Summertime is here, my friends, and am I right in saying there's absolutely nothing better in the whole world?! Some of my earliest memories are of days at the beach, book in hand, just soaking up the rays. And, whether I wanted to believe it or not, there is such a thing as the perfect beach read! When I'm there relaxing and enjoying a beautiful sunshiney day, I want something sweet, fun, romantic and soul-fulfilling. These are, without a doubt, the perfect summertime reads in my book (pun intended)!

On the Fence by Kasie West

We'll Always Have Summer (The Summer Series) by Jenny Han

Twenty Boy Summer by Sarah Ockler

Amy & Roger's Epic Detour by Morgan Matson

The Fault in Our Stars by John Green

Catching Jordan by Miranda Kenneally

This Song Will Save Your Life by Leila Sales

Rules of Summer by Joanna Philbin

Raw Blue by Kirsty Eagar

Something Real by Heather Demetrios

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly feature from The Broke and the Bookish.

When I think back to how I thought things were when I first started blogging, I must say I was quite naive. I didn't really get how many genres, subgenres and possibilities there were in the world of books. It's safe to say that I read within my comfort zone most of the time, and I didn't often look for new things. Book blogging changed all that though, and some books...well, some books changed my perception of entire genres. We like to call those "gateway books."

Gateway Books to Dystopian:

Gateway Books to Science Fiction:

Gateway Books to Contemporary:

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly feature from The Broke and the Bookish.

In honour of Valentine's Day, I thought I'd do just a little bitty feature, sharing those books I've read recently (or ever) that I'd absolutely love to have sequels. You know those books that just speak to your soul from the start, then crush it with abandon, only to end after a mere 350 pages? Yes, those books. There is something to absolutely love within all these books, and I'll hold out hope until the end of time.

Not a Drop to Drink by Mindy McGinnis

Coincidentally enough, I discovered that it's getting a companion novel in September 2014…I, quite literally, accosted Ms. McGinnis on Twitter about my oblivion and my excitement. 

The following three novels all had a significant impact on me. One was read in my youth, but I've longed to know more since then. Another was read only a few years ago, but I'd give my left foot to see the story continued and given true, final closure. The third simply remains on my shelf through thick and thin. I can't tell you the number of times I've imagined another installment and another ending to the story. I know that ship has sailed, but I can't help but want more to this day.

The Last Silk Dress by Ann Rinaldi

This book has a clear and definitive ending, but it's also open-ended in terms of Susan's story. I'd love to have a chance to see whether this Southern girl truly braved the North.

Raw Blue by Kirsty Eagar

Carly is broken when we first meet her, and we slowly but surely watch as she begins to heal. We don't see her fully healed though, and selfish me wants more.

Many Waters by Madeleine L'Engle

I'm crazy because this is a Biblical retelling, and we all know how Noah's Ark ended. But seriously? Who wouldn't want to know whether Sandy and Dennis got over Yalith, or if Adnarel really saved Yalith in the end?

Reading, for me, is all about love. I fall in love with the characters, with the story, with the author's writing style; I have a love affair with books every single day. And no, I'm not ashamed of it. What books would you love to see have a sequel?

Happy Valentine's 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.

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 great way to get to know your fellow bloggers.

The Top Ten Books I Wish Had Sequels
(even if they really, really wouldn't work)

1. Not a Drop to Drink - This was a newer title that I read, and I really, really loved it. I just wish that the ending hadn't been so hurried so we could have lived in Lynn's world a bit longer.

2. Raw Blue - I doubt I really have to justify this being on any of my lists anymore. This book is perfection, and I would have loved to learn more about Carly's healing process.

3. Find Me - There aren't too many thrillers that really captivate me and capture my attention, but this book had me rabid for it from the start. I want more, I want more! (cue AT&T commercial)

4. Between - I still don't know why so few people have read this book. Seriously, it's one of my all-time favourites even in spite of a bit of predictability. It's a true diamond in the rough. 

