When I started this blog 4+ years ago, I swore up and down that contemporary fiction wasn't for me. I thought it was trite, cliche, lacking any sort of power or feeling and basically just boring. Instead, I stuck with paranormal novels, and later fell deeply in love with the dystopian genre. I started to discover over time though, that I was craving a little more reality, and so I tread lightly into the world of contemporary.

I started to learn that not all contemporary novels are trite or cliche either. Some novels rely on fluffier, lighter premises, and those are the type of books that generally don't work for me. I've learned that while, yes, I love a good love story as much as the next person, I also love books where someone really raises the stakes on potential romances, such as:

I've started to learn that novels that explore self-discovery and transitions tend to be some of the most hard-hitting novels, as well. When a protagonist has to look deep within their soul to heal through some sort of emotional or physical trauma, I can't help but fall into their shoes. When done well, it's the type of book that speaks to me on every level. For example:

And, while I love the powerful emotion of dramatic contemporaries, there are also times that I'm really just looking for sweet. That doesn't mean I'm looking for less depth - simply that I want the happily ever after and that sweet, beautiful ending that gives you warm fuzzies. Mostly what I've learned over time is that I can't simply prejudice against a genre because I've read books that haven't worked for me in the past.

What genres have you avoided and tried to learn to love over time? Has it worked? Why or why not?

Let's Talk is a weekly feature here at i swim for oceans. I think it's important that we all have our say, and there's something to be said for raising our voices. Simply put, here on the little old blog, I like to host some of my very own discussion posts because, well, I like to converse with you all.

And so, Let's Talk will feature questions or prompts, which I will answer, too. Love it or hate it, weigh in or don't, it's my hope that Let's Talk will at least get you thinking...and maybe even get you discussing with the rest of us!

What books on your shelves do you value the most and why?

On any given day that someone asks me this, I reserve the right to change this answer. That said though, there are a few books on my shelf that mean the world to me and have for a long time now. These books have a little love in their pages. They hold heartaches and secrets and, at times, these books were my hideaway…my escape. For that reason, these books hold a pretty treasured spot on my shelf.

Many Waters is the first of Madeleine L'Engle's "Time" series that actually worked for me. Funnily enough, it's also the fourth book in a series of five, and it's the only one that focuses directly on Sandy and Dennis, the twin brothers. In this story, the boys are transported back to the time of Noah's Ark and discover that, while much of the world is as the Bible tells it, there's so much more to it, as well, including mammoths, Seraphs and the snide Nephilim. 

This book singularly sparked my desire to read all day every day. I read it in one sitting, and I've read my copy so many times that cover fell off. So, these days, I keep three copies on my shelf. My first is damaged but well-loved. My second is hard-cover for safety and the third is by my bedside…always.

When I started book blogging and discovered Goodreads, I learned that I'd actually been reading fantasy long before I ever knew that I was doing so. I was a pretentious little reader when I was younger, and I was of the school of thought that the bigger the book was, the smarter I was. So, while my friends were bringing their Babysitters Club books to school, I proudly hefted these to class every day.

I got so enmeshed in this incredible world that Brian Jacques created in Redwall that I've read every single book in this series. And, to be honest, I don't even know how many of these books there are now. This, however, was my first, and I treasure my copy along with the rest of its successors.

I've read a lot of books while book blogging, but few books have made such an impact on me that I verbally coerced an Australian friend to send me a copy before we actually found a way to buy it in the states. Raw Blue is such an intense, vivid read that not only tugs at your heartstrings, but it almost draws out your hidden pain and makes you confront it, as well. 

Kirsty Eagar has written what I largely consider to be one of the most underrated books ever outside of the blogosphere. There is a delicate, pulsing pain to this novel that radiates throughout, but we heal through it, as well, all the while doing so alongside our protagonist, Carly. This book is one that I share with everyone I meet…but they can only borrow the second copy.

Let's Talk is a new weekly feature here at i swim for oceans. I think it's important that we all have our say, and there's something to be said for raising our voices. Simply put, here on the little old blog, I like to host some of my very own discussion posts because, well, I like to converse with you all.

And so, Let's Talk will feature questions or prompts, which I will answer, too. Love it or hate it, weigh in or don't, it's my hope that Let's Talk will at least get you thinking...and maybe even get you discussing with the rest of us!

What do you think about darker books on the YA market?

Most of you know that I'm a huge fan of issue books. I think there's a brilliant, understated skill to darker novels that have the ability to bare the very essence of brute human nature. I, personally, think these books are incredibly important for the younger generations because it encourages dialogue and discussions. It brings otherwise forbidden issues out into the open and creates a discourse. 

