Top Ten Tuesday: Summer TBRs

Happy Top Ten Tuesday (hosted by The Broke and the Bookish and created by The Perpetual Page Turner!) Welcome to this week's topic: Top Ten Books You'd Recommend As Good Beach Reads.

Released this Summer
1. Endlessly by Kiersten White I'm obsessed with Evie. I get super excited slash scared slash worried slash thirsty when I think about finishing this series.
2. Such a Rush by Jennifer Echols Have I rambled on enough about this one yet? No? Well I CANNOT WAIT. Jennifer Echols = the top of my author crush list.
3. The Treachery of Beautiful Things by Ruth Francis Long I love this title because it also applies to the book itself, which is super beautiful. Though I hope it's only treacherous in all the right ways, if you know what i mean....
4. Timepiece by Myra McEntire I'm going to need to reread Hourglass before I plunge in, but I definitely remember LOVING the Southern feel, the family aspect, and the Hottie McTottie boys. Anyone read this yet?
5. The Thing About the Truth by Lauren Barnholdt This may be a little TMI, but the blurb sounds kind of like a summary of my high school life. And her name is Kelsey, so I'm super worried/excited that this is my secret biography. (No joke)



Left on my List of Ten
1. Bitterblue by Kristin Cashore I'm saving this one until I can dedicate a full day to it. I don't want anyone interrupting me in the middle, lest they *accidentally* lose a limb from my wrath.
2. Don't You Wish by Roxanne St. Claire Yikes. I sooo need to get on this....
3. Dreamless by Josephine Angelini I'm really excited for this one, but the problem is I consumed Dreamless via audio. The second book is only out for reading, and I'm super reluctant to switch medias.
4. Brightly Woven by Alexandra Bracken Via a recommendation from the lovely Natalie at Mindful Musings. I promise I'm going to get to it soon so we can discuss!!
5. I'd Tell You I Love You, But Then I'd Have to Kill You by Ally Larter I like her writing style, but I wanted way more romance from Heist Society. However, I hear the swoon factor is up in this one!

Happy Reading all!

Top Ten Tuesday: Top Ten Beach Books!

Happy Top Ten Tuesday (hosted by The Broke and the Bookish and created by The Perpetual Page Turner!) Welcome to this week's topic: Top Ten Books You'd Recommend As Good Beach Reads.

I definitely fall prey to "holiday culture" in that I automatically associate summer with fun faster reads (probably because my brain shuts down a little in warm weather). With the sudden constant companionship of my AC and sunglasses, I am in full summer mode and looking for good contemporaries to go along with my Long Island iced tea and naps in Central Park (with SPF 60, of course!)

1. The Summer I Turned Pretty by Jenny Han I am constantly waxing on about this series on the blog, but seriously, if you haven't met Conrad and Jeremy yet there is no hope for you!

2. Anything Sarah Dessen You really can't go wrong here, but my personal favorite is Along for the Ride, which is basically the fulfillment of every girl's dream summer away at the beach.

3. Anything Jennifer Echols Can my personal favorites be "everything she's ever written?" No? Well then, definitely check out Love Story and Forget You. I just swoon thinking about them!

4. The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight by Jennifer E. Smith Also takes place in the summer. You can read my review or just take my word when I say that YOU WILL DIE of the cute.

5. Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants by Ann Brashares If you've seen the movies, ignore them. As is always the case, the books are better. I'm a Bridget girl myself, but you'll have to tell me who you prefer.

6. My Life Next Door by Huntley Fitzpatrick This one comes out this week, and I can't wait to have a finished copy as some shelf candy! Be sure to wish Huntley Fitzpatrick a happy book birthday this Thursday!!

7. The Undomestic Goddess by Sophie Kinsella This is not YA, but it is extra sexy and extra, extra hilarious. Make sure you have a cold drink or magazine on hand because wooooahhh giiirrll, you are going to need to fan yourself after certain chapters!

8. The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger Okay, there's really nothing summery about this, I just think summer because I happened to read it on a beach. This one's heavy, and it'll dehydrate you (read: many tears), so make sure you have some water on hand!

