Top Ten Books I've Read This Year

Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme created over at my other blog, The Broke and the Bookish.

This year I decided that I was going to be more stingy with my five star ratings. Which I have been, however, looking at my goodreads list you wouldn't believe that. I managed to stumble across several amazing books this year! 

1. Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor: I was hooked from the very beginning. It was just so odd, and I liked it! The characters are fantastic, funny, sarcastic, real. The friendships are heartwarming and the romantic tension is alluring. 

2. Maybe One Day by Melissa Kantor: Picture this. Me, 3 am, sitting my bed, book in hand, tears streaming. Okay. Maybe DON'T picture that. Ha. But this book. This was one of those that doesn't connect with everyone. No book does. But this book slammed into me. It pulled me in, broke my heart and warmed it all at once. 

3. Crown of Midnight by Sarah J. Maas: Loved the first book. This one was just as wonderful, maybe even better? I CANNOT wait for the next book! 

4. Rose Under Fire by Elizabeth Wein: This was a tough read, but like the first book, the writing is wonderful. Letters on a page transformed into fully realized people. The harsh landscape of their world was detailed and gritty. Their friendships were beautifully, and painfully, real. I was invested in all of them. 

5. Cress by Marissa Meyer: Okay, I really liked Cinder and Scarlett. But Cinder? My absolute favorite out of the three. Cress is positively adorable. The other characters remain amazing, and I loved their interactions with each other. As each character is discovered and added to the group, the more I love the story. 

6. New York: The Novel by Edward Rutherfurd: Now, if you've read my blog or follow me on twitter, you know how much I love New York. I'm also a total history geek. I house-sat for a relative. What was I most excited about? They have the history channel. Anyway, this book tells the story of New York, from it's earliest days of Dutch settlers, all the way up to the events of 9/11. I grew to love the families I was introduced to. I learned SO MUCH from this about the history of the city. I was googling stuff every few pages. 

7. Across a Star Swept Sea by Diana Peterfreund: I love the Scarlet Pimpernel, I love retellings. This book was fantastic! I love the characters she created, and the world that she built! It was real, colorful to the point it felt tangible. Such a fantastic read. 

8. Pivot Point by Kasie West: I was so intrigued by the premise, and drawn in by the writing style. I swear, Kasie West has been eavesdropping in on conversations between me and my friends, because so much of what they say and do, remind me of my own friends. 

9. Starcrossed by Josephine Angelini: Again with the history geek part of me, I also love mythology. I loved those elements in the story, along with characters that were fun and interesting. 

10. Better Off Friends by Elizabeth Eulberg: Friendship portrayed in a realistic way is always so refreshing. I loved this characters, and I loved their interactions. It was a fun, cute read that left me smiling.

SO! What made your list? I'd love to hear what YOU loved. The best way to get recommendations! :)

Top Ten Books About Friendship

Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme created over at my other blog, The Broke and the Bookish.

1. Harry Potter Series by J.K. Rowling:  Friendship+books= Harry Potter. It's as simple as that. It is the first book that comes to mind and it illustrates friendship perfectly. Your friends are your family, and I can't think of many other books that show that fact so clearly.

2. Mistborn Series by Brandon Sanderson: The main character, Vin, grew up knowing to never trust anyone. That lesson was pounded into her constantly by her brother, and she stuck to that rule. Until she met a group of unusual people. They teach her about friendship, the ups and downs and what it truly means to be a friend. 

3. Better off Friends by Elizabeth Eulberg: Can a guy and a girl really be best friends? YES! This is a sadly neglected topic in so much of YA Fiction, or fiction at all. I've always had a blend of guys and girls as friends. This book shows both and is a refreshing change.

4. Maybe One Day by Melissa Kantor: This book is beautiful. I was up way past any reasonable hour reading this. Zoe and Olivia have a friendship so similar to some of my own that I instantly connected with them. 

5. Code Name Verity by Elizabeth Wein: I know this book will be on many lists. The friendship between Maddie and Queenie is so wonderful! They maintain an incredible friendship through WWII, not exactly the easiest of times. 

6. Jellicoe Road by Melina Marchetta: Narnie, Jude, Tate, Fitz and Webb? I feel a bit teary just typing their names. They aren't just friends, together they form a family. They all know the ugliest sides of each other, but they also see the beautiful parts too. Taylor and her friendships are much different, but also fantastic representations of friendship.

7. Young Wizard Series by Diane Duane: Friendships in EVERY form. You want a book that shows just how many different kinds of friendships you can have? This is it. Kit and Nita meet and become best friends. A boy and a girl. Best friends. I can't say much more without spoiling it for you, but on their journey's they meet incredible "people" (some are actually people, some are... not quite people) and form friendships with them. Every walk of life, it doesn't matter, friendships are formed.

8. Study Series by Maria V. Snyder: Yelena emerges from the lowest of places possible at the beginning of the story. By the end she has formed relationships that will last lifetimes. Ari and Janco are some of my favorite characters ever. After an initial rocky start, they decide they like Yelena and form a fantastic friendship. But that's not all, the series is peppered with unlikely but delightful friendships.

9. The Book Thief by Markus Zusak: Liesel forms an array of unlikely friendships, from Rudy to Max to.... well, if you haven't read it, I won't spoil some of the other friendships... To those who have read it, the woman with the books. ;) Liesel loses so much right at the beginning of the book, but gains so much. She even, unknowingly, forms a relationship with our... distinguished narrator.

10. The Help by Kathryn Stockett: Unusual friendships in very unusual times. There are many I could mention, but my personal favorite is the friendship that is formed between Minnie and Celia. 

What made your list? Comment below or leave a link!

 

Across a Star-Swept Sea

Book: Across a Star-Swept Sea
Author: Diana PeterFreund
Series?: Yes
Angst Level: 2.5
Rating: 5 Stars!

Centuries after wars nearly destroyed civilization, the two islands of New Pacifica stand alone, a terraformed paradise where even the Reduction—the devastating brain disorder that sparked the wars—is a distant memory. Yet on the isle of Galatea, an uprising against the ruling aristocrats has turned deadly. The revolutionaries’ weapon is a drug that damages their enemies’ brains, and the only hope is rescue by a mysterious spy known as the Wild Poppy.

On the neighboring island of Albion, no one suspects that the Wild Poppy is actually famously frivolous aristocrat Persis Blake. The teenager uses her shallow, socialite trappings to hide her true purpose: her gossipy flutternotes are encrypted plans, her pampered sea mink is genetically engineered for spying, and her well-publicized new romance with handsome Galatean medic Justen Helo… is her most dangerous mission ever.

Though Persis is falling for Justen, she can’t risk showing him her true self, especially once she learns he’s hiding far more than simply his disenchantment with his country’s revolution and his undeniable attraction to the silly socialite he’s pretending to love. His darkest secret could plunge both islands into a new dark age, and Persis realizes that when it comes to Justen Helo, she’s not only risking her heart, she’s risking the world she’s sworn to protect.

In this thrilling adventure inspired by The Scarlet Pimpernel, Diana Peterfreund creates an exquisitely rendered world where nothing is as it seems and two teens with very different pasts fight for a future only they dare to imagine.

Me:

Ever read the premise of a book and got so excited you couldn’t buy it fast enough? That’s what happened to me.

I have to tell you, The Scarlet Pimpernel is one of my all-time favorite stories.  I’ve watched the movie with Jane Seymour multiple times. I’m even making the boyfriend watch it!  (He’ll love it.) The musical adaptation is phenomenal. I even got to meet Douglas Sills! He originated the role on Broadway.

So when I saw that this book was based on The Scarlet Pimpernel, I immediately bought it on my nook. I HAD to start reading it right there and then.  

The best part? It lived up to my expectations. The author has created a vibrant world filled with incredible characters that seem to be barely contained by the pages. I was completely absorbed into the story. I was so sad to finish it, I didn't want to leave that world.

You:

Love Scarlet Pimpernel? Or a strong heroine? Dystopia or fantasy worlds? What about a fantastic cast of characters? Pick up this book.

Have you read Across a Star-Swept Sea? Or the other book in the series, For Darkness Shows the Stars? Or had a moment like I did, where you simply couldn't get your hands on a book fast enough? Leave a comment!

I'm back!

Hello everyone! Welcome back to my blog. I’ve been away for far too long.

But let me tell you: Life after college? It is INSANE. How insane? Well let me give you an idea...

Since December 13th I have:

Graduated

Job searched

Left my old job

Started my new job

Started training for new job

Found and put a down payment on an apartment

Started packing (and throwing away) a ridiculous amount of STUFF (Seriously where did all this stuff come from over the past 24 years?!)

Oh, I also have a boyfriend, friends and family that like seeing me that I also make time for.

 See? INSANE. And there is even more going on that I didn't list.

However, I have discovered one of the many joys I now have... I have time to read! Instead of pulling out a text book or my laptop every time I have a spare moment, I get to pull out a book. Adjusting to that took a while though. I actually had stress over NOT having homework, as odd as that sounds. I kept thinking that I had forgotten an assignment. It took a few weeks, but I’ve finally moved past that.

Things are still crazy busy, but I want to get back to the blog and sharing what I’ve read, shows I’ve seen (or directed, I’m directing a kid’s show this summer!)

So please, keep visiting my blog, there is plenty of fun stuff to come!

I leave you with a gif of the “drunk giraffe”. Because I dare you to watch this and NOT smile. Well, it makes ME smile. Also. Matt Smith. ;) 

I've been away for so long. Comment below and update me on what YOU have been up to! Let's catch up! Happy reading everyone! 

Christmas Lights- Guest Post by Jen

Hello everyone! This is my absolute favorite time of year. What other time of year is so full of traditions? Old traditions that have been in your family for generations, new traditions you're trying out... As well as getting to do some of your favorite things that only happen once a year.

 

To help celebrate, I've asked a few of my favorite blogging friends to do guest posts over the next few days. Today is Jen! One of my fellow bloggers from The Broke and the Bookish . She wrote about something that is a favorite of mine as well... Enjoy!

                                                                                                                                                                        

Christmas lights. They make me happy. I love driving through neighborhoods and seeing the houses decorated with light displays. It's one of my favorite things to do this time of year. It's fun to see the different degrees of creativity and the amount of work people put into their Christmas light displays.

 

Some people go all out. Like all out. I'm talking about the ones who have a radio station you tune to that the lights are synced to. Those are always amazing and I wonder how long it takes the homeowners to string all the lights. These people usually even have lights on the yard and it seems every square inch of the house. There is a crazy light display near me and the homeowners serve hot chocolate and this year they are raising money to buy a local child a service dog. That is showing some definite Christmas spirit!

 

Then there are what I consider the "normal" light displays. Nothing outrageous but there's a good amount of lights. Then there are the "lazy" light decorators. The ones who run a string of lights around the doorway or put a couple netted lights in the bushes. They still have the holiday spirit but scaled down. If I ever own a house I will more than likely be a "lazy" light decorator. I'd rather see everyone else's Christmas lights.

 

In the town I grew up in there used to be a road where every single house would have crazy light displays (this was before you could include radio stations). The entire road would be lit up with colorful lights and it was so amazing. The unofficial name of the street was "Christmas Tree Lane". I have no idea what the real name was or even if all the houses still have a display of lights every year. I always loved going with my parents or grandparents when I was little. The houses always seemed magical.

 

                                             ~Jen

Driving around to see the Christmas lights this time of year is one of my favorite things too. The things people come up with! My favorite is going to Temple Square in Salt Lake City. The light display is always incredible! What about you??? Any favorite light displays near you? Please leave a comment and share!

Top Ten New-To-Me Authors I Read In 2013

 

Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme created over at my other blog, The Broke and the Bookish.

Cristin Terrill (All Our Yesterdays) Anything time travel grabs my attention, and this was no exception. I love her concept of time travel and of time itself.

Sarah J. Maas (Throne of Glass) LOVE LOVE LOVE this series! Now that I actually have time to read I get to read the sequel! 

Rainbow Rowell (Fangirl) Instant love. I've read Fangirl and Elenore and Park, I plan on reading everything else she writes!

Robert Galbraith (The Cuckoo's Calling) Okay, I'm totally cheating with this one. We all know that "Robert Galbraith" is actually JK Rowling. HOWEVER, I did not know it was her when I purchased the book. (The book was fantastic. Watch the blog for a review!)

Lauren Graham (Someday, Someday, Maybe) Yes. THAT Lauren Graham. Our own Lorelai. And she can write! Really enjoyed this, especially all of the wonderful details about NYC!

George R. R. Martin (Song of Ice and Fire) I knew who he was, but I hadn't read his books until this year. I'm completely addicted, just ask Daisy. I also refer to him as Evil Santa. 

Leigh Bardugo  (Shadow and Bone) Picked up one of her books by accident and fell in love with her storytelling and world building. 

John Green (The Fault in Our Stars) Yes yes yes, I know. I'm late to the party on this one. I had no idea who he was. Someone was talking about how much they loved TFiOS so I gave it a try... I don't think I've ever loved a book more.

Ruby Preston (Staged) I was introduced to this book by her publisher when she offered me a copy of the book for review. I loved it. It's another theatre book, and it shows the other side of theatre. Producing!

A.G. Howard (Splintered) I am so excited for the sequel for this! And completely envious of those lucky people who got an ARC!

A little exciting bit of news... I GRADUATED ON FRIDAY!!!! Yep! It finally happened! To show my excitement I leave you with a dancing Time Lord.

A to Z Bookish Survey

I'm not dead, and neither is the blog! I know it probably looked that way... That's the problem when you are in your last semester of college, take 20 credit hours, stage manage a show, work almost full time, and have a boyfriend. Sadly, I let my poor blog be ignored. 

But I'm back! I have 26 days to graduation! And here is a nice fun post to jump start my blog again.

I stole this from Lori over at The Coffee Girl. Thanks!

 

Author you’ve read the most books from: Hmm… That is probably a tie between Mary Higgins Clark and J.K. Rowling. I’ve read all of the HP books, as well as the mystery novel she published under the name “Robert Gailbraith”.

Best Sequel Ever: “Where She Went” by Gayle Forman, hands down. I thought a sequel would be impossible. She proved me so wrong.

Currently Reading: I am reading “Twinmaker” by Sean Williams. I’m not very far into it, but it’s really intriguing so far!

Drink of Choice While Reading: A nice cold glass of milk. Yes, I realize that makes me weird. Most people over the age of 9 won’t drink it. I love it though.

E-reader or Physical Book? I have to say both. I read more often on my nook though, since I take it with me everywhere. However, I love the feel and smell of real books.

Fictional Character You Probably Would Have Actually Dated In High School: I have no idea. In high school I mostly just went out on dates with old friends, I didn’t really have any serious boyfriends until college… This question is so hard!

Glad You Gave This Book A Chance: On the Jellicoe Road, by Melina Marchetta. It was given to me as a Secret Santa gift and they requested that even though it starts slow, that I just give it a chance because it was their favorite book. So I read it, and fell head over heels in love. I recommend it all the time. No, really, you should read it!

Hidden Gem Book:  The River of Time series. Hardly anyone I talk to has heard of it, I adore it though. (They know about after I finish talking to them about it though!)

Important Moment in your Reading Life:  I have a lot! My dad, who never enjoyed reading, used to read to me when I was little. I still remember sitting next to him on the couch while he read things like Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, or James and the Giant Peach. My first grade teacher really instilled a love of reading into all of her students, I barely remember exactly what it was that she did, all I remember is that when I think of learning to love reading, she’s the first person I think of. Thanks, Mrs. Baker!  Also, Harry Potter. I went from reading skinny, lame books to a whole level! Thick, interesting books. Fantasy! I read Hobbit and the Lord of the Rings trilogy while waiting for book 4, I was 10! Then I joined Goodreads my first year of college, met everyone in the College Students group and was introduced into so many incredible books!

Just Finished: The Cuckoo’s Calling by “Robert Gailbraith” (aka J.K. Rowling). I listened to the audiobook. It was SO good. After not particularly caring for The Casual Vacancy, reading something else by her and enjoying it was an absolute delight.

Kinds of Books You Won’t Read: Erotica. Just not what I look for in books. I like stuff with more story to go with them.

Longest Book You’ve Read: I’ve read the first three books in the Song of Ice and Fire series. I think #3 is the longest.

Major book hangover because of:  The Bitter Kingdom by Rae Carson. I had been waiting for what seemed like forever to read this, and it was everything I could have hoped for. It was so wonderful, I had MAJOR book hangover.

Number of Bookcases You Own: Two. Though really I should have three or four to contain all my books. All of my shelves are completely overflowing. I’m getting two more when I move into my apartment.

One Book You Have Read Multiple Times: Harry Potter. It’s my “comfort read”. I go back to it time and time again.

Preferred Place To Read: My Grandpa’s old La-Z-Boy. It was my favorite when it was at his house, and when we moved it to my house I declared it mine. Now it’s my favorite spot. And my dogs’ favorite spot… I can’t sit down with a book without them joining me, not that I mind. Curled up in my chair, with a book and my dogs is the perfect way to relax.

Quote that inspires you/gives you all the feels from a book you’ve read: This is probably quoted on basically every blog out there, but I absolutely adore this quote from “The Fault in Our Stars” by John Green. “Sometimes, you read a book and it fills you with this weird evangelical zeal, and you become convinced that the shattered world will never be put back together unless and until all living humans read the book.”

 Reading Regret: Not reading some of the better children’s classics when I was younger. I TRIED to enjoy A Wrinkle in Time, I really tried! I thought I’d never be too old to enjoy children’s books. Turns out that isn’t entirely true. I couldn’t stand the book, and it makes me sad.

Series You Started And Need To Finish (all books are out in series): I honestly can’t think of a single series that is complete that I haven’t finished. Hmm…

Three of your All-Time Favorite Books: Harry Potter (All 7 count as 1!), Poison Study and Code Name Verity. (Ask me the same question tomorrow and you’ll probably get a different answer.

Unapologetic Fangirl For: Neil Gaiman!!! Love his books and everything he’s written for Doctor Who.

Very Excited For This Release More Than All The Others: Too many to choose from! I think probably the new Mistborn books.

Worst Bookish Habit: I buy more books than I could read in three lifetimes.

X Marks The Spot: Start at the top left of your shelf and pick the 27th book: Fire Study by Maria V. Snyder. AWESOME book!

Your latest book purchase: I bought Crown of Midnight by Sarah J. Maas. Can’t wait to read it!

ZZZ-snatcher book (last book that kept you up WAY late):  Allegiant by Veronica Roth. Oh, this book. I gave it five stars. It also kept me up much later than was smart. I already only average about 5 hours of sleep at night.