The Nightmare Before Christmas by Tim Burton

The Nightmare Before Christmas by Tim Burton
Released: August 6th, 2013 (first released September 1st, 1993)
Publisher: Disney Press
Page Amount: 56, US Hardcover edition
Source: Own

"In this beloved picture book that could only come from the visionary mind of author and illustrator TIM BURTON, we meet Jack Skellington-- a well-intentioned inhabitant of Halloweenland. Jack is bored of "the scaring, the terror, the fright....tired of being something that goes bump in the night." And so, in an effort to bring to joy to his town, Jack kidnaps Santa and takes his place as the jolly old elf. But instead of bringing joy to the world Jack, who is a little more than a grinning skeleton, brings fear by delivering creepy toys and riding a sleigh carried by skeletal reindeer. Only through a number of things going horribly wrong does Jack learn the true meaning of Christmas." -Goodreads.com



My Thoughts:

I adore this movie. Upon seeing this on Amazon and learning it was a children's story book I had to get it. I loved reading this charming, creepy book. It's everything I love in the movie. The illustrations are beautiful, Tim Burton is a very talented artist. I'm so happy to have this apart of my library. I think I'll be re-reading this at both Halloween and Christmas. 5/5 stars, Happy Reading, Ashley.

March Wrap-Up 2015/ April TBR

March was a good reading month. I read 11 books. But for the last week I haven't picked up a single book. One of the books I read and have a review for has put me into a bit of a reading slump. But anyways here is a look back at what I did manage to get through.

1. Fifty Shades of Grey by E.L. James 4/5 stars (re-read)
I reread this because I had wanted to go see the movie. Although that hasn't happened just yet. All in do time.
2. Monster Blood by R.L. Stine 3/5 stars
I remember loving this as a kid. Now not so much. It's lost some of the magic for me. R.L. Stine is still one of my all time favorite authors and always will be!!
3. Red by Alyxandra Harvey 3.75/5 stars
I've never given a book a half stars rating before. However I was very confused with this novel and what was going on. I found myself not really caring about the characters. I have since found out this was a Red Riding Hood retelling. That information before reading Red would have been helpful.
4. Grim edited by Christine Johnson 5/5 stars
I wanted this book since learning about it last year. I loved the majority of the short stories only a few that were okay. But the book itself is beautiful
5. Oh, the Places You'll Go by Dr. Seuss 4/5 stars
This was a free audiobook download through Random House on Facebook. I figured why not give it a listen to. Very inspiring for anyone both children and adults alike.
6. Something Great by M. Clarke 5/5 stars
New Adult, was free on Kindle. Might still be. It was light, a little serious, but what I needed. Sometimes you need the fluffy reads.
7. Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard 5/5 stars
I'm going to be completely honest all of the hyper surrounding this book on Booktube. Made me a bit hesitant to pick it up. I'm glad I did though. I loved Mare. The plot twists were something I didn't see coming. Red Queen deserves all the love it's getting.
8.Girl of Nightmares by Kendare Blake 5/5 stars
Completed my first dulogy of the year!!! I loved every minute of this sequel to Anna Dressed in Blood. I wish there was one more book.
9. Confess by Colleen Hoover 5/5 stars
Another book getting hyped up on BookTube. Another new adult book. I loved the idea of the story. The confessions were a great addition. I'm looking for to the sequel November 9. The art work was stunning.
10. Grimms Complete Fairy Tales by Grimm Brothers 4/5 stars
It's great to see where the fairy tales came from. That Disney changed.
11. Dead Wake: The Last Crossing of the Lusitania by Erik Larson 3/5 stars
This book isn't what I had hoped it would be. I do have a review posted if you want more of my thoughts. But after reading this I'm now in a reading slump.

April TBR
I'm not sure what I'll read in April. I have some books on hold at the library. Picking them up tomorrow (Tuesday).
I did try to slowly rereading The Iron King by Julie Kagawa and Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare. Didn't help my slump.
Hoping it passes soon!!!

Let me know what you read in March. Did you read any of the books I mentioned or want to? What is your April TBR?

Happy Reading, Ashley.

Dead Wake:The Last Crossing of the Lusitania by Erik Larson

Released: March 10th, 2015 (first released March 3rd, 2015)
Publisher: Crown
Page Amount: 448, US Hardcover edition
Source: Review

"On May 1, 1915, a luxury ocean liner as richly appointed as an English country house sailed out of New York, bound for Liverpool, carrying a record number of children and infants. The passengers were anxious. Germany had declared the seas around Britain to be a war zone, and for months, its U-boats had brought terror to the North Atlantic. But the Lusitania was one of the era's great transatlantic "Greyhounds" and her captain, William Thomas Turner, placed tremendous faith in the gentlemanly strictures of warfare that for a century had kept civilian ships safe from attack. He knew, moreover, that his ship--the fastest then in service--could outrun any threat. 

