31. pro 2013.

End of Year Book Survey

Hi all. This is something many other bloggers do every year but this year Glass and I decided to join all the fun. We'd love to thank Jamie @The Perpetual Page-Turner for organizing this. If you wanna join check out this post. This year was amazing to both of us and he we go with some best things. Shall we start.
1. Best book you've read in 2013? 
Tanja: I thought I'd be able to only pick one. Yeah, so I divided it into genres. Then I had to pick more than one for genres (I know, I know but this is like asking to pick your fave child). So for fantasy: Lumatere Chronicles by Melina Marchetta, Crown of Midnight by Sarah J. Maas, The Brides of Rollrock Island by Margo Lanagan, Clockwork Princess by Cassandra Clare, Tiger Lily by Jodi Lynn Anderson. For contemporary: The Sea of Tranquility by Katja Millay, The Fault in Our Stars by John Green and Stolen by Lucy Christopher. My paranormal pick is Deity by Jennifer L. Armentrout. And finally historical fiction - Between the Shades of Gray by Ruta Sepetys.
Glass:  That is a dangerous question. You do not ask a true bookworm to decide. Ugh... I'll try. Fantasy: Lumatere Chronicles by Melina Marchetta and Cruel Beauty by Rosamund Hodge. Contemporary: Pushing the Limits novels by Katie McGarry, Wicked Beat by Olivia Cunning, Bully by Penelope Douglas. Paranormal: Lover At Last by J.R. Ward. Only historical I read this year is Between the Shades of Gray.

2. Book you were excited about and thought you were going to love more but didn't?
Tanja: Again few of them but I'll settle with Just One Year by Gayle Forman.
Glass: I can not believe that I will say this, but that would be latest Bloodlines novel, The Fiery Heart.

3. Most surprising (in a good way) book of 2013?
Tanja: Bully by Penelope Douglas (mostly I though I'd never enjoy NA again) and South Hill Sidekicks series by Leah Spiegel and Megan Summers (I though I'd never enjoy chick-lit in my life.)
Glass: Definitely, Maybe in Love by Ophelia London - so far I wasn't the biggest fans of retellings, but this new take on Pride and Prejudice made me swoon to the moon and back.

4. Book you read in 2013 that you recommended to people most in 2013
Together: We both agree on this one - Lumatere Chronicles by Melina Marchetta.

5. Best series you discovered in 2013? 
(Apart from above mentioned Lumatere Chronicles)
Tanja: I'd just add Fever series by Karen Marie Moning.
Glass: I was all about standalones this year, but I'd add Chaos series by Kristen Ashley.

6. Favorite new author you've discovered in 2013?
Tanja: I'm truly trying to pick just one but it's hard: Ruta Sepetys and Lucy Christopher.
Glass: Definitely Ruta Sepetys - she is something special. Also, I have to mention Laura Nowlin.

7. Best book that was out of your comfort zone or was a new genre for you?
Tanja: I already answer on this question in question #3 but I shall add The Shadow Reader by Sandy Williams.
Glass: I don't think anything was out of my comfort zone - I have very "tolerant" comfort zone, but I did read one book that was a little bit different - The Social Code by Sadie Hayes.

8. Most thrilling, unputdownable book in 2013?
Tanja: Uh I'll go with Crown of Midnight by Sarah J. Maas.
Glass: Oh, boy... Hottest m/m romance I've read so far, Try by Ella Frank.

9. Book you read in 2013 that you are most likely to re-read next year?
Tanja: I don't think I'll have time for re-readings.
Glass: Me too, but I'd love to read Clockwork Princess again.

10. Favorite cover of a book you read in 2013.
Tanja: It's hard to miss this one.
Glass:


11. Most memorable character in 2013?
Tanja: Meda from Cracked by Eliza Crewe.
Glass: Quintana from Lumatere Chronicles by Melina Marchetta.

12. Most beautifully written book read in 2013?
Tanja: The Brides of Rollrock Island by Margo Lanagan.
Glass: Lovely, Dark and Deep by Amy McNamara.

13. Book that had the greatest impact on you in 2013?
Tanja: Between Shades of Gray by Ruta Sepetys. Mostly because it's based on real-life story and history firstly. It was hard not to hate the human race for certain things from the past.
Glass: I agree with Tanja, but I'd add Taming the Beast by Emily Maguire.