However, there are definitely those people that feel that darker issue books have no place on the YA market. Some people believe these books should be catered towards a mature audience, as younger readers might be damaged or scarred by reading these books. I don't discount that darker issue books are challenging to read. In fact, I believe the should be hard to read. If they weren't the subject matter wouldn't have such a hard-hitting impact upon reading audiences. 

Some of my favourite books are those that are the most painful to read. They make me think. They challenge me to explore some of the most painful and degrading human emotions and conditions. Most of all though, they make me feel. I also believe that if these books are done well, they are vital to the YA market because they challenge readers to step outside their comfort zones, empathize for others and, in some cases, come to terms with issues of their own. The most successful darker YA books on the market today for me include, but certainly aren't limited to:

What do you think about darker books in the YA market? Do you think they're important? Do you have a list of darker issue books that have done more for you than others? I think these books are important, but I'd love to hear what others thinks, as well! 

Most of my readers know that contemporary fiction has never, ever been my thing. In fact, when I first started this blog, I was adamantly opposed to it. I found that the majority of YA contemporary fiction felt trite, overplayed and, frankly, extremely cliché, which led me to believe that the entire genre was simply redundant.

However, I’ll be the first to admit my mistakes and tell people I was wrong. There are some incredible YA contemporary books on the market today, and one of those is Raw Blue by Kirsty Eagar. Unfortunately for YA readers, Raw Blue is an Australian title and has yet to be published in the United States.

We can purchase this book through Fish Pond, but wouldn’t it be great if we could really bring Raw Blue and Kirsty’s writing to the states through an American publisher?

Linds has informed me that the National Public Radio (NPR) is compiling a list of the Top 100 Best YA Books Ever and is asking listeners to post their top five favourites on their site here. I encourage ALL of you to add Raw Blue to your list –regardless of whether it is in your personal top 5 or not – so as to draw attention to a tile that seems to be overlooked here in the states.

Maybe, just maybe, we can get Raw Blue the attention it deserves to be published in the United States!

Just click HERE to give it your vote of approval! 

Title: Night Beach
Author: Kirsty Eagar
Publisher: Penguin Australia
Publish Date: April 26, 2012
Genre: YA, Paranormal
Pages: 324
Source: Author

Imagine there is someone you like so much that just thinking about them leaves you desperate and reckless. You crave them in a way that's not rational, not right, and you're becoming somebody you don't recognise, and certainly don't respect, but you don't even care.

And this person you like is unattainable. Except for one thing...He lives downstairs.

Abbie has three obsessions. Art. The ocean. And Kane. But since Kane's been back, he's changed. There's a darkness shadowing him that only Abbie can see. And it wants her in its world.

Abbie is your ordinary teenager. She loves art, she loves to surf and she has a slightly off and slightly more than slight obsession in Kane who lives downstairs. Abbie often finds herself lost in her own world unless she's surfing or attempting to capture Kane's attention, but these parts of her lives are becoming more and more all-consuming. The darkness surrounding Kane could be dangerous, but as much as it terrifies her, she just can't stay away. Will Abbie figure out the truth in time, or will she be forced to face reality once and for all?

Just like Abbe  has somewhat of an obsession with Kane, I have somewhat of an obsession with Kirsty Eagar, and I say that in the nicest possible way. With Night Beach, Kirsty has tackled a new realm of fiction with the same grace and ease she did with Raw Blue. Playing to her strengths and creating a powerful host of characters in a tricky (to say the least) spot, Night Beach reels you in on its powerful hook and refuses to let go. Dark and alluring, rich and stripped raw, this novel bares the very basis of human emotion and invites you into a dark and twisty world set Down Under with a backdrop of the beach - a maze of contrasts that works in powerful and emotional ways.

If you remember, guys, I was completely floored by the power of Raw Blue. So, needless to say, I had an equal showing of apprehension and excitement for this novel. She warned us it was very different and that it might not work for everyone, but in a way, I don't think Night Beach strayed too far. While, yes, the novel adds a sort of cross-genre twist, for the most part it stays entirely true to her writing style. There is something so stark and raw about her writing style that makes it utterly believable. I have no hesitations when it comes to understanding and believing her characters. Abbie and Kane are stripped down to their barest forms, exposing their inner truths to the reader, but allowing for a sort of gray area to shine through the black and white. It's incredibly powerful and powerfully real. I think the true strength of Night Beach was the transformation in Abbie's character. She was so shallow and petty to start, but we get to watch as she evolves and transforms through the series of events. Regardless, I can empathize with her emotions because she's real, as her obsession and her fear. Likewise, the fear I felt through Night Beach was tangible and real, but it's the honesty behind the fear that made it so very real in the first place. Most of all though, this novel plays up the author's strength in characterization fueling a dark-tinged story.

