Top Ten Tuesday: Favorite Kick-Ass Heroines

Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by The Broke and the Bookish. It's a weekly meme featuring

book-related lists. This week's topic is 10 of my favorite kick-ass heroines.

- Evanjalin (Finnikn of the Rock by Melina Marchetta): She's intelligent, brave, and fierce. She would do anything to save her country and always seems to be one step ahead of everyone else.

- Penryn (Angelfall by Susan Ee): She's a badass and amazing fighter and protector and can hold her own with whatever is thrown her way. Not even a hot angel by her side can distract her.

- Lela (Sanctum by Sarah Fine): She's been through so much in her life, and she's learned to stand her ground and fight back. She's strong and determined and never looses sight of her goal.

- Darla (Ashfall trilogy by Mike Mullin): She's a survivor and a tough and loyal and caring person. She can adapt to any situation and is the kind of person you want on your side.

- Sydney (Bloodlines series by Richelle Mead): She's highly intelligent and can figure her way out of any trouble. With her growing magic skills, she'll be a force to be reckoned with.

- Alex (Covenant series by Jennifer L. Armentrout): She's funny and reckless, but she's a strong and badass fighter. She'll do anything to protect the ones she loves, even sacrifice herself.

- Karou (Daughter of Smoke & Bone by Laini Taylor): She's beautiful and compassionate and loves fiercely. She's also a skilled and deadly warrior and determined to protect her loved ones.

- Zeraphina (Blood Song trilogy by Rhiannon Hart): She's smart and funny and is skilled with a bow and arrow. She doesn't allow her curse or her royalty to prevent her from saving the lives of others.

- Mac (Fever series by Karen Marie Moning): She has transformed into a worthy fighter. She may like girly things, but that doesn't stop her from getting down and dirty and kicking butt.

- June (Legend trilogy by Marie Lu): She's a prodigy. She knows how to use her brains and how to survive and fight. She learns from her mistakes quickly and isn't lacking in compassion.

Top Ten Tuesday: Books For People Who Like Melina Marchetta

Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by The Broke and the Bookish. It's a weekly meme featuring

book-related lists. This week's topic is 10 8 books, in no particular order, I think people should read if they like Melina Marchetta's novels.

(Note: I decided on only EIGHT books because it had already taken me 2 hours to pick these.)

- Pan's Whisper by Sue Lawson: Guess I should start off with an Aussie book! When I read this book's synopsis, I got Jellicoe Road vibes from it for some reason. That just made me want to read it. Now, don't expect another Jellicoe Road, but it is a heartbreaking and beautiful story.

- Something Like Normal by Trish Doller: I can't help but to recommend this amazing debut, since the main character Travis and his love interest Harper were inspired by Jonah Griggs from Jellicoe Road! It was an emotional and raw read. I read it weeks ago and still think about it.

- Where She Went by Gayle Forman: Another lovely book that made me cry. It's eerie and awesome how much this book reminded me of The Piper's Son. Well, Adam reminded me Tom. They could totally be friends. And guess what? Gayle and Melina think so too!

- The Queen's Thief by Megan Whalen Turner: How can I not recommend this series to fans of the Lumatere Chronicles? Melina is the reason why I read this series, and I'm so glad I did! My top favorite is The King of Attolia. It's badass, hilarious, and made me 'squee!' so much.

- Raw Blue by Kirsty Eagar: If you love Melina's contemporaries for their maturity and rawness, then I highly recommend Raw Blue. Most Melina fans, including myself, love this book. It's a heartbreaking but hopeful story. What makes it even better is that it's completely Australian.

- Graceling by Kristin Cashore: My favorite in the Graceling Realm series. After reading Finnikin of the Rock, I remember thinking that whoever likes Graceling should read FotR. So now I'm going to say the same for those who liked the Lumatere Chronicles: Read this book!

- A Little Wanting Song by Cath Crowley: Another favorite Aussie book. I know Graffiti Moon is most recommended, but I have such a soft spot for this book! It made me smile so much. A bit lighter than Melina's contemporaries, but still leaves an impact and has beautiful writing.

- To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee: This is more of a "OMG this book was mentioned in Jellicoe Road!" type of recommendation; however, it is such an amazing coming-of-age and thought-provoking read. Favorite classic I've ever read. And two words: Atticus Finch.

Any Melina Marchetta fans out there agree with any of my recommendations or have any of their own recommendations? I would love to know! Hardcore Melina Marchetta fan right here. :D

Top Ten Tuesday: Books I Feel As Though Everyone Has Read But Me

Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by The Broke and the Bookish. It's a weekly meme featuring

book-related lists. This week's topic is ten books I feel as though everyone has read but me.

1. The Morganville Vampires series by Rachel Caine - I feel like all my GoodReads buddies have read this series. There are so many volumes...with tiny text! Eek! I really want to read them though because my GR friends always get excited for nekkid Shane.

2. Unearthly by Cynthia Hand - I've heard so many GOOD things about this book. I really really want to read it and I can get it from the library, but I want to get through the books I own and haven't read first. I hope to read it before the end of the year.

3. The Book Thief by Markus Zusak - I've had a copy since last year. It's Aussie... I should have read it by now! But I'm just too intimidated.

4. The Iron Fey series by Julie Kagawa - I have read the first book, but I still haven't gotten around to reading the rest. I can get them from the library, but I just have to find time for them.

5. Looking For Alaska by John Green - I've wanted to read this for awhile, but I ended up reading two other books by Green instead. I bought a copy a few months ago, and I think I'm going to wait until I'm in the right mood.

6. Delirium by Lauren Oliver - I kept seeing this book everywhere earlier this year. I'm a bit unsure because I was 'meh' about her debut, and I've seen mixed reviews on this one.

7. Across the Universe by Beth Revis - This was a book I couldn't wait to read! I don't know what happened, but I didn't get around to buying a copy. Now, I'm not sure I care enough to buy it. I'll probably get it from the library.

8. Paranormalcy by Kiersten White - This one sounds funny, and while I planned on checking it out from the library, I didn't know when I ever would. I won a copy of the second book recently, so now I'll definitely go the library sometime for this one.

9. Nightshade by Andrea Cremer - I felt like I saw this all over the place last year. It's too bad they changed the covers... The reason I haven't gotten around to it is because I have a feeling this will be a love-triangle I won't like.

10. Hush, Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick - When this came out, I really wanted to read it! I waited and waited for the library to get it, but they never did. Thankfully a friend sent me a copy...but I still haven't read it. The reviews I've read have scared me.

Top Ten Tuesday: Sequels I'm Dying To Read

Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by The Broke and the Bookish. It's a weekly meme featuring

book-related lists. This week's topic is ten not-yet-released sequels we are dying to read.

1. Froi of the Exiles by Melina Marchetta - AHHH! Of course this is #1! This is the sequel to Finnikin of the Rock. I loved Finnikin so much! I was extremely ecstatic when I found out there would be sequel. This book comes out in Australia on October 3, so thankfully the wait doesn't feel too long! I've read the first chapter extract already and...whoa. This is going to be freakin' EPIC! Melina Marchetta is a genius!

2. Enshadowed by Kelly Creagh - Varen! The first book Nevermore took me by surprise with it's unique, dark and haunting story! I need this book right now! I've already waited a year for it, and sadly, it looks like I'll have to wait another year for it's release.

3. Isla and the Happily Ever After by Stephanie Perkins - Okay, so this is more of a companion than a sequel, but hey, I couldn't help it! I adored Anna and Lola, and I cannot wait to read about Isla! My expectations are very high, I admit, but I'm not worried because Stephanie Perkins is amazing!

4. Pure by Jennifer L. Armentrout - Daimon and Half-Blood were completely awesome (and aren't the covers amazing?)! The characters, the story, the action, the romance were all so freakin' good! I'm dying to know what happens with Alex and Aiden. Armentrout is definitely an author to watch!

5. The Golden Lily by Richelle Mead - I fell 100% in love with Adrian in Bloodlines, which shocked me since I honestly didn't care about him in Vampire Academy (don't hurt me!). I knew I would love Sydney, and she was as awesome as I expected. With the way the first book ended...man, I NEED to know what happens next!

6. Indelible by Lani Woodland - I adored the first book Intrinsical! Woodland did such a good job with Yara and Brent's relationship and the way she revealed all the important details. I'm super excited for this book, especially since I've heard it's even better, and curious to know what the ghost story will be about in this book.

7. Unwholly by Neal Shusterman - Unwind is probably my favorite dystopia ever (yes, it even beats The Hunger Games)! It's perfect as a stand-alone, but I was so excited when I found out Shusterman was working on a sequel. Not sure what it's about; however, I have a feeling it's going to be amazing!

8. Under the Light by Laura Whitcomb - This is like a sequel/companion, probably more of a companion, to A Certain Slant of Light, which I didn't realize I would LOVE until I actually read it. I'm so glad Whitcomb wrote this because I need to know what happens with Jenny and Billy!

9. Losing Lila by Sarah Alderson - Hunting Lila was a thrilling story, and I really really loved the romance! Girls falling in love with their brother's best friend has always intrigued me. Plus, it was action-packed, and I want to know how they'll overcome the bad guys!

10. Magic Under Stone by Jaclyn Dolamore - This is the sequel to Magic Under Glass, and while I don't remember everything that happened in that book, I still can't wait for this one! Because I do remember thinking that I need more Nimira and Erris.

Well, I think my list is pretty freakin' awesome. There are some others that would have made this list, but since those sequels don't have titles yet...I decided not to include them. ;)