Top Ten Tuesday: Popular Ships I Do Not Ship

A weekly meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish

Wow, this should have been an easy prompt for me. I like unlikeable characters. But as I started making a list it was hard to think about which characters are popular because I have such a skewed view of this. But then I got a better idea. I'm nervous about telling you the ships I don't ship though. I have a feeling you are all going to hate me when you see some of these. But remember I have a cold romancephobic heart. Please don't hate me. And also all of these are canon. I though there are some non-canon ships that I don't get but these are just the canon ones.

1.) Jane Eyre and Mr. Rochester in Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte
I know I have talked about this one before but, don't get it. I will never get it. Mr. Rochester is not a romantic hero. He locked his wife in the attic and then hit on his employee. Not okay or romantic. Creepy and rude!

2.) Christine Daae and the Phantom in The Phantom of the Opera by Gaston Leroux
Speaking of creepy and rude. Now I do think that the Phantom is a tragic hero and when I read this as a 20 year old I thought he was so sweet for letting her be happy without him. But now I'm in my 30's and think he is basically a stalker and kidnapper.

3.) Paige and Warden in The Bone Season by Samantha Shannon
(My Review)
I like Warden, I do. I like that he is a revolutionary who is going against his people because of their unfair treatment of humans but I don't think him and Paige should be a couple. Friends, allies, partners sure. But no kissing.

4.) Aileana & Kiaran in The Falconer by Elizabeth May
(My Review)
See above. When I read The Falconer for most of the book I shipped the other side of this triangle but then even that fizzled. I like Kiaran but I just do not feel any shipping feels when I think about him and Aileana.

5.) Agnieska and the Dragon in Uprooted by Naomi Novik
(My Review)
See above (and well #1 too). Don't get me wrong, I liked the banter here but this was a slowburn and an enemies to more that I didn't love. The real relationship in this book is the female friendship between Nieska and Kasia. I could do without the romance between the Dragon.

6.) Fayre and Tamlin in A Court and Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas
(My Review)
Okay, so long story short I don't like Beauty and the Beast style romances. This list makes that abundantly clear. But I know most people liked the sexy times here and I was like "hey what about Rhysand and also the mystery."

7.) Celaena and Rowan in the Throne of Glass series by Sarah J. Maas
(My Review)
While we're on the subject of SJM. I was a hardcore Chaoleana through most of this series. Like I loved Dorian but not with Celeana. Then the fandom switched but now I'm can't do it guys. I'm not Team Chaol anymore though. Now I'm just Team Celaena. I'm warming up to Rowan but I'm not there yet.

8.) Elias and Laia in An Ember in the Ashes by Sabaa Tahir
(My Review)
People ship this right? We're supposed to ship this, right? I do not ship this though. It felt kind of insta-lovey for me and I couldn't get behind it. I shipped Elias and Helena for awhile but now I'm just luke warm about the romance in this book.

9.) Anna and Etienne St. Clair in Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins
(My Review)
Speaking of lukewarm. I know everyone is all about this series and this ship. I'm not. I was definitely a black sheep on this one. I liked it but it didn't blow me away and my disconnect with the romance may have been one of the reasons.

10.) Tiger Lily and Peter Pan in Tiger Lily by Jodi Lynn Anderson
(My Review)
This is another book that I liked but wasn't blown away by because of the romance maybe. The general plot of this book is the romance between Peter and Tiger Lily who is seriously pinning for him. And I didn't love that.

There you have it. The romances I do not ship? Do you not ship any of these? Are they your OTPs? Do you hate me now? What romances don't you ship? Leave me a comment with your thoughts. Thanks for stopping by and HAPPY READING!

Book Review: Scarlet by A.C. Gaughen

Title: Scarlet Series: Scarlet #1 Written by: A.C. Gaughen Published: June 7, 2012 by Bloomsbury (Amazon / Goodreads) Synopsis: Will Scarlet is good at two things: stealing from the rich and keeping secrets - skills that are in high demand in Robin Hood's band of thieves, who protect the people of Nottingham from the evil sheriff. Scarlet's biggest secret of all is one only Robin and his men know...that she is posing as a thief; that the slip of a boy who is fast with sharp knives is really a girl.  The terrible events in her past that led Scarlet to hide her real identity are in danger of being exposed when the thief taker Lord Gisbourne arrives in town to rid Nottingham of the Hood and his men once and for all. As Gisbourne closes in a put innocent lives at risk, Scarlet must decide how much the people of Nottingham mean to her, especially John Little, a flirtatious fellow outlaw, and Robin, whose quick smiles have the rare power to unsettle her. There is real honor among these thieves and so much more - making this a fight worth dying for.

