Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly feature hosted by bloggers at The Broke and the Bookish. This week it's all about spring reads, and I'm showcasing my top picks for the season.

1. Beauty in Thorns by Kate Forsyth

I have absolutely loved Kate Forsyth's other historical novels Bitter Greens, The Wild Girl and The Beast's Garden so the bar is definitely set high for this one. I know she always puts so much research into her work so I'll be looking to see how she incorporates fact into fiction.

2. Like Life by Lorrie Moore

I just reviewed Lorrie Moore's first collection of short stories Self-Help, and can't believe I haven't come across her work before. If that was anything to go by, this is going to be another satirical and darkly funny read. 

3. Nevermoor by Jessica Townsend

The hype and early reviews for this one has left it showered in praise, so I'm eager to see the enchanting world come to life on the page. 

4. The True Colour of Forever by Carrie Firestone

The sound of this book with a focus on kindness is really sweet - the perfect YA contemporary read for spring.

5. From the Wreck by Jane Rawson

After reading Formaldehyde earlier in the year, I'm curious to see what weird and wonderful plot devices Jane Rawson has put into action here. 

6. Song of the Current by Sarah Tolcser

The world-building and pirates in this one have me curious, and if the story lives up to the glowing reviews I won't be disappointed.

7. No Way! Okay, Fine. by Brodie Lancaster

This memoir about pop-culture and feminism might be just the thing I need to be get back into non-fiction.

8. Drums of Autumn by Diana Gabaldon

With Voyager hitting the screens, it's high time I finally got to reading Drums of Autumn! Starting this may be an undertaking (it's another one over 1000 pages), but every time I start a book in this series the length seems irrelevant because they're so engaging.

9. Before the Devil Breaks You by Libba Bray

FINALLY the third book in The Diviners series! The 1920s with a paranormal twist and gripping mysteries have kept me hooked on these novels - I can't wait to see what's next in store for the characters.

10. No Filter by Orlagh Collins

You can't go past a lighthearted YA romance to read on a sunny afternoon, and this looks like something which would work nicely.

What books are you looking forward to reading this Spring/Fall?

Top Ten Tuesday: Haunting Horror on my TBR

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly feature hosted by bloggers at The Broke and the Bookish. With no set theme for this week, I've gone with some horror novels that are still sitting on my TBR. Though it's not a genre I usually would go for, there's so much to choose from and I'm always up for a good read!

1. The Shining by Stephen King

I've only read Carrie by the renowned Stephen King so far - and this one has had some shining reviews of its own...very promising. 

2. A Head Full of Ghosts by Paul Tremblay

This one has come to my attention as a recommendation, and with the support of Stephen King it must be good! The psychological element and even a reality TV show being involved in the plot makes this sound like a thrill.

3. The Late Breakfasters and Other Strange Stories by Robert Aickman

This collection of short stories appears to take suburban America in the 1960's with a dark twist. 

4. We Have Always Lived in the Castle by Shirley Jackson

I'm currently reading The Bird's Nest by Shirley Jackson and have previously read her short story The Lottery, so I can definitely see how Jackson has such a large fan base for her work. This Gothic novel seems like one not to be missed.

5. Experimental Film by Gemma Files 

I couldn't help but be reminded of Night Film by Marisha Pessl when I saw this title, but from the blurb I think this book will be memorable in its own way. It won the Shirley Jackson award in 2015 so I'm even more eager to read it for myself.  

6. The Troop by Nick Cutter

This book is meant to be so scary it can disturb even the most experienced of horror fans...so should I give it a go? Curiosity may just get the better of me.

7. Blood and Salt by Kim Liggett

A YA 'romantic horror' definitely sounds like something different - perhaps not as dark as some of the others on this list, but somewhere to start. 

8. Universal Harvester by John Darnielle 

Aside from that brilliant cover, the story itself has all the hallmarks of a fascinating one. Exploring the nostalgia related to video stores and movies corrupting themselves...I'm intrigued. 

9. Geek Love by Katherine Dunn 

If not all horror has to be completely terrifying, then Geek Love makes this list. Memorable characters and a unique take on the family unit makes this a book I'm keen to give a chance. 

10. House of Leaves by Mark Z. Danielewski

I've only had a flick-through this one so far since just recently buying it - and while it may appear disjointed in so many ways, I'm excited to see how a story unfolds among the chaos. 

Have you read any of the books on this list? What horror novels would you recommend? 

Top Ten Tuesday: This one's for the 'girls'

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly feature hosted by bloggers at The Broke and the Bookish. With this week being free choice, I've decided to explore some of the titles in the trend of having 'girl' in the title which I haven't yet read. This article from the LA times which I saw shared on The Bookclub facebook page actually inspired this post, which mentions some of the patterns in books published in 2016, and why 2017 needs another big hit. Though I've already devoured Gone Girl, The Girl on the Train, The Girls and Girls on Fire recently (and actually liked them all), I'm going back through my towering list of books that are yet to be experienced, and picked what seem to be the most memorable from the blurbs. 

1. Luckiest Girl Alive by Jessica Knoll

This book definitely has some Gone Girl vibes going on with the premise of a woman with a facade of perfection and deeper secrets lurking beneath. This thriller looks like an intense read.

2. The Good Girl by Mary Kubica

I've read Pretty Baby by Mary Kubica, but haven't yet read her debut. Okay, so it's another thriller compared to the era of Gone Girl (like many others). However, as another thriller drawing on the idea of nobody being as they seem, I think there's still scope for originality in exactly how situations play out. 

3. The Girl with All the Gifts by M.R. Carey

Another thriller...with a scifi twist! I've had this one on my TBR for soo long, but I know that it's gotten some raving reviews from bloggers so fingers crossed I'll actually pick it up soon. 

4. Girl, Interrupted by Susanna Kaysen

I discovered this book around the same time I bought The Unabridged Journals of Sylvia Plath. I don't typically read memoirs, but the psychological aspect of this one seems fascinating, especially considering the paradigms surrounding mental illness in the 1960's.

5. The Girl You Left Behind by Jojo Moyes

Art, history and romance appear to collide in this novel - which should make for a dramatic and enthralling combination. 

6. The Shining Girls by Lauren Beukes

I've seen some mixed reviews for this one, but the idea of a subversion between the victim/villain scenario does intrigue me...as does the promise of some time travel in this story. 

7. The Coldest Girl in Coldtown by Holly Black

It has been a looong time since I've read a book with vampires in it, but since this one is by Holly Black I'm willing to give it a go. If it's more on the spooky and less on the sparkly side, I'll be all in.

8. Some Girls Are by Courtney Summers

This YA novel set in high school is the type of hard-hitting read tackling some very real issues which I think will be worth checking out. 

9. Imaginary Girls by Nova Ren Suma

This is one of the books on the 'own but haven't read pile' which when writing this post I recently rediscovered on my shelves. The sibling bonds and hint at the paranormal make this a story I'm drawn to already.

10. Girl in Pieces by Kathleen Glasgow

Well, I had this one all planned to read as soon as it got released last year, but somehow that didn't happen. Hopefully by the time I publish this post I'll have started to read it!

Over to you - do you the word 'girl' in the title of a book has implications on how it is first perceived?

Top Ten Tuesday: Brilliant books you may not know about (but really should!)

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly feature hosted by bloggers at The Broke and the Bookish. We all seem to hear of the 'big releases' hitting the shelves, those books in the spotlight which get all the attention; glowing or otherwise. So this week I'm sharing my top ten underrated gems which you should definitely check out!

1. Flora Series by Jessica L. Brooks

The Flora series by Jessica L. Brooks is unlike any other I've read before. They're so uniquely enchanting with their own special charm - magical realism at its best. The contemporary elements are so well written too!

2. In The Skin of a Monster by Kathryn Barker

You can read my full review of this #LoveOzYA gem here, and wow was this book a complete surprise. It is both surreal and brutal, you never know what will be coming next. 

3. Maggot Moon by Sally Gardner

This is another fascinating read, somewhere between the genres of historical fiction and some sort of dystopia. It wasn't something I'd normally pick up, but found it compelling and original. 

4. The Passion Flower Massacre by Nicola Morgan

It's been years since I first read this but I still remember how cleverly chilling it was. It plays so well on the idea that some things seem to good to be true...

5. India Dark by Kirsty Murray

This is a middle-grade novel, but nonetheless not one to be overlooked. Set in India in the early 1900's, this tale of a group of Australian performers which is based on a true story is mesmerising. 

6. Starters by Lissa Price 

This YA sci-fi novel which explores the extreme lengths the rich can go to in retaining their youth was a gripping read. 

7. Your Voice is All I Hear by Leah Scheier

This is an emotional YA read which deals with mental illness in an honest and provoking way. Caution: have tissues nearby - you'll probably need them. 

8. Truly Madly Guilty by Liane Moriarty

I have come to appreciate Moriarty's slightly satirical and witty writing style, which hopefully comes through in this book. 

9. The Hired Girl by Laura Amy Schlitz

Full review here, but in short this book is a beautiful piece of YA historical fiction told through a maid's diary entries who wants to be something more. 

10. Liberty's Fire by Lydia Syson

Set in Paris in 1871, Liberty's Fire is a passionate story of revolution, and a group people caught in its tumultuous midst. Rich in historical detail, this is a YA novel you don't want to miss. 

What underrated books would you recommend?

Top Ten Tuesday: 2016 releases I meant to read...but didn't

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly feature hosted by bloggers at The Broke and the Bookish. It seems to be an almost inevitable reality that all the shiny new releases we plan to read every year don't all make the cut. That being said, I'm hoping that I'll be able to make room for these 2016 titles this year!

YA Novels

1. Gemina by Jay Kristoff and Amie Kaufman

Given how much I loved Illuminae, I think I just wanted to save this one for a time when I know I'll need a book I can dive into and not be able to stop reading it. NOW is the time!

2. The Girl from Everywhere by Heidi Heiling

Time travel and...what looks like pirate ships? I can't wait to eventually read this YA debut which seems like a real adventure.

3. Blackhearts by Nicole Castroman

Another book with a pirate theme happening - that could be promising.

4. The Sun is Also a Star by Nicola Yoon

There has been ALL THE HYPE for this book, and (Everything, Everything which I also need to read). Is it time to see what makes these books so noteworthy?

5. Replica by Lauren Oliver

There were some mixed reviews for this one, but I really enjoyed Lauren Oliver's Delirium series so would like to see whether Replica is as good. 

Adult Novels by Australian Authors

6. Goodwood by Holly Throsby

I've actually just started this and am liking it so far - big drama in a small Australian town, and the mystery is already beginning to unfold. 

7. An Isolated Incident by Emily Maguire

This is also set in a small Australian community with a murder mystery rocking its core. This psychological thriller looks like it could really hit the mark for a riveting read. 

8. Truly Madly Guilty by Liane Moriarty

I have come to appreciate Moriarty's slightly satirical and witty writing style, which hopefully comes through in this book. 

9. Where the Trees Were by Inga Simpson

I love books which can capture a sense of place in a poignant way, and Where the Trees Were looks like a book which could do just that. 

10. The High Places by Fiona Mcfarlane

I've been getting more interested in reading short story collections lately, and this one described 'with a particular lens on human behaviour' is intriguing.

Have you read any of the books on this list?