This was a tricky review to write spoiler-free, but I simply wanted to capture the mood of Night Beach. It's powerful and raw and utterly addicting. I'm obsessed. I give it a 5 out of 5, and I highly recommend it to all fans of YA and upper YA, especially those who enjoy thrillers, paranormal and darker stories.

I received this book free of charge from the author in exchange for an honest review. This, in no way, affected my opinion or review of this book.

Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme created by The Broke and the Bookish. The feature was created because they are particularly fond of lists over at The Broke and the Bookish. They'd love to share their lists with other bookish folks and would LOVE to see your top ten lists!

Each week they will post a new top ten list that one of our bloggers at The Broke and the Bookish will answer. Everyone is welcome to join. All they ask is that you link back to The Broke and the Bookish on your own Top Ten Tuesday post AND add your name to the Linky widget so that everyone can check out other bloggers lists! If you don't have a blog, just post your answers as a comment. Have fun with it! It's a fun way to get to know your fellow bloggers.

Top Ten Summer Beach Reads:

1. Raw Blue by Kirsty Eagar - I've said it once, and I'll say it a million more times. This book is phenomenal. It has everything from strong characters, to a beautiful and tragic plot to dealing with powerful issues. Plus, it's beachy and sweet. Sold yet? You should be. It's fantastic. 

2. Sea Change by Aimee Friedman - There's something about the sweet simplicity about this one that makes it just brilliant. It's the first mermaid book I read, and I like that it is a standalone, despite the fact that I totally would have loved a second book. Mermaids + beach + summer = a great beachy read! 

3. Lock and Key by Sarah Dessen - Summer feels like the right time to read contemporary for some reason. When I go to the beach, I want to bask in familiarity and real life. This is all that and more. It's sweet, perhaps a touch predictable, but totally believable and lovely. This is definitely a beach read.

4. Siren by Tricia Rayburn - Sirens live in the water. Water is at the beach. Beach is like summer. I think that pretty much sums it up, but this first installment in the series is lovely, heartbreaking and just summery enough to whet my appetite. Plus, who doesn't love a sweet summer romance that might just be something more?!  

5. The Espressologist by Kristina Springer - I never reviewed this one on my blog, but it always seems to find its way into my beach bag. There's something about the sweet story, the coffee on the cover and the fact that it's just contemporary enough to feel totally real and believable that makes me want to keep reading it. It's light and fun - just like a day at the beach!  

6. The Summer I Turned Pretty by Jenny Han - Frankly, the title says it all. It's a summertime book! I have never been a huge advocate of contemps, but there's something about this series that just soars. I love it, I love the characters and I love the sweet romance and summer feel. This is always on my summer reading list.  

7. Twenty Boy Summer by Sarah Ockler - Despite my initial aversion to the book because of the somewhat "loose" title, this one has me in its throes to this day. I love the fact that it's deeper than the title or cover implies and actually shows the grief and healing process with the backdrop of a beautiful transitional summer.  

8. Amy & Roger's Epic Detour by Morgan Matson - For some reason, I avoided this one for a long time. Once I read it though, I was hooked. What screams summer more than roadtrips with great music and fabulous friends? I love the playlists interjected throughout the story and the fact that I always feel like summer - no matter when I read it.

9. A Ring of Endless Light by Madeleine L'Engle - Dolphins, my friends. Dolphins. A quick aside - NEVER see the made-for-tv movie because it's horrible. Regardless though, this book is powerful, sweet, a touch sad and just happy enough to make you want to visit the ocean, step in the water and experience what the characters felt.  

10. Many Waters by Madeleine L'Engle - No list is complete without this book for me, kids. I know, it's on every list pretty much. Think - Noah's Ark with a twist. We've got little mammoths, light and dark angels, a coming of age story and two brothers who love one girl enough to want to save her and transport her to their time. Gahhhh still love it.

Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme created by The Broke and the Bookish. The feature was created because they are particularly fond of lists over at The Broke and the Bookish. They'd love to share their lists with other bookish folks and would LOVE to see your top ten lists!

