Hello lovelies! Welcome to Bookish Digest - something we'll be putting together at the end of every month to highlight our recent favorite reads and recap any posts you may have missed. We also include an About My Life and Things I'm Looking Forward To section in an effort for you to get to know us better. Don't forget to tell us in the comments some things that happened to you over the past month so we can get to know you guys better too!
Happy belated new year! I know we missed December's Digest, but things we're just so crazy with other blog things and life things, that it completely slipped our minds! Enjoy this GIF of fireworks over Cinderella Castle as our apology (Andrea is too sweet, it's completely my fault [it usually is], and I am VERY SORRY! - Evie).
Updates for 2015 TBR Pile Challenge:
Happy belated new year! I know we missed December's Digest, but things we're just so crazy with other blog things and life things, that it completely slipped our minds! Enjoy this GIF of fireworks over Cinderella Castle as our apology (Andrea is too sweet, it's completely my fault [it usually is], and I am VERY SORRY! - Evie).
Updates for 2015 TBR Pile Challenge:
- We had our first discussion for our 2015 TBR Pile Challenge Read Along with Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas! If you want to join in on the discussion, you can hop on over to part one (chapters 1-28) and part 2 (chapters 28-55)!
- Tomorrow we've got a great selection of books to chose from for March's Read Along so make sure you vote for the book you want to read most!
Series: Genre: Website: Jennifer Niven Goodreads Review:
The Fault in Our Stars meets Eleanor and Park in this exhilarating and heart-wrenching love story about a girl who learns to live from a boy who intends to die.
Soon to be a major motion picture starring Elle Fanning!
Theodore Finch is fascinated by death, and he constantly thinks of ways he might kill himself. But each time, something good, no matter how small, stops him.
Violet Markey lives for the future, counting the days until graduation, when she can escape her Indiana town and her aching grief in the wake of her sister’s recent death.
When Finch and Violet meet on the ledge of the bell tower at school, it’s unclear who saves whom. And when they pair up on a project to discover the “natural wonders” of their state, both Finch and Violet make more important discoveries: It’s only with Violet that Finch can be himself—a weird, funny, live-out-loud guy who’s not such a freak after all. And it’s only with Finch that Violet can forget to count away the days and start living them. But as Violet’s world grows, Finch’s begins to shrink.
This is an intense, gripping novel perfect for fans of Jay Asher, Rainbow Rowell, John Green, Gayle Forman, and Jenny Downham from a talented new voice in YA, Jennifer Niven.
Reviews
The Girl On The Train by Paula Hawkins {5/5}
Audacity by Melanie Crowder {5/5}
A Castle Full of Cats by Ruth Sanderson {5/5}
Shutter by Courtney Alameda {5/5}
Lilian on Life by Alison Jean Lester {4/5}
Memory of Water by Emmi Itaranta {4/5}
Chaos by Lanie Bross {4/5}
Gone Too Far by Natalie D. Richards {3/5}
The White Plague by James Abel {3/5}
Blood-Drenched Beard by Daniel Galera {2/5}
Exquisite Captive by Heather Demetrios {DNF - 2/5}
Polaroid Cube + Accessories {plus giveaway}
Audacity by Melanie Crowder {5/5}
A Castle Full of Cats by Ruth Sanderson {5/5}
Shutter by Courtney Alameda {5/5}
Lilian on Life by Alison Jean Lester {4/5}
Memory of Water by Emmi Itaranta {4/5}
Chaos by Lanie Bross {4/5}
Gone Too Far by Natalie D. Richards {3/5}
The White Plague by James Abel {3/5}
Blood-Drenched Beard by Daniel Galera {2/5}
Exquisite Captive by Heather Demetrios {DNF - 2/5}
Polaroid Cube + Accessories {plus giveaway}
Author/Book Promotion
There Will Be Lies by Nick Lake {Polish Superstitions}
An Ember in the Ashes by Sabaa Tahir {Excerpt}
Feature
Blog Re-Design: Steph in Wonderland
Blog Re-Design: Justin's Book Blog
2015 - Reading and Blogging Goals
About My Life in January
I'm still in Poland. Still enjoying family time and a little bit more of *ME* time. It's coming to an end though (NOOOOOO.... I don't want to!!!! *throws herself on the ground and has a melt-down*)
I got back into graphic design. I enjoyed working on two blog designs - for Stephanie from Steph in Wonderland and Justin from Justin's book blog (love ya both!). It reminded me how much I love designing and how much I miss it!
