Cicely Loves Books

Weekly Round-Up is my wrap-up of last week's activities and includes what I'm reading this week, reviews I've posted, books in the mail and anything else of interest plus From the Library, my weekly listing of what I've checked out from the library.  I'm reading The Diamond Thief by Sharon Gosling. I'm not sure what I'm listening to next, honestly.  Sorry for the lack of posting around here. It's been next level busy at work and at home. I hope to get back to regular reading soon.

X&Y by Rebecca Finlayson Age: Young Adult Genre: Dystopian Buy it: Amazon “With remarkable intelligence, stunning beauty, and – as the daughter of the head of the Triad, Society’s top three Human Designers – immeasurable wealth, Olivia Adonane’s future is assured. Wanting the same for her best friend Lily, whose world is far beneath her own, Olivia doesn’t know that she could kill her friend with her kindness. With her humble background, university is not something to which one such as Lily Brown is allowed to aspire. By designing all humans in the womb, Society – formerly known as Great Britain – tells its citizens it is building Utopia, though Olivia discovers that this is far from the truth. After watching Lily die in a secret chamber below the Triad Building in London, thanks to a law she didn’t even think was possible to break, the glass of Olivia’s perfect world is shattered. From here on out, she has a choice. Will she continue on her pre-designed path, following in her fat

Weekly Round-Up is my wrap-up of last week's activities and includes what I'm reading this week, reviews I've posted, books in the mail and anything else of interest plus From the Library, my weekly listing of what I've checked out from the library.  I'm reading The Diamond Thief by Sharon Gosling. I'm listening to The House of Hades by Rick Riordian, read by Nick Chamian.

Synopsis:  The faction-based society that Tris Prior once believed in is shattered—fractured by violence and power struggles and scarred by loss and betrayal. So when offered a chance to explore the world past the limits she’s known, Tris is ready. Perhaps beyond the fence, she and Tobias will find a simple new life together, free from complicated lies, tangled loyalties, and painful memories.   But Tris’s new reality is even more alarming than the one she left behind. Old discoveries are quickly rendered meaningless. Explosive new truths change the hearts of those she loves. And once again, Tris must battle to comprehend the complexities of human nature—and of herself—while facing impossible choices about courage, allegiance, sacrifice, and love.  Told from a riveting dual perspective, Allegiant, by #1 New York Times best-selling author Veronica Roth, brings the Divergent series to a powerful conclusion while revealing the secrets of the dystopian world that has captivated millions of

Synopsis:  One choice can transform you—or it can destroy you. But every choice has consequences, and as unrest surges in the factions all around her, Tris Prior must continue trying to save those she loves—and herself—while grappling with haunting questions of grief and forgiveness, identity and loyalty, politics and love. Tris's initiation day should have been marked by celebration and victory with her chosen faction; instead, the day ended with unspeakable horrors. War now looms as conflict between the factions and their ideologies grows. And in times of war, sides must be chosen, secrets will emerge, and  choices will become even more irrevocable—and even more powerful. Transformed by her own decisions but also by haunting grief and guilt, radical new discoveries, and shifting relationships, Tris must fully embrace her Divergence, even if she does not know what she may lose by doing so. Release Date: May 1, 2012 Number of pages: 525 My review: ASDFGHJKL! WHAT!? The ending is su

I don't have the time to film a bookshelf tour and probably won't until summer comes around since I'll be away at school again starting next week, but I figured while I was at home I could snap a few pictures for you guys to show you my bookshelves. Here is a general overview of all three: I have the big white shelf organized with my big series on the top two shelves (so Gossip Girl series, The Clique series, A-List series, and all my Jen Calonita, Joanna Philbin, and Lauren Conrad books). After that everything is organized alphabetically by last name all the way up to the last name Shannon. The rest of the alphabet is on the brown shelf's first and third shelves.  The second shelf on that one has all my Agatha Christie mysteries and a few other mystery authors. The fourth shelf has my Fruits Basket mangas and my Hunger Games companions (along with the Hunger Games itself!). The very bottom shelf has childhood books and the one above that has some misc. mass market book

Seeing as this is my week on break from college, I decided to buy a few books! Here's what I got: Received in a giveaway: Acid by Emma Pass Purchased on Amazon: Warriors: Into the Wild by Erin Hunter Demon's Fire by Emma Holly Get Lucky by Lorie O'Clare Cradle of Solitude by Alex Archer Purchased at a used book shop: The Boyfriend App by Katharine Sise Not Without You by Nora Roberts

Weekly Round-Up is my wrap-up of last week's activities and includes what I'm reading this week, reviews I've posted, books in the mail and anything else of interest plus From the Library, my weekly listing of what I've checked out from the library.  I'm reading Breadcrumbs by Anne Ursu. I'm listening to The House of Hades by Rick Riordian, read by Nick Chamian. Last week I reviewed  A Corner of White by Jaclyn Moriarty and Viva Jacquelina! by L.A. Meyer, read by Katherine Kellgren. From NetGalley The Diamond Thief by Sharon Gosling Publish date: October 1, 2014 Publisher: Capstone By day Remy Brunel is a daring circus acrobat, by night she is an equally talented jewel thief currently assigned to steal a famous diamond in Victorian London--but when the theft goes wrong she finds herself allied with a young policeman as they try to find the elusive gem. The Adventures of Jillian Spectre by Nic Tatano  Publish date: March 13, 2014 Publisher: HarperImp

Synopsis:  In Beatrice Prior's dystopian Chicago world, society is divided into five factions, each dedicated to the cultivation of a particular virtue--Candor (the honest), Abnegation (the selfless), Dauntless (the brave), Amity (the peaceful), and Erudite (the intelligent). On an appointed day of every year, all sixteen-year-olds must select the faction to which they will devote the rest of their lives. For Beatrice, the decision is between staying with her family and being who she really is--she can't have both. So she makes a choice that surprises everyone, including herself. During the highly competitive initiation that follows, Beatrice renames her self Tris and struggles alongside her fellow initiates to live out the choice they have made. Together they must undergo extreme physical tests of endurance and intense psychological simulations, some with devastating consequences. As initiation transforms them all, Tris must determine who her friends really are--and where, exa

Hello everyone! I haven't done a book haul in a really long time (mostly because I haven't had the time) but I also just wanted to wait until the end of the quarter here at college before showing you all the books I purchased while I was away at school. This first bunch is strictly one's I sent to myself at school (I'm also not including textbooks because those are really boring and no one wants to see those): Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell Bright Young Things by Anna Godbersen Beautiful Days by Anna Godbersen Downton Abbey Script Book Season 1 by Julian Fellows The Girl Who Was on Fire: Your Favorite Authors on Suzanne Collins' Hunger Games Trilogy edited by Leah Wilson The Hunger Games Companion: The Unauthorized Guide to the Series by Lois H. Gresh Suddenly Royal by Nichole Chase Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi This next bunch is one's that I also bought at college but had sent to my house.  Won in a giveaway: Old Souls by C.G. Garcia Cupid by Honor St. James Received

Madeleine and her mother have run away from their rich lifestyle and her father for mysterious reasons. Now living in a tiny apartment in Cambridge and eating beans for dinner every night, Madeleine's mother is determined to win a quiz show to make their lives better. Meanwhile, Madeleine is waiting for her father to show up and fix everything. In the Kingdom of Cello, Elliot searches for his father who may or may not have been killed by a third-level Purple. In Cello, colours have power and one may have taken off his father and killed his uncle. The two places are never suppose to meet but, thanks in a crack in the kingdom, there is a way to for Elliot to communicate with the World and with Madeleine in particular. First, I love Jaclyn Moriarty. She is one of my favorites so I was pretty excited for her new fantasy/contemporary series. I found the concept of sentient and destructive colors really good and it's what attracted me to this book in the first place. The Kingdom of C

This time Jacky has landed herself in Spain once again a spy for the crown. When things once again don't go to plan, she finds herself working as a model for a famous painter gaining access to the royal family that way. But things never run smoothly for Jacky Faber and she finds herself in band of gypsies. As always Jacky is a treat. I really enjoy her character and the situations that she finds herself in are always ridiculous and interesting and you know that somehow she will always come out ahead. So in that respect the books never change. Just the location and the boy who has caught her eye. She doesn't seem to mind her lads though Jamie is always first in her mind. And it's probably good for them to enjoy the company of others because I am sure they will ultimately end up together and sowing the wild seeds now is a good idea for Jacky. She's a lusty sort of girl and I love it. This adventure lands her in Spain around 1793 when Napoleon's brother is put on the t

Weekly Round-Up is my wrap-up of last week's activities and includes what I'm reading this week, reviews I've posted, books in the mail and anything else of interest plus From the Library, my weekly listing of what I've checked out from the library.  I'm reading A Corner of White by Jaclyn Moriarty. I'm listening to The House of Hades by Rick Riordian, read by Nick Chamian. I finished Viva Jacquelina! by L.A. Meyer, read by Katherine Kellgren last week so that review will be out this week. Last week was sparse as I was out of town for Mardi Gras.

Stealing Promises by Brina Courtney Age: New Adult Genre: Contemporary Romance Buy it: Amazon | Smashwords  ($.99 for a limited time) Promises are made to be kept, never stolen. But that’s exactly what happened to Victoria Blane and Levi Manor. Tragedy strikes their perfect relationship leaving Victoria struggling to overcome the darkness that threatens to bury her. With Victoria’s life in tatters she decides that running away is easier than dealing with her troubles. But when a friend finds her on the floor in her kitchen, she knows it’s time for a change. Brighton Hanley knows what it’s like to lose someone. He knows what it’s like to be haunted by things that can never change. When he meets Victoria he recognizes the pain she’s trying to bury deep in her eyes. He knows she’s trying to run away, but he also knows that you can’t run forever. Victoria is drawn to Brighton in ways she never expected. He becomes her champion, her life line… her sunshine in the darkness. But is Victoria

Synopsis:  Samantha Rousseau is used to getting her hands dirty. Working toward a master’s degree in wildlife biology while helping take care of her sick father, she has no time for celebrity gossip, designer clothes, or lazy vacations. So when a duchess from the small country of Lilaria invites her to dinner, Samantha assumes it’s to discuss a donation for the program. The truth will change the course of her life in ways she never dreamed. Alex D’Lynsal is trying to keep his name clean. As crown prince of Lilaria, he’s had his share of scandalous headlines, but the latest pictures have sent him packing to America and forced him to swear off women—especially women in the public eye. That is, until he meets Samantha Rousseau. She’s stubborn, feisty, and incredibly sexy. Not to mention heiress to an estate in his country, which makes her everyone’s front-page news. While Sam tries to navigate the new world of politics and wealth, she will also have to dodge her growing feelings for Alex.

In This Moment by Autumn Doughton ★★★★☆ Release Date: August 2013 Age: New Adult Genre: Contemporary Romance, College, Drama, Tragedy Format: ebook Source: Purchased Buy it: Amazon | Barnes and Noble Every moment possesses its own kind of magic... Aimee Spencer learned the hard way that for some moments, there are no take-backs, no rewinds, no do-overs. A year ago her world imploded and Aimee has been running ever since. She doesn't want to feel. She doesn't want to remember. To bury the ghosts that haunt her, she is living a life that has become unrecognizable. Cole Everly is a golden boy with a cocky smile and an attitude to match. He's grown accustomed to girls throwing themselves at his feet, but when Aimee trips and literally lands in his lap one afternoon, she's not at all what he expects. Difficult, damaged, closed-off. If Cole needed to make a list of qualities to avoid in a girl, Aimee would probably match up with every single one of them. He knows that he sh

Synopsis:  A coming-of-age tale of fanfiction, family, and first love. Cath is a Simon Snow fan. Okay, the whole world is a Simon Snow fan.... But for Cath, being a fan is her life—and she's really good at it. She and her twin, Wren, ensconced themselves in the Simon Snow series when they were just kids; it's what got them through their mother leaving. Reading. Rereading. Hanging out in Simon Snow forums, writing Simon Snow fanfiction, dressing up like the characters for every movie premiere. Cath's sister has mostly grown away from fandom, but Cath can't let go. She doesn't want to. Now that they're going to college, Wren has told Cath she doesn't want to be roommates. Cath is on her own, completely outside of her comfort zone. She's got a surly roommate with a charming, always-around boyfriend; a fiction-writing professor who thinks fanfiction is the end of the civilized world; a handsome classmate who only wants to talk about words...and she can't