Top Ten Books At The Top Of My Summer TBR List

SUMMER TBR – REVIEW BOOKS
1.   STARRY NIGHTS by Daisy Whitney
2.   THE BITTER KINGDOM by Rae Carson
3.   THE BONE SEASON by Samantha Shannon
4.   WHERE THE STARS STILL SHINE by Trish Doller
5.   THIS SONG WILL SAVE YOUR LIFE by Leila Sales

SUMMER TBR – PLEASURE READS
6.   IN HONOR by Jessi Kirby
7.   SLICE OF CHERRY by Dia Reeves
8.   FROI OF THE EXILES by Melina Marchetta
9.   THE BOOK OF BROKEN HEARTS by Sarah Ockler
10.   DAYS OF BLOOD AND STARLIGHT by Laini Taylor

Now, I just have to decide what to read first. That will be challenging....if you want to participate in this meme, visit The Broke and The Bookish for more information!

What's at the top of your summer TBR list?

My Top Ten Beach Reads

Hosted by (and above image from) The Broke and the Bookish

1.   SUMMER trilogy by Jenny Han (A, B, F, G, H, I)
2.   THE TRUTH ABOUT FOREVER by Sarah Dessen (A, B, E, F**, G, H, I)
3.   TWENTY BOY SUMMER by Sarah Ockler (A, B, E, F, G, H, I)
4.   THE LAST SONG by Nicholas Sparks (A, B, E, F, G, H, I)
5.   MEDIATOR series by Meg Cabot (A, D, E*, F*, G, H, I)
6.   PRIVATE series by Kate Brian (A, B, F, G, H, I*)
7.   FINNIKIN OF THE ROCK by Melina Marchetta (C, D, E, F, H, I*)
8.   SIEGE AND STORM by Leigh Bardugo (B, C, D, E, F*, G, H, I*)
9.   BITTERBLUE by Kristin Cashore (B, D, E, F, G, H, I*)
10.   HARRY POTTER series by JK Rowling (A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I* = PERFECTION)

Lea's Beach Read Requirements
(A) Takes place during summer (in at least one book, if series)
(B) Has light or serious drama
(C) Super epic journey
(D) Magic or supernatural element
(E) Awesome main characters, * if they're sassy
(F) Swoonworthy romance, * if I adore them
(G) Involves water (even if it's only vaguely)
(H) Family / friends are present
(I) Secrets! * if there are many secrets.

Yes, I've got a whole system (in my mind, so it's a bit weird to see it written down) when it comes to what qualifies as a beach read. And yes, I'm a strange, bookish person.

What's your favorite beach read?

The Queen's Library (29)

Kindle Books - Purchased
FEED by Mira Grant
UNRAVEL ME by Tahereh Mafi
FORGIVE MY FINS by Tera Lynn Childs
BOUNDLESS by Cynthia Hand
THE GREAT GATSBY by F. Scott Fitzgerald
THROUGH THE EVER NIGHT by Veronica Rossi

Printed Books - Purchased
DON'T BREATHE A WORD by Holly Cupala
FROI OF THE EXILES by Melina Marchetta
CITY OF A THOUSAND DOLLS by Miriam Forster
SHADES OF EARTH by Beth Revis

Kindle deals are my weakness, apparently. I finally purchased some printed books though, and I'm really excited to start FROI! I loved FINNIKIN, and I've heard that FROI is even better.

What books did you get?

The feature is inspired by Pop Culture Junkie's This Week In Books, The Story Siren's In My Mailbox, and Mailbox Monday. The Queen's Library is a way for me to feature books that I add to my bookshelves and a place to post my weekly recommendations. This is not a new meme, but merely an adjusted feature that is better suited to my blog and needs.

The Queen's Library (26)

For Review from Netgalley
A CORNER OF WHITE by Jaclyn Moriarty

Purchased for Kindle
SHUTTER ISLAND by Dennis Lehane
JELLICOE ROAD by Melina Marchetta (such an incredible novel!)
THE NAME OF THE STAR by Maureen Johnson

Freebies for Kindle 
THE TAKEN by Vicki Pettersson
THE TORN WING by Kiki Hamilton

Many thanks to Netgalley + Scholastic for the review book!

