Top Ten Tuesday: words/topics that make me NOT want to read a book

created by The Broke and the Bookish

Top Ten (seven) Topics That Make Me Not Want To Read A Book

Okay, I'm going to cheat on this a little. I try to be open to all books, give them a chance even if they have elements I'm not entirely interested in. So, instead of things that turn me off before I crack open a book, I'm going to list the things that make me not like a book while reading it (besides the painfully obvious ones like insta-love, unoriginal plot, stilted dialogue, etc.).

1) Moving to a new school/town for generic reasons. 
Find a different way for your MC to meet a new cast of characters. Or, if you are going to have such a cliche inciting incident, at least add your own twist to it, make the cliche something something un-cliche.

2) Evil popular girl.
Especially if she's perfect and gorgeous and a cheerleader. It just grinds my gears. I don't even have words. Sometimes a  person can be beautiful, talented, a cheerleader, and "perfect" and just be genuinely sweet. And, okay, this is kind of a completely different issue, but just because a girl is really feminine/preppy doesn't mean she's stupid or an awful human being in general.

3) The electric charge. 
You know, that moment when the MC and his/her meant-to-be make physical contact and a pulse of electricity races through him/her.

4) LGBT Shaming.
I don't think I've ever run into a serious case of this, but if I were to--HOLD MY HOOPS, GIRL. I will not stand for it.

5) Making light of suicide. 
Suicide is a tragedy, and it is all too common in our society. It's not something to be joked about. Ever.

6) All the insecurities. 
I get that teenage girls have insecurities, obviously. But I'd like to see more girls loving themselves. It hasn't been easy, but I love myself despite all the things others may deem unlovable. Maybe, for once, the girl can be good enough for the smokin' hot guy. Maybe, for once, the girl can be beautiful even if her body isn't the traditional definition of perfect. Maybe, for once, her looks and her mistakes won't define her. And this actually applies to guys too, even though I said "girl" the entire time.

7) Over dramaticness. 
If you're going to be shunned by an entire school, or whatever, at least make it something believable. LIKE OH NOEZ YOU STOLE YOUR BFF'S BF? WORTHLESS PIECE OF SHIT. No thanks. Oh, and an MC that cries all the frackin time--or better yet, feints? I'll pass. Every now and then, okay whatevz. I once read a book where the MC cried at least every other page. Too much.

Top Ten Tuesday: Books I've Read in 2013

1) Requiem by Lauren Oliver - My review

2) Dare You To by Katie McGarry - My review

3) Clockwork Princess by Cassandra Clare

4) Just One Day by Gayle Forman

5) The Indigo Spell by Richelle Mead - My review

6) The Truth About You and Me by Amanda Grace

7) Unravel Me by Tahereh Mafi - My review

8) Golden by Jessi Kirby - My review

9) School Spirits by Rachel Hawkins - My review

10) The Book of Broken Hearts by Sarah Ockler - My review

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 When I Need Something Light and Fun

The Education of Hailey Kendrick by Eileen Cook - This book is so full of shenanigans and letting loose! 

Paranormalcy by Kiersten White - Evie is such a fun narrator and I love all the different paranormal creatures.

The Ghost and the Goth by Stacey Kade - Alona is bitchy and full of herself to the point of humor. Will has that whole "let the world burn" attitude. An unlikely romance blooms between 2 flippant characters creating an altogether fun read.

Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins - Paris atmosphere, cute boys...YUM! This book is super cute and fluffy.

The Collector by Victoria Scott - Dante's voice is definitely something you don't find every day in YA. It was a fun read.

Meant to Be by Lauren Morrill - London. A hunt for a mystery boy. With a hot boy at her side. It's one awesome adventure!

Hex Hall by Rachel Hawkins - Using magic to fight evil paranormal creatures with a side of sarcasm. All of Hawkins's books are quick, exciting reads!

Shut Out by Kody Keplinger - Power to women!

Catching Jordan by Miranda Kenneally - I love the concept of this book: a team full of awesome, funny football guys and one girl just trying to figure things out among them. This book is really fun.

Hush, Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick - This book may not necessarily be "light" but it is an interesting story without a whole lot of depth and very easy to lose yourself in.

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: Must Buys Still On The Shelf

1) City of Lost Souls by Cassandra Clare

I don't know why I haven't read this yet. I love this series and I was SO EAGER to buy it. 

2) Rift and 3) Rise by Andrea Cremer

Andrea Cremer is so fantastic and I was so excited when I found at she was making a prequel to her popular Nightshade series. I bought both of these books right when they came out, and I am yet to crack open either one.

4) The Darkest Minds by Alexandra Bracken

I remember pretty much crying every time someone got an ARC of this...

5) Burn for Burn by Jenny Han and Siobhan Vivian

Anything that has Jenny Han's name attached to it has to be awesome. I wanted this book so bad for so frackin long. 

6)Tempest by Julie Cross

Even now, I look at this shelf and want to read it. I don't know what is stopping me.

7) Just One Day by Gayle Forman

GAYLE FORMAN OMG OMG OMG I started reading this, but set it down when other books came out like it isn't important but it is important so so importsant

8) Sweet Evil by Wendy Higgins

I saw a video or something that made me immediately go order this book and then I never touched it.

9) Destined by Jessie Harrell

I actually won this but I remember dying around the time of the blog tour and yet I have not even take it off my shelf once. 

10) A Midsummer's Nightmare by Kody Keplinger

I actually bought two copies of this a while ago. One for giveaway (which I STILL haven't sent. I am so so so so sorry. I will do that sometime this week!) and one for me because its summary was pretty much the love of my life. 

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

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! 

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!? 

Top Ten Tuesday: Book Club Picks

Top Ten Books I Think Would Make Great Book Club Picks

In no particular order.

1. Gone by Michael Grant

I didn't even finish this book, but I think it appeals to many different demographics and provides many things to discuss amongst a group.

2. Virtuosity by Jessica Martinez

This book deals with a lot of issues in a very stunning way. Plus, it's an amazing book that everyone should read.

3. The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

Do I even need to elaborate?

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

This book is so fabulous and it goes where few books dare to go. It'll bring most people out of their comfort zones and most likely alter the way they think about certain issues.

5. Cinder by Marissa Meyer

This book is original and entertaining an appeals to guys and girls alike. It's also a very unique retelling which is good for discussion.

6. Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi

This novel is written in a unique form. It is fast-paced and oozing with romance and action.

7. Delirium by Lauren Oliver

This is written so beautifully. Lauren Oliver is so incredibly talented at painting pictures and pulling emotions and everyone deserves to read this gorgeous book.

8. Beautiful Creatures by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl

This book is oozing with a rich gothic setting, a 3D world and history, entertaining characters, and unique paranormal aspects. And it's told from a guys perspective!

9. If I Stay by Gayle Foreman

This book is touching and moving and all together stunning. It'll make you think and hurt and appreciate what you have.

10. Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare

Again, must I elaborate? Swoon-worthy guys, wonderful prose, heart-racing action. It's great!

Those are my selections. What are yours? Leave me some links!