Category Archives: Top Ten Tuesday
Hot Reads in the Summertime: Top Ten Beach reads
Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature from The Broke and the Bookish. This week we’re counting down our Top Ten Beach Reads. I’d probably waterproof my kindle and bring that to the beach for the most reading options, but it’s fun to narrow it down to ten choices. Some of these are recent favorites and some I hope to read under the sun this summer.
Hit the beach with these books:
1. The Moon and More by Sarah Dessen - Sarah Dessen books and the beach go together like a lock and key (another Dessen book!) All the books take place in the beach town Colby and it’s fun to spot the characters from previous books.
2. Nantucket Blue by Leila Howland – This debut novel is about family, love and friendship and is more of a heavier summer read, but it also has a picturesque setting.
3. The Distance Between Us by Kasie West – This one is on my summer wish list, just a few more weeks to go. “Pretty in Pink meets Pride and Prejudice” is how I saw it described on the author’s blog.
4. Faking It by Cora Carmack – This series is so witty, engaging, and romantic. I think I liked the sequel/companion book Faking It better than the first book Losing It, though both would make excellent beach reading material.
5. A Hundred Summers by Beatriz Williams – Shake it up with a little historical adult fiction. This book is set in 1931 and 1938 in Seaview, Rhode Island and is about friendships, secrets and love. I’m doing the audio of this one, which I guess might give you a sunburn if you fall asleep while listening in the sand.
6. Reconstructing Amelia by Kimberly McCreight – This summer’s Gone Girl? If it is I need to set aside the time to read it straight through, since I couldn’t put down Gone Girl. It sounds very twisty turny and mysterious to me.
7. Down London Road by Samantha Young - Like Faking It above, I think I liked this sequel even better than the original (On Dublin Street), but both are fantastic. Well-written romances, great setting and characters, good book boyfriends, and fast reads.
8.The Spectacular Now by Tim Tharp – The Spectacular Now movie is coming out in August, and I hope to sneak in the book first. Gosh, there’s so many book adaptations coming out- I hope this one is as good as it looks!
9. Dirty Little Secret by Jennifer Echols – If you’re going through Nashville withdrawal like I am, maybe this country music- themed romance will distract you. Like Sarah Dessen, Jennifer Echols books go with the beach like the moon and the stars.
10. Tidal by Emily Snow – I read this one back when it was first self-published but now it has a shiny new Touchstone paperback release. This New Adult romance is set in Hawaii and Los Angeles and features a romance between a troubled Hollywood actress and her Australian surfing instructor. If that doesn’t scream beach read I don’t know what does.
What books will you be bringing to the beach?
On the Road Again: Top Ten Road Trip Books
Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature from The Broke and the Bookish. This is a TTT freebie week, and with summer fast approaching I’ve got travel on the mind. My summer vacation plans aren’t firmed up yet, but in the meantime I can at least travel with books. Some of these are my faves and some are on my own summer reading list!
Get your motor running with these road trip books:
1. The Disenchantments by Nina LaCour - An all-girl band goes hits the road in a borrowed turquoise VW bus to tour the Pacific Northwest. The book is told from the male POV of Colby, their friend/manager.
2. Amy & Roger’s Epic Detour by Morgan Matson – This is a cross-country road trip from California to Connecticut with Amy and Roger. Amy is grieving her father’s death, and she unexpectedly starts crushing on her travel companion, Roger. This book gives you the whole road trip experience with mix tapes, and supplemental material like receipts, and state trivia.
3. How My Summer Went Up in Flames by Jennifer Salvato Doktorski – Rosie’s parents send her away on a road trip with neighbor Matty and two friends to put some distance between her and her ex (a guy who’s car she just set on fire.)
4. Paper Towns by John Green – Quentin’s search for Margo leads him on an adventurous road trip.
5. Right of Way by Lauren Barnholdt – Companion book to Two-Way Street- this is about Jace and Peyton, exes who end up on a road trip together.
6. The Miles Between by Mary E. Pearson -This is about a group of teens that leave their boarding school for a road trip and day of fun.
7. You Are Here by Jennifer E. Smith - I know this author from Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight but she has several books under her belt. Emma and her neighbor Peter venture on a road trip for different reasons, and find more than they bargained for.
8. Take Me There by Carolee Dean – Bad boy Dylan falls for “out of his league” Jess but is on the run from a bad situation.
9. Wanderlove by Kristin Hubbard – International travel, anyone? Bria finds herself while backpacking Central America.
10. Unbreak My Heart by Melissa Walker - Break up the monotony of the road with a boat trip! Heartbroken Clementine is on a sailboat with her parents all summer and meets James at one of the stops along the river.
Are you taking any road trips this summer, or traveling vicariously through books?
Top Ten Book Cover Faves by Author
Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature from The Broke and the Bookish. Book covers have been a hot button topic lately with Maureen Johnson’s Cover Flip bringing lots of attention to book marketing. I definitely judge books by their covers, especially with debut authors. It was fun looking at covers this week and seeing the consistencies within an author’s body of work, and the changes with a paperback release.
This week I’m looking at book covers by author since generally I’m a fan of these authors, and it makes me wonder if I’d feel differently about any of these books if they had different covers. Hmm…
Top Ten Favorite Covers by Author:
1. Rainbow Rowell - I hate to pick favorites, but I just adore all of Rainbow Rowell’s book covers. I know authors don’t usually get any input into their cover art, but it seems like Rowell does get to collaborate her cover designs with her publisher, and they have all done a fantastic job. I wouldn’t mind owning prints of all these covers.
2. Sara Zarr – Zarr’s books are simple and pretty, with nice typography and the cover matches the tone of the book. Once Was Lost was recently released with a new title/cover. It’s nice, but I think the original is lovely too.
3. Colleen Hoover – Hoover’s books recently had a re-design, and they are striking and colorful and I wouldn’t mind owning this new set. But there is still something charming about the simplicity of the original Slammed and Point of Retreat covers.
4. David Levithan - Levithan’s covers are attractive and creative and match up well to the story within.
5. Jessi Kirby – All of Kirby’s covers appeal to me and really evoke a summer mood. Just realized I own hardcovers of all of these.
6. Robin Benway – I like the pop of color and vibe of all of Benway’s covers. The bright colors are consistent throughout even though stylistically they are so different. AKA is my favorite.
7. Katie Kacvinsky - I like the symbols used in Katie’s covers and how they relate to the books. It’s refreshing to see books with romance in them without kissing or couples used on the covers, so I was glad that the First Comes Love cover was redesigned with the pb release.
8. Gayle Forman – I’ve always been drawn to the original cover of If I Stay, and I’m not a fan of the later covers of If I Stay/Where She Went. I do like the Just One Day/Just One Year covers though and think they fit the book. I prefer the original cover of Just One Day rather than the pb, but it’s not too bad.
9. Ruta Sepetys – Between Shades of Gray is the rare exception that I like both in hardcover and paperback, though both covers are so different. Love the colors in Out of the Easy and how the style fits the theme of the book so well.
10. Jennifer E. Smith – The typography and style of these covers just make me happy, and these are books I definitely buy in hardcover.
What are your favorite book covers?
Top Ten Books Dealing with Tough Subjects
Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature from The Broke and the Bookish. Last week’s subject was light reads and this week we’re going to the dark side. Surprisingly, this week’s topic was easier for me than last weeks! I’ve been gravitating towards lighter books lately, though I’ve certainly read my share of tough subject books.
These books deal with the tough stuff:
1. Miracle by Elizabeth Scott - Miracle takes on the aftermath of a plane crash and PTSD. Living Dead Girl by Scott could also easily be on this list- it still haunts me to this day.
2. Live Through This by Mindy Scott – Live Through This is a gripping novel about abuse.
3. If You Find Me by Emily Murdoch – If You Find Me is a tale about abuse, and survival.
4. Wintergirls by Laurie Halse Anderson – Wintergirls is a chilling book about anorexia. Anderson’s Speak should easily be on this list as well.
5. The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky – I tend to think of this book being about depression and grief for the most part, but there are other tough issues explored as well.
6. Hold Still by Nina LaCour – This book centers on the aftermath of suicide.
7. Speechless by Hannah Harrington- Speechless is about a bully who becomes bullied herself.
8. Don’t Breathe a Word by Holly Cupala – Takes you inside the life of a runaway trying to survive on the streets.
9. The Survival Kit by Donna Freitas - Loved this book about grieving and healing after losing a mother, but after going through this myself this is the kind of book I avoid now. It’s so interesting how personal experience shapes our book choices.
10. Something Like Normal by Trish Doller – Male POV about a soldier experiencing PTSD on his return home from Afghanistan.
Do you prefer to read lighter books or those dealing with tough subjects? Are there any tough subject matters you avoid?
Top Ten Light and Fun Comfort Reads
Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature from The Broke and the Bookish. I’m so in need of some light and fun recs right now, so I’m happy to see this week’s topic. I like lighter reads in the spring/summer or anytime I need a little cheering up. Not all of these books are non-stop laugh riots but they have a good blend of laughter, depth, and romance.
On the list are some of my favorite comfort reads, and some more recent faves:
1. Anna & The French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins - One of my favorite go-to feel good reads. In fact, I may have to re-read Anna and Lola again before Isla’s release. (Review)
2. The Reece Malcolm List by Amy Spalding – Really touching read about a new mother daughter relationship, musical theater, romance, and Los Angeles. I wanted to read it again as soon as I finished. (Review)
3. Also Known As by Robin Benway – Benway’s writing is so witty, and this spy themed novel is a lot of fun. Her novel Audrey, Wait is also a blast. (Review)
4. My Life Next Door by Huntley Fitzpatrick – This is not LOL funny, but there are some heart-warming moments, and I’m in love with the Garrett family. I recently re-read as an audiobook and it is a new favorite comfort read. As far as I know this is a standalone book but it would be cool if Fitzpatrick would write a companion book. (Review)
5. A Midsummer’s Nightmare by Kody Keplinger – This book is about a carefree summer gone wrong, and has great character development, and a realistic story. (Review)
6. This is What Happy Looks Like by Jennifer E. Smith – I’m reading this right now and it’s very cute. Just what the doctor ordered. Great setting, romance and laughs.
