Top 10 Tuesday: Slap-worthy Girls in YA!

Hosted by: The Broke and the Bookish

This week's top 10: Those girls in YA that you just want to slap!

1. Bella from Twilight - before anyone slaps me for mentioning her, I have my reasons.  Yes I am a HUGE Twilight fan. It's the series that propelled my love to read YA, after all.  However - the poor pitiful me excuse got old after awhile.  Grow some balls & be your own woman!  You don't need a 90-something year old vampire to hold your hand constantly.

2. Vee from Hush, Hush - I am all about the kick ass best friends in YA, but when the best friend is doing more damage than good I tend to want to slap her.  Like sneaking off to an abandon high school in the middle of the night with 2 creepy strangers?! Yeah not such a good idea, Vee!

3. Bianca from The Duff - You may be saying what?! isn't this one of your favorite YA contemps?? Why yes it is.  However part of the reason why I loved it so much is because I wanted to slap some sense in to Bianca.  YOU CAN NOT BE PHYSICAL WITH A DUDE & EXPECT IT TO MEAN NOTHING.  I don't care who you are, you feel stuff not just between your legs when you sleep with a dude.  So don't act surprised when it's your heart that hurts.

4. Samantha from Before I Fall - I never found myself connecting with this girl.  Her actions made me want to slap her every new day she woke up.  As much as I wanted to love this book, I just couldn't.

5. The "Clueless Crew" in the Jessica Darling series - between the "OMIGOD's" and the constant quote hand gestures I wanted to slap Sara!  And don't get me started on Manda & her claim to be virginal when she was the walking STD of Pineville High!  Though I did get a good laugh from Jessica's point of view on these girls :-)

6. Chelsea from Playing Hurt - if you've read this book then you know exactly why I want to slap this chick!  Break things off with your boy before you dive in to another dude's pants.  Thanks!

7. Brianna from The Unwritten Rule - SOMEONE SLAP HER & SLAP HER NOW!  This homegirl needs a lesson or two.  Here's another example of what it means to be a sucky best friend.  Yes, it was obvious why she had these issues, but she still SUCKED.  I am not a fan of people making others feel like crap to better themselves.  Not one bit.

8. Lissa from Vampire Academy - this girl may be beautiful & powerful with her mind, but I like a girl who can kick butt too.  I felt like she used Rose as her bodyguard too often & too easily.  Stand up for yourself chick!  Or I might need to slap you. (I say this without reading the final 2 books - maybe she changes? lol)

9. Sharon from Audrey, Wait! - ohhh this chick really got under my skin.  The ultimate boyfriend stealer.  Why does God make people like this?! Seriously.  Go find your own dude to swoon over.  When you see that one is taken, HE IS TAKEN.  Move on to the next.  Audrey should have slapped her.  I would have.

10. That Mom in every YA book that pretends like she doesn't know her daughter is hurting or upset OR THAT SHE HAS STRANGE CREATURES LURKING IN HER BEDROOM AT NIGHT.  Seriously! How do they not know this?!  Open your eyes Mom!  Be active in your kid's life.  Thanks.

Top 10 Tuesday

Hosted by: The Broke and the Bookish

This week's top 10 list:

(YA - b/c that's what I read!) Authors who deserve more recognition!

1. Lauren Barnholdt - author of Two-way Street & One Night That Changes Everything, two of my favorite YA contemps!  Her books are easy-going, flip-the-pages, feel-good novels!

2. Simone Elkeles - author of Perfect Chemistry series & Leaving Paradise.  This woman knows how to write hot, angsty characters! Love her stuff. SO MUCH.

3. Courtney Summers - author of Cracked Up to Be & Fall For Anything.  The rawness & depth in her writing is beyond amazing. This author knows how to tell it like it is.

4. Morgan Matson - author of Amy & Roger's Epic Detour.  Though she's only written one YA book so far, it is SO worth mentioning.  This book has me so psyched as to what's to come in the future for this author.

5. Kody Keplinger - author of The DUFF.  Another author who has only one published YA book so far, but I would SO read something else by her.  If you know me, then you know how much I adore The DUFF.  It was my favorite YA Contemp of 2010, after all!

6. Jennifer Echols - author of Going Too Far & Forget You.  Even though her subjects are teenagers, her writing style creates such a mature atmosphere that I just adore her stories.  John After & Doug.  Need I say more?

7. Mindi Scott - author of Freefall.  Not many female authors can pull off the male POV perfectly; however Mindi here has done a superb job!  I really felt myself connected to Seth.  I am so anxious for another one of her books!

8. Blake Nelson - author of Recovery Road.  I was just recently introduced to this author & was completely blown away by his realism in his work.  He doesn't sugar coat things & isn't afraid to speak truth behind his written word.  I highly respect that in an author!

