Stacking the Shelves (#25) - Book Bash Recap & Book Haul

Stacking the Shelves, which is hosted by Team Tynga's Reviews, is all about sharing the books you are adding to your shelves, may it be physical or virtual. This mean you can include books you buy in a physical store or online, books you borrow from friends or the library, review books, gifts and of course, ebooks.

Hi Lovelies!

So last weekend was Book Bash, which is an author event in Orlando, Florida. It was mine and Nahomi's first time in attending and we were super excited about going. However, after going to BEA in May, I was over the long lines and the standing around for hours on end, and so I was a little tired. Luckily, I only had 5 authors I wanted to see, which were: Christina Lauren, Jennifer L. Armentrout, Alice Clayton, Cora Carmack, and Colleen Hoover. 

I already had the majority of the books I needed for the signings so I only needed to buy 2 books and they were: 

Sweet Filthy Boy by Christina Lauren

All Lined Up by Cora Carmack

Nahomi and I were lucky enough to be invited to a Blogger Meet and Tweet hosted by Berkley and NAL, which is an imprint of Penguin. 

It was a really fun event and we managed to meet with some other bloggers and meet with some of the wonderful people at Berkley and NAL. I was also introduced to the editor of Brighton Walsh, whose book Caged in Winter I'm anxiously anticipating. 

They also handed out some book goodies and I'm really excited about starting these pretties.

All You Need is Love by Marie Force

All of You by Christina Lee

Frayed by Kim Karr

Since I Saw You by Beth Kery

Melt into You by Roni Loren

Bound by Lorelei James

Virgin by Radhika Sanghani

And all those pretties came in one of these bags:

I managed to get some duplicates of some books so be prepare for some giveaways to be happening soon.

I was visiting with the boyfriend that weekend as well. And since he is the best ever, he put up with me needing to rush off to the event and to cut out time together short. It sucks even more since we are in long distance relationship and that was the first time we had seen each other in two months. But he the sweetest ever because he knows that I have no book shelves space left, he still made a stop at Barnes & Noble and got me this book: 

White Space by Ilsa J. Bick

Isn't he the best? He's just trying to sweeten me up so I move in with him but it working. He's ok with me spending my weekends at book events and stills buys me books? Sold!

Well that's it for me on my end. I hope everyone had a wonderful 4th of July and are enjoying the long weekend. And I can't wait to see what you added to your shelves!

Upcoming Releases part 2

As I was preparing and researching for this post, I realized that there is only five books that are releasing in 2012. The list I originally had, included those for 2013 and 2014  and since I just wanted to discuss the one for 2012, here is the short version of that list.

    Insurgent by Veronica Roth. Now ever since Divergent came out last year, its popularity has grown rapidly so I don't feel the need to try to explain why I love Divergent and why I think you should go out and run (run, not walk) to your nearest bookstore and purchase it, as well as pre-order Insurgent. So I'll just say one word and be done with it: F O U R.  There. I think Four may be one of my favorite male characters ever. The swoons, ZOMG, loved. It wasn't all about Four and the swoons but that one of the reasons I loved Divergent. It is not the main thing in the book. And I know I'm not alone in this. I even got my best friend into the series and now she is currently anxiously waiting for Insurgent's release with me. (I needed more company, you see. Sorry, friend.)  I need to know what will happen next. What will happen to Tris and Four and everyone else and the factions?

    Next on the list is Being Friends with Boys by Terra Elan McVoy. Now, I have not read any of McVoy's other novels, so I can't really say anything about it. But having read the book's synopsis, it's definitely something right up my alley. Also, there seems to be a lot of good reviews for the novel and I'm looking forward to reading this book. 

*Side note: Both Insurgent and Being Friends with Boys comes out the first of May.*

Review: Ashes by Ilsa J. Bick

My rating: 4 out of 5 stars

"An electromagnetic pulse flashes across the sky, destroying every electronic device, wiping out every computerized system, and killing billions. Alex hiked into the woods to say good-bye to her dead parents and her personal demons. Now desperate to find out what happened after the pulse crushes her to the ground, Alex meets up with Tom—a young soldier—and Ellie, a girl whose grandfather was killed by the EMP."

Now, I'm not a zombie girl. Yes, I like my supernatural stories, like the Unearthly series, the Fever series, Wicked Lovely series, and the Hex Hall series. But zombies? No thank you. But there was something about Alex and Ellie that just drew me in. Ms.Bick  knew how to capture my attention.
    My first glimpse into the novel was when I was browsing through my Kindle Mobile App and I read the sample. I downloaded it and a few paragraphs in I was nodding and hmm-ing....I was hooked. I was trying to change the page and clicking and clicking when lo and behold, the sample was done. I was outraged. How can it be done?! It was just getting good! After my little outburst and a well duh moment to myself, I rationalized that of course I had to finish the story. I could not just leave Alex behind on her quest to find out what the hell had happened.
    Unfortunately, I was on a no-buying-books punishments because all those others novels I had that I hadn't even opened since I brought them. (Sorry, mom!)  So like any book aficionado would do, I went online to my local library and  reserved my copy.
   I dived right back in and it did not disappoint. I was creep out and I couldn't read certain parts without being grossed out. But I was intrigued by what was happening.