Angela's April Wrap-Up

Dragonfly in Amber- Diana Gabaldon

Angela: Asgard's Assassin- Kieron Gillen
I'll Meet You There- Heather Demetrios
Too Late- Colleen Hoover
172 Hours on the Moon- Johan Harstad
Nerve- Jeanne Ryan
Harley Quinn & Her Band of Harley's- Jimmy Palmiotti
Kindred Spirits- Rainbow Rowell
A Court of Thorns and Roses- Sarah J. Maas (re-read)

April was basically a month where I said "I'm going to read so much and crush it this month!", and then decided to do the exact opposite. I have been dragging me feet the entire time! I think I've fallen hard into a reading slump... Which freaking sucks because I know my May reading will also be lagging because we'll be spending a week in Chicago. I really need to pick up my feet and get going, but at the same time sometimes you just have to embrace the suck and wait it out. And of course binge watch Netflix.

On that note I'll get into my favorites and least favorites of April.

Favorites: Dragonfly in Amber, I'll Meet You There, Too Late, and A Court of Thorns and Roses. I decided to listen to Dragonfly in Amber on audio book this month, clearly because the second season of Outlander is starting, and how could I not! Such a brilliant idea too! Broke my freaking heart! I can't get enough Jamie Fraser, but this series has me so stressed out. Can't wait to see how closely the show follows. I'll Meet You There was a book I'd heard nothing but stellar things about, and God I love when reviews and recommendations end up being right! I'm not a contemporary fan, but this book really got to me. It was funny, deep, and the perfect amount of romance. Oh and can we please talk about how amazing the cover is!!! Too Late is the newest book by Colleen Hoover and if up on WattPad to read for free. I think the reason I liked this book so much was because it is so different from what CoHo usually does. It was a lot darker and a bit more fast paced than what I am use to from her. Lastly, ACOTAR. This was a re-read for me but with the second book in the series coming out the first week of May I knew I needed a fresh. So freaking happy I picked it up again. There were so many little things I had forgotten and now I'm counting down the days until I have my hands on Mist and Fury!

Fails: Even though I thought I was going to have so many fails this one I only have one, Nerve. I couldn't freaking stand this book. I picked it up because it's becoming a movie later on this year with Emma Roberts and Dave Franco. These are two actors I really enjoy so I figured I'd knock this one out before I went to see the film... This usually is a good idea, but in this case I kind of wish I wouldn't have read it at all. The lead female in this book was one of the most annoying protagonist I've ever experienced. Hoping that the film will take the book in a more daring route. I would say if you're looking for a book similar just pick up Panic by Lauren Oliver.

Well that's all as far as my April reading goes that's it. I did mention that well be in Chicago for a week in may, and that's because well be going to both BEA and to Bookcon this year! Were both so excited about it, and it might be the reason that I've been so slumpy lately. I'm already in vacation mode! Oh we are also finally going to get to meet Rick Yancey this month too, which is a dream come true.

I thought that at the end of these I might start just letting yall know what I'm currently reading. I usually am only reading one maybe two books at a time. but figured some might wanna know what I'm juggling right now. Going into May I'm currently reading The Rose and the Dagger,  The Winner's Kiss, and Lady Midnight.

That's it for April
-Angela

Too Late by Colleen Hoover

Sloan will do anything to provide for her little brother, and she does. Forced to remain in a relationship with dangerous Asa Jackson, Sloan feels like she's trapped and living in hell. She knows she can get through it though and nothing will stand in her way.

"and that's where love finds you... in the tragedies."  

Colleen Hoover has finally finished Too Late and the complete story is up on Wattpad. I’ve been waiting for what felt like forever to finally get to read the whole thing. After she posted a sneak peek of the first few chapters awhile back I knew I would have to get my hands on it once it was done. Last night I sat down and read the whole thing in one sitting because I couldn’t put it down.

