Stacking the Shelves [Weekly Book Haul 3/7]

Stacking the Shelves is hosted by Tynga's Reviews! 

This week I received some pretty fantastic book mail and ebooks! 

In the Mail for review... 

The Rook by Sharon Cameron 

Ebooks for review... 

The Sin Eater's Daughter by Melinda Salisbury

We Can Work it Out by Elizabeth Eulberg

I loved The Lonely Hearts Club by Elizabeth Eulberg, I'm so happy to see a sequel!! 

Bought Ebooks this week... 

Before I fall by Lauren Oliver

Princess Academy by Shannon Hale

Both of these are ebook deals right now. I believe Before I fall is $3 and Princess Academy is $1.60... go get them! 

What did you guys get this week?

Girl Before a Mirror by Liza Palmer [Review + Giveaway]

Title: Girl Before a Mirror
Author: Liza Palmer
Release Date: January 27, 2015
Publisher: William Morrow Paperbacks
Source: From publisher for honest review.

The author of Conversations with a Fat Girl—optioned for HBO—returns with the hilarious and heartfelt story of a woman who must learn how to be the heroine of her own life-a journey that will teach her priceless lessons about love, friendship, family, work, and her own heart
An account executive in a Mad Men world, Anna Wyatt is at a crossroads. Recently divorced, she’s done a lot of emotional housecleaning, including a self-imposed dating sabbatical. But now that she’s turned forty, she’s struggling to figure out what her life needs. Brainstorming to win over an important new client, she discovers a self-help book—Be the Heroine, Find Your Hero—that offers her unexpected insights and leads her to a most unlikely place: a romance writers’ conference. If she can sign the Romance Cover Model of the Year Pageant winner for her campaign—and meet the author who has inspired her to take control of her life—she’ll win the account. 
For Anna, taking control means taking chances, including getting to know Sasha, her pretty young colleague on the project, and indulging in a steamy elevator ride with Lincoln Mallory, a dashing financial consultant she meets in the hotel. When the conference ends, Anna and Lincoln must decide if their intense connection is strong enough to survive outside the romantic fantasy they’ve created. Yet Lincoln is only one of Anna’s dilemmas. Now that her campaign is off the ground, others in the office want to steal her success, and her alcoholic brother, Ferdie, is spiraling out of control. 
To have the life she wants-to be happy without guilt, to be accepted for herself, to love and to be loved, to just be—she has to put herself first, accept her imperfections, embrace her passions, and finally be the heroine of her own story.

I am a lover of YA, but as a twenty something college student, job dreamer and future haver, I really enjoy delving into women's literary fiction. It is very nice to know that it is okay to not have everything figured out. Even at 40. Life doesn't always work the way we plan it to and I enjoy a friendly reminder that great fiction is fond at every level and GIRL BEFORE A MIRROR really exceeded my expectations.

When I first saw Girl Before a Mirror, I was immediately intrigued because 1.) I have heard many fantastic things a bout the author and 2.) The Ad Agency life is one I have always been interested in. I wanted to see what Anna's life was like and her story instantly interested me on multiple levels as it seemed to be a story of rediscovery.

The first meeting with our heroine is uplifting, her 40th birthday has just taken place and it becomes clear early on that his new beginning is more than just a personal decisions and new awakening of sorts as she begins to view her new place in life. Early on we learn that it is more than a personal decision or enlightenment, but a choice that was not her own. Anna seems to have taken strength from her emotional state and at the opening of the novel is in a place where she wants to "just be." She expresses this early in the novel and it is an idea that is central to Anna's progression and part of what I liked so much about her. She is used to being everything for everyone, but in the end wants to "just be."

What I really loved about this book was the was the humor and the easy writing style Liza Palmer used. Liza Palmer wrote in a conversational way that made me feel as if I was being told a story. It was fun to read, and I enjoyed seeing Anna's world and veing introduced to her world.

I LOVED the use of the romance "How To" book - "Be the Heroine, Find Your Hero"I wish it was a real book because I am highly interested. I do not think This book seemed to give women the power to "just be" and to gain importance and respect from romantic relationships. I am a feminist, and this book really hit home with female empowerment. Anna uses the book to uplift herself.

While some of the secondary characters got on my nerves a bit, I really enjoyed GIRL BEFORE A MIRROR and will definitely be reading Liza Palmer's other novels quickly.

If you enjoy great writing, a true heroine, and a story of a women empowerment, this book is for you! It definitely comes recommended.

Time for a giveaway! 

Enter to win one of two copies of Girl Before a Mirror by Liza Palmer! 

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Top SIX Favorite Books From the Past Three Years

Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by The Broke and the Bookish! 

These are some of the best books I have read over the past three years! I have actually read quite a few books in that period, so lets see how this goes... 

THE JEWEL and SNOW LIKE ASHES were both titles that blew me away last year. I read many long hours into the night, avoided other responsibilities and just generally could not make myself revisit my life until it was complete. 

I long for reads like the above. They're what keep me going. 

I am ashamed that I have only read Lord of the Rings recently myself. I had them read to me when I was young, but as far as me sitting down and committing, it did not happen until recently. I found a new love for something I've always loved. Funny how that can happen. 

SAY WHAT YOU WILL is another title that was so full of good I couldn't contain it. I laughed, I cried, I wanted more, and when it was over I blew up Cammie McGovern's Twitter and informed her I wanted more.  SAY WHAT YOU WILL is beautifully different and completely worth the read. 

CINDER was a wonderful fairy tale adaption that was different enough to not be like anything else and that was really what made me love it. CYBORGZZ like woah. 

ON THE FENCE is pretty much my definitition of the perfect contemporary. We all know I love Sarah Dessen, and reading this book took me back to high school when I devoured them all. Kasie West is a new author I want to collect, she has some serious talent and ON THE FENCE reminded me of what I love so much about contemporaries... which pretty much includes laughing a lot and feeling all the emotions. 

What are some of the books you loved? 

Seraphina by Rachel Hartman [Book Review]

Title: Seraphina
Author: Rachel Hartman
Release Date: July 10, 2012
Publisher: Random House
ASIN: B005IQZC2M
Source: Purchased. 

Lyrical, imaginative, and wholly original, this New York Timesbestseller with 8 starred reviews is not to be missed. Rachel Hartman’s award-winning debut will have you looking at dragons as you've never imagined them before…
In the kingdom of Goredd, dragons and humans live and work side by side – while below the surface, tensions and hostility simmer. 
The newest member of the royal court, a uniquely gifted musician named Seraphina, holds a deep secret of her own. One that she guards with all of her being.
When a member of the royal family is brutally murdered, Seraphina is drawn into the investigation alongside the dangerously perceptive—and dashing—Prince Lucien. But as the two uncover a sinister plot to destroy the wavering peace of the kingdom, Seraphina's struggle to protect her secret becomes increasingly difficult… while its discovery could mean her very life. 

Seraphina was a true fantasy. I say this because of all the effort that was clearly placed into the building of the world. Hartman creates a world and a race of dragon that was very original, and the relationship between the humans and the dragons is a central concept of the novel that evolves and comes to light as time goes on. We all know that I am a huge fan of fantasy, it speaks to me, and Seraphina was special in its originality.

I loved, loved, the conflict between the dragons and man kind. I felt the relationship between them (and the mirroring that seemed to take place) as very interesting, but also important because there was still a clear difference between the two races that was tangibly felt.

Seraphina, is caught between two worlds that made an attempt at coming together, but never can fully reconcile. This from the beginning gave her a sense of depth of character as the conflict was apparent from early on as not just an inner turmoil but an outer turmoil.

The writing was beautiful, the addition of art and music to the stories central themes were a wonderful addition which made some passages read full, luscious and embodied with emotions.

While I liked all of these things, I also think that at times the world and story were so intricate if you blinked you missed things. There is a glossary for a reason, and as long as you use it you're fine, but for the reader who does not want to have to keep names and people straight this may be a problem.

This book was no Game of Thrones in complexity, but the world was so much world building that using the Glossary proved to be very helpful.

The romance in the book was sweet and it was definitely an element the reader rooted for. I am very excited to see where Hartman takes this particular element in the book to Shadow Scale. The relationship between Kiggs, Glassinda, and Seraphina was one that I really enjoyed reading. They all shared an unusual friendship in their own ways, which kept me interested and intrigued as the plot thickened.

Seraphina is a wonderfully developed story that will appeal to fans of fantasy, and to fans of romance. This tale has so many varying elements that it will hold the interest of many and the beautiful imagery will only add to the appeal as Seraphina's music and garden come alive in the most wonderful ways. While this book is long, it is definitely worth the reading.

If you love fantasy, don't miss Seraphina!

Top Ten Tuesday: Heroines I LOVE

Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by The Broke and the Bookish! 

When I think of heroines I think of classic fantasy, epic tales where dragons are battled and kingdoms saved. 

I will try to expand pass that realm in this post because every genre deserves some powerful woman love! 

1.Yelena from Poison Study: 

I love Yelena! The Study Series is one that has completely stuck with me over the years! I still haven't gotten my hands on the newest one (AHH). The reason I'm choosing Yelena is her fierceness and inability to give up. She is one character that never accepted second best and she never let any obstacle get in her way. 

2. Rose from Vampire Academy: 

I read the Vampire Academy in high school, and it was practically my obsession for a good two years. Rose was such a powerful protagonist and she really proved power through sheer strength physically and emotionally over and over and over. Rose is a bad A**. There is no other word for it. 

3. Katsa from Graceling: 

This is one heroine who truly sets the bar for power and strength. When I think of classic Fantasy in YA, I think of Graceling and Katsa did not disappoint in any department. She was strong, willing, able, and strove always for what was right. I loved everything about Graceling while I was reading it, and I still often long to go back to the world that Kristen Cashore created. 

4. Scarlett from Gone With the Wind: 

We all knew I couldn't get through a heroine list without mentioning Scarlett! Scarlett is a different kind of heroine, she expresses a true strength of will and does anything in order to survive. The true story of Gone With the Wind is a struggle for humanity. Scarlett is complex but she is most certainly not week in any way. Her strength to survive is uncanny, and that is why she is a heroine for all the lists. Click here to find more about my love of Gone With the Wind! I wrote a whole post about it.

5. Anne from Anne of Green Gables: 

Oh, how I love that Anne girl! She would never be the same as a Cordelia, and this heroine is one who enchants us for pages and then continues for a lifetime! I can scarcely go through a full day without having Anne references pass through my head. She is wonderful and has given me so much joy. Plus, her and Gilbert are perfect. So. So. perfect. 

6. Hermione from Harry Potter: 

I love her. I just do. She's me if I were cooler. I feel the Hermione in me come out all the time, I'm always super into accomplishing everything (which is how I end up in college, working, blogging, and having a very small business). We're just crazy people. And I love that she made me know that was okay. 

7. Ella from Ella Enchanted: 

This one may seem weird, but when I was a kid Ella Enchanted was my thing. I loved the book and when a movie happened I was in heaven. It was practically my perfect book at that age, not too tough and fabulous. I love Ella, and in some small way she shaped a huge part of my childhood and made me who I am. 

8. Holly from Breakfast at Tiffany's: 

I did an entire post about this recently, so it should come as no surprise. I love Holly. If you want to hear my rant click here. I love how simply complicated she is, and her inability to see it. 

9. Meira from Snow Like Ashes: 

This is a new heroine to love! I really enjoyed Snow Like Ashes, the world, the story telling, and Meira are all wonderful contributions to my list of favorite stories! I loved Meira's persistence and her constant search for understanding. I'm so excited for the sequel! 

10. Catwoman from Catwoman When in Rome: 

I know this one is super weird. I'm a comic fan too, and Catwoman has a story to tell. Whether she is a villain or an ally is a bit of a stickier issue, but in this comic especially we see her inner turmoil and her struggle with Bruce Wayne. We see the need to know who she is and where she comes from. We see true depth to a character that previously could have been written off as unimportant. I love Catwoman. Hear me meow! 

What are your Top Ten favorite Heroines? 

I would love to hear about them in the comments! 

Stacking the Shelves!

Stacking the Shelves is hosted by Tynga's Reviews! 

This week will be all about books I have received for my Kindle as of late. It has been a pretty intense couple weeks for Kindle, so I will try to include everything. 

