tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-89305874632717362952024-02-20T12:01:32.445+10:00Infinite InkA blog about books and bookish things. Features reviews, hauls, tags, and any literature-related thoughts I may have.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08557219206055636765noreply@blogger.comBlogger129125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8930587463271736295.post-37066909001156958512015-08-26T18:03:00.000+10:002015-08-26T18:03:19.133+10:00Top 5 Wednesday: Book Series You Wish Had More Books<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgprIDIcD1DHjviT1FSgSfdtSJjWn269Lzw0zbk7cLqjCyjvO-dQUvcswkiwoYRUMt2oXYdCmS-t_E9ndNoGsz5SbOqPWk7KN6maSVUA5d8Vlfr_OQziE1FUml0owq7KBpvAQ6AdEmI1peN/s1600/118368.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgprIDIcD1DHjviT1FSgSfdtSJjWn269Lzw0zbk7cLqjCyjvO-dQUvcswkiwoYRUMt2oXYdCmS-t_E9ndNoGsz5SbOqPWk7KN6maSVUA5d8Vlfr_OQziE1FUml0owq7KBpvAQ6AdEmI1peN/s1600/118368.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">To find out more about Top 5 Wednesday, check out the <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/118368-top-5-wednesday" target="_blank">Goodreads group</a>.</td></tr>
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It's been almost a month since I've posted on this blog, and for that I'm truly sorry. My life just got out of hand and something had to go, so my reading and writing were put on hiatus.<div>
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Now, I am trying to ease back into both activities, and the best way to start on Infinite Ink again is by participating in T5W.</div>
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This week's topic is "Book Series You Wish Had More Books." Let's do this!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfHS8_lztSzNvO63Wcyd0JuSDEs3jV_Dl_0EVmaxFyc26UFwI1tqmvcUfWuxJZlNw7MhhiStnI5zf3h-i9p28AmoCPsIL9T8IFSisq6bcViw-4Z2LhNB6Jk_hn15uyUqq0ZhA1WQ_QdPYt/s1600/10137823.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfHS8_lztSzNvO63Wcyd0JuSDEs3jV_Dl_0EVmaxFyc26UFwI1tqmvcUfWuxJZlNw7MhhiStnI5zf3h-i9p28AmoCPsIL9T8IFSisq6bcViw-4Z2LhNB6Jk_hn15uyUqq0ZhA1WQ_QdPYt/s320/10137823.jpg" width="208" /></a></div>
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<b>The Rithmatist Series by Brandon Sanderson</b></div>
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My first choice is definitely cheating, but I don't care. There is at least one more book planned for this series, but it's not out yet, and there is no projected date for it. Therefore, it is on this list. I am just being impatient, though.</div>
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Number Four</h4>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6c4HcMAPBx4CnwgtDjl0aSj9Mj1nrWxjQU5VAeYOOd6bJA6yq9UCfFLv5-OV3-zYHJMVVpBXSxCFa9d8v0r136FaqGSMT-QkCU7tBDBwfOy4HRH_UVhMUCLl9NFZiEl459tNE4IiacQ41/s1600/20263218.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6c4HcMAPBx4CnwgtDjl0aSj9Mj1nrWxjQU5VAeYOOd6bJA6yq9UCfFLv5-OV3-zYHJMVVpBXSxCFa9d8v0r136FaqGSMT-QkCU7tBDBwfOy4HRH_UVhMUCLl9NFZiEl459tNE4IiacQ41/s320/20263218.jpg" width="214" /></a></div>
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<b>Koe No Katachi by Yoshitoki Ooima</b></div>
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I really liked this manga, but I hated how it ended so abruptly. I want more issues that follow the main characters to Tokyo and actually develop their love story.</div>
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Number Three</h4>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5j9eRIg3LJFBdjiwxg0i9mbJGNX6UA1ojo6TWNoJA_f735vEeDmxzjXvo2-tsPMqvz2U6KiuGNNDBYVPidCy68wfrkuDDPSVSGh8Ve-u4H9R-H4VF-LyqMwZ1cQRSALhdHLRGtuv3mFFn/s1600/sanderson-mistborntrilogyuk4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="165" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5j9eRIg3LJFBdjiwxg0i9mbJGNX6UA1ojo6TWNoJA_f735vEeDmxzjXvo2-tsPMqvz2U6KiuGNNDBYVPidCy68wfrkuDDPSVSGh8Ve-u4H9R-H4VF-LyqMwZ1cQRSALhdHLRGtuv3mFFn/s320/sanderson-mistborntrilogyuk4.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b>The Mistborn Series by Brandon Sanderson</b></div>
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I was completely satisfied with how this series ended, so it's not on this list because of lack of story. Rather, I just miss the characters and the world. I really want to continue my adventures with them. </div>
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Number Two</h4>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1fXUF_8V6N1Zvvxd422zsHqzLXux57Nn79bhtJ34Gqhe-fwJ8WRXFEU6IUmVMnxE7piT6Yn9K30DpcFDzTpCSu8VapCybJS7a7DJRErT9-LSMaWYTowgNb71I77vZ79MlZQyT8ttfBmc8/s1600/188572.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1fXUF_8V6N1Zvvxd422zsHqzLXux57Nn79bhtJ34Gqhe-fwJ8WRXFEU6IUmVMnxE7piT6Yn9K30DpcFDzTpCSu8VapCybJS7a7DJRErT9-LSMaWYTowgNb71I77vZ79MlZQyT8ttfBmc8/s320/188572.jpg" width="192" /></a></div>
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<b>Sherlock Holmes stories by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle</b></div>
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The Sherlock Holmes stories are some of my favorites, so I really wish that there were many more available. Regardless, I love rereading them.</div>
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Number One</h4>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCJx4RuvRLUiPsp037z8d3Oi1TA-GvRKyBqQeoJYYA8gUBPyhRjgYY-6BplIb_L8Jysfvf-Ro3a9sndr2GNg2F7Jjfh3007E3X5EuSyIM18TZHM4uolCXc-UczEaBa5Yq6CvaMX8pa76Qu/s1600/783.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="316" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCJx4RuvRLUiPsp037z8d3Oi1TA-GvRKyBqQeoJYYA8gUBPyhRjgYY-6BplIb_L8Jysfvf-Ro3a9sndr2GNg2F7Jjfh3007E3X5EuSyIM18TZHM4uolCXc-UczEaBa5Yq6CvaMX8pa76Qu/s320/783.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b>The Harry Potter Series by J.K. Rowling</b></div>
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Obviously. Give me the Marauders. Give me their children. Give me ANYTHING. I just want more.</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Those are my top 5 series I wish had more books. What series do you wish would never end? Tell me in the comments below.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Check out my book review on Daphne du Maurier's <i>Rebecca</i> <a href="http://infiniteink671.blogspot.com/2015/07/book-review-rebecca-by-daphne-du-maurier.html" target="_blank">here</a>.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Also, find me on <a href="https://twitter.com/infiniteink671">Twitter</a>, <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/infiniteink">Goodreads</a>, <a href="http://instagram.com/infiniteink671/">Instagram</a>, and <a href="http://www.bloglovin.com/blogs/infinite-ink-12736997">Bloglovin</a>.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br />Happy reading!</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08557219206055636765noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8930587463271736295.post-63496621586451306372015-07-30T00:59:00.000+10:002015-07-30T00:59:49.606+10:00Top 5 Wednesday: Character Tropes<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgprIDIcD1DHjviT1FSgSfdtSJjWn269Lzw0zbk7cLqjCyjvO-dQUvcswkiwoYRUMt2oXYdCmS-t_E9ndNoGsz5SbOqPWk7KN6maSVUA5d8Vlfr_OQziE1FUml0owq7KBpvAQ6AdEmI1peN/s1600/118368.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgprIDIcD1DHjviT1FSgSfdtSJjWn269Lzw0zbk7cLqjCyjvO-dQUvcswkiwoYRUMt2oXYdCmS-t_E9ndNoGsz5SbOqPWk7KN6maSVUA5d8Vlfr_OQziE1FUml0owq7KBpvAQ6AdEmI1peN/s1600/118368.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">To find out more about T5W, check out the <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/118368-top-5-wednesday" target="_blank">Goodreads group</a>.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I've been really busy this month, so I've been neglecting my Top 5 Wednesday posts. However, I'm back this week to discuss my favorite character tropes. <br />
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Three of my choices are very closely related, and many characters overlap each category. Therefore, I suppose you could reason that I have a literary "type." So, please pardon me for my lack of variety.<br />
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Let's get into it.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguNDVM7RISqxG4OIYzxoTVifEEw9nce0S0y7jLUVK9bX7c6E4zSEjVeLc1jL2wyxt-7jtUXgoOwVZryTdLhNmys-T3bqwTdt68tIryOXfD2oO0yZ4XTDPfdz1mq_qUPQERRttEHL0maXgb/s1600/PhotoGrid_1438173826265.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguNDVM7RISqxG4OIYzxoTVifEEw9nce0S0y7jLUVK9bX7c6E4zSEjVeLc1jL2wyxt-7jtUXgoOwVZryTdLhNmys-T3bqwTdt68tIryOXfD2oO0yZ4XTDPfdz1mq_qUPQERRttEHL0maXgb/s400/PhotoGrid_1438173826265.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<b>Star-crossed Lovers</b></div>
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Even though this is one of the most cliché archetypes, I still really enjoy it when it's done well. I tend to prefer love stories when there is tragedy involved, so couples like Sakura and Syaoran from <i>Tsubasa: Reservoir Chronicles</i>, Heathcliff and Catherine from <i>Wuthering Heights</i>, Romeo and Juliet, and Will and Lyra from the His Dark Materials Trilogy are some of my favorites. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioniO82TV-xR_8jHhcYOGzrX33HAZ3wEA2rQOywNjmC8pnxsDNrotpan5gPa94AjgMx0sAmSZfV__jUxGRI4M1yMV9qlVH_a8T91QLxMswVANeKyhle1cW-chXvVPSZ5Pw2ptHj3rC_7rC/s1600/PhotoGrid_1438174249941.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioniO82TV-xR_8jHhcYOGzrX33HAZ3wEA2rQOywNjmC8pnxsDNrotpan5gPa94AjgMx0sAmSZfV__jUxGRI4M1yMV9qlVH_a8T91QLxMswVANeKyhle1cW-chXvVPSZ5Pw2ptHj3rC_7rC/s400/PhotoGrid_1438174249941.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<b>The Child Savior</b></div>
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These days, this character is often linked to the Chosen One trope, which can be tiresome after awhile. However, I still like literature that features a singularly gifted child led through horrible circumstances because of the expectations and pressures of adults. My favorite example of this is Ender from <i>Ender's Game</i>, which is one of my favorite books. </div>
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Number Three</h4>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6Lc3rwKYbTmdG5w5x8gTfsFGNKngN4RgucXAyApWEZvtCxsGBo444GvmHMYxB5Y3UoxSSEQzm8Y-fpC0yvcLhyn3iQ84-l2ewmzxkwbU7yNNHnVeOzhOWKQv_wgOLJlX0QyG1kqpHen_O/s1600/PhotoGrid_1438175362560.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6Lc3rwKYbTmdG5w5x8gTfsFGNKngN4RgucXAyApWEZvtCxsGBo444GvmHMYxB5Y3UoxSSEQzm8Y-fpC0yvcLhyn3iQ84-l2ewmzxkwbU7yNNHnVeOzhOWKQv_wgOLJlX0QyG1kqpHen_O/s400/PhotoGrid_1438175362560.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<b>The Vigilante</b></div>
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The vigilante is a favorite of mine. Instead of merely complaining about the status quo, he takes control and does what others can't or won't. I love the moral ambiguity involved with his work and how this trope can range from the almost lawful good (such as Spiderman) to absolute chaos (think Rorschach from <i>Watchmen</i>). </div>
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Number Two</h4>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBYgy7_1fZEUI1bI0Pxg8G9TZVoz3XO9k4YtDlnetFMuptARzfgaIpBhIffUelC6j0p7zPZTE7SDESmehkpFWJakyfWK1qTJL0mjRiydbwIt8m2-YqQJvh5GrgoC0F8GSxgMT_p4MdzPWx/s1600/PhotoGrid_1438174940583.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBYgy7_1fZEUI1bI0Pxg8G9TZVoz3XO9k4YtDlnetFMuptARzfgaIpBhIffUelC6j0p7zPZTE7SDESmehkpFWJakyfWK1qTJL0mjRiydbwIt8m2-YqQJvh5GrgoC0F8GSxgMT_p4MdzPWx/s400/PhotoGrid_1438174940583.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<b>The Antihero</b></div>
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I know that this is very closely related to The Vigilante, but it is still a distinctive archetype, and it is my favorite type of hero. I always prefer a protagonist with a dark side. Not only does it make him or her more complex, but it creates a tense ambivalence in me throughout the read. I especially enjoy it when I'm not sure if the character is a hero or a villain, as in the case of Severus Snape. </div>
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Number One</h4>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSkH9RDWVYUgRFyn3iVYJZVC52CKkF1vEdiZHyFZ_WV2ekTp3NiyuCcvplsJgHVlbSuDIOfVPIBK1VhWUQMxLo_NaiPLCxmvfbk4L8RMQSOCCLXkCKbEr8KVipKJqD0fvN0CZddCArfvKa/s1600/PhotoGrid_1438176931124.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSkH9RDWVYUgRFyn3iVYJZVC52CKkF1vEdiZHyFZ_WV2ekTp3NiyuCcvplsJgHVlbSuDIOfVPIBK1VhWUQMxLo_NaiPLCxmvfbk4L8RMQSOCCLXkCKbEr8KVipKJqD0fvN0CZddCArfvKa/s400/PhotoGrid_1438176931124.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<b>The Rebel</b></div>
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I think this list makes it apparent that I like bad boys, with The Rebel coming in at number one. There are so many different types of rebels, but the Revolutionary (Kelsier from The Mistborn Trilogy) and the Misfit (Sal Paradise from <i>On the Road</i>) are my favorites. You can check out an in-depth breakdown of the different types of rebels <a href="http://susannabarlow.com/on-archetypes/understanding-the-rebel-archetype/" target="_blank">here</a>. </div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Those are my favorite character tropes. What are your favorite archetypes? Tell me in the comments below.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">To see my last Top 5 Wednesday, click <a href="http://infiniteink671.blogspot.com/2015/07/top-5-wednesday-favorite-chapter.html" target="_blank">here</a>.</span></div>
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Connect with me via <a href="https://twitter.com/infiniteink671">Twitter</a>, <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/infiniteink">Goodreads</a>, <a href="http://instagram.com/infiniteink671/">Instagram</a>, and <a href="http://www.bloglovin.com/blogs/infinite-ink-12736997">Bloglovin</a>.</div>
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Happy reading!</div>
</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08557219206055636765noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8930587463271736295.post-50745659886575052882015-07-20T21:56:00.000+10:002015-07-30T00:56:05.379+10:00Book Review: Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWALCbF-NPjgNqoErhmjfNvy22mNC0v2euT6JmA_Lc00QL8gNGx0Xt-mjqVweEKaIdgkQxf1KpLObZSXRqvcHkl9gxXD-OgYNHxLcfM6v6iHoNFiN37rzM2K5FhqJSLlK3qX2JI8OdHKy9/s1600/23310834.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWALCbF-NPjgNqoErhmjfNvy22mNC0v2euT6JmA_Lc00QL8gNGx0Xt-mjqVweEKaIdgkQxf1KpLObZSXRqvcHkl9gxXD-OgYNHxLcfM6v6iHoNFiN37rzM2K5FhqJSLlK3qX2JI8OdHKy9/s1600/23310834.jpg" /></a></div>
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<i>Rebecca</i> by Daphne du Maurier<br />Narrated by Anna Massey<br />Hachette Audio<br />3 September 2014<br />14 hours and 38 minutes<br />Classic Gothic<br />4 Stars</h3>
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<br /><a href="http://www.audible.com/pd/Classics/Rebecca-Audiobook/B00N98OWQI" target="_blank">Audible</a>; <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/23310834-rebecca" target="_blank">Goodreads</a></h3>
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<br /><i>Last night I dreamt I went to Manderley again....</i></h3>
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<br />The novel begins in Monte Carlo, where our heroine is swept off her feet by the dashing widower Maxim de Winter and his sudden proposal of marriage. Orphaned and working as a lady's maid, she can barely believe her luck. It is only when they arrive at his massive country estate that she realizes how large a shadow his late wife will cast over their lives - resenting her with a lingering evil that threatens to destroy their marriage from beyond the grave.</h3>
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I had been wanting to read <i>Rebecca </i>for months now, but it had been put off in favor of other books. I decided I must do it this month and chose to listen to an audio version because I have several demands on my attention at the present and can't find the time to sit with a book.<br />
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I was immediately enveloped by the story. There was intrigue and mystery from the first, and, unlike many classics, this one didn't start slowly, requiring the reader to warm to it. Furthermore, it kept me involved and in suspense all the way through. </div>
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This is a plot-driven novel and a definite page-turner. Though I saw the twist coming early on, it didn't lessen the experience a fraction. Rather, it made me even more nervous to see how it would be revealed and then concluded. </div>
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Our narrator is a young girl throughout most of the book, naive and innocent. When she first marries, she's idealistic and has great romantic notions of what her life will be. Yet, as she spends more time at Manderley, she becomes paranoid, insecure, and, finally, loses her innocence. She has moments of strength, but then something serves to dispirit her, and she fades to the background again. </div>
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I feel quite ambivalent about the protagonist. On the one hand, I love her youthfulness. There is truth in her having foolish ideas of marriage, as most young brides do. Moreover, she gives the story balance as the only bright aspect. However, there are many moments when she acts so densely that I was frustrated to the point of fury toward her. I don't mind how weak of a person she is because I realize it was intentional on the part of du Maurier, and it enhances the overall story. What I disapprove of is how she never guesses at the mystery though it is often plain to see. It's not a willful denial to see truth, either, so she just appears stupid in those moments. </div>
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Though the narrator is supposed to be the main character of the novel, the true central figure is Maxim's deceased wife, Rebecca. Though she never appears in person, she's such an important aspect that she overshadows all others. Not only does she claim the title of the work, but the new Mrs. de Winter's real name is never actually revealed. Rather than giving her an identity of her own, she is only presented as "not Rebecca." </div>
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I expected Rebecca's character to be revealed through various flashbacks, but there weren't any. Instead, her picture is painted through the descriptions of others. She was bold, cultured, intelligent, charming, talented and beautiful, according to them. I appreciated this way of building her person because she was untouchable throughout the majority of the novel. She wasn't a person of flesh and flaws but a phantom of perfection whom couldn't be defeated. </div>
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Besides Rebecca, Mrs. Danvers is the strongest character. Devoted to Rebecca, she is hateful toward the narrator. She is oft compared to a skeleton and is always dressed in black, which is fitting since she is the source of most of the suspense and upset. I found her to be quite mad, and she unsettled me a great deal in her psychotic worship of her former mistress. Cold and calculating, she subtly undermines the narrator, smiling as she twists the knife. Though she seems sane at first, her insanity slowly becomes apparent the more she interacts with the narrator, ultimately culminating in horrific acts. This novel would have been sorely lacking without her. </div>
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Finally, there is Maxim, though, truthfully, he was absent for most of the pages. Even when he was there, he was so cloistered within himself that he might not have been. Moody, withdrawn, and ever somber, he bears the scars of his wife's death. Rather than talking about it, he attempts to bury every memory; yet, this merely puts a gulf between he and his new wife and leads to misunderstanding and confusion. </div>
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Though I didn't particularly want to be in his corner, I found myself hoping for his deliverance from every ghost. Even though I'd normally condemn his actions, I sympathized with him instead. He threw off my moral compass, which was unsettling.<br />
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The novel starts with the narrator during the present day, when she's woken from a dream about Manderley. Then, it slips into one long flashback, which comprises the rest of the novel. Though the main story takes place in the past, it's written in the present tense, as if she and the reader are just experiencing it. I liked this choice in tense because, even though I had a vague idea of the outcome of the story, it made everything seem so much more dramatic.<br />
