Retrospect: 2013

Hello all you Beautiful People!!

I can't believe another year has passed

and that I am still blogging and loving it!

2013 was a pretty good year for books.
It was also a fantastic year for my blog and me!
Here at the end of 2013,
I have so many awesome people that follow my blog!
I have 400+ Bloglovin, 500+ GFC, and 140+ followers through email!
If you haven't checked out Thinks Books on Facebook,
you should! And join the 800+ people who actually LIKE Me!! LoL
I am also on Twitter @ThinksBooks with 700+ followers!
I know that's a lot of numbers, but it will be fun to look
back in 2014 and see how much those numbers have changed.

Here are my top 3 books I read in 2013!

3. The Ocean at the End of the Lane by Neil Gaiman (My Review)
2. Clockwork Princess (Infernal Devices #3) by Cassandra Clare (My Review)

And Number One is...

1. These Broken Stars (Starbound #1) by Amie Kaufman, Meagan Spooner
(My Review)

I participated in these 2013 Challenges!
I hit all my goals!!

Goodreads 2013 Reading Challenge!

2013 Reading Challenge

Think has
completed her goal of reading 60 books in 2013!

hide

62 of 60 (100%)

view books

2013 Dystopia Challenge
Hosted by Ula
@ Blog of Erised
I read 28 Dystopians novels this year.
This put me at the level of Leader!

2013 E-book Challenge
Hosted by
Workaday Reads
I read 50+ ebooks.
This put me at the level of Memory Stick!

2013 Sequel Challenge
Hosted by
Aunt Spinellis
(now Novel Heartbeat)
I hit my goal of 10+ sequels.
There weren't levels in this challenge.
You set your own goals, which was fun.

2013 TBR Challenge
Hosted by
Bookish.
I hit my goal of 31 books from my TBR!
This put me at the level of A Sweet Kiss.

2013 Out-do Yourself Challenge
Hosted by
The Book Vixen.
In 2012 my goal was 25 books and I read 52.
I set my goal to 60 this year, made it to 62.
I made it and out-did myself!! Yay.

2013 Genre Variety Challenge
Hosted by
A DayDreamer's Thoughts.
I read 30+ different genres this year.
This put me at the level of Champion!

I was awful at doing the monthly linkys so I am doing a 

Master List for the Reviews I posted in 2013!

KEY:
(Genre)
E = E-book
D = Dystopian
S = Sequel
T = TBR

E T           1. Rape Girl by Alina Klein (Drama)
E D T   2. Nexus (Nexus #1) by Ramez Naam (Thriller)
E D T 3. Talisman of El (#1) by Alecia Stone (Adventure)
E D T   4. Zed: A Cosmic Tale by Michel Gagne (Graphic Novel)
E D          5. Fire Country (Country Saga #1) by David Estes (Dystopian)
E T           6. Eve and Adam by Michael Grant (Suspense)
E S T       7. The Stone of Darkness (Dragonslayer #3) by Resa Nelson (Paranormal Fantasy)
E S T       8. The Dragon's Egg (Dragonslayer #4) by Resa Nelson (High Fantasy)
E D S T 9. The Queen's Army (Lunar Chronicles 1.5) by Marissa Meyer (Fairy Tale)
E D T   10. Persistence of Vision (Interchron #1) by Liesel K. Hill  (Romance)
E T   11. Dash and Lily's Book of Dares by Rachel Cohn (Chick-Lit)
E D S     12. Ice Country (Country Saga #2) by David Estes (Mystery)
E          13. The Mad Scientist's Daughter by Cassandra Rose Clarke (Science Fiction)
D T     14. Swipe (Swipe #1) by Evan Angler (Christian Fiction)
E D S T   15. Sneak (Swipe #2) by Evan Angler (Action)
E D S   16. Storm (Swipe #3) by Evan Angler (Suspense)
D T       17. Mind Games (Mind Games #1) by Kiersten White (Urban Fantasy)
E D       18. Stung (Stung #1) by Bethany Wiggins (Horror)
E         19. Pantomime (Pantomime #1) by Laura Lam (LGBT)
E         20. Between Two Thorns (Split Worlds #1) by Emma Newman (Modern Fantasy)
E       21. The Lives of Tao by Wesley Chu (Humor)
E T     22. Shadowhunters and Downworlders by Cassandra Clare (Anthology)
E D S     23. Water and Storm Country (Country Saga #3) by David Estes (Apocalyptic)
D       24. Altered (Altered #1) by Jennifer Rush (Paranormal)
E T     25. The Silver Linings Playbook by Matthew Quick (Adult Fiction)
          26. The Year of the Great Seventh by Teresa Orts (Mythology)
          27. The Ocean at the End of the Lane by Neil Gaiman (Fantasy)
E D S    28. Control (Shift #2) by Kim Curran (Young Adult)
E D S 29. Crux (Nexus #2) by Ramez Naam (Cyber Punk)
S T     30. Clockwork Princess (Infernal Devices #3) by Cassandra Clare (Historical Fiction)
E S T 31. The Man Who Walked in Darkness by Chris Strange
E D    32. Switch (New World #1) by Janelle Stalder (New Adult)
E D T   33. Forbidden Mind by Karpov Kinrade (Paranormal Romance)
D            34. Icons (Icons #1) by Maragret Stohl
E D         35. The Earth Dwellers (Dwellers #4) by David Estes (YA Romance)
E D         36. You Are Mine (Mine #1) by Janeal Falor
D T         37. The Maze Runner (Maze Runner #1) by James Dashner
E              38. Indelible (The Twixt #1) by Dawn Metcalf
E              39. Evangeline (A Dark Faerie Tale 0.5) by Alexia Purdy
E S T 40. Ever Fire (A Dark Faerie Tale 2) by Alexia Purdy
E S T 41. Ever Winter (A Dark Faerie Tale 3) by Alexia Purdy
E S          42. The Cursed (A Dark Faerie Tale 3.5) by Alexia Purdy
E S          43. Ever Wrath (A Dark Faerie Tale 4) by Alexia Purdy
E S            44. A Dark Faerie Tale Omnibus (Ever Shade) by Alexia Purdy
E D          45. Pawn (The Blackcoat Rebellion #1) by Aimee Carter
E D          46. These Broken Stars (Starbound #1) by Aimee Kaufman
E T           47. The Lost Prince (Iron Fey: Call of the Forgotten #1) by Julie Kagawa
E             48. The Iron Traitor (Iron Fey: Call of the Forgotten #2) by Julie Kagawa
E D         49. Aberrant (Aberrant #1) by Ruth Silver
E             50. The Strange and Beautiful Sorrows of Ava Lavender by Leslye Walton
E S           51. Any Other Name (Split Worlds #2) by Emma Newman
E S          52. All Is Fair (Split Worlds #3) by Emma Newman
E S D       53. Allegiant (Divergent #3) by Veronica Roth
E D T       54. Angelfall (Penryn and the End of Days #1) by Susan Ee
E              55. Suitcase of Stars (Enchanted Emporium #1) by Pierdomenico Baccalario
E T          56. Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist by Rachel Cohn and David Levithan
E T         57. The Assassin and the Desert (Throne of Glass 0.2) by Sarah J. Maas
E T          58. A Wrinkle in Time (Time #1) by Madeleine L'Engle
E T          59. The Assassin and the Underworld (Throne of Glass 0.3) by Sarah J. Maas
E T          60. The Assassin and the Empire (Throne of Glass 0.4) by Sarah J. Maas
E T         61. Storm Front (The Dresden Files #1) by Jim Butcher
E T          62. Everything Changes by Jonathan Tropper
E T          63. An Abundance of Katherines by John Green

Totals:
Ebook = 53
Dystopian = 28
Sequel = 19
TBR = 31
Genre = 33

Being the New Year and all, 

I thought I could make some blogging resolutions!

1. Write my review and post within a week of reading book!

2. Be better at checking out other blogs and commenting.

3. Participate in Challenges more!

4. Have FUN!!!

Thanks to everyone and I hope you have a great 2014!

Review: Everything Changes by Jonathan Tropper

Title: Everything Changes
Author: Jonathan Tropper
Published: March 28, 2006
Publisher: Bantam
ISBN: 0385337426
Format: Ebook; 352pg
Source: Library
Purchase: Amazon

Synopsis:

Jonathan Tropper’s novel The Book of Joe dazzled critics and readers alike with its heartfelt blend of humor and pathos. Now Tropper brings all that—and more—to an irresistible new novel. In Everything Changes, Tropper delivers a touching, wickedly funny new tale about love, loss, and the perils of a well-planned life.

To all appearances, Zachary King is a man with luck on his side. A steady, well-paying job, a rent-free Manhattan apartment, and Hope, his stunning, blue-blooded fiancée: smart, sexy, and completely out of his league. But as the wedding day looms, Zack finds himself haunted by the memory of his best friend, Rael, killed in a car wreck two years earlier—and by his increasingly complicated feelings for Tamara, the beautiful widow Rael left behind.

Then Norm—Zack’s freewheeling, Viagra-popping father—resurfaces after a twenty-year absence, looking to make amends. Norm’s overbearing, often outrageous efforts to reestablish ties with his sons infuriate Zack, and yet, despite twenty years of bad blood, he finds something compelling in his father’s maniacal determination to transform his own life. Inspired by Norm, Zack boldly attempts to make some changes of his own, and the results are instantly calamitous. Soon fists are flying, his love life is a shambles, and his once carefully structured existence is spinning hopelessly out of control.

Charged with intelligence and razor sharp wit, Everything Changes is at once hilarious, moving, sexy, and wise—a work of transcendent storytelling from an exciting new talent.

Everything Changes is the story of an extremely dysfunctional family. The "middleman" of the family has always been Zack and he prides himself on doing things the right way. The driving force behind the actions of Zack are found in his father, Norm. Norm is a royal screw-up at life in general and basically left his children. So, what do you think is going to happen when Zack, in his perfect adult life, is faced up against good ol' Norm again? One thing is for certain, and that is that everything is about to change.

Jonathan Tropper does a magnificent job of creating believable characters that I empathized with immediately. However, something about this book made me think it would have been a great Soap Opera. LoL. For real! There is cancer, break-ups, making out, illegitimate children and everything else thrown in but the kitchen sink! Yet, it is still plausible, because messed up stuff happens every day. Just usually not this many things at once to the same person.

If you appreciate a novel that is more grounded in reality checks, then this book is for you. It will definitely make you reconsider your life and possibly how awesome it is. This book did everything it was supposed to do, therefore...

5 stars to Everything Changes.

Review: Storm Front (Dresden Files #1) by Jim Butcher

Title: Storm Front (The Dresden Files #1)
Author: Jim Butcher
Published: April 1, 2000
Publisher: ROC
Format: Ebook; 322pg
Source: Library
Purchase: Amazon

Synopsis:

Harry Dresden -- Wizard

Lost items found. Paranormal Investigations.
Consulting. Advice. Reasonable Rates.
No Love Potions, Endless Purses, or
Other Entertainment.

Harry Dresden is the best at what he does. Well, technically, he’s the only at what he does. So when the Chicago P.D. has a case that transcends mortal creativity or capability, they come to him for answers. For the “everyday” world is actually full of strange and magical things — and most of them don’t play well with humans. That’s where Harry comes in. Takes a wizard to catch a — well, whatever.

There’s just one problem. Business, to put it mildly, stinks. So when the police bring him in to consult on a grisly double murder committed with black magic, Harry’s seeing dollar signs. But where there’s black magic, there’s a black mage behind it. And now that mage knows Harry’s name. And that’s when things start to get… interesting.

Magic. It can get a guy killed.

Harry Dresden is an amazing character! He is a Wizard, a really bad-ass wizard that sells his services like a private detective would. So, it's only fitting that Harry is also a consultant for the police department. When Harry is summoned to a murder scene and discovers two bodies with their hearts having exploded through their chests. Soon, a pattern emerges and it is up to Harry to track down the bad guy before they get to him next!

I loved all the paranormal elements. The story kept getting more and more outrageous which was fun as well. The support characters were even great. The thing I like most about Harry is how he relies on his experience over so many other factors. When Harry walks into a situation he has already planned out multiple scenarios in order to prepare himself. Wish I could have that much forethought!