I’m really excited about the upcoming release of Coho’s new book It Ends with Us because I hear it’s from three point-off-views. I’ve never read a Coho book where she has done three perspectives before, so when Too Late ended up having it I was really excited. Felt like it gave me a little taste of what’s to come with IEWU. Too Late follows Sloan, Carter, and Asa. Sloan is a very smart, determined, and quick witted character. She wants a life far better than what she has been given and will do anything to obtain it. She’s working so hard not just to take care of herself, but to take care of her brother as well. Carter (Luke) is so compassionate, intelligent, and for sure swoon-worthy. Almost right away we find out that he is basically pulling a 21 Jump Street and is undercover attending college to investigate some drug deals going on… You can probably see where this is headed. Asa; the drug dealer brooding bad boy, and Sloan’s boyfriend. God I loved how dark Colleen took his character.  Actually she takes the book (in my opinion) a lot darker than she usually does, and again liked that she stepped outside of what she usually does. I loved hearing Sloan’s torn thoughts, Carters sweet positions, and Asa’s crazy.

It’s pretty clear that since there are three povs that there will be a bit of a love triangle… I will say that there both is and isn’t one. It’s also crystal what side Collen wants you to fall on, and that’s Carter’s. Trust me when I say it’ll be almost impossible not to. The relationship between the two is so cute. They have this little sentence game they play together and at first I think it was kind of cheesy, but once I figured out the meaning behind it my heart shattered. Also the first time the two meet it had me blushing and laughing so hard!

Since this isn’t a long novel there won’t be a lot plot wise I can discuss because of spoilers… but what I can say, besides being a bit darker, is that it is action packed and suspenseful. You never know what is going to happen next. Colleen manages to keep up on the edge of our seats all while giving us her classic romcom style writing. Too Late’s plot just keeps building and building, of course leading up to the big Coho twist we all know will happen… and when it happens…

I was so floored… completely thought things were headed in a different direction! I remember screaming “Holy Jesus what just happened!?”… Things just get insane! Love it too! After reading that last chapter I knew that this wouldn’t be long enough. Oh, and where the F is my epilogue!??

I had a blast reading Too Late even though it gave me the worst anxiety ever.

10/10 Stars
-Angela

Nerve by Jeanne Ryan

"A high-stakes online game of dares turns deadly When Vee is picked to be a player in NERVE, an anonymous game of dares broadcast live online, she discovers that the game knows her." -Goodreads Synopsis

I read Nerve for two reason and two reasons only: The cover, because it's oddly beautiful, and because it's becoming a movie with Emma Roberts and Dave Franco. I really like them both so I wanted to pick this up before September when it's set to be release. That being said I don't know if it was worth it. Nerve got on my last one. It was so freaking boring! This book is about a live action truth or dare game (without the truth part), where teens can sign up and the more "extreme" the dares the better the prizes.

First off I had absolutely no connection to either one of our leads. Vee is one of the most annoying female protagonist I've ever encountered. She's not only annoying she's also both childish and whiny. There wasn't anything she couldn't find a reason to complain about. She drags on and complains about her home life, school life, friends, boys, and mostly the game SHE SIGNED UP FOR! I also struggled connecting with her because of her reason for signing up for the game was so slack, a freaking boy. Like come on?!? Seriously? Then she gets into the game and is the biggest baby ever about it. The preliminary dares are so easy that I found it very hard to believe anyone would be so torn up about it. Like one of them she has to walk into a coffee shop, convince a guy to buy her coffee, close her eyes, and sing 99 bottles, and then she cries. Why? Why are you crying?! I just don't understand. She cries most of the dares and a lot of them are just simple things like that. I also found the prizes she requested and that the game would give dumb and unbelievable. Plus her constant act of screaming at the cameras "someone call 911" drove me insane. When the Nerve screen says "time to shut it Vee" I about died laughing, because it was exactly how I felt too.

Oh, and the other thing she kept doing that worked me was when she would ask "omg how does this game know so much about me? Did they ask all my friends or something?" no hooker, they looked it up on your stupid facebook site thingy!!! How dumb can you be? You post your whole life on it. How did you not know? On top of all this Vee is constantly in the state of being grounded and all her "friends" think it's because of her grades, but her best friend knows it's for something else... When we find out why all I could think is "why the F would your parents ground you for this!!! what terrible parenting!". There's a million other ways to handle a situation like this and grounding isn't one of them.  Ugh.

