Post-Thanksgiving Holiday

(Image belongs to Wild Spirit Wolf Sanctuary)

First off, I hope all of you were able to have an excellent and filling Thanksgiving holiday.  And if you did go shopping or were working on Black Friday, I hope all went well without any snafus.  

Well, it's been one of those weekends where despite having 5 days off from work, I was still uber-busy because my folks were in town for the holiday and my beau was working on Black Friday.  It's been a fun time but also rather exhausting, and I'll be happy for the schedule to get back to normal.  

Here's what I've been reading over the holidays, and I hope to finish it this week:

The Raven Boys by Maggie Stiefvater

What I plan to read next:

Stormdancer by Jay Kristoff

OR

The Crown of Embers by Rae Carson

OR

Soulless: The Manga Volume 2 by Gail Carriger and REM

What were all of you reading over the holidays?  ^_^

Top Ten Tuesday (54): Books I'd Want on a Deserted Island

Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme created at The Broke and the Bookish. Each week a new Top Ten list will be posted by one of the bloggers at The Broke and the Bookish. Everyone is welcome to join, just make sure to link back to The Broke and the Bookish on your own Top Ten Tuesday post AND add your name to the Linky widget so everyone can check out other blogger lists. Have fun!

Top Ten Books I'd Want on a Deserted Island

(In no particular order)

1) Watership Down by Richard Adams - I've read my copy seven times already in it's lifetime, and I just cannot part with it or get tired of it. 

2) Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater - While my copy is now signed, this is an important book because it was the first book my beau and I read together. Plus, if the island gets TOO hot, the temperatures in Maggie Stiefvater's werewolf novel should help cool me down.

3) The Girl of Fire and Thorns by Rae Carson - With what heroine Elisa goes through in the second part of the novel, it will help readers in how to survive on a deserted island (even if she was in a desert).

4) Carnival of Souls by Melissa Marr - This one is on the list ONLY if it's compiled with its sequel so the story is complete.  It was an amazing read, and I would be thrilled to have it with me on a deserted island.

5) Oh. My. Gods. by Tera Lynn Childs - You need humor to get you through a trying time, and what better book to have than one that also takes place on an island? (Also, only if it's compiled with the sequel, Goddess Boot Camp.)

6) Stormdancer by Jay Kristoff - I've been eagerly anticipating reading this book, and there's no way I won't take it with me to a deserted island so I can finally read it.

7) A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness - This book has been an intimidating addition to my TBR shelf, and I figure there should be no better time to read it than while on a deserted island.

8) D'Aulaire's Book of Greek Myths - One way to not get bored is by having variety, and a compendium of stories or myths on hand is definitely varied enough for me.

9) Fateful by Claudia Gray - While I haven't read this novel involving werewolves on the Titanic, I figure it will put things in perspective while I'm on the deserted island.

10) Wonderstruck by Brian Selznick - I had to sneak in a picture book without it being a graphic novel. ;)

Honorable Mentions: 

The Study Series (Poison Study, Magic Study, and Fire Study) by Maria V. Snyder (including the unpublished new additions to the series)

The Edelstein Trilogy (Ruby Red, Sapphire Blue, and Emerald Green) by Kerstin Gier
Memoirs of a Geisha by Arthur Golden

Top Ten Tuesday (53): Anticipated Books TBR In Fall

Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme created at The Broke and the Bookish. Each week a new Top Ten list will be posted by one of the bloggers at The Broke and the Bookish. Everyone is welcome to join, just make sure to link back to The Broke and the Bookish on your own Top Ten Tuesday post AND add your name to the Linky widget so everyone can check out other blogger lists. Have fun!

Top Ten Anticipated Books TBR In Fall

(In no particular order)

1) The Raven Boys by Maggie Stiefvater - After attending the signing in late October and hearing what is in store in her next series, I'm really excited to read this one.

2) Carnival of Souls by Melissa Marr - The song that inspired her to write this novel is remarkable.  It's also inspiring me to read my copy soon.

3) The Crown of Embers by Rae Carson - Reading The Girl of Fire and Thorns brought back a lot of memories of my initial love of fantasy books, and I anticipate the sequel will, too.

4) Stormdancer by Jay Kristoff - With everything I've heard, I'm so glad there's a copy waiting on my shelves to read soon.

5) Onyx by Jennifer L. Armentrout - This one has me so curious about what more will happen to Katy especially when it involves Daimon Black. (Also, I'm really hoping that Houston wins the Release Party for Opal!)

6) Alchemystic by Anton Strout - Most of the reviews I've read have been really positive, and I must read my birthday present from my beau soon. :)

7) Sapphire Blue by Kerstin Gier - While this one isn't on my shelves currently (like the others), it won't be long before I have it on hand to continue Gwen's thrilling, time-traveling story.

8) Luminosity by Stephanie Thomas - I managed to work up the courage to request an ARC of this anticipated read, and I cannot wait to read it. 

9) Wolf Moon by Charles de Lint - I know it's after Halloween, but this is a werewolf book I've been wanting to read for awhile now. 

10) Goddess Boot Camp by Tera Lynn Childs - It's about time I read the sequel to the hilarious Oh. My. Gods. 

Top Ten Tuesday (50): Bookish People I Want to Meet

Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme created at The Broke and the Bookish. Each week a new Top Ten list will be posted by one of the bloggers at The Broke and the Bookish. Everyone is welcome to join, just make sure to link back to The Broke and the Bookish on your own Top Ten Tuesday post AND add your name to the Linky widget so everyone can check out other blogger lists. Have fun!

