Top 5 Wednesday: Couples

I can't begin to tell you how much I love this Top 5 Wednesday topic!  I ship so many couples (both canon and non-canon), and I love talking about my OTPs.

If you want to join in discussing fun topics like this, check out the Goodreads group.

Now, without further adieu...

Number Five

Anne Shirley and Gilbert Blythe from the Anne of Green Gables Series

What I love best about Anne and Gilbert's relationship is its slow growth throughout the entire series.  This is not a case of instant love, and it's development is really believable.  They start out as enemies, and it takes Anne until the end of the first book to even acknowledge Gilbert.  

She is so fiery and passionate, and his wise, calm demeanor perfectly balances her out.

Number Four

Ashoke and Ashima Ganguli from The Namesake

This couple is very special to me.  Most Western literature depicts romance in a very loud, obvious way.  But there is something I enjoy and relate to in how their relationship is all about context.  

In the movie adaptation, after their children are grown, Ashima teases Ashoke and asks him if he wants her to tell him, "I love you" like the Americans do.  Ashoke just laughs, and neither of them say it, but there is still no doubt that their love runs deep.  I really appreciate how the book expresses this same sentiment.  

Number Three

Arthur and Molly Weasley from The Harry Potter Series

With these two, it's not so much their relationship that I enjoy as the fact that they are just an amazing pair of people.  They give so much of themselves to others, have a beautiful family, and are so brave.  Plus, they practically adopt Harry without ever questioning that decision even though it puts their own children in danger.  

Number Two

Sakura and Syaoran from Tsubasa: Reservoir Chronicles

I gush about these two all the time.  I had to have at least one tragic pairing on this list, and these two are it.

Their love for each other is of epic proportions, which only makes it even more devastating that Sakura can't remember Syaoron.  Despite that, he still travels through space and time to save her, knowing that she will never regain her memories of that.  

This pairing induces ugly sobbing.

Finally, my number one OTP...

Elizabeth Bennet and Fitzwilliam Darcy from Pride and Prejudice

Duh.

I know that this is the most cliche pairing, but I don't even care.  There are OTPs, and then there are Darcy and Lizzie.

This is the very first literary couple that I truly shipped.  Everything about their story enchants me, and I love to read or watch it repeatedly.

So, those are my top 5 OTPs!  Who are your favorite pairings?  Share with me in the comments!

Happy reading!

Top 5 Wednesday: Red Covers

This weeks Top 5 Wednesday topic is red covers.  I don't actually own too many, so I am limited in my selection.

Top 5 Wednesday was created by Lainey from gingerreadslainey, and if you want to join in on the fun, check out the Goodreads group!

Let's get into it.

Number 5

Waiting by Ha Jin

I really like the simplicity of this cover with just the red background and the bottom of a long, black braid.  Even though it's simple, it already speaks to it being about China during the Cultural Revolution, when a single black braid was the hairstyle for women.  

Number 4

Persepolis: The Story of a Childhood by Marjane Satrapi

I just like the feeling of this cover.  I've always enjoyed the illustration style of this graphic novel, and I like seeing little Marjane on the cover.

Number 3

Dracula by Bram Stoker

This book is not the best for reflecting the story, but I just think it's so pretty.  It almost looks like velvet to me, so that is why it's on this list.

Number 2

Vicious by V.E. Schwab

I think that this cover is so cool looking, but it also has a lot from the book on it.  You've got Victor looking out over the city from his balcony, his hand still bloody from crushing a glass.  And he's staring out, knowing that Eli is out there somewhere.  

This cover makes me wish the book were a graphic novel.

Number 1

The Ghost Bride by Yangsze Choo

This is easily one of the most beautiful books in my library.  I know that there are quite a few other colours on it, but the spine and back are entirely red, so I'm counting it.  

I haven't read this book yet, so I can't say how the cover reflects the book.  It's just so gorgeous that it gets the top spot on my list.

So, those are my top 5 red covers.  What books am I missing?  Share your favorite red covers with me in the comments below!

Happy reading!

Some Scary Recommendations

'Tis the season for spookiness!  And even though I don't celebrate Halloween, I do appreciate a good scary book.

Here are 5 spooky recommendations for you!

