BOOKS ACQUIRED IN 2017

Saturday, January 13, 2018
Starting posts are one of the hardest thing for me. Is anyone else this way? I stare at the blank webpage forever, until I start blabbering about how hard it is to start a post, and then lamely transition into my post topic. (Have I been blogging for three years? Yes. But apparently some things never change. *headdesk*)

2017 feels like yesterday (probably because it was only thirteen days ago...), so I'm still in the "let's take a look back at last year!" kind of mood. I've noticed some bloggers do fun little monthly "book hauls," and decided to join in the fun. Except I'm going to showcase all of books I acquired in 2017 (because my monthly hauls would be puny and boring). And I'm going to do it in a vlog format, because it's been awhile since I've done one of those. :D


THE VLOG!

(be right back because I'm cringing at how many times I say "um" and "so" in this video. Further proof that I'm a writer and not an eloquent speaker. *sigh* :P)

If you have absolutely no interest in watching a video, I complied a list of the books below so you don't have to suffer through my rambles. (but it's not that long and there's an awkward blooper reel at the end... (yay?)) Most of the books have a star rating next to them -- others might not because I haven't read them yet, it's been too long to remember how I liked them, or I've read a beta copy but not the published version.

Behold, the list!



1. HOW TO WRITE A NOVEL USING THE SNOWFLAKE METHOD [5/5]
Randy Ingermanson 

2. PEP TALKS FOR WRITERS
various authors

3. MAYDAY [3.5/5]
Jonathon Friesen

4. THE CHOOSING [4/5]
Rachelle Dekker

5. PURPLE MOON
Tessa Emily Hall

6. THE COLOR PROJECT
Sierra Abrams
(two copies of this one since there was a printing error with the arcs!)

7. PRINCESS ACADEMY [5/5]
Shannon Hale

8. MARTIN HOSPITALITY
Abigayle Claire

9. SERIES OF UNFORTUNATE EVENTS: THE BAD BEGINNING [4/5]

10. THE LOST GIRL OF ASTOR STREET [4/5]
Stephanie Morrill

11. THE BOOKS OF ELSEWHERE: THE SHADOWS [4/5]
Jaqueline West

12. ANGEL EYES [5/5]
Shannon Dittemore

13. BROKEN WINGS [3/5]
Shannon Dittemore

14. UNSANCTIONED EYES [3.5/5]
Brianna Merritt

15. HERE LIES DANIEL TATE [3.5/5]

16. THE EVAPORATION OF SOFI SNOW [3/5]
Mary Weber

17. CRESS [5/5]
Marissa Meyer

18. RENEGADES [2/5]
Marissa Meyer

19. HEARTLESS [5/5]
Marissa Meyer

20. GREGOR AND THE CODE OF CLAW
21. GREGOR AND THE MARKS OF SECRET
Suzanne Collins

22. CHOSEN
23. INFIDEL
24. RENEGADE
Ted Dekker



Now I'm a confused human because in the vlog I said that I acquired twenty-six books, but I only managed to come up with twenty-five in this post. There must be a mystery book on my shelf somewhere. :P

Looking ahead at this year, I only have a couple on my must-buy list, so I wouldn't be surprised if I buy less. (which is a good thing and yet also a sad thing) I'm excited to flail over future stories with you!

<3,
katie grace

what books are you looking forward to buying in 2018?
(i can think of a couple off the top of my head - fawkes, thunderhead, a thousand perfect notes... any others i should be aware of??)

57 comments :

  1. You should definitely finish The Series of Unfortunate Events. They're awesome and worth the read.

    Also, Stephanie Morrill's books are just so awesome!! Except, you mentioned the one series of hers that I haven't read yet. I'll have to find them somewhere.

    That's an awesome stack of books! And I didn't feel like your video was rambly or cringy at all. It felt just like a normal book haul video! Well done!

