Discuss: Tips on how to reduce your tbr-list!

Having a tbr-list is very handy, but it can also be very frustrating. I hope I'll be able to help you with these little tips!

1. Clean it up!

I'm assuming all of you have Goodreads. This social media is THE best way to keep up with your reading experiences, but that tbr list can be freaking long after a while.
Sort your tbr by date and set it from old to new. You're probably not interested in most of the books  at the bottom of your list. I even dare to bet you my whole personal library about this fact. Be strong and reduce your tbr with at least 1/4 and make you sure you reread the blurb of ALL the books one by one. Only the ones you REALLY see yourself reading in the future you can leave. It's just a matter of being honest will yourself ;)
So settle yourself with a nice cup of coffee/tea while doing this and try to do this once every few months.

↳ Suitable for people who have a large online tbr.

2. Set up book-buying limit

Are you one of those types of booklover that loves to haul tons of books in a short time? Then this is a perfect tip for you. Use a monthly limit on your book expenses! Do NOT use a book buying ban! When you’re actually allowed to buy books, you don’t have the urge to say ‘oh f*uck it’ and buy 10 books in the nearest store. That’s how you learn how to control everything more. For example: I have a limit of five books a month and it has been helping me a lot, because now I don't have this HUUUUGE tbr pile on my shelves!

↳ Suitable for people who have a large physical tbr.

3. Discover the magic of audiobooks

Yes, I know, actually reading the book yourself is fun, but if you haven't tried listening to a audiobook, you really should! It can give you so much more! It's also super handy when you're having a busy period. Listen to it while you're driving, on the train, working out, cooking... It will make every mundane task (that doesn't require too much thinking) extremely fun. You'll be saving up time like a pro and you'll see your tbr lowering in no time!

I, for example, listen to audiobooks when I'm too tired to read or when I'm cooking. It makes it so relaxing! I also love to listen to it when I'm walking in the streets. Switch your music for a nice audiobook some time to time and keep it refreshing ;)

4. Use monthly tbr's

My tbr for April

Making a little tbr at the beginning of the month really helps! I've been doing for quite some time now, and it make me read more and more. I don't always strictly follow it (not required by the way), but it helps me to have an overview about what I plan to do. It's like planning a vacation. You need to view you're possibilities and pick whatever suits you best in the period that's coming.

But don't forget to be reasonable! Set up a mini-tbr based on what you usually manage to read during a month. If you manage to read 10ish book, don't set up a tbr of 15 books. It won't be motivating!

5. Set up a challenge

I'm sure all of you guys are doing the standard Goodreads challenge. But you can be a little bit more creative with it. Pick some subjects or fun little tasks while you pick your books. It will make the experience much fun! And if you're a bit competitive (like me), you'll want to do your best and the challenges will definitely help you to get this tbr down faster.

For more inspiration on challenges, I'm referring to a post Yvonne posted about the challenges she's currently doing! Read more HERE.

6. Join some readathons

Readathons are the BEST way to get a few books down in a short period! A lot of people host them and I believe there's a big one during summer. Goodreads even has a National Readathon Day (read more here). And if you don't want to wait until the next big event, just organize one yourself. If you have few days off, just set up a little tbr, shut your computer down, install yourself in the most comfortable place in your home, make sure you have some snacks/drinks at arm-length and well... read! ;)

What do you recommend?

I really hope these will help you in some way! 

Do you have more tips to recommend? Share them in the comments!

Book Of The Week #28: Starflight by Melissa Landers

Every Sunday I share a book I discovered during the week. I think it's a good idea for you guys if you're looking for random recommendations ;)
If you want to see the previous ones, just click here.

Series: Starflight #1

Genre: YA, romance, sci-fy, dystopia

Release date: February 2nd 2016

Life in the outer realm is a lawless, dirty, hard existence, and Solara Brooks is hungry for it. Just out of the orphanage, she needs a fresh start in a place where nobody cares about the engine grease beneath her fingernails or the felony tattoos across her knuckles. She's so desperate to reach the realm that she's willing to indenture herself to Doran Spaulding, the rich and popular quarterback who made her life miserable all through high school, in exchange for passage aboard the spaceliner Zenith.

