Tag Archives: a great and terrible beauty

Top Ten Characters I Would Crush On If I Were Also A Fictional Character

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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.

Top 10 Most Vivid Worlds/Settings in Books

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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.”

Top Ten Books You’d Like To See Made Into A Movie

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This meme and blog post theme was created by The Broke and the Bookish.

Top Ten Books You’d Like To See Made Into A Movie (in no particular order):

 10) A Great and Terrible Beauty/Rebel Angels/The Sweet Far Thing by Libba Bray

Hands down, I love this series — the sweeping romantic landscapes, the rich historical notes, the mesmerizing characters… Ahh. A few years back I heard through the internet grapevine that they were considering making A Great and Terrible Beauty into a film and I was really excited. Of course, I’d be nervous with the casting and directorial choices (in my opinion, no one can act like Ann more than I can, even if I’m not an actress) but I would still love a movie adaption. Please and thank you!

9) The Giver by Lois Lowry

This novel was a thrill to read when I was in elementary school and I’ve always wanted to see the world Jonas lived in. His introduction to the past world was remarkable and I would love to see his viewpoint go from black and white to colour as the story continues.

8) City of Bones by Cassandra Clare

I recently heard that they are making this novel into a movie, and you cannot imagine how happy I am about that. However, I also learned that Lily Collins is rumoured to be cast as Cary, and I cannot begin to describe my disappointment with this casting. And apparently the young man from Sweeney Todd is playing Jace, which again I’m not too ecstatic about. I still love this series and would love more than anything to see a movie come from it, so fingers crossed it goes well!

7) Hawksong by Amelia Atwater-Rhodes

This novel was amazing when I first read it and I still enjoy it to this day. I always had fun picturing Zane and Danica in my head. And I absolutely loved the shapeshifting aspect of it too — from humans to birds and snakes — and I think it would be cool to see it all happen onscreen. Plus, who wouldn’t want to see Zane in real life?

6) The Host by Stephanie Meyer

I realize this novel is written by Stephanie Meyer and after the atrocity that became of the Twilight films (sorry Stewart), and you’d be hard put to find someone who would be interested in another book-to-movie adaption of another one of her novels. But this was a fantastic novel, seriously. I loved the perspective, the intriguing storyline, the science fiction and the romance. It took a long time to read, but it was so worth it. Maybe one day a movie adaption will come out of it.

5) Ella Enchanted by Gail Carson Levine

I know this film was already made but it was entirely unacceptable for me. Therefore, I’m demanding a re-do. The story was changed so much that it lost all its magic for me. Ugh. REMAKE IT!

4) Impossible by Nancy Werlin

Nancy Werlin’s beautiful novel was actually a source of inspiration for me because it gave me the idea to use a favourite song and create a story around it. The fact that this story has a mythical element to it is something I would love to see on screen. But the movie would have to follow the book to a T, but still have those unique additions by the director to make it stand a bar above the book.

3) The Chrysalids by John Wyndham

This is one of my favourite dystopian novels and I loved reading it in grade 12. And it’s only fitting that, since dystopia is all the rage right now, they should probably make this novel into a movie. It’s got a great plot and really makes one think, which is a perfect combination for an interesting movie.

2) Brave New World by Aldous Huxley

Again, this novel is the epitome of dystopia. All other novels like it today (such as The Hunger Games) are all compared to this classic novel. So, like I previously mentioned, why don’t they make this into a big movie? Not like the TV movie they did years ago… something I bit nicer please.

1) The Book Thief by Markus Zusak

This was one terrifying novel and the warped point of view made it even more haunting. I would kill (no pun intended) to see a movie version of Death’s perspective on the Holocaust — I would especially love to see who plays Rudy, seeing as he’s my favourite character in the novel!

Challenge: Day 14

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This one is by far the easiest challenge. And the most repetitive. I would KILL to marry Harry Potter. He’s just the most amazing guy in the world. I love his book character more than his movie character (in the movies, I love Ron more). I would love to marry Kartik, too, from A Great and Terrible Beauty, but he’s not really a main character.

Which character would you love to marry?

Challenge: Day 11

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This one was really difficult because I honestly don’t have a favourite author. I have favourite books, but not authors. However, for the sake of this challenge, I chose three of my top authors. J.K. Rowling is, of course, amazing. I aspire to be everything she is. Even with all her fame and success, she’s still grounded, and that makes me love her even more. Jane Austen is also a goddess in her own right. Her novels are sharp, funny and often deal with much deeper and more complex topics than what they first appear to be. Her writing style is all her own, and even though she lived years ago, I really wish I had had the chance to meet her. Libba Bray is also one of my most beloved authors. She’s just an all-around funny girl. Her writing is very fresh and her own sarcasm and wit leaks onto every page. She made her Gemma Doyle trilogy a pleasure to read, and I only wish I could be so lucky as to meet her one day in New York City.

Who is your favourite author?

Challenge: Day 5

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Once again, I couldn’t choose just one book that I wish I could live in. Each world shown above is so different from the other, but so magical and enticing, that it’s hard to choose. Therefore, here are my top three desires. As soon as I started reading A Great and Terrible Beauty, I couldn’t put it down. I’m absolutely obsessed with the Victorian era, so this trilogy was just that much more of a treat for me. And the Realms Gemma explores are so wickedly beautiful, I wish I could see them for myself. Good news (or bad news, whichever way you look at it) for Gemma Doyle fans: I just checked IMDB, and after years of “maybe”, it looks like this movie just might see the light of day in 2015. I’ll keep you updated as soon as I find out more. I’m pretty sure Harry Potter is self-explanatory — who wouldn’t want to learn at Hogwarts, travel to Hogsmeade and Diagon Alley, and fight battles with Harry himself? As for City of Bones, this is one of my favourite books. I know I’m not a teenager anymore, but I still am in love with this series. And it’s not tainted by Twilight‘s versions of vampires. But even if vampires aren’t your thing, it has werewolves, warlocks, demons, Downworlders and Shadowhunters.

What worlds do you wish you could live in?