Top Ten Tuesdays: Best Re-reads

I am a huge fan of the re-read. It’s like seeing an old friend and discovering that you still have a ton in common and are an even better fit than you were before. I always discover something new or something I had forgotten when I read a book or series again. Here are some of my favorite to visit over and over again.

1. Ready Player One by Ernest Cline – If you haven’t checked this one out – go read it now before the movie comes out. I hope that Spielberg doesn’t screw it up but even if the movie is wonderful, it will not compare to the book at all. I think I’ve read this about 4 times now and plan to read it again in the near future.

2. Quiet by Susan Cain –  I am an introvert. I can be social but I do not gain energy from it. As a teacher, I spend a lot of time with extroverts and this book is a great reminder of how powerful and important introverts are in every walk of life and position. Definitely worth a re-visit occasionally.

3. Eats, Shoots & Leaves by Lynne Truss – This book cracks me up and is a nice refresher on basic grammar rules.. It always makes me feel a lot better when I notice major grammar issues in the world (not to mention my classroom).

4. The Sword of Truth series by Terry Goodkind – This is a LONG commitment to go back through but sometimes you need an epic sprawling fantasy that is literally 10s of thousands of pages long. This is a favorite escape for me.

5. The Twilight series by Stephenie Meyer – Okay, before you judge me too harshly, this series was a great escape when I was dealing with a lot of very difficult things. There were very few things that completely let me escape my life and run into another world but this series was helpful for me. This series also was the eventual start of my writing fiction. I started with fanfiction and have branched out from there, working on my own original pieces after having half a million readers with my fanfiction, I figure that there might really be something there. I’ve read this series at least a dozen times and plan to pick them up again – maybe over spring break.

6. The Anne series by L.M. Montgomery – I was a kid who never fit in – anywhere. I was too smart for my age, loved to read and write, and had a very active imagination. Anne was in some ways very much like me and I understood her. I was that awkward overly serious kid whose imagination loved to run wild. So occasionally I read Anne again, even as an adult. Additionally, my grandmother gave me my first and second set of these books. She started working on hardback copies for me before she died because I had worn out two sets of paperback copies in just a few years. She gave me Anne at just the right time. I think she knew how much I needed her.

7. The Ender Universe by Orson Scott Card – There are a few smaller series in this large group of books that explore children being used as space soldiers in a way you might not expect. They attempted to make a movie from the first book and failed epically. This book just had too broad a scope for a 2-hour telling. These kids are amazing and have such personality – if you haven’t read or reread these yet – I would encourage you to get them off a shelf or buy them and read these as soon as you can!

8. Les Miserables by Victor Hugo – This epic story about how a person’s situation in life can change at the turn of a dime or because of one seemingly insignificant event is a genius work of literature. Not much more to say than that. If you are going to give this or the next two books a try, I strongly suggest the unabridged versions. You miss so much when you read the shorter versions.

9. The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas – This classic story of revenge is worth many repeat visits.  Like I said in the previous book – you should read the full version – you miss so much of the rich backstory of some of the characters if you don’t read the whole thing. It’s long but very rewarding.

10. War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy – I debated if I should list this one or Anna Karenina. Both are amazing but I chose this one for two reasons. It was the first book by Tolstoy I read and while Anna is wonderful, I feel like it just doesn’t quite have the scope of War and Peace. I will say that this is by far the most difficult read on the list. With a cast of around 300 characters, it is very easy to get lost.

What would be on your reread list? What do you think is not worthy of being read at all on my list? Let me know in the comments!

 

 

Book Haul

I recently went to my local used bookstore to get rid of some books I would never read again or read – ever. So, while I waited, I wandered and found more books that needed to come home. Today’s book haul included the following books!

1. Nightwatch by Sergei Lukyanenko
2. Daywatch by Sergei Lukyanenko
3. Twilight Watch by Sergei Lukyanenko
4. The Sleeping King by Cindy Dees and Bill Flippin
5. The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky
6. Eats, Shoots & Leaves by Lynne Truss
7. Paper Towns by John Greene
8. The Invisible Library by Genevieve Cogman
9. Cryptonomicon by Neal Stephenson

Any recommendations on what I should tackle first?

Top Ten Tuesday: Books to conquer in 2018

A new year means new reading goals. This year I set myself 50 books as a goal to read. For me, it is a low number but I have a lot going on in my life and don’t have as much time to read as I used to. I have a mental list of books that I plan to finally conquer this year because they have been on my reading list for what seems like forever and I simply haven’t gotten to them yet for one reason or another. This year will be the year (I hope).

1. Ulysses by James Joyce – Honestly this is on my list every year. I can’t seem to get through it. Maybe this year.  It will definitely have to be a summer read. There is a reason it is considered one of the hardest books to read period.

2. The Wheel of Time Series by Robert Jordan – I have heard such wonderful things about this series from so many people. The length and size of the series though is a bit intimidating and that’s saying something coming from me. However, if I can get through all of Terry Goodkind, I should be able to get through these.

3. Strings Attached by Joanne Lipman and Melanie Kupchynsky – This is a book about a no-nonsense strings teacher who shares his love of music with his students through a rough but caring attitude. I have had this on my list for ages because I tend to be this kind of teacher at least to a point. Tough love is a really helpful thing and praising students when they earn it, makes it far more valuable. I have started this a couple of times but simply have had bad timing with it. I hope to get through this one this year.

4. A New Kind of Christianity by Brian MacLaren – This book has been on my shelves for far too long and has been recommended by fart oo many people to not pick it up and get it read this year.

5. The Foundation series by Isaac Asimov – I know, I know, I should have read these a long time ago. I just have never gotten around to them. I have them all now thanks to my local used bookstore who sold them all together for 8 bucks and no I really have no excuse. This year I’m going to tackle this series, I swear.

6. Vanity Fair by Willaim Makpeace Thackery – This one has been sitting on my shelf for ages in unabridged paperback and it’s size even intimates me a little bit. I hope to make it through this one this year. Right now epicly long reads have been a bit daunting so I am not sure about this one.

7. It by Stephen King – I watched the new version of the movie and have a renewed interest in getting through this one. The book is always better than the movie right? I have a love/hate relationship with Stephen King because I feel that sometimes he really struggles to land the plane well sometimes.

