Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by The Broke and the Bookish

Today’s topic is about the best books read so far this year. This has been a year of ups and downs in more ways than one (not just in my reading life) and I found I had ten, but barely that. Here’s hoping that I find some fascinating reads for the rest of the year. 🙂

The Bloody Chamber and Other Stories by Angela Carter
I had wanted to read something of Carter’s for ages and I have no idea what’s been stopping me. This gothic fairy-tale compilation is right up my alley and I can’t wait to get my hands on more of her works.

The Possessions by Sara Flannery Murphy
I’d been anticipating a lot of debuts this year and unfortunately many had been a bust. The Possessions is this crazy story about women channeling the dead so their loved ones can “be with them” for a short time and was so crazy interesting that I’m excited for more from this author.

Everything I Never Told You by Celeste Ng
Speaking of debuts, this was another debut I was anticipating… way back in 2014. I finally ran out of available audiobooks at one point and ended up starting this one on a whim and it’s one of the most fantastic family drama type mysteries that I’ve ever read.

I Feel Bad About My Neck: And Other Thoughts On Being a Woman by Nora Ephron
Heartburn was one of my favorites last year and I was so sad that it was Nora’s only fiction novel but was still eager to read her Non-Fiction. They’re even better. I’m saving my last of hers, I Remember Nothing, for a rainy day.

The Scorpio Races by Maggie Stiefvater
I adore Maggie’s writing yet The Scorpio Races was one of those that I never felt the urge to pick up despite the fascinating summary. This has officially topped the list for my favorite of hers and I discovered a new favorite narrator too! Steve West is incredible.

Late Wife by Claudia Emerson
I’ve been reading quite a bit of poetry this year but this one takes the cake. I’ve been trying to get a hold of more of Emerson’s works but it’s proving to be quite an elusive task.

White Hot (Hidden Legacy #2) by Ilona Andrews
Honestly, I love anything and everything by Ilona Andrews but I’m absolutely loving everything about this series. White Hot makes the list but I’ve already read Wildfire, the third installment, and it could have easily made the list too.

Isolation by Bex-chan
Yes, this is fan-fiction. No, I don’t care. This was my first experience with fan-fiction and I am a huge fan and yes, I totally believe Dramione could have been a thing. 🙂

Murder on the Orient Express (Hercule Poirot #10) by Agatha Christie
I know! I finally read it! Christie’s books are always a ton of fun but reading this on an actual train made this even better.

Tender at the Bone: Growing Up at the Table by Ruth Reichl
I love foodie fiction but I had yet to delve into the massive world of non-fiction foodie books. Ruth Reichl was at the top of my list and Tender at the Bone reminded me vividly of Nora Ephron’s writing, just vastly more foodie filled.

What books make your favorites of the year so far?

Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by The Broke and the Bookish

Today’s topic is about “Books From X Genre That I’ve Recently Added To My TBR List”. My interest has recently been piqued in regards to Non-Fiction books with a wide-range of subject matters. It all started with The Plantagenets and spanned out from there. These are the ones I’m most excited about reading.

The Plantagenets: The Warrior Kings and Queens Who Made England by Dan Jones
I’ve always been a fan of anything Tudor related so I decided it was well past time to find out what happened before the Tudor reign.

The Perfect Prince: The Mystery of Perkin Warbeck and His Quest for the Throne of England by Ann Wroe
Perkin Warbeck got about a 6-page feature in Dan Jones’ The Wars of the Roses and it was intriguing enough for me to search out an entire book about him.

The Maid and the Queen: The Secret History of Joan of Arc by Nancy Goldstone
Joan of Arc also received a brief mention in Dan Jones’ The Wars of the Roses (that book caused a lot of books to be added to my TBR) and it just made me realize how very little I know about her history.

Northmen: The Viking Saga, 793-1241 AD by John Haywood
Admittedly, the only thing I “know” about Vikings is from the History Channel show, but I find them fascinating so I must know more.

A History of Weapons: Crossbows, Caltrops, Catapults & Lots of Other Things that Can Seriously Mess You Up by John O’Bryan
A book about the history of weapons by a comedy writer. Sounds like all sorts of fun.

Blood Royal: A True Tale of Crime and Detection in Medieval Paris by Eric Jager
I used to be a nut for True Crime when I was a teenager but haven’t picked one up in a very long time. Add in medieval aspects though and I’m all over that.

Killers of the Flower Moon: The Osage Murders and the Birth of the FBI by David Grann
Another true crime that appealed to me that I picked up as an extra in my Book of the Month box.

Huế 1968: A Turning Point in the American War in Vietnam by Mark Bowden
I read Most Dangerous as a part of a National Book Award 2015 Finalist and realized 1. I don’t know jack about the Vietnam War and 2. It was fascinating (and horrifying) stuff to read about. I would like to know more.

Brunelleschi’s Dome: How a Renaissance Genius Reinvented Architecture by Ross King
An interesting story about the largest dome ever constructed using bricks and mortar. Architecture isn’t super my thing but this one certainly intrigued me.

Romantic Outlaws: The Extraordinary Lives of Mary Wollstonecraft and Her Daughter Mary Shelley by Charlotte Gordon
Biographies are one thing that I’ve read… quite possibly none of now that I think about it. But if I were to pick up a biography, this would be it.

Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by The Broke and the Bookish

There are an amazing amount of excellent sounding books releasing in the last half of 2017. Cutting it down to ten was tough, but these are the ten that I’m most anticipating getting my hands on.

Wildfire (Hidden Legacy #3) by Ilona Andrews | Expected publication: July 25th 2017 by Avon
From Ilona Andrews, #1 New York Times bestselling author, the thrilling conclusion to her Hidden Legacy series, as Nevada and Rogan grapple with a power beyond even their imagination…

Sea of Rust: A Novel by C. Robert Cargill | Expected publication: September 5th 2017 by Harper Voyager
A scavenger robot wanders in the wasteland created by a war that has destroyed humanity in this evocative post-apocalyptic “robot western” from the critically acclaimed author, screenwriter, and noted film critic.

The Empty Grave (Lockwood & Co. #5) by Jonathan Stroud | Expected publication: September 12th 2017 by Disney-Hyperion
Five months after the events in THE CREEPING SHADOW, we join Lockwood, Lucy, George, Holly, and their associate Quill Kipps on a perilous night mission: they have broken into the booby-trapped Fittes Mausoleum, where the body of the legendary psychic heroine Marissa Fittes lies. Or does it?

Sleeping Beauties by Stephen King & Owen King | Expected publication: September 26th 2017 by Scribner
In this spectacular father-son collaboration, Stephen King and Owen King tell the highest of high-stakes stories: what might happen if women disappeared from the world of men?

All the Crooked Saints by Maggie Stiefvater | Expected publication: October 10th 2017 by Scholastic Press
From bestselling author Maggie Stiefvater, a gripping tale of darkness, miracles, and family.

Lady Killers: A Compendium by Tori Telfer | Expected publication: October 10th 2017 by Harper Perennial
Inspired by author Tori Telfer’s Jezebel column “Lady Killers,” this thrilling and entertaining compendium investigates female serial killers and their crimes through the ages.

The Book of Dust (The Book of Dust Trilogy #1) by Philip Pullman | Expected publication: October 19th 2017 by David Fickling Books
Philip Pullman returns to the world of His Dark Materials with this magnificent new novel, set ten years before Northern Lights and featuring his much-loved character, Lyra Belacqua.

Strange Weather: Four Short Novels by Joe Hill | Expected publication: October 24th 2017 by William Morrow
A collection of four chilling novels, ingeniously wrought gems of terror from the brilliantly imaginative, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Fireman, Joe Hill

The Trouble with Twelfth Grave (Charley Davidson #12) by Darynda Jones | Expected publication: October 31st 2017 by St. Martin’s Press
Grim Reaper Charley Davidson is back in the twelfth installment of Darynda Jones’ New York Times bestselling paranormal series.

Future Home of the Living God: A Novel by Louise Erdrich | Expected publication: November 14th 2017 by Harper
Louise Erdrich, the New York Times bestselling, National Book Award-winning author of LaRose and The Round House, paints a startling portrait of a young woman fighting for her life and her unborn child against oppressive forces that manifest in the wake of a cataclysmic event

Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by The Broke and the Bookish

When I think of beach reads, I think of contemporary novels. Most are fluffy and contain some form of romance. I don’t typically read a lot in that genre type but they are fun occasionally and I currently find myself with an abundance of them on my TBR. These are the ones I’d pick to accompany me onto the beach. 🏖

Hello, Sunshine by Laura Dave [Purchase]
The Simplicity of Cider by Amy E. Reichert [Purchase]
Wedding Girl by Stacey Ballis [Purchase] Only $1.99 on Kindle!
Love is a Mix Tape (Music #1) by Rob Sheffield [Purchase] Only $1.99 on Kindle!
I Remember Nothing: and Other Reflections by Nora Ephron [Purchase]

What Nora Knew by Linda Yellin [Purchase]
Heat Wave by Karina Halle [Purchase]
Who’s Afraid of Mr. Wolfe? by Hazel Osmond [Purchase]
Bet Me by Jennifer Crusie [Purchase]
The Boy Next Door (Boy #1) by Meg Cabot [Purchase]

Any of these you’d recommend I bump up the priority on? Which books would you bring to the beach with you?

Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by The Broke and the Bookish

My mom instilled in me a love of reading at an early age. I remember always taking walks to the library that was only a block or two away from my home when I was young. We’d spend hours there and I loved every minute of it. Throughout my life though she’s recommended a variety of books to me and these are the ones that left the most lasting impression over the years.

The Secret of the Old Clock (Nancy Drew #1) by Carolyn Keene
These are some of the first books I remember my mom recommending me. My mom grew up in the same small town I did and would tell me stories about hanging out in the library and reading all the Nancy Drews (and Hardy Boys). I never got around to the Hardy Boy’s and I didn’t finish all the Nancy Drew’s but I sure did love them.

Island of the Blue Dolphins by Scott O’Dell
This is my mom’s favorite book and she passed along that love to me. I went on to read many of Scott O’Dell’s stories but there was something truly special about Island of the Blue Dolphins. We’re about to do our first ever re-read soon, right mum? 🙂

The Clan of the Cave Bear (Earth’s Children #1) by Jean M. Auel
I read this at an incredibly young age when you consider how much cave sex was going on. People these days would tend to think this is a bad thing, but her never limiting what I decided to pick up was vital to my growing love for reading.

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone (Harry Potter #1) by J.K. Rowling
I was a bit late to the Potter party but my mom was the first to get me a copy. I lived with my other parent for a short period of time who was one of those weirdos you hear about that, for religious reasons, wouldn’t let Harry Potter in their house. Hail Satan. I would sneak my copies into my bedroom and read under my sheet at night with a flashlight just like Harry did. Best mom ever.

Outlander series by Diana Gabaldon
My mom and I read these together, well, as together as we could back before Kindles when we only had one copy. I read them first and she quickly scooped them up. I had just handed off Dragonfly in Amber to her and grabbed Voyager to take with me to work that day. I worked in a gold mine and I hated it so bad, I was constantly sneaking off to hide in the bathroom to read. My copy of Voyager was so old and beat up it had split in half and I accidentally grabbed the second half. It was the worst day ever but still good for a laugh to this day.

Edgar Allan Poe
My mom gave me my first introduction to Edgar Allan Poe by way of a small little book that was crumbling it was so old and if you couldn’t tell it was ancient, the $0.35 price tag gave it away. He quickly became one of my all-time favorites thanks to that little book.

Heart-Shaped Box by Joe Hill
I was a huge Goosebumps fan but fell out of love with horror as I got older. She clued me into this one (I read this before I had even picked up Stephen King) and it reminded me of everything that I used to love about the genre.

Skeleton Crew by Stephen King
My mom told me she tried reading this book when she was pregnant with me and that one particular story grossed her out so bad that she put it down and didn’t come back to it for months. I laughed, thinking she was over-reacting. Then I read The Raft and I knew what she was talking about. I started reading this in March 2014 and didn’t manage to get back around to it and finish until March of 2016. I actually think Survivor Type is even more horrifying though.

That Same Flower: Floria Aemilia’s Letter to St. Augustine by Jostein Gaarder
My mom came to visit my several years ago (we live in separate states) and when it came time to say goodbye in the extremely early hours of the day she left me this book, told me it was beautiful, and that I had to read it. I was much too sad to think about going back to sleep so I stayed up and read this cover to cover. It was beautiful and got me through the saddest times of that night.

The Collector by John Fowles
Fowles was a generalized recommendation from her many years ago and not sure quite where to start, I started at the beginning. The Collector may be crazy psycho (it’s about this guy that kidnaps this girl and keeps her in his basement — so what) but what an incredible book to claim as your debut novel. I have yet to read anything else by Fowles (it’ll happen, I swear) but this remains the best recommendation ever.

Thank you, mommy. I wouldn’t be the reader I am today if it wasn’t for you. <3

Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by The Broke and the Bookish

I love romances but damn they get some bad covers. I’ve read all of these (and highly recommend them!) but these covers were not seen in public. Oh no, these are Kindle reading only.

How to Misbehave (Camelot #1) by Ruthie Knox
Hearts in Darkness (Hearts in Darkness #1) by Laura Kaye
Beyond the Highland Mist (Highlander #1) by Karen Marie Moning
Asking for It (Asking for It #1) by Lilah Pace
Never Seduce a Scot (The Montgomerys and Armstrongs #1) by Maya Banks

The Many Sins of Lord Cameron (Mackenzies & McBrides #3) by Jennifer Ashley
Seven Secrets of Seduction (Secrets #1) by Anne Mallory
Some Like It Wild (Kincaid Highland #2) by Teresa Medeiros
Say Yes to the Marquess (Castles Ever After #2) by Tessa Dare
Seduced by Her Highland Warrior (MacKinloch Clan #2) by Michelle Willingham

Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by The Broke and the Bookish

I don’t like to limit myself when it comes to books. I try my best to keep an open mind when trying new things, but some topics have been tried and most of the time they have failed. This week’s topic is about all those subjects that just never work out.

Toxic Relationships (abuse, cheating, etc.) — There are just some topics that make me sick to my stomach and this is one of them. I’ve read very few stories that were done well.

Dying Kids/Suicide — There are just far too many of these sorts of stories and while I wholly believe the importance of making these issues aware to the general public I’ve just grown weary of their heartbreaking material.

Animal deaths — Look, kill off the main character. Kill off the best friend. Kill an entire village. I DON’T CARE WHO DIES BUT IT BETTER NOT BE THE ANIMAL.

Love triangles — There are a few stories that have love triangles that I’ve enjoyed… I think? There has to be at least one since there are approximately a billion of them. No… can’t think of any. Just kidding, I’ve always hated these.

Steampunk — Steampunk is one of those genres that I feel like I should love. It’s like some strange eclectic form of fantasy but no matter how many I try I absolutely cannot get on board with this genre.

Sports — A character plays sports? A character watches sports? A character talks about sports? Honestly, it doesn’t matter, I really don’t care about any of it.

Christian fiction or when “clean” romance is referenced — Simply put, I am not a religious person in any way and I certainly don’t want to read about it. And as far as “clean” romances go… honestly, why fucking bother? *snore*

Motivational shit — I’ve read Oprah’s book and Shonda Rhimes book and both were lovely. Sometimes they help when times are tough. But honestly, most of the time I just want to be like “SHUT UP, MY LIFE SUCKS, LET ME WALLOW.” How’s that for personal motivation?

Westerns — Admittedly, I haven’t tried too many of these but the ones I have were a snooze fest. Maybe I’m picking the wrong ones? Maybe I just have problems with cowboys. Who knows.

Plays — I remember having to read a lot of these in school so maybe that’s where it all went wrong. For me though, I don’t want to read a play… I want to see it.

Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by The Broke and the Bookish

I add a lot of books to my TBR at the drop of a hat. This week’s topic is all about those special things about a book that cause me to add them a bit faster the normal.

Magical Realism

Ever since I fell in love with Sarah Addison Allen I’ve been mad for more magical realism stories. I love how magical realism can be found in the widest of genres.

Foodie Fiction

If there is a single mention of a bakery, a kitchen, or a cupcake then you bet your ass I’ll be adding it.

Time Travel

Stories with time travel make up a majority of my favorite books.

Southern Gothic/Country Noir

If there’s a trailer on the cover or some mention of cooking meth in a basement, I’ll probably want to read it.

Tudors (or Philippa Gregory, really)

There’s just something about those crazy royals that I thoroughly enjoy reading about.

Zombies

I’m a huge fan of anything post-apocalyptic but add in zombies and I will absolutely be reading it.

Ghosties

I read a lot of horror but nothing freaks me out quite like a good ghost story.

“Downton-esque”

Similar to my obsession with the Tudors. Apparently, I like reading about snooty rich people.

Dual Timelines

Finding random relics that link to some mysterious story from the past? I’m all ears.

Plagues and Pandemics

Weird, right? I don’t know what it is about this subject matter but it makes me crazy obsessed.

Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by The Broke and the Bookish

Today’s topic is all about those books that possess something uniquely special about them. Whether it’s the story themselves or the way the story is told, these books are some of the most unique I’ve stumbled upon over the years.

S by J.J. Abrams
This book is like a convoluted treasure map. There’s a story, there are notes from multiple people written in the sidebar about the story, there are notes written on various paraphernalia (napkins, postcards, etc.) and there are many different websites dedicated to figuring out the truth of this book. It’s really something.

Brian Froud’s Faerielands series
Each of the four books in this series is written by a different author, but each story is based on a piece of Brian Froud’s art. Each is equally brilliant, however, The Wood Wife is by far my favorite.

Locke & Key series by Joe Hill
By far the most suspenseful graphic novel I’ve ever had the pleasure of reading. A mysterious mansion and keys with unimaginable powers — this series is both horrifying and entertaining as hell.

When We Were Animals by Joshua Gaylord
A story which combines the werewolf legend with coming-of-age, navigating the trickiness betwixt childhood and adulthood. And somehow it works perfectly.

American Elsewhere by Robert Jackson Bennett
A small town in New Mexico shrouded in mystery that can’t be found on any map. A research station that was closed in the 70s. A Stepford Wives type of perfection in the town’s inhabitants. And an outsider that found her way in.

The Lover’s Dictionary by David Levithan
An emotional read, written in the way of a dictionary with definitions and a story behind each word.

Fairyland series by Catherynne M. Valente
A twelve-year-old girl named September is invited on an adventure to Fairyland. Much like The Chronicles of Narnia but much more magical.

Dear Mr. You by Mary-Louise Parker
A remarkably written book consisting of a series of letters written to all the men who made her the woman she is today.

Night Film by Marisha Pessl
A fascinating, edge-of-your-seat thriller that immerses you in the investigation with a full range of visuals from newspaper articles, websites, and case notes.

House of Leaves by Mark Z. Danielewski
Much like Night Film in its use of different visuals but is quite the adventure in and of itself.