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Home | Top Ten Tuesday | Top Ten (err Seven) Best Sequels Ever – Top Ten Tuesday

Top Ten (err Seven) Best Sequels Ever – Top Ten Tuesday

September 24, 2013 - Updated May 7, 2019 // 43 Comments

TTTlogo

Top Ten Tuesday, as  always, is hosted at my other blog — The Broke & the Bookish

This week’s topic: Top Ten (seven) Best Sequels EVER

 

This one is tricky for me. I already told you about my list of shame (aka all the series I started but have never finished) so I don’t actually have A TON of sequels to choose from here so this list will only be 7. But THESE…let me tell YOU..they are the best of the best!! There were some other sequels that I LIKED but they were not THE BEST EVER.

best YA sequelsTTTtwo

Unravel Me by Tahereh Mafi: This sequel drew me in even more with its explosiveness and the sexiness of it. Everything was heightened — the tension, the romance, the emotions. OMG SO GOOD.

Through The Ever Night by Veronica Rossi: I really enjoyed Under the Never Sky BUT OMG Through The Ever Night bumped this up to one of my favorite series of all times. I love everything about it — especially the characters. I’ve gotten so many of my friends into this series because I CANNOT SHUT UP ABOUT IT. It just gets better and better the further you get into it!

Envy by Elizabeth Miles: This series is one of the most underrated in my opinion. Fury was good but Envy just blew book 1 away.

Second Helpings by Megan McCafferty: The LOLS kept coming and I felt more in love with Jessica and Marcus. JD will forever be my spirit animal.

Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins: I read this during a readathon and I FLEW through this one and I didn’t think this would ever be as good as The Hunger Games was but HOT DAMN IT WAS.

Duets/Companion Novels (not series but contain two books)

AKA THE GAYLE FORMAN SHOW

Just One Year by Gayle Forman: GOOD GOD. I still can’t get over this one.
Where She Went by Gayle Forman: I think I’m one of the few that loved WSW more than If I Stay..which is saying a lot because I LOVED If I Stay.

So tell me…which sequels have been your favorite? Do you agree with any of mine? Disagree? If you know which series I’ve been reading..which sequels do I need to hurry up and read??

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Filed Under: Top Ten Tuesday Tagged With: lists, Top ten list, Top Ten Tuesday

About Jamie

Jamie is a 32 year old married lady (with a new baby!!) who is in denial that she's actually that old to be a married lady and a mom. When she's not reading you can find her doing Pilates followed by eating ice cream, belting out Hamilton (loud and offkey) and having adventures with her husband, daughter and rescue dog.

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Comments

  1. marissa | Rae Gun Ramblings says

    September 24, 2013 at 12:18 am

    I did where she went too. I was so so close to putting unravel me!
    My Top Ten

    Reply
  2. Sara @ Just Another Story says

    September 24, 2013 at 12:24 am

    I have never been as impatient for a book as I am for Just One Year. SO excited. Catching Fire also made it onto my list this week. It really was a good book.

    ~Sara @ Just Another Story

    Reply
  3. Cait says

    September 24, 2013 at 12:36 am

    Catching Fire was great, hunger games was my favourite series so far. I love the blog set up too btw looks great! Here is my list: http://caitstruelife.wordpress.com/2013/09/24/top-ten-tuesday-top-ten-best-sequels-ever/

    Reply
  4. Alexia @ Adventures in Reading says

    September 24, 2013 at 12:44 am

    Unravel Me was AMAZING. I actually thought it was better than Shatter Me. Oh and TOTALLY agree with Catching Fire. I still think that was the best book of the Hunger Games trilogy.

    Reply
  5. Melissa @ Writer Grrl Reads says

    September 24, 2013 at 12:47 am

    Unravel Me was awesome, as was Through The Ever Night …. So excited for the final books in both series!!

    Reply
  6. Bekka @ Pretty Deadly Reviews says

    September 24, 2013 at 12:47 am

    *hides*
    I have read a grand total of ONE of these books – Catching Fire (which made my list!) Also, I read If I Stay but I really, really disliked it, so I never continued on to Where She Went.
    I’m like you in that I am THE WORST when it comes to finishing or being up to date with series. I’m so far behind on so many of them 🙁

    Reply
  7. Chrissi Reads says

    September 24, 2013 at 12:50 am

    Catching Fire and Unravel Me are on my list this week too. I think they were such brilliant second books. I also had a similar problem with this list this week. I have too many series unfinished! Oops.

    Reply
  8. Alyssa @ Swept Away By Books says

    September 24, 2013 at 1:41 am

    Through The Ever Night! Loved it even more then UTNS. I have been dying to read Shatter me and the rest of her series so i’ll get to it. And If I Stay and Where She Went are high on my tbr still!

    My Top Ten

    Reply
  9. Shannon says

    September 24, 2013 at 2:00 am

    I can not wait for Just One Year. Gayle Forman is an excellent author .

    Reply
  10. Wendy @ Wensend.com says

    September 24, 2013 at 3:59 am

    I don’t think I can think of 10 best sequels haha. I’m soooo bad at reading series

    Reply
  11. kimberlyfaye says

    September 24, 2013 at 5:24 am

    Unravel Me and Where She Went made my list too. 🙂 I am not-so-patiently waiting on Just One Year.

    My TTT.

    Reply
  12. Mel@thedailyprophecy says

    September 24, 2013 at 6:13 am

    Catching fire is my favorite book from THG (especially because of Finnick! :D) I really liked the environment and I found it much more spectacular than THG.

    I can’t believe I still haven’t read Shatter me..

    Mel@thedailyprophecy.

    Reply
  13. Cate says

    September 24, 2013 at 8:25 am

    I also had a hard time coming up with ten sequels. I think because I am so excited to read so many different stories, that it takes a lot for me to stick around for the same characters! I agree with you about Catching Fire (I think it was the best in the trilogy!).

    Reply
  14. Kristen@My Friends Are Fiction says

    September 24, 2013 at 8:41 am

    I’ve not read Just One Day yet! I need to because I see so many people loving it. I’m not a huge fan of Contemporary but this one might be worth it. I loved Catching Fire too and have it on my list too.
    My Friends Are Fiction’s Top Ten Tuesday

    Reply
  15. Anya says

    September 24, 2013 at 8:42 am

    Hehe I totally hear you about not reading many sequels, I just get distracted by all the new first books! Through the Ever Night is on my list too though, omg loved that one!

    My TTT

    Reply
  16. Stephanie B says

    September 24, 2013 at 9:01 am

    I seriously can’t decide if I like The Hunger Games or Catching Fire more. But Catching Fire definitely made it to my list too. Love that book so much.

    Reply
  17. Ula @ Blog of Erised says

    September 24, 2013 at 9:12 am

    Catching Fire made my list as well, the rest are still on my reading pile. 🙂

    My TTT

    Reply
  18. Tiff @ Mostly YA Lit says

    September 24, 2013 at 9:28 am

    I have Where She Went on my list, too – I also loved it way more than If I Stay. Second Helpings is also on my list – the ultimate sequel.

    I’m still waiting to read Just One Year (and slowly melting into a puddle of nothing because I don’t have it yet…)

    Must get to those Veronica Rossi novels…

    I loved Catching Fire so much as well…but my husband was very annoyed by it. He thought it was a total rehash of The Hunger Games, and I was like, “Are you kidding? She just heightened the whole thing by, like, a THOUSAND!!!”

    Reply
  19. April says

    September 24, 2013 at 9:34 am

    Great list. I have Unravel Me on my list as well. I haven’t gotten around to reading Through the Ever Night, but it’s on my TBR List.

    My TTT

    Reply
  20. LLN says

    September 24, 2013 at 10:17 am

    Ooh can’t wait for just one year. I couldn’t think of tn either but here’s my list: http://wp.me/p36jwx-aT

    Reply
  21. Rachel says

    September 24, 2013 at 10:25 am

    I’m totally with you on Through the Ever Night and Unravel Me. And girllll I am so jealous you got to read Just One Year. I WANT.

