April 2016 YA Chronicles Unboxing

The theme for April was Journal Junkie.

The monthly bookmark. 

A notebook for keeping track of your To Do lists. The design is bright and colourful, which is what appeals to me. However, I don't have much use for the notebook itself.

Some Currently Reading stickers. Again, I love the bright colours and the design, but I have no use for these.

Book washi tape. I really like the cute design on the tape, but as with the other items, I probably wouldn't ever use this.

Finally, the book. This is Where the World Ends by Amy Zhang. This is a YA contemporary that I haven't heard too much about. While this probably isn't a book that I would have gone out and bought myself, the premise does interest me enough that I would eventually read this when I'm in the mood for it. 

Overall, this box was just okay and I rate it 2.5/5. The theme didn't really seem like my thing in the first place and I was right. This was definitely an improvement on the March box, but I was still a little disappointed in the items that were included. They're cute and I'm sure other people would love them, but I personally wouldn't ever have a use for them. I don't have a journal or anything and there's just no way I would ever mess up my books by sticking stuff all over them.

March 2016 YA Chronicles Unboxing

March's YA Chronicles theme was Australia Made.

The monthly bookmark. 

A tote. Very plain, kinda boring.

A wooden bookmark. It's cool and all, and definitely the best item in the box, but impractical for those of us who care about keeping our books in good condition. This is way too thick and could potentially stretch out the spine. This is how pages fall out!!

Hey, look. An ad disguised as a poster.

And the other side is another ad. Yay.

And finally the book. The Sidekicks by Will Kostakis.

There was also a bookmark with the book cover on it, but I forgot to photograph it.

Ok, unboxing done.

I do want to discuss a few things about this box. An actual review, you might say.

This was the most disappointing box the both of us have received yet.

I was so excited for this theme, because I am all about supporting and showcasing things created in and by Australia/ns.

I was disappointed because all of these items are just so bland!

And an ADVERTISEMENT?! Seriously?! Did they run out of ideas???

Okay, so now I have to live with the knowledge that I paid actual money for an ad. Great.

This book actually came with personalised signatures, which is the worst thing they could have organised. Neither Jen nor I have any interest in this book. I hardly read YA contemporary because I'm just not interested, so I immediately want to unhaul it. But because it's personalised, I can only gift it to someone with my name or drop it off at a used bookshop/op shop for someone who doesn't care about writing in their book. I can't donate it to my local library because it's a) been written in and b) there's that embossed YA Chronicles stamp.

If this was my first experience with this subscription box, I would be so let down and I would probably never buy it again. Luckily, this is the only time I've been disappointed with this box, so I'm happy to continue getting them.

Overall, I rate this box 1.5/5.

Jen's March 2016 Book Haul

So I went and spent too much on books...again. But I had a discount code from Book Depository so of course I took advantage of that and bought a lot of books at some great prices! 

Captive Prince trilogy by C.S. Pacat 
There have been plenty of mixed reviews about this trilogy but I was interested enough to pick them up for myself. 

The Doon series by Carey Corp and Lorie Langdon 
This is a time travel series that I have heard fantastic things about and those covers are so beautiful! Only the first three books are out currently, but I have already pre-ordered the fourth one. 

Eon & Eona by Alison Goodman 
A high fantasy duology involving magic and dragons. These books have been on my wishlist for the longest time and now I finally have them! 

A Wicked Thing & Kingdom of Ashes by Rhiannon Thomas 
This duology is a re-imagining of Sleeping Beauty and I love a good fairytale retelling so of course I had to get these!

The Forbidden Wish by Jessica Khoury 
Another fairytale retelling! This one is based on Aladdin and I'm so excited to read it! 

Daughter of Smoke & Bone trilogy by Laini Taylor 
This paranormal romance trilogy is raved about by so many people and has been on my radar for over a year! It was always so expensive in the past so when I finally saw the box set for a good price, I jumped on it!

Deltora Quest 1, Deltora Quest 2: Shadowlands & Deltora Quest 3: Dragons of Deltora by Emily Rodda 
These are middle grade fantasy books that Aprilius Maximus constantly talks about on her booktube channel. Emily Rodda is actually a popular Australian children's author, but I'd never read any of her books as a kid. I finally decided to investigate this series further and was interested enough to buy the three bind-up collections for myself.

