Friday, December 16, 2011

Deja Vu Blog Fest: My To-Read Pile

For some crazy reason, I decided to join the Deja Vu blog fest, where hundreds of bloggers are reposting their favourite post of all time. Now, my blog has only been alive for a couple months, so I don't have much to choose from. I'm sorry I don't have some incredibly moving words of wisdom to share. But as this is a blog about geeky things like sci-fi movies or novels, I am going to re-post the books that are on my to-read pile. I always enjoy getting book suggestions from other people's blogs, so I hope you will too.

P.S. Check out the list here for the other bloggers participating in Deja Vu, and for some truly awesome blog posts.

I have ten books on my to-read pile at the moment. What are they and why do I want to read them? Well, here's the rundown, in no particular order:



1. The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams

Why do I want to read this book? Because it's the Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, of course! A classic, sci-fi must read. I got five books of the trilogy for my birthday, so they are just sitting on my shelf waiting for me to discover what happened to all the ballpoint pens, where we are born, why we die, and why we spend so much time wearing digital watches.



2. Legend by Marie Lu

This book just came out a month ago, and it's already got some rave reviews. I realize the market is becoming saturated with dystopian novels, but there is a reason for it, cause some of them are just really good. (And if you haven't read the Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins or Divergent by Veronica Roth, go and do it NOW.) What I like about dystopian novels is the combination of action, mystery, suspense and romance, and this book promises all that.



3. Grimspace by Ann Aguirre

A heroine whose talent is jumping ships across the universe, you say? A horrible crash-landing? A prison break and a rogue operation set against the galactic government? Yes, please.



4. The Girl of Fire and Thorns by Rae Carson

I've heard the world-building in this book is incredibly good, rich, and well-imagined. The main character, a princess who marries a king at 16, transforms from an uncertain girl (also an unlikely heroine who likes to stay home and eat pastries) to a confident woman. I like a heroine with obvious flaws. Not that liking pastries is a flaw, mind you.



5. The Neverending Story by Michael Ende

I loved this movie as a child, and I would like to read the book that inspired it. It's about a boy who's taken into the book he's reading (and who hasn't wished that could happen?). The movie is imaginative, with fun creatures like luck dragons and talking turtles as well as an inspiring adventure, and I've been told the book is even more so.



6. Fox and Phoenix by Beth Bernobich

A YA that is not based in America? Bring it! This story is apparently inspired by a Chinese myth, and with the Asian sounding names Kai and Yun, that sounds about right. Blending magic and technology, the story tells of Kai and Yun's adventure in helping a princess travel across the country. And there are "ghost dragons." How can I resist ghost dragons?



7. The Scorch Trials by James Dashner

I read the first book in this series, The Maze Runner, and really enjoyed it. I loved how the author didn't explain what was going on, and you just had to keep reading and reading to have your questions answered. I also liked how this book was obviously directed at boys (though girls will enjoy it too), as a lot of dystopian fiction focuses on a female protagonist.



8. Partials by Dan Wells

I'm a sucker for science fiction where the human race is at stake. And the classic robots-that-look-like-humans are always a good time. This book looks interesting, where the main character is a medic rather than some kick-ass heroine (not that I have anything against those, either). And mandatory pregnancy laws? Plot twists, here I come.



9. The Rook by Daniel O'Malley

"The body you are wearing used to be mine." Okay, that got me. Myfanwy Thomas must discover who she is and follow instructions from her former self. Secret organizations, supernatural forces, a deadly special ability... I'm hooked.



10. Cold Magic by Kate Elliott

This book was up against Song of Scarabaeus by Sara Creasy in some online voting tournament, and Song is a book I really enjoyed. Cold Magic won though, so I really ought to read it. I love a good mixture of science, magic, and epic fantasy, so it's a good bet I'll enjoy it. And okay, the cover is really attractive! Not that I picked it up for its cover. Nope, I would never do such a thing.

14 comments:

  1. Ooh, you've got all kinds of fabulous books on your list, Allison! Love THE NEVERENDING STORY! LEGEND and GIRL OF FIRE AND THORNS are both on my list as well. Happy reading!

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  2. Nice to meet you, Allison! (I'm deja vu-er 158.) I've been reading realistic fiction exclusively for the past five years, but was a huge SciFi junkie once. Thanks for the recommendations!

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  3. Ooh, good list. My TBR pile is teetering, but I think I can find room for one or two of these (especially if I'm getting that e-reader for Christmas). I know Legend is gonna be a break out bestseller.

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  4. I've got Legend right in front of me. Can't wait to read it. I like your other ones, too.

    Thanks so much for joining the Blogfest!

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  5. It is nice to meet all of you, too! Thanks for stopping by, and I hope you found some intriguing recommendations.

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  6. You like a variety!
    Glad you entered anyway, even if your blog is young. Remember, we all started with no followers and no posts!

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  7. I seriously recommend Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy. Witty, poignant, and British. What else does it need? :)

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  8. Intriguing list of books you got there :)

    Welcome to the blogo-sphere and you can count me in as a new follower!

    Hope you can drop by my blog.

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  9. Hello Allison!

    Nice to meet you! You have a nice list here. I've read The Girl of FIre and Thorns and it was fantastic, but I haven' read any of the others. Although they are now on my TBR list. I do have Douglas Adams' entire Hitchhiker's series though, so it should probably be first on that list.

    Also, happy deja vu day! :)

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  10. Every single one of these books sounds good to me! Thanks for suggesting them.

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  11. You see, that's why I keep and notepad and pencil handy while I'm blog surfing...to write down interesting book, music, and movie recommendations. I'll be back!

    Thanks for re-posting this for us today! :)

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  12. wow. i am ashamed to say i did not know neverending story was a book before a movie. must go purchase immediately!

    i love your list. hitchhiker's guide to the galaxy is one of my all-time faves, and i just finished the maze runner trilogy - very satisfied with all 3 books!

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  13. Alex - I do like a variety, it's true! Hopefully there's something for everyone.

    Colin - British things ARE good, aren't they? Doctor Who also comes to mind :)

    Kristy - Thank you! I am planning on dropping by.

    Bailey - Nice to meet you. I am still getting used to the fact that people are actually interested in what I have to say and dropping by my blog!

    Lyn - I will let you know what I think of them as I read them! Hopefully they are all great.

    DL - I do the same thing!

    Erin - I've heard the book is fabulous, so I can't wait to read the Neverending Story. I'm glad to hear the Maze Runner ends strong.

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  14. Oh. I simply love books!!! YAY. :)

    I'm a new follower visiting from the DejaVu Blogfest. Nice to meet you!

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