Tag Archives: urban fantasy

Sep 16 2014
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Top Ten Fantastic Authors I Need to Read More From!

top ten tuesday

Hosted by The Broke and the Bookish

So many books and so little time! You all know how it is: you read a single book from fantastic author and then never quite manage to make your way back to them despite the best intentions. I have a difficult time reading books in a series back to back (it’s a sickness that comes from wanting to read ALL THE BOOKS!). So more often than not brilliant (new to me) 5-star authors get put in a queue behind authors and series I’m already highly invested in. The bad news? I usually end up waiting ages before continuing. The good news? I know from this list that I have at least ten amazing authors to look forward to… eventually. Behold:

Top Ten Fantastic Authors I Need to Read More From!

Some of these novels made my top ten list of 2013. I can’t wait to read more!

What authors would make your list?

by Niki Hawkes

Sep 1 2014
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Top Ten Books I’m Taking on My Cruise!

top ten tuesday

Hosted by The Broke and the Bookish

This topic is in no way, shape, or form even close to what it was supposed to be (Top Ten Characters I’d Have Lunch With) because my Top Ten Favorite Character Names and Top Ten Female Characters Who Inspire Me lists pretty much covered everything I wanted to say on the subject. Therefore, I am taking a personal angle this week by naming the:

Top Ten Books I’m Taking on My Cruise!

All of these titles are on my Nook, which is why this post is significantly different than my Top Ten Books on My Fall 2014 list coming up in a couple of weeks. I have been beating myself up for months for not having read some of these titles, so the fact that I am limited to just what’s on my Nook while on vacation actually has me excited that I stalled on reading them for so long. Our Alaskan cruise is going to be amazing (pictures to come), and I’ve somehow managed to save some of the best books to take along!

Have you read any of these? Which one should I start?

by Niki Hawkes

Aug 26 2014
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Top Ten Books I Want to Own!

top ten tuesday

Hosted by The Broke and the Bookish

I love buying books. And lucky for all of you, I also love talking about buying books. Being a bookseller for eleven years can really take a toll on your bank account (and shelves), and I’m sure all of you book lovers can imagine how difficult it was to show restraint (I’ve heard it compared to allowing an alcoholic to work in a bar). Because I’ve been collecting for so long, my library is pretty extensive and there are not many books I want to read that I don’t already own. That is why everything on my list are either new or upcoming releases (with the sole exception of Independent Study – I absolutely loved it, but didn’t like books 1 or 3 nearly as much… to buy, or not to buy?).

Top Ten Books I Want to Own!

 As I’ve been working really hard towards becoming a conservative book buyer (it has been really painful), I started a Read 4, Buy 1 system and it has actually been working! Not only do I feel like I get a reward every fourth book, but it keeps a steady stream of books arriving at my doorstep (happies!!!). It has also turned me into a much more careful book buyer. Before, I would buy anything and everything I thought I might want to read one day. And not just book 1, but the entire series! As you can imagine, I found myself in a lot of trouble when I figured out I didn’t like the first book as much as I thought I would. Now, unless it’s a new book from an author I already love, I make a point to read new authors before I buy them. My collection has grown so much more special now that I’m bringing home only the “best” books. To make a long story short, five of the books above are from authors I love while the other five books are ones I’ve already read… awesome! lol

What books would you like to own? Any from my list?

by Niki Hawkes

Aug 18 2014
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Niki’s Top Twelve Must-Read Books!

top ten tuesday

Hosted by The Broke and the Bookish

 This weeks Post was supposed to be along the lines of must-read titles that other people have told me about. Because I haven’t yet read many of the titles that made that list (and therefore can’t personally vouch for their awesomeness) I decided to take a spin on the topic and present my own list of must-reads. I realize this must look similar to many of my other lists, but I just can’t can’t seem to stop raving about my all-time favorite titles. Now, of course, this list is only helpful if you’re a speculative fiction fanatic like me. ;)

Niki’s Top Twelve Must-Read Books:

Fantasy:

The Name the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss
Assassin’s Apprentice by Robin Hobb
The Way of Kings by Brandon Sanderson

 Science Fiction (specifically Space Opera):

Grimspace by Ann Aguirre
Leviathan Wakes by James S. A. Corey
Survival by Julie E. Czerneda

Young Adult:

The Girl of Fire and Thorns by Rae Carson
Partials by Dan Wells
Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead

 Urban Fantasy:

Moon Called by Patricia Briggs
Full Moon Rising by Keri Arthur
Dead Witch Walking by Kim Harrison

These titles have all earned their spots in my favorites list and are usually the first books I recommend to new readers of their given genre.

What books would make your list?

by Niki Hawkes

Aug 2 2014
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Stacking the Shelves – July 2014 Edition!

Stacking the shelves

Hosted by Tinga’s Reviews

Stacking the Shelves is probably my favorite book blogger feature. I absolutely love looking at all of the great books other readers bring home and equally love sharing my own haul! Here’s a look at the books that stacked my shelves this month:

Hardcopies:

1

 This month I surprised myself by sticking to my Read 4, Buy 1 challenge. I’m excited about all of these books, but of course, Silver Shadows is going to get top priority!

Ebooks:

Yeah, totally an eclectic ebook category this month…

Library:

2

 Even though I want to read these, I sadly won’t get around to all of them. I don’t know what it is about libraries, but I find myself requesting things constantly that I don’t have time for just because I know I want to read them eventually. Less effective.

Audio:

 Even though I read constantly, there’s something nice about being able to devour a book while focusing on something else. I listen to them on walks, while doing dishes, while cross stitching, and even as I fall asleep. Audiobooks rule.

ARCs:

September 23, 2014
October 14, 2014
September 2, 2014

 I have been clamoring for copies of these for months – so excited!!

 What books stacked your shelves this month? :-)

by Niki Hawkes

Jul 29 2014
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Top Ten Authors I Own the Most Books From!

top ten tuesday

Hosted by The Broke and the Bookish

My apologies for posting this TTT so late – it took a surprising amount of time and effort to round up all of these amazing titles. Before you view the photos, you need to know that I am a book hoarder. If you don’t believe me, this slideshow presentation should alleviate any doubt. I tried to keep the focus on the authors I’ve actually read the most books from, not just collected. I think my collection of Mercedes Lackey, Terry Brooks, and Anne McCaffrey books might surpass a couple of these here, but I haven’t had a chance to read them all yet… #booknerdproblems 

Top Ten Authors I Own the Most Books From!

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I hope you enjoyed this glimpse into my library. :)

by Niki Hawkes