Between Shades of Gray & Salt to the Sea by Ruta Sepetys 
I have been wanting to branch out into reading more historical fiction and Salt to the Sea has been getting a lot of hype recently. Both of these standalone books sounded interesting to me so I went ahead and bought them. 

Code Name Verity & Rose Under Fire by Elizabeth Wein 
This is a historical fiction duology that gets great reviews so I decided to give these books a try as well. 

Pushing the Limits series by Katie McGarry 
This is a YA contemporary romance series that I have been wanting to read for the longest time but the price had always stopped me from getting these books in the past. I finally have them now and I'm excited to read these because I have heard nothing but great things about this author! 

The Sidekicks by Will Kostakis 
This was the book in the March YA Chronicles box. It was even signed and personalised by the author. Unfortunately, I have zero interest in this book. 

Lady Midnight by Cassandra Clare
The first book in the Dark Artifices trilogy set in the Shadowhunter universe. I've been eagerly anticipating this book and I pre-ordered the special signed hardcover edition!

Mel's March 2016 Book Haul

 Finally got around to doing this!

The Colour of Magic and Mort by Terry Pratchett - I've been recommended several times to read some of the Discworld series, so I decided to pick up the very first book in the series and Mort, which is the book everyone recommends when they suggest this series.

Bleach Omnibus #2 Volumes 4-6 by Tite Kubo and Death Note Black Edition Volume 2 by Tsugumi Ohba - Continuing on my manga kick, I picked these up in case they weren't there the next time I visited the store. Good call, because Death Note had sold out!

Being of the Field by Traci Harding - I found this book for $3 at a pop-up stall at one of the shopping centres I go to regularly. I previously bought this book for mum, but when she was done with it, she gave it to my sister before I had a chance to read it, so that copy now lives in Tasmania and I have my own copy.

Harry Potter Magical Creatures Colouring Book - Because Harry Potter!

Lady Midnight by Cassandra Clare - A highly anticipated book! I love Cassandra Clare's Shadowhunter world, so this book was a must! I do want to wait to read it though. I want the bind up of the Shadowhunter Academy novellas first because I'm not paying for them twice and ebooks kill my eyes. Plus, less wait between this and the next in The Dark Artifaces series.

Winter by Marissa Meyer - I finally got around to reading Cinder, so now I want to continue the series. I picked this up when I found the cheapest price, even though I don't have Scarlet or Cress yet!

Inside Out by Maria V Snyder - I picked up Outside In in February, so when my usual store finally stocked this, I picked it up.

The Sidekicks by Will Kostakis - This was the book that came in March's YA Chronicles subscription box (unboxing post coming soon).

April 2016 TBR

Jen 

This is going to be yet another month in which I have an overly ambitious TBR, especially since a few of my picks are very lengthy! The netball season in Australia also begins in April! I’m so excited for it but it will mean less time for reading. I know that I probably won’t be able to get to all the books on this list, but I have the ever constant problem of just wanting to read everything at once. I can’t narrow this list down any more but it does give me some room for choice.

Dragonfly in Amber (Outlander #2) by Diana Gabaldon

I started Outlander in January and was not expecting to love it as much as I did. I sped through all 800+ pages of it because all I wanted to do was keep reading. I recently just got around to watching season one of the TV show and absolutely loved it. It totally put me back in the mood to continue reading the books. I have heard that this book is a lot slower and not as good as the first book but I’m still excited to read it, especially since season two of the TV show will be airing very soon!

Not A Drop To Drink by Mindy McGinnis

This is a dystopian book that I have been interested in reading for a while now. This is the April book pick for the Goodreads group Chapter Chats with Trina. Trina constantly raves about this book (and its sequel In A Handful Of Dust), on her booktube channel Between Chapters and it was actually what convinced me to buy these books. I was super excited to see that this was the first book chosen for the GR group and I can’t wait to read it (and the sequel if I can get to it)!

