Tag: top 10 tuesday

Book Funsies, Top Ten Tuesday

Top Ten Tuesday!

Maren @ MarenBoBarenReads

The week in the MarenBoBarenReads universe, I spent the vast majority of my weekend crawling out of the pile of schoolwork that had happened when I was sick (although I did manage to take a respite to go to the zoo with my sister and niece which was a blast)! My sister is my original book recommender. Being 10 years older than me, she influence a lot of my early reading tendencies. Which is why it’s unsurprising the first book on this list is thanks to her.

Nancy Drew #37: The Clue in the Old Stagecoach by Carolyn Keene

This was recommended to me (read: shoved into my hand when I was sick and told it was all I was about time I read Nancy Drew at age 7 or 8). I cannot thank my sister enough for that push, it sparked a life long love of this favorite mystery heroine.

Poison Study by Maria V. Snyder

Easily one of my all time favorite series, recommended to me by my boss/friend when I worked for Barnes & Noble

To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before by Jenny Han

Another recommendation from my sister. She was throwing some good YA Contemporary at me when I was in a YA Fantasy rut.

Red, White & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston

I swear, I don’t exclusively read books recommended by my sister, but this is another one.

Caraval by Stephanie Garber

I had seen this book alllllllll over Bookstagram and decided to give it a shot!

The Kiss of Deception by Mary E Pearson

Kept seeing this book pop up when I was the Teen Lead at Barnes & Noble, quickly fell in love with the world and the story. Is it wrong that this made me want to reread the series again?

Ruined by Amy Tintera

Another book who I kept seeing when working for B&N. Being the Teen Lead was often bad for my wallet….

Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo

I honestly don’t remember what eventually got me to read this book…work, bookstagram, or booktube.

Ruby Red by Kerstin Gier

This was a recommendation from a friend on Bookstagram after I feel head over heels in love with the covers when she posted a photo of the trilogy.

And last but not least!

Paradise Snare by A.C Crispin

This has become my all time favorite Star Wars series in the original EU. My husband felt it was an easy recommend for him to give me based on how in LOVE with the Han Solo character I am. Seriously, he knows I would leave him for Han Solo….or even Harrison Ford.

Top Ten Tuesday was created by The Broke and the Bookish in June of 2010 and was moved to That Artsy Reader Girl in January of 2018. It was born of a love of lists, a love of books, and a desire to bring bookish friends together.

Book Funsies, TBR

Top 10 Books on my Summer 2020 List

Maren @ MarenBoBarenReads

Summer is literally around the corner. 5 days away. Quarantine has made time so fluid and confusing it’s almost hard to fathom that Summer is here already. I don’t know about you, but Summer is my least favorite season. It’s hot with very little rain. And my preferred reading atmosphere is a cup of coffee or tea, my reading chair, a cat, a book, and the big bay window next to me with rain falling outside. But maybe that’s just me, haha. The interesting side effect is that Summertime is the only season I read books other than Fantasy. I tend to gravitate back toward Contemporary or Romance in the Summer. So, without further adieu, here is my Top 10 TBR for Summer 2020.

**Books don’t necessarily come out Summer 2020, just when I plan to read them**

The Princess and the Fangirl by Ashley Poston

Imogen Lovelace is an ordinary fangirl on an impossible mission: save her favorite character, Princess Amara, from being killed off from her favorite franchise, Starfield. The problem is, Jessica Stone—the actress who plays Princess Amara—wants nothing more than to leave the intense scrutiny of the fandom behind. If this year’s ExcelsiCon isn’t her last, she’ll consider her career derailed.

When a case of mistaken identity throws look-a-likes Imogen and Jess together, they quickly become enemies. But when the script for the Starfield sequel leaks, and all signs point to Jess, she and Imogen must trade places to find the person responsible. That’s easier said than done when the girls step into each other’s shoes and discover new romantic possibilities, as well as the other side of intense fandom. As these “princesses” race to find the script-leaker, they must rescue themselves from their own expectations, and redefine what it means to live happily ever after.

No Judgments by Meg Cabot

The storm of the century is about to hit Little Bridge Island, Florida—and it’s sending waves crashing through Sabrina “Bree” Beckham’s love life…

When a massive hurricane severs all power and cell service to Little Bridge Island—as well as its connection to the mainland—twenty-five-year-old Bree Beckham isn’t worried . . . at first. She’s already escaped one storm—her emotionally abusive ex—so a hurricane seems like it will be a piece of cake.

But animal-loving Bree does become alarmed when she realizes how many islanders have been cut off from their beloved pets. Now it’s up to her to save as many of Little Bridge’s cats and dogs as she can . . . but to do so, she’s going to need help—help she has no choice but to accept from her boss’s sexy nephew, Drew Hartwell, the Mermaid Café’s most notorious heartbreaker.

But when Bree starts falling for Drew, just as Little Bridge’s power is restored and her penitent ex shows up, she has to ask herself if her island fling was only a result of the stormy weather, or if it could last during clear skies too.

Hideaway by Nora Roberts

A family ranch in Big Sur country and a legacy of Hollywood royalty set the stage for Nora Roberts’ emotional new suspense novel.

Caitlyn Sullivan, a daughter of Hollywood royalty, was already a star at ten, but still loved to play hide-and-seek with her cousins at the family home in Big Sur. It was during one of those games that she disappeared.

Despite her glamorous background, Cate was a shrewd, scrappy survivor, and she managed to escape her abductors. Dillon Cooper was shocked to find the bruised and terrified girl huddled in his ranch house kitchen—but when the teenager and his family heard her story they provided refuge and comfort, reuniting her with her loved ones.

Cate’s ordeal, though, was far from over. First came the discovery of a betrayal that would send someone she’d trusted to prison. Then there were years away in Ireland, sheltered and protected but with restlessness growing in her soul. Then, finally, she returned to Los Angeles, hoping to act again and get past the trauma that had derailed her life. What she didn’t yet know was that two seeds had been planted that long-ago night—one of a great love, and one of a terrible vengeance…

By the Book by Amanda Sellet

As a devotee of classic novels, Mary Porter-Malcolm knows all about Mistakes That Have Been Made, especially by impressionable young women. So when a girl at her new high school nearly succumbs to the wiles of a notorious cad, Mary starts compiling the Scoundrel Survival Guide, a rundown of literary types to be avoided at all costs.

Unfortunately, Mary is better at dishing out advice than taking it—and the number one bad boy on her list is terribly debonair. As her best intentions go up in flames, Mary discovers life doesn’t follow the same rules as fiction. If she wants a happy ending IRL, she’ll have to write it herself.

Love & Luck by Jenna Evans Welch

Addie is visiting Ireland for her aunt’s over-the-top destination wedding, and hoping she can stop thinking about the one horrible thing she did that left her miserable and heartbroken—and threatens her future. But her brother, Ian, isn’t about to let her forget, and his constant needling leads to arguments and even a fistfight between the two once inseparable siblings. Miserable, Addie can’t wait to visit her friend in Italy and leave her brother—and her problems—behind.

So when Addie discovers an unusual guidebook, Ireland for the Heartbroken, hidden in the dusty shelves of the hotel library, she’s able to finally escape her anxious mind and Ian’s criticism.

And then their travel plans change. Suddenly Addie finds herself on a whirlwind tour of the Emerald Isle, trapped in the world’s smallest vehicle with Ian and his admittedly cute, Irish-accented friend Rowan. As the trio journeys over breathtaking green hills, past countless castles, and through a number of fairy-tale forests, Addie hopes her guidebook will heal not only her broken heart, but also her shattered relationship with her brother.

That is if they don’t get completely lost along the way.

Tweet Cute by Emma Lord

A fresh, irresistible rom-com from debut author Emma Lord about the chances we take, the paths life can lead us on, and how love can be found in the opposite place you expected.

Meet Pepper, swim team captain, chronic overachiever, and all-around perfectionist. Her family may be falling apart, but their massive fast-food chain is booming ― mainly thanks to Pepper, who is barely managing to juggle real life while secretly running Big League Burger’s massive Twitter account.

Enter Jack, class clown and constant thorn in Pepper’s side. When he isn’t trying to duck out of his obscenely popular twin’s shadow, he’s busy working in his family’s deli. His relationship with the business that holds his future might be love/hate, but when Big League Burger steals his grandma’s iconic grilled cheese recipe, he’ll do whatever it takes to take them down, one tweet at a time.

All’s fair in love and cheese ― that is, until Pepper and Jack’s spat turns into a viral Twitter war. Little do they know, while they’re publicly duking it out with snarky memes and retweet battles, they’re also falling for each other in real life ― on an anonymous chat app Jack built.

As their relationship deepens and their online shenanigans escalate ― people on the internet are shipping them?? ― their battle gets more and more personal, until even these two rivals can’t ignore they were destined for the most unexpected, awkward, all-the-feels romance that neither of them expected.

You Deserve Each Other by Sarah Hogle

Naomi Westfield has the perfect fiancé: Nicholas Rose holds doors open for her, remembers her restaurant orders, and comes from the kind of upstanding society family any bride would love to be a part of. They never fight. They’re preparing for their lavish wedding that’s three months away. And she is miserably and utterly sick of him.

Naomi wants out, but there’s a catch: whoever ends the engagement will have to foot the nonrefundable wedding bill. When Naomi discovers that Nicholas, too, has been feigning contentment, the two of them go head-to-head in a battle of pranks, sabotage, and all-out emotional warfare.

But with the countdown looming to the wedding that may or may not come to pass, Naomi finds her resolve slipping. Because now that they have nothing to lose, they’re finally being themselves–and having fun with the last person they expect: each other.

When your nemesis also happens to be your fiancé, happily ever after becomes a lot more complicated in this wickedly funny, lovers-to-enemies-to-lovers romantic comedy debut.

If I Never Met You by Mhairi McFarlane

If faking love is this easy… how do you know when it’s real?

When her partner of over a decade suddenly ends things, Laurie is left reeling—not only because they work at the same law firm and she has to see him every day. Her once perfect life is in shambles and the thought of dating again in the age of Tinder is nothing short of horrifying. When news of her ex’s pregnant girlfriend hits the office grapevine, taking the humiliation lying down is not an option. Then a chance encounter in a broken-down elevator with the office playboy opens up a new possibility.

Jamie Carter doesn’t believe in love, but he needs a respectable, steady girlfriend to impress their bosses. Laurie wants a hot new man to give the rumor mill something else to talk about. It’s the perfect proposition: a fauxmance played out on social media, with strategically staged photographs and a specific end date in mind. With the plan hatched, Laurie and Jamie begin to flaunt their new couple status, to the astonishment—and jealousy—of their friends and colleagues. But there’s a fine line between pretending to be in love and actually falling for your charming, handsome fake boyfriend… 

Yes No Maybe So by Becky Albertalli

YES
Jamie Goldberg is cool with volunteering for his local state senate candidate—as long as he’s behind the scenes. When it comes to speaking to strangers (or, let’s face it, speaking at all to almost anyone), Jamie’s a choke artist. There’s no way he’d ever knock on doors to ask people for their votes…until he meets Maya.

NO
Maya Rehman’s having the worst Ramadan ever. Her best friend is too busy to hang out, her summer trip is canceled, and now her parents are separating. Why her mother thinks the solution to her problems is political canvassing—with some awkward dude she hardly knows—is beyond her.

MAYBE SO
Going door to door isn’t exactly glamorous, but maybeit’s not the worst thing in the world. After all, the polls are getting closer—and so are Maya and Jamie. Mastering local activism is one thing. Navigating the cross-cultural romance of the century is another thing entirely.

Frosted Kisses by Heather Helper

Former Manhattan girl Penny has quickly discovered that life in a small town is never dull. Not when there’s a festival for every occasion, a Queen Bee to deal with, an animal shelter to save, and a cute boy to crush on.

There’s a new girl in town: Esmeralda. She’s beautiful, French, and just happens to be Queen Bee Charity’s best friend. Penny hopes the arrival of Esmeralda means Charity might be too busy to keep making her life miserable.

But Penny doesn’t have a lot of time to worry about Charity. Her best friend, Tally, has recruited her to help raise money to save the local animal shelter. Then there’s Marcus, the adorable and mysterious boy who Penny thinks maybe likes her as much as she likes him. Plus, this is Penny’s first holiday season as a “divorced” kid–although she has no idea what this means.

Can Penny help her friends save the shelter, navigate her new family dynamics, and get the boy, or will Charity and Esmeralda find a way to ruin everything?

Book Funsies

Top 10 Tuesday

Maren @ MarenBoBarenReads

10 Books That I’d Slay a Lion to Get Early 😉

Damn a lion….that’s a fierce battle. Not that I wouldn’t do it….but I like lions. Can I battle something equally badass? Like a Dragon?
Yes. So 10 Books I’d Slay a Dragon to Get Early!
I will say that because of my busy life I barely get the time to read that I would like. So, as much as I want these books early, chances are good that I’ll barely have time to read them when they come out anyway….but I’m highly anticipating them regardless!

 

1. Kingdom of Ash (release 10/23/18)

This one shouldn’t surprise anyone. The epic, I’m sure, finale to this series is going to be insane. I loved Tower of Dawn (Chaol = love), but am excited to get back to my #wcw, Manon Blackbeak.

 

2. Queen of Air and Darkness (release 12/4/18)

I wish I wasn’t so in love with this series. But I would be lying to say that I’m not.

 

3. Chain of Gold (release 2019)

Ok. I know this means two Cassie Clare books on here. But OMG I loved The Infernal Devices series….it’s by far my favorite series so far. So I’m happy to get back to that era in the world.

 

4. The Winds of Winter (release 2020, yeah right!)

Seems like a gimmie. Also, while we’re at it, A Dream of Spring would be nice too.

 

5. Archenemies (release 11/6/18)

I loved Renegades so much, so I can’t wait for the sequel!

 

6. Bloodwitch (release 2019)

I can’t even. Like….now. Pls.

 

7. Escaping from Houdini (9/18/18)

I fell in love with these characters during Stalking Jack the Ripper. At first, I thought my interest was going to be only invested in the Jack the Ripper portion, my father and I share a fascination with serial killers, but I loved the characters enough that following them to Haunting Prince Dracula. Can’t wait for Escaping from Houdini!

 

8. Reaper at the Gate (release 6/12/18)

Ember in the Ashes is such an amazing series, I’m so happy it’s going to be a quartet and not a trilogy!

 

9. These Rebel Waves (8/7/18)

The Snow Like Ashes trilogy was so amazing! I will look forward to anything that Sara Raasch writes!

 

10. Literally ANYTHING by Meg Cabot or Maria V. Snyder (release TBD)

Ok so these aren’t books that are even announced, let along have titles. But, these are my two favorite authors. As such I will always slay a dragon to get ANYTHING written by them.

Book Covers!*

*The covers for Bloodwitch and Chain of Gold are not the official covers, but amazing fan art.

Bloodwitch: @miss_melissalee

Chain of Gold: infernalheronstairs|tumblr

Book Funsies, Top Ten Tuesday

Top 10 Tuesday

Maren @ MarenBoBarenReads

Top Ten Tuesday was created by The Broke and the Bookish in June of 2010 and was moved to That Artsy Reader Girl in January of 2018. It was born of a love of lists, a love of books, and a desire to bring bookish friends together.

This week’s list is common words book titles. My chosen genre was YA, although upon recollection some of these aren’t *strictly* YA 😉 I tried to only pull from titles that I have actually read, or are on my immediate (in the next 3 books) TBR.

  1. Queen – 17 uses

    • Queen of Air and Darkness, Queen of Shadows, The Star-Touched Queen, The Scarecrow Queen, The Orphan Queen, Red Queen, The Shadow Queen, Queen of Babble, The Queen of the Tearling, The Iron Queen, Queen Song, The Exiled Queen, The Queen’s Rising, Lament: The Faerie Queen’s Deception, The Runaway Queen, The Cupcake Queen, The Queen of Zombie Hearts

  2. Dark – 15 uses

    • Queen of Air and Darkness, One Dark Throne, Three Dark Crowns, Courting Darkness, And I Darken, Gathering Darkness, Dark Triumph, The Beauty of Darkness, Dark Witch, Dark Passage, Taste of Darkness, Disney After Dark, Dead Until Dark, Darkfever, Darkest Hour

  3. Shadow – 14 uses

    • The Shadowhunter’s Codex, Lord of Shadows, Tales from the Shadowhunter Academy, Reign of Shadows, Shadow and Bone, The Shadow Queen, Queen of Shadows, Shadow Study, Disney in Shadow, Cast in Shadow, The Secret of Shadow Ranch, Shadowfever, Shadowland, Smoke and Shadow

  4. Heart – 13 uses

    • Mortal Heart, The Heart of Betrayal, Heartless, Heart of the Sea, Cross My Heart and Hope to Die, Inkheart, Heart of Danger, Heart Breaker, Racing Hearts, Ransom My Heart, Assassin’s Heart, Heart of Iron, The Queen of Zombie Hearts

  5. Star – 13 uses

    • A Court of Frost and Starlight, The Star-Touched Queen, Obsidian and Stars, Stars Above, Shopaholic to the Stars, Curse of the Arctic Star, Morning Star, The Last Star, The Midnight Star, Fire Star, Hidden Star, Captive Star, Secret Star

  6. Girl – 11 uses

    • Fangirl, The Girl of Fire and Thorns, Wrong Kind of Girl, The Perfect Girl, Certain Girls, The Wedding Girl, Girlfriend Material, Confessions of a Not It Girl, Twenties Girl, Boy Meets Girl, All-American Girl

  7. Night/Midnight – 11 uses

    • Night Study, Crown of Midnight, Frost Like Night, A Torch Against the Night, Lady Midnight, All Night Long, Lady Night, Night Shade, Goddess of the Night, The Night Circus, Happy Hollisters and the Mystery of the Midnight Trolls

  8. Love – 11 uses

    • I’d Tell You I Love You, But Then I’d Have to Kill You, When Love Dies, Dangerous Love, Beloved, True Love, The Big Love, Double Love, Love and Other Four-Letter Words, First Comes Love, Wicked Lovely, Princess in Love

  9. Kingdom – 10 uses

    • Falling Kingdoms, Crooked Kingdom, Kingdom of Ash, The Bitter Kingdom, Clash of Kingdoms, The Broken Kingdoms, The Kingdom of Gods, A Knight of Seven Kingdoms, Crystal Kingdom, Kingdom of Ash & Briars

  10. Ash(es) – 9 uses

    • City of Ashes, An Ember in the Ashes, Snow Like Ashes, An Inheritance of Ashes, Kingdom of Ash, Ash Princess, Fire & Ash, Ash & Quill, Kingdom of Ash and Briars

 

Also – I know I’m a few days late, didn’t realize this was still sitting in my “draft”