Top Ten Tuesday: The One Where She Admits to Being Fickle AF

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Leave me alone. I know it’s Wednesday, but that doesn’t matter. You don’t get penalized for being late in the book blogging world (right?). Anyways…

I LIVE… well, sorta. It’s been quite a while since I’ve been around on the blog, so I’ve decided to revive myself a bit (and christen the little change) with my favorite weekly meme. This week’s topic is “Ten Books You Picked Up on a Whim” which is absolutely perfect for me. If you’ve been around the blog for a while now, you know that nearly everything I buy or read is totally on a whim. I thirst-buy… A LOT. I pick up books with pretty covers and intriguing names. Seriously, all of the little things publishers do to market the book to consumers from the bookshelves are the things that wrangle me in. So… here they are– my whimsical reads.

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5 Books I Read (and Loved) on a Whim

1. A Darker Shade of Magic by V.E. Schwab

This, by far, has been the greatest investment of my time in 2016. A Darker Shade of Magic (this author in general, tbh) far exceeded all of my expectations. Each character in here is so developed, and Schwab manages to expertly map out not one world in full, but three (I’m not counting Black London right now, so get off my back). I’d been seeing Schwab’s name floating around since January when I started this blog, and I’d actively avoided her because of the hype. Yo, I’ve been burned before. However, I haven’t been let down, and I’m super stoked to move on with A Gathering of Shadows.

Also, Lila is a fox who deserves all the happiness in the world.

2. Saga by Brian K. Vaughan and Fiona Staples

I think Goodreads is the one at fault responsible for this obsession. I was just on there one day, minding my damn business, when it decided to suggest this series thanks to my expressed interest in Nimona (the only thing similar between the two is format, though). After realizing that the general population skewed toward praising this series, I decided to dive into the deep end WITHOUT REALIZING IT IS ONGOING AND NOT COMPLETE. #bitteraf #waitingforever #whereisJune

3. Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda by Becky Albertalli

Back when I first rekindled my love for the library, I was picking up literally every single book I saw that looked even a little bit interesting. This bright red beauty caught my eye, and the rest was history. Okay, maybe I heard about it in the blogosphere and the familiarity made me pick it up. Maybe not. I really don’t remember. All I know right now is that I’m immensely happy to have had this book in my life (even if the greatness of it put me in quite the slump. Thanks, Becky.)

4. The Raven Boys / The Raven Cycle by Maggie Stiefvater

I have a love/hate relationship with this one right here, but that’s a story for another time. I picked up The Raven Boys during the same trip that united me with Simon Vs. However, I only ended up with this one because The Scorpio Races (recommended to me and also by Stiefvater) was already checked out. From there, I’ve had my share of ranting at and about this book and the ones following. I’m so here for Stiefvater (no matter how much shit I talk). She’s who I want more of in my reading life. Peep my conflicted The Raven Boys review here.

5. Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire Sáenz
   

Shout out to the Pinnacle Library Collective (the online collaboration system my library is a part of) for constantly pushing this book in my face. Seriously. This book had been in my recommended reads for literal MONTHS before I finally gave into the pressure and checked out the audiobook. I have regretted nothing. Aside from the lovely audiobook being narrated by Lin Manuel Miranda (yes, that Lin Manuel Miranda), the lyrical way Sáenz presents the relationship between Ari and Dante is simply the best. Also, I recently bought the physical copy to experience it for myself because why the fuck not? Think I’m playing about my love for this book? You can check the “I’m trying to be professional and not gush” review here.

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5 Books I Bought (and Haven’t Read, Of Course) on a Whim

1. The Serpent King by Jeff Zentner

This was a pure hype buy. I bought it both as a physical copy and an eBook. I regret nothing for now.

2. The Book of Unknown Americans by Cristina Hernandez

The day I bought this book was the day I realized that I couldn’t be trusted in any store that has a book section, no matter how small. I found this gem in Target of all places just when I was about to give up and go off to find what I had actually gone to the store for. While debating on whether or not to buy this book (who am I kidding? there was never a debate. I was buying the book.), I remembered this lovely review by Read Diverse Books. Needless to say, I was sold. I bought the book. It is mine… I just haven’t had the time to read it yet.

3. Mythology: Timeless Tales of Gods and Heroes by Edith Hamilton (on audiobook)

Alrighty. This was half-whim, half-anxiety. I walked into an independent bookstore and walked around for a little bit over half an hour, but I couldn’t find anything I wanted to take home. However, I get anxious about doing that in stores, so I ended up picking up this audiobook. I have yet to open it. And, to this day, it has been my most expensive book purchase >__< So many regrets. But I love mythology so, hopefully, I can get down with the reader.

4. This Song is (Not) for You by Laura Nowlin

Hi. I heard there were asexuals in this book. Why would I not buy it?

5. Say You’re One of Them by Uwem Akpan

I was scanning the shelves at Half Price Books after an exhausting day of shopping for my mom, and I happened on this wonderful collection that “pays testament to the wisdom and resilience of children, even in the face of the most agonizing circumstances.” I was captured after reading the back of the book, so I happily added it to my armload of books. Regrets: None.

Fin.

Feel free to link me up to your bookish whims!