Top Ten Tuesday: Top Ten Book That Made Me Cry

Top Ten Books That Made Me Cry

Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme created at The Broke and the Bookish. Each week they post a new Top Ten list  that bloggers are welcome to join in and answer. 

So maybe this list is going to be biased since I cry over mostly anything heart-melting… *tries not to be bothered over being called a crybaby* whatever. LOL.

Anyway, in no particular order, here are the top ten books that really made me bawl out.

Top Ten Tuesday REWIND: Top Ten Books To Have In Your Beach Bag

Top Ten Books To Have In Your Beach Bag 

Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme created at The Broke and the Bookish. Each week they post a new Top Ten list  that bloggers are welcome to join in and answer. 

Hello there! It's a rewind edition for this week's Top Ten Tuesday, and since it's summer vacation here in the Philippines, also that I'm going on beach trips in the coming weekends (I'll be in Batangas on the 21st, then a 3-day vacation on the 28th in... Boracay! Woohoo!) I decided to go for the "top ten books to have in your beach bag" topic. It's very apt, isn't it?

I've been accustomed to reading so much dark, brooding stories over the past few days that I thought beach trips would also be a good time to go for light kind of stories, so here are some suggestions that might help you relax but also get your dose of good reads.

Top Ten Tuesday: Top Ten Fictional Crushes

Top Ten Characters I Would Crush On If I Were Also A Fictional Character

Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme created at The Broke and the Bookish. Each week they post a new Top Ten list  that bloggers are welcome to join in and answer. 

This is probably the most unfair list I have to make... I have more than Ten Book Boyfriends. LOL. Oh, don't look at me like that, I know you do to. Ha!

Well, as much as it pains me, I have to make do with 10. This is in no particular order. And just so you know, I'll be giggling and fan-girling for the most part of this post, forgive me. May I also add that although I am gushing over these guys because of their looks, they are just as equally worth pining for with their lovable hearts.

ASH

(THE IRON FEY by Julie Kagawa)

- My dark, winter prince. *faints*

TUCKER

(UNEARTHLY by Cynthia Hand)

- That darn hot cowboy. *giggles*

DAEMON

(LUX by Jennifer L. Armentrout)

- Hello, hot, gorgeous, sexy, delicious alien... rawr!

WOLF / ZE'EV

(LUNAR CHRONICLES by Marissa Meyer)

- the not so usual kind of love interest, shy and timid and yet oh so lovable.

PEREGRINE

(UNDER THE NEVER SKY by Veronica Rossi)

- My wickedly rougish champ. *giggles*

Book Haul [22]

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My "Weekly Book Haul" is pretty much just like In My Mailbox by the Story Siren, This Week In Books by Pop Culture Junkie, and Stacking the Shelves by Tynga's Reviews and all the other titles with the similar concept here and there. This is a weekly post showcasing the books you received for the given week, either bought online or from a physical bookstore, borrowed from the library or from a friend, received for review or won from a giveaway, etc.

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Hello, lovelies! How are you? Did you have a good week? I hope you did. I had a really busy week so I haven't blogged in quite a while, five days is kinda long for me. Hahaha!

Anyway, I have two weeks worth of books to show you today. So here they are:

TITLES:
THE DARKEST MINDS by Alexandra Bracken
SEVER by Lauren DeStefano
BOUNDLESS by Cynthia Hand (read & reviewed)
SHADOWS IN THE SILENCE by Courtney Allison Moulton
PRODIGY by Marie Lu (currently reading)
THE FAIREST BEAUTY by Melanie Dickerson

Apparently it is hardbound season because I only got one paperback book from the Book Depository. I bought everything else from my favorite bookstore, Fully Booked at Bonifacio High Street. Really, that place is awesome.

Boundless by Cynthia Hand [REVIEW]

TITLE: Boundless (Unearthly #3)
AUTHOR: Cynthia Hand
PUBLISHER: HarperTeen
PUB DATE: Jan 22 2013

Summary from Goodreads:

"The past few years have held more surprises than part-angel Clara Gardner could ever have anticipated. Yet from the dizzying highs of first love, to the agonizing low of losing someone close to her, the one thing she can no longer deny is that she was never meant to live a normal life.

Since discovering the special role she plays among the other angel-bloods, Clara has been determined to protect Tucker Avery from the evil that follows her . . . even if it means breaking both their hearts. Leaving town seems like the best option, so she’s headed back to California - and so is Christian Prescott, the irresistible boy from the vision that started her on this journey in the first place.

As Clara makes her way in a world that is frighteningly new, she discovers that the fallen angel who attacked her is watching her every move. And he’s not the only one. . . . With the battle against the Black Wings looming, Clara knows she must finally fulfill her destiny. But it won’t come without sacrifices and betrayal.

In the riveting finale of the Unearthly series, Clara must decide her fate once and for all."

Rating:

Just so you know, I do not read book reviews not until I read the book myself. Even though reviewers pointed out that they don’t give out spoilers, I still stay away. I don’t want to be influenced in any way over what I’ll feel about the book before I even begin. It’s also fun to discover that, when I finally read the reviews, I find common presumptions and opinions, or varying likes and dislikes with fellow readers.

From the moment reviews of Boundless blasted the blogosphere, I hated the Internet! I wanted to smite thee and smite thee more! My Goodreads friends have been gushing and all about what happened in Boundless. Since I haven’t read it then, the temptation to find out what they were talking about was killing me. Oh, the torture!

Finally, the day arrived that I managed to snag a copy from one of my favorite bookstores. I did a thousand cartwheels in my head for being incredibly happy about it. In fact, the moment my hands held Boundless, I texted Maria @ Bookchilla to let her know – and the buddy reading began!

I was barely into the story yet but I’ve already felt strongly annoyed with Angela. I even wanted her out of the picture because I really couldn’t stand her. She was incredibly infuriating. To think I already started disliking her in the novella, Radiant, but her attitude her made me feel much worse. 

Book Haul [20]

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My "Weekly Book Haul" is pretty much just like In My Mailbox by the Story Siren, This Week In Books by Pop Culture Junkie, and Stacking the Shelves by Tynga's Reviews and all the other titles with the similar concept here and there. This is a weekly post showcasing the books you received for the given week, either bought online or from a physical bookstore, borrowed from the library or from a friend, received for review or won from a giveaway, etc.

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Hello! How have you all been? This is my first book haul for this year, 2013, and I have quite a bunch to show you guys this week. So let's get started!

Titles from the BOOK DEPOSITORY:
100 WAYS TO CREATE FANTASY FIGURES by Francis Tsai
OPAL by Jennifer L. Armentrout
LUMINOSITY by Stephanie Thomas
ELIXIR by Jennifer L. Armentrout
GRETA AND THE GOBLIN KING by Chloe Jacobs
TOUCHED by Corrine Jackson

Titles from NATIONAL BOOKSTORE:
THE FAULT IN OUR STARS by John Green
LOVE YOUR FRENEMIES by Mina V. Esguerra

"Waiting on" Wednesday [12]

*"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill of Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

Hello there! Here's my post for this week's much anticipated books.

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TITLE: Boundless (Unearthly #3)

AUTHOR: Cynthia Hand

EXPECTED PUBLICATION DATE: January 22, 2013

PUBLISHER: HarperTEEN

"The past few years have held more surprises than part-angel Clara Gardner could ever have anticipated. Yet from the dizzying highs of first love, to the agonizing low of losing someone close to her, the one thing she can no longer deny is that she was never meant to live a normal life.

Since discovering the special role she plays among the other angel-bloods, Clara has been determined to protect Tucker Avery from the evil that follows her . . . even if it means breaking both their hearts. Leaving town seems like the best option, so she’s headed back to California - and so is Christian Prescott, the irresistible boy from the vision that started her on this journey in the first place.

Top Ten Tuesday: Top Ten Favorite YA Fantasy Authors

Top Ten Favorite YA Fantasy Authors

Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme created at The Broke and the Bookish. Each week they post a new Top Ten list  that bloggers are welcome to join in and answer. 

Hello, fellow readers! This week's Top Ten is about your favorite authors from a specific genre. So I went for Fantasy, since that has always been the love of my life when it comes to books. 

So here's my list:

1. SHANNON HALE  
Shannon Hale is the author that introduced me to the YA genre. Even though she doesn’t know it, I owe her for the kind of love and passion that I have known and felt over all the books that I have read and will be reading in the future.   

2. JULIE KAGAWA
Who doesn’t love her? She’s awesome! Stories about the fare folk has always been something I love to read about, and the unique way she created the Iron Fey (for the Iron Fey series) was really commendable. Plus I love Ash, just saying. LOL.

Hallowed by Cynthia Hand [REVIEW]

Hallowed (Unearthly #2)
by Cynthia Hand

Summary from Goodreads:

"For months part-angel Clara Gardner trained to face the raging forest fire from her visions and rescue the alluring and mysterious Christian Prescott from the blaze. But nothing could prepare her for the fateful decisions she would be forced to make that day, or the startling revelation that her purpose—the task she was put on earth to accomplish—is not as straightforward as she thought.

Now, torn between her increasingly complicated feelings for Christian and her love for her boyfriend, Tucker, Clara struggles to make sense of what she was supposed to do the day of the fire. And, as she is drawn further into the world of part angels and the growing conflict between White Wings and Black Wings, Clara learns of the terrifying new reality that she must face: Someone close to her will die in a matter of months. With her future uncertain, the only thing Clara knows for sure is that the fire was just the beginning."

Rating:

I was completely heartbroken over this whole thing. Damn! My dear, dear Tucker... *sniff* *slow steady breath* (desperately trying to stop myself from crying).

*Pausing for a few minutes*

Okay... I just finished giving myself a little pep talk. I’m trying to pull myself together to do this and then I’ll cry some more afterwards. *sniff*

Book Haul [2]

I haven't thought of a name for a weekly meme of book hauls so let's just go with what's posted above. 

For now, I'll call this the "Whatever it's called" Book Haul. It's only temporary, I swear. I just haven't thought of a clever name for it. So this is pretty much just like In My Mailbox by the Story Siren and This Week In Books by Pop Culture Junkie and all the other titles with the similar concept here and there. This is a weekly post showcasing the books you received for the given week, either bought online or from a physical bookstore, borrowed from the library or from a friend, received for review or won from a giveaway, etc.

Hello everyone! How are you all doing? I hope you had a good week.

Before we go any further, let me give a shout out to my mom, my grandmother, my relatives who are now moms, friends and colleagues who are also moms, fellow bloggers who are moms as well and to your moms too, and all the moms around the globe: HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!!! Nothing can compare to the unconditional love you give to your children and for that you deserve only the best not just for today but everyday! 

Okay, here we are again for another post of what books we got for this wonderful week and I am on the state of needing an intervention (I think a lot of us do). 

Here's my haul:

Top Ten Tuesday: Top Ten Sequels I'm Dying to Read

Top Ten Tuesday

Hosted by The Broke and The Bookish

Top Ten Sequels I'm Dying to Read

    

    

1. Bloodrose by Andrea Cremer

     - I can't wait to see how the Nightshade series ends!

2. Midnight in Austenland by Shannon Hale

     - I loved the first book, Austenland; and I love Shannon Hale so, yeah I can't wait to get to read this.

3. Stolen Nights by Rebecca Maizel

     - I felt sad about how Infinite Days ended so I really want to see how it would continue with this second installment.

4. Eona by Alison Goodman

     - I devoured Eon so of course I'm eager to read Eona. I'm just waiting for the paperback to be released since I bought the paperback copy of Eon. I want my books to match.

5. Fever by Lauren DeStefano

     - I'm eager to see the continuation of Rhine's story.

6. Wings of the Wicked by Courtney Allison Moulton

     - Not loving the cover but I totally dig this series.

7. Hallowed by Cynthia Hand

     - Major cliff-hanger on Unearthly! I badly want to know the answers to all the questions piled in at the ending of the first book.

8. Truth by Julia Karr

     - Now that Nina's marked with the XVI tattoo, she's in for more challenges than she has already faced. Can't wait for that!

9. Pandemonium by Lauren Oliver

     - Something tells me I'm in for more adventure.

10. The Iron King by Julie Kagawa

     - Yes, this has been on my previous top ten but I really am eager to read this. I get so giddy thinking about it! 

Unearthly by Cynthia Hand

        

Unearthly
(Unearthly #1)
by Cynthia Hand

Summary from Goodreads:

"In the beginning, there's a boy standing in the trees . . . .

Clara Gardner has recently learned that she's part angel. Having angel blood run through her veins not only makes her smarter, stronger, and faster than humans (a word, she realizes, that no longer applies to her), but it means she has a purpose, something she was put on this earth to do. Figuring out what that is, though, isn't easy.

Her visions of a raging forest fire and an alluring stranger lead her to a new school in a new town. When she meets Christian, who turns out to be the boy of her dreams (literally), everything seems to fall into place—and out of place at the same time. Because there's another guy, Tucker, who appeals to Clara's less angelic side.

As Clara tries to find her way in a world she no longer understands, she encounters unseen dangers and choices she never thought she'd have to make—between honesty and deceit, love and duty, good and evil. When the fire from her vision finally ignites, will Clara be ready to face her destiny?

Unearthly is a moving tale of love and fate, and the struggle between following the rules and following your heart."

Rating:

A surprisingly gripping book! 

This is the first angel book I’ve read. I was kind of skeptical about reading books with angel themes since I’ve heard a lot of negative feedback towards the earlier books written with this kind of genre. Fortunately, Unearthly did not disappoint me. 

I admire the way the author was able to make this book an easy read. It’s still engaging and a total page-turner but isn’t hard to understand and you can effortlessly grasp on what’s happening. 

I loved the development of the Clara-Tucker-Christian love triangle. Finally, a book that gives the characters actual romance development, and not the swoon over at first sight kind of love. It’s nice to see that their relationships showed tangible maturity. At this point, I am definitely Team Tucker. 

I like that this book has shown a balance between reality and otherworldly. You get a fair share of Clara’s life as a normal teen dealing with school and boys, and then you get Clara’s unearthly side where she needs to fulfill her purpose as an angel-blood. The right mix of it has made this book a really interesting read. 

The only thing that bothered me was the ending. Not that it’s an awful ending, it’s just not how I expected it to be and I’ve always been sore of being left with another mystery to solve and being left confused. Unearthly ended with more questions than answers which usually pisses me off, but this book has given me a good perspective of how things are going and showing me how vast this world Clara is still on the verge of discovering that I totally empathize with her, which has led me to be more patient and eager to read the next book.