Looking Foward to 2014: Resolutions!

Today is the last day of 2013, and I have to say I'm not exactly sorry to see this year go.
It has been a very tough year for me, emotionally the worst year of my life and I sure hope there won't come another to top this one.

Not everything has been bad, of course, and once again I was quite thankful to have my books to get me to weather the rough times. I have the best friends ever, but I am not good at sharing when I'm going through tough stuff. I will be trying to keep the best of 2013 in mind and try not to dwell on the bad.

I'm hoping 2014 will be better and I'm gonna be working on it. My main two resolutions for the new year are:

-  Smile more

- Love more

And in the book blogging side of resolutions... I have a pair too.

- Read more
- Enjoy what I read more

I've got myself into 4 challenges and I have a looooooooooong TBR pile but I'm determined to improve my reading to reviewing ratio, and I will allow myself to enjoy the book hangovers. The bf told me I needed to enjoy the books I read more and not just jump from one to another, and I intend to do just that, no matter how long my ARCs list is or how towering the TBR pile gets. I've always loved books and I will be sure I am enjoying them as much as I can.

Happy 2014!! Smile, Love, Read!

To end the year right, meet Dory! Nothing like puppy love!

Mark This Book Monday: ARC Review of Thor: The Viking God of Thunder by Graeme Davies!

Hello everyone! Happy Monday and Merry Xmas and Happy almost New Year! I will be making a post about my New Year resolutions & wishing you lot a very Happy New 2014!

For the first review of this Mark This Book Monday I'm having another ARC from NetGalley for review!


Thor: The Viking God of Thunder by Graeme Davis

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


I got the chance to review this book after being approved for it on NetGalley and it seemed like the Universe's answer to my wish to read more about Norse mythology.

This is a short enough book on 80 pages, but with enough content to explain to us the origins of the myths and when they were collected and by whom. We get some of the original texts translated and we also get others narrated in a more conventional modern speech.

A quick and very informative read, exactly what I needed and I know I will be looking for other books in the same series to brush up on my mythology knowledge! 4 stars!



View all my reviews

Showcase Sunday #19!!

Showcase Sunday is a weekly feature hosted by Vicky of Books, Biscuits, and Tea where all book lovers can share with others what bookish goodness we got this week, be it purchased (physical or eBook), won, gifted or for review!

I didn't get any books as gifts for Xmas, because here in Spain we give the gifts on Jan 6th, Twelfth Night, since our gifts are not brought by Santa but by the Three Magi.

But, I got myself a bunch of eBooks that were on sale on my Kindle app on Xmas day, and the next day two amazing surprises arrived for me in the mail!


Purchased (via Kindle app)

Given the Kindle sale, I took advantage of it to get the two first books in the Iron Fey series and the first book for the Read Discuss Repeat virtual book club!

The Iron King by Julie Kagawa

The Iron Daughter by Julie Kagawa

Into The Darkest Corner by Elizabeth Haynes

The Forgotten Ones by Laura Howard

All Truth That's In Me by Julie Berry

 Purchased (via The Book Depository)

 Quite a while back I preordered my copy of Unhinged by Anita G Howard and I was extremely lucky to for once get it even before release day! Truly a Xmas gift!

 Won (in a Giveaway from the author)

I was so immensely lucky to win a giveaway hosted by Jodi Meadows herself for an ARC copy of the final book in her trilogy, Infinite! And when it arrived in the post the day after Xmas I was beyond happy! I might have even done a lil happy dance! It's signed and it came with an epic amount of gorgeous swag! THANK YOU SO MUCH, JODI!!!

What all did you guys get this week? Any nice hauls as Xmas hauls?

Top 10 of 2013: Top 10 Books I'm Looking Forward In 2014!

This year I'm very happy to join in the Top 10 of 2013 week hosted by Rachel from Fiktshun, Jamie from Two Chicks On Books and Mindy from Magical Urban Fantasy Reads.

For the final day of the Top 10 of 2013 week, we're sharing the top 10 books we're looking forward to in 2014. I'm gonna be making two lists, one for books in a series, sequels & final books since I have quite a few of those coming, and another for standalones and first books in a new series.

Top 10 Books I'm Looking Forward in 2014 (Sequels of ongoing series) 

 This list is still cut short cause there are so so many books I'm looking forward to next year that are next on a series! Most of these are final books in trilogy, and I've also added the ones with a cover revealed already!

 

Top 10 Books I'm Looking Forward in 2014 (Standalones or First in a new series)

These ones are also a small example of some of the books I'm dying to read next year, also only the ones with a cover revealed so far!

And other books that deserve an honorable mention but that still don't have a cover revealed or in some cases not even an official title are:

- Star Thief by Jamie Grey

- Deliverance (Defiance #3) by C.J. Redwine

- Throne of Glass #3 by Sarah J Mass

- The Raven Cycle #3 by Maggie Stiefvater

- Penryn & The End of Days #3 by Susan Ee

Top 10 2013: Best Book Boyfriends of 2013!

