It’s pretty hard for me to swallow the fact that spring is next week, friends, since it’s snowing a lot outside right now. But let’s roll with it! I’m always excited to read books and make lists about them, so here we go! (In no particular order, of course.) (Also, I didn’t intend for this list to be mostly new releases, but it happened.)
I love audiobooks, guys. LOVE THEM. Listen to them every day. They get me back and forth to work, and they often make me wish my commute was longer so that I could listen some more. Nothing can make–or ruin–an audiobook faster than the narrator. I, personally, don’t like cast narrated books. They’re too confusing for me to follow. So my favorite audiobooks are single narrators, or different narrators for different chapter POVs, and if I can snag a book narrated by one of these folks? I will legit download books they’ve narrated just because it’s them. I’ve downloaded books I’ve never heard of before just because of the narrator. If you’re new to audiobooks, I can’t recommend these narrators enough. But be prepared to spend some quality time with them; they don’t really narrate short books. Oops!
PS. These examples are just a small handful of each narrator’s work (with the possible exception of Steve West, who is amazing but who also narrated a few self-help books, I believe). Search Audible for all the things!
Narrates: The Raven Cycle
Narrates: Gentlemen Bastards series, literally tons of other books
Narrates: Leviathan series
Narrates: Mistborn series
Narrates: Kingkiller Chronicle, Doll Bones
Narrates: Outlander series, The Mists of Avalon
Narrates: Daughter of Smoke and Bone series
Hey! It’s Top Ten Tuesday: The Wednesday Edition! I love this week’s prompt, but I was not so prompt in making this post. Alas. Which sucks because I LOVE reading books that are set outside the US! They inevitably make me want to go places and see new things, even if the book doesn’t take place in my time. These are just a few of my favorites.
OUTLANDER by Diana Gabaldon & THE FALCONER by Elizabeth May
OF COURSE OUTLANDER IS ON THIS LIST. This is one of the first books I read that took place in Scotland–the Highlands, specifically–and I immediately wanted to go and see the moors and the heather and the mountains. THE FALCONER takes place in southern Scotland, and I’m compelled to visit there, too. Even though the Scotland of THE FALCONER includes faeries. These are kind of bad ones, too (except Kiaran).
THE WITCH HUNTER by Virginia Boecker & UNSPOKEN by Sarah Rees Brennan
Traveling not too far, there are a TONNN of great books set in England. Lots of historical romances are set there, and we all know how much I love those. But for this list, I’m focusing on THE WITCH HUNTER and UNSPOKEN. I love historical fiction that’s also paranormal or fantasy, and the Elizabethan England with witches is incredibly fun. Ditto the creepy, gothic ghostiness of UNSPOKEN.
GRAFFITI MOON by Cath Crowley & EVERY BREATH by Ellie Marney
READ BOTH OF THESE BOOKS. GRAFFITI MOON is so beautifully written, and the poems scattered throughout are lovely. It’s a contemp that full of feelings. EVERY BREATH is literally one of my favorite books. Mycroft and Watts could not be any more loveable than they are. They’re honestly perfect.
SMALL DAMAGES by Beth Kephart
This isn’t the first time in the recent weeks that I’ve mentioned SMALL DAMAGES, and I’m loving that there have been so many opportunities for me to bring it up. It’s a very touching story about teenage pregnancy, first and foremost. But it’s also set in Spain, and I cannot think of another book set there. It’s such a unique setting, the red clay of Valencia, and Beth Kephart totally captures it.
ANNA AND THE FRENCH KISS by Stephanie Perkins & REVOLUTION by Jennifer Donnelly
So, ANNA, of course. One of the greatest Paris books that makes the city seem so much more magical–which is HARD, because it is magical already. REVOLUTION, though, is excellent. It’s got a dual timeline between modern France and the days of the French Revolution that led up to and immediately followed the execution of Louis XVI. It was kind of dark, but so amazing.
DAUGHTER OF SMOKE AND BONE by Laini Taylor
This book takes place all around the world–and some in a different world entirely. But the way we see Prague really made me want to go there SO BADLY. I want the Poison Kitchen to be a real place I can go eat goulash. Like, please?
