Bookish Buys: Pretty Prints by Mei Lee

Bookish Buys are back! I haven't done one of these posts in awhile because, well, I don't know if you've noticed but I haven't been blogging much. Life and stuff, you know. But I'm getting into the swing of things once again which is very exciting (for me, at least), and I have some gorgeous products to share from Mei Lee a.k.a. Rocketrictic a.k.a. This Journal is Really Heartfelt. She does some really beautiful watercolour designs featuring quotes from the likes of F. Scott Fitzgerald, John Green, Neil Gaiman and The Lizzie Bennet Diaries. Here are some of my faves...

LBD tee

LBD tote

LBD case

Woolf card

Kafka card

Fitzgerald print

Angelou print

Niequist print

Gaiman tote

Green tote

Green skin

Green card

Bukowski print

Green cushion

Green tote

Green case

Top Ten Books I Resolve To Read In 2013

Happy New Year! I hope everyone had a fantastic evening and 2013 is off to a good start for you all. I personally have big plans and high hopes for this year. Including (but not limited to) reading these books...


Source

1. Stormdancer by Jay Kristoff. This book received so much buzz in the blogosphere that I knew I just had to read it. I managed to get my hands on it when it came out, but haven't had a chance to read it yet. Here's hoping I get to it soon.
   
2. The Fault In Our Stars by John Green. This one received even more buzz and I pre-ordered it despite never having read John Green before. I figured it would be as amazing as everyone was making it out to be. But I've been too scared of being totally depressed to actually read it yet.
   
3. Sea Hearts by Margo Lanagan. It sounds amazing and is another that has gotten brilliant reviews. I can't wait to read it!
   
4. Graffiti Moon by Cath Crowley. An Aussie gem (or so I've heard) that I'm ashamed to admit I haven't read yet.
   
5. The Tenant of Wildfell Hall by Anne Bronte. Anne is the only Bronte I have yet to read, and I plan to remedy that.
   
6. Divergent by Veronica Roth. Of the many dystopians to hit the scene post-Hunger Games, Divergent was one of the few to get resounding praise. I finally picked it up at a book sale after Christmas so I can read it soon.
   
7. The Thief by Megan Whalen Turner. The first in a series that came to my attention when I found out it was one of Melina Marchetta's faves – so it must be good!
   
8. The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams. This has been on my bookshelf for years and for some reason I've never read it. I think it's probably about time I did.
   
9. Night Beach by Kirsty Eager. Eager is another Aussie author that I've heard great things about, and I've been meaning to read one of her books for awhile.
   
10. Nicholas Nickleby by Charles Dickens. When I was at uni I was obsessed with Dickens and read a bunch of his books, but I haven't read much of his lately. I plan to rekindle my love this year, and NN looks like a good place to start.
    

What books do you want to tick off your to-read list this year?

Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by The Broke and the Bookish

Top Ten Contemporary YA Authors

This week's Top Ten Tuesday is a toughie for me because I'm not a big genre reader, but I have been gravitating towards contemporary YA a lot lately so I thought I'd list some of the awesome authors I've come across...

Sure, it may look completely random and irrelevant, but contemporary YA makes me happy and so does this gif. That's my excuse and I'm sticking to it.

1. Stephanie Perkins. Anna and the French Kiss completely blew me away, and although I didn't enjoy Lola and the Boy Next Door quite as much, it was still great. I can't wait for Perkins' next novel, Isla and the Happily Ever After, to come out.

2. Melina Marchetta. One of my favourite authors of all time. I love the way Marchetta captures authentic emotions and experiences and creates such wonderful, well-rounded and realistic characters. All of her contemporary fiction is fantastic, but On the Jellicoe Road is probably my favourite.

3. Ann Brashares. I've mentioned before that it was The Sisterhood of the Travelling Pants series that introduced me to YA and made me rethink my previous (judgmental) stance on it. It was such a fun and touching read. I've been meaning to reread the series for awhile, especially with the last installment that's come out, but I've heard some spoilers so I'm kinda scared.

4. Gayle Forman. If I Stay is kinda supernatural, but its sequel, Where She Went is more contemporary. I adored both books and their characters, but I especially appreciated Adam's point of view in Where She Went.

5. Libba Bray. I have a ridiculous amount of love for Beauty Queens. I thought it was clever, hilarious and so much fun. I've wanted to read more of Bray's books every since I read it, but sadly for me I haven't gotten around to it yet.

6. Morgan Matson. I loved Amy and Roger's Epic Detour; the characters were likable and the story was so much fun, while still maintaining some serious aspects. It made me totally want to take a road trip around the US and eat lots of hamburgers. Second Chance Summer was also a great read, and utterly heartbreaking.

7. Simone Elkeles. I wasn't sure whether I should put Simone on the list given the recent hullabaloo around the way she responded to one of her reviews, but the truth is I absolutely loved her Perfect Chemistry series so she deserves a spot here. Sure, it's totally cheesy and predictable, but it's also completely addictive and fun.

8. Judy Blume. 'Nuff said.

OK, I'm out. Unfortunately I haven't read enough contemporary YA to have a complete top ten (though it's probably the genre I've read the most!). Because I'm kinda OCD and can't have an incomplete list, here are two contemporary YA authors I want to read.

1. John Green. I know. I haven't read any John Green. Yes, I'm hanging my head in shame.

2. Sarah Dessen. Now my whole body is hanging in shame.

Who are your favourite contemporary YA authors?