Top Ten Most Intimidating Books

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted over at The Broke and the Bookish!

 

When I first saw today's topic, I was all like "HOW AM I EVER GOING TO THINK OF ENOUGH BOOKS?!?!?!!" Then I sat down and actually thought about it. My list was actually pretty hefty. You'd be amazed how many books intimidate me. I have learned that I am seriously afraid of books.

 

So, with that in mind, here is the list...

 

My Top Ten Most Intimidating Books:

 

Sweet Evil by Wendy Higgins

 

I have had conversations with SEVERAL people about this. All of my favorite bookish people have told me that I must read this book, and yet I have not. Because of all of the books, this one, hands down, intimidates me the most. I am terrified to read it. There is so much hype and so many people telling me I'm going to love it, I am constantly worried that I won't. I mean, I already heart Kai (he was even interviewed on my blog in February!), but still. I. Am. So. Scared. AHHHHHHHHH. I really want to get to this one soon, though. Wendy Higgins is a lovely person, and the people I trust the most with bookish opinions are in love with this book, so it should turn out fine. I'm just a big baby.

 

Obsidian by Jennifer L. Armentrout

 

Are we supposed to include books we've already read? Oh well. I am, because before I read this book, I was actually worried I would not like it. I chuckle at that now, because this book is complete awesome sauce (as is Jen), but there was also loads of hype around this book and a long line of people assuring me I'd love it. Fun fact: When people tell me I'm going to love something, I usually do, but only after freaking out about it for a good while. But then I had this book in my hands, and I was soooooooo happy, and I had finished my current read, so I was like "Welp. Why not?" And started it. And now here I am, 13 months later, a big time JLA fangirl. Funny how life goes, eh?

 

Bloodlines by Richelle Mead

 

I've already read this one as well, but this was different than Obsidian. I wasn't worried because of hype before I read it. I just spent a good amount of time psyching myself out. Reading negative reviews on Goodreads, imagining all the ways this book could not be what I wanted it to be. But then I got bored, sat down, and read it, and I heart it. Adrian is as amazing as ever, y'all. <3

 

The Host by Stephenie Meyer

I haven't read it. I'm not even sure I will. But...darn it, that movie just came out (which I have not seen) and now I'm all kinds of curious about this freaking book. But it is MASSIVE, and apparently about aliens? Ha, and not the hot kind? I don't even know. I checked it out from the library once but never got to it because, again, it is ginormous. So now I stall. Maybe I'll read it, maybe I won't, but for now it intimidates me from afar.

 

Never Fade by Alexandra Bracken

 

I LOVELOVELOVED the first book, The Darkest Minds. One of my favorite books. And that is exactly where my fear comes in. The sequel. Holy crap, you guys. This is surely going to be highly emotional and heart-killing. And what if I don't like it as much as the first one? And my biggest fear of all--WHAT IF CHUBS DIES?!?! I mean, I obviously want things to work out with my boy Liam and his accent and that "darlin'" thing he does that sets my heart aflutter. But Chubs...I can't even go there. So yeah. This book scares me. It's on my Kindle as we speak, and I'll surely give in soon.

 

Apollyon by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Oops. I usually try to keep my lists to one book per author just because, but this book needs to be on the list. Why? Because...DON'T THROW ROCKS AT ME, Y'ALL...I'm still working on this one. I am such a sequel-phobe. Whenever it comes to continuing a series, I get scared. Plus, I read the first three books back to back, so then when I had to wait for this one, I actually settled down for enough time that I actually thought of things to worry about. Goodness knows what Jen's going to do this time. But I am halfway through and am actually actively reading this book now. So I should finish it soon and then let you all laugh with me at how I had no reason to be scared and we can all anticipate Sentinel together. WOOT!

 

The Raven Boys by Maggie Stiefvater

 

I have read Maggie's Shiver trilogy (looooooved). I have read The Scorpio Races (I'm pretty sure I loooooved that even more). So now I sit here with this other book of hers in front of me, worrying that this one won't live up to the awesomness I had created in my mind that this book should be. I'm fairly certain I'm just being silly. I'm probably going to love this book to pieces. But still.

