writer's block

Thanks to I am a Reader, Not a Writer and Babs Book Bistro for hosting this hop!

My first and only giveaway in October was such a success that I decided to join this hop in celebration of the end of year and the beginning of anther!

One lucky winner will get:

1 copy of Cinder by Marissa Meyer
1 pre-ordered copy of Born Wicked by Jessica Spotswood
1 book of choice ($15 limit)



Humans and androids crowd the raucous streets of New Beijing. A deadly plague ravages the population. From space, a ruthless lunar people watch, waiting to make their move. No one knows that Earth’s fate hinges on one girl. . . .

Cinder, a gifted mechanic, is a cyborg. She’s a second-class citizen with a mysterious past, reviled by her stepmother and blamed for her stepsister’s illness. But when her life becomes intertwined with the handsome Prince Kai’s, she suddenly finds herself at the center of an intergalactic struggle, and a forbidden attraction. Caught between duty and freedom, loyalty and betrayal, she must uncover secrets about her past in order to protect her world’s future.

In this thrilling debut young adult novel, the first of a quartet, Marissa Meyer introduces readers to an unforgettable heroine and a masterfully crafted new world that’s enthralling.



Everybody knows Cate Cahill and her sisters are eccentric. Too pretty, too reclusive, and far too educated for their own good. But the truth is even worse: they're witches. And if their secret is discovered by the priests of the Brotherhood, it would mean an asylum, a prison ship—or an early grave.

Before her mother died, Cate promised to protect her sisters. But with only six months left to choose between marriage and the Sisterhood, she might not be able to keep her word . . . especially after she finds her mother's diary, uncovering a secret that could spell her family's destruction. Desperate to find alternatives to their fate, Cate starts scouring banned books and questioning rebellious new friends, all while juggling tea parties, shocking marriage proposals, and a forbidden romance with the completely unsuitable Finn Belastra.

If what her mother wrote is true, the Cahill girls aren't safe. Not from the Brotherhood, the Sisterhood—not even from each other.


I kinda screwed up the form and I can't edit it since I have no computer this weekend, but just keep in mind that all tasks are worth only ONE entry! Sorry for that.

Trying to save money for Christmas shopping, so I just got some free eBooks and I that's really the only really reason I got them:P

Title: Honor Bound
Author: C.J. Archer
Genres: Romance, Paranormal, Historical
Barnes & Noble | Book Depository | Goodreads

Isabel Merritt's quiet life as an assistant to one of London's famous apothecaries hides a deadly secret. A secret that could see her put on trial for witchcraft if the authorities, and her husband, uncover the truth.

When royal spy Sir Nicholas Merritt stumbles upon his estranged wife during an investigation, he can't believe his luck. He's been searching for her for seven long years and now he has her again, in his bed and his life. Except she's resisting all the way. Worse still, she's somehow tangled up with a plot to assassinate the queen. To hold onto her this time, he must find out why she left him while hiding a secret of his own that could tear them apart forever.

Title: The Soulkeepers
Author: G.P. Ching
Genres: Young Adult, Fantasy, Paranormal
Barnes & Noble | Book Depository | Goodreads

When fifteen-year-old Jacob Lau is pulled from the crumpled remains of his mother's car, no one can explain why he was driving or why the police can't find his mother's body. Made a ward of his uncle and thousands of miles from home, a beautiful and mysterious neighbor offers to use her unique abilities to help him find his mom. In exchange, she requires Jacob to train as a Soulkeeper, a warrior charged with protecting human souls.

He agrees to her demands, desperate for any clue to the mystery of his mother's disappearance. But soon Jacob finds himself trapped in a web of half-truths, and questions her motives for helping him.

When you've read a book, what do you do with it? (Keep it, give it away, donate it, sell it, swap it...?)

I usually buy my books, so I always end up keeping them. I hardly ever even loan them to anyone because I'm afraid they're going to ruin it- so far my sister is the only one that I can trust to keep them in perfect condition... her 6yr old son also knows very well not to play with my books! I scare him. LOL!

I decided to try out a new meme. This one is from Kathy at I am a Reader Not a Writer and I thought this one would be fun since it asks a lot of random questions that I hope will allow you to know me better as a person and not just my taste in books. Enjoy!

This week's questions... Holiday Edition!

1. Red or Green?
Oh green and I go way back to high school where I stared it in the face for 4 years. I was eventually sick of it and stayed away from it for quite a long time. Fortunately we've come to a mutual understanding.

2. Favorite Christmas Carol?
I don't think I have a favorite. I do end up singing along to Jingle Bell Rock, Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas and Here Comes Santa Claus usually, but I definitely don't have a favorite... I don't even know all the words! Haha!

3. What do you want for Christmas?
I don't expect a lot for Christmas since my family does Secret Santa and we focus more on the kids than us adults anyway, so with that, I'm hoping which ever family member picked me that they would give me a gift card to a book store!... Or cash... Cash is even better;)

4. Favorite holiday treat?
Trader Joe's Chewy Egg Nog Cookies. Again, I don't have a favorite, but I'm munching on these right now and they are goooood.

5. Favorite holiday tradition?
I never miss walking down 5th ave to see all the holiday decorations and then end up at Rockefeller Center to see the Christmas tree! I've already done it, but I still need to go late at night when it's not crowded.

In this second installment of The Infernal Devices series, the story picks up where Clockwork Angel ended. The infiltration of the Institute has left the Charlotte's leadership in the hands of the Clave which would mean Tessa would be vulnerable to the Magister.

In order to save Charlotte's position, Tessa and the Shadowhunters must work fast at finding the Magister before he succeeds in his plan to destroy all Shadowhunters.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book more than Clockwork Angel. The story was strong  with it's revelations to a lot of questions and curiosities from the first book which includes more character background.

I've heard/read that this had a heartbreaking ending and although I was certainly prepared for it, I didn't realize it would actually be heartbreaking.  I'm not sure how Cassandra Clare is going to remedy this in the third book, but I don't see a happy outcome either way.

There's not much else I can say about this- it's everything I could ask for in a sequel! And since Clockwork Princess won't be released until next September, I might fill the void by starting the Mortal Instruments series.

Rating: ★★★★★ 5/5

When Tessa Grey's aunt passes, she travels to London to be reunited with her brother, but when she gets there she instead meets the Dark Sisters who holds her captive and forces her to unlock an ability that Tessa was unaware of and to give her to the mysterious Magister.

Tessa is rescued by the Shadowhunters- warriors sworn to protect humans from demons who agrees to help her find her brother if she help them in return. Tessa quickly becomes fascinated with the Shadowhunters and their world of vampires, warlocks and other supernatural beings known as Downworlders-- as well as being torn between the two young Shadowhunters, Will and Jem.

The search for Tessa's brother and answers to her ability leads them to a great plot to destroy the Shadowhunters and Tessa soon realized that she must choose between her brother and her loyalty to her new friends.

Confession- I haven't read The Mortal Instruments series yet. So I was going into this prequel blind. Fortunately I found it to be quite enjoyable and I was quickly submerged in the story with its classic tale of good versus evil, unrequited love and supernatural beings.

Shadowhunters are a race of Nephilim- whom according to the Bible are children born from the Sons of God and unless I was reading a book based upon the creation and evolution of man, I have not seen it used. It is also what my boyfriend calls me, so I obviously went giddy when I first saw it used.

I applaud Cassandra Clare and really any author who can brilliantly construct a world with so many different elements. From the details of the characters- even the ones you only catch a glimpse of, to the Accords and the Law which Shadowhunters and Downworlders abide by.

The characters are likeable enough, even though it seems like everyone is in love with someone, but it doesn't overdo itself. The leader of the Institute, Charlotte, and Henry, her inventive but often distracted husband are adorable in a way that you know they both love each other despite the rumors. And of course our love triangle- Tessa and her boys, Will and Jem.

Will is the obvious choice as he's incredibly handsome, but he's rude and harsh. He often jokes around to make a situation lighter which suggests that he does have a gentle side, a side that his best friend Jem knows is in him.

Oh Jem... beautiful and gentle. The kindest person you could possibly meet, but due to a torturous demon, he is dying. What I love most about Jem is that he's from Asian descent and you rarely get such a prominent character. As an Asian myself, I felt a connection to him and I rooted for him.

As for Tessa, she's every bit the young lady you would expect from the Victorian era, but she has a fire in her that comes out the more time she spends with the Shadowhunters.

I felt like the story was mainly about which one she would choose, with the pending genocide of the Shadowhunters as a mere way to have more of a substantial plot. I admit that I had trouble choosing between Will and Jem, but I wish there wasn't constant reference to either of them when Tessa saw or thought about one of them.

But even so, I really enjoyed this book! It touched on so many levels- love, trust, loyalty, the intertwining of the technological advances with centuries old rituals, supernatural beings and the London backdrop. All valid reasons why I stayed up until 4am to finish it.

Rating: ★★★★★ 5/5

I suck at keeping up with this book-buying ban... okay, I'm done with this pointless ban and from now on I'm going to buy how ever many books I want! There. Now on to the goodies...

