Image Map

My Weekly Book Haul: 25/10/2014

STSmall

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 has been quite good, but it's ending with me being off work sick and that sucks. Mainly because I don't like being sick, I also can't even binge watch my go to TV show of the moment, which is The Killing btw, because I have to wait for the boyfriend to finish work tonight before I can. I'm also struggling with reading and blogging because sitting up makes me feel dizzy. Oh well, at least I don't have to get dressed or leave my house!


I took my Pottermore sorting test finally, and got Ravenclaw. I wouldn't say I was surprised because that does sound like me. But I always by Gryffindor and Slytherin merchandise, mainly because I like the colours. Now I don't even know! Haha. Anyone else taken it? I even did another test after on a different site and still got Ravenclaw.

I've also spent my week trying to finally catch up on replying to comments. I ended up having almost 300 to reply to and now swear to never wait that long again. I've still got to go visit blogs though, which I'll probably spend an evening doing very soon. I am still obsessed with Instagram, even though I have yet to be tagged in anything. Soon I'm going to cave and just start doing the tags anyway, they look like fun.

InstagramI also reached over 2,000 Bloglovin' follower, which is just incredible.







Leaving TimeLeaving Time by Jodi Picoult

For more than a decade, Jenna Metcalf has never stopped thinking about her mother, Alice, who mysteriously disappeared in the wake of a tragic accident. Refusing to believe that she would be abandoned as a young child, Jenna searches for her mother regularly online and pores over the pages of Alice’s old journals. A scientist who studied grief among elephants, Alice wrote mostly of her research among the animals she loved, yet Jenna hopes the entries will provide a clue to her mother’s whereabouts.
Desperate to find the truth, Jenna enlists two unlikely allies in her quest. The first is Serenity Jones, a psychic who rose to fame finding missing persons—only to later doubt her gifts. The second is Virgil Stanhope, a jaded private detective who originally investigated Alice’s case along with the strange, possibly linked death of one of her colleagues. As the three work together to uncover what happened to Alice, they realize that in asking hard questions, they’ll have to face even harder answers.
As Jenna’s memories dovetail with the events in her mother’s journals, the story races to a mesmerizing finish. A deeply moving, gripping, and intelligent page-turner, Leaving Time is Jodi Picoult at the height of her powers.

You probably wouldn't know this by looking at my blog, which is 99.9% YA reviews, but I read a ton of adult fiction before I started blogging. It's just that most of the books I find whilst blogging are YA, so YA seems to have taken over. But Jodi Picoult is one of my favourite authors and I had to buy her book when it came out on the 14th. Except that was only the US, Canada and Australia release date. So the boyfriend was lovely and ordered it for me online so I didn't have to wait for November. Currently reading and loving it.

Black Ice
Black Ice by Becca Fitzpatrick

Sometimes danger is hard to see... until it’s too late. 
Britt Pfeiffer has trained to backpack the Teton Range, but she isn't prepared when her ex-boyfriend, who still haunts her every thought, wants to join her. Before Britt can explore her feelings for Calvin, an unexpected blizzard forces her to seek shelter in a remote cabin, accepting the hospitality of its two very handsome occupants—but these men are fugitives, and they take her hostage. 
In exchange for her life, Britt agrees to guide the men off the mountain. As they set off, Britt knows she must stay alive long enough for Calvin to find her. The task is made even more complicated when Britt finds chilling evidence of a series of murders that have taken place there... and in uncovering this, she may become the killer’s next target. 
But nothing is as it seems in the mountains, and everyone is keeping secrets, including Mason, one of her kidnappers. His kindness is confusing Britt. Is he an enemy? Or an ally? 

 Another gift from the boyfriend and a book that I am unsure about. I've been hearing mixed reviews for this one.


