Top Ten Books I Loved But Will (Probably) Never Re-Read

(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.

Jingle All the Way Book Tag (Year 2)

This is a Christmas book tag I created last year and so I figured I'd bring it on back for round two.

JINGLE BELLS

A fun, light-hearted book/series 

Alex, Approximately by Jenn Bennett

Okay, so this novel isn't ENTIRELY sunshine and unicorns, but it's really heckin' fun and cute.

I SAW MOMMY KISSING SANTA CLAUSE

A book/series with a scandalous romance

The Saga series by Brian K. Vaughan and Fiona Staples

This entire graphic novel series basically hinges on their scandalous relationship and their even more scandalous child! Now Everybody and their frickin chinchilla is hunting them down and all we can do is hope that their love (and their lives) can stand the trillion trials and tribulations they undergo. 

I'LL BE HOME FOR CHRISTMAS

A book/series you are determined to re-read

Shatter Me series by Tahareh Mafi

I've been wanting to re-read this series for a while now, and with the new book (!!!!!!!!!!!!) coming out, I absolutely HAVE to re-read it. 

SANTA CLAUSE IS COMING TO TOWN 

Your most anticipated release of 2018

Obsidio by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff

This was incredibly difficult because there are so many books coming out in 2018 that I need in my life (more than usual, it seems--maybe because I've read more new releases this year so I gotta get the sequels in my hands stat), but I picked Obsidio mostly because I finished Gemina like a week ago and it was incredible. I need to know what happppppppens. 

SILENT NIGHT

A beautiful book/series that everyone knows

Caraval by Stephanie Garber

This book is obviously beautiful to look at, but the writing is beautiful and the characters are beautiful and I'm in love with this book. Feel free to check out my review from earlier this year!

WINTER WONDERLAND

A book/series with great worldbuilding

Heartless by Marissa Meyer

This is the first book I read in 2017 and it remains one of my absolute favorites (Take a gander at my lil review if you want to read all my nonsensical gushing). One of the reasons it was so utterly captivating and magical is because the world that Marissa Meyer gives us is quirky and, yeah, based on Lewis Carroll's world, but also completely her own. 

GO TELL IT ON THE MOUNTAIN

An underhyped book/series that is so great you want to tell everyone about it

What to Say Next by Julie Buxbaum

I wasn't really sure what I was getting into with this novel, but I fell in love with it. It's a romance but it's more than a romance. And it has autism rep. It broke my heart and sewed it back together. I cannot understand why more people aren't talking about this novel (but you can totally read my review if you wanna know more about it).

I SAW THREE SHIPS

Favorite trilogy

Delirium by Lauren Oliver

All right, well, fuck me because I have read very few trilogies in their entirety. This was tough because Delirium is one of my all-time favorite novels, but I'm not as fond as the rest of the books in the series. I mean, they're not horrible or anything, but they are by no means on the same level as the trilogy's first installment.

RUDOLPH THE RED-NOSED REINDEER

A book/series with an underdog protagonist who rises up

Noteworthy by Riley Redgate

When I think about this trope, I don't usually think about contemporary novels, but in a way, most contemporary books fit this description. Noteworthy has excellent character development, and I really loved to see how Jordan, the protagonist, started from the bottom and rose to a whole new level of happiness and talent and awareness. (My review for anyone interested.)

HAVE YOURSELF A MERRY LITTLE CHRISTMAS

A book/series that helped you get through troubling times

Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead

Okay, this is the only answer I'm keeping the same as last year, because this will always be my answer to a question like this. I could write an entire post about this. In fact, I have! Check out the guest post I did over at Book Nerds Across America if you're curious how deeply significant this book is in my life.

And that's all for the Jingle All the Way book tag! I'm not going to tag specific people, but I encourage you to do this if you think it sounds fun!!! 

Top Ten 2016 Releases I Meant To Read

There were so many fabulous 2016 releases to read that I could barely keep up. Okay, I didn't keep up. There were so many I was highly anticipating and 100% planned to read, but then I never got around to it. BUT I WILL READ THEM, I WILL. I've listed 10, but trust me when I say there were a lot more.

Lady Midnight by Cassandra Clare - I bought this, like, right when it was released and it still sits upon my shelf unread. To be fair, I think I'm going to wait until all the books are released before I read this and, in the mean time, re-read the Mortal Instruments series.

What Light by Jay Asher - This would have been the perfect read around Christmas time, but I think it's okay seeing as it's JUST NOW starting to feel like winter.

Replica by Lauren Oliver - Lauren Oliver is BAE af. I actually won this one in a giveaway, and it should be waiting for me at school when I get back. So hopefully I will be reading it SOON.

Glass Sword by Victoria Aveyard - I loved Red Queen, and I bought this one as soon as it was out, but I heard mixed reviews so then I was too afraid I wouldn't like it, so it is still very much unread.

