Guest Post: Author Courtney Peppernell

Posted in Miscellaneous by TheQuirkyBookNerd

Today’s post is a guest post by the very lovely and talented author Courtney Peppernell. I am incredibly honored and excited to have this chance get to know her and to work with her to promote her wonderful poetry collections and novels! Please make sure to check out Courtney on her website, Twitter, Instagram, and Goodreads. There are also links to the Goodreads pages of her work scattered throughout, so definitely make sure to check those out as well!

I’ve never done a guest post before but when Ariana who writes The Quirky Book Nerd asked me to do a guest post, I was excited to jump in.

My name is Courtney Peppernell, I’m a 26 year old LGBTQ author and I live in Sydney, Australia. A lot of people write to me and ask about how I write. I really believe it’s important to develop your own writing process, as not everyone is the same, but I’m always happy to talk a little about my own writing process. A good book to read is called “5000 words per hour” by Chris Fox. It really helped to develop my ability to sit down each day and write as much as I can in a short space of time.

If anyone is like me, I am generally a very busy person (currently raising a puppy) and don’t have time to write for 8-10 hours a day (plus that would be exhausting, so many feelings!!). Instead I try to pump out as many words as possible within an hour or two. My favourite author Jodi Picoult once said something along the lines of, a page of writing can always be edited, but a blank page can’t. I really agree with this and I highly recommend Fox’s book to help you get started on following a similar process (or internal screaming also helps.)

Before I start writing any project, I make sure I have an idea I’m passionate about. I believe in creating top quality products for people who choose to purchase my books, and I don’t think I can deliver the highest quality unless I am very passionate about the book I’m writing. I feel if you write the book that you want to read, then you will find an audience who wants to read it too. Once I have my idea ready to go, I start to do an outline of the characters. I begin to imagine who they are, what their interests, dreams, hopes, aspirations are, and how they are going to develop and fit the narrative I am writing. I try to imagine my characters like real people, and when I’m writing them, I feel like the words I’m putting on the page are truly how they would react if the situation was real. This is also a really fun part of the writing process and for me, the characters are really what I love most about my novels/stories.

My two current novels Chasing Paper Cranes and Keeping Long Island had characters that I very much loved, and I am sure I will feel the same for other characters in future books as well. After that, I start to try and piece together a rough timeline of the story I am going to tell, names, places, dates, even irrelevant information that might not actually be in the story. It’s all still important to me, as I feel it helps shape the characters and pull everything together. Once I have all these in place, I have my story guide in my head, and I’m ready to start writing.

Writing poetry books isn’t as an intense writing process for me. My poetry books Pillow Thoughts and The Road Between are based off personal experiences but also experiences I have witnessed of other people. In fact, I tend to “get into character” when I am writing poetry books sometimes, as it helps me imagine what someone who is “heartbroken” may feel like. I’ve experienced heartbreak (naturally) myself, but where I am in my life currently, is very in love so it’s often hard for me to write about pain when I am happy. However, I think this is really good for developing my writing skills, so poetry is important to me as well.

I started as a self-published author, and over the last year I have had some amazing opportunities that were a combination of mine, and my business partner’s efforts, as well as some great exposure. We have worked hard on (slowly) building my brand of books (still striving to build this every day, but it’s exciting and half the fun and drive to keep going) and I have been blessed with some attention to my writing via readers and also The Chainsmokers which lead to my eventual publishing deal with Andrews McMeel Publishing.

I am really looking forward to continuing my career and working as hard as I can to give readers books that mean something to them and make them feel as though either they can achieve their own writing dreams, or just that there are others in the world who relate to the feelings they have every day. In my spare time, I am very family orientated, and very close with my family. Plus, I am always with my dogs Hero (German Shepherd) and Dakota (Pomeranian / probable tiny gremlin) or looking up new places to grab coffee with my partner Rhian. She’s actually a huge source of inspiration for me. Most readers find me/my books after reading a poem called Looking for Ice Cream which is for and based on Rhian. I really enjoyed seeing how different people from all walks of life related to that poem, as it drove home something I am trying to achieve in my writing which is that LGBTQ couples can live happy, healthy and normal lives like everyone else. We experience love, pain, loss and gain all the same.

So that’s me, I’m generally a pretty quiet sort of person but I do like a good chat about feelings ha! I also will probably cross an ocean to meet someone’s dog, so if I am to have signings one day, you should definitely ask if you can bring your four-legged friend. I hope to interact with my readers more over time, either via Twitter, Instagram or email. I love hearing from people because I always find it interesting which stories/poems/books of mine people relate to most. Special thanks to Ariana for letting me post on her blog, she wrote such a lovely review for both my poetry books, that I even showed my Mum.

Thanks again and love to all,

Courtney

14Oct2017

Currently Reading Tag

Posted in Tags by TheQuirkyBookNerd

Wow! It has been ages since I last did a book tag and I’ve been missing them so much! I love getting this more personal experience of chatting with all of you wonderful bookish people! 😀 ❤

I’ve been pushing out a lot of reviews lately, but I promise I’ll be mixing it up with these more casual, chatty posts from now on! And boy, do I have a lot of tags to catch up on! Like this one, which I found through the lovely Zezee from Zezee with Books! So let’s jump right in!

How many books do you usually read at once?

I used to be a stickler about not picking up another book until I was completely finished with the one I was currently reading, but that’s gone completely out the window at this point! Typically, I try not to read more than two or three books at once, but now that I’ve discovered the joy of audiobooks, that can sometimes raise the count to four or more! My younger self is cringing… 😛

If you’re reading more than one book at a time, how do you decide when to switch to reading the other book? (Do you read a certain amount of pages in each?)

Usually I either set a chapter goal for the day in each book or spend a day on one then the next day on another, etc. In some (thankfully) rare situations, if I’m struggling through a book that I’m not really liking, I’ll take breaks when I need to and pick up something else just so I don’t fall into a slump.

Do you ever switch bookmarks while you’re part way through a book?

No, I don’t think I’ve actually ever done that before. It’s possible that I have if I happened to lose the bookmark I was using, but I can’t remember it if I did! Though I do have the world’s worst memory (ahem…another reason I shouldn’t be reading more than one book at a time)!

Where do you keep the book you’re currently reading?

I keep it next to me on top of the stack of TBR books that are currently functioning as a nightstand…Yeah, I may or may not be having a little bit of a space problem…

What time of day do you spend the most time reading?

I primarily read in the afternoon or early evening depending on the day. Sometimes I’ll read in bed right before I go to sleep, but that tends to end up being a very unproductive reading session! 😛

How long do you typically read for in one go?

That’s a tough one to answer because it varies so much depending on the day, the book, my mood, etc. I’d say on average I try to read in at least two hour chunks, but back in my younger years, I have been known to go on for 8+ hours! I’d love to have that kind of laser focus now—would definitely help to cut down my massive TBR pile!

Do you read hard covers with the dust jacket on or off?

