(This meme is actually hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl now, but I am far too lazy to make a new graphic)
I'm quite fond of re-reading, even if I don't do it as often as I'd like. But there are some books that, no matter how wonderful they were, I can't see myself picking up again. Never say never, though!! Who knows what mood will strike me in the future?
Tbh, this topic was really tough because I was going through my Goodreads and kept saying, "Okay, well I wouldn't mind reading that one again!!" with every single book. I had to get cutthroat and make some decisions.
BUT IF YOU HAVE NOT READ ANY OF THESE NOVELS FOR THE FIRST TIME YET, I HIGHLY RECOMMEND EVERY SINGLE ONE!!!
1) Wither by Lauren DeStefano - This was a solid 4-star series for me. I binged it. I enjoyed it a lot. (Check out my review of Wither) I can't see myself re-reading it, though. It was an in-the-moment read for me. I don't find myself missing the characters or the world.
2) Holding Up the Universe by Jennifer Niven - I rated this 4.5 stars. The romance was cute and geeky and there was a lot of body positivity represented in this novel. I just don't feel the urge to give it another go.
3) When Dimple Met Rishi by Sandhya Menon - Another 4-star read for me. I really loved the characters and the story and I definitely recognize how important this novel is, in terms of diversity. However, I think that I, personally, got what I wanted out of it the first time around. I can't wait to read the companion novel, though!!
4) Little Black Dresses, Little White Lies by Laura Stampler - Once again, I gave this 4 stars. I thoroughly enjoyed traipsing through New York in this novel (unfortunately, not in real life) and the engaging writing. This was just a quick, light read, and I will remember it fondly, but I don't think I'll be revisiting it. (My review!)
5) Beautiful Creatures by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl - I will always regard this series as one of my all-time favorites. It's been years since I read it, and I really don't remember much that happens in it, but I was in looove with it as I was reading. There are 2 reasons I can't see myself re-reading it, though. Firstly, that's a commitment. This series has 4 books and they are all clunkers. Secondly, I'm very afraid I won't like it anymore and I refuse to let that happen.
6) Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver - Lauren Oliver is one of my ultimate favorite authors. Her prose is gorgeous, and this novel is no exception. It's absolutely beautiful and it made me SOB when I read it. But I'm afraid this is the kind of novel that loses its effect after the first read. Maybe I'm wrong, but I'm not going to take that chance. This is one of those novels that I'm not committed to NOT re-reading, though.
7) The Wrath and the Dawn by Renee Ahdieh - I don't know that I'd even describe this novel as good. I remember having a lot of issues/questions while I was reading, but I could. not. stop. It was such an addicting read and I ate up every second of it. But, again, I think I got what I wanted out of it the first time I read it. I have not read the second installment yet, but I want to. Even still, this novel does not have a particularly complex story, so I don't think I'd feel the need to re-read it once I get my hands on the sequel.
8) Hush, Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick - Just talking about this series makes me cackle a little bit because this is another one of those series I was SUPER INTO when my reading habits were just beginning to form. I think I might hate it and cringe to death if I went back and re-read it, but I will always hold it in my heart. I do still own the entire series, though, so maybe one day I'll give it a go for nostalgia's sake.
9) An Enchantment of Ravens by Margaret Rogerson - This is one of my more recent reads and it was absolutely delectable. I couldn't tear myself away. I'm pretty sure I read it all in one sitting. But I just don't think it's the kind of book I'd want to re-read.
10) Just One Day by Gayle Forman - I remember really enjoying this one but also finding it a bit slow. I think Gayle Forman is a brilliant writer, and this is probably the book I'm most unsure of.
I love me some swoon-worthy fictional boys. Here are my favorites that I met in 2016.
Levi from Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell - He is probably my #1 book boyfriend of the year. He is so sweet and nerdy and I'M IN COLLEGE AND HAVEN'T MET ANYONE LIKE HIM THIS IS UNFAIR. Eros from Beyond the Red by Ava Jae - He is loyalty and bravery and stubborness and flaws and I can't wait for the sequel when I get to see more of himmmmmm. Jack from Holding Up the Universe by Jennifer Niven - He is misguided, but overall caring and sweet. It was adorable to read his thoughts about Libby and the dates he took her on. Jealous, honestly. G from My Lady Jane by Brodi Ashton, Cynthia Hand, and Jodi Meadows - OH LORD I LOVE G. He is so freaking funny and clever and when he gets really worried about Jane it is the most precious thing my heart has ever felt. Frank from Since You've Been Gone by Morgan Matson - He's such a sweet lil cinnamon roll. He cares about the environment and being a good guy and I never thought I'd find anyone named Frank appealing, that's for sure.
