Quote Impressions: The Romantique Edition

 “As he read, I fell in love the way you fall asleep: slowly, and then all at once.” - The Fault in Our Stars by John Green

“'And I'm suppose to sit by while you date boys and fall in love with someone else, get married...?'" His voice tightened. "'And meanwhile, I'll die a little bit more every day, watching.'” - City of Glass by Cassandra Clare

“On a sigh he brought up his hand and used one long finger to brush a dark curl away from my face. With the saddest look in his eyes, he said, 'A girl needs to be held right now, and comforted, and told that everything is going to be okay. I'm sorry I can't do that for you. I don't have any of that left.'

'I have a little,' I said, 'and I'll lend it to you.'” - Such a Rush by Jennifer Echols

Enjoy the various degrees of swoon. Also, clicking on the book covers will take you to the respective book's goodreads page. 

Top Ten Tuesday: Books Featuring Travel of Some Sort

1) Along for the Ride by Sarah Dessen - Obviously, the form of travel in this book is a bicycle, which plays a really big role in this book. More symbolic than anything, I think. But, I just re-read this book (one of my favorite of Dessen's) and it was even better the 2nd time around. 

2) The Book of Broken Hearts by Sarah Ockler - All I have to say--motorcycle boys=NOM.

3) Just One Day by Gayle Forman - This book has all sorts of different travel in it. In fact, readers get to travel all over the world with this book! 

4) The Vampire Academy series by Richelle Mead - From planes to cars to trains to feet to mind traveling, Rose goes on so many adventures throughout this series. (I just had to put this on my list. Just had to.)

5) Such a Rush by Jennifer Echols - A teenage girl who flies airplanes? Yeah buddy. 

6) Pushing the Limits by Katie McGarry - Another book that I just HAD to put on the list. Because it's frackin' awesome. There is a road trip at the end, sorta, so it counts! 

7) Unbreak My Heart by Melissa Walker - I think this is the only book I've read that takes place primarily on a boat. Love it! 

8) On the Island by Tracey Garvis Graves - Plane crashes have never been sexier ;D 

9) Golden by Jessi Kirby & 10) The Fault in Our Stars by John Green - Both of these books feature a unique adventure (one by car, the other by plane) that made the books so much more realistic and meaningful. 

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...

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

Top Ten Tuesday: Books We Recommend Most

I haven't actually asked, but I think I speak for all of us when I say that this was an extremely difficult decision. If I could have, I would have done my top ten recommendations for each genre, but that would be a long list, so I, personally, selected the books I would shove in anybody's hands, whether they enjoy its particular genre or not. - Gabbi

(In no particular order)

1. Delirium by Lauren Oliver
2. The Fault in Our Stars by John Green
3. If I Stay by Gayle Forman
4. Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead
5. Don't Let Me Go by J.H. Trumble
6. Scarlet A.C. Gaughen
7. Graffiti Moon by Cath Crowley
8. Pushing the Limits by Katie McGarry
9. Such a Rush by Jennifer Echols
10. Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi

(In no particular order)

1. Divergent by Veronica Roth

2. Bad Girls Don't Die by Katie Alender

3. Dark Inside by Jeyn Roberts

4. Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi

5. Cinder by Marissa Meyer

6. Pushing the Limits by Katie McGarry

7. Beautiful Creatures by Kami Garcia/Margaret Stohl

8. Paranormalcy by Kiersten White

9. The Summoning by Kelly Armstrong

10. Delirium by Lauren Oliver

(In no particular order)

1. The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
2. Divergent by Veronica Roth
3. Blood Red Road by Moira Young
4. Star-Crossed by Rachael Wing
5. The Other Life by Susanne Winnacker
6. Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater
7. Forsaken by Jana Oliver
8. Amongst The Ruins by Saewod Tice
9. Slated by Teri Terry
10. Candor by Pam Bachorz
11. Hush, Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick

Top Ten Tuesday: Auto-Buy

1) Richelle Mead - I actually haven't read any of her adult stuff, simply because I haven't gotten my hands on any of it. But I pretty much worship her, I have a whole drawer in my entertainment center dedicated to her YA books. 