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Daphne du Maurier's writing style is rich and atmospheric. The tone from the very outset is foreboding and eerie, but she also manages to juxtapose the beautiful with the macabre, typical of Gothic literature. Her vocabulary and structure are fairly accessible, making this an excellent choice for those uncomfortable with classic literature.<br />
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One of the major themes, of course, is social class. The narrator feels a great schism between herself and Maxim because of their difference in birth. Not only that, but she views herself as inferior to and unable to run Manderley, a view which Mrs. Danvers encourages. Yet, while preaching strict social conventions, many of the characters simultaneously break their own rules, engaging in affairs, black mail, gossip, and violence.<br />
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Another important topic is marriage, especially the social shame of failed marriage. The narrator is willing to do anything it takes to make her marriage appear successful and desperately wants Maxim to believe that they're happy together. She even goes as far as to contemplate suicide when she thinks that their relationship isn't working.<br />
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Lastly, the most controversial theme is that of justice. In <i>Rebecca, </i>the most heinous crime goes unpunished. Not only that, but those who know of the crime have no condemnation for the perpetrator either. The reader, too, finds him or herself identifying with the criminal and casting a vote against common law.<br />
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The new end of the novel was truly satisfying for me, even though I knew how things would conclude. I can't imagine any other ending, and I love the fact that it's not happy even though the narrator and Maxim got everything they wanted.<br />
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The narrator for the audible version was excellent. She gave each character a unique voice without serving as a distraction, and her pacing and pronunciation were excellent. I would definitely listen to her narrate again.<br />
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I really loved this book, and it's one of my favorite classics now. <b>It gets 4.5 stars from me. </b><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Do you agree with my review of <i>Rebecca</i>? Do you have any other classic recommendations for me? Tell me in the comments. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">To see my latest book review, click <a href="http://infiniteink671.blogspot.com/2015/06/book-review-rithmatist-by-brandon.html" target="_blank">here</a>.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Also, find me on <a href="https://twitter.com/infiniteink671">Twitter</a>, <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/infiniteink">Goodreads</a>, <a href="http://instagram.com/infiniteink671/">Instagram</a>, and <a href="http://www.bloglovin.com/blogs/infinite-ink-12736997">Bloglovin</a>.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Happy reading!</span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08557219206055636765noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8930587463271736295.post-68595919678576182692015-07-10T09:00:00.000+10:002015-07-10T09:00:02.149+10:00Comic Book 101 - FormatsI am by no means a comic book expert. I gained interest in the medium only in the past few years, and I've hardly made an impact in my exploration of the many excellent titles and genres. <br />
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Yet, I realize that comic book reading is becoming trendier and many people are also newcomers. Therefore, it stands to reason that others are having the same issue with comic book terminology as I did in the beginning.<br />
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So, this post is all about the various formats comics are offered in.<br />
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Single Issue</h4>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhth_I0f0_eq0Jy3yK-vfmIQo4-IpMvew_Qvz_r4Zp8t2yT2hZsUBOguk5pBsVKKIGdYMpjmHZ0tNyAClDYGHYP0qGcffnercqcxkCVw1ak0WJ7ktZTub-3orGHkfvfM0VYqXsHtchaewfd/s1600/PicsArt_1423020935084.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhth_I0f0_eq0Jy3yK-vfmIQo4-IpMvew_Qvz_r4Zp8t2yT2hZsUBOguk5pBsVKKIGdYMpjmHZ0tNyAClDYGHYP0qGcffnercqcxkCVw1ak0WJ7ktZTub-3orGHkfvfM0VYqXsHtchaewfd/s200/PicsArt_1423020935084.jpg" width="195" /></a>This is what most of us picture when we hear the term comic book. These are the serials printed magazine-style that people go to their local comic book shop to pick up weekly or monthly. They are usually about 30 pages long but can be shorter or longer. </div>
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Typically, upon purchase, you will be asked if you want them (or they will automatically come) bagged and boarded. All this means is that they'll be put in a plastic bag with a piece of cardboard backing it for protection.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvNVUkCdPyu8lArQWE3Rif_4TynagWLFmGWrPtT9pk8d6qzR0o1yiuafZdi2V-yXHQ4fF-u2j0MWHq6hR_klp_Uy_FGDgtUnT0BizHwDpzNoiZT-NjgK1yZEK3MbBN-7Oopiy-KkAUDa2O/s1600/472331.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvNVUkCdPyu8lArQWE3Rif_4TynagWLFmGWrPtT9pk8d6qzR0o1yiuafZdi2V-yXHQ4fF-u2j0MWHq6hR_klp_Uy_FGDgtUnT0BizHwDpzNoiZT-NjgK1yZEK3MbBN-7Oopiy-KkAUDa2O/s200/472331.jpg" width="133" /></a></div>
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Trade</h4>
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Trades are bind-ups of five to ten single issues. They most often come in paperback, but they do make them in hardcover, as well. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrBTPdzRF4qn07jjoC_ymkSg6M4cGEICGkw2Irmx0U35zN3gFMFq5oPlTUfD9t-MVTyioEfA_YvpvHWiQNnRDcb9JxLfgLlLiNt7qsPZtb7tilq-4JHV9XfPzI8UU9OT64ML5eitOWt1qB/s1600/13570.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrBTPdzRF4qn07jjoC_ymkSg6M4cGEICGkw2Irmx0U35zN3gFMFq5oPlTUfD9t-MVTyioEfA_YvpvHWiQNnRDcb9JxLfgLlLiNt7qsPZtb7tilq-4JHV9XfPzI8UU9OT64ML5eitOWt1qB/s200/13570.jpg" width="132" /></a></div>
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Digest</h4>
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These are collections that are smaller in size. An example of this is Archie Comics. Manga comes in this format, as well.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYgkVWTk6Lm7O1iMRn9s4ZagC4zVh6ZB7lm50h189Lsysr54e0PzUPNvQNHWgvwWU_x__lqemdhIyGmnJK98EB4ldXMrc0ppeFnerexRosVxpv2giqqbpGrS0uOys_OyjHVq1wwJ3Q18gk/s1600/marvelnowomnihccvr.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYgkVWTk6Lm7O1iMRn9s4ZagC4zVh6ZB7lm50h189Lsysr54e0PzUPNvQNHWgvwWU_x__lqemdhIyGmnJK98EB4ldXMrc0ppeFnerexRosVxpv2giqqbpGrS0uOys_OyjHVq1wwJ3Q18gk/s200/marvelnowomnihccvr.jpg" width="138" /></a></div>
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Omnibus</h4>
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If you are looking for a massive bind-up of single issues, you are looking for an omnibus. These hardcover collections usually include more than twenty issues, typically compiling a complete run or series.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3J5tPAqWsRV_dwlVD0lX8GYda1pcVCip3gY13d8lmil1QafQDemWNv_T5mx08q7cgv26VerDQrToA29VOHoQl7O1IrnlNtVKvzyTukIwQBOX7KfgrrRJ1NNOY6n27ncg37blvUtcZo_xC/s1600/64229.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3J5tPAqWsRV_dwlVD0lX8GYda1pcVCip3gY13d8lmil1QafQDemWNv_T5mx08q7cgv26VerDQrToA29VOHoQl7O1IrnlNtVKvzyTukIwQBOX7KfgrrRJ1NNOY6n27ncg37blvUtcZo_xC/s200/64229.jpg" width="140" /></a></div>
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Graphic Novel/Memoir</h4>
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Graphic novels and memoirs are exactly what they sound like - stories, typically longer in length, that are released in full. They can be split into parts, but they are never released as single issues. </div>
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Webcomic</h4>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-W7OaCECWOMdZcIW9eCSv3yilhS15bE3RFoLTfM9wnG8P0NPHlf2LAgAsa1IdrWLTXoqH7e9Q550YBqHXmhFnikS5bl3FK5xqXqCPQKdAmxI8Dl9zOaYMSxQZru7BkFhNtQo7IUHa_ZO9/s1600/qw-comicprints.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="122" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-W7OaCECWOMdZcIW9eCSv3yilhS15bE3RFoLTfM9wnG8P0NPHlf2LAgAsa1IdrWLTXoqH7e9Q550YBqHXmhFnikS5bl3FK5xqXqCPQKdAmxI8Dl9zOaYMSxQZru7BkFhNtQo7IUHa_ZO9/s200/qw-comicprints.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.qwantz.com/index.php" target="_blank">Dinosaur Comics</a> is a favorite webcomic of mine.</td></tr>
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As the name makes obvious, these are comics that are released online. Some are done as comic strips featuring the same characters but not a continuing storyline, and others tell an ongoing narrative. </div>
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Digital Edition</h4>
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This is a version of a comic made viewable on computers, tablets, phones, and e-readers. </div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">So, those are the most common comic formats. I hope that this was helpful to you. If I missed anything important, please tell me in the comments below.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">To see my archive of comic reviews, click <a href="http://infiniteink671.blogspot.com/search/label/comic%20books" target="_blank">here</a>. </span></div>
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Find me on <a href="https://twitter.com/infiniteink671">Twitter</a>, <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/infiniteink">Goodreads</a>, <a href="http://instagram.com/infiniteink671/">Instagram</a>, and <a href="http://www.bloglovin.com/blogs/infinite-ink-12736997">Bloglovin</a>.</div>
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Happy reading!</div>
</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08557219206055636765noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8930587463271736295.post-70349188657675204572015-07-06T09:00:00.000+10:002015-07-06T09:00:02.682+10:00The Disney Book TagToday I am completing the Disney Book Tag! I was elected by Ben of Ben's Bookshelf, and you can see his original post <a href="http://bensawyerbookshelf.blogspot.co.uk/2015/07/the-disney-book-tag.html" target="_blank">here</a>.<br />
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This actually took quite a bit of consideration to complete, so enjoy my answers.<br />
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The Little Mermaid: a character who is out of their element, a "fish out of water"</h4>
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There are many characters that qualify for this category, but Genly Ai, from <i>Left Hand of Darkness, </i>is a favorite of mine. A human envoy from an intergalactic coalition of planets (the Ekumen), he is sent to the planet Gethen to encourage them to align themselves with the Ekumen. Besides the culture shock of being on a different planet amongst alien life, Genly also has to come to terms with the ambiguous sexuality of a race that routinely changes gender. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDMe5cga9g6qWOubj54ioE2iUmMjGUrZi1SO33ZoOZhSu-x7neCtYkbmVwsA1QVd_x7SDIfqtgEvBAhV40fnXwE3ODyzdg2cMLzLsCrBnQFuPaqxEMy-dLmPvy94d9nsP50Zv8p-wJPNO_/s1600/20263218.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDMe5cga9g6qWOubj54ioE2iUmMjGUrZi1SO33ZoOZhSu-x7neCtYkbmVwsA1QVd_x7SDIfqtgEvBAhV40fnXwE3ODyzdg2cMLzLsCrBnQFuPaqxEMy-dLmPvy94d9nsP50Zv8p-wJPNO_/s200/20263218.jpg" width="133" /></a></div>
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Cinderella: a character who goes through a major transformation</h4>
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A manga that I haven't seen enough people discussing is <i>Koe No Katachi</i>, or <i>A Silent Voice</i>. The main character, Shouya Ishida, begins the series as an ignorant oppressor of a fellow student who is hearing impaired, harassing her so completely that she moves. Later, through his own experience as a victim of bullying, he learns to empathize with her and feels convicted; therefore, he sets out to find her and redeem himself. </div>
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Snow White: a book with an eclectic cast of characters</h4>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxWDrYNxszqr2FHRUCy99sofcUEUOdqH1pazxFcnBUUrfqG0hWlVDVfaojlDTI16rLgeAcUOSgCg_McLStKnOsbrMPyqphKzlqH6zfqaZ9qGXAI1JYO8ItSx3XfWKYjEsXppa7E-Z9DEiK/s1600/847145.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxWDrYNxszqr2FHRUCy99sofcUEUOdqH1pazxFcnBUUrfqG0hWlVDVfaojlDTI16rLgeAcUOSgCg_McLStKnOsbrMPyqphKzlqH6zfqaZ9qGXAI1JYO8ItSx3XfWKYjEsXppa7E-Z9DEiK/s200/847145.jpg" width="131" /></a><i>Les Miserables </i>has quite the diverse cast. Though not racially varied, the characters differ politically, economically, and socially, as well as by age, gender, and backstory.<br />
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Sleeping Beauty: a book that put you to sleep</h4>
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<span id="goog_1554962514"></span><span id="goog_1554962515"></span>Rarely do I put books down without finishing them, but I couldn't endure <i>China Boy </i>any longer. The plot seemed to never advance, which I don't typically mind in character-driven novels. However, none of the players grew either. I read half of the book, and it lacked focus and development, absolutely boring me. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8u8P68HQntCEMflQDSXN9vH3wY_Utd9cCRYqqjIhwTl4bOmNrac4Lf5mzgnC0ov93eV9fPSZySIfMrQxQ0MzPtAuSxZ1BGi3GmRIXwwnWBzgaMXygyhqlq2GRxePKNTZcU2Ubzkl6l32o/s1600/18339834.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8u8P68HQntCEMflQDSXN9vH3wY_Utd9cCRYqqjIhwTl4bOmNrac4Lf5mzgnC0ov93eV9fPSZySIfMrQxQ0MzPtAuSxZ1BGi3GmRIXwwnWBzgaMXygyhqlq2GRxePKNTZcU2Ubzkl6l32o/s200/18339834.jpg" width="131" /></a></div>
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The Lion King: a character who had something traumatic happen to them in childhood</h4>
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Batman is one of my favorite characters of all time, and obviously fits this category. As a child, Bruce Wayne witnessed his parents get gunned down while out with them one night. Their murder served as the catalyst for his taking on the vigilante mantle of Batman. </div>
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Beauty and the Beast: a beast of a book that you were intimidated by but found the story to be beautiful</h4>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipjyzJZ9cMFDIbMjbjo2L0zo63UK6gaxrexhd_FUjmFFotg4n-n6FNQuY1OvkH2tV0BkixRWl2bHEBdUJ9d4U7gN7IUzSio3VLaowAIqMmZWX2vmMRghVq-dkVQKFvdscOvum8dIrp0bWU/s1600/hbp-us-jacket-art.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipjyzJZ9cMFDIbMjbjo2L0zo63UK6gaxrexhd_FUjmFFotg4n-n6FNQuY1OvkH2tV0BkixRWl2bHEBdUJ9d4U7gN7IUzSio3VLaowAIqMmZWX2vmMRghVq-dkVQKFvdscOvum8dIrp0bWU/s200/hbp-us-jacket-art.jpg" width="132" /></a><i>The Sound and the Fury</i> is not tome, but its style and reputation did well to dismay me when I approached it. However, once I started it, I saw that, though difficult, it wasn't insurmountable. Moreover, the unorthodox structure added to this tragically beautiful classic.<br />
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Aladdin: a character who gets their wish granted, for better or for worse</h4>
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Out of all the characters I could list, Draco Malfoy is my favorite. From the beginning, he wished for the same attention and fame as Harry. In <i>The Half-Blood Prince</i>, his request was granted when Voldemort inducted him into the Death Eaters and gave him the mission of killing Dumbledore. He very quickly realized, however, that this wasn't the recognition he dreamt. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2i11H74aXkW8Uavdy2K3rRP6a1TuHLq5bZ76__PFkcR1Xpg4iS05LOYmgHHzF0FZ0IvzDTu5LaAdwq30lnint8W7A7RkL4gFWlJAEGOeqXpsHFGZWDGkG9_s468rcxJaYaWSTQH3g2104/s1600/32261.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2i11H74aXkW8Uavdy2K3rRP6a1TuHLq5bZ76__PFkcR1Xpg4iS05LOYmgHHzF0FZ0IvzDTu5LaAdwq30lnint8W7A7RkL4gFWlJAEGOeqXpsHFGZWDGkG9_s468rcxJaYaWSTQH3g2104/s200/32261.jpg" width="123" /></a></div>
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Mulan: a character who pretends to be someone or something they are not</h4>
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Tess from <i>Tess of the d'Urbervilles </i>is the most tragic example I could think of. She pretends to be from a different family and of a different class, and then she lies to cover up her past shame. Of course, neither farce works for her better, and she ultimately meets a heartbreaking end.</div>
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Toy Story: a book with characters you wish would come to life</h4>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHhbmgUez1LHfbduci3YpjUxx1pslRntvfFJg6eTGNcLVwfJMtlVpejYbKxW2SFpTvCWtPkMJFAKYB2VDAXdqhKFHpMDDeSR3FdfA_bLIG2rA10frjlwSge58EJZm0CrsRISi3thQvWmh4/s1600/17671913.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHhbmgUez1LHfbduci3YpjUxx1pslRntvfFJg6eTGNcLVwfJMtlVpejYbKxW2SFpTvCWtPkMJFAKYB2VDAXdqhKFHpMDDeSR3FdfA_bLIG2rA10frjlwSge58EJZm0CrsRISi3thQvWmh4/s200/17671913.jpg" width="131" /></a>There are so many characters I wish were real. Obviously, I would love to befriend The Golden Trio from Harry Potter. I would be equally happy with the Marauders. </div>
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Disney Descendants: your favourite villain or morally ambiguous character</h4>
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Often times, I find the antagonist of a story more compelling than the hero. My recent favorite is Scott Snyder's Joker. <i>Death of the Family</i> cemented him in my top ten because it's one of the few I find truly unsettling. </div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">And that is the Disney Book Tag. What do you think of my answers? Do you agree, or would you have chosen different answers?</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Since this tag has been going around for awhile, I don't nominate anyone in particular. If you want to do it and haven't yet, you are tagged.</span></div>
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Also, find me on <a href="https://twitter.com/infiniteink671">Twitter</a>, <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/infiniteink">Goodreads</a>, <a href="http://instagram.com/infiniteink671/">Instagram</a>, and <a href="http://www.bloglovin.com/blogs/infinite-ink-12736997">Bloglovin</a>.</div>
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Happy reading!</div>
</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08557219206055636765noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8930587463271736295.post-38055761019673780332015-07-03T09:00:00.000+10:002015-07-03T09:00:02.510+10:00June Wrap-UpI didn't get a great amount of reading in this month, but I'm accepting of this. Some months are just like that.<br />
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The first book I read was the Judy Blume classic <i>Are You There, God? It's Me, Margaret. </i>Somehow, I neglected to read this book whilst I was part of its target Aug audience, but my niece was reading it, so I picked it up.<br />
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I hated it. I don't understand why it's considered quintessential pre-teen literature, and I quickly gave my niece a more substantial read. I didn't like the overall moral tone of the book. I felt that religion was treated flippantly, with those who subscribed to a belief system painted absurdly as far as their religion was concerned.<br />
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Additionally, I felt that the sexuality of the book was done inappropriately. I want my children to learn about the body and sex and every other difficult topic from me, not from a book that promotes sneaking around parents, trying to steal Playboys. Moreover, the emphasis on the importance of physical development was overblown. Blume had her characters feeling competitive and insecure over their bodies but never fully got a positive message about being comfortable in your own skin across.<br />
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Lastly, I disliked the passive rivalry between all of the girls. Hating on other women and constantly comparing them is exactly opposite the attitude I want my daughters to have. Once again, Blume didn't go far enough in combating the actions of her characters with a positive message.<br />
