Jen's November & December Book Haul

I've had to revert back to my previous way of photographing for my final book haul of 2016. I actually thought I was doing very well at not buying too many books in the last two months of the year, but I ended up buying more than I expected to!

All the contemporary books that I bought:
Dash & Lily's Book of Dares, The Twelve Days of Dash & Lily, Nick & Norah's Infinite Playlist, Naomi & Ely's No Kiss List all by David Levithan & Rachel Cohn
If I Fix You by Abigail Johnson
I Was Here by Gayle Forman
Boomerang & Rebound by Noelle August
Girl Online Going Solo by Zoe Sugg

Shine: The Making of the Australian Netball Diamonds by Jenny Sinclair & Megan Maurice
The only non-fiction book that I bought and an absolute must read for any netball fan.

Heartless by Marissa Meyer
For Magnus Chase: Hotel Valhalla, Guide to the Norse Worlds by Rick Riordan (Thank you to Mel for gifting this to me!)
Children of Eden by Joey Graceffa
Unhinged, Ensnared & Untamed by A.G. Howard (I still need to get Splintered, the first book in this series, but all the others were available for such a good price that I couldn't not get them!)
An Illustrated History of Notable Shadowhunters & Denizens of Downworld by Cassandra Clare & Illustrated by Cassandra Jean
Six of Crows & Crooked Kingdom by Leigh Bardugo


There were a few other books that I bought, but unfortunately I had to box them up and put them into storage before I could get the chance to photograph them.
The Sun is Also a Star by Nicola Yoon
The Chemist by Stephenie Meyer
Tales from the Shadowhunter Academy by Cassandra Clare, Sarah Rees Brennan, Maureen Johnson & Robin Wasserman
Risk by Fleur Ferris
Shift by Em Bailey

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Now onto the manga part of the haul. I surprised even myself with the amount that I ended up with! They're mostly the first few volumes of series that I've been wanting to read, plus a couple of box sets. There are also a few random volumes that I bought because I just couldn't turn them down for that price, especially with how expensive manga volumes are!

Deadman Wonderland Volume 1 by Jinsei Kataoka & Kazuma Kondou 
Noragami Stray God Volume 1 by Adachikota 
Assassination Classroom Volume 1 by Yusei Matsui 
Food Wars! Volume 1 by Yuto Tsukuda, Shun Saeki & Yuki Morisaki 
Magi Volumes 1 & 6 by Shinobu Ohtaka 
The Prince of Tennis Volumes 1, 2 & 3 by Takeshi Konomi 
Skip Beat! Volumes 1, 2 & 3 by Yoshiki Nakamura 
Happy Marriage?! Volumes 1, 2 & 5 by Maki Enjoji 
Honey So Sweet Volumes 1, 2 & 3 by Amu Meguro 
A Silent Voice Volumes 1, 4 & 7 by Yoshitoki Oima 
Love at Fourteen Volumes 1 & 2 by Fuka Mizutani (Another big thank you to Mel for gifting me volume 1!) 
InuYasha VIZBIG edition Volume 3 by Rumiko Takahashi 

Death Note box set (containing volumes 1 - 13) by Tsugumi Ohba & Takeshi Obata 
I actually bought this box set a few months ago but somehow it never made it into any book haul. I read this entire series in the Black editions and loved it so much that I decided to buy my own set. 

Bakuman box set (containing volumes 1 - 20) by Tsugumi Ohba & Takeshi Obata 
This manga series is by the same creators of Death Note. After loving Death Note so much I immediately wanted to read this series and after trying out the first volume from the library, I knew that I wanted my own set. I can't wait to fully get into this series! 

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I end this haul with some Harry Potter/Fantastic Beasts books! 

