August 2016 TBR ♥♥♥♥

Hello August! I thought that maybe you guys would like an update on my Goodreads Challenge and a look on my TBR!! :D 

Although I hope to read much more this month, (Especially because I am 16 books behind on my reading challenge. Oops) these are the four books  I hope to finish initially in August. 

1. Nearly Gone by Elle Cosimano 

First off, I would love to finish up Nearly Gone. A book that I have started a few days ago and will hopefully finish next week. Nearly Gone is about a girl named Nearly, who knows better than to reveal much to her classmates. She keeps things to herself for the most part, aside from her two best friends. She doesn't dare tell anyone about her ability to taste what someone feels with just the touch of their skin. When a serial killer goes on a murder spree, killing students in Nearly's high school and leaving clues in the personal ads, Nearly tries to find out who the killer is, confiding in  Reece; the 'reformed bad boy' who she wonders whether or not she could trust... who is also working under cover spying... on her.

2. Bad Girls Don't Die by Katie Alender

"Alexis thought she led a typically dysfunctional high school existence. Dysfunctional like her parents' marriage; her doll-crazy twelve-year-old sister, Kasey; and even her own anti-social, anti-cheerleader attitude. When a family fight results in some tearful sisterly bonding, Alexis realizes that her life is creeping from dysfunction into danger. Kasey is acting stranger than ever: her blue eyes go green sometimes; she uses old-fashioned language; and she even loses track of chunks of time, claiming to know nothing about her strange behavior. Their old house is changing, too. Doors open and close by themselves; water boils on the unlit stove; and an unplugged air conditioner turns the house cold enough to see their breath in.

"Alexis wants to think that it's all in her head, but soon, what she liked to think of as silly parlor tricks are becoming life-threatening--to her, her family, and to her budding relationship with the class president. Alexis knows she's the only person who can stop Kasey -- but what if that green-eyed girl isn't even Kasey anymore?" (From the synopsis of Bad Girls Don't Die)

I have been wanting to read this book for a long time, and since I got it for my birthday last week, I can happily say I can finally read it! Wooo! 

3.  Me on the floor, Bleeding by Jenny Jagerfeld

    Original title: Här ligger jag och blöder

"High school outsider Maja would never hurt herself on purpose as her dad, teachers, and classmates seem to believe. Can't a person saw off the tip of her thumb without everyone starting to worry? That is, everyone except Maja's mum, who seems to have disappeared from the face of earth.

Crashing a neighbor's party, Maja meets twenty-year-old Justin Case, a super-verbal car mechanic with pink pants, who makes her forget everything about absent mothers and sawn-off thumbs, at least temporarily. But then Maja hacks into her father's e-mail account and reads an e-mail that hurts more than all the electric saws in the world.

In this funny and clever coming-of-age novel, seventeen-year-old Maja describes each moment with such bare-bones honesty that one can't help but be drawn into her world. Wise beyond her years yet still surprisingly naïve, her story is entertaining and enlightening, at turns both hilarious and bittersweet." (From the synopsis of Me on the Floor, Bleeding by Jenny Jagerfeld)

4.  Murder at Midnight by Avi

"A plot to overthrow King Claudio is brewing in the Kingdom of Pergamontio. Scholarly Mangus the magician -- along with his street-smart and faithful new servant boy, Fabrizio -- have been marked as easy scapegoats for the traitor lurking within the king's court. Together, these two unlikely partners must gather clues to solve the mystery and prove their innocence before the stroke of midnight. . . or face death!

Intricate plotting, surprise twists, and lively prose make for another suspenseful page-turner that stands alone or sets the stage for MIDNIGHT MAGIC!" (From the synopsis of Murder at Midnight)

  

 I found this one at my favorite used book shop a few cities away ♥ I haven't read a middlegrade quite like this, and I am very excited! 

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So this has been my August 2016 TBR! Have you read any of the books listed? If so, what did you think? 

Thank you so much for reading!

Xoxo, 

     Unicorn Cupcake 

♥♥♥ 

TheHypeMadeMeDoIt -- popular books that i recommend

I'm not gonna lie, a lot of the books I buy are books that I see a lot of hype over on Instagram and Tumblr. I know I'm not the only one who has followed a trend and been disappointed by what the book actually is. I'm going to share with you guys a few books I read because of the hype that were actually worth it.

1. Looking for Alaska by John Green

When I was in the seventh grade, I absolutely hated anything that wasn't fantasy. Until Looking for Alaska. I was just getting into what you would call Fandom's around now and some of my internet friends were talking about Looking for Alaska online. I hadn't planned on even trying it until I was shopping at Target with my mom and saw it on the shelf in the reading section. Looking for Alaska definitely did not disappoint me, and it got me into other John Green books as well as more contemporary and realistic fiction.

