Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl to bring bookish friends together. A new topic is posted each week.
Reviews are linked (as always)!
I was born for this by Alice Oseman: a really dramatic end-scene with lots of rain. The plot is about a girl who meets up with an internet friend to go watch their favourite boyband perform and the amount of action in their lives just shoots up from that.
If we were villains by M. L. Rio: dark academia that is dramatic enough in itself that you need the heavy rain outside to match the vibe, especially as they perform theatre pieces in the rain.
The wicked deep by Shea Ernshaw: the main character live on an island, a bit away from the small-town where boys are murdered every summer and the town blames a curse thrown by witches
The name of the wind by Patrick Rothfuss: my favourite fantasy, long enough to keep you occupied for a while, and with enough hidden things to reread too many times (I’m at 5+ definitely, but it’s been a while)
Upstream by Mary Oliver: essays by my favourite poet talking about nature
The book of dust, La belle sauvage by Philip Pullman: a big part of the plot is one great flood and the whole fantasy book is just great and dramatic and heartwarming
If you want to add tears to the raindrops:
Lord of the butterflies by Andrea Gibson: a poetry collection, with stories told so intensely, a mix of sweet with stories of queer love, of incredibly traimatic events (dealing with suicidal and loss), of hopelessness and hope as well.
When breath becomes air by Paul Kalanithi: a memoir of a real neurosurgeon after he’s diagnosed with cancer. It’s an unforgettable story with wisdom, life perspectives, struggles, love and uncertainties.
Thank you to Siobhan at Siobhan Novelties for tagging me! She mentioned Fahrenheit 451 as the classic book she wanted to read and I felt exactly like that last year when I picked it up – in short I got why it was a classic, but it was one of those types that no longer feel as original and revolutionary because I’ve read a bunch of books that likely has taken inspiration from it and then the ideas no longer feels that deep or impactful. I would definitely read it again though.
Rules:
Thank the person who tagged you, and link back to their post.
Link to the creator’s blog. This was originally created by Beth from Books Nest.
Answer the questions below.
Tag 10 others to take part.
ENJOY!
A book that a certain friend always tells you to read
I haven’t even watched the movie – I know, it’s bad.
A book that has been on your TBR forever, and yet you still haven’t picked it up
I don’t really know if I actually want to read “(Don’t you) forget about me by Kate Karyus Quinn anymore, but it’s been on my TBR so long that I now feel obliged to. It’s not got the best ratings 3.6, the blurb doesn’t excite me, I’ve read the first ten pages without much interest – I’m still hoping to have at least given it a fair try before the end of this year. If not I’m officially giving up.
A book in a series you have started, but haven’t gotten round to finishing
I really loved the original “Shatter me” series by Tahereh Mafi and because of the mixed and bad reviews of “Restore me” I keep putting off reading it myself.
A classic you have always liked the sound of, but never actually read
All of Virginia Woolf’s book (I’ve only read and loved A room of one’s own) and The picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde.
A book that inspired a film/TV adaptation that you really love, but you just haven’t read it yet
A book you see all over Instagram, but haven’t picked up yet
I’m not much on bookstagram. But going by the internet in general – Circe by Madeline Miller! I get strangely uncomfortable by this cover, but the moment I realized it was based on mythology and so well loved (or hyped) I wanted to read it. Authors and reviewers has posted about it everywhere it seems like.
I’ve been so busy, and I’m going to continue to be for quite some time. So don’t be surprised when I comment on like two week old posts as I go through the backlog, oops.
A couple things on my mind
I have some mixed feelings about “quicksand”, the new swedish netflix series, but the story is told in such a great way. After the first episode I had quite a distasteful feeling. Why make it about a school shooter, and a confused girl at that? But the energy quickly changed in the second episode, as it’s obvious there’s more to the story, and from there on it was just such a great psychological nightmare. There’s just no moral high-ground among most of the characters decisions. The best scenes are from the prison cell the main character is in, where it shows how both monotone and chaotic isolation can be. TW: sexual assault, abuse, violence in general
Spring is here, people are energetic and hectic. Along with that I’ve really connected with all the things that make me an introvert these last two weeks. I’ve barely spent time at my house, with too many sleepovers in the city (I commute an hour for school and don’t go home if I’m to do anything social afterwards). I really love nature and one afternoon I was repacking my bags (again), and I just wanted so badly to skip that last formal party/dinner. I wanted to go down along the river to the ocean and sit there, and go back and curl into a blanket reading when it got too cold. I need to remember that while I love people, this is my preference most of the time and when I don’t get any ounce of alone time for too long it really tears at my patience and energy. It’s something I seem to forget over and over. Still, I was glad I went to the dinner/party? I don’t know who I am, is the conclusion from that.
I wanted to bring my blog over toTwitter,but I didn’t know if I should create an own account?I have one that is barely used that seems like a good option to just rename or rebrand, but I’m unsure.
What the fuck happened to Julian Assange today? This is going to be quite a thing
The photo of the black hole made me laugh, but I appreciate it
“Quicksand”, netflix poster
Katie Bouman, one of the creators of the algorithm that made the black hole photo possible
Thanks to The Inky Saga for tagging me! (I had to reupload this thing because something went wrong while scheduling and suddenly all the photos were replaced?? weird) (2nd edit: and then all the text disappeared… i swear, this site annoys me so much sometimes)
The Rules
Mention the creator of the tag and link back to original post [Alexandra @ Reading by Starlight]
Thank the blogger who tagged you
Answer the 10 questions below using any genre
Tag 5+ friends
SECRETS AND LIES | A BOOK SET IN A SLEEPY SMALL TOWN
The strange and beautiful sorrows of Ava Lavender is such a strange and beautiful book, it’s magical realism and set in mostly a small town as far as I remember. I recommend it if you’re looking for an adventorous read, and don’t mind a bit of whimsy. It’s very much either love it or hate it among the reviews I’ve seen. I liked it a lot!
SALT AND SAND | A BOOK WITH A BEACHSIDE COMMUNITY
Of Poseidon by Anna Banks is the BEST mermaid/siren book series I’ve read. It’s pure entertainment and fun
HERE THERE BE DRAGONS | A BOOK WITH A VOYAGE ON THE HIGH SEAS
TREAD LIGHTLY | A BOOK SET DOWN A MURKY RIVER OR A JUNGLE
Into the wild is based on a real story of a guy who leaves everything behind and goes into the wilderness in Alaska to live there. But first he takes a canoe down rivers into Mexico and it’s quite the trip. It’s the book for everyone who’s ever thought about handing in their regular lives – and a warning to maybe start out with a few shorter travel trips or hikes.
FROZEN WASTES | A BOOK WITH A FROSTBITTEN ATMOSPHERE
The golden compass, also known as Northern lights by Philip Pullman starts in Oxford before the protagonist Lyra goes on a huge journey to the mystical, magical north – especially Svalbard – to save her kidnapped friends.
THE BOONIES | A BOOK WITH ROUGH OR ISOLATED TERRAIN
Tomorrow, when the war began by John Marsden is the first of a series I read as a kid and really fell in love with. The action, the fact that there’s kids on a hiking trip in the middle of nowhere while their country is being taken over by enemy forces – leaving them as the few not captured and having to survive on their own. I hope it holds up well.
HINTERLANDS AND COWBOYS | A BOOK WITH A WESTERN-ESQUE SETTING
I’m not a big fan on westerns at all. Wake of vultures by Lila Bowenwas a book I only read because it promised me magic, and then I figured out the western aspect. But I liked it, despite it, haha. And it helped that it had the main protagonist it had, which were very different from all the men running around with the guns in every western movie.
LOOK LIVELY | A BOOK ACROSS SWEEPING DESERT SANDS
It’s been so many years since I read a Rick Riordan book, but I remember liking The red pyramid and this series, with ancient egyptian mythology.
WILD AND UNTAMED | A BOOK SET IN THE HEART OF THE WOODS
The darkest part of the forest by Holly Black is the perfect book for this! I’ve read too many elven books since, to the point where they’ve gone from my favourite creature to one which seems to be used by authors to avoid any good worldbuilding, but this really was the perfect book for a while.
