Favourite Books Since I've Started Blogging

I was recently asked about my favourite books. The books I would make everyone read if given the chance. The books that stayed with me years after I've finished reading them (or will stay with me).

Since I am out of town, I figured this would be a perfect chance to create a list of those titles (at least so far). I am keeping it to ones that I have reviewed on the blog. They'll all link to my review if you wish to check them out.

1 Stolen by Lucy Christopher

My first review, and I still love this one more than words can express. It's literally become a joke with the ladies of The Sisterhood of the Traveling Book Club because I mention it so often during our chats. Incredibly written, emotionally draining, and it's a book that plays with your head. In the most beautiful way possible, of course. This one is making it's way to the big screen with Ryan Kwanten as Ty.

2 Tiger Lily by Jodi Lynn Anderson

Jodi Lynn Anderson's beautiful writing reduced me to tears as Tiger Lily ended. This retelling of Peter Pan not only feels fresh and different, but is one of my favourite adaptations of all time. An unforgettable story about the girl with the crow feather in her hair, and the lost boy she fell in love with. It gets bonus points for being narrated by everyone's favourite pixie.

3 Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn

One of the best twists, EVER. I didn't see it coming, and (for me) it was brilliantly executed. Gillian Flynn's sharp, smart writing combined with a wrenching story of a couple falling in, and out of love serves to add a depth to this anything but typical mystery.

4 Tarnish by Katherine Longshore

Pretty sure Katherine's next book Brazen will be added to the list (I am halfway through and it's beautiful) but it's her portrayal of Anne Boleyn that stunned me. A novel that focuses on Anne's life, rather than her death. It shows that everyone deserves, and should fight for, their voice to be heard. A surprisingly uplifting and hopeful message that adds a bitter-sweetness to Anne's fate.

5 Vicious by V.E. Schwab

A deliciously dark look at what it means to be a hero, and villain. Unforgettable characters combined with Victoria's brilliant writing, and a rich, complex plot to create what is basically a perfect book. I ache to go back to this world and these characters. This one surprised me in the best way possible, and made me a Victoria Schwab fan for life. Apparently this one is also on it's way to the big screen. #DaneDehaanForVictorVale

6 Anna and the French Kiss/Lola and the Boy Next Door by Stephanie Perkins

Cute and fluffy is what most people probably think when they read the titles for these books. WRONG. They are adorable, but they are also filled with humour, heart, and a realness that seeps from the pages. The characters are so completely developed they feel like friends, and it quickly became one that I want to read over and over again. Both of them. There are plenty of swoon worthy passages throughout the novel. The stand out in both is Stephanie's attention to the little details that go into a romance. The inside jokes, the little gestures, and the moments that make everything stop. She captures that falling in love moment effortlessly.

7 Just One Day/Just One Year by Gayle Forman

A duology that when combined tell the romantic, and engrossing story of two people's journey to each other. Often romance is about the couple, but Gayle shines a light on the two individuals inside that couple. We get to know them each so well, and this is a case where each novel is dependent on the other. Allyson's story isn't complete without Willem's and vice versa. It's the kind of novel that inspires wanderlust, and might just inspire you to take a few chances.

8 We Were Liars by E. Lockhart

The less I say about this one the better. E Lockhart's gorgeous writing will pull you into the dreamy, summer vibe, but the mystery will keep you burning through the pages. Read it. Lie about it. Just make sure you experience it unspoiled as it's one that is meant to be experienced along with the characters.

9 Love Letters To the Dead by Ava Dellaira

A novel that is both heartbreaking and healing. It's letter style narration was done impressively well, and the emotions and character development impressive for this style as well. Ava's work reads gut-wrenchingly real that it feels like you're reading someone's personal letters at times, rather than a work of fiction. The celebrity angle works for the character and the story in a charming way. They become characters themselves. This was another surprise for me, but I was happy to fall under it's spell.

10 Since You've Been Gone by Morgan Matson

I hugged this book when I was done. It's that adorable, and fun. It's one of those books that makes you feel good. The journey you take with the characters comes complete with a musical playlist which only adds to it's charm. The characters, the writing, and the depth this novel has is wonderful. It's one to pick up this summer and enjoy by the beach.

This is my no means a full listing, but these are the books I would want to make everyone read if I could.

What books make your EVERYONE MUST READ list?

Weekly Obsessions

The awesome Kelly at KellyVision started posting a weekly post highlighting whatever she happened to be obsessed with that week. I LOVE this idea, so much in fact that I will be doing it myself every Saturday.

Here are my obsessions this week. Super short and sweet this week but pretty much everything else is eclipsed by the casting news!

BOOK

Beyond The Pale Motel by Francesca Lia Block

I stumbled across the cover for this and while I like it enough, it was this synopsis that made me quickly add it to my 'to be read' list

Maternal, sexy Catt and her beautiful, daring best friend Bree are hairdressers at an L.A. salon called Head Hunter, and work out at a gym called Body Farm. They have over a decade of sobriety behind them and are getting close to living the lives they've always wanted.

But when Catt's husband, Dash, leaves her, and then her neighbor is brutally murdered, possibly by a man being called the Hollywood Serial Killer, Catt's world begins to come crashing down. The murdered victims all seem to bear a chilling resemblance to Bree. Catt suspects that Bree is the next target of the Hollywood Serial Killer...is she losing touch with reality or simply coming to terms with the truth?

In this terrifying and intensely erotic novel, Francesca Lia Block explores the dangers of modern living, loving and dying with lyrical edge and sensational attitude.

