Top Ten Books That Remind Me of Summer

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

This week's topic: Top Ten Books That Should Be In Your Beach Bag or Ten Books That Will Be In My Beach Bag This Summer

I'm adjusting the topic a little bit because I'm not much of a beach-goer. If I DO go, I'll be sure to let y'all know what I brought, but for now I'll just list the top ten books that remind me of summer. And when I say "remind me of summer," I mean for a multitude of reasons. Not just because the book took place in summer (though some of them do!) :)

Fire by Kristin Cashore: I read this book in the summer. I read Graceling in the summer, too, but for some reason, this is the one that resonates with the idea of summer for me. Maybe it's an association thing--fire is hot just like summertime, or the cover is orange red and hotter colors. I'm not sure. All I know is that this book = summer in my mind. Also, this book = Dog Days Are Over by Florence + the Machine.

Rules of Attraction by Simone Elkeles: I really, really like this trilogy. These three were the first books I'd ever picked up by Simone, and I am so grateful I found them. I'm fairly certain these were more that I read in summertime, and this book is my favorite in the trilogy. The romance is another thing that pairs this novel with summer for me. It's sweet, it's fantastic, and that's the way I think.

The Book of Luke by Jenny O'Connell: I BOUGHT this book during the summer of 2010. It was my first trip to a bookstore (Borders!) in Texas, and I was all kinds of excited to spend my money on some books. I flew through this book soon after buying it, and now it sticks out in my mind. The carefree cover helps a lot, too. And if you've ever seen John Tucker Must Die, this is a story sort of like that, but I like this ending way better. This is my favorite JTMD-esque story.

This Lullaby by Sarah Dessen: The story takes place during summer--as do several of Sarah Dessen's novels--and also features one of my favorite Sarah Dessen boys. (Okay, so that's a trick thing, since I love them all even though I probably shouldn't.) Of all of Sarah's summer-set books, this one is always the first one to come to mind. I think this is the first to come to mind of all her novels in general for me. I love Dexter, and this whole story is sweetness personified. There's a lot said about love in here that was so enlightening for me to read--then again, that happens with lots of Sarah Dessen books for me :)

The Story of Us by Deb Caletti: Deb Caletti is one of my favorite contemporary authors, and my favorite book by her is actually Stay which also takes place during the summer, like this one. But this book is the one that reminds me of summer. Maybe it's because I read this one in a summer month. Maybe it's because I wasn't feeling well when I read it. Maybe it's because I cried like a baby at the end, even though I cannot to this day truly understand why. There are lots of reasons why this may be the one of Deb's books that reminds me of summer, but all I know for sure is that it does. And you should read it, because it's fabulous.

The Summer I Turned Pretty by Jenny Han: I didn't read this one in the summer. I actually didn't read any of this trilogy in the summer. We'll Always Have Summer almost made it, but it was the beginning of May. But I didn't need to read these in the summer, since these books are all about summer for people who have been close all their lives. This one isn't as carefree, but it is beautiful and I enjoyed all three of these books absolutely. The love triangle could be quite agonizing, but that didn't take the story down any for me. (By the way, I was Team Conrad. I heart me some Jere, though.)

Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins: Fun, sweet, and adorable, this book is one that I can pick up at literally any time and enjoy. The lightheartedness of it makes it fit perfectly into the summer category of my brain, and St. Clair, y'all. ST. CLAIR. With his accent and his kindness and everything that is him. Goodness, I adore this book.

How to Ruin a Summer Vacation by Simone Elkeles: Yes, another one by Simone. This is actually my favorite trilogy by her. I'm not sure if I have a favorite book within the trilogy, so I'm just listing the first one. I first got into these books in the summer, but even if I didn't I know they'd still be on this list because they fit just like Anna did. They're funny, quirky, and I swoon my face off while reading. Avi is one of my favorite book boys of all time. ALL TIME, GUYS. That's a big deal.

