Top Ten Books We're Looking Forward To In 2015

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

 Since there are so many books coming out in 2015 that both Christina and I want to read we decided to do a combined list of our most anticipated 2015 reads. So without further ado, here they are:

Top Ten Books We're Looking Forward To In 2015

All Fall Down (Embassy Row #1) by Ally Carter
The Heart of Betrayal (The Remnant Chronicles #2) by Mary E. Pearson
The Winner's Crime (The Winner's Trilogy #2) by Marie Rutkoski
The Ruby Circle (Bloodlines #6) by Richelle Mead
                

The Third Twin by CJ Omololu
Fairest (The Lunar Chronicles) by Marissa Meyer
A Wicked Thing by Rhiannon Thomas
The Orphan Queen (The Orphan Queen #1) by Jodi Medows
                                  

Not Pictured:

Six of Crows (The Dregs #1) by Leigh Bardugo

Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) by Marissa Meyer

Books We Are Thankful For

Today is Thanksgiving in the US and it’s a time remember the things we are thankful for. Books have always been a major part of our lives and we are especially thankful for the books that have been there for us when we needed them most. Here are some of the comfort books that we are most thankful for this year:                                                                                                                                                                

Sarah’s Pick:

What do we think of when we think “comfort book?” I think of something that can cheer me up; a book where I love all the characters and is short enough that rereading it, say, in a day or two, wouldn’t be a problem. I didn’t really have a book like that for the longest time. I rarely reread books and the books I read aren’t exactly the light-hearted, make you smile/laugh types. But in the last few years I’ve discovers two series that I can count on to make me smile or outright laugh out loud. I’ve found main characters that I can root for and guys that I can swoon over. And when nothing else is working I can count on these book to pull me out of my funk.

Gallagher Girls (series) by Ally Carter

I first heard about this series through Christina. She had been pushing me to read it because she said it was my type of book and that I would love it: spy girls, spy boy, missions, cool gadgets, what's not to love? (I was a huge fan of Alias when it aired.) I became almost immediately obsessed after reading the second book last year and have since read the books multiple times each (I have read Out of Sight, Out of Time 5 times so far). This series has a balance of humor and drama that I just love which is why it has quickly risen to become my favorite series. Whenever I need a comfort read, I just look to these books on my shelf.

Stephanie Plum (series) by Janet Evanovich

I first met Stephanie in December of 2011 in One for the Money. I really don’t read “adult” books but I heard about the upcoming movie and thought I’d give it a shot. I don’t think I’ve ever laughed out loud so much in a book before. They not only made me laugh but it also sent chills up my spine and made me smile at random moments in the day just thinking about it. At the beginning of this year everything else just felt to dark or depressing so I read though some of these and it really cheered me up.

I am so thankful for these series because they gave me a love for rereading (Gallagher Girls) and lots of laughs (both) and they both hold a special place in my heart.

Christina’s Pick:

For me, a comfort book is one that feels like a warm, fuzzy blanket when I fall into the story. Even if they aren’t the most cheerful books, the characters, the world, and the writing style make me so incredibly happy. These books pull me out of my world and into theirs. They are always there when I need them, and I love them for it.

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone (Harry Potter #1) by J.K. Rowling

I love the entire series and I get warm fuzzy feelings whenever I return to it. The first book is when those comforting warm fuzzy feelings are strongest. I love being introduced to Hogwarts all over again and getting to know Harry, Ron, and Hermione at the beginning of their friendship. It’s just magical.

Inkheart (Inkworld #1) by Cornelia Funke

This book is such a book lover’s book. It loves the written word and stories, and I love it all the more because of it.

 

Wicked Lovely (Wicked Lovely #1) by Melissa Marr

I just love the world and the characters so much. The writing style feels so beautiful and magical, like a fairy tale, that it always gives me comfort. The fey world is one that I have been in love with for a while, and Marr writes it better than anyone else.

Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen

Falling into the beautiful language and the familiar story is comforting. I can’t really explain it more than that. Reading something that I love as much as I love P&P is always a wonderful experience.

Percy Jackson and the Lighting Thief (Percy Jackson and the Olympians #1) by Rick Riordan

I added this one for the same reason I added HP #1: I love the series and this is the book that introduces me to the world and characters. It also helps that it is one of the more cheerful books on this list… what can I say, it’s cheerful by my standard.

Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins

I noticed that the past two years I’ve read this on spring break. It seems that after school wears me down for a while, I need a pick me up from this book. I love the friendship in the story, it just makes everything fun and happy (even though that is not the case for the entire book). I also love the fact that I can travel to Paris through it.

I hope all of you have a fantastic day! What are some books that you are thankful for?

Top 10 Books on my Winter TBR

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

Christina's Pick:
1. Strange and Ever After (Something Strange and Deadly #1) by Susan Dennard
Sarah just finished reading it so I'm going to try and get through it tomorrow. Wish me luck! 

2. The Dead Secret by Wilkie Collins
I love Wilkie Collins, but his books are really hard to track down if they are not named Woman in White or Moonstone. My dad saw this at our local bookstore and I just had to buy it. 

3. The Retribution of Mara Dyer (Mara Dyer #3) by Michelle Hodkin
I need this NOW! I'm hoping to read it before the end of the year so I can say I read all of them in 2014, but right now it's not looking possible. 

4. Sanditon by Jane Austen
This is one of her unfinished novels. My friend and Sarah and I have been meaning to read it at the same time, but we just haven't had the time. Hopefully we will over Christmas break.

5. Blood of Olympus (Heroes of Olympus #5) by Rick Riordan
I need to read it. I need to finish it all and get closure, but overall I'm just feeling dread. This series had gone so far from the original Percy Jackson series, and not in a good way. But I'm going to finish it, darn it!

Sarah's Pick
 The list just counts my TBR list from now through January.
1. All Fall Down (Embassy Row #1) by Ally Carter
This is my Most Anticipated book right now and with the new release date it comes out 5 days before my birthday!!! I love Ally Carter's Gallagher Girls series and have extremely high hopes for this one! January cannot get here fast enough! 

2. The Exiled Queen (Seven Realms #2) by Cinda Williams Chima
I finally got around to starting this series a couple months ago and have the next two books sitting on my shelf waiting to be read! Can't wait to see more of Hans and Raisa's adventure!

3. The Heist (Fox and O'Hare #) by Janet Evanovich & Lee Goldberg
Ever since I read the summary, I knew I had to read this book. I love Janet Evanovich, my friend says it's awesome, and it's sitting on my shelf. Three great reasons for me to finally read it!

4. Crown of Midnight (Throne of Glass #2) by Sarah J. Maas
While I wasn't overly fond of Throne of Glass I do want to continue this series because there were many story-lines that I found intriguing and want to read more of.  

5. Woman in White by Wilkie Collins
I've been trying to read this book for years and still haven't gotten around to it. I have a paperback copy and an audiobook copy so it should be easy right? I loved The Moonstone by Collins and I want to read his other work but I'm going to read this one first, dang-it!

Top Ten Sequels I Can't Wait To Get

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

Sarah's Pick

Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) by Marissa Meyer

The final book in the Lunar Chronicles, I can't wait! Everything will come together, battle will be fought, romance will ensue..... Well, this is what I hope will happen.lol

The Winner's Crime (The Winner's Trilogy #2) by Marie Rutkoski

The first book was a surprise read for me and after hearing all of the early reactions to this book I can't wait to get my hands on this sequel. Even if I have to go through a whole box of tissue to read it.

The Heart of Betrayal (The Remnant Chronicles #2) by Mary E. Pearson 

I loved the Kiss of Deception so much, and that ending, oh my gosh, really can't wait to see how the rest of this series goes. I'm on the edge of my seat already!

The Ruby Circle (Bloodlines #6) by Richelle Mead

Another final book, I've been a little iffy about the series recently but I'm still looking forward to how it ends, especially after the way the author left The Silver Shadows. What kind of mischief can Adrian and Sydney get into next?

Lion Heart (Scarlet #3) by A.C. Gaughen

More Scarlet and Rob!!! Need I say more?

Christina's Pick
*Some of these have come out already, but with a combination of school and the slowness of the library I have not been able to read them yet and, thus, I still can't wait to get them.

The Retribution of Mara Dyer (Mara Dyer #3) by Michelle Hodkin
I read the first two books in the series VERY quickly and I think this is my favorite series of the year. If this book is just as good as the previous two I will be very happy indeed.

Mr. Kiss and Tell (Veronica Mars #2) by Rob Thomas
I was pleasantly surprised by how enjoyable the first book was and how it felt like the tv series. As long as they keep coming out with these books I will keep reading them.

Strange and Ever After (Something Strange and Deadly #3) by Susan Dennard
This is one of those books that I have within reach but am unable to read right now. Soon, my precious... soon.

The Ruby Circle (Bloodlines #6) by Richelle Mead
OH MY GOSH! THAT ENDING! I NEED THIS BOOK! This is the only series that I actually buy the books when they come out. I'll be sad to see it end, but I can't wait to read the conclusion.

Winter (Lunar Chronicles #4) by Marissa Meyer
Not only am I in love with the series, after that introduction of Winter in Cress I just can't wait to see more of her. She's exactly my type of character! 

Top Five Characters I Wish Would Get Their OWN Book or POV

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

Sarah's Top 5

So, I'm not really someone who is constantly wanting a character to have their own book or POV because I can't really see them away from the original story or separate from the other characters in that story. However, there are, of course, a few exceptions and these are some of them:

1. Thalia Grace (Percy Jackson and the Olympians/Heroes of Olympus series)

Thalia is, to put it simply, AWESOME! She totally deserves her own book. I would love to see her adventures with the Hunters and what type of foes she might come across.

2. Rayna and Toraf (Syrena Legacy trilogy)

These two are so cute, I would love to see a book focused on them either set not long before Of Poseidon or their journey after. I'm really not picky.

3. Rachel Morgan & Joe Solomon (Gallagher Girls series)

I know these two are adults in a YA series but they are also bad-ass spies and I would love to read some of their adventures.

4. Haymitch (The Hunger Games trilogy)

I love Haymitch. Next to Katniss he is my favorite character in the Hunger Games. I don't know if I'd rather have a book about his games or see his POV during the Hunger Games because I love reading the Haymitch/Katniss dynamic but either one would be so cool!

5. Sturmhond (The Grisha trilogy)

 Do I really need to explain this? I can sum it up in one word: Pirate.

Harry Potter MotW (4): Favorite Luna Moment

Harry Potter Moment of the Week is a weekly meme hosted by Uncorked Thoughts

I feel like every scene with Luna contains a 'best Luna moment', but I'm going through The Half-Blood Prince right now and there are two Luna scenes which I absolutely adore. The first one is when Harry takes Luna to Slughorn's Christmas Party

     "I don't think you should be an Auror, Harry," said Luna unexpectedly. Everybody looked at her. "The Aurors are part of the Rotfang Conspiracy. I thought everyone knew that. They're working to bring down the Ministry of Magic from within using a combination of Dark Magic and gum disease."
     Harry inhaled half his mead up his nose as he started to laugh. Really, it had been worth bringing Luna just for this. (HBP, p. 320)

I love how Luna is just so Luna, and Harry is so used to her by now that he isn't embarrassed by her weirdness, he just goes along with it.

My other favorite moment is when Luna is commentating the Gryffindor vs Hufflepuff Quidditch match.

     "And that's Smith of Hufflepuff with the Quaffle," said a dreamy voice, echoing over the grounds. "He did the commentary last time, of course, and Ginny Weasley flew into him, I think probably on purpose, it looked like it. Smith was being quie rude about Gryffindor, I expect he regrets it now that he's playing them--oh, look, he's lost the Quaffle, Ginny took it from him, I do like her, she's very nice..." (HBP, p. 413-414)

*         *        *

     Ginny and Demelza scored a goal apiece, giving the red-and-gold-clad supporters something to cheer about. Then Cadwallader scored again, making things level, but Luna did not seem to have noticed; she appeared singularly uninterested in such mundane things as the score, and kept attempting to draw the crowd's attention to such things as interestingly shaped clouds and the possibility that Zacharias Smith, who had so far failed to maintain the Quaffle for longer than a  minute, was suffering from something called "Loser's Lurgy (HBP, p. 415)

Luna is just one of those characters that people cannot help but love.

Top Ten Books I Want to Reread

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

Top Ten Book I Want To Reread

Sarah's Pick

 I have actually read or reread (or both) about half of these books this year and yet I want to read them again already. I have never been a big rereader but this year I have done a lot of it (mostly the Gallagher Girls series) and want to do more. So here are some that I want to reread again sometime soon:

1) Dust Lands Trilogy by Moira Young

Such a great cast of characters, awesome action and a unique style of writing. Now that the whole series is complete I want to read through them again.

2) Across a Star-Swept Sea by Diana Peterfreund

I love Peterfreund’s writing, it is so beautiful and I love the main character Persis! She’s so awesome!

3) The Winner’s Curse by Marie Rutkoski

A very surprising read for me and, since I hear the sequel is a killer (totally in a good way), I want to reread this before I get to the next one.

4) One for the Money by Janet Evanovich

I love watching Stephanie try to catch Morelli.

5) The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan

Love this book! Love beginnings and Percy and Annabeth is awesome!

6) Heist Society by Ally Carter

I didn’t care for it as much the first time I read it so I’m hoping 2^nd times the charm because I totally love Ally Carter! (and I just bought it at a booksale.lol)

7) Persuasion by Jane Austen

It’s about time for another read. I need me some Captain Wentworth!

8) The Lunar Chronicles by Marissa Meyer

I read them all this year already but I want to read them again in preparation for Winter.

9) Still Star-Crossed by Melinda Taub

Actually I just read this but I really want to read it again.lol The language is sooo beautiful and I love the two main characters!

10) Bloodlines by Richelle Mead

I was hesitant to start this series but when Christina brought me home a pretty paperback from the book sale last spring it pushed me into reading it and I got hooked in the first chapter! Now I'm starting to feel like a reread.

So what books are on your reread list? Do we have any in common? Let me know in the comments!

(I totally would have added the Gallagher Girls series to this list but I think Christina would try and hide them from me if I admitted that. Yes, I have reread them that much since Oct. '13)