Scartlet is a book that has been on my TBR for quite time. I even own a copy of the e-book which I bought about six months ago. So being that it's Retellings month, I thought I would knock this one off my list for the Rock My TBR challenge. And I'm so glad that I did because this was a fantastic retelling with a interesting historical feel, great characters, and plot development that was full of mystery and adventure.

As a fan of historical fiction, one of the things I love about retellings is when they have a historical feel to them. It doesn't matter if the author uses the period when the original story was written or perhaps they use a different period to build the story around. With Scarlet, it was the former. I loved the way that it tapped into the Medieval vibe of the original Robin Hood and developed an interesting historical story that could have stood on it's own with out the retelling aspects. It had references to the Crusades, King Richard and Prince John incorporated with fictional characters which I like in my historical fiction, for one. But really it used the historical setting and the unfair treatment of lower class citizens as the basis for an engaging story about characters fighting for justice and equality. It was a great setting for the story and it felt rooted in reality while crafting something unique and different.

It also created unique and interesting characters based on the original Robin Hood characters. This book had some pretty great characters and I'm interested to see where their stories go in the next books. I love the way the author played with the known folklore around Robin Hood and his Merry Men. One of the things I like about retellings is when we are able to see the story through the eyes of a secondary character. That was the case so we got to see Robin Hood through the eyes of those who support him which was great. I liked that he wasn't perfect and made mistakes. But he wasn't the only character different than you expect. I particularly liked Little John who was such a complex character, and of course Will Scarlet. A female Will Scarlet was pretty fantastic. I'm not always in favor of the girl in disguise trope but here it worked really well. Maybe it was because this book played with the known character in an interesting way or maybe it was because of the way her character developed throughout the book. She was tough and savvy with a mysterious past. I loved being in her head and learning her story throughout the novel.

In fact, that was the basis of the larger plot of the story. I wasn't the typical Robin Hood versus the Sheriff of Nottingham kind of story although that was a part of it. Scarlet was not only the narrator of the story but the protagonist that the plot was centered around. And what a great plot it was. The book too was full of action and adventure. It had the kind of things you would expect from a Robin Hood story. Robbing from the rich and giving to the poor most notable. But there was all kinds of narrow escapes and moments that had me concerned and on the edge of my seat. Things definitely did not go according to plan throughout the book and when we reached the conclusion I was left in need of the next book in the series because I needed to know what happened next. And not because there was a cliffhanger. Just because I was so invested and engaged in the story.

But I do want to warn readers that this is one of those books that immerses you in the book by using a particular manner of speech. Scarlet has had tough life and spent a lot of it on the streets of London, thieving naturally. So having her narrate the book she uses an accented cockney type speech pattern that is directly in the writing. It may bother some readers and at times it bothered me. It did make for an immerse experience and helped develop Scarlet's characters but it felt a little complicated at times.

On the whole, this was a good read and I'm glad I took the time to read it after it being in my TBR for a few years now. It was a great piece of historical fiction and a really creative retelling with great characters and tons of action.

I give Scarlet by A.C. Gaughen 9 out of 10 stars

Buy/Borrow/Bypass: Buy/Borrow. Definitely a good read that I would recommend to anyone who likes historical fiction or fairy tales. It's got a lot of action so if you're looking for a book full of adventure than pick this up. And of course it's a must read for Robin Hood fans.

Have you read Scarlet? What did you think? Leave me a comment with your thoughts. Thanks for stopping by and HAPPY READING!