Definitely with the dust jacket off. First of all, it’s more comfortable to hold the book without it. And second, that dust jacket must not be ruined! It must stay safely out of harm’s way until that book is finished!

Which position do you mainly use to read?

I like to move around my position and, if possible, my location, if I’m spending a lot of time reading. My most typical positions would be sitting on my floor, in bed either leaning back or lying on my stomach, and—at times—lying strangely on my back…

Do you take the book you’re currently reading with you everywhere you go?

Absolutely! I never leave home without a book or my kindle. You never know when you’re going to get a chance to read!

How often do you update your progress in the book you’re currently reading on Goodreads?

I typically try to update it after every reading session. However, I can occasionally forget to do that for days.

I Tag:

Heather @ The Sassy Book Geek

Anna @ My Bookish Dream

The Orang-utan Librarian

Richard @ The Humpo Show

Emma @ The Terror of Knowing

lilkadykitty

And I’m going to tag a few of my most recent followers! Welcome to the blog, you guys, and thank you so much for following! ❤

Cassie @ Rants and Raves of a Bibliophile

Destiny @ Howling Libraries

Joie @ Rainy Days and Lattes

Marina @ A Makeshift Library

My Library and Other Mischief

7Oct2017

October 2017 TBR

Posted in Wrap Ups And TBRs by TheQuirkyBookNerd

Happy October, everyone!

Or maybe I should be calling this ARC-tober—I’ll be catching up on quite a few review books this month! I haven’t made a TBR for a few months, mainly because I’ve been so terrible at sticking to them recently. However, I really want to push myself to keep to this list as much as possible this month…so we’ll see how that goes! 😛

October TBR

The Ghostwriter by Alessandra Torre

I have three months to write the last book of my life. Three months to confess the details of that day, and how it changed everything for me.

My name is Helena Ross. I’ve written fifteen romance novels, ten of which have become international bestsellers. But this one isn’t a romance, no Happily Ever After in place. This novel holds only the truth, which I have run away from for four years. The truth, which I have hidden from the police, from my loved ones, from the world.

This final book?

It’s my confession.

Invictus by Ryan Graudin

Time flies when you’re plundering history.

Farway Gaius McCarthy was born outside of time. The son of a time-traveling Recorder from 2354 AD and a gladiator living in Rome in 95 AD, Far’s birth defies the laws of nature. Exploring history himself is all he’s ever wanted, and after failing his final time-traveling exam, Far takes a position commanding a ship with a crew of his friends as part of a black market operation to steal valuables from the past.

But during a heist on the sinking Titanic, Far meets a mysterious girl who always seems to be one step ahead of him. Armed with knowledge that will bring Far’s very existence into question, she will lead Far and his team on a race through time to discover a frightening truth: History is not as steady as it seems.

Artemis by Andy Weir

Jazz Bashara is a criminal.

Well, sort of. Life on Artemis, the first and only city on the moon, is tough if you’re not a rich tourist or an eccentric billionaire. So smuggling in the occasional harmless bit of contraband barely counts, right? Not when you’ve got debts to pay and your job as a porter barely covers the rent.

Everything changes when Jazz sees the chance to commit the perfect crime, with a reward too lucrative to turn down. But pulling off the impossible is just the start of her problems, as she learns that she’s stepped square into a conspiracy for control of Artemis itself—and that now, her only chance at survival lies in a gambit even riskier than the first.

Dark Places by Gillian Flynn

Libby Day was just seven years old when her older brother massacred her family while she hid in a cupboard. Her evidence helped put him away. Ever since then she has been drifting, surviving for over 20 years on the proceeds of the ‘Libby Day fund’. But now the money is running out and Libby is desperate. When she is offered $500 to do a guest appearance, she feels she has to accept. But this is no ordinary gathering. The Kill Club is a group of true-crime obsessives who share information on notorious murders, and they think her brother Ben is innocent.

Ben was a social misfit, ground down by the small-town farming community in which he lived. But he did have a girlfriend – a brooding heavy metal fan called Diondra. Through her, Ben became involved with drugs and the dark arts. When the town suddenly turned against him, his thoughts turned black. But was he capable of murder? Libby must delve into her family’s past to uncover the truth – no matter how painful…

Chasing Eveline by Leslie Hauser

Sixteen-year-old Ivy Higgins is the only student at Carmel Heights High School who listens to cassettes. And her binder is the only one decorated with album artwork by 80s band Chasing Eveline. Despite being broken-up since 1989, this rock band out of Ireland means everything to Ivy. They’re a reminder of her mom, who abandoned Ivy and her dad two years ago. Now the music of her mom’s favorite band is the only connection she has left.

Even though Ivy wavers between anger and a yearning to reconnect, she’s one-hundred percent certain she’s not ready to lose her mom forever. But the only surefire way to locate her would be at a Chasing Eveline concert. So with help from her lone friend Matt—an equally abandoned soul and indie music enthusiast—Ivy hatches a plan to reunite the band.

The road to Ireland won’t be easy, though. And not just because there is no road. Along the way they’ll have to win over their Lady Gaga-loving peers, tangle with some frisky meerkats, and oh yeah, somehow find and persuade the four members to play a reunion gig. It’s a near-impossible task, but Ivy has to try. If she can’t let go of the past, she’ll never be able to find joy in the present.

The Splendid Baron Submarine by Eric Bower

Waldo “W.B.” Baron is back with another amazing adventure in another incredible invention! Pirate treasure? A clandestine meeting? A terribly rude monkey with personal boundary and hygiene issues? Two of those things sound like a dream come true to W.B, whose clever inventor parents are hired―by the Vice President!―to go on a super secret and intensely important treasure hunt to repay a national debt. If only it weren’t for that lousy, rude monkey, it would be the beginning of a perfect adventure. But at least it isn’t squirrels…

The treasure hunt gives the Baron family the opportunity to use their exceptional steam-powered submarine, freshly biggened and ready for adventure! But things are seldom straightforward for the eccentric Baron family, and this treasure hunt is no exception. W.B.’s trademark bad luck has him suffering monstrous marine misfortune and marauding monkey misery.

Can the Baron family embark on their newest adventure without the eggy and depressing Aunt Dorcas? Will the Barons find the treasure they seek? Will they save the country from financial ruin? Where does the monkey fit in, anyway? Do we like asking questions? Not really, but inside you’ll meet someone who likes asking questions and then answering them (despite his claims to the contrary, he really does like it).

Oh, did we mention the pirate’s curse?

Spin the Golden Light Bulb by Jackie Yeager

It’s the year 2071 and eleven year-old Kia Krumpet is determined to build her 67 inventions, but she won’t have the opportunity to unless she earns a spot at PIPS, the Piedmont Inventor’s Prep School. Kia, who has trouble making friends at school, has dreamed of winning the Piedmont Challenge and attending PIPS ever since she learned that her Grandma Kitty won the very first Piedmont Challenge. After she and four of her classmates are selected to compete for a spot at PIPS, they travel by aero-bus to Camp Piedmont to solve a task against forty-nine other state teams to earn their place at the best inventor’s school in the country.

