The Harry Potter Tag

Cassie @ Zombie Goddess Beauty has sorta re-vamped the Harry Potter tag by collecting 18 questions from around the Internets in one tag, so naturally, I had to participate! You can check out her answers HERE, and mine below:

1) What House Are You In?

Gryffindor! This is the house I always felt I belonged in, and it's also the house I was sorted into on Pottermore.

2) What Is Your Patronus?

Well....according to Pottermore my Patronus is a wild boar. I am slightly miffed by that, however. If I could choose, I'd rather it be a wolf.

3) What Is Your Wand?

Once again, per Pottermore, my wand is English Oak wood with a Unicorn hair core, 11 inches & with slightly springy flexibility. I'm quite pleased with it.

4) What Would Your Boggart Be?

Probably somewhere along the lines of Molly Weasley's boggart, by seeing the bodies of those I cared about.

5) What Position Would You Play In Quidditch?

For sure a keeper. It just seems like a fun, and somewhat realistic, position for me to play.

6) Would You Be A Pure-Blood, Half-Blood, or Muggle Born?

I feel like I'd be muggle born, but with wizarding blood far, far down the line (like too far for me to know that I have it). 

7) What Job Would You Want To Have After You Graduate From Hogwarts?

Oh, definitely an Auror! I'm a bad-ass that way.

8) Which Of The Deathly Hallows Would You Choose?

The invisibility cloak. How could I choose anything else?! Think of all the adventures that would await me!

9) Favorite Book?

The Prisoner of Azkaban. I just love everything about Harry finding out that Sirius is his Godfather.

10) Least Favorite Book?

It's a toss-up between book five and book seven, because EVERYONE I LOVE DIES!!!!

11) Favorite Film?
I suppose it would be the first one, because they were all so darned cute then!

12) Least Favorite Film?

Ummm....here's where I say that I haven't actually seen all of the films, only some of them (and I skipped some here and there). Sorry, I'm a book snob when it comes to HP, so I can't really answer this one.

13) Favorite Character?
Harry, of course.

14) Least Favorite/Most Hated Character?
It's a toss-up between Quirrell & Fudge.

15) Favorite Teacher At Hogwarts?
Professor Minerva McGonagall.

16) Least Favorite Teacher At Hogwarts?
Professor Quirrell!!!! Even moreso than Umbridge because of reasons.

17) Do You Have Any Unpopular Opinions About The Series?

That depends on what you would consider "unpopular," since almost every opinion on the series has a niche of followers. But I can say that I'm a bit snobby in that I love the books but don't care for the movies. Everything's just so much better in my imagination. Also, I like to pretend that Sirius is safe and sound, and I totally ship him with Remus. And I'm all for Harry/Draco, too. 

18) If You Could Save One Character From The Final Battle, Who Would You Save?

Fred. 

I tag anyone that would like to participate in this tag. If you do choose to answer, leave a comment with the link to your post so that I can check out your answers (or, if you don't have a blog, feel free to just answer in your comment)! Thanks for stopping by!

#TagTime: 15 Weird Questions, Answered

I saw this tag a while back on Christina Reads YA, and I've been meaning to do it ever since. I love tags, and this one is a nice way for you all to get to know me just a tad bit better. Here goes:

1. A nickname that you get called.

I don't really have any nicknames, unless you count "Kim." Though in high school a friend gave me the nickname "KitKat" for a little while, since my initials are K.K. (don't worry, my middle name is Elaine!). My 4-year-old niece calls me "Kimalee," since she can't pronounce my name properly yet. My younger sister (her mom) used to pronounce it that way too, when she was little.

2. A weird habit.

I constantly check in the middle of the night that the front door is locked. I also like to double (and triple) check that I've turned things off, or that I've unplugged things, etc. You just can't be too careful.

