Top Ten Things On My Reading Wishlist

Top Ten Tuesday is a meme created by The Broke and the Bookish

This week’s Top Ten is really hard!  I can think of endings I would like to see re-written, characters that shouldn’t have died and did, series that were too long to hold my interest, or the ones that I wish would never end, and so on and so forth. However, I don’t think that I ever just thought “hmm… I wish there was a book about x,y,z” Thus, be warned that I might not make to ten (just saying!).

1.  YA books with Hispanic characters – Why?  Because I’m Hispanic and our culture is very family oriented and conservative and this comes with a host of problems and interactions. Also, our extended families are HUGE and we have a highly developed sense of responsibility toward them.  

Who did it well:  The Book of Broken Hearts by Sarah Ockler and Perfect Chemistry by Simone Elkeles

2.  YA historical – I love historical romances, it’s what I read for years before fining my way to YA and they hold a very dear place in my heart.  I would like to see more of these in YA.

Who did it well: Grave Mercy by Robin LaFevers

3.  YA thrillers – I love books where there is a mystery, a lot of running and figuring out stuff.  Clear as mud?  Well, I don’t see a lot of these in YA, in fact I can’t think of any I’ve read recently.  Can you?

4.  YA Steampunk – This is a relatively new genre for me and I love it!  It’s a combination of paranormal, mystery, historical and with a lot of machines involved. 

Who did it well: The Girl in the Steel Corset by Kady Cross and Leviathan by Scott Westerfeld

5.  Fantasy – I know there has been a boom of fantasy in YA lately, but I love it. Especially since most often than not, it’s paired with magic or paranormal undertones. 

Who did it well:  Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Mass and The Girl of Fire and Thorns by Rae Carson

6. Comedies – Sometimes I just feel like reading a light, fluffy, funny story. 

Who did it well: Dash & Lily’s Book of Dares by Rachel Cohn and David Levithan

Sorry, that’s all I can think off!  I’m sure all your lists will be more impressive than mine.  Leave me a comment and I’ll come check them out!

Top Ten Books I Wish Had Sequels

Top Ten Tuesday is a meme created by The Broke and the Bookish

This one should be easy because this happens to me all the time!  What do I mean by this?  Well, I read a book and then keep wishing for more.  Even if the ending was entirely satisfying  it seems like I always want to know more. It's a curse I must bear!  

1.  The Distance Between Us by Kasie West - There were too many open questions at the end.  I want to know what happens with Caymen's grandparents and how she adjusts to her new life.

2.  Dash & Lily's Book of Dares by Rachel Cohn and David Levithan - I want for Dash and Lily!

3.  The Truth About Forever by Sarah Dessen - This includes probably all her books anyway!  I always want to know more about the wonderful characters she creates.

Review: Nick and Nora’s Infinite Playlist

Title: Nick and Nora’s Infinite Playlist by Rachel Cohn and David Levithan

Published: Mary 23^rd, 2006 by Knopf Books

Source: Purchased

Format: Paperback

Group age: Young adult

Genre: Contemporary romance

Challenge(s):

Grade rate: B-

It all starts when Nick asks Norah to be his girlfriend for five minutes. He only needs five minutes to avoid his ex-girlfriend, who’s just walked in to his band’s show. With a new guy. And then, with one kiss, Nick and Norah are off on an adventure set against the backdrop of New York City—and smack in the middle of all the joy, anxiety, confusion, and excitement of a first date.This he said/she said romance told by YA stars Rachel Cohn and David Levithan is a sexy, funny roller coaster of a story about one date over one very long night, with two teenagers, both recovering from broken hearts, who are just trying to figure out who they want to be—and where the next great band is playing.Told in alternating chapters, teeming with music references, humor, angst, and endearing side characters, this is a love story you’ll wish were your very own. Working together for the first time, Rachel Cohn and David Levithan have combined forces to create a book that is sure to grab readers of all ages and never let them go.

My Review

I’m not sure what I was expecting when I picked up this book, but it wasn’t what I got, that’s for sure!  I’m not saying that Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist was bad,  not at all, but I was expecting  a story similar to Dash and Lily’s Book of Dares, one of my favorite book and a collaboration of Cohn and Levithan.

