Top Ten Tuesday: Top Ten Books I Recommend the Most

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme brought to you by The Broke and the Bookish. Each week a new Top Ten list topic is posted and book bloggers fill in their own choices. I'm a list girl (as in, I don't function without them), so I thought this would be a good choice for me!  This week is a rewind week, which means we can pick any past topic.  Since this is my favorite meme, and since I've missed many, many weeks, I am really happy to go back and choose one!  For my rewind, I chose...

Top Ten Books I Recommend the Most

Because of my extremely short attention span, my list of books that I recommend is in a constant state of flux.  Much of it depends on what I've read recently that has stayed with me, and who I am talking to, but there are definitely a few stand-outs that are always on it!

*In no particular order.*

1.  Gone With the Wind by Margaret Mitchell~  This is my all-time favorite book, and my most highly recommended classic.  Of course, it's not a book that everyone is going to enjoy, but if I'm asked what my favorite book is, this is always my answer.

2.  Every Day by David Levithan~  This was my favorite book of 2012, and my second favorite book of all time.  It's a book that has stayed with me because it was just THAT beautiful.  When I'm asked what the one book I think EVERYONE should read is, this is it.  It's perfection.  Read my review HERE.

3.  Graceling by Kristin Cashore~  Whenever I come across a lover of High Fantasy, I gush about this book.  I can't say enough.  I liked Fire and Bitterblue too, but Graceling is still my favorite.  Some other, more recent HF novels I love and recommend are Shadow and Bone (read my review HERE) and its upcoming sequel, Siege and Storm by Leigh Bardugo, Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas (read my review HERE), and Touch of Power (read my review HERE) and Scent of Magic (read my review HERE) by Maria V. Snyder.

4.  Elsewhere by Gabrielle Zevin~  Another all-time favorite.  This is what I hope the afterlife is like.  I love the world and the story, and it's a quick enough read that I feel comfortable suggesting it to even t most reluctant reader.

5.  Me and Earl and the Dying Girl by Jesse Andrews~  This is my favorite funny book to recommend.  I was so thrilled when it won the 2012 Cybil Award for Young-Adult Fiction!  It was well deserved!  Read my review HERE.

6.  Shine by Lauren Myracle~  This was my favorite book of 2011, and for very good reason. As far as books that deal with the tough stuff go, there is no shortage of great ones.  There are so many great authors who write about the issues facing today's teens; You have Ellen Hopkins, who in my opinion, is the reigning Queen of Issues Your Parents Don't Want To Acknowledge, John Green, Laurie Halse Anderson, Amy Reed, and Jennifer Brown, to name a few.  Shine stood out to me because Lauren Myracle is not an author who typically writes the heavy stuff.  She's usually witty and funny and light, so Shine took me by surprise, and really stayed with me like few other books have.  Read my review HERE.

7.  If I Stay and Where She Went by Gayle Forman~ I read each of these books in one sitting, and they both made me cry for different reasons.  These two books are my go-to books for girls who are looking for Contemporary Romance with an edge.  Read my review of Where She Went HERE.

8.  The Fault In Our Stars by John Green~ This is my most recommended tearjearker.  I, along with a few other people on our committee, fought to keep this on my daughter's middle school's 2013 summer reading list for rising 7th and 8th graders, because it belongs in the hands of kids that age.  It is such a beautifully written story, but at the same time full of humor that today's kids can relate to.  Another book I think everyone should read.  Read my review HERE.

9.  Out of the Easy by Ruta Sepetys~ I just finished this one the other day, but I've already been spreading the word.  I immediately handed it to my (almost) 12 year old daughter when I finished it, and then sent an email to her middle school media specialist to see if it was too late to get it put on the summer reading list.  The funny thing is, I had no intention of reading it because I generally dislike Historical Fiction, but my book club was reading it, so I reluctantly did too.  I. LOVED. IT.  It was fabulous.  If you haven't read it, do it now!

