Top Ten Tuesday

 

This meme is hosted by The Broke and the Bookish

Okay, so this is my first Top Ten Tuesday in a long while. I don't know why I stopped doing these, because I love this meme, but I'm starting to do them  again.

Top Ten Books I'd Give To Readers Who Have Never Read X (examples: New Adult novels, historical fiction, a certain author, books about a certain topic, etc)

I chose.
-Fantasy-

By fantasy I mean any kind of fantasy, not just YA fantasy or Adult Fantasy. I mean the genre as a whole.

-Poison Study by Maria V. Snyder-

This is one of my all time favorite books, ever. I love it and I feel it's a really good introduction to the genre. The world isn't to intense, the plot isn't to super intricate, the writing is wonderful, and the world building is done to well that never are you info dumped but at the same time confused on what going on in the setting. The characters are also very real and likable so you are invested in the story.    

-Kiss of Deception by Mary E. Pearson-

This one, to me, feels like a fantasy and contemporary hybrid. It's set in a fantasy world with princesses, princes, and assassin's but the plot is a lot about the main character finding her place in the world. It focuses a lot on the MC's character development and her life problems and her love life. However, it is also highly about the political unrest of this world. So, there's a nice balance between the two genres.The world building is also amazingly done and you can visualize everything with perfect clarity.  

-The Demon King by Cinda Williams Chima-

This is where the plot gets intricate. I'm not yet finished with this series, but I can tell that the overall plot is intricate and everyone is connected. This one has two main characters, but everyone kind of feels like a main character. Everyone has a story and a life and everyone's life connects and impacts the other people's lives. This may sound complicated, but the author wrote it in such a way that it really isn't when you read it and everything flows together. So, if your hesitant to reading fantasy because of plots like this, I suggest reading this one to see how great these plots can be, because it's a great transition in. 

-The Rithmatist by Brandon Sanderson-

So, this one isn't really a fantasy. It's much more a historical fiction, but I consider it fantasy because it feels like a fantasy book. It's set in a time frame that's reminiscent of the early twentieth century in America, but it has different technology, the geology of America is way different, the government is completely different, and it has Rithmatists (magic). All of these makes it feel like a fantasy book. I feel like this is  good first fantasy because the author explains in much detail about Rithmatists, it's history, and how they are able to do it. So, you are never confused on anything about Rithmatists and the world's society with them.

-Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas-

This book has everything in it! It has a kick-butt main character, a great plot, an outstanding world, and fantastic writing! What really wonderful about this book is the world building. The author is just so good at introducing readers to this world. First you're just told about a place, then somewhere along the way your shown it and all of these other faraway places are explained to you. So, this world gradually becomes more and more fleshed out until it feels like a real place. The Author put so much time and energy on developing this world, making up towns and places, and explains it that it feels like I can hop on a plan and go there. Not to mention the plot is super great and gradually gets more and more layers added to it. I would recommend this book to anyone.

-The Girl of Fire and Thorns by Rae Carson-

This book is just so well written. All of the characters have depth to them, the MC's problems are relateable even though she's a Queen, and the world is very well written. The only thing is that this book has a touch of religion to it, but if that isn't your thing don't let it stop you from read this because it's so much more then the religious aspect. 

-Graceling and Fire by Kristin Cashore-

These are slower paced books. The author really takes her time to set up the world, to explain about the Gracelings, flesh out the characters, and develop the world. However, you don't get bored. They still have plots to them, plots that are addicting to read about! They are just so good and easily read that I would suggest them to newbie fantasy readers and experienced fantasy readers. 

-The Assassin's Curse by Cassandra Rose Clarke-

This fantasy is one of the most adventurous fantasies next to LOTR. It's this big adventure and you get to see all of the exotic places that this author imagined and wrote so well. The plot is really fast paced, so you'll finish it in mere hours. It also has a romance that is just so subtle, slow building, and cute!

