Day 4 of the 12 Days of Book Blogmas 2014

I was reading Ashley's Books to Tea blog earlier this month and I stumbled upon the 12 Days of Book Blogmas that Rachel at Parajunkee is hosting. I wanted to do something festive this month for the blog but haven't found the right Book Blogmas to participate in. Parajunkee's 12 Days of Book Blogmas is definitely right up my alley. The fourth day is today and the 12 Days of Book Blogmas will continue for 8 days until December 25th.

Day 4: Naughty List

  

Who made the Naughty List this year?

1. Tom Marvolo Riddle aka Voldemort from the Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling because he is the ultimate evil. He has no remorse for anything he does. He only cares about the power for himself and has his minions do his bidding. You-Know-Who is known for killing muggles, muggleborns and mugglelovers. I think everyone knows what he has done. He truly belongs on the top of the Naughty List.

Image from businessweek.com

2. Queen Levana from the Lunar Chronicles by Marissa Meyer because she is so vain. She only cares about power. She kills her sister to seize the throne for herself and attempts to kill her niece. She tricks Prince Kai into marrying him so she can take control of his kingdom of New Beijing. She is manipulative and will do anything to get her way at whatever cost.

Image from lunarchronicles.wikia.com

3. Bellatrix Lestrange from the Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling is psycotic. She taunts others with her baby demeaning voice. She tortured Neville's parents to the point where Neville's parents go insane and she tortures Hermione when she cuts mudblood into Hermione's arm. Bellatrix is one crazy lady. She also one of You-Know-Who's loyal followers if you didn't already know. 

Image from harrypotterfans.com

4. Sebastian Morgenstern aka Jonathan Christopher Morgenstern from The Mortal Instruments series by Cassandra Clare is one very naughty boy. Sure we can say that part of it is Valentine's fault due to him raising Sebastian but it doesn't explain why Sebastian worships Lilith as his mom and pretty is turning the world into shambles. He turned Shadowhunters with his Infernal Cup into Dark Shadowhunters. Actually turning the Mortal Cup into the Infernal Cup is just plain out wrong.

Image from imgarcade.com

5. Ciaran MacEwan from the Sweep Series by Cate Tiernan because he murdered his soulmate soon after she told him she doesn't want to be with him anymore. He is also part of a coven of Woodbanes who wipes out other covens with Dark Waves and also steal others' powers. Pretty evil I would say. 

Image from catetiernan.wikia.com

6. Gaea from The Heroes of Olympus series by Rick Riordan because she causes so much trouble in the series. Serves her right that she is punished for what she has done. Not only does Gaea cause chaos, she purposely sets the Greeks and Romans against each other. She is manipulative and tries to sway demigods to her side. 

Image from camphalfblood.wikia.com

Top Ten Books I Read in 2014

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish. This week's Top Ten Tuesday asks bloggers to list their top ten books we read in 2014. The following books are in no particular order.

Favorite Book I Read in 2014

1. Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell because Fangirl is definitely one of my all time favorite books. I think it has to do with the fanfiction. When I was in high school in the early 2000's, my sister and I were obsessed with reading Harry Potter fanfiction. I see a lot of myself in this book and it brings back memories.

Favorite Books I Read in 2014 by Particular Genre

Contemporary

2. To All the Boys I've Loved Before by Jenny Han because I love how the book focuses on sisterly bonding between Lara Jean and her two sisters. Also, the books shows a variety of family dynamics between the different families.

3. The Impossible Knife of Memory by Laurie Halse Anderson because I never read a book with someone who has PTSD. Hayley's relationship with her dad changes throughout the book and for the better. I love the different relationships within this book.

Dystopian

4. Shattered by Teri Terry because the last book in the trilogy is about finding the truth. Kyla finally reunites with her birth mother and finds out why she was slated.

5. Noughts & Crosses by Malorie Blackman because this book is about friendship but not just any friendship. Sephy and Callum have to overcome so much to try to hold on to the memory of each other.

Fantasy

6. The City of Heavenly Fire by Cassandra Clare because this is the end to an AMAZING series. It's EPIC! I am not going to spoil anything in this book. You will have to pick it up when you have a chance. FYI...this book is 700+ pages of craziness! SO many feels!