Overall, a fantastic read and I will be continuing the series, for sure!

5 stars to Storm Front!

Review: Angelfall (Penryn and the End of Days #1) by Susan Ee

Title: Angelfall (Penryn and the End of Days #1)
Author: Susan Ee
Published: May 21, 2011
Publisher: Feral Dream
Format: Ebook; 247pg
Source: Purchased
Purchase at:
Amazon
Barnes and Noble

Synopsis:
It's been six weeks since angels of the apocalypse descended to demolish the modern world. Street gangs rule the day while fear and superstition rule the night. When warrior angels fly away with a helpless little girl, her seventeen-year-old sister Penryn will do anything to get her back.

Anything, including making a deal with an enemy angel.

Raffe is a warrior who lies broken and wingless on the street. After eons of fighting his own battles, he finds himself being rescued from a desperate situation by a half-starved teenage girl.

Traveling through a dark and twisted Northern California, they have only each other to rely on for survival. Together, they journey toward the angels' stronghold in San Francisco where she'll risk everything to rescue her sister and he'll put himself at the mercy of his greatest enemies for the chance to be made whole again.

Recommended for ages 16 and up.

Angelfall was a dark, bizarre, twisted nightmare of a book...in a good way! Penryn would rank up their close to Katniss Everdeen of the Hunger Games for me. Trust me, she is extremely bad ass. You would have to be to survive what Penryn does.

Penryn is struggling to care for her wheel chair bound sister, Paige and her mother that battles with schizophrenia. The angels of the Apocalypse have destroyed most of the world and left Penryn with little choice than to try to escape with her family. It all goes to hell when they are on their way though because a gang of angels attacks Raffe. Raffe is an angel that has been targeted and actually has his wings cut off by the gang of bad angels.

Penryn and Raffe have to figure out how to work together if they are to get what they both want. Penryn wants her stolen sister back and Raffe wants his wings re-attached. As much as they don't want to admit it, they need eachother's help even if they are on opposite sides.

This book is really for ages 16 and up and I can see why. Some of the things described in this book are severely gruesome. Normally, that would completely turn me off of a book as that is not really my style. But, for some reason, this book held my attention so much I just couldn't stop reading even if I had wanted to do so. I loved the character of Penryn and just thought she was so tough. Raffe is a little bit of a mystery still. Guess I will have to read World After to see what happens!

5 stars to Angelfall!

Review: The Maze Runner (Maze Runner #1) by James Dashner

Title: The Maze Runner (Maze Runner #1)
Author: James Dashner
Published: Aug 24, 2010
Publisher: Delacorte Press
Format: Paperback; 375 pg
Source: Purchased
ISBN: 0385737955

Synopsis:

When Thomas wakes up in the lift, the only thing he can remember is his first name. His memory is blank. But he’s not alone. When the lift’s doors open, Thomas finds himself surrounded by kids who welcome him to the Glade—a large, open expanse surrounded by stone walls.

Just like Thomas, the Gladers don’t know why or how they got to the Glade. All they know is that every morning the stone doors to the maze that surrounds them have opened. Every night they’ve closed tight. And every 30 days a new boy has been delivered in the lift.

Thomas was expected. But the next day, a girl is sent up—the first girl to ever arrive in the Glade. And more surprising yet is the message she delivers.

Thomas might be more important than he could ever guess. If only he could unlock the dark secrets buried within his mind.

The Maze Runner has been collecting dust on my shelf for like 2 years now! I have been wanting to read this series for so long and just kept putting it off. Well, NO longer! I made up my mind that I am going to read this series and I am so glad I did!

The Maze Runner is a top notch adventure full of surprises. I thought the writing was excellent and the characters drew me in immediately. The plot always had me guessing. I think Chuck was perhaps my favorite character. He was just so innocent and pure of heart!

The story of The Maze Runner begins with Thomas. His name is the only solid memory he has to hold on to as he realizes he is in a giant metal box with no idea where it is going. Eventually, we discover the new home for Thomas is called the Glade. The Glade is home to many young boys whose memories are conveniently erased. All of them have showed up in the box, once a month since they can remember, for the last 2 years. The Glade is basically ran by Alby, one of the oldest in the Glade. The biggest aspect of the Glade is the Maze. The Maze has never been solved and no one has ever survived in the Maze at night. Yet...