I got back into graphic design. I enjoyed working on two blog designs - for Stephanie from Steph in Wonderland and Justin from Justin's book blog (love ya both!). It reminded me how much I love designing and how much I miss it!
Things I'm Looking Forward to in February
Getting back home and seeing my husband and Wilson (it's been 3 months!). Also, seeing all the goodies that arrived in the mail while we were gone :)
Tori's 1st birthday! We are throwing a Par-Tey and it's going to be awesome! :D
Tori's 1st birthday! We are throwing a Par-Tey and it's going to be awesome! :D
Series: Genre: Website: Becca Fitzpatrick Goodreads Review:
Sometimes danger is hard to see... until it’s too late.
Britt Pfeiffer has trained to backpack the Teton Range, but she isn't prepared when her ex-boyfriend, who still haunts her every thought, wants to join her. Before Britt can explore her feelings for Calvin, an unexpected blizzard forces her to seek shelter in a remote cabin, accepting the hospitality of its two very handsome occupants—but these men are fugitives, and they take her hostage.
In exchange for her life, Britt agrees to guide the men off the mountain. As they set off, Britt knows she must stay alive long enough for Calvin to find her. The task is made even more complicated when Britt finds chilling evidence of a series of murders that have taken place there... and in uncovering this, she may become the killer’s next target.
But nothing is as it seems in the mountains, and everyone is keeping secrets, including Mason, one of her kidnappers. His kindness is confusing Britt. Is he an enemy? Or an ally?
BLACK ICE is New York Times bestselling author Becca Fitzpatrick’s riveting romantic thriller set against the treacherous backdrop of the mountains of Wyoming. Falling in love should never be this dangerous…
Features
Get It Together {Top Ten Tuesday}
Book Club {Top Ten Tuesday}
Posting Reviews {Feature & Follow}
Signed Sealed Delivered {Three Month Book Haul}
Author/Book Promotion
The Glass Arrow by Kristen Simmons {Blast}
Mark of the Beast by Adolphus A. Anekwe {Excerpt}
About My Life in January
Book Club {Top Ten Tuesday}
Posting Reviews {Feature & Follow}
Signed Sealed Delivered {Three Month Book Haul}
Author/Book Promotion
The Glass Arrow by Kristen Simmons {Blast}
Mark of the Beast by Adolphus A. Anekwe {Excerpt}
About My Life in January
Joe and I officially become home owners when our downstairs toilet needed replaced and our dining room chandalier blew a wire. Both were fixed, by ourselves, and we are pretty pleased with our selves.
I got settled in my new job as assistant safety director for my company. I'm already liking it more than my last position, but wow do people hit a lot of inanimate objects.
I tried Chipotle's new Sofritas. Okay, yes. I only did it because the bribed me with free Chipotle at a later date, but I tried something new and that's what counts.
I got settled in my new job as assistant safety director for my company. I'm already liking it more than my last position, but wow do people hit a lot of inanimate objects.
I tried Chipotle's new Sofritas. Okay, yes. I only did it because the bribed me with free Chipotle at a later date, but I tried something new and that's what counts.
Things I'm Looking Forward to in February
Blog tours! We've got some great blog tours coming up next month with some amazing giveaways. I'm not going to spoil the surprises, but every time I look at our calendar I squeal a little.
Reading our March Read Along. Okay, maybe it's the English teacher in me, but I loved reading Throne of Glass when I knew it was going to be discussed with our readers. Not just a review for you guys to check out, but an actual discussion. Also, I love checking out the votes to see how close some of these books get. Who knows, Bentley may have to make another decision for us!
Reading our March Read Along. Okay, maybe it's the English teacher in me, but I loved reading Throne of Glass when I knew it was going to be discussed with our readers. Not just a review for you guys to check out, but an actual discussion. Also, I love checking out the votes to see how close some of these books get. Who knows, Bentley may have to make another decision for us!
Series: Genre: Website: Jessica Verday Goodreads Review:
A romantic, historical retelling of classic Gothic horror featuring Edgar Allan Poe and his character Annabel Lee, from a New York Times best-selling author.
