Tuesday, November 6, 2018

Top Ten Tuesday: Beat the Backlist

Top Ten Tuesday is a meme hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl. This week's topic is...

Beat the Backlist!

My backlist makes up most of my TBR, and is therefore, endless, but I always like taking that hard look at my backlist, and getting input from you guys, as to which books I should really, really try to read.
  • Boys, Bears, and a Serious Pair of Hiking Boots by Abby McDonald - This is a book that has turned up on SO many TTT lists, and it totally sounds like a book I would love. Once I found out this is the same author who wrote Dangerous Girls, I knew I had to read it. 
  • The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks by E. Lockhart - I bought this book at Yallfest back in 2015 to get autographed, and I really, really had every intention of reading it, but physical books seem to slip through the cracks for me. It won a ton of awards, and I am a Lockhart fan, so I really want to make this happen.  
  • Faking Normal by Courtney C. Stevens - I read my first book by Stevens last year and my second this year. Both rated 5-stars for me, and therefore, I am eager to read her backlist. 
  • Girl Against the Universe by Paula Stokes - It's a Paula Stokes book, of course I want to read it. I have also heard lots and lots of fantastic things about this book. So, it's a must for me (at some point)
  • A List of Cages by Robin Roe - Another book that people rave about. Every time I think about reading it, I don't think I am ready for the emotional levels of this book, but I will find the right time and read it one of these days. 
  • This Adventure Ends by Emma Mills - I finally bought this book, and I am thinking about doing a little Emma Mills read-a-thon with First & Then and Famous in a Small Town (when it comes out).
  • Saving Francesca by Melina Marchetta - This books comes up often, and I am really curious to see what everyone is talking about. 
  • Life After Juliet by Shannon Lee Alexander - I so loved Love and Other Unknown Variables, and upon hearing that this was a companion to that book earned it a place on my TBR. 
  • The Lost & Found by Katrina Leno - I adore Leno's books, and have been buying her backlist, so I can read them all. I love everything in the synopsis for this book, and am looking forward to feeling all the feels. 
  • Audrey, Wait! by Robin Benway - Benway dazzled me with Far From the Tree, and I am determined to read all her books as well. 



Are any of these books on your backlist?
Let us know in the comments!

57 comments:

  1. None of these are on my backlist, sorry! My backlist is currently full of horror, apocalypse, prepper, Tudor fiction, thrillers, Sci fi and fantasy with a lot of non fiction history, politics and mountain expeditions! I feel ill just thinking about the tbr!

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    1. I am all about the contemporaries, though, there are quite a few fantasy books on the list too, because I have lots of series to finish.

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  2. I'm surprised you haven't read Girl Against Universe or This Adventure as they are such Sam books.
    Saving Francesca is one of my all-time favorite novels. I just love everyone in that book!

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    1. I picked up GATU early this year, but I just got This Adventure Ends for my birthday. I know I will like them, but it's so easy to forget my backlist, when I have a spreadsheet of review books in front of me. I have been wanting to read Francesca for years, and I finally have access to the book via the eLibrary. I am getting more into theme weekly TBRs, so I am going to build something, where it will fit in.

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  3. I hope you love all these! I need to read A List Of Cages, too. I’ve read a few E. Lockart books, including the one on your list. Honestly, I don’t understand the hype. They all seemed very average to me.

    Aj @ Read All The Things!

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    1. I like Lockhart. I loved We Were Liars and really enjoyed the Ruby Oliver books. She works for me. List of Cages is all the raves. I just know it's really emotional, and have to make sure I am mentally prepared for it.

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  4. OOH I really want to read Girl Against the Universe and The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks!

    My TTT post!

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    1. It's pretty disgraceful that I have not read either yet. I made such a production of getting Frankie Landau-Banks and I love Stokes, and I read like 5 books a week. Seriously, I have no excuses.

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  5. I didn't read any of your books on the list but I wanted to say how much I love your sloth in the header!

    My TTT is about horror books this week: https://ichleseblog.wordpress.com/2018/11/06/top-ten-tuesday-10-horror-books-i-cant-believe-i-havent-read/

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    1. Thank you! My co-blogger did all the art, so I can take no credit, but I did think it was an awesome Mother's Day gift.

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  6. A List of Cages is one that has been warmly recommended! Sophie @bewareofthereader

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    1. I remember when everyone was reading that book, and I had so much envy. I am glad they have it on Hoopla, because I can just download whenever I am ready to read it.

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  7. Yes! I highly recommend This Adventure Ends (and an Emma Mills read-a-thon sounds amazing).

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    1. I have the two Mills' books to read, and then hopefully, my library gets her new one in January.

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  8. These books are all new to me! I think I've heard of A List of Cages though. That's one of the things I love about TTT, you get to hear about all the books that you missed before!

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  9. A List of Cages is one that I MUST read at some point. I don't own it, but it sounds like something I'd really love. Also, I've never read Melina Marchetta and I know I should. So many of her books sound great!

    -Lauren
    www.shootingstarsmag.net

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    1. If you can get access to Hoopla via your library, they have it there.

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  10. Some great books on this list! I've read Girl Against the Universe, and while it's not my favorite Stokes book, still a great read. I'm also about halfway through A List of Cages and its so good!

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    1. I think it's a sign from the universe the you are reading A List of Cages, while I am lamenting about needing to read it. I have to work that one onto the TBR stat.

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  11. I heard so many good things about A List of Cages, but never got around to reading it myself. I hope we both enjoy if we decide to pick it up!

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    1. A List of Cages was talked about so much, and in such a positive way, it makes me feel like I should have already read it by now.

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  12. I read Faking Normal a few years ago and I had a big issue with it. I never saw anyone else bring it up in a review so I guess it was just a me thing, but it was a big stumbling block for me. Audrey Wait was fun. Not as powerful as Emmy & Oliver or Far from the Tree, but still good. And A List of Cages - destroyed me but in a good way. I think. I still want to hug Julian.

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    1. I don't remember hearing anything about Faking Normal, but then again, I really only discovered Stevens last year via Dress Codes for Small Towns.

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  13. Nice picks! Mostly new to me ones but a few look familiar just from seeing them floating around the blogosphere...or the bookstore! Lol. Hope you get to read these sometime soon(ish)!

    Here's my Tuesday Post

    Have a GREAT day!

    Old Follower :)

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    1. I have access to all these books, so chances are good I will read them, if I make the effort.

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  14. I haven't heard of any of these, books or authors! I'm feeling very under-read, lol.
    I love the cover for A List of Cages.
    The backlist books I'm looking forward to diving into are all UF at the moment. After the HoHoHo Readathon I can feel an UF book binge coming on. :)

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    1. These are all YA contemporaries, so don't feel bad if you are not familiar with them. I feel like the YA fantasy books get more hype than most of the contemporaries. There are a handful of YA contemporary authors that are always talked about, but there are a lot more out there producing great work.

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  15. I made a huge dent in my backlist early this year. I went from 184 to under 50. Then I went to ALA and well...but still I'm doing well at that front.

    A List of Cages is on my TBR pile too.

    Karen @ For What It's Worth

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    1. Holy cow - I bow to your backlist greatness. I really could do it, if I made more of an effort. I read 5 books a week, which is a decent amount. I just have to request less new books, and focus more on the books I have. It's me, not the books.

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  16. Faking Normal and Life After Juliet both look really good! I hope you get to some of these!

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    1. I bought Juliet and was hung-ho to read it, and then didn't make it happen. I do want to make it happen though.

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  17. Yes, This Adventure Ends! Can't wait for her new book, too!

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    1. The new books looks super cute. I am so jealous of everyone, who already has it.

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  18. I wanted to read Girl Against the Universe... I've only read one Paula stokes book, I think, but her stuff always looks interesting.

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    1. I have read, and really enjoyed, several Stokes books, which is why I should have already read GATU. I am a terrible slacker.

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  19. I will never catch up with my backlog of books. The only book from your list that I have read is A List of Cages and I have to say that you NEED to read that one, Sam!

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    1. Chances of reading all my backlist are lost, but I like when I take a little time to prioritize some of them. I need to turn this into my personal reading challenge - read all the books from my TTT backlist.

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  20. I am SO loving all these backlist posts. It is inspiring me to get reading my pile.
    Jen Ryland Reviews

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    1. I love it, but at the same time, I feel like these lists are mocking me.

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  21. A few of these are still on my backlist too. Audrey, Wait is one I'd definitely be interested in hearing your thoughts on.

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    1. After reading Far From the Tree, I used a gift card and bought a few Benway books. Maybe a mini-binge would do me good there.

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  22. I can't even right now. You MUST stop and go read THIS ADVENTURE ENDS!!! It is everything. And A LIST OF CAGES!!! That is one of my favorite debuts ever. But also, Frankie Landau-Banks. You need to finish your E. Lockhart reads. I need to read Saving Francesca too. I know I will like that!!

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    1. I am laughing right now (so thank you), and I KNOW! I am the worst! The good thing is, I am already reading my December review books, of which there are like 5, so I think I am going to do this whole list.

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  23. Your graphic is so apt -- and hilarious! I think I want to read Boys, Bears and a serious pair of hiking boots just for the title alone!

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    1. Boys, Bears is one I see all over the place, and it really fits the type of contemporary I enjoy. I saw it at the library, and was thinking I need to get to it soon.

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  24. Girl Against the Universe was on my list too, of course. And you definitely need to read A List of Cages!

    Nicole @ Feed Your Fiction Addiction

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    1. I KNOW!!! I know I will enjoy A List of Cages too, no doubt. I may do a throwback week or something. I have a few Stokes books, that I own, and need to read, but GATU is high on the list.

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  25. I seriously need to read ALL of these, this is no exaggeration. Especially since I was mentally checking them off as I went down the list- like "yep own that one, and that one, and wow, why have I not read that one!?" so... ugh why are there so many books and so little time!?!

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    1. I quit KU back when, because I felt like I was ignoring my own books, and now, I still ignore my own books. If I can knock these 10 out, I will feel like a rockstar.

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  26. A List of Cages and Disreputable History are both fantastic. I liked Girl Against the Universe too, and it's how I discovered Stokes (who lives in my area!). I agree that I'd like to explore anything Benway has written after being blown away by Far From the Tree and Emmy & Oliver. I'm on the fence about Marchetta--I like her books I've read, but without the same fervor I hear from others. Good luck getting through at least some of these!

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    1. I think this list is a solid TBR as the year winds down. Glad to hear you enjoyed some of them

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  27. I mostly read backlist titles to be honest, because I can't keep up to speed with new releases or read fast enough! Faking Normal and Girl Against the Universe are both on my wishlist as well. I hope you'll be able to get to some of these soon ^.^

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    1. I have every book on this list, so I really just need to make an effort. I already scheduled one of them for next week's TBR. That's a positive step.

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  28. I have read and enjoyed both Audrey Wait and This Adventure Ends so I hope you get to both. I would say This Adventure Ends stood out a little more for me. I thought it was so good and even though it's my only Emma Mills read so far, I most definitely want to read more.

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    1. I am on a roll. I have already read one book from the list (I guess that's not a roll, but it's a start). I have read the most recent Emma Mills, and I adored it. I am thinking of doing If & Then and This Adventure Ends, and IF I get lucky, and Macmillan grants my wish, maybe I will read In a Small Town too.

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