New To My Book Closet

It's that time of the week again. Time to show you what bookish goodies made their way into my home and book closet (to be saved from the evil book eating cat monster named Aria). This is inspired by the various "mailbox" posts out there (eg. In My Mailbox by The Story Siren, and Stacking the Shelves by Tynga's Reviews)

This week was filled with a bunch of packages!

First up are two new additions to my Funko collection. My Stranger Things collection continues with Mike and Barb. I love the little freckles that each of these Pops have!

They are seriously so cute! I am now just missing Lucas, Joyce, and Dustin.

Next are two books that came in for review. I am really excited about both of these!

Umberland by Wendy Spinale (goodreads)

Dear Reader by Mary O'Connell (goodreads)

A huge thank you to Scholastic Canada and Raincoast for both of these titles. I cannot wait to read and review them! 

Next up was some goodies I received while attending the #FrenzyPresents event at Harper Collins. You can check out my full review of the event if you want to know which titles were featured. 

A huge thank you to Frenzy for the review copies, and all of the rest of the goodies! 

Romancing The Throne by Nadine Jolie Courtney (goodreads)

I See London I See France by Sarah Mlynowski (goodreads)

Ramona Blue by Julie Murphy (goodreads)

Dividing Eden by Joelle Charbonneau (goodreads)

I loved all of the postcards and buttons that were included!

This Red Queen map is amazing! I need to frame it and hang it on my wall!

I also received by set of tattoos for The Song Rising release! I am so excited for this to be released on Tuesday! I love this series and cannot wait to share my review of The Song Rising.

A huge thank you to Bloomsbury for sending these along. Be sure to snag your own set of buttons and tattoos when you pre-order your copy!

Lastly, a huge thank you to Penguin Random House Canada for the next exciting title to make its way into my book closet this week. This came in a very shiny envelope and caused much fangirling. 

The One Memory Of Flora Banks by Emily Barr (goodreads)

Happy Weekend and Happy Reading!

Weekly Obsessions

The awesome Kelly at KellyVision started posting a weekly post highlighting whatever she happened to be obsessed with that week. I LOVE this idea, so much in fact that I will be doing it myself every Saturday.

A Movie/TV heavy addition of Weekly Obsessions this week!

TV/MOVIE

Gaston Clip from the new live action Beauty and the Beast

It is pretty much common knowledge that I am beyond excited for the new Beauty and the Beast movie. I have tickets purchased and am counting down the days.

This new clip was revealed, and I basically love everything about it.

Luke Evan's facial expressions are perfection for Gaston. I love that they have LeFou slyly paying off the tavern patrons to sing along. It's all perfect. I have a feeling I am going to leave the movie completely smitten with Luke's version of Gaston simply because of the way he portrays him.

Mindhunter Trailer

You may recall I mentioned a David Fincher directed TV show coming to Netflix. They recently just released the trailer for this show and it is awesome. October is going to be one of the best TV months ever because of this and the second season of Stranger Things.

Jonathan Groff is going to be amazing in this. I cannot wait to devour this as soon as it drops on Netflix.

Feud Season Two

Season one has not even started airing yet (but does this weekend) but I am already so excited for season two.

Many news outlets have announced that the second season will focus on the Princess Diana and Prince Charles divorce. Sarah Paulson is totally going to play Diana, right? I mean, she would be perfect. I am excited to see who is cast and how that season unfolds.

What are you obsessed with this week?

#FrenzyPresents Spring/Summer Edition Recap

I was recently invited to attend a bookish event at Harper Collins Canada. It was the #FrenzyPresents Spring/Summer blogger preview. 

I trekked to Toronto and the Harper Collins office for an afternoon of book nerd heaven. The lovely people at Harper discussed the spring/summer titles they were excited about and made all of the bloggers to be read lists grow considerably by the end of the afternoon.

These events are always fun because you get to mee fellow book lovers, and talk about your favourites. It is always a fun, and informative afternoon and this was no exception.


There were plenty of books discussed and I am going to highlight each of them here. They all link to their Goodreads page for easy addition to your to be read list!

The discussed three non fiction books at the event. These included ...

Unfiltered by Lily Collins
Almost Adulting by Arden Rose
How Dare The Sun Rise by Sandra Uwiringiyimana

The other novels were all varying young adult genres (dystopian, contemporary, horror, etc).

Spindle Fire by Lexa Hillyer

A fairytale retelling (Sleeping Beauty) that sounds really awesome!

The Black Witch by  Laurie Forest 

I love witch stories and this one has an amazing cover (and also happens to be over 600 pages!)

Thick As Thieves by Megan Whalen Turner

A ton of people are excited for this series continuation. I haven't read the first ones, but it piqued by interest. 

