Top Ten Books I Wish Santa Would Bring!

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Posted on December 24, 2013

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by The Broke & the Bookish. It’s awesome. Every Tuesday, the lovely ladies over there give us book bloggers wonderful and fun topics to create our lists! Check out what others have posted by going over there! http://brokeandbookish.blogspot.com

Merry Christmas everyone!!! I hope you are all well- here is a list of the top ten Classics I would like as I am still planning on joining The Classics Club soon! These are books I haven’t read yet- most of the Classics that come straight to mind will have to be rereads for me.

1. East of Eden

2. And Then There Were None

3. The Bell Jar

4. 1984

5. The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes

6. Animal Farm

7. My Cousin Rachel

8. The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie

9. Dracula

10. The Divine Comedy

Top Ten New to Me Authors I Read in 2013

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Posted on December 17, 2013

1. Stephen King

The Shining & Doctor Sleep

I finally gave in and read The Shining and I loved it. Doctor Sleep was just as good. Now I have to get myself another but this amazing author.

2. Rita Leganski

The Silence of Bonaventure Arrow

The first book I read for the She Reads book club and it was amazing!

3. Christina Baker Kline

Orphan Train

Another She Reads selection.

4. Matthew Quick

Silver Linings Playbook

I want to reread this- the mark of a very good book!

5. Liane Moriarty

The Husband’s Secret

I can’t wait to read her new one.

6. Samantha Shannon

The Bone Season

I just finished this a few days ago and I am already itching for the next in the series- hurry it up Ms. Shannon!

7. Leo Tolstoy

Anna Karenina

One of the first books I read in 2013- beautiful.

8. Kathleen Tesaro

The Perfume Collector

I loved the dual narrative.

9. Charlie Lovette

The Bookman’s Tale

I love books about people who love books.

10. Alyson Richman

The Lost Wife

I thought the author did a wonderful job with this story.

Top Ten Books on my Winter TBR Pile

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Posted on December 10, 2013

WOW- What a day! Both kids are home because of the snow in NJ_ can you believe we are using a snow day already??

Aside from the fact that I was already up (my son too) by the time they actually called and cancelled, it’s been a pretty cool morning. I sat in my reading chair with a cozy blanket as the snow began falling before 7 am, and read for two hours. I started The Bone Season yesterday and cannot wait to finish!

I have been very slow to post/review lately, but I have been lucky enough to be reading lots! Here is a list of what I hope to read over the winter. I don’t know about you, but I tend to choose a little deeper reading in the winter months, mixed in with some fun stuff for a change of pace. I am still planning to join up with The Classics Club…yeah yeah I know I keep saying it, but I really am! So here are some lighter things (and 1-2 not so light) to pull me through the dreary months ahead.

1. The Lives of Tao by Wesley Chu

I heard this was a good book, and now has a sequel, so it’s on the list.

2. Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro

This has been on my TBR for a while now, and I found that I read a good amount of the books I listed for my Fall TBR post, so maybe I will finally get to it!

3. After Her by Joyce Maynard

4. Sycamore Row by John Grisham

I have been waiting for this through my library for almost a month.

5. The Dark Witch by Nora Roberts

a little lighter for the in betweens

6. What Alice Forgot by Liane Moriarity

I am loving this author. Her book The Husband’s Secret was great and I have heard this is just as good!

7. The Rosie Project by Graeme Simison

I have seen some great review- looks like a fun book- maybe after skiing?

8-14. Harry Potter Reread!!

I am inspired by Leah at Books Speak Volumes– she had such a great time doing her reread, and I want to do another also!

I usually find lots of time to read in the winter, and eat, now that I think about it.

What about you? What are you hoping to read?

Please leave a comment-I love to hear from you!

Giving Thanks

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Posted on November 26, 2013

This week’s topic is-

Top Ten Things I am Thankful For

I was going to skip this week for a few reasons- getting ready to host dinner on Thursday, a (still) bad back ache, general blogger malaise….

but I figured I would give it a go- so here are some things I am thankful for. I know some seem very expected, but read on.

1. My Husband

I met my husband on a blind date 22 years ago this December. I can honestly say that I love him more today than ever before, through all the highs and lows. I am in awe of this. Don’t get me wrong- it;s not all wine and roses. We are real people and we often screw up and disappoint each other. That’s why it amazes me that we are still in love. Life is hard. Marriage is hard. He is my anchor.

