Top Ten Tuesday: 8 Books I Refuse to Let Anyone Touch

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme created by The Broke and The Bookish and currently hosted by Jana @ That Artsy Reader Girl.

Top Ten Tuesday: 10 Books I Am Protective Of

This week's TTT is about books in our collection we won't let anyone touch, mess with, or borrow because they're special or valuable or irreplaceable. These books I shudder at the thought of someone with unclean hands handling...

1. A Clash of Kings by George R.R. Martin

What's special about my copy? It's  signed by GRRM himself!

2. The Heart Forger by Rin Chupeco

What's special about my copy? It's the ARC copy with the different cover. I was so surprised to get this one I screamed for joy!

3. RoseBlood by A.G. Howard

What's special about my copy? It was my first physical ARC. There's always something special about your first.

4. Pretty much any of my signed books

What's special about these? Well, they're signed. I'm always afraid someone is going to walk off with them. I have a pretty huge collection, over 100 signed novels ranging from Leigh Bardugo to Sarah J. Maas (I have all of her books signed) and more. 

5.The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne

What's special about my copy? It's a special edition hardcover. 

6. Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo

What's Special about my copy? I have the collector's edition and the French edition. 

7. Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas

What's special about my copy? It's the collector's edition and it's signed.

8. Boy Heaven by Laura Kasischke 

What's special about my copy? This book is out of print and so hard to find. It took me forever to track down after accidentally getting rid of my original copy.

 What books are so special you're a bit crazy about them when other people try to look at them?

Let me know in the comments or drop me a link to your TTT!

Happy Reading Bookdragons!

Where To Find Signed Books When You Can't Get to A Signing

You all know the envy; all of your friends are meeting and having their favorite authors sign their books, whether it's at Apollycon, RARE, YALLFEST, YALLWEST, Texas Book Festival, NOLA Storycon, or any other author event and you have major FOMO. But you just couldn't swing it this time. OR.. all of your bookish friends that live in New York or some other heavily populated city get to go to book signings all the time but nobody ever comes to your middle of nowhere hometown. You'd love the latest Sarah J. Maas (or whoever the case may be) book signed but you can't make it to a signing. 

You could ask a friend to buy you a copy, but what if they forget? What if they get sick and miss the signing? What if there's a massive Krispy Kreme pile-up on 5th Avenue and they get sidetracked??? Today I'm letting you in on the secret of how I have amassed so many signed books without ever attending an author event (except my own) and where you too can order signed books for yourself. 

1. Good Choice Reading Virtual Signings

Good Choice Reading is a blog run by Damaris Cardinali who host tons of virtual signings for popular YA Authors. How it works: You order a book from their blog, pay through PayPal, when the book comes out Damaris meets with the authors who then sign the books and then in the next few days after being signed your book is on its way to you! Good Choice Reading's Virtual Signings are open internationally and you can get the book personalized to you! 

Current Virtual Signings:

- The Wicked King (and The Cruel Prince) by Holly Black

- Shatter Me (and others) by Tahereh Mafi 

- Speak (and others) by Laurie Halse Anderson

- Kingdom of the Blazing Phoenix (and Forest of a Thousand Lanterns) by Julie C. Dao

- Queen of Air and Darkness by Cassandra Clare

- The Art of Losing by Lizzy Mason

2. Apollycon Virtual Signing

Similar to Good Choice Reading, the Apollycon Virtual Signing is open from September 1st, 2018 through January 15, 2019 with over 100 participating authors! Apollycon is an annual event occurring toward the end of March each year, so when you order from the virtual signing please note that you won't get your signed books until after the event in March 2019! This is a great way to spend your Christmas money!

Some Authors Participating This Year:

Sarah J. Maas

Wendy Higgins

Jennifer L. Armentrout

Cora Carmack

Colleen Houck

Elise Kova

Kami Garcia

Katie McGarry

3. Books of Wonder 

Books of Wonder is an independent children's bookstore in New York City that hosts tons of author signings. You can preorder signed books ahead of release that will be signed at their author events then shipped to you or you can select an already released signed book from their online inventory which will be shipped to you right away. They also have a great selection of Middle Grade and Picture Books for younger children! How to know if a book is signed? On the book page it will say: "signed by."

