Stacking the Shelves

acking the shelves is a weekly meme hosted by  Tynga's Reviews, where you show what books you got during the week.

What I received this week

  

The Movement of Crowns by Nadine Keels

Catalyst by Marc Johnson

Falling Behind on Friday - Doon

Falling Behind on Friday is a meme hosted by Moira the Fates book reviews, where we share a book that have been sitting on our shelves waiting be read, or have been on your wishlist.

Doon by Carey Corp




DoonGoodreads Summary
Veronica doesn't think she's going crazy. But why can't anyone else see the mysterious blond boy who keeps popping up wherever she goes? When her best friend, Mackenna, invites her to spend the summer in Scotland, Veronica jumps at the opportunity to leave her complicated life behind for a few months.

But the Scottish countryside holds other plans.

Not only has the imaginary kilted boy followed her to Alloway, she and Mackenna uncover a strange set of rings and a very unnerving letter from Mackenna's great aunt—and when the girls test the instructions Aunt Gracie left behind, they find themselves transported to a land that defies explanation. Doon seems like a real-life fairy tale, complete with one prince who has eyes for Mackenna and another who looks suspiciously like the boy from Veronica's daydreams. But Doon has a dark underbelly as well. The two girls could have everything they've longed for...or they could end up breaking an enchantment and find themselves trapped in a world that has become a nightmare.

DOON is loosely based on the premise of the musical Brigadoon, with permission from the ALan Jay Lerner Estate and the Frederick Loewe Foundation.


I have been wanting to read this book since it came out, and I promise myself, right now, that I am going to buy it soon. I don't know why I didn't read it sooner, I guess I just never got around to buying it. Doon sounds extremely interesting, like a book that I would really like. First of all, it takes place in Ireland. Second, it says enchantment, fairy-tale, and mysterious. Third, just look at that cover! it's so pretty. Put all of that together and it just sounds amazing!

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Manor of Secrets by Katherine Longshore

Manor of Secrets by Katherine Longshore
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Manor of SecretsGoodreads Summary
The year is 1911. And at The Manor, nothing is as it seems . . .

Lady Charlotte Edmonds: Beautiful, wealthy, and sheltered, Charlotte feels suffocated by the strictures of upper-crust society. She longs to see the world beyond The Manor, to seek out high adventure. And most of all, romance.

Janie Seward: Fiery, hardworking, and clever, Janie knows she can be more than just a kitchen maid. But she isn't sure she possesses the courage -- or the means -- to break free and follow her passions.

Both Charlotte and Janie are ready for change. As their paths overlap in the gilded hallways and dark corridors of The Manor, rules are broken and secrets are revealed. Secrets that will alter the course of their lives. . . forever.


My Review
First of all, I love books that take place in Europe (and other countries), and in past centuries, so I was looking forward to reading Manor of Secrets. It definitely did not disappoint!

I loved how it showed that life was difficult in the early 1900's and earlier, especially for women. No matter whether you worked in the kitchen, cleaned houses, or lived in the upper part of the manor with lots of money, you still didn't necessarily have any freedom and choices in your life (though your problems may have been different,  everyone, no matter what social standing, had them).

This book is about two girls with completely different circumstances who are more alike than would first appear. Charlotte longs to write and see the world. She wants more from life than just the season and marriage, calling cards, and planning menus. Janie is the chef's daughter and works in the kitchen. She is happy with her place, but deep down she wants more. As these two girls meet in unlikely events, and get to know each other, they become like sisters as they break down the boundaries between mistress and servant. But will Janie get in trouble for "trying to rise above her station"? Will Charlotte be able to stand up for herself and what she wants, and will she ever stop feeling like she's a burden to her mother?

What about all of those secrets? There were quite a few secrets in this book and not just between Charlotte and Janie! Some were intriguing, some were life changing, they were all interesting and perfect for this book!

The descriptions in this book were very nicely done, and painted a lovely picture of the 20th century.

What's the deal with Andrew, Harry, and Lawrence!?

With great lessons of family, friendship, love, trust, adventure, and more, Manor of Secrets was a very entertaining read.

