Most Anticipated Books Of... | January 2015

These are the books I am looking forward the most to this month. January seems like it’s going to be an amazing month in new releases, and I can’t wait to get my hands on a copy of these five (or better yet, four as I already own a copy of Golden Son).

Vendetta by Catherine Doyle
Publisher: Chicken House
Publishing Date: January 1st

When it comes to revenge, love is a dangerous complication.With a fierce rivalry raging between two warring families, falling in love is the deadliest thing Sophie could do. An epic debut set outside modern-day Chicago.


When five brothers move into the abandoned mansion in her neighbourhood, Sophie Gracewell's life changes forever. Irresistibly drawn to bad boy Nicoli, Sophie finds herself falling into a criminal underworld governed by powerful families. As the boys' dark secrets begin to come to light, Sophie is confronted with stinging truths about her own family, too. She must choose between two warring dynasties - the one she was born into, and the one she is falling in love with. When she does, blood will spill and hearts will break.

Golden Son by Pierce Brown
Publisher: Hodder & Stoughton
Publishing Date: January 8th

'I'm still playing games. This is just the deadliest yet.'
Darrow is a rebel forged by tragedy. For years he and his fellow Reds worked the mines, toiling to make the surface of Mars inhabitable. They were, they believed, mankind's last hope. Until Darrow discovered that it was all a lie, and that the Red were nothing more than unwitting slaves to an elitist ruling class, the Golds, who had been living on Mars in luxury for generations. 

In RED RISING, Darrow infiltrated Gold society, to fight in secret for a better future for his people. Now fully embedded amongst the Gold ruling class, Darrow continues his dangerous work to bring them down from within. It's a journey that will take him further than he's ever been before - but is Darrow truly willing to pay the price that rebellion demands?
Hic sunt leones.

All the Bright Places by Jennifer Niven
Publisher: Penguin
Publishing Date: January 8th

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.

Fairest by Marissa Meyer
Publisher: Feiwel & Friends
Publishing Date: January 27th

In this stunning bridge book between Cress and Winter in the bestselling Lunar Chronicles, Queen Levana’s story is finally told.



Mirror, mirror on the wall,

Who is the fairest of them all?



Fans of the Lunar Chronicles know Queen Levana as a ruler who uses her “glamour” to gain power. But long before she crossed paths with Cinder, Scarlet, and Cress, Levana lived a very different story – a story that has never been told . . . until now.

I Was Here by Gayle Forman
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Publishing Date: January 29th

This characteristically powerful novel follows eighteen-year-old Cody Reynolds in the months following her best friend's shocking suicide.



As Cody numbly searches for answers as to why Meg took her own life, she begins a journey of self-discovery which takes her to a terrifying precipice, and forces her to question not only her relationship with the Meg she thought she knew, but her own understanding of life, love, death and forgiveness.

Bout of Books 12 — Days 2, 3 & 4

Unfortunately I wasn't able to read much in the last couple of days - actually I wasn't able to read at all yesterday. Today has been much, much better and with a bit of luck I'll be able to squeeze some more pages in!

Pages of the day: 100 (Day 2) + 0 (Day 3) + TBU (Day 4)

Total pages read: TBU

Book(s) of the Day: Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor, Landline by Rainbow Rowell

Books read: Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor

Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell | Review

Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell
Series: None
Publisher: Macmillan
Release: 3rd July 2014
Source: Bought


Summary:
Cath and Wren are identical twins, and until recently they did absolutely everything together. Now they're off to university and Wren's decided she doesn't want to be one half of a pair any more - she wants to dance, meet boys, go to parties and let loose. It's not so easy for Cath. She's horribly shy and has always buried herself in the fan fiction she writes, where she always knows exactly what to say and can write a romance far more intense than anything she's experienced in real life.

Without Wren, Cath is completely on her own and totally outside her comfort zone. She's got a surly room-mate with a charming, always-around boyfriend, a fiction-writing professor who thinks fan fiction is the end of the civilized world, a handsome classmate who only wants to talk about words . . . And she can't stop worrying about her dad, who's loving and fragile and has never really been alone.

Now Cath has to decide whether she's ready to open her heart to new people and new experiences, and she's realizing that there's more to learn about love than she ever thought possible.


Review:
I’m seriously in love with this book.
In all honesty, I wasn’t expecting to like it this much since there were quite a few things in the beginning of the book that sort of bothered me but as soon as I got over them and really started enjoying Fangirl for what it is I just couldn’t stop reading. It’s such an addictive book and so easy to read even though it touches strong themes like first love, mental instability and child abandonment. Rainbow Rowell has a gift with words and maybe that’s why it’s impossible to put her books down – her writing style is enchanting and beautiful in its simplicity.

This story is like an ode to fan culture. There are a lot of references in the book that mean so much and are so much fun for avid readers who have devoured those books in the past. Also, the whole Simon and Baz side story is fascinating by bringing a certain Harry Potter vibe – at least that was the first thought that crossed my mind when I read it.
Maybe this book is so enthralling because it focuses on something that many readers can connect to after finishing a series. Maybe it's the writing style that binds it all. Maybe the characters are the right answer. All I know is that Fangirl is absolutely amazing as a whole. It’s funny, it’s adorable and so, so real.

The characters are very relatable, and hilarious, and fascinatingly unique while also incredibly perfect in their own imperfectness. Cather is a great leading lady exactly because of that – she’s a little bit too obsessive with her fanfiction Carry On, Simon, she’s insecure, somewhat crazy but she has so many feelings and love inside of her. Wren, on the other hand, is super confidant, and outgoing and even though she makes a lot of mistakes throughout the book, I think she really understood the importance of maintaining a close relationship with her twin sister, Cather.
I really liked Levi – he’s super patient and so, so funny – but completely disliked Nick (I think you can guess why). Reagan is pure awesomeness and Courtney is certainly the symbol of bad friendship. God, this book has so many amazing characters that I could talk – write – about them all day.

The details are the last thing I need to mention in this review. I loved the meaning behind Cather and Wren’s name – not really how or why they got it but the sound effect behind it –, I loved the little glimpses of Cather’s stories, I loved Levi’s love seat, I loved the scene when Cather reads Levi The Outsiders, I loved… I just really loved this book and I think you all should read it. Seriously. Just go read it.

Bout of Books 12 — Day 1

The first day of Bout of Books 12 is almost over (in the UK, at least) and that means that it’s time to count some pages and answer some challenges.

Pages of the day: 203
Total of pages read: 203
Book(s) of the day: Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor
Books read: Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor

It’s a bookshelf scavenger hunt! Find a book with the following criteria on a bookshelf:
1. Find an author with the same initials as you
2. Find a book with the color yellow on it
3. Find an author’s name with the letter “S” in it
4. Find a book with a female protagonist
5. Find the longest book you own
6. Find a book with a map in it or on it
7. Find a book with a face on it (photograph or illustrated)
Bonus: Find something on your shelf that isn’t a book.

You can take your own pictures or use images you find online. Up to you. Stack ‘em up, lay ‘em all out, make a collage, use Goodreads, whatever. Find a book for at least four (4) of the prompts to be eligible for the giveaway. You can post on your blog, FB, Twitter, YouTube, Tumblr, etc. Then post the link, list, whatever in the comments of this post and enter the giveaway! Use hashtag #BoBScavengerHunt if you talk about your findings so we can see what everyone found!
Bookshelf Scavenger Hunt @ Caught Read Handed

2. All Our Yesterdays. 3. Susan Ee. 4. Throne of Glass. 6. Red Rising. 7. Wonder. 

Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell | Book Trailer

I love, love book trailers. I think it's a fantastic, highly visual way of sort of selling a book to a reader who has never read that author before. And since I'm currently reading - or yet, devouring - Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell I decided to post this super cute book trailer of Cath(er) and Levi.

Have you read Fangirl? 

What are your thoughts on it? 

Bout of Books 12 - Sign Up

Yes, I’m doing this!
I absolutely love the time of the year when Bout of Books comes to life once more. As someone who truly enjoys read-a-thons, this is the sort of literary online event that I simply can’t miss. Bout of Books 12 will run from 5-11 of January and in case you’re not familiar with the ‘concept’, here’s what you need to know:

The Bout of Books read-a-thon is organized by Amanda @ On a Book Bender and Kelly @ Reading the Paranormal. It is a week long read-a-thon that begins 12:01am Monday, January 5th and runs through Sunday, January 11th in whatever time zone you are in. Bout of Books is low-pressure. There are challenges, giveaways, and a grand prize, but all of these are completely optional. For all Bout of Books 12 information and updates, be sure to visit the Bout of Books blog. - From the Bout of Books team

Debut Author Challenge 2015

I should stop – I should literally stop but I can’t as I keep finding cool reading challenges online. This time, and I swear it will be my last one, I have decided to join a Debut Author Challenge. I don’t read many debut authors but I’ve noticed that throughout the years more and more have been taking part in my TBR or wishlist – which is why I simply couldn’t resist this one.

The Uncorked Thought’s 2015 Debut Author Reading Challenge is hosted by Leah @ Uncorked Thoughts and basically consists of reading as many debut books as possible. There are four levels: 1-9 Bronze Reader, 10-19 Silver Reader, 20-29 Gold Reader and 30+ Platinum Pro-Reader. I’m going for Silver in the hopes of reading a minimum of 10 debut author books.

Fairytale Retelling Challenge 2015

I’m feeling like such a rebel right now! I sure wasn’t planning on joining any more reading challenges but I came across this one and simply couldn’t resist.

The Fairytale Retelling Challenge is hosted by Melanie @ The Daily Prophecy and the reason why I will be taking part in this is because I have been trying to read more Retellings since the first time I found them. When I read Marissa Meyer’s Cinder I didn’t fully grasp the idea of a Retelling and only after a few more books did I seriously fell in love with the concept behind the genre – I truly enjoy them now.

There are 6 different levels that range from 1 to 26+ books and since I intend to devour quite a few stories I will be aiming at being the Big Bad Wolf with 10 to 15 books.

I’m super excited with this one!

New Authors Challenge 2015

And seeing that one challenge isn’t good or hard enough for someone who is oh so, so afraid of reading challenges I have decided to take part in one more!

I absolutely love discovering new authors and that’s why I think this challenge is perfect for me – New Authors Challenge 2015 hosted by Literary Escapism. Basically the idea is to read as many new authors as possible. There are three levels (15, 25 and 50) and because I’m hoping to read at least 80 books this year I will be going for the 25 new authors level.

Wish me luck – I might need it.

1. Rainbow Rowell (Fangirl)

2. Laini Taylor (Daughter of Smoke and Bone)

British Books Challenge 2015

Every year I try not to participate in any reading challenges simply because I know most of the times I am unable to complete them – or, as often also happens, sort of forget about them. However, I fervently want to believe that 2015 is going to be different and as for that I am going to be taking part in a couple of reading challenges (excluding Goodreads 2015 Reading Challenge).

Since moving to the UK a little bit over a year ago that I have noticed that more and more British authors are entering my TBR list. For finding that interesting I decided to participate in the British Books Challenge 2015, hosted by Michelle @ Fluttering Butterflies. This challenge basically consists of reading and reviewing a minimum of 12 books written by British authors – and the participants can either read one book a month for a year or all the twelve books in the same month.

As for what I’ll be reading for this challenge I must say that I am not yet certain. I have a couple of books that I would like to get to in 2015 but I know I’m not very good with monthly settled TBRs so I’ll probably just go with the flow. Then again, there are three books by British authors that I’m almost sure I will be picking up this year so here they are!

Half Wild by Sally Green

Say Her Name by James Dawson

The Savages by Matt Whyman

If you’re also participating in this challenge please do let me know as I would love to check out the books you’ll be reading throughout this year.

An introduction

Hello everyone and welcome!

See that girl reading in the corner when there’s this massive party going on in the same room? That’s me. Pat, the book addict. The girl who keeps a book with her at all times. The girl who is constantly turning page, after page, after page, eager to find out the next dystopian universe or the next heartbreaking romance. The girl who always tries to insert books in a conversation. The girl who has an Instagram account… for books. Well, I think you see the picture.

The Book Spine is going to be my sanctuary – outside the pages of a book. I’m hoping to share with all of you my passion for these gorgeous objects who tell incredible stories, as I am equally hoping to hear (or better yet, read) your experiences, and thoughts, and wishes when it comes to books. As readers, we’re never alone – and it’s always amazing to find other people who love books in the same way you do. I’m here to share that passion with all of you… and hopefully, you will all do the same with me.