Category: books

• Book Review: “Dash & Lily’s Book of Dares” by Rachel Cohn & David Levithan

  Posted at 7:51 pm by Laura, on October 19, 2014

  Dash & Lily’s Book of Dares by Rachel Cohn and David Levithan 

  Publisher: Ember
  Published: October 2011
  Genre: young adult, romance, holiday
  ISBN: 9780375859557
  Goodreads: 3.88
  Rating: ★★★★

  “I’ve left some clues for you.
  If you want them, turn the page.
  If you don’t, put the book back on the shelf, please.”

  Lily has left a red notebook full of challenges on a favorite bookstore shelf, waiting for just the right guy to come along and accept its dares. But is Dash that right guy? Or are Dash and Lily only destined to trade dares, dreams, and desires in the notebook they pass back and forth at locations across New York? Could their in-person selves possibly connect as well as their notebook versions? Or will they be a cosmic mismatch of disastrous proportions?

  Dash, a snarly word buff who’s done with the whole concept of Christmas, stumbles across a red notebook next to his favorite books at The Strand. The directions inside send him all over the store to solve a riddle and answer a dare. Intrigued, he follows through, and waits his next turn. Lily, the instigator and lover of all things festive, continues with the red notebook dares, thrilled to have something to look forward to while her immediate family is away for Christmas. Soon enough, the daily interactions between Dash and Lily across NYC leave them wondering: do they want to meet in person, or would that destroy their notebook persona?

  This is a teen rom-com if I ever read one. There are moments in this book that are outrageously hilarious and entirely implausible, and yet it’s so perfect for who Dash is and for who Lily is that it simply works. It’s like online dating, only a bit more fun, organic, and mysterious. Dash and Lily don’t know one another, yet their interactions through the notebook reveal their strengths and weaknesses, their hopes and dreams, successes and failures. They’re their true selves — albeit somewhat edited (because, heck, sometimes writing/speaking to a perfect stranger is easier than face-to-face confrontations) — are in that notebook. Their fear of shattering it and desire to genuinely meet war within, and it’s exciting!

  A short holiday read, perfect with cookies and cocoa. It made me wish to visit NYC again in the winter, and that’s saying something!

  Posted in books, Reviews 2014 | 8 Comments | Tagged book review, books, genre: holiday, genre: romance, genre: young adult, review

• Top Ten Tuesday: Places to Visit

  Posted at 8:15 am by Laura, on October 14, 2014

  Top Ten Tuesday, a concept started by The Broke and the Bookish, is a themed post that connects bloggers to bloggers, bloggers to readers, and readers to readers. Every Tuesday has a special topic, and this Tuesday is Top Ten Places Books Have Made Me Want to Visit.

  

  Lindsey got me (and Morgan) all excited about this, and I’ll bet several of us have similar places on our lists! Let’s get to it!

  1. Hogwarts

  2. Narnia

  3. Scotland / Isle of Skye (Outlander and Letters From Skye)

  4. Paris (Anna and the French Kiss)
  Which is odd because I don’t really want to visit France. 

  5. Hogwarts

  6. Nebraska (Rainbow Rowell books)

  7. Wales (The Winter Witch)

  8. (re-visit) St. Petersburg / Leningrad and Moscow (The Bronze Horseman and The Boy on the Bridge)

  9. Winter (Snow Like Ashes)

  10. Hogwarts

  Posted in books, Top Ten Tuesday | 6 Comments | Tagged books, top ten tuesday

• Book Review: “Snow Like Ashes” by Sara Raasch (ARC)

  Posted at 7:45 am by Laura, on October 13, 2014

  Snow Like Ashes by Sara Raasch

  Publisher: Balzer + Bray
  Publishing Date: October 14
  Genre: young adult, fantasy
  ISBN: 9780062286925
  Goodreads: —
  Rating: ★★★★

  Sixteen years ago the Kingdom of Winter was conquered and its citizens enslaved, leaving them without magic or a monarch. Now, the Winterians’ only hope for freedom is the eight survivors who managed to escape, and who have been waiting for the opportunity to steal back Winter’s magic and rebuild the kingdom ever since.

  Orphaned as an infant during Winter’s defeat, Meira has lived her whole life as a refugee, raised by the Winterians’ general, Sir. Training to be a warrior—and desperately in love with her best friend, and future king, Mather — she would do anything to help her kingdom rise to power again.

