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Monday, March 18, 2013

Top Ten Books I HAD To Buy... But Are Still Sitting On My Shelf Unread

Top Ten Tuesday is a meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish.

This is my first time participating in Top Ten Tuesday! I decided I was tired of missing out on all the fun with everyone else. I may start alternating Top Ten Tuesdays and Waiting On Wednesday memes from week to week.

This week's theme is...

Top Ten Books I HAD To Buy... But Are Still Sitting On My Shelf Unread


The Percy Jackson Series by Rick Riordin
The Uglies Series by Scott Westerfeld
Jellicoe Road by Melina Marchetta
Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo
Cinder by Marissa Meyer
The Scorpio Races by Maggie Stiefvater
Anna Dress in Blood by Kendare Blake
Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead

BEHOLD MY SHAME. In all of these cases, I was SO excited to read these books after reading other bloggers' reviews that I just HAD to run out and buy the books immediately... only to have them sit on my shelf for months, collecting dust. Occasionally I will make time in my reading schedule of review books to "reward" myself with one of these babies, but that seems to happen few and far between. And honestly, the list above is only a small fraction of the books I could've included in this list. This is just embarrassing.

Probably the worst offense on this list is John Green's Box Set. I own all of John Green's books (including Will Grayson, Will Grayson) and have been a HUGE fan of the Vlogbrothers since almost their inception. And yet... nothing. I have not read one book of his. And I have no excuse. But I will absolutely be making it my main goal this year to read John Green's books! Finally!

67 comments :

  1. First of all, new to your site and I LOVE it! Harry Potter afficionado in the house! Anyways. John Green?!?! I have read every single one and love ALL of them! When you do get to them you will be kicking yourself for not reading them sooner, I swear! :)

    Vampire Academy is high on my TBR list as well based on my blogger friends' recs, must get to those!

    Shadow and Bone is AMAZING!!! As is Cinder and Scarlet is even better if you can believe that! LOVE your list :)

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    1. Oh, I KNOW. I'm going to be so mad at myself for not getting around to John Green's work sooner!

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  2. oh my gosh start vampire academy the series is amazing. Shadow and Bone is a wonderful unique story one of my favorite reads last year. I just finished Scorpio Races and it was just as good as everyone says and Cinder for the love Cinder is so so good!

    Marissa @ Rae Gun Ramblings

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    1. Heh, love your enthusiasm for these reads! Definitely helps with the motivation to read them :)

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  3. Well, you have some books to read. Haha. I haven't read the Vampire Academy either (but I don't own it). I have heard the first two aren't as good as the rest of the series. I hope you get to any of the books you mentioned soon.

    I'm glad you joined the TTT crowd.

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    1. I have also heard that the later VA books are better than the first few, so I guess you just have to get through them to get to the good stuff!

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  4. OMG YES THAT FEELING!! When every other blogging is spazzing over that book and you just have to get it but when you really get the book, all the passion suddenly died down :/

    I've been seeing Jellicoe Road quite often on the blogs, going to add it to my TBR! I LOVED Shadow and Bone for it's addictive world and THE DARKLING <3 Haha, hope you'll get to read these books soon!

    Alicia @ Book a World
    My Top Ten Tuesday

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    1. For me, itis not that the passion dies down, I just can't find the time! I can't wait to meet The Darkling!!

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  5. I own Uglies, but I haven't read it, either. But that's mostly because I read the first four chapters and wasn't feeling it. :/

    Read Shadow and Bone! You won't regret it. It's an incredible high fantasy novel, and Cinder is a great re-telling.

    I actually just read Vampire Academy, and I loved it, lol. :)

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    1. Hmm, I hope I like Uglies more. Thanks for your thoughts!

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    2. Also, I can't find your blog to return your comment. Apologies!

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  6. I have read Cinder and Anna Dressed In Blood. I enjoyed both. I have actually recently started Vampire Academy as I own the whole series but hadn't read any. =/ I haven't read Uglies yet either, though I own it, and I haven't read Shadow and Bone yet either though I paid postage to a blogger to send me the ARC last year. *shame* I have so many books I haven't read, it's just terrible.
    I hope you get to read some of these soon.

    My Top Ten post

    Sabina @ Delirious About Books

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    1. Well, at least you know that a ton of other people share your shame!

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  7. Aylee this looks so much like my TBR pile LOL

    I highly recommend On the Jellicoe Road and I just finished Cinder too. Enjoy when you do eventually get to them ;)

    My Top Ten

    Have a great week!

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  8. Cinder, Anna Dressed in Blood, and the Scorpio Races were all *excellent*. Vampire Academy was okay....I know a lot of people just LOVE that series, but...it didn't really impress me all that much.

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    1. Hmm, yeah I've heard that VA is just okay, but the series gets so much better later on.

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  9. It took me a long time to read any of John Green's books too, even though I love the Vlogbrothers. I've only read TFIOS and Paper Towns so far, too.

    Also, Cinder and Percy Jackson are so so so so awesome. They are very different, but wonderful. I really need to read VA. Everyone says that series is fantastic.

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  10. I loved Shadow and Bone, and really want to read Anna Dresses in Blood and Cinder!

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  11. Shadow and Bone is awesome as is VA. I also really loved Anna Dressed In Blood! Hope you get to read them soon!

    Teresa @ Readers Live A Thousand Lives

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  12. Oh my gosh, you must read The Scorpio Races and Anna Dressed In Blood. No more allowing them to collect dust! Such great books.
    Here is my TTT.

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  13. *looks at all the amazing books on your list* *blinks* Oh my goodness, how am I going to convince you to read all of these? Which should I convince you to read first?

    Okay, so basically: there are some AWESOME books on your list. I love everything John Green ever. (I mean, I bought the pretty box set even though I already had all of his books in paperback. Because I'm crazy like that.) Especially Looking for Alaska and The Fault in Our Stars wowed me.

    And then Percy Jackson is one of my all time favorite series! It's just so fun and wonderful and amazing and ahh. I started Vampire Academy just a few weeks ago and oh hey, I'm obsessed.

    I absolutely adore Cinder, and Scarlet is even better! It's really one of the most unique stories I've ever read, so I hope you decide to read it soon :) And finally, Shadow and Bone is GREAT! I read that one just last week and adored it a whole lot.

    So yeah. You have to read those. :)

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    1. Haha, I KNOW there are just too many to read and I want to read them all at once! Would that be possible? Hmm, don't think so. But hey, I need all the convincing I can get! SO happy you enjoyed the books that I listed because it's making me want to get to them all the more. I will TRY to make time soon, I promise!!

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  14. So many great books! Some I've loved and some that are on my shelf too! Shadow and Bone and Cinder are both on my shelf too. There has been so much buzz about them but sadly, haven't had the time. Both Jellicoe Road and Anna Dress in Blood were really good!

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  15. Anna is SO good.
    I adore Uglies.
    I too have Cinder waiting for me.

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  16. I have that John Green box set. TFIOS is the only one I've read. You must get to Jellicoe Road! Give yourself lots of time because it's really hard to read. But it's worth it by the end.

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  17. I really want to read Shadow and Bone. I read a short story by Bardugo and it was fantastic.

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  18. Hahahaha you're not the only one with a shelf of shame Aylee! I have a whole pile of books I bought with an abundance of enthusiasm and have yet to actually pick up and read. I do hope you get to reward yourself with Shadow and Bone and The Scorpio Races soon though, I loved those books so much!!!!

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    1. An abundance of enthusiasm is right, haha! Glad I'm not alone!!

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  19. YOU MUST READ JOHN GREEN!!!!!! Seriously! Take a day and read them ALL! :) And I'm with you on Cinder ... AND I just bought Scarlet, too. :) I hope you can get to these!

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    1. All in one day?! I wish! I'm much too slow of a reader for that. But I would like to do some kind of marathon.

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  20. GASP. I think I just died seeing you haven't read Uglies or Vampire Academy. Those are two of my all time favorite series, the ones that helped me discover my love for reading. Also, I've only read 1 book by John Green, and even though I ADORED IT BEYOND BELIEF I've yet to read another one by him. So I kind of feel your shame there. Hah! Hopefully you get around to reading some of these, because from the ones I've read on this list I have a feeling you won't regret it!

    My Top Ten :)

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    1. THE SHAME!! I know, I know, I'm pretty sure I won't regret it either. Still, it's just finding the time! So glad you loved a lot of the books on my list - very encouraging!

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  21. The Scorpio Races is on my list of shame as well :) But Shadow and Bone?? How could you? Kidding ;)

    My TTT

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  22. I love some of these... well, MOST of these so, so much. The Scorpio Races is my all-time favorite, and I simply ADORE Looking for Alaska, not to mention Jellicoe Road. I was just thinking of rereading Jellicoe, actually. It's been a while, and there are some details I don't remember very well.
    I wonder which one of these you'll read first... :)

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    1. I wonder as well! At the moment, I'm sort of leaning towards Shadow and Bone.

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  23. I wish I had a Shelf of Shame! I do have many book sI didn't read, but not amazing ones like those - I'm so broke! Both you and I have to have to have have to read Percy Jackson. It just seems brilliant! I think I saw the film, if there is one, or read the first book, and really enjoyed it.

    UGLIES IS GREAT. I reviewed it! It was really easy to get into and thought-provoking.

    I can't believe I had John Green mixed up with someone else! I've been reading bits of The Fault in Our Stars every time I go into Waterstones and want to buy it as soon as I have money!

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    1. Ah, that's okay - if it makes you feel better, I've been collecting these books over a while. I saw Percy Jackson the film and was not super impressed, but I have pretty good feeling I'm going to love the books! SO glad to hear you loved Uglies so much!! And I hope you have the money to purchase The Fault in Our Stars at some point!

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  24. The Lightening Thief is still sitting on my shelves unread, too. Uglies is great, as is The Scorpio Races! And don't feel bad about John Green - Will Grayson, Will Grayson is actually the only one of his I've read! I feel like a bad fan, haha.

