Cry Me a River- a Top Ten List

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Posted on February 25, 2014

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

This week’s topic is-

Top Ten Rewind- and I picked Books That Made Me Cry (originally done 11/10)

I tried this topic because it made me think. Usually when someone tells me a book is a really tear jerker, I will shy away from it. Why read something you know is going to make you sad? But here are a few that snuck up on me-

Major Spoiler Alert in each comment

1. & 2 Harry Potter and The Half Blood Prince AND The Deathly Hallows.

I was all good until the end of book 6. I recall literally throwing the books across the room. How could Dumbleldore DIE???? I was totally done with the whole thing, then beta reading it from the beginning.

And #7- don’t get me started. Dobby, Fred, Lupin, and Tonks!! By the end, I was numb.

3. The Fault in Our Stars

Ok, kids with cancer is very bad, so it is no surprise that this is a sad book, right? But to see them fall in love, then die a long painful death- too much.

4. The Book Thief

When Death is the narrator, you know people will die, no? But when he describes taking each of them, it got to me.

5. The Giving Tree

Laugh at me if you will, but just try reading it to your child without crying. When she says she has nothing left to give, I lose it. I once choked up while reading it to a class of 2nd graders.

6. Suzanne’s Diary for Nicholas

This was a surprise- I mean, it IS written by James Patterson of Alex Cross fame.

7. My Sister’s Keeper

What an ending!!! I love surprise endings!

8. We Need to Talk About Kevin

I knew all along there was a school “incident”, but I was unrepared for what actually happened at the school, or what happened at their home. A nightmare.

9. Gone With the Wind

Scarlet might not be the nicest woman, but man does she lose all the women closest to her- mother, daughter, best friend. Each of these death’s changes her.

10. Marley & Me

I have a yellow lab named Katie (after Katie Scarlet O’Hara) who is about to turn 11. I love her and her goofy step brother Jack the choc. lab. Like my children. I have had dogs my whole life and I know we are only blessed with them a short time, but that really doesn’t prepare you for the pain that comes when you have to say goodbye to them. Especially if you are there with them, as an owner should be. I am crying just writing this.

The scene where he goes to the vet to put Marley down is one of the saddest things I have ever read. This is one book I cannot reread, because it is too sad for me.

I know- cancer, massacres, etc. I can do, but when the dog dies, I just can’t.

What books made you cry?

It’s Monday! What are you reading?

10 Comments

Posted on September 23, 2013

It’s Monday! What are you reading? is a weekly meme hosted by Sheila at Book Journey where we discuss what we have been up to lately, and what we are looking forward to in the coming week. Stop over there and see what other bloggers have posted!

http://bookjourney.wordpress.com

I actually had a great time this week blog wise!

BLOGGIESTA

I took part in Bloggiesta, where bloggers map out all the little things they want to do to clean up/improve their blog! I got some of my goals accomplished- very happy- but not the big things like making a Reviews Page, fixing widgets (I stink at this), and joining The Classsics Club-though I think I have finally picked out all 50 books I want to read, so I should be able to do that soon!

I did get the following done-

1- completed the A to Z Survey, 2- cross posted old reviews, 3- posted the second part to The Book Thief Read Along, 4- checked out 4 of the mini challenges.

Bloggiesta was a lot of fun and I would definitely do it again.

I posted a review of Amity & Sorrow.

I am currently reading-

The Husband’s Secret by Liane Moriarty

From the author of the critically acclaimed What Alice Forgot comes a breakout new novel about the secrets husbands and wives keep from each other.

My Darling Cecilia
If you’re reading this, then I’ve died . . .

Imagine your husband wrote you a letter, to be opened after his death. Imagine, too, that the letter contains his deepest, darkest secret – something so terrible it would destroy not just the life you built together, but the lives of others too. Imagine, then, that you stumble across that letter while your husband is still very much alive . . .
Cecilia Fitzpatrick achieved it all – she’s an incredibly successful business woman, a pillar of her small community and a devoted wife and mother. Her life is as orderly and spotless as her home. But that letter is about to change everything, and not just for her: Rachel and Tess barely know Cecilia – or each other – but they too are about to feel the earth-shattering repercussions of her husband’s devastating secret. (from Goodreads)

Next up, not to sure. I really news to sit down and map out what is lined up, but I think it will probably be Bellman & Black by Diane Setterfield.