  So when scouts discover the location of the ancient locket that can restore Winter’s magic, Meira decides to go after it herself. Finally, she’s scaling towers, fighting enemy soldiers, and serving her kingdom just as she’s always dreamed she would. But the mission doesn’t go as planned, and Meira soon finds herself thrust into a world of evil magic and dangerous politics – and ultimately comes to realize that her destiny is not, never has been, her own.

  Meira is one of the last remaining Winterian refugees and is desperate to prove to the general, Sir, that she’s worthy of warrior status. For sixteen years, the Kingdom of Winter has been without a free home, without a monarch, and without magic. Meira seizes the opportunity to reclaim the Winter conduit from Spring, the destructive Season kingdom that’s slowly but surely taking over the Rhythm kingdoms as well. But her mission doesn’t go smoothly, and Meira is thrust into battles and politics and a destiny she never thought imaginable.

  Wow oh wow. For a while I was certain I was finally reading a YA fantasy that could be a stand-alone — it was so epic, and so much was happening all at once — the politics, the passion, the humor and sadness and self-discovery, the world-building, and the major reveal at the end. And though we discover it’s not a stand-alone, that there may be a companion book or trilogy in the future, it’s still worth every second of time, every word.

  Meira was a joy, a breath of fresh air. She’s strong-willed, determined to find her place, anxious to prove to the general/adoptive father Sir that she has a purpose for the restoration of Winter, funny, insightful, and emotional. She has moments of weakness, moments of strength, moments of clarity and reasoning and compassion. She’s by no means perfect, but it was so wonderful to read about an independent warrior-lady who’s not all about sacrifice — that she has moments of longing for love like every teenage girl, that she has moments of wishing she could be more than who she is what she believes she’s destined to become. She felt real. And that’s all any reader can ask for in a fantasy novel with high stakes: a character as human as the reader.

  The kingdoms are fascinating too. There are eight total, divided into two categories: Seasons and Rhythms. The Seasons are one season throughout the entire year, and the Rhythms experiences all four seasons. This book primarily focuses on two Seasons and one Rhythm, and it’s interesting to see the discrimination and justification for those prejudices pan out. But my biggest moment of awe was the concept behind each Season, specifically the Kingdom of Winter and the Kingdom of Spring. Typically, we view winter as a cold, harsh, dead season, the end of life and the darkest time; spring is full of color and fresh, new beginnings, of life and vitality and awakenings. Oh, so vastly different in this book. Winter may be cold and harsh, but it’s full of life, clean and clear and brilliant and pure. Spring, on the other hand, is dark, controlling, manipulating, filled with death and caution and fear. In a way, I’m glad there will be more to read from Raasch — I’m interested to see the other Rhythms, to meet the other Seasons and watch those stereotypes shatter.

  This is a world you’ll never want to leave.

  Thank you, Edelweiss, for providing this book from Balzer + Bray for review!

  Posted in books, Reviews 2014 | 2 Comments | Tagged advance reading copy, ARC, book review, books, genre: fantasy, genre: young adult, goodreads, review

• Book Review: “First Impressions” by Charlie Lovett (ARC)

  Posted at 7:45 am by Laura, on October 6, 2014

  First Impressions: A Novel of Old Books, Unexpected Love, and Jane Austen by Charlie Lovett 

  Publisher: Viking Adult
  Publishing Date: October 16
  Genre: contemporary, historical fiction, mystery
  ISBN: 9780525427247
  Goodreads: —
  Rating: ★★★.5

  Book lover and Austen enthusiast Sophie Collingwood has recently taken a job at an antiquarian bookshop in London when two different customers request a copy of the same obscure book: the second edition of Little Book of Allegories by Richard Mansfield.  Their queries draw Sophie into a mystery that will cast doubt on the true authorship of Pride and Prejudice—and ultimately threaten Sophie’s life.

  In a dual narrative that alternates between Sophie’s quest to uncover the truth—while choosing between two suitors—and a young Jane Austen’s touching friendship with the aging cleric Richard Mansfield, Lovett weaves a romantic, suspenseful, and utterly compelling novel about love in all its forms and the joys of a life lived in books.

