Library Haul (1)

Went to my local library to pick up some books I placed on hold. Wanted to share with you all what I got.

1. The Bad Queen: Rules and Instructions for Marie-Antoinette by Carolyn Meyer
2. Reality Check: A Novel by Jen Calonita
3. Fifty Shades of Grey by E.L. James ( wanted to see what all the fuss is about)
4. Torn by Amanda Hocking
5. Ascend by Amanda Hocking
6. Because It Is My Blood by Gabrielle Devin

Let me know if you have read any of these books and what you thought of them. No spoilers please.

Happy Reading, Ashley

Updates and A Question

I completed my reading challenge on Goodreads for the year. I am so happy to be done. My goal was 30 books for the year. Now I can just enjoy reading without worrying about my reading goal.

I have a question for you my followers. I sometimes read adult books and was wondering if you would want me to review them on my blog. Just leave me a comment.

If any of you are still in school whether it's high school or college. Do you plan on reading this summer? What are you hoping to read?

Oh yeah I have a blog tour stop for The Butterfly Migration by Mia Castile coming up on June 2nd, so be on the lookout for that.


Hope you all reading amazing books.

Happy Reading, Ashley

All These Things I've Done by Gabrielle Zevin

All These Things I've Done by Gabrielle Devin
Released: September 6th 2011
Publisher: Farrar, Straus Giroux (BYR)
Series:  Birthright, book one
Page Amount: 354, US Hardcover Edition
Source: Library


"In 2083, chocolate and coffee are illegal, paper is hard to find, water is carefully rationed, and New York City is rife with crime and poverty. And yet, for Anya Balanchine, the sixteen-year-old daughter of the city's most notorious (and dead) crime boss, life is fairly routine. It consists of going to school, taking care of her siblings and her dying grandmother, trying to avoid falling in love with the new assistant D.A.'s son, and avoiding her loser ex-boyfriend. That is until her ex is accidently poisoned by the chocolate her family manufactures and the police think she's to blame. Suddenly, Anya finds herself thrust unwillingly into the spotlight--at school, in the news, and most importantly, within her mafia family.
Engrossing and suspenseful, All These Things I've Done is an utterly unique, unputdownable read that blends both the familiar and the fantastic."
-Information from Goodreads.com

My Thoughts:
Wow, As I'm trying to piece together just what I thought about All These Things I've Done. It's hard to form them. I was unable to but this book down for a second. I became Anya's sidekick. Experienced everything she went through. I loved reading from her point of view. And how fiercely protective of her family she is.

This book was amazing, and will leave you wanting the sequel.

5/5 stars, Happy Reading, Ashley

Switched by Amanda Hocking

Switched by Amanda Hocking
Released: January 3rd 2012 (first released July 10th 2012)
Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin
Series: Trylle, Book One
Page Amount: 318
Source: Library


"When Wendy Everly was six years old, her mother was convinced she was a monster and tried to kill her. Eleven years later, Wendy discovers her mother might have been right. She’s not the person she’s always believed herself to be, and her whole life begins to unravel—all because of Finn Holmes.

Finn is a mysterious guy who always seems to be watching her. Every encounter leaves her deeply shaken…though it has more to do with her fierce attraction to him than she’d ever admit. But it isn’t long before he reveals the truth: Wendy is a changeling who was switched at birth—and he’s come to take her home.

Now Wendy’s about to journey to a magical world she never knew existed, one that’s both beautiful and frightening. And where she must leave her old life behind to discover who she’s meant to become…
This edition includes the bonus story "The Vittra Attacks".

-Information from Goodreads.com

My Thoughts:

Wendy has always felt different. All the more so due to the fact when she was just six years old her mother called her a monster and then tried to kill her. But when creepy Finn shows up and tells her who she truly is does Wendy believe what her mother said. She goes back with Finn to her real home. Where things are just as difficult forher to proccess. I wasn't sure if I would like a novel about trolls. However Amanda's writing is so magical that I was glued to this book. I was enchanted by the world set up in Trylle. I loved everything in Switched. I hope that Finn and Wendy are given a chance in the next two books in this series. Also enjoyed the extra short story. I want to get these series for my collection. 5/5 stars, Happy Reading, Ashley

The Butterfly Migration by Mia Castile

The Butterfly Migration by Mia Castile
Released: May 21st 2013
Publisher: Entwined Publishing
Series: The Butterfly Chronicles, Book Three
Page Amount: ebook formatformat
Source: Review

"The worst day of Lacey Baxter’s life was the day her parents announced their divorce and her boyfriend Chase Livingston went into a coma. Scratch that. The worst day of her life was two months later, when he woke up and didn’t recognize her. Now, as he pushes her away, she clings to the hope that each day will be the day he remembers how much they love each other. Turning to her new BFF Byron and his circle of friends, she does whatever she can to cope with the changes. She just wants to be numb and forget about everything.

