Top Ten Books I Wouldn't Mind Santa Leaving Under My Tree This Year

 

 Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by the ladies over at The Broke and the Bookish.

 

Christmas is rapidly approaching and all I've heard from the last month or so is, "what do you want for Christmas?" My answer is usually always books, which earns me 'that look' from my husband. Those with significant others probably know which 'look' I'm referring to.

I started this last year sometime, but I was not in a fantasy mood at that time, so I returned it to the library. I really do want to read it because I was enjoying it, so I'd love to own the box set.

I keep hearing about this series, so I really want to check it out for myself. I'm definitely in a fantasy mood.

 

Me Before You killed me earlier this year, and I need to read this one. ASAP.

I have a love/hate relationship with Hoover's books, but that doesn't stop me from wanting to read them all.

 

I NEED THIS BOOK. I read all the others in eBook or got them from the library, so I'm currently waiting for my library to process this book. I'm first in line and I want it immediately.



This isn't out yet, and I haven't read anything by Bracken, but I really like the sound of this book.

 

This is apparently out in the UK, but not here yet and this is another book that I NEED. I loved The Seven Sisters and I can't wait for this.

 

I've heard mixed reviews about this book/series, so I want to check it out for myself.

I need this in paperback to complete my set. I also need to read Clockwork Princess (which I own) and then I can finally read this one.

 

I own all of these in hardcover, but I absolutely love these covers and have started buying them. I own 5-7, so I'd love for Santa to bring me 1-4.

Those are all the books I'd love for Santa to leave under my tree this year. Some of them aren't even out yet, but we all know that Santa is magical. Are there any on here that you'd like to find underneath your tree on Christmas morning?

 

Top Ten Best Books I Read In 2015

As always, Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by the ladies over at The Broke and the Bookish.

Narrowing down my favourite books of the year is next to impossible. In order to do so, I went to Goodreads and these 13 books are the only books to receive the coveted 5 star rating from me this year.

All The Bright Places by Jennifer Niven - This book killed me and broke my heart.

The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah - If you like historical fiction, this HAS to be on your list. It was fantastic!

I'll Meet You There by Heather Demetrios - I loved this one. It felt very authentic and real.

The Lost Girls: Three Friends. Four Continents. One Unconventional Detour Around the World by Jennifer Baggett, Holly C. Corbett, and Amanda Pressner - This made me want to quit my job and travel even more than I already do.

Saint Anything by Sarah Dessen - I was starting to wonder if I was outgrowing Dessen, but after this book, I definitely think I'm not.

Before The Storm and Secrets She Left Behind by Diane Chamberlain - Such a fun duology with an awesome main character.

The Seven Sisters by Lucinda Riley - Another historical fiction, but this one takes place in the past and present. Can't wait to read the rest!

The Blue by Lucy Clarke - Clarke's books have the best settings and always make me long to travel. This one had a bit of a mystery, too.

Those Girls by Chevy Stevens - If you're looking for a thrilling mystery, this is the book you want.

Always The Bridesmaid by Lindsey Kelk - Kelk is hilarious and this one had me laughing out loud.

Me Before You by JoJo Moyes - Another one that broke my heart into a million pieces.

Furiously Happy: A Funny Book About Horrible Things by Jenny Lawson - Lawson is a brilliant advocate for mental illness, but she is also hilarious.

Top Ten New-to-Me Authors I Read in 2015

 

Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by the ladies over at The Broke and the Bookish.

Creating this list, I found I didn't actually read a lot of new authors. There was only about a handful more that I could have added to this list. I should make a goal to change that in 2016. Who knows how many other fantastic authors I'm missing out on.

This is not in any particular order, just the order they showed up in my Goodreads.

Some of these authors are debut authors, like Sabaa Tahir and Susan Philpott so I've only obviously read their debuts. You should check them out if you're looking for a new author. Sabaa Tahir wrote An Ember in the Ashes, which I absolutely loved and was one of my favourite fantasy novels this year. Philpott wrote an exciting cross-Canada story about an underground railway system that helps women in trouble. It's called Blown Red and I have an arc of the second one, Dark Territory, which is set to come out in January.

The others on the list all have multiple books out and some are very well-known. I wrote yesterday about my complicated relationship with Colleen Hoover. My favourite of her books so far is Maybe Someday.

Morgan Rhodes is releasing the fourth book in her Falling Kingdoms series next week and I cannot wait to get my hands on it! Check it out if you're missing Game of Thrones, like I always am.

Lucinda Riley writes historical fiction novels and I read the first book in her newest series called The Seven Sisters and I loved it. I'm impatiently waiting for the next one, The Storm Sister, to come out in the spring.

Emery Lord is a master at writing female friendships and I fell in love with her love of female friendships.

Marissa Meyer writes the Lunar Chronicles series and I should be ashamed that I only read them this year, but I actually loved being able to mostly marathon the series. Winter was an incredible end to the series.

Jennifer Niven wrote All The Bright Places which killed me and I think it's an important book for everyone. It's, of course, being made into a movie so that should be interesting.

Harlan Coben is the author of many suburban thrillers and I love me a good thriller. I seem to get instantly addicted to his books and fly through them.

I've only read one JoJo Moyes books so far, Me Before You, and that book left me a weeping mess. I seriously need to pick up her other books asap.

Top Ten Tuesday: Fall TBR

 

I'm not the greatest at sticking to TBRs because I like to read whatever I'm in the mood for, but I'll try my best. I love fall and everything about it, except that it leads to winter. I hate winter.

My husband loves Halloween and horror, so come October horror movies are constantly on our TV. October always makes me want to read some darker books, so there will be some of those on here.

The Green Mile by Stephen King - I've never read Stephen King (I know), and a co-worker lent me The Green Mile awhile ago, so I should probably get to it. The Green Mile was originally released as a serial. I thought that was really cool, and I'd love to see another book release that way.

Bloodfever by Karen Marie Moning - I read Darkfever earlier this month and liked it. It wasn't super amazing or anything, but it kept my interest and I want to know what happens next.

 

Ink and Bone by Rachel Caine - I'm really interested in checking out the book that has received some Harry Potter comparisons. It sounds good, but nothing will ever live up to Harry Potter.

 

Legacy of Kings by Eleanor Herman - This is a historical fiction YA, which I haven't read much of, so I'm really looking forward to it. Plus, it's beautiful. Look at that cover!

 

Pretending to Dance by Diane Chamberlain - Chamberlain is one of my favourite authors, so I'm definitely excited to check out her new release out on October 6th.

 

The Illegal by Lawrence Hill - I absolutely loved The Book of Negroes (loved so much that I read it in two days), so I cannot wait to get to this. I'm currently #30 in line at the library for this, which means I'll probably end up just buying it.

 

Frozen Tides by Morgan Rhodes - This comes out in December and may end up being a winter TBR book, but who knows. I recently fell in love with the Falling Kingdoms series and think everyone should check it out! This is book 4.

 

Dumplin' by Julie Murphy - I've been hearing nothing but great things about this book, so I definitely need to check it out soon.

 

The Fiery Cross by Diana Gabaldon - I've been feeling the urge to jump back into Jamie and Claire's world, and fall is the perfect time to settle in with this series.

 

The last slot is reserved for the mystery/thrillers that I love so much.

 My mom and I both love them, so we pass them back and forth between us, which is something I really love. The above are just a few that I have waiting for me.

 

What do you plan on reading this season? Are you horrible at sticking to TBRs, too?

 

Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by the ladies over at The Broke and the Bookish.

Top Ten Series I have YET To Finish

Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by the ladies over at The Broke and the Bookish. This weeks topic is ten series that are completed, but that I have yet to complete. I have a love/hate relationship with series. I love all the extra time spent with characters, but some series are just so long and drawn out. I don't even want to count the incomplete series that I have on the go that still have books to come out.

1. The Mortal Instruments by Cassandra Clare- I just need to read City of Heavenly Fire. I started this series late last year, and read the majority of them earlier this year. I was waiting for CoHF to come out in paperback, which it now has so I have no excuse.