7. Losing It by Cora Carmack – A funny, sexy NA novel. If you haven’t clicked with a NA book, don’t give up yet- Carmack has a fresh and witty voice. The companion book Faking it is a treat as well. (Review)
8. Deadly Cool by Gemma Halliday – A black comedy type murder mystery that is lots of fun. There are many LOL moments in this one. (Review)
9. How Zoe Made Her Dreams (Mostly) Come True by Sarah Strohmeyer - Just started this one because it looks like the very definition of light and fun. It’s about a girl who works at a Fairyland theme park with a boss from hell.
10. Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? by Mindy Kaling – Humorous memoirs are always fun comfort reads for me. I’ve read this book and listened to the audio but haven’t reviewed it yet – oops! If you are a fan of The Mindy Project like I am you need to check this out. Mindy has a great sense of humor.
What are your favorite light and fun comfort reads?
Top Ten Verse Novels On My TBR
Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature from The Broke and the Bookish. This week is a TTT Rewind week. I’m going with the topic Books I’m Dying to Read, with a focus on Novels in Verse.
April is poetry month, and I know verse novels aren’t exactly the same thing, but they are poetic in their own way. I like reading the heavier hitting verse novels like ones that tackle issues/tough topics. The books are often quick reads with fewer words on the page, yet powerful and substantial in other ways.
I want to read more novels in verse, and I even have a verse collection on my kindle. Here are 10 that I’m eager to check out:
1. The Language Inside by Holly Thompson – May 14 Delacorte. A multicultural verse novel about identity and post-tsunami Japan.
2. Out of This Place by Emma Cameron – May 14 Candlewick Press. First released in Australia as Cinnamon Rain.
3. The Weight of Water by Sarah Crossan – July 23 Bloomsbury USA. A MG/YA coming of age about a Polish girl who moves to England and tries to fit in.
4. Canary by Rachel Alpine – August 1 Medallion Press. This contemporary deals with assault, and the premise kind of reminds me of Daisy Whitney’s The Mockingbirds.
5. Smoke by Ellen Hopkins - September 10 Margaret K. McElderry Books. Companion/sequel to Burned.
6. Freakboy by Kristin Elizabeth Clark – October 22 Farrar, Straus & Giroux. A transgender coming of age novel.
7. My Book of Life by Angel by Martine Leavitt – A novel in verse about teen prostitution and addiction.
8. Inside Out and Back Again by Thanha Lai - A verse novel about a girl who has to leave Saigon for America when the Vietnam War hits too close to home.
9. Defy the Stars by Stephanie Parent – An edgy, modern Romeo & Juliet inspired novel in verse.
10. Glimpse by Carol Lynch Williams – A dark, intense story about sisters going through a traumatic event.
Do you like verse novels and have any recommendations? Let me know what made your TTT list today!
Spring Fever: Top Ten Books At The Top Of My TBR
Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature from The Broke and the Bookish. This week we are counting down the books on our Spring TBR! These are (some of) the books I have my eye on, listed in order of publication date:
1. Clockwork Princess by Cassandra Clare – March 19 Margaret K. McElderry Books. Is this really the end of the Infernal Devices? That was fast!
2. OCD, The Dude, and Me by Lauren Vaughn Roedy – March 21 Dial. I guess I just like quirky books about people that don’t fit in but eventually find their place in the world.
3. If You Find Me by Emily Murdoch – March 26 St. Martin’s Griffin. This contemporary survival story / mystery sounds intense.
4. That Time I Joined the Circus by J.J. Howard – April 1 Scholastic Point. Described as The Night Circus meets Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist. Circus settings in books are interesting to me, and I like the music tie-in.
5. Walking Disaster by Jamie McGuire – April 2 Atria. Can’t help but be curious about Beautiful Disaster from Travis’ perspective.
6. How Zoe Made Her Dreams (Mostly) Come True by Sarah Strohmeyer – April 23 Balzer & Bray. Looks cute- it’s described as The Devil Wears Prada set in Disney World.
7. Game. Set. Match. by Jennifer Iacopelli – May 1 Coliloquy. Looking forward to reading this New Adult tennis romance.
8. The Lucy Variations by Sara Zarr – May 7 Little, Brown. About a musical prodigy whose career ends prematurely. I’m always drawn to music themed books, and eagerly await this one.
9. If I Should Die by Amy Plum – May 7 Harper Teen. Time to wrap up The Revenants trilogy.
10. The Language Inside by Holly Thompson – May 14 Delacorte. A multicultural verse novel about identity and post-tsunami Japan.
What books top your Spring reading list? Let me know in the comments!
