Tag: bookish

Monthly Wrap Up August 2021

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Huzzah! We survived another month of sweltering heat temperatures here in Texas.

Whew.

Also, I hope everyone who is in the path of Hurricane Ida is safe and secure. You’re in my prayers.

Today we do as usual, and make a nice list of all the posts in August.

Every Book I Read July 2021: Why is it that the only thing I can ever think of saying here is “it is what it says on the tin”?

TTT-Titles or Covers That Made Me Want to Read/Buy the Book: This was my very first Top Ten Tuesday. And I have loved doing them.

WWW Wednesday-August 4th!: Looking back at what I was reading at any given time is awesome. And WWW Wednesday helps with that. I am definitely not doing this every week. Cause reasons.

Every Book I Bought In July 2021: This is a list of all the books I bought in July. Wait until you see August’s list.

A Month of Myths-An August 2021 TBR: I set a themed TBR this month. Stay tuned to see how I did. Spoiler alert, not well.

Every New Release I Want-August 2021: I had fun searching the interwebs for the newest of new releases this month. It always brings me joy.

Souless-A Book Review: I reviewed one book this month. And I loved it!

TTT-Favorite Places to Read: I made of list of, shocker, my favorite places to read. One of them was the beach? I hate the beach. What was I thinking?

Book Series I need to Finish: I might have a problem not completing series once I start them. Too many books come out, okay!

Anything But Books Tag: This is a post where you learned a little bit about me, and not about books. Mostly it was an excuse to talk about Gargoyles and SG-1.

TTT for Aug 24-Books I Wish I Could Read Again For the First Time: Ah, to start all over again with a beloved book. That was the point of this post.

And there you have it! All the posts I posted in August! Which was your favorite?

TTT for Aug 24- Books I Wish I Could Read Again for the First Time

Lauren3 Comments

It’s Tuesday! That means that it’s Top Ten Tuesday time!

What is Top Ten Tuesday, you may ask?

“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 weeks topic is books I wish I could read again for the first time. I knew I had to do this one. Because I have so many. So, so many.

1. The Dragon Prince by Melanie Rawn

Has there ever been a time when I haven’t raved about this book? I first read it my freshman year of high school and I loved it. It’s been a regular re-read of mine for years.

2. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone by J.K. Rowling

Oh to read Harry Potter for the first time…again. I was eighteen when this book first came out and didn’t start reading them until the third book had been released. But they are wonderful, aren’t they? Also, because reasons, Trans lives matter.

3. Taliesin by Stephen R. Lawhead

I loved this start to the Pendragon cycle, and I’ve read it a few times since that first time, but nothing beat that first time of seeing that quiet finishing village.

4. The Last Dragon Lord by Joanne Bertin

This book came out 22 years ago, and I would love to read the story of humans that can turn into Dragons for the first time. It’s seems the book is out of print, but you can still pick it up on Kindle!

5. Naked in Death by J.D. Robb

I have every book in this soon to be 54 book series. But that first book was something special.

6. Jurassic Park by Michael Crichton

Ah to be young again. Or maybe not be 12 years old when I read this book for the first time. Cause yes, I read this book the first year it came out.

7. The Black Gryphon by Mercedes Lackey

This was my first Mercedes Lackey book, and here we are, 26 years later, and I’m still reading them. But it would be amazing to pick this up as if I’ve never read it before.

8. The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V.E. Schwab

This book was so very good. It’s in my top ten books of all time, for sure. But I’ll never be able to read it for the first time again. So sad.

9. Dead Until Dark by Charlaine Harris

While I didn’t love the way the book series ended (or the TV Show ending, lets be honest) I loved the way it started. And to read that all over for the first time? Yes please.

10. Black Sun Rising by C.S. Friedman

This story had one of the most intriguing openings I have ever read in a book. It was creepy for a fantasy book, and I’d love to read that for the first time.

There is my list. My very short list. I could do this list at least one more time.

And yes, I know most of these books are old. I’m 40!

What books that you loved would you like to pick up for the first time if you could?

Book Series I Need to Finish

Lauren1 Comment

So I seem to have a problem.

I start a book series, fully intending on finishing it, and then I get distracted by other books and simply don’t finish the series in a timely fashion. Often times this results in me wanting to start the series over and then, repeating the original problem of not finishing the series…again.