Won:

Title: Glaciers
Author: Alexis M. Smith
Genres: Fiction, Contemporary
Barnes & Noble | Book Depository | Goodreads

Won this from Goodreads a couple of weeks ago and I just received it a few days ago! This is also my first time as a Goodreads First Reads winner! A sign of things to come...?





From Amazon:

Title: In the Shadow of the Moonlight - The Awakening
Author: J.J. Bidell
Genres: Young Adult, Fantasy
Barnes & Noble | Book Depository | Goodreads
get the eBook from Amazon

Free eBook! Woohoo! That's really the only reason I got it. Didn't even read the description until afterwards, but now I think I'll really enjoy it! Bonus! LOL!




From Strand Bookstore:

Title: If I Stay
Author: Gayle Forman
Genres: Young Adult, Romance, Contemporary
Barnes & Noble | Book Depository | Goodreads

On sale for $4! I've read a lot of positive reviews of this one and even more so for the sequel, Where She Went, so I'm excited to start this.




Title: Matched
Author: Ally Condie
Genres: Young Adult, Dystopian, Romance, Science Fiction
Barnes & Noble | Book Depository | Goodreads

This has been on my wishlist for such a long time and although I've seen it every time I was at Strand, I've been holding out until I could find the hardcover- yes, I'm picky like that.

There was also a copy of Crossed and I really had to hold back from creating a set, though I'll probably kick myself for not getting it because I'm also a bit nutty when it comes to series.


From Barnes & Noble:
Title: Clockwork Prince
Author: Cassandra Clare
Genres: Young Adult, Steampunk, Fantasy
Barnes & Noble | Book Depository | Goodreads

I literally finished Clockwork Angel 12hrs before I went to the launch book signing! I still need to do the review for it, but I'm putting it on hold until I finish this, which by the way, is fantastic so far! Will! Jem! <3 them both it's bound to be heartbreaking either way.

In case you missed my tweet during the signing, here's Cassie with Gossip Girl's Ed Westwick (who co-narrates the audio book) and my signed copy:)

What a great topic!:)


1. Fear Street series by R. L. Stein -- I LOVED these books! I think I may have read most of them

2. Choose Your Own Adventure books -- Oh the fun of getting to choose your own fate... multiple times!

3. Encyclopedia Brown series by Donald J. Sobol -- My brother would read me these  since he liked to try to solve the mystery too:P

4. Archie comics -- My sister was really into these and I naturally just started reading them too. I think I still may have some Double Digests...

5. Harold and the Purple Crayon by Crockett Johnson -- This is the first memory of loving a book. I remember I borrowed it from the library and refused to return it. I don't think I ever returned it, but I know I no longer have it... I must have donated it. Speaking of the library (and also because I'm feeling nostalgic), I still have my very first library card! My sister wrote my name for me since I think I was like 3yrs old:)

6. Corduroy by Don Freeman -- Another early childhood favorite! After this I believed toys were real.

7. Roald Dahl books -- How could you have not loved at least one of his books growing up? Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Matilda, The Witches!

8. Where's Waldo books by Martin Handford -- Such a classic!

9. The Berenstain Bears books by Stan Berenstain -- I think it was just because it was a family of bears that did things just like humans! Haha

10. The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein -- My first memory of this book is that it was long for a children's book, but also incredibly sweet.

This week's musing asks...

How many books do you read in a week? Month? Year?

On average I'm not sure since I'm usually all over the place when it comes to reading. If I have a time and I'm hooked on story, then I can read 1-2 books a week. After that I tend to give myself a break and then it'll take me a couple of weeks to read the next book no matter how good it is.

So in a month I would probably read about 3-4 books. But seriously that has to be a really good month for me.

I haven't given myself a full year to consistently read so I can't answer how many books I read in that time frame, but I suppose I could read about 30. I know it's not a lot considering a lot of you can read 50-100- I applaud (or really bow down to) anyone who can read that many or more!, but 30 is more than I think I can handle.

I can't read on the job and my commute is about 20mins. Most times around that usually goes to spending it with my sister or my boyfriend, so to find those free hours where I can just sit my butt down to read a few chapters uninterrupted is rare.

Title: Harry Potter Page to Screen: The Complete Filmmaking Journey
Author: Bob McCabe
Cover Design: MinaLima
Cover Image: concept art by Andrew Williamson

This photo doesn't do it justice. The book itself is the size and weight of a book you would find in Hogwarts.

I believe the last time I did this meme, I had trouble just focusing on the cover and this time is no different! LOL!... Here are a few pictures I took of it's contents...