Top Ten Books I Would LIKE to Read This Winter

Yes, this week's Top Ten Tuesday (Thanks to The Broke and The Bookish) is about the books I would LIKE to read this winter. Which was a very difficult list to make seeing as I read 2 of the 10 I had intended to read this fall. So these are just books I hope to read, but we shall see if I do or do not. Who knows, I could maybe even tackle more than what I put on here, or change it around. We shall see. I tried to organize it by what I own with a couple that I do not own, because I have SO many books. So, starting with the books that I currently have physical copies of...






1. I Capture the Castle (Dodie Smith)- It's been on my list for awhile, and now that I finally got a copy at HPB I am thinking this winter it will definitely be something I crack open. I hear a lot of good things about it and am really wanting to be able to know for myself.








2. Scarlet (Marissa Meyer)- I read the first book in this series and loved it. Bought the 2nd book and clearly had anxiety about continuing the series. I really am not always the best at finishing books in a series. I figure I should jump back into this world. I hear nothing but excellent things about this book, and the book that follows it. And if I loved Cinder so much then why have I been waiting so long?






3. Jane Eyre (Charlotte Bronte)- I started this book a while back, and then there was a lot of stuff going on in my life that was just a lot to deal with, so I decided to put this book down for something a little more lighthearted. I was really liking his book too, but it just wasn't working at that point in my life. This winter, however, I think is a perfect time to sit in front of my fireplace with this one. And yes, I do have the illustrated one.






4. The Queen of the Tearling (Erika Johansen)- Yeaaaaaa I've really been wanting to read this book. I checked it out at the library once, but ran out of time and couldn't renew it. And of course, when I went back to check it out....it was gone. Lucky for me, it was $1.99 for my nook one day, and I most definitely jumped on that one. Does this not sound exactly like my type of fantasy novel?






5. Unbroken (Laura Hillenbrand)- This story has intrigued me, and when I worked at a library I checked it out a few times, but it kept getting pushed to the bottom of my pile and then requested so I had to bring it back. With the movie coming out in December it seems like the perfect time to finally read this one. I hear nothing but wonderful things about this book and it has been constantly recommended to me.





6. Lord of the Flies (William Golding)- Yes...I have never read Lord of the Flies. Keep shaking your head at me all you want. Roll your eyes, I don't care. I guess I never had to read it in high school. I'm definitely tired of getting shamed when it is discovered that I have not read this yet. I hear lots of different things, but I am going to read it so that I can FINALLY cross it off my list, and so I can stop getting all these ridiculous reactions from people.







7. The Flight of Gemma Hardy (Margot Livesey)- This one has been on my radar for awhile as well, though I just remembered to add it to my goodreads list. It sounds like a super interesting and intriguing story set in Ireland and Scotland. Though, it does say it is a wee bit like Jane Eyre, so I may want to try to finish that on first.





And now for the books that I do not have a physical copy of at the moment...


8. Station Eleven (Emily St. John Mandel)- Since learning of this book in the last couple of months I have been dying to get my hands on it. It's been awhile since I've had a dystopian read, and a lot of the book blogs that I follow really seem to LOVE this one (and it seems we have similar tastes). Sadly, I have been able to get a copy of this one and with the holidays fast approaching I am making sure to not buy for myself (HINT HINT FAMILY! I WANT THIS BOOK!) so I will just have to wait. I mean, I have plenty to read so it's not like its URGENT, but I do want it.






9 Snow Like Ashes (Sara Raasch)- Another book I have been wanting to have in my hands since learning about it. In fact, I almost bought it a couple weeks ago but decided against it. It's just another one of those fantasy novels that sounds just like something I would love to read. I've tried to track it down at the library, but have failed. So I'll wait and read what I have (HINT HINT AGAIN FAMILY!).  I figure I'll have my hands on this book eventually.






10. The Magicians (Lev Grossman)- I have read that this book is being called the adult version of Harry Potter (but, let's be honest....who cares if Harry Potter is for adults or children. Harry Potter is awesome at any age!). This had me, though it also had me nervous. Upon reading the description I could see it and definitely want to give it a try. Let's hope it lives up to my expectations.