2) Lauren Oliver - I haven't read her MG stuff yet. But lemme jus say, if I could pick one author to write like, it would be Lauren Oliver. She is AMAZING.

3) Sarah Dessen - Nuff said. 

4) Cassandra Clare - Though I would love her to branch out of the Shadowhunter world, I do adore everything she has ever written. Girl has a way with characters and plots. 

5) Jenny Han - ALL DA FEELZ!

6) Katie McGarry - I can't even use words to describe what Katie McGarry does to me.

7) John Green - I've only actually read 1 of his novels, but, uh, WIN.

Those are the only authors I know of whose writing I have utter faith in. What about you? 

Top Ten Tuesday: Books read during my blog life

a meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish

All titles link to the book's Goodreads profile. This was an extraordinarily difficult topic, so I narrowed my favorites down to books I read because of blogging, and even then it was nearly impossible to choose. Of course, this list is in no particular order.

1) If I Stay & Where She Went by Gayle Foreman - If I Stay review; Where She Went review

2) Delirium & Pandemonium by Lauren Oliver - Delirium review; Pandemonium review

3) The Fault in Our Stars by John Green - Review

4) Don't Let Me Go by J.H. Trumble - Review

5) My Life Next Door by Huntley Fitzpatrick 

6) Graffiti Moon by Cath Crowley - Review

7) Hushed by Kelley York - Review

8) Virtuosity by Jessica Martinez - Review

9) Pushing the Limits by Katie McGarry - Review

10) Scarlet by A.C. Gaughen - Review

Book Review: The Fault in Our Stars by John Green

The Fault in Our Stars by John Green

Series: Standalone
Genre: YA Contemporary
Publication Date: January 10, 2012
Publisher: Dutton Books
Format: Hardcover
Pages: 318
Source: Won in giveaway

Diagnosed with Stage IV thyroid cancer at 13, Hazel was prepared to die until, at 14, a medical miracle shrunk the tumours in her lungs... for now.

Two years post-miracle, sixteen-year-old Hazel is post-everything else, too; post-high school, post-friends and post-normalcy. And even though she could live for a long time (whatever that means), Hazel lives tethered to an oxygen tank, the tumours tenuously kept at bay with a constant chemical assault.

Enter Augustus Waters. A match made at cancer kid support group, Augustus is gorgeous, in remission, and shockingly to her, interested in Hazel. Being with Augustus is both an unexpected destination and a long-needed journey, pushing Hazel to re-examine how sickness and health, life and death, will define her and the legacy that everyone leaves behind.

Goodreads ~ Amazon ~ B&N ~ Indiebound ~ Book Depo

The Fault in our Stars was my first John Green Experience. It was life altering. I'm not kidding. I will never be the same after reading this. John Green has written a novel so far beyond the ordinary. It's poignant and highly addictive, with a unique cast of characters, meaningful dialogue, and beautiful pacing. On the real, I was a mess while reading this; a snotty, bleary-eyes, tear-streaked, red-nosed, heartbroken, wailing mess while reading this. There are exactly three books I can recall getting this emotional with while reading and those would be Delirium by Lauren Oliver, Beautiful Chaos by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl, and We'll Always Have Summer by Jenny Han. If you check out previous posts on my blog, you'll no doubt discover how much I adored those books. The Fault in Our Stars has officially been added to my Crazy Emotional Adored Books list. Seriously, I had to get the roll of toilet paper and leave it next to me so I could blow my nose. And afterwards, I was so emotionally drained I could barely keep my eyes open. I now understand why everyone worships John Green. 

I now worship John Green.