Caught up in a moment of boyhood competition, William Bellman recklessly aims his slingshot at a rook resting on a branch, killing the bird instantly. It is a small but cruel act, and is soon forgotten. By the time he is grown, with a wife and children of his own, William seems to have put the whole incident behind him. It was as if he never killed the thing at all. But rooks don’t forget…

Years later, when a stranger mysteriously enters William’s life, his fortunes begin to turn—and the terrible and unforeseen consequences of his past indiscretion take root. In a desperate bid to save the only precious thing he has left, he enters into a rather strange bargain, with an even stranger partner. Together, they found a decidedly macabre business.

And Bellman & Black is born

How was your week? What are you reading?

A to Z Survey

4 Comments

Posted on September 22, 2013

This is a little fun survey created by Jamie over at The Perpetual Page Turner. I have wanted to do it for a few weeks, and finally decided to go for it!!

Author you’ve read the most books from:

John Grisham – started reading him when The Firm first came out.

Best Sequel Ever:

Hmmmm…this is a bit difficult for me-but I will sayThe Girl Who Played With Fire by Stieg Larsson.

Currently Reading:

Bellman and Black by Diane Setterfield

Drink of Choice While Reading:

Water. When it’s later, maybe a glass of chardonnay, but I do most of my reading before dark.

E-reader or Physical Book?

Physical book 85% and E-Reader maybe 15%- I borrow my daughter’s kindle when I really want a book from Net Galley, but otherwise I prefer a real book.

Fictional Character You Probably Would Have Actually Dated In High School:

Sirius Black in High School- later, I would want a Mr. Darcy definitely. Actually, my husband is a little like that, now that I think of it…

Glad You Gave This Book A Chance:

The Book Thief

Hidden Gem Book:

The Silence of Bonaventure Arrow by Rita Leganski

Important Moment in your Reading Life:

When, for the umpteenth time, I picked up a book from the library, only to read a chapter or so and realized I had already read it. That’s when I decided to start keeping track of all the books I read-and stretching those writing muscles- by writing reviews. Hence, this blog.

Just Finished:

The Never List by Koethi Zan

Kinds of Books You Won’t Read:

I usually do not read heavy romance. I like a light, beachy read, but straight romance is not my thing,

Longest Book You’ve Read:

Gone with the Wind– over 1,000 pages

Major book hangover because of:

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows-I think I actually turned right back to the front and read it again.

Number of Bookcases You Own:

4-two upstairs and two in the basement, but one of those actually has mostly kid’s books.

One Book You Have Read Multiple Times:

Pride & Prejudice

Preferred Place To Read:

on my deck

Quote that inspires you/gives you all the feels from a book you’ve read:

“He’d have been glad to witness her kissing his his dusty, bomb hit lips. Yes, I know it. In the darkness of my dark-beating heart, I know. He’d have loved it, all right. You see? Even death has a heart.”

from The Book Thief by Mark Zusak

Reading Regret:

I have never read a Stephen King book. I will change that.

Series You Started And Need To Finish(all books are out in series):

I started The Game of Thrones series- but came up against a wall with the 5th book.

Three of your All-Time Favorite Books:

Pride & Pejudice, The Book Thief, The Lord of The Rings.

Unapologetic Fangirl For:

Harry Potter-though i am horrified to say that I have been unable to get my mother OR my husband (non-reader) to read any of them.

Very Excited For This Release More Than All The Others:

Sycamore Row by John Grisham- going back to Jack Brigance from A Time to Kill-always picture Matthew McConaughey!

Worst Bookish Habit:

I am-cringe-guilty of dog-earing books I own-but only whenI love a passage and want to be able to find it again-never to mark my place.

X Marks The Spot: Start at the top left of your shelf and pick the 27th book:

Margaret Mitchell’s Gone With the Wind.

Your latest book purchase:

The Husband’s Secret by Liane Moriarty-the She Reads Book Club September selection

ZZZ-snatcher book (last book that kept you up WAY late):

The Bones of Paris by Laurie R. King- a great mystery.

