Top Ten Tuesday

So, in honour of Autumn arriving - and therefore the arrival of all the new TV shows that are airing now, this week is my Top Ten Favourite TV Shows of all time.

1. The Originals - I adore this show. I can't wait for Season 4, it cannot come soon enough. A spin off of the show The Vampire Diaries, The Originals focuses on the Original Family - the first vampires. Family drama, witches causing chaos and centuries old enemies coming back, this show is probably my all time favourite.
2. The 100 - another favourite, and one I know is incredibly popular with a lot of people, The 100 is set in the future where humans were forced to live in space once earth became uninhabitable. But, with air running out on the space station, 100 teens are sent back to earth to see whether it's safe for humans to return. Action packed and definitely gory, I look forward to this show every year.
3. Chicago Fire - following the firefighters and paramedics of Firehouse 51 in Chicago, this is another action filled TV show - with a multitude of good looking actors and actresses. What's not to like?
4. The Great British Bake Off - this show is something I look forward to every year. It's recently started again here in the UK and I love spending an hour watching people navigate the pitfalls of cakes, breads and biscuits.
5. Marvel's Agent Carter - I loved this show. It follows Peggy Carter, who debuted in the film Captain America: The First Avenger and her life after that movie. I love watching the Marvel movies and this show has the perfect balance of action and humour that made watching the show so entertaining.
6. Criminal Minds - I discovered this show five years ago on a holiday to America and now I look forward to each new season that comes out. While the cases have definitely been a lot darker the past few seasons, it's interesting to see how profiling works.
7. Bones - I don't even know how long I've been watching this show and I love it so much. I definitely prefer the TV show to the books. I think the humour makes this show, at least for me.
8. Unforgettable - this show follows cop Carrie Wells who has the unique ability to remember everything she sees and hears - which makes her the perfect person to work in the Major Crimes Unit. I've loved this series since season 1 and I'm so upset that it's ending. It's a unique spin on a crime show.
9. Gogglebox - for those who haven't seen this show, it's essentially different families, in their homes, watching various TV programmes. Sounds dull? Think again. Their hilarious commentary of programmes we love and hate makes a show that shouldn't work, absolutely addicting.
10. I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out Of Here! - with autumn taking over from summer, you can't help but start to think about Christmas, at least a little bit. The one thing I start to look forward to? I'm a Celebrity. A group of celebrities go into the Australian jungle for two weeks and compete in strange and horrible trials to win food for camp. Seeing celebrities making fools of themselves on TV - now who wouldn't want to watch that?

Top Ten Tuesday

So this week is a Back to School freebie, and, in celebration of me starting my first year of teacher training (eek!) these are going to be the top ten books (or series) that I would have on my shelf as a teacher.

1. The Iron Fey series by Julie Kagawa - okay, despite the fact this is still one of my all time favourite series, I feel like this is still a 'child-friendly' series for children to read, mixed with magic and adventure.
2. The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern - this book would be amazing to use during writing lessons to teach children about description and using their imagination.
3. The Harry Potter series by J.K.Rowling - I feel like it would be my duty to impart the magic and wisdom of this series onto the next generation. At least get them started with the series with the first couple of books anyway, and with the illustrated editions of the novels coming out, I think they would be great in a classroom.
4. Anything by David Walliams - for those of you who don't know David Walliams is a British comedian who also writes children books. Hilariously absurd, I feel like these would be 'easy reads' for those children who don't like to read.
5. The Horrid Henry series by Francesca Simon - younger readers love these books - they find Henry's pranks and schemes hilarious so are always good to have on standby if you're teaching a younger audience.
6. Roald Dahl's books - his children's books have spanned so many generations, it seems wrong to not include them in this list because children and adults alike love this man's genius creations and would also be amazing teaching resources.
7. Percy Jackson series by Rick Riordan - while I haven't read these books myself, I know that were originally marketed as a children's book and I think keeping these in the classroom would be a good thing.
8. The Enchanted Wood by Enid Blyton - this is a book that I adored when I was little and, if I was teaching young children, it would definitely have a place in my classroom, if only for nostalgia's sake!
9. Jacqueline Wilson books - these books were the staple of my childhood and, while she does predominantly write for children, her Girls Out Late book is perfect for teens. They deal with a variety of issues affecting children in a way that they can understand and I still love them, even now.
10. Cherub series by Robert Muchamore - kids become spies in this amazing series. These are quite gritty and deal with 'spy' stuff such as drugs so not a good idea for young readers, but teens will adore this series - I know I did!

So those are the top ten books I would have in my classroom as a teacher (depending on the age range I was teaching)! What would make your list?

Top Ten Tuesday

This weeks theme is Top Ten Books with X setting. I've chosen the five books that are set in my home country of England. And by England, I mean mostly London as that's where pretty much all of these books are set. Seriously, if you guys know of any books set in England but outside of London, I'd love to hear them!