  Sophie Collingwood’s life is dedicated to books. Thanks to her Uncle Bertram’s enthusiasm for literature, she too began collecting and reading books at a young age. When her uncle dies outside his apartment unexpectedly, Sophie is certain it was murder. Upon arriving at his apartment, she finds it completely bare of books — and after acquiring a job at an antiquarian bookshop, she makes it her personal mission to find Bertram’s murderer and his personal library. Soon enough, she becomes entangled in a mystery connecting her family to Jane Austen’s career, and she must decide if it’s a secret worth dying for.

  Lush and exquisitely told, Lovett’s dual narrative between present-day Oxford graduate Sophie Collingwood and the young Jane Austen — prior to her publishing career — is a rich, cozy read. I think Austen fans will enjoy this interpretation of the beginnings of Pride and Prejudice, and I certainly enjoyed the mystery and thrill in Sophie’s life. Threatening phone calls to obtain a rare book that may or may not be connected to Austen can definitely make a bookworm’s heart pound. Between Oxford and London, libraries and bookshops, graveyards and old estates, Sophie’s narrative is exciting for the bookish researcher. Jane’s narrative is calmer, revealing a growing friendship with an old cleric who also enjoys literature. His influence on her books is profound, and their connection deep and unyielding.

  I cannot pinpoint why exactly I didn’t give this four or five stars. It’s one of those books that, once you begin reading and fall into the rhythm of the narrative, you can’t put it down. Seeing as I had to repeatedly put it down for other responsibilities in my life, I didn’t quite fall into it like I wanted to. The mystery is justifiably intriguing, the hunt for books engaging, and the threat to reveal the truth behind Austen’s most famous work terrifying. I liked it. Bookworms will too!

  Thank you, Edelweiss, for providing this book from Viking for review!

  Posted in books, Reviews 2014 | 3 Comments | Tagged advance reading copy, ARC, book review, books, genre: adult fiction, genre: contemporary, genre: fiction, genre: historical fiction, goodreads, review

• Book Review: “Black Ice” by Becca Fitzpatrick (ARC)

  Posted at 8:15 am by Laura, on October 2, 2014

  Black Ice by Becca Fitzpatrick 

  Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers 
  Publishing Date: October 7
  Genre: young adult, thriller, mystery
  ISBN: 9781442474260
  Goodreads: —
  Rating: ★★★.75

  Britt Pfeiffer has trained to backpack the Teton Range, but she isn’t prepared when her ex-boyfriend, who still haunts her every thought, wants to join her. Before Britt can explore her feelings for Calvin, an unexpected blizzard forces her to seek shelter in a remote cabin, accepting the hospitality of its two very handsome occupants—but these men are fugitives, and they take her hostage.

  In exchange for her life, Britt agrees to guide the men off the mountain. As they set off, Britt knows she must stay alive long enough for Calvin to find her. The task is made even more complicated when Britt finds chilling evidence of a series of murders that have taken place there… and in uncovering this, she may become the killer’s next target.

  But nothing is as it seems in the mountains, and everyone is keeping secrets, including Mason, one of her kidnappers. His kindness is confusing Britt. Is he an enemy? Or an ally?

  Britt’s trained hard in the past year for her backpacking trip the Teton Range in Wyoming. She knows how to survive the weather, the mountains, and exhaustion. But she’s not prepared to be taken hostage. Britt is positive that one of these men is responsible for the murders of intelligent, beautiful girls whose bodies were discovered in these very mountains. In an effort to save her friend, Britt agrees to help two young men off the mountain during a terrible snow storm — all the while hoping her ex-boyfriend will find her before she becomes the killer’s next target.

  I read this thriller in a day and loved every minute of it. It was fresh and exciting. I loved reading about a physically and mentally strong, independent female character who doesn’t have superpowers to get her through tough situations. She’s still very much a heartbroken girl after her ex, Calvin (who is also her best friend’s older brother), unexpectedly ended things with her several months prior to this trip, and I think that’s what drew me to her. The female protagonist doesn’t need to be cold-hearted to be strong and independent. She acknowledges she’s spent her life depending on the men who surround her, and this trip would be a message for them and to herself that she can go out on her own and literally survive. Loved it.

  While I was able to piece together the real killer and the connections everyone had to other characters in the story about 75% of the way through, I was still incredibly curious as to the killer’s motives — and that alone was spine-chilling. It’s that charm and hidden misogynistic hatred that all girls fear in men, and it felt so incredibly real. It’s a message to men, as well. I hope boys read this book. It’s the perfect peek into a self-sufficient girl’s mind, and her ongoing calculations about men who are kind as well as severe. It gives the reader an idea of what it’s like to walk in a girl’s shoes, only heightened by the immediacy of a kidnapping.

