Books I Just HAD To Have…..& Still Haven’t Read

Top Ten Tuesday(70)

The other day I was looking at my bookshelves and noticing all of the books I’ve bought under the delusion that I could NOT wait and HAD to have them right away……and then still haven’t read them.

This makes me wonder sometimes if I’m actually nuts or not because why do I torture myself like this? Plus everyone always tells me “hey remember when you bought all those books and still haven’t read them? You don’t need more until you read those.” which they’re sort of right….

So I thought that it would be a great idea to share what a horrible reader/book hoarder I am with you all!

Basically this is me:

And then after not reading any of them:

I’ll be putting these in order of how long I’ve actually had these sitting around my house starting with the newest additions!

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When Dimple Met Rishi by Sandhya Menon

Of course with all of the hype that was surrounding this book before and after it’s May release date I had to get my hands on it! Most of the time I don’t give into the hype, or at least I like to think so, I just thought everything about this book sounded wonderful: diverse characters and culture, a cute cover, and non-stop glowing reviews!

Then obviously I couldn’t wait to get a copy and then it arrived and now it’s just sitting all lonely on my shelf because I’m a terrible person…….


Bad Romance by Heather Demetrios

I actually ordered this with “When Dimple Met Rishi” because once again I could not wait and just haaaad to have a copy right away! The cover is absolutely gorgeous and I’ve seen great reviews for it, plus I think it will be interesting to read about a dysfunctional relationship in a YA setting. I know that makes me sound weird but it’s nice to see unique books and books bringing attention to abuse like this (because it happens).


Strange the Dreamer by Laini Taylor

If I was going to rate all of these books by which book I was literally dying to have “Strange the Dreamer” would be #1 because I seriously acted like I was going to die without this book in my life. I even went to the trouble of ordering a UK edition as well because I HAD TO HAVE THIS BOOK AND LAINI TAYLOR IS LIFE!

And guess where the book is sitting? On my shelf. Unread.


The Valiant by Lesley Livingston

I was super pumped for this book before it came out and then with all of the great reviews afterwards I was even more excited for it. Female gladiator! That’s all I want in my books so when I was in the bookstore and saw it I decided to splurge and buy it right then and there because I NEEDED IT. Now it’s been sitting on my shelf for a few months……


Empress of a Thousand Skies by Rhoda Belleza

I bought this book along with my spontanous purchase of “The Valiant” as well. You can see where this got me.


Norse Mythology by Neil Gaiman

When I saw this book come out at first I was like: Norse Mythology?! Told by Neil Gaiman?! I MUST HAVE THIS BOOK IMMEDIATELY! So I kind of started it and then slowly it worked its way back onto my shelf where it is still sitting waiting to be finished.


The Mistborn Trilogy by Brandon Sanderson

Everyone, everyone, everyone recommends reading this series and I saw the box set on sale on Book Outlet for about $12.00 so of course I was all “Hell yeah!” and bought it right away. Soooooooooo it’s all sitting on my shelf still unread where it will probably remain for a while.


Vassa in the Night by Sarah Porter

This was a spontaneous buy I got with birthday money last year and I decided to use that money for this book because once again…..I couldn’t resist. It’s even a shorter book and I STILL haven’t gotten to it!


Crooked Kingdom by Leigh Bardugo

I asked for this one for my birthday last year because I REALLY, REALLY, REALLY wanted it and so then I actually received it for my birthday…….and haven’t read it yet.


The Winner’s Kiss by Marie Rutkoski

After reading the first book “The Winner’s Curse” I was blown away by how much I enjoyed it after how much I was expecting not to enjoy it. So then after devouring the sequel as well I NEEDED to read the last book that was just released last year! And guess who still hasn’t finished that trilogy even after buying the last book? Me.


The Star-Touched Queen by Roshani Chokshi

This book was super, duper hyped last year and because of that plus the pretty cover and promise of unique mythology I was 100% sold. I saw it when I happened to visit a Barnes & Noble and instantly bought it and now it’s been sitting on my shelf for over a year still unread.


Dangerous Girls by Abigail Haas

This one hasn’t been a new release for a while but I found while reading a bunch of glowing reviews for it and having it recommended a ton. So I found it on Book Outlet and bought it straight away because I love twisted thrillers! I started reading it…..and then set it aside for some reason…..and it’s been sitting there waiting for me to return to it eventually.


The Lost Hero by Rick Riordan

This book is the one I’ve had the longest on this list because back many, many years ago when I was binge reading the Percy Jackson series and finished it and was DYING for more! So I found the Heroes of Olympus series and bought the first book straight away…….it has been sitting on my old Nook Color for ages and honestly it probably won’t get read because I want physical copies now….awkward.

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Have you read any of these books? What did you think of them?

Do you have any of these on your TBR as well?

Did you buy any of these right away and haven’t read them yet either?

Do you buy books and let them sit for a long time?

What are some books you HAD to have and haven’t read yet?

Let me know in the comments!

The Sassy

May Releases I’m Excited For!

Top Ten Tuesday(55)

I’ve decided to do a post up the beginning of each month about upcoming releases, I used to do them up way ahead of the time (like the first half of the year etc.) but it’s much more exciting to talk about them when they’re coming out right away! Plus May is PLUMP full of some amazing releases!

I’ll link up each title to their Goodreads page so you can check them out or add them to your TBRs as well! Also keep in mind these are ordered by release date from the beginning of the month to the end.

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Into The Water by Paula Hawkins

Release Date: May 2nd, 2017

Into the Water

So I really enjoyed “The Girl on the Train” but it wasn’t something that completely blew me away like, let’s say, Gillian Flynn’s books. However, like I said I did like it and people who didn’t like it are saying this new book of hers is even better so of course I’m excited to read it! Especially since I love dark, twisted, and slightly confusing mystery/thrillers!


Dreamfall by Amy Plum

Release Date: May 2nd, 2017

Dreamfall (Dreamfall #1)

This one sounds super unique and exciting, it’s about a bunch of kids in an experimental procedure to help insomnia and end up getting trapped in a dreamworld with their worst nightmares. This just seems like it’d have a super eerie atmosphere too!


The Seafarer’s Kiss by Julia Ember

Release Date: May 4th, 2017

The Seafarer's Kiss

This was SUPPOSED to be released on the 30th of this month and I do have an ARC of it but now I have to hustle up and read it right away since it’s May 4th. Anyways though this is a short retelling of The Little Mermaid with a F/F romance!


The Love Interest by Cale Dietrich

Release Date: May 16th, 2017

The Love Interest

This sounds like a really fun twist on a YA trope! It’s about two guys who were “trained” as love interests and must both compete for the same girl but end up falling for each other.


Flame in the Mist by Renee Ahdieh

Release Date: May 16th, 2017

Flame in the Mist (Flame in the Mist, #1)

Okay must I explain this one? I think we are ALL pumped for Renee Ahdieh’s new book! There’s a lot going on in the plot but mainly it’s set in a type of Japanese style fantasy world where the main character dresses as a boy in order to infiltrate an enemy clan in order to exact revenge. It sounds like non-stop action and is almost guaranteed to be a five star read!


Violet Grenade by Victoria Scott

Release Date: May 16th, 2017

Violet Grenade

A homeless girl, Domino,  is offered a spot in a Madam’s girl’s home where she competes with other girls to gain the Madam’s approval. Everyone in the home has secrets but Domino’s is the worst of them all.

I’m not 100% sure what exactly this book is supposed to be about but it sounds super interesting, I like when all the characters are dirty, twisted, secret-keeping manipulators!


When Dimple Met Rishi by Sandhya Menon

Release Date: May 30th, 2017

When Dimple Met Rishi

This book seems like it is going to be fun, heart-warming, and absolutely adorable! It’s about two Indian-American teenagers whose parents have arranged for them to be married.


One of Us Is Lying by Karen M. McManus

Release Date: May 30th, 2017

One of Us Is Lying

When I first read the premise I was 100% sold on this book because it sounds almost EXACTLY like The Breakfast Club but with detention ending in murder.  It just sounds awesome!


House of Furies by Madeleine Roux

Release Date: May 30th, 2017

House of Furies (House of Furies, #1)

I’m down to read anything that is remotely creepy since there aren’t enough YA Horror books! This one is about a boarding house where the owner and staff pass judgement and execute their guests……


Dark Breaks The Dawn by Sara B. Larson

Release Date: May 30th, 2017

Dark Breaks the Dawn

YA fantasy with magic powers, shapeshifting, wars, and evil kings! I’m worried this may be another standard YA fantasy book but one can hope……


Royal Bastards by Andrew Shvarts

Release Date: May 30th, 2017

Royal Bastards

Basically this book’s title is self explanatory, it’s about the kingdom’s royal bastards teaming up to prevent a civil war. Sounds fun since we usually read more stories about true-born princes and princesses but never the King or Queen’s bastard children!

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Are you also looking forward to any of these books?

Have you read any of them yet (ARCs etc)?

What are some May releases I didn’t include that you’re looking forward to?

Let me know in the comments!

The Sassy