Top Ten Tuesday

I haven't done a Top Ten Tuesday post for ever! It's been so long that I haven't participated since Jana at That Artsy Reader Girl took over as host. Head on over to her blog and link up if you want to participate.

This week's topic: Book I could re-read forever.
(I'm going to cheat a little and count series as one book)

Attachments by Rainbow Rowell
I read this one for the first time last year and am already itching for a re-read.

The Matthew Swift series by Kate Griffin.
If you're new to my blog you probably haven't heard me gush about his series. If you've been around for awhile you have...and yet, you haven't read this perfect series yet. What's taking you so long?! ;)

The Odd Thomas series by Dean Koontz
I love this series so much that I haven't read the last two book in the series because I can't bear to say goodbye to Odd.

Ketchup Clouds by Annabel Pitcher
This book was so perfect. Romantic, funny and oh so sad.

The Schwa Was Here by Neal Shusterman
This book and the following book in the series are pure brilliance. You'll laugh you'll cry and definitely want to re-read them. I know I want to.

 The Hollow City by Dan Wells
Dan Wells writes the strangest and most awesome stories ever! This one is by far his best...that I've read so far anyway. It was so strange and wonderful I need to read it again.

The Ruby Oliver series by E. Lockhart
Everyone of the books in this series makes me laugh so hard. Like tears rolling down my cheeks laughing. I need to re-read them and have another good laugh!

The Curse Workers series by Holly Black
This series isn't perfect but I loved everything about it. The world the characters, all of it! I need a re-read.

The Wednesday Wars by Gary D. Schmidt
This books is delightful. I've already read it twice and think it might already be time for another re-read.

Persuasion by Jane Austen
My favorite Austen. I could re-read that letter from Captain Wentworth a thousand times. Sigh!!!!


I don't know about you but I sure feel like re-reading now. Maybe THAT'S what will get me out of this reading slump!

Top Ten Tuesday

Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by The Broke and the Bookish. Today's Topic: Ten Hidden Gem Books in X Genre. Since it's Utah Book Week I thought I'd list the top ten books by Utah author's you all need to be reading!

The Hollow City by Dan Wells
This is the number one Utah book I push on people. Why people don't pick it up and read it already is beyond me. It's unique and engaging and just plain entertaining as hell!

Once Was Lost by Sara Zarr
If you haven't read a Sara Zarr book you need to. But which one? Any of them but I always recommend Once Was Lost. It's issuey and sad but so, so, so beautiful!

Glimpse by Carol Lynch Williams
This author writes a lot of verse novels and they're sad and heartbreaking and REAL. I love them.

Blackmoore by Julianne Donaldson
This Utah author has only given us two books so far but if you love Regency romances and haven't read one of her books you need to! I loved Blackmoore just a titch more so I'm recommending it.

Austenland by Shannon Hale
Speaking of loving Regency romances. Jane, the MC of Austenland, has just a tiny, tiny obsession with them. Watching her obsession play out in this one is a treat.

The Princess and the Hound by Mette Ivie Harrison
If you love fantasy, this is the fun beginning to a series. I've only read the first one so far so I can't vouch for the whole series.

Elevated by Elana Johnson
This contemporary verse novel blew me away. I thought it was going to be a cute romance and was surprised with a much deeper story that moved me to tears.

Stitching Snow by R.C. Lewis
A scifi retelling of Snow White that was both inventive and delightful. If you think Marissa Meyer and her Lunar Chronicles has the monopoly on sci-fi retellings you'd be horribly wrong. Read this one. You'll see.

Transparent (Transparent #1) by Natalie Whipple
I read this one a few years ago for Utah book month and was not expecting anything great. I ended up loving it...and really need to get my hands on book two. What's up with that?

My Ridiculous Romantic Obsessions by Becca Willhite
This cute little romance is perfect for anyone who might just have a few too many fanciful, romantic ideas about love.



And that's just some of the lesser known Utah books that I read and loved. There's tons of books by Utah authors that you've probably read and loved and books that I haven't even read yet. Yep, I have to admit it. Utah has some pretty awesome authors. Am I right?!

Top Ten Tuesday

It's time for another Top Ten Tuesday! OK, it's been awhile and I wasn't going to participate today but I was actually going to post about my New Years Resolutions anyway so why not link up, right? If you want to join head on over to The Broke and the Bookish and link up.

Top 5 Bookish Resolutions

1. I want to finish a bunch of series. Odd Thomas, The Lunar Chronicles, Vampire Academy...see the list goes on and on. I need to finish them!

2. Speaking of series...I want to START a bunch of series. Can you believe I haven't started Daughter of Smoke and Bone or The Grisha Series? Not to mention The Seven Realms and Starbound series. And that's just naming a few. I need to get going on some of these, right?

3. I want to read more adult books. I love YA but it's dominating my reads each year and I love adult books. With that in mind, I've already got an "adult books only" month planned. Remember last time? No? That's OK. There's not much to it. Just set aside a month where I read strictly read adult books. I'm planning on February if anyone wants to join me.

