Top Ten Tuesday: Books I Want to Re-Read

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl.

This week's Top Ten Tuesday topic: 

Books I Want to Re-Read

This week's theme of favorite bookmarks didn't thrill me since a) half the books I read are on my Kindle so no bookmark needed and b) even when I do read physical books it's not like I have a favorite bookmark. So I'm doing my own thing... again.

I do not often re-read. There are so many books that I am excited to read (for the first time) that I don't often feel led to spend time reading something I've already read. But there are always exceptions. There are some books that made such an impact on me that I want to experience it again. There are stories that gave me all feels and I want more. Or characters that I want to revisit. So here are the books that I most want to re-read.

MAYBE SOMEDAY

Colleen Hoover

Why I want to re-read: Maybe Someday was the first Colleen Hoover book I read. And I was hooked. I fell in love with those characters and was completed sucked in to their story. That was in 2014 and the book still has a special place in my heart. I'd love to revisit and experience it all again. 

JEMIMA J

Jane Green

Why I want to re-read: At the time I read Jemima J (2001) it had a big impact on me. It may have been classified as "chick lit" but I connected with Jemima on a deep level and understood her so well. I'm interested in re-reading and seeing if I still feel the same.

A CANDLE IN HER ROOM

Ruth M. Arthur

Why I want to re-read: A Candle in Her Room was my favorite book as a child. I checked it out of the library over and over again. Many years ago I managed to track down a copy in a used bookstore and seeing it on my shelf always gives me a feeling on nostalgia. I'd like to re-read it and see how I view it as an adult.

THE KADIN

Bertrice Small

Why I want to re-read: Ten or twelve years ago I went through a brief phase of reading historical romances. Or, more accurately, reading several historical romances from Bertrice Small. I was absolutely captivated by the world-building in her novels and the attention to detail. Taking place in the 15th century and spanning the globe from Renaissance Europe to the Ottoman Empire, The Kadin was fascinating. I'd love to experience the journey again.

ON THE ISLAND

Tracey Garvis Graves

Why I want to re-read: When I read On the Island in 2012 I was completely taken with Anna and T.J.'s story. I continued to think about them weeks and even months after finishing the book, something I don't often do. I really want to relive their story all over again.

THE SUMMER I FOUND YOU

Jolene Perry

Why I want to re-read: I picked up The Summer I Found You on a whim when I was browsing in the library. I expected a sweet YA contemporary. What I got was a story that dealt with real issues in a emotional and realistic way and two main characters that I pulled for so hard. Aidan's story, in particular, touched my heart and I would like to share in their story again.

NINE MINUTES

Beth Flynn

Why I want to re-read: It wasn't until quite a while after I read Nine Minutes that I learned that the story continued. There are two more books that I'd love to read but I've forgotten so many details from Nine Minutes that I want to re-read it before moving on.

THE BRONZE HORSEMAN

Paullina Simons

Why I want to re-read: Reading The Bronze Horseman was one of the most emotionally draining reading experiences I've ever had. Like nothing else I'd read. And though I'd never been able to say I had one favorite book, after I read The Bronze Horseman it became just that. And yet... I've never continued on with the trilogy. Maybe because I fear they can't possibly live up to TBH? Maybe because I enjoy the anticipation? Either way, I do want to read the whole series and since it's been 5 years I want to re-read The Bronze Horseman before moving on.

SOME KIND OF PERFECT

Krista & Becca Ritchie

Why I want to re-read: Krista and Becca Ritchie's Addicted series is my all-time favorite contemporary series. Over the span of 10 books those characters began to feel like living, breathing people and I was completely invested in their lives. I am beyond ready to continue on with the spin-off series but before I do I want to re-read the final Addicted book, Some Kind of Perfect. Ideally I would re-read the entire series, but that is an insane time commitment.

AUTOBOYOGRAPHY

Christina Lauren

Why I want to re-read: Autoboyography is the first book I read from Christina Lauren and it was love at first sight. (I mean, just look at that cover.) It was also love at first page. I adored Tanner and Sebastian and fell head over heels in love with their story. I would love to relive it all over again.

Do you re-read books?
Do you have a favorite that you go back to again and again?

Top Ten Tuesday: The Books I Anticipate/Avoid

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl.

This week's Top Ten Tuesday topic: 

The Books I Anticipate/Avoid

This week's topic is actually about the books we avoid for whatever reasons. The length is intimidating, we're scared it won't live up to the hype, etc. But I don't avoid books for those reasons. My reason isn't about avoidance... it's all about anticipation. Sometimes I think I enjoy the anticipation of reading a book as much as the reading experience itself.

There are certain books that I am certain I am going to love. Ones that will have a big emotional impact. Become all-time favorites. It could be because it's a sequel and I already fell in love with the previous book(s). Or it could be a standalone that I just have a good feeling about - one that seems to check all my boxes for tropes I love. I love the anticipation of reading those special books. The feeling that an extraordinary reading experience is right at my fingertips. And apparently I enjoy prolonging that feeling of anticipation because I have some books that I have been putting off (or, for the sake of Top Ten Tuesday, avoiding) for years. So here are 10 books that have me basking in the anticipation... and loving every minute of it.

Five Years Gone | Marie Force        The Last Letter | Rebecca Yarros

The Great Alone | Kristin Hannah       The Story of Us | Tara Sivec       Fisher's Light | Tara Sivec

What the Wind Knows | Amy Harmon          Punk 57 | Penelope Douglas        

The Son & His Hope | Pepper Winters          Tatiana and Alexander | Paullina Simons     

Damaged Like Us | Krista & Becca Ritchie

HAVE YOU READ ANY OF THESE BOOKS?
IS THERE A BOOK YOU AVOID?

Top Ten Tuesday: 10 Favorite Books from the Last 10 Years

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl.

This week's Top Ten Tuesday topic: 

Favorite Books From The Last 10 Years
(one book per year)

To be honest I haven't been thrilled with several recent TTT themes but I was excited when I saw the topic for this week. I love the idea of looking back at my reading over the past decade and choosing a favorite from each year. I guess I should note that I am basing this on the books I read in each given year and not choosing only from the books that were published that year.

2 0 0 9

Breaking Dawn - Stephenie Meyer

2 0 1 0

Firefly Lane - Kristin Hannah 

2 0 1 1

Winter Garden - Kristin Hannah 

2 0 1 2

The Truth About Melody Browne - Lisa Jewell 

2 0 1 3

The Bronze Horseman - Paullina Simons 

2 0 1 4

Maybe Someday - Colleen Hoover

2 0 1 5

The Nightingale - Kristin Hannah

2 0 1 6

Some Kind of Perfect - Krista & Becca Ritchie

2 0 1 7

All the Ugly and Wonderful Things - Bryn Greenwood

2 0 1 8

The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo - Taylor Jenkins Reid

Do we share any of the same favorites?

Top Ten Tuesday: Things That Make Me Pick Up a Book

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl.

This week's Top Ten Tuesday topic: 

Things That Make Me Pick Up a Book

We all have them. Those tropes or keywords or settings that make us all the more likely to pick up a particular book. Some are popular (boarding school settings seems to be one that many people love) and some are a lot more unique and individual. Here are my picks along with some of my favorite examples of each.

SECOND CHANCE ROMANCE

Yeah, this one is more broad in spectrum and less specific, but even so - I'm a sucker for a good second-chance romance. I like the thought of true love never really going away and that two people who are meant to be together will find a way.

    

LETTERS/EMAILS

I don't know why, but I really enjoy a story that is told either in part, or fully, through letters and/or emails. Maybe it's the romantic in me that gets a little swoony at the thought of someone taking the time to write a letter and put their feelings down on paper. 

  

YOUNG PERSON WITH GREAT RESPONSIBILTY/

MATURE FOR AGE

I find this comes into play more with a male character than a female character, but having a main character who is carrying a lot of responsibility on his shoulders at a young age is like an instant win for me. Whether he is handling the responsibility well, or buckling under the pressure, doesn't matter. I am so behind a character who takes on great responsibility either by choice or by circumstance. Same for a character who shows maturity beyond his years. Katie McGarry is a master at writing these types of characters.

    

MORALLY GRAY CHARACTERS

This one is pretty self explanatory but my interest always kicks up a notch when I hear that a story features a morally gray character. I mean, few people are all good or all bad. So when a book explores that I'm intrigued. My favorite is when a villain does something completely out of character or shows kindness.

    

FRIENDS TO LOVERS

It seems like most romance readers are all about the hate-to-love trope. But not me. Nope, I'm all about the best friends to lovers. I like seeing a couple who are already friends take their relationships to the next level. They already know they get along and that they're compatible. And when they realize that they now have feelings that go beyond friendship... I love it. :)

    

TRAPPED TOGETHER

Another favorite is when the couple in question find themselves trapped somewhere together. That forced togetherness is a big check mark for me.

    

FORBIDDEN/TABOO RELATIONSHIP

There are a lot of aspects that could make a relationship fall into the forbidden/taboo category. A boss/employee dynamic, a sketchy background (criminal history), one or both people are not single/available, etc. The forbidden aspect is definitely a draw (in fiction, not real life).

    

BAD BOY + GOOD GIRL

I know, I know. This is one trope that has been done to death. Clear back to Heathcliff and Catherine in Wuthering Heights. It's overused and played out. But I'm still trash for it. 

    

AGE DIFFERENCE

This one sometimes gets lumped in with the forbidden relationship trope, but I'm not talking creepy under-age age differences here. These are legal, of age, consenting adults - but with an age gap. Maybe my personal experience plays into my love of this one (there is a 14 year age gap between my husband and me) but romances with an age difference are among my favorites.

    

SWEET, CINNAMON ROLL GUYS

Sure, I love a good alpha now and then, but I also have a soft spot for the sweet, cinnamon rolls. They guys who are kind. Who are listeners. Who aren't cocky or snarky or broody. But sweet and generous and give their hearts willingly. All together now... awww!

    

What makes you pick up a book?
Do we share any favorites?

Top 5 Wednesday: Favorite Angsty Romances

Top 5 Wednesday was created by Lainey at GingerReadsLainey.

Click HERE for a complete list of participants and future topics.

I was so excited when I saw that this week's T5W theme was favorite angsty romances. Because I am ALL ABOUT the angsty romance. Bring. It. On. I think for some people, angst has a kind of negative connotation but not so for me. Give me a book where the main characters are tortured souls with tragic backgrounds. Give me a story where there's every obstacle imaginable keeping the lovers apart. Give me heartbreak and heartache. Does that make me a glutton for punishment? Maybe, but I'm also one happy reader. So here are some of my favorite angtsy romances/couples. 

THE BRONZE HORSEMAN

Paullina Simons

The Bronze Horseman takes the gold medal in angst. I mean, come on, when the story starts Alexander is dating Tatiana's sister. How's that for some angst? Then there's that pesky war keeping them apart. Much angst ensues.

MAYBE SOMEDAY

Colleen Hoover

When I started this list, four of the five picks were from Colleen Hoover. I practically had to flip a coin to choose just one. I ended up going with the first CoHo book I ever read. The angst-filled relationship between Sydney and Ridge in Maybe Someday had me in pieces, desperate for some kind of happy ending. Many tears were shed.

ADDICTED TO YOU

Krista & Becca Ritchie

I don't consider the Addicted series as a whole to be particularly angsty. But that first book, when Lily and Lo were deep into their addictions and struggling daily - yeah, that was pretty angsty. They were each other's crutch but also one another's salvation. The ending of this one tore me up. 

FALL TOO FAR

Abbi Glines

I'm a sucker for the Rosemary Beach series. Seriously, it's my book crack. And it all started with Blaire and Rush. He's the son of the woman her father has just married. She's a simple girl from Alabama. He's a rock star's son. Angst and drama, drama and angst. I ate it up like candy.  

WAIT FOR YOU

Jennifer L. Armentrout

Cam and Avery's relationship was a rocky one with plenty of obstacles. Cam's past, Avery's past, misunderstandings. Their road to happiness was hard fought and no two people deserved it more. I loved this angsty love story.

How do you feel about angsty romance?
Love it or hate it?