    Reply
  22. Jennifer aka YA Book Nerd says

    September 24, 2013 at 10:31 am

    I forgot about Catching Fire 🙁 LOVED that one.
    Great idea with companion novels – fun list!

    Reply
  23. DeAnna @ Mommy's Reading Break says

    September 24, 2013 at 11:00 am

    Great list! I’m behind on several of these series, but we still have a couple in common! Here’s my list: http://mommysreadingbreak.wordpress.com/2013/09/24/top-ten-eight-best-sequels-ever/

    Reply
  24. Ginger @ GReads! says

    September 24, 2013 at 11:07 am

    I am not surprised to see that our lists are similar. Gayle Forman is like the QUEEN of companion/sequels.

    Reply
  25. Rebecca @ The Library Canary says

    September 24, 2013 at 11:58 am

    Unravel Me! And Through the Ever Night was amazing! I love that series! Can’t wait for the last one. I still need to read Gayle Forman… I’m going to get on it eventually, I swear! Catching Fire didn’t quite make my list, but it was also a really great sequel!

    Reply
  26. Jacque says

    September 24, 2013 at 12:33 pm

    Catching Fire is the only book on your list that I have read, but several are still on my TBR list. I’m glad to hear that you enjoyed them.

    Here is my link: http://jacquesbooknook.blogspot.fr/2013/09/top-ten-tuesday-best-sequels-ever.html

    Reply
  27. kimberlybuggie says

    September 24, 2013 at 12:45 pm

    I am insanely jealous you have read Just One Year already. That is awesome. Oh, and it’s like amazing? 🙂 I can’t wait to get my hands on it. Great list. Happy TTT.
    My TTT

    Reply
  28. Rachel says

    September 24, 2013 at 12:48 pm

    So happy to find someone who also liked Envy!!!!!! Eternity is awesome too!

    Reply
  29. leydylaura says

    September 24, 2013 at 2:23 pm

    I can’t wait for Just One Year!

    We are doing a Fall Giveaway. Click here to enter – Ghost Time by Courtney Eldridge and 3:59 by Gretchen McNeil. Perfect for the season!

    Leydy @ OUaT & Redcarpetendings

    Reply
  30. Mary @ Mary Had a Little Book Blog says

    September 24, 2013 at 4:01 pm

    Definite yes to Unravel Me and Through the Ever Night. They were both completely amazing. Catching Fire and Hunger Games continually switch places for me. Sometimes I like one better, sometimes the other. As much as I love Gayle Forman, though, I really enjoyed the first books of both duologies better. I still adore WSW and JOY, though. Witnessing Adam and Willem find themselves–and their ladies–was magical. Great list!

    My TTT

    Reply
  31. Rachel says

    September 24, 2013 at 4:21 pm

    If I would’ve done companion novels, I totally would’ve put LOLA AND THE BOY NEXT DOOR on my list; have you read that one? And big yeses to UNRAVEL ME and CATCHING FIRE! And I still need to read UNDER THE NEVER SKY, JUST ONE DAY, and IF I STAY!

    Rachel @ Beauty and the Bookshelf

    Reply
  32. Daphne says

    September 24, 2013 at 8:06 pm

    I love WSW & Catching Fire more than the first books, too. Can’t wait to read JOD/JOY, now that JOY is out. 🙂 and YAY for Jessica Darling! loved that series, though I would have picked Perfect Fifths b/c of Marcus’ POV. 🙂

    Reply
  33. Leticia says

    September 25, 2013 at 12:33 am

    Catching Fire was by far my favorite of the Hunger Games trilogy! I haven’t read any of the others. But I AM glad I could at least comment. : )

    Reply
  34. KM says

    September 25, 2013 at 6:25 am

    I totally loved WHERE SHE WENT more than IF I STAY, so you’re not the only one. 😀

    Reply
  35. Betty says

    September 25, 2013 at 1:40 pm

    Loving these 7 doyke. Still can’t believe I have yet to read Megan McCafferty! Epic fail, I know.

    Reply
  36. Alisa Selene says

    September 25, 2013 at 4:30 pm

    Unravel Me was the best sequel I have read..like it mor than Shatter Me!

    Reply
  37. Ellice Y says

    September 25, 2013 at 7:06 pm

    I have noticed that Gayle Forman made A LOT of people’s lists. I need to get busy reading her books! (I own If I Stay and Just One Day… I have NO EXCUSE. haha).

    Yes, Catching Fire was an awesome sequel! I like to pretend like it was the last book in the series (even though it ends on a massive cliffhanger. haha). I just can’t handle what happens to poor Peeta in Mockingjay!!

    Reply
  38. Britt says

    September 25, 2013 at 8:52 pm

    Nice list. I’m horrible at following through a series too, that’s why I tend to binge read them. Unravel Me though. OH! Love it so much!!!!!

    Reply
  39. Hannah @ So Obsessed With says

    September 25, 2013 at 9:18 pm

    YAYYY! We have four of the same books on our lists, and I STILL can’t believe I forgot Catching Fire on mine. I obviously wasn’t thinking clearly!

    Reply
  40. Brittany @ The Book Addict's Guide says

    September 26, 2013 at 9:58 am

    Hellllll yes to Through the Ever Night! I think I loved it even more than the first!
    I LOVE the Gayle Forman show!! I’m so excited to read Just One Year. I’m just re-reading Just One Day before I do and then soooo excited!

    Reply
  41. Molli says

    September 26, 2013 at 12:08 pm

    omggggggg unravel me BROKE ME and BLEW ME AWAY. gah.

    I am still trying to work up the courage to read Where She Went. True story.

    Reply
  42. Karen says

    September 27, 2013 at 11:45 pm

    I totally agree with these books! Where She Went literally blew me away, it was amazing!

    Reply
  43. She Reads says

    October 2, 2013 at 7:28 pm

    I totally love “Where She Went” more than “If I Stay”. Of course you can’t have the sequel with out the first book, but seeing it from Adam’s point of view, man, that hooked me so hard and fast my head spun. I can remember exactly where I was and what I was doing when I was listening to “Where She Went”. I can’t say that about “If I Stay”. Just found your blog and love it! Thanks!

    Reply

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“Why is it so hard to pick my next read?” — “Why is it so hard to pick my next read?” — she says as she is surrounded by piles on piles of books on the floor and desk and packed on her bookshelf and book cart. (Partner @berkleypub - thanks for the review copy).⁣
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I managed to pick my next read, as chronicled in these photos, but it was not easy with so many options! 

Decided to go with a most anticipated book of 2022 for me from an author who has written books I’ve really enjoyed.
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I am about halfway through and cruising along because I NEED to figure out if Joseph is the worst or what really is going on here in this story that starts with 3 women being stood up by the same guy on Valentine’s Day.  I feel like there is something more to this one but I can’t quite put my finger on it yet! ⁣
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Hoping to finish it this weekend! What are you reading this weekend? And do you have trouble picking your next read? How do you choose amongst all the options?
Sunshine on my face and a mass market fitting perf Sunshine on my face and a mass market fitting perfectly in my hands.⁣…
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Truly felt like there were zero things more joyful than the warm sun on my face after colder, dreary days and remembering how much I love the feel of reading a mass market paperback. It’s probably a very specific little joy of mine and I definitely reveled in it today.⁣
⁣
But the real big joy has been rereading this book and experiencing it all over again before @bridgertonnetflix season 2 — especially the Pall Mall scene. And something to do with a 🐝 😅 iykyk⁣
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With all the joy I’m getting out of this reread it makes me wonder why I don’t prioritize rereading like I used to before I started blogging 10 years ago.⁣
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In my head I just want to experience all the new stories and try to make a dent in my TBR but I forget, until I do it, the genuine pleasure in revisiting old companions and how it’s a different side of reading one can experience — the nostalgia, the person I’ve become since reading the book and the way I approach a book already knowing what happens. Well the general sense of what happens because my memory is 💩!⁣
⁣
Anyways that’s what I’m up to currently. Trying to finish this up so I can pack my books for a short trip I’m going on later this week. My first ✈️ since 2019!⁣
⁣
Whatcha reading? Do you reread often? And tell me a little teeny tiny joy from your day.
If I was a person who made Reels I would somehow m If I was a person who made Reels I would somehow mash up the “screaming, crying”  Blank Space clip with the “emotional damage” refrain to the Bastille’s Pompeii to let you know how I feel after the last few chapters of #TheGildedCage !!⁣
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And if you don’t understand what that means, I’m sorry 😅⁣
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But woo boy do I need the third installment of this series!!! But I also think I’m going to be even more emotional damaged after that one soooo.⁣ 
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Seriously, one of the best simple joys of my life is the feeling of being so wholly and totally invested in a series that you have to remind yourself it’s fiction lest you spend all day in bed crying about the devastated look a character had on their face — a face you didn’t even see with your own two eyes but you are so invested that you feel nauseous and gutted like you sure did.⁣
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Just me orrrrrr?⁣
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No but for real. If you love YA fantasy, go start #theprisonhealer so you can be caught up when The Blood Traitor comes out in June (and be my emotional support person for the duration of reading it). I love these characters and I dying to see what happens next. 

Have you read this series yet? Last book series that had you SCREAMING CRYING THROWING UP because of the EMOTIONAL DAMAGE it inflicted?
A real life reading photo because I couldn’t be A real life reading photo because I couldn’t be bothered to make it pretty — mismatching fuzzy sucks, coffee almost gone and Christmas pajama pants that are super old.⁣
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But y’all Black Cake is so good!! I’m almost halfway through and I know it’s A Choice to declare it one of the best books I’ve read all year but I’m feeling bold based on how it’s going.⁣
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I love a good family story (especially one with a family secret!) and this is top notch. The writing is 👌🏻 and I know I’m going to be screaming when the pieces come together!⁣
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In other news, I’m 65% of the way through The Dry by Jane Harper and I’m enjoying it so much that I ended up staying on the treadmill twice this weekend after my allotted time was over just so I could keep listening.⁣
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Will and I FINALLY started Ted Lasso this weekend. It is a damn delight!! For all the hype and praise, it has overdelivered for me which is kind of shocking because normally hype is scary. I told Will that I feel like all the praise hasn’t even come close to how much I could love it. We are only 7 episodes in so no spoilers!⁣
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I’m kinda mad we sat on starting it for so long but at the same time I think the timing is right to help me see my way out of this February funk I have found myself in the past couple weeks.⁣
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Anyways, hope everyone is having a good weekend! Have you read Black Cake or The Dry? Where are my Ted Lasso fans at? I’m happy to join your ranks! Also please tell me your fave character bc I am finding it impossible to pick this far!
No but seriously every year I contemplate organizi No but seriously every year I contemplate organizing a search party for one Katjay Millay who wrote one beautiful and amazing book and then...vanished.

Like for real. She wrote a tweet in 2015 that she was taking a few weeks off and then.... no tweets, no new books. Radio silence.

I hope she’s okay, for real, and that she knows I obsessively stalk Goodreads/Twitter/the internet to make sure I haven’t missed new book news from her at least twice a year. 🥺

Is there any author who you’ve been waiting forever for a new release from??

I’d also like to add YA author Sarah Ockler to this list! Last release was 2015 😭😭
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The Sky is Everywhere — it’s out today on AppleTV+ and I can’t wait to sob my brains out. One of my absolute most favorite books ever by one of my all time favorite authors. It’s gorgeous and heartbreaking in its poignant depiction of grief, first love and healing — all woven together in Jandy’s signature gorgeous, lyrical writing.⁣
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Along For The Ride (out April 22) — one of a handful upcoming @sdessen books being adapted in the near future and I can’t wait! These books are so near and dear to my heart.⁣
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No release dates yet for The Summer I Turned Pretty tv series (the ultimate coming of age summertime story!) or The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight (the cutest meet cute of all meet cutes all set in 24 hours) but I am HYPED and have all my fingers crossed for 2022 🤞🤞

Have you read any of these? Anyone else hyped for these adaptations.

