Stacking the Shelves

Stacking the Shelves is a meme hosted by Tynga. It's a fun way for us to show what books we got this week to add to our shelves! 

I got two ARCs this week!

Embers and Echoes (Wildefire #2) | Karsten Knight

Yay!!! Thank you Simon and Schuster! I have high hopes for this one!Getting this book made my week. :)

Holding On To Zoe | George Ella Lyon

The publishers were clearing their shelves and tweeted that they had some of these. It's not my usual type of read, but sounds good! 

Paranormalcy

Paranormalcy

Kiersten White
Harper Teen
goodreads


Synopsis from goodreads:

Weird as it is working for the International Paranormal Containment Agency, Evie’s always thought of herself as normal. Sure, her best friend is a mermaid, her ex-boyfriend is a faerie, she's falling for a shape-shifter, and she's the only person who can see through paranormals' glamours, but still. Normal.

Only now paranormals are dying, and Evie's dreams are filled with haunting voices and mysterious prophecies. She soon realizes that there may be a link between her abilities and the sudden rash of deaths. Not only that, but she may very well be at the center of a dark faerie prophecy promising destruction to all paranormal creatures.

So much for normal.

I looooooved this book!!

It was so funny, quirky, and cute! Evie, the main character, was just so awesome. She had tons of personality and was really fun. She even has a pink taser! I love that Evie is into frivolous things, but also had a deeper side. She's tough and sensitive. I really like her love interest, Lend, too!I thought he was a pretty unique character.

The world that Evie lives in is amazing!! She's a kick-butt heroine who gets to hunt down paranormals. Neat, right? Her best friend is a mermaid. It's not all awesome-ness though. Evie has no real family, and she's struggling to find herself and her place. The storyline was mysterious and kept the pages turning!

The cover is pretty awesome too. I think it fits Evie, and the story, perfectly.

I can't recommend this book enough. SO FUN!!! Honestly, it's one of the best book I have read this year.  I need to grab book two ASAP.

Recommend A... book you thought was funny

 

 This brand new meme is hosted by Chick Loves Lit. 

Feel free to head on over to her blog to read more about it or to join in. 

Just click on the banner above! 

Recommend A...book you thought was funny 

 

Hex Hall (Hex Hall #1) | Rachel Hawkins

from goodreads:

Three years ago, Sophie Mercer discovered that she was a witch. It's gotten her into a few scrapes. Her non-gifted mother has been as supportive as possible, consulting Sophie's estranged father--an elusive European warlock--only when necessary. But when Sophie attracts too much human attention for a prom-night spell gone horribly wrong, it's her dad who decides her punishment: exile to Hex Hall, an isolated reform school for wayward Prodigium, a.k.a. witches, faeries, and shapeshifters. 


By the end of her first day among fellow freak-teens, Sophie has quite a scorecard: three powerful enemies who look like supermodels, a futile crush on a gorgeous warlock, a creepy tagalong ghost, and a new roommate who happens to be the most hated person and only vampire student on campus. Worse, Sophie soon learns that a mysterious predator has been attacking students, and her only friend is the number-one suspect. 

As a series of blood-curdling mysteries starts to converge, Sophie prepares for the biggest threat of all: an ancient secret society determined to destroy all Prodigium, especially her.

I don't read a whole lot of books that I'd classify as funny, but this one definitely was! I really need to read the next two books in this series. 
 

Stacking the Shelves

Stacking the Shelves is a meme hosted by Tynga. It's a fun way for us to show what books we got this week to add to our shelves! 

I got a couple books this week! 

 The Night Circus | Erin Morgenstern

I won a copy of this from Becky at Becky's Blarmy Book Blog. Thanks Becky!! It's such a pretty book. It's going to look lovely on my bookshelf. :)

The Near Witch | Victoria Schwab

I follow Victoria on twitter, and I think she's really cute and funny! I'm hoping I like her book as much as I like her!

Recommend A... book that made you emotional

 

 This brand new meme is hosted by Chick Loves Lit. 

Feel free to head on over to her blog to read more about it or to join in. 

Recommend A…book that made you emotional

The Fault in Our Stars | John Green

from goodreads:

 Diagnosed with Stage IV thyroid cancer at 13, Hazel was prepared to die until, at 14, a medical miracle shrunk the tumours in her lungs... for now.

Two years post-miracle, sixteen-year-old Hazel is post-everything else, too; post-high school, post-friends and post-normalcy. And even though she could live for a long time (whatever that means), Hazel lives tethered to an oxygen tank, the tumours tenuously kept at bay with a constant chemical assault.

