Top Ten Books I Thought I Would Like More or Less

Today's Top Ten Tuesday is a freebie and because I missed this topic a few weeks ago, I decided to do it today.

The five I thought I'd like less:

Looking For Alaska--I know that now this seems laughable, but I was not a big contemporary reader back in the dark ages. I picked this up on a random whim. And now.

Audrey, Wait!--I thought this would just be a light read but LOVE.

Grave Mercy--Me and historical fiction don't often mix well. But this. book.

The Ruby Oliver Series--I didn't realize it while I was reading this series, but I learned so many lessons from this book that I use every single day and I because of that I love it more each time. Perhaps a reread is in order?

Anna and the French Kiss--That (original) cover was such a huge turn-off. I'm so grateful for the bloggers that reviewed this and convinced me otherwise.

The five I thought I'd like more:

Other--A homeschooled protagonist and an original world with a POC love interest? Should've been
great, but fell flat.

One of Those Hideous Books Where The Mother Dies--I love verse novels! But I could not connect to this one at all.

Ultraviolet--I liked R.J. Anderson's Faery Rebels, and this one sounded really different and cool. But...it just got weird.

Like Mandarin--Since my new stance on contemporary (meaning that I love it) I expect to love all of them. But this one just wasn't for me.

This Girl Is Different--Another homeschooled protagonist! But this book just tried too hard. Why are there no cool books with homeschooled MCs?

Jessica

My Ten Favorite Covers

Today's Top Ten Tuesday is favorite covers of the books you've read. Here are mine:

Jessica

Top Ten Books I Recommend The Most

People are, naturally, always asking me for book recommendations. And after I find out what they've liked already, I consider myself to be pretty helpful.

To people that like The Hunger Games: 

Divergent by Veronica Roth

Uglies by Scott Westerfeld

Maximum Ride by James Patterson (Especially for younger readers.)

To people that like John Green:

Jellicoe Road by Melina Marchetta

It's Kind of a Funny Story by Ned Vizzini

Pink by Lili Wilkinson

Please Ignore Vera Dietz by A.S. King

Hannah Moskowitz's books

To people that are looking for "guy books":

Swim the Fly by Don Calame

The Rise of Renegade X by Chelsea Campbell

I also recommend the following books quite a bit:

The Wolves of Mercy Falls series by Maggie Stiefvater
Grave Mercy by Robin LaFevers
If I Stay and Where She Went by Gayle Forman

There's more...but I need to stop.

(Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by The Broke and the Bookish.)

Top Ten Books I Want Santa to Bring Me

Christmas, for me, is a great holiday for me. For lots of reasons, really, but one of those reasons if because I ask for all of the books I've put off buying for myself. It's great.


Grave Mercy
OH GRAVE MERCY, MY LOVE. I NEED YOU SO I CAN REREAD YOU AND MAYBE MAKE FANGIRL GRAPHICS FOR TUMBLR.

Saving June
Ahhhh I can't believe I don't own this book yet.

Raw Blue
This book is supposed to be, like, the Aussie YA book and I've been dying to read it for years.

Insurgent
I've heard mixed things about this sequel, but either way I need to read it.

Ask The Passengers
A.S. King is the bomb-diggity and from what I hear this is one of her best yet.

Unreleased ('cause, you know, Santa's magical):

Just One Day
Gayle Forman's new book! I don't even remember what this is about and it doesn't matter!

Dark Triumph
APRIL SERIOUSLY ARE YOU KIDDING ME.

The Trials of Renegade X
It's been a long, long time since I've read The Rise of Renegade X, but my love for the book has remained. So I require the sequel ASAP.

Nobody But Us
I LOVE the concept of this book.

Isla and the Happily Ever After
I am SO ready for new Stephanie Perkins in my life, guys.

10 (Booky) Things I'm Thankful For

American Thanksgiving is coming up, which means a few things. The first being that I get to eat some wonderful food soon. The second being that I have to brainstorm things I am thankful for, which is kind of why I decided to participate in the theme this week.

John Green

No surprise here, but I am sosososo thankful for John Green because he is my favorite author and the messages I have taken from his books and GAH HE'S SO GREAT GUYS.

Shelfari

Shelfari was where I first met book-bloggers and discovered that that was even a thing. It also introduced me to new books, new music, and fun people. It was basically where I spent my life as a 12/13 year old newbie bookworm.