5. Many Waters - I don't think there is any logical way to make a sequel to a sci-fi version of Noah's Ark, but I wish there could be a way! This book is pure gold. I own five copies.

6. The Fault in Our Stars - Okay, I know that any sequel to this would probably be the most depressing thing in the world, but I loved, loved, loved this book. I wish there was a way!

7. The Raft - For a book with one character (okay, I guess you could say two), this book is a winner. It's eerie, it's tense, it's incredible, and I just want to know what happened after the last page.

8. Wintergirls - Of all Laurie Halse Anderson's books, this is my favourite, hands down. Lia was a powerful, horrible character, and I wanted to hit and her save her at the same time. 

9. Safekeeping - I didn't think such a simple, low-key dystopian novel would work, but this one really did. On one hand, I loved the ending, but on the other hand, it was so good that I definitely want more.

10. Sea Change - I read this one when I first started blogging, and I actually emailed the author to find out if there was a sequel I didn't know about. There isn't. I'm still crushed.

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.

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 great way to get to know your fellow bloggers.

Top Ten Authors That Deserve More Recognition

1. Chris Howard, author of Rootless - He's a remarkable writer that writes with a purpose, though we never, ever feel as though he's preaching or talking down to us as readers.

2. Romily Bernard, author of Find Me - Her debut novel surprised me in the best possible way, full of dark twists and turns, all the while asking the reader to become invested in a fantastic mystery.

3. Kirsty Eagar, author of Raw Blue - She has this innate ability to bottle human emotion and turn it into something magical, even for the most reluctant of contemporary readers.

4. Jennifer Brown, author of Hate List - She captures the essence of human nature and crafts stories around it that are poignant, powerful and, most of all, real.

5. Mary E. Pearson, author of The Adoration of Jenna Fox - In a time when sci-fi didn't seem to have a true audience, she made it popular by merging it with an unbelievable, heart-wrenching tale.

6. Savita Kalhan, author of The Long Weekend - This little-known author wrote one of the most powerful books I've read on this blog that far surpasses the YA genre.

7. Victoria Schwab, author of The Near Witch - With a fluid, melodic and poetic voice, she spun a tale that was equal parts magic, mystery, sweet romance and thriller.

8. Joanna Philbin, author of The Daughters Series - In a time where I swore off contemps, her sweet, lighthearted books about a trio of friends broke the mold with her fun and engaging writing voice. 

9. T.M. Goeglein, author of Cold Fury - True crime has often lacked an audience in YA, but this lesser-known author wrote a hard-hitting, powerful and thrilling tale that transcends the genre.

10. Darby Karchut, author of Griffin Rising - Even when I swore of paranormal for being completely formulaic, I could resist this sweet story full of heart and soul (and engaging writing).

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, if any, have you read only because a blogger's review convinced you to? Did they live up?

From day one of this blog, I professed my utter aversion to contemporary fiction, so to any blogger that has convinced me to read a contemporary book - major kudos to you! But seriously, before I started blogging, I would have read anything BUT contemps. I avoided them like the plague. Thus, my blog was definitely skewed towards the paranormal/fantasy realm (though it's been shifting lately, eh?) It took some coaxing, but some awesome bloggers definitely opened my eyes to what contemps have to offer.

This one simple book is what changed it all for me. Seriously. I'm being dead serious when I say this, and I'm pretty sure my review states as much. I was convinced to read this book by Linds, who used to blog over at Bibliophile Brouhaha. She and another great blogger, Nic, arranged an international tour of this one, and it absolutely blew my mind. The power, the raw, raging emotion, the subtle backdrop which almost serves as a character in its own right all work together to create a book that just exceeded all of my expectations. 

Kirsty Eagar rocketed to the top of my favourite author list simply because she managed to bottle human emotion and created a book that was neither trite nor cliche, but rather pulled me into the world with the characters and let me experience it through their eyes. Of all the books that bloggers have recommended to me over the past three years, this remains the most prominent standout. I tout the merits of this book every chance I get, and I say this...if you don't like contemps but you want to try to...start here. Start with Raw Blue. You won't regret it.