Or three new books in the series come out before I get to the end of the books I already do have and have to finish those new books and, well, see above paragraph.

Please tell me I’m not alone in this.

So below is a list of the series I have started, but haven’t completed.

The Hazel Wood Series by Melissa Albert

Alice’s grandmother wrote a book called Tales from the Hinterland. When Alice’s mother is kidnapped by someone claiming to be from the Hinterlands, she must go after her. And thus Alice’s adventures begin. I gave the first book in the first series, The Hazel Wood, 4 stars. One of the few YA books to get such a high rating from me. I liked it enough to pick up the second book (I’ve had it since last year), and the third book is on my Amazon wishlist.

Swords and Fire Series by Melissa Caruso

Raverran mages are closely regulated, and up until now Zaira has avoided being caught. But when Amelia accidentally tethers her, their lives become inextricably bound. I loved the first two books in this series, giving both books 4 stars. I just haven’t finished the last book yet. Didn’t stop me from buying the first book in the authors newest series though, did it?

Mistborn Series by Brandon Sanderson

For a thousand years the Lord Ruler reigned. They were going to overthrow him. Hopefully. I read the first book and gave it 5 stars. I love the fully realized magic system and the world the author created. I’m not entirely sure why I haven’t finished this series yet, but I need to. And the Hubs agrees.

The Wicked Years Series by Gregory Maguire

The story of the Wicked Witch of the West. I love the first book and have the entire series and the second book has been siting on my TBR cart for months. It was even on one of my TBR’s last year.

The Poppy War Series by R.F. Kuang

Rin is a war orphan who won a place at a prestigious military school. This is dark fantasy story about the horrors of war and normally I don’t go for the grim dark of it all, but this book gripped me. I gave it 4 stars and it was one of the first books I reviewed on the blog, back before this was even a book blog.

Crown of Stars by Kate Elliot

The Crown of Stars series is great, from what I can remember of it. I read the first few books fifteen years ago, and then never finished the series, even though I now own them all. I need to get to that. Also, I am of the firm belief that this series should be turned into a TV show ala Game of Thrones (and yes, I know, I still haven’t finished the books but I want a show!). Bonus points to it because this series is actually finished.

The Wheel of Time Series by Robert Jordan (and the last few by Brandon Sanderson)

This 15 book series is largely regarding as some of the best fantasy out there, and I am only halfway through the first book. To be fair, I’m listening to it as an audiobook and that thing is over 30 hours long. Full disclosure, I’ve been listening to it for over a year, but I’ve enjoyed what I’ve listened to. I just haven’t finished it yet. Bad Lauren. Also, isn’t that special edition pretty? I’m having a very hard time convincing the Hubs that we need them, cause pricey.

So yeah, there are all the series I need to finish. I’m pretty sure there are more I own or just haven’t read in years. Because books.

What book series have you not finished?

TTT-Favorite Places to Read

Lauren1 Comment

Hooray! It’s Tuesday!

After skipping last weeks option, which is secondary characters that deserved more love (I swear I sat down to do it and my mind just went blank), I figured it was time to get back to it with this weeks list.

A list of favorite places to read.

But what is the TTT, you may ask?

“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.”

On to the list!

1.My Comfy Couch.

This is my favorite spot in the whole house. I can sit and watch TV, read, embroider, read, cuddle with my cat, read. I do an awful lot of reading in this spot. Also, I put my TBR cart right next to it so if I need a book I can just reach over and grab one.

2.The Airplane

I traveled a lot more pre-Covid, and once I got my vaccine I’ve travelled quite a bit since then. But the airplane has always been one of my favorite places to read. Mostly because reading on a plane gets my undivided attention. It also makes flying a little more bareable.

3.In Line

So this is a weird one. And pre-pandemic I did this a lot. I would end up in a long line at the grocery store or somewhere, and be bored. I started having a book on my kindle app just for this purpose. I would only get a few pages in at a time, so some may say this one is weird, but it works for me.

4. On the Beach

Now, anyone who has actually met me knows that I dislike the beach, on account of how my fair skins burns like a lobster in a pot in 5 minutes flat. The only thing that makes the beach bearable, besides sunscreen and a jaunty hat, is a good book. Okay, so maybe this isn’t a favorite place, but it’s a place where you can always find me with a book. Always.

5. In A Hotel Room

Trips are often hectic times with lots of stuff planned to do, but when you get back to your hotel, winding down is important after such a busy day. That’s when I pull out the Kindle and read for a little while. Kindles are great for trips, aren’t they?

6.My Bed

Well, this had to come up eventually, didn’t it? I mean, we knew it was going to happen. Reading in bed is my way to relax my brain after the long day of reading I’ve been doing. I can’t sleep if I haven’t read something whilst tucked in.

7. In the Salon Chair

I dye my hair lots of fun colors. It’s been purple since December and that’s probably going to change soon. But a great way to pass the time while my color is processing is by reading. This goes back to having a book on my phone at all times. It really helps and I highly recommend it.

8. In the Chair at My Mother’s House

Sorry folks, no picture of this one, as I am not currently in Florida to get one. But I will tell you, this recliner is so comfy. And it’s got a good sized table beside it for snacks and beverages. Always a plus.

9. The Lanai at My In Laws House

I’m sorry, but look at that view. That’s the view from my In-Laws back patio. I will forever love taking a book out there. They have such cozy chairs too.

10. Pretty Much Anywhere I Am

Is this one a cop out? No, I don’t think so. I’m happy to read anywhere. In the car going somewhere, at someone else’s house, on the moon…with Steve. If you get that last one, we can be friends. In short, I’m happy to plop down anywhere there is space for some book reading. Aren’t you?

Where do you like to read most?

Soulless-A Book Review

Lauren2 Comments

Originally when I sat down to review this book, I was going to review the whole series, and then other books happened and now here we are several weeks later and I have two books left in this five book series.

Oh well. I’ll get to it, eventually.

Soulless, by Gail Carriger, follows Ms. Alexia Tarabotti, a preternatural. Which means she is lacking a soul. In olden times, her kind would have hunted vampires and werewolves and exercised ghosts, but these days such creatures are welcomed in the world as full citizens of the British empire. When Alexia accidentally kills a vampire at a party she is attending, she stumbles onto a mystery that draws her into the depths of the supernatural world.

Gail creates a wonderful world full of rich and vibrant characters, each one more intriguing than the last. I love the flamboyant Lord Akledama, a rove vampire of some stature. And Lord Maccon, the werewolf alpha and head of BUR (the constabulary for supernaturals), is fantastically gruff. His relationship with Alexia is amazingly complex.

Also, I feel like I use “rich and vibrant” to describe characters a lot. Maybe I should invest in a thesaurus.

Alexia herself is a bit of an outcast, being half Italian and half English. Though almost no one, not even her mother, knows of her status as a preternatural. She is stubborn, but well mannered, as befits the times. And unmarried, which is quite the scandal, and quite often refers to herself as a spinster.

Did I mention this book is set in Victorian London?

No?

My bad.

The plot is great. Finding out why a rove vampire would attack a preternatural at a party is the start of a great adventure. And it’s a fast paced story from beginning to end.

I will warn you that while it is described as steampunk, that really doesn’t come into play until later books. So don’t expect much in that realm from this particular entry in the series.

To sum up, I loved this book. I originally gave it four stars because I was upset there wasn’t more steampunky-ness. I later amended my review to five stars. It’s a fun read!

Every New Release I Want-August 2021

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I have searched the finest internets to find these, the newest of releases!

Huzzah!

Shard of Earth by Adrian Tchaikovsky-August 3rd

The war is over. Its heroes forgotten. Until one chance discovery . . . Idris has neither aged nor slept since they remade him in the war. And one of humanity’s heroes now scrapes by on a freelance salvage vessel, to avoid the attention of greater powers. After earth was destroyed, mankind created a fighting elite to save their species, enhanced humans such as Idris. In the silence of space they could communicate, mind-to-mind, with the enemy. Then their alien aggressors, the Architects, simply disappeared—and Idris and his kind became obsolete. Now, fifty years later, Idris and his crew have discovered something strange abandoned in space. It’s clearly the work of the Architects—but are they returning? And if so, why? Hunted by gangsters, cults and governments, Idris and his crew race across the galaxy hunting for answers. For they now possess something of incalculable value, that many would kill to obtain.

I’ve heard good things about this particular author, but I’ve never read any of his other work. This seems a good place to start.

Holdout by Jeffrey Kluger-August 3rd

Walli Beckwith is a model astronaut. She graduated at the top of her class from the Naval Academy, had a successful career flying fighter jets, and has spent more than three hundred days in space. So when she refuses to leave her post aboard the International Space Station following an accident that forces her fellow astronauts to evacuate, her American and Russian colleagues are mystified. For Walli, the matter at hand feels all too clear and terrifying for her to be worried about ruining her career. She is stuck in a race against time to save a part of the world that seems to have been forgotten, and also the life of the person she loves the most. She will go to any length necessary, using the only tool she has, to accomplish what she knows is right.

Mysteries! In space! Aboard the ISS! Also, that cover is fabulous.

The Pariah by Anthony Ryan-August 24th

Born into the troubled kingdom of Albermaine, Alwyn Scribe is raised as an outlaw. Quick of wit and deft with a blade, Alwyn is content with the freedom of the woods and the comradeship of his fellow thieves. But an act of betrayal sets him on a new path – one of blood and vengeance, which eventually leads him to a soldier’s life in the king’s army.
 
Fighting under the command of Lady Evadine Courlain, a noblewoman beset by visions of a demonic apocalypse, Alwyn must survive war and the deadly intrigues of the nobility if he hopes to claim his vengeance. But as dark forces, both human and arcane, gather to oppose Evadine’s rise, Alwyn faces a choice: can he be a warrior, or will he always be an outlaw?

Betrayal, the apocalypse, and venegance? I’ll take it. Sounds like a season of Buffy the Vampire slayer to me.

The Other Me by Sarah Zachrich Jeng- August 10th

Her birthday should be like any other night.

One minute Kelly’s a free-spirited artist in Chicago going to her best friend’s art show. The next, she opens a door and mysteriously emerges in her Michigan hometown. Suddenly her life is unrecognizable: She’s got twelve years of the wrong memories in her head and she’s married to Eric, a man she barely knew in high school.

Racing to get back to her old life, Kelly’s search leads only to more questions. In this life, she loves Eric and wants to trust him, but everything she discovers about him—including a connection to a mysterious tech startup—tells her she shouldn’t. And strange things keep happening. The tattoos she had when she was an artist briefly reappear on her skin, she remembers fights with Eric that he says never happened, and her relationships with loved ones both new and familiar seem to change without warning.

But the closer Kelly gets to putting the pieces together, the more her reality seems to shift. And if she can’t figure out what happened on her birthday, the next change could cost her everything…

This is time travel-y. I like the sound of this one.

In the Watchful City by S. Qiouyi Lu- August 31st

The city of Ora is watching.

Anima is an extrasensory human tasked with surveilling and protecting Ora’s citizens via a complex living network called the Gleaming. Although ær world is restricted to what æ can see and experience through the Gleaming, Anima takes pride and comfort in keeping Ora safe from harm.

When a mysterious outsider enters the city carrying a cabinet of curiosities from around with the world with a story attached to each item, Anima’s world expands beyond the borders of Ora to places—and possibilities—æ never before imagined to exist. But such knowledge leaves Anima with a question that throws into doubt ær entire purpose: What good is a city if it can’t protect its people?

This book sounds very intriguing. I wants it.

The Shimmering State by Meredith Westgate- August 10th

Lucien moves to Los Angeles to be with his grandmother as she undergoes an experimental memory treatment for Alzheimer’s using the new drug, Memoroxin. An emerging photographer, he’s also running from the sudden death of his mother, a well-known artist whose legacy haunts Lucien.

Sophie has just landed the lead in the upcoming performance of La Sylphide with the Los Angeles Ballet Company. She still waitresses at the Chateau Marmont during her off hours, witnessing the recreational use of Memoroxin—or Mem—among the Hollywood elite.

When Lucien and Sophie meet at The Center, founded by the ambitious yet conflicted Dr. Angelica Sloane to treat patients who’ve abused Mem, they have no memory of how they got there—or why they feel so inexplicably drawn to each other. Is it attraction, or something they cannot remember from “before”?

Books that play with memory have become more and more interesting to me recently. But having your memory messed with by a drug, now that’s interesting.

What books are you looking forward to this month?

