Ten Books I Plan To Have In My Beach Bag This Summer

Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by The Broke and the Bookish, and you can find more about this meme here. This week, the topic is books I plan to have in my beach bag this summer. 

Firstly, can we talk about the fact that I didn't have to change the season in this topic for once? I will actually be in the same season!! What is this sorcery? But really, how 'summer' is summer in England.

Anyway, I've got quite a few reading plans for my trip so look out for those TBR's coming at you very, very soon and let's go on with this one!

1. The Princess Diaries series by Meg Cabot

I've never actually read any of these, but I absolutely adored the movies as a child/preteen so I feel like this is a good plan. I'm not sure I'll get through all of them, but I would at least like to read the first three.

2. Sarah Dessen

This might be cheating, but mainly I haven't made up my mind about this one yet. Basically, I want to eventually read every Sarah Dessen book and so far I've read four and my last one was a few years ago. At the moment, I'm tossing up between Lock and Key and Saint Anything being the next one.

3. The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R Tolkien

I'll be travelling for the whole summer, which means a lot of...well, travelling. In fact, within the first three weeks — I'll be taking a seven hour train trip and then go camping with family. I feel like if there's ever a time I'm going to get through this, it's then.

4. Confess by Colleen Hoover

The goal is to read this before I leave, because have you seen that cover? (I want to be able to stare at it while I read it) but if that doesn't happen, well then I guess I'll have to read it in England somewhere, won't that be difficult?

5. The Luxe series by Anna Godbersen

I've owned the first book in this series for a good six or seven years now and I feel like it's probably time to read it. I haven't heard the greatest things about this series, so I might not even make it through the first book but if I do end up enjoying it, I'd like to finish the whole series.

6. The Inheritance Cycle by Christopher Paolini

I actually own this whole series and I have for about a year and a half now so I should read it, I think. I also have a few boy cousins under ten, maybe this would be a cool thing to read with/to them?

7. Middlemarch by George Eliot

See reasoning for LoTR. 

8. 99 Days by Katie Cotugno

I've been waiting this one ever since I read an excerpt of it back in like January or something. Besides, it's summer — there is no better time to read Contemporary YA.

9. Cress by Marissa Meyer

Nope, I haven't read this yet. *dodges bullets* I've been putting it off because Winter isn't out yet and I generally like to read books in series when I know the next one will be out within a month or two, but I feel like I've been putting this off for too long. It's time to man up, Ely.

10. Conspiracy of Blood and Smoke by Anne Blackman

YOU CAN BET YOUR SWEET ASS I'M GOING TO READ THIS. *cough* Sorry, I just really adored Prisoner of Night and Fog and I feel like I've been waiting a gazillion years to read this. I just want it my hands.

Remember to check back in a few days if you're interested in seeing the other books I plan on reading while in Europe!

Top Ten Authors I REALLY Want To Meet

Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by The Broke and the Bookish, and you can find more about this meme here. It's been ages since I did a Top Ten Tuesday but I thought I'd jump back on the bandwagon this week and talk about the top ten authors I want to meet most.

1. J.K Rowling

Let's just get it out of the way and put Jo first on this list. She's a given, really.

2. Daniel Handler

This is the guy behind Lemony Snicket — my favourite childhood author. The reason I fell in love with reading all those years ago. I couldn't leave him off this list.

3. Tahereh Mafi

I would like to demand my own personal Warner. Also, I'd really like writing lessons from Tahereh because MY GOD GIRL, HOW DO YOU DO THE THING?

4. Patrick Ness

The good ole Nessy... I literally have no idea where that came from. Anyway, Patrick Ness is one of my favourite authors and just AH. This one is actually hopefully coming true this year... I promise I won't call him 'Nessy' to his face.

5. Maureen Johnson

I think Maureen Johnson is hilarious — honestly, I've never met a book of hers that I haven't liked. I think she'd be a lot of fun to listen to in person.

6. Maggie Stiefvater

This has actually happened. I met Maggie in 2011 (wow, that was a long time ago) but I'd really like to meet her again because The Raven Boys. (Look at me being super young and cute with Maggie)

7. Eva Pohler

Eva is one of the loveliest authors I know and I would absolutely love to get the chance to finally meet her and thank her in person for everything she's sent and done for Chami and I over the years. One day!

8. Agatha Christie

I tried to keep this to authors who are actually alive, but I couldn't help this one. I would really, really like to have some stern words with Agatha for completely destroying my life. COMPLETELY DESTROYING MY LIFE, DO YOU HEAR ME AGATHA?

9. Rick Riordan

I would just force him to write ALL of the Percabeth. 

10. Sarah J. Maas

Did you honestly think you'd make it through a post without me mentioning this goddess? I would honestly sell my soul to meet Sarah — she's probably my favourite author and you can bet that I would cry my eyes out if I ever got the chance to meet her.

Top Ten Books We Wouldn't Mind Santa Bringing This Year

Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by The Broke and the Bookish, and you can find more about this meme here.This week is top ten books we wouldn't mind Santa bringing this year. 

1. Hexed by Michelle Krys

I bought this for my lovely friend Ebony for Christmas and now I just want it even more. It's so beautiful!

2. The Intern by Gabrielle Tozer

Gabrielle is a debut Aussie author, so I think that probably speaks volumes for why I want this book. Also, absolutely everyone I know who's read this book loves it to death.

3. Jackaby by William Ritter

This is a total cover want for me - I just think that cover is gorgeous. The actual book itself seems to be right up my alley too.

4. The Opposite of Loneliness: Essays and Stories by Marina Keegan

Sometimes I do actually read things that aren't YA! I know, shocker! Anyway, this is one book that I really, really want but haven't actually found anywhere.

5. My Life Next Door by Huntley Fitzpatrick

I have actually already read this one, but recently Ebony and I both bought the hardback of What I Thought Was True so we could buddy read and now I want the hardback of this too so they can look all pretty and matchy on my shelves.

6. Throne of Glass series by Sarah J. Maas

Ely absolutely adores this series so how can I not give it a try?

7. The Grisha series by Leigh Bardugo

As most of you should know by this blogs obsession with “Shatter Me”, Ely and I adore Warner. People who have read this series on goodreads seemed to recommend this series for Shatter Me fans and gosh, how can I resist?

8. Lux series by Jennifer L. Armentrout

I’ve honestly heard so much love for this series and I feel like I’m missing out. I really want to see what all the hype is about! The only thing that is stopping me right now from reading this series is how long it is. I feel like I would have to give it my heart for a bit and there are so many other books I want to read.

9. We Were Liars by E. Lockhart

I don’t usually read too many mystery books even though I think I would enjoy them if they didn’t so easily disappoint me most of the time. I guess this is my way of saying, “Mystery books, come right at me!” I need something newish to try.

10. The Murder Complex (The Murder Complex, #1) by Lindsay Cummings

Gosh, I really want to read this one so badly! The description of the series looks fantastic and so my type and I just need it! *grabby hands*

Top Ten Books On My Spring To-Be-Read List

Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by The Broke and the Bookish, and you can find more about this meme here. This week is the top ten books on my Spring TBR. I don't really know how much reading I'm going to get done this Spring as next month I have my final exams, but here's my list anyway!

1. Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy
I'm pretty sure this was also on my Winter TBR...I just haven't gotten to it yet. It's reached that point where I really, really want to get this read just because I'm sick of constantly putting it on my TBR.

2. Crome Yellow by Aldous Huxley
This is a really small one, so I reckon I could knock it off pretty quickly. Like Anna Karenina, it's also on my list of 14 books I wanted to read this year.

3. The Sweet Far Thing by Libba Bray
This is another one on that list. I read the first 300 pages or so earlier this year but I put it down for some reason. I'm going to try and get this done as soon as possible.

4. Amy and Matthew by Cammie McGovern
I bought this one at the Melbourne meet-up a few months back, and I've since heard that this is a little disappointing...I just want to get it read now.

5. The Enemy by Charlie Higson
I've been reading this one for MONTHS. I'm really enjoying the story, but I have to be in a certain mood to read it. Hopefully I can get it done this season.

6. Game of Thrones by George R.R. Martin
I've been reading this for literally a year and a half. The thing is, when I'm actually actively reading it I'm really enjoying it and I'm getting through it quite quickly but then I put it down for something else...

7. Wives and Daughters by Elizabeth Gaskell
I've had this one out from my Uni library for months now. Considering the year is almost over, I should probably read it and return it!

8. Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins
OKAY, CALM DOWN! This is a re-read for me but I really, really need some Etienne St Clair in my life right now.

9. Scarlet by Marissa Meyer
No, I haven't read this one yet. Yes, I know how good it is. I'll get it read as soon as I can!

10. The Fellowship of the Ring by J.R.R. Tolkien
Okay, so I don't actually expect to finish this one this Spring but I'd like to at least start it. If all goes to plan, I'd like to read the entire Lord of the Rings this summer.

So yep, that's it! I expect some of you to laugh at my ambitious goals...I know I am. Let me know which of these I should read first. Until next time...

Top Authors I've Only Read One Book From But NEED to Read More

Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by The Broke and the Bookish, and you can find more about this meme here. This week is the top ten authors I've only read one book from but need to read more.


1. Philip Pullman
I read The Golden Compass/Northern Lights last year for the first time and adored it. Despite that fact, I haven't read the rest of the trilogy yet even though I've owned them since I finished the first.

2. Kody Keplinger
I read The DUFF this month and words cannot describe how much I loved that book- I really, really adored it. Obviously that means I have to give one of her other books a try!

3. Jessica Spotswood
This is the same deal as Philip Pullman, but I only read Born Wicked this month. I loved the book and I've got the second one waiting for me as soon as I finish one of the many books I'm currently trying to read.

4. Kristen Britain
So yes, a lot of these are authors of series that I've read the first book of and haven't gotten to the rest of the series yet, and Kristen Britain is no exception there.

5. Neil Gaiman
I am absolutely desperate to read another Gaiman after I read Coraline. A few people have told me Stardust is the best one to try next but I'm open to other suggestions!

6. John Flanagan
I read the first book is the Ranger's Apprentice series a few months back and I've just been waiting to start on the rest of the series. I just have to go and steal them off my brother's bookshelf...

7. Elizabeth Gaskell
After reading North and South I kind of became a bit of a Elizabeth Gaskell fangirl and I just constantly stalk out editions of her books. I currently have both Wives and Daughters and Cranford out from my Uni library but I haven't gotten around to either of them.

8. Elizabeth Wein
I read Rose Under Fire...last year, I think, and I loved it (and also hated it because I cried so much) so I've been desperate to read Code Name Verity ever since. I keep putting it off because I don't know whether I'm ready for that kind of pain again.

9. Markus Zusak
The Book Thief was one of the first books I read this year and, of course, I loved it. I don't know whether his other books will affect me in quite the same way which is why I guess I'm avoiding them...

10. Suzy Zail
Look at that- three authors who've written books about World War Two in a row! anyway, Suzy Zail is an amazing fellow Melbourne author and I adored her book The Wrong Boy. Her newest one- Alexander Altmann A10567, just came out this year and I am desperate to read it!

Top Ten Classics I Want To Read

Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by The Broke and the Bookish, and you can find more about this meme here. This week is the top ten classics I want to read. There were so many different options for this week, but I decided to just go with the easy choice.

1. Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte
I know a lot of people who say they hate this book with a fiery passion, but I want to read it and decide for myself. Plus, I'm (very) slowly making my way through the Bronte sisters, which brings me nicely onto number two...

2. The Tenant of Wildfell Hall by Anne Bronte
Anne is usually the forgotten Bronte sister, but I've heard a lot of people say that this is their favourite Bronte novel. I have a really beautiful Penguin English Library edition of this that's just begging to be read.

3. On The Road by Jack Kerouac
I only just bought myself a copy of this on the weekend, but I'm super massively excited to read it. I don't really know a whole lot about it, but I want to keep it that way for now!

4. Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen
So...I've never read an Austen. I KNOW! I know Pride and Prejudice is a lot of people's favourite work of Austen, but I've already started Northanger Abbey so I'd like to finish that one before starting another.

5. The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett
I know this is another terrible one to have not read, at least I don't think I've read it. I have this memory of the first couple of lines from reading it as a child but I can't remember if I ever finished it. I absolutely adored the movie when I was younger, so I think I'm going to love the book too!

6. Middlemarch by George Eliot
This is an absolutely massive book, but I'm desperate to read it one day. I've got a beautiful copy of this one too and I'm excited to read it, it's just actually getting to it that's the problem!

7. Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery
This one is the same as The Secret Garden, I can't remember if I read the first book when I was younger. I'm hoping to get through the entire series, because from what I remember I really loved the story.

8. Down and Out in Paris and London by George Orwell
I've read a few of Orwell's books now, but this is one that I've been excited for ever since I heard about it two years ago. I want to read this one so badly but I just haven't gotten to it yet, why? I have no idea.

9. In Cold Blood by Truman Capote
I absolutely adore Breakfast at Tiffany's, so I'm desperate to read more Capote. Also, this is one of the only classics that Chami has actual read and even more shockingly, she liked it.

10. Pollyanna by Eleanor H. Porter
This was another movie I loved as a child. I can remember being depressing as all hell, but I can remember loving it nonetheless. There was something in this story that just spoke to me, and I can't wait to experience it again. Interestingly, literally just after I wrote this one down I decided to pick it up and try reading it!

So that's just a few of the hundreds of classics that I'd like to read. I tried to choose ones I haven't really talked about on here before instead of continuing to show the same books every time. Let me know if you've read any of these!

Ten Book Cover Trends I Like/Dislike

 Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by The Broke and the Bookish, and you can find more about this meme here. This week is the top ten book cover trends I like/dislike. I could only come up with seven for this week, but let's get right into it!

 1. Objects/Symbols on covers
I know a lot of people aren't into people on covers and some publishers seem to have taken note of this. There's been a influx of objects or symbols on covers like the ones above. I think this can be a hit or miss situation. For example, I love the Never Fade cover but The Hollow isn't as well done.

 2. Typography
I looooove typography of covers. TFiOS seemed to start the trend, but more and more covers are starting to be mostly text-based. I love them!

 3. Girls swimming/drowning
This ones another very popular one. I don't love or hate this trend, but I think it really depends on the design. For example, I love The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer cover. When I was looking this up I couldn't help but notice all the girls are in white/cream dresses, except for The Unquiet, and they have all have blue/green undertones except The Willows Haven. A trend within a trend?

 4. Beheaded
Apparently Henry VII is coming back from the dead because all these book covers have their heads chopped off! I'm not a fan of this tend to be honest, though that The Story of Us cover is beautiful!

5. Couples
So you usually only find these ones of cute summery contemporaries, like always the ones I've picked out. Does it make you guys feel incredibly alone, or is that just me?

6. Close ups
It's all about the eyes, the lips and the..feet (apparently). Besides, you didn't all think I could get through a whole post without mentioning Ignite Me, did you?

7. The girls in the dresses
Perhaps the biggest trend in YA covers of all time. The pretty dress. I'm not going to lie, I often pick up books because of the pretty dresses on the front but it's probably time to move on, right?

What I'd like to see more of
Since I couldn't come up with any more I thought I'd include a little section here about some of the things I'd like to see in covers. More typography, bold colours- oranges, yellows, bright green etc. both on the covers themselves and on the spines, less headless people (it's really weird) and less red and TFiOS blue.

There just my opinions, feel free to share your own! Thanks for reading and we'll see you all next time.

Top Ten Books I've Read So Far This Year

Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by The Broke and the Bookish, and you can find more about this meme here. This week is the top ten books I've read so far this year. I've been sick this past week and also have been studying for my exam (which is today), so I didn't get the time to include pictures or go into too much detail.

1. These Broken Stars by Amie Kaufman and Meagan Spooner
I talk about this book a lot, probably more than is actually healthy. Because of that, I won't talk about this one, except to say that I seriously love that.

2. The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
Yes, I only read this one this year. I KNOW HOW BAD THAT IS! I really, really, really loved though and the movie too.

3. Ignite Me by Tahereh Mafi
I don't know if I'll ever be able to make a post on this blog without somehow mentioning this book. It's amazing and brilliant, and if you haven't started the series already you seriously need to get on that right now.

4. Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell
If you've read this, I'm sure you can understand.

5. Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas
This was AMAZING. I absolutely adore Calaena, and I can't wait to finally get to Crown of Midnight (I've been putting it off until the Heir of Fire release date was closer).

6. Unearthly by Cynthia Hand
Another one I absolutely adored. I haven't had chance to get to the last two books yet, but when I do...there will probably be a lot of fangirling involved.

7. The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin
Does this even need an explanation?

8. The 5th Wave by Rick Yancey
I talk about this one a lot too. I read it pretty recently, and it was absolutely mindblowing. I can't wait for the sequel!

9. Reboot by Amy Tintera
This is another recent read. Basically, I loved this and the sequel, Rebel. If you'd like to see my full thoughts on it, you can check out my review here.

10. Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte
It's a bit sad that I only mentioned the one classic on this list, but I think Jane Eyre more than deserves that spot. Again, you can see my review here.

Ten Books That Will Be In My 'Beach Bag' This 'Summer'

Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by The Broke and the Bookish, and you can find more about this meme here. This week's list is ten books that will be in my beach bag this summer. Now, as you may be able to see- I put quotes around 'beach bag' and 'summer' in my title. This is for a couple of reasons.

(I just couldn't contain myself)

Number one, I live in Australia which means it's Winter here. Number two, contrary to popular belief...it's actually cold down here and so there's no way I'm going near a beach. So, this is kind of my 'Ten books that will be in my University bag if I wasn't on break from University for 6 weeks and will actually be in my University bag if I don't finish them over the break'. Got it? Good.

1. Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy
I like taking big books to University (that way I don't have to pick out a new book every two or so days) and I'm lucky in the sense that my copy is very light. Plus, this is one of the books on my 'Top 14 books I must read in 2014'. I'm hoping I can actually get through it during my break.

2. The Fellowship of the Ring by J.R.R Tolkien
This one's another one that is quite long that I need to get through. I read The Hobbit at the very start of 2013 and I just haven't gotten to this one yet. I think it's probably about time that I did.


3. The Final Empire by Brandon Sanderson
So this is one I'll probably never take to Uni because it's quite heavy, but it's another one I've been dying to get too. There's just something so Winter-y about this book- I think it might be the white covers.

 (This'll be me with The Final Empire in my bag)

4. American Gods by Neil Gaiman
Basically, this list could also be entitled 'big books I really should have read but haven't yet, so please don't kill me'. I have a feeling this might be one of the ones that actually ends up in my University bag for next semester.

5. The Frenchman's Creek by Daphne Du Maurier
If you've been around here a little, you've probably realised by now that I really, really love Daphne Du Maurier. I've read three of her books already - Rebecca, My Cousin Rachel and Jamaica Inn, and I just need another one. I think it's going to be this one!

6. Murder on the Orient Express by Agatha Christie
Agatha Christie is another writer whom I absolutely adore. I've read seven of her books already, so this one is going to be my 8th. Something about this one makes me think 'Winter'.

7. A Game of Thrones by George R.R. Martin
Do I really need to say anything about this one? It has the word 'ice' in the series title...Also, I just really need to finish this!

