Friday Finds

A Meme By A Daily Rhythm

It's time for another update on what's been added to my TBR! I thought I'd fill you all in on my newest finds, as my TBR list is so long that it may be a while since I feature these gems in reviews. Plus, I personally love lists like these because I always find something good to read! Here's what I added recently:

Mira is starting over at Saint Francis Prep. She promised her parents she would at least try to pretend that she could act like a functioning human this time, not a girl who can’t get out of bed for days on end, who only feels awake when she’s with Sebby.

Jeremy is the painfully shy art nerd at Saint Francis who’s been in self-imposed isolation after an incident that ruined his last year of school. When he sees Sebby for the first time across the school lawn, it’s as if he’s been expecting this blond, lanky boy with mischief glinting in his eye.

Sebby, Mira’s gay best friend, is a boy who seems to carry sunlight around with him. Even as life in his foster home starts to take its toll, Sebby and Mira together craft a world of magic rituals and impromptu road trips, designed to fix the broken parts of their lives.

As Jeremy finds himself drawn into Sebby and Mira’s world, he begins to understand the secrets that they hide in order to protect themselves, to keep each other safe from those who don’t understand their quest to live for the impossible.

Where I Found It: This was a Goodreads recommendation.

Jerry Grey is known to most of the world by his crime writing pseudonym, Henry Cutter - a name that has been keeping readers at the edge of their seats for more than a decade. Recently diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer's at the age of forty-nine, Jerry's crime writing days are coming to an end. His twelve books tell stories of brutal murders committed by bad men, of a world out of balance, of victims finding the darkest forms of justice. As his dementia begins to break down the wall between his life and the lives of the characters he has created, Jerry confesses his worst secret: The stories are real. He knows this because he committed the crimes. Those close to him, including the nurses at the care home where he now lives, insist that it is all in his head, that his memory is being toyed with and manipulated by his unfortunate disease. But if that were true, then why are so many bad things happening? Why are people dying?

Where I Found It: It was recommended by The Skimm on their August 28th issue.

ASSISTANT WANTED ASAP

Must have skills in hauling, obeying orders, cooking, and cleaning. Magical talent a bonus. Must be good with heights. Enter Baba Yaga's house to apply.

Most children think twice before braving a haunted wood filled with terrifying beasties to match wits with a witch, but not Masha. Her beloved grandma taught her many things: that stories are useful, that magic is fickle, and that nothing is too difficult or too dirty to clean. The fearsome witch of folklore needs an assistant, and Masha needs an adventure. She may be clever enough to enter Baba Yaga's house on chicken legs, but within its walls, deceit is the rule. To earn her place, Masha must pass a series of tests, outfox a territorial bear, and make dinner for her host. No easy task, with children on the menu!

Where I Found It: It was on my blogger dashboard, and I can't remember for the life of me who posted it!!! I'm sorry! It was the cover that drew me in...

Of the three books, I think I'm most looking forward to reading Fans of the Impossible Life - it just sounds like a cute, light read. Also, I really like the title! The only thing I'm iffy about is the nickname "Sebby," which is pretty weird (I'm assuming it's short for Sebastian, which is itself a pretty badass name). I don't really like it when authors try too hard to make their characters' names sound unique, but maybe there's a good reason for that in this novel (or maybe Sebby is more common a nickname than I thought....in which case, I'm sorry if that happens to be your name - I meant no offense!). At any rate, I love the synopsis! 

So, what books have you recently added to your TBR?

{Cover Reveal} The Casquette Girls

The Casquette Girls by Alys Arden

Published by: Skyscape

Publication Date: November 17th 2015

Genres: Paranormal, Young Adult

After the storm of the century rips apart New Orleans, sixteen-year-old Adele Le Moyne and her father are among the first to return. Adele wants nothing more than to resume her normal life, but with the silent city resembling a war zone, a parish-wide curfew, and mysterious new faces lurking in the abandoned French Quarter, normal needs a new definition.

Strange events—even for New Orleans—lead Adele to an attic that has been sealed for three hundred years. The chaos she accidentally unleashes threatens not only her but also everyone she knows.

Caught in a hurricane of myths and monsters, Adele must untangle a web of magic that weaves the climbing murder rate back to her own ancestors. But who can you trust in a city where everyone has secrets and keeping them can mean life or death? Unless…you’re immortal.

Revised edition: This edition of The Casquette Girls includes editorial revisions.

Purchase:

ALYS ARDEN grew up in the Vieux Carré, cut her teeth on the streets of New York, and has worked all around the world since. She still plans to run away with the circus one day.

Author Site / Book Site / Facebook 

R.I.P. X

Artwork by Abigail Larson

It's that time of year again! I have been looking forward to starting the R.eaders I.mbibing P.eril X challenge (R.I.P. X), as I really love reading spooky novels and watching scary movies during the Autumn season in September and October. Normally, this event is hosted by Carl at Stainless Steel Droppings, but this year he has passed the torch onto The Estella Society. R.I.P. never fails to get me in the Halloween spirit (my favorite holiday of the year, FYI), so no matter the host, I am in!

This post is where I will keep track of my goals and progress, and I will be updating it periodically throughout the course of the event. Keep in mind that this challenge isn't just limited to Halloween/Horror, but also includes Mystery, Suspense, Gothic, Dark Fantasy, Supernatural, and pretty much anything that gives off a similar vibe. R.I.P X will officially run from September 1st - October 31st, so if you'd like to join in the fun, please do so!

"Read four books, any length, that you feel fit (the very broad definitions) of R.I.P. literature. It could be King or Conan Doyle, Penny or Poe, Chandler or Collins, Lovecraft or Leroux…or anyone in between."

Goal: Read At Least 4 Spooky (or Monster-y) Novels

1) Here They Lie by D.K. Burrow

2) Chasing The Moon by A. Lee Martinez
3)
4)

"I am a big fan of short stories and my desire for them is perhaps no greater than in Autumn. I see Poe and Lovecraft in my future for sure, and some Angela Carter. You can read short stories any time during the challenge."

Goal: Read At Least 3 Creepy Short Stories

1)
2)
3)

"This is for those of us that like to watch suitably scary, eerie, mysterious gothic fare during this time of year. It may be something on the small screen or large. It might be a television show, like Dark Shadows or Midsomer Murders, or your favorite film."

Goal: Watch At Least 10 Horror Films

1) The Mist (2007)

2) Altar (2014)
3) Psycho (1960)
4) Tremors 5: Bloodlines (2015)
5)
6)
7)
8)
9)
10)

And as always, if any of you know if there are any other reading challenges going on this month that are Halloween-related, please let me know so I can check them out!

{August Wrap-Up}

Books Read

// The Battle of the Labyrinth // The Demigod Files // The Last Olympian // 

// Gotham Academy, Vol. 1 // The Lost Hero //

I'm really on a Percy Jackson kick right now, so I can tell you now that you probably won't see me reading much else until I've finished The Heroes of Olympus series.

Movies Seen

Trainwreck was an okay movie, but I don't think I'd really care to watch it again. I saw this one with my sister. I'm glad to have finally seen Rise of the Guardians, though - I kept seeing fanart all over Tumblr that shipped Elsa (from Frozen) and Jack Frost, so I had to see what all the fuss was about. I loved it!

Songs I Had On Repeat

Vocabulary Learned

Praetor - each of two ancient Roman magistrates ranking below consul
(from The Lost Hero by Rick Riordan)

Recommended Reads

How To Start A Successful Book Club

If Chris Pratt Were Your Boyfriend

20 Surprising Things About Parenting In Cuba

Thoughts On August

Wow, I was on such a long hiatus that I completely forgot how much fun blogging was! I truly do love putting together posts, participating in tags, and coming up with content - I just allowed myself to get too overwhelmed with life and work to really get to enjoy myself anymore. Sadly, this is something that I've been seeing a lot of in the book blogosphere - it seems that almost every couple of weeks I see a new post on my feed in which a blogger either apologies for a hiatus, announces that they're taking a break from their blog, or writes about how they are stopping their blog completely. I really don't want that to be me, so I'm working hard to come up with a turnaround plan, including having an internal debate on whether or not to make the switch to WordPress (though Blogger is working for me well enough right now, so we'll see).

I guess what I'm trying to say is that I don't see why I should give up on something that I truly enjoy. This month has been really interesting for me, and I've been able to reduce some stress by finally paying off my car, as well as three of my smaller student loans (I had five total), so I'm hoping that with the extra breathing room, I can allow myself some more enjoyment (money has always been my biggest stressor).

{Sign-Up} The Sixth-Extinction Read-Along!

I've been wanting to read Elizabeth Kolbert's The Sixth Extinction ever since I first heard Michael's recommendation on the Books on the Nightstand podcast earlier this year. To be honest, I don't read as much non-fiction as I would like to, so hopefully this will be the push I need to get me to start reading this one - I already placed it on hold at my local library, so I should be able to check it out and start reading it this week. Here's a synopsis of what the book's about:

Over the last half-billion years, there have been five mass extinctions, when the diversity of life on earth suddenly and dramatically contracted. Scientists around the world are currently monitoring the sixth extinction, predicted to be the most devastating extinction event since the asteroid impact that wiped out the dinosaurs. This time around, the cataclysm is us.

In prose that is at once frank, entertaining, and deeply informed, The New Yorker writer Elizabeth Kolbert tells us why and how human beings have altered life on the planet in a way no species has before. Interweaving research in half a dozen disciplines, descriptions of the fascinating species that have already been lost, and the history of extinction as a concept, Kolbert provides a moving and comprehensive account of the disappearances occurring before our very eyes. She shows that the sixth extinction is likely to be mankind's most lasting legacy, compelling us to rethink the fundamental question of what it means to be human.  

If you're interested in signing up for the read-along, you can do so over at Doing Dewey's sign-up post HERE. Sign-ups are open from now through September 26th, and you can follow the discussion on Twitter using #NFBookClub. Here's a copy of the schedule:

Google Doc Opens for Free Form Discussion – September 1

Ch 1-8 Discussion Questions Posted – September 10

Ch 9-16 Discussion Questions Posted – September 24

I hope to see you there!

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.

Waiting On: Bookishly Ever After by Isabel Bandeira

 Anticipated Release Date: January 12, 2016

In a perfect world, sixteen-year-old Phoebe Martins’ life would be a book. Preferably a YA novel with magic and a hot paranormal love interest. Unfortunately, her life probably wouldn’t even qualify for a quiet contemporary. But when Phoebe finds out that Dev, the hottest guy in the clarinet section, might actually have a crush on her, she turns to her favorite books for advice. Phoebe overhauls her personality to become as awesome as her favorite heroines and win Dev’s heart. But if her plan fails, can she go back to her happy world of fictional boys after falling for the real thing?

Why I Can't Wait To Read This

This sounds super cute!!! It's about a bookish girl who is so used to having "book boyfriends" that she doesn't know what to do when an actual real-life boy likes her, so she relies on her favorite book characters to find out how to act. It's a disaster waiting to happen, of course, but I'm looking forward to seeing how it unfolds. There's just something about awkward and nerdy love that sounds like it'd be an appealing read....maybe it's because I can relate, haha!

What do you think?

And if you haven't done so already, feel free to join in by linking-up to your own Waiting on Wednesday post over at Breaking The Spine.