Hey everyone... I'm back (temporarily) and I need your help!!

[Brittany (finally graduated and can once again read for fun)]

So, for those of you who are newer, you won't remember, but I used to frequent these boards all the time (just ask Heidi... we liked to fight, and Becca, my book twin, among others). That was before grad school took over my life and pretty much all extra time I had available for reading. But I have good news! I have an 18 day semester break coming up on Thursday and I cannot even explain to you my excitement. Of course I have to make it through 5 exams first, but after that... freedom!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ... for 2 weeks. :)

This is where you come in. I have 18 days to read. So, given this limited amount of time I'm looking for recommendation. I want to best of the best here. Doesn't have to be YA. I'm hoping for books a haven't read before so take a look at my shelves http://www.goodreads.com/review/list/... and recommend away. Also they have to be accessible from the library because... well, I'm a broke grad student who will be unemployed for the next 2 years.

i miss you girls! Can't wait to see what's new and fun to read.

Ready... Go!

[Cinderela]

I can't see your list!
:(

[Cassi aka Snow White]

Agree with Plain Kate, The Lost Conspiracy and Please Ignore Vera Dietz. Also how are you with politics/zombies? Because I really liked Feed. Haven't read the other 2 but have heard great things about them.

Also going to add and . Apparently we're not goodreads friends so I can't check what you have read.

Also if you have netgalley you NEED because its super impressive.

[Heidi]

Hello Brittany! I looked at your shelves and from your tbr pile I would recommend , , and .

I am fairly certain you have a Nook so you need to run over and get for free from Netgalley. I also recommend the authors other book . You will not likely be able to get Raw Blue that Catie mentioned because only Kobo has it but I second her recommendation for Please Ignore Vera Dietz.

[Brittany (finally graduated and can once again read for fun)]

I don't know what this netgalley thing is, but I'm willing to learn. Please explain. Then I'll be right on top of it.

As Heidi says, I have a Nook. (that is currently being loaned out to a friend since I can't really use it) But I'm sure I can get it back during this break.

Anyway... do tell. I'm excited to learn.

P.S. Heidi, when did you get a Kindle?? I thought you had a different ereader?

[Gwennie]

I just copy paste my Goodreads review, lol.

[Heidi]

Brittany (currently surrounded by text books) wrote: "I don't know what this netgalley thing is, but I'm willing to learn. Please explain. Then I'll be right on top of it.

As Heidi says, I have a Nook. (that is currently being loaned out to a fr..."

As Catie said just go to Netgalley and create an account. IMO it takes a little getting used to their site, but it is worth it for free books. They also ask you questions that will make you feel like you are not supposed to use it as a single reader - especially a non blogger like me - but just answer what you can that is what I did. I got a Kindle a couple months ago. I sold my Cruz because the wifi sucked on two separate trips I took. The wifi seems much better on the Kindle and I got it pretty cheap so it all worked out. I have only read one full book on it (Graffiti Moon).

[Cassi aka Snow White]

I have a blog that I was mainly using to enter book giveaways (don't look at me like that!) but I post my reviews there as well now. Not all of them but the ones I actually put effort into like Netgalley reviews.

I still get confused when I try to submit my review sometimes. Keep forgetting where to go. Also do that sometimes when I try to download books.

[Gwennie]

I do too. It's not really easy to navigate.

[Cassi aka Snow White]

Wendy F wrote: "I do too. It's not really easy to navigate."

I know. But it keeps getting more and more books (and better books it seem) so I can cope with the hassle. Even though I don't think I've ever visited Netgalley and not misclicked at least once.

[Gwennie]

I'm so bummed that i missed .

A friend PM'ed me and told me it was on NetGalley, I searched and searched but never found it. They must have taken it down before I got a chance to request it.

[Cassi aka Snow White]

I tried to find something on Netgalley once, couldn't then looked later and it had reappeared.

I didn't know that was on Netgalley. There for awhile I read a few sub-par books from Netgalley and took a brief break. But the past few books from there have been good so it's back in my good graces.

[Gwennie]

I'm flipping through now and I see they have !

That is one of my most favorite books ever when I was a teen. They've updated the cover to make it look more modern.

[Heidi]

Wendy F wrote: "I'm so bummed that i missed .

A friend PM'ed me and told me it was on NetGalley, I searched and searched but never found it. They must have taken it down befo..."

If they ever re-post this book let me know please!

[Brittany (finally graduated and can once again read for fun)]

Wow ladies, thank for the info. Do I have to download to my computer first or can I get directly to my Nook?

[Heidi]

Mine downloads directly to my Kindle, but I think with the Nook you have to download to the computer and transfer it that way.

[Becca]

Brittany!!! Welcome back temporarily! Missed you, hope school is going swell. From your to-read list I would recommend (Love love love!), (super funny for anyone who loves Jane Austen), (have you really not read this one yet?), and

[Brittany (finally graduated and can once again read for fun)]

Becca!!!!!! Hello Book Twin! I miss YOU! Pretty much every time I'm near campus at the U (which isn't often) I think of you. Thanks for your opinions. Are there any other fabulous reads you have in mind that aren't in my TBR list?? I'm open to suggestion. If there is some epic new book out of Hunger Games proportions I need to get my hands on it now, because I won't be able to read again for fun until Christmas.

[Brittany (finally graduated and can once again read for fun)]

Oh... where's CATIE? Catie... music twin, where are you? I wanted to tell you, I went to the Bright Eyes concert on Thursday. Not overly impressed. Still, I love a good free outdoor hippie concert.

I missed The Decemberists because of a friend's birthday party. I was really hoping he could have rescheduled his birthday, but some how it seemed out of his control (I mean who can't reschedule their own birthday?), so I missed it. I heard it was rad though.

Also, I got an email saying that Jack's Mannequin are touring to promote their new album. They're coming to Salt Lake in October!! I'm excited. If I can't have Something Corporate, I guess JM is the next best thing. Any way I can get Andrew with a piano is fabulous!!!

[Heidi]

Becca wrote: "Brittany!!! Welcome back temporarily! Missed you, hope school is going swell. From your to-read list I would recommend (Love lo..."

I concur with Becca about Guernsey, Amy & Roger, and Poison Study. I liked The Thief but was not blown away by it. I checked my recent reads and the only one I really liked was . It was very similar to The Knife of Never Letting Go so I think that helped. I am not sure if you have read the Ruby Oliver series, but I highly recommend it. The first book is .

[Becca]

Brittany (currently surrounded by text books) wrote: "Becca!!!!!! Hello Book Twin! I miss YOU! Pretty much every time I'm near campus at the U (which isn't often) I think of you. Thanks for your opinions. Are there any other fabulous reads you have ..."

The only book I've read recently that i gave 5 stars to was Across the Nightingale Floor . Lovely little historical fantasy that had some completely unexpected twists. I loved it even though it had a bit of a romeo and juliet vibe at times. I just requested the rest of the series from the library.

I also really enjoyed 4.5 stars and only because I got annoyed with some of the diction toward the end. It ranks right up there with Poison Study (same author), which falls somewhere behind Graceling but in the same ballpark.

And I'll second Catie's recommendation of . 5 stars, sweet little story that was odd but completely enjoyable.

Guess what Brittany! I had my baby. She's a sweet little thing who doesn't like me to be on the computer. My little dictator is setting new rules. How's Provo treating you? We've been down to 7Peaks a few times lately and thinking of you I've wondered if you've been able to get out at all.

[Heidi]

Catie wrote: "Hey Brittany *waves* over here!

I changed my profile pic, so you may not have noticed that I was actually the first to comment on this thread ;)

YAY! That's so cool that you are going to fre..."

That CD is excellent Catie. Thanks!

[Heidi]

Catie wrote: "Glad that you like it Heidi!"

I ordered the CD from my library so I can listen to the entire thing. I will not burn it if I really love it I swear *crosses fingers behind her back*

[Brittany (finally graduated and can once again read for fun)]

Wow... so much to respond to. Firstly, I LOVE the Civil Wars! So yay for that! Glad you girls like them too.

Secondly thank you so much for all the recommendations. I only have a mere 2 finals left, then I am free to read at will! Sigh... I cannot wait. Also I should be able to talk on the boards more while on vacation. Yay!!

Becca, I haven't been able to get out and about as much as I've wanted, but when I do it's fun. I actually went to 7 peaks on Friday. It was a blast. We did the after 6 thing for only $10 and I felt like I got my fill of the rides. I also got a little extra surprise and was stung by a bee on the way into the park. Lame right?! I've been hiking a little bit, and I went to one of those free concerts downtown on top of the parking structure next to Sammies (best shakes on earth BTW). I guess my only real complaint about the area is the traffic. I'm from small town Colorado so this is crazy, and I hear it's only going to get worse once the students come in for the fall semester. Also, I'm not used to everything being closed on Sundays. That took some major adjusting. But I love my classmates and the mountains make me feel at home, so it's all good. And when I want my concert/beer fix I make my way up to Salt Lake. It's nice it's so close. So I guess the short answer is Yes, I'm liking it here.

Also, yay baby girl!! That is fabbity fab fab. Hopefully she's a dictator that sleeps through the night. :)

[Becca]

Bee stings = Totally Lame!
Provo Traffic = Totally Sucks Balls!
Food, Music, & Exercise = Totally worth it!

The one thing I miss when I leave Utah are the mountains. Plus you can't beat them for keeping your sense of direction. I was always lost living in SoCal. And yes, the traffic gets worse when the students come back, but not that much worse. A lot of people walk/bike everywhere. Did you know Salt Lake is actually considered more dangerous when it comes to driving than Provo is? It was in the top ten of "Most dangerous places in America to drive" list. Hahaha!

I'm so glad school has been enjoyable thus far. Sending good vibes your way! Happy reading and may your break treat you well.

Girl child-dictator does okay at nights. She's up two or three times to eat, but it isn't horrific. Babies are fun. And I love her madly!

[Brittany (finally graduated and can once again read for fun)]

That's interesting because I was told Utah County was #3 nationwide for bad driving. And yes, I've lived here long enough to know that I HATE Utah driving. I feel like I get cut off every other day.

Catie... you keep finding those free concerts. The best part about liking bands no one has heard of is that the concerts are CHEAP!! Admittedly also sometimes horrible, but still, I'd rather be in a seedy venue with a $25 ticket than a jam packed arena anyday. Although I will admit U2 was worth it.

[Ashley]

Sorry to but in. I just have a question on netgalley. Do I count as a "professional reader" if all I do is review here on goodreads?

[Gwennie]

I have a NetGalley account as a 'professional reader' and I just count my reviews from here.

[Brittany (finally graduated and can once again read for fun)]

I have a Netgalley question too. Now, I have yet to visit the site (one more final) but is it compatable with a Mac? i can't tell you the trouble I've had with Ebooks from the library all because I have a Mac. I just want to be prepared.

[Heidi]

No idea about Mac Brittany. Ashley I said I was a professional (that sounded bad).

[Cassi aka Snow White]

I have a mac and no issues!

[Brittany (finally graduated and can once again read for fun)]

Excellent!! Thanks Ladies! I knew you'd come through for me.

[Brittany (finally graduated and can once again read for fun)]

** cough cough**

It's that time again. 4 exams and 3 days stand between me and a 3 week break from school, and then another 6 weeks without classes (clinical rotation). Anyway, I'm hoping to have reading time. I just looked over this thread and there are a lot of books I haven't gotten to yet, but I'm always looking for something fun and new.

My plan for the break is to read Daughter of Smoke and Bones, which I got through the mail and I'm super excited about, and if I can get my hands on the audio version of the Chaos Walking series I'm hoping to get through some of that during my multitude of road trips. Also I bought MM's short story Ferragost which I am, of course, thrilled to read. I'm also contemplating a re-read of Froi, but I haven't decided definitively on that yet.

Question... I friend recommended I read Warrior Heir and the rest of the series by Chima... anyone read it and have thoughts?

Hope everyone had/is having a fabulous summer!!

[Becca]

I read The Warrior Heir series Brittany. I enjoyed it. It had a semi-unique and interesting premise and the characters were good. I think you would like it, but I wasn't jumping up to go get the next one right now kind of thing.

If you haven't gotten around to the Mistborn trilogy yet, I'd encourage you to move it up the Que. I still think of the MC in that one as Katsa's twin sister.