Stacking the Shelves #18

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

I won an ARC of The Carrier of the Mark from Kelley @ Oh, The Books!

And then I also won the giveaway hosted by Faye, Rashika, and Aimee @ The Social Potato, and picked to receive All The Bright Places (which I am reading right now, no surprise)

So, I am currently back at college now, and happy to be back to my normal routine. And of course new classes and work and BEING PAID (to watch videos of babies). 

Since things are bound to get a little hectic, I've laid out a few rules for myself when it comes to blogging and also buying books. I'm planning to only read a set number of different blogs on the weekends, Tuesdays, and Thursdays nights. I've also been really good at scheduling posts for some reason, but that's not likely to continue because I see the huge piles of workload ahead of me and blah.

I'll do what I can. And hahahha, look at all those posts I haven't commented back on. Whoops. I WILL GET TO THAT.

Also, I have come up with a plan to buy one new 2015 release each month. This year, my goal is to keep up with the new releases that I want to read, because last year I did a HORRIBLE job of reading ANYTHING published in 2014. Haha yeah it was bad. But this year that will NOT happen. 

I think I can spare $10-20 a month on a book per month.

So yeah. THAT IS THAT. How was your week? 

I Mustache You A Question

So Kayla @ The Thousand Lives tagged me to answer a bunch of questions about myself, but instead in list form. And this tag itself is just hilarious because mustaches! (Though the questions have nothing to do with mustaches). But anyways, here goes!

Four names that people call me (other than my real name):
1. Val - Because my real name is Valerie, and people only call me that when they're mad at me, hahaha
2. Poop - Only my closest friends love to call me this :P
3. Squish - "Hello squish" is another popular greeting. But then again I call everyone this too.
4. Demon Child - Fun story behind this

Four jobs I have had:
1. Lab Research Assistant - Still have it. Yay babies and brains!
2. Volunteering at elementary schools - Kind of like tutoring them but they were kindergarteners
3. Stop&Shop - Worst job ever. Never again
4. Guinea Pig - I liked/like to get paid to participate in brain experiments

Four movies I would/have watched more than once:
1. Guardians of the Galaxy
2. KUNG FU PANDA - I can quote that entire movie, I've watched it 20 times
3. Wall-e
4. A Little Princess

Four books I’d recommend:
1. The Machine of Death by Ryan North
2. The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
3. Sabriel by Garth Nix
4. Still Alice by Lisa Genova - Movie is coming out!

Four places I have lived:
1. Chateauguay, QC in Canada (birthplace)
2. 30 minutes away from Boston, MA USA (parents)
3. Mercersburg, PA (high school)
4. Rochester, NY (college)

Four places I have been:
1. Canada - Yay relatives!
2. China - Yay relatives!
3. Germany
4. Chile

Four places I’d rather be right now:
1. In my warm bed - Because I am always so tired and blah AND THIS WEATHER IS KILLING ME
2. Hawaii :)
3. Walt Disney World
4. Just...somewhere warmer.

Four things I don’t eat:
1. Tomatoes
2. Mushrooms
3. Eggplant
4. Brussel Sprouts - Look at all these healthy foods!

Four of my favorite foods:
1. Popcorn - Especially from the movie theaters
2. Pasta with Alfredo
3. Pineapple - I still eat it even though I am slightly allergic
4. Bread

Four TV shows that I watch:
1. Psych
2. The 100 -  I am getting there. Season 1 episode 6. Yeah yeah I know.
3. Sherlock - The only show I am caught up on
4. Parenthood - Only because my roommate watches it and I basically know what's going on at this point.

Four things I am looking forward to this year:
1. BEA with Holly and Shannon
2. Hawaii during Spring Break with the parents
3. SUMMER - GET ME OUT OF THIS COLD
4. Spring classes - Yes I am a weirdo.

Four things I am always saying:
1. "You know?" - At the end of sentences
2. "It's such a squish~!" - Instead of "cute __"
3. "I see how it is."
4. "Ha"

Four people I tag:
1. Holly @ The Fox's Hideaway
2. Shannon @ It Starts at Midnight
3. Amber @ YA Indulgences
4. Nobody @ The Story Goes...

ARC Review: Suspicion

Suspicion by Alexandra Monir
Publisher: Delacorte Press
Release Date: December 9th, 2014
Source: Netgalley
Date Read: 1/9/15 to 1/9/15
368 Pages
Rating: ✰✰1/2

A modern-day twist on the classic thriller, Rebecca, with a dash of the supernatural, a powerful romance, and a deadly family mystery.

“There’s something hidden in the maze.”