Anyways, the day after Thomas shows up, a message appears in the form of a girl brought up in the Box. This message kicks off a chain of events that had me flipping pages like a mad woman! From there, well, you will have to read to find out! haha

I really loved this book and tore through it. Next, is The Scorch Trials! I'm so excited!

5 stars to The Maze Runner!

Review: The Strange and Beautiful Sorrows of Ava Lavender

Title: The Strange and Beautiful Sorrows of Ava Lavender
Author: Leslye Walton
Expected Publication: March 25, 2014
Publisher: Candlewick Press
Format: Ebook; 320pg
Source: Netgalley

Synopsis:

Magical realism, lyrical prose, and the pain and passion of human love haunt this hypnotic generational saga.

Foolish love appears to be the Roux family birthright, an ominous forecast for its most recent progeny, Ava Lavender. Ava—in all other ways a normal girl—is born with the wings of a bird. In a quest to understand her peculiar disposition and a growing desire to fit in with her peers, sixteen-year old Ava ventures into the wider world, ill-prepared for what she might discover and naïve to the twisted motives of others. Others like the pious Nathaniel Sorrows, who mistakes Ava for an angel and whose obsession with her grows until the night of the Summer Solstice celebration. That night, the skies open up, rain and feathers fill the air, and Ava’s quest and her family’s saga build to a devastating crescendo. First-time author Leslye Walton has constructed a layered and unforgettable mythology of what it means to be born with hearts that are tragically, exquisitely human.

This story will haunt me for the rest of my days. This book was unlike anything I have read before. It began on almost a whimsical note, introducing characters and locations with flourish and outstanding detail. The beginning of the story made me think of The Royal Tenebaums. The quirky way in which each character was introduced kept my rapt attention. As the story progressed, I realized there was so much that was unique about this book. However, a theme of darkness ran throughout.

As brutal as some of the aspects of this book are, I really enjoyed reading it. I loved how the story of Ava Lavender was told through three generations of women. There is Emilienne, the grand-mother of Ava, Vivienne, Ava's mother and Ava herself. All of the women have had their share of heartache and disappointment.

There were some scenes in the book that would make me say this is definitely NOT a young adult book. The story became so raw and violent. This book is definitely not for those that love happy stories. It is gritty and even though you have an idea of what is going to happen, you really hope it won't.

Overall, a beautiful and heart-breaking tale that will stay with you long after you have read it.

5 stars to The Strange and Beautiful Sorrows of Ava Lavender.

Reviews: The Split Worlds by Emma Newman

Both of the books reviewed here are from 

The Split Worlds series by Emma Newman.

My review for Between Two Thorns (Split Worlds #1) is HERE.

Title: Any Other Name (Split Worlds #2)
Author: Emma Newman
Published: May 28, 2013
Publisher: Angry Robot
Format: Ebook
Source: Netgalley
ISBN: 0857663240

Synopsis:

Cat has been forced into an arranged marriage with William - a situation that comes with far more strings than even she could have anticipated, especially when she learns of his family's intentions for them both.

Meanwhile, Max and the gargoyle investigate The Agency - a mysterious organisation that appears to play by its own rules - and none of them favourable to Society.

Over in Mundanus, Sam has discovered something very peculiar about his wife's employer - something that could herald a change for everyone in both sides of the Split Worlds.

Any Other Name is the second book in The Split Worlds Trilogy. It picks up with Catherine (Cathy) being married to William, which is the last thing she wants! Cathy is a very independent female character struggling for her own place in the world where she doesn't belong to someone else. Being the eldest daughter of one of the most powerful Fae families comes with many downfalls for poor Catherine.

As of the end of this book, I have really mixed feelings towards the character of William. He always seems shady to me, yet still manages to try so hard to make Cathy happy in their arrangement. But sometimes, even the wonderful William goes terribly astray.

I thought this book was a great read. Newman's writing brought the characters to life and the story clicked into place nicely. Max and the Gargoyle are back, too! I just love those two rascals. The story had an excellent pace and kept me intrigued.

5 stars to Any Other Name!