3. A weird phobia.

I have social phobia and social anxiety, which is why I prefer to communicate with people through the internet, lol. Though to be honest, it freaks me out to talk to people online, too. When I was little, I was afraid that It the Clown was going to eat me, so I used to tape a letter to my bedroom door asking him not to. Once in a while I still check my closet and underneath the bed to make sure nothing is there...

4. A song you are ashamed to like so you blast it in private.

I am slightly ashamed at the number of Joe Jonas songs that are on my iPod, but I can't say that I'm particularly ashamed of any specific song. Meh. I have songs on my iPod that are in Turkish and Hebrew, not to mention all of the K-Pop, J-Rock, and Mando-Pop songs that are on there. I don't care if people hear it. Ain't no shame in my game. I love music!

5. A pet peeve.

When people crack their knuckles or chew/talk with their mouth full - I can't stand it!

6. A nervous habit.

Bouncing my leg up and down when I'm sitting. Also, pacing back and forth while listening to music on my headphones (I do this in short bursts multiple times throughout the day - especially when I'm feeling stressed).

7. What side of the bed do you sleep on?

All over. I tend to sleep in the middle, and I change the direction my head is at based on what I feel like that night. Yes, I have the bed to myself, so I can do what I want - mwahaha!

8. The name of your first stuffed animal.

I can't remember my first stuffed animal! I think the earliest one I can remember that had a name) was a yellow stuffed bunny I had received for Easter that I named 'Buster,' after Buster Baxter from Arthur.

9. What do you buy at Starbucks?

I like to mix it up, but my go-to drinks are:

• Peppermint Mocha
• Iced Green Tea Latte
• Mocha Frappuccino

All with Coconut or Soy Milk, and no whip. I like their teas, too, but even if you say "easy ice," they fill those f*ckers up, so it's not worth the cost, really.

10. Beauty rule.

Always floss.

11. Which way do you face in the shower?

I tend to move around, but my preference when I am freezing cold in the morning is to set the water to "scalding hot" and face towards the shower.

12. A weird body skill.

I have none that I know of. Though I suppose it is a weird sort of "skill" how my body is often falling or bumping into things as often as it does...it's insane. I'm surprised I'm still alive, really.

13. Comfort food.

Pasta. Or pizza. Basically Italian food. Yum!

14. A word or phrase that you say all the time. 

Scheiße (German; pronounced: Sh-eye-za). It's my go-to curse word. Variations may often include: Scheiße Minnelli, or Scheiße LaBeouf.

15. What do you sleep in?

Pajama bottoms & a comfy tee shirt. Though lately I've taken to wearing a cotton night-gown. They're just so...airy. And they make me feel like a lady.

So, do you feel like you know me better?! Haha. Ok. Now it's your turn! If you've honestly taken the time to read this post in it's entirety, then consider yourself tagged! Just do me a favor and let me know in the comments if you've completed it, that way I can check out your answers (or, if you don't have a blog, feel free to answer in a comment, instead!). 

The Disney Princess Book Tag

What is it about tags that makes them so addicting?! I knew the moment I saw this tag on my feed that I had to participate! Thank you Liza @ Reading With ABC for posting this, or I may not have stumbled across this. Am I the only one who hasn't participated in this tag yet?! Better late than never, I suppose.

Snow White

Name Your Favorite Classic

Frankenstein by Mary Shelley. I read this book both in high school and in college, and I loved it both times. It always gets me thinking about what the monster would be like had Victor (or anyone) bothered to treat him humanely.

Cinderella

A Book That Kept You Reading Past Your Bedtime

Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell. This is the first book that came to mind, as I remember making the mistake of starting this book before bed. Before I knew it, the sun was coming up and I had finished reading it in one sitting - I never got the chance to sleep!

Ariel

A Book About Making Sacrifices & Chasing Dreams

The Fire Horse Girl by Kay Honeyman. This book is about a girl who gives up everything to leave her small village in China to pursue her dream of going to the U.S. Once there, she even disguises herself as a boy and risks her life working for a crime boss, ultimately working not only to earn her own freedom, but the freedom of others, as well.

