Top Ten Books I HAD To Buy...But Are Still Sitting On My Shelf Unread

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish.

Each week we are invited to post a list on a variety of book –related topics.

I haven’t participated in a while but this week’s topic spoke to me!

I am so guilty of rushing out to get a new release or a book I am dying to read only to have it sit on my shelf. I also pre-order my favourite authors so I have it as soon as it comes out and they sit on my shelf too. Here’s a list of the Top Ten books I couldn’t wait to get my hands on, but haven’t cracked open yet.

1. Shine by Lauren Myracle
2. Dearly Departed by Lia Habel
3. Bloodlines by Rachel Mead
4. Matched/Crossed/Reached by Ally Condie
5. Juliet Immortal by Stacey Jay
6. Faerie Ring by Kiki Hamilton
7. Immortal Rules by Julie Kagawa
8. The Girl of Fire and Thorns by Rae Carson
9. The Sky is Everywhere by Jandy Nelson
10. The Gathering by Kelley Armstrong

Do we have any in common? Which one should I make a priority to read next?

Review: Team Human by Justine Larbalestier and Sarah Rees Brennan

Today I welcome my fabulous friend and guest poster Jessie to the blog. Jessie & I met while working together at the library and we became great friends. In addition to guest posting here, she's also my book event/signing travel buddy.

Published by HarperTeen July 2012

Source: ARC provided by the publisher

Summary:

Just because Mel lives in New Whitby, a city founded by vampires, doesn't mean she knows any of the blood-drinking undead personally. They stay in their part of town; she says in hers. Until the day a vampire shows up at her high school. Worse yet, her best friend, Cathy, seems to be falling in love with him. It's up to Mel to save Cathy from a mistake she might regret for all eternity!

On top of trying to help Cathy (whether she wants it or not), Mel is investigating a mysterious disappearance for another friend and discovering the attractions of a certain vampire wannabe. Combine all this with a cranky vampire cop, a number of unlikely romantic entanglements, and the occasional zombie, and soon Mel is hip-deep in an adventure that is equal parts hilarious and touching.

Jessie's Thoughts:

Team Human is a fun story about a girl who tries to get her best friend to stop dating a vampire while at the same time solves the mysterious departure of Dr. Saunders. Set in a town that co-exists with vampires but during a period where humans and vampires are for the most part segregated, those who associate with vampires are viewed as outside the norm. Mel doesn’t hate vampires, she just doesn’t get why anyone would want to be one. Vampires for the most part cannot feel emotions and to become a vampire there is a chance you could die or worse … become a zombie.  That is why transitioning into a vampire is closely regulated by the government. When Mel’s best friend tells her that she is considering becoming a vampire to be with her boyfriend forever Mel freaks out. She makes it her mission to either convince her friend of the cons of being a vampire or else uncover a reason for her friend to break-up with her boyfriend.

Larbalestier and Breenan stick to most of the standard vampire ideologies while adding their own twists. Their main character Mel is humorous and stubborn though at times perhaps too simple. On the other hand, Kit who was raised by vampires is a well-flushed out character who makes a great contribution to the book. Team Human is an adventure book with a side of romance. There is no way to escape from this book without some laughs. Overall an entertaining read.    

Top Ten Tuesday- Bookish People I Want to Meet

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by the fabulous The Broke and The Bookish.

Each week we post our top tens on a variety of book related topics- 

This week- Top Ten Bookish People I want to Meet!

My List: (How do I narrow to Ten?)

I am so fortunate to have met wonderful “bookish” people over the years, at expos, 

author events, meet-ups…

These are the people I have yet to be in the same city as let alone meet…

  

• John Green- Love everything he’s ever written. I mean fiercely love.

• JK Rowling-I bet she’ll be on many many lists.

• Kimberly Derting- I am such a fan-I’d love to be able to tell her in person

• Janice Hardy- Not only am I a huge fan of her books, but I have to tell you that she has been a wonderful supporter of my blog

• Maria from Cari’s Book Blog –Love this girl-love our chats!

• Ginger from GReads. Such fabulous gal, I would be lost with out her amazing graphic skills and her willingness to always give me a hand. 

• Jamie from The Broke and the Bookish -  can’t wait to hug you in person someday

• Carla from The Makeshift Bookmark – Carla-can’t wait to meet you and tell you how fabulous you are.

• Suzanne Collins – Hunger Games, Gregor the Overlander, Hunger Games

• Jeanine Frost- Author of the Night Huntress Series… <3

Love to know who made your lists! Leave a link below.

Top Ten Tuesday–Fall 2012

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly feature hosted by the Broke and the Bookish

Each week we post our top ten’s on a variety of book related topics.

This week’s list:  Top Ten Fall on my Fall TBR

My List: (all titles link to GoodReads)

1.  Raven Boys by Maggie Stiefvater. It’s no secret that Maggie is a master storyteller and one of my favourite authors. I’m looking forward to sharing my thoughts on her new release.

2. Venom by Fiona Paul. “ Courtisans, Killers and Secret Societies” set in Venice…. yes please.

3. Fang Girl by Helen Keeble. This one sounds hilarious…. definitely check out the summary.

4.Unspoken by Sarah Rees Brennan. I really liked her Demon’s Lexicon series and early reviews for  Unspoken have been outstanding.

5. Mutiny in Time (Infinity Ring #1) by James Dashner. It’s already released but I plan to read in September. James Dashner is a fantastic writer and I’ll be interested to see his style writing for Middle Graders. The other authors slated to write for this series are also incredible.

6. The Peculiar by Stephan Bachmann. Love how this book is described “THE GRAVEYARD BOOK meets JONATHAN STRANGE & MR. NORRELL in this gothic steampunk page-turner for readers of all ages”

7. Spindlers by Lauren Oliver. Oh how I love this author. Seriously, I would read anything as long as she is the writer. I was really moved by Lisel & Po and I’m excited to read another middle grade by her.

8. Golden Door by Emily Rhodda. Rhodda has brought us a number of fantastic books for the middle-grades. Rowan of Rin, Fairy Realm, and Deltora Quest to name a few. This one sounds equally good.

9.  The Evolution of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodgkin. I bet this will be on many lists. I’m also ready for more Noah.

10. What’s Left of Me? by Kat Zhang. Amazing premise…

Are our lists similar? Leave your link in the comments below…

Bookish Confessions

I'm a little late to the Top Ten Tuesday party and couldn't post yesterday. 

I loved the topic so much though that I thought I'd just post today...

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly feature hosted by the fabulous The Broke and The Bookish.

This week's theme: 

Top Ten Bookish Confessions

My List:

1. If I put a book down in the middle of reading..chances are unless I am LOVING it or I LOVE the author... I won't pick it back up again. 
2. I organize my books  alphabetically by series... if they are stand alones, then I organize them by colour. I have two shelves reserved for my absolute favourite books...any guesses as to what's on those shelves?
3. I face out books on my shelves too..I love covers.
4. I re-read the Hunger Games, the first 3 books in the Twilight Saga, at least two from the Harry Potter Series, and Sense and Sensibility every year.
5. I fix shelves, re-pyramid tables, and face out my favourite books when I visit Chapters.... every time I visit Chapters.
6. I also help customers find books in the kids and teen sections in any book store..... can't help it
7. I do not lend out my books unless you are a super close amazing friend...and I can trust the book will come back in perfect condition
8. If I get an ARC of a book and I love it ...I still buy the hard cover when it comes out...and occasionally the paperback as well so that I can support the author.
9. I do not read the back of books or the inside jacket copy until after I have read the book...sometimes they give too much away
10. I do not write in my books, dog ear my book pages, or crack the spines. If it's a hard cover I take the dust jacket off before I read it.....

Do we have anything similar? When I look at the list it makes me feel a bit neurotic:)

Top Ten Tuesday–Favourite Books I’ve Read During My Blog’s Lifespan

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by the fab Broke and the Bookish.

Each week we are invited to post a top ten list about a variety of book related topics.

This week’s list:

Top Ten Favourite Books I’ve Read Since My Blog Began

This is a challenging list to create.

I’ve been blogging for 2 1/2 years and I’ve read A LOT of books in that time…..

Be sure to check out the reviews to see why these are my favourites.

The Virgin Cure by Ami McKay – Review

Delirium by Lauren Oliver – Review

The Body Finder by Kimberly Derting – Review

Divergent by Veronica Roth –Review

The Fault in our Stars by John Green – Review

The Scorpio Races by Maggie Stiefvater –Review

The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate –Review

The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern –Review

Throne of Glass by Sarah J Maas –Review

Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky –not one I could review…..

Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi -Review

If I Stay by Gayle Forman -Review

What’s on your list? Do we have any in common?

Top Ten Tuesday–Book Romances That Would Make it in the Real World

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by the fabulous Broke and the Bookish.

Each week we post our Top Ten on a variety of book related topics.

This week’s theme: Book Romances that Would Make it in the Real World

My List:

Violet & Jay from The Body Finder Series by Kimberly Derting : If you have not read this series yet, you are missing out.  Violet and Jay were childhood friends until they finally expressed their feelings for each other. Jay is supportive, good looking, kind, brave and all the girls have eyes for him. They work so well as a couple.

Kate &Vincent from The Revenants series by Amy Plum – Even though Vincent fights the urge to die for others, and every now and then doesn’t exist, these two are committed.

Puck & Sean from Scorpio Races by Maggie Stiefvater – Loved this book, loved these characters…destined to be together in my books.

Celia & Marco from The Night Circus  by Erin Morgenstern– What wouldn’t these two do for love?

Dash & Lily from Dash and Lily’s Book of Dares by Rachel Cohn and David Leviathan – It all started with a little red notebook…

Eleanor & Edward from Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen – It took so long for these two to get together, they better stay together for life

Hermione and Ron from the Harry Potter Series by JK Rowling – a relationship based on friendship is always a wonderful way to begin. I loved watching Hermione and Ron fall in love.

This list proved more difficult to create than I thought. Perhaps it's because many of the couples I read about go through so much together...perhaps it's because I read a lot of Dystopian fiction which doesn't always have a happy ending:)

I do believe in Happy Endings though, and that you can find one true love. The theme of this week's Top Ten Tuesday was in honour of Jamie's (Broke and the Bookish/Perpetual Page Turner) upcoming wedding.

A toast to love and laughter, and happily ever after.

Jamie, I wish you the happiest of happily ever afters! Much love and congrats.

Top Ten Tuesday- Characters I’d Love to Exchange Places with for 24hrs

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme, hosted by The Broke and The Bookish. 

Each week we post our Top Ten Lists on a variety of book related topics. 

This week:

Characters I’d Love to Exchange Places with for 24 hrs

1. Hermione Granger. Brilliant witch, best friend to Harry Potter and Ron Weasley.  She’s one of my favourite female characters of all time.

2. Belle from Beauty and the Beast. (I know the original fairy tale may not be like the Disney one) Sure things don’t start out too well, but she eventually falls in love, the beast becomes the Prince, she gets to live in a castle and we all know how incredible her library is:)

3.  Violet from The Body Finder. Yes she can sense the dead, but she also dates Jay and he is the ultimate book boyfriend.

4. Bella from Twilight Saga. I know I know, I can imagine what you are thinking but Rob Pattison is not my Edward nor is K Stewart my Bella. The Edward in my head when I read these books is miles above the one that Rob Pattison attempts to embody. Also immortal life with my immortal family….. yes pls.

This was a hard topic!  When I look at my bookshelf, I see books filled with characters that I adore, but for the most part they have gone or will go through horrible events….. I think I would pass on exchanging places with them for that reason.

I’ll be interested to see who is on everyone else's lists ……

Top Ten Tuesday–Free Choice

Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by the Broke and the Bookish. 

Each week we are invited to post our top ten lists on a variety of book related topics.

The theme this week is: Bloggers Choice

My List: 

The Top Ten Bookish Things I Wished I Owned/Wish List

1. Penguin-Classics – Threads Collection –I am in love with these new classic editions. There are six in total.

2. Then there are these Penguin Classics- Cloth bound- I have 5 so far. Can you imagine how gorgeous my shelves would bewith these collections?

3. This, in poster size, framed and on my wall. 3 things I need to remind myself of everyday.

4. A signed first edition Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, but the dedication would have mine name instead of course.

