Debut Author Challenge: September Check-in

I've decided to do quarterly check-ins for the ONE challenge I'm doing this year.  The Debut Author Challenge is hosted by Jana from That Artsy Reader Girl.

My goal for 2016 is to read 12 debut books, and by the end of September I have read 9 out of 12 books.

After the Woods by Kim Savage

After surviving a kidnapping, Julia finally understands why she was taken.

The Killer in Me by Margot Harrison

Nina is connected to a serial killer.

Rebel of the Sands by Alwyn Hamilton

She’s more gunpowder than girl—and the fate of the desert lies in her hands.

How is your challenge coming along?

Update me in the comments below!

Movie Releases Oct-Dec 2016

As we get into fall and winter, there always seems to be some movies that I can't wait to see.  Today I'm highlighting my can't wait movies in October through December 2016.

The Girl on the Train

Release Date: October 7

A divorcee becomes entangled in a missing persons investigation that promises to send shockwaves throughout her life.

Trolls

Release Date: November 4

Poppy (Anna Kendrick), the optimistic leader of the trolls, and Branch (Justin Timberlake), her polar opposite, embark on an adventure that takes them far beyond the only world they've ever known.

Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them

Release Date: November 18

The adventures of writer Newt Scamander in New York's secret community of witches and wizards seventy years before Harry Potter reads his book in school.

Passengers

Release Date: December 21

A spacecraft traveling to a distant colony planet and transporting thousands of people has a malfunction in its sleep chambers. As a result, two passengers are awakened 90 years early.

What movies are on your radar?

Leave me a list or link in the comments.

Waiting on Wednesday: Journey's End

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted at Breaking the Spine, which shines a light on eagerly anticipated upcoming releases.  This week, my pick is:

Journey's End by Rachel Hawkins
Publisher: G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers
Date: October 25, 2016

"The town of Journey's End may not literally be at the end of the world, but it sure feels like it to Nolie Stanhope. Spending the summer with her scientist father in the tiny Scottish village isn't exactly Nolie's idea of a good time, but she soon finds a friend: native Journey's Ender Bel McKissick.

While Nolie's father came to Journey's End to study the Boundary--a mysterious fog bank offshore--Bel's family can’t afford to consider it a threat. The McKissick’s livelihood depends on the tourists drawn by legends of a curse. Still, whether you believe in magic or science, going into the Boundary means you'll never come back.

…Unless you do. Albert Etheridge, a boy who disappeared into the Boundary in 1914, suddenly returns--without having aged a day and with no memory of the past hundred years. Then the Boundary starts creeping closer to the town, threatening to consume everyone within.

While Nolie's father wants to have the village evacuated, Bel's parents lead the charge to stay in Journey's End. Meanwhile, Albert and the girls look for ways to stop the encroaching boundary, coming across an ancient Scottish spell that requires magic, a quest, and a sacrifice."

I love Rachel Hawkins' books so much.  Plus, I wanted to read more middle grade!

TTT: Books On My Fall TBR List

Top Ten Tuesday is a meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish.  This week's theme are the books that are on my Fall TBR list.  Here we go!

High Heat by Richard Castle

Probably the last book in the Nikki Heat series.

The Amateurs by Sara Shepard

Amateur detectives!  Right up my alley! 

Bad Blood by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

The last book in the Naturals series.  I can't wait to see how this series ends!

Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard: the Hammer of Thor by Rick Riordan

Looooove Rick Riordan!

Heartless by Marissa Meyer

I love anything and everything written by Marissa Meyer.  Can't wait to read this one! 

The Boy is Back by Meg Cabot

I love Meg Cabot!  I'm so glad she is releasing new stuff again.

The Sun is also a Star by Nicola Yoon

I enjoyed Everything, Everything written by Yoon, and this sounds like I'll like this one too.

Lock and Mori: Mind Games by Heather W. Petty

I'm loving all of the Holmes and Watson retellings lately!