Belle

A Book With A Smart & Independent Character

Bloodlines by Richelle Mead. Sydney is incredibly smart, and while she's an alchemist, it's apparent from the very beginning that she is an independent thinker, choosing to trust her judgement and experience rather than just blindly siding with the alchemists.

Jasmine

A Book With A Character Who Challenged Social Conventions

Cinder by Marissa Meyer. Cinder was the first character to pop into my head when I read this category, and I don't think I could've picked anyone else. In a society that shuns cyborgs for being "unnatural," Cinder is forced to go by performing her duties as a mechanic while keeping her head down, especially around her stepmother, who loathes her. When her step-sister Peony gets infected with a deadly infectious illness, however, Cinder will do whatever it takes to try and save her, even if it involves losing her heart along the way to a prince she knows she can never have.

Pocahontas

A Book Whose Ending Was A Roller Coaster of Emotions

The Mad Scientist's Daughter by Cassandra Rose Clarke. Well, actually, the whole book was a roller coaster of emotions for me. It takes place in a future where humans and androids co-exist, though androids are not really thought of as people. The main character, Cat, grows up with the android, Finn, who seems incredibly human, and has to figure out exactly what her feelings for him are. I totally cried reading this one, and I'm not ashamed to admit it.

Mulan

A Book With A Kick-Ass Female Character

Shadows of Asphodel by Karen Kincy. The main character, Ardis, is a Chinese-American mercenary who can kick total ass. She's strong-willed and independent, and despite her job, she remains a good person at heart.

Tiana

A Book With A Hardworking & Self-Made Heroine

Moon Called by Patricia Briggs. Mercy Thompson is totally a self-made woman - she works as a mechanic and owns her own trailer. She may not be loaded, but she's found a way to earn money while doing what she loves, and she's able to support herself and live comfortably without needing to rely on anyone else. To me, that is the definition of self-made.

Rapunzel

A Book With An Artist

Ink by Amanda Sun. The heroine's love interest, Tomohiro, is an artist whose ink drawings come to life. Also, that cover is a piece of art in and of itself.

Elsa & Anna

A Book With A Great Relationship Between Siblings

Monument 14 by Emmy Laybourne. I really liked the relationship between Dean & Alex in this series - even though they didn't always get along, you could tell that they really loved each other. They also respected each other enough to let each other make their own decisions.

Would you like to join in on the fun? If so, then consider yourself tagged! I'd love to see what books you choose, so feel free to leave a link to your post in the comments below so that I can check it out.

The Book Blogger TMI Tag

Hey everyone! I know it's been a looong time since I've posted, but I wanted you all to know that I'm still here. I'm working on a post that will be up soon to explain what's been going on during this impromptu hiatus (which will now be officially over!), but for now, I thought I'd participate in a tag to fill in the void that I've left you all, haha! ;) I found this on The Runaway Reader, and have been meaning to participate.

How old are you?

26.

What book are you reading?

The Son of Neptune by Rick Riordan.

What are you wearing?

Work clothes - a black blouse, grey dress slacks, and black flats.

Favorite OTP?

My favorite OTP isn't bookish, it's Lily & Marshall from How I Met Your Mother. I aspire to have a relationship like theirs one day...

Blogger or WordPress?

I'm not really familiar with WordPress, since I've only ever used Blogger, so I really can't answer this fairly. I like Blogger enough, as it's easy to use and serves my purpose well, but WordPress themes are usually better eye candy. 

Going outside being active or staying in and reading a book?

I'm almost always inside, but on the rare occasion that I happen to be doing something outside, I find that I'm almost always in a better mood. How about a combination of going outside and reading a book?

What is the last book you read?

The Lost Hero by Rick Riordan.

What is the book you’re going to read next?

Probably The Mark of Athena by Rick Riordan. I know, predictable, right? But I just love this series!!! I also love the feeling of falling in love with a series that is new to me - it doesn't happen too often, but it's one of the greatest feelings in the world!

Ebooks – yes or no?

