December Wrap up - Book Haul & What to Expect Next Month

Welcome to my blog, dear reader.

The final month of the year.

I do have 3 more reviews to write, but I can't, since I'm going on a trip tomorrow. So I will save those for the new year.

I had a great reading year, even though I did not reach my Goodreads Reading Challenge. I met a lot of awesome bloggers, authors and read a lot of cool books. This community is what keeps me going and I am really thankfull for each and every one that reads my posts and comments and stuff like that!

Have a great 2019 and I hope you keep visiting in the new year.

🎆🎆🎆

My Top 18 Books Of 2018

Christmas Eve, I love it so much.

2018 is almost over, and I've had a GREAT book year. I don't mind that I didn't complete my Goodreads Challenge. I had fun blogging, hosting giveaways and meeting new people in the BookBlogging-Community. 

With this final list I do hope to recommend some awesome books that you maybe haven't read! This is my top 18 of 2018. Want to know why I loved the book so much? You can click the cover to go to the full review! I do hope you find some nice books to read next year. Have fun reading this list, have a nice Christmas and I do hope everyone has a GREAT 2019!

🎄

Review: Crown of Midnight (Throne of Glass #2)

Author: Sarah J. Maas
Started reading: December 5th 2018
Finished the book: December 22st 2018
Pages: 415
Genres: Fantasy
Published: August 27th 2013
Source: Got the book as a gift
Goodreads score: 4.47
My score:

Synopsis
From the throne of glass rules a king with a fist of iron and a soul as black as pitch. Assassin Celaena Sardothien won a brutal contest to become his Champion. Yet Celaena is far from loyal to the crown. She hides her secret vigilantly; she knows that the man she serves is bent on evil.

Keeping up the deadly charade becomes increasingly difficult when Celaena realizes she is not the only one seeking justice. As she tries to untangle the mysteries buried deep within the glass castle, her closest relationships suffer. It seems no one is above questioning her allegiances—not the Crown Prince Dorian; not Chaol, the Captain of the Guard; not even her best friend, Nehemia, a foreign princess with a rebel heart.

Review: For Better and Worse

Author: Margot Hunt
Started reading: December 14th 2018
Finished the book: December 15th 2018
Pages: 384
Genres: Thriller, Fiction, Mystery
Published: December 11th 2018
Source: Netgalley
Goodreads score: 3.85
My score:

Synopsis
On their first date back in law school, Natalie and Will Clarke bonded over drinks, dinner and whether they could get away with murder. Now married, they’ll put the latter to the test when an unchecked danger in their community places their son in jeopardy. Working as a criminal defense attorney, Nat refuses to rely on the broken legal system to keep her family safe. She knows that if you want justice…you have to get it yourself.

Goodreads: Your Year In Books Meme 2018

I'm so excited to do this!! 
Last year I created the Your Year in Books Meme. It was a way to write a blogpost about the Goodreads Your Year in Books and share it with others.


I was hoping bloggers would participate and some did, but I do hope I can get it even bigger this year!
It's actually a yearly meme where you write your final 2018 wrap up. Instead of the usual monthly or weekly memes.



I'd love for people to participate so please share your link at the end of this post! You're free to write the blogpost in any way you like just to wrap up 2018.

I will be updating this post regularly since I'm still reading books and adding them to Goodreads until the end of the year.

Review: The Summer of Annah: A Labor of Love (The Seasons of Annah #2)

Author: Tinthia Clemant
Started reading: November 10th 2018
Finished the book: December 10th 2018
Pages: 341
Genres: Romance
Published: June 1st 2018
Source: Got a digital copy from the author
Goodreads score: Not enough ratings
My score:

Synopsis
Annah didn’t intend to erase her memories, but a witch should know not to interfere with the plans of the Universe.

After surviving an attack on her life, Annah-Belle Henderson wanted nothing more than to return to her family, friends, and the arms of her new love, Eric Ashworth. Instead, she discovers a dark secret that shatters the foundation on which she built her life, and she finds herself tossed into a world of strangers. Whom can she trust? The brash blonde? The teenager? Or the handsome man claiming to be her lover?

Review: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader (The Chronicles of Narnia #3)

Author: C.S. Lewis
Started reading: November 24th 2018
Finished the book: December 10th 2018
Pages: 248
Genres: Fantasy, Children's Book, Classics
Published: September 15th 1952
Source: Received as a gift
Goodreads score: 4.09
My score:

Synopsis
Lucy and Edmund, with their dreadful cousin Eustace, get magically pulled into a painting of a ship at sea. That ship is the Dawn Treader, and on board is Caspian, King of Narnia. He and his companions, including Reepicheep, the valiant warrior mouse, are searching for seven lost lords of Narnia, and their voyage will take them to the edge of the world. Their adventures include being captured by slave traders, a much-too-close encounter with a dragon, and visits to many enchanted islands, including the place where dreams come true.

