I LIKE BIG BOOKS, I CANNOT LIE. 

Glorious pages with long plots and major twists and generally just BOOKS THAT MAKE ME SLOW DOWN. Let’s face it, finishing a book can be sad. It’s that whole “do I make it last so I can enjoy it longer or finish so I can finally find out what happened to so-in-so because ohmergod, is he really dead?!!”

But I have a confession. This bookworm is easily intimidated by gargantuan books that are hefty and heavy and long. I have noodle arms, okay?? Furthermore these things won’t fit in my purse! (On that note, ladies, can we please start a petition for cute bags that truly fit all the necessities – you know; journals, books, pens, the like?)

There are two reasons I am terrified of long books:

#1: GETTING BEHIND ON MY READING GOAL.

Example: Sue over here has met her goal of 100 books. (And everyone’s all like “Go, Sue! You’re super human! Yay Sue!”) Fanny, on the other hand, missed it by a daunting thirty books. (Cue everyone going “aww” for Fanny and “you’ll make it next time, don’t fret dear bookish baby.”) BUT FANNY READ 70 CLASSIC, MASSIVE, CHALLENGING NOVELS. And Silly Sue read 100 CHEESY, SHORT, EASY YA BOOKS.

This year – 2016 – I have a goal for myself to read 100 books. Last year I aimed for 50 and got to 70, but it was my first year setting a reading goal for myself and this year I wanted to really work for it. Yet the thing I am realizing is that I am very tempted to reach for the shorter books on my shelf first. It was a goal of mine this year to read more classics. I used to read more of them, but lately since starting my reading challenge and being a part of the bookish community – resulting in knowing all the things about all the releases and ARCs and giveaways and hype – I’ve been lacking in the area. Right now I am a book behind schedule because I’ve started Persuasion by Jane Austen. It’s a little under three hundred pages, but strictly speaking word-wise, it is a massive book to get through.

#2: LOSING INTEREST.

Anyone who knows me knows I am a fan of The Lunar Chronicles by Marissa Meyer. (Obligatory shout-out to my bookish besties who all but forced me to read it.) Winter, the last installment in the series, was an alarming EIGHT HUNDRED & TWENTY-SEVEN pages. (Yes, that is my beautiful copy featured in the photo above. Isn’t that number beautiful?) But when I saw the length of the book, I thought I might get bored. (To anyone who has read this series — I KNOW, I know, Crazy Emily, what was she thinking?)

But Winter was an exception to the often true rule that some books can really s l o w  in the middle. (Or beginning or end, if they are too lengthy.) You don’t always NEED 827 pages to cover everything. Sometimes there will be unnecessary scenes in a book that don’t add to the story, and thus makes the reader bored. (Byyy the way – just so you know, with Winter, EVERYTHING WAS PERFECTION. I’m not biased, pfffft, no way.)

With those two points made, I’d also like to highlight the two reasons long books are GOOD. We shouldn’t fear them!

#1: THEY LAST LONGER.

Like I said before, finishing a book (especially a series, particularly if you’ve been waiting for the last release for year(s)) can be sad. Finishing a great book puts me in a major “there is nothing better than this flawless beauty” book syndrome. (Also Known As: the [dreaded] book slump.)

So long books force Emily The Speed-Reader (not really, more like Emily The Never-Stop-Reader, if that makes sense – I don’t read fast, I just read a lot) to take her time. I’m not gonna lie, I was proud of myself for finishing 827-page-Winter in six days. (Thanksgiving week, thank you very much, when I had family duties, ugh. (Kidding, kidding, my family’s awesome. When they don’t interfere with my reading.)) But if Winter had been as long as the previous books in the series – about 500 pages – I likely would have read it far faster.

#2: LONG BOOKS DON’T MISS A SINGLE DETAIL.

On the flip side of the second reason I fear long books – books having unnecessary scenes – longer books also don’t miss a single beat. Because if a book is too short, they can be lacking in some key points, or end with too many loose threads. But long books? They cover everything. (*cough* Winter *cough cough* GO READ IIIITTT.) (No no lemme rephrase that: you may want to start with CINDER, the first in the series. Okay? Okay.)

Do big books intimidate you, sweet bookish friend? What advice do you have to get over our [irrational] fear of longer books? Do you have anything to add to my list? Are there more pros or cons for you?

DURING MY MARCH HIATUS, I SPENT THE FIRST TWO WEEKS TAKING A BREATHER FROM BLOGGING… AND READING.

I landed myself in a major reading slump for half of the month, and it stunk. I simply couldn’t bring myself to read anything. After reading eight books in both January and February, this was a big bummer.

When I finally got the reading itch again, I had some catching up to do. And I read eight books in two weeks. Everybody give it up for Emily, who started pulling her hair out at the thought of catching up to her speed reading bookish bestie Brooke, who read waaay too many books in March. But I DID IT, and I am here today to tell the tale. I bring you a collection of March mini reviews, part one.

BETWEEN SHADES OF GRAY by Ruta Sepetys: oh. my. word. In March, I read two of three of Ruta Sepetys’ books (the second review coming next week), and adored them both. Between Shades of Gray felt like a cross between Code Name Verity and The Book Thief, which, I might add, are BEAUTIFUL books I could talk about forever. I loved the fact that this story (Miss Septetys’ debut novel) was based on her own Lithuanian ancestors and their experience in WWII. The true stories and eye-witness accounts that Ruta Sepetys researched and heard in preparation for the novel really came to life. This book was raw, realistic, and memorable. I know for sure that it’s a new favorite! five stars. ★★★★★

HOPE IS A FERRIS WHEEL by Robin Herrara: I feel like I may have enjoyed this book when I was younger, but… it was just a meh for me. It’s the first Middle Grade book I’ve read in a long time. In elementary school, I was apart of The Hellen Ruffin Reading Bowl. Many of the books on the lists each year are award-winning and great books, so when this one landed the list a year or two ago, I knew I should read it. The main character was ten and adorable, but frankly, she got on my nerves. I hated the ending. I get that it was a “left up to the reader” type thing, but it very much frustrated me. I did like the poetic-type feel to the book, but.. it all felt so mediocre. three stars. ★★★✩✩

WOLF BY WOLF by Ryan Graudin: {the following is an original review from Emily herself when she finished this book at 1:10 AM on a Sunday night. enjoy the fresh-off-the-last-page review.} For a good part of that book, I thought “this is great. Four stars probably.” But then THE ENDING! My heart was pounding and I was (am) wide awake at 1:10 AM in the morning. I’m so hyped up and amazed! Ryan Graudin writes beautiful, poetic writing with SO MUCH INCREDIBLE action and intrigue and mystery and super abilities and a dash of sci-fi mixed with historical fiction. (If that hasn’t convinced you, I don’t know what will.) I’m in awe. And maybe slightly delirious because it *is*, after all, now 1:11 AM. But all things considered. This. Was. Amazing. five stars. ★★★★★ (edit: one of the things I loved about this book was that it is a sci-fi and historical fiction cross-over! So if you’re new to either genres, or just love both like me, pleeeeaaase give it a try! TRUST me, it is worth every page – and it’s the first in a trilogy, published just last October!)

Keep a lookout for part two of my March mini reviews! Did you read any 3 or 5 star books in March? Which were your favorites?

Hi everyone! Emily here. (You already knew that, but it sounds nice to say “Emily here.”) I’m going to start by apologizing for missing my regular posts this past Wednesday and Friday. I’ve been behind and I’m sorry!

So I decided I’m going to take a much-needed hiatus for the time being. I haven’t decided how long exactly (the last time I tried taking a “two week” hiatus, I came back after a day because I missed it too much, so don’t count on anything I say OKAY?) but I’m behind on posts.

ENJOY this picture I took of a doughnut and book ’cause C.S. Lewis said it right: “Reading and eating are two pleasures that combine admirably.” 

I wanted to write some to get caught up, but I just caught a bit of a blogging block and haven’t felt inspired/encouraged to do anything but stare at my keys before distracting myself on Pinterest! It also doesn’t help that I’ve also landed myself in a nasty reading slump.

For the Bookish’s second blogaversary is less than a MONTH away (!!!) – April 3! – so I will definitely be back by then. (There is now way I’m going to miss that.) I have absolutely no idea what I’m going to do to celebrate buuut… it’s gonna be fun. So stick around for that; I promise I’m going to try to get my lazy brain to think of something or another. (On that note, if you have any ideas email me from my contact page, EMILY NEEDS HELP.)

So this post had been a bit ramble-y (rambly? It’s not a word either way, I guess, ha) already but I just wanted to let you all know what’s going on and all. I’m still around, promise! Hoping to be back by the end of March in time for some new posts and FTB’s birthday. 🙂

I’ve missed talking to you, so please say hi in the comments and let me know what you’re reading! (I’ve just started Persuasion by Jane Austen but I have been in the middle of an awful lazy bookworm syndrome, so fingers crossed I stick this one out.) As always, I’m active on my Goodreads, Pinterest, and Wattpad. (OH and thank you for a hundred followers on Goodreads! You’re cool like that because I’m sure not.)

Talk to you soon, bookworms!

P.S. HA you didn’t think I was leaving so soon did you?!! I’m looking forward to revealing a new blog theme around FTB’s birthday! I’ve got something in my head about it, so I’ve just got to see if my Dad The Awesome Web Designer can help me get it on screen. 🙂 Who’s excited?

Hi everybody! Most of you (I’m sure!) know one of my best friends Brooke by now. She’s my favorite pen pal (okay, so she’s my only pen pal. She’s still my favorite) and bookish friend who I met on my blog! (#17869 on why blogging is the best.) Today I’ll be doing an interview with her… but it’s a bit different because this is a DOUBLE interview! (Which means Brooke will be asking me a few questions as well.) If you follow my on Goodreads (go do that here for lots of updates on what I’m reading – I’m addicted), I asked you on Wednesday for any questions you had for me or Brooke. Brooke and I will be asking each other questions we came with ourselves, and your questions as well!

OH and I almost forgot the best part: you can finally put a face to Miss Brooke! 🙂 If she hasn’t commented on your blog, it’s only because she hasn’t discovered it yet, because Brooke comments on practically every blog. Meaning if you’re a blogger who comments on my blog frequently… she has probably visited you. And if you have no clue WHO Brooke is? You can thank me later for telling you about her. (She’s the coolest friend.)

So Brooke, you blushing yet? (It’s my life goal, I promise.)

Meet BROOKE!

Do you recognize those peoples beside Brooke?? Do you?? DO YOU? Yep, that’s the AH-MAZE-ING Marissa Meyer – author of The Lunar Chronicles – and Kiera Cass – author of The Selection series. Brooke’s a lucky duck. No scratch that. Marissa Meyer & Kiera Cass are. (Cause unlike me, they’ve met Brooke in person. Grr.)

Emily: Hey Brooke! I thought I would probably start off with a question relating to a little bit about yourself: what’s your family like? (Also just like a general overview of yourself.) 🙂

Brooke:

Haha. Well, I have two older brothers, one older sister, and one little sister. I have two neices and one nephew on the way! My dad retired in 2015 from the air force. I have lived in Hawaii, Japan, Guam, and New Mexico. We are currently in between moves. I’ve been homeschooled all my life, and I am in 8th grade. Umm….. I don’t really know what else to say. Haha Now for my first question, what books are you most excited to read this year?