Seventeen-year-old Imogen Rockford has never forgotten the last words her father said to her, before the blazing fire that consumed him, her mother, and the gardens of her family’s English country manor.

For seven years, images of her parents’ death have haunted Imogen’s dreams. In an effort to escape the past, she leaves Rockford Manor and moves to New York City with her new guardians. But some attachments prove impossible to shake—including her love for her handsome neighbor Sebastian Stanhope.

Then a life-altering letter arrives that forces Imogen to return to the manor in England, where she quickly learns that dark secrets lurk behind Rockford’s aristocratic exterior. At their center is Imogen herself—and Sebastian, the boy she never stopped loving.

Combining spine-tingling mystery, romance, and unforgettable characters, Suspicion is an action-packed thrill ride.

Goodreads | Amazon | B&N | Book Depository

I received Suspicion from NetGalley in exchange for an honest opinion.

Suspicion was, well, it was pretty bland for me. I understood the motivations of the characters and the mystery surrounding the whole Rockford Manor, but I honestly could not bring myself to care about any of it.

Suspicion starts with the Imogen Rockford, and her past with her parents. Although she moved to New York City, every summer her family visits the Rockford Manor because 1) it's theirs and 2) they're important or something. I'm not familiar with the roles of Dukes and Duchesses and the whole social hierarchy. All I know is that they are important.

Long story short, tragedy happens, Imogen is left without a family, and she moves back to New York City to live with her family's best friends/neighbors instead. Seven years passes, and she finds out that BAM, both her grandfather and cousin died so now she's the Duke and she's inherited the entire manor. So now she goes back to FIGURE OUT ALL THE MYSTERIES.

Imogen is nice enough, but I'm not exactly sure where her elemental powers come into play. Like why are they there in the first place? And then, her childhood, "romantic interest" is just "eh". First off, he was with her cousin, and second, does he even have a personality? For me, I use the five-finger rule, in other words, if a character does not have at least five characteristic traits by the end of the book, then they aren't well-developed. For Sebastian, his looks were mentioned a lot, and that was pretty much it. Oh and I guess he is good at polo. Ok then.

Have I mentioned that this is also a mystery? Ok. I thought the way everything played it was pretty clever, but unbelievable. I also didn't like how Imogen automatically assumed things without taking the time to investigate on her own. WOULD NANCY DREW DO THAT? No (I have been playing too many Nancy Drew games)

So yeah, Suspicion reminded me of a poorly made Nancy Drew game (especially with that "wrapping it up conclusion" epilogue at the end). Everything was also just telling rather than showing, which is what I think really brought the novel down with me. 

Top Ten Tuesday #39

Hosted by the Broke and the Bookish!

Top Ten 2014 Releases I Meant To Read, Buuut Didn't 

I ended up reading all 2013 releases instead though, so does that count for anything?

Dangerous Boys by Abigail Haas - I did read Dangerous Girls this year though, so I guess that does count for something. But yeah, because of that AMAZING story, I want to see what Dangerous Boys is about.

Words of Radiance by Brandon Sanderson - I didn't have the time to fit in another 1000 page read, even if it IS about Kaladin and Sarane (The Way of Kings), but I don't have the time for that! This year though, I will get to this.

Messenger of Fear by Michael Grant - I don't know why I really want to read this, except that it has to do with a messenger? I just think the topic and concept is cool.

Stolen Songbird by Danielle L. Jensen - Everyone was raving about it early last year and I just never got on the bandwagon because what did I know about blogging back then? (I still know nothing but that's okay). If I get the chance, maybe I'll pick it up this year.

Clariel by Garth Nix - I STILL NEED TO READ ABHORSEN, I AM DISAPPOINTED IN MYSELF.

The Winner's Curse by Marie Rutkoski - Just because The Winner's Crime is also coming out this year and I'm planning to buy it. I'm also buddy reading this with AMBER! And I think Holly as well but I've lost track.

The Deep End of the Sea by Heather Lyons - Also was supposed to read this but just never found it anywhere. 

We Were Liars by E Lockhart - I really want to read this for myself because I've heard both good and bad and I don't know. I'm not that motivated, but I just want to see what everyone is talking about.

Talon by Julie Kagawa - I really wanted to read this before it came out. Now? Not so much. But that doesn't mean I won't pick it up from the library or something.

Apple and Rain by Sarah Crossan - Again, I really wanted to read this because of good things, but I'm getting less and less motivated. Ah well. One day it will happen. 

What do you think? Are you being distracted too much by shiny, new 2015 releases? Because I am.

