Top Ten Books I'm Not Sure I Want To Read

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

This weeks topic is:

Top Ten Books I'm Not Sure I Want To Read
I actually thought this was going to be a pretty hard list to make, but as it turns out, it was extremely easy. Apparently I own a lot of books I'm not sure if I want to read anymore.

1. The Hunt by Andrew Fukuda
I've tried twice to read this book and every time I only get to like chapter 3 and give up. I don't know if I can be bothered giving it a third chance.

2. Breathe by Sarah Crossan
Every time I put this on my TBR list, I always avoid reading it. I don't know why because I love the sound of it, but I just don't know if I actually want to read it.

3. The Program by Suzanne Young
Another one I've started but haven't finished. I found myself getting really bored and only got to like page 50. It might get a second chance, but I don't know.

4. Lies by Michael Grant
Gone bored me, Hunger was slightly better, but I definitely don't seem to have a good relationship with Michael Grant's books. I don't think there's been a single one of his books that I've given a 4 or 5 stars to. Not sure I can be bothered continuing this series.

5. Gravity by Melissa West
I mainly can't be bothered with this one because of the amount of bad reviews. I don't want to read a book that I'm sure I won't enjoy.

6. The Looking Glass Wars by Frank Beddor
I've had this book for over 3 years now. It's never been read and I doubt it ever will.

7. Rules of Attraction by Simone Elkeles
I've been extremely underwhelmed by Simone Elkeles's books so far, so I don't know whether I should bother continuing with this series. Does it get better?

8. Eragon by Christopher Paolini
This is another one that's been on my bookcase for a while and every time I go to pick it up I change my mind.

9. Numbers by Rachel Ward
Yet another one that's been sitting on my bookcase for years collecting dust. Pretty sure this one will probably stay that way.

10. Wake by Amanda Hocking
I enjoyed her Trylle trilogy, but Hollowland completely put me off of her books because of how bad it was. I might get to this one day, but right now I don't want to read it.



What books are you not sure if you still want to read?

The Summer I Turned Pretty by Jenny Han

The Summer I Turned Pretty by Jenny Han
Series: Summer #1
Narrated by: Jessica Almasy
Publisher: Recorded Books
Publication Date: 28th October 2009
Source: Bought

Some summers are just destined to be pretty.

When each summer begins, Belly leaves her school life behind and escapes to Cousins Beach, the place she has spent every summer of her life. Not only does the beach house mean home away from home, but her favorite people are there: Susannah, her mother's best friend, and her sons, Conrad and Jeremiah. Belly has been chasing Conrad for as long as she can remember, and more than anything, she hopes this summer will be different. Despite distractions from a new guy named Cam and lingering looks from Conrad's brother, Jeremiah, Belly's heart belongs to Conrad. Will he offer his to her? Will this be the summer that changes everything?

The Summer I Turned Pretty was a book I basically decided to read because I was tidying my room and didn’t want to put on a DVD or listen to music, so I downloaded an audiobook instead. I always make sure to listen to snippets of audiobooks before I buy them because I’m extremely picky with narrators, by Jessica Almasy was fantastic. I’ve only listened to a couple of audiobooks before but there’s just something about them that I love and even though I’ve got a very short attention span when it comes to things like that, I always find myself sucked into the story.

The Summer I Turned Pretty follows our main character Belly who’s heading off with her mother and her brother for another summer at the beach with her mother’s best friend and her two sons. Belly has had a crush on Conrad for as long as she can remember, but Conrad takes no notice of her and treats her like his annoying sister. But everything’s different this summer. Belly is older and everyone is commenting on how pretty she is. Belly hopes this summer will be different. She hopes this’ll be the summer that Conrad finally notices her.

I really did love Belly, even though she’s extremely immature and did make me want to smack her a few times. She’s hilarious and generally always had me cracking up at something she said or did. She’s always felt like an outsider because Jeremiah, Conrad and her brother Steven always left her out because she was a girl. It’s also possibly because she acted like a brat most of the time, but I did feel bad for her.

Steven is the usual big brother character: always picking on his sister, making fun of her and blaming her for everything. Jeremiah is a sweetheart. He’s so nice and kind, he has a great sense of humour and he’s just adorable. But Conrad stole my heart. He’s the bad boy and this year he’s acting out. He’s smoking and drinking, but he just had this allure about him that drew me in.

Belly and the others notice that something is different this summer. Susannah (Conrad and Jeremiah’s mother) and Belly’s mother are acting odd and are hiding something from the kids. I did guess what they were hiding (because it was slightly obvious), but that didn’t take away from the emotional kick I got when the secret came out. The Summer I Turned Pretty is mostly a fluff book, but the ending does pack a punch.

I adored seeing Belly, Steven, Jeremiah and Conrad’s summer on the beach. I also loved Belly’s flashbacks of previous summers and they really helped me get to know all of the characters better.

Other than the romance, the other main relationship story was Belly’s relationship with her mother. They don’t seem to be on the best of terms and Belly is always trying to avoid her mother. So that was one relationship I loved seeing the development in.

Overall, The Summer I Turned Pretty was a fantastic contemporary. I don’t know whether I would have enjoyed this as much if I’d just read it instead of listening to the audiobook, but we’ll never know. I’m definitely looking forward to continuing the series and I’ll definitely be getting the next two on audio.

Bout of Books 11: Sign Up

The Bout of Books read-a-thon is organized by Amanda @ On a Book Bender and Kelly @ Reading the Paranormal. It is a week long read-a-thon that begins 12:01am Monday, August 18th and runs through Sunday, August 24th in whatever time zone you are in. Bout of Books is low-pressure, and the only reading competition is between you and your usual number of books read in a week. There are challenges, giveaways, and a grand prize, but all of these are completely optional. 

For all Bout of Books 11 information and updates, be sure to visit the Bout of Books blog. - From the Bout of Books team.

I'm so glad that the read-a-thon is happening a week on Monday! I thought it was tomorrow and I didn't think I was going to be able to participate. But luckily I can! As you guys probably know, I love doing Bout of Books and I can't wait for this read-a-thon!

Showcase Sunday #78

Showcase Sunday is a weekly meme hosted by Vicky at Books, Biscuits and Tea. This meme allows book bloggers to show off the books they collected over the last week.

Hello everyone! Today is going to be a manic day because I'm off to London tomorrow! I'll no doubt be spending my whole day packing and re-packing; making about a thousand different lists and worrying that I'll completely forget to pack something. And also trying to sleep since I've hardly slept over the past couple of days due to stress. I've got posts scheduled until Friday of next week, but I doubt I'll get the chance to reply to any of them until I get back. But I will try!

Bookwise, this week I only bought two books which were kindle pre-orders that I was super excited for. I also got a couple of review books from Netgalley, a review book from an author that I can't wait to read and two review books from Bookbridgr.

Bought

• kindle

Opposition (Lux #5) by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Ugly Love by Colleen Hoover

Netgalley

Between by Megan Whitmer

Black Ice by Becca Fitzpatrick

As Long As You Love Me (2B Trilogy #2) by Ann Aguirre
Thanks Spencer Hill Press, Simon and Schuster UK & Harlequin!

Review

Timebound (The Chronos Files #1) by Rysa Walker

Massive thank you to the wonderful Rysa Walker for sending me a copy of her book. I can't wait to read it! UK bloggers - keep your eye out for my review. There'll be a giveaway to go with it!


The Queen of the Tearling (The Queen and the Tearling #1) by Erika Johansen
Cursed by Jennifer L. Armentrout
Thanks Bookbridgr, Hodder & Bantam Press!

What books did you get this week?

Storm by Brigid Kemmerer

Storm by Brigid Kemmerer
Series: Elemental #1
Publisher: Much-in-Little
Publication Date: April 17th 2014
Source: Netgalley [Much-in-Little]

Secrets are hard to keep when your life's at stake.

Becca Chandler is suddenly getting all the guys; all the ones she doesn't want. When she saves Chris Merrick from a beating in the school parking lot, everything is about to change. Chris is different from the guys at school... really different. He can control water just like his brothers can control fire, wind, and earth. The brothers are powerful and dangerous. And now that Becca knows the truth, so is she.

When the mysterious new kid, Hunter, turns up, Becca thinks she can trust him. But when he goes head-to-head with Chris, Becca's left wondering who's hiding the most dangerous truth of all.