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I followed that up with Brandon Sanderson's <i>The Rithmatist, </i>which I read in conjunction with the <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/154778-year-of-cosmere" target="_blank">#YearOfCosmere read-a-thon</a>. I have a <a href="http://infiniteink671.blogspot.com/2015/06/book-review-rithmatist-by-brandon.html" target="_blank">full review</a> up that you can view if you do desire, but I enjoyed it quite a lot.<br />
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Finally, I listened to <i>Oliver Twist</i>, my first Charles Dickens novel. I absolutely adored it, finding a special appreciation for Dickens' tongue in cheek social commentary. The audio book I chose was narrated by Simon Vance,and he did a terrific job of bringing the story to life.<br />
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I meant to read <i>The Blind Assassin, </i>by Margaret Atwood, and I did start it, but it's going as slow as time when you're waiting for a specific hour to come. I'm going to continue on through the month of July, though, because I typically like Atwood and don't want to give up on possible treasure.<br />
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I will also continue <i>Through Gates of Splendor</i>, which is also a slow read. Hopefully, I will finish it this month because it's taken far too long already.<br />
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I don't know what else I may read in July. I have been feeling unmotivated lately, so perhaps I'll pick up something easy and fun. If you have any recommendations, please share them.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">That is my June wrap-up. What was your favorite book last month, and what do you plan to read this month? </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Earlier this month, I wrote about my fifteen favorite bookish feelings, so please check that out if it sounds interesting to you.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Find me on <a href="https://twitter.com/infiniteink671">Twitter</a>, <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/infiniteink">Goodreads</a>, <a href="http://instagram.com/infiniteink671/">Instagram</a>, and <a href="http://www.bloglovin.com/blogs/infinite-ink-12736997">Bloglovin</a>.</span></div>
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Happy reading!</div>
</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08557219206055636765noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8930587463271736295.post-29969150246718334442015-07-02T00:51:00.000+10:002015-07-02T01:56:58.616+10:00Top 5 Wednesday: Favorite Chapter Headings<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgprIDIcD1DHjviT1FSgSfdtSJjWn269Lzw0zbk7cLqjCyjvO-dQUvcswkiwoYRUMt2oXYdCmS-t_E9ndNoGsz5SbOqPWk7KN6maSVUA5d8Vlfr_OQziE1FUml0owq7KBpvAQ6AdEmI1peN/s1600/118368.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgprIDIcD1DHjviT1FSgSfdtSJjWn269Lzw0zbk7cLqjCyjvO-dQUvcswkiwoYRUMt2oXYdCmS-t_E9ndNoGsz5SbOqPWk7KN6maSVUA5d8Vlfr_OQziE1FUml0owq7KBpvAQ6AdEmI1peN/s1600/118368.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption">To learn more about Top 5 Wednesday, check out the <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/118368-top-5-wednesday">Goodreads group</a>. </td></tr>
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This week's Top 5 Wednesday topic is favorite chapter headings, which is quite difficult for me as I don't pay excess attention to them. Moreover, many of the books I read merely number the chapters. In light of this, my list is made up of chapter headings I liked from the books I've read most recently.</div>
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Number Five</h4>
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<b>"Castles in the Air" from <i>Little Women</i></b></div>
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The idiom "castles in the air/sky" is a favorite of mine, so of course I loved this chapter, which had the March sisters and Laurie sharing their dreams for the future. </div>
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Number Four</h4>
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<b>"Veni Vidi Vici" from <i>Ender's Game</i></b></div>
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Latin for "I Came; I Saw; I Conquered," Card assigned this one so well. Ender's Dragon Army destroys every other army in the battle room, fighting battle after battle for a week. Not only does he prove himself the most adept commander, but he also shows that he can outmaneuver even the Battle School instructors. </div>
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Number Three</h4>
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<b>"The Boy Who Lived" from <i>Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone</i></b></div>
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This is a chapter name I will never forget. It is mostly on this list because of sentimentality, but it was also an attention-grabber and a moniker for Harry. This simple yet iconic title is cemented in literary history.</div>
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Number Two</h4>
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<b>"Where There is a Will to Condemn, There is Evidence" from <i>Wild Swans</i></b></div>
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What a horrible truth is captured in this header. Generally, it describes human bias, but specifically it perfectly describes the corrupt government system of Maoist China. Chang's parents were falsely accused of being enemies of the state, publicly humiliated, and tortured. In a generally upsetting book, this chapter is particularly difficult. </div>
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Number One </h4>
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<b>"Is a Very Short One, and May Appear of no Great Importance in its Place, but it Should be Read Notwithstanding, as a Sequel to the Last, and as a Key to One that Will Follow When its Time Arrives" from <i>Oliver Twist</i></b></div>
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This one is quite a mouthful, but I love it. I like all of Dicken's headings from Oliver Twist because he offers his own commentary through them. I've never read any other Dickens novel, so I don't know if this is his usual style, but I've never seen it otherwise, and I was well entertained by it. <br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Those are my top five chapter headings. What are your favorites? Tell me in the comments below.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Check out my Unpopular Opinions Book Tag post <a href="http://infiniteink671.blogspot.com/2015/06/unpopular-opinions-book-tag.html">here</a>.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Connect with me via <a href="https://twitter.com/infiniteink671">Twitter</a>, <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/infiniteink">Goodreads</a>, <a href="http://instagram.com/infiniteink671/">Instagram</a>, and <a href="http://www.bloglovin.com/blogs/infinite-ink-12736997">Bloglovin</a>.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Happy reading!</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08557219206055636765noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8930587463271736295.post-14669633563036955402015-06-26T23:23:00.002+10:002015-06-26T23:23:51.783+10:00Unpopular Opinions Book TagThis tag has been going around for a substantial amount of time and is quite popular. Over the last few weeks, I have amused myself by reading other's answers to it, so I decided to complete it myself. Here are my unpopular opinions!<br />
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A popular book/series you didn't like</h4>
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There are so many well-lauded books that I don't like. The above are just a selection. </div>
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<i>Twilight </i>I don't feel I need to explain, and it is also representative of all YA novels that followed in its footsteps. </div>
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I hate <i>Lolita</i> because of how tainted Humbert Humbert made me feel. Reading that book made me feel like I could wash a hundred times over and never be clean again.</div>
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<i>The God of Small Things</i> was a surprising letdown for me because it's a Man Booker Prize winner, and it's the type of story I usually go for. However, I was so bored that I had to force myself to finish it. I just didn't care about any of the characters, which is the most important aspect of a character-driven novel.</div>
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Holden Caulfield made me dislike <i>Catcher in the Rye.</i> Perhaps I read it too late in life, but I didn't see a metaphor for growing up in him. Rather, I saw a whiny, entitled, self-righteous boy. </div>
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The art in <i>The Wicked & The Divine</i> was breathtaking but not much else. The story circled around on itself, and none of the characters were compelling or fleshed out. </div>
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I will never understand the appeal of <i>The Great Gatsby. </i>I don't like any of the characters, which made me care not a whit for the plot. I felt that I wasted my time studying this novel. </div>
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A book/series you love but everyone seems to hate</h4>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimgB3nT3PoOz6jPxNK9K8vNZcbZof8GVvfS4Ijb-GWJLh4xK3XjaGRRr6e5zgGFmeUy25TQa4kxi50k6XLHpZwlqr9_NthYgXiBWPEWuQ3sJXiC2CNiLk4r0DzCxyg_TLI_PEeJOqcdz_t/s1600/13497818.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimgB3nT3PoOz6jPxNK9K8vNZcbZof8GVvfS4Ijb-GWJLh4xK3XjaGRRr6e5zgGFmeUy25TQa4kxi50k6XLHpZwlqr9_NthYgXiBWPEWuQ3sJXiC2CNiLk4r0DzCxyg_TLI_PEeJOqcdz_t/s320/13497818.jpg" width="207" /></a></div>
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So many people slandered this book upon its initial release. Yet, when I read it, I found a skillfully crafted, character-driven picture of small town politics. I understand that those not keen on literary fiction would find this book boring. What I find ridiculous are the negative reviews that contain the "this is nothing like Harry Potter" critique. </div>
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A love triangle where the main character ended up with the wrong person or an OTP you didn't like. </h4>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr8V9IH9_wt-4wVsvM0KVEuyhe6z9nDK4d-2BZB_KRKW3sNl4jmtnEuIQFBiOAoDaWp8IJTdKDLxWjHJUNdj9IJfLHuvmIMWdHWm32BNqaLAwN90afYQEILsHbK7hJENlspgaSTjj6Ai3I/s1600/harryandginny.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr8V9IH9_wt-4wVsvM0KVEuyhe6z9nDK4d-2BZB_KRKW3sNl4jmtnEuIQFBiOAoDaWp8IJTdKDLxWjHJUNdj9IJfLHuvmIMWdHWm32BNqaLAwN90afYQEILsHbK7hJENlspgaSTjj6Ai3I/s320/harryandginny.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b>Harry & Ginny</b></div>
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<b>Ron & Hermione</b></div>
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No matter what argument is made, I will never agree with Harry/Ginny or Ron/Hermione, especially the latter. </div>
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Harry and Ginny don't sit well with me because I felt blindsided by that development. They were like siblings, and there was no real transition period from that familial feeling to romance. </div>
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As for Ron and Hermione, they would honestly have a horrible marriage. It's not so much that they have such different personalities but that many of their core values don't align. Moreover, healthy relationships give equal footing to each person, and I believe that Ron would always feel inferior to Hermione. </div>
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I fervently wish that J.K. Rowling had put Harry and Hermione together, as she eventually realized she should have. </div>
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Popular genre I hardly reach for</h4>
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Romance. Definitely romance. I am not interested in plots that only have to do with love and very little character development. </div>
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A popular character you do not like</h4>
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<b>Lestat from<i> Interview with the Vampire</i></b></div>
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Lestat is much loved by fans, but I harbor great disdain for him. He is the worst kind of coward - the kind who hides his weakness in cruelty and manipulation. Even more annoying is that he refuses to die and even gets his own book in the series. </div>
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A popular author you can't seem to get into</h4>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw0CKmFgdLC-GyjtfHtXUMTOVI28_YvvmOzCGDvOcX7AmH26YBu6fVa4_luhPV3WUQh69C6n6LZbPpsOMfYoJ4dIzcg9B3RohWAYPXT5OhAToiUFmDidmDcIRfEVkigb5EWyhCX7ONo9UY/s1600/paulo-coelho.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw0CKmFgdLC-GyjtfHtXUMTOVI28_YvvmOzCGDvOcX7AmH26YBu6fVa4_luhPV3WUQh69C6n6LZbPpsOMfYoJ4dIzcg9B3RohWAYPXT5OhAToiUFmDidmDcIRfEVkigb5EWyhCX7ONo9UY/s320/paulo-coelho.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b>Paulo Coehlo</b></div>
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I have read two of Coehlo's books,and I found them overly preachy and pretentious. His writing style is gorgeous, though.</div>
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A popular trope you are tired of seeing</h4>
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I read a variety of genres, and they all have different patterns. However, one trope that I've found in many of them, and which I'm bored by, is the moral hero. I want to see protagonists who are more complicated than this and make selfish, ignorant choices sometimes, trust the wrong people, and generally act realistically. I wrote an entire<a href="http://infiniteink671.blogspot.com/2015/02/reader-ramble-how-shadow-and-bone.html" target="_blank"> Reader Ramble</a> about this in terms of how I would have liked to see it in <i>Shadow and Bone</i> if you are interested.<br />
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A popular series I have no interest in reading</h4>
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I did read the first book soon after it was released, but it was so mediocre that I wasn't compelled to continue. Although many people love this series, those who look for similar things in literature to me warned me against finishing the series, so I have lost all interest. </div>
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The book is not always better than the movie</h4>
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I watched both of these movies before reading the books, and then was greatly underwhelmed by the novels, especially <i>Pay It Forward</i>. <br />
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<span style="text-align: center;"><b>I tag:</b></span><br />
<b><span style="text-align: center;">Ben at </span><a href="http://bensawyerbookshelf.blogspot.com/" style="text-align: center;" target="_blank">Ben's Bookshelf</a></b><br />
<b><span style="text-align: center;">Sarah at </span><a href="http://sarahthomasbooks.blogspot.com/" style="text-align: center;" target="_blank">Sarah's Bookish Blog</a></b><br />
<b><span style="text-align: center;">Steph at </span><a href="http://ablogofbooksandnovels.blogspot.com/" style="text-align: center;" target="_blank">A Blog of Books and Novels</a><span style="text-align: center;"> </span></b><br />
<b><span style="text-align: center;">Jesse at </span><a href="http://jessenicholasya.blogspot.com/2015/06/the-orphan-queen-by-jodi-meadows-review.html" style="text-align: center;" target="_blank">Jesse Nicholas YA</a></b><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Those are my unpopular opinions. What are some bookish opinions you have that few others share?</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Check out my Coffee Book Tag post </span><a href="http://infiniteink671.blogspot.com/2015/06/the-coffee-book-tag.html" style="font-size: x-large;" target="_blank">here</a><span style="font-size: large;">.</span></div>
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Connect with me via <a href="https://twitter.com/infiniteink671">Twitter</a>, <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/infiniteink">Goodreads</a>, <a href="http://instagram.com/infiniteink671/">Instagram</a>, and <a href="http://www.bloglovin.com/blogs/infinite-ink-12736997">Bloglovin</a>.</div>
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Happy reading!</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08557219206055636765noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8930587463271736295.post-38929819752379432742015-06-24T21:20:00.001+10:002015-06-25T20:44:52.215+10:00Top 5 Wednesday: Characters You Wish You Could Drown <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgprIDIcD1DHjviT1FSgSfdtSJjWn269Lzw0zbk7cLqjCyjvO-dQUvcswkiwoYRUMt2oXYdCmS-t_E9ndNoGsz5SbOqPWk7KN6maSVUA5d8Vlfr_OQziE1FUml0owq7KBpvAQ6AdEmI1peN/s1600/118368.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgprIDIcD1DHjviT1FSgSfdtSJjWn269Lzw0zbk7cLqjCyjvO-dQUvcswkiwoYRUMt2oXYdCmS-t_E9ndNoGsz5SbOqPWk7KN6maSVUA5d8Vlfr_OQziE1FUml0owq7KBpvAQ6AdEmI1peN/s1600/118368.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">To learn more about Top 5 Wednesday, check out the <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/118368-top-5-wednesday" target="_blank">Goodreads group</a>. </td></tr>
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This week's topic is hilarious. We all know those characters who are beyond frustrating. They make you so angry that you just want to hold their nonexistent heads under water.<br />
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These are mine. </div>
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<b>The Other Mother from C<i>oraline</i></b></div>
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Her place on this list is not because I hate her but because she is unbelievably creepy. However, I have cause to doubt that even drowning would fail to get rid of her. </div>
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Number Four </h4>
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<b>Bella Swan from the Twilight Saga</b></div>
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I know that it's easy to hate on Twilight, but I had to include Bella on this list because of the huge influence she had on the YA genre as a whole. After her came a slew of weak female protagonists who only care about their boyfriends. Not only is she a horrible role model, but she is annoying in print and on screen. Bye bye, Bella. </div>
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Number Three </h4>
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<b>Percy Weasley from The Harry Potter Series</b></div>
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Obviously, Dolores Umbridge is the queen of this list. However, I decided to go for a less obvious choice and discuss another of my least favorite characters from the series. Percy is a self-important, blindingly ambitious, willfully ignorant man who turns his back on his own family for position. Though he comes around in the end, his belated repentance is not enough to change my opinion of him. I wouldn't necessarily drown him, but I would hold his head under water until he came to his senses. </div>
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Number Two</h4>
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<b>Percy Wetmore from <i>The Green Mile</i></b></div>
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This man is a true sadist and takes his evil desires out on the inmates of Cold Mountain Penitentiary. Yet, he's a coward who has to use his uncle's influence to gain anything in life. What makes me mad about him is that he's just as bad as the criminals he guards, yet he walks free. </div>
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Number One</h4>
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<b>Humbert Humbert from <i>Lolita</i></b></div>