  I’m not sure what else to say other than it’s a great thriller! It’s perfect for YA, too. I’d imagine that, if this book were geared for adults, more suspenseful passages would have been written to heighten the tension. This YA is fast, and I will not be surprised if it’s one day turned into a movie. It really has that cinematic feel to it. Oh, love it!

  Thank you, Edelweiss and Simon & Schuster, for providing the digital and BEA print copy for review! And thank you/shout out to my grad pub friends, Hannah and Morgan, for standing in line at BEA to get this!

  Posted in books, Reviews 2014 | 0 Comments | Tagged advance reading copy, ARC, book review, books, genre: mystery, genre: thriller, genre: young adult, goodreads, review

• Book Review: “My True Love Gave to Me” edited by Stephanie Perkins (ARC)

  Posted at 8:15 am by Laura, on September 30, 2014

  My True Love Gave to Me: Twelve Holiday Stories edited by Stephanie Perkins 
  Stories written by Stephanie Perkins, Holly Black, Ally Carter, Gayle Forman, Jenny Han, David Levithan, Kelly Link, Myra McEntire, Matt de la Peña, Rainbow Rowell, Laini Taylor, Kiersten White

  Publisher: St. Martin’s Press
  Publishing Date: October 14
  Genre: young adult, romance, holiday
  ISBN: 9781250059307
  Goodreads: —
  Rating: ★★★★

  If you love holiday stories, holiday movies, made-for-TV-holiday specials, holiday episodes of your favorite sitcoms and, especially, if you love holiday anthologies, you’re going to fall in love with MY TRUE LOVE GAVE TO ME: TWELVE HOLIDAY STORIES by twelve bestselling young adult writers, edited by international bestselling author Stephanie Perkins.

  From New Year’s Eve parties to last-minute Hanukkahs, supernatural creatures from dreams to fantastic parallel universes, and down to your usual Christmas holiday story — twelve great YA authors bring wonderful new sets of characters this holiday season for some cozy, warm-feeling cheer that would go perfectly with a soft blanket and hot cocoa.

  I’ll admit I read only the short stories written by the authors I already enjoy (Perkins, Forman, Han, Rowell, Taylor) and those I’ve heard praise for but hadn’t read yet (Black, Carter, Levithan). Because I loved those short stories — such variety! — so much, I’m going to go back and read the ones by the authors I haven’t heard anything about.

  Rowell and Forman were my favorites, followed closely by Perkins. Rowell’s characters Mags and Noel went to the same New Year’s Eve party across all of high school and freshman year of college. They change with each passing year, grow closer, and their friendship is so beautiful and solid you can’t help but cheer at midnight. Forman’s Sophie is hilarious and witty, extremely sarcastic, and it intensifies when she meets Russell, the first person she views as her equal. Perkins’s story is heartfelt and authentic, Han’s was a surprising twist of her usual writing, Taylor’s was lush as usual, and Black’s was fun and quirky.

  This is an adorable winter holiday read, perfect to get you into the spirit!

  Thank you, Edelweiss, for providing this book from St. Martin’s Press for review!

  Posted in books, Reviews 2014 | 3 Comments | Tagged advance reading copy, ARC, book review, books, genre: romance, genre: young adult, holiday, review

• Book Review: “Dragonfly in Amber” by Diana Gabaldon

  Posted at 8:33 pm by Laura, on September 28, 2014

  Dragonfly in Amber by Diana Gabaldon 

  Publisher: Seal Books
  Published: July 1992
  Genre: historical fiction, fantasy, romance, adventure
  ISBN: 9780440215622
  Goodreads: 4.31
  Rating: ★★★★

  For twenty years Claire Randall has kept her secrets. But now she is returning with her grown daughter to Scotland’s majestic mist-shrouded hills. Here Claire plans to reveal a truth as stunning as the events that gave it birth: about the mystery of an ancient circle of standing stones …about a love that transcends the boundaries of time …and about James Fraser, a Scottish warrior whose gallantry once drew a young Claire from the security of her century to the dangers of his ….

  Now a legacy of blood and desire will test her beautiful copper-haired daughter, Brianna, as Claire’s spellbinding journey of self-discovery continues in the intrigue-ridden Paris court of Charles Stuart …in a race to thwart a doomed Highlands uprising …and in a desperate fight to save both the child and the man she loves…

  Scotland, 1968. Claire brings her daughter Brianna to Scotland to visit the place Frank studied with such depth and devotion. Claire introduces Brianna to Roger Wakefield, the adopted son of the reverend Frank corresponded and shared academic stories with during and after his second honeymoon with Claire. But Roger and Brianna are set in store for more than nostalgia and acquaintance reunions — little do they know they’ll learn of the years Claire spent away from Frank, and what it means for them.
  Scotland & France, 1744-1746. Claire and Jamie flee Scotland for France, and work their way into Charles Stuart’s court in Paris in an attempt to thwart his efforts to reclaim the Scottish throne. Leading the life of a double-agent, Jamie’s political leanings and pride in his country war in his heart, and Claire attempts to navigate court life to help in his efforts. Soon enough their work is needed in Scotland once more, and it appears that fate has a different plan set in store for the Frasers, the MacKenzies, and Scotland.

  Note: All Outlander books will be filled with spoilers. If you haven’t read Outlander yet, do not read on!

  This would’ve received five stars if it weren’t for France. Not that Gabaldon’s writing was poor in France, or that the history wasn’t fascinating — nothing like that. And it’s not that it was the setting that put me off (France versus Scotland…mmm, I’d take Scotland). The slow pacing and political intrigue was just like in Outlander, except that this time we’re set in the opulence of a French court, with too many characters and too much gossip and too much scheming and it not only took a toll on me but also on Jamie and Claire. They love each other deeply and they care about their cause, but it clearly disrupted their life, being double agents and attempting to change the course of history. It created a rift, in a way. I promise you, if you’re reading Dragonfly in Amber right now and you’re not back in Scotland yet, keep reading. It’ll be worth it! Soon our lovers are back on home land and even they admit France was tedious!

  At first I was slightly put off by the twenty-years-into-the-future part of the story — including the switching perspectives — but after a while I genuinely liked it. We see how Claire struggled to maintain a secret, read her mind as she flashed back to the difficulty in her marriage with Frank post-return, felt her love for her daughter Brianna and all that she meant. We can sense how heartbreaking it was for her to come back to the twentieth century and have a child. And then to tell the child about her years away from Frank and hope against all hope she’d believe Claire. That’s tough. Although I still find it hilarious that the most logical of men in this series still believe Claire faster than any woman has (first Jamie, then Anselm, then Roger).

  I know that everyone is okay. It’s clear, reading the summaries of the other books, that everyone is okay. But that still didn’t stop the feeling of dread once we were back in Scotland, once you realize Claire really did return to the future, once Jamie and Claire have to say goodbye. So many tears. So. Many.

  And the cliffhanger? Good Lord.

  There’s a reason this series is successful. It’s not a romance about how two people come together and live happily ever after. It’s about a marriage. About following these two people across time and space, about all the hardships they’ve encountered together and apart, how they work with one another and make decisions and still come out loving one another so deeply and fully it makes your own heart shatter. It’s beautiful.

  Posted in books, Reviews 2014 | 0 Comments | Tagged book review, books, genre: action/adventure, genre: adult fiction, genre: fantasy, genre: fiction, genre: historical fiction, genre: romance, review

• Advance Excitement at a Glance IX + September Book Haul

  Posted at 1:14 pm by Laura, on September 25, 2014

  

  This year, in an effort to blog more, to become more involved with the blogging community, and to keep up with the latest publications, I thought I’d create a monthly post about the ARCs I’ve received. These ARCs will be read and reviewed a month prior to the publishing date. The Advance Excitement at a Glance posts will feature one or two (or more!) books to look forward to.

  Last month I previewed four ARCs I’d hoped to get to, but was only able to read and review one, The Caller. Lark Rising, though, is now available in stores, and I highly suggest you dash after it, especially if you’re a Juliet Marillier fan.

  October is another big publishing month, and I was once again overwhelmed with the number of fantastic ARCs. I can assure you you’ll see far more reviews this upcoming month, so be on the lookout! Here are two of the billions I’m really excited to share with you.

  

  My True Love Gave to Me edited by Stephanie Perkins and written by
  all your favorite YA authors ever 
  (October 14, St. Martin’s Press)

  A collection of holiday/winter-themed short stories for your enjoyment. Rumor has it there are twelve illustrations inside as well, one for each story! Just looking at the cover makes me think of the Rainbow Rowell cover art trend (surely there’s a more formal name for it, but her covers are so iconic now), which I’m a huge fan of. I’m usually not much of a collection/anthology reader — I prefer my stories long — but this seems so perfect, like little bits of peppermint candies.