4. Read more! I used to read 75-125 books a year and in 2015 I barely manage 50. This is pathetic! I can read more than that! I set my Goodreads challenge at 65 for this year. Honestly, I hope to do better but I need to be honest with myself. It might not happen.

5. Plan each month ahead. I never plan on what I'm going to read each month but I think I'm going to try it this year. I think it will help motivate me to go into my personal library and pick out several books I want to read that month and then get excited about them! However, if it becomes a chore and makes reading work I'll abandon this goal with out a hint of guilt. I don't want reading to become a bother.

Top 5 Personal Goals

(I don't usually set New Year's Resolutions but I do ponder my life and habits at the end of each year and think about what I need to give up and what I need to gain)

1. I have officially named 2016  The Year of NO! What do I mean? I'm a horrible, pathetic people pleaser. I seriously can not say no! And if I do manage to squeak out a refusal to an outing or favor asked of me, I have this all consuming guilt that leads to anger and hate towards the invitee or favor asker. It's ridiculous! This has got to stop. So this year I plan on saying NO. If I say no to you, please don't get upset. Understand that I deal with anxiety and stress and depression and sometimes I just can't go out or do that favor. Sometimes I just need to say NO.

2 Cliche! I need to exercise again. I used to go running and haven't been for ages. I need to drop a few pounds before my poor joints can handle running again but I could at least go walking!

3. The whole house remodeling thing has sort of fallen to the wayside. Mostly it's just outside stuff now but there are some little things left inside that need done and my Library/Sitting room needs to get finished! I'm totally going to focus on it this year. I can't wait!

4. Go on Vacation. I know this sounds silly and vain but I NEED vacations. I need something to look forward to and I need that stress release a vacations offers. Now if I can just get my husband on board.

5. Blog more. My blogging is so sporadic. It's hard to work up the energy sometimes but I really miss it...even if it's not like it used to be. I still want to have somewhere to talk about books and movies and life!

There you have it! Think I'll manage any of these? I hope so.

Top Ten Tuesday

It's Top Ten Tuesday again! This week's prompt: Top Ten Auto-Buy Authors for me. Head on over and link up if you want to make your own list. What with it being Utah Book Month I should list UTAH authors but I'm having a hard enough time coming up with ten authors so you'll have to be satisfied that only  two of the authors on my list are from Utah. Here we go.

UTAH AUTHOR

Sara Zarr. Couldn't find a picture of her holding one of her books.
UTAH AUTHOR















Sheesh! That was hard. There's plenty of authors I love but would I really read ANYTHING they wrote? No, probably not. These ten, though, yep! I'd read anything from them.

Top Ten Tuesday

Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by The Broke and the Bookish. Today's prompt: Top Ten authors I REALLY want to meet.

Sarah Addison Allen
I really love her books and think she'd be a delight to meet.

Dean Koontz
Come on, I have to meet the creator of Odd Thomas!

Kate Griffin
One of these day's I WILL meet the author of the Matthew Swift books! I have to!!!

Neal Shusterman
Honestly, there are books of Shusterman's that I'm not a fan of. But, there are book of his that I absolutely adore. Either way, I'd love to meet him.

Stephen King
Again, another author who is a hit or a miss with me but still, can you imagine meeting this  amazing author?!

Jane Austen
Yeah, so I could never actually meet her but I'd REALLY, REALLY like to. Who wouldn't want to meet the creator of Mr Darcy and Captain Wentworth or Mr Knightly?

Markus Zusak
Actually, I've met Markus before. He's absolutley as awesome as his books...which is why I'd love to meet him again!

Kate Morton
I've actually only read one of Kate's books but I plan on reading the rest for sure! This woman can weave a story!

Lindsey Leavitt
This one actually makes me a little crazy because I've has the chance twice now to meet her and didn't do it. How stupid is it that I've never met her? Seriously need to rectify that!

Rosamund Hodge
After reading Cruel Beauty...I just really need to shake this author's hand...or hug her. You know, whatever.


This prompt totally wasn't fair. I have like a billion other authors I'd like to meet. This isn't even my top ten. I can't narrow it down like that. These are just the ones that have been on my mind lately. I need to meet them? Any author's we share in common?

Top Ten Tuesday

Today the Broke and Bookish ask: What are theTop Ten Books I HAD To Buy...But Are Still Sitting On My Shelf Unread?

I think we all do this...unfortunately. So here's mine. But what I'd like you to do with my list is tell me which ones I must read right this minute! 

       

Abandon by Meg Cabot

Blood Red Road by Moria Young 

Body and Soul by Stacey Kade

Daughter of Smoke & Bone by Laini Taylor  

Grave Mercy by Robin Lefevers 

Hex Hall by Rachel Hawkins 

Hounded by Kevin Hearne 

Name of the Star by Maureen Johnson

Pegasus by Robin Mckinley 

Shine by Jeri Smith-Ready

So? Which books from my list made your jaw drop? Which one do I need to pick up right this minute?!