9. The Thing About the Truth by Lauren Barnholdt This doesn't come out until July 10th, but it's one of my most anticipated reads for the summer! Besides, it's a rule of the universe that when a Kelsey is involved (as with this protagonist) everything is spectacular. I speak from experience, of course.

10. Such a Rush by Jennifer Echols Also a July 10th release. Have I mentioned I have a talent crush on Jennifer Echols? Yes? Then you wont be surprised to hear that I am considering getting cryogenically frozen until this release because I might die--DIE I TELL YOU--from waiting.

If you have any good contemps you think I should try, let me know! Happy sunny Tuesday, all.

Top Ten Non-Book Blogs I Read

Happy Top Ten Tuesday (hosted at The Broke and the Bookish), this week's topic is Top Ten Blogs You Read That AREN'T about Books:

I used to read a lot of gossip, DIY, and home decorating blogs, but I got really caught up with all the book blogging and stopped. Also, as a result of Pinterest (you're welcome to follow me!) I find that I circulate through a much higher number of blogs, but don't regularly visit any very often.

1. Suri's Burn Book A study in Suri and the people who disappoint her
This blog is hilarious. Even if you skip every other link in my post, it will have been worth it to get you to check this particular one out. This post right here is my favorite one in recent memory.

(I'm ashamed to admit that this was right around the point I started struggling to think of more non-book blogs... I guess I can be a little lit-centric...)

2. Diary of a Southern Prep Born in New England. Raised in the South.
This one is a tumblr. I just love to look at pictures of bright, preppy things. I'll warn you though, looking at it will probably make you want to shop.

3. National Geographic Photo of the Day
I love travelling and exploring new things. Books let me do that, but National Geographic lets me do that with pictures!

4. NASA Photo of the Day
If you know anything about me, you probably know that I was a Theatre and English major in college. Therefore, you may be surprised to learn that I originally wanted to be a Math and Astrophysics major (opposite sides of the brain... I have no idea). You'll also probably be surprised to hear that I don't like Sci-Fi. But I do love space, especially pictures of it.

5. Alexandra Sophie Photography
This is technically a link to her portfolio and not blog, but oh-my-goodness her work is stunning. Her photograph was the one that they used for the cover of Born Wicked. The photo to the below is also © her.

6. My Most Recent Travel Obsession
This isn't a particular website, but go through phases where I get really obsessed with a certain country or region, and I'll spend hours and hours researching the culture and pictures and how much it would cost to go there. Last obsession was Antarctica, Siberia before that. Now I'm fixated on Nashville for some reason. Who knows what could come next?

I'm going to leave it at that because if I kept going I would be grasping at straws. It's interesting that essentially everything above is pictures with little-to-no content. I guess I do such an incredible amount of reading between books and book blogs that when I'm not on them I just want to look at something pretty. And when I'm not reading or looking at pictures, you can probably find me obsessively browsing Gilt Group or stalking high school friends on Facebook.

Happy Tuesday y'all!

Top Ten Quotes from Books

Hey, thanks for stopping by! Welcome to Top Ten Tuesday hosted by The Broke and the Bookish. This week's adventure is top ten favorite quotes from books.

This one was a lot harder for me than usual, as I do not have a particularly good memory for quotes (The only movies I ever quote are Mean Girls, Anchorman, and She's the Man because I just don't have a capacity to remember much more, and those ones are the best). Also, I am really in the moment when I read (unless a book is terrible), so I don't stop to write quotes down. THEREFORE, I bring ye lovely folks not my list of top ten quotes (as I have no idea what they are), but a list of five quotes that made me LOL and five quotes that made me think.

So, without further ado, Five Quotes That Made Me Laugh:

1. City of Bones by Cassandra Clare
“Have you fallen in love with the wrong person yet?"
"Unfortunately, Lady of the Haven, my one true love remains myself."
"At least," she said, "you don't have to worry about rejection, Jace Wayland."
"Not necessarily. I turn myself down occasionally, just to keep it interesting.”

2. Hex Hall by Rachel Hawkins
“Good luck explaining to God that you used to spank one of his heavenly beings."
Mom gave a startled laugh. "Sophie!"
"What? You did. I hope you like hot weather, Mom, that's all I'm saying.”

3. The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
In our world, I rank music somewhere between hair ribbons and rainbows in terms of usefulness. At least a rainbow gives you a tip about the weather.

4. Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead
Lissa and I had been friends ever since kindergarten, when our teacher had paired us up together for writing lessons. Forcing five-year-olds to spell Vasilisa Dragomir and Rosemarie Hathaway was beyond cruel, and we’d—or rather, I’d—responded appropriately. I’d chucked my book at out teacher and called her a fascist bastard. I hadn’t known what those words meant, but I’d known how to hit a moving target. Lissa and I had been inseparable ever since.

5. Spirit Bound by Richelle Mead
He has no right to threaten my boyfriends. I'm eighteen. An adult. I don't need his help. I can threaten my boyfriends myself.

and Five Quotes That Made Me Pause:

6. Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver
That’s just the kind of thing that kids do to each other. It’s no big deal. There’s always going to be a person laughing and somebody getting laughed at. It happens every day, in every school, in every town in America—probably in the world, for all I know. The whole point of growing up is learning to stay on the laughing side.

7. Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi
He’s wrong he’s so wrong he’s more wrong than an upside-down rainbow.

8. Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi
I always wonder about raindrops.
I wonder about how they're always falling down, tripping over their own feet, breaking their legs and forgetting their parachutes as they tumble right out of the sky toward an uncertain end. It's like someone is emptying their pockets over the earth and doesn't seem to care where the contents fall, doesn't seem to care that the raindrops burst when they hit the ground, that they shatter when they fall to the floor, that people curse the days the drops dare to tap on their doors.

9. Where She Went by Gayle Foreman
That’s the thing you never expect about grieving, what a competition it is.

10. Where She Went by Gayle Foreman
I look at her there in the shadows of the shut-down city, her hair falling onto her face, and I can see her trying to figure out if I’ve lost it. And I have to fight the urge to take her by the shoulders and slam her against a shuttered building until we feel the vibrations ringing through both of us. Because I suddenly want to hear her bones rattle. I want to feel the softness of her flesh give, to hear her gasp as my hip bone jams into her. I want to yank her head back until her neck is exposed. I want to rip my hands through her hair until her breath is labored. I want to make her cry and then lick up the tears. And then I want to take my mouth to hers, to devour her alive, to transmit all the things she can’t understand.

I know I just gave you a lot to read, but hopefully you liked those as much as I do. Granted, quotes rarely hold their full impact when out of context, so perhaps they just seemed like words words words. Where there any that struck you? I look forward to reading y'alls top ten quotes this week!

Spring Fever: Top Ten Books I'd Play Hooky With

Welcome, welcome, to this weeks edition of Top Ten Tuesday, hosted by The Broke and the Bookish! Today I bring you the Spring Fever Edition: which ten books I'd love to stay home and play hooky with.


1. Ella Enchanted by Gail Carson Levine
Childhood forever favorite. I never get tired of this story (there was one fateful road trip where I listened to it once through, finished it and started the book all over again. No joke). I think I've had a crush on Char since age 10. 12 years later, I still want to marry his freckly self. In fact, curling up with this book sounds like the perfect way to spend a day.

2. Love Story by Jennifer Echols
There are so many things I love about this book. The college aged protagonist, the raunchy short stories, the horse farm, the city life and the southern charm that all get wrapped up together in one wonderful story. I read this over Christmas and left it at my parents house in Colorado--big mistake. I have been dying, DYING I tell you, to escape back into Erin Blackwell's head ever since.

3. The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight by Jennifer E. Smith
A recent read of mine, but one that I wouldn't mind going back to. There was something so compelling about the chemistry between Hadley and Oliver that makes this read one of 100% girlish wish fulfillment. I want my own British hottie!