ICEFALL by Matthew J. Kirby & EAST by Edith Pattou
I’m not exactly sure where in Scandinavia ICEFALL takes place, but it’s SO GOOD. Tremendous folklore aspects as well as a pretty tightly wound thriller, honestly. Big fan. EAST is more fantastical, being a retelling of “East of the Sun, West of the Moon,” but it’s still lovely and Nordic and a must-read.
I’m a big fan of this week’s Top Ten Tuesday, friends. It’s nice to be able to look at something quantitatively instead of having to MAKE CHOICES. We all know how hard it is to figure out which books to put on our lists each week. But finding the most LITERALLY underrated books on my Goodreads shelf was interesting and fun, and in some cases, surprising. I stuck to books I’ve already read so that I can better judge how egregious their lack of ratings are.
These are in order from highest under 2000 to lowest!
Guys. THIS SERIES THO. Do you like Sherlock retellings? BFF-turned-romance? Mysteries? Aussies? Family secrets? If you said “yes” to any combination of those things, you should absolutely read this series. I’ve read the whole thing (even though book 3 isn’t out in the US yet; I loved these books so much that I bought it from the Aussie publisher), and it was all amazing. Given how many people I know who’ve read and loved this series, I’m surprised that book 1 doesn’t have more than 2,000 ratings. Close though!
I’m pretty sure I’ve mentioned this book on my blog before. It’s not YA (AT ALL), but I fucking love it. I LOVE IT. It started out as a serial release on Wattpad and I could not control my chill every time a new chapter was released. I’ve read this book so many times. May and Ben have such a REAL relationship. Ruthie Knox is taking her sweet time finishing book 2, but it makes me a little sad that this is such an underrated book because it’s so good.
So, I’m going to be honest right up front. This isn’t the easiest book to read. It’s a fantasy that takes place on an island that I imaged was somewhere like the South Pacific. The rest is hard to explain, so I won’t even try. There’s TONS of subtext and English-major analysis stuff going on, which is great. Lots to think about. Sometimes the text gets a little convoluted. I can see why maybe not a lot of people have read it or finished it or rated it, but none of this takes away from how brilliant it is. The world is like nothing–NOTHING–else I’ve ever read, and it’s one of those books that really leaves you in awe of the mind that created it.
SUUPER cute NA right here that I’m suuper surprised has so few ratings. (I should note for context that the most rated book on my shelves is THE HUNGER GAMES with over 4.2 million.) It’s been a little while since I read it, but I know it’s got the friends-turned-more thing going on and it’s just really sweet. Definitely worth a read if you’re looking for a light contemp.
God, this book is really good. It’s set in Spain, a gorgeous place, and I can’t think of a single other book set there, so that adds to the je ne sais quoi. It’s about teen pregnancy, which I know some people steer clear of, but this is a really wonderful story about the bonding between an expectant mother and her little nugget. Plus, there’s something really eye-catching about this cover. I don’t know.
Criminally underrated book, in my opinion. This book was SO GOOD. Great world-building, characters, magical system, romance, everything. I feel like this one is falling victim to the “I want to read this, but it’s not NEW new anymore, so I’m going to read this other book instead,” and that’s a real shame. It’s been one of my favorite books recently.
Another surprisingly underrated book. I thought that the first book in this series, THE HALLOWED ONES, was excellent on its own and didn’t necessarily need more, but I enjoyed this sequel quite a bit! The vampires in this series are awesomely terrifying, and the Amish angle is so intriguing.
See my rant about EVERY BREATH above. Read this book, please. Read this whole series. There will be no regrets.
You know how sometimes you read a book and you can spot things that maybe aren’t perfect but you’re just so enchanted with the language and the world and the characters that you really can’t bring yourself to care too much? This is one of those books for me. I loved it. Truly. I still think about it to this day.
I guess I’ll give this one a slight pass since it only just came out, but WHOA, this was a great book. I hope the number of ratings go up, especially since it’s a fast-paced, twisty sequel that’s just as good as–if not better than–the first.