Obsidian by Jennifer L. Armentrout: I was part of the Daemon Invasion in the summer of 2012 (our team ended up winning--check out the dedication in Opal!), and that was when I "officially" started getting into JLA. I read Obsidian in June, and then died inside until August when Onyx came out. Then I read that ASAP and waited forever and a half for book 3. But still, I got into this series and JLA in summer. The beginning of summer, to be exact. These books will always have a strong tie to those months for me, as will they to my favorite song: Mr. Jones by Counting Crows. OH, and it's also worth mentioning that Daemon and Katy's story begins in the summertime. So that's another thing.

Amy & Roger's Epic Detour by Morgan Matson: This book is the epitome of summer reads for me. I read it in the summer, it takes place in the summer, and every summer since I read it, I've wanted to pick it up and take a trip down memory lane with Amy and Roger. It's extremely difficult for me to think of anything I dislike about this book; I just love so much about it. I love Roger, I love Amy, I love their adventure, I love their playlists, I LOVE IT ALL. And goodness, I swooned so hard. The very first book I ever think of when asked about my favorite summer read is always this story about Amy and Roger and their fantabulous detour that I had the best time reading. I can't wait to dig in this summer and read it again! 

And that's my list! Have you read any of them? Do they remind you of summer at all? Let me know! Also, if you did a Top Ten Tuesday post (even if you did it without modifying the topic), link me up so I can check it out! Just because I'm not much of a beach goer doesn't mean I don't want me some super fun beach reads. ;) 

What I Got #29 ♥ I Heart Jessirae!

What I Got is a weekly meme hosted by Monica over at Cover Analysis :)

 

Hey, y'all! So I am sick. If you follow me on Twitter, you've probably seen me whining about it. I lost my voice, have to take the WORST tasting medicine, my mother keeps trying to jam juice down my throat, all that fun stuff. But I'm doing a What I Got post. Because I AM SO BORED. And I didn't make one last week.

 

So yeah. Since I haven't done one of these posts in a couple of weeks, chances are I am totally going to forget something. OH WELL. I already know there's going to be a bunch of books on this list anyway, so I'm not too worried about forgetting books. Life goes on. ;)

 

E-books:

**Click the book covers to see the books on Goodreads**

 

   

    

 

The Forever of Ella and Micha by Jessica Sorensen

I can't even tell you right now how deliriously happy I was when I got approved for this on NetGalley. Like...AHHH! I have the first book (with the original cover) and I thought I wouldn't have a chance in h-e-double hockey sticks of getting approved for the sequel...but I did...and now I have it...and oh, goodness, I can't wait to read it!

 

Truly, Meadly, Deadly by Hannah Jayne

Another one from NetGalley. April Henry was at my school in April, and she was telling a few of us about this book and I must say, the premise? SO. INTERESTING. I kid you not, it is so cool. Check out the description on Goodreads. You'll see.

 

Second Chance Boyfriend by Monica Murphy

Jessirae, being the fantastic person she is, loaned this to me! Because she KNOWS I have a thing for Drew, and it's all her fault since she loaned me One Week Girlfriend, too. I'm probably going to sneak-read this one in between blog tour books because...goodness...DREW.

 

Rule by Jay Crownover

This is another one Jessirae lent me. Mhm. Yeah. Y'all were like "Isn't she going to thank JL?" Well, I AM, PEOPLE. Just not yet. And not now, either. There's more. But this book looks so magnificent, and this is another one I'll probably sneak-read. Because sneak-reading is my specialty.

 

Real by Katy Evans

Priya Kanaparti...that wonderful, wonderful human being...she loaned this to me. And YES. I WILL SNEAK-READ THIS, AS WELL. Because it looks so worth it. Gosh, look at that cover. This is going to be a great series. I can feel it. I just need to meet my boy Remy. THANKS, PRIYA! <3 you to pieces!

 

This Girl by Colleen Hoover

OMGOMGOMG I SAW THIS ON NETGALLEY AND OMGOMGOMG. I got it! Ahhh! Ah, man. I can't wait to read this and review and just...OMG. Feels, guys. Feels.

 

The Hazards of Skinny Dipping by Alyssa Rose Ivy

I'm going to be on the blog tour for this! Around the end of May! So yeah. There's that. And the description for this book...I loved the tone of it. The voice. The MC seems like she's going to be fun. Eeep! Plus. That cover. COME ON.