Of course, anything that I had said I wanted to read this fall is fair game as well. There are a lot of other books I could have added to this list, but didn't. I kind of just went on a gut feeling (after looking at what I did have a copy of). Anything else I should add? Anything I should just ignore from this list?

Thank goodness winter reading doesn't technically start yet! The Young Elites is just sitting here begging me to read it!

Top Ten Characters I Want to Have Their Own Novel

This week's Top Ten Tuesday (thanks to The Broke and The Bookish) is about those secondary characters that I would love to learn more about. In ALMOST no particular order...

1. SNAPE

Seriously, how awesome would that be? I want to know more about Snape, more about why he is the way he is. More about his LOVE for Lily and his real, true feelings for Harry. I have so many questions, I want to know why he cares so much but shows so little. I want to know Snape more. UGH. PLEASE!

2. NEVILLE LONGBOTTOM

Seriously. I want this. Neville is a character that grew soooooo much throughout the Harry Potter books. And that is something we only see through the eyes of Harry Potter. I'd love to follow Neville through Hogwarts. I'd love to see what it was that changed in him and how he became so brave and strong and confident. I'd also love to see what he thinks of Harry throughout the years. To read through the point of someone who sees what Harry does but does not always participate could be interesting. Would it be 7 books? No.

SIDE NOTE: JK Rowling...if you're reading things (because I'm sure you are) I, and many others I'm sure, would like more about Voldemort's first rise to power. Seriously. How cool would that be? 

Ok, so those are the top two. Like above all else, I would want another book from their perspective. But here are some other ones I would really enjoy (in no particular order).

3. The Rebels (from The Selection series)

I just kind of want to get in their heads. I want to see how they view the system of how things work in Illea and if there are any things they do like about it. I want to get to know some of the faces behind the rebellion, because they can't all be crazy.

4. Princess Nehemia (from the Throne of Glass series)

She's a character I did not fully understand. Like she became such great friends with Calaena but seemed to always be keeping so much of her life hidden. I want to know about her life. I want to know about what is going on in her land and what in the world she was trying to accomplish. I liked her a lot, and I just want to learn more about her.

5. Aedion (from Heir of Fire, the 3rd Throne of Glass book)

He's a new character that's introduced in this book. As much as I grew to love him I was kind of confused by him at first. I understood how he fit in with the story, but I didn't get the character himself. I kind of wanted to know just what he'd been doing since the fall of the kingdom he was a part of. I think he would be even better if I had the time to really get to know him more through another book.

6. Rowan (from Heir of Fire, again...)

Ok, he's another new character that's introduced in this book. And he definitely told Calaena about his past, but I kind of want to learn more. I almost want a book that shows me just how painful things were before we meet him so I can fully understand just why he was in the position he was in for so long. I also really am a sucker for books where it ends in tragedy and the character works hard to rise above it. I dunno, I think Rowan would have such an interesting story. Maybe a little messed up, but I'd be ok with that. 

7. Metias (from the Legend series)

I just want to get to know Metias better. There seems to be so much to him, so much more than I saw. I think it would be awesome to see him grow and become who I saw in this series. Find out how he discovered things, all of that. I just want to be able to like him more, if that's the right way to say it. I just kind of found him to not be very real, and maybe a book about him would help.

8. Reagan (from Fangirl)

I know right, not a series. Shocker! And honestly, the first book that is not a fantasy/dystopian type book. And the only one. I really liked Reagan. She seemed like a great person and I would kind of love to know more about her and not just the person I see through Cath's eyes. I'd love to see what it was like when she started college, if she was at all like Cath or if she was always like how we see her (confident in herself, social, etc.).

9. Po (from the Graceling series)

I just want to see more about his life pre-Katsa, or even while he meets and gets to know Katsa. It gets so centered on her and her fear of commitment (and I loved this book, don't think I didn't). I just want to see what he thinks about things, and where he fits in besides with Katsa.