1. City of Halves by Lucy Inglis - I adore this book. It very much reminds me of Cassandra Clare's The Mortal Instruments series but it does put it's own unique twist on the plot and shows London in a great light.
2. The Infernal Devices by Cassandra Clare - since I mentioned it, I figure I might as well include this series here. Set in Victorian London, Cassandra Clare brings us a series showing how the Herondales never really change, despite the era they live in!
3. The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern - so, technically, this book travels the world, but we do get a few chapters set in London, so I'm going to throw it in.
4. Pan's Revenge by Anna Katmore - the second book in the duology, this book is largely set in London rather than in Neverland. Which means we get to see pirates braving the skies of the Smoke. Who wouldn't want to read about that?
5. The Glimpse by Claire Merle - this duology is set in a futuristic version of London and is one of my favourite dystopian series. It puts a really interesting spin on dystopian worlds and the characters are incredible.

So, those are my top 5 books that are set in England. If you have any of your own, I'd love to hear them!

Top Ten Tuesday

This weeks Top Ten Tuesday is a Rewind - so I've gone way back to 2010 for my prompt this week to tell you guys my Top Ten Fictional Couples in Books. I'm pretty sure this is going to be my favourite Top Ten Tuesday.

1. Feyre and Rhysand from the ACOTAR trilogy by Sarah J Maas. I love their relationship so much. How Rhys never tells Feyre what to do, simply lets her decide for herself and how they both support each other in the aftermath of Amarantha.
2. Daemon Black and Katy Swartz from the Lux series by Jennifer L. Armentrout. If you hadn't guessed these two would make the list then you don't know this book blogger very well!
3. Ash and Meghan from the Iron Fey series. Again, it is no secret that I love this couple.
4. Blue and Gansey from the Raven Boys quartet by Maggie Stiefvater. I think this is the longest build up to a relationship that I have ever read. Four books and we've only really had hints. Regardless, I love them together.
5. Cath and Levi from Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell. I loved this book and I loved this couple. They're so sweet!
6. Baz and Simon from Carry On by Rainbow Rowell. Following on from number 5, Baz and Simon should not work as a couple and yet they really do.  
7. Clare and Gabriel from Clarity by Kim Harrington. I love this duology and I love Clare and Gabriel's relationship. A psychic and a sceptic - it's a match made in heaven...
8. Will Herondale (and Jem Carstairs) and Tessa Grey from the Infernal Devices by Cassandra Clare. Because you cannot pick between Will and Jem. You can't. So, they both go on to the list because, technically, they both end up with Tessa.  
9. Finnick Odair and Annie Cresta from the Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins. I'm the first to admit, I was never openly bothered about the love triangle between Katniss and Peeta and Gale. I was always enamoured by Finnick and Annie. I would love to have a whole book just about them honestly....

So those are my top nine couples in fiction. What are yours?

Top Ten Tuesday

It seems like ages since I last did a Top Ten Tuesday! This week's topic from The Broke and the Bookish is a dream for me (and for any book lover) - Ten Books You'd Buy Right This Second if Someone Handed You a Fully Loaded Gift Card. So, in no particular order...

1. A Thousand Nights by E.K. Johnston - I'm currently rereading A Court of Mist and Fury for the millionth time and it will probably influence a few of the books on this list. This book sounds magical to me and I'd love to pick it up.
2. The Wrath and the Dawn by Renee Ahdieh - This follows the same kind of theme as A Thousand Nights but so many people have said this series is amazing and I'd love to see if the rumours are true.
3. Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs - so many people love this series but I've not started it yet. With the film coming out soon, maybe I will...
4. Covenant Series by Jennifer L Armentrout - I already own Half Blood and, actually wasn't too keen on it. It reminded me of Vampire Academy and, because of that, never picked up the rest of the series. But, last month I met Jennifer (which was so amazing!) and actually, I want to see where this series goes.
5. The Invasion of the Tearling by Erika Johansen - I really enjoyed the Queen of the Tearling when I read it but I haven't got round to picking up this second book yet. Book 3 is coming out later this year as well and I really want to know what happens...
6. Throne of Glass series by Sarah J Maas - Throne of Glass is on my Kindle begging to be read (and I'm slowly getting there) and, if it's anything like the ACOTAR series, I know I'm going to want to pick up the rest of the books in the series ASAP, especially with Empire of Storms coming out so soon, I need to get round to this series.
7. Magonia by Maria Dahvana Headley - this blurb of this book kind of gives me Peter Pan vibes and I love reading books that are either retellings of Peter Pan or just remind me of that story.
8. Harry Potter and the Cursed Child by JK Rowling, John Tiffany and Jack Thorne - this book dropped at the weekend and, when I first heard about it, I wasn't sure whether I would want to buy it because it's actually a script of the play. But I flicked through a copy while I was away and I think I've changed my mind. Besides, it's not everyday that Harry Potter fever grips the world again so I think it's worthy of a place on this list for that alone.
9. The Giver by Lowis Lowry - I'd never heard of this book series until the film came out. I think it's more popular in America but here in the UK, we don't study it at school BUT since the film came out, I've wanted to pick up the books.
10. A Darker Shade of Magic by V.E. Schwab - these books sound so amazing, I'd love to start them.

