August Wrap Up/September TBR

August Wrap Up

Wow is this year going by fast! I can't believe it's the 1st of September tomorrow! And in 4 months, it'll be 2014... Yeah, this year has just flown by.

I had a pretty good reading month in August. I managed to read 26 books, and most of them were books I gave 5 stars to. So not only did I read a lot of books, I read a lot of fantastic books in August.

I really struggled to pick a favourite book this month. I read so many great ones, and there were 3 I just couldn't choose between: Crown of Midnight by Sarah J Maas; If I Die by Rachel Vincent & Origin by Jennifer L Armentrout.

I loved all of these books for different reasons and I just couldn't pick between the 3 of them.

September TBR

So for September, I'm not going to set myself a massive amount of books to read because I'm planning on getting around to reading some review books (but they all depend on what kind of mood I'm in). Plus, I may borrow books from the library/buy books that I want to read asap, so I'm just going to set myself 10 books and after that I can read whatever I want.

Let me know in the comments what your favourite book of August was and what you're planning to read in September!

Unbreakable by Elizabeth Norris

Unbreakable by Elizabeth Norris
Series: Unravelling #2
Publisher: Harper Collins
Publication Date: June 6th 2013
Source: Netgalley (Publisher)

Four months after Ben disappeared through the portal to his home universe, Janelle believes she’ll never see him again. Her world is still devastated, but civilisation is slowly rebuilding, and life is finally starting to resume some kind of normality. Until Interverse agent Taylor Barclay shows up. He’s got a problem, and he needs Janelle’s help. Somebody from an alternate universe is running a human trafficking ring – kidnapping people and selling them on different Earths. And Ben, with his unique abilities, is the prime suspect. To make things worse, Janelle learns that someone she cares about – someone from her own world – has become one of the missing.

Now Janelle has five days to track down the real culprit. Five days to locate the missing people before they’re lost forever. Five days to reunite with the boy who stole her heart. Can she uncover the truth before everyone she cares about is killed?

Even though I have 3 reviews to write before this one, I had to get this one written first because I have so much to say about this book. Plus, I've actually managed to stop crying but I'll probably start again while writing the review (it was so damn heartbreaking!). 

First things first, holy crap Elizabeth Norris. I didn't think I could be even more torn up than I was at Unravelling, but this book almost killed me. Things were building and building throughout the book, and then the ending was cruel and unexpected and horrible. Well done on writing such a fantastic and heartbreaking ending.

The story line of this one focuses on a human trafficking ring that are kidnapping people from different universes to use as slaves. Barclay comes back to get Janelle because Ben is believed to have been a part of the ring. So Janelle and Barclay set out to clear Ben's name and rescue everyone that has been kidnapped.

I loved Janelle so much more in this one. She proved herself to be such a badass and she knew exactly what she had to do to survive. She managed to get out of some pretty tough situations and save people along the way. She was so strong and tough. She was determined to get her friend back, and she never forgot about that for one second. I loved that about her.

When Ben first came into this book, I knew I was so over him. He did some pretty terrible things and even though he said he did it for Janelle, I couldn't forgive him for what he'd done. I still saw the connection between him and Janelle, but I just wasn't rooting for them anymore.

I freaking loved Barclay in this one! He came back for Janelle because he knew that he could rely on her to help him. Barclay was always looking out for Janelle and protecting her. I just loved him so much.

My emotions were all over the place before I even started this book (I blame Amber for that), and I just got worse throughout the book and especially at the ending. There was so much to focus on in this one. Who was in control of the trafficking ring? Why were they doing it? Where was Ben? Was he involved? Who can be trusted?
This was a book full of questions that all answered throughout the book. I was so hooked that I finished it in about 5 hours. It was unputdownable and a much better (and more heartbreaking) than the first one.

The ending almost killed me. I'd been all geared up for something that had been building throughout the whole book, and then the cruel ending happened and ruined everything. I was a complete wreck for about the last 20% of this book, I could barely see my kindle through my tears. I can't even explain why I was crying because it'd be a major spoiler, but I will say that it tore me apart. I didn't want to read on because I was in so much pain, but I did and the book ended perfectly. I'm still upset that my ending didn't happen, but it was still a perfect ending to this series.

