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 Lunar Chronicles by Marissa Meyer - If you haven't heard of Cinder and Scarlet, you are seriously missing out. The Lunar Chronicles are fairytale retellings set in a futuristic world where humans, cyborgs and androids co-exist. Believe me, it's just as awesome as it sounds. Cinderella is Cinder, a cyborg and Little Red Riding Hood is Scarlet, a girl who runs a farm with her grandmother. With the Lunar Chronicles, be prepared to rethink a lot of what you know about fairytales and that's what makes them so awesome.

- Unremembered by Jessica Brody - When I read it, Unremembered wasn't exactly what I thought it would be. But it turned out to be quite the sci-fi read. If you choose to read Unremembered, be prepared to be surprised because for much of the book it doesn't feel like you're reading a sci-fi story. So if you're looking to read some sci-fi that doesn't feel too much like a sci-fi story, then Unremembered is a good option. The only downside is that it's the first in a trilogy and the two sequels aren't out just yet.

- Falling Kingdoms by Morgan Rhodes - Even if you aren't a particularly big fan of fantasy, you should still read Morgan Rhodes' Falling Kingdoms. I can't really say whether or not this is a valid comparison or not, but this book has been compared to Game of Thrones. Though I can say that it is a truly fantastic story (no pun intended). Falling Kingdoms is the kind of book that will grab your attention right from the beginning. Though a word of warning, characters have a tendency to die…especially the ones you get attached to.

- The Gypsy King by Maureen Fergus - Again, even if you aren't that into fantasy, The Gyspy King by Maureen Fergus is s story that will grab your attention right away, or at least it did for me. The story was very different from what I thought it would be and from other fantasy stories I've read (not that I've read all that many). And if you still need some convincing that The Gypsy King is a book to pick up, the sequel is coming out this fall, so you won't have to wait that long to find out what happens next. Though if you are outside of Canada, it might be a little trickier to get a copy of this book.

- Witchlanders by Lena Coakley - Witchlanders was one of my summer reading recommendations last year and I still stand behind that recommendation. The story in this book felt incredibly real despite the clear high fantasy elements and the characters were memorable. And for a nice change in YA, the two main characters are boys. Even though Witchlanders is not quite as recent as some of the other recommendations on this list, it's still a great fantasy read if that's what you are in the mood for.

So these are just a few fantasy and sci-fi recommendations and is not an extensive list. If sci-fi/fantasy isn't what you are looking for you can always check out my contemporary and paranormal recommendations or come back next week for some post-apocalyptic and dystopian recommendations.

Summer Reading - 2013 Edition (2)

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 paranormal recommendations.

- Lux series by Jennifer L. Armentrout - If you're plugged in to the blog world at all, you will have heard of this series at some point in the last year. So here's the deal, the Lux series is about aliens. Yes, you read that right, aliens. And not only that, but they are absolutely addicting. Once you start reading these books, you will just fly through them and keep wanting more. Though you'll probably question your addiction to these books at time, they are the perfect read when you are looking for romance and action.

- Embrace series by Jessica Shirvington - This series deals with angels--fallen angels and half-angels. But here's the thing, the first book might not have you hooked, but keep reading. If you do, you'll find that the story just keeps getting better and more complex. But beyond that, the Embrace series is different from other angel books out there. And like any good paranormal these, days the Embrace series comes with a good dose of romance. And swoon-worthy boys.

- Elemental series by Brigid Kemmerer - The Elemental series is very much unlike anything else that's out there in paranormal YA. This story deals with four brothers who can each control different elements. And the thing about those brothers is that they're quite the dreamy bunch. But of course there's also a lot more going on. So far there are two books out, with the third one coming out at the end of the month, so it's the perfect time to pick up this series.

- Personal Demons trilogy by Lisa Desrochers - This is one of those really underrated series. I have absolutely loved this series and every time there was a new book I just devoured it. As the name suggests, this is a story about demons and angels--some pretty swoon-worthy ones at that. But in all seriousness, you should really read this trilogy if you are looking for a story with not only two hot boys and one kick-ass heroine, then pick up Personal Demons. Bonus: all three books are already out so none of that annoying waiting between books.

- Starcrossed trilogy Josephine Angelini - You will be hearing me talk about this series a lot in the next few weeks because I absolutely adore this trilogy. This is a story about love, and demigods and you might see a few parallels with the Trojan War. And it's just a fantastic story that is so complex and layered, something I realized while reading the final book. But seriously, if you haven't already, you need to read this series. Plus the last book comes out at the end of the month so you won't have too long to wait if you decide to read these.

This is not an extensive list. If I wanted to, I could probably keep going on for days with paranormal recommendations. These are just a few of my favorites from the last year that I strongly recommend. If you are looking for paranormal recommendations, you can check out last year's post. And if paranormal is not your cup of tea, you can come back next week for some sci-fi and fantasy recommendations.

Summer Reading - 2013 Edition (1)

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--her on the blog as well. First up, some contemporary recommendations.

- Things I Can't Forget by Miranda Kenneally - Last year I recommended Catching Jordan and I would still stand by that recommendation for anyone looking for a great contemporary read. But this year I read Things I Can't Forget and I have to admit I loved it even more. Like Kenneally's other books, Things I Can't Forget is different from other YA contemporaries out there, so if that's what you're looking for then I strongly recommend this one.

- Just One Day by Gayle Forman - Everyone has been raving about Gayle Forman's Just One Day and that is totally warranted. If you're an older YA reader, then I would strongly recommend Just One Day. The story will pull at your heartstrings and take you on a crazy emotional ride. Be prepared to scream at the characters and want to throw your book across the room at certain parts. But it's totally worth it.

- Stupid Fast by Geoff Herbach - Once again, if you are looking for a contemporary that is completely different from any other out there, than give Geoff Herbach's Stupid Fast a try. This one can also appeal to male readers as the story is very much boy-centric, with the may character being a slightly socially awkward teenage boy. And if you pick up this book, I can guarantee you will be in for a laugh.

- Second Chance Summer by Morgan Matson - Second Chance Summer is one of those books that will pull at your heartstrings. There is no way you can read this book and not tear up at least a little. But it's not necessarily a depressing story, just a very emotional one. But be prepared to be greatly surprised by this story, because I was. But it's completely worth your time.

- Pushing the Limits by Katie McGarry - Pushing the Limits by Katie McGarry took me completely by surprise. This is an incredibly touching and surprisingly deep story that may or may not keep you up reading half the night. This is definitely one of those less happy contemps though, so be warned. But it's still a fantastic one.

This is by far not an extensive list of contemporary recommendations. There are just so many fantastic contemps out there and this list could go on forever. You can always check out last year's post for more contemporary recommendations. And be sure to come back next week for some paranormal recommendations.