Nick and Norah are very different and come from very different social backgrounds as well.  They seem to have two things in common though; they both know Tris, Nick’s ex-girlfriend, and they just finished very dysfunctional relationships.  The story is about a chance meeting that turns into an epic night of music, heartache, confusion, and lastly, understanding.

The story is short; my edition of the book is 183 pages long.  As it is their style, the story is told in the first person, from alternating points of view, with some overlapping sections.  This is a style that I really enjoy because I feel that it gives me a better understanding and insight of the characters.  The plot gets a bit complicated because of how fast everything happens.  It is definitely a night of adventures and the whole story happens in about 12 hours or less; maybe a little too fast for me :)

My biggest issue was the ending, or lack thereof.  This is probably my issue, as I really dislike when the endings are to open and leave a lot to the imagination.  Also, let me warn you that the amount of cursing in this book is incredible, and it also contains sexual references.  I haven’t seen the movie based in the book.  I saw the previews and it look so different from the book that I was a bit discouraged by it.

Have you read Nick and Nora?  Did you see the movie?  What did you think about it?

Top Ten Books I Read When I Need Something Light & Fun

Top Ten Tuesday is a meme created by The Broke and the Bookish

Well, to me this means books that I re-read, even though there are not necessarily "light and fun".  In fact, I don't think I read a lot of those.  I do tend to re-read my favorite parts of some books and I do the same with movies (I can't count how many times I've seen Pretty Women, Notting Hill, You Got Mail or The Proposal!)

1.  Breathe my Abbi Glines - The first book by Glines that I read and is still my favorite. 

2.  Dash & Lily's Book of Dares by Rachel Cohn and David Levithan - One of the funniest books I've ever read!  Honestly, this one is a jewel.

3.  Iron Fey series by Julie Kagawa - I know, I know!  I don't think I can have a top 10 without including this series, but I really love it!  I re-read my favorite parts when I need an Ash fix :)

4.  Beastly by Alex Flinn - There is just something about fairy tales that calls to me and this Beauty and the Beast re-telling from the POV of the beast is one of my favorites. 

5.  New Moon by Stephenie Meyer - Although I'm a fan of the series, I re-read New Moon more often.  I just love the part when Bella and Edward re-unite...

6.  Romancing Mr. Bridgerton by Julia Quinn - I'm a big fan of Quinn's writing and this one is my all-time favorite.  

7.  Edenbrooke by Julianne Donaldson - I read this book only late last year, but it has quickly become a favorite.  

8.  Pride and Prejudice and Persuasion by Jane Austen - My two favorites by Austen!  I can read these over and over (and watch the movies too!)

9.  Jessica's Guide to Dating on the Dark Side by Beth Fantaskey - I don't know what it is about Lucius that I love so!

10. Just Listen, Along for the Ride and The Truth About Forever by Sarah Dessen - I love Dessen's writing!  These are most definitely NOT light and fun, but they are amazing and I can't get enough of them. 

Hmm... I guess that's more than 10!  Oh, well, I tried.  What's in your Top Ten this week?

Top Ten Books I'd Want on a Deserted Island

Top Ten Tuesday is a meme created by The Broke and the Bookish

To me, this means a group of books that I re-read many times.  Here's mine: 

1.   The Iron Knight by Julie Kawaga - I love the Iron Fey series and I could read this one over an over and over. 

2.   The Truth About Forever by Sarah Dessen - This is my favorite Dessen's  book, love it.

3.   The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins - One of my favorite series ever!  It's so good and I'll be content to read this book again and again.

4.   Romancing Mr. Bridgerton by Julia Quinn - This is my favorite of the Bridgerton series, Penelope and Colin are some of my favorite characters. 

5.   Dash & Lily's Book of Dares by Rachel Cohn and David Levithan - Because everyone needs to laugh!

6.   Harry Potter and the Deathly Hollows by J.K. Rowling - The amazing ending to an amazing series :)

7.   Pride & Prejudice by Jane Austen - This story always puts a smile on my face :)

8.   City of Glass by Cassandra Clare - I read this book at the ending of an incredible series and I was quite happy with it. 

9.  The Fault in Our Stars by John Green - One of the most beautiful stories ever written, sometimes crying is a good thing.

10. The Bible - No explanation needed, right?

Other contenders might be: The Sky is Everywhere, Pushing the Limits, Perfect Chemistry, Throne of Glass, Sweet Evil, Daughter of Smoke and Bones, Willow, Divergent, Anna and the French Kiss,  and many more (of course!).

