Top Ten Tuesday is an original weekly meme created by The Broke and the Bookish. I thought this would be a fun way to share a condensed version of potential rambles and thoughts that I have.
This Week’s Theme:
Top Ten Books On My
Fall 14′ To Be Read
Initial Thoughts:
This could have almost been a repeat of a list a few weeks ago in regards to books that I don’t own yet. Threw in some new additions for good measure.
Book 2/3 Chaos Walking Trilogy– Patrick Ness (Published)
Prentisstown isn’t like other towns. Everyone can hear everyone else’s thoughts in an overwhelming, never-ending stream of Noise. Just a month away from the birthday that will make him a man, Todd and his dog, Manchee — whose thoughts Todd can hear too, whether he wants to or not — stumble upon an area of complete silence. They find that in a town where privacy is impossible, something terrible has been hidden — a secret so awful that Todd and Manchee must run for their lives. But how do you escape when your pursuers can hear your every thought?
I’m on the second novel but that’s the synopsis for book one (changed it for spoilers). I’ve been reading a few pages here and there on commutes (which is why it’s taking longer than it should).
Eren – Simon Clark (Published)
People are keeping secrets from Oli – about where his father is, and why he hasn’t come to join them at his uncle’s house in the country. But Oli has secrets too.
He knows what lives in the attic. Eren – part monster, part dream, part myth. Eren who always seems so interested, who always wants to hear more about Oli’s life. Eren, who needs to hear stories to live, and will take them from Oli, no matter the cost.
Sounds familiar, am I right?
Take Me Tomorrow – Shannon Thompson (Published)
Two years after the massacre, the State enforces stricter rules and harsher punishments on anyone rumored to support tomo – the clairvoyant drug that caused a regional uprising. But sixteen-year-old Sophia Gray has other problems. Between her father’s illegal forgery and her friend’s troubling history, the last thing Sophia needs is an unexpected encounter with a boy.
He’s wild, determined, and one step ahead of her. But when his involvement with tomo threatens her friends and family, Sophia has to make a decision: fight for a future she cannot see or sacrifice her loved ones to the world of tomorrow.
The first book to be reviewed in my joint feature, He Said, She Said.
Tabula Rasa – Kristen Lippert-Martin (9/23/14)
Sixteen-year-old Sarah has a rare chance at a new life. Or so the doctors tell her. She’s been undergoing a cutting-edge procedure that will render her a tabula rasa—a blank slate. Memory by memory her troubled past is being taken away. But when her final surgery is interrupted and a team of elite soldiers invades the isolated hospital under cover of a massive blizzard, her fresh start could be her end.
Navigating familiar halls that have become a dangerous maze with the help of a teen computer hacker who’s trying to bring the hospital down for his own reasons, Sarah starts to piece together who she is and why someone would want her erased. And she won’t be silenced again.
Released today. ARC review still pending; man…I suck at this reading thing.
Messenger of Fear – Michael Grant (9/23/14)
I remembered my name – Mara. But, standing in that ghostly place, faced with the solemn young man in the black coat with silver skulls for buttons, I could recall nothing else about myself. And then the games began. The Messenger sees the darkness in young hearts, and the damage it inflicts upon the world. If they go unpunished, he offers the wicked a game. Win, and they can go free. Lose, and they will live out their greatest fear.
First Grant. (Released today!)
James Frey – Endgame: The Calling (10/7/14)
For ten thousand years the lines have existed in secret. The 12 original lines of humanity. Each had to have a Player prepared at all times. They have trained generation after generation after generation. In weapons, languages, history, tactics, disguise assassination. Together the players are everything: strong, kind, ruthless, loyal, smart, stupid, ugly, lustful, mean, fickle, beautiful, calculating, lazy, exuberant, weak. They are good and evil. Like you. Like all. This is Endgame. When the game starts, the players will have to find three keys. The keys are somewhere on earth. The only rule of their Endgame is that there are no rules. Whoever finds the keys first wins the game.
Anyone want to work together to win the $500,000 interactive puzzle? LOL.
