Top Ten Tuesday: Ten Books I’ve Added to my TBR Recently

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top ten tuesday

Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme created at The Broke and the Bookish. The feature was created because The Broke and Bookish are particularly fond of lists (as are we!). Each week a new Top Ten list topic is given and bloggers can participate.

 Today’s Topic: Ten Books I’ve Added to my TBR Recently

Kellee

We are so fortunate to have such a wonderful community of bloggers take part in our IMWAYR posts; however, this also means that my TBR is always overflowing with amazing books that people recommend. Here are eight titles that I have added recently to my TBR because of It’s Monday! What are you reading? posts.

lion-lessons esquivel a-different-mirror the-cage wonder-women leave-me-alone everyone-loves-bacon king-baby

These last two that I added recently were not from IMWAYR posts. Take the Key and Lock Her Up is the third book in Ally Carter’s Embassy Row series, and I am WAITING not so patiently for it. Me Before You was added to my TBR because one of my past students recommended it to me.

take-the-key-and-lock-her-up me-before-you

What books do you think I should put on my TBR list? 

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Top Ten Tuesday: Ten Books To Read If Your Book Club Likes Romance

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top ten tuesday

Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme created at The Broke and the Bookish. The feature was created because The Broke and Bookish are particularly fond of lists (as are we!). Each week a new Top Ten list topic is given and bloggers can participate.

 Today’s Topic: Ten Books To Read If Your Book Club Likes Romance

Kellee

These are some of my favorite YA romance novels!

1. and 2. Openly Straight and Honestly Ben by Bill Konigsberg

openly honestly-ben

Everyone needs a little bit of humor (and well-crafted plot & characters!) mixed with their romance!

3. Last True Love Story by Brendan Kiely

last-true-love-story

This is a love story to love stories.

4. and 5. Olivia Twisted and Olivia Decoded by Vivi Barnes

Olivia Twisted Olivia Decoded

Oh, Z. There is just something so fascinating with a bad boy who isn’t that bad but bad enough.

6. Winger by Andrew Smith

winger

Oh, Winger. Such truth in what is on a 14-year-old’s mind.

7. Life in Outer Space by Melissa Keil

life in outer space

Nerdy boy + awesome girl should equal cliche, but in this novel it equals warm and fuzzies.

8. Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell

fangirl

There are two romance stories in Fangirl, and they are both swoony.

9. Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire Sáenz

aristotleand

Aristotle and Dante’s story fills your heart.

10. Tyrell by Coe Booth

tyrell

I wouldn’t exactly call this book a romance novel, but it is a novel that is awesome that happens to have some romance in it. Maybe the book club needs a bit of a different type of romance 🙂

Which romance novels would you recommend? 

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Top Ten Tuesday: Ten Scary Books I Recommend to Jumpy People

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top ten tuesday

Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme created at The Broke and the Bookish. The feature was created because The Broke and Bookish are particularly fond of lists (as are we!). Each week a new Top Ten list topic is given and bloggers can participate.

 Today’s Topic: Ten Scary Books I Recommend to Jumpy People

Kellee

I am not a huge scary book fan because I am really jumpy, and they can definitely make me have bad dreams, but these are ten scary books I’ve enjoyed recently and can recommend because the awesomeness of the story outweighs the side effects of the jumpiness.

1. Anna Dressed in Blood by Kendare Blake

Anna Dressed in Blood

Now, I won’t lie. This one is pretty darn scary, but Anna is a fascinating character.

2. The Monstrumologist by Rick Yancey

monstrumologist

Rick Yancey’s story mixes fantastical science with treacherous monsters to make a truly smart horror story.

3. Doll Bones by Holly Black

dollbones

Yes, this doll is super creepy!

4. The Haunting of Derek Stone: City of the Dead by Tony Abbott

city-of-the-dead

I read Derek’s story years ago, but it hasn’t left me yet.

5. and 6. In the Shadow of Blackbirds and The Cure for Dreaming by Cat Winters

in-the-shadow-of-blackbirds cure for dreaming

Cat Winters has a way of writing magic realism with a touch of suspense and a dash of creepy. But it all mixes up into stories you won’t be able to put down.

*These are not sequels*

7. This Dark Endeavor by Kenneth Oppel

this dark endeavor

How did Dr. Frankenstein become the mad scientist we all know? Read to find out.

8. Coraline by Neil Gaiman

coraline2

After reading, you will never hope to have a different family!

9. Guys Read: Thriller edited by Jon Sciezska

 guys-read-thriller

A collection of spooky stories ranging from humor to horror.

10. A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness

a monster calls

Not a traditional horror story, but instead is a fantastical story filled with pain and fear and love.

Which scary books would you recommend?

