4.11.2011

Maybe it's time to change.

What do you read? YA? Horror? Non-fic? Romance? 

I say: change it up. 

Yes, I'm a YA author and I adore YA, and if you're reading this, you probably love YA too. I should probably be encouraging that love. And I am! But I think there's so much to be said for leaving your comfort zone. If I'd never left mine, I'd never have discovered Harry Potter. Hell, I'd never have written my first book. 

So venture out. Broaden your horizons. Even within YA, if that's where you're most comfortable. Because you never know what will inspire you. You never know what you might discover. Love romance? I dare you to read THE MARBURY LENS. Love historical fiction? I dare you to read THE DUFF. Love paranormal? I dare you to read LIKE MANDARIN. Love dystopian? I dare you to read THE ETERNAL ONES. 

And in this vein, I'd like to play a game with you. 

Here's how it works: you hit up the comments with the last three books you read. I will respond by recommending a book that I think will blow your mind, in a good way. If you want to read and post or tweet about the book I recommended? Not necessary, but AWESOME- I'd love to know your after-the-fact thoughts! And if this proves to be popular, I will definitely do it again. 


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111 comments:

  1. This is a really cool idea! The last three books I read were Red Glove by Holly Black, City of Fallen Angels by Cassandra Clare, and Death Masks by Jim Butcher.

    Cade

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  2. I do also believe in trying something different, but I do stay within the fiction-paranormal range. I like my books to not be true, I love reading what crazy twist people can imagine. I don't strictly stick to YA, I love YA, but I also love reading more adult material and storyline.

    I'm currently reading The Land of Painted Caves by Jean M. Auel
    Read City of Fallen Angels by Cassandra Clare
    and The Peach Keeper by Sarah Addison Allen

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  3. Cade - I think you should check out KING DORK by Frank Portman.

    Kristin - I'm recommending THE MAGICIANS by Lev Grossman for you.

    Would love to know what you guys think if you decide to read them!

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  4. This is such a fantastic idea! :)
    last read books: Wondrous Strange by Lesley Livingston, Delirium by Lauren Oliver, and The Scorch Trials by James Dashner!
    Currently reading: Beautiful Creatures by Kami Garcia & Margaret Stohl

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  5. Savannah- PRETTY MONSTERS by Kelly Link for you.

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  6. Love this idea. I like to think I read a lot of different genres, but I'm ALWAYS open to finding new books. ;D

    Last read: THE HISTORY OF LOVE by Nicole Krauss; THE DEAD-TOSSED WAVES by Carrie Ryan; THE HUNDRED THOUSAND KINGDOMS by N. K. Jemisin

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  7. The last three books I read were: POSSESSION by Elana Johnson, THE ORCHID AFFAIR by Lauren Willig, and THE SWEETEST THING by Christina Mandelski.

    Great idea, Michelle!

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  8. This? Brilliant!

    The last three books I've read...

    -WITHER
    -BLACK HOLE SUN
    -PARANORMALCY

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  9. Oo this is awesome! I've been thinking I need to mix things up =)

    The last three books I read were:

    POSSESSION by Elana Johnson
    HOURGLASS by Myra McEntire
    DARK PARTIES by Sara Grant

    Thanks!
    Casey

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  10. Michelle what a great idea! I was just thinking it was time to expand my TBR.
    Last three:
    - CoFA
    - The Replacement
    - Wither

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  11. So I just read all of Cassie Clare's books, but that's a bit atypical for me. I've been branching out to more paranormal stories lately, though they're not my absolute favourite.

    So before I read all those it was: 'When You Reach Me' (Rebecca Stead), 'The Summer of Firsts and Lasts' (Terra Elan McVoy), and 'Where She Went' (Gayle Forman)

    Love this idea!

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  12. Bohemeinne- ON GOLD MOUNTAIN by Lisa See
    Abby- TITHE by Holly Black
    Beth- THE MONSTRUMOLOGIST by Rick Yancey
    Casey - THIEVES OF MANHATTAN by Adam Langer
    Sarah Enni - STORMY WEATHER by Carl Hiaasen
    Ashley - THE DANTE CLUB by Matthew Pearl

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  13. Here's a challenge for you: LIFE by Keith Richards, CLARITY by Kim Harrington, and I just re-read MY LIFE IN FRANCE by Julia Child.

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  14. Oh!! How fun!! I like to think that I read a little bit of everything, but...it may not look like it sometimes! Here are my last three: The Last Little Blue Envelope, The Goddess Test, and Bumped.

