So, I haven’t updated since January 2019. 😡 I am clearly not used to updating blogs on a regular basis. But here’s my attempt at updating and getting into the groove of things!

And what better way than to be a sheep and follow the wonderful crowd that’s been doing Top Ten Tuesday every Tuesday?

… even though in this case, it’s a day later. >_>

As per the original post: “Top Ten Tuesday was created by The Broke and the Bookish in June of 2010 and was moved to That Artsy Reader Girl in January of 2018. It was born of a love of lists, a love of books, and a desire to bring bookish friends together.” And this Tuesday’s topic is:

Books on my TBR I’m avoiding reading and why!

1. Legendary (Stephanie Garber) – I’m just going to go ahead and put this disclaimer up for some of these choices and say that the reason I’m avoiding it is because I don’t want to say goodbye to the series so quickly. I breezed through the Lunar Chronicles so fast, I sat there afterwards feeling a rush of angsty nostalgia. I want to cherish the books for as long as I can and I absolutely loved Caraval and re-read it recently. I’m still afraid to pick up Legendary right away though!

2. A Court of Mist & Fury (Sarah J. Maas) – I recently read the first book, because I thought, hey this is super hyped, let’s see how it turns out! I read the first one and my thought process was basically “what the cinnamon toast hell?” I’ve heard the second book is far better, but if I didn’t enjoy the first one, how does it get better?? But I did say I was going to try it out so I’m going to try it out! Eventually! …. Maybe this year. Or next.

3. The Handmaid’s Tale (Margaret Atwood) – I’ve heard the book is fantastic, and I believe it. I heard the show is fantastic and I believe it too. I have heard that it hits far too close to home for some people and I most certainly believe that. And that’s why I’m procrastinating on watching it. I’m not someone who sees shit going on in real life and thinks “Let me read something dystopian that reflects real life right now exactly”. I need escape. So this is probably not the year or decade or… presidency(?) for me to read this.

4. Escaping from Houdini (Kerri Maniscalco) – This one falls under the realm of not wanting the series to end. I considered waiting till a day before the fourth and final book was out, but now that’s out and… I’m going to keep Thomas and Audrey Rose alive and in my mind for as long as I want!

5. Not That Bad (Roxane Gay)  – Her book, Bad Feminist, was straight up amazing. I love her writing, and I heard her other books are fantastic. The reason I hesitate to read this one though, is because of the topic. I’ve got a history in regards to rape and assault and so I’m hesitant on reading this even though I feel like Roxane can really most likely empower me rather than trigger me.

6. Girls of Paper and Fire (Natasha Ngan) – I’ve had this book since it first came out, excited for the premise, and… then I never read it. I feel like it’s a combination of avoidance of sexual violence that I’ve read is in the book and also because it’s a series and I rather just have the entire thing and read through it in one go, especially if I feel like the story doesn’t live up to the hype.

7. The Girl on the Train (Paula Hawkins) – Another one with the sole reason that I don’t think it will live up to the hype. Also when it’s a made into a movie, the temptation to watch the movie first before the book is greatly increased. Except from personal experience, I know the book tends to be better.

8. A Game of Thrones (George R. R. Martin) – I watched the entire series by now, which is probably the reason why I can’t get myself to read this. I had only really gotten to page 3 several years back when the show was only in it’s fourth season and I saw distinct names and faces of the actors, and also found myself trying to figure out exactly which scene was from the show, that it was hard to enjoy even that first page. I may have to try again a bit later.

9. Children of Blood and Bone (Tomi Adeyemi) – I had a friend recommend this to me and I received a promotional coupon for it from Amazon when it first came out. And I ended up buying it for a few cents short of four bucks! Sweet deal! But, I’ve had it since and I haven’t gotten up the motivation to try it. The hype plays a factor in it too.

10. A Darker Shade of Magic (V. E. Schwab) – Another recommendation from a friend, and another one that I’m afraid won’t live up to its hype. Considering my friend and I are also part of a journal-based panfandom RPG in which she and a few other players write with characters of this book, I’m afraid of reading it and seeing particular faces when I should be seeing someone else!