2. The Infernal Devices by Cassandra Clare - Another reason I haven't finished TMI is because I wanted to read this series before I read CoHF. I read the first one, and didn't like it a much as the TMI books, but I do need to finish it. I've been feeling the need to finish CoHF lately, so maybe I'll finish this series soon.

3. Percy Jackson and the Olympians by Rick Riordan - I've only read the first one so far. I will eventually finish the others. I actually started listening to the second last week as I was on the treadmill, but I kind of want to just read it.

4. Anne of Green Gables by LM Montgomery - I read the first one, and I've been collecting the others in used bookshops. I bought the first and second from bookshops on Prince Edward Island, which is where the books are based.

5. Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins -This is more of a companion series, but it counts. I've only read Anna so far. I didn't love it but I do want to continue, so I'm saving the other two for when I want a fun, quick read.

6. Lowcountry Summer series by Mary Alice Monroe - This series is about three adult half sisters who are visiting their grandmother for the summer. Each book follows a different sister. I actually don't know why I haven't finished this, as I flew through the first two.

7. Slammed by Colleen Hoover- This is one I don't think I'll actually finish. I really liked Slammed, but I don't know if I care enough to read the other two.

8. Cedar Cove series by Debbie Macomber - This series has 12 books and so far I've read 3 of them. I'm not in a huge hurry to finish these, but I will eventually.

9. The Ascendance Trilogy by Jennifer A. Nielsen - I don't actually know why I haven't finished this series because I really liked it and as they're middle grade, they're really quick reads.

I think that's all of the completed series that I haven't finished yet. There was actually more than I thought that there would be. Have you not completed any of these? Which one do I absolutely need to finish asap?

Top Ten Of My Auto-Buy Authors

Top Ten Of Your Auto-buy Authors (no matter the genre or what it's about...you'll buy it from these authors!) Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by the ladies over at The Broke and the Bookish.

I feel like a broken record with many of these, but what can I say? I like to support my favourites. Some of these authors I still have unread books by, but I intend to get to them.

Jodi Picoult - I don't think I could rave about Picoult any more than I already do. Leaving Time blew me away, as do all of her books.

Kristin Hannah - Hannah is an author that I think just keeps getting better the more she writes. I absolutely adored The Nightingale. It's a historical fiction set during WW2, and shows the struggles that the women had to go through. It also shows had amazing they were, and how integral to the war effort they were.

Chevy Stevens - If you like thrillers, Stevens' has to be on your TBR. She is fantastic at writing thrillers that get into your head. Her latest release, Those Girls, left me an emotional wreck by the end.

Lucy Clarke - She only as three books out so far, but I have absolutely loved each one. Her newest, The Blue, just came out this month and it was a 5 star read for me. She is a master at writing breathtaking settings. Random bonus: her covers are always gorgeous.

Emery Lord - Lord is a new addition to my auto-buys, as I just read both of her books, Open Road Summer and The Start of Me and You, this year. She writes YA contemporary fiction, and celebrates female friendship, which is a nice change.

Sarah Dessen - I've been reading Dessen's novels for about 10 years now, and I don't see myself ever stopping. They're YA, but they always make me nostalgic and understand my past a little bit more. Saint Anything was released earlier this year, and it's Dessen at her finest.

Kimberly McCreight - Her latest, Where They Found Her, as well as her previous book, Reconstructing Amelia, kept me guessing the entire time. Her characters are very relatable, and you may find yourself in one of them. Perhaps even the 'bad guy'.

Morgan Matson - She is another contemporary YA writer who writes realistic characters. I wrote a Why You Should be Reading Morgan Matson post last year that better explains my love for her books.

Lindsey Kelk - Her books are just so much fun to read. I always turn to her when I need something light and fun. I don't consider 'light and fun' to be a negative thing at all. I recently started her I Heart series and loved the first book. I also really loved The Single Girls' To-Do List.