Overall, this was an extremely emotional and heartbreaking novel but I loved every second of it. If you haven't read this series yet I definitely, definitely recommend it. It's amazing.

Unravelling by Elizabeth Norris

Unravelling by Elizabeth Norris
Series: Unravelling #1
Publisher: Harper Collins
Publication Date: April 24th 2012
Source: Bought

STOP THE COUNTDOWN. SAVE THE WORLD…

Leaving the beach, seventeen-year-old Janelle Tenner is hit head on by a pickup truck. And killed. Then Ben Michaels, resident stoner, is leaning over her. And even though it isn’t possible, she knows Ben somehow brought her back to life…

Meanwhile, Janelle’s father, a special agent for the FBI, starts working on a case that seems strangely connected to Ben. Digging in his files, Janelle finds a mysterious device – one that seems to be counting down to something that will happen in 23 days and 10 hours time.

That something? It might just be the end of the world. And if Janelle wants to stop it, she’s going to need to uncover Ben’s secrets – and keep from falling in love with him in the process…

The Silver Linings Playbook by Matthew Quick

The Silver Linings Playbook by Matthew Quick
Publisher: Picador
Publication Date: October 25th 2012
Source: Bought

Pat Peoples knows that life doesn’t always go according to plan, but he’s determined to get his back on track. 

After a stint in a psychiatric hospital, Pat is staying with his parents and trying to live according to his new philosophy: get fit, be nice and always look for the silver lining. Most importantly, Pat is determined to be reconciled with his wife Nikki. Pat’s parents just want to protect him so he can get back on his feet, but when Pat befriends the mysterious Tiffany, the secrets they've been keeping from him threaten to come out...

Origin by Jennifer L Armentrout

Origin by Jennifer L Armentrout
Series: Lux #4
Publisher: Entangled
Publication Date: August 27th 2013
Source: Bought

Daemon will do anything to get Katy back.

After the successful but disastrous raid on Mount Weather, he’s facing the impossible. Katy is gone. Taken. Everything becomes about finding her. Taking out anyone who stands in his way? Done. Burning down the whole world to save her? Gladly. Exposing his alien race to the world? With pleasure.

All Katy can do is survive.

Surrounded by enemies, the only way she can come out of this is to adapt. After all, there are sides of Daedalus that don’t seem entirely crazy, but the group’s goals are frightening and the truths they speak even more disturbing. Who are the real bad guys? Daedalus? Mankind? Or the Luxen?

Together, they can face anything. But the most dangerous foe has been there all along, and when the truths are exposed and the lies come crumbling down, which side will Daemon and Katy be standing on? And will they even be together?

The Awakening by Kelley Armstrong

The Awakening by Kelley Armstrong
Series: Darkest Powers #2
Publisher: Orbit
Publication Date: May 4th 2009
Source: Bought

Chloe Saunders is on the run and raising hell. Literally.

Chloe Saunders is not your average supernatural teenager. Genetically altered at birth by a sinister team of scientists, she can barely control her terrifying powers. Now the team that created her has decided it's time to end the experiment. Permanently.

Now Chloe is running for her life along with a charming sorcerer, a troubled werewolf and a temperamental young witch. Together they have a chance for freedom - but can Chloe trust her new friends?

Reached by Ally Condie

Reached by Ally Condie
Series: Matched #3
Publisher: Dutton Books
Publication Date: November 15th 2012
Source: Library

All will be sorted. 

Cassia's journey began with an error, a momentary glitch in the otherwise perfect façade of the Society. After crossing canyons to break free, she waits, silk and paper smuggled against her skin, ready for the final chapter.

The wait is over.

One young woman has raged against those who threaten to keep away what matters most - family, love, choice. Her quite revolution is about to explode into full-scale rebellion.

With exquisite prose, the emotionally gripping conclusion to the international bestselling Match trilogy returns Cassia, Ky, and Xander to the Society to save the one thing they have been denied for so long, the power to choose.