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Humbert Humbert is perhaps my least favorite character ever. He is absolutely disgusting, and just reading about him made me feel polluted. </div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Those are the top 5 characters I wish I could drown. Who made your list? Share in the comments below. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">To see my last book review of Brandon Sanderson's <i>The Rithmatist</i>, click <a href="http://infiniteink671.blogspot.com/2015/06/book-review-rithmatist-by-brandon.html" target="_blank">here</a>. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Also, find me on <a href="https://twitter.com/infiniteink671">Twitter</a>, <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/infiniteink">Goodreads</a>, <a href="http://instagram.com/infiniteink671/">Instagram</a>, and <a href="http://www.bloglovin.com/blogs/infinite-ink-12736997">Bloglovin</a>.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Happy reading!</span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08557219206055636765noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8930587463271736295.post-75930191243652025952015-06-22T09:00:00.000+10:002015-06-24T21:18:09.251+10:00Book Review: The Rithmatist by Brandon Sanderson<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<i>The Rithmatist </i>by Brandon Sanderson<br />Rithmatist Series Book One<br />Tor Books<br />14 May 2013<br />384 Pages<br />Middlegrade Fantasy<br />3.5 Stars<br /><a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-rithmatist-brandon-sanderson/1113106631?ean=9780765320322" target="_blank">Barnes & Noble</a>; <a href="http://www.bookdepository.com/Rithmatist-Brandon-Sanderson/9780765320322" target="_blank">Book Depository</a>; <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/10137823-the-rithmatist" target="_blank">Goodreads</a></h3>
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(I bought my hardcover copy at <a href="http://bookoutlet.com/Store/Details/the-rithmatist/_/R-9780765320322B?terms=the+rithmatist" target="_blank">The Book Outlet</a>)</h3>
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<br />More than anything, Joel wants to be a Rithmatist. Rithmatists have the power to infuse life into two-dimensional figures known as Chalklings. Rithmatists are humanity’s only defense against the Wild Chalklings. Having nearly overrun the territory of Nebrask, the Wild Chalklings now threaten all of the American Isles.</h3>
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<br />As the son of a lowly chalkmaker at Armedius Academy, Joel can only watch as Rithmatist students learn the magical art that he would do anything to practice. Then students start disappearing—kidnapped from their rooms at night, leaving trails of blood. Assigned to help the professor who is investigating the crimes, Joel and his friend Melody find themselves on the trail of an unexpected discovery—one that will change Rithmatics—and their world—forever.</h3>
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<a name='more'></a>I am not usually a reader of middlegrade fiction, but Brandon Sanderson is such a talented writer that I was curious about <i>The Rithmatist. </i>So, when the <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/154778-year-of-cosmere" target="_blank">#YearOfCosmere</a> read-a-long chose this book for June, I decided to join.<br />
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I was wrapped up in the story within the first few chapters and was invested the entire book.<br />
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Joel is the main character, and he is obsessed with the Rithmatists, practitioners of this novel's magic system. However, even though he's highly intelligent and knowledgeable in the study of the art, he isn't one of them. Because of this, he is a poor student without any drive or prospects for his future. At the same time, he is somewhat of an outcast at his fancy private school. Prestige and economic status make clear delineations between him and others, so, though his fellow students are cordial toward him, he isn't truly one of them.<br />
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As I started to learn about Joel, I felt such compassion toward him. Not only was he shut out from the only thing he loved, but he was also all alone while battling to find a place for himself. No friends, a deceased father, and an incredibly busy mom left him completely isolated. Much of the story has to do with Joel finding where he belongs.<br />
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Another aspect of his character that I really loved was the effect his late father had on him. There is a point in the story when one of the characters makes a strong connection between Joel's motivations and his father, and I found it so touching.<br />
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<i>"Melody glanced to the side, looking over the clippings and the pictures. 'So that's why,' she whispered. 'Why what?' 'Why you're so fascinated by Rithmatics,' she said. 'It's because of your father.' Joel stared at the wall, with its patterns and defenses. His father would talk at length, telling Joel which defenses were good against which offensive structures. Other boys had played soccer with their fathers. Joel had drawn defenses with his" (pg. 263).</i></div>
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Melody is a Rithmatist student whom Joel eventually befriends. Though they appear to be quite different at first, they actually have a few important things in common. Though privileged in terms of finances and being a Rithmatist, Melody is as much of an outcast as Joel because she's no good at Rithmatics. Ostracized by her fellow classmates and often discouraged by teachers, she regrets her position and wishes for a more normal life.<br />
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Melody isn't the most fleshed out character. Very little of her back story is revealed, but her personality is clear. A nosy , bull-headed, rash, insecure girl, she digs into matters that don't concern her, despite multiple warnings to the contrary, simply because she loathes being left out. She covers up her insecurity with attitude, but once she befriends Joel, her loyal, softer side is revealed. By the end of the book, she too grows in confidence and begins to come into her own.<br />
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Sanderson is known to be talented in world-building, and this work is no exception. I really liked the alternate America in a world in which Asia is the hub of power. He did well at sewing Asian influence into the setting. I also really enjoyed all the steampunk details, from the wind-up trains to the clockwork horses. It is never overbearing but very naturally folded into the rest of the story.<br />
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The magic system is also very carefully explained and laid out, as well. Not only does the reader learn about it as Joel and Melody do, but there are also instructional illustrations throughout to make the exact drawings clearer. (I'm not sure if every edition is illustrated, but I can't imagine reading this novel without them.) Though the mechanics and practice are explained, as well as a bit of the history, there remains some mystery as to the source of power and why practitioners are chosen. This was frustrating to me as I read, but it also made sense in the context of the world. Rithmatics is closely tied to Sanderson's version of the Catholic church, and anything wrapped up in religion gains an air of mystique. I do hope, however, that my many questions will be answered in the next book.<br />
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The story is plot-driven but not fast-paced. There isn't any true action until the end, but since it reads like a mystery, with crime scenes and unending questions, this didn't bother me. Rather, I was left trying to figure out who the criminal was, becoming so paranoid that I suspected almost every character in turn. Moreover, since it a Sanderson book, he included some spectacular plot twists that were completely unexpected.<br />
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I was initially unaware that this isn't a stand-alone novel, so, as the story wrapped up, I was confused about the lack of closure. However, after realizing that this is the first of at least two books (the sequel yet unwritten), I was much more satisfied with the ending.<br />
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The book is written in third person, almost exclusively from Joel's perspective, and it's written as one time line, which moves forward chronologically. This basic structure fits the casual writing style.<br />
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Coming-of-age and being comfortable in your own skin were the two most prevalent themes, which is fitting since this is a young adult novel. Though I am far beyond the target age group, I found this unique way of approaching classic themes refreshing.<br />
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Overall, I enjoyed this book, and I will definitely read the sequel when it is released. <b>I give it 3.5 stars. </b><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Have you read <i>The Rithmatist? </i>What did you think of it? Tell me in the comments. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">To see my 15 favorite bookish feelings, click <a href="http://infiniteink671.blogspot.com/2015/06/literary-love-15-favorite-bookish.html" target="_blank">here</a>. </span></div>
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Also, find me on <a href="https://twitter.com/infiniteink671">Twitter</a>, <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/infiniteink">Goodreads</a>, <a href="http://instagram.com/infiniteink671/">Instagram</a>, and <a href="http://www.bloglovin.com/blogs/infinite-ink-12736997">Bloglovin</a>.</div>
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Happy reading!</div>
</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08557219206055636765noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8930587463271736295.post-40981739428284796782015-06-17T09:00:00.000+10:002015-06-18T23:13:01.369+10:00Top 5 Wednesday: Books I Read in One Sitting<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgprIDIcD1DHjviT1FSgSfdtSJjWn269Lzw0zbk7cLqjCyjvO-dQUvcswkiwoYRUMt2oXYdCmS-t_E9ndNoGsz5SbOqPWk7KN6maSVUA5d8Vlfr_OQziE1FUml0owq7KBpvAQ6AdEmI1peN/s1600/118368.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgprIDIcD1DHjviT1FSgSfdtSJjWn269Lzw0zbk7cLqjCyjvO-dQUvcswkiwoYRUMt2oXYdCmS-t_E9ndNoGsz5SbOqPWk7KN6maSVUA5d8Vlfr_OQziE1FUml0owq7KBpvAQ6AdEmI1peN/s1600/118368.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">To learn more about Top 5 Wednesday and see a full list of participants, see the <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/118368-top-5-wednesday" target="_blank">Goodreads group</a>.</td></tr>
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This week's Top 5 Wednesday topic is Books You Read in One Sitting. When I have free time, I often read books all in one go, staying up all night reading while my family sleeps. I can't remember all of the ones I have done so with; therefore, except for first place, this list is made up of the last five I know I truly enjoyed. (I'm not including comic books in this, though, because it's in their nature to be read in one sitting.)<br />
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Number Five</h4>
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<b><i>Eleanor and Park</i> by Rainbow Rowell</b></div>
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This was my first Rowell book, and I absolutely devoured it. I was drawn in by Park much more than Eleanor, but by the end I wanted to see how her life ended up. </div>
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Number Four</h4>
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<b><i>City of Bones</i> by Cassandra Clare</b></div>
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I have read the first three books in The Mortal Instruments series, and I've finished each of them in about one sitting. They are relatively short and fast-paced, so it is easy to fly right through them. I have done reviews for <i><a href="http://infiniteink671.blogspot.com/2015/01/review-city-of-bones-mortal-instruments.html" target="_blank">City of Bones</a>, <a href="http://infiniteink671.blogspot.com/2015/01/review-city-of-ashes-mortal-instruments.html" target="_blank">City of Ashes</a>,</i> and<i> <a href="http://infiniteink671.blogspot.com/2015/01/review-city-of-glass-mortal-instrumets.html" target="_blank">City of Glass</a></i> if you want to read them.</div>
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Number Three</h4>
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<b><i>A Voice in the Wind</i> by Francine Rivers</b></div>
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I read this 500+ page novel in one very long night while Typhoon Dolphin hit my island. It is definitely one of my favorite books of the year, and you can see my full review <a href="http://infiniteink671.blogspot.com/2015/06/book-review-voice-in-wind-by-francine.html" target="_blank">here</a>.</div>
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Number Two</h4>
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<b><i>The Rithmatist</i> by Brandon Sanderson</b></div>
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I just read this a few nights ago, and, in classic Sanderson style, it completely captivated me. Middlegrade is not a genre I often love, but this was excellent.</div>
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Number One</h4>
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<b>The Harry Potter Series by J.K. Rowling</b></div>
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I read every one of these seven books in one sitting, and the latter four I read non-stop the morning they were released. When a Harry Potter book was released, all of my normal activities (i.e. dressing, eating, drinking, sleeping, socializing) would cease, and I wouldn't put the book down until the last page was read. </div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">These are my top 5 books (or series) that I read in one go. What books couldn't you put down? Tell me in the comments below.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Be sure to check out my latest post, <a href="http://infiniteink671.blogspot.com/2015/06/top-5-wednesday-books-i-read-in-one.html" target="_blank">The Coffee Book Tag</a>.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">You can also find me on <a href="https://twitter.com/infiniteink671">Twitter</a>, <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/infiniteink">Goodreads</a>, <a href="http://instagram.com/infiniteink671/">Instagram</a>, and <a href="http://www.bloglovin.com/blogs/infinite-ink-12736997">Bloglovin</a>.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Happy reading!</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08557219206055636765noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8930587463271736295.post-55496884678035374302015-06-15T09:00:00.000+10:002015-06-15T09:00:02.477+10:00The Coffee Book TagWhilst perusing <a href="https://emdoesbookreviews.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">emdoesbookreviews</a>, I found a tag I really like. And since she tagged everyone who reads her post, I decided to participate, as well.<br />
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This is the Coffee Book Tag!<br />
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Black: a series that is hard to get into but has hardcore fans</h4>
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The Dark Tower series can be really intimidating, and the first book starts out slow, so it can also be off-putting. However, those who read it most often love it. King himself hails it as his magnum opus. </div>
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Peppermint Mocha: a book which gets more popular over the holiday season</h4>
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This is an obvious one, right? This is a classic Christmas story, and, along with its many film adaptations, is one of the most popular during the festive season. </div>
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Hot Chocolate: your favorite children's book</h4>
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As a child, I enjoyed many books. However, it's the few that I love just as much or even more as an adult that have made the cut. I reread these often and can't wait to share them with my children. </div>
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Double Espresso Shot: a book that kept me on the edge of my seat</h4>
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The whole time I was reading this Cormac McCarthy novel, I was waiting for the father and son to be eaten. This is definitely a suspenseful read. </div>
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Starbucks: a book you see everywhere</h4>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDoDx4tXvdaIsb6VqsEVKLhObCtc3xinN4NAeS2Q0OSuSFOLEQG7dZFdsVDnpqm519Jj1p2gVveDrZjv_9deSywGZCt1di5pA3_QDZc8bp7mQFfyFfugUZXSZi7IiIhRHptYUF9HKKb5kg/s1600/12954620.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDoDx4tXvdaIsb6VqsEVKLhObCtc3xinN4NAeS2Q0OSuSFOLEQG7dZFdsVDnpqm519Jj1p2gVveDrZjv_9deSywGZCt1di5pA3_QDZc8bp7mQFfyFfugUZXSZi7IiIhRHptYUF9HKKb5kg/s320/12954620.jpg" width="210" /></a></div>
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I've never seen it in a bookstore (but I also don't go to the YA section), but I always see bloggers talking about it. Maybe I'll read it one day. </div>
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Hipster Coffee Shop: give a book by an indie author a shout out</h4>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSCKgkpA1W13QC3Ce0x3kGyVlUrRsGTOmZISDbQRG9ys1BoU3EoWBbQF_CKyeHIPNBeXKut1uOEeDehwWtnQW2B6BHsrI8E8IcE2hmeY-J9WmGlBsFOxB4zWczvDgv7o4sM6pVFL1NOPdA/s1600/9780143169857-l.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSCKgkpA1W13QC3Ce0x3kGyVlUrRsGTOmZISDbQRG9ys1BoU3EoWBbQF_CKyeHIPNBeXKut1uOEeDehwWtnQW2B6BHsrI8E8IcE2hmeY-J9WmGlBsFOxB4zWczvDgv7o4sM6pVFL1NOPdA/s320/9780143169857-l.jpg" width="204" /></a></div>
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I couldn't think of an independent author, so I went for a little known book. I could talk about <i>Absent</i> all day. See my review <a href="http://infiniteink671.blogspot.com/2014/07/review-absent-by-sherri-vanderveen.html" target="_blank">here</a>. </div>
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Decaf: a book you expected more from</h4>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEjW74Oz_C5pNPhlmstBiscQuwD3CEZhCT6HnkJIU9YAVRgQ0hxzwXHv6qCq6-tluquw_w5KvgVFYfI9h4N6_gTQ_Q8EEHkCadUE5m03jM3wl5_na0oxk5AAPZsLJxUVegajtvzGxbbo4i/s1600/the-god-of-small-things.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEjW74Oz_C5pNPhlmstBiscQuwD3CEZhCT6HnkJIU9YAVRgQ0hxzwXHv6qCq6-tluquw_w5KvgVFYfI9h4N6_gTQ_Q8EEHkCadUE5m03jM3wl5_na0oxk5AAPZsLJxUVegajtvzGxbbo4i/s320/the-god-of-small-things.jpg" width="212" /></a></div>
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This is a Man Booker prize winner! Yet, I just couldn't get into it and was incredibly bored. </div>
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The Perfect Blend: a book that was bitter but ultimately satisfying</h4>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHLXYmzWRlrW6Q1iLY_4MQdlDUVBqw3fcS2avZ3ytHhSrf7zxQjwTxhBa5aPW3DZG2X0zmH-TN1cSGRdidg7ZmilA9aPK5KNDi7cDDNHah3oWzOKRsqQqRsrIQCxJC6hYdZ64voXhSZ4en/s1600/jerusalem.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHLXYmzWRlrW6Q1iLY_4MQdlDUVBqw3fcS2avZ3ytHhSrf7zxQjwTxhBa5aPW3DZG2X0zmH-TN1cSGRdidg7ZmilA9aPK5KNDi7cDDNHah3oWzOKRsqQqRsrIQCxJC6hYdZ64voXhSZ4en/s320/jerusalem.jpg" width="225" /></a></div>
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This is one of my favorite graphic novels. It's heart-wrenching and cruel, but such a good story. You can see my review <a href="http://infiniteink671.blogspot.com/2014/06/jerusalem-family-portrait-review.html" target="_blank">here</a>. </div>
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Green Tea: a book which is quietly beautiful</h4>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKoWcBlXxbmdyzHHCVMSmmQSTneLHFOmQ0SfWUbl_KvM98AdY367sQ0NIFEoZyY3wqMslxWCcnnp94PduWEIn2nOipcvDBiIekqLzdYCoIwdeDN8TlQFEaQ_xmbQXeoEPq1ZuBgkn5r9vq/s1600/13158800.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKoWcBlXxbmdyzHHCVMSmmQSTneLHFOmQ0SfWUbl_KvM98AdY367sQ0NIFEoZyY3wqMslxWCcnnp94PduWEIn2nOipcvDBiIekqLzdYCoIwdeDN8TlQFEaQ_xmbQXeoEPq1ZuBgkn5r9vq/s320/13158800.jpg" width="211" /></a></div>
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The writing in this novel is gorgeous. I loved the story, but I didn't like the ending. </div>
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Chai Tea: a book that makes you dream of far-off places</h4>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrBTPdzRF4qn07jjoC_ymkSg6M4cGEICGkw2Irmx0U35zN3gFMFq5oPlTUfD9t-MVTyioEfA_YvpvHWiQNnRDcb9JxLfgLlLiNt7qsPZtb7tilq-4JHV9XfPzI8UU9OT64ML5eitOWt1qB/s1600/13570.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrBTPdzRF4qn07jjoC_ymkSg6M4cGEICGkw2Irmx0U35zN3gFMFq5oPlTUfD9t-MVTyioEfA_YvpvHWiQNnRDcb9JxLfgLlLiNt7qsPZtb7tilq-4JHV9XfPzI8UU9OT64ML5eitOWt1qB/s320/13570.jpg" width="212" /></a></div>
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<span id="goog_865392853"></span><span id="goog_865392854"></span>This entire series revolves around traveling from world to world. Though I can't dimension hop, it still incites wanderlust.<br />
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Earl Grey: your favorite classic</h4>
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I have many favorite classics, but these two immediately came to mind. I absolutely love them. <i>Wuthering Heights</i> is so passionate, and I love the social commentary of <i>The Age of Innocence</i>.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Those are my answers for the Coffee Book Tag. I tag Sarah from <a href="http://sarahthomasbooks.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Sarah's Bookish Blog</a> and anyone else who wants to do it. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Check out my last post on my <a href="http://infiniteink671.blogspot.com/2015/06/literary-love-15-favorite-bookish.html" target="_blank">favorite bookish feelings</a>. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Also, find me on <a href="https://twitter.com/infiniteink671">Twitter</a>, <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/infiniteink">Goodreads</a>, <a href="http://instagram.com/infiniteink671/">Instagram</a>, and <a href="http://www.bloglovin.com/blogs/infinite-ink-12736997">Bloglovin</a>.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Happy reading!</span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08557219206055636765noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8930587463271736295.post-1545091154738961852015-06-12T09:00:00.000+10:002015-06-12T09:00:02.472+10:00Literary Love: 15 Favorite Bookish FeelingsToday I want to talk to you about some of my favorite book-related feelings or moments that bring about great feeling.<br />
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This post idea was originated by <a href="https://youtu.be/lWUvSPK4aHA" target="_blank">Ashley at climbthestacks</a>, who was, in turn, inspired by a <a href="https://youtu.be/lfchH1a6XMU" target="_blank">Hank Green video</a>. So please check out their videos.<br />
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<li>The feeling of accomplishment that comes from finishing a very difficult book, especially one of the classics. I felt this after finishing <i>The Sound and the Fury.</i></li>
<li>When you reread a book you loved when you were younger and find that now you love it for totally different reasons. This is how the Harry Potter series is for me now that I'm an adult. </li>
<li>The excitement that comes when your favorite author announces that he or she is writing a new book. There are several authors I love, but I always get excited to read a new Rowling book. </li>
<li>The joy you feel on the day the long-awaited next book in a series you love is released. I still remember waking up on the day of a new Harry Potter release. </li>
<li>When you walk into a bookstore and see one of your favorite lesser-known author's work on display. I've seen so much Murakami lately! I've been a fan for years, and, though he's highly acclaimed, or seems that now he's becoming popular. </li>
<li>When a friend recommends a book to you, and you love it. This just happened with <i><a href="http://infiniteink671.blogspot.com/2015/06/book-review-voice-in-wind-by-francine.html" target="_blank">A Voice in the Wind</a></i>. </li>
<li>When you give a book you loved growing up to a child in your life, and they feel the same way about it that you did at their age. One of my students just read <i>Little Women, </i>and it was so much fun watching her experience or for the first time. </li>
<li>When a child crawls into your lap with a book they want you to read to them. This is one of my favorite parts of being in nursery on Sundays. </li>
<li>Coming across a book you read a long time ago and remembering everything about the time you were reading it. I often attach memories to books, so whenever I peruse my books, it's quite nostalgic. For example, <i>On the Road, </i>by Jack Kerouac, stirs up moments from my late teens and early twenties. </li>
<li>When a favorite book's movie adaptation is actually good. I really like the <i>Pride and Prejudice </i>adaptation with Kiera Knightley.</li>
<li>That moment when you're reading a book and it makes you start to think about your own life and who you are. This is such a rare occurrence for me, but <i><a href="http://infiniteink671.blogspot.com/2015/05/book-review-this-burns-my-heart-by.html" target="_blank">This Burns My Heart</a></i> was the last book to do that. </li>
<li>When a book you were intimidated by ends up not being as difficult as you anticipated. I was scared to read <i>The Age of Innocence</i> and <i>Madame Bovary</i>, but neither were really as daunting as I expected. </li>
<li>That moment when all the questions in a book are answered and clarity comes, and you feel like you're finally realizing what you've been looking at the whole time. Brandon Sanderson's Mistborn trilogy did this so well, especially <i><a href="http://infiniteink671.blogspot.com/2015/04/book-review-hero-of-ages-by-brandon.html" target="_blank">The Hero of Ages</a></i>. </li>
<li> When you're reading a book by an author you're already familiar with and you catch a reference or connection to another book you've read. Stephen King is well-known for this. </li>
<li>When you've finished a book but can't stop thinking about it weeks later. I read <i><a href="http://infiniteink671.blogspot.com/2014/07/review-absent-by-sherri-vanderveen.html" target="_blank">Absent</a></i> a year ago and still think about it. </li>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Those are my 15 favorite bookish feelings or moments that evoke great feeling. What are some of yours? </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">To see my last Literary Love on my favorite female protagonists, click <a href="http://infiniteink671.blogspot.com/2015/02/literary-love-favorite-females-pt-2.html" target="_blank">here</a>. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Also, find me on <a href="https://twitter.com/infiniteink671">Twitter</a>, <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/infiniteink">Goodreads</a>, <a href="http://instagram.com/infiniteink671/">Instagram</a>, and <a href="http://www.bloglovin.com/blogs/infinite-ink-12736997">Bloglovin</a>.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Happy reading!</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08557219206055636765noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8930587463271736295.post-81646425354028353802015-06-10T09:00:00.000+10:002015-06-10T09:00:02.309+10:00Top 5 Wednesday: Books With Multiple POVs<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgprIDIcD1DHjviT1FSgSfdtSJjWn269Lzw0zbk7cLqjCyjvO-dQUvcswkiwoYRUMt2oXYdCmS-t_E9ndNoGsz5SbOqPWk7KN6maSVUA5d8Vlfr_OQziE1FUml0owq7KBpvAQ6AdEmI1peN/s1600/118368.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgprIDIcD1DHjviT1FSgSfdtSJjWn269Lzw0zbk7cLqjCyjvO-dQUvcswkiwoYRUMt2oXYdCmS-t_E9ndNoGsz5SbOqPWk7KN6maSVUA5d8Vlfr_OQziE1FUml0owq7KBpvAQ6AdEmI1peN/s1600/118368.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">To learn more about Top 5 Wednesday, check out the <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/118368-top-5-wednesday" target="_blank">Goodreads group</a>.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
This week's Top 5 Wednesday topic is top 5 books with multiple points of view, preferably more than two.<br />
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Since many of my favorite books meet this criteria, I have tried to list some that I haven't previously mentioned.<br />
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Number Five</h4>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHouqPf_r-kE6orXVdHF4epq5tB3WICZ5y4nLWamIAQHFK1JSTdqC2zUtJaBZF0DSb0XMI9nS88vV7lqJT-AyW8-FhOvIdbroVo-e3yyuk4e833_qtlCrYTz4_7fXWtGnp_42WTybnNQIy/s1600/Guernica_cover-330.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHouqPf_r-kE6orXVdHF4epq5tB3WICZ5y4nLWamIAQHFK1JSTdqC2zUtJaBZF0DSb0XMI9nS88vV7lqJT-AyW8-FhOvIdbroVo-e3yyuk4e833_qtlCrYTz4_7fXWtGnp_42WTybnNQIy/s320/Guernica_cover-330.jpg" width="210" /></a></div>
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<b><i>Guernica </i>by Dave Boling</b></div>
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This gorgeous novel takes place during the Spanish Civil War and follows the lives of many people affected by it, including Picasso. I had never read anything about Guernica before, and this book taught me a lot about the history of it, as well as telling a touching story.</div>
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Number Four</h4>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWl6eYrIcuNul0RZ2d8Sg2y4y1lba3hh772Ni8UbdkTAmQgOC3tFgLelCBqaK2EAhicEVwqXsopUF-twTfd_vVhEPcb7Wkf3hyphenhyphenpxdUvsMcOUyU_4KBmqqwecUuJkOrEHixeaPXEgVbha4B/s1600/7763.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWl6eYrIcuNul0RZ2d8Sg2y4y1lba3hh772Ni8UbdkTAmQgOC3tFgLelCBqaK2EAhicEVwqXsopUF-twTfd_vVhEPcb7Wkf3hyphenhyphenpxdUvsMcOUyU_4KBmqqwecUuJkOrEHixeaPXEgVbha4B/s320/7763.jpg" width="210" /></a></div>
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<b><i>The Joy Luck Club </i>by Amy Tan</b></div>
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This classic follows eight separate characters and has eight points of view. As a teen I didn't appreciate this story, but now I really like this story about four immigrant moms and their American-raised daughters. </div>
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Number Three </h4>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJOBlAspWSytUKmpenVuy0t1rcxWbPMe33r51y_YRDvkmiNLqYNk6BUU6yudadtLHfKIFipKGPeXXfiIfoFbEl4SBtyHvhAaRVhOTXEvnLtlvEx30aUfuF8gptKUjMiDH6ynqGMkfNvgkX/s1600/13497818.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJOBlAspWSytUKmpenVuy0t1rcxWbPMe33r51y_YRDvkmiNLqYNk6BUU6yudadtLHfKIFipKGPeXXfiIfoFbEl4SBtyHvhAaRVhOTXEvnLtlvEx30aUfuF8gptKUjMiDH6ynqGMkfNvgkX/s320/13497818.jpg" width="207" /></a></div>
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<b><i>The Casual Vacancy </i>by J.K. Rowling</b></div>
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I really liked Rowling's first adult novel, and a great deal of that enjoyment had to do with the amazing characters she developed. If you like character-driven novels, this one is amazing. </div>
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Number Two</h4>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSCKgkpA1W13QC3Ce0x3kGyVlUrRsGTOmZISDbQRG9ys1BoU3EoWBbQF_CKyeHIPNBeXKut1uOEeDehwWtnQW2B6BHsrI8E8IcE2hmeY-J9WmGlBsFOxB4zWczvDgv7o4sM6pVFL1NOPdA/s1600/9780143169857-l.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSCKgkpA1W13QC3Ce0x3kGyVlUrRsGTOmZISDbQRG9ys1BoU3EoWBbQF_CKyeHIPNBeXKut1uOEeDehwWtnQW2B6BHsrI8E8IcE2hmeY-J9WmGlBsFOxB4zWczvDgv7o4sM6pVFL1NOPdA/s320/9780143169857-l.jpg" width="204" /></a></div>
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<b><i>Absent</i> Sherri Vanderveen </b></div>
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This was my favorite book of 2014, and I wrote a raving <a href="http://infiniteink671.blogspot.com/2014/07/review-absent-by-sherri-vanderveen.html" target="_blank">review</a> of it. It follows a father who has abandoned his family, as well as his wife and two children. Each perspective offers a different view of how his actions have changed each person's life irrevocably. </div>
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Number One</h4>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMpfvow3qfb4WskfSV1Cc0s-byAG8gMsA0WmffrSdVudzYeeEHPKjjg6Qy5yPvYSCprr-26lNyanFnD3fcU9OAQ9R7eUsv6miL53dkeMIHN8018-z-i3P6wVFfPHtd-KftIBmHcNrcrxbk/s1600/Game_of_thrones.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMpfvow3qfb4WskfSV1Cc0s-byAG8gMsA0WmffrSdVudzYeeEHPKjjg6Qy5yPvYSCprr-26lNyanFnD3fcU9OAQ9R7eUsv6miL53dkeMIHN8018-z-i3P6wVFfPHtd-KftIBmHcNrcrxbk/s320/Game_of_thrones.jpeg" width="209" /></a></div>
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<b><i>A Game of Thrones</i> by George R.R. Martin</b> </div>
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There's not much that needs to be said about A Song of Ice and Fire, right? Martin does such an excellent job of developing each character, and while I like some perspectives better than others, each point of view enhances the story. </div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Those are my top 5 picks for books with multiple points of view. What are some of your favorites? </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> Also, check out my latest book <a href="http://infiniteink671.blogspot.com/2015/06/book-review-voice-in-wind-by-francine.html" target="_blank">review</a> on A Voice in the Wind, which also has several perspectives. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> Find me on <a href="https://twitter.com/infiniteink671">Twitter</a>, <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/infiniteink">Goodreads</a>, <a href="http://instagram.com/infiniteink671/">Instagram</a>, and <a href="http://www.bloglovin.com/blogs/infinite-ink-12736997">Bloglovin</a>.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Happy reading!</span></div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08557219206055636765noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8930587463271736295.post-36033140930776294172015-06-08T09:00:00.000+10:002015-06-08T09:00:00.213+10:00Book Review: A Voice in the Wind by Francine Rivers<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEFeHrROoEvl6EsF3WkZ-rw5Kl9vd1lmjum1RZZVqUKMRv2wOZHzl4rwqBwJuXJf96FVS6ZbwPdKeCEFa-Nn0Ex_7E7az1FkKCAO9wxb8Rjo9TDQMhr-zzoye_WTLw8ZLCQQfONK3jx386/s1600/95617.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEFeHrROoEvl6EsF3WkZ-rw5Kl9vd1lmjum1RZZVqUKMRv2wOZHzl4rwqBwJuXJf96FVS6ZbwPdKeCEFa-Nn0Ex_7E7az1FkKCAO9wxb8Rjo9TDQMhr-zzoye_WTLw8ZLCQQfONK3jx386/s400/95617.jpg" width="265" /></a></div>
<h3>
<i>A Voice in the Wind</i> by Francine Rivers<br />Mark of the Lion Book One<br />Tyndale House Publishers<br />1 October 2012<br />525 Pages<br />Christian Historical Fiction<br />5 Stars</h3>
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<br /><a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/voice-in-the-wind-francine-rivers/1102466059?ean=9781414375496" target="_blank">Barnes & Noble</a>; <a href="http://www.bookdepository.com/Voice-Wind-Francine-Rivers/9781414375496" target="_blank">Book Depository</a>; <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/14331146-a-voice-in-the-wind" target="_blank">Goodreads</a></h3>
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<br />The first book in the bestselling Mark of the Lion series, A Voice in the Wind brings readers back to the first century and introduces them to a character they will never forget—Hadassah. Torn by her love for a handsome aristocrat, this young slave girl clings to her faith in the living God for deliverance from the forces of decadent Rome.</h3>
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A friend of mine recently recommended this series to me, stating that she finished the trilogy in one week through several long sittings. Even though she gushed about it, I was not immediately interested for several reasons. One, it looked like a romance to me, and that genre is not one I enjoy very often. Two, I had Francine Rivers categorized as an overly sentimental writer, and I tend to find that style of writing very cloying. Lastly, I have had a few run-ins with average written Christian romance, and I had no idea of repeating the experience. Thus, I put off the recommendation until she appeared before me with the first book, pressing it into my hands. Had she not, I never would have read it, but I am really glad that she did because I liked it so much more than I would ever have expected.<br />
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I was enraptured by the story almost as soon as I started it, and I read the bulk of it in one long sitting. Not only was I interested in the lives of the characters, but I was even more astounded at all the connections I was making between the historical setting of the novel and the world today.<br />
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The book begins at the fall of Jerusalem to the Romans, and the main plot follows Hadassah, a Jewish girl who loses her family and becomes the slave of a prominent Roman family. There are also subplots concerning the son of the family she serves and his search for money and pleasure, as well as a Germanic captive turned gladiator who longs for freedom. <br />
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The story is much more plot-driven than character-driven, and the pace is fairly fast without feeling rushed. There are several varying plot lines, each requiring a shift in character point of view, but Rivers does an excellent job of bringing them all together in a sensible way. Being able to switch character perspective added to the story, as well, because much more was revealed, which helped me to fully understand each character. While much of the story plays out according to expectations, there are a few turns that I did not expect but wholly enjoyed. <br />
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The end, for example, was not what I anticipated. In most ways, it is satisfying and brings things together very well while still setting up the next book. However, there is one major point that requires the suspension of disbelief. I think that my feelings about it will depend on how it plays out in the second book.<br />
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Hadassah is the perfect main character for a story like this. She is young and innocent and pure, which struck a daring contrast to every other character, as well as the setting. She wants to serve God, but is terrified of speaking about Jesus because of the Christian persecution at the time. This fear paralyzes her throughout most of the book, causing her to often hold back. Yet, her relationship with Christ sustains her through every trial and even compels her to love the family she is enslaved to. <br />
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Marcus is the opposite of Hadassah. Whereas she is unspoilt, he knows far too much of the world. She is selfless while he purposefully thinks only of himself. She has an active, growing faith while he only grows in disbelief and skepticism. Growing up during the rise of the Roman empire, Marcus values possessions and enjoyment, dismissing many traditional values in search of pleasure. Yet, he doesn't completely believe in the empire that has given his family wealth and position. Watching many of his young friends die has made him cynical, and though he recognizes the moral decay surrounding him, he doesn't allow himself to be overly bothered by it, instead seeking to profit from people's loose morals.<br />
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His sister, Julia, is the most tragic of the cast. At the beginning of the book, she is a young girl at a crossroads. She can choose between traditional values or Roman values, and in an effort to stay current with society, she dives deep into the corruption of the times. Julia is a character who has no backbone and is instead driven by her passions, desires, and the manipulation of others. Even more than Marcus, she demands gratification and will go to any lengths to satisfy herself. <br />
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Lastly, there is Atretes, the captured leader of a Germanic tribe who is sold as a gladiator in Rome. Atretes is a warrior who prizes his family, his tribe, and his honor. When he is first taken as a prisoner, he fights it without restraint. All he thinks of is freedom and returning to his family. Over time, however, his spirit is broken, and he gives up his self-respect for temporary pleasure. <br />
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Rivers brings each of these characters through unique journeys, and they all develop (or, in some cases, decay) throughout the novel. None of them are stagnant, and by the end of the novel, they have either matured and learnt about themselves, or they have fallen and become baser versions of themselves. <br />
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Rome is almost a character on its own. The world-building is so realistic, and each of my senses was engaged. I could smell the waste being thrown from windows, hear the barking of merchants, feel the heat and the crowds, see the poor running through the streets. Rivers' Rome feels authentic in every way.<br />
