, not days to my life."

"Pain is just weakness leaving the body."

and 

 "Forget the glass slippers- this princess wears spikes!" 

My favorite inspiration, general quotes are:

"If the whole world was blind, who would you impress?" 

and

"A certain darkness is needed to see the stars."  

My favorite faith related quotes are:

"What if you woke up today with only the things you thanked God for?"

and

"Don't tell God how big the storm is, tell the storm how big your God is."

So, as you can see, I am a lover of quotes!

10. What's the one book you would never, ever read? 
I honestly don't know. I prefer not to limit myself by saying I'll never, ever read something.

11. What's the most important thing you've learned about blogging so far? 
I suppose just that you have to work hard if you want to be rewarded.  Perseverance is a hugely important skill if you want your blog to become successful, and you have to be willing to put in the time and effort.

Here are 11 random facts about moi: 

1. I study French, and I plan on taking it through my entire educational career.

2. I just moved to a new state this summer.

3. I high jump during the track season!

4. I'm really interested in working for a publishing company while writing a bestseller. ;)

5. I love, love, looooove tea.  Specifically floral and herbal teas.

6. My eyes love to change color depending on my mood and what I'm wearing.  They go from blue to green to gray, and are darker when I'm more emotional or angry.

7. I do not believe in love at first sight, because love should be based on one's personality, not appearance.

8. My lucky number is 13. 

9.  So I've got this slight obsession with the cheesecake factory. 

10. According to the Bible, I am distantly related to you. O_o

11.  Black cats are very misunderstood creatures who have been wrongly accused of being unlucky. #StopStereotyping #FreeTheBlackCats

You were nominated? Answer these 11 questions and drop the link to your post in the comments!

1. Why did you start blogging?
2. What's your favorite type of chocolate? 
3. What's your most anticipated release? 
4. How has blogging impacted your life? 
5. Biggest bookish pet peeve? 
6. Do you look up to any bloggers? 
7. What's your best class in school?
8. Your proudest moment? 
9. What are a few quotes you like? 
10. Do you do any sports?
11. Describe your bookshelves/take a picture! 

That concludes my Liebster Award post!  Thank you so much for reading, and if you were nominated, make sure to link your post!  I look forward to reading all your responses.  

Books I Haven't Read?!

When it comes to our TBR lists, I think we all have a handful of books that we're utterly ashamed of having not read yet.  Here's a list of the top ten books I've yet to read!

1. Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins

I have heard about these books over and over and over again, yet I still haven't actually read them.  I own Anna and the French Kiss.  There is literally no excuse for why I haven't read that book yet, but as you can see, it remains in the TBR pile.

2. We Were Liars by E. Lockhart

I don't really know anything about this book other than that it's really sad, but I still know that I want to read it.  It's quite a popular book- maybe I can still catch the We Were Liars train? 

3. Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor

I know that this book series has gotten mixed reviews, but it's still something I feel like I should've read by now.  And, after reading the synopsis, it sounds like a really cool, unique read.  

4. A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas

Number one: I've heard nothing but good things about this book. Number two: Sarah J. Maas. Number three: Sarah J. Maas. I absolutely adore Sarah J. Maas' writing style, and I'd really like to read more by her.

5. The Grisha Trilogy by Leigh Bardugo

Now, it is my understanding that the Grisha Trilogy is not all that good, but Six of Crows is supposedly fantastic.  I own Six of Crows, and I'd really like to read it.  That's why the Grisha Trilogy is so high up on my list.  Plus, I'd really like to be able to actually agree with people when they talk about these books.  I've never read them, so my opinion isn't all that valid.

   

6. To All the Boys I Loved Before by Jenny Han

I'm not the biggest contemporary reader, so when I see a contemporary that sparks my interest, chances are I'll like it.  To All the Boys I've Loved Before sounds like the most brutally hilarious, horrifying read, and I'd really like to pick them up. 

   

7. The Diviners by Libba Bray

The Diviners takes place in one of my favorite time eras, and it's gotten great reviews. I feel like so many people have read this book already, and I want to know what it's all about! 

    

8. Heir of Fire + Queen of Shadows by Sarah J. Maas

Like I said earlier, I love Sarah J. Maas' writing.  The fact that I haven't finished what's completed of this awesome series kills me.  Plus, Crown of Midnight leaves off on a bit of a cliff hanger, so I should've rushed to get Heir of Fire as soon as I could. 

9. Through the Dark by Alexandra Bracken

This one might be the book I'm most ashamed of not having read yet. The Darkest Minds Trilogy is one of my all time favorite book series ever, and yet, I have not read the novella bind up yet.  What's worse is that this bind-up is supposed to be really good, unlike many bind-ups we see. 