 

Just One Day by Gayle Forman

 

If I Stay was magnificent. Where She Went was as well. Adam Wilde is so...OHMYGOSH. So now there is another book by the author, and another boy, and I worry. Plus, said boy isn't in the whole book? Which worries me because as much as I try to be a well-rounded reader, romance is my thing. But then...I DID love the author's other two books...so I don't know. This book just conflicts me. PLUS, Just One Year's going to be in Willem's POV. If anything, I should read this book to be ready for that. But...gah! See? Books terrify the crap out of me.

 

Forever Too Far by Abbi Glines

I have a huuuuuuuuuuuuufe Rush Crush. I mean, come on. How could I not? But a) this is the last book in the trilogy and b) what could possibly happen for another book to be necessary? Seriously, Never Too Far seemed like it was THE END. But then there was this book and I was SO HAPPY! But now that I have it, I am so scared of being disappointed. I am also reluctant to end this series. There are the spinoffs, but stiiiiill. This one. Right here. Is going to end. Waaaaah.

 

The Death Cure by James Dashner

 

I'm not worried about what will happen at all. I'm not afraid of the outcome or what James Dashner is going to do to his characters. I mean, I'll care when I'm reading it, but that's not what keeps me from having enough confidence to read this book. I've had an ARC of this for FOREVER now. Since before I started my blog. (Got it for free at my library.) My reason here is I simply don't want the trilogy to end. BOOM. That's it. I picked up the first book forever ago not expecting at all to love it as much as I did. Then I moved on to the sequel and loved that as well. Now I just don't want to end this greatness. I will sometime. But until then, I am too much of a scaredy cat. ;)

 

What do you think of my list? What would you put on YOUR list?

 

♥Jessica(:

Top Ten Books I've Read in 2013 So Far

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme host over at The Broke and the Bookish!

 

I'm not sure what order to put these in, so they aren't really in order. Also, Ten Tiny Breaths by K.A. Tucker is an honorable mention. So, yeah...

 

My Top Ten Books Read in 2013 So Far:

 

The Darkest Minds by Alexandra Bracken

I rave about this book all the time. IT IS SO FANTASTIC OHMYGOSH AHHHHH

One of my favorite books EVER, not just this year. It's rare that I read a book and I can't think of anything I do not like about the book. But...I honestly have trouble thinking of anything negative about this book.

 

The Collector by Victoria Scott

Dante's MY BOY. Goodness, this boy. LOVE. His book also sits on my all-time favorites shelf. Both literally and figuratively (Goodreads).

Oh, and V. That girl can WRITE. Also, I heart her face, but that has nothing to do with the book.

 

Beautiful Disaster by Jamie McGuire

Travis Maddox. There's just something about that guy...I don't know what it is exactly, but I LOVE it.

 

The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky

I have no words. It is just so wonderful.

 

 The Fault in Our Stars by John Green

Now I REALLY have no words. Just tears.

My first John Green book, and it has definitely ensured that I'm going to read more. I need to put time in between them, though. My heart can't take them all at once.

 

Hopeless by Colleen Hoover

I read this book only because I couldn't find any spoilers to tell me just what the what happens in this book to make everyone cry so freaking much after reading it. But now...I adore Colleen Hoover. Holder is one of my favorite book boys of all time. And Hopeless is one of my favorite books. Well played, Colleen. Well played.

 

Wait For You by J. Lynn

It's a book by JLA. Obviously I expected to love it. But I didn't expect to love it THIS much. I think about this book all the time now. I'll be having a conversation and for no reason whatsoever be reminded of Cam and Avery. Or I'll be eating a freaking COOKIE and start giggling because of Cam's cookies.

 

Hehehe

 

Stolen by Lucy Christopher

Oh, this book. This book just affects me so much, there is no way I can't admit it's one of my favorites. I just THINK about this book...and Ty...enough and I start tearing up/CRYING MY FACE OFF. But I love it. And Ty. Even though I probably shouldn't.

AHH I'm so conflicted.

 

One Week Girlfriend by Monica Murphy

Drew + Fable just make me happy dance. That's all there is to it.

Monica Murphy's got skill, also.

 

A Different Blue by Amy Harmon

My favorite word to use when talking about this book is "stunning." Because it without a doubt IS. And I still want to name something Darcy. Or Wilson. Or one thing Darcy and another thing Wilson. *swoons*

 

And...that's ten!

 

What do you think of my picks? What would YOU pick?

 

♥Jessica(:

The Best Book Ever Hop!