I received this book for free from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. This did not effect my rating in any way.


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Insurgent by Veronica Roth

Insurgent by Veronica Roth
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

InsurgentOne choice can transform you—or it can destroy you. But every choice has consequences, and as unrest surges in the factions all around her, Tris Prior must continue trying to save those she loves—and herself—while grappling with haunting questions of grief and forgiveness, identity and loyalty, politics and love.

Tris's initiation day should have been marked by celebration and victory with her chosen faction; instead, the day ended with unspeakable horrors. War now looms as conflict between the factions and their ideologies grows. And in times of war, sides must be chosen, secrets will emerge, and choices will become even more irrevocable—and even more powerful. Transformed by her own decisions but also by haunting grief and guilt, radical new discoveries, and shifting relationships, Tris must fully embrace her Divergence, even if she does not know what she may lose by doing so.

My Review
This series is very intriguing and kept me turning the pages until I was done! There was so much suspense, secrets to uncover, and more to learn about the factions and characters! There are so many twists and turns in this book, some that I definitely did NOT see coming (and then smacked myself in the forehead because I should have). Who could be trusted? What should they do? Will they be able to stay safe? What are the Erudite hiding?

It's nice that Tris isn't perfect. She feels guilt. She misses her parents and her friends that didn't make it. She doesn't know who she can definitely trust or the best thing to do when faced with some situations. But she STILL TRIES! That is, perhaps, my favorite thing about Tris. She doesn't give up. Even when things feel or look impossible (though she might have come close once or twice). She truly is selfless most of the time, and dauntless (though almost to the point of crazy at times), and intelligent. She is DIVERGENT! How do people feel about that, and can being divergent help save the society?

Four was still amazing, because he was always there for Tris. He never completely doubted her and always tried to save her and keep her safe.

There were places in this book that made me bite my nails and file them against my teeth! Places that made me cry. Places that made me hit my forehead against my hand and/or groan. And, yes, places that made me want to throw the book!

I did have a couple small problems with this book though, but I understand why they happened. First of all Four and Tris fought with each other a lot in this book and kept things from each other. I just found that kind of sad, because they are so perfect for each other and things could have been so much easier if they had trusted each other even when they wanted to keep things to themselves. I do believe that relationships grow stronger if the people involved can get through it together. Can Four and Tris? Also, some of the deaths in this book (and the last) are just so not right.

But overall this really is a great series, and I am so glad I finally decided to read it! I will have to wait until the third book is available in my local Library (uuuggghhh) since I promised myself to only buy books that my Library doesn't have. It's going to be a long wait!


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Waiting on Wednesday - Snow Like Ashes

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Breaking the Spine, where we share a book that we are waiting for.

Snow Like Ashes by Sara Raasch
Publication: October 14, 2014
Snow Like AshesA heartbroken girl. A fierce warrior. A hero in the making.

Sixteen years ago the Kingdom of Winter was conquered and its citizens enslaved, leaving them without magic or a monarch. Now, the Winterians’ only hope for freedom is the eight survivors who managed to escape, and who have been waiting for the opportunity to steal back Winter’s magic and rebuild the kingdom ever since.

Orphaned as an infant during Winter’s defeat, Meira has lived her whole life as a refugee, raised by the Winterians’ general, Sir. Training to be a warrior—and desperately in love with her best friend, and future king, Mather — she would do anything to help her kingdom rise to power again.

So when scouts discover the location of the ancient locket that can restore Winter’s magic, Meira decides to go after it herself. Finally, she’s scaling towers, fighting enemy soldiers, and serving her kingdom just as she’s always dreamed she would. But the mission doesn’t go as planned, and Meira soon finds herself thrust into a world of evil magic and dangerous politics – and ultimately comes to realize that her destiny is not, never has been, her own.

Sara Raasch’s debut fantasy is a lightning-fast tale of loyalty, love, and finding one’s destiny.


Why I'm Waiting
This book sounds so interesting and original. I mean magic, adventure, restoring their world, fantasy, and a king? Not to mention a character finding her her own destiny and a kingdom called Winter? That sounds like a fascinating book, and I can't wait to read it and find, hopefully, a wonderful new author in Sarah Raasch.