8. Mishaps by Nansi Kunze
This one will actually be a re-read for me. As you might know, I love Nansi's books and I've written reviews for both of her other two so I think it's time for me to re-read this one and review it (AKA gush about how amazing it is).

9. Let It Snow by John Green, Maureen Johnson and Lauren Myracle
I know this is technically a 'Christmas' read but I think it'll be the perfect book to read with a cup of tea and a blanket on a chilly Winter night or possibly in a corner at the University library.

10. My Life Next Door by Huntley Fitzpatrick
I know all these other books have been Winter reads, but sometimes you just need to escape into a fun contemporary during the colder months. I've already got this one on hold at the library and I can't wait to pretend I'm on a nice beach somewhere reading it.

So this kind of turned into a TBR for Winter which I know is a topic in two weeks, but I'll be featuring different books on that list. Anyway, I'll see you next time!

Top Ten Books I Loved But Never Reviewed

Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by The Broke and the Bookish, and you can find more about this meme here.This week is a freebie week, so I decided to talk about some books I really loved but never reviewed- I got this idea from a previous Top Ten Tuesday post, which you can find here.

1. The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin
I read this one in a matter of hours and sometimes I still have to pause for a moment and think about this book. I think that's why I never reviewed this book- I just couldn't put into words how I felt. I'm considering doing a full series review once the third book comes out (though I have yet to read the second).

2. Jamaica Inn by Daphne Du Maurier
This one is the most recent book I read on this list. I read this just about a week ago and seriously adored it. I had been planning to write a review, but then I watched the BBC miniseries and now I just sit around and constantly ask 'But why? Why did it have to end?'

3. Unearthly by Cynthia Hand
Like The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer, I read this one in a matter of hours, in fact I stayed up to the very early hours of the morning to read this. Again, I just couldn't find the right words to discuss my feelings of this book and again- I'll be doing a series review once I finish the next two books.

4. Harry Potter series by J.K Rowling
Of course, I read these long before my reviewing days. Obviously, I loved them and I don't think a day goes past where I don't think of something to do with HP. Hopefully, I'll be re-reading them over my winter break (summer for all you Northern Hemisphere people) and I'll be doing a little post on them then.

5. Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire Saenz
I didn't realise I hadn't written a review for this until I was talking to Kelly (Diva Booknerd) the other day about this book. To sum it up, I loved this and if you're interested in a review, I really suggest reading Kelly's because she put all of my thoughts into actual words. 

6. Fury trilogy by Elizabeth Miles
I think I featured one of the books in the trilogy on one of my Top Books of ? (I can't remember what year, I'm thinking maybe 2012) but yes, I really love this trilogy. It's a modern day retelling of the Fates, but it's incredibly twisted and quite dark (not my usual thing) and just amazing.

7. These Broken Stars by Amie Kaufman and Meagan Spooner
Okay, so I know I talk about this one a lot- in fact, I think it's almost featured in every one of my Top Ten Tuesday posts. This is another I stayed up quite late to finish, and I also force pretty much everyone to read this- just ask Chami. I'm hoping to re-read it soon and write a review then.

8. Genesis by Lara Morgan
I read this one very early in my reviewing/blogging days, so I never actual wrote a review for this. It's been almost two years, so I don't remember a lot about this book but I remember loving it. Again, I'm hoping to re-read this so I can continue on with series and review it.

9. Leviathan trilogy by Scott Westerfeld
Again, this was a series I read quite a while ago. I seriously loved this series- the plot and characters are amazing, and the illustrations are just mind-blowing. Maybe one day I'll give this series a re-read and write some actual reviews.

10. A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness
This is another I featured in my Top Books of 2012, but never actually reviewed. This one was a pretty quick read for me and I definitely cried. Again, the illustrations are really lovely in this book. This is also the book that ignited my love for Patrick Ness.

So that was my Top Ten for this week. I hope to see you all next week!