Ten (Or Eleven) Authors Whose Books I Buy Compulsively (58)

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

I have a serious book buying problem. Like, when I get birthday money, my dad asks: "How many books do you think you can buy with that?" I brush him off, but the truth is? I'm crunching the numbers even before he asks. So it's no shock that I have many books and, more specifically, many books by my favorite authors.

PLEASE NOTE: I have not read all books pictured below. There are a few instances of good reading behavior from me, but definitely not for each and every picture. Which basically means I'm a hoarder. And please try not to judge me for my Rainbow Rowell collection. (I KNOW, OKAY? I KNOW.)

So let's do this thing.

Top Ten Books Hollywood Should Really Capitalize On (30)

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

I have a lot of feelings regarding film adaptations. There are a lot out there that I hate, a couple I like and a whole bunch I'm just kind WHATEVS about. So instead of trimming a list of hates or wracking my brain for a bunch of likes, I'm just going to make a list of books I wish they (AKA Hollywood) would turn into movies (or TV shows). Of course, it goes without saying that these adaptations would be flawless pieces of brilliance. So keep that in mind as you peruse my list.

PS: Sorry there are no graphics of any kind this week. My brain is just too tired.

1. ALL OF THE TAMORA PIERCE
Set in Tortall, of course. Gillian and I have discussed this and we've decided Tortall as a whole would make a fantastic set of mini-series/kickbutt TV series on the BBC. I mean, Merlin? Success. Robin Hood? Yeah, he got some limelight. WHY. NOT. TORTALL?

2. If I Stay by Gayle Forman
OKAY. I know they're doing this already, but I still want it and I want it to be GOOD. So it makes the list. (My Review)

3. Graceling by Kristin Cashore
What's that? Another kickbutt fantasy book I'd like to be seen made into a movie? WE ALL SAW LORD OF THE RINGS. WE KNOW YOU CAN HANDLE THE CHALLENGE, HOLLYWOOD. (My Review)

4. Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi
Seriously. Dystopian superheroes. This has MOVIE written all over it. Someone get on that, please. (My Review)

5. For Darkness Shows the Stars by Diana Peterfreund
TELL ME this wouldn't be amazing. I mean, sci-fi, which is amazing on the big screen, and then throw in some Jane Austen? I don't even want to talk to you right now if you don't want to see Kai and Elliot smolder on screen. (My Review)

6. My Life Next Door by Huntley Fitzpatrick
My brain thinks this would make an EXCELLENT indie drama. There'll be hipster music and a pair of semi-famous actors. It'll be kind of like Remember Me - that movie with Rob Pattinson that made me cry like a small child. (My Review)

7. Sloppy Firsts by Megan McCafferty
If The Clique can be made into a movie, it's almost an INJUSTICE for Jessica Darling not to get some screen time - at least as a Carrie Diaries-esque show on the CW. (My Review)

8. The Mediator Series by Meg Cabot
SO MUCH CABOT HAS BEEN ADAPTED. WHY NOT JESSE THE HOT GHOST? Seriously. This would be an amazing TV show. I would watch it always.

9. Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas
I could draw the comparison to Game of Thrones or I could just say: THERE IS SO MUCH MATERIAL HERE. SO PERFECT FOR TV. TV, WHY ARE YOU PASSING UP THIS OPPORTUNITY? (My Review)

10. Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher
This would be another great indie film. I don't even have caps locks for how good this indie film would be. So can it please just be made already so I can watch it?

There are a ton of other books I'd LOVE to see in movie/TV form, but these are the ones I think would probably work if given a chance. But what do you think? Am I completely crazy? Would these all suck? Let me know in the comments below!

Top Ten Books When You Need Something Light & Fun (22)

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

I had a lot of trouble with this because most of the books I tend to read deal with issues. Even the books I have chosen are still not as light and fluffy as I feel like this topic might demand? So I've picked 5 books I've read that are (kinda?) light and fluffy and then 5 books I WANT to read that seem light and fluffy to me. You guys can tell me if I'm right, I guess.

