Fall 2019 TBR List – Top Ten Tuesday

Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by That Artsy Girl. To find out more about the top ten theme, or to join in the fun go here.

It’s hard to believe it’s already fall. I always hate to see summer go, but I also enjoy fall and all the fun activities that come with it. This year I’m participating in a Halloween themed read-a-thon, so a lot of my book choices are based on that. Here they are:

1. Defiance by C.J. Redwine – I’ve had this book a long time, and have had it on my TBR even longer, so I decided it was time to get to it.

2. The Bone Houses by Emily Lloyd-Jones – I just received this book in my Owlcrate, and it’s a perfect read for this time of year.

3. Dr. Frankenstein’s Daughter by Suzanne Weyn – I randomly found this on Book Outlet awhile back, and while I hadn’t heard of this book, I had read some other books by this author, so I bought  it.

4. Shakespeare’s Landlord by Charlaine Harris – I’ve recently started reading some of Harris’s books, and really enjoy them. Over the weekend I saw this at Goodwill and snatched it up.

5. The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson – This was also included in my last Owlcrate.

6. The Rules by Nancy Holder and Debbie Viguie – This was another Book Outlet purchase. Because I’d read some of the authors’ other works and enjoyed them, I bought it.

7.  Dark Shimmer by Donna Jo Napoli – I’ve had this on my TBR awhile and decided it was time to read it.

8. The Wicked Deep by Shea Ernshaw -I’ve heard a lot of good things about this book, and the cover is just so pretty!

9. The Misery of Hollow Places by Rebecca Podos – This is a mystery I’ve heard a lot about, and it’s been on my TBR awhile too.

10. The Blood Spell by C.J. Redwine – I love the Ravenspire books and pre-ordered this one, but hadn’t gotten to it yet. Now it’s time to read it. 🙂

What about you? What’s on your TBR list for this fall? Let me know in the comments.

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Summer TBR – Top Ten Tuesday

I’m so excited about today’s Top Ten Tuesday theme because summer is my favorite season, and I love finding great books to read at the beach or by the pool. 🙂 Here are the ones I’ve chosen for this summer:

1. My Plain Jane by Cynthia Hand, Jodi Meadows, and Brodi Ashton – I’ve read books by both Jodi Meadows and Cynthia Hand and really enjoyed them, plus this is a Jane Eyre retelling, so it’s a must read for me.

2. Save the Date by Morgan Matson – I’ve had on my TBR for awhile, and it’s a perfect read for summer – with the wedding shenanigans and all.

3. An Ember in the Ashes by Sabaa Tahir – My sister recommended this one, and I haven’t gotten around to reading it, though I’ve had it on my shelf a long time. I decided it’s time to read it.

4. For a Muse of Fire by Heidi Heilig – I got this one at a book festival earlier this year. I met the author and got my copy signed, so I’m pretty psyched to read it.

5. The Jewel by Amy Ewing – This one has been on my shelf and my TBR for like years. So it’s high time I get to it.

6. The Beholder by Anna Bright – I got an advanced reader copy not too long before the book was released, and I loved the premise. Also, the author works at a local bookstore that hosts all kinds of great YA events.

7. Rebecca by Daphne Du Maurier – I’ve also had this one on my TBR awhile. I loved the movie, so I’m sure I’m going to really enjoy the book.

8. Kiss of Deception by Mary E. Pearson – This whole series has been on my TBR for a long time as well. The premise sounds so intriguing, and every time I see it on my shelf I think “I need to read this,” so on the summer list it goes.

9. Deep Blue by Jennifer Donnelly – My summer list wouldn’t be complete without a mermaid tale. I meant to read this last summer, but didn’t get to it.

10. Lifeguard by James Patterson – I also got to have a good mystery on this list, and what’s more summery than a lifeguard?

In conjuction with these books, I’m also participating in the Goodreads Summer Reading Challenge. If you haven’t heard about that yet, you can check it out here. And if you haven’t added me as a friend on Goodreads, you can do that here. I’m always looking for new bookish friends! 🙂

How about you? What are you reading this summer? Are you doing the Goodreads challenge? Let me know in the comments.

 

Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by That Artsy Girl. To find out more about the top ten theme, or to join in the fun go here.

Top Ten Tuesday – Page to Screen

I haven’t done a top ten Tuesday post in awhile, but today’s topic is so fun, I wanted to post this week.

Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by That Artsy Girl. To find out more about the top ten theme, or to join in the fun go here.

We all love movie adaptations, but sometimes we’re left wondering if it would’ve been better left as a book. Here are a few movies that were better as books:

Twilight – The movie wasn’t horrible, but it did change some things I thought it shouldn’t have.