The School of Good and Evil
The School for Good and Evil by Soman Chainani

“The first kidnappings happened two hundred years before. Some years it was two boys taken, some years two girls, sometimes one of each. But if at first the choices seemed random, soon the pattern became clear. One was always beautiful and good, the child every parent wanted as their own. The other was homely and odd, an outcast from birth. An opposing pair, plucked from youth and spirited away.”
This year, best friends Sophie and Agatha are about to discover where all the lost children go: the fabled School for Good & Evil, where ordinary boys and girls are trained to be fairy tale heroes and villains. As the most beautiful girl in Gavaldon, Sophie has dreamed of being kidnapped into an enchanted world her whole life. With her pink dresses, glass slippers, and devotion to good deeds, she knows she’ll earn top marks at the School for Good and graduate a storybook princess. Meanwhile Agatha, with her shapeless black frocks, wicked pet cat, and dislike of nearly everyone, seems a natural fit for the School for Evil.
But when the two girls are swept into the Endless Woods, they find their fortunes reversed—Sophie’s dumped in the School for Evil to take Uglification, Death Curses, and Henchmen Training, while Agatha finds herself in the School For Good, thrust amongst handsome princes and fair maidens for classes in Princess Etiquette and Animal Communication.. But what if the mistake is actually the first clue to discovering who Sophie and Agatha really are…?

I bought this thanks to the review that Ashana wrote.


The Bad Beginning (A Series of Unfortunate Events, #1) The Reptile Room (A Series of Unfortunate Events, #2) The Wide Window (A Series of Unfortunate Events, #3) The Miserable Mill (A Series of Unfortunate Events, #4)
The Austere Academy (A Series of Unfortunate Events, #5) The Ersatz Elevator (A Series of Unfortunate Events, #6) The Vile Village (A Series of Unfortunate Events, #7)
The Hostile Hospital The Carnivorous Carnival (A Series of Unfortunate Events, #9) The Slippery Slope (A Series of Unfortunate Events, #10)
The Grim Grotto (A Series of Unfortunate Events, #11) The Penultimate Peril (A Series of Unfortunate Events, #12) The End (A Series of Unfortunate Events, #13)
A Series of Unfortunate Events by Lemony Snicket

Dear Reader, I'm sorry to say that the book you are holding in you hands is extremely unpleasant.It tells an unhappy tale about three very unlucky children.Even though they are charming and clever,the Baudelaire siblings lead lives filled with misery and woe.

If I borrow series then I borrow series. I borrowed every book in the series, mainly because of all the love I've been seeing this series get on Notebook Sisters and BookTube. When I have three weeks off, I plan to just sit and binge read all of these!

Belzhar
Belzhar by Meg Wolitzer

If life were fair, Jam Gallahue would still be at home in New Jersey with her sweet British boyfriend, Reeve Maxfield. She’d be watching old comedy sketches with him. She’d be kissing him in the library stacks.
She certainly wouldn’t be at The Wooden Barn, a therapeutic boarding school in rural Vermont, living with a weird roommate, and signed up for an exclusive, mysterious class called Special Topics in English.
But life isn’t fair, and Reeve Maxfield is dead.
Until a journal-writing assignment leads Jam to Belzhar, where the untainted past is restored, and Jam can feel Reeve’s arms around her once again. But there are hidden truths on Jam’s path to reclaim her loss.

I've seen mixed reviews, so I'm a little nervous.

Cruel Summer
Cruel Summer by James Dawson

A year after Janey’s suicide, her friends reunite at a remote Spanish villa, desperate to put the past behind them. However, an unwelcome guest arrives claiming to have evidence that Jane was murdered. When she is found floating in the pool, it becomes clear one of them is a killer. Only one thing is for certain, surviving this holiday is going to be murder…

I've wanted to read his books ever since I saw him on the panel at YALC.