  Oh, how I loooove giveaway hops...   So, hey, y'all! This one is where I'm supposed to give away THE BEST BOOK EVER.   Seriously.   Or, well. I'm supposed to give away a book that would fit into one of the categories for the best book ever.   What list, you ask? Well, golly geee, you guys. THIS LIST.   The one I'm linking RIGHT HERE.   HERE.   HERE.   Got that? Goooood.   So now this leads me to...ME. What am I giving away? To y'all?   You see, what I think "best book ever," I think of three books. Which is terrible I know, but still--it's true.   1. The Collector by Victoria Scott     2. The Darkest Minds by Alexandra Bracken     3. Obsidian by Jennifer L. Armentrout     Oh, and not necessarily in that order. It was just a big brainstorm-type thing. But I think all three would fit on those categories somewhere...   Oh, and I know at least one person is going to ask me on Twitter or something--why Obsidian? Why not Onyx or Opal? Well, because Obsidian was the first one. Therefore, I feel like the first one should be the one here right now.   So yeah. Read on for the actual giveaway details!   Detaaaaaaaails! - ONE winner will be randomly selected to receive ONE of the books listed above. - If you've already read/own Obsidian and want to choose Onyx or Opal instead, I'm okay with that. - My giveaway policy applies, as always, so make sure you read it! - This giveaway is INTERNATIONAL! I heart you guys. - Fill out the Rafflecopter below for a chance to win!  

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

Thank you so much for entering! Now, hop on, good people!

 

 

♥Jessica(:

Top Ten Tuesday: Books I Thought I'd Like MORE/LESS Than I Did

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish!

 

Books I Thought I'd Like LESS:

 

The Darkest Minds by Alexandra Bracken

This one is a big deal for me, because if you've seen my review or heard me talk about it, you'd know that this is one of my favorite books EVER. But before I actually, you know, READ it, I was soooo skeptical, and I did not think this would be my cup of tea. I thought it was interesting, but I thought I'd get bored with it. I WAS SO FREAKING WRONG.

 

 

The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky

My friend Dolly pretty much verbally abused me until I agreed to read this one. And, oh sweet goodness, I am so thankful now. I thought this book would be so dry and take forever--even though it's a small book. But I read this book in less than a day and wish soooo much that I owned it so I could look back on this perfect awesomeness as much as I want. Goodness, y'all...*TEARS*

 

 

Stolen by Lucy Christopher

I'd had my eye on this one for a while but was always too much of a wimp to actually grab it and give it a chance. But then one day, I was sitting in the library and decided "WHY THE HECK NOT?!?!" and checked it out. 24 hours later, I was crying myself to sleep about Ty and..just...goodness. Love. Love love love.

 

 

Love's Forbidden Flower by Diane Rinella

Because of the content of this book, I kind of doubted how much I'd really enjoy it. But then I started reading it....and I was freaking HOOKED. Now I wish Christopher was real and am dyyyying for book 2.

 

 

Daughter of Smoke & Bone by Laini Taylor

I made a whole bunch of assumptions about this book before I read this one. Then I read it and was a MESS and wanted to slap myself around a bit for being so stupid. This book is FANTASTIC, guys.

 

Books I Thought I'd Like More:

 

 

As I Wake by Elizabeth Scott

This book had such an interesting premise and I really liked a few of her other books. But this one? Did not work for me. I got so confused and it just ended up giving me a headache. I'm still a fan of Elizabeth Scott, though!

 

 

The Temptation by Alisa Valdes

I thought this one would have everything I looked for in a book--cool paranormal stuff, a swoon-worthy boy, and a character that made me laugh. This one did, but all of that was given to me in cliches that I just did not like.

 

 

Halo by Alexandra Adornetto

Ohmygoodness, this book. It looked like something I'd love, all angels and love. And at first, I actually thought I kind of liked it. But then it sat on my mind and I was thinking about it and thinking about it and...no. Just no. No just no. These books do not work for me. None in the trilogy. Boring characters, a plot that I simply do NOT like. My biggest problem with this trilogy was the change in Gabriel. jut...ugh! I hope Adornetto writes something new so I can read it and love it. But for now, this author is not on my happy list.

 

 

That Summer by Sarah Dessen

I know what you're going to say, okay? I KNOW. But I'm not saying I hated this book. I actually very much enjoyed this book. But not as much as I thought I would. This was my second-to-last Sarah Dessen book I read--I'd read all of them except What Happened to Goodbye before this one. And that was only because What Happened to Goodbye wasn't released yet. But compared to her other novels, this one was just not as good to me. I love her other ones better. SO, DO NOT GET ME WRONG. I heart Sarah Dessen and her books more than I can say. But this one was not as fabulous as I thought it'd be. That is all.