My Soul to Steal by Rachel Vincent

My Soul to Steal by Rachel Vincent
Series: Soul Screamers #4
Publisher: Mira
Publication Date: July 17th 2011
Source: Library

Trying to work things out with Nash—her maybe boyfriend—is hard enough for Kaylee Cavanaugh. She can’t just pretend nothing happened. But “complicated” doesn’t even begin to describe their relationship when his ex-girlfriend transfers to their school, determined to take Nash back. 

See, Sabine isn’t just an ordinary girl. She’s a mara, the living personification of a nightmare. She can read people’s fears—and craft them into nightmares while her victims sleep. Feeding from human fear is how she survives. 

And Sabine isn’t above scaring Kaylee and the entire school to death to get whatever - and whoever - she wants.

Pivot Point by Kasie West

Pivot Point by Kasie West
Series: Pivot Point #1
Publisher: Harper Teen
Publication Date: February 12th 2013
Source: Bought

Knowing the outcome doesn’t always make a choice easier . . . 

Addison Coleman’s life is one big “What if?” As a Searcher, whenever Addie is faced with a choice, she can look into the future and see both outcomes. It’s the ultimate insurance plan against disaster. Or so she thought. When Addie’s parents ambush her with the news of their divorce, she has to pick who she wants to live with—her father, who is leaving the paranormal compound to live among the “Norms,” or her mother, who is staying in the life Addie has always known. Addie loves her life just as it is, so her answer should be easy. One Search six weeks into the future proves it’s not. 

In one potential future, Addie is adjusting to life outside the Compound as the new girl in a Norm high school where she meets Trevor, a cute, sensitive artist who understands her. In the other path, Addie is being pursued by the hottest guy in school—but she never wanted to be a quarterback’s girlfriend. When Addie’s father is asked to consult on a murder in the Compound, she’s unwittingly drawn into a dangerous game that threatens everything she holds dear. With love and loss in both lives, it all comes down to which reality she’s willing to live through... and who she can’t live without.

Cinder by Marissa Meyer

Cinder by Marissa Meyer
Series: The Lunar Chronicles #1
Publisher: Puffin
Publication Date: January 5th 2012
Source: Bought

Humans and androids crowd the raucous streets of New Beijing. A deadly plague ravages the population. From space, a ruthless lunar people watch, waiting to make their move. No one knows that Earth’s fate hinges on one girl. 

Cinder, a gifted mechanic, is a cyborg. She’s a second-class citizen with a mysterious past, reviled by her stepmother and blamed for her stepsister’s illness. But when her life becomes intertwined with the handsome Prince Kai’s, she suddenly finds herself at the center of an intergalactic struggle, and a forbidden attraction. Caught between duty and freedom, loyalty and betrayal, she must uncover secrets about her past in order to protect her world’s future.

Cyborg Cinderella was basically the main reason I picked this book up because HOW AWESOME IS THAT! CYBORG CINDERELLA! I think I now love books about robots, they're awesome! (especially Cinder).

Cinder is a mechanic (the best mechanic in New Beijing) and she lives with her step-mother and her two step-sisters. However, instead of both of her step-sisters hating her, Cinder is very close to one of them - Peony. Even though Cinder was a cyborg, she still experienced emotions. The only thing she couldn't do was cry. I loved Cinder! She was just like a normal teenage girl, although she was part cyborg. She was funny, caring, lovable and just amazing. I adored finding out about Cinder and everything she could do because she was a cyborg. Her cyborg wiring came in extremely helpful a lot of the time. It was especially helpful at hiding something.

Prince Kai *sigh*, I think I'm in love. Prince Kai is one of the sweetest guys ever. After what happened to his dad I felt to bad for him because he then had to deal with the bitch queen from Lunar (the moon). He was so invested on helping his people, helping the world that he was willing to do everything he possibly could to save them. Even if it meant endangering himself. He was so selfless and caring. I'm keeping my fingers crossed for him and Cinder.

I loved Peony so much! Even though we didn't really get to see a lot of her, I still loved her. She accepted Cinder and treated her like a sister, and I just loved seeing them together. They had such a lovely relationship.