You're the One That I Want
You're the One that I Want by Giovanna Fletcher

Maddy, dressed in white, stands at the back of the church. At the end of the aisle is Rob - the man she's about to marry. Next to Rob is Ben - best man and the best friend any two people ever had.
And that's the problem.
Because if it wasn't Rob waiting for her at the altar, there's a strong chance it would be Ben. Loyal and sensitive Ben has always kept his feelings to himself, but if he turned round and told Maddy she was making a mistake, would she listen? And would he be right?
Best friends since childhood, Maddy, Ben and Rob thought their bond was unbreakable. But love changes everything. Maddy has a choice to make but will she choose wisely? Her heart, and the hearts of the two best men she knows, depend on it...

I just adore the cover! Also, Love, Rosie was a disappointing read and so I am craving another chick lit, one that hopefully won't suck and will actually be romantic.


The Here and Now
The Here and Now by Ann Brashares

Follow the rules. Remember what happened. Never fall in love.
This is the story of seventeen-year-old Prenna James, who immigrated to New York when she was twelve. Except Prenna didn’t come from a different country. She came from a different time—a future where a mosquito-borne illness has mutated into a pandemic, killing millions and leaving the world in ruins. 
Prenna and the others who escaped to the present day must follow a strict set of rules: never reveal where they’re from, never interfere with history, and never, ever be intimate with anyone outside their community. Prenna does as she’s told, believing she can help prevent the plague that will one day ravage the earth. 
But everything changes when Prenna falls for Ethan Jarves. 

The Calling (Endgame, Book 1)
Endgame: The Calling by James Frey & Nils Johnson-Shelton

I've been reading some articles about the author that have put me off this book. I'm also unsure of the premise as it seems like a bit of a rip off! I don't even know at this point.

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.





My Weekly Book Haul: 18/10/2014
Grave Mercy by Robin LaFevers: 2/5 Review
Top Ten Tuesday: New Series I Want To Start
The Maze Runner by James Dashner: 2/5 Review
Films for Thoughts on Thursday: The Equalizer
Five Friday Favourites: Favourite Book Cover Trends


64 comments:

  1. What a great haul.... you definitely do not do borrowing by half do you? My mum is a HUGE fan of the Lemony Snicket books and keep trying to persuade me to read them..... maybe one day! xx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I know! I just thought it was better to get them all, in case I love the first one and want to do a big binge read.

      Delete
  2. Very nice haul!! Mostly new to me ones except for Black Ice which I read and loved! A really great thriller! Hope you enjoy all your new reads!

    My STS will be up tomorrow, so be sure to stop by then!

    Have a GREAT day!

    Old Follower :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm glad to hear someone loved it, have seen a lot of bad reviews for that one and I'm getting nervous about it.

      Delete
  3. I wish I had the time every day to spend a few hours on Pottermore but it just doesn't happen! I am a hard working Hufflepuff though, so that's my excuse. I'd say it fits me pretty well as I love badgers! Enjoy your books!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I know, I have barely any time to go on there. EVER! I still haven't read the new short story from Halloween and I really must do that soon.

      Delete
  4. I read Lemony Snicket YEARS ago, and I still own the very nice hard cover versions. I really should do a re-read at some point. I also got Ravenclaw, which makes me glad I haven't bought any merch because, like you I would've bought based on colours I like haha. I really want to read The Here and Now so it'll be interesting to see what you think about it :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I am going back to the tour and I still don't really know what I want. I will probably mix and match. Get some Ravenclaw, some Slytherin and Gryffindor. No Hufflepuff! HAHA!

      Delete
  5. Aww, I'm really sorry you've been unwell hunny, get better soon for sure, it not sooner! The community isn't right without you, at least, it isn't too me! :) I will do more tags over the next few days on Instagram and tag you for sure, or tag you in older ones I did, how about that? Is that fair? ;) I really need to find myself a James who will buy me books, but I didn't like Black Ice, hopefully you do though! :D I have The Here and Now and myself and oh man, Belzhar, I really loved that book, made me cry all the tears! :( Good luck getting better and have a wonderful week hunny! :D

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I am trying to not become too obsessed with Instagram, but it's so hard! HAHA!! IT'S AMAZING!!! I know, James has also outdone himself in regards to Christmas and I am sooooo excited. I can't wait to get all of my books now.