Some of their Signed Preorders:

- Black Wings Beating by Alex London

- What If It's Us by Adam Silvera and Becky Albertalli 

- The Lady's Guide to Petticoats and Piracy by Mackenzi Lee

- Sawkill Girls by Claire Legrand

4. Book People

Book People is an independent bookstore in Austin, Texas and while they have a smaller selection of signed books than Books of Wonder, they're super friendly and they ship quickly.

5. Powell's Books

Powell's Books calls itself the world's largest independent bookstore and they also hold a bunch of signing events, not only for YA genres but a broad spectrum of genres!

6. Author Websites

Sometimes authors, usually indie authors will sell signed copies of their books directly on their websites. Those that don't might point you in the direction of where you can find signed books by them, usually directing you to contact their local booksellers who will be happy to ship to you. 

Indie Authors Who Sell Books On Their Websites:

- D. Kelly

- Skye Malone

- Kendall Ryan

- Tyffany Hackett

- Jesikah Sundin

- Becky Moynihan 

7. Waterstones

Waterstones is a bookstore in the UK and of course they have a section of books that are special editions and signed copies. This is a great option if you want those awesome UK covers. I'm pretty sure that they ship to the US. 

8. Barnes and Noble

Barnes and Noble has a new section for signed books on their website. 

***Also, if you see an author post their book tour schedule on twitter, you could always contact a specific store and see if you can order a copy by phone to be signed and personalized by the author when on their tour stop.***

Do you have any signed books? Have you met some of your favorite authors or do you order from virtual signings like me?

Book Mail: Week of August 6

To celebrate my 26th Birthday I've splurged on a few book purchases. Let's see what's been in my mail this week...

Monday:

The Last Time I Lied by Riley Sager

Two Truths and a Lie. The girls played it all the time in their tiny cabin at Camp Nightingale. Vivian, Natalie, Allison, and first-time camper Emma Davis, the youngest of the group. The games ended when Emma sleepily watched the others sneak out of the cabin in the dead of night. The last she--or anyone--saw of them was Vivian closing the cabin door behind her, hushing Emma with a finger pressed to her lips.

Now a rising star in the New York art scene, Emma turns her past into paintings--massive canvases filled with dark leaves and gnarled branches that cover ghostly shapes in white dresses. The paintings catch the attention of Francesca Harris-White, the socialite and wealthy owner of Camp Nightingale. When Francesca implores her to return to the newly reopened camp as a painting instructor, Emma sees an opportunity to try to find out what really happened to her friends.

Yet it's immediately clear that all is not right at Camp Nightingale. Already haunted by memories from fifteen years ago, Emma discovers a security camera pointed directly at her cabin, mounting mistrust from Francesca and, most disturbing of all, cryptic clues Vivian left behind about the camp's twisted origins. As she digs deeper, Emma finds herself sorting through lies from the past while facing threats from both man and nature in the present.

And the closer she gets to the truth about Camp Nightingale, the more she realizes it may come at a deadly price.

Purchase Location: Target

Price: $18.90 (30% off!)

Tuesday:

Siege and Storm by Leigh Bardugo

Darkness never dies.

Hunted across the True Sea, haunted by the lives she took on the Fold, Alina must try to make a life with Mal in an unfamiliar land. She finds starting new is not easy while keeping her identity as the Sun Summoner a secret. She can’t outrun her past or her destiny for long.

The Darkling has emerged from the Shadow Fold with a terrifying new power and a dangerous plan that will test the very boundaries of the natural world. With the help of a notorious privateer, Alina returns to the country she abandoned, determined to fight the forces gathering against Ravka. But as her power grows, Alina slips deeper into the Darkling’s game of forbidden magic, and farther away from Mal. Somehow, she will have to choose between her country, her power, and the love she always thought would guide her--or risk losing everything to the oncoming storm.

Purchase Location: HPB.com

Purchase Price: $3.70

Bonus: It was signed! Surprise! 

