Top Ten Tuesday: Books I HAD to Buy... But are Still Sitting on My Shelf Unread

Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by the lovely ladies at The Broke and the Bookish. This week's topic is fantastic: the top ten books I HAD to buy... but are still sitting on my shelf unread. I'm ashamed to say this week's TTT was much easier than it should be. Sometimes I think I'm a shameful book lover for casting aside books, but sometimes it's just an accident. Here are some that have been sitting, collecting dust for a while:

1. Her Fearful Symmetry by Audrey Niffenegger

I read and absolutely loved The Time Traveler's Wife, it's probably my favorite novel of all time. So of course, as soon as I knew Niffenegger had authored another book, I just had to have it. I read the first chapter or so, got bored and put it down. Since then I've only heard mediocre things about it so I haven't been incentivized to pick it back up again.

2. 11/22/63 by Stephen King

I still really want to read this one. Unfortunately because the copy I have is a beautiful hardbound version, it's huge! Since the book is so long, it makes it difficult to lug back and forth to and from school with me, so it's been collecting dust on my shelf at home.

3. 1Q84 by Haruki Murakami

Unfortunately 1Q84 met the same fate as 11/22/63 - it's just too big and long to be convenient to carry around so I haven't actually gotten to reading it yet. I think it may be a summer or winter vacation read.

4. The Tiger's Wife by Tea Obreht

I couldn't even tell you what The Tiger's Wife is even about anymore, it's been that long since I bought it. I think it was at the top of a bunch of awards lists and when I saw it I knew I had to read it to see what it was about. Whoops.

5. Deadlocked by Charlaine Harris

I read all of the Sookie Stackhouse novels in one big binge read over winter break a few years ago. Since then I've found it difficult to keep up with and get into the new books in the series that come out every year. I'm always forgetting what happened in the last book.

6. The Paris Wife by Paula McLain

This was all over the internet last spring and summer. As soon as I bought it though, I pushed it to the side in favor of by the pool chick lit. Since then, it's kind of faded and I never hear anyone suggest it so it's been bumped way down on my to be read list.

7. Where'd You Go Bernadette? by Maria Semple

Confession time! I adore this cover. I bought the book because of the cover. It helps that it was a bestseller too - but I'm not even really sure if it would be a book that I otherwise would have picked up. I still love picking it up and looking at it, even if it's making a nice decoration.

8. The Racketeer by John Grisham

This was another victim of my binge reading habits. When I finally got into John Grisham I binge-read a whole slew of his novels, ending with buying this one. Unfortunately, like all my binges, my interest in Grisham came to an abrupt end and I couldn't even think of reading it. I'll get to it someday I suppose.

9. The Book Thief by Marcus Zusak

I'm the only one in the whole world that hasn't read this one right? I really have no excuse. I was so happy to buy my own copy because it was always checked out at the library. Then I realized how long it was... but unlike 11/22/63 and 1Q84, I even have it in an e-version. See? No excuse.

10.  Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson

I think I felt like I had to buy this one because it's one of those books you're either supposed to read, or had to read for class. I still haven't made it to actually reading it, but it's another one I like to have sitting on my bookshelf so people think I read classier books than I really do. (I'm joking of course... mostly.)

Top Ten Tuesday: The Very Top of my TBR Pile

This week's Top Ten Tuesday (hosted as always, by The Broke and the Bookish), we're talking our top ten books on the top of our TBR list for Spring 2013. 

I know for many bloggers this will be a lot of books that are coming out this spring. I'm a little OCD with my TBR list though; I almost always have to read things in the order that I added them to my list. The only exception of course, is that series must be read in order and don't have to be read back-to-back. You'll see a number of repeats on here from last week's series to read list. I didn't really get the series phenomenon until I started blogging, but I can't seem to stop now. 

      

1. Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruis Zafon - Shadow of the Wind is really holding me up at the moment. While it's a sweet, interesting story, I'm just not getting into it the way some people have. Although I have heard that it has a fantastic ending, so that might change yet!

