Top Ten Books I'm Excited To Read in 2012

I'm participating in Top Ten Tuesday hosted by The Broke and the Bookish. Every Tuesday The Broke and the Bookish post their top ten lists on various topics: Top Ten Tuesday page

This weeks topic looks at the Top Ten Books I'm Excited to Read in 2012. While there are so many books I cannot wait to read released this year, narrowing this list down was an extremely difficult task:

1.I've Got Your Number by Sophie Kinsella - Sophie Kinsella is one of my favourite authors, therefore any novel she writes will always be highly anticipated by me. That aside, I think the storyline for I've Got Your Number is a really interesting one. Poppy loses her engagement ring and her phone all in one day, yet she finds a phone belonging to someone else. Poppy decides to keep the phone but the owner, Sam doesn't appreciate her reading his messages and wading into his personal life. I think this sounds like such a fun read and I cannot wait to get my hands on it.

2. I Heart London by Lindsey Kelk - After reading and loving the rest of Lindsey Kelk's I Heart series, I'm excited for the latest installment. I Heart London, will take readers to one of my favourite cities London and I'm looking forward to seeing what situations Angela finds herself in, in this novel.

3. The Patchwork Marriage (UK) / Another Piece of My Heart (US) by Jane Green - Ever since reading Life Swap when it was first released a few years ago, Jane Green has been my all time favourite author. I have since then read everything she has published and loved them all, meaning that now I am desperatly awaiting her latest release, The Patchwork Marriage. The only thing I don't like about Jane Green's novels is that they always have different titles across the pond. It gets me confused!

4. Construct A Couple by Talli Roland - After reading Build A Man a couple of months ago and finding it to be my favourite read of the entire year, I cannot even begin to tell you how excited I am for the prequel; Construct A Couple. Serenity was such a fantastic character and I cannot wait to see how her relationship continues in this next novel. Talli Roland has also become one of my favourite authors, with her unique storylines, quirky characters and quick wit, every book she writes just gets better and better.

5. These Girls by Sarah Pekkanen - Sarah Pekkanen's has such a way of capturing the characters emotions that whenever I read one of her books I am taken on an emotional journey so raw it feels as though I am someway involved in the journey too. Her stories always delve into the reality of marriage and These Girls is no exception, with the story centering around a husband wanting to rewrite the rules of his realtionship with his wife.

6. Isla And The Happy Ever After by Stephanie Perkins - After reading Anna And The French Kiss do I really need to explain my reasons for wanting to read more from Stephanie Perkins?! The story and characters Stephanie Perkins created in Anna And The French Kiss were so beautiful and romantic that I would happily read anything Stephanie Perkins writes, without even reading the synopsis.

7. A Million Suns by Beth Revis - Usually I am not a big fan of sci-fi fiction, however Across The Universe by Beth Revis, managed to change my mind a little. I was swept away on the Godspeed in Amy's life and cannot wait to find out what happens in the next book in the series, A Million Suns.

8. Promised by Caragh M O'Brien - The first Dystopian novel I ever read was Birthmarked by Caragh M O'Brien, which was the first book in the Birthmarked series. It really opened my eyes to the Dystopian genre and made me excited to read more. Prized was the second book in the series and, in rare fashion, was just as good as the first book. Now I cannot wait to see how Gaia's journey will continue and whether the third book will be able to live up to my expectations.

9. The Immortal Rules by Julie Kagawa - I think perhaps every person who has ever read any of the books in The Iron Fey series by Julie Kagawa is absolutly on the edge of their seats waiting for the first book in her Blood Of Eden series, The Immortal Rules. While the new series will be focused on Vampires,  a slight change from the world of Fey, it is still paranormal, and therefore I am expecting big things from this book.

10. Where We Belong by Emily Giffin - I adored Emily Giffin's Something Borrowed and Something Blue and so I am excited for her next novel, Where We Belong. I love how the cover continues the trend of her previous novels and I'm sure I will be devouring this one in no time at all.

After compiling this list I know cannot wait to get my hands on all these novels. I don't want to have to wait!! Which books are you excited to read in 2012?

Top Ten: Books I Read Outside Of My Comfort Zone

I'm participating in Top Ten Tuesday hosted by The Broke and the Bookish. Every Tuesday The Broke and the Bookish post their top ten lists on various topics: Top Ten Tuesday page

This week I am focusing on the Top Ten Books I read that were outside of my comfort zone. This one is difficult for me as I read a lot of different genres, however, these books are ones that were not in my comfort zone at the time I read them:

1. City Of Bones by Cassandra Clare - Now I have a confession - before reading City Of Bones, I had never read a book that contained Vampires, Werewolves, Demons etc. No, not even Twilight (I still havent read or watched Twilight!) I was under the impression that I really wouldn't enjoy a book with any of the aforementioned involved. I have no idea where that preconception came from but it kept me away from many books for many years. Until I got talking to people in theYA book community read City Of Bones and realised, actually, I do want to read more Supernatural books.

