Top Ten Tuesday

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted for us book blogger types by the Broke and the Bookish. They provide a topic, and all of us participants post our answers on our blogs and we hop around checking out one another’s answers! This week’s topic is: 

Top Ten Books I’d Love to See in a Movie/TV Show

1. The Steampunk Chronicles by Kady Cross
Steampunk, steamy romance, and wonderful writing and costumes? Sign me up. 

2. The Lumatere Chronicles by Melina Marchetta
Probably some of the best fantasy novels I’ve read since Lord of the Rings. Imagine the scenery. 

3. Losing It by Cora Carmack
Sexy, titillating, and perfect for enticing older teens and twenty-somethings to their TV or the movie theater. 

4. Graceling by Kristin Cashore
Another excellent fantasy series that could be turned into a classic and epic movie

5. Jessica Darling Series by Megan McCafferty
I think this would be best served as a TV series just because each novel is basically the basis for an entire season of the show. 

6. Starcrossed by Josephine Angelini
Quite possibly some of the most fun and romantic novels based off of Greek mythology that I’ve read. Plus, imagine the casting: Gorgeous. 

7. The Fever Series by Karen Marie Moning
This is just  my guilty pleasure. I want to watch Barrons and Mac on screen, whether it is small or big. 

8. Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell
Fangirl is an excellent basis for a feel-good geeky comedy with just the right amount of emotion. 

9. Partials by Dan Wells
The next Science Fiction/Dystopian hit. 

10. Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas
Another great fantasy series that has an epic love story and a kickass heroine…I’m going to need you to make this ASAP Hollywood. 

What are some of your suggestions? 

Book Review: Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell

A coming-of-age tale of fan fiction, family and first love. 

Cath is a Simon Snow fan. 

Okay, the whole world is a Simon Snow fan . . . 

But for Cath, being a fan is her life — and she’s really good at it. She and her twin sister, Wren, ensconced themselves in the Simon Snow series when they were just kids; it’s what got them through their mother leaving. 

Reading. Rereading. Hanging out in Simon Snow forums, writing Simon Snow fan fiction, dressing up like the characters for every movie premiere. 

Cath’s sister has mostly grown away from fandom, but Cath can’t let go. She doesn’t want to. 

Now that they’re going to college, Wren has told Cath she doesn’t want to be roommates. Cath is on her own, completely outside of her comfort zone. She’s got a surly roommate with a charming, always-around boyfriend, a fiction-writing professor who thinks fan fiction is the end of the civilized world, a handsome classmate who only wants to talk about words . . . And she can’t stop worrying about her dad, who’s loving and fragile and has never really been alone. 

For Cath, the question is: Can she do this? Can she make it without Wren holding her hand? Is she ready to start living her own life? Writing her own stories? 

And does she even want to move on if it means leaving Simon Snow behind?

Release Date: September 10, 2013

I wasn’t sure if Rowell could top the brilliantly written and constructed Eleanor & Park, but when I was at BEA and St. Martin’s hosted Rainbow at their booth for signed copies of Fangirl, I couldn’t resist.  

See the pretty? 

Anyway, the novel is completely different than E & P in the sense that it is told from one point of view, it involves a large amount of geekiness (which I loved), and the main characters are all in college.

The pros to this novel having one point of view is that the reader is completely involved in Cath’s neuroses and we are forced to understand how scary it is for an introvert to move from a comfortable situation to a totally new college campus a few hours from home to live with a roommate that she doesn’t know while being seemingly abandoned by her twin sister.  Whew, that was a lot.  

The inclusion of a faux novel universe and the idea of fan fiction was definitely a new angle for young adult fiction, despite the fact that fan fiction is specifically written by fans for fans.  I really adore Rowell for writing about how important fan fiction really can be to massive fans of television shows, book series, and even movies.  I don’t know about you, but I 100% relate to the fact that Cath is a rabid Simon Snow fan.  As a huge Doctor Who fan myself, I find it wonderful that an author supports the writing and reading of fan fiction.  On the other hand, I really appreciate how Rowell depicts the struggle between writing and creating your own fictional world versus writing “within” an already constructed world.  

I also really enjoyed how organically the relationships developed between Cath and the secondary characters.  The unlikely friendship between Cath and Reagan, and the adorable and awkward relationship between Cath and Levi really helped spring Cath off the page and made her more realistic.  

In addition, I think that Cath and Wren’s relationship with their father was handled extremely well by Rowell, and I could really feel how hard it was for Cath to cope with her father’s mental illness and how it affected her behavior and her fear of getting out of her comfort zone.  

Things that didn’t work for me:  I really wanted some more closure in the mother situation and for Wren to be a bit less self centered, but I think that comes from my intense dislike of her due to what she did to Cath early on in the novel.  

Overall I really enjoyed this novel and I remain on the edge of my seat for the announcement of Rowell’s next novel and can only hope that I get an advanced copy for that one as well!

4.5 Bards

Top Ten Tuesday

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted for us book blogger types by the Broke and the Bookish. They provide a topic, and all of us participants post our answers on our blogs and we hop around checking out one another’s answers! This week’s topic is: 

Top Ten Books I wish Had Sequels

1. Such A Rush by Jennifer Echols
I loved this book so much that I really would love to keep living in Leah’s fictional world and figure out how her life went! 