ARC Review: In Real Life by Jessica Love

Title: In Real Life Written by: Jessica Love Published: March 1, 2016 by St. Martin's Press (Macmillan) (Amazon / Goodreads) Synopsis: Hannah Cho and Nick Cooper have been best friends since 8th grade. They talk for hours on the phone, regularly shower each other with presents, and know everything there is to know about one another.  There's just one problem: Hannah and Nick have never actually met.  Hannah has spent her entire life doing what she's supposed to, but when her senior year spring break plans get ruined by a rule-breaker, she decides to break a rule or two herself. She impulsively decides to road trip to Las Vegas, her older sister and BFF in tow, to surprise Nick and finally declare her more-than-friend feelings for him.  Hannah's surprise romantic gesture backfires when she gets to Vegas and finds out that Nick has been keeping some major secrets. Hannah knows the real Nick can't be that different from the online Nick she knows and loves, but now she only has night in Sin City to figure out what her feelings for Nick really are, all while discovering how life can change when you break the rules every now and then.

*** I received an advance copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley. This fact has not changed my opinion. ***

In my desire to break out of my comfort zone and read more contemporaries I came across this book. It sounded cute and fun so I grabbed a copy. In fact it was a cute and fluffy contemporary that  was a good palette cleanser between the more action-packed fantasy reads I usually have on my nightstand.

This is one of those books with a complicated story that takes place over one day. I'm usually a fan of that concept, a moment in time kind of thing where you are pinpointing all the things that went well or the things that didn't so well. In Real Life was just that. The highs and lows of a really memorable day. Honestly it will probably take you as much time to read this book as the timeline of the book. This is a pretty short book that comes in at only 250 pages and it is the kind of thing that you can devour in a single day. It was incredibly fast moving and interesting as the characters impulsively drive to Vegas for an adventure. Of course there was a bunch of drama and shenanigans along the way which added to the enjoyment. It's not often that I can picture contemporaries as movies but this one seemed like it would make a really fun movie. It was a fun and engaging plot that had me entertained from start to finish.

But I didn't totally love the characterizations. The characters on the whole were fine. Hannah was likeable enough. I appreciated her awkwardness and uncertainty as she her final year of high school was winding down. It felt honest and realistic. But her lack of communication felt grating at times and being in her head made me want to shake her and tell her to just use her words. And while I understand why she was hesitant, it got old fast. And her development, while good, felt forced.The metaphor for her realization at the end was the most literal and loosely veiled thing I have read in a long time. And the rest of the characters felt like a bit one note. Nick, the romantic lead and virtual BFF was sweet and fun but I didn't quite get the "alternative" vibe from him, although that was actually kind of nice and made him less of a stereotype unlike some of the other band members. Hannah's friend Lo was nice but not super memorable and the same can be said for her sister. They didn't get a lot of screen time and that may have hurt them. Maybe I'm becoming more of a character-driven reader but usually the characters don't bother me as much but here it didn't work.

But I did like the relationships in this book. The romance in particular. It was a really cute friends to more kind of thing. The affection that Hannah and Nick felt for each other was adorable. I loved their banter and their awkward flirting and crushing. It was a great slowburn that was worth the wait. And I liked that it wasn't a whole catfish/we haven't met and I'm keeping secrets kind of thing. You could tell they genuinely knew each other well and had a strong affection for one another. And honestly, I felt that the other relationships were really honest. Nick and his brother constantly fighting but caring for the other person when it came right down to it, Hannah's sister Grace pushing her into something and then standing by while she struggles to make her way and then catching her when she falls. That's how siblings are. And the relationship between the main characters and ther friends was great too. They wanted to do their own things but have their friends along for the ride and talk to them all about it after. That too felt really honest. I think one of the things this book did really well was the intrapersonal relationships.

On the whole this was a fast and fun book that was good break between the serious and emotional fantasy and historical fiction reads that I have been reading lately. It had an interesting and engaging plot and great relationships despite characters that didn't quite jump off the page.

I give In Real Life by Jessica Love an 8 out of 10

Buy/Borrow/Bypass: Buy/Borrow. This was a cute and fluffy read that I think fans of contemporary romances ala Stephanie Perkins and Morgan Matson will enjoy. If you are looking for a fun one shot to cleanse the palate check this out.

