Heather's Monthly Roundup: November

By now, we're in our second month of doing this and I'm still working out the kinks in my posts.  For now, I'm following the same format as last months and putting a small blurb about why I read the book or my reaction to it and placing a star by my absolute favorites for the month.

Kaniesha's November 2013 Roundup

Finished:

The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin / Rating: 4.5/5 stars

The Strange Case of Finley Jayne by Kady Cross / Rating: 5/5 stars

Hover by Melissa West / Rating: 2/5 stars
The Girl in the Steel Corset by Kady Cross / Rating: 4/5 stars
Champion by Marie Lu / Rating: 5/5 stars
Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell / Rating: 5/5 stars
A Dawn Most Wicked by Susan Dennard / Rating: 4.5/5 stars
Something Strange & Deadly by Susan Dennard / Rating: 5/5 stars
The Moth in the Mirror by A.G. Howard / Rating: 4/5 stars

Started:

The Thousand Names by Django Wexler
The Maze Runner by James Dashner
The Burning Sky by Sherry Thomas

Still reading:

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by J.K. Rowling
Purge by Sofi Oksanen
Insurgent by Veronica Roth

Approved on Netgalley:

Defy by Sara B. Lawson
Sorrow's Knot by Erin Bow

Bought:

Angelfall and World After by Susan Ee

Dropped:

The Raven Boys by Maggie Stiefvater
I couldn't seem to get into this one at the moment. I love her work though so I'll try again later!

Kaniesha's Waiting on Wednesday #9: The Shadow Throne by Jennifer Nielsen

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we’re eagerly anticipating.

Title: The Shadow Throne
Author: Jennifer Nielsen
Series: The Ascendance Trilogy #3
Release date: February 25, 2014

Synopsis: War is Coming...

Kaniesha's Top Ten Tuesday #8: Top Ten Things I Am Thankful For

Top Ten Tuesday is a book blog meme created and hosted by The Broke and The Bookish. This week's Top Ten Tuesday is about the top ten things I am thankful for.

1. My family

My family is dysfunctional and we don't get along a majority of the time but they're not abusive or homophobic or racist or any number of things that are wrong with the world.

2. K-Pop

Korean pop music has been a part of my life for about six years and I don't know where I'd be without it. Because of it, I learned how to do all sorts of things including web design and video editing.

3. Books

Books have helped me a lot! I'm not sure where I'd be without them either. I've learned and lived a lot through them.

4. My dog

I love my dog. I just really, really love my dog. He could go into the family category because he is my son but I love my dog.

5. My friends

I don't have many but the handful I do have are all sorts of wonderful. They're my favorite people! I wish them the best always!

6. My laptop

Without my laptop, very many things would not be possible.

7. Myself

I think I'm pretty neat sometimes.

8. My clothes

I'd be naked all the time without them.

9. My mouse

I'd have gone crazy if I were just using the touchpad.

10. Ex-friends

A weird thing to be thankful for but these people taught me not to be so trusting (an actual problem I have!) and to be wary of people out only for their own gain.

What are you guys thankful for?

Kaniesha Reviews: Hover by Melissa West (Spoiler Warning)

Title: Hover
Series: The Taking #2
Author: Melissa West
Release date: August 13, 2013
Publisher: Entangled Teen
Genres: dystopia, science fiction, romance, paranormal
Goodreads, Amazon, Book Depository, abebooks, Barnes & Noble

On Earth, seventeen-year-old Ari Alexander was taught to never peek, but if she hopes to survive life on her new planet, Loge, her eyes must never shut. Because Zeus will do anything to save the Ancients from their dying planet, and he has a plan.

Thousands of humans crossed over to Loge after a poisonous neurotoxin released into Earth's atmosphere, nearly killing them. They sought refuge in hopes of finding a new life, but what they became were slaves, built to wage war against their home planet. That is, unless Ari and Jackson can stop them. But on Loge, nothing is as it seems...and no one can be trusted.

Review warning: I ramble a lot in this one and there are spoilers. Read on under the cut!

Kaniesha's Waiting on Wednesday #8: Secret by Brigid Kemmerer

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we’re eagerly anticipating.

Title: Secret
Author: Brigid Kemmerer
Series: Elemental #4
Release date: January 28, 2014

Synopsis: Nowhere is safe. Not even home…

Nick Merrick is stretched to the breaking point.

Keep his grades sky-high or he’ll never escape his hometown.
Keep his brother’s business going or the Merricks will be out on the street.
Keep the secret of where he’s going in the evenings from his own twin—-or he’ll lose his family.

Keep his mind off the hot, self-assured dancer who’s supposed to be his “girlfriend’s” partner.

Of course there’s also the homicidal freak Quinn has taken to hanging around, and the Elemental Guide counting the hours until he can try again to kill the Merrick brothers.

There’s a storm coming. From all sides. And then some.

Nick Merrick, can you keep it together?

Heather's Waiting on Wednesday #6: Strange and Ever After

Waiting on Wednesday is a meme hosted by Breaking the Spine designed to showcase upcoming releases that we're excited about.  Check out my pick for this week after the jump.

Heather's Waiting on Wednesday #5: Dodger's Guide to London

Waiting on Wednesday is a meme hosted by Breaking the Spine designed to showcase upcoming releases that we're excited about.  Check out my pick for this week after the jump.

Heather's Top Ten Tuesday: Top Ten Covers I Wish I Could Redesign

Top Ten Tuesday is the creation of The Broke and the Bookish, each week they post a list and one of their writers answers.  This week's topic is Top Ten Covers I Wish I Could Redesign

Kaniesha's Top Ten Tuesday #7: Top Ten Sequels I Can't Wait To Get My Hands On

Top Ten Tuesday is a book blog meme created and hosted by The Broke and The Bookish. This week's Top Ten Tuesday is about the top ten sequels I can't wait for.

I've posted a lot here so click past the jump for the list!

Kaniesha Reviews: The Chaos of Stars by Kiersten White

Title: The Chaos of Stars
Series: -
Author: Kiersten White
Release date: September 10, 2013
Publisher: HarperTeen
Genres: mythology, romance, humor, paranormal
Goodreads, Amazon, Book Depository, abebooks, Barnes & Noble

Isadora’s family is seriously screwed up.
Of course, as the human daughter of Egyptian gods, that pretty much comes with the territory. She’s also stuck with parents who barely notice her, and a house full of relatives who can’t be bothered to remember her name. After all, they are going to be around forever—and she’s a mere mortal.

Isadora’s sick of living a life where she’s only worthy of a passing glance, and when she has the chance to move to San Diego with her brother, she jumps on it. But Isadora’s quickly finding that a “normal” life comes with plenty of its own epic complications—and that there’s no such thing as a clean break when it comes to family. Much as she wants to leave her past behind, she can’t shake the ominous dreams that foretell destruction for her entire family. When it turns out there may be truth in her nightmares, Isadora has to decide whether she can abandon her divine heritage after all.

Combined Reads: November 2013

Sorry we didn't set any books for us to read in October! Though to stay consistent we've decided we'll set books to read every other month instead of every month.
November 1-14:  The Girl in the Steel Corset by Kady Cross
November 15-30: Something Strange and Deadly by Susan Dennard

Please feel free to read along with us and look forward to our (possible) feedback/reviews!

Heather Reviews: The 13½ Lives of Captain Bluebear by Walter Moers