Top Ten Tuesday: Anti-Valentines Edition

Good Morning and Happy Valentine's Day to all my lovely followers! I hope today is full of lots of huggles and squeeshes and all that mushy-gushy stuff. Those of you who follow me on Twitter will probably know that I will most likely NOT be engaging in the ooey-gooey-ness of the adorable holiday...other than eating chocolate...lots and lots of chocolate. So in the spirit of my anti-Valentines Day I will be participating in Top Ten Tuesday with gusto! Enjoy :)

 Top Ten Tuesday: Books That Broke My Heart a Little

Top Ten Tuesday is a meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish.  I'm excited to participate; after all, I make lists FOR EVERYTHING!  This week's topic focuses on books that are heartbreakers. The ones that have haunted you for years, or still make you cry when  you read them today. I'm only going to show three of the most meaningful...Most books don't make me cry and still have me enjoy them...they just make me want to throw them away and never look at them again...

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. 

I could fill this entire post with Harry Potter Books...From Sirius dying in Order of the Phoenix, to Dumbledore in Half-Blood Prince...even Cedric in Goblet of Fire...J.K. Rowling definitely has a way of breaking me to pieces before building me up again...Though perhaps it isn't the best written of the series...Deathly Hallows sure as hell is the most emotional. Honestly I still spend the large part of my reading experience crying. I'm not exaggerating...I cry from the moment Dobby leaves us until the very last page...sure I change it up a bit  from snuffles and gasps during the not-so-emotional scenes to the sobbing that ensues any time one of the Weasley twins says anything...I've been banned from reading it in my sorority house because my sisters all thought that someone in my family died or something...and let's be honest...when Harry ended...it was almost like someone did die. Along with a little part of my soul...lol

Okay, I feel like that last one got a tad creepy...I'll try to keep these ones a little bit better. 

A Child Called It by Dave Peltzer

Literally the most heartbreaking book of all time. If someone can get through it without crying, being morally appalled, or so angry that they would like to go out and become a social worker just to help children like Dave...then that person isn't human. Or more likely is a psychopath. The level of abuse that an innocent child is put through just about tears out your heart and rips it to shreds in front of you. I was so appalled when I read this book that I found myself obsessed with what had really happened. I spent a good few months looking into child-abuse cases and trying to find an organization that I could help support through my volunteer programs. A Child Called It basically changed my life. Though it is sad, it is a definite must read. If you read any book before you become a parent, read this one. 

Dear America: Voyage on the Great Titanic

Que "My Heart Will Go On" people! This story was one of the first ones I read that involved Historical Fiction, the Titanic, etc...Besides being a truly epic, emotional, and fantastic adventure story, the love story between Maggie and one of the stewards on the Titanic is so heart-felt and that it practically had my 5th grade self melting in her seat...it was so beautiful...hopeful...but then tragic...you all know how few servants, maids, etc. made it out alive...I think this was the very first love story that broke my heart as a girl...and I've been getting it broken ever since. 

So there...Those are three of the most heart-breaking books I've ever read. Read them at your own risk, because your heart will probably be in pieces when you put them down. And on that note, Happy Valentines you guys! Those of you who have honeys have a great, romantic, fabulous time...and for those of you who this is Singles Awareness Day...MAKE GOOD CHOICES AND KEEP IT SAFE!!! There's no need for Valentines Day Babies 9 months from now because someone got a little too tipsy while she was drowning her single sorrows...There's already going to be enough of them because of all the aforementioned ooey-gooeyness of the holiday...so yeah...um...bye..*leaves awkwardly* 

January 17: Top Ten Books I'd Recommend To Someone Who Doesn't Read X

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish. It was created because of their love of lists, and I myself love lists as well. Everyone is welcome to join in, and don't worry if you can't think of 10 - just do as many as you can. And of course, be sure to link back to TBATB (and leave me a link here too!) on your post!

The Top Ten Books I'd Recommend to Someone who Doesn't Read Steampunk/Dystopian Novels.