Carolrhoda Books

These people are publishing some great, innovative new YA books and I am very grateful for their vision.

The Strand

Believe the hype, guys. This bookstore is beyond amazing.

Grave Mercy

Are you guys sick of me talking about this amazing book yet? That might be too bad.

My Library

Free books are better than not-free books, if you ask me. And volunteering has only made me appreciate what librarians do more. So thank you to everyone that helps supply me with free books!

Netgalley

Though sometimes I curse its name when I snatch up too many galleys at once, it really is a great site and I love the path it's on.

Gayle Forman

Her sentences and characters and books in general are just, you know, some of the best ever.

Everyone That Will Put Up With Me Talking About Books All Day

So you know, my best friends, my mom, my siblings, my dad, my grandparents... Thanks for not slapping me!

Everyone That Follows My Blog

I don't think I need to specify on this one.

Top Ten Halloweeny Books

I freaking LOVE Halloween, because:

1. Costumes!
2. Attempting to scare children in said costume and then feeling guilty when you do!
3. Peeps! (Meaning companions.)
4. Horror movies and horror books!
5. PEEPS! (Meaning the candy.)
6. Sweet decorations!
7. Haunted houses!

So, naturally, I have put together an excellent list of Halloweeny (YES IT'S A WORD) books to get you as excited for this glorious event as I am.

Anna Dressed In Blood
This book has gore, a cool cast of characters, AND it plays on the classic ghost story in a way I can't help but love.

I Hunt Killers
Jazz's memories of his serial killer father can be legit creeptastic, and Jazz's inner struggle to be less like him is so captivating in the strangest way.

Family
This one's just plain SCARY. Like SWEET KEVIN BACON these people are cray.

The Devouring
I don't remember loving this one very much because the characters were flat, but I also remember thinking that the concept was really cool.

The Near Witch
This book reads like a fairy tale your parents read you when you're very young on a cold winter day that captures your interest, imagination, and makes you just a little bit scared.

Grave Mercy
There's nothing in this book that's going to keep you awake at night BUT it has killing and it's really really good and I demand you read it.

Shade
I love the world Smith-Ready creates with this series and I think this was the best book in it.

Cryer's Cross
This book is SO deliciously maniacal. Seriously, if you want a story of loss, making out, and mysterious supernatural killings...do this.

Hold Me Closer, Necromancer
I LOVE THIS BOOK. There's nothing scary about it in the slightest, but it has werewolves, dead things, more dead things, and fantastic humor.

The Body Finder
Dead bodies and hot make out scenes! What whaaatttt.

Top Ten Books I Wanna Read This Summer

This week's Top Ten Tuesday (hosted by Broke and the Bookish) was a freebie, so I picked Top Ten Books I Wanna Read This Summer, because a) it is timely and b) maybe publicly posting it will help me actually get these read.

Freefall by Mindi Scott

I've had this checked out from the library for about a year and a half, and it's about time I actually read it.

Audrey, Wait! by Robin Benway

Bought this one a while back and I keep hearing things about that make it sounds like an awesome summer read.

I Hunt Killers by Barry Lyga

Only have this one for a little while from the library so. Also SERIAL KILLERS WOOO.

The Sky is Everywhere by Jandy Nelson

Sounds like this one will give me the sadz but also be worth it.

Streams of Babel by Carol Plum-Ucci

I've had the sequel to this to review for forever, and I'm done putting this series off.

Slice of Cherry by Dia Reeves

Bought a while back and SERIAL KILLERS WOOO.

The Gathering by Kelly Armstrong

This one showed up randomly in my mailbox around its release date, and if I don't read something by Armstrong soon my family may murder me.

Stay by Deb Caletti

Again, showed up randomly around its release date.

The Book Thief by Marcus Zusak

Sad I haven't read this one yet, right?

Bad Girls Don't Die by Katie Alender

Ghosts! Yay! Also I have the sequel to review.

Top Ten Favorite Heroines

So this week's Top Ten Tuesday (hosted by The Broke and The Bookish) is a rewind, meaning I get to pick any past topic. Soooo I picked: Top Ten Favorite Heroines! HOLLA AT MY FAVORITE FELLOW FEMALES.

So let's start with the obvious, because I mean this is me we're talking about.