Now on to Ian. He turns out to be Vee's live rounds partner. Ian is supposed to be this mysterious-edgy-dreamy-good bad boy, and I just didn't buy into it. Plus his "bad" background story is never fully answered. That lack of Ian information made me laugh at the thought of these two being romantic interest. They're romance wasn't at all convincing. It's kind of hard to explain, but it's just not believable. When they would be all cutesy with one another I just didn't fall for it. It's kind of like they were both there so why not just make them be together. No real reason for it, just because. I would have been happier if they were just teammates and weren't thrown into being something more. As far as side characters, well they were awful. I never in a thousand years would think that teens would be this nasty and vile to each other. Maybe one, but several, nah. I hated how her "friends" were also so conveniently thrown into the mix. Why not Ian's friends? Why not any of the other players? I was also a bit sad when there wasn't a single side character I could even kind of like. I live for side characters and it's clear they can make or break and story, these broke it.

Nerve's plot promised us a fast paced, action packed book for fans of The Hunger Games... Really tired of books not like The Hunger Games being compared to the The Hunger Games. When Nerve started with an action packed cliff hanging prologue I was really excited to get answers for what the heck was happening... Gonna warn you after you're done with the book it'll hit you that the prologue was pointless and is never answered (or did I miss something when I dozed off for a few minutes?). After the odd boring start to the book I had hopes that things would pick up, but once the dares started and we see what they are I lost all faith. The dares are one boring event after another. I was hoping things would get crazy and would be more off the wall events like Lauren Oliver's Panic, but nope.

At one point when one of the dares actually starts getting insane, and there starts to be a lot of build up, and the suspense is finally happening... it just drops off and the payoff is just this messy sloppy thrown together ending. And God is this ending so unsatisfying.

I didn't have high expectations going into Nerve, but I was still hoping to get something... turns out I just gave it a bunch of time and got nothing in return.

1/10 Stars
-Angela

I'll Meet You There by Heather Demetrios

Skylar has to get out of her small town before she becomes like so many before her... Living in a double-wide trailer working double shift at fast food restaurants with a baby on her hip. She just has to make it through this summer. Josh had the same idea about getting out of this small town and saw the marines as a way out. Now after an injury he is back home and has no clue what to do with himself.

"It gave me hope: if you could make a beautiful piece of art from discarded newspapers and old matchbooks, then it meant that everything had potential. And maybe people were like collages- no matter how broken or useless we felt, we were an essential part of the whole. We mattered."

If you follow any of my reviews then you know that I am both picky and hard review wise on contemporary novels. I don't usually enjoy them, but when I'm in the mood for them I'm very choosey about what I select. I've been hearing such rave reviews about I'll Meet You There so I figured I'd see what all the hype was about. I'm so glad I did! IMYT is a sweet, heart warming tale about Josh and Skylar, whose world's collide after she just finishes graduating high school.

When it came to our two main characters Heather did an amazing job giving them both very different, distinctive, and interesting voices. Skylar isn't super outgoing, but at the same time isn't shy. She has this light humor about her that gives her such ease throughout the story. She has just graduated high school and is on the edge of her seat about leaving her run-down small town. She is set up to go to an art school in San Francisco and is counting down the days until she will get there. She is currently working her part time job at the Paradise Motel until college starts. This is how she knows Josh, our other lead. The two in previous years have spent time working together at the motel and have always been friendly with one another, but never serious friends. Josh however graduated high school the year before her, and like many others in the town, left and joined the marines. While out serving overseas he is injured, losses a leg, and winds up back in Creek View working as the motel's handy man. Before leaving he was your typical cocky jerk high school guy. All about cracking jokes, going to parties, and getting girls. Now that he has arrived back he just doesn't see the world the same anymore. He isn't the laid back brat he once was. He has matured a lot and is seeing things in a whole new light. These two characters managed to be very similar in their struggles while both facing very different issues. I think that even if this book wouldn't have taken the characters down a romantic journey (it does) it would have still held up just fine. I really think that says a lot about both the writing and the plot.