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  15. what a cool idea! and my oh my how well read you are! the last three titles i read were:

    WHERE SHE WENT by gayle forman
    FALL FOR ANYTHING by courtney summers
    FIRELIGHT by sophie jordan

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  16. Let's see the last three books I read:

    1) Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins
    2) Please Look After Mom by Shin Kyung-Sook
    3) City of Fallen Angels by Cassandra Clare

    I'd love to see what you have to suggest!
    This post/challenge is a great idea.

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  17. Loretta - I am undaunted. INTO THE WILD by Jon Krakauer
    Lori - DARKLY DREAMING DEXTER - Jeff Lindsay
    Abby - PORTNOY'S COMPLAINT by Phillip Roth

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  18. Penny - ONE THOUSAND CHESTNUT TREES by Mira Stout OR LITTLE CHILDREN by Tom Perrotta

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  19. This is a very cool party trick, by the way. Like identifying accents or guessing babies' ages.

    I just finished Not That Kind of Girl, Siobhan Vivian; The Sky is Everywhere, Jandy Nelson; and Where She Went, Gayle Forman.

    Which is all contemporary, I see. I guess I'm on a binge. I had been reading mostly paranormal.

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  20. The Bible. A dictionary. The IRS Code.

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  21. I loved it, Michelle! Super cool! :D

    Not that kind of girl - Siobhan Vivian
    Anna and the French Kiss - Stephanie Perkins
    The Perks of Being a Wallflower - Stephen Chbosky

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  22. very fun, and yes I do to mainly read YA Last three books I read were

    Unlocked by Ryan Van Cleave
    Clarity by Kim Harrington
    The Liar Society by Lisa and Laura Roecker

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  23. Anonymeet - Memoirs of a Geisha by Arthur Golden

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  24. Sean Ferrell - The Complete Idiot's Guide to Business Law

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  25. Giu - CRYER'S CROSS by Lisa McMann
    Reagan - RUNAWAY JURY by John Grisham

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  26. LOVE this idea!! (Btw, I'm currently reading A Curse As Dark As Gold, by Elizabeth Bunce.)

    My last three reads:
    -- Tithe, by Holly Black
    -- Possession, by A.S. Byatt
    -- When You Reach Me, by Rebecca Stead

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  27. Starrlett - you were tough! But I think I found it- THE KING MUST DIE by Mary Renault

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  28. You are some kind of mad genius.

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  29. This is a fantabulous idea. I just finished Graceling and Fire, both by Kristin Cashore and Matched by Ally Condie. Love new recs.

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  30. Ah! Thanks! I haven't read that one, but it's going on my goodreads list.

    This is fun!

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  31. I like this idea!
    The Last three books i read..hmm..been a little slow off-late...
    I am currently reading The French Lieutenant's Woman by John Fowles (and several others!):P

    Playing Hurt by Holly Schindler
    To Sir Philip, with Love by Julia Quinn
    Spirit Bound by Richelle Mead

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  32. Thanks, Michelle, just read the blurb on Amazon & it looks fan-tab-u-lous!

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  33. P.S. I read an assortment of book, though i avoid paranormal fiction as much as i can!I find it tiresome! :P

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  34. I have the Magician by Lev Grossman I just haven't read it yet, I guess I will have to now :)

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  35. Genius idea. I love it! Here are the last three books I read. I'm just starting Delirium, too.

    How I Live Now by Meg Rosoff
    Looking for Alaska by John Green
    Getting Revenge on Lauren Wood by Eileen Cook

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  36. Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson
    Back When You Were Easier to Love by Emily Wing Smith
    In the Shadow of the Lamp by Susanne Dunlap

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  37. I want to play!

    THE ABSOLUTELY TRUE DIARY OF A PART-TIME INDIAN by Sherman Alexie, THE UNIDENTIFIED by Rae Mariz, and LIKE MANDARIN by Kirsten Hubbard.

    ReplyDelete

  38. Jordyn- SPHERE by Michael Crichton
    Laurie- THE DEMON'S LEXICON by Sarah Rees Brennan

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  39. Toni - AFTER MANY A SUMMER DIES THE SWAN by Aldous Huxley
    Kiwi - MEMOIRS OF A TEENAGE AMNESIAC by Gabrielle Zevin
    Tracey - FEED by Mira Grant

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  40. How I Live Now by Meg Rosoff
    Darkness Becomes Her by Kelly Keaton
    The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight by Jennifer E Smith.

    Yay!!

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  41. Ooh, this is fun!

    Favorite by Karen McQuestion
    Savannah Grey by Cliff McNish
    Between Two Ends by David Ward

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  42. I love this idea! Thank you for this! The last three books I read were:

    1)Across the Universe by Beth Revis
    2)Matched by Ally Condie
    3)City of Fallen Angels by Cassandra Clare

    Definitely trapped in the lovely YA Fantasy/SciFi section. It's a favorite. <3

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  43. Carla - ON BEAUTY by Zadie Smith (and HOW did you read Statistical Probability, by the way? IT LOOKS AMAZING!!!!)

    Nikki - HOMER'S DAUGHTER by Robert Graves

    M.J. - THE UNINVITED by Tim Wynne Jones

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  44. My last three reads: Where She Went, The Goddest Test, & City of Bones.

    I'm curious to see what book you recommend for me


    P.S. I think this is very cool. Great idea!

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  45. This is such a great idea, thank you! The last three books I read were:

    -The Demon's Covenant by Sarah Rees-Brennan
    -The Vespertine by Saundra Mitchell
    -Dogs at the Perimeter by Madeline Thien

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  46. Heather - GONE by Michael Grant
    Lauren - FALLING LEAVES by Adeline Yen Mah

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  47. I like to think I'm good with change...but no, I'm really terrible at it.

    -Uncertain Magic by Laura Kinsale
    -City of Bones by Cassandra Clare
    -The Flame and the Flower by Kathleen Woodiwiss

    This is such an awesome idea :)

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  48. Love this idea. Last three reads: DIVERGENT by Veronica Roth, ARRANGED by Catherine McKenzie, and THE NEAR WITCH by Victoria Schwab.

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  50. Hannah - LIAR by Justine Larbalestier

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  51. What a fun idea! I read a lot of genres, so let's see what you have in mind for me... ;)

    THE MERMAID'S MIRROR by L. K. Madigan
    THE GODDESS TEST by Aimee Carter
    A TOUCH MORTAL by Leah Clifford

    (eee, that's all paranormal. Hm. But it is the last three books I've read.)

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  52. Ashelynn - NEVER LET ME GO by Kazuo Ishiguro

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  53. Please Ignore Vera Dietz by AS King
    Daughter of the Forest by Juliet Marillier
    Late Eclipses by Seanan McGuire (I could put another one but it was an audiobook I listened to at the same time and I didn't like it that much)

    The question is can you give me a book I haven't read. I genre hop around YA a bit, though rarely out of YA (though Seanan McGuire isn't YA)

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  54. My last 3 books read are Princess for Hire, Divergent, and Alien in the Family

    :)

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  55. Veela - for YA, GRACE by Elizabeth Scott. In adult, HIGH FIDELITY by Nick Hornby

    Becky - THE GOLDEN COMPASS, by Philip Pullman

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  56. Ones I haven't read! Added to TBR list on goodreads.

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  57. Ooh, I like this idea. :) I'm currently reading both City of Fallen Angels and Sing You Home by Jodi Picoult. The last book I read before that Clockwork Angel (weird, because my fave genre is actually contemporary YA).

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  58. Pam - MIDDLESEX by Jeffrey Eugenides

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  59. Oh oh oh this sounds SO cool! (Plus, Tim Wynne-Jones's The Uninvited is FANTASTIC and underrated -- glad you recommended it.) Hmm, let's see... the last three books I read were Exile by Anne Osterlund, The Juliet Club by Suzanne Harper and Silver Phoenix by Cindy Pon.

    Thank you!

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  60. I'm curious to see what my recommendation is.

    The last three books I read were City of Ashes, Little Blue Envelope, and Looking for Alaska. Okay, go!

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  61. Oh, that was supposed to be 13 Little Blue Envelopes. Silly brain, get it right. . .

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  62. Yahong - WHITE CAT by Holly Black for YA, ANTIGONE by Sophocles for adult.

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  63. Anne- IT'S KIND OF A FUNNY STORY by Ned Vizzini

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  64. DIVERGENT, FREEFALL, PLEASE IGNORE VERA DIETZ

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  65. Sarah - SUPER SAD TRUE LOVE STORY by Gary Shteyngart

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  66. Awesome idea, btw! I'm going through the comments and adding lots of books to my TBR list. :)

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  67. Oh, a challenge! I am currently reading THE MOMENT by Douglas Kennedy, The FRENCH LIEUTENANT'S WOMAN by John Knowles and listening to DRUMS OF AUTUMN by Diana Gabaldon. I think this is awesome, but I tend to be extremely eclectic in my own reading and love to branch out!

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  68. I'm playing because I'm curious to see what you would recommend for me.

    Wither by Lauren DeStefano
    Like Mandarin by Hubbard, Kirsten
    1/2 Battle Royale by Koushun Takami*

    ---

    * I'm putting Battle Royale on the list even though I haven;t finished it yet because, honestly, I can;t remember what I read before that.

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  69. Michelle - here's a serious departure for you- check out THE PASSAGE by Justin Cronin. I think you'll appreciate the lyricism of the writing, but the subject matter is very much off your beaten path!

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  70. I hope you don't mind me playing again...if you do, then no worries. Just wanted to see if you could recommend me a great YA book (that I hopefully haven't read). Here are the last three I read after the last three I posted before:

    Kat, Incorrigible by Stephanie Burgis
    Karma by Cathy Ostlere
    Chime by Franny Billingsley

    Thanks!

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  71. Actually, vampires are not out of my comfort zone at all. I absolutely adore vampires (and have a vampire-related tattoo to prove it). I haven't read The Passage yet because I want to savor it next fall. I can't wait to do so though!

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  72. Michelle - EXCELLENT! It's one of the most terrifying (and beautifully written) novels I've ever read. If that's not hard core for you, though, try AUDITION by Ryu Murakami. I've never read anything else like it.

    PS: Are you waiting for THE TWELVE to come out? It's not out until 2012, unfortunately :(

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  73. Kathleen - SUPER SAD TRUE LOVE STORY by Gary Shteyngart for you, too, or SICK PUPPY by Carl Hiaasen

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  74. Nikki - try PARANOID PARK by Blake Nelson!

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  75. THE TWELVE has definitely caught my eye. I can't wait!

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  76. I'll play! The last 3 I read were:
    Gallagher Girls #1 by Ally Carter
    Demonglass by Rachel Hawkins
    Beautiful Creatures by Margaret Stohl and Kami Garcia

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  77. last three I read were.. Divergent, City of Fallen Angels, and Lessons from a Dead Girl.

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  78. Angel - VALIANT by Holly Black or DULL BOY by Sarah Cross

    Reverie - IMAGINARY GIRLS by Nova Ren Suma (6/2011) for YA or YOU by Charles Benoit for YA, OR Under the Banner of Heaven by Jon Krakauer if you decide to REALLY break out of your comfort zone. I think you'll love it.

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  79. I'm in. Last three read:

    Alien in the Family by Gini Koch
    Shady Lady by Ann Aguirre
    Xombies Apocalypso by Walter Greatshell

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  80. Oh, and I'm plenty old enough to read anything you want to recommend. :-)

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  81. Lisa - THE CHRONICLES OF THOMAS COVENANT by Stephen R. Donaldson

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  82. The last three books:
    The Hunger Games Triology
    The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks
    I Am Number Four
    Before I Fall

    I am only in eighth grade, so it has to be appropriate! I can handle language and a little violence, but nothing too racy

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  83. Chanelandolivia - in the FUN nonfic running for you is PINK BOOTS & A MACHETE by Mireya Mayor. As for YA, check out GOING BOVINE!

    (and yay for reading #HeLa! How cool are you!)

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  84. Science is my favorite and I actually want to be a doctor one day! I discovered HeLa on goodreads, I did a project on it for school!

    They both sound interesting! I added them to my to read, I currently just got strings attached by judy blundell, wither by lauren destefano and cutting for stone by abragan verghese in from the library

    I started cutting for stone and it seems to be good so far!

    ReplyDelete

  85. Oh this is a fun idea!
    The last three that I read are
    1) Sweet Possession by Maya Banks
    2) Surrender to Me by Shayla Black
    3) The Day Before by Lisa Schroeder

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  86. Chanel - then I think you'll love PINK BOOTS! I reviewed it here- http://michellehodkin.blogspot.com/2011/03/in-which-i-introduce-you-to-strong.html - the author co-discovered an entire species, and she has her PhD in Anthropology, AND she was an NFL Cheerleader!

    ReplyDelete

  87. my name is actually morgan! my blog is a fashion blog called chanel&olivia which is a combo of chanel and alice+olivia!

    I am dying to read your book by the way! It sounds amazing and right up my alley! I can't wait for September 27th!

    ReplyDelete

  88. ooh, fun!

    I'm currently reading The End of Mr. Y., by Scarlett Thomas, Heart of a Samurai, by Margi Preus, and Memento Nora, by Angie Smibert.

    I just finished You, by Charles Benoit, Moon over Manifest, by Clare Vanderpool, and The Great Gatsby. :)

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  89. Alexa - AUDITION by Ryu Murakami. Hee.

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  90. Elissa - in YA, ANNA AND THE FRENCH KISS by Stephanie Perkins. In adult, PRACTICAL DEMONKEEPING by Christopher Moore

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  91. Morgan - I LOVE ALICE + OLIVIA! What an awesome blog :D
    And thank you so, so much! I thought of another recommendation for you- THE HOT ZONE, by Richard Preston. It's non-fiction, and it's about Ebola. Not racy, but there is swearing, and it's not for the faint of heart (the virus' effects are pretty ugly). I was about 14 when I first read it (I wanted to be an epidemiologist) and found it super fascinating. Still do. It's an all-time favorite read.

    ReplyDelete

  92. oooh i just read:
    -wake unto me by lisa cach
    -the rebel prince by celine kiernan
    -the princess bride by william goldman (fantastic!)
    uh should i mention im only in year ten? so maybe no adult books...

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  93. Maiawa - HEX HALL by Rachel Hawkins or THIRTEEN REASONS WHY by Jay Asher

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  94. ah, okay! Everyone has been recommending ANNA AND THE FRENCH KISS, and I've read two other Moore books, but not that one. Thanks! :)

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  95. I want to play! Is it too late?

    Last three:

    Nine Rules to Break When Romancing a Rake by Sarah MacLean
    The Magicians by Lev Grossman
    David Copperfield by Charles Dickens

    :p

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  96. Last one for this round, just because Victoria's in England:
    OPERATION SHYLOCK by Philip Roth

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  97. Michelle, I've read TITHE before and loved it! :) So your recommendation (back-recommendation? lol) was accurate for me!

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  98. The last three books I read: The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin, (oh wait, that's YOU!), City of Fallen Angels by Cassandra Clare, and Valiant by Holly Black.

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  99. thank you for liking my blog! (I really need to post more. whoops....)

    I will definitely read the book! I am assuming that a epidemiologist is some kind of doctor???

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  100. Fun!
    Where She Went- Gayle Forman
    Entwined-Heather Dixon
    Wither-Lauren Destephano

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  101. Add on to the above comment:
    I'm only eleven. Maybe YA please:)

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  102. Terri- i am really jealous that you already read her book! just saying......

    Morgan

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  103. I'm a little late, but here are my last three:
    LOVE IS THE HIGHER LAW - David Levithan
    EXPOSED - Kimberly Marcus
    IT'S NOT SUMMER WITHOUT YOU - Jenny Han
    (totally didn't expect it to all be contemps!)

    ReplyDelete

  104. I just found your website, read that post, and HAD to leave a comment. The last three books I've read are:
    Well, your book.
    Matched by Ally Condie
    The Gathering by Kelley Armstrong

    I am in DESPARATE need of another book to read. The latest book I read, which was yours, left my mind in a state of chaos, and I have been dying to scarf another one down. Help!

    ReplyDelete

  105. Okay this i s great idea♥ The last three books i hace read are:
    ~The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer-written by you ha
    ~Paper Towns-John Green
    ~Speak-Lauria Halse Anderson

    ReplyDelete

  107. Let's try it!

    -Silence by Becca Fitzpatrick.

    -Fallen by Lauren kate.

    -Miss peregrines home for peculiar children by Ransom Riggs.

    I am currently reading Divergent by Veronica Roth. c:

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  108. Can't wait! The last three books I read were

    Possession by Elana Johnson

    Forbidden by Syrie James and Ryan M. James

    Girl Parts by John M. Cusick

    -SAD(:

    ReplyDelete

  109. I know it's late but I'm absolutely dying for your reccomendations! So, here goes:
    The Daughter of Smoke and Bone- Laini Taylor
    A Monster Calls- Patrick Ness
    Shatter Me- Tahereh Mafi
    Thanks so much and I completely loved your book! I'm dying for the next one!
    Allison Marie

    ReplyDelete

  110. Heheh, this is kinda late, but I really like to know what people would recommend for me, so these are the last 3 books I have read:
    1. Destined by Aprilynne Pike
    2. Hallowed by Cynthia Hand
    3. Awake at Dawn by C.C. Hunter
    Thanks a lot, and just saying, but the first book of the Mara Dyer series was so amazing, and I can't wait for the next one!
    ...(I think I know what I'm asking my parents for for my birthdayy;)...

    ReplyDelete

  111. 1. The Hunger games - Suzanne Collins
    2. Sweet Damage - Rebecca James
    3. Puberty Blues - Kathy Lette & Gabrielle Carey

    ReplyDelete

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