Completed Reads
I read eight books and nine single issues of a comic in January. Two of my books were classics, as well, so I'm really happy with that because one of my goals for the year was to read more classics.
Saturday, January 31, 2015
January Wrap-Up
January was an excellent month of reading for me, especially since the ending of 2014 was so pitiful. This is mostly because Bout of Books motivated me so much, so I'm really really grateful for that readathon.
I read eight books and nine single issues of a comic in January. Two of my books were classics, as well, so I'm really happy with that because one of my goals for the year was to read more classics.
I read eight books and nine single issues of a comic in January. Two of my books were classics, as well, so I'm really happy with that because one of my goals for the year was to read more classics.
Wednesday, January 28, 2015
Top 5 Wednesday: Favorite Anti-Heroes
Top 5 Wednesday was created by BookTuber Lainey, at gingerreadslainey. If you want to join in, please check out the Goodreads group.
This week's topic is favorite anti-heroes, which is an excellent one. I really like anti-heroes because they are so complex. In real life, most people have their moments of weak morality. We can be righteous cowards or brave thieves. But many characters in literature are written with a lack of moral duality, so I love it when I find a protagonist I'm not sure if I quite cheer for.
This week's topic is favorite anti-heroes, which is an excellent one. I really like anti-heroes because they are so complex. In real life, most people have their moments of weak morality. We can be righteous cowards or brave thieves. But many characters in literature are written with a lack of moral duality, so I love it when I find a protagonist I'm not sure if I quite cheer for.
Tuesday, January 27, 2015
Reader Ramble: Do we read for the sake of reading?
For the first time that I can recall, the young adult genre is hands down the most popular. These are the books that are getting the movie deals and all of the buzz. This isn't true just among the targeted age demographic, but among older readers, as well.
Some of this attention is absolutely deserved. The Hunger Games trilogy is fantastic. I love that Eleanor and Park features two atypical protagonists. Some classics are receiving new attention, as well, such as The Giver, which is a phenomenal novel.
However, for every well-written book with intriguing, well-developed characters, a captivating plot, and relevant themes that will make the reader think, there are another ten that turn character tropes into clichés and wear down the same plot points that made every other book popular.
Some of this attention is absolutely deserved. The Hunger Games trilogy is fantastic. I love that Eleanor and Park features two atypical protagonists. Some classics are receiving new attention, as well, such as The Giver, which is a phenomenal novel.
However, for every well-written book with intriguing, well-developed characters, a captivating plot, and relevant themes that will make the reader think, there are another ten that turn character tropes into clichés and wear down the same plot points that made every other book popular.
Wednesday, January 21, 2015
Top 5 Wednesday: Authors I Would Like to Meet
Top 5 Wednesday was created by booktuber gingerreadslainey. If you want to join in on the fun, check out the Goodreads group.
Today's topic is the Top 5 Authors I Would Like to Meet.
I found this a difficult list to make. While I certainly have my favorite authors, I'm not one to celebratize them. Also, I've found that some authors whose books I love have less than lovely personalities. Likewise, there are some writers I think I would enjoy having a good chat with whose books consistently fail to rank above 3 stars.
Today's topic is the Top 5 Authors I Would Like to Meet.
I found this a difficult list to make. While I certainly have my favorite authors, I'm not one to celebratize them. Also, I've found that some authors whose books I love have less than lovely personalities. Likewise, there are some writers I think I would enjoy having a good chat with whose books consistently fail to rank above 3 stars.
Sunday, January 18, 2015
Review: Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo
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| These covers are gorgeous! |
Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo
The Grisha Trilogy #1
St. Martin's Press; 5 July 2013
358 Pages
YA Fantasy
3 Stars
Barnes and Noble; Book Depository, Goodreads
Surrounded by enemies, the once-great nation of Ravka has been torn in two by the Shadow Fold, a swath of near impenetrable darkness crawling with monsters who feast on human flesh. Now its fate may rest on the shoulders of one lonely refugee. Alina Starkov has never been good at anything. But when her regiment is attacked on the Fold and her best friend is brutally injured, Alina reveals a dormant power that saves his life--a power that could be the key to setting her war-ravaged country free. Wrenched from everything she knows, Alina is whisked away to the royal court to be trained as a member of the Grisha, the magical elite led by the mysterious Darkling. Yet nothing in this lavish world is what it seems. With darkness looming and an entire kingdom depending on her untamed power, Alina will have to confront the secrets of the Grisha . . . and the secrets of her heart.
Thursday, January 15, 2015
Top 5 Wednesday: Series I Want to Start
There are many well-loved series out there that I haven't started. This is mostly because I am very picky with the ones that I start.
Series require much more commitment than stand-alones. One I've read the first book, I feel obligated to read the rest. Even if I didn't particularly like the first one, I always have this hope that the next one will be better and make up for it. I have a very difficult time giving up on a series, especially if it's only a trilogy.
Wednesday, January 14, 2015
Review: Bram Stoker's Dracula
Dracula by Bram Stoker
Little, Brown and Company
7 September 2005
448 Pages
Gothic Horror
5 Stars
Barnes and Noble; Book Depository, Goodreads
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