Top Ten Tuesday 12/2: Books I'm Looking Forward to in 2015

Woah! I know it's cliche and all, but I can't believe the year is almost over! This past month or two has gone by so quickly! Finals week next week and then I'm done with the semester, thank goodness!

Well, this top ten is going to be kind of a flop, because I basically cheated the last week I did a top ten. I was supposed to name sequels I hadn't read yet, but I haven't been reading very many series lately, so I ended up just naming books I was looking forward to. Despite my blunder, I will try try try again! Here's my best shot! Thanks for stopping by!

1. Firefight by Brandon Sanderson

I don't really know much about this sequel, but I definitely loved Steelheart. Hopefully this is just as good!

2. I Was Here by Gayle Forman

As I'm trying to compile this list, I'm just going throughout the upcoming releases section on Amazon. I came across this book and it sounds so heartbreaking and wonderful! I won't deny it, I love a book that can make me cry. This sounds like it's got potential!

3. All the Bright Places by Jennifer Niven

The description labeled this book as a mix of TFiOS and Eleanor and Park. Not sure how I feel about this, but I think I'll try and pick this one up. Sounds cute enough.

4. A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas

I'm willing to read any book she puts out. Need I say more?

5. My Heart and Other Black Holes by Jasmine Warga

The title and cover drew me in on this one. They are both so cute. The description sounds like it has the potential to go wrong, but I'm hoping it won't. Could be cheesy, but sometimes that's okay!

Okay, I know that this is only five, but I honestly can't think of any more at the moment. Let me know if I'm forgetting anything majorly important!

Sarah

Breakfast of Champions by Kurt Vonnegut

My first semester of college is almost over! I'm in my last week of actual classes and then finals are next week. Then I'm done! I'm so excited to be done with the classes. Definitely not my favorite. I don't think there's a single one that I actually mildly like. Hopefully next semester is better. I'm actually taking an english class, so I'm thinking I'll at least like that one.

For my Heroic Quest class, we are supposed to read Breakfast of Champions by Kurt Vonnegut. Of course I procrastinated, so I'm going to have to read it it a night, but I can do it! Maybe. I don't really know very much about this book, as I'm only twenty or so pages in, so I'm going to cop out and post the Goodreads summary. Don't hate me!

In Breakfast of Champions, one of Kurt Vonnegut’s  most beloved characters, the aging writer Kilgore Trout, finds to his horror that a Midwest car dealer is taking his fiction as truth. What follows is murderously funny satire, as Vonnegut looks at war, sex, racism, success, politics, and pollution in America and reminds us how to see the truth.

So far, it's pretty interesting. Lots of pictures, which is good, because I need to read this one pretty quickly. Anybody read this one yet? Thoughts or opinions? I'd love to hear them! 

I wasn't really sure where I was going with this post, but I guess I'm just giving you guys an update. I hope you had a great Thanksgiving! Thank goodness it's finally Christmas season! We already decorated our dorm room, and I am definitely excited! Have a great week!

Follow Friday 11/21: Create an ad for your perfect co-blogger

FF is hosted by Parajunkee and Alison Can Read. 

This week's question is: Create an ad listing all the qualities and qualifications of your perfect co-blogger.

I've never really thought about this!

Thanks for stopping by! Have a great weekend!

- Sarah

 

November Book Haul

Soooo.... I meant to post this a week ago. But with the end of the semester coming up, of course all of my classes are piling on the work. But it's finally Friday and I can post this! I'm so glad this week is over with. It's been absolute torture. Okay, enough rambling and complaining!

This is a collective haul from the past few weeks. My mom came to visit me last weekend, and she offered to take me to Barnes and Noble. Of course, I didn't object..

Let me know if you have any thoughts about any of these books! I love comments!