All Rights Reserved by Gregory Scott Katsoulis

In a world where every word and gesture is copyrighted, patented or trademarked, one girl elects to remain silent rather than pay to speak, and her defiant and unexpected silence threatens to unravel the very fabric of society.

Speth Jime is anxious to deliver her Last Day speech and celebrate her transition into adulthood. The moment she turns fifteen, Speth must pay for every word she speaks (“Sorry” is a flat ten dollars and a legal admission of guilt), for every nod ($0.99/sec), for every scream ($0.99/sec) and even every gesture of affection. She’s been raised to know the consequences of falling into debt, and can’t begin to imagine the pain of having her eyes shocked for speaking words that she’s unable to afford.

But when Speth’s friend Beecher commits suicide rather than work off his family’s crippling debt, she can’t express her shock and dismay without breaking her Last Day contract and sending her family into Collection. Backed into a corner, Speth finds a loophole: rather than read her speech – rather than say anything at all – she closes her mouth and vows never to speak again. Speth’s unexpected defiance of tradition sparks a media frenzy, inspiring others to follow in her footsteps, and threatens to destroy her, her family and the entire city around them.

The Gentleman’s Guide to Vice and Virtue by Mackenzi Lee

Henry “Monty” Montague was born and bred to be a gentleman, but he was never one to be tamed. The finest boarding schools in England and the constant disapproval of his father haven’t been able to curb any of his roguish passions—not for gambling halls, late nights spent with a bottle of spirits, or waking up in the arms of women or men.

But as Monty embarks on his Grand Tour of Europe, his quest for a life filled with pleasure and vice is in danger of coming to an end. Not only does his father expect him to take over the family’s estate upon his return, but Monty is also nursing an impossible crush on his best friend and traveling companion, Percy.

Still it isn’t in Monty’s nature to give up. Even with his younger sister, Felicity, in tow, he vows to make this yearlong escapade one last hedonistic hurrah and flirt with Percy from Paris to Rome. But when one of Monty’s reckless decisions turns their trip abroad into a harrowing manhunt that spans across Europe, it calls into question everything he knows, including his relationship with the boy he adores.

Everything, Everything by Nicola Yoon

My disease is as rare as it is famous. Basically, I’m allergic to the world. I don’t leave my house, have not left my house in seventeen years. The only people I ever see are my mom and my nurse, Carla.

But then one day, a moving truck arrives next door. I look out my window, and I see him. He’s tall, lean and wearing all black—black T-shirt, black jeans, black sneakers, and a black knit cap that covers his hair completely. He catches me looking and stares at me. I stare right back. His name is Olly.

Maybe we can’t predict the future, but we can predict some things. For example, I am certainly going to fall in love with Olly. It’s almost certainly going to be a disaster.

The Case of the Green-Dressed Ghost by Lucy Banks

Kester Lanner didn’t know what to expect when he followed his mother s dying request to contact the mysterious Dr. Ribero, but he wasn’t expecting to find his long lost father. Nor was he expecting to join the family business: catching supernatural spirits.

Kester is intrigued despite his fear, and finds himself drawn into an ancient ghost story that will test the entire agency.He soon becomes enmeshed in a struggle with the spirit, who is so malevolent and haunting that his first real case might just be his last.

Recent Reads

Down Among the Sticks and Bones by Seanan McGuire – 5/5 stars (Full Review)

Everything Reminds You of Something Else by Elana Wolff – 2/5 stars (Full Review)

Pillow Thoughts by Courtney Peppernell – 5/5 stars (Full Review)

Milk and Honey by Rupi Kaur – 3/5 stars (Full Review)

The Chaos of Longing by K.Y. Robinson – 2.5/5 stars (Full Review)

The Timekeepers by Jenn Bregman – 1/5 stars (Full Review)

Remember, Remember by Anna Elliot – 3.5/5 stars (Full Review)

Dead Over Heels by Theresa Braun – 4.5/5 stars (Full Review)

The Silver Chair by C.S. Lewis – 5/5 stars

The Horse and His Boy by C.S. Lewis – 5/5 stars

The Last Olympian by Rick Riordan – 5/5 stars

What books are you guys planning to read this month? Let me know in the comments!

17Aug2017

Top 5 Most Anticipated Releases of Fall 2017

Posted in Miscellaneous by TheQuirkyBookNerd

Hey Everyone!

It’s been WAY too long since I’ve seen you guys! I apologize for my unplanned hiatus. I’ve been going through a bit of a rough patch with depression and have found it hard to motivate myself to do much of anything. On top of that, my grandmother, whom I was extremely close to, just passed away. But I really want to push myself to get back into blogging regularly. Reading and writing have always been very helpful for me when I’m feeling down.

Anyway, I’m going to try easing myself back into blogging (be patient with me!), and I figured I would start off with my most anticipated releases for my favorite season, Fall! Thank you all so much for sticking by me even with the lack of posting. I truly appreciate every single one of you! 🙂 ❤

Invictus by Ryan Graudin (September 26^th, 2017)

Time flies when you’re plundering history.

Farway Gaius McCarthy was born outside of time. The son of a time-traveling Recorder from 2354 AD and a gladiator living in Rome in 95 AD, Far’s birth defies the laws of nature. Exploring history himself is all he’s ever wanted, and after failing his final time-traveling exam, Far takes a position commanding a ship with a crew of his friends as part of a black market operation to steal valuables from the past.

But during a heist on the sinking Titanic, Far meets a mysterious girl who always seems to be one step ahead of him. Armed with knowledge that will bring Far’s very existence into question, she will lead Far and his team on a race through time to discover a frightening truth: History is not as steady as it seems.

In this heart-stopping adventure, Ryan Graudin has created a fast-paced world that defies time and space.

The Glass Spare by Lauren DeStefano (October 24^th, 2017)

A banished princess.

A deadly curse.

A kingdom at war.

Wil Heidle, the only daughter of the king of the world’s wealthiest nation, has grown up in the shadows. Kept hidden from the world in order to serve as a spy for her father—whose obsession with building his empire is causing a war—Wil wants nothing more than to explore the world beyond her kingdom, if only her father would give her the chance.

Until one night Wil is attacked, and she discovers a dangerous secret. Her touch turns people into gemstone. At first Wil is horrified—but as she tests its limits, she’s drawn more and more to the strange and volatile ability. When it leads to tragedy, Wil is forced to face the destructive power within her and finally leave her home to seek the truth and a cure.

But finding the key to her redemption puts her in the path of a cursed prince who has his own ideas for what to do with her power.

With a world on the brink of war and a power of ultimate destruction, can Wil find a way to help the kingdom that’s turned its back on her, or will she betray her past and her family forever?

Renegades by Marissa Meyer (November 7^th, 2017)

From #1 New York Times-bestselling author Marissa Meyer, comes a high-stakes world of adventure, passion, danger, and betrayal.

Secret Identities.

Extraordinary Powers.

She wants vengeance. He wants justice.

The Renegades are a syndicate of prodigies—humans with extraordinary abilities—who emerged from the ruins of a crumbled society and established peace and order where chaos reigned. As champions of justice, they remain a symbol of hope and courage to everyone…except the villains they once overthrew.

Nova has a reason to hate the Renegades, and she is on a mission for vengeance. As she gets closer to her target, she meets Adrian, a Renegade boy who believes in justice—and in Nova. But Nova’s allegiance is to a villain who has the power to end them both.

This Mortal Coil by Emily Suvada (November 7^th, 2017)

In this gripping debut novel, seventeen-year-old Cat must use her gene-hacking skills to decode her late father’s message concealing a vaccine to a horrifying plague.

Catarina Agatta is a hacker. She can cripple mainframes and crash through firewalls, but that’s not what makes her special. In Cat’s world, people are implanted with technology to recode their DNA, allowing them to change their bodies in any way they want. And Cat happens to be a gene-hacking genius.

That’s no surprise, since Cat’s father is Dr. Lachlan Agatta, a legendary geneticist who may be the last hope for defeating a plague that has brought humanity to the brink of extinction. But during the outbreak, Lachlan was kidnapped by a shadowy organization called Cartaxus, leaving Cat to survive the last two years on her own.

When a Cartaxus soldier, Cole, arrives with news that her father has been killed, Cat’s instincts tell her it’s just another Cartaxus lie. But Cole also brings a message: before Lachlan died, he managed to create a vaccine, and Cole needs Cat’s help to release it and save the human race.

Now Cat must decide who she can trust: The soldier with secrets of his own? The father who made her promise to hide from Cartaxus at all costs? In a world where nature itself can be rewritten, how much can she even trust herself?

Whichwood by Tahereh Mafi (November 14^th, 2017)

A new adventure about a girl who is fated to wash the bodies of the dead in this companion to Furthermore.

Our story begins on a frosty night…

Laylee can barely remember the happier times before her beloved mother died. Before her father, driven by grief, lost his wits (and his way). Before she was left as the sole remaining mordeshoor in the village of Whichwood, destined to spend her days washing the bodies of the dead and preparing their souls for the afterlife. It’s become easy to forget and easier still to ignore the way her hands are stiffening and turning silver, just like her hair, and her own ever-increasing loneliness and fear.

But soon, a pair of familiar strangers appears, and Laylee’s world is turned upside down as she rediscovers color, magic, and the healing power of friendship.

What books are you guys looking forward to this Fall? Let me know in the comments!

25Oct2016

Fall Activities Book Tag

Posted in Tags by TheQuirkyBookNerd

I was tagged to do the Fall Activities Book Tag by my wonderful friend Heather from The Sassy Book Geek. Thank you so much for the tag! Please make sure you guys head over and check out her amazing blog (and give her a follow while you’re at it!) 😀

This tag was originally created by Ashley from Dreaming Through Literature, so also make sure to go check out her post as well!

Apple Picking: A book on your TBR that looks so delicious you can’t wait to take a bite out of it.

Nevernight by Jay Kristoff and Timekeeper by Tara Sim

I couldn’t decide between the two—they are both so tempting! First of all, Nevernight is quite appropriate for this particular tag because Heather was the one who recommended the book to me. I just got my copy in the mail recently and the need to pick it up is strong! Timekeeper isn’t coming out until the beginning of next month, but then I got approved for an ARC! Basically, these are probably going to be my next two reads!

Corn Maze: A book that’s so much fun to get lost in.

The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes by Arthur Conan Doyle

I enjoy getting lost in any of the Sherlock Holmes novels, but this is my favorite of the series. These novels are extremely easy to get immersed in on so many levels. There’s brilliant, captivating writing, intriguingly plotted and absorbing mysteries—they are perfect for curling up and enjoying on a cold, fall day!

Click here to read my full review!

Haunted Houses: A book that scared you silly.

The Shining by Stephen King

Despite the fact that I love reading spooky stories, I’ve never actually been really creeped out by any. The closest I ever came to getting really scared while reading was with The Shining—things get pretty damn freaky! Stephen King is a total master of the horror genre.

Pumpkin Patch: The latest book you picked up (purchased).

When the Moon Was Ours by Anna-Marie McLemore

This sounded like it would be such a sweet and unique read, so I just had to get myself a copy. I expect to be reading and reviewing this one fairly soon!

Scenic Drives: A book that is lyrically beautiful.

A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness

This book. This. Book. Every single thing about A Monster Calls is absolutely beautiful, but Patrick Ness’s incredible, lyrical writing is the star of the show.

Click here to read my full review!

Pumpkin Carving: A book you didn’t like and wouldn’t mind carving up.

The Unfinished Life of Addison Stone by Adele Griffin

This book had SO much potential, but ended up being one of the slowest and most painfully boring reads I have ever had. Now let me just say, never in a million years would I ever carve up a book, no matter how much I dislike it! But let’s just say, if I had a copy of this book and for some reason could not keep it in pristine condition…or if it were to be sucked into a black hole…yeah, not going to be too disappointed by that.

Click here to read my full review!

Hiking: A book that was a highly enjoyable romp.

Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte

I love absolutely everything about this novel…and absolutely everything about Mr. Rochester…*ahem* um…I mean the fantastic writing and…um…compelling underlying themes… Seriously though, this is one of my favorite classics and I adored studying it in school.

Drinking Apple Cider: A sweet book to curl up under the covers with.

The Phantom Tollbooth by Norton Juster

This was one of my absolute favorite childhood stories, and it most definitely is a sweet story to snuggle under the covers with (something I did on many a night!). It’s such an adorable, fun, easy to love story—plus it’s a total book lover’s book as well!

Jumping In A Leaf Pile: A book that reminds you of your childhood.

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by J.K. Rowling

and

The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis

This was another I couldn’t choose just one for, though neither of these are probably particularly surprising! Both of these series in general remind me of my childhood, but these are my personal favorites of those series—and they make me feel especially nostalgic!

Scary Movie Night: Your favorite spooky read.

And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie

Again, I’ve never found a novel that really scares me too much, but this is definitely one creepy story. And it’s creepy in a different way from the typical fall/Halloween time reads with ghosts and monsters (the non-human kind, at least!). It’s one of my favorite classics of all time and honestly a perfect story to read this time of year!

Bonus! Costume Party: A book with an eclectic cast of characters.

Vicious by V.E. Schwab

I’ve read so many wonderful stories with incredibly eclectic casts, but this is one that will always really stick in my mind. This novel holds a very wide variety of vividly portrayed and well-developed characters that truly drive the story. Every single aspect of Vicious is wonderful, but these unique characters really remain with you well after you’ve finished reading.