Will Traynor from Me Before You by Jojo Moyes - I CAN'T TALK ABOUT HIM. Except I adore him. As problematic as his story may be, I found Will himself to be utterly charming and, even in his sassiest moment, an absolute delight. Henry Tilney from Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen - I liked him more than the beloved Mr. Darcy, I think. So do with that information what you will.
Clark from The Unexpected Everything by Morgan Matson - He's a WRITER!!!! And a precious little bean who never had friends growing up and it's impossible, if you ask me, not to fall in love with him over the course of the novel. Captain from Unhooked by Lisa Maxwell - Naughty? Nice? Who knows. All I can say is that he is a HANDSOME PIRATE WHO HAS STOLEN MY HEART.
Dimitri Belikov from Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead - Okay, okay, I know this is cheating because this is, like, my trillionth time reading this book, BUT in the 10th anniversary edition we got new stories with him in them, so I'd say it counts. I can't leave out my all-time bae, okay?
Christmas is tomorrow!!!!! Holy crap!!!!!! In an effort to get you as utterly excited as I am (and if you're already excited, at least fuel the fire a little bit), I've taken the liberty of Christmasifying some book titles (and adjusting the covers accordingly)!
Some of these are better than others, I know.
ME BEFORE YULETIDE BY JOJO MOYES
in which a twenty-something woman transforms from unemployed and overly cautious to unemployed and a little adventurous thanks to Christmas magic.
AMY AND ROGER'S EGGNOG DETOUR BY MORGAN MATSON
in which two teens on their way to Grandma's house go out of their way to find a grocery store and get some eggnog.
BEYOND THE RED NOSE REINDEER BY AVA JAE
in which Rudolph struggles to be more than what the media portrays
NORTHANGEL ABBEY BY JANE AUSTEN
in which an English girl is convinced there is an angel lurking the halls of her friend's mansion
A COURT OF TINSEL AND RIBBONS BY SARAH J. MAAS
in which a malicious Christmas elf is very protective of his pretty decorations
LITTLE BLACK DRESSES, LITTLE WHITE LIGHTS BY LAURA STAMPLER
in which a trendy teenager struggles for hours to untangle a strand of Christmas lights
MISS PEREGRINE'S HOME FOR PRETTY CAROLS BY RANSOM RIGGS
in which only the best singers are privy to this strange home as they use their angelic voices to defeat grinches everywhere
A MISTLETOE CALLS BY PATRICK NESS
in which a young boy fights the urge to kiss meet his first crush under the mistletoe for his first kiss
ALL THE BRIGHT POINSETTIAS BY JENNIFER NIVEN
in which readers will learn everything there is to know about poinsettias.
THE FRUITCAKE IN OUR STOCKING BY JOHN GREEN
in which two teenagers receive fruitcake so horrible they both fall ill
WE OWN THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS BY ASHLEY POSTON
in which all through the house, not a creature was stirring...except a group of mischievous teens desperate to find out what presents await for them under the tree.
Just a note: this post was not meant to be making fun of these books in any way whatsoever. These are all books I really enjoyed reading and I had a lot of fun thinking about what their Christmased version would be.
I want to hear your Christmased book titles. Bonus points if you tell me what the book would be about!
Hello, hello! The fall semester is FINALLY over. I wasn't sure if I would make it out alive...BUT HERE I AM. I finally have time to blog and vlog and read what I want to read and IT. IS. MAGNIFICENT.
Since I have produced pretty much zero content over the course of my semester, I decided to update y'all on what I've read in the past few months (spoiler: not a whole lot). I should have actually read more than this for classes, but I did a lot of skimming and sparknoting, which I don't count.
Listen — Travis Coates was alive once and then he wasn’t.
Now he’s alive again.
Simple as that.