Yes. I love my Kindle! It's so convenient to carry around, and I'm never limited to one or two books to choose from, as I can fit an entire library of books on it!

Where do you prefer to read?

Definitely in bed, but when it's not insanely hot outside (like it is now), I do prefer reading outdoors.

Who is the last person you tweeted?

I don't tweet that often, but it seems the last person I tweeted was @GabeMedrano, because I was excited to have found another nerdfighter in El Paso.

Whose blog did you look at last?

J. Money's blog, Budgets Are Sexy. Not a book blog, but a really great financial blog that has some great advice on getting out of debt (yea, student loans suck.)

Who is your favorite blogger?

Wow, this is a hard one! There are so many great bloggers out there, and I follow more than just book bloggers, so it's really hard to choose...I may have to go with Leo Babuta on this one - he's the blogger for Zen Habits, which is a life habits blog that really offers some great advice. I probably read his blog more than any other, which is why I'm choosing him.

Who is your favorite book-tuber?

Probably Christine of polandbananasBOOKS. She's just so entertaining, and I enjoy watching her spoilery reviews after I've read the book, because I feel like I have someone to fangirl with. I need friends who read, lol.

What do you do when someone tells you reading is boring?

I laugh. And then I feel sad for them, because they don't know what they're missing. All it means is that they just haven't found the right book for them yet. 

Who is the last author you spoke to?

I don't speak to many authors. As far as I can remember, the last author I've conversed with was Oksana Marafioti, who happens to be an amazing human being.

Who is the last person you texted?

My sister.

Who is your all-time favorite book character?

Harry Potter.

UKYA or USYA?

Both? I haven't read that much UKYA, but they do have Harry Potter...

What is your preferred drink whilst reading?

Hot Cocoa

If you hated reading, what would you be doing instead?

Wow. If I hated reading and the other aspects of my life were all the same, I'd probably be unable to get out of bed from depression. Seriously, books are my escape from reality, and I don't think Netflix can really serve as an adequate replacement.

How many bookshelves / bookcases do you have?

One. But it's not enough! I plan on getting another one - the one I have now is a really nice bookshelf by Better Homes & Gardens that I bought at Wal-Mart, and I love the way it looks (plus, it's really sturdy!)

If you had the choice to meet all of your favorite book bloggers or all of your favorite authors, which would you pick? You can only pick one.

My favorite authors! Sorry, fellow bloggers, but there are some authors that I have been dying to meet sometime in this lifetime.

Insta-love: yes or no?

No. It's annoying, predictable, and unrealistic.

Favorite author?

I think I'd have to say John Green. His books are fantastic, but thanks to his Vlogbrothers videos, I also get to know a bit of the man behind the books - it makes me feel closer to what I'm reading. Looking for Alaska made me literally burst into tears and shook me like no other novel ever has, and I know that it isn't the best piece of literature ever written, but I was able to connect to the story and felt the same fears in regards to feeling trapped in a labyrinth, trying to find a way out.

What is the number-one book on your wishlist?

Winter by Marissa Meyer. It's been a painful wait, but I've managed to fill in the time with Rick Riordan's amazing novels. I still feel this void, though, waiting to be filled. I need more!!!

Do you prefer books with female or male protagonists?

What's funny is that I thought I didn't have a preference, but then I looked at my favorites list and discovered that the books I love the most all have male protagonists (Harry Potter, Percy Jackson, Guy Montag, Hamlet, Pat  Peoples, Frankenstein's Monster, Holden Caulfield...). Hmmm....I guess I must prefer males.

Which is your favourite book-to-film adaption?

I think I'm going to go with Where The Heart Is, just because the book and the movie are just both so amazing! Gah!!! Also, I don't want to pick a movie whose book I haven't read, because it wouldn't be fair.

What is the last song you listened to?

Overdose by Maudlin Strangers.

Which do you enjoy reading more – negative reviews or positive reviews?

Both, I guess. It really depends on the voice and the passion of the reviewer.

