Happy First Birthday, Book Chat!

February 28, 2013 Filed Under: The Book Chat Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

It seems like just yesterday that The Book Chat began, and yet today it celebrates a whole year of existing! I remember getting an e-mail from Jessica asking if I’d like to participate in some book prompts and I was thrilled. Now, a year later, I’ve met so many great bloggers who love books as much as I do because of TBC, and I’ve just loved seeing it grow.

As far as blog prompts go, this one is very dear to my heart (I was going to compare it to Jess being it’s mom and me being the aunt, which feels fitting in my mind, but sounds creepy here. But there you go, I’m sharing anyway). Not only is it about one of the things I love most in the world, The Book Chat has allowed me to share my love of reading with so many people, make new friends, send endless e-mails about great reads, discover more amazing books, and just all around it has been an awesome weekly thing that I have looked forward to every single week, whether I participated or not.

That being said, I was checking my stats, and I participated in exactly HALF of last year’s book chat prompts. 21 out of 42! Today, there is no topic, but rather an open “choose your favorite from the year and talk about it” prompt. I thought I’d take advantage and write about  the top FIVE topics I missed over the year that I would have loved to have participated in.

Without further ado, a more compact version of The Book Chat- the missing links from 2012-13!

1. Book recommended by a friend (June 14/12)
- Want to read recommendation: Before I Go to Sleep by S.J Watson, Shantaram by Gregory David Roberts-
Read and loved because of a friend: Graceling by Kristin Cashore, Switched by Amanda Hocking, Cinder by Marissa Meyer, The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins, among many many more!

2. What have I been wanting to read but haven’t gotten around to yet (June 21/12)
-SO MANY! At the top of that list is the follow up to Laini Taylor’s Daughter of Smoke and Bone, Days of Blood and Starlight. What a great series. Also, JK Rowling’s Casual Vacancy, The Ask and the Answer by Patrick Ness (follow-up in his Chaos Walking dystopian series, great read!) and Torch by Cheryl Strayed.

3. Do you judge a book by it’s cover? (July 12/21)
- No! Never. I used to, for a very long time, but working with books has taught me what a terrible thing that is to do. The Hunger Games is my favorite example, it has one of my least favorite book covers of all time. It was one of the first YA novels I read 4 and a half years ago when I started my job, and I loved it so much I vowed to never judge another book again!

4. Favorite school assigned reading (August 16/12)
- I never properly appreciated my assigned readings in high school, but the ones that stand out from that time are definitely The Great Gatsby (which I plan on re-reading this year) as well as Lord of the Flies, which terrified me but intrigued me as well. I also read ‘Night’ in high school, which is a book that changed my life.

In CEGEP I was assigned the graphic novel ‘Safe Area Gorazde’ by Joe Sacco, a war-related true account of Sacco’s time in Bosnia. I never imagined enjoying this kind of story, but I was surprised by just how much I learned, and how enraptured I was by this way of storytelling.

Finally, in University, I read ‘Fast Food Nation’ which was actually extremely interesting and terribly eye-opening. I also re-read ‘Night’, and in that same class was assigned ‘MAUS I and II’ which was one of the most fascinating takes on life in Nazi Germany I have ever read (I have always had a terrible fascination with books set in this time period)

5. Your favorite names from literature (September 6/12)
-Off the top of my head, some of my favorite characters (both written and because of their name!) in recent years:

- Rhine from the Chemical Garden trilogy by Lauren DeStefano
- Harry Potter
-Katsa from Graceling by Kristin Cashore
-Karou from Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor
-Hazel Grace from The Fault in Our Stars by John Green
-Liesel Meminger from The Book Thief by Markus Zusak

And there you have it! Another five book chats complete. Your turn! Choose a prompt and answer in the comments. 

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Blog Awards & Such!

February 8, 2013 Filed Under: Blogs & Blogging Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

About a year and a half ago, I was nominated for the blogger Liebster Award, and it was a wonderful honor. This week, the awesome blogger Kimberly Erskine nominated me for the award once again, and I am just as honored and thrilled to be chosen. I love that this award has been making its rounds over the years, and I love that I have been privileged to be recognized multiple times for writing something that has impacted another blogger in the world. Thank, you, Kimberly!

