I need your recommendations!

If you've been paying attention to what I've been reading lately (which honestly, I doubt that many of you have) then you may have noticed that I've been reading a whole lot more romance than YA lately. I blame new adult for that. A few years ago, I jumped on board the NA train and I still have yet to jump off. But reading all this NA has also led to me reading more romance in general. 

And I'm loving it. Which is why I need some help.

I've come to the conclusion that contemporary romance is what I love (which really shouldn't surprise anyone who knows me), and as much as I want to read more, there's just so much out there that I'm not entirely sure where to start. So far, the only romance books I've read are by authors who have also written NA books (think people like Megan Erickson, Lia Riley, Kelly Siskind, etc). But I want to expand my horizons. 

If you read contemporary romance give me ALL your recommendations. I have a few books on my shelves that I'm excited about checking out but I want more to choose from (because I don't have enough books on my TBR yet). I have a particular fondness for sports romance, anything that involves music, friends to lovers, second chance romance and sibling's best friend are my favourite tropes. 

So if you have any recommendations that fit that, give them to me and I will happily go check out the books!

Summer Reading - 2013 Edition (3)

Among my friends, I'm known as the book person. As a result, whenever someone is looking for a book recommendation they come to me. This time of the year, this happens a lot since summer is fast approaching and a lot of my friends are typically seasonal readers--as in they read when they have time to do so and that time is often summer. Like I did last year, I thought I would post these recommendations--by genre--here on the blog as well. Up this week, some fantasy and science fiction recommendations.

- The 5th Wave by Rick Yancey - Unless you have been living under a rock for the last few weeks, then you've probably heard all about how amazing The 5th Wave is. And I'm here to tell you that it is even better than everyone has been saying it is. Basically, the story takes place after aliens have wiped off most of Earth's population, and the world as we know it is gone. Even if you aren't into aliens, you will like these books. These books are not the kind of aliens you imagine. And the story is awesome and filled with action. Seriously, read this book.

- Breathe by Sarah Crossan - Picture a world where everyone lives in a dome where oxygen is controlled and rationed because there is no longer enough oxygen in the planet's atmosphere. Now add three teenagers being stuck outside the dome, with dwindling supplies of oxygen, trying to make it to a Resistance stronghold. Sarah Crossan's Breathe felt incredibly realistic while I was reading it and for that reason it makes a great dystopian. If you are looking for a book that will make you think about what could happen in our planet's not-too-distant future, than I strongly recommend Breathe.

- Possession trilogy by Elana Johnson - Here's the thing about Elana Johnson's Possession trilogy, I wasn't entirely convinced after reading the first book, Possession. But then I read the second book, Surrender, and I was sold. There is just so much happening in these books and a certain level of complexity that makes you really think while you are reading. Bonus side: the final book, Abandon is going to be out in just over two weeks so you won't even have to wait too long to find out how it all ends.

- Divergent trilogy by Veronica Roth - If you haven't been living under a rock you should have heard about Veronica Roth and Divergent at this point. Between the movie being made and the final book, Allegiant, coming out in September, this trilogy is practically everywhere. But this trilogy totally deserves this attention because it is that good. Divergent is a fast-paced and action-packed dystopian story. This is the kind of book you will pick up and not want to put down again until you have read it all. So if a page-turner is what you're looking for, then Divergent is the way to go.

- The Chemical Garden trilogy by Lauren DeStefano - This was on my list of recommendations last year and I still stand behind it a year later. Though I will admit I still have to read the final book, this is a series I have loved so far. Lauren DeStefano's writing is reason enough to read this series. Reading these books will transport you to another world and another place. If nothing else, they will provide you with the perfect escape for a few hours. And on the plus side, the entire trilogy is out so you can read all three books back to back if that's what you want to do.

Like I've said every week, this is not an extensive list by any stretch of the imagination. If you are looking for some more dystopian or post-apocalyptic recommendations, you are free to check out my recommendations from last year. And if this is not the type of book you are looking for, be sure to come back next week for my last batch of summer reading recommendations

Spring/Summer Reading (4)

As the school year is drawing to a close (at least the Canadian university one), I have had some of my friends asking me for book recommendations for the spring/summer. As a result I thought I would offer up some recommendations here on the blog as well. Originally I was only going to have one post, but while compiling the list, I realized I have a lot more recommendations. So for the next 4 weeks, I will be having a recommendation post featuring a different genre of YA. This week I'll be recommending books that don't really fit in other genres or I don't have enough of the same genre to warrant a post.

(Links go to the Goodreads page of the first book in the series)

- Cinder by Marissa Meyer - This book is a retelling of Cinderella in a futuristic world where humans, cyborgs and androids all live together. It’s as awesome as it sounds. If you enjoy dystopian and post-apocalyptic novels, Cinder is definitely one to consider. It’s also the first in a series of fairy tale retellings all taking place in this same futuristic world. 

- Witchlanders by Lena Coakley - I’m not usually a big high fantasy reader but I found myself absolutely loving Lena Coakley’s book. The story was really great and the world she created felt incredibly real while I was reading. Even if you’re not usually a big fan of high fantasy, I strongly recommend giving this book a try.

- Leviathan Trilogy by Scott Westerfeld - This trilogy by Scott Westerfeld basically retells the events of the beginning of World War One from the perspective of the fictional son of the assassinated Archduke Franz-Ferdinand and the perspective of Deryn, a British girl passing for boy in the British Air Force. And all this is done in steampunk. If you are a history buff, I strongly recommend these books because they will make you believe everything Scott Westerfeld says and take you on a crazy ride. 

- Rot & Ruin/Dust & Decay by Jonathan Maberry - I’m not usually a bid zombie fan, but these two books by Jonathan Maberry made me completely change my mind. These books take place after the zombie apocalypse and follow the story of two brothers who lost their parents the night everything changed. Despite the fact that these are zombie books, they are not as gruesome as the covers or subject matter would suggests. If you’re able to look beyond the covers, I definitely recommend picking these books up.

- Virals series by Kathy Reichs - This series is written by the same author as the books on which the TV show Bones is based on. The first one, Virals, was extremely fast-paced. If you are tired of stories that are driven by romance, I recommend this series since, at least in the first book, romance wasn’t even an issue and it was refreshing. The second book, Seizure, came out last fall and I look forward to reading it now that I have more times.

These are all the books I have to recommend if you are looking to do some summer reading. Be sure to also check out my posts recommending paranormal, dystopian and contemporary reads for more recommendations. 

Happy summer reading!

Spring/Summer Reading (3)

As the school year is drawing to a close (at least the Canadian university one), I have had some of my friends asking me for book recommendations for the spring/summer. As a result I thought I would offer up some recommendations here on the blog as well. Originally I was only going to have one post, but while compiling the list, I realized I have a lot more recommendations. So for the next 4 weeks, I will be having a recommendation post featuring a different genre of YA. Up this week is contemporary books.

(Links go to Goodreads page of the first book in the series/author's page)

Before I get to the actual books, I will say that one nice thing about contemporary books is that they are often standalones, so you can just pick one up and enjoy the story without having to read more than one book.

- Anna and the French Kiss/Lola and the Boy Next Door by Stephanie Perkins - The two books are the most adorable things ever written. While there is a certain amount of cheesiness involved in both these stories, it’s just the right amount. You’ll pick these books up and find yourself getting completely engrossed in them. And when you finish you’ll want to do nothing but just smile and hug the books to yourself. 

- Perfect Chemistry trilogy by Simone Elkeles - These books will introduce you to the Fuentes brothers and you will then want the Fuentes brothers to be real people. These books have everything I ask for in a YA contemporary book. Though they have some parts that may not be appropriate for younger readers of YA, they are still really good books that I highly recommend.

- Anything by Sarah Dessen - Sarah Dessen is a fantastic writer and all her books are standalone contemporaries. Every story is different and I have loved every single one of them. Though I admit I still have to read her most recent one, which is something I’m looking forward to doing this summer. And if you’re looking at where to start, I recommend The Truth About Forever, it’s my favorite one.

- Catching Jordan by Miranda Kenneally - This story is absolutely adorable. It’s about football, but don’t let that discourage you. I could care less about football and I still absolutely loved this book. It was different from other contemporaries that I had read and that made it perfect. Be prepared to not be able to put this book down once you start reading.

- Shut Out by Kody Keplinger - Kody Keplinger writes fantastic books and I could have easily also included The DUFF on this list. Her books are captivating and are a little edgier than a lot of other contemporary books out there, but they can also be quite humorous, especially Shut Out. Also be on the lookout for her upcoming book A Midsummer’s Nightmare coming out in June.

- The Mockingbirds/The Rivals by Daisy Whitney - I absolutely loved these books that deal with very tough issues that need to be talked about more. Plus, it doesn’t hurt that Daisy Whitney’s writing is totally addicting. If you’re looking for something a little different, I definitely recommend picking these two books up.

Others worth mentioning:

- Summer trilogy by Jenny Han

- Losing Faith by Denise Jaden

- Anything by Jennifer Echols

- Anything by John Green

- Purity by Jackson Pearce

Come back next week for some more recommendations, and if you're looking forward paranormal or dystopian recommendations be sure to check out my other posts.

Spring/Summer Reading (2)

As the school year is drawing to a close (at least the Canadian university one), I have had some of my friends asking me for book recommendations for the spring/summer. As a result I thought I would offer up some recommendations here on the blog as well. Originally I was only going to have one post, but while compiling the list, I realized I have a lot more recommendations. So for the next 4 weeks, I will be having a recommendation post featuring a different genre of YA. Up this week is dystopian and post-apocalyptic.

(Links go to the Goodreads page of the first book in the series)

- The Hunger Games series by Suzanne Collins - If you haven’t heard of The Hunger Games yet you’ve kind of been living under a rock. This was just made into the movie, and I strongly suggest that you read the books before you see the movie. These are pretty intense books but you’ll also probably want to have all three books close by when you start reading because you’ll want to read them all one after the other.

- Divergent series by Veronica Roth - Divergent was a fantastic dystopian book and will keep you on the edge of your seat pretty much the whole way through. I’m really looking forward to the sequel, Insurgent which is coming out on May 1st. You can bet I will be at my bookstore that day to get myself a copy. 

- Dark Inside series by Jeyn Roberts - This book doesn’t take place after the apocalypse, it takes place while the apocalypse is happening. It’s dark and scary and hits pretty close to home. The way Jeyn Roberts writes this story you almost start fearing the your own world will just end suddenly the next day. 

- Delirium series by Lauren Oliver - Lauren Oliver is an amazing writer who writes even more amazing books. Her Delirium series will make you go through a whole range of emotions and ultimately leave you heartbroken but in the best way possible. The characters and the story will stay with you for a long time and will definitely leave you craving for more Lauren Oliver.

- The Chemical Garden trilogy by Lauren DeStefano - This is another fantastic dystopian where women only live to be 20 and men to be 25. This leads to polygamous marriages and while that would normally make me uncomfortable, it just works in Lauren DeStefano’s books. And her writing just draws you in completely, leaving you with all these emotions when you finish reading.

- Matched trilogy by Ally Condie - While this isn’t my favorite dystopian series, it is still one that is very enjoyable to read. In this world, Society controls everything in people’s life, but some people are starting to question that control. While this isn’t a fast-paced stories, you still find yourself unable to put the book down. 

So these are my dystopian/post-apocalyptic recommendations. Be sure to check back next week for some contemporary recommendations.

Spring/Summer Reading (1)

As the school year is drawing to a close (at least the Canadian university one), I have had some of my friends asking me for book recommendations for the spring/summer. As a result I thought I would offer up some recommendations here on the blog as well. Originally I was only going to have one post, but while compiling the list, I realized I have a lot more recommendations. So for the next 4 weeks, I will be having a recommendation post featuring a different genre of YA. First up this week is paranormal.

(Links go to the Goodreads page of the first book in the series)

- The Mortal Instrument series by Cassandra Clare - The Mortal Instruments series will take you to the world of Shadowhunters and Downworlders, following the stories of the Shadowhunters of the New York Institute as they fight to protect the city from downworlders. The writing is incredible and the world is just as fantastic. And despite their length, any book written by Cassandra Clare just feels like it flies by. 

- Vampire Academy series by Richelle Mead - This series is a different take on vampires. Here, there are three kinds of vampires: Moroi and Dhampirs who are alive and the Strigoi who are undead. The story follows Rose, a teenage dhampir and her friends at St. Vladimir academy. And let me tell you it is a crazy ride. Even if you are tired of vampires, I suggest picking this series up because it won’t even feel like you’re reading a vampire story.

- Raised by Wolves series by Jennifer Lynn Barnes - This series tells you the story of a 15-year-old girl who has literally been raised by wolves. Bryn’s parents were killed by a rabid werewolf when she was young but she hid and was later found by the leader of the local werewolf pack, who took her in. Both the characters and the story in these books are fantastic and will often leave you laughing out loud. It’s a great series and the third book is coming out in May, and I’m really looking forward to it. 

- Caster Chronicles by Kami Garcia & Margaret Stohl - This is a paranormal series that has a very different feel from other ones I’ve read. I love about this series that it’s dark and packed with twists and turns. The best part of it is that it’s told from a boy’s point of view. I have to admit that I still have to read the third book, but it’s something I’m really looking forward to doing this summer.

- Curse Workers series by Holly Black - I have so much love for this series. There’s nothing quite like it in YA and I love it for that reason. This story is definitely dark and kind of gritty. And if nothing else, the story messes with your mind by always seeming to be something it’s not. All three books are now out, so if you wish you can even read them all back to back.

- The Covenant series by Jennifer L. Armentrout - This series is very recent but I love it all the same. It’s a new take on the whole mythology and the idea of demi-gods. The story is fast-paced and really engrossing. The second book, Pure, just came out this week and it was just as good as the first. Just be sure to have plenty of time in front of you when you start reading.

- Mythos Academy series by Jennifer Estep - When I read the first two books in this series, I fell completely in love. This story approaches mythology in a whole new way, combining all the different warrior mythologies. If you pick up these books be prepared for a fast-paced story filled with all kinds of action. The fact that there are some dreamy boys in here doesn’t hurt either. To make things even better, the third book is coming out at the end of May, so I’m really looking forward to that.

Others worth mentioning:

- The Iron Fey series by Julie Kagawa

- Wondrous Strange series by Lesley Livingston

- Nightshade series by Andrea Cremer

- Wolves of Mercy Falls series by Maggie Stiefvater

- Soul Screamers series by Rachel Vincent

So these are my paranormal recommendations. Be sure to check back next week for some dystopian book recommendations!