      Delete
  6. Congrats on all the great books, I hope you feel better soon. Being sick is never fun.

    ReplyDelete
  7. You're the One That I Want looks so cute! I'll have to check that book out. And oh my gosh, I used to LOVE The Series of Unfortunate Events. Those are cute editions you got from the library! I hope you enjoy all you got :)

    Here's STS!

    PS. I'm a new GFC follower! You're blog is so adorable :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks for the follow, I'll definitely come check out your blog! :)

      Delete
  8. Great haul! I LOVED SHATTER ME! And I liked THE 5th WAVE! I hope you enjoy all your new goodies.

    Check out my STS:
    http://addictreaders.blogspot.com/2014/10/stacking-shelves-76.html

    ReplyDelete
  9. Sad to hear that you are sick. I hope you are soon feeling better.
    But you got some great books here!! OMG!! You got a lot to read. I hope you enjoy reading them =)

    my STS

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. My top tip for new bloggers? Enjoy it. It is sooo much fun to get to know new people and to read al those reviews of new books. Soooo....enjoy =)

      Delete
  10. 2000 followers is an INSANE achievement. Seriously, I'm so proud of you!!

    (Also 5TH WAVE. I loved that book!! The sequel is, dare I say it, even better :D)

    ReplyDelete
  11. Nice haul, hon!! Enjoy your books :) I'm really interested in Endgame, can't wait to see what you think of it.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Oh no! That sucks that you’re sick :( Rest up and get better really soon, the blog (and all of us!) and reading will still be here in a day or two :)

    Ooh I took that Pottermore test not too long ago… turns out I’m a Gryffindor! I love lions, so I’m very happy (even though I’m really a dog person… go figure!) HUGE congrats on 2000+ follower! That’s so awesome, you deserve every one!

    Hope you love all your new books, and I really hope you feel better soon!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I love lions too! My favourite animal, but I'll take Ravenclaw over Hufflepuff any day ;)

      Delete
  13. I feel like part of my childhood is missing because I never read Lemony Snicket. I can't wait to see what you think of them.
    Also I'm a Ravenclaw too :D Congrats, haha

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I started the series and it's fun, but definitely for the younger reader haha.

      Delete
  14. Black Ice…I recently got it from the library so I should be reading it soon. Hopefully we'll both like it! ~Pam

    ReplyDelete
  15. It sucks that your sick! Have a night in and snuggle up and I hope that that'll do the trick and that you'll get better! I've read a couple of Adult Picoult and three of her more YA targeted books and, while I enjoyed them, she tackles some really hefty themes. I may have to pick up another one though because it's been a while. Oh...Belzhar....I won't even comment on that one. I'll look out for your review though. I'm curious about how you're going to take it. And...Endgame. I was gifted that one from a publisher but I can't see myself reading it, you know? I know I should probably remove myself from the whole FFF thing but I just can't shake it.

    Anyways, have a FANTASTIC week, Charnell! <33 x

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. If I'm honest, I don't really recommend Leaving Time. I did enjoy it, but not as much as I wanted to. I had a lot of issues with it and it wasn't the read I was hoping for, which really sucks.

      Delete
  16. OMG YOU HAVE ALL THE SNICKET BOOKS!! AHHHH!!! I HOPE YOU LIKE THEM. You might think they're insanely crazy...but it's an awesome kind of crazy, trust me. XD I really like Lemony Snicket. He's absolutely bonkers. *ahem* SO YES. You sure do go the whole way when you try a series, right?! I only ever tentatively borrow one book. haha!
    Oh but congrats on 2,000 followers! OMG!! YOU ARE A BLOGGING SUPERSTAR FOR SURE!!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you! I did enjoy the first two, but they feel a bit young. They're good but they can be a little repetitive. I will probably read one or two a month until I finish the series.

