Reading Reflections: December 2012

Books Read:
Nevermore (Nevermore #1) by Kelly Creagh
Once a Witch (Witch #1) by Carolyn MacCullough
Always a Witch (Witch #2) by Carolyn MacCullough
Hickey of the Beast by Isabel Kunkle
Poison Study (Study #1) by Maria V. Snyder
Magic Study (Study #2) by Maria V. Snyder
Fire Study (Study #3) by Maria V. Snyder

Total Number of Books Read This Month: 7

Total Number of Books Read This Year: 61

Most Anticipated: Nevermore (Nevermore #1) by Kelly Creagh

Biggest Let Down: Hickey of the Beast by Isabel Kunkle

Favorite Read: Poison Study (Study #1) by Maria V. Snyder

Highest Rank: 5

Lowest Rank: 2

Overall Reflection:
I'm quite surprised, yet pleased that I was able to fit in 6 books this month! Most of these books have been on my TBR list for quite a long time! I was happy that I finally picked them up! I adored Nevermore (Nevermore #1) by Kelly Creagh. The Witch series by Carolyn MacCullough was rather enjoyable. Hickey of the Beast by Isabel Kunkle was a promising read, which is better suited for younger readers. The Study series by Maria V. Snyder has proved to be as amazing as I had anticipated! Overall, a great month and year of reading! Here's to 2013!

Reading Relfections: November 2012

Books Read:
Crown of Embers (Fire and Thorns #2) by Rae Carson
Days of Blood & Starlight (Daughter of Smoke and Bone #2) by Laini Taylor
The Last Dragonslayer: The Chronicles of Kazam (The Last Dragonslayer #1) by Jasper Fforde
The Diviners (The Diviners #1) by Libba Bray

Total Number of Books Read This Month: 4

Total Number of Books Read This Year: 54

Most Anticipated: Days of Blood & Starlight (Daughter of Smoke and Bone #2) by Laini Taylor

Biggest Let Down: None!

Favorite Read: The Diviners (The Diviners #1) by Libba Bray

Highest Rank: 5

Lowest Rank: 4

Overall Reflection:
Overall, it was a great month of reading. Even though I didn't read as many books as I would have liked, quality highly outweighed quantity. My review of The Diviners (The Diviners #1) by Libba Bray will be posted soon. Easily one of the best books I've read all year!

Reading Reflections: October 2012

Books Read: 
Because It Is My Blood (Birthright #2) by Gabrielle Zevin
Whispers at Moonrise (Shadow Falls #4) by C.C. Hunter
Body & Soul (The Ghost and the Goth #3) by Stacey Kade
Ten by Gretchen McNeil
Carnival of Souls by Melissa Marr

Total Number of Books Read This Month: 5

Total Number of Books Read This Year: 50

Most Anticipated: 
Because It Is My Blood (Birthright #2) by Gabrielle Zevin

Biggest Let Down: None!

Favorite Read:
Carnival of Souls by Melissa Marr

Highest Rank: 5

Lowest Rank: 4

Overall Reflection:
A strong reading month! Though towards the end, my reading pace slowed down due to school and such. However, I did try to read some spooky stories to get in the Halloween mood. Ten by Gretchen McNeil and Carnival of Souls by Melissa Marr were perfectly themed Halloween reads. I was delighted by Because It Is My Blood (Birthright #2) by Gabrielle Zevin. Whispers at Moonrise (Shadow Falls #4) by C.C. Hunter was a cornerstone book in the series. Finally, I ended the The Ghost and the Goth series with Body & Soul (The Ghost and the Goth #3) by Stacey Kade. Overall, a fantastic month of reading. I hope November is just as successful!

Reading Reflections: September 2012

Books Read:
Girl of Nightmares (Anna #2) by Kendare Blake
Sweet Shadows (Medusa Girls #2) by Tera Lynn Childs
For Darkness Shows the Stars by Diana Peterfreund
Every Day by David Levithan
Vessel by Sarah Beth Durst
The Raven Boys (Raven Cycle #1) by Maggie Stiefvater

Total Number of Books Read This Month: 6

Total Number of Books Read This Year: 45

Most Anticipated: 
The Raven Boys (Raven Cycle #1) by Maggie Stiefvater

Biggest Let Down: None!

Favorite Read:
The Raven Boys (Raven Cycle #1) by Maggie Stiefvater

Highest Rank: 5

Lowest Rank: 4.5

Overall Reflection:
What a fantastic month of reading! The Raven Boys (Raven Cycle #1) by Maggie Stiefvater was by far my favorite read. However, I immensely enjoyed all the books I read this month! Hopefully next month will just as successful! :)

Reading Reflections: August 2012

Books Read:
Endlessly (Paranormalcy #3) by Kiersten White
The Goddess Legacy (Goddess Test #2.5) by Aimee Carter
The Duff: Designated Ugly Fat Friend by Kody Keplinger
Fever (The Chemical Garden #2) by Lauren DeStefano 