Top Ten Bookish People I Want to Meet

(In no particular order)

Authors:


1. Rae Carson (The Girl of Fire and Thorns, The Crown of Embers) - I'm so thrilled to meet the author who broke some serious "norms" in YA fiction.  Elisa is one of the most courageous and amazing fantasy heroines readers will ever find.

2. Kerstin Gier (Ruby Red, Sapphire Blue) - It's so understandable how she became an international bestseller.  I cannot wait until Sapphire Blue is released in October. 

3. Jay Kristoff (Stormdancer) - If you haven't been paying attention to interviews, reviews, and the like involving either Jay or Stormdancer, I'm betting he's an awesome and hilarious guy to talk to.

4. Tamora Pierce (Song of the Lioness) - I missed the chance to meet this early YA writer when I was at Dragon*Con back in '08.  Should I have the chance again, you can bet your boots I'm going to meet her.

5. Gena Showalter (The Nymph King, Intertwined) - This was the woman who got me back into reading paranormal romance when I thought all there was to offer was vampires.  She seems like a fun lady, too.

Bloggers :

1. Marla from Starting the Next Chapter - She's been a great blogging friend and confidant when it comes to advice on what to get for the library.  I hope one day we can meet and chat about books and writing over coffee and dessert.

2. Poison Rose from Picked by Poison - As a new partner in crimeme *rimshots*, I'm sure she'd be a fun person to hang out with.

3. Christy from The Reader Bee - I've followed this lovely lady for a long time now, and she always has great reviews and such a cute blog.  She's one of the best precedents for bloggers, and I would direct any newbies to her blog.

4. Louise from Between the Covers - A hilarious and snarky lady, I know she'd be great to go shopping with, especially in a bookstore.

5. Kyla from Unbind with Words - Same goes for this pretty lady as with Louise, she's one awesome writer.

Top Ten Tuesday (49): Books TBR in Fall

Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme created at The Broke and the Bookish. Each week a new Top Ten list will be posted by one of the bloggers at The Broke and the Bookish. Everyone is welcome to join, just make sure to link back to The Broke and the Bookish on your own Top Ten Tuesday post AND add your name to the Linky widget so everyone can check out other blogger lists. Have fun!

Top Ten Books on My Fall TBR List

(In no particular order)

1. Stormdancer by Jay Kristoff - Japanese steam punk, what more do I need to know?

2. The Raven Boys by Maggie Stiefvater - Maggie! <3 Aside from the author, it sounds like such a mysterious series. 

3. Sapphire Blue by Kerstin Gier - Ruby Red was such an amazing book, I have to know what happens next!

4. Seraphina by Rachel Hartman - I know I'm behind the rest, but I'm still eager to read a good dragon book.

5. Valkyrie Rising by Ingrid Paulson - Norse mythology, done deal since it's rare to see it featured in a book.

6. Onyx by Jennifer L. Armentrout - After the teaser in the back of Obsidian, I'm eager to read more about Daimon and Katy. 

7. Gravity by Melissa West - More aliens? Yes please!

8. Black City by Elizabeth Richards - I'm so curious about the Darklings, one of the first few "vampire" books that I'm eager to read.

9. Venom by Fiona Paul - Reading Marla's review inspired me to check this one out. :)

10. Soulless:The Mange Volume 2 by Gail Carriger and REM - Yes, there's a manga I'm eager to read, mostly because it's one of the few that features werewolves. 

Stacking the Shelves (8)

We are all book lovers and the need to share our enthusiasm is sometimes overwhelming. Stacking the Shelves, created and hosted at Tynga's Reviews, is all about sharing the books you are adding to your shelves, may it be physical or virtual. This means you can include books you buy in stores or online, books you borrow from friends or the library, review books, gifts, and of course ebooks!

Underworld by Meg Cabot (Bought thanks to B&N coupon)
Demonglass by Rachel Hawkins (Bought at HPB)
A Game of Thones Vol. One by George R.R. Martin, Daniel Abraham, & Tommy Patterson (From Library)

The Raven Boys by Maggie Stiefvater (Thanks to Netgalley and Scholastic!)
Stormdancer by Jay Kristoff (Thanks to Netgalley and St. Martin's Press!)

Game of Thrones Season 1 (Borrowed, and I cannot wait to watch it finally!)


That's all I stacked on my shelves this week. What did you get? ^_^

Waiting on Wednesday: Stormdancer by Jay Kristoff

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

This week's "Waiting On" Wednesday selection is:

Stormdancer

By Jay Kristoff

Published on September 18, 2012 by St. Martin's Press

From Goodreads~

A Dying Land

The Shima Imperium is verging on the brink of environmental collapse; decimated by clockwork industrialization and the machine-worshippers of the Lotus Guild. The skies are red as blood, land choked with toxic pollution, wildlife ravaged by mass extinctions.

An Impossible Quest

The hunters of the imperial court are charged by their Shogun to capture a thunder tiger--a legendary beast, half-eagle, half-tiger. But any fool knows thunder tigers have been extinct for more than a century, and the price of failing the Shogun is death.

A Sixteen Year Old Girl

Yukiko is a child of the Fox clan, possessed of a hidden gift that would see her executed by the Lotus Guild. Accompanying her father on the Shogun's hunt, she finds herself stranded: a young woman alone in Shima's last wilderness, with only a furious, crippled thunder tiger for company. Even though she can hear his thoughts, even though she saved his life, all she knows for certain is he'd rather see her dead than help her.

But together, the pair will form an indomitable friendship, and rise to challenge the might of an empire.

***

After reading that *points to the summary* do I need to justify why I'm waiting on Stormdancer's release date?  Between Asian folklore and the heroine's quest, I really think it speaks for itself. ^_^

What are you waiting on this Wednesday?