Top Ten Tuesday (#109) (10/06/15) Top Ten Series I Quit, or Will be Quitting

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish.

 

Top Ten Series I Quit, or Will be Quitting

I really try not to quit series, but ultimately I do have to let a few go.  There can be a variety of reasons, but I am confident I will never finish these series.

Across the Universe (Across the Universe #1) by Beth Revis

I listened to the audio of this book and I don't know if that was the issue, but I just didn't connect with this book. I will say that I remember it very well, so that's saying something really important.  Out of all the books on this list, this series is the one that stands even a bit of a chance of me finishing it.

Vampire Kisses (Vampire Kisses #1) by Ellen Schreiber

This series was not really bad exactly, it just never really held my interest. The bigger issue for me is that I read the first few so long ago that I just can't see myself picking up the rest of the very long series.

Indelible (The Twixt #1) by Dawn Metcalf

I debated putting this book on the list, but the bottom line is that it was so incredibly bizarre that I just can't see myself reading the rest of the series.

Marked (House of Night #1) by P.C. Cast & Kristin Cast

I stuck with this series for a really long time. It just never seemed to end. Now I'm left with a situation where I have only a couple of books left to finish the series.  Sadly I just don't see myself ever reading them.

Teardrop (Teardrop #1) by Lauren Kate

I managed to read every book in the Fallen series, and I really wanted to give this series a chance. I just couldn't connect with the story or the characters, so I doubt I will read the rest of the books.

What the Spell? (Life's a Witch #1) by Brittany Geragotelis

I have written a lot about how much I disliked this book. It was one of my top least favorite books of all time.  I couldn't even begin to think about reading any other book in this series.

Witch & Wizard (Witch & Wizard #1) by James Patterson & Gabrielle Charbonnet

I broke up with this series a bit ago.  I read the first four books and after that, I had enough. It's just terrible. I can almost see where kids would love this series, but it was like nails on a chalkboard to me. 

Changeling (Order of Darkness #1) by Philippa Gregory

 Oh boy.  So I had never read a Philippa Gregory book before this one.  It was o.k. but I was definitely not something I was interested in continuing with. The whole thing made me sad because I had really hoped this book would be a gateway to her other books, but no such luck.

Motorcycles, Sushi & One Strange Book (Real Life #1) by Nancy Rue

This series is fine if you want to be bashed over the head with religion. I didn't realize what I was getting into when I picked up the first book in this series.  One book was enough. It was so preachy that I now have to double check the publisher when picking out new books so I know to avoid this one.

Nightfall (The Vampire Diaries: The Return #1) by L.J. Smith

I think I've talked about this series before, but here it is again.  I didn't mind the first four books in this series, but after the TV show came out, the hot mess of these books followed.  I read the first of the new books and one was enough. It was so bad.

Teaser and Top Ten Tuesday (#26) (09/17/13)

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:
• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers! 

The Dream Thieves (The Raven Cycle #2) by Maggie Stiefvater

From pg. 38 of my ARC*

As Ronan spoke, Gansey's eyes were half-closed, turned toward the night.  His thoughtless expression was one of wonder or of pain; with Gansey, they were so often the same thing.

*This is and ARC copy.  Page number and quotes may not be the same in the finished copy.

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish.

 

Top Ten Books On My Fall 2013 TBR List

Once again I am defining this to books that come out during the fall equinox September 22nd-December 20th. My track record is pretty good.  I just hope it can continue as I deal with a major life change come the beginning of December.  Here are the books I'm most looking forward to:

Across a Star-Swept Sea (For Darkness Shows the Stars #2) by Diana Peterfreund

I enjoyed the first book in this series.  I look forward to seeing what happens next.  I have the ARC just sitting on my shelf calling my name.

Allegiant (Divergent #3) by Veronica Roth

Not only one of my most anticipating books of the Fall, one of my most anticipated books of 2013.  I feel like I have been waiting for this book to come out FOREVER.

The Fiery Heart (Bloodlines #4) by Richelle Mead

I have been waiting for this since the beginning of the year when I finished The Indigo Spell.  I am so excited we get two Bloodlines books in one year.  Ms. Mead is so nice to us readers!

Never Fade (The Darkest Minds #2) by Alexandra Bracken

The first book in this series was actually a bit of a surprise to me.  I didn't expect to enjoy it as much as I did.  I can't wait to see what happens in the second book in this series.  Another ARC I really need to get to before it comes out.

Teardrop (Teardrop #1) by Lauren Kate
I enjoyed the last series she wrote. I had some issues with it, but overall I found it to be pretty enjoyable.  I'm looking forward to seeing if this one can be better. I've had the ARC waiting for me for what seems like forever.

These Broken Stars (Starbound #1) by Amie Kaufman

I've just noticed that this list is very sci-fi heavy, which is not my normal favorite.  But I'm including this one because it looks so interesting and is getting so much buzz.  I have the ARC, now I just have to read it!

Through the Zombie Glass (White Rabbit Chronicles #2) by Gena Showalter

I had anticipated the first book in this series so much last year, and it totally lived up to my expectations.  I can't wait to see what happens next.  Plus Cole is back, and I love some Cole. 

Just One Year (Just One Day #2) by Gayle Forman

It took me forever to finally read Just One Day, but the moment I finished it, I needed this book in my hands.  I can't wait to see what happened to Willem, and where the story goes from there.

Perfect Ruin (The Internment Chronicles #1) by Lauren DeStefano

I totally fell behind on her Chemical Garden series, but maybe I can stay current if I read this one?  I was bummed I missed on the ARCs at ALA, but I still plan to read it.

Unbreakable (Legion #1) by Kami Garcia

I can't wait to see what she does on her own.  I enjoyed the Beautiful Creatures series, and I want to see if I like this series more.  I have the ARC now I have to find the time.

Teaser and Top Ten Tuesday (#23) 08/27/13

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:
• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers! 

Unfed (Undead #2) by Kirsty McKay

From pg.118 of my ARC*

Russ is like a winged monkey on steroids; he reaches the gate easily and quickly, reaching down at the monsters and whipping out this weapon to cut off the stretchered-out hands.  It's totally gross, but it doesn't stop them pushing the gate.

*This is and ARC copy.  Page number and quotes may not be the same in the finished copy.

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish.

 

Top Ten Most Memorable Secondary Characters

Meredith from Anna and the French Kiss (Anna and the French Kiss #1) by Stephanie Perkins

Whatever her faults may be, or her misplaced crushes, she is a good friend to Anna when she needs it the most.  She was definitely memorable.

Park's parents from Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell

I can't begin to tell you how much I loved Park's parents. I could read an entire story based on them.  His mother in particular.  She was actually my favorite character in my favorite book of the year.

Iko from Cinder (Lunar Chronicles #1) by Marissa Meyer

Yes I have picked an android as a favorite secondary character.  But how awesome is she!?!  She can run a ship based on her power.  She doesn't even need an android body to be wise and a loyal friend.  Iko rules.

Jase's family from  My Life Next Door by Huntley Fitzpatrick

Yes it's cheating by picking the entire family instead of an individual, but I don't want to pick just one!  And really, I could have made up the list entirely devoted to the entire family.  They were all awesome, and I would have loved to have any of them in my family.

Luna Lovegood from  Harry Potter (Harry Potter #1) by J.K. Rowling

I know she doesn't appear until later books, but she is just so awesomely weird.  Plus she can kick butt.  There are so many great secondary characters throughout the entire Harry Potter series that it's really hard to pick just one.

Kristy Palmetto from The Truth About Forever by Sarah Dessen

There were so many awesome secondary characters in this book that it was hard to pick just one.  I picked Kristy because she is so awesomely vocal and so kind.  She had been through a ton and never let it get her down.  She seemed so comfortable with herself that you just were rooting for her the whole time.

Jules Marchenior from Die for Me (Die for Me #1) by Amy Plum

If the secondary characters still gets their own novella, are they still a secondary character?  This is a perfect example of a great secondary character making an average series better. 

Cam Briel from Fallen (Fallen #1) by Lauren Kate

And here is another example of a character making an average series better.  I had major issues with this series, and even though I read them all, I can't remember how it ends. But I do remember Cam, and I remember his story, and I will still root for him. 

Kenji Kishimoto from Shatter Me (Shatter Me #1) by Tahereh Mafi

How awesome is Kenji?  He's able to hide how awesome he is for most of the first book, and then after that?  Even more awesome.  I love the scenes that he's in.  Among many things I'm looking forward to in the final book, more Kenji is definitely one of them.

Daphne Cruz from Touch of Frost (Mythos Academy #1) by Jennifer Estep

One of those characters when you first meet her you don't know how awesome she is going to be.  She is smart, talented and loyal.  I always enjoy a scene with Daphne. 

ALA Wrap Up

ALA Chicago!

So as my little tag on the side of my blog says, I attended ALA Annual in Chicago this year.  This is my second annual conference, and it was a bit different than Annual in Anaheim last year.  I have also attended two Mid-Winter conferences.  Overall, I think I prefer Mid-Winter to Annual, but all the conferences are great. 

The Good:

The Publishers. Of course.  They are always so wonderful, friendly and generous with the books they give away.  They are starting to recognize me, which is great.  This conference is the first since I started my blog, and even though I've attended all the conferences as a librarian, I had the extra bonus of letting them know about the blog.  I even made cards, so I hope they will remember me when I contact them in the future about author and book promotions, which is something I would love to do on the blog.  I want to give a special shout-out to Sourcebooks.  Although all the publishers were awesome, the gang at Sourcebooks just go above and beyond for me.  Every conference I look forward to seeing them, and every time they out-do themselves with their kindness and their generosity. 

The Authors.  I loved meeting so many of my favorite authors.  Some of whom I have loved forever.  I had a huge challenge in that I really had to be in session most of the time, but I had a few worker bees with me (my husband, his uncle, and his uncle's girlfriend).  They were able to walk the exhibit hall and stand in the lines while I was able to get my job done.  There were several authors that I was able to meet during breaks though.

Laurie Halse Anderson & Simone Elkeles

Children's Authors Mo Willems & Jon Klassen (with my DH)

The Books. This goes back to the publishers.  I loved seeing all the new books that are coming out.  I got a ton of ARCs and finished copies of books that I can't wait to read.  I had to have them shipped to me, and I've only gotten 2 of the 6 boxes that I had to mail back.  I forgot to take a picture of the books I've gotten so far, and I already integrated them into my book shelves, here are some of the titles that have arrived so far:

The Bad:

The Crowds. I don't know if it's because of the location of Chicago, or if more people are making an effort to go to ALA because they heard it was just as good as some of the other conferences, just less crowded, but it was crazy busy.  It was hard to walk in the aisles most of the time.  I hate crowds and it was the worst I've ever seen.  There were also lines everywhere because all the signings happen in the booths.  The people in line usually did a pretty good job of not blocking the aisles, but it was still bad.  Friday night was the worst.  You really couldn't walk.  It was very reminiscent of Bourbon St. during Mardi Gras.  Yuck.

The Theft.   It pains me to say this, but the somebody or somebodies were stealing books from the publishers left and right.  I was actually disgusted.  I talked to some of the publishers and they repeatedly said they had never had so many books stolen from them.  For all future attendees and those that may be intending to go to a future ALA conference, please keep in mind, the publishers are there to show off their upcoming products and popular titles.  If people keep stealing from them, they will no longer come.  Also keep in mind that this is a LIBRARY conference.  Any attendees who don't work at a library or for a library are there as guests.  Being there is a privilege and not a right.  If the publishers complain to the conference organizers about the amount of books that were flat out stolen from them, ALA will close itself off from guests.  I know bloggers enjoy the opportunity to talk to the publishers, but the conference is NOT for bloggers.  It's for librarians.  Good luck at getting in for a reasonable price if this kind of behavior continues.  The reason I'm targeting bloggers is because I would be really shocked if it was librarians.  Librarians deal with the theft of books on a regular basis, and I don't think any of them would do that to a publisher.  I'm not saying it's not possible, but ALA will surely block guests and bloggers from attending long before they block Librarians from attending.