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Your Next Favorite Book + Uppercase Giveaway

August 14, 2014 by Julie 347 Comments

Hi guys! While I am off enjoying IDEA and BlogFest, I have a guest post (and giveaway!) for ya from my good friend, Lisa! Lisa and I used to work together in Orlando and quickly bonded over our love for reading. Below you will find a list of Lisa’s top picks for great reads this year.

Lisa also recently launched a young adult book subscription box service called Uppercase and is offering a giveaway to PBF readers at the end of this post. And be sure to check out her awesome blog, Read.Breathe.Relax for even more recommendations for must-read young adult books! Enjoy and happy reading!

Guest Post: Read.Breathe.Relax

I’m constantly in search of my next favorite book. Although I read a lot (61 books so far this year!) for my YA book blog, I still find that truly excellent books are hard to find.

I’m all about avoiding this situation…

Image 1

(That gif never gets old…)

…because no one wants to waste their time, energy and money on a book that you want to throw out a window.

So, I’m here to share with you some of my favorites books so far this year. Note: These are all young adult books because that’s my area of expertise. I promise they’re just as sophisticated, fun and interesting as adult literature. 🙂

Contemporary Romance

On the Fence

  • On the Fence by Kasie West

If you’re looking for an end-of-the-summer read, then look no further. One the Fence is sweet and lovely – it’s about feeling comfortable in your own skin and not conforming to who everyone thinks you are vs. the real you.

Even though it’s a romance, this book has some serious heart. Plus, it’s laugh-out-loud funny.

Great For Book Clubs

Eleanor and Park

  • Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell

If you loved John Green’s books, then you’ll adore Rowell’s work. Eleanor and Park is about first love and so much more – it’s heart-wrenching and beautifully written. The story deals with tough issues while making them relatable and light when it could be so dark.

I’ve recommended this book to everyone this year to the point of being pushy. Yes, I’m totally that person.

Surprise Factor

We Were Liars

  • We Were Liars by E. Lockhart

This book is getting some serious buzz, and for a good reason. It’s suspenseful with a writing style I’ve never experienced before.

Do yourself a favor, and read this book without scanning the description or any book reviews. This is a book best experienced without too much outside information.

The only other thing I’ll say is – We Were Liars is a book you won’t soon forget…

The Next Book-to-Movie

If I Stay

  • If I Stay by Gayle Forman

I’m also one of those people who thinks books are always better than the movies (with some exceptions. The Host, I’m looking at you…). If I Stay will be in theaters August 22, and I highly recommend you read the novel first.

It’s definitely a tear-jerker, but the story is told so clearly and in such simple language that you’ll be sure to zoom through the pages.

Thrilling Fantasy

Ruin and Rising

  • The Grisha Series by Leigh Bardugo

I love a great fantasy read (Game of Thrones, anyone?), and The Grisha series is seriously one of my all-time favorite YA fantasy series. The final book, Ruin and Rising, was released in June, so it’s a great time to read all the books without having to wait years for the next one.

Shadow and Bone is the first book, followed by Siege and Storm, then Ruin and Rising. The world-building is phenomenal, plus there’s some epic romance to boot.

***

If these type of book recommendations are something you’d like regularly, then I’d love for you to check out something I’ve been working on.

I’ve started a young adult book subscription box service called Uppercase. Subscribers receive a hand-picked book by me every month, along with a cute bookish accessory AND access to an online book forum with exclusive content and videos about that month’s book.

And thanks to Julie, one of you will win a free month of Uppercase!

To enter this giveaway, simply comment on this post with the name of one of the last great books you read!

Julie will randomly select a winner on Friday!

Be sure to follow PBFingers on Instagram and Facebook!

I'd love to connect with you! I am always so grateful when you let me know you tried one of my recipes or workouts and tag me in your photos or updates. Thank you so much!!!

Filed Under: Books, Guest Posts Tagged With: books, Guest Post

About Julie

My name is Julie and I am a full-time blogger, new mama, fitness enthusiast (certified personal trainer and group exercise instructor) and food fanatic (mostly healthy... but also not-so-healthy) living in North Carolina with my husband, dog and baby boy. Thank you for visiting Peanut Butter Fingers! I hope you enjoy little glimpses into my life and have fun trying the sweaty workouts I frequently share and making some of my favorite recipes along the way!

