Top Ten Tuesday - Top Underrated Books

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish, a state that you don't have to worry about being deprived of more books as long as you're near a library.  This week's Top Ten is:

Top Ten Underrated Books

1. Dust City by Robert Paul Weston - Updated or revamped fairy tales are definitely making a nice comeback in today's literature, but I haven't seen this one discussed too much.  Henry is a different kind of hero and the setting is definitely unique when you think about fairy tales.  I would love to see this one grow in popularity. 

2. Rival by Sara Bennett Wealer - As this is a debut novel, I can understand it not being discussed a lot on other blogs.  However, it definitely discusses issues regarding relationships that would appeal to teens and adults.

3. Flawless by Lara Chapman - This is such a great light read, and I believe it would appeal to many different readers.  With no heavy issues to weigh down the story, anyone could just sit back and enjoy the ride.  

4. The Princess's Dragon by Susan Trombley - Books featuring dragons are still far and few between, and I think Trombley takes it to the next level by turning it into a transformation story.  

5. The Princess and the Hound by Mette Ivie Harrison - This one has qualities similar to the "Beauty and the Beast" fairy tale only with a twist.  

6. Ada Legend of a Healer by R.A. McDonald - From the independent circuit, this is one of my favorites that I was asked to review.  As a girl-empowering story, it would be great to see its readership grow, and I hope to see the next part of Ada's story soon.  

7. Beasts of Burden: Animal Rites by Evan Dorkin and Jill Thompson - A graphic novel for paranormal readers who happen to like dogs, though it can be a rough read at times.  

8. Blood and Chocolate by Annette Curtis Klause - Paranormal readers will hopefully find this an appealing early read for werewolf literature.  

9. Instructions by Neil Gaiman and Charles Vess - This is actually a children's book for both kids and adults.  It discusses attributes of many different fairy tales, and even if readers aren't familiar with those stories, it's still an enjoyable read.  I highly recommend this for parents. 

10. Howl's Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones - For all the popularity of the Miyazaki film of the same name, I don't see this one mentioned much.  The novel is actually somewhat different from how Miyazaki depicted and definitely worth a read. 

In My Mailbox (10)

In My Mailbox is a weekly meme hosted by The Story Siren, where bloggers post about all the books they have received whether in the mail, if we purchased it, or checked out from our local library.  ^_^ 


From Book Depository: 

Unraveled by Gena Showalter

The Goddess Test by Aimee Carter

From my Library:

The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick

(I'm so excited about Wonderstruck, I just had to read this one!)

From Barnes & Noble (Free ebook):

Waterfall by Lisa T. Bergren

(Thanks to Book Sake for sharing the great news!)

From Half-Price Books:

A Curse Dark as Gold by Elizabeth C. Bunce

What did you get in your mailbox this week? ^_^

Book Blogger Hop Day: August 5-8

This week on Denim-Jacket Librarian Dishes:

100 Follower Giveaway Winner Announced!

Top Ten Tuesday: Top Ten Trends You'd Like to See More Of/Less Of

As Crazy For Books says:

Book Blogger Hop is a place just for book bloggers and readers to connect and share our love of the written word! This weekly BOOK PARTY is an awesome opportunity for book bloggers to connect with other book lovers, make new friends, support each other, and generally just share our love of books!

This week's question is:

“What is the one ARC you would love to get your hands on right now?”

My Answer: Dear Bully edited by Megan Kelley Hall and Carrie Jones.  With so many great authors who worked on this book to reach out to anyone who has ever been bullied, how can I not anticipate this book?  I would love to get my hands on an ARC, though luckily it will be released September 1st. ^_^

I would love to hear your answer!

Top Ten Tuesday - Top Ten Trends You'd Like to See More Of/Less Of

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish, a state that you don't have to worry about being deprived of more books as long as you're near a library.  This week's Top Ten is:

Top Ten Trends You'd Like to See More Of/Less Of

More Of...

1. Greek Mythology Redone - I've always been a fan of Greek Mythology and it's nice to see it making it's way into updated renditions such as Abandon, Sirenz, and Starcrossed.

2. Quartets - This is probably a silly reason especially since there are so many great trilogies, but it's nice to see quartets making a comeback into bookstores, especially when we have great classic ones such as The Song of the Lioness and new ones such as the Intertwined books.

3. Dragons - It feels like a long time has passed since I saw dragons as the focal point of a novel or series and not as a "problem" or "villain" so I'm hoping to see more books like The Princess's Dragon and Firelight. 

4. Humor - How many books have you read that just cannot laugh at themselves or at least find the humor in certain situations?  It's nice to have books that have a nice balance of humor in with the overall seriousness of the story line such as with Paranormalcy and Chasing the Moon.  

5. Baking in fiction - There's just something comforting about books that involve baking whether the story involves a baking competition, such as with The Bake-Off, or spreading around warmth through a welcoming present, as with Friendship Bread.

6. Paranormal boarding schools/camps - So much can go on at both camp and boarding school and when you add paranormals to the mix as with Born at Midnight or Hex Hall, you know the interest level is knocked up another notch or two.  Or three if werewolves are involved in the mix. 

7. Books involving librarians - Yes, folks, you can bet your boots this one was going to be on my list because they defy the stereotype.  We even have some nice examples of librarian-featured novels with A Discovery of Witches and The Rites and Wrongs of Janice Wills.  

That's all I can think of for my list.  What's on your Top Ten Tuesday?  I'd love to see your list.  ^_^

P.S. Everything Deb at Readerbuzz says.

100 Follower Giveaway Winner!

I'm so excited with my first giveaway and will definitely have more in the future! ^_^ First off, thank you to everyone who participated to make this giveaway a great success.  A special thanks goes to Carmel from Rabid Reads for posting about the giveaway during her Rabid Bites (18).  Once again, here is the prize, a brand new copy of C.C. Hunter's Born at Midnight.

And the winner is...

Denise Z!!!


Congratulations!  I have sent an email notifying her of her winnings.  If I receive no response within 24 hours 
I shall choose a different winner.


Update: I just received Denise's response, so congratulations to her!


Be on the lookout for future giveaways, everyone!  ^_^

Book Blogger Hop Day: July 29-31

This week on Denim-Jacket Librarian Dishes:

In My Mailbox(9)

Review: Rival by Sara Bennett Wealer
Top Ten Tuesday: Top Ten Books Tackling "Tough" Issues

As Crazy For Books says:

Book Blogger Hop is a place just for book bloggers and readers to connect and share our love of the written word! This weekly BOOK PARTY is an awesome opportunity for book bloggers to connect with other book lovers, make new friends, support each other, and generally just share our love of books!

This week's question is:

“Highlight one book you have received this week (for review, from the library, purchased at the store, etc.) that you can’t wait to dig into!”

My Answer: Another tough question! I've purchased so many great books the past week, but if I must narrow it down to a single book, it would have to be Ruby Red by Kerstin Gier.  I'm really excited about this book because it was a bestseller in Germany before it even came to the United States.  The story sounds fascinating and the cover is very beautiful.  Here is the book cover and summary from Goodreads.com:

Gwyneth Shepherd's sophisticated, beautiful cousin Charlotte has been prepared her entire life for traveling through time. But unexpectedly, it is Gwyneth, who in the middle of class takes a sudden spin to a different era! Gwyneth must now unearth the mystery of why her mother would lie about her birth date to ward off suspicion about her ability, brush up on her history, and work with Gideon, the time traveler from a similarly gifted family that passes the gene through its male line, and whose presence becomes, in time, less insufferable and more essential. Together, Gwyneth and Gideon journey through time to discover who, in the 18th century and in contemporary London, they can trust.

Awesome story, right?  And it's part of a trilogy, which means book number two will be coming out soon.  Be on the lookout for Sapphire Blue!

Top Ten Tuesday - Top Ten Books Tackling "Tough" Issues

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish, a state that you don't have to worry about being deprived of more books as long as you're near a library.  This week's Top Ten is:

Top Ten Books Tackling "Tough" Issues

1. Shine by Lauren Myracle

Tackles: Homosexuality, intolerance, and abuse

2. Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher

Tackles: Suicide, bullying/cyber-bullying, rape

3. Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson

Tackles: Rape, bullying, ostricization

4. The Help by Kathryn Stockett

Tackles: Bigotry, segregation

5. The Chocolate War by Robert Cormier

Tackles: Bullying, abuse, hazing

6. Blacksad by Juan Diaz Guarnidos and Juanjo Carnales

Tackles: Bigotry, communism, nazisim 

7. Go Ask Alice by Anonymous

Tackles: Drug abuse, sexuality, rape

8. Wintergirls by Laurie Halse Anderson 

Tackles: Anorexia, bulimia

9. Rival by Sara Bennett Wealer

Tackles: Bullying/cyber-bullying, abuse, underage drinking

10. Dear Bully by Various Authors

Tackles: Bullying

I know a lot of the books on here have been on my Top Ten before, but so many of them reflect the tough issues that need to be read, reviewed, and remembered.  Many of these titles deal with bullying, an issue that I feel needs to be brought to light more often for the sake of kids everywhere and for those who were bullied as children in some way.