Top 5 books on my reading radar this week

"There comes a time when you have to choose between turning the page and closing the book."
– Josh Jameson

I'm just coming out of a literary drought. For well over a month no book had managed to catch my interest for more than a few minutes at a time. While it happens every now and then, it's still an incredibly frustrating experience because it makes me feel half complete. Which is absolutely sappy and mawkish sounding, I know, but I don't know what I am without the bookish love. I associate the act of reading with so much of who I am - fangirl, geek, blogger, reader, storyteller, etc. - that to feel like I've lost the ability to enjoy it is to feel like I've lost those other parts of myself. Even if only temporarily. While I'm not quite back to devouring everything that moves (and lots of things that don't), I'm in a better headspace about it. I give you: Top 5 books on my reading radar this week (mostly new, with a few not-so-new thrown in for good measure).

Here's a question: How do YOU get through a reading drought?

Top 5 shades of Fifty Shades

"So," I asked, "Do you like the feel of a feather on your naked skin?"
"I'm not sure," she said "Maybe if you took it off the pigeon first?"
- From Fifty sheds of grey by C. T. Grey

Art thou fed up to the back teeth of Fifty Shades of Grey? Have your eyeballs been singed by the spiciness of the dialogue and the raciness of the character shenanigans? (What DOES Anastasia do with that pancake flip? Why WILL you never look at a toothbrush the same way again? In fact, you may even chuck yours out). Yes? Well, that's just too darn bad BECAUSE BECAUSE BECAUSE I haz five shades of Fifty Shades!

"What does that EVEN MEAN?" you ask.

Simple: It means I took some time out of my day to look up any and all Fifty Shades parodies and/or Fifty Shades-related THINGS and STUFFS to make up this post. Beck had two turntables and a microphone. I have four Fifty Shades parodies, two sex books, a compact disc, and a pukeko in a ponga tree. (I lied about the ponga tree). (The pukeko is real, though). (Ok, no it's not, I lied about that, too). (I am a lying liar who tells lies). While you read this post, imagine me with no words whatsoever, because it would be the truth. Sexytimes parodies? Speechless. (Enjoy it while it lasts because I am never silent long). And yes, I've requested them all. It is my duty to take one for the team *said with hand solemnly on heart* Plus, I need the giggles. You're welcome, et voilà!

There is also:

Fifty shades of ecstasy : fifty secret sex positions for mind-blowing orgasms / Marisa Bennett

Fifty shades of pleasure : a bedside companion : sex secrets that hurt so good / Marisa Bennett

5 teen books about girls who like girls

"Jesse Halberstam does not feel like a member of my family. Sometimes she doesn't even feel like a member of my species. She's so...I don't know, I can't explain her."
- The difference between you and me by Madeleine George

Growing up, our household was all noise and drama llama (no offense to llamas). We were encouraged to speak about all kinds of issues at the dinner table (or coffee table, bedside table). As far as my mum was concerned, nothing was verboten. Some of my friends weren't so lucky. When I was in high school, one of my friends suspected she might be attracted to girls instead of boys. Having been raised in a very conservative family where they weren't encouraged to speak freely about, well, very much, she didn't really have anyone to talk with. I remember suggesting she come home with me and chat to my mum, but she was too embarrassed, and I was too hesitant to insist. We ended up at the library becoming an impromptu bookclub of two. I agreed to read Annie on my mind with her as support and, in return, she agreed to read a book of my choosing. I chose Anne of Green Gables, which I'd read a tonload of times and she never had. I bet you're sitting there thinking, "WTF, Tosca? How the heck do the two go hand in hand?" They don't. The two weren't related in any way whatsoever other than the almost similar first names of the main characters. What can I say? We were kids, and one of us was trying to find answers from any book with a character she might have been able to identify with. After about three or four years, we drifted apart as friends. I wish, though, that we could be in school again today. The quality and range of teen stories featuring girls who like girls is better than it's been in years. And getting better all the time. And if you don't believe me, make sure to check out the review links for each of the titles listed below. (I've read three on this list and am heads down in #4 and #5). So this list - 5 teen books about girls who like girls - is for an old friend, wherever she may be. (And I bet neither of us knew, at the time, that a few years later I'd be going through the exact same thing). (Which doesn't mean that you can't try them, too).