Labyrinth Lost by Zoraida Cordova - I got an eARC of this, but it was released right around the time I went back to school, so I never got around to it.

Passenger by Alexandra Bracken - I was SO PUMPED to have won this one in a giveaway, and then I didn't read it and now Wayfarer has been released and now I CAN READ BOTH OF THEM.

A Study in Charlotte by Brittany Cavallaro - A GENDER-BENT SHERLOCKIAN STORY. I was highly anticipating this, but I didn't have the monies to buy it.

Crooked Kingdom by Leigh Bardugo - Even though I haven't read Six of Crows, this book makes the list, because I'm mad at myself for not having read Six of Crows yet.

Seven Ways We Lie by Riley Redgate - I got an ARC of this and never got around to reading it but if I end up liking Redgate's Noteworthy as much as I expect to, I have a feeling I will be picking this one up shortly after.

The Geek's Guide to Unrequited Love by Sarvenaz Tash - This one just sounds so nerdy and cute and I AM HERE FOR IT but apparently not enough because I still haven't read it.

Jingle All the Way Book Tag (Original)

IT IS THE WEEK OF CHRISTMAS. I REPEAT: IT IS NOW THE WEEK OF CHRISTMAS. 

In case anyone was wondering, Christmas is my absolute favorite holiday in the entire world. It is my favorite time of year and I just feel so good and happy around Christmas time. To honor my love of Christmas, I'll be having fun, Christmas-themed posts for ya all week, and I've never been more excited for anything ever. 

For today's post, I've created a book tag, and it revolves around Christmas music! I know there are similar book tags floating around the internet, but I wanted to create my own because I adore Christmas music very mucho. Okay, here we go!! I've really tried not to give the most cliche answers imaginable and I was marginally successful! 

JINGLE BELLS

A fun, light-hearted book/series 

To All the Boys I've Loved Before by Jenny Han

This novel is always the very first thing that pops in my head when I think "light-hearted and fun." The characters are so cute and quirky and the story just gives ya good feels all around.

I SAW MOMMY KISSING SANTA CLAUSE

A book/series with a scandalous romance

Blackhearts by Nicole Castroman

Now, I want to be clear that I, by no means whatsoever, think that their relationship is scandalous. However, the people in the book do because of the time period and social customs. So basically, these two characters come from very different backgrounds. Teach has money and power. Anne, on the other hand, is a servant. She has no real home or fortune. Also (and this actually is scandalous to me) Teach is betrothed to another woman. So basically, everybody in their world would be stunned by their relationship but I just think it's really cute and sweet. (Here's my review, in case you were wondering)

I'LL BE HOME FOR CHRISTMAS

A book/series you are determined to re-read

City of Bones by Cassandra Clare

If I'm being completely honest, I have so so so many things I want to re-read, and I feel like this is such a contrived answer, but I definitely think this series is calling my name the most at the moment (but City of Bones is the only book in the series I don't own--Hooray!!!). I never completed the final book in the series, so I want to do that and then re-read The Infernal Devices and maybe I'll have that all done by the time the third Dark Artifices releases and I can just binge the whole series. 

SANTA CLAUSE IS COMING TO TOWN 

Your most anticipated release of 2017

Once and For All by Sarah Dessen

Just so we're all clear, I most likely won't stop talking about this book until it is in my hands in June 2017. As I mentioned in a previous post (like, yesterday) I 100% cried when this book was announced. Happy tears, of course. Sarah Dessen has been sleighing (*ba dum tsss*) me for YEARS and I just know she's not about to stop now.

SILENT NIGHT

A beautiful book/series that everyone knows

Delirium by Lauren Oliver

Okay, this question can certainly be interpreted in many ways (beautiful cover, beautiful writing, beautiful story, etc.) but I chose to go with beautiful writing. And while not EVERYONE may know about this book, I'd say it's fairly well-known. This book has the most stunning writing I've ever come across in a novel, I'd say. For more insights into my thoughts you can check out the 61 (Non-Spoilery) Thoughts I Had While Re-Reading Delirium.

WINTER WONDERLAND

A book/series with great worldbuilding

And I Darken by Kiersten White

Hahahaha we all know I love this book because I don't shut up about it (here is my review if you want to know just how much I love it and why). One reason it is so fantastic is that Kiersten White literally puts you in the Ottoman Empire. Like, here I am knowing basically nothing about history (and even less about the history specific to this book) but I felt like I was living there. White's writing is so lush and detailed.

GO TELL IT ON THE MOUNTAIN

An underhyped book/series that is so great you want to tell everyone about it

Beyond the Red by Ava Jae

This book was a very pleasant surprise and it helped me get out of a reading slump. It is very exciting and well written, not to mention the ALIENS and SOCIAL ISSUES and SLOW-BURN ROMANCE. I really wish more people would read this gem. (My review)

I SAW THREE SHIPS

Favorite trilogy

Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi

So, fun thing I've realized doing this tag: I've not completed a ton of trilogies. I've started several, I've added several to my TBR, but I've only read a handful of trilogies in their entirety. The ones I have finished were all excellent, which is why I've completed them, I'm sure, but Tahereh Mafi's Shatter Me trilogy is one that continues to stick in my head and heart after several years. The beautiful writing and steamy romance have won me over for life, probably.

RUDOLPH THE RED-NOSED REINDEER

A book/series with an underdog protagonist who rises up

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

I was trying to come up with a less obvious answer, but the truth is that Katniss Everdeen is the very definition of the underdog who rises up. She rises up in the arena, and she rises up in the rebellion. She is the girl on fire, after all.

HAVE YOURSELF A MERRY LITTLE CHRISTMAS

A book/series that helped you get through troubling times

Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead

I could write an entire post about this. In fact, I have! Check out the guest post I did over at Book Nerds Across America if you're curious how deeply significant this book is in my life.

Well, there you have it, friends. That's the Jingle All the Way Book Tag! Now to tag people!!

I challenge the following people to do this tag before the year is up!

Kat @ Perks of Being a Book Nerd
Anna @ Adventures with a Book Nerd
Angel Erin @ Angel Erin's Book Obsession
Alyxandria @ The Book's Buzz
Briana @ Pages Unbound

and of course I'd love for anyone else interested to participate as well! Make sure to comment with a link to your post so I can check it out! 

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.

The Authors I Own The Most Books From

(Coming up with a title for this post was hard. I feel like everything I tried sounds so awkward.)

Maybe I'm weird, but I always think it's so interesting to know which authors take up the most space on other people's shelves. And recently I realized, I don't really know which authors take up the most space on MY shelves. I mean, obviously I had an idea, but I thought I'd do a definitive count and share the results with you people! 

Coming in at seventh place (but really tied for sixth) with 5 books is...

As you can see above, I own all 4 books in the Caster Chronicles (co-written with Margaret Stohl), and then the first book in her own series, all of which I have read and enjoyed. I do plan to buy more books by her, like the sequel to Unbreakable, and The Lovely Reckless (her new contemporary book that has not been released yet). Also, I just realized that Dangerous Creatures is a full-length book with a sequel and everything. I thought it was just a novella or something. So obviously I need to buy that too. (The day after scheduling this post, I actually acquired a copy of Dangerous Creatures but I was too lazy to go back & revise). 

Then, in sixth place also with 5 books is...

I own most of Oliver's YA work, with the exception of Vanishing Girls and Replica (which hasn't been released yet). I need to ad those to my collection, and any other YA books that Lauren Oliver puts out. She has several MG & adult books, but I don't have any plans to read those in the foreseeable future. I've read all of these and enjoyed them, but Panic fell a bit flat. 

In fifth place with 6 books is...

I own most of Jenny Han's books, but I'm missing the first book in the Summer series and the third book in the Burn for Burn trilogy (co-written with Siobhan Vivian), both of which I've been trying to buy for a while but can;t find them in the format I want for cheap. I just learned that she also has a MG book that I swear no one talks about. When the newly-announced third book in her To All the Boys series comes out, I will be buying it ASAP. I've devoured all of these! 

In fourth place (but actually tied for third) with 7 books is...

I own most of the books set in the Nightshade world that have been published, except, ya know, Nightshade, which I will buy when I find it in the format I want. I just recently bought The Inventor's Secret, which is the first book in her steampunk series, so I'll probably end up buying the rest of the trilogy (even though the covers don't really match???). Out of all of these, I've only read Wolfsbane, Bloodrose, and Invisibility. I should probably get on that. 

In third place also with 7 books...

MY QUEEN. I am working on owning all her books. I'm still 5 away from a complete collection. Of course I've read every book she has put out. 

In second place with 9 books...

It's honestly impossible to keep up with all of Clare's books because she has like novella bind-ups and a codex and graphic novels and who knows what else. She also has a MG series. My main concern is getting a copy of City of Bones so I can re-read The Mortal Instruments series (as I haven't finished the last two books). I also haven't read Lady Midnight yet, but I will soon. 

AND COMING IN FIRST PLACE WITH 11 BOOKS...

Richelle Mead has written a lot of books for adults and young adults. While I do want to read/own them, I've heard they are not very good. I don't have the last two books in the Bloodlines series yet, but I will. The only book on this list I haven't read yet is The Fiery Heart, and I want to re-read the VA series and the beginning of the Bloodlines series before I do that. So it might be a while.

This post was a lot of fun! All of these authors are among my favorites, and I ended up doing quite a bit of research to figure out exactly what books I don't own and haven't read and which ones I want to, so it was really helpful. 

WHICH AUTHORS DO YOU OWN THE MOST BOOKS FROM? DO WE HAVE ANY AUTHORS IN COMMON?