John Green's female leads

I love his manic pixie dream girls. They are my favorite. (Note: I've only read Looking For Alaska, Paper Towns, and An Abundance of Katherines. But still. I'M READING TFIOS SOON I PROMISE.) They are so full of depth and complexities. I love re-reading his novels just so I can look for more about them.

Ismae from Grave Mercy

I'm sure you guys saw this coming because of my review, but I'm still gonna say it: I freaking LOVE Ismae. She is smart, funny, and also AN ASSASSIN. I love her. She is one of my fictional idols.

Frankie from The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks

Pleeease can Frankie be the latest addition to my clique? Then my wolf pack can have four, AND we can have a wonderfully smart and determined chick in our clique that also makes up words and fantastic pranks.

Katniss from The Hunger Games Trilogy

This one's obvious.

Harper from Saving June

Harper pretty much rules, k? She's strong yet soft and funny and so, so real that it is unreal. Sometimes I felt like we were practically the same person, and for me that is one of the best feelings you can experience while reading.

Grace from The Wolves of Mercy Falls Series

Grace is a unique, interesting kind of heroine. She is not strong and she's not hilarious, but she creeps into your thoughts and stays there. It is most wonderful and I pretty much adore her.

Tris from Divergent

Tris? She is TOUGH. AS. NAILS. She follows her heart and then she throws knives at people and stuff. It is boss.

Mia from If I Stay and Where She Went

Mia is kind of like a Grace-type heroine but in a more understandable way, if that makes sense. She is a character that makes you feel like you could pluck her off the page and have a wonderful conversation with her. Also she's got such class.

Ava from Pink

Ava is SO CONFUSED. You cannot help but chuckle at her narration and her missteps while you love her and want her to just figure it out already.

Megan from The Iron Fey Series

You know what Megan does when her brother gets kidnapped in The Iron King? She's like, "K," and goes into the land of the freaking Fae where stuff tries to kill her. Dudes, if that isn't an anti-Bella, then I don't know what is.

Top Ten Tuesday

The topic for today's Tuesday is Books I'm Most Excited to Read This Spring. I'm throwing in some books I own or have ARCs of that I just haven't read yet but am still really excited to dig into, and those will be marked with asterisks.

Insurgent by Veronica Roth
The Fault In Our Stars by John Green*
The Scorpio Races by Maggie Stiefvater*
Everybody Sees The Ants by A.S. King*
The Trials of Renegade x by Chelsea Campbell
Gone, Gone, Gone by Hannah Moskowitz*
The Immortal Rules by Julie Kagawa*
I Hunt Killers by Barry Lyga
The Disenchantments by Nina LaCour*
Shine by Jeri Smith-Ready

Honorable mentions:
Perception by Kim Harrington
Wings of the Wicked by Courtney Allison Moulten

Top Ten Tuesday

Today's topic on Top Ten Tuesday is...well, top 10 books from whatever genre you want. So naturally, today my list is gonna be on my Top Ten Contemporary YAs.

1. Looking For Alaska, Paper Towns, and An Abundance of Katherines by John Green (Cheating, but I don't think I care.)
2. If I Stay and Where She Went by Gayle Forman
3. Saving June by Hannah Harrington
4. Jellicoe Road by Melina Marchetta
5. The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks by E. Lockhart
6. Please Ignore Vera Dietz by A.S. King
7. Pink by Lili Wilkinson
8. Anna and The French Kiss and Lola and the Boy Next Door by Stephanie Perkins
9. Past Perfect by Leila Sales
10. And Then Things Fall Apart by Arlaina Tribensky

Honorable mentions:

Ten Things We Did by Sarah Mlynowski
A Blue So Dark by Holly Schindler

What are some of your favorite contemporaries?

Top "Ten" Tuesday

So even though it's my birthday I HAVE to do this Top Ten Tuesday because it's Books I'd Give a Theme Song To, and this TTT was like MADE FOR ME. But I could only think of six (hence the "Ten", thing) because this is HARD, guys.

1. The First Drop by Rise Against  for The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

"I'm sick and tired of playing your games
I'm not alone
I stand amongst the voiceless millions in the unforgiving sun
Here arm in arm we parade these streets
And sing our songs."


(I'm pretty disappointed in the direction the album for the movie is going in; it's completely the opposite of what I'd envisioned for it.)