Summoned to her father's home in 1820's Philadelphia, a girl finds herself in the midst of a rash of gruesome murders in which he might be implicated. She is torn romantically between her father's assistants-one kind and proper, one mysterious and brooding-who share a dark secret and may have more to do with the violent events than they're letting on.
Reviews
About My Life in January
Nothing to really report. I had a super uneventful January. However, I am not going to complain because it means I got the time to start to settle.
Things I'm Looking Forward to in February
A new job. Not sure where I am headed yet but I do know that it is time for a change and I am ready for it.
My dog possibly getting pregnant. Weird thing to be excited for I know, but she is a show girl and I have looked forward to this for a couple of years now... Have you seen Collie puppies?! They are too freaking cute!!!
Becoming more active on the blog. Life has gotten in the way for far too long!! I miss being here and hope to be more active and get some fun stuff going in February!
My dog possibly getting pregnant. Weird thing to be excited for I know, but she is a show girl and I have looked forward to this for a couple of years now... Have you seen Collie puppies?! They are too freaking cute!!!
Becoming more active on the blog. Life has gotten in the way for far too long!! I miss being here and hope to be more active and get some fun stuff going in February!
Series: Genre: Website: Sarah J. Maas Goodreads Review:
Meet Celaena Sardothien.
Beautiful. Deadly.
Destined for greatness.
In the dark, filthy salt mines of Endovier, an eighteen-year-old girl is serving a life sentence. She is a trained assassin, the best of her kind, but she made a fatal mistake: she got caught.
Young Captain Westfall offers her a deal: her freedom in return for one huge sacrifice. Celaena must represent the prince in a to-the-death tournament—fighting the most gifted thieves and assassins in the land. Live or die, Celaena will be free. Win or lose, she is about to discover her true destiny. But will her assassin’s heart be melted?
Reviews
About My Life in January
I'm back to school. I'm not really excited about this at all. But at least I don't have a class on Sundays this semester! And I feel way more prepared this semester than I did last semester. So that's good.
I got an internship! At the end of December, I applied for an internship with the Booker Albert Literary Agency, and I just got the news not even a week ago that I got it! I am seriously so excited. I'm evaluating manuscripts. Sounds like something I can do! ;)
I got my #OTSPSecretSister match! I missed sign-ups completely for the last secret sister round, but I got in this time and I am so looking forward to this. I already have the first two months of gifts figured out for my sister, and I'm happy I have someone else somewhere planning things for me. Honestly, I just look forward to hopefully getting letters or notes every month. I think that stuff is so nice and fun. So yeah--EXCITE.
I am now obsessed with the show Shark Tank. My grandma was visiting over Christmas and New Years, and she was staying at my brother's house. No idea what compelled them to put the show on, but they watched it and decided they liked it, and then it was on when we were there, and now I am obsessed. I watch it whenever it's on. And when I have to miss an episode, I record them. Most are re-runs, but they're new to me, so yay!
I got an internship! At the end of December, I applied for an internship with the Booker Albert Literary Agency, and I just got the news not even a week ago that I got it! I am seriously so excited. I'm evaluating manuscripts. Sounds like something I can do! ;)
I got my #OTSPSecretSister match! I missed sign-ups completely for the last secret sister round, but I got in this time and I am so looking forward to this. I already have the first two months of gifts figured out for my sister, and I'm happy I have someone else somewhere planning things for me. Honestly, I just look forward to hopefully getting letters or notes every month. I think that stuff is so nice and fun. So yeah--EXCITE.
I am now obsessed with the show Shark Tank. My grandma was visiting over Christmas and New Years, and she was staying at my brother's house. No idea what compelled them to put the show on, but they watched it and decided they liked it, and then it was on when we were there, and now I am obsessed. I watch it whenever it's on. And when I have to miss an episode, I record them. Most are re-runs, but they're new to me, so yay!
Things I'm Looking Forward to in February
MY BIRTHDAY!!!!!!!! I turn 19 on the 12th, and I'm extremely excited for some reason. I have no special plans. Don't expect any grand gifts. But I am so pumped for the day.