10.  The Infernal Devices by Cassandra Clare~ I just finished the final installment, Clockwork Princess, and the tears!  If someone wants to dig into a series, this is the one I'm going to suggest.  I've enjoyed The Mortal Instruments, so far, but The Infernal Devices is head and shoulders above it.  If you are a Paranormal fan, a Historical Fiction fan, a Steampunk Fan, or a fan of epic love stories, these books are must-reads!  Read my review of Clockwork Prince HERE, and look for my review of Clockwork Princess in the upcoming days.

So- there are my Top Ten Books I Recommend the Most.  It could change tomorrow (although based on what I'm reading right now, that is unlikely), but for now...  Do we share any recommendations?  Do you have anything to add? What topic did you rewind to?  Leave your link with your comment so I can check your Top Ten out!

Top Ten Tuesday: Top Ten Authors On My Auto-Buy List

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme brought to you by The Broke and the Bookish. Each week a new Top Ten list topic is posted and book bloggers fill in their own choices. I'm a list girl (as in, I don't function without them), so I thought this would be a good choice for me! This week's topic was a difficult one. On one hand, I have my authors who I would buy and read ANYTHING they've written. They have written enough books that I've loved, that I know this to be true. One the other hand, there are the authors who have only written one or two books, and I think they would be on this list, but I would need to read more to be sure. That said, I am going to cheat a little and have TWO lists...

YA Litwit's Top Ten Authors On My Auto-Buy List

1.  Neal Shusterman~  I am a total fangirl, and have read all of his books, and loved them all.  He is brilliant, and his books make you think, which I love.  If you haven't read his books yet, get on it!  (Read my review of Everfound HERE and my Banned Book Showcase featuring Unwind HERE.)  Favorite Book/Series:  The Skinjacker Trilogy

2.  Ellen Hopkins~  I love the way Ellen writes, and I don't just mean her style.  Yes, I love that she writes all of her books in verse, but I also love her n0-holds-barred attitude about subject matter.  Ellen puts the tough stuff out there, and doesn't apologize for the fact that she makes it so you can't ignore certain issues.  (Read my review of Perfect HERE and my Banned Author Showcase, featuring Ellen, HERE.)  Favorite Book/Series:  Impulse/Perfect 

3.  David Levithan~  I have SO much love for David Levithan and his books.  His wit and humor make it possible for him to write about relationships in a very real way, and his books just stand out because of it.   Favorite Book:  Every Day (Read my review HERE.)

4.  John Green~  This is the guy who made me see contemporary YA as something to love, instead of page after page of angst-ridden, whiny, teenagers.  He gets the minds of teens, and manages to show us that they are so much more complex than we realize.  (Read my reviews of Paper Towns HERE and The Fault In Our Stars HERE.)  Favorite Book:  Looking For Alaska

5.  Libba Bray~  Such a fantastic writer, and I don't say this lightly.  Libba has written several different genres now, and she has done them all exceptionally well.  She is imaginative, funny, and witty, and I would read anything by her.  Favorite Book:  (tie) The Diviners (read my review HERE) and Beauty Queens (Read my review HERE).

6.  Cassandra Clare~  I think I would read the phone book if she wrote it!  I have not been disappointed in anything she's written.  I know she has only written one world so far, but I just have a good feeling in my gut. (Read my reviews of City of Fallen Angels HERE, City of Lost Souls HERE, and Clockwork Prince HERE.)   Favorite Book/Series:  The Infernal Devices (but don't make me chose which book!)

7.  Holly Black~  Holly Black has an impressively warped imagination, and I LOVE it!  I love her KidLit and her YA.  She is just a dazzling talent in the sea of mediocrity that is publishing! (This, of course, could be said of ANY of the authors on this list. Duh.)  I have read The Spiderwick Chronicles with all three of my children, and am eagerly awaiting the day when I can appropriately introduce my 11 year old daughter to her YA.  Can't wait to read Doll Bones with the three of them!   (Read my reviews of White Cat HERE, Red Glove HERE, Black Heart HERE, and The Poison Eaters HERE.) Favorite Book/Series:  The Curse Workers trilogy

8.  Gabrielle Zevin~  I have been a tremendous fan of Gabrielle's since I read Elsewhere, one of my all-time favorite books.  I don't know why, but that book left an indelible impression on me.  I truly wish that Elsewhere is what our afterlife will be like, because the idea of it is perfection.  After reading that, I had to put my hands on her other books, and although they are all very different from Elsewhere, and one another, they are still awesome in their own rite.  (Read my review of All These Things I've Done HERE.)  Favorite Book:  Elsewhere

9.  Lauren Oliver~  Much like Gabrielle Zevin, Lauren can write any genre.  Her debut, Before I Fall, is more of a Contemporary read, while the Delirium trilogy is definitely a Dystopian.  The Spindlers and Liesl & Po, her two MG books, are very fantastical.  Lauren's intelligence and warm personality shine through in her writing, and make me want to devour everything she puts on a page.  She also happens to be my 8 year old son's  very close 2nd favorite, behind Roald Dahl (someone who I think is a HUGE honor to be put in the same class with).  Favorite Book:  The Spindlers (Read my review HERE.)

10.  Jackson Pearce~  I have all of Jackson's books proudly displayed on my shelf because I totally love her, but it's not just about the fabulous writing with Jackson; It's about the whole package.  She's an Atlantan, for starters.  Then there are her hilarious YouTube videos (check out her channel HERE) and tumblr posts (check out her page HERE), in which she talks about books and writing, but also about loads of other stuff.  She is the best.  Sure, the books are the number one reason she's on this list.  I love them.  But it's always awesome when there's more.  (Read my reviews of Sisters Red HERE, Sweetly HERE, Fathomless HERE, and Purity HERE.)  Favorite Book:  Purity

Runners Up

(in no particular order; click the title for me review)

~Stephanie Perkins (Anna and the French Kiss, Lola and the Boy Next Door)

~Scott Westerfeld (Uglies, Pretties, Specials, Peeps, Leviathan, Behemoth, etc.)

~Victoria Schwab (The Near Witch, The Archived)

~Claire LaZebnik (Epic Fail, The Trouble With Flirting)

~Maureen Johnson (The Name of the Star, The Madness Underneath, 13 Little Blue Envelopes, The Key to the Golden Firebird, etc.)

~Kendare Blake (Anna Dressed In Blood, Girl of Nightmares)

~Kody Keplinger (DUFF, Shut Out, A Midsummer's Nightmare)

~Terra Elan McVoy (Being Friends With Boys, After the Kiss, Pure, The Summer of Firsts and Lasts)

~Myra McEntire (Hourglass, Timepiece)

~Beth Revis (Across the Universe, A Million Suns, Shades of Earth)

~Maria V. Snyder (Poison Study, Touch of Power, Scent of Magic, Inside Out, etc.)

~Rachel Hawkins (Hex Hall, Demonglass, Spell Bound)

~Laini Taylor (Daughter of Smoke & Bone, Days of Blood & Starlight, Blackbringer, etc.)

~Lauren Myracle (Shine, ttyl, ttfn, Bliss, Rhymes with Witches etc.)

Now, I know I have forgotten a BUNCH of authors I love, but I don't want this (already) fangirly post to go on forever and ever.  I love books, and that means I love authors...  I have WAY too many books that I haven't even read yet, which means I have a ridiculous Auto-Buy list already!  Who do you think I left out?  Do we share any?  Am I a total cheater by having such a long list of runners-up?  I ADORE comments, so let me know!

Top Ten Tuesday: Top Ten Favorite Characters In the Fantasy Genre

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme brought to you by The Broke and the Bookish. Each week a new Top Ten list topic is posted and book bloggers fill in their own choices. I'm a list girl (as in, I don't function without them), so I thought this would be a good choice for me!  This week's topic was "Top Ten Characters In X Genre".  I picked Fantasy for a couple of reasons.  First, I don't read a ton of fantasy, so it would easier to narrow my favorites down to ten, and second, some of the greatest characters ever imagined come from the genre.  So, here they are...

YA Litwit's Top Ten Favorite Fantasy Characters

1.  Harry Potter~ I adore the Harry Potter books, and I loved being along as Harry grew from this young boy, to the kick-ass man he became.  Harry Potter is not only my favorite Fantasy character, he is one of my all-time favorite characters of ANY genre.