Each week they will post a new top ten list that one of our bloggers at The Broke and the Bookish will answer. Everyone is welcome to join. All they ask is that you link back to The Broke and the Bookish on your own Top Ten Tuesday post AND add your name to the Linky widget so that everyone can check out other bloggers lists! If you don't have a blog, just post your answers as a comment. Have fun with it! It's a fun way to get to know your fellow bloggers.

Top Ten Young Adult Fictional Characters:

1. Hermione Granger (Harry Potter) - Regardless of what you think of the series, her so-called bushy hair (I'm sorry, but it's perfect in the movies, at least), or her epic nerdiness, this is one kickass heroine! She is smart, brave and she doesn't take flak from anyone. She is empowering, in a nutshell.

2. Katniss Everdeen (The Hunger Games) - Not too many girls would sacrifice themselves in the blink of an eye to save their baby sister. She's brave and valiant, proud and strong, and she was a wonderful character to follow through three incredible books.

3. Carly (Raw Blue) - I've never been a fan of contemps, but this one blew my mind, in part because of just how real the MC was. Though she was haunted by the trauma she faced and the pain she lived with, she was honest and true throughout.

4. Harry Potter (Harry Potter) - Seriously? What's a list without an overdose of Harry Potter. We all know that I'm a Potter fiend (my cat's middle name is Harry Potter - don't judge me), but he is incredible. We grew up with him, and like it or not - he's a part of our generation.

5. Mara (The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer) - I'm a sucker for twisted. So, sue me. There's something so epicly wrong with Mara that it's just about right. This girl has everything going wrong, and yet she is utterly captivating!

6. Damon (The Vampire Diaries) - Colour me crazy, but I love me a bad boy. He's dark and brooding, and he can be so bloody selfish, but you can't get better than him. Underneath all that cynicism, he's a marshmallow. 

7. Percy (Percy Jackson & the Olympians) - This kid is just that - a kid, but he's so entertaining, and I swear that everything goes wrong for him, no matter what. He's always kicking ass and taking names though, and his adventures are far too cool.

8. Albus Dumbledore (Harry Potter) - I confess, I love him. I still held out hope to the very end that somehow, some way, he would come back. That said, I felt the same way for Sirius, so that's a testament to the connection I felt with the characters!

9. Grandfather Lamech (Many Waters) - He was wise, sweet and old, but he loved his children to the very end. Most of all, in a time of non-belief, he believed there was a path, and he held fast to that belief through everything. I loved him. 

10. Martin the Warrior (Redwall) - One little mouse fueled an entire epic fantasy series that dominated my childhood shelves. I think I own every book in the series, and I just loved hearing all the tales of everyone trying to live up to his name.

Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme created by The Broke and the Bookish. The feature was created because they are particularly fond of lists over at The Broke and the Bookish. They'd love to share their lists with other bookish folks and would LOVE to see your top ten lists!

Each week they will post a new top ten list that one of our bloggers at The Broke and the Bookish will answer. Everyone is welcome to join. All they ask is that you link back to The Broke and the Bookish on your own Top Ten Tuesday post AND add your name to the Linky widget so that everyone can check out other bloggers lists! If you don't have a blog, just post your answers as a comment. Have fun with it! It's a fun way to get to know your fellow bloggers.

Top Ten Books I'd Recommend for Someone Who Doesn't Read Contemporary:

1. Raw Blue by Kirsty Eagar - The name says it all. This book is so raw, so emotional and so powerful that I cried for at least three chapters straight. There's a beauty in the stark honesty of this one.

2. Between by Jessica Warman - I don't care if there was a bit of predictability to this one. It's so beautifully written, and there is power behind the words. I loved it in its entirety.

3. Wintergirls by Laurie Halse Anderson - This one, though triggering, is amazing. I wouldn't recommend it to those necessarily recovering from an eating disorder because I saw a lot of tips I probably should forget, but it's incredibly powerful.

4. Losing Faith by Denise Jaden - It grapples with issues I haven't really explored before in YA fiction, and the reality of it is beautiful...and dangerous. It's complex and phenomenal.

5. Leaving Paradise by Simone Elkeles - I've said it time and time again that this book is incredible. The story of Maggie and Caleb leaps from the pages with raw emotion and complexity. I really wish there wasn't a sequel because it didn't live up.

6. The Rules of Survival by Nancy Werlin - Written as a letter from a brother to his younger sister, this one was heart-wrenching from start to finish, and though I wasn't sure how I felt about it right away, I continue to re-read it to this day.

7. Stay by Deb Caletti - The author certainly knows how to paint her characters in a light that is so real that you feel you know them. I loved this book, and though I wasn't sure I would enjoy it, I have a very worn out copy on my shelf now.

8. Dark Song by Gail Giles - I'll be honest - this one isn't for the faint of heart. It's brutal, and it's a story of addictive personalities, rebellion, lies and abuse (both emotional and physical). Part of me loved it, and part of me felt physically ill. That's the beauty of it.

9. Twenty Boy Summer by Sarah Ockler - I put this one off for so long because I thought the title sounded slutty, but it turned out to be a beautiful story of overcoming loss and tragedy. It was a bit blunt, but it was real, and it was rich.

10. Some Girls Are by Courtney Summers - I was on the fence about this one for a long time. It's a fast read, but it's intense. It's definitely nothing like I've ever experienced before, but the story of bullying is relevant, and it's powerful.

Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme created by The Broke and the Bookish. The feature was created because they are particularly fond of lists over at The Broke and the Bookish. They'd love to share their lists with other bookish folks and would LOVE to see your top ten lists!

Each week they will post a new top ten list that one of our bloggers at The Broke and the Bookish will answer. Everyone is welcome to join. All they ask is that you link back to The Broke and the Bookish on your own Top Ten Tuesday post AND add your name to the Linky widget so that everyone can check out other bloggers lists! If you don't have a blog, just post your answers as a comment. Have fun with it! It's a fun way to get to know your fellow bloggers.

Ten Books That I Read That Were Outside Of My Comfort Zone (whether you liked them or not):

1. Raw Blue - I've never been a fan of contemps, so this one was for sure out of my comfort zone when I signed up to participate in a tour. I was sold about ten pages in. The writing is phenomenal, the story is rich and real and, frankly, it's an all-time favourite of mine.

2. Vampire Empire: The Greyfriar - I hate vampires. If you're an avid reader of my blog, you'll know it's mainly because I want my vampires to be dark and horrible, not sparkly and frou-frou. Anyhoo, this blends steampunk, action, war and some serious hunky viciousness. It's epic.

3. Amy & Roger's Epic Detour - This, too, was one of those contemps that my followers raved about consistently. So, I picked it up, I read it, and I loved it. It was so fun and sweet!

4. Dark Song - I love me some dark and twisty, but dark and twisty contemps have to be done just right to make me truly cringe. This story is brutal, and it's graphic and it is seriously wrong. That's why it pushed the envelope and, in a weird way, I loved it.

5. Boyfriends with Girlfriends - I'll be honest and say I haven't delved too deeply into the realm of LGBTQ fiction, but this one was one of my first attempts. It had a great premise and a solid plot, but I just wasn't completely sold - not the content that did that though...the writing style.

6. I Heart You, You Haunt Me - Verse novels are tricky for me. There's a subtext in the lack of excessive descriptiveness that needs to speak volumes, and this one works flawlessly. I adored how poetic it was.

7. The Long Weekend - I really don't read too much horror, or too many psychological thrillers, but when I was approached to read it, I couldn't help but be sold. The content is horrifying in and of itself. The author also is tremendously talented and paints a terrifying picture without going overboard. It's stunning.

8. Generation Dead - I love zombies in films and a lot of pop culture, but this was one of my first attempts at zombies in YA lit. Unfortunately, it fell horribly flat for me. I could barely get through it.

9. Life As We Knew It - This was one of my first dystopians (perhaps my first, actually), and I was sold on the cover. Colour me petty. It was bleak and dismal, for sure, but there was a trickle of hope that bled through the pages and sold me on the genre.

10. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone - About five months after it came out, my little sister was reading this, and I teased her mercilessly. I believe I said something about a "hairy potter." Fastforward ten-odd years, and see how obsessed I am now? It convinced me there's more to YA fiction than I might have thought, and it's my favourite series of all time.

TGIF is a new(ish) feature at one of my absolute favourite blogs, GReads!, hosted by the lovely Ginger. It's a way to celebrate the impending weekend, and answer fun questions. Most of all though, you get to know a wee bit more about all those awesome bloggers you meet. So, what are you waiting for? Do your own post and head on over to link up!

Which particular books opened you up to a new genre?

I could say it a thousand times, and I'd honestly sound as though I'm preaching, but there are SO so many books that have opened my eyes to new genres and subgenres that I thought I'd never like. Those who follow me religiously know that I've always had a bit of a strong aversion to contemporary fiction though. And, actually, a lot of you have asked why, so I'll my general reasoning down to three main points:

1. I don't feel like a good portion of contemporary fiction is even remotely like real life adolescence, and that makes me cranky.

