Top Ten Tuesday: Books We Liked More Than Expected

1) Clockwork Princess by Cassandra Clare - Okay, I've loved the ID series since the first word but I never, and I mean never, expected to be flipped so up, down, diagonally by this book. 

2) Don't Let Me Go by J.H. Trumble - I feel like this book is on almost all of my TTT posts. I can't help it; it's amazeballs. I read it almost 2 years ago and I'm still gushing about it, so that must tell you something. You can read my (very old) review for elaboration on my love for it.

3) Scarlet by A.C. Gaughen - Going into this book (and even still) I wasn't very informed on the tale of Robin Hood, but boy did I fall in love. Once again, I read this over a year ago and I have not lost my love for it. My review (another old one).

4) The Fault in Our Stars by John Green - I'd heard amazing things about this book, but I'd never experienced John Green before and all the hype made me want to dislike it. I could have never anticipated the profound love of this book I acquired. My review.

5) Graffiti Moon by Cath Crowley - Oh my. I remember I was on a really bad reading drought. I just couldn't find anything I loved, but Cath Crowley did more than give me a book to love, she allowed me to fall in love with reading all over again. I didn't even like contemp novels at that time (funny, because I ADORE contemp now), but this book...The outpouring of my love.

6) Hushed by Kelley York - This is different than the typical YA book, that is for darn tootin'! My review.

7) The Bane by Keary Taylor - This one is actually a pretty recent read, as in I read it last week. I wasn't entirely sure what to expect, but I was pleasantly surprised by a very interesting plot.

8) Zero by Tom Leveen - This book was so authentic. From awkward first-meetings to stupid mistakes and hulking insecurities. The review.

9) Virtuosity by Jessica Martinez - Tons of people said this book was AHMAZING but it didn't sound like...super fantabulosa. Well it was. It was emotional and had GREAT characters. In which I demand people read it.

10) The Truth About You and Me by Amanda Grace - This is another recent read, and therefore it is still an open wound. It sounded interesting enough, but I never ever expected to feel so connected to the characters and their story. ALL THE FEELZ are still with me even after about a week or two after reading it. 

1) The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins - The blurb does it no justice and I didn't think I'd enjoy it at all but so many people recommended it and now I'm OBSESSED!

2) Star-Crossed by Rachael Wing - It's in second person, short and sweet, sooooo good!

3) Blood Red Road by Moira Young - I was put off by how it was written at first and was worried I wouldn't enjoy it but I reeeeeeally did!

4) Forsaken by Jana Oliver - I dislike third person but adore this series!

5) Shadows by Paula Weston - It just didn't appeal to me but I can honestly say I enjoyed it.

6) Hollowland by Amanda Hocking - The blurb is LAME! It should NOT exist!!!!!!! The book (and sequel) is amazing!! A must read!

These are all I can think of for now...

Quote Impressions

“You don't think I can fight." Tessa said, drawing back and matching his
silvery gaze with her own. "Because I'm a girl."

"I don't think you can fight because you're wearing a wedding dress", said Jem. "For what it's worth, I don't think Will could fight in that dress either."

"Perhaps not," said Will, who had ears like a bat's. "But I would make a radiant bride.” -- Clockwork Princess by Cassandra Clare

 “When I was little, I used to go to the local ice-skating rink. In my mind, I always felt like I could twirl and jump, but when I got out onto the ice, I could barely keep my blades straight. When I got older, that's how it was with people: In my mind, I am bold and forthright, but what comes out always seems to be so meek and polite. Even with Evan, my boyfriend for junior and most of senior year, I never quite managed to be that skating, twirling, leaping person I suspected I could be. But today, apparently, I can skate.” -- Just One Day by Gayle Forman

“I want to be the friend you fall hopelessly in love with. The one you take into your arms and into your bed and into the private world you keep trapped in your head. I want to be that kind of friend. The one who will memorize the things you say as well as the shape of your lips when you say them. I want to know every curve, every freckle, every shiver of your body.

I want to know where to touch you, I want to know how to touch you. I want to know convince you to design a smile just for me. Yes, I do want to be your friend. I want to be your best friend in the entire world.” -- Unravel Me by Tahereh Mafi

"Why are you such an ass?" The words came out before I could think twice.

"Everyone has to excel at something, right?"

"Well, you're doing a great job." -- Obsidian by Jennifer L. Armentrout

"Vanity is a factor, but it is more a question of control. It is easier to trick others into perceiving you as beautiful if you can convince yourself you are beautiful. But mirrors have an uncanny way of telling the truth." -- Cinder by Marissa Meyer

"I guess it's true that love makes you blind."