8. Alias Grace by Margaret Atwood – This book has been sitting on my shelves for about six months now.  I want to watch the new series based on the book but I really don’t want to do that until I read the book. I know that the show can’t compare to her writing so I want to experience the real thing first.

9. IQ84 by Haruki Murakami – This book has been one I’ve wanted to read for a while and have attempted a couple times but simply wasn’t in the right place to read. I am hoping to make it through this one this year.

10. Rob Bell – I really want to get back to the Rob Bell books this year. I have read Love Wins and really am looking at some elements of my faith this year from a fresh point of view. While I don’t agree with everything that he has to say, Rob Bell definitely challenges the reader to think for themselves and evaluate what they believe and why by asking the tough questions.

What is on your list of things you want to tackle this year? Leave it in the comments below!

 

Top Ten Tuesday: Best/Worst movie adaptions of a book

Best and Worst movie adaptions of a book, otherwise known as the longest Top Ten Tuesday post ever. I love this topic because it is one that I find myself constantly complaining about. I cannot stand it when great books have to suffer bad adaptions. It is just sad to see something you love be tortured and twisted into something completely different from the author’s intention. However, there are times when it goes so well that you want to thank the writers for not screwing it up. I don’t know that I’ll be able to stop at ten but I’ll try.

Best Adaptions

1. The Twilight Saga Breaking Dawn – I know that many are scratching their heads right now. A Twilight movie? Really? I say yes and here is why. Somehow the writers were able to stay true to the book and manage to shock the audience all at the same time. This one makes the list for the ending confrontation sequence on its own. I have never seen a book adaption that was able to make me mad one minute and applauding the next. I kid you not. Applause broke out in my theatre when we figured out what was going on. Not only was it a shock but it stayed with the story (in an unexpected way) AND it threw everyone for such a huge loop that you didn’t have time to guess what was going to happen until they were showing you that they had in fact messed with you completely.

2. The Lord of the Rings Trilogy – I loved this series because it had the guts to stay true to the original work as much as possible while not making the movies so painfully long that no one could sit through them. Then they went back and made them longer for home release so that  people could see most of what was missing! It was a brilliant way to make the fans happy while making a profitable movie. It also earned them more money by creating two versions of the movies. I have all three of the extended editions of the movies sitting on my shelves and love watching every minute of them.

3. Harry Potter and Sorcerer’s Stone – I add this one because of all the movies, this one holds truest to the books. It tells the story faithfully and builds a level of trust with the audience that they were going to need in order to get the audience to stick with them over seven more films, including the one that is on my list of worst movie adaptions ever made.

4. The Princess Bride – Don’t bother reading this book. Really. We all love the movie and there is a reason that it differs so much from the original material. I rarely say this about a book but this is not one to encourage someone to read after hearing that they absolutely loved the movie. While there isn’t anything really wrong with the book, it is so vastly different from what ended up on the screen that most readers will be disappointed. The book has a much different audience than the movie as well. I think it’s a great adaption because they took the source material and turned it into something completely new. The book as it was wouldn’t have made for a good movie. The screenwriter here did a masterful job!

5. The Green Mile – I think this one ends up on the list simply because it is one of the most faithful book to screen occurrences that I have ever encountered. I finished reading the book and then watched the movie in the same sitting and was pleasantly surprised to find out exactly how accurate they were to each other. I really appreciated the accuracy because I don’t think the story would have been as good if they had left things out.

6. The Silence of the Lambs – Yep. Had to be said. This was a great adaption of a truly chilling story. Not for the faint of heart but definitely one worth seeing and reading. I hesitate to include the sequels simply because I think that they missed something that the first movie had. The only one that even came close for me was Hannibal and they completely ruined the ending. They should have filmed the book ending. I know I’m one of the few but I actually liked the book ending so much better than the drivel they created for the movie. Silence was by far the most faithful to the original material and while some of the others had some truly chilling scenes, this one started it all.

7. A Requiem for a Dream – Okay, I’ve only seen this one once. I don’t think I could ever watch it again. It is incredibly disturbing and is full of mature content due to the issues it deals with. However, due to is powerfully redemptive qualities, I think it is one that must be mentioned. While the book does a good job of dealing with the issues that come from drug addiction, the movie takes another step into the confusion and lengths addicts will go to in order to get their fix. This one doesn’t shy away from anything and so it is not one that most people will find appropriate to view due to it’s extremely graphic nature. This is the ultimate PSA about drug use. Unfortunately it is so graphic that many people will never watch it.

8. The Hunger Games – I thought long and hard before including this one on the list. While it was a really good movie, they made some serious mistakes that will be hard to fix. There are entire characters missing and plot points that were not included that needed to be there. The whole thing about the Mockingjay is so wrong. They really needed to leave that bit of the story alone. If you haven’t read the book you don’t know that there is a vital character completely missing from the movie. However, they did an amazing job of communicating how bleak their lives are outside of the Capitol and how horrific the games are. The other thing that bothered me was the mutts at the end of the movie and how they left out the most horrific detail behind them. That being said, I walked out of the theatre after seeing that movie and it stayed with me in a powerful way, the way a good movie should. So I think that it is overall a wonderful adaption, even though there a couple of things I would have done very differently.

9. The Wizard of Oz – I can’t leave this one off the list. Yes I know all the issues but I simply don’t care. It’s a classic for a reason. It is also one that should never be remade. You can tell other stories from Oz or show other perspectives but this one simply shouldn’t be touched.

10. 10 Things I Hate about You – Didn’t realize this one was an adaption? Yep! The source material is Shakespeare’s The Taming of the Shrew and this tale simply hits it spot on. I’m a big fan of Rom-coms in general but this one is great. it is one of the best examples of taking a classic tale and making it modern in the best sense. It maintains the original feel of the story while making it matter to a modern audience. Add Heath Ledger to the mix and it is an automatic win.

Worst Adaptions

1. Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire – This movie cut so much out from the original story that it felt completely rushed and like half of the story was missing. It is the worst of the Harry Potter movies in my opinion and one I wish could be completely redone or at least added to. it really needed some serious help. The fans wouldn’t have cared it if was even another half hour in length if it had felt more relaxed in its pacing and hadn’t skipped large chunks of the story. I want an extended version of this one so we can see all the missing pieces.