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Top Ten Tuesday: Books We Swooned Over as Teenagers

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Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme created at The Broke and the Bookish. The feature was created because The Broke and Bookish are particularly fond of lists (as are we!). Each week a new Top Ten list topic is given and bloggers can participate.

 Today’s Topic: Books We Swooned Over as Teenagers

Ricki

1. Homecoming by Cynthia Vaught

homecoming

A friend read this book and recommended it to me in early high school. At that point, I wasn’t free reading much, and my love for this book kicked me into gear. I realized there were some great books out there. I’d be curious to read it now as an adult.

2. Anything by V. C. Andrews

v-c-andrews

Horror, family secrets, forbidden love…I read dozens of these books in high school.

3. Anything by Lurlene McDaniel

lurlene-mcdaniel

Her books always dealt with grief and death, and for some reason, this intrigued me. I think I read every single book that she wrote.

4. God’s Debris: A Thought Experiment by Scott Adams (Creator of Dilbert)

200px-gods_debris

My best friend and I became obsessed with religion in high school. We found this book and absolutely loved it. It is philosophical, and it made me interested in reading about other culture’s religions.

5. The Bus Driver Who Wanted to Be God by Etgar Keret

the bus driver who wanted to be god

This is a collection of very funny, very inappropriate short stories. They are peculiar and a bit indecent. The cover describes the stories as “warped and wonderful,” which is spot on.

Kellee

Most of the books that made me swoon in high school were because they were a bit scandalous or scary! And funny enough, scary books are now some of my least favorite! I do still love a scandal though! Here were my favorites:

1. Flowers in the Attic and its sequels by VC Andrews

flowers in the attic

This whole premise was so messed up but I read it so many times! And it sucked me into their world (and thus the world of VC Andrews).

2. Forever by Judy Blume

forever

Man! For a 14 year old, this book was SO scandalous! But it also is exactly what a teenage girl needs.

3. and 4. Fear Street by R.L. Stine and anything by Christopher Pike

fear-street christopher-pike

Anyone who was a teen in the 90s loved these books. Our public library had a turnstile of just Pike and Stine books–I read them all!

5. Hannibal series by Thomas Harris

hannibal

Hannibal is just so messed up! And I was fascinated by him! This started me on a bit of a crime reading journey also.

Which books did you love in high school?

RickiSig and Signature

Top Ten Tuesday: Villains We Love to Hate

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Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme created at The Broke and the Bookish. The feature was created because The Broke and Bookish are particularly fond of lists (as are we!). Each week a new Top Ten list topic is given and bloggers can participate.

 Today’s Topic: Villains We Love to Hate 

Adding to our original TTT villain post 🙂 

Ricki

1. Mrs. Coulter of His Dark Materials by Philip Pullman

his-dark-materials

She makes my skin crawl, but her intelligence is admirable.

2. Anna from Anna Dressed in Blood by Kendare Blake

Anna Dressed in Blood

I suppose I don’t really hate her. In fact, I grew to love her. She stands out to me as an interesting villain.

3. Iago from Othello by William Shakespeare

othello

I always think about dear Iago. He really is quite cunning.

4. O’Brien…Big Brother…or Winston himself in 1984 by George Orwell

1984

Who is the villain? We could debate this for hours, and that is one of the many reasons I love this book!

5. The Man Jack (Jack Frost) from The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaimon

graveyard-book

His anonymity was so intriguing!

Kellee

1. The BFG’s Brothers from The BFG by Roald Dahl

TheBFG
2. Miss Trunchbull from Matilda by Roald Dahl

matildaDahl
3. The Twits from The Twits by Roald Dahl

twits

For some reason when I started this list, I automatically thought of Roald Dahl, so my first three are from his books. Dahl was so good at humor and evil all in one. Although Miss Trunchbull doens’t really fit the “love” part of the post’s title, she really made the book what it was and was the perfect foe for Matilda. The Giant Brothers and The Twits are just so easy to love in all of their grossness.

4. Yassen Gregorovich from The Alex Rider series by Anthony Horowitz

alex rider series

Yassen is a James Bond-esque villain with such an intense backstory and a heart that he sometimes shows. I still haven’t read the Alex Rider prequel about Yassen, but I know I need to!

5. Mother from Coraline by Neil Gaiman 

coraline2

Those buttons! So creepy!

Which villains do you love to hate?

RickiSig and Signature

Top Ten Tuesday: Books on Ricki’s Fall TBR List

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top ten tuesday

Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme created at The Broke and the Bookish. The feature was created because The Broke and Bookish are particularly fond of lists (as are we!). Each week a new Top Ten list topic is given and bloggers can participate.

 Today’s Topic: Books on Ricki’s Fall TBR List

I should add that I’ve already read some incredible ARCs that will be released this fall. For the purposes of this list, I am including books that I haven’t read yet!