Rain Reign – Ann M. Martin (10/7/14)
Rose Howard has OCD, Asperger’s syndrome, and an obsession with homonyms (even her name is a homonym). She gave her dog Rain a name with two homonyms (Reign, Rein), which, according to Rose’s rules of homonyms, is very special. Rain was a lost dog Rose’s father brought home. Rose and Rain are practically inseparable. And they are often home alone, as Rose’s father spends most evenings at a bar, and doesn’t have much patience for his special-needs daughter. Just as a storm hits town, Rain goes missing. Rose’s father shouldn’t have let Rain out. Now Rose has to find her dog, even if it means leaving her routines and safe places to search. Rose will find Rain, but so will Rain’s original owners.
Pet feels.
In Real Life – Lawrence Tabak (11/11/14)
Fifteen-year-old math prodigy Seth Gordon knows exactly what he wants to do with his life—play video games. Every spare minute is devoted to honing his skills at Starfare, the world’s most popular computer game. His goal: South Korea, where the top pros are rich and famous. But the best players train all day, while Seth has school and a job and divorced parents who agree on only one thing: “Get off that damn computer.” Plus there’s a new distraction named Hannah, an aspiring photographer who actually seems to understand his obsession.
My life, basically. Minus the math and the pro-gaming. So maybe not so much my life.
The Red Sheet – Mia Kerrick & Cody Kennedy (Published)
One October morning, high school junior Bryan Dennison wakes up a different person helpful, generous, and chivalrous a person whose new admirable qualities he doesn’t recognize. Stranger still is the urge to tie a red sheet around his neck like a cape.
Bryan soon realizes this compulsion to wear a red cape is accompanied by more unusual behavior. He can’t hold back from retrieving kittens from tall trees, helping little old ladies cross busy streets, and defending innocence anywhere he finds it.
Shockingly, at school, he realizes he used to be a bully. He’s attracted to the former victim of his bullying, Scott Beckett, though he has no memory of Scott from before the change. Where he’d been lazy in academics, overly aggressive in sports, and socially insecure, he’s a new person. And although he can recall behaving egotistically, he cannot remember his motivations.
Everyone, from his mother to his teachers to his superjock former pals, is shocked by his dramatic transformation. However, Scott Beckett is not impressed by Bryan’s newfound virtue. And convincing Scott he’s genuinely changed and improved, hopefully gaining Scott’s trust and maybe even his love, becomes Bryan’s obsession.
I think I discovered this through a Goodreads giveaway (didn’t win though). All them social issues though.
Mockingjay – Suzanne Collins (Published)
Katniss Everdeen, girl on fire, has survived, even though her home has been destroyed. Gale has escaped. Katniss’s family is safe. Peeta has been captured by the Capitol. District 13 really does exist. There are rebels. There are new leaders. A revolution is unfolding.
It is by design that Katniss was rescued from the arena in the cruel and haunting Quarter Quell, and it is by design that she has long been part of the revolution without knowing it. District 13 has come out of the shadows and is plotting to overthrow the Capitol. Everyone, it seems, has had a hand in the carefully laid plans–except Katniss.
The success of the rebellion hinges on Katniss’s willingness to be a pawn, to accept responsibility for countless lives, and to change the course of the future of Panem. To do this, she must put aside her feelings of anger and distrust. She must become the rebels’ Mockingjay–no matter what the personal cost.
Decided to read the books as the movies were released. It’s been a long time coming.
Afterthoughts:
How does one read all of these with so the Fall television starting again!?!? I think I follow like 24 television series (new and old) across all the networks… le sigh.
Cheers,
Joey
thoughts and afterthoughts. 
I have found that I have the same problem with tv shows new and old and trying to read and work… There is not enough time.
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I know, right? I usually try out most shows past the pilot and usually find myself sticking with 2-3 new additions per season (assuming they’re renewed going forward)…but I’m really enjoying some of the shows I’ve seen so far!
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There are definitely some good new shows starting this fall on top of all of the other ones !
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Red Sheet sounds intriguing. You have to wonder what caused the change–and if he’ll change back.
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Definitely. I’m not even sure what I’d expect to find in the read but it seems interesting enough to warrant being picked up. From face value, perhaps the red cape has some allegorical roots, but I guess until it’s read…we’ll never know!