Unboxing: FairyLoot Battles & Galaxies

Good day to you! I hope you're having a great day :)

Last month I subscribed for FairyLoot for 3 months. This is my second month and I'll be writing one more Unboxing BlogPost for Fairyloot after this one!

This month's theme is Battles & Galaxies. The goodies are awesome and the book looks great, I've seen some nice bookish pictures involving this book.

Let's unbox this baby, here we go!

Review: David Inside Out

Author: Lee Bantle
Started reading: November 19th 2018
Finished the book: November 21st 2018
Pages: 184
Genres: LGBT, YA
Published: May 12th 2009
Source: Got a physical copy from the publisher
Goodreads score: 3.80
My score:

Synopsis
David Dahlgren, a high-school senior, finds solace in running with the track team; he's a fast runner, and he enjoys the camaraderie. But team events become a source of tension when he develops a crush on one of his teammates, Sean. Scared to admit his feelings, David does everything he can to suppress them: he dates a girl, keeps his distance from his best friend who has become openly gay, and snaps a rubber band on his wrist every time he has "inappropriate" urges. Before long, Sean expresses the thoughts David has been trying to hide, and everything changes for the better. Or so it seems.

GIVEAWAY: Signed Paperback - The Starfarer

Welcome, welcome on the blog. I hope you're having a splendid day.
I do hope to make your day a bit better, by offering this Giveaway for a signed paperback of The Starfarer by Petra Landon.

I have been reading all her books and I loved them all. The Starfarer is actually a #2 book in a series, but you can easily read it without reading book 1 first. You could just read book 2 and afterwards read book 1.


This giveaway is open worldwide, so read this post to get all your necessary information!

November Wrap up - Book Haul & What to Expect Next Month

Dear readers, thanks for visiting!

You haven't heard from me in a while, that was not planned. I planned to do a giveaway, review and another unboxing, but I got SO sick. I've been sick with pneumonia for a week now. I have the sweetest co-workers who have been working very hard to teach the kids in my classroom so I could get better.

I'm a little bit better today, so I feel able to write this wrap up.

I expect to launch the giveaway this Sunday, if me feeling better keeps going this way!

Have a very merry December.

🎄

Review: Genesis (Will Trent #3)

Author: Karin Slaughter
Started reading: November 11th 2018
Finished the book: November 19th 2018
Pages: 550
Genres: Mystery, Thriller, Crime
Published: April 1st 2010
Source: Bought the book
Goodreads score: 4.25
My score:

Synopsis
Three and a half years ago former Grant County medical examiner Sara Linton moved to Atlanta hoping to leave her tragic past behind her. Now working as a doctor in Atlanta's Grady Hospital she is starting to piece her life together. But when a severely wounded young woman is brought in to the emergency room, she finds herself drawn back into a world of violence and terror.

The woman has been hit by a car but, naked and brutalized, it's clear that she has been the prey of a twisted mind. When Special Agent Will Trent of the Criminal Investigation Team returns to the scene of the accident, he stumbles on a torture chamber buried deep beneath the earth. And this hidden house of horror reveals a ghastly truth - Sara's patient is just the first victim of a sick, sadistic killer.

Review: The Haunting of Hill House

Author: Shirley Jackson
Started reading: November 2nd 2018
Finished the book: November 16th 2018
Pages: 182
Genres: Horror, Classics
Published: October 16th 1959
Source: Kindle 
Goodreads score: 3.88
My score:

Synopsis
First published in 1959, Shirley Jackson's The Haunting of Hill House has been hailed as a perfect work of unnerving terror. It is the story of four seekers who arrive at a notoriously unfriendly pile called Hill House: Dr. Montague, an occult scholar looking for solid evidence of a "haunting"; Theodora, his lighthearted assistant; Eleanor, a friendless, fragile young woman well acquainted with poltergeists; and Luke, the future heir of Hill House. At first, their stay seems destined to be merely a spooky encounter with inexplicable phenomena. But Hill House is gathering its powers—and soon it will choose one of them to make its own.

Bookish Goodies Box - Giveaway - WINNER

One of my favorite things to do on the blog; hosting a Giveaway. I'm so excited to announce that I will be hosting another giveaway next Saturday. I also plan to do another Goodreads Book of Choice Giveaway, just like I did last January.