2. This Lullaby by Sarah Dessen
I just really want to know where Remy and Dexter are, I loved the growth that Remy experienced through the story and how Dexter broke through her walls. 

3. The Truth About Forever by Sarah Dessen
This story was amazing and beautiful.  Not only were the descriptions of the artwork superb, but the relationship between Macy and Wes was so organic that I want to know how their life continued.

4. Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte

You know you want to know what happened with Young Catherine as much as I did.  Did she follow in her mother’s footsteps? 

5. Pushing the Limits by Katie McGarry
It would be wonderful to know how Echo continued to heal in the years following the novel and how her and Noah ended up after the small flash forward at the end of the novel. I just loved their story and wish I could have more!

6. Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell

C’mon, did they ever see one another again? 

7. Stolen by Lucy Christopher
I really loved Christopher’s use of the second person point of view, and I would love to know how Gemma continued to adjust to life back with her parents. 

8. Stardust by Neil Gaiman

The world was brilliant, the storytelling amazing, and the writing was excellent. I want more!

9. Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell
Just a glimpse into how Cath and Wren’s relationship was repaired, and how Cath continued to become a talented fiction writer and girlfriend.

10. A Midsummer’s Nightmare by Kody Keplinger

I just really want to know how this worked out! 

What are some novels you wish had sequels? 

Top Ten Tuesday

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted for us book blogger types by the Broke and the Bookish. They provide a topic, and all of us participants post our answers on our blogs and we hop around checking out one another’s answers! This week’s topic is: 

Top Ten Authors Who Deserve More Recognition

1. Karen Amanda Hooper
I’ve loved her books Tangled Tides and Grasping at Eternity, and I am currently in the middle of reading Taking Back Forever.  She has flown somewhat under the radar, but her writing is clear, creative, and one of a kind. If you haven’t read any of her work, then you are definitely missing out. 

2. Susan Ee

If you haven’t read Angelfall yet, then go and download a copy as soon as possible because it was one of the best ebooks I had read in a long time.  It was well plotted and the pacing was excellent.

3. Melina Marchetta
I’m fairly certain that Marchetta is outrageously popular, but I still find that a majority of average readers don’t know her name or any of her titles.  Therefore, she needs more recognition! 

4. Jennifer Echols
I came across Echols in my reading last summer, and her novel Such A Rush quickly made the climb into my list of favorite books.  Did I mention that the setting of that novel is actually the beach I go to with my family each summer?  Either way, I have been anxiously waiting for her next novel since! 

5. Rainbow Rowell
Eleanor & Park was one of the best books I’ve read this year, and I have a copy of Fangirl burning a hole in my book stack.  She deserves all of the recognition as possible. 

6. A.G. Howard
A paranormal novel with a twist on Alice in Wonderland? Not only did Howard use excellent world building but her word choice was beautiful and the story world wonderful. I look forward to more novels by her!

7. Sarah J. Maas
Throne of Glass was brilliant, and I cannot begin to say how excited I am for Crown of Midnight.  If you haven’t found a fantasy world that you love, then pick up Maas’ novels. 

8. Kady Cross
She is definitely famous under other pen names, but Cross’ Steampunk YA novels are such fun reads and I really think they are not as popular as they should be.  So go buy some of her Steampunk Chronicles!  3 of them are currently published, and (I hope!) there will be more to come.

9. Kristin Cashore
Bitterblue was published and then it seems that Cashore kind of fell off the scene. I still constantly recommend Graceling to people looking for a good Fantasy read, and I really am looking forward to anything else Cashore publishes! 

10. Cora Carmack
I totally just discovered her, but I think that she is a rising star and I think she deserves even more recognition than she is getting so far! 

What are some authors you recommend?

Top Ten Tuesday

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted for us book blogger types by the Broke and the Bookish. They provide a topic, and all of us participants post our answers on our blogs and we hop around checking out one another’s answers! This week’s topic is: 

Top Ten Books I’ve Read in 2013

1. Splintered by AG Howard
A modern take on the Alice in Wonderland story with a hot romance? Yes, please. Definitely my favorite read of the year so far. 

2. Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell

 A classic boy meets girl story with lots of individuality. I love it. So excited to read Rowell’s sophomore novel, Fangirl! 

3. The Sweetest Dark by Shana Abe

Thanks to no one it took me forever to discover this paranormal world that Abe has built through her adult series, but the first in the young adult series is just as thrilling. 

4. The Girl with the Iron Touch by Kady Cross

If you have been following my blog for any amount of time, then you definitely know how much I love this steampunk series from Kady Cross.  I’ve reviewed the first three so far, The Girl in the Steel Corset and The Girl in the Clockwork Collar. 

5. If You Find Me by Emily Murdoch
This book was most definitely one of the best realistic fiction novels that I have read in a long time.  The writing was poignant and the issues completely developed. Go get a copy if you haven’t read it yet!