Montgomery Teen Book Festival! This was the festival I met Victoria Scott at for the first time two years ago. I couldn't go last year, but I have plans to go this year, and I'm excited! I get to see my friend, and I get to see Victoria Scott and Rachel Harris and other authors. *flails*
Richelle Mead is signing at Book People! Book People is a cool indie bookstore in Austin where a bunch of cool signing and stuff are held. Jennifer L. Armentrout was there this past August, and it was also where I went to my first book signing almost three years ago (Elizabeth Eulberg, Maggie Stiefvater, and Siobhan Vivian). Now Richelle Mead is going to be there and I get to meet her and I cannot stop smiling. PLUS, I get to hang out with my good friend Mary! It's going to be such a great time, and I cannot wait.
Montgomery Teen Book Festival! This was the festival I met Victoria Scott at for the first time two years ago. I couldn't go last year, but I have plans to go this year, and I'm excited! I get to see my friend, and I get to see Victoria Scott and Rachel Harris and other authors. *flails*
Richelle Mead is signing at Book People! Book People is a cool indie bookstore in Austin where a bunch of cool signing and stuff are held. Jennifer L. Armentrout was there this past August, and it was also where I went to my first book signing almost three years ago (Elizabeth Eulberg, Maggie Stiefvater, and Siobhan Vivian). Now Richelle Mead is going to be there and I get to meet her and I cannot stop smiling. PLUS, I get to hang out with my good friend Mary! It's going to be such a great time, and I cannot wait.
Series: Genre: Website: Layla Hagen Goodreads Review:
Aimee’s wedding is supposed to turn out perfect. Her dress, her fiancé and the location—the idyllic holiday ranch in Brazil—are perfect.
But all Aimee’s plans come crashing down when the private jet that’s taking her from the U.S. to the ranch—where her fiancé awaits her—defects mid-flight and the pilot is forced to perform an emergency landing in the heart of the Amazon rainforest.
With no way to reach civilisation, being rescued is Aimee and Tristan’s—the pilot—only hope. A slim one that slowly withers away, desperation taking its place. Because death wanders in the jungle under many forms: starvation, diseases. Beasts.
As Aimee and Tristan fight to find ways to survive, they grow closer. Together they discover that facing old, inner agonies carved by painful pasts takes just as much courage, if not even more, than facing the rainforest.
Despite her devotion to her fiancé, Aimee can’t hide her feelings for Tristan—the man for whom she’s slowly becoming everything. You can hide many things in the rainforest. But not lies. Or love.
Withering Hope is the story of a man who desperately needs forgiveness and the woman who brings him hope. It is a story in which hope births wings and blooms into a love that is as beautiful and intense as it is forbidden.
Reviews
Broken Notes by Ann Marie Frohoff {5/5}
We'll Always Have Paris: A Mother/Daughter Memoir by Jennifer Coburn {5/5}
New York Dolls by Catherine L Hensley {5/5}
No Place for Kids by Alison Lohan {5/5}
Withering Hope by Layla Hagen {5/5}
Starting From Lost by S. K Wills {5/5}
We'll Always Have Paris: A Mother/Daughter Memoir by Jennifer Coburn {5/5}
New York Dolls by Catherine L Hensley {5/5}
No Place for Kids by Alison Lohan {5/5}
Withering Hope by Layla Hagen {5/5}
Starting From Lost by S. K Wills {5/5}
About My Life in January
I'm really proud of Lexi because she put herself out there and made a good friend. She's super shy, so that was a real big deal.
Things I'm Looking Forward to in February
Getting my tax refund.
Getting a new car.
Getting a new car.
Most Popular Review
Most Popular Non-Review
Reviewed by Debbie
How her daughter and her passport taught Jennifer Coburn to forget about dying and truly live
Jennifer Coburn has always been terrified of dying young. It's the reason she drops everything during the summers on a quest to travel through Europe with her daughter, Katie, before it's too late. Even though her husband can't join them, even though she's nervous about the journey, and even though she's perfectly healthy, she spends three to four weeks per trip jamming Katie's mental photo album with memories. In this heartwarming generational love story, Jennifer reveals how their adventures helped relinquish her fear of dying...for the sake of living.
Most Popular Non-Review
Our ever talented Evie redesigned Steph in Wonderland's blog and it's fabulous! There is still time to check out the redesign and enter the giveaway for either There Will Be Lies by Nick Lake or an ARC of Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard!
Tell us - what went on in your month?! What were some of your favorite books this month? Favorite posts from either your blog or others? What are some new (or old) and noteworthy things we should know about? Be sure to leave a link!
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