Top Ten Blogging Confessions

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

This week's topic: Top Ten Blogging Confessions

My Top Ten* Blogging Confessions: 

1. I am the absolute worst at keeping a schedule by myself. When it comes to blog tours and whatnot, I'm fine. I have a deadline and I GOT THIS. People are counting on me for that post to be up and I get that bugger up, even if I have to stay up until some unmentionable hour in the morning to make it happen (*cough* possibly today... *cough*) But when it comes to reviews that are all me? I AM TERRIBLE. I keep my reading up just fine, but review-writing/posting on an actual schedule doesn't work very well for me. It just happens when it happens.

2. I read every single comment everyone ever posts on my blog, but I suck at replying. Partly because of TIME, but mostly because I always wonder if anyone actually comes back to check. The blogger comment system thingy doesn't alert you or anything if a person replies, so if you don't come back to see my reply, then you'll never know I replied, and that just makes me sad. (If I started replying, would you come back and look?)

3. I am a mood reader. BIG TIME. I have tried and tried to change this and be the type of person who can have a set TBR who never has to worry about whether or not they've read a book on time to review it. But I just can't. It never fails to end terribly for me. When I FORCE myself to read a book strictly because I want to review it on a certain date, I end up liking that book less than I would have if I'd waited until I was in the mood to read it, and that's just not fair. To anybody. 

4. My list of books I've read? It's a lie. Sort of. Remember what I said in #3? (You should, since you just read it.) I'm a mood reader. I read things when I feel like it, when they look good to me. So let's say I'm on a blog tour and I get this book. It lands in my inbox and I'm all excited about it, happy dancing around the house like a lunatic. But OH WAIT. I'm in the middle of some other book. I'm not breaking that up in the middle and, technically, I shouldn't/don't/wouldn't have time to read the book that just landed in my inbox. So I read it anyway. I read it fast--like in a few hours--but don't mark it on Goodreads or anything. Then, when I'm about to review the book for the blog tour, I re-read it real fast and mark it then. So it's all an illusion because I'm paranoid, as if anyone actually cares when I read what. 

5. I am the most self-conscious person ever. I know, I know. A lot of people read that and are like "HA NO. That's me." But seriously. I am so critical of everything I do, and that kind of doubles as far as blogging goes. I have so many ideas for things, I have so many things I want to do, but I worry so much about how they'll be received. And not even because I think people would think it's stupid. More because I think people just WOULDN'T NOTICE. And that would make me sad.

6. I'm pretty sure I have more blogging friends than real life friends. Which is so sad. I should try to fix this. But I'm not very good with people. I'm the absolute BEST at saying the wrong things, and am so bad at talking about things that other people might like. I'm good at talking with my family, I'm good at talking about books/authors I love, and I'm good at talking about The Walking Dead. And a few other things, but they don't do much for me, either.

7. My bookshelves are almost always a mess. Part of the reason for that is probably the fact that I have too many books for my bookshelves. I have a bunch of stacks in my closet area for the books that don't fit on my shelves--and most of those books are unread. Another part of the reason for this is because I am an obsessive re-reader. Not whole books or anything--I try to keep that to one a month, since I started my monthly re-read (though I need to be sure to do that this month, since I missed June!). I like to re-read my favorite parts of books. Sometimes because I need a laugh, sometimes because I need my heart to flutter, sometimes because I need to cry, and sometimes because I just remembered that one part in that one book and can't concentrate on anything else until I've read that part again. So I'll grab the book, do my little re-read, and then it'll end up in a stack on my bedside table/next to my bed. You could tell what my favorites are if you kept an eye on which books spent more time next to my bed than in their place on the shelf. 

8. I rarely ever--like, so rare that it's in the neighborhood of NEVER--read in silence. I always have music playing. My radio, a CD that I'm in the mood for, or whichever Pandora station I'm currently obsessed with (last was Eminem, now it's Dave Matthews Band). This is how I make such strong connections between some books and specific bands/songs/albums. Paramore's Brand New Eyes album never fails to make me thing of The Vampire Diaries books and other beautiful series by L.J. Smith. Because that's what I listened to as I read them. Lady Gaga's Bad Romance will forever take me back to the third and fourth Night World books by L.J. Smith (and also, Canada). Listening to music just enhances my reading experience, and helps me focus, in a way. 

9. I wish I was better at designing things. I want so badly to have one of those super fabulous blogs, the kind that make you wonder who the eff did that for them and then you find out OH WAIT. They did. HOOOOOOW? I heart the way my blog looks now--which is a huge improvement to how it started out, let me tell you--but still. I also wish I could make better graphics for things and knew more about how to work things like Photoshop and Gimp and whatever to make cool stuff. I just really, really like pretty things.

