Top Ten Tuesday: Books I Recommend The Most

Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme created at The Broke and the Bookish. Each week a new Top Ten list will be posted by one of the bloggers at The Broke and the Bookish. Everyone is welcome to join, just make sure to link back to The Broke and the Bookish on your own Top Ten Tuesday post AND add your name to the Linky widget so everyone can check out other blogger lists. Have fun!

Top Ten Books I Recommend The Most

(Best part about being a librarian!)

1) The Scorpio Races by Maggie Stiefvater

2) The Girl of Fire and Thorns by Rae Carson

3) Shadow Falls Series by C.C. Hunter

4) Dust City by Robert Paul Weston

5) The Monstrumologist by Rick Yancey

6) Carnival of Souls by Melissa Marr

7) Dash & Lily's Book of Dares by David Levithan & Rachel Cohn

8) Poison Study by Maria V. Snyder

9) Dork Diaries by Rachel Renee Russell

10) The Color Trilogy by Kim Dong Hwa

Top Ten Tuesday (58): Books I Read in 2012

Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme created at The Broke and the Bookish. Each week a new Top Ten list will be posted by one of the bloggers at The Broke and the Bookish. Everyone is welcome to join, just make sure to link back to The Broke and the Bookish on your own Top Ten Tuesday post AND add your name to the Linky widget so everyone can check out other blogger lists. Have fun!

Top Ten Books I Read in 2012

(Disclaimer: I'm only including books I reviewed in 2012 and in no particular order.)

1) Carnival of Souls by Melissa Marr (Review) - This book only inspired me to check out more books by Melissa Marr.

2) The Raven Boys by Maggie Stiefvater (Review) - I think Maggie has another winning series with The Raven Cycle.

3) The Girl of Fire and Thorns by Rae Carson (Review) - Such a wonderful surprise, I loved this book so much and reminded me of my love of fantasy books.

4) The List by Siobhan Vivian (Review) - Writing from eight different POVs, this was an impressive example of what high school can be like.

5) Obsidian by Jennifer L. Armentrout (Review) - Science fiction in everyday life.  What's not to love?

6) Underworld by Meg Cabot (Review) - Happily, this book didn't have any "second book syndrome" for me, and I'm eager to read the conclusion next year!

7) Shattered Souls by Mary Lindsey (Review) - Exciting and unique story that takes place in my hometown.

8) Oh. My. Gods. by Tera Lynn Childs (Review) - Hilarious and winning concept on Greek mythology with a great and fun implementation.

9) Anew by Chelsea Fine (Review) - How immortality can really be a curse and how far love will go to break that curse.
10) Dreaming Anastasia by Joy Preble (Review) - Russian folklore at its finest, this is one story that offers readers something outside of the box.

In Celebration of December 12, 2012

Welcome to the final triple date digits, everyone!  This is the last year of this century that we will ever see the same digit in all three slots of the date, namely 12/12/12.  In 2007, this was really big especially for brides wanting to get married on 07/07/07.  Can you imagine the total amount of weddings scheduled for that day?  Holy schnikies! 

Anyway, in honor of 12/12/12, I'm giving away an ARC copy of:

The Crown of Embers by Rae Carson

And what makes this copy extra-special?  It's signed!  This contest will run until the day after Christmas, 12/26/2012, so good luck everyone!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Rules:

- Must be 13 years or older to enter

- Must live in the US

- Winner must respond to confirm their win within 72 hours

Post-Thanksgiving Holiday

(Image belongs to Wild Spirit Wolf Sanctuary)

First off, I hope all of you were able to have an excellent and filling Thanksgiving holiday.  And if you did go shopping or were working on Black Friday, I hope all went well without any snafus.  

Well, it's been one of those weekends where despite having 5 days off from work, I was still uber-busy because my folks were in town for the holiday and my beau was working on Black Friday.  It's been a fun time but also rather exhausting, and I'll be happy for the schedule to get back to normal.  

Here's what I've been reading over the holidays, and I hope to finish it this week:

The Raven Boys by Maggie Stiefvater

What I plan to read next:

Stormdancer by Jay Kristoff

OR

The Crown of Embers by Rae Carson

OR

Soulless: The Manga Volume 2 by Gail Carriger and REM

What were all of you reading over the holidays?  ^_^

Top Ten Tuesday: Books/Authors I'm Thankful For

Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme created at The Broke and the Bookish. Each week a new Top Ten list will be posted by one of the bloggers at The Broke and the Bookish. Everyone is welcome to join, just make sure to link back to The Broke and the Bookish on your own Top Ten Tuesday post AND add your name to the Linky widget so everyone can check out other blogger lists. Have fun!

Top Ten Books/Authors I'm Thankful For

1) Maggie Stiefvater - This is one awesome lady that I'm so happy to have had the chance to meet in person this year.  Her books never cease to make me smile, and I look forward to reading more from her. ^_^

2) Maria V. Snyder - I was SO thrilled to hear that there will be 3 more books featuring Yelena, Valek, Ari, and Janco from the Study books!  If you want to see a unique fantasy world, look no further than this lady's work. 

3) Natsuki Takaya - Creator of one of the best manga series, Fruits Basket, I'm thankful she's a talented artist and mangaka. 

4) Harper Lee - While she might have been a "one-hit wonder", that one hit was more than just a hit.  To Kill a Mockingbird was one of the novels I read and truly appreciated in high school, so I'm thankful Lee brought Atticus and Scout into our lives. 

5) Charles M. Schultz - Who wouldn't be thankful for the man who brought the world the Peanuts gang?  With the holiday season, it makes me nostalgic for the old Charlie Brown comics. 

6) The Girl of Fire and Thorns by Rae Carson - With one of the most realistic and phenomenal heroines featured in the story, I'm thankful that Elisa is a true heroine that readers can look up to and admire.

7) Carnival of Souls by Melissa Marr - I'm thankful this book brought me out of a serious reading slump with it's fast pace and endearing characters.  I cannot wait until its sequel is released.

8) Black Unicorn by Tanith Lee - While this is the only series I've read by Tanith Lee, I'm thankful that I found a book that made me see unicorns in an entirely different light.

9) Dreaming Anastasia by Joy Preble - In a world filled with various renditions of Greek myths (usually the same myth *cough*Hades&Persephone*cough*), I'm thankful for Joy Preble breaking out of that mold and bring readers blended Russian folklore and history.

10) Watership Down by Richard Adams - I know, I can't seem to get away from this novel, but it's been one of my favorites ever since I read it back in 7th grade... 4 times.  But I'm still thankful that I found this classic novel after watching the animated film in 3rd grade (terrifying for 9-year-olds but a very memorable story).  It left that much of an impression on me, and it's a novel I will always recommend to anyone.

Top Ten Tuesday (54): Books I'd Want on a Deserted Island

Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme created at The Broke and the Bookish. Each week a new Top Ten list will be posted by one of the bloggers at The Broke and the Bookish. Everyone is welcome to join, just make sure to link back to The Broke and the Bookish on your own Top Ten Tuesday post AND add your name to the Linky widget so everyone can check out other blogger lists. Have fun!

Top Ten Books I'd Want on a Deserted Island

(In no particular order)

1) Watership Down by Richard Adams - I've read my copy seven times already in it's lifetime, and I just cannot part with it or get tired of it. 

2) Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater - While my copy is now signed, this is an important book because it was the first book my beau and I read together. Plus, if the island gets TOO hot, the temperatures in Maggie Stiefvater's werewolf novel should help cool me down.

3) The Girl of Fire and Thorns by Rae Carson - With what heroine Elisa goes through in the second part of the novel, it will help readers in how to survive on a deserted island (even if she was in a desert).

4) Carnival of Souls by Melissa Marr - This one is on the list ONLY if it's compiled with its sequel so the story is complete.  It was an amazing read, and I would be thrilled to have it with me on a deserted island.

5) Oh. My. Gods. by Tera Lynn Childs - You need humor to get you through a trying time, and what better book to have than one that also takes place on an island? (Also, only if it's compiled with the sequel, Goddess Boot Camp.)

6) Stormdancer by Jay Kristoff - I've been eagerly anticipating reading this book, and there's no way I won't take it with me to a deserted island so I can finally read it.

7) A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness - This book has been an intimidating addition to my TBR shelf, and I figure there should be no better time to read it than while on a deserted island.

8) D'Aulaire's Book of Greek Myths - One way to not get bored is by having variety, and a compendium of stories or myths on hand is definitely varied enough for me.

9) Fateful by Claudia Gray - While I haven't read this novel involving werewolves on the Titanic, I figure it will put things in perspective while I'm on the deserted island.

10) Wonderstruck by Brian Selznick - I had to sneak in a picture book without it being a graphic novel. ;)

Honorable Mentions: 

The Study Series (Poison Study, Magic Study, and Fire Study) by Maria V. Snyder (including the unpublished new additions to the series)

The Edelstein Trilogy (Ruby Red, Sapphire Blue, and Emerald Green) by Kerstin Gier
Memoirs of a Geisha by Arthur Golden

Top Ten Tuesday (53): Anticipated Books TBR In Fall

Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme created at The Broke and the Bookish. Each week a new Top Ten list will be posted by one of the bloggers at The Broke and the Bookish. Everyone is welcome to join, just make sure to link back to The Broke and the Bookish on your own Top Ten Tuesday post AND add your name to the Linky widget so everyone can check out other blogger lists. Have fun!

Top Ten Anticipated Books TBR In Fall

(In no particular order)

1) The Raven Boys by Maggie Stiefvater - After attending the signing in late October and hearing what is in store in her next series, I'm really excited to read this one.

2) Carnival of Souls by Melissa Marr - The song that inspired her to write this novel is remarkable.  It's also inspiring me to read my copy soon.

3) The Crown of Embers by Rae Carson - Reading The Girl of Fire and Thorns brought back a lot of memories of my initial love of fantasy books, and I anticipate the sequel will, too.

4) Stormdancer by Jay Kristoff - With everything I've heard, I'm so glad there's a copy waiting on my shelves to read soon.

5) Onyx by Jennifer L. Armentrout - This one has me so curious about what more will happen to Katy especially when it involves Daimon Black. (Also, I'm really hoping that Houston wins the Release Party for Opal!)

6) Alchemystic by Anton Strout - Most of the reviews I've read have been really positive, and I must read my birthday present from my beau soon. :)

7) Sapphire Blue by Kerstin Gier - While this one isn't on my shelves currently (like the others), it won't be long before I have it on hand to continue Gwen's thrilling, time-traveling story.

8) Luminosity by Stephanie Thomas - I managed to work up the courage to request an ARC of this anticipated read, and I cannot wait to read it. 

9) Wolf Moon by Charles de Lint - I know it's after Halloween, but this is a werewolf book I've been wanting to read for awhile now. 

10) Goddess Boot Camp by Tera Lynn Childs - It's about time I read the sequel to the hilarious Oh. My. Gods. 

Top Ten Tuesday (52): Favorite Fantasy Authors

Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme created at The Broke and the Bookish. Each week a new Top Ten list will be posted by one of the bloggers at The Broke and the Bookish. Everyone is welcome to join, just make sure to link back to The Broke and the Bookish on your own Top Ten Tuesday post AND add your name to the Linky widget so everyone can check out other blogger lists. Have fun!

Top Ten Favorite Fantasy Authors

1)  Maria V. Snyder - This woman knows how to create and establish a fantasy world, and whenever she publishes a new title, I must have it.

2)  Tamora Pierce - I will never get tired of singing her praises, especially when she was ahead of the YA curve long before it was called "young adult."

3)  Robert Aspirin - His MYTH series was one of the series that kept me sane while attending college.

4)  Rae Carson - This is one of my more recent finds, but she showed a truly visual world and an amazing heroine.  I cannot wait to see where she goes from The Fire and Thorns trilogy.

5)  Peter S. Beagle - Another author that I will never tire of talking about, especially since I have multiple copies and versions of his most well-known story, The Last Unicorn.

6)  Patricia C. Wrede - If you need hilarious fantasy, this is the woman whose books you need to read.

7)  J.R.R. Tolkien - Need I say more?

8)  Diana Wynne Jones - A talent that readers are sorely missing.

9)  Christie Golden - While most might not have heard of her, those who follow certain fantasy game-based novels will recognize her name.  Her version of the backstory of a well-known MMORPG character made her one of my favorite authors.

10)  Hayao Miyazaki - Yes, I know he's a director and artist, but he's also a writer!  And if you've seen any number of his films, you can't say you wouldn't do the same. ^_^

Top Ten Tuesday (50): Bookish People I Want to Meet

Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme created at The Broke and the Bookish. Each week a new Top Ten list will be posted by one of the bloggers at The Broke and the Bookish. Everyone is welcome to join, just make sure to link back to The Broke and the Bookish on your own Top Ten Tuesday post AND add your name to the Linky widget so everyone can check out other blogger lists. Have fun!

Top Ten Bookish People I Want to Meet

(In no particular order)

Authors:


1. Rae Carson (The Girl of Fire and Thorns, The Crown of Embers) - I'm so thrilled to meet the author who broke some serious "norms" in YA fiction.  Elisa is one of the most courageous and amazing fantasy heroines readers will ever find.

2. Kerstin Gier (Ruby Red, Sapphire Blue) - It's so understandable how she became an international bestseller.  I cannot wait until Sapphire Blue is released in October. 

3. Jay Kristoff (Stormdancer) - If you haven't been paying attention to interviews, reviews, and the like involving either Jay or Stormdancer, I'm betting he's an awesome and hilarious guy to talk to.

4. Tamora Pierce (Song of the Lioness) - I missed the chance to meet this early YA writer when I was at Dragon*Con back in '08.  Should I have the chance again, you can bet your boots I'm going to meet her.

5. Gena Showalter (The Nymph King, Intertwined) - This was the woman who got me back into reading paranormal romance when I thought all there was to offer was vampires.  She seems like a fun lady, too.

Bloggers :

1. Marla from Starting the Next Chapter - She's been a great blogging friend and confidant when it comes to advice on what to get for the library.  I hope one day we can meet and chat about books and writing over coffee and dessert.

2. Poison Rose from Picked by Poison - As a new partner in crimeme *rimshots*, I'm sure she'd be a fun person to hang out with.

3. Christy from The Reader Bee - I've followed this lovely lady for a long time now, and she always has great reviews and such a cute blog.  She's one of the best precedents for bloggers, and I would direct any newbies to her blog.

4. Louise from Between the Covers - A hilarious and snarky lady, I know she'd be great to go shopping with, especially in a bookstore.

5. Kyla from Unbind with Words - Same goes for this pretty lady as with Louise, she's one awesome writer.