Top Ten Tuesday: Beach Reads

As a native Floridian, my summers have always revolved around the beach. Now, living in good ol' Arkansas, I desperately miss the beach. Nothing beats laying back on a soft towel, with a book in my hands, and the rays of sunlight beating down on my face. Finding the perfect book--now THAT'S essential. To me, the perfect beach read is a book that is fun, light, and leaves you with a good feeling in your gut when you finish. A book that really makes you smile and gives you hope for the world! 

#1-3) The Summer Series by Jenny Han. If you haven't read these novels, I honestly don't know what's wrong with you. I've never known anyone who doesn't adore them. Each book is so full of emotion and beautiful writing. If I were an adult, I'm sure these would bring me back to my teen years. 

#4) This Lullaby by Sarah Dessen. Everyone knows that Dessen is the summer contemporary queen. This Lullaby focuses on a girl moving past her trust issues and digging inside of herself to find real emotions she has always pushed back. This is my ultimate favorite Dessen novel. A tough protagonist with an adorable love interest, and songs about potatoes. I guarantee you will close this book with a ginormous grin on your face. 

#5) Along for the Ride by Sarah Dessen. My next favorite Dessen novel. She always creates these wonderful, believable characters and puts them in unique, relatable situations. You will fly through this novel as Auden and Eli fly through their summer nights, together making the best of their insomnia. 

#6) Impossible by Nancy Werlin. This book has a unique plot and really focuses on the fact that the power of love can overcome anything. 

#7) Dance Upon the Air by Nora Roberts. This is one of the only adult novels I've absolutely devoured. It's a great beach read because it's about fresh starts and true love and the formation of lifelong friendships. 

#8) Graffiti Moon by Cath Crowley. This book is so so so so so so so so amazing. I can't put its beauty in a paragraph, so just read my review.

#9) The Education of Hailey Kendrick by Eileen Cook. This book is so much fun! It's about branching out and trying new things. Eileen Cook incorporates a perfect balance of humor and serious situations and you will have the best feeling in your gut when you are finished with this novel. 

#10) Love and Leftovers by Sarah Tregay. Told completely in verse, this novel is quick, quirky, and adorable! 

What are your top beach picks!? 

Love & Leftovers by Sarah Tregay (ARC REVIEW)

Love & Leftovers by Sarah Tregay

Series: None
Genre: YA Contemporary
Publication Date: December 27, 2011
Publisher: HarperCollins Children's Books
Format: ARC
Pages: 451
Source: Borrowed from Yara at Once Upon aTwilight for ARC tour

When her parents split, Marcie is dragged from Idaho to a family summerhouse in New Hampshire. She leaves behind her friends, a group of freaks and geeks called the Leftovers, including her emo-rocker boyfriend, and her father.

By the time Labor Day rolls around, Marcie suspects this "vacation" has become permanent. She starts at a new school where a cute boy brings her breakfast and a new romance heats up. But understanding love, especially when you've watched your parents' affections end, is elusive. What does it feel like, really? can you even know it until you've lost it?

Love and Leftovers is a beautifully written story of one girl’s journey navigating family, friends, and love, and a compelling and sexy read that teens will gobble up whole.

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It took me only a couple hours to read this. It was short and sweet, but really tugged at the emotions. Love & Leftovers is written entirely in verse. Books written in verse always make my head hurt because of the way my mind processes the lines, but it was still an addicting read. It's really hard for me to write a review about this book, though, because the style is something I'm not overly familiar with.

Marcie is incredibly easy to relate to. She just wants to be loved, and because of that she makes some really stupid mistakes. The poems are all written from her perspective, so readers get real insight to her emotions and thoughts. She's very real and I did like her a lot! As for the guys...well, I lovedddd Linus. I thought he was sweet and my heart just broke for him throughout the entire novel. He was so sincere and earnest and you have to wonder wtf Marcie is thinking. JD, however, was obviously using her. Everything about him was so obviously temporary. And I'm pretty sure Marcie knew that, but she didn't really care. She just wanted to be wanted.

As for the leftovers. Some of them we don't really get to know, and others I had certain moments when I really disliked them. Emily just...erg. I can't say anything, really, without revealing a spoiler, but I can't say I'm all that thrilled with how she sort of betrayed Marcie, even if it was Marcie's fault. And her best friend Katie could either be the best best friend in the world, or the worst best friend in the world. But all the while you understand where every character is coming from. They all make mistakes and regret and have some flaws. And those flaws and the growth that the characters undergo is what truly makes this story. It is real and heartbreaking.

All in all, this is a very sweet read that I think lovers of contemporary would devour even quicker than I did. I was shocked by how much I loved the story and how attached I became to the story and the writing. I hope Tregay puts out more books as great as this one!

Thanks again to Yara for allowing me the opportunity to read this book!

It's Monday! What are you reading? (3)

This weekly meme is hosted by Book Journey.

FINISHED:

*Love & Leftovers by Sarah Tregay (Review coming tomorrow!)

*Shatter Me by Tahareh Mafi (Review coming soon)

I did so bad! I was not in the mood to read at all last week! I didn't even read any of the books I had on my list. GR. That was the week I was supposed to get ahead on my reading.

TO READ THIS WEEK:

*Gone by Michael Grant*Darker Still by Leanna Renee Hieber*City of Bones by Cassandra Clare

I don't even know if I will finish all of those. This week is going to be crazy because I have two (maybe three) after school rehearsals, and then three choir concerts in a row. I'll barely even be home this week.

WHAT ARE YOU READING THIS WEEK?

In My Mailbox (11)

In My Mailbox is a weekly meme hosted by The Story Siren!

I usually take all my pictures on my phone, but my phone took a crap on me earlier this week and won't turn on, so I have nothing to take pictures with :( All links lead to Goodreads page.

City of Bones, City of Ashes, and City of Glass by Cassandra Clare - I read these books before I began blogging, and I've been wanting to read them over for a while, so I borrowed them from my friend.

Blood Magic by Tessa Gratton - Signed and personalized copy that I won from A Life Bound by Books in one of the Halloween giveaways. The cover is gorgeous!

Shatter Me by Tahareh Mafi - Purchased. Already read and LOVED! Review coming soon.

Jane Jones: Worst. Vampire. Ever. by Caissie St. Onge - I got this one from trading in my points with Random Buzzers. It came out in May, but it's an ARC.

Love & Leftovers by Sarah Tregay - Borrowed from Yara at Once Upon a Twilight for ARC tour. Already read and loved! Review coming in a few days.

Halflings by Heather Burch - eARC from NetGalley.

Sleepers by Megg Jensen - ebook for review from author.