The Book Thief Read Along parts 4-6

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Posted on September 21, 2013

It’s time for to discuss parts 4-6 for our The Book Thief Read Along! This discussion is being hosted by Kami over at Kami’s Library Thoughts– head on over there and see what others have to say.

Here is a recap of what has happened in parts 4-6

Part Four

Max’s father teaches Hans to play the accordion and saves his life.
We finally meet Max.
Max gives Liesel a present.

Part Five

Max fights the Fuhrer.
The Mayor fires Rosa.
Liesel steals The Whistler.
Rudy makes some stupid choices.

Part Six

We learn more about Death.
A snowman is built in the basement.
Max becomes severely ill.
Liesel leaves Max a series of gifts.
Liesel steals another book.

Here are Kami’s questions-

1. What emotions have you felt while reading? Are they strong emotions?

I felt very emotional while reading this book. Sadness, love, fear-some all at once. I think that knowing certain characters are going to die, what I felt while reading was mostly DREAD>

2. Several characters mention similarities between Max and Liesel. What similarities have you noticed, and why do you think the author made these characters relate to each other?

I think they start out at the Huberman’s with absolutely nothing or no one.

3. What do you think of The Standover Man aka the book Max wrote for Liesel.

I loved it. I think it really shows Max’s character and story-how he was forced to hide for so long, and how he was so surprised to have found a friend in Liesel. I love the last page of it, where the words are painted on the wall. His word is Daylight.

4. How do you feel about knowing who is going to die in the end and what are some of your predictions?

Knowing that certain main characters die, at least you are not shocked when it happens. I sort of like the way death is unapologetic, like, hey that’s life! No predictions since this is a reread for me.

5. What do you think of Rudy’s rebellious attitude?

His anger and rebellion is wonderful. It shows that not all Germans followed the Party like lambs.

6. Is Rosa growing on you?

Totally-I think Rosa is a wonderful person beneath her rough exterior-she did have Hans fall in love with her after all. I love the way she took Max in without question.

7. What do you think of the relationship between Max and Liesel?

She treats him so tenderly. She is so protective of him.

8. Why do you think Liesel is so determined to steal from the Mayor’s library?

Because she wants to rebel- like Rudy- and not simply follow along. Plus, she just really wants to read!

9. What really stands out to you in the story and why?

1- What and amazing person Hans is.

2- Death’s Diary-1942-

“***AN ABRIDGED ROLL CALL FOR 1942****

1. The desperate Jews-their spirits in my lap as we sat on the roof, next to the steaming chimneys.

2. The Russian soldiers-taking only small amounts of ammunition, relying on the fallen for the rest.

3. The soaked bodies of a French coast-beached on the shingle and sand.”

10. If you were in Hans’ position, would you have helped/hid Max?

Yes. Though I can only hope to be a tenth as good of a person Hans was-yes.

Fall 2013 Bloggiesta!!

15 Comments

Posted on September 20, 2013

I am so excited to finally have a chance to join in on Bloggiesta– a blogging marathon that was created several years ago by Natasha from Maw Maws Book Blog!

“The idea behind Bloggiesta is to spend these next three days working on perfecting your blog and connecting with other bloggers who are doing the same thing. Spread the word and get all your friends to come and fiesta with us!”

Here is my To Do List-

~ Cross post reviews on Amazon, Goodreads, Librarything, etc.

~ Make a Reviews page (I think I finally got the whole link thing down-I know, very lame)

~ Complete A to Z Survey that was created by Jamie at The Perpetual Page Turner

~Post Part Two of The Book Thief Read Along questions and answers

~ Try to come up with 5 more books to complete my Classics Club list (any suggestions are appreciated!)

~ Join The Classics Club

~Last but not least, maybe find a new theme that has the cool widgets I really want- the ones with the little pics for FB and Goodreads-any suggestions?????

~Check out the following mini challenges:

How to Make Goodreads Work for You hosted by Brittany from The Book Addict’s Guide (@bookaddictguide)

Favorite WordPress Plugins hosted by April from My Shelf Confessions (@shelfconfession)

Bloggiesta Master To Do List hosted by Suey from It’s All About Books (@SueySays)

Book Blogging Heroes hosted by Book Bloggers International (@bookbloggersint)

Whew, glad I figured that out. Now, I just have to try to do it all!!

