Top Ten 2016 Releases I Meant To Read But Didn't Get To (But TOTALLY plan to)

Top Ten Tuesday

Okay, so I bought too many books in 2016. It was a crappy year and I did way too much retail therapy, folks. I have cut 2017 down to the bare minimums and am making my unofficial reading resolution to read the books I bought last year and then never got to. I made a list and it scares me... So, let's see what 10 of them are!

Hag-Seed by Margaret Atwood ~ Margaret and I have a love/hate relationship. I either love her books or can't stand them. This one sounded like a potential love situation, so I grabbed a copy.

The Witches of New York by Ami McKay ~ I love McKay's previous books, so I had to grab a copy of this one. Plus, she is a local author living not too far from me. So, must support the local authors. In 2017, Canada turns 150, so I really want to read more Canadian authors this year. 

Dark Matter by Blake Crouch ~ This was kind of everywhere last year, so I definitely wanted to give it a try. It has been on best of 2016 lists, too, so now to actually read it. (I actually started it at one point, but something else crowded it out...)

The Muse by Jessie Burton ~ I finally read The Miniaturist in 2016. I was all excited to listen to this one on audio, too, but for some reason there is no audio of this one. And, I asked, no immediate plans for one. So, reading it is the option. If it is like her first book, that could take a while... But, aiming to read it this year!

This Savage Song by Victoria Schwab ~ After reading, and loving, other books by Schwab, I definitely wanted to check out this series. I have heard it is not quite as good, but still should give it a try for myself. 

The View from the Cheap Seats by Neil Gaiman ~ I really enjoy collections like this, so I had to grab Gaiman's. I started it, but I am also really bad with short works and working them in around everything else I am attempting to do. I really must get back to it!

Fire Touched by Patricia Briggs ~ Normally a new book by Briggs has me super excited and the book is read ASAP. Who am I that almost a year later, this is still unread. I don't think I have been behind in this series since I started reading it. And, there is a new book out in March, I believe. Must get back on track!

The Obelisk Gate by N.K. Jemisin ~ Typical me. I loved Book 1 and still have not read this one. I am deplorable with series no matter how excited I am about the releases... Book 3 is out this year, so let's get on track!

Labyrinth Lost by Zoraida Cordova ~ This one was around a bit and it sounds really good. I also love cover. Now to read it!

The Queen of Blood by Sarah Beth Durst ~ When I read a review of this, I knew it sounded like a 'me' book. I even started it at the end of last year, but novels are just not working for me lately and it just sat unread. Hopefully I can pick it up soon and get caught up in it!

And, well, there are others... What books did you not get to in 2016 that you are hoping to get to this year?

Top Ten New-To-Me Authors I Read for the First Time in 2016

Helen Sedgwick - This is her debut, but it was one of my favourite reads of the year and I am looking forward to more from her in the future!

Mira Grant - I have been meaning to read her forever and finally read 4 books by her this year, plus one more under Seanan McGuire. All were pretty great and I look forward to exploring her more!

Amie Kaufman & Jay Kristoff - I really enjoyed Illuminae and Gemini. I also read Nevernight by Kristoff on his own and am excited about the sequel.

Michael J. Sullivan - After wanting to forever, I finally read Sullivan with his most recent novel. I have another one of his trilogies to check on via audio thanks to Audible sales, so hoping to get to him over the winter. And then the sequel to this will be out next year.

M.R. Carey - Based on this book, I am intrigued on more from Carey. That being said, I still haven't got around to getting a copy of the new book. oops!

V.E. Schwab - This book and the sequel were two of my favourite reads of the year. I really must get to some of her back list and cannot wait for book 3!

Amber Sparks - I am not a huge short story reader, but I have loved Amber Sparks so far. Hopefully she tries for a novel one day.

Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie - This should be required reading. It was about time I checked this author out!

Carol Rifka Brunt - Another important novel that I am glad I finally got to this year. Look forward to more from this author, too!

Geneviere Valentine - I have been meaning to read Valentine forever. This book made me curious about all over her back list and look forward to where she goes next!

Top Ten Tuesday is Hosted at The Broke and the Bookish

Countdown to Christmas & #AMonthofFaves2016

5 Popular Books Worth the Hype

1. | I actually read Illumiae and Gemina in 2016 after hearing so much about Illuminae in 2015. They were both definitely worth the read!

2. | The Nightingale was one of those 2015 books that I saw everywhere. I finally got a chance to read it a couple months ago and it was really good! I got a bit tired of WWII books for a while there, but this was worth trying them again for.

3. | The Fifth Season won the Hugo Award this year, so it was definitely buzzed about. I read it and loved it and actually bought the audiobook in the recent Audible sale because I want to reread it at some point. I am hoping to get to the sequel before the year is out or early next year.

