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! :) 

Alienated by Melissa Landers Launch & Nook Giveaway!

Hello, lovelies! Today is the release day for Alienated by Melissa Landers! To kick off this fabulous day, Melissa Landers has written up a short post to get y'all ready for her super great book. WOOT!

~~~

Hey, fiction lovers. I’m author Melissa Landers, and I’m thrilled to announce that my debut YA sci-fi romance, ALIENATED, is finally available from Disney-Hyperion! Cue the dancers and toss the confetti, because it’s been a long wait!

In a nutshell, ALIENATED is the story of valedictorian Cara Sweeney, who gets more than she bargained for when she agrees to host the nation’s first intergalactic exchange student, the gorgeous but emotionally-stilted Aelyx (pronounced A-licks) from planet L’eihr. The tone is light and humorous, but I explore some deeper themes as well.

What do reviewers have to say?

“The storyline is out of this world and character development paired with authentic voice is superb. Filled with intrigue and suspense, this book will appeal to both sci-fi and contemporary YA fiction fans.” –VOYA

“Interstellar relations heat up in this start to a new romantic science fiction series. Landers [explores] larger social, ecological, and ethical issues in this tense, fast-paced read.” –Booklist

“The perfect blend of sizzling romance, action, and suspense.” –#1 New York Times bestselling author Jennifer L. Armentrout

“Smart, funny, and epic. I am now awaiting contact from planet L’eihr.” Julie Cross, bestselling author of Tempest.

“Intergalactic exchange students? Yes, please! I fell in love with this story and couldn’t put it down.” Jodi Meadows, author of Incarnate.

If you like hot, swoony science fiction as much as I do, I hope you’ll give ALIENATED a try. It’s now available in stores and online.

Amazon: http://amzn.to/1eHsLaf

Barnes & Noble: http://bit.ly/1dZqtBI

Book Depo (free international shipping): http://bit.ly/1hzxOfs

Indie Bound: http://bit.ly/1dfZHDW

To celebrate my book birthday, I’m offering one lucky winner a Nook Simple Touch. I’ll even throw in a $25 gift card to Barnes & Noble so you can fill your new e-reader with whatever you want!

Now for the fine print: This giveaway is open to US residents only. (Sorry, international friends, but you need a US billing address to buy digital content on the Nook.) Due to sweepstakes laws, entrants must be 18 years or older to participate.

Best of luck, and happy reading!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Alienated by Melissa Landers 

Release Date: February 4, 2014

Publisher: Disney Hyperion

Series: Alienated #1

Description from Goodreads:

Two years ago, the aliens made contact. Now Cara Sweeney is going to be sharing a bathroom with one of them.

Handpicked to host the first-ever L’eihr exchange student, Cara thinks her future is set. Not only does she get a free ride to her dream college, she’ll have inside information about the mysterious L’eihrs that every journalist would kill for. Cara’s blog following is about to skyrocket.

Still, Cara isn’t sure what to think when she meets Aelyx. Humans and L’eihrs have nearly identical DNA, but cold, infuriatingly brilliant Aelyx couldn’t seem more alien. She’s certain about one thing, though: no human boy is this good-looking.

But when Cara's classmates get swept up by anti-L'eihr paranoia, Midtown High School suddenly isn't safe anymore. Threatening notes appear in Cara's locker, and a police officer has to escort her and Aelyx to class.

Cara finds support in the last person she expected. She realizes that Aelyx isn’t just her only friend; she's fallen hard for him. But Aelyx has been hiding the truth about the purpose of his exchange, and its potentially deadly consequences. Soon Cara will be in for the fight of her life—not just for herself and the boy she loves, but for the future of her planet. 

About the Author 

Melissa Landers is a former teacher who left the classroom to pursue other worlds. A proud sci-fi geek, she isn’t afraid to wear her Princess Leia costume in public—just ask her husband and three kids. She lives outside Cincinnati in the small town of Loveland, “Sweetheart of Ohio.” For more information, or just to say hello, visit www.melissa-landers.com.

Yep, I'm jumping in with my thoughts here real quick. Because this book? Is one that I am absolutely DYING to read, and I'm so excited right now! Does this book look like something awesome or what? AHHHH! 

Okay. That is all. I just needed to get some fangirling out of the way. ;)

 

Final Sneak Peek at FIRE & FLOOD by Victoria Scott!

Today, Victoria Scott sent the final sneak peek of Fire & Flood to those of us in the V Mafia. I am all kinds of excited to share this with you, just like I'm all kinds of excited for everybody to read this awesome book! And we're only three weeks away from the book releasing into the world where ALL OF THE PEOPLE CAN READ IT! I legit cannot wait! *flails*

Final Sneak Peek at FIRE & FLOOD 

“If you are hearing this message, then you have successfully completed the Pandora Selection Process. It also means you are now at the official starting line.”

Around me, Contenders whoop with excitement. Seriously? They’re about to plunge into a wild jungle, and that brings them happiness? Once again, I realize how out of my league I am. I don’t even have a change of clothes, for crying out loud.

“As you may have realized, you are on the outskirts of a rain forest. This will be the jungle part of the course. You will have two weeks to arrive at the jungle’s base camp. You will find this base camp by following the path of blue flags.”

Contestants glance around, immediately looking for the first blue flag. As for me, I’m watching the taillights of the semi and having a massive coronary.

“If you are the first to encounter a blue flag, you may remove it, but you may not remove the stake it is attached to. Doing so will result in immediate disqualification.”

