Top Ten of 2014: Top 10 Books I'm Looking Forward to in 2015

Day 5 of the Top 10 of 2014 Event! Hosted by Two Chicks On Books

Reading YA Rocks / Fiktshun /  Tales of a Ravenous Reader

All I Want in the New Year is... Top 10 Books I'm Looking Forward to in 2015

What are you most looking forward to in the New Year?
Leave a comment and let me know! 
Don't forget to hop on over to the host sites to see all the other blogs that linked up! 

Top Ten of 2014: Best Book Boyfriends of 2014

Day 4 of the Top 10 of 2014 Event! Hosted by Two Chicks On Books

Reading YA Rocks / Fiktshun /  Tales of a Ravenous Reader

Merry Christmas all you bookish people! I hope everyone enjoys their holiday.

Today's list is all about book boyfriends. It's what we really want for Christmas anyways, right? ^^ However... I really don't have ten from this year. So, Top 5 will have to do. Yup. Here we go...

#1  Zsadist from The Black Dagger Brotherhood Series: Lover Awakened

This series is my guilty pleasure read. I have honestly never picked up another steamy romance novel in my life. But, oh man. Once you get into J.R. Ward's world of gorgeous vampire warriors and super swoony romances, this becomes an instant binge reading series. Out of all the brothers, Zsadist is my favorite. He is dark and dangerous, full of past demons and in a constant battle to accept himself. When he finds his mate in Lover Awakened, you get to experience his loyal and passionate side. The perfect vampire partner, if I was to ever have one. That is what makes him my top pick for book boyfriends this year.

#2 Gabe from A Little Something Different By Sandy Hall

Gabe! What to say about him. I LOVED his character. Even compared a handful of guys I know to him, and let's just say they fell short. Gabe is the right amount of awkward/shy for me. He is one of the most realistic male characters I've read about this year. Plus he's clearly not perfect and is working on himself. I find that to be an admirable characteristic. I'm just not into those, "Hey look at me, I don't have to work on anything," types. So, yea. Move over Lea. You may have been a match for him in the book, but if he exists out here in the real world... MINE. 

#3 Four from Four (tehe) By Veronica Roth

How could I not throw Four on this list. He is a long standing book crush. Just brimming with awesome, but also makes me irritated... ALOT. And yea, he's dauntless. I like that. Four's got that whole overcoming the daddy issues thing on his side too. I enjoyed reading this collection more than Allegiant. Four was always my favorite character from the Divergent series, and you get to know him a lot more through these stories, than you did in the books. And I'm sure many of you agree, jumping off trains with him is a YES. No, there is no hidden meaning in that, geez. Ohhhh anddd... I can totally get behind Theo James as Four in the movie. *Points* Look at that face! 

#4 Cass from Anna Dressed in Blood By Kendare Blake

Fights ghosts, falls in love with one, is totally the coolest. Definitely doesn't judge a girl... Will go to hell and back for love. Enough said. <3

#5 Rowan from Trial By Fire By Josephine Angelini

Okay, I just finished this book and had to come make an edit to my list! Trial By Fire starts off with Tristan who you think will be the instant boy favorite. Then you realize that you HATE him and quickly move on to the real favorite of the story, Rowan. And even then you just aren't sure in the beginning. There's so much chaos you don't get to know him right away. As his story unfolds, you LOVE him. He's layered and pretty much perfect. 

I guess I just don't fawn over book bfs as much as I used to. Or maybe the right one just hasn't come along yet. Sometimes I think, "Damn you Draco Malfoy! It is your fault all my book crush energy is forever drained!" Don't forget to share your book boyfriends in the comments below, and have an amazing Christmas!

Cat Thursday Christmas Edition

Welcome to the weekly meme that celebrates the wonders and sometime hilarity of cats! Join us by posting a favorite LOL cat pic you may have come across, famous cat art or even share with us pics of your own beloved cat(s). It's all for the love of cats!

Hosted by THE TRUE BOOK ADDICT

MERRY CHRISTMAS and all other HOLIDAYS!

I hope everyone has a wonderful day, whether you are with family, friends or simply curled up with a delectable book. I know I will be ending my day with a warm and fuzzy read CAT, (the book is only if they permit it.)

I tried really hard to take some festive kitty pictures, but it failed. So, instead I thought I would share my favorite DIY pet projects! Both of these make great gifts for your feline friends and fellow cat lovers.

Homemade Cheese Treats:

(Yield: 2 Dozen / Total Time: 40 Mins.)

My kitties love cheese! I'm sure many of yours do too. These are a healthy and yummy way for your cat to get a cheesy snack. You will need:

3/4 cup white flour (I use a GF flour)

3/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese

5 tablespoons grated parmesan cheese

1/4 cup plain yogurt or sour cream

1/4 cup cornmeal

What you do: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Mix together the cheeses and yogurt. Add flour and cornmeal. You may need to add a teaspoon or two of water in order to make the dough easier to work with. Knead dough into a ball and roll out to 1 inch thick. Using fun holiday cookie cutters, cut into shapes and place on greased cookie sheet. Bake for 25 minutes. Let your kitty enjoy!

DIY Knotty Spider Cat Toy (From Friskies!):

This toy is super easy to make, not to mention cheap! My kitties just love things that squiggle and you can make several of these at a time, so they have a replacement as soon as one gets lost in that under-the-stove abyss. What you need:

A plastic ring from a milk jug

Scissors

A square of felt 

What you do: Cut the felt into 12-14 strips. Tie the strips onto the milk ring using a double knot. Keep tying until all the strips are on! That's it! You can use different colors to make them super cute. I tie on some colored cotton balls (the crafting kind) for extra bouncy fun. These make great stocking stuffers and gifts for your friends.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS from Stu-man

Top 10 of 2014: Best Debut Novels of 2014

Day 3 of the Top 10 of 2014 Event! Hosted by Two Chicks On Books
Reading YA Rocks / Fiktshun /  Tales of a Ravenous Reader

I am always on the hunt for new authors! So, I get grabby hands for debuts, especially those in the YA genre. This year gave us some really great first-timers, although I still have quite a few left on my TBR, (can you say TBR clean-up challenge anyone?) So, here are my... 

Best Debut Novels of 2014
*In no particular order*

#1 The Miniaturist By Jessie Burton: Such an intriguing work of historical fiction, this is one of the few adult novels I read this year. I will definitely be looking for more by her.

#2 Rooms By Lauren Oliver: Although this is not Oliver's first time at bat, Rooms is her first step into the world of adult fiction.

#3 Dorothy Must Die By Danielle Paige: Fun, original, makes you want to go back to OZ... well maybe once the war is over...

#4 Say What You Will By Cammie McGovern: Cammie has previously written three adult fiction novels, Say What You Will is her first book for teens.

#5 Between By Megan Whitmer: A really great fantasy first for this indie author!

#6 A Little Something Different By Sandy Hall: Not only is Sandy Hall a debut author, but her book was the first published by Swoon Reads.

#7 The First Fifteen Lives of Harry August By Claire North: I LOVED this adult fiction sci-fi novel! Claire has a new novel coming out in February 2015.

#8 Hungry By H.A. Swain: This was one of my favorite dystopians this year. No eating food?! Crazy talk. 

#9 Queen of the Tearling By Erika Johansen: Fun Fact! This is going to be a movie starring Emma Watson!

#10 Control By Lydia Kang: If you like X-men, this story is right up your alley. Serious readers beware. This is purely a fun, take your mind off things type book.

I could probably throw a few more in here, but I'm really trying to follow the rules and stick to just ten... So, what debuts did you read and love this year? Leave me a comment and share your favorites! 

Top 10 of 2014: Best Book Covers of 2014

Day 2 of the Top 10 of 2014 event! Hosted by Two Chicks On Books
Reading YA Rocks / Fiktshun /  Tales of a Ravenous Reader

I have always been such a sucker for a beautiful cover! In fact I'm notorious for hoarding books based solely on the outside wrapper, no matter how much I believe it's what's on the inside that counts. So, here are (in my opinion,) the most stunning covers of the year... 

 

~ Honorable Mentions ~

So? Which ones do you love? Leave me a comment and share the covers you LOVE from this year! 

Top 10 of 2014 : Best Books I've Read in 2014

Today kicks off the Top 10 of 2014 event! Hosted by Two Chicks On Books.

Reading YA Rocks / Fiktshun /  Tales of a Ravenous Reader

Best Books I've Read in 2014

So I cheated a little with this list... Two of these spots include all the books I have read so far in that particular series. I binge read them and can't pick a favorite so, the whole series made it on the list!

Bringing up the rear in spot #10 is Dorothy Must Die By Danielle Paige

#9 A Little Something Different By Sandy Hall

#8 The Black Dagger Brotherhood 1-4 By J.R. Ward (My guilty pleasure read.)

#7 Summer of Letting Go By Gae Polisner

#6 The Lunar Chronicles 1, 2 & 3 By Melissa Meyer

#5 Butter By Erin Jade Lange One of the rare male POVs that I've read. 

#4 Icons By Margaret Stohl *Grabby hands for Book 2*

#3 Anna Dressed in Blood By Kendare Blake It took me so long to pick this one up, but better late than never! I went to get Girl of Nightmares the same day.

#2 Say What You Will by Cammie McGovern is a contemporary tear-jerker that got me back into reading YA contemp.

And claiming my spot for Best Book I've Read in 2014 is... Well it's a tie. The Lost By Sarah Beth Durst. (I was so sucked in by this off-the-wall world and can't wait for book 2!) & Made for You by Marissa Marr (It's dark and compelling. Marr's writing is so good!)

Did any of these make your list? Leave a comment and let me know what made your top reads of 2014!