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It seems that the award has some rules, and I’m too-happy to follow along:
1. Each person must post 11 things about themselves.
2. Answer the questions that the tagger set for you plus create 11 questions for the people you’ve tagged to answer.
3. Choose 11 people and link them in your post.
4. Go to their page and tell them.
5. No tag backs!
The 11 bloggers I”m tagging for this award:
Eeep I’m a Blogger| Lisa’s Yarns| Sweet Green Tangerine| With Faith and Grace| Curious Notions| Lovely Explorer| Veni Vidi Vici| Stephany Writes| Girl With the Red Hair| This Unscripted Life| Angie Eats Peace|
Some of these ladies have been in my Google Reader for YEARS, and some are more recent, but they’re all the blogs that I immediately open when I have the chance to catch up on my blog reading. They’re inspirational, they post thoughtful, well-written pieces that never fail to inspire me in one way or another. I consider them all friends in one way or another, and I can’t recommend them all enough for you if you enjoy the writing you see around here. We all have rather similar interests, so check them out! :)
If you girls feel like participating, here are my 11 questions for you:
1. Why did you start blogging, and more importantly why have you chosen to continue it over the years?
2. What was the ONE most important moment of 2012 for you, and why?
3. If you were on a deserted island and could have any three things, what would they be?
4. What is your current favorite song that I should be listening to?
5. What is one favorite blog post you have written? (post a link!)
6. Name one of your guilty pleasures.
7. If you could give a piece of advice to yourself when you were 15, what would it be?
8. What book are you looking forward to reading in the near future?
9. Tell your readers something they may not know about you!
10. You’re told that you have to drop one of your social media accounts- which one, and why?
11. What is one thing that you truly could not live without?
Kimberly’s questions for me:
1. What was the most influential moment of your life?
This is a tough one, because I think there are many influential moments so far in my life that have shaped who I am. Some of them include the birth of my nephew, who taught me once again how important family truly is; another was all the work I put towards getting into my school- not only has it changed my life, but it showed me that I AM capable of doing anything I put my mind to.

2. If you could only have one, what vanity product is a must keep (i.e. blush, make-ups brushes, hair product, spandex :P )?
I don’t NEED my make-up or my vanity products, I go many days without using any at all! I’d have to say that hair products for curly hair would be a big must though (if not straight hair, then gotta keep those curls alive!)and probably cream, because I moisturize like it’s nobody’s business!

3. What is your favorite read and why?
MY FAVORITE READ? Well, you’ll never get me to choose one book, Kimberly, ha! I have about a dozen that immediately come to mind. The Harry Potter series, The Book Thief by Markus Zusak, Looking for Alaska by John Green, Graceling by Kristin Cashore, Sarah’s Key by Tatiana De Rosnay, and 13 Little Blue Envelopes by Maureen Johnson. I also spot about 10 more I could have named. This question just gave me some anxiety!

4. What was your dream job as a little kid?
I think I wanted to be a doctor or a veterinarian… And when I was a young teenager I wanted to be a psychologist. That one followed me for a long, long time!

5. What is your favorite quality in a person?
Honesty. I’m a very honest person, I don’t like to play games, and if I can have a straight conversation with you,we’ll be the best of friends

6. Which of the blog posts that you’ve written is your favorite (post that link)? =]
Can I be kind of vain and say that I have a lot of favorite posts? Most of them are my more honest ones. One of the first in the series from two years ago now is called ‘On…Waiting’ and I still love it because it symbolizes everything that I became after the events that happened at that time in my life. I have become a more forgiving person, I listen more carefully, and I have just always been more aware of time, and how it is such a fleeting thing.

7. What is your favorite quote?
I have many. Many of the are book related, and you can check them out on my Goodreads HERE! I have many music ones as well, one of them being: “This world can be ugly, but isn’t it beautiful?” And really, isn’t that the truth? I just love it.

8. Who is your celebrity crush?
Leonardo DiCaprio is the longest running one for sure. :)

9. If you could have dinner with anyone (alive, deceased, fictional), who would it be and why?
You mean, other than Leo D so that we could finally get married? Probably John Green (because we’d get along extremely well, I’m sure of it) and probably Emma Watson, because she seems like an amazing person, and I want to pick her brain!

10. What is one thing you wish you were better at or wish you had that talent?
I’ve always wanted to be a singer! Like, a really good one. I love to sing, I want to work in music… It’s a curse that I wasn’t given the talent!

11. What is one goal that you have for your blog?
Hmmm. I’ve had many goals over the five years that I’ve blogged, but I must admit many of them no longer apply. I think after so long, my biggest goal is to always keep this space honest, and true to who I am.

AND FINALLY. 11 (honest) things about me:

1. I think the person that I AM and the person that people see sometimes doesn’t match up in my mind. I consider myself very awkward, anxious, and overall not great in social situations. I’m told this isn’t necessarily the case? Not sure how that happened.
2. Not a single day goes by in my life that I don’t listen to music. I think I would go insane without the ability to listen to it.
3. My work, more often than not, is a second home to me. When I walk in, I’m comforted by the rows of books, by the people, and by the customers. The smell of Starbucks brewing during an early morning shift? Nothing beats that source of comfort.
4. I desperately want to take part in a humanitarian trip. I want to go some place in the world where they need people to know that they are thought about, cared for, and not alone.
5. I wouldn’t be the person I am today without my family. Sometimes, I’m sad that I didn’t have one of those big families with tons of siblings, but when I think of the people I DO have, I’m so eternally grateful that it hardly matters.
6. I’m not so great with relationships.
7. I’m also not so great in school, even though I desperately wish I was.
8. I lack an ability to self-motivate myself in the things that aren’t *fun*
9. I wish I had the ability to pause the day & enjoy a couple extra hours
10. I’m materialistic. It sucks sometimes, but my life is no longer complete without an iPod, an iPhone and all the other comforts I’ve grown used to.
11. I often wish I was one of those bloggers who could make money from my space here. I just love it so much, I wish I could do it all day, every day!

Thanks again Kimberly! If you’d like to participate but don’t want to write a whole post, feel free to answer any or all of the questions above! :)

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The Book Chat {Vol 17}

January 10, 2013 Filed Under: The Book Chat Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

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A new year, a new effort at participating in the book chat as often as I can. Thursdays, as always, are book chat days over at Sweet Green Tangerine- link up if you like!

Today’s question: What are your favorite self-help/inspirational books? 

I’ve read a LOT of inspirational books (well, inspirational to ME) that I don’t think I could ever narrow it down to a list small enough to share here. I think inspiration comes in every great book I’ve read- whether it be because I relate to a character, because the writing is wonderful & I hope to learn from it, or simply because the story itself is inspirational.

But let’s be honest, this wouldn’t be a book chat if I didn’t at least mention a few right? So with not a whole lot of context at all, here are some novels that greatly inspired me in one way or another in recent years: 13 Little Blue Envelopes by Maureen Johnson, WILD by Cheryl Strayed, Night by Elie Wiesel, I Am The Messenger by Markus Zusak, OPEN by Andre Agassi, The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants by Ann Brashares, Secret Daughter by Shilpi Somaya Gowda, Eat/Pray/Love by Elizabeth Gilbert, Harry Potter by JK Rowling, Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher, and Looking for Alaska by John Green.

Seriously, I could keep going. It’s crazy how many fantastically inspirational books are out there!

I’ve read far few self-help books, and the ones that inspire me in those are fewer still. As a general rule, I have a really wide variety of books that I thoroughly enjoy, and I have to say that self-help has recently become, when properly chosen, a new favorite of mine. Here are a few that I would recommend to almost anyone.

#3 Fast Food Nation by Eric Schlosser

I had a love/hate relationship with this book because of all the controversy that surrounded it’s publication… And the fact that I had to read it for school. But I devoured it in just days, wrote a kick-ass book report on it and got an A+ (the best grade I have yet to receive in University). I think that says something for its impact on my life. Although I didn’t agree with EVERYTHING Schlosser had to say about fast food (or the way he chose to illustrate his points) I still think this was an extremely insightful book and I’ve never been able to look at fast food the same again.

#2 Blink by Malcolm Gladwell 

I wish I remembered the details of this book better, but having read it on my Kindle, I don’t have a copy to look back on. I read it on a beach in Greece, and was COMPLETELY taken by Gladwell’s research, his findings, and his writing. I have a couple of his other works on my to-read shelf and I hope to get to them in 2012. I briefly shared my thoughts about Blink on this post.

#1 The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin 

This still remains my favorite self-help book, and almost two years after reading it, I still constantly find myself picking it up from my bookshelf for a little inspiration. I wrote a whole post about this book, and everything I said back then is still completely true. If you’re optimistic, constantly searching how to improve your day-to-day life & an ambitious goal setter (cough cough) I can’t recommend Gretchen Rubin’s work enough!

I want to know- what books inspire YOU? What are your favorite well being books, any recommendations? 

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The Best Books of 2012

December 28, 2012 Filed Under: Book Reviews, Reading/Books Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

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Although I didn’t come anywhere close to my goal of reading this year, a vast majority of the books I read were absolutely fantastic. I wish I had made more time to read a few more novels, especially during school (it would have kept me more sane), and I think I’ll make that one of my 2013 goals. Reading is always something I’ve loved, and my ‘to-read’ shelf has become pretty overwhelming.

For now, here’s a quick re-cap of my 10 favorites that I read in 2012.

#10 Happier at Home by Gretchen Rubin

I didn’t review this book like I did with her first one ‘The Happiness Project’ (which basically changed my life last year) but it definitely deserves a spot on this list. Rubin took the idea of a happiness project further by seeing what she could do to make her HOME LIFE a happier place for her whole family. Her extensive research on the subject is extremely enlightening & I can’t recommend her work enough.

