Top Ten Backlist Books I Need To Read ASAP

(This meme is actually hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl now, but I am far too lazy to make a new graphic)

I have been an advocate for reading backlist titles for a while now. But studying abroad has given me very limited access to new releases, so my reading endeavors are going to be largely focused on backlist books for the next few months. Here are the ones I really need to get to! 

1) Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas - Okay, I don't know that I actually have any interest in reading this novel or series at all, but it's so popular I feel like I at least need to give it a try? I have a weird, inexplicable aversion to Sarah J. Maas, though, so I'm not sure if this will happen or not.

2) The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky - I think I might be the only person left on this planet who hasn't read this novel, but that will change soon enough!

3) Nowhere But Here by Katie McGarry - I've been obsessed with Katie McGarry since I read an ARC of her debut years and years ago, and now that Scribd has given me access to her new series I am ABOUT IT.

4) The Winner's Curse by Marie Rutkoski - I've been really interested in this series for a while and I've heard good things about it. It definitely sounds like the kind of fantasy book I would devour.

5) Every Heart a Doorway by Seanan McGuire - Everyone raves about this book! And it sounds so fascinating. I can't wait to see what all the hype is about.

6) The Distance Between Us by Kasie West - I've never read anything by Kasie West, which is absurd to me, considering she writes exactly the kind of books I live for. I'm not committed to this book being my first Kasie West book, so if you think I should read another one instead, lemme know.

7) The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern - This is another novel I have heard everyone talk about for YEARS. I have no idea what it's about, really, or if it's even my kind of book, but I need to give it a shot!

8) Made You Up by Francesca Zappia - Zappia's newest release received a lot of love and attention, so I'm interested in giving her work a try. Also, this sounds like a heavier contemporary novel, which I always love.

9) Dumplin' by Julie Murphy - This novel sounds WONDERFUL and something that will inspire me and that I'll be able to relate to. Plus, with a film in the works, I neeeeed to read it.

10) Siege and Storm by Leigh Bardugo - I'm currently reading the first novel in the series, and I don't know if I'm going to jump into the sequel right away, but I definitely need to read the entire trilogy. I'm horrible at finishing series, but I can do this!

Flashback Friday #6: Pushing the Limits by Katie McGarry (with giveaway)

Hello everyone! Welcome to The Left-Handed Book Lover's Flashback Friday. I'm not sure if this feature has been done on other blogs. I haven't seen it, but if it has been, let me know so I can give some credit!

FF is a feature here where I talk about books I read a while ago but still want to give major love to. This feature is designed to give some exposure to books that may have been forgotten about or that some people haven't heard of, even though they're really great! And I've decided to add a giveaway to the Flashback Friday series because what better way to get people reading a book than actually giving a copy out?

This week's FF goes to...

Pushing the Limits by Katie McGarry

(Pushing the Limits #1)

Published: June 1, 2012 by Harlequin Teen

Genre: YA Contemporary

Summary from Goodreads: 
So wrong for each other...and yet so right.

No one knows what happened the night Echo Emerson went from popular girl with jock boyfriend to gossiped-about outsider with "freaky" scars on her arms. Even Echo can't remember the whole truth of that horrible night. All she knows is that she wants everything to go back to normal. But when Noah Hutchins, the smoking-hot, girl-using loner in the black leather jacket, explodes into her life with his tough attitude and surprising understanding, Echo's world shifts in ways she could never have imagined. They should have nothing in common. And with the secrets they both keep, being together is pretty much impossible.Yet the crazy attraction between them refuses to go away. And Echo has to ask herself just how far they can push the limits and what she'll risk for the one guy who might teach her how to love again..

WHEN DID I READ THIS?

I read this as an eARC over a month before it was released. I knew that was a little early to read it, but I just knew this book was going to be perfect for me, so I was too pumped to wait to read it. I read the whole thing in a day. I've also really been wanting to re-read it lately.

