Batman Nightwalker by Marie Lu // mysterious gang members, lovable characters but not enough action

Do you know what it feels like to have your life together?

Usually, I don’t either but ohmygod guys I’ve been so ORGANISED lately!

I scheduled/drafted most of my blog posts for March, I’m slowly but surely making my way through my study notes AND I’m reading all most of my ARCs before their release date!

And… if you hadn’t realised, I’m back before my supposed return from my hiatus!!!!!

I said I’d be back on March 6th, but I’ve scheduled posts for the next 2 weeks and this review didn’t fit anywhere inbetween those posts dgjhdfj so here it is!

The day that this goes is up is when Zoe’s 24h Readathon is taking place so I’m probably in the middle of reading my 6th book of the day rn. Jk. I’ll be fully back on Tuesday (AKA RESTORE ME RELEASE DAY) tho!

AND ONE MORE THING BEFORE YOU GO ANYWHERE:

I’m celebrating my 1-year blogiversary with a Q&A so you can ask me any and all questions here. (pls don’t let this flop)

2018 Goals // Keep Up with my TBR, Work on my WIP, Self-Care (!!!) and tracking my Habits

Have you ever set yourself New Year’s Resolutions and abandonded them two weeks into the new year?

Yeah. I think we can all relate.

I planned to do a 2018 goals post at the very beginning of the year so I could easily go back to it and hold myself accountable for actually keeping up with them.

As you can probably tell, I already failed that task.

I planned to abandon this post altogether because it seemed pretty pointless to post it when we’re already two months into the year. However, it is NEVER too late to set yourself some goals for the year so here I am.

you may have seen Swetlana’s post from last week about her 2018 reading goals which PROVES that it’s not too late!

Let’s hope I’ll actually stick to these goals instead of abandoning them like I do every year.

5 Reasons Why YOU Should Read Warcross by Marie Lu RIGHT NOW // EPIC, DIVERSE AND MIND-BLOWING

Have you ever had exceedingly high expectations for a book and then it ended up letting you down???

Oh.

BECAUSE I HAVEN’T. At least not with Warcross.

As we all know, Marie Lu is a freaking LEGEND (hA, get it????!!!?!)* and I had no doubts that I would love Warcross. And boy did I loveit!!!

I decided to switch up my reviewing style for this post and give you 1000 reasons (actually, it’s only 5-ish) why you should read Marie Lu’s Warcross (including loads of Gifs!) to make this post a lot more fun!

There will be no spoilers for the book (as always, but I just thought I’d mention it again) SO KEEP ON READING AND ADD WARCROSS TO YOUR TBR IMMEDIATELY.

*I swear I’ve made that joke like 50 times now kill me

Penguin Teen Game Changers—First Impressions // Would I purchase these books based on the first chapter???

Do you ever judge a book by its cover??? YES? Well, today we’ll be judging books by their first chapters!

You might have heard of the Penguin Teen Game Changers set which contains 5 books that have been releases by Penguin back to back for 5 consecutive weeks!

If you’re like me, you’ve probably cried of jealousy when you saw all the big Booktubers receiving this box set and getting to read all these books early on.

All of the books in the set are out now and you’ve most likely read some of them! I HAVEN’T which is why I requested to read samples of these books to see what I think of them based on their first chapters!

Will I like what I read and then go on to purchase the book? Will I hate it so much that I will want to yell at people NOT to purchase it???

WHO KNOWS. I do. YOU’LL FIND OUT SOON ENOUGH.

June Book Haul // Book Buying Ban? Nope, sorry, never heard of that!

What happened to my book buying ban you ask? *sweats nervously*

We don’t talk about that in this household! 😛

No but seriously, I actually did quite well when it comes to buying (or not buying) books this month! All of the books that will be mentioned here had been ordered before I declared my book buying ban in my VERY HUGE AND VERY FANGIRLY BOOK HAUL — they just hadn’t arrived yet at the time!

I have accumulated 9 books in June which is still okay, I believe! And all of these are books that I’ve wanted FOR AGES so that’s another plus 😉

(ALL OF THESE PICTURES ARE MY OWN SO DON’T YOU DARE STEAL THEM OR I WILL THROW BRICKS AT YOU! If you want to use them, you may ask nicely and I’ll see what I can do! THANK YOU VERY MUCH!)

Favorite Hate to Love Ships // AKA ME GOING OVERBOARD WITH MY FANGIRLING

Top 5 Wednesday is a weekly book meme hosted by Samantha and Lainey over on YouTube. Each week there is a new book-related topic to answer! If you’re new to Top 5 Wednesday and want to participate, check out the Goodreads group for information and weekly topics!

This week’s topic is Favorite Hate to Love Ships – Ask and you may receive. By request, a topic all about your favorite hate to love romances!

---

UMMMMM, CAN WE TALK ABOUT THIS WEEK’S TOPIC FOR A SECOND???????

If there is anything you want to know about and associate with me, remember these two things:

Shatter Me is my #1 favourite series of all time AND I LIVE FOR THE HATE TO LOVE TROPE ❤

This topic was literally made for me WOW thanks Sam for choosing it for this week!!!!!

SOOOOO my dear friends, let’s get into my favourite hate to love ships!

PS. these are (kind of) ranked from “least” favourite (out of the 5) to FAVOURITE

PPS. there will be loads of screaming, crying and fangirling

PPPS. I bet y’all can already guess what my #1 is lol

PPPPS. there may be spoilers aka *read at your own risk*

Popular Series I’m Ashamed I Haven’t Read (Yet) – Pt. 2

Welcome to another round of SHAME where I talk to you about all the popular series I haven’t read (yet) and you get to throw sticks and stones (and whatever else you may find) at me!

I have already done a part 1 of this which you can find here! As you can see, I have read the ACOTAR series so at least I crossed one series off that list! Woo!

This time, I’ve decided to look at series that I actually own and see which ones I still need to read!

Let’s just get right into the series because this will be shameful enough *runs*

A Very Fangirly Book Haul (20+ books because I love making my bank account suffer)

I’M BACK!

I got back from my Poland trip on Tuesday but I wanted to take 2 more days off instead of immediately diving back into blogging and stressing myself out again.

In the last couple of days/weeks, I’ve been feeling very drained and I was stressed out to the MAX because I felt so pressured to write posts, comment on everyone’s posts, do some blog-hopping, write some more posts and so on and I almost considered taking a break!

But then my Poland trip came along and I pre-wrote a few posts that would go up while I was away. I visited my family for a few days and it was a lot of fun and a great time to relax and not worry about any obligations (including blogging)!

It was really good for me and I had time to reflect and think about some changes I wanted to make to my blog (especially schedule- and content-wise) and I am back to being motivated and HAVING FUN again. Blogging shouldn’t feel like an obligation and I’m glad that I was able to get rid of the pressure that I’ve been putting on myself!

Soooo, let’s hope that I’ve learned my lesson!

---

But enough about me and my #stressedout self.

As you can tell by the title, this will be a humongous book haul! I’ve accumulated all of these books in April and May even though I’ve technically been on a book buying ban but that obiviously didn’t work out LOL.

Most Anticipated Book Releases – June + second half of 2017 (TTT crossover)

I’ve been meaning to do a Most Anticipated June Releases post but then I realised that this week’s Top Ten Tuesday topic had to do with new releases as well so I thought I’d bring the two together!

This week’s TTT topic is Top Ten Most Anticipated Books For The Second Half of 2017!

First, I will be sharing with you the books that are being released in June that I’m most excited about!

Want by Cindy Pon

Release Date: June 13th 2017

THIS BOOK HAS AN ASIAN MC AND HE HAS A GROUP OF (DIVERSE) FRIENDS/MISFITS AND THEY PLAN TO TAKE DOWN SOME BIG BAD GUY BUT THE MC FALLS IN LOVE WITH THE DAUGHTER OF THE BIG BAD GUYS AND APPARENTLY IT IS “DRIPPING IN DIVERSITY AND DELICIOUS ROMANCE” (according to this review) AND I CAN’T WAIT TO READ IT!!!

“From critically acclaimed author Cindy Pon comes an edge-of-your-seat sci-fi thriller, set in a near-future Taipei plagued by pollution, about a group of teens who risk everything to save their city.

Jason Zhou survives in a divided society where the elite use their wealth to buy longer lives. The rich wear special suits, protecting them from the pollution and viruses that plague the city, while those without suffer illness and early deaths. Frustrated by his city’s corruption and still grieving the loss of his mother who died as a result of it, Zhou is determined to change things, no matter the cost.

With the help of his friends, Zhou infiltrates the lives of the wealthy in hopes of destroying the international Jin Corporation from within. Jin Corp not only manufactures the special suits the rich rely on, but they may also be manufacturing the pollution that makes them necessary.

Yet the deeper Zhou delves into this new world of excess and wealth, the more muddled his plans become. And against his better judgment, Zhou finds himself falling for Daiyu, the daughter of Jin Corp’s CEO. Can Zhou save his city without compromising who he is, or destroying his own heart?”

---

Bad Romance by Heather Demetrios

Release Date: June 13th 2017

“Unapologetic, real, unabashedly honest, Bad Romance is probably the best break-up story I have ever read.” Apparently, this is a very heavy, tough book with themes such as suicide, emotional/physical abuse (trigger warning!) that make you think and feel. But at the same time “Heather Demetrios never lets you feel like this book is a black hole of despair. And that’s probably what kept me turning the pages until way past my bedtime.” From the reviews I’ve seen on Goodreads, this will be an incredibly eye-opening, honest and emotional book and I can’t wait for it to come out.

*click on the quotes to be directed to their source*

“Grace wants out. Out of her house, where her stepfather wields fear like a weapon and her mother makes her scrub imaginary dirt off the floors. Out of her California town, too small to contain her big city dreams. Out of her life, and into the role of Parisian artist, New York director—anything but scared and alone.

Enter Gavin: charming, talented, adored. Controlling. Dangerous. When Grace and Gavin fall in love, Grace is sure it’s too good to be true. She has no idea their relationship will become a prison she’s unable to escape.

Deeply affecting and unflinchingly honest, this is a story about spiraling into darkness—and emerging into the light again.”

---

The Gentleman’s Guide to Vice and Virtue by Mackenzi Lee

Release Date: June 27th 2017

I’ve seen ARCs of this book around EVERYWHERE  and I don’t know anything about it but the synopsis sounds incredible and I need to read this!!!

“An unforgettable tale of two friends on their Grand Tour of 18th-century Europe who stumble upon a magical artifact that leads them from Paris to Venice in a dangerous manhunt, fighting pirates, highwaymen, and their feelings for each other along the way.

Henry “Monty” Montague was born and bred to be a gentleman, but he was never one to be tamed. The finest boarding schools in England and the constant disapproval of his father haven’t been able to curb any of his roguish passions—not for gambling halls, late nights spent with a bottle of spirits, or waking up in the arms of women or men.

But as Monty embarks on his grand tour of Europe, his quest for a life filled with pleasure and vice is in danger of coming to an end. Not only does his father expect him to take over the family’s estate upon his return, but Monty is also nursing an impossible crush on his best friend and traveling companion, Percy.

Still it isn’t in Monty’s nature to give up. Even with his younger sister, Felicity, in tow, he vows to make this yearlong escapade one last hedonistic hurrah and flirt with Percy from Paris to Rome. But when one of Monty’s reckless decisions turns their trip abroad into a harrowing manhunt that spans across Europe, it calls into question everything he knows, including his relationship with the boy he adores.

Witty, romantic, and intriguing at every turn, The Gentleman’s Guide to Vice and Virtue is a sumptuous romp that explores the undeniably fine lines between friendship and love.”

---

The Space Between the Stars by Anne Corlett

Release Date: June 1st 2017

I will have a review for The Space Between The Stars up in the next couple of days!

“In a breathtakingly vivid and emotionally gripping debut novel, one woman must confront the emptiness in the universe—and in her own heart—when a devastating virus reduces most of humanity to dust and memories.

All Jamie Allenby ever wanted was space. Even though she wasn’t forced to emigrate from Earth, she willingly left the overpopulated, claustrophobic planet. And when a long relationship devolved into silence and suffocating sadness, she found work on a frontier world on the edges of civilization. Then the virus hit…

Now Jamie finds herself dreadfully alone, with all that’s left of the dead. Until a garbled message from Earth gives her hope that someone from her past might still be alive.

Soon Jamie finds other survivors, and their ragtag group will travel through the vast reaches of space, drawn to the promise of a new beginning on Earth. But their dream will pit them against those desperately clinging to the old ways. And Jamie’s own journey home will help her close the distance between who she has become and who she is meant to be…”

---

Next I will be showing you the 7 books that are being released in the second half of 2017 which I’m MOST EXCITED ABOUT!!!!!

My holy grail/auto-buy/all time favorite authors are all coming out with new books this year and I am SHOOKETH!

