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 have you been putting off for a long and why?

Gosh, well, where to even start with this one? I mean, really. I think that ever since I started blogging I've become pickier and pickier about what I read. I think this mostly comes into play with series these days though. I started series when I began blogging, but as my TBR grew, so did my reluctance to spend a lot of time invested in one series.

Take, for example, the Mortal Instruments series. I was a diehard fan all through books one through three. Give me some Jace and Clary any day, right? Right. But here's the thing...when I found out that the series was continuing and that there was a prequel series, as well, I was oddly turned off. Ever since then, the series has been on my back burner.

Some other highlights that are on the list of books still waiting to be read are If I Stay by Gayle Foreman, The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein and Chain Reaction by Simone Elkeles. Why, you ask? Well, I'm terrified that I'll be the only person in the world that doesn't love them, of course. Le sigh.

What about you? What books have you been putting off for a really long time, and why?

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 You Believe Should Be Required Reading For Teens :

1. Harry Potter by J.K. Rowling - Yes, the entire series. So many people love the movies, so why not get them to love the books, too? Let's be honest - as great as the flicks are, the books are always better. Plus, this series proves that reading IS fun.

2. Twenty Boy Summer by Sarah Ockler - Despite those who think that, perhaps, the title is a bit too loose, shall we say, this book is phenomenal. Teens mess up. Teens make mistakes, and teens cope with trauma in different ways. This book is hard-hitting and well-written.

3. Raw Blue by Kirsty Eagar - I said I hated contemps until I read this book, then I realized I had to take it back. The story has depth, the characters ring true and the heart-wrenching story lingers long after.

4. To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee - There are a ton of obtuse classics out there that just kill me with their lack of relevance to our day in age. This is NOT one of those books. If there are any of you who haven't read this book, you are missing out.

5. My Sister's Keeper by Jodi Picoult - This is not marketed for a younger audience, and a lot of the author's work escapes me to this day, but this book is powerful, heartbreaking and real. I highly recommend this to both YA and adult readers.

6. Many Waters by Madeleine L'Engle - Whether you're religious or not, I'm sure you know the story of Noah's Ark. I don't love too many of her books, but the blend of history, sci-fi, romance and family makes this book powerful for all ages - especially teens.

7. The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein - We all know of my love of animals. This book merges the pure soul of an unbiased dog with the values of family, love, humour and a true account of the oddity that is human life. I can't recommend this book enough to teens.

8. The Glass Castle by Jeanette Walls - I'm a huge fan of memoirs, but this one stands apart. The story of a girl growing up in a family with different dreams and lower means, this book is about coming to terms with your own identity and growing up to be your best despite what stands in your way.

9. The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold - I remember when I first read this book. I thought it was horrifying, fascinating, incredible, powerful and it left me speechless. The writing is brilliant and the soul of the story leaps from the pages.

10. Watership Down by Richard Adams - Don't let the premise or the length of this book fool you. Though nearly 500 pages in length, each page resonates with meaning, and the theme of man's destructive impact on nature, the importance of friendship, teamwork and perseverance and the value of family makes this a must read for teens.

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'm SO Happy Were Recommended to Me (all those books you probably wouldn't have picked up without a recommendation):

1. Raw Blue - I've never been a fan of contemporary fiction. I don't dance around the issue. So, when a book manages to set me off on a contemporary kick and compare my future reads to it, well, I'd say it's a winner.

2. Vampire Academy - I hate vampires. Truly. I've been told by a gazillion bloggers that I'm missing out though, so I decided to give it a go. I'm highly addicted now, and while I'm only on book five, I legit had to just drive out and buy it because I'm dying to know what happens next!

3. The Adoration of Jenna Fox - Something about the cover always turned me off, but so many good reviews and fabulous recommendations convinced me to give it a go. I'm SO glad I did.

4. The Hunger Games - I don't know why I waited to start the series. I think it was the hype, but I decided that maybe I should see what the hype was really about, and I died with glee. I read each book in less than 15 hours...straight. I'm a geek.

5. Pretty Little Liars - I hate the show, so giving the first book a try was a stretch for me. I was told it was entertaining though, so I decided to see for myself, and I was pleasantly surprised. It's not the best writing, but it's certainly entertaining!

6. The Lightning Thief - My good friend Amelia recommended this one to me, and I kept putting it off because it sounded so MG, which is kind of a hit or miss thing with me. Needless to say, it was a hit, ultimately, and I read the entire series in a matter of days. Love me some Percy Jackson.

7. Many Waters - I read this on a recommendation way before I started blogging because I desperately wanted to like Madeleine L'Engle but hated her other titles. A friend told me that the biblical context and love story might be my thing, and it was. I've read this book so many times that I've had to buy multiple covers because the cover keeps falling off.

8. Time Windows - This is one of the first books my grammar school english teacher recommended to me when she realized that I was reading a ton of books. It was above my reading level (technically), but I love it to this day.

9. Harry Potter - I'm obsessed, and I've made that common knowledge. That said, I didn't start book one until book two was already out because I actually made fun of my sister for reading the book. I thought it sounded stupid. She challenged me to try it, and I didn't want to back down, so I read it...BEST. DECISION. EVER.

10. The Art of Racing in the Rain - It's not the type of book I'd review on my blog, but this is one of those books that just stays with me all the time. It's beautiful and so so so sad.