Top 10 Tuesday: Most Anticipated Books For 2013

  Today's topic for Top 10 Tuesday, an awesome feature hosted by The Broke and the Bookish, is discussing our most anticipated books for 2013. Here are just a few of mine, in release order, along with a link to Goodreads.

January 2013

Catherine by April Lindner- I loved how Lindner retold Jane Eyre and I can't wait to see what she's done with Wuthering Heights. (Stand-alone)

Madman's Daughter by Megan Shepard- A retelling of Dr. Moreau's Island by H.G. Wells told from the perspective of his daughter. (Stand-alone; Debut Author)

Nobody But Us by Kristin Halbrook- Bonnie and Clyde meets If I Stay (Stand alone; Debut Author)


Just One Day by Gayle Forman- I can't wait to read a new contemporary series by this fabulous author! (New Series)

February 2013

Pivot Point by Kasie West- A clever premise that sounds a lot like the movie Sliding Doors that featured Gwenthy Paltrow (New series; Debut Author)

April 2013

My Life After Now by Jessica Verdi- Sixteen-year-old Lucy never thought it would happen to her. She planned on becoming a Broadway star, living out her days with her leading man, Ty. Instead, a new girl walks off with her role and her guy. Lucy flies off the rails and does something completely out of character. Something with consequences she'll have to live with the rest of her life...

What will she tell her family? Her friends? Off script and without the comforts of her simple high school problems, Lucy must figure out how to live and even embrace a life she thought was all but over.  (Stand-alone, Debut Author)

May 2013

The Summer I Became a Nerd by Leah Rae Miller- Sounds like a funny, contemporary romance ala Big Bang Theory. (Stand-alone)

Invisibility by Andrea Cremer and David Levithan- sounds like an unique paranormal romance from two great YA authors. (Stand-alone)

June 2013

Linked by Imogen Howson- Elissa used to have it all: looks, popularity, and a bright future. But for the last three years, she’s been struggling with terrifying visions, phantom pains, and mysterious bruises that appear out of nowhere.
Finally, she’s promised a cure: minor surgery to burn out the overactive area of her brain. But on the eve of the procedure, she discovers the shocking truth behind her hallucinations: she’s been seeing the world through another girl’s eyes.

Elissa follows her visions, and finds a battered, broken girl on the run. A girl—Lin—who looks exactly like Elissa, down to the matching bruises. The twin sister she never knew existed.

Now, Elissa and Lin are on the run from a government who will stop at nothing to reclaim Lin and protect the dangerous secrets she could expose—secrets that would shake the very foundation of their world. (Stand-alone; Debut Author)

August 2013

Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea by April Genevieve Tucholke-
You stop fearing the devil when you’re holding his hand…

Nothing much exciting rolls through Violet White’s sleepy, seaside town…until River West comes along. River rents the guesthouse behind Violet’s crumbling estate, and as eerie, grim things start to happen, Violet begins to wonder about the boy living in her backyard. Is River just a crooked-smiling liar with pretty eyes and a mysterious past? Or could he be something more? Violet’s grandmother always warned her about the Devil, but she never said he could be a dark-haired boy who takes naps in the sun, who likes coffee, who kisses you in a cemetery...who makes you want to kiss back. Violet’s already so knee-deep in love, she can’t see straight. And that’s just how River likes it. (New series, Debut Author)

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Top 10 Tuesday: Favorite Books Read in 2011

  Things will be relatively quiet here this week at my blog. I'm wrapping up a few left over reads for this year and will be participating in a few reading challenges for next year. Today's topic for Top 10 Tuesday, an awesome feature hosted by The Broke and the Bookish, is discussing our favorite reads from 2011. Here are mine, in alphabetical order, along with a link to my review. I still have to write a couple of reviews for a couple of them and hope to do that this week.

Favorite Books Read in 2011

Anna Dressed in Blood by Kendare Blake- One of the best YA horror books I've read in a really long time and my favorite debut novel from this year. I think it would make an awesome movie if Tim Burton, Neil Gaiman, and Joss Whedon got together for a project. Can't wait for Girl of Nightmares! 

Black Like Me by John Howard Griffin -  A powerful, unflinching, influential, and gripping story that forces us to think critically about racism in America. Though written several years ago, it is still important today. 

 Daughter of Smoke and Bone (Daughter of Smoke and Bone #1) by Laini Taylor - An exquisite, awe inspiring read that knocked my socks off. I'm highly anticipating on what happens next in Karou's adventure.

 Flipped by Wendelin Van Draanen- A sweet, relatively clean tween romance that has heart and wisdom. I can't believe it took me this long to read it.

 Forever (Wolves of Mercy #3) by Maggie Stiefvater- The perfect conclusion to the Wolves of Mercy series. I don't think it could have ended in any other way. Romantic and haunting just like Maggie's writing.

Hard Bitten (Chicagoland Vampire #4) by Chloe Neil- I experienced a wide range of emotion while reading this book, but the last page had me stunned. I was so flummoxed that I had to read the last 5 pages at least three times. Fabulous tension, mystery, suspense, and romance. 