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While reading about Roman society and the decay of morality, I couldn't help but draw parallels to the world today, especially America. The casting off of traditional morals in pursuit of new values and pleasures struck me the most. It was almost frightening to see how closely the world resembles a culture that is now deemed hedonistic. As a Christian, especially, it opened my eyes to the world around me and its spiritual state. <br />
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One of the main themes that this book explores is how the pursuit of pleasure can bring destruction. Every character that prizes self-gratification above all else ultimately suffers, even when their economical or social situation should only bring joy. Conversely, Hadassah, a slave, has peace and joy abounding even though, by the standards of others, she has nothing.<br />
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This book is also really well-written. The dialogue was believable, and the descriptions were beautifully detailed. Rivers' style isn't overly poetic but neither is it prosaic. She's not bringing anything new to the world of literature, but her talent is above average.<br />
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Surprisingly, this is one of my favorite books so far this year. It was entertaining, but it also made me think about the world and challenged my views on society. <b> I gave it 5 stars. </b>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08557219206055636765noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8930587463271736295.post-49674309565377300392015-06-05T09:00:00.000+10:002015-06-05T16:52:35.316+10:00May Wrap-Up & June TBRHello June, and hello summer! Now that I am officially on summer break, I look forward to much leisure reading. In anticipation, I've put together a humble TBR list of books I know I'll be reading for read-a-longs. <br />
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Before I get into that, though, let's take a look at the books I finished in May.<br />
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<u>May Wrap-Up</u></h4>
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I actually read five books last month, which I am satisfied with. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiraFYMqVYUhnc2llAMDNcXqkFDlg0WitRDsWIzzlcLchjCDno8ew368V2BdCMJk7CcMYPDsASk3tsJZrI25dFkNMVFijJPm9qqeKzO1cMPLSCoCM9Ahrq-FkjgiEz8ufc5wo3JRu-r7b35/s1600/22876293.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiraFYMqVYUhnc2llAMDNcXqkFDlg0WitRDsWIzzlcLchjCDno8ew368V2BdCMJk7CcMYPDsASk3tsJZrI25dFkNMVFijJPm9qqeKzO1cMPLSCoCM9Ahrq-FkjgiEz8ufc5wo3JRu-r7b35/s200/22876293.jpg" width="125" /></a></div>
The first book I read was <i>Joker</i>: <i>Death of the Family</i>, which was a collection of all the Bat Family issues that was part of that arc. It wasn't as good as I anticipated in light of how amazing the Batman trade was, but it was still good, and I'm pleased to have it as part of my collection. It received 4 stars.<br />
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After that, I read a collection of novellas by Yoko Ogawa, <i>The Diving Pool</i>. Though her writing was excellent and very atmospheric, there was something lacking. I wrote a review of it, so you may read that <a href="http://infiniteink671.blogspot.com/2015/05/book-review-diving-pool-by-yoko-ogawa.html" target="_blank">here</a>, but I did give it 3 stars.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV-9zxoWhN_3nLX7tTYKLGPdeG3VJbiVcECf3LFF4B2FfJ_mmiS2v5L1T-iEKFY3dE5gM3Txacbyd2M9dc2s5rHZ7KCJesnDp4QidcJsgJ7K_tLFeAeH6zBNvjP1MpjBl2jYmfXlBBHZmB/s1600/9780061808128.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV-9zxoWhN_3nLX7tTYKLGPdeG3VJbiVcECf3LFF4B2FfJ_mmiS2v5L1T-iEKFY3dE5gM3Txacbyd2M9dc2s5rHZ7KCJesnDp4QidcJsgJ7K_tLFeAeH6zBNvjP1MpjBl2jYmfXlBBHZmB/s200/9780061808128.jpg" width="181" /></a>I listened to my first audiobook this month, a title that goes to Harper Lee's classic, <i>To Kill a Mockingbird</i>. It was the first time I had read it in over ten years, and I really didn't remember much of it, so it was like reading it for the first time. It is an extraordinary novel, and I definitely drew much more from it as an adult than I did as a freshman in high school. The audiobook was narrated by Sissy Spacek, whom I found to be a perfect choice. I cannot wait for the sequel to come out this month. I gave it 5 stars.<br />
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I followed that up with a piece of literary fiction set in Korea, <i>This Burns My Heart</i>, by Samuel Park. I have already praised this book in <a href="http://infiniteink671.blogspot.com/2015/05/book-review-this-burns-my-heart-by.html" target="_blank">my review</a> of it, so I will just state that it was beautiful and striking. I gave it 5 stars.<br />
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Finally, I ended the month with Francine Rivers' <i>A Voice in the Wind</i>, the first installment in her highly lauded Mark of the Lion trilogy. I went into this expecting nothing, but it became one of my favorite books so far this year. A full review is coming soon.<br />
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<u>June TBR</u></h4>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPpPb50nO01P7f8LTV-PniGB9z8GCWSnxG5ZQai9p-o91Lznq1YCsJ0VHJ1NWBp466B3aeOF4T7ybduTSSXJjt4glYXJuwAr0pkKoShV_ClV6xBpde4wCldCiMUc75xzp0p2IUpaPxKZhc/s1600/227614.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPpPb50nO01P7f8LTV-PniGB9z8GCWSnxG5ZQai9p-o91Lznq1YCsJ0VHJ1NWBp466B3aeOF4T7ybduTSSXJjt4glYXJuwAr0pkKoShV_ClV6xBpde4wCldCiMUc75xzp0p2IUpaPxKZhc/s200/227614.jpg" width="130" /></a>The first book I hope to read this month is one I've already started, <i>Through Gates of Splendor</i>, by Elisabeth Elliot. I am about a quarter of the way through, so I am going to continue on with it.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiewlCKEmWaIGlUTiYe9oqo0m6Ww32mite4zcw5mTjw81CsED2FU5SYVl1hWm99mzhOq2gmKBCNsWJ4Ls93oRUcHo0tvW9pzsVjSnDBwIYimDv_LvkMi-akUf1fFRYEv3rfJ4WFEKuBsb5p/s1600/24817626.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiewlCKEmWaIGlUTiYe9oqo0m6Ww32mite4zcw5mTjw81CsED2FU5SYVl1hWm99mzhOq2gmKBCNsWJ4Ls93oRUcHo0tvW9pzsVjSnDBwIYimDv_LvkMi-akUf1fFRYEv3rfJ4WFEKuBsb5p/s200/24817626.jpg" width="132" /></a>My classics book club is reading Margaret Atwood's <i>The Blind Assassin</i>, and I am going to join them. I have had this book on my shelves for the past five years, and I've even read half of it, but I wasn't feeling it then, so I want to give it another change. I have since read and loved other Atwood books, so I am anticipating this one.</div>
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I am also participating in <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/154778-year-of-cosmere" target="_blank">#YearOfCosmere</a> this month, so I am will be reading Brandon Sanderson's <i>The Rithmatist. </i>I am looking forward to this book simply because it's Sanderson, but it also offer an easier read than the rest I have queued. </div>
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Additionally, I am going to be continuing on with the Mark of the Lion trilogy, picking up <i>An Echo in the Darkness</i>. This is my most anticipated read for June, so I can't wait to start it.</div>
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Lastly, I hope to pick up <i>Go Set a Watchman</i>, the sequel to Harper Lee's <i>To Kill a Mockingbird. </i>It will be released on the 14th, so I am planning on picking it up and reading it right away. </div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Those are all the books I hope to finish this month. What books are you looking forward to in June?</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">To see my favorite books of 2015 thus far, <a href="http://infiniteink671.blogspot.com/2015/06/top-5-wednesday-favorite-books-of-year.html" target="_blank">check out my last post</a>.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">You can also find me on <a href="https://twitter.com/infiniteink671">Twitter</a>, <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/infiniteink">Goodreads</a>, <a href="http://instagram.com/infiniteink671/">Instagram</a>, and <a href="http://www.bloglovin.com/blogs/infinite-ink-12736997">Bloglovin</a>.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Happy reading!</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08557219206055636765noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8930587463271736295.post-64928545615815155232015-06-03T09:00:00.000+10:002015-06-03T09:00:02.874+10:00Top 5 Wednesday: Favorite Books of the Year So Far<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgprIDIcD1DHjviT1FSgSfdtSJjWn269Lzw0zbk7cLqjCyjvO-dQUvcswkiwoYRUMt2oXYdCmS-t_E9ndNoGsz5SbOqPWk7KN6maSVUA5d8Vlfr_OQziE1FUml0owq7KBpvAQ6AdEmI1peN/s1600/118368.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgprIDIcD1DHjviT1FSgSfdtSJjWn269Lzw0zbk7cLqjCyjvO-dQUvcswkiwoYRUMt2oXYdCmS-t_E9ndNoGsz5SbOqPWk7KN6maSVUA5d8Vlfr_OQziE1FUml0owq7KBpvAQ6AdEmI1peN/s1600/118368.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">To join Top 5 Wednesday, check out the <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/118368-top-5-wednesday" target="_blank">Goodreads group</a>.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
We are now in June, ladies and gentlemen, which means that the year is almost half over. Honestly, I can't believe it. I still feel like 2015 has just started.<br />
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The first Top 5 Wednesday topic for this month is "Favorite Books of the Year So Far." I have had an immensely successful reading year thus far, mostly because I have read quite a few enjoyable books. So let's see what the top five up to this point are.<br />
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Number Five</h4>
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<b><i>Dracula</i> by Bram Stoker</b></div>
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This year, I <i>finally</i> read this classic vampire novel, and I absolutely loved it. Stoker's Count Dracula was slightly different than the characters I'm used to (such as Anne Rice's), but I could see their roots in him. I loved the eerie tone and beautiful language. It's definitely one of my favorite Gothic novels. If you care to see a full review, you may click <a href="http://infiniteink671.blogspot.com/2015/01/review-bram-stokers-dracula.html" target="_blank">here</a>.</div>
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Number Four</h4>
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<b><i>The Hero of Ages </i>by Brandon Sanderson</b></div>
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The entire Mistborn Trilogy was excellent, but I was completely surprised by how good this ending was. A few of the issues I had with characters in the earlier installments were fixed in this one, and every question was answered in spectacular and unforeseeable ways. I enjoyed this book immensely, and wrote a <a href="http://infiniteink671.blogspot.com/2015/04/book-review-hero-of-ages-by-brandon.html" target="_blank">full review</a> of it, as well.</div>
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Number Three</h4>
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<b><i>A Voice in the Wind </i>by Francine Rivers</b></div>
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Let me be real for a second - I was not expecting to like this book <i>at all</i>. Just looking at the cover was enough to put me off. I thought it was going to be a ridiculous romance with melodrama and some Scripture thrown in. However, it was so much more than that. I was pleasantly surprised and truly blown away by how much I enjoyed this book. A full review is coming.</div>
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Number Two</h4>
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<b><i>Batman: Death of the Family</i> by Scott Snyder</b></div>
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This is definitely my favorite comic this year, as well as one of my favorites of all time. Snyder's Joker is just that good, and the story came together in a touching, yet frightening way. I could read this trade over and over again, and I can't wait to see what else happens with Joker. To see a full review, click <a href="http://infiniteink671.blogspot.com/2015/05/book-review-death-of-family-batman-vol.html" target="_blank">here</a>.</div>
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Number One</h4>
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<b><i>This Burns My Heart</i> by Samuel Park</b></div>
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There was absolutely no competition for first place. <i>This Burns My Heart</i> is hands-down the best book I've read this year. I love literary fiction and Asian literature, so marrying the two was reader heaven for me. The main character was compelling and raw, the story heartbreaking, and the writing gorgeous. I could talk about this book much more, but I already did a <a href="http://infiniteink671.blogspot.com/2015/05/book-review-this-burns-my-heart-by.html" target="_blank">full review</a>, so you can check that out if you're interested.</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Those are my top five books of 2015 up to this point. What are your favorite books so far? Have you read any I listed?</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I recently did a post of my top 10 recommendations for beginners in classic literature, so click <a href="http://infiniteink671.blogspot.com/2015/05/top-10-recommendations-for-classic.html" target="_blank">here</a> if that interests you.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Also, follow me on <a href="https://twitter.com/infiniteink671">Twitter</a>, <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/infiniteink">Goodreads</a>, <a href="http://instagram.com/infiniteink671/">Instagram</a>, and <a href="http://www.bloglovin.com/blogs/infinite-ink-12736997">Bloglovin</a>.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Happy reading!</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08557219206055636765noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8930587463271736295.post-42104354413321255072015-05-29T23:30:00.000+10:002015-06-01T14:59:47.473+10:00Armchair BEA 2015: Character Chatter For me, the most important components of a book are the characters. Even more than the plot and the writing, a book is made memorable by the characters created.<br />
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But what makes a good main character?<br />
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<a name='more'></a>Obviously, a character needs to be fully developed. There are many plot heavy books that skip over this aspect, and they may be entertaining, but they are seldom great works of literature. When I read a book, I want to read about a real person. May because a character is fictional doesn't mean that they shouldn't have a full life. Not only do I look for back story but motivations, values, quirks, flaws, etc. And these all have to be the driving force behind every action the character takes.<br />
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There also needs to be consistency throughout the story. I really hate it when a character does something or behaves on a way that doesn't for who they have been up to that point. An example of this is in Brandon Sanderson's <i>The Final Empire. </i>From the beginning of the novel, Vin is painted as a suspicious, guarded, distrustful, frightened girl who constantly questions people's motives and trustworthiness. Yet, she quickly ends up confiding in and believing one of the people who least deserves her confidence. Because it was so out of character, it tainted the rest of the relationship.<br />
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Often times I feel that the most important and realistic parts of a character are his or her weaknesses. Honestly, I tire of moral heroes who do good just for the sake of being virtuous and have no other motivation. Rather, I like protagonists that are flawed and make bad choices and are slightly selfish. A really great example of this is Harry Potter. He is definitely no perfect hero as he's partially motivated by selfishness and vengeance. Moreover, his pride often leads him into danger. Yet, this makes him much more relatable.<br />
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He's only one of the amazing characters in the series, too, and Rowling took the time to craft each one as an individual. Stories need varied characters. Often, it seems that authors have a dividing line with morally "good" characters on one side and villains on the other. This isn't true to life, though, and any novel that categorizes that way fails as far as characterizing is concerned.<br />
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All in all, I prefer characters that are the most like real people - beautiful and ugly simultaneously, never purely good or evil. Complexity and ambivalence are what makes a good character.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Those are a few of my thoughts on what makes a good character. What do you look for? </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">If you want to see my Armchair BEA intro post, click <a href="http://infiniteink671.blogspot.com/2015/05/armchair-bea-2015-introduction-questions.html" target="_blank">here</a>. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Also, follow me on <a href="https://twitter.com/infiniteink671">Twitter</a>, <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/infiniteink">Goodreads</a>, <a href="http://instagram.com/infiniteink671/">Instagram</a>, and <a href="http://www.bloglovin.com/blogs/infinite-ink-12736997">Bloglovin</a>.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Happy reading!</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08557219206055636765noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8930587463271736295.post-32081179764700745782015-05-29T17:50:00.001+10:002015-05-29T17:50:33.746+10:00Armchair BEA 2015: Introduction QuestionsI know that I'm late to the party, but I just found out about Armchair BEA yesterday. So...better late than never.<br />
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If you don't know what I'm talking about, Armchair BEA is a virtual conference for bloggers who can't attend Book Expo America or the BEA Bloggers Conference. If you want to learn more, check out the <a href="http://www.armchairbea.com/" target="_blank">official blog</a>.<br />
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The kickoff post was supposed to go up on Wednesday, but I'm still going to do it because it's a set of introduction questions (of which I choose five), and introductions are always important.<br />
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Tell us a bit about yourself: How long have you been blogging? Where are you from?</h4>
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I'm Crystal, and I live on Guam. I started this blog a year ago when I found myself as a stay-at-home wife with a desire for a hobby. I've always had a passion for reading and discussing literature, so writing about books was an obvious choice for me. <br /><br /><br /><h4>
What does diversity mean to you?</h4>
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For me, reading diversely means consciously picking up books about characters or by authors very different from me or my usual taste. I make an effort to read translated literature, especially from Asia since, even though I'm Asian, I grew up in the West. <br /><br /><br />It also means being open to new genres. I love literary fiction, but other genres can offer challenges and insight that I can't gain from just staying in my comfort zone. <br /><br /><br /><h4>
Share your favorite blog post on your blog.</h4>
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I don't even have to think about this question. <a href="http://infiniteink671.blogspot.com/2014/07/review-absent-by-sherri-vanderveen.html">My review of Sherri Vanderveen's novel </a><a href="http://infiniteink671.blogspot.com/2014/07/review-absent-by-sherri-vanderveen.html"><i>Absent</i></a> has no competition thus far. This isn't because it's particularly well-written but because it was the first book I reviewed that I felt truly passionate about. It's not a widely-read work, but it is one of my favorites of all time. Plus, almost a year after it was written, I received an email from the author thanking me for my review. I don't know how she found me, but hearing from her was greatly encouraging and will stay forever in my memory. <br /><br /><br /><h4>