10. Uriah (from the Divergent series)

I just really want to see what it was like for someone who grew up Dauntless. Obviously this book series centers around Tris and her Abnegation background and Dauntless choice. I want to get to know what it is like to grow up and then choose Dauntless. I am just so curious. I could even be ok with looking into each faction just to see what it was like for a child to grow up in those environments. They all had so many viewpoints on what was going on in their society, and it would be so interesting to see what goes on.

It's so funny that the majority of these are from series, and those series are all in similar genres. But there are so many characters I meet and see through the eyes of the main character. How cool would it be to see the main character through the eyes of a secondary character?

And now I must get back to sorting through my dad's albums. It's crazy what awesomeness I've been finding since visiting home before picking Jake up. Kind of excited to take a little piece of my dad back to Wisconsin with me. And in honor of him we will end with someone that he loved, well one of the many many many musical acts he loved.

(yeaaaaa he really liked Kansas)

Sorted through all my dad's cassette tapes last night, tonight it's all his vinyl. Not all cassette tapes are shown.

Top Ten Books I am DYING to Reread

Another Top Ten Tuesday that I am SO excited to participate in (thank you The Broke and the Bookish). This week's top ten is about rereading. I am one that LOVES to reread, but I seem to hardly ever have the time to do so. And I have really been thinking about it lately and think that rereading may help me out of this slump I seem to be experiencing(though I am really starting to get into Heir of Fire now, thankfully. It's not that didn't love it, it's just I lack motivation.). So here are the top ten books I'd like to reread, in no particular order.

1. HARRY POTTER- Is that even a question? I adored this series so much, and I would love to dive into it again. I have reread the first one and the third one for school, and there were so many things that I did not remember and many things that reminded me of why I loved this series so much. I would love to be able to read them again, and I'm sure I would fly through them. I have definitely made fun of my friend for rereading them, but to be fair she has reread them a million times! And it's friendly making fun, not mean. But here you go Arika...I would love to reread Harry Potter. And then have a movie marathon! Plus, who wouldn't want to love and hate Snape all over again?

2. To Kill A Mockingbird- It has been SO long since I've read this one. I remember loving it when I did read it, but that was a very long time ago. Recently, the library that I worked at back home did a program with this, and of course that started right when I was moving, so I missed out on it and wish I hadn't. I just can't remember a lot from this book minus feeling in love with it, and I would love to reread it and rediscover just what it is I loved about it.





3. Graceling- I flew through this one the first time I read it. I loved the world that Cashore created, and I loved the characters and everything. I have the next book in the series, but before I dive into it I think I would really love to be able to reread this one. I want to remind myself of the world, remind myself of the characters and what they all have had to deal with. I think without a reread I won't be able to dive into the next one. So it seems like this one may have to happen. I want to remind myself how awesome Katsa is (because I know she's awesome, but I just can't remember HOW awesome).




4. Ella Enchanted- I devoured this book over and over again as a kid. I loved it so much. And it is SO different from that ridiculous movie (seriously, if you've only seen the movie and have never read the book you are missing out, so much). It's been years since I've read this one and I would love to be able to read it again. I'm sure it would be one of those that I would read real quick, maybe even in an afternoon.





5. The Looking Glass Wars- I loved this series. Read it when I was in college. Helped me get away from the stress of homework and reading textbooks. It was the best escape from reality. I loved this retelling of Alice in Wonderland. There were a lot of interesting twists and turns and it became a very interesting viewpoint on the world that Lewis Carroll created. If you haven't read this series I definitely think you should. I just put the audiobook of the first one on my phone so that on my long drive back home to get Jake I have something awesome to listen to. I am very excited to listen to it.




6. The Hobbit- With the last movie coming out I am definitely starting to feel the need to reread this. It has been awhile since I've read this too, but I know that I loved this one a lot. I know that the movie is an ADAPTATION of the book (plus some other writings) and not necessarily the book exactly, but there are many things in the book that I have just forgotten about that I feel the need to remember. Plus, it is completely ok to love the adaptation of the book and the book. A movie adaptation would not be any fun if it was exactly like the book. There are so many things in a book that are best left up to your own imagination, and when it is presented in front of you it isn't as amazing as you remember it being in the book. Sorry, my own little rant... I want to reread this one though.