My absolute favorite thing about IMYT is the friendship between Skylar and her two best friends, Chris and Dylan. All the characters in this book felt so authentic, but these three together were flawless. I think the reason I thought they were so perfect is because they weren't perfect people. First off I love that they were all so different, but wasn't the type of different where they felt like they were forced friends. I actually felt like these three people would hang out with one another (if you're an avid reader than you know what I'm trying to get at). Chris is this math "nerd" who is about to attend college in Boston and Dylan is a saucy teen mom who works a the local restaurant. The three fit so well together. The second thing that I loved is that Heather didn't make Chris secretly in love with Skylar. I loved that she had the two hanging out, going places, ad experiencing things together all while just being friends. I couldn't get enough of the moments when it was Chis and Skylar just hanging out. Having everything from secret eye conversations to the pact that they formed, it was just great. There's one scene in the book where all three of them are in the car and get into a fight, and it just felt so real. It's an argument I could easily see so many people having, and it plays out just how it would in real life.

The setting of this story was another huge plus. It felt like it started becoming its own person. This living breathing thing. The motel really feels like it becomes this own private secret hide out for Skylar and Josh. Even the quirky rundown town has this certain warm feeling and really sets the mood for this book. I liked that there were so many little places for these characters to go, and it gives the story a little something extra. That all mixed with a smooth running solid plot that isn't overshadowed by one certain aspect made this novel a knock out read. The message, romance, and plot completely sold me.

Knowing all the hard work, research, and time that went into this book really shows. This is a simple book that found it's own way to stand out. It's a book with a slower pacing, that manages to never be boring. A book with a beautiful message that is never blocked out and will hit you in the heart. You would think with a book that weighs so heavily on being character driven that it would miss a beat on other aspect, and it just doesn't. I'll Meet You there definitely pulled on my heart strings and wont be a book I easily forget.

When We Met

"When four girls decide to live off campus together as juniors at a college in Michigan, they expect it to be their best year yet. Little do they know, it’s a year that will change the rest of their lives." -Goodreads

Behind Her Eyes by A.L. Jackson

Misha struggles to get over an awful incidence with her ex boyfriend. She becomes withdrawn from everything around her. She just wants to get her life back on track. When she meets her stubborn neighbor Darryn she knows things are never going to be like they were before. Behind Her Eyes started off great. Darryn was probably one of my favorite males of all four stories. Misha however was a bit of a problem for me. Something about her just didn't click well with me. I don't mind "weaker" people but I found her to be a little unbelievable. I actually found the whole thing with her ex a little over the top and made it hard for me to fully into the story. Darryn is such a sweet leading male character and I enjoyed his pov over Misha's. The romance between Darryn and Misha is definitely the highlight of the story.

4/10 Stars

Saving Me by Molly McAdams
Indy is slowly self-destructing. Going from one low to the next. Kier has a weekly routine of saving the girl next door. Indy however can't seem to remember who Kier is. This is another story that started off really strong then slowly got a little "unrealistic". Indy was comical and I liked that Kier wasn't typical. He isn't like a lot of other NA guys. He is quite, and more reserved. The way these two are introduced was adorable but when the twist happened the story went downhill for me.

5.5/10 Stars

Fouling Out by Tiffany King

Courtney is use to dodging passes from jocks who frequent the sports bar she works at. However when her childhood best friends appears in and tries to ask her out she doesn't know what to do. Dalton will have to prove he isn't the person others think he is to win her heart. This is in my opinion where the novel starts getting good. The first two stories were just ok, but I really enjoyed Fouling out. Courtney and Dalton's relationship is adorable. Courtney is hilarious and Dalton matches her so well. The little dare and the quite dates left me wanting more. This was the first time while reading this book that I actually was sad when it ended and wanted more.