Who are you going to tag?

Anyone reading this that would like to participate!

#ReaderProblems

I discovered this tag on Mel's blog, The Daily Prophecy, where she stated that she will be tagging whoever wants to join in. It sounded like a fun way to share how I felt about certain "bookworm problems," so I decided to give it a go! This tag was originally created by Tiffany on her About To Read YouTube channel.

1) You have 20,000 books on your TBR. How in the world do you decide what to read next?

#StoryOfMyLife. I honestly just read whatever I feel like reading at that particular moment. It doesn't matter if I have been dying to read a given book for years, if I don't feel like I'm "in the mood" for it, I'll wait until I am. Life is short, so there's no point in reading a book if I'm just "not feelin' it." This is why I hardly ever accept books for review - I don't want to feel obligated to read something within a certain time-frame, because my reading moods are constantly changing.

2) You're halfway through a book and you're just not loving it. Do you quit or are you committed?

As I mentioned in the previous question, life is short. Most of the time, I don't even make it halfway through a book that I don't love - I'm pretty good at finding out within the first few chapters. I have no problem chucking something that I've started reading and end up disliking, but there have been a few instances when I've made myself push through - usually either when it's a review book, or when it's something that I have to read for school. But for the most part, there are just too many good books out there to waste my time on something that I don't enjoy.

3) The end of the year is coming and you're so close, but so far away on your Goodreads reading challenge. Do you try to catch up and how?

Usually, yes. It bugs the crap out of me when I don't meet my goals. If I find myself falling behind on my yearly Goodreads challenge, then I find books that I know will be quick reads. This doesn't mean that I start reaching for short books - it means that I look for books that I know will interest me so much that I can probably read them in one sitting (such as m/m romances, thrillers, horror, etc).

4) The covers of a series you love do not match. How do you cope?

Not gonna lie, it really bugs me. Now, I don't really care if some of the books are paperbacks and some are hardcovers (as long as it's like: the first three are paperback and the rest are all hardcovers, instead of: books one, three and five are paperbacks while books two and four are paperbacks, 'cuz looking at that would piss me off), but if cover styles are completely changed midway through a series, I get really frustrated. Especially if the new covers are uglier (like the covers for Beth Revis' Across the Universe series). 

Right now, I am in the middle of coping with the change in covers for The Morganville Vampires series. I purchased the first eight books in their regular mass market paperback form only to discover that not only did they stop making them in that format, but also the covers look completely different. Double whammy. I may have to just re-purchase them at some point.

5) Everyone and their mothers love a book you really don't like. Who do you bond with over their shared feelings?

Honestly, I'm a bit of a hermit, so my method of "bonding" with someone over my mutual dislike of a book would be watching a YouTube rant or reading a blogger rant about it. If I'm feeling daring, I may even leave a comment.

6) You're reading a book and you are about to start crying in public. How do you deal?

I am totally okay with crying over a book in public. I don't think I've ever done it before, but I know that if I were to see someone else crying over a book in public, I would get excited about seeing someone else who's as in to books as I am. I'd also probably try to sneak a peak at their book's cover so that I could add it to my TBR.

7) A sequel of a book you love just came out, but you've forgotten a lot from the prior novel. Will you re-read the book? Skip the sequel? Try to find a synopsis on Goodreads? Cry in frustration?

I am not afraid to admit that I have done all of the above. For the most part, I will end up re-reading a series, but there have been instances in which I either just try to wing it, or search for a revealing review. I guess it just depends on the series. I've been putting off a lot of sequels lately just because I'm not quite ready to devote the time to re-reading all of the previous novels in the series (such as The Morganville Vampires, which goes on forever).

8) You do not want anyone. ANYONE. borrowing your books. How do you politely tell people nope when they ask?