Total Number of Books Read This Month: 4

Total Number of Books Read This Year: 39

Most Anticipated:
Endlessly (Paranormalcy #3) by Kiersten White

Biggest Let Down:
Endlessly (Paranormalcy #3) by Kiersten White

Favorite Read:
The Duff: Designated Ugly Fat Friend by Kody Keplinger

Highest Rank: 5

Lowest Rank: 3.5

Overall Reflection:
Well, I haven't been successful at reading a large number of books. This kind of sucks since it puts me behind in my yearly reading goal. However, I did some necessary work on the blog, much thanks to Rachel from Parajunkee's View. I also got caught up on posting reviews (which I was sorely behind on). I reconnected with some of my blogging friends. Unfortunately, I'm in a really tough class right now which has detracted from reading for pleasure. I hope that things quiet down soon, but I think life is going to be busy for the next few months. I was pleasantly surprised by The Duff: Designated Ugly Fat Friend by Kody Keplinger. It's been sitting on my shelf for a while. I finally picked it up because I needed a lighter read and devoured it quickly. I will definitely be checking out Keplinger's other works in the future. Endlessly (Paranormalcy #3) by Kiersten White was a bit of a disappointment. I just couldn't get into it. I really liked the first book in the series, but haven't really enjoyed the rest of the series as much. The Goddess Legacy (Goddess Test #2.5) by Aimee Carter was another pleasant surprise. It renewed my hope for the next book in the series. Fever (The Chemical Garden #2) by Lauren DeStefano was a sad, but engrossing read. I'm eager to read the next book in the series. Overall, not a great month, but not too shabby either.

Reading Reflections: July 2012

 

Books Read:
The Immortal Rules (Blood of Eden #1) by Julie Kagawa
The White Glove War (Magnolia League #2) by Katie Crouch and Grady Hendrix
Beautiful Chaos (Caster Chronicles #3) by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl
Ten Miles Past Normal by Frances O'Roark Dowell
Life Eternal (Dead Beautiful #2) byYvonne Woon

Total Number of Books Read This Month: 5

Total Number of Books Read This Year: 35

Most Anticipated:
Beautiful Chaos (Caster Chronicles #3) by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl

Biggest Let Down: None!

Favorite Read:
Beautiful Chaos (Caster Chronicles #3) by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl

Highest Rank: 5

Lowest Rank: 4

Overall Reflection:
July was an unbelievably crazy month! All things considered, 5 books  isn't too shabby! Here's to hoping for smoother waters ahead!

Reading Reflections: June 2012 (late edition)

 Books Read in June:

Total Number of Books Read this Month: 3

Total Number of Books Read this Year: 30

Most Anticipated: Timeless (Parasol Protectorate #5) by Gail Carriger

Biggest Letdown: Changeling (The Order of Darkness #1) by Philippa Gregory

Favorite Read: Shadow and Bone (The Grisha Trilogy #1) by Leigh Bardugo

Highest Rank: 5

Lowest Rank: 1 -DNF

Overall Reflection:
June was a slooooow reading month. Between work, classes, and family, I had very little extra time, which meant my reading suffered. :(  On the bright side, both Timeless and Shadow and Bone were 5 star books. I tried so hard to get through Changeling, and eventually gave up. So far, July has proven to be a more productive reading month, so hopefully that continues!

Reading Reflections: May 2012

Books Read:
Goddess Interrupted (Goddess Test #2) by Aimee Carter
Bitterblue (Graceling Realm #3) by Kristin Cashore
Heartless (Parasol Protectorate #4) by Gail Carriger

Total Number of Books Read This Month: 3

Total Number of Books Read This Year: 27

Most Anticipated: Bitterblue (Graceling Realm #3) by Kristin Cashore

Biggest Let Down: Goddess Interrupted (Goddess Test #2) by Aimee Carter

Favorite Read: Bitterblue (Graceling Realm #3) by Kristin Cashore

Highest Rank: 5

Lowest Rank: 3.5

Overall Reflection:
Well, it's been a busy month, but unfortunately, my reading suffered a bit. Bitterblue is well over 500 pages, but I would have liked to get another book in. Goddess Interrupted was a bit disappointing compared to its predecessor. Bitterblue was well worth the wait! Heartless was another great story in the Parasol Protectorate series! This month looks to be another busy one, then hopefully things will slow down, and I can focus on reading more! Hope you all had a fabulous reading month! :)

Reading Reflections: April 2012

Books Read:
The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls
Lola and the Boy Next Door by Stephanie Perkins
Fire and Thorns (Fire and Thorns #1) by Rae Carson
Taken at Dusk (Shadow Falls #3) by C.C. Hunter
The Calling (Darkness Rising #2) by Kelley Armstrong
Legend (Legend #1) by Marie Lu

Total Number of Books Read This Month: 6


Total Number of Books Read This Year: 24

Most Anticipated:
Lola and the Boy Next Door by Stephanie Perkins

Biggest Let Down:
Fire and Thorns (Fire and Thorns #1) by Rae Carson
Not really a let down per say. Just not as good as some of the other books I read this month.