2. My Son

I could list all the great things about him. I could also list all the things about him that drive me crazy. But I am actually thankful that I have a son. I grew up in a family of all girls. My poor Dad was outnumbered and truly perplexed by us. I am glad to be able to see a boy grow into a man. Oh, and that phrase “boys will be boys”? Yup.

3. My Daughter

My daughter was never a pretty little princess. She was the one outside helping dad with car repairs and yard work. She also helped with the holiday baking and decorating. But now that she is a teenager, she is becoming a somewhat “typical” teenage girl. I crack up at the shocked face my husband ofter sports, when his buddy suddenly snaps at him, or rolls her eyes. I am lucky to get to relive the teen years. And thankful that I get to see my husband deal with a teenage girl.

4. My Mom

She inspires me. She worked hard her whole life. She was also lucky enough to marry a man who idolized her, and raise 3 girls with him. Just when they would have started to enjoy their next phase of life when the kids were all gone, she lost him. Yet she has survived.

5. Books

I have always read. I couldn’t imagine not be able to or wanting to read everyday.

6. My comfy reading chair

I love this new reading spot I have. The chair and ottoman are a microfiber, so they are very soft and cushy (not a word). The only problem is that it is a celery color, and bad dog thinks he is allowed to sit there- probably because I let him sit on every other piece of furniture. But I don’t want his brown hair on the light green chir, so I have to leave things on the chair- usually a few books, to the tv remote.

7. Music

I only just realized how much music has become a part of my life. I always have something playing- in the car, right now on the computer as I type this, in the kitchen while I cook.

8. Great authors

I could name so many, but I will give special thanks to one old favorite and a new find- Jane Austen and Stephen King. Have they ever been mentioned together in a sentence before? I love that I am still finding new genres and discovering authors I had never read before.

9. Heating Pads and Tiger Balm

As I said, damn, my back is killing me. And no, I have not gone to the Dr. That would have made sense, Instead I went for a run.

10. Blogging Friends and Wonderful Posts

I am very thankful that I have gotten to know so many wonderful bloggers (you) and have read so many great posts. I love reading the fun memes, and the well written reviews. I get to hear about books, that I might not have seen or picked up. And best of all, i have gotten to know some really GREAT people.

I hope you all have a Happy Thanksgiving!

Top Ten Books I Would Recommend to my Daughter

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Posted on November 19, 2013

This week’s topic is-

Top Ten Books I Would Recommend to a Certain Person

Since I have a 13 year old daughter, I figured I would pick her.

Now, my kids read. They enjoy it, though not as much as I do. But they will read for pleasure, and I can only hope that their love for it will grow as they age. Or at least when they are not in school, which seems to drain them of the desire to read for pleasure.

There are certain books that I really believe it is important for a young girl to start reading as they get older. So here is a list of the books I would recommend my daughter reads as she grows into a woman- (sniff)

1. Little Women

This was almost a no-brainer for me. What an amazing tale of sister, love, and family. I was very lucky to grow up with two sisters, though I am sad to say my daughter is not.

2. Jane Eyre

The story of a strong girl/woman. I think she would really love this one. Jane is a woman before her time. I love how she stands by her own moral code throughout the book.

3. All books by Jane Austen

I could of course pick my own favorite- Pride & Prejudice- but I think almost any book by Austen is almost mandatory reading for young women( except for Mansfield Park- Franny is easy too wimpy for me)

4. A Little Princess

This is a beautiful story. All girls should read it.

5. To Kill A Mockingbird

This is a tough one. My son had to read it in 8th grade, and I don;t think he was mature enough to really appreciate it. Hopefully my daughter will be when she reads it.

As she gets older-

6. Gone With The Wind

While I do not think Scarlett is a great role model, I really want her to read this. It is one of my favorite books, probably because Scarlett ISN’T a perfect southern lady.

7. The Handmaid’s Tale

Hopefully she will read this in her 20’s. Before that- it can be a bit too scary- or unimportant to the ever invincible teen.

8. The Help

I loved this story. We actually sat down and watched this movie as a family- the kids both loved it, though i think the boy especially liked the part about Minnie’s chocolate pie a little too much. Boys are gross.

9. The Book Thief

I might have her read this soon- she would be ready.