-Mistborn by Brandon Sanderson -

So, this one is on the longer side and is probably better explained has high or epic fantasy. I think this is a good one to get into that fantasy sub-genre because it is just so good!! Everything about it is just wonderful! The setting was so well written and amazing to read about because it came alive in your mind's eye, They are themes in this that impacted me as a person, and the characters are just so realistic.This author can also create a tone of a book. This book is depressing, but still great, to read with it's messed up world, people that have given up on life, characters dying left and right, people trying to inspire others to fight, it just makes you feel all of the emotions! And the magic system in this world was extremely well thought out! The author did a wonderful job explain and visualizing how alloymancy works. And while it's long, the plot is fast paced and never slows down. 

What's your Top Ten?

Happy reading

Top Ten Tuesday (49)

 

This meme is hosted by The Broke and the Bookish

Top Ten Characters Who X (you fill in the blank -- examples: piss me off, are the popular kids, are bookish, would be my bff, that stole my heart, etc. etc.)

 I am choosing top characters who grew. Which means the top ten characters that I feel had the best character arc or character development in their respected books/series.

Rachel from Crash Into You by Katie McGrarry

In the beginning of this book Rachel was a good person who is brave and smart. However, she never really stood up for herself, especially to her family who were jerks. And as the book progressed she learned that sometimes you need to stand up for yourself or else you will be stuck with the same problems. Iyt was gret to see this development from her.

Juliette from the Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi

A lot of people find Juliette annoying and so do I to some extent, however, the amount of how much she grows throughout this series really eclipse that. At the beginning of this series she started out as the victim and as the series progresses she realizes that she still is a victim and she no longer wants to be. She gets so strong throughout the whole series.

Vin from the Mistborn series by Brandon Sanderson

Vin starts out as a survivor. She knows when to flee, when to be invisible, when to suck it up and take to punches which are all very good things to know but it results in a very sad life. It means she doesn't trust anyone and she doesn't have any friends. As the first book goes she realizes what she is missing and how friendship means you are loyal and you don't leave them behind.

Meg from Going to Far by Jennifer Echols

Meg really learns who she is in this book. At the beginning she is really confused at who she really is because all this crap happened in her life. This book is really about her figuring herself out and deciding who she wants to be and who she doesn't.

Isra from Of Beast and Beauty by Stacey Jay

This character arc is almost the same as Elisa's. Isra in the beginning of this book wants to be a good queen, she wants to protect and make society better for her people. However, she doesn't realizes how to do this. She asks instead of orders and at the end of this book she grew into a fierce queen who people should respect. 

Elisa from the Girl of Fire and Thorns by Rae Carson

Elisa starts out this book series as a person low on self-confidence. She doesn't believe she is smart, beautiful, or anything that would make a good queen. However, throughout this book she realizes she is a queen and she needs to be a queen. She gains some self-confidence and basically becomes a queen. This was just amazing to read!!

Tris from Divergent by Veronica Roth

This is an obvious one. Tris grows so much in the first book, I don't know about the rest of them since I've only read the first one. However, there was a lot of development in her character in the first one. What I really love about this character arc, at least where the first book is concerned, is that she grows so much because she never before had an opportunity to. Before the events in this book she never had a chance to grow as a person and it's amazing how much she did grow when she was finally given the chance.

Ana from Incarnate by Jodi Meadows

Ana has been continuously told that she's worthless and doesn't deserve anything like happiness and a place in society her whole life. Not just by her mother but also by everyone it seems. What was just really sad was at the beginning of this book Ana believes all of that. So it was really great to see her go from a broken shell who wants a good life but doesn't believe she can get it to a strong independent woman who fights for herself and what she believes is right. 

Harry Potter from the Harry Potter series by J. K. Rowling

Harry has an amazing character arc but also a very different one. It's not like he grows as a person in the aftermath of a horrific event, he doesn't move on from grief, or anything like that. In these books we get to see him grow to adulthood and all the bumps and mistakes it took him to get there. We read him making mistakes and learning from them, we saw him go from an eleven year-old with his heart in the right place to a kind man that you do not mess with. I don't think I will ever read a character arc as great as Harry's.

That's my Top Ten, what was yours?

Happy reading

Top Ten Tuesday (48)

 

This meme is hosted by The Broke and the Bookish

Top Ten Bookish Things (That Aren't Books) That I'd Like To Own (new bookshelves, bookends, cool bookmark, a bookish shirt, etc. You can add things you DO own if you want).