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  25. Oh My Gosh! You must read Shadow and Bone like right now!!! IT is one of the best books ever! You have not lived until you read it! Oh and the Vampire Academy series is also brilliant! Happy Reading!

    My Top Ten!

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  26. The Vampire Academy series is interesting and I haven`t read anything by John Greene. Love your whole blog. New follower and also a huge HP Lover

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  27. Three of these books would have made it to my list, but I couldn't narrow it down enough to make it ten, so I skipped participating. I do hope you get to enjoy these books soon though! There is just not enough time for reading :)

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    1. Aw, I would have still liked to see you participate!

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  28. New here! I've already read Uglies, and Anna Dressed in Blood. Plus some of John Green's books. All the others you mention though, are still on my TBR. Weird how we bloggers do that, buy a ton of books and then never actually read them, lol.

    Mind checking out my TTT?

    Hope to chat with you soon!
    -Danie

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    1. It is a bit odd, but understandable under the circumstances, I think. I mean, how can we resist the lure?!

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  29. I am so jealous you have the John Green Box Set. I only have two of the books in it so I'm trying to justify myself getting this boxset. It's so cool you've been following Vlogbrothers that long. I have to admit I was so out of it when I started watching the videos like a year ago b/c I didn't get the book references.

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    1. That's a good reason if I ever heard one! It's fun to watch the vlogbrothers right from the beginning. Then you get ALL the references.

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  30. You have some amazing books waiting for you! Scorpio Races, Shadow and Bone, Anna Dressed in Blood, The Fault in Our Stars! It seems like there's a lot of Jellicoe Roads for this TTT. I LOVED that book and I hope you get to read it soon. I'm not a huge fan of Uglies and Vampire Academy, but I hope you enjoy them! Great list! :D

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    1. I've noticed that about Jellicoe Road, as well! I guess people hear it's a good book, but then are too daunted by it!

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  31. Lol, I've been known to watch the vlogbrothers from time to time but still haven't read any of John Green's books either. Or any of Melina Marchetta's novels. *hangs head in shame* I also need to get around to reading Anna Dressed in Blood, The Percy Jackson series and The Scorpio Races. I've read and loved all the others.

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    1. Yup yup, REALLY need to read John Green and Melina Marchetta's books! I am relieved at least that you share my shame, Z!

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  32. High five, Aylee! I haven't read a single one of John Green's books either. ;) I suppose I am aiming to finally get around at least one of them this year, too. And whhat?! You haven't read Jellicoe Road, Shadow and Bone or The Scorpio Races?? All three were rare 5-star reads for me. I really hope you will love them as much as I did! :)

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    1. Heh, high five! Hopefully we'll have real cause to celebrate this year if we both read at least one John Green book. I am so pleased that you loved those 3 books so much!!

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  33. Ahhh it's been too long since I did up a TTT post - makes me want to join in the fun again :D Cinder & VA are 2 that I own but haven't gotten around to yet either...we may be the only 2 people left who haven't read those lol >.< Shadow and Bone is one that is now sitting on top of my wishlist - I can't believe I don't even have a copy yet!! The only one I've read in there is Percy Jackson, it's a pretty light & fun series :) I hope you'll love all these when you get around to them!!

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    1. Yup, I'm pretty sure we are the only two left! I think I'll really like Percy Jackson!

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  34. I do want to try and do this meme. It's a lot of fun!! Great question too and I have so many titles I could add to my own list. I'm always getting books or buying them and I really really want to read them...but just...no time. hah I'm either reading books for school and to review. I want to try and read more of my own stuff this summer. I do hope you read John Green soon. I've only read a few (need to read them all soon) but I love him. He has great stuff. Looking for Alaska is a fave, and of course, The Fault in Our Stars is just emotional and beautiful and witty and great.

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    1. I can totally relate! And so can a ton of other people in the book blogging community, I bet! SOOO excited/anxious to finally read John Green!

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  35. OMG, those are all fantastic titles! I just started reading Percy Jackson w/my daughter. Cinder is amazing. S&B is freaking outstanding. Anna & Uglies are great titles too.

    Vivian
    Confessions of a Vi3tBabe
    Deity Island

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  36. You haven'r read Jellicoe yet?
    Aww
    that book is awesome

    Good luck geting to all of these. :D

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    1. Nope! Seems like a lot of other people also had Jellicoe Road on their Top Ten List this week!

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  37. I have not bought Jellicoe Rd yet, but I keep hearing about how great it is. I still really want to read it too. Shadow and Bone was AWESOME!!! That's one you need to make some time for, as for Cinder. It was really, really good too. I hear Scarlet, book two in that series is even better than Cinder. So put those books higher on your priority list. I've read Lightning Thief, its just OK. You can hold off on that one for a while and won't be missing much. I have Anna Dressed in Blood on my bookshelf, unread, too. I won it in a giveaway, wanted to read it, then never made any time for it. UGH, why is it all the books I buy tend to sit and never get read!

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