Top Ten Tuesday: Top Ten (Six!) Characters I Would Want on a Desert Island with Me

Top Ten Tuesday, as always, is brought to us by the Broke and the Bookish.This week's topic is "Top Ten Characters I Would on a Desert Island with Me." I decided that my goal of having all these characters with me would to get off of the desert island.

1. Molly Murphy from City of Darkness and Light
Despite the problems I had with this book, Molly was not one of them. She would be very resourceful and help solve the mystery of how we got to the deserted island and how we would get off.

2. Nancy Drew from the Nancy Drew series
Same reason as above. Two heads are better than one. And afterwards, we could open a detective agency.

3. Addie from Pivot Point
While Addie would have great difficulty adjusting to deserted island life (so different from the Compound or Texas), she could always Search if needed to determine the best course of action.

4. Percy from the Percy Jackson series
Percy could help us build a raft and then sail it. With the help of his father Poseidon, we would be out of their in no time.

5. Annabeth from the Percy Jackson series
Annabeth is actually my favorite character from this series, and naturally if I'm going to bring her boyfriend, I might as well bring her. Plus, as a daughter of Athena, she would be very useful as well.

6. Katniss from The Hunger Games
I don't think we'll make it off of the island right away. Therefore, Katniss will be here to help us hunt and cook and just generally survive.

I'm probably forgetting someone who would be incredibly helpful but I think this team of six and I could do it!

Who would you take with you to a desert island? Let me know in the comments. 

Top Ten Tuesday: Top Ten (or Seven) TV Shows

Top Ten Tuesday, as always, is brought to use by The Broke and the Bookish. Today, we diverge from bookish topics to other types of stories. This topic is timed perfectly because I have been watching a lot of TV recently. Let's get started!

1. Warehouse 13
I love this show so much! It combines everything I love: sci-fi, history, humor. I'm on the fourth season right now and it's killing me not to watch it all. It's the show my fiance and I watch together so I feel bad watching it without him. Hopefully, we'll finish the season soon!

2. The Mindy Project
This is a show I just finished. I started watching it on Hulu then signed up for a free trial of Hulu+, in which I proceeded to binge watch both seasons. This show is so hilarious and I cannot wait until the next season.

3. Gilmore Girls
If I had to choose one show that had a profound influence on me as a youth, it would be this show. I started watching it when it started running on ABC Family and became obsessed. I own all of the seasons (this was pre-Netflix days, although it's STILL not on Netflix.) I'm actually planning on rewatching it soon.

4. Friends
This is another show that had a profound influence on me. One summer, I decided I was going to watch Friends every time it was on in order to see most of the episodes. And I did. My sophomore year of college, I would watch it in bed on Nick at Nite until I fell asleep  (or until George Lopez came on).

5. Parks and Rec
I enjoy the small town feel of this show, plus I admire Leslie Knope's ambition and determination.

6. Psych
I have been watching this show forever and it is absolutely hilarious! I haven't seen the last season yet, but I'm really excited about it!

7. How I Met Your Mother
After seeing the series finale, I have a lot of mixed feelings about this show. I went through a phase where I really liked it, but now with some distance, I think it's okay but not super fantastic! I put it on the list though, because at one time I really liked it.

Do we share any favorite tv shows? Do you have any recommendations? Let me know in the comments. 

Top Ten Tuesday: Blogging Confessions

Top Ten Tuesday, as always, is brought to us by the Broke and the Bookish. This week's topic is blogging confessions. I'm really surprised I actually have ten on this list; when I first saw the topic, I thought I would be lucky to have three. After researching this topic thoroughly, I think I have a list that is confession worthy. Note: Some of these are about books, some of them about blogging, and some of them are about book blogging.

Books
1. I prefer library books over buying books.
If there is a book I'm unsure if I'll like or if I don't think I'll want to read it again, I would much rather use the library than buy the book. Buying books is expensive and I can't afford to buy every book I want to read. Which is why libraries are the best. I seriously don't understand why more book bloggers don't use them.

2. I prefer used over new.
When I do buy books, I much prefer to buy used over new books. Why? For one, it's less expensive, which allows me to buy more books withe the money I have allotted. Also, if I bought a new book, I'd want to keep it in pristine condition. Otherwise, I'd feel like I "ruined" it. For my sanity, it's just easier for me to buy used.