But right now is the time to announce the winner of the Goodies Box. I'm so surprised about the amount of people that participated. I did NOT expect that at all. I do know now, that I can definitely host another giveaway like this one.

Thank you all so much for participating! Lets announce the winner...

Review: Contingent Upon Magenta

Author: C. Drying
Started reading: October 26th 2018
Finished the book: November 10th 2018
Pages: 225
Genres: Science Fiction,
Published: April 28th 2017
Source: Got a physical copy from the author
Goodreads score: Not enough ratings
My score:

Synopsis
An unprovoked attack on Earth prompts the U.S. military to send a small contingent to assassinate the matriarch of a world where mothers and daughters are exalted. A dissenting citizen from the world provides the U.S. military with guidance by insisting a female be an operative in the contingent. Captain Joan Jones is the operative. She’s a mother of a young daughter and is conflicted and torn by her call to duty. The contingent faces a barrage of unexpected events while Captain Jones becomes captivated by the Magentan matriarch. Will Captain Jones’ maternal instincts fail or save the contingent?

Review: The Starfarer (The Araloka Chronicles #2)

Author: Petra Landon
Started reading: October 21st 2018
Finished the book: November 6th 2018
Pages: 424
Genres: Science Fiction, Romance
To be published: November 16th 2018
Source: Got a digital copy from the author
Goodreads score: Not enough ratings
My score:

Synopsis
Sila Gatherer hides a deadly secret on a rural planet. Until an accidental encounter with an alien starship changes her life. Threatened, exiled and adrift, Sila must survive far from home and everything familiar, as an unlikely guardian angel helps pave her way.

Star Captain Zh'hir Mu'raat is Ur'quay - legendary starfarers renowned across the galaxy. On a desperate mission to a distant corner of the galaxy, his world collides with Sila's. Thrust together, the starfarer and his accidental captive forge an extraordinary bond.

Drawn to each other against all odds, Sila and the Star Captain must fight for a future together as the war, her ability, Ur'quay tradition and a complicated legacy test their faith. When a powerful foe threatens their new coalition, they race against time to unravel a centuries-old secret. With the fate of Sector Araloka and the Ur'quay at stake, can the starfarer follow his heart or will history repeat itself again ...

Giveaway: Bookish Goodies

Yaaay! Finally, time for another Giveaway!

It's so much fun to hosts Giveaways.

This time, I have an amazing goodie-box for one of you.

I've been ordering bookboxes for 2 years now and I'm flooded in awesome goodies.

One of you is going to win the goodie box. Check below for more information!

Unboxing: FairyLoot Beautiful Deceptions

I've always wanted to receive a FairyLoot or OwlCrate. I decided to do a 3-month subscription for FairyLoot and this month I received my first box. I was so happy with everything inside this box. I can't wait to share it all with you.

Let's do this!

Review: Prince Caspian (The Chronicles of Narnia #2)

Author: C.S. Lewis
Started reading: October 22nd 2018
Finished the book: October 31rd 2018
Pages: 240
Genres: Fantasy, Children's Book, Classics
Published: October 15th 1951
Source: Received as a gift
Goodreads score: 3.97
My score:

Synopsis
The Pevensie siblings are back to help a prince denied his rightful throne as he gathers an army in a desperate attempt to rid his land of a false king. But in the end, it is a battle of honor between two men alone that will decide the fate of an entire world.

October Wrap up - Book Haul & What to Expect Next Month

Dear reader, thanks for visiting my blog!

I have the feeling that I'm BACK. I read a lot of books this month and did some nice book tags. That was so much fun; to do something different. I liked it more than I thought!

I was just looking at my Goodreads Reading Challenge and I think I'm not going to make it, sadly. It would mean that I have to read 23 books in the next 2 months... I won't start reading short books just to make it, I really just want to stick to my TBR.

But, oh yeah... Reading is just about the fun, so I don't mind if I don't make it to 75 books. I'll try again next year :)

Have nice November, and remember; It's almost CHRISTMAS, YAY!

📑

Zombie Apocalypse Book Tag

Welcome, welcome!

I'm so happy to share this blogpost with you; The Zombie Apocalypse Book Tag. I've been excited to do this book tag for a very long time, but since Halloween is near and I'm in some Halloween vibes, I decided to do it today.

I will be going to the cinema at midnight to have a Horror Movie Marathon, all night long! I'm already in a spooky cheer and have been watching American Horror Story for a week straight. So yeah, I think this is one of my favorite book tags that I've done so far. I made the font myself and it was so much fun to select the books for this book tag.

I hope you enjoy!