Also, for the past few years, I’ve kept a running list of books becoming movies/tv shows for the year. Head to my bio to check out the list! I try to update it weekly and keep on top of it all but life ya know 😆 but I try!
Is this a book club? I think we just started a boo Is this a book club? I think we just started a book club. Or maybe just a @jenniferesmith appreciation club?? (partner @randomhouse )⁣
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Either way, after loving Jennifer E. Smith's YA books for years, it's been a real treat to also read her debut picture book with Riley (we loved!!) as well as her adult debut out in 3 weeks!⁣
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⁣So let me tell you about that adult debut — The Unsinkable Great James!!

This one just was the perfect warm-hearted read for a cold and gloomy January.

A perfect setting to escape into (Alaska), a tender-hearted meet cute and a poignant look at the shared grieving experience of those left behind.

I was initially drawn, like I always am, to the daughter losing a mother storyline and an exploration of that grief but I was so taken by the father/daughter relationship between two people who were left untethered by losing the person who held their family together.

Greta and her father don't see eye-to-eye on basically anything when they are thrown together on this Alaskan cruise, a trip Greta's father and mother were supposed to take, and you can feel the tension of their long-standing tumultuous and fractured relationship -- a relationship that feels like its hanging in a balance and could not recover.

The two are both hurting so much from this loss  and it took my breath away at times in how true it rang to be in your own grief bubble and feeling like the loss is yours and yours alone while forgetting about the others shouldering their own piece of this loss. I loved watching them very slowly SEE one another.

I can't say enough good things about this one -- great setting, Greta's music, the meet-cute, the messy and imperfect nature of family and love. Definitely recommend!⁣
I was on a hot reading streak and now for the past I was on a hot reading streak and now for the past few days I get all cozy in bed to read at night and am asleep by 4 pages in. Will got a kick out of waking up to me basically spooning my kindle. Ebbs and flows, y’all.⁣
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Let’s do a little reading update with an edition of Last, Current & Next.⁣
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Last - The Girl With the Louding Voice: Adunni is by far one of the most memorable voices I’ve read in a book in a very long time. Her hope and resilience in the face of some awful situations kept me turning the pages and rooting for her. I can’t believe it took me so long to finally read it. Highly recommend!⁣
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Now - Deep in Providence (thank you @fiercereads ): I’m about halfway through after I carved out some time to read early this morning and I’m enjoying this story of grief, love and magic. I’m nervous about these girls trying to resurrect their dead friend though! When I put it down today I was getting a little creeped by some things happening.⁣
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Next - The Kiss of Deception: I’m rereading the first book in this YA fantasy series because it’s been forever and I really wanna finish the trilogy. I’ve been really wanting to go through series I’ve left unfinished for years (not for lack of interest but because I suck at juggling all the series I start) so this is one of them. I remember loving it so I’m excited to dive in and binge. 

Whatcha reading? Have you read any of these? Anyone else on the struggle train with reading at night right now?
Braved the downpour to get my library holds. I hop Braved the downpour to get my library holds. I hope they are worth it! Please tell me they are!⁣
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This is also, before I get to the stack,  an appreciation post for my tiny library and wonderful librarians.⁣
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They normally open at 9am during the week —except Fridays. Did I remember that? Nope. So I was I was SO proud of Riley and I for getting our butts in gear to be for around opening time to drop off a stack and get my new ones.⁣
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And alas, I go to open the door and it’s locked. Now I’m holding Riley’s hand, two tote bags full of books, an umbrella that I’m trying to keep over the both of us, mind you. I’m thoroughly confused until it hits me that it’s Friday.⁣
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So I’m like, welp, guess we are just dropping off in the bin so I try to grab my books out and put them in one-handed while juggling the umbrella and less than enthused Riley.⁣
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Mercifully the door opens and  our children’s librarian takes pity on us and lets us in to drop off and pick up the holds.⁣
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Is this what being a VIP as a celebrity feels like?? Sure feels like it to me 😆 for real though, it pays to be a regular and have a cute kid in tow who is being pelted with rain.⁣
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Anyways excited about this stack but especially Wahala, Daughter of the Moon Goddess and How High We Go In The Dark the most.⁣
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Also have been meaning to snag The World Gives Way after @jordys.book.club recommendation!⁣
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Have you read any of these? Any that you think were definitely worth the rain-soaked journey for??⁣
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Alright now I’m off to curl up and read on this rainy, dreary day which is really what I think a day like this is meant for.
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Jamie is a 32 year old married lady (with a new baby!!) who is in denial that she's actually that old to be a married lady and a mom. When she's not reading you can find her doing Pilates followed by eating ice cream, belting out Hamilton (loud and offkey) and having adventures with her husband, daughter and rescue dog.