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I looked up it on Goodreads. There’s an alternate cover that’s straight out of the romance section, so I know some of what I expect. 😉
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News to me! Surprisingly, and it might sound wrong of me to say, but if I saw the other cover…I’d be a lot more hesitant (only because its romance increases ten-fold). The power of book covers!
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I know they say you’re not supposed to judge a book by its cover, but I rather think you should. It’s the first thing you see, after all.
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I really do want to continue with the Chaos Walking trilogy. I should have put The Ask and The Answer on my list!
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Oh, I didn’t know you haven’t finished reading the series! I’ve heard that the trilogy gets better with each novel but it was really the reissue covers that made it an instabuy (and perhaps my love for the series..)
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I just bought the Chaos Walking trilogy, and YAY for our buddy read 🙂 R x
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PREPARE YOURSELF FOR EVERYTHING AND NOTHING.
Also, did you notice the cover for Take Me Tomorrow has that Rx thing linked. I was like: “whoa, shoutout!”
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Haha no I didn’t! Well spotted! I’m claiming that at some point! R x
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If I remember, I’ll probably shout that out during the discussion.
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Oh god. The TV premieres have some good stuff coming up, too. Reading?! What’s that?!
Tabula Rasa and Endgame are things I’m thinking of picking up at some point. Ugh. So many things to read.
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I know, right? Gotham, Red Band Society, Flash, How to get away with murder are among the newest additions that I could see getting renewals. Maaaannnnnn.
I think Endgame is something I’d have to pick up immediately if I’m to have a chance against those who received ARCs re: the $500k puzzle LOL.
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TV is definitely cutting into my reading time already. Everything’s coming back, and I just gave in and started Hulu and Netflix. Moderation, I do not know thee.
The Red Sheet sounds fascinating.
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That sounds like a double whammy! I’m glad I don’t have either of those or else…goodbye, life!
The Red Sheet definitely seems intriguing. I’m not sure how much I’d appreciate it (being contemporary and all) but it definitely piqued some interest for me; with lots of potential discussion topics I’d presume!
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Yay for Mockingjay! Get prepared for that one.
Rain Reign is amazing.
I also want to read Messenger of Fear. I’m a little nervous about it though – I really enjoyed Gone but I couldn’t get through BZRK, so we’ll see how that goes.
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It was difficult for me not to click on all you bloggers posting news and trailer and all that stuff re: Mockingjay (I even had to close my eyes and talk to myself during movie trailers at the theatre…le sigh!)
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Okay, Eren sounds amazing. And I’m going to definitely check out Rain Reign and The Red Sheet too. I swear I end up finding a dozen or so new books every Top Ten Tuesday.
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Such is life with these lists–it’s near impossible to go through a week of top tens without some piquing your interest!
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I’d like to know what you think of Mockingjay. To be completely honest, I enjoyed it. Only later on was my opinion influenced by the harsh negativity surrounding it, so I’m now quite unsure what to think of it. I hope you enjoy it, and I hope you get to read all of the books on your list!
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The impact with Mockingjay is surely lost for me because I came across spoilers on tumblr somehow. I was pretty devastated…so I’m sure there’s bias towards my enjoyment of it! But I’ll definitely have it read and discuss my thoughts on it closer to the actual movie release.
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Mockingjay was actually my favorite of the trilogy, I found that the Hunger Games series was one of those rare ones when the books got better as the series progressed. I’d love to read it again if I have time before the movie!
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I think I’ve seen a 40/60 tilt on those who enjoyed/hated the final installment; but such is life with these things. I was unfortunately spoiled through tumblr (which might I add…I wasn’t even looking for anything mockingjay related -_-) so I’m not sure how I’m going to feel about the read and some of the “shocking” content.
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Mockingjay! Awesome! And I almost added Rain Reign to my list because it looks adorable, but I just don’t think I will get to it this semester.
Also, I just wrote up a TV post that will go up on my blog tomorrow.
There are 35 shows on my list.
Who knows when I will read?!? LOL
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Oh man I’m tempted to do a TV post too but I think I’d wait until I finish watching ALL THE PILOTSSSSSS (even though I only have like…one pilot left to watch: how to get away with murder). Maaaaaaaaannnnn. Good additions so far to this fall lineup of shows!
WHAT ARE BOOKS?!
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Messenger of Fear looks really good! I haven’t read a Michael Grant book either but I’ve heard that they’re good. And now you’ve reminded me that I still haven’t a read a Patrick Ness book – I need to do that soon. I hope you enjoy Mockingjay – it’s not my favourite book in the series but it’s good.
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Ah, I love the split reactions Mockingjay seems to have created! It’ll be interesting to see how it fares with me considering I [unfortunately] have read into some spoilers 😦
I’ve heard a lot of praise for Grant’s Gone series but it seemed so daunting to pick up (…it’s like what, 7 books?!) and I wasn’t completely sold on the premise. MoF on the other hand definitely piqued my interests!
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Also pretty excited about Endgame and also how on Earth have you not read The Hunger Games yet. I hope your enjoying it so far!
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Haha, I haven’t finished Mockingjay because I decided when the first movie came out that I’d read each book before their film adaptation. It’s been a long time coming though….so I’m excited to see how the trilogy will end (even though I’ve come across some spoilers =(! )
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Spoilers are demonic viruses. I hope you’re emotionally prepared!
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I think i might have to read mockingjay again. I read it so long ago. I agree with your TV comment thou. It is hard to read all these books and watch all the TV shows. Something usually has to give, and for me that is sleep.
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Oh man…I love sleep too much to give that up! But yes, I do wonder how we fit the time in to do everything. I usually go on reading slumps in favour of keeping myself sane with gaming and television. Ahhh the trade offs!
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I really want to start the Chaos Walking trilogy, but you’re right, there’s so much good tv starting about now too that it’s hard to find enough time to fit everything in 🙂
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Despite CW Trilogy being ~500 pages per book, I think you may find it easy to binge read because events are so crazily paced! But yes, it is definitely a love/hate relationship with television…but I wouldn’t have it any other way (well..that’s debatable I guess).
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The fall tv thing is going to be a problem I think for many readers. Thankfully I only watch Big Bang, otherwise I’d never get any reading done.
I keep seeing the Grant book everywhere. I’m thinking it’s a sign I need to check it out.
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Surprisingly, Messenger of Fear isn’t the usual go-to Grant book people insist I (or anyone) reads..it’s the Gone series! But the premise wasn’t that convincing for me personally to pick up whereas Messenger just sounds like a lot of crazy good fun!
You’re one of the lucky few, I guess, who isn’t a crazy couch potato television binge-r!
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The Red Sheet is a really good read – I really enjoyed it…well, when I say enjoyed I mean it was a thoroughly gut-wrenching experience but I love angst so… 😉
Mockingjay was my favourite of the trilogy – probably for the same reasons as above. lol
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Yeah I’m not sure how I’d feel about The Red Sheet to be honest. Can’t say I’ve read anything like it! Angst is fine for me, I think, but I just feel like there’s great dialogue that could be had with what it delves into…though I could be wrong haha.
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It’s definitely interesting and not really what I expected (but in a good way!) – worth checking out. 🙂
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Haha yeah I’ll have to look into it!
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I keep thinking about maybe getting The Red Sheet, but I don’t know… it sounds kind of weird, the way the former bully suddenly changes. I’ll have to look for some good reviews and see what they think!
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I’d say it’s a mix of weird and intriguing–it’d be interesting to see why the change of heart!
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Great list! I hope you enjoy Mockingjay; it’s epic!
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I’m definitely hoping for a bang to close out the trilogy!
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I just re read Mockingjay the other day. It was fantastic. I’m so pumped for the movie now!
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I’m excited to see how things will turn out! It’s a shame that they’re splitting it into two movies though…I’d seriously just rather pay extra for another 2.5 hour film haha.
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Lots of choices on here that I’ve never heard of but sound great! I hope you get through Mockingjay before the movie – it was by far my least favorite of the series, but it feels good to finish the trilogy. 🙂
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Despite the mixed reactions I’ve heard from the final book, I’m definitely excited to see the trilogy come to an end–it’s been a long time coming!
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