3. I write in books.
Gasp, the horror! I know. But it's an occupational hazard. If you don't bookmark a quote with a sticky, you'll never find it. Sometimes, if you sticky it but don't put some sort of indication of what exactly it is you're saving, you'll never find it. This is another reason I never buy new.

Book Blogging
4. Sometimes I don't feel like reading
This is a thing that happens. I read in spurts; I'll finish three books in a shorter amount of time, then I'll take a break and do something else. Sometimes I feel I don't read enough in comparison to other bloggers, but I have to remind myself it's okay not to spend every waking minute reading.

5. I get tired of YA
Don't get me wrong, I still love YA, just not like I used to. It was all I read when I originally started this venture. I've learned to accept that I'm not going to read every YA novel I come across on other blogs or even most. I'm learning to discern what I think I would actually read and focusing on that.

Blogging
6. I feel like I'm not very creative.
I don't have a lot of interesting ideas lined up in the future for this blog. In fact, I'm struggling to come up with ideas. (So if you have types of posts you'd like to see, let me know in the comments!) This is difficult for me because I used to consider myself a creative individual.

7. My blog design frustrates me!
 I'm constantly unhappy with the theme and layout of my blog. Constantly. It's not exactly what I want, but I have no idea how to get exactly what I want. But until I either buckle down and learn how to design or cave and pay someone to design it for me, this will be my state. If it feels like I change the layout a lot, this is why.

8. I wish I was able post consistently. 
Every time I create a posting schedule, it never works out. I've been working on one from now until the end of the month and hope it will actually work out. It only gets worse when I go back to school. It always feels like I have zero time to work on my blog.

9. I wish I was more confident to share my blog with people I know. 
I could not tell you why this is such an issue for me. It took a lot for me to start sharing my posts on Twitter. While I had a blog twitter for awhile, it just was not being used when I was actually blogging. So I caved and started using my regular Twitter.

10. I have no idea when my blogaversary is.
Couldn't tell you. Which is sad because then we can't have celebrations.

What are some of your blogging confessions? Let me know in the comments.

Top Ten Tuesday: Top Ten Classic Books/ Classics I Want to Read

Top Ten Tuesday, as always, is brought to us by The Broke and the Bookish. Today's topic is "Classic" Books. Classic is in quotation because it means different things to different people. For the purpose of today's list, it will mean books traditionally included in the literary cannon. Let's get started!

Top Five Classic Books
1. Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
P&P was the first "classic" I ever read and really helped me to broaden my horizons in reading. Because I finished it, previously daunting books were now nothing. If I could read Austen, I could read anything.

2. The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald
While I read this a lot later than #1, it is probably my most reread book. Twice in high school and twice in college so far. It definitely has to stood up to every reread I have done. Simply amazing. Sadly, I have yet to read any of Fitzgerald's other work yet.

3. Revolutionary Road by Richard Yates
I realize I talked about this book last week, but it really resonated with me. It's a very interesting book from the 1950s and I highly recommend it.

4. The Unbearable Lightness of Being by Milan Kundera
This book really surprised me when I read it. I came to it with zero expectations and was absolutely amazed it. I read this book in the fall of 2012 and I still think about it to this day. It's really weird, and I really enjoy it.

5. Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte
I can't say I've been wowed by this book like I can the previous two, but I find it to be a very important book.

Top Five Classics I Want to Read
1. Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston
I just watched a review of this and would love to read it. It's on the top of the list because that review convinced me I should read it. Link here. (Also, if you are not subscribed to this girl, you should be. She's amazing.)

2. The Awakening by Kate Chopin
I feel like everyone in my major has read this book but me. I actually have a copy sitting patiently on my TBR shelf, so hopefully I'll get to it soon.

3.A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens
I've been wanting to read this forever, but I've never gotten around to it. Now that I've read some other Dickens, I think I should be able to conquer this no problem.

4. This Side of Paradise by F. Scott Fitzgerald
Remember when I said I hadn't read any other Fitzgerald?  I definitely want to change that.

5. The Sun Also Rises by Ernest Hemingway
Though I love Fitzgerald, I've only read a little of Hemingway and didn't care for him. Before I write him off completely, I think I should at least read one novel by him.