Diane Chamberlain - She is an author whose back list I still need to finish (I have Summer's Child sitting right next to me), and is someone I turn to when I need a book that I know I'll love.

I know I've mentioned all of these authors in previous posts, buy they're all just so good! Who is your #1 MUST BUY author?

Top Ten Tuesday: Top Ten Authors I've Read The Most From

Thought I'd try something new and put some text on one of my photos. Do you like?

Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by the ladies over at The Broke and the Bookish.

I used Goodreads for this, and I wasn't really all that surprised by my results.

Jodi Picoult - 19 books
Not surprised by this at all because Picoult is one of my most favourite authors. Her books just keep getting better and better! I'd recommend Leaving Time, 19 Minutes, Handle with Care, and The Pact. I always know to expect some sort of twist in her books, but it still usually manages to catch me off guard.

Kristin Hannah - 15 books
Also not surprised at all. You must check out her most recent release, The Nightingale. I loved it so freaking much. Also Firefly Lane (though it's sequel Fly Away was just okay), Night Road, Home Front, and Winter Garden. Her books are all quite different and I just really enjoy her writing.

Sarah Dessen - 12 books
I've read every single Dessen book, and will continue to do so until she stops writing. I hope to one day have a daughter that I can pass these books onto.

Jane Green - 9 books
One summer a few years ago (2010? holy crap that was 5 years ago) I went through a big Jane Green phase. I still enjoy her books, especially when I want something light and fun. Favourites include The Beach House, Family Pictures, and Another Piece of My Heart.

Nicholas Sparks - 9 books
I feel like some people are ashamed that they read Sparks books. I'm not. I like his books, though I hate that he seems to be writing books just to get them made into movies. My favourite is The Last Song. The movie was pretty terrible, but I flew through this book and still randomly think about it.

Diane Chamberlain - 7 books
I thought this number would be higher because I freaking love Chamberlain. I'm still slowly working on her back list, but so far there's only been one book that I thought was just okay. I really recommend Before The Storm, Secrets She Left Behind (don't read the synopsis before reading Before the Storm!), Necessary Lies, and The Midwife's Confession.

Cassandra Clare - 6 books
I was really into The Moral Instruments series late last year/early this year. I still need to read City of Heavenly Fire, but I want to read the last two Infernal Devices books first. I think I kind of burned myself out on this world a bit, so I'm taking a break.

J.K. Rowling - 6 books
This is actually 7 books because I've read all 7 Harry Potter books multiple times, but I'm currently re-reading the 5th, so I think Goodreads is confused. I've also read The Cuckoo's Calling by Robert Galbraith and want to pick up The Silkworm.

Chevy Stevens - 5 books
I've read all of her books and absolutely love them. I can't even recommend one over the other because I loved them all, but definitely read her latest Those Girls and Still Missing.

Diana Gabaldon - 5 books
I really love the Outlander series and am slowly working my way through it. The books are so long, so it's taking a while because I can't read them back to back. I love Jamie and Claire, though. My favourite book in the series after Outlander is Drums of Autumn.

Have you read any of these authors? Who was your #1 read author?

Last Ten Books That Came Into My Possession

It's been awhile since I've participated in a Top Ten Tuesday, but I liked this topic, so here we go! Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by the ladies over at The Broke and the Bookish.

I like breaking things down, so I'm going to break this down into three separate lists.

1.) The Truth and Other Lies by Sascha Arango - which is a creepy, twisted thriller perfect for summer nights in a cabin.

2.) Cocktails at Le Carmen by Isabelle Andover - a really fun summer read perfect for the beach. It partially takes place in Paris.

3.) The Blue by Lucy Clarke - I love Lucy Clarke's books so much. This was no exception. A boat + 2 friends + strangers who become friends + one friend ends up dead = so good. Look out for an excerpt and a review on July 31st.



4.) Anne of Green Gables by L.M Montgomery - I bought this in Cavendish, PEI at the house where L.M Montgomery grew up. What ELSE would you buy from that gift shop?