  Fantastic Beasts and where to find them: The Original Screenplay by J.K. Rowling 
J.K. Rowling's Wizarding World - A Pop-up Gallery of Curiosities 
Fantastic Beasts and where to find them - Newt Scamander: A Movie Scrapbook  
Fantastic Beasts and where to find them - The Beasts: Cinematic Guide by Felicity Baker
Fantastic Beasts and where to find them - Character Guide by Michael Kogge
J.K. Rowling's Wizarding World - Movie Magic: Extraordinary People and Fascinating Places by Jody Revenson 
Inside the Magic: The Making of Fantastic Beasts by Ian Nathan  
Harry Potter Cinematic Guide Collection: Harry Potter, Hermione Granger, Ron Weasley & Albus Dumbledore

December 2016 YA Chronicles Unboxing

It's only taken until the end of the year, but one of these unboxings is actually being posted within a somewhat reasonable timeframe!

The theme for December was Simply Wonderful. 

As always, the themed bookmark. 

Some festive washi tape. I do like the design, but as I've stated in a previous unboxing, the item itself is useless to me. 

This "I fell into a book" button magnet actually isn't a bad item. 

Next were these sticky tabs. I love the different colours and I especially love how they are specifically for bookworms. I don't actually tab books myself, but I know for sure that many other people do and they would love these. 

This golden snitch bracelet is definitely my favourite item in this box. I need more Harry Potter related jewellery so this item was perfect! 

Now for the book. Finding Wonders: Three Girls Who Changed Science by Jeannine Atkins. The premise sounds interesting enough, but unfortunately the book is written in verse. There's nothing I hate more than a book written in verse, so it's one that I will never read. 

Also included was a letter from the creators of the box explaining why they chose the book. It's still not going to convince me to read this book and as a side note, the font style in combination with the background made it very difficult to read! 

Overall I rate this box somewhere between a 2.5/5 & 3/5. The items were definitely cute, but not all were practical. The book was an absolute disappointment and a complete waste of money. If it hadn't been for that golden snitch bracelet, I would have rated this box even lower.

November 2016 YA Chronicles Unboxing

Hopefully this brings us up to date with unboxings!

November's theme was Welcome to Wonderland!

The first item in the box was this heart shaped tea infuser. Cute, but not practical for the next item.

The holes in that infuser are much too large for this red vanilla tea! Plus, this tastes nothing like vanilla - red, white or otherwise!

I adore these magnetic bookmarks!

Finally, the book!

Heartless by Marissa Meyer. I've been anticipating this book for a while, so I'm really happy that it was the book this month!

There was also a book suggestion poster, but you know how we feel about those! *grumbles*waste of paper*grumbles*

Overall, I give this box 4/5. I felt that this box didn't have as many items as previous boxes, but since the book is one that I've been anticipating, I'm happy with the rating.

October 2016 YA Chronicles Unboxing

As usual, this unboxing is ridiculously late, but here it is anyway. The theme for this month was Against All Odds. 

The bookmark that came with this box. 

The first item was this Manon lip balm. It's not a bad item, but Manon just isn't one of my favourite characters.

Then there was this Six of Crows temporary tattoo. I do like the design, but the tattoo isn't something that I'd ever use. 

A Camp Half-Blood necklace. It's not often that I actually like the bookish jewellery that's included in subscription boxes, but I do like this one! 

Lastly, the book included in this box was Holding Up the Universe by Jennifer Niven. It is a book that I've been interested in, so hopefully I'll get around to reading it eventually! 

Overall, this was a pretty decent box. I actually liked all of the fandoms that the bookish items were from for a change so that was a bonus! My rating for this box is 4/5.

December 2016 TBR

Jen

My top priority will be to finish all those damn series that I have been very slowly trying to make my way through for months now. I really want it to happen by the end of the year, so it’s gotta happen this month!

The Blood of Olympus (Heroes of Olympus #5) by Rick Riordan

The Demigod Diaries by Rick Riordan   

Girl Online Going Solo (Girl Online #3) by Zoe Sugg

Anne of Ingleside (Anne of Green Gables #6) by L.M. Montgomery

Rainbow Valley (#7) by L.M. Montgomery

Rilla of Ingleside (#8) by L.M. Montgomery

The Silver Chair (Chronicles of Narnia #6) by C.S. Lewis

The Last Battle (#7) by C.S. Lewis

The Royal Book of Oz (Oz #15) by L. Frank Baum

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (#5) by J.K. Rowling - It’s completely ridiculous that yet again, this book is back on my TBR. My re-read of Goblet of Fire was back in June and somehow I STILL haven’t managed to continue on and finish the series. I’m hoping that since Harry Xmas to You is taking place in December, it will be an extra push for me to finally finish my series re-read.  