2. Dark Lover by J.R. Ward -  I know, I knowwww. This is going to take me forever, the series is crazy long! I'm hoping I love it so it can last forever.

3. Paper Valentine by Brenna Yovanoff

4. Hopeless by Colleen Hoover

5. Graceling by Kristin Cashore

    

 

6. Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo

7. Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor

8. Requiem by Lauren Oliver - I know so many of you have already read this even though it was just released, but my OCD tendencies say it's gonna have to wait it's turn.

9. In the Woods Tana French - gotta mix it up with some adult contemporary fiction.

10. City of Ashes by Cassandra Clare - reading for the series challenge, since I started reading The Mortal Instruments last year as part of my read the books being turned into movies crusade.

What are your top reads this spring?

Anything you think I should break my rules for and bump up?

Share your TTT or a link in the comments so I can scope out new recs!

Top Ten Tuesday: Series to Start

Today's Top 10 Tuesday from The Broke and the Bookish is perfect timing! Joining the book blogging world beyond Goodreads has introduced me to so many new obsessions in the blogosphere, usually in the form of favorite or beloved book series. Since I joined the 2013 Series Catch-Up challenge this year, I've been even more motivated to knock some of these off of my TBR list!

My Top Ten Series I'd Like to Start:

1. The Game of Thrones (A Song of Ice and Fire) series by George R.R. Martin

I've loved watching Game of Thrones on HBO because it's so beautiful, but I bet the storyline is far better in this wildly popular series.

2. The Stephanie Perkins "trilogy"

Sometimes I think I'm the only person in the entire book blogging world who hasn't read these beloved books. I have to say the new covers just make me want to pick them up even more now!

3. The Wolves of Mercy Falls series by Maggie Stiefvater

I've seen these on shelves and in hands forever, but for the longest time thought they looked like a yet another Twilight ripoff, but I'd like to make my own mind up.

4. The Daughter of Smoke and Bone series by Laini Taylor

People absolutely rave about Laini Taylor's writing and if there's one thing I love more than just good storytelling, it's great writing. This is definitely at the top of my "to-read" series list and will probably be one of the first ones I pick up this year

5. The Uglies series by Scott Westerfield

These have been out so long they're almost a "classic" but I've never even glanced at them!

6. The Unearthly series by Cynthia Hand

I know you're not supposed to judge a series by their covers, but check out how cool these look. Plus, I'd love to know what the hype is all about.

7. The Lunar Chronicles series by Marissa Meyer

That Lunar Chronicles series is so hot right now. No, but really... I feel so left out since I haven't read either of these, or the next two, Cress and Winter. Love these not-so-classic retellings.

8. The Shatter Me series by Tahereh Mafi

Another somewhat controversial pick, people seem to uniformly love Shatter Me although theres some difference in opinion on the last one, and wherever there are differences I like to make up my own mind.

9. The Grisha series by Leigh Bardugo

This series sounds like it has an incredibly detailed and believable fantasy world. It reminds me a little of Harry Potter, not because of the plot but because of the uniqueness and depth of the world it's set in. I'm looking forward to seeing if people are right about that.

10. The Graceling Realm series by Kristin Cashore

Of all the series I've seen online, I don't think I've ever seen a bad word written about this one. I actually have been putting off starting it because I'm a little afraid I might fall in love with it as well.

Those are my picks! What are yours? 

Leave me a link or your URL to check out!

Top Ten Tuesday: Lynn's Auto-Buy Authors

On this week's Top Ten Tuesday hosted by the Broke and the Bookish, we're talking auto-buy authors. Those wait-for-the-newest-release authors, the gotta-be-good-gotta-get-it authors, and the when-all-else-fails authors.

These are my auto-buy authors (which doesn't necessarily mean favorite authors). These are the authors who I've liked most of their books. If given the choice between buying one of their newest books and an unknown, I'm likely to pick up theirs.

I was pretty pleased at how quickly this list formed and how many authors of different genres there are on it. So without further ado, my list:

1. Chuck Palahniuk - author of Fight Club and Invisible Monsters.

Chuck Palahniuk is actually one of my all-time favorite authors. Doesn't mean I love everything he writes all of the time, but I really love his writing style and have come to appreciate even his quirkiest books. Fight Club is incredible, but doesn't even rank in the Top 3 of his best books.

2. Gillian Flynn - author of Gone Girl and Sharp Objects.

I fist discovered Flynn when Gone Girl hit the bestseller list and quickly devoured her other two books. Both Sharp Objects and Dark Places are darker and much better than Goen Girl. I usually recommend her with the caveat that she's a horror writer, so people have some idea of what they're getting into.

3. Julie James - author of Something About You and Practice Makes Perfect.

Julie James doesn't write books fast enough! Her FBI/U.S. Attorney series is one of my favorites. Who doesn't love a strong, intelligent chick lit book? And as a law student, I just love that I can relate... well sort of, where's my hunky FBI agent, huh?

4. Christopher Moore - author of Lamb and Fluke.

One of my favorite humor writers, Christopher Moore has a very unique writing style. His stories are fantastical bordering on absurd but always keep me in stitches. If you haven't read anything by Moore, start with the heartwarming and hilarious Lamb, the story of Jesus' childhood, as told by his best friend, Biff.

5. Ian McEwan - author of Atonement and Enduring Love.

Although Atonement is probably McEwan's best known novel, I was introduced to his incredible writing through Enduring Love on (a off the record) recommendation from my high school literature teacher. Enduring Love is an incredible love story, told in McEwan's powerful language. Since then I've read just about everything (although his newest release Sweet Tooth, is on my TBR list.) I also highly recommend Saturday 

6. Suzanne Collins - author of The Hunger Games trilogy.

Even better than the movie, the Hunger Games are incredibly detailed and beautifully written. If and when Suzanne Collins writes another series, I will probably be standing in line waiting for it.

7. J.K. Rowling - author of the beloved Harry Potter series.

Come on, you knew this list wouldn't be complete without the author who wrote seven books of the most incredible series of our lifetime. I picked up the Casual Vacancy last summer when it came out, and while I hated it (and no, not just because it wasn't Harry Potter) I would still race to get my hands on anything Rowling wrote.

8. Charlaine Harris - author of the Sookie Stackhouse novels.

Charlaine Harris is one of my favorite guilty-pleasure authors. The Sookie Stackhouse series is pretty lengthy, which is wonderful when you just want to spend days being completely engulfed in another world entirely. I've read some of her other series and while I didn't like them quite as much, you know I'm on the reserve for every Sookie Stackhouse book as soon as it's released.

9. Erik Larson - author of Devil in the White City and In the Garden of Beasts.

The wonderful thing about Erik Larson is how completely unique his novels are. Mostly non-fiction but with the touch of a story teller, Larson has the incredible ability to make a single moment in history come to life. Both of his novels have been incredible as I'm sure his next will be as well.

10. Tamora Pierce - author of the Song of the Lioness and Protector of the Small series.

I loved Tomaora Pierce and the entire Tortall series growing up. I think I still have her books lined up on my shelves in the basement or in a box, I never could get up the courage to donate them or give them away for good. I read absolutely everything I could get my hands on and they were so great. I would highly recommend them to young girls looking for amazingly strong female protagonists. 

 There you have it, my top ten must buy authors!

What are yours?

Top 10 Tuesday: Favorite [Classic] Characters

This week's Top Ten Tuesday hosted by The Broke and Bookish has us discussing our favorite characters from whatever genre we choose. This week I chose the classics genre - because more often than not, I hate characters more than I love them and this was the only category I could find 10 characters I loved!

(P.S. - Yes this is a day late, but in my defense, I started writing it yesterday...)

1. Rhett Butler from Gone with the Wind 

I think I fell in love with Rhett Butler the very first time I read the book (of many, many re-readings of Gone with the Wind.) I loved his stubbornness, his ingenuity (he was a rum-runner after all), his romantic side, the fact that he wouldn't let Scarlet push him over even though he was madly in love with her, their bickering, sigh, just... everything.