14. Book you cannot believe you waited UNTIL 2013 to finally read?
Tanja: The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin. But mostly because everyone else have read it and I was like the only person who hasn't. I didn't miss a lot though.
Glass: My Name Is Memory by Ann Bashares.

15. Favorite passage/quote from a book you read in 2013?
Tanja:
(photo credit: Kyla Cincinat's pinterest)

16. Shortest & longest book you read in 2013?
Tanja: I won't count short novellas so the shortest Mission One of Auggie the Alien and the longest is The Wise Man's Fear.
Glass: Longest would be After by Varian Krylov, shortest... I wouldn't know - I'm guessing all those novellas.

17. Book that had a scene in it that had you reeling and dying to talk to somebody about it?
Together: That first kiss in Crash Into You. That was something else.

18. Favorite relationship from a book you read in 2013?
Tanja: I'll go with Chaol and Celaena here.
Glass: Michael and Eve from Morganville Vampires by Rachael Caine.

19. Favorite book you read in 2013 from an author you've read previously?
Together: Once again - Lumatere Chronicles by Melina Marchetta.

20. Best book you read in 2013 that you read based SOLELY on a recommendation from somebody else?
Tanja: Everything I read is more or less based solely on recommendations but let's say Between the Shades of Gray by Ruta Sepetys (thanks Miss).
Glass: If He Has Been With Me by Laura Nowlin.

21. Genre you read the most from in 2013?
Tanja: Fantasy win this one for me.
Glass: Contemporary romance.

22. Newest fictional crush from a book you read in 2013?
Tanja: There is like a huge list but newest one is I think Tarver from These Broken Stars.
Glass: Kristen Ashley's alpha men.:)

23. Best 2013 debut you read in 2013?
Tanja: I'd say Arrow of the Mist by Christina Mercer and The Sea of Tranquility by Katja Millay.
Glass: Bully by Penelope Douglas - thank you Zemira form making me read this.

24. Most vivid world/imagery in book you read in 2013?
Tanja: Oh gosh, any. I mean whenever someone manages to create a new and unique world my heart grows a bit. I admire those people a lot.
Glass: World After by Suzan Ee. And of course, Melina Marchetta books.

25. Book that was most fun to read in 2013?
Tanja: I think South Hill Sidekicks series. I cannot pick just one.
Glass: I had so much fun buddy reading Reaper's Property by Joanna Wylde.

26. Book that made you cry or nearly cry in 2013?
Tanja: Lots of them but I think Me Before You by Jojo Moyes the most.
Glass: Definitely Between the Shades of Gray - that book is our "theme song" for 2013.
Tanja: Agreed!

27. Book that you read in 2013 that you think got overlooked this year or when it came out?
Tanja: The Brides of Rollrock Island by Margo Lanagan.
Glass: The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky.

1. New favorite blog you discovered in 2013?
Together: Now this is truly a hard question and we've met some amazing people. So we're gonna mention them all (Hopefully we won't forget someone and we're so SORRY if we do) because they all made us better reviewers and not to mention that without them this bookish world wouldn't be as amazing as it is. So: Keertana @Ivy Book Bindings, Ali @My Guilty Obsessions, Kim @Caffeinated Book Reviewer, Sarika&Janhvi @The Readdicts, Candace @Candace's Book Blog,  Nick @Nick's Book Blog, Heidi @Rainy Day Ramblings, Aman @Enticed by Books, Rachel&Jasprit @The Reader's Den, Girls @Readers in Wonderland, Mel @YA Midnight Reads, Andrea @The Bookish Babe, Siiri @Little Pieces of Imagination, Brandi @Blkosiner's Book Blog, Sam @Realms of Fiction, Maja @Nocturnal Library, Jenny @Supernatural Snark, Adriana @She's Got Books on Her Mind,  Janina @Synchronized Reading, Sara @Forever 17 Books, Sandra @Sandra's World of Books, Mag @Shooting Stars Mag, Evie @Bookish, Teresa @Reader Lives a Thousand Lives. THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING.

2. Favorite review that you wrote in 2013? 
Glass: Joined reviews and this one.
Tanja: Every review means something but I think my fave would be all our joined reviews. These are the funniest to write.

3. Best discussion you had on your blog?
Together: We don't make many discussion posts but our Bookish Problems posts brought some amazing ideas.

4. Most thought-provoking review or discussion you read on somebody else's blog?
Glass: I read several of those, mostly regarding the whole point of blogging.
Tanja: I honestly cannot think of any.

