Top Ten Tuesdays: Books I'm Excited To Read in 2012

I'm glad to finally be able to get back on track and join in on my favorite memes. The Broke and the Bookish have a weekly feature called Top Ten Tuesdays where blogs can sing-up and share their lists about that week's topic! This week, TTT is about our top ten books we're excited about this year...here's mine:

1. City of Lost Souls (Mortal Instruments #5) by Cassandra Clare

I'm very excited about finally reading CoLS. After reading CoFA, I can't wait to see what happens with Jace and Simon. Plus, it'll be nice to see how Cassandra ends the series...

  

2. Immortal Hearts (Vampire Kisses #9) by Ellen Schreiber

I can't even express how giddy I am for this to come out! After nine books, I keep wondering how Ellen will wrap this up and where the characters will go. Raven and Alexander have been one of my favorite fictional characters and wonder how they'll deal with a certain relative! ;D

3. On Midnight Wings (The Maker's Song #5) Adrian Phoenix

As of right now, I'm reading the most newest installment in the series, Etched in Bone, and can't get enough of it. I love the budding romance between Heather and Dante and how vividly Adrian can portray Dante's beauty and anguish.

4. Goddess Interrupted (Goddess Test #2) by Aimee Carter

I'm a huge Greek mythology nerd, so this is a series I would love to read more about. After reading The Goddess Test, I loved the characters and can't wait to see what Kate might do for her "vacation".

5. Magic of the Moonlight (Full Moon #2) by Ellen Schreiber

I'm a huge Schreiber fan, so I wasn't sure if I would like this series because it wasn't VK. However, Celeste and Brandon pulled me in like Ellen Schreiber's characters always do! I want to know what happens with Brandon's 'curse' and if they will really want to break it.

6. Clockwork Princess (Infernal Devices #3) by Cassandra Clare

Along with loving the Mortal Instruments series, I have loved Cassandra's new series, Infernal Devices, and want to see how Tessa's story plays out. Plus, I don't think I'm the only one who wants to see a certain romance bud!

7. Dreamless (Starcrossed #2) by Josephine Angelini

I loved Starcrossed and want to see how Helen and Lucas deal with certain problems as well as see if there might be a love triangle forming for them.

8. Everneath (Everneath #1) by Brodi Ashton

I saw this book last year and once I saw it involved romance and mythology, I click "to-read" on Goodreads. The cover is absolutely beautiful and the book seems like a potentially great series!

9. The Golden Lily (Bloodlines #2) by Richelle Mead

I haven't gotten to read the first installment yet, but I love Richelle Mead's work! Since it's continuing on the VA series and contains characters I love, I'm hoping this is a great series! (Plus, this cover is gorgeous!)

10. Rapture (Fallen #4) by Lauren Kate

This series is cute and tragic all in one and I can't get enough of it. I need to also catch-up on the series itself, so this release will definitely help me get back into the swing of Luce and Daniel again.

What books are you guys looking forward to this year?

Peace and Fangs,
Alisha

Top Ten Tuesdays: Books I Want to Reread

TTT is a weekly feature held by the Broke and the Bookish. This week's topic are books that we would love to reread. Here's my list:

1. The Book Thief by Mark Zusak
Beautifully written and a different take and perspective on a huge event in our history. This was a school read, but everyone in my class was captivated by it.

2. Got Fangs? by Katie Maxwell
It was absolutely hilarious and some of the best kissing scenes I've ever read. I kept up with this series and would love to reread how it all began between Fran and Ben.

3. Beastly by Alex Flinn
This is one of the best YA book I've read so far. It's so simple with being based in Brooklyn, but I love the development of the characters and budding romance.

4. The Replacement by Brenna Yovanoff
I tried to read this at first and could not get through it. I wan to read it in the future since I know how well-written it is and what the heck Mackie is.

5. Sisters Red by Jackson Pearce
I absolutely love adaptions and this was a perfect one. I can not wait for the sequel to this one, but I will definitely be rereading this before it comes out.

6. Frostbite (Vampire Academy #2) by Richelle Mead
I love the VA series, if you don't already know. But, I really want to read this book in the series again. This is where Rose meets Adrian and I remember my reaction to him, a mixture of confusion and giddiness. But, it will be awesome to reread Rose's thoughts about Adrian.

7. Unleashed by Kristopher Reisz
This is one of my favorite werewolf books. This was actually what started my obsession with paranormal and Urban Fantasy! I haven't read it in years, so I'd love to get my hands on it again.

8. Romiette and Julio by Sharon M. Draper
Again with the adaptions! I loved this take on Romeo and Juliet. It was suspenseful in some parts and very sweet, innocent romance mixed in with it.

9. Younger by Pamela Redmond Satran
This was my first adult book and kicked off my love for them. it was like any other book, but had the drama of adulthood and how your lies will catch up with you.

10. Immortal by Gillian Shields
I love this series and Sebastian makes me jump up and down with glee. I love reading this series and want to continue. However, Immortal is more about the romance while Betrayal just caused me to cry.

What are some books you'd love to reread? Did I put some of your choices?

Peace and Fangs,
Alisha

Top Ten Tuesdays: Trends You'd Like To See More of/Less of

TTT is a weekly meme held by The Broke and Bookish. This week is over trends we want to see more or less of. I split my up with the first five being the ones I want to see more of and the second half being the ones I don't want to see more of.

Trends I Want

1. Greek Mythology - I love Greek mythology and would love to see it interpreted into books. You barely see them in books nowadays. If it had a nice modern twist on it, plus romance...perfection!

2. Minority main characters - It's sad to say that books have barely progressed in using minority characters. It would be nice to have a different culture or race. I think it'll be sometime before there are minority main characters where race isn't an issue in the book.

3. Historical fiction - It is pretty prominent already, but I just want to see even more of it. Books set in the Victorian time, Ancient Egypt, and the Viking era are my favorite. I wish there were more authors than there already are writing about it.

4. Modern adaptions - I'm a HUGE fan of these kinds of books. I love reading old classics being turned into modern times. Classics are my favorites and don't get me started with Shakespeare! So, I would want modern adaptions, but done elegantlly.

5. College-age characters - This a rare genre. There are barely any books that go over this age range. I'm glad to say a lot more people feel that there should be more books for this age range, even giving the genre a name: "New Adult."

Trends I DON'T Want

6. Slang - I'm getting tired of it. Knock it off! I don't like when authors try to connect with us teenagers by using "text talk" and Valley girl language. No teen talks like that and if they do...*shakes head* anyways... Just please stop, I don't like it. I'm a big girl, I can read big words.

7. Scandalous teen drama - Even before Gossip Girl came to television, these books have been everywhere. I read one and actually liked it, I will continue with the series when I get a chance. However, that's all I see nowadays and it seems like every time one of these series becomes popular, they are turned into TV shows. I get it, young people's lives aren't the greatest.

8. Animal books - I've never been into animal movies and I could never be into animal books. There are some great animal books like Where the Red Fern Grows by Wilson Rawls. But, it doesn't do anything for me.

9. Modern technology - I don't mind if authors toss in a cell phone or computer here or there. But, it starts to bother me when they start throwing in Macs, iPhones, plasma flat screen. Maybe in twenty years they'll seem prehistoric, but for now, it's just...weird.

10. Small towns - A lot of books are set in small towns, so there isn't that much to talk about the surroundings or the people. I don't have a problem with it. However, for paranormal books sometimes, it's weird to think that a vampire or werewolf or whatever would go to a small city to blend in. I would think it would be harder for them to blend in smaller cities because everyone knows everyone.

What trneds do you want to see more of in books? Is there any that you rather not have?

Peace and Fangs,

Alisha

Top Ten Tuesdays: Books That Tackle Tough Issues



TTT is a weekly meme held by The Broke and Bookish. This week's topic is about books that hold tough issues in society.

1) Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher - Suicide

2) Starcrossed by Mark Schreiber - Suicide and Depression

3) I Heart You, You Haunt Me by Lisa Schroeder - Grief and Loss

4) Willow by Julia Hoban - Self-Injury and Loss

5) To Kill A  Mockingbird by Harper Lee - Racism

6) The Boy in the Striped Pajamas by John Boyne - Innocence

7) Bloodletting by Victoria Leatham - Self-Injury

8) The Quiet Room by Lori Schiller, Amanda Bennett - Schizophrenia

9) The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath - Mental Illness

10) My Sister's Keeper by Jodi Picoult - Cancer

What books do you like that tackle tough issues? Did I mention any?

Peace and Fangs,
Alisha

Top Ten Tuesdays: Books You Believe Should Be Require Reading for Teens

TTT is a weekly meme held by the girls over at The Broke and the Bookish. Here is my list for this week's topic:

1) Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling - The series teaches courage and bravery along with sticking with what you believe in. Also, this is such an iconic series that I think future generations need to see why this series is so important and what it brought for so many people.

2) The Book Thief by Markus Zusak - Death is the narrator for this book and it created such an intriguing read that none of my classmates disliked it. This book brings so much love and hate, and makes life so much more valuable.

3) Interview with a Vampire by Anne Rice - This is THE classic vampire story. Teens should read this because it tells such a complex story of grief, love and murder along with amazing grammar and writing structure.

4) Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen - I can't even begin to say why this needs to be on every school reading list. I think this is one of the most realistic fictional stories out there. Every theme in here from romance to destruction tugs at your heart and can teach teens that even in the darkest times, you can rise above it.

5) The Picture of Dorian Grey by Oscar Wilde - I actually have not read this book, but I've seen the movie. Obviously, no movie can amount to the actual book, but I loved this story. It teaches that your wrongdoings will catch up with you and to watch what you wish for.

The rest are because they're classics:
6) To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee

7) Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare

8) The Odyssey by Homer

9) Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck

10) The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald

Peace and Fangs,
Alisha

Top Ten Tuesdays: Authors I'd Die To Meet

TTT is a weekly meme created over at The Broke and the Bookish. This week's list is over authors we'd do anything to meet.

I'll only name off the authors and their books for my list. But, I will say that I picked these authors because they are amazing writers and have created books that send you into a whole new world. I have fallen in love with their books and would love to talk to them about their works along with getting to know them.

1. J.K. Rowling (Harry Potter)

2. Becca Fitzpatrick (Hush, Hush)

3. Kelley Armstrong (Darkest Powers)

4. Ellen Schreiber (Vampire Kisses)

5. Richelle Mead (Vampire Academy)

6. Cassandra Clare (Mortal Instruments/Infernal Devices)

7. Adrian Phoenix (Maker's Song)

8. Mari Mancusi (Blood Coven)

9. Anne Rice (The Vampire Chronicles)

10. Beth Fantaskey (Jessica)

I have some others like Katie MacAlister and Gillian Shields, but it's top ten for a reason. *sigh* What authors would you die to meet?

Peace and Fangs,
Alisha

Top Ten Tuesday: AWW Moments in Books

Top Ten Tuesdays is a weekly meme held by The Broke and Bookish. Here is my list:

1. The ending of Starcrossed by Mark Schreiber. This is my favorite book and every part of it was so elegant and well-written, but the ending brought me to tears. It also shows a very strong issue among young adults, but does it in such a blunt and surprising way, which is what we need nowadays.

2. In Last Sacrifice by Richelle Mead, I loved when Rose and Dimitri confess their feelings towards one another. I was waiting for them to get back together and I was blown away by the scene. It was better than I expected.

3. I love the scene in Vampire Kisses by Ellen Schreiber where Raven and Trevor run into Alexander during Halloween night and she runs away. That scene starts off their whole romance!

4. The kiss between Fran and Ben in Confessions of a Vampire's Girlfriend by Katie MacAlister. It was so intense and vivid, I could see it. Plus, I told most of my friends to read the passage because of how vivid it was!

5. Basically any intimate scene between Chloe and Derek in The Reckoning by Kelley Armstrong. I love their relationship and every scene makes my heart flutter.

6. In City of Glass by Cassandra Clare when Jace Wayland says, "I am a man, and men do not consume pink beverages. Get thee gone woman, and bring me something brown."

7. In Interview with a Vampire by Anne Rice, the way Louis speaks about Claudia after her death so long ago, it still hurts him. He still cares for her and wishes she was still alive.

8. In Unleashed by Kristopher Reisz, when Daniel and Misty are in her room and she tells him about when she played Pip in the Midsummer Night's Dream play.

9. I loved the almost kiss between Nora and Patch in Hush, Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick. It was so intense and almost there...and then nothin'!

10. Lastly, Beastly by Alex Flinn makes me smile when Kyle makes the garden for Linda.

That's my top 10, what's your's?

Peace and Fangs,
Alisha

Top Ten Tuesday: Favorite Book Settings

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme held by The Broke and the Bookish. This week's top ten is over what are our favorite book settings.

Vampire Academy (from the Vampire Academy series by Richelle Mead)

La Push, WA (from the Twilight saga by Stephenie Meyer)

Sword & Cross Boarding School (from Fallen by Lauren Kate)

Modern New York (from Beastly by Alex Flinn)

Lyle House (from Darkest Powers series by Kelley Armstrong)

Maine (from the Need series by Carrie Jones)

Dullsville (from the Vampire Kisses series by Ellen Schreiber)

GothFaire (from In the Company of Vampires by Katie MacAlister)

Circus (from Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen)

Chemistry Lab (from Jekel Loves Hyde by Beth Fantaskey)

What are your favorite settings?

Peace and Fangs,
Alisha