WILDEST DREAMS | A WHIMSICAL BOOK SHROUDED IN MAGIC
I’ve really dug deep into books I’ve read years ago I feel like. The angel’s game by Carlos Ruiz Zafón is magical realism and I don’t remember the whole plot – yay, maybe I should read it again soon then – but certain aspects have stuck with me so strongly and this book really held my interest with its mysteries the whole way through.
Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl to bring bookish friends together. A new topic is posted each week.
Seeing book bloggers I have similar taste as recommend it!
This one explains itself. Every time I see a good review, even if it’s a book on my TBR already, it’s bumped up a lot of places. I have to pick up “never let me go” Kazuo Ishiguro soon because of it, I think I’ve promised so many I would, haha.
“Strong” female protagonists (that know how to fight)
Know how to fight is mostly within the fantasy genre, but I guess in general as well. It’s my weakness for immediately getting new favourite characters – Inej Ghafa of “Six of Crows” immediately comes to mind.
Mermaids! Or Sirens!
I’ve yet to read a book about mermaids/sirens/sea creatures that I immediately fell in love with. I have some recommendations left to read, but I would love more!
WLW couples
I mean – lesbians/bi characters in general. I started reading more queer books a couple years ago, but realized that the books I liked mostly included gay men, with authors like Shaun David Hutchinson and Benjamin Alire Sáenz. I’m going to sit down and compile a list of wlw books I’ve loved sometime, but Nina LaCour was really the first I read who did it so amazingly! The romances are great, the plots are exciting! Her books are everything
Based on fairytale & folklore
I’ve kind of given up on “fairytale retellings” because if it’s obvious enough which fairytale it’s based on when I pick up the book, it’s always boring. But books like “Uprooted” by Naomi Novik, I didn’t realize before after, and I loved it.
Norse mythology
This is more of a continuation of the last point, but I’ve grown up reading norse mythology stories (I’m from Norway, so it makes more sense) and it’s fantastic seeing how well and badly done retellings and inspiration can be. I mean – there’s a difference in quality between authors having read some of the poetic and prose Edda (where the real stories mainly are) and having seen Thor from the Marvel movies. Both are usually entertaining in different ways though, haha.
Small-town witches
Protagonists with other cultural backgrounds
That kind of includes everything else besides about american-based fantasy or young adult books as well. I read mainly in english, so I get that it’s a lot of that, but books based on other cultures are more attractive because I want to learn more about the world when I read.
Science themes!
Any book with a scientist or quantum in the title, to the point where it’s definitely a weakness. I was burned on “Dark matter” by Blake Crouch because it’s an entertaining book, but certainly with a deceptive title!!
Disabilities?
I saw Siobhan mention disabilities right before I posted this and really felt I was missing that point. First off- I love characters having disabilities in books with other types of plot, already. Because it normalizes it so much. My problem has been that – as a person who’s grown up with physical illnesses and disabilities – I’ve run far away from the kind of books that is about disabilities. Which is bad, but I recently realized why – it’s the same reason I haven’t read many lgbt books before the last few years (not that it’s comparable, ohgodno). Every queer book I read wasn’t well-written, or comparable to my experience. NOW with #ownvoices authors I’ve really started to love queer books as someone who isn’t straight, because they’ve become so much better! I really want to read more books with disabilities as well, from authors that know how it’s like. Because with any theme that is intertwined with your own life as a reader, it’s so noticeable and, when I was a child honestly damaging, when it’s done badly. You know the whole “magically cured”, “she wasn’t sick all along”, “disability being their own fault in any way” kind of tropes. I really hope I can find authors and books that I can trust now! 🙂
Here’s part one with book releases I looked forward to in the beginning of 2019 (january to may).
Jade War (Green Bone Saga #2) by Fonda Lee
Release date: 7. May
Why I want to read it: I liked the first book Jade City
Storm Cursed (Mercy Thompson #11) by Patricia Briggs
Release date: 7. May
Why I want to read it: I started out loving this series, but am just bound to finishing it at this point. The previous book wasn’t great.