Tales from the Shadowhunter Academy by Cassandra Clare, Sarah Rees Brennan, Maureen Johnson & Robin Wasserman

After having finally finished my re-read of the entire Mortal Instruments series I’m excited to stay in the shadowhunter world as I read this collection of novellas and then move on to…

Lady Midnight (The Dark Artifices #1) by Cassandra Clare

I have wanted to read this book since I finished The Mortal Instruments for the first time about a year ago. It was a long wait but now that I finally have it I can’t wait to just immerse myself in the story.

The World of Ice and Fire: The Untold History of Westeros and the Game of Thrones by George R.R. Martin

I read all five books currently out in the Song of Ice and Fire series and watched all five seasons of the TV show in 2015. Since season six will be airing at the end of April, it seems like the perfect time to read this book and learn more about this super complex world whilst refreshing my memory on the details of what has happened so far.

Ready Player One by Ernest Cline (audiobook narrated by Wil Wheaton)

I listened to Armada in 2015 and while I did enjoy it, it definitely wasn’t the best thing ever. But I am excited for this book because the premise sounds more interesting to me and just about everyone raves about it and says that it’s better than Armada. And who doesn’t love a Wil Wheaton narration?

The Martian by Andy Weir (audiobook narrated by R. C. Bray)

I read this towards the end of 2015 and it turned out to be one of my favourite reads. I have wanted to re-read it for some time now and I started listening to the audiobook at the end of March. I didn’t quite finish it but I am absolutely loving it. The narrator is one of the best I’ve heard.

Atlantia by Ally Condie

I had been debating over whether or not to read this book for about a year now. I had read the Matched trilogy by this author and I hated how it ended. Also, I have only heard mostly overwhelmingly negative things about this book, which almost put me off reading it altogether. But I still really liked the premise and so I decided to get the book from my library and just give it a go. I also started reading it at the end of March and I’m really enjoying it so far. I’d really love to finish it in April. 

Second Chance Summer by Morgan Matson 
I hadn't planned on reading this at all but since I saw that it was going to be the Booksplosion book for April, I decided on the spot that I wanted to re-read it. It's been over a year since I read anything by Morgan Matson and Second Chance Summer was one of my favourite books of 2015. This was such a last minute addition to an already ambitious TBR but I'd still love to get to it if I can!

The following books were ones on my March TBR that I didn’t get to but I would still like to read if I can get to them so I’m carrying them over onto my April TBR.

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (#3) by J.K. Rowling

Dark Heart Forever (Dark Heart trilogy #1) by Lee Monroe

Anne of the Island (Anne of Green Gables #3) by L.M. Montgomery

Mel
I think I might wing it this month, since I'll be super busy with uni and I've been a bit slumpy. However, there are a few that I do want to get to.

Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone Illustrated edition by JK Rowling.
I haven't yet read the illustrated edition and I was in the mood, so why not?

A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J Maas
This has been on my TBR list for AGES now, but since it's one of the books for Readalongs With April this month, I hope to finally read it! Especially since the next book in the series is out next month. 

March 2016 Wrap Up

Jen

Compared to previous months, I feel like I hardly read anything in March! TV was definitely more of a distraction this month but I’m still happy that I managed to finish a few series and could finally cross them off my TBR!

City of Fallen Angels by Cassandra Clare (audiobook) → 3/5

City of Lost Souls by Cassandra Clare (audiobook) → 4/5

City of Heavenly Fire by Cassandra Clare (audiobook) → 5/5

Delirium by Lauren Oliver → 5/5

Pandemonium by Lauren Oliver → 4/5

Requiem by Lauren Oliver → 3/5

Delirium stories: Hana, Annabel & Raven by Lauren Oliver → 4/5

Dark Triumph by Robin LaFevers → 5/5

Mortal Heart by Robin LaFevers → 4.5/5

Dorothy and the Wizard in Oz by L. Frank Baum → 4/5

The Road to Oz by L. Frank Baum → 4/5

Game of Thrones: The Noble Houses of Westeros: Seasons 1-5 by Running Press (Editor) → 4/5

Mel
I definitely didn't read as much this month, with uni back on. But at least I finished those mangas!

Bleach 3-in-1 edition Vol 1 by Tite Kubo → 5/5
Bleach 3-in-1 edition Vol 2 by Tite Kubo → 5/5
Captive Prince by CS Pacat → 3/5
Death Note Black Edition Vol 2 by Tsugumi Ohba → 4/5