Top Ten Books I've Read So Far In 2013

Hosted by The Broke and The Bookish

 

After a lot thinking (and scrolling through my Goodreads account), these are the top ten books I've read so far in 2013 (not all were published in 2013, just FYI):

1.  SIEGE AND STORM by Leigh Bardugo (my review)
2.  OUT OF THE EASY by Ruta Sepetys (my review)
3.  SCARLET by Marissa Meyer (my review)
4.  SHADES OF EARTH by Beth Revis
5.  A GAME OF THRONES George RR. Martin
6.  THE MOON AND MORE by Sarah Dessen
7.  THE FAULT IN OUR STARS by John Green
8.  THE LUCKY ONE by Nicholas Sparks
9.  UNBREAK MY HEART by Melissa Walker
10.  EVERNEATH by Brodi Ashton

I think SIEGE AND STORM, SCARLET, TFIOS, and OUT OF THE EASY are my favorites of 2013 - so far, anyway! ;)

What's in your top ten?

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.

COVERS: Mila, Scarlet, Scoundrels, and more

MILA 2.0

This is fascinating. Normally, this isn't the kind of cover I'd like, but I think it's interesting. It makes me curious about the story inside...

Uncontrollable (The Nature of Grace #2)

I like the first cover more, but I'm glad it matches the first book. The eyes are (yet again) so stunning!

Scarlet (Lunar Chronicles #2)

It's not as striking as Cinder's cover, but I like that they stuck with the same overall theme. I love the font and flowing cloak! 

Shades of Earth (Across the Universe #3)

 

I kind of hate it. After the gorgeousness of ATU hardcover, ATU paperback, and AMS hardcover, they redesigned the entire trilogy (you can see all three new covers at Wired) and made it look like a middle grade series -- which, I guess, is supposed to draw in more male readers. I wish they had waited until after they put out a matching HC for Shades of Earth and then redesigned the trilogy in paperback. I'm extremely disappointed in this cover and the late change in covers, so the story better be epic to make up for it. 

Perfect Scoundrels (Heist Society #3)

 

YAY for a new Heist Society novel! So happy to see that this cover matches up nicely with the first two. 

Fragments (Partials #2)

Why does the girl have black hair on Partials and light brown hair on Fragments? I like the background for Fragments a lot, but I feel like Partials has a much better and stronger cover. 

Have you spotted any great covers lately?

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

Top Ten Tuesday (8)

Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by The Broke and the Bookish

Top Ten Books I'd Save if My House Was About to be Abducted by (Mean) Aliens (Who Want My House/Bookshelf)

1.  The Harry Potter series by JK Rowling - I can count this as one book, right? Right??? And if not, then I'll begrudgingly choose book 4. 
2.  Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver - Love, love, love this book. Plus, it's autographed by Lauren and personalized to me. So, naturally, I wouldn't leave this baby behind. 
3.  Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor - Why? Because it's freaking awesome. That's why.
4.  Molly Fyde and the Parsona Rescue by Hugh Howey - Action, adventure, aliens, and it's autographed. How could I not save it?

5.  The Host by Stephenie Meyer - I may mock Twilight, but The Host is actually a pretty good and fascinating story. I'm hoping SM will write another Host book!
6.  A Million Suns by Beth Revis - Autographed and personalized, plus it's amazing. And it's set on a SPACESHIP, which is beyond cool. 
7.  The Truth About Forever by Sarah Dessen - It's a comfort read, and I could also never leave Wes behind to be abducted by aliens. He's just too swoonworthy. *swoons*
8.  The Scorpio Races by Maggie Stiefvater - Too awesome of a book to let it be abducted by aliens. 

9.  The Mediator series by Meg Cabot - Tough heroine + hot Spanish guy + ghosts. It's a winning combination. I adore these books!
10.  My Kindle - Yes, that's probably cheating, but whatever. At least it's small and easy to transport! 
So, what books would you save?

Giveaway: A Million Suns by Beth Revis

Winner #1 will receive a finished copy of A Million Suns

Winner #2 will receive an ARC of A Million Suns

International

Ends February 24th, 2012

Contest Policy

Please fill out the form below

A Million Suns by Beth Revis

A Million Suns (ATU #2)
Beth Revis
January 10th, 2012
400 (hardcover) 
Publisher: Razorbill
Source: Publisher & Bought

Godspeed was fueled by lies. Now it is ruled by chaos.
It's been three months since Amy was unplugged. The life she always knew is over. And everywhere she looks, she sees the walls of the spaceship Godspeed. But there may just be hope: Elder has assumed leadership of the ship. He's finally free to enact his vision - no more Phydus, no more lies.
But when Elder discovers shocking news about the ship, he and Amy race to discover the truth behind life on Godspeed. They must work together to unlock a puzzle that was set in motion hundreds of years earlier, unable to fight the romance that's growing between them and the chaos that threatens to tear them apart....read more at Goodreads. 