ARC Review: Golden Son

Golden Son by Pierce Brown
Red Rising Trilogy #2
Publisher: Del Rey (Random House)
Release Date: January 6th, 2015
Source: Netgalley
Date Read: 1/4/15 to 1/9/15
464 Pages
Rating: ✰✰✰✰✰

With shades of The Hunger Games, Ender’s Game, and Game of Thrones, debut author Pierce Brown’s genre-defying epic Red Rising hit the ground running and wasted no time becoming a sensation. Golden Son continues the stunning saga of Darrow, a rebel forged by tragedy, battling to lead his oppressed people to freedom from the overlords of a brutal elitist future built on lies. Now fully embedded among the Gold ruling class, Darrow continues his work to bring down Society from within. A life-or-death tale of vengeance with an unforgettable hero at its heart, Golden Son guarantees Pierce Brown’s continuing status as one of fiction’s most exciting new voices.

Goodreads | Amazon | B&N | Book Depository

Golden Son was given to me through NetGalley in exchange for an honest opinion. 

I am seriously not okay. NOT OKAY I TELL YOU. After reading Red Rising, I was eager to get on with Golden Son, and I was not disappointed with the amount of action and strategy put into this sequel. There are a number of ways that Golden Son triumphs over Red Rising, that I kind of regret giving Red Rising 5 stars in the first place, because I can't give a higher one to its sequel.

This review is spoiler-free. But feel free to skim if you haven't read the first book! 

Just keep in mind that Red Rising was action-packed, strategic, and you should check it out! My review of it is here.

So, in this second book, we follow Darrow as he becomes the son of the Arch-Emperor. I thought that the beginning of the book was slightly boring, because of the angst and lack of motivation from Darrow. The first part was him about to give up! IT WAS HORRIBLE. This is not the Darrow I know!

But thankfully he comes back to his senses, and there's this whole civil war brewing between the Golds, because of a plot against the Arch-Emperor. Of course, Darrow plays this well and uses it to his advantage, causing a full out invasion and recapture of Mars. Although I kind of skimmed most of the big battle because I had no idea what was going on, I could still understand the general idea what was happening.

One of the worst part of the book, however, was seeing friends slip away from Darrow, and either betray him, or die. THIS HAS GIVEN ME TRUST ISSUES. His friends suck, Golds suck, power is the only motivation here, and it's really sad to see. Let me get one thing straight. This book is incredibly intense, and you will not leave unscathed by it.

HAHA HAVE I MENTIONED THE WORST PART YET? IN WHICH MY FEELS TOTALLY COLLAPSE UPON THEMSELVES AND IMPLODE?

Well, it's the ending. I just can't believe that happened. Nope. I was prepared and I still was really sad and distressed and I am just not okay. No. Not okay.

I even had a dream where the ending was completely different and better things happened but then I woke up and it wasn't the case.

Overall, Golden Son met all my expectations. Even though the first part was hard to get into, the remaining made up for it BECAUSE WAR. I'm also really glad this was not a repeat of the first book. There is a completely different setting, additional characters, and also more character development. Sure, my feelings are in shatters. I cannot function anymore. I even read and finished another book to get over this but I can't. BUT I REGRET NOTHING. I experienced 100x more feels from Golden Son than Red Rising, and I am not recovering from it. I need the third book now.

Review: Blue Lily, Lily Blue

Blue Lily, Lily Blue by Maggie Stiefvater
The Raven Cycle #3
Publisher: Scholastic Press
Release Date: October 21st, 2014
Source: Netgalley
Date Read: 1/1/15 to 1/4/15
391 Pages
Rating: ✰✰✰✰✰

There is danger in dreaming. But there is even more danger in waking up.

Blue Sargent has found things. For the first time in her life, she has friends she can trust, a group to which she can belong. The Raven Boys have taken her in as one of their own. Their problems have become hers, and her problems have become theirs.

The trick with found things though, is how easily they can be lost.

Friends can betray.
Mothers can disappear.
Visions can mislead.
Certainties can unravel.

Goodreads | Amazon | B&N | Book Depository

“You can be just friends with people, you know," Orla said. "I think it's crazy how you're in love with all those raven boys."

Orla wasn't wrong, of course. But what she didn't realize about Blue and her boys was that they were all in love with one another. She was no less obsessed with them than they were with her, or one another, analyzing every conversation and gesture, drawing out every joke into a longer and longer running gag, spending each moment either with one another or thinking about when next they would be with one another. Blue was perfectly aware that it was possible to have a friendship that wasn't all-encompassing, that wasn't blinding, deafening, maddening, quickening. It was just that now that she'd had this kind, she didn't want the other.”

I think it's safe to say that at this point, I am utterly in love with this series, and its characters. I just read the third book so fast, and now I have to wait so long for the next book. Wait, is it the last book? I don't even want to know. But man, things sure did happen in this installment.