TOP FIVE LIGHT & FLUFFY BOOKS I'VE ALREADY READ

1. Megan Meade's Guide to the McGowan Boys by Kate Brian

I really, really love this book. It's so cute! Maybe not as light and fluffy as it could be, but I absolutely adore it. I've read it 4-5 times and it makes me all happy inside every time.

2. The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants by Ann Brashares

Okay, also not as light and fluffy as it could be, but the series is a GREAT binge read. Also, I love the friendship stories. Yeah, there are boys, but it's really about the girls. I mean, that's not so relevant ont he light and fluffy front, but still. 

3. The Princess Diaries by Meg Cabot

These books were always quick reads for me. It's been a long time since I read this one, and I definitely liked the movie better (the Grandma is super scary in the book and JULIE ANDREWS in the movies so, y'know). But yeah. Fluffy, light, fun.

4. Audrey, Wait by Robin Benway

I haven't read this book in a very long time but I remember it being a super fun romp. I want to re-read it soon since a lot of bloggers I follow have been raving about it recently.

5. Ex-Mas by Kate Brian

Another Kate Brian book. I can't even help myself. I haven't read a ton of Christmas books, but I'm pretty sure - based on the ones I HAVE read - that I love them. A lot.

TOP FIVE LIGHT & FLUFFY BOOKS I WANT TO READ

6. Decked with Holly by Marni Bates

Since I love Christmas books, and because this one sounds SO CUTE, I'm gonna have to put this on my light and fluffy wish list. 

7. Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins

Is this one a fluffy, light book? I feel like that's the impression I have of it. Either way, I want to read it so I'm putting it on this list. 

8. Going Vintage by Lindsey Leavitt

It looks so cuuuuute. I want it to be light and fluffy and cute and yeah. Especially since that cover is adorable. But I guess I'd be okay with it being a bit heavier?

9. The Boyfriend App by Katie Sise

The cover of this book is SO CUTE. I'm a little nervous about the way this book's going to turn out, but I'm DEFINITELY going to read it very soon!

10. Meant to Be by Lauren Morrill

The cover just SCREAMS light and fluffy. I also really love the colors. And the graphics. And the everything. Yes to the everything. So I'll take it, please. 

Do you think the first five fit the bill or are they too dramatic? And how about the second five on my TBR list? Are they light and fluffy or have I been mislead? Let me know in the comments below!

Top Ten Favorite Books I Read Before I Started Blogging (18)

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

This week's topic: Favorite Books I Read Before I Started Blogging. Given that I only started blogging 4 months ago, I feel like narrowing this list down to ten is going to be somewhat difficult for me, so I think I'll do 5 favorite individual books and 5 favorite series. Cheating? Yes. Acceptable? I make the rules here, so yes.

TOP FIVE INDIVIDUAL BOOKS I LOVE

1. The Fault in Our Stars by John Green

I don't love cancer books, so I wasn't going to read this one, but I heard a million amazing things about it and I couldn't help myself, so I picked it up. To everyone who told me to read this: YOU WERE RIGHT. This book has made it onto so many of my Top Ten lists I can't even. It's just so wonderfully sad and funny and amazing all at the same time.

2. This Lullaby by Sarah Dessen

I love all of the Sarah Dessen books and I'm not even sure if this one's my favorite, but this one was my first. My friend pushed it on me in high school. I wasn't sure because back then I was very fantasy oriented and I felt like contemporary love stories were just fluff. But Sarah Dessen (and my friend) proved me wrong with this book. For that alone this book is a favorite.

3. Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver
I cried like a small child when I read this book. The protagonist, Sam, is a little annoying at the beginning, but the way Lauren Oliver makes her likable by the end of the book is masterful. I mean, you know the how it has to end and you make peace with that, but by the end you're WISHING for some kind of bookish miracle.

4. The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
There's something so different and so amazing about this book. It took me a while to get through, but I think that's just because the writing style is so unique. Not to mention the subject matter is so utterly fascinating (to me, at least), which puts it squarely on my favorites list.

5. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban by J.K. Rowling
So I know this book is part of a series, but I don't love all of the books in the series and I LOVE this one, so I figured it deserved special mention. There's just something about the familial themes and the noir that made me re-read this one a hundred times. Okay. Maybe not a hundred, but at least a dozen or so.

TOP FIVE SERIES I LOVE

6. The Hunger Games Series by Suzanne Collins 

I jumped on The Hunger Games train later than everyone else. In fact, the trailer for the movie was already out by the time I picked it up, which is why, when everyone was all "THAT'S NOT WHAT PEETA LOOKS LIKE," I was all, "uh, yeah it is," because Josh Hutcherson was in my head as Peeta from the start. Anyway, that's not the point. The point is that The Hunger Games pulled me back into YA. Sure, I read in college, I even read YA, but THG restored the stay up too late reading, book grabby hands element to my life. 

7. The Mediator Series by Meg Cabot

This is another series pushed on me by the same girl who pushed Sarah Dessen. I knew of Meg Cabot at the time (I mean, who didn't? The Princess Diaries owned teenage-land for a good couple of years) but I didn't like ghosts. But, well, I think Jesse is the exception to every rule. And Suze is the best. So double awesome.

8. The Year I Turned 16 by Diane Schwemm

My sister read this series when we were much younger. Since I had to do everything my big sister did (how else do you think I learned how to put on makeup?), I snagged these books as soon as she finished and I loved. I haven't read them recently, but all the good feelings definitely remain.

9.  Song of the Lioness by Tamora Pierce

My blog has seriously become an ode to Tamora Pierce. But I'm going to keep listing her books as a favorite until everyone I know has fallen to peer pressure and read this book. Seriously. I'm not even kidding. Everyone, go read. 

10. His Dark Materials by Philip Pullman

This is another series that holds a very special place in my heart. I read The Golden Compass IN SCHOOL and loved. Who knew you could love school books? Well I didn't, at least not until The Golden Compass. It helps that my teacher that year was awesome. And that we listened to the audiobook in class. I'm pretty sure that was my only ever audiobook but as far as I can recall, it was made of awesome.

Sometimes I feel like my Top Ten Tuesday lists are a little repetitive, but I just can't help myself. What about you guys? More of the same? If so, let me know what you can't stop listing in the comments below. If I've already read it, we should talk. If not, maybe I should get to it! 

Top Ten Book Boyfriends (17)

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

I've already done a discussion post on Book Boyfriends back just after Valentine's Day. But, y'know, I love my book boyfriends, so I'll give it another go with some help from my old list and Chris Evans.

Me too, attractive man who plays all the superheroes. Me too.

1. Remus Lupin from Harry Potter  by J.K. Rowling
Remus is actually my Book Husband, as previously mentioned. He's clever, loyal, composed AND mischievous - among other things. And he's all of the adorable. I just want to huggles him forever. Please excuse me while my brain makes that a reality. *sigh*

2. Mal from Shadow & Bone by Leigh Bardugo
He's the wonderful best friend. Who doesn't want the wonderful best friend (who's actually good looking) to actually return his best friends feelings? I mean, there are so many YA books with that premise and it's not because it's a BAD premise (although it might not actually happen so much in real life).

3. Jesse from The Mediator Series by Meg Cabot
*swoons* Jesse. Oh Jesse. Sweep me off my feet as a ghost or a human, I don't even care. *swoons again* He's just so wonderful. And caring. And sweet. And idiotic the best of boyish ways.

4. Owen from Just Listen by Sarah Dessen
He's the strong stoic time I just want to curl up next to. And he's got some great tunes, which I like.

5. Peeta from The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
GUYS. HE BAKES. I WANT A MAN WHO CAN BAKE. Please. And who loves me as much as Peeta loves Katniss. Sometimes I just want to punch that girl in the face for not understanding how awesome Peeta is until it's TOO LATE.

6. Duncan from Welcome, Caller, This is Chloe by Shelley Coriell
*sigh* Duncan. I just want to scoop him up and snuggle him forever. He's just so sweet and who doesn't love a Mr. Fix-It (even if he is a little broken himself).

7. Graham Larkin from This is What Happy Looks Like by Jennifer E. Smith
HE HAS A PIG NAMED WILBUR. I don't understand why I would need any other reason to love him. I mean, he's also really thoughtful and  knows how to make a girl happy, but mostly it's the pig. Named WILBUR. Please. Let's all just re-read Charlotte's Web and call this adorable.

8. Kenji from Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi
Adam, Warner - WHO CARES. I mean, no, I like them, but I would never date either of them. But I would snuggle up to Kenji. I would also be cool with just being friends. What's I'm SAYING is: I LOVE KENJI. I just want him in my life, y'know? I think I'd be a better person for t.

9. Jase from My Life Next Door by Huntley Fitzpatrick
DEAR GOD IS THAT BOY SOMETHING. Please I would like to have one of him for myself. He's just so sweet and caring and loving. And you can see that in the way he behaves with Samantha but also in the way he behaves with his family, which I REALLY LIKE.

10. Len from When You Were Mine by Rebecca Serle
He's that kid who was always kind of strange and then grew up to be kind of strange and maybe a little bit mean but really there's a lot more there, y'know? You just have to get out of your head for three seconds and see it. Because it's there. And he is QUITE lovely.

I don't know if you guys can tell, but MOSTLY I'm into the slightly more quiet type who's just wonderful once you really get to know them. It's one of those yin-yang things. I'm loud and boisterous and excitable and I could use someone a little more level-headed to keep me from shenanigans. Not that I get myself into trouble, per-say, but, well, I can. Sometimes.

Oh. And before you go:

*Sigh* Channing. Some people think your face is weird. I do not.

ANYWAY. I love a good book boyfriend, so be sure to tell me who YOU'RE making googly eyes at this week. And if you like some of the same ones as me... well... tough luck they're MIIIIINE. At least in my head they are. So shhhh.

Top Ten Favorite Romances (10)

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

Valentines Day is coming up, which I guess is why this week's Top Ten list is about my favorite romances. I'm not gonna lie, I'm not big on Valentine's Day, but I do love me some romance, so these are my Top Ten favorites that I can think of right now. (Warning: I spend most of this post crying and not explaining my feels. Please try to understand.)

1. Adam and Mia from If I Stay and Where She Went by Gayle Forman

These two had SUCH A HARD TIME with basically everything. They broke my heart more times than I can count. As such, their relationship, for better or for worse, is one that's going to stick with me for a VERY long time.

2. Daine and Numair from The Immortals Quartet by Tamora Pierce
Normally I don't go for the older man, younger girl scenarios but somehow Tamora Pierce makes it work. Then again, Tamora Pierce makes EVERYTHING work, so I'm not even a little bit surprised.

3. Suze and Jesse from The Mediator Series by Meg Cabot
Guys. It's SUZE and JESSE. There are no more words required for this entry.

4. James and Lily from Harry Potter by J.K. Rowling
I asked my friend for help on this one because I was struggle bussing. She pointed out that even though we never see these two in action we still get the feeling that they'd be the most adorable ever.

5. Severus and Lily from Harry Potter by J.K. Rowling
So normally I have all ships lined up and there are no overlaps. This person's with this person, that person's with that person and that's IT. Even if it's not canon, I usually have my feels in order. BUT NOT WITH HARRY POTTER. Ugh. ONLY J.K. Rowling could build a love triangle THIS GOOD. If you're looking for me, I'm hiding under my covers, trying to keep the tears away.

6. Lyra and Will from His Dark Materials by Philip Pullman
Ugh. Who was a kidding. Here come the tears. *sobs*

7. Hazel and Augustus from The Fault in Our Stars by John Green

*Crying even harder now*

8. Kate and Jarrod from Old Magic by Marianne Curley
I haven't read this book in a VERY LONG TIME and yet the couple in question very quietly snuck up behind me, tapped me on my shoulder and reminded me just how much they need to be on this list. I love Jarrod and Kate. I love this book. And when I get home to my copy in May I will be re-reading it.

9. Annabel and Owen from Just Listen by Sarah Dessen
This list can't possibly exist without a Dessen couple on it. That's where Owen and Annabel, possibly my favorite Dessen couple of all time, come in. I love them. So much.

10. Macy and Wes from The Truth About Forever by Sarah Dessen
Who am I kidding? This list can't exist without at least TWO Sarah Dessen couples on it. Macy, Wes, I love you both. xoxo, Gaby.

Okay. That's all from me. What romances made your list? Let me know in the comments below. I'll get back to you once I'm done SOBBING over some of the saddest love stories I have ever read.

Top Ten Books That Make Me Happy (3)

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

This week's Top Ten Tuesday is a Freebie, so I've chosen to list the ten books I've read over the years that make me HAPPY. These are the books I read when I'm blue, the ones with the swooniest boys and the loveliest plots. They are the books that sit on my shelf with batter bindings, knowing they'll get re-read soon enough. I love these books with all my heart, whether I read them for the first time ten years or ten days ago. They're my pick-me-up books and I hope to never have a collection of books without them in it.

1-4. The Song of the Lioness Quartet by Tamora Pierce
These books. GOD. THESE BOOKS. They know what's up. I've read all of them so many times it's kind of insane. Alanna is pretty much my personal hero, no matter what stupid things she does along the way. Furthermore, I'm not sure when, but at a certain point the covers were changed. I think I mourned for like a week when I found out. I love the old covers. I'm terrified of the books I have now falling apart (which they inevitably will as they have before). I mean, what if they don't make the old covers anymore and I can't find them on eBay!?! It won't be a pretty sight, I can promise you that.

5. Megan Meade's Guide to the McGowan Boys by Kate Brian
I don't know what it is about this book, but I absolutely adore it. I constantly recommend it. It's actually not in my possession right this second since I lent my copy to a friend. Megan's just so tough and those boys are just so... I don't even know. Just so. Everyone in this book is just so and it makes me so incredibly happy every time I read it.

6. Keeping the Moon by Sarah Dessen
Keeping the Moon is, in my humble opinion, possibly the most underrated Dessen book out there. I love it so very much. It makes me sad and happy all at the same time. And of course there are the patented Dessen *squee* moments. How does Sarah Dessen do it? HOW?

7. This Lullaby by Sarah Dessen
This is the very first Dessen book I ever read. My friend Danna handed it to me and said "READ THIS." I did and it was the happiest day ever. That year for Chanuka we even bought each other the same present and "swapped" - a tote bag that says "Hate Spinnerbait" on it. Most people have no idea what it means but every so often someone knows. Once, a girl - a complete stranger - stopped me and asked me if that's what it was referring to. I just about died.

8. Just Listen by Sarah Dessen
And so continues to the Sarah Dessen lovefest. But can you really blame me? Picking a favorite Dessen book would be like picking a favorite child, but this one's really up there. I love the music, I love the plot, and I love just about everything else. Not to mention, I'm pretty sure Owen's my favorite Dessen guy. I mean, OBVIOUSLY I love Dexter and Norman and every other Dessen guy who's not Roger, but OWEN. Just. UGH. Owen. Love him.

9. Welcome, Caller, This is Chloe by Shelley Coriell
This is the most recent book published on my list by far. Like, by many years. Welcome, Caller, This is Chloe actually only came out this past April. But I read it over the summer and I was a giant ball of glee over it. Honestly, from the cover to the very last word, I loved it all. Especially Chloe and Duncan. And Grams. And all of their relationships. So it really does belong on this list, no matter how recent the publication is.

10. Old Magic by Marianne Curley
UGH. UGH. UGH. You guys. This book. This book is proof that I don't list things in any particular order when I compose said lists. Old Magic is one of my all-time favorites. For the longest time, no matter where I went, I would bring it with me just in case I needed a little joy in my life. It's contemporary and magical and just wonderful. Y'know what? I haven't read this one in a while and I think I just convinced myself to re-read ASAP.

 **BONUS: The Mediator Series by Meg Cabot**
I couldn't put this one the list without cheating big time so instead I'm adding it on as a bonus. When I first heard about these I wasn't into it. I really wasn't interested in paranormal or a girl obsessing over a ghost. But the same friend who got me into Dessen (Danna, you get TWO mentions this post) also lent me this series and so I read. And I was not disappointed.

So this is my list. What's on yours? Sound off in the comments below! 

Nota Bene: In linking the titles of these books to where you can buy them, I found that many of these books have new covers. It makes me feel old and a little sad, since I love the old covers so much. But it also makes me so excited because these books are all still around and important enough to warrant new covers. So hurray, favorite happy books! May you all live on forever and ever.