**All review books were received via Edelweiss.

Bought: 

These are on sale right now! Could not resist I loved Cinder and still haven't read the rest!

These two are on a $1.99 sale, you should check it out! 

For Review: 

Thanks so much to Harper Collins, Simon and Schuster, and Edelweiss for making me do many happy dances this week! I'm so excited for them all, as I'm sure you guys know as I think three of them have been in recent Waiting on Wednesdays! 

What did you guys get this week? 

The Fellowship of the Ring by J.R.R. Tolkien [Review]

Title: The Fellowship of the Ring
Author: J.R.R. Tolkien
Source: Purchased
ISBN:  0618002227 

The first volume in J.R.R. Tokien's epic adventure The Lord of the Rings"Here are beauties which pierce like swords or burn like cold iron." — C. S. Lewis"Exciting... Mr. Tolkien's invention is unflagging." — W. H. AudenOne Ring to rule them all, One Ring to find them,One Ring to bring them all and in the darkness bind themIn ancient times the Rings of Power were crafted by the Elven-smiths, and Sauron, the Dark Lord, forged the One Ring, filling it with his own power so that he could rule all others. But the One Ring was taken from him, and though he sought it throughout Middle-earth, it remained lost to him. After many ages it fell into the hands of Bilbo Baggins, as told inThe Hobbit.In a sleepy village in the Shire, young Frodo Baggins finds himself faced with an immense task, as his elderly cousin Bilbo entrusts the Ring to his care. Frodo must leave his home and make a perilous journey across Middle-earth to the Cracks of Doom, there to destroy the Ring and foil the Dark Lord in his evil purpose.
J.R.R. TOLKIEN (1892-1973) is one of the twentieth century's best-loved writers. His books, which include The Hobbit, The Lord of the Rings, and The Silmarillion, have been translated into more than thirty languages and have sold many millions of copies worldwide.

 I'm actually taking a Lord of the Rings class in college this semester, so this review is being done after just having completed this first installment of this master trilogy. The class combines Anglo Saxon literature with the world of Lord of the Rings to allow us a better understanding of the historical and textual points of the novel as they sometimes go hand and hand.

I grew up in a house where Tolkien was a God, a demi-God at the least. My father read the trilogy when he was a teenager and since had found no other books to compare to them. I began this reading understanding more about the writer and the Anglo-Saxon world in general which made the events in this book to make even more sense and make Tolkien's achievement even greater.

For those of you who have been living under a rock for your lives, The Fellowship of the Ring is the first installment of a trilogy that depicts an epic adventure in Middle Earth, a land where hobbits (halflings), Man Kind, Elves, Orcs, Dwarves, and other fantastic run amock.

This first book is a fantastic introduction and Tolkien really tries to make the reader feel how full this world is. There are paragraphs that show that everything in Middle Earth is connected, everyone having thoughts and histories all their own. This is something that really sets this series apart because of how vast an undertaking it is. Tolkien wrote the story for the language, not the language for the story as he was a linguist and medieval scholar. This tale really combined his two great loves, which is very evident upon reading because it is clear it was a work that came out of much thought and plan.

Though Tolkien did not have the entire plot planned upon first writing, he did eventually make up such a vast world that three ages of history were recorded. The small details often go missed without reading secondary material, but no question was left unanswered... except perhaps what the purpose of Tom Bombadil really is to the whole thing.

While the beginning may appear slow, there are so many quotable lines in this book that you can't help but continue. Constantly are you wanting to know will happen next in this world where anything seems to be possible.

The call back to classic Anglo-Saxon literature is one that is very apparant when this series is read with that in mind. The Anglo-Saxon culture saw exile as the worst thing that could happen to a person and community as the only way to survive. In The Lord of the Rings this idea is continued and turned on its head a bit as exile is chosen, and spoken against. Characters choose to go alone, the Fellowship is eventually broken, but no worries, after all "not all those who wander are lost..."

If you're a fan of epics, Tolkien, the LOTR movies, or would like to view Tolkien's turn on Anglo-Saxon literature this series cannot be missed!

If you love epic adventures, daring sword fights, a prince in disguise! (As Belle from Beauty and the Beast would say...) You need not look any farther, because Tolkien has it all here for you!

Highly, highly recommended.