Top Ten Tuesdays!

Top Ten Tuesdays is an original weekly meme created over at The Broke and the Bookish.
This week's theme is:

Top Ten Unread Books on Mandy's Bookshelf

My TBR is HUGE! And I keep adding to it. I tell myself I won't start any new series until I catch up on the ones I'm reading... but that never happens. Sometimes I just stare at my TBR, wondering what to read, and then buy a new book... There are some books that have sat there, unread for so long, it's sad. Here are the top ten:

1. The Vampire Chronicles Books 1-3 by Anne Rice - I really want to read these, I mean she practically started the vampire craze, and I love the first movie! I tried reading it once, and couldn't get through it... someday, though, someday.

2. Cross Country by James Patterson - I used to be really into Patterson, read all his Alex Cross books, and the series with the women, too. Then I became almost all paranormal, and I just stopped. I know the Alex Cross series has moved on, but I never got past this one. Sad, really.

3. The Historian by Elizabeth Kostova - I heard this was good, and it has to do with the history of Count Dracula - what's not to love? I just haven't gotten around to picking it up.

4. The Fiery Cross and A Breath of Snow and Ashes by Diana Gabaldon - I LOVED this series. I read it so many, many years ago. But I was happy after the last book before these, I didn't need more, I don't think. But because I loved the series, I bought these. Now it's been so long, I'm not sure I'd remember details if I finally picked these up to read.

5. Skin Trade by Laurell K. Hamilton - Technically, I've been reading this book for almost a year, at least. I've read Anita since the beginning, but since then I've branched out and found other authors who maybe do it a little better, and my love affair for Anita cooled slightly. I have the rest of the series, though, and I'm sure once I throw myself back into her world, I'll read until I'm caught up. Until then, it sits, waiting for me to finish it.

6. The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkein - This is all three books in one. I keep telling myself I will read this one day, but it's so huge, and the print is so small. And I just don't know if I'm that dedicated...

7. Proven Guilty by Jim Butcher - Another one of my original series before I discovered a whole world of books. It was him, LKH, Kim Harrison, MJD, Charlaine Harris, and J.R. Ward, pretty much - then I got into a whole load of new series, and some fell by the wayside, this one included. I've kept up with the books though, and have the rest of the series, I just need to get reading...

8. Undead and Unworthy by MaryJanice Davidson - See? another series I stalled in. It's not my fault if I'm just finding so much out there that captures my attention more, right? I feel so disloyal... :)

9. City of Bones by Cassandra Clare -I have the first 3 in this series. I've heard good things, just haven't gotten to them yet. 

10. Succubus Blues by Richelle Mead -  I love Richelle Mead, I love this concept, just haven't gotten around to starting it, yet.

So, what do you think? Any must-reads on here? What are your top ten? 

Review and Adieu - Vengeance by Kate Brian

Vengeance by Kate Brian

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Well, one of my guilty pleasures is now over. And, I'm not sure how I'm going to fill this void now that Private is no longer.

I was putting off this book because I didn't want it to end. I've devoured each installment of this series and eagerly waited for the next one to come out each time. Oh, Ms. Brian, please write more so I can have something fantastical to read about.

This series was all about fantasy to me - beyond rich kids at a private school in New England - doing whatever they want - including kidnapping and murdering people - vacationing in the Caribbean - more kidnapping and murder. Partying in penthouses in New York City. Yeah - all that to me is fantasy. :)

I've always loved Reed. Yeah, she's surrounded by drama, but there's something about her that I love. She's vulnerable, yet strong. She evolves from being the victim, to standing up to her fears and facing them head on.

I love her and Josh. He has got to be the sweetest guy ever. And I enjoy all the story on them in this book.

All that being said, it was a teeny, tiny bit disappointing. More coming back from the grave - and for what? It seemed a little bit of a stretch, and the explanation didn't really satisfy me. Reed suspects Josh, again. Really? Haven't you been through enough to know the kid is sincere? The whole witch thing (which I actually enjoyed) was hardly mentioned in this book, and there were no spells.

Most of our favorite characters are all graduating, and so with the majority of them gone, Private comes to an end. Sure, Reed still has another year of school left, but you can almost be killed so many times, right? I mean, what else could happen to her?

And so, I bid adieu to this fabulous series, I will probably re-read many times over. (I think I've read the first ones at least 4 times). Thank you, Kate Brian for these books, and I hope you create another world I can delve into soon.



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Review - Destined For An Early Grave - Jeaniene Frost

Destined for an Early Grave by Jeaniene Frost

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


I was so behind in this series, and after reading this book, I don't know why I kept waiting.

I last saw Cat and Bones in March, when I finally read At Grave's End, and I quickly fell back into their world as I read this installment.



I am a huge one for romantic tension, I thrive on the heartache that comes in the romance books I end up loving. While Bones and Cat already had a well-established relationship, there is still tension and heartache in this book.



Seriously, this book made me feel. My stomach clenched in anxiety, my chest tightened with heartache, I may have even cried. Then there is the laughter that comes with the witty dialogue, the irritation that comes with truly bad guys, nervousness at the fights, and on and on. Jeaniene Frost truly writes in a way that makes me become a part of her world, where I am not only engaged in the characters' lives, but I care what happens.



I often have a hard time finding the right words for books that I really enjoy. If you haven't moved onto this next installment of the Night Huntress series, what are you waiting for?



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