1. The Sun Is Also a Star by Nicola Yoon

the sun is also a star

I love Nicola Yoon, so I am thrilled that this book is coming out. I can’t wait to get my hands on it!

2. What Light by Jay Asher

what light

I am intrigued by this book, which seems like a complicated love story. It looks like there may be a twist. I am excited to see Jay Asher has this solo novel coming out! I am sure that it will be very popular.

3. Girl in Pieces by Kathleen Glasgow

girl in pieces

I just started listening to this book in the car. It is very dark, and I am interested to see where it goes.

4. Wirewalker by Mary Lou Hall

wire walker

Ever since I received this book in the mail, I have been excited to read it. I had a few other projects to attend to first, but I think I will be reading it within the next few weeks, for sure!

5. Still Life in Tornado by A.S. King

still life in tornado

To put it simply, A.S. King makes me very happy. Her books never disappoint in their cleverness. I am excited to read this one.

6. We Found a Hat by Jon Klassen

we found a hat

I just about leaped for joy when I saw this third book in the picture book series is coming out soon.

7. Holding Up the Universe by Jennifer Niven

holding up the universe

I absolutely loved Niven’s last book, so I will most certainly be reading this one.

8. My Sister Rosa by Justine Larbalestier

my sister rosa

I will be reading this book in bright daylight. I am worried it will be scary, but I am so excited to read it.

9. It Looks Like This by Rafi Mittlefehldt

it looks like this

I have heard this book is quite good, so it is at the top of my list!

10. Every Hidden Thing by Kenneth Oppel

every hidden thing

Kenneth Oppel, I will read anything you write. Because every book has been incredible.

What books are on your Fall TBR list?

RickiSig

Top Ten Tuesday: Audiobooks We Love

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Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme created at The Broke and the Bookish. The feature was created because The Broke and Bookish are particularly fond of lists (as are we!). Each week a new Top Ten list topic is given and bloggers can participate.

 Today’s Topic: Ten Audiobooks We Love

Ricki

I am very picky about my audiobooks. In fact, I think I could recommend more books that don’t work well on audio than ones that do. That said, there is something remarkable about a book that works well as an audiobook. Often I think I’d prefer the audio over the print version for these texts. Below are five texts that made my ears sing. I’d recommend each of them highly.

1. I’ll Give You the Sun by Jandy Nelson

I'll Give You the Sun

I can’t say enough good things about this book. I can’t stop including it on my lists! I simply loved the audio and highly recommend it to anyone who wants a really great listen.

2. Me Before You by Jojo Moyes

me before you

This is the first adult book that I enjoyed on audio. The reader is fantastic. I was crying in my car while sitting in my garage through half of the book.

3. Knockout Games by G. Neri

knockout games

When I think about this book, I remember physically cringing as I listened to several sections. The audio is fast paced, and I liked the narrator a lot.

4. All American Boys by Brendan Kiely

All American Boys

Both narrators are absolutely fantastic. I am so glad that I listened to this book. I wish I could relive it and listen to it for the very first time again.

5. East of Eden by John Steinbeck

east of eden

This book is slower paced than the others listed above. It is a classic I always wanted to read. It took me several months to get through it (23 discs, I believe), but it was well worth it. East of Eden is quite an epic, and I recommend it highly.

Kellee

These audiobooks are the trifecta: great production, wonderful narrator(s), and an amazing story! You’ll also notice that they are all series because I couldn’t stop listening to them!

1. Harry Potter Series by J.K. Rowling

harry potter series

Jim Dale is a brilliant narrator. I read the Harry Potter books first, but before book #7 came out, I wanted to reread, and I decided to listen. Man, am I glad I did! The only issue is that now I can’t listen to Jim Dale read anything else because all I hear is Harry.

2. Matt Cruse Series by Kenneth Oppel

matt cruse

This series is epic, and I think the full cast production of it really brings it to life! If you like unique ideas with epic plot twists and well-developed characters, you shouldn’t miss this series!

3. Curse Workers series by Holly Black

curse workers series

I loved Jesse Eisenberg’s production of this series. His voice was perfect for the tone and mood of the novels and Cassel’s personality. Another book with a very unique concept and strong characters!

4. The Very Nearly Honorable League of Pirates series by Caroline Carlson

very nearly honorable league

You all know I love this series because as I was listening to it, I couldn’t stop raving about it! Katherine Kellgren is brilliant! She does amazing voices and just brings the book to life!

5. Nate series by Tim Federle

nate federle

These books are narrated by the author, and I don’t think they would have been as good any other way. Because Nate is from Tim’s imagination, Tim’s voice just perfectly fits the story.

Which audiobooks did you love?

RickiSig and Signature