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (#6) by J.K. Rowling

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (#7) by J.K. Rowling

Mel

This month, I'm in the mood for manga!

Fruits Basket Collector's Edition Volume 2 by Natsuki Takaya
Fruits Basket Collector's Edition Volume 3 by Natsuki Takaya
Fruits Basket Collector's Edition Volume 4 by Natsuki Takaya

Bleach Omnibus Edition Volume 4 by Tite Kubo
Bleach Omnibus Edition Volume 5 by Tite Kubo
Bleach Omnibus Edition Volume 6 by Tite Kubo
Bleach Omnibus Edition Volume 7 by Tite Kubo

The Young Elites by Marie Lu

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban by JK Rowling

Gemina YA Chronicles Unboxing

This was a box put together especially for the release of Gemina by Jay Kristoff and Amie Kaufman. I was so excited for this box, because I loved Illuminae, and I couldn't wait to read Gemina!

The bookmark was stunning! I love that galaxy print!

Next is a print of the Heimdall Station.

Then there was this gorgeous microfibre pouch/pencil case, featuring a quote from Illuminae!

Next was this tote featuring a quote from Gemina!

What's interesting about this next item is that I've watched several unboxings for this particular box and none of the ones I watched had their bookmark signed. Curiously, both Jen and I received a signed one!

Finally, not a surprise like every other box, but Gemina is still a very beautiful book! This is also a signed copy, which everyone got.

There was also a letter from and a poster of the authors, which I didn't feel the need to photograph.

I rated this box 5/5!

November 2016 Wrap Up

Jen

I tried, but I didn’t get quite as much reading done in November as I wanted to. I did make some good progress on the series that I have been working on finishing before the end of the year, but I also deviated from my TBR towards the end of the month because I was just wasn’t in the mood for what I had planned on reading.

Anne’s House of Dreams (Anne of Green Gables #5) by L.M. Montgomery - 3.5/5

The Voyage of the Dawn Treader (Chronicles of Narnia #5) by C.S. Lewis - 4/5

The Making of Outlander: The Official Guide to Seasons 1 & 2 by Tara Bennett - 5/5

The Martian by Andy Weir (Audiobook narrated by R.C. Bray) - 5/5

The Magic of Oz (Oz #13) by L. Frank Baum - 3/5

Glinda of Oz (Oz #14) by L. Frank Baum - 3/5

Library of Souls (Miss Peregrine’s #3) by Ransom Riggs - 3/5

Tales of the Peculiar by Ransom Riggs - 4/5

Shine: The Making of the Australian Netball Diamonds by Jenny Sinclair & Megan Maurice - 5/5

The True Lives of the Fabulous Killjoys by Gerard Way, Shaun Simon & Becky Cloonan - 3/5

Summer Days & Summer Nights (Twelve Summer Romances) Edited by Stephanie Perkins - 3/5

The Sun is Also a Star by Nicola Yoon - 4.5/5

Destroying Avalon by Kate McCaffrey - 4/5

In Ecstasy by Kate McCaffrey - 4/5

Exit, Pursued by a Bear by E.K. Johnston - 3.5/5

The Hunger Games (#1) by Suzanne Collins (Audiobook narrated by Carolyn McCormick) - 5/5

Catching Fire (#2) by Suzanne Collins (Audiobook narrated by Carolyn McCormick) - 5/5

Mel

I managed to read a few books in November! And most of these were read when I was supposed to be writing! Lol.