What are some of your favorite classics? What are classics I should definitely read? Let me know in the comments.

Top Ten Tuesday: Top Ten Books About Friendship

Top Ten Tuesday, as always, is hosted by Broke and Bookish. I haven't done one of these since December, so excuse me if I'm a little rusty. Today, I will be listing my top ten books about friendship,in no particular order. Since I'm having trouble thinking of ten books where friendship is the central theme, I've decided to do "Top Ten Book Friendships". 

1. Lizzy and Charlotte in Pride and Prejudice
Oh, these two! I love their friendship so much! They are very supportive of one another. They weather quite a bit together, and at the end of the novel they are still fantastic friends.

2. The Sailor Scouts in Sailor Moon
When it comes to friendship, there is nothing quite like the sailor scouts. They set aside all of their differences and work together to save the world. 

3. Anything by Ally Carter
Ally Carter's books are phenomenal. In both her Gallagher Girls series and her Heist Society series, there are fantastic friendships. 

4. Colin and Hassan in An Abundance of Katherines by John Green
Colin gets dumped and what does Hassan do? Takes him on a road trip to cheer him up. If that's not friendship, I don't know what is. 

5. Radar, Ben, and Q in Paper Towns by John Green
What can I say, I love John Green's books. Ben, Radar, and Q all good friends, so much so that they travel across the country together. They also accept each other faults, which is important. 

6. Nancy, Bess, and George in the Nancy Drew series by Carolyn Keene
These three are  a dynamic trio in solving crimes. Their personalities compliment each other nicely. 

7. Harry, Ron and Hermione in the Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling
Here is another dynamic trio that compliments each other nicely. I always loved Hermione, but all three of them were fantastic friends, sticking by each other through thick and thin. 

8. Pam, Elizabeth, and Alice in the Alice series by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor
Yet another trio! I seem to really like them. This trio features three girls coming of age dealing with everything you could possibly imagine, and they stick together through it all. 

9. Cath and Reagan in Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell
This pair of roommates, though an unlikely pair, really work well together as friends. Reagan helps Cath and Cath helps Reagan. 

10. Gigi, Bea, and Neerja in Smart Girls Get What They Want by Sarah Strohmeyer
I was surprised how much I loved this book. I think a lot of what sold it for me was these three ladies' fantastic friendship. 

What are some of your favorite book friendships? Let me know in the comments. 

Top Ten (Five) New-to-Me Authors I Read in 2013

Top Ten Tuesday, as always, is hosted by Broke and Bookish. This week's list is "Top Ten New-to-Me Authors I Read in 2013." Unfortunately, I did not really read as much as I would have liked to in 2013, even during my holidays from school. Going over the list of books I have read this year, I have five new authors that I feel could become perennial favorites. 

Lauren Morrill
Though I have only read Meant to Be, I really, really liked it. It was a beautiful travel story and I loved it. She has a new books coming out in 2014 and I cannot wait to read it. 

Kasie West
Pivot Point was phenomenal and I cannot believe it is a series! I cannot wait to read the next one. I also have her contemporary novel, The Distance Between Us that I have been meaning to read for forever. I cannot wait to read more of her work. 

Gail Carriger
Again, I have only read one book of hers, but I really enjoyed Etiquette and Espionage. I cannot wait to read the next one in this series then go on and maybe read the previous series this one was based on. 

Olive Schreiner
It maybe more be the book in this case, but I really enjoyed Story of an African Farm during a semester where I did not really enjoy reading. So much thanks to Olive Schreiner, for getting me out of a reading slump this semester. 

Rainbow Rowell
I just read Fangirl and absolutely loved it! It spoke to me on so many levels and I cannot wait to read the rest of her work. 

These are the five authors I read and really enjoyed this year. I have one honorable mention though; while her work was not new to me, I really discovered how much I liked it this year.

Rachel Hawkins
I had only read Hex Hall previously, but now, I have read all of her work. I really got sucked into her world and really enjoyed it. 

What are your new-to-me authors of 2013? Let me know in the comments. 

Top Ten Tuesday: Top Ten Most Intimidating Books

Top Ten Tuesday is hosted at The Broke and the Bookish

Hey, everyone! Today's top ten is 'Top Ten Most Intimidating Books" As always, these are in no particular order. Let's get started!