Click here to read my full review!

I Tag:

Anna @ My Bookish Dream

Jen @ J.N. Cahill

Fran @ Nightjar’s Jar of Books

Cheyenne @ Cheyenne Raphael Writes

Sam @ One Bookish Girl

Nagina @ OhBookish

Ola @ Ola Reads Books

18Oct2016

Top 10 Tuesday – October 18th, 2016

Posted in Top 10 Tuesday by TheQuirkyBookNerd

Happy Tuesday, everyone! It’s time for another Top 10 Tuesday list. This is an original weekly blog meme created over at The Broke and the Bookish. Each week, there is a new bookish topic for bloggers to create a list about. If you want to know more about Top 10 Tuesday, click here!

This week’s Top 10 Tuesday topic is the top ten characters you’d name a child/dog/cat/car/etc. after. I threw in a few names I might call my children, but the characters I chose are mostly going to be ones I would name my pets after. Basically, as someone who is obsessed with both books and animals, all of my future pets are required to have a bookish name. And given how much of an animal lover I am, I will most likely have a pet with each of these names at some point in my life!

Loki

This has to be my number one pick for a pet name because I desperately want to get a husky and name it Loki!

Sherlock

I’d love to have two dogs named after Arthur Conan Doyle’s iconic characters: Sherlock Holmes and John Watson. However, I like the name “Sherlock” as a pet name more than “Holmes”, and I’m not sure if I’d want to call the other dog “John” to match…

Atticus

Okay, so I have to admit, this is one that I might call my kid, though I’m not sure how much they would appreciate me doing that! But I definitely want a dog named “Atticus” someday, particularly a golden retriever.

Aslan

This would be one of the best names ever for a cat! I also might use this for a particularly fluffy dog. I have heard this (rarely) as a person’s name, so maybe I’d consider it for a kid?

Lily

This is sort of a vague one since it’s such a common name, but I had Lily Potter in mind. Lily is my number one favorite girl’s name, so I can guarantee that if I ever have a daughter, this will be her name!

Luna

Another Harry Potter name! This is one I’d use for either a child or a pet. I’ve always thought that Luna was such a pretty name (and a fantastic character!).

Cerberus

This would be an amazing name for a dog (clearly!). I’m a huge fan of pitbulls, and I feel like this is a name that would suit one perfectly.

Rochester

I feel like this one could be a fantastic name for either a dog or a cat…very distinguished looking dog or cat…

Gatsby

Totally awesome name for a cat!

Prufrock

An ode to my favorite poem of all time. I could see this being great for any pet, but I think I would personally use this as a cat name.

Extra Bonus: Hedwig

If I ever had a pet owl…naturally…

What literary names would you use for your pets/children/miscellaneous nameable things? Let me know in the comments!

-Ariana

7Oct2016

Top 5 Anticipated Releases of Fall 2016

Posted in Miscellaneous by TheQuirkyBookNerd

Hi everyone!

Happy Fall! It’s finally my favorite time of year, and I’ve already started wearing my sweaters and boots! First off, I’d like to apologize for my absence this past month. I’ve been dealing with some unexpected health issues and it has caused both reading and blogging to be rather tricky. I’m starting back with a bit of a shorter post today, but I promise, I’ll be getting back into the swing of things with posting this month. I have a number of reviews coming, including one from an awesome buddy read with my friend Anna from My Bookish Dream (read her review here!). I’m looking forward to coming back and being a bit more active—and feeling better!

1. When the Moon Was Ours by Anna-Marie McLemore (October 4^th, 2016)

When the Moon Was Ours follows two characters through a story that has multicultural elements and magical realism, but also has central LGBT themes—a transgender boy, the best friend he’s falling in love with, and both of them deciding how they want to define themselves.

To everyone who knows them, best friends Miel and Sam are as strange as they are inseparable. Roses grow out of Miel’s wrist, and rumors say that she spilled out of a water tower when she was five. Sam is known for the moons he paints and hangs in the trees, and for how little anyone knows about his life before he and his mother moved to town.

But as odd as everyone considers Miel and Sam, even they stay away from the Bonner girls, four beautiful sisters rumored to be witches. Now they want the roses that grow from Miel’s skin, convinced that their scent can make anyone fall in love. And they’re willing to use every secret Miel has fought to protect to make sure she gives them up.

2. Timekeeper by Tara Sim (November 1^st, 2016)

Two o’clock was missing.

In an alternate Victorian world controlled by clock towers, a damaged clock can fracture time—and a destroyed one can stop it completely.

It’s a truth that seventeen-year-old clock mechanic Danny Hart knows all too well; his father has been trapped in a Stopped town east of London for three years. Though Danny is a prodigy who can repair not only clockwork, but the very fabric of time, his fixation with staging a rescue is quickly becoming a concern to his superiors.

And so they assign him to Enfield, a town where the tower seems to be forever plagued with problems. Danny’s new apprentice both annoys and intrigues him, and though the boy is eager to work, he maintains a secretive distance. Danny soon discovers why: he is the tower’s clock spirit, a mythical being that oversees Enfield’s time. Though the boys are drawn together by their loneliness, Danny knows falling in love with a clock spirit is forbidden, and means risking everything he’s fought to achieve.

But when a series of bombings at nearby towers threaten to Stop more cities, Danny must race to prevent Enfield from becoming the next target or he’ll not only lose his father, but the boy he loves, forever.

The stunning first novel in a new trilogy by debut author Tara Sim, Timekeeper is perfect for fans of Cassandra Clare and Victoria Schwab.

3. Blood For Blood by Ryan Graudin (November 1^st, 2016)

*Contains spoilers for Wolf by Wolf*

There would be blood.

Blood for blood.

Blood to pay.

An entire world of it.

For the resistance in 1950s Germany, the war may be over, but the fight has just begun.

Death camp survivor Yael, who has the power to skinshift, is on the run: the world has just seen her shoot and kill Hitler. But the truth of what happened is far more complicated, and its consequences are deadly. Yael and her unlikely comrades dive into enemy territory to try to turn the tide against the New Order, and there is no alternative but to see their mission through to the end, whatever the cost.

But dark secrets reveal dark truths, and one question hangs over them all: how far can you go for the ones you love?

This gripping, thought-provoking sequel to Wolf by Wolf will grab readers by the throat with its cinematic writing, fast-paced action, and relentless twists.

4. Heartless by Marissa Meyer (November 8^th, 2016)

Long before she was the terror of Wonderland — the infamous Queen of Hearts — she was just a girl who wanted to fall in love.

Catherine may be one of the most desired girls in Wonderland, and a favorite of the yet-unmarried King of Hearts, but her interests lie elsewhere. A talented baker, all she wants is to open a shop with her best friend and supply the Kingdom of Hearts with delectable pastries and confections. But according to her mother, such a goal is unthinkable for the young woman who could be the next Queen.