      Delete
  17. I'm sorry to hear that you haven't been well, Charnell, but I really hope you start feeling better soon. :) You're doing so well catching up on all things blog-wise. If I was you, I'd probably given up by now, to be honest.

    Yay for Ravenclaw! I'm a Ravenclaw too. ;D Before Pottermore, I took countless sorting hat quizzes, and got Ravenclaw 90% of the time. The times I didn't get Ravenclaw, I got Gryffindor. Well, not always. I've gotten Slytherin 3 times, and Hufflepuff once. BUT, Pottermore declared me as a Ravenclaw, so that's what I'm taking as truth.

    Book-wise, I can't wait to see what you think of Leaving Time. Is this a new Picoult book? I really enjoy what I've read from her so far. I also hope you enjoy the Series of Unfortunate Events. I absolutely loved that series when I was younger, and I've been wanting to re-read it for some time now. I love those editions too! I'd totally buy them if I didn't already have 5 books in the original editions.

    I hope this next week is much better for you, lovely. <3

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Haha, I know! I do feel like giving up a lot of the time, but I've stuck with it and I',m rather proud of myself. I will get those reviews written.

      I took a ton of other sorting hat quizzes and got Ravenclaw every time haha.

      Yes, it's her latest one. It was okay but not what I was expecting and was actually a little disappointing.

      Delete
  18. Wow now that's a haul!
    I'm in Hufflepuff :/ My sister got Gryffindor. So jealous!
    I hope you like You're the One that I Want more than I did - the characters annoyed me :/ I preferred Billy and Me.
    Congrats on getting over 2,000 Bloglovin' followers :)

    ReplyDelete
  19. Huh, I didn't know we started blogging around the same time -- it's recently been my one-year blogaversary too. And yet I remember thinking your blog was so big and popular already when I started! I don't know how you do it.

    It looks like a great haul, anyway! Enjoy your books.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I have no idea, haha! I spent far too much time on the blog instead of having a life, heehee!

      Delete
  20. Amaaaazing book haul here and happy blogoversary!

    My top tip is to be yourself and don't be afraid to ask for help from others. That and to blog hop!

    As for books - I have no idea what I'd pick! x

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Great advice. blog hopping really is important. It's a great way to meet new bloggers.

      Delete
  21. On Pottermore, I am Slytherin, and I like it that way a lot :D I was hoping for either that or for Ravenclaw. I take it as canon as JKR is directly involved :D

    You don't kid with borrowing! :D I stated Snicket's series but felt like they are very repetitive. I mean they are fun and interesting, but it gets a bit boring when it's just the same thing over and over again. I may continue some day but I am not in a hurry.

    Enjoy these!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I know, me too. I can understand why I am Ravenclaw, but I own a Slytherin shirt and a Gryffindor pillow. I seem to love everything, but Hufflepuff.

      Delete
  22. Congratulations on the 2,000 followers!

    I took the Pottermore sorting test and was put into the Hufflepuff house - but I haven't been back on the website since then!

    I own a couple of Jodi Picoult's books, I just haven't got around to reading any yet! Though I have borrowed 'Between the Lines' from the library, so I should be reading that soon. Leaving time sounds really interesting - mostly because I adore elephants. I look forward to hearing your thoughts on that, along with the other books!

    Hope you are feeling better, and enjoy your books :-) xx

    Sarah @ Bookish Retreat

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. If I am completely honest, Between the Lines is my least favourite JP book haha! Leaving Time actually disappointed me, but it was still a great read. If you love elephants then you should absolutely love it.

      Delete
  23. Oh my gosh. SO many pretties! Will keep you nice and busy for a while :D

    ReplyDelete
  24. Congrats on hitting another follower milestone!!

    Wow, your book haul this week is super impressive. I don't know how you keep track of all of the books you get.