For the most part, I don't really mind lending out my books. If I really love something, then I don't mind sharing it with friends/family/coworkers/etc. in the hopes that they will love it, too. There have even been moments when someone has borrowed something for too long that I just buy another copy for myself and let them keep it. If the book is cheap enough, it's no big. If it's a book that was rather costly, however, and I'm hesitant to lend it out because I wouldn't want it to be in anything other than pristine condition, then I may say yes, but then continuously "forget" to bring it until they forget about it or give up.

9) Reading ADD. You've picked up and put down 5 books in the last month. How do you get over your reading slump?

I hate reading slumps! When I'm in one, I usually end up just adding books to my Goodreads TBR without actually ever reading anything. I think the best cure for one is reading something that I know I'll love, which is usually something that has insanely good reviews, and has a really good synopsis. Once I find something I can fan-girl over, I'm usually pretty good about sticking with my reading,

10) There are so many new books coming out that you’re dying to read! How many do you actually buy?

None, usually. I tend to add books I'm dying to read to my TBR all the time, but then when they're released I just never get around to them. I don't really have any extra cash thanks to student loans, so when I want to read a book I usually just wait until I can check it out from the library. The only exceptions are when they're books that are part of a series I already own the prior books for, or when it's a book that is something that I have to own to get the full experience from (i.e. a cookbook or graphic novel collection, or maybe something offbeat like S.), otherwise, I tend to buy my books used, which means they've already been out for a while.

11. After you've bought the new books you can't wait to get to, how long do they sit on your shelf before you get to them?

Sometimes I read them right away, sometimes it takes a few months or even a year. I was dying to read The Ruby Circle when it came out - so much so that I pre-ordered it, which is something I rarely do - but I still have yet to read it. I started it, but then I got upset with Adrian's mother and put it down. Now I just think that I'm hesitant for the series to end, which is why I haven't picked it back up. As long as I don't read it, the story remains "to be continued," and will still have new content for me to read. I know, I'm a dork.

Like Mel, I, too, tag anyone who wants to participate! Be sure to leave a link to your post in the comments if you join in so that I can check out your answers.

The TBR Tag

This tag was created by Dana @ Dana Square and Rachel @ A Perfection Called Books.

How do you keep track of your TBR pile?

I use the Goodreads "to read" tag, but otherwise, that's it. Not that exciting, I know, but periodically I peruse through the tag to find out what I should buy next or check out from the library. 

Is your TBR mostly print or ebook?

Ummm....neither? My TBR is a Goodreads list of what I want to read, so it doesn't matter if I end up reading a book in its print or ebook form, if I want to read it, I mark it "to read,' and that's that.

How do you determine which book from your TBR to read next?

It's totally random - anytime I read something, I have to feel like reading it at that particular moment. It's completely based on impulse, whether the book happens to be on my TBR or not.

A book that's been on your TBR list the longest:

They say opposites attract. And in the case of werewolves Anna Latham and Charles Cornick, they mate. The son-and enforcer-of the leader of the North American werewolves, Charles is a dominant alpha. While Anna, an omega, has the rare ability to calm others of her kind.

Now that the werewolves have revealed themselves to humans, they can't afford any bad publicity. Infractions that could have been overlooked in the past must now be punished, and the strain of doing his father's dirty work is taking a toll on Charles.

Nevertheless, Charles and Anna are sent to Boston, when the FBI requests the pack's help on a local serial killer case. They quickly realize that not only the last two victims were werewolves-all of them were. Someone is targeting their kind. And now Anna and Charles have put themselves right in the killer's sights...

The moment that I started utilizing Goodreads (I had an account for a long time, but only started using it these past few years), this was the first book I added to my TBR. I love this series, but sadly, haven't gotten around to reading it because I know I'll have to re-read the first books, and I've been too busy reading "new-to-me" books. Next year, I plan on joining a re-reading challenge, that way I'll have an excuse to not only finish this series, but to finish many other series that involve re-reading (such as The Morganville Vampires).

A book you recently added to your TBR:
 

     

Fifteen top voices in speculative fiction explore the intersection of fear and love in a haunting, at times hilarious, darkly imaginative volume.