5.) Anne of Avonlea by L.M Montgomery - I found this used beautiful edition from 1956 at a used bookstore in Sydney, Nova Scotia. I've made it my mission to find each book in the series in a used book shop. The older, the better.

6.) Fall on Your Knees by Ann-Marie McDonald -which I found in my favourite used book store in Wolfville, Nova Scotia. Too bad I live in Ontario, only a mere 19 hours away.

7.) Split Second by David Baldacci - This is the first book in a series. I bought it because the husband and I listened to the sixth (I think?) book on audiobook without realizing it was the sixth.

8.) The Winter Sea by Susanna Kearsley - I'm currently reading this one. It's pretty good, if perhaps a little slow.


I always forget just how much I love the library. If I haven't been in a while, I literally start to crave going there. I took a quick trip after work last week and came home with:

9.) Rebel Spring by Morgan Rhodes - So good that I read the entire thing on Sunday.

10.) Gathering Darkness by Morgan Rhodes - I'm so glad that the library had the third book because I definitely needed it right away after Rebel Spring. Currently reading this and at the time of writing, I'm about 120 pages in.

11.) Ms. Marvel, Vol. 1: No Normal by G. Willow Wilson - I've been meaning to get into more graphic novels and I've wanted to read this for months. I'm so glad I did because it was great. Definitely a fantastic role model for people.

12.) Captain Marvel, Vol. 1: Higher, Further, Faster, More by Kelly Sue DeConnick - I haven't read this one yet, but this was an impulse grab. I'm excited to pick it up soon, though.

13.) The Midnight Rose by Lucinda Riley - I recently read The Seven Sisters by Riley and absolutely loved it. I haven't read this one yet either, but I'm going to asap.

That was a few more than ten, but what can I say? I have a book problem. Have you read any of these books?

Editing this to add that I may have bought another book today after work. I bought Those Girls by Chevy Stevens because she is amazing. If you want a creepy thriller, you need to check out Chevy Steven's books.

Top Ten Tuesday: Top 10 Favourite Authors

Top Ten Tuesday was created by the ladies over at The Broke and the Bookish, and is a fun weekly top ten list of some sort.

Today's list is top ten favourite authors. Talk about a hard topic! That's almost like asking an avid reader to name their absolute favourite book. It just can't be done. At least I can't do it. I will try, though, to list my favourite authors.

1.) Jodi Picoult - she has been my favourite author since I discovered My Sister's Keeper years ago (pre-movie hype). I've enjoyed every book I've read by her, and I've almost read every one. She is honestly getting better and better the more she releases. I absolutely gushed over her latest, Leaving Time here. She will forever be an auto-buy.

2.) Kristin Hannah - If you love books about female friendships that span decades, you need to read Firefly Lane. It was fantastic! There's a sequel, Fly Away, which wasn't as good as Firefly Lane, but worth checking out. Like Picoult, Kristin Hannah keeps getting better. Her latest, The Nightingale, follows two sisters during World War 2. I loved it and it's my favourite read of 2015 so far.

3.) J.K. Rowling - I don't even have to explain this one, do I?

4.) Sarah Dessen - Dessen is my favourite YA author. I discovered her books during the summer before I went to University, which kind of makes me sad because I wish I'd read her books while I was in high school. The older I get the less I feel I relate to her high school aged characters (obviously), but I will continue to read her books because I just love her writing and the way it takes me back.

5.) Morgan Matson - I discovered Matson last year, and I'm so happy that I did. Like Dessen, Matson's stories leave me reminiscing about the past and happy that high school is far behind me. I loved Amy and Roger's Epic Detour and wrote a post about why you should be reading Morgan Matson here.

6.) Lucy Clarke - I also discovered Lucy Clarke last year when I won a book through Goodreads and absolutely fell in love. Her stories are just so good and captivating. She has a way of writing that makes you feel like you're right there in the story. Her books always amp up my intense wanderlust, too. She's only released two books to date (A Single Breath & Swimming at Night), but I've loved them both.