Enter Augustus Waters. A match made at cancer kid support group, Augustus is gorgeous, in remission, and shockingly to her, interested in Hazel. Being with Augustus is both an unexpected destination and a long-needed journey, pushing Hazel to re-examine how sickness and health, life and death, will define her and the legacy that everyone leaves behind.


 Oh gosh... this book! This. Book. Just wow. John Green has such a poetic way with words. There were so many quotable moments in The Fault in Our Stars! I giggled and I bawled. There was just so much to this story! I just don't even have words. 

Stacking the Shelves

Stacking the Shelves is a meme hosted by Tynga. It's a fun way for us to show what books we got this week to add to our shelves! 

I love Powells bookstore soooo much! I got all of these used, and in great condition. All of these were purchased because of other book blogger recommendations!

Embrace (the Violet Eden Chapters #1) | Jessica Shirvington

I love the cover in person! It's soft. My husband said it feels kind of like an eraser.

Shade (Shade #1) | Jeri Smith-Ready

I picked this one up after Shanyn at Chick Loves Lit recommended it! 

 My Soul to Take (Soul Screamers #1) | Rachel Vincent

People keep talking about this series, so I finally picked up a copy. Hope it's as good as it sounds!

Timepiece

Timepiece (Hourglass #2)
Myra McEntire
Egmont USA
goodreads
I received an advanced digital copy of this book for my review. This is my honest opinion. 

The covers for the books in this series are awesome! I got to see the finished hardcover of Timepiece in the store, and it's so pretty!

I loved Hourglass so much; Emerson was awesome! I really clicked with her, and I loved her sense of humor. Timepiece isn't written from Em's point of view though... it's from Kaleb's. I didn't realize this until I started reading it, so I was a bit bummed at first. I really wanted more from her!

Kaleb was perfect for this part of the story however. Not that Em's part of the story is over, but we get so much more out of it seeing things through Kaleb at this point. He's just such a likable character... he's funny and has more to him than his bad boy image conveys. For those of you who loved Kaleb in Hourglass, You'll love Timepiece! Really, I can't imagine a better narrator for it. Yes, I'm admitting that it just wouldn't have been the same if Emerson was telling it from her point of view. Kaleb was the right choice.

Em was still in the story enough to keep me happy, and Lily, Em's best friend, was a bigger part of this story too. We get to know her personality and history a bit more. Without giving anything away, I really like how the relationships (both romantic and friendships) developed and progressed. There are things I want to say here, but they are spoilers... so I'll refrain. Good stuff though! I can't even really mention the plot at all without giving it away. Just know that I liked it!

I was afraid that Timepiece wouldn't live up to Hourglass, but I was wrong! I think Hourglass is still my favorite, but Timepiece held its own. I'm looking forward to book number three, and any other story Myra decides to tell us! More please!

Recommend A...Trilogy!

 

 This brand new meme is hosted by Chick Loves Lit. 

Feel free to head on over to her blog to read more about it or to join in. 

Recommend A…trilogy!

The Faeriewalker Trilogy | Jenna Black

From goodreads:

 It's all she's ever wanted to be, but it couldn't be further from her grasp...

Dana Hathaway doesn't know it yet, but shes in big trouble. When her alcoholic mom shows up at her voice recital drunk, again, Dana decides shes had enough and runs away to find her mysterious father in Avalon: the only place on Earth where the regular, everyday world and the captivating, magical world of Faerie intersect. But from the moment Dana sets foot in Avalon, everything goes wrong, for it turns out she isn't just an ordinary teenage girl, she's a Faeriewalker, a rare individual who can travel between both worlds, and the only person who can bring magic into the human world and technology into Faerie.

Dana finds herself tangled up in a cutthroat game of Fae politics. Someone's trying to kill her, and everyone seems to want something from her, from her newfound friends and family to Ethan, the hot Fae guy Dana figures she'll never have a chance with...until she does. Caught between two worlds, Dana isn't sure where she'll ever fit in and who can be trusted, not to mention if her world will ever be normal again.

 I haven't had the chance to review all of them on here (I don't think), but this was a cute series. It's a pretty quick read, and it's about the fae, which is one of my favorite topics! Plus, the covers are sooo pretty! Especially in person. 

Stacking the Shelves

Stacking the Shelves is a meme hosted by Tynga. It's a fun way for us to show what books we got this week to add to our shelves! 

I didn't think I was going to have any books to share with you all this week, but then I got approved for some review books! They're ones I really want to read, too. Yay!

For Review:

What's Left of Me (The Hybrid Chronicals #1) | Kat Zhang

I am in love with this cover! I can't wait to see the finished copy. It's just so pretty! I'm pretty excited to read it.

