Reading

Completing The 30 Books Challenge

1. A book you love:

Morning Star by Pierce Brown

I love this book with all my heart. And I’m trying to make other people love it too.

2. A book you can’t forget:

Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson

My grade five teacher recommended it to me. Bless her for doing so.

3. A book that motivated you:

On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft by Stephen King

King makes me want to be a better writer.

4. A book that made you think about life:

All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr

It’s thought-provoking.

5. A book with a colour in its title:

Red Rising by Pierce Brown

I adore Brown and his brain.

6. A book with a number in its title:

Zone One by Colson Whitehead

I had to read it for school, but I liked the modernized zombie tale.

7. A book everyone needs to read:

Animal Farm by George Orwell

Timeless classic. What more can I say?

8. A book that was recommended to you:

All the Rage by Courtney Summers

A good friend of mine made me pick this one up.

9. A book you didn’t expect to like as much as you did:

Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas

Because of the hype surrounding Maas and her work, I thought I wasn’t going to like her novels. But I enjoyed ToG so very much.

10. A book that made you cry:

Queen of Shadows by Sarah J. Maas

It didn’t directly make me cry, but I was holding the book while I cried. Does that count?

11. A book that reminds you of your childhood:

The Giver by Lois Lowry

I was a naïve child.

12. A book you have reread or would reread:

Thirst No. 4 by Christopher Pike

I reread the fourth book prior to reading the fifth in order to jog my memory. The second read through was just as good, if not even better than the first.

13. A book that was turned into a movie:

The Maze Runner by James Dashner

I read the book before I watched the movie. If you know me at all, you know I’m firmly in the camp that the book was obviously better.

14. A book you wish was turned into a movie or TV show:

The Escape by David Baldacci

This needs to be made into a movie.

15. A book you couldn’t put down:

Endgame: The Calling by James Frey

Action-packed fun.

16. A book that kept you up at night:

The Storyteller by Jodi Picoult

I remember finishing the novel late at night and being blown away by the ending.

17. A book you travelled with:

The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao by Junot Díaz

I carried the novel in my bag with a water bottle I didn’t close properly. Safe to say water and paper don’t mix unless you’re painting with watercolours.

18. A book you wanted to toss across the room:

Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck

Because of how it ends.

19. A book you received as a gift:

If I Stay by Gayle Forman

From my one and only older brother. Thanks.

20. A book you gave or would give as a gift:

The Elements of Style by E. B. White and William Strunk Jr.

I would give it as a gift, especially to someone who likes writing.

21. A book you think is underrated:

Unraveling by Elizabeth Norris

I don’t see or hear many people talk about Norris and her books.

22. A book that lived up to its hype:

A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas

I didn’t think it would, but it did.

23. A book that broke your heart:

House Rules by Jodi Picoult

It was my first Picoult novel. I’m happy to say it was not the last. I really felt for the characters in this one.

24. A book that restored your faith in humanity:

Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs

Young, awesome characters tend to restore my faith.

25. A book with a pretty cover:

Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard

It’s my aesthetic.

26. A book that reminds you of summer:

Atonement by Ian McEwan

The novel takes place in the summer.

27. A book that brings back good memories:

A Raisin in the Sun by Lorraine Hansberry

Technically it’s a play I performed with some of my best friends in high school.

28. A book that makes you happy:

Nevermore by James Patterson

I enjoyed the entire series.

29. A book you will never get tired of talking about:

Nineteen Minutes by Jodi Picoult

I could go on and on about this gem.

30. A book you wish you wrote:

Carrie by Stephen King

If I had to be honest, I wish I wrote every novel King wrote. Carrie is no exception.


This post contains many affiliate links to Amazon. If you buy through them, I earn a commission at no extra cost to you.

Reading

Books Of The Month | May 2016

Beware the affiliate links.

What I Finished:

The Girl in the Spider’s Web by David Lagercrantz

The Girl in the Spider's Web by David Lagercrantz

One phrase description: Slow in the beginning, fast at the end.

Quote:

…it isn’t the subject that determines good journalism, it’s the reporter’s attitude.

My general thoughts: I thoroughly enjoyed the Millenium series by Steig Larsson. And even though Lagercrantz isn’t Larsson, reading this reminded me that I still love the original characters. I say that it was slow in the beginning because a lot of time was spent introducing and developing new characters. By the end though, I found myself caring. So I devoured the last several chapters quite quickly.

Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard

Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard

One phrase description: Italics.

Quote:

From now until the end of your days, you must lie.

My general thoughts: It was a tad bit too predictable for me. Or maybe I’m just better at seeing foreshadowing when it’s right under my nose. Maybe both? I anticipated the betrayal long before it happened. A fun read regardless.

What I’m Currently Reading:

Where She Went by Gayle Forman

Where She Went by Gayle Forman

First impressions: So far I’m liking it more than If I Stay.

What I Want To Read Next Month:

The Finisher by David Baldacci

The Finisher by David Baldacci

Why: Because Baldacci.

As always happy reading!

Writing

Books I Haven’t Read

After reading this post, you may think I don’t read at all. That’s not the case. I just haven’t gotten around to reading the ones listed below.

Divergent (and Insurgent and Allegiant) by Veronica Roth

I will start Divergent sometime in the future. I have a copy of it on my bookshelf. It’s one of several books I owe but haven’t gotten through yet. I’m not lying.

Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard

I saw the cover for “Glass Sword” just now. The two books side by side are gorgeous together. I’m just worried the story might disappoint.

Throne of Glass (series)/A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Mass

It’ll happen. Galit, thanks for your recommendations. I see them, I do.

The Book Thief by Markus Zusak

How late am I? To be fair, I think I’d enjoy the novel a lot.

Paper Towns/Looking for Alaska/An Abundance of Katherines, basically anything except The Fault in Our Stars by John Green

Isn’t one enough?

Harry Potter (series) by J.K. Rowling

Come to think of it, I haven’t read anything of hers. I know I know. It seems like everyone and their dog has read Harry Potter (or watched the movies). I know enough about the books to get by. I’ve been called Hermione way too many times. I’ve been compared to her as well. I’ve also had people spell my name like that. You have no idea how much that used to frustrate me. And it’s probably the closest I’ll ever get to reading a book with a character who’s similar to me in many ways.

How much respect have you lost for me?

I’m kidding.

Convince me to read any of these, especially Harry Potter, and I’ll send you a copy of my first book. If it ever gets published.

Enjoy what’s left of your weekend. Get some reading done.