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“Why is it so hard to pick my next read?” — “Why is it so hard to pick my next read?” — she says as she is surrounded by piles on piles of books on the floor and desk and packed on her bookshelf and book cart. (Partner @berkleypub - thanks for the review copy).⁣
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I managed to pick my next read, as chronicled in these photos, but it was not easy with so many options! 

Decided to go with a most anticipated book of 2022 for me from an author who has written books I’ve really enjoyed.
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I am about halfway through and cruising along because I NEED to figure out if Joseph is the worst or what really is going on here in this story that starts with 3 women being stood up by the same guy on Valentine’s Day.  I feel like there is something more to this one but I can’t quite put my finger on it yet! ⁣
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Hoping to finish it this weekend! What are you reading this weekend? And do you have trouble picking your next read? How do you choose amongst all the options?
Sunshine on my face and a mass market fitting perf Sunshine on my face and a mass market fitting perfectly in my hands.⁣…
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Truly felt like there were zero things more joyful than the warm sun on my face after colder, dreary days and remembering how much I love the feel of reading a mass market paperback. It’s probably a very specific little joy of mine and I definitely reveled in it today.⁣
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But the real big joy has been rereading this book and experiencing it all over again before @bridgertonnetflix season 2 — especially the Pall Mall scene. And something to do with a 🐝 😅 iykyk⁣
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With all the joy I’m getting out of this reread it makes me wonder why I don’t prioritize rereading like I used to before I started blogging 10 years ago.⁣
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In my head I just want to experience all the new stories and try to make a dent in my TBR but I forget, until I do it, the genuine pleasure in revisiting old companions and how it’s a different side of reading one can experience — the nostalgia, the person I’ve become since reading the book and the way I approach a book already knowing what happens. Well the general sense of what happens because my memory is 💩!⁣
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Anyways that’s what I’m up to currently. Trying to finish this up so I can pack my books for a short trip I’m going on later this week. My first ✈️ since 2019!⁣
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Whatcha reading? Do you reread often? And tell me a little teeny tiny joy from your day.
If I was a person who made Reels I would somehow m If I was a person who made Reels I would somehow mash up the “screaming, crying”  Blank Space clip with the “emotional damage” refrain to the Bastille’s Pompeii to let you know how I feel after the last few chapters of #TheGildedCage !!⁣
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And if you don’t understand what that means, I’m sorry 😅⁣
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But woo boy do I need the third installment of this series!!! But I also think I’m going to be even more emotional damaged after that one soooo.⁣ 
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Seriously, one of the best simple joys of my life is the feeling of being so wholly and totally invested in a series that you have to remind yourself it’s fiction lest you spend all day in bed crying about the devastated look a character had on their face — a face you didn’t even see with your own two eyes but you are so invested that you feel nauseous and gutted like you sure did.⁣
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Just me orrrrrr?⁣
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No but for real. If you love YA fantasy, go start #theprisonhealer so you can be caught up when The Blood Traitor comes out in June (and be my emotional support person for the duration of reading it). I love these characters and I dying to see what happens next. 

