Top Ten Tuesday by Alex: Throne of Glass Edition (62)

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

Gaby has given me the opportunity to do this week’s top ten, and since I’m guest blogging on behalf of the Throne of Glass series, guess what this week is going to be about! Yes, my fangirling and how/why you should fangirl with me! YAAAAAAYYY

Actually, Gaby gave me a couple of suggestions on what to do and I’m stealing them. Instead of a traditional 10, today I am going to split it up and do TWO Top 5s!

First of all, a huge CONGRATULATIONS to Sarah for the Throne of Glass series landing at #4 on the New York Times Best Seller List!

Which is a perfect segue into...

Add These To Your Goodreads TBR, Please + Thank You

Guys, I know it's not Tuesday, so this isn't a Top Ten List or anything, but I was thinking about the to-be-published books I'm most excited for and I just have to share some of them with you RIGHT NOW before my insides explode. And yes, I know many of these books don't come out for quite a few months (and some of them don't even have covers or solid release dates) but I'm so, so, so excited and I don't do Waiting on Wednesday anymore, so I HAD TO SHARE.

**Please note: All images/typography bits done up in lieu of images are links to the associated Goodreads page. So click and add these books to your TBR immediately, you'll thank me later.

READY?

5 Reasons to Read SOMETHING STRANGE AND DEADLY + Giveaway!

  

Oh HIIIIIIII it's time for a giveaway of one of my faaaavorite series, SOMETHING STRANGE AND DEADLY by Susan Dennard.

  

In case you missed it and you need to re-read all my reviews of this series (y'know, as proof that you need to read), here's a list of the words I posted on my blog previous to now about this series:

   

SOMETHING STRANGE AND DEADLY

A DARKNESS STRANGE AND LOVELY

STRANGE AND EVER AFTER

But, y'know what? I hear some people don't like to read reviews before/after they read a book and I know all about this TL;DR business, so I'm just going to quickly give you FIVE brief reasons why you should not only want to read this series, but also enter the giveaway below.

Review: Strange and Ever After by Susan Dennard

Title: Strange and Ever After (Something Strange and Deadly #3)
Author: Susan Dennard
Release Date: July 22nd, 2014
Publisher: HarperTeen
Page Count: 400
Source: ARC from Jeffrey, Jeremy & Charlee (I have great friends)
First Reaction: I am a puddle on the floor. A puddle of feels on the floor.
Barnes & Noble | Amazon | IndieBound | Book Depository

He took her brother, he took her mother, and now, Marcus has taken her good friend Jie. With more determination than ever to bring this sinister man to justice, Eleanor heads to the hot desert streets of nineteenth-century Egypt in hopes of ending this nightmare. But in addition to her increasingly tense relationships with Daniel, Joseph, and her demon, Oliver, Eleanor must also deal with her former friend, Allison, who has curiously entangled herself in Eleanor’s mission.

With the rising dead chomping at her every move and Jie’s life hanging in the balance, Eleanor is convinced that her black magic will see her through to the bitter end. But there will be a price. Though she and the Spirit Hunters have weathered every battle thus far, there will be consequences to suffer this time—the effects of which will be irreversible. And when it’s over, only some will be able to live a strange and ever after.

[Summary Source: Goodreads]

If You Like the Show/Movie/Comic, You Might Wanna Read... (50)

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

Gosh I'm egotistical. Proof? The title of this post. Because, of course, you must like all of the non-book things I like and, therefore, will like all of the book recommendations I'll make for you in this post.   Oh, I decide not to stick to any one non-book thing. My brain just wants to tell you about all of the non-book things I like and how they fit into my book life. But I couldn't help myself with my Supernatural read-a-likes, so there are two of those. Which isn't to say that's my favorite show. But I'm still watching it and it's really not good anymore.

What Should I Buy? (4)

Hi Darlings!!

I don't have a coupon, but my friend, Estelle, who blogs over at Rather Be Reading, does and she need some book buying advice. Since she knows about "What Should I Buy?" she asked if she could write up a guest post in order to seek said advising from all of you! I obviously said yes because I wanna help and because I love this feature and feel bad whenever I use a coupon impulsively and forget to put it to a vote. So please, advise away!

What Should I Buy? (Hi It’s Estelle)

Top Ten Books That Made Me Swoon (45)

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

I liked what I did last week with the covers that linked to Goodreads and no text. My reasons for why books made me swoon (like with the crying) are very personal and individual to me and and, well, trying to verbalize and share them will probably turn me into an incoherent mess and no one wants to see that. Also, I'd had to put any spoilers out there in the world, and crying and swoons are two categories where spoilers could accidentally fall out of my mouth and into the world and I do not want that. It is bad for blogging business. So here are ten books I absolutely loved that made me swoon. And I hope that you haven't read all of them so you can pick one of them up this Valentines Day, read it, swoon, and totally get where I'm coming from!

Top Ten Books That Made Me Cry (44)

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

I think for this week's post I'm just going to throw up 10 book covers and that's it. I don't really want to get into the reasons why each of these books lead to the crying and the sads and what have you. Like, even if you can't see why said book would make me cry, just accept it and move on. Because explaining might make me cry again and I just can't. Also, I acknowledge the The Fault in Our Stars by John Green will be on everyone's lists and I'm okay with that. Also, also, I cheated, this list is four more than ten. I'm okay with that too.

(PS: You should be able to reach the Goodreads page for each of these books by clicking the images. Please keep in mind that many of these books are not the first, or even the last, in their series. And furthermore, some of these books aren't out yet - Strange and Ever After doesn't come out until the summer! So consider this hype.)

Top Ten Books For My Friend Abbey (38)

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

Maybe 4 months ago my friend Abbey text me to ask what books she should take out of the library. She watches a lot of TV and doesn't read too much, but when she does, she looks for good, fun, YA awesomeness. Now, since she knows about my blog and what I like to do for fun (because we're actually good friends), she chose me for recommendations. However, the trip was kind of a bust - it was a last minute deal and her library didn't have many of the books I suggested on hand. So she got something for her weekend away and then insisted that I write up a list of ten or so books I thought she'd like.

However, since I'm the worst, I never got around to it. But then I saw this list and I was like OH YES I WILL WRITE THIS LIST FOR ABBEY! So Abbey, my dear, here are your recommendations. Only a couple months late.

PS: If you're kind of nerdy, love cartoon/Disney/little kid things, are endlessly entertained by the internet/youtube/tumblr, watch a lot of TV, and are an all-around awesome, fun person, this list could work for you, as well. 

PPS: I will be writing this as if I'm talking to Abbey. DEAL WITH IT.

Top Ten "Shut Up and Give it to Me Now" Sequels (37)

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

Top Ten "Shut Up and Give it to Me Now" Sequels.

You like that, don't you? Well that's how I feel about each of these books. So why don't I shut up and tell you all about which books I want to get my sticky little hands on as soon as possible.

1. RUIN AND RISING by Leigh Bardugo (June 3rd, 2014)

I mean, have you read the first two books in this series? Have you? If so, you should understand why I want the world to shut up and give me the third book in the series already. 

2. IGNITE ME by Tahereh Mafi (February 4th, 2014)

Another third book in the series I'd like the world to shut up and give to me already, for the love of everything in the world that anyone cares about.

3. DREAMS OF GODS AND MONSTERS by Laini Taylor (April 8th, 2014)

All right. I'm not gonna lie. I haven't read DAYS OF BLOOD AND STARLIGHT yet, but DAUGHTER OF SMOKE AND BONE is so fantastic and amazing that, even though I've hear book 2 in the series is very different from book 1, I'm pretty sure I just need everyone to shut up and give me this book already.

4. ISLA AND THE HAPPILY EVER AFTER by Stephanie Perkins (May 13th 2014)

I also haven't read LOLA AND THE BOY NEXT DOOR yet. But still. Shut up and give me this book immediately. IMMEDIATELY.

5. STRANGE AND EVER AFTER by Susan Dennard (July 22nd, 2014)

Look, I could tell you why I want this book right this second, or you could shut up and give it to me. I think the latter option'll make everyone happier in the long run.

6. SHATTERED by Teri Terry (May 1st, 2014)

I loved the first two books in this series and absolutely loved them. What's really stressful is that Teri Terry's books are published in the UK and those on the other side of the pond will get this book much sooner than I will. So, maybe someone should shut up and give this book to me a little early, please?

7. INTO THE STILL BLUE by Veronica Rossi (January 28th, 2014)

Lots of series are ending soon, aren't they? Well, shut up and give me all of the series ender books now. (PLEASE AND THANK YOU.)

8. WINTER by Marissa Meyer (2015)

Okay. This is when I'm the worst. I've already read CRESS (YAY Advanced Reader Copies and Macmillan!) and I loved it so much that now I need everyone to shut up and give WINTER to me right now. (I'm not even going to be polite about it this time - that's how good this series is.)

9. TAKE ME ON by Katie McGarry (May 20th, 2014)

More of me being the worst. I've already read CRASH INTO ME and I love it very much. Katie McGarry's stories are so heartbreakingly swoony that I really just the world to shut up and give me and endless supply of them for me to read. 

10. SINNER by Maggie Stiefvater (July 1st, 2014)

Remember when Maggie Stiefvater up and told everyone that she's publishing a companion book to the SHIVER trilogy about Isabel and Cole? My excitement here knows no bounds, so please shut ME up by giving this one to me ASAP.

Do you guys like my picks? Maybe there are a couple I missed but you think I'd like. If there are, be sure to let me know about 'em in the comments below.

Top Ten Best Sequels I've Read This Year (34)

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

I modified this week's Top Ten Tuesday because I absolutely CANNOT recall all of the awesome sequels I've read in my life. Also, that list would be insane. Instead I'm just going to list my Top Ten Sequels that I devoured this year. So sit back and enjoy the ride. 

1. The Dream Thieves by Maggie Stiefvater

I knew I was going to absolutely love this one before I even read it. I was so right it's insane. Ronan, Adam, Gansey, Noah and Blue do not disappoint. (My Review)

2. A Darkness Strange and Lovely by Susan Dennard

I wasn't sure how I felt about this series before I started it. I love Steampunk but Paranormal is NOT my scene. But then I read it because I got a copy of the book at BEA and I love Susan Dennard forever and always. (My Review)

3. Fire by Kristin Cashore

Everyone always told me I should read the Graceling series. They were right. Because it's awesome. I haven't read Bitterblue yet, but for sure this is going to be one of my favorite series. (My Review)

4. Scarlet by Marissa Meyer

I also got my hands on an early ARC of Cress. Both of these sequels are so unbelievably amazing. What's really crazy to me now, after I've read these three books, is how reluctant I was to read Cinder because of the whole cyborg angle. But I made the right decision. (My Review)

5. Unravel Me by Tahereh Mafi

I don't care who you love - Adam, Warner, Kenji... this series is excellence and I cannot WAIT for the next e-novella and the last book. (No, but seriously, is it December yet?) (My Review)

6. Through the Ever Night by Veronica Rossi

I liked Under the Never Sky A LOT. A LOT. But HOLY COW I loved THROUGH THE EVER NIGHT. I'm going to be really sad when this series is over, but I do know that I'm going to be talking about it for a very, very long time. (My Review)

7. Sever by Lauren DeStefano

This is a series that is over now. But I looooved it. Mostly because I love Lauren DeStefano's writing. Absolutely stunning. I'm so excited she has a new book coming out next week. I am all over that like you wouldn't believe. (My Review)

8. Where She Went by Gayle Forman

I know this is more a companion book than a sequel but if you've read it you'll understand why I had to include it. I mean, I even read this one at the very, very end of LAST year and I still have to include it because I love it so much. Adam and Mia forever, yo. (My Review)

9. The Realm of the Gods by Tamora Pierce

I re-read this book for PierceFest this year. It's the only re-read on this list. Because it's that freaking good. I mean, the steamiest kissing scene ever lives in this book and it's so delicious I can't even get into it right now without melting. (My Review)

10. Second Helpings by Megan McCafferty

This is my first go at the Jessica Darling series and I loved the second book in this set so very much. I totally get the Marcus Flutie love now and it honestly makes me want to squirm around on my bed joyously all day. All. Day. (My Review)

Have you read these series? If not, I recommend GETTING ON THAT. If you need a push in the right direction, let me know in the comments below and I'll be sure to help you make the right decision.

Review: A Darkness Strange and Lovely by Susan Dennard

Title: A Darkness Strange and Lovely (Something Strange & Deadly #2)
Author: Susan Dennard
Release Date: July 23rd, 2013
Publisher: HarperTeen
Page Count: 406
Source: ARC from BEA2013
Rating: More perfection for the most perfect series of perfection.

Following an all-out battle with the walking Dead, the Spirit Hunters have fled Philadelphia, leaving Eleanor alone to cope with the devastating aftermath. But there’s more trouble ahead—the evil necromancer Marcus has returned, and his diabolical advances have Eleanor escaping to Paris to seek the help of Joseph, Jie, and the infuriatingly handsome Daniel once again. When she arrives, however, she finds a whole new darkness lurking in this City of Light. As harrowing events unfold, Eleanor is forced to make a deadly decision that will mean life or death for everyone.

[Summary Source: Goodreads]

THE REVIEW

Things for Eleanor haven't been going well. Her family life sucks, Allison Wilcox is very, very mad and there are creepy things chasing Eleanor around town. But when the creepy things get more and more threatening and even start coming after her mother, Eleanor decides the only way to fix things is go find the Spirit-Hunters in Paris. So Eleanor takes a boat to Paris and creepy zombie/Necromancer things begin to take place abroad.

Let's break this down:

HOLY SAY WHAT NOW!?

Just when I thought there was nothing that could make me love this series more, Susan Dennard decides to set Book 2 in Paris. PARIS. AKA basically my most favorite place I've ever been.

So okay, I loved this book because it's set in Paris, but also because of Eleanor. In Book 1, Eleanor's brother goes missing and so Eleanor does everything she has to - including dumping all the nonsense she put up with from her friends and family, as well as society - in order to get him back. As a result of dumping everything she'd ever known, she ends joining up with the Spirit-Hunters. They become her normal. But in Book 2, Eleanor is questioning them, just as she questioned everything else in Book 1.

I think it all boils down to her relationship with her brother, Elijah, just as it did in book one. Since Necromancy powers seem to run in the family, Eleanor also has the abilities her brother has. At first she's afraid of them. She doesn't want anything to do with them - which Joseph agrees with. But then Oliver shows up and things begin to change. Oliver presents a whole series of reasons why Eleanor has to embrace Necromancy. Compelling reasons. Life or death reasons. Reasons that Joseph, Jie and Daniel can't seem to understand.

And that's why I think this book is so important. Without this book we (the reader) wouldn't understand Eleanor's conflict. We'd just think: Spirit-Hunters = Good and Necromancer = Bad and then place Eleanor with the good guys and walk away from all of this. But most things in real life aren't quite so black and white, nor are there ever only two options. Which is something I think Eleanor figures out in this book. She doesn't side with the Spirit-Hunter or Oliver or anything attached to either of these groups. By the end of the book she's kind of doing her own thing, with one goal in mind for the moment and the intention to figure out the rest maybe after.

What I'm trying to explain here is that this whole thing is insanely complex and kind of has me running around like a headless chicken. I couldn't tell you who to trust. And that includes Eleanor.

Yeah. You heard me. I don't trust my own narrator.

[But I do really like her. Especially when she ditches the corset, eats all the food and remains a mega badass.]

I also still really love how this book is less about the zombies and romance and more about the characters. Yeah, there's a kiss or two (and those kisses are pure brilliance when they occur) but this 'ship is complicated and a slow-build kind. Although I am hoping this simmer will turn into a full out boil but the end of Book 3. In a really big way.

Oh, and speaking of endings, I couldn't guess the big baddie of the book in this one the way I could in the first book. And I have no idea and zero guesses as to where this whole thing is going. I just know I'm definitely going to love every second of it.

The long and short of it?

Plot: The continued brilliance of this plot is so pleasing to my reading addicted soul.
World Building: All ideas of who's right and who's wrong are completely shattered. The grey area created in this book is so vast and stunning that I honestly have no idea how this book is going to end, but I know the options developed by the world building in this book are going to make it VERY interesting.
Character Development: The good remain the good, the bad are suddenly somehow less bad and Eleanor is struggling to figure it all out with an insane amount of grace.
Prose: Another high point of this book is the narration. Eleanor wouldn't be half the character she is without Susan Dennard's brilliant prose.
Would I Recommend This Book?: When I reviewed Something Strange and Deadly I noted that "If you like steampunk or paranormal, this is a book for you. Also, if you love character driven books, you really need pick this one up immediately. Finally, if you're into tension filled romance, you're definitely going to want to give this one a read." All of this still stands. Also: PARIS.

I'm really still off swooning somewhere as far as this book is concerned. Leave your comments in the comments below. I'll be sure to continue trying to convince you to read this series.

Review: Something Strange and Deadly by Susan Dennard

Title: Something Strange and Deadly (Something Strange & Deadly #1)
Author: Susan Dennard
Release Date: July 24th, 2012
Publisher: HarperTeen
Page Count: 388
Source: Finished copy from BEA2013
Rating: I would like every book I ever read for the rest of my life to emulate the awesome of this book. Thanks in advance, world.

The year is 1876, and there’s something strange and deadly loose in Philadelphia…

Eleanor Fitt has a lot to worry about. Her brother has gone missing, her family has fallen on hard times, and her mother is determined to marry her off to any rich young man who walks by. But this is nothing compared to what she’s just read in the newspaper—

The Dead are rising in Philadelphia.

And then, in a frightening attack, a zombie delivers a letter to Eleanor…from her brother.

Whoever is controlling the Dead army has taken her brother as well. If Eleanor is going to find him, she’ll have to venture into the lab of the notorious Spirit-Hunters, who protect the city from supernatural forces. But as Eleanor spends more time with the Spirit-Hunters, including their maddeningly stubborn yet handsome inventor, Daniel, the situation becomes dire. And now, not only is her reputation on the line, but her very life may hang in the balance.

[Summary Source: Goodreads]

THE REVIEW

The story starts with Eleanor Fitt trying to figure out where her brother, Elijah, is and why he hasn't come home yet. Instead she encounters these zombies (The Dead) that have started popping up in Philadelphia. But these zombies aren't just zombies, they're the dead being reanimated by a Necromancer - a Necromancer Eleanor believes has kidnapped Elijah. Not knowing what else to do, Eleanor keeps what she's found out about her brother's whereabouts from her mother and goes to the Spirit-Hunters for help. Greatness ensues.

Let's break this down:

So normally I don't like paranormal books but A) this one's also steampunk B) the paranormal aspect of this book is magic/fantasy-based because of the whole Necromancer angle and C) this book is made of pure awesome, so it doesn't really matter what genre it falls under.

Let us now talk about this pure awesome.

I'm pretty sure my favorite part of the book is the bad-assery. Eleanor starts off the book as this lady who isn't quite happy with her lot in life but as long as she has her brother, she can handle whatever's to come. But then she find out she doesn't have her brother because he's been kidnapped. This is when Eleanor stops being who she's expected to be and does whatever she has to do to get her brother back - even if it means hunting down and hanging around with Spirit-Hunters (AKA the lowest class of people you can hang around, apparently).

I love how independent, stubborn and very unafraid Eleanor is. Or rather, I think she is afraid but she doesn't let that fear stop her from reaching her end goal. Instead it kind of pushes her to her end goal. And even though what happens when she reaches that end is pretty obvious to me from early on (I really think the more I read the better I get at figuring out the answers to the mysteries books present me) the way Eleanor handles it is pretty outstanding to me.

Basically, what I'm saying is that Eleanor is the freaking best.

But Eleanor isn't the only awesome character in this story. There's also Clarence Wilcox, who I love, hate and feel sorry for all in one book. Allison Wilcox is entertaining in her own right. Eleanor's mother is EXACTLY who you'd expect her to be and you can't fault her for that. Jie Chen is the most perfect sidekick there ever was - like, not even the slightest bit dramatic, taking names and kicking ass. I also love Joseph, who's the brains of the Spirit-Hunter operation. Throughout the entire book I kept thinking he was much older which, based off reading Book 2, I don't think he actually is that much older than the rest, but I like that it seems like he is.

And then, obviously, there's Daniel Sheridan. Sure, Clarence is the love interest for a bit in Book 1, but the sun clearly revolves around Daniel. He's the most wonderful character: tortured, sullen, rough and yet somehow kind. Obviously the tension between Daniel and Eleanor is off the charts and it's the tension I love best so PLEASE, keep that coming.

Based on everything I said above, I think it's pretty clear that I love this book because of how character driven it is. Yeah, there's a lot of action and the plot is just dripping with secrets and intrigue, but the characters are so solid and consistent that I honestly believe in everything they do and say.

The long and short of it?

Plot: A fun, steampunk-y romp.
World Building: I'm not totally sure I could draw you a map of what Susan Dennard's 1876 Philadelphia looks like but I honestly don't care - this book is too brilliant to care about the landscape.
Character Development: The characters are what carry this book and they do it wonderfully.
Prose: The prose is just the right mix of Victorian/Steampunk and modern to keep me so very engaged for 388 pages.
Would I Recommend This Book?: If you like steampunk or paranormal, this is a book for you. Also, if you love character driven books, you really need pick this one up immediately. Finally, if you're into tension filled romance, you're definitely going to want to give this one a read.

I'm sorry, I'm off swooning over Daniel Sheridan (AKA the newest addition to my Book Boyfriend List). Please leave your thoughts in the comments below and I'll get back to you as soon as possible. 

Top Ten Books I Really Want to Read But Am Afraid of Not Liking (29)

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

Top Ten Books I Really Want to Read But Am Afraid of Hating. A mouthful, I know, but when I saw what this week's topic was (Top Ten Most Intimidating Books), I knew this is how I'd have to take it. Because size doesn't freak me out, nor do other people's expectations. No. What freaks me out is when I get ALL EXCITED over a book for whatever reason (NOT just other people loving it) and it's just not what I wanted it to be.

So here are ten books (and 2 bonus authors) I really anticipate loving, have a hard time seeing why I WOULDN'T love them and yet still fear reading because of one reason or another.

1. The Girl of Fire and Thorns by Rae Carson
I'm that girl who LOOOOVES fantasy. But my problem with fantasy is that I'm SUPER NITPICKY about it. And I've heard there are religious themes in this one. Which I'm ALSO really nitpicky about. So there's a lot of room for failure in my life with this book but I want to love it so much. So much. LET ME LOVE YOU BOOK. LET ME.

2. Something Strange and Deadly by Susan Dennard
I have this problem. It's called meeting authors and loving them. Susan Dennard falls into this category. She is the most wonderful and I have this enormous fear of not loving her book. Which is apparently Steampunk. Another thing I love. Just so many things I love. So. Book. I is scared.

3. Nantucket Blue by Leila Howland
A light, summery, fun book? Yeah, CHECK. A book about friend break ups. More things I like reading. NANTUCKET? I love vacationing spots like Nantucket. An adorable author I've met and loved? OH RIGHT AUTHOR MEETING ISSUES. Leila Howland is SO SWEET so, like, not liking her book is not an option.

4. Scorpio Races by Maggie Stiefvater
I love everything Maggie Stiefvater does. Everything. My favorite part of her books is probably the prose, which makes me feel like I could read anything she does and be super happy about it. But the plot of Scorpio Races doesn't speak to me so much. I'm like, water horses? But it's MAGGIE STIEFVATER. And I own the book. So I'll get to it. But I'm still all kinds of nervous about it all.

5. Unearthly by Cynthia Hand
ANGELS? ANGELS YOU SAY? I am definitely NOT an angel fan. But, guys. PRETTY COVER. That's another thing that'll keep me circling a book even though I probably shouldn't. So I'm currently circling and we'll see if I ever land on top of it, or if I continue to keep it in my peripheral vision.

6. Taken by Erin Bowman
This isn't one of those books everyone LOVED and now I want to read. In fact, this is one of those books everyone was kind of "eh" on but I still want to love it. Is it the cover? The plot? The cover? I don't know. But I absolutely cannot take my eye off this one. Let the circling continue.

7. Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead
This is totally one of those books where outside influence comes into play. ALL OF MY BLOGGING FRIENDS LOVE IT but it's vampires and I'm all vampired-out. (Although I'm not sure I was ever vampired-in, so much.) But I borrowed a copy of it and I really intend to make good on my promise to read it. I'm just scared of the friend responses to my potential dislike of this book. But only a little/lot a bit.

8. Me Before You by Jojo Moyes
I have serious issues with books that people tell me are going to make me cry. Not because I don't love a good ugly cry. I totally love a good ugly cry. But when it's FORETOLD that I'm GOING to have a good ugly cry, I get nervous. Like, what if I don't? Am I dead inside? Maybe if I put this book off for longer, something will magically be changed and I will be guaranteed a good ugly cry. And I'm pretty sure I just revealed to all of you just how crazy I can be. YOU'RE WELCOME.

9. Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins
I actually just bought this one so I no longer have any excuses. If I hate this one, none of you can be mad at me. Even though I can't see how I would since: HI PARIS. But WHAT IF I FREAKING DO? I'm so rational, I swear.

10. The Moon and More by Sarah Dessen
I'm the kind of person who likes making friends and solidifying relationships. (Normal and healthy right?) And then, SOMETIMES, things get tough and the other person wants me to "expect less" from them* and back away from the closeness we've achieved, my brain just kind of shuts down because that makes no logical sense to me. Like, you get closer, not get close and then drift apart for no reason, right? Well, for me, the same is true with books. I didn't LOVE the first couple Dessen books, but starting from Keeping the Moon, I cozied up to her books. We got closer. Shared some stories. Giggled late into the night. But now this new book is out and I'm AFRAID (based on some of the iffy things some people have been saying) that this Dessen installation is gonna be all "EXPECT LESS, GABY." And, y'know what you guys? A girl can only really stand to hear such a terrible phrase once in her life, if at all. So. I. IS. SCARED.

*True story. My life is a YA novel. Copyright right there, kids. Copyright.

**BONUS FEARS**

11. ANYTHING NEW BY TAMORA PIERCE
I'm not gonna lie to you guys, as much as I love Tamora Pierce (and I think you all know I do), I've only read the first 3 Tortall quartets and the first of the Trickster books. I'm terrified of reading the rest. I mean, I didn't LOVE the Emelan books and WHAT IF I don't like the end of Trickster or Bekah Cooper? WHAT IF? MISERY. FEAR. FALLS INTO SELF.

12. ALL OF THE AMY REED BOOKS
I like contemporary. But I'm always very wary of issue books. But everyone likes these. AND these are more covers that just scream: "READ ME, READ ME." I like the minimalist look sometimes, y'know?