Have you read In Real Life? What did you think? Leave me a comment with your thoughts. Thanks for stopping by and HAPPY READING!

Book Review: A Gathering of Shadows by V.E. Schwab

Title: A Gathering of Shadows Series: Shades of Magic #2 Written by: V.E. Schwab Published: February 23, 2016 by Tor (Macmillan) (Amazon / Goodreads) Synopsis: Four months have passed since the shadow stone fell into Kell’s possession. Four months since his path crossed with Delilah Bard. Four months since Rhy was wounded and the Dane twins fell, and the stone was cast with Holland’s dying body through the rift, and into Black London.  In many ways, things have almost returned to normal, though Rhy is more sober, and Kell is now plagued by his guilt. Restless, and having given up smuggling, Kell is visited by dreams of ominous magical events, waking only to think of Lila, who disappeared from the docks like she always meant to do. As Red London finalizes preparations for the Element Games—an extravagant international competition of magic, meant to entertain and keep healthy the ties between neighboring countries—a certain pirate ship draws closer, carrying old friends back into port.  But while Red London is caught up in the pageantry and thrills of the Games, another London is coming back to life, and those who were thought to be forever gone have returned. After all, a shadow that was gone in the night reappears in the morning, and so it seems Black London has risen again—meaning that another London must fall.

GIVE ME A MINUTE! I have still not come to terms with the way this book ended and it's been 72 hours. I mean it was absolutely brilliant and an amazing sequel to a book that I loved but I want more, I need more. I am ravenous in my desire for these characters, this world, and the knowledge about them.

My favorite thing about this book is the characters. I fell for them in A Darker Shade of Magic and in A Gathering of Shadows I fell deeper in love with them and their darkness and complexity. The main characters in this book are dealing with the backlash of what happened in the first book. Kell has always been serious and cautious and after what happened in the first book he is even more so but he also has some reckless moments that lead to some more consequences. It was great seeing Kell at his best and his worse. But it was even better to see Lila in the same capacity. She's such an amazing roguish character which I especially love because she's female. Here we get to see her as a for real pirate which was amazing. She's tough, smart, and snarky. She has some great development in this book and I am so excited to learn more about her history and her relationship with magic. Then there is Rhy. He takes a more prominent role here and it's amazing. He's sweet and funny but being in his head you get this sense that he will never be enough. And the pain of what happened in the last book is still wearing on him and taking away some of his effervescence. It made him all the more sympathetic. But there were also some great new characters like Alucard Emery who is even more of a lovable rogue. He's a charming pirate who's a brilliant element magician who has great relationships with all our characters.

In fact it's these relationships that make the characters even more fantastic. If you were to ask who I shipped in this book I would say that everyone. I ship a polyamorous love fest between all the characters. Their interaction as so brilliant. There is so much going on between all of them. Kell and Rhy have such an great relationship, you could call it a bromance or brotherly love but it doesn't matter as long as you admit it's amazing. Despite some challenging moments it comes out even stronger and you know they will always be there for each other. And despite the fact that Kell and Lila are apart, you get the same sense from those two. They spend a lot of the book pining for one another and when they are together they fought a lot but they make such a good team. Then there is Alucard who has a great friendship with Lila and history with Rhy that makes for a delightful reunion much to Kell's chagrin and my pleasure. Some of the relationships definitely get tested here bur it makes for such a complex book.

Other than the characters, I have always been blown away by Schwab's world building and her ability to create interesting and complex worlds. She once again proved that she is a master at crafting a fantasy world in this book. In AGOS we spend most of our time in Red London but there are some great moments in Grey London and White London that add context and intrigue to the larger plot of the book. But here the exploration wasn't so much about the other worlds, but the magic of the world. Magic has always been kind of a dark force here. And though there was less focus on power and control there were moments about the negative affects of magic on people. It has it's benefits but as Kell often reminds us, it comes at a price and we have to treat it with respect. The best part of the magic though was that we get to see much more elemental magic with the Essen Tasch, or Elemental Games. It had a very Avatar: The Last Airbender (like very Legend of Korra pro-bending) feel to it which was amazing and the fight scenes were fantastic and action packed moments that kept me on the edge of my seat. I continue to be blown away by the world(s) of this series and I cannot wait to explore it more in the next and final book.

And while I did really enjoy the plot development of AGOS, it was the part of the book that I didn't enjoy as much as the rest. This very much felt like a middle book in a trilogy. It connected events from the first book in what is sure to be an epic conclusion to the series but it didn't have as much of it's own self-contained plot which I usually prefer when it comes to books in a series. And yes, that individual plot point of Essen Tasch was great and interesting, that was only the tip of the iceberg for the plot of this book. But in general I felt like at times this was asking more questions than it was answering. And it definitely dragged out some reveals for questions that were brought up in the first book. Not to mention that cliffhanger that left me staring at the book in desperate need of more words. But that being said, it was full of action and adventure and crazy plot twists that had me shocked and excited, including the ones that I predicted.

On the whole this book was a brilliant sequel to a phenomenal book. This series is absolutely a new favorite for me and I cannot wait to see where it goes. It is full of amazing and complex characters, a interesting world full of dark magic, and a plot full of mystery and adventure.

I give A Darker Shade of Magic by V.E. Schwab 9.5 out of 10 stars

Buy/Borrow/Bypass: BUY! If you loved A Darker Shade of Magic than you absolutely need to read this book for more of Kell, Lila, Rhy, and the magic of Red London. If you haven't read ADSOM and you like fantasy then don't even think twice about picking this book up. It's brilliant and amazing.

Have you read A Gathering of Shadows? What did you think? Leave me a comment with your thoughts. Thanks for stopping by and HAPPY READING!

February Wrap Up and March TBR

Read in Febuary: Pirates

Wow! I had a really fantastic reading month. The shortest month of the year and I read more books than I did in any month last year. To be fair there were a few comics, novellas, and short reads in the pile but still, a victory is a victory. The highlight of my month was once again being blown away by some highly anticipated reads. Most of the books I read too were good 4 star reads, although there were a few disappointments, and a few that were even better than I expected. I read a total of 16 books this month which is amazing. There was 12 new books this month and 4 rereads.

As far as challenges go, I'm doing well. YAY! I actually ahead for my Goodreads goal of reading 150 books this year, which I want to bask in because I don't it will stay that way. Thanks comics and novellas! I'm also ahead of my goal for the Debut Author Challenge of reading 25 debuts by reading 5 debuts this month for a total of 7 for the year. I'm also ahead for the Netgalley/Edelweiss Challenge having read 5 more books for that challenge reaching a total of 8 towards my goal of 36, that secondary goal of 50 may be possible if I keep this up. And I'm also on track for the TBR Pile Challenge by reading two books for that this month getting a total of 4 towards my goal of 25 for the year. And finally, a new challenge for me this year, the Audiobook Challenge. I listened to 5 audiobooks this month including rereads, giving me a total of 7 for the year which is on track for my goal of 30 or more. I am killing these challenges so far which is a great way to start the year.

But let's get to the good stuff...

The Books

1.) Mistborn: Secret History by Brandon Sanderson Rating: 10 out of 10 

2.) The Abyss Surrounds Us by Emily Skrutsie 
Rating: 9 out of 10 [My Review]

3.) Salt to the Sea by Ruta Sepetys Rating: 9 out of 10 [My Review]

4.) Blackhearts by Nicole Castroman Rating: 8.5 out of 10 [My Review]

5.) Rebel Bully Geek Pariah by Erin Jade Lange 
Rating: 8.5 out of 10 [My Review]
6.) Revenge and the Wild by Michelle Modesto 
Rating: 7.5 out of 10 [My Review]
7.) Calamity by Brandon Sanderson Rating: 10 out of 10 [My Review]
8.) The Girl from Everywhere by Heidi Heilig 
Rating: 8 out of 10 [My Review]
9.) The Smell of Other People's Houses  by Bonnie-Sue Hitchcock Rating: 9.5 out of 10 [My Review]
10.) The Lies of Locke Lamora by Scott Lynch 
Rating: 8 out of 10 [My Review]
11.) The Royal We by Heather Cocks and Jessica Morgan 
Rating: 9 out of 10 [My Review]
12.) Lumberjanes by Noelle Stevenson, Grace Ellis, 
and Brooke E. Allen Rating: 9 out of 10
12.) A Gathering of Shadows by V.E. Schwab Rating: 9.5 out of 10 [Review to Come]