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

It’s Monday! What are you reading?

19 Comments

Posted on September 16, 2013

http://bookjourney.wordpress.com

This week I had a lot of fun rereading The Book Thief by Mark Zusack for a Read Along over at It’s All About Books. I admit it was a pretty slow week for reading otherwise, though I did spend a leisurely Sunday morning with a nice cup of coffee and the bulging Sunday Paper!!

This week I am hoping to finally post my review of Amity & Sorrow by Peggy Riley.

I am just breaking the spine on Lauren Graham’s Someday, Someday, Maybe.

And after that I have The Never List by Koethi Zan, and In The House upon the Dirt between the Lake and the Woods by Matt Bell waiting in the wings!!

What are you reading this week? Please leave a comment- I’d love to hear from you !!!

The Book Thief Read Along

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Posted on September 11, 2013

I was so excited to see Book-alicious Mama post that she had joined in a read along of The Book Thief, ahead of the November release of the much anticipated movie! I went to see the write up at It’s All About Books, and decided to join in too. Go on over there and check out all the links!

We read parts 1-3 and our first discussion began yesterday.

Here are the questions from Suey at It’s All About Books.

1. What’s your first impression of Death as a character/narrator?

2. What’s your first impression of the unique writing style?

3. Which character stands out to you the most so far and why?

4. What do you think the author is trying to say about the power of words?

5. How do you feel about all the foreshadowing that’s going on?

6. Also, how do you feel about all that German swearing?!?

7. What do you think about the relationship between Hans and Rosa?
8. What do you think about the relationship between Rudy and Liesel?

9. What are your feelings on the politics of the time that we’ve seen so far?
10. What images and/or symbols stand out for you in this story so far?

Great questions!

1. When I first picked up this book a few years ago, I was a bit put off by the whole idea of Death as the narrator. I actually put the book down, but came back to it a few months later. The second time, I really loved Death as a character. I love the first line-“First the colors. Then the humans. That’s usually how I see things. Or at least how I try.”

2. I love the style of writing-especially the asides and lists, such as -“HERE IS A SMALL FACT…You are going to die.”

3. Obviously, Liesel is an amazing character, but I think Hans is an my favorite character. He is so loving and kind.

4. I think the author is telling us that words are the most powerful thing in the world. They can heal, and they can kill. When Liesel thinks of her father, she only hears the word Kommunist- when she finally realizes what the word means, and all it implies, she is devastated.

5. I think the foreshadowing is really a wonderful part of the story, since Death is telling it from memory, therefore he knows exactly all that occurs. When he refers to something that will happen, I am itching to rush ahead and find out what happened.

6. Ah, the German Swearing-honsetly I love it. I speak German (or at least I used to back in high school-I was even an exchange student to Cologne) so I enjoy the parts that are in German.

7. I think their relationship is actually a lot closer than we realize.

8. Rudy and Liesel-what a great relationship. he has the loveliest crush on her, and I think she loves him and just doesn’t know it. Even better, they are best friends!

9. I think we are given a compelling glimpse into Nazi Germany from the point of view of many different people. It shows how divided the people were, just as the Huberman family is. We see how powerless regular German citizens were against the Nazi party.

10. Obviously-books. Especially Liesel walking away from the bonfire with the burning book up against her chest.

Rudy covered in charcoal.

Colors-the way Death describes the colors he sees.

Thanks for the great questions Suey. Stop by It’s All About Books and see some other thoughts!!

It’s Monday! What are you reading?

12 Comments

Posted on September 9, 2013

http://bookjourney.wordpress.com

Here is what happened with me this week

Whew- my 3 year old nephew JUST left, and before I fall into a very deep sleep, I thought I would catch up real quick!

This week I read-

Beautiful Day

by Elin Hildebrand

Amity & Sorrow

by Peggy Riley

I am currently reading-

The Book Thief

by Mark Zusack

I am reading this for a great little read along over at It’s All About Books,

We start the discussion tomorrow and I am almost done with part 3!