2.  Sirius Black from Harry Potter by J.K. Rowling~  I think Sirius is one sexy wizard!  I adored him as a character and role model for Harry.  I just wish his time with the series had been longer.  I missed Sirius in the final books.  :-(

3.  Katsa from Graceling by Kristin Cashore~  Katsa is my favorite kick-ass female character ever.  She is who I would aspire to be if I lived in a fantasy realm.  So powerful, but also principled, and super-smart.  She doesn't need anyone to protect her or take care of her, but she allows it because of love.

4.  The Darkling from Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo~ Wow!  I'm not sure I've ever been so hot for a fictional character, especially a villain, but that Darkling...  Oh wow!  I sincerely hope we see a lot more of him in future books.

5.  Hatter Madigan from The Looking Glass Wars by Frank Beddor~  Another sexy fantasy guy.  I imagine that if a movie were to made of this series, that Jude Law would play Hatter, and let me tell you, I LOVE Jude Law.  Hatter Madigan isn't only sexy though, he is totally kick-ass too!

6.  Hermione Granger from Harry Potter by J.K. Rowling~ So I really wanted to mention Hermione higher up, but I thought it was weird to make this list about my love for Harry Potter.  I love Hermione because she reminds me a bit of me as a girl.  I too was a kind of a know-it-all (because I did), and was awkward tuned pretty.  Hermione is so relatable.

7.  Celaena from Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas~  Talk about kick-ass!  This girl is the most notorious assassin in the world.  She's so notorious that people would never even suspect she's a girl.  I loved her, and can't wait for more!

8.  Karou from Daughter of Smoke & Bone by Laini Taylor~ Karou is one of those characters that it is impossible to find fault with.  She just manages to handle everything thrown at her with a sort of grace.  Now, I haven't read Days of Blood & Starlight yet, so I don't know if things stay that way, but from what I know of her, I love her!

9.  Avry from Touch of Power and Scent of Magic~ Another kick-ass girl who I think rules.  This girl puts her life on the line regularly to heal others.  She is such a noble person, but she also knows how to use her brain, and she knows how to fight if she needs to.

10.  Miri from Princess Academy and Palace of Stone by Shannon Hale~ I loved both of these books and Miri had everything to do with that.  She was smart, independent, and resourceful.  She knew she could have a life that any girl would dream about, but she chose instead to help those in her village, and surrounding areas have a better life.

So this is my list.  What genre did you choose?  If you chose Fantasy, did we share any?  Do you think I forgot anyone?

Top Ten Tuesday: Top Ten Favorite Romances

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme brought to you by The Broke and the Bookish. Each week a new Top Ten list topic is posted and book bloggers fill in their own choices. I'm a list girl (as in, I don't function without them), so I thought this would be a good choice for me!  Now, it has been awhile since I've posted any memes because my time has been really stretched since I went back to work for the first time in 11 years, but I'm getting better at the time-management thing, and working back into a groove.  That said, I felt like this was a great week to pick 'Top Ten Tuesday' back up, because I just love this week's topic (which is funny because I'm really not the gushy, romantic type, and I absolutely DETEST Valentine's Day), so here goes...

YA Litwit's Top Ten Favorite Literary Romances

1.  Scarlett O'Hara and Rhett Butler from Gone With the Wind by Margaret Mitchell~ Gone With the Wind is my all-time favorite book.  I've read it at least a half dozen times, and will undoubtedly read it many more, and the biggest reason I love it so much is the relationship between Scarlett and Rhett.  He is also my #1 book boyfriend.

2.  Mia and Adam from If I Stay and Where She Went by Gayle Forman~ I have so much love for this couple!  The ups and downs, and the way things come full-circle.  It was amazing to me how intensely the emotions could be portrayed on paper, and between two people so young. I cried big, ugly tears during both books, for different reasons, but I was always rooting for them to end up together.  Read my review of Where She Went HERE.

3.  Wanderer (Wanda) and Ian from The Host by Stephenie Meyer~ I know there are a lot of Twilight haters out there, but believe me, The Host is a different book, and if you didn't know better, you would swear it was written by a different author.  I loved The Host, and one the main reasons I did was that the relationship between these two characters was built on so much more than the mutual attraction that is the foundation of most YA romances.  They really had to get to know one another intimately in order to fall in love, and it took time and patience, and the experience of reading their growth as a couple was that much more rich because of it.