Wednesday

Ruin and Rising by Leigh Bardugo

The capital has fallen.

The Darkling rules Ravka from his shadow throne.

Now the nation's fate rests with a broken Sun Summoner, a disgraced tracker, and the shattered remnants of a once-great magical army.

Deep in an ancient network of tunnels and caverns, a weakened Alina must submit to the dubious protection of the Apparat and the zealots who worship her as a Saint. Yet her plans lie elsewhere, with the hunt for the elusive firebird and the hope that an outlaw prince still survives.

Alina will have to forge new alliances and put aside old rivalries as she and Mal race to find the last of Morozova's amplifiers. But as she begins to unravel the Darkling's secrets, she reveals a past that will forever alter her understanding of the bond they share and the power she wields. The firebird is the one thing that stands between Ravka and destruction—and claiming it could cost Alina the very future she’s fighting for.

Purchase Location: HPB.com

Purchase Price: $4.39

Bonus: Poster of the Grishaverse 

Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo

(French Edition)

À Ketterdam, la mafia s'organise en gangs rivaux. L'homme le plus important de la pègre est Pekka Rollins ; le plus ambitieux, le jeune Kaz Bekker, dit "les Mains sales". Aussi brillant qu'exaspérant, Kaz, second du gang des Corbeaux, ne refuse aucun coup pour peu qu'il en tire argent et panache. Sa réputation de voleur lui vaut d'emporter un marché qui le rendra riche : il doit enlever un homme retenu dans un lieu imprenable, la forteresse des Glaces, place forte des redoutables soldats-prêtres druskelles. Le prisonnier à enlever est l'inventeur de la "Jurda parem", une drogue multipliant sans limites le pouvoir des Grishas tout en les rendant soumis et dépendants. Kaz décide donc de réunir une équipe aux talents exceptionnels : - Inej, espionne hors pair alias le Spectre, - Matthias, soldat druskelle dévoré par sa haine des Grishas, - Nina, ancienne guerrière de l'armée grisha, - Wylan, escamoteur débutant, fugueur et otage volontaire, - Jesper, tireur d'élite qui parierait sa vie pour le gout du jeu. Ces coéquipiers malgré eux feront face à un enchaînement effréné d'épreuves : libérer Matthias d'Hellgate, faire face aux gangs rivaux prêts à les doubler, survivre à l'explosion de leur navire et surtout s'infiltrer dans l'imprenable cité des glaces!

Purchase Location: Amazon.com

Purchase Price: $18.70

Waiting On:

Fallen Heir by Erin Watt

Purchase Location: Erin Watt's website

Purchase Price: $15.00

Bonus: It's Signed!

Cracked Kingdom by Erin Watt

Purchase Location: Erin Watt's website

Purchase Price: $15.00

Bonus: It's Signed!

Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea by April Genevieve Tucholke

Purchase Location: HPB.com

Purchase Price: $0.87

Catwoman: Soulstealer by Sarah J. Maas

Library Hold

What I'm Reading #89 & #BookMail #32

Due to my other posts taking precedence this week I had to combine my "What I'm Reading" Wednesday and #BookMail Thursday posts for today. It's been a very busy week but I've managed to stay on top of my reading and right now I'm reading...

Eliza and Her Monsters by Francesca Zappia

Blurb:

Her story is a phenomenon. Her life is a disaster.

In the real world, Eliza Mirk is shy, weird, and friendless. Online, she’s LadyConstellation, the anonymous creator of the wildly popular webcomic Monstrous Sea. Eliza can’t imagine enjoying the real world as much as she loves the online one, and she has no desire to try.

Then Wallace Warland, Monstrous Sea’s biggest fanfiction writer, transfers to her school. Wallace thinks Eliza is just another fan, and as he draws her out of her shell, she begins to wonder if a life offline might be worthwhile.

But when Eliza’s secret is accidentally shared with the world, everything she’s built—her story, her relationship with Wallace, and even her sanity—begins to fall apart.