4. Catching Jordan by Miranda Kenneally
The best book I've read so far this year (look back later this week for my review!) I identified with Jordan so much that every little heartbreak and triumph felt deeply personal. Since there's no sequel coming out (though there is a companion novel!) I think this book is going to turn into one of my "read, rinse, repeat" staples.

5. Unearthly by Cynthia Hand
This book is so dang good. So is the sequel. I actually get a little fluttery whenever I think about this book, that's how much I love it. It also makes me want to move to Wyoming, that's how much I love it (which is crazy on multiple levels partially because, DUH, it's Wyoming and it only has one electoral vote, and also because I am a major Colorado enthusiast... ski Colorado, folks).

6. All seven Harry Potter books by J.K. Rowling
I like the idea of spending an entire weekend in bed with nothing but snacks, the Harry Potter series, and a water bottle to pee in (just kidding... I'm not that intense... I would get out of bed to go to the restroom). Have any of you been on Pottermore? All this new, behind-the-scenes info on the characters and books has gotten me excited to go back and read them for the umptienth time.

7. Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins
Like I said above with The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight, I want a cute British boy all for myself!! Also, as someone with a serious travel bug, I love truly feeling transported to Paris in this one.

8. All six Vampire Academy books, followed by Bloodlines by Richelle Mead
Richelle Mead is a goddess of the written word. Also, Rose is my idol. 'Nuff said.

9. Heir Apparent by Vivian Vande Velde
This was one of my brother's and my favorites growing up. It's been a while since I read it, which means I've forgotten some of the plot details so reading it will almost be like reading it for the first time (bonus)! For those of you who aren't familiar, definitely check it out.

10. Where She Went by Gayle Foreman
This one is not even a hypothetical. I have been DYING to read the sequel to If I Stay and it's been staring at me for days, but I told myself I wasn't allowed to start it until I unpacked my apartment and wrote the review. Finishing those tonight, so I'm playing hooky with Gayle Foreman tomorrow!! Holla!

Sensing a theme here? For me, a happy, snuggly day in bed away from the worries of work usually means reading some kind of love story. Contemporary Chic-Lit isn't necessarily my favorite YA sub-genre, but reading it usually produces the same type of feeling as comfort food. Mac n' Cheese with a Stephanie Perkins novel (and maybe a bubble bath)? BOOM, perfect stress-free afternoon.

How 'bout y'all? Any genres that you most want to play hooky with? What's on your top ten list this week?

Top Ten Books on My Spring TBR List

Hey y'all! Bringing you more Top Ten Tuesday hosted by The Broke and the Bookish. This week features the top ten books that I want to read this spring (though not necessarily released this spring). So here it is... at least 10 books I'd like to plow through before the end of May.


1. Where She Went by Gayle Forman
I just finished If I Stay yesterday in one sitting and HOLY MONKEYS was it good. I am rushing to get through today's work so I can run to B&N and get a copy of the second one (which, if rumor is to be believed, is even better than the first).

2. The Selection by Kiera Cass
You've seen this one on some of my other lists, but I am still child-about-to-go-on-its-first-roller-coaster-pee-your-pants-excited (excuse the visual) for its release next month. Here's hoping it can live up to all the expectations I've given it.

3. Masque of the Red Death by Bethany Griffin
Another April release. I'm starting to see ARC reviews and so far, so great. Besides, the cover copy had me at, "beautiful dresses, glittery make-up, and tantalizing..." WHAT? Glitter!! (insert Ke$ha here...) And how could I not love the title nod to Edgar Allen Poe?

4. Every Other Day by Jennifer Lynn Barnes
This was a random find for me in the bookstore the other day, which had somehow managed to escape my attention when it was released a couple of months ago. I've heard good things though, so I'm excited to read it!

5. Insurgent by Veronica Roth
I am happy to report that my grubby little hands got to hold and cradle a hard cover copy of this book. I am sad to report that I did not get to keep or read it (editors can be such teases). I recently reread Divergent in preparation, so I am all kinds of ready for the May release!