10. My NetGalley feedback ratio? Is so embarrassing. Like, I can't even. A big part is that I forget to input my reviews. And then all at once I go back to do it all, and end up getting bored after three. So it's a slow going process for me. But the other part is the fact that I have a couple super good autoapprovals and a twitchy finger. And the OTHER part is that I've had my NG account for a while. Like since before I really got a grasp on everything and went cray cray with being able to review things. I was so stupid, and I'm paying for it now, but I'll deal. I mean, how terrible could it be to read a bunch of books and write some reviews? There are worse things. 

I think a lot of people have bad NG ratios, though, right? We're all trying to make ours better. I think that's a big focus of mine this summer. Because why not?

11. I. Feel. So. Much. Pressure. I love blogging. I love it more than I could ever describe. I've made so many friends this way, and I enjoy having a place where people don't think my book talk is stupid. Where people don't get pissed because all I ever seem interested in is reading and books and Jennifer L. Armentrout (yes, this is an argument that has been had in real life--"Oh, it's not about Jennifer L. Armentrout, so clearly you don't want to talk about it." It was a stupid conversation). But goodness, it feels so hard to keep up sometimes. In real life, I tend to be the kind of person who looks in on other people doing their thing. The quiet kid in the back of the classroom laughing at the jokes everyone else makes. That's kind of carried over to me in the blogging world, too. There are so many people and I have so many friends, but it's hard to match up. I haven't read that book everyone else has (but goodness, I'm working on it!), I don't do all the cool stuff everyone else does, I don't have as great of a handle on things as everyone else does, and I'm straight-up not as good at what I do (but I try!). I feel pressure to live up to what everyone else does. And I know it's stupid--I know, I know, I know--but I can't help it. 

Then again, I'm kind of having a pity party right now, aren't I? I need to move on with my life. I liked this post, though. It was a nice little vent. I'll need to do it again sometime. :)

*Eleven

So, what do you think? What are your blogging/bookish confessions? Did you do a TTT post? Link me up! 

Top Ten Books I've Read in 2014 So Far

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

This week's topic: Top Ten Books I've Read So Far This Year

Scary Modsters...and Creepy Freaks by Diane Rinella: This book was so fun and quirky. I had a darn good time reading it, and with all that unique feel mixed with Diane's fabulous writing, this book was absolutely fantastic.

Stir Me Up by Sabrina Elkins: A sweet romance, a soldier, and a little twist that sets it apart from other books like it. I flew through this book and cannot WAIT for the next book by Sabrina Elkins. I also love how this book rides the line between YA and NA. It has a theme that gives off a NA vibe (to me, anyway), but the MC is still in high school. I just really want to cuddle this book.

Rome by Jay Crownover: It's not a secret that I heart me some Jay Crownover. I mean, I WAS Rule's advocate in the NA Crush Tourney last year. So the fact that Rome is my new fav Marked Men book is kind of a significant fact. I loved this one, and Rome and Cora were just great. SO GREAT, Y'ALL.

Be with Me by J. Lynn: I fell in love with Jase in the first chapter. The first. Effing. Chapter. Yeah, he ticked me off throughout the story, but my love was established early on so I was a fan of him, and I really liked Tess, and this book was completely up my alley. As are all of JLA's books.

King Cave by Scarlett Dawn: We remember that huge crush I had on Ezra, yes? Well, that crush has now exploded into something I don't even have a word for, thanks to this book. This was the first book I read this year and it was the PERFECT read to kick off a year of great books. I loved it and even though this one was quite long, it felt way too short. Remind me, when does King Tomb come out again?

A Tale of Two Centuries by Rachel Harris: I highly enjoyed My Super Sweet Sixteenth Century and I was expecting to go in and like this one the same way. Then I actually picked it up and NOPE. I loved this one sooooo much more, which baffles me since I had such a great time with the first one. But it happened and I loved it and this book makes me feel so happy!

Tiger's Curse by Colleen Houck: Tigers (tiger SHIFTERS, no less) and romance. Need I say more? I think not.

Better off Friends by Elizabeth Eulberg: A cute story about friends growing into more and the struggles and accompany that process. This one was dual POV, which is something I adore, and I loved how this one started from when the two MCs met, instead of just jumping into their relationship and trying to catch us up to speed with explanations and whatnot. I fell for Levi and his realistically adorable tendencies and Macallan (dear god please tell me I spelled that right) with her stubborn need to stand up for others. These two characters were so perfect for each other and I ADORED their story so much.