 

 Stolen by Lucy Christopher - Lucy Christopher's debut and Printz honoree title, Stolen, let me speechless and had me thinking for days. This book was so frightening that I couldn't deal with reading it by myself and began telling coworkers just to distance myself from it.

 Where She Went by Gayle Forman- Seeing Adam in so much pain broke my heart. I started crying around pg 50 of this book and didn't stop until an hour after I read the last page. It's perfect.

Wherever You Go by Heather Davis - A brilliantly crafted novel that seamlessly blends contemporary fiction with a dash of the supernatural. This quiet book pulled on my heart strings right away and didn't let go. I became so invested in Holly's, Rob's, and Jason's lives that I couldn't stop reading. The characters were honest and their problems were authentic. 

 Wonderstruck by Brian Selznick- Wonderstruck shows us how thrilling a museum can be. Visually stunning and aptly named, Wonderstruck is a definitely a wonder to behold regardless of its weight and tome-like appearance

 Other favorites not listed due to space constraints: Magic Slays (Kate Daniels #5) by Ilona Andrews, Silver Borne (Mercy Thompson #5) by Patricia Briggs, and The Son of Neptune by Rick Riordan (Heroes of Olympus #2) 

What are your favorites from this year?

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Top 10 Tuesday: Top Ten Books You Loved But Never Wrote A Review For

  This week has been insane with the start of a brand new school year. I'm trying to keep sane by keeping copious "to do lists" to help me stay on track. What better way to consider this line of thought than by posting a Top 10 Tuesday, which is a fabulous meme hosted by The Broke and The Bookish? Today's topic is a list of books that we loved but never got around to writing a book review. I've broken my list to include Adult, YA, and Children books.

Top 10 Books I Loved But Never Wrote A Review For (in no particular order)

Adult

Arthur and George by Julian Barnes- A historical fiction novel that I randomly chose at the library one day. It's based on a true life court drama. The lives of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and country lawyer George Edalji intersect when Doyle becomes interested in investigating the case of Edalji who has been wrongfully convicted of writing obscene letters and mutilating cattle in a case clearly influenced by racial prejudice.

The House of Mirth by Edith Wharton- Possibly my favorite Edith Wharton book. Wharton expertly shows how the ways money, romance, and social standing intertwine in the society of the early 20th century. Some may call it a romance gone wrong, but I see it as a female trying to break the mold of a woman needing a man to be happy and stand financially independent.

Like Water For Chocolate by Laura Esquivel- My first adventure into magical realism. Tita is the youngest of three daughters born to Mama Elena, virago extraordinaire and owner of the de la Garza ranch. Tita falls in love with Pedro, but Mama Elena will not allow them to marry, since family tradition dictates that the youngest daughter remain at home to care for her mother. Instead, Mama Elena orchestrates the marriage of Pedro and her eldest daughter Rosaura and forces Tita to prepare the wedding dinner. What ensues is a poignant, funny story of love, life, and food which proves that all three are entwined and interdependent.

YA

The Book Thief by Markus Zusak- A fabulously written book on World War II written from the perspective of Death. It was originally released as an adult book in Australia (the author's home) but released in the US as YA. I've yet to meet anyone who hasn't enjoyed this book. Recommended for Grades 8 and up.


Memoirs of a Teenage Amnesiac by Gabrielle Zevin- If you were given a chance for a redo on your life, would you take it? Naomi hits her head after falling and she can't remember anything that happened since sixth grade. She is by turns mystified and startled by evidence of her present life, Eventually, the memories return, leaving Naomi questioning the basis of a new, intense romance, and wondering which of her two lives, present or former, represents her most authentic self.Contemporary realism at its finest.

Wildly Romantic: The English Romantic Poets: The Mad, Bad, and the Dangerous by Catherine Andornik - This is definitely not your typical YA literary biography. In this book you get the juicy scandals that were left out while you were in English class. Did you know that some were drug addicts and/or sex addicts? The author reveals all when she weaves together the lives of the groundbreaking Romantic poets--Wordsworth, Coleridge, Byron, Shelley, and Keats. It's definitely made me think twice about loving the writer or just loving the work.

Feed by M.T. Anderson- One of the most underrated YA science fiction book ever. A disturbingly realistic satire set in a future world where television and computers are connected directly into people's brains when they are babies. The result is a chillingly recognizable consumer society where empty-headed kids are driven by fashion and shopping and the avid pursuit of silly entertainment--even on trips to Mars and the moon--and by constant customized murmurs in their brains of encouragement to buy, buy, buy. Sound familiar?

Children

Guts by Gary Paulsen- I loved Hatchet and this book explains where Paulsen got his inspiration for his Brian series. It's a very quick nonfiction narrative (i.e. reads like a novel).

Tuck Everlasting by Natalie Babbit- I finally got around to reading this for my Children's Lit class for library school. Was anyone else freaked out about the man in the yellow suit? What was his deal?

Under the Persimmon Tree by Suzanne Staples Fisher- A heartbreaking novel about Afghanistan post 9/11 that was really well done.

Have you read any of these books before? Are there any books that you've read but never written a book review for?I'm always looking for recommendations! Just leave them in the comments.

