Top Ten Books I've Read In 2015

Top Ten Tuesday is a meme hosted by The Broke And The Bookish where each week there is a new topic for a top ten list. 

This week is "Top Ten Books I've Read So Far In 2015" 

So far this year I've read 80 books but surprisingly it wasn't too hard to narrow it down to my top ten. Can you tell I've been switching back and forth between fantasy kicks and contemporary ones? 

Did any of your ten books make my list?

Until next time, 

Ginger 

Mini Review of "The Improbable Theory of Ana and Zak

The Improbable Theory of Ana and Zak

By Brian Katcher 

Stars:4

Source: Edelweiss 

Release Date: May 19th 2015 

Ana is a straight A student, she's a by the book kind of girl who follows the rules and never steps off the straight and narrow path. 

Zak is, well, the opposite, he's all about adventure and breaking the rules, and more importantly WashingCon, it's the only thing he looks forward to every year, so when he gets sucked into joining the Quiz Bowl team and attending the semi finals (which happen to be during WashingCon) he is, of course, devastated.  

When Ana's younger brother, Clayton, ditches their school's Quiz Bowl's semi-finals to run around the Science Fiction Convention he's heard Zak talking about Ana and Zak find themselves teaming up in order to track him down and save them all from a lifetime of detention and summer school.

Amazon - Barnes and Noble  - Book Depository

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I read this book in one sitting and laughed my butt off through the entire read! I feel like you'll enjoy this book 10X more if you've ever attended a ComicCon/SciFi Convention. 

I related to Zak instantly when he was talking about counting down the days to the event and the fun and shenanigans that happen at ComicCon. 

Then again I also related to Ana and her somewhat misguided views on the nerdy gathering. Before attending my first Con I had the same feelings and thoughts Ana had and of course, just like Ana, after seeing what it's like in person, completely changed my mind and embraced the geek culture. 

This is going to be a quick review since I read this a couple weeks ago and can't seem to find my notes but to sum it up for you I loved the characters, the setting and all the pop culture references, from Star Trek to Star Wars, they were all on point! 

Another quick thing I wanted to mention was that even though this was a quick read with a ton of comedy and a little romance the underlining deeper themes were what really made this book for me. 

Zak's relationship with his step dad and Ana's relationship with her parents were what, for me, really rounded out the story and what made it stick out from other cutesy summer reads. 

All in all I'd recommend this for the closet nerds, intense gamer's or to those who fully embrace the fact that they should have been born on a star ship or in a galaxy somewhere far, far away. 

Until next time, 

Ginger 

In compliance with FTC guidelines I am disclosing that this book was given to me for free to review. 

My review is my honest opinion.

Stacking The Shelves (36)

"We are all book lovers and the need to share our enthusiasm is sometimes overwhelming. Stacking The Shelves is all about sharing the books you are adding to your shelves, may it be physical or virtual. This means you can include books you buy in the physical store or online, books you borrow from friends or the library, review books, gifts and of course ebooks! 

If you're anything like me, you are probably hoarding books and even though you are excited about your latest book arrival, it might be a while before you get to review it and Stacking The Shelves is a good way to express your undying enthusiasm for those titles."

I only have three books to share this week and I consider this to be a very good thing because my TBR pile/list is INSANE! Anywhere here they are! 

I'm most excited about "A Million Miles Away" my synopsis kind of blew my mind so I'm dying to read it! What books did you get this week? 

Until next time, 

Ginger 

Review of "Side Effects May Vary"

Side Effects May Vary 

By Julie Murphy 

Stars: 4 

Source: Purchased 

Diagnosed with cancer at the age of 16 Alice decides that if she isn't going to make it then she's going to do all the horrible, nasty things she never would've done had she been a normal, healthy teenager. She's going to serve up a big plate of revenge to everyone who has ever wronged her and all without consequences. Because when you're staring death in the eyes nothing really matters past today. 

Alice and Harvey, her long time best friend, start enacting her grand revenge plan, one at a time until everyone is checked off the list. 