What books would you take with you? 

Stacking the Shelves #21

Stacking the Shelves is a meme hosted by Tynga's Reviews in which we feature all the book goodness that we received, borrowed or purchased during the previous week. All links are to Goodreads.

Sorry I'm late with this post, but I was so busy yesterday and it was an awesome day.  Why? You might ask... 'A' turned 17!  I can't believe that he is 17 already, of course that doesn't mean that I'm getting any older :) 

Purchased (Physical Books) 

The Unwanteds by Lisa McMann - I'm a big fan of Lisa McMann's books, I need to read this book. 

The Girl of Fire and Thorns by Rae Carson - I've heard wonderful things about this book, can't wait to read it :)

Nick & Norah's Infinite Playlist by Rachel Cohn and David Levithan - One of my favorite books is Dash & Lily's Book of Dares which is written by the same authors (besides I love David Levithan!).  Have you seen the movie?  (I haven't).

Purchased for Kindle 

Reckoning by Molly M. Hall - Not sure how I found this book, but it sounds dark and interesting. Oh, and the cover is beautiful. 

For Review

Castles on the Sand by E. M. Tippetts - I was approached by the author to review this book, rounds really good too :)

Stolen Nights by Rebecca Maizel - I was dying to get this book!!!! I really loved Infinite Days, the first book in the series that was out in 2010.  Two years is a long time to wait for a sequel.  Already started this one!

Of Light & Darkness, The Vampire's Daughter by Shayne Leighton - This cover is a bit creepy, but I'm intrigued with the concept of a vampire raising a human child.

Uses for Boys by Erica Lorraine Scheidt - This cover is so pretty and it sounds amazing too. 

Thank you to St. Martin's Griffin, Decadent Publishing and NetGalley for these lovelies!

Swag 

I got these signed bookmarks and two magnets for the Croak series by author Gina Damico last week too!

What is stacking your shelves this week?  Have you read any of these books?

Top Ten Contemporary YA Books

Top Ten Tuesday is a meme created by The Broke and the Bookish

I'm going to try to limit myself to my Top Ten favorite contemporary young adult books, but I'm making no promises. 

1.  The Truth About Forever by Sarah Dessen - Sarah Dessen is one of my favorite authors, I'll read anything she writes; but this book remains my favorite. 

2.  Breathe by Abbi Glines - Breathe has one of my favorite YA couples of all time; a perfect romance :)

3.  The Sky is Everywhere by Jandy Nelson - This book is pure poetry and lyrics in motion.  It's emotive, bittersweet, and so especial.

4.  Guitar Notes by Mary Amato - This is a recent read for me and I adore the writing style and also Tripp's personality and the way his friendship with Lyla develops. 

5.  Dash & Lily's Book of Dares by Rachel Cohn and David Levithan - This book is quirky and oh, so funny!  I love this one :)

6.  Easy by Tammara Webber - Easy is an amazing book.  The characters are incredible, the plot amazing and the romance to die for!

7.  Pushing the Limits by Katie McGarry - One of my favorite books so far this year, Pushing the Limits has amazing characters that have to deal with a lot, at a very young age and grow with each's other help. 

8.  Deadly Cool by Gemma Halliday - This series is so funny, full of mystery, technology, the ins and outs of life in high school and some amazing characters too! 

9.  The Fault in Our Stars by John Green - Another favorite this year is John Green's masterpiece.  This book is hard to describe for me because is that good. 

10. Leaving Paradise by Simone Elkeles - This series is another great read. Again, amazing characters overcome so much and learn to do so with the help of a really beautiful relationship. 

Other books in this list (told you I couldn't stop at 10!) are: Perfect Chemistry by Simone Elkeles, Going Too Far by Jennifer Echols, Willow by Julia Hoban, If I Stay by Gayle Forman, and Wish I Could Have Said Goodbye by Sari Brady.   

What is in your Top Ten this week?  Have you read any of these?  What are your favorite contemporary books? 

Stacking the Shelves #18

Stacking the Shelves is a meme hosted by Tynga's Reviews in which we feature all the book goodness that we received, borrowed or purchased during the previous week. All links are to Goodreads.