2. The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin

To be honest, the Mara Dyer trilogy is my absolute favorite book series of all time. To avoid getting too deeply into it --because I can talk about the series for days -- I'm just going to say this. There are 5 main reasons to read this series.

1.] It's so beautifully written

2.] Well representation of mental illness and feelings -- no robot characters

3.]  FUNNIEST cast of characters, multi-dimensional, amazing characters

4.] The plot is flawless

And finally

5.] Noah freaking Shaw!! ((AKA my book boyfriend))

3.  Beautiful Creatures by Margaret Stohl and Kami Garcia

Definitely a great story if you love witches, dark magic, great love stories, and stories that take place in the south. The movie definitely did not do justice to this great series: The writing is beautiful, and the world is a great one to live in.

4. Dumplin by Julie Murphy

Well-written, with a beautiful cover and a flawlessly-real character. If it isn't the writing, it's the vibe. Although I loved this book, it isn't for everyone -- but I definitely recommend everyone goes for it.

5. Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard

I picked this one up because of the hype on Epic Reads. Red Queen is what I would call a beautifully written, fantastical dystopian that you won't regret picking up. 

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And these were just five books I wouldn't have read if it weren't for the hype. Sometimes the hype is a place we hope to avoid, but in cases like these, it's worth it. 

What books have you read only because #thehypemadeyoudoit?

WEEKLY UPDATE

07/19/2016 Tuesday
WEEKLY UPDATE

 Currently Reading: Believarexic by J. J. Johnson

Currently binge watching: Gotham season 1 on Netflix

Next book review: some time next week 

I will be posting a discussion/review on season 1 of the Flash on Thursday!

A question for my followers: What should I start doing to make better content? Comment below! :)  

Anne & Henry by Dawn Ius

Anne and Henry, inspired by the true story of Anne Boleyn and King Henry VIII, is a re-imagined story of the love, intensity, and betrayal between the infamous couple.
Taking place in modern times, this is the story of two teenagers; Henry Tudor, whose life had been mapped out for him from the start of his life. And Anne Boleyn; described as wild, brash, and outspoken, Anne had just moved to Medina. Anne and Henry meet at a masquerade event, and from there, their lives begin to shift with each action they make. Henry is willing to do anything to be with her, and Anne is absolutely lovestruck. On their own, they're both destined to destroy themselves, but together, they're destined to destroy each other.
With a well-introduced cast of characters, wonderful storyline, and complex main characters, Anne and Henry has earned a 4.5 stars from me.

💜💜💜💕

If you have a book you'd like to read, review, and/or discuss, please contact me at fearlessskittles@gmail.com

WEEKLY UPDATE

07/06/2016 Wednesday
WEEKLY UPDATE

Currently reading: Anne and Henry by Dawn Ius

Currently binge watching: The Flash Season 1

Next book Review: Some time next week

See poll on the right to help me decide what series to watch next!

07/06/2016 Wednesday
WEEKLY UPDATE

Currently reading: Anne and Henry by Dawn Ius

Currently binge watching: The Flash Season 1

Next book Review: Some time next week

See poll on the right to help me decide what series to watch next!

The Fray Theory: Resonance by Nelou Keramati

**I was given an ARC of this book by the author in exchange for an honest review**

For a while now, I've been looking for a YA fantasy that I love as much as the rest on my favorite's list-- it's been so hard to find what I've been looking for. The Fray Theory has succeeded in impressing me. With a wonderful plot, cast of characters, and beautiful writing, this book has been put together beautifully. 
From the first chapter I was hooked, and the only disappointment I experienced was the disappointment of having to put it down! 
Our main character, Neve, discovers that her world isn't exactly what she's been taught it was. After the return of her ex-boyfriend (Dylan), an old friend (Romer), and another specific event ((that I refuse to spoil for you ;) )) Neve, Dylan, and Romer have to work together to figure out what is going on, and what the novels (ever so well-written) antagonist wants. 
With the realistically written, /normal/ main girl, beautifully done descriptions, and the wonderfully constructed plot, it's safe to say this book deserves a big 5/5 stars, and nothing less. I will be patiently waiting for the sequel, and until the arrival, my excitement will grow. I was expecting a lot from this book; and I assure you, if you pick up this book, you will NOT be disappointed!

If there is a book you want me to read and review or discuss, email me  @fearlessskittles@gmail.com
Happy reading, loves!
<3 ~// Unicorn Cupcake,
//Abigail Martin