10. The Year of Magical Thinking

Now, I know this seems like a strange choice, and I actually debated whether I should include it. I would like to imagine my child will not have to go through the pain of losing someone she loves, but I think that is a little unrealistic. Still I hope she will be much older when she picks up this memoir that takes a stark look into the grieving process. When I read it, I felt almost a strange relief, that I wasn’t the only person who had that debilitating experience of waking up day after day and having to remember all over again that I lost one of the most important people in my life. Seeing the same thing in print was like a salve, even years later.

Top Ten Sequels I Can’t Wait For!

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Posted on November 5, 2013

This week’s topic is-

Top Ten Sequels I Can’t Wait to Read

1. Doctor Sleep by Stephen King

I just finished The Shining and I NEED more King! Why not continue on with Danny Torrance’s story?

2. Sycamore Row by John Grisham

Love Jake Briggance!

3. Takedown Twenty by Janet Evanovich

Stephanie Plum is my guilty please. Come on and marry Moretti already!

4. Mad About the Boy by Helen Fielding

Ok- not SO thrilled once I heard about the big shocker- spoiler alert!! No Darcy? But I still want to read it.

5. Dust by Patricia Cornwell

I am a Kay Scarpetta junky- I know enough is enough, but another guilty pleasure.

6. Inferno by Dan Brown

I know this isn’t exactly new, but I still haven’t read it.

. **Need to read the first and the sequel**

7. The Wolf Chronicles by Anne Rice

I used to love reading this author- her Vampire Chronicles and Mayfair Witches series were so fun-and I hear her son is pretty talented too!

8. Outlander by Diana Gabaldon

I have heard this is really good, but have never started it- probably because my local library never has it in!

Hmmm….my whole list could be a “guilty pleasures” list.

So, what sequels are you waiting for?

Please leave a comment- I love to hear from you!!

Top Ten Books For Halloween

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Posted on October 29, 2013

This week’s topic is-

Top Ten Books For Halloween

This was a challenge for me, since I am the biggest wimp ever and I do NOT really read lots of Horror books.

So, here is my list- and I only picked books that I have actually read!

1. The Tell Tale Heart by Edgar Allen Poe

“Villains!’ I shrieked. ‘Dissemble no more! I admit the deed! Tear up the planks! Here, here! It is the beating of his hideous heart!”

2. The Shining by Stephen King (I am in the middle of reading this right now!)

“Wendy? Darling? Light, of my life. I’m not gonna hurt ya. I’m just going to bash your brains in.”

3. Interview with a Vampire by Anne Rice

“People who cease to believe in God or goodness altogether still believe in the devil… Evil is always possible. And goodness is eternally difficult.”

4. In Cold Blood by Truman Capote

“I thought that Mr. Clutter was a very nice gentleman. I thought so right up to the moment that I cut his throat.”

5. Dracula by Bram Stoker

“The last I saw of Count Dracula was his kissing his hand to me, with a red light of triumph in his eyes, and with a smile that Judas in hell might be proud of.”

6. The Silence of the Lambs by Thomas Harris

“What does he do, Clarice? What is the first and principal thing he does, what need does he serve by killing? He covets. How do we begin to covet? We begin by coveting what we see every day.”

7. The Turn of the Screw by Henry James

“No, no—there are depths, depths! The more I go over it, the more I see in it, and the more I see in it, the more I fear. I don’t know what I don’t see—what I don’t fear!”

8. The Stepford Wives by Ira Levin

“That’s what she was, Joanna felt suddenly. That’s what they all were, all the Stepford wives: actresses in commercials, pleased with detergents and floor wax, with cleansers, shampoos, and deodorants. Pretty actresses, big in the bosom but small in the talent, playing housewives unconvincingly, too nicey-nice to be real.”

9. The Raven by Edgar Allen Poe

“Once upon a midnight dreary, while I pondered, weak and weary,
Over many a quaint and curious volume of forgotten lore,
While I nodded, nearly napping, suddenly there came a tapping,
As of some one gently rapping, rapping at my chamber door.
Tis some visitor,” I muttered, “tapping at my chamber door —
Only this, and nothing more.”

10. Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier

“The road to Manderley lay ahead. There was no moon. The sky above our heads was inky black. But the sky on the horizon was not dark at all. It was shot with crimson, like a splash of blood. And the ashes blew towards us with the salt wind from the sea.”

Top Ten Awesome Names

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Posted on October 22, 2013

This week’s topic is-

Top Ten Names I Love or That are Unusual

1. Atticus Finch from To Kill a Mockingbird-

This name has come to mean ethical, which is perfectly Atticu Finch!

