Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by the Broke and the Bookish!
As you all may or may not know, I’m really booked up on my blog right now. (Pun intended.) This means that I am going crazy with the books I need to read, and I’d like to get caught up before I go back to school. So these are the next 10 reviews you can expect to see on the blog!
Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by The Broke and the Bookish!
So here is my definition of a beach read: mind candy. I don’t want anything in the way of emotional upheaval, and I just want to laugh a little. My brain doesn’t want to have to work hard to process anything. So here are my top ten beach reads, in no particular order.
Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by The Broke and the Bookish!
This is going to be the loosest top ten list I EVER make. It is also a top ten list made up of my most current reads. I’m sure there are others, but I found ten of them and I decided not to push it. 
Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by The Broke and the Bookish!
This week’s topic is a TTT Freebie, so I decided to give you guys a taste of what’s coming up on the blog! These are the next ten books I’ll be reviewing – roughly. I’m trying to make it through the pile of ARCs I’m behind on, but there’s no telling when a book I have on my actual shelf will call me and then I’ll derail and read that one. But this should give you a general idea!
1. The Boyfriend App by Katie Sise
I’m not sure why I requested this contemporary romance, but it sounds interesting so what the heck? If my calendar goes as expected, this review will be up May 30.
2. Going Vintage by Lindsey Leavitt
I’m excited about this book for multiple reasons. I’ve been tracking it ever since I found it, and Bloomsbury was nice enough to give me and eARC. This review should be up May 31st.
3. Criminal by Terra Elan McVoy
This book seems darker than the stuff I usually read, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing! It’ll be interesting to see how my stomach takes this. This review should be up June 3rd.
4. City of a Thousand Dolls by Miriam Forster
This actually isn’t an ARC, but rather the next book my book club is doing – it’s my pick, if you couldn’t tell by the ya-ness of it all. I’m really excited for this one. Hopefully it’s going to be good! This review should be up, with the hangout video, on June 5th.
5. Reboot by Amy Tintera
I don’t know if the people who did the covers for Criminal and Reboot know each other, but I’m loving the minimalist colors on black that’s going on. Can’t wait to read this one, with the review going up June 6th.
6. Born of Illusion by Teri Brown
A book set in 1920s New York, all about magicians and mediums? This book promises to be interesting if nothing else! Look for this review about June 7th.
7. Gameboard of the Gods by Richelle Mead
Alright, technically this isn’t a young adult, but it’s RICHELLE MEAD. When it popped up I HAD to request an ARC and then I got it and I’m so happy. Look for this review about June 10th.
8. Transparent by Natalie Whipple
This is a story about an invisible girl. I was sold before I had to read any more of the blurb. This review should be up about June 13th.
9. Dare to You by Katie McGarry
If you read my review of Pushing the Limits, then you know that I have a shameless LOVELOVELOVE for that book. I got an ARC of this one, and I’m crossing my fingers its as good as the first! Look for this review June 14th.
10. Tree of Codes by Jonathan Safran Foer
This is likely to be the craziest book I have ever read. It’s for book club, and it’s one of those post modernist texts that are just cuckoo for cocoa puffs. The pages are all cut funny and … man, this is going to be one hangout you won’t want to miss. See the review and video June 19th.
Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by The Broke and the Bookish!
See, this is where my ya lit obsession starts to let me down. I mean, c’mon guys. Very few of you have figured out that it’s really boring to see ANOTHER girl in a dress on a cover. So these are my top ten choices from all around the board! (If you give any picture a click, you’ll head to the Goodreads page!)
Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by The Broke and the Bookish!
I’M SO EXCITED I’M BACK TO DOING THESE! It actually required the CAPS. I’ve been away at school for so long and so busy that these have been impossible because I wasn’t able to visit all the blogs that visited me. But now I’m home and finals are over and I’M BACK!