Such a long wait though!    

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Liebster Blog Award

I would like to say a huge thank you to Rimsha Salam at Ramblings of a Bookwarm for nominating me for the Liebster Award! Thank you so much I'm honored.

What is this?
The Liebster Award is an award to bloggers with less than 200 followers from fellow bloggers, and its goal is to spread the word and introduce us to new blogs. It's so wonderful how wonderful new blogs appear all the time!

The Rules
List 11 facts about yourself.
Answer the 11 questions asked by whoever nominated you.
Ask 11 new questions to 9 bloggers with less than 200 followers (you can't re-nominate the blog that nominated you).
Go to their blog and tell them they have been nominated and leave a link to their post.

11 facts about me
1. I love to spend time with my family, friends, and pets (black lab Princess and cat Hannah), walking my dog, working in my grandparents garden (can't have one at home because my mom is allergic to flowers), help others, bake, be outside, ice skate, learn, and more. I also love to reading and writing, but wait, you already knew that!

2. My faith is extremely important to me, and my biggest dream is to go on at least one mission trip in my lifetime. My Church is doing a mission trip this summer, and I would love to go, but I'm a minor and it's expensive so we'll see.

3. I love inspiring books.

4. I am shy and quiet, until you get to know me, then I talk a lot, though I do talk more than I used to. Some people who just meet me think I'm to serious, but they don't know/understand me.

5. I laugh a lot (like, a lot, a lot), I'm emotional and cry and laugh while reading, and I'm easily embarrassed (pale skin can be a curse when embarrassed, because even if you are wearing foundation, blushing is still visible).

6. I play the flute and picallo.

7. I am fascinated by other cultures and countries and would love to travel around Europe someday (maybe other countries too, but mostly ones in Europe).

8. I teach the 2-year old class at my Church, and I want to become an elementary school teacher.

9. I love summer because there is no school, I can read more, there are flowers, I can take my dog for a walk, and I can be outside all day long (my favorite place to read is on my porch or in my grandparents gazebo when it's warm). I also love snow, but feel like it should only be cold if it is going to snow.

10. I love Christmas, because of the reason for the season, and it is a season of hope, joy, love, and giving. I sing Christmas songs from Thanksgiving until the day after my Birthday, which is in January, and I make my parents leave the tree up until then too. I also drive my parents nuts by filling up the DVR when I record and watch all Hallmark (and some other) Christmas movies. I just love the spirit of Christmas.

11. I love animals.

11 Questions from Rimsha Salam of Ramblings of a Bookworm
1.Why do you love to read and blog?
I love to read, because it transports me to knew places allowing me to relax/escape to other worlds, places, or time periods, and experience things that I may never/will never get to experience in real life. I meet new characters that become like BFF's or fall in love with. Books inspire, entertain, and teach me, as well as help me be more creative, and have bigger dreams for myself. I love to blog because it's an outlet that allows my love of writing to flow, I get to share the books I read and/or love with other people, I meet new readers/bloggers/friends, oarticipate in memes, and I get to interact with authors (free books are also a great bonus, though I really wasn't expecting them).

2.What are your hobbies?
Other than reading and blogging I love to spend time with family and friends, walk my dog, help other people, learn, sing, play my flute and a little keyboard, garden, ice skate, babysit, and much more.

3. What kind of person you are describe in three words?
Hmmm, this is hard.
quiet, kind (I hope), and bookworm

4. Fictional crush?
Oh my! Marcello in the River of Time series has been a fictional crush of mine for a while now, but he really is just so wonderful, smart, kind, caring, brave, and has a strong faith, I could go on. I also really like Ren in the Tigers Curse series, because of his personality, he's caring, brave, smart, I really could go on again. Two totally swoon-worthy guys!

