Top Ten Tuesday #35: Books That Make Me Cry

Top Ten Tuesday is a meme created by The Broke and The Bookish. Each week the girls at B&B think up a fun theme, and participating bloggers post their favorite 10 books in that category. This week's theme is

Top Ten Books That Make Me Sob Like a Little Child

Just leave me alone to wallow in my misery, okay? I'm an emotional person, and I can cry reading almost any book, listening to any song, watching any tv show or movie or commercial about the military or puppies, or when I think about something mildly upsetting. I should have been an actress. My ability to tear up on command is quite impressive. These books are the worst of the worst, or perhaps, the best of the best. When I need to emotionally vomit, these books always get me. These books cleanse the soul.

The Contemporaries

1. Winger by Andrew Smith. I cried myself to sleep upon finishing Winger, and Andrew Smith took great joy in hearing it. His response to me when I tweeted never fails to make me laugh and cry simultaneously. I'm honestly weepy RIGHT NOW just thinking about the TWEET. Not even the book itself, just the tweet. The book, well, that's an entirely different story. So good. So incredibly good. But did Andrew have to make me fall so hard, only to rip away the element I fell for? Apparently he did. Brilliant bastard.

2. Invincible Summer by Hannah Moskowitz. Looking at this cover, you probably think it's some sort of flimsy, shallow summer romance all about a girl getting some. You would be wrong. This cover does this book such a disservice, I think. It's a cool cover, but it's all wrong for this book. It's not the book I just described at all. It's so deep and covers a lot of emotion. Then, you think you've finally gained control of yourself, only to be ripped open and thrown into the ocean for the salt to burn your traumatized feelings. Major ouch.

The Paranormals

 

3. Elegy by Tara Hudson. This book. I mean, really. I knew. I just knew this was the ending. Every time I racked my brain wondering how Tara would conclude Amelia and Josh's (but mostly Amelia's) story, this was the only feasable ending. And DAMNIT I WAS RIGHT. I didn't want to be. But I was. And it hurt me like my heart was raked over a hundred rusty razor blades.

4. Goddess by Josephine Angelini. I felt sucker punched by this. I really did. So much going on, so many beloved characters. I'm surprised Josie took so much care when she had the ability to just lay waste to everything just to watch it burn, but I was incredibly surprised by her restraint. Still, that didn't make it hurt any less when things got real. In fact, it hurt more because I knew she cared about the story, the characters. It would hurt less if things went badly because then I could say she did a bad job, and this ending wasn't real. This is turning out to be a terribly back-handed compliment, and I don't mean it to be. I think it's like the difference between blowing up an entire town vs just targeting a select few houses with all your favorite people in it. Brilliantly done for maximum feels.

5. Shadow Kiss by Richelle Mead. Goddess was a sucker punch, but I honestly never saw the end of Shadow Kiss coming. I was taken completely by surprise, and I wept. After reading this, I thought I'd never be happy again, let alone Rose. I had no idea where the series would go because for three books, Richelle leads us to this wonderful, happy, amazing pinnacle of awesome, and then BAM. She takes it all away in an instant. It's a testament to her phenomenal writing and the trust I had in her that I didn't put that book down and never pick up another. It's the most horrible, destructively beautiful ending, and it led to some incredible scenes in the later books and a great overarching series plot. I just didn't know it.

The Sci-Fi/Fantasies

6. Shades of Earth by Beth Revis. Oof. Right in the feels. So many intense moments. There's the one with the ship where that thing happens, and I was like, "NOOOOO!" and then there was the other one with the other spaceship where that thing happens, and I was like, "NOOOOO!" and then there was the other other one with the other other spaceship where that thing happens, and I was like, *sobs inconsolably* and I probably threw this book because my heart hurt so badly.

7. These Broken Stars by Amie Kaufman & Meagan Spooner. I just...I can't, guys. I can't. I read it and broke down. A month later, I listened to the audiobook, and listening to narrator Johnathan McClain lose it made me break down all over again, even though I was expecting it!

8. The Eternity Cure by Julie Kagawa. This is my favorite meeting-an-author story so I apologize (sorry but not sorry kind of apology) if you've heard it once or twice or fifty times. I had just finished Eternity Cure when I met Julie. I told her she wrecked me with this book. Her response: "I hope you cry more reading The Forever Song than you did with this one!" When I saw her at YAK Fest, she reiterated these hopes, but she softened the blow by saying she cried AND her editor cried. Wait, softened? Somehow, I am not comforted...

The In-a-Class-by-Themselves

 

9. The Hunger Games series by Suzanne Collins. This series is literally about kids dying. If you didn't cry once, either you are broken or you are amazing. I can't figure out which.

10. Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling. From Goblet of Fire on, I was one melty mess of a puddle. It's like JKR figured out who my favorite characters were...and then killed them all. Except for Neville. I guess she knew Matthew Lewis was going to grow up to be a hottie and that we'd need him to take away our feels.

Other excellent books for the destruction of my tear ducts:

Delirium by Lauren Oliver (just the first one). Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver. The Fault in Our Stars by John Green (obviously). My Sister's Keeper by Jodi Picoult (also obviously). Spell Bound by Rachel Hawkins (I'm in denial over this one). Prodigy by Marie Lu. Chemical Garden trilogy by Lauren DeStefano. Newsoul trilogy by Jodi Meadows. Clockwork Princess by Cassandra Clare. If I Stay by Gayle Forman. Just One Day by Gayle Forman. Through the Ever Night by Veronica Rossi. The Evolution of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin. Hallowed by Cynthia Hand.

Top Ten Tuesday #18: Best/Worst Series Finales

Top Ten Tuesday is a meme created by The Broke and The Bookish. Each week the girls at B&B think up a fun theme, and participating bloggers post their favorite 10 books in that category. This week's theme is

Top Ten Best & Worst Series Finales

 

Worst:

 1. Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins (The Hunger Games). Let's get this out of the way. I didn't hate this book, but it did royally piss me off. Gale and Peeta both acted sompletely insane in this novel. Peeta's arc is just...ugh. No. And then three scenes toward the end infuriated me to no end. I don't want to spoil this for those of you who are waiting on the movie, but those of you have have read it should understand why I found those two deaths completely inconsistent with the story and extremely unnecessary, as was Katniss's decision at the end. She of all people should not want to inflict that pain on others, especially innocent people. BAD KATNISS.

2. Reached by Ally Condie (Matched). After such a strong beginning in Matched and a good middle book that did well to defy the tranditional fall of the sequel, I think Ally reached a little too high with this final book. It was disorganized and messy, and the strong relationships developed in the first two books did not seem present in any way. Sadly, this was just meh for me.

3. Finale by Becca Fitzpatrick (Hush, Hush). I just don't even know what happened here. I think I should have done a reread of the whole series before I read Finale because I was confused the whole time. I was excited when it was announced Silence was the third book of four instead of the final book of the original Hush, Hush trilogy, but after reading Finale, I found myself wishing it had remained a trilogy. Also, Becca killed off a character I cared very deeply about. There are always casualties in these kinds of books, as there should be, but I didn't agree with this one.

4. Requiem by Lauren Oliver (Delirium). Again, what on EARTH did I just read?! Whereas I was confused by a lack of clarity with Finale, Requiem frustrated me because it was just...not good. There was nothing that I really enjoyed about this book. The love triangle was concluded horribly in that it was not addressed in any way. Julian was huge in Pandemonium and then completely ignored in Requiem (which is exactly what happened to Alex in Delirium and Pandemonium). I disagree with Raven being as big a character as she was. Her story didn't add anything for me. Wholly unnecessary. No, wait, I actually did like Hana's pov. Her story seemed so much more powerful than Lena's became. Her scenes saved Requiem from a rating lower than 3 stars.

5. Afterlife by Claudia Gray (Evernight). I actually had another book completely typed up in this spot, but then I rediscovered this on my Goodreads Read shelf, and I remembered how horribly disappointed I was. I had to include it, I'm sorry, Claudia! This book was so traumatic, I clearly had stricken it from my memory. Evernight was a series I loved so much in the beginning. I recommended it to everyone, but Hourglass and Afterlife were a quick downfall after the awesomeness of Evernight and Stargazer. I adore Balthazar, but after this messy conclusion, I'm terrified to read his story!

Other disappointing finales: The Grass is Always Greener by Jen Calonita (This didn't feel like a final book. I still hope she'll find another story to add to this series!). Inheritance by Christopher Paolini. Undead Much by Stacey Jay (I still need that third Megan Berry book!). Sever by Lauren DeStefano. Endlessly by Kiersten White. Just for Fins by Tera Lynn Childs (Need another book in this series too. Too open-ended). We'll Always Have Summer by Jenny Han.

Best:

1. Clockwork Princess by Cassandra Clare (Infernal Devices). Where do I start?! This was absolutely perfect. I feel thoroughly satisfied with the way this series concluded. The part of me who is Team Will is happy and so is the part of me who is Team Jem. I know there was a good deal of slut shaming for Tessa's decision, but I'm ashamed of those people. Tessa made the choice to take charge of her life, her body, her sexuality, and I'm the kind of feminist who can support that. Also, we found out about two of Will's distinguishing physical marks: the Herondale scar and his Welsh dragon tattoo. Booyah.

 2. The Amber Spyglass by Philip Pullman (His Dark Materials). This book gave me the feels before I even knew what feels were or at least referred to them as such. This is one of those books with the not-quite-happily-ever-after conclusion, but because it felt so perfect, so natural to the story, that I wasn't upset at all. Oh, okay, I was upset (read: cried like a baby), but I accept it. Will + Lyra forever, folks!

3. Shades of Earth by Beth Revis (Across the Universe). You can read a very in-depth description of all the ways and all the reasons I love Shades of Earth here, but let me just say that although I was saddened by the sheer number of characters Beth kills off (RIP all her former students!), this book concluded the Across the Universe extraordinarily well. Elder is seriously my hero, and you know what? Amy is too.

 4. Goddess by Josephine Angelini (Starcrossed). Hector is my boy. Everything he did in this story made me love him more. While I don't know how well I agree with all the matchy-matchy loose-end-tying new relationships introduced, I really loved this book. The fact that Josie included some tragedy was very remniscent of the actual myths on which she based this story, and I approve. It takes guts to kill off characters, but it really has to be the right characters at the right moment. Also, Lucas's sacrifice is so meaningful that it's impossible not to love this book. Also also, conclusion of the pressing are-they/aren't-they incest question.

5. Elegy by Tara Hudson (Hereafter). Oh, my. This book. Sometimes, it is impossible to do Happily Ever After, and Elegy is one of those books. Sorry to burst your bubble, but this book is hella traumatic. While I was reading Elegy, there was really only one conclusion for the novel without a magical save. Tara mentioned during her YA AdVANture tour that her first draft had the magical HEA ending. Her editor asked if she had gotten it out of her system, she said yes, and then she went on to write the true ending. I told Tara that yes, this was a tough book to read (I cried and sobbed and cursed), but it was the only ending I could realistically envision. Props to you, Tara, for not taking the easy way out. Read my full review here.

Other great finales: United We Spy by Ally Carter. Last Sacrifice by Richelle Mead. Boundless by Cynthia Hand. The Last Little Blue Envelope by Maureen Johnson. Awaken by Meg Cabot. Twilight by Meg Cabot (I was happy with this as the final book in the Mediator series, which is why it's here, but it is actually getting replaced as Meg is writing a seventh!). Gregor and the Code of Claw by Suzanne Collins. This is So Not Happening by Kieran Scott. Sweet legacy by Tera Lynn Childs. Spell Bound by Rachel Hawkins. If I Should Die by Amy Plum.

You may notice I left two significant series enders off either list so I want to address those here.

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows was disappointing to me, but I would never put a Harry Potter novel in a worst list ever because none of them is bad. However, I had to put DH down several times because it was too much emotionally and yet also a bit on the boring side. I didn't like the resurgence of Ron's jealousy or the random and too-drawn-out wandering in the woods. Plus, Dobby and Fred, both favorite characters of mine. I just...I can't. I'm not saying people shouldn't have died, but those two... Oh, man. I sobbed for hours after reading both of them.

Breaking Dawn is on a lot of worst final books today, and I can't entirely ssay I blame you. I know it was a disappointment for many to get to this epic showdown only for it to fizzle out like a day-old Dr. Pepper, but I think that if the fight had happened, Stephenie probably would have been forced to kill my boy Emmett, and that would have broken my heart. so for my dear East Tennessee boy, I'm glad the series ended with that lack of a climax. Some of the books on my best liest are books that dared to kill characters, but some of the books on my worst list are the books that killed the wrong characters. Breaking Dawn is not the best-written book of all time by any means, which is why it did not make my best list. However, I think a lot of people are blinded by their hatred of the Twilight series as a whole, and use it only because it's a popular choice.

So what do you think of my choices? Feel free to agree or disagree in the comments. Your TTT links, as always, are welcome.

Top Ten Tuesday #12: Most Memorable Secondary Characters

Top Ten Tuesday is a meme created by The Broke and The Bookish. Each week the girls at B&B think up a fun theme, and participating bloggers post their favorite 10 books in that category. This week's theme is

Top Ten Most Memorable Secondary Characters

Guys, I have a type. I am well aware of this, and no, I don't have a problem with it.

Can you guess what it is?