 Shadow of Night (All Sould Trilogy #2) | Deborah Harkness

Woo! I didn't think that I'd get approved for this one. i asked for it forever ago and just got approved. Yay!

That's a Wrap!

Armchair Bea 2012 is over! 

I'm a bit sad. This is one of my favorite events to participate in. I am already eager to do it all again next year! 

If you're a book blogger, and you haven't participated then you're missing out! 

Here are a few reasons you should join in next year:

Twitter Parties!

I know it doesn't sound like much, but the twitter parties are awesome! I got to find so many new (to me) bloggers in such a short amount of time. Plus, you get to talk books with a lot of people all at once! I know lots of the others agree that the twitter parties are one of their favorite things about Armchair BEA.

Prizes!

If you participate in posting or the twitter parties you can win stuff! Lots of authors and publishers giveaway stuff. I've won a few times in the last two years!

Giveaways! 

Yep, even more stuff you can win! Bloggers have the opportunity to hold their own giveaways (enter mine if you haven't already!). Lots of bloggers held giveaways this year! 

Other Bloggers! 

Yes, I already mentioned them in the twitter party part, but you also get lots more people visiting your blog too! Plus, you can go and comment and learn about lots of other bloggers you might not have known before. 

Meeting other bloggers has been so much more rewarding than I would have thought. It's a huge perk to being a book blogger! Most other bloggers are super friendly and want to chat. Yay for more friends! 

Other bloggers: the best part. :)

Armchiar BEA ~ Day Five ~ Blogging Tips

Well, today is the last official day for ArmchairBEA!

Today's Topic: Blogging Tips

 

 
My Advice?

More cats! 

Just kidding. Kind of. I mean, isn't that kitty cute?! Kitties and books, what more could you ask for?

I've been book blogging for a little over a year now, and blogging in general for about four. I blogged about this topic last year, and what I said is still relevant. Check it out HERE. Basically it said these things:

1. Make your blog pretty. It doens't have to be fancy, but it should be nice to look at. If it's crazy and hard to read, then no one will read it. If it's super boring, you might be losing out on some readers.

2. Don't use CAPTCHA. You know those word verification forms you have to fill out? Yeah, those are annoying and  no one likes them. I guarantee you're losing comments by having that on.

3. Don't have sounds that automatically play. Those annoy the poop out of me! Arg! If I want music playing, I'll put it on myself, thanks though.

Those are just three basic things that will make more people read and comment on your blog. Honestly though, your blog should be whatever you want it to be. Shannon over at Books Devoured was thinking the same thing I was and beat me to it! She posted on twitter while I was writing mine (you know, while dealing with my four year old who keeps pestering me to paint her toe nails and trying to entertain/feed/cuddle my 11 week old baby - in other words, writing this is going slow).

Basically, it's your blog, and it should be how YOU want it. Sure, it's nice to have people actually read your blog, but it's not very fulfilling if your blog starts to become something that doesn't reflect who you are. You will burn out really fast (I did!). If you want captcha and want music, go ahead. 

So, my biggest advice is to do it however you want to! Make it a reflection of who you are! 

The Future of Book Blogging -This is where I'm at in my blogging Journey:

Last year I took a break in blogging. I didn't quit altogether, but my posting slowed down a lot. I just got burned out on it! I think a big part of it was trying to keep up with everyone else, and I wasn't enjoying it as much. Well, that and being pregnant. Holy geez, growing a baby is exhausting!

I'm actually in the process of trying to figure out how I want my blog to be. I want to change the way I do reviews and stuff, because it's feeling boring and not like me at all. I'd also like to incorporate more of my personal life into the blog, although I'm having a hard time trying to decide how much is too much.

I have decided that I love book blogging, and that I'm going to try to do it for a long time. I'm just going to do it my way. :)

Well, that's it!

Armchair BEA 2012 is over! How sad. I love getting to meet other bloggers and chat with them! I still have some catching up to do. I hope to get to meet some more bloggers over the weekend. Fpr those of you I just met, yay for new friends!

Oh! Don't forget to enter my giveaway! You could win one of these, yay!

Armchair BEA ~ Day Three ~ Networking...In Real Life?!

Welcome to day three of Armchair BEA: Networking...In Real Life?!

Today's Topic:

Share a positive "real life" experience with books! Either by way of your own partnerships in your community, a book signing you went to or possibly even a get together with fellow book bloggers. Tell us all about it!

So, I'm going to share a book signing that I haven't shared yet! I know, I'm a slacker... I should have shared forever ago, but life got in the way and all that. I got to see Suzanne Young at Powells to promote A Need So Beautiful. I LOVED the book so much, and Suzanne is incredibly cute and sweet!

Balloons and books!