 

The Mephisto Covenant: The Redemption of Ajax by Trinity Faegen

I love Jax. So much. But this book, overall? Did not live up to my expectations at all. It was a lot of repeated back-and-forth, fickleness. That bothered me. There WERE parts that I got all googly-eyed over, but I still thought I'd like this book more. Nevertheless, Ajax? Is in my heart.

 

Okay, that's ten, y'all! I think. Let me check...

 

Yep. That's ten.

 

Do you do Top Ten Tuesday? Link me up!

 

What do you think of my list? Let me know!

 

If you do Teaser Tuesday, feel free to link me there, too. Just because I'm not doing that right now does not mean that I don't like to be teased! :)

 

♥Jessica(:

No Strings Attached Giveaway Hop!

 

So. A giveaway. WHAT could I be giving away? Well, if you've been hanging around my blog, you'll know that I have a new favorite book. Or, new favorite book that is not written by JLA. And I think EVERYONE should read it. So I'm giving away...

 

 

I just love that cover.

 

Anyway, yeah. The Darkest Minds by Alexandra Braken!

 

This book is so amazing, I can't even, you guys. AHH!

 

Now back to the part where I give one of you lovely people a copy of this marvelous book:

 

Details!

- This giveaway is INTERNATIONAL! Everyone deserves a chance to read this book, y'all.

- My giveaway policy DOES apply for this one. Make sure you've read it.

- One winner will be randomly chosen to recieve one copy of The Darkest Minds, the super awesome book by Alexandra Braken

- Fill out the Rafflecopter form below and good luck, you guys!

 a Rafflecopter giveaway

Hop on, good people! Enjoy the awesomeness!



♥Jessica(:

Review: The Darkest Minds by Alexandra Bracken♥

The Darkest Minds by Alexandra Bracken
Release Date: December 18, 2012
Format: ARC, 498 pages
Publisher: Disney Hyperion
Series: The Darkest Minds #1
Source: Gifted from Anna!!

Description from Goodreads:
When Ruby woke up on her tenth birthday, something about her had changed. Something alarming enough to make her parents lock her in the garage and call the police. Something that gets her sent to Thurmond, a brutal government “rehabilitation camp.” She might have survived the mysterious disease that’s killed most of America’s children, but she and the others have emerged with something far worse: frightening abilities they cannot control.

Now sixteen, Ruby is one of the dangerous ones.

When the truth comes out, Ruby barely escapes Thurmond with her life. Now she’s on the run, desperate to find the one safe haven left for kids like her—East River. She joins a group of kids who escaped their own camp. Liam, their brave leader, is falling hard for Ruby. But no matter how much she aches for him, Ruby can’t risk getting close. Not after what happened to her parents.

When they arrive at East River, nothing is as it seems, least of all its mysterious leader. But there are other forces at work, people who will stop at nothing to use Ruby in their fight against the government. Ruby will be faced with a terrible choice, one that may mean giving up her only chance at a life worth living.

Congratulations to The Darkest Minds for being the first book of 2013 to make me cry.

Even bigger congratulations for being my new favorite non-JLA book.

Yeah. I loved it that much. This book...this book was amazing. It's hard for me to even explain, but I'm going to try, and I'm not going to use a bunch of gifs to do it because this book...there is no easy way out in this book.

Let's think for a second. Let's go back to the crying thing. Now, I'm a big baby. A huge baby. When a book is sad, I tear up. Sometimes, if it's sad enough, I cry. But even though I am a big baby, I don't CRY LIKE A BABY all that much while reading books. That's just not how it usually goes. Sure, a tear or two here and there, but SOBBING? Not often.

I sobbed for this book.

As I said, doesn't happen often. From what I can remember, I've only cried a bunch for:
- Night by Elie Wiesel
- The Story of Us by Deb Caletti
- The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton
- Pure by Jennifer L. Armentrout
- Flawed by Kate Avelynn

And that's IT. Anything else I've cried for, was not that big of a deal, not really. I mean, I probably did hyperventilate like I said or something for those ones, but actually holy-crap-I-can't-stop-crying? Did not happen.