The Warrior by Victoria Scott: Oh, Dante. Trust Victoria Scott to give us an ending like this. It was so magnificent, I just...I can't even. I laughed (because Dante's a hoot, as is Max and I mean...fanny packs), I cried (because REASONS), and I freaking loved this book. Whenever anyone asks me which book in this trilogy is my favorite, I'm always floored because I'm not sure. It's a tie between the first one and this one. Because this one is so kickass and such a phenomenal ending. I honestly can't imagine a better ending for Dante Walker and his people. POW!

Best Kind of Broken by Chelsea Fine: My favorite New Adult book! I felt so many things while reading this book. At one point, I legit hated it. But then I reached a point (30something percent through, if I'm not mistaken) and I realized how much I loved this book. The characters were so raw and I really enjoyed watching them work through their issues while trying to deal with each other at the same time. It was hard for them, and that made it even more wonderful when they finally found it, you know? Their own new little normal. Goodness, I love this book so hard.

What are your favorite books you've read so far this year? Have you read any of mine? Are there any books that aren't on this list that I NEED to have in my life ASAP?

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. ;) 

Top Ten Books That Made Me Cry

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

This week's topic: Top ten books that made me cry.

And here we go, in no particular order...

This one is completely obvious. If you have even the faintest clue as to what this book is about, then you can easily guess why this book is on this list. I just... AUGUSTUS WATERS. And he lit up like a Christmas tree, Hazel Grace. And I'm on a roller coaster that only goes up, my friend. And I NEED TO STOP.

I cry for pretty much every character in this book. Even Sarah. A lot for Sam. And especially for James. I've said it before and I'll say it again--he could have been the best person, big brother, EVERYTHING if only he hadn't grown up the way he did. Just. GOODNESS. This book gives me feels.

 

 TY. Ohmygod Ty. I can't think about this book too long without crying. I can't even LOOK at this book too long without crying. And I'm pretty sure I'm crying for all the wrong reasons. Well. The right reasons for me. I can't even. 

 

It was one thing to go through everything from Sky's point of view, including Holder breaking down. But to experience it inside his head? I feel for this guy. And I heart him.

  

"Sometimes life gets in your way.

It gets all up in your damn way." 

 

THAT POEM. "Schooled." Totally made me cry. Also made me love Colleen Hoover even more.

 

 

My very favorite thing about this book is Santana. This was one of the books I read in my early days of reading avidly, and Santana was one of my first book boys. My heart hurts so much for him, but it got light when HE was all lighthearted, too, and I don't even know. All I know is that I cried, and I love Santana. And that this book is one of my all time favorites. Just in case you were wondering. 

 

You know what part got me? That letter. The one Johnny left. Not because I was particularly fond of Johnny (I'm terrible, I know!), but because I was SUPER fond of Dally, and that letter had Johnny telling Ponyboy to "Tell Dally. Tell Dally." And I was all OHMYGOD DALLY. So yeah. That happened. Fun fact: this is the first book I ever remember crying over. 

 

 The part that made me burst into tears in this one was when Charlie reads the poem. You know the poem. I LOVE that poem. But it also stabs my heart. 

 

The ending of this book did a number on my emotions, y'all. Pretty much from Liam's "amazing story of us" until the end, I was fighting tears. That part was one of the sweetest things ever and my heart fell apart all over the darn place. I practically know that whole part by heart now. So I read it and I finished the book and then I spent AT LEAST the next twenty minutes balling like a baby. I am so serious right now. And I love this book so hard, there aren't enough words. 

 

Yes, this is three novels. But I don't care. I'm counting it as one since it's all bound into one book. SO YEAH. This is the book I pick up whenever I need a good cry. Mostly I go to Don't Die, My Love and lose my shiz, but A Rose for Melinda makes me cry, too. I'll Be Seeing You is the sweet to balance out the heartbreaking that fills the other two novels. But on a serious note, I love these books, and Lurlene McDaniel writes some really good books. Goodness. SO MANY TEARS FOR THIS BOOK. So many.

And that's my list! What do you think? What would you put on your list? Did you make a list? I WANT LIIIIINKS! :) 

Top Ten New-to-Me Authors in 2013

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

This week's topic: Top Ten New-To-Me Authors in 2013. 

 

 

And that's my list! What do you think of my list? Are there any authors you think I should know about? And did you make a list? Because if so, I'd love to check it out!

Top Ten Books On My Winter TBR

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

This week's topic is, as you can tell from the title, the Top Ten Books on My Winter TBR. My TBR is freakishly long, so I have no idea how I'm going to narrow this down. But I shall try. 

 

And that's my ten! Did you make a list? I WANT TO SEE IT. Link me up! And tell me what you think of mine. Which ones should I read first? Anything that you think SHOULD have been on this list? Tell me. I don't care how long my TBR is--I have no problem with making it longer ;)

♥Jessica(: