To Read, or Not Read? That is the Question {A Top Ten Tuesday Post}

Top Ten Tuesday is a meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish. Each week they provide a Top Ten topic for you to create your list, then you share it on their post so others can find you. :)

  ♥ Top Ten Books I'm Not Sure I Want To Read... For Whatever Reason ♥

Obviously my TBR list is lengthy, just as yours. I add a book and forget about it - why it's there, why it appealed to me in the first place. Unless, of course, it's by an author I really like(d) or has had LOTS of buzz. I came up with a few for this list on my own, but then I ventured over to Goodreads to see my list of books to-read. I tried to choose books that I remember putting on there, rather than the miscellaneous ones I thought "I don't even remember your cover, your title."  :) That being said... 

Anything New by Lauren Oliver

I want to read this one, but I'm scared I'll not like it. :(

Hate that statement. I *loved* the Delirium series... even the last one. But I've also read Before I Fall & Panic, and I didn't love either of those. In fact, I barely liked Panic at all. I only finished it because it was Lauren Oliver and I was expecting it to be/get better.

Anything New-ish by Jodi Picoult

This is one of my favorites of hers.

Guilt. That's what I feel over this one. I fell in love with Jodi's books many moons ago, and devoured them. I couldn't WAIT to get my hands on them. And I still want to own them all. Maybe one day I will read them again. I think the problem may be that they started getting so incredibly heavy and full of such controversial subjects that I just bogged down in them. I still think she's an awesome author, I just stopped wanting to be in her stories. I've read them all up to House Rules, I think. I think that's where I stopped, anyway. ;)

Casual Vacancy by JK Rowling

I, like hordes of others, LOVED Harry Potter. There's a few authors I would read anything they write - even it were a take on the alphabet or a phone book - but this one? It's on my shelf. I might read it. I don't know. I've heard so many things about it. I don't expect it to be anything like HP... I don't know what to even expect. 

The Future of Us by Jay Asher & Carolyn Mackler

I think 13 Reasons Why is one of the best books ever. But I've heard some negative reviews about this one, so, while it sits on my shelf collecting dust, I have yet to make a decision about whether or not to read it.

City of Fallen Angels by Cassandra Clare

I read The Mortal Instrument Series before it became more than three books. And that felt like a solid ending, really. So do I want to go on? I own this one, so it's definitely a possibility. And I really like Cassandra Clare's writing/storytelling. But I think I would have to re-read or refresh my memory on what happened in the first three.

Flutter by Gina Linko

I won this book in a giveaway a while back. I just haven't "felt" it any time I've picked it up as an option. 

The Archived by Victoria Schwab

This has been on my Kindle for ages. I love the concept, I just can't get into it (and I've tried a few times). Do I need to get past a certain point? That could be the issue. I don't know.

Darkest Minds by Alexandra Bracken

This sounds promising and has great reviews, so why am I wary? I have no clue.

 

 The 5th Wave by Rick Yancey

Malissa loved this one so I should be all over it. It sits on my shelf, waiting to be read, but I just don't know.

The Selection by Kiera Cass

I have an ARC of this one that I got off the YA Book Exchange. While I think I like the premise, I don't know if I want to read it, despite good reviews.

So... convince me. Do I read these? Or do I let them go? 

Smiles,
B

 

Books & Authors Significant in My Reading Journey {A Top Ten Post}

Top Ten Tuesday is a meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish. Each week they provide a Top Ten topic for you to create your list, then you share it on their post so others can find you. :)

  ♥ Top Ten 'Gateway' Books/Authors In My Reading Journey♥

Ugh. I swear I'm trying to do this more. I really am. Maybe when I get internet at home? We'll see. As it is, I'll just come and go as I please. :)

 

I'm not really sure how to answer this one. I don't think there were really any (or at least many) books/authors that really got me into reading. I honestly don't recall a time I didn't enjoy reading. I was never a struggling reader and I always enjoyed getting lost in stories. 

 

Some of the ones I remember from grade school that kept me going:

 

Lurlene McDaniel

 I know these are super sad stories, and I haven't read any as an adult (although I still have all the ones I owned from back then on my top shelf)... but, man, I devoured these. 

 

RL Stine

Creepy and exciting. Definitely kept me turning pages.

 

Sweet Pickles Series

These, I've discovered, are not widely remembered, but I loved collecting them.

 

The Ghost of Windy Hill by Clyde Robert Bulla

I used to get in trouble for staying up and reading this one with a flashlight. Mysteriously, said flashlight disappeared from my room. Hmmm....

 

In high school, I couldn't get enough of:

 

Christopher Pike

I loved going on these thrilling and mysterious rides. I can never thank my friend, Rachel, enough for introducing him to me.

 

LJ Smith

Before she became a phenomenon due to The Vampire Diaries, LJ Smith was already wooing me and many of my friends back in the day. I've never watched the show, but the original Vampire Diaries series is one of my faves of hers... along with The Secret Circle, The Forbidden Game, and Dark Visions. Somehow I always felt like part of a secret club when reading them. ;)

 

There was a time when I didn't read *as much* as I have in recent years. College, life, what-have-you. But one summer break from college, I really started compiling a heavy "read" list, which started with:

 

White Oleander by Janet Fitch

I loved this story. The way it was written, the characters. I loved it all. 

 

Karen Kingsbury

Looking back, I do find this one a little odd. But I did read nearly all of her books to-date (at that time, of course). Eventually I think they started to feel a little *too* heavy on the religious/preachy side for me and I moved on, but I would definitely recommend them to anyone looking for books in the contemporary Christian fiction genre.

 

Jodi Picoult

I discovered her by accident. I was going through my niece's shelves, looking for a book to read. I couldn't find one that caught my attention, but she was reading Vanishing Acts and loving it. So I got it from the library and LOVED it. I've read most, and own most, of her books to-date. :)

Sarah Dessen

I stumbled upon her while I was working on the Mobile Library... and I kinda feel like she's the YA version of Jodi Picoult. Sure, she doesn't get as controversial or deliver some extreme plot twist at the end (at least not in most books), but she does deal with some serious/heavy topics. Anyway. I totally loved the story (Just Listen) and enjoyed her writing. And I continue to, as well. (And, if I really look back, this was probably my main 'gateway' into YA literature...)

Anyway. There's my picks for this week. :)

What's on your list? 

Happy Tuesday!

Smiles,

B

 

Recommended Reads {A Top Ten Tuesday Post}

Top Ten Tuesday is a meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish. Each week they provide a Top Ten topic for you to create your list, then you share it on their post so others can find you. :)

  ♥ Top Ten Books I Would Recommend To... ♥

I have no problem recommending books... sort of. I mean, I will recommend stuff all the time, to Malissa, Mindy, Danielle... but there's always the nagging thought...

What if... what if I feel:

 

  And then they feel:

 

Yes, I realize that it's better if we all have varied opinions, that what works for one may not work with another. But, and I know you feel me here, when it's something we absolutely loved, that touched us on some deeper level, we want that person we're recommending it to to grasp the awesomeness that is that book as well. Right? But, alas, that doesn't always happen. Such is life. Plus, it'd be pretty damn boring if we all liked the same stuff, right?

All that being said, to my sister-in-law (one of the slowest readers I've ever met, so the book has to be quick/easy to get into...) I would recommend the following:

        
     
        

I've loved each of these at one time or another. And definitely could see (or maybe just hope) that Michelle would love them just as much. :)

What books would you recommend? To anyone specific?

Smiles,
B   

 

 

♥ Showing Some Author Love ♥

Okay. Raise your hand if you fangirl over books. Yeah... that's what I thought. I'd count the hands up but I don't have time. (Not to mention that I can't see you... ) How many fangirl over certain authors? Again? Wow. Okay, not really surprised. 

I have so many books I love. And I have a few authors authors that I would read no matter what. For real, no matter what. They could write a sci-fi book and I would read it. (In case you didn't pick up my meaning there, I don't read sci-fi... I've tried. I have yet to be able to get into it. I don't typically watch sci-fi movies/shows, either. Supernatural/paranormal, yeah. Sci-fi? Not so much. Anyway. I digress.) These are authors that I have yet to dislike a book, who's writing style I adore, worlds I don't want to leave...

I've decided to do a series of posts about these amazing authors (in no particular order), one a week until I'm done, starting, well, today. :) To give each their due. I want highlight them for how much I love them. So share with me, love with me... feel free to post with me! :)

I'm going to start with... 

Jodi Picoult. I know I feature mostly YA here, since that's what I'm really into right now. But my first love affair with an author's books was Jodi Picoult's. I discovered her by chance one day in the library. I had always loved to read, but when I checked out Vanishing Acts, I fell irrevocably in love with her writing, her story telling. And I devoured her books; all the ones up to that date, and I've bought them ever since (although, I hate to admit this, despite owning them, I haven't read the last few books she's published... Eventually I'll get to them. They're not going anywhere.)

It was also the first time ever I reached out to contact a celebrity of any kind. When I was a kid the 'in' thing, the 'cool' thing, to do was to write fan letters to your favorite celebrity. I never did it. I never felt the urge, really. But then I discovered a contact place on Jodi Picoult's website. And it said that she responded. I was skeptical, sure, but I did it anyway. And you know what? She responded. In like a day. Keep in mind, this was prior to My Sister's Keeper taking the literary nation by storm, and I can't say for certain (obviously) if she would respond that quickly today. But still. Just the fact that she responded blew my mind. I mean, I'm nobody to her. And I didn't ask anything, just told her how much I loved her books. It was so exciting.

And the coolest thing about author interaction? It never gets less exciting than that first time! :)  I've tweeted and emailed with a few authors that will make this list and, let me tell ya, it never gets old. Never.

Okay. I'm going to stop rambling. :)

Happy Thursday!

Smiles,
B

Find Jodi:
Goodreads ~ Website ~ Twitter ~ Facebook

Next Week's Author:
Hint: She's multi-talented and has written/is writing three series and one standalone, as well as contributed to anthologies.
_ _ _ _ _ _   _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 

Any guesses? :)

Follow Friday ♥

Hosted by Parajunkee's View & Alison Can Read, the goal is to gain new followers and to follow new people yourself! :)

RULES

To join the fun and make new book blogger friends, just follow these simple rules:

(Taken straight from the hosts)

• (Required) Follow the Follow My Book Blog Friday Hosts {Parajunkee & Alison Can Read}
• (Required) Follow our Featured Bloggers
• Put your Blog name & URL in the Linky thing. You can also grab the code if you would like to insert it into your posts.
• Grab the button up there and place it in a post, this post is for people to find a place to say “hi” in your comments and that they are now following you.
• If you are using WordPress or another CMS that doesn’t have GFC (Google Friends Connect) state in your posts how you would like to be followed
• Follow Follow Follow as many as you can, as many as you want, or just follow a few. The whole point is to make new friends and find new blogs. Also, don’t just follow, comment and say hi. Another blogger might not know you are a new follower if you don’t say “HI”
• If someone comments and says they are following you, be a dear and follow back. Spread the Love…and the followers.
• If you’re new to the follow Friday hop, comment and let me know, so I can stop by and check out your blog!

Happy Follow Friday!

This week's question/activity:

PHOTOBOMB!!!! Photobomb a picture with your favorite book. Share it of course.

Okay... so I'm supposed to pick a favorite book?  *sigh*  :)  And dangit, I forgot to do this last nite when I was home... so I will be limited to my favorites the library has to choose from. Such is life. So... here you go...

I, in general, love Maggie Stiefvater. :)  Others I might have chosen to photobomb had I done this at home (and probably would have just for fun had I not been dealing with a four year old who tore up his aunt's bathroom floor yesterday):

• Revolution by Jennifer Donnelly
• Code Name Verity by Elizabeth Wein
• Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell
• The Space Between by Brenna Yovanoff
• Ballads of Suburbia by Stephanie Kuehnert
• Vanishing Acts by Jodi Picoult
• Daughter of Smoke & Bone by Laini Taylor

And possibly others... I don't even know what all is there... lol

Anywho. Got a photobomb to share? Or just a title of one (or more) of your favorites? Share with me! :)

Smiles,
B

Wishing & Waiting

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine that highlights upcoming releases we're excited about.

There are, as you know, books coming out left and right that we all want to read. One I am looking most forward to is...



I *just* finished Days of Blood & Starlight (Daughter of Smoke & Bone #2) last nite, so I'm itching for this one already! Hopefully I'll be just as excited come next year when it finally graces us with its presence (according to Goodreads it's due out in April 2014).

Wishlist Wednesday is a meme hosted by Pen to Paper where you post a book that has been on your wishlist for some time, or just added (it's entirely up to you), that you can't wait to get off the wishlist and onto your wonderful shelves.

What do I want to add to my shelf? So many choices. This time, I'll go with...



I am a huge fan of Jodi Picoult, and I don't own this one... yet.  I haven't read it either, but that doesn't matter - it will be on my shelf someday. :)

What books are you wishing and waiting for?

Smiles,
B

Top Ten Tuesday: Books with Tough Subjects

Top Ten Tuesday is a meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish. Each week they provide a Top Ten topic for you to create your list, then you share it on their post so others can find you. :)

  ♥ Top Ten Books Dealing with Tough Subjects ♥

When I saw this topic, I immediately thought of number 1 on my list. But aside from that one, I had to think to recall books I've read that were "tough" subjects. Once I started thinking, though... the list grew. lol  Here we go... 

Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson
Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher
Wintergirls by Laurie Halse Anderson
My Sister's Keeper by Jodi Picoult
(or any by her, really...)
Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson
By the Time You Read This, I'll Be Dead by Julie Anne Peters
Flowers in the Attic by VC Andrews
The Deep End of the Ocean by Jaquelyn Mitchard
Cut by Patricia McCormick
A Corner of the Universe by Ann M Martin 

What books have you read with tough subjects?

Smiles,
B 

Top Ten Rewind!