Ella Enchanted – Honestly, I thought the movie was kind of on the dumb side. The book however, was great!

The Handmaid’s Tale – (This is actually a tv series.) I do enjoy this tv series – a lot. But the book was amazing. I had never read anything by Margaret Atwood before, and only picked the book up because of the show. I was also amazed because the book was written in the 80’s. If you haven’t read it, and are a fan of the show, you need to read the book!

Most of the time, the book is better than the movie, but sometimes the movie is better. Here are a few movies I found better that the book:

Let op! Speciale prijzen, toestemming vereist. Approval needed, Special fees apply! The cast of The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants America Ferrera, Blake Lively, Amber Tamblyn and Alexis Bledel Foto: Robert Erdmann / Icon / Hollandse Hoogte RE664 *Geretoucheerd* Medres op cd 007/05

Tuck Everlasting – In the book, Winnie was only ten, making her romance with Tuck unbelievable and bordering on a predator-prey type of relationship.

Mary Poppins – The books are much sillier than the movies, and are so fantastical that the fantastical element diminishes the plot.

The Princess Diaries – I do enjoy the books, but I loved the first movie and thought it was better than the first book.

Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants (both movies) – Again, I enjoyed the books, but liked the movies even better.

And sometimes, the movies though a little different than the books, are almost as good as the books. Here are few of those (IMHO):

 

Harry Potter – Who doesn’t enjoy the movies almost as much as the books?

The Hunger Games – I loved the books and the movies!

The Chronicles of Narnia – Another great adaptation of a series.

What books do you like better than the movie? What movies do you like better than the books? Let me know in the comments! 🙂

Top Ten Tuesday – Characters that Remind Me of Myself

 

Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by That Artsy Girl. To find out more about the top ten theme, or to join in the fun go here.

I haven’t done a Top Ten Tuesday in awhile, and this was such a fun topic, I had do it even though it’s going up so late in the day. So here are the characters that I relate with in some way:

1. Lost in a Book – Belle. Belle’s curiosity reminds me of my own. I would’ve totally gone in the west wing of the castle to see what the Beast was hiding. In this book, Belle enters a book world, another place I would go to see what was there. I’ve also always identified with the “there must be something more” feeling.

2. Little Women – Jo. One of my first ever bookish heroines, I identified with Jo’s tomboy spirit, and I always had long, long hair. I would hardly let my mother even trim it. I may have finally cut my hair a little shorter, but I still identify with Jo’s dream of becoming a writer.

3. The Lunar Chronicles – Cress. I’m little, and even now that I’m grown, people still think I’m younger than I really am (which I like now 🙂 ). I also get anxious around big groups of people I don’t know, and would prefer to stay home. I do well with computers, not on a hacker level or anything, but I am my family’s go-to tech person.

4. Secrets Can Kill (Nancy Drew Files) – Nancy Drew. I couldn’t leave Nancy off the list. I lived in a small Illinois town (just like Nancy) when I flew through all the Nancy Drew files. Also, I’ve always had a thing for mysteries and true crime. I love solving the mystery before the book is over and I’m rarely ever wrong or unable to do so. I know it’s a clever mystery if I haven’t figured out who the baddie by the time I’m halfway through the book.

5. Pretty Little Liars – Aria. I enjoyed this series and the tv show. I relate most to Aria, because she is the creative one – she enjoys photography, art, writing ect. (In the tv show, she’s also the littlest one.)

6. Wendy Darling Series – Wendy. This series is so good, and I think one of the reasons I enjoyed it so much was because I really connected with Wendy. I’m the oldest of four, so I totally understand the need to protect and care for younger siblings. She loved to read and was interested in always learning more.

7. Worlds of Ink and Shadow – Charlotte. This is a fictionalized story of the Brontes. I related to Charlotte, as the oldest sister. Her father was a minister, my father is also a minister. Her family didn’t have a lot growing up, but her and her siblings created their own worlds to entertain themselves. That is much how it was growing up was for me too. We didn’t have much, but we did have our imaginations and we ran wild with them. If you love Jane Eyre and Charlotte Bronte, you need to read this book.

8. Before She Ignites – Mira. Mira loves animals, and even had her own dragon! Who wouldn’t want a dragon? Also, she experiences a lot of anxiety.

And in a throwback:

9. The Saddle Club – Stevie.  Stevie was the one I most related to in the Saddle Club series. She was a little disorganized and a bit of a tomboy, and of course, loved horses.

