Top Ten Books I've Read This Year

Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme created over at my other blog, The Broke and the Bookish.

This year I decided that I was going to be more stingy with my five star ratings. Which I have been, however, looking at my goodreads list you wouldn't believe that. I managed to stumble across several amazing books this year! 

1. Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor: I was hooked from the very beginning. It was just so odd, and I liked it! The characters are fantastic, funny, sarcastic, real. The friendships are heartwarming and the romantic tension is alluring. 

2. Maybe One Day by Melissa Kantor: Picture this. Me, 3 am, sitting my bed, book in hand, tears streaming. Okay. Maybe DON'T picture that. Ha. But this book. This was one of those that doesn't connect with everyone. No book does. But this book slammed into me. It pulled me in, broke my heart and warmed it all at once. 

3. Crown of Midnight by Sarah J. Maas: Loved the first book. This one was just as wonderful, maybe even better? I CANNOT wait for the next book! 

4. Rose Under Fire by Elizabeth Wein: This was a tough read, but like the first book, the writing is wonderful. Letters on a page transformed into fully realized people. The harsh landscape of their world was detailed and gritty. Their friendships were beautifully, and painfully, real. I was invested in all of them. 

5. Cress by Marissa Meyer: Okay, I really liked Cinder and Scarlett. But Cinder? My absolute favorite out of the three. Cress is positively adorable. The other characters remain amazing, and I loved their interactions with each other. As each character is discovered and added to the group, the more I love the story. 

6. New York: The Novel by Edward Rutherfurd: Now, if you've read my blog or follow me on twitter, you know how much I love New York. I'm also a total history geek. I house-sat for a relative. What was I most excited about? They have the history channel. Anyway, this book tells the story of New York, from it's earliest days of Dutch settlers, all the way up to the events of 9/11. I grew to love the families I was introduced to. I learned SO MUCH from this about the history of the city. I was googling stuff every few pages. 

7. Across a Star Swept Sea by Diana Peterfreund: I love the Scarlet Pimpernel, I love retellings. This book was fantastic! I love the characters she created, and the world that she built! It was real, colorful to the point it felt tangible. Such a fantastic read. 

8. Pivot Point by Kasie West: I was so intrigued by the premise, and drawn in by the writing style. I swear, Kasie West has been eavesdropping in on conversations between me and my friends, because so much of what they say and do, remind me of my own friends. 

9. Starcrossed by Josephine Angelini: Again with the history geek part of me, I also love mythology. I loved those elements in the story, along with characters that were fun and interesting. 

10. Better Off Friends by Elizabeth Eulberg: Friendship portrayed in a realistic way is always so refreshing. I loved this characters, and I loved their interactions. It was a fun, cute read that left me smiling.

SO! What made your list? I'd love to hear what YOU loved. The best way to get recommendations! :)

A to Z Bookish Survey

I'm not dead, and neither is the blog! I know it probably looked that way... That's the problem when you are in your last semester of college, take 20 credit hours, stage manage a show, work almost full time, and have a boyfriend. Sadly, I let my poor blog be ignored. 

But I'm back! I have 26 days to graduation! And here is a nice fun post to jump start my blog again.

I stole this from Lori over at The Coffee Girl. Thanks!

 

Author you’ve read the most books from: Hmm… That is probably a tie between Mary Higgins Clark and J.K. Rowling. I’ve read all of the HP books, as well as the mystery novel she published under the name “Robert Gailbraith”.

Best Sequel Ever: “Where She Went” by Gayle Forman, hands down. I thought a sequel would be impossible. She proved me so wrong.

Currently Reading: I am reading “Twinmaker” by Sean Williams. I’m not very far into it, but it’s really intriguing so far!

Drink of Choice While Reading: A nice cold glass of milk. Yes, I realize that makes me weird. Most people over the age of 9 won’t drink it. I love it though.

E-reader or Physical Book? I have to say both. I read more often on my nook though, since I take it with me everywhere. However, I love the feel and smell of real books.

Fictional Character You Probably Would Have Actually Dated In High School: I have no idea. In high school I mostly just went out on dates with old friends, I didn’t really have any serious boyfriends until college… This question is so hard!