9/10 Stars

Beneath Your Layers by Christina Lee

Chloe a fashion college student has the biggest final of her life coming up. To pass her internship she must team up with Blake. Blake, a college drop out turned construction worker, only sees Chloe as a well dressed snob. When they start spending time together they start to realize that the two might have more in common than they ever thought. This was my favorite story in the entire bind-up. I wanted this to be a full story. I liked the idea that Blake wasn't in college and really didn't have any links to the other characters in the book. Plus he sounds stunning and super sweet. Chloe was charming, witty, and I couldn't get enough of her.  Blake was fresh and brought something new to New Adult. And the two together was phenomenal. The romance is steamy and the dates are fun. I really do wish this was a series. I wish we could have gotten more of their back stories and way more time with these two. I could take two hundred more pages of this any day.

10/10 Stars

I hear there are going to be more bind-ups like this in the future, and I really look forward to it.

Overall I would give this book

7/10 Stars
-Angela

Favorite First Part Two

Sometimes all it takes is a killer opening line or paragraph to get you hooked on a book; and so we're giving you some of our favorites.  
For part one just click here. 

"The air in the room tastes sterile. The lingering scent of bleach is mixing with the fresh white paint on the walls, and I wish my teacher would open the window to let in a breeze. But we're on the third floor so the pane is sealed shut-just in case anyone gets the urge to jump." -The Program by Suzanne Young

"'Just breathe, my mother would say. Ten tiny breaths... Seize them. Feel them. Love them." -Ten Tiny Breaths by K.A Tucker

“Once upon a time, an angel and a devil fell in love. It did not end well.” -Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor

"It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair, we had everything before us, we had nothing before us, we were all going direct to Heaven, we were all going direct the other way." -A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens 

"When I stepped out into the bright sunlight, from the darkness of the movie house, I had only two things on my mind: Paul Newman and a ride home." -The Outsiders by  S.E Hinton 

"I would have lived in peace. But my enemies brought me war." -Red Rising by Peirce Brown 

"There used to be more of us. I'm certain of this. Not enough to fill a sports stadium or even a movie theater, but certainly more than what's left today. Truth is, I don't think there's any of us left. Except me. It's what happens when you're a delicacy. When you're craved. You go extinct." -The Hunt by Andrew Fukuda 

"My first memory of James is what keeps me here, smoothing hair out of a boy's blood-spattered face. The sirens screaming in the distance are too late. They're always too late. Forehead pressed to his, I choke on the burnt stench of gunpowder and try to hum the lullaby James used to sing to me. You are my sunshine my only sunshine... James is why I never left. I should have left." -Flawed by Kate Avelynn 


"There was a demon in McDonald's. And it had a powerful hunger for Big Macs. Most days, I loved my after-school job. Tagging the soulless and the damned usually gave me a mad case of the warm fuzzies. I'd even given myself a quota out of boredom, but tonight was different. I had a paper to outline for AP English." -White Hot Kiss by Jennifer L. Armentrout 

"Risking my life to steal an orange was a stupid thing to do, but today of all days, I didn't care about the consequences. If I were lucky, the Shields would throw me to the ground and put a bullet in my brain. Dead at seventeen would be a relief." -Pawn by Aimee Carter 

"You think it's easy to change yourself. You think it's so easy, but it's not. What do you think it takes to reinvent yourself as an all-new person, a person who makes sense, who belongs? Do you change your clothes, your hair, your face? Go on, then. Do it. Pierce your ears, trim your bangs, buy a new purse. They will still see past that, see you, the girl who is still too scared, still too smart for her own good, still a beat behind, still, always, wrong. Change all you want; you can't change that." -This Song Will Save Your Life by Leila Sales 

"Late in the winter of my seventeenth year, my mother decided I was depressed, presumably because I rarely left the house, spent quite a lot of time in bed, read the same book over and over, ate infrequently, and devoted quite a bit of my abundant free time thinking about death." -The Fault in Our Stars by John Green 

"They say that just before you die your whole life flashes before your eyes, but that’s not how it happened for me." -Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver 

"The way I figure it, everyone gets a miracle." -Paper Towns by John Green

Angela's Spring Favorites

It's that time again! My seasonal favorites list is here. I love doing this post because I don't just get to talk books, I also talk movies, television, and events. These are the things that made my spring. This will be covering my favorites from the beginning of January to the end of March.