4.  Avry and Kerrick from Touch of Power and Scent of Magic by Maria V. Snyder~ This is a relatively new series, and one that hasn't gotten tons of attention, but let me tell you, it is amazing (especially if you are a Fantasy fan).  That said, the romance between these two is great.  No insta-love here, and that makes me happy.  Plus, Kerrick is sexy as hell.  Read my review of Touch of Power HERE and Scent of Magic HERE.

5.  Karou and Akiva from Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor~ It pains me that I haven't gotten a chance to read the sequel to this book, Days of Blood and Starlight, because I loved this book, and Karou and Akiva had so much to do with that.  If ever there was a pair of starcrossed lovers!  Wow! Will they come back together after the terrible truths that the first book revealed at the end?  Some of you know, but please don't tell me....  Read my review of Daughter of Smoke and Bone HERE.

6.  Katsa and Po from Graceling and Bitterblue by Kristin Cashore~ Love these books so much (and I know Fire is part of the trilogy, but Katsa and Po aren't much more than mentioned).  I adore Katsa, and Po is just...  Katsa is one lucky lady, because it is so evident in all that he does, that Po absolutely adores her with all he has.  It is also quite clear, although in Katsa's rather cool way, that she feels the same.  It's so easy to overdo the romantic element in a story, and Kristin gets it just right.

7.  Anne Shirley and Gilbert Blythe from Anne of Green Gables, Anne of Avonlea, etc. by L.M. Montgomery~  Gilbert Blythe was my very first book boyfriend at the tender age of nine.  I thought he was the perfect boy.  He accepted Anne for who she was, and was just adorable in my imagination.  Add to that the innocence that is so lacking in today's world (and even in the world on nine-year-old me), and I was completely enamored.  Anne and Gilbert's relationship is one that created an almost impossible standard for any boy in my real life to live up to.  36 year old me still swoons a little for Gilbert.

8.  Lena and Ethan from The Caster Chronicles by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl~ Another starcrossed couple who I adore.  How anyone could even dare to compare them to Edward and Bella, I don't know.  I only pray that the Beautiful Creatures movie stacks up well to the book, and that the on-screen chemistry between the leads is even close to as electrifying as it was in my imagination.  I'm sad that this series is over, but I'm sure both authors have other great romances up their sleeves...  Read my reviews of Beautiful Creatures and Beautiful Darkness HERE.

9.  Tessa and Will and/or Tessa and Jem from The Infernal Devices by Cassandra Clare~  I have never been so conflicted over a love triangle.  Usually I LOATHE them, and in a way this one is no exception, but the difference here is that I also love this one.  I could see Tessa with either of them, so I guess it will come down to how Clockwork Princess pans out.  Read my review of Clockwork Prince HERE.

10.  Magnus and Alec from The Mortal Instruments by Cassandra Clare~ I think most would feature Clary and Jace on this list, and don't get me wrong, I love them, but Magnus and Alec hold my heart for this series.  Cassie Clare can write romance, because I think she gets human emotion, whether it's hetero or not, love is love...  I adore this couple and I truly hope they end up together forever. Read my review of City of Fallen Angels HERE, and my review of City of Lost Souls HERE.

Runners-Up

(because I just could NOT leave these ones out)

Izzy and Simon from The Mortal Instruments by Cassandra Clare

Jace and Clary from The Mortal Instruments by Cassandra Clare
Ana and Sam from Incarnate by Jodi Meadows (REVIEW)
Anna and St. Clair from Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins
Lola and Cricket from Lola and the Boy Next Door by Stephanie Perkins (REVIEW)
Ron and Hermione from Harry Potter by J.K. Rowling
Emerson and Michael from Hourglass (REVIEW) and Timepiece (REVIEW)by Myra McEntire

So... These are my Top Ten (err... 17) Favorite Literary Romances.  Are there ones that you believe should be on this list?  Do you agree with any (or all) of mine?  Do tell!