The in between part is still a little fuzzy, but he can tell you that, at some point or another, his head got chopped off and shoved into a freezer in Denver, Colorado. Five years later, it was reattached to some other guy’s body, and well, here he is. Despite all logic, he’s still 16 and everything and everyone around him has changed. That includes his bedroom, his parents, his best friend, and his girlfriend. Or maybe she’s not his girlfriend anymore? That’s a bit fuzzy too.
Looks like if the new Travis and the old Travis are ever going to find a way to exist together, then there are going to be a few more scars.
Oh well, you only live twice.
I read this for my YA fiction writing class (which, by the way, was taught by a guy who basically never read YA) and found it to be just sort of okay. I liked the voice a lot, but I wasn't super in love with the protagonist. This book was more of a contemporary with background sci-fi elements, and I would have liked to see a heavier focus on the sci-fi.
Bestselling author Sherman Alexie tells the story of Junior, a budding cartoonist growing up on the Spokane Indian Reservation. Determined to take his future into his own hands, Junior leaves his troubled school on the rez to attend an all-white farm town high school where the only other Indian is the school mascot.
Heartbreaking, funny, and beautifully written, The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian, which is based on the author's own experiences, coupled with poignant drawings by Ellen Forney that reflect the character's art, chronicles the contemporary adolescence of one Native American boy as he attempts to break away from the life he was destined to live.
With a forward by Markus Zusak, interviews with Sherman Alexie and Ellen Forney, and four-color interior art throughout, this edition is perfect for fans and collectors alike.
This is another book I read for my YA fiction writing class and I was really excited to have the chance to read this because I'd seen it around quite a bit. I think it's my favorite thing that we read in that class. I wasn't completely head-over-heels for it, but it was quick and engrossing. I loved the illustrations and, once again, the voice. I thought this book did a great job juggling humor and heartbreak. This was published in 2007 when political correctness wasn't as valued as it is today, so there are some language things throughout the book that are generally frowned upon now, but I was able to overlook it for the most part. This is the type of book I'd probably recommend to friends who don't read a ton just because it is quick and it did mostly keep my attention.
When two soldiers from opposite sides of a never-ending galactic war fall in love, they risk everything to bring a fragile new life into a dangerous old universe.
From bestselling writer Brian K. Vaughan, Saga is the sweeping tale of one young family fighting to find their place in the worlds. Fantasy and science fiction are wed like never before in this sexy, subversive drama for adults.
I actually read the first two volumes of this series--my first ever graphic novels! And I just adore them. It was my first time reading in this medium, so there were definitely times when I got lost or had a hard time following, so before I read volume 3 I will probably go back and re-read the first two. But this series has really sold me on graphic novels, and now I definitely want to seek out other series to enjoy. The artwork in this book is beautiful in a very gruesome way, so this is absolutely for more mature audiences. I'm not sure what else to say about this because I don't know much about graphic novels, but I just love this series now, and if you are uncertain about graphic novels, I recommend giving this one a shot!
In this feverishly beautiful novel—originally titled If I Forget Thee, Jerusalem by Faulkner, and now published in the authoritative Library of America text—William Faulkner interweaves two narratives, each wholly absorbing in its own right, each subtly illuminating the other. In New Orleans in 1937, a man and a woman embark on a headlong flight into the wilderness of illicit passion, fleeing her husband and the temptations of respectability. In Mississippi ten years earlier, a convict sets forth across a flooded river, risking his own chance at freedom to rescue a pregnant woman. From these separate stories Faulkner composes a symphony of deliverance and damnation, survival and self-sacrifice, a novel in which elemental danger is juxtaposed with fatal injuries of the spirit. The Wild Palms is grandly inventive, heart-stopping in its prose, and suffused on every page with the physical presence of the country that Faulkner made his own.
I read this for my modern American literature class this semester, and I have very mixed feelings about it. So, this book is split into two different, unconnected narratives--The Wild Palms and The Old Man. The Wild Palms section is about a taboo-ish couple trying to survive and hold on to their passion, and The Old Man section is about a convict trying to survive a flood. I really enjoyed The Wild Palms section. I did not particularly love the couple (I thought that they were kinda foolish, but whatever) but I was interested in their story. The Old Man section was an absolute struggle to get through holy crap. But I am very proud of myself for getting through this novel without skimming or sparknoting. (Just so everyone knows, I fully intended to sparknote it, but it wasn't available.) Te writing is beautiful in its own way, but it's not something I majorly enjoyed reading. Calling it long-winded would be an understatement. Maybe in the future I will read more Faulkner, especially if I find a plot line that appeals to me.
