HAPPY NEW YEAR'S

Oh my gosh guys, another year has passed.

Another year.

ANOTHER YEAR OF FUHREAKING AMAZING BOOKS AND COVERS AND NOVELS AND AUTHORS. Eeeeeep this is so exciting! So what's going to happen this year? Who knows. But I bet it'll be awesome! (Speaking of? Follow the YA Valentines (@YA_Valentines on twitter. HERE is their website) because they're seriously some of the most amazing people ever!)

By the way, anyone have any romantic kisses at midnight? Anyone see the fireworks? Anyone see the ball drop?

ALSO. GUYS. Some things are going to change around the blog. If you'll notice at the bottom, I've made a new signature that's significantly bigger than my last one. Also, my review format has completely changed! I've also made a few new graphics. I may alssoooooo be moving to WP soon! EXCITED? YES. YES I AM.

Anyways, here are a few of my 2013 accomplishments I must brag about. :3

Accomplishments

• I was quoted in Penguin's catalog for VENOM
• I was quoted on Fiona Paul's website (here)
• I was quoted on Lili Peloquin's website (here)
• I was quoted in the "Praise for Death and the Girl Next Door" section in DEATH AND THE GIRL HE LOVES by Darynda Jones! 
• Business cards? I GOT EM. AND THEY'RE GORGEOUS
• Merp Squad (here) opened up (and I got a group of amazing BBFFs!)
• I became a Paper Lantern Lit (here) Blogger
• EILEEN RAN A TWITTER PARTY FOR MY BIRTHDAY. IT TRENDED IN TWO COUNTRIES AND OUTTRENDED THE BACHELOR. 
• I went to my first authors event in Texas! 
• I got books from Harper, Hyperion, and Random!
• I WAS INTERVIEWED BY PUBLISHER'S WEEKLY. HOW EPIC IS THAT. (HERE)
• I reached 1000 followers! EEP! 
• I was a YA Crush Tourney advocate for Perry @ Under the Never Sky by Veronica Rossi. EEP!
• SARAH BETH DURST EMAILED ME GUYS. 
• I met several bloggers and authors this year! AWESOMENESS IGNITED. 

---

Resolutions

• I WILL GO TO AUSTIN TEEN BOOK FEST. 
• I will meet at least five author friends.
• Move to Wordpress! 
• Write more snarky reviews
• I will reach 1500 followers
• I WILL EVENTUALLY TALK TO EVERYONE WHO FOLLOWS ME. 
• I'll move to Wordpress
• I will, eventually, get 150 scheduled posts
• I will get a 94+ average in all my classes. 
• IN HIGH SCHOOL, I will not be antisocial. I WON'T. 

---

FICTIOUS FREAKOUTS 2013

Hey guys! So this is my awards type thing (more info in How the Blog Works) and basically highlights my favorite books I've reviewed this year. Which was sort of impossible to choose, but still. Also, I use bad puns.

(Click the covers to go to my review)

Fangirl Fiction

Books that'll turn any girl into a fan! 7/5 (7 books)

Keeper of the Lost Cities by Shannon Messenger
I don't often read MG, and even then, I rarely love it. But Keeper of the Lost Cities completely blew me away with its worldbuilding and originality! I may have...possibly...read it as a YA book at times, but still! Who knew an MG book was so amazing? Not me. NOW I DO. Keeper of Amazing Books, methinks!






The Storyteller by Antonia Michaelis
Guys, this ending was unbelievable and I cried so much throughout this. It's a gorgeous book with absolutely stunning writing and storyline that will just rip your heart into two. I really have no words except READ IT. Antonia Michaelis is a seriously talented Storyteller.







If I Lie by Corrine Jackson
If I Lie just completely and utterly destroyed me and I think I actually had a sort of emotional break down when I finished it. It's just heart rendering and I really wish that the pain in my chest when I think about it would just disappear. I swear, if I lie and you don't love, I'll eat my books.







In the Shadow of Blackbirdsy by Cat Winters
May ghosts haunt me if you don't love this book as much as I did! I'll be honest, I wasn't expecting much at first (It didn't sound like my type of book!) but I was quickly sucked into a historical world that's more supernatural that it seems. It has a thrilling element to it that makes it pretty much impossible to put down!






Mind Games by Kiersten White
So maybe this book is a HATE or LOVE kind of book, but I was definitely on the love side! I was a bit wary at first, but oh my gosh! The sisters' relationship warmed my heart and their abilities made everything so much more interesting. James, by the way? LOVE. This book just plays mind games on you and I really had NO CLUE WHAT was going to happen!




Just One Day by Gayle Forman
Ah, yes. My first Gayle Forman book. Oh God, you did not disappoint. It took me just one day to read it and just like that I fell in love with a new author. There's something rather enticing about the storyline, about a character who's off to look for her lost love, and her lost questions.







My Life After Now by Jessica Verdi
So Ashley @ Nose Graze was the one to recommend this to me and I am unbelievably happy that she did! My Life After Now was a truly stunning read that brings a lot into question, questions I've never really thought about before. The issues dealt in it are also pretty new, but I loved how Jessica Verdi wrote about them!

Fab Fiction

Absolutely FABULOUS fiction! 10/5 stars! (6 books most + sequel)

Some Quiet Place by Kelsey Sutton
OH GOD. ALL THE FEELS FOR THIS ONE. First of all, the worldbuilding is seriously amazing and the premise is just stunning. The writing is beautiful and so is Fear the book. I was just blown away (get it? The cover? Yeah? No?) by all of it and can NOT wait for Where the Silence Gathers!






Six Months Later by Natalie Richards
Oh my God, one of the best thrillers of the year! I'm a serious sucker for amnesia stories, so a book about a girl who can't remember the last six months of her life? Hell yeah! Plus the romance was unbelievably yummy and the twists absolutely surprising! I still can't believe them six months later. (And the puns just keep on coming.)






This Song Will Save Your Life by Leila Sales
I am just stunned by This Song Will Save Your Life. When I first heard of it, it didn't really stand out to me, but when I got the chance to read it...well, I'm so glad I did. It's a story that I think literally everyone can relate with. If you're not one character, you'll be another or another or another. This is possibly the truest version of high school, of a high schooler's life, I've ever read and what can I say but this book will save your life?




The Naturals by Jennifer Lynn Barnes
OH GOD THIS BOOK THIS BOOK THIS BOOK. The feels I have for this book are not Natural whatsoever. When reading it, I legit clung to a wall in History and cried and bemoaned my existence as my teacher looked on, completely confused over my lack of social life. This book had twists I could never see coming and ACK! THE LOVE INTERESTS.





3:59 by Gretchen McNeil
Oh hello again, first Gretchen McNeil book that I absolutely loved and broke my heart at the very end by ripping away my happily ever after dream. It's nice to see you again AFTER YOU COMPLETELY WRECKED ME.
That is all.

Stunning Sequels!

My favorite sequels of the year? (First, 7 stars. Second, 10 stars.)

Never Fade by Alexandra Bracken
OH GOD NEVER FADE WHY THE CLIFFHANGER WHY ALL THE FEELS WHY ALL THE PLOT TWISTS WHY ALL THE DEATH. Darkest Minds was a decent read, but not my favorite, but oh GOD, Never Fade! You just gutted me and left me for the book vultures to pick on. Well, one thing's for sure, your plot twists and FEELS will never fade from my mind.




Crown of Midnight by Sarah J. Maas
Crown of Midnight? Try Crown of Awesome. This was seriously an AMAZING book that I screamed at, cried at, and giggled at. Even if I am Team Dorian, I will admit that Chaol is pretty damn fine. Also, assassin Celaena is badass Celaena.

Fiction Favorite!

My (very hard to choose) favorite book of the year!

The Program by Suzanne Young
GODDAMMIT, PROGRAM. WHY DID YOU HAVE TO AND BREAK MY SPIRIT LIKE THAT.
When I finished my book I actually wrote down my reaction and sent it to all my friends via twitter. I won't go into detail, but it had a...few expletives. Ahahaha. This book also gave me my first bookish hangover that I had to deal with for over a week, and I actually screamed into my pillow when I was done. I've never been so tempted to throw a book at a wall with all the love in the world.
Guys, I belong in the Program because of The Program.



Honorable Mentions
-The Bone Season by Samantha Shannon
-Just Like Fate by Cat Patrick and Suzanne Young
-How To Lead a Life of Crime by Kirsten Miller
-A Darkness Strange and Lovely by Susan Dennard

How was your 2013? What were some of your favorite books? What are your most anticipated 2014 reads?

Week of a Fiction Freak + #NYE14Reads

Hey guys! Before we get into my week and my book haul (long overdue!) I wanted to tell you guys about #NYE14Reads!

It's almost 2014 y'all! And that means...

TWITTER PARTY! 

Or something of the like! Authors will be tweeting about other authors' books (linking Goodreads pages and the like) and we encourage you to do the same! Chat with authors, tweet about your most anticipated books, or just squeal about your excitement for 2014! 

It'll go throughout the day from noon to night. Support the 2014 debut authors and HAVE FUN! 

---

So a) I made a new banner because the old one was...weird to me. So, yeah. 

WINTER BREAK!! HALLELUJAH. I think my midterms went pretty well (97 on History, 100 in English, 97 in Math, 88 in Art--we had an actual freaking written exam. What?, 95 in Science, and...Gym. Uh.)

It's been a pretty awesome break but this week, all my relaxing goes away and I have to start working on a giant project due the week we get back from break. So ugh. But anyways! 

Library

Jellicoe Road by Melina Marchetta

Amy and Roger's Epic Detour by Morgan Matson

Bought

Control by Lydia Kang

Flawed by Kate Avelynn

Losing Lila by Sarah Alderson

Publisher

Ink by Amanda Son

Fire & Flood by Victoria Scott

These Broken Stars by Meagen Spooner and Amie Kaufman

Gifted

The Nightmare Dilemma by Mindee Arnett

Coldest Girl in Coldtown by Holly Black

Pivot Point by Kasie West

Giveaway

Strange and Beautiful Sorrows of Ava Lavender by Leslye Walton

Breakfast Served Anytime by Sarah Combs

The Chance You Won't Return by Annie Cardi

Caminar by Skila Brown

There Will Be Bears by Ryan Gebhart

I got my friend to check these two out for me (I asked her to get some others for me, but she couldn't get them SIGH.) since I lost my library card...ahahahaha...haha...anyways I read Amy and Roger's already and I ADORED IT SO MUCH. I need to get my own copy soon! I loved Matson's other book, Second Chance Summer, so I had high hopes for Amy and Roger's Epic Detour. Now, I'll officially read anything by Morgan Matson.
CONTROL! I'm so excited to read Control by Lydia Kang. I've been aching for a sci-fi lately, so this is perfect! I also stopped by Half Price Books and picked up Flaw, which seems heartbreakingly emotional, and Losing Lila, the sequel to Hunting Lila. I've been eyeing the series for a while and I jumped at the chance to get the sequel since it wasn't available in the US. Now I have to get my hands on a copy of the first book and I'll be good! 
INK! I got Ink from Harlequin Teen's Panel and I already had an ARC copy, but the finished copy is gorgeous! And I read both These Broken Stars and Fire and Flood--loved both! Reviews to come soon! (These Broken Stars though omg. I need a Pandora, btw.)
THANK YOU SO MUCH TO JESSI FOR THE NIGHTMARE DILEMMA! Read and loved and review shall come! Thanks to Eileen for Pivot Point which I've been DYING TO READ lately and THANKS SO MUCH to Inky for The Coldest Girl in Coldtown! 
I won a Candlewick Press Giveaway and WAS SO EXCITED TO READ THE STRANGE AND BEAUTIFUL SORROWS OF AVA LAVENDER. Which, by the way, is as strange and beautiful as the title suggests. I absolutely adored it. 

I also got a rather epic Secret Santa gift from my Merp Squad Secret Santa, Annabelle! She's a pretty awesome gift giver guys:

Bag of Jolly Ranchers (Actually Inky also got me a bag of Jolly Ranchers! I LOVE JOLLY RANCHERS)

Turquoise Maybelline eyeshadow

$20 B&N Gift Card

See's Dark Chocolate Raspberry Truffle (it was delicious)

Blue/Purple Scarf

CHRISTMAS CANDY! 

Loved this gift! <3 Annabelle is so sweet! 

AND THEN GUESS WHAT ELSE I GOT. WAIT FOR IT. WAIT FOR IT. (It being the terrible photo, but...)

I BOUGHT TEDDDDYYYYY BEARS. I couldn't decide so I got my mom to get one for herself. Then stole it from her. You know. (Hey so they're both the same but with different shades of brown. BUT THE SHADE OF BROWN IS IMPORTANT DUDE.)

Happy New Year's!

That's right y'all! It's 2013! And it's time to PARTAY!!!

By the time this goes up, I'll be staring up at fireworks or reading while listening to sounds that sound like gunshots. Possibly a horror book or a thriller. Watch me squee each time there's a firework.

It seems like it was 2012 only yesterday...

I can't wait for most of the 2013 debuts and books, so I'll likely go broke, but I can't leave y'all without a present! Thanks for being with me, Senior Fiction Freaks, and HEY Newbies! It's a giant time of the year and it'll be an amazing year, I KNOW IT!

ANYWAYS!

Here are some of the notable things that happened this year-

• We survived the apocalypse
• I became BBFFs with Eileen (the craziest person ever whom you all know)
• I started blogging seriously
• I made author and blogger friends which still amazes me
• I somehow turned crazier
• I got 5 $50 B&N GCs which STILL amazes me.
• I realized just how supportive the YA blogosphere is! 

and

What are your New Year's Resolutions? Here are a few of mine...well, I won't put my personal ones since those are sekrit. ;D But here are book related ones! Or blog related. :)

• Be ahead of schedule by more than a month!
• Be more friendly with other bloggers. ;D (i.e. be less crazy and scary)
• SOMEHOW GET PENGUIN TO SEND ME BOOKS. AND HARPER. @_@
• Read more horror. Without being as scared. 
• Actually watch a horror movie. Without covering my eyes. Scratch that, WITHOUT CRYING AND SCREAMING INTO THE HILLS. 
• Meet up with Eileen, Shreya, Nicole, Lizzy, this could go on... (Hey, I wrote this in Nov. If, somehow, I get another bloggy friend who isn't scared of my Nikkiness, then sorry there's no mention!)
• Finish my TBR. Hopefully. I'm doubting the reality of this one.

There you have it! Just a few of my resolutions! NOW, for your present? (think of it as a late Xmas too!)

WIN A $10 Amazon Gift Card! Or, if your INT, a book $10 or less from The Book Depository! And yes, this IS part of the Happy New Year 2013 Giveaway Hop! :D

a Rafflecopter giveaway


BUT WAIT! Want to celebrate more?
CLICKY CLICKY!

FICTIOUS FREAKOUTS 2012

Hey guys! So this is an awards-type thing I decided to do last year, where I gather up my seven 7 stars, my four 10 stars, and then show you guys which was my absolute favorite book of the year. I HAVE to have reviewed it this year in order for it to qualify though!

(Click the covers to go to my review)

Fangirl Fiction
Books that'll turn any girl into a fan! 7/5 (7 books most)

Burn for Burn was just an amazing read that absolutely stunned me! I loved Jenny Han's Summer series so when I heard about this my interest immediately piqued! This was SO good and I loved how different the girls were! But I really do wish the guys/girl had done something more dramatic to earn this kind of suffering...well that is what prevented a ten, but still! AMAZING book, I loved how devious it was and it was just...wow.








Do I even need to say anything? Sweet Evil was amazing with a unique twist on the Nephilim (trust me, that deserves 7 stars already) and Kaidan? YES. not to mention I loved Anna and she was just adorable! Want to see my entire rant? Click the pic!










Send me a Sign. Oh how I loved thee. I absolutely loved Mia and her superstitious ways! She could read into anything and I just loved how quirky she was, and the fact that she wasn't the average loser/normal in books. She was popular and quirky and she didn't know if she'd be alive in the end. It's a unique...situation for a character and this book just made me cry so many times! I loved the love interest. He was just...awww. Wish I could say more! Send Me a Sign to say I can! 








I can't believe I rated this 4 stars at first! Oh, the young blogger I was. But Meant to Be was a sweet, adorable read that was light, hilarious, and romantic at the same time! Lots of fluff, but the kind that we love! I have almost zero qualms about it whatsoever! This book and I were Meant to Be!









Even the Empress would approve! I loved how we got to read about the apocalypse and not just read about after it. I loved seeing how the suspense increased with each page, and I loved meeting all the other Arcana! I just loveloveloved this book! That's pretty much all I can say right now! Also--Jackson.










Another book that made me sob! I loved the writing, I loved the character, I was with her along the way when she fell in love, relived her guilt, and everything else. This book was just...heartfelt. It was such a Lovely, Dark, and Deep tale!














Fab Fiction
Absolutely FABULOUS fiction! 10/5 stars! (4 books most)


OH MY GOODNESS! THE SQUEES I HAVE FOR THIS. It was just amazing, I wanted to cry at the end and and and...wow the guy she ended up with was so unexpected..and KORBYN. WHHHHYYYYY. Oh I want to cry. I couldn't believe when it was over and...and...OH THE FEELS.








Oh my. Crewel was just simply magnificent! One of the strongest female heroines I met and amazing world-building! Need I say more? It excels at my favorite parts of a book and I could reread this in less than hour because of how much flipping I'd do! And that ending? JUST CREWEL.









You've seen me rant about this on Twitter. Facebook. I'm even doing a Readalong for it! Is it any surprise it's on here? Venom is my absolute favorite historical fiction novel! Jeez, I even did a report on it for school! It manages to weave deceit, romance, and absolutely stunning writing into one historical novel you can't forget!









Fiction Favorite!
My (very hard to choose) favorite book of the year!


The IMAGINATION! The CHARACTER! The LOVE INTERESTS! OH MY GOODNESS I JUST LOVED THEM. The creativity that should be required for all Alice retellings was here. The character was likeable and I didn't really have any negative feelings towards. her. I AM A MOTH GIRL and I just loved how...brooding Morpheus was! Jeb stands NO CHANCE in the long run. MORPHEUS IS SO MUCH BETTER! My heart SPLINTERED when I read this!

How was  your New Year's? What were some of your fave books? I'd LOVE to know!