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Top 10 Tuesday: Literary Crushes

  I haven't participated in this awesome meme hosted by The Broke and The Bookish for quite some time. The meme is created to share top 10 lists with fellow bloggers on bookish topics. Today's topic is one of own choice. I wanted to do mine on literary crushes. I can't help but fall in love with some book characters. This lists focuses on my lesser known crushes. Here they are in no particular order:

Top 10 Literary Crushes

1. Curran (aka the Beast Lord of Atlanta) from Illona Andrews's Kate Daniels series is one of my all time favorite male characters  who makes me smile, laugh, and swoon. Not only is he gorgeous, but his got a wicked sense of humor and his chemistry with Kate is the highlight of this series for me.

2. Adam Wilde from If I Stay and Where She Went by Gayle Forman. I fell for him from the very first page he appeared. Adam is a singer, song writer, guitar playing, witty, smart, and all around gorgeous guy.  He is intense and flawed but has a beautiful soul.

3. Simon Lewis from the Mortal Instrument series by Cassandra Clare. I went to a Cassandra Clare signing earlier this year. She had asked who I preferred Jace or Simon. She did a double take when I told her I liked Simon better. Simon is a witty, loyal, sweet, and always around when you need him. He's a much more down to earth kind of guy.

4. Sam Roth from the Wolves of Mercy series by Maggie Stiefvater. Sam is the quiet, hopeless romantic who I adore. He has a love for poetry and constantly translates his feelings into lyrics.

5. Prince Greening Grandemalion aka Prince Po from Graceling by Kristin Cashore. While I still think his nickname is quite unusual (it's derived from the Po tree, because it's leaves are silver and gold, like his eyes), he gets bonus points for accepting Katsa for who she is and inspiring her to trust herself.

6.  Eldric Clayborne from Chime by Frannie Billingsley. Eldric could have easily run away from Briony as her troubles become larger and almost engulfing her, but refused and fought beside her to find the truth. Witty, smart, and incredibly charming, Eldric is hard to dislike.

7. Tucker Avery from Unearthly by Cynthia Hand. Tucker is the laid back, easy going kind of guy that always manages to bring a smile on your face. He is genuinely warm and will help take dateless girls to a school dance.

8. Samuel Cornick and Adam Hauptman from the Mercy Thompson series. Okay, I cheated and couldn't pick one of the two. Both are alpha males who care deeply for Mercy. Smart, sensitive, and a great sense of humor, I'd love to have either one.

9. Jay Heaton from The Body Finder, Desires of the Dead, and the upcoming Last Echo by Kimberly Derting- The epitome of a best friend turned boyfriend. He is protective, understanding, super sweet, and down right irresistible.

10. Calvin O'Keefe from A Wrinkle in Time by Madeline L'Engle. *Sighs* My first literary crush from 5th grade. Calvin was cute, smart, and not afraid to embrace the weird.

So that's my list. Who's on yours? Be sure to check out Missie at the Unread Reader for her fun and fabulous meme, My Book Boyfriend, which she hosts every Wednesdays!

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Top 10 Tuesday: Female Characters I Can't Stand

It's Tuesday and time for another Top 10 list from The Broke and the Bookish. We all have characters we can't stand, which sometimes detriment our reading pleasure. I, personally, can't enjoy a book where I don't like the characters. The following ladies made me either chuck the book against the wall, abandon the book completely, made me walk out of a movie, or I just simply love to hate.

Top 10 Female Characters I Can't Stand

1. Catherine Earnshaw from Wuthering Heights- I'm absolutely head over heels for Heathcliff. Despite my many rereads of this book, I can't understand what he saw in Catherine. Spoiled, bratty, and shallow. Did this woman have any redeemable qualities?

2.  Madame Bovary from Madame Bovary- So it took you to sleep with the entire city of Paris in order to realize that the love you are seeking doesn't exist and I'm suppose to feel sorry for you? Sorry, but I can't help but be happy with what happened in the end to you.

3. Emma Woodhouse from Emma- The only Austen heroine who I hate with a passion. I couldn't digest her stuck up, "I'm right and you're wrong" attitude and she forced me to abandon this book by page 20. I really have no desire to pick it up again. I'd rather watch Clueless again.

4. Zoey Redbird from House of Night series- I use to tolerate you. I know that people make mistakes and then they try to correct them, but when you keep making the same mistakes over and over again and you can't pick one guy from a harem growing around you, it gets old really quickly.

5. Ever from Evermore- How can you like a guy who keeps making you feel bad for not sleeping with him? Grow a spine and get a personality.

6. Scarlett O'Hara from Gone with the Wind-  If you ever want me to get out of a room, put this movie on and I will leave immediately. All of the characters are atrocious. While people may admire Scarlett for her determination, but in the words of Rhett, "Frankly, my dear. I don't give a damn". Yep, that pretty much sums up my feelings for her, the movie, and book.

7.  Penelope Hayes from the Luxe series- I loved watching you scheme your way to the top. I just have one question for you: Are you happy now?

8. Jenny Cavilleri from Love Story- I didn't read the book, but my sisters and I watched the movie. It was pure torture. I might be the only one who clapped and said "Finally!" when the movie ended.  To my sisters, "Love means saying your sorry for making me watch this movie with you".

9.  9. Circe from the Gemma Doyle series- A megalomaniac witch. Need I say more?

10. Helen of Troy from the Illiad and various other myths/plays- I can't believe you don't feel one ounce of guilt of bringing down destruction on a city.  

 Which ladies irritate the heck out of you?

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Top 10 Tuesday: Bookish Pet Peeves

 
Top 10 Tuesday is a weekly feature that is created by the folks over at The Broke and The Bookish. I haven't posted a Top 10 in quite sometime, but I couldn't pass up today's topic: Bookish Pet Peeves or things that really annoy you when you read. At first I couldn't come up with a few pet peeves, but then when I thought about the books that I've read in the past my list grew exponentially. I limited to ten here for you all:

Top 10 Bookish Pet Peeves (in no particular order)

1.  Flat and boring characters- I don't want to read about characters who are perfect. I also don't want to read about characters who whine about their problems and do nothing to change their status quo. Give me someone complex and real. Someone I can relate to on an emotional level. I can't like a book if I don't like the characters. It's that simple.

2. Books that drag on and on- I know that the first 50 or 100 pages of a novel sets up the setting and characters, but the pace slows down dramatically when nothing happens until the last 100 pages or so. This also applies to series that just seem to never end and whose plot goes nowhere and characters who no longer hold my interest (I'm looking at you House of Night series).


3. Formulaic writing- Okay, I'll be honest. It took me a while to understand that Nancy Drew, The Babysitters Club, and R.L. Stine's Fear Street had a formula as a kid, but now I know better. It's not a coincidence or magical powers that authors like Jodi Picoult, James Patterson, or John Grisham churn out a book every month. If you read one, then you read them all.


4. Finding out the mystery before the characters do in the story- This is my biggest pet peeve for mysteries. I hate figuring out the criminal before the character does and then spend my time waiting for the light bulb go on in the investigator's head. I was so annoyed with this that I started skimming the ending of the mystery just to see if I was right. If I was, I'd skip the book.

5. Preachy books- I understand that some authors write with a particular purpose in mind and they use their writing to convey their message, but I don't appreciate the message being spoon feed to me. 

6. Plot holes/plot points that makes absolutely no sense- I can just picture a lot of my ardent Twilight fans chuckling when they read this. I don't care how you rationalize Reneesme's existence in Breaking Dawn, but there is no such thing as live sperm in a dead boy's body. I can suspend my disbelief but that is just pushing too far. I refuse to acknowledge her and therefore have absolutely zero interest in seeing the movie. 

7. Anticlimatic cliffhangers- I'm talking about you, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. I read and devoured 6 books waiting for that face to face showdown between Harry and Voldemort and only to find a measly couple of pages and a total cop-out. What?! Don't get me started on the random characters dying in that last book. Grrr...

8. Series in which there is a recap of what happened of about 50 pages in each book before the main story happens- I understand that everyone isn't OCD when it comes to reading books in a series and they don't necessarily start at Book 1, but can you at least spend a good 5-10 pages with a decent summary instead of boring your series follower to tears with the unnecessary intro?

9. Repeated words or phrases in a book- I know we all have our favorite words or phrases that we like to use, but how many times can you use the same ones over and over again in 300 pages? I can't help but get flustered and ask the author, "Don't you own a thesaurus?"

10. Focusing on a particular item/person/clue to make readers think it's important but has absolutely no significance- I was an English major and therefore I'm always on the look out for symbolism, metaphors, analogies, etc. I can't help it, but please don't draw my attention to something and make me think it's important when it's not.   

  

I'm not the only one who has reading pet peeves. What are yours?

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Top 10 Tuesday: Favorite Books into Movies

 It's Tuesday and time for another top ten list from the gals over The Broke and the Bookish. Today's topic of choosing our favorite book to movie adaptation was quite hard for me. I tend to either really hate a lot of movies that are based on a book that I have read. I also realized that I really like some movies that are based on books (i.e. The Princess Bride, Ella Enchanted), but I haven't read the book so I can't comment on how faithful it is to its original work.

Top 10 Favorite Books into Movies (in no particular order)

   Clueless is  a modern adaptation of Jane Austen's Emma. This is one of those rare cases where I liked the movie much more than the book. Austen's Emma got on my nerves so much that I couldn't enjoy the book. I hated her righteous attitude. When I met Cher, I instantly liked her for being...well so clueless about what was going around her.

   The Joyluck Club by Amy Tan is a book that broke my heart into many pieces with its heart wrenching stories of how mothers sacrfice things for their children. The movie had the same effect of me, my mom, and my sisters. A fabulous cast and screenplay that handled the various stories and different character point of views very well.

   Lord of the Rings Trilogy by J. R. Tolkein- I'm blown away by how much detail Peter Jackson included in his trilogy. I couldn't decide which movie of the three to put on here, so I cheated and included all of the. My favorite book, however, is The Two Towers. The movies really helped me get the various characters, races, and languages straight in my head when I read the books. The movies also introduced me to fabulous actors like Viggo Mortenson who I knew nothing about.

