Here's a look back at the books I've reviewed during February (and January):

1. Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell (see review)
2. These Broken Stars by Amie Kaufmann and Meagan Spooner (see review)
3. Alienated by Melissa Landers (see review)
4. Defy by Sara B. Larson (see review)

Of those four books, my Best of the Month pick for February is Alienated by Melissa Landers.

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Top Ten Tuesdays is a weekly meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish.

I admit it! I have a problem...a book buying problem, that is. I'm an impulsive book buyer. What can I say? I can't help it. Usually, I'll walk into the bookstore to buy one book, but I don't think I've ever accomplished my mission to buy only one book. Once I'm in the store, I can't help but get lost in all the books on the shelves. Then, before you know it, I have an armful of books books I didn't even know I needed until I saw them sitting there on the bookshelf, looking all interesting and calling my name. It happens to me all the time. And, do I ever read all those books I buy? No! They end up sitting on my bookshelf while I find other books to read. That's probably why my TBR list is crazy long. Anyway, without any further ado, here are the top ten books I just HAD to buy...but are still sitting on my bookshelf:

1. The Fault in Our Stars by John Green: This book is all the range right now, especially with its upcoming movie adaptation. I've heard nothing but good things about it, which is why I bought it over a year ago. I still haven't gotten around to reading it.
2. The Casual Vacancy by J.K. Rowling: I absolutely had to have this book when it came out. I mean, it's J.K. Rowling. Duh! I tried to read it, but I confess I didn't get very far before I set it down and never picked it up again. I'll try again, especially since it's being turned into a show for BBC. Boy, do I love British TV!
3. Matched by Allie Condie: This series has been recommended to me many times, and I think the concept behind the story is fascinating, which is why I bought this book a while back. I still haven't read it, but I really need to. I'm a huge fan of dystopian novels, and I've heard the world created in this book is one of the best. 
4. The Life of Pi by Yann Martel: This is another book that's had a lot of hype surrounding it. I had planned on reading it years ago, but I just never got around to it. Then, when the movie came out, my interest in the story was renewed. I found a copy at a used bookstore, but I still haven't read it. I want to read it before I watch the movie. I'm a purist like that (...not really).
5. The House of Hades by Rick Riordan: I'm a huge Percy Jackson fan. I've read all of the other books (both Percy Jackson and The Heroes of Olympus). So, when this book came out in the fall, I absolutely had to buy it the day it came out, but I haven't had a chance to read it yet. Do you have any idea how hard it is to stay away from spoilers when you teach a bunch of middle schoolers who couldn't keep a secret if their lives depended on it?

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Defy by Sara B. Larson
Published by Scholastic Press
Date: January 7, 2014
Series: Defy #1
Genres: Young Adult, Fantasy, Romance
Pages: 336
Format: eBook
Source: Publisher via NetGalley

A lush and gorgeously written debut, packed with action, intrigue, and a thrilling love triangle.

Alexa Hollen is a fighter. Forced to disguise herself as a boy and serve in the king's army, Alex uses her quick wit and fierce sword-fighting skills to earn a spot on the elite prince's guard. But when a powerful sorcerer sneaks into the palace in the dead of night, even Alex, who is virtually unbeatable, can't prevent him from abducting her, her fellow guard and friend Rylan, and Prince Damian, taking them through the treacherous wilds of the jungle and deep into enemy territory.

The longer Alex is held captive with both Rylan and the prince, the more she realizes that she is not the only one who has been keeping dangerous secrets. And suddenly, after her own secret is revealed, Alex finds herself confronted with two men vying for her heart: the safe and steady Rylan, who has always cared for her, and the dark, intriguing Damian. With hidden foes lurking around every corner, is Alex strong enough to save herself and the kingdom she's sworn to protect?

