November Wrap-Up

I hope everyone that celebrates Thanksgiving had a great one - and for the rest of you, at least you didn't get a day off in the middle of the week to mess your schedule all up. Anyway, this was my first Thanksgiving being dairy-free and experimenting with gluten-free. Really, it amazes me the amount of food that doesn't need either, especially for Thanksgiving.

We have been so wet this last week that the ground literally goes 'slurp' when you walk across it. Thankfully enough, it's not been below freezing - otherwise probably all we would have had would be ice. Predictions say that once the rain stops it will get below freezing though. I'm just glad it held off.

I've decided to do things a little differently this month, see if I like it. Instead of adding the books that were DNF for me, I'll just post the ones I actually finished. I'm trying it out this month to see what I think of if.

I've been reading like crazy this month - and forgoing some TV - in an effort to get my TBR down to a manageable level. I started a book buying ban, too.

My secret for getting so much read this month? Do little else. (Seriously.) Also, I quit over thinking my next read. Usually, I would ponder what to read next - maybe letting the previous book soak in for part of a day. Now it's from one book, right to the next. Not sure that's the best way to be reading, but it's helped me get through things.

What I've been reading...

(lol, what haven't I been reading?)

The Stepsister Scheme by Jim C. Hines - *****

The Eighth Day by Dianne K. Salerni - ** - My Thoughts

The Naturalist by Christina Dudley - **

The Assassin's Salvation by Ruby Lionsdrake - **** - Review

UnEnchanted by Chanda Hahn - **

Introductions by C.L. Stone - **** - Review

Winter by Marissa Meyer - *****

Victoria and the Rogue by Meg Cabot - ***

The Dark Realm by Anthea Sharp - ****

The Child Prince by Honor Raconteur - ***** - Review 12/2

Uncommon Criminals by Ally Carter - ***

The Secret Box by Whitaker Ringwald - **

The Cloak Society by Jeramey Kraatz - ** - Thoughts

A Natural History of Dragons by Marie Brennan - ** - Review 12/9

Prophecy by Ellen Oh - *** - Review 12/16

Hogfather by Terry Pratchett - **** - My review will be featured on The Regal Critiques in December!

Buying ban information to date...

I can buy/get free 1 book for every 5 I read.

Series continuations are free.

Physical books read: 9

E-books read: 7

Physical books I've bought: 0

E-books I've Bought: 1

What I've been watching...

The Flash, season one! Oh, this show is just so awesome! Seriously, I love superheroes, and this show is just great. The only quibble I have is that the season one finale did the EXACT SAME THING that the season one finale of The Arrow did. Kind of upsetting, but I tolerated it much better on here than I did on there. (Maybe because I liked the person they did it to just a bit less...)

I also rewatched season one of Numb3rs. It was a lot of fun because it's been ages since I saw the first season. Whenever I rewatch episodes, it's usually from the seasons 2, 3 and 4. (I like the new people they added, especially Megan.)

I have been watching other things, but these are the only shows I've actually finished any part of this month. I can just imagine, with all the 'nearly done' shows I'm working on, how next month will look. ;)

How's your November been? See any books you've read or that you want to? Am I the only one here that's watched The Flash? (Please, no spoilers for season two! I'm trying to remain oblivious to everything for now.) Any suggestions on how to get through a book buying ban?

November Book Haul

Okay, I seem to be buying more books than I could possibly read. That's going to stop now, though. This month I focused on reading a lot and now I refuse to look at books until my TBR is a more manageable level. (So she says.) I've also entered into something of a buying ban. We'll see how it works.

And, on that note, these books totally don't count because I bought them all before I started my ban. (That works, right. Right?)


Physical books I bought...

Starbridge by A.C. Crispin
Mr. Impossible by Loretta Chase
Fortune's Pawn by Rachel Bach
V Is For Villain by Peter MooreOmega City by Diana PeterfreundWinter by Marissa MeyerManners & Mutiny by Gail Carriger


Free or bought for kindle...

I Bring the Fire by C. Gockel

Once Upon A Scandal by Julie LeMense
The Blood Guard by Carter Roy

Ella Enchanted by Gail Carson Levine
If you want more information on my buying ban, click here. And do wish me luck because I don't have exactly the best luck when it comes to telling myself not to do something. (Though I did leave a few loopholes in my ban that I can buy the books I 'must have.') So, this will be interesting. Also, should be the last largish book haul I have for awhile.

