[Top Ten Tuesday] Top Ten ANTI - Resolutions I Have For 2016

Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme created by The Broke and the Bookish. 

Top Ten ANTI - Resolutions I Have For 2016

So these aren't really resolutions of the typical fashion. Instead of looking for more stuff to fill my AMAZING planner with I'm de-resolving. I had an interesting 2015, it was exciting and scary, loving and sometimes just rough. It was all of these things, I pushed myself to take leaps of faith and, more importantly, stopped doing crap I didn't want to do! 

So without further ado... 

10. I resolve to read without the pressure to review.

If you still follow Becoming Books then you know that a year ago I was a lot more active with 2-3 reviews per week plus other posts. After attending ALA Mid-Winter 2015 I just stopped. The pressure was too much. Work sucked and now my "hobby" was starting to feel more like work. I didn't know how to tone it down so I just stopped. Every time I would pick up a book I felt pressured to write a review post reading so I wouldn't even read the damn book. That stops now!

9. I resolve to read what I want, when I want.

I have this crazy theory that if I read what I want, when I want I will actually read more. This is to say... more than when I set my lofty Goodreads challenge goal or participate in other reading type challenges. Reading should be enjoyable and not a chore or even scheduled out. Unless I'm getting paid to read then there will be no excel sheet involved. 

8. I resolve to get some review help.

So there was a spreadsheet before I decided self-care was more important. Now I still have a load of advanced review copies that need reviews so I need help. I will also be attending BEA in Chicago so there will be more books to come. I'm looking for regular guest review bloggers. If anyone is interested in doing one review per month or more send me a message via email or twitter. 

7. I resolve to be the black sheep. (If need be.)

Because I don't like confrontation.... ughhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh.

For this reason if I liked a book but know the majority of book bloggers don't then I will undersell my love for said book. I know, I'm the worst. That ends now. Bahhhhhhhhhhh Bahhhhhhhhh, here comes the black sheep loving all the baaaaaaad books. :)

6. I resolve to DNF when it's time to DNF.

I've always had this sense of obligation to finish a book I start but.... my time is worth something too. It's finite, so my tolerance for reading books that don't captivate me is also finite. I think I'll go with the 100 or so page rule. My guilt over not finishing a book will be no more. 

5. I resolve to read 1 YA nonfiction book. 

In 2014 I read We Should Hang Out Sometime by Josh Sundquist and it was a hoot. I need to find a new YA non-fiction to make me laugh or cry. Okay, basically just emote. Any recommendations?

4. I resolve to stop requesting/borrowing/buying books I know I am NEVER going to read.

This happens to us all. There's an awesome library book sale, Book Outlet blowout, your friend has the hottest new book to movie/tv adaptation and you scoop them all up! ALL. THE. BOOKS. Then you never read them, you had no intention of reading them. Ever. This is the case with two books that have been in my trunk since October. Don't judge me. It happens. I also still have a friends mass market copy of Outlander on my bookshelf... almost three years later she lives in another state and I still have not read this book nor returned it to her. I suck at borrowing books. So until I can be trusted, no more. 

3. I resolve to be happy.

I know this is vague and sometimes I don't even have control over my emotions but... I do find that when I let some shit roll I'm a lot happier. Passivity has exponentially increased my happiness meter. This especially applies to online interactions. Do I really need to comment on that post? Does this really need to be a status update or maybe a text/phone call? Am I trolling or asking to be trolled? You get the picture. It's also election year so this will apply doubly. Just let. it. go. and read :) 

2. I resolve to finish the Harry Potter series.

Yes, I know. I have failed all things bookish. I did manage to read book one in 2015 and due to aforementioned reasons never made it through the series. So whether by paper or audio THIS. WILL. GET. DONE. IN. 2016. 

1. I resolve to plan passionately, with purpose and reflection.

In early 2015 I discovered the Passion Planner Kickstarter. My friend was like "do it!", I have never been so thankful for peer pressure. LOL. It's a great planner with some not-so-average features included. I've been using my planner faithfully but have not been using the unique features as much. Sooooo... this year I would like to resolve to use the mind maps, long-term planning and reflection features.

My new awesome 2016 Passion Planner #GOALDigger
You can always print and use the Passion Planner for FREE on their website.

What are your resolutions, goals, etc. for 2016? Or have you said pafooey to it all! Tell me about it. 

[Top Ten Tuesday] Top Ten Book To Movie Adaptations I'm Looking Forward To or Ten Book To Movie Adaptations I Still Need To Watch

Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme created by The Broke and the Bookish. 

Top Ten Book To Movie Adaptations I Want To See/

Need To Watch!

There are many movies based on books that I'm anxiously awaiting, however I've decided to only feature those with established casts/release dates in the near future.

Me and Earl and The Dying Girl

by Jesse Andrews, out on DVD
Own the book, haven't read it... will likely watch this movie first. At some point. There will be tears. *sniffles*

Goosebumps

by R.L. Stein, released October 16, 2015
Soooo... I don't get to the movies much. Hopefully I can catch this one on DVD or streaming. R.L. Stein is responsible for 90% of my nightmares.

Mockingjay, Part 2

by Suzanne Collins, coming to theaters November 20, 2015

Because one has to say goodbye. 

The Fifth Wave

by Rick Yancey, in theaters January 15, 2016

I've read the first two book in this series so I'm pumped and ready to see the movie! Not crazy about Chloe Moretz playing the lead but she's tough so I'll buy it... 

The Choice 

by Nicholas Sparks, coming to theaters February 5, 2016

Because it wouldn't be Valentine's Day without Nicholas Sparks and Tom Welling. I'm hoping to look passed all that is flawed in Sparks' storytelling and re-live my Smallville days while crying in my ice cream. 

Deadpool

based on Deadpool by Fabian Nicieza, Rob Liefeld, coming to theaters February 12, 2016

YASSSSSS!!! The Deadpool books are amazing and this will be nothing short of it. CANNOT. WAIT.

Divergent Series: Allegiant

by Veronica Roth, coming to theaters March 18, 2016
This movie adaptation has gone wayyy off course from the novels for me and that's okay. It's okay because I read the books a while back, I've forgotten a lot of details and I want to be entertained. Just no re-reading of the books, haha.

 

Me Before You

by JoJo Moyes, coming to theaters June 3, 2016

Grabbing my tissues now + Sam Claflin, can't lose.

Knights of the Round Table: King Arthur

based on the stories by Sir Thomas Malory, coming to theaters July 22, 2016

Guy Ritchie is probably one of my favorite modern directors with a cult-like following. Can't wait to see his spin on this literary classic with Charlie Hunnam as King Arthur. Be still my heart... + it's slated for a SIX FILM franchise!!! You can get a sneak peek here.

Before I Fall

by Lauren Oliver, filming began in October 2015 scheduled for 2016 release

Love Lauren's writing so I'll be curious to see how she and Paper Lantern Lit package this for success. 

What big book-to-movie adaptation have I missed?
Let me know in the comments below!

[Top Ten Tuesday] Top Ten Debut Authors Who Have Me Looking Forward To Their Sophomore Novel

Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme created by The Broke and the Bookish. 

Top Ten Debut Authors Who Have Me Looking Forward To Their Sophomore Novel 

In no particular order and some have already been released ;)

Martina Boone

with Persuasion (The Heirs of Watson Island #2) released October 27, 2015

Anyone who knows my reading habits I usually don't do sleepy southern/historical really well. However I loved Martina's debut! If you didn't already grab this one last week you should. :)

Victoria Aveyard

with Glass Sword (Red Queen #2) out February 9, 2016
This girl is wicked, not like evil wicked like wicked cool. Bring on the terror there are silver bloods to slay and red bloods to save!

Courtney C. Stevens

with The Lies About Truth out November 3, 2015
Courtney's first book slayed my feels. I expect nothing less of this. Got my tissues in hand.

Sandy Hall

with Signs Point To Yes released October 20, 2015

Sandy Hall's debut was super quirky and this one promises to be adorkable which I fully believe it will be. An easy read mixing humor and light issues.

Emery Lord

with The Start of Me and You released March 31, 2015
This came out in the spring during my reading slump. I hearted Emery's debut mixing music, friendship, and, of course, boys to churn out a feel good read. I expect nothing less out of this one. Don't spoil it for me! ;)

Michael Barakiva

with Hold My Hand out in 2017

So I read One Man Guy in half a day, it was a refreshing take on a teen gay relationship vs. the usual coming out story. Now Michael is planning the release of a standalone companion novel, Hold My Hand, that explores what happens when one cheats. O_o

Katie Coyle

with Vivian Apple Needs a Miracle (Vivian Apple #2) released September 1, 2015

Oh Vivian, sweet Vivian... what fresh hell are you still in. The world is still in shambles, resources are questionable and that ending... must read more.

Wendy Mills

with All We Have Left out August 9, 2016

Wendy Mills gave me some feels in Positively Beautiful even is it was a bit scrambled... but then I read the synopsis for this. HEART. BREAKER. I just know it. Using both the past and present we'll explore the post-9/11 world of two teen girls. I'm gonna need more tissues.

Alexis Bass

with What's Broken Between Us out December 29, 2015

While I wasn't crazy about Alexis' debut there is enough there to see through her sophomore effort. After reading the synopsis all I can think of is that Future and Adam Lavine song, "Would You Still Love Me the Same." 

And the last one is a stretch if not cheating haha... but it's my blog so...  a book that has been out for years but I have yet to read....

Laini Taylor

with Days of Blood and Starlight (Smoke and Bone #2)

This is really cheating because it's not even her sophomore album haha, it's just the second book in this series but I MUST read it. I have had this on the shelf entirely too long!

What am I missing? Tell me what sophomore efforts I'm missing and should put on my TBR! 

[Top Ten Tuesday] YA Characters I'd Like To Check-In With

Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme created by The Broke and the Bookish. 

Top Ten YA Characters I'd Like To Check-In With

This is a really cool prompt. Hmm... people I need to check-in with and want to know what's up. They will mostly be male, maybe it's wishful thinking that they'll be single. ;)

Adam Wilde

from If I Stay/Where She Went by Gayle Forman

Mostly because I want to know if he returned the iPod. The author says he has. I also want to see how he's doing and if everything worked out with Mia. I imagine us meeting in some obscure coffee shop where he plays acoustic on Tuesday nights.

Cath and Levi

from Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell
This is one of my favorite YA couples. I hope they're still together and making it work. I also want to know how Cath's dad is. I imagine us meeting up in a reddit thread about fan fiction.

Tobias Eaton/Four

from The Divergent Series by Veronica Roth
Sooo... how you doin'? *bats eyes* I hope he's doing well in a post-faction world.
I imagine us meeting up at the local outdoors store in the doomsday prep section.

Ponyboy Curtis

from The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton

I always imagined that he'd go on to be some great author. After losing so much I'd love to know that he got to grow old. I imagine us meeting up at the old gas station, he has a pen and pad, and still really shy.

Macallan and Levi

from Better Off Friends by Elizabeth Eulberg
I hope they're super happy and still super funny together. This was an amazing friendship to relationship to watch. I imagine seeing them on the local improv stage.

Zoe

from Maybe One Day by Melissa Kantor

This book left me in the fetal position hiding under a blanket unable to face the world. HOTT. MESS. I want to bring Zoe flowers, hug her and tell her it gets better. There could not have been a more beautiful friendship. I imagine meeting up at a nice NYC brunch spot.

George Weasley

from Harry Potter by J.K. Rowling

For reasons... *sniffles* 

Darcy Patel

from Afterworlds by Scott Westerfeld

Darcy signs a two-book deal. I need to know what happens... are her sales good enough for a book two? Does she get dropped and is broke in NYC? Is there a new girl in her life or is Imogen still around. So many questions to be answered over a bowl of ramen.

Gale Hawthorne

from The Hunger Games series by Suzanne Collins

So at the conclusion of the series Gale kind of goes his own way for much needed reasons. I'm curious as to what he's up to in the new society, etc. I imagine running into him while on the hunt.

Jacob Black

from Twilight series by Stephenie Meyer

Oh hate on Twilight all you want but I adored Jacob Black. Did he get his happily ever after? Is he leading the pack now? I imagine meeting up with him at the cliffs.

Which character would you like to catch up with?

[Top Ten Tuesday] Books Recently Added To My TBR

Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme created by The Broke and the Bookish. 

Top Ten YA Books Recently Added To My TBR

Oh TBR... okay, so I don't add books to my TBR unless I have them "in-hand". Books I'm interested in but do not have access to are grouped separately. So I decided to split the list... five from my actual TBR and 5 from my Interested list. :p

Click the covers for Goodreads

Interested In:

Soundless by Richelle Mead

YA Fantasy – November 17, 2015
For as long as Fei can remember, there has been no sound in her village, where rocky terrain and frequent avalanches prevent residents from self-sustaining. Fei and her people are at the mercy of a zipline that carries food up the treacherous cliffs from Beiguo, a mysterious faraway kingdom.

Queen of Shadows by Sarah J. Maas

Throne of Glass #4, YA Fantasy – September 1, 2015
Everyone Celaena Sardothien loves has been taken from her. But she's at last returned to the empire—for vengeance, to rescue her once-glorious kingdom, and to confront the shadows of her past . . .
She will fight for her cousin, a warrior prepared to die just to see her again. She will fight for her friend, a young man trapped in an unspeakable prison. And she will fight for her people, enslaved to a brutal king and awaiting their lost queen's triumphant return.

Lock & Mori by Heather W. Petty

YA Mystery, Retellings – September 15, 2015
In modern-day London, two brilliant high school students; one Sherlock Holmes and a Miss James & Mori & Moriarty meet. A murder will bring them together. The truth very well might drive them apart.

The Forbidden Wish by Jessica Khoury

YA Fantasy, Retelling – 2016
A retelling of the story of Aladdin told from the perspective of the genie--a girl named Zahra--who falls in love with Aladdin even as she is bound to grant his wishes to win the heart of a warrior princess.

Hotel Ruby by Suzanne Young

YA Contemporary – November 3, 2015
When Audrey Casella arrives for an unplanned stay at the grand Hotel Ruby, she’s grateful for the detour. Just months after their mother’s death, Audrey and her brother, Daniel, are on their way to live with their grandmother, dumped on the doorstep of a DNA-matched stranger because their father is drowning in his grief.
On The TBR/Waiting To Be Read:

An Ember In The Ashes by Sabaa Tahir

YA Fantasy – April 28, 2015

Set in a terrifyingly brutal Rome-like world, An Ember in the Ashes is an epic fantasy debut about an orphan fighting for her family and a soldier fighting for his freedom. It’s a story that’s literally burning to be told.

Every Last Word by Tamara Ireland Stone

YA Contemporary – June 16, 2015

Samantha McAllister looks just like the rest of the popular girls in her junior class. But hidden beneath the straightened hair and expertly applied makeup is a secret that her friends would never understand: Sam has Purely-Obsessional OCD and is consumed by a stream of dark thoughts and worries that she can't turn off.

How To Say I Love You Out Loud by Karole Cozzo

YA Contemporary, Romance – August 4, 2015

When Jordyn Michaelson’s autistic brother joins her at her elite school, she’s determined not to let anyone know they're related. Even if that means closing herself off to all her closest friends, including charming football stud Alex Colby. But despite her best intentions, she just can't shake the memory of kissing Alex last summer, and the desire to do it again.

Trouble Is A Friend Of Mine by Stephanie Tromly

YA Contemporary, Mystery – August 4, 2015

Sherlock meets The Breakfast Club in this story of a wisecracking girl who meets a weird but brilliant boy and their roller-coaster of a semester that's one part awkward, three parts thrilling, and five parts awesome.

Nimona by Noelle Stevenson

YA Fantasy, Comics – May 19, 2015

The graphic novel debut from rising star Noelle Stevenson, based on her beloved and critically acclaimed web comic, which Slate awarded its Cartoonist Studio Prize, calling it "a deadpan epic."

