Top Ten Tuesday - Books I would play hooky with

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by The Broke and The Bookish.

This week's TOP TEN:

Books I would play hooky with...

These are the types of books that you would abandon everything else -- work, chores, dinner plans, church, etc -- so you can read.

1. The Vampire Academy Series by Richelle Mead 

This series is so incredibly addicting. When I read it the first time, it was absolutely misery making when I had to put it down. 

2. The Mortal Instruments by Cassandra Clare

Um, hello, Jace! When Jace's fate hangs on the line, it is not likely that I will be able to do anything but read these books. When a story is based around extensive world building, it has the ability to suck you into it and hold you bound until the last page.

3. Hex Hall Series by Rachel Hawkins

Yup, addicting. The action is so constant and absorbing that finishing one chapter just leaves you needing to read the next one -- immediately -- even if it is your el stop and you really should be getting off the train. 

4. Uglies Series by Scott Westerfeld

This book series was exceptionally hard to put down and was one that I just kept thinking about. 

5. The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern

Just finished reading this one and it is a new favorite! It is beautiful and alluring. I could spend forever reading it. I pretty much did nothing but read all weekend. 

6. Hush, Hush Saga by Becca Fitzpatrick

I've read this series a few times. It never gets easy to put down. 

7. Harry Potter by J.K Rowling

This needs no explanation. Wizards, magic, owl mail, dragons, Neville Longbottom... 

8. Stephanie Perkins Books

I loved both Anna and the French Kiss and Lola and the Boy Next Door. They are those perfect books that are easy to get lost in on a Saturday afternoon. I can't wait to play hooky with the next book from her. 

9 & 10. Dystopians by Amazing Authors

I am just going to go ahead and simplify this by saying that Dystopians are absolutely addicting. I already know that I will play hooky while reading Insurgent by Veronica Roth, Requiem by Lauren Oliver, Once by Anna Carey, Patriot by Marie Lu and Reached by Ally Condie. 

I love nothing more than getting lost inside the pages of a book and bound by the author's words. It feels like the world has come to a stop while you are gone in another one. And some books are just worth abandoning everything else in lieu of quality time reading.

What books would you play hooky for?

Top Ten Tuesday

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish.

This week...

Top Ten Authors I Wish Would Write Another Book (debut authors, authors who seem to have taken a hiatus, OR for those who read classics authors you wish would have written another book before they passed)

1. Cassandra Clare author of The Mortal Instruments and The Infernal Devices series:
We all know Cassie Clare does shadowhunters brilliantly. Beyond brilliantly. She has woven two fantastic series. She has a knack for interesting, yet extremely infuriating story lines. Fantastic characters with wonderful stories and witty dialogue. And, of course, swoonworthy young men -- Jace and Will. 


Despite the fact that both series are centered on the shadowhunter world, they still manage to be very unique from each other and other books out there. Which makes me curious -- what else does Cassie Clare have for us? I am thinking I would love to have her write a dystopian or post-apocalyptic story. And nobody said it couldn't also be about shadowhunters. We have the past (TID) -- we have the present (TMI) -- what lies in the future for Cassie Clare (tbd)?


2. J.K Rowling author of Harry Potter:
Seven books of pure genius. As creator of one of the greatest, most gripping, and magical worlds of make believe, J.K. Rowling has no need to write anything else. But with an imagination like that, I can't help but wonder what else she could write. I know one thing for sure, I would read it in a heart-beat. 


3. Kiersten White author of Paranormalcy Trilogy:
I love Kiersten White. I follow her on both her blog and twitter. She always has the cutest and funniest things to say. I think her writing is equally adorable and brilliant. I know she has several projects on the horizon, and I am incredibly excited for them. Though her Paranormalcy series is not my favorite, I have this feeling that someday, a book written by her will be. 


4. Suzanne Collins author of The Hunger Games Trilogy:
I think it is fair to say that Suzanne Collins made people realize that dystopian books are AWESOME. That is not to say she is the first to have ever written one but since this series blew up, so has the dystopian trend. And, I am so grateful. I love reading about our world set in the future. A world that could be. And I loved the world that Suzanne Collins created. It takes a skilled writer to design a book around the glorification of killing without glorifying killing. She did it well. She did it with a gallon of emotion. And because of that, I would read anything else she has to write.

5. Jane Austen author of Pride and Prejudice, Sense and Sensibility, and others:
Admittedly, I have not read much Jane Austen. Which perhaps then I shouldn't really be requesting more books from her... But, I love her stories. What I would love, is for Jane Austen, creator of the best heroines and snarkiest men, to live during our time. I would love for her to write in our day and age so that I could make it through more than one page without getting hung up on the old language. Alas, all we have is what she has already given us. And that is enough, because from there, so many adorable romances have been created. 


6. Becca Fitzpatrick author of the Hush, Hush Saga
How about the story of why Patch fell the first time? 


7. Carrie Ryan author of The Forest of Hands and Teeth
Maybe something a little more uplifting and with a lot less decaying but with equal amounts of heart-wrenching and exciting. 


8. Ally Condie author of Matched Trilogy
I love her beautiful and simple writing. I can't wait for what else she has to offer.


9. Rachel Hawkins author of Hex Hall Series
I love, love, love Hex Hall, and it is about witches and demons. Which means, Rachel Hawkins could write about office supplies and I would probably love it. 


10. ??? 
Copout! I cannot decide on number ten. There are so many debut authors out there just getting their feet on the ground, and I am eagerly awaiting what they all have in store for the future. 

What is on your top ten list?

Top Ten Books on the Horizon in 2012

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish.

This week...

Top Ten Books I am excited to read in 2012

One of the best and worst trends in the YA writing world is the series -- it is the best because once you reach the last page, there is more story yet to come. It is the worst because there is more story yet to come and all you can do is wait...wait, wait, wait. Wait for more of the wonderful characters. Wait for more of the invigorating plot. And wait for more of the beautiful writing. 

They are worth waiting for. And now that another year has begun, the countdown to the next installments in some of my favorite series has begun. 

1. Pandemonium by Lauren Oliver: Book birthday - February 28 

If you have read Delirium, you know that the book ended infuriatingly. Horrible, torturesome cliffhanger. I need more. Stat. And thanks to Emily over at As the Crowe Flies (and Reads), I will get to read this early! 

2. Spellbound by Rachel Hawkins: Book birthday - March 13

When I first read Hex Hall, I had no idea of the adventure I was in store for. These covers didn't grab me, but now that I know how adorable, funny, and exciting the books are, I find them great. This is probably the book I am most excited for. I just love Sophie Mercer. And I just love Archer Cross even more! 

3. The Golden Lily by Richelle Mead: Book birthday - June 19

Adrian Ivashkov. Enough said.

4. City of Lost Souls by Cassandra Clare: Book birthday - May 8

Come on Cassie Clare. Stop writing books that I want to read! And stop making them so - good. City of Fallen Angels ended with a bang. I am literally crawling out of my skin excited to read the next one. More Jace -- that could never be a bad thing. 

5. Fever by Lauren DeStefano: Book birthday - February 21

I enjoyed Wither. I wouldn't say it was my favorite book of the year, but it definitely held my interest. Then ended right when things were getting really, really good. 

6. Rapture by Lauren Kate: Book birthday - June 12

This series took a reread to get me hooked. Yes, I disliked it the first time, yet still read it again. Don't ask why. All I know was that was a very good decision. I am completely hooked to the love story of Luce and Daniel. What is going to happen? Can true love win over all?

7. Untitled (Hush, Hush book # 4) by Becca Fitzpatrick: Book birthday - October 

This series was supposed to end with Silence. Boy am I glad that it didn't. Patch. Patch. Patch.  Thank goodness there is more of him to look forward to!

8. Untitled (Matched book # 3) by Ally Condie: Book birthday - November 13

Cassia, Ky, Xander. A dystopian world. I am preparing my heart already for an emotional roller coaster. 

9. Insurgent by Veronica Roth: Book birthday - May 1

Divergent ends with such an unforeseen twist. Meaning, I have no clue where we are going to go from here. And I love it. Can't wait to return to Roth's dystopian society. 

10. Endlessly by Kiersten White: Book birthday - July 24

This series is just so fun. Sometimes serious. But mostly fun. What I love is (as the first title - Paranormalcy - implies) how normal the story is despite all of the paranormal. Evie seems like she could be my best friend. And Lend is such a boy next door. Love them all. 

and one vote for a non-series but companion story (so it can be # 11)

11. Isla and the Happily Ever After by Stephanie Perkins: Book birthday Fall 2012

I don't know much about this book. What I do know is that Stephanie Perkins is the author. And I absolutely love anything Stephanie Perkins writes. Ergo, I am highly anticipating this book later in the year. 

The good news -- this is just a list of my top ten. There are so many other books already published and soon to be published that I also have to read. So though I might have to wait months for some of these, I won't be idly twiddling my thumbs waiting. I will be on another great book adventure. 

What books are you excited to read in 2012!?!

Happy new year may the year of 2012 books begin!

(And let's all cross our fingers that the Mayans are wrong. I would really like to make it to the fantastic books in 2013)

Top Ten Tuesday -- Santa Claus is coming to town

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish.

This weeks Top Ten -- Books I hope Santa Brings

Books I've read and want on my shelf forever...

I have a horrible fantastic habit of buying books I know I will love. However, every so often, I read a book that I didn't expect to fall for and then desperately want need my own copy to occupy its proper space on my bookshelf (or as my apartment allows -- windowsill, tabletop or any surface available).

1.    Scorpio Races by Maggie Stiefvater: This was one of my favorite reads of 2011. I checked it out from the library after reading rave reviews, but didn't expect to like it that much. I was so wrong. I loved it. And I want everyone I know to read it too, which means Santa needs to bring me my own copy for my bookshelf so I can share the love (and read it over and over and over).

2.    Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins: I love this book soooo much. This is another one that I checked out from the library. It is adorable, quick and full of Etienne St. Clair -- thus -- worth owning a copy.

3.    Harry Potter Box Set by J.K. Rowling: I have a mishmash set of Harry Potter books, but I think this is a series that is worth having your own to keep as a collectors item.

4.    The Mortal Instruments Series by Cassandra Clare: I already own these on ebook, but there is something so great about cracking open the pages of a book. And a book with Jace inside is worth owning.

5.    Vampire Academy Series by Richelle Mead: I bought the first four books when Borders went out of business (so sad, but such great deals). I wish I would have known that I would love this series because then I could have finished my collection. As it is, I am missing the last few, which just is not aesthetic. 

Books I have yet to read thus need Santa to bring them to me...

6.    Half-blood by Jennifer L. Armentrout: I have read many reviews saying how great this book is then they go on to compare it to Vampire Academy. Thus, I want to read this. And I probably also want to own it.

7.    Anything else by Richelle Mead: I have read that some of her other series are also great. I believe it.

8.    Legend by Marie Lu: This is a new Dystopian. I love dystopian. I need this one.

9.    Where She Went by Gayle Forman: I loved If I Stay, but have not yet read the second installment. Santa needs to bring it to me so that I can get on that.

10.    Game of Thrones by George R.R. Martin: Time off work = need for a new show to watch. I chose Game of Thrones. I am loving it and am curious if the books are equally as good. Though they are not young adult (gasp) I have interest in reading them. 

(pic source)

What books did you ask Santa for this Christmas?

Waiting on City of Lost Souls

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by Breaking the Spine where we highlight  the upcoming book adventures that we cannot wait to embark upon.