Historical Fiction

7. Lies We Tell Ourselves by Robin Talley is full of emotion. It is hard to read because of the content but it is an important read. I think everyone should read this book at some point in their lives.

Middle Grade

8. Inside Out & Back Again by Thanhha Lai is a quick read. The prose is poetic. It is a life story of a girl who moves from Vietnam to the United States. Definitely deserving of the awards it won.

Paranormal Romance

9. Silver Shadows by Richelle Mead because there is so much action in this book. There are so many feels for Sydney. I feel her pain. I feel her excitement. And Adrian comes to save her!!! And that cliffhanger at the end....I need The Ruby Circle now!!!

Favorite Book I Read Published in 2014

10. Dollbaby by Laura Lane McNeal because the character development is AMAZING! I love this book so much. You need to pick up Dollbaby up now to understand what I was feeling when I read this book.

Day 3 of the 12 Days of Book Blogmas 2014

I was reading Ashley's Books to Tea blog earlier this month and I stumbled upon the 12 Days of Book Blogmas that Rachel at Parajunkee is hosting. I wanted to do something festive this month for the blog but haven't found the right Book Blogmas to participate in. Parajunkee's 12 Days of Book Blogmas is definitely right up my alley. The third day is today and 12 Days of Book Blogmas will continue for 9 days until December 25th.

Day 3: Present Perfect

I have posted at around three gift guides (Part I, Part II and Part III) last month for the holidays but why not add another one for those last minute shoppers? 

This guide will be the Perfect Book Lover's Gift Guide.

1. Penguin Drop Cap Books have amazing cover art. Check to see if your favorite book made the drop cap list.

2. Bookish Socks are always a fun way to show off your bookish geeky side.

  

    Ravenclaw Socks                 Got My Number Two Socks        Library Card Socks

3. Storymatic is a game that gets the creative juices flowing for improv, writing and for storytelling.

4. Haikubes is a inspirational dice rolling game that helps you create expressive haikus.

5. Yellow Library Book Card Notebooks are so cute and nostalgic.

6. Banned Book Mug has 20+ book titles that were banned at one time or another. 

Day 2 of the 12 Days of Book Blogmas 2014

I was reading Ashley's Books to Tea blog earlier this month and I stumbled upon the 12 Days of Book Blogmas that Rachel at Parajunkee is hosting. I wanted to do something festive this month for the blog but haven't found the right Book Blogmas to participate in. Parajunkee's 12 Days of Book Blogmas is definitely right up my alley. The second day is today and 12 Days of Book Blogmas will continue for 10 days until December 25th.

Day 2: Christmas Card Exchange

Here's a card for you! You can send me a card to nicolesnovelreads@gmail.com or leave the link to the card in the blog comments. All images are from punchbowl.com.

Day 1 of the 12 Days of Book Blogmas 2014

I was reading Ashley's Books to Tea blog earlier this week and I stumbled upon the 12 Days of Book Blogmas that Rachel at Parajunkee is hosting. I wanted to do something festive this month for the blog but haven't found the right Book Blogmas to participate in. Parajunkee's 12 Days of Book Blogmas is definitely right up my alley. The first day is today and 12 Days of Book Blogmas will continue for 11 days until December 25th.

DAY 1: Spread the Love

It's the time of year to give and that is what I am doing today. Who doesn't love a giveaway? This is also my first giveaway on the blog so why not spread the cheer with a holiday themed book. Depending how this giveaway goes, I will be hosting more giveaways in the future. 

The Giveaway

My True Love Gave to Me is edited by Stephanie Perkins and includes holiday short stories by Stephanie Perkins, Holly Black, Ally Carter, Matt de la Peña, Gayle Forman, Jenny Han, David Levithan, Kelly Link, Myra McEntire, Rainbow Rowell, Laini Taylor and Kiersten White. The giveaway book is a UK edition of My True Love Gave to Me and it is absolutely gorgeous.   