 WHY DID I PICK THIS BOOK?

I've been obsessed with this book since the second I finished it. I've been shoving it into my in-real-life friends' hands ever since. I know it's a bit more on the popular side, but I don't want people to forget about this book or this incredible author!!

THREE REASONS YOU SHOULD READ THIS BOOK:

1. NOAH - lkdngoerkngopedf I love Noah so much. He's one of those misunderstood bad boys with a heart of gold. I love him so much. He treats Echo incredibly well, and is so dedicated to the people he cares about. He'd sacrifice his own happiness if it meant helping out a loved one.

2. Hate-to-love relationship - Idk about you, but that is one of my favorite types of romances.

3. Secrets - Aside from the sizzlin' romance, my favorite part of this novel was that McGarry just kep revealing secret after secret. There's always so much more to uncover, and rather than being melodramatic or frustrating, all these secrets help the book be more unpredictable and addicting!

OTHER BOOKS IN THE SERIES

GIVEAWAY 

The winner will receive a paperback copy of Pushing the Limits from the Book Depository. This giveaway is open internationally, as long as the book depository ships to you. Entries from giveaway accounts will not be accepted. Believe me, I will check. 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Would You Rather #3: Dark Edition

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.

This time I chose books with dark covers. I picked 20 dark-covered novels, paired them up at random, and then picked one. This was extremely difficult! I love most these books so much (there are a few I'm not so fond of), and there were some pairings where I spent way too long deliberating which one to choose.

ARE THERE ANY CHOICES YOU'D MAKE DIFFERENTLY? 

Top Ten Books That Need To Be Turned Into TV Shows Pronto

Listen, I love TV shows (pretty much as much as I love books), so I was pumped to see that this week's TTT topic was a TV-themed freebie! As great as movies are and all, I am always hoping for some more book-to-TV adaptations, so this week provided the perfect chance for me to talk about the books I want to see in my handy dandy picture box!

Uglies by Scott Westerfeld - Okay, first of all, I don't get why this hasn't been adapted to anything yet??? It would be a fantastic TV show! The world could really lend itself to an episodic story, and there's so much you can do with it that it could go on for several seasons. I'm still holding out hope that ONE DAY this will see some sort of screen, be it big or small.

Blackhearts by Nicole Castroman - This would be an interesting & emotional historical fiction TV show. Obviously writers would have to throw in a bit more plot/action than the book has, but the overall story would be so great to watch.

Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins - I think it's harder to imagine contemporary fiction as a TV show, especially when it falls on the fluffier side of the spectrum, but I imagine this could have a sort of Carrie Diaries vibe. The characters and the setting would translate so well to TV.

Wither by Lauren DeStefano - The premise would make for great television!! The books aren't the most action-packed, so I feel the writers would have to add quite a bit, but the world/different settings/storylines could make a unique & addicting TV show.

The Program by Suzanne Young - I've only read the first book in this duology, but this world is dark and could be explored in so many ways!

Incarnate by Jodi Meadows - Again, I've only read the first book in this series, and I don't even remember much of what happens, but I think the premise and the magical world has so many possibilities for TV.

Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead - I HAVE BEEN RALLYING FOR THIS TO BECOME A TV SHOW FOR YEARS. The world is intricate, the characters have depth, there's action, there's romance, there's so much plot to work with. And yet. All this amazing series has been given is a shitty movie.

Delirium by Lauren Oliver - I am still SO SALTY that this was supposed to be a TV show and then they were all like, "LOL NEVER MIND" so then it wasn't a TV show. Granted, I watched the pilot and I don't think that particular TV show would have done this series justice, but I still think this book deserves a chance to be a beautiful. heartbreaking television show.

Pushing the Limits by Katie McGarry - This is the first book in a companion series, and I think if you take all the books in the series and put them on the same timeline (as in, all the books taking place at the same time rather than each book taking place after the previous book in the series) it could make a really fantastic TV show. All the characters are complex and interesting and dealing with some really heavy shit.