1. Emmett from Twilight by Stephenie Meyer. Words can't express how much I adore Emmett. I mean, he's big, tall, and ridiculously handsome. He's also hilarious and from the mountains of East Tennessee, just like me. The fact that Emmett was played by Kellen Lutz, who I fell in love with when he was the seemingly-stupid skateboarder from Accepted just made me swoon even more. You may hate the end of Breaking Dawn (or the entire book), but I think that had the field confrontation gone down differently, my poor Emmett would have been a goner. I can only be grateful that Steph spared him and, in the process, me. Oh, and Rose, I guess. Psh.

2. Eddie from Vampire Academy/Bloodlines by Richelle Mead. Poor Eddie hasn't had it easy. He was a pretty happy-go-lucky guy. Talented, but kind of a goofball and then WHAM! The guy gets kidnapped and used as a dhampir vending machine for the feeding pleasure of a sadistic douchenozzle of a vampire. Also, his best friend dies at the hands of the same douchenozzle vamp. He has major guilt issues and Gets Serious about his education and life in general. The guy is majorly loyal and incredibly masochistic. By the time Bloodlines rolls around, he's fallen in Like-with-a-capital-L with his charge...who is dating his closest friend. Talk about rough. I adore Eddie, and I only hope Richelle gives him his Happily Ever After. He deserves it! Can't wait to see how Eddie is played in the movies!

3. Henry from My Life Next Door by Huntley Fitzpatrick. I mean, how could I not? I'm in love with Henry. I just want to cuddle him all the time. The kid is adorable and a certifiable genius. I still maintain hope that one day Huntley will write a spin-off about him all grown up. The kid is destined to be a total heartbreaker for sure.

4. Genya from Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo. I just really liked Genya. You could tell she'd been through some major crap in her life. I hope things turn out well for her. Her short story "The Tailor" shed a little light, which made me both more sympathetic and a little angry at her, but I have hope that she'll Do the Right Thing in the end.

5. Kenji from Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi. Such a prankster. He totally cracks me up. I love hearing Tahereh's stories about how she uses her brothers as inspiration as Kenji. I've heard her tell the "I can't hear myself talk" story like three times now and it never gets old.

6. Roar from Under the Never Sky by Veronica Rossi. Oh, Roar. I love you so. Big, loyal, kind, funny, but also surprisingly vulnerable. I love his and Perry's relationship, but I love him with Aria just as much. He's a total bro, in the best way. My heart breaks for him all the time, but it amazes me how he can just pick himself up and keep going.

7. Joey Cosentino from Winger by Andrew Smith. It never failed to make me laugh when Ryan Dean West would make some stupid comment or choice and Joey would always be there to keep him in check with a "grow up" or an eyeroll. Everybody needs someone with as much sense as Joey.

8. Ambrose from Die For Me by Amy Plum. Whenever there was trouble, Ambrose was there with a smile and some really big muscles as he ran around saying Katie-Lou. I wanted to smack him sometimes for being so blind, but he eventually got my not-so-telepathic message.

9. Hector from Starcrossed by Josephine Angelini. This guy. Like Emmett, he had the big brother role down. His complete devotion to his family, even when they literally all wanted to kill one another, is extraordinarily touching and inspirational. He never thought of himself, only of his loved ones, and he let his heart be open to new people to love. I don't want to give everything away, but Hector in Goddess made me sob uncontrollably.

10. Jack Dandy from the Steampunk Chronicles by Kady Cross. Oh, my. The accent. It's all about the accent. I actually have to say his dialogue aloud to get the almost-full experience. I have enjoyed every minute Jack has spent on the page. His relationship with Finley just cracks me up. "The Dark Discovery of Jack Dandy" was certainly intriguing. I haven't read Girl with the Iron Touch yet so I'm hoping the novella leads right in, and that Jack will be around for the remainder of the series.

11. I was remiss in forgetting another favorite so you'll have to forgive me for the late addition: Neville Longbottom from Harry Potter by J.K. Rowling. I was Neville fangirl way back in SS. I love that he always stood for the right, even when it meant standing against his friends. Neville is a boss. That is all.

And my all-time favorite secondary character:

Fred Weasley from Harry Potter by J.K. Rowling. I can't even. You guys know why. I don't have to tell you.

Honorable mention aka favorite secondaries who were upgraded to MCs: Adrian Ivashkov from VA/Bloodlines, Orion from Starcrossed, Jules from Revenants

I'm also REALLY loving the boys in the Medusa Girls (Sweet Venom) trilogy right now: Thane, Milo, & Nick. Also Sillus. Not quite favorites yet, but I adore them!

Well? Have you figured it out yet? Yes, I like the (often) big guys with big senses of humor. What can I say? Humor is sexy! Also, muscles, of course. Who is your favorite secondary? Have a TTT? Share in the comments!