I just like taking detail shots. :)

Waiting While She's Introduced (the staff at Powells loves her, by the way)

She's so funny and cute!

Pondering the answer to a question, maybe?

Swag and chocolate!

Her signature - I love that she signed it in gold

Suzanne and me! It's blurry, but whatever.

It's only 11 months overdue... better late than never, right?? If you haven't read A Need So Beautiful, you should! I can't wait for the next book, A Want So Wicked!

Armchair BEA ~ Day Two ~ Giveaway Day!

Hi! If this is your first time to my blog, welcome!

I love Armchair BEA so much that I decided to do a giveaway again this year! Yay! 

 

ONE winner will win ONE book of their choice from these titles:

Some of these are a pre-order, and you will receive your book after it is released.

Why these books? All of them are books that I want! Can I win this giveaway? Oh... that's cheating? Ok then I'll let you have the chance instead!

Rules:

• Anyone can enter. You do not have to be a blogger or a participant in armchair BEA. You may earn extra entries.
• You do not have to be a follower. Only follow my blog if you like it! :)
• Open Internationally, as long as The Book Depository ships to you. Please check the list of places they'll ship to before entering. 
• You must be 13 or older to enter. 
• Little Shelf is not responsible for articles lost in the mail or damage incurred during shipping. I will do my best to make sure it gets to you and in the best condition, but I'm not responsible for anything out of my control.
• I reserve the right to change the giveaway details and rules at anytime (I don't plan on doing this, but you never know!)
• If you win, you will be contacted by email, and listed in a blog post. You must respond within 48 hours, or a new winner will be chosen.
• No Cheating. That means you can't try to get extra entries by using multiple e-mail accounts, etc. Be fair! 
• By entering the contest, you agree to all rules mentioned above. Sorry for so many rules! I'm just covering my bases.

Contest will run for about 2 weeks! Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Comments won't get you an entry, but I'd love it if you said hi! Are you looking forward to any of these books (or if you've read them, what did you think)?

 

Armchair BEA ~ Day One ~ Answer 5 Questions

Alright, let's get Armchair BEA 2012 rolling!! 

If you have no idea what I'm talking about, please see THIS post. 

Today's agenda is all about learning about our fellow bloggers! Talking with other bloggers was my favorite thing about last year's Armchair BEA. Our goal today is to answer five questions, so without further ado:

1.  Please tell us a little bit about yourself: Who are you? How long have you been blogging? Why did you get into blogging?

Me and my littlest one last month!

I'm Jennifer!  In a nutshell I'm a wife and mommy who loves to read (obviously), loves photography, and has a degree in Biology.  I'm silly, nerdy, and generally a nice person.

I've been blogging for a little over a year now. There have been times where I haven't posted very much, but I'm still here! 

I got into blogging because I wanted a place to talk about the books I read! I had no idea it would turn into this; It's far better than I imagined!

If you want to know a little more about me, I posted some on last year's post: How Do You Armchair BEA?

2. What are you currently reading, or what is your favorite book you have read so far in 2012?

 Right now I'm reading Paranormalcy by Kiersten White and Rapture by Lauren Kate. 

My favorite book so far this year would have to be The Fault in Our Stars by John Green. It was such an amazing book! I laughed and I cried (while in the waiting room of the hospital no less!). I can't recommend this book enough. I actually own two signed copies.

Plus, I love John and his brother, Hank. Yay Nerdfighters! If you haven't seen them on youtube, you need to. Seriously... click here. 

3.  What is your favorite feature on your blog (i.e. author interviews, memes, something specific to your blog)?

Photography by Little Shelf

 I don't have one thing that's a "thing" I do, like a feature. Photography is a hobby of mine and I try to incorporate that whenever I can though!

I did a few fancy schmancy pictures on a review of a kids book about Rapunzel, and I've taken photos at a few author signings! You can check them out if you want to:

• Review with pretty pictures of Rapunzel's Amazing Hair

• Book signings with Alyson Noel and authors from the Dark Days Tour

4.  Where do you see your blog in five years?  

I really do hope to be book blogging in five years still! Right now I'm trying to figure out how to make my blog more "me" and unique. It's tough, isn't it?? In five years my kids will be older, so hopefully I'll have a bit more time to dedicate to it. I want to have more interaction with my readers too! 


5. Which is your favorite post that you have written that you want everyone to read?

My favorite post is actually on another blog! I was a guest on A Book and a Latte and talked all about the Vlogbrothers and Nerdfighters. That was by far my most favorite post! Here it is:

So, Are YOU a Nerdfighter?

Thanks for reading all that, if you did! :) Please leave a link to your blog so I can get to know you, too!