Beautiful Creatures by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl - This is another series with so many complexities and intricacies that trying to fit it into a movie is going to turn out awful. But of course, they tried to turn it into a movie, and it was awful. Now imagine if it had been a TV show, and writers had sufficient time to explore the world and characters. It would be great. 

Top Ten Books I'd Keep In My Classroom

It's always so hard for me to choose a topic during these freebie weeks. This week was "School Freebie" since, ya know, school is once again in session. I chose a topic that The Broke and the Bookish actually gave for a suggestion and that's Top Ten Books I'd Keep In My Classroom If I Were A Teacher. I tried to choose a bit of a variety, and I tried to choose books I think would inspire high school kids to read more. For the sake of wider variety, I didn't pick more than one book from the same author.

Delirium by Lauren Oliver - This is such a gorgeous novel, and it reads rather quickly. I adored this book in high school as much as I do now.

The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton - I actually read this one my freshman year of college, and, of course, enjoyed it a lot! I'd never even heard of it before that. This is a classic YA novel and I'd want my students to at least have the option to read it and know what it is.

Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell - This is the best college-set book I've ever read. I think it does a good job of capturing the uncertainty and discovering-yourself part of college. It would be good for the high school students who are planning to attend college. Also, it's just a really fantastic book.

Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead - Of course I'd keep my favorite book of all-time in my library! Hopefully students would be able to escape into this world & these characters the same way I did when I was in high school.

City of Bones by Cassandra Clare - While I actually prefer The Infernal Devices over this series, I think City of Bones would have wider appeal to people who haven't read any Cassandra Clare before. City of Bones is the type of book that gets teens excited about books. And I think of all the books I've selected, this one would attract the biggest male audience.

Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen - I'm fairly certain that this is the first classic novel I truly enjoyed, and so I think it's a good place for teens to start reading classics.

A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness - This is a quick and impactful read, and I believe everyone on the planet would gain something from reading this novel.

Pushing the Limits by Katie McGarry - I don't have a logical explanation for this selection. I just love it and I think other teens will too.

Since You've Been Gone by Morgan Matson - This is an incredible novel that many teens will most likely be able to relate to, about friendship and romance and social anxiety. Also, it's a lot of fun!!

Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi - The writing style in this book is so different than pretty much every other YA book on the shelves. Also, it's fun and exciting and addicting, and I think high school students would really love discovering this book.

Top Ten Books On My TBR From Before I Started Blogging

Okay, so I'm gonna cheat on this topic. I've been blogging off and on for like 5 years, and I had a blog before this one. But I decided to include titles on my TBR that I haven't read from before I started being more active on this blog (so, like, December of 2015). While compiling this list, I just kept thinking, "Wow, how haven't I read this book yet?"There are some major throwback books on this list!

Anna Dressed in Blood by Kandare Blake - People were raving about this when it first came out, and I love all things spooky so I knew I needed to read it. I bought it, but I still haven't read it. Maybe this October will be my time???

Uprooted by Naomi Novik - I've had this on my Goodreads shelf since November 2015, and I just know that everyone is in love with it. ONE DAY, MY FRIENDS. ONE DAY.

Scarlet by Marissa Meyer - Listen, I read an ARC of Cinder and really enjoyed it. I was so excited for the rest of the series, but I ended up losing track of the series and never got around to reading them, but I WANT TO SO BADLY. I need to buy the entire series and binge read them all.

Rebel Belle by Rachel Hawkins - I was all over this the second Rachel Hawkins announced this book, having adored her Hex Hall series. Well, now the entire trilogy is released and I still have not read book 1.

Everneath by Brodi Ashton - To be honest, I feel like this novel is kind of irrelevant now. It was really popular when it first came out, but nobody talks about it anymore. GUESS WHAT, THOUGH. I bought the first book a while back and I just recently bought the other 2 books and will I ever read it? The world may never know.