Fall Time Cozy Book Tag

First of all, I want to wish everyone a HAPPY THANKSGIVING! I hope you eat lots of turkey - or your favorite holiday 'meat.' (Seriously, if you're a fan of Tofurky, I don't judge. In fact, I rather like it, too.) If you don't celebrate Thanksgiving (or, at least, not when we in the US do) HAPPY FALL! (Yes, fall is so great it deserves well wishes.)

I wasn't planning on posting anything for today. I thought it would be a nice little day off to...spend time with my family? (Actually, probably just while preparing the food and eating. I plan on spending the rest of the day reading.) But then I found this great little tag over at The Regal Critiques. Now, I wasn't explicitly tagged, but they said that if you love the fall season, you're tagged - and I do love fall. It's my favorite season, in fact, so I just had to do this. (And my monthly tag was already taken, so here we go.)

Crunchy Leaves!
The world is full of colour.
Choose a book that has reds, oranges or yellows on the cover

The Wyvern's Spur by Kate Novak & Jeff Grubb

Don't mind the eighties style fantasy cover - the book's awesome! I discovered that I don't actually have many good books with this color palate. The ones I've read this year really weren't any good so I didn't want to add them here.

Cozy Jumper!

It’s finally cold enough to don warm, cozy clothing.

What book gives you the warm fuzzies?

Warm fuzzies? I'm allergic to the warm fuzzies. Seriously though, I think about the closest I come is anything in this series:

Theft of Swords by Michael J. Sullivan

I love this book, this series both so much that - yes, I think warm fuzzies might be the way to describe it.

Autumn Storm!

The wind is howling and the rain is pounding.

Choose your favourite book or genre that you like to read on a stormy day.

This is a very tough question for me, because it seems like that when it storms, I'm very easily distracted and somewhat discontented with everything. Usually though, it seems like I want something with a little more depth and emotion than my more common, light and somewhat frivolous fair.

Daughter of Smoke & Bone by Lani Taylor

So, I'll go with this, probably the last book to really catch me emotionally.

Cool Crisp Air!

Who’s the coolest character you’d want to trade places with?

Prudence by Gail Carriger

Rue is awesome! Seriously, if I could be her for a day...Although, I might not want to give it up. Anyway, I adore her - and I'm pretty sure I answered another tag question earlier this year like this with Rue also. (Or maybe that was my favorite character so far of the year...)

Hot Apple Cider!

What under-hyped book do you want to see become the next biggest, hottest thing?

A Wicked Thing by Rhiannon Thomas

Uhm, hello? One of my favorite books of the year and the single book that I shove at the most people whenever the situation is appropriate. Maybe even sometimes when it's not. ;) If you want a fairytale retelling that doesn't take the easy 'happily ever after' way out; if you want a story with a weak girl that grows into her own and becomes amazing for it; if you want a realistic look at the feelings (physical and mental) of someone that's been asleep a hundred years; or if you're just looking for a new retelling that doesn't travel the same tired 'insta-love' and 'damsel in distress' path: read this book.

Seriously though, with the sequel releasing in February, I want to see this series take off!

Coats, Scarves and Mittens!

The weather has turned cold and it’s time to cover up.

What’s the most embarrassing book cover you own that you like to keep hidden in public?

My truly embarrassing book covers are on kindle. I've got...here, let me show you:

Trial and Temptation by Ruby Lionsdrake

I love the book, but they both need to put some clothes on. I'm glad it's on kindle, because they're no way I could read this book in public otherwise!

On a more minor note:

Academy 7 by Anne Osterlund

This book cover disquiets me, probably mostly because it's not at all what this cover makes it look like.

In truth, I don't like any cover with two models, any cover with a shirtless man or any cover that's a closeup or bust shot of a single model's face. The only time models don't bother me is if there's more of an emphasis on their clothing (and not in the 'they're only half-clothed' manner) or the background. (I don't like real people. If I did, I'd interact with them instead of burying myself in books. Why would I want them on my covers?)

Pumpkin Spiced Latte!

What’s your favourite Fall Time comfort food or drink?

Hot carob! (Click the picture to be taken to a delightful recipe for it!)

I was going to say tea, but I drink tea all year round. (Hot tea, warm tea, tepid tea, iced tea. Tea, tea, tea.)

I can't drink hot chocolate anymore, mostly because chocolate is a major trigger for my migraines, but also because to find it dairy-free, I'd have to make it myself. (I'll admit, chocolate = no, no for me all around.) (I would, however, like to try my hand at making some dairy-free white hot chocolate, as it's not a trigger.) So, a couple years ago, I got a big canister of carob powder from my mom's store and I was stirring it into my protein shakes to give it a different flavor. Then I thought 'why not make hot carob?'

Carob has a different flavor from chocolate and it's not to everyone's taste (kind of grows on you, though) but it's also caffeine-free and naturally dairy-free.

(I just want to get some kosher, dairy-free mini marshmallows to put on mine this year!)

Warm, Cozy Bonfire!
Spread the cozy warmth!
Who do you tag?
Everyone! Anyone! You!

(This was fun though. You should do it.)

Have a great day!

Review: Introductions by C.L. Stone

Introductions by C.L. Stone

Series: The Ghost Bird #1
Genre: Contemporary
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With an agoraphobic mother and a barely-there father, Sang abhors the isolation keeping her in the shadows. The only thing Sang craves is a fresh start and to be accepted as ordinary by her peers, because for her being different meant being cast out alone.

When her family moves to a new school district, Sang infiltrates a group of boys nearly perfect in every way. Grateful for an influence outside of her parents’ negativity, she quickly bonds with the boys, hoping to blend in and learn from them what it means to have a natural relationship with friends.

Only the boys have secrets of their own and they’ll do anything to keep her safe from the knowledge of the mysterious Academy that they've sworn allegiance to. Bit by bit, Sang discovers that her friends are far from the normalcy she expected. Will her loyalty change when she's forced to remain in the dark, or will she accept that she's traded one house of secrets for another?

Top Ten Fictional 'Families' I'd LOVE To Spend Thanksgiving With

Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme created at The Broke and the Bookish.

This week we are left with quite a few options, just staying Thanksgiving themed. Well, I knew within five minutes of reading this prompt what I wanted to do. There are some great families in the books I read and some of my favorites, as you'll see, aren't even related by blood.

My Book Buying Ban

Lately I've been going more than a little crazy buying books - and downloading free e-books. This has to stop. I mean, when I'm getting more books in a month than I read in a month, I'll never get through them all. I know this - yet I keep buying them. And getting them free for my kindle.

So, I've decided to do what every book blogger has probably thought about at least once: start a book buying ban. (le gasp! The horror!)

Rules:

• I'd like to cut my TBR shelf by over half before I stop this ban. Ideally, I'll have cut it by over two-thirds.

• For every five books I read, I can get one. If I read five kindle books, I can buy - or get free - one. If I read five physical books, I can buy one. Audiobooks can be kind of a 'wild card' in that they'll count toward either. DNF books do not count. At all.

• I can buy the next book in the series - it's not part of my 5-to-1 rules. (Hopefully this will also encourage me to finish some of those lurking series.)

• Library books do not count as anything and, for the length of this ban, I will try not to read any. (After all, this is an attempt to get through the books I've already got.)

This should allow me to buy the books I 'must have' but I can avoid getting a hold of any more of those books that will just sit there, looking at me accusingly.

I've already cut my TBR shelf by quite a lot this month, and as far as I'm concerned, even though I'm only now getting around to talking about it, I consider myself being on the ban for the entire month. (Though I'll still have a book haul post, because I bought books in October that I didn't get until November. They don't count.)

Ideally, I hope that this ban will last until at least my birthday. (Which is in February.) Four months should help me accomplish a lot. Right?

Have you ever been on a book buying ban? How did it work? Any tips for me? If you've never done a book buying ban, why haven't you? (Love to hear any thoughts and encouragement!)

Not my image

it's from here

First Comes Love, Then Marriage, Then Baby Carriage

LOL, no, I'm not getting married nor am I pregnant, but…well.

I've been noticing a trend in several young adult series I've finished recently. The girl and boy fall madly in love (as they are wont to do) and decide 'yuppers, it's totally appropriate to get married now' and then, before you can say 'baby makes three' she's pregnant.

Maybe I'm showing my age - or maybe I'm just an old prude - but I totally hate this.

For me, the biggest offender was a series that had been doing so well - yeah, the love went from 10-to-70 a little too fast, but it was sweet. Then this seventeen (barely) year old girl is proposed to by her boyfriend that she's known for less than a year. They get married and then, after about a week, they start talking about children and she admits that, although she's done nothing to not get pregnant, she hasn't even considered the possibility of getting pregnant. (Needless to say, before the end of the book, they are excitedly looking forward to her first baby.)

This is actually a very extreme example, to me, but it illustrates what I've been dealing with nicely. Honestly, from a reader who's more than a little past the actual age of young adult, I find reading about seventeen year olds getting married uncomfortable - especially the way it's portrayed, as though they are this grand, fated couple that can't wait two or three years. No, it has to be now because they just love each other so much. (Which, yeah, I know that's a thing with teen romance, but I, thankfully, avoided it then and I still wish to.)

I know, in history girls, especially, were often around sixteen when they got married, but … I don't know. Maybe because that was in the past and I've been reading modern day novels or fantasy that, except for this, seem rather progressive.

If I'm being totally honest, when I was an actual young adult, the last thing I wanted to read about were girls my age getting married and having babies. Seriously, there were enough romance novels that ended that way. I wanted something besides the gut swooning romance. (Which is totally why I didn't read YA books at that time, but mysteries instead.)

So, what do you think? Do you like it when your YA couple has an all encompassing HEA with marriage and babies? Or are you more like me and don't want marriage added to the romance just yet? And do you know any actual young adults (or are you one) that actually wants to read about the couple getting married?

Taylor Swift Book Tag

So, I don't know how many of my readers are fans of Taylor Swift. I'm not a huge fan of hers - but I do really like some of her music. Especially her newer stuff. And this tag looked like way too much fun to pass up. (And I totally can't remember where I first saw it.)

1. We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together:
Pick a book (or book series) that you were pretty sure you were in love with, but then wanted to break up with.

Throne of Glass Series by Sarah J. Maas
We almost did break up, but then we decided to be mature adults and work through our problems. I've not read the third book in the series yet, but it's all on how much I enjoy that one if we break up or get back together for good. And, yes, I will read it. I have been convinced. (Though not convinced enough to actually buy it - I'm just going to borrow it from the library.)

2. Red:
Pick a book with a RED cover.

Cruel Beauty by Rosamund Hodge
It should be said, not only is read my least favorite color (followed by pink and white) but I also don't come across many books with red covers. I think I can say with some confidence that this is probably my favorite book that is mostly red. Most likely.

3. The Best Day:
Pick a book that makes you feel nostalgic.

Republic by Lindsay Buroker
Interestingly enough, I don't have many books that make me feel nostalgic. I definitely have those that I've reread so many times, yes I do feel a bit nostalgic for when it was all new. But a book that the first time around made me feel nostalgic? I decided to go with this book, because it really feels like the series is over now - and that made me sad.

4. Love Story:
Pick a book with forbidden love.

Encrypted by Lindsay Buroker
Interesting to note that I'm not big on the whole forbidden love/star-crossed lovers thing. However, this book... To say that the two main characters are enemies would be an understatement. Their countries are enemies, with them having been involved in a war only a few years ago and he was - quite possibly - the best military leader with her being a cryptographer. They were enemies and seeing how that changed to love was awesome. It was also a lot of fun how she's worried how he's going to be accepted by her family back home. (Really hope that's in the second book.) This is so forbidden that whole countries will frown on it!

5. I Knew You Were Trouble:
Pick a book with a bad character you couldn't help but love.

Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo
*cough cough* I've got a lot of those. (And I will assume this means a bad 'person' not a poorly written character.) For some reason, the tortured characters, the ones that just might want to kill you in your sleep, always interest me. (And I could totally go with both characters in Cruel Beauty, but I won't.) I decided on The Darkling mostly because he was the first one I thought of for this prompt. He's not the only character I like that is...shall we say, problematic. (Seriously, want a list?)

6. Innocent:
Pick a book that someone ruined the ending for.

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by J.K. Rowling
I like to think that I've been really lucky over the years in avoiding unlooked for spoilers. However, because I was so late to the party and everyone seems to consider these late arrival spoilers totally a-okay to sling around the net, I know a lot more about this finale than I wanted to - and I still haven't read it yet!

7. Everything has Changed:
Pick a character from a book who goes through extensive character development.

Sora's Quest by T.L. Shreffler
At the beginning of this book, Sora is a entitled, self-absorbed, spoiled rich brat. By the end of the story she has significantly morphed into a competent, capable and un-complain-y young woman. Definitely something I wanted to see.

8. You Belong With Me:
Pick your most anticipated book release.

Kingdom of Ashes by Rhiannon Thomas
Pretty cover. Can I just sit here and pet my computer screen for awhile. Seriously though, I cannot wait for this sequel to one of my favorite books this year. And at least this one releases in February instead of June like the other book I'm wanting badly. June! February's bad enough. (This book releases my birthday. I know what my gift to me will be!)

9. Forever and Always:
Pick your favourite book couple.

Scarlet by Marissa Meyer
You're killing me here. Can't I just say the couples from The Lunar Chronicles. Seriously, for someone that usually isn't into romance in her books, this series has some of the best ever. To be completely honest though, I've gotta go with Scarlet and Wolf. Rereading it in preparation for Winter's release, I was reminded why I like them sooo much. Scarlet is awesome and Wolf is unique and together they are uniquely awesome - if you'll pardon the really bad pun.

10. Come Back, Be Here:
Pick the book you would least like to lend out, for fear of missing it too much.

Prudence by Gail Carriger
I'm not actually the sort to miss my books - usually it's more a case of 'I love this book so much that I want everyone to read it.' However, I've gotten very used to seeing this book on my shelf and I think I'd miss that snazzy cover if it weren't there.


Join in! If you want to do this tag, consider yourself tagged 'it' by me. (Seriously, though, I had a blast doing this!)

Review: The Assassin's Salvation by Ruby Lionsdrake

The Assassin's Salvation by Ruby Lionsdrake
Series: The Mandrake Company #3

Genre: Romance/Sci-Fi
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When Jamie Flipkens signed on as a pilot and engineer for a small medical research company, she never expected to end up on a mercenary ship full of hulking soldiers who want to make her their latest conquest. The captain has been good to her--it doesn't hurt that he's her boss's new beau--but she's on the verge of quitting when a strange man shows up at her shuttle door.

Sergei Zharkov claims to be an old friend of the captain's. He neglects to mention that he's also an assassin, a dangerous man who even the hardened mercenaries avoid. Jamie should avoid him, too, but she's drawn to the charm that sometimes escapes from beneath his grim facade. She finds herself wanting to give him a reason to smile--and maybe a little more than that.

Fairytale Survey

Created by The Daily Prophet. Usually on Tuesdays I participate in a little meme called Top Ten Tuesdays. However, this week is about quotes and I have nothing to say. I'm terrible at remembering quotes. So, I decided to do this awesome looking survey that I've been wanting to do for ages.

PART 1. CLASSIC PRINCESSES.

Pinocchio – The boy whose nose grows when he lies.
Is there are book you lie about, because you feel ashamed for liking it?
Nope. I don't feel ashamed for liking any book. There are some, however that I don't tell my family that I read because it's just been for everyone involved if we don't get into that discussion.

Beauty and the beast – The girl who fell in love with personality.
Which book do you love that has a hideous cover?
I wouldn't say it exactly has a hideous cover, but it's certainly unattractive.

Crypt of the Moaning Diamond by Rosemary Jones

Snow white – Hunted down for her beauty.
Do you ever buy a book based on the cover alone and if so, what is the last one?
Not alone. Sure, the cover will catch my attention first, but it has to be a book that sounds good to me for me to even be interested in it.

Sleeping beauty – Cursed to sleep, awakened by true love's kiss.
What is your favorite book couple?
Hmm... Well, that's a toughy. I think I'll have to go with either Scarlet and Wolf from Scarlet or Cress and Thorne from Cress. Both by Marissa Meyer's. Books two and three in The Lunar Chronicles.

Little Mermaid – Gave up on her old life for love.
Do you ever branch out to new genres or do you like to stick with the ones you know and love? If you try new things out, what is the latest book?