2. Beautiful Creatures – This one failed simply due to horrific casting. Lena was one of the worst casting decisions I have seen made in recent film history. This movie is supposed to be exciting but I fell asleep in the middle  because it simply was missing any emotion. You cannot do a good film adaption of a book if you don’t get the main characters right. It simply doesn’t work. Add to that the fact that there were entire characters missing and you’ll wish they would have left this one alone.

3. The Lightening Thief – This could have been awesome and it just wasn’t. It was a great book and the movie was just cheesy. It had some decent moments but overall it was so bad that I’m shocked they are doing the second one. I hope they don’t mess this one up as much as they did with the first one.

4. The Count of Monte Cristo – I absolutely love this book. I am an advocate for the unabridged version if you can get your hands on it. The movie however completely twists everything. It isn’t even the same story. The ending is completely off base. Major characters are missing completely and it’s just cheesy. This one is one of those books that deserves a serious movie adaption, not something loosely based on a great piece of literature that is a massive farce.

5. The Time Traveler’s Wife – Eric Bana. Yep. That and half of the story was completely missing. I was so disappointed in this one.

6. Eragon – I loved the book. Loved it even more when I found out exactly how old the author was. The movie looked like it was directed by a kid though. It missed every bit of magic that the book contained.

Remember when all the fan girls screamed at this image??

7. Twilight – I know that the last movie in the series made the best list but honestly this one simply is completely off when compared to the other movies in the franchise. Yes I know it suffered from a tiny budget and that they had no idea how it would explode but the poor filming is just painful when compared to the rest of the films.

8. The DaVinci Code – I love Tom Hanks. However, this was completely the wrong role for him. There were so many other great choices but nope. Tom Hanks gets the main character role. I knew it was doomed when they made that announcement. When I found out that Ron Howard was directing, I cringed and decided that I would wait until it hit on DVD. I was glad that I didn’t pay money to see this one.

9. A Wrinkle in Time – Someone please make a good movie version of this book because the book is amazing. The movie is so bad. It could be this amazing creepy dark masterpiece with an amazing redemption type ending. Instead it’s cheesy and not worth watching. Read the book guys, avoid the movie.

10. The Hobbit – I saved this one for last and the main reason is that while this could have been amazing, turning this into three movies is just painful. I can understand two but three? Really?? I fell asleep in the middle of the  first installment and I can’t see myself paying to go see the rest. I’ll wait for the DVD and probably until they are all done so I can get through the whole story at once.

I know this post is crazy long but what would you add (or delete) from my lists?

Top Ten Tuesday on Thursday: Books that you are most intimidated by

Some books can just scare you away for one reason or another. Many of my favorite books actually tend to be on most people’s list. My list isn’t exactly your typical but here it is:

1. Moby Dick by Herman Melville – I have been so intimidated by this one that I haven’t even given it a try. For someone who doesn’t like fish though, a book about the obsessive hunt for the elusive legendary catch seems like something that wouldn’t work out well for me.

2, Don Quixote by Miguel de Cervantes Saaverda – I have heard so many wonderful things about this book from a bunch of different people but I have yet to tackle this one. I really don’t know what is stopping me but I just haven’t gone there yet.

3. The Divine Comedy by Dante – For some reason epic poetry is simply not my style. I need to read this one because of how often it is referenced in modern literature but I simply haven’t gotten the guts to tackle this one yet.

4. Crime and Punishment by Fyodor Dostoyevsky –  I have heard so many great things about this book especially when people find out that I am a fan of Tolstoy. I own it but haven’t cracked the cover yet.

5. Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand – I know this one is highly regarded in some circles and have heard enough about it to know that it is one of those required reading pieces but I simply don’t know if this one is up my alley.

6. The Complete Sherlock Holmes by Sir Arthur Canon Doyle – I have read a couple of the Sherlock Holmes tales but I simply don’t enjoy them that much. I am not a mystery fan. I simply have never liked reading the genre. I don’t know if this one will ever get tackled. My husband who doesn’t like to read though, loves these.

7. Johnathan Strange and Mr. Norell by Susanna Clarke – I have had this book borrowed from the library and then bought my own copy but I have yet to pull it from the to be read pile and open the cover. Anyone read this one yet and have some compelling reason to get tot his one soon?

8. A Game of Thrones by George R. R. Martin – I know this will be shocking since this is the exact kind of book that would normally be right up my alley. However, I’ve heard exactly how many main characters die in this series and I don’t typically handle that well so I haven’t yet cracked the cover. I know it’s supposed to be wonderful but I haven’t been able to dig into this one.

9. Dracula by Brom Stoker – I know. I need to read this one if I’m a fan of vampire books and I haven’t read the classic tale. I’ve started it a few times but haven’t been able to get through it.

10. Doctor Zhivago by Boris Pasternak – This was my grandmother’s favorite book. I don’t quite know why I haven’t gotten into this one but I haven’t dived in yet. I think this will be the first one on this last that I attempt.

Top Ten Tuesday on Sunday: Top Ten books I’ve read in 2013 so far

This is crazy late. I know. I was very busy helping a friend out by babysitting her little one. I actually went most of a week without reading a single book! I did very little homework. So needless to say, this week’s posts got a bit delayed. I guess better late than never though! Here is the list of the best things I’ve read this year  so far.

1. The Crown of Embers by Rae Carson – This is one of the best YA series I’ve ever read. it is unique, doesn’t try too hard and has compelling characters that have enough flaws to seem read. If you haven’t picked this series up yet, check it out!

2.Ready Player One by Ernest Cline – If you are a gamer or really enjoy pop culture of the 80s and 90s, this book is a great read. I loved the way the book dealt with the real world versus the game world.

3. Shade’s Children by Garth Nix – This was one of the darkest and most gory YA books I have ever read but the storyline really made it completely necessary to the storyline. It is one of those stories that sticks with the reader long after the book is finished.

4. Agenda 21 by Glen Beck – WOW. This book is a chilling reminder of how bad big government and its control can get.

5. Redshirts by John Scalzi – This was a great read. If you are a fan of good (or bad) science fiction, this book is a hilarious read. This star trek spoof deals with the likelihood of those wearing redshirts to die more often, especially when they have only been around for a few episodes.

6. The Road by Cormac McCarthy – Okay, this is the novel that all other post-apologetically novels should be measured by. The depth and range of emotions expressed in this book is phenomenal, let alone for a book where the world is ending. Good luck finding a copy that isn’t expensive but worth every penny. I got my copy from the library but it will be joining my collection.

7. Magisterium by Jeff Hirsch – This is a unique YA story in a sea of three basic plot lines (vampires, werewolves, dystopian societies) where half of the world is governed by the laws of physics and they think that the world beyond the barrier is a nuclear wasteland. When they find out that is not the case, nothing will be the same again.

8. Rise by Anna Carey – The conclusion to the Eve trilogy which was such a fun read. I was sad to see this one end. This trilogy is worth the read.

9. Crewel by Gennifer Albin – This is one of the more unique stories I’ve read. The idea of world manipulation as working with cloth was interesting.

10. God Save the Queen by Katie Locke – This book was just a really fun read. It’s a bit steampunk, a bit urban fantasy and lots of British. It’s a fun romp and worth a read if you aren’t squeamish.

What are your favorite reads this year so far?

Yep, I’m addicted to books, are you? Find out…

Anyone else besides me feel this way??? (Also, I apologize for the profanity but it was going to be way too hard to edit out – I don’t use this kind of language nor do I condone it’s usage)

Unabashedly borrowed from: http://www.bforbel.com/2013/06/25-signs-youre-addicted-to-books-welcome-to-bookaholics-anonymous.html

Top Ten Tuesdays: Books that are on the Top of My Summer TBR List

Okay, anyone who knows me understands that I have a reading list that will never be completed in my lifetime and so this list could be really really long if I let it. I’m going to go the simple route and let you know what books I think I’ll be reading in the next few days (or week on the outside). Mind you, my mind changes easily and so this could be completely inaccurate as fast as tomorrow morning.

1. The Overton Window by Glen Beck – I just finished reading a Glen Beck novel a few minutes ago and can tell you right now that this one just jumped to the top of my reading list. Sorry mom, I should have listened and read it sooner – you were right.

2. The Eye of Memnoch by Glen Beck – This one is the sequel to The Overton Window which I will read as soon as I can pry it from my mom’s hands for a few hours. (Sensing a theme here?)

3. Inferno by Dan Brown – I was sorely disappointed with his last book so here is to hoping this one is much much better or I might be done with Robert Langdon.

4. Lost by Gregory Maguire – I started this one and was pleasantly surprised to find the writing interesting for once instead of his dull tasteless prose that he normally spouts off. I think I’m going to have to get back to this one very soon.

5. Splintered by A. G. Howard – This is a modern YA retelling of Alice in Wonderland – well one of the descendents of Alice at any rate. I have been putting this one in the middle of my pile in order to motivate me to get to some of the ones above it.

6. The Shack by Paul Young – A friend of mine gave me a copy of this one when she was shocked to find I hadn’t read it. So I have to read it soon because I know she’s going to ask me about it the next time I see her. So I’ve got to get to this one soon.  (For the record I also haven’t read Heaven is For Real yet either)

7. Before Green Gables by Budge Wilson – I an a huge L. M. Montgomery fan and found out about this book recently which chronicles Anne’s early life which is only hinted at in the books.

8. Amped by Daniel Wilson – The idea behind this one really caught me and so I think I’ll be diving in soon.

9. The Last Days of Krypton by Kevin J. Anderson – Yep. I’m a big Superman fan. That’s the only defense I have for this one.

10. The Black Opera by Mary Gentle – I’ve had this one sitting on my shelves for a while and keep wanting to dive in. Hopefully soon, although the length on this one is a bit lengthy.

What is currently on the top of your to be read list?

Top Ten Tuesday: Beach Reads

Ahh… the beach. I have heard of this mystical magical place where summer isn’t miserable. The sun is actually a pleasant thing and the water is beautiful and inviting. It is hard to remember such a place when you live in one of the hottest places in the United States. While that sun is boiling down on me, I can dream of sand and waves even if ten minutes in the sun here means heat stroke. A beach read for me is something enjoyable but not something I’m going to shoot someone for interrupting me in the middle of it. While it is interesting and a great read, it is not so intense that I would growl or snarl at the person who dares to pull me from my fictional existence. If I were going anywhere near a beach this summer, I would take the following books with me for a re-read.

1. Memoirs of a Geisha by Arthur Golden – Love this story and its rich details. It’s a great read and glimpse into a secret world of mystery and beauty. I think I might re-read this one even without the sun, sand, and sea.

2. Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen – Interesting story and great characterization. Highly entertaining as it plods along giving the reader a view of circus life.

3. The Help by Kathryn Stockett – A lighter read that is entertaining and fun. If you somehow missed this one, it’s a great one to take with you.

4. Quiet by Susan Cain – I know what you’re thinking – nonfiction on the beach read list? Really?? I say yes. It’s a great read and will give you a good reason for not wanting to talk to the overly social people sitting on the next blanket. It might also be on my summer re-read list.

5. Matilda by Roald Dahl – Okay, another one that I know might sound a bit strange but this one is a book that I personally find comforting. While this might not be on your beach read list, it is on mine. It takes me back to my childhood in a way few books do.

6. Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier – This book is one that no matter where you are could be read over and over again. The setting for this one makes for perfect waterside reading. Definitely one everyone should experience.

7. Anything by Nicholas Sparks – Yes, I read his stuff. No, I’m not entirely proud of that fact but they are great beach reads even if they are more than a bit predictable. Honestly, he needs to get a new formula. Of course, if it’s not broke and all that…

8. The Blue Castle by L.M. Montgomery – Sweet story that always makes me smile. Also Kilmeny of the Orchard or pretty much anything by this author would be a great choice for enjoying on the beach.

9. The Swan Thieves by Elizabeth Kostova – This is a great read. If you are looking to be transported while you tan, this is a great one.

10. Monstrous Beauty by Elizabeth Fama – A book about mermaids read by the ocean. This is a no brainer 🙂

What books would be on your summer read list?

Top Ten Tuesday: Favorite Books about Traveling

Honestly this one is going to be really easy because I don’t really care for books that have large amounts of traveling in them generally. Of course if I stretch the topic I think I might be able to come up with something… hmm… let’s see….

1. The Unexpected Pilgrimage of Harold Fry by Rachael Joyce – This book is unique. Honestly most of the elements of this book are things that I typically don’t enjoy but this book is such a great story that even though it didn’t fit into my norm, I loved it. You can read my review here and another perspective here.

2. The Time Traveler’s Wife by Audrey Niffenegger – Technically about travel right? Okay, I don’t think this is what they meant but still technically fits the category so here it is. Time travel is the exception to the travel rule, for the most part.

3. Overseas by Beatriz Williams – Yep, time travel again. Science fiction for the win!

4. The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis – This one is all about travel, to a fictional place but still about travel!

5. The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien – The first trip across Middle Earth. Definitely an exception to the travel rule

6. The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien – It takes three books to get that ring to Mount Doom but they eventually reach their destination.

7. The Child Thief by Brom – A twisted dark journey to Neverland, Not for the faint of heart, squeamish or easily offended.

8. The Oz series by Frank L. Baum – I’m not talking the movie (although it’s great) I’ve actually read these and they are a ton of fun and since the whole thing is following Dorothy through Oz, it counts as travel right?

9. Hind’s Feet on High Places by Hannah Hurnard – A journey of faith, I enjoyed this one much more than Pilgrim’s Progress because it was much easier to read and made me think more than Pilgrim’s Progress.

10. A Wrinkle in Time by Madeline L’Engle – I love this book. I have always found the characters so interesting and easy to relate to. As they journey with the witches to save Charles Wallace, I often wonder if the author wrote this in response to fighting siblings as an example of how a sibling should act.

I really can’t believe actually came up with enough….

 

Top Ten Tuesday (on Thursday): Freebie – Popular books I can’t stand.

Full disclosure, I haven’t been on my blog in a while. I set up a bunch of posts a few weeks ago because I knew I wouldn’t have time. I logged back in today after the end of a crazy school year. Realized that I hadn’t put in a Top Ten Tuesday for this week and it was Thursday. Oops. So here it is. Better late than never??

We’ve all been there. It was supposed to be this fabulous story that people couldn’t get enough of and yet for some reason you didn’t connect with it. Everyone looks at you like you have a second head when you admit to the fact that you simply can’t stand the book or the author. Yep, here’s my list of books I’ve been looked at like a crazy person for not liking.

1. Feed by M.T. Anderson – I’ve heard nothing but glowing admiration for this book. I wasn’t even able to get halfway through before I threw it back into my library bag in disgust. The book is not a stretch of imaginative writing, in my humble opinion it is simply bad writing. I couldn’t get into the story because the writing was just horrible. To all those YA fans out there who recommended it to me over and over again, sorry but I simply don’t get it.

2. Watership Down by Richard Adams – I tried three times to read this one since I’ve heard so many times that it is a must read. I simply couldn’t get through it. I found the writing to be obnoxious and the characters completely dull. I got about a third of the way before I gave up again and for good. I am a huge fan of other animal based books (I love the Redwall series by Brian Jacques) but this one simply couldn’t get or hold my interest for anything.

3. The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald – Whether it was because it was required reading, the fact that I find the time period completely uninteresting or that the characters annoyed me, I have never felt any kind of love for this book. I know that many people will disagree but I also won’t be spending a ton of money to go see the new movie no matter how much I typically like the other movies the director has done.

4. The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho – Everyone seems to have read this one. I found it trite and predictable. Also completely uninteresting. Yep. I really don’t get all the hype surrounding this one at all.

5. Gone with the Wind by Margaret Mitchell – I came, I read, I despised. Scarlett drove me completely insane. Even though I read the whole thing I never could get to the point where I could even remotely stand her as a character. Sorry to all those fans of the epic story but you can have it.

6. Three Cups of Tea by David Oliver Relin and Greg Mortenson – Yep. I found the writer annoying and the main character more than a  bit self – important. When it came to light the at least some of the book was fiction, I found myself annoyed but not shocked.

7. Pride and Prejudice and Zombies by Jane Austen and Seth Grahame – Smith – Can we say poor writing? The thing is that I’ve really enjoyed some of this author’s other work, just not this one. It is so forced that it’s completely broken in my opinion. I’ve read others of this type and loved them. This one, I simply couldn’t stand. Try Jane Slayre instead.

8. Wicked by Gregory Macguire – I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, this man is one of the driest writers I have ever read. Period. Add in really inappropriate content and it’s not worth the read. The musical on the other hand – go see it!

Okay, I’m running out of ideas but can anyone add a nine and ten to this list? What popular books do you despise?

 

Top Ten Tuesday: Top Ten Favorite Book Covers

I could tell you what they all are – or I could simply show you. I vote for option 2. Who’s with me??

I just like all the little details included in the branches and whatnot. Such a good book.

The cover got me to read the book which was a sad disappointment honestly. But the cover is cool

Love this cover.. All steampunky and swirly. Yep. Great cover.

No question what this book is about.at. all. I love how striking and vibrant the cover is.

While this is not the cover of the English edition, I think this one is so much better.

It took me forever to realize that the girl was there. Looking at it now, I don’t know how I missed it.

I like simple. This one is a great example 🙂

I also like a cover that makes you look twice – like this one.

Simple lines

Finally the kind of cover that just is amusing so you must pick it up.

Okay, I admit that my list probably looks very different than most. What would you add that didn’t? Which cover do you hate on here?

Top Ten Tuesday: Books dealing with tough subjects

Okay, last week was rough – I know. This week shouldn’t be as hard to come up with books for but is still a tough week because we are dealing with books that are  hard to read for one reason or another but normally deal with difficult subjects like suicide, abuse or drug use.

1. Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher – This deals with the aftermath of teen suicide and what is left behind when a person decides to end their own life.

2. The Fault in Our Stars by John Green – Deals with kids trying to deal with their own cancer, attempting to have a normal life, all while knowing they are dying.

3. A Child Called “It” by Dave Peltzer – This book and the follow ups deal with the author’s personal experiences with abuse. There are also a couple of books written by his brother who was abused after he left.

4. Room by Emma Donoghue – Deals with a girl who is abducted and the has to raise her child by her kidnapper. When they finally escape, it also goes into the emotional upheavaltat comes with leaving the situation.

5. Please Stop Laughing at Me… by Jodee Blanco – This book deals with the torment that children can force on their peers. This girl’s personal account of being bullied through school. Being a victim of bullying myself when I was a kid, this book really hit home.

6.Living Dead Girl by Elizabeth Scott – Written as YA fiction, this deals with a girl who is kidnapped and lives with a pedophile until she reaches the point where he no longer wants her and tries to use her to kidnap someone else.

7. The Tiger’s Child by Torey Hayden – The story of a teacher and a wild little girl. A little girl that no one understood.

8. Trafficked by Kim Purcell – A modern day human trafficking story.

9. No More Bullies by Frank Peretti – A personal story of how he was bullied as a child and a call to stop bullying.

10. Queen Bees and Wannabes by Rosalind Wiseman – A discussion on the secret world of girl bullies, how it has continued and what we can do to stop it.

I think that these kinds of books are very important because they deal with the reality that some people are forced to live through. While I think that a steady diet of this kind of reading, wouldn’t be healthy, some of this is important so that we can have some understanding of what others around us might be going through. What would you add to this list?

Top Ten Tuesday: Light and fun reads

Okay, honestly this topic terrifies me a bit. I don’t really do light and fun. My view of something light and fun would make most people run  for the hills because  the kind of thing that I find fun is not at all what others find light fun reading. I think a lot of the reads in this category for me include things like classic literature or horror. Yah. I know. I’m strange. I’m going to attempt to write a list though.

1. Ready Player One by Ernest Cline – This is just a fun read if you are gamer, grew up in the 1980s or find dystopian novels fun. (Yah, number one on the list and there is already a dystopian novel. I’m in trouble).

2. The Devil Wears Prada by Lauren Wiesberger – A book about a horrible boss and a girl’s attempt to deal with her. (yep. I fail at fun and light reads).

3. Jane Bites Back by Michael Thomas Ford – Hilarious book about Jane Austen trying to get published in the modern day. How is she still alive you ask? Simple. She’s a vampire. (great. Now I’m including books involving vampires – this is not working well)

4. Maps in a Mirror and Keeper of Dreams by Orson Scott Card -This man is the master of short stories. Short reads with something for everyone.. including one of the scariest stories I’ve ever read. (now I’m recommending scary stories… good job)

5. Twilight by Stephenie Meyer – umm…  (*facepalm*)

THAT’S IT! I fail at this – completely!!

I kid you not, these were the immediate thoughts for fun light reads. Others included Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte, The Sookie Stackhouse books, and A Series of Unfortunate Events.  I think there is really something rather wrong with me….

I went through my list of read books on goodreads even and couldn’t come up with anything decent to list. Yep. No luck there either.

Anyone out there have actual light and fun reads to recommend? Since I apparently don’t do light or fun reads…

Top Ten Tuesday: Words/Topics that instantly make me pick up/buy a book

This could be a very very long list. I’m a avid readers and find a lot of things that interest me. I think it would honestly be easier to do a reverse of this list because there is very little that I find uninteresting to read about. So I think you’re going to get both today. The ones that will make me pick up a book and the ones that will make me throw a book back on the shelf like it’s diseased.

Topics/Words that make books fly into my hands

1. OZ – Yep. I’ve loved the original series since I was little. To this day, if it’s on TV, everyone knows they aren’t going to be getting the TV back anytime soon.

2. Stephenie Meyer – Odd I know but if she recommends it or it is written by her, no questions asked, I’m checking it out.

3. Dystiopian – As much as I complain about the overabundance of dystopia fiction coming out, I still read tons of it. I find the different ideas fascinating. (Can we add this word to spell check and the dictionary already?? I hate those little wavy red lines popping up under things I know are right.. grr)

4. The Doctor – yep. If you’ve read my blog, you know have I a slightly unhealthy obsession with anything related to Doctor Who. I’ll even read authors who admit to throwing references into the book in the forward or acknowledgements. (Maybe I need help….. nah).

5. Fairy Tales re-imagined – I have always loved fairy tales. I love them even more when authors take the original story and flesh out the characters, adding their own spin to it. Right now there are so many wonderful books doing this. I really like it when they blend the modern with the original. A modern person getting pulled into something magical. So much fun to read.

6. Steampunk – I have to admit that I love this stuff when it’s good. So often though it is all flash and no substance. I like steampunk with substance.

7. Music – If the story is about musicians or has a large music element to it, the chances of me picking it up to read are highly likely. As a musician, it is always interesting to see how others write about music. Right now I’ve got a couple of music books waiting in my rather large stack and it is taking some serious will power not to yank them out and read them now.

8. high fantasy with a very high word count – Yep, I love a good long fantasy series.

9. Anything with the words geek or video game – I’m not talking about books based on video games. I don’t want to read about the game worlds. I’m talking about books about uber-geeks or gamers. Being a huge geek myself, it’s like reading about a friend I haven’t met in person yet.

10. hidden worlds – I love the idea of secret societies or a world existing just next to our own that bleeds through to ours. The idea that something much more interesting is going on that we simply don’t notice is intriguing.

Okay, not a bad list If I do say so myself 🙂 Anything you think I missed here? Here are the things that will make me throw a book back down when I hear them.

1. Mystery – yep. Hate the genre as a general rule. I usually figure them out way too soon and they are just not interesting.

2. Murder investigation – see number 1. (Unless it is a serial killer – then I ‘might’ be interested)

3. Romance – we are talking the cheesy Harlequin kind.

4. Biography – I don’t find real people that interesting – sorry.

5. Non-fiction – Yah. No.

6. 90% of Christian fiction – Why? Because it is poorly written and cheesy. (Actually I think the 90% number might be generous… that implies that 10% of it might be okay – I honestly don’t think the number is that high). Please someone – write something good! I beg you.

7. Self- Discovery – This means the main character is going to be stuck in their own head most of the book. It also means it is probably going to be a HUGE snooze fest. There are notable exceptions to this one though.

8. Ernest Hemingway – I simply can’t stand the way he writes. If an author is compared to him, good luck getting me to read his work.

9. Western – I live in the Southwest. This gets shoved down my throat enough. No thank you.

10. Anything with half dressed people on the cover – No thanks. Just no. I don’t normally judge a book by its cover, but in this, I think I’m justified.

Comments? Suggestions? Think I’m crazy? Totally agree? Let me know 🙂

Top Ten Tuesday: Books I thought I would like more/less than I did

We all have preconceived notions when we get a book in our hands. Whether it is the cover, synopsis, a review or something else, we get an idea of how we think we are going to like a book before we start it. Sometimes our opinion is spot on, but there are occasions where we are very very wrong. These are some of mine.

1. Wicked by Gregory Macguire – This book has so much going for it. First of all, we are dealing with a retelling of the Wizard of Oz. Second this is a villain’s story which are always more fun. Third, there was so much hype surrounding this book. I was so excited when I started reading it. But then I read it. I was never so disappointed. The book is honestly just awful. It’s not the actual basic plot though. The basic plot is great but the way Macguire writes is as dry as dust and there were so many things he threw in that just weren’t necessary, many of which were completely distasteful. Started hearing the music for the musical though and went to see that. Loved it. I think they need to rewrite the book basing off the musical and not letting Macguire have a thing to do with it.

2.Archangel by Sharon Shinn – I really try not to judge a book by it’s cover but I simply couldn’t help it with this one. The cover is honestly cheesetastic (yep, not a word – I know). The synopsis is almost as bad. Really the only reason I read it is because one of my good friends from work was thoroughly convinced that I would love it. I picked it up and was completely engrossed. The story is wonderful and I am halfway convinced that I need to start a petition for a new cover. It’s a great book that suffers from bad artwork. So sad.

3. Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling – I picked these up out of curiosity. They were already getting a ton of press about how evil they were. Churches were beginning to ban them. As a Christian, I wanted to see what all the controversy was about so I picked up a copy of the first couple of books. Not only is it completely fantasy, they are simply wonderful children’s books. I may have been in line at midnight for the release of every book after that and read them through before going to bed. Never thought I would love them so much. I really don’t understand all the hype surrounding them to this day.

Wow this list is really short and I can’t come up with any more!!!

Honestly, I’m usually spot on about what I read. if I have an opinion beforehand, most books uphold my opinion. However, I really do enjoy going into a book with little to no preformed opinion which is why this list was so hard to create. I like to make decisions for myself and not base them on the decisions of others.

What would be on your list?

Top Ten Tuesday REWIND: Favorite Childhood reads

This is the very first of the Top Ten Tuesdays. Since I just started doing these recently, I figured no better place to start the rewinds than with the very first one on the list that I haven’t done.

1. Imogene’s Antlers by David Small – I absolutely loved this book when I was a kid. The story of a girl who wakes up one day with antlers sticking out of her head and how they try to deal with them. A book that deals with being different without overdoing it.

2. Charlotte’s Web by E.B. White – The first book I ever read on my own and still one of my favorites.

3. The Giver by Lois Lowry – An early start to my obsession with dystopian fiction. I read this when I was young and it struck a nerve. It is one of those books that I’ve never forgotten.

4. A Wrinkle in Time by Madeline L’Engle – Loved the idea behind this book. Meg and her relationship with her little brother and the fact that she doesn’t know how important she is makes the book so wonderful. I think that one of the things it communicates best is that everyone has something important to offer. I love how her family is constantly trying to convince her that she is intelligent and important even though she doesn’t have something obviously exceptional about herself that she can see.

5. Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH by Robert C. O’Brien – A book about what happens when you research on animals. It’s a fun read. One I checked out from the library many times.

6. Harriet the Spy by Louise Fitzhugh – I loved how she snuck in everywhere and was constantly wrong about everything going on. I was always a people watcher as a kid so I understood her desire to see into people’s personal lives when I was younger.

7. The Velveteen Rabbit by Margery Williams – This book is all about a boy’s love for his favorite toy. I think we all had a toy or two that we were more attached to than the others growing up. I love the life that author gave it after the child could no longer have his toy. Such a great book.

8. Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day by Judith Viorst – I loved this book especially at the end of a rough day. My mom used to read it to me all the time when I was younger.

9. Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll – I loved the utter nonsense that was this book when I was younger. I had a copy that included this and Through the Looking Glass.  I needed some nonsense in the middle of all the serious reading I did when I was younger.

10. A Little Princess by Frances Hodgeson Burnett – My mom loved The Secret Garden growing up and while I enjoyed that one as well, it was always second to A Little Princess. I loved the idea of the main character being someone other than who they though she was.

What were some of your childhood favorites?

Top Ten Tuesday: Favorites from before my blogging days

Okay, I’m not only going to try to come up with ones from before my blogging days but ones that I haven’t mentioned or have  barely mentioned before on this blog. So that means no Anne, Doctor Who, Terry Goodkind, Twilight or Ender, among others. I promise.

1. Memoirs of a Geisha by Arthur Golden – Wonderful book about love in the most unlikely of places. Worth a read if you haven’t picked it up yet. The movie is also wonderful.

2. 1984 by George Orwell – The father of dystopian fiction before the term even existed. My freshman year English teacher gave me a copy of this book for reading the most books that year and I read it many times. It was one of the first times I was exposed to the idea of dystopian fiction and it has become one of my favorites.

3. The Scarlet Pimpernel by Baroness Emmuska Orczy – A story about a woman falling in love with the man who just happens to be her husband. I’ve only ever read the first book in the series but I loved it.

4. Jurassic Park by Michael Crichton – I loved this book. Wonderful read with all kind of scary business inside. One of the few books that I read after watching the movie. The books are so much better.

5. Matilda by Roald Dahl – One of the favorites of my childhood and she continues to be one of those characters that stay with me even though my childhood is long since past.

6. Roots by Alex Haley – Wonderful book about a family’s history from Africa to the modern day through history. Wonderful book that sparked the most watched mini-series of all time.

7. Redwall by Brian Jacques – I loved this book and the many others that followed. I actually am planning on rereading them again int he near future. They are such a good read. The only animal based books that I ever liked.

8. This Present Darkness by Frank Peretti – This book and the follow up really got me thinking about spiritual warfare in a whole new way. While it id definitely fiction, the idea behind an impression even years later.

9. War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy – A book with hundreds of character to keep straight and a very complex storyline. I’ve read it a bunch of times and always seem to catch something new.

10. Wurthering Heights by Emily Bronte – A plot where the main characters only redeeming quality is how much they love each other. Other than that, they really have nothing good about them.

There are so many others I could mention on this list. If you are a blogger what would you list?

Top Ten Tuesday: Characters who I would crush on if I were also a fictional character…

Yep, this post is otherwise known as who would my top choices for fictional boyfriends be. Honestly though, I think really this list is the worlds I simply would want to live in. Honestly, I wouldn’t want them in my real life but in their fictional worlds, becoming one of the characters – yep. The real name of this list should be books I want to live in and characters I would date if I were in their fictional worlds.

1. Let’s just get him out of the way, shall we? Yep, first on my list is Edward Cullen. A guy who could read my mind. Not saying that I would want to go through everything Bella Swan goes through in the series but Edward Cullen would definitely be in my top ten. Yes, I’m team Edward. Always have been. Always will be. Would I become a vampire for Edward Cullen? Absolutely.

2. Okay number two on my list is in books. Sort of. Books based off the TV show but still in books therefor he counts! Who might that be? Why the Doctor of course. If I had to pick a version, it would be Ten and I would be Rose. I absolutely love that storyline. While the others are wonderful and River Song is a very close second, it would have to be ten and Rose for sure.

3. Here is another sort of member of my list since there are books written about this character. Superman would definitely be on my list. No question. I don’t think this even needs explanation. Lois Lane is just awesome even though I wish it wouldn’t take so long for them to figure everything out.

4. Next on my list would be Richard Rahl from the Terry Goodkind series. If we want to talk torturing two characters and creating an amazing love story, this one is amazing. Of course, they are constantly fighting, almost dying and being pulled apart but when they are together, they are amazing. Plus Kahlan is a phenomenal character on her own.

5. Okay five on my list is Harry Potter simply because the love story between him and Ginny is wonderful, sweet and adorable. The problem is that I have two in this story that need to be mentioned, so my number 6 is…

6. Ron Weasley is number six simply because I am a whole lot like a muggle version of Hermione down to the crazy bushy hair and big front teeth. Not to mention the bookish rule follower that I used to be in school.

7. I think another would be Gilbert from the Anne series. I don’t know that I would want to live during that time period but I do think the way he loves her is amazing.  Even though she doesn’t see it, he knows from the beginning that they are meant to be and he waits for her as long as it takes until she realizes it too.

8. The love interest of Elisa in The Girl of Fire and Thorns series by Rae Carson. I simply love this story. The whole thing sneaks up on the reader in a way that you don’t expect. I really don’t want to say much because it would completely ruin the story 🙂

9. Mr. Rochester from Jane Eyre. I love this love story. I think that Jane makes all the right choices and I love how it all ends. Although I could do without the crazy wife in the attic.

10. Eragon would be the last one on the list simply because he loves her completely. However, I would completely change the end of the last book. Completely.

Whew. That list was very hard to come up with. There are many other stories that I love that I would never want to be in for example, while I love The Hunger Games, I would never want to live in that storyline. Another one would be The Host. Love the story but wouldn’t want to share my body with Wanda or be Wanda and have to share my body with someone else. Yikes. What characters would your list contain?

Top Ten Tuesday: Books I recommend Most

This topic is actually going to be rather difficult. To come up with only ten that I recommend most is tricky. Part of the reason that I did this blog was so that I could give better recommendations of what to read to people who asked me quite often what to read. Not everyone enjoys the same kinds of things and since I think the most important thing about reading is that you actually do it, I recommend whatever people are most likely to enjoy. That being said, there are some books I recommend more often than most. Here is the ones I suggest the most often in no particular order.

1. Ender’s Game by Orson Scott Card – Great science fiction with wonderful characters and the start of two fabulous series of books that are still being written. Yep. Worth reading.

2. Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery – I grew up on these books. I love them so much that I wore out multiple copies completely and had to get new ones. Definitely the one I recommend to my female students who are looking for something new to read.

3. Twilight series by Stephenie Meyer – I usually recommend this to people who have refused to read it before I tell them to. Normally these are people who have only seen bits of the movie and have no idea what the story is really about. While it isn’t the best thing ever written by far, the plot line is wonderful and the characters are so much fun to read. It was the first light reading that I fell in love with and was the books that got me started on YA fiction.

4. City of Bones by Cassandra Clare – I loved this series. The feels. Oh the feels that go with the story of Jace and Clary, especially in the first three books. Wow. This book is the definition of angst.

5. Les Miserables by Victor Hugo – This is probably my favorite book of all time. The story is wonderful and complex and tragic and amazing all at the same time. There is something for every mood you might be feeling at any given time. It is epic wonderfulness. Am I gushing? Yep. Is the book completely worth gushing over? Oh yes.

6. The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas – This is a wonderful story of what happens when everyone betrays you and you seek revenge only to realize that living a life and being happy is more important than revenge. I ALWAYS recommend the unabridged version. There is so much that you miss out on in the abridged version of this classic. So much of the priest and his time in prison which makes the whole book make more sense.

7. Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy – Completely tragic love story that ends so very badly. A cautionary tale of how love can ruin you completely. So wonderfully written with parallel stories running through it that capture the imagination. The ending is tragic of course but the whole thing is a wonderful read.

8. The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern – This is a wonderful book that will caught my imagination completely and wouldn’t let go the whole time I was reading. Competing magicians who have no idea what is going to happen or how the competition will end.

9. Sword of Truth series by Terry Goodkind – If someone is looking for really good fantasy, this is where I send them every time but I’m sure those of you who read my blog know this by know.

10. Quiet by Susan Cain – I recommend this to every single introverted person I know and anyone who knows someone introverted and doesn’t seem to understand them. As someone who is an introvert, this book helped me understand myself so much better.

Okay, I’m sure there a bunch I would recommend that I didn’t include on this list but these are the ones I can come up with right now. What are the books that you recommend most often?