Waiting on Wednesday (40)

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating. This week I'm waiting on 

Wild Awake by Hilary T. Smith

Title: Wild Awake

Author: Hilary T. Smith

Will be published on: May 28th, 2013 (Katherine Tegen Books)

Things you earnestly believe will happen while your parents are away:

1. You will remember to water the azaleas.
2. You will take detailed, accurate messages.
3. You will call your older brother, Denny, if even the slightest thing goes wrong.
4. You and your best friend/bandmate Lukas will win Battle of the Bands.
5. Amid the thrill of victory, Lukas will finally realize you are the girl of his dreams.

Things that actually happen:

1. A stranger calls who says he knew your sister.
2. He says he has her stuff.
3. What stuff? Her stuff.
4. You tell him your parents won’t be able to—
5. Sukey died five years ago; can’t he—
6. You pick up a pen.
7. You scribble down the address.
8. You get on your bike and go.
9. Things . . . get a little crazy after that.*
*also, you fall in love, but not with Lukas.

I'm very curious about what will happen in Wild Awake! What stranger is calling? And more importantly why?

What are you waiting on?

Top Ten Books I Recommend The Most

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly feature created by The Broke and the Bookish. Every Tuesday has another topic and different bloggers give their top ten. I love making lists, so here's mine for this week!

This week's topic is 

Top Ten Books I Recommend The Most

It's never really easy making these Top Ten's, but this one is so hard! There are so many awesome books out there I loved and would recommend. But I tried my hardest and narrowed it down to ten. They're not really in a particular order. I think they're all amazing!

 1  Pushing the Limits / Dare You To by Katie McGarry

I'm counting these as one. You don't want to miss out on both of them!

 2  Legend by Marie Lu

I just finished this one yesterday and let me tell it's as amazing as everyone says it is!

 3  The Elemental series by Brigid Kemmerer

Yes, I know, I cheating a bit again. I could just pick the first book in the series, but you'll want to read the other books in the series then anyway. It's that amazing!

 4  The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger

This book left a huge impression on me and I cried so hard while I read it. A beautiful story that really makes you think.

 5  Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi

Tahereh Mafi's writing style is so amazing you should read this book just for that.

 6  Can You Keep A Secret by Sophie Kinsella

This book has made me laugh so hard! It was almost embarrassing.

 7  Glow by Amy Kathleen Ryan

I never thought I would say that I love a science fiction book, but this one is absolutely amazing.

 8  The Last Song by Nicholas Sparks

All his books have made me cry, but this was one of the best.

 9  Under the Never Sky by Veronica Rossi

One of the best dystopian books out there. 

10 Harry Potter by J.K. Rowling

As long as there are people out there that haven't read this series yet I'll keep recommending it!

What books do you recommend the most?

Review Mila 2.0 by Debra Driza

Title: Mila 2.0
Author: Debra Driza 

Published: March 12th, 2013 
Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books

Pages: 480

Source: Netgalley
Series: Mila 2.0 #1

Mila was living with her mother in a small Minnesota town when she discovered she was also living a lie.

She was never meant to learn the truth about her identity. She was never supposed to remember the past—that she was built in a computer science lab and programmed to do things real people would never do.

Now she has no choice but to run—from the dangerous operatives who want her terminated because she knows too much, and from a mysterious group that wants to capture her alive and unlock her advanced technology.

Evading her enemies won't help Mila escape the cruel reality of what she is and cope with everything she has had to leave behind. However, what she's becoming is beyond anyone's imagination, including her own, and that just might save her life.

When I read the prequel to Mila 2.0 I knew this was going to be an amazing series! And the first book was indeed awesome! 

It's about a girl Mila who discovers she isn't who she thought she was. That sounds a bit lame, but it totally isn't. She's a robot! When she's in an accident her arm is punctured and instead of blood and flesh she sees wires. Her mother explains some bits, about her being a robot and that she's been build in a lab. For Mila the most confusing part is that she does have memories, but they're all fake. Her "mother" put them in her head. 

At some points this book was really confusing. Mila has memories (although they're not her own) and she also experiences feelings. At times I couldn't wrap my mind around it. How could a robot have feelings? Trick is to not over think things like this! They'll only give you a headache. So when I put that beside me I enjoyed the book even more!