Glad You Gave This Book A Chance: On the Jellicoe Road, by Melina Marchetta. It was given to me as a Secret Santa gift and they requested that even though it starts slow, that I just give it a chance because it was their favorite book. So I read it, and fell head over heels in love. I recommend it all the time. No, really, you should read it!

Hidden Gem Book:  The River of Time series. Hardly anyone I talk to has heard of it, I adore it though. (They know about after I finish talking to them about it though!)

Important Moment in your Reading Life:  I have a lot! My dad, who never enjoyed reading, used to read to me when I was little. I still remember sitting next to him on the couch while he read things like Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, or James and the Giant Peach. My first grade teacher really instilled a love of reading into all of her students, I barely remember exactly what it was that she did, all I remember is that when I think of learning to love reading, she’s the first person I think of. Thanks, Mrs. Baker!  Also, Harry Potter. I went from reading skinny, lame books to a whole level! Thick, interesting books. Fantasy! I read Hobbit and the Lord of the Rings trilogy while waiting for book 4, I was 10! Then I joined Goodreads my first year of college, met everyone in the College Students group and was introduced into so many incredible books!

Just Finished: The Cuckoo’s Calling by “Robert Gailbraith” (aka J.K. Rowling). I listened to the audiobook. It was SO good. After not particularly caring for The Casual Vacancy, reading something else by her and enjoying it was an absolute delight.

Kinds of Books You Won’t Read: Erotica. Just not what I look for in books. I like stuff with more story to go with them.

Longest Book You’ve Read: I’ve read the first three books in the Song of Ice and Fire series. I think #3 is the longest.

Major book hangover because of:  The Bitter Kingdom by Rae Carson. I had been waiting for what seemed like forever to read this, and it was everything I could have hoped for. It was so wonderful, I had MAJOR book hangover.

Number of Bookcases You Own: Two. Though really I should have three or four to contain all my books. All of my shelves are completely overflowing. I’m getting two more when I move into my apartment.

One Book You Have Read Multiple Times: Harry Potter. It’s my “comfort read”. I go back to it time and time again.

Preferred Place To Read: My Grandpa’s old La-Z-Boy. It was my favorite when it was at his house, and when we moved it to my house I declared it mine. Now it’s my favorite spot. And my dogs’ favorite spot… I can’t sit down with a book without them joining me, not that I mind. Curled up in my chair, with a book and my dogs is the perfect way to relax.

Quote that inspires you/gives you all the feels from a book you’ve read: This is probably quoted on basically every blog out there, but I absolutely adore this quote from “The Fault in Our Stars” by John Green. “Sometimes, you read a book and it fills you with this weird evangelical zeal, and you become convinced that the shattered world will never be put back together unless and until all living humans read the book.”

 Reading Regret: Not reading some of the better children’s classics when I was younger. I TRIED to enjoy A Wrinkle in Time, I really tried! I thought I’d never be too old to enjoy children’s books. Turns out that isn’t entirely true. I couldn’t stand the book, and it makes me sad.

Series You Started And Need To Finish (all books are out in series): I honestly can’t think of a single series that is complete that I haven’t finished. Hmm…

Three of your All-Time Favorite Books: Harry Potter (All 7 count as 1!), Poison Study and Code Name Verity. (Ask me the same question tomorrow and you’ll probably get a different answer.

Unapologetic Fangirl For: Neil Gaiman!!! Love his books and everything he’s written for Doctor Who.

Very Excited For This Release More Than All The Others: Too many to choose from! I think probably the new Mistborn books.

Worst Bookish Habit: I buy more books than I could read in three lifetimes.

X Marks The Spot: Start at the top left of your shelf and pick the 27th book: Fire Study by Maria V. Snyder. AWESOME book!

Your latest book purchase: I bought Crown of Midnight by Sarah J. Maas. Can’t wait to read it!

ZZZ-snatcher book (last book that kept you up WAY late):  Allegiant by Veronica Roth. Oh, this book. I gave it five stars. It also kept me up much later than was smart. I already only average about 5 hours of sleep at night.