9. Siobhan Vivian - author of Not That Kind of Girl.  It's refreshing to read a book that doesn't give in to the stereotypical teenage lifestyle.  Instead this author forced the MC to have a voice & stand by it.  But she also pointed out that not all characters are perfect; they're human just like us - with flaws.  And that is totally relate-able!

10. Jenny Han -author of The Summer I Turned Pretty series.  You thought I'd make an awesome YA author list & not include this one?! Ha!  Yes.. you should be well aware for my love of all things Jenny Han.  If not, just check my twitter feed :-)


*not every book written by these authors are mentioned, only books that I have read.

Top 10 Tuesday

Hosted by: The Broke and the Bookish

Weekly event showcasing bookish-things, top 10 style!
This week: Book to Movie Adaptations

1. The Notebook - no, I have not read the book (maybe one day?) but I've been told this is the best Nicholas Sparks book on the big screen.  How sweet is this story?!  It's one of my top fav romantic flicks!

2. Romeo + Juliet - I'm talking about the 1996 version with Leo & Claire *swoon*  They definitely helped me understand that mumbo jumbo mess called Shakespeare.

3.  Atonement - I just bought this book recently because I've been meaning to read it.  The movie; however, one of my favorites of all time!  Besides the fact that it has James McAvoy (hello blue eyes!) - the story is so heart breakingly good.

4. Eclipse - yup. I put something Twilight on my list.  Though the first movie sucked it up big time, the second attempted to redeem itself, it wasn't until the third that I think they got it some what right.  Plus - hello?! RPattz!!

5. Lord of the Rings - I'm probably cheating by putting this on my list because I haven't read the books or watched the movies (all the way through at least). But I've been told, my numerous trust-worthy sources, that they are that good. 

6. The Lion, the Witch, & the Wardrobe - I'm only adding the first of the Narnia series on my list because it's the only book I've read from that group.  I remember LOVING it in school.  Then the best part: getting to watch the movie on those rainy school days.

7. Harry Potter - ok, you can slap me now - I have not read these books, but I have seen the movies (not Deathly Hallows - yet!) But if the books are as amazing as the movies, then yes! they should be on this list!

8. A Time to Kill - yes, this 14 year old girl totally picked up a John Grisham novel after watching this amazing movie.  As compelling as this story was, I couldn't get enough of it.  I think it's the best work Matthew McConaughey has done, to date.

9. Sex & the City - I did not read Candace Bushnell's books, but I adored the tv series.  So when the story came to the big screen I had to see it!  Though I was not as pleased with the second film.  As much as I love Carrie, Samantha, Charlotte, & Miranda.. I would have been fine with just one movie.

10. Speak - there was a movie made in 2004 depicting Laurie Halse Anderson's unbelievable story about a girl who was raped & then paralyzed by her own silence.  I recently watched the movie after reading the book & was completely blown away.  I have to say, Kristen Stewart did a superb job playing this role.

Top 10 Tuesday

This week I am participating in Top Ten Tuesday hosted by The Broke and the Bookish. Each week bloggers post a new top ten list.

This Week's List:

Top Ten Books I Wish I'd Read as a Kid
(in no particular order)

Keep in mind, I did very little reading as a kid.. so this list could go on & on!  One of my biggest regrets was not enjoying reading sooner than I did.  I feel like there's so much I missed out on.  But the good thing about books: they never go away! so there's always time to catch up ;-)

1. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by J.K. Rowling - I realize this book was published when I was 16 yrs old, but I still wish I would have read it then.  I think it would have opened up my love for YA books a lot sooner.
2. The Giver by Lois Lowry - I've heard such amazing things about this book that I feel like I need to give it a chance.  I wonder what it would have done for my 12 year old soul.
3. The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis - I remember reading the first book in school as a kid, but never going beyond that.  I really wish I would have.  Oh the possibilities my childhood imagination could have taken me on!
4. Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery - I adored this tv series as a kid, so I just know I would have loved the books as well.  Why didn't I pick those up too??!!
5. The Princess Bride by William Goldman - I love fairy tales with a twist, so I know I would have enjoyed this one as a kid. Don't princesses dream of their princes coming to save them all the time?!
6. Anything written by Sarah Dessen - though her books were not published until I was an adult, I think the teenage me would have appreciated her words on paper.  She has a way of telling truth, yet showing the pretty side too.  I know my teenage self would have grown to love her books.
7. To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee - I still remember my father reading this book & watching the movie when I was a kid & telling me how much he loved it.  I wish I would have paid more attention & read it when he told me to.  It's such a classic.
8. Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH by Robert C. O'Brien - another movie I watched as a kid over & over again, never realizing there was a book that started it all.  Are you seeing a trend here? I think I watched too much tv as a kid lol.
9. Babysitters Club by Ann M. Martin - I remember my older sister having these books on her bookshelf in her room, the forbidden territory for the little sister.  They always peaked my interest, but I was never allowed to touch them! ha!  I knew then I'd love them, and I was right.
10. Twilight series by Stephenie Meyer - hello! how could I not have wanted to read these books as a kid?! Ok well more like a teenager.  They are after all what got me to open books!  I'm jealous of the youngin's who are starting their reading collection with these books. They have so much good stuff ahead of them!

Top Ten Tuesday

This week I am participating in Top Ten Tuesday hosted by The Broke and the Bookish. Each week bloggers post a new top ten list.

This Week's List:

Top Ten Books I Resolve To Read in 2011-- books I've put off reading but will vow to get to in 2011!
(in no particular order)





1. If I Stay by Gayle Forman
2. Graceling by Kristin Cashore
3. Sloppy Firsts (Jessica Darling series) by Megan McCafferty
4. Wicked Lovely by Melissa Marr
5. Will Grayson, Will Grayson by John Green
6. A Blue So Dark by Holly Schindler
7. Shade by Jeri Smith-Ready
8. The Iron King by Julie Kagawa
9. The Sky is Everywhere by Jandy Nelson
10. Revolution by Jennifer Donnelly

Some of these books have been sitting on my kitchen table for a few months!  I really need to get with it & read them.  Then I can say - why didn't I pick this up sooner?! Happens every time.

Top Ten Tuesday

This week I am participating in Top Ten Tuesday hosted by The Broke and the Bookish. Each week bloggers post a new top ten list.

This Week's List:

Top 10 Most Anticipated Books in 2011!
(in no particular order)

1. City of Fallen Angels - by Cassandra Clare

(cover revealed TODAY!!)

2. Forever - by Maggie Stiefvater

3. Clockwork Prince - by Cassandra Clare

4. Desires of the Dead - by Kimberly Derting

5. Chain Reaction - by Simone Elkeles

6. Trapped - by Michael Northrop

7. Delirium - by Lauren Oliver

8. Falling Under - by Gwen Hayes

9. Wither - by Lauren DeStefano

10. Tempest - by Becca Fitzpatrick

(cover has not been revealed, so I am displaying a pic 

of the lovely & beautiful Mrs. Fitzpatrick :-) )

Top Ten Tuesday

This week I am participating in Top Ten Tuesday hosted by The Broke and the Bookish. Each week bloggers post a new top ten list.

This Week's List:

Top 10 Places You Like to Read!
(in no particular order & FYI these are not actual images)

At the office - fortunately I work for a company that has a lot of down time & allows me to read while at work :-) In fact, it's where I get most of my reading done!

On a comfy couch - nestled between pillows, under a blanket with a hot cup of tea near by is a fav place of mine to read while at home.

In bed - or when it gets late, I tend to crawl in to bed with a book. Depending on how good the book is, I may or may not fall asleep!

Car trips - I get bored easily on long car trips (consisting of more than an hour) so a book is an essential roadtrip necessity. Just make sure the radio isn't too loud or I lose focus on the book.

On vacation - right now my favorite destination spot is anywhere tropical. A book in hand while lying on the beach is the best get-away!

At the park - when the weather is just right, and the park isn't too crowded.. grabbing a book & laying on the grass with your shoes off is a good place to lose yourself between the pages.

The waiting room - whether it be the doctor's office or the car mechanic, having a book with you while you wait speeds up the time!

The bookstore - you can always find my browsing a few pages while at the bookstore.  Sometimes I need to know what a book is about before I make a purchase (that is if I've never heard of it before).

At the nail salon - I only get pedicures when I visit the nail salon, but having your feet rubbed while reading a book is the best!  Plus who ever understands all that japanese/chinese jibber jabber anyway? lol

With Daisy - this beats any vacation, couch, bookstore, or nail salon!  If I'm curled up next to my puppy dog reading, then that's the ultimate BEST spot to devour my latest book.

So tell me - where is your favorite spot to read??

Top Ten Tuesday

This week I am participating in Top Ten Tuesday hosted by The Broke and the Bookish. Each week bloggers post a new top ten list.

This Week's List:

Top 10 Things to Get You in the Holiday Spirit!
(in no particular order)

• Dash & Lily's Book of Dares - I read this book by Rachel Cohn & David Levithan last week & it majorly put me in the mood for all things Holiday! The time frame is from Christmas 'til new Years & the setting is in New York City. Uhh hello? if that doesn't scream Christmas - I don't know what does!
• Black Friday - Yes, the "biggest" shopping day of the year gives me the Christmas spirit! Even though a lot of people start their shopping before the day after Thanksgiving, there's just something about this day - it's like the gun firing for the beginning of a race! Watch out people.
• Starbucks Holiday Coffees - Peppermint Mocha? Yes please. Gingerbread Latte? Yes please. And their newest creation: Caramel Brulee Latte? I need to try that!
• Decorating the Tree - I was an over achiever this year & put up my tree BEFORE Thanksgiving! I love to turn on the lights at night, and just relax on the couch in it's glow =) it makes me feel warm & cozy!
• Snow Globes - I decided last year to start collecting these at Christmas time. Since we don't get snow here (very rarely) I thought I'd capture my own in a little glass ball. And the more fun & whimsical, the better!
• Coldplay's "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" - their version is my all-time favorite! I adore Chris Martin on the piano like you wouldn't believe.  He totally rocks this song, in a mellow chilled out sorta way.
• Full on Christmas lights & yard displays! - we have a neighborhood in Houston that specifically decorates for people to come visit. Each street has their own theme (Candy Cane Lane, Santa's Workshop, etc.) and every house participates. This isn't a joke! They are the coolest Christmas decorations ever!
• Donating to a local charity - I hate to admit that I don't do this year-round, but during the Holidays I always try to donate whether it be money, clothing, or my time to a local charity. We must not forget those who are less fortunate than us!
• Christmas Pajamas - my mom used to give my sister's and I new pajamas on Christmas eve when we were little. I still like to find new pajamas & wear them on that special night. It brings me back to being a kid again & the anticipation of Christmas morning.
• Fudge! - my sister has carried on the tradition of making my mom's famous fudge during the holidays. The melt-in-your-mouth gooey chocolate is to die for!! I look forward to this yummy treat every year.

What gets you in the Holiday spirit?! Please share in the comments, or create your own Top 10 post!

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Top Ten Tuesday

This week I am participating in Top Ten Tuesday hosted by The Broke and the Bookish. Each week bloggers post a new top ten list.

This week's List:

Top 10 Books That Made You Cry
(in no particular order)



**Beware of possible spoilers!  - and yes, I'm an emotional sap when it comes to YA lit!

1. New Moon (Twilight saga) by Stephenie Meyer - The first time I read this book, not knowing what was going to happen next, I found myself in tears for Bella.  Yes, I will admit it! I cried when Edward left her alone in the forest!

2. Linger by Maggie Steifvater - Sam & Grace's relationship was always very emotional for me, but at the end of Linger -- when Grace turns in to a wolf & must leave Sam -- agghh!! heart breaking.

3. Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins - If you did not cry at some point during this book, then you have no feelings what so ever. Simple as that. This book was truly amazing.

4. Leaving Paradise by Simone Elkeles - I really felt Caleb's pain & frustration in this book & I so wanted him to overcome everything & be with Maggie!

5. Dreamland by Sarah Dessen - Holy crap! this book really shook me up. Two words: domestic abuse.

6. Amy & Roger's Epic Detour by Morgan Matson - I cried for Amy, many times through out this book. Dealing with the lose of a parent can be quite heavy.  Especially when you feel like you're doing it alone.

7. Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson - Again, if you did not cry while reading this book, then you must have no feelings.  Teenage rape? and not being able to speak up about it? Heart wrenching!

8. Crescendo by Becca Fitzpatrick - The emotional roller coaster ride between Patch & Nora will make anyone cry! Tears of frustration? Tears of sadness? Definitely both.

9. Going Too Far by Jennifer Echols -  I cried for Meg. Many times.  The path of destruction she was creating was so obvious.  I may have cried even harder when John After tried to save her from it.

10. City of Glass (The Mortal Instruments series) by Cassandra Clare - FINALLY some tears of joy! I cried like a baby when Clary & Jace were finally able to be together & not feel like gross incestuous freaks! lol

What books made you bust out the tissue box & let out some emotion?

Top Ten Tuesday

This week I decided to participate in Top Ten Tuesday created by The Broke and the Bookish.  These lists are created each week to provoke the minds of fellow book bloggers & come up with their own top 10's!

This week's topic: Top Ten Fictional Crushes




1. Jace from The Mortal Instruments series
2. Edward from Twilight series
3. Sam from Shiver/Linger
4. Alex from Perfect Chemistry
5. Caleb from Leaving Paradise
6. Dexter from This Lullaby
7. Jared from The Host
8. Peeta from Hunger Games series
9. Roger from Amy & Roger's Epic Detour
10. Patch from Hush, Hush

(in no particular order!)