So, those are the ten-ish books that I would buy if someone gave me a fully loaded gift card right now. Looking at this list, I think it would need to have a large amount of money on it! What books would you buy?

Top Ten Tuesday

So I'm hoping this blog post is going to kick off a long, long list of posts on this blog for the remainder of the year. I have so many books to read (which means a whole lot of reviews to write!) and I'm determined to make the remainder of 2015 as 'bookish' as possible. Saying that, we'll start off easy with this Top Ten Tuesday (on a Wednesday because I'm currently losing track of my days!) which is Ten Quotes from Books I've Read in the Past Year or So.

1. There are moments that you'll remember for the rest of your life, and there are moments that you think you'll remember for the rest of your life, and it's not often they turn out to be the same moment. ~ The Scorpio Races by Maggie Stiefvater
2. You are an exceptional, talented, and brilliant young woman. Do not ever let anyone make you feel like you’re less. Do not ever let anyone make you feel invisible. Do not let anyone—not even a teacher who constantly sends you for coffee—push you around. ~ Bloodlines series by Richelle Mead
3. "You missed World Hist."
   "Did you take notes for me?"
   "No. I thought you were dead in a ditch." ~ The Raven Boys by Maggie Stiefvater
4. So I was thinking, there're eighty-six thousand, four hundred seconds in a day, right? There're one thousand, four hundred and forty minutes in a day...There're one hundred and sixty-eight hours in a week. Around eighty-seven hundred and then some hours in a year, and you know what?...I want to spend every second, every minute, every hour with you...I want a year's worth of seconds and minutes with you. I want a decade's worth of hours, so many that I can't add them up. ~ Origin by Jennifer L. Armentrout
5. “I am not a child, and I know plenty of love. Love is wanting to be with that person for the rest of your life no matter of the consequences. Love is being willing to sacrifice your life for somebody else.” He met his father’s eyes, “Love is seeing the good in somebody regardless of their title or station in life. Love is so painful and yet so wonderful that it is worth it!” Emane pushed himself back up again from the table speaking deliberately. “Love is understanding that someday you might lose the person that you love, but that every day you get to spend with them is worth the risk. Love is taking the good with the bad.” His voice rose with each sentiment. “Love is trust. Love is wanting to understand even when you don’t.” Staring at his father, Emane added, “I know of love, Father, and I did not learn it from Ciera.” ~ Wings of Arian by Devri Walls
6. Every hero is the villain of his own story ~ The Coldest Girl in Coldtown by Holly Black

So these are my top 6 quotes from books I've read this year - what are yours?

Top 10 Tuesday

Wow it's Tuesday again already? This week, there's no set topic so this list is probably going to be my favourite of all TTT because this week I'm talking about my Top 10 Book Boyfriends - how can you choose just 10? As always, go and check out The Broke & The Bookish for all the TTT prompts and, in no particular order, here we go...

1. Daemon Black - need I go on? If there are aliens out there, please let there be a Daemon and please let him find me...
2. Four - you'll probably see a pattern emerging here of suitable bodyguard type boys and Four certainly fits that description
3. Finnick Odair - the poster boy of the Capitol with a dark secret - I almost died in Mockingjay! What happened is not fair and I will never get over it. Never.
4. Dimitri Belikov - again, suitable protection from any vampire attacks, check. Nice eye candy, check.
5. Ash (Iron Fey) - yes I like dark brooding guys - I have a problem I know!
6. Regan (City of Halves) - ditto
7. Jace Lightwood - apart from having an identity crisis I love him so much!
8. Simon Lewis - I think TMI is the only series where I love the guy best friend as well as the main love interest
9. Jacob Black - I'm not ashamed - I think he was my first YA book boyfriend so he deserves a place on this list. Who needs a sparkly vampire anyway?
10. Adam (If I Stay) - yes this is technically based off the movie but I do have the book and I'll eventually get round to reading it. Either way, I love Adam mostly. He can be a bit of a douche but compared to Daemon & Jace, he's an angel!

So there you are, my Top 10 Book Boyfriends - who would make your list?