For so long I’ve been wanting to start the Elemental series, so when I saw the first book was available on Netgalley, I requested it and crossed my fingers, arms, legs, etc… You get the gist. And when I got approved I made sure to get to it ASAP.

The Elemental series follows the Merrick brothers: Michael, Gabriel, Nick & Chris. Each of the brothers has a different elemental power that allows them control over their specific element. Storm follows Chris whose element is water. Becca Chandler comes to Chris’s rescue when she comes across two guys from school beating him up. Becca knows there’s something different about Chris and she doesn’t realise that her fate is now twisted with his and she’s in just as much danger as Chris.

Becca was a feisty and intelligent character. When we first meet her, she causes a diversion to save Chris and she acts like a complete badass. She also realises very quickly there’s something really different about Chris and his brothers and she takes it pretty well when she finds out.

Chris was adorable. He’s not my favourite of the Merrick brothers (Nick totally stole my heart), but I still love him. He’s very protective of Becca and doesn’t back down even when she tries to push him away (because she was being completely unreasonable). He truly cares for her and he’s such a sweetheart, but also a badass.

Becca’s father has been absent her whole life so when he suddenly turns back up, Becca knows he’s hiding something. Also, the new guy at school – Hunter – has taken interest in Becca, but Becca knows he’s also hiding something.

There was a lot of action in this book and a lot of twists and surprises to unravel that kept me hooked. I also really loved finding out about the Merrick brothers and finding out which element they all controlled.

Overall, Storm was a fantastic start to the Elemental series and I can’t wait to continue on with the series.

Silver Shadows by Richelle Mead

Silver Shadows by Richelle Mead
Series: Bloodlines #5
Publisher: 
Publication Date: 
Source: Bought

Sydney Sage is an Alchemist, one of a group of humans who dabble in magic and serve to bridge the worlds of humans and vampires. They protect vampire secrets—and human lives.

In The Fiery Heart, Sydney risked everything to follow her gut, walking a dangerous line to keep her feelings hidden from the Alchemists.

Now in the aftermath of an event that ripped their world apart, Sydney and Adrian struggle to pick up the pieces and find their way back to each other. But first, they have to survive.

For Sydney, trapped and surrounded by adversaries, life becomes a daily struggle to hold on to her identity and the memories of those she loves. Meanwhile, Adrian clings to hope in the face of those who tell him Sydney is a lost cause, but the battle proves daunting as old demons and new temptations begin to seize hold of him....

Their worst fears now a chilling reality, Sydney and Adrian face their darkest hour in this heart-pounding fifth installment in the New York Times bestselling Bloodlines series, where all bets are off.

REVIEW CONTAINS SOME SPOILERS.

Waiting on Wednesday #85

Waiting On Wednesday is a weekly event,  hosted by breaking the spine, that spotlights upcoming
releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

This week's pre-publication "can't-wait-to-read" selection is:

Talon by Julie Kagawa

Series: Talon #1

Publisher: Harlequin Teen

Publication Date: October 28th 2014

Long ago, dragons were hunted to near extinction by the Order of St. George, a legendary society of dragon slayers. Hiding in human form and growing their numbers in secret, the dragons of Talon have become strong and cunning, and they're positioned to take over the world with humans none the wiser.

Ember and Dante Hill are the only sister and brother known to dragonkind. Trained to infiltrate society, Ember wants to live the teen experience and enjoy a summer of freedom before taking her destined place in Talon. But destiny is a matter of perspective, and a rogue dragon will soon challenge everything Ember has been taught. As Ember struggles to accept her future, she and her brother are hunted by the Order of St. George.

Soldier Garret Xavier Sebastian has a mission to seek and destroy all dragons, and Talon's newest recruits in particular. But he cannot kill unless he is certain he has found his prey: and nothing is certain about Ember Hill. Faced with Ember's bravery, confidence and all-too-human desires, Garret begins to question everything that the Order has ingrained in him: and what he might be willing to give up to find the truth about dragons.

I adore Julie Kagawa's books and Talon sounds like it might be her best one yet! It's about dragons and the dragons can pretend to be humans... which just sounds awesome! I can't wait to find out more about the dragons and the Order of St. George. I just need this book.

What are you waiting on this week?