The big twist involving Cinder didn't come as a surprise for me, I guessed it about 4 chapters in so that kind of ruined the ending slightly for me. It just seemed so obvious to me! The story line about the plague was heartbreaking and also very interesting. I was intrigued to find out where it had came from and why no one was able to find a cure. And then we found out and I was like, of course! That's why! It was probably released on purpose, so that the population of Earth would decline and lots of people would be unhealthy. Queen Levana is a woman I wouldn't trust with anything. She was such a horrible woman. If she gets her claws into Prince Kai, I think I'll probably die because I just couldn't deal with that. I doubt we've seen even half of what she's capable of. But I can't wait to see her face when she finds out about Cinder!

Overall, I really enjoyed this book! I'm looking forward to seeing what Cinder is going to do in the next book, hopefully Kai will come around and I'm interested to see what Levana is going to do now. I'll definitely be getting my hands on Scarlet soon!

Cinder by Marissa Meyer

Cinder by Marissa Meyer
Series: The Lunar Chronicles #1
Publisher: Puffin
Publication Date: January 5th 2012
Source: Bought

Humans and androids crowd the raucous streets of New Beijing. A deadly plague ravages the population. From space, a ruthless lunar people watch, waiting to make their move. No one knows that Earth’s fate hinges on one girl. 

Cinder, a gifted mechanic, is a cyborg. She’s a second-class citizen with a mysterious past, reviled by her stepmother and blamed for her stepsister’s illness. But when her life becomes intertwined with the handsome Prince Kai’s, she suddenly finds herself at the center of an intergalactic struggle, and a forbidden attraction. Caught between duty and freedom, loyalty and betrayal, she must uncover secrets about her past in order to protect her world’s future.

My Life Next Door by Huntley Fitzpatrick

My Life Next Door by Huntley Fitzpatrick
Publisher: Speak
Publication Date: June 13th 2013
Source: Won

"One thing my mother never knew, and would disapprove of most of all, was that I watched the Garretts. All the time." 

The Garretts are everything the Reeds are not. Loud, messy, affectionate. And every day from her rooftop perch, Samantha Reed wishes she was one of them . . . until one summer evening, Jase Garrett climbs up next to her and changes everything. 

As the two fall fiercely for each other, stumbling through the awkwardness and awesomeness of first love, Jase's family embraces Samantha - even as she keeps him a secret from her own. Then something unthinkable happens, and the bottom drops out of Samantha's world. She's suddenly faced with an impossible decision. Which perfect family will save her? Or is it time she saved herself?

Hallowed by Cynthia Hand

Hallowed by Cynthia Hand
Series: Unearthly #2
Publisher: Egmont
Publication Date: January 2nd 2012
Source: Bought

For months Clara Gardner trained to face the fire from her visions, but she wasn't prepared for the choice she had to make that day. And in the aftermath, she discovered that nothing about being part angel is as straightforward as she thought. 

Now, torn between her love for Tucker and her complicated feelings about the roles she and Christian seem destined to play in a world that is both dangerous and beautiful, Clara struggles with a shocking revelation: Someone she loves will die in a matter of months. With her future uncertain, the only thing Clara knows for sure is that the fire was just the beginning. 

In this compelling sequel to "Unearthly," Cynthia Hand captures the joy of first love, the anguish of loss, and the confusion of becoming who you are.

Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo

Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo
Series: The Grisha #1
Publisher: Indigo
Publication Date: June 6th 2013
Source: Bought

The Shadow Fold, a swathe of impenetrable darkness, crawling with monsters that feast on human flesh, is slowly destroying the once-great nation of Ravka. 

Alina, a pale, lonely orphan, discovers a unique power that thrusts her into the lavish world of the kingdom’s magical elite—the Grisha. Could she be the key to unravelling the dark fabric of the Shadow Fold and setting Ravka free? 

The Darkling, a creature of seductive charm and terrifying power, leader of the Grisha. If Alina is to fulfill her destiny, she must discover how to unlock her gift and face up to her dangerous attraction to him. 

But what of Mal, Alina’s childhood best friend? As Alina contemplates her dazzling new future, why can’t she ever quite forget him? 

Glorious. Epic. Irresistible. Romance.