Have you read this series yet? Last book series that had you SCREAMING CRYING THROWING UP because of the EMOTIONAL DAMAGE it inflicted?
A real life reading photo because I couldn’t be A real life reading photo because I couldn’t be bothered to make it pretty — mismatching fuzzy sucks, coffee almost gone and Christmas pajama pants that are super old.⁣
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But y’all Black Cake is so good!! I’m almost halfway through and I know it’s A Choice to declare it one of the best books I’ve read all year but I’m feeling bold based on how it’s going.⁣
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I love a good family story (especially one with a family secret!) and this is top notch. The writing is 👌🏻 and I know I’m going to be screaming when the pieces come together!⁣
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In other news, I’m 65% of the way through The Dry by Jane Harper and I’m enjoying it so much that I ended up staying on the treadmill twice this weekend after my allotted time was over just so I could keep listening.⁣
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Will and I FINALLY started Ted Lasso this weekend. It is a damn delight!! For all the hype and praise, it has overdelivered for me which is kind of shocking because normally hype is scary. I told Will that I feel like all the praise hasn’t even come close to how much I could love it. We are only 7 episodes in so no spoilers!⁣
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I’m kinda mad we sat on starting it for so long but at the same time I think the timing is right to help me see my way out of this February funk I have found myself in the past couple weeks.⁣
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Anyways, hope everyone is having a good weekend! Have you read Black Cake or The Dry? Where are my Ted Lasso fans at? I’m happy to join your ranks! Also please tell me your fave character bc I am finding it impossible to pick this far!
No but seriously every year I contemplate organizi No but seriously every year I contemplate organizing a search party for one Katjay Millay who wrote one beautiful and amazing book and then...vanished.

Like for real. She wrote a tweet in 2015 that she was taking a few weeks off and then.... no tweets, no new books. Radio silence.

I hope she’s okay, for real, and that she knows I obsessively stalk Goodreads/Twitter/the internet to make sure I haven’t missed new book news from her at least twice a year. 🥺

Is there any author who you’ve been waiting forever for a new release from??

I’d also like to add YA author Sarah Ockler to this list! Last release was 2015 😭😭
Ahhh some of my absolute OG young adult faves are Ahhh some of my absolute OG young adult faves are becoming movies/tv shows soon! And one of them is out TODAY!⁣
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The Sky is Everywhere — it’s out today on AppleTV+ and I can’t wait to sob my brains out. One of my absolute most favorite books ever by one of my all time favorite authors. It’s gorgeous and heartbreaking in its poignant depiction of grief, first love and healing — all woven together in Jandy’s signature gorgeous, lyrical writing.⁣
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Along For The Ride (out April 22) — one of a handful upcoming @sdessen books being adapted in the near future and I can’t wait! These books are so near and dear to my heart.⁣
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No release dates yet for The Summer I Turned Pretty tv series (the ultimate coming of age summertime story!) or The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight (the cutest meet cute of all meet cutes all set in 24 hours) but I am HYPED and have all my fingers crossed for 2022 🤞🤞

Have you read any of these? Anyone else hyped for these adaptations.

Also, for the past few years, I’ve kept a running list of books becoming movies/tv shows for the year. Head to my bio to check out the list! I try to update it weekly and keep on top of it all but life ya know 😆 but I try!
Is this a book club? I think we just started a boo Is this a book club? I think we just started a book club. Or maybe just a @jenniferesmith appreciation club?? (partner @randomhouse )⁣
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Either way, after loving Jennifer E. Smith's YA books for years, it's been a real treat to also read her debut picture book with Riley (we loved!!) as well as her adult debut out in 3 weeks!⁣
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⁣So let me tell you about that adult debut — The Unsinkable Great James!!

This one just was the perfect warm-hearted read for a cold and gloomy January.

A perfect setting to escape into (Alaska), a tender-hearted meet cute and a poignant look at the shared grieving experience of those left behind.

I was initially drawn, like I always am, to the daughter losing a mother storyline and an exploration of that grief but I was so taken by the father/daughter relationship between two people who were left untethered by losing the person who held their family together.

Greta and her father don't see eye-to-eye on basically anything when they are thrown together on this Alaskan cruise, a trip Greta's father and mother were supposed to take, and you can feel the tension of their long-standing tumultuous and fractured relationship -- a relationship that feels like its hanging in a balance and could not recover.

The two are both hurting so much from this loss  and it took my breath away at times in how true it rang to be in your own grief bubble and feeling like the loss is yours and yours alone while forgetting about the others shouldering their own piece of this loss. I loved watching them very slowly SEE one another.

I can't say enough good things about this one -- great setting, Greta's music, the meet-cute, the messy and imperfect nature of family and love. Definitely recommend!⁣

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