I don't have many of these, but the ones I do want I really want. If I know of it, I will leave links to websites were you can buy them. 

Bookends

I don't care what they look like, I just really need these. I have a lot of wall shelves that I put some of my books on and bookends will help them from falling off and damaging itself. 

This book shelf

Because it's kind of perfect. 

It says| Left: Has Been Read. Right: Will be Read

This Dress

Link

These bookmarks

Aren't they the cutest things?!?

Link

This Tea set from Adagio Teas

This is just s tea sampler set with loose leaf teas inspired by Harry Potter. I love tea and Harry Potter, so this is kind of perfect. 

Link

What's on your top ten?

Happy reading

Top Ten Tuesday (47)

 

This meme is hosted by The Broke and the Bookish

Top Ten Things On My Bookish Bucket List (could be blogging related, book related etc. -- meeting authors, reading x many books per year, finishing a daunting book, etc.)

I only have a few things on my Bookish Bucket List, so this isn't the longest of lists.

Visit BEA (BookExpo America)

I have always wanted to visit this. It sounds so fun and it would be so great to see everything. However, since I am poor and live seven states away I haven't been able to go there yet and probably won't be able to go there for a while.

Read Les Miserables by Victor Hugo

This is a big, big, big book. It is huggeeee. I really want to read it because everyone who has read it says it's amazing, bu..but it's really long. I'm so afraid of it!!

Read 100 books in one year

I have been trying to do this one for years. Last year I got pretty close; I read 91 books. However, this isn't a very strict goal. My whole thought process is if I get it I get it. I don't stress about it or beat myself up if I don't get it.

Read the whole Jane Austen collection.

I love Pride and Prejudice and sadly that is the only book I've read of hers. So, summer of last year I decided I wanted to read all of her books. However, I still haven't read more then one of her books. But I will read all of her books, or at least two more of them, before this year is out.

Read all of J. R. R. Tolkien books's or just the Lord of the Rings series 

I love the movies and I am obsessed with the Hobbit movies, but I still haven't read the series. I've read the Hobbit, which I loved, but I have yet to even pick up one of the LOTR books. I also really just want to read all of his books. He is such a good writer and I want to see what happens in each of his books.

That's my Top Ten Five bookish things on my bucket list, what's on yours?
Happy reading

Top Ten Tuesday (46)

This meme is hosted by The Broke and the Bookish

 Top Ten Books On My Spring 2014 TBR List (to be read list)

This was pretty easy. I have a very defined list of books I want to read this spring.

The Winner's Curse by Marie Rutkoski

I've recently bought this and I can't wait to read it! I've heard nothing but praise for this book!

The Well of Ascension by Brandon Sasnderson

I loved the first one, The Final Empire, and I've heard that this one is even better. So, of course I'm going to be reading this one soon.

The Forever Song by Julie Kagawa Released day: April 15th 2014

I will be really sad to see this series go, but I still can't wait to read this one!! I need to know how it ends.

The Bronze Horseman by Paulina Simons

I bought this one a while ago and I really am interested to see what happens. I've heard that this one is a touching, emotional story and I really want to read it.

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire by J. K. Rowling

I've been re-reading this series this year and this is the next one in the series. I will probably be reading this one in April, since I already read Prisoner of Azkabane this month.

Cress by Marrisa Meyer

Just finished Scarlet, review later this week, and I really want to see what happens next in this series!

Evertrue by Brodi Ashton

I've heard some mixed things for this one, which is why I have yet to read it. But I will get to this one soon. I want to see how this series ends.

Half-Bad by Sally Green

This one just looks really interesting. I've also been seeing a few positive reviews for it, so that's a plus.

The Book Thief by Marcus Zusak

I need to read this. I will read this one, I swear.

Override by Heather Anastasiu
I really want to continue this series. The first one was pretty good, so I want to read this one soon.

That was my top ten, whats yours?
Happy reading

Top Ten Tuesday (45)

This meme is hosted by The Broke and the Bookish

Top Ten Popular Authors I've Never Read

This is going to be a long list. It seems that I don't often read hyped up books all that often. However, at least one book from each author is on my TBR pile

John Green

Before you pick up the pitch forks and torches know I plan to read The Fault in Our Stars before the movie comes out in June. Even though I don't like read sad books I will force myself to read this one!

Ellen Hopkins

I actually own a book from her, Burned, and I don't know why I haven't read it yet. It sounds really good and I've been meaning to pick it up ever since I got it. However, again I plan to read this one pretty soon.

G. R. R. Martin

You can't blame me for this. He writes huge books and my life has been, for the past lots of months, crazy. So I don't really want to try and read a 800 some page book until summer. Although, when summer comes I will defiantly be reading Game of Thrones.

Neil Gaiman

I've heard nothing but praise for this guy's books, but alas I have yet to read a book by him. I don't even own a book by him, it's sad really.

Marcus Zusak

I know, I know! He wrote The Book Thief and yes that means I haven't read it yet. Gasp, I know. I am actually really ashamed about this. I've heard just amazing things about this one and the movie looks awesome, but I haven't read it yet. I actually have the book and I've picked it up many times just to put it back down. However, I will read it either this month or next month.

Richelle Mead

Yes, I haven't read the Vampire Academy series. I just don't have any drive to read this series. I don't know if it's because I don't want to read about vampires or because I've been spoiled so much on this series, but either way I don't think I will ever read this series unless someone gifts me the books.

Paullina Simons

I am really ashamed for this one. Her books sound outstanding and amazing and I even own the first onein her The Bronze Horseman series and I haven't read it. However, this is another one that I plan to read in summer.

That's my top ten, what's yours?
Happy reading

Top Ten Tuesday (44)

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Top Ten Tuesday REWIND! (Pick from previous topics that you want to do again or may have missed)

Favorite Kick-Ass Heroines 

Alex from the Covenant series by Jennifer L. Armentrout

She is one of the best fighters I've  read. She can kick anyone's butt without breaking a sweat. She is also sassy and refuses to take crap from anyone.

Allison from the Blood of Eden series by Julie Kagawa

Allison is a freaking amazing fighter and she is so kick-ass with her cool sword. It also helps how amazing Julie Kagawa can write fight scenes. In every fight scene in these books it's like you can vividly see the fight happening in your minds eye and its so freaking amazing to read!!

Hermione from the Harry Potter series by . K Rowling

So she might not be the best fighter but she did fight in a huge war and she was willing to sacrifice everything to help Harry. Not only Harry, she would be willing to do anything for people she loves. She even wiped her parents minds so they didn't have any memories of her so they would be safe. I mean, if that doesn't make her an amazing person and character I don't no what does.

Juliette from the Shatter Me Series by Tahereh Mafi

Juliette may be a whinny, selfish brat sometimes, but overall she is a kick-ass character. She has these amazing powers and she knows how use them.

Gin from the Elemental Assassin series by Jennifer Estep

Gin not only a kick-ass character but also a kick-ass assassin. I love reading these books because Gin is an amazing fighter but also refuses to let anything stop her and don't even think about threatening people she loves. 

Gwen from the Mythos Academy series by Jennifer Estep

Gwen is just an amazing character altogether. She can fight, but she is also a great friend, very selfless, and a very smart and clever. 

Yelena from the Study series by Maria V. Snyder

I love Yelena!! She is one of my all time favorite characters. She is tough and selfless and stubborn and a great fighter. She also refuses to let something intimidate her. If someone stronger them her threatens her she won't even blink an eye before throwing herself at him. And on top of that she will probably win the fight. She also gives her all to a challenge. It's all or nothing with her.

Katy from the Lux series by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Katy isn't as kick-ass as some of the characters on this list, but she is still great. What I like about her is that she feels like a normal person, not a chosen one or someone damaged. She acts and thinks like a normal girl, which I really appreciate. 

Sophie from the Hex Hall series by Rachel Hawkins

Sophie has everything a great heroine needs. She's a great fighter, she won't let somebody get hurt if she can help it, and she is hilarious. She is the sass queen of all the books. She lives on sarcasm. 

Katsa from the Graceling Realm series by Kristin Cashore

Katsa has some flaws, but she is still an amazing character. She won't let anything stand in her way, if someone near to her heart gets hurt she will be there for them. And she will fight to the death to help someone she feels if being wronged. 