I wonder why anyone would want to remove the flag to begin with. No one else seems concerned by this.

“While the Cure will be awarded to a single winner at the end of the last ecosystem, we will bestow a smaller prize for each leg of the race. The prize for the jungle portion will be monetary.” The woman pauses dramatically. “I’d like to officially welcome you to the Brimstone Bleed. May the bravest Contender win.”

That’s it? That’s all she’s going to say? Because it seriously sounds like she’s wrapping up. So why aren’t I running after the trucks? Why am I not chasing after my only way out of this jungle like my life depends on it? I know the answer — though I wish I didn’t. Cody would do this for me. I am his only hope. I have to believe his cure exists. My only other option is to return home and watch my brother die. If I could even get back home.

I glance around frantically, looking for someone to tell me what to do. The Contenders have formed a long line, the kind you see at the start of a marathon. A few yards down from where I stand — I see him. My throat tightens when I realize his cold blue eyes are locked on me. It’s the guy from the Pandora Selection Process. The serial killer–looking dude who I thought was going to kidney punch me. He glares in my direction like he might take this opportunity to finish what he never started. I raise my hand in a small wave, hoping it says something like: See? Look how friendly I am!

He lifts his own enormous hand. For a moment, I brighten. I think maybe that — even though it looks like he hates every fiber of my being — he’s going to wave back. But he doesn’t. He holds up two fingers — his pointer and his middle — places them under his eyes, and then points in front of us.

Oh no, he didn’t. I think he basically just told me to pay attention. I’m still processing this when the woman’s voice rings in my ear.

“Go!”

 


Fire & Flood by Victoria Scott 
Release Date: February 25, 2014
Publisher: Scholastic Press
Series: Fire & Flood #1

Description from Goodreads:
A modern day thrill ride, where a teen girl and her animal companion must participate in a breathtaking race to save her brother's life—and her own.

Tella Holloway is losing it. Her brother is sick, and when a dozen doctors can't determine what's wrong, her parents decide to move to Montana for the fresh air. She's lost her friends, her parents are driving her crazy, her brother is dying—and she's helpless to change anything.

Until she receives mysterious instructions on how to become a Contender in the Brimstone Bleed. It's an epic race across jungle, desert, ocean, and mountain that could win her the prize she desperately desires: the Cure for her brother's illness. But all the Contenders are after the Cure for people they love, and there's no guarantee that Tella (or any of them) will survive the race.

The jungle is terrifying, the clock is ticking, and Tella knows she can't trust the allies she makes. And one big question emerges: Why have so many fallen sick in the first place?

WHAT DID YOU THINK?!?!?! Are you as excited as I am? Because I am pretty darn pumped right now. WOOT! :)

 

January Wrap-Up & February TBR

Books Read in January:

1. King Cave by Scarlett Dawn

2. Owlet by Emma Michaels

3. Eyrie by Emma Michaels

4. The Essence by Kimberly Derting

5. The Offering by Kimberly Derting

6. Rome by Jay Crownover

7. Stir Me Up by Sabrina Elkins

8. Tears of the Broken by A.M. Hudson

9. Layers by Sigal Ehrlich

10. I Am Legend by Richard Matheson

11. Better Off Friends by Elizabeth Eulberg

Better off Friends by Elizabeth Eulberg

  

Release Date: February 25, 2014

Publisher: Point

Description from Goodreads:

For Macallan and Levi, it was friends at first sight. Everyone says guys and girls can’t be just friends, but these two are. They hang out after school, share tons of inside jokes, their families are super close, and Levi even starts dating one of Macallan’s friends. They are platonic and happy that way.

Eventually they realize they’re best friends — which wouldn’t be so bad if they didn’t keep getting in each other’s way. Guys won’t ask Macallan out because they think she’s with Levi, and Levi spends too much time joking around with Macallan, and maybe not enough time with his date. They can’t help but wonder . . . are they more than friends or are they better off without making it even more complicated?

From romantic comedy superstar Elizabeth Eulberg comes a fresh, fun examination of a question for the ages: Can guys and girls ever really be just friends? Or are they always one fight away from not speaking again — and one kiss away from true love?

 I'm going to be reviewing this on in February, but I'm going to tell you know--this book is cute in more ways than I could ever count. Elizabeth Eulberg writes the most adorable romances that I always fly through, and Better off Friends is definitely an addition to the list of awesome she's got going. 

 Reviews: 
King Cave by Scarlett Dawn

Blog Tours: 
The Offering by Kimberly Derting (Review & Giveaway)
Rome by Jay Crownover (Review & Giveaway)
Stir Me Up by Sabrina Elkins (Review & Giveaway)
Forever Young (Excerpt & Giveaway)
Pieces For You by Genna Rulon (Excerpt & Giveaway)
Layers by Sigal Ehrlich (Review & Giveaway)

Cover Reveals: 
Dracian Legacy by Priya Kanaparti

Extra Stuff: 
Hey There, 2014!
New Things!
Introducing Monthly Re-Reads
The Fault in Our Stars Movie Trailer!

(I am just now noticing how many exclamation points I use when titling my random posts. Wow. I am clearly a very excited person.)

I was going to do a video, but then there was a technological issue and instead of remaking the video for this month, I'm just going to show y'all the books I plan to/hope to read in February! Of course, some of these may change or roll over into March, depending on what goes on. :)



OR (I want to get to one of these but I'm not sure which)
 

Monthly Re-Reads Books:


And that was my January/will be my February! Now, what say you, awesome blog reader?