10. The Babysitters Club – Claudia. Claudia loved junk food and had long hair she always styled different ways. She also loved Nancy Drew. 🙂

 

What book characters do you most relate to and why? Let me know in the comments.

Top Ten Tuesday – Spring TBR

Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by That Artsy Girl. To find out more about the top ten theme, or to join in the fun go here.

I love spring – the new growth popping up everywhere, the return of warm weather, the sunshiny days…. And so I was psyched to do today’s Top Ten Tuesday. We’re sharing out spring TBR lists!

So without further ado, here’s mine:

1. Passenger by Alexandra Bracken. I’ve had this on my TBR for awhile, and it meets the requirements for two of the reading challenges I’m participating in this year. (#seriestf2019, and #yearofepicreads)

2. Wayfarer by Alexandra Bracken. This is the sequel to Passenger.

3. Caraval by Stephanie Gerber.  Another title that’s been on my TBR list awhile, and since the final book comes out in May, I’ll be able to read all three books within a short time period.

4. Legendary by Stephanie Gerber. The second book in the Caraval series.

5. As She Ascends by Jodi Meadows.  I loved the first book in this series, so I’m excited to see what happens next. This another book that meets the requirements for #seriestf2019.

6. Roseblood by A.G. Howard. This is a book I’ve had on my TBR for sooo long. I tried to fit it in last month, but didn’t get to it, so I’ve made it a higher priority on my TBR list.

7. The Hidden Staircase (Nancy Drew mystery story) by Carolyn Keene. I’m going retro with this one. The new movie that just came out is loosely based on this Nancy Drew book, so I’m going to have to read the book again. 🙂

8. Four Dead Queens by Astrid Scholte. Since I first heard about this book, I’ve wanted to read it. And I just received it in my Owlcrate box, so I’m going to read it soon!

9. Called to Create by Jordan Raynor.  This is an inspirational book that I’ve wanted to read for awhile.

10. Story Genius by Lisa Cron. Another book to inspire my writing, I’m thinking this book is going to help me prep for Camp Nanowrimo.

So these are some of the books I’m most excited to read this spring. How about you? What’s on your TBR list?

Top Ten Tuesday – Books You Wanted to Read in 2018

I read a lot of books in 2018, but as any bookworm knows, there are always more books to read. So here are ten books I wanted to read last year, but didn’t get to.

 

So, I’m going to read this year!) 🙂

And bonus perk – most of them are books I own, which will help me meet my #unreadshelfproject2019 goals. If you interested in reading about the reading challenges I’m participating in this year, check out this post.

1. The Belles by Dhonielle Clayton.  I put this book on my TBR list as soon as I first heard about and before it even came out. I received a copy for my birthday, and, as often happens with my own books, it got pushed down my TBR list so I could finish library books that had to be returned. (I’ll be reading this book next month as part on my local library’s reading challenge.)

2. Caraval by Stephanie Garber.  I’ve heard so many good things about this book. I’ve had it on my TBR awhile, but I sort of hate waiting for the next book in a series, so sometimes I hold off on series until I know I’ll be able to read all the books.

3. Legendary by Stephanie Garber. This is the second book in the Caraval trilogy, and since the final book comes out this May, I’ll have just enough time to read both books before the final book releases.

4. Fierce by Aly Raisman. This is another book that’s been on my TBR list. Aly Raisman is an Olympic gymnast and her story is inspiring. She competed as a teen in the 2012 Olympics and then came back even better (at 22 yrs. old) for the 2016 Olympics.

5. Persuasion by Martina Boone. I’ve already read the first book in the Heirs of Watson series, and really enjoyed it. I purchased the next two books in the series and have had them on my TBR since.

6. Illusion by Martina Boone. This is the third book in the Heirs of Watson series.

7. Wires and Nerve by Marissa Meyer. I love The Lunar Chronicles, and Iko is such a great character, so of course, once I finished the series I added the graphic novels (starring Iko) to my TBR.

8. Gone Rogue by Marissa Meyer. This is the second graphic novel about Iko.

9. Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas. I’ve heard so much about this series as well, and I know it’s wildly popular. So hopefully, it lives up to it’s reputation. 🙂

10. A Court of Thorn and Roses by Sarah J. Maas. Same thing with this series. It seems that a lot of people actually like this series better that the Throne of Glass series. So, I guess I’ll have to read them both and see what I think.

What about you? What books did you mean to read in 2018, but didn’t get to? Have you read any of these books? Let me know in the comments!

 

2018 Top Ten Reads

So, I know this was a Top Ten Tuesday post for last Tuesday, but I didn’t have time to get it up by then. I really wanted to do this one, so I decided to do it for today. Hope you enjoy!

I read a total of 160 books in 2018, and it was hard to choose my ten favorite, but I finally narrowed them down. Here they are:

1. To All The Boys I Ever Loved by Jenny Han and From Twinkle, With Love by Sandhya Menon I put these two together, because they are both fun YA contemporary reads, and I couldn’t decided which one I liked better.
2. The Dark Descent of Elizabeth Frankenstein by Kirsten White This was a clever retelling of Frankenstein. Perfect for an October read, I thoroughly enjoyed it.
3. A Light So Lovely: The Spiritual Legacy of Madeleine L’Engle by Sarah Arthur The new Wrinkle in Time movie came out this year, and sparked several new books about the author. This was a nice look at L’Engle’s life and faith, and how it influenced her writing. It was inspiring, and the title was taken from my favorite L’Engle quote:                 
4. Ghost by Jason Reynolds This is a middle grade book, which I read as part of The Great American Read, and I really liked it. I’ve found I really enjoyed anything Jason Reynolds has written.
5. The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood I was inspired to read this after seeing the TV show based on it, and was surprised to find out it was written in the 1980’s. Of course, it is better than the show.
6. Becoming Madeleine by Charlotte Jones Voiklis and Lena Roy This book was a biography of L’Engle’s life written by her granddaughters. A really nice tribute, it was a shorter book aimed for a YA/MG audience, but was great to read even as an adult. It was inspiring and I’d recommend it to any aspiring author.
7. Truly Devious by Maureen Johnson This was the best YA mystery I read during the past year, and I can’t wait to read the next book. I already have it on hold at my public library.
8. Before She Ignites by Jodi Meadows This was one of the best fantasy books I read, and I was able to meet the author and get the second book in the series signed. 🙂 
   

   
9. And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie I also read this book as part of The Great American Read. I can’t believe I hadn’t read it before, because it is Agatha Christie at her best! Typically, I figure out the ending before I get to it, but this one had me still trying to figure out what was going on until the end. If you love mysteries, you need to read this one.
10. Cress by Marissa Meyer And last but not least, one of Marissa Meyer’s books! I love her books and she is an auto-buy author for me. Truthfully, I could have put all of the books in the Lunar Chronicles on here, but I decided to just choose my favorite. If you love YA fantasy, this series is a must read.

What about you? What were your favorites reads of 2018? How many of these have you read? Let me know in the comments!

Binge-Worthy Shows – Top Ten Tuesday

Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by That Artsy Girl. To find out more about the top ten theme, or to join in the fun go here.

I love to read but I also love a good TV show or movie series. And this week’s top ten theme is binge-worthy shows. It was hard to decide exactly what I wanted to include on this list, but I narrowed it down to the ones I think are best for bingeing. Also, I have to warn you my tastes are wide! I like comedies, dramas, mysteries, and some supernatural stuff.

1. Pretty Little Liars – I had to include this one since it’s based on a book series. I love this show because it’s full of mystery and drama. It’s no longer airing on TV, but is available on Netflix or DVD.

2. Gilmore Girls – Any reader can appreciate Rory’s bookish references and nature. This is such a watchable show, no matter how many times you’ve seen the episodes you can always watch them again. And hopefully Netflix will make more revival shows!

3. I Love Lucy – Okay, I know I’m going way back with this one, but I love this show. It doesn’t matter how many times I’ve seen certain episodes, they still make me laugh! This is classic television at its best.

4. Superstore – This is a sitcom that airs on Thursday nights on NBC, and it’s hilarious. I love it! And America Ferrera is in it, so there’s that. I’m pschyed for the new season. 🙂

5. The Originals – This is a vampire series that airs on the CW. However, I mainly watch it on Netflix, so I’m not sure what night it’s on. Lots of drama and historical flashbacks. It’s a spinoff of Vampire Diaries (which I also enjoy), but I like this one more.

6. Hawaii Five-0 – This is the revival show that currently airs on CBS. Again I mainly Netflix this, so I’m not sure what night it airs.  I like the crime-solving of course, but I also love the beautiful tropical setting. (I enjoy CSI: Miami for the same reason. It’s my favorite CSI.)

A side note here too – I like a  lot of crime-solving shows that didn’t make the list but am giving honorable mention – The Mentalist, Elementary, NCIS (it was better before all the actors started leaving the show), and all the Law and Order shows.

7. The Harry Potter movies – I couldn’t leave these movies out. The books are great but so are the movies.

8. The Marvel Avenger movies (including each Avenger’s own movies like Thor and Iron Man) – I’ve been watching these lately, in chronological order, and it’s kind of cool to see how everything fits in.