Personal Demons by Lisa Desrochers - I OWN THIS ENTIRE TRILOGY...SIGNED. I don't even know how this happened, but it did. I like won the first 2 books signed from different giveaways, and then I figured I might as well buy a signed copy of the last book. I even started reading this book, but I never finished it for some reason.

My Soul to Take by Rachel Vincent - I've heard really great things about this series. Some bloggers were saying it was their favorite book series ever. So I added it to my TBR and when I saw the series was being released in volumes, I bought the first 3 (which is the first 6 books) and I still haven't opened them up.

Legend by Marie Lu - I swear, I contemplate reading this book every day of my life. I read part of it a couple years back and loved it, but I think I'm secretly waiting until I acquire the entire trilogy so I can binge-read, but I don't feel like buying the other books. It doesn't really make sense but my brain is a complicated place.

Take Me On by Katie McGarry - I LOVE KATIE MCGARRY SO MUCH THERE ARE NO EXCUSES FOR THIS.

The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern - I have no idea what this book is about but I know tons of people are obsessed with it, and even now people talk about it on BookTube all. the. time.

Top Ten Books I Want To Re-Read

Today's topic was actually "rewind," as in we pick a topic from previous Top Ten Tuesdays, and since I have been seriously itching to re-read some old favorites, I knew what topic I needed to do!

Pushing the Limits by Katie McGarry - I love Katie McGarry's writing, and this is one of my favorite contemporary books ever. I miss Noah and Echo <333

Pandemonium by Lauren Oliver - I re-read Delirium last month and it was just so incredible and I need to continue the series.

Saint Anything by Sarah Dessen - This is Sarah Dessen's newest, and, in my opinion, one of her best. I read my other favorites from her several times, and I think this one deserves a re-read.

Don't Let Me Go by J.H. Trumble - I fell in love with this novel the first time I read it several years ago, and I think a re-read is long overdue.

To All the Boys I've Loved Before by Jenny Han - This is such a cute, fun series, and it is guaranteed to put me in a great mood!

Graffiti Moon by Cath Crowley - This is one of the first contemporary novels I ever loved. It has been a fairly long time since I read it, and, if I'm being honest, I'm curious to see whether or not I'll love it as much now.

Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell - I just read (listened to it on audiobook) a few weeks ago, but I'm having Levi withdrawals and I'm already ready for round 2.

Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi - I've really just been wanting to binge-read this series lately. I could use another dose of the stunning writing and stunning Warner in my life. I read this trilogy as the books were released, meaning there was a year in between each book, and I just want to read them all in a row.

City of Bones by Cassandra Clare - I've gone too long without Jace.

Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead - I've saved the best for last. This is my ride-or-die series. I've read it several times, and every time it's like returning to old friends.

WHAT BOOKS DO YOU WANT TO RE-READ?

Cover Reveal: LONG WAY HOME BY KATIE MCGARRY!!!

Y'ALL!! If you don't know this about me, you're about to--I freaking love Katie McGarry. She is most definitely one of my favorite authors, so I am unbelievably psyched to be taking part of the cover reveal for Long Way Home, the third book in her Thunder Road series. 

Readers, can you handle this?

Book friends, can you handle this? 

Lefty, can you handle this? 

I don't think I can handle this! 

HERE IT IS: 

krngeorng%&*&^%$QGB GUYTY%NY^&IJHEVG

YOU GUYS. I loooove this cover!! Think about how good this will look on your shelf. Now, a little bit about the book: 

Long Way Home by Katie McGarry

Published: January 31, 2017 by Harlequin Teen

Summary: 
Seventeen-year-old Violet has always been expected to sit back and let the boys do all the saving.

It’s the code her father, a member of the Reign of Terror motorcycle club, raised her to live by. Yet when her dad is killed carrying out Terror business, Violet knows it’s up to her to do the saving. To protect herself, and her vulnerable younger brother, she needs to cut all ties with the club—including Chevy, the boy she’s known and loved her whole life.

But when a rival club comes after Violet, exposing old secrets and making new threats, she’s forced to question what she thought she knew about her father, the Reign of Terror, and what she thinks she wants. Which means re-evaluating everything: love, family, friends . . . and forgiveness.

Caught in the crosshairs between loyalty and freedom, Violet must decide whether old friends can be trusted—and if she’s strong enough to be the one person to save them all.

"An intoxicating and unforgettable story that kept me glued to the page."

—Kami Garcia, #1 New York Times bestselling author, on Walk the Edge

I can assure you all, Katie McGarry is a fantastic writer, and her books are excellent to delve into during the summer. And the best part? It's available for pre-order. Since this a companion series, you don't even need to read the previous book in the novel. So go pre-order it!!! 

Add it to your Goodreads Now!

LONG WAY HOME Pre-Order Links:

Amazon: http://amzn.to/29kYGo2

Kobo: http://bit.ly/29f7tpS

BAM: http://bit.ly/298Brtj

Barnes and Noble: http://bit.ly/29e4z8v

iBooks: http://apple.co/29e4F06

IndieBound: http://bit.ly/29aLSkP

And Don’t Miss the First Two Titles in the Thunder Road Series!

NOWHERE BUT HERE

WALK THE EDGE

Katie McGarry was a teenager during the age of grunge and boy bands and remembers those years as the best and worst of her life. She is a lover of music, happy endings, reality television, and is a secret University of Kentucky basketball fan.

Katie is the author of full length YA novels, PUSHING THE LIMITS, DARE YOU TO, CRASH INTO YOU, TAKE ME ON,  BREAKING THE RULES, and NOWHERE BUT HERE and the e-novellas, CROSSING THE LINE and RED AT NIGHT. Her debut YA novel, PUSHING THE LIMITS was a 2012 Goodreads Choice Finalist for YA Fiction, a RT Magazine's 2012 Reviewer's Choice Awards Nominee for Young Adult Contemporary Novel, a double Rita Finalist, and a 2013 YALSA Top Ten Teen Pick. DARE YOU TO was also a Goodreads Choice Finalist for YA Fiction and won RT Magazine’s Reviewer’s Choice Best Book Award for Young Adult Contemporary fiction in 2013.

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads

Pinterest | Tumblr | Instagram

Twenty One Pilots Book Tag

Hello hello! As you may or may not know, I am in love with the band Twenty One Pilots. I was watching a booktube video last night that was a Taylor Swift book tag (I don't remember whose video it was--sorry!), and it inspired me to combine my love of books and TOP by making a book tag!

The Pantaloon - A book set in a different time period

"You have learned 

way too soon;

 you should never trust the pantaloon."

Blackhearts by Nicole Castroman

This book takes place during Blackbeard's teen years, so the late 1600's. It's a really fantastic imagining of what caused the infamous Blackbeard to be so dang swashbuckly. 

Addict With A Pen - A series you wish had more books

"I'm only at it again as an addict with a pen."

Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead

This was such an easy pick for me, because Vampire Academy is my favorite series of all time, and I don't think there could ever be too many books in this series. I know that there is a spin-off, but it's not the same. I want to read about Rose and Dimitri and Christian Ozera. I think that there could be a whole other series about what it's like for Rose to be the Queen's guardian. 

Ride - A book that took you a long time to finish

"I'm falling, so I'm taking my time on my ride."

A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas

I just finished this book recently, and it took me over 2 weeks to read. I kept putting it aside for days at a time, and oftentimes when I would pick it up, I'd only read a few pages before putting it back down. I ultimately enjoyed it, but it was a slow go for me. 

House of Gold - A book with gold on the cover

"She asked me, 'Son, when I grow old,

Will you buy me a house of gold?

And when your father turns to stone,

Will you take care of me?'