5. Love this necklace!

6. A Handstamped bracelet with a book quote-It would be the quote above from The Help or one from Perks of Being A Wallflower- “And in that moment. I swear we were infinite”

7. Recognize this? Belle’s amazing library from Beauty and the Beast

8. Love this book case!

 

9. I am in love with these minimalist posters

10. This is me-summed up.

What’s your Top Ten List about this week?

Top Ten Books On My Summer TBR List

Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by The Broke and the Bookish. 

Each week we are invited to post a top ten list on a variety of book related topics.

This week: My Summer TBR List:

  

  

  

  

  

What's on your list?

Top Ten Tuesday- Sites I Visit

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly featured hosted by the fabulous The Broke and The Bookish. 

Each week we highlight a new top ten list on a variety of topics. 

This week's list:

Top Ten Sites I Visit That Aren't Book Related

1. Pinterest. I could spend hours. (have spent hours) Checking out boards and creating my own. I love this site. I wish I had invented this site. Follow me here.

2. Etsy. My husband wishes I had never found Etsy-trust me. Amazing things on this site. I can't believe how creative and talented people are.

3.Facebook. I know-not very original-but I am on it everyday. Lost In the Library Facebook Page

4.My Library Website...I know what you are thinking..it deals with books. However, we also offer something called Freegal. Which essentially means you can download three songs a week legally and free. I'm always checking in to see what's been added.

5. Gluten-Free Girl. Anna from Anna Reads recommended this site to me..as I've discovered I have gluten intolerance. Great recipes and info.

6. The Style Rookie. I have been a follower of this fashion blog forever. I have very little fashion sense. I find what Tavi likes a little quirky, but I love reading her posts.

7. IMDB - Internet Movie Database. I check it out for reviews and more info on my favourite movies and tv shows, or a movie/show I've heard about

8. Twitter. Lots and lots and lots of time spent on Twitter. Too much time? How much is too much?

9. One for The Wall Photography. A dear friend of mine is this amazing photographer and I'm constantly checking out her latest pics.

10. Yummy Mummy Club. Covers a lot of ground. I love the honesty about motherhood.

I'm looking forward to seeing other lists. I think that my bookmarked sites list is about to grow:)

Top Ten Tuesday- Books to Read in a Day

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by the fabulous Broke and the Bookish. Each week we invited to post our top tens on a variety of book related topics. This week's list is The Top Ten Books to Read in a Day.

My List: -These are all books I devoured in one sitting!

1. Divergent & Insurgent by Veronica Roth
2. Delirium & Pandemonium by Lauren Oliver
3. Die for Me by Amy Plum
4. The Body Finder, The Desires of the Dead and The Last Echo by Kimberly Derting
5. Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi
6. The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern
7. Twilight by Stephenie Meyer
8. Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare
9. The Maze Runner by James Dashner
10. The Shifter by Janice Hardy
11. Halfway to the Grave by Jeanine Frost

It was hard to limit it to just 10. These were titles that swept me away completely. Escapism at it's best.

What's on your list?

Top Ten Tuesday- Top Ten Dystopian Books You must read!!!!!

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by the fab Broke and the Bookish. Each week we are invited to list our top ten's on a variety of topics. This week's list is an open Top Ten to choose a genre. 

My List: Top Ten Dystopian Novels You Must Read!!!

If you are a follower of my blog, it's no secret that the dystopian genre is one of my absolute favourites. There are so many aspects of it that I love, but if I had to choose one thing that seems to hold true for all of them is the hope expressed in what seems like a hopeless world. The protagonist strives against all odds.  Below is a list of my favourites in no particular order. 

    

Delirium & Pandemonium by Lauren Oliver

 

Divergent & Insurgent by Veronica Roth

 

The Maze Runner & The Scorch Trials by James Dashner

The Giver by Lois Lowry

   

The Hunger Games, Catching Fire and Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins

Unwind by Neal Shusterman (disturbing but amazing)

Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury

Life As We Knew It by Susan Beth Pfeffer

Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi 

How I Live Now by Meg Rosoff

It's a few more than ten:) How many of the above have you read? Looking forward to seeing everybody's lists!!!