Bookish Survey - Bout of Books 13.0 Mini Challenge

Today's mini challenge is hosted by Writing My Own Fairy Tale! It's a Bookish Survey which will be a fun way to share some random facts as well as participate some more in Bout of Books since I (sadly) did not get to read any today. 

If you haven't signed up for Bout of Books 13.0, you can sign up at their website here and see my own sign up post here. Now, on to the survey!

The Questions: 

1. How do you organize your shelves?
2. What is one of your favorite book that’s not in one of your favorite genres?
3. What is the last 5 star book you read?
4. What book are you most excited to read during the read-a-thon?
5. What book do you recommend the most?

no. 1 - I organize my shelves pretty haphazardly, to be honest. I just try to make the books fit. I do have one particular arrangement that I love, however. I have the top shelf dedicated to my favorites. I changed my system of organizing these a few months ago, and I really enjoy how that reorganization has been working.

no. 2 - I have a few genres that I enjoy but generally don't read much of, so here are a few favorites from this year! I definitely love a lot of different genres, but I haven't read much historical fiction or fantasy in the past. 

Historical Fiction - The Near Witch by Victoria Schwab

Fantasy - The Winner's Curse by Marie Rutkoski

If you're curious to know more about how my reading has changed in 2015, you can read about that here, and check out my favorites on Goodreads here.

3. Princess of the Silver Wood by Jessica Day George, which is the third book in the Princesses of Westfalin trilogy.

4. I'm really excited to finish Rook by Sharon Cameron. I've read quite a bit of the book already and I'm curious to know what happens next.

5. I've definitely recommended Splintered by A. G. Howard the most throughout my years of blogging. I can't even keep count of how many times I've talked about that book.

So, there are my responses to the Bookish Survey! If you've taken the survey, let me know and if not leave your thoughts in the comments! 

From the paper world,

V

Bout of Books 10.0 - Day no.1 Update and Mini Challenges

Number 573 Signed Up!

Books Read Today: Memoirs of A Teenage Amnesiac by Gabrielle Zevin

Pages Read Today: 271 pages

Total Number of Books Read: 1

Total Number of Pages Read: 271

Mini Challenges: If You like X, Try Y

I love this because so many times I'm reading  a book and it resonates with another that I've loved!

If you like The Naturals by Jennifer Lynn Barnes, try Sekret by Lindsay Smith.

The setting is very different, but both have a gifted group of teenagers working under their governments, solving mysteries and featuring awesome character interactions through an ensemble cast, and a great protagonist.

If you like Starcrossed the tv show, try Alienated by Melissa Landers.

I just finished Alienated the other day as part of a readalong, and I loved it. Both the tv show Starcrossed and this book have two teens from different worlds and their challenges. I actually prefer Alienated, but both are great!

If you like Percy Jackson, try Antigoddess by Kendare Blake.

This is another series with Greek mythology done in a fresh, unique way. Both are modern settings, and Antigoddess focuses on the goddess Athena (who is gritty, tough, and sarcastic) and co. as well as a mysterious mortal. It's an awesome start to a series that's continuing on with Mortal Gods!

If you like Sisters Red by Jackson Pearce, try Splintered by A.G. Howard.

Both of these stories are darker fairy tale retellings, and I love both of them. Sisters Red is a unique take on Little Red Riding Hood, and Splintered is Alice in Wonderland in a whole new light! Both are excellent retellings, and starts to series!

If you like Daughter of Smoke & Bone by Laini Taylor, try The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern.

These books feature lyrical writing that's incredibly descriptive and captivating. The two in love face struggles and challenges in their worlds, and the storytelling feels like a beautiful tapestry seamlessly woven together. While Daughter is YA and Circus is adult, they both have this beautiful expression through their writing and characters.

If you like Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell, try To All the Boys I've Loved Before by Jenny Han.

Another case of hilariously quirky, awkward, yet endearing protagonists and their lives. While Cath is off to college, Lara Jean's sister is and Lara is left at home. Both of these protagonists are thoughtful, and I laughed and reacted to both of these books. They are definitely two of my favorite contemporaries.

If you like Across the Universe by Beth Revis, try These Broken Stars by Amie Kaufman & Meagan Spooner.

These are two sci-fi books that I think anyone who likes one will enjoy the other. Both stories have to do with interplanetary space travel, and how some things go horribly awry onboard. They also have dual perspective from the main boy and girl in each of their respective stories, and it really helps you appreciate the entire story as well as the characters.

From the paper world,

V

Book Blogger Love-A-Thon - Love Letter Mini Challenge

It's time for more Love-A-Thon festivities! This is a mini challenge that sounds very Valentine's Day appropriate- write a love letter to your book boyfriend. It's probably no surprise to many that Morpheus of the Splintered series is going to receive this letter.

Dear Morpheus,
My dear, you are amazing. You steal every scene you are in, and from the beginning you stole my bookish love. Any time I walk past a top hat, I think of you and your Wonderland magic. I find myself calling for a Swooning Hat any time you show just how strong, loyal, and loving you are. I am a mothling, and happily love to read about you and your daring adventures. 

Before I ever picked up the books that happily led me to you, I heard tales of this series back in 2o12. I finally found the book, and dove into the strange, enchanted world you call home. My dear, you were witty, charming, mysterious...There was not a moment in the book when I could predict what you would do next. I cheered out loud to see you on the cover of Unhinged. That book showed the world how loving and dedicated you can be. Happy Valentine's Day to you, Morpheus.

Love,
Violet

There's my attempt at a love letter to Morpheus! Here's a little info about who this guy is, and I'll include the sequel's cover that stars him!




This stunning debut captures the grotesque madness of a mystical under-land, as well as a girl’s pangs of first love and independence. Alyssa Gardner hears the whispers of bugs and flowers—precisely the affliction that landed her mother in a mental hospital years before. This family curse stretches back to her ancestor Alice Liddell, the real-life inspiration for Lewis Carroll’s Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. Alyssa might be crazy, but she manages to keep it together. For now.
When her mother’s mental health takes a turn for the worse, Alyssa learns that what she thought was fiction is based in terrifying reality. The real Wonderland is a place far darker and more twisted than Lewis Carroll ever let on. There, Alyssa must pass a series of tests, including draining an ocean of Alice’s tears, waking the slumbering tea party, and subduing a vicious bandersnatch, to fix Alice’s mistakes and save her family. She must also decide whom to trust: Jeb, her gorgeous best friend and secret crush, or the sexy but suspicious Morpheus, her guide through Wonderland, who may have dark motives of his own.


Who's your book boyfriend? Let me know down in the comments! Stay tuned for more of the Book Blogger Love-A-Thon, and find even more of the participating blogs over at the hosts', Alexa and Katelyn.

From the paper world,
V