Oh this is a fun question. I ALWAYS get people trying to get book recommendations from me. The problem is, unless they are book bloggers themselves and actually know what kinds of books I read, they get kind of weirded out by what I tell them to read. I really enjoy thinking back to when Twilight was little more than a time of the late afternoon/early evening. I actually ordered a 1st edition Twilight out of my Scholastic book order...seriously...scholastic book order. I was in love from page one and I immediately read it like, 3 times in a row. But I found something odd...at the time...people didn't WANT to read vampire books *gasp*. I distinctly remember my friend Anna laughing and saying, "Seriously? There is no WAY I'd be caught reading this" and giving it back...well HA Anna...what now???

Anyways...the point of my ramblings is that my friends and family rarely, if EVER, initially like my book recs. I read almost exclusively Paranormal, Urban Fantasy, Science Fiction, and Dystopian novels...and variations of the above such as Paranormal Romance, Steampunk, etc. So if someone who doesn't read these types of books picks up a book that I told them was awesome and realize it's about a fairy princess hooking up with 6 bodyguards who are also fairies...they tend to call me up asking WTF? But I truly think about the books that I hype. If I told you to read it, I think that you will like it! I'm not trying to get you to read the same freaky stuff that I read...I want to give you books that I enjoy that seem like you will love...SO READ THEM ALREADY! Here are 2 Steampunk books and 1 Dystopian that I highly reccomend...

1. The Parasol Protectorate by Gail Carriger
If you are new to Steampunk, and you like paranormal or urban fantasy books, I feel like this is a great starter for those looking to try something a little Steamier (ha..sorry...bad pun...) The Parasol Protectorate has fabulous characters, a very good plot, and really interesting takes on supernaturals and Steampunk itself. It's also more of a comedy of manners than anything and you will be laughing out loud as you watch the characters traipse about Europe in their undergarments while they try to maintain high manners and dignity.

2. The Iron Duke by Meljean Brook
The Iron Duke is for the seasoned Steampunk reader. It is a lot more complex than the Parasol Protectorate series, but it's complexity is what makes it so absolutely fantastic. However, I wouldn't recommend it for someone whose never read Steampunk. There's a lot to grasp, and if you aren't used to the gadgetry, the bizzare, and the mechanics...you will probably very easily get lost. But don't let that discourage you, The Iron Duke is in my top 3 books that I read last year, and it's literally one of the best Steampunk I've read ever. There are just so many interlocking and inter-weaving plot lines and the characters are absolutely fascinating. There's romance, adventure, intrigue...plus sexy man-candy...everything that a reader wants. ID is Keeper Shelf material...for sure.

3.The Hunger Games
Hands Down. The BEST Dystopian is the Hunger Games. I recommend it to every single person I know. There is no person on this earth who shouldn't love and appreciate the awesomeness of the Games. It's terrifying. It's badass. It is THE best Young Adult book of all time. Katniss is an extremely strong character who ISN'T trying to fall in love. Romance is more a matter of circumstance and isn't the focus of everything which is AWESOME, because so many YA books seem to be obsessed with hooking up our heroine and getting her to her "happily ever after" with her prince than on the heroine defeating evil. The next two books were also good, but nothing, even the sequels, compare to the awesomeness of The Hunger Games

Yeah, I know...so it's only three.I'm slacking lately...I know...I'm sorry my lovely followers...I'll make it up to you soon. I promise *winks*

January 10: Top Ten Authors I Wish Would Write Another Book

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish. It was created because of their love of lists, and I myself love lists as well. Everyone is welcome to join in, and don't worry if you can't think of 10 - just do as many as you can. And of course, be sure to link back to TBATB (and leave me a link here too!) on your post!

Top Ten Authors I wish Would Write another Book

Jane Austen
Jane is the ONLY classical author that I have any success reading. I suppose its because I'm s sappy-mushy-romantically inclined fool at heart....but let me tell you...if you love the twilighty kind of "I'll love you until we both DIE" angsty "I love you but we cant be together" *SOB* You should try Jane Austen's Persuasion. SO effing angsty...but I loved it. I love all things Jane...the movies, the fan-fictionalized remakes...everything.