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Comments

  1. Laura G. says

    August 15, 2014 at 7:38 am

    I love James Patterson books! And of course Nicholas Sparks!

    Reply
  2. Emily says

    August 15, 2014 at 7:49 am

    I just finished Reconstructing Amelia. It was pretty dark towards the end but a great read!

    Reply
  3. Kara says

    August 15, 2014 at 7:54 am

    I read Kisses from Katie a few weeks ago and could not put it down or stop thinking about!

    Reply
  4. Torry @ Working on a Dream says

    August 15, 2014 at 7:57 am

    I just got a new library card last night since I moved. Cannot wait to start reading again – thanks for the recommendations!

    Reply
  5. Stephanie says

    August 15, 2014 at 8:23 am

    I’m reading the Traitor’s Wife right now, so good!

    Reply
  6. Hannah FitnessBanana says

    August 15, 2014 at 8:29 am

    Oh man, I have Got to get my read on! I used to do it all the time, now I don’t even try to find time to read! Maybe I should try e-books.
    The last book I read was Walden by Henry David Thoreau.
    Blessings!

    Reply
  7. Rachel says

    August 15, 2014 at 8:39 am

    I justex finished and really like The Paris Wife

    Reply
  8. Kayla says

    August 15, 2014 at 8:50 am

    Gone Girl. Can’t wait to see the movie

    Reply
  9. Kimberly says

    August 15, 2014 at 8:53 am

    Eleanor & Park was not only one of the best books I read last year, but definitely an all-time favorite. Rainbow Rowell’s next book, Fangirl, was also a really great read.

    Reply
  10. Haley @ The Snacks of Life says

    August 15, 2014 at 8:56 am

    I just bought “If I Stay” yesterday.. and finished it today! One of the best books I have read recently though is definitely “Gone Girl”! I am a sucker for books that I know are going to become movies in the near future because I feel like I HAVE to read the book first! I can’t wait to see “Gone Girl” in theaters! (plus, helloooo Ben Affleck!)

    Reply
  11. truepenny says

    August 15, 2014 at 9:07 am

    Love it! I recently finished Hurt Go Happy which is a YA book (though I think I actually found it in the children’s section of the library, hah) about a girl who is deaf and befriends a chimpanzee who can sign. It was really enjoyable and had so many elements – disability, empathy, animal testing, abuse, loss, self discovery. I agree that YA can be very nuanced, complex and enjoyable for all ages!

    Reply
  12. Rebecca Wright says

    August 15, 2014 at 9:18 am

    Sad as this is I just finished reading The Giver (behind I know) which was really good. Now I’m currently reading The Happiness Project that Julie did, it’s been really good so far!

    Reply
  13. Lara @ Uptite Mamas says

    August 15, 2014 at 9:23 am

    Thanks for this post! Since half of the books you listed I have read and the other half I checked to make sure were on my TBR list, I think that we will become fast friends!! HA! I am currently listening to Ann Brashares – The Here and Now. The last YA book I read was The Book Thief.

    Reply
  14. Tara says

    August 15, 2014 at 9:59 am

    I just finished Red Rising which was pretty great but the end made me feel meh but I did enjoy it!

    Reply
  15. Janette H. says

    August 15, 2014 at 10:20 am

    I just finished “Jennifer, Gwyneth & Me”. It wasn’t the best book I’ve ever read, but it gave me a new perspective to look at life from.

    Reply
  16. Emily Lutz says

    August 15, 2014 at 10:58 am

    The last GREAT book I read was the Name of the Wind! SOOOO good!

    Reply
  17. Mel says

    August 15, 2014 at 11:25 am

    I just finished “Contagious: Why things catch on” by Jonah Berger. It’s non-fiction but fascinating! A lot like the Malcolm Gladwell books.

    Reply
  18. Cheryl says

    August 15, 2014 at 1:32 pm

    I just finished War Widow. Great historical love story set in London.

    Reply
  19. Caroline says

    August 15, 2014 at 4:20 pm

    I just finished Me Before You by Jojo Moyes and really liked it! I’m excited to check out all the books on this list!

    Reply
  20. Patrycja Chudziak says

    August 15, 2014 at 9:43 pm

    I actually just finished If I Stay 2 nights ago..bought it after seeing the commercial for the movie on tv…now I cant wait to see the movie!

    Reply
  21. Ann Wilson says

    August 16, 2014 at 12:07 am

    Last great b

    Reply
    • Ann Wilson says

      August 16, 2014 at 12:08 am

      Oops! Last greatest books were the Girl With the Dragon Tattoo trilogy. They were awesome!

      Reply
  22. Mave says

    August 16, 2014 at 12:51 am

    What a terrific idea! My last book was Opposition by the great Jennifer L. Armentrout! Looooooved that book!!!

    Reply
    • Mave says

      August 16, 2014 at 1:21 am

      Whoops! Guess I missed the cutoff! Sorry about the late (and silly!) reply.

      Reply
  23. Krystal @ Books Are My Thing says

    August 16, 2014 at 9:57 am

    I recently finished the Daughter of Smoke and Bone trilogy. I was left in book hangover after that, it was such an intense series.

    Reply
  24. Sally says

    August 16, 2014 at 9:57 am

    A book subscription service is such a great idea! And, for anyone who missed the deadline on this giveaway, I’ve got one going on over on my blog right now (prize pack includes a new mystery read and some other goodies)!

    Reply
  25. Ashley says

    August 16, 2014 at 12:59 pm

    Hello Julie and Lisa,

    I typically stay in my comfort zone when reading (guilty of sticking with chick lit), however my librarian friend and I recently started a book club. We read “The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks” last month and it was wonderful! Nonfiction usually bores me, not to mention in the realm of science, but this drew me in and was extremely thought-provoking. Highly recommend.

    Happy Saturday!

    Ashley

    Reply
  26. Ashley P says

    August 16, 2014 at 6:10 pm

    I’ve recently read The Life You’ve Imagined

    Reply
  27. Calli says

    August 16, 2014 at 9:43 pm

    Game of thrones, a dance of dragons, was the last good book I read

    Reply
  28. Megan says

    August 16, 2014 at 9:57 pm

    I just finished Emily Giffin’s “Heart of the Matter.” Loved it!

    Reply
  29. Andrea says

    August 17, 2014 at 10:54 am

    I recently read the Fault In Our Stars (I know, I’m behind!) and it was great!

    Reply
  30. Kisses from the Sun says

    August 17, 2014 at 12:11 pm

    I just finished The Husband’s Secret. Very good!

    Reply
  31. Amy says

    August 18, 2014 at 12:51 pm

    This post is awesome – I am an avid reader, runner and blogger and am constantly looking for new reading material. No one I know is able to recommend anything to me because I’ve already read everything! This post and comments has given me enough new reading materials for a couple months now 🙂

    Reply
  32. Meagan Rainwater says

    August 18, 2014 at 4:14 pm

    The last book I read was the fault in our stars and as I’m sure everyone knows it was amazing!

    Reply
  33. Katie says

    August 18, 2014 at 4:18 pm

    I recently finished The Secret Adversary by Agatha Christie. It was awesome!

    Reply
  34. Meredith says

    August 18, 2014 at 4:40 pm

    I’m reading Silver Girl by Elin Hilderbrand now and can’t put it down!

    Reply
  35. Megan C. says

    August 18, 2014 at 7:34 pm

    Loved this post; always looking for new book ideas. I just sinister reading Inferno by Dan Brown and Divergent by Veronica Roth.

    Reply
  36. Gabby says

    August 18, 2014 at 8:36 pm

    I just finished The Fault in Our Stars and I loved it!

    Reply
  37. Kristen Holzkopf says

    August 19, 2014 at 8:57 am

    A Hundred Summers by Beatriz Williams! Great summer read!!

    Reply
  38. barbara n says

    August 21, 2014 at 8:59 pm

    I just finished The Fault in Our Stars!

    Reply
  39. Cathy Fraser says

    August 28, 2014 at 4:03 pm

    A great YA book is Blood Orange Soda by James Michael Larranaga. My daughter recently finished it and wants to read it again! It must be good! foreverlands.com is his site, there is info on the book there.

    Reply
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  1. On Being a Bookworm | Chelsea by Design says:
    August 15, 2014 at 9:05 am

    […] anyone else totally relate?  After reading this post on Julie’s blog yesterday it got me thinking about books I’ve read lately that really stand […]

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Hi! I’m Julie and I am a mom to three energetic boys and a personal trainer and blogger living in Charlotte, North Carolina. Welcome to my blog! Peanut Butter Fingers follows my life and my interests in food, fitness, family, travel and (mostly) healthy living.
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