My Weekly Book Haul: 18/10/2014

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Friday Finds is something that was started over on ShouldBeReading and Stacking the Shelves over at TyngaReviews, I am in love with all of these as I love finding other blogs to follow and books to read through these! So check them all out and see what you find, Stacking the Shelves has a lot of participants as well which is great. This is basically a way for me to show what books I have received, borrowed or bought each week. All book covers and their summary come from back of book or Goodreads.

This week started well, went bad once I had to work and then the last two days have been really good. Books wise I have actually read some really disappointing reads. I didn't enjoy The Maze Runner at all, it's really poorly written and had some really big plot holes that were hard to get past. I also read Love, Rosie because I wanted to see the film and that was bad too, it was really unromantic and entirely frustrating. Thankfully I ended this week reading All the Bright Places by Jennifer Niven, which is due out in January, and it was an amazing book. It was beautiful, raw and heartbreaking and just so good.
I also joined Instagram and I've become a little addicted, it's just so much fun and simple to use. I actually think I prefer it to Twitter or Facebook. If you've got Instagram and want to add me then you can find me here:  Instagram.
My family and I are going to the Harry Potter Studio Tour at Christmas. It's my second time going and I am more prepared this time. I have asked my parents and boyfriend to hold off on the Christmas gift buying because I want to get stuff at the tour. There's eight of us going and it's going to be a lot of fun. 



Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn

Gone GirlOn a warm summer morning in North Carthage, Missouri, it is Nick and Amy Dunne's fifth wedding anniversary. Presents are being wrapped and reservations are being made when Nick's clever and beautiful wife disappears from their rented McMansion on the Mississippi River. Husband-of-the-Year Nick isn't doing himself any favors with cringe-worthy daydreams about the slope and shape of his wife's head, but passages from Amy's diary reveal the alpha-girl perfectionist could have put anyone dangerously on edge. Under mounting pressure from the police and the media--as well as Amy's fiercely doting parents--the town golden boy parades an endless series of lies, deceits, and inappropriate behavior. Nick is oddly evasive, and he's definitely bitter--but is he really a killer? 
As the cops close in, every couple in town is soon wondering how well they know the one that they love. With his twin sister, Margo, at his side, Nick stands by his innocence. Trouble is, if Nick didn't do it, where is that beautiful wife? And what was in that silvery gift box hidden in the back of her bedroom closet?

Seeing the movie has made me really want to reread the book.

Ruin and Rising (The Grisha, #3)
Ruin and Rising by Leigh Bardugo

I haven't started the first book yet, so I am not going to put the synopsis down in case it spoils anything for me. I seem certain that I am going to love this one because I have bought all three of the books. 


Skulduggery Pleasant (Skulduggery Pleasant, #1) Playing with Fire (Skulduggery Pleasant, #2) The Faceless Ones (Skulduggery Pleasant, #3) Dark Days (Skulduggery Pleasant, #4)
Mortal Coil (Skulduggery Pleasant, #5) Death Bringer (Skulduggery Pleasant, #6) Kingdom of the Wicked (Skulduggery Pleasant, #7) Last Stand of Dead Men (Skulduggery Pleasant, #8)
Skulduggery Pleasant #1, #2, #3, #4, #5, #6, #7, #7.5, #8 & #8.5 by Derek Landy

Stephanie's uncle Gordon is a writer of horror fiction. But when he dies and leaves her his estate, Stephanie learns that while he may have written horror, it certainly wasn't fiction. Pursued by evil forces intent on recovering a mysterious key, Stephanie finds help from an unusual source - the wisecracking skeleton of a dead wizard.

I got to go on relief to another library branch on Monday and finally found the first book in this series. Seeing as Amanda (from Book Badger) loves this series, I thought it was time I give it a go. I have the last book in the series waiting for me at work when I go back. Now let's hope I enjoy the first book, otherwise I carried them all home for nothing. 

Heist Society (Heist Society, #1) Heist Society: Uncommon Criminals Perfect Scoundrels (Heist Society, #3)

When Katarina Bishop was three, her parents took her on a trip to the Louvre…to case it. For her seventh birthday, Katarina and her Uncle Eddie traveled to Austria…to steal the crown jewels. When Kat turned fifteen, she planned a con of her own—scamming her way into the best boarding school in the country, determined to leave the family business behind. Unfortunately, leaving “the life” for a normal life proves harder than she’d expected.
Soon, Kat's friend and former co-conspirator, Hale, appears out of nowhere to bring Kat back into the world she tried so hard to escape. But he has a good reason: a powerful mobster has been robbed of his priceless art collection and wants to retrieve it. Only a master thief could have pulled this job, and Kat's father isn't just on the suspect list, he is the list. Caught between Interpol and a far more deadly enemy, Kat’s dad needs her help.
For Kat, there is only one solution: track down the paintings and steal them back. So what if it's a spectacularly impossible job? She's got two weeks, a teenage crew, and hopefully just enough talent to pull off the biggest heist in her family's history--and, with any luck, steal her life back along the way.

