Top Ten Tuesday: So Quotable

Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme 

created by The Broke and the Bookish.

This week's Top Ten Tuesday is all about the quotes. Quotes from books that we've read in the last year. That means there were plenty to choose from, but these were the stand-outs:

What's your favorite book quote?
Have you read any of these books?

Let's talk book quotes!

Throwback Review: Breathe, Annie, Breathe by Miranda Kenneally

Title: Breathe, Annie, Breathe by Miranda Kenneally

Series: A stand-alone in the Hundred Oaks series

Genres: Young Adult, Contemporary 

Release Date: July 15, 2014 by Sourcebooks

Format: Hardcover

Source: Library Loan

Find it here: GoodReads | Amazon

Synopsis

Annie hates running. No matter how far she jogs, she can’t escape the guilt that if she hadn’t broken up with Kyle, he might still be alive. So to honor his memory, she starts preparing for the marathon he intended to race.

But the training is even more grueling than Annie could have imagined. Despite her coaching, she’s at war with her body, her mind—and her heart. With every mile that athletic Jeremiah cheers her on, she grows more conflicted. She wants to run into his arms…and sprint in the opposite direction. For Annie, opening up to love again may be even more of a challenge than crossing the finish line.

"Breathe, Annie, Breathe is an emotional, heartfelt, and beautiful story about finding yourself after loss and learning to love. It gave me so many feels. Her best book yet." — Jennifer Armentrout, New York Times bestselling author of Wait for You .

My Thoughts

I remember reading the synopsis of Breathe, Annie, Breathe when it was released last year and thinking... meh, not for me. First, it's about running (yawn) and secondly, it looks too sweet/"clean teen" for my taste. But a glowing review by a trusted GoodReads friend was enough to sway me. And I'm so glad it did.

Breathe, Annie, Breathe was *so* much more than I was expecting. One of those books that takes you by surprise - in the very best way. The cover is deceiving. It's so nondescript and doesn't begin to reflect the depth of the story inside. A story about love and loss, grief and guilt, friends and family, forgiveness and new beginnings.

We know from the beginning that Annie is mourning the loss of her boyfriend, Kyle, and that she is training to run a marathon in his honor. In the beginning, we don't know how Kyle died, only that Annie seems to blame herself. Since Kyle's death, Annie has closed herself off from friends and her relationship with her mother has suffered as well. Her training brings about a lot more changes in her life than just the ability to run.

All decisions are different in hindsight. Maybe all we can do is make the best decisions we can in the moment, using the best information we have right then.

Annie meets Jeremiah through her training program and feels an instant attraction. A first since Kyle's death. But Jeremiah is an adrenaline junkie and can be reckless, and Annie is fearful of getting close only to experience another loss. I *loved* the evolution of their relationship. While the attraction and chemistry were apparent, both seemed cautious. Seeing their friendship develop and watching as they grew closer just gave me a warm fuzzy feeling. And yes there were plenty of sweet moments, but this wasn't the "clean teen" style that I had (mistakenly) labeled it. In addition to the sweetness and the humor and the emotion, there was also a realistic depiction of the steamy side of a new relationship. 

"Jeremiah? You make me happy."
"You make me happy too," he say quietly.

I really enjoyed Kenneally's writing style. Every character, every thread of the story, felt so true and believable. The dialogue was just perfection. It read so smoothly and naturally and never rang false. I loved the humor, and the banter between Annie and Jeremiah was priceless.

I am so, so glad I took a chance on this one because I truly loved Annie's story. And Jeremiah was a shining example of a good book boyfriend. :)

4/5 STARS

(Originally read/reviewed February 2015)

What book have you read that surprised you?

Review: November 9 by Colleen Hoover

Title: November 9 by Colleen Hoover

Series: No

Genres: New Adult, Contemporary Romance

Release Date: November 10, 2015 by Atria Books

Format: Trade Paperback

Source: Purchased

Find it here: GoodReads | Amazon

Synopsis

Beloved #1 New York Times bestselling author Colleen Hoover returns with an unforgettable love story between a writer and his unexpected muse.

Fallon meets Ben, an aspiring novelist, the day of her scheduled cross-country move. Their untimely attraction leads them to spend Fallon’s last day in L.A. together, and her eventful life becomes the creative inspiration Ben has always sought for his novel. Over time and amidst the various relationships and tribulations of their own separate lives, they continue to meet on the same date every year. Until one day Fallon becomes unsure if Ben has been telling her the truth or fabricating a perfect reality for the sake of the ultimate plot twist.

My Thoughts

Everything relates.
Everything is connected.
And it all begins on November 9th.

November 9 gave me emotional whiplash. Moments of reading with a huge grin on my face quickly turned to heartache which turned to tearful despair which became hopeful yearning. And no one, absolutely no one, can do that to me except Colleen Hoover.

"I didn't think you needed rescuing. I just sometimes find it difficult to control my indignation in the presence of absurdity." - Ben

In November 9, Colleen gifts us with the heartbreakingly beautiful story of Fallon and Ben. Two people who manage to find in each other exactly what they need: hope, purpose, love and redemption.

If she's not careful, I might just fall in love with her.

Tonight.

