Tag Archives: j.k. rowling

Top 7 Books I HAD To Buy…But Are Still Sitting On My Shelf Unread

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TopTenTuesday1

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?

Sing Your Praise for Thee

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For any of you who don’t know (aka, for anyone who’s been living under a rock since this morning), the world was given great news today. And no, I’m not talking about The Jersey Shore being cancelled (oh, if only).

I’m talking about the greatest thing to happen to us since J.K. Rowling last graced us with her ingenious series Harry Potter. A release date and title has finally been given for her newest adult novel that she promises will have no magic in it whatsoever. Tear.

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Our Lord and Saviour

So here’s the lowdown –
Title: The Casual Vacancy
Release date: September 27, 2012
Synopsis (courtesy of Little, Brown Book Group): When Barry Fairweather dies unexpectedly in his early forties, the little town of Pagford is left in shock.
Pagford is, seemingly, an English idyll, with a cobbled market square and an ancient abbey, but what lies behind the pretty façade is a town at war.
Rich at war with poor, teenagers at war with their parents, wives at war with their husbands, teachers at war with their pupils…Pagford is not what it first seems.
And the empty seat left by Barry on the parish council soon becomes the catalyst for the biggest war the town has yet seen. Who will triumph in an election fraught with passion, duplicity and unexpected revelations?
Blackly comic, thought-provoking and constantly surprising, The Casual Vacancy is J.K. Rowling’s first novel for adults.

Are you as excited as I am? You better be!

Top 5 Books With Strong Heroines

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In lieu of International Women’s Day, I’m going to share with you my top 5 favourite novels that have really strong and independent heroines — and none of those heroines include Bella Swan (sorry to all you Twilight fans).

Here’s my list (in no particular order):

5) The Forgotten Garden by Kate Morton

While I have not yet finished this beautiful novel, I have noticed the strong female characters that grace the pages. There are three protagonists in the story — Cassandra, Nell and Eliza. All three women narrate the story during different eras, but each have their own streaks of independence and believe that they don’t need a man to rescue them or solve the secrets of their pasts.

 

 

 

 

4) Emma by Jane Austen

For the Regency Era, Jane Austen wrote a surprisingly witty, independent character with a strong sense of who she is. From the start, Emma made sure everyone knew that she didn’t need a man to make her happy because it was her place in life to make others happy. Did her plans always work out? Of course not, but that’s half the fun and enjoyment of it all.

 

 

 

3) Hermione Granger from the Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling

Okay, so she may not be the main character from Harry Potter, but I would have been stupid not to include Miss Granger in my list of strong heroines because she is the picture of what a strong, independent and perfect role model should be. In more than one instance, she saves her friends’ lives and is at the top of her class. Sure, she’s a girl and has feelings — but she doesn’t let those feelings get in the way of what’s important to her.

 

 

 

2) Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte

So this is another classic, and it was a tie between Jane Eyre and Elizabeth from Pride and Prejudice, but Jane Eyre is an amazing character who has such strong sense of self and morals. She knows who she is and doesn’t sacrifice herself to fit in or please others. Despite her love for Mr. Rochester, she leaves him and comes back to him on her own terms.

 

 

 

 

1) The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson 

When I think of a kick-ass heroine that doesn’t give a crap about what others think, the first person I think of is Lisbeth Salander. While I haven’t read the series in its entirety, I know from what I’ve read and from watching the movie that Lisbeth knows exactly who she is and won’t back down for nobody. As scary as she may be, she really does mean well — and that’s what counts, right?

 

 

 

There are so many novels out there with wonderfully independent female characters that it was really hard to choose. So what do you think? Agree or disagree? Who are your favourites and why? 

Pottermore!

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Good news to all who have not yet experienced the magical world of Pottermore — J.K. Rowling has announced that the site will be fully operational to all her millions of fans early April. Exciting, huh?

I was one of those over-eager, Harry Potter-obsessed adults that signed up for early acceptance and was granted it. I’ve already gone through the first book’s (The Philosopher’s Stone, to anyone who doesn’t know or remember the series) experience. I’ve duelled and brewed potions with the best of them (well, not really, as I’m complete rubbish at duelling). But what really disappointed me with the site is that not all the books were available when it opened in October for us. It only worked for Book 1. I’m not sure when they plan on releasing Book 2, but hopefully it’ll be soon. I want to get to the Chamber of Secrets asap!

Are you excited for Pottermore?

Top 5 Novels That Bring Out The Sap In Me

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Admit it: We all love to tear up. Or cry. Or just outright sob hysterically.

To be honest, it doesn’t take much for my eyes to get misty — whether it’s a budding romance, a death, an accident, an illness or just a perfect ending, I will cry. So pretty much half of the books on my bookshelves bring me to tears.

