Heroes Who Don't Need a Love Interest to be Amazing (Also, Happy Single Awareness Day!)

Ah, yes. Valentine's Day is over. The time of sap is gone, and it's finally time for those who were unable to partake in that celebration to unite together. For those who didn't have a Valentine sweetheart to entertain yesterday, it's now time to celebrate being single!

I've taken advance of this unofficial/uncommon/unheard of event to composed a list of protagonists who don't need a love interest to be amazing. Don't get me wrong, I absolutely love romance. For these protagonists, it's true that romance fulfils their love life, but the driver of the plot is--and always will--be themselves. They are the catalyst!

So, in no particular order, here they are!

Happy Valentine's Day & OTP Top Ten!

It's that time of the year again, where poets write about the sensation of love filling the air. Valentine's Day is a much cherished celebration, one where you let your Valentine know just how much they mean to you!

For those of you who are single, not to fear! Tomorrow happens to be Single Awareness Day. More on that tomorrow :)

Meanwhile, I've composed a list of my top ten One True Pairings of book couples I've read in the past year. Couples that are absolutely perfect for each other, and deserve all the sappy stuff that comes with spending Valentine's Day together <3

These are in no particular order!

2015 Wrap Up and Top Books!

I can't actually believe that 2015 is over already. How on earth did we end up here again? Didn't we just start 2015? I feel like the year zoomed by! 

Taking a look back on the past year, I've read some pretty amazing books. And like many other people, I have decided to compile a list because a) lists are fun b) thinking about all the great books I've read in the year is enough to put a large smile on my face c) it's a great way to prep myself for all the great books/sequels that are coming out next year. So in no particular order, here are my top 10 books of 2015:

Simon vs the Homo Sapiens Agenda by Becky Albertali
A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas
Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo
Ensnared by A.G. Howard
Crash by Eve Silver
The Burning Sky by Sherry Thomas
The Iron Warrior by Julie Kagawa
The Orphan Queen by Jodi Meadows
A Darker Shade of Magic by V.E. Schwab
The Girl at Midnight by Melissa Gray

Narrowing down the long list of books I read to just 10 had to be one of the hardest things I've done this year. Especially since all the books I read way back in January feels like lifetimes ago. Or, I suppose, about 150 books ago. (Yes, I completed my Goodreads goal of 150! I'm so happy!)

I've met some absolutely fantastic people this year, and I'm thankful for every single one of you. I'd never have dreamt that I would grow to have such fun with you guys here, things like blogging events with other people or being able to shamelessly have wonderfully long discussions and fangirling moments over books and book characters with some of you. I value your comments, our conversations, and your existence in general. You guys are amazing, and I truly mean it from the bottom of my bookish heart. Thank you guys so much for an unforgettable year!

I hope you all have a fantastic remainder of the year, and I'll be seeing you all next year for another great year of bookish fun! :D

Happy Valentine's Day!

Ah, Valentine's Day. Quotes like "love is in the air" and "I love you." 

Funny. Want to know what the word quote entails? Nine times of ten it comes from a book. Want to know what else comes from books?

Hot fictional characters.

Really, now, did you think I wouldn't compose a list of my top book boyfriends? Of course I would. It's Valentine's Day, and there is nothing better than going out on a date with your bae. Aka favorite fictional boyfriend(s). The only issue with multiple ones is choosing who to go out with first, because there are so many.

So, here are my dates, in no particular order...

1. Jackson Tate (Rush by Eve Silver). Because. He. Is. So. Hot.

2. Ash (The Iron King by Julie Kagawa). Strong, silent, broody. Again, hot. Or, if you see it, cold, as he's the Winter prince. Either way, he gets my ever-lasting love.

3. Cadan (Angelfire by Courtney Allison Moulton). A demonic reaper who chooses good? A hot demonic reaper who chooses good plus makes kind, sincere comments? DONE. Consider my heart melted.

4. Puck (The Iron King by Julie Kagawa). He who makes me smile and laugh and have fun  is forever my love. Forever.

5. Quinn (Defiance by C. J. Redwine). QUINNNNNN, MY BABY. PLEASE BE MY VALENTINE???

6. Daemon Black (Obsidian by Jennifer L. Armentrout). He starts out a jerk, but it turns out he's a jerk to pretty much everyone. But then he becomes the biggest protective jerk ever known to earth, especially for his loved ones. Adorable. I want him.

7. James "Jem" Carstairs (Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare). Jem, my Jem. He's sweet, the perfect gentleman, modest, plays the violin, everything. How could you not love him?

8. Morpheus (Splintered by A. G. Howard). Seductive Nethering, whispering things that make you shiver in your ear? My heart has officially been stolen, for better or worse.

9. William Herondale (Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare). Tormented, rebellious lost soul. Let me ease your pain and have a conversation about books with you.

10. Jasper Renn (The Girl in the Steel Corset by Kady Cross). Let's just leave it at the fact that he's an "American Cowboy" in England (not actually a cowboy, but the people in England call him that), and is quite handy with a gun. And he loves people enough to willingly get blackmailed.

What have I noticed with all my dates? They all can fight/handle a weapon (see: bad-ass), and not one of is 100% normal human. What does that mean?

"Erika, you need help. Serious help."

And I totally agree. Because having this many boyfriends is clearly not healthy. But you know, I'm not exactly cheating on them if they're in different books...well, most of them aren't...

And, because I am a idiot, I'm going to throw in a video game character or two.

1. Cloud Strife (Final Fantasy VII). The ultimate silent, brooding guy with freaking awesome sword skills. Who also harbours guilt issues (he's not to blame, yet he blames himself) and JUST LET ME LOVE YOU AND HELP YOU OVERCOME IT.
2. Riku (Kingdom Hearts). Who initially chose darkness, but realized it was the wrong path and risked everything to choose light. And as such, he's trying to find a way to stay on the path of light, even with the internal torment and taunting of the power of darkness inside him. That, everyone, is true power. Again, LET ME LOVE YOOUUU.

(Aaand, I realized those two are both Square Enix characters. Oh well.)

Anyways. Happy Valentine's Day, everyone! Hope you all have a great day with your special someone, let it be real person or a fictional person! And if you're an anti-Valentine's Day person, don't worry, because tomorrow is Single's Awareness Day!

2014 Wrap Up

It’s that time of the year where we say: “Christmas is over? And it’s now the end of the year? Are you sure?”

Answer: Yep, I’m quite sure. Proof being me double/triple/quadruple checking the calendar. Denial can be one’s best and worst friend at times like these.

I’ve decided to be a total book nerd (cough), so I made a list of my top 2014 books and couples/ships as a way to wrap up the year. Also, feel free to add to it! I know there’s a ton of books aren't on this that should be, mainly because I either haven't read them or heard about them yet. So if you have any you want to add, I'd love it if you do! 

In no particular order, here we go!

Erika's 2014 Top books: 

Talon (Julie Kagawa)

Push (Eve Silver)

Unhinged (A. G. Howard)

The One (Kiera Cass)

Ignite Me (Tahereh Mafi)

Blood of Olympus (Rick Riordan)

Killer Frost (Jennifer Estep)

Stay With Me (J. Lynn)

City of Heavenly Fire (Cassandra Clare)

Opposition (Jennifer L. Armentrout)

Unmade (Sarah Rees Brennan)

The Young Elites (Marie Lu)

Deliverance (C. J. Redwine)

Kiss of Deception (Mary E. Pearson)

Erika's 2014 Top Couples/Ships

Miki and Jackson (The Game Series)

Ember and Garret (Talon)

Daemon and Katy (Lux Series)

America and Maxon (The Selection)

Gwen and Logan (Mythos Academy)

Clary and Jace (The Mortal Instruments)

Calla and Jax (Stay With Me)

Rachel and Logan (Defiance)

Nico and Will (Blood of Olympus)

Ali and Cole (White Rabbit Chronicles)

Clara and Nicolas (Winterspell)

Mia and Adam (If I Stay)

Tris and Four (Divergent Series)

And that's about it! Do you know how hard it is to think all the way back to January? That, plus narrowing my very long list down? It's not as easy as people make it out to be. Or maybe I'm just really bad at it.

Anyways, I'm hoping that you all have a fantastic New Year! I'm looking forward to another year of books obsessions with you all!

(PS. Special shout out to my beloved family for an awesome year, plus my friends Sally, Stitch, Vyen, Maddy, Laura, Bridget, and Alya for not completely forgetting about me!)