I'm hesitant to say much about the plot because I don't want to spoil a single moment of this gem of a story for anyone. But at its core is the story of Ben and Fallon, who meet on Fallon's last day in L.A. before she moves to New York. The hours they spend together make an impact that neither of them can ignore, and they agree to meet on the same day every year for the next five years. And so begins their story. We see Fallon and Ben every year: we watch as they reconnect, we watch as their lives change, we watch as they fall in love, and we watch as the Fates are equally kind and cruel. 

I think she expected me to let her go without a fight, but she's not the kind of girl you choose your battles for. She's the kind of girl you fight to the death for.

Fallon and Ben are totally endearing and completely relatable characters. Fallon's back story is shared from the very start and it was impossible not to feel for this girl and what she had been through. Fallon had backbone but felt enslaved by her physical appearance. Her growth as the story progressed - still vulnerable, but stronger and more confident - made me want to cheer for her. Ben, as charming and funny and romantic and attentive as he was, remained something of an enigma. His past was not revealed until much later in the story and it made that much more of an impact. Ben's determination to make Fallon feel worthy, to help her regain her confidence, made me love him even more. He saw the beauty in her scars because they meant she was alive.

I stayed up late to finish November 9 (something I never do) and, after turning that final page, my first thought was: I want to read it again (something I rarely do). If you're a fan of Colleen Hoover, then you already know. You know that each book she writes is unique, each character is real, every line of dialogue makes an impact, and every story makes you FEEL. November 9 has it all - all of Colleen's signature humor and depth and emotion - and I will revisit Fallon and Ben and their unconventional love story again and again.

She "loved me" in quotations

She kissed me in bold

I TRIED TO KEEP HER in all caps

She left with an ellipsis...

Have you read November 9 yet? 
What's your favorite Colleen Hoover novel?

Review: Truest by Jackie Lea Sommers

Title: Truest by Jackie Lea Sommers

Series: No

Genres: Young Adult, Contemporary

Release Date: September 1, 2015 by Katherine Tegen Books

Format: Hardcover

Source: Library Loan

Find it here: GoodReads | Amazon

Synopsis

Silas Hart has seriously shaken up Westlin Beck's small-town life. Brand new to town, Silas is different than the guys in Green Lake. He's curious, poetic, philosophical, maddening-- and really, really cute. But Silas has a sister-- and she has a secret. And West has a boyfriend. And life in Green Lake is about to change forever.

Truest is a stunning, addictive debut. Romantic, fun, tender, and satisfying, it asks as many questions as it answers.

My Thoughts

When I finish a book I know how I feel about it. I know that I like it or I love it or it wasn't for me or I had issues with it. Truest is a rare breed in that it has me stumped. I didn't love it but I didn't dislike it, either. There were moments that were overwhelmingly emotional and times that I had to force myself not to start skimming. I can't remember the last time I read a book that had me so conflicted.

In the summer before her senior year, Westlin is avoiding the big changes and decisions that come with graduating high school. Best friend Trudy is away for the summer. Boyfriend Elliott is busy working. Her minister father seems to have time for everyone in the community - except for his own family. Enter a new family to the small town of Green Lake - including twins Silas and Laurel.

"So the good days I swallow like grace on a spoon."

West is immediately drawn to Silas even as they are forced to spend time together detailing cars. Silas seems to be a kindred spirit in many ways and his sister Laurel is an enigma. As her relationship with Silas develops, West finds herself questioning her feelings for Elliott, her father's absence at home, her faith and her future.

"I want Laurel to be happy. I want to not care if Laurel's happy."

"But she's not," I whispered.

"And I do," he added.

Truest covered many topics and touched on many subjects: relationships (both romantic and familial), mental illness, religion and faith, friendship. And for the most part I was fully invested in the story. I cared about West even when I was frustrated with her actions. My heart hurt for Silas and Laurel (view spoiler). It was when Truest veered into its philosophical debates and existential crises that I found my interest waning. The narrative seemed to come to a screeching halt each time this happened and felt bogged down where otherwise it flowed beautifully. I understand the connection to Laurel illness. And I understand that teenagers question life as much as, if not more than, adults, but I still thought it felt clunky and too esoteric and just too much.

So maybe I do know how I feel about Truest. Some parts I liked. Some parts I didn't. I enjoyed it but had issues with it. There - that wasn't so difficult.

3.5/5 STARS

What are you reading today?

That's What *HE* Said Thursday #16

That's What He Said Thursday is a weekly meme created 

and hosted by Chapter Break. It's a fun way to share a quote 

from a favorite book boyfriend (aka male protagonist) to his girl.

For more info, visit Chapter Break here.

I'm a sucker for Jennifer L. Armentrout. She writes, I read. Simple as that. Wicked is the first book in the Wicked Saga (a trilogy) and takes place in New Orleans. It focuses on Ivy, a 22 year old college student, who is part of The Order - a secret organization whose purpose is to kill/banish the Fae who prowl the city. She definitely meets her match in Ren. The only other thing I can say is - can we have the second book already?!

"If you tell me to leave, I'll turn and walk away. I swear that, Ivy, but I had to try one more time. I'm not going to possibly go to my grave without trying. Please. Don't let me go." - Ren, Wicked

Do you participate in That's What He Said Thursday? 

Or just have a favorite quote you want to share? 

Leave a comment and tell me about it!