    I also purchased The School for Good and Evil, I heard the author speak on a panel and got to meet him, he was so passionate about his book and really made it sound interesting, so of course I had to purchase it and get it signed.
    I'll be looking forward to comparing our reviews.

    Happy Reading!
    Emily @ Follow the Yellow Book Road

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. ^^ That is soo awesome. I really enjoyed The School For Good and Evil. Who knows, maybe I could get my copy signed one day!

      Delete
    2. I am so excited to read it! Ashana really recommended it and her review had me itching to get my hands on a copy.

      Delete
  25. Great haul! I actually was thinking about buying Black Ice, it looks awesome. Congrats on 2K followers!

    ReplyDelete
  26. Holy Haul!! Lol so looking forward to the new Picoult book, and I haven't read any of the series of unfortunate events books either, so can't wait to hear what you think of them! My next long stretch off will be over Christmas and I can't wait to do nothing but read!! R x

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I am thinking of doing that myself, I have three weeks off work and think I should take at least a week off the blog. I will be with family over the main Christmas days and so won't really have the time to blog.

      Delete
  27. WOAHH your haul! I've been wanting to get Lemony Snicket for ages now. I've heard of the End Game - it didn't really grip me, but Shadow and Bone interested me. And oooooo I'm so excited that you've got TSFGAE and Half Bad! I hope you enjoy them as much as I did.

    By the way, did you hear about JK Rowling's new short on Dolores Umbridge (here's a link.)?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Forgot to add - get well soon =]

      Delete
    2. I did! I really need to hurry up and go read it. I will do that tomorrow, I have a day off finally.

      Delete
  28. Ravenclaw's unite! Welcome to the house. :)
    Hope you're feeling better! I had a cold last week. And once you get a cold it's impossible to get over it. :/
    So many books. I've also not read A Series of Unfortunate Events. So you're not alone there...I do have the first book. It's something I need to get to ASAP.
    One of my good friends absolutely loved You're the One That I Want, so I've been dying to get my hands on it. She said to have tissues handy.
    Oh Black Ice... Very, very mixed feelings on it. I would just go in with very low expectations. I really enjoyed the middle part. But the beginning and ending was absolute crap.
    I also really disliked The Here and Now. It's really short and just kind of played out the exact way I thought it would.
    I also DNF'ed The School for Good and Evil. I'll just leave it at that.
    Sorry to be a downer. I really hope you have much better luck with those books than I did.
    Happy reading!
    Brittany @ This is the Story of My(Reading) Life

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Haha! Thank you for having me! I am still torn over what to buy when I go on the tour now , haha.

      I have heard terrible things about Black Ice, so I definitely have LOW LOW expectations! haha.

      Delete
  29. Ahh, it's the complete opposite with me! I'm a Slytherin (and proud!) but Ravenclaw colors suit me better. Green is just not my thing; it makes my complexion look sick haha.
    The Plot of The School of Good and Evil sounds amazing, have fun reading it! I also have started to read some adult books again, but I'm so used to reading YA books that it feels weird to read something... mature, y'know?
    October is always the month to get sick, you need to drink lots and lots of green tea! Although it has a rather tingly taste, it definitely gets your vitals pumped.

    Good luck with all the books!
    Nana @ whatabadpoem.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Haha! We'll have to swap house ;) I wanted to be Slytherin, so many cool people are in Slytherin. AND I LOVE GREEN! The shirts are amazing... and AH! DECISIONS HAHA.

      Delete
  30. Hope you are feeling better. Nice haul! I hear Leaving Time is a good one.
    here's my sts:
    http://vvb32reads.blogspot.com/2014/10/stacking-shelves-102514.html

    and if you like Jane Austen, please join me at the Pemberley Ball:
    http://vvb32reads.blogspot.com/2014/10/pemberley-ball-2014-next-month.html

    ReplyDelete

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.