Favorite Read:
Legend (Legend #1) by Marie Lu 


Highest Rank: 5

Lowest Rank: 4

Overall Reflection:
Overall, a good month for reading. Unfortunately, life got in the way of reviewing/blogging by mid-late April all the way through mid-May. I apologize to my readers. Hopefully, life with get a little smoother in the upcoming months!

Reading Reflections: March 2012

Books Read:
The Iron Knight (Iron Fey #4) by Julie Kagawa
Born Wicked (The Cahill Witch Chronicles #1) by Jessica Spotswood
Perception (Clarity #2) by Kim Harrington
Cinder (Lunar Chronicles #1) by Marissa Meyer
Spell Bound (Hex Hall #3) by Rachel Hawkins

Total Number of Books Read This Month: 5

Total Number of Books Read This Year: 18

Most Anticipated:
Spell Bound (Hex Hall #3) by Rachel Hawkins

Biggest Letdown:
Spell Bound (Hex Hall #3) by Rachel Hawkins

Favorite Read:
Born Wicked (The Cahill Witch Chronicles #1) by Jessica Spotswood

Highest Rank: 5

Lowest Rank: 4

Overall Reflection:
It's been a good reading month, overall. I ended a few series and started some new. Perception, Cinder, and Spell Bound were all great reads, but none of them quite lived up the expectations I had built. I enjoyed The Iron Knight, but my favorite book this month was Born Wicked. I am pleased that I was able to get 5 books in this month. I am currently finishing up a class that has been rather...painful. I am very much looking forward to moving on to something a little more interesting. Hopefully March has been a good reading month to all of you. :)

Reading Reflections: February 2012

Books Read:
Abandon (Abandon Trilogy #1) by Meg Cabot
The Pledge (The Pledge #1) by Kimberly Derting
A Million Suns (Across the Universe #2) by Beth Revis
The Space Between by Brenna Yovanoff
Living Dead Girl by Elizabeth Scott

Total Number of Books Read This Month: 5

Total Number of Books Read This Year: 13

Most Anticipated:
A Million Suns (Across the Universe #2) by Beth Revis

Biggest Let Down:
None!

Favorite Read:
The Space Between by Brenna Yovanoff

Highest Rank: 5

Lowest Rank: 4

Overall Reflection:
Overall, it's been a good, solid month of reading. I'm actually pleased to have squeezed in 5 books with heavy school and work schedules. I thought my recreational reading might drop off, and it did a little from last month, but overall, I'm rather happy with my 5 books this month. :) Abandon (Abandon Trilogy #1) by Meg Cabot was a solid beginning in a promising series. While other readers haven't quite enjoyed The Pledge (The Pledge #1) by Kimberly Derting, I adored it. It was a fantastic fictional escape. I thoroughly enjoyed A Million Suns (Across the Universe #2) by Beth Revis. Such a fab series! :) The Space Between by Brenna Yovanoff was easily my favorite read of the month! Living Dead Girl by Elizabeth Scott was a haunting story that everyone should read. Overall, a rather decent month! Hopefully March is just as kind to me! :)

Reading Reflections: January 2012

Books Read:
The Summoning (Darkest Powers Trilogy #1) by Kelley Armstrong
The Awakening (Darkest Powers Trilogy #2) by Kelley Armstrong
The Reckoning (Darkest Powers Trilogy #3) by Kelley Armstrong
Bloodrose (Nightshade #3) by Andrea Cremer
Wither (The Chemical Garden #1) by Lauren DeStefano
Unearthly (Unearthly #1) by Cynthia Hand
Hallowed (Unearthly #2) by Cynthia Hand
Bittersweet by Sarah Ockler

Total Number of Books Read This Month: 8

Total Number of Books Read This Year: 8

Most Anticipated:
Darkest Powers Trilogy

Biggest Let Down:
None!

Favorite Read:
Bittersweet

Highest Rank: 5

Lowest Rank: 4

Overall Reflection:
Well it's certainly been a productive month reading-wise. I also used this month to catch up on books that have been on my TBR pile for a while. Hallowed was the only book I read this month that wasn't on my current TBR list (but it really should have been). So yay! for paring down said pile! The Darkest Powers Trilogy was just as amazing as everyone said. Thank you to all who recommend it! I gobbled up all three books in a very short amount of time. Andrea Cremer made a comeback in the Nightshade series with Bloodrose. Very reminiscent of Nightshade. Wither was an addicting book, but the polygamous relationships were a little off-putting to me. Curious as to where the series will go next. Cynthia Hand has won me over with her Unearthly series. I can. not. wait. for the next book in the series!!! Sarah Ockler has stolen my heart. Ever since Fixing Delilah I have been a big fan. Bittersweet was a solid, coming of age tale that completely took my breath away. Overall, it's been a strong reading month and a great start to the year. Sadly, my reading rate will most likely decrease. School has started up again. Also, I got a new job (my dream job actually). I have lot's to learn in both areas, so sadly my reading is going to take a backseat for a while. Keep checking back. I'll try to post as often as I can.