For this week, The Broke and the Bookish is asking us all what our favourite book covers are from the books we’ve had the pleasure of reading. I find this ironic, considering my post last week for Thoughts for a Thursday. There are plenty of covers I’ve seen that I’ve picked up merely on looks alone, and found that the inside was just as wonderful.
Below are my favourite 10 book covers from books I’ve read (in no particular order):
Which ones are your favourite?
This week, The Broke and Bookish decided to take a more sombre note for their weekly lists. We’ve all read more than our fair share of sad books, but here are my top 10 books that deal with subjects of death, disease, civil rights, etc. (in no particular order):
10) The Fault in Our Stars by John Green. We all know his books to be tender, sad tales, but this was my first and only book I’ve read by him. Cancer is the scariest six-letter word out there, that can make even the strongest person wither. Add to that the connection between Hazel and Augustus, and you’ve got yourself a story that’s too difficult to bear.
9) The Help by Kathryn Stockett. What African Americans had to endure in the past, and what some of them are still enduring today, is painful. They weren’t even treated as humans, and had little to no rights. Racism takes centre stage in this novel, which made me cry. The movie was done well too.
8) Bridge to Terebethia by Katherine Paterson. My grade six teacher made us read this for class and I don’t remember ever being scarred by book that young. It was terrifying and for the longest time I thought everyone I loved was going to die.
7) Night by Elie Wiesel. Horrific. Jaw-dropping. True. Wiesel takes you back through his memories of the Holocaust as a young boy. No matter who you are, you cannot but be affected by this memoir.
6) Just Listen by Sarah Dessen. Almost all of Dessen’s novels revolve around some form of issue, but this one takes the cake. Sexual assualt, bullying and eating disorders all rolled up into one beautifully-spoken story.
5) The Book Thief by Markus Zusak. Another gripping Holocaust story. As you know, I love WWII stories, and although this is fiction, it’s one of the best stories based on that time. It will make you cry.
4) Me Before You by Jojo Moyes. You all know how much I treasure this book. And although the romance aspect had a strong play there, I also loved this book because of the controversial topic it covered. Death is never easy, particularly assisted suicide. BAWL.
3) Charlotte’s Web by E.B. White. Okay, I realize this is a children’s story that was probably read to you before bed. But take a moment and think about what this book is truly about: a young pig is taken from the only family he knows into an unknown place. He makes a couple of good friends (especially Charlotte the spider), finds a life for himself there, and then Charlotte dies. Dealing with death at a young age, even the death of a spider, is heartbreaking.
2) The Last Song by Nicholas Sparks. Sparks is good for those Hollywood-style, romantic, make-you-cry-your-heart-out books. The Last Song was the first and only book I’ve read of his, but it struck a cord with me. Any death is hard to bear, but losing your father…I don’t even want to think about that.
1) Forever by Judy Blume. It’s not your typical love story, which is why I like it. It was my first introduction to sex in grade 11, and boy did I get a bucketload of information. Loss of virginity, teenage pregnancy, realistic relationships (because hey, not everyone has a happy ending with their girl/guy). Pretty groundbreaking for the time it was published.
So today, The Broke and the Bookish’s weekly meme is rewinding back to any week that I may have missed. I’ve missed plenty but the one I’m most interested in sharing with you all is from March 29th: My top 10 books that I just had to get but are ultimately still waiting to be read. I know we all do it, so I shouldn’t be ashamed. But as a self-proclaimed bookworm, I feel bad saying that I’ve got more than enough unread books on my shelves. Well, here goes…
To be fair, I was given this book as a birthday present last year from my boyfriend, but only because I wanted J.K. Rowling’s newest book so badly. But that was five months ago, and it’s still sitting on my shelf unopened. Why? Well, I guess it’s because I had heard so many negative or blah reviews of this book that I didn’t want my image of Rowling tainted. You all know what Harry Potter means to me and I really don’t want to be disappointed by Rowling. So until I read this book, she’s still on the highest pedestal in my mind, and I really don’t want that to change. Pathetic, I know. I’ll get to reading it eventually, I promise.
Back in high school, I was obsessed over Cassandra Clare’s Mortal Instruments series and picked this book up as soon as it hit shelves. But that was back in 2010 and I’ve yet to read it. To be fair, I also bought City of Fallen Angels as soon as it came out in 2011 and I just read it last month, so now that I’m back on The Mortal Instruments bandwagon again, I’ll probably read Clockwork Angel this summer.
I had heard lots of good things about this trilogy but I didn’t get into it until I watched the Hollywood version of it a couple of years ago. After the movie, I ran to Chapters to buy the book because I was so certain I’d read it right away. That was in 2011, and I have yet to even pass chapter 2. Oops.
I absolutely adored Nancy Werlin’s book Impossible, so when this book came out in 2010, I just HAD to buy it. I was all excited to start reading, but then something happened and I ended up not reading it. It’s still waiting for me.
In grade 11 I had the chance to perform in my school’s rendition of the broadway musical Wicked. It was one of the best experiences I’ve had, theatre-wise, and I fell in love with the story. I had been wanting to get the book, so then one of my best friends, Sabina, bought me Wicked and Son of a Witch for Christmas in grade 12. Needless to say, it’s still sitting patiently on my shelves.
Although I’ve never been in love with Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, I couldn’t help but be entranced when I saw this cover at Chapters back in 2010. I told my aunt I had to get it right that day, which I did. But my reasoning for picking it up that very day was so I could start reading it. As you might guess, it’s still sitting on the same shelf I put it on, waiting for me to pick it back up again with as much enthusiasm I showed the day I bought it.
There are plenty of other books on my shelves that are sitting unread (as you can tell by my page On My Shelf) but most of those I got for free at a book swap I volunteered for two years ago…so those books don’t really count.
So now it’s your turn—what books did you just have to buy only to dash their hopes by not opening them?
It’s normal to fall deeply in love with a character…right? It sure looks like it, from what The Broke and the Bookish’s weekly meme is revealing! Well, regardless, over the years I’ve been smitten with many memorable male characters and I’m all too happy to share my obsessions with you! So, without further ado and in no particular order, here they are:
10) Augustus Waters from John Green’s The Fault in Our Stars. He’s charismatic, funny and will fight to the end. I don’t care that he’s younger than me; he’s a total babe.
9) Kartik from Libba Bray’s A Great and Terrible Beauty series. For one, he’s Indian and I’m half-Indian. Secondly, he’s gorgeous, and has a bit of an attitude problem. He’s dark (and no, I don’t just mean his skin colour!), mysterious, a fantastic kisser and cares a ton for Gemma but has a hard time showing it.
8) Gilbert Blythe from L.M. Montgomery’s Anne of Green Gables series. He was my first fiction crush (grade three) and I grew up wanting a boy just like him. I’ll always harbour a soft spot for him and will continuously be envious of his and Anne’s chemistry. The movie’s version of Gilbert (played by Jonathan Crombie) was definitely a great casting decision. Mmmm :)
7) Fred Weasley from J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter series. As you’ll see further on, Rowling wrote many wonderful male characters—many of which I fell in love with at least once in my years of reading. But Fred was always my favourite of the twins, mainly because he usually offered the most quips and his personality just radiated through the pages. I love his sense of humour and the way he always cared for Ginny. And the actor who played him in the movies (James Phelps) was absolutely perfect—but I’m still crying over the way they portrayed his death in the seventh movie.
6) Simon Lewis from Cassandra Clare’s Mortal Instruments series. Simply put, I loved him WAY more than Jace. I have a thing for guys in glasses and with dark hair, and he fit the bill. Not to mention his total geekiness and strange ways. And his secret love for Clary—unrequited love sucks and back in high school I could more than relate to him.
5) Will Traynor from Jojo Moyes’ Me Before You. As you know from my latest review, I absolutely love this book—and a lot of that has to do with Will. I can’t blame Louisa for falling for the guy. Even though his mobility was limited, his mind was sharp and his personality mesmerizing. He was knowledgable and worldly, he had a great sense of humour and he genuinely cared for Louisa more than he cared for himself. A man like that is hard to find, which is why it was so easy for me to love him.
4) Ron Weasley from J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter series. Love. Love. LOVE. I cannot begin to describe my love for Mr. Ronald Weasley—in both the books and the movies (especially the movies). I didn’t fall for him right away, however. It took me a few years to appreciate him, but it definitely hit me in the fourth book when he was trying so hard not to fall for Hermione and ultimately hated Krum. He was too cute. And Rupert Grint made me love Ron Weasley more than Harry Potter in the movies (which is a hard feat, let me tell you…)
3) Mr. Darcy from Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice. Need I really explain? His dark, brooding, proud, attentive and sexy ways would make any woman swoon. And as you can tell from my in-depth analysis of the movie adaptions, I think that Colin Firth’s portrayal of the infamous man is the best. I don’t think I’ve ever fallen for a movie character so fast as I did for Firth’s Darcy.
2) Peeta Mellark from Suzanne Collins’ The Hunger Games. His character made me laugh, cry, scream, sob, smile, bawl, fret… He made me realize all the emotions I was holding back. I often dreamt of him at night, thought of him during the day, pictured him holding me in his strong arms, and my life with him. Yes. I was that obsessed last year. Josh Hutcherson is a cute Peeta, but not exactly how I pictured him. The Peeta in my head will never be beat. Ever.
1) Harry Potter from J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter series. I’ve been saying it since I first laid my eyes on him in the first book: He’s my soul mate. I grew up with him. I cheered for him. I hated him. I feared for him. I laughed at him. I fell in love with him with each book. I didn’t care if he got moody in the fifth book. I didn’t care that he got overshadowed by Ron and Hermione’s love story in the later books. I can even forgive him for falling for Ginny. But I will never let my love die for him. He shall be mine always, and I’ll always be his. Whether he wants me or not.
(This meme was created by the ever fabulous The Broke and the Bookish.)
The new year is almost upon us, and with this new year comes new books to read. There are plenty of books that I’m looking forward to reading next year, but here are my Top 8 (because I couldn’t find two more books that captured my attention)!
The Loveliest Chocolate Shop in Paris by Jenny Colgan – March 14
The Storyteller by Jodi Picoult – February 26
Fly Away by Kristen Hannah – April 23
Gods and Beasts by Denise Mina – February 26
The 9th Girl by Tami Hoag – June 18
Island 731 by Jeremy Robinson – March 26
A Dying Fall by Elly Griffiths – March 5
The Last Runaway by Tracey Chevalier – January 8
What books are you most looking forward to next year?
Today is the unveiling of a new meme created by moi. The whole point of me starting this blog a year ago was to discuss my thoughts on books, share book-related news and get to talking with you all, my followers. We’ve had some great conversations over the many long months regarding books, news and every little tidbit under the umbrella of literature. But I’m not done with you yet. I’ve got plenty more thoughtful questions to ask you all, and I hope you join me each week to get the book world talking together!
For this week, I want to know your thoughts on the perfect book shop. What does it look like? Smell like? Feel like? Where is it? What sort of books does it sell? And if it exists for you, what is the shop called? Post a link to your favourite book shop’s website or Facebook page as well!
If you use this meme on your own blog, please include a link back to my blog in your post.
Happy Thoughts everyone!
We have all done it: said we’ve finished a book or series that, really, we completely forgot about or just could not get through — despite how awesome everyone says it it. We all have our tastes, and sometimes no matter how popular a series may be, we may just not like it. I’m like that. I can sometimes be very picky about books (as you all know) and if I don’t click with the characters, plot or setting, I could care less about the book — often resulting in me just putting the book aside “for later.” The Broke and the Bookish created this meme a long time ago, and I couldn’t wait to admit to you all the series I’ve said I’ve finished but really haven’t!
10) The Immortals by Tamora Pierce
I was in Grade Eight when my friend started gushing about Tamora Pierce and her Immortals series. She and I often shared similar interests book-wise, so I trusted her when I borrowed the first book in the series, Wild Magic. But oh my goodness, I have never been so disinterested in a book before. I couldn’t even make it past the first few chapters. I didn’t want to let my friend down, so after a week or so, I told her that I had loved the book and couldn’t wait to read the second one. She, of course, lent that to me as well and I faked reading it.
9) The Princess Diaries by Meg Cabot
These books were huge when I was in junior high school, and I couldn’t wait to jump on the bandwagon and read them. I got through the first book no problem, but then I just stopped caring what happened to the characters. The second movie didn’t follow the books at all, I had heard, so I didn’t see the point of reading them. But to this day, I will still discuss the series with people as if I’ve read them.
8) The Wicked Years by Gregory Maguire
I love the musical that this book is based off, but I actually couldn’t make it through half of the first book in the series. I think I was so caught up with school and life, that the book fell to the back burner. And by the time I picked the book back up again, I was disinterested. I hope I can get back into it again soon, because I’m tired of saying of read the books when I really haven’t.
7) Hush, Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick
I loved the first book in the Hush, Hush series. It was well-written, witty and unique. But when I started reading the second book, I began questioning it and wondering why every character had to have some connection to Nora (the protagonist). It didn’t have a realistic edge to it like the first one did, but I kept motoring on. When the third book came out, I tried. I really did. But I lost interest after the first chapter. The Finale is coming out next month though, so maybe I should get back into it again.
6) A Series of Unfortunate Events by Lemony Snicket
Okay, I know that this series is known world-over and has been said it’s one of the finest children’s series of all time, but honestly? I couldn’t read it. I read the first book, and while it was okay, it just didn’t captivate me the way Harry Potter did (I read both books around the same time; everyone my age started thinking it was better than Harry Potter, which was just ludicrous in my opinion). So to prove that Harry was still the best, I stopped reading this series which was gaining popularity.
5) The Mortal Instruments by Cassandra Clare
Don’t get me wrong: this is one of my favourite series ever. I read the first three books passionately, but when I thought that it was a trilogy (as Clare had stated back when she was writing the second book), I had closed that part in my heart. So when a fourth book came out, it took me longer to pick it up. I bought it ages ago, but I’ve yet to read it. I will, I will.
4) House of Night by P.C. Cast and Kristen Cast
This mother-daughter duo have been given praises for their House of Night series but I don’t know why. It’s so stereotypical and predictable. My friend two years ago raved about the first book, Marked, and told me I just had to read it. So I did. It took me forever to get through it because I was bored all the time. I told her that it wasn’t my favourite and she said that the series gets better, but I’ve yet to believe her. Needless to say, this series is not on my to-read list…
3) Inkheart by Cornelia Funke
The plot to this trilogy is amazing: who wouldn’t want to be able to jump into the pages of their book and experience many adventures? It’s every book lover’s dream, which is why this series appealed to me. I read the first book twice (the first time it took me quite a long time to read, admittedly) and the second book once. But then a year or so went by and when the final book finally came out, I just couldn’t get into it. I still really want to find out how it ends, though, so I’ll read it one day.
2) Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery
I am obsessed with Anne’s world, as you all well know. But if I’m going to be honest here, I should probably say that I haven’t read any of the books past the first one. For someone who loves Anne, it’s a terrible thing to say, I know. I will get to the series one day when I have more time, because I want to be able to give it the attention it deserves.
1) The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis
Lovers of fantasy will probably scold me, but I admit that I’ve only read one book in this series: The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe. I love Narnia but when I was in elementary, I couldn’t get into Magician’s Nephew, prohibiting me from reading further. I know that this series is like Tolkien’s — a must read. So I will read it one day, promise.
So two days ago I watched Midnight in Paris for the first time, and I couldn’t believe how much I fell in love with the plot. I’ve never been a huge fan of Owen Wilson, but this movie made me seriously re-think my distaste for him. He was just like me in many ways — lost in another time, another world. If you haven’t watched this movie, I won’t spoil the plot for you. But I do want to talk about one thing.
In this movie, he gets to meet all the great artists of the 20s — Ernest Hemingway, Cole Porter, Zelda Fitzgerald and Gertrude Stein, to name only a few.
Once the credits had finished rolling, I was left with an unsettling — and quite honestly, depressing — thought: I will never be lucky enough (like Owen’s character) to meet my heroes from long ago. There are so many artists from the past who have had such an effect on me, and I only wish I could meet them and learn who they are. I actually thought a lot about those who I would have wanted to magically run into if I were strolling around at midnight in Paris, and here is my list of ten people I would have loved to know (I couldn’t pick from just one era, because although I’m in love with the Victorian era, that would limit my list immensely):
Who are your heroes from other eras? Who would you long to meet one night during a stroll in the dark?
I haven’t done this in a while, and I thought that today’s Top Ten topic (created by the ever fabulous The Broke and the Bookish) would be a very good one to get back on the train again! The setting of a novel is what makes it or breaks it for me — if I’m not captivated within the first chapter or two, it’s hard to get me totally invested in the novel. I love when the author (or the narrator) takes me away to a place that I can only dream about, to a place where I would love to visit. I’ve read many books in my life, but here are my Top 10 Favourite Worlds/Settings in Books:
10) Anne of Green Gables by Lucy Maud Montgomery
I’ve been obsessed with this little orphan girl (and no, I’m not talking about Annie) since before I can remember. I think it was Anne’s rich imagination and language that really drew me into her world, and that made Prince Edward Island one of my top places to visit. From the Lake of Shining Waters to the White Way of Delight, Anne has such a way of making her surroundings come alive and place you right there next to her.
9) Night by Elie Wiesel
As I’ve mentioned in previous posts, this is one of the most terrifying novels I’ve ever read — and that’s because it’s all true. It’s hard to recall a moment in time that was as scary as the Holocaust, and Elie Wiesel’s account of what happened to him and others in the concentration camps really plays with your mind. You see things you don’t want to see, hear screams you don’t want to hear, and smell the decay and destruction of lives that you don’t want to smell.
8) The Mortal Instruments series by Cassandra Clare
I’m a big fan of fantasy novels, and this series is one of my favourites. I love the mix of modern day New York City with the twist of Old World (and Underworld!) charm. The characters are fantastic, but what I love most is the setting. It’s like I’m there with Clary on her adventures and can feel the anticipation and fear with each breath at every climax. Love it!
7) The Hunger Games trilogy by Suzanne Collins
Pretty much every person acquainted with literature knows about The Hunger Games, and for good reason! It’s an amazing novel written in a dystopian country called Panem. With every single new scene, Katniss takes the reader on an unforgettable (and often times nerve-wracking) journey — from District 12 to the Arena, and everywhere in between. It’s hard to think of much else once you finish the novels and it’s most difficult to return to reality after being immersed in a world so unlike (and yet so eerily parallel) our own.
6) The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
For many of the same reasons as why I both love and hate Night, The Book Thief also is set in World War II. But instead of it being set in the concentration camps, The Book Thief follows Leisl in Nazi Germany, around her town and within her unique relationships with her family and friends. By the time I read half the novel, I was so engrossed with her tragic surroundings and events. And when the final climax happened that put an end to the novel, I couldn’t breathe for the longest time. Her world was gone, and with that, my world too.
5) Peter Pan by J.M. Barrie
Who doesn’t love the sweeping landscapes, the cool waters of Mermaid Lagoon, the swashbuckling pirate ship of Captain Hook and the heated Indian tribe of the infamous Neverland? There is so much to relish in and enjoy as one heads to the second star on the right and straight on till morning, and J.M. Barrie couldn’t have created a more captivating world.
4) A Great and Terrible Beauty by Libba Bray
This is one of my all time favourite books ever. I’m in love with Victorian and Steampunk settings, and this is the best. But the reason it’s a cut above the rest is because it doesn’t only take place in the 1800s — it also takes place in a great and terrible place called the Realms (ha, pun totally intended).
3) The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis
Much like Neverland, Narnia is another amazing world set apart from our reality. With beautiful waters and grand hills, lovely castles and mysterious woods, C.S. Lewis’ fantasy world is amazing — and hey, the talking animals don’t hurt either!
2) The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien
Middle Earth is one of the most famous literary worlds out there. Even though the books aren’t necessarily the most exciting, it’s the setting that I will remember forever. The Shire, Rivendell, Lothlorien, Helm’s Deep, Fangorn Forest, Dead Marshes and Mina Tirith… all the many haunting, beautiful and grand places of Middle Earth make the trilogy so worth the read.
1) Harry Potter by J.K. Rowling
Thank you J.K. Rowling. Thank you. I’ve pretty much lived in the magical world of Harry Potter since its inception, and my heart and soul will always remain there. Hogwarts is my home. Diagon Alley and Hogsmeade are my playgrounds. The Burrow is my vacation home. A beautiful quote by Rowling herself says it best: “The stories we love best do live in us forever. So, whether you come back by page or by the big screen, Hogwarts will always be there to welcome you home.”
This is such an interesting list by Mentalfloss on 17 famous literary characters that were almost named something else — from Hermione Granger to Scarlett O’Hara, Detective Holmes to Tiny Tim.
I think my favourite change has to be Nancy Drew, though. Her other names are just too funny.
Which ones do you like best?