This isn't the only book that's been recommended and succeeded for me though either. I read the Summer series by Jenny Han thanks to the coaxing of Ginger from GReads. I actually finally read Anna & the French Kiss because I figured if Jenny from Supernatural Snark loved it, it had to be good. There were some letdowns, too, of course. For example, I read Incarceron by Catherine Fischer, and I was so lost that I had to set it aside and take notes. Those recs are definitely in the vast minority though.

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 underrated books have you read that you wish more bloggers would highlight and review?

There are so many books on the market - in all genres - that it's an impossibility to even think about reading them all, but let's be honest. We've all read some of those books that absolutely blow us away, yet nobody else seems to read or review them. Why is this? I'll never really know, but the great thing about book blogging is that we have the chance to share some of our favourites with others and recommend what we think they might just be missing. Here's your chance, people! Tell me what I'm missing out on!

I don't read too many books from the male perspective simply because, well, I'm a girl. I find it pretty difficult to get in a guy's shoes unless the author manages to breach that divide and make the male MC's voice and characterization truly transparent and accessible to the female audience. E.C. Myers totally blew me away with this book for multiple reasons. First of all, the concept is both engaging and unnerving. A magic coin? Unforeseeable consequences? Losing yourself to an inanimate object? Yeah, Fair Coin has all of that and so much more. Above all else though, this book is adventurous and fun, taking a new twist on sci-fi and fantasy and becoming a pretty amazing setup to a new series. I find it pretty hard to get invested in series with the amount of books I read and review these days, but let me tell you...this is worth the investment. 

You guys have probably all heard me rave about Raw Blue by Kirsty Eagar because - and let's be real here for a second - that book is pretty much perfection in terms of contemporary fiction. It seems as thought Night Beach has taken the back seat to her more famous title though and, while I get it, it's saddening. The great thing about this book is that the author isn't afraid to try (and do) something new that her readers don't know her for. It takes a risk, and it's certainly an eerie and off-kilter book. Best of all though, the characters of the book bare their souls - both dark and light - in this book, and it makes the prose haunting, terrifying and utterly captivating. No, it's not a contemporary read. And no, you probably won't find any great hidden meaning in this book, but you will find excellent characterization, a twisting plot and a story that will keep you guessing. 

I waited forever to read this book, and I actually wonder if others did so, as well, simply because they don't think it will stand out from the rest of their TBR pile. Let me tell you though...it's worth the read. It's not a terribly long book, but it's riveting from start to finish. It takes true skill for an author to manage to successfully set up a book with a tiny cast of survivors characters with limited means, a fairly limited setting and their own mortality looming over their heads. The Raft does this flawlessly though. There is such a tangible tension in this book that I wasn't even sure I'd make it to the end - simply because it was that gripping. There is drama, yes, but even more so, there is an extreme struggle for survival that demands to be heard - and felt. This book is one of my absolute favourite reads of 2013, and I think more bloggers need to give it a go because, trust me, you'll be blown away.

Obviously, there are a ton more books out there I wish more bloggers would read and review, but these are definitely my top three. What books do you think are underrated...or under-reviewed....give me something new to try!

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 books have intimidated you in the past & what (if anything) made you read them or deterred you from trying?

This is a multi-part question, and I meant it to be that way because I think all of these things go hand-in-hand with one another. There are so many books out there on the shelves these days, it's an impossibility to even consider trying to read them all. So, instead, we find what works for us and what doesn't, and we develop our own relationship with reading and reviewing books. In most cases, this works beautifully. In some cases, however, I know that my preconceived notions have deterred me from reading incredible books.

Take, for example, Raw Blue. From day one of my blog, I made it pretty darn clear to all my followers that contemporary fiction was not my thing. I was firmly under the impression that all contemps were trite, cliche and riddled with stupid romance that is neither realistic, nor in any way beneficial to me as a reader. So, I adamantly stuck to my guns for over a year, and swore off contemps like the plague. Guys, it's not that I hadn't seen absolutely glowing reviews for this book because, trust me, I did. However, I was so stuck in this rut of bad representations of a really strong genre that I couldn't see past it. 

It actually took an invitation to a blog tour of this Australian gem for me to actually give it a go. I trusted the blogger who invited me, and I knew that she wouldn't have misled me about the quality of the novel. And, for the record, I was probably the most pleasantly surprised that I've ever been. This book is up there with my favourites of all time. It's meaingful, it's powerful and Kirsty Eagar is a true genius. This one should be on ALL of your lists. Please trust me on this one.

I'm ashamed that I still have prejudices towards the genre to this day though. Would you believe I still haven't read Anna & the French Kiss? I read the second installment and found it cute and fun, but I'm too terrified to be the only person that doesn't like the book to actually give it a go. I know I should read it, but I've yet to find a reason to actually force myself. Would you believe I was late to the game with Harry Potter, and I didn't even read the first book until three books were out? I was convinced that it was a children's novel only, and that it was beneath me. My sister convinced me to at least try it, and I humbly ate my words. That series is genius. GENIUS, I say!

But, for the most part, if bloggers and reviewers I trust make a strong enough case for me to try a novel, I'm willing to give it a go. I think that, more often than not, it's my own internal literary prejudices that, sadly, deter me from reading some great books. It's a disease. I'm working on it. Le sigh. 

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. 

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 great way to get to know your fellow bloggers.

Top Ten Books Dealing with Tough Subject Matter:

1.  Raw Blue by Kirsty Eagar - This book was probably my first foray into contemporary fiction that really actually worked for me. It's a beautiful, poetic and hypnotizing book that tackles some intense dark issues such as rape and loss of self-worth. However, it's also about healing, and it's fantastic. Read it. 

2. When You Were Here by Daisy Whitney - I haven't posted my review yet for this one (check back Thursday - shameless plug), but I was blown away by it. I cried a lot, but I also laughed and healed with the main character. Dealing with death, grief and moving on, it's stunning.

3. Dark Song by Gail Giles - This was a book that I didn't expect to be nearly as dark as it was, but it was immensely powerful. Tackling issues of abusive relationships, teenage rebellion, familial drama and more, it's a no-holds-barred story that will really make you think.

4. Wintergirls by Laurie Halse Anderson - I don't think any list regarding tough subject matter would be complete without this book. Sparse, simple and painful, the book illustrates the spiral of an eating disorder in a powerful, but realistic way. (Beware - it can be triggering.)

5. Some Girls Are by Courtney Summers - I put off reading this one for a long time because I'm not so big on the contemps unless they're really true to life. Well, this lived up. Portraying some of the harshest bullying between teenage girls, it presents a challenge - liking an unlikable character as she tries to change.

6. The Rules of Survival by Nancy Werlin - It still amazes me that this book is one of her most obscure titles in the YA market today. It's a powerful, thought-provoking and extremely emotional tale of parental abuse and learning to live, move on and forgive.

7. Twenty Boy Summer by Sarah Ockler - Disregard the "loose" title. Trust me. I ignored this book because if it for a really long time. Accurately portraying two teen girls' navigation through the grief process mourning and moving on, it's sure to make you laugh, smile and cry along the way.

8. The Long Weekend by Savita Kalhan - This book is severely underrated. It's often mistaken for MG because of its young main character, but the topics and subject matter of the novel are far beyond that age group. This gripping story of child abduction and abuse is sure to leave you breathless.

9. Leaving Paradise by Simone Elkeles - Honestly, I love this book, but some people might question my reasoning for listing it here. Think about it this way. Maggie was the victim of an accident. Caleb was the so-called perpetrator of the accident, and both of them must somehow start to move on.

10. Bitter End by Jennifer Brown - This is another one of those books I had on my TBR forever, but I just kept putting it off. However, once I finally read it, I was blown away. This deep novel bares its soul through the story of both an emotionally and physically abusive relationship in an amazingly poignant way.

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 That Make You Think:

1. Code Name Verity by Elizabeth Wein – This book was tricky on a lot of different levels – including the narration. I found that I consistently had to be on my toes to uncover the little details that made this story rich, engaging and heartbreaking.

2. Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury – I still remember reading this in Honours English when I was younger and being blow away by the context of censorship. If you don’t have an opinion on the matter, this book will help you develop one. Trust me.

3. The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins – What would you do if your world was so irrevocably broken that it had to resort to a death-match of children to keep and maintain order? This book, if you can look beyond the surface has SO much going on.

4. Many Waters by Madeleine L’Engle – Whether you’re religious or not, you’ve probably heard of the story of Noah’s Ark. Add in a twist about a single family member not allowed on the Ark, and you have quite the heartbreak to come to terms with. Think about it.

5. The Fault in Our Stars by John Green – I swear this single author has the most innate ability to truly and honestly capture human emotion and put it into words on pages. This book will have you contemplating your very existence and life in general.

6. Raw Blue by Kirsty Eagar – Love isn’t always pretty, and it can be messy and painful. Life and love can break you down to a point where you isolate yourself from it all, but what would you do if you had the chance to let your guard down and live again?

7. Life As We Knew it by Susan Beth Pfeffer – Truthfully, this is the only book I liked in the series, but it makes you think. The world could be on the brink of destruction at any time. How would you cope? How would you maintain a semblance of normalcy when everything turns to dust?

8. The Rules of Survival by Nancy Werlin – Abuse in families runs rampant in literature, but this is one of the most truthful, heartwrenching accounts. A young boy is learning to cope with his mother’s instability, attempting to raise his sister and find someone to trust. Who would you trust?

9. Wintergirls by Laurie Halse Anderson – This one is a strange choice for me. Having suffered from ED, myself, this one is dangerous because it actually makes you think about this addicting and debilitating disease. There’s a cold comfort in it, but is it really worth dying for?

10. Harry Potter by J.K. Rowling – Tease me if you must, but tell me honestly…did you really NOT try to piece the outcome together only three books in? I was attempting to maze it out by the time I was merely halfway through the series, and it still blows me away.

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!

Question: Do you like issue books? Why, or why not?

When I first started blogging, I don't think I even had the first clue what a real issue-based book was. I mean, I knew that there was contemporary fiction, and I knew that I didn't enjoy it for the most part. I found it to be riddled with cliches and, frankly, lacking any true semblance of human emotion. That, in a nutshell, made it impossible for me to make any sort of connection with the characters. It wasn't until I started actually reviewing books that I began to understand the difference between straight contemps and issue-based books.

Over time, I've come to love a good issue book, and my reasons are pretty simple. If I want to read about real life, I want it to be really real. I mean, I want to feel something when I read a book. I don't want to see some glossy and pristine little image that paints a picture nobody really knows. If I decide to pick up a book about a real issue like abuse, I want to actually be able to put myself in the shoes of the character because if I can't, then the issue misses the mark.

I realize that issue books aren't for everyone. I love a good sci-fi, fantasy or paranormal novel as much as the next person, but I'll admit that I have a very big soft spot for issue books. I think, when done really well, they have the ability to reach a reader on a much deeper level, and I envy that raw, intimate writing style. It's definitely a gift. So, in the spirit of sharing, below are my top four issue books.

Bitter End by Jennifer Brown...The Right & The Real by Joelle Anthony

Wintergirls by Laurie Halse Anderson...Raw Blue by Kirsty Eagar

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 Posts On Your Blog That Would Give The BEST Picture of YOU:

1. The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer Review - This review is the epitome of me fangirling. Guys, I try to sound all literate and smart, but I'm sorry...Noah took my breath away. Sue me.

2. The Vampire Diaries Controversy - I'm not one to shy away from issues. In fact, as much as I don't like fighting, I'll be damned if someone is going to shut me up when I think something's wrong.

3. Busting the Newbie Blues - Colour me a sap, but I'm always in favour of the underdog. Unless we're talking about sharks vs. humans, of course, in which case I'm cheering for sharks. I digress. I was once a little newbie, myself, and I like to lend a hand whenever possible.

4. Megan McCafferty Bumped Interview - I'm nothing if not honest. I didn't like Bumped, and I was stuck because I was on tour and didn't want to seem rude. Megan gave me an incredible opportunity to interview her specifically about what I did and didn't like, and it was the best interview I've ever done.

5. Dear Diary - This was a brief lil' featurette from Anna Reads, and good God does it illustrate who I am. I will forever be shamed on the interwebs. Sigh.

6. Dark Song Review - This will forever remain one of my favourite reviews that I've ever written, mostly because this haphazard review shows me utter frantic craze after reading it. That was one hell of a dark book, and I've grappled with trying to read it again, but I'm still reeling years later.

7. Happy (Anti) Valentine's Day - I loathe and despise the holiday, so in honour of my supreme dislike, I felt the need to spin the holiday on a sour note. Needless to say...c'est moi...in a nutshell.

8. Raw Blue Review - I think a little bit of me is alive in this review, mainly because of the ocean and water backdrop. I read it, and I know exactly what I felt while reading the book.

9. Let's Talk Book Covers - I'm a self-professed cover slut. It really doesn't need more of an explanation than that, really, so this post just further illustrates it. You're welcome.

10. Top Ten Favourite Book Quotes - This post really shows my inner soul because every single one of those quotes means a little something special to me. It's just up to you to decipher what. Good luck!

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.

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!

Question: If you could only read one genre for the rest of your life, what would it be, and why?

Some of you might hate me for this question, and colour me crazy, but I love it! Seriously, what's better than a question that really makes you sit down, limit yourself and think? Confession time: I love books. No. Really. I love pretty much anything and everything that is bound and can be read. Whether I love it or hate it, there's always a passion for it, and I will try any written thing once, as silly as that sounds. I've been asked a lot, however, what my favourite genre is.

At first, I think that's a super simple answer. Come on, guys. I review young adult literature. That pretty much means that YA lit is like gold to me. However, I'm a twenty-something lady who also loves memoirs, chick-lit, mysteries and a good ol' literary romp with shirtless (and pantless?) men every now and again. So sue me. Imagine for a moment that all your books are going to be stripped away except for a single genre. What would I want that to be. I actually put a lot of time and effort into this decision. My favourite reads vary, kids. We've got:

But we've also got:

So, what to do? I'm going with my gut on this one and stating that if I could only read one genre for the rest of my life, it would be young adult fantasy. Yes, I'm going that specific. While other genres are amazing, there's something so entirely limitless and freeing about this particular genre. Everything is possible. There's no pretentiousness or presumption. It's pure imagination - plain and simple. Yes, colour me crazy, but inside I'm still a 12 year old girl. Now, let's just pray we never really have to choose!

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!

Question: What books have you read because of the recommendations of book bloggers?

Let's be honest, kids. We've all heard (probably more than once, too) that bloggers don't sell books. I adamantly, vehemently disagree. There are so many books that I've read simply based on the excessive reviews and recommendations of other bloggers. I trust what book bloggers have to say because, for the most part, they provide thoughtful, insightful reviews that give me a taste of what a book will do for me. That is so much better than going to a book store and standing in front of the shelves blankly for hours trying simply to go off summaries.

Now, there are far too many books to list them all, but I figured I'd go ahead and tell you my top five. Bear in mind, please, that these are books I would never have otherwise read. I tend to be rather close-minded when it comes to books. It's one of my greatest faults. However, I've come to realize that if I let other bloggers into my head, they my book horizons expand, and that's truly incomparable. Here are my top three:

Contemporary has never been my thing. I used to shout that from the rooftops (or just all over my blog), but this one challenge those preconceived notions of mine that I continue to cling to. Raw Blue is a testament to YA contemporary fiction, embodying its title and breathing new life into a tired and, so sue me, otherwise often petty genre. 

I've since told pretty much every book blogger, reader and person that I know that this is a book, and an author, to watch. With a gritty writing style and true, honest emotion, I was just completely blown away.

After reading and suffering through the entire saga of another vampire series that shall not be named on this blog, I swore up and down I would never read about vampires again. I believe it was the constant insisting of book bloggers across the board that finally convinced me to pick up Vampire Academy and give it a go.

Just by doing so, I was able to see why bloggers and lay-readers, alike, love the series so much. It's about vampires, of course, but it's gritty and challenges the boundaries of YA.

I was way late to the game with this series, I'm ashamed to say. I consistently saw them on those special tables at Barnes & Noble, but I consistently walked past them because I thought they looked like Harry Potter castoffs, and I was still in mourning at Harry Potter being complete. 

When I finally did read The Lightning Thief though, I was hooked. I've read all of the books multiple times, I share them with everyone I know and I'm proud to say I've read them all in under a day each. And despite what any stupid idiots in the media might say about adults being stupid to read YA/MG books...I'm proud to carry this series in public! HA!

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 Deceiving Book Covers:

1. Harry Potter by J.K. Rowling – I didn’t actually start to read the series until two books in. Shocker. I know. I thought it was going to be a silly kids’ book, so I ignored it (and often made fun of my little sister for reading it). Then, I decided to give it a go and, well, the rest is history.

2. Redwall by Brian Jacques – Come on now…the covers have mice, and shrews, and otters and badgers in armour with swords! I thought they looked ridiculous, to be honest, but I started reading them so I could carry around big books like the pretentious little reader I was. They’re actually beautiful and deep, and I adore the series to this day.

3. Halo by Alexandra Adornetto - Gorgeous cover. Absolutely, positively stunning cover. Seriously, I was obsessed for months before I finally got the book. Unfortunately, the story was FAR overshadowed by the amazing cover.

4. The Water Wars by Cameron Stracher – This is, quite possibly, the most beautiful cover I’ve ever seen in my entire life. I thought it was stunning, and the premise was just incredible. The story, however, was riddled with searing political agendas that completely shrouded whatever plot might have otherwise succeeded.

5. Blood Red Road by Moira Young – The cover is adequate. It’s certainly not special in the realm of incredibly covers, but it’s poignant. The story within the pages, however, is one of the most clever, original takes on dystopian that I’ve read in a while, and the dialect truly sets it apart.

6. Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead – Ok, you all know me. I hate vampires…with a passion. I was finally convinced to try the series even though I was pretty sure the girl on the first book was Angelina Jolie from Lara Croft, and I was just blown away. This is right up there with my favourite series of all time. Do not be fooled by this cover!

7. Raw Blue by Kirsty Eagar – I think the cover looks a bit amateur, to be honest, so when I saw all the great reviews, I couldn’t understand them. Let me just say that this is one of the best books I’ve ever read, and it’s possibly the best contemporary I’ve ever tried. It’s stunning.

8. Tris & Izzie by Mette Ivie Harrison – Holy gorgeous cover. I was blown away from the first second I received it. The content, however? Fluff. Ludicrous, absurd fluff. I rarely give 1 star reviews, but this was very nearly a DNF. I highly recommend steering clear of this one.

9. Twenty Boy Summer by Sarah Ockler – This one is more deceiving due to the title, to be honest, though the cover is still rather weak. When I picked it up, I thought it sounded, well, slutty…if we’re being honest. It’s actually incredibly powerful and sincere though and just happened to have a bit of a lackluster title.

10. Witch & Wizard by James Patterson – I remember when this one first came out and was touted as the “next Harry Potter.” Well, my withdrawals had me sufficiently weak, so I bought it. It’s horrible, guys. Absolutely horrible. There is no plot, there are no real characters and, frankly, it’s an utter waste of space.