A Month of Myths-An August 2021 TBR

Lauren1 Comment

As you can guess by the title, I have decided to dedicate this month to retellings. But not just any retellings. Greek myth retellings.

Why am I doing this, you may be asking? Well, it’s because I have a few of them (re:5) and I want to read them. Plus I bought one I had my eye on specifically for this TBR, so that’s fun.

On to the books!

The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller

The story of Patroclus, Achilles and the Trojan war. I have been told to expect feelings while reading this. So yeah.

Circe by Madeline Miller

This is the story of Circe, the sorceress from the Odyssey. It sounds fascinating and I’ve had it for a while, so I’m looking forward to reading it.

A Thousand Ships by Natalie Haynes

The story of the women at the heart of The Trojan War. Yes, another Trojan War story. It’s a pretty famous conflict.

Lore by Alexandra Bracken

Some of the ancient gods rebelled, now every seven years they must walk the world as mortals, only to be hunted by ancient enemies. This one just sounds good, and, bonus, a friend of mine really liked it.

Ariadne by Jennifer Saint

Ariadne is the sister to the famed Minotaur of Crete. This is her story. The minotaur isn’t a story that gets told enough, so it will be fun to read this one.

Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan

The half human son of Neptune goes to a camp for other half human children of the Greek pantheon. I’ve wanted to read this one for a while, basically ever since I saw the movie, which I have since learned is a very bad interpretation of the books.

And there you have it, my TBR for the month of August. Here’s hoping I can finish all of these!

Every Book I Bought-July 2021

Lauren1 Comment

Well, I didn’t do as bad this month as I did last month.

Improvement is always a welcome thing.

Also, I bought quite a few newer releases, and that ate up my budget. And the cookbook. I can’t forget the cookbook.

A Psalm for the Wild Built by Becky Chambers

Robots up and walked out into the wilderness one day in what humanity calls The Great Awakening. Now, years later, a traveling monk happens to meet a robot who has come to find out how humanity has done, and it asks the question, what does humanity need?

Soulless by Gail Carriger

This book was chosen by one of my book clubs for the month of July, and was described as Buffy meets Jane Austin. I like Buffy, so I picked it up.

The Unbroken by C.L Clark

This book had me at the tagline: “Every Empire Demands Revolution”. The description also mentions assassinations and massacres. So naturally, when Orbit books emailed about it being on sale, I snapped it up.

The Comfort Book by Matt Haig

A collection of essays, notes, and stories the author wrote to himself to remind his future self that things aren’t always that bad. I loved the way he wrote the Midnight Library, so I snatched this up.

The Final Girl Support Group by Grady Hendrix

A group of “final girls” form a support group to help each other deal with what they have been through. But someone starts picking off the girls one by one, it’s up to them to figure it out and save themselves. I loved The Southern Book Club’s Guide to Slaying Vampires, so I thought I’d give this one a try. I’m hoping it works out, especially since I’m not a big horror person. This could end badly.

Son of the Storm by Suyi Davies Okungbowa

Danso is on the verge of achieving greatness. There is just one small problem, he doesn’t want it. I love that concept. And when I saw this book in the store, I may have snatched it up super quick. Like, embarrassingly quick.

Winter’s Orbit by Everina Maxwell

Prince Kiem has long been a family disappointment, and he is commanded to marry Count Jainan, widower and murder suspect. I’ve been intrigued since I heard about this earlier this year, so I bought whilst in the bookstore. I should just avoid those at all costs.

Monty Python’s Flying Circus, Complete and Annotated by Luke Dempsey

This is pretty much what it says on the cover. The whole of Monty Python’s Flying Circus, complete with annotations. I bought it as a gift for the hubs, as he loves Monty Python. Picked it up for ten bucks! It’s on Amazon for fifty.

The Rage of Dragons by Evan Winters

After those he loves are brutally murdered, Tau wants vengeance, and will stop at nothing to achieve it. Also, there is magic, which Tau does not posses. This book has been all over the bookish community for a while now, so I thought I’d pick it up. I also thought the hubs might like it to read while I was out of town for two weeks.

Marvel Eat the Universe: the Offical Cookbook by Justin Warner

TikTok is a terrible place where people can learn all about interesting books. Take this cookbook that I turned around and bought two seconds after learning that it existed. There be nerds up in here.