7. Code Name Verity- This book took me one day to read. I loved it so much I was willing to sit all day long and read it. I loved this story so much, and the characters. The author moved me with this book. I felt so many different emotions while reading it, tears were shed. I just love when an author can do that to me as a reader. When they have the ability to get me so wrapped up in their story that I feel the emotions that the characters feel and when I feel that what happens to them happens to me. Ah! I love it. Definitely need to try to reread this one.


8. Cinder- I am really needing to read the second book in this series, but I think before doing that I need to reread the first one. I loved this book so much, I wasn't sure at first, it seemed like the plot was a bit cheesy, but I really loved it. I loved how this fairy tale could be told with a more dystopian/steampunk-y sort of world. I remember having a hard time adjusting to the world that this author created, and there are a lot of things that happened that I do not remember. I think it would be awesome if I were able to reread this one, plus it would help me so much when I start to read the next book, because I plan to read the next book.



9. The Secret Garden- Man, talk about a book that I haven't read in a very long time. I was very into this book as a kid. I read it a couple times and I loved it. But it's been so long since I've read it that I don't remember a lot about it. I would love to remember just what it was I loved about this book. I think this is definitely something I would love to reread.







10. Little Women- This is another book that I read when I was younger, but I can't remember a lot about it. I just remember that I loved it, so much. I want to remember just why I adored this book. I think rereading it now, at this point in my life, I would pick up on so much more of the story, and I hope that means that I would like it as much, if not more, than I did when I was younger.





I am really hoping that in the next year I can get some rereading in. I want to remember just why I fell in love with some of these books. I have this terrible habit of remember general feelings I have for the book that I'm reading. I can remember if a character was pretty awesome or not. I can remember what kind of emotions I have while reading the book, but when it comes to details I tend to forget them. I think that making it my goal to reread some, if not all, of these books would be really great for me especially if I get into a slump like I have been lately. I think it's important to reread those books that helped me fall in love with reading. Cannot wait to try to dive in to some of these. Though I definitely have some other books I need to finish first.

And now a song to send you off. Happy November!

The Hunt for a Floor Length Dress.

Seriously, how hard is it to find a floor length dress? Apparently super hard. I haven't actually gone out to stores to look yet, but that's mostly because I won't have the money to actually purchase anything until next week, but let me say I feel pretty discouraged just looking on the internet. Have you googled floor length gowns ever? Do it. Do it now. Here are my issues...

1. I am 25 years old. 25 YEARS OLD! So I am pretty positive that a Mother of the Bride type dress, which typically comes up fairly fast, is going to age me a lot and make me feel just a little bit ridiculous. If you like that kind of dress that's cool, but for a 25 year old it is unacceptable.

Seriously, I'm 25. How old will this make me look? 

2. Did I mention that I am 25? Yes, I am 25...not 17 or 18 and in the market for a prom dress. I am not looking for a sparkly, glitzy, fluffy sort of dress (yes, fluffy...I consider it to be a bit fluffy with all that tulle and such). I can't fit into my old prom dress (nor do I really want to anymore) and it just wouldn't work for me either. I am NOT looking for a prom dress.

Pretty sure I wasn't even looking for this type of dress as I looked for a prom dress.

3. I am pretty anti-strapless dress. Seriously, it doesn't really look that great on anyone and then you're constantly sitting there tugging up your dress just to make sure it doesn't slide down and expose what you do not want exposed. I mean seriously, how stupid do you look constantly tugging that up. I remember that being sooooo hard when I was looking for a wedding dress. Seriously, stop with the strapless dresses already!

So, you might be wondering...what do I actually want. Ugh...it's so hard. I never really thought that I would need a floor length dress until my husband told me right before he left the country (ha, good timing on his part right? He had to have known I'd be annoyed). Well, if you must know...I want something simple. I'm looking at some darker colors, probably sticking close to a black, because I just do not like wearing anything super bright and it'll be winter when I do wear it (in December) so yea, no bright colors. I want straps (duh!) so that I don't look like an idiot constantly tugging it up. I found this dress, which I love, but is sadly out of my price range (who has nearly $300 to drop on a dress like this?)