George Martin.
I have a feeling Mr. Martin will be on a lot of people's lists. I love it when authors are successful in their lives and careers and such...as long as it doesn't interfere with MY reading schedule! lol. It drives me absolutely crazy when an author says they will have a new book on a certain date, and then falls through. I get that deadlines are crazy and you want the story to be great...but COME ON...either say "I don't know when I'l be finished" or don't say anything at all! Martin has failed to complete the next volume of The Song of Ice and Fire series at ALL within the last few years.

J.K. Rowling
I'm not saying that she should write another Harry Potter book...as much as I would so totally love that...but she is SUCH a great writer and I enjoy her work so much that I would ADORE anything she puts out. I know she has a boy-detective series in the works but she is so overshadowed by the awesome behemoth that is Harry Potter, she doesn't seem to want to release it because she's afraid it might not measure up. Still...even if she released it under another pen name until it stood on it's own...I REALLY want to read more J.K. Rowling

That's really it...There are so many books out there that I haven't read yet that I can barely even consider books that aren't written that will never be written, that I will never be able to read.  It makes me sad to think about books that I can't read...I don't like thinking about it...it hurts my heart. 

Top Ten Favorite Books I Read in 2011

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish. It was created because of their love of lists, and I myself love lists as well. Everyone is welcome to join in, and don't worry if you can't think of 10 - just do as many as you can. And of course, be sure to link back to TBATB (and leave me a link here too!) on your post!

What are the Top Ten Book's I Read in 2011?

1.Jenny Pox by J.L. Bryan

Seriously, if you read my blog and haven't read Jenny Pox yet you need to be afraid, because I will literally hunt you down(with my mad internet stalking skills), come to your home(if you live within a 100 mile radius...my car can't handle anything more than that), drop kick you in the face(to imply to you my scorn that you haven't read Jenny Pox yet), then hold your eyelids open while I force-read you the best paranormal series of all time. Ok...maybe I won't do all that...but everytime I hear that someone hasn't read Jenny Pox that's what I'm doing to them on the inside. For real...it's SO good...words can't express how much I love Jenny, Seth...even the total beotch diva Ashleigh...BEST. BOOK.EVER!

2.Soulless by Gail Carriger

3. Across the Universe by Beth Revis

 

4. The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern. This is such a magical book. I can't even put it into words. It's not just the characters or the circus or the writing style. There's something eerie and amazing about it that makes you feel like you're part of something big. If you haven't read it you need to. It's one of those books that you find something new every time you read it and when you finish the book you want to turn around and start on page one. It is absolutely fantastic.

5. Halfway to the Grave by Jeanine Frost.

Yes! 2011 was the year I finally dug out the Night Huntress series by Jeanine Frost from my TBR pile! Like most of you, I absolutely LOVED it. This was the first series in a LONG time that had me laughing out loud and practically squeeing with glee every few pages. Cat and Bones are now two of my all-time favorite characters and definite candidates for my favorite Urban Fantasy couple!

6.The Forest of Hands and Teeth by Carrie Ryan
7. The Duff by Kody Keplinger

8. The Iron Duke by Meljean Brook.

I cannot say more good things about this book. It is without a doubt one of the most complex books I've read this year and has such amazing character depth that you practically expect Mina and the Duke to walk down the street. Or, more to their character, run down the street screaming at each other. The plot is so complicated and fabulous that it's another one that you want to pick back up the moment you finish the last page.

9. Terrier by Tamora Pierce

10. Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins

Thank you Ms. Perkins for re-introducing me to my love of contemporary YA books. I haven't been able to even pick up a contemporary teen book forever due to the intense influx of Gossip-Girl, Clique, and other similar types of blather that I can't stand. Anna and the FK made me laugh, cry, fall in love, and all the other good stuff a book is supposed to do. It's my comfort read and I have read it at least 3 times since this summer.

So that's the best of the best! I hope you decide to give them a chance even if they're outside of your comfort zone. Whether it's Steampunk, or Paranormal, or Contemporary Romance, all of the books on the list have amazing characters, fantastic plots, and usually swoon-worthy love interests to die for.



Top Ten Tuesday!

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish. It was created because of their love of lists, and I myself love lists as well. Everyone is welcome to join in, and don't worry if you can't think of 10 - just do as many as you can. And of course, be sure to link back to TBATB (and leave me a link here too!) on your post!

What are the Top Ten Books you hope Santa Brings

Dark Lover by J.R. Ward. Lies! The amazing Andrea from the Busy Bibliophile just totally kicked santa's lily-white A$$! She got me a copy of Dark Lover for the December #RAK program and I couldn't be happier! Thanks Andrea, for starting me on my amazing journey with the lust-inspiring boys of the Black Dagger Brotherhood! :) SO now that my numero-uno gift has already been received, what else am I lusting after???

• Spellbound by Kelley Armstrong
• The Mark of the Golden Dragon by L.A. Meyer
• Bite Club (Morganville Vampires) by Rachel Caine
• Harry Potter (1-7) ebooks and audiobooks by J.K.Rowling
• Heart of Steel by Meljean Brook
• A Million Suns by Beth Revis
• Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern
• The Iron Duke by Meljean Brook
• Inheritance (Book 4 in the Inheritance Cycle) by Christopher Paolini

So what about you? What do you guys want in your stockings this year?!? Tell me below, and maybe Santa will see it and bring it to ya :) 

Top Ten Tuesday

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish. It was created because of their love of lists, and I myself love lists as well. Everyone is welcome to join in, and don't worry if you can't think of 10 - just do as many as you can. And of course, be sure to link back to TBATB (and leave me a link here too!) on your post!

What are your Top Ten Childhood Faves?

Heckety Peg by Audrey Wood: This is a fairytale-esk book that is slightly paranormal, and pretty dark for a kid's story. It has all things that are good about fairy-tales: Witches, misbehaving children, magic, fire, and gold. Lot's of gold. It's a good fairytale with good lessons, but it's also creepy and fun I will definitely read this one to my kids.

Mudpie Books by Guy Gilcrist. From Eating Peanut Butter and Jelly sandwiches in trees to dealing with a baby sister, these books were hands down my favorite. My brother and I would literally go out and eat PB&J's in our tree-house after reading this book. It is a such a simple book, but I will definitely save them and read them to my kids when they are little as well.

Shell Silversteen has to be on a lot of people's lists. I'm not a big fan of poetry now, but when I was a little kid, I totally adored Where the Sidewalk Ends, and all of Shell's other books. If all poetry was like his, I might still like it. lol

    

Sideways Stories from Wayside School by Louis Sachar. I don't even remember what it was about these books that I liked. I don't remember anything about them other than they were my favorite books when I was around 8 or 9. I even remember what section and shelves in my library where they were because I read them so many times.

Goosebumps by R.L.Stine. I think R.L.Stine singlehandedly converted masses and masses of kids into horror addicts. I think Stephen Kind probably has R.L.Stine to thank for a lot of his younger readers. After being traumatized by Curly the Skeleton, and that creepy Ventriloquist Dummy, us young-uns needed to fill a void that pretty much only Stephen King and Dean Koontz can fill. I was SO terrified by quite a few of the books. I remember " Welcome to Dead House" was particularly traumatic. Still, I doubt I would love scary stories and the paranormal as much if I hadn't read goosebumps.

Animorphs by K.A. Applegate. Believe it or not, but before Animorphs, I refused to read any books whose main characters were boys. I don't know if I thought that reading about guys would give me cooties or something...but I refused to do it. Finally I was forced to read about guy MC's because I thought the whole idea of animorphs was coolest thing ever. I still think this series is one of the best Alien/Shifter series of all time, even though it is for younger children. I was actually very upset with the ending, so I won't read them again, but I totally adored them. Still do in fact.

The Little House Books by Laura Ingalls-Wilder. I absolutely adored these books. They were the only books that I had at my lake-house. My family would spend weekends there during the winter, and I would get so bored. I re-read this series over and over again to keep from going crazy. They are pretty timeless. I know people who read them 30 years ago and still enjoy them. I haven't read them for quite some time, but I wouldn't hesitate to read them to my kids. 

The Babysitter's Club by Ann M. Martin. Everything I learned about boys, school, friends, and life, I learned from the girls in the Babysitter's Club...at least until I grew up and actually learned what life was like. They were great books. I remember checking 15 of them out from the library at once because I just couldn't get enough of them. They were funny and helpful and just good reads for older kids and pre-teens. 

The Babysitter's Club Little Sister by Ann M. Martin. Basically Babysitter's Club Light. It takes place in elementary school and does the same thing for that age group that Babysitter's Club did for middle-schoolers and early high-schoolers. 

The #1 Childhood Favorite? 

The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis

Aslan. The Lion The Witch and the Wardrobe. 'nuff said. 

Top Ten Tuesday

 

Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme created at The Broke and the Bookish. This meme was created because we are particularly fond of lists here at The Broke and the Bookish. We'd love to share our lists with other bookish folks and would LOVE to see your top ten lists!

Each week we will post a new Top Ten list complete with one of our bloggers’ answers. Everyone is welcome to join. All we ask is that you link back to The Broke and the Bookish on your own Top Ten Tuesday post AND post a comment on our post with a link to your Top Ten Tuesday post to share with us and all those who are participating. If you don't have a blog, just post your answers as a comment. 

Who are the Top Ten Authors You'd Love To Have At Your Thanksgiving Feast

Tricky Tricky. There are a ton of authors I would love to have over, but could I coordinate something as extravagant as Thanksgiving dinner? Who would sit next to who? Would some authors feel neglected if I sat them too far away from the head of the table? lol...I know I'm taking this way to seriously...anyways... For pure love and fangirl-dom I will have to say J.K. Rowling and Stephanie Meyer. 

Especially Ms. Rowling. I'm not going to lie, but if she showed up for Thanksgiving I would probably spend the entire time blubbering all over her and it would make for a really awkward turkey day...speaking of awkward, I think I would make Stephanie Meyer and J.K. Rowling sit right next to each other. For one thing, it would be really interesting to see if they duke it out like so many of their fans do online.  For another thing, maybe Cedric Diggory didn't die, because he was a vampire, and they can come up a way to explain how he got from the UK to Forks, and where the rest of the Cullens were while Cedward was getting his ass kicked by Voldemort. 

Horror Authors:

Laurell K. Hamilton. This lady is fantastic...though I do read her blog sometimes and she's gotten quite sketchy lately. Her sex scenes have expanded from the realm of normal to lycanthropic and vampiric octo-orgies, so i'd say she's a little twisted in that area. She also kind of strikes me of some psycho-pagan who wants to turn the whole world to her religion. She's also something of a social recluse, which is why I would seat her next to:


Stephen King.I feel like only Stephen King's sick and twisted mind can keep up with the dark and terrifying Ms. Hamilton. He's written more effed up things than I can possibly even imagine. Who knows...they might make an epic adventure of terror and sex that would kill anyone who reads it because no one can take that level of horror and come away unscathed. 




J.L. Bryan. Though he would probably feel a little out of place with the other horror authors, Jeff is the best! He's a great twitter buddy, writes amazing books, and could (maybe) hold his own against the other two terrors above. If he can't, I'm sure he can always get Jenny to Pox them for him.

Zombie Authors:

Carrie Ryan, Rhiannon Frater, and Jesse Peterson. These chicks range from the desolate to the desperately hilarious, but they all write kick butt zombie novels. Maybe I just love zombies, but I don't think that's it. These ladies take you into worlds that terrify and amaze, but are also really hear-felt. I would want some of that heart hanging around with me at my Thanksgiving. Plus I bet they would be cracking hilarious jokes and making Stephen King and Laurell K. Hamilton really uncomfortable with their girlish giddiness. 


And that's about all my table has room for...So what about you guys? Who do you want to hang out with you? There's a lot of author's to give thanks for and these are just a few! Who are the ones you can't live without??

