Category Archives: Top 10 Tuesday

Top Ten Tuesday: Top Ten Books I Want To Re-Read

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Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by the lovely folks over at The Broke And The Bookish.  Every week, bloggers from all over share their own top ten list based on the topic of the week.  You can find all Top Ten Tuesdays here.

Top Ten Books I Want To Re-Read

I don’t re-read a lot but sometimes, I come across books that are just so amazing that I all I want to do is read it over and over. These are those books.

  1. Harry Potter.  It feels like I talk about HP a lot (probably because I do) but this series is my all-time favorite to read over and over.  It has stuck-on-a-deserted-island with one book status.  And the one book I’d save if my house caught on fire status.
  2. The Summer I Turned Pretty by Jenny Han.  This is another one I love to re-read, because sometimes, I just need to feel nostalgic about summer.
  3. Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell.  I’ve only read it the one time, but I’m long overdue for a re-read.
  4. Anna And The French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins.  I just love Anna and St. Clair.
  5. Ten Tiny Breaths series by K.A. Tucker.  I love the entire series, and I really couldn’t pick just one book, but I LOVE this series so freaking much.
  6. The Crown/The Wonder by Colleen Oakes.  I love what she does in this Alice In Wonderland re-telling, and I love that it’s a darker version of Wonderland.
  7. Cinder by Marissa Meyer.  I love Cinder, and it’s a book I really need to read again soon.
  8. Incarnate by Jodi Meadows.  I don’t read a lot of fantasy, but this one really stands out- it’s so vivid and unique, and I love that I’m not reminded of medieval Europe.
  9. Soulless by Gail Carriger.  It’s been a while since I’ve listened to it, and I think it’s time to listen to again!  It’s such a fun book to listen to, mostly because Alexia’s hysterical.
  10. Uglies by Scott Westerfeld.  I just like seeing Tally change so much, and as far as dystopic series go, this one deserves so much more attention!

Top Ten Tuesday: Top Ten Characters I Want To Be For Halloween

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Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by the lovely folks over at The Broke And The Bookish.  Every week, bloggers from all over share their own top ten list based on the topic of the week.  You can find all Top Ten Tuesdays here.

Top Ten Characters I Want To Be For Halloween

Halloween is one of my favorite holidays!  Random Thought: Why on earth is there Christmas stuff next to the Halloween stuff at Target.  I don’t understand this!  Anyway, I have the book-ish and the non-bookish, because, well, I couldn’t help but come up with so many ideas!  (Me being me, I managed to relate most of my choices to books).  Because I’m going off on so many tangents, I really need to watch Hocus Pocus and It’s The Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown, which are my 2 favorite movies to watch this time of year.  (Nightmare Before Christmas is one of my favorite Christmas movies, because I’m weird like that).

  1. Luna Lovegood.  It would be so fun to dress up as Luna!  She’s so quirky and odd and one year, I’m going to have dress up as her.  (Not next year, because I already have some costumes in mind, but maybe the year after that).
  2. Speaking of Halloween costumes for next year, I really want to dress up as someone from Night Vale.  Night Vale definitely inspires costumes for years- hooded figures, scientists, librarians, Night Vale Radio interns, Hiram McDaniels, the Faceless Old Woman Who Secretly Lives In Your Home, Cecil, Old Woman Josie (or one of her angels), the Apache Tracker (except that would be way too offensive, so scratch that) and the Glow Cloud…to name quite a few.
  3. This randomly popped into mind, but it would be really fun to dress up as a character from a historical romance novel. I have no particular character in mind, because I don’t read enough of it to have someone in mind.  It’s mostly an excuse to wear a ballgown or poofy dress.
  4. I’ve always wanted to dress up as a flapper.  I know I’ve read a book or two set during the 1920’s, and it seems like
  5. And a goddess.  Probably Greek, because I’m the most familiar with Greek mythology.  I’ve always liked Athena.
  6. The Queen Of Hearts!  There’s nothing wrong with Alice, but for some reason, I’d much rather be The Queen Of Hearts.
  7. Eve from Morganville Vampires.  It would be fun to dress up as Eve for a night.  Probably because there’s something intriguing and very out-of-my-comfort zone about the Goth look.
  8. Tinkerbell!  I love fairies, and am utterly confused as to why I have never dressed up as Tinkerbell.  On a semi-related note, it would also be fun to dress up as Tiger Lily, as with how she’s described in Jodi Lynn Anderson’s re-telling.
  9. A Disney Princess.  Preferably Snow White, Ariel, Belle or Merida.  Cinderella would be pretty awesome too.  Again, I just want an excuse to wear a big, poofy dress, but Disneybound has some awesome ideas for Disney inspired outfits.
  10. Speaking of Disney-inspired outfits, that’s where I got the inspiration for my Halloween costume this year!  I’m dressing up as Anna from Frozen, and I have most of my outfit put together.  I just need to crochet a shawl before Friday and finish the hat, and I’ll have something I can wear throughout the year.  I can totally pull this off in 3 days.