Top Spring Reads:

These are my favorite reading picks of the spring. They’re books I gave perfect ratings to on both goodreads and on our blog. This list will only include new fresh reads for me and no re-reads. (this list is in no particular order.)

A House in the Sky by Amanda Lindhout- Amanda was kidnapped and held for ransom for 460 days in Somalia. While there she was beaten, tortured, starved, and raped. This beautiful memoir recounts her time spent being held hostage. This would hands-down be my top pick and will probably be one of my favorites this year. I would recommend this to anyone.

The Assassin’s Blade by Sarah J. Maas- This is a bind-up of novellas for the Throne of Glass Series. These stories are the perfect introduction to the series and were a reminder of why I love these books and Sarah’s writing so much. This bind-up follows Celaena Sardothien as she becomes the world’s most feared assassin and how she ultimately ends up in Endovier, a salt mine prison.

Killing Sarai by JA Redmerski- This Savage style book is about Sarai a young woman who seeks help from a mysterious man to escape being held hostage from a drug lord. I have no clue why I liked this book so much. This is usually something I would tear apart, but for some reason I ate it up.

Wicked Sexy Liar by Christina Lauren- My favorites list wouldn’t be complete without a Christina Lauren book. London and Luke meet under tricky circumstances and things only getting trickier as they get further into a relationship. This book is funny, cute, and hilarious. Christina Lauren always bring something new and fun to NA romance and they did it again in this novel.

The Score by Elle Kenney- Allie is trying to recover from a broken heart when she has a one-night stand with Dean. The man-whore hockey star who seems to have everything together. When these two start an unlikely relationship they will have to learn how to love and grow together.

Never Stop Falling by Ashley Drew- Cori and Nick grew up being best friends, but after some shocking news the two end up apart. This second chance romance and debut novel had everything I wanted in a NA read. Plus it's cover is stunning. 

Before We Were Strangers by Renee Carlino- Matt and Grace meet when they both start college and are staying in the same dorm. Grace is a mess while Matt knows what he wants in life. When life starts taking over and the two part it seems unlikely that they will ever see each other again. That is until one-day Matt sees Grace on a passing train. This novel had me balling, laughing, and falling in love with their love.

Favorite Spring Movies:

The 5^th Wave. Aliens have landed on earth and have started taking out the planet in stages. They only made one mistake and that was not killing Cassie Sullivan when they had the chance. Now she’s out for revenge and to save her brother. Even though critics have been harsh on this movie I absolutely loved this book to film adaptation. Before the movie was even casted I wanted Chloe Grace to play Cassie, and she wasn’t the only perfect casting pick either. Alex Roe as Evan Walker and Nick Robinson as Zombie both knocked it out of the park. Can't wait to buy this when it comes out.

Deadpool- Of course Deadpool is on this list! Unless you’ve been living in a hole then you know why it’s on here. Ryan Reynolds has redeemed himself when it comes to super hero movies! He is allowed to stay. Basically Deadpool gets cancers-goes in for experiment testing-things get messed up- and bam he's out for revenge. This movie was action-packed, hilarious, casted perfectly, and was the perfect viewing length. I hope they make 17 more of these.

Favorite Spring TV Shows:

Outlander Season 1- Good God were has this show been all my life!! Jamie and Claire SWOON! I can’t remember the last time I loved a show so much. Claire ends up accidently going back in time and winds up in Scotland. This is where she meets rebel and outlaw Jamie Fraser. This show is everything! There’s so much suspense and pain and ugh it’s just terrific. This isn't just one of my favorite shows of the spring, it’s become one of my favorite shows ever. AND the new season starts tonight!!!!! I just can’t! This show gives me all the feels... ALL OF THEM!!! This is a must watch for fans of the book or of the Game of Thrones franchise.  

The Walking Dead Season 6-  Everyone in the world is watching this show. It’s TV crack, and after so many years we’ve all become so attached to these characters. If for some reason you don’t know this show follows a group of people after a zombie outbreak has occurred. This season had us on pins and needles. I know I might be one of the few, but I absolutely loved the ending! Just think how amazing and how freaking crazy the start of the next will be. I need more Neegan!  

Love Season 1- This new Netflix original is about how awkward relationship, especially unexpected ones, can really get.  Even though I think the start of this series was a little bit stronger than the ending I still found myself constantly laughing and binge watching it non-stop.

Favorite Spring Music:

Hamilton- If you follow me on anything than you know how OBSESSED I am with Hamilton. This musical follows the life of Alexander Hamilton… I know, I know sounds crazy but I swear it amazing. Everything about this musical is important right down to its casting. I haven’t stopped listening to this since February. The only time this has left my CD player is if I am changing to disk two. If you haven’t had a chance to listen than you’re really missing out. PICK IT UP!

Hailee Steinfeld- She’s made my list before but this time she’s on it for a completely different reason… She has done the most stunning cover of James Bay’s Let It Go. She has a very interesting sound, and I think as an artist she’s still figuring out her sound, but this cover really showcases voice. Look it up on youtube if you haven’t heard it yet.

Favorite Spring Event:

Apollycon 2016- This is still a newer book event, but with it being held in Georgia we decided to pack our bags and give it a go. We were so happy we did too! This event was probably one of the most successful ones we’ve ever been to. We signed up for VIR tickets which gave us access to enter the event an hour early… this was awesome! It gave us enough time to see every single author we had planned on, and then some. Also we were never rushed or in a hurry to get from one location to another. All the authors are in one area signing at the same time. We loved the fact that we didn’t have to rush our time with the authors either. We had time to talk to each one and the authors didn’t seem in a rush either. We also got to go to an after party were all got to eat, be part of giveaways, and mingle with the authors from the event. Also the food there was so yummy! I don't know who picked it all out, but high five because you crushed it. 

This event was so much fun! I would love to be able to go to this event again in the future.  It was 100% worth the time and money if you ever get a chance to go don't hesitate.

-Angela

Cover vs. Cover Part 1

This is something we talk about all the time... US versus UK covers. Which ones are better??? As book nerds there are times we will go out of our way to get our hands on a UK version of a book series. So we decided we should make a post and battle the UK and Us covers. 

Since we live in America those choices will appear first (top/left) and the UK covers will show next (bottom/right).

The Percy Jackson Series by Rick Riordan

        

 Angela: I think the UK version are a little more immature compared to the US.

So I'm going with the US covers with these.

Leah: I like the US covers more because they give you a better story
of the plot with the illustrations. 

A Darker Shade of Magic by V.E Schwab

Angela: This is a close one but... The UK cover.

Leah: The UK Cover. I love how it shows Kel as one
person but has each world apart of him somehow.

Throne of Glass Series by Sarah J. Maas

 Angela: No completion. The UK covers. Obsessed with white covers.

Leah: Love love love the UK Covers. They are actually one of my
all time favorite series covers ever.

Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins

Angela: Is this a real question?! The UK cover.

The real question is why is the guys face missing in the US one?

Leah: I think these were both US covers at one point if I remember correctly (the first was the original cover and then was re-released), but I definitely could be wrong. Regardless, I like the cover with just the words so much better. The first cover looks like it should be a cheesy cover on a 90s VHS.

Daughter of Smoke and Bone Trilogy by Laini Taylor

Angela: I don't really understand the US covers... Then again the

UK covers don't really fit either. But there's no competition the

UK covers are stunning.
Leah: I haven't read this series, so I have no idea how each cover plays into the book.
That being said, I really like the UK covers. They would be really pretty framed.

172 Hours on the Moon Johan Harstad

Angela: I'm currently reading this and the version I own aren't either of these lol.

The US cover gives me chills so it's my pick.
Leah: I haven't read this book either, but the US cover looks creepy AF so that is my pick.

The Mortal Instruments Series by Cassandra Clare

        

Angela: UK covers! Lets be real... we might love the

US covers, but they are really cheesy.

Leah: The UK covers are so beautiful. City of Glass is my favorite!!
I love how detailed they are.

Trial by Fire by Josephine Angelini

Angela: Again dem white covers got me. UK cover has my

vote.

Leah: Definitely the US cover. I like how it gives you a glimpse at the plot whereas
the UK covers make you think this is going to be a harlequin romance.