Gemina by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff

Loved Illuminae!  I can't wait to see where the story takes us!

The Magnolia Story by Chip and Joanna Gaines

I have become obsessed with these two.  Fixer Upper is totally my jam.

What are you planning on reading this fall?

Leave your list or link in the comments!

Last Chance Rebel by Maisey Yates

Last Chance Rebel by Maisey Yates
Published by HQN Books in August 2016
Copper Ridge #6

"The man who ruined Rebecca Bear's life just strolled back into it with one heck of an offer. Years ago, Gage West's recklessness left Rebecca scarred inside and out. Now he wants to make amends by gifting her the building that houses her souvenir store. Rebecca won't take Gage's charity, but she's willing to make a deal with the sexy, reclusive cowboy. Yet keeping her enemy close is growing dangerously appealing…

He's the wild West brother, the bad seed of Copper Ridge. That's why Gage needs the absolution Rebecca offers. He just didn't expect to need her. After years of regretting his past, he knows where his future lies—with this strong, irresistible woman who could make a black sheep come home to stay…" -- From Goodreads

Will you like it?
I love any Copper Ridge novel!  The romances never seem too scripted, and it never seems like it's the same romance over and over.  If you like romances of any kind, then I would wholeheartedly recommend this series to you!

Disclosure: I borrowed this book from my local library.

Stacking the Shelves [1]

Stacking the Shelves is hosted by Tynga’s Reviews. It is a weekly meme to showcase the books we have bought, borrowed, received for review, or were given as a gift.  Here we go!

Library:

Last Chance Rebel by Maisey Yates

The May Queen Murders by Sarah Jude

Arrowood by Laura McHugh

For Magnus Chase: Hotel Valhalla, Guide to the Norse Gods by Rick Riordan

Purchased:

Empire of Storms by Sarah J. Maas

What are your new reads?

Royal Wedding Disaster by Meg Cabot

Royal Wedding Disaster by Meg Cabot
Published by Feiwel and Friends in May 2016
From the Notebooks of a Middle School Princess #2

"Olivia Grace Clarisse Mignonette Harrison still finds it hard to believe that she's a real live PRINCESS OF GENOVIA. Not only does she get to live in an actual palace with her newly discovered family and two fabulous poodles (who all love her and think that she's anything but ordinary!) but she also gets her very own PONY!

Of course, things aren't going exactly like she imagined. Her half-sister Mia is very busy learning how to take over the country while trying to plan a wedding and her father is actually getting remarried himself-to Mia's mother!-and spends most of his time "renovating" the summer palace, although Grandmere says he is just hiding from the wedding preparations. Olivia hardly gets to see either of them.

Fortunately, Grandmere has her own plans for Mia's wedding, and needs Olivia's help to pull them off. Just when Olivia starts to think that things are going to work out after all, the palace is invaded by a host of new cousins and other royals who all seem to be angry at Olivia (although Grandmere says they are just jealous).

As the day of the wedding gets closer and closer, Olivia becomes more and more worried. For such a carefully planned event, it seems like a LOT of things are going wrong... Can Olivia keep this royal wedding from becoming a royal disaster?" -- From Goodreads

Will you like it?
I have a special place in my heart for Meg Cabot and any books that feature Princess Mia.  This one did not disappoint!  I love watching Olivia stumble through her middle school years.  I am excited to continue this series, while getting to watch my favorite characters in the background.

Disclosure: I borrowed a copy of this book from my local library.

The Assassin Game Kirsty McKay

The Assassin Game by Kirsty McKay
Published by Sourcebooks Fire in August 2016

"At Cate's isolated boarding school, Killer is more than a game—it’s an elite secret society. Members must avoid being “Killed” during a series of thrilling pranks, and only the Game Master knows who the “Killer” is. When Cate’s finally invited to join the Assassins’ Guild, she know it’s her ticket to finally feeling like she belongs.