👻👻👻

Review: Fairest (The Lunar Chronicles, #3.5)

Author: Marissa Meyer
Started reading: October 17th 2018
Finished the book: October 22nd 2018
Pages: 222
Genres: Fantasy, Science Fiction
Published: January 27th 2015
Source: Bought the book
Goodreads score: 4.02
My score:

Synopsis
In this stunning bridge book between Cress and Winter in the bestselling Lunar Chronicles, Queen Levana’s story is finally told.

Mirror, mirror on the wall,
Who is the fairest of them all?

Fans of the Lunar Chronicles know Queen Levana as a ruler who uses her “glamour” to gain power. But long before she crossed paths with Cinder, Scarlet, and Cress, Levana lived a very different story – a story that has never been told... until now.

Review: The Good Daughter (The Good Daughter #1)

Author: Karin Slaughter
Started reading: September 23rd 2018
Finished the book: October 17th 2018
Pages: 656
Genres: Mystery, Thriller
Published: August 8th 2017
Source: Bought the book
Goodreads score: 4.14
My score:

Synopsis
Twenty-eight years ago, Charlotte and Samantha Quinn's happy small-town family life was torn apart by a terrifying attack on their family home. It left their mother dead. It left their father—Pikeville's notorious defense attorney—devastated. And it left the family fractured beyond repair, consumed by secrets from that terrible night.

Twenty-eight years later, Charlotte has followed in her father's footsteps to become a lawyer herself—the ideal good daughter. But when violence comes to Pikeville again, and a shocking tragedy leaves the whole town traumatized, Charlotte is plunged into a nightmare. Not only is she the first witness on the scene, but it's a case that unleashes the terrible memories she's spent so long trying to suppress--because the shocking truth about the crime that destroyed her family nearly thirty years ago won't stay buried forever.

Review: The Spite Game

Author: Anna Snoekstra
Started reading: October 11th 2018
Finished the book: October 16th 2018
Pages: 320
Genres: Fiction, Psychological Thriller
To be Published: October 30th 2018
Source: Netgalley
Goodreads score: 3.59
My score:

Synopsis
Mercilessly bullied in high school, Ava knows she needs to put the past behind her and move on, but she can’t—not until she’s exacted precise, catastrophic revenge on the people who hurt her the most.

First, she watches Saanvi. Flawlessly chic and working hard at a top architectural firm, Saanvi has it all together on the surface. But everyone does bad things when they think no one is watching and Ava only wants what’s fair—to destroy Saanvi’s life the way her own was destroyed.
Next, she watches Cass. She’s there as Cass tries on wedding dresses, she’s there when Cass picks out a cake, she’s there when Cass betrays her fiancé. She’s the reason Cass’s entire future comes crashing down.
Finally, Ava watches Mel. Mel was always the ringleader and if anyone has to pay, it’s her. But one tiny slipup and Ava realizes the truth: Mel knows she’s being watched, and she’s ready to play Ava’s games to the bitter end.

The Nightmare Before Christmas Book Tag

Welcome, welcome.

I hope you're having a splendid Sunday. I'm going to be relaxing, blogging and reading while listening to music and drinking tea. I'm pretending it's Fall over here, even though the temperatures are more like Summer.

I was tagged by The Butterfly Reader to do The Nightmare Before Christmas Book Tag! Thanks so much for tagging me, and without further ado...

The Booktag! 📑

Review: The Elemental Coven (Witch's Ambitions Trilogy #2)

Author: Kayla Krantz
Started reading: September 29th 2018
Finished the book: October 8th 2018
Pages: 348
Genres: Fantasy, Magic
Published: August 15th 2018
Source: Got a digital copy from the author
Goodreads score: Not enough ratings
My score:

Synopsis
With the Land of Five being systematically torn apart by war, Ignis witch, Lilith Lace, has a number of problems before her. Captured in the Battle of Ignis by The Elemental Coven, she must deal with the recent deaths of her loved ones as a prisoner of war. Mind torn between escaping and giving up completely, Lilith is presented with a new surprise—infamous rouge witch, Willow, is not only alive and well but has a larger role in Lilith’s childhood accident than she ever imagined.

Everything’s changing. Friends are becoming enemies and enemies are becoming friends. Will Lilith finally get to the bottom of her past among the ranks of The Elemental Coven or will they hurt her worse than anything she’s encountered so far?

Unboxing: Celebrate Books Literatour Special

Yay! I can finally do another unboxing. I have been a Celebrate Books fan for a very long time. Sadly they launched their final box a while ago, but they luckily made a Literatour Special!

It's always such a treat to get a bookbox and be surprised by another book and a lot of cool goodies!