"Follow the leader."¹

Some secrets are not meant to be shared. Three months after the end of Across the Universe, Elder has become the leader of Godspeed, and each of his subsequent choices as its newest ruler have come with consequences. While Elder struggles with being the leader, Amy battles with her outsider status on Godspeed. But when she receives a mysterious clue hinting at a secret revolving around Godspeed, she readily embarks on a scavenger hunt to find answers that will change everything. 

Thank you, Beth Revis, for a sequel that is just as great if not better than the first novel. A Million Suns ramps up the energy and pandemonium. Revis takes everything - mystery, relationships, fear - to another level. Life on Godspeed is as claustrophobic as ever, with so many people and nowhere to run. A Million Suns is a magnetic mystery that will keep you on the edge of your seat, excited and breathless, until you arrive at the final page. 
Highlights: So many surprises. Even if you guess one, there are plenty of others that will amaze you. The hunt for the clues was interesting. Amy and Elder's relationship was intriguing - things are pretty strained between them, and I liked that they still have some issues to work out. 
Lowlights: It took a few chapters to get back into the characters voices and to remember their personalities. And Revis killed off a character I liked (again). 
Rating: 
1 pg. 147 - A simple phrase, and yet it gives me chills. 

In My Mailbox (68)

IMM is hosted by Kristi of The Story Siren

***

Purchased + FreebiesA Million Suns by Beth Revis (signed & personalized)ATU poster (a little beat up, but cool) Koi and Lotus print (so pretty!) ATU rubber braceletATU bookmarksATU pin
Purchased - Kindle BooksBecome by Ali CrossCatching Jordan by Miranda Kenneally Demons at Deadnight by A & E Kirk (2nd copy)
Thanks to Fireside Bookstore + Beth Revis for the opportunity to buy a signed and personalized copy of A Million Suns (and for mailing it so quickly!), as well as for all of the amazing swag. 
What did you get this week?

Best of 2011

My 11 Best Books of 2011(in no particular order)
1.  Delirium by Lauren Oliver2.  Clarity by Kim Harrington3.  Divergent by Veronica Roth
4.  Demonglass by Rachel Hawkins
5.  Blood Red Road by Moira Young
6.  The Faerie Ring by Kiki Hamilton7.  Across the Universe by Beth Revis8.  Between Shades of Gray by Ruta Sepetys
9.  The Liar Society by Lisa & Laura Roecker
10.  Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor
11. What Happened to Goodbye by Sarah Dessen

Best Female Main CharacterKarou from Daughter of Smoke and Bone
Best Male Main CharacterCas from Anna Dressed in Blood
Funniest Main CharacterSophie from Demonglass
Most Realistic Main CharacterTiki from The Faerie Ring

Best Supporting Male CharacterFour from Divergent
Best Supporting Female CharacterAnna from Anna Dressed in Blood
Most SwoonworthyFour from DivergentRieker from The Faerie Ring
Best HorrorAnna Dressed in Blood by Kendare Blake

Best Villain (Orion) from Across the Universe
Best Sci-fi & MysteryAcross the Universe by Beth Revis
Best FantasyDaughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor
Best DystopianDivergent by Veronica Roth

Best Romance & WritingDelirium by Lauren Oliver
Best HistoricalBetween Shades of Gray by Ruta SepetysThe Faerie Ring by Kiki Hamilton
Best ContemporaryRival by Sara Bennett WealerMoonglass by Jessi Kirby

Best Verse NovelThe Day Before by Lisa Schroeder

Best Ending to a Series/TrilogyThe Forgotten Locket by Lisa Mangum
Best SequelUncommon Criminals by Ally CarterDemonglass by Rachel Hawkins
Most UniqueBlood Red Road by Moira Young

Most SurprisingAnna Dressed in Blood by Kendare Blake

 

Best Cover of 2011Possession by Elana JohnsonAcross the Universe by Beth Revis

The Must-Read Book of 2011Between Shades of Gray by Ruta Sepetys
Considering the amount of ties I gave (seriously, it was so hard to narrow it down!), I'd say 2011 was an epic book year. 
What was one of the best books you read in 2011?