For me, there are only a few qualities that I look for in the ideal beach read: One, nothing too big. If it’s going to block my sun and hurt my wrists, it’s a no. Two, keep it as light as possible. Lots of contemporary romances here, friends. Because, three, I like my beach reads to be lighter on the deep, heavy thoughts, convoluted plots that require my attention, complex elements that might confuse me, or things that might make me cry. When I’m at the beach or the pool, I’m getting up and down, maybe falling asleep, etc. So as much as I ADORE it, OUTLANDER is the epitome of a book I WOULDN’T bring to the beach with me.
That being said, this list is a mix of all kinds of things: specific books that I do actually think I would enjoy reading at the beach, books that I haven’t read but think would be great beach reads, authors that scream “beach” and “summer” to me, as well as my go-to beach read genres. All over the place!
I’m definitely planning on bringing THE ROSE AND THE DAGGER with me if I ever get my ass to the beach this summer. It’s on my “read me really soon” list because I NEED to know what happens with Khalid and Shazi. This is about as serious as my beach reads will get, friends.
Stephanie Perkins’ contemps are some of my very favorites. I’ve reread Anna and Isla so many times (but never Lola…interesting). These two would be perfect beach reads, along with Stephanie’s edited volume, SUMMER DAYS AND SUMMER NIGHTS. 
If I want my beach read to be lighthearted, sweet, and feel-good from top to bottom, I’ll grab one of the Penderwicks books. They have this really timeless quality about them, and two of them take place in the summertime. I just love these sisters. 
Guys. This is an example of not only an author I’d take with me to the beach, but a whole genre. Jay Crownover’s books are hot and full of drama, and I love them. I’d also grab books by Cora Carmack, Christina Lauren, Elle Kennedy, or Kristin Callahan if I were in the mood for something similar. 
A stand-in for all Sarah Dessen books. PERFECT beach reads for me. Not only do so many of her books take place at the beach, but they are also the perfect balance of feel-good romance and emotional roller coaster. 
I’m reading this one right now, so if I went to the beach today, I’d bring this with me. Again, about as serious as I’ll get at the beach. But it’s got some great elements so far: Russia, magic, a competition. Feels like it’s got a good pace so far, and that’s something I look for in a good beach read as well. 
I do love a good Sherlock retelling, and I think mysteries are great beach reads. I always used to bring those to the beach with me. Captivating and fun, they made the hottest part of the day go faster. I haven’t read this one yet, but it’s got potential. 
Ahhh, the historical romance. This is my go-to genre for just about any reading issue I’m having. Slump? Historical romance. Need something that I’ll finish fast? Historical romance. Feeling YA burnout? Historical romance. Looking for something sassy for the beach? Historical romance. I LOVE Julia Quinn. Her Bridgertons series is one of my favorites, and I’m excited to start this new series about the Bridgerton’s mother. I also love Sarah MacLean, Tessa Dare, Lauren Willig’s Pink Carnation series, and Lisa Kleypas to name a few others. LOVE this genre. 
I got the ebook of this as a gift from one of my previous secret sisters and I know that a ton of people loved it, so I really can’t wait to read this one. Sounds like an excellent beach read: romantic, dramatic, and obviously wonderful for a lover of British things.
Classic beach read. It’s got everything. Romance, road trips, feelings, playlists. I’d grab any Morgan Matson book aside from SECOND CHANCE SUMMER to bring to the beach with me. (There’s no crying in beach reading.) I’d also think about books by Jessi Kirby, Emery Lord, and Huntley Fitzpatrick.
Hello, dear ones! It’s been an age since I last posted, I know. I’m hoping to get back into the swing of things now, and decided that there could be no better way to do that than with this week’s Top Ten Tuesday about Bookworm Delights! Basically, this is a rundown of some of my FAVORITE things about being a bookworm. As I’m sure you all can imagine, this list could be a lot longer.
Special EditionsI’m a BIG book collector, guys. And I don’t just mean, “give me all the different books” kind. I’d say in the last year or so I’ve really gotten into collecting different editions of some of my favorites, and it’s become one of my favorite things to do as an avid reader and book lover. GIVE ME ALL THE BOOKS.