Germany, however, was determined to change the rules of the game, and Walther Schwieger, the captain of Unterseeboot-20, was happy to oblige. Meanwhile, an ultra-secret British intelligence unit tracked Schwieger's U-boat, but told no one. As U-20 and the Lusitania made their way toward Liverpool, an array of forces both grand and achingly small--hubris, a chance fog, a closely guarded secret, and more--all converged to produce one of the great disasters of history.

It is a story that many of us think we know but don't, and Erik Larson tells it thrillingly, switching between hunter and hunted while painting a larger portrait of America at the height of the Progressive Era. Full of glamour, mystery, and real-life suspense, Dead Wake brings to life a cast of evocative characters, from famed Boston bookseller Charles Lauriat to pioneering female architect Theodate Pope Riddle to President Wilson, a man lost to grief, dreading the widening war but also captivated by the prospect of new love. Gripping and important, Dead Wake captures the sheer drama and emotional power of a disaster that helped place America on the road to war. "
-Goodreads.com

My Thoughts:
I received this book from Blogging For Books, exchange for an honest review.

I am a history buff. I was intrigued to look more about the Lusitania. However the chapters in between about President Wilson and about the submarine weren't my favorite parts.

It was heartbreaking reading about the moment The ship sank and all those lives lost. However there was warning signs that something could happen if they went in those waters.

I am glad to have read this novel. There parts like I said Didn't care for but all in all it was a good read

I'm giving this 3/5 stars.
Happy Reading, Ashley.

March Book Haul 2015

It's been a few months since I've got books. I'm only showing the book's I got in the past few days. A good friend of mine sends me books she no longer wants or has read the first in the series and is not going to continue on with the series.

Review Books:
Don't Stay Up Late by R.L. Stine (via NetGalley)
Dead Wake: The Last Crossing of the Lusitania by Erik Larson (via Blogging For Books) non-fiction

Stack of Books:
Blood Bound by Rachel Vincent
Shadow Bound by Rachel Vincent
Oath Bound by Rachel Vincent
The Lost Code by Kevin Emerson
Deception by Lee Nichols
Echoes:Echoes, Haunted, and Trust by Melinda Metz
The 57 Lives of Alex Wayfare by MG Buehlen
Feral Sins by Suzanne Wright
Wicked Things by Suzanne Wright
The Iron Witch by Karen Mahoney
The Wood Queen by Karen Mahoney
The Stone Queen by Karen Mahoney

Library:
Confess by Colleen Hoover


These are the books I've gotten in March. Please let me know if you've read any of them. Or the ones you are most looking forward to reading. Which ones should I move up on my TBR Pile.
Happy Reading, Ashley

January/February Wrap Ups 2015

Here's a quick insight to what I read in January and February. With a brief explanation if I loved the books or didn't. If you wish to have a review on any of these please feel free to let me know in the comments.

January:

To be honest I was in a reading slump in the first two weeks of January. I was burnt out from 2014. I read 104 books. That's the most I've ever read in a year. Anyway here is the five books I read in the new year.

1. A Seal's Surrender (Uniformly Hot Seal's#2) by Tawny Weber 3/5 stars Having been in a reading slump. I decided an adult romance was the fix. I did have some issues with this one. Which is was its only a three. I do have book one on my kindle. Might read it at some point.

2. The Book Thief by Marcus Zusak 5/5 stars (reread)

My first reread in 2015. I read this in January of last year. I loved it then and still do. Although this time around there were tears.

3. The Nightmare Before Christmas by Tim Burton 5/5 stars

How did I not know this was a book? I adore the movie. Halloween is my favorite holiday. So of course I asked for this as a birthday gift. Read it one sitting was a short book.

4. Steelheart( The Reckoners,#1) by Brandon Sanderson 5/5 stars

To be honest hearing this hyped up on BookTube is my reasoning for reading this one. But Brandon did not disappoint. Sooo good. I want Firelight now!!

5. Throne of Glass (Throne of Glass,#1) by Sarah J. Maas 5/5 stars (reread)

Kickass female lead. Amazing loved even more the second time around.

Favorite book of the month: Steelheart.

February:

Was a better reading month for me. Managed to read seven books.

1. The Assassin's Blade (Throne of Glass, #0.1-0. 5) by Sarah J. Maas 5/5 stars

Loved it. Need I say more about this series?

2. At Any Price (Gaming the System,#1) by Brenna Price 4/5 stars

Quick new adult romance.

3. A Court of Thorns and Roses eSampler by Sarah J. Maas5/5 stars

Reading this four chapter sampler, has me craving this book even more!!

4. Crown of  Midnight (Throne of Glass, #2) by Sarah J. Maas 5/5 stars (reread)

5. Heir of Fire (Throne of Glass, #3) by Sarah J. Maas 5/5 stars

Caught up with the series. Want Queen of Shadows!!