2. The Iron King by Julie Kagawa - Do I even need to explain this one?! This was the book that sparked my slight, ok maybe big, obsession with Fae. It was with very first book I had read since I was a very small child that featured Fae in any shape or form. I really thought this type of book wouldn't be for me, until I heard so many great things about it from the book blogging community. It was also the very first YA book I ever read!

3. Azincourt by Bernard Cornwell - My dad leant this one to me, after I ended up wanting to read and having nothing to read. This was years ago before I started to collect books and only went to the library for books. I really thought that this book would be one word; boring and that it would be a book only for guys with all the historical references. Boy, was I wrong, I loved this one and have read many other Bernard Cornwell novels since.

4. Envy by Gregg Olsen - I don't usually read crime novels. In fact I hardly ever read crime novels. Perhaps it is because my mum reads ONLY crime novels, where at least one character ends up murdered. After reading a couple of her novels and being scared out of my mind, when I was younger, I stayed clear of crime novels. That is until I read Envy, which I have to admit I really enjoyed.

5. Anna Dressed In Blood by Kendare Blake- I really dislike horror. You can call me a wuss if you want, thats fine by me. I just hate to be scared and I really don't like gore. I refuse to watch horror movies, and would rather give up all my books than ever watch Saw. Yes, thats how much I hate horror. So, I tend to stay away from horror books as well, that is until this Halloween when I read Anna Dressed In Blood and LOVED it.

6. Angels and Demons by Dan Brown - Angels and Demon's involved pretty much everything that I tend not to read about in a book - religious aspects, Science, crime and so much more. With all the hype around this book and pretty much everyone else I knew reading it I decided to give it a shot. You know what? - I actually enjoyed it.

7. Birthmarked by Caragh M OBrien - Birthmarked was the very first Dystopian novel I ever read. Why? Well I just did not think Dystopian would be for me, afterall I have always prefered more 'real life novels'. Read this one and LOVED it. Hmmm perhaps I need to stop having preconceievd notions about genres and novels. I think I need to learn my lesson that whenever I think I won't like something really it means that I will. This book definatly got me into reading more Dystopian novels.

8. Glow by Amy Kathleen Ryan - I tend not to read much Sci-Fi, in fact I never read Sci-Fi. Although, another confession, I do enjoy an occasional episode of Star Trek Enterprise. Yet Sci-Fi books had never really appealed to my reading tastes. That is until I read Glow and really enjoyed it. While I doubt I will read much more Sci Fi in the future, except of course the next book in the series, this was an fantastic change from my usual reading genres.

9. Beautiful Creatures by Kami Garcia & Margaret Stohl - Before reading Beuatiful Creatures I had not read a witch book since my childhood when I loved The Worst Witch books. Since then, I put Witch books aside and didn't think twice. That is until I stumbled across the Caster Chronicles series and realised that you are never too old to enjoy a well written book about Wicthes.

10. Mein Kampft by Adolf Hitler - I know you are double checking to make sure you saw the title that you think you did. Yes, I read Hitler's 'biography', and no this is not because I like Hitler, more because I studied Nazi Germany at school and did some extra reading around the subject. To say one thing about the book would be that it was interesting. This was outside my comfort zone for the obvious reasons but also because I tend not to read very much Non-Fiction.

What books have you read that are outside your comfort zone?

Top Ten Books I Wish I Could Read Again For The First Time

I'm participating in Top Ten Tuesday hosted by The Broke and the Bookish. Every Tuesday The Broke and the Bookish post their top ten lists on various topics: Top Ten Tuesday page

Today I am looking at the Top Ten books that I wish I could read again for the very first time:

1. The Iron King by Julie Kagawa - Im actually reading the whole series right now and I absolutly love it! I would read this book again and again. I would love to read it again for the very first time so that I can look at it through fresh eyes. If you have not read this one read it, and if you have, well read it again!

2. Anna and The French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins - This book is adorable. I read it recently for the very first time and fell in love with it. Its such a beautiful, cute, well written story and its set in Paris! In case you don't know I love Paris!

3. Harry Potter and The Sorcerer's Stone by J.K Rowling - Do I need to explain this one?! It was the first in the series. I would love to read this without knowing what happens all over again!

4. Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte - I loved this book so much. It used to be my favourite classic book. That is until I had to study it in high school and my awful English teacher ruined this book for me! I would love to read this again before the book was spoiled for me, so I would truly enjoy this beautiful story.

5. Confessions Of A Shopaholic by Sophie Kinsella - When this novel first came out I loved it. I loved the movie too. It is such a fun, entertaining, light story that you can delve into and is guaranteed to put a great big smile on your face. One of my favourite chick lit novels.

6. The Notebook by Nicholas Sparks -  I have cried over both the novel and the movie more times than I can even remember. Almost everyone knows and loves this story, which never fails to move me each time. I would love to re-read this novel so that I could be blown away once again. Any story is always best the first time around.

7. The Time Traveller's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger - This is such a moving, emotional, beautiful story. I loved it the very first time I read it and still love it now. I was deeply moved by this novel, which doesn't happen very often with me.

8. Skipping A Beat by Sarah Pekannen - This book moved me to tears when I read it the first time. It is rare for a book to bring out such strong emotions in me. I love Sarah Pekannen's writing style and the way in which she develops her characters so that you fall in love with them. I would love to read this for the first time again so I could be just as moved as I was the first time

9. The Fellowship Of The Ring by J.R.R Tolkien - This is the first book in the Lord Of The Rings trilogy, which I really enjoyed. I have to admit that I love all the books, and the movie versions too. I would love to be able to re-read the first book without knowing what happens afterwards. This book is truly magical and sweeps you away on a journey into a fantasy land you do not want to come out of.

10. Alice In Wonderland by Lewis Carroll - This book is one of my all time favourites. It is so magical, you want to jump down the rabbit hole with Alice. Everyone she meets is so entertaining and unique. I cannot begin to express how much I love this book. Alice In Wonderland takes me back to when I was a child and I start to feel like a kid again!

What books do you wish you could read again for the very first time?

Top Ten: Books I Want To Re-Read

I'm participating  in Top Ten Tuesday hosted by The Broke and the Bookish. Every Tuesday The Broke and the Bookish post their top ten lists on various topics: Top Ten Tuesday page

 Today I am looking at the Top Ten books that I want to re-read:



10. The Devil Wears Prada by Lauren Weisburger

I absolutly loved this novel when it was first released. I then watched the movie in the theatres too and adored it. I have seen the movie many times and would love to re-read the novel. After all even though the movie was a great representation of the novel, I still prefer the novel. I have read all of Lauren Weisburger's novels, and would recommend them all, however The Devil Wears Prada is still my favourite

9. The Language Of Flowers by Vanessa Diffenbaugh
 I recently read The Language of Flowers and was blown away by it. When a novel sticks with you long after you have finished reading, thats when I know that it will remain on my shelves for many years to come. The emotion and rawness of this novel was what I enjoyed most. If you haven't read this one you need to.

8. Captain Corelli's Mandolin by Louis De Bernieres

This has been my all time favourite novel ever since I picked it up, when I was around sixteen. I fell in love with this novel instantly and have re-read it many times. It is a novel that I always come back to when I want something filled with romance and emotional turmoil. While this is not chick lit, I think everyone needs to read this, regardless of your tastes in novels.

7. In Her Shoes by Jennifer Weiner

I have a confession to make! I have never seen the movie version of In Her Shoes! I know, I know, I need to but I just haven't got around to it yet. After watching the movie, I know that I will want to re-read the novel and so therefore I had to add it to my list. Aside from this, In Her Shoes is one of my favourite Jennifer Weiner novels.

6. Jemima J by Jane Green

Jane Green is my all time favourite author and Jemima J was the first of her novels I ever read. While I would love to re-read all of Jane's novels if I had the time, I thought I would try to narrow it down to just one. Jemima J is such a fun read that I know I would fall in love with it all over again if I chose to re-read it. If you haven't already read this one you need to, it is one of my all time favourite novels.

5. Something Borrowed and Something Blue by Emily Giffin

Many of your will have seen the movie version of Something Borrowed and read the novels. I always feel as though these two novels should come hand in hand, therefore chose them both together. Thats not cheating? Right?! Aside from that these are both great reads and I would love to re-read them just to see whether I am still Team Rachel or if I see things more from Darcy's point of view.

4. Bridget Jones by Helen Fielding

I must have seen the movie version of Bridget Jones more times than I can count. While I adore the movie (and find me someone who doesn't) I sometimes forget this was a novel before it became a movie. The book version is just as good, if not better than the movie. I would love to re-read this novel, as Helen Fieldings writing is so entertaining. If you haven't read the book you need to!

3. Skipping A Beat by Sarah Pekannen

Sarah Pekkanen managed to move me in such a way with Skipping A Beat that my emotions ended up all over the place. I found myself laughing and at times even crying (which is very rare for me with a novel)! This novel took me on an emotional rollercoaster and I would love to see if the novel would take me on the same journey if I were to re-read it. I would highly recommed anyone to read Skipping A Beat and also The Opposite Of Me both by Sarah Pekannnen

2. Before Ever After by Samantha Sotto

Before Ever After completely blew me away the first time I read it. Ever since then it has not been out of my mind and I would love to re-read the novel. I have found myself comparing this novel with everything I have been reading lately! I seriously urge anyone who has not read this novel to pick it up and see for yourself exactly why I adore this novel so much. Just writing about it is making me want to pick up the book and delve back into the story of Shelley and Max.

1. Shopaholic Series by Sophie Kinsella

As hard as I tried to pick just one of the Shopaholic series novels, I just couldn't narrow it down to one. Therefore I chose the entire series as my top choice of novel to re-read. The Shopaholic series is a fun, entertaining, light and humourous read. I love delving into the life of Becky Bloomwood! And after all isn't there a shopaholic inside of all of us?


What books would you like to re-read? Let me know in the comments below