What books did you get this week? Leave a link!

The feature is inspired by Pop Culture Junkie's This Week In Books, The Story Siren's In My Mailbox, and Mailbox Monday. The Queen's Library is a way for me to feature books that I add to my bookshelves and a place to post my weekly recommendations. This is not a meme, but merely an adjusted feature that is better suited to my blog. 

The Queen's Library (24)

Books Received For Review MORTAL FIRE by Elizabeth Knox (requested ARC) THE FURY by Alexander Gordon Smith (requested ARC) SIEGE AND STORM by Leigh Bardugo (requested ARC) IMPULSE by Steven Gould (unsolicited finished copy)

Purchased w/ Giftcard (Kindle Books)

SPARK by Brigid Kemmerer

FEARLESS by Brigid Kemmerer

RADIANT by Cynthia Hand

HALLOWED by Cynthia Hand

THE LORD OF THE RINGS trilogy by JRR Tolkien FINNIKIN OF THE ROCK by Melina Marchetta (love this book!)

Kindle Freebies

DOUBLE CROSSED by Ally Carter THE PRINCESS OF EGYPT MUST DIE by Stephanie Dray   Many thanks to Ksenia + Macmillan for the review books, and to Tor for the surprise book! 

Inspiration for TQL

The Queen's Library (17)

For Review - Unsolicited

The Book of the Night by Pearl North

Purchased for Kindle

Easy by Tammara Webber
Anew by Chelsea Fine

Hold Me Closer, Necromancer by Lish McBride

Freebies For Kindle
Artemis Fowl by Eoin Colfer
Nailed by Jennifer Laurens

Received TBoTN randomly, and I'm not sure if I'll read it (can it be understood without having read the first two books?). I couldn't resist snagging Easy while for 99 cents, especially with all the rave reviews. Artemis Fowl and Nailed are still (as of right now) free for Kindle!

What books did you receive this week?

Inspiration / Credit

Review: Finnikin of the Rock by Melina Marchetta

Finnikin of the Rock
(Lumatere Chronicles #1)
Melina Marchetta
February 9th, 2010
399 pages (hardcover)
Candlewick Press
Source - Purchased

"At the age of nine, Finnikin is warned by the gods that he must sacrifice a pound of flesh to save his kingdom. He stands on the rock of the three wonders with his friend Prince Balthazar and Balthazar's cousin, Lucian, and together they mix their blood to safeguard Lumatere.

But all safety is shattered during the five days of the unspeakable, when the king and queen and their children are brutally murdered in the palace. An impostor seizes the throne, a curse binds all who remain inside Lumatere's walls, and those who escape are left to roam the land as exiles, dying by the thousands in fever camps.

Ten years later, Finnikin is summoned to another rock--to meet Evanjalin, a young novice with a startling claim: Balthazar, heir to the throne of Lumatere, is alive. This arrogant young woman claims she'll lead Finnikin and his mentor, Sir Topher, to the prince. Instead, her leadership points them perilously toward home. Does Finnikin dare believe that Lumatere might one day rise united? Evanjalin is not what she seems, and the startling truth will test Finnikin's faith not only in her but in all he knows to be true about himself and his destiny."

Once again, I am the idiot who almost gave up after reading only a few chapters of a Melina Marchetta novel. You'd think I would have learned my lesson by now, right? Thankfully, I dove back into the story (fourth time's the charm), and finally discovered that WOW-factor that I was previously missing. Like all other Marchetta novels, it takes patience and time for the story to bloom into something extraordinary. 

Marchetta skillfully and slowly builds a world rich in unique cultures, religions, and characters in her high fantasy novel, Finnikin of the Rock. There are journey's that sweep across the land, incredible moments of character growth, and the writing in Finnikin of the Rock will sweep you off your feet and drop you into a world filled with danger, surprise, and intrigue¹. I tend to use the word "magical" when describing Marchetta's writing style, and this novel is no exception. Quite honestly, if you are not reading Marchetta's novels, then you are missing out on reading extraordinary literature written by one of the most talented YA authors of our time. Marchetta is a skilled storyteller, so don't miss out! 

Highlights: The small surprises and the simpler moments between characters made this story wonderful. The characters eventually became some of my favorites because they are so realistic, flawed, and intriguing. The plot itself continuously surprised me and it gave me some wonderfully thoughtful moments to reflect upon. The included maps were helpful. I wish I could spend more of my time rereading Finnikin of the Rock, flipping through the pages and savoring each moment. This book is that good. 

Lowlights: It was very difficult to get into but it was completely worth the time that it took before I became fully hooked.

Rating: 

1 I'm keeping quiet about aspects of the plot. Trust me when I say that you want to go into this story with only the book jacket information -- it makes everything all the more magical that way.

Top Ten Books I'd Like To See Made Into A Movie

Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by The Broke and the Bookish

Top Ten Books I'd Like To See Made Into A Movie

 

1.  Across the Universe by Beth Revis - A murder mystery set in a spaceship! Totally movie material.

2.  The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin - Thrilling, surprising, and intriguing....it would be great.

 

3.  Graceling by Kristin Cashore - Wouldn't this make a fascinating movie? Action, adventure, romance, mystery, tough heroine...it's perfect!

4.  Finnikin of the Rock by Melina Marchetta - Yet another story I'd love to see come to life. Such great characters in this one!

 

5.  Wanderlove by Kirsten Hubbard - A fantastic travel story. I'd love to see all the different foreign locations in this one on a movie screen!

6.  Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkisn - Awesome, fun, and Paris :)

7.  Rampant by Diana Peterfreund - Killer unicorns. Enough said.

8.  Divergent by Veronica Roth - Yes, I chose this partially because of Four. Plus, exciting book = exciting movie (well, usually).

9.  Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor - Yet again with the foreign countries and magical places that I love to see come to life. Especially Brimstone's shop!

10.  The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern - The circus! This one could actually be pretty good as a film.

What book do you want to see as a movie? 

Images from GoodreadsTTT image from Broke and Bookish

Waiting on Wednesday (times two)

WOW is hosted by Jill of Breaking the Spine

Book: Bitter End

Author: Jennifer Brown

Release: May 10th, 2011

Summary:

When Alex falls for the charming new boy at school, Cole, a handsome, funny, sports star who adores her, she can't believe she's finally found her soul mate-someone who truly understands her and loves her for who she really is.

At first, Alex is blissfully happy. Sure, Cole seems a little jealous of her relationship with her best friends, Zack and Bethany, but what guy would want his girlfriend spending all of her time with another boy? But as the months pass, Alex can no longer ignore Cole's small put-downs, pinches, or increasingly violent threats. As Alex struggles to come to terms with the sweet boyfriend she fell in love with and the boyfriend whose "love" she no longer recognizes, she is forced to choose - between her "true love" and herself.

I remember reading and enjoying Jennifer's previous novel, Hate List, so I'm looking forward to this one - sounds like an emotional read. 

Book: The Piper's Son

Author: Melina Marchetta

Release: March 8th, 2011

Summary:

The award-winning author of Finnikin of the Rock and Jellicoe Road pens a raw, compelling novel about a family’s hard-won healing on the other side of trauma. 

Award-winning author Melina Marchetta reopens the story of the group of friends from her acclaimed novel Saving Francesca - but five years have passed, and now it’s Thomas Mackee who needs saving. After his favorite uncle was blown to bits on his way to work in a foreign city, Tom watched his family implode. He quit school and turned his back on his music and everyone that mattered, including the girl he can’t forget. Shooting for oblivion, he’s hit rock bottom, forced to live with his single, pregnant aunt, work at the Union pub with his former friends, and reckon with his grieving, alcoholic father. Tom’s in no shape to mend what’s broken. But what if no one else is either? An unflinching look at family, forgiveness, and the fierce inner workings of love and friendship, The Piper’s Son redefines what it means to go home again.

It's written by Melina Marchetta - need I say more? (and if you haven't read Jellicoe Road, you must!!)

What are you waiting on? 

Saving Francesca by Melina Marchetta Review

Book: Saving Francesca

Author: Melina Marchetta

Source: Library

Summary (inside flap):

Limitation Placers in Francesca's Life:

St. Sebastian's - pretends it's a coed school by giving the girls their own toilet.

The Psycho Girls - The only female companions to be found at St. Sebastian's: Tara Finke, ultra-feminist; Siobhan Sullivan, former "Slut of St. Stella's Academy"; and Justine Kalinsky, impossibly dorky accordian player.

The Sebastian Boys - Thomas Mackee: Specializes in musical burping. Probably dropped on his head a few times as a baby. Will Trombal: Perpetually frowning, smug moron with no personality. Now if only Francesca could stop daydreaming about him....

Mia - The Queen of the Limitation Placers--Francesca's vivacious mother. Thinks she knows what's best for Francesca and makes her attend the hateful all-boys school--until the day she is suddenly stricken with acute depression, leaving Francesca lost, alone, and without an inkling of who she really is.

Simultaneously humorous, poignant, and impossible to put down, this is the story of a girl who must summon the strength to save her family, her soical life, and--hardest of all--herself.

Review: After reading Jellicoe Road, this was a slight letdown, but still amazing in it's own right. Francesca was a fun character to get to know. It was heartbreaking to watch as Mia lost herself, and then Francesca's family decide to have the kids stay elsewhere. Francesca is struggling at school, talking to a few girls, but she misses her ex-Stella girls who "saved" her. These girls really are just controlling *witches* who are not the type of people Francesca needs. She misses her mom, and how happy she used to be. And then there's Will, who she just can't seem to resist.

In all, this story has a lot going on, and it works. The reason at the end for Mia's breakdown surprised me, and broke my heart (something Marchetta is great at. She knows how to capture your emotions).

Highlights: Justine. She was my favorite character just because of how sweet she is. I absolutely adore this girl, and how dedicated she is to her friends. Her concern and friendship is genuine.

Lowlights: At the end, I really didn't think much about Will. I mean, what do I really know about the guy by now? Nothing interesting. I just wish there were more interactions (meaningful ones) where we got to know him better. It just seemed like they never really got to know each other.

Rating:   

-Lea

Jellicoe Road by Melina Marchetta Review

Book: Jellicoe Road

Author: Melina Marchetta

Source: Bought

Summary:

"What do you want from me?" he asks.

What I want from every person in my life, I want to tell him. More. 

"Abandoned by her mother on Jellicoe Road when she was eleven, Taylor Markham, now seventeen, is finally being confronted with her past. But as the reluctant leader of her boarding school dorm, there isn't a lot of time for introspection. And while Hannah, the closest adult Taylor has to family, has disappeared, Jonah Griggs is back in town, moody stares and all.

In this absorbing story by Melina Marchetta, nothing is as it seems and every clue leads to more questions as Taylor tries to work out the connection between her mother dumping her, Hannah finding her then and her sudden departure now, a mysterious stranger who once whispered something in her ear, a boy in her dreams, five kids who lived on Jellicoe Road eighteen years ago, and the maddening and magnetic Jonah Griggs, who knows her better than she thinks he does. If Taylor can put together the pieces of her past, she might just be able to change her future."

I'll admit it, I amost gave up on this novel. I put it off for weeks, after reading only 30 pages, because it just wasn't grabbing me. Yet, I continued to hear how incredible it was, so after a few weeks I promised myself I'd just jump in and finish it before I moved onto another book.

I'm so glad I did continue and gave Jellicoe Road another chance. I've read so many YA books, and I've never been one for having favorite anythings, but this novel is seriously close to topping the charts of all books I've read. The beginning is slow moving and it does not make much sense, but as the book continues, the magic happens. I learned more about Taylor Markham's life, and the mysteries wrapped around her and the "wars" she participated in. I don't want to say much about the plot because I'd hate to ruin the magic of the story, but this book is extraordinary and so much more than I expected it to be. 

Highlights: Weaving the stories from the past into Hannah's manuscript, I loved learning everything with Taylor. There was always more to keep me curious, keep me turning the pages. I also loved the "wars", because they were so entertaining at times. Jonah's backstory was a blow to me, and I wasn't expecting what he says to Taylor about the day at the train station. It was an interesting shock, and I'm rarely surprised when reading.

Lowlights: It was incredibly hard to get into at first, but as I got to chapter 3, or 4, I was was hooked. I didn't want it to end.

Rating: