Top Ten Favorite Visual Books - Picture Books, Comics or Graphic Novels

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All about the visuals: Top Ten Favorite Graphic Novels/Comics or Ten Comics on My TBR or Top Ten Favorite Picture Books

 

Julia's Picks:

These are the manga that I was really into in high school or early college
1. Hana-Kimi by Hisaya Nakajo translated by David Ury - I seriously loved Hanakimi. I watched the Taiwaneese drama too. It was about a girl who fell for a high jumper guy on TV so she disguises herself as a boy to go to his school to get to know him. It's ridiculous and awesome. 

2. Love Hina by Ken Akamatsu - A manga I actually finished! I liked this one a lot. If i recall it was about a guy in college studying and living with a bunch of women. I just remember it being hilarious. 

3. Fruits Basket by Natsuki Takaya translated by Alethea Nibley - I never actually finished this series, but I was really enjoying it. It's about these twelve guys who are all tied to a member of the zodiac, and there is a cat who got left out. And somehow the main girl fits in... it's been a while. But I actually one day want to go back and finish this.

Here are some of my favorite picture dominated kid's books to get for my cousin's kids 
4. Press Here by Hervé Tullet translated by Christopher Franceschelli - I love this book. It is so simple in its concept. There is a circle, then you press it, turn the page and now there is two circles. My 3 - 6 year old cousins adore it. I get it for everyone I know who has kids. (Jamie co-signs this one!!)

5. Maps by Aleksandra and Daniel Mizielinksi - I got this book for my 7 year old cousin on his birthday. He wasnt as excited as normal about a book he could not read, but in talking my cousin later, he apparently loves going back to it and being like "look how many countries are in Africa". There was an older cousin at his birthday that I think would be the perfect age for a book like this, she was about 10 - 12. But it a really cool book with great visuals from around the world. 

Jana's Pick:

6. Nimona by Noelle Stevenson - I love the snark and the feisty heroine. The story is also super entertaining, being both funny and even tender in places. Plus the illustrations are so well done and show so much emotion!

Jamie's Picks:

7. Saga by Brian K Vaughn: I cannot get enough of this comic series!!!!! Sci-fi goodness!!

8.  Paper Girls by Brian K. Vaughn: Yes I am a bit of a Brian K. Vaughn fangirl apparently.  Sci-fi, set in the 80's, kickass ladies. 


Kimberly's Picks:


9. Red River Chie Shinohara  -- I wasn't wild about the art style at first but soon fell in love with the characters and the story. The character development is absolutely incredible. MA warning.

10. Naussicaa of the Valley of the Wind  -- Love the movie and love the manga even more! Such incredible story telling.

Tell us your fave graphic novels/comics!

Top Ten Tuesday freebie!

Hey y'all! Jamie here this week!

Ever have one of those days where your brain is just NOT working? Yeah? That's been me for the past 4 months basically? In case you missed it on Twitter or my personal blog, I'm pregnant! Not going to lie, it's been ROUGH. The first 3 months had the most terrible morning sickness (my poor husband is a saint tbh and I don't know how we made it through to the other side but we did!) and I've barely blogged or been able to read. I'm feeling MUCH better now that I'm in the second trimester but the thing that has especially been plaguing me is that I feel like my brain has ZERO attention span or power to do anything -- such as reading OR coming up with a clever post for today's freebie.

So for today's freebie I'm just going to share with you the last 10 books that have come into my possession because I literally don't have to think to make that list, which is agreeable to my brain right now, AND I'm hoping maybe you will find some books to add to your TBR.

So let's get to it: the last 10 books that have made their way on my shelves

1. The Names They Gave Us by Emery Lord: Emery Lord is one of my ALL TIME favorite authors of YA contemporary (and just in general) and I'm always stoked for a new book from her. It's really fun, having been in this community blogging for 6.5 years, to read an author's debut when it's bran spankin new and then just see them really succeed book after book. I have honestly LOVED every book she's written and it's been a delight to follow her career. I have soooooooo much excitement and hope for this latest!

2. Nemesis by Brendan Reichs: "Orphan Black meets Lord of the Flies in this riveting new thriller from the co-author of the Virals series." I can't help it but I am an absolute sucker for any blurb that says Orphan Black even though I've been burned LOTS (most) of the time to comparisons of things I love.

3. Given To The Sea by Mindy McGinnis: I've read all of Mindy McGinnis's books and they are all SO SO different and wonderful. I believe she can write anything in any genre and I will read it which is why I'm definitely excited for her foray into fantasy!!

4. Confessions of A High School Disaster by Emma Chastain: I'm a sucker for YA books written as diaries a la Jessica Darling.

5. The Shadows We Know By Heart by Jennifer Park: I had never heard of this one before it showed up here but the cover was pretty so I looked it up and I started reading and it starts out sounding good (a girl whose family has been devastated by the grief from losing her brother) but then it mentions that Sasquatch is real and this girl has watched a trio of them behind her house? And there is a human boy who lives with them? I was ready to put it in my "no thank you" pile but then read a review on it that changed my mind to at least check it out.

6. The One Memory of Flora Banks by Emily Barr: I'm soooo hit or miss with amnesia/memory loss stories but I always seem to be intrigued by them and this one is no different!

7. Heartstone by Elle Katharine White: "A debut historical fantasy that recasts Jane Austen’s beloved Pride and Prejudice in an imaginative world of wyverns, dragons, and the warriors who fight alongside them against the monsters that threaten the kingdom: gryphons, direwolves, lamias, banshees, and lindworms." UM YES. 

8.  Hearts & Other Body Parts by Ira Bloom: I only know this is a monster book and I'm pretty excited about that as I haven't read MANY monster books.

9. At The Edge of the Universe by Shaun David Hutchinson: The main character's boyfriend disappears and nobody seems to remember him except Ozzie. It's like he ceases to exist. Color me intrigued!

10.  We Are Okay by Nina LaCour: I love Nina LaCour's books! She is writing some of the best contemporary YA and I'm just so excited for a new one!




Can't wait to see what topics you all come up with! If you think you have a great topic that could be a good one for our future topics for everyone to do (we would credit you and link to your post), leave it in the comments!

Lauren's Most Recent Book Haul

I honestly can't remember the last time I threw together a book haul post, so that must mean it's been too long! Here's a few books I bought over the last couple of weeks. Some were on sale and a couple just caught my eye!

Utopia by Thomas More

The Lost City of Z by David Grann

The Miniaturist by Jessie Burton

Let Me Off at the Top! by Ron Burgundy

Life After Life by Kate Atkinson

A Good in Ruins by Kate Atkinson

The Luminaries by Elenor Catton

What's in your latest book haul?

Top Ten Underrated/Hidden Gem Books We've Read In The Past Year Or So

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This Week's Topic

Top Ten Underrated/Hidden Gem Books We've Read In The Past Year Or So

Lauren's Picks

To narrow my list down, I chose books that had less than 500 reviews on Goodreads.

1 -- Harrowgate by Kate Maruyama

This was one of those crazy ass novels that will make you WANT to lose your mind. I loved it. You'd love it. Read it.

2 -- 5 To 1 by Holly Bodger

The characters' emotions in this book left me reeling, exhausted, and honestly kind of powerful. No matter what your culture may ask of you, you are your own person and can decide what you want your life to be. 

3 -- Within These Walls by Ania Ahlborn

A novelist who dives deep to catch his next big book break to take care of his family, a cult leader behind bars just giving this father enough to stay interested in his story, and a bored daughter who begins to find this infamous cult leader a tad interesting. Yes, yes, yes... to all the above.

4 -- Good Morning, Midnight by Lily Brooks-Dalton

Aren't you already interested just from the title? Yeah, I was too. But this was post-apocalyptic sci-fi at its best. The main characters will break your heart in the best possible way.

Jamie's Picks

5. Iron Cast by Destiny Soria: Out of all the 2016 releases I read I really think this is one that went under the radar! It's a wonderful historical fantasy with two best friends you will absolutely fall in love with! 

6. Walking On Trampolines by Frances Whiting: This is definitely one of the most underrated adult fiction books I read recently. It's such a gem of a novel and if you like rich characters (albeit not always likeable) and lots of complicated friendship and family goodness...pick this one up!

7. Summers At Castle Auburn by Sharon Shinn: I read this book in March of 2016 and I just can't stop thinking about it. I want to reread it soon because it really just was the most delightful little fantasy gem. I had picked it up at the library on a whim because I had heard of people talk about Sharon Shinn but I had never heard of this particular novel as one that people talked about. DEFINITELY a hidden gem as it is an older YA fantasy!

8. Little Black Dresses, Little White Lies by Laura Stampler: This is another 2016 release that I think went under the radar and was such a fun underrated romp for me! If you are looking for a light ~chick-lit~ type read in the vein of classic Sophie Kinsella or Meg Cabot...you have to check this one out! 