And, if we're being honest, The Darkest Minds caused me to cry like I have never cried for a book before. Just...wow.

Now, if it made me cry so much WHY is it my favorite? Why?

Well, first of all, Alexandra Bracken is a kickass writer. She can WRITE. I mean, obviously, if she can make me cry like that, but she made me laugh, too. And she made my jaw-drop, and she kept me reading when I might have given up on the book otherwise. The author did an AMAZING job with this book. The premise was magnificent and execution flawless. I admit, if this story had been told in any other way, I probably would have put it down. I normally don't go for this kind of thing. I mean, we don't even meet the other big main characters until 100 pages in. But Alexandra Bracken..well, she did her job so freaking well.

And then the characters...OH MY GOODNESS, the characters.

Character Rundown:
Ruby: For all intents and purposes, I should have hated Ruby. She lied, she did things I wanted to slap her for, and she wasn't open enough. But I love this chick. Why? Because she's logical. Stick a 10 year old girl in a camp like THAT for 6 years while she hides the secret of WHO SHE IS and then pull her out, and I have no doubt Ruby is what should come out. And goodness gracious, I understand her. I get the way she thinks, even though I wish she could be different sometimes. I get it and I know and I just...Ruby's a great character.

Liam: Awww, my little southern boy. I never failed to smile when he used the word "darlin'." Even at the end. He's such a purely GREAT person. Confident and sure of himself, but not in an arrogant way. More in a helpful, kind way. I love this boy. He's exacly what Ruby needs. Ohmyflippinggoodess, he is EXACTLY what she needs.

Chubs: Charles. Oh, man, Chubs was my favorite character in this book. He's so loyal and caring and determined. He knows what he wants and goes for it. He knows who he likes and takes care of them. And he...he knows what to do...and does it. He's smart. He's funny. He dreams about food a lot. Goodness, I can't even say much more. "My favorite character" should tell you how amazing he is.

Bad guy: So, yeah, there's a bad guy. I'm not going to tell you his name because that's part of the mystery! He could be anybody. ANYBODY. You might guess him, you might not. Personally, I DID guess him, but then changed my mind farther into the book. It just didn't add up at that point. Anyway, this bad guy. He toyed with my emotions a bit. I mean, not once did he really fool me--I was very suspicious around him--but I'm also one to care for characters I shouldn't. This guy was no exception. Now, I want to beat the crap out of this guy just like anyone else does. But he was a great villain. That's all I'm going to say. I'm trying SO HARD not to spoil for you guys.

Plot. A big chunk of the beginning was world building. As I said, we don't meet our awesome companions until about 100 pages in. That does not mean those first 100 pages were horrid, though. Those first 100 pages are the ones that would usually bore me to the point of giving up.

I didn't give up.

Which means they held my attention. I didn't even get bored. Again, as I already said: Alexandra Braken can WRITE. Very, very well. And then after we met Liam and Zu and Chubs...well, I loathed to put the book down. It was interesting and kept me on my toes and made me happy and sad and it was just a whirlwind of TERRIFIC.

Sweet things. There is romance. In that aspect, Liam's our boy. Sweet, and--as I said, because I just can't stop repeating myself--exactly what Ruby needs. And then there's Zu, the sweet little girl. And there is Chubs. Who did not like Ruby AT ALL at first, but grew to love her just as he did with Zu and Liam. That was my favorite growth in this book--how the four of them grew together. They're just super great friends and I loved it. So loyal to each other and willing to do anything...ANYTHING...for one another. I had fun with the Liam and Ruby relationship, too. Which I've already explained.

The ending. This is where I have no clue what to say. It was a GREAT ending. I want the next book now. Right this second. This is probably going to be one of my favorite trilogies ever, if not #1. But then again...it was so heartbreaking. It took me so long to read the last 20ish pages or so because I was just CRYING. Everything...it was just...it all falls apart. And then Ruby, she takes care of it! I swear, I can't imagine a different way for her to deal with that situation. But that doesn't make it any less sad.

Overall, one of my favorites EVER. Wonderful writing, badass characters, and so much emotion. I lovelovelove this book so much. If you ask me, YOU should definitely read it. I can't imagine NOT reading it. It's not very lighthearted, but it is definitely a magnificent story that will stick with you. I know it's sticking with me.

Thanks a million to Anna for giving me this book. There aren't enough words in the world to explain how grateful I am.

♥Jessica(: