Ten Books on my Summer TBR List
hosted by The Broke and the Bookish
Here are the next ten books I plan to read this summer. Not because they’re particularly summer-y, but because I need to read ALL THE BOOKS while I still can.
1. Wonder by R. J. Palacio
I decided to read this book after reading April’s review of it. As a future teacher, I feel it’s important for me to read about characters like Auggie so that I can better understand future students. Also, I wanted to read it because it’s an MG, and I want to have good books to recommend to future students. I’m anxious to read it.
2. A Confusion of Princes by Garth Nix
I discovered that Nix had this book coming out while I was searching around his author website for some reason… Garth Nix is one of those solid authors who I don’t necessarily keep tabs on, but whenever I come across one of his books I always pick it up.
3. Grave Mercy by Robin LaFevers
I’ve been hearing about Grave Mercy on so many of my favourite book blogs that I knew that I had to check it out. When I saw that my library had just gotten it in, I immediately put it on hold. Bring on the assassin nuns!
4. A Million Suns by Beth Revis
Despite not really enjoying Across the Universe, I am reading its sequel because I try not to leave series unfinished except in the most extremes of cases.
5. Fever by Lauren DeStefano
Even though I mostly enjoyed Wither, I’m nervous to read its sequel. The mixed reviews haven’t been helping, but again, I try not to leave series unfinished.
6. Beauty Queens by Libba Bray
Libba Bray is an author I’ve heard amazing things about but never really gotten around to reading. I recently read Going Bovine on one of my rare “let’s browse the shelves of the library and pick some non-pre-planned books!” and I was really impressed. My library just got a copy of the audiobook of this in, which is like hitting two birds with one stone for me.
7. Anna Dressed in Blood by Kendare Blake
This is another blog buzz book that I’ve decided to check out. I honestly don’t know THAT MUCH about it (which I love), so it should be an interesting read. I love it when my library gets new books in. So. Much.
8. The Sea of Monsters by Rick Riordan
After finishing The Lightning Thief (review coming in about three weeks), I immediately put this book on hold. Again, another audiobook. Audiobooks are totally changing my point of view on driving and cleaning.
9. Just Listen by Sarah Dessen
I’ve only read one Sarah Dessen novel, so I thought it might be time to read a few more. Picked this one because there was a wait list for it…so that must mean it’s good, right?
10. Bumped by Megan McCafferty
This series has been on my reading radar for awhile now. (Yes, I have a reading radar. Don’t you?) I don’t know how it got bumped up so high on my tbr list, but there it is, and soon I shall read it…
What’s scary is I have another nine books on hold at the library (including Fracture, The Iron King, and Insurgent) plus two dozen purchased books I need to get through (Feed series, Artemis Fowl series, a ton of Atwood’s books), not to mention the eleven books I’m “currently reading” or all the books I’m longing to reread. SO MANY BOOKS, SO LITTLE TIME!
coffeeandwizards 
Am quite surprised I haven’t heard of most of the books on your list! Like the look of the first one ;p
Also: ARTEEEMIIISSS FOOOWWWLLL!!! Homg, last book of the series is coming out, like SOON. Like, in the next month. EEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I started reading it last night. I think you would enjoy it for some of the reasons I mentioned plus because it’s well-written. There’s a really strong character voice.
I KNOW!!! I just bought the Atlantis Complex (which I haven’t read yet) and ahhh I love that series. I’m planning to do a full re-read.
I really cannot wait for the day when you finish the Newsflesh trilogy. I NEED TO KNOW YOUR THOUGHTS.
Also, Just Listen is one of my favorite Dessen books. Kimberly got me into Dessen and her books are fun reads. Incentive to read more Dessen? Basically all of her books take place in the same universe so while each book stands alone, she throws in fun shout outs to other books (similar to the way in which other Disney characters show up in Toy Story… if that example makes any sense at all).
I WANT TO READ IT SO BADLY! But because I bought it, it keeps getting pushed down my reading list because it’s always available for me to read *headesk*
Ohhhhh really?? I should probably read them in order of publication, then, right? I don’t want to miss the little references…
hahaha I know what you mean. I’m okay with waiting YEARS, as long as I get to know your reaction XD
maybe? I mean, I read them out of order and I still found a lot of references…hmmm… Now I want to re-read all of them lol 🙂
An unfinished series is like a nagging itch, isn’t it? Rick Riordan’s a fun author: he’s doing another series about the Olympian gods, this time from the Roman perspective.
Bastille Day reading is one of my yearly traditions. It’s always fun finding an appropriate book! 🙂
His new series is what pushed me to read the Percy Jackson series. I could feel myself falling behind XD
reading traditions are the best kind of traditions!
That’s pretty much the reason I went ahead and read his Egyptian series, heh.
This is a great list! I’ve been hearing a lot about Wonder; I’m always looking for MG recommendations. Also, can’t wait to read Grave Mercy–I love R.L. LaFevers’ writing.
I thought this was her debut for some reason. Glad to hear she’s a good writer!
Just to poke my head into this conversation, she used R. L. LaFevers for her middle grade series and went with Robin LaFevers for Grave Mercy, which may explain your confusion. I didn’t realize they were the same author at first either.
Great list! I hope you enjoy Rick Riordan’s book, the Percy Jackson series was fantastic! I also hope ot check out Garth Nix’s new book, it sounds intriguing xD
Here’s my TTT for this week =)
YES, you must read Grave Mercy! It’s awesome 😀
Fever is also on my list, despite the mixed reviews I’ve read. Like you, I seldom like to leave a series unfinished.
I always love the variety in your TTT posts. I’ve heard amazing things about Wonder and Beauty Queens so I am excited to hear your thoughts. I loved Grave Mercy and I’m also working my way through the Percy Jackson series on audio. They are really good audiobooks!
aww thanks dear ❤
And yeah, I'm really enjoying the PJ audiobooks thus far. Glad to here the rest are good!
Yup, we definately had different opinions of Across The Universe. I’m the same though, in that unless I absolutely despise a book/series, I try to finish it.
I felt like Fever was very similar to Wither. It had the potential to be good, but wasn’t. Still, give it a shot. 🙂
I can’t WAIT to read Fever! 🙂
First off: GET YOUR HANDS ON GRAVE MERCY!!! I feel like since you enjoyed the Graceling series so much, you will probably really like this one. I was a little “meh” at first, but then like 3 pages into it I got REALLY into it. As for Fever, it’s been a little while since I read it, but I think I mostly liked it. It was really different than Wither and a lot more creepy. I also found I missed Linden…
What do you think about the narrator for the Percy Jackson series? I checked out The Last Olympian (#5 in the series) a while back and couldn’t stand him. Wondered what your thoughts were on him?
I have two physical books and two audiobooks to get through before reading Grave Mercy, but should read it next week 🙂
Do you mean the narrator of the story (i.e. Percy) or like the narrator of the audiobook? I’ll probably end up talking about both in my review in a couple weeks.
Narrator of the audiobook – sorry! I love Percy narrating… hated the guy reading the book.
Just Listen is pretty good, but not my favorite Dessen. I love This Lullaby and The Truth about Forever.
I want to say The Truth about Forever is the one I’ve read…but I may be making that up…
YES! Grave Mercy is awesome. Definitely not a light Summer beach read but AWESOME!
This is a great list. First off I loved Beauty Queens and I feel like it was even somewhat current with the Miss USA supporting transgender contestants story! Libba Bray is so ahead of the curve.
Also my sister is a huge Garth Nix fan – not sure if she knows about this one, so I will have to pass it along!
Oh yay that would be so cool if my list told your sister about a new release of one of her favourite authors 😀 I just started it last night and I’m not sure if it’s my favourite of his books, but I’m only 50 pages in so I think I’ll withhold judgement for now.
You have a lot of good choices!
I loved Nix’s Abhorsen trilogy, but for some reason I was less than wowed by A Confusion of Princes. It seemed very focused on the technology at times, rather than the story, and I didn’t really connect with any of the characters, including the protagonist.
But I am a huge fan of Grave Mercy! I don’t think the tagline their using about “assassin nuns” is quite the right image, but it’s a really good story and an imaginative world. The romance is also great!
And I still need to read Fever, too. I liked Wither decently enough, but I haven’t rushed out for Fever. My library doesn’t have it and I don’t feel it’s worth purchasing a hardcover.
I just started A Confusion of Princes and I understand what you’re saying. I’m especially having difficulty with all the lingo. I wish there was an appendix or something.
Great list, I really want to read more Sarah Dessen novels this summer 🙂
My Top Ten Tuesday: http://booknookgirl.blogspot.com/2012/06/top-ten-tuesday-summer-to-be-read.html
I agree about Garth Nix – I’ve enjoyed every book of his that I’ve read. I also want to read Grave Mercy and Anna Dressed in Blood. Looks like lots of fantasy/paranormal on your list, which is awesome. Hope you can get to them all!
I really liked Wonder and adored Beauty Queens. Hope you get to enjoy these books soon!
Finished Wonder last night and it was absolutely gorgeous. Beauty Queens should be coming it at the library soon, so I’m looking forward to it. 🙂
Wonder is one I want to read as well – and I loved Anna Dressed in Blood. Hope you get to all these books plus enjoy them all 🙂
Oooo! BEAUTY QUEENS! I have so much love for Beauty Queens. Anna Dressed In Blood is really good too! 🙂
–Allison L (Good Books and Good Wine)
There’s a whole lot of Beauty Queens love that’s making me even more excited for it! Glad to hear it’s good because I wasn’t really sure what I was getting into with it or Anna 🙂
I really liked Grave Mercy, and I can’t wait to read Anna Dressed In Blood. I think you’ll really like Grave Mercy, especially since you love Graceling. It’s amazing how many of the books I’ve read or want to read. Plus a few I gave up on…I don’t think Sarah Dessen is my cup of tea, but I can kind of get the appeal of her books. Great list!
I think Sarah Dessen can be my thing if I’m in the right mood, but she’s not normally the kind of author/book I would go after on purpose.
Grave Mercy and Beauty Queens are on my list as well. Have purchased both! I am currently reading Across the Universe and will definitely read the sequel immediately after I finish!
I heard Sarah Dessen speak at the National Book Festival this year and she was super adorable. I haven’t read any of her books, but after having such a good experience with contemporary reads (Stephanie Perkins) lately, I want to give Dessen a try too! Plus, I heard that Dessen likes to have characters from past books make cameo appearances in other books which I think is a super cool thing for an author to do ^_^
Grave Mercy was super good! Still haven’t gotten my hands on Beauty Queens though.
I’ve just heard about that as well. It makes me want to read her books in order cause I love that kind of thing!
I feel the same way (So many books, so little time!) It’s hard to decide what to read because I don’t have the time to read everything I would like it!
I totally agree with you reading Just Listen by Sarah Dessen. It’s one of my favorite books by her, and I hope you love it!
And I totally agree that you should continue with the Percy Jackson series. I’m a big Riordan fan, and I really think the series is well done.
I just started listening to The Sea of Monsters and it’s off to a pretty fun start 🙂
Sarah Dessen is PERFECT for summer omg. AND PRECY JACKSON. I need to re-read the first and second book and read the rest of the series even though I know what happens since I’ve read the first two books of the companion series. Sigh. AND OMG GRAVE MERCY HOW HAVE YOU NOT READ THAT YETTTTTTT.
I think you should be able to follow without rereading the first and second. At the beginning of the second book he basically recaps the first; probably because it’s an MG series.
I just finished it a couple days ago and I LOVED IT!!
Grave Mercy was so great! PERCY JACKSON is my spirit animal, I swear. Honestly, I wanted to marry him. I still do, who am I kidding. Dessen and Bumped are perfect for summer but you might enjoy Megan McCafferty’s Jessica Darling books a bit more. Happy reading!!
The more I read about Percy, the more I love him as well. He’s such a sweet heart.
I really want to read the Jessica Darling series, but my library doesn’t have the first book which SUCKS.