   The Outsiders by SE Hinton- This is probably the most faithful book to movie adaptation that I've ever seen. The actors became the characters. Their comraderie, loyalty, and love for one another leaped off the screen and felt authentic. Out of all the actors, I would say that Matt Dillon's Dallas broke my heart. Looking back at it now, the cast is unbelievable: Patrick Swayze (RIP), Rob Lowe, Emilio Estevez, Tom Cruise (before he went psycho), Ralph Macchio, and Diane Lane amongst the noteables. I still don't understand how all the actors except for C. Thomas Howell, who played Ponyboy,  seemed to make it big in Hollywood.

Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen- Okay, so technically this is a TV miniseries, but I absolutely loved it. The screenplay is fantastic and hits on the right notes of Austen's social and political points. I watch this yearly during Winter Break and still can't get enough. It's my first introduction to Colin Firth and I have watched almost anything with him every since. To me, Colin Firth will always be Mr. Darcy.



   William Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet- I absolutely love everything about this Baz Lurhman's adaptation. It beautifully and creatively captured the spirit and tone of the play while making the film contemporary with its awesome soundtrack, clothing, set, and a terffic, diverse cast. I can watch this film several times and have several different reactions to it everytime I finish it. My VHS copy of this movie is so run down that I have to go and buy the DVD. 



What's Eating Gilbert Grape?  by Peter Hedges- Everyone knows about my obsession over Johnny Depp, but that's not why I liked this movie (well, okay just a little ;) ). What's Eating Gibert Grape is a beautifully shot movie of that transferred the book's tenderness, teen angst, caring and self-awareness of the Grape family. I firmly believe Leonardo was cheated out of getting an Oscar for his portrayal of Arnie. He was phenomenal and solidified him, in my opinion, as an actor. 

   About a Boy is possibly my favorite Nick Hornby novel. It compacts a romantic comedy, family drama, and self awareness all into one. While reading the book, I couldn't think of anyone else to play the despicable yet loveable Will than Hugh Grant. Talk about a role made for an actor! Although the ending is different than the novel, it stays true to the characters and spirit of the book.

   Hamlet by William Shakespeare-  I've loved all of the adaptations that I have seen so far by Kenneth Branaugh, but I think Hamlet is his best. The movie is shot like an old school epic film like Lawrence of the Arabia, leaving no details untouched. While the movie may be long for some, I was glued to my seat watching how the characters and play unravel. I thought Branaugh's Hamlet had a wide range of emotions instead of the confused, crazed lunatic that is popularly portrayed by most actors. Kate Winslet's Ophelia broke my heart. 



Rebecca by Daphne DuMaurier- Not only is the movie directed by Alfred Hitchcock, the master of suspense, but I think it perfectly captured the creepiness of the novel, especially Mrs. Danvers. Joan Fontaine effortlessly captures the innocence and mannerisms of Mrs. Dewinters.

These are my favorite movies based on books. What are yours?



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Top 10 Tuesday: Books I Resolve to Read in 2011

 It's Tuesday and time for another list for the weekly Top Ten Tuesday meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish! The purpose of this weekly meme is to share our lists with people who love to read and to engage with fellow bloggers. Today's topic is books that I resolve to read in 2011. I always have good intentions of reading a book, especially when it has been constantly brought up in discussion. A lot of the books that I listed below have been on my shelves for several years. For some, I wasn't in the right mood to read them and for others, I really don't have an excuse. I hope to finally read them and use them for my Off the Shelve Reading Challenge this year. 

Top 10 Books I Resolve to Read in 2011 (in no particualr order):

The Time Travler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger- I can not tell you how many times I have heard my girlfriends gush and talk about this book. I know that it's a love story featuring a time traveling librarian and it is set in Chicago. All of the reasons why I would love this book. The only reason why I have been hesitant to read it is because almost all of my girlfriends cried a lot while reading it. I am going to get a box of tissues just in case I'll get emotional and finally read it.   

Middlesex by Jeffrey Eugenides- I have read glowing reviews for this book and it has been recommended to me several times when I was in high school and in college. Again, I purchased this from a used public library book sale and it has sat on my shelve since then. I have no excuse why I didn't read this one.

A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens- I was an English major in college and I'm ashamed to say that I haven't read a full Charles Dickens novel yet. I've tried Great Expectations several times and have failed to pass page 10 without falling asleep at the exact same paragraph. I'm hoping that the setting of the French Revolution will keep me awake this time and finish one book by Dickens for my Victorian Literature Reading Challenge.

To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee- I have no idea why I haven't read this book yet. Surprisingly, I never had to read it for middle school, high school, or college. I had intended to read it for Banned Books Week last year, but ran out of time. I'm determined to read it this year. 

The Dark is Rising series by Susan Cooper-  This series was constantly checked out at the elementary school where I student taught 2 years ago. The series has been critically acclaimed and on several people's favorites for children's fantasy books. I happened to find and bought all of the books at a used public library book sale last fall.