6. The Black Mage:Apprentice by Rachel E. Carter 5/5 stars

To be a few chapters to remember the events of book one.

7. O'Hurley Born by Nora Roberts 5/5 stars

Needed an adult romance.

Favorite book of the month:

Heir of Fire

Phew, that's my wrap ups for the past 2 months.

Not going to post a March TBR. I never really stick to them. I have a few books on hold on the overdrive library.

Let me know what you read in January and February. Did you read ant if the books I mentioned?

Happy Reading, Ashley.

My Top 15 Most Anticipated Books of 2015

A new year of great books are upon us. I'm super excited for them all. But here are my Top 15 I'm most excited for.

1. Queen of Shadows, (Throne of Glass, #4) by Sarah J. Maas

I freaking love this series so much. I haven't read Heir of Fire but when I do I know I will need this ASAP!!!

Release date: September 1st 2015

2. End of Days (Penryn and the End of Days, 3) by Susan Ee

Angels have attacked earth. I loved Angelfall and World After. Can I just have this already?

Release date: May 5th 2015

3. A Court of Thorns and Roses( A Court of Thorns and Roses,#1) by Sarah J. Maas

A new book series from my new favorite author. Yes, please!! Have this previous already pre-order.

Release date: May 5th 2015

4. Red Queen(Red Quuen,#1) by Victoria Aveyard

Hearing alot of good things about this one. I love the cover!!

Release date: February 10th 2015

5. Armada by Ernest Cline

I loved Ready Player One. Was one of my top 14 of 2014. Can't wait to see what this one is about.

6. Shadow Scale(Seraphina,#2) by Rachel Hartman

Seraphina was one of the first dragon books I read back in 2012. So I've been wanting for this sequel for a while.

Release date: March 10th 2015

7. Don't Stay Late: A Fear Street Novel by R.L. Stone

R.L. Stine is a favorite author of mine since Goosebumps (yes, I grew up in the 90s) I'm excited for a new book from him. His scary stories I can handle.

Release date: April 7th 2015

8. I Was Here by Gayle Forman

I heard nothing but amazing things about Gayle's writing.

Release date: January 27th 2015

9. All the Rage by Courtney Summers

I've only read one of her books. Fall For Anything really loved it.

Release date: April 14th 2015

10. The Liar by Nora Roberts

New novel from Nora Roberts, enough said.

Release date: April 16th 2015

11. The Heir (The Selection,#4) by Keira Cass

The Selection series got me out of a reading slump last year. Excited where the characters are now.

Release date: May 5th 2015

12. The Heart of Betrayal( The Remnant Chronicles,#2) by Mary E. Pearson

The Kiss of Deception which is the first book. Had a crazy plot twist. I'm excited for the sequel.

Release date: July 7th 2015

13. The Copper Gauntlet (Magisterium,#2) by Holly Black and Cassandra Clare

The Iron Trial is book one. Loved it, want to read book two.

Release date: September 1st 2015

14. Rogue(Talon,#2) by Julie Kagawa

Julie always blows my mind. Her world of dragons is no exception.

Release date: April 28th 2015

15. The Black Mage: Apprentice (The Black Mage,#2) by Rachel E. Carter

The sequel to The Black Mage:First Year.

Alanna mixed with Throne of Glass.

Release date: February 17th 2015

Are you excited for any of these books I mentioned? What are some books you're looking forward to in 2015.

Happy Reading, Ashley.

Benefits of Rereading

I know some readers never reread a book. They feel like it's a waste of time. When they could be reading a new book. I however love to reread a book whether it is a stand alone or series. I think rereading a book that is apart of a series helps put the past events fresh in your mind. Especially if the first novel came out and then a year or two later the sequel comes out.

Sometimes rereading a favorite book can help you get out of a reading slump. I have done that a few times in the past. You fall back in love with the story, characters, and it gets your passion for reading up again.

Rereading a favorite series for example the Harry Potter series. Is like revisiting old friends. No matter how,many times I read them I still feel the same as I did when I read them for the first time.

Do my question to you my lovely readers, Do you reread books? If so what are your favorites to revisit?

Happy Reading, Ashley

ReVamped Time

Hello My lovely readers, I've been MIA since September of last year. Bad book blogger. I even started a new blog to try and get back into blogging again but then I realized why would I abandon this one. It's where I started and I feel like it's my child. So I'm going to revamp it and get back to sharing my love of books with you all. I'm sorry for not being the best book blogger. I hope you all are going to join me on this journey.

I'm going to put the posts I shared on the other blog I started. I think I'm going to delete it then. Focus on BooksAreDiamonds again. Because books are my diamonds.

Excited to get the ball going. Happy Reading, Ashley!!!