Everyone thinks they know Libby Strout, the girl once dubbed “America’s Fattest Teen.” But no one’s taken the time to look past her weight to get to know who she really is. Following her mom’s death, she’s been picking up the pieces in the privacy of her home, dealing with her heartbroken father and her own grief. Now, Libby’s ready: for high school, for new friends, for love, and for every possibility life has to offer. In that moment, I know the part I want to play here at MVB High. I want to be the girl who can do anything.
Everyone thinks they know Jack Masselin, too. Yes, he’s got swagger, but he’s also mastered the impossible art of giving people what they want, of fitting in. What no one knows is that Jack has a newly acquired secret: he can’t recognize faces. Even his own brothers are strangers to him. He’s the guy who can re-engineer and rebuild anything, but he can’t understand what’s going on with the inner workings of his brain. So he tells himself to play it cool: Be charming. Be hilarious. Don’t get too close to anyone.
Until he meets Libby. When the two get tangled up in a cruel high school game—which lands them in group counseling and community service—Libby and Jack are both pissed, and then surprised. Because the more time they spend together, the less alone they feel. Because sometimes when you meet someone, it changes the world, theirs and yours.
This is the only novel I read strictly for funsies this semester, and I enjoyed it a lot! I know there were a lot of concerns surrounding this novel, and I think that Niven handles things very well. Since this is a mini review, I don't want to delve into this discussion here, but I am thinking about making a video regarding the issues people anticipated with this book. For now, just know that I don't think there was unhealthy representation. Anyway, I enjoyed the two main characters a lot and I enjoyed the romantic aspect of it (the romance was a prominent element, and yet I definitely don't think it was the focus). There's body positivity and geeky references, and I am SO INTO IT. I think what shows how much I enjoyed this book is that amid school and social life stuff, all I could think about was returning to this story and finishing it.
My rating:
4.5/5
So that is what I read this fall semester. Not a ton, but I've definitely read less in a semester, so I'm not entirely disappointed.
My Goodreads goal for this year was 50 books, and I am currently at 36 books read. There is still a very slim chance I could make my goal if I pick up a ton of quick reads, but probably not. I'm okay with that, though. I've read more this year than I have in some of my previous years.
Anyway, let me know in the comments some of your favorite books that you've read recently. Also, how are you doing on your Goodreads challenge? Let's chat! I've been gone so long, I've missed you people!
Now I shall bid you goodbye and leave you with some of the BookTube videos I've recently posted!
Even though, as bloggers, we most likely read more book reviews than the average bear (I do. I know some bloggers don't like to read reviews of books they haven't read), and we tend to know more about books we haven't read than the average bear. However, sometimes it's fun to pick up a book I don't know much about and just dive in. Coming up with 10, though, was a lot harder than I thought it would be.
All the Bright Places by Jennifer Niven - I read this on my blogging break. I needed something to read, and I had an ARC on my Kindle, and I just decided to go for it, even though I didn't actually know much about it. Glad I read it! Such an emotional read.
Since You've Been Gone by Morgan Matson - This one was more recent. It was offered as a free read on the Pulseit website, and I had heard good things about Morgan Matson, so I decided to give it a go, and I LOVED it! I hadn't known anything about it, but now I am a fangirl of all fangirls. Check out my review!
Nightshade by Andrea Cremer - I read this novel YEARS ago, pre-blogging. I saw it at the library and thought the cover was pretty (the original cover, shown above, not the redesign). It turned out to be a fantastic series.
Don't Let Me Go by J.H. Trumble - I am absolutely in love with this book. When I first started blogging, this was going around on an ARC Tour and I was still so enchanted by the idea of ARCs that I signed up even though I had never heard of the book before, and knew nothing about it. It turned out to be a book that was completely out of my comfort zone, and completely amazing.
Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead - My all-time favorite book series, Ever. Of all-time. I saw this at the grocery store when I was in 8th grade, and, in the era of vampire novels, I knew from the title that I needed it. This is more than your average vampire novel, folks.
