Top Five Wednesday: 2019 Favorite YA Contemporaries

July 24, 2019July 20, 2019 fangirlfury3 Comments

While Top Five Wednesday has been on its summer hiatus, I’ve been revisiting some older topics. However, I decided to switch things up for today by creating my own topic! I’m in a little shock right now both IRL and from a bookish standpoint that it’s July! I can’t believe that there’s only about a month and half of summer left. Blogging wise, I can’t believe that it’s time to start working on my most anticipated books of Fall 2019 post.

Thinking about what books are left to come out this year and my own reading plans for this second half of the year, I decided that I wanted to talk about some of my favorite books of the year so far. Today I’ll be featuring and discussing my top five contemporary books of 2019. I’m sure it’s no surprise that it was super difficult for me to choose the five books below. I decided to limit myself by only talking about YA books released in 2019 so far, considering that three of my favorite contemporaries of the year are new adult (and yes Red, White and Royal Blue is of course one of them). I have a feeling my favorites of 2019 list later in December is going to be a bit lengthy.

If I’m Being Honest by Emily Wibberley & Austin Siegemund-Broka – A slight change I’ve noticed this year in a few YA contemporaries are unlikeable protagonists! Cameron in If I’m Being Honest is definitely not the nice girl in her LA high school, but her personality- and let’s be honest, bitchiness- made her such a complex character.

There’s Something About Sweetie by Sandhya Menon – Sandhya Menon always make for the cutest feels, but I particularly loved There’s Something About Sweetie. I think rom-com has been thrown around for a lot of YA contemporaries this year as well, and Sandhya Menon’s latest release sure fits the category! Following Ashish and Sweetie’s relationship, this book features a ton of relationship and character growth and plenty of LOL worthy moments.

Maybe This Time by Kasie West- One of the reasons why I started reading Kasie West’s books in 2019 was to prepare myself for Maybe This Time because I loved the synopsis so much! Our main character, Sophie, who works for her small town’s florist, also falls into the unlikeable protagonist category. Maybe This Time is a really unique book, told over nine events over one year.

Top Five Wednesday: Waiting for Books from Favorite Authors

July 10, 2019July 5, 2019 fangirlfury1 Comment

As part of Top Five Wednesday’s summer hiatus, I’ve been revisiting old T5W topics. Today’s post is inspired by the August 2016 topic, “Authors You Are Waiting on Another Book From.” I did a similar T5w post last year (Authors I Need More From): funnily enough, all of the authors in that post have books coming out in 2019 and 2020! Today’s topic more so focuses on authors who either haven’t announced a new book or have given very minimal information regarding their next release. As much as I am excited by this topic, I admit that it was a little difficult for me to write, considering that many of my favorite authors have projects in the works or have new books coming out over the next two years.

Morgan Matson – For the past few years, there have been two years between Morgan Matson’s books. Since Save the Date came out in 2018, she is expected to have her sixth book come out in 2020. To put it simply, Morgan Matson is one of my go-to and absolute favorite YA contemporary authors because of her incredible writing and unique stories. Her synopses always leave me hook, so I’m excited to see what her next book will have in store.

Jenny Han – Jenny Han is very much involved in the To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before Netflix adaptations and has been doing so much press for her very much beloved series. I would really love another book with a somewhat Lara Jean-centric character, aka a book with all the baking and cute boys.

Top Five Wednesday: Recent Additions to My Book Wishlist

June 26, 2019June 13, 2021 fangirlfury5 Comments

Top Five Wednesday is on a summer hiatus and there will not be new topics over the next three months. However, I’ve decided to still participate in T5W a few times this summer and choose topics from before I joined the group back in 2017.

Everyone loves a good recent additions to your TBR post, but today’s post is all about the books I wouldn’t mind adding to my personal book collection. All the puns intended, I have pretty good shelf control. I am very fortunate enough where I receive ARCs from publishers and bookish events, and I have always been an avid library user. And let’s not forget that I am constantly running out of bookshelf space. I think I am going to do a post about my book buying habits somewhat soon, but in short, I really only buy books when:

It’s written by one of my all-time favorite authors
I read an early copy and absolutely need a finished one
It’s a book that sounds like something I know I will love
My library doesn’t have it-I’ve acutally gotten better about this one by using my iPad more and borrowing ebooks from the library

I’ve decided to include many different types of books in this Top Five Wednesday post , including some hard-to-find books, ARCs, and books inspired by cover lust.

You’d Be Mine by Erin Hanh- I probably look up Erin Hanh’s You’d Be Mine on a weekly basis in my library’s online catalog, in hopes that it will one day be on order. So many of my fellow bloggers have loved this 2019 gem, and I’m so sold on its country music premise. If my library doesn’t order this one, I plan on buying it the next time I have a Barnes and Noble discount or I may put it on my birthday wishlist.

I Was Born for This by Alice Oseman- Alice Oseman’s I Was Born for This hasn’t really been available here in the US. This one will likely come from a Book Depository haul or buying it secondhand on Amazon. I really loved Radio Silence so I have relatively high expectations for I Was Born For This. I also have this book on my predicting my 5 star reads list so that’s also another incentive in getting my own copy.

The Starless Sea by Erin Morgenstern- I think every blogger and their best bookish friend has this one of their wishlist. Unpopular bookish opinion here, but I was not the biggest fan of The Night Circus when I read it in 2017. However, not only does the excitement over Erin Morgenstern’s second book have me intrigued, but I absolutely love the premise. Almost any book that features books or libraries always has me sold. I think The Starless Sea will be the true test on if/how much I enjoy Erin Morgenstern’s writing.

Top Five Wednesday: Bookish Things I’ve Changed My Mind About

May 29, 2019May 25, 2019 fangirlfury10 Comments

Although this isn’t today’s Top Five Wednesday topic, I really loved this month’s first topic, bookish things us readers have changed our minds about in our reading lives. Since I really loved this topic (let’s not talk about it, but blame it on finals for not allowing me to do it then and there), today I’ll be discussing some bookish things I never thought I would see differently.

Borrowing ebooks from the library

Let’s be clear: I am still not the world’s biggest fan of ebooks and I will always turn to physical copies whenever possible. As much as I would love to have my hands on some ARCs, I would much rather wait to read a finished copy than using NetGalley or Edelweiss. I think some of this may have to do with that fact that the only tablet I have access to is an iPad. Maybe if I had a tablet that was primarily meant for reading, like a Nook or Amazon Fire, I would be more open to ebooks. Nevertheless, I am a firm believer that nothing is better for me than being able to physically flip pages.

However, for certain titles, I do make exceptions and read ebooks. For example, I recently was on a blog tour for a book that was only available via ecopy and I was too interested in the book to pass up the opportunity to be on such a fun blog tour. While reading on my iPad wasn’t perfect- I had to read it in iBooks and the zoom wouldn’t stay the same as I flipped pages- I enjoyed the reading experience much more than I thought. There’s a few books available via my local library only as electronic copies that I plan on reading on my iPad. Instead of buying physical copies like usual when my library doesn’t have them, I am going to try and read borrowed ebooks when possible. The only thing I think I may not like about doing this is that I don’t want to bring my iPad when I read in the pool or on the beach.

Some books I’ve recently read as ebooks:

Posting my monthly TBRS

Until last summer, I never posted my monthly TBRs on the blog mostly because I was (and still am) very much a mood reader. I also felt that publishing my TBRs placed more pressure on me to actually read said books that month. I’ve been creating monthly TBRs both offline and online lately for a few reasons. One, I’ve had more time to read lately with summer time. Two, I need to figure out what books I can get from my local library and what ones I need to place on hold through the county system. Three, if I have books that I’ve been sent for review, they need to often get prioritized in my reading plans. I’ve combatted my moody reader self by planning out books that suit my reading mood. For example, I’ve been in the mood for a lot of contemporary lately, thus my May TBR was filled with contemporary books. I also realize that I don’t need to read every single book on my TBR—I often end up slightly adjusting my plans or reading even more books (which I include in my intro in almost every TBR post).

Top Five Wednesday: Rainy Day Reads

April 24, 2019April 21, 2019 fangirlfury5 Comments

I am a firm believer that almost any book can be the perfect companion on a rainy day, especially those books that you can’t part from for too long. The following books for today’s Top Five Wednesday are a mix of reads that scream at you to stay inside with coffee on standby, have rainy settings, or will inspire your own waterworks.

History is All You Left Me by Adam Silvera

Adam Silvera’s History is All You Left Me definitely falls in the ‘there will be water following down your windows and face” category. My favorite Adam Silvera book, I was captivated by History is All You Left Me’s story and writing style. There were plenty of moments that sent rain drops falling from my eyes and ones that would make me grateful to be able to stay inside and read all day.

Top Five Wednesday: From Liking to Loving Books

March 27, 2019March 22, 2019 fangirlfury3 Comments

March is known for being “in like a lion, out like a lamb.” This monthly mantra can also be applied to some of the books we read!

I’m pretty good at picking up books that I know I’ll like before even reading, but there of course have been that have put my ‘book choosing’ to the test. Today’s Top Five Wednesday is all about books I was nervous about or wasn’t enjoying in the beginning, but by the end, I was so glad to have added them to my ‘read’ shelf.

One True Loves by Taylor Jenkins Reid- I read One True Loves pre-The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo taking over the book community and becoming Taylor Jenkins Reids’ most recognized book. One True Loves actually remains to be my favorite TJR book! Even after almost two years of finishing it, it’s a story I can easily recall in my mind and I love its uniqueness (not to mention the fact that the protagonist and her family own a bookstore).

Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman- Despite the massive amount of hype and positive, I almost DNF’ed Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine around the seventy page mark. It took me quite a while to adjust to Eleanor and her narration, but this book is seriously worth sticking out those first seventy pages or so. By page 100, you’re completely sucked in to this heart-warming tearjerker.

Top Five Wednesday: Spring Reads

March 20, 2019March 15, 2019 fangirlfury5 Comments

If you’ve been here at Fangirl Fury for a while (okay, a little while), you’ll know though I’m constantly reaching for contemporary books. However, I find myself reading the most contemporary during spring and summer—they’re the perfect companions for outdoor reading! For today’s Top Five Wednesday, I’ll be discussing the top five books that remind me of spring and get me ready for no winter jacket weather! Break out the dresses and books please.

The Prince and the Dressmaker by Jen Wang- Speaking of dresses, The Prince and the Dressmaker reminds me of spring thanks to Jen Wang’s use of pastels and bright colors. I also ate it up in one night last spring!

How to Be Bad by E.Lockhart, Sarah Mlynowski, & Lauren Myracle- This fangirl loves her ‘throwback’ YA, including How to Be Bad. I can’t remember during what season it takes place, but the book reminds me of a stereotypically wild spring break trip.

This Adventure Ends by Emma Mills- When I think of spring, I think of green, which leads me to the cover of Emma Mills’ This Adventure Ends. I also think of spring as a time to reset and refresh, between the end of the school year and the warmer weather to come. This Adventure Ends is all about refreshing and resetting, as Sloane starts another year of high school after her family relocates to Florida and makes new, all-consuming but heartfelt friends.

Out of the Easy by Ruta Sepetys- This is another example of a book’s aesthetic reminding me of spring. Out of the Easy’s paperback cover and its color schemes just screams spring to me.

Always Never Yours by Emily Wibberly and Austin Siegemund-Broka- Another beautiful book cover, another book cover that screams spring. While the book takes place roughly over a school year, Always Never Yours follows Megan’s nightmare of being cast as Juliet in the spring production of Romeo and Juliet . I know this book pops up on a ton of recommendations and listicle posts, but it’s very much worth the hype!

Top 5 Wednesday is a collaborative group of book bloggers from various platforms who love sharing lists on Wednesdays. The T5W group can be found here on Goodreads.

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What books remind you of spring? Any of the above? Share in the comments!

Top Five Wednesday: Fictional Date Spots

February 27, 2019February 27, 2019 fangirlfury7 Comments

TV show pop-up shops have become more and more of a thing– some of my favorites have been inspired by Friends, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, and Gilmore Girls. I think it’s about time this becomes a bookish trends.

For today’s Valentine’s-inspired Top Five Wednesday, I’ll be discussing the five top fictional places I’d go on a date.

Top Five Wednesday: Love Interests I’d Break Up With

February 20, 2019February 14, 2019 fangirlfury9 Comments

While we spent last week with our favorite fictional love interests for Valentine’s Day, today’s Top Five Wednesday features five love interests who don’t make the cut as one of my book boyfriends.

Cooper from Love, Life, and the List by Kasie West- By no means do I not like Cooper as a character, because I do! I love the chemistry and humor between him and Abby throughout Kasie West’s Love, Life, and the List. However, somewhat like Abby, I would not be into Cooper’s mixed signals.

Luca from I Believe in a Thing Called Love by Maurene Goo- I never understood why Desi was so enchanted with Luca from Maurene Goo’s I Believe in a Thing Called Love. He most definitely fits the angsty-artsy teenager trope. If it weren’t for Desi’s K drama inspired scheming, I think they would have not gotten together.

Top Five Wednesday: Anticipated Movies

January 30, 2019February 1, 2019 fangirlfury2 Comments

While I’ve focused on all the amazing new books coming out in 2019 lately, for today Top Five Wednesday’s freebie post, I’ll be discussing my most anticipated movies of 2019.

While I probably do spend more time reading than watching movies, 2018 was a pretty great movie year for me. To give you a taste of my viewing likes, some of my favorite new releases from last year included To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before, Mary Poppins Returns, Dumplin’, A Star is Born, Set it Up, and Crazy Rich Asians. And speaking of those book-to-movie adaptations, there are plenty more coming in 2019!

Ashes in the Snow (January 11)– Inspired by Ruta Septetys’ Between Shades of Gray, aka one of my all-time favorite books, I wish Ashes in the Snow had a larger release so more people could learn about this often untold story from the WWII era (but I am very thankful for the digital download date being the same as its limited release date). I’ve heard that Ashes in the Snow is even better than the book- a feeling this fangirl rarely experiences.

Captain Marvel (March 8)– Marvel did so many amazing things in 2018, and I’m so happy to see a new movie with a female superhero at its center. While comparing Marvel to DC isn’t so difficult, I really hope Captain Marvel lives up (and maybe goes beyond) the empowering messages in my favorite superhero film, Wonder Woman.

Little Women (December 21)– Little Women has received the film treatment before- I absolutely love the 1994 adaptation and I’ve heard not-so great things about the 2018 adaptation—but this version has a completely star-studded cast (see Emma Watson, Saoirse Ronan, Laura Dern, Timothée Chalament) and will focus more on the March sisters’ lives as young-adults.