What is your favorite genre and why?</h4>
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<br />Oh gosh. It would be much easier to list genres I don't like. I'm often a mood reader, so that also affects what I am into at the time. <br /><br /><br />However, I always return to literary fiction. It's not my most well-read genre because I can't just fly through novel after novel, but the books I do read throughout the course of a year are always the one that impact me the most. <br /><br /><br /><h4>
What book are you reading right now?</h4>
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<br />I just started Elisabeth Elliot's <i>Through Gates of Splendor</i>, which is the story of how her husband and some other men became missionaries in South America and were ultimately martyred by one of the tribes there. It's definitely not a light read. <div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">So there are my introduction answers. If you're participating in Armchair BEA, please link me to your intro post. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">If you want to read more, check out my latest book review <a href="http://infiniteink671.blogspot.com/2015/05/book-review-this-burns-my-heart-by.html" target="_blank">here</a>.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Also, follow me on <a href="https://twitter.com/infiniteink671">Twitter</a>, <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/infiniteink">Goodreads</a>, <a href="http://instagram.com/infiniteink671/">Instagram</a>, and <a href="http://www.bloglovin.com/blogs/infinite-ink-12736997">Bloglovin</a>.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Happy reading!</span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08557219206055636765noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8930587463271736295.post-88841141037143136802015-05-26T17:35:00.000+10:002015-05-28T15:46:23.946+10:00Book Review: This Burns My Heart by Samuel Park<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-weight: normal;"><i>"Happiness came that day - she knew nothing - and asked her to say yes and she did not. Why did she assume it would come back again, when there were so many others waiting for it to visit" (pg. 245)?</i></span></h2>
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<i>This Burns My Heart </i>by Samuel Park<br />Simon & Schuster<br />6 March 2012<br />336 Pages<br />Literary Fiction<br />5 Stars</h3>
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<br /><a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/this-burns-my-heart-samuel-park/1100396534?ean=9781439199626&itm=1&usri=1439199620" target="_blank">Barnes & Noble</a>; <a href="http://m.bookdepository.com/This-Burns-My-Heart-Samuel-Park/9781439199626#expand" target="_blank">Book Depository</a>; <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/12437977-this-burns-my-heart" target="_blank">Goodreads</a> </h3>
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<br />On the eve of her marriage, beautiful and strong-willed Soo-Ja Choi receives a passionate proposal from a young medical student. But caught up in her desire to pursue a career in Seoul, she turns him away, having impetuously chosen another man who she believes will let her fulfill her dreams. Instead, she finds herself tightly bound by tradition and trapped in a suffocating marriage, her ambition reduced to carving out a successful future for her only daughter. Through it all, she longs for the man she truly loves, whose path she seems destined to cross again and again.</h3>
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Every so often I come across a book that is exquisitely excruciating - one that looks with too keen an eye at the world and stirs up thoughts and emotions usually left dormant. <i>This Burns My Heart </i>is one such book.<br />
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I originally picked it up because of the separated lovers premise, but I quickly found that this is no mere love story. Rather, it is an exploration of how one choice can change an entire life.<br />
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Samuel Park's work is much more character-driven than plot-driven, so the novel hinges upon how the reader receives Soo-Ja Choi. I, for one, absolutely loved her. We meet her as a young woman with dreams of moving to Seoul to become a foreign dignitary in a time when women were expected to marry and stay at home. In her desire to fulfill her ambitions, she refuses the proposal of a young medical student in favor of a man she believes she will be able to manipulate to her will. <br />
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Even in the beginning when she is willful, immature, selfish, and naive, I completely connected with her. I admired her ambitions and her desire to be more than the housewife that society expected her to be, even though I disagreed with the means used to rise above her gender. But as her difficult life weighs upon her and injustices are committed, she wises up and matures into a woman I respected.<br />
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Soo-Ja is not a perfect character, but this made her all the more real to me. Her flaws lent weight to the times when she stood on principle and chose the more difficult but nobler path. She's not simply a moral hero, but instead is motivated by priorities, cultural influences, societal expectations, public opinion, fear, and love. I didn't agree with all of her choices or the reasons behind them, but I understood each and every one of them; therefore, I greatly sympathized with her - weeping with her, screaming with her, and being amazed every time she found strength in a situation wherein I would have wilted. <br />
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The book is centered around Soo-Ja, but another character with substantial development is Min. He is definitely a weak, cowardly man, but he is also shrewd and forward-thinking. While I wanted to hate him for tricking Soo-Ja into marrying him, I found that I couldn't. Rather, I ended up pitying and even understanding him. He lives in the same condition with the same family as Soo-Ja, but he lacks her inner resolve and confidence, so his spirit is crushed. Throughout the book, he tries to be the man that he desires to be - an upright, independent man who protects his wife and commands respect. Those instances made me grieve for the person he could have been had he grown up in a different environment. By the end, when he makes his final decision, I had grown a fragile love for him. <br />
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The only other character I felt strongly about was Min's father, a true villain. He angered me at every turn, and he's the only character I found no redeeming qualities in. I was glad for it, though, because he provided balance to Soo-Ja's life. We all have antagonists in our lives, and he is Soo-Ja's.<br />
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The other characters are well-written, but they lack the opacity of Soo-Ja and Min. Even Yul, the star-crossed lover, doesn't receive as much focus. In this case, however, I actually appreciated this because I didn't want the story to be about their love. If it had only been about two separated lovers, it would have been so much less impactful. Instead, because Yul is mostly on the periphery of the story, the reader is allowed to focus on Soo-Ja and her life without love.<br />
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The plot is torturous in its sorrow but captivating. Our heroine's life is one blow after another, and my love for her made my heart break with hers every time. Yet, the tragedy is never unbelievable or over-the-top, so I never had to suspend my disbelief. <br />
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If you prefer books that have a lot going on, a standard plot-mountain format, and fast pacing, this book is definitely not for you. Park has written out an entire life, so the pacing is slow, but not agonizingly so, and her life is definitely not a series of adventures. For those familiar with the style of literary fiction, you should have no issues with the pacing. <br />
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What truly made this book for me was the setting. Soo-Ja would be a less impactful character if she lived somewhere other than South Korea during the 1960s. The cultural setting makes the events surrounding her plausible, whereas, if it were set in the Western world, I would have never believed it. The development of Korea, with the rise of capitalism, consumerism, and individualism, lends tension to Soo-Ja's struggle against tradition and mirrors her growth. Moreover, the book reveals so much about Korean society, gender roles, families, and history, which only adds another layer to its appeal. As someone who has a passionate interest in East Asia, especially Korea, I greatly appreciated how genuine the Korea Park created was. <br />
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Samuel Park is a very gifted writer. This is his first novel, yet the prose is mature and gorgeously poetic. His writing is atmospheric and emotionally dense, but it's not stifling or melodramatic. I'm excited to see how he grows as a writer since his first effort was so impressive.<br />
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The idea that moved me the most emotionally and in thought was how one choice could completely derail the rest of a person's life. There is a beautiful passage where Soo-Ja is an older woman, and she finally realizes everything that she said no to when she turned down Yul. <br />
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<i>"We're only given one life, and it's the one we live, she had thought; how painful now, to realize that wasn't true, that you would have different lives, depending on how brave you were, and how ready. Love came to her that day - she was twenty-two - and wanted to take her, and she said no" (pg. 245).</i><br />
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As I come upon my thirtieth year, I look back on my life to assess each choice, sometimes with regret. So her experience resonated heavily with me, and I know that many will be able to relate.<br />
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Another prevalent theme is the struggle of the individual against the collective. Because Asian culture is founded on the family, this is a popular topic in Asian literature. Soo-Ja has to choose between her responsibility to her family - her parents, husband, in-laws, and daughter - and her responsibility to herself. Min is crippled by his dependence upon his family and is unable to stand as an individual. We even see the shift in cultural values in their daughter, Hana, whose desire for self-gratification far outweighs her commitment to family.<br />
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Overall, I loved this book and had no qualms with it. I understand why some would find it slow, but for those who love character exploration, I highly recommend Samuel Park's <i>This Burns My Heart. </i><b>I give it an unreserved 5 stars.</b><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Do you have any literary fiction or Asian literature recommendations for me? Leave them in the comments below.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Also, check out my <a href="http://infiniteink671.blogspot.com/2015/05/top-10-recommendations-for-classic.html" target="_blank">ten recommendation</a>s for people who are new to Classic literature. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Also, follow me on <a href="https://twitter.com/infiniteink671">Twitter</a>, <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/infiniteink">Goodreads</a>, <a href="http://instagram.com/infiniteink671/">Instagram</a>, and <a href="http://www.bloglovin.com/blogs/infinite-ink-12736997">Bloglovin</a>.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Happy reading!</span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08557219206055636765noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8930587463271736295.post-50265519157089221372015-05-25T14:07:00.000+10:002015-05-25T14:07:19.416+10:00Top 10 Recommendations for Classic Literature BeginnersEver since discovering Frances Hodgson Burnett as a young girl, I have loved classics. Though they can be dry and difficult to understand, I find them witty and intelligent, with themes that persist over time. <br />
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However, not everyone feels this way. Many people struggle with classics, especially when forced to read them for class. As someone who loathes being forced to read, I completely understand this. Moreover, I think that many of the books chosen for curriculum are not selected for their enjoyability. <br />
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Yet, even with having a few horrible experiences in literature classes throughout my academic career, I think that classics can be entertaining, hilarious, thought-provoking, and tear-inducing. So, if you're interested in trying out classics again (or even for the first time), here are ten that I would recommend.<br />
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<b><i>Anne of Green Gables</i> by L.M. Montgomery</b></div>
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<b><a href="http://www.bookdepository.com/Anne-Green-Gables-Montgomery/9780147514004" target="_blank">Buy here</a></b></div>
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Although it's a children's book, I didn't read <i>Anne of Green Gables</i> until a few years ago, which speaks to how universal it is as far as age goes. Anne Shirley is a wild, fun, passionate character, and her story is hilarious and heart-warming. Once again, because it's written for children, it's very easy to read.</div>
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<i style="font-weight: bold;">Peter Pan </i><span style="font-weight: bold;">by J.M. Barrie</span></div>
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<span style="font-weight: bold;"><a href="http://www.bookdepository.com/Peter-Pan-Sir-Barrie/9780147508652" target="_blank">Buy here</a></span></div>
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<i>Peter Pan</i> is one of my most beloved stories of all time. I love the enchantment of Neverland and the adventures the characters have there. As a child, I read it for the action and Peter's boyish charm; as an adult, I read it for its ability to wake up the child within every adult. </div>
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<b><i>Little Women</i> by Louisa May Alcott</b></div>
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<b><a href="http://www.bookdepository.com/Little-Women-Louisa-May-Alcott/9780143106654" target="_blank">Buy here</a></b></div>
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This is a great coming-of-age story about four sisters growing up in America in the late 1800's. The characters are so relatable and lovable, and the reader becomes invested in their lives. Moreover, the moral lessons and familial themes are still important for society today,</div>
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<b><i>The Iliad </i>by Homer</b></div>
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<b><a href="http://www.bookdepository.com/Iliad-Homer/9780140275360" target="_blank">Buy here</a></b></div>
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I read a fair bit of ancient literature in my Great Books courses at university, and <i>The Iliad</i> was one of my favorites. I was surprised by this, though, because I didn't care for <i>The Odyssey </i>in high school. <i>The Iliad</i> appealed to me because of its far more likeable characters, especially Achilles and Hector. Of course, there are still characters to loathe (Paris, GAH!), as well. Moreover, the plot really drew me in with its war and intrigue. </div>
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<b><i>Julius Caesar</i> by William Shakespeare</b></div>
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Shakespeare is difficult; I know this. However, his literary merit cannot be argued. I really enjoy the standards, <i>Romeo and Juliet</i>, <i>A Midsummer's Night Dream</i>, <i>Hamlet, etc</i>, but I started out with <i>Julius Caesar</i>, which I'm grateful for. It's not as complicated as the others, with less characters and a straight-forward plot. It's one of his shorter plays, as well, which makes it easier to follow. But the political intrigue and the character of Brutus really drew me in. Rather than diving into the longer, well-known works, I would recommend this play to anyone wanting to try out Shakespeare again or even for the first time.</div>
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<b><i>Wuthering Heights</i> by Emily Bronte</b></div>
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When it comes to classic romantic fiction, <i>Pride and Prejudice</i> is at the top of the list. However, if you read it and didn't care for it, what should you move on to next? I would recommend <i>Wuthering Heights</i>. It's not as much of a commitment as <i>Jane Eyre </i>and, in my opinion, an easier read. Some people hate this book, but I love the passion and treachery. If you love drama and romance, this book is for you.</div>
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<b>Sherlock Holmes Stories<i> </i>by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle</b></div>
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I really like to see the foundations of genres that I enjoy. It's interesting to see shades of the classics in my modern favorites or how the genre has developed over time. For mystery lovers, Sherlock Holmes is a great place to start with classic exploration. The stories are short, often funny, suspenseful, and keep you guessing. </div>
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<b><i>The Picture of Dorian Gray</i> by Oscar Wilde</b></div>
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<b><a href="http://www.bookdepository.com/Picture-Dorian-Gray-Oscar-Wilde/9780141442464" target="_blank">Buy here</a></b></div>
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As an introduction to the Gothic genre, I absolutely recommend this Oscar Wilde classic. Rather than starting out with <i>Frankenstein </i>or <i>Dracula, </i>which are far more serious and dense, <i>Dorian Gray</i> is witty and hilarious, though still horrific. Moreover, even though it was written during the Victorian era, its themes and social commentary are still relevant today.</div>
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<b><i>Le Morte D'Arthur </i>by Sir Thomas Malory</b></div>
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<b><a href="http://www.bookdepository.com/Le-Morte-Darthur-Sir-Thomas-Malory/9780199537341" target="_blank">Buy here</a></b></div>
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It's difficult (for me, at least) to find a marker for fantasy pre-Tolkien. There's, of course, Hans Christian Anderson and the Brother's Grimm, but I'd like to recommend this collection of Arthurian tales. King Arthur is legend, and this collection is still the primary source for stories about him. If you like epic fantasy, definitely check this out. </div>
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<span style="font-weight: bold;"><i>The Legend of Sleepy Hollow</i> by Washington Irving</span></div>
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<span style="font-weight: bold;"><a href="http://www.bookdepository.com/Legend-Sleepy-Hollow-Other-Stories-Washington-Irving/9781454908715" target="_blank">Buy here</a></span></div>
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For those who love horror, this short story is a great one to introduce you to classic horror. It may not be as graphic as modern day works, but it's still chilling. This one is a very popular choice around Halloween, but it's appropriate to read at any time.</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Those are my top 10 classic recommendations for beginners. Do you have any that you would add to this list? Share in the comments below.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">To see my last recommendations post, click <a href="http://infiniteink671.blogspot.com/2015/04/spring-reading-recommendations.html" target="_blank">here</a>.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Also, follow me on <a href="https://twitter.com/infiniteink671">Twitter</a>, <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/infiniteink">Goodreads</a>, <a href="http://instagram.com/infiniteink671/">Instagram</a>, and <a href="http://www.bloglovin.com/blogs/infinite-ink-12736997">Bloglovin</a>.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Happy reading!</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08557219206055636765noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8930587463271736295.post-8949275283403616872015-05-20T22:29:00.001+10:002015-05-20T22:29:32.163+10:00Top 5 Wednesday: Debut Novels<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgprIDIcD1DHjviT1FSgSfdtSJjWn269Lzw0zbk7cLqjCyjvO-dQUvcswkiwoYRUMt2oXYdCmS-t_E9ndNoGsz5SbOqPWk7KN6maSVUA5d8Vlfr_OQziE1FUml0owq7KBpvAQ6AdEmI1peN/s1600/118368.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgprIDIcD1DHjviT1FSgSfdtSJjWn269Lzw0zbk7cLqjCyjvO-dQUvcswkiwoYRUMt2oXYdCmS-t_E9ndNoGsz5SbOqPWk7KN6maSVUA5d8Vlfr_OQziE1FUml0owq7KBpvAQ6AdEmI1peN/s1600/118368.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">To learn more about Top 5 Wednesday, check out the <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/118368-top-5-wednesday" target="_blank">Goodreads group</a>.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
This week's Top 5 Wednesday topic is the top 5 debut novels. For this list, a few came immediately to mind, but I had to research in order to fill the rest of the slots. <div>
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Let's see what I chose.</div>
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<b><i>This Present Darkness</i> by Frank Peretti</b></div>
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Though he's written many books since this one, Peretti is still best known for his debut novel. <i>This Present Darkness</i> was one of the first Christian books I read, and it made me realize how much I like books about spiritual warfare. Though it's fictional, this book should not be read lightly, and it chilled me even more than most horror novels I've read.</div>
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<b><i>Carrie</i> by Stephen King</b></div>
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King's first published work was also the first book of his that I read. At twelve years old, it completely challenged what I knew about writing and ushered me into the world of adult novels. <i>Carrie</i> filled me with horror, revulsion, pity, and compassion, something I was unaware one book could do. Though he has over fifty published novels so far, this one still holds a special place.</div>
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<b><i>The Namesake</i> by Jhumpa Lahiri</b></div>
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I have not stayed quiet about my adoration for Jhumpa Lahiri, and her debut novel was what won me over from the start. It has all the aspects that I love about her writing and characters, with her simple but descriptive language and Indian immigrants looking for identity. It won the Pulitzer, as well, so I'm not hyping her without cause.</div>
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<b><i>The Hobbit</i> by J.R.R. Tolkien</b></div>
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Though he had published many poems, short stories, and essays, <i>The Hobbit</i> was Tolkien's first novel, and what a novel it was! I think the various reasons it made my list are obvious, chief among them being its captivating story and characters, as well as the fact that this little children's book was the catalyst for The Lord of the Rings Trilogy. </div>
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Number One</h4>
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<b><i>Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone</i> by J.K. Rowling</b></div>
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This one should have been obvious. Not only did this book launch one of the most beloved series of all time, but it also brought Rowling's writing prowess to the world's attention. She is one of my favorite modern writers, and this book ignited my passion for reading as a child. For me, this will always be the best debut of all time. </div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Those are my top 5 debut novels. What debut novels do you love? Tell me in the comments below.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">If you enjoy or are interested in Japanese literature, <a href="http://infiniteink671.blogspot.com/2015/05/book-review-diving-pool-by-yoko-ogawa.html" target="_blank">check out my latest review</a> of Yoko Ogawa's <i>The Diving Pool.</i></span></div>
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You can also find me on <a href="https://twitter.com/infiniteink671">Twitter</a>, <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/infiniteink">Goodreads</a>, <a href="http://instagram.com/infiniteink671/">Instagram</a>, and <a href="http://www.bloglovin.com/blogs/infinite-ink-12736997">Bloglovin</a>.</div>
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Happy reading!</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08557219206055636765noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8930587463271736295.post-43528777961860428022015-05-20T06:00:00.000+10:002015-05-20T06:00:03.702+10:00Book Review: The Diving Pool by Yoko Ogawa<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<i>The Diving Pool</i> by Yoko Ogawa<br />Picador USA<br />22 January 2008<br />164 Pages<br />Japanese Literature<br />3 Stars</h3>
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<br /><a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/diving-pool-yoko-ogawa/1100626042?ean=9780312426835&itm=1&usri=0312426836" target="_blank">Barnes & Noble</a>; <a href="http://www.bookdepository.com/Diving-Pool-Ogawa-Yoko/9780312426835" target="_blank">Book Depository</a>; <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1337973.The_Diving_Pool" target="_blank">Goodreads</a></h3>
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<br />The first major English translation of one of contemporary Japan's bestselling and most celebrated authors From Akutagawa Award-winning author Yoko Ogawa comes a haunting trio of novellas about love, fertility, obsession, and how even the most innocent gestures may contain a hairline crack of cruel intent. A lonely teenage girl falls in love with her foster brother as she watches him leap from a high diving board into a pool--a peculiar infatuation that sends unexpected ripples through her life. A young woman records the daily moods of her pregnant sister in a diary, taking meticulous note of a pregnancy that may or may not be a hallucination--but whose hallucination is it, hers or her sister's? A woman nostalgically visits her old college dormitory on the outskirts of Tokyo, a boarding house run by a mysterious triple amputee with one leg. Hauntingly spare, beautiful, and twisted, <i>The Diving Pool</i> is a disquieting and at times darkly humorous collection of novellas about normal people who suddenly discover their own dark possibilities.</h3>
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This book is really difficult to classify. A collection of three novellas, its unsettling tone doesn't quite qualify as horror, though I was horrified at times. Nor is it strictly contemporary, disqualified by its more surreal moments. Pressed to categorize it, I would say it's a psychological horror. </div>
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The first novella, "The Diving Pool," was my favorite. In it, a teenage girl whose parents run an orphanage harbors an obsession for her foster brother, as well as a penchant for cruel deeds. Though she does mortifying things, I found myself relating to her and even sympathizing with her, which was troubling. I felt that I truly understood her, and that made this story the most personal for me. It was also the most straightforward and realistic. Rated alone, I give it a 3.5. </div>
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"Pregnancy Diary" came next, and this was my least favorite. It's a record that a young woman keeps concerning her sister's pregnancy. Much of it had to do with her sister's relationship with food, and her own passive-aggressive maliciousness toward her. Unlike the other two, the subtlety of this story was lost upon me, and I felt a vast distance between the main character and me. Moreover, though the description questions whether the pregnancy (and even her sister) are a hallucination, I never saw where this could have been called into question. I give this novella a 2.5.</div>
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Finally, there was "Dormitory," the least realistic and most open-ended of the three novellas. It tells of a middle-aged woman who waits to join her husband in another country, helping her cousin find a dormitory in the meantime. Rather than preparing for her move, she becomes captivated by the dormitory manager, a triple amputee, and her relationship to him and the housing becomes disquieting. Even though this story was perplexing, I enjoyed the completely confounding ending, but I had a difficult time understanding the main character. I give it a 3.</div>
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I wouldn't think of this collection as character-driven by any means. Rather, it is centered around its themes of loneliness and human cruelty, and even how those two things are related. The women in each of these stories are all lonely and isolated, and this brings their sadism to the surface. Whether it's callous brutality or heartless neglect, each of the women have their darkness. </div>
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Another idea that played out in "The Diving Pool" was that of darkness being drawn to the light. The main character was attracted to her foster brother, Jun, because he was so pure and so good. She realized that she had a streak of wickedness within her, and she felt that intimacy with him could cleanse her. I found this paradoxical to my usual belief that dark deeds flee from the illumination that would expose them; therefore, I thought a lot about the relationship of self-proclaimed "bad" people and those they deem "good." </div>
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Less than trying to entertain her reader, Ogawa uses these themes to invite the reader to explore the intricacies of humanity and psychology. Fittingly, she manages to make the journey as warped and disconcerting as possible.</div>
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Ogawa's writing style deeply impressed me. I have never read a work so minimalistic that packed such emphasis. Not a word is wasted, and each one is carefully chosen to create a disturbing, chilling tone without any gore, explicit violence, or supernatural power. I was thoroughly creeped out while reading this book, though there was nothing happening that was truly frightening. Ogawa is a master at her craft.</div>
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Though the writing was superb and the themes relatable, the novellas didn't quite hit their mark with me. "The Diving Pool" was wonderful and left me gasping, but the surrealism of the last two, as well as my inability to truly understand the choices and motives of the women, disappointed me in comparison. </div>
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<b>I give this collection 3 stars.</b></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Have you read any works by Ogawa? What do you think? Or do you have any Japanese literature recommendations? Please tell me in the comments below.</span></div>
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You can also find me on <a href="https://twitter.com/infiniteink671">Twitter</a>, <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/infiniteink">Goodreads</a>, <a href="http://instagram.com/infiniteink671/">Instagram</a>, and <a href="http://www.bloglovin.com/blogs/infinite-ink-12736997">Bloglovin</a>.</div>
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Happy reading!</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08557219206055636765noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8930587463271736295.post-9802765490411322812015-05-19T13:02:00.002+10:002015-05-19T13:02:24.172+10:00Bout of Books 13: Wrap-UpBout of Books 13 is over, and I am already having withdrawals! The next one is in August, so be sure to follow the <a href="http://boutofbooks.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Bout of Books blog</a> in order to stay informed about sign-ups for that.<br />
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I had originally set <a href="http://infiniteink671.blogspot.com/2015/05/bout-of-books-13-goals-tracking.html" target="_blank">goals</a> for myself that I deemed completely reasonable given my schedule. However, these did not account for Typhoon Dolphin, which hit Guam on Friday night. My power and water were out until Sunday evening, and having to prepare for the typhoon, cope with the darkness, and then clean up afterward really cut into my reading time. Hence, I did not achieve all of my goals; however, I am still pleased with what I did manage.<br />
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If you check out my <a href="http://infiniteink671.blogspot.com/2015/05/bout-of-books-midway-update.html" target="_blank">mid-way update</a>, you can see how I did Monday through Wednesday.<br />
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Thursday</h4>
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I spent all day Thursday running errands and preparing for the storm, so I didn't get any reading done that day. I did find out, though, that a woman I've been chatting with through Twitter since Bout of Books 12 is connected to me in real life! Even though she lives in Texas, and I live in Guam, my pastor's wife is our mutual friend. Isn't that crazy?</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg13CLokmmKrtNzXlOg3GwmOKk9u-q3CmGOc8m2u1GDx15RQ0J5dpZCtoUVqt9PPm6xcLmR-Wcw3ZBpVIfA63AhTUNjhnlyFeqepDk05O4RSrw4unxharNKf4LYymGSSlIF44Ou1dQms-Be/s1600/95617.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg13CLokmmKrtNzXlOg3GwmOKk9u-q3CmGOc8m2u1GDx15RQ0J5dpZCtoUVqt9PPm6xcLmR-Wcw3ZBpVIfA63AhTUNjhnlyFeqepDk05O4RSrw4unxharNKf4LYymGSSlIF44Ou1dQms-Be/s320/95617.jpg" width="212" /></a>Friday</h4>
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The typhoon hit on Friday, complete with being shuttered into the house with the power out. However, one blessing in the midst of the storm is the amount of family fellowship it induces. We all sought out the one room in the house with the best ventilation and most seating. My family is very busy, and we all lead separate lives, so I was blessed to be able to spend that time with them.</div>
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In the midst of the fellowship, though, I was able to read 180 pages in Francine River's <i>A Voice in the Wind. </i>Before the power went out, I also completed the <a href="http://infiniteink671.blogspot.com/2015/05/bout-of-books-from-modern-to-classic.html" target="_blank">From Modern to Classic challenge</a>. </div>
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Saturday</h4>
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I was extremely restless very early Saturday morning because of how hot the house was, and I couldn't sleep at all. So, armed with my book light, I read for about 5 hours straight and finished <i>A Voice in the Wind. </i>I had never read any Christian historical fiction before, but I absolutely loved this. A friend recommended it to me, describing it as a love story (which didn't appeal to me, honestly), but it is so much more than that, and I am grateful that I read it. </div>
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Sunday</h4>
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Like Thursday, I got no reading done on Sunday. Rather, I went to church and then fellowshipped for the rest of the day, not getting home until midnight. Between you and me, I believe my time was better spent this way.</div>
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The Week in Numbers</h4>
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Pages read: 889</div>
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Books finished: 4</div>
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Hours spent reading: 19.5</div>
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Challenges completed: 3</div>
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Though I didn't achieve my goals of reading 1,000 pages or devoting at least 2 hours a day to reading, I did finish 2 more books than I planned and complete my goal in challenges. Additionally, I visited quite a few blogs, and, if you average out my total hours, I did achieve my daily reading goal. That may be cheating, but I'm happy about it.</div>
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Now I just need to review all the books I finished!</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">How did your Bout of Books 13 go? Did you achieve your goals? Link me to your wrap-up in the comments.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">You can also find me on <a href="https://twitter.com/infiniteink671">Twitter</a>, <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/infiniteink">Goodreads</a>, <a href="http://instagram.com/infiniteink671/">Instagram</a>, and <a href="http://www.bloglovin.com/blogs/infinite-ink-12736997">Bloglovin</a>.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Happy reading!</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08557219206055636765noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8930587463271736295.post-52477231292790200372015-05-15T15:01:00.000+10:002015-05-19T13:00:57.706+10:00Bout of Books 13: From Modern to Classic ChallengeDay four's challenge is being hosted by Rebecca at <a href="https://bookybecksa.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">Ranty Runt of a Reader</a>.<br />
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Her challenge is for readers to name one book, published after 2005, that they expect to be a classic in 100 years and give two reasons why.<br />
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I thought about this for quite awhile, going over my Goodreads shelves and my physical shelves. I didn't want to choose the obvious ones or just name one that I like. There are plenty that I love that just haven't received enough recognition to be hailed as classics and will most likely slip into obscurity, as sad as that is. <br />
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Here are my criteria:<br />
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1) It has to be well-written and stand out in terms of themes, style, impact on the genre, subject matter, etc.<br />
2) It has to be critically acclaimed. This doesn't necessarily mean popular because many popular books are just not very good and many books the average person doesn't like are excellent.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwmHBbNw_QTdvWyVPuKqAEzlfduSfD3S_XvNbB9pZWtLsY93Gf9TRLdmUuEg5UVZj63SZfnOxfVmRC0hRvxpdOVTsA6epIcL0RmKA6jMtpA61pnANpvldK58R0d_qdXurduS49qzfX7qNb/s1600/4588.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwmHBbNw_QTdvWyVPuKqAEzlfduSfD3S_XvNbB9pZWtLsY93Gf9TRLdmUuEg5UVZj63SZfnOxfVmRC0hRvxpdOVTsA6epIcL0RmKA6jMtpA61pnANpvldK58R0d_qdXurduS49qzfX7qNb/s200/4588.jpg" width="132" /></a></div>
Ultimately, I decided on <i>Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close</i>. All of Jonathan Safran Foer's works are acclaimed, but I chose this one because of its historical context. Foer barely mentions September 11 in this book, but it looks there throughout. However, he took an event that has been dramatized over and over again and told a story that was less about the tragedy itself and more about how the lives it touched were changed forever. This book is about Oskar, and in exploring his life, Foer made September 11 seem all the more personal to me. <br />
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Secondly, I can definitely see high school classrooms reading this in the future, not only because of the setting, but also because of Foer's style and the themes the book explores. Moreover, this book would generate great debate, as many think it genius while others find it precocious. <br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">That is my choice for the modern classic I see lasting for the next hundred years. Do you agree? If you participated in this challenge, what did you choose? </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Chat me up on <a href="https://twitter.com/infiniteink671">Twitter</a>, <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/infiniteink">Goodreads</a>, <a href="http://instagram.com/infiniteink671/">Instagram</a>, and <a href="http://www.bloglovin.com/blogs/infinite-ink-12736997">Bloglovin</a>.</span></div>
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Happy reading!</div>
</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08557219206055636765noreply@blogger.com1