Top Ten Tuesday: October 13, 2015

Top Ten Author Duos You'd LOVE To See Write A Book Together

I'm doing something a little different this week because I have a guest and she's none other than my own book reading mama. We each have picked 5 sets of authors we'd love to see write books together. I hope you enjoy!!

Moms Picks:
5. E.L. James and Jackie Collins
Crazy fun.

4. Peri O'Shaughnessy and John Grisham
She's cool. He's cool. Magic.

3. Mark Rainer and Stephen Penner
I just love their characters, they are amazing.

2. Tom Clancy and Stephan King
They are both creepy as...well...you know.

1. Michael Connelly and John Grisham
They're the best legal thriller writers. Ever.

My Picks:
5. Stephan Chbosky and John Green
Do I really need to explain this choice?

4. Sarah Dessen and Stephanie Perkins
Both of these authors write great young adult contemporary and I think their styles would complement each other.

3. Colleen Hoover and Tammara Webber
I read Colleen Hoover because of Tammara Webber. I had done an interview with Tammara and during our e-mail exchanges she mentioned that I should read Colleen because she thought I'd love her. So I took her advice and I'm so thrilled I did. Apparently the two are good friends so how cool would it be for them to write a book together.

2. Sophie Kinsella and Sarah Billington
Sophie Kinsella is one of my all time favorite authors and Sarah Billington is one of my all time favorite people. I interviewed her when I first started blogging and I've been lucky enough to be able to stay in touch with her. Both of these ladies are absolutely hilarious so I think they'd write an incredible book.

1. Abbi Glines and Jay Crownover
I. Can't. Even.

The New Hunger by Isaac Marion

I was asked a few days ago if I would be interested in reading this book and my first thought was, "Why are you even asking, heck yes I want to read this!!"
I am a huge fan of Warm Bodies and also a fan of Isaac Marion's writing style so of course I was all over it.

In case you don't know this is the prequel - and pretty sure considered novella - to Warm Bodies, so you could read this first if you like. However I must say if you haven't read WB yet you really really should get on that. Like yesterday.
This book follows R, Julie, Nora and Nora's little brother on their separate journeys as they all search for a new home and in my opinion search for themselves.
I really liked this installment for so many reasons. One as I stated before I love Isaac's writing style so it was wonderful to read something by him again, especially something that takes place in the same world as Warm Bodies. I also loved it because it was great to see what happened before WB. It was a quick and easy read but it also makes you think and gives you some feels. Isaac has created this world that is tragic but strangely inspiring and I don't know a lot of authors who can do that. I will say that I felt this book was a lot more serious but because it was setting everything up I was okay with that.
I'm so happy that I was sent this for review and because I loved reading it so much I might just pick up Warm Bodies again. I would most definitely recommend this be added to your TBR list.

And because I love you all so much and Atria Books rock, I have an excerpt for you!! :)

THE BEGINNING

     This is not the beginning.

     The beginning is darkness and fire, microbes and worms—the very first of us, killing by the billions on their way up the ladder. There is little to learn from the beginning. We prefer the middle, where things are getting interesting.
     Who are we? We are everyone. We are every thought and action. Time is just a filing system for the vastness of our Library, but we linger in the present with the unfinished books, watching them write themselves. The world is changing.
     The globe is bulging and straining, erupting and blazing with miracles, and we don’t know what shape it will take when it cools. Even with all of history inside us, we don’t know, and this is a little scary.

     So we narrow our focus. We zoom in on a country, then a city, then the white rooftop of a stadium, where three young people are sitting on a blanket. The sky is dark. They are the only ones awake for miles around. It’s hard to catch a sunrise in the middle of summer—the sun barely sets before bouncing back up—but today the need to see beauty was urgent. They have seen too much ugliness. Their lives are smeared with it like blood and shit, so thick they can barely breathe, so today they’re on the roof in the cold morning air, waiting for the sun to wash them.
     Who are these people? Why do they interest us? They are not special—no one is—but there is something in them that draws our gaze. A short, pale girl full of strange dreams. A tall, dark girl with a promise carved on her heart. And a half alive man whose head buzzes with voices, who talks to us and listens without knowing we exist.
     We want them to know we exist. We want them to read our Library and share it with the world, because there is nothing sweeter than being known. But first we have to know them. We are books that read our readers, not a story but a conversation, and we open it with a question: Who are you?
     We circle around them, peering in the windows of their souls.
     What’s in there? Where did it come from? Show us and we’ll show you.
     Up and down the Library, from its bright ceiling to its black basement, pages begin to flutter.

                                                                                           -The New Hunger, Isaac Marion



Top Ten Tuesday: October 6, 2015

Ten Bookish Things I Want to Quit Or Have Quit
(aka ten book series I think I'm going to abandon, ten bookish habits I want to quit, ten authors I quit reading, ten types of books I'm quitting, ten tropes I want to stop reading about, ten books I marked as DNF (did not finish) recently, etc. Get as creative as you want)

10. I never finished the Ruby Red series and I never will because I couldn't stand it.

9. I'm going to quit putting to many expectations on myself. I put my reading goal at 50 this year and I'm like 10 books behind my schedule and at first I felt bad about it but I've had to get over it.

8. I tried reading the Iron Fey series but couldn't ever get into it and I wonder if it's just Julie Kagawa's writing so I probably won't ever read a book by her again unfortunately.

7. I'm going to try to stop putting to much faith in book to movie adaptations. Lately I feel like they've been trying their best to stay true to the book - especially when it comes to John Green book turned movies - but it doesn't always happen and I need to not get so upset about that.

6. I think I'm going to try to stop reading books where the female protagonist is to dependent on the male. It's annoying and I don't like it.

5. I can tell you now I will probably never read a book by the lady who wrote Gone Girl because that book was to hard for me to read and the movie was almost to crazy for me.

4. Another habit I want to quit is waiting SO long to read the next book in a series. Sometimes I wait so long in between books that I have NO clue what's going on in the second book. It's a problem.

3. I would like to say I'd like to break out of the habit of getting so attached to characters but you know that's not going to happen. :)

2. I want to attempt to stop reading the end of a Nicholas Sparks book before I read the rest of it. However I only do it because he hurts my heart and I'd rather be prepared for it.

1. I'd like to stop putting so much pressure on myself all in all. I know I kind of mentioned that earlier but I really really want to quit. If I can't afford books I can't get upset about it. If I don't meet my reading goal I need to get over it. If I don't like a book everyone else loves who cares. I just need to quit with the pressure.

Mean Girls Tag

"It's pronounced like Cady"
Which fictional character’s names did you get completely wrong?
I believe I always say Aro from Twilights name wrong but I really don't care because I like my way the best. :)

"She doesn't even go here!"
Which character would you like to place in a fictional world from another book or series?

I've thought it would be cool to put Tris and Four in the Hunger Games...of course I don't want anything to happen to them so that could be interesting.

"On Wednesdays we wear pink!"
Repetition. Repetition. Which book gave you dejavu of another book while reading it?

Well obviously The Hunger Games and Divergent had some similarities so I guess I'll go with those.

"You all have got to stop calling each other sluts and whores. It just makes it okay for guys to call you sluts and whores."
Which book gave you the complete opposite of girl power feels?
I really can't think of a book that made me feel that way, sorry!!

"You go Glen Coco!"
Name a character you felt like you wanted to cheer on while reading.
I cheered a lot for Augustus Waters and also Etienne St. Clair.

"Get in loser, we’re going shopping!"
How long do you typically spend at a book shop?

Oh gosh it really depends. I don't like to go to a book store if I'm in a hurry because I really don't like to be rushed. My pattern is to usually first scope everything out, then go through and grab the books I want, then check again to make sure I didn't miss anything I might like, and then I go through the books that I've chosen and pick which ones are coming home with me. It's a process. ;)

"It’s not my fault you’re like in love with me or something!"
Which character would have to get out a restraining order on you, if they were real?

Hmm...I think I may have stalked Augustus Waters...pretty sure I would definitely stalk Rule Archer.

"I can’t help it that I’m popular."
Which overhyped book were you cautious about reading?
I was actually super cautious when I read The Hunger Games because everyo
ne loved it so much.

"She’s a life ruiner. She ruins peoples lives."
We all love Regina George. Name a villian you just love to hate.
I love Sebastian from the Mortal Instruments. I know he sucks usually and he can be quit the...ahem...but I just love to hate him
.

"I’m not like a regular Mom, I’m a cool Mom."
Your favorite fictional parents.
Hazels parents in TFIOS are pretty awesome but I also love Bellas dad in Twilight.

"That is so Fetch!"
Which book or series would you love to catch on?
I would like to hear more about the Rosemary Beach or the Marked Men series on YouTube. I watch a lot of BookTubers and not one has ever mentioned either series which is a damn shame.

"How do I even begin to explain Regina George?"
Describe your ideal character to read about.
I like characters that are funny and usually sarcastic for example: Adrian Ivashkov. But I also like sexy broody characters like Rule.

"I just have a lot of feelings."
What do you do when a book gives you a bad case of ‘the feels’?
I cry it out. Just let it happen people.

"Nice wig Janice, what’s it made of?"
"Your Mom’s chest hair!"
Which characters one liners would you love to claim for your own?
Patrick from Perks of Being a Wallflower is pretty funny but so is Adrian like I mentioned earlier.

"Boo, you whore."
Name a time a characters decision has made you roll your eyes
I roll my eyes A LOT when it comes to Clary in TMI. She kind of drives me nuts sometimes.



Top Ten Tuesday: September 15, 2015

This weeks T10T is a freebie so I looked back at the older posts and I decided to go with...drum roll please...
Top Ten Favorite Quotes!!
I think I may have done this before but I don't remember soooo please forgive me!! :)
Also these are in no particular order, I just looked on my Goodreads quotes.

Ready? Here we go.

10. The Fault in Our Stars by John Green
“I'm in love with you," he said quietly.

"Augustus," I said.

"I am," he said. He was staring at me, and I could see the corners of his eyes crinkling. "I'm in love with you, and I'm not in the business of denying myself the simple pleasure of saying true things. I'm in love with you, and I know that love is just a shout into the void, and that oblivion is inevitable, and that we're all doomed and that there will come a day when all our labor has been returned to dust, and I know the sun will swallow the only earth we'll ever have, and I am in love with you.”

9. A Dance With Dragons by George R.R. Martin

“A reader lives a thousand lives before he dies, said Jojen. The man who never reads lives only one.”

8. The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky
"We accept the love we think we deserve."

7. City of Glass by Cassandra Clare
“There is no pretending," Jace said with absolute clarity. "I love you, and I will love you until I die, and if there is life after that, I'll love you then.”

6. Divergent by Veronica Roth
"I might be in love with you." He smiles a little. "I'm waiting until I'm sure to tell you though."

5. The Last Song by Nicholas Sparks
“Life, he realize, was much like a song. In the beginning there is mystery, in the end there is confirmation, but it's in the middle where all the emotion resides to make the whole thing worthwhile.”

4. The DUFF by Kody Keplinger
“Spanish, huh?" he said, glancing down at the scattered papers as he grabbed them. "Can you say anything interesting?"
"El tono de tu voz hace que queria estrangularme." I stood up and waited for him to hand over my papers.
"That sounds sexy," he said, getting to his feet and handing me the stack of Spanish work he'd swept together. "What's it mean?"
"The sound of your voice makes me want to strangle myself."
"Kinky.”

3. TFIOS by John Green

“You don't get to choose if you get hurt in this world...but you do have some say in who hurts you. I like my choices.”

2. TFIOS by John Green

“Oh, I wouldn't mind, Hazel Grace. It would be a privilege to have my heart broken by you.”

1. TFIOS by John Green
“Some people don't understand the promises they're making when they make them," I said.

"Right, of course. But you keep the promise anyway. That's what love is. Love is keeping the promise anyway.”



Sunshine Blogger Award

"The whole idea of the Sunshine Award is that you nominate bloggers who put a little sunshine in your day, who are positive, creative, and inspiring."

I think this award is the cutest thing and I'm so grateful to Caroline for nominating me!!

 Rules
1. Answer the 11 questions provided for you.
2. Nominate other wonderful bloggers and ask them 11 questions.

Caroline's Questions

1. Contemporary or Fantasy books?
I do enjoy fantasy books but overall I'd have to go with contemporary because they make me happy.

2. How did you come up with the overall theme you have on your blog?
I had a music blog a LONG time ago and I loved it but I only posted occasionally and it didn't seem to do very well which discouraged me. Then one day I decided to make my blog and I'm like okay so I love music and books so I'll put the two together and tada A Book Lovers Playlist.

3. Which type of subscribers do you prefer? (eg. email, blogger, goodreads, g+...)
Um, I prefer subscribers period. :)

4. What was your favorite book you read this year?
Oh dear, let's see, probably When You're Back by Abbi Glines or The Indigo Spell by Richelle Mead.

5. Favorite snack to eat/drink while reading? While blogging?
I don't really snack while I do any of those but if I do then it's chocolate milk or water and a granola bar or something like that.

6. Do you do any sports? If so, which?
Ha, no.

7. What is your favorite stand-alone? 
The Fault in Our Stars by John Green, of course.

8. What is your favorite childhood fairytale?
I didn't really read fairytales when I was a kid...does Beauty and The Beast count? :)

9. What band/singer would you love to see live?
I would love to see Nate Ruess!!

10. Do you have a lucky number? What is it?
Well I just had a baby boy on the 13th so I'm going to say that's my lucky number!!

11. What kinds of non-fiction books draw your attention?
I really do not like non-fiction books. I read because I want a story that I can put myself in, if it's non-fiction I can't do that.

My Questions:
1. What made you want to be a book blogger?
2. What's your favorite part about being a book blogger?
3. Are there any book bloggers you'd love to do a meet up with?
4. If you were to write a book or series what genre would it be?
5. Out of all the authors you love who do you idolize the most?
6. If you could be best friends with any book character who would you choose?
7. Which author would you love to meet the most?
8. What is your favorite movie?
9. What candy could you not live without?
10. What is the first book you remember buying?
11. If you could travel anywhere in the world for free where would you go?

My Nominees:
Katie's Book Blog
Geeky Bloggers Book Blog

Top Ten Tuesday: September 8, 2015

Ten Finished Series I Have YET to Finish (topic first done in 2012)

10. Rusk University series by Cora Carmack
I LOVED the first book in these companion novels but for some unknown reason I haven't read the other books. I suck.

9. Never Never (trilogy? series?) by Colleen Hoover and Tarryn Fisher
I read the first one...haven't picked up anymore than that.

8. The Mara Dyer trilogy by Michelle Hodkin
I really loved the first two books in this trilogy but I haven't had a chance to pick up the third book and it's bugging me.

7. Delirium trilogy by Lauren Oliver
I read the first book and liked it enough to buy the next two books but not enough to actually read them yet..hehe.

6. Shatter Me trilogy by Taherah Mafi
I only read the first book and it's basically for the same reason as number 7.

5. The Darkest Minds trilogy by Alexandra Bracken
I read The Darkest Minds and really enjoyed it but never picked up the other two books.

4. The Infernal Devices trilogy by Cassandra Clare
I started reading Clockwork Prince last summer and it put me in a reading slump so I haven't finished the trilogy yet, however I would like to pick it back up soon.

3. Bloodlines series by Richelle Mead
I have yet to read the last book in this series and it's driving me CRAZY!!

2. The Lux series by Jennifer L. Armentrout
 I have 2 more books in the series to read and then I'll be finished!!

1. Marked Men series by Jay Crownover
I started reading Asa a few weeks back but then I had my son and haven't had much time for reading. :)