Top Ten Tuesday

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted for us book blogger types by the Broke and the Bookish. They provide a topic, and all of us participants post our answers on our blogs and we hop around checking out one another’s answers! This week’s topic is

Top Ten Books I’d Recommend to a Hunger Games Fan

1. Divergent by Veronica Roth

2. Under the Never Sky by Veronica Rossi

3. Partials by Dan Wells

4. The Maze Runner by James Dashner

5. Awake by Katie Kavinsky

6. Ship Breaker by Paulo Bacigalupi

7. Wither by Lauren DeStefano

8. Chosen Ones by Tiffany Truitt

9. Angelfall by Susan Ee

10. Blood Red Road by Moira Young


What other dystopian novels would you recommend for a Hunger Games fan? 

BEA Recap

This year was my first experience at BEA and I can honestly tell you that I’m super excited to attend every year from now on.  I couldn’t possibly recap EVERYTHING that happened when I was there, but here is a list of ten things that I really enjoyed 🙂 Did I meet you at BEA? Be sure to leave me a comment with your blog link and an email and we can keep in touch! 



1. Bloggers Conference
I learned a lot of really cool things on Wednesday at the Bloggers Conference, and I plan on incorporating some new ideas soon! 


2. Children’s Author Breakfast 
I got to be in the same room as these four amazing people!  Plus, who knew that Rick Riordan was so hysterical? Hoes of Hades? I’d read it.











3. Grumpy Cat
She is just adorable. Sad they wouldn’t let us pet her, but totally understandable. She was just so grumpy to be there. 




4. YA Book Buzz
Rainbow Rowell, Sara Farizan, Cristin Terrell, Anna Jarzab, and Amy Rose Capetta got me all excited about their books.  I managed to get ahold of an ARC of each, thank goodness!  You do NOT want to miss these books…









5. Julie Kagawa
I saw her after the first day of the expo on Thursday when she was trying to get a drink.  I kind of yelled bc I wanted a picture with her 🙂 

6. James Dashner is a “Southern Girl”
Mr. Dashner just happened to notice that I’m from NC when he was signing my copy of The Eye of Minds, and said “Oh, you are from the south!” So of course I said, “Yep, I’m a southern girl.” Mr. Dashner then said, “Me too! I’m from Georgia!” hehehe. Then he tried to take it back, but now I know….James Dashner is a southern girl.



7. Diana Peterfreund
Not only was I able to meet the lovely Diana on Thursday for her signing of Across a Star Swept Sea, but I caught her waiting in line for a signing at Random House and managed to get a picture!
















8. Veronica Roth
Veronica is a sweetheart.  While I’m SUPER jealous that she is two years younger than myself and already super successful, she is so down to Earth.  She even signed an extra poster for my best friend who is moving to Chicago, all while telling me that I better visit Chicago because its the best city in the country. 



9. Meeting all my fellow bloggers!
I can’t even begin to list all of the amazing bloggers that I met and hung out with at BEA.  Thank you for being part of the greatest online community and keeping me company in line! Can’t wait to see you all next year. 


10. Authors telling me they read this blog! 
This was arguably my favorite part of the whole experience.  I had not realized how many authors follow my blog and check it out.  Thank you so much for your support! 


Will I go to BEA again? Yes.

Top Ten Tuesday

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted for us book blogger types by the Broke and the Bookish. They provide a topic, and all of us participants post our answers on our blogs and we hop around checking out one another’s answers! This week’s topic is a freebie, so I chose: 

Top Ten BEA Events I’m Looking Forward To:


1. Chelsea Handler Photo-Op
Is it safe to say that I’m obssessed with Chelsea Handler? I love her show, all of her books, and I have this strong urge to bring her a bottle of vodka. 

2. Grumpy Cat Photo-Op
I think this is pretty self explanatory, I just really want to cuddle that adorable kitty. 

3. Veronica Roth Signing
Finally, a chance to meet the author of the Divergent books? Yes, please. 

4. YA Author Breakfast
Octavia Spencer is hosting this star studded panel of Mary Pope Osborne, Rick Riordan, and Veronica Roth! 