Why I Chose This Book | What I Think So Far:

I usually don't like anything revolving around comics but this book sounded so cute so after much back and forth I decided to order it from Amazon. I'm only into chapter three but I really like it so far! 

I got two pieces of book mail this week! One I had won from @bookcrushin on Instagram from #SignedBooksSundays and the other I ordered from Amazon...

Signed Copy of:

Queen of Shadows by Sarah J. Maas

I was so excited when I saw that Queen of Shadows was one of the books I had to choose from when I won last month's #SignedBooksSundays and I was happily surprised that Kelly included some awesome signed bookmarks from Wendy Higgins and Cora Carmack as well. Three of my favorite authors!

Eliza and Her Monsters by Francesca Zappia

Obviously, I already told you that I ordered Eliza and Her Monsters. *Sighs happily* I love being an Amazon Prime Member... I get anything I order in two days or less. :)

September Waiting On:

Signed Copies Of:

Because of Lila by Abbi Glines (wonder if I'll ever get this one?!?!)

The Dazzling Heights by Katharine McGee

Tower of Dawn by Sarah J. Maas

The Assassin's Blade by Sarah J. Maas

Hunting Prince Dracula by Kerri Maniscalco

The Language of Thorns by Leigh Bardugo

Book Review: Walk the Edge by Katie McGarry

Walk the Edge (Thunder Road #2) by Katie McGarry

Blurb:

One moment of recklessness will change their worlds.

Smart. Responsible. That's seventeen-year-old Breanna's role in her large family, and heaven forbid she put a toe out of line. Until one night of shockingly un-Breanna-like behavior puts her into a vicious cyber-bully's line of fire—and brings fellow senior Thomas "Razor" Turner into her life. 

Razor lives for the Reign of Terror motorcycle club, and good girls like Breanna just don't belong. But when he learns she's being blackmailed over a compromising picture of the two of them—a picture that turns one unexpected and beautiful moment into ugliness—he knows it's time to step outside the rules. 

And so they make a pact: he'll help her track down her blackmailer, and in return she'll help him seek answers to the mystery that's haunted him—one that not even his club brothers have been willing to discuss. But the more time they spend together, the more their feelings grow. And suddenly they're both walking the edge of discovering who they really are, what they want, and where they're going from here.

My Review:

Walk the Edge is the second book in the Thunder Road trilogy although for the most part it can be read as a standalone. 

Breanna Miller feels like she doesn't fit in anywhere - not at school or in her family of nine children. That's because she's insanely smart - think Dr. Spencer Reid of Criminal Minds in the body of a teenage girl. 

On the other hand, is Thomas "Razor" Turner, one of the big bad members of the Reign of Terror motorcycle club that Breanna has been taught to fear her entire life. But when Breanna needs his help stopping a blackmailer holding an incriminating photo over her head the two start an unlikely friendship that quickly blazes into something more. 

I like how in Katie McGarry's books she always marries two different worlds, two different groups of characters that you wouldn't think would fall for each other until they do. In her Pushing the Limits series it was teens with rough home lives living in the foster care system falling in love with people from the white collar part of town and in this series it's good girls falling for biker boys. 

I loved Nowhere But Here but, to be honest, although I liked Walk the Edge, I didn't like it as much as Nowhere But Here.

Don't get me wrong, I loved Razor and Breanna but there was just something not as exciting as the first book. A spark that was missing. A lot of the book was spent talking about the weird way Breanna's mind worked and dishing out random facts and just like book 1 every tragic thing that happens to the members of the Terror seems to stem back to the Riot in some way. 

One thing was consistent, I hated Breanna's family just as much as I hated Meg in Nowhere But Here. And I really wasn't feeling Violet in this book. Her attitude is getting on my nerves. I hope my opinion of her changes in Long Way Home.

Overall, I liked this book, but I felt that the ending came together rather quickly. 

My Rating:

3.90 of 5 Stars!