November 15: Top Ten Books That Have Been On My Shelf For The Longest But I've Never Read

 

Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme created at The Broke and the Bookish. This meme was created because we are particularly fond of lists here at The Broke and the Bookish. We'd love to share our lists with other bookish folks and would LOVE to see your top ten lists!

Each week we will post a new Top Ten list complete with one of our bloggers’ answers. Everyone is welcome to join. All we ask is that you link back to The Broke and the Bookish on your own Top Ten Tuesday post AND post a comment on our post with a link to your Top Ten Tuesday post to share with us and all those who are participating. If you don't have a blog, just post your answers as a comment.

 What are the Top Ten Books That Have Been On Your Shelf for the Longest?

This is going to be a lot more difficult than normal. I currently live away from my home and thus my bookshelves are kind of out of sight out of mind...I only have what books I deemed important enough to take with me so I will do my best to try and remember what all I have on my shelves and why exactly I haven't read them yet. 

1. The Host by Stephanie Meyer: I bought this book the day it came out. I was still in my OMIGOD TWILIGHT phase and couldn't wait to get my hands on anything Stephanie Meyer...but then...I lost interest. I found other things to keep me occupied, and decided that since there was no Edward...I didn't really want to read it that badly anyways. lol...I still am curious about it, but there are so many things that have priority...I have no clue when I'll get to read it but I'm hoping it's soon. 
2. Wurthering Heights by Emily Bronte: I am not a fan of the classics. I typically only read them if I have seen a movie adaptation that I really like, so then when I read the actual book I don't get lost in translation between the formal victorian prose and the meaning of the story. The only classics I've been able to enjoy so far are Pride & Prejudice and Jane Eyre. Not a promising start so I think WH will have to remain on the shelves a little longer.
3. The Mortal Instruments by Cassandra Clare: I have the first two books just waiting on my shelves for me. I have heard so many amazing things about it...but when I read the back cover, it just doesn't seem that great...maybe I should just go ahead and read it...I might start kicking myself for letting it sit so long on the shelves...what do you guys think?
4. Divergent: Everyone is going to yell at me now...but I don't know...I heard great things from almost everyone in the blogosphere, but then when a girl I work with read it, she wasn't impressed. She has excellent taste in books and I am hesitant to pick up something she found so flat...maybe I will get to it when the next book in the series comes out. That way I won't have to wait between the books.
5. Paranormalcy by Kristen White: I have been DYING to read this. I seriously just saw it on my shelf and was like...WHEN DID I GET THIS!?!? I must read it soon...*sits down and starts to read*
6. The Lord of the Rings Two Towers and Return of the King. I managed to get through the Hobbit and The Fellowship of the Rings, but I couldn't force myself to get through the next two. I think it has something to do with the fact that I can play the Lord of the Rings drinking game with my brother while watching the movies instead and that way I can appreciate the tight fit to Orlando Bloom's tunic and breeches. Why read the book when the movies take 9 hours to watch anyways? Seriously. Me and my twin play the drinking game and have on various occasions ended up in our garden fighting with sticks while yelling things like FOR FRODO! and SAVE THE SHIRE! We look like Merry and Pippin after a trip to the Green Dragon. 
7.  Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens. I admit that I bought this in one of my "I'm an English major, I should read the classics" fits. I have tried and tried to read stuff that is educationally significant...as in they are placed in the literary cannon of awesome...but no...I just always find something better to be reading.Seriously...Oliver Twist? or Zombie/Unicorn Mayhem? Sorry Oliver...you'll have to wait a little longer and pick up a bit more dust...I'm picking the Unicorns.
8. Shakespeare. Same thing here. I bought an exceptional copy of the complete works of William Shakespeare. It's a pretty book. There's lots of gold and sparkly things. That still can't coax me into bettering my old English. The only play I've gotten through was Othello, and that's because me and my ex used to read it together and we'd quote it at each other in a kind of competition. He always called me his Desdemona...I told him I'd rather him call me Mercutia...corny but whatever. 

What about you? Are you like me and really think you ought to be reading the classics but then something else comes along? Or is there some really popular book that you seem to not be reading just to spite everyone else?? Let me know in the comments and have a great Tuesday you guys!