Top Ten Tuesday: Top Ten New Series I Want To Start

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Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by the lovely folks over at The Broke And The Bookish.  Every week, bloggers from all over share their own top ten list based on the topic of the week.  You can find all Top Ten Tuesdays here.

Top Ten New Series I Want To Start

So, new series!  Like, last couple of years new.  This is actually right up my alley, since I read a lot of series, and there are so many I want to read.  It definitely helps that I tend to go for the more recent releases, and I honestly could have picked any number or series.  I honestly could do several lists just based on this topic alone…but I did narrow it down to ten.  (I just wish I knew how I managed that).

  1. The Diviners by Libba Bray.  I’ve wanted to read this one for a while, especially after reading her Gemma Doyle series. I can’t wait to read it!
  2. Partials by Dan Wells.  I’ve been intrigued with this sci-fi series, especially because it’s about these beings identical to humans.
  3. Venom by Fiona Paul.  I’ve wanted to listen to this one for a while, so I’m just going to have to one of these days.  Plus, it’s in Venice!  You can’t go wrong with a novel set in Venice!  I’m also intrigued with Renaissance Venice, since I don’t normally read books set in that time period…
  4. Just One Day by Gayle Forman.  A lot of people seem to love this series, and I LOVED If I Stay, so I’m going to have to read it soon.
  5. For Darkness Shows The Stars by Diana Peterfreund.  I’m very intrigued by a Luddite nobility, plus, I’ve seen quite a few positive reviews.  And it’s inspired by Persuasion, so that makes me want to read it even more.
  6. The Testing by Janelle Charbonneau.  I’ve been meaning to read it for ages, but forgot to download the ARC from netgalley before it was archived…so I’ve never read it, even though I did eventually buy a copy to read.
  7. Pivot Point by Kasie West.  I very much want to read this book someday, because I’m very intrigued by the idea of a girl who can look into the future and see both possible outcomes.
  8. The Archived by Victoria Schwab.  I feel like this list is full of series I’ve meant to read but never got around to, and this one is no exception.  I mean, it’s about a girl who works in the Archives of the dead!  It’s totally up my alley.
  9. Tandem by Anna Jarzab.  I’ve seen a lot of positive reviews for this book, and I’m intrigued by going into parallel worlds to stop war.
  10. Rebel Belle by Rachel Hawkins.  Partly because I wanted to include something a bit more recent, but also because I like the idea of a Southern Belle who becomes a Paladin.

Top Ten Tuesday: Top Ten Places Books Have Made Me Want To Visit

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Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by the lovely folks over at The Broke And The Bookish.  Every week, bloggers from all over share their own top ten list based on the topic of the week.  You can find all Top Ten Tuesdays here.

Top Ten Places Books Have Made Me Want To Visit

One of my favorite things about reading is that it lets me travel without leaving the comfort of home.  Granted, reading isn’t the same as actually going places, but books makes me want to travel to both fictional places and real places (and reading will just have to do until I can afford to travel).

  1. Hogwarts.  I am still waiting for my letter to Hogwarts.  Who wouldn’t want to go to Hogwarts or the wizarding world?
  2. Narnia.  As a kid, I would hide in the closet in hopes that I’d be transported to Narnia.  Narnia sounds amazing.
  3. Middle Earth.  I’m not a big fan of the Lord Of The Rings (but I will admit that I LOVE the movies) and yet I still find myself wanting to visit Middle Earth.
  4. Candyfreak by Steve Almond did make me want to visit all of the candy factories he mentions in the book.
  5. Paris.  All because of Anna And The French Kiss.  This book makes me want to go to Paris so bad.
  6. The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern makes me wish such a circus existed because I would to LOVE to visit a circus like this.
  7. India sounds like an interesting but bustling place because of Shantaram by Gregory David Roberts.
  8. England…I can’t pick just one book that makes me want to go there, because there are so many!  I think it’s all of the books I’ve read about the Tudors…
  9. The Summer I Turned Pretty by Jenny Han makes me want to visit a place like Cousins Beach and spend the entire summer there.
  10. New Orleans is a place I want to visit, notably because of the Arelia LaRue series and Out Of The Easy by Ruta Sepetys.

Top Ten Tuesday: Top Ten Books For People Who Like Character Driven Novels

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Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by the lovely folks over at The Broke And The Bookish.  Every week, bloggers from all over share their own top ten list based on the topic of the week.  You can find all Top Ten Tuesdays here.

Top Ten Books For People Who Like Character Driven Novels

To be honest, I had to think about this one for a while, because I don’t pay a lot of attention to whether a book is more character-driven or plot-driven.  But after looking through everything I’ve read the last few years, I managed to come up with a few.

  1. You Look Different In Real Life by Jennifer Castle.  I listened to this one recently, and was struck by how much each character stood out, despite the fact that there are so many of them!
  2. Tampa by Alyssa Nutting.  I can’t believe that I’ve mentioned this one for the second time in as many weeks,  but you really get into the characters head, as disturbing as it is.
  3. Code Name Verity by Elizabeth Wein.  One of the things that has jumped out at me while reading Code Name Verity is that it’s more about the narrator telling her story than it is about what’s actually happening.
  4. The Book Thief by Markus Zusak.  I feel a little weird putting this one on my list, as I didn’t actually finish it, because from what I did read, it did seem to be more about the characters.
  5. The Homecoming Masquerade by Spencer Baum.  Yes, you announce you’re in the running for a shot at immortality by wearing black to homecoming, but it really does go into all of the characters and their motivations.
  6. Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell.  It really is about Cath figuring out who she is, and I could so relate to her story.
  7. The Trial Of Dr. Kate by Michael Glasscock.  I’ve really enjoyed his Round Rock series, and this one in particular really highlights the people in this small town.
  8. A World Away by Nancy Grossman.  I’m not sure if this one counts as character-driven, but I liked seeing Eliza experiencing new things for the first time.
  9. Every Day by David Levithan.  I’m not a big fan of the book, but I think it’s an interesting read when your identity changes every day.
  10. The Lady Elizabeth by Alison Weir.  Really, any of her historical fiction books would work, but this is one of my favorite HF books by Weir.  It’s such a good (fictional) look at Elizabeth, and it felt very much like everything actually happened, even though some of it is fictional.

Top Ten Tuesday: Top Ten Books That Were Hard For Me To Read

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Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by the lovely folks over at The Broke And The Bookish.  Every week, bloggers from all over share their own top ten list based on the topic of the week.  You can find all Top Ten Tuesdays here.

Top Ten Books That Were Hard For Me To Read

There are a lot of books that are hard for me to read, for many different reasons.  Whether it’s because I’m bored or because of the subject matter, some books are just really hard to get through.

  1. Tampa by Alyssa Nutting.  This one is the first that came to mind, because it’s about this teacher who seduces one of her students…there was a point where I was going to DNF it, but in the end, I managed to finish because I wanted to see if she’d face any consequences if she got caught.
  2. A Game Of Thrones by G.R.R. Martin.  I had to force myself to finish it, because the detail and length were overwhelming and intimidating.  Not to mention, I was really bored reading it.
  3. Lies We Tell Ourselves by Robin Talley.  Now that I think about it, it was hard to read, because of how real it felt, and how much I could picture everything happening- but it’s also a story I hope we don’t forget.
  4. It’s Not Summer Without You by Jenny Han.  Of the 3 books in the series, the 2nd one was the hardest, because I couldn’t stop crying long enough to read it.
  5. Some Boys by Patty Blount.  Because it’s horribly unfair that everyone will turn against a girl just because they don’t want to believe that the town golden boy is capable of rape.
  6. Out Of Breath by Rebecca Donovan.  Mostly because Emma’s story, and the abuse she suffered at the hands of her aunt, was so heartbreaking that all of the crying made it hard to read.
  7. This Much Is True by Katherine Owen.  It’s such a heartbreaking, angsty story that was hard to read at times, but it was so worth it.
  8. If I Stay by Gayle Forman.  Because a book about a girl deciding to live or die is a hard book to read.
  9. And The Band Played On by Randy Shilts.  I know what AIDS is like now, but it was hard to read a book about the first few years of the AIDS epidemic.
  10. 13 Reasons Why by Jay Asher.  I felt like Hannah was far too willing to blame everyone else, and it made the book really hard to read, but I did like the message that your actions and words have more of an impact than you realize.