The Parasol Protectorate Series by Gail Carriger

This series is about Alxia Tarabotti, a preturnatural, one who is born without a soul. It was described on the Amazon listing as Buffy meets Jane Austin, and yes, I did buy all 5. The first one was a book club pick for the month, so I picked it up. Stay tuned for a review!

And that’s it, that’s all the books I bought last month. A smaller list compared to the two previous months. I’m going to try to buy fewer books next month, but that may not work out so well.

We shall see.

WWW Wednesday-August 4th!

Lauren1 Comment

Well hello there!

Any excuse to use that gif, honestly.

It’s WWW Wednesday! This bookish meme is hosted by Sam at Taking on a World of Words. I had so much fun doing it last week that I thought I’d give it a try again this week.

All you have to do for this meme is answer three simple questions: What are you currently reading? What did you recently finish reading? And what do you think you’ll read next?

Onto the questions!

What are you currently reading?

The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller

I stated reading this one, like, today. As in, I got five pages into it when I remembered that I had this post to write up so I can tell you absolutely nothing about this book. Go me! I can tell you based on what I have read that I am excited to continue it.

Introducing Quantum Theory: A Graphic Guide by J.P McEvoy & Oscar Zarate

This is an informative read that I picked up on Kindle Unlimited a while back and actually just started getting into reading it. It’s very informative. And the illustrations range from actual art to copies of actual pictures from history. It’s pretty neat. Also, yes, I am that kind of nerd.

What did you recently finish reading?

Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan

The story of a boy who thinks he’s just a regular, if troubled, kid who finds out he’s a demigod and then has to go on a quest? Yes, I will read that. Except I didn’t like this book. I didn’t hate it either. It was just meh. I looked up some reviews online and found out the series does get better, but I don’t know, should I continue it?

What do you think you’ll read next?

The Last Thing He Told Me by Laura Dave

Do I know if I’ll actually read this book next? I have no idea. I’m a mood reader with a TBR. It doesn’t always work out. But this is one of my book club’s pick for August, so I do need to read it. Might as well be sooner rather than later, right?

And there we go, a nice new empire, I mean list of books for WWW Wednesday. What are you reading?

TTT-Titles or Covers That Made Want to Read/Buy the Book

Lauren6 Comments

So I was scrolling the interwebs and came across the Top Ten Tuesday meme.

“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.”-taken directly from That Artsy Reader Girl’s site.

I thought I would mosey around (mosey around? Who is writing this, a cowboy from the old west?) the meme and see if I could put together a list for one of the topics.

Turns out, I can.

Without further ado: A list of the ten titles or covers that made me want to read or buy the book.

1.The Dragon Prince by Melanie Rawn

There was no way I wasn’t going to pick this book. Look at that art! The cover art is by Michael Whelan so you know it’s good.

2.Black Sun by Rebecca Roanhorse

Stunning. Absolutely stunning. Have I read it yet? Nope. But I bought it just because of that stunning cover.

3.For the Wolf by Hannah Whitten

The cover was the first thing I noticed about this book with it’s striking blues and reds. But it was the little castle detail on the bottom that made me check it out.

4.Cursed by Thomas Wheeler, art by Frank Miller

Um, yes. I love how striking the black looks against the bright orange background.

5.The Vanishing Half by Britt Bennett

I owned this book on Kindle and thought the cover was too stunning not to own a physical copy of.

6.Magic’s Pawn by Mercedes Lackey

I love the work Jody Lee has done here. She set the tone of the art of the Valdemar books so well.

7.Moon Called by Patricia Briggs

Dan Dos Santos has been doing the cover art for all of the Mercy Thompson series, and it shows that he really knows the subject matter. I would have walked right past these books if it hadn’t been for that cover.

8.The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern

I loved this cover. The image of the old school, tent style circus on the cover is what drew me in.

9.The Broken Crown by Michelle West

Another Jody Lee work of art. I don’t remember much about this book, other than I had to have because of that image on the cover.

10.The Dragon and the Unicorn by A.A. Attanasio

This cover is so well done. I love the black, white and red of it all. And how the dragon and the unicorn make up each other? I enjoy this cover so much!

Well, there is my first list for Top Ten Tuesday! What do you think? What would you have put on this list?