- Goodreads

Alexa has been playing a part for years, ever since her twin brother Marcel saved her life when they suddenly became orphans during an attack on their village. Ever since that day, Alexa has been masquerading as Alex, the most skilled member of the Prince's guard...and also a boy. It has been imperative for Alexa and Marcel to conceal her true identity, lest she face the horrors that await all orphaned girls at the hands of King Hector, the ruthless ruler of the once-great nation of Antion. But, when Prince Damian is abducted with Alexa and her best friend Rylan along with him, Alexa's secret is suddenly in jeopardy as she fights to keep the Prince safe, all while trying to make sense of the confusing attractions she suddenly feels for Damian and for Rylan. How can Alexa manage it all--maintaining the safety of the Prince, reconciling the feelings she harbors for Damian and Rylan, and possibly even putting an end to the senseless war that has ravaged Antion and the neighboring nation of Blevon for decades? What decisions will Alexa make, and will those decisions be the right choice?

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Top Ten Tuesdays is a weekly meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish.

This week's list was difficult for me. I've never really thought about why I love to read before. Reading has always been something I love to do; it's just part of who I am. After some serious pondering, though, these are the reasons I came up with:

1. I get to live vicariously through the lives of the characters. My favorite characters are the adventurers and the romantics.
2. Reading is relaxing. Nothing like a good book to take my stress away.
3. No matter what book I'm reading, I usually learn something new.
4. I get to escape to different worlds and time periods.
5. I get to talk about my favorite books/characters with other readers. True story: One of my friends and I used to have some heated debates about Harry Potter... because we're cool like that.
6. I get to spend hours at the bookstore/library. It's one of my favorite pastimes. I could get lost among the stacks, and I wouldn't mind one bit. It's one of the ways I discover new books.
7. Reading makes you think. The really good stories will get me thinking about the world in new ways.

And...that's all I can think of. Like I said, this was a difficult topic for me. Maybe you're better at articulating your love of reading than I am. What are the reasons you love to read?

Alienated by Melissa Landers
Published by Disney Hyperion
Date: February 4, 2014
Series: Alienated #1
Genres: Young Adult, Science Fiction
Pages: 352
Format: eBook
Source: Publisher via NetGalley

Two years ago, the aliens made contact. Now Cara Sweeney is going to be sharing a bathroom with one of them.
Handpicked to host the first-ever L’eihr exchange student, Cara thinks her future is set. Not only does she get a free ride to her dream college, she’ll have inside information about the mysterious L’eihrs that every journalist would kill for. Cara’s blog following is about to skyrocket.

Still, Cara isn’t sure what to think when she meets Aelyx. Humans and L’eihrs have nearly identical DNA, but cold, infuriatingly brilliant Aelyx couldn’t seem more alien. She’s certain about one thing, though: no human boy is this good-looking.

But when Cara's classmates get swept up by anti-L'eihr paranoia, Midtown High School suddenly isn't safe anymore. Threatening notes appear in Cara's locker, and a police officer has to escort her and Aelyx to class.

Cara finds support in the last person she expected. She realizes that Aelyx isn’t just her only friend; she's fallen hard for him. But Aelyx has been hiding the truth about the purpose of his exchange, and its potentially deadly consequences. Soon Cara will be in for the fight of her life—not just for herself and the boy she loves, but for the future of her planet.

--Goodreads

When Cara Sweeney is selected to host one of the first exchange students from the planet L'eihr, she thinks her future is set. She'll host Aelyx for a year on Earth, take her turn on L'eihr, and then return to Earth where she can attend the university of her dreams, courtesy of the hefty scholarship she'll receive as a student in the first intergalactic student exchange program. Piece of cake. Never mind the fact that Aelyx has plans of his own. He and his friends want nothing to do with Earth or humanity. Equipped with a secret plot to sabotage the potential alliance between Earth and L'eihr, Aelyx plans to return to his home planet as soon as possible, never to return to Earth again. When the exchange finally starts, neither Cara nor Aelyx is prepared for torrent of events and emotions that will change both their lives, and even their planets, forever.

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Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish.

Fair warning, I don't usually read true romance novels. They're just not my style. Occasionally I'll pick one up, but usually I'll read books from other genres, like science fiction or fantasy, that have a romance tied into the plot. So, some of the books on my list are true romance, while others are not.

1. The Notebook by Nicholas Sparks: No list about romances would be complete without The Notebook. It is the mother of all romances. Anyone would kill to have a romance as epic as Ally and Noah's. It's just a fact of life.
2. Any Novel by Jane Austen:  Jane Austen knew how to write good romance. And, each one of her novels sucks you in with the characters' witty charm. Personally, my favorite is Pride and Prejudice, but any of them are wonderful.
3. The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger: It takes true devotion to wait your entire life for someone, which is exactly what Clare does in The Time Traveler's Wife. She is always waiting for Henry, and through it all, she never loses her love for him.
4. The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern: This is one of my favorite books ever. A touch of mystery gives the love story depth while the magic of the Night Circus makes Celia and Marco's romance unforgettable and unlike any other. 
5. The Wolves of Mercy Falls Series by Maggie Stiefvater: As far as supernatural love stories go, this one is one of my favorites. I love the characters and the unpredictability of the plot. Maggie Stiefvater knows how to take aspects of real life and romance and blend them with fantasy to make a story that is truly unique. 
6. Twilight by Stephanie Meyer: Get out the torches and the pitchforks...Twilight has made my top ten list of romances. Say what you want about the Twilight series--I certainly have my fair share of negative comments--but, let's face it, Twilight has a few moments that make your heart go a-flutter.
7. My Most Excellent Year by Steve Kluger: This book isn't exactly an epic love story, but it does have cute romantic moments, and I love how each of the characters comes alive. It's definitely a good read.
8. Dash and Lily's Book of Dares by Rachel Cohn and David Levithan: This is another not-so-epic love story. However, I really enjoyed the premise of the book. The idea of passing a book of dares back and forth with a potential love interest is intriguing and unique.
9. The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight by Jennifer E. Smith: This book tackles the idea of love at first sight. Although I found some aspects of the story a bit unbelievable (I'm a bit cynical), it's still a cute love story.
10. Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare: I wasn't sure if I want to include this book, but I'm going to include it anyway because I can't think of another book to put on the list. Romeo and Juliet seems to be synonymous with romance. And, it is a good love story even though it's tragic and Romeo is kind of a player.

There's my list. Which romantic novels would you recommend?

These Broken Stars 
by Amie Kaufman and Meagan Spooner
Published by Disney Hyperion
Date: December 10, 2013
Series: Starbound #1
Genres: Young Adult, Science Fiction, Romance
Pages: 374
Format: eBook
Source: Purchased

It's a night like any other on board the Icarus. Then, catastrophe strikes: the massive luxury spaceliner is yanked out of hyperspace and plummets into the nearest planet. Lilac LaRoux and Tarver Merendsen survive. And they seem to be alone.

Lilac is the daughter of the richest man in the universe. Tarver comes from nothing, a young war hero who learned long ago that girls like Lilac are more trouble than they’re worth. But with only each other to rely on, Lilac and Tarver must work together, making a tortuous journey across the eerie, deserted terrain to seek help.

Then, against all odds, Lilac and Tarver find a strange blessing in the tragedy that has thrown them into each other’s arms. Without the hope of a future together in their own world, they begin to wonder—would they be better off staying here forever?

Everything changes when they uncover the truth behind the chilling whispers that haunt their every step. Lilac and Tarver may find a way off this planet. But they won’t be the same people who landed on it.

---

A timeless love story, THESE BROKEN STARS sets into motion a sweeping science fiction series of companion novels. The Starbound Trilogy: Three worlds. Three love stories. One enemy.

- Goodreads

Lilac and Tarver live in completely different worlds. Lilac, the beautiful, young heiress of the richest, most powerful man in the galaxy, is used to being the center of attention and having the world at her fingertips. Tarver, on the other hand, is a war hero from humble beginnings who can't help but feel like he doesn't fit in with the members of high society and their world of fancy parties and ridiculous social niceties. Lilac and Tarver couldn't be more different. But, when the starship their traveling on, the Icarus, falls out of hyperspace and crash-lands on an unknown planet, Lilac and Tarver suddenly find themselves bound to one another as they fight to survive and await a rescue mission they aren't entirely sure is coming. These Broken Stars is a gripping story about survival, love, and strength that takes the genre of science fiction and turns it into something new.

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Top Ten Tuesdays is a weekly meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish.

I am not too fond of this week’s topic. I don’t read very many books that make me cry. There have been times when certain moments in books have made me cry, but those moments don’t come around very often. So, with all that said, my list this week is kind of short. Here it is:

1. Tuesdays with Morrie by Mitch Albom: I love Mitch Albom. He has a knack for writing inspirational stories that move the soul. Tuesdays With Morrie is one of my absolute favorite books. I loved reading about Morrie’s story. Yes, it’s a sad story, but that sadness isn’t without hope. Morrie’s impact on the lives of others is something that’s special and shows just how deep human connection can go. 
2. The Book Thief by Markus Zusak: This is a truly special book. Told from the perspective of Death, The Book Thief captures all of the complicated facets of human nature and the pure intensity of human emotion. It’s a story about a girl who, when living in times of desperation and fear in Nazi Germany, can’t help but steal books to help her cope with the reality around her. It’s a story of fear, strength, love, family, and survival. It’s one of the best, most realistic books I’ve ever read. 
3. The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold: The Lovely Bones is such an intense read on so many levels. It’s about a girl who is brutally murdered and then watches from Heaven as her family tries to solve her murder, find closure, and move on with their lives. Does it get more heartbreaking than that? With so many elements of human nature at play, The Lovely Bones explores so many areas of human emotion: fear, loss, confusion, loneliness, anger, love, hope…the list goes on. Witnessing the intense experiences the characters in this book endure is sure to bring a tear to your eye. 
4. The Time Traveler’s Wife by Audrey Niffenegger: I know this is a great love story, but I also think it’s kind of heartbreaking. Clare spends her whole life loving and waiting for Henry. Then, when she finally gets him, she constantly wonders if he will time travel away from her. When Henry finally does time travel–and he always does end up traveling, usually at the most inconvenient times–Clare is forced to wonder if he will return to her. This constant uncertainty is what makes Clare and Henry’s romance so sad for me. Claire never knows if or when the love of her life will return to her. I can’t imagine living through that; it would tear me apart. 
5. Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen: I loved this books for so many reasons. It’s a book that has a little bit of everything; it has romance, humor, suspense, and tragedy. For me, Rosie’s role in the story is one of the things that made the book so emotional. She is what gave the book character. And, the moments where she and others faced August’s brutality were the saddest moments to read. 

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I’m currently teaching a historical fiction unit to my seventh grade classes, so I’m on a bit of a historical fiction kick. I keep finding historical fiction books that sound really interesting, so I keep adding them to my To Be Read list. Two of the books I’m adding are Code Name Verity and Rose Under Fire by Elizabeth Wein.

Code Name Verity by Elizabeth Wein
Published by Disney Hyperion
Date: May 7, 2013 (first published January 1, 2012)
Series: Code Name Verity #1
Genres: Young Adult, Historical Fiction
Pages: 447

I have two weeks. You’ll shoot me at the end no matter what I do.
That’s what you do to enemy agents. It’s what we do to enemy agents. But I look at all the dark and twisted roads ahead and cooperation is the easy way out. Possibly the only way out for a girl caught red-handed doing dirty work like mine — and I will do anything, anything, to avoid SS-Hauptsturmführer von Linden interrogating me again.
He has said that I can have as much paper as I need. All I have to do is cough up everything I can remember about the British War Effort. And I’m going to. But the story of how I came to be here starts with my friend Maddie. She is the pilot who flew me into France — an Allied Invasion of Two.
We are a sensational team.
- Goodreads 

Code Name Verity: This book has actually been on my list for a while. I first discovered it last year on Amazon, and I remember thinking, “A book about a female British spy during World War II…sounds pretty awesome!” Since then, the book has been featured at my school’s book fair, and it has been recommended to me several times by different people. I haven’t had a chance to read it yet, but I’m really looking forward to it. I’ve read loads of books about World War II–more books than I can count–but none of them focused on the perspective of a female spy. I’m looking forward to reading what I’m sure is a unique twist on a popular time period featured in historical fiction.

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