Deckled Edge PagesOoooh, I love deckled edge pages! The texture feels nice on my fingers and also gives me this really old-school feeling while I read, like I’m holding an antique book or something.
Embossed or Foiled Inside CoversTaking off a book’s jacket and checking out the inside cover is one of the best parts about books, in my opinion. It’s such a cool secret thing. I especially love when it hints at something from the book, which they almost always do. So basically that means I love this all the time.
MAPSOF COURSE I LOVE MAPS. Maps are amazing. Not only are they practically helpful while you’re reading, but a lot of times they’re also aesthetically pleasing. They enhance my reading experience so much, and discovering new maps is one of the best things about being a bookworm.
Handmade BookmarksI love me some handmade bookmarks! Etsy is a bookmark-lovers dream. One of my favorite stores for bookish handmade bookmarks is Skinny Hues–I love her watercolors and the paper she uses! (You can click on the image to go to her shop!) But really, any handmade bookmark will do it for me. I love the organic look of them.
Gushing Over Favorite BooksIsn’t this just the best thing? Finding someone who loves one of your favorite books as much as you do and getting all excited about your favorite parts and the things you love? I think it is. Having this kind of experience with other bookworms is such an important link between people, and it’s often–for me, anyway–the foundation of something that grows bigger and beyond books. THAT’S SPECIAL AF.
Spine CrackingMost bookworms might cringe at this, but rest assured: I don’t mean BREAKING the spine. I mean that sound a spine makes when a book is opened for the first time. When it’s FRESH out of the box or bag. It’s the bookworm equivalent of doing that crackle test on a loaf of bread. (You know that scene from Ratatouille?)
Used BookstoresI don’t really have any used bookstores that are near me, but every time I visit Alyssa, we always make a trip to the Book Barn, and I never leave empty handed. As much as I love the feel of a new book, I also appreciate well-loved ones, and there’s always a few of those on the shelves. Also, used bookstores are great places for filling out collections.
Shelf OrganizingI don’t have enough shelves for all of my books, so this is more like my bookworm-ish daydream. But I do reorganize the shelves and piles I have, and it’s kind of sweaty (um, for me anyway), invigorating work. Who needs to do yard work when you can move piles of books around?
Reading OutsideNow that the weather is nicer, this is one of my favorite things to do. Take my book outside and devour a good chunk. I always read a ton when I’m outside. I have fewer distractions, and it’s perfect for totally getting lost in what I’m reading.
Well, isn’t this topic super fun?! I love talking about books that I love, but I REALLY love shining light on books I love that have started to fade into the annals of my inner book hall of fame. These are some of my holy grail favorite books, guys. Not all of them, but some. I hope we can fangirl together over a few!
I know I’ve mentioned before how GRACELING was one of the first YA books I’ve ever read, but I’ll say it again: GRACELING was one of the first YA books I ever read. I think I remember seeing it mentioned in People Magazine, maybe, and I was intrigued. I bought my copy at Borders (RIP), and then proceeded to fall completely for Katsa, Po, and the world Kristin Cashore created. 
When I first saw this week’s topic, the first book that came to mind was THE PROBABILITY OF MIRACLES by Wendy Wunder. I cried like a colicky infant when I read this book, and I still do think about the magical weirdness in it, as well as the heart-yanking sadness. 
It’s been a while since I talked about ELEANOR & PARK! I don’t know why! This book made such an impact on me because of both the excellent story and because it introduced me to Rainbow Rowell. 
I’ve read AMY & ROGER’S EPIC DETOUR, no joke, at least five times. Roger Sullivan is the ULTIMATE good-guy book crush, and the road trip he and Amy take is so full of adventure and surprises and a slow-burn relationship that I LOVE. Plus the scrapbook pages and the playlists are incredibly fun. 
UGLY SOBSSSSS. I’ve had A MONSTER CALLS on the brain recently because of the movie trailer that came out maybe a month or so ago. It looks amazing, and it reminded me why I love this book so much: my feels barely survived. BARELY. This book is so profound and lovely and sad.