6. Mystic by Alyson Noel

After the twist ending in Echo, I wasn’t sure how Noel was going to keep the story going…and she did so VERY well.  I actually think that Mystic ended up being my favorite in the Soul Seekers series, and I am anxiously awaiting the fourth installment!  Check out my reviews of Fated and Echo as well! 

7. Chosen at Nightfall by C.C. Hunter
The Shadow Falls series final installment really did end on a high note, and I am a bit sad that I won’t get to live in Hunter’s enigmatic world anymore. 

8. Secrets by Lauren Kunze

I think I’d consider this series more New Adult than YA, but I can’t help how addicting it is.  I still haven’t read the final installment, because I just don’t want it to be over! 

9. Don’t Worry, it Gets Worse by Alida Nugent
You’ll see my post about this on Friday! 

10. Legacy by Molly Cochrane
My review of this hasn’t gone up yet, but it was such an entertaining read and I thank Simon & Schuster for bringing it to my attention!

What were some of your favorite reads from this year? 

Top Ten Tuesday

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted for us book blogger types by the Broke and the Bookish. They provide a topic, and all of us participants post our answers on our blogs and we hop around checking out one another’s answers! This week’s topic is a freebie, so I chose: 

Top Ten BEA Events I’m Looking Forward To:

1. Chelsea Handler Photo-Op
Is it safe to say that I’m obssessed with Chelsea Handler? I love her show, all of her books, and I have this strong urge to bring her a bottle of vodka. 

2. Grumpy Cat Photo-Op
I think this is pretty self explanatory, I just really want to cuddle that adorable kitty. 

3. Veronica Roth Signing
Finally, a chance to meet the author of the Divergent books? Yes, please. 

4. YA Author Breakfast
Octavia Spencer is hosting this star studded panel of Mary Pope Osborne, Rick Riordan, and Veronica Roth! 

5. BEA Editor’s Buzz YA Books 
Panel featuring upcoming authors and their books: Rainbow Rowell, Anna Jarzab, Cristin Terrill, Amy Rose Capetta, and Sara Farizan

6. Why Fiction is Dangerous: Neil Gaiman
He has two novels coming out this year, AND he has written some excellent episodes of Doctor Who. 

7. Book Bloggers Happy Hour
I’ve been a part of the blogging community for about a year and a half now, and I am so excited to get the chance to meet some of my fellow bloggers. 

8. Realistic Fiction: The next hot genre in Young Adult
Discussion panel featuring Robyn Schneider, Katie Cotugno, Corey Ann Haydu, Suzanne Young, and Cat Patrick. 

9. Sarah Dessen Signing
Not only is Dessen from my homestate, but she also teaches creative writing at UNC Chapel Hill.  I’ve been a huge fan since….well, I can’t remember.  Now I finally get to meet her! So excited.

10. New Adult Crossover: From YA to adult and back again
Discussion panel featuring Samantha Shannon and Sarah J. Maas about their crossover novels. 

Book Review: Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell

“Bono met his wife in high school,” Park says.
“So did Jerry Lee Lewis,” Eleanor answers.
“I’m not kidding,” he says.
“You should be,” she says, “we’re sixteen.”
“What about Romeo and Juliet?”
“Shallow, confused, then dead.”
”I love you,” Park says.
“Wherefore art thou,” Eleanor answers.
“I’m not kidding,” he says.
“You should be.”

Set over the course of one school year in 1986, ELEANOR AND PARK is the story of two star-crossed misfits – smart enough to know that first love almost never lasts, but brave and desperate enough to try. When Eleanor meets Park, you’ll remember your own first love – and just how hard it pulled you under.

A book set in 1986?  I was most definitely skeptical when I first read the synopsis, I mean how much could I relate to a book that is set in the year before I was born?  (I know this makes no sense, especially because of how much I adore historical fiction, but still, the 80s aren’t history yet, right?) But, I was extremely wrong. I positively adored Eleanor & Park.

Not only was the prose split genius-ly between two very differently voiced characters, but the sentence structure was brilliant and the vocabulary was excellent. Rowell’s book used many of my favorite things to bring the main characters together: discussion of music, books, and comics. (Although, I will say that since the story takes place in 1986, I really want to look up all of the comic stories that Rowell uses and make sure nothing happened in the comics after 1986 that is in there.  That is just the comic nerd in me. But I trust Rowell.  I guess I just need an excuse to go back to comics for a little bit! ) 

I love that Rowell’s story not only managed to provide a realistic high school love story between two somewhat misfits, but that there are some deep rooted social issues involved as well.  Rowell explores the horrible pain that comes from a broken family and an “evil” stepfather, and even the feeling of being an outcast due to being the only person of your race in an overwhelmingly bland population in a small town.  

So if you are looking for a break from the paranormal, the dystopian, and get back to a Sarah Dessen -type teen romance, then I think that Rowell’s novel is a perfect read for you.  

I wish I could say that I’d get to host Rowell in an author spotlight here on A Midsummer Night’s Read, but she is so busy promoting this amazing novel that I couldn’t book her!  

Although, I do have another copy of this 4.5 Bard book, and am giving it away to you all! Remember to enter the rafflecopter below!  Contest closes Saturday, March 2! 

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