5. BEA Editor’s Buzz YA Books 
Panel featuring upcoming authors and their books: Rainbow Rowell, Anna Jarzab, Cristin Terrill, Amy Rose Capetta, and Sara Farizan

6. Why Fiction is Dangerous: Neil Gaiman
He has two novels coming out this year, AND he has written some excellent episodes of Doctor Who. 

7. Book Bloggers Happy Hour
I’ve been a part of the blogging community for about a year and a half now, and I am so excited to get the chance to meet some of my fellow bloggers. 

8. Realistic Fiction: The next hot genre in Young Adult
Discussion panel featuring Robyn Schneider, Katie Cotugno, Corey Ann Haydu, Suzanne Young, and Cat Patrick. 

9. Sarah Dessen Signing
Not only is Dessen from my homestate, but she also teaches creative writing at UNC Chapel Hill.  I’ve been a huge fan since….well, I can’t remember.  Now I finally get to meet her! So excited.

10. New Adult Crossover: From YA to adult and back again
Discussion panel featuring Samantha Shannon and Sarah J. Maas about their crossover novels. 




Top Ten Tuesday!

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted for us book blogger types by the Broke and the Bookish. They provide a topic, and all of us participants post our answers on our blogs and we hop around checking out one another’s answers! This week’s topic is:

Top Ten Favorite Books I Read Before I was a Blogger



1. Are You There, Vodka? It’s Me, Chelsea by Chelsea Handler

2. Gemma Doyle Trilogy by Libba Bray

3. City of Bones, City of Ashes, City of Glass by Cassandra Clare

4. Number the Stars by Lois Lowry

5. Divergent by Veronica Roth

6. Sookie Stackhouse novels by Charlaine Harris

7. Fever series by Karen Marie Moning

8. This Lullaby by Sarah Dessen

9. The Truth About Forever by Sarah Dessen

10. Poison Study by Maria Snyder 


There were so many more, but I couldn’t list them all!

Top Ten Tuesday

Each week The Broke and the Bookish (an excellent book blog, by the way) hosts a meme for bookish bloggers.  Every week they provide us with an excellent topic to respond to, and this week’s topic is:

Top Ten Anticipated Books of 2013

1. Clockwork Princess by Cassandra Clare
Release Date: March 19, 2013
If the only way to save the world was to destroy what you loved most, would you do it? The clock is ticking. Everyone must choose. Passion. Power. Secrets. Enchantment. Danger closes in around the Shadowhunters in the final installment of the bestselling Infernal Devices trilogy.

2. Through the Ever Night by Veronica Rossi
Release Date: January 8, 2013
It’s been months since Aria last saw Perry. Months since Perry was named Blood Lord of the Tides, and Aria was charged with an impossible mission. Now, finally, they are about to be reunited. But their reunion is far from perfect. The Tides don’t take kindly to Aria, a former Dweller. And with the worsening Aether storms threatening the tribe’s precarious existence, Aria begins to fear that leaving Perry behind might be the only way to save them both. Threatened by false friends, hidden enemies, and powerful temptations, Aria and Perry wonder, Can their love survive through the ever night?

3. Untitled Divergent #3 by Veronica Roth
Release Date: September 26, 2013
No synopsis yet…Veronica you are killing us!

4. Goddess by Josephine Angelini
Release Date: May 28, 2013

After accidentally unleashing the gods from their captivity on Olympus, Helen must find a way to re-imprison them without starting a devastating war. But the gods are angry, and their thirst for blood already has a body count. To make matters worse, the Oracle reveals that a diabolical Tyrant is lurking among them, which drives a wedge between the once-solid group of friends. As the gods use the Scions against one another, Lucas’s life hangs in the balance. Still unsure whether she loves him or Orion, Helen is forced to make a terrifying decision, for war is coming to her shores.

5. Level 2 bye Lenore Appelhans
Release Date: January 15, 2013
Since her untimely death the day before her eighteenth birthday, Felicia Ward has been trapped in Level 2, a stark white afterlife located between our world and the next. Along with her fellow drones, Felicia passes the endless hours reliving memories of her time on Earth and mourning what she’s lost—family, friends, and Neil, the boy she loved. Then a girl in a neighboring chamber is found dead, and nobody but Felicia recalls that she existed in the first place. When Julian—a dangerously charming guy Felicia knew in life—comes to offer Felicia a way out, Felicia learns the truth: If she joins the rebellion to overthrow the Morati, the angel guardians of Level 2, she can be with Neil again. Suspended between Heaven and Earth, Felicia finds herself at the center of an age-old struggle between good and evil. As memories from her life come back to haunt her, and as the Morati hunt her down, Felicia will discover it’s not just her own redemption at stake… but the salvation of all mankind.

6. The Madman’s Daughter by Megan Shepherd
Release Date: January 29, 2013

London, 1894. Juliet Moreau has built a life for herself—working as a maid, attending church on Sundays, and trying not to think about the scandal that ruined her life. After all, no one ever proved the rumors about her father’s gruesome experiments. But when she learns her father is alive and continuing his work on a remote tropical island, she is determined to find out if the accusations were true. Juliet is accompanied by the doctor’s handsome young assistant and an enigmatic castaway, who both attract Juliet for very different reasons. They travel to the island only to discover the depths of her father’s madness: he has created animals that have been vivisected to resemble, speak, and behave as humans. Worse, one of the creatures has turned violent and is killing the island’s inhabitants. Juliet knows she must end her father’s dangerous experiments and escape the island, even though her horror is mixed with her own scientific curiosity. As the island falls into chaos, she discovers the extent of her father’s genius—and madness—in her own blood.
7. Dark Triumph by R.L. LaFevers  
Release Date: April 2, 2013
Sybella arrives at the convent’s doorstep half mad with grief and despair. Those that serve Death are only too happy to offer her refuge—but at a price. Naturally skilled in both the arts of death and seduction, the convent views Sybella as one of their most dangerous weapons. But those assassin’s skills are little comfort when the convent returns her to a life that nearly drove her mad. Her father’s rage and brutality are terrifying, and her brother’s love is equally monstrous. And while Sybella is a weapon of justice wrought by the god of Death himself, He must give her a reason to live. When she discovers an unexpected ally imprisoned in the dungeons, will a daughter of Death find something other than vengeance to live for?

8. Taken by Erin Bowman
Release Date: April 16, 2013

There are no men in Claysoot. There are boys—but every one of them vanishes at midnight on his eighteenth birthday. The ground shakes, the wind howls, a blinding light descends…and he’s gone. They call it the Heist. Gray Weathersby’s eighteenth birthday is mere months away, and he’s prepared to meet his fate–until he finds a strange note from his mother and starts to question everything he’s been raised to accept: the Council leaders and their obvious secrets. The Heist itself. And what lies beyond the Wall that surrounds Claysoot–a structure that no one can cross and survive. Climbing the Wall is suicide, but what comes after the Heist could be worse. Should he sit back and wait to be taken–or risk everything on the hope of the other side?
9. Dracomachia by Rachel Hartman

Release Date: July 9, 2013

No synopsis yet!
10. Cold Spell by Jackson Pearce

Release Date: Fall 2013
Retelling of Hans Christian Anderson’s The Snow Queen, about a girl on a journey to save her childhood friend after he’s captured and held hostage in the unforgiving north.

Top Ten Tuesday!

Every week The Broke and The Bookish hosts a meme for book bloggers to post about a specific topic chosen by the moderators.  This week’s topic is: 

Top Ten Bookish People I Want To Meet 
(Authors, Bloggers….etc)

IN NO PARTICULAR ORDER: 

Veronica Roth
-Author of the Divergent Trilogy
-Why? Because I really wanted to use the Divergent books in my Dystopian Master’s Thesis, but since the trilogy wasn’t finished yet I couldn’t.  I would love to pursue that essay and talk to Roth about the different influences on the text. 




Markus Zusak
-Author of The Book Thief
-Why? The Book Thief is a beautiful novel, and I would love to pick his brain about the different themes and the authorial decision to use Death as the narrator. 

Suzanne Collins
-Author of The Hunger Games trilogy
-Why? Speaking of that Dystopian Thesis, my main chapter was on Marxism and The Hunger Games trilogy, so I would love to have an interview to add to my 25 page chapter. Plus, she is brilliant. 




Scott Westerfeld
-Author of the Uglies series
-Why?  Remember that pesky thesis I keep mentioning? Yeah the second chapter was on the first three books in the Uglies series, and again, an interview with Westerfeld would just make the chapter THAT much stronger. 