1. The Diviners by Libba Bray
I've been wanting to read this for a very long time. I've heard good things about it, it seems right up my alley, but it's so long! And that is what intimidates me. The length.

2. Emma by Jane Austen
I love Jane Austen., and I'm sure I would really enjoy Emma, but I just can't get into it. I think it's part length, part one of the last novels I haven't read by her. Whatever it is, I'm a little scared every time I start it.

3. Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte
This is another one I'm sure I would love, but just haven't read because it's a 'classic' and apparently I find that intimidating.

4. Middlesex by Jeffery Eugenides 
I got this book on clearance at Half-Priced Books for a dollar. And I was really excited because I've heard a lot of good things about this author and I really want to read some of his books. But I also find his books intimidating as they're 'grown up" books (literary fiction) and I generally don't read a lot of literary fiction unless it's for school.

5. The Sound and the Fury by William Faulkner
 I read a short story by Faulkner in my freshman year comp class and I really liked it. So I bought one of his novels. But I have yet to read it because reading Faulkner is serious work and you need to concentrate for hours on end in order to read it and understand it. And that's not a priority.

6. The Lord of the Rings trilogy by J. R. R. Tolkein
I grouped these together for simplicity sake. I'm sure there are some people yelling at their computer screen, "ERMEGERD, YOU HAVEN'T READ LOTR! AND YOU CALL YOURSELF A NERD!" I am aware, but there is such tremendous pressure to love these books, and I'm not sure I can live up to that.

7. The 5th Wave by Richard Yancy
There's been a lot of people loving this book recently, and while I am intrigued by it, I'm not so sure it's a me book.

8. The Tea Rose by Jennifer Donnelly
I've read Jennifer Donnelly's young adult books (Northern Lights and Revolution) and they are both excellent, intricately woven historical books. And I bought this one at a bookshop in Westport last year, but I have yet to read it. However, I just realized the main character and I have the same first name, which is cool and will work for my summer reading challenge.

9. The Game of Thrones series by George R.R. Martin
I find this one intimidating much of the same reason as The Lord of the Rings. There's just so much pressure to like this series and I can't take the heat.

10. Most nonfiction
What do you mean they write books about things that actually happened?

What books do you find intimidating? Tell me in the comments! 

Top Ten Tuesday: Top Ten Most Frustrating Characters Ever

Top Ten Tuesday is a meme run by The Broke and the Bookish. Every week, there is a new topic and you make a list based on that topic. This week's topic is "Top Ten Most Frustrating Characters Ever". I usually don't find characters very frustrating so this may be another difficult list. Let's get started! 

1. Scarlett from Gone With the Wind
Oh Scarlett. You are so annoying and selfish. But yet you triumph in hard times because of your selfishness. But you're ungrateful and not very likable at all. 

2. Tris in Insurgent
I really enjoyed Insurgent, but Tris's "save-all-the-people" attitude got annoying sometimes. (I'm sure there's a better way to phrase that.) Similar to what Harry suffered in The Order of the Phoenix. Angst, angst everywhere. 

3. Lena in Beautiful Darkness
So I am reading this right now, and OH MY GOODNESS I AM SO ANNOYED! She is just doing so much stupid stuff, and it upsets me. It's vaguely reminding me of New Moon, except Ethan is being proactive. But hopefully the reason for Lena being so annoying will be explained at the end of this book. Note: I finished it, and while I am still annoyed by Lena's angst, I do have a better understanding of it. 

4. Ky in Matched
As you are probably aware, I didn't really care for Matched. And here is the reason why: Ky is the typical guy with a troubled past, even though the past is different because it is set in a dystopian society. I just found him really annoying during his and Cassia's whole "falling-in-love" section. 

5. Jessica Darling in Sloppy Firsts
Don't get me wrong- Sloppy Firsts was great! However, I found Jessica really annoying for the first half of the book. She was an angsty teenager. Thankfully, she improved and has improved as I have progressed with the series. 

6. Andi in Revolution 
I'm beginning to see a pattern here... Andi annoyed me for a bit because of her angst, but at least she had good reason for it. Revolution general is kinda an interesting read. 

7. Catherine Morland in Northanger Abbey
Catherine isn't so much frustrating as she is naive. You really just feel bad for her as you read the book, mumbling to yourself, "Oh, Catherine..."

