Top Ten Tuesday {7}

For more info on Top Ten Tuesday, hosted by The Broke and the Bookish, head HERE.

Today's Topic: Top Ten Books on my Summer TBR List

I'm not the type of person who really breaks up book themes according to seasons (I.E. I don't really do what people call "Beachy Reads" those light, fluffy romance and chick lit books. I read them, just not only in the summer and at the beach.) I don't really frequent the beach, and half the time I cannot even read out on my back porch because I live in an urban setting and have uber annoying neighbors. Le Sigh. So with that being said, here are the ten books that I plan to read this summer, most likely in the comfort of my own home, in no particular order...

Top Ten Tuesday {6}

For more info on Top Ten Tuesday, hosted by The Broke and the Bookish, head HERE.

Today's Topic: Top 10 Books I Feel Everyone Has Read But Me

1. Fifty Shades of Grey by E.L. James
     This book is everywhere these days, and I am not on the bandwagon. I don't think I will ever read it either - smutty Twilight fanfic I guess just isn't my type of book. I've heard so many mixed reviews too - from OMG Amazing! to OMG what did I just waste my time reading? I think I'll just play it safe and stick to my tried-and-true Young Adult and Adult Historical Fiction.

2. The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
     I am very curious about this book, and every time I see it at the library I scold myself for not just grabbing it and reading it - because everyone who has read it; says it Ahhmazing!

3. Outlander (Outlander #1) by Diana Gabaldon
     Historical Fiction. Time Travel. Hot Scots. Oh my! So why have I not read this freakin' book yet?! Well, technically I've tried. 3 times. And each time I struggle - yet my best friend DEMANDS I read this series because it will knock my socks off - and besides, it has all of my favorite things in it (See the first paragraph again...) so what is my prob?! Not sure - but I grabbed it when I was at the library last so I better like it...er, fourth times a charm? I hope?

4. City of Bones (Mortal Instruments #1) by Cassandra Clare
     With five books out, a sixth due in 2014, tons of e-book extras and a spin-off series...how have I not read this one?! Well, I own it. And it's going to be a movie. So I guess I need to just read this one - especially since it was recommended to me by a dear friend who I trust would not steer me wrong!

5. The Host by Stephenie Meyer
     The Host was Meyer's first adult novel following the success of the Twilight Saga. Due out this summer in movie format starring Saoirse Ronan (Susie Salmon from The Lovely Bones movie; Briony Tallis from Atonement; and Lina Mayfleet in City of Ember) I haven't read this one yet; and have found it to have very mixed reviews ranging from, "Couldn't get past chapter one." to "You HAVE to read it!" With my waning feelings for Meyer, I really can't say I have all that much interest in reading this, nor anything else she will probably publish in the future. But who knows, I may change my mind sometime in the future, I've done it before.

6. Looking For Alaska by John Green
     I haven't jumped on the John Green bandwagon yet, since contemporary YA isn't really my genre of choice. But the amounts of praise and awards that Green's books receive, it makes me think I need to bump this (or The Fault in our Stars) up on my Need To Read list.

7. The House of Night Series by P.C. & Kristin Cast
     OK, technically I suffered through the first book in the series, Marked, but had to call it quits on the series when at their school, the main character was observing other students engaged in sexual acts in the school hallways. I'm 28 years old, and no, I am not a prude, but really, this took it too far, and in a very un-classy way. Maybe it's just me, and maybe most people overlook it, or even laugh at it, which I suppose I could do as well, but yeah, I gave up on the rest of the books after finishing book one.

8. Fallen (Fallen Series) by Lauren Kate
     When I first saw the cover of this book, I fell in love with it. I love all of the covers on the books in this series, but I have yet to read any of them. Granted, I do own Fallen, the first book, just haven't gotten around to reading it yet. I seem to be having that problem a lot lately...
                                       9. The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis
         I know, you are in complete, total, and utter disbelief that I have not read this series yet...am I right? Well, I have the book (all-in-one) and I always say I need to just read it, considering I love the movies! But I just haven't gotten around to it yet. Boo.

10. The Inheritance Series by Christopher Paolini
     Well, I saw Eragon the movie, but haven't picked up the books to read. Enjoyed the movie a lot - maybe I should read them?

Top Ten Tuesday #5

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish. Every Tuesday a topic is chosen, and you create a list of your top ten favorite of whatever that weeks topic is.

This was actually a tough one for me, because while I tend to read a lot of dystopian books, I can't say it's for sure my number one favorite genre, because really I can read any genre and be happy! But since I do read a lot of Dystopian and Urban Fantasy, that's why I chose both.

This weeks topic is: Top ten favorite Dystopian & Urban Fantasy Y.A. Novels

1. Under the Never Sky by Veronica Rossi
     *This book was amazing. It had a little bit of everything; action, drama, romance, all wrapped up in a pretty cover! This one has to be one of my absolute favorite books all around!

2. Divergent by Veronica Roth
     *I didn't know what to expect when I first picked this one up because it was maybe my second dystopian title. Thank goodness I bought it because it blew me away! Four tops my list of book boyfriends! Anyone who needs to break themselves into the dystopian genre can easily start here.

3. Matched & Crossed by Ally Condie
     *Again, Matched was an early dystopian title for me and I wasn't totally sure how I would feel reading it, or even if I would finish it. Well, not only did I finish it, but I freaking LOVED it!

4. The Hunger Games, Catching Fire, & Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins
     *I can't even remember why I ended up picking up The Hunger Games but obviously I am beyond glad I did seeing as now it's so huge. I was glad to have read it before the movie was announced and really hyped it up. I'm thrilled to see the movie though; it looks like they did it an amazing amount of justice.

5. Wither & Fever by Lauren Destefano
     *These two books are a completely different type of dystopian. Can't lie here - the cover of Wither is what really made me pick it up initially, but then the story is what made me fall in love. It's so tragic but countered with so much hope that makes it an amazing read.

6. Die for Me by Amy Plum
     *I'm not into zombies. Not even close. So when I read this one and loved it, I was shocked to see people classifying it as a "zombie" book because there are "undead" characters called Revenants. However they are not the blood-craving, flesh-eating, decrepit characters you are probably picturing in your mind. This was a great first book to start the series and I'm excited for Until I Die.

7. Wicked Lovely Series by Melissa Marr
     *I'm a fairy addict so there's no surprise that this is one of my favorite series of all time. Marr is unlike any other storyteller I've come across. Her world-building is beyond amazing and even if you aren't into fairy stories, this one is worth the read just for Marr's writing.

8. The Darkest Powers Series by Kelley Armstrong
     *So here's another one that involves zombies, because one of the characters is a necromancer. But this isn't the sole topic of the book and the way Armstrong handles zombie scenes is great, making me a fan. My only hangup was that the book starts off taking place in Buffalo, NY (aka my hometown) and lets just say Armstrong borrowed the city name because the place she describes in the first book is not really Buffalo, lol. I guess I'm just protective of my hometown since a lot of times it's not given cred for the beauty that it really beholds.

9. Unearthly & Hallowed by Cynthia Hand
     *I think everyone has read these two by now, but they are definitely good reads if you haven't read them yet and like books about angels (good and bad) and fate, and love :))

10. Blue Bloods Series by Melissa de la Cruz
     *What I love about this series is that it is such a unique spin on vampires that it tops the YA-Vampire genre for me. There's so much going on in these books that keep you constantly engaged and always wondering what's going to happen. The first book is slower and didn't totally hook me at first, but a quick re-read and then books 2-4 really changed my mind. de la Cruz does an amazing job building her world and her characters that if you haven't read this series yet and love vampires - you need to go get them!

What is your favorite genre(s)? Let me know what your favorite books are!

Top Ten Tuesday #4

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish. Every Tuesday a topic is chosen, and you create a list of your top ten favorite of whatever that weeks topic is.

This is Gemma; she is going to help me out with my Top 10 Tuesday posts from now on! Everyone say, "Hi Gemma!" (go ahead...she's waiting...) Gemma says, "Hey everyone! Nice to meet you!"

This weeks topic is: Top 10 Favorite Covers

Wither Series by Lauren Destefano

~I wrote "series" on this one, because both this and the cover for Fever are just amazing. I don't know why but I love birds and cages; and the dress she's wearing is so beautiful. There is so much symbolism on the cover as well.

Unearthly Series by Cynthia Hand

~Again, I included Series because this one and Hallowed are both awesome. I love the tones used; and the scrolly font. It's perfect!

Under the Never Sky by Veronica Rossi

~This one uses really awesome colors and I like the font used for the title as well. 

Starcrossed by Josephine Angelini

~The water has an iridescence on it that you can't tell from the photo. I'm reading this one right now and I always stop and look at the cover before I start reading again.

Masque of the Red Death by Bethany Griffin (release date is April 24,2012)

~I can't wait for this one to come out. I love the black and reds and the girl with the umbrella; it all just looks so well thought out and put together. Love it!

Insurgent (Divergent #2) by Veronica Roth (release date is May 1,2012)

~This one I fell in love with the second I saw the cover reveal. I cannot WAIT to read!

Harbinger by Sara Wilson Etienne 

~I love tarot cards so the fact that the cover looks like one sold me on it right away. Can't wait to read!

Fallen Series by Lauren Kate

~I definitely bought this one because of the cover. I haven't read it yet; but the whole series has such sad covers, I just love them.

Everneath by Brodi Ashton

~ I want that red dress. PLEEEAASSSEEE?!?!

A Beautiful Dark Series by Jocelyn Davies

~Girls in dresses must be a common theme in YA; but that's okay because these dresses they are finding are awesome!

Don't forget to let us know what your favorite covers are; and stop by next week to see what Gemma and I pick for our Top Ten Tuesday:  Top 10 Favorite Genre Books! Check back to see what our favorite genre is; and what our 10 favorite books in that genre are!

Top Ten Tuesday #3

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish. Every Tuesday a topic is chosen, and you create a list of your top ten favorite of whatever that weeks topic is.

This weeks topic is:

Books that I just found (as I get ready to move) that I forgot I owned (and still need to read).

ANGELFIRE by Courtney Allison Moulton

BEAUTIFUL CREATURES by Kami Garcia & Margaret Stohl

CLARITY by Kim Harrington

FALLEN ANGEL by Heather Terrell

NIGHTSHADE by Andrea Cremer

THE IRON KING by Julie Kagawa

THE IRON WITCH by Karen Mahoney

TIMELESS by Alexandra Monir

VAMPIRE ACADEMY by Richelle Mead

WINGS by Aprillynne Pike

Top Ten Tuesday #2

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish. Every Tuesday a topic is chosen, and you create a list of your top ten favorite of whatever that weeks topic is.

This weeks topic is:

The Top Ten Books We Are Excited To Read in 2012

10 - THE IMMORTAL RULES - Blood of Eden #1 - Julie Kagawa

9 - FATED - Soul Seekers # 1 - by Alyson Noel

8 - ARTICLE 5 - Article 5 #1 - by Kristen Simmons

7 - UNTIL I DIE - Revenants #2 - by Amy Plum

6 - HALLOWED - Unearthly #2 - by Cynthia Hand

5 - ALCHEMY of FOREVER by Avery Williams

4 - INCARNATE - New Souls #1 - by Jodi Meadows

3 - STOLEN AWAY by Alyxandra Harvey

2 - FEVER - The Chemical Gardens #2 - by Lauren DeStefano

1 - INSURGENT - Divergent #2 -  by Veronica Roth

What books are you excited for in 2012? Let me know!

Top Ten Tuesday #1

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish. Every Tuesday a topic is chosen, and you create a list of your top ten favorite of whatever that weeks topic is.

This weeks topic is: Top Ten Childhood Favorites...

The Babysitter's Club

By Ann M. Martin

Oh, my does this take me back! I loved the BSC! I remember begging my parents to take me to see my grandparents on Sunday mornings because the TV Show was on then; and when the movie came out?! Oh, I was one of those annoying swoony girls for sure! Was Logan Bruno not your first ever crush!? The perfect boyfriend :o) LOL And I used to totally make calendars just like Claudia - with little pictures for holidays and events! (if you were a fan and saw the TV show then you'll be happy to know the theme song is now lodged in my head for most likely the rest of the night... Say hello to your friends, the babysitter's club! Say hello to the people who care!)

Goosebumps

By RL Stine

These I used to steal from my brother when I wanted to freak myself out!! I was super excited when they started making movies out of the books; and I believe they even aired them as shows on TV on Saturday mornings. Either way, this started my love of the spooky and paranormal!

Sideways Stories from Wayside School & Wayside School is Falling Down

By Louis Sachar

These books absolutely cracked me up! This makes me want to go back and read them now!!

Big Dog ... Little Dog

By PD Eastman

This was one of my early favorites. I can remember begging my dad to let me read, while he made sound effects to go along with the story!

The Monster At The End Of This Book

By Jon Stone, Michael J Smollin

Who doesn't love Grover? Especially when he spends the whole book begging and pleading with you not to continue reading because there's a monster at the end?! Oh, silly Grover!

Sweet Pickles Series

By Richard Hefter

I loved this whole series! They were very clever, unique and taught a lesson in each story!

Pig Pig Grows Up

By David McPhail

I loved this story, it was cute!

Richard Scarry's Find Your ABCs

By: Richard Scarry

This one was tons of fun!

Walt Disney's Storyland

This one is just self explanatory! 

Night Noises and other Mole and Troll Stories

By Tony Johnston

I loved this book. I remember my brother and I both always choosing it when we were both still close in age to want bedtime stories. I also remember trying out the methods Mole and Troll tried when they needed to lose a tooth!