James Dashner
-Author of The Maze Runner trilogy and Prequel
-Why? I wanted to use this dystopian series in my thesis as well and I never got to since the series wasn’t complete.  Now that it is, I want to pick his brain too! So many novels I want to write academic critical essays on…


Jackson Pearce
-Author of the Fairy Tale Retellings series
-Why? Not only does she seem like a cool person, but I’d love to discuss other possible fairy tales for her to adapt for her series. 



Josephine Angelini
-Author of the Starcrossed series
-Why? I want to discuss the importance of Greek Mythology on modern literature, and of course, Lucas and Helen. 


Melina Marchetta
-Author of the Lumatere Chronicles
-Why? Just so I can say I met her. Her novels are exquisitely written and well plotted. I envy her immense talent!


Charlaine Harris
-Author of the Sookie Stackhouse novels
-Why? I want to convince her of why Sookie and Eric need to be together forever.  Oh, and to ask her if I can get Alexander Skarsgard’s phone number….





Kenneth Oppel
-Author of the Victor Frankenstein diaries
-Why? Just to discuss Frankenstein, Mary Shelley, and Victorian era literature and culture! 


I went with all authors, who are some of the people on your list? 

Book Review: Insurgent by Veronica Roth

One choice can transform you—or it can destroy you. But every choice has consequences, and as unrest surges in the factions all around her, Tris Prior must continue trying to save those she loves—and herself—while grappling with haunting questions of grief and forgiveness, identity and loyalty, politics and love.

Tris’s initiation day should have been marked by celebration and victory with her chosen faction; instead, the day ended with unspeakable horrors. War now looms as conflict between the factions and their ideologies grows. And in times of war, sides must be chosen, secrets will emerge, and choices will become even more irrevocable—and even more powerful. Transformed by her own decisions but also by haunting grief and guilt, radical new discoveries, and shifting relationships, Tris must fully embrace her Divergence, even if she does not know what she may lose by doing so.


There are no words to describe how much I love continuing to read about Tris and her friends in the ruins of Chicago.  Roth is truly talented. 

I’m going to start with the transition from Divergent to Insurgent.  Tris, as a character, grows so much in Insurgent.  She struggles with post-traumatic stress disorder after the simulation that caused the Dauntless to attack the selfless Abnegation and after she was forced to leave her parents for dead.  Not only did she lose her parents, but she was forced to kill one of her close friends in order to save herself.  Tris’ inability to overcome the grief and guilt makes her extremely relatable, and it simultaneously causes problems with her friendships and her relationship with Four (Tobias).  

Speaking of Tobias, I really appreciate Roth’s decision to not include a love triangle in this trilogy.  One,  because they are overdone.  Two, because I honestly can’t see Tris as a character being able to open up to anyone but Tobias.  Three, the same as two except for Tobias.  Four, because they fight one another and  hold each other accountable.  Without this central relationship, the backbone of Insurgent would be completely different. 

I have to say that, much like other reviews that I’ve read, that I really enjoyed delving into the Candor and Amity factions, respectively.  I think Roth did an excellent job constructing the rituals and the central beliefs of these that it makes a future involving the separation of humanity into 5 factions extremely believable.  In addition, the introduction of the new characters like Johanna and Evelyn really helped strengthen the story.  As much as I loathe Marcus because of his relationship with Tobias, I think that this novel helped us understand Marcus’ motivation as an Abnegation leader, but not as an unsuitable father.  

I can’t say too much without possibly giving away major plot points.  So I’ll try to wrap up my review with the following: As long as Roth continues to have strong characterization and intricate plot points then I will be a fan.  Insurgent surpassed my expectations and was an addictive and heart wrenching read.  I think that this trilogy has the ability to overshadow Suzanne Collins’ The Hunger Games.  

The ending I actually saw coming, but there were small parts of it that I weren’t expecting.  Overall, this novel was excellent and I won’t hesitate to give it 5 Bards. 



Top Ten Tuesdays!