2. Let It Be by The Beatles for Saving June by Hannah Harrington


"When I find myself in times of trouble, Mother Mary comes to me
Speaking words of wisdom, let it be
And in my hour of darkness she is standing right in front of me
Speaking words of wisdom, let it be
Let it be, let it be, let it be, let it be
Whisper words of wisdom, let it be"


(Mostly just because it plays such a huge role in the book, and I'll never be able to hear it again without thinking about this book.)


3. All I Wanted by The Airborne Toxic Event for Please Ignore Vera Dietz by A.S. King


"And you tell me that your scared that you're
Turning into your mother.
I feel myself, turning into my father.
As we lie to each other like they do,
And say we're so happy.
It's easy when you're young and you still want it
So badly."


4. Asleep by The Smiths for The Perks of Being A Wallflower by Stephen Chobsky

"Sing me to sleep 
And then leave me alone
Don't try to wake me in the morning
"Cause I will be gone
Don't feel bad for me
I want you to know
Deep in the cell of my heart
I will feel so glad to go."

(Again, it plays such a huge roll in the book.)

5. Where Is My Mind by The Pixies for Going Bovine by Libba Bray

"With your feet on the air and your head on the ground
Try this trick and spin it, yeah
Your head will collapse
But there's nothing in it
And you'll ask yourself
Where is my mind."

6. What Sarah Said by Death Cab for Cutie for If I Stay by Gayle Forman

Mostly just for this line, because it makes me think of Adam and what he went through throughout the whole book:

"Love is watching

someone die."

Do you agree or disagree with my picks? Sound off in the comments, and link me to yours.

Top Ten Tuesday

Today's topic is Top Ten Books I'd Save If Someone Threw a Pipe Bomb in My House (or something along those lines).

1. The Rise of Renegade X by Chelsea Campbell
I don't know if you guys know this but I won a contest a while back for a copy of Renegade X that has notes from Chelsea Campbell throughout it. It's also signed to me and a ton of other wonderful things. I love it to death, and the knowledge that it's truly one of a kind helps.

2. All of my John Green books
The three I've read are some of my absolute favorites, and whenever I hold them they bring such nostalgic memories with them, especially Looking For Alaska. And the two I haven't read are the only two signed, so.


3. Shiver and Linger by Maggie Stiefvater
Maggie Stiefvater is the only author I've ever met, and it was so awkward but awesome, too. And she signed these books to me, so.

4. The Catcher In The Rye by J.D. Salinger
I've yet to finish this one, but it's an old battered copy from the 70's that I just love to look at. It even smells like the 70's (or your grandma's basement, depending on your grandma).

5. Hush, Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick
It's been forever since I've read this, but it's got a major sentimental value for me: it was my first ever ARC.

6. The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein
I've always loved this book. I've read it countless times and every time I've found a new meaning to it and a new reason to love it and pass it on to my kids one day.

7. The Hunger Games series by Suzanne Collins
Just because I love it so much.

8. Please Ignore Vera Dietz by A.S. King
THIS BOOK.

9. Jellicoe Road by Melina Marchetta
THIS BOOK.

10. If I Stay by Gayle Forman
THIS BOOK. ADAM. MY TEARS.

Top Ten Tuesday

Today's Top Ten Tuesday (which, as always, is hosted by The Broke and The Bookish) is Top Ten Books I'd Recommend for Reluctant Readers.

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
These books are a) awesome and b) action-packed, and their size is not very intimidating.

Maximum Ride: The Angel Experiment by James Patterson
This was my first favorite series. Patterson isn't the best writer, but his chapters are really short, and this book is a fast read and full of action and sarcasm.

The Scott Pilgrim Series by Bryan Lee O'Malley
In my experience with some friends, graphic novels and manga can lead reading other kinds of books, and this is the best graphic novel series I've ever read.

Twilight by Stephanie Meyer
Yes, yes, I know, ew, but this is the book that got me and my best friend into reading, and I know it's done the same thing for countless others.

The Boyfriend List by E. Lockhart
This one reminds me of a classic John Hughes movie with a few panic attacks thrown in for good measure. Plus, they're really short and funny, so yay.

Ripple by Mandy Hubbard
I have not actually read Ripple, but I'm recommending it to reluctant readers based on my younger sister's reaction to the book. She wasn't a big reader before Ripple, but she picked it up from the library and devoured it, and now she loves reading.

Angus, Thongs, and Full Frontal Snogging by Louise Rennison
I have a feeling that if I read this one when I was 12 I would've LOVED it. When I read it a few months ago, I still thought it was awesome! This book is funny and fast.