This Top 10 list is probably the weirdest, most eclectic list I’ve ever put together, mostly because I’m not ashamed to admit I usually avoid books entirely about tough subjects. These are most certainly not all young adult books, and some of them are historical fiction because why cheat halfway?
1. White Oleander by Janet Fitch
I was given this book at way too young an age, but the details of the story stuck with me. This book is a visceral showing of the foster care system, neglecting mothers, violence and sex. I honestly can’t believe I finished it.
This is a classic for a reason. It makes this list because I didn’t expect it to affect me as much as it did. What do I know about slavery or rape or killing my own children? Nothing, thank God. But this book made my stomach churn and my eyes water and left me thinking, hard.
3. Who I Kissed by Janet Gurtler
Look, a young adult book! When I heard the premise of this book–that the main character kills a boy with a kiss because there was peanut oil in her lipstick and he was allergic–I wasn’t sure it was going to go over well with me. I wasn’t sure it would work. But there is a real dealing with of grief throughout this book, both in terms of the main character, the victim’s family and even the main character relating this to her dead mother. It worked much better than I thought.
I didn’t read this for handling of tough subjects, but I got it. Throughout this story, the main character deals with peer pressure, how far you’ll go for fame – and what happens when a room full of teens are given guns and told only one survives. My stomach was rolling with the action, and it stuck with me long after.
5. League of Strays by L. B. Schulman
I’m still not sure how I feel about this book, but one thing’s for sure: this is one of the more candid, stomach churning pictures of bullying I’ve allowed myself to read.
6. Pushing the Limits by Katie McGarry
The levels of adoration I have for this book are limitless. Despite the fact that this is billed as a contemporary romance, it really is so much more. The themes of family, love (besides relationship!) and healing after a huge traumatic incident are really strong and truly touching.
7. Code Name Verity by Elizabeth Wein
Technically, this is historical fiction. Personally, I think this is about so much more. I mean, the tagline is “I have two weeks. You’ll shoot me at the end no matter what I do.” This book deals with the bonds of friendship and the horrors of war all in one. I mean, the book OPENS with the main character being interrogated by the Gestapo. I very rarely cry for books, but this is one of those times.
8. The Last Song by Nicholas Sparks
I know that these books are pretty cookie cutter and all, but this book had such a personal bent for me that by the end of the book I was bawling my eyes out. I still can’t read about the character of the little brother without sniffling.
9. Mistress of Rome by Kate Quinn
Okay, this is historical fiction, so I’m kind of cheating. I mean, these “tough subjects” are somebody’s life. However, what I was struck by was a rather smaller part of the book, which is the physical and sexual abuse that Thea goes through at the hands of the Emperor. It was striking in how little it was underscore.
10. Streams of Babel by Carol Plum-Ucci
I had almost forgotten about these books before I went looking for ones to fill this list, and now I’m struck with the need to read them all over again. These books are striking examples of what happens when you find yourself at Death’s door, when your mother overdoses and leaves you to die on your own and just about love in the face of death in general. Both it and it’s sequel just floored me.
Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by The Broke and the Bookish!
Okay, just fyi – TEN IS REALLY HARD. So don’t take this as the only top books I read. But this is what I could cull it to. And this is in no particular order.
1. Wings of the Wicked by Courtney Allison Moulton
Okay, you guys all know how much I love this books and Courtney herself. I believe I used the phrase “rapid machine gun of awesomeness” to describe this book in my review.
There are far too many CAPS in my review of this book. I mean, really. But I went so gaga for it I themed my prom dress around it. Okay, so that wasn’t originally intentional but it soon became that way.
3. The Immortal Rules by Julie Kagawa
Not going to lie: this was the first Julie Kagawa book I ever read. I’ve now caught the Julie Kagawa bug and want to read everything from her books to her shopping lists. See my review here.
4. Grave Mercy by Robin LaFevers
Historical fiction. Assassin nuns. Fly to the bookstores right now. If assassin nuns doesn’t do it for you, I don’t know what will. It certainly did for me!