2. So much of contemporary fiction paints things in black and white/good or bad/hot or not. Life isn't that simple, or cut and dried. It's complicated.

3. I like messy things. I like watching worlds unravel and spin out of control. I've read too many contemps were it's all ribbons, and ponies and a nonstop Taylor Swift (happy) love song.

That said, I have been proven wrong in quite a few instances this past year, and I can admit when a book changes my mind in a way. So, the top three books that have truly spoken to me on a deeper level in the genre of contemporary fiction are:

1. Raw Blue by Kirsty Eagar; 2. Dark Song by Gail Giles; 3. Leaving Paradise by Simone Elkeles

The common denominator? They're all dark and twisty and messy. Colour me crazy, but I love it when they are out of control.

Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme created by The Broke and the Bookish. The feature was created because they are particularly fond of lists over at The Broke and the Bookish. They'd love to share their lists with other bookish folks and would LOVE to see your top ten lists!

Each week they will post a new top ten list that one of our bloggers at The Broke and the Bookish will answer. Everyone is welcome to join. All they ask is that you link back to The Broke and the Bookish on your own Top Ten Tuesday post AND add your name to the Linky widget so that everyone can check out other bloggers lists! If you don't have a blog, just post your answers as a comment. Have fun with it! It's a fun way to get to know your fellow bloggers.

Top Ten Books I Wish I Could Read Again for the First Time:

1. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone - Let's be honest...this book started it all. This is why I love reading so very much. Who wouldn't want to begin the magic all over again?

2. The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer - Now that I know to expect the Cliffhanger of Doom, I'm prepared for the ending. I wish I could read it over, and over and over for the first time every time to be just as shocked!

3. Redwall - I don't care what anyone says. This is my sort of fantasy. Animals that act like humans and books with overriding themes of love and family...that's the best in the world.

4. Many Waters - This one will always be on my list. I don't like the rest of this series, but I think that this one will remain a favourite of mine forever. It's Noah's Ark with a twist.

5. Vampire Academy - Considering how much I hate vampires, you'd have thought I'd hate this series. Quite the contrary though, my friends. I adore it! I want it to start all over again.

6. City of Bones - I remember putting this one off forever because of the hype and because, frankly, I loathe the covers. I would give anything to be introduced to Jace for the first time again.

7. The Hunger Games - I preach the awesomeness of this book to everyone I know. Again, this was a book I put off because of the hype, but I was so wrong. It's incredible, and I love this series.

8. The Adoration of Jenna Fox - I put this one off forever because I was petty and the cover didn't appeal to me. I was blown away by the dark dystopian vibe of it.

9. Life As We Knew It - I didn't like the second and third books all that much, but I loved the first book. It was tragic, but the characters showed growth and the series showed potential. Plus, I love me some post-apocalyptic drama.

10. Raw Blue - This one changed my take on contemporary fiction forever. There's magic in this book, and I'd give anything to relive it every day.

Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme created by The Broke and the Bookish. The feature was created because they are particularly fond of lists over at The Broke and the Bookish. They'd love to share their lists with other bookish folks and would LOVE to see your top ten lists!

Each week they will post a new top ten list that one of our bloggers at The Broke and the Bookish will answer. Everyone is welcome to join. All they ask is that you link back to The Broke and the Bookish on your own Top Ten Tuesday post AND add your name to the Linky widget so that everyone can check out other bloggers lists! If you don't have a blog, just post your answers as a comment. Have fun with it! It's a fun way to get to know your fellow bloggers.

Top Ten Book Endings That Left Me With My Mouth Hanging Open :

1. The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin - Holy Cliffhanger of Doom. If you haven't read this one yet, you're seriously missing out. Not only is the book phenomenally tense, but the cliffhanger was one I never even saw coming. And I'm dying. Seriously. Dying. I need book two. PLEASE!

2. Leaving Paradise by Simone Elkeles - Though when I finished this one, I really wanted a second book, I wish I hadn't wished so hard for one. While, yes, it was left with tons of questions and a cliffhanger ending, it would have been perfect had it not been spoiled by book two, in my humble opinion.

3. Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins - Personally, I loved this book. I thought it was epic. The ending, however, was an epic letdown for me. Seriously? I was not expecting ribbons and bows, but I certainly got it...it was just a little unfulfilling, I guess.

4. Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson - This one blew my mind because the ending was perfect. It wasn't overdone, but it wasn't underwhelming either. There was a sense of justice and peace. I felt good when I closed the book.

5. In My Father's House by Ann Rinaldi - Oscie Mason was headstrong and willful. She wasn't looking for love, and she certainly wasn't expecting it in the middle of the Civil War with her stepfather and she constantly at odds. But she found it...and it was denied? What? Hey...no fair!

6. Raw Blue by Kirsty Eagar - I had so many emotions when I finished that this book, that my mouth would have been hanging open either way. I felt satisfied with Carly and Ryan's story, but at the same time, I wanted more. I wasn't finished watching Carly grow stronger, or Ryan break down her walls.

7. Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix by J.K. Rowling - This book never fails to make me cry. For the record, I love all the books, but this one in particular was the changing of the tide in so many ways. I knew the story was getting darker, but this ending haunts me, and while it leads to the next book, I was still satisfied with how it ended...heartbroken, but satisfied.

8. Many Waters by Madeleine L'Engle - I know every list always has this on it, but it's one of my favourites. So, sue me. The ending of this one was sad, happy, heartbreaking, heartwarming and a million other things all at once. Did I love it? Heck yes. Did I wish it could have played out another way? Heck yes! Could it have worked another way? No, and that's why I love it every time.

9. Here Lies Bridget by Paige Harbison - Okay, maybe I'm not fair on this one because, frankly, I didn't like it, but still. Really? The ending was the epitome of everything fixing itself in about ten pages to create a happily ever after scenario. I might not like real life all the time, but it's more believable. This one didn't work for me, and the ending sealed the deal.

10. The Lying Game by Sara Shepard - This woman can write a cliffhanger. I loved the Pretty Little Liars series, but I think this one tops it, if I'm being honest. It consistently has me on my toes, and book one had me begging for book two right away.

Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme created by The Broke and the Bookish. The feature was created because they are particularly fond of lists over at The Broke and the Bookish. They'd love to share their lists with other bookish folks and would LOVE to see your top ten lists!

Each week they will post a new top ten list that one of our bloggers at The Broke and the Bookish will answer. Everyone is welcome to join. All they ask is that you link back to The Broke and the Bookish on your own Top Ten Tuesday post AND add your name to the Linky widget so that everyone can check out other bloggers lists! If you don't have a blog, just post your answers as a comment. Have fun with it! It's a fun way to get to know your fellow bloggers.

Top Ten Books I Read Because Of Another Blogger:

1. Raw Blue by Kirsty Eagar - If I could name all those who gave rave reviews of it right now, I would, but there are too dang many. This one was one of my first forays into the realm of contemporary fiction, and it was one hell of a success.

2. Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead - I hate vampires. It's not a secret. That said, I kept seeing glowing reviews, and I finally caved. Then I made others read it. Thank you for being the one series YA vamps that keeps me riveted!

3. The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins - I resisted this for a good bit because of the hype, but finally gave in, and I'm so glad I did. This is up there with my favourite series of all times, even if Mockingjay wasn't loved by all.

4. Life As We Knew It by Susan Beth Pfeffer - This was an epic start to a dystopian series. While I didn't love all three books, this one is for sure one of those books that was raved about until I read it and loved it for myself.

5. The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan - I remember thinking this was too young for me (I know - says the girl who reads YA in her mid-twenties), and swearing it would never be on my radar...then I read it, and I read the entire series in a matter of days. Totally worth it!

6. Twenty Boy Summer by Sarah Ockler - Contemps are a hit or miss for me, and the title put me off this one for a while, but I kept seeing great reviews that finally convinced me to give it a try. Was it a difficult read for content? Sure, but it was powerful and true.

7. City of Bones by Cassandra Clare - I never liked the covers. Sorry kids, but they deterred me for a long time. When I finally caved into the hype from a certain blogger, I thanked her endlessly because this is a series that I've had to buy multiple copies of because they're worn out now.

8. Blood Red Road by Moira Young - I had an ARC of this one, but I was scared of the dialect in which it was said to be written. Two five-star reviews from trusted bloggy friends convinced me to give it a go though, and it got a five-star review from me, as well.

9. Amy & Roger's Epic Detour by Morgan Matson - This is another one of those surprising contemporary reads that is raved about by pretty much every blogger I follow. I put it off as long as possible, but finally read it and loved it as much, if not more than them.

10. The Adoration of Jenna Fox by Mary E. Pearson - Something about this cover always deterred me because I thought it would be too sci-fi for my taste. I didn't think there would be enough humanity in the book. I was wrong. This book is perfection.

