While I’ve been asked on occasion for my TBR list, I’ve never felt comfortable publishing it, as it fluctuates like crazy. I’ll have 3 or 4 books lined up for my upcoming reads, and then I receive an adamant recommendation or two and the whole list shifts!
I brought up this issue on Facebook:
Maryse’s Book Blog: What am I gonna doooooo? I feel like I have 100 books at my #1 spot in my TBR list… My reading list keeps changing, growing, expanding, fluctuating, repositioning itself. ACK! It’s as if it’s become it’s own living breathing thing!! Ahhhh well. Can’t complain. I just gotta go with the flow.
and after a few adamant recommendations about what should be next on my list, and a bunch jumping in and seconding the recommendation, I went and downloaded those too (even though I already had a bunch in my #1 spot). So instead of choosing one, I added more!:
Maryse’s Book Blog: Awesome!!! Seeeeee!!?? This wasn’t even on my radar a few days ago, and my TBR list just shifted again! I swear it’s alive!
prompting Gail to ask:
Gail: I feel like I am always 2 books behind you. How do you choose your next book to read? and do you have a book that you just can’t wait to read?
Maryse’s Book Blog: LOL! Gail… I always have a running list of “books to be read” that I’ve either had recommended to me, or that I’ve found and am curious about. But how I choose really depends on the day. If I start a book simply because it is the next one on my list, I may not “read it right”… you know? If I’m not in the mood for dark and gloomy or for a sweet/funny read, or for an angst-y heartwrenching read, and the next one is something I might not be in the mood for, then I might struggle with it. So I always read the synopsis of a few books, and choose whichever one makes me go “Ohhhh YAH!! I wanna read THIS now!!” LOL! Not very scientific, but it *mostly* works out well.
Do I have a book that I can’t wait to read? Hrmmm.. well yes. I had three on my list yesterday – all excellent reviews, and I chose the one that had some readers in an emotional uproar, so much so, that they had to *get away* from the book a bit. I want to read them all, but the “angst” in this one was just calling to me all weekend, so I chose it, last night. I was just too excited to see what all the fuss was about, and so far, I’m enjoying it!
sidenote: If I remember correctly, the book I was talking about and was reading that day was S.C. Stephens “It’s All Relative” (it’s a free read for now, on her Feedbooks page). A bit repetitive and drawn out at times, but sure enough, it was thought provoking and incredibly romantically/emotionally intense. But. It certainly had it’s uncomfortable “eeeeeeep” moments. Definitely some cringe-worthiness. I felt bad for being so thoroughly entertained by their “dilemma” but, hey, it was a fun read.
So here is my list as of right now:
My friend Jackie will totally flip out if I don’t read this one soon so it’s next. It HAS to be. I’ve been agreeing every step of the way, but for some reason, some other book always jumps in and takes my focus. And you know what? I just know that once I read this, I’ll be kicking myself for not having read it sooner. I have a feeling (by the way she talks about it) that this will end up in my all-time forever and ever favorites list. After all, she and I have VERY similar tastes in books, and I’ve never seen her so insistent. She’s been adamantly demanding (and I mean demanding – LOL!!) that this is THE NEXT BOOK on my list and to quit worrying about what’s next. THIS IS IT!!
Jackie: Ok so you bought BOATK – when are you going to actually read it????
Maryse: I’m finishing Siren – I have two book reviews to do, and 2 MUST reads. Collision Course by SC Stephens and The Opportunist
those are the next two on my TBR list but I gotta move yours up too, so I remember it. Out of sight out of mind with me…Jackie: STOP! read the damn book! I’ll pester you.
Maryse: yah but… hahahaha. Ok then on to BOATK.
She (and a few of our book buds) have read it, and all insist it is an absolute heart warming AMAZING favorite.
The Fifth Favor by Shelby Reed
Thanks to the little reminder from Lise… I had to add it onto this list. OMG YES! This is a definite MUST read within the next book or so. I have two copies sitting on my nightstand, ’cause it’s only available in print for now. One for me, and one for a giveaway on my review. Highly recommended by Sylvia Day herself, I’m just waiting on Jenny to get her copy so we can read it together. This one is calling me, Jenny… I keep starting at it longingly wondering if I could just *start* it without you. LOL!! But I won’t, ’cause I have a feeling once I start I won’t be able to stop, and you ‘n me have a reading date.
Gitte just went crazy for this book “… it affected me completely, emotionally and I have never read a book with an unconventional love story like this before….I can REALLY recommend it!!!”, and a few others are already saying they are loving it too! I noticed it a few days ago (hey, it had tattoo in the name!!) so of course it ended up in my TBR list, but it just moved up to more then likely “next” in line. I mean, after Bear, Otter, and the Kid of course.
I love S.C. Stephens (her books have such a detailed intensity to them, and frequently push my comfort zone with situations that are just not the norm in romance reads. But I love it. This one has been recommended a ton, and when my friend Tina messaged me saying: “I started Collision Course last night. My heart hurts. So far very good.” I knew it had to be soon! (And see… this one was #2 on my next to read list, and now Butterfly Tattoo threatens it’s TBR position).
There are a TON more on my list, but these are what I am aiming to read over the next week or so. But you know how that goes…
Latest reads that were high on my TBR list, that I just finished:
The Siren (The Original Sinners) by Tiffany Reisz
I was looking for another book to add to my “what to read after Fifty Shades” list, and while this one was amazingly written, beautiful, thought provoking and eerie, it wasn’t exactly what I was looking for. Liked it, but I didn’t feel complete, or full after finishing it. I’m sure there will be another book after it, so that might be fix it, but as a whole, while there is “love”, there was more turmoil, introspection, feelings of unworthiness leading to character growth, then of romantic intensity. But like the main characters repeats, this is a love story, not a romance. Writing is 5 stars, story is 4 stars but overall I just felt 3.5 stars on this one. Dunno why? It is what it is, feeling wise, for me.
This fixed it for me. That fluffy romantic intensity that I craved with an obnoxious alpha male, this one had it. And while not perfect, and at times the alpha said the most “eye-rolling-iest” things that deserved a kick you know where… well, overall, it was a good read that satisfied my romance sweet-tooth. Not *squee* worthy but a great in between read, especially after a dark and heartbreaking one. Old school Maryse-reading… paranormal romance style (not really paranormal but the whole genetic half human/half animal DNA thing.. you know)
These reviews coming up next…
I am happily addicted to reading but I need to expend my book energy (especially when one puts me in an emotional frenzy - SO fun!). So, I release my feelings about the stories, by writing them down here. It's my book therapy. 
{ 19 comments… read them below or add one }
I think you forgot my heart for yours……(hint hint nudge)
It’s on my list…
Bear, Otter and the Kid IS amazing. (and the sequel just came out!). Butterfly Tattoo was really good.
BOATK,!! You will adore it Maryse!!
Excited
*hugs*
So glad you are reading The Opportunist, I loved it. Just started Butterfly Tattoo because I saw so my comments about it. I read My Heart for Yours last week, and liked it a lot, but did not love it. Don’t forget The Fifth Favor that Sylvia Day suggested. I really liked that book as well.
Happy Reading!
OH YESS!!! The Fifth Favor. I have it right next to me on my bed stand and YES it is UP there. Lemme add it to my main list because this is a definite within the next few reads…
Not just BOATK but ‘Who We Are’ too. Both are excellent. xxx
I found collision course annoying. I thought it would be a good book too. I just didnt like it
Free on amazon now is Preservation by Rachel Wade. I have only just started it and while it is similar to a few others I have just read it is starting off good and has great reviews. Wanted to pass on while it is still free.
Loved Collision Course. Very emotional
Yep Jackie! I love sequels, so I’m in for it, too.
Melissa and Beth: I do enjoy this author so I hope I’ll love it.
Lauren: thanks for the notification! I just downloaded it
Maryse!!! Noooooooo!!! You can’t start without me. My book is on its way – as soon as it arrives we have a reading date!!! x
Hang in there, not long to go. I promise the minute it arrives we’re onto it.
Darn that slow mail to Australia!
I read S.C Stephens Collision Course and it was good. It was a slow read for me but the story line had me wanting to keep reading. Overall it was good
Bear Otter and the Kid was awesome, but the 2nd one seems so strange, so out of left field.. I couldn’t get myself to read it, so if anyone has.. I’d like to hear what you thought.
It seems s great list. I just endend Collision Course today and it was great just a bit repetitive as all S.C. Stephens seems to be. But you know i’m like you, i have a big TBR list, but i have to be in the mood, so it’s always shifting too. And since collision course is in yours, i’m going to tell you, read this when you are in the mood for a heavy sad story. There were moments that i could’nt read it, because it made me fell really sad. It’s a great book, it’s just not that easy to read.
Thank you for the heads-up Carla! I won’t go into this when I’m looking for a lighter read.
Maryse, Have you started reading Bear, Otter and the Kid. I’m reading the second and omg.. so good. I don’t know why I was confused about what it was about before.. it was months ago. I must have been reading something else! I never cry and this one has me tearing up.. so you most definitely will!! So.. if you haven’t started the first one, get to it. I love these characters. The Kid is amazing. This author is really great at making them so real. The next one really needs to be in the Kid’s perspective and I hope the author does that… Get started if you haven’t!! I want to hear what you think…
Yep am halfway through #1 and crushing hard! LOL!!! Love it. I went to bed at 3am and didn’t even feel tired, I was so desperate to keep reading, but I had to put it down.
I will certainly move on to #2 right after.
Don’t forget to try to Hallows Series by Kim Harrison if you still haven’t had the pleasure of reading that one yet.