5. Code Name Verity by Elizabeth Wein
This historical fiction piece on World War II made me cry. And I never, ever, should have liked this book because it’s written with a few of my pet peeves. But it’s one of the best things ever, and here’s why.
It’s Insurgent by Veronica Roth. Do I have to explain it to you? (If so, read my review!)
7. City of Lost Souls by Cassandra Clare
Okay, okay, I’m still not a fan of continuing the series after what I thought was the perfect ending. But if there was a way to continue the series, this is it – here’s why.
8. Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas
High fantasy for young adults. They said it was impossible, but Maas did it. ALL OF THE LOVE. Another review with too much excitement.
9. The Golden Lily by Richelle Mead
It’s Richelle Mead and Adrian. I love Adrian. I love him so much I might almost love him more than Dimi– oh dear, I feel the fan girls descending. Go read my review for more!
10. What’s Left of Me by Kat Zhang
The main character is two girls in one body. That is all. For more, read my review.
Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by The Broke and the Bookish!
Okay, this list is HARDLY the only awesome new to me authors I read in 2012. They’re just as far as I could go back in the year before I hit 10, and honestly I didn’t get very far.
1. Gennifer Albin (Crewel)
Yeah, I had my issues with Crewel, but I can’t deny the sheer awesomeness of this idea and the book and the cover and– and– just *drool*.
2. Jay Kristoff (Stormdancer)
GUYS. HE WRITES JAPANESE STEAMPUNK. THERE IS A THUNDER-TIGER. Enough has been said. (But I said more in my review!)
3. Kat Zhang (What’s Left of Me)
I have so much respect for Kat. Not only did she manage to successfully narrate this novel from a body that has 2 personalities inside, but she managed to write OTHER characters that have TWO PERSONALITIES. Oh, and did I mention the book is awesomesauce? Because it is. I said so HERE.
4. S. J. Kincaid (Insignia)
Not only did this book have me laughing out loud, but I gave it to my brother and it made HIM laugh out loud and it gave us something to talk about. Both him laughing and us talking are like miracles. Read more HERE.
5. Anna Banks (Of Poseidon)
Up until this point, I was NOT a fan of the new mermaid trend. But Banks won me over, and I actually really ended up enjoying this one! You can read why HERE.
6. Katie McGarry (Pushing the Limits)
It takes a seriously good book to a) almost make me cry and b) actually like anything in the contemporary YA genre. McGarry did BOTH. I explain more HERE.
7. Sarah J. Maas (Throne of Glass)
I think this book is like my most recommended book all year. Like seriously. Because you know why? I CAN’T HANDLE HOW AWESOME THIS BOOK IS OHMYGOD I JUST– Ahem. Read my review for more (CAPS).
8. Nina Berry (Otherkin)
Okay, so for one, Berry wrote a school setting that I didn’t hate, and for that I give her huge props. Also, she’s awesome to talk to on Twitter, and that makes her doubly awesome. You can read more about the book HERE.
9. Elizabeth Wein (Code Name Verity)
Okay, we’ve discussed how hard it is to make me cry. WEIN ALMOST SUCCEEDED. Also, the way the book was written I should have HATED it. But I didn’t. I loved it. And I sang it’s praises so loudly and haven’t stopped since.
10. Robin LaFevers (Grave Mercy)
Basically anyone who writes historical fiction is instantly my bestie. But this was historical fantasy, which was even better, and then there was the ASSASSIN NUNS. It doesn’t get much better than this. Check out my review for more!
Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by The Broke and the Bookish!
This is actually a really exciting topic, because it’s different then one I’ve done in a while. Obviously, Santa can’t bring me books that haven’t come out by December 25th. So I get to show you guys some older books that I really want to get my hands on!
1. The Gathering by Kelley Armstrong
I’ve heard great things about this series, and I enjoyed her YA series as well. I’ve been thinking about these for a while, but I still don’t have them!
2. The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight by Jennifer E. Smith
Apparently, this is supposed to be a really adorable book. I don’t know exactly how I’ll react to it, which is why I’d love Santa to bring it instead of buying it myself.
I almost, almost picked this book up once. Instead, I decided to pick up a book that turned into my most popular bookish rant ever. I guess that was a good thing (sort of), but that door closed right there. I still want to read it, though!
I’ve heard fantastic things about this one, and I admit the idea is growing on me. I actually wasn’t sure at first, but you in the blogoverse have convinced me it might be worth a go!
5. Wentworth Hall by Abby Grahame
Yes, I’m a Downton Abbey fan. Yes, that is the pure, single reason why this book interests me. I have no shame.
6. While He Was Away by Karen Schreck
Sometimes I shy away from contemporary YA romances because they are always really hit or miss with me. But Santa could bring me this one and I’d be happy!
7. Hemlock by Kathleen Peacock
This has made my shortlist a few million times, but I’ve never actually walked away with it. I can’t wait to, though!
Vampires. I still have the bite. I can’t help myself. And apparently these are supposed to be pretty good.
9. For Darkness Shows the Stars by Diana Peterfreund
This has me from the moment I saw the cover. It’s just never hit the apex of my list.
10. Seraphina by Rachel Hartman
Tamora Pierce told me I should read this book. I NEED TO READ THIS BOOK.
Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by The Broke and the Bookish!
So, this topic could just roll into one of my typical squealings about the same amazing books, but I want to make this one a little bit more serious. Like, actually books and authors that had an impact rather than books I just read and loved. So here we go!
1. Nancy Drew series
I cannot remember a lot of the books I read as a kid. Still, I remember these with clarity. I couldn’t stop until I rented out each book one by one from the library and finished the entire series. I guess you can say this is when I became a serial reader.
2. Tamora Pierce
A few years ago, she would have made this list just for inspiring me to become a writer and how much I love these books. Now that I’ve spent some time with her–two summers in a row!–I can also say that I am thankful she’s an awesome person and I’m so glad for all the things she’s taught me.
3. Christopher Paolini
Though I eventually grew out of his books–I never even read Brisingr–I have a lot to thank this guy for. I was 12 when I heard his story, and it was at that moment that I actually believed that I, at 12 years old, could write a novel myself. Eragon was also the book that got my brother into reading, FINALLY, and gave me someone to share my reading passions with.
4. Code Name Verity by Elizabeth Wein
There are few books that drive me to tears. This is one of them. I’m very thankful that a book as powerful as this exists.
5. The Immortal Rules by Julie Kagawa
This is the first major book I ever requested and received, even if it was only from NetGalley. I’m ever so thankful for that opportunity and the ones that followed.
6. Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins
There are few books that can make me laugh and cry every single time I read them. This one tops that list. It not only makes me fall in love with it every time I read it, but it also reaffirmed my faith in contemporary YA romance as a genre.
7. Cassandra Clare
I am thankful that Cassie is a wonderful person who is awesome and makes me laugh. I am thankful that she writes amazing, amazing books. I am thankful that even my brother likes these books, so we can share them and have quote-wars over the best quotes from the series.
8. The Last Song by Nicholas Sparks
No book of Sparks’s has ever hit me the way this one did. It reminded me of how much I love my little brother, and the cancer storyline hit way too close to home. I am thankful that I have a book so close to my heart.
9. The Harry Potter series by JK Rowling
Not for the reasons you might think! Yes, I grew up with them, but they weren’t the books that defined my childhood. Instead, they gave me close moments with my brother, before he could read, where I would sit and read to him. There is nothing like having a cute child in single digits run up to you with a book and ask if now is reading time.
10. The Twilight series by Stephenie Meyer
For giving me faith that if she can be published, so can I.
