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!

Who are some of your favourite inspirational characters and why?

Yet again, I don't know why I do this to myself. Frankly, I could make an entire list of characters just from one series (Harry Potter, obviously), but I decided to put my big girl pants on and branch out...sort of. I have too many inspiring characters to list, but there are three that really stand out for various reasons, and that was the reason I decided to go ahead with this topic. 

1. Sirius Black from Harry Potter - When we were introduced to his character in the novels, I'd be lying if I said I didn't think he was an absolute psycho at first. Slowly but surely though, we watch as his hardened exterior forged by Azkaban and multiple betrayals begins to fade. Though he desires to be on the forefront of the action, above all else, he wants to be a parent to Harry, and he's willing to fight and die for him. His persona, his character and his selflessness is utterly inspiring.

2. Katniss Everdeen from The Hunger Games - Though I feel like we lost a bit of the essence of Katniss in the third book, it doesn't change the fact that it was (and is) thoroughly impressive to see a female character truly kick some ass. Though she is realistically afraid of what's to come, she inspires a nation by taking her sister's place in the games, and puts herself in a position where she will have to fight just to live. It is utterly refreshing to see that, though she doesn't need a man to survive, she can find one without losing herself, too.

3. Hazel Grace from The Fault in Our Stars - For the record, I don't think that picture is actually from the movie, but if it is, Shailene Woodley makes cancer look good. I'm going to hell. Anyhow, Hazel Grace inspires me because, though she knows she will probably die from her disease, she lives her life. She's isolated herself a lot through the course of her illness, and we learn that this strong, independent girl did so for the sake of others, rather than herself. She knows it will hurt them even more when she's gone. Plus, Hazel + Augustus simply means living life to its fullest.

What about you? Which characters do you find the most inspiring?

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 YA Book Series

1. Harry Potter by J.K. Rowling - Seriously. I don't need to explain this one, do I? But, just because I love you all oh-so-dearly, I will. It doesn't really get much better than Harry Potter. I grew up with this series. And, though it began as a fun, adventurous tale of friends, we got more depth, more darkness and more drama as the series progressed. Seriously...it's perfection.

2. Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead - When I started blogging, I swore up and down that I'd never read this series. I said that I hated vampires, I hated insta-love and there was absolutely no way I would ever like this series. Then, Jenny told me I had to read it...as did everyone else...so I tried it, and I've been hooked since. Love me some Dmitri. 

3. Percy Jackson & the Olympians by Rick Riordan - Okay, technically this is probably leaning more towards MG, but I read YA, and I still loved it. A fellow blogger introduced me to it in my first few months of blogging, and I read every book within a month. They're fast-paced, they're witty, they're funny...and, and, and...I love it.

4. Redwall by Brian Jacques - So, sue me. This is the uber-nerd in me coming out. They're books with lil' cute fuzzy animals as the main characters, but they're every bit as human as you and me. Trust me. I grew up with these books, and I proudly display them on my shelves today! 

5. His Dark Materials by Philip Pullman - This series is surrounded by controversy because if its supposed anti-religious undertones. Guys, I'm pretty dang religious, myself, but if you read a book for the sheer enjoyment of the prose and the story, it's better than analyzing those hidden messages. Plus, the world within these books is pretty freaking phenomenal. 

6. Divergent by Veronica Roth - Usually when a series is this surrounded by hype, I tend to steer clear of it. For some reason though, I really felt the need to read and become invested in this story, and boy did I ever. The author has created one heck of an adventure within these pages, and I'm completely enthralled with every installment.

7. The Last Survivors by Susan Beth Pfeffer - You guys might be surprised to see this one on my list because of how I said the second and third book were definitely not my favourites, while I adored the first book. However, I can't lie...the author has created one seriously bleak world, and it's very real and tangible, despite my feelings. And, let's be honest, I'm invested enough to read the upcoming fourth book despite my feelings toward the third book. That's saying something.

8. The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins - I have mixed feelings on this series. On one hand, I just love it. Is it the best written work out there? No. Is it a fantastic, dark, edgy story? Yes. Despite the fact that the series is now this over-hyped craze out there, I really like this series and I'm glad that, despite my initial reservations, I gave it a go. It's worth it. 

9. The Maze Runner by James Dashner - I didn't think I'd like this series when I first started. I didn't think I'd like a book with a male MC because I was pretty positive that I wouldn't be able to access the MCs emotions. I was really, really wrong. I introduced this series to just about anyone who would listen to a single word I had to say, simply because I love it that much.

10. The Jenna Fox Chronicles by Mary E. Pearson - I was late to the game with the first book. In fact, I passed it over many, many times at the bookstore, just because I thought it wouldn't capture me. I was definitely wrong, and I was lucky enough to have read it within about 6 months of the sequel being released, which was equally awesome. Read it and love it. You will.

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 for People Who Don't Like Reading:

1. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by J.K. Rowling - Well, frankly, I'd put the whole dang series up here, but let's start small. This series has sucked in children and adults, alike, giving the entire world a fictional character with whom to grow, empathize and love. It's amazing and powerful.

2. Virals by Kathy Reichs - Everyone loves a good mystery, right? Think Nancy Drew, only more modern, more precocious and far more endearing. This series is a ton of fun, plus it's fast-paced, action-packed and it definitely packs a delicious punch, sucking you into a great series.

3. A Ring of Endless Light by Madeleine L'Engle - The beauty of this novel resonates long after the last page. I think it's a pretty underrated novel, and the made-for-tv movie destroyed it. Read this slim book, and you will see between the lines to the heart and soul of the story.

4. Amen, Amen, Amen: Memoirs of a Girl Who Couldn't Stop Praying by Abby Sher - I'm a sucker for a good memoir, and this one is holy epic powerful. Yes, I mean that. The writing is flawless, the pace is perfection, and it's true, undiluted humanity from start to finish.

5. The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls - I told you I love memoirs! I bought this one on a whim a couple years ago when I was in a reading funk, and it booted me right back in gear. It's powerful, and the author's story is poignant and real, making you want to turn each page.

6. My Sister's Keeper by Jodi Picoult - I'm not a big women's fiction reader. I don't love chick-lit. This story leaps from the pages though, giving the reader a powerful, painful, emotional story in which to become completely absorbed. It's intense, and the ending is beautiful - far more beautiful than that horrid "movie."

7. The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan - I got my entire family hooked on this, including my brother-in-law. It's a really quick book, as are the rest of the books in the series, but they hook you with humour, compassion and a great story line that carries throughout. Again...far better than the movie.

8. The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins - I swore up and down that I didn't want to read this series because I did NOT want to read about children killing children, but this is one of my favourite series of all times now. I got my family hooked on this series, as well, and I truly believe the story is rich and powerful.

9. The Lying Game by Sara Shepard - I didn't mind the Pretty Little Liars series, but this one far surpasses it, in my humble opinion. Both Emma and Sutton are fantastic characters, as are all the secondary characters, and it's an engrossing maze through each book.

10. The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern - I put off reading this one for a while, and I'm not really sure why. It's so much fun - definitely leaping from the pages much like other epic fantasy series. There are lots of dark twists and turns, so it will keep you guessing the whole time.

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 Trends You'd Like To See More of/Less of :

I'd Like to See Less of:

1. Love Triangles - Unless they're executed perfectly, the become your everyday, run-of-the-mill love story. I'm always inclined to favour books that break the mold of the love triangle scenario these days. That said, it can be done right...think: The Hunger Games.

2. Insta-Love - Let's be honest, kids. It's a rare occurrence, indeed, if two teenagers actually fall truly and madly in love within a matter of days. It doesn't really happen like that for most people, and it irks me when relationships are made petty by adding insta-love. For your information, if I was terrified some guy wanted me for dinner, no amount of sparkling would sway me, Bella Swan.

3. Weak Female Protagonists - Colour me crazy, but I love it when female MCs are strong, independent and self-assured. I'm more often going to feel a connection with such characters than to feel pity for the weak and simple female MCs that have it all going for them and just think they don't. Let's all just be like Rose Hathaway from Vampire Academy.

4. Vampire Love Stories - I get it. The Twilight saga blew people's minds. So did a whole plethora of vampire books like The Vampire Diaries and the Sookie Stackhouse series. Honestly though? I want something to step outside the box, which is why I've leaned towards contemps, as of late.

5. Series - Don't get me wrong. I love me a good series to read. Trust me...you know how I feel about Senor Harry Potter. However, there's something to be said for those authors who can write a fantastic tale that leaves you satisfied in one book though.

I'd Like to See More of:

1. Male Protagonists - I find that much of the YA market is dominated by female MCs. There's nothing wrong with that. I'm a girl. I like girly books. However, when done right, books with male MCs can be extremely powerful and intense - think Witchlanders or in the sci-fi realm, I Am Number Four.

2. Issue Books - I think it's great when an author can tackle a tough issue and spin it into a relatable and poignant tales. As hard-hitting as these books might be, they're often the ones that stay with. Wintergirls and Dark Song are prime examples.

3. Mythology-Based - Honestly, I mean any sort of mythology, but I ask that it please be done well. If you're going to create a myth book, actually make the myths a big part of it, rather than an afterthought. I'm in withdrawal since Percy Jackson.

4. Edgy and Dark - Give me a book with fantastic narration and a dark tone that's different than other book, and I'm certain to like it more than your everyday read. I like it when the twists and turns leave me uncomfortable and on edge. Maybe I'm a masochist, but that's a huge part of why I loved The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer - it had me so uneasy.

5. Slow-Burning Romance - You know, books like Leaving Paradise are ones that haunt me and ring true because first loves aren't perfect. They take work and understanding and patience. If you give me the time to become invested in something to root for, I'm almost guaranteed to 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 Rebels In Literature (characters or authors) -- Those people who stood up for what they believed in despite the cost of doing so:

1. Sirius Black from Harry Potter - I still cry like a baby when I think of how he loved Harry. 

2. Dumbledore from Harry Potter - This doesn't even need an explanation. Dumbledore. Always. Wins.

3. Caleb from Leaving Paradise - There's something about a bad boy with a cause.

4. Katniss from The Hunger Games - I have a love/hate with this character. Mostly love because she's a challenge.

5. Melinda from Speak - This is one of those characters that triumphs over incredible personal circumstances to find herself again - despite the cost.

6. Hagrid from Harry Potter - Where else will you find such a lovable giant? Seriously. Please tell me.

7. Rose from Vampire Academy - Snarky. Tough. Badass. Fighter. 'Nuff said.

8. Martin from Martin the Warrior - He's a warrior mouse with a mission to save Redwall and all its inhabitants. He has to be on this list. Obviously.

9. Kate from The Liar Society - So full of sass, so sure of the mystery and so hell-bent on solving it. Kate wins.

10. Cinna from The Hunger Games - Cinna is right up there with the rest of them. His rebellions are small, but crucial and I love his character to tiny pieces.

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 "Awww" Moments In Books (those cute lines, charming actions, or any other sentimental moment that made you say "AWWW!"):

1. When Katniss held Rue in the arena and sang to her (The Hunger Games) - I am entirely unashamed to say that I bawled like a baby, and while this was definitely an "awww" moment, it was more beautifully heartbreaking than anything else.

2. When Harry sees Dumbledore in limbo after Voldemort casts the Killing Curse (Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows) - There are far too many moments in this series to list them all, and they could probably be the entire top ten, but this moment...this chapter just made the series for me. I cried like a baby. A colicky baby.

3. When Adnarel offers to save Yalith from the flood and take her to Heaven (Many Waters) - Never have I seen such a beautiful twist on the tale of Noah's Ark. The brothers desperately wanted to save her life, but she was ready to accept her fate. Adnarel gave Noah the best other option.

4. When Percy & Annabeth finally realize their feelings (The Last Olympian) - Seriously...lower YA/MG romance never got cuter. Their awkwardness kept the story going, and when they finally realized they liked each other. Cutest. Ever.

5. When Isobel turns her back on her friends's actions and helps Varen (Nevermore) - Talk about a sweet character dynamic change. Isobel found something in herself that made Varen different in her eyes, and that revelation made her actions that much more genuine and sweet.

6. When Mr. Darcy admits his love for Elizabeth...both times (Pride & Prejudice) - The back and forth of this story gets me every time, and his devotion to Elizabeth despite his outward demeanor is perfection. LOVE.

7. Jo's enduring love for her little sister, Beth (Little Women) - Talk about undying devotion. Jo loved her little sister more than anything else, and despite her loneliness and, perhaps, self-pity, all she wanted was the very best for Beth, even at her end.

8. When Carly decided to actually respond to Ryan's calls (Raw Blue) - They had a relationship despite both of their flaws, but it had a dark underbelly and when things came to a head, she retreated. When she finally gave herself the time to heal, she realized he was worth it.

9. When Caleb's secret truth about Maggie's accident is revealed (Leaving Paradise) - Holy plot twist that I never saw coming and totally made Caleb an even better character! He was finally worthy of Maggie, which made the book that much better!

10. When Tansy throws the pearls into the ocean to prevent future greed or pain (Pearls of Lutra) - The pearls are what drove the whole story. A vicious corsair killed Grath's whole family for them, and when the Redwallers found them, they realized they weren't worth all the death and bloodshed, so they got rid of them.

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 Settings In Books (All those real or imagined locations/worlds you loved reading about):

1. The World of Harry Potter (Harry Potter) - No, I'm not talking about the Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Studios (though I want to go there, too, if someone wants to pay for me). Honestly, if I could live at Hogwarts, or Diagon Alley, or even The Three Broomsticks for a day, my life would be complete.

2. Camp Halfblood (Percy Jackson & The Olympians) - Well, it's a camp of quirky people with amazing powers, centaurs who teach and pretty much unlimited access to Greek mythology. Sold? So am I.

3. Pemberly (Pride & Prejudice) - If you've seen the newer movie, they've pretty much plucked the image of Darcy's estate straight from my brain. It's gorgeous and decadent while still a tad simple, plus, it would totally be a bonus if Darcy was there. I'm jussayin'.

4. The Spaceship, Godspeed (Across the Universe) - I'm solidifying my status as a geek forever by saying this, but I was a bit of a trekkie growing up. Oh wait, I still am. Honestly though, who wouldn't want to be on a ship millions of miles above the Earth amidst the stars?

5. The Capitol (The Hunger Games) - Before you say anything, no I'm not a sadistic fool wanting to live in a greedy city where they thrive on games that kill children. I want to see the crazy hair, and the colours, and the clothes, and heck, if I could run into Cinna while I'm there, I'd be golden.

6. Hecate Hall (Hex Hall) - I've always been fascinated by the idea of witches and their witchy cool powers. I think it would amazing to spend a day in a creepy little house that has rooms to suit a person's taste and emotions.

7. Redwall Abbey (Redwall) - If you haven't read the books, you're seriously missing out. That castle sounds amazing, and they have so many feasts and celebrations that I don't think I'd ever go hungry. Another bonus? Warrior mice.

8. Blackwood Academy (Wildefire) - Who hasn't wanted to stay at a boarding school at least once in their life? The remoteness of the location, the crazy students and the fun activities remind of college...only more tame.

9. Selkie Island (Sea Change) - Obviously, I have a thing for the water, and the island sounds so beautiful and quaint. Plus, the descriptions of the coves, the beaches (uhhhh the mermaids?!) and the old-fashioned houses make me long for a little Southern charm.

10. Winter Harbor, Maine (Siren) - I moved to New England this past fall because I love the little coastal towns THAT much. The sound of the cliffs, the dense forests and the peace that Vanessa feels by the ocean just sing to me.

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 Favorite Minor Characters ( you know... all those great supporting character or a VERY minor character that might have been only in there a page or two but had an effect on you):

1. Tiny from Will Grayson, Will Grayson - Talk about a physically big character with a small part but a huge impact! Tiny wasn't around too much, but he made the book that much better. I just loved him.

2. Tonks from Harry Potter - I don't know if she's as minor as some people think, but in a long series with a huge cast of characters, her face time was minimal. That said, she made a massive impact in the parts in which she participated.

3. Madge from The Hunger Games - Well, let's be honest...Katniss would never have had that Mockingjay pin if it weren't for her, and that pin became a symbol for the Districts. So, it's arguable that she made a far bigger impact that some of the more active characters.

4. Adnarel from Many Waters - Adnarel should have had much more face-time than he did. As one of the Seraphim, he was obviously good, but was far more lovable than the author gave him credit for. I love him...can he have a spin-off, please?

5. Jenna from Wither - She was the least featured of Linden's three brides, but she had the biggest heart, in my honest opinion. I wish Rhine could have been more like her because she made that book for me.

6. Mia from Vampire Academy - I hated her, then I liked her, then I learned to adore her character. She wasn't around too, too much, but when she was, she made a huge difference in every single scene. That's the definition of a great character for me.

7. Murdoch from The Rules of Survival - His name meant a lot to the main character of the book, Matt, but he wasn't actually around that much. Whenever he was brought up though, all I felt was hope for Matt and his sisters.

8. Basil from Redwall - His impact grows throughout the book, but he's fairly minor in a massive cast of characters. He is, however, incredible comic relief and incredible brave. Yes, I have a hare on my list.

9. Emily from Dark Song - She's behind the scenes for a lot of the story after the initial action, but she remains in the background as a constant for Ames, even when her life is falling apart. She broke the mold and made the story more powerful.

10. Jon from This World We Live In - I loved this series until this book, but Jon managed to redeem what was left of the book for me (a little bit) at least. When all the characters lost hope and became pathetic, Jon still held out hope, and that, in turn, gave me hope.