Rules

1. Open to residents of the United States, United Kingdom and Canada.

2. Winner must respond within 48 hours or another winner will be chosen.

3. The giveaway will be sent from Book Depository and I will not be responsible for delayed shipping or damaged items.
4. Giveaway ends on 12/17/14 12:00 a.m. EST

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Looking Ahead: Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell, Collector's Editions

So remember that special edition of Fangirl available in the UK only? Yes, the one with the emergency dance party poster on the underside of the hot pink dust jacket with the mint green amazing hardcover and pink embossed foil image of Simon and Baz with the ribbon bookmark.

Well, there will be more special editions of Fangirl being released on May 12, 2015. Rainbow Rowell just announced this today on twitter!

This time there will be three different covers, depending where you purchase the book from. Each edition will have an except from Carry On and will have gorgeous fan art. All editions are hardcover, contain the dance party poster and have a ribbon bookmark.

Images and information are taken from Rainbow's twitter

Barnes & Noble will receive the berry cover, Indigo Chapters will receive the pale yellow and indie stores and Amazon will receive the bubblegum pink cover. Check out the pre-order links!

Who is excited about these collector's editions? Do you have a favorite or are you planning to pick up all three?

Seconds: A Graphic Novel by Bryan Lee O'Malley

Title: Seconds

Author: Bryan Lee O'Malley

Publisher: Ballantine Books

Publication date:  July 15, 2014

Pages:  336

Source/format: Library, hardcover

Rating: ☆☆☆☆

Synopsis  (from Goodreads):

#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER

The highly anticipated new standalone full-color graphic novel from Bryan Lee O’Malley, author and artist of the hugely bestselling Scott Pilgrim graphic novel series

Katie’s got it pretty good. She’s a talented young chef, she runs a successful restaurant, and she has big plans to open an even better one. Then, all at once, progress on the new location bogs down, her charming ex-boyfriend pops up, her fling with another chef goes sour, and her best waitress gets badly hurt. And just like that, Katie’s life goes from pretty good to not so much. What she needs is a second chance. Everybody deserves one, after all—but they don’t come easy. Luckily for Katie, a mysterious girl appears in the middle of the night with simple instructions for a do-it-yourself do-over:

1. Write your mistake 
2. Ingest one mushroom 
3. Go to sleep 
4. Wake anew

And just like that, all the bad stuff never happened, and Katie is given another chance to get things right. She’s also got a dresser drawer full of magical mushrooms—and an irresistible urge to make her life not just good, but perfect. Too bad it’s against the rules. But Katie doesn’t care about the rules—and she’s about to discover the unintended consequences of the best intentions.

From the mind and pen behind the acclaimed Scott Pilgrim series comes a madcap new tale of existential angst, everyday obstacles, young love, and ancient spirits that’s sharp-witted and tenderhearted, whimsical and wise.

My Thoughts:

Katie is a chef at Seconds and wants to own her own restaurant. She plans to open a restaurant called Katie's but the remodeling is taking a bit longer than she would like. A lot of things in her life is going poorly and Katie gets second chance to make things right. Lis, the house spirit, the very one Hazel has been caring for every night, has warned Katie she is allowed only one mushroom for one change. However, Katie doesn't listen to Lis.

Soon enough, Katie is obsessed in changing every aspect of her life. Of course some of these changes have consequences. Changing aspects of her life has changed aspects of the universe and other people's lives. This constant changing has angered Lis.

Because Katie keeps changing every moment of her life, she soon lets in something bad into the world. All I could think of was Homura Akemi from Madoka Magica when she travels back in time over and over again to save Madoka Kaname. Also, Katie's witch reminds me of Homura's witch. When Katie finally learns to accept with what she has, the entity she brought upon the world becomes harmless. Katie is happy with her life and doesn't crave the need to change it anymore.

I love how Katie is in her 20's and that she is a chef. I am also in my 20's and I am such a foodie. The house spirit magical portion of this graphic novel is pretty cool. But everyone knows that there are consequences when you change the past, present or future. This is a fun read. O'Malley caught my attention from the first page. The writing is fun and the drawings are nice and colorful. The formatting of the panels is simple and everything flowed pretty well. I also love the dust jacket and the naked book art. Both are stunning! I love the contrast of the colors!

I have not read any of O'Malley's Scott Pilgrim graphic novels but I think I might pick up a couple in the near future.