Top 10 Tuesday

 I'm so sorry this post is late - my days are all messed up and I was convinced it was Monday yesterday! Anyway, this week's top 10 is supposed to be 10 book series I have yet to complete but I think I have one series that I've started and haven't finished because when I start a series; 99% of the time I finish the series so I'm changing it slightly to 10 book series that I have yet to start - because there are a lot more of them! If you want to check out the original post then check out The Broke & The Bookish and here is my slightly altered list.

1. The Giver by Lois Lowry - I'll admit, the first time I heard of this book was when I heard that Taylor Swift was guest starring in the movie adaptation because, unlike in the US, it's not a book on the curriculum in the UK but it sounds like a really interesting series and I'm excited to read it.
2. House of Night by PC Cast - this is a series that I'm really excited to get to. I even picked up the first few books from the library but real life interfered so I didn't get a chance to read them but I can't wait to read it.
3. Maze Runner by James Dashner - this series sounds very similar to the premise of the Hunger Games in some ways and, although I've heard mixed things about the series I'm intrigued to see how the series pans out before I watch the films.
4. Infernal Devices by Cassandra Clare - I was going to read this series when I was on holiday but I didn't get around to it but I'm determined to read it before 2015 ends. I will!
5. Chaos Walking by Patrick Ness - I've only heard amazing things about this series and I've got all three books sat in the house waiting for me to read.
6. Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas - another series I've heard amazing things about and was going to read on holiday but didn't get around to. Now that book 4 has just come out, I can't wait to really get into this series and see how amazing it is for myself.
7. Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor - I've heard mixed things about this series but I'm intrigued to see for myself. It seems to be a series that you either love or hate so I can't wait to see how it falls for me.
8. Delirium by Lauren Oliver - this is the series that I've started and want to finish but just haven't gotten round to yet. I've read book 1 and loved it and, despite the mixed reactions to book 3, I really do want to finish this series.

So those are my top 8 series that I have yet to start. It does take a lot for me to not finish a series at all and I think recently the only series that I have no intention of picking up again is the Mara Dyer series. I hope you enjoyed this post - what would be on your list?

Top 10 Tuesday



Yes it's back! I've kind of missed doing these posts so I'm excited to be doing them again. The topic this week is Ten Characters You Didn't Click With. As always, this comes from the Broke & the Bookish blog so go and check them out and here we go...

1. Caleb from Half-Blood by Jennifer L. Armentrout - based on my post yesterday, he's the most recent character that I just didn't really click with. I didn't really connect with Alex and Aiden either but Caleb really just seemed like dead weight to me and so I didn't really connect with him as a character.
2. Mara Dyer from the Mara Dyer series by Michelle Hodkin  - I really didn't like Mara at all. She never really became a 'real' character to me. I never really understood her actions or thought processes.
3. Brie from the Catastrophic History of You & Me by Jess Rothenburg - again, I didn't really understand Brie as a character. Her actions were completely off base and not realistic based on the initial character set up.
4. Neva from Dark Parties by Sarah Grant - Neva spent so much time obsessing over Breydon that she never became the heroine that she needed to become, which not only infuriated me, but also meant that I didn't care about what happened to her in the book.
5. Bella Swan from Twilight by Stephanie Meyer - I'm going to confess that I still really like the Twilight saga despite all the bad press it's got. That being said, I've never connected with Bella. It takes her four books to mature into someone I could potentially connect with, but by then, the series is over. I think all the other main characters - the Cullens and the wolf pack - are much better developed than Bella.
6. Nathan from Half Bad by Sally Green - I really didn't like Half Bad as a book anyway but Nathan as a protagonist just didn't connect with me. Like most of these characters, I didn't care about what happened to him so I didn't connect with him.

So those are my top 6 characters that I didn't click with. What would make your list?

Top Ten Tuesday

Today's Top Ten Tuesday is the ten books you would love to see as a TV show/movie. As usual, go and check out The Broke and the Bookish and lets get started.

1. Obsidian by Jennifer L. Armentrout - so this is kind of cheating because there is an Obsidian movie currently in the works but since we don't know anything about it yet it's going on the list.
2. The Iron King by Julie Kagawa - I would love to see these books turned into movies but I would be wary of it if it did ever happen because fantasy films seem to be either amazing or awful. If it was done well though, it would be amazing.
3. Anna Dressed in Blood by Kendare Blake - I'm not a huge horror fan - I'm quite easily scared and as such, I've never seen a horror movie in my life - but this is the one horror book that I would go and see in a movie. Cas' sarcasm would be amazing to see on the big screen.
4. Evernight by Claudia Gray - I think this would actually be better as a TV show. We could spend so much more time getting to know the characters and learning about the school and their lives. I think Evernight would make an amazing TV show and I would love to watch it.
5. Dark Visions by L.J. Smith - I didn't really like the Vampire Diaries as books - the TV show is way better - but this book introduced me to L.J. Smith and I loved it. I'm not sure whether a movie or TV series would suit the books better but either way it's definitely on the list.
6. Angel by L.A Weatherly - This is a series that I completely fell in love with and would love to see brought to life. Alex and Willow's story is so sweet and I love them so much.
7. City of Halves by Lucy Inglis - this is very similar to the Mortal Instruments but I loved this book so much. The characters are so lifelike and funny and I just love it and need to see it in real life.
8. Clarity by Kim Harrington - intriguing plot and characters. I could watch seasons and seasons of this if it was a TV Show.
9. Saving June - the music in this book would make a great movie soundtrack. I'm thinking this would be kind of like If I Stay or Fault in our Stars kind of emotion, especially at the end, with the added bonus of about ten million times more sarcasm.
10. Gravity by Tess Gerritsen - despite the recent movie of the same name and the fact this isn't actually YA, I would love to see these characters brought to life. You really get to see the complexities of a shuttle launch and the added mystery of the disease/organism kept me gripped from cover to cover and I'd love to see this as a movie or TV show.

That's my list - what's yours?

Top Ten Tuesday

This weeks Top Ten Tuesday is the Ten Books I Plan to have in my Beach Bag this Summer. As always, this feature comes from The Broke and the Bookish so go and check them out and here's my list.

1. Game of Thrones by Sarah J. Maas - as you'll see from this list, I have a lot of books downloaded on my Kindle that I'm saving up for summer and this is the one that I'm probably most excited about reading this summer because I've heard over and over that this is the series to read and so I can't wait to be a very late comer to this party.
2. The Guardian by Katie Klein - I love me an angel/guardian protector book and this looks like it's going to be great. It's a very short book (only about 175 pages according to Amazon) which makes me slightly worried about the pace of the book but it'll be a perfect short read for summer regardless.
3. Deep Blue Secret by Christie Anderson - this is another protector book and while it sounds slightly cliche I'm still excited to read it and see how Christie has made the plot her own. Looking at reviews, it does seem that most people think it's a good book so I guess I'll have to wait and see...
4. Under my Skin by Shawntelle Dawson - I've already started reading this book but I stopped at about 30% on my Kindle because there were other books that I wanted to read more. BUT, this book has got so many good reviews on Amazon so I'm willing to pick it up and give it another go this summer. Maybe it'll be a repeat of Coldest Girl in Coldtown and I'll end up really loving it.
5. Gravity by Melissa West - As I'm sure you know if you've read my blog, I'm a wee bit obsessed with the lux series which is surprising because I don't normally go in for alien books. Hence me trying out Gravity. I'm not sure whether it's a dystopic novel or just sci-fi but it does sound quite interesting - what can't people peek at?
6. We were liars by E.Lockhart - this is another book that I'm a late comer to. I bought it last summer but never got round to reading it but from the amazing things I've heard about it, I'm definitely excited to read it this year.
7. Vampire Shift by Tim O'Rourke - this sounds so intriguing to me and is something that I personally haven't seen done much of and I don't know why. A cop investigating lots of strange deaths (I'll give you three guesses as to the cause of these deaths). Really interested to see how this one is written.
8. If I Stay by Gale Forman - this is another book I bought last year but never read. I have watched the movie though which reduced me to tears, so while I do know what happened, I do want to read the book and it's sequel Where She Went this summer.
9. Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare - there's probably a really horrible punishment for not having read this series by now, especially since I loved the Mortal Instruments series but, until recently, I was never really driven to pick up the first book but after watching many booktubers and reading reviews with people raving about the series I decided I really do need to read this - especially since I love the Shadowhunter world. Plus, apparently Will Herondale will become an instant book boyfriend so...
10. Saving June by Hannah Harrington - yes I know I've read this book but is you've read my previous review, I think this is a perfect read for summer. A road trip with friends and some killer music along the way? This book is a really nice light read for summer and will definitely be a re-read for me.

So those are the ten books I'm going to have in my beach bag this summer. What about you?

Top 10 Tuesday

This week's Top Ten Tuesday is the Top 10 Authors I really want to meet. As always, this post comes from The Broke and the Bookish, so go and check them out and lets get started. As always, there are going to be some authors on this list that are really obvious and you can probably guess some of them, but some of them may surprise you a little. Without furthur ado, here we go:

1. Maggie Stiefvater - because she just seems like the coolest person ever and I think we would just get on so well because she seems a little bit mental, just like me!
2. Julie Kagawa - because despite not liking The Immortal Rules, she did bring Ash and Puck and Meghan and Grimalkin into my life and for that, she goes on the list, and we can obsess over them for a while.
3. Jennifer L. Armentrout - again, she brought Daemon Black into my life. Which automatically puts her on the list. I would love to know how she came up with the idea of him and if I can steal him from her. No? Oh well...
4. Holly Black - I'm really interested in reading more of her work but I loved the Coldest Girl in Coldtown and I think it would be really awesome to know how she came up with the idea for the book, and what she did to make it stand out from all the other vampire books out there.
5. Cassandra Clare - again, I think Cassandra Clare is just a really cool lady and it would be great to find out how she came up with the world of the Shadowhunters. It's so diverse and different and you can tell there was so much work put into building it and I'd quite like some tips for my own writing.
6. Claire Merle - I loved her 'Glimpse' duology and I think it would be really interesting to find out how she came up with her ideas and what she's up to next
7. Kim Harrington - following on from my last post, this is a duology that I love and have loved for so long and Kim Harrington just seems like a really funny person and the kind of person I'd love to spend a day with.
8. Becca Fitzpatrick - when I first read the Hush Hush series I wasn't really sure what I thought about it. I read the series after finishing Black Ice and while I did enjoy the book, there were things that irritated me and, I think that clouded my judgement because, I really did like this series. I love angel books and I think Becca would be a really interesting person to talk to.
9. Claudia Gray - again, I really did love the Evernight series and I think her writing advice would be really useful.
10. Gayle Foreman - the master writer behind If I Stay which is a film and book I love to pieces. I'd love to know how to evoke tears from readers like me who never normally cry at books (or their movie counterparts) but can be found sobbing in the corner after reading this book or watching this film.

So, there are my Top 10 Authors I'd love to meet. What would be in yours?

Top Ten Tuesday

Another Top Ten Tuesday (this time on a Monday because I've managed to get five minutes on a laptop that works) and this week it's my Top Ten Books I'll Probably Never Read. As always, this feature comes from The Broke and the Bookish blog so, if any of you have your own blog and want to try it out - there's a list there of all the prompts up till June. Here we go:

1. The Shiver trilogy by Maggie Stiefvater - this might come as a surprise to some of you because most of Maggie's books I rave about - specifically the Raven Boys series - but I've heard so many mixed reviews about this series; most of them being quite bad ones, that it's just kind of put me off reading the trilogy. Maybe I'll pick it up one day but for right now, this is one of Maggie's series I'm in no hurry to pick up
2. Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte - there are very few classic books that I actually really enjoy and I really don't like the Bronte sisters. I've read a quarter of Jane Eyre and, to date, is the only book I have never persevered with to finish. I'm reading Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte for college and I've had the same problem - I don't like the Bronte's writing style or the plots. The books seem to be a love hate thing and unfortunately for me, I'm definitely in the hate camp
3. The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R Toilken - 'What?!?!' I hear many of you cry - hear me out. I've never been interested in the series and it's never occurred to me to pick the book up because of this. Yes it's a classic and I'm sure it's a great book but it's never appealed to me and I don't think it ever will.
4. Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins - I'm beginning to realise I'm going to be making enemies with this list but again, the series has never really appealed to me. I've picked them up in a library haul but I always seem to find other books I'm more excited about reading. I'm sure this book and it's companions are as amazing as everyone seems to think but for me, there are other books that appeal to me a lot more.  
5. The Golden Compass by Phillip Pullman - so I've kind of watched the film of this (and by kind of I mean it was a while ago and all I can remember if Lyra riding a polar bear) and I didn't really enjoy it (again, from what I can remember) so it's unlikely that I will ever have the urge to pick up this book
6. Cross my heart and hope to Spy by Ally Carter - this is a series that I see every time I walk into a book shop and every time I look at it and wonder if I should try it but so far I've always decided the answer to that is no. It's never been a book that I've thought - I have to pick that up - like most of these books, there's always another book I'd rather be reading
7. The Selection series by Keira Cass - this is a series that I have contemplated picking up, but, like Shiver, I've heard so many bad things about this series that I don't really think I'll ever pick the series up.
8. The 100 by Cass Morgan - the reason I won't pick this book up is because it's based on the TV show and the TV show is just better. I've seen this book in libraries and I did start to read the first couple of pages but, from what I can tell, it's just a book version of the TV show and I'd rather watch the show than re-read what I've just watched
9. Half Wild by Sally Green - I really didn't like the first book in this series. I picked the first one up last year and read it on holiday and I was really disappointed in it. There was something missing and it just really put me off picking up this sequel
10. The Fault in our Stars by John Green - I've read half of this book and, despite the hype, don't feel the urge to pick it up and finish it. I do want to read some more of John Green's work - some that haven't had the build TFioS has. I think if I read this book now, I'd be quite disappointed because of all the hype it's had - maybe when this phenomenon has died down a little I'll read it but, if/when that happens, for now it's on this list

So there you go, there's by Top 10 of books I'll probably never read. There are a couple like the Shiver trilogy that I'm still undecided by so maybe I'll pick them up and give them a go soon, maybe not. What would be on your list?

Top 10 Tuesday

Week 3 of Top 10 Tuesday is here and this week, the prompt from The Broke and The Bookish is Top 10 All Time Favourite Authors - because they're apparently incredibly evil over there. Oh well, here we go...

1. Veronica Roth - of course the author who created Four has to go in here. Despite the rocky final installment in the Divergent trilogy, I still love Divergent, Insurgent and Four (a bind up of short stories from Tobias' POV for those of you living under a rock) and so I think she deserves to go in this list.
2. Jennifer L. Armentrout - again because she created the hottest alien around, she is automatically slotted into this list. I also love her writing style. In Lux it's so informal and casual and it really lends itself to creating both Katy and Daemon's characters. Maybe one day, this post won't include anything about the Iron Fey or Lux - we can only hope.
3. Tess Gerritsen - while her books aren't YA, I really enjoy reading them. Tess Gerritsen is a crime writer with a flair for writing killer mysteries. One of my favourite books by her is Gravity which is set in space. This book got really mixed reviews - it seems like you either love it or hate it but I really love it and I keep coming back to it again and again.
4. Holly Black - currently, I've only read The Coldest Girl in Coldtown by Holly, but I can't wait to pick up her newest novel The Darkest Part of the Forest which sounds amazing. I don't know why it took me so long to find Holly but I'm so glad I finally did.
5. Maggie Stiefvater - I love the majority of the novels that Maggie writes. The Scorpio Races was just magical and the Raven Boys is just brought to life by the incredible characters she's created. While I didn't like Ballad (the sequel to Lament) and I've kind of been put off reading the Shiver trilogy, all the other books by her that I've read have just been incredible.
6. Suzanne Collins - while I actually prefer watching the movies to reading these books, there wouldn't be any movies without Susanne Collins (no Finnick Odair? *Gasp*) so she goes in here as well.
7. Cassandra Clare - The Mortal Instruments (despite the poor movie) is a series I love to live in. I love how Cassandra Clare blends the normal and the paranormal to create a world that we all know and recognise but at the same time, is completely foreign. And she's created an army of would be Shadowhunters because, lets face it, Shadowhunters are bad ass.

I think this pretty much makes up my list. There are a few authors that I've left out because, while I love one series that they've written, they're other books just aren't as good and I probably wouldn't pick up any of their other books because of this. So this is my top 7 all time favourite authors - what would yours be?

Top 10 Tuesday

Week 2 of Top 10 Tuesday courtesy of The Broke and the Bookish and this week the list is Top 10 Inspiring Quotes from Books (anything that inspires you, challenges you, makes you think, encourages you, etc.). So, in no particular order, here's my top 5 (because I'm currently on a tablet and formatting sucks so I'll update when I get a proper computer)...

1. '"Yeah, sometimes life really sucks," she says. "But do you know what I'm holding on for?" I raise my eyebrows. She raises hers, too, mimicking me. "The moments that don't suck," she says. "The trick is to notice them when they come around." Then she smiles, and I smile back, and we climb the stairs to the train platform side by side.' ~ Allegiant by Veronica Roth Despite Allegiant being my least favourite of all the Divergent trilogy, this section really stood out to me. In the last few pages of the book, I felt like this was actually a really good message to leave readers with - something that we can use in our own lives. So while I said this list was in no particular order, I think that starts now because this is definitely my favourite quote of them all.
2. '"It takes ten times as long to put yourself back together as it does to fall apart."' ~ Mockingjay by Susanne Collins I love Finnick - there needs to be more Finnick in the books (and he totally should have stayed with Annie). I think dystopian novels in general are great at giving messages and I think this, while so simple and just a short moment in Mockingjay, is really powerful, because again it's relatable to our lives, not just the characters. A sound piece of advice from a character who knows what he's talking about.
3. '"We have to be back in three hours," Ronan said. "I just fed Chainsaw but she'll need it again."
   "This," Gansey replied "is precisely why I didn't want to have a baby with you."' ~ The Raven Boys by Maggie Stiefvater What I love about this series is, not only is the premise something totally original to me but the characters are so complex and well thought out. This series makes me wish I had a group of friends just like this - who have known each other for years and you just have so many hilarious moments with them. This quote to me, reflects that. Gansey and Ronan are really close friends and you can tell there's some kind of history between them just from that quote. I'm thinking I need the final book even more now...
4. '"And what have you decided?"
   "My soul." I felt a great weight lift off my shoulders as I said this. No more doubts. No more agonizing. I knew my path, what I had to do. "I choose humanity and all that comes with it. Weakness, conscious, mortality, everything."' ~ The Iron Knight by Julie Kagawa I'm starting to think you can start a drinking game with this - every time I mention the Iron Fey or the Lux series, take a shot! Seriously though, The Iron Knight covers so many things with the main issue being how is humanity defined. What makes us human? This quote essentially summarises that question for me. It made me think more carefully about what it means to be human. Now we've covered The Iron Fey, I suppose it would be rude not to include the other series I'm in love with wouldn't it...
5. '"More books." His eyes went wide. "You have, like, ten books you just said you haven't read."
   "Doesn't mean I won't get more books." I smiled at his incredulous expression. "I haven't been able to read a lot lately, but I will, and then I won't be out of anything new to read."' ~ Onyx by Jennifer L Armentrout Maybe it's just the relevance to my life but I love this quote so much and I guess it encourages me that having a HUGE TBR list is perfectly normal. Plus, like I said, Katy + Daemon = perfection. I need more of these books in my life. Please?
   