This year I'm very happy to join in the Top 10 of 2013 week hosted by Rachel from Fiktshun, Jamie from Two Chicks On Books and Mindy from Magical Urban Fantasy Reads.

Today we're gonna be talking about all those swoon-worthy guys we love! To make it slightly easier the guys must be from book published in 2013 that we've read in 2013!


Best Book Boyfriends of 2013!

Perry from Through The Ever Night. - He's got confidence, he cares about his responsabilities and despite a bit of a rocky start he is ready to give up everything for Aria! Also, his relationship with his nephew melts my heart!

Sam from Asunder He's talented and he continues to support Anna and help her grow and encourages her in her love for music and despite some ill expressed concerns, he was the first one to never think less of Ann for being different.

Hector from The Bitter Kingdom - He's the captain of the guard, a strong ally, supportive and strong and not afraid to be with a Queen. Always there for Elisa, pushing her and encouraging her.

Raffe from World After - He's an angel and a powerful one, but he learns that even a wee human can kick some ass. He learns to respect Penryn and their banter is unique!

Tarver from These Broken Stars - Strong but always willing to help and motivate, with a hidden emotional side with poetry writing.

Logan from Deception - Logan's a geek, with a wonderful soft side, trying always his best at being a leader and helping Rachel as much as possible.

Kai from Sweet Peril - With his British slang and his naughty side, he's temptation itself, even more when you discover his romantic side!

Chaol from Crown of Midnight - Strong, loyal and very good at pushing Cealena to be the best she can be. Such amazing moments with them both!

Ry from The Chaos of Stars - With his description of stunning blue eyes, his slightly arrogant attitude and his not-taking-any-shit from Isadora, and his love of sharing food...

Vincent from If I Should Die - Chivalrous, romantic and ready to sacrifice anything for Kate, with a French accent and Paris to take you on a date... what's not to love!

Waiting on Wednesday #22!

Happy Holidays! Merry Xmas! Welcome to the Xmas Day edition of Waiting on Wednesday!
 

Waiting On Wednesday is a weekly feature hosted at Breaking The Spine  that spotlights those can't-wait-to-get-my-hands-on-them books that we are eagerly awaiting!


This book that I'm super excited about is Uninvited by Sophie Jordan!

Goodreads summary:


"The Scarlet Letter meets Minority Report in bestselling author Sophie Jordan's chilling new novel about a teenage girl who is ostracized when her genetic test proves she's destined to become a murderer.

When Davy Hamilton's tests come back positive for Homicidal Tendency Syndrome (HTS)-aka the kill gene-she loses everything. Her boyfriend ditches her, her parents are scared of her, and she can forget about her bright future at Juilliard. Davy doesn't feel any different, but genes don't lie. One day she will kill someone.

Only Sean, a fellow HTS carrier, can relate to her new life. Davy wants to trust him; maybe he's not as dangerous as he seems. Or maybe Davy is just as deadly.

The first in a two-book series, Uninvited tackles intriguing questions about free will, identity, and human nature. Steeped in New York Times bestselling author Sophie Jordan's trademark mix of gripping action and breathless romance, this suspenseful tale is perfect for fans of James Patterson, Michelle Hodkin, and Lisa McMann."
 


Why am I eagerly awaiting Uninvited by Sophie Jordan? Well, that cover draws you in, then you got that super interesting blurb that reminds me of Gattaca & Minority Report (your genes determine your life & catching killers before they kill) and if you add to that the two very raving reviews from Maja from The Nocturnal Library & Octavia from Read Sleep Repeat... I just can't wait to get my hands on this book!


What are you all (im)patiently awaiting this week?

Top 10 of 2013: Best Debuts of 2013!

This year I'm very happy to join in the Top 10 of 2013 week hosted by Rachel from Fiktshun, Jamie from Two Chicks On Books and Mindy from Magical Urban Fantasy Reads.

Today I'm gonna share my second part of favourite & best books of 2013, as I read quite a good amount of debut books, and so many of them were amazing and became instant favourites!

Best Debuts of 2013

I will be listing them in the order I've read them during the year.

Splintered by A.G. Howard

Some Quiet Place by Kelsey Sutton

The S-Word by Chelsea Pitcher

In The After by Demitria Lunetta

One by Leigh Ann Kopans

Acid by Emma Pass

Ultraviolet Catastrophe by Jamie Grey

Not A Drop To Drink by Mindy McGinnis

All Our Yesterdays by Cristin Terrill

Cracked by Eliza Crewe

And since the rules allow for a few honorable mentions I also want to add to this list:

Angelbound by  Christina Bauer.

Eyre House by Caitlin Green

Taken by Erin Bowman

The Nightmare Affair by Mindee Arnett

Poison by Bridget Zinn.