The Book Forums

Time for the classic excuse of ‘I haven’t been reading because I have school/work’. This, of course is true, but I still feel bad about my lack of reading. However, I have been able to check out some shows and movies on Netflix. I’ll get to reviewing some of these shows later this week so I can, hopefully, get back into reviewing things. For anyone who is curious, I’m currently reading A Conjuring of Light by V E Schwab and I can’t wait to finish it! See you in an upcoming review, Elise

Welcome back to Top 5 Wednesday , a segment that I very inconsistently participate in; this week’s topic is 5 Debuts in 2017. The Caraval  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. ...

One book down, twenty-four to go! WOOP! Every year, Blue Sargent stands next to her clairvoyant mother as the soon-to-be dead walk past. Blue herself never sees them—not until this year, when a boy emerges from the dark and speaks directly to her. His name is Gansey, and Blue soon discovers that he is a rich student at Aglionby, the local private school. Blue has a policy of staying away from Aglionby boys. Known as Raven Boys, they can only mean trouble. But Gansey is different. He has it all—family money, good looks, devoted friends—but he’s looking for much more. He is on a quest that has encompassed three other Raven Boys: Adam, the scholarship student who resents all the privilege around him; Ronan, the fierce soul who ranges from anger to despair; and Noah, the taciturn watcher of the four, who notices many things but says very little. For as long as she can remember, Blue has been told by her psychic family that she will kill her true love. She never thought this wo...

GOODBYE 2016 *cue fireworks* Now is now the time to forget everything that happened in the past year, and move forward creating New Year’s Resolutions we know we’ll never keep! READING Unlike in 2016, I’m actually setting a specific reading goal for this year. In 2017 I’d like to read at least 25 books, but hopefully I’ll read more. I also want to branch out more with the books I read. I’d like to get out of my YA Fantasy bubble and read more Contemporary or Historical Fiction. I read a lot of lessor known books and things I wouldn’t normally read in 2016 and I’m excited to continue that into 2017. MOVIES and TV During 2016, I dropped a few shows that I wasn’t feeling anymore. Going into 2017 I’d like to branch out, giving more shows and movies a chance, but I’d also like to not stick with any shows that I’m not enjoying anymore because I feel obligated to. During 2017, I’m going to only stick with the shows that I am actively enjoying and looking forward to, and ditch...

Well 2016 is wrapping up with farewells from everyone! It was a great year for some and not so great for others, but now it’s time to take one last look at 2016 before launching into the hopes and dreams I’ve built up for 2017! Reading My reading goals for 2016 were vague and without a set number of books to read. With that said, I did keep to my goal of only reading things I enjoyed. Looking back on the year, I enjoyed most of the books I’ve read and I never wasted time powering through a mediocre book. During 2016 I also branched out a lot and read things I wouldn’t normally read. I found myself reading (and enjoying) a lot of indie and less popular books and it was nice. While I’m now going to have to go back and catch up on some of the more popular books and series that came out during the year, I don’t really mind. Notable Reads Bad Bloods: Shannon Thompson’s novels have yet to disappoint. Both November Rain and November Snow were great parts to a fast-paced story fu...

Wow… This book made me emotional… Winter, 1945. Four teenagers. Four secrets. Each one born of a different homeland; each one hunted, and haunted, by tragedy, lies…and war. As thousands of desperate refugees flock to the coast in the midst of a Soviet advance, four paths converge, vying for passage aboard the Wilhelm Gustloff, a ship that promises safety and freedom. Yet not all promises can be kept. Inspired by the single greatest tragedy in maritime history, bestselling and award-winning author Ruta Sepetys (Between Shades of Gray) lifts the veil on a shockingly little-known casualty of World War II. An illuminating and life-affirming tale of heart and hope. - goodreads.com summary    “Guilt is a hunter. Fate is a hunter. Shame is a hunter. Fear is a hunter.” “The Wilhelm Gustloff was pregnant with lost souls conceived of war. They would crowd into her belly and she would give birth to their freedom.”     While...

Yet another AMAZING book by Victoria Schwab! So great, that I read the last two hundred pages in one sitting! There’s no such thing as safe in a city at war, a city overrun with monsters. In this dark urban fantasy from author Victoria Schwab, a young woman and a young man must choose whether to become heroes or villains—and friends or enemies—with the future of their home at stake. The first of two books. Kate Harker and August Flynn are the heirs to a divided city—a city where the violence has begun to breed actual monsters. All Kate wants is to be as ruthless as her father, who lets the monsters roam free and makes the humans pay for his protection. All August wants is to be human, as good-hearted as his own father, to play a bigger role in protecting the innocent—but he’s one of the monsters. One who can steal a soul with a simple strain of music. When the chance arises to keep an eye on Kate, who’s just been kicked out of her sixth boarding school and returned home, Aug...