FAVORITE FRIDAY (#15)~ Mockingjay (The Hunger Games #3) by Suzanne Collins

Have a favorite book? Series? One that you've just read or are currently reading? Favorite Friday is a weekly meme hosted by Books and Swoons where they spotlight some of their favorite reads. Everyone is welcome to join. Just enter your information on their linky or leave them a comment.

This week's Favorite Read is:

Mockingjay (The Hunger Games #3) by Suzanne Collins

Release Date: August 24, 2010

Purchase: Amazon / Barnes and Noble

Synopsis:

My name is Katniss Everdeen.

Why am I not dead?

I should be dead.

Katniss Everdeen, girl on fire, has survived, even though her home has been destroyed. Gale has escaped. Katniss’s family is safe. Peeta has been captured by the Capitol. District 13 really does exist. There are rebels. There are new leaders. A revolution is unfolding.

It is by design that Katniss was rescued from the arena in the cruel ad haunting Quarter Quell, and it is by design that she has long been part of the revolution without knowing it. District 13 has come out of the shadows and is plotting to overthrow the Capitol. Everyone, it seems, has had a hand in the carefully laid plans—except Katniss.

The success of the rebellion hinges on Katniss’s willingness to be a pawn, to accept responsibility for countless lives, and to change the course of the future of Panem. To do this, she must put aside her feelings of anger and distrust. She must become the rebels’ Mockingjay—no matter what the personal cost.

Why it's one of my Favorite Reads:

This book broke many hearts and broke my heart many times. I think it's the first YA book that made me cry. It definitely holds a special place in my heart!

What's YOUR Favorite Book? Stop by Books and Swoons to share yours :)

FAVORITE FRIDAY (#9)~ The Lightning Thief (Percy Jackson and the Olympians #1) by Rick Riordan

Have a favorite book? Series? One that you've just read or are currently reading? Favorite Friday is a weekly meme hosted by Books and Swoons where they spotlight some of their favorite reads. Everyone is welcome to join. Just enter your information on their linky or leave them a comment.

This week's Favorite Read is:

The Lightning Thief (Percy Jackson and the Olympians #1) by Rick Riordan

Release Date: June 28, 2005

Purchase: Amazon / Barnes and Noble

Synopsis:

Percy Jackson is a good kid, but he can’t seem to focus on his schoolwork or control his temper. And lately, being away at boarding school is only getting worse-Percy could have sworn his pre-algebra teacher turned into a monster and tried to kill him. When Percy’s mom finds out, she knows it’s time that he knew the truth about where he came from, and that he go to the one place he’ll be safe. She sends Percy to Camp Halfblood, a summer camp for demigods (on Long Island), where he learns that the father he never knew is Poseidon, God of the Sea. Soon a mystery unfolds and together with his friends—one a satyr and the other the demigod daughter of Athena—Percy sets out on a quest across the United States to reach the gates of the Underworld (located in a recording studio in Hollywood) and prevent a catastrophic war between the gods.

Why it's one of my Favorite Reads:

Okay, so even though the synopsis sucks I promise you that this book is AH-MAY-ZING!!! It's pretty much what started my Greek Mythology addiction. And the author, Rick Riordan, definitely did his research because his analysis of the Greek Gods in this series is pretty spot on! So now i'm pretty much obsessed with Greek Mythology and even more obsessed with anything Rick Riordan writes!

What's YOUR Favorite Book? Stop by Books and Swoons to share yours :)

FAVORITE FRIDAY (#7)~ Out of Sight, Out of Time (Gallagher Girls #5) by Ally Carter

Have a favorite book? Series? One that you've just read or are currently reading? Favorite Friday is a weekly meme hosted by Books and Swoons where they spotlight some of their favorite reads. Everyone is welcome to join. Just enter your information on their linky or leave them a comment.

This week's Favorite Read is:

Out of Sight, Out of Time (Gallagher Girls #5) by Ally Carter

Release Date: March 13, 2012

Purchase: Amazon / Barnes and Noble

Synopsis:

The last thing Cammie Morgan remembers is leaving the Gallagher Academy to protect her friends and family from the Circle of Cavan-an ancient terrorist organization that has been hunting her for over a year. But when Cammie wakes up in an alpine convent and discovers that months have passed, she must face the fact that her memory is now a black hole. The only traces left of Cammie’s summer vacation are the bruises on her body and the dirt under her nails, and all she wants is to go home.

Once she returns to school, however, Cammie realizes that even the Gallagher Academy now holds more questions than answers. Cammie, her friends, and mysterious spy-guy Zach must face their most difficult challenge yet as they travel to the other side of the world, hoping to piece together the clues that Cammie left behind. It’s a race against time. The Circle is hot on their trail and willing to stop at nothing to prevent Cammie from remembering what she did last summer.

Why it's one of my Favorite Reads:

From the very first book, I'd Tell You I Love You, But Then I'd Have to Kill You, I was HOOKED!! But for a few reasons, this is my favorite book in the series. For one, Zach! For two, Zach shirtless! He truly is the swooniest boy ever! And I do mean the swoooooniest! Then there's Cammie and her friends, they are so badass! They make spy work look FUN!

Read my review of I'd Tell You I Love You, But Then I'd have to Kill You here

What's YOUR Favorite Book? Stop by Books and Swoons to share yours :)

FAVORITE FRIDAY (#6)~ Allegiant (Divergent #3) by Veronica Roth

Have a favorite book? Series? One that you've just read or are currently reading? Favorite Friday is a weekly meme hosted by Books and Swoons where they spotlight some of their favorite reads. Everyone is welcome to join. Just enter your information on their linky or leave them a comment.

This week's Favorite Read is:

Allegiant (Divergent #3) by Veronica Roth

Release Date: October 22, 2013

Purchase: Amazon / Barnes and Noble

Synopsis:

The faction-based society that Tris Prior once believed in is shattered-fractured by violence and power struggles and scarred by loss and betrayal. So when offered a chance to explore the world past the limits she’s known, Tris is ready. Perhaps beyond the fence, she and Tobias will find a simple new life together, free from complicated lies, tangled loyalties, and painful memories.

But Tris’s new reality is even more alarming than the one she left behind. Old discoveries are quickly rendered meaningless. Explosive new truths change the hearts of those she loves. And once again, Tris must battle to comprehend the complexities of human nature-and of herself-while facing impossible choices about courage, allegiance, sacrifice, and love.

Why it's one of my Favorite Reads:

Okay so this book has been a toss up for me from day one. I completely love this book AND completely hate it! But I guess when it comes down to it, I lean more towards the love side of the spectrum. Without saying too much about the book (for the rare few that haven't read it yet), I really feel like the author did a great job with the emotional aspect of it. I mean seriously, I cried my eyes out for weeks and my book handover was more like a book coma. I was broken to the world and nothing could bring me back. To this day, I can't read a quote from the book without fighting back tears and Pinterest has become my enemy. So for better or worse, that is the making of a great book, something that can take complete control of your emotions and make you feel like you've lost something too. Allegiant did that for me.

Read my review of Allegiant here

What's YOUR Favorite Book? Stop by Books and Swoons to share yours :)

FAVORITE FRIDAY (#5)~ Star Cursed (The Cahill Witch Chronicles #2) by Jessica Spotswood

Have a favorite book? Series? One that you've just read or are currently reading? Favorite Friday is a weekly meme hosted by Books and Swoons where they spotlight some of their favorite reads. Everyone is welcome to join. Just enter your information on their linky or leave them a comment.

This week's Favorite Read is:

Star Cursed (The Cahill Witch Chronicles #2) by Jessica Spotswood

Release Date: June 18, 2013

Purchase: Amazon / Barnes and Noble

Synopsis:

With the Brotherhood persecuting witches like never before, a divided Sisterhood desperately needs Cate to come into her Prophesied powers. And after Cate’s friend Sachi is arrested for using magic, a war-thirsty Sister offers to help her find answers- if Cate is willing to endanger everyone she loves.

Cate doesn’t want to be a weapon, and she doesn’t want to involve her friends and Finn in the Sisterhood’s schemes. But when Maura and Tess join the Sisterhood, Maura makes it clear that she’ll do whatever it takes to lead the witches to victory. Even if it means sacrifices. Even if it means overthrowing Cate. Even if it means all-out war.

In the highly anticipated sequel to Born Wicked, the Cahill Witch Chronicles continue Cate, Maura and Tess’s quest to find love, protect family, and explore their magic against all odds in an alternative history of New England.

Why it's one of my Favorite Reads:

This book! THIS. BOOK, I mean honestly, from the first page it had my heart completely invested in the words that were written. I felt so completely involved in the story. The fear, the joy, the anger, all of it was real to me. And of course it's just a great story! The author did such a good job with this series and out of the three of them, this is my favorite one. The heart break is real, guys!

What's YOUR Favorite Book? Stop by Books and Swoons to share yours :)

FAVORITE FRIDAY (#4)~ Twilight (Twilight #1) by Stephenie Meyer

Have a favorite book? Series? One that you've just read or are currently reading? Favorite Friday is a weekly meme hosted by Books and Swoons where they spotlight some of their favorite reads. Everyone is welcome to join. Just enter your information on their linky or leave them a comment.

This week's Favorite Read is:

Twilight (Twilight #1) by Stephenie Meyer

Release Date: October 5, 2005

Purchase: Amazon / Barnes and Noble

Synopsis:

About three things I was absolutely positive:

First, Edward was a vampire.

Second, there was a part of him – and I didn’t know how dominant that part might be – that thirsted for my blood.

And third, I was unconditionally and irrevocably in love with him.

When Bella Swan moves to the gloomy town of Forks and meets Edward Cullen, her life takes a thrilling and terrifying turn. With his porcelain skin, golden eyes, mesmerizing voice, and supernatural gifts, Edward is both irresistible and impenetrable. Up until now, he has managed to keep his true identity hidden, but Bella is determined to uncover his dark secret.

What Bella doesn’t realize is the closer she gets to him, the more she is putting herself and those around her at risk. And it might be too late to turn back.

Why it's one of my Favorite Reads:

So here it is, folks. The one that started a movement. There are so many reasons why I loved this book. First (and most important) is Edward. I mean seriously, Edward, Edward, Edward. That about sums up numero uno. Oh yea, and EDWARD! Haha, but jokes aside, this book took readers to a totally new world. A world that made vampires sexy and lovable, made them human (sort of) and not just monsters. And of course, it made them sparkle (because who doesn't love glitter?!) So yea, it's not your typical "monster" story.

What's YOUR Favorite Book? Stop by Books and Swoons to share yours :)

FAVORITE FRIDAY (#2)~ The Well's End (The Well's End #1) by Seth Fishman

Have a favorite book? Series? One that you've just read or are currently reading? Favorite Friday is a weekly meme hosted by Books and Swoons where they spotlight some of their favorite reads. Everyone is welcome to join. Just enter your information on their linky or leave them a comment.

This week's Favorite Read is:

The Well's End (The Well's End #1) by Seth Fishman

Release Date: February 25, 2014

Purchase: Amazon / Barnes and Noble

Synopsis:

Half a world away, the Chinese military has a target list of ten US cities in case of war. Most are obvious (DC, NY, LA) and some a little less so (Atlanta for instance has the CDC)…but one is an absolute mystery: Fenton, Colorado. Unfortunately for her, sixteen-year-old Mia Kish is about to find out what makes Fenton so special when emergency sirens start blaring and ritzy Westbrook Academy is out on lockdown. No students in or out until otherwise notified. For the rich boarders whose homes are safely states away, their concerns are missed vacations and trips home, but for the handful of townies, like Mia and her friends Jo and Rob, there’s no escaping the danger.

The situation becomes dire when students and faculty are stricken with a strange illness that ages them years in a matter of hours, the end result death, seemingly from old age. No one knows what to do, but Mia and her friends are not just going to sit there while their parents might be in mortal danger. They escape the school grounds in search of a cure and answers; answers they hope to find in the sealed off mountain bunker where her father supposedly runs Fenton Tech. but along the way, they discover that the military presence is not what it seems, and that the long buried secret of Fenton is a fabled object of myth and legend that may actually exist deep within the earth below. 

Why it's one of my Favorite Reads:

It took my totally by surprise! I mean the synopsis (as usual) is pretty far off from the book so I just never imagined that I would like it as much as I did. This book is definitely a top 10 for me...and the author confirmed there will be a second book so i'm really excited about that!

What's YOUR Favorite Book? Stop by Books and Swoons to share yours :)

FEATURE: Waiting on Wednesday (#5)

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

Hi Swooners :-)

This week my "can't-wait-to-read" pre-publication selection is:

Deadly (Pretty Little Liars #14) by Sara Shepard

Expected release date: December 3, 2013

Links: Amazon / Barnes and Noble

Summary from Goodreads:

High school seniors Aria, Emily, Hanna, and Spencer have all done horrible things- things that would put them behind bars if anyone ever found out. And their stalker “A” knows everything.

So far A has kept their secrets, using them to torture the girls. But now A’s changed the game. Suddenly the girls are hauled in for questioning, and all their worlds begin to unravel. If A’s plan succeeds, Rosewood’s pretty little liars will be locked away for good.

Just in case anyone is wondering...i'm a HUGE fan of this series and the TV show (two different stories at this point) so I CAN'T wait for this book to come out!!!!!