5. Best event that you participated in?
Glass: Unfortunately, we do not have big book signings and we can't meet our favourite authors, but I did visit few regular book fairs in my town and I got some cheap books.
Tanja: Well because I don't live in a cool country we don't get amazing book signings etc, but this year I visited one of the biggest book fairs in our region (Belgrade, Serbia) and it was truly eye-opening experience for me.

6. Best moment of book blogging/your life in 2013?
Glass: This whole year was amazing - thank you guys for following us and talking with us. But mostly of all, I am grateful for meeting my girls - what started as chatting about books, turned out to be true friendship. Zemira, Zrinka and my lovely Tanja, I love you, girls!
Tanja: It's hard to point just to one. There's been some amazing moments this year but for blogging whenever someone stops by and comments it meas a lot. But yeah, you girls mean so much to me!

7. Most popular post this year on your blog?
Together: Not surprisingly but two our giveaways - Something Wicked returns and Redesign post.

8. Post you wished got a little more love?
Glass: I don't think there was any post that you guys didn't read and told us what you thought about it. Thank you!
Tanja: Each got some love and that's pretty amazing.

9. Best bookish discover?
Glass: Albite Reader - that app is my absolute favorite.
Tanja: The award goes to Awesomebooks!

10. Did you complete any reading challenges or goals that you set for yourself at the beginning of this year?
Glass: I am terrible with those, but I did finish my Goodreads 2013 Challenge.
Tanja: I actually did two which kinda of makes me really happy. I've managed to accomplish my 2013-TBR-Pile-Challenge and the one at Goodreads where I challenged myself to read 200 books this year.

1. One book you didn't get to in 2013 but will be your number 1 priority in 2014? 
Together: Allegiant by Veronica Roth. We're working on it.

2. Book you're most anticipating for 2014(non-debut)? 
Glass: Flying by Megan Hart and Devil's Game by Joanna Wylde.
Tanja: Once again I cannot pick just one so: Ignite Me by Tehereh Mafi, Sinner by Maggie Stiefvater, Throne of Glass #3 by Sarah J. Maas and many, many more.

3. 2014 debut you are most anticipating? 
Glass: Beautiful Addictions by Season Vining.
Tanja: I cannot wait to read No One Else Can Have You by Kathleen Hale.

4. Series ending you are most anticipating in 2014?
Glass: House of Night - I just want to get over with it already.
Tanja: Ignite Me by Tehereh Mafi for sure.

5. One thing you hope to accomplish or do in your reading/blogging in 2014?
Glass: I hope I'll be less lazy and write more posts during 2014.
Tanja: Mostly I hope I'll get to read 200 books at least next year again. Also to manage to post on the blog and visit other blogs as much as I can. Hopefully I'll meet some new bloggers again.

It was an amazing year for us and we look forward 2014! Hope it'll bring us more fun and joy! 
Till the next year, 



29. pro 2013.

ARC Review: The Sharpest Blade by Sandy Williams

Buy this book at 
Author's 

Book summary: 
Torn between two worlds.Torn between two lives.
McKenzie Lewis’s ability to read the shadows has put her—and …those she loves—in harm’s way again and again. The violence must end, but will the cost of peace be more devastating than anyone ever imagined?
After ten years of turmoil, the life McKenzie has always longed for may finally be within her grasp. No one is swinging a sword at her head or asking her to track the fae, and she finally has a regular—albeit boring—job. But when a ruthless enemy strikes against her friends, McKenzie abandons her attempt at normalcy and rushes back to the Realm.
With the fae she loves and the fae she’s tied to pulling her in different directions, McKenzie must uncover the truth behind the war and accept the painful sacrifices that must be made to end it. Armed with dangerous secrets and with powerful allies at her side, her actions will either rip the Realm apart—or save it.
         For a book that brought the love for Urban Fantasy to me I truly wanted to have an amazing ending. This series will always remain special to me and gladly I can say that the final sequel was a satisfying one. But onto the story first.

        When I first opened The Shadow Reader earlier this year I changed my mind about Urban Fantasy as  a genre. I felt closer to it and I was truly able to enjoy it. The first book in this series was something that I enjoyed so much and while McKenzie is an character I loved reading about I must also mention Aren the guy that had me from the book one. Then in The Shattered Dark many twists and turns happened, but mostly that book left us with enormous cliffhanger and desire to get this one as soon as possible. You can only imagine my happiness when I got approved for it.