Kimberly's Picks

9. The Iron Druid Chronicles by Kevin Hearn: Another audio book gem. Who doesn't love a guy that quotes Shakespeare? The show gets stolen by Oberon every single time. He is hands down my favorite from literature. Not even just a favorite animal, but one of my favorite characters! 

 

 

10. Stolen Songbird by Danielle Jensen : Loose Beauty and the Beast retelling. Trolls. Magic. Mystery. Amazing world building. Banter. Smart, capable lead characters. Enticing romance.  Read it! It's a trilogy and all of the books are out now.

What hidden gems or underrated books have you guys read lately?

Julia Reviews Between the Devil and the Duke by Kelly Bowen

Title/Author:  Between the Devil and the Duke by Kelly Bowen

Publisher/Year Published: January 31, 2017 by Forever

How I got this book: I received a review copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Why I read this book: The first two books I liked, and now I wanted to know what Lavoie had in store for his Happily Ever After. 

Rating: 4.5 stars

Summary:

Their love was always in the cards.He should have thrown her out. But when club owner Alexander Lavoie catches a mysterious blonde counting cards at his vingt-et-un table, he's more intrigued than angry. He has to see more of this beauty—in his club, in his office, in his bed. But first he'll have to devise a proposition she can't turn down. 
Gossip said he was an assassin.Common sense told her to stay away. But Angelique Archer was desperate, and Lavoie's club offered a surefire way to make quick money—until she got caught. Instead of throwing her out though, the devil offers her a deal: come work for him. Refusing him means facing starvation, but with a man so sinfully handsome and fiercely protective, keeping things professional might prove impossible.

Review:
 We have come to book three, my friends. As soon as I received the request to review this book, I was excited and eagerly awaiting a moment to sit and devour it. Enter the holidays, and I was golden.

We have come to book three of the Season for Scandal series. Alex owns a high end gaming establishment that has featured in previous stories. Angelique is a down on her luck Lady of the ton who desperately needs money for her family, and luckily for her she is super good at counting - and counting cards. I don't want to give too much away because the plot progresses forward fairly quickly. The summary above is actually pretty decent with what you get without giving too much away.

The thing that I love about Bowen's novels is that she brings such a breath of originality into the sometimes tedious stale nature of historical romance. While we still have a titled lady, we have a mysterious gaming hell owner. And that titled lady? Well there is more to her than meets the eye and a very driving motivation behind all of her un-Lady like behavior. It drives the plot forward at a breakneck speed, which meant lots of late night reading for me.

Alex and Angelique were great characters. Both were strong and well developed. They stood on their own solidly, but also worked off each other in a way that made their chemistry all the more enticing. And their chemistry was quite satisfactory.

I've enjoyed all three books in this series so far, but this one was probably my favorite. The only thing I don't get is the title. It sort of set my expectations for a conflict between some of the characters that never came. I wonder if they just needed to use the word Duke...

Anyway, the best part for you guys, dear readers, is that this book can totally be read standalone and you lose nothing. It doesn't really spoil any of the other books, and you don't really need to know the past two at all the enjoy the third. There are some subtle call-backs you'll miss, but nothing major.

I like how Bowen is developing as a historical romance author and I am definitely going to keep an eye out for more books in the future.

Thanks for the early review copy, Forever! If you are interested in reading my last two reviews for the series you can find them here: Duke of my Heart and A Duke to Remember

Top Ten 2016 Releases We Meant To Read But Didn't Get To (But TOTALLY Plan To)

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This week's topic: Top Ten 2016 Releases We Meant to Read But Didn't Get Around To (But TOTALLY plan to) 

Julia's Picks: 

1. Shadowbound by Bec McMaster: A new series from Bec McMaster!! I want it in my hands and in my already read shelf with five stars hopefully.

2. All the Birds in the Sky by Charlie Jane Anders: One of my co-workers gave me this book about six months ago and told me I would enjoy it. So it's been in my house and on my shelf since. Hopefully I can get around to it soon. 

3. Duke of Sin by Elizabeth Hoyt: I fell off the romance bandwagon last year and thus most of the series' that I follow religiously because a little less so... thus I want to get back on this train!!

Daisy's Picks:

4. P.S. I Like You by Kasie West: I LOVE Kasie West and this sounds adorable and the cover is just the cutest, I really need to pick this up soon!

5. My Lady Jane by Cynthia Hand, Brodi Ashton and Jodi Meadows: I've enjoyed books by all of these ladies separately and now they've come together to create this? NEED IT.


6. The Unexpected Everything by Morgan Matson: I've heard everybody raving about this and I need to just get it together and pick it up!

Kimberly's Picks:

7.  A Gathering of Shadows by V.E. Schwab: I was so so excited for this! Preordered and everything. And... I'm just now reading it at this moment. Oops? 

8. Aerie by Maria Dahvana Headley: I LOVED Magonia. Right up my alley. I've read it once and listened to it again. I was SO ready for Aerie. But somehow oi just haven't finished it. I started the audio book while I was painting my kitchen and then my phone boot looped (essentially it turned into a brick. Do NOT buy the LG G4!!) And... I still haven't gotten to it. Soon! 

Jamie's Picks:

9. The Midnight Star by Marie Lu: I was so excited for this because I LOVE this series but then I went through a crazy reading slump since the fall basically and never got to it. HIGH on my priority list for this year!!

10.  The Girl From Everywhere by Heidi Heilig: This was one of my most anticipated debuts of this year and I just never got to it but the sequel is coming out so I plan to finally read it!!

What books are on your list??  

Top Ten 2017 Debuts We Are Excited For

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This week's topic: Top Ten 2017 Debuts I'm Excited For

Jamie's Picks:

1. When Dimple Met Rishi by Sandhya Menon: this looks like an adorable contemporary YA romance that is totally up my alley!

2. Allegedly by Tiffany D. Jackson: This one sounds like one of those super compelling and unputdownable reads that will have me up late at night reading!

3. Daughter of the Pirate King by Tricia Levenseller: Pirates!!! Enough said for me.

4. Wait For Me by Caroline Leech: I'm always looking for new Historical YA releases and this one set in 1945 is definitely on my list!!

Julia's Picks:

5.  Becoming Bonnie by Jenni L. Walsh: 1920s historical fiction about the girl who would become half of the famous Bonnie and Clyde duo? Yes please. 

6. Feast of Sorrow: A Novel of Ancient Rome by Crystal King: I love reading books about ancient Rome, and going back there this past October made me want to read more about Rome again.

Jana's Picks:

7. Caraval by Stephanie Garber: This pick equals me cheating because I read this one last week, but guys it is AMAZING. So unique and good and wonderful and mysterious and exciting. 

8. Song of the Current by Sarah Tolcser: A fantasy set in a magical world with waterways, pirates, dangerous cargo, and danger. Sounds awesome!

9. Wintersong by S. Jae-Jones: This one has received early buzz, and I'm super excited! There's a Goblin King and people say it's a beautiful story.

10. Romancing the Throne by Nadine Jolie Courtney: Gotta love a boarding school book! And there's a prince!

Excuse me while I plug my reading challenge, which I host over on my personal book blog! If you're a fan of debuts and want to read and review them for chances to win awesome prizes (like debut books and signed swag donated by 2017's debut authors) then you should really join the 2017 Debut Author Challenge!

What about you guys?? Tell us what debuts you are excited about!

Daisy Talks About Reading Places

So this is actually one of the pictures I took with my phone while we were in the Maldives (we left this beautiful place only 9 days ago as I'm writing this and I miss it already). It's one of the most gorgeous places that I've ever had the privilege to just sit in a beach chair all day and READ. We also went swimming and snorkling and went for lovely walks on the beach and dinners and they had the BEST EVER banana bread (seriously, the lady at the bakery recognized the boyfriend and asked if he was really there again, but I craved the deliciousness) and it was just amazing.

And while that's obviously all very interesting to me, what I actually came here to do is discuss something book-related. When I go on vacation, I always try to select some books that are going to be special to me, because the thing is, while I don't always necessarily remember EVERY detail of a book I read, I pretty much always remember where I was when I was reading them. I think I've talked about how reading outside makes it seem more real before on here, but where I read a book also makes an impact. Do you guys have the same thing?

I mean, I can vividly remember reading The Crimson Crown while I was sitting in the on-call room during a 24-hour shift. And reading Emma mostly on the train while I was in my first year of college. And obviously I remember reading Empire of Storms on this beach. I think where I read things affects both my appreciation of the book and the place. Though I couldn't have hated this perfect spot on the beach, even if I'd tried REALLY hard.

So, what about you guys? Does it work the same for you? What are some of the best places you've read a book so far? Or dream places you'd want to read?