November in Retrograde

November is coming to a close and as far as months go, it was pretty good. I started my new job and I think it was a good move.  SO yay for that. I also went to my very first book event- YALLFEST, you can see my review HERE.  I've read some AMAZING contemporary books this month. I seem to have the most luck with those, maybe because I'm pickier when it comes to that genre. As far as John Green goes...I get it now okay? I. GET. IT. He's the shit. As is David Levithan.

NOW for my November monthly recap:

I actually managed to read 6 of the books I had on my November TBR, it would have been 8 but I wasn't able to finish two of them due to disinterest. Usually I don't stick to a list so I'm kinda happy about that.

TOTAL BOOKS READ = 9

 

 

Every Day (David Levithan) 5/5

Perfect (Ellen Hopkins) 4/5

Will Grayson, Will Grayson (John Green & David Levithan) 5/5

Specials (Scott Westerfeld) 3.5/5

Extras (Scott Westerfeld) 3/5

Persephone (Kaitlin Bevis) 4/5 (For Review)

Amy & Roger's Epic Detour (Morgan Matson) 5/5

The Sky is Everywhere (Jandy Nelson) 5/5

Looking for Alaska (John Green) 5/5

 

 

 

Unfortunately, this month I suffered twice from the dreaded DNF (did not finish).

Each book had it's own set of problems. I read more then half of White Cat but could not get into the story and quit. Of Light and Darkness was for review from NetGalley and the original premise sounded promising. However, there was a severe lack of connection with the characters, the writing and the direction the story was going. I'm not going to waste my time forcing myself to finish a book that I don't like only to give it a poor review. I'd rather move on to something that I will like and can recommend to others.

 

 

FAVORITE READ:

This is really tough. Because 5 of the books this month are now in my favorite category. But if I HAD to pick only one....I would probably have to go with Looking for Alaska by John Green. Incredible book. (The Sky is Everywhere is a close second)

 

LEAST FAVORITE READ:

Not including my DNF's I'd have to go with Extras by Scott Westerfeld. Unfortunately this series fizzled out for me and I can only go so long without a character connection.

MOST SUPRISING READ:

This new category is going to highlight a book that suprised me in some way (either good or bad). I'm going to go with Persephone. I read this for review and was suprised that I liked it so much. I've had bad luck with books in the past involving this retelling so I didn't have my hopes up. Yay for a good suprise! I def recommend this book for people who like Greek mythology retellings.

 

REVIEWS POSTED =4

I was a little lax with reviews this month. I'm working on it.
(Click link to read my review if you want)
Amy & Roger's Epic Detour (Morgan Matson) 5/5
Persephone (Kaitlin Bevis)  4/5
Point of Retreat (Colleen Hoover)  4.5/5
Jekel Loves Hyde (Beth Fantaskey) 3/5

TOP TEN TUESDAY (Linked up :)
Books I Want on a Deserted Island
Books that Broke My Heart a Little (or a lot)
Authors I'm Thankful For
Anticipated Books of 2013

 

Top Ten Tuesday: Be Thankful

Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by The Broke and the Bookish.

This week's topic is:

Top Ten Authors I'm Thankful For

 

 

1. J.K Rowling (Harry Potter)

2. Stephenie Meyer (Twilight)

3. Laini Taylor (Daughter of Smoke & Bone)

4. Maria V. Snyder (Poison Study)

5. J.R. Ward (Black Dagger Brotherhood)

6. Richelle Mead (Vampire Academy)

7. Cassandra Clare (The Infernal Devices)

8. Kristin Cashore (Graceling)

9. David Levithan (Dash & Lily's Book of Dares)

10. Julie Kagawa (The Iron Fey)

11. Colleen Hoover (Slammed, Point of Retreat)

 

I mean. This is not really a top ten, there's WAY too many authors I'm thankful for. Except for #1 they're in no particular order and there's lots lots more that I could list!

 

Leave a comment so I can check out your list :)

November TBR

NOVEMBER! The weather is getting colder, the leaves are falling, and Thanksgiving is almost upon us.  This is my favorite time of year.  October went by in a blur. I'm only day 3 into my brand new job. It's going to be a couple weeks before I can say how things are going. It's a LOT of new stuff to learn. I just hope I can learn it fast enough. It's a completely different atmosphere. In good and bad ways. ANYWAYS.  I have SOO many new books. I know I tell myself this monthly...but...no more book buying unless it's one I HAVE to have. Such as Days of Blood & Starlight. I HAVE to have that one as soon as it comes out. Otherwise, it's gonna have to go on my Christmas list. 

I ALWAYS stray from a TBR list when I make one...but they're fun to make anyways.
So my list is going to be 2 parts.
The first part is books I hope to read in the next 10 days. Why you ask? BECAUSE THAT'S WHEN I'M GOING TO YALLFEST!!!

 

 

 

 I plan on doing a separate post about my excitement for that. Anyways, there's going to be like 49 authors there, and I have a bunch of books (that I already owned) that I want to try and read before I go.

Part 1: (I hope to read as many as possible from this list, all these authors will be at Yallfest)
1. Every Day (David Levithan)-already started this one, hope to finish tomorrow
2. Lover's Dictionary (David Levithan)
3. Perfect (Ellen Hopkins)
4. Beautiful Creatures (Kami Garcia & Margaret Stohl)-I've actually read this, but all I remember    is  that I was confused. Need to re-read.
5. Beautiful Darkness (Kami Garcia & Margaret Stohl)
6. Will Grayson, Will Grayson (John Green & David Levithan)
7. The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer (Michelle Hodkin)
8. White Cat (Holly Black)
9. Red Glove (Holly Black)
10. Eighth Grade Bites (Heather Brewer)

I totally realize, realistically, I will probably be able to get through like 5 of these. But I'm gonna try my hardest to get through as many as I can.  I already have in mind which ones I'm going to start with. 

SO. After Yallfest, I have a part 2 list of books to get through, some of them being for review.

PART 2:
For Review:
1. Of Light & Darkness (The Vampire's Daughter) (Shayne Leighton)-Netgalley
2. Scent of Magic (Maria V. Snyder)- Netgalley
3. Persephone (Kaitlin Bevis)- Musa Publishing (Thanks Liz!)
For Fun:
4. Specials (Scott Westerfeld)
5. Extras (Scott Westerfeld)
6. The Raven Boys (Maggie Stiefvater)
7. Jessica's Guide to Dating on the Dark Side (Beth Fantaskey)
8. Paper Towns (John Green)

WELL that's MORE than enough. I'm sure I'll stray like I always do. We shall see. So BASICALLY, I think November might rock a little :)