Bout of Books 8.0: Goals & Updates

The Bout of Books read-a-thon starts today, and I've finally got all of my goals sorted! I was having a hard time deciding what books I was going to read and how many I was going to challenge myself to finish.
So, without further ado, here are the books that I'm hoping I'll be able to get through:

Books

1. The Silver Linings Playbook by Matthew Quick

2. Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo

3. Hallowed by Cynthia Hand

4. Cinder by Marissa Meyer

5. My Life Next Door by Huntley Fitzpatrick

6. Reached by Ally Condie

I'm hopefully going to be able to get through 5 of these books. I'll be going out on Wednesday to see City of Bones & Percy Jackson, and I'll be busy at the weekend so I'll probably only get to 5 but I'm hoping I'll be able to read all 6! :)

Updates

Monday
Number of books read today: 2
Number of pages read today: 642 pages
Books: Shadow and Bone [finished] & Hallowed

Tuesday

Number of books read today: 4
Number of pages read today: 1001 pages
Books: Hallowed [finished], My Life Next Door [finished], Cinder [finished] & Pivot Point

Wednesday

Number of books read today: 1
Number of pages read today: 195 pages
Books: Pivot Point [finished]

Thursday

Number of books read today: 2
Number of pages read today: 521 pages
Books: Reached & My Soul to Steal 

Friday

Number of books read today: 3 (2 books, 1 novella)
Number of pages read today: 279 pages
Books: My Soul to Steal [finished], The Assassin and the Pirate Lord [finished] & Reached

Saturday

Number of books read today: 3
Number of pages read today: 393 pages
Books: Reached [finished], The Silver Linings Playbook & The Awakening

Sunday

Number of books read today: 2

Number of pages read today: 410 pages

Books: The Silver Linings Playbook [finished] & The Awakening [finished]

Overall

Total number of books read: 10 (9 books, 1 novella)

Total number of pages read: 3441 pages
Books: Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardgo; Hallowed by Cynthia Hand; My Life Next Door by Huntley Fitzpatrick, Cinder by Marissa Meyer; Pivot Point by Kasie West; My Soul to Steal by Rachel Vincent; The Assassin and the Pirate Lord by Sarah J Maas; Reached by Ally Condie; The Awakening by Kelley Armstrong & The Silver Linings Playbook by Matthew Quick.

Well, somehow I managed to read 10 books this week (which I actually can't believe!). I've managed to beat my own record of number of books read in a week and I had a lot of fun doing it! I participated in my first twitter chat for Bout of Books, and I had so much fun! I met some new people and found some new blogs to follow. I only managed to take part in one challenge, mostly because I kept forgetting about them, but next time I'll be making sure that I check out the challenges every day. I've really enjoyed taking part in this read-a-thon and I'm really looking forward to the next one now!

Challenges

Challenge - Bookish Mad Libs @ The Space Between
A - City of Bones by Cassandra Clare
B - Avari (hellion) - Soul Screamers series by Rachel Vincent
C - Texas Gothic by Rosemary Clement Moore
D - Twenty Boy Summer by Sarah Ockler
E - The Raven Boys by Maggie Stiefvater
F - Chaol Westfall - Throne of Glass by Sarah J Maas
G - The Ice Cream Girls by Dorothy Koomson

Help! I'm being held captive in the City of Bones by Avari!
It is very Gothic here!
He is demanding Twenty Ravens to set me free!
I have just discovered that Chaol Westfall was captured too!
On second thought, please send Ice Cream, and don't worry if you don't hear from us for awhile!

Much Love,
Samantha [@SamanthasBooks]

My Soul to Keep by Rachel Vincent

My Soul to Keep by Rachel Vincent
Series: Soul Screamers #3
Publisher: Mira Ink
Publication Date: June 1st 2010
Source: Library

Kaylee has one addiction: her very hot, very popular boyfriend, Nash. A banshee like Kaylee, Nash understands her like no one else. Nothing can come between them. Until something does. 

"Demon breath." No, not the toothpaste-challenged kind. The Netherworld kind. The kind that really "can" kill you. Somehow the super-addictive substance has made its way to the human world. But how? Kaylee and Nash have to cut off the source and protect their friends--one of whom is already hooked. 