1. The Little Prince by Saint Exupery

I read this book last year in my French class. I didn't really pay very much attention though, because I was definitely done with high school by then. This is an english version, so hopefully I can get a little more out of it this time. I do sort of regret not getting the hardcover edition with the beautiful illustrations. This one is just in black and white.

2. No Matter the Wreckage by Sarah Kay

I can't tell you how long I've been wanting this book! I love Sarah Kay's spoken word poetry, so I was    ecstatic about this one. The cover is gorgeous. I've already read a few of the poems, and they are amazing as always. Also, this is the kind of poetry that everyone can appreciate. You don't have to spend hours just trying to figure out what she's saying. It's blunt and beautiful.

3. The Road by Cormac McCarthy

I never read this in high school, even though a lot of people have. I recently went to a reading where someone read an excerpt from this book, and I found it pretty interesting. I don't think it was written to terribly long ago, so hopefully this will be a quick read.

4. Heir of Fire by Sarah J. Maas

I feel like I'm the last person on the planet to get their hands on this book. I've loved all the other books in this series, so I can't wait to dive into this one! My winter break is coming up, so I think I'm just going to hole up for a day or two and fly through this one. Any thoughts from people who've already read it?

5. In the Afterlight by Alexandra Bracken

This was definitely the book I was most excited for. I absolutely love this series, so as soon as I bought this book, I had to start reading it. So far, I'm a little over halfway into it. I'm liking it as of right now. Not much has happened, but it's still good. Not gonna lie, I'm always waiting for the scenes with Liam in them. He's adorable.

Top Ten Tuesday 11/18

                                        Top Ten Tuesdays are hosted by The Broke and the Bookish.

This week's theme is:  Top ten sequels I can't wait to get (I'm also going to include books I already own, but haven't had a chance to get to yet). And possibly just some standalone upcoming releases/books I haven't read. Sorry, guys! I haven't been starting too many series lately. So this is a basically just a list of books I want to read. No order at all.

1. The third book in the Angelfall series by Susan Ee.

I can't wait for this book, and it's taken absolutely forever between books. We finally have a release date! Either March or May 2015. I can't remember for sure.

2. Heir of Fire by Sarah J. Maas

I have loved the books before this, and have heard great reviews, so I can't wait!

3. Girl Online by Zoe Sugg

Not gonna lie here guys, I am a huge Youtube addict. I love booktube, especially Regan from Peruse  Project. I also really love watching Zoella's videos. I started watching them a few years ago, and I was hooked. I'm so excited for her, and I can't wait to check out her first book!

4. A Thousand Pieces of You by Claudia Gray

This. book. sounds. AWESOME! Plus, the cover is absolutely gorgeous. Nothing really else to say, but this is a definite read for me, no matter how long it takes me to get to it. So many books, so little time.

5. Isla and the Happily Ever After by Stephanie Perkins

I've heard lots of mixed reviews about this, so I'm a but skeptical. Any thoughts? I really enjoyed the first two books in this companion trilogy thingy, especially Anna and the French Kiss. I figured I might as well finish up the books.

6. The Shock of the Fall by Nathan Filer

Once again, a book I discovered through Regan from Peruse Project. Her reviews make me want to buy every book she talks about. It's a gift. This book sounds heartbreaking and wonderful. My favorite kind of book!

7. Dreams of Gods and Monsters by Lani Taylor

I feel terrible that I haven't gotten to this book yet, because the first two are so brilliant. They are actually two of my favorite books. The writing is beautiful and the storyline is really interesting. I just need more time to read. Plus, this book is massive, so it's slightly intimidating.

8. The Winner's Crime (Winner's Curse #2) by Marie Rutkowski

I found the first book pretty entertaining, however unrealistic and cheesy the plot may have been. It was still worth a read, and I'll probably read the second one as well.

9. Just One Year by Gayle Forman

Just One Day actually put me in a really depressed mood for a week or two. I guess this means the book is doing it's job, making me feel stuff, but I just felt really down for a while. I know the book was great, but I'm really hesitant about reading the companion book because I kind of don't want to get the same feelings I did when I read the first one. I'll still read it though. Cause I apparently love torturing myself. And I can't resist a good book.

10. Lair of Dreams by Libba Bray

Despite the fact that The Diviners gave me terrible terrible nightmares, I still loved it. Can't wait to pick this one up! The characters definitely intrigue me.

Top Ten Tuesday 11/11

Top Ten Tuesdays are hosted by The Broke and the Bookish.

This week's theme is: Top Ten Characters You Wish Would Get Their Own Book

I'm going to warn you in advance, all of these characters are males. I'm pretty sure this is because most of the books I read have female protagonists, so I already get their story. I need to branch out my reading a little bit. Or not. I could only come up with seven for this week, but I tried my best. Anyways, here's my list!

1. Liam from The Darkest Minds trilogy by Alexandra Bracken

Who wouldn't want his story? I love the dynamic between him and his brother, Cole. I would definitely read a few books about Liam. I also just want his take on what happens in the Darkest Minds books. I haven't read Into the Afterlight yet, but I can't wait! I just can't really afford hardcover books. Poor college student and all.

2. Levi from Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell

Need I say much more. I love his character in Fangirl, and he is so unique compared to most of the male leads in YA. I also want to see how he views Cath. 

3. Raffe from the Angelfall series by Susan Ee

Not as many people have read these books, but I absolutely love them. It seems like it takes forever for the books to come out, but the next one finally has a release date. I'm pretty sure it's in May 2015. Not for certain, though. I can't wait that long! I love the dynamic between the two main characters, so I would love to see it through Raffe's eyes.

4. Chaol from the Throne of Glass series by Sarah J. Maas

I haven't read Heir of Fire yet, but I've heard it's the best one yet. I'm kind of sad though, because I'm pretty sure Chaol won't play as big of a role in this one. I'm definitely rooting for him.

5. The Darkling from the Shadow and Bone trilogy

*spoilers*  I hated the ending he got in the third book! He deserved so much more! He was such an interesting character and I would love to read more of his backstory.

6. Roth from the Dark Elements series by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Definitely like Roth better than Zayne. And we never really get to read about what's going on in Roth's life, and I need to know!

7. Wes from The Truth About Forever by Sarah Dessen

I went through a phase where I was obsessed with Sarah Dessen. I am over that now, but this book still holds a spot in my heart! I love Wes and Macy together.

Update: Nanowrimo 2014

National Novel Writing Month has officially started! Which means my life is absolutely crazy busy right now. I thought I'd just post a little update about what's going on! So bear with me!

If you don't know what Nanowrimo is, definitely check out the link. Essentially, you just try to write 50,000 words in one month. It's definitely not as easy as it sounds. Actually, it doesn't even sound easy. It's a great adventure and challenge!

I know that I just started actively posting on the blog, but I'm afraid that I won't have as much time to post this month because of Nanowrimo. I will still definitely be posting, just not as often. With school, homework, this blog, Nanowrimo, and my procrastination problems, there will definitely be a lot of late nights. 

Now that I've gotten my ranting out of the way... is there anyone out there participating in Nanowrimo?! Despite how much I complain, I think the program is so great! It pushes me to write more, even when I want to be lazy. While it does get some criticism, I think the program does what it is designed to do. Rather than worrying about editing and big ideas, people can just write, without judging themselves. Just get your words onto the paper. Or screen. Even if you don't make it to 50,000 words, I still think it's important that you're getting your ideas out.

So if you aren't doing Nanowrimo, start now! It's not too late, and you might as well try it! Last year was my first attempt, and I didn't make it to the word count, but I was still proud of what I accomplished. Hopefully, I can make it this year, but I'm not so sure it's gonna happen. I'll try my best!

If you are doing Nanowrimo, leave a comment! I would love to talk about your ideas, or anything!

Happy writing!