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 I Would Love to See as Films or Shows
(where they wouldn't be butchered - in a perfect world)

1. The Near Witch by Victoria Schwab - I swear this will forever remain one of my all-time favourite and surprise hit books. It's eerie, it's gorgeous, and it would be breathtaking on screen.

2. Not a Drop to Drink by Mindy McGinnis - This one actually makes other dystopians quiver because it doesn't fall for the "bleak world, hot boy" mold. It's raw, real and powerful - all of which would be incredible as a film.

3. The Raft by S.A. Bodeen - I don't know how I can better explain my love for this book than to see I would probably die of sheer happiness if it became a movie. Think - Castaway - but for the younger lot...and a whole lot more eloquent.

4. Find Me by Romily Bernard - This one seems to have slipped under the radar for a lot of readers, but holy hell...it's creepy, and thrilling, and powerful, and real. I haven't read a such a good YA thriller in a long while. It would make a great show!

5. The Diviners by Libba Bray - Nothing is better than the 20's onscreen. I dare you to argue with me on that. Seriously, with a mystery, that time period and a whole lot of awesome, how in the world could it miss as a film?

6. Reality Boy by A.S. King - I recently finished this one, and I was thinking of how very harrowing it would be as a film - very gritty and emotional... just the way I love my films.

7. The Book of Broken Hearts by Sarah Ockler - I didn't expect this one to have much depth, but it surpassed all my expectations. It's emotional, and it will make you weep out loud in a cinema.

8. The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin - Yeah, I maintain that this is one of the best paranormal, eerie and unbelievable books ever. That cliffhanger on screen? Yeah. Score.

9. Hate List by Jennifer Brown - This book is so striking and profound that I'm surprised it's not yet a movie. I've never been so emotionally invested in a character and town. Epic.

10. Many Waters by Madeleine L'Engle - It's a Noah's Ark re-telling with a sci-fi twist. How would that NOT be perfect as a movie? 

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 Best & Worst Book Book Endings

1. Harry Potter & the Deathly Hallows - I'm usually not a fan of epilogues, but after growing up with this series, watching the endless toils and struggles and really rooting for that happily ever after, I was glad there was a true conclusion to this series. Plus, even before the epilogue, we get to see this story come to completion. Epic. Win.

2. My Sister's Keeper - Some of you might fight me on this one because, no, this is certainly not a happily ever after. It is not a feel-good ending, but it is perfect. This is the type of contemporary ending that I want to read - something plausible, real and heartbreaking. I still want to kick the movie producer/writer/everyone in the face for ruining the film.

3. The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer - Well, you know me and cliffhangers, right? I hate them. I pretty much always stay away from them if I can, and I've previously stated that I will avoid books that openly feature cliffhangers. However, I have to say that this aptly-titled "cliffhanger of doom" is the exception to the rule. Well played, Michelle. Well played. 

4. The Fault in Our Stars - Again with the realistic, powerful and emotional endings. I think that with a book that is as emotionally-charged as this one, we don't need ribbons and bows at the end. We need, perhaps, a touch of hope, but even more so, we want to believe we've been on a true journey. That's what this book end offers us...perspective.

5. Not a Drop to Drink - This is one of those books that's had a lot of mixed reviews, but I ended up really liking it. I didn't like the ending prior to the epilogue - I felt it was hurried - but the epilogue redeemed the story. Watching these characters come full-circle and seeing that it wasn't just a love story disguised a dystopian was refreshing.

6. This World We Live In - Ugh. If you remember, I told you that I loved this series. And, trust me, I really do. I adored the first book, and I was so committed that I even read the fourth installment. This book, however, garnered a two-star review from me in large part because of the utterly hopeless ending. "Love and lies"...pshhhh, b*tch, please. Ugh.

7. Mockingjay - Honestly, I was so wrapped up in this series, that I thought I liked the ending of it for a long time. The more I thought about it, and the more I read it though, the less pleased I was. I felt like it hurried to this boring conclusion where, yes, she ends up with the guy I wanted, but no, I didn't feel like it was a conclusion. It just felt...blah.