In lieu of my recent read of the fantastic Clockwork Prince by Cassandra Clare, this week I have decided to pick City of Lost Souls (The Mortal Instruments Book #5). Don't get me wrong, I loved Clockwork Prince, but whereas I thought it would fill that void of shadowhunters until COLS comes out, it actually just made that void grow. Every time I read the Shadowhunter names -- Lightwood, Herondale, Wayland, Fairchild -- my mind involuntarily created a mental picture of a handsome boy with golden hair, golden eyes and an incredible wit. And then my heart would do this thing where it skipped a few beats, forcing me to take a moment to regain my composure. I am talking about Jace Wayland. I can't wait for City of Lost Souls to come out just so I can give myself a valid reason to reread books 1-4 again. A valid reason to reread every snarky comment, every heartsquenching moment, and every description of how beautiful he is. 

City of Lost Souls (The Mortal Instruments, #5)

by Cassandra Clare 

Hardcover, 

496 pages

Expected publication: May 8th 2012 

by Margaret K. McElderry

In Book 5: City of Lost Souls, the Shadowhunters struggle to piece together their shattered world after a betrayal by one of their own leaves them reeling. (Goodreads summary)

Well, that summary is entirely insufficient! It tells us nothing. I do know that what awaits for us is most likely going to drive me insane. When Jace, Clary, Alec, Isabelle, Magnus, Simon and Sebastian all get together in one book, the only outcome is incredibleness. Well, not the only outcome. Probably also tears. A few spilt profanities said on public transportation. Most likely an inability to think of anything else. Definitely a few battle scars. And an increase in blood pressure. 

So, to fill what is going to be a torturous couple of months, I will give you some quotes by the remarkable and always snarky Jace to help get us all through the long, cold and bleak winter. 

City of Bones

"Have you fallen in love with the wrong person yet?'
Jace said, "Unfortunately, Lady of the Haven, my one true love remains myself."
..."At least," she said, "you don't have to worry about rejection, Jace Wayland."
"Not necessarily. I turn myself down occasionally, just to keep it interesting."

"Is this the part where you start tearing off strips of your shirt to bind my wounds?" (Clary)
"If you wanted me to rip my clothes off, you should have just asked."  (Jace)

City of Ashes

"I don't want to be a man," said Jace. "I want to be an angst-ridden teenager who can't confront his own inner demons and takes it out verbally on other people instead."
"Well," said Luke, "you're doing a fantastic job." 

"Enormous?" said Jace. "Did you just call me fat?"
"It was an analogy."
"I am not fat." 

City of Glass

"Not everything is about you," Clary said furiously.
"Possibly," Jace said, "but you do have to admit that the majority of things are." 

"Waiting for a special occasion to kill me? Christmas is coming." (Jace)

City of Fallen Angels

"So what was that all about?"
"I think," Jace said, "that she asked if she could touch my mango."
"She said that?"
Jace shrugged. "Yeah, then she gave me her number." 

"No," said Jace. "I think I'm better than everyone else. An opinion that has been backed up with ample evidence."
Kyle looked at Simon. "Does he always talk like this?"
"Yes." 

Oh Jace. He is better than everyone else. It is really too bad he is fictitious. Or maybe that is for the better. That way there are enough copies to go around! And more story to read. I cannot wait to discover what comes next in his epic tale. 

To discover whether or not the lost can be reclaimed. 

What are you waiting for this Wednesday?

Book Review - Clockwork Prince

Clockwork Prince (The Infernal Devices #2)

by Cassandra Clare

Hardcover, 

502 pages

Published December 6th 2011 

by Margaret K. McElderry Books 

In the magical underworld of Victorian London, Tessa Gray has at last found safety with the Shadowhunters. But that safety proves fleeting when rogue forces in the Clave plot to see her protector, Charlotte, replaced as head of the Institute. If Charlotte loses her position, Tessa will be out on the street and easy prey for the mysterious Magister, who wants to use Tessa's powers for his own dark ends.