2. (Katie) Scarlett O’Hara from Gone With the Wind

Most people do not know that Scarlet is the lass’s middle name- the Irish lovely was named Katie by her Da. The book originally had her named Pansy-um, NO!

3. a tie-

Katniss Everdeen and Haymitch Abernathy from The Hunger Games

I love these names- both old-fashioned, yet strange and strong.

4. Sirius Black from Harry Potter

When we first meet Sirius, he is the ultimate villain, but he is really an AWESOME guy!

5. Lisbeth Salander from The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo.

I loved these books- she was a kick ass heroine. But when I watched the movies in Swedish, I loved how they pronounced her name- with the accent on the second part of the last name.

6. Holly Golightly from Breakfast at Tiffany’s

What a great name- Capote gave her the name Connie Gustafson in early drafts- not cool.

7. Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore from Harry Potter

Brian?

8. Hermione Granger from Harry Potter.

When I first read this, I pronounced it totally wrong in my head- up until she tells Viktor Krum how to pronounce it in the 4th book, I still had it wrong. I love this name- Rowling originally had her as Puckle- is that even a name? of was she from The Hunger Games?

9. Gandalf the Grey from The Lord of the Rings

Great name for a great character- in my mind, only the great Ian McCellan could have portrayed him!

10. Huckleberry Finn form The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn

A huckleberry is perfect- exactly what you need.

What names do you love?

Please leave a comment- I love hearing from you!!

Against My Will! Top 10 books I was “forced” to read

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Posted on October 15, 2013

This week’s topic is-

Top ten books I was “FORCED” to read-

“(either by teachers, friends, other bloggers, book club) — doesn’t necessarily have to be a BAD thing. Could be required reading, yes, but also book club, or just super enthusiastic friends “making” you read something!”

I decided to have some fun with is- I picked a few different views-

The Ugly-

1- Mine are Spectacular

My old book club thought this would be a fun read. All it was was BAD-and embarrassing. What were they thinking? Look at the cover!

She Reads!

I was so excited when I found this awesome site- and even more so when I realized they had an online book club (as you can see from above, I was not having the best of luck with the old book club-but the wine was good). Two of my favorite from their selections-

2. The Silence Of Bonaventure Arrow

3. The Orphan Train

Totally recommend these if you haven’t read them!

High School

Mrs. Chapman was my 11th grade English teacher. Most hated her, but I loved her because she introduced me to-

4. Frankenstein

5. The Scarlet Letter

on the other hand, my AP Spanish class made us read-

6. Don Quixote

IN SPANISH!! I still have nightmares.

College

I was SO lucky to have majored in History with some really wonderful professors (I am talking about you Profs Johnson and Muccigrosso!!) I got to read-

7. The Great Gatsby

8. Things Fall Apart

VACAY

Like most of you, I enjoy reading on vacation. Once, while I was visiting the in-laws, I ran out of books that I brought (gasp-this was before kindle entered my life) My lovely mother in law lent me-

9. Loving Frank – LOVED IT!

Last year, I was in the airport heading home with nothing to read, when I dashed into the bookstore and quickly grabbed the first book that looked attractive (don’t judge)

10. The Last Letter Form Your Letter– Introduced me to an amazing author- Jojo Moyes!

What were you forced to read?

Top Ten Best/Worst Series Enders

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Posted on October 8, 2013

This week’s topic is-

TOP TEN BEST/WORST SERIES ENDERS

Best Endings

1. Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows

I love that we know Harry and ginny make out alright in the end.

2. Mockingjay

I liked this because it was a shiny happy ending.

3. The Return of the King

When Frodo takes the boat with Gandalf in the Grey Havens-shivers!

4. The Girl Who Kicked the Hornets Nest

Lisbeth lets Blomkvist into her apartment-the end.

Worst Endings

1. 50 Shades of Grey

Hot, Kinky married sex? With a toddler around? Right.

(the following are continuing series that I had to give up)

2. Song of Fire & Ice

I read the first 3 no problem, the 4th dragged terribly, the 5th-got 3 chapters in and had to give up.

3. The No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency

I really liked these books, until I realized after the 5th or 6th, that it was essentially the same story told over and over and over. Enough Precious!

4. James Patterson’s Alex Cross series

Patterson kills me with those 2 page chapters to begin with. This Alex Cross must be super human to overcome all he has. And who would actually take up with this guy? All his ladies wind up tortured/dead!