What book are you most looking forward to in 2014?

Melissa - There’s a few titles I really am dying to read in 2014 - namely Lair of Dreams (The Diviners #2) by Libba Bray out in August, Cress (Lunar Chronicles #3) by Marissa Meyer released in February, The Forever Song (Blood of Eden #3) by Julie Kagawa released in April and Burning Kingdoms (The Internment Chronicles #2) by Lauren De Stefano which says will be released in 2014 but not sure when yet.

Kristy - I know you are going to be shocked by my answer here, but, it’s Dreams of Gods and Monsters by Laini Taylor. Waiting for this book is absolutely killing me!

Although, I do have an honourable mentions list: In the Shadows by Kiersten White and Jim Di Bartolo, Maybe Someday by Colleen Hoover, The Darkest Minds #3 by Alexandra Bracken, Sinner and The Raven Cycle, #3 by Maggie Stiefvater and Throne of Glass #3 by Sarah J. Maas

Which book are you most scared about in 2014?

Melissa - Probably Lair of Dreams (The Diviners #2) by Libba Bray. I got SO swept up in The Diviners and I lost myself in it. I loved everything about the story, and I have really high expectations for the next one. I just hope it doesn’t disappoint!

Kristy - Dreams of Gods and Monsters by Laini Taylor. Yes, I know this is the one book I am dying to read, but it also scares the death out of me. I know the writing will blow me away, and I am sure that I will love it, but it’s the final in my favourite book series. And that’s scary - I want to know what happens next, but I don’t want it to end either. And there is one thing that I really want to happen in DoGaM - and if Laini doesn’t make it happen, I think I will be gutted. Basically, she holds my heart in her hand, and I don’t know if she will let it keep beating, or shatter it into a million pieces.

What do you hope for in the bookish world in 2014?

Melissa - More author meet and greets! I only just got my first taste of this in 2013 and I really enjoyed my experiences last year. So this year I’ll be on the lookout for more opportunities to meet my favourite authors and to share these experiences with you all here.

I also am hoping for some wonderful 2014 debut books! I want to be introduced to new and exciting authors and have the chance to fall in love with their writing.

Kristy - More wonderful books! I know that’s a pretty basic answer, but it is true. I want to find more books that I love, and that I connect with. And I want the same for all of you!

And I would also love for more authors to tour Australia (both Australian and international authors). I would love to see more author events, signings and launches in Australia, so that us fans can meet our favourite authors, have a chat with them, and basically have our fan-girl moments.

Have you already done pre-orders for books in 2014? If so, which books?

Melissa - I haven’t yet! As much as I hate to admit it, I am not much of a pre-order person. I am more a “I need it now” person, and so I’ll usually just go into a store and grab it off the shelves if I really want a book!

Kristy - Yes, but not as many as I should have (I will get on to that soon). So far, I have ordered: Dreams of Gods and Monsters by Laini Taylor (I know, you are shocked, right?), In The Shadows by Kiersten White and Jim Di Bartolo, Maybe Someday by Colleen Hoover and Perfect Lies by Kiersten White.

What, as a reader or blogger, do you aim to do better in 2014?

Melissa - As a reader I am going to try and discipline myself more with reading. I haven’t been reading during the week very much due to the hours I work now, and I tent to get a little lazy and distracted on the weekends, so I’d like to be able to turn this around a bit more.

As for being a blogger, I think for me the key thing is to be more organised. I go through stages where I am really good, and then other times where I just can’t be bothered. And so my goal is to try and schedule stuff more, so when I do go through those moments where I just can’t be bothered, there’s other things I can post.

Kristy - As a reader, I want to learn to read more on “school nights”. I have always been one of those people who don’t like to put a book down until it is finished, so I don’t read much during the week. I am going to try to read more during the week this year so I can get more books read.

As a blogger, I really need to learn to use Goodreads better! I often forget to update my “currently reading” book and I rarely put books on my “want to read” shelf. I will work on that too.

As a follower, I plan to comment more on other people’s blogs. I always see posts on blogs, but I rarely comment - not for any other reason besides the fact I often look at posts from my phone. So, blogger friends - I promise I will try more in 2014!

Are you looking forward to anything bookish in particular in 2014?

Melissa - Aside from the books I mentioned earlier, I am probably most looking forward to getting my hands on more comics this year and really immerse myself in them this year. I have always been a big Batman fan, but I want to go back and read a lot of the old story arcs that I haven’t been exposed to yet. I want to become more knowledgeable and really understand the ins and outs of the DC Universe. I may post more comics reviews in 2014. :)

Kristy - I am clearly looking forward to Dreams of Gods and Monsters (even though it scares me to death), as this is my all-time favourite series.

I am also looking forward to some unique books in 2014: mainly Maybe Someday by Colleen Hoover and In The Shadows by Kiersten White. Maybe Someday incorporates music into the storyline, and even has its own soundtrack, specifically written and recorded by Griffin Peterson for this novel. Also, In The Shadows sounds unique, as it has a written storyteller (Kiersten White) and an visual storyteller (Jim Di Bartolo) - this is not an illustrated novel, the illustrations help tell the story - one of my favourite authors and favourite artist in one book, I can’t wait!

I am really looking forward to The Fault in Our Stars movie as well.

And one other thing, but I can’t tell you what it is, as I don’t want to jinx it.

Which movie adaptation are you most looking forward to in 2014?

Melissa - The Fault In Our Stats by far. This is going to be the biggest movie release for YA to the big screen in 2014, I am sure of it. I am also going to be looking forward to Divergent, but I am actually looking forward to TFIOS more. I think being a contemporary type of story, there’s no major “world building” needed like Divergent (and this is where sometimes things go wrong). It seems they have done the casting really well and since John Green was on the set for the filming of this movie, I have really high hopes about how it translates on screen.

Kristy - As stated above, The Fault in Our Stars. I loved this book, and I am very excited about the movie. Usually I don’t get too excited over movie adaptations, as they are rarely as good as the book, but this movie seems so promising! The type of story it is will translate very well to screen, the actors are superb, the script seems to have stuck very closely to the book, and John Green. Yes, the author is the main reason I am looking forward to the movie! John was very involved in the production of this movie, he is very supportive of the casting and script, and I fully believe that he would “stand up” for his book if he felt the movie was veering away from the essence of the story. And he also wouldn’t be so publically supportive if he honestly didn’t feel the movie has done the book justice - John Green isn’t afraid to give his opinion, and the fact that his opinion is favourable leads me to believe I won’t be disappointed.