But when the game becomes all too real, the school threatens to shut it down. Cate will do anything to keep playing and save the Guild. But can she find the real assassin before she’s the next target?" -- From Goodreads

Will you like it?
I liked this book when I first started it, but then I put it down in favor of reading Empire of Storms.  I picked it back up almost two weeks later and didn't care about the characters or the plot anymore.  Character development felt unremarkable, and the entire story felt slow at times.  I finished the book only to find out who the actual killer was.  It was not someone I suspected, so that was what pushed my review from 2 to 3 stars.

Disclosure: I borrowed a copy of this book from my local library.

Discussion: Book Hangovers

I finished Empire of Storms by Sarah J. Maas last Friday night.  I'm currently writing this on Sunday night, and I have had no inkling of picking up another book to start.  It'll be interesting to see how long the book hangover lasts for this one (I may have been teary when I ended it).

I've been thinking a lot lately about the number of books I read and the time that I take between books.  

I think this introspection is coming from the fact that Empire of Storms left me a snotty mess, and from the fact that as my circumstances in life change, I find myself having less and less time to devote to reading.  I have to remind myself that it's okay.  Life is not about comparing the number of books I read to anyone else.  I read for me.

I try to always be reading something.  So that even if I don't have time to binge, I am slowly working towards my goal.

So who knows when I'll finally pick up another book to read.  And I'm okay with that.

How long do your book hangovers usually last?  Leave me a comment so that I know I'm not alone!

Waiting on Wednesday: The Boy Is Back

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted at Breaking the Spine, which shines a light on eagerly anticipated upcoming releases.  This week, my pick is:

The Boy Is Back by Meg Cabot
Publisher: William Morrow
Date: October 18, 2016
Boy Series #4

"Reed Stewart thought he’d left all his small-town troubles—including a broken heart—behind when he ditched tiny Bloomville, Indiana, a decade ago to get rich on the pro golf circuit. Then one tiny post on the Internet causes all of those troubles to return…with a vengeance.

Becky Flowers loves her small-town life, her small-town business, and especially the small-town wedding she’s planning. She hasn’t thought about her no good high school ex, Reed Stewart, in years. Until suddenly—thanks to a news story that goes viral on every gossip site on the Internet—Reed comes bursting back into her life like an Indiana summer twister.

Now everything Becky and Reed thought they knew about themselves (and one another) has been turned upside down, and they—and possibly the entire town of Bloomville—will never be the same, all because: The Boy is Back." -- From Goodreads

Meg Cabot is writing another Boy book!  Be still my rapidly beating heart!!  I loved her Princess Mia book last year, and I'm so excited for her to be writing again.

TTT: 10 Audios You Must Listen To Now

Top Ten Tuesday is a meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish.  This week's theme are the 10 audiobooks you must listen to now!  Here we go!

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by J.K. Rowling

Narrated by Jim Dale

The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan

Narrated by Jesse Berenstein

Percy Jackson's Greek Heroes by Rick Riordan

Narrated by Jesse Berenstein 

The Princess Diaries by Meg Cabot

Narrated by Anne Hathaway

The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie by Alan Bradley

Narrated by Jayne Entwistle 

Cinder by Marissa Meyer

Narrated by Rebecca Soler

Delirium by Lauren Oliver

Read by Sarah Drew

The Heist by Janet Evanovich and Lee Goldberg

Read by Scott Brick

Tricky Twenty-Two by Janet Evanovich

Narrated by Lorelei King

Lady Midnight by Cassandra Clare

Narrated by Morena Baccarin

What are your favorites audiobooks?

Leave me a list or link in the comments!

Empire of Storms by Sarah J. Maas

Empire of Storms by Sarah J. Maas
Published by Bloomsbury USA Childrens in September 2016
Throne of Glass #5

"The long path to the throne has only just begun for Aelin Galathynius. Loyalties have been broken and bought, friends have been lost and gained, and those who possess magic find themselves at odds with those don't.