I've read the first two and enjoyed them both, I think they each got 3/5 stars from me. I want to continue it but will definitely need a reread of it. I plan to have a big Ally Carter binge at some point, including the Gallagher Girls series. 



I entered a Bloomsbury giveaway on Facebook and was really surprised when I won. I was even more surprised when the package was delivered the next day. It's a mix of different books released from their children's books this October. Some of these will be used as Christmas gifts for my baby second cousin, some are going to work and there are a few that I am excited to read myself. The main two being the following:

A Breath of Frost (The Lovegrove Legacy, #1) Whisper the Dead (The Lovegrove Legacy, #2)
A Breath of Frost and Whisper the Dead by Alyxandra Harvey

Emma Day and her two cousins, Gretchen and Penelope, are uninterested in their debutante lives. All the boring balls, tiresome curtsying and polite conversation leave much to be desired. Then a girl is found dead, frost clinging to her lifeless body, and the murder is traced to Emma. As their world is turned upside down, Emma discovers more about herself and her cousins, from her connection to the murders to the secrets of her family legacy. Now the girls must embrace their true Lovegrove inheritance in order to stop the chaos, even if that means risking their lives. Dangerously handsome Cormac Fairfax wants to help Emma – but, with secrets of his own to hide, can she trust him?

Clariel (Abhorsen, #4)
Clariel by Garth Nix

Sixteen-year-old Clariel is not adjusting well to her new life in the city of Belisaere, the capital of the Old Kingdom. She misses roaming freely within the forests of Estwael, and she feels trapped within the stone city walls. And in Belisaere she is forced to follow the plans, plots and demands of everyone, from her parents to her maid, to the sinister Guildmaster Kilip. Clariel can see her freedom slipping away. It seems too that the city itself is descending into chaos, as the ancient rules binding Abhorsen, King and Clayr appear to be disintegrating.
With the discovery of a dangerous Free Magic creature loose in the city, Clariel is given the chance both to prove her worth and make her escape. But events spin rapidly out of control. Clariel finds herself more trapped than ever, until help comes from an unlikely source. But the help comes at a terrible cost. Clariel must question the motivations and secret hearts of everyone around her - and it is herself she must question most of all.

I won an ARC from Books and Books. I can't even remember entering it, seeing as I have an ARC from YALC. I'll probably just end up giving it away myself. 



Captive (The Blackcoat Rebellion, #2)
Captive by Aimee Carter

For the past two months, Kitty Doe's life has been a lie. Forced to impersonate the Prime Minister's niece, her frustration grows as her trust in her fake fiancé cracks, her real boyfriend is forbidden and the Blackcoats keep her in the dark more than ever. 
But in the midst of discovering that her role in the Hart family may not be as coincidental as she thought, she's accused of treason and is forced to face her greatest fear: Elsewhere. A prison where no one can escape. 
As one shocking revelation leads to the next, Kitty learns the hard way that she can trust no one, not even the people she thought were on her side. With her back against the wall, Kitty wants to believe she'll do whatever it takes to support the rebellion she believes in—but is she prepared to pay the ultimate price?

I enjoyed the first book in this series, despite my issues with it. I saw the sequel on Netgalley and decided I wanted to see what happens next in the series.

Famous in Love
Famous in Love by Rebecca Serle

She fell in love with him in the books - now she has the chance to star opposite him in the film . . .
Paige doesn't think she's particularly special, but after getting the starring role in a massive film adaptation of the bestselling Locked trilogy, the rest of the world would disagree. Now she's thrown into the spotlight, and into a world of gossip, rumour and deceit. The only people who know what she's going through are her two male co-stars, and they can't stand the sight of each other. Paige knows it's a mistake to fall in love on the set of a movie, but days of on-screen romance and intensity start to change her mind. The question is, can she keep what happens behind the scenes a secret when the world is watching her every move?

I don't even know why I downloaded this one, I can already tell I'm probably going to hate it. 



In my blogoversary post I posted my giveaway to celebrate 1 year of blogging. I am giving one winner the chance to win up to £40 worth of books of their choice from Book Depository. I am also giving one runner up a book of their choice, worth up to £10 from Book Depository.





Five Friday Favourites: Favourite Finale
My Weekly Book Haul: 11/10/2014
In a Handful of Dust by Mindy McGinnis: 4/5 Review
Timebomb by Scott K. Andrews: 3/5 Review
Films for Thoughts on Thursday: The Riot Club
Five Friday Favourites: Favourite Book Cover Typography


53 comments:

  1. OOOh nice! The Harry Potter Studio tour sounds awesome! Would love to do that one day in the future! I'd be thrilled just to go the theme park we have in Orlando, but even that's far away for me! We're planning a family trip that way in 2016 when the new Frozen ride opens up! We were going next year, but I suggested we just hold off 1 more year for this ride because it will be awesome!