 And so is someone else...

My Soul to Save by Rachel Vincent

My Soul to Save by Rachel Vincent
Series: Soul Screamers #2
Publisher: Mira Ink
Publication Date: December 29th 2009
Source: Bought

When Kaylee Cavanaugh screams, someone dies. So when teen pop star Eden croaks onstage and Kaylee doesn't wail, she knows something is dead wrong. She can't cry for someone who has no soul. 

The last thing Kaylee needs right now is to be skipping school, breaking her dad's ironclad curfew and putting her too-hot-to-be-real boyfriend's loyalty to the test. But starry-eyed teens are trading their souls: a flickering lifetime of fame and fortune in exchange for eternity in the Netherworld - a consequence they can't possibly understand. 

 Kaylee can't let that happen, even if trying to save their souls means putting her own at risk...

Angelfall by Susan Ee

Angelfall by Susan Ee
Series: Penryn & the End of Days #1
Publisher: Hodder & Stoughton
Publication Date: April 11th 2013
Source: Bought

It's been six weeks since angels of the apocalypse descended to demolish the modern world. Street gangs rule the day while fear and superstition rule the night. When warrior angels fly away with a helpless little girl, her seventeen-year-old sister Penryn will do anything to get her back. 

Anything, including making a deal with an enemy angel.

Raffe is a warrior who lies broken and wingless on the street. After eons of fighting his own battles, he finds himself being rescued from a desperate situation by a half-starved teenage girl. 

Traveling through a dark and twisted Northern California, they have only each other to rely on for survival. Together, they journey toward the angels' stronghold in San Francisco where she'll risk everything to rescue her sister and he'll put himself at the mercy of his greatest enemies for the chance to be made whole again.

A-Z Bookish Survey!

I've seen a lot of bloggers over the past couple of days doing the A-Z Reading Challenge that was created by Jamie @ The Perpetual Page Turner, and I thought that it looked like a lot of fun to do!

According to Goodreads, my most read author is Rachel Caine! That I can believe, since there are 14 books in the Morganville series that have been released just now and I've read 13.

I think I'm going to have to go with Crown of Midnight for this one. I only read it recently, but it blew me away because I never expected it to be that good!

Percy Jackson & the Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan

I'm re-reading the first two books before I go to see the Sea of Monsters movie!

Whatever is in the fridge really, so: coke, irn-bru, lemonade, water, etc.

I love my Kindle, but I much prefer having a physical book. Nothing beats the physical book.

Although, kindle books are a lot cheaper...

Hmm, who to choose. I think I'm going to go with St.Clair from Anna and the French Kiss. I just love him so much!

The Great Gatsby by F Scott Fitzgerald. I'm not a massive Classics reader, so I wasn't sure whether I was going to like this or not. I ended up really enjoying it!

Elsewhere by Gabrielle Zevin

The day I started blogging. Ever since then, my reading genres have grown and I've met a lot of bloggers! 

Angelfall by Susan Ee

Non-fiction. They just don't interest me.

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (766 pages)

Angelfall by Susan Ee

I can't seem to focus on anything after finishing that one.

One. And it's almost full! I definitely need to get another one.

The Host by Stephenie Meyer

I always prefer to read in my bed. It's comfy :)

"All was well." - J K Rowling, Harry Potter & the Deathly Hallows

I bawl my eyes out every single time I read that last line.

I don't really think I have any.

The Iron Fey series by Julie Kagawa

I need to get to The Iron Knight soon!

The 'Harry Potter' series by J K Rowling, The Truth About Forever by Sarah Dessen & Anna and the French Kiss by Stephenie Perkins.

Throne of Glass by Sarah J Maas. I've made all my friends read it!

Allegiant by Veronica Rother [October 22nd!]

Hmm, probably that I buy too many books and it takes me forever to get around to reading them.

Chosen by PC Cast & Kristen Cast

Throne of Glass Novellas by Sarah J Maas

Delirium by Lauren Oliver kept me up the latest, mainly because I couldn't sleep. I finished it at 5am one morning.