  

  Snow Like Ashes by Sara Raasch 
  (October 14, Balzer + Bray)

  Sixteen years ago the Kingdom of Winter was conquered and its citizens enslaved, leaving them without magic or a monarch. Now, the Winterians’ only hope for freedom is the eight survivors who managed to escape, and who have been waiting for the opportunity to steal back Winter’s magic and rebuild the kingdom ever since.

  Meira has lived her whole life as a refugee, raised by the Winterians’ general, Sir. Training to be a warrior, she would do anything to help her kingdom rise to power again. When scouts discover the location of the ancient locket that can restore Winter’s magic, Meira decides to go after it herself. But the mission doesn’t go as planned, and Meira soon finds herself thrust into a world of evil magic and dangerous politics – and ultimately comes to realize that her destiny is not, never has been, her own.

  Meira, orphaned as an infant, has only ever heard stories of the beautiful, frozen Kingdom of Winter. She’s heard so many that sometimes she feels these stories are her own memories. But when she goes on a mission to recapture the lost locket, a conduit for the royalty’s magic, she accidentally sets in a motion a future she never thought possible.

  If you haven’t noticed by now, I’m a huge Balzer + Bray fan. I’ll read just about any YA they publish. Gimme gimme. Apart from that, I really like the idea of a set of kingdoms based on the seasons. Throw in a girl who can fight, who’s playful and funny and passionate, who fights for a cause she doesn’t fully understand but feels should be part of her blood, and I’m ready to read.

  Which ARCs did you receive for October? What books are you looking forward to reading?

  ~

  September Book Haul
  

  Because this month’s spending was way out of control and totally violated Resolution #4.

  

  If you’re following me on instagram, you would’ve noticed several things: 1) I’m obsessing over Outlander, and 2) there’ve been more book purchases than book reviews this month. And I’m blaming it on Outlander. I’d owned the book for months, watched the first episode when it aired, and then devoured the book. Which then prompted the intense desire to purchase Dragonfly in Amber…and Voyager and Drums of Autumn. All of Gabaldon’s books are massive, which means if I have wandering attention I end up turning back to the ARCs that need to be read or the books that look so gosh darn pretty and I want to read right now but can’t because Gabaldon’s taken my soul. So that prompted The Caller (already read and reviewed!), This is What Happy Looks Like, Winterkill, Summer & Bird, The Swallow, Jackaby, and The Scandalous Sisterhood of Prickwillow Place. I can’t explain myself. I just can’t. I’m ashamed and at the same time I just don’t care — breaking resolutions for books is acceptable in this community, right? Right.

  Posted in Advance Excitement, books, Update Post | 0 Comments | Tagged advance excitement at a glance, advance reading copy, ARC, book haul, book hoarding, books, personal

• Top Ten Tuesday: Fall TBR List

  Posted at 9:26 am by Laura, on September 23, 2014

  Top Ten Tuesday, a concept started by The Broke and the Bookish, is a themed post that connects bloggers to bloggers, bloggers to readers, and readers to readers. Every Tuesday has a special topic, and this Tuesday is Top Ten Books on My Fall TBR List.

  

  The question is…will they all be read? So many books! Here are ten that, at this moment, I want to read this fall.

  

  

  

  

  

  Snow Like Ashes by Sara Raasch (October 14), because Balzer + Bray rocks and I’ve fallen into the hype over this book!

  Ravencliffe by Carol Goodman (December 2), the sequel to Blythewood, which I loved. Anyone who enjoyed Libba Bray’s A Great and Terrible Beauty would like this too.

  Stray by Elissa Sussman (October 7), a fairytale-esque story that promises to be absolutely amazing. I won it from Greenwillow in a Goodreads giveaway!

  Voyager by Diana Gabaldon, the book I’ve been told is completely worth the drag of the second book (almost done with Dragonfly in Amber).

  Code Name Verity by Elizabeth Wein, which technically I’m reading right now. Enjoying it so far!

  

  

  

  

  

  Winterkill by Kate Boorman caught my eye, and when I read a review that said, “The Village and Oregon Trail created a love child,” I grabbed it.

  Frostfire by Amanda Hocking (January 6), a huge case of cover love. I’m not even sure what I’m getting into!