 

A Summer to Remember by Jessica Gunhammer

Is that the same couple as The Hazards of Skinny Dipping? Looks like it is. HA. I didn't mean to put those right next to each other. Those are just both the books I got in my email this weekend (so far). Or that I sent to my Kindle this weekend...EITHER WAY. At least they aren't the same pose. And that boy...he looks so niiiiice, doesn't he? ANYHOO. This one just looks good. Boy, girl, small town, amazing summer...it'll be fun! *happy dance*

 

For Review:

**From here on out, click on the book titles to get to the Goodreads page for the book!**

All of these are from Spencer Hill Press! There was some swag that came with it, but it was put away (i.e. thrown in a pile somewhere or something) before this pic was taken, so...yeah. Either way, thanks so much to SHP for always making me happy!

 

Triangles by Kimberly Ann Miller

I've been waiting and waiting for this book for a while now. It was even one of my Waiting on Wednesdays, back when I actually, you know, DID WoWs. But this one's about a girl who goes on a cruise and there are two guys and...STUFF happens. What kind of stuff? Well, gee. I do not know. Myabe I should READ THE BOOK and find out, eh? Oh, I plan to. As soon as I possibly can. As soon as I possibly can. (PLEASE, GOODNESS, LET THAT BE SOON.) I want it to be soon.

 

PODs by Michelle Pickett

I saw this one everywhere and it looked so cool. Then I found out it was from SHP and requested it so fast, you don't even KNOW. And now I have it in my hands and....happiness.

 

Copper Girl by Jennifer Allis Provost

I already had an ARC of this, if you remember me telling you that. But another ARC of this came with PODs, so hey. I have an extra! That means I'll probably have a giveaway sometime ;)

 

Bought:

 

Along for the Ride by Sarah Dessen

Sarah Dessen was in Austin! And I met her! And I got a book signed! Yay! She was also giving that snazzy Colby stickers, too! I won a pen with a Dex quote as well, but I didn't think to include that in the pic...oops.

 

Just Listen by Sarah Dessen

This one is for my best friend. That is also what the second Colby sticker is for. I have my own copy of Just Listen I'm going to get signed at ATBF. Because, um, yeah. SARAH DESSEN'S GOING TO BE THERE!!!! (I'm still OMFG about this!)

 

Gifted:

 

When Noonday Ends by Carmen DeSousa

This is a spin-off of Land of the Noonday Sun. Which I LOVED. So yay! Tom is going to be awesome. Eeep! Thank you SO. MUCH. To Carmen for sending this to me.

 

 

Sass & Serendipity by Jennifer Ziegler

Y'all know what TLA is, right? Well, I didn't go. But my librarian did! And because she's so awesome, she got me a signed copy of Sass & Serendipity, plus a couple signed bookmarks (The Collector--AHHH, V! and Splintered by A.G. Howard!), along with a really cool key necklace for the sequel to Splintered, which is going to be called...Unhinged? I think? I can't remember off the top of my head. But still. I thought it was so cool she got me ANYTHING, let along some signed stuff!

 

I got ALLLLL this from Jessirae this morning. Made this sick girl SUPER happy. And made my mom freak out because the packaging was all "dirty." (There was, like, one scuff mark or whatever.) Either way, I put my cinnamon roll down and OPENED this shiz. Gifts, for a few reasons (birthday, Christmas, you know how it is) and just because she likes to give me things like the fabulous friend she is.

 

OH. And the loads of swag. I smiled so hard at the swag. I LOVE IT SO MUCH I JUST WANT TO PET IT ALL DAY EVERY DAY.

 

Crash by Nicole Williams

I AM SO HAPPY SHE GOT ME THIS BOOK. I have wanted to read it for a loooooong time. I was getting ready to start nagging people to get it for me, but then JL was like "Oh, well I got you that for your birthday" and I was like SBDGIUQEBRN! She knows me so well. This is the first in a trilogy, though. Which means SOMEBODY's going to be hearing from me about the other two. Probably my parents. Because I'm like that. Oops. ;) Oh, and in non-whiny news, I am now listening to Hey Jude on repeat. Because yeah. I have a feeling this book is not going to sit on my stack unread for a long time. I've got that happy feeling about this book.