Emily: 

Let’s see: January 26 – The Siren by Kiera Cass, February 2 – Stars Above by Marissa Meyer, February 9 – Glass Sword by Victoria Aveyard, March 8 – A Tyranny Of Petticoats, March 29 – The Winner’s Kiss by Marie Rutkoski, May 3 – The Heir by Kiera Cass, Mother/Daughter Book Camp by Heather Vogel Frederick… I can’t think of any past that at the moment but I’m sure there will be! Now for my question for you: If there was any fictional character you could live with, who would it be?

Brooke: Hmm…. probably Hermione Granger (Harry Potter), or Annabeth Chase (Percy Jackson). What author(s) have a similar writing style to yours? 

Emily: Rachel Coker and Ann M. Martin. They both write beautiful historical fiction books that are poetic and powerful, and I’d dream of writing like that someday. I think I write like both of them even now, just because it’s natural to take the same writing style of the books you read. Where do you see yourself in 10 years?

Brooke: Well, in ten years I would be 23…. I see myself a new graduate from college and working. I don’t know totally what I want to do but it’ll probably be something book related( publishing or something like that). What are your favorite movies or TV shows? 

Emily: AHHH I REALLY LIKE THIS ONE. As much as I adore books (adore is an understatement, but I think everybody already knows that), I do love talking about movies/TV shows I like. LET ME THINK: movies… You’ve Got Mail, anything with Tom Hanks, any Jane Austen book-to-movie adaption, The Giver, Divergent (the first one, not the second one), THE BOOK THIEF (READ THE BOOK FIRST), Back to the Future, Ever After, Leap Year, Do You Believe… I should probably stop now. TV Shows: Boy Meets World (Girl Meets World not so much), Full House (not my favorite-favorite, but it never gets old), GILMORE GIRLS, When Calls the Heart, and Heartland. I’d like to start watching Once Upon a Time next. 🙂 Meet an author (say… J.K. Rowling or another big-name author you’ve never met before) OR meet an online friend? (like meeee!) 

Brooke: This is such a hard question! Well, meeting J.K.Rowling or Rick Riordan would be awesome, but I would have to choose an online friend. What are the names of all your different pets? (I struggle to keep them straight)

Emily: No biggie. I struggled for months to keep your family straight. XD Okay, here goes. Two cats: Mittens (male) and Maisy (female.) One dog: Beasley (male – we’ve had him for three months, love him so much!) Three turtles (yellow-belly slider turtles): Squirt (mine), Tutu and Zoom (my sister’s). And then four fish: Alpha (Beta fish  – HAHAHA GET IT. Alpha and Beta are the first two letters of the Greek alphabet… heehee), Gil, Speedy, and Flo. And a snail, Gary. (Like Spongebob’s snail.) 😉

Brooke, would you tell me a bit more about getting to meet Kiera Cass and Marissa Meyer??

Brooke: I met Kiera Cass back in May when she was touring for The Heir. The book signing was three or four hours away from where I lived so we decided to make a day out of it. We went shopping before hand and arrives at the bookstore a few hours befor hand and ate a café next door. Then we had to wait a little longer. I sat in the second row cause the front row was to intimidating. Listening to her talk was great. And she personalized my books, which was great. Back in November I went to see Marissa Meyer. I was so excited. I had bought the tickets a few months before hand. The atmosphere was so much differnt then the Kiera signing. There were a ton of people dressed up and the staff was great. When the doors opened my dad and I made our way to a table which was near a podium. We had no idea where she was going to be speaking so we didn’t know where to sit. While waiting for it to start I made a button and walked around. They had the costume contest next and introduced Marissa. It turned out we had sat in the perfect spot! She spoke a few feet away from me. She was so cool. It was so fun. I was number 29 in line. When it was my turn I was so nervous. I had a lot of books so we got to talk for a bit. I commented on Winter. She talked to me about my Harry Potter shirt, and it turns out we are from the same house! She asked me about the Cinder necklace I was wearing and how I made it. And then I took my photos with her and was on my way! It was the best.

Now for the questions from you guys on the Goodreads!

From Izel: if you could spend a whole 24 hours with each other, where would you meet and what would you do? 🙂 Emily: We’ve talked about this one. (Very good question though!) I feel like when we meet, it will either be months planned in advance or a last-minute thing, like “My family’s driving through, let’s meet!” BUT if I had absolutely any choice I’d love to meet Brooke at an author-signing or big book convention! Then I’d be soooo hyped. Meeting an author AND Brooke?! OH YEAH. Also, having a sleepover sometime would be amazing. 

Brooke: That is such a great question Izel! I would love to meet her at a young adult book festival (such as y’all fest) or an author signing. It would be so mugh fun. And then afterwards we could have a sleepover and talk about the event. But I would also love to just go to a bookstore and browse, chat, and shop. And afterwards get tea at starbucks. Doing anything with Emily would be fun :).

From Stormsiren99: awesome! Ok here’s a question: What is your favorite childhood book? 🙂 🙂 🙂 Emily: The Boxcar Children or Nancy Drew series were the first “chapter books” I got into around 7-8 years old, and The American Girl books and The Mother/Daughter Book Club were ones I got into a little bit later. 🙂 Although the EARLIEST would have to be If You Give a Pig a Pancake or Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What do you see? 😉 

Brooke: Thanks for the question Stormsiren99. American Girl was one of my first chapter books. I got into those when I was about 8 or so. And then for my 9th birthday I got the first book in the Harry Potter series. I fell in love with it. It really fueled my love for fantasy, And the rest is history :).

From Olivia: Do you think “once upon a time” is cliche/overused or do you like it? Emily: I think it’s kind of a classic, at this point. I haven’t read many books that start with it, but I feel like if I began a book with those lines it would probably end up being a more sarcastic, dry humor-type book (think the narrator of The Series of Unfortunate Events or The Book Thief) than a fairy tale if that makes sense. (?) Does it…? I don’t know if that does or not. Not even sure if that was the answer you were looking for… oops. 🙂

Brooke: Awesome question Olivia! Once upon a time is so cliché but when used the right way it can really add to the story.

From Trisha: What are your two bookish pet peeves? Emily: I hate hate hate not finishing books. (Otherwise known as DNF – Did Not Finish.) It makes me feel so unsettled. (Even though I used to be the QUEEN of DNFing in elementary school.) And watching the movie before the book. Ask my parents. I get so mad when they watch the movie without reading the book. *sigh*

Brooke: When people dog ear pages and only watch the movie are two major pet peeves of mine. I have a ton though. ;p

From Trisha: If you could go anywhere in the world, where and why? Emily: Either Germany because my grandmother’s side of the family dates back to coming to America in the 1500s after agreeing with Martin Luther during the Protestant Reformation. Their castles – The Funderburk castles, or pronounced in German something like “Vonderburgh” are still there! Also Bath, England: because Jane Austen’s house, duh.

Brooke: I would go to England. Because as I mentioned earlier I’m a big Harry Potter fan so I would love to visit all of the HP sights. And of course it would be awesome to see all of the historical monuments.

i really hope you all enjoyed this post! let me know in the comments below if you have any more questions for us, we’d be happy to answer them! and answer some of the questions from above in the comments! 🙂

I could not begin to explain to you my love for my dear bookshelf. I counted recently, out of curiosity (and decided I’d keep track from now on), and I own two hundred and ninety-five books. 295. That’s a big number. I just CRINGE at the thought of my house burning down, or having to give away my books, or anything that would result in the loss of my collection. Don’t even get me started on the signed ones.

I don’t take full-length pictures of my shelf often because it’s such a bother. It’s in an inconvenient place when it comes to pictures: right in between two windows, so lighting is horrible and the glares on shiny copies are even worse. But I was able to get a good shot and edit it so it’s a tad brighter so you can see a shelfie. 🙂 I realize I haven’t given you a peek at my shelf since last March and it’s changed quite a bit!

(I tagged myself for this tag, so I won’t be tagging anyone else, but feel free to pick up the questions and go for it! I’d love to see your shelf!)

Describe your shelf and where you got it from. It’s a Billy bookcase from Ikea. Or you could just say it’s a plain ole bookshelf, but I love saying Billy. Maybe that’s what I should call it from now on! Okay. So Billy has been with me for about a year. Before I had an expedite from Ikea, which was highly annoying because there wasn’t near as much room and it stuck out a bit farther than I would have liked. (In fact, you can see my old shelf at my first bookshelf tour here.)

How do you organize your books? By genre. I’ve wanted to switch it up – such as by color – but this works best for me and I feel like organizing by color would just really bother me. Switching and separating series and authors and all that. I absolutely dread separating my babies. I had to choose which bigger genre was better to organize by – for example, do I have a romance genre? – nope because I have historical, contemporary, dystopian, sci-fi, etc. ALL with romance in it. So it can get complicated. I just have to choose which is the widest genre.

What’s the thickest/biggest book on your shelf? Essays and Poems by Ralph Waldo Emerson is thick, but only 512 pages. Winter looks smaller because of the Bible-thin pages, but it’s 827 (gloriously awesome) pages.

What’s the thinnest book on your shelf? Clifford’s Graduation Day, gifted to me by my kindergarten teacher. Still totally a fave.

Is there a book you received as a birthday gift? IS THERE. I could probably tell you all the ones I received for my birthday this past year, a few months ago, but other birthdays?! Probably half my collection, so I couldn’t recall all of them. Let’s see… The 39 Clues, The False Prince, Upside Down In The Middle of Nowhere… those are just a few!

Is there a book from a friend on your shelf? I have the nicest bookworm friend, Brooke, who’s really the only friend who gives me books – aside from family, but even my cousins my age don’t buy me books – and yes I have several. My FAVORITE is my signed copy of Cinder, which was my Christmas gift. 😉

Most expensive book? I rarely pay full-price for a book, unless it’s just come out so the library or used bookstore doesn’t have it, or it’s a signed copy. Most recently I paid $18 for a hardback signed copy of Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard, but who’s counting? Because: SIGNED. *internally fangirling forever*

The Last Book You Read On Your Shelf? The Hired Girl by Laura Amy Schlitz. (Read my review for it here!) I loved it so much! It was such a fantastic first 2016 read.

Do you have more than one copy of a book? I have duplicated copies of The Total Tragedy of a Girl Named Hamlet and several copies of American Girl books… oh, and two of The False Prince – one hardback and one paperback but signed… and two copies of To Kill A Mockingbird (which I haven’t even read yet)… annnnd I think that’s it? Maybe? Mostly this happens if a family member buys me a book I already have, or I get a signed copy after I’ve bought one, or I just want a nicer edition!

Do you have a complete series? I own The Ascendance Trilogy, The Selection series (though you’re out of luck if you want to borrow it because two are signed – sorry Sydney), The Family Tree series, In Grandma’s Attic series… but the one I’m most proud of is The Main Street series by Ann M. Martin. I own all 10!

What’s the newest addition to your shelf? I have a ton of new books from Christmas, but I had a Barnes & Noble gift card and bought Allegiant for myself a few days after Christmas. But like I said. We Shall Not Talk About That Series On This Blog.

What’s the most recently published book on your shelf? OH GOSH. Let’s see here… The Hired Girl was September 8; Winter came out on November 10; The Golden Braid was November 17… I don’t see any others further than that, so I think The Golden Braid by Melanie Dickerson? I own a lot of new releases!

The oldest book on your shelf? The oldest book as in since it has been published, or the longest I’ve owned it? Or the oldest copy??? I’ll do both: oldest book… the Bible? Hehe. Or Sense & Sensibility – that would be 1811. Oldest book I’ve owned… oh wowzers, I couldn’t do that. I’ve owned books since before I owned books. (And I know that didn’t make sense but that just goes to show HOW long I’ve been collecting these things.) SO… I’m just going to say my dad’s copy of Charlotte’s Web? Somehow it ended up on my shelf and it’s falling apart. I assume he’s had it since he was a kid… so it’s probably the oldest owned on my shelf. OR, if you count my great-grandmother’s books – for the oldest copy – (some dated 1937!)… those? But I haven’t owned those for very long. I DON’T KNOW, gosh.

A book you won? I’ve won several, but I can remember winning The Huntress Of Thornbeck Forest by Melanie Dickerson on Goodreads and Half a Chance by Cynthia Lord on Jessica’s blog a year or two ago.

A book you’d hate to let out of your sight? (Meaning no one is ever borrowing it. Ever.) The Selection by Kiera Cass, The Heir by Kiera Cass, The False Prince by Jennifer Nielsen, Cinder by Marissa Meyer, Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard, The Merchant’s Daughter by Melanie Dickerson, Pies & Prejudice by Heather Vogel Frederick… the list goes on. YOU’RE NOT GETTING MY SIGNED BOOKS, NO SIRREE.

Most beat-up book? 4th & 5th grade saw absolutely horrific spine-bending days. I was a spine-murder. Consequently, 99% of the books I own from those horrible, awful, despicable years… are falling apart. But I’ve had Mandy by Julie Andrews Edwards since… ohhh… I’d say 2nd grade? (I think. Maybe 1st.) And I’ve re-read it a thousand times. So it’s pretty much as good as dead. (Except I will not be giving it away because it is a childhood favorite & my first copy!)

Most pristine book? Haven’t even touched Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard because a) signed, b) I got it about a week ago, and c) I read it for the first time from the library and I just haven’t re-read it in the time since I’ve gotten it. So it’s in perfect condition.

A book from your childhood? I’ve already named several and I am still a child so I could name one from today buuuuut… I’ll name all my American Girl books or The Boxcar Children. Because those are what got me into historical fiction & some of my first “chapter” books and I am eternally grateful. (Dating back 7-8ish years ago? I’m pretty sure. I am horrible with dates.)

A book that doesn’t belong to you? While You Were Gone belongs to my friend Hayden! I haven’t read it yet… and I really really really need to… but I will return it to her eventually. Once I experience the adorableness of Danny and Eevee again.

A book with a special/different cover? (ex. leather bound, soft, fuzzy, etc.) My GORGEOUS Barnes & Noble classic edition of the good ‘ole P&P. (Otherwise known as my #1 bae – did I actually use that word?! – Cause Mr. Darcy is basically me.) Anyway, it looked like it’s hardbound but oh no… it’s this soft, bendy (but not paperback bendy if that makes sense) beautiful cover with a golden ribbon as a bookmark and AHHH I JUST LOVE IT.

A book that is your favorite color? Piiiiink: the first Main Street book, the first Baby-sitters Club book, the first Mother/Daughter Book Club book (I’m seeing a pattern here) and Scent of Lilacs! (But a very light, pastel pink. I’m picky about my pinks.)

A book that’s been on your shelf the longest and you still haven’t read it? Dancing Through the Snow’s been on my shelf for three years! (Notice I set it next to my picture from Georgia’s snowpocalypse of 2014. XD)

Any signed books? SO MANY & THEY’RE SO BEAUTIFUL.

The Selection and The Heir by Kiera Cass, The Merchant’s Daughter by Melanie Dickerson, Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard, Pies & Prejudice by Heather Vogel Frederick, Half a Chance by Cynthia Lord, Cinder by Marissa Meyer, Dead Fred, Flying Lunchboxes & The Goodluck Circle by Frank McKinney, Countryside by J.T. Cope IV… I think that’s it? (I think??) I LOVE THEM ALL.

i want to hear about your bookshelf! answer some of the questions below or take these questions & answer them on your blog! (i’m obsessed with bookshelves so i must see yours.) tell meeeee!

HAPPY NEW YEAR, bookworms! Today is the day of sleeping in and recovering from a night of parties and glittery skirts and count-downs and resolutions and I am so hyped for all the things that are happening in 2016. (BREATHE, sorry I know that’s a long sentence. I, Emily, Am The Queen Of Run-On Sentences.) I was excited when I saw that the first day of the year happens to land on a Friday. Not only because Fridays are nice days, right there at the weekend, not smack-dab in the middle like Wednesday or random like Tuesday but the end of the week. But also because Friday means it’s a posting day!

It’s a big day! The first day of the year AND the first post of the year. (Also, if you take a peek at the bookshelf… there’s a ‘2016 reads’ page that is soon to be filled.) So I was stumped as to what to post. In fact, I drafted three or four posts before I decided on this one. And who’s to say I’ll just delete this one in the end, after all? You might not even be reading this. Really, half the posts I write go through draft upon draft and some of them never make it to the real world.

But I’m getting distracted.

Today I am talking about the new releases of 2016.

THE HEIR AND THE SPARE by Emily Albright: a) I am totally biased because the author has such a cool name. and b) I’VE ALREADY READ THIS. Yaaaay! Well, not all the way through, but I’m in the process. The Heir and The Spare hits shelves January 18, so prepare to be blown away by adorableness and cheesy lines and basically, it’s a Hallmark movie as a book. Picture The Prince & Me. Or Prince William and Dutchess Kate, and then add the chocolate and the ‘awws’ and the tissues. I’m really loving this one! I hadn’t even heard of it before I saw it and requested an ARC, but it is pretty cute.

THE SIREN by Kiera Cass: First: how beautiful is this cover? Second: I’m pretty sure Kiera Cass is fixing to take us by tsunami (hahaha) yet again. You may or may not already know that The Siren was Kiera’s first (self)published book in 2009, before Harper Collins picked up The Selection. Now it is being completely re-done (same story, better editing, little different) and a new gorgeous cover and I am so excited. Regretting not grabbing a copy of the first edition, because they’re now selling used for $100 on Amazon… BUT I will be pre-ordering this one. (Buy it January 26!)

STARS ABOVE by Marissa Meyer: dear lord this series is a torture trap. by the end you’re just like:

and there’s really not much you can do about it. Just a warning. Nevertheless, I am ridiculously happy about this collection of prequels and stories to the ever-flawless The Lunar Chronicles. (You can see my review for Cinder here, then find the other three book reviews in my 2015 reads page under ‘M.’) You can read them FEBRUARY 2nd. OR if you want to be ahead of the game… you can create a Wattpad account and read them all on Marissa Meyer’s profile. If you’re just that desperate. I’m not sure if I will or not. At some point if I’ve run out of books I’ll pause in between and read through them, or I’ll just wait like the majority. 🙂

GLASS SWORD by Victoria Aveyard: you better keep your eyes out for this one because it is going to be big. (I called it.) I read Red Queen, the first in this series, just last month and was blown away. Granted, there were some flaws and I’m trying to be better at rating books, so I gave it 3.5 stars, but it’s really inching its way to 4. I also have a gloriously SIGNED copy of Red Queen, so yeah. *hair flip* I’ll be so cool once it becomes really popular… you know, when it does, because I’m telling you. Romance, blood, royalty, dystopian. It’s got everything. Grab this one February 9! (ALSO: I just realized that two prequels are debuting January 6 for Red Queen – titled Cruel Crown – so also be on the lookout for that one. IT’S GONNA BE BLOODY AWESOME. (hehe see what I did there.) (p.s. it’s really not all that violent. it has to do with the color of their blood. intrigued? yeah? you better be.)

A TYRANNY OF PETTICOATS by (Many Many Authors): I was just about to hit publish when  remembered this one! A Tyranny of Petticoats is coming to us March 8 with these amazing authors (!!!!): J. Anderson Coats, Andrea Cremer
Y. S. Lee, Katherine Longshore, Marie Lu, Kekla Magoon, MARISSA MEYER, Saundra Mitchell, Beth Revis, Caroline Richmond, Lindsay Smith, Jessica Spotswood, Robin Talley, Leslye Walton, and ELIZABETH WEIN.

So you see, this book is really written by a boatload of awesome authors. (Including two particular ones that I am so stoked are working together: my two all-time faves, Marissa Meyer & Elizabeth Wein!) To quote the synopsis: “They are monsters and mediums, bodyguards and barkeeps, screenwriters and schoolteachers, heiresses and hobos.” “hostile lands, using every weapon in their arsenals, facing down murderers and marriage proposals.” Plus they’re historical fiction. COULD IT GET ANY BETTER.

THE CROWN by (again, The Awesome) Kiera Cass: This one hits shelves May 3rd! (While I will be in the middle of the Caribbean, so I’ll be enjoying it on my Kindle, eep!) alright, so first thing’s first bout this one: don’t judge a book by its cover. I’m going to be honest because I hate to lie to you: I really hate this cover. BUT nevertheless I’m sure it will be even better than The Heir, because – Kile. AMERICA (OHMIGOSH KIERA WHY), sweet sweet Maxon, Erik (what do you think guys?! yes? no? maybe!), and Eadlyn might just be putting on her big girl pants dress. (I hope.) I know this series has gotten a bad wrap in the blogosphere, but even if it is perhaps not the best-written one out there… I love it regardless. It’s enjoyable, and I am going to eat every book up. Oh and c’mon, bookworms, GORGEOUS dresses. We’re talking thousand-dollar-twenty-pound-wedding-dresses dresses. OH AND I ALMOST FORGOT: there’s a tiny tiny chance that the selection could possibly become a movie. within the next year, year and a half. and I will totally be into that. so send up a prayer that it happens & read the book before it does!

THE BEAUTIFUL PRETENDER by Melanie Dickerson: I’ve loved Melanie Dickerson since I first discovered her two and a half years ago. She writes some fabulous Christian fiction and the romance…

IT’S JUST SO CUTE! 🙂 But most of all, I love how accurate and well-researched the details are. Her medieval-set books are so rich in history! And the Biblical aspects! I just love it all. Look out for this one May 17!

so as you can see, i will be spending my money on a ton of pre-orders this year! i’m sure there are many other debuts in 2016 i’ll read, but these are the seven that have been on the brain for quite a while now, and i’m most excited about! so remind me about the others i should be hyped for and tell me which ones you’re looking forward to!

First off: if you heard that title in Steve Harvey’s voice like I did, I am forever proud. Second: I am taking a peek at your survey answers today! I’m excited to see what you have to say about For the Bookish and tell you a little bit about what I’m planning in 2016 for the blog. There’s so much to prep for, I can’t wait to begin this year!

Is there anything about FTB you’d like to change?

“I love it all!” Me too, you’re awesome!

“Just work on commenting back more, but otherwise your blog is perfect as is ;)” Ugh, I hate not commenting back. It’s one of own pet peeves for other bloggers, so I do need to work on that!

“I can’t think of anything… :)” Okie-dokey that’s cool too.

“Any problems I had with it have been fixed :)” Take note bookworms: THIS ANSWER IS PERFECT. There are all sorts of technical difficulties I’m working to fix on FTB everyday, so I aim to get issues fixed before they’re even noticed. Most of the stuff I can tweak on my own, but it’s handy to have a web-designer in the family to get down to the nitty-gritty when I need him. (Thanks dad!)

“Not really, I just want to say, I love your theme” I’ve gotten this a ton and it’s the best to hear. All theme creds go, again, to the nifty internet genius.

“It would be cool if you answered all the comments, I know you answer most of them. :)” Definitely something I need to fix!

“just started following your blog, so it’s too soon for me to say if anything needs improving!” YAY welcome newbie! I love new followers, so just keep reading and keep me posted about any complaints!

“It is all AMAZING” Love the caps for AMAZING, ’cause there’s totally a difference between that and amazing and I appreciate it. 😉

“I got nothing: you have a search bar and that’s the only thing I need in life :)” Oh, me too! I use than nifty little thing soooo much it’d drive my bonkers not to have it.

“I don’t like that you have part of the post and then you have to click”read more”. I would prefer just the title or the whole post as one” Thanks so much for the honesty! But personally it would annoy me a tad to have the whole post, just because I usually have a lot of images and GIFs in my posts. So it would take longer to load them and consequently, load the entire page, and I want the first impression of my blog to be simple, clean, and easy to load. So I probably won’t be changing this anytime soon. 🙂

“Not really :)” Good good. 🙂

“I think that you should add more life updates and bring in your inner craftiness!” Aww, me too! I love that you all look forward to my life updates; it surprises me a bit but then I think it’s important for you to know the non-bookish side of me as well as my bookish side! Also, craftiness: I tend to disregard my craftiness more than I should, but I have considered posting DIY bookworm projects. Might have to recruit my crafty friends to help me brainstorm for this!

What do you like BEST about my blog?

“I really like how your comments are italicized when you write in the box. (This sounds stupid. xD) Also: BOOKS!” Haha not stupid at all! I like that you pay attention to the little things. 🙂 BOOKS ALWAYS BOOKS.

“You’re so very sweet and you have a great personality….you’re my go to blogger to get excited with and I love that :)”  You’re my go-to person to get excited with! I love you, Anonymous! (oops sorry… whoever you are! … oh well you follow my blog and comment and that’s all I need to know. So thank you!)

“You have a unique way of reviewing books, and you’re not just copying the super popular book blogs. Keep it up! <3” What a confidence booster, thanks! I’m very conscious about my reviews because I hate rating books. Sometimes I feel they’re too rant-ish, but I’m glad you like them! I do try! 🙂

“YOU!” WE’RE ON THE SAME PAGE! Haha, you are sooo sweet! 🙂

“I love your posts and you’re just a cool person overall :D” EEP. You are all making me smile so big right now.

“You are funny” Because I just can’t be serious.

“I just like reading book reviews, honestly. Knowing whether or not a book is something worth buying is very helpful!” Oh, this is great! I’m glad I help, because I hate wasting my money and time on a book. I love how many safe recommendations I get on my blog that I can trust!

“You like the same books as I do from what I have seen so far so I know I can see the books you like and know they will be good” Again, this is fabulous to hear! Starting my blog almost two years ago, it was the main purpose and I’m so excited to see that carrying out so much later.

“Oh gosh. I love literally everything: your book reviews, your taste in books (which is exactly the same as mine so that’s great), your blog layout… your blog is absolutely amazing and so are you ^-^”  You are so SWEEEEET.

“discussions” Because there are so many important discussions to be had, right?? Us bookworms have to stick together and break it down.

“Idk, everything? Hehe. I like your reviews…and stuff…” Everything! You flatter me.

“Tags/ giveaways/Gifs!” Tags and giveaways and GIFs, oh my. (But really. You just named three of my top favorites. Great minds think alike!)

Is there anything you’d like to see on FTB in 2016?

“Allllll the giveaways! And 2016 reading goals.” YESSS you will most definitely be seeing some giveaways. And reading goals… I’m thinking 100! Do you think I can do it??

“Participating in Blog Hops would be nice :)” I AGREE! I see so many going around, and I need to join one soon! They seem so fun.

“Mmm… review my book, when it comes out? ;)” What is your book? NOW I MUST KNOW! 🙂 If you’re reading this, Anonymous Author, comment and let me know!

“The awesomenes you gave us in 2015” well, gee, you will definitely see some of that. *hair flip* Maybe even MORE awesomeness. (If that’s at all possible, I know.)

“more tags, maybe?” MORE TAGS, YES. I’m pretty sure everyone knows how much I love tags, so this won’t be a problem.

“book recommendations” ALWAYS a priority on my blog.

“Just keep on doing what you’re doing!” I can do that.

“You NEED to read School For Good and Evil” Something about that title rings a bell! Adding it to my TBR on my Goodreads.

“More Christian fiction reviews – I’m Catholic and I love finding out about books I never would have read before since, let’s face it, the realm of Christian fiction is vast and a little intimidating. It was through your blog that I learned about Interrupted and I am forever grateful to you for introducing me to that literary masterpiece.” Aw, I can definitely do this. I’m always caught in between reading books that are more pushing my standards for what’s popular to reading through and trying to uncover hidden gems within the Christian fiction world. It is absolutely intimidating, but I am so glad you’ve found Rachel Coker’s book! I’m not sure why that one isn’t a #1 New York Times Bestseller! It is absolutely amazing. Can I recommend Melanie Dickerson next? (Start with The Fairest Beauty – it’s my favorite.)

“More bookish things, like those awesome bags and t-shirts, and book necklaces. I EAT THOSE UP.” BOOKISH PARAPHERNALIA. I get you! I’ve got to learn how to make the book necklace. Brooke gave it to me, since she’s the Craft Master, but I can promise I will be buying more bookworm gear. Huzzah!

“Craft projects!” HERE’S TO MY NEW 2016 RESOLUTION. I shall add it to the list.

Is there anything you want to tell or ask me? 🙂

“You are awesome and I LOVE YOUR BLOG! Keep it up. <3” Thank you! You’re awesome, too. 🙂

“Hi! You’re an amazing blogger and person and I love reading your blog. 🙂 It’d be nice if you comment more often on others blogs and comment back on your blog just bit more consistently…. Just because I value what you have to say and I look forward to your comment-back. :)” Thank you so much! I do miss visiting other peoples’ blogs and I know I need to do it more often. 🙂 It means so much to me that you look forward to my comments! I do love hearing from you, so I will be getting around more, promise.

“Hi, Emily!!! Keep being your wonderful self and don’t let anyone change YOU. You’re a wonderfully beautiful person, and keep being amazing! <3” Thank you SO so much! That means so much to me. 🙂

“Hope you get that kindle today!” I DID GET IT OMG! Thank you sooo much, mom and dad! (They’re really the best.)

“Hey Emily! 🙂 Its Madi! You’re an awesome book-blogger and I envy your organization! 😀 Good luck in 2016! May your blog be even book-ier :P” Oh heyyy Owly! Here’s to more bookishness!

“Hi 😀 and Merry Christmas!” Hello! Merry belated Christmas to you too!

“Hi! Also, how did you become pen pals with Brooke? I think that’s really cool.” Hi back! Well, we’d been commenting back and forth with each other on my blog for a while before we started talking about a book we both loved – Dear Pen Pal by Heather Vogel Frederick – and how neat it’d be to have pen pals. That’s when our moms contacted each other on Facebook (to make sure we were both genuinely teenage girls looking for pen pals!) and from there I got her address and the rest is history. 🙂

“Thanks for what I’ve sern so far. I’m enjoying it!” I’m certainly glad you like what you’ve sern so far. 🙂 I do try to put out enjoyable content! Thank you! 🙂

“Read School for good and evil, and the Unearthly series” ‘kay, definitely have to read School for Good and Evil now. And Unearthly looks amazing, too! Both sound like something I’ve never read before.

“You are my favourite book blogger. No contest.” You are my favorite commenter for saying that, no contest. 🙂 Seriously, you have no idea how much that makes me smile!

thank you all so much for doing the survey for me! i love love loved reading and looking at your answers. talk to you next year,

BOO! ‘Betcha weren’t expecting me to pop up in your inbox or feed or whatever you’re following me on where ya? Nope! That’s because today is Tuesday, and I haven’t posted on FTB on a Tuesday in quite some time. (Which is a bit of a shame, considering Top Ten Tuesday is on a Tuesday, and I miss doing that, so maybe I’ll start making an exception??) ANYWAY. Back to the topic at hand.

The reason I’m posting on Tuesday IS… drum roll… it’s time for the RESIST cover reveal!!

Wait. You already knew that?? Whaaaaat? (oh dang you title. you ruined the surprised again.)

Whale. Might as well get into it now.

Miss Emily Ann Putzke’s newest novel, Resist, will be available for you and everybody to read in February 2016! That’s just two months away! I haven’t read any of Miss Putske’s books (unfortunately) but they look amazing and she’s amazing (her blog is awesome and clearly she’s awesome because she’s an Emily duh) so I’m excited to be reading this.

Because. Guys. LOOK at this gorgeous cover.

It’s one of the prettiest things I’ve ever seen. I might cry.

But you probably wanna know more about this book now don’t you? okay okay. Here goes.

SYNOPSIS:

Munich, Germany 1942—Hans Scholl never intended to get his younger sister involved in an underground resistance. When Sophie Scholl finds out, she insists on joining Hans and his close friends in writing and distributing anti-Nazi leaflets entitled, The White Rose. The young university students call out to the German people, begging them to not allow their consciences to become dormant, but to resist their tyrannical leader and corrupt government. Hans knows the consequences for their actions—execution for committing high treason—but firm in his convictions, he’s prepared to lose his life for a righteous cause. Based on a true story, Hans, Sophie and all the members of The White Rose resistance group will forever inspire and challenge us to do what is right in the midst of overwhelming evil.

Available in paperback and ebook on February 22nd, 2016

[button link=”https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/26594558-resist” color=”silver”] ADD IT ON GOODREADS[/button]

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

[author] [author_image timthumb=’on’]http://forthebookish.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/emily19.jpg[/author_image] [author_info]Emily Ann Putzke is a young novelist, historical reenactor, and history lover. You can learn more about Emily and her books at www.authoremilyannputzke.com and www.facebook.com/authoremilyannputzke[/author_info] [/author]

so that was the resist cover reveal! what your thoughts? isn’t the cover so preeeettttyyyy? (oh and family members i’d love a pre-order of this for christmas!) if not i’m definitely pre-ordering it soon! until tomorrow, bookworms!