I love the simplicity. It's not over the top in any way. I want the waistline to be a bit higher, because I tend to lean towards more of an empire type dress, but I love this. But not $300 worth. 

So where should I look? I'm thinking of attempting to hit up thrift stores and consignment shops, because you never know what you will find (I got a really cute black dress for $8 at one, just needs a small adjustment but still...pretty awesome). Suggestions? I am pretty frustrated and not at all excited to start actually going out there to search. But I need to get one since apparently this could be my dress code for various events in my life later on as well. Any and all suggestions are helpful. :)

Top Ten Bookish Costume Ideas

Time for another Top Ten on this Tuesday, thanks to The Broke and the Bookish. Today's is all about Halloween, and since we all know that I'm not into watching scary movies or books I'm picking some book characters I'd like to be for Halloween if I were able to dress up (which I am not because I have no friends here and am just all around lame this year I guess...). So, in no particular order:

1. Linh Cinder from The Lunar Chronicles- Ok, so I've only read the first book. But still. She is a cyborg mechanic. How cool would that be? How I would pull it off I do not know, but I figure the internet would be super helpful here.  Maybe this would work?

But I think this is something I would have to look into more. I just loved her, so yea, that'd be cool.

2. Flapper in the style of The Great Gatsby- I can't say that I love any of the characters in this particular book, but I love this book. I loved getting to dress up when we did an event at the library. Seriously, so fun. There are so many different styles of dresses and head dresses I could do. Ah. So hard to choose.

Also, the costuming in this movie...fantastic. I seriously just adore it so much. Could take lots of inspiration from that.

3. Celaena Sardothien from the Throne of Glass series- Seriously, she is fantastic. She is incredibly strong and yet can be slightly girly as well. The various costumes I could pull with her as an inspiration would be awesome. She has dressed many different parts as an assassin, and I haven't even finished the third book yet.

Just based on the covers alone I could think of some cool stuff. Sadly, I am not blonde.

4. Hermione Granger from the Harry Potter series- I have never been able to dress up as any of the Harry Potter characters, and Hermione has always been one of my favorites, since before the movies and Emma Watson's fantastic portrayal. I love so many characters, but she was my favorite first. She is kind, intelligent, and always willing to help out a friend. Who would't want to be her?

And I wouldn't necessarily have to do the school uniform look. I could do the Yule Ball look too. Ah, it would be fantastic.

5. Dauntless (or any other faction) from Divergent- I think I can't decide exactly what faction is my favorite, because they all have so many qualities that are really great. I also can't pick a favorite character (and no, Tris is not my favorite character. I mean I don't hate her, but still). So many options, and so many cool characters come from all of these different factions (and some not so cool ones).

I'd probably lean towards Dauntless or Abnegation just because those colors seem to be pretty me, but who knows.

6. Katniss Everdeen from The Hunger Games- Uhm, duh! Did you doubt this would make the list? Katniss is pretty awesome, and her costume would be pretty sweet cool. I really don't have any other reasons for this. It just a no brainer.

Again, many options. Sadly..I cannot braid my hair. Anyone want to do that for me? 

7. Basically anything from Alice in Wonderland- I'd go as Alice, The Mad Hatter, The Queen of Heart, The Cheshire Cat...basically anything. I think these costumes would be super fun and I would LOVE to explore the options that it brings.

I seriously don't know if I could chose. Maybe this is cheating, but seriously...anything.

8. Elizabeth Bennet from Pride and Prejudice- Seriously, it would be such an awesome costume. I love Pride and Prejudice, and Lizzy Bennet is pretty awesome and I think doing a Keira Knightley type of costume with this would be pretty awesome.

Seriously, some gorgeous costumes. And they'd be pretty simple to put together too.

9. Will Scarlet/Scarlet from the Scarlet series- I don't know if I've gushed about this retelling enough, but I would love to dress up as Scarlet. Either as Scarlet pretending to be Will Scarlet or as Scarlet being Scarlet. She's such a strong character that has overcame so much. Has so many attributes that I admire, and I think it would be a fun costume. Plus people might actually be able to guess this.