That's my Top Ten, what's yours.
Happy reading

Top Ten Tuesday (43)

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Top Ten Reasons I Love Being A Blogger

When writing this I realized that I only have three main reasons why I love blogging. 

Talking about books.

I don't have a lot of book lovers in my life besides myself. So, I like that I have the ability to talk about books to people who likes books just as I do. I like that I can gush about a book and than fangirl with another blogger about whichever book. I like how I can have an in depth discussion with people about a certain book. Having a friendly discussion about a book with another book lover is a great thing, it is so much better then just having a one-way conversation about the book I'm currently reading.

Being Able to Support Authors.

I feel like being an author would be a really delicate career. If your book doesn't do well then you don't get payed much. So, I'm glad that I am in a position to help some authors out in spotlighting their books. I just like how I can help out their career and spread the word about them and their book(s).

Interacting and making blogger friends.

I like interacting and conversing with other bloggers. Book blogging has its own community and its great being part of it and making blogging friends. I've become friends with a lot of great and wonderful people because of book blogging. So, I'm really glad that I decided to become a blogger :).

That was my list, what was your list?

Happy reading

Top Ten Tuesday (42)

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Top Ten Books That Will Make You Swoon

When making this list I realized I don't read the type of books that make you swoon, like romances or even contemporaries. So this list will be a little small.

My Life Next Door by Huntley Fitzpatrick 

This is just such a cute book, excluding the ending it was just so cute!! And Sam and Jase's relationship is just so cute and swoon worthy.

Origin by Jennifer L. Armentrout

The interacts between Katy and Deamon are so sweet!!! I love these two characters together! And of course this is a Jennifer L. Armentrout book so there are quite a few swoon worthy scenes in this book.

Tragic by J. A. Huss

This book, this book have plenty of steamy scenes in it. And it's not just full of steamy scenes, there are few sweet scenes mixed in.

Dare You To by Katie McGarry

I love the relationship between Beth and Ryan in this book. Not only are there some steamy scenes, swoon-worthy and sweet scenes as well.

Pushing the Limits by Katie McGarry

The romance in this book is just so sweet and touching. You can feel Noah's and Echo's love for each other. There are of course some steamy scenes in this book, but it's swoon-worthy because of Noah and Echo's relationship.

Wait For You by J Lynn (A.K.A Jennifer L. Armentrout)

Another Jennifer L. Armentrout book, this women knows how to write some swoon-worthy scenes as well as guys. Cam in this book is just amazing and there are plenty of steamy scenes in this book.

Significance by Shelly Crane

This is another book that is swoon worthy because of the relationship. I love Maggie and Caleb's relationship, they are just so great together and they just work well together. I love it!! 

That;s my list, whats yours?

Happy reading

Top Ten Tuesday (41)

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Top Ten  Nine Books That Will Make You Cry (originally done November 2010)

There isn't a lot of books that made me cry, but I will do my best to come up with ten.

Mistborn by Brandon Sanderson

There is a death in this book that will make you bawl like a baby. I just didn't want this character to die and it was such a tragic death. 

The Iron Queen by Julie Kagawa

I cried like a baby at the end of this book. She was making such a sacrifice in my mind and she didn't deserve to give it up. So, cue the tears.

The Iron Knight by Julie Kagawa

The last "test" in this book really made my eyes fill up with tears. I don't even know why, it just really made me sad and I just couldn't help but cry because of it. If you've read this I think you'd understand, but it felt just so tragic and Ash didn't deserve to have a life like that. 

The Last Song by Nicholas Sparks

This book has a plot line that towards the end of the book just makes you cry and cry and cry. It is just so unfair and when reading it you could feel Ronnie's regret and it feels like your regret. It is such a sad book.

Darklight by Lesley Livingston 

The ending of this one was just so sad and sad that I couldn't help but cry for the characters and what they were losing. 

To Kill A Mocking Bird by Harper Lee

If you've read this classic you know why it's on this list. What happens in this book is just so unfair and nothing even comes to having "justice" done. It just really plucks at your heartstrings. 

Delirium by Lauren Oliver 

This ending will make you cry, even if your where spoiled on what happened and what will happen it will still make you cry.