But when Alice goes into remission she realizes that all the consequences she thought she'd dodged are hurtling right at her and at full speed. 

Amazon - Barnes and Noble  - Book Depository

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I have very mixed feelings about this book. 

I adored Harvey, he was such a nice guy and he would do anything for Alice, no matter what she asked of him he did it. 

But Alice... Alice was a bitch. 

She treated everyone in her life like dirt, especially Harvey. She knew how he felt about her and she still used him, manipulated him to her fullest extent and when she was done using him he went out with the garbage. 

It was so frustrating! 

I went into this book thinking it was going to be a humorous story. Alice pulls all this crap and calls out all the people who were ever mean to her and then realizes she has to face them all when she doesn't die. 

It wasn't like that at all. 

I was about as happy as Alice was when she realized she wasn't go to die. 

I'm all for the character that you find yourself loving to hate but I just flat out hated Alice. I didn't see anything redeeming about her or her actions. 

Had Harvey not been apart of the story I would've given this a 2-3 star rating but since I did enjoy his character so much I couldn't help but give it 4. 

To wrap it up, I wouldn't recommend this book but if you find yourself with nothing to read, it isn't awful. 

Until next time,

 Ginger 

Waiting On Wednesday

 Waiting On Wednesday 

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event that is hosted by Jill at Breaking The Spine and spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating. 

Here is my selection for the week:

When Lexi Shaw seduced Oakfield High's resident bad boy Tyler Flynn at the beginning of senior year, he seemed perfectly okay with her rules:

1. Avoid her at school.

2. Keep his mouth shut about what they do together.

3. Never tease her about her friend (and unrequited crush) Ben.

Because with his integrity and values and golden boy looks, Ben can never find out about what she’s been doing behind closed doors with Tyler. Or that her mom’s too busy drinking and chasing losers to pay the bills. Or that Lexi’s dad hasn’t been a part of her life for the last thirteen years. But with Tyler suddenly breaking the rules, Ben asking her out, and her dad back in the picture, how long will she be able to go on faking perfect?

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If you read my post yesterday I'm sure you weren't surprised to see that this my selection for this week WOW. I'm really excited about this book and I can't wait for it to come out! Also while writing this post I realized that Huntley Fitzpatrick blurbed the front cover and that only fueled the fire! 

Let me know what books you're looking forward to in the comments! 

Until next time, 

Ginger 

Top Ten Summer TBR Books For 2015

Top Ten Tuesday is a meme hosted by The Broke And The Bookish where each week there is a new topic for a top ten list. 

This week is "Top Ten Books On My TBR For Summer 2015" 

I'm currently reading Morgan Matson's "Since You've Been Gone" and I'm LOVING it so I'm really excited to read "Second Chance Summer" in the next couple of weeks. 

Next are two books from Huntley Fitzpatrick, I loved "What I Thought Was True" and I've been dying to read "My Life Next Door" so when I saw she had a sequel (companion novel?) coming out I thought it would be the perfect time to add it to my summer TBR. 

Next up are two Kasie West books, can you tell I love reading contemporaries during the warm months? I adored "On The Fence" and I know I'll love these two just as much! 

Another authors who I just recently 'discovered' (or who I've heard about for AGES but only just picked up a book and fell in love for myself) is Jennifer E. Smith. "The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight" was such a cute, fast read and I'm dying to get my hands on more of her books!

Next up is Jenny Han's new book. Jenny writes the perfect summer/beach reads so of course this one made my list! 

Second to the last book and I can honestly say that before tonight I had never heard of this book. I was randomly browsing Goodreads and stumbled upon it and it looked so good I couldn't help but include it! It sounds like "The DUFF" (the book not the movie) and since I loved "The DUFF" I'm super excited to pick this up! 

And last but certainly not least is a re-read I'll be picking up this summer. Since this book came out in 2007 I've read it almost every summer. It's one of my favorite books and I can't imagine letting the summer go by without picking it up and immersing myself in Ann Brashares world. 