When a twist of fate lands them instead on the Banshee, a vessel of dubious repute, Doran learns he's been framed on Earth for conspiracy. As he pursues a set of mysterious coordinates rumored to hold the key to clearing his name, he and Solara must get past their enmity to work together and evade those out for their arrest. Life on the Banshee may be tumultuous, but as Solara and Doran are forced to question everything they once believed about their world--and each other--the ship becomes home, and the eccentric crew family. But what Solara and Doran discover on the mysterious Planet X has the power to not only alter their lives, but the existence of everyone in the universe...

My thoughts

I’ve never read a Melissa Landers’ book before, but when she posted the cover reveal of this book… well, I just fell in love with it. Apparently Disney Hyperion will use gold foiling on the final cover. It will be so gorgeous omg!

By the way, there is an INTERNATIONAL giveaway on Goodreads about this book! You can win an ARC. The giveaway is running until June 25, so make sure you add it to your tbr and enter!

Link to giveaway: https://www.goodreads.com/giveaway/show/132225-starflight?hc_location=ufi

Recent Release #26: Where Sea Meets Sky by Karina Halle

Every Wednesday I share a recent release I’m excited to read. If you want to check out the previous ones, click here. These are all books I'm adding to my growing pile of tbr-books ;)

Series: stand-alone

Genre: NA, romance, drama, travel

Release date: March 31st 2015

A new adult novel that perfectly captures the existential angst of your early twenties with raw wit, fresh insight, and true feeling from a critically adored USA TODAY bestselling author.

Joshua Miles has spent his early twenties spinning his wheels. Working dead-end jobs and living at home has left him exhausted and uninspired, with little energy to pursue his passion for graphic art. Until he meets Gemma Henare, a vivacious out-of-towner from New Zealand. What begins as a one-night stand soon becomes a turning point for Josh. He can't get Gemma out of his head, even after she has left for home, and finds himself throwing caution to the wind for the first time in his life.

It's not long before Josh is headed to New Zealand with only a backpack, some cash, and Gemma's name to go on. But when he finally tracks her down, he finds his adventure is only just beginning. Equally infatuated, Gemma leads him on a whirlwind tour across the beautiful country, opening Josh up to life, lust, love, and all the messy heartache in between. Because, when love drags you somewhere, it might never let go even when you know you have to say goodbye.

Review: The Queen of Bright and Shiny Things by Ann Aguire

Genre: YA, romance, teens

Series: stand-alone

Sage Czinski is trying really hard to be perfect. If she manages it, people won’t peer beyond the surface, or ask hard questions about her past. She’s learned to substitute causes for relationships, and it’s working just fine… until Shane Cavendish strolls into her math class. He’s a little antisocial, a lot beautiful, and everything she never knew she always wanted.

Shane Cavendish just wants to be left alone to play guitar and work on his music. He’s got heartbreak and loneliness in his rearview mirror, and this new school represents his last chance. He doesn’t expect to be happy; he only wants to graduate and move on. He never counted on a girl like Sage.

But love doesn’t mend all broken things, and sometimes life has to fall apart before it can be put back together again…

My review: no rating, DNF 50%

*ARC received in exchange of an honest review*

*sighs* Where do I even start?

I received and ARC for this book and I was SO excited for this one. The blurb is amazing and the cover is so gorgeous. I couldn’t believe I had the chance to actually read this before the release and … then I started reading.

I’m not a fan of the writing style. At all… Maybe it’s because I’m not used to read YA anymore? It’s just wasn't my cup of tea… There were a lot of repetitions, this that were explained that were a bit unnecessary because of the context etc. But I only read like 20% at that time so I still decided to give this book a chance and keep reading.

But then the story starting to bother me too... I’m a fan of cheesy romances, but this one just went a bit too far. The cheesiness of the romance was just exploding everywhere (not in a good way in my opinion)! Like I said, I only read 50% of the book, but the romance went WAY too fast. Shane is portrayed as an introvert guy in the beginning. He doesn’t want to talk about his past, but then he just spills everything after the second or third time he’s with Sage…just weird… At times their “relationship” went extremely fast and a few moments later it was awkward and weird. I couldn’t relate with the characters and although I’m still slightly curious about Shane, it’s not enough to get me motivated to actually finish the book.

All this being said, I think I didn’t liked all of these things because I’m too old (and slightly critical when it comes to YA). I’m very into New Adult these past few months and although I still like YA books, this one just didn’t do it for me. This is why I won't rate this book.

So if you’re 14-17 years, then you should definitely consider reading this book! Who knows, maybe it’s the perfect book for you!

Book Of The Week #27: Famous Last Words by Katie Alender

Every Sunday I share a book I discovered during the week. I think it's a good idea for you guys if you're looking for random recommendations ;)
If you want to see the previous ones, just click here.

Series: stand-alone

Genre: YA, mystery, thriller, contemporary, supernatural

Hollywood history, mystery, murder, mayhem, and delicious romance collide in this unputdownable thriller from master storyteller Katie Alender.

Willa is freaking out. It seems like she's seeing things. Like a dead body in her swimming pool. Frantic messages on her walls. A reflection that is not her own. It's almost as if someone -- or something -- is trying to send her a message.

Meanwhile, a killer is stalking Los Angeles -- a killer who reenacts famous movie murder scenes. Could Willa's strange visions have to do with these unsolved murders? Or is she going crazy? And who can she confide in? There's Marnie, her new friend who may not be totally trustworthy. And there's Reed, who's ridiculously handsome and seems to get Willa. There's also Wyatt, who's super smart but unhealthily obsessed with the Hollywood Killer.

All Willa knows is, she has to confront the possible-ghost in her house, or she just might lose her mind . . . or her life.

Acclaimed author Katie Alender puts an unforgettable twist on this spine-chilling tale of murder, mystery, mayhem -- and the movies.

Thoughts?

I don’t know why, but I’m very curious about this book! I rarely read mysteries/thrillers, but this one sounds pretty epic. Can’t wait to read it!

April #TBR

This month I'm extremely determinate to catch up with my tbr! There will be tons of new releases I REALLY want to read asap, so I'll have to reread some books too!
I have a horrible memory when it comes to books. It may sound very strange, but I mostly only remember the "big lines" and my feelings. I'm horribly with details. Whenever I  have a long written review, I usually remember everything, but yeah, otherwise... nope :p

1.Taken by Erin Bowman (reread)
2. Frozen by Erin Bowman
3. The Murder Complex  by Lindsay Cummings (reread)
4. Slammed by Colleen Hoover
5. The Queen of Bright & Shiny Things by Ann Aguirre (ARC)
6. Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire by JK Rowling
7. Bloodlines by Richelle Mead

If I could get my hands on the new release Fall With Me by J. Lynn, than I'm definitely going to read it too ;)

What are you planning to read this month? Let me know in the comments!

Recent Release #25: Fall With Me & Arrow

Every Wednesday I share a recent release I’m excited to read. If you want to check out the previous ones, click here. These are all books I'm adding to my growing pile of tbr-books ;) 

Fall With Me by J. Lynn

Series: Wait For You #4

Genre: NA, romance, contemporary

Release date: March 31st 2015

Jennifer L. Armentrout, New York Times bestselling author of the Wait for You series, delivers a new novel of first love, second chances, and scorching chemistry between an artistic bartender and the tough, sexy cop who's determined to win her Roxy's loved Reece Anders since she was fifteen, so when the straitlaced cop finally surrendered to a steamy encounter years later, Roxy hoped he'd fall for her, too. He didn't. Or that's what she's always believed. But then Reece storms back into her life when the man who injured her childhood friend is out of prison and wanting to make amends—something Roxy cannot do.

The last thing she wants is to go there with Reece again, but he's determined to prove to her that he's exactly what she needs. Especially when a sick creep starts messing with her. But what's more dangerous to Roxy—a psycho after her or the past that refuses to let go and allow her to open up her heart again?

Arrow: Vengeance by Oscar Balderrama & Lauren Certo

Series: Arrow

Genre: YA, based on TV show

Release date: March 31st 2015

The first novel based on the hit Warner Bros. TV show Arrow, currently airing its third season on The CW network. Based on the DC Comics character, the American TV series Arrow follows billionaire Oliver Queen (Stephen Amell - Heartland, Private Practice) who, after spending five years marooned on a remote island, returns home and secretly creates the persona of Arrow to right the wrongs of his family and fight the ills of society.