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    1. Ooh, good to know. I should put a couple more on hold at the library then. :D

      Aww, well thanks. It's easy to be a harsh critique on yourself. >.<

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  2. You had me laughing at the end of the video (the part when all of your books start to fall)!! This year I want to buy the last two books of 'The Knights of Arrethtrae' (I have other books I want to get too). I love Chuck Black's series, it's so good!
    Lily @ lilymaesday.blogspot.com

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    1. YES! The Knights of Arrethtrae!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Finally, someone else knows about them!! *cough* sorry about that. It's a special day when one finds a fellow Chuck Black fan.

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    2. I really shouldn't have put them on my lap... but oh well. I don't think any of the pages bent. :P

      Oooooooh, I've heard of Chuck Black but haven't heard of this series. I'll have to check them out! Especially if you two are flailing over it so much. xD

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  3. I don't buy books very often either, and I don't understand how some people can afford to have 20+ book hauls every month. They are expensive! But this was a great haul/vlog. I want to reread the Lunar Chronicles soon too (mostly just to read Cress again), and I had forgotten about Gregor the Overlander!

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    1. I agree -- Cress is the highlight of the series. And I nearly forgot about Gregor the Overlander until I found them at a book sale! Now I'm inspired to re-enjoy the story again. :D

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  4. Your vlog was fine! ^-^

    This year was my first year to actually buy books, I usually just ask for books for Christmas, so I felt like an official bookdragon. XD

    I adored Gregor the Overlander when I was younger! I need to re-read it. :)

    -Gray Marie | graymariewrites.blogspot.com

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    1. I feel like you should be awarded a bookish badge for becoming and official bookdragon. XD

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  5. I usually don't buy books (except for a select few at my favorite bookstore, McKay's :) because #expensive, but the last half of this year I felt more bookish--I think it's because I started to read so many blogs? And I wanted so many books. :) :) I'm ordering "A Time to Die" with some Christmas money, so I'm super excited. And I'm waiting for "Renegades" to go down in price--I LOVED it, but, like you said, there was some issues. :(((
    I'm hoping to buy the sequel to Renegades when it comes out in November....but I'll probably have to start saving for it now, lol. :) And Fawkes!
    Sorry, this comment is kinda long and rambling. I love reading your posts, and your vlog was definitely not cringey! :)

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    1. Ooh, the sequel to Renegades comes out in November? Do you know if it's a duology or a trilogy or a series?

      Oh, psh, don't apologize for your long comment! It's hardly rambly at all -- I enjoyed hearing your thoughts. :)

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    2. Aw, thanks :):).
      I think Renegades is going to be a trilogy?? Not sure, though. Hopefully yes! :)

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    3. I thought Renegades would be a duology but yeah ... *shrugs*

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  6. I loved reading this post and I’ll have to watch the soon! I kind of lost my headphones currently. 😂 Anyway wonderful post. :)

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    1. Oh nooo! Yeah, I don't like watching videos without headphones either. I hope you find them! xD

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  7. HAHA, I loved this! You are SO hilarious, I especially loved the bloopers! Sounds like you got some awesome books -- I really wanna read Ted Dekker's stuff soon.

    Madi

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    1. The bloopers were awkward... but I'm glad you liked it. xD

      And I'll let you know how I like it once I read them!

      Delete
  8. YAY FOR ALL THE BOOKS. I'm really excited to read the Color Project. It seems like such a gorgeous book (both the cover and the inside XD).

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    1. Yeah, isn't the cover of The Color Project amazing?? I love the simplicity of it, yet the striking, bold font. :D

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  9. I LOVED THE VLOG. So many of those books have such pretty covers <33 Yes, ugh, I wish I could reread all the books I read last year. But then I would have so many books to read I wouldn't have time to write *cries*

    (and when you dropped the books at the end I totally cracked up, because I did the same thing shopping in Barnes and Noble once. I had nearly a dozen classics in my arms and they all started to tip...xD)

    Hm...the sequel to the Blood Race comes out, Amber Eyes (sequel to Scarlet Moon by S.D. Grimm) comes out in a few weeks, and the conclusion to the Songkeeper Chronicles comes out in June. I can't think of any others besides those and what you already mentioned.

    Wonderful post!
    audrey caylin

    P.S. this is a totally random quesiton, but if you're able to go to Realm Makers this year, will you be on the teen track or one of the regular tracks? I know your birthday falls in March, so I was just curious xD

    ReplyDelete
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    1. (ohhh no how awkward. xD I've done that several times in the library before. :P)

      OOH I STILL REALLY NEED TO READ THE BLOOD RACE. o.o I've been seeing SO much about it but haven't had the chance to grab a copy yet.

      P.S. Ohhh that's a good question. I guess it depends if they make me sign up for the teen track or not (because I'll be 17 when I sign up, probably. If I have a choice between the two, it depends on what continuing session sounds most interesting. I'll let you know what I end up doing when I sign up!

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  10. "Words are so hard for me to get out of my mouth." < I relate so hard. XD Super pumped for Fawkes, Thunderhead, and A Thousand Perfect Notes! I'm sure there are more books coming out this year that I'm excited about, but I'm currently blanking? Soooo. Happy 2018! (oh oh wait, The Blood Race #2!)

    Hailey
    www.haileyhudson.wordpress.com

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    1. YES I'M SO EXCITED FOR ALL OF THEM! I have Thunderhead... but I need to first rereading Scythe because I don't remember it that well. :P

      Happy 2018, Hailey!

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  11. I loved watching you ramble about your books!! You're so bubbly and funny! :D

    CRESS IS MY FAVE TLC BOOK TOO!!! And OMW that copy of Heartless! I can't decide which I love more - the black and red one, or the one with white... xD But seriously, I agree 100% with every word you said about dat book. My heart was in tatters by the end of it.

    Great vlog, and I hope your 2018 is full of awesome re-reads and fabulous new finds! <3

    Lila - The Red-Hooded Writer

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    1. Aww, thank you!

      *sobs about Heartless* I love both versions, but I love the simplicity of the white one. And the checkered inside it SO COOL. o.o

      Aww, thank you! I wish the same to you. <3

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  12. CHOSEN!! INFIDEL!! CHAOS!! It's actually a six book series... AND ONE OF MY FAVORITES. I have a feeling that most of my bookworm friends would not be blown away by this series bc they have basically seen everything that could happen and the Lost Books are not amazingly unique (??) But I was lucky enough to read this series when I was clueless about YA so I am forever in love ;)

    YOU HAVE A LOT OF GOOD BOOKS HERE! I also got Purple Moon last year. I really want to read Unsanctioned Eyes and The Color Project this year ... And all those Marissa Meyer books were good!!

    Ok I will stop rambling. Love your vlogs tho. AND YOU HAVE THE NICEST BOOKSHELF TOO ^.^

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    1. whoops I said Chaos. I meant Renegade :P After Renegade comes Chaos. then Lunatic, and Elyon! You must read them all anyway :D In my opinion -- Renegade was my least favorite, and Lunatic was the best but ... whatever XD

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    2. whoahh, SIX BOOK SERIES? *gasp* Wow, I still have quite a few more of those to find, then. o.o

      EEP THANK YOU. So many good books. xD

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  13. Yay another VLOG!!! I love your vlogs so much. :D And I'm going to be a total copycat and do a video like this. ;-)

    I totally cringed when the books fell!!!! AHHHHH!!!! Were any books harmed???

    (also, the title of the video on youtube says "2018" instead of "2017." ;-) )

    ~Ivy // Lakeside Publications

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    1. DO IT! I would LOVE to see yours. :D

      .......... *cringe* Well that's awkward. I'll see if I can go change it. *headdesks repeatedly* xD

      And no! No books were harmed, thankfully. :P

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    2. It's going up on my blog tomorrow! :-)

      Haha no worries. I've done it so many times it's not even funny. XD

      Oh good! I dropped a couple books in the making of my video as well. -_-

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  14. You got a lot of great books in 2017! I'm loving the edition of Heartless that you have!!!