9. The Twilight movies – I know some people don’t like these, but I enjoyed the books and the movies. I think you either like them or hate them.

10. Anne of Green Gables and Anne of Avonlea – Again movies based on books. I’ve watched these movies a million times. I’ve also watched the Netflix series, Anne with an E, and it was interesting. I’ll probably keep watching it, but it’s hard for anybody to match Megan Follows in embodying Anne.

What about you? What tv shows and movies fo you love to binge? What shows are you excited to see this season?

Top Ten Tuesday – Books for the beach/pool

Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by That Artsy Girl. To find out more about the top ten theme, or to join in the fun go here.

Today’s theme is books to read at the beach/pool. I love summer and loved finding books to fit this theme. This is also my summer TBR list and it has lots of mermaid books. 🙂

These are also all books I own (except the last one) to help me work toward the #unreadshelfproject2018. You can find out more about that here.

1. Caraval – by Stephanie Garber. Everything I’ve heard about this book has been positive, and the synopsis sounds intriguing. The carnival theme also makes it perfect for a summer read.

2. Legendary – by Stephanie Garber. I thought the first books sounded so good, I went ahead and bought the second one too! 🙂

3. Daughter of a Pirate King – by Tricia Levenseller. I’ve had this book awhile -it came in one of my Owlcrate boxes. It also sounds really good, so I’m planning to read it sometime this summer.

4. Daughter of a Siren Queen – by Tricia Levenseller. Since I’m reading the first one, I have to read the sequel. Plus, this one has mermaids. 🙂

5. Of Poseidon – by Anna Banks. This is the first book in the Syrena Legacy. And mermaids!

6. Of Triton – by Anna Banks. The second book in this triology.

7. Of Neptune – by Anna Banks. The third book.

8. Between the Sea and the Stars – by Chantal Gadoury. This is a little mermaid retelling, and I’ve seen so much about it on Instagram, I can’t wait to read it!

9. To Kill a Kingdom – by Alexandra Christo. This is another little mermaid retelling, though it has a bit of a darker spin. I’ve heard many good things about it on Instagram.

10. Sea Witch – by Sara Henning. Also a little mermaid retelling, this one doesn’t come out until the end of July, but I am pschyed to read it!

What about you? What’s on your summer TBR list? Do you like mermaid books? Let me know in the comments!

 

 

Top Ten Tuesday – Worlds I Want to Visit/Not Visit

Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by That Artsy Girl. To find out more about the top ten theme, or to join in the fun go here.

Today’s theme is bookish worlds you want to live in/not live in. It’s hard for me to say I’d actually want to live in another world, but there are some I’d certainly want to visit, as well as some I’d want to avoid. 🙂

Here are my picks:

1. Narnia (The Chronicles of  Narnia) – This is one place I’d love to visit! Aslan and magical creatures – need I say more?

2. Hogwarts (Harry Potter) – Who wouldn’t want to learn how to do magic? 🙂

3. The Lunar Chronicles World – A futuristic world with lots of cool tech? Yes, please!

4. Wonderland – There are so many versions of this world (Heartless, Queen of Hearts, Alice and Wonderland, Once Upon A Time, to name a few.) All of them seem like interesting places, and it would be pretty fun to attend a mad tea party.

5. Neverland – Again a lot of versions of this world – Wendy Darling, Never Ever, Once Upon A Time, Peter Pan – and they all have a few things in common: flying capability, mermaids and pirates. Anyone who loves fairytales would love to visit such a place.

And a few worlds I wouldn’t want to visit….

6.The world of The Winner’s Kiss – While I enjoyed the story, I certainly wouldn’t want to visit. All that war, prejudice, and slavery – No thank-you!

7. The world of The Selection – Another read I really enjoyed, but not a place I’d want to visit. Too much poverty and uncertainty. Although the lavish dresses would be cool to see.

8. The world of The Hunger Games – I think it’s obvious to anyone who’s read the book why you wouldn’t want to live here. You might literally have to fight for your life by killing your friends.

9. The World of Divergent – Too much conformity in this world. I wouldn’t appreciate being lumped into a specific group and destined to do the same thing for the rest of my life.

10. Morganville (The Morganville Vampires) While interesting to read about, this is another place where you have to do too much fighting to stay alive. And if you manage to stay alive, you could end up enslaved to a vampire. I don’t think so!

What about you? Is there a bookish world you’d like to visit? How about one you wouldn’t want to visit? Let me know in the comments!