   
   So this is my (current) top 10, which will more than likely be updated sooner or later. What would your top 10 look like?
   

Top Ten Tuesday...On Saturday

This is a new thing that I'm starting - Top Ten Tuesday from The Broke and the Bookish blog. Every week (hopefully Tuesday but my laptop's broken so it'll be whenever I can get to a computer) there will be a new top 10 bookish list of things. This week's list is Top 10 characters you'd like to check in with, so, in no particular order, here's my list...

1. Sean and Puck - The Scorpio Races by Maggie StiefvaterThis book was so good and, while I probably wouldn't want an entire book about them because it's so good as a standalone; I would like maybe a novella or short story about them and their families. Are they still racing? Did Puck keep her family together? Lots of questions that I would like answered at some point in some form.
2. Daemon and Katy - The Lux series by Jennifer L. ArmentroutThis is my favourite series at the moment. Kat and Daemon's relationship is so perfect and I think I've read the series at least ten thousand times since February this year (which is when I first found it). There are some extra bits about their life dotted around the Internet which I love reading but I could honestly read another ten books about these characters I just love them so much.
3. Gabriel and Kaitlin - The Dark Visions series by L.J.SmithL.J. Smith's books are a bit hit and miss for me but I loved this series so much. Gabriel is such a...tricky character to like but once you get to know him he's a sweetheart. Apparently there is another book coming in the series but that rumour has been going around for a few years now so I don't know whether we will or not but again, I'd really like to see what these characters are up to now.
4. Ash and Meghan (and Puck) - The Iron Fey series by Julie KagawaYou all knew this was coming. What can I say - I need more Ash in my life. Like with the Lux series, I could read hundreds of books about these characters and not get bored. I would love to see the wedding and the birth of their son and just generally know what life is like for them as rulers now. I'm sure wherever Puck is, trouble isn't far behind anyway...
5. Bianca and Lucas - Evernight series by Claudia GrayA paranormal series with a difference. I'd really want to know how they've managed to get around the whole human-ghost issue they've got going on and whether they've returned to Evernight or whether Lucas and his mom have made up. Lots of questions but few answers, which seems to be a common theme in this post
6. Sarah and Natasha - The Horse Dancer by JoJo MoyesNot really a YA book but I fell in love with this story none the less. It's a beautiful and magical story that has stayed with me since I turned the last page. We get a brief look at life after the story at the end of the book but I'd love to know more about Sarah's life training and whether she thinks her grandfather would have been proud of her for following in his footsteps.
7. Gavriel and Tana - The Coldest Girl in Coldtown by Holly BlackI need more! Does Tana go cold? Does she stay together with Gavriel in the Coldtown or do they escape and leave the confines of the town? What happens?!?! I love it as a standalone yes BUT there are so many things I need to know that isn't answered in the book. Pray with me for a sequel...
8. Four/Tobias - Divergent by Veronica RothBecause after that ending I need to make sure my baby is okay. Veronica cannot leave me hanging like that without knowing he's doing okay. Plus I kind of want to know how he's getting on with his parents and without the factions.
9. Willow and Alex - Angel trilogy by L.A WeatherlyI thought this series ended well so I don't think another book is needed, but again, maybe a novella, just to let us know how Willow and Alex are doing after the war with the angels. Did they travel anywhere or did they just stay at the cabin?
10. Jace and Clary - the Mortal Instruments by Cassandra ClareAgain, probably an obvious choice and again, a novella is probably only needed but I want to know whether Clary got her best friend back, how Luke and Jocelyn are getting on now they're married and how Jace and Clary are. Does she live at the Institute now? Taking bets on how many arguments the pair of them have had over something stupid...

So there you have it - my top ten list of characters that I would most like to check in with because I'm a nosey person like that. Plus, most of these are book boyfriends and who wouldn't want to spend more time in their pleasant company? Like I said - hopefully these will be every Tuesday but it depends on when I can get to a computer that actually works.