But here are the top five novels that bring out the ultimate sap in me:

5.  The Book Thief by Markus Zusak

This book is heartbreaking. The ending had me crying fully for 30 minutes, and I had to go back to work with my eyes red and puffy. Warning: If you plan on reading this, make sure you finish it when you’re alone.

4.  Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen

This has got to be one of my favourite novels in the world. Just being immersed into a Jane Austen or Charlotte Bronte world makes me smile, and this novel had me tearing up by the end from happiness. It’s one of the sweetest love stories I’ve read and always leaves me yearning for a Darcy of my own.

3.  The Last Song by Nicholas Sparks

To be fair, this is the only Nicholas Sparks novel I’ve read, but it killed me. My friend gave it to me from his mom’s collection, knowing I’d fall in love with it, and that I did. It was a terribly sad novel and was beautifully written. I won’t spoil the ending, but let me just say I couldn’t help but cry for a long time afterwards. I’m not a big fan of Miley Cyrus, but I didn’t mind the movie version of it, either.

2.  Night by Elie Wiesel

This book was very difficult to go through. Each chapter brought on a new tragedy and it was hard to believe that this was a true story. But alas, it was. I cried a lot during it which gave me some awkward looks in class, where we were reading it. The Holocaust is one of my favourite subjects to read about, and this book was the best.

1.  Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by J.K. Rowling

Hands down, this novel produced the most tears. My eyes were working out hardcore from the first chapter on. And it got progressively worse as the pages continued — from Hedwig and Dobby’s deaths to the demises of Snape, Lupin, Tonks, Colin Creevey, and Fred (SOB). Not to mention that after growing up with these characters, the deaths of those I loved made it even harder.

What are your top 5 tear-inducing novels?

Challenge: Day 27

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I’m sorry I missed yesterday’s daily challenge! I spent the entire day working on an essay and nursing a terrible migraine. Anyways, here is the challenge from yesterday.

This book challenge has given me the opportunity to remember all the books I’ve read in the past, and has reminded me that Harry Potter is not the only favourite book/series of mine. I can confidently say that Pride and Prejudice, Harry Potter and The Book Thief are all on the top of my “favourite fiction books” list. Pride and Prejudice is a lovely romantic novel and it always makes me smile when I think about it. Harry Potter has been there with every step of growing up, and I have a lot to thank for this series. And The Book Thief is one of the saddest novels I’ve read, and I can’t but cry thinking of what all the characters went through over the course of the novel. These three literary works of art are some of the best written stories I’ve ever had the pleasure of reading, and I cannot recommend them enough.

What is your favourite fiction novel?

Challenge: Day 25

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In Grade 11 my class read Brave New World by Aldous Huxley, and I fell in love with it. It’s one of the best written books I’ve ever read, and I bought it soon afterwards. It’s one of those stories that just stick with you. Our teacher had the option between 1984 and Brave New World, and he chose the latter one. Both books get compared a lot to each other; and while I haven’t read 1984 yet, I do have the original first Canadian edition of it at home (that’s right – I’m a book collector). This semester in my Fiction class, we’ll be reading 1984, so I’m excited to see which one really is the best (and more accurate) between the two.

In elementary school, my Grade 4 teacher read us Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone. And boy, am I glad he did. Mr. Anderson told us Harry Potter was one of the best children’s books he had read in a long time and just had to share it with us. Those four weeks of reading it to us developed such a strong bond between the series and myself. Thank you, Mr. Anderson!

Challenge: Day 24

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This one is tough, because I really don’t know what book holds my favourite scene ever… I’m a complete romantic, so I guess my favourite scenes would be when the girl and guy in the novels realize they love each other, or have a cute moment together, etc. Therefore, these three books top the list of my favourite scenes.

I absolutely adore the scene in Pride and Prejudice when Mr. Darcy drops in unexpectedly to see Elizabeth, but doesn’t have anything to talk about. It’s completely awkward and cute and realistic, that it’s hard not to love them. The fact that he wanted to see her but didn’t have a good enough reason to and ended up going to Charlotte’s house anyways (where Elizabeth was staying), is simply perfect.

The Hollow Tree also provides a cute scene between Jem and Phoebe around the campfire. They’re trying so hard to fight their feelings but it’s obvious they can’t. This is a young adult’s novel, but I love it anyways. I was always jealous of Phoebe’s romantic situation when I was young because she and Jem just fit so perfectly together.

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows has two of my most favourite scenes in literature. Firstly, the battle scene at the very end was incredible. The movie version didn’t do it complete justice, but I lose myself in the book. Fred’s death is unbearable, not to mention all the deaths, but that only strengthens the scene even more. Secondly, I love the moment when Ron and Hermione finally admit their feelings to each other. And by that I mean Hermione jumps into Ron’s arms, kissing each other fiercely, while a battle goes on around them. The movie was cute, but not as powerful as it had been in the book.

Those are some of my favourite scenes in novels, but like I said, I’ve read too many books to name just a few scenes.

What is your favourite literary scene?