Eight Years of Blogging

Once again I managed to forget my blog birthday. I don't know how I managed to forget it, but forget it I did. Ha. My blog turned eight years old on October 11th :D Eee. I have been meaning to write this post for days and days now, ever since I found out I had forgotten about it. But I keep having no energy, and so I keep putting it off. Ack. This past year have not been easy for me. My health still completely sucks, worse than ever, and because of this I have gotten so few books read this year. Okay, I've read 47 books so far, which isn't too horrible, but still way less than what I have read for years now. It's depressing. But at least I have managed to read. So I'm happy with that. And I am still blogging. Still posting my two weekly posts, no matter what. And I still love it so. I have gotten way less comments this past year, which is pretty sad, but I understand it too. We are all so busy. I myself am so very far behind on every single thing. Gosh. I'm trying to catch up, but it's not going very fast at all. Sigh. But trying. And doing a little each day. I hope you are all doing well. I'm doing as good as I can :) I have now been blogging for eight years. Still love it most.

Thank you so much to all of you for still reading my blog, for still commenting at times too. It means the very most to me. You guys are all awesome. Thank you. Despite my bad health, I'm still here, and I will be for as long as I'm able to. Which will be very long, I'm sure of it, haha. My health is bad, but not that bad, so should always be blogging. I'm reading less, but hoping that will pick up soon too. I have had so little energy this past year. But also so little time on top of that. I spend so much of my days with my sister and her kids. By niece and nephews. They are the most adorable, though. And I still have my cat. Whom I love the very most. I still play Pokemon Go every day, haha, and I won't ever stop with that either. I have even bought tickets to go see Taylor Swift at a festival in Oslo next summer. Gosh. It's my first time doing anything like that. And I am beyond excited for it. Cannot wait. Anyway. Enough sharing for this time. I'm sorry for not doing a giveaway this time either. I simply do not have the energy for it just now. But soonish.

Waiting on Wednesday #420

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

MY CALAMITY JANE (The Lady Janies #3) 
BY CYNTHIA HAND & BRODI ASHTON & JODI MEADOWS

Goodreads Description:

Welcome ​to 1876 and a rootin’-tootin’ America bursting with gunslingers, outlaws, and garou.

JANE (a genuine hero-eene)

Calamity’s her name, and garou hunting’s her game—when she’s not starring in Wild Bill’s Traveling Show, that is. She reckons that if a girl wants to be a legend, she should just go ahead and be one.

FRANK (*wolf whistle*)
Frank “the Pistol Prince” Butler is the Wild West’s #1 bachelor. He’s also the best sharpshooter on
both sides of the Mississippi, but he’s about to meet his match. . . .

ANNIE (get your gun!)
Annie Oakley (yep, that Annie) is lookin’ for a job, not a romance, but she can’t deny there’s something about Frank she likes. Really likes. Still, she’s pretty sure that anything he can do,
she can do better.

A HAIRY SITUATION
After a garou hunt goes south and Jane finds a suspicious-like bite on her arm, she turns tail for Deadwood, where there’s been talk of a garou cure. But things ain’t always what they seem—meaning the gang better hightail it after her before they’re a day late and a Jane short.

Hardcover, 512 pages

Expected publication: June 2nd 2020 by HarperTeen

Pre-Order here and here

I simply cannot wait to read this book. Eee. I adore these three authors a whole bunch. And their first two Lady Jane books were incredible. I cannot wait to read about this Jane too. She seems awesome so far. I'm sure I will love this book a bunch. And gosh. Look at that gorgeous cover :D Ahh! It's so very stunning.
What are you waiting for on this historic Wednesday?

Legacy Blog Tour: Spotlight + Giveaway

Today I'm taking part in the blog tour for Legacy by Shannon Messenger, hosted by the very awesome Rockstar Book Tours :D Thank you for letting me take part in this blog tour. <3 I have been a huge fan of Shannon since her first book came out. She's amazing. And always so kind and lovely. I am sadly so far behind on this series, gosh. But I own every book, hardcover and paperback, and personalized copies of many of them too. Keeper of the Lost Cities is an amazing series. Okay, fine, I have only read the first two books, but I have peeked at all of them, ha, and I love what I have seen. I cannot wait to get this newest book too, book eight! What! So many already, ahh :D Shannon is amazing. Gosh. And there are still more books to come. And they are all super huge and long. I love that. And gosh. Those covers. The artwork. I cannot. Each and every one of them is stunning. For my blog tour post today I'm sharing a spotlight of the books. And a giveaway hosted by Rockstar Book Tours too. Be sure to enter that at the end of the post :D

Title: LEGACY (Keeper of the Lost Cities #8)
Author: Shannon Messenger
Pub. Date: November 5, 2019
Publisher: Aladdin
Formats: Hardcover, eBook
Pages: 816
Find it: Goodreads, Amazon, Kindle, B&N, iBooks, Kobo, TBD

Illusions shatter—and Sophie and her friends face impossible choices—in this astonishing eighth book in the New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling Keeper of the Lost Cities series.

Only this first edition includes an exclusive extra scene from Tam’s point of view as well as beautiful illustrated endpapers from Shannon Messenger.

Sophie Foster wants answers. But after a lifetime of lies, sometimes the truth is the most dangerous discovery. Even the smallest secret comes with terrifying new responsibilities.

And Sophie’s not the only one with blank spots in her past, or mysteries surrounding her family. She and her friends are part of something much bigger than they imagined—and their roles have already been chosen for them.

Every clue drags them deeper into the conspiracy. Every memory forces them to question everything—especially one another. And the harder they fight, the more the lines blur between friend and enemy.

~

Title: FLASHBACK  (Keeper of the Lost Cities #7)
Author: Shannon Messenger
Pub. Date: November 6, 2018
Publisher: Aladdin
Formats: Hardcover, Paperback, eBook, Audiobook
Pages: 848
Find it: Goodreads, Amazon, Kindle, Audible, B&N, iBooks, Kobo, TBD

A New York Times bestselling series
A USA TODAY bestselling series
A California Young Reader Medal–winning series

In this unforgettable seventh book in the Keeper of the Lost Cities series, Sophie must let the past and present blur together, because the deadliest secrets are always the ones that get erased.

Sophie Foster doesn’t know what—or whom—to believe. And in a game with this many players, the worst mistake can be focusing on the wrong threat.

But when the Neverseen prove that Sophie’s far more vulnerable than she ever imagined, she realizes it’s time to change the rules. Her powerful abilities can only protect her so far. To face down ruthless enemies, she must learn to fight.

Unfortunately, battle training can’t help a beloved friend who’s facing a whole different danger—where the only solution involves one of the biggest risks Sophie and her friends have ever taken. And the distraction might be exactly what the villains have been waiting for.

~

Title: NIGHTFALL (Keeper of the Lost Cities #6)
Author: Shannon Messenger
Pub. Date: November 7, 2017
Publisher: Aladdin
Formats: Hardcover, Paperback, eBook, Audiobook
Pages: 576
Find it: Goodreads, Amazon, Kindle, Audible, B&N, iBooks, Kobo, TBD

Sophie Foster is struggling. Grieving. Scrambling. But she knows one thing: she will not be defeated.

The Neverseen have had their victories—but the battle is far from over. It’s time to change tactics. Make sacrifices. Reexamine everything. Maybe even time for Sophie to trust her enemies.

All paths lead to Nightfall—an ominous door to an even more ominous place—and Sophie and her friends strike a dangerous bargain to get there. But nothing can prepare them for what they discover. The problems they’re facing stretch deep into their history. And with time running out, and mistakes catching up with them, Sophie and her allies must join forces in ways they never have before.

~

Title: LODESTAR (Keeper of the Lost Cities #5)
Author: Shannon Messenger
Pub. Date: November 1, 2016
Publisher: Aladdin
Formats: Hardcover, Paperback, eBook, Audiobook
Pages: 688
Find it: Goodreads, Amazon, Kindle, Audible, B&N, iBooks, Kobo, TBD

Dark schemes unfold--and Sophie's loyalty is pushed to the limit--in this thrilling fifth book in the best-selling KEEPER OF THE LOST CITIES SERIES.

Sophie Foster is back in the Lost Cities--but the Lost Cities have changed. The threat of war hangs heavy over her glittering world, and the Neverseen are wreaking havoc.

The lines between friend and enemy have blurred, and Sophie is unsure whom to trust. But when she's warned that the people she loves most will be the next victims, she knows she has to act.

A mysterious symbol could be the key--if only she knew how to translate it. Every new clue seems to lead deeper into her world's underbelly and the Black Swan aren't the only ones who have plans. The Neverseen have their own Initiative, and if Sophie doesn't stop it, they might finally have the ultimate means to control her.

~

Title: NEVERSEEN (Keeper of the Lost Cities #4)
Author: Shannon Messenger
Pub. Date: November 3, 2015
Publisher: Aladdin
Formats: Hardcover, Paperback, eBook, Audiobook
Pages: 672
Find it: Goodreads, Amazon, Kindle, Audible, B&N, iBooks, Kobo, TBD

Sophie Foster is on the run—but at least she's not alone.

Her closest friends from the Lost Cities have gone with her to join the Black Swan. They still have doubts about the shadowy organization, but the only way to find answers is to start working with them. And as they settle into their new lives, they uncover secrets far bigger than anything they’d imagined.

But their enemies are far from done, and unleash a terrifying plague that threatens the safety of an entire species. Sophie and her friends fight with everything they have—with new allies joining them—but every choice has consequences. And trusting the wrong person could prove deadly.

In this game-changing fourth book in the Keeper of the Lost Cities series, Sophie must question everything to find a truth that will either save her world—or shatter it.

~

Title: EVERBLAZE (Keeper of the Lost Cities #3)
Author: Shannon Messenger
Pub. Date: November 4, 2014
Publisher: Aladdin
Formats: Hardcover, Paperback, eBook, Audiobook
Pages: 624
Find it: Goodreads, Amazon, Kindle, Audible, B&N, iBooks, Kobo, TBD

Sophie Foster is ready to fight back.

Her talents are getting stronger, and with the elusive Black Swan group ignoring her calls for help, she’s determined to find her kidnappers—before they come after her again.

But a daring mistake leaves her world teetering on the edge of war, and causes many to fear that she has finally gone too far. And the deeper Sophie searches, the farther the conspiracy stretches, proving that her most dangerous enemy might be closer than she realizes.

In this nail-biting third book in the Keeper of the Lost Cities series, Sophie must fight the flames of rebellion, before they destroy everyone and everything she loves.

~

Title: EXILE (Keeper of the Lost Cities #2)
Author: Shannon Messenger
Pub. Date: October 1, 2013
Publisher: Aladdin
Formats: Hardcover, Paperback, eBook, Audiobook
Pages: 576
Find it: Goodreads, Amazon, Kindle, Audible, B&N, iBooks, Kobo, TBD

Sophie Foster thought she was safe. Settled into her home at Havenfield, surrounded by friends, and using her unique telepathic abilities to train Silveny--the first female alicorn ever seen in the Lost Cities--her life finally seems to be coming together.

But Sophie's kidnappers are still out there. And when Sophie discovers new messages and clues from the mysterious Black Swan group, she’s forced to take a terrifying risk—one that puts everyone in incredible danger.

As long buried secrets rise to the surface, it’s once again up to Sophie to uncover hidden memories—before someone close to her is lost forever.

In this second book in the Keeper of the Lost Cities series, Sophie must journey to the darkest corners of her luminous world in a sequel that will leave you breathless for more.

~

Title: KEEPER OF THE LOST CITIES (Keeper of the Lost Cities #1)
Author: Shannon Messenger
Pub. Date: October 2, 2012
Publisher: Aladdin
Formats: Hardcover, Paperback, eBook, Audiobook
Pages: 496
Find it: Goodreads, Amazon, Kindle, Audible, B&N, iBooks, Kobo, TBD

Twelve-year-old Sophie Foster has a secret. She’s a Telepath—someone who hears the thoughts of everyone around her. It’s a talent she’s never known how to explain.

Everything changes the day she meets Fitz, a mysterious boy who appears out of nowhere and also reads minds. She discovers there’s a place she does belong, and that staying with her family will place her in grave danger. In the blink of an eye, Sophie is forced to leave behind everything and start a new life in a place that is vastly different from anything she has ever known.

Sophie has new rules to learn and new skills to master, and not everyone is thrilled that she has come “home.”
There are secrets buried deep in Sophie’s memory—secrets about who she really is and why she was hidden among humans—that other people desperately want. Would even kill for.

In this page-turning debut, Shannon Messenger creates a riveting story where one girl must figure out why she is the key to her brand-new world, before the wrong person finds the answer first.

~

SHANNON MESSENGER graduated from the USC School of Cinematic Arts where she learned—among other things—that she liked watching movies much better than making them. She’s studied art, screenwriting, and film production, but realized her real passion was writing stories for children. She’s the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of the award-winning middle grade series, Keeper of the Lost Cities, as well as the Sky Fall series for young adults. Her books have been featured on multiple state reading lists, published in numerous countries, and translated into many different languages. She lives in Southern California with an embarrassing number of cats. Visit her online at shannonmessenger.com and follow her on Twitter and Instagram @sw_messenger and on Facebook @KepperOfTheLostCities.

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Pinterest | Goodreads

Giveaway Details:

4 winners will receive FULL hardcover sets of

 THE KEEPER OF THE LOST CITIES Series, US only.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

Tour Schedule:

Week One:

10/21/2019	Adventures Thru Wonderland	Spotlight
10/22/2019	Dazzled by Books	Spotlight
10/23/2019	Twirling Book Princess	Spotlight
10/24/2019	Jypsylynn	Spotlight
10/25/2019	Canadian Book Addict	Spotlight

Week Two:

10/28/2019	BookHounds YA	Spotlight
10/29/2019	Carina's Books	Spotlight
10/30/2019	What A Nerd Girl Says	Spotlight
10/31/2019	Paper Safari	Spotlight
11/1/2019	The Try Everything	Spotlight

Week Three:

11/4/2019	YA Book Nerd	Spotlight
11/5/2019	Jrsbookreviews	Spotlight
11/6/2019	Fire and Ice	Spotlight
11/7/2019	Book Bite Reviews	Spotlight
11/8/2019	Southern Girl Bookaholic	Spotlight

Week Four:

11/11/2019	The Book Tower	Spotlight
11/12/2019	Lisa-Queen of Random	Spotlight
11/13/2019	Character Madness and Musings	Spotlight
11/14/2019	Sometimes Leelynn Reads	Spotlight
11/15/2019	Two Chicks on Books	Spotlight

In My Mailbox #416

This week have been all kinds of exhausting. Ahh. I'm trying to get things done. But it is very very slow going. Sigh. I do get a little done each day. But it is not enough. Sigh. But I'm trying. I also have not read this week, aaack. Not since I finished my re-read of The Amber Spyglass on Monday. Oops. I'm going to start re-reading La Belle Sauvage. Just have not had the energy or time yet. Hmph. Was going to read today. But got distracted sorting some of my books for hours and hours and hours. My body is currently dead, haha. But shall read tomorrow, hopefully :D I also got a whole bunch of new books in the mail this week. Ahh. Dying a little. Sigh. They are all amazing, though, haha :) Sadly only two new posts, as I'm still behind on getting my blog birthday post up. Aaack. SOON. Well, I hope. I shared my fifth review of The Amber Spyglass. <3 This week I'm waiting on Chosen Ones :D I shall try better this coming week to catch up to things. So far behind :) My spa bath has been taken down for winter. Sobs. Is it April yet? :D

The World of IT. Oops. I bought this because of that cover, ha. I had to own it; as I kind of love this clown.
Ninth House. Ahh. More editions. Oops. B&N special and intl paperback :D Both editions are gorgeous.
The Last Olympian. Working on getting all Percy Jackson graphic novels, haha. Missing a few, though.
A Conjuring of Light. I know, I have not read past book one yet, but I had to own this collectors edition :D
Queen of Air and Darkness. I have tons of copies of this book. Oops. But new US paperback :D Needed.
Dragon Curse. I am so behind on these lovely books by Lisa. But at least I own all, for when I have time.
Lady Sherlock Series. EEE! All four books, personalized by Sherry :D Thank you The Ripped Bodice. <3
Flashback. Far behind on this series too. Ahh! But I have to own all editions; now newest paperback :D
The Star Shepherd. EEE! Thank you so much MarcyKate :D I won a personalized hardcover on twitter.
Northern Lights. Ahh. Look at this gorgeous new pretty edition of this most perfect book :D I so so love it.
Taylor Swift. I had realized that I did not own physical copies of these CDs yet. Ahh. Had to have them :D
Pop Figures. Another from Harry Potter, haha. I adore Fleur. And Winnie the Pooh is so so very adorable.

More Instagram photos here. <3

Waiting on Wednesday #419

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

CHOSEN ONES BY VERONICA ROTH

Goodreads Description:

The first novel written for an adult audience by the mega-selling author of the Divergent franchise: five twenty-something heroes famous for saving the world when they were teenagers must face even greater demons—and reconsider what it means to be a hero . . . by destiny or by choice.

A decade ago near Chicago, five teenagers defeated the otherworldly enemy known as the Dark One, whose reign of terror brought widespread destruction and death. The seemingly un-extraordinary teens—Sloane, Matt, Ines, Albie, and Esther—had been brought together by a clandestine government agency because one of them was fated to be the “Chosen One,” prophesized to save the world. With the goal achieved, humankind celebrated the victors and began to mourn their lost loved ones.

Ten years later, though the champions remain celebrities, the world has moved forward and a whole, younger generation doesn’t seem to recall the days of endless fear. But Sloane remembers. It’s impossible for her to forget when the paparazzi haunt her every step just as the Dark One still haunts her dreams. Unlike everyone else, she hasn’t moved on; she’s adrift—no direction, no goals, no purpose. On the eve of the Ten Year Celebration of Peace, a new trauma hits the Chosen: the death of one of their own. And when they gather for the funeral at the enshrined site of their triumph, they discover to their horror that the Dark One’s reign never really ended.

Hardcover, 304 pages

Expected publication: April 7th 2020 by John Joseph Adams/Houghton Mifflin Harcourt

Pre-Order here and here

I have been a fan of Veronica ever since her first book came out. And gosh, how badly I loved Divergent. Sigh. It was perfection. Must do a re-read soon, haha :) And oh. This new adult book by her sounds all kinds of interesting :D And I think I will end up loving it a whole lot. I cannot wait to get to read this book.
What are you waiting for on this chosen Wednesday?

Review: The Amber Spyglass by Philip Pullman

Reading this book for the fifth time took a whole lot of time. I have been so distracted. But no matter how long it took me to read this book, I still loved every single moment of it. Gosh. This one is my favorite of the three, always. It is also the book that hurts the very most. It is probably the greatest pain a book have ever given me.

And yet I loved every part of this story. Although I still wish that ending had been different, haha. It is the most painful thing. So well written, of course, but so rude and heartbreaking. Hmph. Yet I cannot help but love it too. But my gosh, that ending hurts. I still wish for a different ending from Philip, one day. But very nervous.

Anyway. I shall not write very much about this book this time. As I have already done so many times before. And my feelings never change. I loved this book so very much the first time I read it. And I loved it as much as always this fifth time reading. I remembered everything. Yet things still felt new to me while I read it again. And I loved that. I love that I will never grow tired of reading this story of Lyra and Will. That I will never not want to know what happens next. Their story is beyond thrilling and exciting. Heartbreaking, of course, but so good. And I love these two children beyond words. Sigh. And so this book was still everything that I wanted it to be. Okay, I still wished for a different ending, ha, but everything else was truly perfect. Sigh. I will always love this series.

There is so much going on in this book. Will is trying to find Lyra after she was taken away by her mother. Finding her took a whole lot of time. And during that time he spend some time with angels. And he meets Iorek. And Lyra was talking to dead people in her dreams. Reading from Will and Lyra's point of view was the best thing. I love these two characters more than anything. They are so very precious. And I love how protective they are of each other. I love how fast they became friends. They are so perfect together. Sigh.

So much happens in this final book. There is the world of the dead. Which was still all kinds of creepy. Yet I loved it so. Sigh. There is the war that Lord Asriel is in charge of. With Mrs. Coulter playing a big part of everything too. Those two characters always confuse me. As I mostly hate them both. And yet in this final book I kind of loved them. Oops. They are so very complicated. And I loved that. There is a war between angels and humans and every other creature too. And it was all awesome to read about. Interesting too.

I know I could spend ages just writing about everything that happens in this third book. But I do not have the energy to do so at this moment. And so I will simply say that this entire book is amazing. Thrilling and exciting and surprising and so very heartbreaking. This story of Lyra and Will is always going to destroy me. Yet I love every moment of it. Sigh. I love how they go from friends to something more. But oh, what happens right after is still the cruelest thing. Rude. Yet everything made sense too. Hmph. Well, mostly.

I loved learning more about Lyra and Will in this book. They are such fierce and brave characters. I so adored reading more about Pan and Will's dæmon, whom slowly arrives. And reading more about Mary was so much fun too. I love that woman. Reading about Mary and the creature people she finds is very interesting and I couldn't help but love all the details of everything. But yeah. For the most part this is the story of Lyra and Will. And it is the most incredible story there is. Fully evil and rude. But very good too.

The Amber Spyglass was just as thrilling this time as the first time I read this book years ago. This whole trilogy is amazing beyond words. I can't even begin to describe how much I love these books. How very much I love Lyra and Will and the worlds they come from. I'm thrilled that I read these books again, finally. And I know I will read them again and again in the future too. They are all simply perfection to me. If you still have not read His Dark Materials yet, then you are seriously missing out on the most perfect books.

 

Goodreads - The Book Depository - Amazon

All of my Philip Pullman posts sorted by date

In My Mailbox #415

I finally have my laptop back. Sigh. Spent almost four weeks using a very old broken one. Ack. So good to finally have my own back. But also so angry, as I was supposed to get a brand new one after this 4th time service. But they claim one of the services did not count. So I must wait until the next time this laptop gets broken. Uuugh. I am not pleased. Anyway. I'm doing okay. Health still sucks, and have so little time, but I'm good. Winter has arrived, though. Snowy outside. Need to take down my spa bath shortly, aaack. I also got a whole bunch of books this week. Ahh. No room. Sob. But needed them? Oops. I'm the slowest reader, though. Still working on The Amber Spyglass. Not even halfway done. Ugh. Will read a lot today, I hope. And so only one new blog post too, as I'm way too busy lately. Rude. This week I'm waiting on All These Monsters :D Also. Holy crap. Ha. While I'm sitting here writing this, I suddenly realized that I forgot about my blog birthday on October 11th. HA. What. Yeah. I'm way too busy these days. Shall try to have a post ready tomorrow :) Hopefully. So little energy. Ugh. But I am trying. Hope you are all doing well :)

The Secret Commonwealth. Eee. Special signed Waterstones edition and regular UK :D Both gorgeous.
Ninth House. Gosh. I'm so excited to read this book soon. Sigh. UK editions and US hc :D All stunning.
The Grace Year. Eee. This book was so very good. Had to have UK and US hardcovers of it :D Love it.
Thirteen Doorways, Wolves Behind Them All. I loved this book so very much. Had to own finished copy.
The Art of Theft. Sigh. I am so very in love with this Lady Sherlock series. The books are so very good.
DEV1AT3. New UK paperback edition :D I think I very much love these new covers. It looks stunning.
Traitor to the Throne. Eee! Thank you to a lovely person for trading this UK ARC with me :D I love it so.
Pop Figures. A few more of the new Harry Potter pop figures, haha :D They are just so very lovely. Sigh.
The Secret Commonwealth Swag. Eee. Thank you special person for sending me these :D I love it all.

More Instagram photos here. <3