Rereads:
13-15.) The Reckoners Trilogy by Brandon Sanderson [Reread Review]
16.) A Darker Shade of Magic by V.E. Schwab [Reread Review]

Other Posts

Hamilton Book Tag
Stacking the Shelves: February Haul
Waiting on Wednesday: The Star-Touched Queen by Roshani Chokshi, The Unexpected Everything by Morgan Matson

Podcasts - Please Feed My Bookworm Thoughts 
Episode 2 - 2016 Debuts
Episode 3 - The Girl From Everywhere Review

To Be Read in March: Retellings

My March theme month is another exciting one. I love a good retelling and I'm really exciting about some of these books. There is a great balance between fairytales, folklore, and Shakespeare. There is also a good balance between genres which is exciting. There are also some amazing new releases coming this month that I'm so so excited to read. As usual I have my definite reads including review copies and new releases that I have preordered, then my potential reads that I may or may not read depending what I have time to read. I'm not sure I can keep this reading rate up but either way, it's going to be another great month, I can feel it.

1.) In Real Life by Jessica Love - Add to Goodreads
This is not a retelling but it looks like an interesting contemporary. I'm about a third of the way in and I'm liking it so far. It's fun and fluffy. Thanks St. Martins!

2.) Charmed by Jen Calonita - Add to Goodreads
This will also be fluffy. It's the second book in the Fairy Tale Reform School series which I read last year and really liked. It's a cute MG fairy story about villains rubbing a boarding school. Thanks Sourcebooks!

3.) The Steep and Thorny Way by Cat Winters - Add to Goodreads
My first Cat Winters book and I can't wait! She's been on my list for awhile. Plus gender-bent, diverse Hamlet set in Oregon in the 1920's. How cool is that! Thanks Abrams!

4.) The Serpent King by Jeff Zentner - Add to Goodreads
This is a standard contemporary but it sounds good and I've heard great reviews from people. I have heard that it's emotional and that slightly worries me but I'm excited. Thanks Random House!

5.) Rebel of the Sands by Alwyn Hamilton - Add to Goodreads
I'm so excited about this debut. I've heard really good thing about it and it sounds right up my alley. It's both a Western and set in a Middle Eastern setting with folklore and fantasy elements. I'm so excited to read it.

6.) The Skylighter by Becky Wallace - Add to Goodreads
The Storyspinner was one of my favorite books of 2015 and so it's sequel is obviously one of my most anticipated reads. I flailed so hard when I got a copy in the mail. Thanks Simon!

7.) Exit, Pursued by a Bear by E.K Johnston - Add to Goodreads

This sounded interested, I mean it's marketed as Veronica Mars meets Shakespeare but I wasn't really excited until I read a preview and it is fantastic! The voice is amazing and I need to know what happens next.

8.) Tell the Wind and Fire by Sarah Rees Brennan - Add to Goodreads
This is a modern retelling of A Tale of Two Cities with magic so I'm on board. I've seen some mixed reviews but I'm interested so I snagged a copy on Negalley. Thanks HMH!

So those are the books that I have planned. I'm still trying not to plan out too many reads and keep some backup books in case I have holes in the schedule. I have a few potential or backup books that I may end up reading as well.

Rereads

The Winner's Trilogy by Marie Rutkowski: The Winner's Curse, The Winner's Crime
The final book in this trilogy is coming out at the end of the month so I'm getting ready by reading the first two books to refresh my memory and marathon it.

Potential Reads

Scarlet by A.C. Gaugen - Add to Goodreads
Beauty by Robin McKinley - Add to Goodreads
Briar Rose by Janet Yolen - Add to Goodreads
Stars Above by Marissa Meyer - Add to Goodreads
Elantris by Brandon Sanderson - Add to Goodreads
The Passenger by Lisa Lutz - Add to Goodreads

There you have it. All the books I plan to read in March and a few potential reads. What are you reading this month? Are there any of the same books on your list? Have you read any of these? Leave me a comment with your thoughts. Thanks for stopping by and HAPPY READING!

Top Ten Tuesday: In the mood for an audiobook?

A weekly meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish

I was wracking my brain trying to think up a topic for this one. Fantasy? Typical. Mystery? That's what I always do. Time travel? I just did a themed month about that. And then it hit me. What am I always recommending to people who do and do not ask for them. Audiobooks. So here are my ten recommendations if you are in the mood for an audiobook.

Standalones: 
Got a long car ride coming up and looking for some audio to listen to? Here are some of my favorite one shots

1.) The Martian by Andy Weir - (Goodreads / Audible / My Review)
Narrator: R.C. Bray
This is such an amazing audiobook. The format perfectly lends itself to the audio format. It's  mostly told from journal entries from the MC while he's on Mars which works so well this way. Plus the humor of Mark Watney needs to be heard.

2.) Ready Player One by Ernest Cline - (Goodreads / Audible / My Review)
Narrator: Wil Wheaton
This was the audiobook that really hooked me on audio. Wil Wheaton is the perfect narrator for a book full of 80's nostalgia and nerdy characters. Plus his voices are brilliant.

3.) Beauty Queens by Libba Bray - (Goodreads / Audible / My Review)
Narrator: Libba Bray
I love when authors narrate their books. I think it captures to tone in a perfect way and that's exactly what Libba Bray does. Plus her accents for everyone from a tough New Englander, to a ditzy southern belle, to a dictator of a foreign island are top notch.

4.) The Scorpio Races by Maggie Steifvater - (Goodreads / Audible / My Review)
Narrator: Steve West and Fiona Hardingham
This is such an atmospheric read and the audio hits the nail on the head. Plus this book has some pitch perfect narrators. I mean every time I think about Sean Kendrick's voice I swoon. It's super dreamy.

5.) The Royal We by Heather Cocks and Jessica Morgan - (Goodreads / Audible / My Review)
Narrator: Christine Lakin
I reviewed this yesterday but I honestly loved it. The narration was so good and a lot of my enjoyment of the book came down to how much I liked the audiobook.

Honorable Mention: 

Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire Saenz - (Goodreads / Audible / My Review)

Series: 
Looking for more of a commitment? Here are some series that have great audiobooks.

1.) Steelheart aka The Reckoners trilogy by Brandon Sanderson - (Goodreads / Audible / My Review)
Narrator: MacLeod Andrews
This is one of my all-time favorite audiobooks. It is so amazing. It has such a hilarious tone and is full of action scenes and great twists. Plus the narration is delightful.

2.) Leviathan aka The Leviathan Trilogy by Scott Westerfeld - (Goodreads / Audible / My Review)
Narrator: Alan Cumming
Narrators can make or break an audiobook and Alan Cumming 1000% made this series amazing. His accent and the amount of energy he brings makes a fun steampunk book even better and more amazing.

3.) Cinder aka The Lunar Chronicles by Marissa Meyer - (Goodreads / Audible / My Review)
Narrator: Rebecca Soler
I initially read this series and then I listened to the audio for a reread before Winter. Then I had her voice in my head so much I had to listen to Winter. I kind of wished I had listened to the audio at first. The narrator perfectly captured the tone of each and every character. It was brilliant!

4.) The Name of the Wind aka The Kingkiller Chronicle by Patrick Rothfuss - (Goodreads / Audible / My Review)
Narrator: Nick Podehl
A lot of what makes audio is the atmosphere. This is such an atmospheric read that it perfectly fits this format. The narrator also does a great job creating that atmosphere and portraying complex characters. Plus they're long books and the audio makes it worthwhile.

5.) The Golden Compass aka His Dark Materials by Phillip Pullman - (Goodreads / Audible / My Review)
Narrator: Many people
The audiobooks for this one is not only narrated by the author but is also a full cast which worked so well. Plus I just love this series so much and the fact that the audio is good makes it even better.

Honorable Mention:

Mistborn aka The Mistborn trilogy by Brandon Sanderson - (Goodreads / Audible / My Review)

What audiobooks would you recommend? Leave me a comment with your thoughts. Thanks for stopping by and HAPPY READING!