As many of you know, it's Kirsty Eagar Appreciation Week, and this lovely feature is hosted by the all-too-awesome Linds from Bibliophile Brouhaha and Nic from Irresistible Reads. Raw Blue is a one of a kind read that transformed my opinion of contemporary fiction in a single read, and I'm still blown away by the book to this day. I jumped at the chance to share the love for the brilliant author and incredible book. Please join me in welcoming Kirsty Eagar to my little blog for a post about something we share in common...our love of the ocean and the setting of Raw Blue!

RAW BLUE - THE PLACE

Hello people! Thank you all so much for supporting Raw Blue. Writing that book affected me a lot, so it’s lovely to know that the story is travelling and some of you guys have met the characters. I know not all of you will be familiar with Sydney’s northern beaches – the setting for the story – so how do you feel about coming on a quick virtual tour with me?

1. North Narrabeen

The place where Carly is living and surfing. It’s a beachside suburb that is pretty well awash with water when you consider that it not only fronts the ocean but is also home to Narrabeen Lakes (people sometimes call it ‘the lagoon’ – pick your pony). I’ve just spent a year living directly across the road from the surf break there, and the photo on the left is what I looked out at from my writing desk – !!! (Although I should say that I usually had to cross the road to check the surf. It normally breaks further up. That photo was taken on a huge winter’s day). The photo on the right is the other extreme – that’s me on some incredibly small summer slops.

2. The Café - Manly

When people talk about the northern beaches what they’re referring to is 30 kilometres (18.5 miles) of coastline that starts at a suburb called Manly and stretches northwards to a place called Palm Beach. The café where Carly works is in Manly, which is a really lovely suburb bracketed by the beach on one side and the harbour on the other. It’s very popular with tourists because it’s a ferry ride away from the city. The café in the story is fictional, but based on real places that I worked at while I was travelling around Australia. I’d love to name them but I’d better not. I think they’d sue. Hollandaise sauce, anyone?

3. Turtlebacks at Dee Why (chapter 22)

Dee Why is the place where Ryan and Carly go to check out a huge south swell. It’s three beaches north of Manly. There really was a large Tasman Sea swell that hit Sydney during the year I wrote the first draft of the book (2006). I took these photos of it from Dee Why. Note the two guys at the edge of the tidal pool about to get smashed – they’re the turtlebacks in the story.

4. The Collaroy Services Club

At the risk of getting all Big Yellow Taxi on you, I’m surprised at how many things have changed since 2006. The Collaroy Services Club (chapter 26) is now called The Beach Club. And The Sands (a pub mentioned briefly in chapter 24) has been bulldozed for apartments. They’ve built a new Sands – I don’t like it, though; it’s not as good. But I’m getting sidetracked. This is the Collaroy Services Club where Ryan takes Carly for a drink when he first comes back from the mines. Nice location, hey?

Well, that wraps it up. Thanks for having me! I hope it’s all humming for you, wherever you are.

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Thank you so much for dropping by, Kirsty! Now for all of you, please visit the rest of the events this week - you can view the full list HERE...annnnnnndddd thanks to the lovely author and coordinators of this event, I have a signed copy of Raw Blue up for grabs for you guys! Want to enter? The rules are simple:

As always, you do NOT need to be a follower to enter, but it's always appreciated! This giveaway is open internationally and will end promptly at midnight on September 7, 2011 at 12 AM EST.

Click HERE to enter!

Once upon a time, I hated contemporary books, guys. You know this. I professed my hatred in many a post, and I firmly declared that I was certain no book could ever change my mind. Enter Raw Blue. That singular book opened my eyes to the beauty of a genre that had always escaped me, and the lovely Kirsty Eagar gave us a book that is honest, heartfelt and beautiful in the most tragic and truthful sense of the word.

The lovely Nic from Irresistible Reads (champion of Aussie authors) and Linds from Bibliophile Brouhaha (her personal quest is to have Raw Blue published in the US) are hosting a one-of-a-kind, week-long event featuring reviews, guest posts, giveaways and more to bring Kirsty Eagar's incredible works to light. Here's what you should know:

Kirsty Eagar Appreciation Week: August 29th - September 4th

Where: Irresistible Reads and Bibliophile Brouhaha

Also Features On: Supernatural Snark, The Unread Reader, Inkcrush and right here at I Swim for Oceans

Look Out For: Guest posts from Kirsty (and info on her new book!), reviews and GIVEAWAYS!

Please help us spread the word, and please feel free to join in the fun! Below are some buttons you're more than welcome to take and use - let's share the love for an awesome author!