4. | The Girls was definitely buzzed about this year and I amazingly bought it this year and read it this year. While maybe not the best book I read this year, I am still really happy that I read it and think it deserves the attention it has received.

5. | The follow-up to The Snow Child was so well done! Eowyn Ivey is an amazing author and I cannot wait to see what she comes up with next!

Is there an album or movie you like to listen to or watch first?

Not really. My music tends to move in the direction of whatever is on my computer for my first listen of the year and then branch out as December gets going. As to movies, I make sure to watch Muppet Christmas Carol before the month is over. That is about all the planning that I do for that.

WWW Wednesday - On Thursday (9)

WHAT ARE YOU CURRENTLY READING?

My actual reading has been quiet the last few days. Just haven't had time to pick up a book and settle in with it. I am technically reading The Queen of the Blood by Sarah Beth Durst. I am liking it so far and hopefully will get some time to settle in with it soon!

WHAT ARE YOU CURRENTLY LISTENING TO?

I have started exploring my Christmas present audio books! I went with Where'd You Go, Bernadette as my first listen and am almost done. I actually own this book in paperback, but had heard the audio was good... And, it is. So, I won't get mad at myself for buying something I all ready own. At least it will soon be off my TBR!

WHAT DID YOU RECENTLY FINISH READING?

Last week I had so much to talk about... This week, I have finished The Book of the Unnamed Midwife on audio. It was good for a splurge that I had not even heard of before. It is a twist on the typical end of the world type stuff and actually touches on gender and sexuality a lot. I liked how it was not like the other books out there and it actually made me think about issues that are presented in the book. If I had to guess, I would say she read The Handmaid's Tale.

WHAT DO YOU THINK YOU WILL READ NEXT?

That is always the question... I have so many books that I wanted to get to this year, and now here we are the last month of the year and I am reading so slowly. December is always a busy month, so we will see how things play out!

Top Ten Tuesday - Holiday Gift Guide - Ten Books to Buy the Graphic Novel Reader in Your Life

 A Game for Swallows ~ Good story and art. Talks about an important aspect of history from the view of someone there.

Batgirl - I am enjoying this run of Batgirl. The one before it, not as good, but still readable.

Deadpool - Pretty much anything Deadpool. He is a fun character.

Giant Days - Fun series about a group of university students. Believable, but also a bit of the unbelievable thrown in.

Hexed - I was listing comics I read this year, so since I reread this series earlier this year... It counts! One of my favourite series!

Lazarus - Love series with strong female leads. Definitely recommend this one!

Lumberjanes - Another series I reread this year, so it counts. A mix of the believable and the unbelievable. Good for the slightly younger and older reading crowd.

Morning Glories - Things are not all as they seem at this boarding school. Each volume brings new things to discover!

Paper Girls - Brian K. Vaughan in general is awesome. This series is off to a good start!

Saga - Another series that I reread this year, so totally counts. Love this series and it just gets better and better!

This is just a random collection of books I have read this year. There are many other awesome series out there.

Top Ten Tuesday is hosted at The Broke & the Bookish

WWW Wednesday - On Thursday (8)

WHAT ARE YOU CURRENTLY READING?

~ I am about 100 page into The Comet Seekers by Helen Sedgwick. This was a book I heard about back when everyone was sharing their BEA loot, but then never actually heard that much about after the fact. It sounded like something that I would like, though, so I pre-ordered it. I am very happy with this decision so far! I have some other essay collections and short story collections started, but I don't download them to my device and no internet for three days put me behind in electronic things.

WHAT ARE YOU CURRENTLY LISTENING TO?

~ I grabbed a copy of The Book of the Unnamed Midwife off of Audible because an editor on there mentioned it and I was indecisive on what to listen to next. I honestly have not heard of it before, but it is a different take on very common themes in books at the moment and I am liking it so far. My reading is usually so planned out nowadays, so it was nice to just listen to something that was not planned at all. I am also in the midst of Everything, Everything, but that is another electronic thing that I am behind in at the moment.

WHAT DID YOU RECENTLY FINISH READING?

~ I actually have been doing really well on the reading since my last post. I settled in and finished The Girl from Everywhere. It took me a bit of time to get into it, but I think that was just my mood. In the end I really enjoyed it and can't wait for the sequel. Then, I spent an evening finally finishing Feedback by Mira Grant. It was not as good as the previous books I listened to, but still enjoyable. I really just blame a cold for why I was so slow with it. I then finished Behind the Throne by K.B. Wagers and really enjoyed it! It only came out in August and the sequel will be here in December. I am excited! Last weekend, I settled in with The Marvels because I bought it at the end of last year and it was still sitting here unread. I have loved Brian Selznick for years and this was no different. I followed my audio listening up with The Magician's Elephant, which was an Audible deal last week. I didn't love it, but still a good author. And then, lastly, I finished The Evil Wizard Smallbone this morning. I really enjoy Delia Sherman, and this was no exception.

WHAT DO YOU THINK YOU WILL READ NEXT?

~ The question I always have the hardest time with. It is also Thanksgiving Weekend, which in Canada just means sales. I all ready did my annual audio shopping this morning. I am hoping for some good e-book sales over the weekend as well. So, we will see where reading takes me as we finish out 2016!

To see more WWW Wednesday posts, head over here.

WWW Wednesday - On Thursday (7)

WHAT ARE YOU CURRENTLY READING?

~ I am not so sure. Bad Feminist, Lab Girl, and The Girl from Everywhere have all been started recently. I just am all over the place in my reading, so am not sure where my mind is with my reading.

WHAT ARE YOU CURRENTLY LISTENING TO?

~ Well, I actually started a new audio! I am listening to Everything Everything and am liking it so far. But, I am still listening to Feedback. It is nothing against the book itself, just me. Hopefully I can finish it this week.

WHAT DID YOU RECENTLY FINISH READING?

~ I finished Jackaby on Tuesday. It was really good. I saw it around a lot for R.I.P. this year and I am glad I read it! It will be a fun duo, I think. I just need to read the sequel in some sort of a timely manner. Ha! Otherwise I read some episodes of Bookburners, and may even finish Season 1 before the year is over, and finished Being Jazz on audio, which was an interesting look into the life of a teen that happens to also be transgender.

WHAT DO YOU THINK YOU WILL READ NEXT?

~ I don't even know what I am reading now, let alone what to read next. lol There are many, many books I want to read. I just need to find more time to read and settle in with things instead of being all over the place with my reading.

To see more WWW posts, head over here.

WWW Wednesday - On Thursday (6)

What are you currently reading?
~ I started The Girl from Everywhere randomly. But, folks, I am hardly reading. Nothing new for me lately, huh? I also still am technically reading Bad Feminist, but haven't picked it up in a few days.

What are you currently listening to?
~ I have had a cold, so have been slacking on the treadmill. This means that I am still listening to Becoming Jazz and Feedback. Hopefully now that I am feeling a lot better, I can get back to them!

What did you recently finish reading?
~ I recently finished The Promise of Canada. It was really quite good. Charlotte Grey looked at 150 years of Canadian history through famous people of its past. And, it was a very diverse group, which made me happy. Let's face it, history is usually told by a bunch of white men. Grey included women, immigrants, and Native Canadians. As a result, she talked about people that I have not read about a million times before. It was refreshing! (Let's face it, all of our prime ministers were white guys. The one girl that was in power was just a figure head while the Conservatives cleaned up after Brian Mulroney.)

What do you think you will read next?
~ Some more nonfiction. I should read something off my list for Nonfiction November, but after really enjoying The Promise of Canada, I kind of want to read one of the other books by Grey on my TBR that I haven't got around to yet... I really want to start some new audios, too. It is late in the month for me to be still on the same ones!

Top Ten Tuesday - Books I Have Added in Litsy

Litsy has a really handy feature where you can add a book to your 'to read' shelf if it catches your eye! I thought it would be fun to see 10 books I have added to that shelf recently.

Thoughts: Frankly, I think the cover of this one caught my eye at first. And then I read the synopsis. It is a bit out of my 'normal' reading, but it sounds good!

Thoughts: I, of course, know who Felicia Day is and think this would be a fun read!

Thoughts: Not sure how I missed this one, but it is supposed to be one of those books that is just a great to look as it is to read!

Thoughts: This one sounded really good and like the next day, it was an e-book deal. Looking forward to reading it!

Thoughts: This has been on my radar before, but then I forgot about it. It was nice to have the reminder that I still need to check it out!

Thoughts: A fun sounding book about monsters. I guess it is a series, so curious to see what they are like.

Thoughts: I have read books about the Salem Witch Trials in the past, so I am thinking this is a good chance to revisit the subject!

Thoughts: The audio of this is on Scribd, so planning to get to it soon!

Thoughts: Margaret Atwood is one of those authors that I either love or hate. I am really curious about this one and hope it will be a love!

Thoughts: Another one that is sort of out of my norm, but sounds really good!

So, these are just some of many since joining Litsy. Are you on Litsy? You can find me there as bookishnerd!

Top Ten Tuesday is Hosted at The Broke & the Bookish