#9 The Time Keeper by Mitch Albom

I love Mitch Albom, and this book was no different. I love novels, no matter how long or short, that really change your perspective on something. Albom takes the concept of ‘time’ to a whole new level in this relatively short book, but it doesn’t diminish it’s impact whatsoever. The main character, the keeper of time, is wonderfully written & I constantly found myself stopping to really let this novel’s idea sink in.

#8 Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher

I put off reading this book for a long time, and finally got around to it this summer- I think I read the entire thing in less than 2 days. I just could not put it down. It was one of the most beautifully, tragically written stories I read all year. It is the very sad story of a teenage girl who commits suicide and leaves cassette tapes behind for all the people who affected her decision to do it. The novel was nothing if not eye opening.

#7 Eat Pray Love by Elizabeth Gilbert

Another book I put off for a long time because it had such mixed reviews, I finally read it in September when I came home from Europe. I was missing Italy so much & couldn’t wait to re-live it through Gilbert’s eyes. I wasn’t disappointed in the least, and I learned more about India (one of the next places I want to visit) as well as Indonesia, a country that made it on my travel list of places to see partially because of this biography. The wanderluster in me couldn’t get enough of this book!

#6 Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins

Over the first few months of the summer I went through a phase of needing to read lots of “feel-good” contemporary fiction books, and this was one of them that I absolutely adored. The title is a bit cheesy I’ll admit, but Perkins has a way of writing her characters that make them impossibly difficult not to love. Not to mention the story takes place in Paris & I was getting excited for my trip… This is the kind of lovey story that any girl will read and adore- and relate to!

#5 Pandemonium by Lauren Oliver

One of my most anticipated books of 2012, I absolutely devoured the sequel to Delirium. I don’t know many people who enjoyed it as much as I did, but the cliffhanger at the ending? Still one that haunts me almost every day since I read it. That’s definitely the sign of a well written story, if there ever was one. READ THIS SERIES. One of my favorite dystopians out there.

#4 Cinder by Marissa Meyer (& I’m sneaking in Scarlet by her too- advanced reader copies FOR THE WIN!)

I took a chance on ‘Cinder’ because a couple people at work read it and said it was amazing. It *seemed* strange to me, but I got into it almost IMMEDIATELY. What a fantastic book (and the sequel was also AWESOME). Meyer is reinventing classic tales (Cinderella = Cinder, Red Riding Hood = Scarlet) and creating fictitious dystopian/sci-fi worlds for them to live in, where all their lives intersect. So good, I can’t believe I have like a year and a half until book 3.

#3 Wither by Lauren DeStefano

I can’t remember what compelled me to finally pick this up- I think I was in search of some new good dystopian novels and had heard some good stuff about this one. Let me just say, this series is super underrated. Not enough people who know and like the dystopian genre have given this one a chance. The concept of the series- genetic mutation that kill women at 20 years old and men at 25- is a bit scary, but DeStefano makes it work SO well. Not to mention her characters are ridiculously well written. The sequel, Fever, was just as good in my opinion. Another worthy cliffhanger & I’m anxiously waiting for the final book in the trilogy coming out in February!

#2 The Fault in Our Stars by John Green 

Definitely my most anticipated book of 2012, and it did not disappoint in the least. I did however disappoint MYSELF while reading it- I accidentally read a sentence in the middle of the book that ruined the whole thing- but John Green delivered his most beautiful, well-written, and tragic love story to-date. This book is one that will be a classic for a long time, and although a tough sell for people who have yet to read a novel by Green (it’s about two 16 year old teenagers who meet at cancer support group) the story itself is SO MUCH more than that. I can’t recommend this book enough (or his other work, for that matter!)

#1 WILD by Cheryl Strayed

I randomly bought this book the day before I left for Europe. The premise of the biography was appealing to me- some kind of life changing travel adventure and a 20 something year old girl- just at a time when I felt like that’s what I was going through, too. I read this book from cover to cover in under 3 days in Europe. To say that it affected my entire trip is an under statement. It’s half the reason I made it through with a backpack and very little sleep! Definitely one of my all-time favorite books that I look forward to re-visiting someday soon.

What were your favorite reads of 2012?

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The Book Chat {Vol 14}

August 2, 2012 Filed Under: The Book Chat Tagged With: , , , , ,

My last Book Chat link up was *apparently* nearly 2 months ago. How does time go by so quickly?! I had to take a small break while I traveled, but I really wanted to link up over on Sweet Green Tangerine today before I jet back off to Europe. I miss talking about books! <3

Today’s Question: What are your favorite book quotes? 

I must have hundreds by now, but I think I’ll just share a few of my favorites- after all, I feel like to truly understand and LOVE a quote you need to read it in its proper context.

There are some authors who really made me realize how writing can affect me at a deeper level than just “okay, I read this. Now what.” J.K Rowling, John Green, Markus Zusak, Ann Brashares, and a few more are at the top of that list. when I read their books I want to take a highlighter so I can remember all the good lines forever. In fact, I think some of their quotes have changed my life since I read them! Currently, while I re-read Harry Potter, I must admit that when I hit some of those classic J.K Rowling moments I tear up a little. I feel so nostalgic for that first read, that first *understanding* of an important moment.

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Okay enough rambling. Here are some of the ones I’d love to share with you today: 

“It does not do to dwell on dreams and forget to live, remember that”- Albus Dumbledore (JK Rowling)

“We accept the love we think we deserve.” -Stephen Chbosky, Perks of Being a Wallflower

“It is our choices, Harry, that show us what we truly are, far more than our abilities.”- Albus Dumbledore (JK Rowling)

“Sometimes people are beautiful.
Not in looks.
Not in what they say.
Just in what they are.” – Markus Zusak, I Am the Messenger

“My thoughts are stars I cannot fathom into constellations”- John Green, The Fault in Our Stars.

“I fell in love the way you fall asleep: slowly, then all at once.” -John Green, TFiOS,

“May the odds be ever in your favor” -Effie Trinket, The Hunger Games (Suzanne Collins)

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I think I’ll stop there for now, just because I could probably go on all day if not!

Do you have any favorite book quotes?

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The Book Chat {Vol 6}

April 5, 2012 Filed Under: The Book Chat Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Linking up over at Sweet Green Tangerine for The Book Chat!

Today’s question: Let’s talk about endings…. Sad/Happy/Cliffhangers/Quotes

I’ve been really excited to answer this question because, let’s face it, who doesn’t have a favorite ending, or an ending that literally left your jaw hanging open and had you thinking about it for 2 straight weeks? Because I have.

Here are a few of my all-time favorites:

Favorite ending to a series

1. The Death Cure by James Dashner 
I was SO happy with the way he ended his trilogy. It made all three books even BETTER!

2. Harry Potter & The Deathly Hallows
As much as I was disappointed in JK Rowling for a long time for “selling out” I don’t think I could have handled a NON happy ending. I needed her to end the series off the way she did.

Favorite ending in contemporary fiction

1.Looking for Alaska by John Green 
This book has one of the most memorable endings for me- in fact, I don’t remember how any of his other books end except this one. I like that the end is hopeful, beautiful, and doesn’t give anything away about the rest of the book. It’s just so freaking perfect!

2. I Am the Messenger by Markus Zusak
Another all time favorite of mine; although I don’t remember the exact details I know that I loved the way this story wrapped up. Heck, this entire book was amazing!

Favorite cliffhanger(s)

Can I make a list? I’m going to make a list.
1. Cinder by Marissa Meyer
2. Pandemonium by Lauren Oliver
3. Wither by Lauren DeStefano
4. Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins
5. The Knife of Never Letting Go by Patrick Ness 

All of the above make me want to read the next in the series RIGHT THIS MINUTE. I felt the same way about Catching Fire, so let’s hope the next book in all the other series don’t disappoint as much as Mockingjay did. Also, number five on this list surprised even me because it took me a LONG time to enjoy that book. The ending was worth the whole thing though, I want to pick up book two soon!

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Overall, I think it’s really difficult for author’s to end a book off the RIGHT way. When they get it right, I’m always ecstatic, and it makes me love their book a LOT more. I am not easily impressed with endings- I am actually very judgmental of them, and had to go through my entire Goodreads to get this list. I know there are a BUNCH more books I really enjoyed the endings to, but these are some that have really stood out for me in the last couple years, although most of these were much more recent.

I think especially when it comes to writing a series, an author has to know exactly what kind of cliffhanger is GOOD and what kind is NOT. There has to be a balance between details in one book and in the next, and the books should be easily distinguishable one from the other. I hate when a book ends REALLY well only to get extremely disappointed by the next one in a series. Likewise, I hate enjoying a book the whole way through and being upset by the very end. One particular author that I loved for a long time was Dean Koontz, but I quickly began to realize that he ruined all his greatest novels because of his crap endings (sorry Dean, it’s the truth! The Husband? Remember that one? Disappointing.)

What are some of your favorite and least favorite book endings? 

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The Book Chat {Vol. 5}

March 29, 2012 Filed Under: The Book Chat Tagged With: , , , , , , , , ,

As always, Thursdays are book chat days! You can link up over at Sweet Green Tangerine today & join the good book chat times we’ve been having for the last month.

Today’s question: What is the funniest book or character you’ve read?

This one was a bit tough for me because I LOVE reading funny books so I kind of have a lot of choices. I think I read an equal amount of serious characters VS more funny ones, but I couldn’t decide which ones characterized as actually FUNNY rather than just humorous for me to read. If that makes any sense.

Anyways. Since this is meant to be a more fun, lighthearted book chat, I thought I’d share my FIVE  favorites! These are all books that I enjoyed reading because they were either written funny/quirky or because the main character was that way.

The Shopaholic Series by Sophie Kinsella

Growing up, I read these religiously. Now? They’re definitely more of a guilty pleasure. They’ve been re-read a couple times, too, because Becky Bloomwood happens to be one of my favorite guilty pleasure characters.

This is actually one of the few books that I adored that I never even bothered to see the movie of… I just realized that! But honestly, I’ve loved almost everything Sophie Kinsella has written. She’s always had a knack to make me laugh with her British humor- I love British humor!

The Jessica Darling Series by Megan McCafferty

I’ve written about these before so I won’t dwell on them too much, but I loved the first book, Sloppy Firsts, almost immediately because of the humor. Jessica Darling is such a quirky character from the get-go I couldn’t help but totally relate to her and laugh at the ridiculous things she does… Mostly because it’s what I’d be doing in her situation too!

Abundance of Katherines by John Green

I don’t know if this book was meant to be funny or not, but it REALLY was to me. It’s not secret that John Green is one of my favorite authors (ever) and I absolutely loved this more lighthearted novel of his. Not only is the main character, Colin, totally awesome in his own quirky way, but his best friend Hassan is equally as hilarious. I love the way this book was written with footnotes and I love the plot behind the book, which is totally hilarious in it’s own way.

Plot: Colin has a special type of girl he dates. Girls named Katherine, spelled specifically in that exact way. Exactly 19 Katherine’s have broken up with him and he is on a mission to find out why on earth he gets broken up with so much. He is also a child prodigy and can anagram anything you give him. 

Anything written by Maureen Johnson

Can I just preface this by saying that I adore Maureen Johnson? Not only is she hilarious in her writing, but her books have such awesome plots and ideas. I think 13 Little Blue Envelopes has become one of my favorite books because it is so perfectly balanced between sad and hilarious. I’ve breezed through every single MJ book I’ve ever read because they’re so fun and yet so intriguing at the same time. I highly recommend any of her novels. I haven’t read them all, but I definitely plan on picking a couple more up when I get the chance.

The Percy Jackson Series by Rick Riordan

This is a bit of a younger series of books (9-12 years old) but I can’t tell you how much I loved it anyway. I wasn’t sure at first if I’d like it or not, but it is SO funny and so educational all wrapped into one. I just have the last book in the series to read and I have no idea why I’ve been putting it off for so long! Anything RR is a guaranteed good read, but I’ve just really grown attached to Percy over the last 4 books. He’s one hilariously well written kid. :)

*As a side note, I think Percy Jackson was one of my LEAST FAVORITE book-to-movie adaptations… EVER. They ruined this book in the movie. I was so disappointed. READ THE BOOK!

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I don’t think there’s anything better than kicking back with a funny book. Any time I’ve been in a reading rut, it’s books like these that have pulled me right out of it and reminded me why I love reading SO much.

What are your favorite funny reads? Your favorite funny/quirky characters? I love recommendations! 

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Book Review: The Fault in our Stars by John Green

January 13, 2012 Filed Under: Book Reviews, Reading/Books Tagged With: , , , ,

Book: The Fault in our Stars

Author: John Green

Type: YA Contemporary

Release Date: January 10th 2012

Publisher: Penguin Group USA

The Fault in our Stars is a story about many, many things. First, it is the story of a girl named Hazel Grace Lancaster and a boy named Augustus Waters. The two meet at cancer support group- Hazel’s tumors have shrunk considerably and are kept at bay with a ton of medication, while Augustus is currently in remission from a very rare form of the disease.

Together, they examine the very meaning of life and how it is possible to do great things when you don’t know how much longer you have left in the world. It is a story about love, loss, life, death, and everything in between.

I’d love to say more about the story, but even 4 days after reading it, I’m still having trouble coming up with the right words (and not saying TOO much)

What I think about the book

I don’t even know where to start with this one. I mean, I’ve been following the progress of it’s publication since John Green announced that he was coming out with a new book. I was so incredibly attached to everything this story was and would become, I just couldn’t help it. Because of that, I was worried about being let down or paying too much attention to the hype and letting it get to me.

Let me assure you all… That was not the case in the LEAST. Even though I was expecting great things from this story, it STILL blew me away in ways I don’t know how to describe. You may have noticed this if you follow me on Twitter, because I tweeted incessantly things like this:

While I reading this book I laughed, I cried, and then I laughed some more. Then I cried some more. John Green is not only incredibly witty, but you can sense the importance that exists in each and every single word that is in this novel. Every sentence is weighted, every conversation makes you stop and think.

My favorite things about the book:

I think the character development was spot on. Hazel and Augustus continue to grow and evolve from the first page to the very last. They have quirks, life stories, and such incredibly distinct personalities- you just can’t help but get attached. The secondary characters play a fair role in the story as well: Augustus’ best friend Isaac is a great supporting character that provides a different perspective on living the life that’s given to you. The one character I wasn’t *sure* about was Hazel’s friend, Kaitlyn. I thought she was really funny and interesting, and I understand that she was really just playing the role of the necessary “high school friend that Hazel can’t relate to anymore” but I still wondered why she was the ONLY friend that was ever mentioned on Hazel’s side when she states that she can only handle her in small doses.

John Green tackles life issues that are at once controversial but SO necessary to discuss. This is the kind of story that anyone can read and relate to. Everyone knows someone who knows someone that’s affected by cancer. Not only does he really get into the mind of cancer patients, but he gives readers this completely different view of what life is like when you’re not privileged to breathe on your own or have your five senses. He writes about teenagers who are STRUGGLING to get through every single DAY and still manage to think of people other than themselves. It’s SO hard to get into the mind of teenagers- I mean really, who knows what they’re thinking?! But he does it so well. Hazel is brilliant and strong for herself AND her parents, but she is still a sixteen year old battling a disease that will one day take her life. She is this completely multi-faceted character who encompasses the very essence of what this story is about. How do you come to terms at just 16 with the idea that you may not live to see another day?

The story between Augustus and Hazel is incredibly well developed. This isn’t one of those books that plays games with romance. It is an honest and truthful portrayal of two kids whose lives become intertwined because of this fate that was handed down to them. Their relationship has its ups and downs, and in my opinion is probably something that a lot of teenagers- despite their health- can relate to in one way or another.

My absolute favorite part?

I don’t think I could pick just one to be honest, but I think a big part of this book for me was the very way it was written. It’s so rare for me to have to STOP after reading a particular sentence to just let it sink in and to just actually understand it. I even wrote sentences DOWN. I never do that. I’m already ready to re-read the book (as you may have seen above in my tweets) and that is so completely unlike me.

I don’t want to over-hype this book or anything, but if you’re reading this review you need to read the book too. It’s so worth it and the amount of work that was put into it is immediately noticeable. Literally, the very first chapter you’re like “wow, how amazing is this?”

My rating: 5 out of 5 stars

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Currently… #2

January 11, 2012 Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: , , , , ,

I did a post like this once before, you can read it here!

Reading

1) The Fault in our Stars by John Green. I literally just finished it, and all I can say is prepare yourselves for a review in the near future.

2) Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare

3) Next up is The Marriage Plot for #twookclub… I can’t wait!

Listening

Snow Patrol. I’ve been listening to their albums on repeat for the last 2 days since I found out that THEY’RE COMING TO MONTREAL IN APRIL. Yes I already bought my ticket. YES I’m incredibly excited to be seeing them again after 2 years!


I can’t wait! 

Watching

1) Grey’s Anatomy is back and I’m still so in love with that show. I am in LOVE with this season, even though it breaks my heart into millions of pieces every Thursday night.

2) One Tree Hill is starting back up TONIGHT. It’s the final season and I just know I’m going to cry after like every single episode.

Needing

In my last ‘Currently’ post, I listed 4 things that I was really needing, and as I look over them I realize that I don’t need ANY of those things anymore because I took care of it all. THAT, feels amazing.

1) Right now, all I’m needing (or rather wishing that I had) is a little extra money. I want to travel this summer but I don’t feel like I’m paying off my debt and saving up fast enough. I’m working a lot these days though, so hopefully it pays off!


I’m hoping to end up here in June with my brother’s family & my mom!

2) A little extra time to meal plan for a week of vegetarianism coming up WAY too soon. I need to make it happen, and I keep forgetting to do it!

Avoiding

1) Getting ready for class, I need to leave in less than 2 hours but I practically just woke up! So weird.

2) Blogging, I feel like I haven’t written anything good in quite a while.

Loving

1) Harry Potter humor that is just so accurate accurate

2) John Green’s newest video about his newest book

3) I need new blogs to read. Leave me links to your favorites in the comments!

What are you currently up to?!