I'm a collector of bookmarks, and I always get new ones in the boxes. It's always nice to pick another favorite goodie for the boxes.

I can't wait to tell you more about this Literatour Special by Celebrate Books!

Review: Snowhook

Author: Jo Storm

Started reading: September 20th 2018

Finished the book: September 29th 2018

Pages: 288

Genres: Teens, YA

Published: January 26th 2019

Source: Netgalley

Goodreads score: Not enough ratings

My score:

Synopsis
At first, when a massive ice storm traps fourteen-year-old Hannah and her family in a remote cabin, it feels like a game to practise the survival skills she's been learning. That all changes when an accident leaves her mother desperately low on insulin. With no power and no way to contact the outside world, Hannah steals away with the four family dogs tied to an old dog sled.

All she has to do is make it to the nearest cabin and find a working phone to save the day. But a wrong turn and worsening weather leave her in grave danger and saddled with an unexpected passenger. Hannah must use all her skills and resourcefulness to get help for her family — before they all freeze to death in the wilderness.

July/August/Sept Wrap up - Book Haul & What to Expect Next Month

Welcome, welcome, thanks for visiting my blog!

You did see this right, this is a 3 month wrap up! I was on vacation in China this July and I wasn't able to do a wrap-up in August, because of things that happend in my personal life. But now, this September I'm able to do a wrap-up for all 3 months!

I have a great book haul this month, because it was my birthday. I can't wait to show you what awesome books I got. And I'm so excited for the reviews that are coming up, I would love to hear your opinion on that.

Summer break is over, so I have been working for a month. BUT I LOVE THE END OF THE YEAR. Fall is here, Halloween is (almost) here. Were moving closer to Christmas. This all just makes me so happy!

I do hope you had a great reading month and I wish you an awesome October!

📚

Review: Happyland: A Fairy Tale in Two Parts

Author: Tes Mekonnen
Illustrator: Anthony Resto
Started reading: September 19th 2018
Finished the book: September 22nd 2018
Pages: 135
Genres: Fantasy, Fairy Tale
Published: October 4th 2017
Source: Got a physical copy from the author
Goodreads score: Not enough ratings
My score:

Synopsis
Would you like to court me to Happyland?" Prince Gobbledygook asks Lily Marshmallow and himself. Therein the journey begins to find Happyland. Follow him as he tries to define happiness with a little help from his friends, Big Wig Sophisticated Pig, Brutus Beaujolais and Cornelius Wordbook, an English gentleman with a book-for-a-head.

Prince Gobbledygook duels, loses his ladylove, regains his original name and gains a friendship that will last for fourforevers. Will they make it to Happyland?

Review: Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (Harry Potter #6)

Author: J.K. Rowling
Started reading: September 6th 2018
Finished the book: September 18th 2018
Pages: 542
Genres: Fantasy
Published: September 1st 2014
Source: Bought the book
Goodreads score: 4.55
My score:

Synopsis
When Dumbledore arrives at Privet Drive one summer night to collect Harry Potter, his wand hand is blackened and shrivelled, but he does not reveal why.
Secrets and suspicion are spreading through the wizarding world, and Hogwarts itself is not safe. Harry is convinced that Malfoy bears the Dark Mark: there is a Death Eater amongst them.

Harry will need powerful magic and true friends as he explores Voldemort’s darkest secrets, and Dumbledore prepares him to face his destiny ...

The Harry Potter Spells Booktag

Hi there, welcome, welcome.

It's been awhile since I've done a booktag. I have been waiting to do this Harry Potter booktag like... Forever!

I was behind on a lot of reviews and wanted to do those first.

I'm currently reading Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. I can't believe I'm almost done re-reading the whole series!

I celebrated my birthday yesterday and I got some awesome books and nice Harry Potter merch as well, so it was a fun night.

Right now is the best time to do this blog, while I'm in such a huuuugggeee Harry Potter-vibe!!

Here we go.

Review: The Seven Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle

Author: Stuart Turton
Started reading: August 14th 2018
Finished the book: August 21st 2018
Pages: 512
Genres: Mystery, Thriller
Published: February 8th 2018
Source: Netgalley
Goodreads score: 4.13
My score:

Synopsis
How do you stop a murder that’s already happened?
At a gala party thrown by her parents, Evelyn Hardcastle will be killed--again. She's been murdered hundreds of times, and each day, Aiden Bishop is too late to save her. Doomed to repeat the same day over and over, Aiden's only escape is to solve Evelyn Hardcastle's murder and conquer the shadows of an enemy he struggles to even comprehend--but nothing and no one are quite what they seem.