6. Incarnate by Jodi Meadows
I don't know what it is about this book... I was wearing down the floorboards with all my excited pacing and waiting for its release, then when my ARC finally came I didn't pick it up. It's since been released and I still haven't picked it up. I'm really hoping to put on my serious pants and actually get to it soon.

7. Getting Over Garrett Delany by Abby McDonald
Just another in a series of recent Contemporary YA binges. Besides, I can empathize with the crushing on the blue-eyed best friend bit (poor Sadie).

8. Forget You by Jennifer Echols
Jennifer Echols is like a favorite little dessert for me. I discovered her when I read Love Story last Christmas, and now I am painstakingly portioning my way through her other works so I don't run out of them too quickly! Next up: Forget You.

*9. Contemporary Recommendation?
I obviously have lots of other books to read this spring, but I wanted to ask for a recommendation. I plowed through so many Contemporary YAs in the last few weeks that I'm running low on ideas. Does anyone have a favorite they could suggest (you can check my Goodreads to see which ones I've already conquered)? I would appreciate it!!

*10. Sarah Dessen Recommendation?
I'm also looking for a Sarah Dessen Recommendation. I read The Truth About Forever a few months ago and really enjoyed it. I want to listen to another one of her titles, but don't know where to start (Just Listen, This Lullaby, Along for the Ride, something else??). Let me know if there was one you really enjoyed!

Will any of you be reading the same spring titles? Leave a comment below; I'd love to check out your lists. Happy Vernal Equinox all, and enjoy your spring reading!

Top Ten Books I'm Excited to Read in 2012!

So I decided to encore my last Top Ten Tuesday hosted by The Broke and the Bookish. Basically, each week all of us type-As get the seductive pleasure of making a new list. This week's list? The ten books I'm most excited to read this coming year...

(As I finished writing this, I realized the post featured seven of the same books as my last list, so I'm going to change it up and only list books that I did not post on my last Top Ten Tuesday):


1. Enchanted by Alethea Kontis May 8, 2012
This book sounds a little younger than something I would normally read, but the cover copy remind me of Ella Enchanted, which was my favorite childhood book. And how gorgeous is that cover!

2. Clockwork Princess by Cassandra Clare November 1, 2012
Cassandra Clare is such a maniacal genius at writing sexual tension and forbidden love. Her books regularly give me heart palpitations, and I loved the last two in this series.... Can't wait!

3. Isla and the Happily Ever After by Stephanie Perkins Sometime 2012
Stephanie Perkins is a word master and a complete author-crush of mine. I am so excited for this one. I hope this is the very same Isla from Anna and the French Kiss (fingers crossed!), and am very excited to return to Paris!

4. The Catastrophic History of You and Me by Jess Rothenberg February 21, 2012
If this book is anything like Lauren Oliver's Before I Fall (and it sounds like it will be from the description and blurb), how could I not love it? I've already heard lots of wonderful rumblings from around the blogosphere, and I am completely prepared to both fall in love and get my heart broken.

5. Endlessly by Kiersten White July 24, 2012
I only just began reading this series a couple of weeks ago, but oh-my-bleep do I love Evie. I actually miss her like I would a good friend who's gone vacation. Perhaps to South America. Off the grid. I cannot wait to be reunited with her, though I'm sad that this book will mean the end of our time together!

6. The Selection by Kiera Cass April 24, 2012
I defy you to tell me that this isn't the most oh-em-gee bee-you-tiffal cover ever. It sounds a little like Wither too, which I loooved. And, yeah, I can't help but laugh a little with a protagonist named America Singer, but hey, I have a man's middle name. Beggars can't be choosers.

7. The Thing About Truth by Lauren Barnholdt July 10, 2012
This sounds very Perfect Chemistry-esque (and I know, I know, I really didn't like that book, but this is a totally different author) meets east coast prep school. Sounds awesome, right?

8. "Untitled Daughter of Smoke and Bone 2" by Laini Taylor September 2012
That saucy-saucy minx, Laini Taylor, dropped the MOST MASSIVE bomb at the end of the last book. Months later and I am still in recovery from the WTF-burns sustained all over my face. I am both terrified and completely stoked for September.