With the help of the handsome, self-destructive Will and the fiercely devoted Jem, Tessa discovers that the Magister's war on the Shadowhunters is deeply personal. He blames them for a long-ago tragedy that shattered his life. To unravel the secrets of the past, the trio journeys from mist-shrouded Yorkshire to a manor house that holds untold horrors, from the slums of London to an enchanted ballroom where Tessa discovers that the truth of her parentage is more sinister than she had imagined. When they encounter a clockwork demon bearing a warning for Will, they realize that the Magister himself knows their every move and that one of their own has betrayed them.

Tessa finds her heart drawn more and more to Jem, though her longing for Will, despite his dark moods, continues to unsettle her. But something is changing in Will; the wall he has built around himself is crumbling. Could finding the Magister free Will from his secrets and give Tessa the answers about who she is and what she was born to do?

As their dangerous search for the Magister and the truth leads the friends into peril, Tessa learns that when love and lies are mixed, they can corrupt even the purest heart. (Goodreads summary)

When it comes to a book by Cassandra Clare, there are a few questions with obvious answers. Such as, was it great? Of course. Did it get my heart pumping and my fists sweating? Of course. Did it leave me dying for more? Of course. But these are questions I could have asked myself before reading and the answer would have been exactly the same. Because when it comes to Cassandra Clare's magical world of Shadowhunters, a group of people who fight demons, there is no question in my mind. These books are unbelievable. 

Enter a world where on the outside it seems to be your ordinary (mundane) place, but hidden in rundown churches and grungy bars, there is the world of the Nephilim and the Downworlders -- Vampires, werewolves, fairies, etc. These books are adventures from page one to the moment they end. And even then your mind won't be able to forget them--leaving you dreaming about them and aching for more. The result, a desperate need to start again from page one of the very first book. And Clockwork Prince, though not my favorite of her books, still is an incredible and worthwhile read. 

However, aside from the obvious, there is one question with a not so clear answer. The ultimate question: team Jem or team Will? Beyond a shadowhunter of a doubt, I am and forever will be, team Jace. Jace (star of The Mortal Instrument Series) won my heart when I first entered this world, and though both Jem and Will make a great effort to steal it, neither succeeded. Though...drum roll please...Will is a close second. Ah, I love him. Dark hair, blue eyes, infuriating snark, and a tragic story. Without implying that Tessa has made a decision, I will tell her what she should do. Pick Jem so that I can have Will, because we all know Clary has her hooks dug too deep into Jace for us ever to work out. So, William Herondale it is. 

Alright, enough about the hot boys...Oh wait, Jem. I love him too. He is so sweet. And for the first time, I kind of am in love with Magnus Bane (the warlock). My favorite moments in the book were when he was helping Will. I found something so endearing about their friendship. But that could be because any part with Will was my favorite part.  


Now, the review. And let me just review it like this. If you have read either series (The Infernal Devices and The Mortal Instruments), then obvs you have to read this. And you will not be disappointed. If you haven't read any of this series--what are you waiting for?!? You must. And I promise that you will go on one of the best (reading) adventures of your life. This series awakened my belief that even though I am twenty ahem plus, I can still read books written for young adults. And I can do so without any shame. When they are this fantastic, I don't care how old I get, I will read them. (And for the record, I have read City of Bones four times.) 

They are cheesy. They are about fantasy characters. And some of it is predictable. But you know what--I love it. Because these books go straight to a part of you that can't be denied. Your soul.  

Clockwork Prince is beautiful, tragic, heartwarming, invigorating, scandalous, and gripping. Worth every minute, tear, and panic stricken moment it takes. And like I said, it wasn't even my favorite! Which just means if you are going to embark on the journey into the Shadowhunter world, you better come prepared for some serious gut wrenching moments. 

Now, let's let Chuck Bass from Gossip Girl close us out with this fantastic trailer.