The headaches, the panic attacks, the pressure to be this perfect boyfriend are incredibly hard for Chase to bear. He doesn’t love Lacey, or at least he doesn’t think he does. Still, he doesn’t understand this strong attraction to her, or the jealousy he feels over every guy that talks to her. Losing two years of his memory means strangers think they know him and he’s not sure where he fits in. Will his memories come back over time or all at once? Should he even wish for them?

Finding each other again could be harder than either of them thought, especially when everyone knows their business and has an opinion about it. "


**This is a Mature YA Series, containing subjects concerning addictions and sexual content.*
-Information from Goodreads.com

My Thoughts:
Given this by Entwined Publishing for an honest review.

This is the third book in The Butterfly Chronicles, so there may be spoilers. Do not keep reading unless you read Becoming A Butterfly and Butterfly Kisses.

Throughout the whole book my heart broke not only for Lacey, dealing with Chase not remembering who she was and what they were. But with her parents divorcing, her mother and sister moving out and away. Her father not being a real parent to her. She was put the ringer for sure. But I also felt Chase's pain not remembering the past two years. But Lacey kept hope alive that her boyfriend would regain his memory. All the pain and tears she had experienced would have been worth it in the end.

Just when you think there shall be a happy ending for all. There is an unexpected twist thrown in at the end. I hope there is a fourth book. 

I need to know what becomes of Lacey and Chase.

5/5 stars, Happy Reading, Ashley(

The Future Of Us by Jay Asher and Carolyn Mackler

The Future Of Us by Jay Asher and Carolyn Mackler
Released: November 21st 2011
Publisher: Razorbill
Page Amount: 356, US Hardcover Edition
Source: Library

"It's 1996, and Josh and Emma have been neighbors their whole lives. They've been best friends almost as long - at least, up until last November, when Josh did something that changed everything. Things have been weird between them ever since, but when Josh's family gets a free AOL CD in the mail,his mom makes him bring it over so that Emma can install it on her new computer. When they sign on, they're automatically logged onto their Facebook pages. But Facebook hasn't been invented yet. And they're looking at themselves fifteen years in the future.

By refreshing their pages, they learn that making different decisions now will affect the outcome of their lives later. And as they grapple with the ups and downs of what their futures hold, they're forced to confront what they're doing right - and wrong - in the present."
-Information from Goodreads.com

My Thoughts:
What would you do if you came across Facebook in 1996, fifteen years before its invented. This is what takes place for our two main characters Emma and Josh. When Emma gets a new computer, Josh brings over his AOL CD-Rom for Emma to download onto her computer. The first that happens is Facebook comes up. They discover their futures. But whiling knowing what will be fifteen years down the road. Makes them iffy about the present and the choices they make.


I really loved what Jay Asher and Carolyn Mackler did with mixing the future and taking it back to before it ever came to be.

I was wrapped up in this book. Loved the 90s references.

5/5 stars, Happy Reading, Ashley

Witch World by Christopher Pike

Witch World by Christopher Pike
Released: November 13th 2012
Publisher: Simon Pulse
Series: Witch World, Book One
Page Amount: 528, US Hardcover
Source: Goodreads First Reads

"Witches are real—and each of us may be one—in this all-new paranormal suspense novel from #1 New York Timesbestselling author Christopher Pike.

Heading off for a weekend in Las Vegas with her friends, Jessie Ralle has only one worry—how to make it through the road trip in the same car with her Ex, Jimmy Kelter. The guy who broke her heart five months ago when he dumped her for no reason. The guy who’s finally ready to tell her why he did it, because he wants her back.

But what Jessie doesn’t realize is that Jimmy is the least of her problems.

In Las Vegas she meets Russ, a mesmerizing stranger who shows her how to gamble, and who never seems to lose. Curious, Jessie wants to know his secret, and in response, alone in his hotel room, he teaches her a game that opens a door to another reality.

To Witch World.

Suddenly Jessie discovers that she’s stumbled into a world where some people can do the impossible, and others may not even be human. For a time she fears she’s lost her mind. Are there really witches? Is she one of them?

#1 Bestselling author Christopher Pike offers up another classic edge-of-your-seat thrill ride that keeps you guessing right until the last page."
- Information from Goodreads.com

My Thoughts:
Won this from Goodreads in October 2012. Didn't read it until the end of AprilApril of this year. I've heard nothing but amazing things about Christopher Pike's books. And I wasn't disappointed.

Witch World isn't like any other witch book I have read there is just something this story setting and how Christopher wrote Jessie to be a strong female lead character.
I was glued from the start. Loved every minute inside this enchanting world.

I will be picking up Witch World 2, when it comes out. Oddly enough Christopher is working on it now. In the mean time I will be reading more of his books.

Thank you Goodreads, for allowing me to win a copy of this book.

5/5 stars, Happy Reading, Ashley