I have a bigger Stacking the Shelves this week, because last weekend I was at the DC National Book Festival (you can see that post here).  This week has been really hectic between work and the amount of homework that my boys get, I hope to get caught up with email, reviews and posts this weekend. 

Purchased (Physical Books)

Persuasion by Brenda Joyce - Just because I like to read romance once in a while and I couldn't resist the title.

Forever by Judy Blume - I'm reviewing this book for Book Journey's 'Banned Book Week' 

Goliath by Scott Westerfeld - I already finished Goliath, I loved this series!

Burn for Burn by Jenny Han and Siobhan Vivian - I couldn't resist the cover AND these fabulous authors.

Tilt by Ellen Hopkins - Please don't throw any stones my way, but I have never read one of Ellen Hopkins' books before, therefore I figured that it was time I started.  What do you think?

Dash & Lily's Book of Dares by David Levithan and Rachel Cohn - This is one of by favorite books ever!  I read it from the library and now I have my very own copy :)

Supernaturally by Kiersten White - It's about time for me to get caught up with this series. 

The Diviners by Libba Bray - I've heard wonderful things about this book. Did you read it already?

Purchased for Kindle

Callum & Harper by Fisher Amelie - I got this one because of a book recommendation in Goodreads.

Ceaseless by Abbi Glines - the last book in the Existence series, can't wait to read it!

Library

Guitar Notes by Mary Amato - I also finished this one and loved it!  Review to come soon!

Miracle by Elizabeth Scott - I didn't have good luck with the last book I read by this author, but I decided to give a try to this one.

Smooth Talking Stranger by Lisa Kleypas - Got this one in audio book to keep me company in my commute. So far, so good.

The Last Princess by Galaxy Craze - The cover is what draw me in.  I hope is good!

For Review

Valley of Dust by Karoleen Vry Brucks - Such a beautiful cover, right?  It sounds good too.

Matt Archer: Monster Hunter by Kendra C. Highley - Creepy cover, uh? Sounds amazing too!

Thank you to both authors for the opportunity to review these books :)

What's stacking your shelves this week?  Have you read any of these?

Please check out the giveaways going on right now! Look at the upper right corner of the blog for details!

Top Ten All Time Favorite Characters in Books

Top Ten Tuesday is a meme created by The Broke and the Bookish

This week's Top Ten is hard (or too easy!) as I cannot manage to narrow it down to just ten, so please forgive my cheating : -)

1.  Ash from The Iron Fey series by Julie Kagawa - Dear reader, if you have visited this blog before you know that I LOVE Ash.  He is handsome, loyal, loving, brave and just pure awesome. 

2.  Mr. Darcy from Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen - I love Mr. Darcy and how he tried to change and to fix things for Elizabeth, just because he loved her.

3.  Rose from The Vampire Academy series by Richelle Mead - Rose is one awesome protagonist.  She is also loyal and brave. 

4.  Dash and Lilly from Dash and Lily's Book of Dares by Rachel Cohn and David Levithan (told you I was cheating!) - Funniest couple ever!

5.  Harry Potter and Hermaine Granger from the Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling - Need I say more?

6.  Jax Stone from Breathe by Abbi Glines - So very romantic (*sigh*).  I know is corny, but I just love a take-care-of-me, fall-head-over-heals kind of guy.

7.  Edward Cullen from the Twilight Saga by Stephenie Meyer - I just love Edward, I wish Stephenie would have finished Midnight Sun.

8.  Katniss Everdeen from The Hunger Games Trilogy by Suzanne Collins - What an incredible woman this is!  The inspiration and the catalyst for change, so brave, resourceful and caring.

9.  Hartley Featherstone from Deadly Cool by Gemma Halliday - Another funny lady, a bit of an airhead, but with her heart in the right place.

10. Four and Tris from Divergent by Veronica Roth - Another pair of remarkable people that are not afraid to do what's right.

And because I couldn't stop at ten, here are some more:

Vincent from Die for Me by Amy Plum, Tamani from the Wings series by Aprlynne Pike, Sookie Stackhouse from the Southern Vampire series by Charlaine Harris, Etienne St. Clair from Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins, Evie from Supernaturally by Kristen White, and the list could go on and on and on...

What is in your Top Ten this week?

Remember to enter Reading with ABC's Shower of Books Giveaway here