Unread Books January 2017

Soooo almost exactly a year ago I made a post listing the top ten books I was most ashamed of having not read. Essentially, it was a condensed version of my TBR, featuring the books I really, really needed to get to during the year. I was having so much fun reading through it that I decided to make it an annual tradition here so that each year I can look back on all the books I didn't read, and make promises to read new ones. (Check out my unread books of January 2016 here!)

These aren't in any particular order, but with no further ado, here they are. (I'm sorry don't hate me I'll get to them eventually.)

1. All the Bright Places by Jennifer Niven

Initially, I'd had no desire to read this novel given what I'd heard from people whose opinions I trust, but then I bought Holding Up the Universe, and I wanted to read her other novel as well. I ended up getting it for five dollars over Black Friday, so now I own the book with every intention of reading it.

2. A Court of Thorns and Roses + by Sarah J. Maas

I got both of these for Christmas, so now I literally have no excuse not to read them. I should have gotten on ACOTAR back when it first came out but.... ahahahaha sob. (ACOTAR was on my list last year so I literally am a #failure.)

3. Heir of Fire + by Sarah J. Maas 

Another one that's on my list from last year.... I've owned Heir of Fire for over a year, and I'm so upset with myself, because I loved Crown of Midnight, so I really, really should've gotten a move on with these.

4. Daughter of Smoke and Bone +  Laini Taylor

I'm an awful person, this is the second time I'm including this trilogy. I feel like so many people have read and enjoyed this trilogy, so I don't know why I've yet to start the first novel.

5. The Diviners + by Libba Bray

Ahahahahah guess which duology I said I'd read a year ago? This one! The 20s is one of my favorite eras so I'm ashamed to say I haven't completed or even started The Diviners :(

6. Through the Dark by Alexandra Bracken 

The Darkest Minds is my all time favorite YA series, so the fact that I haven't read this bind up is horrible. 2017 is the year. (I said the same thing about 2016... but it's fine.)

7. The Young Elites + by Marie Lu

I really enjoyed the Legend trilogy, so I can't believe I haven't gotten around to her newest works.

8. The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky 

Literally everyone loves this book so why have I not read it? Excellent question. This year it's happening.

9. Shades of Magic Series by V.E Schwab

I've yet to hear a negative review for both of these books, which has convinced me that I need to read them. I can't believe I haven't yet, and I have no valid excuse here.

10. New Moon + by Stephenie Meyer

I read Twilight by Stephenie Meyer over the summer of 2016, and while I wasn't the biggest fan, I now feel odd not having completed the series. I'll definitely need to get on with that.


And that concludes the ten books I'm quite embarrassed to admit I haven't read them. Of the ten I listed last year, I actually followed through with four of them, and while that doesn't sound like a lot, three of them were actually series. (So ha!) Let me know what books you're behind on, and I wish you all luck with the 2017 reading year!

Intimidating Books

When I look at my TBR list, there are definitely books that I simply struggle to bring myself to read. Whether it be their length, plot, or genre, there's a reason each one of these books has yet to be read by me. Let's discuss which ones are on my personal list, and which are on yours! 

The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss

I've heard nothing by fantastic things about this book, and multiple people have recommended it to me. However, this book it pretty lengthy, and it's sequel even lengthier. Add that to the fact that it's high fantasy- and you've got the recipe for an intimidating book. 

Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo

Here's another novel I've heard nothing but good things about. However, despite the fact that I own this book, I haven't actually read the Grisha trilogy. I know that it isn't required that you read the Grisha trilogy first, but I'd rather have anyway. Reading Six of Crows means that I'll have to read an entire trilogy that's not even supposed to be all that good. That personally intimidates me.

 

Ready Player One by Ernest Cline

I know that this book is supposed to be really good. I own it, and I've read many of the blurbs on the back that compare it to Harry Potter. Honestly, the only reason I'm scared to open this book up is simply because of how good it's supposed to be. Catriona over at Little Book Owl said finishing this book felt similar to finishing Illuminae, and finishing Illuminae for me resulted in not being able to crack open a book for a good handful of days. Scary! 

Yellow Brick War by Danielle Paige

This book certainly doesn't appear intimidating, and it's not. It's super short, and I can probably finish it up in one sitting. However, I think that's what intimidates me. I really, really loved Dorothy Must Die, the first book in this trilogy, and was ultimately disappointed reading The Wicked Will Rise. I was hoping the finale book would wrap it up nicely, and be much better than book two, but it's just so short in comparison to both books one and two. I'm worried that this book will completely ruin my appreciation for Dorothy Must Die. 

So that's it for my intimidating TBR list! What are some books you're apprehensive about cracking open? 

Minor Characters Who Play Major Roles

Minor characters are, by definition, minor, but that's never stopped us from loving (or hating) them. Here are some of my favorite minor characters who still played a big role in the plot. *Please, to avoid all spoilers, do not read the write-up about any character from a series you've not completed. *

Source

Luna Lovegood - Harry Potter by J.K Rowling

Luna Lovegood has always been one of my favorite characters. She's bold, intelligent, easy-going, and fearless when it comes to being herself. Sure, she's only a minor character, but where would Harry Potter be if Luna hadn't led him into the Ravenclaw common room to search for the lost diadem. (Let's be realistic- Harry isn't smart enough to get into the common room on his own). On top of that, she fought in the Battle of Hogwarts, and again in the Department of Mysteries when she was only 14.

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Peter Pettigrew - Harry Potter by J.K Rowling

Before you freak out, Peter Pettigrew is not one of my favorite characters. However, he played an enormous role in the rise of the Dark Lord. He was the flesh of the servant, willingly sacrificed. He revived his master. If it hadn't been for him, the resurrection of Voldemort could have been prolonged, and Cedric might have lived, for it was Pettigrew who cast the killing curse upon Cedric- Voldemort merely ordered him to do it.

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Magnus Bane - The Mortal Instruments by Cassandra Clare

Magnus Bane definitely makes it onto my list of favorite characters. Not only is he a fun character to read about, but he definitely had a large role in the plot of TMI. He was called upon in numerous occasions to help out the institute, and if he hadn't been there to help, there's no doubt that the Lightwoods & Co. would've failed at whatever crazy venture they were up to. 

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Raphael Santiago - The Mortal Instruments by Cassandra Clare

Raphael was the Institute's strongest tie to the Children of the Night, and he served to be one of great help in the end. Plus he sired Simon when Simon turned into a vampire. If it hadn't been for him, there, helping Simon "learn the ropes", Simon might have not successfully turned. 

Celeste Newsome - The Selection Series by Kiera Cass

Celeste Newsome has always been one of my favorite characters. My personal weakness is bad (whether that be actually bad, or bad in relation to the main character) characters who turn good. I'd list a few others, but I'd hate to spoil anyone. Anyway, Celeste was such a complex, but amazing character, and I couldn't help but sympathize for her. (Unfortunately, there is no on screen adaptation for me to pull an actor from, and I feel uncomfortable using fan art). 

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Gale Hawthorne - The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

Maybe I should start this off by saying that I 100% ship Gale with Katniss over Peeta, but I personally think that Gale was a really important character that we tend to overlook. He was Katniss' childhood friend, which very well means that he helped shape Katniss' personality. Plus, he was there for her family while she was off in the Hunger Games. When she got back, he was still there for her, her faithful friend.

Jessamine Lovelace - The Infernal Devices by Cassandra Clare

Jessamine Lovelace is another character you have to sympathize. All she wanted was to be normal- mundane. She was sick of the nonsense and informality of the Shadowhunter world, and jumped at the first chance she got to be freed. And let's not forget that she did have a pretty big role in the movement of the plot, even if she was on the wrong side of things. 

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Rachel Elizabeth Dare - Percy Jackson and the Olympians by Rick Riordan

Oh how I do hate the official character art.... Anyway, R.E.D is such a spirited, creative, awesome character, and she just deserves much more admiration. She's an oracle- she prophesied the Prophecy of Seven. I'd call that pretty major.

∞

Thanks for reading! Who are some of your favorite minor characters? 

Green Books

Happy St. Patrick's Day! In celebration of this lucky little holiday, I compiled a list of green books that'll protect you from getting pinched today.



So happy St. Patrick's Day to you all, and thanks for checking out my little list!

Books I Haven't Read?!

When it comes to our TBR lists, I think we all have a handful of books that we're utterly ashamed of having not read yet.  Here's a list of the top ten books I've yet to read!

1. Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins

I have heard about these books over and over and over again, yet I still haven't actually read them.  I own Anna and the French Kiss.  There is literally no excuse for why I haven't read that book yet, but as you can see, it remains in the TBR pile.

2. We Were Liars by E. Lockhart

I don't really know anything about this book other than that it's really sad, but I still know that I want to read it.  It's quite a popular book- maybe I can still catch the We Were Liars train? 

3. Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor

I know that this book series has gotten mixed reviews, but it's still something I feel like I should've read by now.  And, after reading the synopsis, it sounds like a really cool, unique read.  

4. A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas

Number one: I've heard nothing but good things about this book. Number two: Sarah J. Maas. Number three: Sarah J. Maas. I absolutely adore Sarah J. Maas' writing style, and I'd really like to read more by her.

5. The Grisha Trilogy by Leigh Bardugo

Now, it is my understanding that the Grisha Trilogy is not all that good, but Six of Crows is supposedly fantastic.  I own Six of Crows, and I'd really like to read it.  That's why the Grisha Trilogy is so high up on my list.  Plus, I'd really like to be able to actually agree with people when they talk about these books.  I've never read them, so my opinion isn't all that valid.

   

6. To All the Boys I Loved Before by Jenny Han

I'm not the biggest contemporary reader, so when I see a contemporary that sparks my interest, chances are I'll like it.  To All the Boys I've Loved Before sounds like the most brutally hilarious, horrifying read, and I'd really like to pick them up. 

   

7. The Diviners by Libba Bray

The Diviners takes place in one of my favorite time eras, and it's gotten great reviews. I feel like so many people have read this book already, and I want to know what it's all about! 

    

8. Heir of Fire + Queen of Shadows by Sarah J. Maas

Like I said earlier, I love Sarah J. Maas' writing.  The fact that I haven't finished what's completed of this awesome series kills me.  Plus, Crown of Midnight leaves off on a bit of a cliff hanger, so I should've rushed to get Heir of Fire as soon as I could. 

9. Through the Dark by Alexandra Bracken

This one might be the book I'm most ashamed of not having read yet. The Darkest Minds Trilogy is one of my all time favorite book series ever, and yet, I have not read the novella bind up yet.  What's worse is that this bind-up is supposed to be really good, unlike many bind-ups we see. 

    

10. Unravel Me + Ignite Me by Tahereh Mafi

Finally, we have the final two books in the Shatter Me trilogy.  I've read Shatter Me, and I enjoyed it.  I don't know why I haven't gotten around to actually finishing the series, but I haven't. This is just another one of those really popular series that I have failed to keep up with.


So those were my top ten unread books!  Thanks for reading, and let me know what some of your most shocking unread books are! Do we share any?