Top Ten Bookish People I Want To Meet (TTT 8)

 Top Ten Tuesday is a meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish. This week's theme is...

Top Ten Bookish People I Want To Meet

1. J.K. Rowling
It's J.K. freaking Rowling!! Need I say more?


2. C.S. Lewis
Ok so I can't technically meet him since he's not living, but maybe if I find a way to make a time machine... lol.
"There is too little of what we like in stories, I am afraid we shall have to write some ourselves." C.S. Lewis is my inspiration as a writer. Plus, the man was a genius.


3. Cassandra Clare
I love Cassandra Clare's books, and I would love to be able to chat with her about characters! Her characters are amazing! Especially Jace and Will *double swoon*


4. Maggie Steifvater
I'm in love with the way she writes. Plus she seems like a fun person :]


5. James Bell Scott
Author of Plot & Structure, a book on writing that I have found immensely helpful for improving my own work in progress. I would love to shake that man's hand and say thank you!


6. Ted Dekker
Ted Dekker writes adult Christian thrillers, and boy does he come up with some strange things! There's no telling what goes on inside his head. I'd love to ask him about his books :]


7. Cornelia Funke
I fell in love with Cornelia Funke's Inkheart books, and with her awesome imagination I think she'd be a really cool person to meet.


8. Jeff Gerke
Back when I was just beginning my writer's journey, I came across Jeff's weekly writing tip column. It was so incredibly helpful to me and really improved my writing (plus, his sense of humor made them fun to read). I'd love to thank him for helping me grow as a writer.
 

9. Wayne Thomas Batson
A Christian YA/MG Fantasy author, I really loved his books! Plus, he's also a middle school teacher which is what I'm going to become, so I'd love to ask him how he balances teaching and writing. 


10. GOD ;]
Of course I would want to meet the author of the world's most best-selling book ever! haha ;]


What were your top ten?

Happy reading!

Top Ten Books That Make Me Think (TTT 7)

Top Ten Tuesday is a meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish. This week's theme is...

 Top Ten Books that Make Me Think

1. Unwind by Neal Shusterman
In the future abortion is illegal but parents can choose to have their children 'unwound' before they turn 18. This book is insane and kind of scary, but it really made me think about abortion, the value of human life, and human rights.

2. The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
If I found myself forced to fight to the death with other teens for entertainment, would I play the government's game and kill others? Or would I have the courage to defy them by refusing to play the game and not kill, even if it meant losing my life? If I was a spectator would I condone and watch the games or speak out against them? These books raise so many intriguing questions.

3. Sold by Patricia McCormick
13-year-old Lakshmi is sold into prostitution by her father to help pay off his gambling debts. This story was so heartbreaking, and it really opens your eyes to the issue of human trafficking.

4. Trafficked by Kim Purcell
A young Russian girl is tricked into trafficking in the U.S. by being promised a good job as a nanny. But once she arrives at the home she finds she is not allowed to leave. It was frightening to see how easily young girls are tricked into human trafficking. I knew that trafficking happens in the U.S., but it was still eye-opening.

5. Uglies by Scott Westerfield
In the future everyone undergoes a surgery to make themselves physically perfect. This brought up so many questions for me about beauty and our society's obsession with it. What is truly beautiful? If I could make myself perfect, would I? What would I lose by giving up the face I was born with?

6. Tiger Lily by Jodi Lynn Anderson
I just finished this one a couple days ago, and after turning the last page I was left in a daze. So many interesting questions were raised about gender roles and expectations, being yourself even when people disapprove, and not conforming to social norms and changing yourself to please others.

7. The Screwtape Letters by C.S. Lewis
The Screwtape Letters are written by the demon Wormwood to his apprentice Screwtape. Wormwood instructs Screwtape how to tempt the man he is assigned to and keep him from beocming a Christian. This viewpoint was so interesting and it really made me think about the 'invisible world' and the forces at work that we are unaware of.

8. Wither by Lauren DeStefano
In the future women only live to be 21 and men 23. Young girls are kidnapped and sold as unwilling 'brides' to wealthy men. This was an eerie dystopian and reminded me a lot of the real-life issues of human trafficking.

9. Under the Never Sky by Veronica Rossi
The two different POV's from the two main characters in this book really made me think about how we see and judge each other, and how we see people who we consider 'outsiders'.

10. Hemlock by Kathleen Peascock
In the future the government knows about werewolves, but werewolves are treated differently than humans and are sent to special camps and have few rights. This book made me think about prejudice and discrimination so much! And it really reminded me of WWII with how the Nazis treated the Jews.


What were your Top Ten?

Top Ten Books On My Fall TBR List (TTT 6)

 Top Ten Tuesday is a meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish. This week's theme is...

Top Ten Books On My Fall TBR List

1. Stormdancer by Jay Kristoff
Release date: September 1st











2. Hidden by Sophie Jordan
Release date: September 11th











3. The Raven Boys by Maggie Stiefvater
Release date: September 18th









4. Wolf Pact by Melissa de la Cruz
Release date: September 25th











5. Velveteen by Daniel Marks
Release date: October 9th

6. Finale by Becca Fitzpatrick
Release date: October 23rd

7. Days of Blood and Starlight by Laini Taylor
Release date: November 6th

8. Greta and the Goblin King by Chloe Jacobs
Release date: November 13th

9. Undeadly by Michele Vail
Release date: November 20th

10. Dance of Shadows by Yelena Black
Release date: November 27th











*squee!* So many awesome books to look forward to this fall! :D What were your Top Ten?

Happy reading!

Top Ten Bookish Confessions (TTT 5)

 Top Ten Tuesday is a meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish. This week's theme is...

Top Ten Bookish Confessions

1. I use library receipts as bookmarks. *embarrassed grin*

2. I always have to put my bookmark (aka my library receipt) in the exact middle of the book. o.0

3. Sometimes if I come across a typo, misspelled word, etc., I will write in the book and correct it. (I'm a compulsive editor ^.^' )

4. I take a book with me wherever I go--even if I don't intend to read it. It just makes me feel better knowing I have a book with me I can read if the occasion arises.

5. I can't stand audio books because when I read books I give each character a different voice in my head and I don't like someone making a voice for them. I want to listen to the voices in my own head! @_@

6. Once I intentionally kept a library book a day after it was due because I wasn't finished and there was a hold on it so I couldn't renew it. *blushes*

7. I don't like to tell people who are older than me that I read YA because I feel like as soon as I confess it's like *insta-judge* @_@ Why do people look down upon YA anyways??

8. Once upon a time I was in love with Twilight...now I find it incredibly cheesy. Sparkling vampires? *face palm*

9. I check my library account online to see if my holds are in yet as often as I check my e-mail. ^.^'

10. I buy books from Walmart more often than I do from the bookstore.I'm such a horrible person. *hides face in hands*


What were your top ten confessions??
Happy reading!

Top 10 Favorite Books I've Read This Year (TTT 4)

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish. This week's theme is the favorite top ten books you've read during the lifespan of your blog, but since my blog is only a baby of 2 months old that doesn't give me many books to choose from ^.^' heh. So, I'm gonna bend the rules a little here and choose my top ten favorites I've read this year. Here are my picks:

1. Under the Never Sky by Veronica Rossi

 This is the best book I've read this year! The character development was amazing, and I loved the storyline and the world the author created. If you haven't read this yet you need to ASAP!

2. Cinder by Marissa Meyer

 The author did such a creative spin on the Cinderella story with this book! This is hands-down the best fairytale re-telling I've ever read. I loved the futuristic setting with all the cyborgs, very cool.

 3. Hallowed by Cynthia Hand

 This is my favorite angel story. I love the world the author creates with the 'angel-bloods'. Though some things about this book did frustrate me it was still an amazing sequel with thought-provoking themes and some good surprises!

4. Fateful by Claudia Gray

 Werewolves + the Titanic. This book was basically my heaven.

 5. Trial by Fire by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

 I fell in love with this whole series, but Trial by Fire was my favorite. I love the whole idea of a human being raised by werewolves! Very interesting and different. Plus, Bryn, Devon, and Lake were all awesome characters :]

6. The Savage Grace by Bree Despain

 *le sigh* I am so in love with Daniel. I have a thing for werewolves.

 7. Wither by Lauren DeStefano

 This dystopian was really different from others out there. The premise was really interesting and the story really gripped me. It really made me think about different real-life issues as well, like prostitution and sex trafficking.

8. Hemlock by Kathleen Peacock

 *embarrassed grin* Well, beings that this is the 4th werewolf book to make it onto the list you've probably figured out by now that I'm a little obsessed. Teehee ;] This premise was really different from other werewolf books--a werewolf serial killer? Very interesting read!

 9. Touch of Power by Maria V. Snyder

I love Maria Snyder's books! This was such an interesting, fun read and I loved the fantasy world she created. I can't wait for the sequel :]

10. The False Prince by Jennifer Nielsen

This book was so addicting! Three boys are chosen to be trained to impersonate the prince. The main character was interesting--he was so stubborn, cocky, and always had a witty remark ready.












What were your top ten?