Every week The Broke and the Bookish hosts a weekly meme called Top Ten Tuesday! Every Tuesday has a different Top Ten Topic (posted ahead of time for participants) and this week’s topic is:

Top Ten All Time Favorite Characters In Books

These characters are in no particular order, and they are in GENERAL my favorite characters!  (There are so many that didn’t make the list, but I can’t let everyone in the Top Ten!) 
1. Alice from Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll
I can’t help it…Alice in Wonderland is one of my favorite books of all time, and the whimsical themes capture me every time I read it 🙂 
2. Finnikin from Finnikin of the Rock by Melina Marchetta
Finnikin is a stubborn, know-it-all who has to be right, and I love him for it.  He is a strong yet vulnerable character that Marchetta has created.  I can’t help but love him and love every choice that he makes no matter how irritated I get with him (that is the true sign of a great character!)
3. Heathcliff from Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte
I realize that Heathcliff is most famously known as an anti-hero in Victorian literature, but his absolute, unending love for Catherine Earnshaw never ceases to capture my heart.  In fact, I’ve even tweeted before, “Where is my Heathcliff?” 
4. Katniss Everdeen from The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
I think this one is somewhat self-explanatory. 
5. Sookie Stackhouse from the Sookie Stackhouse novels by Charlaine Harris 
Anna Paquin has definitely embodied Sookie Stackhouse the way that I imagined her, and I can’t imagine another actress who could do her justice.  I’m not going to lie, though, still disappointed that they haven’t explored the Sookie/Eric relationship to its full extent! 
6. Tessa Gray from The Infernal Devices by Cassandra Clare
She loves books, she has great taste in men, and she lives in the Victorian Era. Need I say more? 
7. Tris Prior from Divergent by Veronica Roth
Tris, quite possibly, has all the bravery that I wish I’ve had throughout my life!  (And her love interest is wonderful. FOUR!) I’d like to think that if I was Divergent…I’d have similar choices to Tris.  I identify with her on so many levels. 
8. Edna Pontellier from The Awakening by Kate Chopin
Edna Pontellier is one of the quintessential women of the late 19th and early 20th century.  Not only did she defy the social fabric of the time, but she was sexually and emotionally liberated through the course of the novel!  And, it is really great to look at from a literary critic’s standpoint.  
9. Jericho Barrons and/or MacKayla Lane from the Fever Series by Karen Marie Moning. 
I couldn’t choose between the two, so I choose both.  They are both sexy, smart, sarcastic, and they fight so hard against each other when they love one another.  I can’t help it.  I love them both. 
10.  William Herondale from The Infernal Devices by Cassandra Clare
I couldn’t put Tessa on here without putting Will!  As much as I love Jem (I do, I swear!), Will is Tessa’s true soulmate.  They both love books, they are both sarcastic and somewhat pessimistic…I can’t help but to root for them.  I do love him.  
Who are some of your favorite Characters? 

Top Ten Tuesdays!

Every week over at The Broke and the Bookish, they host a meme called Top Ten Tuesday! This week the topic is Top Ten Genre Books of our choice. I chose to do Top Ten YA Series! Check out my selections:

1. The Hunger Games trilogy by Suzanne Collins

2. Divergent trilogy by Veronica Roth

3. The Infernal Devices trilogy by Cassandra Clare

4. The Lumatere Chronicles by Melina Marchetta

5. The Fever series by Karen Marie Moning (yes, I know this is WAY mature and the protagonist is 22, but I read it as a teen!)

6. The Mortal Instruments series by Cassandra Clare

7. The Caster Chronicles by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl

8. Uglies series by Scott Westerfeld

9. The Seven Kingdoms trilogy by Kristin Cashore

10. The Gemma Doyle trilogy by Libba Bray

I realize that some of these series haven’t been completed yet, but based on my love of those that have been released I have decided to include them here.

What are some of your Top YA Series?

Poll: Favorite Book of 2011

Wow! As you may have noticed, Colleen Houck has pulled ahead by a LARGE number of votes for the top read of 2011!

You know what this means…if it wins…there will be a contest to win a copy of Tiger’s Voyage!
But there is still time to vote for your favorites! Be sure to get any of your friends who are Cassandra Clare, Veronica Roth, Myra McEntire, Moira Young, Laini Taylor, or Josephine Angelini fans to come vote for them!
Everyone loves it when an underdog comes up and takes the win, right?
Check back later…I have a way to make it more interesting!