Top Ten Tuesday: Top Ten Books On My Fall To Read List

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Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by the lovely folks over at The Broke And The Bookish.  Every week, bloggers from all over share their own top ten list based on the topic of the week.  You can find all Top Ten Tuesdays here.

Top Ten Books On My Fall To Read List

So, I’ve been in a bit of a reading slump lately- which I think I may be coming out of- so working on a fall to-read list seems a little weird, but I’m also hoping that at least one of the following books will help me out.

  1. Stitching Snow by R.C. Lewis.  I’ve added this one to my currently reading shelf, so technically, I’m reading it…even though I actually haven’t started yet.  But I’m still excited to read this one ever since I first heard about, and I’m really looking forward to reading the advance copy I have!
  2. You Look Different In Real Life by Jennifer Castle.  I’m really intrigued by the idea of a movie being made about a few kids every few years…I think it’d be great to listen to, but it’ll have to wait until I have some time to listen to an audio book.
  3. Silk Is For Seduction by Loretta Chase.  I’ve been meaning to read more Loretta Chase, and I’ve had this one for ages.
  4. Isla And The Happily Ever After by Stephanie Perkins.  I just need a cute, fun YA contemporary romance, and I think Isla fits the bill perfectly.
  5. City Of Lost Souls by Cassandra Clare.  Right now, I’m in a YA paranormal mood, plus, I want to see how some things get resolved.
  6. This Is What Happy Looks Like by Jennifer E. Smith.  I really need to read more Jennifer E. Smith.
  7. Dirty Little Secret by Jennifer Echols.  I also need to read more Jennifer Echols, and I think this music-centered book is right up my alley.
  8. Angels’ Blood by Nalini Singh.  I’ve heard such good things about her books that it’s about time I start reading her!
  9. Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell.  I’ve been really nervous to read this book, but I’m going to have to get over it, and read it this fall.
  10. Code Name Verity by Elizabeth Wein.  I’ve been meaning to read this book for ages, and I need to stop putting it off.

Top Ten Tuesday: Top Ten Authors I Need To Read More Of

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Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by the lovely folks over at The Broke And The Bookish.  Every week, bloggers from all over share their own top ten list based on the topic of the week.  You can find all Top Ten Tuesdays here.

Top Ten Authors I’ve Read One Book From And Need To Read More Of

I have a tendency to read every book an author has written, so it was quite the challenge to come up with 10 authors I’ve only read one book from!  But, there are some authors who I really need to read more of, so here are my 10 authors!

  1. Jennifer Echols.  I’ve only read Such A Rush, and I LOVED it, so I have no idea why I haven’t read her other books yet.
  2. Jennifer E. Smith.  I loved Statistical Probability Of First Sight, and yet, I have yet to read her other books.
  3. Emma Raveling.  I read Whirl, the first book in her Ondine series ages ago, but for some crazy and unknown reason, I haven’t finished the series yet.
  4. I’m looking forward to reading the rest of Splintered series by A.G. Howard.
  5. I’ve read Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell, but I’m terrified to read her other books- especially Eleanor & Park- because I feel like I won’t like them the way I loved Fangirl.
  6. Makiia Lucier.  A Death-Struck Year is one of my favorites so far, and I really want another book by Lucier to come out soon!
  7. I’m really looking forward to reading more books by Abbi Glines.  Why have I not read her other books?
  8. After reading Me Since You, I’ve decided that I need to read more Laura Wiess.
  9. And I feel the same way about Leila Sales after reading This Song Will Save Your Life.
  10. Lovely, Dark and Deep by Amy McNamara is another favorite, and I really want her to come out with another book, because I know it’ll be just as awesome as Lovely, Dark and Deep.

Top Ten Tuesday: Top Ten Underrated YA Books

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Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by the lovely folks over at The Broke And The Bookish.  Every week, bloggers from all over share their own top ten list based on the topic of the week.  You can find all Top Ten Tuesdays here.