Kind of both. Is that an answer? Can I be like my mom: 'yes and no'? For me, I definitely have my favorite genres - fantasy and steampunk - but I can often be found reading sci-fi or historical romance - and even occasionally a contemporary story. My reading is definitely mostly fantasy, but I honestly cannot say I read any genre little enough to consider it branching out. (Except for horror, which I never read, and westerns, which just aren't for me.)

Cinderella – Who lost her shoe after midnight.
What is the last book that made you stay up all night?
Even though I wish I could, I have this thing. I need sleep. At least six hours (preferably eight or nine). I have to be up by seven to get to work by nine. I'm usually in bed by eleven. Now, I will forgo T.V. for the night to read, but I won't stay up late.

Rapunzel – locked up in a tower.
What is  the worst books you've read last month?
I'll be honest, October was a disappointing month. I finished a couple of series and, like most other series I've been finishing lately, they just didn't hold up to the rest of the series. However, there was another book that sounded so perfect for me but that was a huge disappointment.

Ring of Secrets by Roseanna M. White
This is a historical Christian romance about the Culper spies during the Revolutionary War. Seriously, how could it fail? I don't know, but it did by being more a slice of life than romance or spy. And overly preachy. And a total cop-out with the romance. Ugh. Disappointing.

PART 2. MIX-MATCH.

Aladdin – The poor boy who found a genie.
What is the latest book treasure/gem you found?

Villains by Necessity by Eve Forward
I've not actually read it yet, so I just hope it's worth all the trouble. Usually this book runs about 30 $ used - which is totally crazy. But I found it for less than half that and scooped it up. Keeping my fingers crossed that it's good.

Alice in Wonderland – The girl who fell through a rabbit’s hole. 
Which book made you really feel like you landed in another world?

Daughter of Smoke & Bone by Laini Taylor
This book gave me such amazing visuals both for Prague and for the fantasy world.

East of the sun and west of the moon – where a girl embarks on a journey to save her love.
Who is one of your favorite kick-ass heroines?
Let it be known that I think I am permanently against 'bad-ass' characters. Seriously, I don't need my girls to be tougher than the boys always ready with a smart-ass response and snarky and this is probably why I've never been able to get into urban fantasy. That being said...

Scarlet by Marissa Meyer
Scarlet is my kind of 'kick-ass' heroine. She's stubborn and determined and willing to risk everything to save her grandmother. She tends to see the best in people but isn't hopelessly naive. But the best thing? She's all this without having to draw attention to it. Scarlet knows who she is and she doesn't need outside approval.


The Frog Prince – where an enchanted prince becomes human again.
What is a book you thought you would hate, but end up loving?

A Wicked Thing by Rhiannon Thomas

Hate is kind of a strong word, but I remember when I read it for Fairytale Fortnight earlier this year. I had this and two others I was going to read and I read A Wicked Thing first because - as I said - 'I'll like it the least.' ... *blinks* Yeah, let's just say 'didn't happen.' I love this book and try pushing it at anyone that'll listen.

Hansel and Gretel – left alone in the woods and captured by a witch.

Which duo (sister/sister, brother/sister) is your favorite and why?

Prudence by Gail Carriger
Percy & Primrose Tunstell
It wasn't until looking for siblings that I realized how few there truly are in my books - especially me liking both of them. So, Percy and Primrose (brother/sister) are my choice because they are vastly different and wind up going on an adventure together. They annoy each other but are there for each other no matter what.

Little Red Riding Hood – almost eaten by a wolf dressed as her grandmother.
What book disappointed you after falling in love with the cover and blurb?

The Clockwork Scarab by Colleen Gleason
Seriously, just look at that cover. It's so beautiful. The story though...wasn't.

Rumpelstiltskin – nobody knows his name.
Which book do you love that doesn’t get enough attention?

Monstrous by MarcyKate Connolly
I could have went with A Wicked Thing again (and truthfully wanted to and liked loved it more than this one) but Monstrous is a very unknown little book. It's a MG book, but there are tons of crossover appeal and if you don't mind being patient, this book is beautiful.


That was fun - and really got me thinking about books. Let me know what you think of my choices and can I convince you to give A Wicked Thing or Monstrous a go?