 

Ten by Gretchen McNeil

*MC*Neil, you guys. Not O'Neil. Geez. You should know this. But anyway, it was on my wishlist, and JL knew it, so she gave me an ARC because she's just that wonderful.

 

Tiger Lily by Jodi Lynn Anderson

I hear this one's sad. But it was also on my wishlist, and I really think I like it, and since Jessirae is a terrific human being, she sent me an ARC of this, too!

 

Flawed by Kate Avelynn

I love this book so much, there are not words. It is so sad and I just don't even know right now, but I am so ecstatic to have a print copy, I just...AHH! It's so great! When she told me she was sending me this, I was like "Seriously?!?!" and she was like "I'm totally serious!" and I was like "YOU'RE REALLY SERIOUS RIGHT NOW, LIKE SERIOUSLY?!?!?!!" and she was like "OF COURSE I'M SERIOUS WHY WOULD I NOT BE SERIOUS." So yeah. Happy times, right here. Well, not the book, obviously. But GETTING the book. That made me happy.

 

Frozen Fire by Tim Bowler

Again, if you remember, I checked this out from the library. I'd already read it, but I really liked this book and wanted to peek at my favorite parts again and a whole bunch of other stuff because OMG I actually think I GET this book and it is so great. Well, JL saw that and was like "Well, I have that book and I've already read it and, well, I can send it to you if you want" and I was like "OMFG, REALLY?" and then she was like "Um. Yeah." and I was like "YES PLEASE OMFG" and she was like "OKAY." And now I have it and I'm so happy to add it to my shelf/stack! (Not exactly sure WHERE I'm putting it yet...let's just say I'm glad to own it.)

 

So, Jessirae, I heart you to infinity and beyond. You, my friend, are the flipping BEST. <3

 

And...that is all I got this week! Thank goodness. I am SO. DONE. with this post. Blah.

 

Now, tell me!

 

What did YOU get this week?

 

Have you read anything I got?

 

What book should I read NOW?

 

Have you ever lost your voice? Isn't it TERRIBLE?

 

Don't you think Jessirae is awesome?

 

Okay, that's all. Answer me at least one of those questions in the comments, pllleeeease! And have a great Sunday! (Or have a horrible Sunday, I can't tell you what to do. I hope it's great, though!)

 

♥Jessica(:

Shower of Books Giveaway Hop!

 

I'm a little addicted to these giveaway hops. Is that a bad thing? Hmmm.

 

ANYWAY. What am I going to give away?

 

Good question.

 

Seriously. I have no idea yet.

 

Showers of Books...

 

BookS.

 

I feel like that means it should be more than one...

 

Okay. I know what I'm giving away.

 

I met Sarah Dessen today. She is FABULOUS, you guys. I kid you not, she is great. Also, she's going to be at Austin Teen Book Festival.

 

And since I met her and all that stuff, her books (and especially her book boys) are on my mind. So I'm going to give away TWO of her books. Ones with a couple of her boys that gave me the very most feels.

 

  

Just Listen and This Lullaby by Sarah Dessen

 

Dex and Owen...THOSE TWO. Ahhhh. "Silence is so freaking loud." That quote. Just ahh. And Dex...I CAN'T EVEN with him right now. I won a pen with a quote from him on it. You know the one. "You know, when it works, love is pretty amazing. There's a reason for all those songs."

 

GOODNESS GRACIOUS, MY HEART.

 

I love those boooooys. *swoon*

 

But enough of me and my swoons. Read on for the details!

 

Oh, look! DETAILS!

- ONE winner will be randomly chosen to recieve paperback copies of BOTH books listed above.

- Oh, hey, y'all. Are you an international follower? Because, um, hey. THIS GIVEAWAY IS INTERNATIONAL.

- My giveaway policy applies, as it always does by giveaways run by ME.

- Enter through the Rafflecopter below for a chance to win!

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

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

 

 

 

♥Jessica(: