Summer Reading Challenge

You know when you were growing up and you always had summer reading to look forward to?  I’ve missed that lately so I decided to start a summer reading program specifically for book bloggers! 

What is it?The book blogger summer reading program is a way to challenge yourself to make a dent in your TBR pile over the summer. 

When is it?I know that summer starts in May for some people and June for others so I figured I’d go ahead and the make the program from the beginning of May to the beginning of September.  That should give everybody a good amount of time to get some reading done.

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So, this Summer Reading event sounded exactly what I've been looking for and now I finally found it! I went through my Kindle, paperbacks, and Goodreads TBR list, and  (a small break from studying was justified (read: procrastination)) I listed some books that I'm aiming to read during the summer. Most likely the list will change as the summer progresses, but I have made those titles bold that I absolutely want to read. I'd like to read 25 books (June, July, August) but we'll see if we get to that number.  

Young Adult

1. Boundless (Unearthly, #3) by Cynthia Hand
2. Evertrue (Everneath, #3) by Brodi Ashton
3. The Vampire Academy (The Vampire Academy, #1) by Richelle Mead (re-read)
4. Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire Sáenz
5. The Selection (The Selection, #1) by Kiera Cass
6. The Diviners (The Diviners, #1) by Libba Bray
7. Cress (Lunar Chronicles, #3) by Marissa Meyer
8. Heist Society by Ally Carter
9. Die For Me (Die For Me, #1) by Amy Plum
10. We Were Liars by E. Lockhart
11. If I Stay (If I Stay, #1) by Gayle Forman 
12. Pivot Point (Pivot Point, #1) by Kasie West
13. The Burning Sky (The Elemental Trilogy, #1) by Sherry Thomas
14. The Coldest Girl in Coldtown by Holly Black
15. Panic by Lauren Oliver
16. Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver
17. Death Sworn (Death Sworn, #1) by Leah Cypess
18. This Song Will Save Your Life by Leila Sales
19. The Strange and Beautiful Sorrows of Ava Lavender by Leslye Walton
20. Legend (Legend, #1) by Marie Lu
21. Beautiful Disaster (Beautiful, #1) by Jamie McGuire
22. Ender's Game (The Ender Quientet, #1) by Orson Scott Card
23. More Than This by Patrick Ness
24. Red Rising by Pierce Brown
25. Seraphina (Seraphina, #1) by Rachel Hartman
26. Of Beast and Beuty by Stacey Jay
27. Shatter Me (Shatter Me, #1) by Tahereh Mafi 
28. Sweet Evil (Sweet Evil, #1) by Wendy Higgins
29. The Lightning Thief (Percy Jackson and the Olympians) by Rick Riordan (re-read)
30. City of Bones (The Mortal Instruments, #1) by Cassandra Clare (re-read)
31. Panic by Lauren Oliver
32. The Demon King (Seven Realms, #1) by Cinda Williams Chima
33. Eon: Dragoneye Reborn (Eon, 1) by Alison Goodman
34. The Assassin's Curse (The Assassin's Curse) by Cassandra Rose Clarke
35. Finnikin of the Rock (Lumatere Chronicles, #1) by Melina Marchetta
36. Days of Blood & Starlight (Daughter of Smoke & Bone, #2) by Laini Taylor
37. Scarlet (Scarlet, #1) by A.C. Gaughen
38. The Girl of Fire and Thorns (Fire and Thorns, #1) by Rae Carson 
39. Siege and Storm (The Grisha, #2) by Leigh Bardugo
40. Vicious (Vicious, #1) by Victoria Schwab
41. The Fault in Our Stars by John Green
42. Tiger's Curse (Tiger's Saga) by Colleen Houck
43. Graceling (Graceling #1) by Kristin Cashore
44. Mistborn: The Final Empire (Mistborn #1) by Brandon Sanderson

Adult Fiction

1. Oryx and Crake (MaddAddam Trilogy, #1) by Margaret Atwood
2. The Time Machine by H.G. Wells
3. The War of the Worlds by H.G. Wells
4. To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
5. The Catcher in the Rye by Jerome D. Salinger
6. Catch-22 by Joseph Heller
7. Lord of the Flies by William Golding
8. American Psycho by Bret Easton
9. The Zombie Survival Guide: Complete Protection from the Living Dead by Max Brooks
10. Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro
11. Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury
12. The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath
13. Assassin's Apprentice by Robin Hobb

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Hehe, I got a bit carried away as I just meant to list some books that came right off the top of my head, but this was actually pretty fun to do so I did a bit longer list! Obviously, I won't have time for all of these and I'll also probably add more to this list over time (so I won't have millions of lists in different places, but just this one), but I'll just pick the ones that interest me the most at that specific moment. 2 more weeks to and it's summer for me (at last), and I can start working on this list!

The Winner's Curse (The Winner's Trilogy #1) by Marie Rutkoski

Description from Goodreads:

Winning what you want may cost you everything you love 

As a general’s daughter in a vast empire that revels in war and enslaves those it conquers, seventeen-year-old Kestrel has two choices: she can join the military or get married. But Kestrel has other intentions. 

One day, she is startled to find a kindred spirit in a young slave up for auction. Arin’s eyes seem to defy everything and everyone. Following her instinct, Kestrel buys him—with unexpected consequences. It’s not long before she has to hide her growing love for Arin. 

But he, too, has a secret, and Kestrel quickly learns that the price she paid for a fellow human is much higher than she ever could have imagined. 

Set in a richly imagined new world, The Winner’s Curse by Marie Rutkoski is a story of deadly games where everything is at stake, and the gamble is whether you will keep your head or lose your heart.

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I have to state right away that The Winner's Curse must have been one of my favourite reads of 2014 along with Ready Player One and The Handmaid's Tale. The world was so imaginative and provoking that I kept thinking about it long after I had finished the book. The characters were so interesting and always evoked a feeling or another, and I just found myself devouring The Winner's Curse just in two days because I was so hungry for more! How can I wait almost a year for the second book? (And btw, I won a copy from Goodreads giveaway few weeks back, and I'm so happy about it!!)

I really, really enjoyed the opposition between Valerian and Herrani cultures. Valerian culture is all about wars and conquests where as the Herrani customs are a lot more softer and artistic orientated. Partly due to these reasons, Valerians have enslaved the Herrani people and now rule the lands which used to be Herrani's. I found this setting so incredibly interesting - there were political intrigue, a strong world establishment, cultural details, historical background, and all this was very original as I don't recall reading something similar (at least for a really long time). I really hope that Rutkoski is going to keep this element in the story line as strong because it was so intriguing and I was constantly in a need to know more about these two cultures and their positions in the world.

The beginning of the story was a tad bit slow and almost feels a bit detached from the rest of the story, but once you get over the first ~20%, the story seems to transform completely. The readers start to get more information about how Valerian and Herrani are the complete opposite cultures and how they became to have their social statuses in the society. The relationship of Aria and Kestrel also is a bit slow, but deliberate, which I really enjoyed as I'm not a fan of insta-love. Of course, it is so obvious that they will become romantically involved, but I just loved the way it happened. There were ups and downs which impacted on their relationship, but that only made me root more for them. I have to admit that they relationship is one of my favourites at the moment: the pacing was good, it wasn't too predictable, teasing, heart-warming and yet also heartbreaking - just the way I love my fictional relationships. Arin, will you marry me? 

So like I already said, the beginning - a bit slow, but otherwise there were things that made me almost want to read the book while standing as I felt like sitting down was impossible. There were times when I saw somethings coming, but then something else happens and the story takes a completely different turn! It was kind of interesting as well that there were plenty of scenes which would have made good last scenes (and many authors would probably done it so), but Rutkoski decided to continue to story which made me so pleased as I could never trust my instinct while trying to predict the outcome. Some might even say that there were too many things included in the book, but I really enjoyed that all events were included - I was never bored as all the essential was there and no fillers. 

And how about the ending.. So heart wrenching! I'm so frustrated at the moment, because I need to know right away what's going to happen to Aria and Kestrel. The story was left off in a such situation that I have no idea where the author is going with it. The ending was sort of tragic (just the way I like it) and I hope that this element of 'despair' will be present in the next books - there are nothing as good as young adults novels that make you cry like a little baby.

Ahh, everything is possible and impossible for the book 2, The Winner's Crime, which has a publication date March 3, 2015 - so far away. I have a theory about what the title of the book two is referring to, but I hope I'm wrong, otherwise I just might cry. I'm already so invested in these characters just like happened with Throne of Glass series. Throne of Glass and The Winner's Curse series are probably two of my favourite YA fantasy series at the moment. So freaking awesome! Actual rating 4.5.

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Waiting on Wednesday (#17)

Waiting on Wednesday is about sharing a book every week you cannot wait to be published. This week, I'm waiting on

Nihal of the Land of the Wind
(Chronicles of the Overworld, #1)
by Licia Troisi

Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy, High Fantasy, Dragons, Magic,

Pages: 282

Expected Publication: May 27, 2014

Publisher: Mondadori

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Description from Goodreads:

Nihal lives in one of the many Towers of the Land of the Wind. There’s nobody like her in the Surface World : big violet eyes, pointed ears, blue hair. She is an expert in swordplay and is the leader of a handful of friends, among them her inseparable friend : the wizard Sennar. She has no parents, her origins are obscure; she was brought up by a weaponsmith and a sorceress. She often wonders why she is so different and nobody seems to know anything about her mysterious mother. 

Things suddenly change when her Land falls under the sway of the Tyrant, who has already conquered five of the new Lands that make up the Surface World. Nihal finds herself forced to take action when she is faced with the most difficult mission that a girl of her age can imagine. By her side are Sennar and the sorceress Soana, and above all her trusty sword made of black crystal, which is so sharp it can cut through anything.

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The moment I saw Nihal of the Land of the Wind on NetGalley, I just knew that I need to read this book! I have no idea how it's really like as most of the interviews I've found are in Italian (the author is Italian and the book was first published in 2004, but now it has been translated!!). BUT. I. NEED. THIS. The thing that first pulled me to it was this mesmerising cover - it's simply gorgeous. I don't usually like covers which have only a picture of a person in it, but I mean look at it!! It is so cool! A warrior girl with blue hair, violet eyes, and pointed ears who has no recollection of her past? Sounds like a badass book much?? Holla, I think I've hit the jackpot!

Whew, now that I've fangirled a bit, I think I can just conclude that I'm super excited about this. I'm seriously going to cry if my request doesn't get accepted on NetGalley. And I will also be super disappointed if the book doesn't meet my expectations (which are by the way super high at the moment). This book just sounds like it could become one of my favourite series. So, please be awesome Nihal of the Land of the Wind. Pretty please!

Top Ten Tuesday (#13): Covers I'd Frame As Pieces of Art

Top Ten Tuesday this week is about 

❄ Covers I'd Frame as Pieces of Art ❄

1. The Great Gatsby by Francis Scott Fitzgerald. 

One day I will have this poster!! I love the vintage look and the dominating blue face which a bit scary and eerie at the same time. I love the book and the most recent movie adaptation, so I think it's about time for me to talk myself around it, and just buy the thing! 

2. The Republic of Thieves (Gentleman Bastard, #3) by Scott Lynch. 

You probably can't see very clearly what sort of details are in this cover, but they are magnificent! I love the renaissance feeling the masks and costumes bring, but also how these two people still are alert and ready for some mischief. 

3. Requiem (Delirium, #3) by Lauren Oliver. 

Without the title and the other text, I find this cover so beautiful - the pretty pink and violet lush sky with the contrast to soft green ground. The girl sitting on the stump makes you feel a bit sad but the surroundings convey a message of hope. So pretty! 

4. Ink (Paper Gods, #1) by Amanda Sun. 

I have a thing for watercolour paintings and I found this piece of art just absolutely stunning. I love the light and soft overall appearance, but also the use of negative space. Ink has one to be one my favourite covers ever! The book two of the series, Rain, also has a really pretty cover, but I prefer this one. I wonder if I COULD make a poster out of this.. 

5. Tender is the Night by Francis Scott Fitzgerald. 

Yes, another book by Fitzgerald, but Alma Books published new editions of his most pronounced novels in 2012, and I found this cover just so pretty. I still go look at it in the bookstore, even though I own a copy of it already. I love the couple is embracing each other under the fireworks. 

6. The Strange and Beautiful Sorrows of Ava Lavender by Lesley Walton.

I know this cover is a bit hipster with the feather, but I absolutely adore it! Gold and blue go perfectly hand in hand, and the airy font just completes the whole thing. I haven't read this book yet, but based on what I've heard, the cover definitely compliments the magical realism story inside. 

7. Tsarina by J. Nelle Patrick. 

Another book that I haven't read yet, but my eyes right away liked what they saw when I first came across with this cover. It oozes Russian culture from the early 20th century with the blood orange (or red which ever you prefer) and the young woman with he beautiful hairdo, dress and the music box (?) she is holding. It's in a way a bit vintage which I really like and which essentially pulls me to it. 

8. Across the Universe (Across the Universe, #1) by Beth Revis. 

Once again, if  all the text was taken away, I would resort to methods that would guarantee the poster to be mine. I love space and universe, and I simply adore the pictures of different stars and planets with enhanced colours. This particular picture has incredible colour scheme and I like how (I assume) Amy and Elder are facing each other. Very, very impressive cover.

9. Siege and Storm (The Grisha, #2) by Leigh Bardugo. 

I adore the depiction of Russian domes on this cover. Pretty simple with different shades of grey and red, but it works so well. Swooon! 

10. The Winner's Curse (The Winner's Curse, #1) by Marie Rutkoski.

I don't usually like covers which have an actual human being on them (not drawn, but actual photo), but the cover just strikes as so pretty. I love the big dress, and the worried look the girl is having while holding the letter R. I'm so lucky to have this exact copy of it at home with me. I like this cover better, which has a bit of  blue on the floorboards, instead of them being all black.

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Do you like these covers as well? Or not? Let me know what you think!

Stacking the Shelves (#14)

It's Saturday and so it's time for Stacking the Shelves!

Here is my haul from this week:

❄ Paperbacks ❄

Every Day by David Levithan 

Vicious (Vicious, #1) by Victoria Schwab

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That's all for this week! I'm not sure if I should have even bought these as I need to study and these babies just keep teasing me to read them.. Have you read these? Did you like them?