8. Various Positions - This book...where to start? First of all, this book is not young adult. We're given a 14-year-old MC that lives in this hyper-sexualized, completely atrocious world of ballet that, frankly, offended the crap out of me. It's one thing to tastefully broach the topic of such indiscretions. It's another thing, entirely to give us a story like this where no lesson is learned in the end. 

9. Carnival of Souls - I was so iffy on this book as a whole, that this might be a bit of a copout for me to even list it up here. However, this book was touted as "the next big thing," and if you remember the media hype for it, you were probably as excited as I was to read it. This confusing book, however, bears a lackluster conclusion that's pretty much, well, forgettable.

10. The Time Traveler's Wife - Perhaps it's the theory of time, or perhaps it's the simple paradox of it all that made this ending just feel extremely bleak, melodramatic and hopeless for me. I get the romance of it all. Trust me, I do. I do not, however, understand why it had to end this way, and perhaps I'm too blonde, but it was too much for me to comprehend anyway.

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 Favourite Covers of Books I've Read

1. The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin - I mean, seriously. Do I really even have to justify this one? I loved this book, and I really loved this cover. In fact, I have an art cover of it. Bam!

2. The Water Wars by Cameron Stracher - Are you sensing a theme with my favourite covers? I certainly am. There's a lot of water going on. It's oddly fitting with the blog name. I liked this book the first time around, but the second time around, it didn't work for me. The cover, however, always will.

3. Trapped by Michael Northrop - I loved this cover from the first moment I saw it. There's something perfectly melancholy and eerie about it, and it fits well with the premise of this survival tale. Unfortunately, the cover far surpassed the book for me.

4. Bewitching by Alex Flinn - Generally, I'm not really a sucker for girls in pretty dresses, but for this modern fairy tale retelling, it works. Kendra is one ghastly (and deceptively gorgeous) witch, and the cover is totally fitting. 

5. Between by Jessica Warman - I don't see this book around nearly enough, and that still saddens me because I loved this one. Seriously. LOVED. But I love how haunting the cover is, too. It took me weeks to realize that the sky and the ground are reversed on the cover. Totally cool.

6. Deadly Cool by Gemma Halliday - The cover of this one is perfect with the cool little earbuds that make up the lettering. It's simplistic but poignant, and it's not too, too serious, which is good because this is one fun and entirely surprising book.

7. Wither by Lauren DeStefano - I desperately wanted to love this book, but it ended up falling a bit flat for me. However, the cover of this one will always be stunning in my mind. There is such intricate detail, and the colours are perfection.

8. When the Sea is Rising Red by Cat Hellisen - Seriously, there's a sparse sort of minimalism to this cover that just speaks to my soul. Plus, it's a bit dark, totally creepy and it's different than pretty much every cover on my shelf, so I loved it from the cover alone!

9. The Goddess Test by Aimee Carter - I loved this book. Normally, a book that strays from true mythology wouldn't work for me, but I loved the author's writing style, and it meshed perfectly with this super-stunning cover.

10. The Dead and the Gone by Susan Beth Pfeffer - This series. It's a source of much enjoyment and much frustration for me. I adored the first book, I was iffy on the second book and the third book royally disappointed me. The covers, however, never cease to amaze 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 Books I've Read During the Lifespan of My Blog:

First off, for those who didn't know, i swim for oceans is going to be 3 years old in December! Go figure, right?! For reals though...it hasn't all been sunshine and rainbows. There have definitely been times I've thought about quitting, but I think I'd miss it more than anything if I did. I blame (love) Jenny from Supernatural Snark for that. Anyway, moving on. These are the top ten books I've read during the life of my blog. 

1. The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin - I have a slightly more than slight fangirlish obsession with this book. Mostly because it's dark, and twisted, and slightly mad (all things I love about Michelle, too). Regardless, this book speaks to me on so many levels, and let me just say...The Evolution of Mara Dyer DOES NOT DISAPPOINT!

2. The Long Weekend by Savita Kalhan - Guys, I read very little MG these days. I want to read more, but there is just so much fluff out there that it is hard to distinguish between what is good, and what is just...well...filler. This book is one of the most harrowing, cunning, spellbindingly dark books I've ever read, and it's still age-appropriate. It's a delicate balance of incredible insanity.

3. The Near Witch by Victoria Schwab - There is something about this book that just sings to me. The prose, the story and the entire package is just sheer perfection. I've never read such a lyrical novel that has so many layers and, frankly, I just adore it. If you haven't read it yet...you must.

4. Raw Blue by Kirsty Eagar - I remember swearing up and down that I would never, ever, EVER like a contemporary novel. I told people they were cloying and obnoxious, and I told people it just wouldn't happen. Until this one. I read this book in one night. I found myself laughing and crying, utterly devoted to Carly's story. This is one of those books that hooks you and just won't let go.

5. Between by Jessica Warman - There are a lot of unsung novels in the world of books, but I have to say that I think this one missed the fan-fare it deserves. Though there is a slight predictability to it, this novel blew me away with the character growth and soaring plot line. It was heartfelt and believable, and I truly loved it. I've read it four times since.

6. Wintergirls by Laurie Halse Anderson - I read this just when my blog was starting, and I had mixed feeling based on it. I suffered with an eating disorder for many years as a teen, and those feelings never really go away. The novel is so well-written and so very painstakingly real that it's actually verging on triggering. However, it's one of the most harrowing and poetic books I've ever read, too.

7. Will Grayson, Will Grayson by John Green & David Levithan - First of all, that's an epic author duo, so it screams perfection. Secondly, this one grew on me with each re-read. It's one of the first books I've ever read where a secondary character steals the limelight, and there was just such a genuine, honest and fun feel to this novel. It felt utterly real and, therefore, utterly absorbing.

8. The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan - I should actually just put the entire series on here. I would never in a million years have read this series if it wasn't for another blogger consistently recommending them. I love Percy Jackson, and I don't care if that make me one of THOSE twenty-something women carrying her YA and MG books around. This is a classic.

9. Leaving Paradise by Simone Elkeles - This was another contemporary novel that just blew me away, and I'd picked it up on a whim, which made it even more special. The story of Maggie and Caleb was so wrought with drama and tension and angst that I should have hated it. But, instead, I loved it, and I loved them, and I love this book.

10. Sweet Evil by Wendy Higgins - Colour me crazy, kiddos, but I was pretty sure that I was going to hate this one going in. In fact, I'd pretty much chalked it up to a failure before I even started it. Boy, was I wrong. With fantastic characters, a swoon-worthy love interest and more depth than I thought was possible in the paranormal YA genre these days, it just blew 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: If you could spend one day with one literary character, who would it be, and why?

I seriously kill myself with my own questions. I'm a cruel SOB. My apologies. But seriously...there are so many characters in the literary world that I would give an arm and a leg (maybe both) to spend a full day with. I could name five without even blinking. Naming one, however, was a tricky feat. So, I weighed the pros and cons and I decided upon...

That's right. I chose Albus Dumbledore. I was weighing my options, and I would have loved to spend a day with a character like Mara Dyer, because she's a tricky b*tch, or Martin the Warrior from Redwall because he's so brave, or even Anna from Anna Dressed in Blood because, hell, she's got some crazy sh*t going down.

When push came to shove though, I would want to spend a day with someone from whom I could actually learn something. I'd also want to spend time with someone who is willing to meet me on my level because, let's be honest, he never really talked down to Harry, did he? Most of all though, I think spending a day with Dumbledore would be like spending a really fun day with a grandparent who just so happens to be a friend, as well. Plus, I'd be hoping to learn some magic.

In all honesty though, there's a quiet wisdom in Dumbledore, and a genuine goodness that a lot of us find lacking at times. There's also an underlying kindness and goodness to him that makes him someone you'd just HAVE to know. I would ask him about the if I could have a Pensieve of my own, and I'd certainly see if I could dip into his memories, as well.

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

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

Top Ten Book Romances That I Think Would Make It In The Real World:

1. Mr. Darcy & Elizabeth from Pride & Prejudice - These two are a given. They're so wrong that they're right. Their chemistry, their simplicity and the beautiful nature of their sweet relationship. Can I have it? But seriously. They'd totally last!

2. Mara & Noah from The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer - Ok, it's the classic combination of elusive and exclusive bad boy with the equally dark and mysterious bad girl. These two are a match made in...offbeat romance land. Plus, in my mind, they're both perfect.

3. Noah & Echo from Pushing the Limits - If you see my review yesterday, you'll totally understand it. These two characters go together like peanut butter and jelly. They're both a little bit damaged, but together they're whole.

4. Caleb and Maggie from Leaving Paradise - Let's just forget for a moment that there is a book two because (honestly) it never needed to be written. Caleb and Maggie went through so much, and they came out of it with a newfound respect for one another...and a new love.

5. Susan Chilmark and Timothy Collier from The Last Silk Dress - She was a diehard Confederate. He was a diehard Yankee. They should have hated one another, but they were both so passionate about their causes that they found a mutual respect...and a sweet, beautiful love.

6. Katniss Everdeen & Peeta Mellark from The Hunger Games - Again with the damaged and brokenness. These two both have these humble beginnings, and they have to go through hell and back just to survive. Who better to love than one another because they've known each other at their weakest and most vulnerable.

7. Carly & Ryan from Raw Blue - Colour me utterly jealous of the connection these two characters have. It's flawless, tangible, beautiful, heartbreaking and totally real. They have to learn to love one another for their baggage in order to make it through.

8. Harry Potter & Ginny Weasley from Harry Potter - I remember being utterly delighted when these two got together. I also remember the fierce protection that Harry had for Ginny, but the respect he had to let her be the strong witch she was. Perfection.

9. Ron Weasley & Hermione Granger from Harry Potter - These two have such a perfect dynamic. He's a bit of a buffoon, and she's a know-it-all, but they have hearts of gold, and their friendship actually took the time to grow into something more.

10. Elena Gilbert & Damon Salvatore from The Vampire Diaries - I know, I know. They're NOT actually together, however, I believe these two would last far longer than she and Stefan would. I think that love would bore her over time, but Damon would certainly keep her on her toes.

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!

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 are some of your all-time favourite book quotes?

Gosh, I'm a quote fiend, guys. I kid you not. I find quotes every other day that I fall in love with and can't get out of my head. Whether they're from books or not, they stick with me (and on me...whoops...just got one tattooed on my ribs.) Don't believe me? Check my Pinterest. However, if you do believe me, you'll probably understand that some of the greatest quotes of all time are said by our favourite characters.

This means that they're wise, witty, snarky, deep and heck, sometimes even downright hilarious. Whatever they are, they stay with us for a reason, and I'm not above writing them in a journal and whipping them out when I need a little reminder most. So, without further ado, below are some of my all-time favourite book quotes.

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"Happiness can be found, even in the darkest of times, if one only remembers to turn on the light." - Albus Dumbledore, Harry Potter

"What, exactly, is the function of a rubber duck?" - Arthur Weasley, Harry Potter

"Some things have to be believed to be seen." - Yalith, Many Waters

"The fool doth think he is wise, but the wise man knows himself to be a fool." - William Shakespeare, As You Like It

"Roses. Wolf mutts. Tributes. Frosted Dolphins. Friends. Mockingjays. Stylists. Me. Everything screams in my dreams tonight." - Katniss, Mockingjay

"You love me. Real or not real?" - Peeta, Mockingjay

"Thinking something does not make it true. Wanting something does not make it real." - The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer

"You will find joy, frustration and sorrow in your quest. Never forget that friendship and loyalty are more precious than riches...Happiness can be brief, but it knows no time in the land of dreams." - Pearls of Lutra

"We accept the love we think we deserve." - The Perks of Being a Wallflower
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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 YA Books to Read in One Day:

1. Many Waters by Madeleine L’Engle – This one is a quick read, friends. It’s under 300 pages, it has a non-stop pace and there is a sweet romantic element that soars throughout the entire story. If you know Biblical story of Noah’s Ark, you might think you’re prepared for this one, but trust me…it’s a new twist!

2. Dark Song by Gail Giles – When I first read this book, I was in a reading slump, and I was so sick of trying to struggle through a book day after day. I picked this up, and I read it in four hours. It’s a quick read – dark and furious – and I was left feeling completely uncomfortable for days. I think, however, it’s the best when a book makes you feel something.

3. Harry Potter by J.K. Rowling – Seriously…does anyone not have these books on their lists? I read every single one of these books in less than a day each. Nonstop. They’re so chock full of twists and turns that, let’s be honest, if I put the book down, I would have been in withdrawals for hours. That’s simply not ok.

4. The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins – I’d throw in Catching Fire and Mockingjay, too, honestly, because I read them all in less than a day each, as well. I re-read them in less, too! They’re powerful, they sick their claws into you and you simply cannot put them down. I’m jussayin’.

5. The Near Witch by Victoria Schwab – This is one of the most beautifully poetic and well-written stories I’ve read in a long time. It’s such a searing storyline, and the words are like poetry, as much as they are a story. So graceful and lyrical, I re-read this anytime I’m in a book slump!

6. The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin – Okay, I realize this is a longer book, but I couldn’t stop reading it once I started. A) Noah Shaw was too dang hot for me to let him go. B) Mara had some seriously bad mojo going on, and I really had to know why. C) Cliffhanger of Doom. I want MORE!

7. On the Banks of the Bayou by Roger Lea McBride – This is one of the Rose Wilder books (daughter of Laura Ingalls Wilder). I was obsessed with them when I was younger, and the series still sits proudly on my shelf. I really hope to share them with my children someday. They’re great, fast reads, and you get to watch as Rose grows up.

8. Ballad by Maggie Stiefvater – I don’t like her Shiver series. I’m sorry. I really, really, REALLY dislike it. That said, I do love both Ballad and Lament, and I think this is the better of the two. It’s fast-paced, it’s twisted and a bit dark and it’s a story that you wish had a next installment!

9. Vampire Academy by Rachelle Mead – I swore these off forever. I said I would never read a vampire book, and I would certainly not read a series with vampires in a boarding school. Well, I was wrong. I read the series, and I adored it…and now I can’t stop reading it. I could definitely read all these non-stop in a day.

10. Between by Jessica Warman – I didn’t know what to expect from this book, but I was just blown away. Though a bit predictable, the story has a beautiful theme, a tragically beautiful storyline and the chance to watch someone grow after life – something truly beautiful and unexpected.

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TEAM AMITY!

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: Cliffhangers - love them or hate them?

I'm often on the fence about this one, kiddos. On some blogs, you'll probably find me saying I simply loathe them. That's true. Then, on other blogs, you might find me saying I just love them. I'm ashamed to say that's also true. I have my reasons though, and I certainly think they're justified because, hey, when a cliffhanger is done right, it leaves me loving a book even more and, heck! It probably has me completely invested in the series, too!

I think there's a divide between good and bad cliffhangers though, and I reserve the right to judge them on a case by case basis. A good cliffhanger has me thinking about the book long after I close the last page. I'll probably scour that ending for some hidden direction multiple times, too, just hinting at what's next. That, in a nutshell, is what a good cliffhanger should make me do. Bad cliffhangers, on the other hand, leave me wondering if I actually liked the story in the first place. They can leave a sour taste in my mouth and, frankly, often have me thinking it's a cop-out. So, naturally, I'm going to break it down for you guys. Here are my top three favourite and least favourite cliffhangers:

1. The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin - The Cliffhanger of Doom. Need I really say more? ADORE.

2. Anna Dressed in Blood by Kendare Blake - This eerie cliffhanger still has me eerily fascinated. In a good way.

3. Delirium by Lauren Oliver - Beautiful. Poetic. Tragic. I'm still breathless after book two!

An honourable mention MUST go to Leaving Paradise by Simone Elkeles. I prayed for a sequel for years because of that one. Unfortunately, I now wished it had simply stayed with the cliffhanger - hence why it's not top-three.

1. Night Runner by Max Turner - I'm not even really sure how it boiled down to that...or why.

2. Witch & Wizard by James Patterson - Arguably a foul book with an even worse cliffhanger...can it get better?

3. The Gathering by Kelley Armstrong - It just felt like a pitch to the next book to me. Boring.

So, the bottom line is that when cliffhangers are used correctly, I'm invested in the series. You've officially got me hooked. When done wrong, however, I will most likely not even get near book two.

For those of you that don't know, I have a deep and abiding lust love for The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer, as well as the genius that is Michelle Hodkin. If you weren't aware of this, you probably haven't read my blog too long, so feel free to check out my fangirl review of The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer here. 

Well, needless to say, after the aptly-described Cliffhanger of Doom at the end of book one, I'm one of the thousands (and perhaps millions) that is simply screaming for book two...like...yesterday. So, when Michelle emailed me and told me that book two now has a title, I had to shout it from the rooftops. 

 Because that's what fangirls do, my friends. 

 So, without further ado, the title for book two is... 

(insert drumroll here) 

 The Evolution of Mara Dyer 

Ok, amazing!!! Right?!?! I was afraid it wouldn't live up to the first, but it did, SO I'm stoked. Here's some other important details you should note. 

There is NO cover yet. Do not be fooled by impostors.

There is NO synopsis yet. Anything you see is fake. Feel free to tell the fakers that when you see it. 

The Evolution of Mara Dyer is set to release in Fall 2012 from Simon & Schuster. Until then, enjoy this trailer from book one, which should satiate your Noah/Mara appetite 'till then.

See Michelle's full post HERE!

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

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

Top Ten Books I'd Save From a Natural Disaster:

1. Watership Down - Daunting in size, I know, but this one is one of my absolute all-time favourites. It's beautiful, it's poetic, and, frankly, I don't know that it gets much lovelier than this! 

2. Many Waters - I have a few copies of this one. However, there are a couple of those copies without covers because I've worn them out by reading them too much. I don't think I could survive without this! 

3. Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix - I want the whole series, and I'd probably sell my soul to save all seven BUT if I could only choose one and play by the rules, this would be it. Oh, Sirius Black. You have my heart. 

4. Time Windows - This is definitely not the best written novel I've ever read, but it may very well be what got me onto paranormal stories. It's beautiful and complex for its age range, and I love it to this day. 

5. Memoirs of a Geisha - I read this on a whim one day, only to find out months later that it was in our AP curriculum in high school. Needless to say, I loved it both times. It's so moving and beautiful, and the prose and backdrop are seamless. 

 6. My Sister's Keeper - Forget the movie. NEVER watch it if you can help it. It simply does not do this book justice. I cried for hours after this one, and I was just floored. It is so immensely powerful. 

7. The Glass Castle - I found myself re-reading this one last week to get out of a little bookish funk, and I remembered why I loved it so much. It's a quick read, but boy is it potent. That woman's story simply resonates. 

8. Between - This was a bit of a sleeper hit for me. I was worried when I first read it, but having read it a few times now, I'm just as blown away as the first time. This story sings with sadness, and I keep singing its praises. 

9. The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer - So sue me. I can't leave Noah behind! Plus, I just have to re-read that cliffhanger of doom daily. I keep looking for hints, or clues, or some little sign I missed. But no...just doom. 

10. Salamandastron - I love me some Redwall books, and the badgers were always my favourites. I think a close second would be Pearls of Lutra, but this one simply has to win. It's so beautiful and rich, and I think living in that mountain would be epic!

Let's Talk is what I like to call a semi-regular feature here at i swim for oceans. Does it happen every week? No. Will there be weeks when it happens more than once? Probably. Can you set your calendar by it? Heck no. 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: Does the hype of a book make you more, or less inclined to buy it?

I've been thinking about this question for a while lately, after speaking to a few bloggers about the overwhelming hype that some novels seem to have these days. There are two sides of the picture for me. 

1. There are books that have no hype whatsoever, and I simply stumble upon them later and am blow away by just how incredible they are. 

2. There are books that have ridiculous amounts of hype, build up my expectations astronomically and then let me down. 

I'll be honest. Overwhelming hype deters me a lot these days because I'm tired of being over-excited and then disappointed after finishing a book. I think the last book I stepped out and bought simply because the hype was killing me, and I just had to see what it was all about, was Matched by Ally Condie. Was it a good book? Sure. Was it a great book (for me)? No. 

Just a few examples of this:

Then, however, there are the exceptions to the rule. You probably remember the hype surrounding The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin. That one's launch was touted ad-nauseum, and I was scared to actually open the book when I finally got it for review. However, that one totally blew me out of the water. Truly, it was one of the most engaging novels I've enjoyed in a good while.

Just a few examples of this:

Then, there are books that have virtually no hype - a prime example for me being Between by Jessica Warman - that stun me. Yes, that one was a bit predictable, but I devoured it in a day. It was searing, soaring and powerful, and it spoke to me. And yet, for some reason...no hype.

Hype, for the most part these days, deters me from reading a book right away. I'm so scared of the disappointment I might possibly feel, so I look for hidden gems, instead. It's not a hard and fast rule at all...trust me. I read hyped books, but I think there's something to be said for finding the book nobody knows, too.

Please bear in mind that these are solely my personal opinions, and none of what I say is meant to be derogatory or degrade any authors or their books.

What about you?

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

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

Top Ten Young Adult Fictional Characters:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Which books are you most thankful for receiving from other bloggers, friends, family members, or publishers?

This is one of those answers that I could ramble on repeatedly hour after hour, simply because of the sheer generosity of publishers, authors and other book bloggers. It's truly a wonderful community that shares and gives back to one another in a spirit of kindness and a genuine love of the written word. Rather than ramble on forever and ever though, I wanted to point out the two books that I received this year that utterly blew my mind in every way, shape and form.

I remember when I first highlighted this way back when as a WoW, and was miraculously entered into the incredible Michelle Hodkin's spontaneous giveaway to give back. Well, I won, and I received an art print and the first two chapters, which killed me.

Then, her incredible publicist was kind enough to send me my very own ARC, and the book was arguably the most incredible I've read this year. I'm so incredibly thankful and grateful for having received The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer through this blog for review not only because it's an amazing book, but it's given me a chance to get to know Michelle, who is an amazing, amazing person!

I've never had a thing for contemporary fiction at all. It's never been for me, and I've always found it a bit too girly-girlish for my taste. I kept hearing from various bloggers that this one was one of the best though, so when the opportunity arose for me to participate in a blog tour and read Raw Blue by Kirsty Eagar, naturally, I was sold.

Well, consider me blown away. This is one of those books that creeps up on you and steals your heart before you have time to flinch away. It's utterly captivating, and it breathed new life into my take on contemps. I'm so thankful for other bloggers opening my eyes to new books like this gem.

Plus, I would like to take this moment to thank all publishers, authors and incredible book bloggers for helping spread the love for books to all of us. Thank you all for your immense generosity, and thank you for being a part of this book blogging community!

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.