"To find out what a story's really about,' the Librarian said,

'you don't ask the writer. You ask the reader."


- SNOW & ROSE by Emily Winfield Martin


Wednesday, May 31, 2017

May 2017 Book Haul, Wrap-Up, June TBR and Bonus!!!


Hi there! I hope you are all doing well :)

I am slowly getting back into reading regularly and preparing more reviews and blog posts to share with you! I've been able to get back in touch with some publishers and a few bookish people to collaborate on some fun projects and blog posts too! I'm very excited for all of this and cannot wait to begin to share it all with you!!!

To start, here are the books I've accumulated in numerous ways for May :) 
I truly believe that this is the most amount of books that I have ever had to list in a book haul - not gloating - just amazed and feeling very happy and blessed!




My MAY Book Haul

*What I received to review...

- BECOMING BONNIE (Bonnie #1) by Jenni L. Walsh (YA/HB) from Tor/Forge Books
- JUST ONE TOUCH (Slow Burn Novel #5) by Maya Banks (Adult/PB) from Avon Books

Finished copies from Disney-Hyperion
- LORD OF MONSTERS (Out of Abaton #2) by John Claude Bemis (MG)
- BOB, NOT BOB! by Liz Garton Scanlon and Audrey Vernick (C)
- NIGHT NIGHT, GROOT by Brendan Deneen (C)
- CARS 3: LEAD THE WAY by Ace Landers (C) 
THE GOLDEN COMPASS (His Dark Materials #1) by Philip Pullman (YA/PB)



YA ARCs from Macmillan/Fierce Reads
- RENEGADES (sampler) by Marissa Meyer
- FLASHTIDE (Flashfall #2) by Jenny Moyer
- FOOLISH HEART by Emma Mills 
- MIDNIGHT DANCE by Nikki Katz
- MEANT TO BE by Julie Halpern 
- LIBRARIAN OF AUSCHWITZ by Antonio G. Iturbe and Lilit Thwaites 
- BACKFIELD BOYS by John Feinstein 

*I'm a #Tundra50 Summer Rep!!!... Finished copies from Tundra Books:
- THE ACB WITH HONORA LEE by Kate De Goldi (MG/PB)
ADVENTURES WITH BAREFOOT CRITTERS by Teagan White (C/HB)
ZOMBIE ELEMENTARY: The Real Story by Howard Whitehouse (MG/PB)
SUPER NARWHAL AND JELLY JOLT by Ben Clanton (MG/HB)
MR. ZINGER'S HAT by Cary Fagan (C/PB)
THERE, THERE by Tim Beiser and Bill Slavin (C/HB)
THE FOG by Kyo Maclear (C/HB)
CARSON CROSSES CANADA by Linda Bailey (C/HB) 

*Books I received as gifts or from giveaways...
- I LOVE YOU WITH ALL MY BUTT! by Martin Bruckner from Workman Publishing
- EVERYTHING, EVERYTHING by Nicola Yoon (YA/HB) from #llamabookswap

Books from Capstone Publishing Giveaway: 
- FALLOUT (Lois Lane #1) by Gwenda Bond (YA/HB)
- DOUBLE DOWN (Lois Lane #2) by Gwenda Bond (YA/HB)
- TRIPLE THREAT (Lois Lane #3) by Gwenda Bond (YA/HB)



*Books I received through #booksfortrade on twitter...

- UPROOTED by Naomi Novik (YA) - Macmillan paperback edition 
- ELEANOR & PARK by Rainbow Rowell (YA) - Orion paperback edition
- FANGIRL by Rainbow Rowell (YA) - Macmillan hardcover edition
- THE INEXPLICABLE LOGIC OF MY LIFE by Benjamin Alire Saenz (YA/HB)
- ROSEBLOOD by A.G. Howard (YA) - (YA/signed HB)

*Books I purchased this month... 

 A COURT OF WINGS AND RUIN (A Court of Thorns and Roses #3) by Sarah J. Maas (YA/HB) 
- THE LIGHT WE LOST by Jill Santopolo (A/signed HB)
- BONE GAP by Laura Ruby (YA/HB)
- MOO by Sharon Creech (MG/HB)
- WHERE AM I NOW? by Mara Wilson (A/PB)
- GIANT DAYS, Volume 1 by John Allison (YA/PB)
- BEE AND PUPPYCAT, Volume 1 by Natasha Allegri (YA/PB)
- LUMBERJANES, Volume 1 by Noelle Stevenson (YA/PB)  
- ALICE IN WONDERLAND by Lewis Carroll - Owlcrate paperback edition
- LITTLE WOMAN by Louisa May Alcott - Puffin in Bloom edition
- A LITTLE PRINCESS by Frances Hodgson Burnett - Puffin in Bloom edition
- THE MASTER AND MARGARITA by Mikhail Bulgakov - Vintage Classics Russians edition
- BEE JOURNAL (The Birds and the Bees) by Sean Borodale - Vintage Classics edition
- A STING IN THE TALE (The Birds and the Bees) by Dave Goulson - Vintage Classics edition
- A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM by William Shakespeare - Macmillan Collector's Library edition

From Book Of The Month May Subscription Box:
- THE LOVE INTEREST by Cale Dietrich (YA/HB) 
- THE SUN IS ALSO A STAR by Nicola Yoon (YA/HB) 


What I read in MAY

- KISSES AND CURSES by Fierce Reads (YA/PB) - 3 stars
- A COURT OF WINGS AND RUIN (A Court of Thorns and Roses #3) by Sarah J. Maas (YA/HB) - 3 stars 
 - ONE GOOD THING ABOUT AMERICA by Ruth Freeman (MG/HB) - 4 stars 
- RONIT AND JAMIL by Pamela L. Laskin (YA/ARC) - 4 stars 
- ADVENTURES WITH BAREFOOT CRITTERS by Teagan White (C/HB) - 5 stars 
- I LOVE YOU WITH ALL MY BUTT! by Martin Bruckner (E/HB) - 5 stars 
- SUPER NARWHAL AND JELLY JOLT by Ben Clanton (MG/HB) - 5 stars 
- THIS SAVAGE SONG (Monsters of Verity #1) by Victoria Schwab (YA/HB) - 4 stars 
- THE ACB WITH HONORA LEE by Kate De Goldi (MG/PB) - 4 stars 
- MR. ZINGER'S HAT by Cary Fagan (C/PB) - 5 stars
 7 ATE 9 by Tara Lazar (C/HB) - 5 stars 
 BEE AND PUPPYCAT, Volume 1 by Natasha Allegri (YA/Graphic Novel PB) - 4 stars 

- HARRY POTTER AND THE SORCERER'S STONE by J.K. Rowling (MG/HB) - reread - 4 stars 
- THE SECRET LOVE OF GEEK GIRLS by Hope Nicholson (YA/graphic novel PB) - 5 stars
- THE GOLDEN COMPASS (His Dark Materials #1) by Philip Pullman (YA/PB) - reread - 4 stars 

What I plan on reading in JUNE

I hope I have enough time to read all of these, plus a few others that I am not sure of just yet, lol!... Lots of picture books to get through :)
- OUR DARK DUET (Monsters of Verity #2) by Victoria Schwab (YA/HB) - preordered!
BECOMING BONNIE (Bonnie #1) by Jenni L. Walsh (YA/HB) - for review! 
- THE DUKE OF BANNERMAN PREP by Katie A. Nelson (YA/HB) 
MR. ZINGER'S HAT by Cary Fagan (C/PB)
THERE, THERE by Tim Beiser and Bill Slavin (C/HB)
THE FOG by Kyo Maclear (C/HB)
CARSON CROSSES CANADA by Linda Bailey (C/HB) 
- THERE'S A MONSTER IN YOUR BOOK by Tom Fletcher (C/ARC) 
- EVERY HEART A DOORWAY (Wayward Children #1) by Seanan McGuire (YA/HB)
- MOXIE by Jennifer Mathieu (YA/ARC) - for review
- AMID STARS AND DARKNESS (The Xenith Trilogy #1) by Chani Lynn Feener (YA/ARC) - for review
- HARRY POTTER AND THE PRISONER OF AZKABAN by J.K. Rowling (MG/HB) - reread




Thank you sooo much for stopping by!
Please let me know in the comments what you're reading... and leave your blog or book haul links too!


Happy reading!!!


P.S. Just a reminder that I am a rep for Hey Atlas!!!

Hey Atlas offers amazing double-sided bookmarks, vinyl stickers and now, blank journals!!!

Use coupon code: thebumblegirl

to save 10% off your orders!!!

Please take a moment to check out @treehouseofbooks
to see more pics, info etc.


"Happiness depends on being free, and freedom depends on being courageous."
Quote from The Winner's Curse by Marie Rutkoski

"I'd rather die on an adventure than live standing still."
Quote from A Darker Shade of Magic by Victoria Schwab


AND!!!


I am now a rep for GEEK AT HEART!!!
A monthly subscription box to feed your geeky-heart!!!
All things bookish, nerdy and more! 

Use coupon code: BUMBLEGIRL10 
to save 10% off your subscription!!!

Subs start this June, and there are less than 10 boxes left! 
Here is a promo sample of what's to come... 





HURRY! Don't miss out on GEEK AT HEART's first box!!!


xoxoxo

Tuesday, May 30, 2017

Review: SPILL ZONE (The Spill Zone #1) by Scott Westerfeld (YA)


The Spill Zone #1
by Scott Westerfeld
Illustrated by Alex Puvilland
Color by Hilary Sycamore
Release date: May 2nd, 2017
Published by First Second (Macmillan)
Genre: Young Adult Sci-Fi/Apocalyptic Graphic Novel
Format: Hardcover, eBook
Format read: Hardcover from the publisher.



SUMMARY

Nobody's ever really explained the Spill.

Was it an angelic visitation? A nanotech accident? A porthole opening from another world?
Whatever it was, no one's allowed in the Spill Zone these days except government scientists and hazmat teams. But a few intrepid explorers know how to sneak through the patrols and steer clear of the dangers inside the Zone. 