Number 5

Interview with the Vampire by Anne Rice

This book isn't the scariest of the bunch, but it remains one of my favorite horror books.  The characters and story are so well-written and compelling.  This is one of the few books I've read several times.

Number 4

Strangers by Taichi Yamada

I cannot make a list of scary books without putting some Asian horror on it.  Some of the scariest stories come out of Asia, which is evidenced by how many of their horror films America remakes.

Strangers is a classic Japanese ghost story about a man who thinks he meets his long-dead parents one night in Tokyo and ends up at risk of losing his life.

Number 3

Coraline by Neil Gaiman

I know that this is supposed to be a children's book, but I would never read it to my kids because it would scare the crap out of them.  It creeped me out!

Coraline is a little girl who wanders into an alternate world where her "other" parents are waiting for her.  But will she ever be able to get out?

Number 2

Ring by Koji Suzuki

This is the book that the popular horror film is based off of.  It's so creepy!

Koji Suzuki is a highly respected horror writer in Japan and is also the author of Dark Water.  He is actually regarded as the Japanese Stephen King, so if you are a fan of King, you should check out Suzuki.

Number 1

The Shining by Stephen King

Stephen King is one of my favorite authors, and I find several of his books scary, but it is pretty difficult to beat a possessed hotel.  Plus, this is just a classic and is something that anyone who loves horror should read.


So those are a few of my favorite scary books.  What books do you recommend?  Leave them in the comments below!

Happy reading.

Review: A Monster Calls

"Stories are wild creatures, the monster said. When you let them loose, who knows what havoc they might wreak?"

A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness
Candlewick Press, U.S., 15 September 2011
204 Pages
Middlegrade Horror
5 Stars
Barnes & Noble; Book Depository; Goodreads

The monster showed up after midnight. As they do.

But it isn't the monster Conor's been expecting. He's been expecting the one from his nightmare, the one he's had nearly every night since his mother started her treatments, the one with the darkness and the wind and the screaming...

This monster is something different, though. Something ancient, something wild. And it wants the most dangerous thing of all from Conor.

What I've Been Doing Instead of Blogging

This is the post where I make a bunch of excuses as to why I've been so blog negligent.  Enjoy!

But seriously, I haven't been posting regularly for awhile, and even though this isn't book-related, I thought I'd explain why.

I am a stay-at-home wife, which most people think means unboundaried reading time.  And, during the summer, that's exactly what it meant.  Besides taking care of the home, cooking, and running errands, I didn't have much on my schedule during the week days because mostly everyone else in my life works.  Therefore, I was able to read and blog from the time I woke up until my husband came home with breaks for responsible things like cleaning and eating.

Towards the end of August, however, I visited the States for a week, and immediately upon returning, my daily schedule completely changed because school started.

I homeschool a 4th grader and a 7th grader three days a week, which completely fills up my morning and afternoon.  And my evenings are then spent doing all the home things I used to do throughout the day and spending time with my husband.  Because I have to wake up earlier (and because teaching is tiring) I no longer stay awake as long as I used to, so that also cuts down on my reading time.

Honestly, on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, which are the days I homeschool, I usually only read about four chapters in my Bible and maybe a chapter in one of the books I'm reading right now.  I just don't have the time or energy for anything else.

On Mondays and Fridays, I'm running errands all day, so I also don't get to read very much on those days.  And weekends are spent with family.

Additionally, I've spend all of August preparing for a women's retreat that is coming up in the first week of October, so all the time that I would devote to reading is being concentrated on event prep.

So, I have done very very little reading this month.  When you see my September wrap-up, you will shake your head at my lack of progress.  And no reading means no blogging.

One book-related thing that I have been doing this month is leading a book club discussion on Siddhartha, by Herman Hesse, over in the Goodreads' group Classics Without All the Class.  Even though September is drawing to a close, it's a short book, so you can still join us if you want!

After October, I should have more time to read, and therefore more content to blog about.

I am sorry that I haven't been blogging as much, but I'm also not going to stress about it.  Sometimes life changes, and we have to reorder our priorities.  And that is ok with me.  I do this for fun, so I'm not going to push myself until the enjoyable aspect of it turns compulsory.

I just wanted to update you all and let you know what I'm up to.