Pushing the Limits - I remember requesting this from Netgalley before it was released, thinking it sounded decent. HOLY COW. It was far more than decent. Katie McGarry bcame one of my new favorite writers with this novel.
Thicker than Water by Brigid Kemmerer - Thankful for Netgalley introducing me to this gem. I wasn't sure what I had in store for me when I requested it, but I'm glad I did. A bit different than what I'm used to reading, but I enjoyed it through and through. Check out my review!
I've definitely stumbled upon some jewels on accident! What are the top ten books you've picked up on a whim?
Hiya! Would You Rather is a pretty self-explanatory new feature here at The Left-Handed Book Lover, and I think it will be a lot of fun. Each WYR post will have a different theme. In honor of summer vacation being upon me, I figured contemporary books were the way to go. I picked 20 of my favorite contemporary novels, paired them up at random, and then picked one. This was extremely difficult! I love all these books so much, and there were some pairings where I spent way too long deliberating which one to choose.
What do you think? Any choices you'd make differently? Any books you'd add/take away from this list?
I've said it before, I'll say it again--I did not read nearly as much as I would have liked this year. But I still happened upon a ton of great books! Here are my top reads of 2015!
All the Bright Places by Jennifer Niven
I was completely taken aback by this book. It was an emotional roller coaster and I was stunned for days. This book will always be in my heart.
Saint Anything by Sarah Dessen
Sarah Dessen, you goddess, you. This book definitely swept into my heart and I am more than okay with it! This one has made it's way to my list of favorite Dessen books.
Fever by Lauren DeStefano
Hah. This is the only book on my list that isn't a contemporary. Whoops! Anyway, I have really been loving this series, and though Fever is the second book in the trilogy, it is definitely my favorite. You can read my review of Wither and my thoughts on Fever. My review for Sever will be posted tomorrow!
Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell
I feel like I was the last one to discover how awesome this book is! But it is awesome. And I'm so happy I finally read it!
Saving June and Speechless by Hannah Harrington
I put off reading these two books for so long because I wasn't sure how interested in them I would actually be, but I fell in love. I definitely need more Hannah Harrington in my life.
The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton
So I'm about 30 years late to this party, but I read this for my YA lit class last semester, and I just fell in love with it. An oldie but goodie, without a doubt.
Tell me about the best books you've read this year!
This week was a little tricky for me because, if I'm being honest, I've hardly read much this year. And a lot of the stuff I did read was by authors I had read in the past. After much deliberation and staring at the measly 23 books I've read this year, I was finally able to pick 5 new authors who work I really enjoyed this year.
What I read by her:
I read Speechlessfirst and loved it so much that I immediately picked up Saving June. These are both fabulous YA contemporary books, and I will read anything else that Hannah Harrington releases.
What I read by her:
I picked up Witherover Thanksgiving break and enjoyed it MUCH more than I thought I would (You can read my review if you want). Of course I needed to figure out what happened next, so I picked up Feverthe second I finished (again, you can gander at my review). This series has been great so far, and I can't wait until I have time to read the third book, Sever. I can't wait to see what else Lauren DeStefano will come up with for us!
What I read by her:
I finally joined the fun with the wonderful Eleanor & Park! I'd heard so many wonderful things about all of Rowell's books, especially this one. I was dying to dive in, so I bought this gem in Ireland and read it on the plane ride home. I was not disappointed, friends. I haven't had the chance to read any of her other work yet, but all of it is on my list!
What I read by her:
I had been on a real contemporary kick when I decided to read All the Bright Places this summer. I wasn't sure exactly what I was getting myself into, but it sounded decent enough so why not. Uh, this book was far beyond decent enough. Let me tell you, this book left me a mess for days. Days, I said. This book was taut with emotions and I felt every single one of them. I hope Jennifer Niven puts out more YA that leaves me reeling like this one did.
What I read by her:
Again, I was on a huge contemporary kick this summer, so when I read the description of Extraordinary Means while I was perusing the book aisle of Walmart, I knew I needed to buy it. I'm very happy I did! This book had a really unique, interesting premise and fantastic characters. I look forward to reading more by Ms. Schneider!
Tell me about the awesome authors you discovered this year!
