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?

Sorta Like a Rock Star by Matthew Quick

Sorta Like A Rock Star by Matthew Quick

Published by Little Brown Books for Young Readers May 2010

Source: Borrowed from the Library

Summary:

Amber Appleton lives in a bus. Ever since her mom's boyfriend kicked them out, Amber, her mom, and her totally loyal dog, Bobby Big Boy (aka Thrice B) have been camped out in the back of Hello Yellow (the school bus her mom drives). Still, Amber, the self-proclaimed princess of hope and girl of unyielding optimism, refuses to sweat the bad stuff. But when a fatal tragedy threatens Amber's optimism--and her way of life, can Amber continue to be the rock star of hope?

My Thoughts:

When someone in the book industry whose tastes and talents you admire tells you to read a book as its in their TOP TEN must reads of all time…you read it!! (Vikki) I'm so glad that I did. Aside from its multiple awards, this is one of those books that changes you. One that you think about long after finishing. One that is written for young adults, but resonates in the hearts of the adult reader as well. True? True.

I read and enjoyed Matthew Quick’s The Silver Linings Playbook, but for me, this book is on a whole other level. Amber is a reminder of the resilience of the human spirit. She sees the good in each moment and every opportunity, despite her circumstances. She is real. She is raw and true to herself about her life but chooses to believe that there is better in store for her and for everyone else. I loved the quirkiness of her character,  and the way she interacted with the world around her .  It took me a few pages to get used to her method of speaking, her slang and short forms but once I did the story flew by and so did the time as I finished it in a sitting only to go back and read it again. 

Tissue will be needed while reading but it’s worth it. This book is all sorts of incredible.

Everyone needs to own a copy so I’m giving a copy away.

Rules:

Must be 13+ to enter

Live in a place the Book Depository ships

Not have read Sort a Like a Rock Star before (honour system)

Leave me a comment sharing the title of a book that has moved you like this one moved me.

Giveaway closes March 13th. Winner will have 48hrs to reply.

Giveaway!!! Sharing the Book Love

It has been FOREVER since I’ve hosted a giveaway, and I figured with Valentine’s day coming up, now was the perfect time!

 To share the book love I’m giving away a $25.00 gift card to Amazon or Book Depository! 

Instead of hosting the giveaway on my blog though, I’m hosting it on Lost in the Libraries Facebook Page. Follow this link, like my page and then tell me what the best book you ever read was to enter.

The giveaway ends on February 14th, and the winner (who must be over 13) will  have 48 hrs to reply.

Book Review: Prodigy by Marie Lu

Prodigy by Marie Lu

Published by Putnam January 2013

384 pages

Source: ARC provided by the publisher for review

Summary:

June and Day arrive in Vegas just as the unthinkable happens: the Elector Primo dies, and his son Anden takes his place. With the Republic edging closer to chaos, the two join a group of Patriot rebels eager to help Day rescue his brother and offer passage to the Colonies. They have only one request—June and Day must assassinate the new Elector. 

It’s their chance to change the nation, to give voice to a people silenced for too long.
But as June realizes this Elector is nothing like his father, she’s haunted by the choice ahead. What if Anden is a new beginning? What if revolution must be more than loss and vengeance, anger and blood—what if the Patriots are wrong?

My Thoughts:

  I am a major fan of the Dystopian genre, something about it speaks to me as a reader. Even so, I was late to get on the “Legend” train so to speak as I only picked up Marie Lu’s first novel of the series (Legend) in early January of this year.  I fell in love with the characters immediately, and with the author’s writing style. I enjoyed reading the dual perspectives of June and Day though the alternating inks in the book became a little distracting.  I had high hopes for Prodigy, and was thrilled when asked to participate in a blog tour for it.

   Prodigy picks up exactly where Legend ended and we find Day and June searching for the Patriots in Vegas and hoping to be reunited with Tess. Tess is one of my favourite characters in the books. Resilient, forgiving and strong, Day needs her and has leaned on her much more than he realizes. Though the relationship between Day and June is sudden and complex it is written so well that it is  believable.  They trust one another when from an observers point of view they should be doing anything but trusting each other. Though not as action packed as the first novel, I was still completely engaged. I found the descriptions of the world they live in whether that be the Republic or the Colonies compelling, and we also discover in Prodigy what the catalyst was for the division in America.

One of the most fascinating aspects of this series is that you never really know who the “bad guy” is. The person who you believe to be the enemy isn’t always, and much depends on perspective. I think this theme through out the books is such a great comment on our reality.  I can’t even talk about that ending. (tears)

A gripping follow-up to Legend and I can  not wait for more. Highly recommended for fans of Delirium by Lauren Oliver, and Divergent by Veronica Roth.