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 Jerks in Literature (all those jerky guys in books...those who truly WERE asshats and those who just acted like one but could actually be quite lovable):

1. Patch from Hush, Hush - Ok, seriously? I love me some bad guys, but this guy honestly takes the cake. I alternated between absolutely loathing him and slightly adoring him. Frankly, I can't figure him out.

2. Draco Malfoy from Harry Potter - Son of a douche. No, really, he is. He's a nasty little slimeball that I have both an aversion and a love of. Honestly, without him, I think HP might be a little lacking though, so I have to love his nastiness.

3. Jace from The Mortal Instruments - He's got a bit of a tricky exterior, but once you get past that, he's a marshmallow with a heart of gold. LOVE him...plus, I'm pretty sure this guy is epic eye candy. I'm jussayin'.

4. Adrian from Vampire Academy - He acts like a skeeze, and he quite often IS a skeeze, but when push comes to shove, he's got his heart in the right place. I'll also admit that my aversion to his character might just be because of my love of Dimitri though.

5. Voldemort from Harry Potter - Frankly, he should probably be the number one asshat on any list, but I figure I'll just list my 10 in an old order. If you want the embodiment of evil and right d-bag in the flesh, it's him. Honestly, there isn't a good bone in his creepy snakelike body anyway.

6. Varen from Nevermore - I wasn't sure I even liked the guy a tiny bit at the start of the book, but he grew on me. His perpetual honesty and reluctance to partake in anything really mundane made him more appealing, plus it made his interaction with Isobel more believable.

7. Kyle Kingsbury from Beastly - Remember those guys in high school who thought they were the sh*t and that the sun rose and set for them? That's Kyle in a nutshell, or at least, it was. I hated him for half the story, but through his transformation (both physical and mental), I got to see who he really was, and I loved it.

8. Luke from Percy Jackson - I loved him, then I hated him, then I pitied him, then I hated him, and then I just felt hollow. Honestly, I still don't know where I stand with Luke, but he's not a very nice guy, so I guess he's just a jerk.

9. President Snow from The Hunger Games - Well, how else do you feel about an evil sadomasochistic dictator hellbent on destroying the youth of the world's population for sport? He's as bad as Voldemort, and that's saying something.

10. Irial from Ink Exchange - Dark fae with creepy minds and hidden agendas...'nuff said.

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.

Talk to Me Tuesday is a brand new weekly meme where we will discuss anything (and everything) literary-related in an open forum of honesty. Questions for the next week will be posted one week prior to the post on the Features page. If you'd like to participate in this weekly feature, simply create your post, link back to me, and add your post to the wonderful Mr. Linky below. Have fun, and have at it!

This week's question: What is your favourite genre to read, and why?

I've actually seen this question floating around the blogosphere a lot recently, and it got me to thinking...why do I read what I read? It's no secret that young adult is my preferred genre, though I read pretty much everything, but that's an all-encompassing category, and if we're going with a true genre, I think my favourite would have to be fantasy or dystopian. There are so many reasons why this is, but when I actually thought about it, the main reason is pretty simple. I read to get lost in a story. I get my heavy dose of reality in every day life, so when I read a book, I want to be involved in a world that's a little different than my own.

Dystopian novels like Life As We Knew It and Delirium presented harrowing tales of a future world where hope is lost, but manage to keep the humanity of the characters and plot alive while showing us, in various shades of gray, the difference between right and wrong. Take, for example, the dystopian world of The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins. It's not a happy world, yet it has elements of our own, weaving characters through a world where there's a clear right and wrong, but there's a sense of a gray area that keeps you thinking and feeling for each character.

Then there are fantasy books like Graceling, by Kristin Cashore. It was one of my first ventures into a higher level of YA fantasy beyond my safety zone of Harry Potter (which will always be my absolute favourite). It's a world completely outside of our own, but the human elements let me lose myself in a world that nothing like ours. It has kingdoms, and royalty, and deadly battles. It's every bit as adventures as my wildest dreams, and reading those words is like living someone else's life. That's what I want from a fantasy novel, and that's what I've come to expect.

Here's what some of your fellow bloggers shared as their favourite genres:

A Buckeye Girl Reads says, "Urban Fantasy. (no surprise!) I like it because the heroines are strong and kick butt-there's also just enough romance without it consuming the whole story."

Linda from Book Girl of Mur-y-Castell says, "Fantasy! Because it has magic, new lands, battles, and well, it just is the best ;)"

Hannah from Every Little Thing says, "I like to read paranormal. Everything you read about is practically non-existing, so it's easy to escape into."

Theresa from Fade Into Fantasy says, "Paranormal romance, hands down! There's nothing like escaping to another land with a hot, sexy, dangerous vamp!"

Jen from Makeshift Bookmark says, "I know it's "tired" now, but I love paranormal romance. The way I see it, I'll never fall in love with a fairy prince. Why not get in the head of someone who does?"

So, while I'm doing my best to get into contemporary fiction more, fantasy and dystopian books will always hold that special place in my heart and on my shelf. I just can't replace the feeling I get from reading those stories!

Want to weigh in and do your own Talk to Me Tuesday post for this week? Go ahead and link up!

Talk to Me Tuesday is a brand new weekly meme where we will discuss anything (and everything) literary-related in an open forum of honesty. Questions for the next week will be posted one week prior to the post on the Features page. If you'd like to participate in this weekly feature, simply create your post, link back to me, and add your post to the wonderful Mr. Linky below. Have fun, and have at it!

This week's question: Do you have any specific literary pet-peeves in the genres you read and why?

There are so many things about YA literature that I love. I enjoy the no-holds-barred emotional plot lines that authors use to push the boundaries of the genre. I love the amount and vast nature of the sub-genres within YA including contemporary, dystopian, Christian, fantasy, science fiction and more. I love that the YA genre encourages all reading ages and levels to dip their toes into the proverbial waters of literature. All that aside, however, let’s be honest. There are always a few flaws lurking behind the corners or, shall I say, smacking us over the head repeatedly until we beg for mercy.

For me, my biggest literary pet-peeve in YA is the emergence of the love triangle. Good Lord. Really? Girl meets boy. Girl experiences instant love. Boy falls head over heels. Girl meets other boy. Other boy falls head over heels. Manly exhibition of brute force. Grrr! Argghhh! One boy wins! Girl and boy live happily ever after and make babies with strange names…oh…sorry…I went on a tangent. In all seriousness though, Twilight created a phenomenon with its popularity. And yes, I'm glad more people are reading, but no, I'm not glad so many books follow the same mold.

The amount of books with love triangles these days, including my beloved The Hunger Games, is a bit absurd. The only reason I could stomach the love triangle in The Hunger Games is because of the intensity of the action in the book overshadowing the need for a super-sappy subplot drenched in a boring romance. Here’s a thought - if you absolutely MUST do a love triangle…two girls fighting for one guy? But hey, what do I know? I'm just looking for something fresh like true love. Between two people. Now that is is a novel idea.

Here's what some of your fellow book bloggers said were their biggest literary pet-peeves:

Liz from Consumed by Books says, “I hate it when authors throw in so many unbelievable plot twists that their novel reads like a soap opera.”

Amber from Books of Amber says, “At the moment, it’s love triangles. It’s more of an annoying cliché at the moment – there are so many of them in YA literature!”

Nikki from Wicked Awesome Books says, “Insta-love. I hate it. Give me some buildup, some friendship, a little date time, then maybe I can accept that two characters are in love. I want people to get to know one another before they decide that they could die for one another.”

Jess from Tangled Up in Blue says, “When an author’s voice is too forced. Seriously, no one speaks like an English grammar text book.”

Heidi from YA Bibliophile says, “Characters that never grow…they go through the whole book and are the same as they started!”

Yes, there are other things that plague me in YA literature such as authors dumbing down the prose (sorry, we’re just fine reading at a high level, thank you very much), when the tone is overly conversational, or when the plot lags, but for me, it’s the love triangle that takes the cake. I want to see a book step out of the norm because I tend to find a lot of the love triangles formulaic. Again, yes, some work well, but others…well, I’d love to see something break the mold, or better yet – become something new entirely.

Want to weigh in and do your own Talk to Me Tuesday post for this week? Go ahead and link up!

The all-too-awesome Nicole over at Word for Teens is hosting a Hunger Games Cover Redesign competition to go along with the Holiday Read-a-Thon happening at Who R U Blog. Though I'm not doing the competition because work will be the death of me, I decided to take a stab at the contest...mostly because I was bored last night...

The Cover Redesign Competition goes through midnight on Sunday, December 5th. Judging will take place on December 6th, and there are a couple of sweet prizes - one lucky winner will win their very own copy of The Hunger Games and a temporary tattoo. Why do I want to win this, you ask? Why...to give away a copy to you lovelies, of course!

So what do you think of my feeble attempt? Love it? Hate it? I won't be offended at all...promise!