Honey, Baby, Sweetheart by Deb Caletti- This book has been recommended to me repeatedly, especially after I finished any book by Sarah Dessen. I bought this title at a while ago and it has sat on my shelve for several years.

 
The Girl in the Tangerine Scarf by Mohja Kahf- My dad recommended this title to me and borrowed his colleague's copy for me to read. Since then, it has been sitting on my shelve. My dad and I don't see eye to eye on books. He is more of the scholarly, philosophy mind set where as I tend to drift towards "novels" (i.e. books that have a story, characters, etc) as he calls them. I've been afraid that this was one would go right over my head, but the more I read it I realize that it actually isn't bad. I'll be reading this for my Middle Eastern Reading Challenge for this year.

Vampire Academy series by Richelle Mead- I've been wanting to read this series for quite some time. I patiently waited until this series was complete (yes, I know there is a spin off series), because I was tired of keeping track of yet another series. Now, I'll finally get to know a girl named Rose, the mysterious Dimitri, and everything else in between.

Midnighters series by Scott Westerfeld- I loved Westerfeld's other books, the Uglies series and his steampunk novel, and I'm not sure why I haven't picked this series up. Once again, I purchased them at a book fair. Is it just me or am I seeing a trend of buying books and then having them sit on my shelves for no good reason?

Mother Night by Kurt Vonnegut- My best friend from college and I discovered the brilliance of Kurt Vonnegut in of our English classes. We both read and loved Slaughter House Five and Cat's Cradle. Her favorite Vonnegut book is Mother Night, which I haven't read but wanted to do so for a really long time. Hopefully, this will be the year when I read it.

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Top 10 Tuesday: Top Ten Books I'm Anticipating For 2011

  It's time again for Top Ten Tuesday! As you all know the Top Ten Tuesday is a feature created by The Broke and the Bookish where bloggers list and share their lists on specific topics. Today's topic is: the top ten books I'm anticipating for 2011. There are so many great books coming out next year that it's hard to list just ten, but I'll try. Please note these release dates were taken from either the author's website or from the Ya Lit website. Also keep in mind that release dates are subject to change.

Top 10 Books I'm Anticipating for 2011 (in no particular order)

1. Bitterblue by Kristin Cashore. I have loved her other two books in the Seven Kingdom series (Graceling and Fire) and have been recommending them to people ever since. Release date (according to Amazon): 4/1/11

2. City of Fallen Angels (Book #4 of the Mortal Instrument series) and Clockwork Prince by Cassandra Clare. I'm curious as to how Simon is adjusting to his new lifestyle as well as who is the new big bad? The cover for City of Fallen Angels has just been released. Go here for more info! As for Clockwork Prince, I'm wondering what big secret Will is harboring. Release dates: 4/5/11 and 9/11 respectively.

3. Forever (Book #3 of the Wolves of Mercy series) by Maggie Stiefvater. I really, really, really hope that Grace and Sam have a happy ending. I'm also curious about what happens with Cole and Isabel. Release date: 7/12/11

4. Where She Went by Gayle Forman. This is the sequel to her phenomenal If I Stay. I'm wondering if I should stock up on tissues for this one. I couldn't stop crying while I read If I Stay. If you haven't read If Stay, put it on your tbr list now! Release date: 4/19/11

5. What Happened to Goodbye by Sarah Dessen. Sarah Dessen is the queen of teen romance. I've loved all of the books I've read by her so far. Release date: 5/31/11

6. Beauty Queens by Libba Bray. I love Libba Bray and her wacky sense of humor. This one looks hiliarious. Release date: 5/24/11

7. Across the Universe by Beth Revis. I've heard lots of great buzz about this debut 2011 novel. Release Date: 1/11/11

8. Crossed by Ally Condie (Matched #2). I really enjoyed Matched this year. Even though I knew it was going to be a trilogy, I was so frustrated with having so many unanswered questions. Release date: 11/1/11

9. So Shelly by Ty Roth. I love books with literary allusions, especially when it comes to the Romantics.  Release date: 2/8/11

10. Son of Neptune by Rick Riordan. What can I say about Riordan that you haven't heard yet? I'm a sucker for Greek mythology! Release dates: Fall 2011 

There's a whole bunch more I haven't typed here, but you can some of them on my tentative list for 2011 Debut Author YA/MG Challenge!

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Top 10 Tuesday: Unforgettable Villains, Criminals, and Degenerates

  This week is my fourth time participating in the Top 10 Tuesday meme created by The Broke and The Bookish. I have to say that this is by far my favorite list, both in compiling and reflecting back on all the villains that I loved to hate throughout my years as a reader. This list is also, in my opinion, the hardest to compose, because I couldn't limit it to 10. In order to meet the ten requirement, I listed villains that are mostly from classic literature who seem to be forever ingrained in my mind.

My Top 10 Villains, Criminals, and Degenerates (in no particular order):

1. Catherine Earnshaw from Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte. Surprised? Many people are quick to point to Heathcliff as a villain. Yes, he can be cruel and cold. I don't dismiss how he horribly mistreated Isabella, but then again he never mislead her with what would happen if she would marry him. What most people forget is that Catherine Earnshaw was the sole person who started Heathcliff's downfall. Not only did she ruin her and his life, but she also destroyed the Lintons too. For what? Her chance to hold fickle social status. 

2. Richard III from the play Richard III by Shakespeare. Sometimes watching the villain is more entertaining than the protagonist. Richard III is a deformed in mind and body. He is evil, corrupt, sadistic, manipulative, and he will stop at absolutely nothing to become king. I couldn't help but like the guy. In fact I wrote a paper for my Shakespeare class in college defending Richard III, which was really fun and floored my professor. I would argue it was the best critical analysis that I've ever written.

3. Iago from the play Othello by Shakespeare. Like Richard III, Iago is both brilliant and terrifying. He is very observant on everyone's flaws and insecurities. He is terrifying because the reader never knows exactly why he played the other characters in the play like puppets, but we do know is that he took great pleasure in watching others suffer and destroy themselves.

4.  Alec D’Urberville and Angel Clare from Tess of D’Ubervilles by Thomas Hardy. Alec is Tess's smarmy, manipulative, duplicitous cousin who did everything that he can to take advantage of the inexperienced Tess when she comes to work for his family. Not only did he take advantage of her, but stated that she was responsible for coming on to him. As for Angel Clare...He is suppose to be intelligent and the antithesis of Alec yet he when he is forced to face the gray shades of reality, he runs away and shuns the woman that he supposedly loved. Yup, these guys are fine male specimens.

5. Paris from various Greek Myths including The Illiad by Homer. Whether or not you believe the Greek Gods were behind the Trojan War, I think it's very hard not to acknowledge the creep that is Paris. A selfish, self centered, hormone driven boy who ruined both his family and a great city.

6. Agamemnon from various Greek Myths including Agamemnon by Aeschylus. While he may be considered a great military leader or even a hero to some, I have always hated him. He is arrogant, thirsted for war and power, and treats the women in his family like dirt. How I can forget the fact that he sacrificed his own daughter, Iphigenia, to gain a favorable winds to Troy? I can't blame his wife, Clytemnestra, for seeking revenge.

7. Daisy Buchanan from The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald. A shallow, superficial, gold digger. Need I say more?

8. Fernand Mondego and Baron Danglars from The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas. Both of them are despicable characters who were jealous and imprisoned Edmond Dantes for a crime he did not commit and robbed him of all the happiness in his life. I'm glad that they were both avenged by The Count (aka Edmond), who will never be the same man he was before the horrible incident began. 


9. Kurtz from The Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad. A man who treated the natives of Congo like animals, built his castle with human bones, and declared himself God. "The horror!"

10. Briony from Atonement by Ian McEwan. Even though this is not considered a "classic" per se, I hated this character just as much as the others above her. Briony is a spoiled, selfish, self-centered brat who destroyed many lives around her. She tries to find atonement by writing a "happy ending". Sorry Briony, in my opinion, you didn't succeed. You never came close to atoning for your lie and betrayal.

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Top 10 Tuesday: Most Unfortunate Character Names

Thanks to the Top 10 meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish, I look forward to Tuesdays. Today's topic is composing of list of horrible character names. I can empathize with those who have unfortunate names. I spent the whole year of kindergarten trying to write my name correctly. Honestly, dad, did you have to include 2 'm's and lots of 'a's? I can't tell you how many times my name has been misspelled and mispronounced. To this day, I remember a math teacher who never uttered my name. The only way I knew he was talking to me was if he was looking directly at me. No joke. You've probably noticed some of my friends call me "Rum" when they post a comment. It's a nickname a few of my friends came up with because they were lazy to spell it out and then  I guess it stuck. Hey, at least it's short and recognizable unlike some of these names.

Top 10 Most Unfortunate Character Names (in no particular order)

1. Minnie May from the Anne of Green Gable series by Lucy Montgomery. I couldn't stomach the book series, but I loved the TV miniseries. It's been a family tradition to watch the series during Thanksgiving/Christmas break at home. One of my favorite line of the movie is: "Minnie May, hold your tongue." Whenever someone at home gets out of line, this line can heard. I always thought that was her nickname, but not that's her full name. No wonder she was spoiled and bratty. Can you blame her?

2. Bartleby from Bartleby, the Scrivener by Herman Melville. Okay, technically this is a short story, but I always thought this name stuck out as a sore thumb. I guess if you're name was Bartleby then you're excused from doing anything. 

3. Renesmee Carlie Cullen from Breaking Dawn by Stephenie Meyer. Enough said.

4. Ms. Hisslepenny from the Parasol Protectorate series by Gail Carriger. I absolutely love this series, but this name cracks me up every time she appears. Like her name, her sense of fashion is atrocious.

5. Frodo from the Lord of the Rings trilogy by J.R. Tolkein. Really, Tolkein? You want me to have faith and root for a character named Frodo to save Middle Earth? It's bad enough the poor guy is a hobbit!

6. Elwin "Leper" Lepellier from A Separate Peace by John Knowles. *Sigh* Nice, poor kid, who never had the chance. 

7. Shakespeare Shapiro from Spanking Shakespeare by Jake Wizner. Yup, that's his full name. His parents were having too much fun (if you catch my drift) when they named their children. Don't worry his younger brother, Gandhi, can commiserate with him. 

8. Ponyboy Curtis from The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton. I adore this book and love the movie adaptation, but there were definitely strange names. 

9. Bearstein Bears from The Bearstein Bears by Stan and Jan Berenstein. As a kid who loved this series, I was always upset that the family was never given any names. You would think that a husband and wife writing team would come up with any name besides Father Bear, Mother Bear, Sister Bear, and Brother Bear. Come on!

10. Biff and Happy Loman from The Death of a Salesman by Arthur Miller. I was probably the only one in my sophomore English class that loved this play, but couldn't Miller come with better names. And can someone tell me how a guy named Biff can be a lady's man? As for his brother...*shakes head*

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Top 10 Tuesday: Books that Made Me Cry

  Today I'm participating in another Top 10 Tuesday meme over at The Broke and the Bookish. The purpose of the meme is share our top ten lists with other bloggers. The top ten list this week features books that made me cry. As you know, characters in books and movies are real to me. Yes, I've been told that I'm crazy by many people, particularly by those in my family *grins*, but I can't help it. I'm an emotional reader who hates to see my favorite characters either die or go through difficult times. Below is a list of books that made me cry in no particular order:

1.   The Joy Luck Club by Amy Tan: There were many emotional and powerful scenes of what a mother will do for her child. Also one of the very rare instants where the movie adaptation is just as good as the book.

2.  If I Stay by Gayle Forman: The flashbacks of family memories had me grabing tissue after tissue while I read this slim yet phenomenal, emotionally draining book.

3.  The Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson: A childhood favorite that totally caught me off guard.

4. Twilight Saga: Eclipse by Stephenie Meyer: Yeah, I know I'm sappy. Although I'm through and through a Team Edward girl, I couldn't stand seeing Jacob's heart break. It still gets me no matter how many times I reread the book.

5. Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater: A perfect example where my favorite character suffers. I love Sam, but learning about his past made me emotional. If that wasn't bad enough, there is a scene where he relives his nightmare over again. I had to stop crying for a while in order to pick the book right back up.

6. Tess of the D'Urbervilles by Thomas Hardy: The epitome of being at the wrong place at the wrong time. I hated both of the male leads and felt so sorry for what this poor girl goes through.

7. The Book Thief by Markus Zusak: A phenomenal book about the Holocaust, which is narrated by Death. Even though I knew it was going to be sad, it was still heart breaking to read. I couldn't grab the tissues fast enough as I finished the last few chapters.

8. Sweethearts by Sara Zarr: This one struck an emotional cord with me. Just something about thinking that your best friend is dead and missing until he/she suddenly reappear and is completely changed.

9. Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck: Poor Leenie.

10. Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson: A very emotional book right from the start.

There is only 2 Days left in my:

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Top 10 Tuesday: Books that Terrify Me

I thought about doing a post discussing some of the scariest books I've read so far for Halloween. So I was glad when I found the current Top 10 Tuesday meme that did the same exact thing! Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish.This week, we're talking about our favorite scary books just in time for Halloween. Here are the books that scared and completely freaked me out, in no particular order:

In Cold Blood by Truman Capote- A chilling and true account of a family being murdered for a few cents. What is even creepier is watching the black and white movie and actually seeing the real house where the murder was committed. *Shudders*





A Clockwork Orange by Anthony Burgess- I had to read this for my Brit Lit class junior year of high school. It's mainly about a sociopath who relishes in murdering and rape. He is taken in by the government and is "conditioned" to not harm anyone, which is equally disturbing. The last chapter made my jaw drop. I only saw a few clips of the movie in class, but I can never hear Singing in the Rain without freaking out. I couldn't sleep for weeks after reading this book.


Coraline by Neil Gaiman- Going to a parallel universe where your parents want to capture you and stuff you...yeah. Creepy as hell. Not to mention buttons for eyes.






The Forest of Hands and Teeth by Carrie Ryan- I had really weird and creepy dreams while and after I read this book.






Unwind by Neal Shusterman- One of my favorite YA books. I had goosebumps while reading this book. Just the thought of being torn apart and your body parts used for something else. *Shivers* Can't wait for the sequel to come out in 2012!






The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson- I first read this when I was in 6th grade and it completely freaked me out. Split personality and murder, how much worse can it get?




Frankenstein by Mary Shelley- Not really scary per se, but the extremes of Victor's actions are quite chilling.

 Interview with the Vampire by Anne Rice - My first vampire book that not only sucked me from the first page, but terrified me so bad that I couldn't sleep for two weeks. Of course I picked up the second book, because it was so good.




Short Stories of Edgar Allan Poe by Edgar Allen Poe- Even though these aren't books, these short stories made my heart pump. I swear I heard a heart beating long after I finished "Tell Tale Heart" and I will never look at a Raven the same again.





Are you in the House Alone? by Richard Peck- I read this in junior high, but don't really recall the plot too well. I just know that I did not want to be in the house all by myself after I finished reading it.



                        
                                       9 Days left in my:

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