February 2016 Wrap-Up

February is nearly over. It will be another long four years before 29th of February comes around again.

I had a slow start to my reading this month, not completing my first book until the 14th of February. However, in the second half of the month, my reading really picked up. This month, I read the following four books (two new and two re-reads):

I also picked up three ARCs this month, two of which I have already posted review for (click on the image to be taken to the post). I will be posting a review of Tell the Wind and Fire shortly.

    

So overall, this month, I have read five new books, so I am right on track with my GoodReads reading challenge, as well as two rereads. I have also posted four book reviews, so I am averaging one review a week. Right on target!

What about you guys? Which books did you read this month?

Off-Topic Sunday: Perils of Delayed Book Reviews

Welcome to Off-Topic Sunday, a tag that I'm using to post whatever is floating in my head that I want to chat about. For the most part, they'll be book-related but you may occasionally see some non-book-related posts/rants as well.

Book Review: You Were Here by Cori McCarthy

You Were Here by Cori McCarthy

Standalone novel

Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire

Release Date: 1st March 2016

Read Date: 21st February 2016

Tagged Under: 2016 read, 2016 favourites, book review, review copy, YA fiction, 5, favourites, romance, contemporary

Check It Out @Amazon, @TheBookDepository, @GoodReads

Book Summary

Grief turned Jaycee into a daredevil, but can she dare to deal with her past? 

On the anniversary of her daredevil brother's death, Jaycee attempts to break into Jake's favourite hideout - the petrifying ruins of an insane asylum. Joined by four classmates, each with their own brand of dysfunction, Jaycee discovers a map detailing her brother's exploration and the unfinished dares he left behind. 

As a tribute to Jake, Jaycee vows to complete the dares, no matter how terrifying or dangerous. What she doesn't bargain on is her eccentric band of friends who challenge her to do the unthinkable: reveal the parts of herself that she buried with her brother.

Book Review

Feature Follow Friday: Why I love fantasy

• The goal is to increase blog followers, make friends and have something to post
• You create your own post using the post prompt
• You leave your link and thumbnail in the linky list that links back to your post prompt
• Once you have your post up and linked, visit other posts and tell them hi. The point is to FOLLOW them not just comment.
• If you see a post that just hit it to the moon, or just want to show appreciation to a fellow blogger friend, like their name on the linky list to show some appreciation.
• The person with the most likes gets chosen as the next Feature (you can be chosen every 90 days unless we are in need of features)
• It is required that if you participate that you have to follow the FEATURE. It is a big no-no to participate and ignore the feature. They are the special snowflake in this little blizzard.
• As a participant it is up to your discretion on how you want people to follow. Please post RSS, GFC etc if you have a follow of choice.

This week's feature

Read All The Things!

This week's prompt is:

Ten reasons you read your favourite genre?

~ Parajunkee

My answer

Book Review: Nirvana by J.R. Stewart

Nirvana by J.R. Stewart

Series: Nirvana (book #1)
Publisher: Blue Moon
Release Date: 10th November 2015
Read Date: 19th February 2016
Tagged Under: 2016 read, 3, book review, review copy, science fiction, YA fiction
Check It Out @Amazon, @TheBookDepository, @GoodReads

Book Summary

When the real world is emptied of all that you love, how can you keep yourself from dependence on the virtual? 

Animal activist and punk rock star Larissa Kenders lives in a dystopian world where the real and the virtual intermingle. After the disappearance of her soulmate, Andrew, Kenders finds solace by escaping to Nirvana, a virtual world controlled by Hexagon. In Nirvana, anyone's deepest desires may be realized - even visits by Andrew. 

Although Kenders knows that this version of Andrew is virtual, when he asks for her assistance revealing Hexagon's dark secret, she cannot help but comply. Soon after, Kenders and her closest allies find themselves in a battle with Hexagon, the very institution they have been taught to trust. After uncovering much more than she expected, Kender's biggest challenge is determining what is real - and what is virtual.