Title: All Is Fair (The Split Worlds #3)
Author: Emma Newman
Published: Sept 24, 2013
Publisher: Angry Robot
Format: Ebook; 416pg
Source: Purchased

Synopsis:

In love and war nothing is safe.

William Iris struggles to keep the throne of Londinium whilst hated by his own court and beset by outsiders, while Cathy discovers the legacy of her former governess. But those who dare to speak out about Society are always silenced. Sometimes for good.

While trying to avoid further torments from the mercurial fae, Sam finds himself getting tangled in the affairs of the Elemental Court. But an unexpected offer from the powerful and enigmatic Lord Iron turns out to be far more than Sam bargained for.

Max and the gargoyle are getting closer to uncovering who is behind the murder of the Bath Chapter and the corruption in London and Max finds the gargoyle’s controversial ideas harder to ignore. Can he stay true to his sworn duty without being destroyed by his own master, whose insanity threatens to unravel them all?

All Is Fair is all about the main female character, Cathy, and her struggle for independence and equality. At first, this struggle is simply for herself. However, as her view of things broaden, so do Cathy’s priorities. She decides to take on equality in the NeverNever, the fae world.

The character of William, Cathy’s husband, had just a successful and powerful arc as she did. At the end of book 2, Any Other Name, I really disliked him. But, by the end of All Is Fair, I thought he was at least attempting to be the best man he could be.

It seemed there were still a lot of unanswered questions. I don't know if there will be more books in the series or not, but it seems that the possibility was definitely left open.

Overall, I enjoyed this book. It was a quick and enjoyable read!

5 stars to All Is Fair!

Showcase Sunday #20: Everything Changes

Hello all!

Welcome to my Showcase Sunday!

Hosted by Books, Biscuits and Tea,

it is a great way to recap your week!

Here we go...

#ReadingCram Readathon Wrap-Up Post

Reviews: The Assassin and the... by Sarah J. Maas

Review: Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist by Rachel Cohn, David Levithan

Astrid, The Dragonslayer's Blacksmith by Resa Nelson

Think Out Loud #76: Goodbye 2013, Hello 2014!

Review: Allegiant (Divergent #3) by Veronica Roth

I am sooooo excited because my library has FINALLY

made it where you can get Ebooks! This is a biggie for me!

I have read several ebooks from the library now

and think it is absolutely great!

Here are some of the books I recently received off hold.

Everything Changes by Jonathan Tropper

To all appearances, Zachary King is a man with luck on his side. A steady, well-paying job, a rent-free Manhattan apartment, and Hope, his stunning, blue-blooded fiancée: smart, sexy, and completely out of his league. But as the wedding day looms, Zack finds himself haunted by the memory of his best friend, Rael, killed in a car wreck two years earlier—and by his increasingly complicated feelings for Tamara, the beautiful widow Rael left behind.

Then Norm—Zack’s freewheeling, Viagra-popping father—resurfaces after a twenty-year absence, looking to make amends. Norm’s overbearing, often outrageous efforts to reestablish ties with his sons infuriate Zack, and yet, despite twenty years of bad blood, he finds something compelling in his father’s maniacal determination to transform his own life. Inspired by Norm, Zack boldly attempts to make some changes of his own, and the results are instantly calamitous. Soon fists are flying, his love life is a shambles, and his once carefully structured existence is spinning hopelessly out of control.

Charged with intelligence and razor sharp wit, Everything Changes is at once hilarious, moving, sexy, and wise—a work of transcendent storytelling from an exciting new talent.

An Abundance of Katherines by John Green

When it comes to relationships, Colin Singleton's type happens to be girls named Katherine. And when it comes to girls named Katherine, Colin is always getting dumped. Nineteen times, to be exact. He's also a washed-up child prodigy with ten thousand dollars in his pocket, a passion for anagrams, and an overweight, Judge Judy-obsessed best friend. Colin's on a mission to prove The Theorem of Underlying Katherine Predictability, which will predict the future of all relationships, transform him from a fading prodigy into a true genius, and finally win him the girl.
Letting expectations go and allowing love in are at the heart of Colin's hilarious quest to find his missing piece and avenge dumpees everywhere.

I hope everyone has had a great week!