Read the Raven Cycle? Good for you have a cookie. Haven't started the series yet? SHAME. Just kidding, just skim or skip this review. I'm just letting you know this series is amazing, and if you haven't picked it up yet, then consider this your motivation!

As with the last two books, Blue Lily, Lily Blue was amazing. Stiefvater manages to develop her characters even further, which I thought wasn't even possible since it's the third book, but I don't even know why I doubted it. It really pains me to see this side of Ganesy though. I never really thought much of him throughout the first two books, but in this book, I really worry about his future. And basically everyone's future. I would love to ship Ganesy with Blue, but I feel like that would ruin the group of friends? Kind of? I REALLY NEED THE CONCLUSION TO THIS SERIES SO BADLY. Also Noah is mine.

And Adam! I thought he would never have the guts, but apparently I was wrong. I AM SO PROUD OF HIM.   

Also, I don't know if anyone has noticed, but the conversations between the characters are very genuine. They actually sound like conversations between a group of friends. I know some people are a little put off by the writing of this series, but I think it fits it perfectly well. I mean, you know sometimes I'm confused by what's going, but at this point I am so enamoured by Blue and her Raven Boys that I just don't even care what happens. I literally accept everything. Heck, even a flying dragon could come in and destroy half of Henrietta, but as long as Ganesy, Ronan, Adam, Blue and her family, and Noah are safe, then I don't care. 

I wish I had more words to say, but the shock of the last third of this book is still affecting me. First off, I wasn't even expecting that, and second NO THAT CANNOT HAPPEN, I just want everything to go back to normal, but I don't even understand why [spoiler] Persephone died? It was because she went between the mirrors right? BUT WHY DID SHE DO IT BY HERSELF. Gah it is so frustrating. Sure I didn't really "know" her but it hurts a bit. [end spoiler] So yes, there you have it. 

In conclusion, Blue Lily, Lily Blue was beautiful and emotional, and I just have so many questions that I HOPE are all answered in the next book. I need the next book. I NEED IT.

So, It Is My Birthday

It is my 21st birthday!

Yes, I am kind of "officially" an adult now, for real, even though I was an adult at 18? (Because of this, my mom is forcing me to take professional photos at the mall since I have hit another age milestone). I'm just going to let her have her photo, gah. But after that, I will be going to the Cheesecake Factory for yummies. I don't know if I will be ordering alcohol because I'll be going with my parents and that's just weird. I'll just wait til I get to school.

I'll probably be carded for the rest of my life, that's okay! Let the drinking begin! (Just kidding)

So, the second half of this amazing spectacular post is to answer some questions about myself. Meg @ Adrift on Vulcan tagged me in the Sisterhood of the World Bloggers Award, but since I already answered 40 questions on that, I'll be combining my answers to her questions along with my own so that you can learn more about me. 

(Basically, I didn't want this post to be just announcing my birthday, because I'm modest about these things. INSTEAD I WILL MAKE YOU LEARN ABOUT MY AWESOMENESS. HAHAHAHAHA)

Here are some wonderful facts about yours truly:

• In three words, I would describe myself as a shy, mischievous perfectionist

• I don't usually read book blurbs because I only judge a book by 1) its cover and 2) book blogger reviews. I love reading blurbs, but I just forget them by the time I pick up the book.

• How did I come up with The Innocent Smiley, you ask? My freshman year in high school, I bit my prefect on the shoulder for some reason (we were playing around I think), and from then on people just associated me with evil. Henceforth my nickname became "Demon Child". I also loved scaring my roommates with my plush bunnies. So that people don't know who I really am on the internet, I just switched my name to "Innocent Smiley". HA

• I wish that teleportation was real in the real world. Then I would never have to worry about transportation again.

• My favorite color is pink because I don't know. I mean, it's kind of obvious though isn't it?

• If I could have three books from the book gods right now, it would be 1) AN 8TH HARRY POTTER BOOK HAHA 2) An Ember in the Ashes and 3) A Darker Shade of Magic

• I'm sadly allergic to cats, but I'm still going to find a way to get one anyways. I'll just take allergy pills for the rest of my life.

• I would wear that dress from the cover of These Broken Stars, the one that Lilac is wearing. BECAUSE THAT GREEN COLOR!

• I LIKE BRAINS

• The one book I recommend to everyone is The Machine of Death. YOU SHOULD check it out and add it to your TBR. Or at the very least, read the blurb!

• And lastly, I love blogging about books, and I love this community. I know I say this a lot but it is true. And everything I say is true. So. There you have it.