This book sits on the end of one of my shelves and because of its place, I stare at often. GAH, I just love this whole series, but there is something really special about DAUGHTER OF SMOKE AND BONE. Maybe it’s Brimstone, maybe it’s the Poison Kitchen. It’s most likely Karou and Akiva, though. (Full disclosure: You know how you can name your Apple devices? My computer is Karou.) Karou, Akiva, and the luscious language and world-building of Laini Taylor. Pro tip? The audiobooks are excellent. 
To this day, CHAMPION remains one of the best series ending books I can remember reading. I cried, then I cried more, then the hope came. I loved Day and June from the beginning, but seeing them come completely full circle in CHAMPION was so special and satisfying. 
Another amazing audiobook! Talk about magical. There’s been lots of name-dropping of THE NIGHT CIRCUS lately, and I have to admit, it’s a surefire way to get me interested in a book. It’s not easy for me to describe this book: there’s magic and romance and things that only exist in your wildest imagination. This is me waiting very impatiently for Erin Morgenstern’s next book. (THE NIGHT CIRCUS came out FIVE YEARS AGO OMG!) 
If people ask my what my favorite book is, I’ll inevitably name either THE SCORPIO RACES (which escaped being on this list because I talk about it ALL THE TIME) and/or this, THE SKY IS EVERYWHERE. I’ve been really thinking about this one a lot lately, and haven’t reread it in awhile (I have read it, I think, six times). I LIVE for this book. LIVE!
THE PENDERWICKS is one of those books that I remember with so much fondness. The Penderwick sisters are so damn charming and heartwarming. Legit one of the brightest, sweetest MGs ever.
YASSS I LIVE FOR THESE LISTS. As usual, I cannot keep myself to the prescribed limits of this list. HOWEVER, I did way better than usual. Only one extra this time. Now, gimme all of them.
I’m excited about this topic, guys. We all love a great romance in our books (I’m assuming), but more often than not, what makes those romances so great are specific moments that really punch our feels in the face. With that, I’ve compiled a list of ten of my favorite feels punchers–my favorite swoony moments from some of my favorite romances. Sometimes I point it out specifically, and other times there are too many for me to point a finger at. You’ll see. 
Anna and Etienne from ANNA AND THE FRENCH KISS have lots of swoony moments, not all of them big, dramatic declarations, although the scene at the Eiffel Tower at the end is just that, and it’s PERFECT. I always got little butterflies when Etienne gives her the little figurines, and when they spend all of winter break emailing and talking on the phone, and OF COURSE, that kiss in the park. 
Have you guys read NIGHT OF CAKE AND PUPPETS, the Daughter of Smoke and Bone novella? OMG YOU MUST. It’s the absolute PERFECT thing to read for Valentine’s Day. Zuzana and Mik might be one of my favorite couples, which is saying a lot because they aren’t even the main pair in that story. But SIGHSWOON, they’re adorably sweet all the time, and no more so than in the novella that recounts the night of their first date. There’s romance on literally every page. 
THESE TWOOOO. I die just thinking about them and their passionate, vital romance. There’s something really enchanting about Lennie’s poems about Joe–the language is just UNNGGGGHHH. And when Joe composes that clarinet piece for Lennie? Shows up and her house with his brothers to help them cleanse the negativity? When Lennie destroys her grandmother’s flowers and gives them to Joe, hoping that they are magic? Like, I can’t. THE SKY IS EVERYWHERE kills me. 
To be honest, my favorite romantic thing about these two is something that I don’t want to share because it’s sort of spoiler, but it’s one a many reasons that Sky and Josh have some of my favorite swoony moments in I’LL MEET YOU THERE. I’m especially fond of the gift Sky gives Josh near the end. It’s so thoughtful and comes from so much love, and I just adored it. 
One of my favorite adult contemporary reads is TRULY by Ruthie Knox. If you are a fan of that genre and haven’t read this book, I can’t push it on you enough. There is sex in this book and it’s pretty hot, but what always really got me about these two was the day they spend traveling around NYC together–they go to parks, weird monuments, art installations, and a beer garden. It’s wonderfully random and so THEM, and it’s just one of those times when you understand that people are meant to be together. 
