Top Ten Tuesday: Most Anticipated Fiction Fall 2013

After watching so too many TV shows that aren't even that well executed, I decided that it's time to jump back into the arms of my good old friend who never disappoints - books! Here's a list of 10 fictional novels that I can't can't can't wait that I came up for myself, I thought I'd share it with you guys!

*there is no specific order to the list.

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1. Allegiant by Veronica Roth
The third and final installation in the quick-paced, adrenaline-inducing Divergent series = huuuuuge anticipation

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2. The Bones of Paris by Laura R. King
Okay, just the name gives me chills. I've always automatically associated Paris with romance, love, lightheartedness, and all things good and sweet. But bones? No-o-o-o-o. So I'm really curious about what story this "novel of suspense"entails, especially because, oh la la, it takes place in the sensual Jazz Age.

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3. How the Light Gets In by Louise Penny
Yet another mystery/thriller set in my favorite time of the year (for reading mystery/thriller and otherwise): Christmastime! Can't wait to feel the clash between the tension and the festiveness.

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4. The Secret Keeper by Beverly Lewis
This story is about a girl abandoning modern life to pursue another living in the Amish community. I've never read any book about the Amish people and their ways of living, so I think this should be really interesting!

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5. Paradise City by Joe Gunther
Gotta love this misty & mysterious cover. Another mystery/thriller about a thief stealing eccentric items across town.

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6. United We Spy by Ally Carter
An intense spy story in a high school setting...ooh...

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7. The Hero by Robyn Carr
Yet another hauntingly beautiful cover. A story about falling in love when you least expect it, and how this seemingly romantic act can also require courage and determination.

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8. Doctor Sleep by Stephen King
A novel by Stephen King and a sequel to The Shining - need I say more?

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9. The Returned by Jason Mott
Seriously, what is up with these just breathtaking covers? They just make me want to read the book so much more! This story has a very captivating premise: After having lost their eight-year-old son many many years ago, the parents find their son on their rooftop one morning, very much alive, still eight years old. He has "returned."

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10. The Longest Ride by Nicolas Sparks
A Nicolas Sparks book is always an enjoyable read (and most likely a tear-jerking one.)

xx
Vanessa :]

What Makes A Good Murder Mystery?

So I've begun writing another novel. It just kinda came to me yesterday sitting in physics class of all places. I'll fill you in on it as it goes along. At the moment it doesn't even have a title or names for the main characters (I'm referring to them as MC, the Jerk, John Doe, and Jane Doe right now), so there's not much to tell you. Although, I do have the ending written already...

Anyway, not the point. I wanted to know what you guys thought about murder mysteries? And if you liked them, what made you think they were good? What are some aspects of a mystery that you find important?

I know I like to be surprised. I like twists and character flaws. I want there to be parallels throughout the book, and then at the end, right when you think you've got it all figured out, it throws you off a cliff.

Also! What do you prefer for an ending? Cliff-hanger? Or do you want to have everything explained to you? Or do you like it open-ended and up for interpretation (my choice)?

xoxo
Sara

P.S. If you have any good movies I should watch to really get into the "homicidal mood" leave a comment!

Top Ten Tuesday: top 10 fictional boyfriends

*Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish.*

This week's Top Ten Tuesday theme is fictional boyfriends!!! asdjk;fahg;dlskdfhgj;adsd
Who hasn't fallen for a completely unreal boy on paper before? I believe this isn't some rare happening that only chanced upon me, so I'm gonna be open about it and introduce you to my top 10 fictional boyfriends ;)

*There is no specific order.*

1. Etienne St.Clair from Anna and the French Kiss 
(see my book review here)
Okay I lied. This hottie right here is actually topping my charts as of now. It's been over a month since I last hugged and kissed him (aka read the book), however I still haven't been able to get over him. He is just...SO AMAZING! French-speaking boy with sleep-mussed hair, an English accent, and an adorable fear of heights--voilà, you got Etienne alright!

2. Peeta Mellark from the Hunger Games 
PEETA!!!!!!!!!!!! the boy with the bread!!!!!! The lovely, strong, humble, kind, sociable Peeta!

Okay I'm done. I am. Really.














3. Augustus Waters from The Fault In Our Stars
Although cancer-ridden, Augustus is still hot! Messy hair, beautiful eyes, and that smart, flirtatious mouth of his! The way he contemplates the universe alone is more than enough to have all the girls in the world lining up for him. He is caring, understanding, and so tragically heroic. Ah. Let's just say this baby of John Green's earned buckets of tears from me.

4. Charlie from The Perks Of Being A Wallflower

He may be a little cray-cray at times, but he's seriously the sweetest, nicest, most committed boyfriend ever (if only he were mine, if only!).

5. Ron Weasley from Harry Potter
He may be moody sometimes, but you can't deny the fact that when he likes someone, he really likes someone! His dedicated (love-hate?) relationship with Hermione lasted through 4 books (3-7)--if that's not even to prove to you his commitment, then I don't know what can!

6. Four/Tobias from Divergent
(see my book review here)

Boy with a hot bod + a dark past + intense personality = ermahgerd I can't freakin resist thissssssss

Okie. Nuff said.

7. Miles Halter from Looking for Alaska
Your regular nice boy, a little uncool at times (but the uncoolness is totally adorable), growing up, trying to fit in, learning to love... sounds like a great boy to date during high school.

8. Eli from Along for the Ride
From the many Sara Dessen books I've read (more like tore through), I know at least one thing for sure--Ms.Dessen doesn't disappoint. (Ever.) Along for the Ride is no exception. Like Four from Divergent, Eli is also a boy with a past, with fears, with hopes and longings. Together with him, Auden (the protagonist, a girl virtually without a childhood) embarks on a quest for her childhood. Through somewhat immature yet extremely exciting experiences, their romance slowly blooms. Eli is the man. Oh trust me he is.

9. Jacob from Twilight
Why does he have to be so awesome? Sometimes he may still a little childish and reckless, but boy, isn't he a hottie. Perfect body + (sometimes immature) protectiveness of Bella = omg lemme date this guy

10. Nick from Nick & Norah's Infinite Playlist
A little insecure, sometimes defined as a lower, Nick is in truth the go-to boy. He is smart, charming, obsessed with music, all of this and a little bit of shyness. Sounds like your guy-next-door type? Go for it, gurl, go for it ;)














Who's your favorite fictional boyfriend?
Let's hear it.

xx
Vanessa :]

Top Ten Tuesday: Most Anticipated YA Books in 2013

I know, I know--it's February already. But oh well, it's never too late to start getting excited for books!
So...bum, bum, bum.....the top ten most anticipated Young Adult books in 2013 for me are (not in any particular order):
1. Isla and the Happily Ever After
(side note: did you know--the name Isla is pronounced as Eye-luh)
New book by Stephanie Perkins, the author of Anna and the French Kiss (see my review here)--need I say more?

2. Through the Never Night
the sequel of Under the Never Sky, a dystopian/post-apocalyptic love story. Under the Never Sky was an easy, enjoyable read (see my review here), so I'm excited to read this one too :)

3. Asunder

The sequel of Incarnate. Another dystopian story with an interesting idea about souls.

4. Divergent #3

5. Mind Games

6. Mila 2.0

This unique title + this beautiful cover = Vanessa can't wait!!!!

7. Pivot Point

I've heard really good things from a few friends of mine who have read this already, so my hopes are high about this book!

8. Taken

A world with no men....this premise alone makes me want to read the book!

 9. The Rules for Disappearing

A story about love, loss, and growing up. The title itself piques my curiosity, plus the cover is very mysterious-looking...

10. Golden

road tripping + poem reading = must read must read must read must read

xx

Vanessa :]

My Haul

It began as just another routine trip to Barnes & Noble became a huge book haul (with free shipping!). I went in with the intention of possibly buying Graceling. I read a review of it on Novel Sounds and I was looking for a YA novel to read. But then there was a "buy $25 and get free shipping" deal going on. I don't ever pass up free shipping sales. EVER. Because shipping to my house is ridiculous (I could buy another book for the price of shipping). So I bought The Cavendish Home For Boys and Girls and The House at Riverton (which is on major sale right now), both of which I've been wanting to get forever! As you can tell I'm super excited for these to get here. They're all really different genres.

The Cavendish Home for Boys and Girls is for fans of Coraline and The Mysterious Benedict Society, both of which I was in love with when I was younger. It's a story that will give you the creepy-crawlies.

The House at Riverton is a bit like Wuthering Heights in that it is a narrative with two settings. The Summer of 1924 and the Winter of 1999. It's told from the perspective of a housemaid during WWI. I'm in love with historical settings. Almost reminds me of Atonement.

Graceling is the first book of the Graceling Realm Series which has become really popular. I'm not going to deny that the first thing that drew me to this book was the cover. But the synopsis sealed the deal. People are born into a world with things called "Graces." These are special skills that some people possess. The MC is very skilled at killing. I love the idea of special powers or skills and how they can be exploited.

So you'll be getting reviews for these soon :)