Addison Merrick is one such explorer, dedicated to finding out what happened that night, and to unraveling the events that took her parents and left her little sister mute and disconnected from the world. 

Photo courtesy of First Second Books.

MY REVIEW

An unexplained 'spill', creepy zombie-like puppet people, odd creatures and a creepy rag doll who seems to know it all... SPILL ZONE is an epic start to an intriguing and story!

Addison wasn't home when the 'spill' happened and no one knows exactly how or why it happened; and no one goes back to try to figure it out. Going into the zone is illegal and forbidden. And no one goes in. Except for Addison. She has been going back to her hometown whenever she can to take photographs of  what happened and what is there now - eerie talking cats, a form of electricity that glows and can chase after you and zombies that whisper warnings. It's how she makes a living to support herself and her little sister. However, she has quickly made rules for herself in order to get in and out of the spill zone safely - remain anonymous and unseen, never get off her motorbike, to stay on the main roads and never touch anything! Are just a few of her strict rules. But, when a collector of her pictures tracks her down and gives her an offer she can't refuse - an offer that can possibly help her sister who hasn't spoken since the incident. Can she risk her life in the spill zone to get what this "collector" wants?

The illustrations are quite amazing! Every frame supports the fast paced story, the creepiness, the danger and consequences that can happen if things go wrong while poking around. SO much world-building, all so naturally put together - realistic and memorable!

I highly recommend this to anyone who enjoys reading suspenseful mysterious with glowing rats, intuitive rag dolls, and post-apocalyptic worlds! Whether your a graphic novel reader or not, there isn't anything that should keep you from picking up this book!

*I received this book from the publisher for an honest review.
All thoughts here are my own.



ABOUT THE AUTHOR - Scott Westerfeld

Scott Westerfeld is a New York Times bestselling author of YA. He was born in Texas and now lives in Sydney and New York City. 

In 2001, he married fellow author Justine Larbalestier.

He is best known for the Uglies, Leviathan and Zeroes series, and his standaone book, Afterworlds.

His book Evolution's Darling was a New York Times Notable Book, and won a Special Citation for the 2000 Philip K. Dick Award. So Yesterday won a Victorian Premier's Award and both Leviathan and Midnighters 1: The Secret Hour won Aurealis Awards. Peeps and Uglies were both named as Best Books for Young Adults 2006 by the American Library Association.  


Monday, May 1, 2017

Book Review: I WANT TO GROW by Ged Adamson (C)


by Ged Adamson
Expected release date: March 7th, 2017
Published by Boyds Mills Press
Genre: Children's Picture Book
Format: Hardcover 
Format read: Hardcover from Creative Authors


SUMMARY

A dinosaur named Herb has noticed something about his friend Muriel: she's getting taller. 
Herb is not. 

Desperate to catch up to Muriel, Herb tries every method he can think of to grow. He plants himself in the dirt like a flower, but that just leaves him muddy. He has Muriel roll him out like clay, but that just makes him dizzy. He wears platform shoes and a top hat, but he just falls over. Nothing Herb tries works!

When will he finally grow?

This humorous approach to the topic of growing taller will resonate with many children who struggle with this same issue. 


MY REVIEW

I WANT TO GROW is about a small dinosaur named Herb who has noticed that his best friend is growing, but he is not. He tries numerous ways to force himself to grow and catch up, but does not succeed... or does he???

This book came at such a perfect and fun time! Not only did my kiddos recognize that this book is the same author and illustrator as DOUGLAS, YOU NEED GLASSES, but we also knew that this book was going to serve more than one purpose around here... 
My three year old has been telling us that he doesn't want to grow up, lol! Although this book is to encourage patience and understanding on how we are all different and how we all come into our own milestones at different times - sometimes on our own schedule, completely different than what is expected from others. But what my toddler took away from Herb's story is that it is okay to grow up too! It's okay to be scared and worried about growing up and doing things that he's never done before. And that it won't happen all at once, that he will learn as he grows too.

It is quite amazing to see how little minds grasp onto their own understandings - the book may look the same to everyone, but no one will ever read it in the same way!

A wonderful book to gift/read to little ones who are just starting to understand that their worlds will change and that it is okay to want more! A definite favorite in this household!

*I received a hardcover copy of this book from the literary agency as a gift.
All thoughts are my very own.




ABOUT THE AUTHOR - Ged Adamson

Ged Adamson is a writer and illustrator. His first two books, Elsie Clarke and the Vampire Hairdresser and Meet the McKaws, are both published by Sky Pony Press. A third, Douglas, You Need Glasses! will be published in May 2016 by Random House. He sees two books published in 2017 - Shark Dog in Summer 2017 and published by HarperCollins and I Want to Grow will be released in Fall 2017 by Boyds Mill Press. 

His cartoons have appeared in magazines such as Punch and Prospect, in books and on film. He's been a storyboard artist and a caricaturist. He also works as a composer for TV and film. 

He lives in London with his partner Helen and their son Rex. 


Links: Website / Instagram / Twitter

 
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