Happy reading!

Top 10 Characters I Would Like To Switch Places With For 24 Hours

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish. This week's theme is...

Top 10 Characters You Would Like To Switch Places With For 24 Hours

How many times have I wished to swap places with fictional characters? *le sigh* Here are my picks (links lead to goodreads):

1. Hermione from the Harry Potter Series

Oh goodness, what I wouldn't give to switch places with Hermione Granger! She's smart, brave, and basically my role model. And who wouldn't want to go to Hogwarts to learn magic??

2. Eowyn from The Lord of Rings

Ok, so I've never actually read Lord of the Rings, but I love the movies! *sheepish grin* I would love to swap places with Eowyn--not only is she a brave, kick-ass shield maiden but she's from Rohan and is a horse person like me :D

3. Clary Fray from The Mortal Instruments Series

One word: Jace. *swoon*
And it would also be awesome to be a Shadow Hunter and kick demon butt ;)

4.  Tessa from The Infernal Devices Series

Two words: Will + Jem *double swoon*
Plus, Victorian London is awesome!

5. Jacinda from Firelight

I would love to be Jacinda for 24 hours! How awesome would it be to be a part-dragon with special senses and the ability to shift and fly?? Heck. Yes.

6. Evie from Paranormalcy

I wonder how many paranormals I could take down in 24 hours with a tazer...

7. Charlisse in The Redemption

Pirate ships and Captain Merrick...yes please!

8. Karou from The Daughter of Smoke and Bone

9. Susan Pevensie from The Chronicles of Narnia

I would love to go running around Narnia with a bow :D

10. Wendy from Peter Pan

I've always been fascinated with Neverland and would love to go there! Plus I kinda have a thing for Peter...










What were your top ten?

Top Ten Most Vivid Worlds In Books (TTT 2)

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish. This week's topic is...

Top Ten Most Vivid Worlds/Settings In Books

 I was very excited about this one, but it was difficult to choose! Here are my ten picks (all links lead to goodreads):

1. The Wizarding world in the Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling

When I was a kid, I wanted to go to Hogwarts. (Ok, I still do!) J.K. Rowling did such a magnificent job of creating a unique, interesting world with fun details. There are so many great settings--Hogwarts, Hogsmeade, the Burrow, Diagon Alley, Gringotts, Platform 9 3/4--and so many details that bring the world to life--Quidditch, Bertie Bott's Every Flavor Beans, Butter Beer, the Whomping Willow, the Marauder's Map. J.K. Rowling made an entire world that I wanted to visit myself.

2. Narnia in The Chronicles of Narnia series by C.S. Lewis

Alright, I confess: when I was a kid, I checked my closet to see if I could find a way into Narnia. *embarrassed grin*

3. The island of Thisby in The Scorpio Races by Maggie Stiefvater

Maggie Stiefvater did an amazing job in bringing Thisby to life, and the setting was a character itself. The sea, the water horses, the November cakes... The fictional island felt like a real place that I could go visit.

4. District 12/Panem in The Hunger Games trilogy by Suzanne Collins

Katniss's world is frightening and brutal, and not one I would really like to visit, but Suzanne Collins makes it come alive.

  

5. Inkworld in the Inkheart trilogy by Cornelia Funke

Cornelia Funke has a real talent for making a scene feel so real that you feel as though you are actually there. From Italy to the Inkworld, Cornelia Funke drew me right in!

6. Victorian London in The Infernal Devices series by Cassandra Clare

While reading the Clockwork Prince I was really drawn into the Victorian London setting. It was dark, mysterious, captivating... And Cassandra Clare also does an excellent job with the world of the Shadowhunters  as well.

7. The world of Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater

Maggie Stiefvater has a real talent for bringing settings to life. Not only do I remember the characters and scenes from this series, but the settings stand out to me as well: Beck's house, the bookstore where Sam works, the woods of Mercy Falls, the paper cranes hanging from the ceiling in Sam's room... The setting felt very real to me.

8. The futuristic New Beijing of Cinder by Marissa Meyer

Cinder is one of the best books I have read this year! It was such a creative and fun read! The world of New Beijing is filled with cyborgs, robots, and hover cars, and described in a way that draws you right in.

9. The pirate ships/high seas in The Redemption by M. L. Tyndall

I read this trilogy back in high school, so I'm a little fuzzy on the details but I remember that the author did a great job in making me feel like I was really on a pirate ship in the Caribbean with the characters.

 10. The enchanted moors of The Near Witch by Victoria Schwab

This is one of those books where the setting itself is a character. The moors were haunting and beautiful as well as mysterious.










What books did you choose?