Book Review

Feature Follow Friday: Reason I started my blog

• The goal is to increase blog followers, make friends and have something to post
• You create your own post using the post prompt
• You leave your link and thumbnail in the linky list that links back to your post prompt
• Once you have your post up and linked, visit other posts and tell them hi. The point is to FOLLOW them not just comment.
• If you see a post that just hit it to the moon, or just want to show appreciation to a fellow blogger friend, like their name on the linky list to show some appreciation.
• The person with the most likes gets chosen as the next Feature (you can be chosen every 90 days unless we are in need of features)
• It is required that if you participate that you have to follow the FEATURE. It is a big no-no to participate and ignore the feature. They are the special snowflake in this little blizzard.
• As a participant it is up to your discretion on how you want people to follow. Please post RSS, GFC etc if you have a follow of choice.

This week's prompt is:

Why did you start blogging?

Submitted by Parajunkee

My answer

The Re-Read Experience: Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas

Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas

Series: Throne of Glass (book #1)

Publisher: Bloomsbury USA Childrens

Release Date: 7th August 2013

(Re)read Date: 13th January 2016

Tagged Under: 2016 read, book review, fantasy, YA fiction, 4

Check It Out @Amazon, @TheBookDepository, @Goodreads

Book Summary

After serving out a year of hard labor in the salt mines of Endovier for her crimes, 18-year-old assassin Celaena Sardothien is dragged before the Crown Prince. Prince Dorian offers her her freedom on one condition: she must act as his champion in a competition to find a new royal assassin.  

Her opponents are men - thieves and assassins and warriors from across the empire, each sponsored by a member of the king's council. If she beats her opponents in a series of eliminations, she'll serve the kingdom for four years and then be granted her freedom. Celaena finds her training sessions with the captain of the guard, Westfall, challenging and exhilirating. But she's bored stiff by court life. Things get a little more interesting when the prince starts to show interest in her... but it's the gruff Captain Westfall who seems to understand her best.  

Then one of the other contestants turns up dead... quickly followed by another. Can Celaena figure out who the killer is before she becomes a victim? As the young assassin investigates, her search leads her to discover a greater destiny than she could possibly have imagined.

Book Review

Top Ten Songs that I would Love to Read as Books

TTT is a weekly meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish

This week, we are sharing ten songs that we would love to read as books. Even though I know this is probably a good reflection of my music tastes when it comes to popular music (I fluctuate between pop and classical), I was still a bit surprised to find almost all of the songs I picked are romance. Ah wells!

My Favourite Romance Novels - Valentine's Day Edition!

Happy Valentine's Day everyone! Whether you are single, in a committed relationship or married, I hope you have had a lovely day with your loved ones. :) In honour of today, I have decided to list some of my favourite romances for those who need something to get into the romantic mood!

Book Review: The Assassin's Blade by Sarah J. Maas

The Assassin's Blade by Sarah J. Maas

Series: Throne of Glass (0.1-0.5)

Publisher: Bloomsbury Childrens

Release Date: 4th March 2015

Read Date: 13th January 2016

Tagged Under: 2016 read, 2016 favourites, fantasy, favourites, novella or short story, book review, YA fiction, 5

Check It Out @Amazon, @TheBookDepository, @Goodreads

Book Summary

Celaena Sardothien is Adarlan's most feared assassin. As part of the Assassin's Guild, her allegiance is to her master, Arobynn Hamel, yet Celaena listens to no one and trusts only her fellow killer-for-hire, Sam. In these action-packed novellas - together in one edition for the first time - Celaena embarks on five daring missions, where she fights to liberate slaves and seeks to avenge the tyrannous. But she is acting against Arobynn's orders and could suffer an unimaginable punishment for such treachery. Will Celaena ever be truly free? Explore the dark underworld of this kick-ass heroine to find out.

Book Review

Top Ten Tuesday: Historical and Futuristic Settings You Love

TTT is a weekly meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish

With fantasy being one of my favourite genres to read from, it comes to no surprise that I have plenty of futuristic settings that I would love more of. However, in terms of historical settings, I really had to scratch my head to think beyond the obvious.

January 2016 Wrap-Up

Guys, we are already in February. What is going on?

January has been a pretty good month in terms of my reading. Having made new reading goals for this year and altered my reading habits, I find myself really enjoying reading again without the constant pressure of finishing books. 

This month, I read the following four books:

Plus, having read The Assassin's Blade by Sarah J. Maas, the anthology prequel to the Throne of Glass series, I am in the middle of rereading the first two books before moving onto the rest of the series. In terms of rereading, I have completed:

And I am currently in the middle of two re-reads:

So all in all, I'm having a great time! What about you guys? How did you go last month?