TBR Pile #1

For my birthday and Christmas (they're close to each other), I received several books I've been SO excited to read. Unfortunately...I haven't had time to read them. Such is life. 

But one day this year, I. Will. Read. These. Books. 

 Last summer, I read all of the Percy Jackson series, Heroes of Olympus series, The Hidden Oracle (TToA), and the first book in the Magnus Chase series, The Sword of Summer. 

I fell head over heels into book love. And I fell deep.

My aunt--who works for BAM!--helped host a signing for Rick Riordan last fall. It will forever be on my list of regrets that I wasn't able to go. BUT, she got both me and my sister (who's also a super fan) signed copies and Hotel Valhalla t-shirts. So all is well.

Speaking of my sister, we are also big Potter-heads. 

*points at self* Hufflepuff pride.

We were late (as usual) coming into the Harry Potter fandom. But just like with Percy, we fell hard and fast for Rowling's world. So you can imagine how ecstatic we were when we actually had a chance to see a new Potter-verse film in theaters. 

So it was natural for my sister to get me this and a Newt Funko Pop! for my birthday,

Can I just say how GORGEOUS this book is in person? I just keep stroking the cover like the book nerd I am.

For the last couple years, me and some girlfriends have had a book exchange at Christmas. This year, I received these two fairy tale retellings.

Violet Eyes is a Princess and the Pea retelling, and Red Riding Hood, well, that one's pretty self-explanatory, isn't it?

These two books come highly recommended by a couple of my closest friends, so I look forward to reading them!

Besides these gifts, there have been a few books that have released the last couple months, or I picked up from the library, I've been dying to read.

I've been a fan of Ally Carter ever since I read her Gallagher Girls books. To be honest, while I liked the first book in her Embassy Row series, it didn't blow me away or capture me like her other books. However, when I read the second book, See How They Run, I was onboard! That ending, man...


Not mention, these covers are sooo pretty. 😍😍😍

I'm a new fan of Kasie West, but I love her bubbly, sweet style. It's like standing in a puddle of sunshine, closing your eyes, and just soaking it in. Just for a moment.

Did any of y'all read the book Help! I'm a Prisoner in a Library by Eth Clifford? I did when I was in elementary school and decided if I was trapped anywhere, a library would be ideal. Books, snack machines, and a bathroom. what else could you need?

Not...that being trapped anywhere would be ideal, but...you get my drift.

So, needless to say, this story's premise of a "good girl" and a "bad boy" getting stuck in a library caught my attention. Intrigued.

I've read Stephanie Morrill's books before, and I especially liked the book she co-authored with Jill Williamson Go Teen Writers: How to Turn Your First Draft Into a Published Book. But I'm not gonna lie. I was drawn to this book mainly because of the synopsis. It's rare to find a good historical fiction YA novel, and I have a feeling this book will be just such a one. 

So stoked about this book. You have no idea. And is it weird how enamored I am with the title font? 

This one has been on my radar for quite a while. It's one of those that keeps popping up in my recommendations or other authors have been lavishing it with praise. I'm bound and determined that I'm going to read it this year. I've already read the prologue and my Good Book Senses are tingling.

Not to mention, it's an absolutely beautiful book. The cover, the inside details, the prose. So, so lovely. Can't wait to read more!

Have you read any of these? Did you like them? 

And what books are in your TBR Pile?

The Return of the Reviewer

Several years ago, I decided to start a book review blog. It was great. I got connected with a terrific book review group "Novel Teen," was sent ARCs, got to interact with some of my favorite authors, and connected with some wonderific bloggers and reviewers. (I know, I know. "Wonderific" isn't a dictionary-approved word. Yet. But let's just go with it.) Well, then life happened, and for various reasons, I had to step back from blogging and reviewing to focus on other things.

In that short amount of time, Tumblr happened, Reddit happened, Instagram happened, BookTube happened. Now twiddly little blogs like this seem old-school.

Good thing I'm an old-school kinda girl.

Also, in that short amount of time, my first novel, Breathe, was published, and I had the amazing opportunity of working with other local creatives on the web series, See Blue Run.

Now, I've finally decided to return to My Story Shelf. Why now, you may ask? My passion for blogging is returning. It's a new year. I'm working on more projects I'd like to share with others. And simply, I have ideas and I've had thoughts. About books, about tv shows, about movies, about music, about creating, and I just need a place to write them down. What better place than my cozy, little blog I love so dearly?

WHAT TO EXPECT:

I'm still feeling out what I want this blog to look like and how often I can post, so please bear with me through the process. In fact, I'd LOVE to hear your input on what you'd like to see. Below, I'm listing topics that interest me and will definitely pop up at one point or another. Let me know what interests you most!

Book Reviews/Discussions: This one is a given. But how I share these book reviews may vary. I might fluctuate between brief teaser reviews (hitting the highlights) and long, in-depth reviews. What do you like to see in book reviews? Ratings, etc.?

Other Reviews/Discussions: This includes reviews and discussions of movies, tv shows, and Broadway soundtracks.

TBR Pile: These posts will give you a glimpse of my to-be-read pile. Maybe you'll find some books that interest you too, and we can discuss!

Cover Love: It's pretty much a lie if I said I don't judge a book by its cover. I totally do. These posts would involve me sharing some of my favorite covers of old and upcoming releases. What makes these covers so interesting? What do I think the book is about? Does it do a good job at conveying the feeling of the story? And so on.

Updates on my current projects: These would be small talks about my writing projects and film projects. Behind the scenes stuff.

Miscellaneous Ideas: Seasonal Reads List (best books to read during the Summer, best Valentine's Day books, etc.), slow burn books vs. instalove books, classic lit series (my thoughts on certain classic stories well-known and obscure), author interviews, interviews with other creatives, etc.

Any other ideas? Shoot me a comment below!

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Also, check out my newly updated Goodreads page! I read an exorbitant amount and at a fast rate, so sometimes I miss rating or reviewing some books. But I'm trying to be faithful about updating my bookshelves!