5. Name three things you hate?
Poverty, many things in America's history, and cruel/rude people

6. Favorite book(s)/series
River of Time series by Lisa Tawn Bergren, Anomaly series by Krista McGee, Lunar Chronicles by Marissa Meyer, Tigers Curse series by Colleen Houck, and Melanie Dickerson's four books (sorry, they're just all so wonderful)

7. If you could live in a fictional world (Narnia, Hogwarts, Middle Earth, etc.) where would you live?


8. What are you studying/have you studied?
I am in high-school, but my favorite subject is English. My favorite class that I have ever taken is last years AP Human Geography class, because I am fascinated by other countries, and loved learning about culture, languages, and everything else about the class.

9. Any blogging advice?
The advice that is most important to me is - Try not to get discouraged by the number of followers you have and don't worry to much about what people think of your writing/reviews, because then you get nervous and self conscience. At first, what other people thought was a big fear of mine (and still is sometimes) but I decided to just be myself and write what felt.

10.Favorite Movie(s) TV show(s)?
I love Hallmark, and that's pretty much the only channel I watch except for occasional others. When Calls the Heart is actually my favorite TV show, and I like so many Hallmark channel movies that I can't pick a favorite as well as Frozen and Christmas movies.

11. Your role model(s) or inspirational person(s).
My mom is my biggest role model, because she's so kind, funny, always there for me, and more. I am inspired by so many people both throughout history and today, including historically famous people, anyone who has ever had the courage to stand up for what is right, everyone that has made a difference for the better, and many many more.

11 questions from me
1. When and why did you start a book blog?
2. What are your favorite things about reading and blogging?
3. When and where do you like to read?
4. Favorite genre.
5. Favorite fictional character.
6. Fictional crush and fiction BFF.
7. Favorite childhood book.
8. Most inspiring person in your life, and/or fictional character.
9. What do you like to do when you aren't reading?
10. Where would you like to go if you could go anywhere in the world?
11. What is your biggest dream or goal in life?

Nominated Blogs 
Each and every one of you is amazing! Please check out this fantastic blogs! (In alphabetical order)
Missie at A Flurry of Ponderings
Wolfie at Writer Person

Top Ten Tuesday - Popular Authors I've Never Read

Top Ten Tuesday is a fun meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish, where we pick the top ten things that we choose for the topic of the week.
Topic - Top Ten Popular Authors I've Never Read

Oh, I shouldn't even do this weeks Top Ten Tuesday! You guys REALLY AREN'T going to like me very much after this! Please don't hunt me down! I'm going to warn you now that I don't read some of the extremely popular books, and some of them I probably will never read. I just don't get the whole vampire werewolf thing, and I don't like scary books at all. I'm just glad I read some Rainbow Rowell a few weeks ago, and some Veronica Roth last week (talk about embarrassing)! Sooo

Stephanie Meyer - That's right! I have never read the Twilight series, and to be honest I don't plan on reading it. I know that pretty much everyone loves them, but they just doesn't sound like my kind of books.

Suzanne Collins - I have never read the Hunger Games, and I don't plan on reading them anytime soon if ever. I know! I know! I guess I just have a unique taste in books.

John Green - Sounds so sad.

Tahereh Mafi - I might read sometime, but haven't yet.

Marie Lu - Just never really thought about reading them.

C.S. Lewis - I probably should read these, but haven't yet.

Markus Zusak - I want to read this, but I'm sure it's really sad. I'm also sure it's really good, and I will definitely read it someday.

Jennifer L. Armentrout - Everyone seems to like it, but I'm not a huge paranormal fan.

Cassandra Clare - I just never decided to read it.

Richelle Mead - I think I can honestly say that I will never read, they just aren't my kind of books.

RECOMMENDATIONS PLEASE
So what authors do you think I just have to read (trust me there are other popular authors I  haven't read, these are just the first ones I could think of). Some of these you could probably talk me into reading (a few I want to read anyway) but there are a few that I'm pretty dead set against reading, so let me know!

What popular authors have you not read? (I know mine's ridiculous, so you can at least give me one big one, right) Is anyone with me on any of these?