Top Ten Tuesday is a meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish. Each week they provide a Top Ten topic for you to create your list, then you share it on their post so others can find you. :)

  ♥ Top Ten Books I Want to Reread ♥

Okay, so when I went through the list of previous Top Ten's, I narrowed it down to two. This one, Books I Want to Reread, and another one, Books I Wish I Read as a Kid. As hard as I thought on it, I could not come up with ten books I wish I had read as a kid. Unless I broke it down and named all the titles of an author, which I felt was cheating (such as Roald Dahl... man I wish I had let my kid-self experience that magic). But, alas, coming up with ten titles, well, authors, at least, didn't work for me. I got to six before my head wanted to explode with annoyance. So, I went with the rereads. I do feel as if this one is too easy of one, though, as I easily came up with fifteen. Fifteen. My apologies for taking an easy way out, but I did narrow it down to ten. That part was hard. ;)

 

The Space Between by Brenna Yovanoff

I love all three of Brenna's books, but this was my favorite. I would love to revisit this world and her writing.

Vanishing Acts by Jodi Picoult

This was the first book I ever read by Jodi. I want to reread it to remember why I fell in love with her in the first place. (I still like her, just want to revisit that first one.)

The Fault in Our Stars by John Green

It's The Fault in Our Stars, do I really need a reason? ♥

Delirium by Lauren Oliver

I know there has been a lot of mixed reviews on Requiem, but I personally really liked it. I would love to go back to the beginning and remember and relearn all those things I had forgotten.

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

I've already read this series three times. But I will definitely revisit it before Catching Fire is released (well, before I actually watch it, at least). And, if it's like the last time, I'll reread it again after I've seen the movie. (I was immersed in Hunger Games for nearly a month when the first movie came out... books, movie, books again.)

The Scorpio Races by Maggie Stiefvater

This was my first introduction to Maggie Stiefvater and her brilliance. I love her writing and this world fascinated and surprised me. I want to go back and see my friends. 

The Raven Boys by Maggie Stiefvater

See above, minus it being my first introduction. :)

Revolution by Jennifer Donnelly

I read this one what seems like forever ago. I want to remember the world, the lives, and why I loved it. 

Code Name Verity by Elizabeth Wein

Although I know I will cry, once again, and be emotionally wrecked by the end, I still want to revisit this one. The shock factor will be elusive, but I can't imagine it being any less painful.

Dash & Lily's Book of Dares by Rachel Cohn & David Levithan

This book was so much fun and I fell in love with the characters and their adventure. I definitely want to reread this one; maybe next winter? Hmm...

What about you? What books would you want to revisit?

Smiles,
B

Unintentional Dust Collectors

Top Ten Tuesday is a meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish. Each week they provide a Top Ten topic for you to create your list, then you share it on their post so others can find you. :)

  Top Ten Books I HAD to Buy... 

But are Still Sitting on My Shelf

As I've said before... I'm an impulse buyer, mostly with just books. Oh, and Amazon... really? Spend a few more dollars and get free shipping? Sure... I'll just tack a book on that order. Why not? Therefore... These books are still on my shelf, yet to be read, unfortunately becoming Dust Collectors. (All unintentional... I swear... I want to show each book I own as much love as the next... and I will... I promise... someday...)

Sing You Home by Jodi Picoult

House Rules by Jodi Picoult

Seraphina by Rachel Hartman

Beautiful Redemption by Kami Garcia & Margaret Stohl

Looking for Alaska by John Green

Anna Dressed in Blood by Kendare Blake

Elsewhere by Gabrielle Zevin

Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro

Chronicles of Narnia by CS Lewis

Out of the Easy by Ruta Sepetys

Some of these have been on my shelf for a few years, some only a few months, the latest buy being Out of the Easy. That was one of those Amazon add-on's. :)

What books have you bought that you haven't gotten around to reading? 

Smiles,
B

Spring Cleaning

Top Ten Tuesday is a meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish. Each week they provide a Top Ten topic for you to create your list, then you share it on their post so others can find you. :)

♥ Top Ten Books at the TOP of my 2013 Spring TBR List ♥

Me oh my. With so much going on in my life I'm supposed to try and read ten books in one season?  lol  I'm sure I can manage. Let's see... the ones I want to read as close to right away are... definitely not in any particular order...

Drumroll please...

Requiem by Lauren Oliver
 

Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater


Out of the Easy by Ruta Sepetys


The Diviners by Libba Bray


What Happened to Goodbye by Sarah Dessen


Storyteller by Jodi Picoult


Flutter by Gina Linko


Lament by Maggie Stiefvater


Get Well Soon by Julie Halpern


Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn



What about you? What books are you looking forward to getting to, sooner rather than later?

Smiles,
B