Up next-

Honestly not too sure. I need to take a breath, wash some sheets, and figure out what’s next!

So- What have you been reading?

Please leave a comment and let me know!!

Second Fiddle? I think not!!! Top Ten Tuesday!

12 Comments

Posted on August 27, 2013

This week’s topic is-

Top Ten Most Memorable Secondary Characters

(this is obviously going to be a bit Potter heavy- sorry)

1. The Weasly Family from the Harry Potter Series

I want to hang with this family SO bad-ok maybe not Percy, but a big yes to each and every one of them!!

2. Haymitch AND Cinna from The Hunger Games series

I LOVE Cinna-the only person in the entire capital that is real.

And Haymitch- oooh, the suffering of watching all those kids die for over 20 years.

3. Neville Longbottom from the Harry Potter series

When he gets the winning points for the House Cup because he stood up to his friends, I knew he was going to be a great guy!

4. Ceila Foote from The Help

Actually liked her depiction in the movie even more than I liked her character in the book- best part? When she writes the check out to Hilly Two Slice.

5. Rudy Steiner from The Book Thief

He was awesome- that’s all.

6. Mr. Bennet from Pride & Prejudice

Patience of a saint to deal with that wife! Would love to lock myself in a beautiful library also.

7. Melanie Wilkes from Gone With The Wind

I love how Scarlet is just dying to truly hate this woman, but she just can’t- and Melanie can not for the life of her think anything bad about Scarlet.

8. Helen Burns from Jane Eyre

This poor girl- stick up for yourself, dammit!!!

(never knew Elizabeth Taylor played her)

9. Professor Snape from the Harry Potter series

The character I loved to hate the MOST- up until the very end of book 7, that is. What an amazing love he had!

10. Death from The Book Thief

One of my favorite quotes from this book can explain why I loved this character (also a little sad to realize through the trailers that he is NOT in the movie- hmph!)

I wanted to tell the book thief many things, about beauty and brutality. But what could I tell her about those things that she didn’t already know? I wanted to explain that I am constantly overestimating and underestimating the human race–that rarely do I ever simply estimate it. I wanted to ask her how the same thing could be so ugly and so glorious, and its words and stories so damning and brilliant.

All I was able to do was turn to Liesel Meminger and tell her the only truth I truly know. I said it to the book thief and I say it now to you.

* * * A LAST NOTE FROM YOUR NARRATOR * * *
I am haunted by humans.

What other secondary character do you love?

Top Ten Favorite Beginnings and Endings

16 Comments

Posted on July 30, 2013

This week’s topic is

Top Ten Favorite Beginnings and Endings

1. Pride & Prejudice (beginning)

It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune must be in want of a wife.

2. The Great Gatsby (ending)

And so we beat on, boats against the current, borne back ceaselessly into the past.

3. Rebecca (beginning)

Last night I dreamt I went to Manderley again . . . I came upon it suddenly; the approach masked by the unnatural growth of a vast shrub that spread in all directions . . . There was Manderley, our Manderley, secretive and silent as it had always been, the gray stone shining in the moonlight of my dream, the mullioned windows reflecting the green lawns and terrace. Time could not wreck the perfect symmetry of those walls, nor the site itself, a jewel in the hollow of a hand.

4. Harry Potter and The Sorcerer’s Stone (beginning)

Mr. and Mrs. Dursley, of number four, Privet Drive, were proud to say that they were perfectly normal, thank you very much. They were the last people you’d expect to be involved in anything strange or mysterious, because they just didn’t hold with such nonsense.

5. Anna Karenina (beginning)

Happy families are all alike; every unhappy family is unhappy in its own way.

6. Gone with the Wind (ending)

I’ll think of it all tomorrow at Tara. I can stand it then. Tomorrow, I’ll think of some way to get him back. After all, tomorrow is another day.

7. Frankenstein (ending)

He was soon borne away by the waves and lost in darkness and distance.

8. The Book Thief (beginning)

First the colours, Then the humans, Thats how I usually see things, Or at least, how I try. Here is a small fact, You are going to die.

9. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (ending)

The scar had not pained Harry for nineteen years. All was well.

and finally….

10. The Book Thief (ending)