Thursday, July 14, 2011

My Top 30 Because I'm 30 TODAY!

On July 14th, 1981 a brown eyed baby girl was born.  Her name: Ginger!  Today is my 30th birthday y'all!!  How I got to be this old, I have no clue.  It feels like yesterday I was graduating high school, making my way to college, & baffled by the unknown that laid before me.  Even though I may live the "adult life" now, I still feel so young at heart.  This may be why I love to read young adult fiction so much.

In celebration of turning the BIG 3-0 today I thought I'd put together a list of my top 30 books I've read since this blog was born.  Feel free to comment & let me know which books you share the same feelings for, or if there's one not on the list that you think I might enjoy.  I'm very blessed to have lived a very happy, healthy 30 years thus far.  I can't wait to see what the next 30 will bring me :-)

My Top 30 Books (in no particular order) ...that I've read since creating this blog!

1. Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson
2. Going Too Far by Jennifer Echols
3. Vampire Academy (series) by Richelle Mead
4. The Duff by Kody Keplinger
5. The Body Finder (series) by Kimberly Derting
6. Dash & Lily's Book of Dares by Rachel Cohn & David Levithan
7. Crescendo (Hush, Hush #2) by Becca Fitzpatrick
8. Amy & Roger's Epic Detour by Morgan Matson
9. Freefall by Mindi Scott
10. Delirium by Lauren Oliver
11. Forget You by Jennifer Echols
12. Fall For Anything by Courtney Summers
13. Unearthly by Cynthia Hand
14. Sloppy Firsts (Jessica Darling series) by Megan McCafferty
15. Recovery Road by Blake Nelson
16. The Sky is Everywhere by Jandy Nelson
17. The Summer I Turned Pretty (series) by Jenny Han
18. Not That Kind of Girl by Siobhan Vivian
19. Anna & the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins
20. Where She Went by Gayle Forman
21. Stealing Heaven by Elizabeth Scott
22. City of Fallen Angels by Cassandra Clare
23. Shade (series) by Jeri Smith-Ready
24. Audrey, Wait! by Robin Benway
25. Divergent by Veronica Roth
26. The Piper's Son by Melina Marchetta
27. The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky
28. Ten Things We Did by Sarah Mlynowski
29. Forever by Maggie Stiefvater
30. Endless Summer by Jennifer Echols

And because I like to talk, more of my ramblings...

Books have become such a huge part of my life, in only a short amount of time.  I did not become an avid reader until a few years ago.  It's weird to think what I used to do with all my free time before I discovered bookstores, libraries, reading, blogging, tweeting, book events... and the list goes on!  I love that feeling you get when you lose yourself in a story that is just so unbelievably good that you never want it to end.  Then comes the endless chats with my bookish friends about the amazingness I just read.  The love just keeps growing & growing!

At 30 years old, I finally feel like I've found my place in this big wide world.  Though I may be a little late in this finding, at least it's been found - right?!  My love for reading has changed my path in life and I am ever so grateful for it.  I am in the process of going back to school to become a teacher.  Nothing excites me more than having my own classroom one day filled with endless shelves of books, just waiting to be picked up and devoured by young minds.  Reading is infectious and I want to infect as many as I can!!!  My love for books stirs so much life inside me, I just know it can do the same for others.

I'm 30 today.  Another year older.  Another year of great books read.  Another year of friendships made because of books.  Another year of endless possibilities to be determined.  I'm so ready for this next chapter in my life!

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One of my favorite people, Anna, made this video for me for my birthday & I just had to share it with you all!!  I love that she knows me so well & knows EXACTLY what I want (or who I want? hehe) THANK YOU ANNA - I HEART YOU SOSOSOSOSO MUCH!!!!

P.S. notice which name is front & center at the end? ;-)




EDIT!!!!!!!!!!! (adding this at 4am because I am awake right now FREAKING OUT over this!!!)  So you know that band called SafetySuit that I am COMPLETELY & UTTERLY, HEAD OVER HEELS IN LOVE WITH??!!! Yeah ummm they just tweeted me this....



dsakldjsakl;djfakl;fjdak;dms;ka!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! << that was me freaking out when I woke up & saw it on my twitter feed!  Yup. I just about peed my pants.

I have some truly amazing friends.  It all started with one tweet & escalated to I don't even know how many more, asking SafetySuit to wish me a Happy Birthday! and guess what? IT HAPPENED!!!  Another reason why I heart this band SO much.  THANK YOU to those who had a hand in making this come true. You have no idea how AMAZING this has made my day! XOXOXOXO

56 comments:

  1. That's SO awesome!! I would probably freak out too if my favorite band sent me something like that. :D HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!

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  2. Happy Birthday!! 30 does seem to just sneak up on you, doesn't it? They say the 30s are the best years of your life. Have fun!

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  3. Whoo, you got your bday tweet!  That's awesome!  :D

    Also that's an awesome top 30 list.  :D

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  4. Great story. Happy Birthday! Have and awesome day!

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  5. Happy birthday!!!! I'm turning 30 in September. So daunting.

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  6. Happy Birthday!!! :D

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  7. I hope you have a wonderful birthday Ginger!

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  8. Happy Birthday, Ginger! I hope your 30th is the best year yet. I haven't known you very long, and still don't know you all that well, but I can say you're one of my favorite bloggers and twits. I enjoy our book chats, music chats, and any other chats! You've helped me so much over the months with getting my blog out of the door. Your suggestions and book recommendations have been so appreciated. GReads! is Dog-Eared & Bookmarked's role model. It want's to be just like yours when it grows up :)

    Many blessings on this very epic day. Eat a cupcake for me?!

    p.s. I love your top 30 list. Some I've read, thanks to you, some I haven't... but will, thanks to you!

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  9. Happy happy birthday! Hope you have an awesome day :-D Great post!

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  10. Happy birthday, Ginger! I hope it's filled with as much awesome as your list is.

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  11. cecilia at rather barefoot....February 1, 2012 at 7:59 PM

    Happy birthday ginger. have a great day!

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  12. Happy Birthday!! I hope you have a great day, I love your list and we share quite a few favourite books in common. x

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  13. Happy Birthday Ginger!  30 is a great year.  Enjoy it well!

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  14. Happy Birthday!!!
    I love Speak & Richelle Mead but other than those to your list is like a section from my tbr list :) Have a great day!

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  15. Happy birthday Ginger! It is so freaking awesome that SafetySuit wished you a happy birthday too!

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  16. YAY for your fabulous 30th :)

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  17. Happy Birthday! :) That is pretty awesome that the band wished you Happy Birthday! :)
    Great list of books! Have a great day!

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  18. HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!!!!

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  19. Happy Birthday ;D
    Thanks for sharing your list and your video with us.

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  20. Happy Birthday Ginger!! I hope you have the best day ever and YAY for Safetysuit wishing you a happy birthday!!! That's awesome!! Much love and best wishes to you! =D

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  21. Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday Dear G, Happy Birthday to YOU!!!!!

    I hope you have the most awesome of days, G (looks like it's already begun...I mean, hellooo special tweet!!)

    I <3 you mucho!!!

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  22. Happy birthday pretty lady! I am so glad you came into reading and books. :-D

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  23. Lindsay @ Turning the PagesFebruary 1, 2012 at 7:59 PM

    Happy Birthday!!  Hope your day is wonderful and can't wait to see the next update of your fav. books! :)

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  24. Happy Birthday Ginger! Its great turning 30...:) Your officially an adult!! How awesome that Tweet!!

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  25. Happy Birthday! SAFETYSUIT! AGHHHHHHHH!

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  26. I've only NOT read 5 of those books! :) and HAPPY BIRTHDAY AGAIN! You seriously should print that tweet out and at LEAST stick it on the fridge! You can look at it every single day!

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  27. Happy Birthday! :) Great list of books- we share some of the same favorites. I hear you are a huge fan of the Summer series by Jenny Han. That's my favorite series of all time! I'm obsessed. Love the video and tweet, too. Have a great birthday--enjoy it!

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  28. Savy @Books With BiteFebruary 1, 2012 at 7:59 PM

    Happy, Happy Birthday Ginger! I hope you have a fabulous and blessed Day!

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  29. Anna's video was amazeballs and how awesome that your favorite band send you a birthday tweet?!?  The power of Twitter never ceases to amaze me.  Wishing you an amazing birthday Giner!

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  30. Happy birthday, Ginger!
    Hope you have a great Bday! :D

    Em

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  31. AHH!  That's so awesome about Safety Suit.  Giggidy...

    AND HAPPY FREAKING BIRTHDAY!!! I hope it's everything and more! 

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  32. Way cool, on all counts. About that list, there are quite a few on there that I want to read. About that video, you are a lucky gal to have great friends. About that tweet, I am a music fangirl myself, so I totally get it. I do! Awesome! 

    Welcome to your 30's. It is a little bit sad saying bye-bye to the twenties, but really it isn't bad here!!!  

    Happy Birthday! 
    ~Asheley

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  33. Happy Birthday! Hope you have a wonderful day and get lots of books. Great choices on the list and that's awesome about SafetySuit! :-)

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  34. Happy 30th Birthday! Have a wonderful day.  And thanks for sharing the awesome list.

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  35. HAPPY BIRTHDAY! That was an awesome video! Thanks for sharing! Also, GREAT list of books! :)

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  36. Christy @TheReaderBeeFebruary 1, 2012 at 7:59 PM

    Happy, Happy Birthday! I hope you have a wonderful day!

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  37. Happy 30th, Ginger! It sounds like you are off to an awesome start in this decade! :-)

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  38. Happy birthday! I hope you have a wonderful day!

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  39. Happy Birthday and Happy Reading!

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  40. I hope you had a great birthday! What great friends you have! So excited for you!

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  41. YAY for the Safety Suit Tweet! How AWESOME!! <3

    Also, HAPPY BIRTHDAY! I *was* going to tweet you at my midnight... But then I feel asleep. :P But still, Happy Birthday love! Also, LOVE your top 30! (The Piper's Son FTW)

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  42. Happy birthday!!  You have several books on your list that I still need to read.  Maybe I should shuffle them to the front of my growing TBR pile. Thanks for the great post!

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  43. Happy Birthday to you, Ginger! You are two days older than my husband! ♥ I am finding it hard to believe you are in your 30s though...I would've pegged you for mid-20s at the oldest! I wish you all the success in your new venture toward becoming a teacher. You will be amazing in the classroom. Your passion will shine, and your students will follow in your footsteps. :)

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  44. Happy Birthday!  I hope you made it amazing :)  My birthday is in 16 more days! 

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  45. Aww, you have an awesome birthday!! I love the video Anna made and I'm so glad Safety Suit tweeted you. :) How Awesome! I have a little while (ok, a long while) until I'm 30, but you enjoy!

    P.S.- I would not have ever guessed you were 30. :)-Meredith

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  46. Brooke @ Brooke's Box of BooksFebruary 1, 2012 at 7:59 PM

    Happy Birthday!

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  47. omg I thought you`re 18-20 years old :)

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  48. I loved Dash & Lily and Amy & Roger. Some of the other ones are still on my TBR list. 

    I hope your birthday was awesome :]
    P.S. All those names from the video are driving me insane. I could only recognize a few and I feel like I should know more.

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  49. What a fun idea!!!  I hope you had a wonderful birthday!

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  50. Happy (belated) Birthday!!! I hope it was a good one :)

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