Top Ten Underrated YA Books Of All Genres

There are so many YA books out there that really need more attention!  I was going to go with YA contemporary, but I kept thinking of so many different awesome books that I couldn’t stick with just one genre.

  1. Witch Child by Celia Rees.  To me, it seems like historical fiction isn’t huge in YA- and within historical fiction, the 1920’s, World War 2 and the late 1800’s/early 1900’s are super popular to the point that it seems like nothing else exists.  Witch Child is is about a young woman (who just happens to be a witch) and finds herself living with the Puritans.  It’s such a great book, and I love that it’s in diary form.
  2. Illuminate by Aimee Agresti.  I’m sure a lot of people are probably over the paranormal genre, but I think Illuminate is great!  It’s a slightly different take on angels, and I like that Haven doesn’t have to make a decision to fight for good or evil.
  3. The Adoration Of Jenna Fox by Mary Pearson.  I love that Jenna Fox is sci-fi, and I feel like straight-up sci-fi isn’t huge in YA.  But it definitely makes you think about how far is too far in terms of science and ethics.
  4. Unwind by Neal Shusterman.  Unwind is a really underrated dystopic novel!  It’s interesting that it deals with unwinding kids (the compromise made between people who are pro-life and pro-choice) and that Shusterman has narrators from so many different points of view.  He does a great job with showing all of the different sides.
  5. Uglies by Scott Westerfeld.  I really wish more people talked about Uglies!  It definitely focuses on beauty, and given how much people like to talk about beauty standards for women, you’d think this one would make more waves.  It’s definitely one of my favorites!
  6. Speechless by Hannah Harrington.  I love that Chelsea’s vow of silence taught her so much, and that she had to deal with the consequences of her actions.
  7. Wander Dust by Michelle Warren.  Wander Dust is such a great paranormal book!  I like that’s it’s all about time travel, and that you have to work in teams, and that each team member has their own strengths and talents.
  8. Witch Struck by Victoria Lamb.  Witch-Struck is such a good combination of historical fiction and paranormal, and I love that they go so well together.  Plus, it’s set during the reign of Bloody Mary, which had me sold!
  9. A Death-Struck Year by Makiia Lucier.  Another historical fiction, this time set during the Spanish flu epidemic.  I definitely want to read more about it because of this book.
  10. The Crown by Colleen Oakes.  I love this take on Alice In Wonderland and how it’s about the Queen Of Hearts and how she got that way.  And I love how dark it is.  It’s definitely a great book.

Top Ten Tuesdays: Top Ten Characters I Want Sitting At My Lunch Table

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Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by the lovely folks over at The Broke And The Bookish.  Every week, bloggers from all over share their own top ten list based on the topic of the week.  You can find all Top Ten Tuesdays here.

Top Ten Characters I Want Sitting At My Lunch Table

This is such a good topic, as it’s back to school time!  I’ve been out of school for quite some time, but if I did find myself back in school, this are the characters I’d want to be sitting with.

  1. Luna Lovegood from Harry Potter. Everyone needs a Luna in their life, and she’d be great to have lunch with because she’s so quirky.
  2. Mia from Princess Diaries.  Mia and I would so be friends in real life.  We’re totally the type of people to freak out about stuff, so we’d probably get along great.
  3. Meg from A Wrinkle In Time.  I love Meg, and she’s another character I would probably be friends with in real life.  I feel like we’re a lot alike.
  4. Claire from Morganville Vampires.  I feel like Claire and I would be friends in real life, because we both seem to be into school, and trouble seems to find her, she’s also a pretty nice person.
  5. Anna from Anna And The French Kiss.  It would be so fun to go to the movies with her!
  6. Iko from Cinder.  I love Iko, and she’s such a loyal and good friend that I’d totally want to have lunch with her.
  7. Joanne from Weather Wardens.  I really want her sense of fashion, and she’d be a great person to shop with!
  8. Ana from Incarnate.  Is it surprising that I think Ana and I would be friends in real life?  Because I’m pretty sure that we’d be good friends…I feel like we’ve both struggled with being different and finding our place.  While it’s something we all experience, I feel like I’d totally invite her to sit with me.
  9. Tonks from Harry Potter.  Mostly because Tonks is fun and tough, and I’d like to think that maybe some of that would rub off on me.
  10. Fred and George from Harry Potter.  I know it’s weird that Hermione isn’t on the list, but Fred and George are really funny, and it’d be hilarious to have them around.