I will make you queen of everything you see,

I'll put you on the map,

I'll cure you of disease."

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

This is a little off topic, but I didn't realize how much I love pairing this song with this book until I was prowling my Goodreads shelves for a book with gold on the cover. While this song sounds like it would be happy, it's actually about wishing for a good life, wishing you could have what you want, but being smart enough to realize that's not how life works. I just realized how fitting it is.

Tear In My Heart - A book that has a really great romance

"She's the tear in my heart, I'm alive,

She's the tear in my heart, I'm on fire,

She's the tear in my heart, Take me higher,

Than I've ever been."

Pushing the Limits by Katie McGarry

Y'all, I adore this book with every fiber of my being. I loved watching Echo and Noah's relationship grow from dislike to a deep, life-altering love. Their chemistry just burns through the pages, and they help each other grow and face their demons. 

Ode To Sleep - A book that you stayed up all night reading

"I'll stay awake,

'Cause the dark's not taking prisoners tonight."

The Unexpected Everything by Morgan Matson

This book started off kinda slow, but I became so sucked into the characters and the writing that I couldn't put it down! 

Fake You Out - A book with an ending you didn't see coming

"And I'll fall down

And I'll break down

And I'll fake you out

All I wanna"

Delirium by Lauren Oliver

This is still one of my favorite books ever, and I think that has a lot to do with the ending. I never could have seen that coming,and it turned me into an emotional wreck when I finished the novel. 

Not Today - A book you keep putting off reading

"Heard you say, 'not today,'

Tore the curtains down, windows open now, make a sound,

Heard your voice, 'there's no choice,'

Tore the curtains down, windows open now, make a noise."

Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs

So I bought this book and got really excited about reading it. I started reading it a few days ago and was pretty into it, but for some reason I just keep putting off reading any more of it, and I don't even know why. 

So there it is! The Twenty One Pilots book tag! I know when you make a book tag, you're supposed to tag people, but I'm not sure how many of you lovely people listen to TOP. So, I tag all of you. If you want to do this tag, please do! And leave the link down in the comments so I can check it out. 

Sunday Post #13

• Hello, you lovely people. I hope your week is full of (metaphorical) sparkles. I got a tooth pulled this week, but it really wasn't as bad as I expected it to be. I also got a new phone because my old phone just completely crapped out on me and just stopped turning on. I'm happy about it because my new phone is a bajillion times better. 

Reviews: 
A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas

Memes: 
Top Ten Books I Wish I Could Read On The Beach

Misc: 
My Biggest Distractions From Reading and Blogging

Reviews:
The Sound of Us by Julie Hammerle

Features: 
Flashback Friday #5

Memes:
Top Ten Reasons I Like _________ (I haven't decided what I want to fill in the blank, yet)
Sunday Post #14

Misc. 
Clearing the Shelves Giveaway #2

I didn't receive any books for review this week, but I ordered this sucker and it has arrived and I'm not particularly excited to dedicate a chunk of my summer to these pages. 

#lilbookishjune is getting scandalous today with #nakedspines!

A photo posted by The Left-Handed Book Lover (@leftyreads) on Jun 2, 2016 at 11:12am PDT

Summer ain't the same without Sarah! I'll definitely be doing some re-reads of my favorite books by Sarah Dessen, the contemporary queen. 🌞 What is your favorite novel by Sarah Dessen?

A photo posted by The Left-Handed Book Lover (@leftyreads) on Jun 2, 2016 at 10:43pm PDT

Showing off my book tower for #lilbookishjune, topped by the fantastic Pushing the Limits by Katie Mcgarry. I read this one a few years ago when it was first released and fell in love with it. I even got one of my non-bookish friends to read it. What books do you recommend to people who don't usually read?

A photo posted by The Left-Handed Book Lover (@leftyreads) on Jun 4, 2016 at 11:55am PDT

What has your week in books and blogging looked like?