Predatory kraken that sing with - and for - their kin; band members and betrayed friends who happen to be demonic; harpies as likely to attract as to repel. Welcome to a world where humans live side-by-side with monsters, from vampires both nostalgic and bumbling, to an eight-legged alien who makes tea. Here you'll find mercurial forms that burrow into warm fat, spectral boy toys, a Maori force of nature, a landform that claims lives, and an architect of hell on earth. Through these, and a few monsters that defy categorization, some of today's top young-adult authors explore ambition and sacrifice, loneliness and rage, love requited and avenged, and the boundless potential for connection, even across extreme borders.

This is the latest book to make it to my TBR list on Goodreads. Frankly, it just sounds cool. I used to love anthologies as a kid, and while there are plenty of them on my TBR, I just haven't gotten around to reading any of them, which sucks, because they'd make great reads for when I'm in a reading slump, or for reading right after finishing a really great novel (which is usually when I take a break from reading, because I'm reluctant to leave the world I was previously in).

A book on your TBR strictly because of its beautiful cover:

Since the night of the crash, Wren Wells has been running away. Though she lived through the accident that killed her boyfriend Patrick, the girl she used to be didn’t survive. Instead of heading off to college as planned, Wren retreats to her father’s studio in the far-north woods of Maine. Somewhere she can be alone.

Then she meets Cal Owen. Dealing with his own troubles, Cal’s hiding out too. When the chemistry between them threatens to pull Wren from her hard-won isolation, Wren has to choose: risk opening her broken heart to the world again, or join the ghosts who haunt her.

Honestly, I loved this cover from the moment I laid eyes on it. Once I read the synopsis, I wasn't too excited to read it, since it didn't sound particularly enthralling, but it didn't sound that bad. I still don't know if I'll get around to it, but I sure do love that cover!

A book on your TBR that you never plan on reading:

Imagine her shock when Violet Colby discovers she has an identical twin sister she never knew existed. Why her family was torn apart remains a secret no one can answer—yet. Hoping to develop a sisterly bond, Violet invites her sophisticated city twin to the Colby Ranch in tiny Grasslands, Texas.

But when her sister’s former fiancé arrives with questions of his own, country girl Violet finds herself drawn to handsome businessman Landon Derringer. And learns that true love requires faith—and a heart as big as Texas.

Texas Twins: Two sets of twins, torn apart by family secrets, find their way home.

Honestly I don't really read anything Harlequin, unless it's Harlequin Teen, which puts out some pretty good paranormal romances. I don't even know why this is on my TBR to begin with, but I think I read a good review by a fellow blogger and decided to add it. I don't know if I'll actually ever read it, but I'll keep it on my TBR just in case. It's always good to read books out my comfort zone, and I do have a thing for love stories, but I tend to show a bit of prejudice towards Harlequin or anything with half-naked guys on the cover. Usually, it's because the writing ends up being way too bad for my liking, but who knows - maybe I should still give this a try. Eventually...

An unpublished book on your TBR that you're excited for:

Grieving, shaken, and feeling very much alone, Rory's life as a member of the Shades of London has changed irrevocably. It's only been a matter of hours since Stephen was taken from her, possibly for ever. Her classmate Charlotte is still missing, kidnapped by the same people who tried to take Rory. Rory is no longer a schoolgirl haplessly involved in the dealings of a secret government unit. She is their weapon in a matter of life and death.

With hardly a moment to think for herself, Rory is back to work. Charlotte must be found -- as must Stephen, if he is even out there. Lines must be drawn and forces rallied. Something is brewing under London, something bigger and much more dangerous than what has come before. The Shadow Cabinet holds the key to everything, and it is up to Rory to unravel its mysteries before time runs out...

This is the third book in Maureen Johnson's Shades of London series, and is set to be released on February 5th 2015. I enjoyed the first two books immensely, as they reminded me of the books I loved most during my childhood (ghost-mysteries). These books are the only thing I've read by Maureen Johnson so far, but she is such a great person, and hilarious to follow on twitter, so I hope to read more from her soon. I love supporting my fellow Nerdfighters! 