8. Aislinn in Wicked Lovely
I did not enjoy this book, which may be part of the reason I found the main character so annoying. The world building was done well, but I didn't like any of the chracters. They were all dull. 

9. Katniss in Mockingjay
I know I'm not the only one who was a little annoyed with her in the last book of the series. She and Tris (#2) have the whole "save-all-the-people" problem. (still must be a better way to phrase that). 

10. Mia in The Princess Diaries series
I can't remember in what book (it's been awhile since I read all of them) but Mia did annoy me in some of the books during her sophomore year, I think. Which is understandable, because sophomore year of high school is difficult for all of us. 

Those are my most frustrating characters. I am sure there are others I am forgetting. 

What are your most frustrating characters? Let me know in the comments! 

Top Ten Tuesday: Top Ten Settings I'd Like to See More

Top Ten Tuesday is a meme run by The Broke and the Bookish. Every week, there is a new topic and you make a list based on that topic. This week's topic is "Top Ten Settings I'd Like to See More". Let's get started! 

1. Paris
I really enjoy books set in Paris. I don't know if it's because they are romances most of the time or what. But I enjoy them. 

2. London
I also really enjoy books set in London. Probably for the same reason I enjoy books in Paris. 

3. The American South
This is especially true for paranormal books. I enjoy the haunting feeling of books set in the American South. This was the primary reason I liked Beautiful Creatures. 

4. Kansas City
I don't think I've ever read a book set in Kansas City. I think it's doable and could be interesting. 

5. A paranormal/fantastical world not too different from our own
Think like Harry Potter. A whole paranormal universe connected to the one we live in, but because we're mortals, we don't realize it. Same goes for fantasy. My boyfriend refers to this as "Paranormal America". 

6. Boarding School
I really enjoy boarding school books, especially if they have elements of #5 in them too. 

7. 19th Century historical fiction
The 19th Century is really interesting in terms of technological and social revolutions.l I really enjoy fiction set in that time, especially if there is some sort of interesting twist (paranormal, steampunk, etc.) 

8. Road trips
I like road trips novels because they are set all over the place! I like the variety of places that one can go in a road trip novel. The possibilities are endless! 



I can only think of eight settings that I really enjoy and would like to see more of. There are settings I really enjoy, but setting isn't necessarily something I prioritize. It's more like, "Oh this book is set this place, I'll have to check it out." 


What settings do you like? What settings do you hate? Let me know in the comments. 

Top Ten Tuesday: Top Ten 2013 Debuts

Top Ten Tuesday is a meme run by The Broke and the Bookish. Every week, there is a new topic and you make a list based on that topic. This week's topic is "Top Ten 2013 Debuts I'm Looking Forward To" This actually took some research because I am generally not good about keeping up with new releases and debuts- something I hope to be better about this year. 

1. The Madman's Daughter by Megan Shepherd Jan. 29th. 
I mentioned this book in my new releases for January post. It looks really interesting and I'm excited to see how it will turn out. 

2. Pivot Point by Kasie West Feb. 12th 
What if you could see both the outcomes to any choice you make? As someone who is a constant planner/worrier, I find this concept fascinating. 

3. Dualed by Elsie Chapman Feb. 26th 
In order to survive, you have to destroy your alternate- a genetic copy of yourself. Looks super action-packed. 

4. The Nightmare Affair by Mindee Arnett Mar. 5th 
This also looks really good. I really enjoy books about enchanted boarding schools. 

5. The Summer I Became a Nerd by Leah Rae Miller May 7th 2013
This is the exact opposite of what you would expect from a typical YA novel. A popular girl who is a nerd deep down. I'm excited to see how the author plays this. 

6. Triangles by Kimberly Ann Miller June 18th 2013
This looks like a fun summer read with a dark place. It takes place on a cruise ship and she ends up living a ton of alternate realities. 

7. Prep School Confidential by Kara Taylor July 30th
This looks like a fun girly read with a dark twist.  


8. Etiquette and Espionage by Gail Carriger Feb. 5th
This isn't a debut novel; however, it is her first YA novel so that is kinda the same thing. Summary reminds me of Gallagher Girls, so I am really excited to read  it.  