Sorry, I can’t hear you guys over Khalid’s whispering about how he loves the way Shazi’s hair smells. I’m also distracted by him playing with bracelets on her wrist and calling her a plague that he begs to destroy him. *gulps* 
THIS SCENE. Ok, so by now I’m assuming that everyone knows of my adoration of THE SCORPIO RACES. The book as a whole is magic, and the relationship between Sean and Puck is vital to it but it’s also not the whole thing by a long shot. When Sean lets Puck ride Corr with him and they’re just blazing across the grass in the dark, and he tucks her ponytail into her collar? Can’t.
Literally I’m struck dumb by this line. There’s nothing epic about it, but it’s still such a strong statement. Nah mean? Sean isn’t really one for lots of words, but he makes the most of the ones he does use. 
This scene from ISLA AND THE HAPPILY EVER AFTER has stuck with me ever since I read the book for the first time (I’ve reread it twice since) because it’s just really sensual. They. Paint. Each. Other’s. Bodies. GAH.
I cannot have a list about favorite couples, best romance, favorite swoony moments, without including Jamie and Claire Fraser somewhere. For me, the most indelible moment of their incredible relationship is their wedding night. Yeah, there’s sexytimes. But there’s also lots of talking and nerves and thoughtfulness. When I first read OUTLANDER, this is the part that pushed me over the cliff of completely falling for Jamie Fraser.
GUYSSSS I love this topic! I love historical fiction, although I read less of it nowadays than I like. I was history minor (major for my first two years) in college, so I have an immense soft spot for it. My favorites, as you’ll see shortly, are largely pre-WWI. I’m not a big fan of history that people could see on the news, with one exception. But I geek out HARD for all of these time periods and would read more books set in each one.
Colonial America is life. My number 1, ride-or-die historical period. Love everything about it. EVERYTHING. 
The DRAMA in Venice is outstanding. It’s all just a little bit seedy, and that’s really appealing to me. Sex, scandal, murder, secrets. SIGH. 
I love reading about Native American cultures in their heyday before America was colonized. I haven’t come across all that many books set in these cultures, but the few I have read were very good. 
Ever since I first read LITTLE HOUSE IN THE BIG WOODS, I’ve been infatuated with pioneer life. Between that and the Kirsten American Girl books hooked me.
This one is less for the actual battles than for the society and culture. Soooo many things happening in America, all of it fascinating. 
One of my history professors in college specialized in French history and listening to her talk about it really got me into it. The mess, the death, the murder of the king, the fear, the politics. I’m a nerd for that stuff. 
Mostly thanks to OUTLANDER and Braveheart, honestly. But all the things about this. 
Do you guys watch the TV show Vikings? It’s AMAZING. I was captivated by them long before the show came out, so I’ll read about this culture and their gods anytime. 
Nothing like a little Tara to scratch my mystical historical itches. I especially love this setting in Juliet Marillier’s books. Not historical fiction primarily, but the setting is still fascinating. Druids, guys. Druids. 
Ahh, yes, the setting of all of my favorite historical romances. I love all the things about it. The propriety of calling cards and dances and carriage rides. I’m sure that not every single person in that time was as witty as they appear in the books I read, but I like to pretend.
So this is basically the only modern historical period that I find really interesting. This is partly because of some TV shows that I watched when I was younger: The Wonder Years, which took place during the war in the beginning, and China Beach, a show that I didn’t necessarily watch but my mom did, and I’d sneak downstairs after my bedtime to see it. The culture of this time is what really attracts me. 
I’ve been OBSESSED with the Romanovs since high school. The conspiracy theories surrounding their murder, the movie Anastasia, the fact that they’re all GORGEOUS, the creepiness of Rasputin, it all hooks me right in. I need more of this.
Basically the French version of Regency England. I’ll sign up for that.
DURRRRR, King Arthur and his knights? I love this, and I’d love more of it.
Pilgrims, or early American settlers, like the colony of Roanoke. OMG THAT.
My favorite time period needs some YA representation BIG TIME. Authors? Please?
Yes, more of pioneers too. Give me some covered wagons and some prairies, and I’ll be all over it