Alex + Ada Volume 1 by Jonathan Luna  5/5
Alex + Ada Volume 2 by Jonathan Luna  5/5
Alex + Ada Volume 3 by Jonathan Luna  5/5
Clockwork Angel Manga by Cassandra Clare  5/5
Clockwork Prince Manga by Cassandra Clare  5/5
Clockwork Princess Manga by Cassandra Clare  5/5
Doctor Who: The Hounds of Artemis by James Goss  4/5 
Doctor Who: The Gemini Contagion by Jason Arnopp  3/5

September 2016 YA Chronicles Unboxing

Better late than never! This box was late to begin with, but it's been waiting since mid-October!

Anyway, this box was themed You Win or You Die.

This box included these amazing Game of Thrones and Harry Potter inspired prints. I love these!

Then there were these character inspired candles. I do like these, but the packaging was open when my box arrived and these lovely little things were making a nice oily mess!

I love Funko Pops, so I was really happy to receive this Jon Snow keyring!

This crown ring is adorable! Unfortunately after just a few hours wear, the gold colour had already started wearing off.

Finally, the book for this box was Three Dark Crowns by Kendare Blake. This book sounds like it's going to be an awesome read!

My rating for this box is 4/5.

Jen's Crazy Huge August, September & October Book Haul

It's been a long while but I'm finally back with another huge book haul. Work, inclement weather impeding my natural lighting for photos, laptop issues and just life in general meant that it has been several months since my last haul so I decided to just combine all the books that I bought over multiple months for a ridiculously large haul.

Quite a few of these books are continuations or conclusions to series, some were impulse buys and the rest were ones that I'd had on my wishlist for a long time that I just splurged on when I saw them for a good price.

Empire of Storms by Sarah J. Maas - 5th book in the incredible Throne of Glass series

The Darkest Magic by Morgan Rhodes - book two in A Book of Spirits and Thieves series

Glass Sword by Victoria Aveyard - book two in the Red Queen series

Forever Doon by Carey Corp & Lorie Langdon - 4th and final book in the Doon series

Frost Like Night by Sara Raasch - 3rd and final book in the Snow Like Ashes trilogy

The Beauty of Darkness by Mary E. Pearson - 3rd and final book in The Remnant Chronicles trilogy

The Black Key by Amy Ewing - 3rd and final book in the Lone City trilogy

United by Melissa Landers - 3rd and final book in the Alienated trilogy

The Dragon's Return by Stan Lee, Stuart Moore & Andie Tong - book two in the Zodiac Legacy series

The Ever Never Handbook by Soman Chainani - a companion to The School for Good and Evil trilogy

Nevernight by Jay Kristoff - 1st book in the Nevernight Chronicle series

The Thousandth Floor by Katharine McGee - book one in the Thousandth Floor series

The Hammer of Thor by Rick Riordan - book two in the Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard series

Once Upon a Dream by Liz Braswell - second book in the Twisted Tales series

Replica by Lauren Oliver - the first book in the Replica duology (Also, I couldn't decide which cover I liked best, so I decided to include both!)

Furthermore by Tahereh Mafi

Nerve by Jeanne Ryan

Frayed by Kara Terzis

Girl in Pieces by Kathleen Glasgow

Something in Between by Melissa de la Cruz

The Distance Between Us, On The Fence & The Fill-in Boyfriend by Kasie West

Disruption & Corruption duology by Jessica Shirvington

Reckoners trilogy (Steelheart, Firefight & Calamity) and the novella Mitosis by Brandon Sanderson

Lux series (Obsidian, Onyx, Opal, Origin, Opposition & Oblivion) by Jennifer L. Armentrout

 River of Time series (Waterfall, Cascade, Torrent (books 1-3)) by Lisa T. Bergren

The Next Together duology (The Next Together & The Last Beginning) by Lauren James

A Tyranny of Petticoats: 15 Stories of Belles, Bank Robbers & other Badass Girls edited by Jessica Spotswood

Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers

Two by Two by Nicholas Sparks

Small Great Things by Jodi Picoult

Where Am I Now? by Mara Wilson

Seriously...I'm Kidding by Ellen DeGeneres