9. Cinders & Sapphires by Leila Rasheed Jan. 22nd
This is another not debut but first YA novel. This mystery looks really appealing and I'm excited to read it. 

10. Let the Sky Fall by Shannon Messenger March 5th
This story looks really unique and I'm excited to read it! 

These are the debuts/first YA novels I'm looking forward to in 2013. What books are you looking forward to? 

Top Ten Tuesday: Top Ten Bookish Goals for 2013

Top Ten Tuesday is a meme run by The Broke and the Bookish. Every week, there is a new topic and you make a list based on that topic. This week's topic is the "Top Ten Bookish Goals for 2013".  I actually did a similar post (though less detailed) on Sunday, so you can check that out too if you want.  Let's get started! 

1. Read 50 books in 2013.
I've done this the last couple years, except last year I tried to read 75 and failed. I feel like 50 is a good target number. 

2. Blog more consistently.
As you might of noticed, I only really make time for blogging during breaks in my semester. I feel like I can work on this if I schedule more posts.

3. Review More
I read a lot, but I don't review a lot. Either because I have nothing to say or by the time I sit down to review the book, I've forgotten what I wanted to say. 

4. Interact with my subscribers more
I really want to get to know all of you better, so I'm looking for ways to work on that.

5. Post more than Top Ten Tuesdays and Reviews
I have a couple book-related posts in the works, and I think they could be interesting. 

6. Read more variety.
This past December, I fell into a reading slump because I was tired of reading what I thought was less-than-great YA and didn't know how to make the change. I would love to read more adult literary fiction and expand my reading horizons. 

7. Attend a bookish event
I'm not quite sure how this would go about because nothing really comes to KC and I really can't afford to go anywhere most of the time. But this is something I would really like to do. 

8. Read more books I own.
I have a serious problem with reading books I own as opposed to books I have checked out from the library probably because I feel the time crunch that can be associated with library books whereas I have all the time in the world to read books I own. 

9. Participate in a readathon. 
I would love to participate in a readathon, but they always just randomly appear  and I don't have time to participate. So I shall make the time. 

10. Buy more books.
I love libraries; they are where I get most of the books I read and I am never going to stop supporting them. That being said, I would like to build my own personal collection of books. But first, I need to invest in a new book shelf. 

Those are my bookish goals for 2013. As you can see, I have a lot of work to do. Do share any of these goals with me? What are your goals for 2013? 

Top Ten Tuesday: Top Ten Books I Wouldn't Mind Santa Bringing Me

Top Ten Tuesday is a meme run by The Broke and the Bookish. Every week, there is a new topic and you make a list based on that topic. This week's topic is the "Top Ten Books I Wouldn't Mind Santa Bringing Me". Let's get started! 

1.ALL my textbooks!
Seriously, what college student could complain if Santa brought them textbooks? None.

2. The Diviners by Libba Bray 
When I first saw this topic, this is the book I instantly thought of this book because I really want to read it! I currently have it from the library and I'm really excited to read it soon.

3. Any book listed last week
Seriously, guys, I am so excited for all these books that if Santa were to bring them, I would be delirious with joy.

4. Original Nancy Drews
I'm a Nancy Drew nerd, more so when it comes to video games, but they are also fun to read. I would love a 1930s copy of Secret of the Old Clock. Who wouldn't?

5. The Name of the Star by Maureen Johnson 
I loved this book when I read it last year and would love my own copy.

6. Shine by Lauren Myracle
I read this book last spring, and it is so beautifully written and makes you think and I love it and I want my own copy to read again and again.


7. Meant to Be by Lauren Morrill
I really want to read this book, but unfortunately my libraries do not have it available yet. Hopefully I will get to read it soon!

8. The Percy Jackson series
I have read all of these books, but I do not own any of these books. I would like that to change.

9. Anything on my TBR pile on Goodreads
Anything I have marked TBR is something I would love to get as a gift. No lie.

10. Lots of Book Shelves
Part of the reason I don't own a lot of books is because I do not have the shelf space for a lot of books. I have one book shelf in my room and it is stuffed to the brim with books.

This weeks topic was really, really hard for me because I do not buy books that often and when I do it is often on a whim. I am much more of a "go-to-the-library" kind of girl. I actually did some catalog cruising to decide what books I wanted to put on this list.

What books do you hope Santa might bring you?

P.S. I also changed my blog template! What do you think?

Top Ten Tuesday: Top Ten Most Anticipated Books of 2013

Top Ten Tuesday is a meme run by The Broke and the Bookish. Every week, there is a new topic and you make a list based on that topic. This week's topic is the most anticipated books of 2013. Let's get started! 

1.  House of Hades (Heroes of Olympus #4) by Rick Riordan October 2013
This is easily my most anticipated book of 2013, and if you've read Mark of Athena, you know why. I'm really excited to see how Riordan continues the series after the events of MoA. 

2. The Madness Underneath (Shades of London #2) by Maureen Johnson February 26th, 2013. 
I read the first book in this series last year around Halloween, and as someone who usually doesn't enjoy paranormal, this is an auto-recommend for me. I can't wait to read the rest of the series. Plus, Maureen Johnson is one of my favorite authors. 

3. Perfect Scoundrels (Heist Society #3) by Ally Carter February 5th, 2013
This series is fantastic! I enjoy reading about all the Cons that Kat and Hale do and watching there romance *hopefully* blossom. I don't know if this is a trilogy, but I have high hopes for this book. 

4. Severed Heads, Broken Hearts by Robyn Schnieder June 4th, 2013
I've been following Robyn on the internet for awhile now, in addition to reading her Knightly Academy series published under another name. I'm really excited for this book she has coming out to see more of her hilarious wit. 

5. Emerald Green (Ruby Red #3) by Kerstin Gier Fall 2013
This series was originally written in German and is slowly being translated into English. The last one is due for fall 2013, and I know I will be excited to read it when it arrives. 

6. Shades of the Earth (Across the Universe #3) by Beth Revis January 2013 
I know I have yet to review A million suns, but I am really excited to see how this series concludes. 

7. The third book in the Divergent series by Veronica Roth 
Although I am not one hundred percent sure this book is coming out in 2013, I adore this series and I am excited to see how it progresses. 

8. The Elite (The Selection #2) by Kiera Cass April 23rd, 2013
I really enjoyed The Selection when I read it over the summer and I am excited to see how the process continues in the next book. 

9. Etiquette & Espionage (Finishing School #1) by Gail Carriger February 2013
When I was browsing through Goodreads, this book popped up and the title reminded me of Ally Carter's Gallagher Girls series as did the summary. And apparently she has another series out that is based int he same world, so I will definitely have to check those out too. 

10. The last Gallagher Girls book by Ally Carter
Speaking of which, the last Gallagher Girl book is expected to be published in 2013. So I am obviosuly excited for that.

This took a lot less time than I thought. I guess I have a lot to look forward to in the new year! 

What books are you looking forward to being released in 2013? 

WWW Wednesday #6

WWW Wednesday is a meme created by Should Be Reading. To play along, simply answer these three questions:

• What are you currently reading?
• What did you just finish reading?
• What do you think you'll read next? 

All links lead to Goodreads. Let's get started!

What are you currently reading?
I am about halfway through Across the Universe  by Beth Revis. I've been reading a lot of contemporary young adult recently and wanted a change of pace, so I decided on this! I'm really enjoying it thus far. It's been awhile since I read  a science fiction book that wasn't really dystopian (though it still kinda has a dystopian feel to it).

What did you just finish reading?
I finished two books this week. First, I finished The Boy Book by E. Lockhart last weekend, which was excellent and will have a review coming soon. Then on Monday, I started and finished The Summer I Turned Pretty by Jenny Han, which was a lot darker than I expected and that oddly makes me want to read the next one.

What do you think you'll read next?
I still have a lot of book out from the library, now including Fire by Kristin Cashore. I am also looking forward to reading the next book in The Ruby Oliver series, The Treasure Map of Boys. 


What have you been reading this week? Let me know in the comments!

Top Ten Tuesday: Books for People who like The Hunger Games

Top Ten Tuesday is a meme run by The Broke and the Bookish. This week's topic is "Books for People Who Like X". I chose The Hunger Games because  I wanted to showcase some of the good dystopian fiction floating around and I wanted to showcase  books with a strong female character.  These are in no particular order. Also, all links lead to Goodreads. 



1.  Divergent by Veronica Roth
This is sort of an auto-recommend for me when it comes to THG. Oh, oh you like you The Hunger Games? Read Divergent. Some people will argue that the two series are too similar, but they just share some traits on what makes a book dystopian.  Plus for a female character, you get Tris, who I adore.


2. Poison Study by Maria V. Snyder
This book is not a dystopian story. However, the government structure kinda reminds me of a dystopian, I chose this one for Yelena, a strong female character who makes an interesting choice. 


3. Nineteen Eighty Four by George Orwell
This is not one of my favorites. However, it is a classic dystopian. It really lacks a strong female character, but is very interesting nonetheless. I may end up rereading it soon to see if my opinion has changed in the past five years. 


4. Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury
I have a soft spot for Ray Bradbury's writing style and I actually just read this recently. It's a really interesting look at a life without books (if you can imagine such a thing). 


5. Graceling by Kristin Cashore
I'm actually reading this right now and a good portion of it is just Katsa running around going, "I CAN'T BE TAMED!" So while it's not a dystopian, it definitely as a strong female character. 


6.  Anthem by Ayn Rand
This is another one I read in ninth grade. However, I actually liked this one. A really good dystopian about the idea of identity. 


7. The Giver by Lois Lowry 
Another classic dystopian that I didn't know was a series until five seconds ago. I really enjoyed this one for the most part, though the ending left me hanging. 


8.  Uglies by Scott Westerfield
This is another dystopian series that is about "turning pretty" even though there is more to being pretty than physical features. I really like the first book but the series kinda goes downhill for me.

9. Wither by Lauren DeStefano
This is one that I am hopefully going to read soon. I am definitely intrigued by it. 


10. Delirium by Lauren Oliver
See above. These both have interesting world concepts that I am pretty sure they will deserve to be on this list. 


That's my ten choices if you like The Hunger Games. What else would you recommend? 

WWW Wednesday #4

WWW Wednesday is a meme created by Should Be Reading. To play along, simply answer these questions:

• What are you currently reading?
• What did you just finish reading?
• What do you think you'll read next?

What are you currently reading?

I am currently reading Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury as part of the Nerdfighter's Summer Book Club. I'm about halfway through it and it is really interesting. I forgot how interesting Bradbury's writing style is. 

What did you just finish reading?

I just finished reading The Boyfriend List  by E. Lockhart as part of my Kate's Book Club Summer Reading Challenge. As I type, it dawns upon me that I had given myself until the end of July to complete and have five books left to read.  Anyway, a review of The Boyfriend List should be up by Friday, if not tomorrow. 

What do you think you'll read next? 

Either one of my summer reading picks or one of the dozens of books I have out from the library. 

Post your answers in the comments! Happy reading! 

Top Ten Tuesday

Top Ten Tuesday is a meme run by The Broke and the Bookish. This weeks Top Ten Tuesday is a freebie, so I decided I would do "Top Ten Books I Would Recommend to High School Students". 


1. The Fault in Our Stars by John Green
THIS BOOK! I think that high school students would like this book because it is a story of young love. It lends itself to being part of the "literary cannon".


2. Paper Towns by John Green
This is one that I would recommend if you are on the verge of graduating high school because it deals a lot with some of the emotions associated with that and relationships. 


3. The Alice series by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor
This is one I would more recommend for girls, and maybe middle grade at that. This is an excellent series for girls who want to think.


4. The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls
This book is a memoir, which isn't usually my cup of tea, but it is really excellent. A good book for students who are stepping outside their usual genres.


5.  A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini
Another very interesting book. This is one I read for school and actually enjoyed.


6. The Book Thief by Markcus Zuask
Another I read for school and enjoyed. Though ti is rather lengthy, it a fast read and explores a lot of interesting themes.


7. The Little Prince  by Antoine de Saint-Exupery
Though this is a children's book, it explores a lot about love and life.

8.  Sleeping Freshman Never Lie by David Lubar
This is one I would recommend to people just starting high school, as it gives a really interesting portrayal  of that experience. 


9.  Once Upon a Marigold by Jean Ferris
This also may be more of a middle grade book, but it is super adorable and for people who like fairy tales.


10. Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury
I am actually reading this right now and I think it would be an excellent book for high school students, whether you think it is about censorship or not. 


These are my picks, though these are just general choices. What I would recommend to high school students depends on that student. What do you think high school students should read?