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Books of Amber

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Monthly Wrap Up and TBR: February – March 2014

01/03/2014      27 Comments

Some of the people who live locally hate February. They have very little money left over from Christmas and New Year, they are starting to become demotivated when it comes to their resolutions, and the weather is terrible. It’s all very sad, and the village gets a bit depressed. But I managed to avoid this trend, and I’ve had a brilliant month!

On the Blog

No books absolutely blew my mind, but I did review a number of very entertaining reads such as Flame, Fangirl, Uninvited, and Secret. Plus some not so great ones. Tatum discovered Grave Mercy, and reviewed The Returned, which sounds like an awful book and yet she still gave it two stars. I don’t know, I don’t understand her rating system.
I got very excited for some February debuts, as well as February’s Epic Rec, even if it is soul-destroying. I discussed why I don’t care about the female-to-male ratio in YA books, and Lauren gave her views on the dreaded love triangles and instalove. She, Tatum, and I also talked about our book club read, The Naturals, in a giant post that seems to have intimidated people into not commenting.
Me in February
My resolution to comment on other blogs is going well! I discovered a tonne of new blogs via the Loveathon, and have been commenting on a lot of them regularly, as well as keeping up with old favourites. I’m proud of myself! Everything is good to go on the Virginia Tea Party front (more on this soon), and I finally sorted out some financial stuff which was something that I had been meaning to do forever. I bought some books, because I’m stupid and have no self control, even though I’m on a book buying ban.
I’ve also decided that I’m going to make the move to WordPress! I’ve been going back and forth with this for two years, and I think now is finally the right time to make the move. I’ll just have to wait until I’m back from the USA so I have time to sort everything out.
Books Read
I managed to reach my goal of double figures! Finally! Like I said, February was a great month for me. I made the decision to read what I want, when I want, and to not feel guilty about pushing review copies back to a later date. I’m a huge mood reader, and I think that forcing myself to read books that I wasn’t enjoying or not in the mood for was putting me into a lot of reading slumps. And it worked out so well for me!
Because of this, I’m not going to include a TBR this month. I’m just going to pick up whatever I feel like reading, and see how that works out for me.
It was tough to pick a Book of the Month for February, because I read some very good books. If I had finished The Book Thief sooner then I definitely would have chose that, but I finished it at 2AM last night so it was a March read. I was debating between Fangirl, Monsters of Men, and The Girl of Fire and Thorns, but ultimately Fangirl was more enjoyable for me because it was so gripping. And, just like last month, I’m giving a copy away!
The giveaway is international as long as Book Depository delivers to your country, and it ends when I get back from the USA so you have a whole three weeks to build up your entries!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

January’s Winner

Congratulations to Sandra of Sandra’s World of Books! You won a UK copy of Crown of Midnight by Sarah J. Maas. Woop woop!

Looking Forward To…
Obviously the biggest thing I’m looking forward to this month is travelling to the U.S. to stay with one of my best friends! I’ll be leaving in a couple of weeks, and I’m so excited that I can’t stand the wait. We’re going to have bog cookouts (don’t ask), get drunk on St. Patrick’s Day, see the Veronica Mars movie, and – most importantly – visit Walmart.
I’m also looking forward to my move to WordPress, which should be happening at some point in March if everything goes well.
My little sister is turning six years old in a couple of weeks, which is weird because it’s as though she’s suddenly so much older. I don’t want her to grow up! Speaking of birthdays, Judith is about to hit a huge milestone too.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Celine says

    01/03/2014 at 11:00 am

    Ahh, travelling to the US is so cool! I hope to one day get there, maybe once they find out teleporters since I’m terrified of flying. Which part are you visiting?

    Reply
    • Amber (Books of Amber) says

      01/03/2014 at 11:10 am

      I’m flying into DC and my friend lives in Virginia! It’ll be my first time leaving Europe, so I’m excited/nervous/bouncing off the walls. I think we’re also going to go to North Carolina for a day or something. I’m going to do a recap post when I’m back! Teleporters would be much better than flying, I agree.

      Reply
  2. Ebony Ellis says

    01/03/2014 at 11:36 am

    Great post Amber, have any amazing time in the US – I’m sure you’ll have a blast!
    My book of the month was Me Since You by Laura Wiess – such an emotional read! I’ve never read fanfiction before – I’ve thought about starting it, but I’m quite hesitant too.

    Reply
    • Amber says

      12/03/2014 at 10:19 pm

      Thanks Ebony! I hope I do. I’ll have to check out Me Since You. Haha, fanfiction is loads of fun. When you find the right stuff, that is. I mostly read Sterek (from Teen Wolf) fics, because they’re the only pairing I can handle when it comes to fanfiction for some reason.

      Reply
  3. Laura T says

    01/03/2014 at 11:39 am

    I still haven’t read Fangirl! :'( I’ve literally never seen a bad review. I’ve seen some meh ones but everyone LOVES it! I don’t know if I’m ever going to fit it on but I really want to. My standout book for February was definitely Ignite Me! The were some problems but I just flew through it. I don’t read fan fiction (unless you include 50 Shades of Grey haha) because I’m always wanting to read different books. >< Good luck on your trip to the US! Don’t get too drunk ๐Ÿ˜‰

    Reply
  4. Cora Linn says

    01/03/2014 at 11:56 am

    Looks like you had a great February!
    Enjoy the US – I’ve never been outside of Europe either!

    Reply
  5. Renu says

    01/03/2014 at 12:48 pm

    I read GoFaT last month, because of Judith’s fangirling, ahah! It was really enjoyable, I am hoping to start the sequel soon. ๐Ÿ™‚ I loved Lauren’s post on love triangle and insta-love, it mirrored my thoughts on the subject. And omg, so jealous! I’ve always wanted to go to the US!

    Reply
  6. Kristia says

    01/03/2014 at 1:15 pm

    Have fun in the US! ๐Ÿ™‚
    My book of the month was What I did for A Duke by Julie Anne Long. I have never read fanfiction. Thank you for the international giveaway ๐Ÿ™‚

    Reply
  7. Annelieke says

    01/03/2014 at 2:36 pm

    This comment has been removed by the author.

    Reply
  8. Annelieke says

    01/03/2014 at 2:43 pm

    Looks like a great month! I’m very curious about Fangirl and Split Second. I’ve read Harry Potter fanfiction a long time ago to satisfy my Harry Potter hunger but it wasn’t my thing. My favorite book of the month was Cress. And I wish you a great trip to the U.S!

    Reply
  9. Samantha McNulty says

    01/03/2014 at 3:32 pm

    Looks like you had an AWESOME month. Let’s hope March is even better!

    Reply
  10. Mel@Thedailyprophecy says

    01/03/2014 at 3:41 pm

    I’m so excited for your switch to WordPress ๐Ÿ˜€ I might do it in the future too, but for now I’m okay with Blogspot. It’s great that you are going to meet your friend in the USA, very cool!

    Reply
    • Mel@Thedailyprophecy says

      01/03/2014 at 3:42 pm

      And my comment was posted far too soon. I’ve had some ‘meh’ books for a while, but I finally found the mindblowing book and it was Maggie Stiefvater – The raven boys. SO GOOD.

      Reply
  11. Danielle Cox says

    01/03/2014 at 9:10 pm

    Fangirl would totally be my book of the month too. <3 God, love Levi so much!

    Reply
  12. Rachael says

    01/03/2014 at 11:05 pm

    You are going to have so much fun in your travels. My book of the month was Cress by Marissa Meyer. I loved it so much and I almost did not want to finish it because I know I have to wait a whole year for Winter. I have not read fanfiction too much. Looks like it was a great month Amber.

    Reply
  13. ~Sara @ Just Another Story says

    02/03/2014 at 1:13 am

    I really need to read Girl of Fire and Thorns. I’ve seen so many amazing things about it. I need it in my life. Did The Book Thief kill your heart? Or were you prepared for it? I am curious about Split Second- I’ve heard that some people were disappointed in it. And I think it’s good that you are decided to read what you want to read. Good for you.

    Anywho… happy reading!

    ~Sara @ Just Another Story

    Reply
  14. laurafergs says

    02/03/2014 at 10:22 am

    Hmmm favourite book this of February. This is tough. I read a few pretty good ones. It’s between Cress, This Star Won’t Go Out, The Naturals and A Midsummer’s Nightmare.

    I’ve read a bit of fanfic. I like fan comic strips, such as this one ๐Ÿ™‚ <3 Derek http://leelee2489.deviantart.com/art/The-Reckoning-Comic-2-Page-4-196189029

    Reply
  15. Charlotte @ Gypsy Reviews says

    02/03/2014 at 12:01 pm

    Glad February was a great month for you ๐Ÿ˜€ February is my favourite month of the year so I’m pretty sad it went by so fast haha

    YESSS FANGIRLLLLL! *fist pump*

    So excited for you to move to WordPress! If you ever need help, design-wise, lemme know! and woo hoo for US trip! I can’t believe the Veronica Mars movie is coming out soon, epp :3

    Reply
  16. Natalie Natflixandbooks says

    03/03/2014 at 10:06 pm

    I really liked Fangirl, too, and am so excited to read Split Second. It’s a bummer you didn’t like Dare Me. I’ve been trying to get through that one forever. I hope you’re US trip is awesome!

    Reply
  17. Holly says

    10/03/2014 at 4:20 am

    My favourite book of the month was Solving for Ex by Leigh Ann Kopans. It was amazingly cute.

    Reply
  18. Anncleire says

    10/03/2014 at 8:49 am

    I love Fangirl, so I’m really excited to have it. My book of the months is Something Great by M.Clarke… it is really good! And yes I read a lot of fanfiction when I was under the Twilight effect! XD

    Reply
  19. Kyla says

    10/03/2014 at 8:50 am

    I’m glad that February was a great month for you, Amber! ๐Ÿ˜€

    Last month, I haven’t really read a lot so that’s why I’m catching up this March. My February book of the month would be How To Say Goodbye in Robot by Natalie Standiford. ๐Ÿ™‚

    Reply
    • Kyla says

      10/03/2014 at 2:06 pm

      And I forgot to include this! Yes, I have read fan fictions! ๐Ÿ˜€

      Reply
  20. Ronald Arcayos says

    10/03/2014 at 9:28 am

    My favorite book of the month is Hollow City by Ransom Riggs ๐Ÿ™‚ Yes ๐Ÿ˜€

    Reply
  21. Alex says

    10/03/2014 at 11:10 am

    Aaah, can’t wait to read Fangirl. My book of the month was definitely Shadow & Bone, and yes, of course I have read fanfiction before, what would I do without it? ๐Ÿ˜€

    Reply
  22. Carla Bosch says

    11/03/2014 at 10:49 pm

    My book of the month will have to be The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time, I wanted to laugh and cry at the same time while reading and it’s so cute and touching and so well-written, I just loved it so much!
    Thanks for the post and the giveaway ๐Ÿ™‚

    Reply
    • Carla Bosch says

      11/03/2014 at 10:50 pm

      Oh, and I don’t think I’ve ever read any fanfiction since I’m not really a part of any fandom but I’ve heard of it

      Reply

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    Hello!

    Hello!

    My name is Amber, I'm 27 years old, and I've been a book blogger, reviewer, and Tuber for ten years. When I'm not reading, I love gaming, exercising, cinema trips, hiking, and exploring.

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    (This book was sent to me by the author as a gift) (This book was sent to me by the author as a gift)

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