    

10. Unravel Me + Ignite Me by Tahereh Mafi

Finally, we have the final two books in the Shatter Me trilogy.  I've read Shatter Me, and I enjoyed it.  I don't know why I haven't gotten around to actually finishing the series, but I haven't. This is just another one of those really popular series that I have failed to keep up with.


So those were my top ten unread books!  Thanks for reading, and let me know what some of your most shocking unread books are! Do we share any?

Illuminae

Title: Illuminae
Authors: Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff
Genre: YA Science Fiction
Pages: 599
Rating: 5 Stars
Purchase this book:
Amazon • Barnes & Noble • Book Depository

Earlier that day, Kady broke up with her boyfriend, Ezra.  How silly it was for her to think something like a break up was so dramatic, considering that afternoon, her planet was invaded by an evil spaceship. When Kady and Ezra are put onto separate research ships after being attacked and fleeing their planet, the two realize that petty fights are insignificant in the course of time. Sort of like how each human is but a single soul existing until they don't.  But Kady doesn't want to just exist.  She wants to be remembered.  

---

This is one of the best books I've ever read.  I was physically incapable of picking up another book for a while after finishing Illuminae.  

The cool thing about this book is that it's not told in your typical novel format, with chapters and paragraphs.  Instead, it's a book filled with files, emails, instant messages, articles, interviews, surveillance camera feed records and many other mediums.  I've never read a book that's anything like this, and it was really neat to read.  

On top of the format being super unique and different, the plot line was absolutely captivating.  It dragged me in from page one, and I literally couldn't put it down.  It takes place in the year 2575, so it's very futuristic.  The idea of what the world would be like in 5 centuries is something we can only guess at, and I think it was cool to see the new technology the authors created.  

All the aspects of the book played together very well.  The authors obviously researched a lot, as there was nothing left untouched when it came to the science involved in anti gravity and living on a spaceship.  Plus, there was biological warfare of sorts, which was very thought out and added a sense of urgency and mystery to the plot.

The storyline added to the two characters madly in love, and the beautiful typography and images found in the book made for something unlike anything ever written, and I'm so incredibly glad I read Illuminae. 

It's rather difficult to put into words how amazing and powerful this book is, and I think that might be because the book itself isn't written entirely in words.  Simply put, Illuminae is something "out of this world". 

Passenger

Title: Passenger
Author: Alexandra Bracken
Genre: YA Science Fiction
Pages: 486
Rating: 5 Stars
Purchase this book:
Amazon • Barnes and Noble • Book Depository 

Etta Spencer has given up everything to become a professional violinist, and with her official debut just weeks away, she won't let anything get in between her and dream. But when fate takes hold of Etta's life, she finds herself thrown into a world she never knew existed.  A world filled with rival families, legal pirates, and time travel.  

---

This book was fantastic!  Time travel is such a hard topic to write about, and there are plenty of authors who have attempted the subject.  Alex Bracken has most definitely done the best job with it, as far as I've read.  She walks the reader through it slowly, not skipping or rushing through any aspects or details, and she makes it as simple as possible without it being too simple or allowing excessive paradox. With her lovely writing style and history of creating just the most lovable characters, you won't be disappointed by Alex's newest creation.

The first thing I really enjoyed about this book was simply the protagonist, Etta.  Firstly, she's a violinist.  I myself am immersed in the music world, and so I found that I was really able to connect to Etta's character right off the bat.   But even if you aren't a musician, Etta is a very relatable character.  She is sent through this epic adventure through time and history, all across the world.  Obviously, the customs, rules, and laws of the people centuries ago are different than they are now.  Since we the readers are from the same time era as Etta, we're able to understand just how she feels about the different encounters from the past, because we feel the same way.  Etta's reactions to every inconsiderate, or unusual comment or event makes us react the exact, same way.  On top of that, Etta's just a really strong, passionate female lead, and it's difficult not to love her. 

The relationships we see develop are unique and new.  Of course, you can only expect that coming from a book where our main character meets many people from many different time eras.  Seeing her interact with such a diverse group of people was captivating, interesting, and at times: hilarious.  

Passenger is really just a fun read.  Getting to go back in time with Etta is rather eye opening.  Sure, the dialogue and exact details of the scenes are most different from what really happened at the time, but it's still so exciting and fun to look right into the world- hundreds of years ago. 

So if you want a sci-fi time travel story done right, written by my favorite YA author ever, Passenger is the perfect book.  Plus, it just seems like the type of book to curl up with on a cold, winter night!