Top Ten Tuesday is weekly meme created by the lovely folks at The Broke and the Bookish. They created it because they're "particularly fond of lists" and since I also enjoy lists, I've decided to participate in this fun feature.
We're halfway through 2015 (how did that happen?) so it's fitting that this week's TTT topic has us listing our favourite reads of the year so far. Yikes. It's hard! Apparently I've read a lot of good books this year. I managed to get it down to 10 but if you want to see all the books I've loved this year, check out my Goodreads page! What have some of your favourite reads been this year? Links will lead to reviews or, more likely, the Goodreads page. (I'm soooo behind on reviews!)
Anne of Green Gables/Avonlea/the Island/Windy Poplars - Lucy Maud Montgomery
Lindsey of Reeder Reads decided to do a Green Gables Readalong that, if I'm being honest, a lot of us are failing at. BUT! It is an amazing idea. I adored the Anne books when I was younger and rereading them has been fabulous. I'd forgotten how lovely the story and writing is. I can't wait to get my TBR list down a bit and continue reading the last four books. If I had to pick a winner of the four I've reread so far though, Anne of the Island would definitely come out on top.
Saint Anything - Sarah Dessen
Guys. I cannot tell you how much I loved Dessen's latest book. I wasn't crazy about her last two so I wasn't sure what to expect with Saint Anything. This one is a bit darker than her others (and I'm SO GLAD the cover design reflects that and didn't make it all girly like they tend to be for hers...but I'm veering off into another topic altogether...) but that's kind of what makes it oh so good. It's real and raw and just amazing. Read it.
99 Days - Katie Cotugno
I heard about this YA novel through Jamie (who, you should already know, is behind Broke and Bookish and also her fab blog The Perpetual Page-Turner). I totally trust her YA recommendations because she is a contemporary lover and that's really the only YA I read. I haven't read Cotugno's first, How to Love, yet but I imagine I will soon because I just really loved how her latest novel was written and I loved Molly, the main character. She's in a crazy messy situation, which won't be for everyone, but I thought the feelings Molly was having were totally spot on.
Four Seconds to Lose - KA Tucker
I keep reading the next in Tucker's series (this one is the third in the Ten Tiny Breaths, which I loved) and saying to myself, "Oh, there's no way I could love the next one more." That's why I give myself breaks between them because I don't think I can handle jumping into another character's life. But. I really think Four Seconds to Lose is my favourite of the three I've read (just put the last one on reserve at my library!) so far. Maybe. Oh, I don't know anymore. Long story short: I just effing love Tucker's books.
The Royal We - Heather Cocks and Jessica Morgan
I could not stop reading this book! You don't have to be a royals lover to enjoy it but having at least some sense of Will and Kate's relationship will probably make you like the book more. The book is hilarious but it has all the emotions you want and need packed in its (many, many, many) pages.
At the Water's Edge - Sara Gruen
I adored this historical fiction novel. I loved that it was set in Scotland but I equally loved reading as the main character, Maddie, learned about herself. The story gets a little harrowing at times, you're not entirely sure how stable her husband is, but the high emotions and tension are what suck you into this story.
The Marrying Type - Laura Chapman
I love books about wedding planners, I love books that are a subtle nod or homage to Jane Austen's novels, and I love Laura. So, it's no surprise that I loved her latest, The Marrying Type. It's a fun book with a lot of heart.
In the Unlikely Event - Judy Blume
I admit that I actually couldn't tell you exactly what Judy Blume books I read growing up. Are you there God? It's me, Margaret, for sure. But other than that? No clue. But that didn't stop me from wanting to read her new book. She's a legend for a reason. And oh man am I ever glad I read this one. The story is so captivating and I actually loved that so many characters were able to tell their part of the story. It sounds like it wouldn't work, and from any other author it might not, but in Blume's hands, it adds to the crazy nature of the story. Make sure you read this one.
The Knockoff - Lucy Sykes and Jo Piazza
Another admission: I wasn't sure how much I'd love this book. But the good news is I loved it a lot! The story takes a very real problem (those who don't understand the technology being shoved at them by the younger and (generally) more tech-savvy generation) and makes it extreme. And it's awesome that it's extreme because that's what you expect in a novel about the fashion world. It's the perfect read for the summer.
China Rich Girlfriend - Kevin Kwan
This one was probably my most anticipated read of 2015. I freaking loved Crazy Rich Asians when I read it two years ago and could not wait to get back into the insane life of these characters. The imagery in this one is amazing and the story is so crazy but so good. I'm already impatient for the third book! And the film adaptation! Whee!
We're halfway through 2015 (how did that happen?) so it's fitting that this week's TTT topic has us listing our favourite reads of the year so far. Yikes. It's hard! Apparently I've read a lot of good books this year. I managed to get it down to 10 but if you want to see all the books I've loved this year, check out my Goodreads page! What have some of your favourite reads been this year? Links will lead to reviews or, more likely, the Goodreads page. (I'm soooo behind on reviews!)
Anne of Green Gables/Avonlea/the Island/Windy Poplars - Lucy Maud Montgomery
Lindsey of Reeder Reads decided to do a Green Gables Readalong that, if I'm being honest, a lot of us are failing at. BUT! It is an amazing idea. I adored the Anne books when I was younger and rereading them has been fabulous. I'd forgotten how lovely the story and writing is. I can't wait to get my TBR list down a bit and continue reading the last four books. If I had to pick a winner of the four I've reread so far though, Anne of the Island would definitely come out on top.
Saint Anything - Sarah Dessen
Guys. I cannot tell you how much I loved Dessen's latest book. I wasn't crazy about her last two so I wasn't sure what to expect with Saint Anything. This one is a bit darker than her others (and I'm SO GLAD the cover design reflects that and didn't make it all girly like they tend to be for hers...but I'm veering off into another topic altogether...) but that's kind of what makes it oh so good. It's real and raw and just amazing. Read it.
99 Days - Katie Cotugno
I heard about this YA novel through Jamie (who, you should already know, is behind Broke and Bookish and also her fab blog The Perpetual Page-Turner). I totally trust her YA recommendations because she is a contemporary lover and that's really the only YA I read. I haven't read Cotugno's first, How to Love, yet but I imagine I will soon because I just really loved how her latest novel was written and I loved Molly, the main character. She's in a crazy messy situation, which won't be for everyone, but I thought the feelings Molly was having were totally spot on.
Four Seconds to Lose - KA Tucker
I keep reading the next in Tucker's series (this one is the third in the Ten Tiny Breaths, which I loved) and saying to myself, "Oh, there's no way I could love the next one more." That's why I give myself breaks between them because I don't think I can handle jumping into another character's life. But. I really think Four Seconds to Lose is my favourite of the three I've read (just put the last one on reserve at my library!) so far. Maybe. Oh, I don't know anymore. Long story short: I just effing love Tucker's books.
The Royal We - Heather Cocks and Jessica Morgan
I could not stop reading this book! You don't have to be a royals lover to enjoy it but having at least some sense of Will and Kate's relationship will probably make you like the book more. The book is hilarious but it has all the emotions you want and need packed in its (many, many, many) pages.
At the Water's Edge - Sara Gruen
I adored this historical fiction novel. I loved that it was set in Scotland but I equally loved reading as the main character, Maddie, learned about herself. The story gets a little harrowing at times, you're not entirely sure how stable her husband is, but the high emotions and tension are what suck you into this story.
The Marrying Type - Laura Chapman
I love books about wedding planners, I love books that are a subtle nod or homage to Jane Austen's novels, and I love Laura. So, it's no surprise that I loved her latest, The Marrying Type. It's a fun book with a lot of heart.
In the Unlikely Event - Judy Blume
I admit that I actually couldn't tell you exactly what Judy Blume books I read growing up. Are you there God? It's me, Margaret, for sure. But other than that? No clue. But that didn't stop me from wanting to read her new book. She's a legend for a reason. And oh man am I ever glad I read this one. The story is so captivating and I actually loved that so many characters were able to tell their part of the story. It sounds like it wouldn't work, and from any other author it might not, but in Blume's hands, it adds to the crazy nature of the story. Make sure you read this one.
The Knockoff - Lucy Sykes and Jo Piazza
Another admission: I wasn't sure how much I'd love this book. But the good news is I loved it a lot! The story takes a very real problem (those who don't understand the technology being shoved at them by the younger and (generally) more tech-savvy generation) and makes it extreme. And it's awesome that it's extreme because that's what you expect in a novel about the fashion world. It's the perfect read for the summer.
China Rich Girlfriend - Kevin Kwan
This one was probably my most anticipated read of 2015. I freaking loved Crazy Rich Asians when I read it two years ago and could not wait to get back into the insane life of these characters. The imagery in this one is amazing and the story is so crazy but so good. I'm already impatient for the third book! And the film adaptation! Whee!
Gah I still need to read China Rich Girlfriend! And I really should read some more Sarah Dessen this summer! Maybe I'll bring a stack of her books to the cottage with me :)
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