"What I'm Reading" Wednesday #69

Oooh, the 69th week of my "WIR"-Wednesday posts! That makes me think of Zoey Derrick's 69 Bottles series, but alas - that's not what I'm reading this week. This is partially a "What I'm *Still* Reading" Wednesday and a "What I Will Be Reading" Wednesday because I fully intend to finish reading the book I'm currently on by tomorrow morning at the latest and start with the next book on my list by tomorrow night...

Roar (Stormling #1) by Cora Carmack

Blurb:

In a land ruled and shaped by violent magical storms, power lies with those who control them.

Aurora Pavan comes from one of the oldest Stormling families in existence. Long ago, the ungifted pledged fealty and service to her family in exchange for safe haven, and a kingdom was carved out from the wildlands and sustained by magic capable of repelling the world’s deadliest foes. As the sole heir of Pavan, Aurora's been groomed to be the perfect queen. She’s intelligent and brave and honorable. But she’s yet to show any trace of the magic she’ll need to protect her people.

To keep her secret and save her crown, Aurora’s mother arranges for her to marry a dark and brooding Stormling prince from another kingdom. At first, the prince seems like the perfect solution to all her problems. He’ll guarantee her spot as the next queen and be the champion her people need to remain safe. But the more secrets Aurora uncovers about him, the more a future with him frightens her. When she dons a disguise and sneaks out of the palace one night to spy on him, she stumbles upon a black market dealing in the very thing she lacks—storm magic. And the people selling it? They’re not Stormlings. They’re storm hunters.

Legend says that her ancestors first gained their magic by facing a storm and stealing part of its essence. And when a handsome young storm hunter reveals he was born without magic, but possesses it now, Aurora realizes there’s a third option for her future besides ruin or marriage. 

She might not have magic now, but she can steal it if she’s brave enough.

Challenge a tempest. Survive it. And you become its master.

Current Progress:

Page 205 of 378 (54%)

Here's What I Will Be Reading Next...

The Great Pursuit by Wendy Higgins

Blurb:

One hunt has ended, but the pursuit for love and justice continues.

The kingdom of Lochlanach has traded the great beast that once terrorized the realm of Eurona for something far more dangerous: the ire of powerful Lashed woman Rosaria Rocato. Rosaria demands that Eurona overturn the laws prohibiting magic, or an innocent will be killed each day.

Despite the king’s resistance, Princess Aerity believes they must make peace with the Lashed, and though she’s accepted a betrothal to the man who took down the beast, she cannot help thinking about Paxton, the Lashed man who stole her heart and disappeared.

Aerity soon discovers that Paxton has joined Rosaria’s army in the war against her family. Though her feelings for him are still strong, her duty to her kingdom and her family is stronger—especially when her parents are kidnapped and she has to step up to the throne and once again put aside what’s best for her in order to do what’s best for her people. Paxton and Princess Aerity must fight to see what is more powerful: their love or the impending war between the magical Lashed and the non-magic humans.

Why I Chose This Book To Read Next | What I'm Hoping Will Happen:

I've been waiting to read this book for so long and it's at the top of my TBR list now that I've received my ApollyCon Virtual Signing Order. I've been puzzling and puzzling over what would happen in this book since I finished The Great Hunt and this is what I hope will happen:

1) Paxton and Aerity will end up together

2) The lashed will find equality with the non-lashed

3) Aerity's cousin and her current betrothed will end up together... maybe?

4) Paxton's brother will end up with someone... maybe? 

Will any of my hopes come true? I'll let you know after I read The Great Pursuit... or will I? *cue evil cackling*

"Book Mail" Thursday #11

This "Book Mail" Thursday includes an expected book order and an unexpected book in my mailbox! This week's book mail was...

Signed Copies of: Red Queen and Glass Sword by Victoria Aveyard, An Ember In The Ashes by Sabaa Tahir, The Graces by Laura Eve, The Raven Boys by Maggie Stiefvater, and the unexpected book Cage of Deceit by Jennifer Anne Davis (because I was selected for a blog tour for the second book in the series).

I'm so lucky to have so many amazing books to add to my TBR List! 

Waiting on:

Wintersong by S. Jae-Jones

(This is actually a library book I have a hold on and am waiting for. Hopefully I get it within the next week!)