7.) Chevy Stevens - She is a Canadian who writes intense thrillers. I even got my mom loving her books. So much so that she's forever asking me when the next Chevy book comes out. Her books always have some sort of twist, and characters that you'll both love and hate. Plus, I like that they take place in Canada!

8.) Diane Chamberlain - I don't think I've read a book by Chamberlain that I didn't like. She has a long list of books, so I'm slowly working my way through them, but they're so great because they're all so different. Two of my favourites have been The Midwife's Confession and Necessary Lies.

9.) Rainbow Rowell - I've read all of her books and loved them for different reasons. I absolutely loved Fan Girl and Landline made me reflect on my (new) marriage (here). She has such a great ability to write real characters. I can always find myself, or my loved ones, in her characters and I love that.

10.) Diana Gabaldon - I read Outlander last year and loved it! I'm slowly making my way through the rest of the series (I've read the first four books), but I'm taking my time because they're so long, and because I want to savour them. I love the world she's created, and I often find myself missing Jamie and Claire when I'm not reading about them.

Well, that was actually easier than I thought! I'm impressed that my list includes all women (girl power!)

Top Ten Tuesday!

Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by the ladies over at The Broke and the Bookish. I've participated in a few of these in the past, and they're always a lot of fun!

 

Today's topic is 'Top Ten Books People Have Been Telling You That You MUST Read (whether because they think it's a "you" book or it's just been generally recommended so often)'. Some of these books I know I won't read, and others I'm just waiting for the mood to strike.

1.) Fifty Shades of Grey by E.L James. I will not read this, not because I'm a prude or anything like that, but because of the writing. I picked it up once after my mom, and two sister-in-laws read it, and could NOT get past the second page. The writing was infuriating, and after flipping through it, I realized it just didn't get better. I will not judge you for reading this, because I think any reading is good reading and should not be shamed. It's just not for me.

2.) The Beautiful Creatures series by Kami Garcia. My SIL actually let me borrow her four books, and I attempted the first one but I couldn't get into it. I may try again, as it could have just been a 'not the right time' sort of thing.

 

3.) The Five People You Meet in Heaven by Mitch Albom. It's actually my husband who keeps telling me to read this. I started it, and then never finished it, which is ridiculous because it's not that long.

4.) Odd Thomas by Dean Koontz. Another husband recommendation because he loves this series, and it's another one I started and did not finish. I probably won't read this, but you never know. The mood may strike me. It doesn't help that my husband has said that they start to get a little less great the more the series goes on.

5.) A Yellow Raft in Blue Water by Michael Dorris. Another husband recommendation! He doesn't read a lot, so I know when he recommends a book to me that it must be good. He thinks that this is a very me book, so I should probably read it one day.

6.) The rest of John Green's novels. I read (and loved) The Fault In Our Stars, but I haven't read any of his others, despite how popular they are. I don't feel an overwhelming urge to read the others, but I hesitate to say that I never will.

7.) Elizabeth is Missing by Emma Healey. This has been recommended a few times, and I definitely intend to read this one and sooner rather than later. This seems like a me book for sure!

 

8.) Just One Day & Just One Year by Gayle Forman. I read If I Stay & Where She Went and loved them, and do want to read this series. I just haven't been in the proper mood to read them. Maybe I'll get around to them soon, since the If I Stay movie release is kind of making me want to read another Forman book.

 

9.) I Am Pilgrim by Terry Hayes. This book seems to be everywhere lately and comes highly recommended. I actually started it, but put it own because I just wasn't in the mood for a thriller. I LOVE thrillers, so I probably will pick this back up soon. I think I want a physical copy of this book, too, as I have it as an e-book but it seems like one I may need to go back to certain parts to re-read and that's so much easier with an actual book.

 

10.) All Souls trilogy by Deborah Harkness. I'm just waiting until I'm in the mood to start another fantasy series and then this will probably be the one I read next.

 

Which book do you definitely think I need to read?

Top Ten Tuesday: Most Unique Books I've Read

It's been far too long since I've written a post here. I blame wedding planning (87 days!) and working full-time hours. Here I am, though, and I hope to make this a more regular thing again.

Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by the ladies at The Broke and the Bookish, and is one of my favourite book memes out there. Today's theme is the ten most unique books I've read. This is actually a hard topic and I'm not even sure I can come up with ten.

1.) The Book Thief - has anyone else even written a book in Death's perspective? I don't think so, and I can't even image how difficult this was to write.

2.) If I Stay - Mia has to decide whether or not to stay alive, or to die. This was a beautiful book about how life really can change in an instant.

3.) The Lovely Bones - Susie was murdered and tells her story while in heaven, hoping to lead her family to some answers. I read this years ago, and was captivated the entire time. I never saw the movie (I heard it was terrible - shocker), so if you decided not to read this because of the movie, read it.

4.) Room - This book is narrated by a 5 year old boy being held captive in Room with his mama. He's never been outside the room, and it's so interesting to see life through his very narrow, limited perspective.

5.) Where'd You Go Bernadette - Bernadette is an eccentric woman who has gone missing, and it's up to her daughter, Bee, to decipher the clues she's left behind in order to find her.

6.) The 100 Year Old Man Who Climbed Out The Window & Disappeared - Allan has decided he's had enough of living in the nursing home, and literally climbs out the window and disappears on his 100th birthday. Along the way, he meets murderers, a suitcase full of cash, and an elephant. Oh, and Allen knows how to make Atom bombs.

7.) Life on the Refrigerator Door - This was told entirely through notes between a mother and a daughter. This was more beautiful than you'd think and actually had a poignant message at the end.

8.) The Storyteller - Told in the present day and during life in Nazi Germany, I loved this book. It's heartbreaking, beautiful, and so interesting. Definitely not a happy, go lucky book, but worth a read.

9.) The entire Harry Potter series - Because it's Harry Potter and it opened the door to reading for so many people.

Apparently I can only come up with 9, but that's okay because they're all really great books and should be checked out!

Top Ten Tuesday: Top Ten Books That Will Make You Cry



 Top Ten Tuesday is a feature hosted by The Broke and The Bookish because they are particularly fond of lists. These lists are always fun to think about, and this one was really fun to put together.

I am definitely a crier. I cannot watch those SPCA commercials. CANNOT. It's at the point where my fiancé just turns the channel as soon as it starts because I will cry. Surprisingly, I don't find myself crying a lot over books. I don't know why because they definitely leave me with all sorts of feelings. Alas, here are ten that made me cry like a baby.

19 Minutes by Jodi Picoult - really and truly, any Jodi Picoult book could have been included in this list. The entire list could have been Picoult books, but I thought that would be overkill. Tears for days with any book written by this fantastic author.

If I Stay by Gayle Forman - Such a great, but sad book. It lives up to the hype for sure. What made me sentimental was wondering what I would do if I was in that same position. It's been over a year since I read it and I still don't have an answer.

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince by JK Rowling - If you're a Harry Potter fan, I don't even have to justify this one.

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by JK Rowling - I cried less than 50 pages in, and again at the end because, hello, it's the series ending!

Marley & Me by John Grogan - Remember those SPCA commercials I was talking about? Yeah, this. This book ruined me, as did the movie.

Dewey: The Small-Town Library Cat Who Touched the World by Vicki Myron - Give me a book about an animal and the tears are just about guaranteed.

The Last Song by Nicholas Sparks - a lot of Sparks novels make me weepy, but this one especially did me in. I loved this entire book and devoured it in a day. The movie will make you cry, but probably more because it stars Miley Cyrus. Her acting makes me cry.

The Fault in Our Stars by John Green - I doubt that I need to explain this one. If you haven't read it, a.) what is wrong with you?, and b.) go. Now.

Home Front by Kristin Hannah - Many books about the military focus on male soldiers. Not this book. This book follows Jolene on deployment and then home again as she tries to recover. This was a beautiful story that haunts me to this day.

The Book of Negroes by Lawrence Hill (also known as Someone Knows My Name) - This is one of those books that I believe should be taught in schools. It was powerful, heartbreaking, and entirely engaging.