Top Ten Tuesday: If I Had a Million Dollars....

....or at least a job that would pay me more than I'm getting now, these are the books I'd give as gifts this Christmas.


1. The Harry Potter Audiobooks
Gift for: EVERYBODY.
Slap me sideways and call me Gertrude, I want everyone to listen to these. Even if you've already read the books, you should have a go with Jim Dale's interpretation. His voices, his tone, his attitude... I've only read the first book, but I've listened to books 2 - 5 and a half so far, and dare I say that the audiobooks are actually superior to the reading experience. Mr. Dale does a far better job than my imagination could ever dream of. These books have had me bawling at my desk at work before. Mr. Dale, I BOW TO YOU.


2. The Shade Series by Jeri Smith-Ready
Gift for: anyone who likes themselves (but doesn't mind crying.)
Your heart WILL break if you read these books. Don't say I didn't warn you. You WILL hurt. But in a good way. So if you think you're swell and deserve to read a couple of fantastic books over which you will likely obsess and which will cause you to think "OMG this is SO Aura and Logan/Zachary" and then cry for 20 minutes after you hear ANY song, then read these. Then tell JSR how much you love her books and how torturously beautiful they are.
My Reviews: Shade and Shift.

3. Nevermore by Kelly Creagh
Gift for: anyone who doesn't mind waiting one billion years for the sophomore novel.
Because this book's sequel won't be out until August 2012. Nevermore was released in August 2010. OUCH. However, it's quite a chunker of a novel and hot damn, it's good. Varen is all kinds of goth goodness and Izzy is a badass cheerleader. You'd think the two wouldn't typically mix, but OH, they do. And it's an explosion of sorts. Plus there's Poe and mindscrewery. Perfect for one those bleak December midnights dreary. Hopefully there won't be any rapping at your chamber door to scary the shizz out of you.My Review.


4. The Morganville Vampires Series by Rachel Caine
Gift for: anyone who likes fun and crazypants vampires.
If you need more convincing and like the ABCs, please go here and I'll explain myself alphabetically with visual aids.


5. The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin
Gift for: anyone who loved Inception and/or Memento.
This book is crazy. This book right here is better than caffeine. Better than those pep pills Jessie Spano was taking to stay awake to study. I couldn't put this one down. Read it in one sitting, eyes all bloodshot and dry. DID NOT CARE.
My Review.

6. Delirium by Lauren Oliver
Gift for: anyone who hasn't read it.
Seriously, what the heck are you waiting for?
My Review.

7. Incarnate by Jodi Meadows
Gift for: those who like sensitive and tortured musician boys, especially Anna and Ginger.
OH MAN. I know it's not out yet, but I'd seriously like to pre-order this for you. There's so much love and fantasy and MUSIC within these pages. If you can help it, do not wait to read this.


8. Unearthly/Hallowed by Cynthia Hand
Gift for: anyone who is tired of sucky angel books. And also Jamie and Lynn, because I think they'd love these.
There's so much to love within these books. There are angels, obvs. And fallen angels. But SO much more than just that. And there's a love triangle, but it's a good one. And there are awesome secondary characters. And things that made me cry and those that were butterfly-inducing. Plus I love the shimmery covers. Why are you even listening to me, though? Really, see for yourself. My Review: Unearthly and Hallowed.