"Book Mail" Thursday #7

Christmas came early and I got book mail on Tuesday! 

Just An Illusion - Side A by D. Kelly

As I mentioned last week, I won a signed paperback copy of Just An Illusion - Side A by D. Kelly through a Facebook giveaway and I was excited to get it in Tuesday's mail. The print copy is even more gorgeous than I thought it would be. I loved Just An Illusion - Side A and I can't wait for the B-Side to come out later this winter! 

Waiting On:

I broke down and ordered the Barnes and Noble Exclusive Edition of RoseBlood (because when you preorder RoseBlood you can get a free Thorn postcard signed by AG Howard! More details here)

And I also added three books to my Apollycon 2017 Virtual Signing order...

The Affiliate by K.A. Linde

Empire of Storms by Sarah J. Maas (US Cover)

The Shadow Queen by C.J. Redwine

Do you want to get signed copies of books by some of your favorite authors? Shop the Apollycon 2017 Virtual Signing! More info can be found here.

Neither of the orders I've mentioned will come to me until after the new year (April for the Apollycon order to be exact) so it might be a little while before you see another Book Mail Thursday post from me! 

UPCOMING EVENT: ONLINE HOLIDAY BOOK SALE

Have you been waiting for the chance to get a signed paperback copy of The Haunting Love or Finding Elizabeth? 

From Black Friday through Cyber Monday I'll be holding a MASSIVE Book Inventory Clearance / HOLIDAY BOOK SALE here on my blog. 

Both The Haunting Love and Finding Elizabeth will be marked down to $5.00 each! This is a one-time event, so don't miss out! 

Books can be shipped anywhere in the U.S. or picked up in person if you're local to the Shawano, Wisconsin area! (Sorry, no international shipping)

Here's what you need to know: 

HOLIDAY BOOK SALE EVENT

WHAT: Holiday Book Sale

WHEN: Friday, November 25 through Monday, November 28, 2016

 WHERE: My Blog (You Are Here)

BOOKS THAT WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE: The Haunting Love (Paperback) and Finding Elizabeth (Paperback)

The Haunting Love
List Price: $16.99
Holiday Sale Price: $5.00!
71% off

Finding Elizabeth
List Price: $13.99
Holiday Sale Price: $5.00!
64% off!

FAQ:

Question: Will Out of Darkness be part of the Holiday Book Sale? 

Answer: No. The purpose of this Holiday Book Sale is for me to clear out my inventory of books. At this time I only have The Haunting Love and Finding Elizabeth in stock.

Question: Could I Order A Copy of Out of Darkness or Preorder A Copy of Into the Light?

Answer: Technically, yes. But since neither Out of Darkness nor Into the Light are part of the sale you'll be paying the full list price; $14.99 for Out of Darkness and $18.99 for Into the Light. I also cannot guarantee that you will receive Out of Darkness or Into the Light before the beginning of the new year because of the "printing/shipping to me/shipping to you" timeline.

Question: What Are My Shipping Options?
Answer: You have two options: 

Option A: If you live within a reasonable radius of Shawano, Wisconsin (where I live) and you would like to meet somewhere to pick up your book arrangements can be made for you to pick up your book in person, therefore eliminating shipping altogether.

Option B: If you live anywhere else in Wisconsin or the United States your book will be shipped to you media mail. Shipping cost will be added to your total on your PayPal invoice.

Question: Do I have to have a PayPal account to order a book?  
Answer: Yes, unless you choose to pick up your book in person. Otherwise, a PayPal invoice will be sent to you and your book will be sent out within a few days after I receive payment. 

Question: How will ordering work?
Answer: I'm working out those details right now but most likely it will work through a Google Form and once I receive your order you will either get an email from me (for in-person pickups) or a PayPal invoice (for long distance orders).

Question: Will the Books Be Signed? 
Answer: Absolutely! There will even be a space for you to fill in any personalization you wish for me to sign your book to. (Ex. "sign books personalized to Becca" or "sign The Haunting Love to Becca and Finding Elizabeth to Lauren")

If anyone has any additional questions please let me know!