    YAY for the win!! Congrats! It's always awesome to win something! Especially a great prize pack like that!

    And ooh Leigh Bardugo! I'm close to starting her trilogy! Hoping to get to it this week sometime, at least book 1! Need to get back to some review books I've been neglecting!

    GREAT haul!! Hope you enjoy everything and Happy Reading!!

    My STS will be up on Sunday, like always! Stop by if you can!

    Have a GREAT day!

    Old Follower :)

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    1. I'd love to go to the Orlando theme park, it's just so far away and costs a small fortune to get there. I know, it felt really good to win it and the books are all so pretty.

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  2. Yay for the win. It always feel so good to win and then I'm happy when I get the books finally. Great stack of books.

    Grace @ Books of Love

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  3. Nice haul!! I haven't read the Skulduggery Pleasant books, yet, though I have heard some good things about them. I have a copy of Ruin & Rising but I haven't had a chance to read it yet--I'm always nervous about last books in a series, so I'm hoping it'll be good. xD Enjoy!

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    1. I've heard amazing things from my friend Amanda, which makes me very eager to read them.

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  4. Yay! Well done for your win! :-) I wasn't sure whether to watch the Gone Girl film, you've made me want to watch it!

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  5. WOW - I was just browsing through & stumbled upon your lovely blog - It looks gorgeous and it has interesting posts - def. checking out these reads! I'm now following you via gfc, Hope you check out my blog? x

    Benish | Feminist Reflections

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    1. Thanks for following, I'll be sure to check out your blog.

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  6. Oh gosh....you seriously do NOT borrow series by halves do you? ;-) Amanda is totally persuasive. I borrowed the first Skulduggery book because she swears by them! HA! I liked it, but I do need to read more before I'm addicted or anything. I AM SAD YOU DIDN'T LIKE THE MAZE RUNNER. I'm so addicted to that series I'm kind of scaring myself. 0.0

    AND ALSO: APOLOGIES FOR ENCOURAGING YOU TO BREAK YOUR HEART ON ALL THE BRIGHT PLACES. But you love me for it. I know you do. (I totally had a freak out fangirl session when Jennifer Nievan was like chatting to us!! ERMAGERD. LET ME FLAIL.)

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    1. I seriously don't! I worry that I will read the first book and love it and then have to wait for the sequels. I'd rather have them all and then be able binge read the series if I want to. Not looking forward to carrying them all back to work.

      I'd love to hear your thoughts on The Maze Runner and why you love it. I have so many issues with that series, it's unreal.

      I DO LOVE YOU FOR IT! And I know, I was so surprised when her name popped up!

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  7. I couldn't get into The Maze Runner :/
    I loved the Harry Potter Studios! Still have a chocolate frog hidden away somewhere that needs eating :)
    I can't wait to read Clariel! I love the Old Kingdom series :D
    Great haul!

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    1. I am determined to get a chocolate frog this time, I didn't last time as I ran out of money - I spent so much on that tour.

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  8. OOOH! Have fun at the Harry Potter Tour! I'm super jealous that I don't live in England! PS. I wasn't a fan of Maze Runner at all. Have you seen the movie? Everyone keeps telling me how good that is but I'm apprehensive after the book.

    ENJOY THE GRISHA SERIES. It didn't exactly agree with me at the end but who can deny such a beautifully written series! I hope you devour it. I enjoyed the Heist Society books as well but cannot wait for her new series. I LOVE EMBASSY THINGS!

    I hope your upcoming week is a good one! Enjoy all your books x

    Jess @ My Reading Dress


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    1. I am so excited for the Harry Potter! It's my second time going and I know that I will be bringing much more money with me then what I did last time.

      YAY!! I am glad that someone else did not like the book because I was starting to feel like the only person. I haven't seen the film but I do want to, just to see if I like it more but I am apprehensive too.

      I've been hearing mixed reviews about the end book, but so much love for the others. I'm unsure, I don't want another disappointing series finale.

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  9. So much awesome stuff this week! Let's hope you find that most of these books are very enjoyable and not let downs like Maze was!

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  10. Good haul! I can't believe you managed to get two ARCs of Clariel, ha, I didn't get oooone.

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  11. You have a lovely selection of books! I still need to finish the Grisha trilogy, I read the first one and loved it! I also really enjoy Ally Carter's writing, its very fast paced, enjoyable, and easy to read! I hope you enjoy all your pretties :)

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  12. Loved the Ally Carter books. And, well, Gone Girl is just a must read. I read another of Flynn's books too, and really enjoyed it. Dark Places. Enjoy! Here’s my STS..