Let me know which books you'll be reading this summer and please link your blogs in the comments! I need to get better about commenting/reading others blogs! 

Until next time, 

Ginger 

Waiting On Wednesday

 Waiting On Wednesday 

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event that is hosted by Jill at Breaking The Spine and spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating. 

Here is my selection for the week:

Wilhelmina has a hundred enemies.

HER FRIENDS HAVE TURNED. After her identity is revealed during the Inundation, Princess Wilhelmina is kept prisoner by the Indigo Kingdom, with the Ospreys lost somewhere in the devastated city. When the Ospreys’ leader emerges at the worst possible moment, leaving Wil’s biggest ally on his deathbed, she must become Black Knife to set things right. 

HER MAGIC IS UNCONTROLLABLE. Wil’s power is to animate, not to give true life, but in the wraithland she commanded a cloud of wraith mist to save herself, and later ordered it solid. Now there is a living boy made of wraith—destructive and deadly, and willing to do anything for her.

HER HEART IS TORN. Though she’s ready for her crown, declaring herself queen means war. Caught between what she wants and what is right, Wilhelmina realizes the throne might not even matter. Everyone thought the wraith was years off, but already it’s destroying Indigo Kingdom villages. If she can’t protect both kingdoms, soon there won’t be a land to rule.

In this stunning conclusion to THE ORPHAN QUEEN, Jodi Meadows follows Wilhelmina’s breathtaking and brave journey from orphaned criminal on the streets to magic-wielding queen.

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I realize that this doesn't come out until next year but because the novella was released yesterday I've had "The Mirror King" on my mind all week. 

I need this book in my life asap!!!!

What books are you dying to get this week? 

Until next time, 

Ginger 

Top Books I'd Like To See Hit The Big Screen

Top Ten Tuesday is a meme hosted by The Broke And The Bookish where each week there is a new topic for a top ten list. 

This week is "Top Ten Books I Want Made Into Movies/TV Shows" 

So I made this list and then realized the only way I would want these books made into actual movies/tv shows is if I could control every aspect. Casting, music, settings. No movie is better than a bad movie trying to ruin a book. So keep that in mind Hollywood! ;) 

So I narrowed it down to 11 which was hard! But these are my top books that I would love to see on the big screen! 

Until next time,

Ginger

One Year Blogiversary PARTY (And Giveaway)

Welcome to the beginning of my five day blogiversary celebration! 

Grab some cake, a little ice cream, a party hat and make yourself comfortable! 

I honest can't believe that I've only been doing this a year, yet at the same time it feels like yesterday that I decided to start a random book blog and see what would happen.

Boy if only I could have guessed even a small percent of what happened in the past year. 

Realizing there was a whole community of book bloggers with welcoming arms, getting to talk to some of my favorite authors, making new friends, discovering that there are such things as ARC's that get sent to book bloggers. 

This is the first 'hobby' of mine that has lasted more than a couple weeks and I can say with 100% certainty that it will continue for many years to come. 

I've learned so much in the past year and grown so much that I can't imagine ever quitting. 

Long story short, it's been a pretty epic year and I'm excited to see what comes next! 

Now for the fun part! 

For the next five days I'll be celebrating my one year anniversary. 

Tomorrow (June 2nd 2015) I'll be doing a movie night on my twitter. It's starts at 8pm MST and we'll be watching... A movie... That has yet to be decided. 

I'll post the movie sometime today on my twitter along with whatever hashtag I'm going to use! 

I'll also have random giveaways through the week, I'm aiming for three but we'll see how it goes. 

For now here is a giveaway for my all time favorite book. 

If you've never read Kevin Brooks "Lucas" you are missing out. This book came to me at the perfect time in my life and I've read it multiple times since then. Without it I doubt I would have ever had the courage to start a book blog. I figured what better way to celebrate then to giveaway a copy of it. 

Giveaway is open internationally, as long as Book Depository ships to you then you're good! 

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Keep an eye out for my next giveaway and I will talk to you all soon! 

Until next time, 
Ginger