Debra Driza has a very nice writing style and the story was hard to put down! It was very exciting to read it and the ending was so good! I can't wait to read the second book. 

Mila is a nice girl with just enough kick-ass-ness (just made that word up ;)). She really grew on me throughout the story. At the end she really knows how to defend herself and she does! I love that about her!

Go out, buy this book, go home, make a big cup of tea and start reading this!

Waiting on Wednesday (39)

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating. This week I'm waiting on 

Rush by Eve Silver

Title: Rush

Author: Eve Silver

Will be published on: June 11th, 2013 (Katherine Tegen Books)
Series: The Game #1

Synopsis from Goodreads: When Miki Jones is pulled from her life, pulled through time and space into some kind of game—her carefully controlled life spirals into chaos. In the game, she and a team of other teens are sent on missions to eliminate the Drau, terrifying and beautiful alien creatures. There are no practice runs, no training, and no way out. Miki has only the guidance of secretive but maddeningly attractive team leader Jackson Tate, who says the game isn’t really a game, that what Miki and her new teammates do now determines their survival, and the survival of every other person on this planet. She laughs. He doesn’t. And then the game takes a deadly and terrifying turn.

This synopsis sounds so exciting! I can't wait to find out if the game is real or not!

What are you waiting on?

Review Unearthly by Cynthia Hand

Title: Unearthly
Author: Cynthia Hand

Published: November 1st, 2011
Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers

Pages: 435

Source: Gift
Series: Unearthly #1

When Clara Gardner learns she's part angel, her entire life changes. She now has a purpose, a specific task she was put on this earth to accomplish, except she doesn't know what it is. Her visions of a raging forest fire and a mysterious boy lead her to a new high school in a new town but provide no clear instruction. As Clara tries to find her way in a world she no longer understands, she encounters unseen dangers and choices she never thought she'd have to make--between the boy in her vision and the boy in her life, between honesty and deceit, love and duty, good and evil. . . . When the fire from her vision finally ignites, will Clara be ready to face her destiny?

I'd heard so many amazing things about Unearthly I just had to read it. Although I'm pretty tired of all the angel books. And I'm so glad I did. Every person telling you this book is amazing is right! It is absolutely awesome! 

Clara is an angel, with the wings, inhuman strength, speed and powers. It isn't that long ago when she discovered herself she's an angel and she's still struggling with it. And then she starts having the visions of a boy in a forest on fire. Her mother decides they have to move so Clara can get to know the boy in her visions. 

I can officially tell you I'm Team Tucker! I even counted the pages until he made his appearance! He's everything everyone says he is. Handsome, cute and most of the time a huge pain in the butt! Yes, I'm sorry, but I just had to get it out there. I almost cried when he was so mean to Clara and thought everyone else had just gone insane in liking him! But luckily, he turned out to be amazing!

This is definitely the best series about angels I've read. Although I have only read the first book so far I'm already positive about this. Cynthia Hand's view on angels is so refreshing and I love her writing style! And those covers: just gorgeous! I really hope to read the second book soon!

Put your dislike for angel books aside and read Unearthly. You'll love it!

Review Breathless by Brigid Kemmerer

Title: Breathless
Author: Brigid Kemmerer

Published: April 30th, 2013 
Publisher: Kensington Teen

Pages: 65

Source: for review
Series: Elemental #2.5

Too many secrets. Not enough time.

Nick Merrick is supposed to be the level-headed one. The peacemaker. Since it’s just him and his three hotheaded brothers against the world, that’s a survival tactic.

But now he’s got problems even his brothers can’t help him survive.

His so-called girlfriend, Quinn, is going quick as mercury from daring to crazy. Meanwhile, Quinn’s dancer friend Adam is throwing Nick off balance, forcing him to recognize a truth he’d rather shove back into the dark.

He can feel it—-the atmosphere is sizzling. Danger is on the way. But whatever happens next, Nick is starting to find out that sometimes nothing you do can keep the peace.

Brigid Kemmerer has done it again! If you visit my blog more often you know how much I love this series. It just has everything I love: an amazing writing style, romance, powers, and don't forget the HOT guys! Breathless has it all! 

This novella is about Nick. He's my favorite of the four brothers from the beginning of the series. His element is air and that's just cool to begin with! He's also the complete opposite of his twin brother Gabriel. In even more ways than you think! 

Although this novella has only 65 pages so much happens. I won't give any spoilers, but that kissing scene at the end of the story? So hot! 
But what I loved most about Breathless were the dancing scenes. Brigid Kemmerer just knows what I want. Dancing in my favorite series with cool powers and hot guys? I'll take that any day! 

Spirit, the third book in the series, is coming out in just a couple of months and I so can't wait! It can't get here soon enough! I just saw on Goodreads there will also be a book #4 and #5. YEAH! More books in an amazing series with hot guys on the cover. 
If you haven't read Storm (Elemental #1) yet I highly recommend it!

Read this immediately after it's published!

Waiting on Wednesday (38)

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating. This week I'm waiting on 

The 5th Wave by Rick Yancey

Title: The 5th Wave

Author: Rick Yancey

Publishing date: May 7th, 2013 
Publisher: Putnam Juvenile
Series: The Fifth Wave #1

After the 1st wave, only darkness remains. After the 2nd, only the lucky escape. And after the 3rd, only the unlucky survive. After the 4th wave, only one rule applies: trust no one.

Now, it’s the dawn of the 5th wave, and on a lonely stretch of highway, Cassie runs from Them. The beings who only look human, who roam the countryside killing anyone they see. Who have scattered Earth’s last survivors. To stay alone is to stay alive, Cassie believes, until she meets Evan Walker. Beguiling and mysterious, Evan Walker may be Cassie’s only hope for rescuing her brother—or even saving herself. But Cassie must choose: between trust and despair, between defiance and surrender, between life and death. To give up or to get up.

This sounds so good and exciting! It feels like a book you finish in one read, because it's that good. Can I have it now, please? (Pretty please?)

What are you waiting on?

Top Ten Books On My Spring 2013 TBR List

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly feature created by The Broke and the Bookish. Every Tuesday has another topic and different bloggers give their top ten. I love making lists, so here's mine for this week!

This week's topic is 

Top Ten Books On My Spring 2013 TBR List

At the beginning of this year I wrote the Top Ten Books I Resolve To Read in 2013. And here comes the bad thing: I haven't read any of them yet! I feel so bad. Two and a half months without reading the books I wanted to read most at the beginning of this year. There keep coming new books I want to read. So for the upcoming spring I have two lists to read: the one from the beginning from this year and this one with ten other books. And of course all the other books I have on my TBR pile! These ten books are high on my TBR pile and I hope to read them soon!

 1  Bloodlines by Richelle Mead

 2  Soul Screamers Vol. 1 by Rachel Vincent

 3  Just One Day by Gayle Forman

 4  Reached by Ally Condie

 5  Unspoken by Sarah Rees Brennan

 6  Breathe by Sarah Crossan

 7  Awake at Dawn by C.C. Hunter

 8  Carnival of Souls by Melissa Marr

 9  The Archived by Victoria Schwab

10 Abandon by Meg Cabot


Which books should I definitely read this spring? 

Review Dare You To by Katie McGarry

Title: Dare You To
Author: Katie McGarry

Published: May 28th, 2013 
Publisher: Harlequin Teen

Pages: 304

Source: for review
Series: Pushing the Limits #2

"I dare you..." 

If anyone knew the truth about Beth Risk's home life, they'd send her mother to jail and seventeen-year-old Beth who knows where. So she protects her mom at all costs. Until the day her uncle swoops in and forces Beth to choose between her mom's freedom and her own happiness. That's how Beth finds herself living with an aunt who doesn't want her and going to a school that doesn't understand her. At all. Except for the one guy who shouldn't get her, but does.... 

Ryan Stone is the town golden boy, a popular baseball star jock-with secrets he can't tell anyone. Not even the friends he shares everything with, including the constant dares to do crazy things. The craziest? Asking out the Skater girl who couldn't be less interested in him. 

But what begins as a dare becomes an intense attraction neither Ryan nor Beth expected. Suddenly, the boy with the flawless image risks his dreams-and his life-for the girl he loves, and the girl who won't let anyone get too close is daring herself to want it all...

You know that feeling that a book is so awesome, you just don't know where to start your review? That's me right know. Pushing the Limits was my favorite book last year. And I admit I was a bit afraid starting Dare You To, because my expectations were so high. And guess what? Dare You To is even better than Pushing the Limits! I almost screamed when I turned the last page. I want more!

In Pushing the Limits we met Beth as one of the friends of Noah. I must admit I didn't really like her in PtL, but that definitely changed in Dare You To. Her mother is an addict and she tries to save her, but when things go to far and Beth goes to jail her uncle bails her out en "forces" her to live with him and his wife. That's were Beth meets Ryan, the star player of his football team. He seems to have it all. 

Beth really grew on me. I would never say she's an amazing person, but I have to admire her perseverance. Nothing can stop her if she makes up her mind about something. 
I loved Ryan. On the outside he seems to have it all. But nobody sees his parents aren't speaking to each other when no one's around. Or that his brother isn't welcome anymore because he's gay. 
And that's exactly what makes Beth and Ryan so perfect for each other. They have their problems, but they're also perfect for helping each other. They're, just like Noah and Echo, perfect for each other. 

Katie McGarry is definitely one of my favorite authors! She has an amazing writing style and the way she tells the story is so beautiful. You're really there with the characters. And she gives you all the feels! It's almost impossible to put into words how amazing this story is. You just have to read it and find out for yourself. 

Pre-order Dare You To right now! And the moment it touches your mailbox: start reading it! 

Stacking the Shelves (34)

Stacking the Shelves is a weekly meme hosted by Tynga's Reviews. Bloggers share what new books (physical or virtual) they got this week. I like getting new books and showing them. So here's my haul for this week! 

I know I said I would stop (well, at least take it down a notch) buying books, but this week I'm completely innocent! I didn't buy any of these books. Now I have two high stacks of books on my windowsill. I need to read more and faster! But for now I'll just enjoy the pretty covers. 

For review

Title: Het Mes Dat Niet Wijkt (Dutch version)
Original Title: The Knife of Never Letting Go
Author: Patrick Ness

Published: January 15th, 2013 (Dutch Media Uitgevers)

Pages: 496
Series: Chaos Trilogy #1

Title: Stormgevaar (Dutch version)
Original Title: The Edge of Nowhere
Author: Elisabeth George

Published: September, 2012 (A.W. Bruna Uitgevers)

Pages: 336
Series: Saratoga Woods #1

Won

Title: O, o, Olivia (Dutch author)
Author: Gillian King

Published: June, 2011 (Uitgeverij Kok)

Pages: 256

Title: Shadow of Night
Author: Deborah Harkness

Published: July 10th, 2012 (Headline Publishing Group)

Pages: 636
Series: All Souls #2

What new books did you get this week?

Where A Job Took Away My Blogging Time

Hi guys!

It’s been a bit quieter on my blog lately, as you may have noticed. Since November I have a job again (yay!) and it’s taking up quite some time and energy. I also started a couple of other projects and everything has been piling up and it took away the energy to blog and write reviews. But I’m about to change that and I’m making time and energy to spend on my blog!

I’ve been wondering why I neglected my blog a bit and the answer came to me a few days back: I’m no longer happy with my blog design. I’ve liked it for quite some time, but the colours and header just no longer fit my style. So time for some (major) changes! I want to make my own blog design! I’ve no idea how long that’s going to take and you may seem some smaller changes in the mean time, but it’s going to happen. I’m pretty excited about it and it really gives me the energy again to work on my blog.

I also hope to spend more time reading. My TBR pile is growing like crazy, because I do keep buying the books! Although I’m going to need a very long vacation to get rid of this pile!

I’m really grateful that you read (and follow) my blog and I love the blogging community! So, it’s time to jump into it again!

Lots of book love,

Helene

Waiting on Wednesday (37)

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating. This week I'm waiting on 

Gameboard of the Gods by Richelle Mead

Title: Gameboard of the Gods 

Author: Richelle Mead

Will be published on: June 4th, 2013 (Dutton Adult)
Series: Age of X #1

Synopsis from Goodreads: In a futuristic world nearly destroyed by religious extremists, Justin March lives in exile after failing in his job as an investigator of religious groups and supernatural claims. But Justin is given a second chance when Mae Koskinen comes to bring him back to the Republic of United North America (RUNA). Raised in an aristocratic caste, Mae is now a member of the military’s most elite and terrifying tier, a soldier with enhanced reflexes and skills.

When Justin and Mae are assigned to work together to solve a string of ritualistic murders, they soon realize that their discoveries have exposed them to terrible danger. As their investigation races forward, unknown enemies and powers greater than they can imagine are gathering in the shadows, ready to reclaim the world in which humans are merely game pieces on their board.

I loved Richelle Mead's Vampire Academy series. Gameboard of the Gods has a very promising synopsis and I'm in love with the title! So exciting!

What are you waiting on?

Top Ten Series I'd Like To Start But Haven't Yet

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly feature created by The Broke and the Bookish. Every Tuesday has another topic and different bloggers give their top ten. I love making lists, so here's mine for this week!

This week's topic is 

Top Ten Series I'd Like To Start But Haven't Yet

Let's be honest: there are too many series I want to read, but still haven't started yet! Every time I think about it I get anxious, because I really want to read those books/series and I'm afraid I'll never get around to it. I know this is a bit ridiculous, because you can't read all the books (unfortunately!). I must say that I day dream a lot about being free for a couple of weeks and all I do is read books. Sounds like heaven!

But we're not here to listen (or actually read) to me rambling about all the books I haven't read yet. Although I have a lot more to say on the subject (like: when I made this list a few weeks back I'd put Unearthly on it and I've read it by now or mentioning all the series I did start, but haven't finished yet), I won't. So here's my Top Ten this week!

I own the first book series

Bloodlines by Richelle Mead

I own the first book and almost bought the second one yesterday. I loved her VA series and I hope this one's just as good!

Soul Screamers by Rachel Vincent

I bought Soul Screamers Volume 1 (books #0,5 #1 and #2) after the TTT with our favorite series/books. Everyone was raving about it and I just had to buy it. Like with all the books on the list I really want to read them, but when?

Legend by Marie Lu

Another series I've heard so many good things about. That's why I bought the first book. I wanted to read it very soon (we're talking end of December 2012), but life got in between (and a lot of ARC's and review copies). 

Charley Davidson by Darynda Jones

 I won the first book in the series a few weeks back and I'm really happy with it, because I heard amazing things about it. I kept being hesitant if I wanted to read it, but I want to read it now! 

Lux by Jennifer L. Armentrout

I'm putting this one somewhere in the middle of the list in the hopes you won't notice I haven't read this one yet. I know I should! It's life changing if I have to believe all the amazing reviews. And there's the problem. I'm so afraid it will disappoint. The good news is I own Obsidian, so in the end I shall have to read it. 

Chaos Walking by Patrick Ness

This is one of those series I've heard good things about, but I'm not sure if I'll like it. But if I look at the books I've read and loved so far. Quite some books that I loved I was hesitant about in the beginning! The Dutch translation got published a few weeks back, so now I'm out of excuses not to read it! 

Hourglass by McEntire

You know what the dangerous part of an e-reader is. I forget half the books I have on it and when I'm browsing my to-read shelf on Goodreads I'm thinking every time: Oh, I still have to read that one! I'm in love with the covers of this series!

Paranormalcy by Kiersten White

Someone should stop me buying more books, before I read all the ones I own now! I own the first book and at one point I almost started it, but in the end I chose another book and it still sits there being pretty on my e-reader. 

I want to own and read this series

Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor

I shall be completely honest with you I haven't bought (and so started) this series yet, because I don't like the UK cover. I know I'm so shallow, but the US one is so pretty and it just breaks my heart buying the less pretty one when I know this beauty is out there!

Eve by Anna Carey

There are a lot of books on my wish list, which is no surprise I guess. This is one of the series I haven't started yet, but really want to!

What series do you need to start reading soon? And which ones on my list should be read next? Let me know!