Hex Hall by Rachel Hawkins
These books are fast, cute, and such fun. I cannot imagine a girl turning these down.

Divergent by Veronica Roth
This one is full of kick-buttery. It's size may be intimidating to some, but once they start reading it they won't be able to stop!

Anna and The French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins
Anna and the French Kiss is like the best kind of chick-lit that even skeptics like me will enjoy.

Top Ten Books I Want to Give As Gifts

Top Ten Tuesday is a feature hosted by the ladies at The Broke and The Bookish that I occasionally participate in. Today's topic is Ten Books I Want To Give As Gifts (And Who I'd Give Them To).

The Rise of Renegade X by Chelsea Campbell

To: EVERYONE I LIKE.

I feel like everyone with a decent sense of humor can enjoy this book, and everyone I like has such a sense of humor.

Saving June by Hannah Harrington

To: Music lovers and musicians.

My review of this will be up soon, but without giving too many of my thoughts away, lemme just say that this is a perfect book for the music lover in your life.

Divergent by Veronica Roth

To: People who label people.

Not that they'd read it. But labels annoy me and I love how anti-label this book is. Plus it rocks so.

Anna and the French Kiss and Lola and the Boy Next Door by Stephanie Perkins
To: People who enjoy a great love story.

Even if they don't want to admit it.

Hold Me Closer, Necromancer by Lish McBride

To: Those who have given up on the paranormal genre.

If you've read this, you'll understand what I mean. If you haven't then DO IT.

An Abundance of Katherines by John Green

To: That guy that always gets dumped. And those who appreciate a good, smart book.

Self explanatory, I think.

Past Perfect by Leila Sales

To: Uncle Rico from Napoleon Dynamite. Or anyone who's getting over a breakup.

We all know a guy like Uncle Rico, who lives in the past. Plus this is a great breakup book.

The Day Before by Lisa Schroeder

To: People who say they don't like verse novels.

Cause.

Any Good Dystopia

To: Whoever's trying to pass that law to censor the internet.

"SEE," I'd shout as the read the book in horror, "SEE WHAT'S GONNA HAPPEN IF YOUR STUPID LAW PASSES?"

Top Ten Tuesday

Every so often I participate in The Broke and The Bookish's awesome meme, Top Ten Tuesday, which I'd say is pretty self explanatory. This week's topic:

Top Ten Books That Have Been On My Shelf For The Longest But I've Never Read

Um. I have a lot of these.

Willow by Julia Hoban

Ballads of Suburbia by Stephanie Kuehnert

Graceling by Kristen Cashore

Bleeding Violet by Dia Reeves

Inside Out by Maria V Snyder

Gone by Michael Grant

Will Grayson, Will Grayson by John Green and David Levithan

Impossible by Nany Werlin

Audrey, Wait! by Robin Benway

Beautiful Creatures by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl

You guys read any of these? Which of these should I bump up on my to-read list?

Top Ten Books I Want To Reread

It's Tuesday, which means lists all over the blogosphere, thanks to the cool chicks at The Broke and the Bookish. This week's topic is books I want to reread, which there are an abundance of.

1. The Hunger Games Series by Suzanne Collins

With the movie coming out in March, I'm dying to reread the series so I can remember more of everything that happened and catch any screw-ups in the movie.

2. Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher

This was my first ever review, and despite everyone's praise, it wasn't very positive. But I've read much more realistic fiction now, so maybe I'd appreciate it more. I'd love to see if that's the case.

3. The Rise of Renegade X by Chelsea Campbell

It's a need, guys.

4 and 5. Wolves of Mercy Falls Series and Lament by Maggie Stiefvater

I want to read the Wolves series again just cause I love it so darn much. I ready Lament before I started blogging, and I'd have to reread it before I start it's much-loved sequel, Ballad.

6. The Twilight Series by Stephanie Meyer

I want to see if I'd hate this series after reading so many other books...

7. Looking For Alaska by John Green

I have already reread this book this year, but I have a feeling it's one of those reread-it-whenever-you-get-the-chance type books.

8. Jellicoe Road by Melina Marchetta

I imagine it'd be a totally different book if I knew what I was about to experience going into it. Plus, Marchetta's writing is fantastic and I want to love it again.

9 and 10. If I Stay and Where She Went

BACK TO BACK. Cause the phrase "too much Adam" doesn't even make sense.