A book on your TBR that basically everyone's read but you:

In Beatrice Prior's dystopian Chicago world, society is divided into five factions, each dedicated to the cultivation of a particular virtue--Candor (the honest), Abnegation (the selfless), Dauntless (the brave), Amity (the peaceful), and Erudite (the intelligent). On an appointed day of every year, all sixteen-year-olds must select the faction to which they will devote the rest of their lives. For Beatrice, the decision is between staying with her family and being who she really is--she can't have both. So she makes a choice that surprises everyone, including herself.

During the highly competitive initiation that follows, Beatrice renames herself Tris and struggles alongside her fellow initiates to live out the choice they have made. Together they must undergo extreme physical tests of endurance and intense psychological simulations, some with devastating consequences. As initiation transforms them all, Tris must determine who her friends really are--and where, exactly, a romance with a sometimes fascinating, sometimes exasperating boy fits into the life she's chosen. But Tris also has a secret, one she's kept hidden from everyone because she's been warned it can mean death. And as she discovers unrest and growing conflict that threaten to unravel her seemingly perfect society, Tris also learns that her secret might help her save the ones she loves . . . or it might destroy her.

I promise to get to this before ever seeing the movie, but there's just too much out there to read! This sounds great, but there are just a lot of books out there that sound more appealing to me. Honestly, this sounds like any other dystopian novel out there, though maybe I'm wrong, since there's such a large fan-base out there. But The Mortal Instruments has a large fan-base, also, and I really don't care for that series at all. I will get to this eventually - a lot of people I work with have already read and loved it, and they keep recommending it to me, so it's on my radar.

A book on your TBR that everyone recommends to you:

   

Please see above response.

A book on your TBR that you're dying to read:

The epic conclusion to Richelle Mead's New York Times bestselling Bloodlines series is finally here...

Sydney Sage is an Alchemist, one of a group of humans who dabble in magic and serve to bridge the worlds of humans and vampires. They protect vampire secrets—and human lives.

After their secret romance is exposed, Sydney and Adrian find themselves facing the wrath of both the Alchemists and the Moroi in this electrifying conclusion to Richelle Mead’s New York Times bestselling Bloodlines series. When the life of someone they both love is put on the line, Sydney risks everything to hunt down a deadly former nemesis. Meanwhile, Adrian becomes enmeshed in a puzzle that could hold the key to a shocking secret about spirit magic, a secret that could shake the entire Moroi world.

I truly CANNOT WAIT much longer to read this one...I read all of the prior novels one after another, and absolutely LOVED them! I even pre-ordered this one an Amazon so that I could read it the day it comes out. I'm so excited!!!

How many books are on your Goodreads TBR shelf?

As of right now there are 404, but new ones are always being added. I don't think I'll ever see the day when I've read them all...

I tag everyone reading this that hasn't participated yet, but wants to!

The Chocolate Book Tag

I saw this tag over at Chiachic's Book Nook and just new I had to participate! Rather than tag anyone in particular, Chiachic opened it up for any of her readers to join in, which is exactly what I decided to do. Here are my answers; 

Dark Chocolate

A Book That Covers A Dark Topic

 

White Chocolate

Your Favorite Light-Hearted/Humorous Read

 

Milk Chocolate

A Book With A Lot Of Hype That You're Dying To Read

 

Chocolate With A Caramel Center

A Book That Made You Feel All Gooey In The Middle While Reading

 

Wafer-Free KitKat

A Book That Surprised You Lately

 

Snickers

A Book That You Are Going Nuts About

 

Hot Chocolate w/ Cream & Marshmallows

A Book You Would Turn To For Comfort

 

Box Of Chocolates

A Series You Feel Has "A Little Something For Everyone"

 

Feel free to join in on the tag, and let me know if you do so that I can check out your answers!