Goodbye 2016: A Baker's Dozen of Favorite Reads!!

Wave bye-bye to 2016!! 

See Paul's face there?  I AM PAUL. I am so ready to turn my back on 2016, slam the door in it's wretched face and start anew. 
 Give us something good, 2017, please.

BUT, 2016 definitely delivered us some incredible reading in the world of YA.  So many stunning debuts, as well as a slew of fantastic stuff from those favorite authors that continue to BRING IT.  In this day and age, and also for those personal challenges that we all go through day to day, the escape into fantastic worlds and characters that we all get from reading means so much.  To all you amazing authors out there that give us that gift---
we salute you!! 

Anyhow, as I always do, I'm recapping my favorites of the year---a sweet "baker's dozen" of them (because only picking 5 or 10 requires way more self control than I can ever muster at the end of the year). These are books I read this year, regardless of their publication date ;)  Shown below in no particular order and  with an excerpt from each of my reviews, I give you my best of 2016! 

So romantic at times, and so danger-filled at others! I definitely think the infamous pirate will finally make his way into a few hearts with this one. I truly enjoyed my trip to Neverland, even if it leaves me with a few night terrors and my idea of Peter Pan will be forever changed! I loved it!  
(read full review)

This book...will tear your ever-loving heart out. But you knew that. You know who the Queen of Hearts is. She's cruel. She's mad. She's...well, she's heartless. This is the story of how she got that way, so you know going in that it's not going to be pretty. But OH was it magical, whimsical, kooky, twisted, very creepy at times---much like Alice in Wonderland. In fact, I adored the wonderful nods to the original stories and characters. It was like seeing new sides to characters I've known my whole life.

(read full review)

Another fun adventure with Jackaby and Abigail! I love that in this installment, Abigail really seems to take center stage, and I love even more that we finally get the story behind of of my favorite characters in these books, Jenny Cavanaugh.  At the end of Beastly Bones, we were definitely left with some burning questions about Jenny and her increasingly erratic behavior, plus I've just loved these stories in general so this read was highly anticipated and did not disappoint!  
(read full review)

This one just took my breath away. With strong themes of family, community, and how our memories, our past, and where we come from make us who we are, The Forgetting dares to show us what humanity might become if we don't have that to learn from. Weave in a romance that is absolutely swoon-worthy, and this is one story not to be missed! 

(read full review)

At it's heart it's a story of a struggle between the classes (shifters vs. non-shifters), a sinister plot to overtake the crown, and of course, the fight to win it back. There are so many great memorable moments, and many a nod to favorite stories that will delight fans of Princess Bride, Tangled, Monty Python, and more. So much fun, guys. Do not miss it.
 (read full review)

What can I even say about this incredible end to one of my favorite series of all time. Wonderful. Heart-stopping. An undeniably satisfying finale. So many amazing things happen that myself and I'm sure the rest of the fandom has been longing for--none of which I can mention without spoiling some of the best plot points! (sorry! :D) But, oh, people, with this final installment, Meyer really brought the GOODS.
(read full review)

Shadow Magic's beautifully imagined world and it's turned-on-it's-head look at the war between darkness and light, along with clever and fun characters easily makes it a new favorite for me. While this cover was initially what made me excited to get my hands on this book, the story quickly held me enchanted.
(read full review)

The sweeping story twists and shocks---there was no part of this that I was able to predict. Several times I found myself gripping the book, furiously turning pages, unable to decide who I wanted to triumph in the end. This first book, honestly, could have stood solidly and quite wonderfully on it's own, but I can't say I'm disappointed in the slightest that there is more to come! It's a definite must-read!!

(read full review)

Rachel and Samuel's secret stolen moments were as romantic as they could be in the middle of a dirty digging site, hiding from fathers and cocky college boys. I liked the realistic take on their romantic experiences ---it wasn't the "perfect first kiss" and the perfect first..etc. ;) And it was all very kind of bumbling, unsure...real.
 (read full review) 

It’s a super fast read, wildly entertaining, that’s about all the littlest things that make us who we are and what we might be without them. It’s about family and friends and fear and trust and power and when enough is enough. The twist ending is fantastic and hopeful and I left the story thinking this Aspen kid, he’s gonna be alright. Phew. ;)
(read full review)

Henrietta is a character to root for. She has this incredible power, but it's Victorian London, so even when she is brought into the school to train, she is constantly having to prove herself among the men. She is feisty and knew what she needed to do---and I loved that when "their way" with magic doesn't quite work for her, she finds a way of her own to still accomplish the same goal, even when she knows the truth could derail everything. (read full review)

The Star-Touched Queen is a gorgeous story of love and power, deception and forgiveness. It’s artfully written in beautiful prose full of lush description and metaphor. It felt like a blend of Alice in Wonderland (with its bizarre creatures and dream-like atmosphere) and the Persephone myth, both deliciously steeped in the colors and flavors and vibrancy of India.
(read full review)

I adored this book, it charmed the pants off me. The characters were fun, the situation was emotional, the stereotypes of the LA private school were at once hilarious and from tales I've heard first hand from my L.A.-raised niece and nephew, not too far exaggerated. But best of all, this was a story of a girl in a pretty crappy situation finding comfort in a mysterious stranger who has reached out to her. It's so very "You've Got Mail" brought into the now.
 (read full review)

These three below are not runner's up---they are three that I read this year and haven't yet reviewed! BUT I absolutely adored them!! Keep an eye out for my reviews coming soon!

So that's my 2016 baker's dozen of best reads...plus three more as the sprinkles on top ;)  Were any of your own favorites on this list?  Did you do a best-of post of your favorites this year? Please link me up or just tell me in the comments: What were your favorite reads of 2016?? 

Waiting on...

"Waiting on Wednesday" is a weekly meme hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine. It lets us all gush about what soon-to-be released books we are jumping-up-and-down excited for.

The Hush

by Skye Melki-Wegner

hitting shelves June 6th, 2017

from Sky Pony Press

Chester has taken to the road, traveling from village to village desperately searching for his father, who has disappeared. One night while fiddling to earn a few coins, he accidentally connects to the Song—the music that fuels every aspect of the world, and that it’s illegal for him to interact with. He’s caught and sentenced to death for his crime. Only a licensed Songshaper can bend music to his will.

But someone in the crowd—a member of the infamous Nightfall Gang—stages a daring rescue and whisks Chester into the Hush, a shadowy nightmare mirror-world where Music can be deadly and Echoes can kill.

Susanna, the Captain of the Nightfall Gang has been watching Chester. She needs him to pull off an elaborate plan that will take down the governing body that keeps her an outlaw and made her the fragment she is. Susanna needs him to exact her revenge, even if he dies doing it. 

Combining complex stakes, shifting loyalties, nods to fairy tales, and a Western feel, The Hush is a lush and exhilarating fantasy perfect for fans of Catherine Fisher’s Incarceron and Paolo Bacigalupi’s Ship Breaker.

My thoughts:  What's this I see? Nods to fairy tales? A world where every aspect is fueled by a magical song?? A shadowy nightmare world where music can be deadly and echoes can kill???   Yes, to all of this...yes PLEASE. 

What book are you eagerly anticipating this week?

Waiting on Wednesday

"Waiting on Wednesday" is a weekly meme hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine. It lets us all gush about what soon-to-be released books we are jumping-up-and-down excited for.

Shimmer and Burn

by Mary Taranta

hitting shelves August 8th, 2017

from Margaret K. McElderry Books

Faris grew up fighting to survive in the slums of Brindaigel while caring for her sister, Cadence. But when Cadence is caught trying to flee the kingdom and is sold into slavery, Faris reluctantly agrees to a lucrative scheme to buy her back, inadvertently binding herself to the power-hungry Princess Bryn, who wants to steal her father’s throne.

Now Faris must smuggle stolen magic into neighboring Avinea to incite its prince to alliance—magic that addicts in the war-torn country can sense in her blood and can steal with a touch. She and Bryn turn to a handsome traveling magician, North, who offers protection from Avinea’s many dangers, but he cannot save Faris from Bryn’s cruelty as she leverages Cadence’s freedom to force Faris to do anything—or kill anyone—she asks. Yet Faris is as fierce as Bryn, and even as she finds herself falling for North, she develops schemes of her own.

With the fate of kingdoms at stake, Faris, Bryn, and North maneuver through a dangerous game of magical and political machinations, where lives can be destroyed—or saved—with only a touch. 

My thoughts:  Sisters, a scheming Princess, stolen magic, handsome traveling magicians...all things that will have me counting the days to this one!! 

What book are you eagerly anticipating this week?

New Shelf Goodies & The Weekly Nutshell {178}

For New Shelf Goodies, I'll be showing you what lovely books I acquired this week, whether from publishers, or the library, or from whatever half-crazed book-buying binge I happened to go on. :D (Inspired by Tynga's Stacking the Shelves) The Weekly Nutshell will be just that...my week here at Stories & Sweeties, in a nutshell. (inspired by Ginger @ GReads and her recaps at the end of the TGIF posts)

Here's my newest goodies hanging out with Beast & Belle & Alice :)

For review:

Nemesis by Brendan Reichs

Sounds so intriguing---as long as it's not to crazy violent, I'll be okay. xD

The One Memory of Flora Banks by Emily Barr

Came highly recommended by my Penguin fairy :)

Letters to the Lost by Brigid Kemmerer

This looks amazing. And I've never read this author but have heard great things!

From trades:

Defy the Stars by Claudia Gray

Claudia Gray writing a sci-fi space romance--not sure how that could go wrong EVER. 

Gilded Cage by Vic James

This sounds like Downton Abbey with a magical fantasy twist---which, of course, I NEED in my life.

The Turncoat's Gambit by Andrea Cremer

I've gotten my hands on all three---its time to binge read the series! :D

Many thanks to Penguin, Bloomsbury, and my lovely trading partners for filling my mailbox with happiness these past two weeks!! :)

The Weekly Nutshell
recent posts:
"What's New" December New Releases & Giveaway
Ten New-To-Me Authors I Read in 2016
Waiting on Wednesday: Umberland by Wendy Spinale

Ugh, still so behind on writing reviews--my brain has pretty much been taken up with Christmas, work, and trying to staying healthy with two coughing kids in the house.  Keep fingers crossed for me, people---I absolutely hate being sick during the holidays! :(
This week I finished up Alchemists of Loom, which was pretty amazing. It was my first read by Elise Kova, but it definitely won't be my last.  Started Timekeeper which is basically oozing charm from page one. ♥  And then it's on to Wayfarer after that!  I can't wait to see what happens after that cliffhanger ending in Passenger!
I'm finishing packing up my gifts for #TBTBSanta. It was my first year participating and it has been soooooo fun shopping and figuring out a fun way to reveal myself. I got partnered with someone who has so many of my same fandoms, so that made the shopping extra fun (and challenging, trying not to buy one for me and one for her LOL).  And I can't wait to see who got me! Plus following the hashtag has been fun, too, interacting with other Santas :D If you didn't get in on it this year, I highly recommend jumping in next year!

Have a great week, everyone! And stay safe out there. ♥

Waiting on Wednesday

"Waiting on Wednesday" is a weekly meme hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine. It lets us all gush about what soon-to-be released books we are jumping-up-and-down excited for.

Umberland

by Wendy Spinale

hitting shelves May 9th, 2017

from Scholastic Press

Gwen, Pete, and the others have escaped from Everland. But the safe haven they hoped to find at Alnwick Castle doesn't exist. With the Queen of England on her deathbed, Duchess Alyssa has stepped in to lead, but things have gotten worse as the cure Doc created for the Horologia virus has mutated, accelerating the disease. The only possible solution he can think of is to go back to the virus's origin: an extinct poisonous apple.

Legend has it a tree bearing the apple might be found at the center of a deadly labyrinth hidden deep within Germany. A place that no one in their right mind enters. Leaving Pete in charge of the survivors, Alyssa sets out with only her sword, her wits, and the help of Maddox Hadder, a wild boy who oversees the castle gardens. To get to the center of the maze, she'll be forced to battle monsters more terrifying than her darkest nightmares.

But can anyone truly survive the madness of the maze? And what if there's no apple to be found there?

My thoughts:  I wish you all could have seen my daughter's face when I told her the gang from Everland (one of her favorite books this year..and one of mine, too, actually!) was going to be mixing it up with Alice in Wonderland and running though mazes full of monsters in Germany. The. Pure. JOY. 
So, here we both sit...waiting on Wednesday, and every day until May 9th when we can get our hands on this amazing thing!! 

What book are you eagerly anticipating this week?

Ten New-To-Me Authors I Read in 2016!

I don't know why I don't participate in this meme more often...I love making lists :D Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by The Broke and the Bookish.  To find out more and check out future topics, click on over there!!

This week's topic is all about featuring the "New-to-Me" authors we all read this year!  In looking back through my reviews, I realized I read a LOT of books by authors I had previously read and loved. But I did find a few new favorites! Some of these are new to me---some of these are just NEW, but completely blew me away in their magical debut awesomeness! :D

Lisa Maxwell, author of Unhooked

This. was. amazing. A new favorite book by a new favorite author. When I have time, I definitely plan to go back and try some of her older stuff.  And her upcoming title, The Last Magician, sounds incredible!

Wendy Spinale, author of Everland

Well, I certainly had my Peter Pan retellings covered this year. This steampunk-laced Neverland was a great one, and I can't wait to see this Neverland converge with Wonderland in her follow up, Umberland!

Kenneth Oppel, author of Every Hidden Thing

This author is anything but new, but this was my first time reading his work. And I loved it. Every Hidden Thing was one of my most anticipated books this year, and it was worth every second of waiting. 

Julie Buxbaum, author of Tell Me Three Things

I fell so in love with this book.  It was like You've Got Mail for the new generation, and absolutely just as charming. Julie B is going to change my outlook on reading contemporary stories. ♥

Joshua Khan, author of Shadow Magic

Another new favorite for me. I can't tell you how excited I am to continue this series with Dream Magic in 2017, and Burning Magic in 2018!!

Alexandra Bracken, author of Passenger

Yep, I read my first Alexandra Bracken book with Passenger. And I totally fell in love with her amazing storytelling talents! Will definitely be seeking out her other work, and devouring Wayfarer soon!!

Evelyn Skye, author of The Crown's Game

SUCH gorgeous writing. Loved The Crown's Game so much. The magic, the romance, the fooooood. This was definitely one of my favorite books this year. The wait for The Crown's Fate is killing me. 

Alwyn Hamilton, author of Rebel of the Sands

This book was such a stunner. So adventurous and wildly romantic and just really fun and cool. I am lucky enough to have book 2 in my hands and it's all I can do not to throw everything aside and start it!! :D

Roshani Chokshi, author of The Star-Touched Queen

This was one of the most imaginative stories I've read this year. So beautiful and dark and twisty.  I can't wait to read more of her amazing world-building in Crown of Wishes.

Jay Kristoff, author of Nevernight

Somehow I jumped into Jay Kristoff's amazing writing with his first book for adults LOL.  It was bloody and violent and erotic---and I still ended up loving it xD.  No regrets and I'm definitely looking forward to more in this series and also trying out a few of his YA books!

That's my top ten! What new authors did YOU discover this year??

What's New: December YA New Releases & 2016 Giveaway!

This cannot be, guys!! It's completely impossible!! How did the end of this year zoom up so fast?? When ever I think about it already being December, my head starts to spin a little. Wow. Where did it go?  Well, as much as it floors me, I'm always happy when this time of year rolls around. Usually it starts at Halloween for me, but this year, feeling so cruddy for most of September and October, I crapped out a bit on my favorite spooky holiday. :( So now for Christmas, I am so ready, I've got my decorations up and my house is all aglow, I start my days with a cheerful little cup of hot chocolate, and I've even made a sizable dent in my Christmas shopping already. Let's go, December! 

So if you're new to Stories & Sweeties, here's a little run-down of this feature: at the start of each month, I do a little thing called the "What's New List & Giveaway" where you'll find a full list of the new releases in YA for the month, and entry to the international giveaway. At the end of each month, one lucky winner will get to choose any new release as their prize!

Special note for December: As with most years, December is the month when the publishing world slows to a near halt. As you can see, from the list below, there are some great releases, but the list is comparatively small.  SO I've decided for this month's giveaway, the winner will get to choose any YA book released in 2016! Happy holidays, everyone, and GOOD LUCK! 

First things first! The winner of November's giveaway is Iana! Congrats!! :D

December 2016 Releases:
Just like previous months, I've put a little l♥ve by those books that I am really anticipating!

{1}

The Odds of Loving Grover Cleveland by Rebekah Crane

{2}

Everyday Magic by Emily Albright ♥

Teach Me to Forget by Erica M. Chapman

{6}

Air by Ryan Gattis

Black Moon by Romina Russell

The Blazing Star by Imani Josey ♥

Lock & Mori: Mind Games by Heather W. Petty ♥

Spindle by E.K. Johnston ♥

Split the Sun by Tessa Elwood

True Power by Gary Meehan

{13}

Crystal Storm by Morgan Rhodes

Forever, Again by Victoria Laurie ♥

Iceling by Sasha Stephenson ♥

{27}

Catalyst by Kristin Smith

Ever the Hunted by Erin Summerill ♥

Rules of the Game by James Frey & Nils Johnson-Shelton

Secret of Heart Note by Stacey Lee ♥

Take the Key and Lock Her Up by Allie Carter

(All links go to Goodreads)
Please feel free to email me if you notice any YA titles missing! :)

Giveaway Details: 
One winner will win a YA 2016 release of their choice! *see note below
• Contest ends December 31st, 2016 at 11:59 PM
• Must be 13 or older.
• Open internationally. *International winners will be required to choose a book that is available through BookDepository.com or Fishpond.com up to $20 value.
•Extra entries can be earned by commenting on any 2016 reviews, and can be done once per review. Come back throughout December whenever you comment on my reviews and get your extra points! 

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