"No," my mom said. "It doesn't make you blind. You're very, very aware of everything about the one you truly love, whether you know it from what your eyes tell you or your heart. So no, love doesn't make you blind. It paralyzes you until you can't breathe or run away from it." -- Angelfire by Courtney Allison Moulton

"But there are much worse games to play." -- Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins

"You kept the door to that heart of yers locked up tight an hid the key away. Looks like she found it."

"Keys ain't her style. She kicked the door down." -- Rebel Heart by Moira Young

"I might be in love with you." He smiles a little. "I'm waiting until I'm sure to tell you, though." -- Divergent by Veronica Roth

Top Ten Tuesday: Book Boyfriends

I think a universal fact about book junkies is this: We connect to characters. We dive head first into their (most of the time) screwed up world, read their thoughts, hang on to their feelings. Sometimes we laugh with them, sometimes we cry for them. There are some characters we can't wait to see again, others we hope get their head crushed by a pirate riding a unicorn (which are totally okay thoughts to have about fictional characters). Most importantly, those characters steal a little piece of our souls whether we say it's okay or not.

I could prattle on about fictional characters for the rest of my lifehours. Especially fictional characters of the male variety. So this was a deliciously tortuous topic for me. Picking between my fave YA hotties is like trying to pick a favorite song or food and I'm like "OMG THERE ARE SO MANY I LOVE." I did my best, guys. I swear.  ~Gabbi

1) Link from the Caster Chronicles by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl - Link is the kind of guy, that if he went to my high school, I would become his best friend and secretly pine for him, maybe without even realizing it. He has such a laid back, go-with-the-flow personality. He is a great friend and has a huge heart. Not to mention the goofiest sense of humor. 

2) Alex Sheathes from the Delirium series by Lauren Oliver - Alex will literally do anything for love. He's just so...beautiful. A lot of guys are sexy and funny and awesome, but Alex is just beautiful. 

3) Noah Hutchins from Pushing the Limits by Katie McGarry - OMG OMG OMG Noah. I don't even know what to say. He both fits the stereotypical badboy and yet completely obliteratres it. He's got so many issues and he just needs a hug. Maybe some kisses. I could give him some kisses...ya know, if that's what he needs....

4) Dexter Jones from This Lullaby by Sarah Dessen - Dex is just the sweetest and the goofiest and one persistent little turdnugget. Not to mention he is in a band that writes song about potatoes! 

5) Dimitri Belikov from the Vampire Academy series by Richelle Mead - Dimitri is the kind of guy that I would probably literally swoon over. He's a badass in a fight, and yet he has the gentlest touch. He can sweep you off your feet with a gaze and deliver a harsh truth in a beautiful and wise way. He is a model citizen for upstanding morals, but sometimes he has to make decisions that seemingly fight those morals. I just love him, okay. I'm sighing just thinking about him. 

6) William Herondale from The Infernal Devices by Cassandra Clare - I honestly don't think I have words for William Herondale. My heart clenches when I think about him. He's just so perfectly imperfect. 

7) Augustus Waters from The Fault in Our Stars by John Green - Augustus is another one of those guys I can just see going to my high school and me developing a ginormicus crush on. He is smart and funny and the weirdest sort of wonderful. So full of life and passion. 

8) Magnus Bane from The Mortal Instruments series by Cassandra Clare - Glitter. Rainbow leather pants. Cat eyes. Bisexual. Immortal warlock. Come on now. 

9) Adrian Ivashkov from the Bloodlines series by Richelle Mead - He doesn't need an explanation. He just doesn't. But I'll give you this because I am in a generous mood: 

“Yeah? Can you draw a skeleton riding a motorcycle with flames coming out of it? And I want a pirate hat on the skeleton. And a parrot on his shoulder. A skeleton parrot. Or maybe a ninja skeleton parrot? No, that would be overkill. But it'd be cool if the biker skeleton could be shooting some ninja throwing stars. That are on fire.”

10) Adam Wilde from If I Stay and its companion Where She Went by Gayle Forman - Nomalicious musician. Need I say more? 

RUNNER UPS: 

Because I am an awful person and could not stop at ten. 

~ Jace Herondale from Cassandra Clare's The Mortal Instrument series

~ Simon Lewis from Cassandra Clare's The Mortal Instrument series

~ Jase from Huntley Fitzpatrick's My Life Next Door

~ Archer Cross from Rachel Hawkin's Hex Hall series

1) Finnick Odair (The Hunger Games) - I'm slightly obsessed... I even have a Finnick necklace!!

2) Joshua (The Other Life) - He's perfect. He's brave, he's warm, caring, he's flawed. (My boyfriend, I called dibbs.)

3) Denver Beck (The Demon Trappers) - Ooffft. He's so damaged but yet still so gawjjjjj! <3

4) Cole (The Wolves Of Mercy Falls) - He's a rogue. Hot, funny, kind, a typical lad but also part wolf, could you ask for more?

5) Liam (The Forsaken) - Gahhhhh, he's so beautiful :') *mouth waters*

6) Four (Divergent) - He's Four, I don't need to explain.

7) Alex (Hunting Lila) - He's just hot... Sexy, protective and again hot... The perfect 'You're my brother's best friend and I really shouldn't kiss you but I juuuuust might have to.'

8) Chris (Star-crossed) - He's your worst enemy but still your Romeo. <3

9) Jack (Blood Red Road) - He's just... Jack. He carries the weight of the world on his shoulders but still manages that damn sexy attitude.

10) Rafa (Shadows) - He just has that... way about him that lures you in!

RUNNER UP:

Patch from Hush, Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick

Kay people, not gonna lie, I have a thing for Bad Boys. I don't know, it's just me. I find scars, tattoos and an arrogant personality kind of hot, and it gives me a reason to hit the guy. :P If you haven't noticed, almost all guys are bad boys. It's just kind of how I roll. They're all really dark, mysterious and have a reason to pull you in. They've also got amazing stories in their past that sometimes, you just can't expect. I can't give you an individual explanation because they're all so close together, even though some of their true personalities are miles apart.

1) Wolf - Scarlet by Marissa Meyer

2) Daniel - Dark Inside by Jeyn Roberts

3) Daemon - Obsidian by Jennifer L. Armentrout

4) Warner - Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi

5) Damen - Evermore by Alyson Noel

6) Travis - Beautiful Disaster by Jamie McGuire

7) Noah - Pushing the Limits by Katie McGarry

8) Four - Divergent by Veronica Roth

9) Jace - The Mortal Instruments by Cassandra Clare

10) Ryan - Dare You To by Katie McGarry

Bookly Gabbing: Movie/TV Casting

Bookly Gabbing is just a feature here where I ramble about book-related subjects. And sometimes other-related subjects :)

Movie/TV Casting

I, for one, am utterly thrilled that so many books are being adapted into movies and TV shows. Though the adaptations may not fit the book perfectly or "do the book justice," they still bring these characters and these worlds to life. These characters and worlds that we engulf ourselves in, that we fall in love with. A huge part of this transformation from paper to screen involves the casting of characters.

So let's talk characters. 

(I haven't read every book being adapted, so I'm not going to touch on those, but I'll talk about the ones I know.)

My favorite casting choices as of lately are: 

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins movie adaptation

Surprise, surprise! I think Jennifer Lawrence makes da PERFECTTTTTTTT Katniss. Okay, so I kind of have a woman crush on JLaw. Is that so wrong? She brought the emotional sizzle that a movie like THG requires. She manages to capture the tough, calculating demeanor of Katniss, with the underlying shades of passion and loyalty. 

Yet she's so quirky in real life!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

City of Bones by Cassandra Clare movie adaptation

Who doesn't love some good ol' Robert Sheehan. Especially as the nerdy and funny Simon Lewis. Okay, no. I guess I haven't seen him acting as Simon yet. But I don't need to. He's Robert Sheehan. I'm pretty sure he's got it on lock. 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Delirium by Lauren Oliver TV adaptation

Gregg Sulkin as Julian Fineman. Gregg just has that Julian look about him. He's cute and he has that good, vulnerable, naive look about him. He's just waiting for Lena. I'm excited, even though I'm totally team Alex! 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald 2013 movie adaptation

Leonardo DiCaprio as Jay Gatsby. Really, does this need an explanation? Leo is capable of anything--especially of a rich guy turned mad by love for a girl who doesn't deserve it. 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

What are your favorite casting choices?

Top Ten Tuesday: Favorite Characters in Books

Top Ten All Time Favorite Characters In Books

(In no particular order)

1) Rose Hathaway (Vampire Academy series)

Okay, really? Rose is my favorite character of all frackin time. She's badass, kickass, and a smartass. She's fiercely loyal, clever, and fights for what she thinks is right. She's got so many issues, and it's so great to watch her overcome her problems. 

2) Wesley "Link" Lincoln (Caster Chronicles)

Link is hilarious. Even in the most darkest times, Link could make me laugh. Then, in Beautiful Chaos, we see a more vulnerable side of him and I was swooning and awwwwwwwwing. 

3) Cassel Sharpe (Curse Workers series)

Cassel is incredibly, well, sharp. He's cunning and snarky. And most of all, I love that, despite his family history, he tries to hold himself to a higher standard. Cassel is so messed up and that's why it's hard not to love him!

4) Adam Wilde (If I Stay)

First of all, Adam is obviously sexy. Second of all, he's a musician--which is sexy. I loved how much he clearly cared about Mia and the extremes he went to in order to see her. He's adorable and, uh, did I mention SEXY!? 

5) Evan (Hushed)

The one thing I really admired about Evan was that he is infinitely patient with Arthur and he is willing to risk everything in order to help Archer. He is kind and understanding. 

6)Jace Wayland (Mortal Instruments series)

Okay, I can't help it. Jace is so wonderfully swoon-worthy. Everything that comes out of his mouth makes me melt. He is broken, sometimes a little rude, and extremely reckless. But he has a softer side when it comes to the people he loves and he is willing to sacrifice anything and everything for them. Honestly, I could go on and on about Jace, but I'll just end with: He's beautiful. 

7) Katniss Everdeen (The Hunger Games trilogy) 

Elaboration is really quite unnecessary, because we all know how kickass Katniss is. 

8) Dimitri Belikov (Vampire Academy series)

He's different than the average YA love interest, perhaps because he is a lot more man than boy. He is sweet, tender, wise, a god, focused, determined, and a lot more delicious adjectives. AND A NOMNOM ACCENT ;D

9) Sophie Mercer (Hex Hall trilogy)

I wasn't crazy about her in the first book, but in Demonglass she kicks up her badassery with more magic and kissing and snark! 

10) Magnus Bane (Mortal Instruments & Infernal Devices series)

Uh, he's MAGNUS FRACKIN BANE. Nuff said. 

No joke, that's just the tip of the iceberg of the characters I adore. Who are your favorite book characters!? 

Excitement!

So, I did not watch the VMAs last night. I have, however, seen the trailer that was released for The Hunger Games!

Get ready for fangirl scream...

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AHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!

I'm so darn excited for March 23, I can't barely breath...

Geeze, apparently the excitement made me completely forget my grammatical abilities, because that previous sentence made no sense....

Still. I am so excited for the movie to come out! It looks AH-FRIGGIN-MAZING!

And for those who are yet to see it.....

Suzanne Collins

The last review blog that I posted expressed my opinion of Suzanne Collin's The Hunger Games. I mentioned that I was really upset that I couldn't get the next two books in the trilogy. Well, I got them! I was going to do more books that I have read, but I'll save that for another post.

Catching Fire is the second installment. It picks up only months after the ending of The Hunger Games, beginning with the cruel victory tour that she was forced on around the districts. Every thing after that plummets into a winding downhill spiral for poor Katniss and those she loves. She has to convince everyone, including the leader of the Capitol, that she and Peeta are deeply in love so that the districts don't view her trick in the arena as an act of rebellion. It doesn't work. Peeta and Katniss are thrust back into the the arena for the Quarter Quell where they are both plotting to save one another, no matter the cost. Too bad most of the other tributes are aiming to protect both of them in a secret scheme created by the beloved Haymitch, the Head Gamemaker Plutarch Heavensbee, and the secret establishment of District 13 in order to preserve their sacred Mockingjay.

This book contains secrecy, revenge, and lots of angst. But really, what is new for Katniss Everdeen?

I'll admit, out of all the three books Catching Fire is my least favorite. Not because it lacks in any department, not at all. It has the same drama and tear-out-your-heart feeling as The Hunger Games. I just feel that it was a filler book. Every event in it was just leading up to the big BANG in Mockingjay. And that's fine, really. That's what the middle books are supposed to do. I also felt that it was fairly repetitive in the beginning. Katniss and Peeta enter the arena again--the same arena where people kill others to survive. Of course there's going to be repetition. Nevertheless, I read the whole thing in one sitting desperate to discover how Miss Collins was going to get them out of that mess.

Mockingjay is the third and last novel in the series, much to my dismay. Katniss has become a symbol for an uprising among the districts and she discovers just how much her stability means to those following her lead. She is residing in the underground District 13 with Gale and her family and all of the other people that mean even an ounce to her. Well, not all of them. Poor Peeta Mellark was captured by the Capitol after a bold wreckage of the Quarter Quell and is being used as bait to drive Katniss crazy. Eventually, the realization seeps into her that they are just going to torture him until Katniss breaks, and she does. A plan is devised to rescue him from the Capitol, but when they get him back they realize it was almost too easy. The Capitol must have wanted them to get him. They quickly discover that his brain had been tampered with and not only can he not remember his love for Katniss, he is pretty damn determined to kill her. If that's not enough pressure, there's a serious bounty on Katniss and her group's head as they try to move silkily throughout the districts and promote the uprising.

This book was my absolute favorite in the series. I cried like a baby the whole way through. It contained action, suspense, and an excessive amount of heart-wrenching deaths. My heart was absolutely broken by Peeta's fervent urge to kill Katniss, even though that does abate. I think this was the book that really just sucked me in to all of the characters and made me feel for each and every one of them. Prim, Finnick, Haymitch, and especially Gale. I was so sad to see how much Gale was willing to do for Katniss and how easily Katniss was willing to write it off as psychotic. Suzanne Collins wraps up the series with a happy ending that isn't entirely happy. Relationships are never fully mended, wounds never fully sealed. I think that is what made me love it so much, because in the end, life isn't full of zero problems and fulfilled hearts. Even though Katniss escapes the turmoil alive, she doesn't make it out unscathed--mentally or emotionally--and just because that chapter of danger in her life is over she knows not to expect a leisurely lifestyle. Katniss Everdeen may just be one of my favorite heroines of all time. I highly enjoyed traveling on the up and down emotional roller coaster with Katniss and I have a feeling this series is one I will think about for a very long time.


If you haven't read this series, I'd strongly advise it. The characters have extraordinary depth and the narration has a dark feeling to it that will instantly give you a feeling of sympathy and later form a connection that you could never imagine.

Suzanne Collins, James Patterson, and Daniel Waters

Lately, without a T.V. or anything productive to do, I have been able to buckle down and do a very good amount of reading. I had been slacking a lot lately because I just moved for about the ten billionth time this year, and there were countless things that needed to be done.

But, after a good amount of time at the library, I left with a stack of carefully selected books.

First, The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins. I know you are probably wondering how in the world I have just approached the wonderful series. Sadly, I have to admit that I was incredibly hesitant to read the book. I had no explanation for my reluctance; I had heard numerous fantastic reviews about it and the plot seemed interesting enough. I just couldn't bring myself to get the cover page. Perhaps it was the lack of mystical creatures or the surplus of action, but I just couldn't. I had checked the book out at least three times from the library but I never got around to reading it. Then, when I checked it out this time I promised myself that I wasn't allowed to read the other books I got until I read The Hunger Games.

It's safe to say that I am one hundred percent blown away by the first installment. I know I am not the first and I certainly wont be the last when I say it was the perfect young adult action novel. It had emotional depth and a love story that exceeds the expectations of all love stories. The whole book is about betrayal and trust, and unless you read ahead there is no way of knowing what is going to happen next or who is going to die next.

What surprised me is the amount of tears I shed while I was reading it. I'm not exaggerating when I say that I cried at least one time each chapter. Because really, how could you not tear up when there is this fifteen year old girl that sacrifices herself for her little sister and thrown into a barbaric game of slaughter, when the only hope she really has is luck. Granted, Katniss is skilled and resourceful and quite intelligent, but there were others who had been trained their whole life for the Hunger Games. It was really just an emotional ride for me.

My only regret upon taking that novel out of the library is that I forgot to snatch the following two, which were readily available for check out. I'm excited, though, to see how the story goes from there on out with poor, love-struck Peeta and poor, confused Katniss. I have been informed, though, that I will cry a lot harder and I will be tearing my hair out.


The second book was Witch and Wizard by James Patterson. I'm not sure I'll ever be able to say what compelled me to take that book off of the shelf. I don't know anybody who has read it, and I could tell from the description that there was an extreme lack of romance. There wasn't particularly zero romance, it's just not the kind that leaves you at the edge of your seat with an "AWWW" threatening to burst from your mouth.

However, the novel was a surprising good and quick read. It was a very fast-paced novel with sneaky little tricks around each corner. The narration, in my opinion, was excellent, alternating between fifteen-year-old Whisty and her seventeen-year-old brother Whit. Very cute, very comical, very fun.

To say the least, I would recommend this book to those looking for  light read.


The last book I am going to discuss in this post is Generation Dead by Daniel Waters. Please, don't get me wrong, it was a good book. An original idea, cute little background. The narration just seemed so artificial to me. Like Waters was trying much too hard to sound like a teenager. I'm not really sure how I can explain how I feel about the novel. But I can say that I felt very disconnected from the characters. All, that is, except for Adam, who I felt was the best portrayed.

Even with that in mind, I'll admit that the end left me wondering what was going to happen next, and very much craving the sequel.



All three of the above books are worht reading, and I am happy I selected them. Input on my oppinons? Good or bad, you can leave it in a comment below.

-BookBreather