Top Ten Books On My Spring To-Be-Read list 

 

Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme created over at The Broke and the Bookish which I adore and therefore chose to adopt into my weekly blog posts!

 

To be released this Spring: 

Let’s Pretend This Never Happened – By Jenny Lawson (aka TheBloggess) Some of you may already follow Jenny’s blog and know that she is hilarious. I find myself laughing out loud at her tweets on a daily basis and I can only sympathize with poor Victor yet feel a little jealous that he gets to take part in Jenny’s adventures. I am highly anticipating this book and I am sure it will make me furiously happy.

Storybound By Marissa Burt – This one is on my challenge list for “debut author challenge” and the blurb reminds me of Breadcrumbs by Anne Ursu so I can only hope it lives up to my expectations.

I LOVE retellings and the following are my favorite, I feel that all of these retellings can be appreciated on their own and that they also shed a new beautiful light on the classical fairy tales that they represent. I have reviewed most of these on the blog already so feel free to click for some more information!

A Tale Dark and Grimm By Adam Gidwitz

Breadcrumbs By Anne Ursu

Wildwood Dancing By Juliet Marillier

Wicked By Gregory Maguire

Illustration from Snow White and Rose Red by The Brothers Grimm

Top Ten Favorite Book Covers 

Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme created over at The Broke and the Bookish which I adore and therefore chose to adopt into my weekly blog posts!

I am totally one of those people who first judges a book by its cover. I KNOW you shouldn’t, don’t lecture ME, I’m a librarian! Since I am prone to doing this I have a million covers that I just LOVE, so this list wasn’t too hard to make. I chose to pick books that jumped out at me at the bookstore and/or library to narrow it down a little more.

Graveminder by Melissa Marr – This was the first book by Melissa Marr that I ever read, I knew who she was but I’m not too in love with “fae” stories so I had never picked up a book by Marr. As soon as I saw this cover while working in tech processing (best. job. ever.) I knew I had to read it.

Daughter of the Forest by Juliet Marillier – I know you are probably sick of me raving about how AWESOME this author is but I remember being in the bookstore with my grandmother probably 10 years ago and this book just jumped out at me. The cover is beautiful though not as detailed as her other books such as Wildwood Dancing.

The Gates of Sleep by Mercedes Lackey – It’s hard to say what made me fall for this book at first sight, it’s colorful, mysterious and intricate all at the same time.

Fables by Bill Willingham – How could I possibly have a post about book covers without mentioning Willingham’s work? I love, love, love these graphic novels so much that I own a book dedicated solely to its cover artwork! I don’t have the words to express how much I love the artwork in these books, I want to poster it all over my walls.

 Shattered Souls by Mary Lindsey – I have yet to read this book but as soon as I saw the cover I knew I had to add it to my TBR pile. I’m not sure why the fad now in book covers is girls floating in some creepy way but I like it.

Blackbirds by Chuck Wendig – How cool is this cover? It only uses three colors yet it somehow manages to be so vibrant and eye catching I can’t wait to pick it up!

Dragonswood by Janet Lee Carey – Again with the random floating girl above water and again I find it intriguing enough to want to read it immediately.

Seraphina by Rachel Hartman – I love the colors (or lack of) on this book cover. The whole illustration is absolutely beautiful and it’s one of the main reasons I wanted to read this book so badly. (Note: I am reading it right now and it is GOOD!)

Draw the Dark by Ilsa Bick – This cover is CREEPY!! I love scary books and this cover makes me scared before even reading the blurb!

Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs – All I kept thinking of before reading this book was: “why is that creepy little girl FLOATING alone in a forest looking straight into my soul,” and “Where is her coat, shouldn’t she be freezing?” Then you turn the book over and forget about it creepiest pictures ever!

What are your favorite book covers?

Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme created over at The Broke and the Bookish which I adore and therefore chose to adopt into my weekly blog posts! 

I only made it to nine this week..I am ashamed but also overtired/overthinking this post which is not okay, so here they are:

Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor – Somebody That I Used to Know by Gotye it’s obvious that not every part of every song will relate to a book in its entirety but there are many parts of this song that remind me of this story and the relationship between Karou and Akiva. “But that was love and it’s an ache I still remember, you can get addicted to a certain kind of sadness like resignation to the end…”

Sevenwaters series by Juliet Marillier – Basically anything by Loreena Mckennitt, the few songs that come to mind are Cymbeline, Courtyard Lullaby and Samain Night. Mckennitt sings Celtic music and Marillier’s books are based on different folklore, the Sevenwaters series being specifically Celtic lore. The songs and Mckennitt’s voice are absolutely breathtaking.

The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern – Time is Running Out by Muse, Part of the lyrics are: “I wanted freedom, bound and restricted. I tried to give you up but I’m addicted,” I think this is a perfect song for the relationship between Marco and Celia.

Eclipse by Stephenie Meyer – Stab My Back by The All-American Rejects I think this song title explains itself but while I was reading this book it was all I could think of, the love triangle between Bella, Edward and Jacob was a huge part of this story and that’s what the song represents as well.

Anita Blake series by Laurell K. Hamilton – Bad Reputation by Joan Jett and The Blackhearts because though Anita does have a sensitive side that she shows to a select few she is a BAMF and doesn’t care what people think/say about her.

The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer – By Myself by Linkin Park I think this song encompasses Mara’s feeling of helplessness and confusion over everything going on in her life. “I can’t hold on to what I want when I’m stretched so thin it’s all too much to take in. I can’t hold on to anything watching everything spin with thoughts of failure sinking in..”

The Child Thief by Brom – Clocks by Coldplay I think this song was stuck in my head for this book because it was on the album for the newest Peter Pan movie. However it is still fitting to this story especially the lyrics “Am I part of the cure? Or am I part of the disease?”

The Black Swan – All Around Me by Flyleaf this song represents the relationship between Odile and her father though I know its usually interpreted as a romantic song the lyrics are fitting to their relationship as well. All Odile wants is love and acceptance from her father but instead he takes her power and suffocates her completely.

Dealing with Dragons by Patricia C. Wrede – Fairytale by Sara Bareilles Though the song is more about relationships I think it is fitting to Cimorene’s character and her lack of conformity as a typical princess. “Once upon a time in a faraway kingdom man made up a story said that I should believe him. Go and tell your white knight that he’s handsome in hindsight, but I don’t want the next best thing.”

What theme songs did you come up with this week?

Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme created over at The Broke and the Bookish which I adore and therefore chose to adopt into my weekly blog posts!

This is seriously like Sophie’s Choice for me and I keep changing the list over and over because how could I only save just 10?? Also I would totally grab my Nook as well, which holds way more than 10 books. Cheating, I know!! I tried to put books on my list that had some sort of sentimental value because if I really HAD to choose I would probably grab my antique books and get outta there! However that would make for a boring top ten so…

The Norton Shakespeare – Not only is this a complete collection of Shakespeare’s works it is also filled with TONS of my notes from my multiple college courses and I would cry if I ever lost them.

The Black Swan By Mercedes Lackey – One of my first YA books I read as a youngin’ and my copy is so worn out it is literally falling apart.

Harry Potter – This book got me through a lot of hard times as a child, I’ve read it so many times I lost count.

Oz Story Magazine – I obtained this through a Wizard of Oz fan club I belonged to as a child, and it’s signed by John R. Neill!

The Wizard of Oz – My favorite as you all know!

The Lion the Witch and The Wardrobe

The Hobbit – A first edition copy that was my great grandfathers.

A Child’s Book of Stories – An anthology I received as a child that contains my favorite story, Snow White and Rose Red.

Son of the Shadows by Juliet Marillier – My favorite book by my favorite author.

Dealing with Dragons by Patricia C. Wrede

What’s on your Top 10 this week?

 Top Ten Books That Broke Your Heart A Little

Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme created over at The Broke and the Bookish which I adore and therefore chose to adopt into my weekly blog posts!

We are going anti-Valentine’s Day today!! Even making this list made me a little sad! Keep in mind many of the reasons behind why these books broke my heart contain spoilers so read at your own risk!!

A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness – This book was beautiful and it had me bawling like a baby near the end.

Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor – This book was heart wrenching and from the moment Kishmish died I was heartbroken yet elated at the same time. Then the ending happened and the longing only increased!

Harry Potter by J.K. Rowling – I remember reading the part where Sirius died and I was so heartbroken I just kept reading it over and over hoping I had made some mistake. Then in the last book when Hedwig dies I was shocked and hurt and ANGRY with those Death Eaters!! I vowed to get REVENGE, in the form of continuous reading, of course! To make a long story short: when Ron freaks out and leaves Harry and Hermione, Lupin and Tonks die (and Tonks was PREGNANT!!) and then the epic-ness that was the death of Severus Snape, oh my…I’m still not over it…

The Sevenwaters series by Juliet Marillier – There are multiple parts in all 6 books that break my heart every time I read them. Marillier is my favorite author and I think it is in part because she is able to break the heart in both good and bad ways and then mend it again when you thought it wasn’t possible to do so.

The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern – This book was beautiful in a heart breaking way. Though the ending wasn’t specifically sad, it still broke my heart.

The Time Traveler’s Wife by Audrey Niffenegger – This book is a wonderful and entertaining love story but the ending was so sad!

The Notebook by Nicholas Sparks – I don’t think I have to explain this one. I don’t love Nicholas Sparks but the dude has a knack for heart breaking!

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins – I’ve only read book one and SPOILER ALERT Rue dies!! More importantly, at the end where Peeta believes Katniss was acting like she only loved him for “show” oh man I was screaming at her to just be honest, dammit!! Then I became all conflicted over the whole Gale vs. Peeta thing…I can’t even talk about it.

Little Women by Lousia May Alcott – Um Laurie marries Amy and BETH DIES!!! (I just remembered why I loathe this book..)

Charlottes Web by E.B. White – I definitely got teary when Charlotte died, don’t tell me you didn’t!

Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme created over at The Broke and the Bookish which I adore and therefore chose to adopt into my weekly blog posts!

I have to say that I find a hard like this hard to compile. As a librarian I am doing reader’s advisory daily but there are specific questions one asks to assist in the process of finding them a book. Therefore, like my last list, I am not going with a specific age group but just compiling a list that I give to reluctant readers of all ages!

The Hunger Games series By Suzanne Collins – I know, I know, I STILL haven’t read these completely but I work in a high school and I have kids coming up to me DAILY telling me that they NEVER read and “hate reading” but they LOVE these books and are staying up at night to read them. That alone is enough of a reason for me to pick these books up myself.

Harry Potter series By J.K. Rowling – I honestly have not come across one person who has disliked this book after reading it. (Though many close-minded people hate it PRIOR to reading it due to its magical tendencies) I remember what it felt like the first time I read this book and it was all things wonderful.

The Outsiders By S.E Hinton – I find that young male reluctant readers absolutely love this book and want more like it.

The Invention of Huge Cabret By Brian Selznick – This is a unique book and will give the reader less angst about reading, as it is full of complimenting pictures throughout.

My Horizontal Life By Chelsea Handler – This is DEFINITELY an adult book and I have given it to many girlfriends who “hate reading” and they have loved it because its hilarious.

Speak By Laurie Halse Anderson – This book has mature themes in it and is a little dark at times but I have found many teenage girls who are not into reading enjoy it and move on to other books by this author.

The Wizard of Oz By L. Frank Baum – I might be a bit biased but I love this book and think everyone should love it as well.

Postsecret (any of them) By Frank Warren – Just because these books are beautiful and can be appreciated by anyone.

Thirteen Reasons Why By Jay Asher – Another book that all of my “I hate to read” kids are devouring right now.

The Help – This book is sweet, educational (in a fun way) and hilarious. I laughed out loud at parts and cried at others, it’s a beloved book by many!

Top Ten Books I Think Would Make Great Book Club Picks

Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme created over at The Broke and the Bookish which I adore and therefore chose to adopt into my weekly blog posts!

The following books aren’t all my favorite YA books but I tried to choose a few books from different genres so that the person reading them would see the diversity in YA literature.

Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson – This book is wonderful, it is filled with so much raw emotion I couldn’t help but love it, and feel torn apart by it at the same time.

Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor – I just finished this one and it was ahhhhmazing (review is forthcoming) I want to recommend it to random strangers on the street so its no question that it is one of my top recommendations for anyone who doesn’t usually read YA – or any other type of book, for that matter.

Wildwood Dancing by Juliet Marillier – Juliet Marillier is my all time favorite author yet most of the books I have read by her are all adult novels. This is the first book I read by Marillier that is specified to be a “young adult” novel and I loved it just as much as the others.

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins – I’ll be honest, I JUST started this one but so far it is awesome and the premise sounds pretty intriguing.

Fables by Bill Willingham– These graphic novels are my favorite and I think it is a great introduction into both graphic novels and young adult literature.

The Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum – My favorite book from my childhood. I realize that this is on the younger scale of the young adult spectrum but its still one of the best, and the first in the series!

Dealing with Dragons (Enchanted Forest Chronicles) by Patricia C. Wrede – I love Patricia C. Wrede and these are some of the first books I read that would be specified as young adult. They are funny and interesting and I still read them 10 years later!

Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs – This book was awesome and will give the reader a glimpse into how different YA literature can be. The photos compliment the story and make the reader delve even deeper into the plot.

A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness – Oh, my heart. This book made me laugh and cry and all things in between. It is just a beautiful story that will pluck the heartstrings and show the reader that YA literature isn’t all supernatural romance.