As the kingdoms of Erilea fracture around her, enemies must become allies if Aelin is to keep those she loves from falling to the dark forces poised to claim her world. With war looming on all horizons, the only chance for salvation lies in a desperate quest that may mark the end of everything Aelin holds dear." -- From Goodreads

Will you like it?
Do you ever have those series that you just can't string words together to explain how much you love it?  This series has become that after this book.  I just sat with tears shining in my eyes.  I love how much character development there was with everyone in this book.  Aelin is not just fighting by herself anymore.  She is fighting with friends and family, and it is awesome.  Now to wait a WHOLE YEAR for the next book.  You'll find me over in the corner rocking back and forth.

Disclosure: I bought my own copy.

An Author's Odyssey by Chris Colfer

An Author's Odyssey by Chris Colfer
Published by Little, Brown Books for Young Readers in July 2016
Land of Stories #5

"When the twins and their friends enter worlds crafted from Conner's imagination, finding allies no one else could have ever dreamed of, the race begins to put an end to the Masked Man's reign of terror. Can the twins finally restore peace in the fairy tale world?" -- From Goodreads

Will you like it?
This entire book was dedicated to massing an army.  It was entertaining to go into all of Conner's stories.  However, it really didn't advance the plot.  Either way, I love the setting and the characters of this series.  I can't wait to read the next one!

Disclosure: I borrowed the audiobook from my local library.

Percy Jackson's Greek Heroes by Rick Riordan

Percy Jackson's Greek Heroes by Rick Riordan
Published by Disney- Hyperion in August 2015

"Who cut off Medusa's head? Who was raised by a she-bear? Who tamed Pegasus? It takes a demigod to know, and Percy Jackson can fill you in on the all the daring deeds of Perseus, Atalanta, Bellerophon, and the rest of the major Greek heroes. Told in the funny, irreverent style readers have come to expect from Percy, ( I've had some bad experiences in my time, but the heroes I'm going to tell you about were the original old school hard luck cases. They boldly screwed up where no one had screwed up before. . .) and enhanced with vibrant artwork by Caldecott Honoree John Rocco, this story collection will become the new must-have classic for Rick Riordan's legions of devoted fans--and for anyone who needs a hero. So get your flaming spear. Put on your lion skin cape. Polish your shield and make sure you've got arrows in your quiver. We're going back about four thousand years to decapitate monsters, save some kingdoms, shoot a few gods in the butt, raid the Underworld, and steal loot from evil people. Then, for dessert, we'll die painful tragic deaths. Ready? Sweet. Let's do this." -- From Goodreads

Will you like it?
If you have liked Riordan's other books, you will definitely like this one.  This one delves into the backstories of all of the tragic Greek heroes.  It's highly entertaining and helpful if you ever want to win Jeopardy!

Disclosure: I borrowed the audiobook from my local public library.

Waiting on Wednesday: Gemina

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted at Breaking the Spine, which shines a light on eagerly anticipated upcoming releases.  This week, my pick is:

Gemina by Amie Kaufman & Jay Kristoff
Publisher: Knopf Books for Young Readers
Date: October 18, 2016
The Illuminae Files #2

"Moving to a space station at the edge of the galaxy was always going to be the death of Hanna’s social life. Nobody said it might actually get her killed.  Hanna is the station captain’s pampered daughter; Nik the reluctant member of a notorious crime family. But while the pair are struggling with the realities of life aboard the galaxy’s most boring space station, little do they know that Kady Grant and the Hypatia are headed right toward Heimdall, carrying news of the Kerenza invasion.

When an elite BeiTech strike team invades the station, Hanna and Nik are thrown together to defend their home. But alien predators are picking off the station residents one by one, and a malfunction in the station’s wormhole means the space-time continuum might be ripped in two before dinner. Soon Hanna and Nik aren’t just fighting for their own survival; the fate of everyone on the Hypatia—and possibly the known universe—is in their hands."  -- From Goodreads

I loved book one, and can't wait to jump back into this world!