Top Ten Tuesday

Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme created at The Broke and the Bookish. Each week a new Top Ten list is posted. Everyone is welcome to join.

This week’s list…

Top Ten Books On My Fall TBR List

My reading speed is getting faster all the time, but I still kind of doubt that I could get through 10 books in the season of Fall. Instead, I can give you the top ten books that are fighting for the number one spot on m TBR.

Illuminae by Amie Kaufman & Jay Kristoff

Confession time. I’ll be reading this book 100% due to hype. I have not read the synopsis. I will not read the synopsis. I know it has something to do with emails. If I were to guess by the bright orange cover, I’d throw out a guess that the government found a way email fire to people, burning evidence and witnesses alike. They’re the real reason things go viral, and YouTube is just another form of control. Yes, I realize I’m probably not in the ballpark, or even the same country as said ballpark, so I guess I’m going into this book blind.

This Savage Song by Victoria Schwab

This book was already on TBR list when my wife picked it up and gave it a read. The first time I noticed the book sitting in our house, the bookmark was maybe a third of the way in. And then she was done. Not only did she give it a glowing review, she also put the sequel (Our Dark Duet) on her TBR.

Skyborn by David Dalglish

Another one that moved up in my TBR because my wife liked it. I’ll usually ask throughout the course of a read, “How are you liking this book?” Near the beginning she mentioned it was slow, but good. Then it reached a point where she put her book down for a second and said, “Well, I guess I’m not sleeping tonight!”

A Darker Shade of Magic by Victoria Schwab

Normally, I’d have to look to comics or episodes of Doctor Who to find a story about alternate universes. And even then, we’re talking strictly sci-fi. This gives alternate universes closer to the fantasy world. It’s one of those books I’ve heard nothing but good things about. I’ve always had my eye out for it, and so far it just hasn’t ended up in my shopping cart.

Nevernight by Jay Kristoff

The synopsis for this starts out: “In a land where three suns almost never set, a fledgling killer joins a school of assassins, seeking vengeance against the powers who destroyed her family.”

A school. Of assassins. A school of assassins. Is there more to this synopsis. Probably. But who cares? There’s a school of assassins. I’m sold. I’m in. Where’s the book and who do I have to kill assassinate to get it?

Armada by Ernest Cline

I’m half-blind on this one, too. I know something about kids playing video games, but it’s real life, too. Sounds a little like Ender’s Game, but maybe the powers are a little more upfront about it? I don’t know. I don’t care. Ready Player One is an amazing book. And that guy wrote another one? Gimme. That guy wants me to do jumping jacks in my front yard wearing hot pink spandex? How many? That guy wants me to eat healthy and exercise regularly? Settle down, Cline. There are limits.

We Are the Ants by Shaun Davidson Hutchinson

According to this synopsis, there’s this kid, Henry. Life has kind of been kicking Henry, and his family, in the face. Then there are these aliens, who are thinking about destroying the Earth, but they aren’t sure. At best, they’re wishy-washy. One day they’re flying around in their space ship, which is shaped like a pile of spaghetti noodles (I made that part up) and the say, “Hey. I know. Why don’t we let that Henry kid decide if we should destroy the world. Wouldn’t that be a good idea?” And so they do. And now Henry has to decide.

Maybe this just speaks to that dysfunctional side of me that has a bad day and thinks, “Okay, world. I’ve had enough of you for today. You’re lucky no wishy-washy aliens gave me to option to blow your ass up!”

Invictus by Ryan Graudin

Ryan Graudin tweeted that this book was Doctor Who crossed with Firefly. I love both of those things. So… that’s it. That’s all consideration it took. Ryan Graudin knew exactly how to market this book to a nerdy Joe-Schmoe like myself.

The Book Thief by Markus Zusak

I’ve heard so many people, in blog posts, in book reviews, in real life, tell me that this is one of their most favorite books of all time. ‘Of all time’ is a pretty serious thing. It’s not necessarily a permanent thing, though it often is. There is the off chance that everyone who said that had only read one or two books in their entire life at that time, and for a book to be one of their favorite ‘of all time’ wasn’t really an accomplishment, but I’m willing to take that risk.

All Rights Reserved by Gregory Scott Katsoulis

This is just fascinating. Every word, action, gesture, facial expression, snore, and bowel movement has been trademarked. To do anything, say anything, will cost you. Every word, every action, has a price, and this time that’s not a metaphor. It’s a literal price. I don’t even care what the story’s about. I just want to read something that takes place in this world. A boy taking a purple elephant to try out for the circus? Okay, I’ll read it. A school soccer team made up of kids who stutter? Ohh! Does stuttering cost extra? These are the questions I need answers to!

Fun fact about this post: My dog was on edge while I wrote this. If even my thumb tapped the table he ran to the front door barking his face off.