Review: A Study in Charlotte by Brittany Cavallaro

Title: A Study in Charlotte

Author: Brittany Cavallaro

Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books

Publishing Date: March 1, 2016

Pages/Format: 321, eARC
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The last thing Jamie Watson wants is a rugby scholarship to Sherringford, a Connecticut prep school just an hour away from his estranged father. But that’s not the only complication: Sherringford is also home to Charlotte Holmes, the famous detective’s great-great-great-granddaughter, who has inherited not only Sherlock’s genius but also his volatile temperament. From everything Jamie has heard about Charlotte, it seems safer to admire her from afar.

From the moment they meet, there’s a tense energy between them, and they seem more destined to be rivals than anything else. But when a Sherringford student dies under suspicious circumstances, ripped straight from the most terrifying of the Sherlock Holmes stories, Jamie can no longer afford to keep his distance. Jamie and Charlotte are being framed for murder, and only Charlotte can clear their names. But danger is mounting and nowhere is safe—and the only people they can trust are each other.

Book in One Word: Hmmmmlmes

An Adventure with Iain Reading and Kitty Hawk

Hello, adventurous readers! Do you know what I love? Adventure. And mystery. Enter Kitty Hawk, the plane-flying Nancy Drew of Iain Reading's Kitty Hawk Flying Detective Agency series! (Does Reading not have the coolest last name ever?) A mixture of crime solving, travel, and history, this multi-book series is set to be a ride of a read, taking you here, there, and everywhere, and bringing the settings on the page to life. I'm very excited to have Iain on the blog today to share his secrets to creating one of Kitty Hawk's wild stories--and a peek at the seventh installment!

The Weekly Forecast (25)

Welcome to a weekly feature of sorts here on Beauty and the Bookshelf: The Weekly Forecast! I've been reworking the blog a bit, trying to post more and be consistent, but also to post more than reviews and the same two memes every week (assuming I even post anything during a week). Then I thought of The Weekly Forecast, a way to recap what I did on the blog the week before, and then to forecast what will be on the blog the coming week. The latter could be helpful because it keeps me in check, kind of: if I tell you I'm going to post a review this week then now I basically have to post a review this week. But first: let me tell you what happened on the blog last week.

FYI: It's really hard to blog when your wi-fi isn't working.

Review: Wintersong by S. Jae-Jones

Title: Wintersong

Author: S. Jae-Jones

Publisher: Thomas Dunne

Publishing Date: February 7, 2017

Pages/Format: 448, eARC
Add on Goodreads!

Beware the goblin men and the wares they sell.

All her life, nineteen-year-old Liesl has heard tales of the beautiful, mysterious Goblin King. He is the Lord of Mischief, the Ruler Underground, and the muse around which her music is composed. Yet, as Liesl helps shoulder the burden of running her family’s inn, her dreams of composition and childish fancies about the Goblin King must be set aside in favor of more practical concerns.

But when her sister Käthe is taken by the goblins, Liesl journeys to their realm to rescue her sister and return her to the world above. The Goblin King agrees to let Käthe go—for a price. The life of a maiden must be given to the land, in accordance with the old laws. A life for a life, he says. Without sacrifice, nothing good can grow. Without death, there can be no rebirth. In exchange for her sister’s freedom, Liesl offers her hand in marriage to the Goblin King. He accepts.

Down in the Underground, Liesl discovers that the Goblin King still inspires her—musically, physically, emotionally. Yet even as her talent blossoms, Liesl’s life is slowly fading away, the price she paid for becoming the Goblin King’s bride. As the two of them grow closer, they must learn just what it is they are each willing to sacrifice: her life, her music, or the end of the world.

Book in One Word: Disappointing

The Notables of 2016

Hello, hello, all! I know I'm about a month late in posting this, but better late than never, right? I just wanted to take the chance to share some things that I thought were notable in 2016, whether they be about books or anime or art or really good drinks. In other words, these are a few of my favorite things of 2016. (And I want you to love them too okay?)

The Weekly Forecast (24)

Welcome to a weekly feature of sorts here on Beauty and the Bookshelf: The Weekly Forecast! I've been reworking the blog a bit, trying to post more and be consistent, but also to post more than reviews and the same two memes every week (assuming I even post anything during a week). Then I thought of The Weekly Forecast, a way to recap what I did on the blog the week before, and then to forecast what will be on the blog the coming week. The latter could be helpful because it keeps me in check, kind of: if I tell you I'm going to post a review this week then now I basically have to post a review this week. But first: let me tell you what happened on the blog last week.

I'm slowly getting back into the reading and blogging groove...but now I'm failing at bookstagram. WHOOPS. Maybe January is just like a really big Monday.