I love the whole Robin Hood story, and this was such a fun re-telling that I adored. Why not dress as the main character?

10. Princess Buttercup from The Princess Bride- I think I would love this. And honestly, I hate couples costumes...but how fun of a costume would it be to be Buttercup and Westley? It would be awesome. I read this book once, loved it. Watched the movie a million time and I love it. Would be a lot of fun, and probably one of the few people would actually get.

As many choices as there are, I'm definitely thinking the red dress would be best. Simple to put together and everything.

Sadly, I will be doing nothing for Halloween. I do not know anyone around here so it looks like I'll be sitting at my place watching movies and eating candy. Well that and I have to close at the store as well, so that's exciting right? I'll just have to think up of more costumes for next year.

Hope you all have a safe and fun Halloween!

Isn't it kind of sad that my favorite Halloween movies are animated and musicals? I'm looking at Nightmare Before Christmas, Corpse Bride, Coraline, Sweeney Todd, Sleepy Hollow (ok...not a musical), etc.

Top Ten New Series to Start!!!

Another Tuesday that I can participate in the Broke and the Bookish's Top Ten Tuesday. This week is all about the series that I have not yet started but hope to soon! So here we go, in no particular order at all.

1. Murphy's Law by Rhys Bowen

A mystery about a woman who flees Ireland for America and becomes a prime suspect for murder. I know a few people who have read it and they highly recommend it. I have recently been getting into this genre a bit, and this this would be a fun series to further my interest in it.

2. The Thief by Megan Turner

This has been on my list for awhile, and it seems to really fit into my love of fantasy series. I just love the worlds that the authors of books like this create, and this one is not a SUPER long series, which definitely makes it more appealing.

3. The 5th Wave by Rick Yancey

If you know me you know that I am a sucker for Dystopian books, especially series. I tear through them pretty fast and ALWAYS want more. This one has been on my list for awhile, and it seems to be CONSTANTLY checked out at the library. One of these days...

4.Valkyrie Rising by Ingrid Paulson

Set in Norway? Filled with Norse Mythology? Count me in! It's not very often you find a book set there that has mythology included, and I think it sounds super interesting (and some reviewers I follow on Goodreads seem to like it)

5. The Queen of the Tearling by Erika Johansen

Did I mention that I LOVE fantasy series, especially lately? Because I do. This book just came out recently, and it seems right down my alley. Sadly, when I checked it out I was in the middle of something else and ran out of time (it's a pretty large book). But it's pretty high up on my list.

6. The Young Elites by Marie Lu

Marie Lu wrote the Legends series, which I was obsessed with. Seriously. I liked it was easily comparable to the Hunger Games, and I think I liked it more! She seemed to create characters that were easy to relate to, but yet were unique in the world she created. I hear WONDERFUL things about this book, and I cannot wait to eventually get my hands on it (though I'm wondering if I should just purchase it..)

7. The Crown (Queen of Hearts Series) by Colleen Oakes

If you know me, you know that I love Alice in Wonderland, and I seem to really be drawn to retellings of it. I absolutely loved The Looking Glass Wars (and feel pretty strongly that if you have not read it then you really should!) and would love to read about the Queen of Hearts.

8. The False Prince (The Ascendance Trilogy) by Jennifer Nielsen

Read the description and tell me that this does not sound like a book I'd be super into. Seriously, I dare you. This book is sitting at my apartment right now, it's just I'm such an ADD reader. I get so easily distracted by other things. But I plan on diving into this series as well. It just sounds awesome.

9. The Hero and the Crown (Damar) by Robin Mckinley

This is a series I have been meaning to get into, and it's another one that I have just sitting on my dresser. I seriously have been really into fantasy lately, and this is yet another one that seems right up my alley. 

10. Snow like Ashes by Sara Raasch

I actually just found out about this one today while reading another blogger's top ten (seriously, how fun is it to discover new books from other bloggers? I love it!). It just really intrigued me. It sounds like the author created a super interesting world and the characters do as well. Luckily, I think I can wait a little bit for this one since the 2nd book won't be out until sometime in 2015.

Anything else I should be adding to this ever growing list???