Top Ten Tuesday: At the Lunch Table

This week's topic is Top Ten Book Characters That Would Be Sitting At My Lunch Table. This one is really hard...even though lunch was always my favorite time of the school day.

- meme from The Broke and the Bookish

Tina from the Princess Diaries - would love to talk Romance books with her

And the rest of the characters from books I read this year...
1. Bird from Wildflower - would love to co-write one song with her
2. Gwen Frost from the Mythos Academy series - she kicks major butt.
3. and 4. Marijke  and Lily from Just Like the Movies - so we could talk about girly movies
5. Emi from Everything Leads to You - so we could talk about set design
6. Cricket from Nantucket Blue and Nantucket Red because she's a warrior and fun!
7, 8, and 9. Reagan, Lilah, and Matt from Open Road Summer, so we could talk about the tour and being super stars (like normal people - not stalkers)

Bonus:
Isla and Josh from Isla and the Happily Ever After because I didn't want to leave them

Who would be sitting at your lunch table?

Top Ten Tuesday: Best Reads of the Year (so far)

This week's topic is hard - the best books I've read this year so far. I read so many books that it's always hard choosing my favorites. I'm going to split up the list into adult reads and teen reads and in no particular order.

- meme from The Broke and the Bookish

Teen Favorites:

Adult Favorites:

Upcoming Book Review: Just Like the Movies

Prom season's coming up and the boys are starting to get creative with asking their dates. Marijke can't wait to see how her boyfriend will ask her. She's also still waiting for him to use the L word - his action speaks volumes, but she wants to hear him say it.

Lily's mother is always looking for romance and it sours Lily's view. Not to mention the one guy Lily's crushing over doesn't know she's alive. After her mother bails on their girl night for a guy, she spots a movie theater showing Titanic.

After a fight with her boyfriend, Marijke also ends up at the theater - crying. They end up ditching the movie and going for coffee where they talk for the first time, confiding in each other. A plan is born - one worthy of Hollywood. They will use Hollywood scenes to help them achieve their goals. 

My Thoughts: I love this book - for the Hollywood angle and the movie references. I love that they watched movies to try to figure out the best tricks/tips to use. I loved how Marijke took a long hard look at her relationship to see why things weren't the way she wanted and why she was insecure in it. I loved the paintball scene. I really liked Lily and how she wanted something better for her mother, but at the same time, she's so mad at her mother. I loved how Lily and Marijke became friends. Kelly Fiore is an author to watch - her debut novel Taste Test was one of my favorite reads last year and her sophomore book hit it out of the park. I love her books and can't wait to read what she comes up with next.

Cover Thoughts: Loved it
Source: Won an ARC
Publication Date: July 22nd

Books I'm Dying to Read: July Edition

Here's a list of books I can't wait to get my hands on come July - perfect for summer reading

In the Mood For Love: I love this small town romance series set in Vermont

Sweet Spot: Really liked her debut novel - this one a the prequel.

Lucky Me: Breaking Chain letters - this takes me back! 

Memory Maze: Really liked the first book. Excited to see what will happen next.

Silver Shadows: OMG - after that last cliffhanger, I really need to read this one!

On the Fence: Secrets and a romance with the boy next door? Yes please!

Embers and Ash: The final book in this action packed trilogy

Midnight Thief: A thief and a knight joining forces - in order to survive.

Wildflower: Loved this one - my review

Just Like the Movies: Loved this one - review coming soon.

Bridge from Me to You: The new girl in town and football hero find each other - one has a secret, one has a problem. They fit together.

Young World: Sickness - population destroyed - teens saving the world

No Dawn without Darkness: I read the first book and need to read the second.

Through to You: One note can change everything

Kiss of Deception: A Princess keeping a secret can't go through with her marriage under false pretenses and everything changes.

Year of Chasing Dreams: This cover caught my eye, I used to love Lurlene McDaniel as a teen. It's time to start reading her books again.

Swan Point: More in the Serenity Sweet Magnolia series!!!

Review: Taste Test

Nora's Dad owns a BBQ joint and Nora's been working there forever. When her BFF suggests that she audition for the Taste Test- a reality cooking show for teens, neither of them expect her to make it.

Now she's leaving home for the semester, joining the team of cooks. Nora's Southern roots show. She's not like the drama queens or chef royalties. She wants to win the scholarship to the Internationals School of Cuisine in Paris - and unlike some contestants, she can't afford to pay her way.

Soon, Nora's going head to head with her snobby roommate and her arrogant friend. Nora tries to stay away from them, but Christian has a way of getting under her skin. The two of them heat up the ratings with their banter. Could something else be brewing?

My Thoughts: LOVED this book and devoured it. I didn't want to stop reading it. I liked the drama of the cameras and the reality show. I loved the tension between Nora and Christian. I loved when they cooked together. I really enjoyed Nora's Southern ways and how she stuck to her roots. I liked the mystery of the sabotage on set. I loved the set-up of the book with interviews and scores from the show interspersed with the story. A fantastic debut novel; I can't wait to read more from Kelly Fiore. 

Cover Thoughts: Sure cute
Source: My Library