**Don't forget to enter my GIVEAWAY for a hardcover copy of NOBODY and a paperback copy of EVERY OTHER DAY, by Jennifer Lynn Barnes, by clicking HERE!! Ends Sunday, February 17th. USA/Canada**

Top Ten Tuesday: Top Ten Favorite Kick-Ass Heroines

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme brought to you by The Broke and the Bookish.  Each week a new Top Ten list topic is posted and book bloggers fill in their own choices.  I'm a list girl (as in, I don't function without them), so I thought this would be a good choice for me! This week's topic is an awesome one for me, because I love nothing more than to read a book with a seriously kick-ass heroine.  That said, it was really hard for me to narrow it down to just ten (and actually, I didn't, as you will see), so my list comes from books I've read in only the past few years.  So, without further ado, here is YA Litwit's Top Ten Favorite Kick-Ass Heroines...

Top Ten Favorite Kick-Ass Heroines

1.  Katsa from Graceling by Kristin Cashore~ Hands down, the most kick-ass heroine EVER, and it's no coincidence that she hails from one of my favorite books ever.  If I has to pick one book heroine to be, it would be her.

2.  Celaena Sardothien from Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas~ Celaena is new on the kick-ass heroine scene, since Throne of Glass is a 2012 debut, but she really made an impression on me.  She rivals Katsa, which is HUGE.  Loved the book, and much of that love had to do with her.

3.  Saba from Blood Red Road by Moira Young~  Blood Red Road wasn't my favorite book.  It was really excellent, but I had a few issues with it.  That said, the protagonist, Saba, is one of the toughest, most kick-ass chicks to grace the pages of YA.  The girl is brutal.

4.  Katniss Everdeen from The Hunger Games trilogy by Suzanne Collins~ What kick-ass heroine list would be complete without her.  Duh.  She is one of the most kick-ass characters of all time, male or female!

5.  Hermoine Granger from the Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling~ Another duh.  She kicks ass with her brains, which I love!  A kick-ass role model for young girls!  No one can deny Hermione!

6.  Tris from Divergent by Veronica Roth~ Tris is so kick-ass that there were times I wondered if she even had any emotions.  She is such a guy when it comes to kicking ass, which in my mind, is a good thing. 

7.  Kali from Every Other Day by Jenny Lynn Barnes~  Kali's fought off and eradicated all kinds of ridiculously scary paranormal creatures.  She is a predator of such dangerous things, and she rocks.  I think Every Other Day was one of the most underrated books of 2011.  I'm so bummed it was a stand-alone, because I could totally do with more kick-ass Kali.

8 and 9.  Clary and Izzy from The Mortal Instruments series by Cassandra Clare~ These girls kick-ass in very different ways.  They are both great Shadowhunters, and are able to fight, but their methods differ quite a bit.  Even so, these girls rock!

10.  Sophie Mercer from the Hex Hall trilogy by Rachel Hawkins~ Sophie is a total reluctant kick-ass heroine, but through the series, as she becomes more and more comfortable with her kick-assedness, she really comes into her own.  Also, she is really funny while she's kicking ass.

11.  Scarlett from Sisters Red by Jackson Pearce~ The girl is amazing.  The way she takes down those nasty fenris with a HATCHET?  The girl rules!  Her sister Rosie is pretty kick-ass too, but she doesn't hold a candle to Scarlett...

12.  Calla from the Nightshade trilogy by Andrea Cremer~  Wolfgirl can fight!  I was very pleasantly surprised with how much I enjoyed this series, and Calla was one of the most influential characters in forming my positive opinion.  Smart, principled, and kick-ass!  Love her!

13.  Anna from Anna Dressed In Blood by Kendare Blake~ She is one of the only villain/heroines I can think of, and I just loved her.  In fact,I  couldn't love the sequel, Girl of Nightmares, as much because there just wasn't enough Anna!

So, as you can see, even when going back only the past couple of years, I couldn't narrow it down to just ten, but I came close.  Do you agree?  Did I miss anyone?  Let me know, and don't forget to leave a link to your Top Ten!

** Don't miss my GIVEAWAY of THE DIVINERS by Libba Bray as part of the Spooktacular Giveaway Hop! Click HERE for details! International. Ends 11/01/2012 **