Hazel and Augustus are unlike any characters you've ever read, I promise you. Somehow Green manages to make their dialogue a perfect combination of intelligence, sarcastic humor, and depth. I don't know how he did it. I was alternating between laughing and crying. Hazel is quite the scrapper. She was diagnosed with cancer three years ago, but she never gives up. Sometimes she wishes she could die, but I don't think she really means it deep down. She's not typically one to give up. She's strong. She's so beyond her years, too. She's smart and passionate. Determined. An all around marvelous character. And Augustus Waters. My oh my. Augustus AugustusAugustusAugustusAugustusAugustus. I LOVE YOU. Like, he's nothing you've ever seen in a YA boy. I'm not even sure I can put him into words. He's kind and strong and a beautiful person. I wish I could meet a guy like Augustus Waters. Together they go on adventures that are weird and heartbreaking and unique.

I keep saying it's different and unique, but I think what I mean is that everything in this book is astoundingly real. The characters are real, the relationships are real, the plot is real. It's all real, authentic, genuine. It's difficult to explain, but people experience different things in life. John Green really thought out of the box with this book, which makes you wonder if perhaps he is secretly a sixteen year old girl with cancer, obsessed with a certain author worried that she's a grenade. 

This book is stunning. If you don't read it pronto, I will be tempted to, ya know, shank you or something. I can't emphasize enough how much you need to read it. It's moving, fresh, different, and nerdalicious! I didn't even want to like this book. I am a rebel of sorts, and I don't like to flow with the hype. So I didn't want to like it, but I couldn't help it. This book is phenomenal in a way you'll only understand if you read it. There were some sentences, paragraphs, pages, chapters that literally took my breath away. 

Just. Read. It. 

Trust me. 

I'm not kidding. If you don't read this, I will hunt you down....

Top Ten Tuesday: Summer TBR

All titles link to Goodreads. 

1) City of Lost Souls by Cassandra Clare - I love Cassie and I love The Mortal Instruments. And I love Jace. I have been waiting for this novel for what feels like forever, what with the super cliffhanger ending that was CoFA. I've had it for a few weeks but for some reason I haven't gotten around to reading it yet. 

2) The Golden Lily by Richelle Mead - OMGOMGOMGOMG!!! I fangirl every time I even think of Richelle Mead. She's my ultimate favorite author, just like VA is my ultimate favorite series. I adore Adrian so much *swoooooon* and I have no doubt I will love this series as much as VA. 

3) Spell Bound by Rachel Hawkins - To this day, I don't think I've found a witch/magic book that manages to balance fun, action, a great plot, and fabulous worldbuilding like the Hex Hall series. 

4) My Life Next Door by Huntley Fitzpatrick - I love the concept of this and I've heard really great things about it. 

5) A Midsummer's Nightmare by Kody Keplinger - I have yet to read a book by Kody Keplinger, but I want this book so so so so bad. It sounds so amazing. I've always had this creepy thing for step-sibling relationships. 

6) The Fault in our Stars by John Green - I've also never read a John Green book, but I've heard the most amazing things about him. I won this book and I figure it's as good a place to start as any. 

7) Shut Out by Kody Keplinger - I got a signed copy of this from Kody herself and I cannot wait to delve in. 

8) Half-Blood by Jennifer L. Artmentrout - Same thing that goes for Kody Keplinger and John Green applies to Jennifer's work. I feel like I am the only person who has not read this series. I'm kind of waiting for the entire series to be released before I start because I have a feeling I'll just want to keep reading after I finish each book. 

9) Rift by Andrea Cremer - I adore the Nightshade series and I cannot wait to see where Andrea goes with this, Her worldbuilding is complex and intriguing and absolutely wonderful. Her writing is phenomenal. I am so excited. 

10) Second Chance Summer by Morgan Matson - I hear this is such an emotional contemp book and I've really been into that. Plus, I hear it's a great beach read! 

What books are on your summer TBR pile? Let me know in the comments or leave links!