    I sadly do not own any bookshelves *sobs*. So this year I want to finally purchase a small one and expand my very tiny book collection!

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    1. Awww. DO IT! Tiny bookshelves are super cute. ^.^

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  15. To reread, or not to reread? That is the relatable question. xD

    Love the vlog, it was so fun!

    ~ Abby

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    1. Ughh seriously. I wish there was a way to devour things better. xD

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  16. AHHHHHHH THE GREGOR BOOKS ARE SO GOOD.

    And this year I think I'm going to read more new books rather than rereads??? IDK. I'm finally getting back into reading!!!! :)

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    1. RIGHHTTT??

      Aww, that's so good to hear! I've been seeing pictures of all your books that you're reading xD

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  17. Wow what a throw back! I got Princess Academy at a book sale ages ago, I was probably 10, and I was obsessed with it for like a year. I probably read it 10 times that year, and a few times randomly afterwards, but it's been a very long time. I shall have to reread it this year and see if I still like it.

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    1. Saaame! It was a book I read when I was in elementary or middle school and it's been one of my favorites ever since. I got to meet Shannon last year and it was the coolest thing. :D

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  18. Ooohh, I've heard great things about The Color Project and Unsanctioned Eyes. I think it's time for me to start reading indie books.

    My Little Brother ADORES Ted Dekker's work. I've read quite a bit from him. (and there's six or seven in the "lost" book series. I can't remember exactly).

    Ahh, you read The Choosing too? Any plans to read the final two books? The second one was decent, but not as good as the first. But the last one, I didn't care for much.

    I'm looking forward to getting myself a copy of Kate's The Blood Race, this year. I've wanted to read it ever since it came out! After that, I don't know because I almost never buy full priced books. I just wait to see them at thrift stores or book sales.

    k.

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    1. Dude, totally read more Indie books! I've heard good things about The Girl Who Could See and The Blood Race if you're looking for more suggestions. :)

      I don't know yet. I don't remember the first one at ALL, so reading the rest would involve me rereading the first one. We'll see if I can commit to that. xD

      Ahh, so many people are talking about that book! I need to read it. o.o

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  19. Oooh, so many books. I've only read one of them, but they're so pretty and you've inspired me to see what books I acquired last year. xD I didn't get a lot, but I know I got The Silent Songbird, The Beautiful Pretender, A Viscount's Proposal, The Noble Servant, and A Dangerous Engagement (all by Melanie Dickerson, and all gifts); the Farwalker trilogy by Joni Sensel; a few Goodwill books, like the first Michael Vey book, The Tale of Despereaux (which I haven't read yet...); and Sensing the Rhythm, an autobiography by Mandy Harvey. (I actually didn't realize how many books I got last year, so now I'm kind of pleased with myself. xD)

    You actually mentioned a few of the books I want to buy this year-- Stephanie Morrill's and Shannon Dittemore's series. I haven't read any of them and my library doesn't have them, and while they're not my usual genre of choice, I've heard such good things about them, I just have to get my hands on them. Also some of Jill Williamson's books, because I love fantasy and I haven't read nearly enough of it. (And yes, I just named all three of the GTW authors... I feel kind of bad because their blog is so awesome and I haven't read any of their books. xD)

    First, though, I'm going to have to get another bookshelf, as I've begun to place books in random places around my room because I'm running out of space. xD

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    1. Whoa, that was a long comment. o.o

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    2. AFter hearing that you've only read one of those, that just makes me ever so aware of how many books there are out in the world. I wish I could read all of them! o.o

      Looking at the books you got... I don't think I've read any of them! But I really want to read Mandy's book -- I remember seeing her on America's Got Talent. She was super inspiring.

      (Go Teen Writers is the best XD)

      YES. GET MORE BOOKSHELVES. I'm getting close to the point where I have to start stacking mine on the floor. xD

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    3. Yess, I love Mandy! Her book was really good. :D

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  20. *screams and will come back to watch this later*

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    1. OKAY I'VE WATCHED IT NOW. Honestly though, whenever you do a vlog I just want to meet you so badly. Argh. I love watching and listening to you talk.

      The bloopers and how you muddle up your words is just so much like what I do all the time, not even kidding. And I always forget what a hardcover book is called. XD

      Argh yes though. All those books are gorgeous.

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    2. AHH YAY!! Oh my goodness, saaaaame. I wish there was more of a chance for you to come to Realm Makers this year. *sobs* It'd be so awesome. :')

      YAY GLAD I'M NOT THE ONLY ONE. We can be awkward ENFP superhero-story twinsies! :P

      Delete
  21. Haha, I do the same thing with trying to begin a post. It's always so awkward. XD

    EEP ISN'T PRINCESS ACADEMY THE BEST?? :D Also, HEARTLESS WAS SO PAINFUL BUT AMAZING. O_O Marissa Meyer really knows how to punch you in the feels...

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    1. Glad I'm not the only one. XD

      YESSS. BOTH ARE SO EPIC. *sobs quietly over the feels*

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  22. If I did one of these it'd be an hour long because I have a book buying problem and it's out of control. XD
    BUTTTT...thank you for the free fodder for more book-buying! Mucho appreciated!

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    1. Ha! I mean.. that's a good and a bad thing. you can never have enough books! :P

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  23. KATIE!!! YOU ARE THE CUTEST THING EVER, OH MY WORD. <3 I loved watching your vlog and the whole idea of just doing the books you acquired in 2018. Maybe I should try doing that instead? I probably should have done a vlog for my reading wrap-up but I only read 31 books, so... yeah. XD I actually got Cinder for christmas and I am so excited to read it- I've heard nothing but good things about Marissa Meyer. :)

    Great job girly!

    xx Kenzie

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  24. I loved your vlog!! I haven't read a lot of the books on your list but yo I would highly reccomend the rest of A Series of Unfortunate Events! Those books were my life as a kid and they're just generally very interesting and funny.
    Most of the time when I buy a book it's spur-of-the-moment and it's one I've already read and liked and it's from a used bookstore or a *super* cheap sale at Books-A-Million or wherever because I'm not rich. That does make for some interesting purchases, though; I found a Russian copy of Anna Karenina in a thrift shop for $2 the other day and bought it just because it was so cool. I would love to have my own copies of a few of the books I read this year (like the entirety of The Lunar Chronicles and Helen Rappaport's 'The Romanov Sisters) and a less dangerously old and decrepit copy of Notre Dame de Paris because mine's from 1925 or something and I love it dearly but it really needs to not be carted around in my backpack and such, you know? I'll keep an eye out for those whenever I'm in any used bookstores for the next few months.

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  25. I have several of these, but haven't read them, including Martin Hospitality, The Color Project, and a couple by Marissa Meyer (don't remember which ones oops).

    Princess Academy is literally one of my favorite books of EVER, and I really like A Series of Unfortunate Events (even though I haven't actually finished them)

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  26. I loved the video!

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  27. OOOOOOOH! Cress was on this list!!! That's like my FAVORITE of the Lunar Chronicles!!! Other than Winter, of course. ALSO. I haven't watched the video yet, but I noticed that Renegades got 2 stars out of 10. And maybe this was answered in the video, but I'm curious as to why? Because I also read this book just at the beginning of this year, and I...didn't really like it all that much. :P But I'm still not entirely sure WHY I didn't like it?? So I guess I'm just extremely thankful that I'm not the only one who had a hard time with this story???

    BUT ANYWAY!!! A THOUSAND PERFECT NOTES!!!! I am SOOO excited for this story! It's gonna be great... I thought there was another book that I'd heard about that I was extremely excited for at the beginning of the year, but now I've plum forgotten what it was... I think I saw it on YouTube or something. Hopefully I can find it again. XD

    (also. intros. the absolute worst thing about blogging, in my opinion.)

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