You'd be surprised how nervous it makes me to reveal my reading list. It's like...I'm just asking to be judged. Do I have good taste? Bad? Will you guys wince when you see what I like? Finally realize I'm totally lame?
It's silly, but true. I don't know why I feel like I have to defend my tastes or hide them. I like what I like, and I know for the most part people respect that. But at the same time I know there are people out there who who might be all "She likes THAT series? REALLY? Is she stupid?"
Well, I guess it's time for me to get over that. My taste varies widely, and if you like it, too, awesome. If not, fine. That's the beauty of books—there's one out there for everyone. In the end, it's about connecting with a story. Flaws are forgiven if you connect. What makes someone connect to a story? I don't know. That's the magical part.
So, now that I've disclaimered myself to death, to the reading list! In alphabetical order by author:
1. The Reckoning, by Kelley Armstrong
2. Mockingjay, by Suzanne Collins
3. Nightshade, by Andrea Creamer
4. The Body Finder, by Kimberly Derting
5. The Truth About Forever, by Sarah Dessen
6. Hourglass, by Claudia Gray
7. Hex Hall, by Rachel Hawkins
8. Scarlett Fever, by Maureen Johnson
9. Dramarama, by E. Lockhart
10. Perchance To Dream, by Lisa Mantchev
11. Radiant Shadows, by Melissa Marr
12. Gone, by Lisa McMann
I'm pretty excited, since many of these books are part of series I love. I still haven't planned reading order, but I usually like to pair fatty books with shorter ones, so I have a more even reading load each week. I also like to pair darker books with funny ones, since sad books really affect my mood. I guess you'll just have to wait for my usual "What I Read This Week" posts during November to see how the list gets tackled.
There were so many books I wanted to add, but alas, I think this is fairly rounded. That, and I'm not allowed to buy more books until I get through what I have on my shelves. I promised Nick.
Now, I better go finish Flash Burnout by L.K. Madigan (which is freaking incredible thus far), so I can be ready to start next week!
Ohhh, looks like an awesome list! (Oh MOCKINGJAY... I need to reread that.) Can't wait to hear how some of these books are!
ReplyDeleteI have read 5 of your 12 and they were awesome. I'll have to grill you after the month to find out if the others need to be added to my reading list. :)
ReplyDeleteFun list! The Truth About Forever just might be my favorite of Sarah Dessen's books. She is so fabulous! Have fun reading up a storm.
ReplyDeleteThat does look like an awesome list! So, you're *finally* doing MOCKINGJAY, eh? Amazing book…but…it might make a good end-of-list book since it is so.freaking.heavy. It's one of those that linger, even when you're not trying to think about it. Pairing with a lighter book would probably work, like you're already planning to do – just be warned that you might not be able to get your mind off of it for a few days. Regardless of when you read it, though, it's fantastic.
ReplyDelete:) Kayla
Kayla, I was actually planning to hit Mockingjay first to get it over with (and then drown myself in happy/funny after). I must admit that while the series is so, so well-written and compelling and cool, it is not my #1 fave. Dystopian books in general don't really do it for me, but I like getting depressed every now and then:)
ReplyDeleteThe Body Finder and The Truth About Forever are two of my favorite books! Enjoy!
ReplyDeleteGreat list! I love Maureen Johnson for a laugh (though her books are far from fluff) and Melissa Marr's fae books are like dark chocolate: bittersweet and rich. Lisa Mantchev's books are on my TBR list (so many books!). Maybe I'll get them for next month...
ReplyDeleteI'm one of the few who haven't read Suzanne Collins' books because I'm not a huge fan of dystopian tales. I might break down and check them out from the library.
I only know the top two on the list so I'll be interested in your verdicts on the others. I like Kelley Armstrong but I think I like Kim Harrison even better.
ReplyDeleteWow, I wish I could say my reading list was that long! I'm reading a few non-fiction items as well as Adam's Notebook by Mark Twain (funny as heck). Mostly, though, I'm reading the Bible these days.
ReplyDeleteYour list looks fabs! I like to mix things up a bit too! I have to say, of the ones I have read, Hex Hall was hands down my favourite!!
ReplyDeleteI have only read one of those books - Mockingjay. I look forward to seeing how you feel about all of them.
ReplyDeleteI've read 4 of them (The Truth About Forever, Hourglass, HEx Hall and Radiant Shadows) and they are all awesome choices. Many of the others on your list are on my ever growing to be read list, too. Can't wait to hear your thoughts/reviews on them so I can figure out which of these to read first myself!
ReplyDeleteThe Truth About Forever is simply stunning.
ReplyDeleteWow. I haven't heard or read of anything on your list. I wonder if that means I need to get out more. (Or rather, stay in more so I can get more reading done.)
ReplyDeleteI'm not a huge YA reader, but I LOVE the Hunger Games series! Mockingjay is amazing (but I think Catching Fire was my favorite).
ReplyDeleteThe Reckoning is AWESOME. I'm dying to get my hands on a copy of Mockingjay. It makes me feel better to know that I'm not the only person out there who hasn't read it yet. Enjoy your month long of reading and know that I'm sooo jealous.
ReplyDeleteGreat list! I've read several of these, and have the rest of them on my TBR list as well.
ReplyDeleteLove your list. I'm happy to see The Truth About Forever there. That used to be my comfort book -- I've read it so many times the spine is coming off... :)
ReplyDeleteHmmm, distinct lack of male writers on this list. Any reason for that?
ReplyDeleteWhat's wrong with you list? I've read almost all of those!
ReplyDeleteTobias, uhhh, I'm balancing it out from all the male writers I read in junior high, high school, and college? Honestly, didn't notice. I see a book I like and I want to read it. Very seldom do I think about the gender of the author.
ReplyDeleteYou will also notice a lack of any other genre but YA, and I'm guessing all the protags will be female as well. *shrugs* I suppose this is my "Power to the female writer" list.
ReplyDeleteI have only read MOCKINGJAY. But 6 of the others are on my TBR. I definitely need ot get at Radiant Shadows. I love the WL series, and have a total girl crush on Melissa Marr- to the point where I don't follow her blog for fear of stalking her. lol.
ReplyDeleteHappy reading!
I only recognize about half the books on your list, though some of the others sound familiar. And I've only read Mockingjay. But the are definitely some on there that I want to read.
ReplyDeleteCan't wait to see what you think of them.
Natalie, Not judging. Only curious. There's always so many gender and race questions that get whipped up when people put together reading lists. My own is criticized for being to heavily male, though, like you, I'm only picking up books I want to read, not concerned with the whats and whens and whos.
ReplyDeleteI wonder who is really picking their reading based on some politically correct balance that must be maintained. No offence meant by it.
I adored The Truth About Forever. Sarah Dessen's voice is very soothing to me. Lots of other great ones on the list. Have fun.
ReplyDeleteNo worries, Tobias, I totally get that. I do think we get overly stressed out about gender, etc. at times. I am certainly for equality, but I won't apologize if my reading sometimes tends to be lopsided in favor of one or the other.
ReplyDeleteAnd let's face it, YA is heavily populated with female writers and stories. If I were to go on an adult sci-fi/fantasy binge, I'm sure my reading list would naturally have more males in it.
I'm not sure if that's sad or not, but it's the truth.
The Reckoning and Mockingjay... two thumbs up!
ReplyDelete