         I cannot tell you much about the events that occurred here as it'd spoil the previous books for you, but McKenize is torn between many things. Her normal life and the Realm, which never seems to be far. Then the whole war in Realm is something troubling her and every fae she cares for is in the middle of it. She must find the balance.

        This book started with some ups and downs. At first I had some troubles with this kind of love triangle and the whole situation between the three. But then at some point this book took the right pace and started going the best way. I loved the action and romance. Which all reached its peak at the end and left me in tears. It's hard to let go of this one but hell it was such an amazing ride!

Rating: 4 stars. 

Until the next time,

***NOTE: Copy of this book was kindly provided by the publisher, Ace , via NetGalley. Thank you. 
I'm not paid for writing this review - I do it as a lover of written word. All opinions are personal. 

27. pro 2013.

Just One Year by Gayle Forman

Buy the book at 
Author's 

Book summary 
Twenty-four hours can change your life . . .

Allyson and Willem share one magical day together in Paris, before chance rips them apart.

The romantic, emotional companion to Just One Day, this is a story of the choices we make and the accidents life throws at us.

But is one day enough to find your fate?
         If I was to sum up my review in one word that would be - cheated. It might be a strong and negative word which might be in conflict with my rating below but (there is always a but) if you have read anything by Gayle you know that her writing is something that makes you pick up stick marker and put on every other page.

         After last year's Just One Day I might say I got to in love with this story. Its uniqueness and sweetness was hard to resist and once you got to connect with Allyson and Willem and hear about their amazing time in Paris you probably dreamed about that city for a while. When that book left up with major cliffhanger beside yelling in agony I was waiting for this book like kids wait for Christmas. Mostly, I hoped that the book will continue where Just One Day stopped, but no. I felt cheated when I started Just One Year and saw that it's actually a story about Willem's life in meantime.

          It's not that I wasn't happy about seeing Willem's character in first person narrative and if you met him in Just One Day then for sure you would know that his travels were something worth reading about. They were, to some extend. I did enjoyed traveling around the world with him but I missed Allyson in a why to pull that romantic Willem out. He was mostly bittersweet here.

           His life story is interesting one, but  I wish that we got to see more of the Allyson and Willem. Sadly it didn't happen. Which is what disappointed me the most. But then again Gayle's writing remains amazing, like you could see in the quotes I picked only few days ago.

           All in all, it was an interesting read, but not kind of read I hoped for.

Rating: 3 stars. 

Until the next time,


25. pro 2013.

Waiting on Wednesday (#76)



You know the story. This is a meme created by Breaking the Spine and every week we pick books we're waiting for. Here are our picks for this week.

Glass' pick

After breaking up with her bad-news boyfriend, Reagan O’Neill is ready to leave her rebellious ways behind. . . and her best friend, country superstar Lilah Montgomery, is nursing a broken heart of her own. Fortunately, Lilah’s 24-city tour is about to kick off, offering a perfect opportunity for a girls-only summer of break-up ballads and healing hearts. But when Matt Finch joins the tour as its opening act, his boy-next-door charm proves difficult for Reagan to resist, despite her vow to live a drama-free existence. This summer, Reagan and Lilah will navigate the ups and downs of fame and friendship as they come to see that giving your heart to the right person is always a risk worth taking. A fresh new voice in contemporary romance, Emery Lord’s gorgeous writing hits all the right notes.



Expected publication: April 22nd, 2014

Tanja's pick
She’s searching for answers to her past. They’re hunting her to save their future.

World War III has left the world ravaged by nuclear radiation. A lucky few escaped to the Alaskan wilderness. They've survived for the last thirty years by living off the land, being one with nature, and hiding from whoever else might still be out there.

At least, this is what Juneau has been told her entire life.

When Juneau returns from a hunting trip to discover that everyone in her clan has vanished, she sets off to find them. Leaving the boundaries of their land for the very first time, she learns something horrifying: There never was a war. Cities were never destroyed. The world is intact. Everything was a lie.

Now Juneau is adrift in a modern-day world she never knew existed. But while she's trying to find a way to rescue her friends and family, someone else is looking for her. Someone who knows the extraordinary truth about the secrets of her past.

Expected publication: May 6th, 2014

We'd love to see your picks so feel free to link them up.

Until the next time,

24. pro 2013.

Top Ten Tuesday: Top Ten Books I Wouldn't Mind Santa Bringing Me

Hey darlings. It's Tuesday and we all know it means another TTT post. As always this meme is created by girls at The Broke and the Bookish. So here is what books I wouldn't mind Santa bringing me (I wouldn't mind any).

I'd love to see your picks so feel free to link them up in comments below. 

Until the next time, 

23. pro 2013.

The 2014 TBR Pile Challenge by Tanja

Hi all. You might remember that I did this challenge last year and completed it earlier this year. Honestly I enjoyed it and I read some books that would probably be on my shelf even today. So when you get all that there is no reason to do it again this year. Again thank you Roof Beam Reader for organizing this challenge.

In case you wanna sign up for this challenge all the info is in THIS POST.

So here is the list of my 12 books that I hope to read:

1. Grave Mercy  by Robin LaFevers - REVIEW
5. Cinder  by Marissa Meyer  - REVIEW
8. City of Ashes by Cassandra Clare  - REVIEW

I cannot wait to start this again and I hope that I'll complete my goal this time again.

Also thank you for your support and I hope you'll read all the books you have on your mind next year too.

Until the next time,

21. pro 2013.

Compromised by Leah Spiegel & Megan Summers

Buy the book at Amazon
Author's Website / Facebook  

Book summary: 
When Alley gets a message from Salvador Passerotti, the most influential man in the Burgh, for putting his daughter behind bars, Shane takes every precaution he can to protect her. Nevertheless, the other police officers down at the station think the rookie Shane is out of his depth, with Scarface having just posted bond until his trial and decide to partner him with Officer Jeter; a man whose so old school he does everything according to protocol. Meanwhile, Alley has her own drama at school now that the other cheerleaders at Upper East High know that she had a role in bringing down Taylor and their other friends just before qualifying for states. Just when Alley thinks she can’t get a break a mysterious newcomer starts tagging her every move. With the help of her friends, especially Val whose determined to take down the whole mob if she has to, Alley discovers that everyone she trusts has been caught in a web of lies and that all the protection she desperately needs has been compromised.
          I've been trying to put together this review for a long time now and while at one hand I truly know how feel about this book I somehow don't want to get all that out cause this series is something truly special to me. Honestly, I believe that we all are unique but how did Leah and Megan managed to create someone who is basically me goes beyond my mind.

          With Uninvited I got into this story with not many expectations as I've not been a chick-lit lover myself, but I got delighted by this story and probably the #1 fan. When I first met these famous girls it was so interesting to see a mix of different personalities who care so much for each other. Then we met Shane and well I knew that this was something else. When things got a little bit complicated in Confiscated and the story developed with unexpected twists and turns I knew I was going to love it even more. Then only one question reminded - will Compromised follow the same way?

          It most certainly did. The whole complexity of the story and the mysterious moment of it was amazingly done. It wasn't predictable and the whole idea had a great logic in it. Also we get to see character development and the romance between Alley and Shane which melted my heart. It was so deep and innocent at the same time. Truly enjoyable.

         Well, I'm well aware that not everyone will love this story as much, but I dare say I'm a bit biased here too. Anyhow this is surely one of my favorite series and I'm going to get back to it sometime in the future for sure.

       Rating: 5 stars. 

Until the next time,

19. pro 2013.

Book Blast: Majra by J. Simon

“In distant Sa'bahr, divinely inspired lunatics spend their lives inscribing every story ever told upon the backs of giant tortoises. The tortoises spend their lives weeping, for they cannot read the wondrous tales written upon their own backs...” Aris has managed to live a quiet life, even in a stark desert land of glorious tales and beautiful lies, crazed artists and mad hermits. So what if he has a knack for tales? A mere messenger can't change the world. Mighty great works he'll leave to mighty great men. Now the soldiers of Majra have come to   pacify his “savage” people.
 Few dare stand against them. Certainly Aris never meant to. Taking work with the inavders was a way to help his family, not gain insights into the alien ways of their singular truth.
Beset by beguiling widows and vengeful plutocrats, firebrand Sheyks and  sword-tongued maidens, the choices Aris faces could save his land—or break it.
J Simon is a small blue bird who has been published in magazines and anthologies ranging from Baen's Universe to Writers of the Future.  This surely indicates a lapse by the Guardians of Taste, and inquiries are being made.   There is also a very small chance that nuclear test fallout has transformed J Simon into a gigantic nuclear starfish poised to attack Tokyo, but these reports have yet to be confirmed.
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