Top Ten Books I Am Not Sure I Want To Read

This week's Top Ten Tuesday, hosted by The Broke and the Bookish, is a list of the top ten books we are not sure we want to read. It could be we have them on our bookshelves but have never picked them up or that everyone is always talking about them but we just don't feel drawn this particular book...

Bronte:

1. City of Heavenly Fire by Cassandra Clare. I know this is relatively contradictory to previous Top Ten Tuesdays (the books I was putting in my beach bag, I think) but its just every time I think about reading this book I go back to the same pressing issues. 1. I can't remember the ending of the last one 2. It is sooo long 3. Will it live up to expectation 4. Will it be as good as the Infernal Devices series. You see my problem - has anyone read it yet? Please tell me if I should or shouldn't.

2.  If I should Die by Amy Plum. Again, we have the slight same issue in that I can't remember the detail (and here I am just going to point out that I only like ready books in a series if I can absolutely remember everything because otherwise I get confused and my enjoyability level goes down - easily confused you see...) I also seem to remember that I did not like the ending of the last book. (Die for Me Review)

3. Beautiful Redemption by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl. I thought this series started off so well. I loved it because it was different and exciting - almost thrilling and the unexpected seemed to always happen - you seemed to expect the unexpected. However, I felt that it just went on a little and the authors were kind of introducing unplanned things just to drag it out slightly longer. (Page to Screen 'Beautiful Creatures')

Eleanor:

4. The Gift (The First Book of Pellinor) by Alison Croggon. This is more of a book I haven't got around to reading rather than want I don't want to read. The problem with it is that the first page is a huge complicated map and the second page is a list of how to pronounce all the different letter combinations that the characters will be using in speech/that are in the characters names. This seems like a book where extreme concentration is necessary and I'm just not ready to commit to that. I will very very soon though because it does look really good!

5. Allegiant by Veronica Roth (the finale of the Divergent trilogy). I don't know what it is that happens at the end of this book but I've heard that it is bad. Really bad. So I just can't quite bring myself to read it. I know, I'm a wimp.

6. The Vampire Diaries Series by LJ Smith. I love love love the TV series (yes, I watched the series before reading the books, disgraceful) but I haven't heard such great things about the books and so I am not sure I will be reading them.

Izzy:

7. The Casual Vacancy by JK Rowling. I was/am a Harry Potter superfan. I read every book, joined Pottermore (Hufflepuff if you must know), even wrote a bit of fanfiction. However, this novel has had some pretty appalling criticism. I may hate it, I may love it, but I am way too lazy to find out. Sorry not sorry. Except I am, really sorry and everything. 

8. Forever Blue by Ann Brashares. I know what happens here. YEAH I READ THOSE SPOILER REVIEWS. And I'm not letting it happen. If I don't read it, it didn't happen to the sisterhood in my head. If you did read the novels though, which was your favourite character? Mine continually changes every time I go for a re-read. 

9. Isla and the Happily Ever After by Stephanie Perkins. I definitely will be reading it. 100%- in fact I'll probably pre-order it. However do I want to do this? I'm nervous. I love Stephanie Perkins' books so much, and really respect the decision she has made to put off writing and publishing this novel. But I've been waiting so long, with the rest of the superfans that instead of pressure being alleviated, I feel it has mounted. 

All

10. Shadow of the Zeppelin by Bernard Ashley. This is our school summer read that for me personally, (Bronte) I have yet to make a decision whether I will finish it!! 

Top Ten Books I'd Give To Readers Who Have Never Read Dystopian

This week's Top Ten Tuesday, hosted by The Broke and the Bookish, is a list of our top ten books in the Dystopian genre

Bronte

1. The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins. This book is one of the best dystopian novels I have read, and also one of the first.


2. The Host by Stephanie Meyer. This book has a slightly different take on a dystopian world and I think its brilliant writing and story making.


3. Matched by Ally Condie. Although I actually haven't finished this series, I like the fact that, to begin with especially in Matched, the story seemed to be well planned out and wasn't very predictable at all.

Eleanor

4. Firstly, I'm going to have to say, 'Partials' by Dan Wells. I know I can't seem to be able to stop going on about this book but I just love it so much!

5. Next, 'Wool' by Hugh Howey. I haven't reviewed this book yet, but it is a very good dystopian. Terrifying, yes, but also very good.

6. And, 'Legend' by Marie Lu. Another one I haven't reviewed (oops) but that is an excellent read that I would really recommend.

Izzy

7. Divergent by Veronica Roth. This is my favourite Dystopian series ever, as I think the action and the love is balanced perfectly. Also I think Roth created interesting, believable characters. There has been a bit of uproar about the final novel but I think this is a trilogy really worth reading. 

So confession time; I actually haven't read any other dystopian novels other than, The Hunger Games, The Host, Divergent and Uglies. I wouldn't really recommend Uglies, unless you were already a massive reader of dystopian as I found it really difficult to get into and didn't enjoy much. I always find dystopians a bit too heavy on action and a bit lax on character development and good writing. However, Eleanor and Bronte are huge fans of the genre so it's all personal taste. Sorry for being such a party pooper!



All

10. 'The Hunger Games' by Suzanne Collins. It has to be mentioned. The first book in this series is a must read for anyone trying out the dystopian genre.

(Book descriptions from Goodreads)

Divergent, Veronica Roth

Divergent by Veronica Roth, reviewed by Bronte

Firstly, I would like you, after you have read this book, to comment, in the comment box, what factor you would most like to be in as I am curious as to which is most popular. For myself, I would love to be in Amity and would go even if I was born into another factor.

What's this book about?

In the world of Beatrice, the world is split into 5 factions, each one having a specific personality type, allowing you to be a part of it. At the age of 16 you must pick which faction you will belong to. The choice splits up families and friends alike.

Who should read this book?
Any person, child (well 12ish +) and adult, who is loving a bit of dystopian, fantasy tied in with a thrilling romance.

How long is this book?
487 pages, an average to long book.

Marks
Story Line:  9/10
Well written:  4/5
Enjoyability:  4/5
Overall:  18/20

Star Rating:
5 Stars

Question 1. What character would you most like to have tea with?
I would most like to have tea with Four, also known as Tobias, why? Why would Roth even make that his name, such a girly, posh, snotty, 'unstrong' sounding name! Four is perfect for me which is why for me he will be Four, forever and always. So, Four, such a lovely person, good personality, rough past but in some way that just makes you like him more because you feel sorry for him. I just love Four and wish he was real, I often find myself wishing for characters to be real...

Question 2. What character would you most like to throw tea at?
Caleb. This is because I don't know how you could be so selfless and lovely to your family and then just leave and appear to show no emotion about it. It just annoyed me. Tris showed emotion over the fact that it meant a lot to her to leave her family but from Caleb nothing, nothing. He would get a pot of tea, not just a cup over his head from me.

Question 3. What do you think of the cover?
I like this cover, not a lot but I don't dislike it. It is effective in catching your eye and sort of showing what the books setting is, without giving to much to away.

Question 4. What do you think of the title do you think there is an alternative?
Well, I'm not entirely sure what to say about this title, actually being honest I'm not sure what it means. Okay, after googling it, for those of us in the same boat as me it means 'tending to be different or develop in different directions'. After reading this I think that it is perfect because in the book, that is basically what a Divergent is, a sneaky title, unless you knew what it meant of course!

Question 5. Favourite quote!
Oh my gosh, this is tricky, but...
'It must require bravery to be honest all the time'
But I have to say there are many other quotes I loved but would involve to much dialogue to put in my review!

Overall:
I really liked this book. It was different, imaginative and new. It wasn't a normal dystopian read and for that I commend Roth for coming up with new ideas, but then I guess that is what makes a good author! I would encourage anyone to read this, including adults as I believe anyone can enjoy this humorous, romantic thrilling book.

What did you think of this book? What would you like us to review next?