At a royal ball where Cath is expected to receive the king’s marriage proposal, she meets Jest, the handsome and mysterious court joker. For the first time, she feels the pull of true attraction. At the risk of offending the King and infuriating her parents, she and Jest enter into an intense, secret courtship.

Cath is determined to define her own destiny and fall in love on her terms. But in a land thriving with magic, madness, and monsters, fate has other plans.

5. Flashfall by Jenny Moyer (November 15^th, 2016)

Orion is a Subpar, expected to mine the tunnels of Outpost Five, near the deadly flash curtain. For generations, her people have chased cirium—the only element that can shield humanity from the curtain’s radioactive particles. She and her caving partner, Dram work the most treacherous tunnel, fighting past flash bats and tunnel gulls, in hopes of mining enough cirium to earn their way into the protected city.

But when newcomers arrive at Outpost Five, Orion uncovers disturbing revelations that make her question everything she thought she knew about life on both sides of the cirium shield. As conditions at the outpost grow increasingly dangerous, it’s up to Orion to forge a way past the flashfall, beyond all boundaries, beyond the world as she knows it.

What are some of your most anticipated releases this fall? Let me know in the comments!

-Ariana

30Oct2015

The Halloween Book Tag

Posted in Tags by TheQuirkyBookNerd

Happy day before Halloween, everybody! Michelle over at Book Adventures just created The Halloween Book Tag and tagged me to do it. Thank you so much for the tag! If you haven’t seen Michelle’s blog yet, make sure to head on over and check it out!

Favorite scary must read for Halloween

The Shining by Stephen King – I have to agree with Michelle in her choice for this question and also say The Shining. It was also my top pick for my list of five Halloween must reads. This is one of the scariest books I have ever read, and I don’t scare easily. It is a horror classic by one of the masters of the genre, and a novel that everyone should give a try at least once in their lives, particularly if they are fans of Halloween.

Scariest book cover, like ever…

Shutter by Courtney Alameda – I’ve not actually read this book and I don’t know much about it, but this cover is freaky! It totally creeps me out every time I see it, but it’s also pretty awesome because I like creepy stories. I definitely think I will have to look into reading this novel; see if it’s as scary as the cover.

Coraline by Neil Gaiman – This novel I have actually read and I can say that it really is as creepy as its cover. Coraline is actually another novel I would say is one of my favorite scary must reads for Halloween. This is a weird and somewhat disturbing story, and it is absolutely fantastic!

If you could pick any author to go trick or treating with, who would you pick?

I would love to go trick or treating with both Ransom Riggs and Tahereh Mafi. They both individually seem as if they are very kind people and like they would be fun to hang out with; and together, they are absolutely hilarious. It would be the most entertaining evening ever!

If you could dress up as any bookish character for Halloween, who would you be?

If I could dress up as any book character, I would probably pick Sherlock Holmes, as he is one of my all time favorites. Who wouldn’t want to pretend to be the greatest detective ever? I know I’m not a guy, but that’s fine; I think I could pull it off! Hermione would be another choice, but I actually already have dressed up as her for Halloween once when I was younger.

If you could find anything, from any book, in your trick or treat stash, what would you hope to find?

I would love to find the invisibility cloak in my trick or treat stash. This was always one of my favorite magical items from the Harry Potter world and I wish I could have my own. It might be kind of fun to sneak around and go exploring while under it, or to use when I want privacy. I could just hide under there while I read or write; it would be awesome. And I would totally use it strictly for good, and not to mess with anyone and make them think they were being haunted…no, I’d never do that… 🙂

In what fictional world would you like to go trick or treating?

I think I would like to go trick or treating in Narnia. It seems like it would be a place that is full of sumptuous food and delicious treats, so you could probably collect a pretty amazing haul there. Plus I just really want to go to Narnia!

What book villain would you not like to meet alone in a dark alley on Halloween?

I feel like this might be an obvious choice for a lot of people, but I would have to say Voldemort. First of all, he is an extremely evil and powerful wizard and, as a muggle, I would have absolutely no way of defending myself against him if he attacked. Also, he’s just totally creepy-looking. The whole “no nose” thing has always completely freaked me out, and I would not like to see that up close. However, if you’d like to send me a slightly younger version, I wouldn’t mind that quite as much…a little bit of eye candy while I’m running for my life…

Would you rather dress up as a vampire, zombie, werewolf, or a shadowhunter?

I must admit, I’m not a huge fan of any of these creatures, and I know absolutely nothing about shadowhunters because I’ve never read the novels. Zombies are my favorite, but I don’t think I would like to dress up as one. If I were to pick one to dress up as, I would probably choose vampire. I feel like, costume-wise, this would be more my style, and I guess I do like the idea of the more classic vampire.

Pick a candy (just one) from Harry Potter that you would love to find in your stash?

If I had to pick, I would definitely choose chocolate frogs. To be honest, the idea of them is a little creepy, since they actually move. But I think, if you can get past that, that they would be delicious. I also absolutely love the cards that come with them; they are so awesome. Despite the fact that I always have found them a bit weird, they are one of my favorite candies from the series, so I’d love to find one in my stash. And because…chocolate…

What is your favorite Halloween candy?

I have somehow already managed to mention in a post that I have a major addiction to Kit-Kats! I love Kit-Kats. They are my ultimate Halloween (or any time of year really) weakness!

I Tag:

Jen @ J.N. Cahill

Zezee @ Zezee with Books

Ava @ Bookishnessandtea

Paige @ Page by Paige

Kayla @ Bookedsolid1989

Bookloversblog

Lucía @ Making Days Better

And anyone else who wants to do it! 🙂

28Oct2015

Top 5 Wednesday – October 28th, 2015

Posted in Top 5 Wednesday by TheQuirkyBookNerd

Top 5 Wednesday was created by Lainey at Gingerreadslainey. Every week, book reviewers all over the world are given a bookish topic and respond with their top 5 books (or elements of books) that relate to that topic. Click here for the Goodreads group if you would like to learn more about Top 5 Wednesday and join in!

This week’s Top 5 Wednesday topic is your top five Halloween book recommendations. Since this list is for Halloween, I was trying to think up some good ghost stories to put on here. However, as I was picking books for this topic, I was shocked to realize that I haven’t actually read all that many ghost/monster stories. This is insane because I absolutely love a good, creepy and otherworldly tale. So, since I am severely lacking in the ghost story department, I simply picked five generally creepy novels or stories that I’ve read.

I am a huge thriller/horror fan. I have read a lot of mysteries and psychological thrillers, and I love watching any spooky or thriller type movies. Many of the stories I write usually fall somewhere in the realm of horror as well. I’ve never really gotten scared by any books or movies so far, however, these are all novels that definitely sent a shiver down my spine! Though the books on this list do not all involve a supernatural storyline, they are all still perfect for this spooky time of year.

5. Through the Woods by Emily Carroll

I read this graphic novel around this time last year and enjoyed it so much. It is a collection of five eerie and enthralling horror stories. Emily Carroll has crafted a wonderful collection of ghostly tales that feel sort of likes myths or legends that people might pass around. The artwork, matching the tone of the stories perfectly, is hauntingly beautiful; out of all the graphic novels I’ve read, this had one of my favorite art styles. Through the Woods was such an enjoyable read, and I would highly recommend giving it a try. These dark and chilling tales will definitely put you in the Halloween mood.

4. And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie

I tried to change things up and pick novels for this list that weren’t on my list yesterday, but this is one that I just had to mention again. It is a classic thriller novel, one of the best for all time in my opinion, and is bone-chilling without the use of ghosts and monsters. In fact, stories like this one, where the true monster is human, can make for the most compelling and frightening reads of all.

3. The Complete Works of Edgar Allan Poe

Basically anything by Edgar Allan Poe makes for a perfect Halloween read. Poe is a master at crafting beautifully written and thoroughly haunting tales that will stay with you long after you read them. My personal favorite stories of his are The Cask of Amontillado, The Pit and the Pendulum, The Masque of the Red Death, and The Tell-Tale Heart.

2. Coraline by Neil Gaiman

Back when Coraline first came out, a family member of mine gave it to me as a gift. My mom read it before I did, and it creeped her out so much that she actually hid the book from me. And of course, me being me, I subsequently snuck into her room, found it, and read it anyway without my parents knowing…but that’s beside the point! This is one of the most disturbing and unique books I have ever read, and I absolutely adore it. It is the book that first made me a fan of Neil Gaiman, who has been a huge inspiration to me in my own writing. His stories are quite strange and they are probably not going to be everyone’s cup of tea, but I think that they are just fantastic and definitely perfect for Halloween!

1. The Shining by Stephen King

What Halloween reads list would be complete without one of the best horror novels of all time? This hair-raising and unsettling horror classic, written by one of the masters of the genre, is an absolute must-read. The Shining is genuinely terrifying, by far the scariest book that I’ve ever read, and it is one of my long-time favorites. I cannot recommend it highly enough! Though I do enjoy the original film as well, I would highly suggest, if you want to watch a production of this novel, watching the miniseries version from the 90’s with Steven Weber. Stephen King played a much bigger role in the making of this adaptation, so it is a lot closer to the actual novel itself.

What are your top favorite Halloween reads? Do you have any scary/spooky novels or short stories that you would recommend? Let me know in the comments!

-Ariana

27Oct2015

Top 10 Tuesday – October 27th, 2015

Posted in Top 10 Tuesday by TheQuirkyBookNerd

I can’t believe we are already reaching the end of October! This week’s Top 10 Tuesday topic is a Halloween themed freebie; we can make up any Halloween related list that we want. Because I couldn’t decide between two topic ideas, I decided to include the second as a bonus part to this post. The first list is ten fall/Halloween reads that are not necessarily spooky but are still perfect for this time of year. The second part is my top ten favorite creepy book covers.

Part One: Fall/Halloween Reads

1. A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness – I picked this up last fall and it is definitely one of the best novels I have ever read. This novel ended up being absolutely nothing like what I had originally suspected it would be. I picked this to read near Halloween because it seemed like it would be a scary story focusing on ghosts or other supernatural monsters. Instead, it deals with a very different but equally frightening type of monster. It is a very dark and sad but ultimately beautiful story. This is a very surprising, creative, and absolutely gorgeously written novel that I cannot recommend enough.

2. The Ocean at the End of the Lane by Neil Gaiman – This would not be a true Halloween themed list if I did not add at least one Neil Gaiman novel to it! He is one of my favorite authors and really, any of his books could be put on a list such as this; however, this is my personal favorite and the one I would recommend the most. The Ocean at the End of the Lane really had that tone that I always look for in my reads at this time of year. Though I did not find it particularly scary, it’s strange and a bit dark and creepy, and the story is extremely captivating. It’s an incredibly unique tale and reads sort of like a myth or legend, which made it even more intriguing.

3. Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn – As the weather cools and the days grow shorter, there’s nothing like reading a good mystery novel. Gone Girl is an incredibly dark and disturbing story, full of surprising twists and unreliable narration; it’s a picture of insanity with frighteningly realistic characters and scenarios. This may not be a typical Halloween ghost story rooted in the world of the supernatural, but it shows that the natural world can be equally as chilling. Click here for my full, spoiler-free review.

4. And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie – Of course Agatha Christie has to make the list! And Then There Were None is a story about ten strangers, each with a secret, who are brought together on a private island for a weekend by an anonymous host and are killed off one by one. In this novel, everyone is a suspect. This is not only one of my favorite novels of all time, but one of the best examples of a creepy story, perfect for Halloween, that doesn’t involve the supernatural.

5. Something Wicked This Way Comes by Ray Bradbury – By this point, I’m sure you are seeing a pattern: here is another one of my all time favorite novels! This story focuses on two young boys whose town is visited by an evil carnival that appears suddenly one night. It brilliantly captures the mood of fall, and the plot fits the Halloween season well with its various oddities and magical realism. This novel is a spectacularly written tale, one that everyone should read at least once in their life; and what better time to read it than the end of October? I would very highly recommend checking out the film as well!

6. The Yellow Wallpaper by Charlotte Perkins Gilman – Switching gears for a minute, I thought I would throw in one of my favorite, creepy short stories. This is an intriguing story, the ultimate psychological drama. It is told in a journal format, a secret journal kept by a woman whose doctor and husband have forbade her from writing. She is being confined to her room, not permitted to doing anything but sit there, and she begins to imagine a world that’s hiding behind the yellow wallpaper covering her walls. This is such a gripping and eerie story, very fitting for the season.

7. Murder on the Orient Express by Agatha Christie – I just had to add another Agatha Christie novel to this list because not only is she one of my favorite authors, but also her novels are truly perfect for Halloween. This is a story starring her famous detective, Hercule Poirot, and is probably one of her most well-known and loved works. It is about a train that is stopped one night by a snowdrift, and in the morning, a man is found stabbed in his cabin, the door still locked from the inside. It is a fascinating mystery and one that definitely has a creepy, Halloween mood!

8. 1984 by George Orwell – 1984 portrays a dystopian world that is absolutely terrifying to imagine. This novel is also a bit frightening due to its relevance and connection to society today. Though it is unlikely that we will ever reach the point that the world has reached in this story, there is just the right amount of realism and personal narrative in it to make it something that the reader can connect to and imagine easily.

9. The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes by Arthur Conan Doyle – I chose The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes because it’s my favorite so far, however, any of the Sherlock Holmes novels would work. This is one book that may seem a little out of place on this list, but I personally think that fall is a wonderful time of year to be reading these stories. As I’ve already said, it’s the perfect time to be reading a good mystery, and these are some of the best. Full of suspense and intrigue, this is a novel that is wonderful to curl up by the fire with in the cooler months. Click here for my full, spoiler-free review.

