Top Ten Tuesday #26
Happy Tuesday, book nerds!
So yesterday during a casual Twitter chat I realized that I’ve been blogging “semi-seriously” for almost a year now. In fact, the end of July will mark the 1 year anniversary of this site! This is a completely baffling fact to me and I’ll have to save all my praise and thoughts for a later post because I need time to gather my thoughts (read: emotions) about this!
One quick thing I will say is that I’ve obviously loved connecting with friends/readers the most. I love learning from them on everything from which books to read, how to acquire ARCs, how to buddy read, and all the different tags/challenges/readathons that take place annually to encourage reading. 
I bring this up because one of my absolute favorites informed me just yesterday about a readathon that’s taking place from July 9 – July 15 called Smutathon. That’s right Smutathon. And y’all know your girl is going to be partaking. In fact, I think it took like .005 seconds between Mel informing me of this challenge and me scheduling a buddy read with her! So stay tuned to hear how I do with all my kissing books! 😉
And now for the reason you’re all here! It’s time for another round of TOP TEN TUESDAY hosted by Jana at ThatArtsyReaderGirl
This week’s topic is Best Books I’ve Read In 2018 (So Far). And y’all I was SO close to staying on topic this week. I’m going to post the Best Books I’ve read in 2018 (So Far), but because I wasn’t super over the moon with ALL ten selections, I’m also going to be listing 10 books that had I read sooner I believe would be making this list. To elaborate, I started doing monthly book haul posts 5 months ago. So I’m picking 2 books from each of the past 5 month’s hauls and making my ASAP TBR with them! Thus you’ll get my TOP TEN BOOKS I’VE READ IN 2018 (SO FAR) & TBR!!
That makes sense, right? Yeah, we totally get it! Let’s do this thing!
So for my TOP TEN BOOKS OF 2018 (So Far) I give you:
The Cruel Prince * Sky in the Deep * Undead Girl Gang * Long Way Down * Warcross * To Kill A Kingdom * Illuminae * Autoboyography * Alex, Approximately * The Kiss Quotient
Now for my TOP TEN BOOKS OF 2018 (That I’ve Recently Hauled TBR) I give you:
February 2018 Book Haul:
1) The Nowhere Girls by Amy Reed
2) Nyxia Unleashed by Scott Reintgen – starting Thursday! =D
March 2018 Book Haul:
3) Children of Blood and Bone by Tomi Adeyemi
4) The Exact Opposite of Okay by Laura Steven
April 2018 Book Haul:
5) Dear Martin by Nic Stone
6) Clean by Juno Dawson
May 2018 Book Haul:
7) LIFEL1K3 by Jay Kristoff
8) Starry Eyes by Jenn Bennett
June 2018 Book Haul:
9) Circe by Madeline Miller
10) The Child Thief by Brom
Well that’s that! My TOP TEN BEST READS OF 2018 SO FAR & TBR! Let me know if you’ve read any of my main 10 or any of my soon-to-be read 10! Which ones should I stop sleeping on?? Did we share any faves of 2018? Let me know below!
And, as always: Happy Reading!
nerdnarrationblog.wordpress.com 
Ah, I love your list! And congrats on the anniversary! ❤️
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Thanks so much! The first one or the second? Lol always like to see what works! =D
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Love Illuminae!
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Right? Did you listen to the audibook??
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Some. Mostly read the book but I do have it on Audible. I did like some of the background noises and small touches that they added to the audiobook
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Yeah I listened while following along with a physical copy because the book itself is visually stunning, but paired with a full-cast audiobook? Next level IMO.
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Yeah but listening to the aduibook, knowing that there were visuals in the book made me wonder what I was missing lol
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Yeah, that’s why I did both. I was lucky enough to meet the authors at their Obsidio launch party event in Dallas and they mentioned that the most “cinematic experience…if you’re able…” was to listen while following along. So I did and they weren’t wrong lol. #ThankGodForLibraries
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I almost went to that but didn’t have anyone to go with!! 😭
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Shut up!!! Are you in the DFW area??? I didn’t know a soul there, but the lure of meeting the authors was strong. lol
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I am about 30 minutes west-ish of Fort Worth. The only person that I know that also likes Jay Kristoff was working that night. I drove out to Dallas when Peter V Brett was on tour but didn’t want to make the drive all by myself
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Gotcha!! Well if you ever hear about something cool in DFW and want to meet a blogging friend let me know! I’m always looking for fun events here that involve authors I love!
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That would be amazing! I will for sure keep an eye out for things in the area. I think book tours are kind of in a lull right now but if you hear anything also let me know! Feel free to add me on Facebook 🙂
https://www.facebook.com/dani.larance
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I JUST finished Sky in the Deep and I adored it! So glad to see it on someone else’s list!! Plus, Illuminae is amazing. 🙂 Great list!
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Oh yay! I’m glad you liked Sky in the Deep. I honestly can’t even put my finger on why I loved it so much, but I definitely did! And yeah, Illuminae is pretty great!
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Great list! ❤
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Thanks, Sara! I liked yours too as you know! =D
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Can’t agree more with To Kill a Kingdom. One of the best of 2018 for sure! Warcross is happening later this year for me.
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So glad you agree with TKAK!! I know some people had plot issues with the book, but the writing was just beautiful! I saved so many quotes from that book it’s silly. And you’re wise to have delayed Warcross until closer to the Wildcard release. Waiting has NOT been fun! =D
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Wise. Yes. That’s much better than saying, “way behind on all my reading.” lol
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HAHAHA! I laughed out loud at that! I mean it’s all about the spin, right??
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YASS! Alex, Approximately is so good!
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YAY! I’m so happy you agree. I know it was an “okay” read for some, but I seriously adored it! Yeah it was dramatic and a little over the top, but man was I a HUGE #PorterSupporter!
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Ahhh! Yes, I love that: PorterSupporter. Now I want to reread the book 😂
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Haha I ❤️you! Thanks for supporting my shenanigans and fangirling catchphrases!
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1.) I love you and I’m forever thankful for you! 2.) THESE ARE SUCH GOOD BOOKS! Like, I now need to read Warcross… like ASAP! 3.) I’m so excited to be buddy reading with you, too! 4.) I hope you’re having happy reading, because you deserve the entire universe, my love! 💗xx
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1) I’m not crying, you’re crying! ❤ For real you're the sweetest!
2) You'll be wise to wait closer to Wildcard release date on Warcross so you don't have to go through the waiting game like the rest of us peasants! 😉
3) I'm pumped for our first official buddy read!!
4) Did I mention you're the sweetest??
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Heheh! I love you so much, Taylor! ❤ xx
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Love your list!! Many I have read and loved and many I want to read so badly it hurts! My most recent acquisitions from your list are a couple of Book of the Month club pics – The Kiss Quotient and Circe.
Also, congrats on your 1 year anniversary!! So exciting!
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Thanks so much, love!! It’s so weird to know it’s almost been a full year of this crazy but absolutely amazing blogging world! And read The Kiss Quotient ASAP! It lives up to the hype and is a super fast read like Alex, Approximately was! It’s way more adult than Alex though! =P
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I loved Alex, Approximately so much when I read it last year. I am dying to read To Kill A Kingdom and The Kiss Quotient. I have a copy of the Kiss Quotient on its way to me, so I am stoked to finally read it. Dying to read Starry Eyes. I need to buy a copy ASAP.
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YAY! Another AA fan!! Definitely read TKAK, but if you’re a contemp fan I’d read The Kiss Quotient first. It’s grin inducing and swoony and more adult than I was expecting, but it was a great and super fast read. I’m also can’t wait to read Starry Eyes — especially given that a lot of readers say it’s better than AA…like that’s a real thing! 😉
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Great choices!! I loved Sky in the Deep and The Cruel Prince!
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So glad! I think TCP is like THE title on everyone’s list this week, but I mean it was pretty great so it makes sense!
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First, Happy 1 Year to you. Mines passed a while back in May and I’ve had my draft for my 1 Year Blog Anniversary Post and Giveaway for weeks now, but I just haven’t had the time to finish it. At least, it’s giving me a little time to get more goodies for the giveaway.
I have some of these books on my TBR already and I can’t wait to read them. Lily Anderson is a fantastic author. I discovered her last year when I read The Only Thing Worse than Me is You and I absolutely loved that book. I still have to read Warcross, but I’m debating on whether or not I should just wait for the series to finish so I can binge. The Kiss Quotient is up on my TBR this summer so I’m really hoping to get to that soon. Basically, a lot of these beauties are on my TBR and those that aren’t I’m definitely adding. Now, if only I could just stop time so I could just read read read.
XOXO
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Warcross and Alex, Approximately!! Ahh I loved those books so much as well. I’m actually on the verge of rereading Warcross 😅 I’m also currently reading The Kiss Quotient and it’s pretty good so far!
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Oh my gosh! You’ll have to keep me posted on TKQ! I clearly adored it, but would love to hear your thoughts! And I cannot wait for Wildcard! I need answers!!
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TKQ was so cute!!! The benefit dinner? BROKE ME.
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Oh my gosh!! The guests at the table?!?!?! I think I stopped breathing!!
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SAME. ESPECIALLY WHEN SHE CAME AND TOUCHED HIS SHOULDER?? I WAS DONE.
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I think I put the book down to angry tweet the author and then returned to the book. I could go search for what exactly I sent her, but I’m being lazy lol!
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I tweeted too! 😂 I left it in the morning and only finally picked it up in the night.
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Lovely list!
I need illuminae and warcross in my life, haha 😀
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DO IT! If you do Illuminae — and it’s possible via checking it out from library/you happen to have the spare funds/etc — listen to the full-cast audiobook WHILE following along with the text-crazy physical book. It was life changing!
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Sounds good! ❤
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Advanced happy blogoversary! I’m a new blog follower. 🙂 I’m so happy to see Sky in the Deep, Warcross, and To Kill a Kingdom among your favorites!!! ♥ You MUST read Children of Blood and Bone (awesome world and characters), and Starry Eyes (so much cuteness)!!!
– Aimee @ Aimee, Always
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Aw, you’re too kind! Thanks for the love and the follow! I’m so glad to know you’re a SitD, WC, & TKaK fan!! Not only do they have stunning covers, but great stories too!! And I know I needed to get to CoBaB like months ago!! Why can’t I read faster??? lol.
Have you read Alex, Approximately by Bennett or just Starry Eyes??
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You should totally read your March books first, just saying.~
From the books you’ve read already, I have yet to read Alex, Approximately. And I really want to get my hands on a copy of Sky in the Deep. Eventually I will! 😀
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Ha!! Thanks for the feedback, Kathy! Please let me know what you think of Alex since that’s clearly one of my faves of the year thus far! And yeah Sky is definitely a want to own book with that pretty cover art! Wish you luck! Happy Reading!
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omg i just used an “is this a kissing book” gif in a GR status update the other day. feeling: like our souls are connected. also happy almost blogiversary!! that’s so exciting.
this makes me excited to read The Cruel Prince, and to finish To Kill a Kingdom!!
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Ha! No way!!! Well, I’m glad to have a soul sisters moment with you! And thanks so much for the congrats, love! I’m shocked to find you haven’t read TCP yet. I hope you enjoy it when you get to it! There were flaws, but I think it’s a wonderful start to what’s shaping up to be a promising series.
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Soooo many of these are books I want to read! High up on my TBR are Warcross, Sky in the Deep, and The Cruel Prince. I just read Dear Martin and LOVED it. It was so, so good. I was really impressed with how many different issues Stone was able to touch on in such a short book. I’m hoping to read Nyxia Unleashed soon!
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If you can only pick up one between Warcross, Sky in the Deep, and TCP I’d definitely say TCP. Based off the reading tastes I’ve seen from you I think that’s the most up your alley, but all 3 are definitely worth your time!! And So glad to hear about Dear Martin delivering. I met Nic Stone earlier this year and she couldn’t have been nicer if she tried so I’m glad to see her book stands up to her personality! And I’ll fangirl with you the MINUTE you finish Unleashed! Just message me! =D
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Ooh good to know. I think my library has TCP so that’s a bonus too! Oh boy, NU is fangirl worthy, huh?! hahaha can’t wait!!
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Ha! I CAN’T say ANYTHING, but let me know when you’re done reading lol
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Hahaha, will do!!
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Yaaay we posted some of the same books, and read even more of the same books 😀 I really enjoyed The Kiss Quotient and hope to be reviewing it soon!
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