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The Best Books of 2011

December 28, 2011 Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , ,

As 2012 gets closer, I thought it would be fun to look back at some of my favorite things of the year. In the next few days I’m going to look at the best of 2011- I’m excited to see what kind of things you can all add to my lists! Oh and if you’re wondering, that is the current state of my ‘to-read’ bookshelf. I have an illness, you guys. A book-buying ILLNESS.

Today I’m going to look back at my top ten favorite reads of 2011. I tried as much as possible to keep these in 2011 because I read way too many good books this year, but I have to say that my absolute favorites of 2011 were not written this year. I’m also going to look at a few books that DID come out this year that I’m still excited to actually start reading but haven’t had the chance to yet.

So here we go.

The Top Ten

#10 Sisterhood Everlasting by Ann Brashares
Released: June 2011
Publisher: Random House

Why: I LOVED the entire Sisterhood series growing up, and after re-reading them in the early summer I fell right into the story of this one. I was back in love with the four girls, and I am back in love with Ann Brashares’ writing. She has matured so much as a writer, and although that book DEVASTATED me it was beautiful at the same time.

#9 The Help by Kathryn Stockett
Released: April 2011
Publisher: Penguin Group

Why: It took me a little while to get into this one, but as soon as I did I just couldn’t put it down. I was completely in love with the characters and the story. Immediate classic.

#8 Delirium by Lauren Oliver
Released: February 2011
Publisher: Harpercollins

Why: When I first heard about the story line behind this book (love as a disease) I was intrigued. The book did not let me down in the least and I can’t WAIT for book two!

#7 Divergent by Veronica Roth
Released: May 2011
Publisher: HarperCollins

Why: I was completely captivated by this book from start to finish. Love the dystopian aspect to this book, it reminds me of all my favorite parts of every other dystopian novel I love.

#6 Room by Emma Donoghue
Released: June 2011
Publisher: HarperCollins

Why: I don’t usually pursue a book that doesn’t immediately attract my attention, and this one took a good 25-30% of the story before I realized how good it actually was. It was one of those books that I read while I ate, while I got ready to go out, and basically any free moment I had until it was done.

#5 Last Little Blue Envelope by Maureen Johnson
Released: April 2011
Publisher: HarperCollins

Why: I read the first book in this series soon after coming home from Greece, and this book brought me right back to Europe and everything I loved about it. I immediately picked up the second book and was so happy with the way the story turned out! I was really glad to hear that there was a second book because I definitely didn’t have enough after ’13 Little Blue Envelopes’

#4 The Death Cure by James Dashner
Released: October 2011
Publisher: Random House

Why: If you haven’t read The Maze Runner (book one in the trilogy) then you SHOULD BE. One of my favorite YA series right now. This was an amazing ending to it. There were some points that I felt the book was a little bit too apocalyptic, but the ending? Wow. Just, wow.

#3 My Name is Memory by Ann Brashares
Released: June 2011
Publisher: Penguin Group

Why: I’m not a huge fan of romance novel, but this one? I am in LOVE with this love story. Once again, Ann Brashares writes a beautiful, believable and fantastical story that had me literally ignoring my friends during the last hundred or so pages. LOVE. Can’t wait for book two!

#2 Looking for Alaska by John Green
Released: September 2008
Publisher: Pengruin Group

Why: I went through a crazy John Green phase at the beginning of the year, but Looking for Alaska was the first book I read by him and has remained my favorite. I love the way he writes, and I love the quirky behaviors that each of his characters has.

#1 The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
Released: September 2007
Publisher: Random House

Why: This book was just amazing. One of the bigger novels I’ve ever read, but probably changed my life. I need to re-read this in the New Year. And if you haven’t read it? It is the most beautifully written story from World War II that I have ever read. Ever.

On the ‘To-Read’ Shelf’ Published in 2011

#6 The Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor

#5 The Marriage Plot by Jeffrey Eugenides

#4 Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare (paperback)

#3 The Scorpio Races by Maggie Stiefvater

#2 Silence by Becca Fitzpatrick

#1 Matched by Ally Condie

Most Anticipated Reads in 2012 (so far)

#5 Insurgent by Veronica Roth

#4 City of Lost Souls by Cassandra Clare

#3 Pandemonium by Lauren Oliver

#2 The Kill Order by James Dashner

#1 The Fault in Our Stars by John Green

I’ve come to an important conclusion. 2011 was the year that I realized how much I adore young adult literature. Seriously, I read SO much more of it now than I read adult books, and as I browsed the upcoming adult books, there are almost none that interested me. Ha! I mean, I have a few of my favorite adult authors, but otherwise I read the bestsellers and just teen books.

What were your favorites of the year? What about your most anticipated? Which books did I miss this year? 

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