Whats in my Bag!

Don't run please!! This is a book related post I swear! I was inspired to write this post by my beautiful friend Sioban over at Beauty Bylaws !!! 

I know a what's in my bag post doesn't seem like it belongs on a book blog but with what I have inside you will understand!

Let me just say I LOVE big bags and I cannot lie!

The one I am using right now is this gorgeous coach bag! I fell in love with it even when so many people think the colour is ugly...

Some of you may know that I used to have a blog and I have recently Graduated University so this stuff is not things I recently started carrying around!

First... Womenly things are still in the bag (makeup and other stuff) this isn't a beauty blog SSO I'm focusing more of the book/blog related stuff!

Of course I always have my phone and charger I didn't think you guys cared to see that!

Next I have my wallet and sunglasses because those are always needed! How will I be able to get to the book store without my glasses... How can I possibly buy books without my wallet! Lol

 

My little Camera! Its the little black pouch with the flowers! And I make sure to always have the charger it's small, doesn't take up room really. I love to carry this little guy around instead of dragging my Nikon everywhere I go! This way I'll always have a way to take pictures for all you to see!!

Next is that little creamy greenish coloured clip up top that's a little reading light! You never know!

That pink pouch at the bottom left is this adorable little thing I bough at chapters! It says "Crap" and under that little check boxes saying "more crap" "total crap" its just a cute little thing and I keep some little stuff (pens and highlighters) 

Why carry around highlighters you ask? Well how will I stay organized?! (I will post an agenda organization article in the near future) but this isn't just any old agenda... This has EVERYTHING I need in it... My life.... All my appointments, workouts, work schedule but it isn't only for my personal life. This agenda is filled with sticky notes and little lists of books I want to read, blog post ideas, review thoughts. Not only when I'm on the go but also when I'm at home, every idea finds its way into this very ugly agenda!

A Book! Of course a book! I always always always have a book with me. This is how I am able to get so much reading done! I love to know I have it! The other day I was in the DMV and there were like 60 people in line! I groaned and then remembered I had my book! I did a lot of reading that day while all those others were standing around shifting from right to left foot wasteing time!

I used to have this little book that could fit in my palm it was adorable covered in letters. In this little book I would have written down all the books I own so that when I was in book stores or book markets surround but thousands of books I would never buy a book I already had. This was very difficult as I could only add books at the end of the list and not with their series so it didn't help when I had to flip though so many pages to see if I needed that books.... Now that you to the creates of this little app called Libib (I will write a post on this if your interested) its so amazing and as long as my phone is charged I am good to go anywhere and I will have my books with me!!

Friday Reads #2

Its technically still friday!

Hey Lovlies I am working ALL weekend which sucks! BUT i will find time to read as usual
In addition to working 11 hour shifts I have a lot of stuff that I need to be getting ready for but as I am right now hopefully I'll be able to read at work... PS don't tell my boss I'm writing up a blog post at my desk lol

I dont have many books for this weekend since I am oh so busy!

First:  I don't think it will happen but I'd like to finish City of Ashes!!!

Ekk

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend!
Let me know in the comments below what your friday reads are this beautiful weekend!

Keep Reading,
Crystalsbooknook

May Bookstagram Challenge!

Here is my very own May Bookstagram Challenge! If you want to join in just tag it #maycbnchallenge


Day 1: May TBR
Day 2: Shelfie
Day 3: Favorite Bookish Item
Day 4: Completed series you own but havent read yet
Day 5: Book that intimidates you!
Day 6: Book with a male lead
Day 7: Book BF (GF)
Day 8: Book worth the hype
Day 9: Books Without Dustjacket!
Day 10: Book and Stuffed Animal
Day 11: Currently Reading
Day 12: First book you read by an Author this month
Day 13: Book and Coffee
Day 14: Latest Purchase
Day 15: Most Random Title
Day 16: Cover Buy
Day 17: Book Badboy BF (Bad Girl GF)
Day 18: Book with your favorite Colour
Day 19: Non-Fiction
Day 20: Cast A Character
Day 21: Reading Outside!
Day 22: Very First Book
Day 23: Favorite Book in Favorite Series
Day 24: Book Rainbow
Day 25: Cast a Character
Day 26: Book you never finished
Day 27: Series you want to finish by 2016
Day 28: Current Read
Day 29: Book and Glasses
Day 30: May Book Haul
Day 31: May Wrap Up

Thanks for reading and I hope you all join in!!!

Remember #maycbnchallenge

Keep Reading,

Crystalsbooknook

Top 5 Wednesday! Top 5 Favorite Harry Potter Characters!

Ello Lovelies!

So here as my first Top 5 Wednesday and as you can see in the title it is Favorite Harry Potter Characters!

Here we go!!!

1) Hermione Granger
2) Bellatrix Lestrange!
3) Hagrid
4) Ron Weasley
5) Draco Malfoy!

I know Bellatrix is not a favorite of many but I love reading about her! She's crazy and so loyal she's just awesome!!

Keep Reading!
Crystalsbooknook!

Rating Books! (My Star System!)

This is just a quick post about how I rate my books so that you all know what I mean when I give each review a certain Star rating!!
One Star: I couldnt even finish the book, or I hated it so much I only finished it to see if it happened to get any better!
Two Stars: I didnt like the book, It was far from the worst thing I have read but it needs a lot of work to make it a book that is worth me recommending to people!
Three Stars: Was a really good book but there were some elements that I felt needed to be included or excluded. Certain parts I loved while other parts... not so much
Four Stars: I enjoying this book a lot! Only very minimal annoyances that really do not bother me. I would 100% recommend this book to my fellow readers (Most books that I love would get this)
Five Stars: LOVE LOVE LOVE IT! This is a book that I find zero issues with (rare to give this to a book Harry Potter, Hunger Games and Divergent are the only ones I have given 5 to...so far) Five means I love this book so much that I probably have spent  more money then I have on extra little things related to the book -Hello Wizarding World of Harry Potter!-

Keep Reading!
Crystalsbooknook

Harry Potter Cover Love!

Hello my Loves!
How is everyone on this fine day??
Today I really just want to talk about the many different covers that have been released for the Harry Potter series!

I grew up with this story my cousin stayed up all night reading the second book out loud for us both to hear at one of our sleep overs. 

We have bonded over Harry Potter and so many others books for at least 15 years of our lives and its not something I see coming to an end any time soon. We have officially planned a visit to Universal Studios together so we can go and see the Wizarding World of Harry Potter together!! So excited!!

I have a mixture of the covers on my own shelves with the first book in the USA edition and the entire series in the... UK/Canada edition (actually 2 copies of chamber of secrets in that edition) so 9 all together and all the companion novels.

As I have been doing research for this blog I have found a variety of different covers that are out or coming out and every time we hear something -my cousin or myself- we will immediately contact the other and fill her in with our new found knowledge. The other day I did just that! When I found an article (http://io9.com/these-interactive-illustrations-make-harry-potter-even-1666263462 ) that talks about a set of books made by a girl for a school project - take a look they are amazing- when I texted my cousin she sent me a link to some scholastic covers that are being released and they changed my life! (http://www.buzzfeed.com/jarrylee/heres-the-cover-of-the-fully-illustrated-edition-of-hp) I am so excited for these new and improved books!

Now to change to some already released book cover changes! This first picture shows the glorious box set and just take in how amazingly beautiful the spines are... No words!!!

Weirdly enough these next books are actually my favorite of these two sets! I know I know a lot of you are probably calling my crazy... These are plain and boring and just weird colours that don't match the stories... 

I DONT CARE IF THATS ALL TRUE!! I'm in love!

These books are just my cup of tea, I love all the others but to have these simple and gorgeous covers on my shelf would be  something that would make me sooo happy! 

Tell me your favorite Harry Potter book covers!

Much Love & Keep Reading!

Crystalsbooknook xxoo

Crystalsbooknook-a-thon 1.0

Hello my lovlies!

Today I would like to present to you my very own read-a-thon! This isn't new for me, I have been doing my own read-a-thones when ever possible and because the many read-a-thons that are online don't always occur when its possible for me to participate.

I am however participating in todays "Deweys 24hr Read-a-thon" but I had to work which makes this rather difficult!

Quick TBR
1) Finish Red Queen
2) Start Darkest Minds

I'll post a wrap up tomorrow to see how well I did!

BUT... the point of this post is for my own read a thons!

I want to make it official so it isnt only me doing it alone, its always more fun to read together!

Some Facts for you! 
1) Anyways its going to be called Crystalsbooknook-a-thon! (so original... i know)
2) Anyways this is going to be taking place twice a month!
3) The full ones will be 4 days long!
4) and the half read-a-thons will be 1 or 2 days each!
5) There will be one short and one long each month!

Fun Stuff:
1) Four Day = Goal to read three books!
             - Read somewhere different
             - Do not rush your book, take your time, enjoy it, love it!
2) One Day = Read as much as possible!
             - Read more then normal
             - Take time to relax and do what you love!

Here is a schedule for May and June 2015
May
1) May 4th - May 7th (1.0)
2) May 17th (1.5)

June
1) June 14th - June 17th (2.5)
2) June 28th (3.0)

I hope you are participate and enjoy it!

Keep reading,
Crystalsbooknook xxoo

Book Haul #1

Hey lovelies!

Today I bring you... The first book haul of the blog.

And the last...

Nah Im just messing with you but I do not have the money to continue this addiction at full force so I will have a book buying ban post soon!

Now... To the books!

This haul has been both March and April! 

1) Storm of Swords by George R.R Martin

Deal:

I only paid $3 for this copy! It is in perfect condition and it is the large print book which made me happy!

Summary:

 Here is the third volume in George R.R. Martin's magnificent cycle of novels that includes A Game of Thrones and A Clash of Kings. Together, this series comprises a genuine masterpiece of modern fantasy, destined to stand as one of the great achievements of imaginative fiction.

Of the five contenders for power, one is dead, another in disfavor, and still the wars rage as alliances are made and broken. Joffrey sits on the Iron Throne, the uneasy ruler of of the Seven Kingdoms. His most bitter rival, Lord Stannis, stands defeated and disgraced, victim of the sorceress who holds him in her thrall. Young Robb still rules the North from the fortress of Riverrun. Meanwhile, making her way across a blood-drenched continent is the exiled queen, Daenerys, mistress of the only three dragons still left in the world. And as opposing forces manoeuver for the final showdown, an army of barbaric wildlings arrives from the outermost limits of civilization, accompanied by a horde of mythical Others—a supernatural army of the living dead whose animated corpses are unstoppable. As the future of the land hangs in the balance, no one will rest until the Seven Kingdoms have exploded in a veritable storm of swords.

2) Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard

Deal:

No deal it was a birthday gift from my amazing cousin! Thanks Dani! xxoo

Summary:

The poverty stricken Reds are commoners, living under the rule of the Silvers, elite warriors with god-like powers.

To Mare Barrow, a 17-year-old Red girl from The Stilts, it looks like nothing will ever change.

Mare finds herself working in the Silver Palace, at the centre of
those she hates the most. She quickly discovers that, despite her red blood, she possesses a deadly power of her own. One that threatens to destroy Silver control.

But power is a dangerous game. And in this world divided by blood, who will win?

3) The 5th Wave by Rick Yancey

Deal: 

Chapters had a buy 2 get 1 free!

Summary:

After the 1st wave, only darkness remains. After the 2nd, only the lucky escape. And after the 3rd, only the unlucky survive. After the 4th wave, only one rule applies: trust no one.

Now, it’s the dawn of the 5th wave, and on a lonely stretch of highway, Cassie runs from Them. The beings who only look human, who roam the countryside killing anyone they see. Who have scattered Earth’s last survivors. To stay alone is to stay alive, Cassie believes, until she meets Evan Walker.

Beguiling and mysterious, Evan Walker may be Cassie’s only hope for rescuing her brother—or even saving herself. But Cassie must choose: between trust and despair, between defiance and surrender, between life and death. To give up or to get up.

4) Paper Towns by John Green

Deal:

Chapters had a buy 2 get 1 free!

Summary: 
Who is the real Margo?
Quentin Jacobsen has spent a lifetime loving the magnificently adventurous Margo Roth Spiegelman from afar. So when she cracks open a window and climbs into his life—dressed like a ninja and summoning him for an ingenious campaign of revenge—he follows. After their all-nighter ends, and a new day breaks, Q arrives at school to discover that Margo, always an enigma, has now become a mystery. But Q soon learns that there are clues—and they're for him. Urged down a disconnected path, the closer he gets, the less Q sees the girl he thought he knew.

5) The Duff by Kody Keplinger

Deal:

Chapters had a buy 2 get 1 free!

Summary:  (Not a fan of this summary...)

Seventeen-year-old Bianca Piper is cynical and loyal, and she doesn’t think she’s the prettiest of her friends by a long shot. She’s also way too smart to fall for the charms of man-slut and slimy school hottie Wesley Rush. In fact, Bianca hates him. And when he nicknames her “the Duff,” she throws her Coke in his face.

But things aren’t so great at home right now, and Bianca is desperate for a distraction. She ends up kissing Wesley. Worse, she likes it. Eager for escape, Bianca throws herself into a closeted enemies-with-benefits relationship with him.
Until it all goes horribly awry. It turns out Wesley isn’t such a bad listener, and his life is pretty screwed up, too. Suddenly Bianca realizes with absolute horror that she’s falling for the guy she thought she hated more than anyone.

6) Daughter of Smoke & Bone by Laini Taylor

Deal:

Birthday gift from the lovely Veronica xxoo

Summary: 
Around the world, black handprints are appearing on doorways, scorched there by winged strangers who have crept through a slit in the sky.

In a dark and dusty shop, a devil’s supply of human teeth grows dangerously low.

And in the tangled lanes of Prague, a young art student is about to be caught up in a brutal otherwordly war.

Meet Karou. She fills her sketchbooks with monsters that may or may not be real, she’s prone to disappearing on mysterious "errands", she speaks many languages - not all of them human - and her bright blue hair actually grows out of her head that color. Who is she? That is the question that haunts her, and she’s about to find out.

When beautiful, haunted Akiva fixes fiery eyes on her in an alley in Marrakesh, the result is blood and starlight, secrets unveiled, and a star-crossed love whose roots drink deep of a violent past. But will Karou live to regret learning the truth about herself?

7) Dorothy Must Die by Danielle Paige

Deal:

Another birthday gift from the lovely Veronica  xxoo

Summary: 
I didn't ask for any of this. I didn't ask to be some kind of hero.

But when your whole life gets swept up by a tornado - taking you with it - you have no choice but to go along, you know?

Sure, I've read the books. I've seen the movies. I know the song about the rainbow and the happy little bluebirds. But I never expected Oz to look like this. To be a place where Good Witches can't be trusted, Wicked Witches may just be the good guys, and winged monkeys can be executed for acts of rebellion. There's still a yellow brick road - but even that's crumbling.

What happened? Dorothy.

They say she found a way to come back to Oz. They say she seized power and the power went to her head. And now no one is safe.

My name is Amy Gumm - and I'm the other girl from Kansas.
I've been recruited by the Revolutionary Order of the Wicked.
I've been trained to fight.
And I have a mission.