Whichwood by Tahereh Mafi: Just look at that stunning cover and tell me you don’t want to read it. – out November 14th

Warcross by Marie Lu: Can I be honest with you… I don’t really know what this book is about (I read the synopsis ages ago) but I will read anything that Marie publishes. – out September 12th

Wonder Woman Warbringer by Leigh Bardugo: Again, don’t really know what this is about but I’m here for kickass females and I love me some Leigh Bardugo! – out August 29th

The Language of Thorns by Leigh Bardugo: “It was only then that she saw the black-clad boy crossing the room toward her. The shadows seemed to shift as he passed, pulled along by him like a tide.” THIS HAS AT LEAST ONE STORY ABOUT THE DARKLING IN IT AND I LOVE HIM and he deserved so much better SO I NEED TO HAVE THIS – out September 26th

Daughter of the Burning City by Amanda Foody: PLEASE JUST CLICK ON THE LINK, IT’LL TAKE YOU TO GOODREADS SO YOU CAN READ THE BLURB AND ADD THIS TO YOUR TBR IN A HEARTBEAT BECAUSE THIS SOUNDS FANTASTIC – out July 25th

27 Hours by Tristina Wright: I have already talked about my excitement for this book in another post which you can find here but this is such a wonderfully queer book set in space and I. CAN’T. WAIT. – out October 3rd

All the Crooked Saints by Maggie Stiefvater: Don’t know much about this book either but it sounds amazing and I need to have it because that cover is gorgeous. – out October 10th

UPDATE: how could I forget about Renegades by Marissa Meyer OHHH MY GOD THAT ONE WILL BE SO GOOD (I’ll add a link and photo later lol I’m in class)

---

That’s it for my most anticipated releases for the month of June and the second half of 2017!

Thank you for reading!

What are some of your most highly anticipated releases for the second half of 2017? Or for the month of June? Some of Bardugo? Some of Stiefvater? Let’s chat in the comments!

Top Ten Tuesday: Ten Authors I’d Love To Meet

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish. Each week there’s a new book-related topic to answer!

This week’s topic is Top Ten Authors I’d Love To Meet!

*note: these are in no particular order except for my #1 obviously*

1. Tahereh Mafi

God, I just really need to meet Tahereh and sit down with her in a place that is open 24/7 (so we’d have ALL DAY to talk!) and I need her to answer all of my questions regarding the love of my life; Aaron Warner. And just the Shatter Me series in general. Like, I STILL HAVE SO MANY QUESTIONS!!!

2. J. K. Rowling

This one is quite obvious and doesn’t need further explaining.

3. Jane Austen

I’d have loved to meet Jane Austen if she was still alive! Or I’d just travel back in time to meet her if I could! I haven’t read many of her books but she is one of my favourite authors. She’s so witty and humorous and I bet it’d be loads of fun to spend a day with her!

4. Rainbow Rowell

Ok, first of all, how cool is it that her first name is literally Rainbow! So unique! I love her writing and enjoy reading her books and I’d just like to tell her how great she is!

5. Becky Albertalli

I haven’t read any of her books yet but I follow her on Twitter and I love her! She’s so cute and I just love reading her tweets. Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda is currently being made into a movie and we could chill on set and stalk Nick Robinson 😉

6. Stephanie Garber

I truly loved her debut novel Caraval, I can already say that it’s one of my favourite releases this year! Her writing is incredible and I need her to teach me how she does it! Also, I need to squeeze every bit of information about book 2 out of her!!!

7. Marie Lu

I think Marie Lu is so sweet and kind and she seems so genuine! I’d love to chat with her about books and stuff. Please, tell me more about June and Day!

8. Leigh Bardugo

Leigh Bardugo has easily become another one of my all time favourite authors! I truly enjoyed the Grisha trilogy and I don’t even have to read the Six of Crows duology to know just how incredible it is. And I really NEED to talk to her about Nikolai and ask all kinds of questions that I have about him! Oh, and make her write a 1000+ page novel about him, please and thank you 😀

9. Stephenie Meyer

All I want to do is thank her for introducing me to YA! Twilight was pretty much my first contact with the YA genre and it opened this huge door for me! Bless her.

10. Walt Disney

Last, but not least, Walt Disney! I know that, technically, he isn’t an author but I’d have loved to meet him and look into his mind and, like, observe the process of him coming up with the characters that we’ve all come to love today!

Honorable Mentions: Alice Oseman (she seems so sweet on Twitter!), Ransom Riggs (I adore him and Tahereh!), Angie Thomas (she’s just incredible)

So that’s it for my Top Ten Tuesday! I hope you enjoyed it and I can’t wait to read everyone else’s posts!

Jackie x

Who is/are your all time favourite author(s)? Which of them would you love to meet and what would you tell them? And are there any authors that you’ve already met? Let’s chat in the comments!