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    1. I have Dark Places I think, but I still need to find the time to actually read it.

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  13. Great haul! Enjoy. Can't wait to see the reviews!

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  14. Oh that'll be a fun Christmas! Bummer on the bleh reads. Been there! Hope this week they're much better :)

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  15. OH MY GOD I FEEL SO MUCH PRESSURE NOW. I really really really hope you enjoy Skulduggery, I mean, wow, it'll hurt if you don't, but I mean, from a light-hearted charcater point of review, they might be EXACTLY what you need right now and oh god, the pressure, but yes, enjoy them all! I've read Heist Society and it's sequels and they were good, but not as good as Gallagher Girls for me personally, but still good luck with them too! I am persuasive, my bad.. but I'm SO glad you liked All The Bight Places, need your review ASAP. So yes, keep positive, be happy and enjoy Potter! :D

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    1. HAHA! You should! If I don't like it then I will personally hold you responsible ;) Okay, maybe not. But I do really hope I like it. All the Bright Places was AMAZING!!! I want to review it NOW but it's not out till January so I need to hold off on it.

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  16. Congrats on all of your wins and new reads!

    I have been struggling with The Maze runner for awhile now and although my daughter really likes it and I wanted to read it before watching the movie, I just don't think I am going to push through it. I don't know what it is about it but I can't get into it at all.

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    1. Thank you! I know, that book did not work for me at all and I was so disappointed. I might still watch the movie though, I hope it works better on screen.

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  17. WOW I hope you enjoy all your books. :)

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  18. Ohh a Harry Potter Studio Tour sounds so amazing! Hope you love it, and get lots of awesome stuff to bring home.

    I really want to read the Heist Society series! I got the first book in Ally Carter's Gallagher Girls series not too long ago, so hopefully I'll love that one :) I've heard so many amazing things about that series, so expectations are high. I love A Breath of Frost book cover! Plus, it sounds really good! Hope you love all your new books, Charnell, have a great week!

    My StS

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  19. So many books! I have a copy of Gone Girl I got for $2 at a used book sale but haven't gotten around to read it yet. The movie is awesome, though! I hope you enjoy all you got :)

    Here's my STS!

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    1. I absolutely loved the movie and it has made me so desperate for a reread.

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  20. Amazing haul! Enjoy all of your new books - Famous in Love is actually quite good. It's clearly based on the actors of Dawson's Creek, but it's a nice look at how celebrity can change a person.


    My StS

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    1. I've never seen Dawson's Creek so that will be interesting.

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  21. Looking at your books I feel how my TBR pile is growing. Not that I'm complaining but... when I'm gonna read them all I dunno. Happy reading! :)

    My STS:http://readingadd.blogspot.ro/2014/10/stacking-shelves-13.html

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  22. My tip for new bloggers: Blog for You. Also: Blog for the reader you are now - what would you like to see, focus on, read about?

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    1. Great piece of advice and something I definitely agree with.

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  23. I really need to read the Skulduggery Pleasant books! I've been meaning to for ages. I also like the sound of those Ally Carter books. Great haul! :)

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    1. I've been meaning to for so long as well, I really hope I enjoy the series.

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  24. Can you get Butterbeer at the studio tour? That was the most important bit for me when I went to the Wizarding World. I didn't care that it was 9am, I NEEDED to try me some Butterbeer. :)
    But that's super exciting.
    Instagram is the best out of the social media sites. It really is simple and fun. Glad we could be insta friends. Haha.
    The Grisha trilogy is one of my faves. I know you will love it. It's also one where the first book is amazing but the second one just blows it out the water. Like Throne of Glass and Crown of Midnight.
    Great haul. Happy reading!
    Brittany @ <a href="http://thisisthestoryofmyreadinglife.blogspot.ca/> This is the Story of My(Reading) Life </a>

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    1. Yes you can, but I really didn't like it and it did not taste nice. Maybe they will improve it this time.
      YAY! I love instagram, although I wish people would tag me for things. I see all these amazing tags, I think I might just start doing them anyway.

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  25. I remember thinking The Maze Runner was just ok, I never read the books that came after it. I did enjoy the movie, though.

    Captive…can't wait to read your review. I enjoyed the first book, but I didn't love it, so I'm still on the fence about continuing with the series. So many series!! Have fun reading! ~Pam

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    1. I hope to see the movie and enjoy it a lot more than the book!

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  26. I haven't read Garth Nix books but I also find the covers great. Might just have to pick one up soon.
    Also I have tagged you in the Opposite Book Tag! Check out the post here: http://mooneyesrandomsmile.blogspot.ca/2014/10/opposite-book-tag.html

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Thank you so much for taking the time to comment, it always makes my day! Because of time restraints, this is now an award free zone but thanks so much for considering me! Feel free to leave a link to your own blog and I will come visit.