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.

A House in the Sky by Amanda Lindhout

Amanda Lindhout, a freelance journalist, was kidnapped while traveling alongside Nigel Brennan, a freelance photojournalist, in Somalia. The two were held captive for 460 days. Where they were starved, tortured, beaten, and Amanda even raped repeatedly.

“It was a lesson the world had already taught me and was teaching me still. You don’t know what’s possible until you actually see it.”

A House in the Sky is Amanda Lindhout recount of the events that took place over her year in captivity. A House in the Sky starts off with Amanda's childhood. Going into the details of her struggles of being a child of poverty. Amanda's only escape from an abusive childhood was by flipping through the pages of National Geographic and pretending to be anywhere but where she is. Vowing that when she was old enough she would save the money and nothing would stop her from traveling. In her 20s Amanda started waitresses and saving all of her funds. After saving enough she started her travels and her career as a journalist. On one of her trips she met Nigel. The two continued to keep in touch and eventually started a relationship. With a long distance relationship proving to be too much the two ended up separating. Amanda continued to travel, doing her reporting work, and continued to keep contact with Nigel. Years and many countries later Amanda found herself wanting to go to Somalia and country named as the most dangerous place on earth. Knowing there was a war going on and about the terrible danger she could face she still decided to go anyways convincing Nigel to join her. This is roughly the first 150 pages of the book. These pages at first seem unimportant and are a bit sluggish. I was having trouble connecting with Amanda and found myself seeing her as being rather naïve. I decided to push through and was very thankful I did. These pages though trivial at first end up being very important in the long run.

Four days into their trip a group of masked men ambushed their car and kidnapped Amanda, Nigel, and the three men traveling with them. At the time Amanda assumes they are just being robbed, and held for a few days, but once the kidnappers force them to call their families and demand a ransom (3 million dollars for both of them) she realizes that this isn’t going to be over with quickly. After the first 150 pages the stories starts getting into the heavy issues and reveals what happened to the two while being held. For the first five months Amanda and Nigel were able to be kept together. The two though starving and miserable, were for the most part treated “okay”. Once their captures realized that their ransom wouldn’t be paid right away things started to increasingly get worse. The two ultimately decided to convert to Islam as a play to make their captures treat them better. Though this decision was probably in their best interest, it ultimately didn’t make things much better, and the two were eventually separated and kept in separate rooms. The two come up with secret way to communicate and after they are told that the men that were taken with them are killed, they know they have to escape. The two over the next several days use nail clippers to chip away at a window in a shared bathroom. Once the two get out they run for what they hope will be freedom ultimately only having one person even attempt to help them. The two end up recaptured. The teenage kidnappers decide that Amanda, because she is a woman, is to blame for the failed escape attempt. Nigel instead of backing her up and helping her decides that since they are blaming her anyways that she should “just go ahead and take this one”.

Amanda is then locked in a windowless room with nothing more than a few useless items, and a thin mat. She is kept in the dark for weeks where she is starved, not allowed to speak, has her feet chained together, is beaten, tortured, falls ill to a bacterial fungus, and then is ultimately gang raped for her acts. She is forced to lay on her sides at all times because her captures think otherwise she might become too strong and will try to escape again. The only time she is allowed to move is when she is praying, which she eventually becomes too weak to do. Nigel is kept in a separate room with windows, books, and allowed time to go outside because he is a man. Over the next few weeks and months Amanda is continued to be tortured, raped, and one of her captures even tells her he plans on marriage her once the money has been paid. This is all happening while their capture’s continue to call their families and demand ransom, sometimes up to ten times a day. With the government refusing to help pay ransom the families eventually seek outside help hiring a specialist to help get their kids back. After 460 days and 600,000 dollars being paid the two are released back to their families.

A House in the Sky goes deep into what it is like being left alone with nothing but your own thoughts. It’s about struggling, overcoming, suffering, forgiveness, and ultimately Amanda convincing herself that if she can just push through one more day she can make it.

“See? You are okay, Amanda, It’s only your body that is suffering, and you are not your body. The rest of you is fine.”

At times this novel was hard to read and painful, but at the same time managed to take a tragic situation and make it beautiful.This story shows that the mind is a very powerful thing. A House in the Sky is one of those stories that will forever stay with me.

10/10 Stars

-Angela

Angela's March Wrap-Up

The Glittering Court- Richelle Mead
Killing Sarai- J.A Redmerski
The Assassin's Blade- Sarah J. Maas
Taking Chances- Molly McAdams
Mad Women- Kat Savage
When We Met- a bind up
The Wrath and the Dawn (re-read)-Renee Ahdieh
Allegiant- Veronica Roth (re-read)
Essential Maps for the Lost- Deb Caletti
A House in the Sky- Amanda Lindhout
A Thousand Boy Kisses- Tillie Cole

I would definitely say that my March reading went way better than my February. I doubled the number that I read last month, but most importantly the quality of my reading was better as well. I don't think that my reading in April will be as vast. I have a lot of hefty books I'm taking on in this upcoming months so wish me luck. However, in March books either fell on the great side or the none side.

My top picks for March are: Killing Sarai, The Assassin’s Blade, The Wrath and the Dawn, and The House in the Sky.
Killing Sarai was a book I didn’t think I would favor, but the Savages style book took me by surprise. I don’t know why I liked it so much, it is something I would usually end up bashing. Guess it was a case of right book right time. The Assassin’s Blade a bind-up of novellas for The Throne of Glass series. Sarah J. Maas is no stranger to my favorite list, and these short stories all leading up to the capture of Celaena Sardothien, had me falling more in love with this series (didn’t even know that was possible). The Wrath and the Dawn was a re-read for me this month. I remember loving it the first time, but the second time I ended up crying. Forgot how poetic and beautiful Renee Ahdieh’s writing was. And lastly A House in the Sky... This is without a doubt my top pick of March. This is a book that will forever stick with me. Amanda’s recount of her time being held captive in Somalia broke my heart. This is a novel I would recommend everyone to read, even if it is hard to get through, the message behind it is so powerful.

My fails for March are: The Glittering Court, Taking Chances, and Essential Maps for the Lost. The Glittering Court was so boring! TGC is being compared to The Selection and I can’t seem to figure out why?! I liked The Selection, I hated this. Taking Chances, oh God was this bad! Everything about this book pissed me the F off. By everything I mean everything! And that ending! UGH! Essential Maps for the Lost is a book I wish I could talk more about, but sadly I never finished it. For now it’s on my fails list, but I might in some future date seek to read this again, and give it another go. The cover is still stunning.

See yall in April.
-Angela

Top 5 Most Anticipated Reads of 2016

2016 is full of new book releases, and there are a lot I’m excited about. I’ve narrowed my list down to my top five choices. Links to the goodreads pages or reviews will be provided just click the title.

A Court of Mist and Fury by Sarah J. Maas
Release date: May 3^rd

The moment I was finished with ACOTAR I was ready for book two. It’s giving me life right now knowing May is right around the corner! ACOMAF is the second book in this epic high fantasy Beauty and the Beast retelling. Never thought I’d be excited about a retelling, but I really am. With how Sarah left off book one it's really up in the air about what could happen in book two.

Other books in the series: A Court of Thorns and Roses


The Last Star by Rick Yancey

Release date: May 24^th

The time has come, the 3^rd and final book in the amazing alien trilogy is happening. This crazy-suspenseful-multiple pov-series ending is hopefully going to be everything we want. It’s so up in the air about how this will end. I have come up with countless theories about what might happen. Who will survive? The way Yancey writes always pull you in. It this twisting and turning crazy run that has so many holes in it, and then he has it so one crazy thing happens and pulls it all together. Counting down the days until I can get my hands on this.

Other books in the series: The 5th Wave, The Infinite Sea

It Ends with Us by Colleen Hoover
Release date: August 2^nd

My all-time favorite author is releasing (probably) just this one book this year. It End with Us is without a doubt the book I’m most excited for. Every time Colleen Hoover post something about it can already feel myself welling up with tears. She’s made comments about how it’s the hardest thing she’s ever written, it’s the only book that has brought her to tears, and that it’s based off of actual events.

CoHo never fails to make me cry, and my only fear is that this might actually kill me. CoHo is going balls to the wall by deciding to go full on love triangle-ish. CoHo is the only author I have given perfect rating on for every book. Hope IEWU will keep too this pattern. Also just look at this cover! Flawless!

Empire of Storms by Sarah J. Maas
Release date: September 6^th

I was beyond shocked when I saw this book will be under 400 pages! It also terrifies me because that leads me to think the cliffhanger for this book might be the most soul crushing-amazing-mind blowing thing that will happen… I have an ulcer just thinking about it. This is the 5^th book in the Throne of Glass series. This is one of my favorite on-going series. This series has everything: romance, assassins, fighting, fantasy, and oh so much more. I think this book is on everyone’s most anticipated list.

Other books in the series: Throne of Glass, Crown of Midnight, Heir of Fire, Queen of Shadows, The Assassin's Blade (novellas)

Crooked Kingdom by Leigh Bardugo
Release date: September 22^nd

Six of Crows was my favorite book of 2015, so it should come as no surprise that book two is making my list. I don’t think duologies are done enough so that is only furthering my excitement. This book could be a thousand pages and I wouldn’t even care! I need to be reunited with Kaz and Inej. The fantasy version of Ocean’s Eleven, with mysterious men, amazing character backstories, extreme world building, and strong female friendships. If Colleen Hoover wasn’t putting out a book this year this would be my top pick. May and September are going to be very big months.

Other books in the series: Six of Crows

-Angela

The Glittering Court by Richelle Meads

"For a select group of girls, the Glittering Court offers a shot at a life they’ve only ever dreamed of, one of luxury, glamour, and leisure. To high-born Adelaide, whose wealthy family is forcing her into a loveless marriage, the Glittering Court represents something else: the chance to chart her own destiny, and adventure in an unspoiled, prosperous new land across the sea." -Goodreads Synopsis

The Glittering Court to this reader, was boring. All Mead does is talk about dances, and outfits, and parading around to find a husband. That statement right there should tell you that this book wasn’t going to be for me. The Glitter Court is about a high society lady who steals the identity of her maid and becomes Adelaide. Adelaide is one of the chosen ones who will be taken to the New World. Adelaide of course is a special snowflake and gets tons of male attention. She is however more interested in Cedric. Though Adelaide has some pretty comical moments while pretending to be who she is not I ultimately found myself wanting more out of her character. I like my women a little more badass and a little less dress obsessed. The Countess is bored with her life and decides after being told she’ll have an arranged marriage that she will take the place of her maid at the Glitter Court… so she can be taught how to be a proper lady and be more appealing to men… so they can bid on who they want to be their next trophy wife…. So I was a little confused as to why she wanted to go??? You wanna leave arranged marriage to go and be set up for another marriage?? 

This book is also being marketed as a “fantasy”; it is not. Also where the story lacks any depth Mead tries to cover it up with more romance. I was expecting a book that has a kickass protagonist set in a high fantasy world…. Because that what the blurb lead me to believe… no what I got was a watery romance set in the 1800s with no world building. Mead introduces us to all these themes like objectifying women and religious persecution but then never deals with them. AND THAT ENDING…. Ha the ending is my biggest negative. The two main characters have gotten themselves into so big trouble and an unknown character that has NEVER been mentions comes to save the day by giving some bizarre loophole that gets them off the hook. Oh please GTFOOH

This clearly isn't as lengthy or as in depth as my usual reviews, but I didn't feel like wasting anymore time on this book than I already had.

1/10 Stars

-Angela

3 Books That Changed My Life

Every book I read in some way changes the way I see things. Every page impacts me, but there are a few select books that have altered my life. There are a few novels that have shook me so hard that it is something I can never recover from. These next three books have changed the way I look at everything. They have made me see love different, made me realize the importance of living in the moment, and have made me question my own beliefs.

Me Before You by Jojo Moyes

Me Before You would be the book I would say has changed me the most. This novel didn't just change the way I see books, but the way I see life. Me Before You gave me everything, and all from a genre I don't often reach for- Adult Contemporary. Me Before You follows a woman name Lou who is struggling to find her place in the world and a job that fits with her quirky personality. When a position for a caretaker comes available she jumps right on the chance. However, she winds up having to take care of Will- an arrogant, rude, and blunt man who recently became a quadriplegic.

This book made me question everything I know about love, about making scarifies, and made me rethink what I once thought about the quality of living. Me Before You is probably the most thought provoking novel I've ever read. Not just that, it's probably the most emotionally invested I've ever been with a book. It brought out feelings I never knew I had and is so beautiful. This is the number one book I would/do recommend to anyone and everything. Even non-readers would enjoy this.

"All I can say is that you make me... you make me into someone I couldn't even imagine. You make me happy, even when you're awful. I would rather be with you - even the you that you seem to think is diminished - than with anyone else in the world."

The Fault in Our Stars by John Green

I know, I know how "cliché", but I don't care. This book was probably the first book too actually break my heart. It's gorgeous and lyrical filled with one quotable line after another. TFIOS manages to give you so much in such a short amount of time. Hazel Grace is sick and manages to find happiness in a new "friend", Augustus Waters. This novel and their relationship showed me just because you're dying doesn't mean you can't still see the beauty in the world. It shows us how important it is to live in the moment and make sure you don't take a single second of it for granted. John Green made me realize there isn't just one type of love, that there are many, and each one is just as stunning and as important as the others. It doesn't matter if you've seen the movie, you should still pick up the book.

"You don't get to choose if you get hurt in this world...but you do have some say in who hurts you. I like my choices."

Forbidden by Tabitha Suzuma

Goodness, did this book take me by surprise. Never did I think a book about incest, yes incest, could or would break my heart. But God, Forbidden did it. This is another book that made me question my morals. Forbidden follows Maya and Lochan, a brother and sister who are struggling to take care of their siblings due to an absent alcoholic mother. The more responsibility they take on the closer the two become and their bond becomes something more than it should. I never fathomed that by the end of this book I would be cheering for a brother and sister to end up together, but I was. I was a freaking mess by the time I got to the end. It's also very rare that I like books that have such a slow build. Trust me when I say this book has the snowball effect. It starts out slow and steady and as it heads to the end it just keeps getting bigger and bigger till it hits the end and leaves you speechless. Forbidden had me wondering "if it's not hurting anyone is it really so wrong?", and two years later I am still wondering the same exact thing.

"At the end of the day it's about how much you can bear, how much you can endure. Being together, we harm nobody; being apart, we extinguish ourselves."  

-Angela