2. Samwise Gamgee from Lord of the Rings 

To me, Sam is one of the best characters ever written. Is there any character who better exemplifies true love? ... 

and I don't mean that in the way that over-zealous online fan-groups do. Sam is one of the greatest friends in the history of literature, literally willing to walk through the fires of Mordor by his friend's side to support him. I loved reading about Sam and his loyalty, kindness, bravery and dedication even more than I loved reading about Frodo's adventures (and that's saying a lot...).

3. Nick Carraway from The Great Gatsby

I think Nick Carraway is one of the most underrated characters in The Great Gatsby. We see everything as he sees it while at the same time recognizing the things that he chooses not to acknowledge. He's a romantic at heart while being sucked into this insane world that while he's infatuated by, he's not not entirely a part of. If you've ever felt on the outside of the "cool" group, then Nick Carraway is the perfect character to relate to.

4. Hester Prynne from the Scarlet Letter

I really love strong female lead characters who stand up to the social norms around them (you'll see this as a reoccurring theme on this blog). I've always loved The Scarlet Letter because I think there are so many parallels to modern society still. Hester Prynne's self respect and love for her child struck me so strongly when I had to read it in high school. I still think the story bears a strong moral for most readers and love Hester as a protagonist. Confession: I actually love the idea of this book as a high school English assignment and think it's a great reminder for most high school girls

5. Ponyboy from the Outsiders 

Ponyboy, oh Ponyboy, besides suffering through the most horrific nickname in the history of nicknames, you put up with so much. There's something about how Ponyboy grows up throughout the novel without losing his innate innocence and optimism that won me over heart and soul. Ponyboy reflects what so many of us wish the world was like, easily divisible into black and white, greasers and socs. We tend to put things in nice, neatly labelled boxes the same way Ponyboy does, and we learn the lessons about the dangers of doing so through him (rather than you know, getting caught up in a murder ourselves.)

6. The unnamed narrator from Rebecca

Although she is never named in the book and is significantly overshadowed by the late Rebecca, the narrator is one of my favorite characters. Thrown into one of the most tumultuous situations, the author is able to keep her remarkably human. She's emotional and she's protective; she's paranoid and she's a rationalizer - she does what many of us would do in the same situation. She's not perfect and at times she's not even loveable. Throughout most of the book sometimes we forget that she's the narrator at all - just wishing the novel would get on with it already and discover the secrets. She's a quiet but constant present and there would be no novel without her.

7. Antigone from Antigone

Have I mentioned how much I love strong female protagonists from a patriarchical era? Meet the original, Antigone - the brave woman who fights the King for love. And no, not romantic love, familial love. (Have I mentioned how much I love characters with strong platonic or familial love yet? *cough* Sam *cough*) Antigone fights the King for the right to bury her brother after his less than honorable death, bringing the reader to series of ethical and legal questions as only Sophocles can. BUT! She's also passionate, funny and wonderfully feminine throughout it all, right


8. Milo from the Phantom Tollbooth

First of all, yes, I consider the Phantom Tollbooth a classic. at least it has been in my life. First published in 1961, my dad grew up reading the book and read it to my brother and I, and I am sure I'll do the same with my children.

Milo, the young, disaffected bored child doesn't know what to do with himself most days. Then he makes the wonderful discovery that every child makes that life itself is the journey and that you make your own adventure. Milo acts as the perfect relatable character for his transformation and journey from mildly spoiled complain-y kid, to independent everyday adventurer.

...the next two you might also disagree should be considered "classics" but this is my book blog and I shall categorize as I please... 

9. Professor McGonagall and 10. Hermione from Harry Potter

It's a strong female protagonist.

(But you know, a good one, not a Bella Swan I'm-so-strong-because-I-almost-killed-myself-when-my-boyfriend-dumped-me one, ugh.)

First, McGonagall reminded me very much of a Spanish teacher I had in high school that I loved. Smart, sharp, independent, took crap from no one, not even the chosen one. Actually in some ways, McGonagall reminds me of a grown-up Hermione. She's the backbone of so much of the series, she is both comfort and strength in a dark time and cracks the whip when the rest of the characters are too busy bandying about with trolls to realize what's actually brewing.

Hermione, Hermione, what is there to say about her. I love that Rowling wrote such a brilliantly smart female lead, whose main characteristic is her intelligence and her loyalty to her friends, then followed by her romantic involvements. She's neither infallible (Krum) nor blind (Ron) but seems to well, have a good head on her shoulders. Besides, as I've mentioned, I'm a sucker for intense platonic love and fielilty and next to Ron, Hermione is one of the most intensely loyal characters in the book.

Top Ten Tuesday: Romances in Books

Top Ten Tuesday is a link-up hosted by Broke and Bookish every Tuesday. This week's topic in honor of upcoming Valentine's Day is "Romances in Books." So here are my favorite romantic reads:

“I go to sleep alone, and wake up alone. I take walks. I work until I'm tired. I watch the wind play with the trash that's been under the snow all winter. Everything seems simple until you think about it. Why is love intensified by abscense?”

1. The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger
One of my all time favorite books and one of the greatest romances ever to grace the page. Is there anything more heart-wrenching than waiting for love to return to you?

“No, I don't think I will kiss you, although you need kissing, badly. That's what's wrong with you. You should be kissed and often, and by someone who knows how.”

2. Gone with the Wind by Margaret Mitchell
Another classic romance! I grew up loving Rhett and Scarlett's tumultuous, passionate relationship. They bickered and fought bitterly but loved each other through it.

“I stare at her for a long moment. I want to kiss her. I want to kiss her more than I've ever wanted anything in my life.”

3. Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen
Some of my favorite romance books are ones like this where the two ill-fated lovers would give up anything and everything to be with each other and yet find a way to make it work.

“The anticipation and dread he felt at seeing her was also a kind of sensual pleasure, and surrounding it, like an embrace, was a general elation--it might hurt, it was horribly inconvenient, no good might come of it, but he had found out for himself what it was to be in love, and it thrilled him.”

4. Atonement by Ian McEwan
Swoon! Ian McEwan has a talent for writing non-traditional romances and Atonement is no different, speaking to the things we do for love in our deepest and darkest places and the importance of timing.

 

“Now anyone who has ever been on a blind date is well familiar with “The Moment”—that moment where you first walk into the bar or restaurant or coffee shop and scan the crowd and suddenly your heart stops and you say to yourself: oh, please—let it be him.” Practice Makes Perfect

“It should've been illegal for a man to walk around like that without some sort of permit.” Something About You

5/6. Practice Makes Perfect by Julie James tied with Something About You by Julie James
I just can't get enough of Julie James! She writes such smart chick-lit with great, strong characters and incredible romantic tension. These are two of my absolute favorites.

“Ah," she cried, "you look so cool."
Their eyes met, and they stared together at each other, alone in space. With an effort she glanced down at the table.
You always look so cool," she repeated.
She had told him that she loved him, and Tom Buchanan saw.”

7. The Great Gatsby - F. Scott Fitzgerald
Who could forget about one of the greatest love stories? The Great Gatsby, a love story in an era that rewarded excess in just about everything except love.

“As he read, I fell in love the way you fall asleep: slowly, and then all at once.”

8. The Fault in Our Stars - John Green
One of my more recent reads, I fell in love with Hazel and Augustus the second the two of them met.

"You do care," said Dumbledore. He had not flinched or made a single move to stop Harry demolishing his office. His expression was calm, almost detached. "You care so much you feel as though you will bleed to death with the pain of it.”

9. Harry Potter - J.K. Rowling
What is Harry Potter about if not love? Love for friends, family and the good in life, and even some romantic love too.

“Just...ate," M says, frowning at me a little. "Two days...ago."
I grab my stomach again. "Feel empty. Feel...dead."
He nods. "Marr...iage.”

10. Warm Bodies - Issac Marion
A more non-traditional romance, Warm Bodies had me rooting for Zombie on human love the entire way through.