How is your reading going?  Has school or just life upset your reading schedule?  Empathize with me in the comments below.

Happy reading!

Top 5 Wednesday: Series I Won't Finish

I have a love/hate relationship with series.  Personally, I think the market is oversaturated with them, especially trilogies.  Stories that could make a great duology get stretched into three books (and four movies) just to make a profit.

And while there are some excellent series out there, a series does not great literature make.  For every Song of Ice and Fire series, there are a handful that aren't worth finishing.  So, let's get into the series that I've started and will never finish.

Fifth place...

The Ender Saga by Orson Scott Card

Ender's Game is one of my favorite books of all time.  So, you would think I would be eager to read the rest of the series, right?  However, the first novel was so amazing that it makes my standard impossibly high.  That, coupled with the fact that the other books got less than raving reviews, makes me want to just enjoy the novel as a stand-alone.  However, I may read the books one day out of curiosity, and that is why this is so low on my list.

Fourth place...

The Little Women Series by Louisa May Alcott

I really enjoy Little Women, the book and movies, but I honestly have no interest in what takes place after that book.  Therefore, I won't be picking up the others.

Third place...

The Divergent Series by Veronica Roth

I liked Divergent, but I didn't love it enough to go through two more books and a novella.  Plus, I already know the huge plot point that happens in Allegiant, so...eh.  I don't want to waste my time reading mediocre series.

Second place...

The Vicious Series by V.E. Schwab

I didn't hate Vicious, but it didn't impress me either.  It would have been an ok stand-alone, but then came the completely foreseeable plot turn that led into a second book.  I honestly can't imagine what else could happen to the characters that I want to know about.

First place...

The Uglies Series by Scott Westerfeld

I will NEVER finish this series.  I hated the first book so much that I didn't even finish it.  There are just so many things wrong with the plot and writing, and I can't stand the main character.  So no thank you!

So those are my Top 5 Wednesday picks.  Which series will you never finish?  Tell me in the comments below.

And if you want to join in on Top 5 Wednesdays, just check out the Goodreads Group.

Happy reading!

Top 5 Wednesday: Fictional Schools I'd Want to Attend

I'm back to doing Top 5 Wednesdays!  I missed a few because either they were topics I couldn't complete, or I was traveling.

This week, though, I am home, and I can definitely tell you what my favorite fictional schools are.

If you are interested in participating in Top 5 Wednesday, just check out the Goodreads group.  It is open to anyone!

With that, let's get started.

Fifth Place...

 

Cross Academy from Vampire Knight by Matsuri Hino

If you haven't read this manga, Cross Academy is an ordinary boarding school by day, but its night class is for vampires who desire to coexist with humans.  

I want a vampire best friend!

Fourth Place...

Xavier Institute from Marvel's X-Men

If I happened to be born a mutant, there would be no other place for me.  Not only did Professor X create a safe place for those whose differences are misunderstood, but he also teaches kids how to use  their gifts, as well as see them as gifts.

Of course, I'd still have to learn all the subjects I dislike (math), and there would be no guarantee I'd be accepted as an X-Men, but just being in such an accepting environment would be worth it.

Third Place...

Battle school from Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card

You have no idea how upset I was that there were so few battle scenes in this movie.  Whenever I read the book, these are some of my favorite parts.  Not only because they reveal how Ender thinks and plans, but also because they look so awesome in my mind.  

Who doesn't want to play ultimate laser tag for PE?

Second Place...

Jedi Academy from the Star Wars Universe

Using the force?  Getting a light saber?  Having Master Yoda as an instructor?  Becoming a Jedi Knight?  Of course the Jedi Academy is second on this list!  

First Place...

Hogwarts from The Harry Potter series by JK Rowling

I realize that this comes as no surprise to anyone, and I'm sure that this is in first place on pretty much every list.  But that doesn't change the fact that Hogwarts is my dream school.  Not only are the subjects infinitely more interesting than algebra and biology, but the school itself is an adventure.  There are so many secret corridors to explore and secrets to be revealed.  Not to mention Quidditch, trips to Hogsmeade, and visiting Hagrid.  

No competition here.  Hogwarts all the way.

What schools do you wish you could attend?  Does Hogwarts not impress you that much?  Tell me in the comments below!

Happy reading!