10. Hamlet by William Shakespeare – This may seem like another strange one to add to this list, but I feel like this tale has the perfect atmosphere for this time of year. There’s mystery, insanity, murder, revenge, a ghost, everything you could possibly want for a good fall/Halloween read. Plus, it’s one of the best, if not the best, plays of all time.

Part Two: Favorite Covers

Shutter by Courtney Alameda
Asylum by Madeleine Roux
A Madness So Discreet by Mindy McGinnis
The Supernatural Enhancements by Edgar Cantero
Through the Woods by Emily Carroll

Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs
Slasher Girls and Monster Boys edited by April Genevieve Tucholke
A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness
Anna Dressed in Blood by Kendare Blake
The Diviners by Libba Bray

What are your favorite Halloween reads? Any creepy cover designs you like? Let me know in the comments!

-Ariana

How many books do you usually read at once?

If you’re reading more than one book at a time, how do you decide when to switch to reading the other book? (Do you read a certain amount of pages in each?)

Do you ever switch bookmarks while you’re part way through a book?

Where do you keep the book you’re currently reading?

What time of day do you spend the most time reading?

How long do you typically read for in one go?

Do you read hard covers with the dust jacket on or off?

Which position do you mainly use to read?

Do you take the book you’re currently reading with you everywhere you go?

How often do you update your progress in the book you’re currently reading on Goodreads?

I Tag:

October TBR

The Ghostwriter by Alessandra Torre

I have three months to write the last book of my life. Three months to confess the details of that day, and how it changed everything for me.

This final book?

It’s my confession.

Invictus by Ryan Graudin

Time flies when you’re plundering history.

Artemis by Andy Weir

Jazz Bashara is a criminal.

Dark Places by Gillian Flynn

Chasing Eveline by Leslie Hauser

The Splendid Baron Submarine by Eric Bower

Spin the Golden Light Bulb by Jackie Yeager

All Rights Reserved by Gregory Scott Katsoulis

In a world where every word and gesture is copyrighted, patented or trademarked, one girl elects to remain silent rather than pay to speak, and her defiant and unexpected silence threatens to unravel the very fabric of society.

The Gentleman’s Guide to Vice and Virtue by Mackenzi Lee

Everything, Everything by Nicola Yoon

My disease is as rare as it is famous. Basically, I’m allergic to the world. I don’t leave my house, have not left my house in seventeen years. The only people I ever see are my mom and my nurse, Carla.

Maybe we can’t predict the future, but we can predict some things. For example, I am certainly going to fall in love with Olly. It’s almost certainly going to be a disaster.

The Case of the Green-Dressed Ghost by Lucy Banks

Kester Lanner didn’t know what to expect when he followed his mother s dying request to contact the mysterious Dr. Ribero, but he wasn’t expecting to find his long lost father. Nor was he expecting to join the family business: catching supernatural spirits.

Kester is intrigued despite his fear, and finds himself drawn into an ancient ghost story that will test the entire agency.He soon becomes enmeshed in a struggle with the spirit, who is so malevolent and haunting that his first real case might just be his last.

Recent Reads

Invictus by Ryan Graudin (September 26th, 2017)

Time flies when you’re plundering history.

In this heart-stopping adventure, Ryan Graudin has created a fast-paced world that defies time and space.

The Glass Spare by Lauren DeStefano (October 24th, 2017)

A banished princess.

A deadly curse.

A kingdom at war.

But finding the key to her redemption puts her in the path of a cursed prince who has his own ideas for what to do with her power.

With a world on the brink of war and a power of ultimate destruction, can Wil find a way to help the kingdom that’s turned its back on her, or will she betray her past and her family forever?

Renegades by Marissa Meyer (November 7th, 2017)

From #1 New York Times-bestselling author Marissa Meyer, comes a high-stakes world of adventure, passion, danger, and betrayal.

Secret Identities.

Extraordinary Powers.

She wants vengeance. He wants justice.

Nova has a reason to hate the Renegades, and she is on a mission for vengeance. As she gets closer to her target, she meets Adrian, a Renegade boy who believes in justice—and in Nova. But Nova’s allegiance is to a villain who has the power to end them both.

This Mortal Coil by Emily Suvada (November 7th, 2017)

In this gripping debut novel, seventeen-year-old Cat must use her gene-hacking skills to decode her late father’s message concealing a vaccine to a horrifying plague.

When a Cartaxus soldier, Cole, arrives with news that her father has been killed, Cat’s instincts tell her it’s just another Cartaxus lie. But Cole also brings a message: before Lachlan died, he managed to create a vaccine, and Cole needs Cat’s help to release it and save the human race.

Now Cat must decide who she can trust: The soldier with secrets of his own? The father who made her promise to hide from Cartaxus at all costs? In a world where nature itself can be rewritten, how much can she even trust herself?

Whichwood by Tahereh Mafi (November 14th, 2017)

A new adventure about a girl who is fated to wash the bodies of the dead in this companion to Furthermore.

Our story begins on a frosty night…

But soon, a pair of familiar strangers appears, and Laylee’s world is turned upside down as she rediscovers color, magic, and the healing power of friendship.

Apple Picking: A book on your TBR that looks so delicious you can’t wait to take a bite out of it.

Nevernight by Jay Kristoff and Timekeeper by Tara Sim

Corn Maze: A book that’s so much fun to get lost in.

The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes by Arthur Conan Doyle

Haunted Houses: A book that scared you silly.

The Shining by Stephen King

Pumpkin Patch: The latest book you picked up (purchased).

When the Moon Was Ours by Anna-Marie McLemore

Scenic Drives: A book that is lyrically beautiful.

A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness

Pumpkin Carving: A book you didn’t like and wouldn’t mind carving up.

The Unfinished Life of Addison Stone by Adele Griffin

Hiking: A book that was a highly enjoyable romp.

Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte

Drinking Apple Cider: A sweet book to curl up under the covers with.

The Phantom Tollbooth by Norton Juster

Jumping In A Leaf Pile: A book that reminds you of your childhood.

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by J.K. Rowling

and

The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis

Scary Movie Night: Your favorite spooky read.

And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie

Bonus! Costume Party: A book with an eclectic cast of characters.

Invictus by Ryan Graudin (September 26^th, 2017)

The Glass Spare by Lauren DeStefano (October 24^th, 2017)

Renegades by Marissa Meyer (November 7^th, 2017)

This Mortal Coil by Emily Suvada (November 7^th, 2017)

Whichwood by Tahereh Mafi (November 14^th, 2017)

1. When the Moon Was Ours by Anna-Marie McLemore (October 4^th, 2016)

2. Timekeeper by Tara Sim (November 1^st, 2016)

3. Blood For Blood by Ryan Graudin (November 1^st, 2016)

4. Heartless by Marissa Meyer (November 8^th, 2016)

5. Flashfall by Jenny Moyer (November 15^th, 2016)