You can add it to your Goodreads account and pine away like I am because its not released until September 16th.

OTHER

Ryan Kwanten cast in Stolen

As per Lucy Christopher's Facebook...

Post by Lucy Christopher.

I am flailing over this news. I've wanted Ryan Kwanten to be cast as Ty since I read Stolen. He's going to be PERFECT. Stolen is still one of my all time favourite YA novels, and I was worried about it being made into a movie. The fact that Lucy is writing the screenplay and that they cast my perfect Ty makes me hope this will be a fantastic adaptation. I can't wait for more news about this movie, and for the eventual movie posters, trailer, etc.

*I also confirmed with Lucy via Twitter that Ryan is indeed Ty in the movie*

David's Tea Frequent Steeper Program

I have a slight obsession with tea, especially David's Tea. They have an amazing variety, and I love discovering a new favourite. They recently launched a frequent steeper program that allows you to accumulate points towards free tea. This is basically heaven for me. I have already signed up. Oh, and the May tea of the month? Chocolate Macaroon... as if I didn't want it to be May badly enough.

What are you obsessed with this week?

Weekly Obsessions

The awesome Kelly at KellyVision started posting a weekly post highlighting whatever she happened to be obsessed with that week. I LOVE this idea, so much in fact that I will be doing it myself every Saturday.

Here are my obsessions this week:

BOOKS

Cover and title of Shatter Me #3

Tahereh Mafi released the title and cover for the third Shatter Me novel. Ignite Me is the final book in the trilogy and I can't wait to read it. I am hoping for an amazing finale.

Plus the cover is amazing. I really like the new cover scheme for this series.

MOVIE/TV

Stolen movie....maybe

I loved Stolen by Lucy Christopher. One of my favourite books I've reviewed on this blog. I have been awaiting news on the potential movie, and something was finally revealed. Lucy Christopher tweeted that she was going to San Diego to work on the screenplay. Is it too early to start my Ryan Kwanten for Ty petition?

City of Bones

I have tickets to a Wednesday night showing. I was quite disappointed to hear that Ottawa was not going to have any midnight screenings. My sister and I are going on Wednesday and I am also going with a friend of mine on Friday night, I believe. Super excited to see this and hope it does amazingly well.

Once Upon A Time Season 2 DVD (AKA Awesome Deleted Scenes)

The second season of Once Upon A Time is coming out on DVD. To promote this, some of the deleted scenes have made their way to media sites. TVLine.com recently shared one I am in love with. Sadly, I can't embed it here, but it features Henry, Baelfire and the words 'second star to the right and straight on till morning'. Needless to say, I had a fangirl moment. The Henry/Baelfire/Emma feelings mixed with my Peter Pan obsession? *dies*. I can't wait for season 3.

OTHER

Sisterhood of the Traveling Book Club

The first official 'meeting' of the Sisterhood took place yesterday (Friday) and it went amazingly well. It was so much fun to chat with Kim, Christy, and Kelly. I will be sharing the recap post later this month, and we're already working on plans for our next meeting.

So what are you obsessed with this week?

Stolen by Lucy Christopher

Stolen by Lucy Christopher
Release Date -May 2010
Publisher - Chicken House
Pages - 299
My Rating- 10/10

This is going to be my first "attempt" at a book review. I hesitate to call it a review as it will just be my thoughts and feelings instead of an analytical break down of the novel.

I wanted to do this because this book made me want to talk about it. I wanted to tell everyone I know to read this book. It impacted me that much. I am just sad it's my first review as I really want to do this novel justice.

Here is the synopsis of the novel from GoodReads

Gemma, 16, is on layover at Bangkok Airport, en route with her parents to a vacation in Vietnam. She steps away for just a second, to get a cup of coffee. Ty - rugged, tan, too old, oddly familiar - pays for Gemma's drink. And drugs it. They talk. Their hands touch. And before Gemma knows what's happening, Ty takes her. Steals her away. The unknowing object of a long obsession, Gemma has been kidnapped by her stalker and brought to the desolate Australian Outback. 
Stolen is her gripping story of survival, of how she has to come to terms with her living nightmare - or die trying to fight it.

You saw me before I saw you.... The beautiful, haunting opening sentence. This novel grabs you right from the beginning and doesn't let go.

I really enjoyed the way the author manages to bring to life the dry, hot, red desert in Australia. I could almost feel the heat pushing down on me when Gemma was describing it. I could easily picture her surroundings and could feel how she must have felt.

I think the novel's strength comes from the characterization of Ty. I, like Gemma, felt myself torn. Part of me wanted to hate him and part of me just couldn't. Maybe it was his story, maybe it was the fact that I kept picturing the delicious Ryan Kwanten (who should play Ty in the movie of this book when/if it gets made), or maybe I had a little bit of Stockholm syndrome myself. This is the most brilliant thing the author was able to accomplish, and she does it so subtly. You don't really realize it until you're reading the last few pages and it hits you hard in the stomach. Lucy Christopher was able to shape, and direct the reader's emotions so that we were able to feel what Stockholm syndrome might be like.

The ending for me was the only ending that could have come out of this (even if it is the ending only half of you is rooting for). I am also so glad that the letter was not signed Love, Gemma at the end. It would have just felt "wrong" somehow if she had signed it that way.

The highest praise I can give this book is the fact that I immediately didn't pick up another one. I had to take some time and digest before I could pick up another one. Stolen is a beautiful, well written, engrossing novel that will stay with you long after you've finished it.