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?

The Character Fight to the Death Tag

The lovely Amy @ A Magical World of Words tagged me to take part in this one so let's see how it goes.

Here are the rules:
- Write down the names of 30 characters
- For every question randomly draw two names
- Answer the question using the two names drawn

Here are my characters:
Alexander Belov, Alina Starkov, America Singer, Amren, Bellatrix Lestrange, Cath, Connor Cobalt, Daemon Black, Dimple Shah, Feyre, Four, Hermione Granger, Jace Herondale, Jamie Fraser, Juliette Ferrars, Katniss Everdeen, Kenji Kishimoto, Lisbeth Salander, Magnus Bane, Meg Corbyn, Molly Peskin, Myrnin, Peeta Mellark, Prince Maxon, Rhysand, Rose Calloway, Simon Spier, Tessa Gray, The Darkling, Vladimir Sanguinati

And here we go...

You only have one more spot on your spelling bee team. 
Who gets it?

  

Rose Calloway (The Addicted Series) 

VS 

Jace Herondale (The Mortal Instruments)

Sorry Jace, but Rose wins this one hands down. Rose is brilliant, focused and competitive. 

She'd slay in a spelling bee.

Both characters want to kill you. 
Who would you kill first to have a better chance of survival?

    

Vladimir Sanguinati (The Others Series)

VS

Myrnin (The Morganville Vampires)

Seriously? I managed to pull two vampires? I am so screwed.

Well, assuming I could kill a vampire, I'd try to off Vlad first. 

Myrnin was often less scary and just... eccentric. On a good day.

You're on The Bachelor/Bachelorette and down to two characters. 
Who gets your rose?

   

Amren (A Court of Mist and Fury)

VS

Jamie Fraser (Outlander)

Having never seen a single episode of The Bachelor, I'm assuming giving a rose means you pick that person?

I like Amren, but frankly she scares me. LOL And Jamie is, well... it's Jamie Fraser people. Need I say more?

You've been chosen for the Hunger Games. 
Who's most likely to volunteer in your place?

    

Tessa Gray (The Infernal Devices)
VS

Alina Starkov (The Grisha Trilogy)

Oh wow, I could see either of these characters volunteering to take someone's place.

They are both strong, brave, headstrong and fearless. And they both have compassion.

It's really a toss-up but I'll go with Alina.

You're stranded on an island and must engage in cannibalism to survive. 
Who do you eat?

    

Lisbeth Salander (The Millennium Trilogy)

VS
Four (Divergent)

Bahahaha!! Do I even need to think about this one? Sorry, Lisbeth.

I know you've had a hard life, but you're about to be served up while I kick back island-style with Four. 

You're the next Marvel superhero (with your own TV show, of course). 
Who's your sidekick?

    

Bellatrix Lestrange (Harry Potter)

VS
Magnus Bane (The Mortal Instruments)

Another no-brainer. I'll take the wickedly cool Magnus Bane over Miss Crazy Pants any day.

You're a manager of an avocado company. 
Who would you fire for poor communication skills?

    

The Darkling (The Grisha Trilogy)

VS

Meg Corbyn (The Others Series)

An avocado company? WTH? But okay... 

I've only read the first book in the Grisha trilogy so far but already it seems that the Darkling is secretive and manipulative and not exactly forthcoming with the truth. Whereas Meg is open and honest and has managed to ingratiate herself with all different types of people (and species).

Darkling... you're fired.

You've just finished a book in which your favorite character dies. 
Which of these two characters is more likely to comfort you?

    

Hermione Granger (Harry Potter)

VS
Katniss Everdeen (The Hunger Games)

Katniss has a good heart but isn't exactly warm and fuzzy. Hermione would be a lot more likely to hold my hand and give me a hug.

Ugh, it's high school. 
Who would most likely be part of the popular clique?

    

Rhysnad (A Court of Mist and Fury)

VS
Juliette Ferrars (The Shatter Me Trilogy)

I think it goes without saying that Rhys would rule the school. LOL

The day has arrived - you're finally a year older. 
Who would have the nerve to forget your birthday?

    

Prince Maxon (The Selection Series)
VS

Cath (Fangirl)

Maxon is a total sweetheart and would probably plan some super elaborate surprise for my birthday.

Cath, on the other hand, would be in the midst of writing Simon Snow fanfic and completely forget I existed.

You've just found an up and coming YouTube star. 
Who is it more likely to be?

    

Kenji Kishimoto (The Shatter Me Trilogy)

VS

Feyre (A Court of Thorns and Roses)

Kenji! I could totally see Kenji becoming a YouTube sensation. He make a name for himself doing stand-up comedy or hosting some cheesy dating show. LOL Feyre? Not so much.

Sleepover time! Unfortunately you can invite only one person. 
Who will it be?

    

Simon Spier (Simon vs the Homo Sapiens Agenda)

VS
America Singer (The Selection Trilogy)

America Singer is NOT invited to my sleepover. She would work my last nerve and I'd end up booting her out before midnight. But Simon... we could totally hang. We'd stay up all night talking about boys and eating Oreos.

Bam, you're pregnant. Who's the father/mother?

    

Molly Peskin (The Upside of Unrequited)

VS
Connor Cobalt (The Addicted Series)

Bam, I'm pregnant? Did I at least get dinner first? Geez.

Sorry Molly. I like you, I relate to you, but we're talking Connor Cobalt.

Narcissist. Genius. Smartass. And apparently the father of my non-existent child.

You've just sent a super important text. 
Who would see it and not reply?

    

Daemon Black (The Lux Series )
VS

Alexander Belov (The Bronze Horseman)

Oh, this is a good one. It could go either way. Daemon would totally blow off a text if he wasn't in the mood to deal with it. And if asked about it he'd even say, "Yeah, I saw it." Alexander would ignore the text because the technology would confound him, seeing as how he's in Russia in the 1940's. But I'm going with Daemon because it's likely he would not reply just to be a jerk. LOL

You've just woken up and it's time for breakfast. 
Your mom has been replaced by... ?

    

Peeta Mellark (The Hunger Games)
VS
Dimple Shah (When Dimple Met Rishi

Wow, my mom probably hasn't made me breakfast in 25 years but okay, that's cool. :)

Dimple may seem like the obvious choice, just based on gender, but I'm going with Peeta.

He's an absolute sweetheart and could bake me all sorts of yummy breakfast breads.

So there you have it. Did any answers surprise you? :)

I'm not going to tag anyone, but if you feel like playing along

then consider yourself tagged!

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?