9. Gilt by Katherine Longshore May 15, 2012
No clue whether this book is going to be historically accurate or not, but accuracy or no accuracy, Tudor England is sexy (and oh-so-dangerous, which only makes it more sexy). There is already a lot of literature on Anne and Mary Boleyn, so I'm glad we get the chance to look at some of Henry's other wives (I mean comeooonn. There are so freaking many).

10. Born Wicked by Jessica Spotswood February 7, 2012
Woah--Libba Bray meets Cassandra Clare? Witches, tea parties, forbidden romance, family secrets? This seriously sounds like my kind of book! And with a beautiful cover to boot. Can't wait!

Please feel free to leave comments and links to your own most anticipated for 2012! I can't wait to read them.

Top Ten Books Sequels I'm Dying to Read

So I'm trying something a little new today, and participating for the first time in Top Ten Tuesday, a meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish every (I'm sure you can guess...) Tuesday! Once a week all of us type-A obsessives get the unbridled pleasure of doing what we love best--making lists. This week features ten sequels I can't wait to get my grubby little hands on (in the order they will be released):


1. Clockwork Prince by Cassandra Clare December 6, 2011

Clockwork Angel was so much fun. Dare I say (gasp!) that I liked it even more than The Mortal Instruments series? I am definitely looking forward to more sexual tension (and hopefully steamy romance) in this one!

2. Hallowed by Cynthia Hand January 24, 2012
At the risk of sounding oh-so Elle Woods--ohmigosh you guys. Unearthly was... well... unearthly! Seriously, I can't rave enough; I absolutely loved it. I want to read it over and over and over and over and I very well might do so until the day that Hallowed comes out.

3. Bloodrose by Andrea Cremer January 24, 2012


You can check out my Wow post about this book here! I am very excited that the turn over for this third book is happening so quickly, and I can already tell that the end of January is going to be a total happy read-fest. 

4. Fever by Lauren DeStefano February 21, 2012
Must.know.what.happens! I want more Linden! Needless to say, very excited about Lauren DeStefano's unique world and ready to jump back in (through the safety of a book and not real life, fortunately!)

5. Insurgent by Veronica Roth April 28, 2012

Well, Ms. Roth certainly left us with some worries and questions at the end of that last book, and if Insurgent is as fast paced as Divergent, I'm sure to binge the whole thing in one sitting. 

6. Dreamless by Josephine Angelini May 2012
I listened to Starcrossed one afternoon, stuck in the AHHH-coming-back-to-NYC-on-Sunday traffic that seriously sucks. And I have road rage. But this book kept me calm and distracted throughout the entire experience. I love the family dynamic she created here, and hope we get to see loads more of  Helen, Lucas, Claire,  Hector, and the gang.

7. The Golden Lily by Richelle Mead June 19, 2012
Another WoW that you can read up on here.

8. Bitterblue by Kristin Cashore June 21, 2012
This book has been postponed so many times I started to fear it would fade into obscure myth and leave us fans forever waiting; however, this date seems to be the real deal! Graceling and Fire were the two major sources in my college English thesis, so I'm very curious to see what Cashore brings us next.

9. Diva by Jillian Larkin August 2012
Every time I finish a book in this series I tell myself I'm done, and every time I find myself going back. Multiple-perspective books can be hard on the reader pacing-wise, but the 20s are so much fun, and I really adore Clara. The cover has not been released yet, but I have seen it, and the colors on it are gorgeous.

10. Amen L.A. #2 by Cherie Bennett and Jeff Gottesfeld Fall 2012
There is a tentative title picked for this one, but I don't want to post it in the off chance it gets changed. You can see my review of Amen L.A. here. Hopefully this series picks up fans and steam and we can start getting installments more frequently!

That's all for now! I hope everyone had wonderful labor-less Labor Days. Let me know what's on your lists so I can keep on the look out for any undiscovered (by me) gems.