Who else should be on this list? Is there an upcoming release I don't know about and you're super excited about? Let me know!!

[Top Ten Tuesday] YA Heroines From Literature

Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme created by The Broke and the Bookish. 

Top Ten YA Heroines From Literature

This is soooo hard! Not because there aren't enough women in YA lit but because I'm having a hard time nailing down what makes a heroine. Hmmm... lets get to it.

Let's go ahead and get the queen of heroines out of the way. If you haven't watched this video go ahead... I'll wait. :)

Hermoine Granger, Harry Potter

I've started reading the Harry Potter series and this girl is legit. She's so legit that even how strong she's portrayed in the movies is not even how strong she is in the books. J.K. Rowling knows a thing or two about creating strong women.

Katniss Everdeen, The Hunger Games series

I can't think of anyone else who's constantly channeling her grief and anger into badassery. You will be hard pressed to find a better sequel than Catching Fire. This woman adapts, plays the game, and still comes out on top with the scrapes and bruises to show for it.

Cath, Fangirl

Cath! She's like a real person ;) No magic, no physical prowess just the power of the pen. Cath is drifting from her twin but still holds it together and helps care for dad. She's unwavering in who she is and what she likes. You won't see her ditching the glasses for a magical makeover trip down the stairs. It's an ace in my book.

June, Legend series

I'm on the run and I call June first. She's wicked smart and a crack shot. There's no else I'd rather have on my side if I need to take down the Army of Patriarchy.

Elizabeth Bennett, Pride and Prejudice

Elizabeth manages it all with her English sass in word battles. Really it's Jane Austen that's the heroine but Elizabeth is her literary horcrux so basically they're the same person.

Meghan Chase, The Iron Fey series

Megan is fearless and will do whatever it takes to save the people she cares about the most. Not her father or the winter queen will contain her. Even less so the lame Iron King. If there's someone who knows about sacrifice it's this girl. There are two boys that pine after her but she doesn't let that become a distraction, she is the queen after all.

I'm going to stop at six... but why?!?!?

There are a few others I could include but chose to pass on them for various reasons. So tell me...

Who else should be on this list?

[Top Ten Tuesday] Classic Books I Want To Read

Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme created by The Broke and the Bookish. 

Top Ten Classic Books I Want To Read

A lot of people read the "classics" in high school or college. It wasn't until years later I realized I missed a reading foundation by skipping the classics. Part of me would like to revisit the reading list so I can join in on an overpriced salad and thoughtful conversation. :p

Mostly I think I've avoided this category because I would do well with historical fiction... ehh.

Pride and Prejudice Anything by Jane Austen

The closest I've gotten to reading Jane is watching movies based on the books. I know, I know...

Little Women by Louisa May Alcott

I know it's about sisters and there's a girl named Meg. Plus, I've heard all the raves so I need to read this!

Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte

Another book/movie sin committed here. Back in 2003 MTV released a TV movie version with Katherine Heigl and some other semi-famous folks. I don't remember much except there was lots of drama and teenagers... sign me up.

Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury

So... I always thought this was just about firemen and maybe some arson. Well it is but there's book burning involved!!! Say it isn't so :(

Catch-22 by Joseph Heller

I use this phrase all the time, no clue if it's related to the book. I hope so for stakes sake. 

East of Eden by John Steinbeck

No clue what it's about but it was a movie with James Dean (1955) and will soon be remade with Jennifer Lawrence. There's crime involved, I think.

The Bell Jar by Sylvia Path

This was never on my radar until I read Belzhar by Meg Wolitzer back in October. I was moved and now I want to read the source material.

Charlotte's Web by E.B. White

I may have read this, honestly, I have no clue. I do remember parts of the movie from elementary school and I liked what I saw. 

The Art of War by Sun Tzu

I'm always hearing this book quoted. I like'm so onto reading the context. I could use some more tact and grace so maybe it'll pay off.

The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger

Broody teenager and banned book. I'm in.

My Fav. Classics Read: Anthem by Ayn Rand
Disliked Classics Read: A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens

What are your classics picks?