Divergent by Veronica Roth

Divergent by Veronica Roth
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

DivergentGoodreads Summary:
In Beatrice Prior's dystopian Chicago world, society is divided into five factions, each dedicated to the cultivation of a particular virtue--Candor (the honest), Abnegation (the selfless), Dauntless (the brave), Amity (the peaceful), and Erudite (the intelligent). On an appointed day of every year, all sixteen-year-olds must select the faction to which they will devote the rest of their lives. For Beatrice, the decision is between staying with her family and being who she really is--she can't have both. So she makes a choice that surprises everyone, including herself.

During the highly competitive initiation that follows, Beatrice renames herself Tris and struggles alongside her fellow initiates to live out the choice they have made. Together they must undergo extreme physical tests of endurance and intense psychological simulations, some with devastating consequences. As initiation transforms them all, Tris must determine who her friends really are--and where, exactly, a romance with a sometimes fascinating, sometimes exasperating boy fits into the life she's chosen. But Tris also has a secret, one she's kept hidden from everyone because she's been warned it can mean death. And as she discovers unrest and growing conflict that threaten to unravel her seemingly perfect society, Tris also learns that her secret might help her save the ones she loves . . . or it might destroy her.

My Review:
Oh my goodness! I can't believe it took me so long to read this book! A few of my friends told me that it was really good, and that since I love to read so much, I just had to read it. But I kept putting it off, and putting it off. Then I put a hold on the Divergent/Insurgent ebook in my local library, but had to wait forever because I was like eighty somethingth on that list. Now that I read it, I get why so many people loved it, and I definitely liked this book a lot more than I thought I would.

I thought that the society made up of factions was very interesting, and the discoveries that were made throughout the book were very intriguing. Some I saw coming, others I did not. Let's just say that not everything is as perfect and clear as it seems.

Tris wasn't perfect and she made mistakes, but who is perfect? She was very brave, and not afraid to be herself and choose the faction of her choice. Though she was small, she could throw knives, fight, and be daring with the best of them. There were honestly some times during this book when I didn't completely like Tris very much, but I realize that everyone makes mistakes. There were also many times, and overall, that I respected Tris and thought that she was brave, and where she did the right thing. The things that I would hope that I would have the courage to do if in a situation like that.

Four. Four was a really great character. He had secrets, and though he had a tough exterior, he really was caring and brave. I loved learning about Four, from his real name, to how he got his nickname, to his past, and how he was willing to tell Tris some of his secrets. He was always there for Tris and saved her more than once, but the same can be said for Tris. They really are perfect for each other!

I liked the fact that Tris was Divergent, what it meant, and how we learned about it's meaning slowly. Sometimes I like to try to figure things out!

There were many complex and diverse characters in this book that I liked and disliked. There were some very sad, cruel, and unjustifiable occurrences throughout this book where I cried or almost cried, but I won't say anymore about that.

The end of the book had some really good parts, but also some extremely sad parts, and definitely made me glad that I could delve right in to Insurgent (though I did wait a few hours).

I could say a lot more about this book, but in case I wasn't the only one and there are still some of you who haven't read this book, this is all I'm going to say.

(Though I could really talk about some of the injustices in this book, to anyone that has read it).


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Week of Wonder

Week of Wonder is what I call my Weekly Wrap-up. I will link up everything that I did on my blog this week - books I read, books I reviewed, what challenges I've added to, what I'm currently reading, all my other posts, etc. I will also let you know about any upcoming events that are coming up on my blog. 

Reviewed

Anna was Here by Jane Kurtz - Interview and Review

Man of God by Gregg Bell

Other Posts

Top Ten Tuesday - Inspiring Characters

Waiting on Wednesday - Destined for Doon by Carey Corp

Falling Behind on Friday - Right Where I Belong by Krista McGee

My new favorite song
Do Something by Matthew West
This song is so inspiring, and I love it so much. I feel like it's my theme song, especially at this time, even though I still can't sing the whole song without some tears. (More to come on this/related to this)

Stacking the Shelves

acking the shelves is a weekly meme hosted by  Tynga's Reviews, where you show what books you got during the week.

From Netgalley 

Fall for You by Cecilia Gray

So into You by Cecilia Gray

The Here and Now by Ann Brashares