The Girl of Fire and Thorns by Rae Carson

So many deaths, so many. This book will just make you cry, namely because of the characters that die, so many deaths.

The whole Hunger Games Trilogy by Suzanne Collins

You know why this is on the list.

That's my top ten list, what books made you cry?

Happy reading

Top Ten Tuesday (40)

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Top Ten Goals/Resolutions For 2014 (bookish, not bookish or a blend)

Comment more and just basically be more interactive

I really want to comment more on people's post and basically be more interactive in the blogasphere.

Read 100 books

This is my Goodreads challenge this year and I think I have a good chance to accomplish it. Last year I read 91 books. So I think I can do this.

Actually Complete 2 of my 3 2014 reading challenges

I love doing reading challenges and last year I signed up for four and I complete none. So this year I want to complete at least two

Post more reviews

I feel like I've been slacking in this department so I really want to focus on writing more reviews and publishing them, that's the killer to. I one time had like three reviews to post up and kind of forgot about them for about two months, which isn't good. So I want to write more reviews and then post them as soon as I can.

Post more original content, like Predictions and Hopes

I really want to do more with my blog then just posting reviews and memes. So I want to publish more discussions and Predictions and Hopes.

Start posting series reviews

I really want to do this, it sounds really fun. It seems like it should give the perfect conclusion for reviewing all the books in the series.

Post more Manga reviews

I love Manag and I want to review some of them.

Re-do my blog design

I've had the pink flowers since I started the blog and I really want to change it.

Those are my blogging resolutions for this year, what are yours?
Happy reading

Top Ten Tuesday (39)

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Top Ten Books I Read In 2013 (overall or you can pick a specific genre if overall is too hard)

My other Holiday giveaway is still going on. Click HERE to go and have a chance at winning a paperback copy of the Darkest Minds by Alexandra Bracken. 

This was so hard. I've read a lot of great books this year and I can't just pick 10!!! Which is why I picked 13, I'm cheating a little bit but I just can't pick 10 okay. I also only listed books I read for the first time this year, so no re-reads. I did this just to kind of help myself choose, because I re-read a lot of amazing books this year. And the books are in no particular order. 

Of Beast and Beauty by Stacey Jay
This  was an amazing re-telling!!! It just blew me away!

Origin by Jennifer L. Armentrout
I love this series so of course I went into this with high expectations, but this went above and beyond them! It was so freaking amazing!!!

Crown of Midnight by Sarah J. Maas
This is probably the best second book I have ever read. It was just an amazing continuation of the series and it kept me on the edge of my set throughout the whole thing! I love it!!!

The Immortal Rules by Julie Kagawa
I kept putting this off, because I was just so sick of vampires and then I finally read it and holy crap it was amazing!! It is everything people say it is. It blew me away!!!

Dark Triumph by Robin LeFevers
This was such a dark, haunting, and amazing read!! I can't wait until Mortal Heart comes out!!

Unravel Me by Tahereh Mafi
Even though I didn't like this as much as I did Shatter Me it was still so freaking amazing!! I loved it and I can't wait until the last one comes out!

Insomnia by J. R. Johansson
I went into this not knowing what to expect from it, but it was outstanding!! It is such a scary and thrilling read. This author knows how to write suspense and freaking terrifying scenes. 

My Life Next Door by Huntley Fitzpatrick
Again, I went into this book not expecting much, but it was amazing!! I loved every second of reading it!!

Incarnate by Jodi Meadows
This book isn't for everyone, since it is kind of slow, but I loved it!! I was blown away by the world and the writing style, it was all amazing!!!

Splintered by A. G. Howard
I loved this book!!! The world was just so vivid and amazing!! I loved how the author wrote it!

Everbound by Brodi Ashton
I didn't really like the first one, Everneath, but this one was amazing!!! And the ending left me speechless.

Wait For You by J. Lynn
I thought this was a really, really great New Adult. It had such a great plot line and the characters were so amazing to read! 

Dare You To by Katie McGarry
Even though I still liked Pushing the Limits better, this was still a really great read! I had so fun reading it and I flew through it. I read it in about a day and a half.

That's my top 10 13 books I read this year, what was yours?

Happy 2014 reading