  Jackaby by William Ritter, a genre-bending YA that’s like Doctor Who and Sherlock. ALL THE YESES.

  The Swallow by Charis Cotter, a middle grade ghost story that I’m really excited to start! It grabbed my attention immediately.

  Dream Boy by Mary Crockett & Madelyn Rosenberg sounds so intriguing and frightening. Dreams coming true — all the good ones and bad ones? Done.

   

  What books are on your fall TBR list? Do we have any overlap? 

   

  Posted in books, Top Ten Tuesday | 15 Comments | Tagged books, top ten tuesday

• Top Ten Tuesday: One Book, One Author, and Needing to Read More

  Posted at 7:49 pm by Laura, on September 16, 2014

  Top Ten Tuesday, a concept started by The Broke and the Bookish, is a themed post that connects bloggers to bloggers, bloggers to readers, and readers to readers. Every Tuesday has a special topic, and this Tuesday is Top Ten Authors I’ve Only Read One Book From but NEED to Read More.

  

  I feel like this is just going to turn into “top ten authors whose books I own but haven’t read more of” or “top ten authors who are one-hit wonders and where’s that next book gosh darn it.” Once I find an author I adore I tend to follow them to the ends of the earth.

  Charles Finch — His semi-autobiographical novel The Last Enchantments was apparently vastly different from his usual style in his mystery series. Considering his series is set in Victorian Oxford, I’m surprised I’m not already drooling over them. Gotta step up and read them!

  Erin Morgenstern — One of those “one-hit wonders” I mentioned, because why isn’t there another book by her? Seriously, Night Circus is still one of my top favorite life-changing books of all time. All. Time.

  David Nicholls — Another top favorite life-changing book of all time, One Day, was by this man and yet I haven’t read anything else. Does he have anything else? I know another book is coming out (Us, October 2014) and I’m planning on reading it.

  Victoria Schwab — I’ve only read The Archived, such a brilliantly slow-building book. I own The Unbound (signed, too!), and I’ve read fantastic reviews of her adult SFF books. Basically, I need to hop to it.

  Maggie Stiefvater — Once again, I’ve only read Raven Boys, and I’m genuinely curious to see how this series pans out. The quasi-King Arthur plot feels so mythical, and I enjoy that.

  Natalie Standiford — She writes for many age levels, but I’m mostly curious about future YA titles. Her Boy on the Bridge book was so simple, yet it brought such strong memories of my time in Russia that I really want to see what else she’s write (or even if they were along that vein! I really enjoy Russian themes).

  Rachel Hartman — Because Seraphina holy WOW! If she writes like this all the time, I’ll follow her books to the ends of the earth. Love her style, her voice, her plotting and construction. It’s brilliant. She’s brilliant.

  Elizabeth LaBan — MOAR BOOKS PLZ! Her writing style and plotting and storytelling was so wonderful in The Tragedy Paper.

  Ruta Sepetys — Simply because I own Out of the Easy and haven’t read it yet. I’m curious to see if I’d like it as much as Between Shades of Gray!

  Jessica Brockmole — Because, hello, Scotland and epistolary writing style and war romance. Come on. I need more books from her! She’s excellent! Go read Letters from Skye if you haven’t already!

   

  Which authors made it to your list? Do we have any overlaps?

  Posted in books, Top Ten Tuesday | 10 Comments | Tagged books, top ten tuesday

• 

• Hello, I’m Laura!

  I'm a bookish bookworm and book hoarder. By day I'm a literary agent, and by night I'm forever rearranging my bookshelves. I could talk your ear off about Gothic literature, and in my past life people thought I'd become a professional musician. I have a fluffy black cat named Rossetti, I love to travel, tea is my drink of choice, British TV is the best, and I'm always down for chips-and-queso nights. Welcome to Scribbles & Wanderlust! Grab your favorite hot beverage and let's chat books!

• Search the Blog

  Search for:

• Currently Reading

  

• Book Review Rating Key

  ★★★ — It’s good
  ★★★★ — It’s great
  ★★★★★ — OMG LOVE!!!

• Recent Posts

  • MSWL for 2026
  • Favorite Reads of 2025
  • Deal Announcement: Nina Moreno, YA Romance
  • Deal Announcement: Sharon Choe, YA Fantasy
  • Deal Announcement: Hanna R. Neier, MG Historical/Contemporary