Avenged by Amy Tintera 

This is one of many sequels. The Harper girls did not want to spoil so they just lightly teased each of these books. 

The Scattering by Kimberly McCreight

I am super excited about this one. I read the first one and it was such a fun thrill ride. It was unexpected in the best possible way.

The Crown's Fate by Evelyn Skye

Another sequel that just got lightly teased. These novels have incredible covers!

Our Dark Duet by Victoria Schwab

This is another one of my most anticipated. I loved This Savage Song and these books where humans can be monsters, and monsters want to be human is classic Victoria Schwab (this means it is well written, heartbreaking, and wonderful).

Midnight At The Electric by Jodi Lynn Anderson

Jodi Lynn Anderson is one of my favourite authors. Her wiritng is lush and beautiful. Tiger Lily is one of my all time favourite novels and I am so excited to dive into this story of three girls across different timelines whose stories interconnect. 

The Gentleman's Guide To Vice and Virtue by Mackenzi Lee

This is the big gay historical road trip that you never knew you wanted. This book caused quite the buzz and I cannot wait to devour my copy!

House of Furies by  Madeleine Roux

The lone horror title of the group. It was mentioned as being for fans of Penny Dreadful and American Horror Story so I was, obviously, intrigued.

The Sandcastle Empire by Kayla Olson

This was the lone dystopian on the list. People looking for their dystopian fix will want to check out this title. 

Dividing Eden by Joelle Charbonneau 

Pitched as being for fans of Red Queen, this is the story of twins who end up having to complete for the crown when they unexpectedly find themselves in the position of having to rule. It sounds great, and has an amazing cover.

Zenith by Sasha Alsberg and Lindsay Cummings

Badass ladies in space! This is one I feel has been getting a lot of buzz recently and sounds really fun.

Romancing The Throne by  Nadine Jolie Courtney 

This is basically Kate and Pippa Middleton if Pippa had dated Prince William first. Two sisters meet a Prince at their school and drama ensues when they each fall for him.

I See London, I See France by Sarah Mlynowski

A fun Eurotrip read that sounds perfect for summer. Two friends go on a trip through Europe that is filled with romance, drama and more. 

Ramona Blue by Julie Murphy

Pretty sure this is another title that everyone is anticipating. It sounds incredible and is probably on your to be read list already.

Grit by Gillian French 

The story of a girl who has earned herself as reputation as 'that' girl in her town. Her best friend goes missing and there are plenty of secrets to unravel in this one. It sounds great!

Eliza And Her Monsters by Francesca Zappia 

A story of a girl who anonymously writes a very popular webcomic series and the aftermath of what happens we her identity is revealed.

Me (and) Me by  Alice Kuipers 

A story of 'sliding doors' story where a girl has to decide between saving two different people and the aftermath/consequences of each choice. 

That Thing We Call A Heart by Sheba Karim 

A story of a Pakistani-American girl who is falling in love while her and her best friend are drifting apart. It seems like there might be some secrets in this one and the main character is not often found in young adult novels.

It's Not Like It's A Secret by Misa Sugiura

This story seems to have a lot going on in it. There are family secrets. The main character is discovering that she is attracted to other girls, and lots more.

The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas

I reviewed this one recently on the blog and can vouch for its amazingness. An important, and timely, book that is incredibly well written. Starr's story is one that stays with you and I urge you to pick this one up!

The Upside Of Unrequited by Becky Albertalli

I feel like everyone is super excited for this. Becky's first novel was a huge hit with readers and I anticipate this one will be just as well received.

Fireworks by Katie Cotugno

If you were a fan of boy bands (or girl bands) of the 90s this is the book for you. Two friends complete to be part of a girl band that is being formed with plenty of drama arising as a result.

After hearing about all these incredible sounding upcoming books we all got to mingle and chat. I love getting to chat with Suman (who is the main contact for bloggers reviewing young adult novels). I also loved getting to see some of the Toronto bloggers I am friends with!

We were all gifted a goodie bag filled with amazing presents.

Some amazing buttons, and a few fun postcards (among other goodies). I love the button especially!

Each bag had 4 ARCs included. My batch had Romancing The Throne, I See London I See France, Ramona Blue and Dividing Eden. These were high on my to be read list so I was very happy with my choice of goodie bag. I cannot wait to read all of these.

Also included was this incredible Red Queen map!

I am going to have to get this framed and hang it up on my wall. I love it so much. 

It was a whirlwind trip to Toronto but so worth it. I am eagerly awaiting the next #FrenzyPresents event. I cannot wait to see everyone again and hear all about the upcoming titles.

Thank you to Suman, the rest of the Harper Collins staff, and all the bloggers who made it a fun (and bookish) afternoon!

The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas

The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas
Release Date - February 28, 2017

Publisher Website - Harper Collins
Publisher Social Media - Twitter/Facebook/SavvyReader/Frenzy
Pages -  464 pages
My Rating - 5/5
**received from the publisher for an honest review**

Here is the Goodreads synopsis

Inspired by the Black Lives Matter movement, Angie Thomas’s searing debut about an ordinary girl in extraordinary circumstances addresses issues of racism and police violence with intelligence, heart, and unflinching honesty. Soon to be a major motion picture from Fox 2000/Temple Hill Productions.

Sixteen-year-old Starr Carter moves between two worlds: the poor neighborhood where she lives and the fancy suburban prep school she attends. The uneasy balance between these worlds is shattered when Starr witnesses the fatal shooting of her childhood best friend Khalil at the hands of a police officer. Khalil was unarmed.

Soon afterward, his death is a national headline. Some are calling him a thug, maybe even a drug dealer and a gangbanger. Protesters are taking to the streets in Khalil’s name. Some cops and the local drug lord try to intimidate Starr and her family. What everyone wants to know is: what really went down that night? And the only person alive who can answer that is Starr.

But what Starr does—or does not—say could upend her community. It could also endanger her life.

The announcement and buzz around The Hate U Give immediately drew a lot of attention to this novel. It is not only a vital, important read but a timely one as well. I was eager to read it to see if could possibly live up to the buzz that was surrounding it, and it does. It also holds so much more than this between its pages.

The writing in this novel is so sharp, and reads as effortless. It is easy, at times, to forget that this is a debut novel. It has a polish that indicates the talent the author has to create a story you immediately fall into. You're pulled into Starr's story right from the beginning and your attention is held right to the very last word.

This story is achingly realistic. It is also gut wrenching. It packs a heavy emotional impact, and demands to be discussed. This is a novel that will prompt conversations and perhaps even change the narrative of those discussions. It's one that I recommend to everyone, but is vital reading for any black teen out there. It really is a game changer of a novel, and one that hopefully is the first of many to come.

Starr's voice is so vibrant that she easily leaps off the page. She is someone torn between what she sees as two versions of herself. The notion that she was one way at school, but another at home felt relatable in many ways, even if my personal experience could not possibly be on the level that Starr's was. I feel teenagers, in general, have that duality in varying degrees. Starr also read as nuanced, and realistic. She will easily be one of my favourite characters of 2017, simply because of how well crafted she is. Her character is also a fantastic portrayal of a scared young girl haunted by the horrific event she went through. Her fear, anger, sadness and frustration are all captured with precision. Her entire character is brilliantly written and I am so happy to have read her story.

The level of involvement of Starr's parents in the story was something unique to many of the young adult novels I've read previously. They are not only present, but accountable. Starr does not get away with doing anything. Her parents are aware of her actions, and react accordingly when she acts out the way teenagers tend to do. It was refreshing to see them be such a large part of the story, and that we spent time with the family throughout the entire story. These character details made the story resonate all the more, and feel achingly realistic. All of the side characters have their own storylines which adds a little something extra to the story. I felt like I really got to know each of them, and not just Starr.

The romance in this novel is really sweet. Chris and Starr's relationship is not perfect, but the fact that they love and support each other is never in question. They work through their problems in healthy ways. I appreciated that they called each other on things when they had hurt each other. I've read my share of unhealthy examples of relationships in young adult novels, and it was a delight to read one that is the opposite.

This novel is for every black teen that will see themselves in Starr. It is every black teen who will see themselves in any character within this book. It is for the entire black community who has had to live with this type of injustice time and time again. While this may not have been written for me, I am thankful to be able to experience this story and to have had the opportunity to read it. I also am glad to have the opportunity to encourage others to read it. I predict that this book will be one that is talked about long after people have finished and that it will make many Best Of lists at the end of the year. It announces Angie Thomas as a voice to watch in young adult literature and I cannot wait to read whatever she writes next.

Waiting On Wednesday .... Top Ten

Waiting On Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking The Spine that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

This week's pick is Top Ten by Katie Cotugno

Here is the Goodreads synopsis 

From Katie Cotugno, New York Times bestselling author of 99 Days, How to Love, and Fireworks, comes Top Ten—the top ten best moments in the best friendship—turned potential romance—between a couple who should have nothing in common.

Ryan McCullough and Gabby Hart are the unlikeliest of friends. Introverted, anxious Gabby would rather do literally anything than go to a party. Ryan is a star hockey player who can get any girl he wants—and does, frequently. But against all odds, they became not only friends, but each other’s favorite person. Now, as they face high school graduation, they can’t help but take a moment to reminisce and, in their signature tradition, make a top ten list—counting down the top ten moments of their friendship: 

10. Where to begin? Maybe the night we met.
9. Then there was our awkward phase.
8. When you were in love with me but never told me…
7. Those five months we stopped talking were the hardest of my life.
6. Through terrible fights…
5. And emotional makeups.
4. You were there for me when I got my heart broken.
3. …but at times, you were also the one breaking it.
2. Above all, you helped me make sense of the world.
1. Now, as we head off to college—how am I possibly going to live without you?

I love Katie Cotugno books! I am so happy that we're getting two this year from her! Top Ten sounds adorable, and perfect. I love the idea of counting down the top ten moments of this friendship that could possibly be more. I am really excited to met Ryan and Gabby and fall in love with them and their story.

Expected release date - October 3, 2017

The Song Rising - One Week Until Release

Today I am celebrating the fact that there is only one week left until The Song Rising releases by sharing some goodies with you today!

First up is a reminder that there is currently a pre-order promotion going on that can score you some AMAZING swag.

The buttons are stunning (expect to see some photos this week showing them off) and the tattoos are equally amazing. Be sure to snag your own set over at the official website for The Bone Season series. You have up until the end of the day on March 6th to submit your receipt and claim your swag!

Samantha Shannon will be going on tour to celebrate the release and here is her tour schedule.

Go say hello if you are near any of these tour stops. I've been lucky enough to have met Samantha before and she's lovely.

There are also some super fun quizzes released by the official Twitter and Facebook accounts for the series. It's a fun way to get yourself even more excited for the upcoming release

·         Quiz 1: Which Bone Season Faction Are You In? https://www.playbuzz.com/bloomsbury13/which-bone-season-faction-are-you-in

·         Quiz 2: Which Type of Voyant Are You?
https://www.playbuzz.com/bloomsbury13/a-what-type-of-voyant-are-you

·         Quiz 3: Which of the Seven Seals Are You?
https://www.playbuzz.com/bloomsbury13/which-of-the-seven-seals-are-you

·         Quiz 4: Which Leader of the Unnatural Assembly Are You? https://www.playbuzz.com/bloomsbury13/which-leader-of-the-unnatural-assembly-are-you

·         Quiz 5: How Will You Die in Samantha Shannon’s Bone Season Series? https://www.playbuzz.com/bloomsbury13/how-will-you-die-in-samantha-shannon-s-bone-season-series

If you do any of these quizzes please let me know what you end up getting in the comments.

Expect more The Song Rising excitement as we countdown to the quickly approaching release!

Weekly Obsessions

The awesome Kelly at KellyVision started posting a weekly post highlighting whatever she happened to be obsessed with that week. I LOVE this idea, so much in fact that I will be doing it myself every Saturday.

A small Weekly Obsessions post this week, but some pretty exciting things!

BOOKS

Being Bonnie by Jenni L Walsh (goodreads)

I have not yet read Becoming Bonnie but I was thrilled when the sequel was announced! I am excited to read it and will be reading Becoming Bonnie soon (probably this weekend) and am looking forward to continuing her story in this sequel!

Renegades by Marissa Meyer (goodreads)

Marissa Meyer is writing a super hero/super villain story! I cannot wait. This is going to be amazing! It is the first in a series about a school for those with super powers. It sounds incredible and I am excited to pre-order it as soon as it comes available.

TV/MOVIE

Big Little Lies

I very much enjoyed the pilot episode of Big Little Lies. I am hooked on the mystery and the three main cast (Reese Witherspoon, Nicole Kidman, and Shailene Woodley) all deliver great performances so far. I am excited to watch the second episode this week and highly recommend it if you like sudsy murder mysteries.

OTHER

My Favorite Murder Podcast (link)

I stumbled upon this quirky podcast and immediately became obsessed. It won't be for everyone, but those who would be into it will be super into it. The hosts are hilarious and approach the topic in a very relatable way. It's a podcast about murder done through the female gaze and quite feminist. I highly recommend it if it sounds like something you would enjoy. I am currently making my way through all of the 'episodes' and I am honestly loving them.

Funko's Disney Subscription Box

Funko is known for having some pretty amazing subscription boxes for the Marvel, Star Wars, and DC fandoms. They have recently announced that they are launching a new subscription box specifically for Disney fanatics. They are calling it Disney Treasures and I am so excited.

The first theme is Pirates Cove and they've announced that the first Pop being included is Smee from Peter Pan! All the items in the box are exclusive to the box only and will offer at least one Pop figure in each box. You can learn more over at the Funko blog by reading the official announcement. You can also sign up for notifications about Disney Treasures and be one of the first to sign up for this when it goes live by visiting the Disney Treasures official site.

What are you obsessed with this week?