Tuesday, April 9, 2013

Top Ten Tuesday #5 - Favorite Books I Read Before I Was A Blogger

Of course, I'd never start one of these memes without thanking its mother blog, The Broke And The Bookish.  Click on the words in purple to learn all you need to know to join the TTT party!

Having only been blogging for around seven months, I've got a huge pool of books to choose from.  Which is good, but also makes it super hard to only pick ten.  I already know I'm forgetting some that should have made this list, and like a mother forced to name a favorite child, I want to apologize to the books I've loved but had to leave out.  My bookish heart is soooo much bigger than this list, I promise.

  1. Daughter Of Smoke And Bone by Laini Taylor - This is the third list in a row this one has topped.  You'd think I'd get tired of raving about it, but nope.  Nearly every list that has the word "favorite" in it is going to have DOS&B on it for me.
  2.  The Lord Of Chaos by Robert Jordan - this is the 6th book in the epically epic Wheel Of Time series.  It sits right at the top of the these-books-keep-getting-better-and-better climb before the the-older-ones-are-my-favorites drop hits.
  3. Anna And The French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins - I actually just finished my reread of this book.  Just as good the second time around.  I'll be posting my first review for it later this week, so stay tuned for that!
  4. Harry Potter by J. K. Rowling - Whenever I want a good old dose of nostalgia, these books are where I turn.  I grew up halfway in reality, and halfway in Hogwarts.
  5. The Sweep series by Cate Tiernan - My first true fangirl obsession.  My reading record of nine books in five days was set by this series when I was fourteen.  I also completely nerded out and asked for the entire series as my only birthday gift.  Totally worth it.
  6. The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins - This trilogy also holds a very special place in my heart.  It came right around the time I was ready to give up on the YA genre and revitalized it with a blast of Kick-Ass.
  7. Wintergirls by Laurie Halse Anderson - I love, love, love this book.  Anderson doesn't sugar-coat things in her novels, which packs a huge emotional punch and lends so much weight to the message.
  8. Memnoch The Devil by Anne Rice - The 5th novel in her amazing Vampire Chronicles series, Memnoch changed my way of thinking.  Lestat is still who I think of whenever I think of vampires, and this one may very well be my favorite vampire book ever.
  9.  The Fault In Our Stars by John Green - The only reason this isn't higher on this list is because it's a newer read for me.  Doesn't hold as much sentimental value.  But it's still such an incredible book, and I know it will always be one of my favorites.
  10. Vampire Academy series by Richelle Mead - Don't let the title fool you.  This isn't another carbon copy of Twilight.  Rose is an amazing protagonist, the mythology is refreshingly original for its genre, and most importantly, this series gave birth to Adrian Ivoshkov.  Crazy boys have never been so sexy.

There they are, my ten favorite pre-blogger books!  Have you read any of these?  Which books would make your Top Ten list?  As always, link to your TTT if you have one in the comments so I can return the blog love!

42 comments:

  1. So many amazing books on your list! Anna and the French Kiss & Daughter of Smoke and Bone would have been on my list, too... if I wasn't already blogging when I read them. They're so good! I agree, Harry Potter and the Hunger Games are always going to be Top Ten material.

    Thanks for stopping by my blog, too!

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    1. Thanks, Litza! This list almost makes me glad I'm a relatively new blogger haha, gives me more amazing books I can add.

      And no problem! Thanks for stopping here. :)

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  2. Ehh, you can wait and see mine later today. Though I slightly modified the rules, but whatever. We do share one book though! So, there's that to be excited about.

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    1. Lol woohoo! Finally jumping on the TTT bandwagon, eh, Nobs?

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    2. You know it! Peer pressure I tell ya.

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    3. And here is my Top Ten Tuesday!

      http://nobsbooks.blogspot.com/2013/04/top-ten-tuesday-1.html

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  3. I read a few of the Sweep books before I was blogging too! I never finished the series but I did really enjoy them.

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    1. I kind of think I loved them so much because I was a lot younger at the time, but now they've got a permanent spot on my favorites list because of just how much I enjoyed them then. They're really good books either way, though.

      Thanks, Lori!

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  4. Memnoch the Devil is my favourite Anne Rice novel :)

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    1. Mine too! That's how vampire books should be written. With depth, sensuality, and that innate scariness that makes them what they are.

      Thanks, Suzanne!

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  5. Harry Potter, Hunger Games and VA made my list too! Thanks for stopping by my list, Kelly!

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    1. No problem, Krista! Thanks for stopping by mine!

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  6. Anna and the French Kiss, Harry Potter, and Vampire Academy are on mine too! I love reading those books. Great list :)

    Here's my Top Ten!

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  7. I see people talking about Vampire Academy all the time but for some reason it doesn't appeal to me. I'm not sure why. I may have to give in at some point an at least check the first one out. I'm just not huge into vampires. (Honestly, when I bought Twilight I didn't even know it was about vampires, otherwise I probably wouldn't have read it!)

    And yay for The Fault in Our Stars, Harry Potter, and The Hunger Games! Those are on my list as well. I still need to get my hands on Daughter of Smoke and Bone (Every time I see it on your list I kick myself for not having read it yet!)

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    1. I understand that. I got VA years ago when I was still gaga over vamps, but even then the title and synopsis kept it on my shelf for months before I finally read it. They really don't do it justice. You should consider reading it before the movie comes out next February, though!

      Haha you so do. I'm going to refrain from telling you just why you need to get your hands on it because if I let my DOSAB fangirl out she won't go back in, but the book is amazing. Laini Taylor is, hands down, my favorite writer, I love everything I've read of hers.

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  8. I almost added Daughter of SMoke and Bone so my list this week, I loved it so darn much!

    p.s. I adore your about me section!

    See what books made my "Top Ten" list at Read. Sleep. Repeat.

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    1. Aww, thanks so much Octavia! <3 And I know, I am ridiculously obsessed with that book. I just love Laini Taylor's prose, it's magical.

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  9. Vampire Academy. YES! Hunger Games YES! YES! Harry Potter. YES! YES! YES! and a WoT book. *Pounds on the windshield* Ha :P

    3 of them I haven't heard of before (5,7 and 8) and the other 3 are in my TBR pile. Excellent choices Kelly!

    -Sheri

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    1. Lmao Sheri, your WoT enthusiasm never gets old. :p

      You've got some great books on your TBR shelf, then! 5, 7, and 8 are great ones, too. Wintergirls is one I'd suggest all girls, especially teen girls (which I have no idea if you are or not haha), should read. It's fantastic.

      Thanks, Sheri!

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    2. Well I guess it can count if I was a teen girl once upon a time?....Let's just say I have a teenager myself and leave it at that haha. I know, I know my maturity level would suggest otherwise :P

      But that's all beside the point. I looked up Wintergirls on GR and wow. Sounds pretty intense but I'm very intrigued. And when looking up the Sweep series I've got those in my Nook "wish list" on B&N I just had no idea that was the title of the series. I pay excellent attention to detail lol :)

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    3. Haha there's a teen in all of us. Who wants to act their age, anyway? I never want to get tired of singing some random song at the top of my lungs just to bug whoever I'm with because I'm bored.

      Wintergirls is really intense. It deals with a lot of dark themes - anorexia, bulimia, suicide, cutting - but the realism in Anderson's books brings tears to my eyes. And it ends on a high note of hope without once glorifying any of those behaviors.

      I recently came across a re-released Sweep set, and they changed the name on those books to Wicca so that may be why the initial confusion. I can't wait to see what you think of them when you get to them! They're short books, but totally addictive.

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  10. Daughter of Smoke and Bone is on my list too! I loved it :) I really need to read Vampire Academy, it is one of my goals this year.

    Our TTT

    Ashley @ The Quiet Concert

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    1. I don't think you'll be disappointed. Of all the YA vampire books, it's probably my favorite.

      Thanks, Ashley!

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  11. Looks like Daughter of Smoke and Bone is now on my TBR list -love, love, love Memnoch and the whole series. Have only read the first Vampire Academy book but maybe I should pick up the others as I own them all. A great list!

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    1. The first VA is good, but it gets soooo much better with Frostbite. Mainly because of a new character, Adrian Ivashkov. He is AMAZING.

      I love seeing people add DOS&B to their TBR lists! The only thing better is when they actually read it, and I get to say "I told you so". ;) Haha. I also love Anne Rice's vampire books, I need to reread them soon.

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  12. GREAT list! Laini Taylor and Robert Jordan right there at the top! I'm about to start A Memory of Light, so I'm super anxious about the ending for the Wheel of Time. Have you finished the series already?

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    1. No, and I'm so mad about that! >:o But I refuse to spend $30 on a harback, so I have to wait for the paperback. I could use the library, but I'm too stubborn lol. So you'll probably read it before me. :(

      Thanks, Kelley!

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  13. I still need to read The Fault in Our Stars! :) My TTT list: http://aliceinreaderland.com/2013/04/08/beforeblogging/

    Alice @ Alice in Readerland

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    1. TFiOS is so good! I know a lot of people who have read a lot of cancer-related books don't particularly love it, but most people adored it. Myself included, obviously. :)

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  14. Harry Potter and Vampire Academy are so damn good! Happy Reading!

    My Top Ten!

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  15. Great list. Daughter of Smoke and Bone, obviously. I hate that I couldn't include it but I read it post blog. I have to get my little paws on Anna and the French Kiss soon, it sounds so good and exactly the kind of book I like. I've never read Vampire Academy either, so many books in the series that I've been put off.

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    1. Neener neener. :p Lol. Anna is going to be the next book I bug you to read until you do, which will result in another Boy Battle (even though Etienne St. Clair is totally mine).

      If you get a break in your reading schedule, you should check VA out! Definitely before the movie comes out next Valentine's Day.

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  16. Ah HP is definite a favorite :) I haven't read the Hunger Games, but hopefully will soon :)

    new follower
    http://myloveforfilmsandnovels.blogspot.com/2013/04/top-ten-tuesday-4-top-ten-books-i-read.html

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    1. *gasp*! You haven't read The Hunger Games???? I'm almost jealous of you for the chance to experience it for the first time!

      Thanks so much, Marissa! New followers seriously make my day. :D

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  17. Loved Daughter of Smoke & Bones, absolutely loved it.
    Check out my TTT.

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    1. That book is pure magic. I am in a state of awe and envy over Laini Taylor's writing.

      Thanks, and I'll definitely check yours out!

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  18. Great choices. Sadly I've read most of those after becoming a blogger and some I've never read. But Harry Potter was definitely read pre-blog!

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    1. I love that Harry Potter has been on every single list I've seen this week. Lately I've encountered a lot of younger readers who haven't read the series, and in the back of my head I was screaming, BLASPHEMY!!!!

      Thanks, Chrystal!

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  19. Loved your list! Several of your picks are on my favorites list...just too new for pre-blogger reads. Anna and the French Kiss and The Fault in Our Stars hold a special place in my heart and on my bookshelf. Now I just need to get my hands on The Sweep series. The teens at my library have been raving for years!

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    1. Haha yeah, that's one of the perks to being a new blogger I guess. The Sweep books are really short, quick reads - most are under 200 pages - so if you do decide to check them out, they'll be really easy to work into your reading schedule. The series is addictive haha.

      Thanks, Emily!

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As you may or may not know, life is eating up way too much of my spare time right now, so pretty please don't hate me if it takes me a few days to get back to your wonderful comments. I read each and every one from my phone, and they always make my day. <3