OTP Book Tag

I saw this over on Books for Thought  (go check her out!) and thought it looked fun. OTP, for those that don’t know = One True Pair.

1. An a unpopular OTP that you ship

Clary & Simon from The Mortal Instruments series. I felt bad for Simon that Clary led him on for so long. At the end of the day, though, I think Simon is too good for Clary, so I guess I don’t ship it all that much. But I couldn’t think of anything else.

2. An OTP that you didn’t ship but now you do

Warner and Juliette from the Shatter Me series. The first book was obviously Adam Forever, but book two totally changed that.

3. Your most hated OTP

Hayley and Bryce from Blackmail Boyfriend. Hayley is a complete psycho and needs therapy, not a boyfriend.

4. An OTP that took way too long to get together

Jennifer and Anthony from The Last Letter from your Lover. It took decades.

5. Your favourite non-canon OTP

  

Cricket and Anna from the Anna and the French Kiss series. Cricket is my favorite and he deserves much better than Lola. And while I do like Anna and St. Claire together (once he finally dumped his girlfriend), I always thought she and Cricket would work.

6. Your favourite BROTP

The Raven Boys, hands down.

7. An OTP you adored in the books but not as much in the movies or tv adaptation

Sookie and Eric from the Sookie Stackhouse Series/True Blood. They were a major thing for many of the books, but barely a thing in the show (though I never saw the last two or three seasons of the show).

8. A popular OTP that no matter how hard you tried you just can’t ship it

Cole and Ali from The White Rabbit Chronicles. I just can’t even. I’m on the third book right now and every part I read that’s about their relationship makes me want to throw my Nook. I don’t think I’m going to be able to finish this series (so if anyone wants to give me a spoiler on how it all ends, I’m all ears!)

9. Your favourite LGBT + OTP

Simon and Baz from Carry On.

10. Your all time favourite OTP

Kami and Jared from The Lynbun Legacy series

Cinder and Kai from The Lunar Chronicles

I tag anyone who would like to participate.

Discussion: Harsh Review or Rose Colored Glasses?

It’s no secret that I’m pretty stingy with my ratings. Since I started blogging almost 2 years ago, I haven’t given any books 5 stars. I’ve become a little more generous with my 4 star reads, but probably the majority of my reviews are 3 – 3.5 stars. I’ve realized that some of the books and series I routinely call my Favorites are books I only gave 3 stars to. Did I review the book too harshly when I initially read it? Or am I looking back on it as better than it is – through rose colored glasses, if you will?

Book Examples

Kristan Higgins novels

I often share my love of her novels, but I’ve given every book 3 stars. Is it because I can’t bring myself to rate a straight up romance highly? Despite the fact it can be silly and predictable, the character development, writing style, and humor are all pretty clever. I think some of these probably deserve higher ratings.

Verdict: Too Harsh

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Anna and the French Kiss series by Stephanie Perkins 

I gave every book 3 stars, despite really enjoying the first two (I tolerated the last book – and still gave it 3 stars). The Paris setting was fun, the romance was cute. However, the cheating aspect really turned me off. Also, I found that Anna was a little too melodramatic at times and don’t even get me started on Lola. So yeah, I like these books, but they’re really not the best contemporaries I’ve read.

Verdict: Rose Colored Glasses

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The Raven Boys by Maggie Stiefvater

I adore this series and the cast of characters, but I only gave the fist two books 3 stars. Obviously now I think this series deserves All The Stars, but my original complaint was that it was awesome characters, but a weirdo story. It’s still a weirdo story, but I think that I love the characters so much that I don’t care about the rest.

Verdict: Too Harsh (with maybe just a tiny tint of rose)

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Elemental series by Brigid Kemmerer

I claim this as one of my favorite YA series, but all except for the fist book I’ve given 3 stars (and a couple of the novellas 2 stars). Sure I had some issues with each of these books, I didn’t always love the side characters or love interests, and I really did not like how it ended, but I adore the Merrick brothers and there was a good mix of family, friends, love, humor, and supernatural.

Verdict: Too Harsh

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In light of this, should I go back and re-rate some of these? Do you ever have this problem? Do you ever change your book ratings on Good Reads or blog reviews?

Top Ten Tuesday: Favorite Re-reads

This week’s Top Ten Tuesday, hosted by The Broke and the Bookish, is a freebie, so I’ve decided to go with my Favorite Re-reads. Those books that I can go back to again and again. The ones that save me from my reading ruts.

           

1-4. The Blue Heron series by Kristan Higgins. Kristan Higgins books always make me happy. They’re enjoyable and addictive and I love re-visiting the characters again and again.

5. Unspoken (The Lynburn Legacy #1) by Sarah Rees Brennan. This is my favorite book of the series and just one of my favorite books period. Kami’s humor never gets old.

6. Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins. This books is just adorable and fun and yes I MIGHT skip over some of the more drama-filled moments, but I love the rest.

7. Obsidian (Lux #1) by Jennifer Armentrout. This was my first JLA book and it’s my favorite. I love re-reading about Daemon and Katy: the early years.

8. I’ve Got Your Number by Sophie Kinsella. Probably my favorite chick-lit book.

9. Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell. Cath and Levi are one of my favorite book couples and I love reading about them.

10. Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen. I love this book so much! I love reading the banter between Catherine and Henry.

WHAT ARE YOUR FAVORITE RE-READS?

Top Ten Tuesday: Characters I’d Like To Check In With

This week’s Top Ten Tuesday, hosted by The Broke and the Bookish, is: Top Ten Characters You’d Like To Check In With (meaning, the book or series is over and you so just wish you could peek in on the “life” you imagine they are leading years down the line after the story ends).

1. Katness, Peeta, Haymitch, Gale. I needed more from the ending of the Hunger Games series.

2. Kami and Jared from the Lynburn Legacy. I want to see them living their happily ever after.

3. Jessamin and Finn from Illusions of Fate.

4. The Raven Boys and Blue. I know this series isn’t over yet, but I already miss them! I want to read about them forever.

5. Anna and St. Claire. I want to see them  married.

6. The Merrick brothers from the Elemental series. The last book left things so open!

7. Juliette and Warner! I want to see them ruling the world.

8. Everyone from The Night Circus

9. Nick & Amy Dunne and their grown-up child. I would love to see what became of this hostile couple and if their child ended up as crazy as Amy.

10. Lincoln & Beth because we didn’t get enough of their Happily Ever After.

Top Ten Tuesday: Top Ten Books On My Summer TBR list

This week’s Top Ten Tuesday, hosted by the Broke and the Bookish, is: The Top Ten Books on my Summer TBR List.

1. Ruin and Rising (The Grisha #3) by Leigh Bardugo. THIS IS OUT TODAY!!!!!!!!

2. Landline by Rainbow Rowell. Out July 8, 2014

3. The Dead Will Tell (Kate Burkholder #6) by Linda Castillo. Out July 8, 2014.

4. Silver Shadows (Bloodlines #5) by Richelle Mead. Out July 29, 2014.

5. Opposition (Lux #5) by Jennifer Armentrout. Out August 5, 2014 (*Insert excited squealing here*)

6. Isla and the Happily Ever After (Anna and the French Kiss #3) by Stephanie Perkins. Out August 15, 2014.

7. Rebel (Reboot #2) by Amy Tintera. Published 5/13/14.

8. Sweet Reckoning (Sweet Evil #3) by Wendy Higgins. Published 4/29/14. (I know! I still haven’t read it yet!)

9. Dorothy Must Die (Dorothy Must Die #1) by Danielle Paige. Published 4/1/14.

10. Ruins (Partials #3) by Dan Wells. Published 3/11/14.

What are you reading this summer?

 

Reviewing the Unreviewed: May

I read a lot of books that I don’t end up reviewing for whatever reason. Some because I wasn’t impressed. Some because I didn’t have the time. Some I just wasn’t feeling it on whatever particular day I finished. I thought I’d start doing a post once a month  with just the couple thoughts I shared on Good Reads.

Pushing the Limits (Pushing the Limits #1) by Katie McGarry. Read May 3-6. 2 stars.

This series seems to be so beloved in the blogosphere, but I didn’t really find it to be my cup of tea. While the characters’ drama was a little to a lot heavier than your standard YA, every other thing about it was a list of clichés. However, it wasn’t all bad and I’ll get to the rest of the series just to see if I find the next books more enjoyable.

 

Dare You To (Pushing the Limits #2) by Katie McGarry. Read May 12-14. 3 stars.

I actually liked this book a lot more than the first in the series. Beth – who I hated in the first book – grew on me in this one, though I still don’t love her. I do love Uncle Scott! Like so much. I also really like Ryan. He is basically a perfect boy living in imperfect circumstances. His character was a little unrealistic, but he was sweet and I don’t care.

The pace was a little slow and there were kind of long periods of time where NOTHING really happens. I feel like it could’ve been maybe a little shorter, but overall I enjoyed it and I’ll continue to the next book in the series.

 

Crash Into You (Pushing the Limits #3) by Katie McGarry. Read May 14-19. 3 stars.

This book was ok for me. Isaiah was not my favorite character in the previous books and he’s still not my favorite, though I liked him a lot more in this book. I enjoyed the chapters from Rachel’s perspective the most. It was interesting to read about her anxiety since I suffer a bit from that myself. This series still isn’t my favorite, but I like it enough to continue it.

Omens (Cainsville #1) by Kelley Armstrong. Read May 24-27. 2 stars.

I think this book would’ve been better if it was about 100 pages less. It started strong and then was way slow and kind of boring and then it got exciting and then it ended on an odd note. I didn’t find it satisfying in terms of the mysteries of Cainsville, but I’ll probably end up reading the next book.

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RE-READ

Anna and the French Kiss (Anna and the French Kiss #1) by Stephanie Perkins.

What can I say? This book is so cute. I was thinking that the third book in the series was coming out in May, but I guess it’s not until August. But I still enjoyed the re-read.

Lola and the Boy Next Door (Anna and the French Kiss #2) by Stephanie Perkins.

I LOVE Cricket Bell. And his stupid name.

 

Top Ten Tuesday: Books I read because of the Blogging Community

This week’s Top Ten Tuesday, hosted by the Broke and the Bookish, is a freebie week where we can pick our own topic. I’ve decided to go with the Top Ten Books I read because of the Blogging Community. Perhaps my favorite thing about blogging is all the books I’ve discovered from reading other blogs. I wish I could remember who the blogger was that made me read these books, but I just can’t remember. So know, whoever you are, I thank you.

1. The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern.

 

2 & 3. Unspoken and Untold (The Lynburn Legacy) by Sarah Rees Brennan

4. The Raven Boys series by Maggie Stiefvater.

5. Shadow and Bone series by Leigh Bardugo.

6. The Elemental series by Brigid Kemmerer.

7. The Fault in our Stars by John Green.

8. Anna and the French Kiss series by Stephanie Perkins

9. The Alaskan Courage series by Dani Pettrey

10. My Life Next Door by Huntley Fitzpatrick.

What books have other bloggers inspired you to read????

 

 

Top Ten Tuesday: Top Ten Books That Will Make You Swoon

This week’s Top Ten Tuesday, as always hosted by The Broke and the Bookish, is “Top Ten Book that will make you Swoon”.

The definition of swoon is “to be overwhelmed by ecstatic joy” (or “to faint”, but I think I like the ecstatic joy thing better).  So if you need a little more ecstatic joy in your reading life, check out these books:

1 & 2. Attachments  and Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell.

  

When I think Ecstatic Joy, I think Rainbow Rowell. It is impossible to not feel happy when reading her books. Things may go awry, but they always end up great. Her characters are amazing.

3. The Next Best Thing by Kristan Higgins

Ok, so I could put every Kristan Higgins book on this list, but I’ll stick with one. Though there is a lot of sadness in this book, there is also so much joy. I love the characters, the romance, the writing.

4. & 5. Anna and the French Kiss and Lola and the Boy Next Door by Stephanie Perkins.

  

While I have my issues with these books, they are adorable and sweet and fun. Ecstatic Joy-worthy.

6. The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern

This book is just so beautifully written. I’m in awe of it.

7. The Lux Series by Jennifer Armentrout

Her writing is fun, her characters are great. You just can’t help feeling the joy with JLA books.

8. Unspoken by Sarah Rees Brennan

I just loved everything about this book. The writing was so witty and fun. Even though there were lots of unfortunate things going on for the characters, there were so many other times I just couldn’t keep the smile off my face.

9. Ignite Me by Tahereh Mafi

Ok, so there are obviously trials and tribulations in this book, but there’s so much emotion as well. Warner definitely give me ecstatic joy in this book. And the fact that it ended the series so well!

10. I’ve got Your Number by Sophie Kinsella

There’s so much adorable and happy about this book.

What books make you swoon?

Top Ten Tuesday: Character Names I Love/Unusual Character Names

This week’s Top Ten Tuesday hosted by The Broke and the Bookish are Character Names I Love/Unusual Character Names.  I’m going to split these up between the two.

NAMES I LOVE

1. Magnus Bane – The Mortal Instruments series

2. Augustus Waters – The Fault in Our Stars

3. Étienne St. Clair – Anna and the French Kiss

4. Dimitri Belikov – The Vampire Academy

5. Adrian Ivashkov – The Vampire Academy / Bloodlines (I apparently have a thing for Russian names)

6. West Grayer – Dualed

UNUSUAL NAMES

7. Cricket Bell – Lola and the Boy Next Door

8. Penryn Young- Angelfall

9. Renesmee Cullen – Breaking Dawn

10. Plutarch Heavensbee – Catching Fire/Mockingjay

Top Ten Tuesday: Books I was “forced” to read

This week’s Top Ten Tuesday, hosted by The Broke and the Bookish, is about required reading books, book club picks, books for your job or those books that it simply feels like other readers were going to tie you down until you read it.

I’m choosing to go with books that I “had” to read because of glowing reviews.

1.

The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern. I saw this on so many sites and blogs and finally felt like I didn’t have a choice but to read it. And I loved it.

2.

Divergent by Vernoica Roth. This one was actually recommended by a co-worker and I devoured it.

3. 

The Fault in Our Stars by John Green. It seemed like everyone in the world had read, loved, and cried over this book. I finally joined them.

4.

Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins. Another one where it seems like every blogger I read raved about it.

5.

Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo.

6.

Angelfall by Susan Ee. This one was actually recommended by my sister.

7.

Cinder by Marissa Meyer. This is another one that was recommended by the co-worker who recommended Divergent.

That’s all I can think of at the moment. What books are you glad you were “forced” to read?