Review: By Your Side by Kasie West

Title: By Your Side

Author: Kasie West

Publisher: Harper Teen

Publishing Date: January 31, 2017

Pages/Format: 352, eARC
Add on Goodreads!

In this irresistible story, Kasie West explores the timeless question of what to do when you fall for the person you least expect. Witty and romantic, this paperback original from a fan favorite is perfect for fans of Stephanie Perkins and Morgan Matson.

When Autumn Collins finds herself accidentally locked in the library for an entire weekend, she doesn’t think things could get any worse. But that’s before she realizes that Dax Miller is locked in with her. Autumn doesn’t know much about Dax except that he’s trouble. Between the rumors about the fight he was in (and that brief stint in juvie that followed it) and his reputation as a loner, he’s not exactly the ideal person to be stuck with. Still, she just keeps reminding herself that it is only a matter of time before Jeff, her almost-boyfriend, realizes he left her in the library and comes to rescue her.

Only he doesn’t come. No one does.

Instead it becomes clear that Autumn is going to have to spend the next couple of days living off vending-machine food and making conversation with a boy who clearly wants nothing to do with her. Except there is more to Dax than meets the eye. As he and Autumn first grudgingly, and then not so grudgingly, open up to each other, Autumn is struck by their surprising connection. But can their feelings for each other survive once the weekend is over and Autumn’s old life, and old love interest, threaten to pull her from Dax’s side?

Book in One Word: Disappointing

Waiting on Wednesday (181)

is a weekly feature hosted by Breaking the Spine that 

showcases upcoming releases people are very much anticipating.

I am complete and utter trash for all things Peter Pan so I will most definitely be reading the shit out of this.

Top Ten Tuesday (181)

is a weekly feature created by The Broke and the Bookish.

This Tuesday's theme is...

Review: Caraval by Stephanie Garber

Title: Caraval

Author: Stephanie Garber

Publisher: Flatiron Books

Publishing Date: January 31, 2017

Pages/Format: 416, ARC
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Whatever you've heard about Caraval, it doesn't compare to the reality. It's more than just a game or a performance. It's the closest you'll ever find to magic in this world . . . 

Welcome, welcome to Caraval―Stephanie Garber’s sweeping tale of two sisters who escape their ruthless father when they enter the dangerous intrigue of a legendary game.

Scarlett has never left the tiny island where she and her beloved sister, Tella, live with their powerful, and cruel, father. Now Scarlett’s father has arranged a marriage for her, and Scarlett thinks her dreams of seeing Caraval, the far-away, once-a-year performance where the audience participates in the show, are over.

But this year, Scarlett’s long-dreamt of invitation finally arrives. With the help of a mysterious sailor, Tella whisks Scarlett away to the show. Only, as soon as they arrive, Tella is kidnapped by Caraval’s mastermind organizer, Legend. It turns out that this season’s Caraval revolves around Tella, and whoever finds her first is the winner.

Scarlett has been told that everything that happens during Caraval is only an elaborate performance. But she nevertheless becomes enmeshed in a game of love, heartbreak, and magic with the other players in the game. And whether Caraval is real or not, she must find Tella before the five nights of the game are over, a dangerous domino effect of consequences is set off, and her sister disappears forever.

Book in One Word: Lackluster

The Weekly Forecast (23)

Welcome to a weekly feature of sorts here on Beauty and the Bookshelf: The Weekly Forecast! I've been reworking the blog a bit, trying to post more and be consistent, but also to post more than reviews and the same two memes every week (assuming I even post anything during a week). Then I thought of The Weekly Forecast, a way to recap what I did on the blog the week before, and then to forecast what will be on the blog the coming week. The latter could be helpful because it keeps me in check, kind of: if I tell you I'm going to post a review this week then now I basically have to post a review this week. But first: let me tell you what happened on the blog last week.

I posted four times this week and that's good enough for me.

Review: Chimera by Mira Grant

Title: Chimera

Author: Mira Grant

Publisher: Orbit

Publishing Date: November 24, 2015

Pages/Format: 496, Paperback
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The final book in Mira Grant's terrifying Parasitology trilogy.

The outbreak has spread, tearing apart the foundations of society, as implanted tapeworms have turned their human hosts into a seemingly mindless mob.

Sal and her family are trapped between bad and worse, and must find a way to compromise between the two sides of their nature before the battle becomes large enough to destroy humanity, and everything that humanity has built...including the chimera.

The broken doors are closing. Can Sal make it home?

Book in One Word: Stay

Review: Symbiont by Mira Grant

Title: Symbiont

Author: Mira Grant

Publisher: Orbit

Publishing Date: November 25, 2014

Pages/Format: 516, Paperback
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The enemy is inside us.

The SymboGen designed tapeworms were created to relieve humanity of disease and sickness. But the implants in the majority of the world's population began attacking their hosts turning them into a ravenous horde.

Now those who do not appear to be afflicted are being gathered for quarantine as panic spreads, but Sal and her companions must discover how the tapeworms are taking over their hosts, what their eventual goal is, and how they can be stopped.

Book in One Word: Wormderful?

Review: Parasite by Mira Grant

Title: Parasite

Author: Mira Grant

Publisher: Orbit

Publishing Date: October 29, 2013

Pages/Format: 504, Paperback
Add on Goodreads!

A decade in the future, humanity thrives in the absence of sickness and disease.

We owe our good health to a humble parasite - a genetically engineered tapeworm developed by the pioneering SymboGen Corporation. When implanted, the tapeworm protects us from illness, boosts our immune system - even secretes designer drugs. It's been successful beyond the scientists' wildest dreams. Now, years on, almost every human being has a SymboGen tapeworm living within them.

But these parasites are getting restless. They want their own lives...and will do anything to get them.

Book in One Word: Successful

December Rewind

 

I've fallen a bit behind on blogging, unfortunately, but I'm hoping to get all that back in gear. I did read a good chunk of books this month though, which is good--and also my problem. I've spent less time blogging and scrolling through Instagram and watching TV (I'm behind on like every show) because I've chosen to spend more time reading instead. Which isn't a bad thing. I just need to work on balance (especially if I want to do all this once I find a damn job).

The Weekly Forecast (22)

Welcome to a weekly feature of sorts here on Beauty and the Bookshelf: The Weekly Forecast! I've been reworking the blog a bit, trying to post more and be consistent, but also to post more than reviews and the same two memes every week (assuming I even post anything during a week). Then I thought of The Weekly Forecast, a way to recap what I did on the blog the week before, and then to forecast what will be on the blog the coming week. The latter could be helpful because it keeps me in check, kind of: if I tell you I'm going to post a review this week then now I basically have to post a review this week. But first: let me tell you what happened on the blog last week.

Me: Does a post about my blogging secret, aka these Weekly Forecast posts.
Me: Falls behind on blogging.
Me. Every. Single. Week.

Review: Mad Miss Mimic by Sarah Henstra

Title: Mad Miss Mimic

Author: Sarah Henstra

Publisher: Penguin Canada

Publishing Date: May 5, 2015

Pages/Format: 272, eARC
Add on Goodreads!

Jane Austen meets Arthur Conan Doyle in a historical fiction debut for fans of Ruta Sepetys and Elizabeth Wein. 

Born into an affluent family, Leo outwardly seems like a typical daughter of English privilege in the 1870s: she lives with her wealthy married sister Christabel, and lacks for neither dresses nor trinkets. But Leo has a crippling speech impediment that makes it difficult for her to speak but curiously allows her to mimic other people's voices flawlessly. Servants and ladies alike call her "Mad Miss Mimic" behind her back... and watch as she unintentionally scares off every potential suitor. Only the impossibly handsome Mr. Thornfax seems interested in Leo...but why? And does he have a connection to the mysterious Black Glove group that has London in its terrifying grasp? Trapped in a city under siege by terror attacks and gripped by opium fever, where doctors (including her brother-in-law) race to patent an injectable formula, Leo must search for truth in increasingly dangerous situations - but to do so, she must first find her voice.

Book in One Word: Lost

2017 End of Year Book Survey

It's that time of year again--the end of one year and the beginning of another! I didn't participate in the End of Year Book Survey last year--actually, I never finished putting it together--because I couldn't pick my number one book of the year. (Also, does it take anyone else hours to put this together?!) I tried not to repeat the same books over and over (and somewhat succeeded) and didn't include non-2016 releases for certain categories, but huzzah! Here it is!

The Weekly Forecast (21)

Welcome to a weekly feature of sorts here on Beauty and the Bookshelf: The Weekly Forecast! I've been reworking the blog a bit, trying to post more and be consistent, but also to post more than reviews and the same two memes every week (assuming I even post anything during a week). Then I thought of The Weekly Forecast, a way to recap what I did on the blog the week before, and then to forecast what will be on the blog the coming week. The latter could be helpful because it keeps me in check, kind of: if I tell you I'm going to post a review this week then now I basically have to post a review this week. But first: let me tell you what happened on the blog last week.

I know I said I would've gotten better at posting on the blog last week, but I really meant this week.