Again, But Better by Christine Riccio
Release date: 21. May
Why I want to read it: I’ve followed Christine on booktube for so many years and seen her write this book through her series, I’m so excited to see the result and what her mind has come up with. Trying to keep my expectation down though
Stay Sexy & Don’t Get Murdered by Karen Kilgariff and Georgia Hardstark
Release date: 28. May 2019
Why I want to read it: I like and listen to the podcast my favourite murder
I Wish You All the Best by Mason Deaver
Release date: 28. May
Why I want to read it: Someone (was it Alice Oseman?) recommended it. And tagged as lgbt
These Witches Don’t Burn by Isabel Sterling
Release date: 28. May
Why I want to read it: Look at that cover! And title! And it has witches, so of course I’ll read it. I was also promised gay witches soo
Why I want to read it: the gorgeous cover helped, but mostly because it’s young adult novel with “mulan” mentioned in the synopsis and good ratings goo
At the start of 2019 I made an ultimate TBR for the whole year. As we’re three months in and some more, and it’s starting to become spring everywhere else than where I live (there’s still danger of snow until long into May here) – let’s have a look of how I’ve followed it. I’m actually not sure if I have made any progress.
Legion by Brandon Sanderson (I’ve read first and second out of three books)
1Q84 by Haruki Murakami (just started reading)
The truth about keeping secrets (currently reading)
So from having read a total of 22 books this year, that’s 9 out of 47 books from the TBR list. I’m 19% there? Maybe a bit more considering that some of these books are norwegian and one of the goals was to read more (especially poetry) in my first language. That’s not too bad actually, I’m kind of surprised, even if I’d hoped for better.
My wish for the rest of the year
Is to read some books that becomes favourites! A lot of books have been enjoyable, but from the straight up fiction section I feel let down so far. It can also be because I have been reading a lot less than usual, in total page numbers, because I’ve had a lot to do.
Thanks to Lori at The Inky Saga for nominating me, give her some love!
What Is the Mystery Blogger Award?
It’s an award for amazing bloggers with ingenious posts. Their blog not only captivates; it inspires and motivates. They are one of the best out there, and they deserve every recognition they get. This award is also for bloggers who find fun and inspiration in blogging, and they do it with so much love and passion. – Okoto Enigma
The Rules
Put the award logo/image on your blog
List the rules
Thank whoever nominated you and provide a link to their blog
Mention the creator of the award and provide a link as well
Tell your readers 3 things about yourself
You have to nominate 10 – 20 people
Notify your nominees by commenting on their blog
Ask your nominees any 5 questions of your choice; with one weird or funny question (specify)
Share a link to your best post(s)
Three Things About Me
I love summer, it makes everything better, I also love the ocean (probably obvious because of my weird url) and I live in a place where you can’t go in the ocean without freezing to death during all parts of the year, but in the summer there’s at least not ice on top of it which is a plus.
These lists of facts makes me really uncomfortable, honestly. I much prefer questions.
I can’t remember my neighbour-cat’s name, and it’s been told to me so many times through the years. I think she knows. But also she loves to stand outside my window when she’s bored, staring at me for up to ten minutes until I come out and pet her. She might be the only creature more happy than me to see the sun return to our village.
My Questions
Do you share your blog with people you know in your real life?
Hell no. The moment someone finds out about this, I’m out.
What are your ultimate blog goals?
Discussing books with people, honestly, because I love my real life friends, but none of them are readers. I’ve got like one reader friend and she’s rereading The Hobbit who knows how many times, no matter what other fantasy I try to throw at her. (Also free books are lovely)
Do you see yourself blogging when you’re 50?
Hah, no don’t think so. Do I see myself turning 50? Not at this pace. I’m 20 and haven’t had the best luck yet.
Who is your role model, fictional or otherwise?
I have a problem with finding role models, I can’t even do it for one essay. I look up to a lot of smart women in the past who has gone against every norm and done science without support until they achieved results.
Malala Yousafzai is one I look up to in many ways. The same for Mary Oliver, who just died. I realize that everyone are people with flaws, and I really like to pay attention to qualities or achievements of people that I would aspire to have instead.
What are some books do you think are underrated?
Most of them.
A time to dance by Padma Venkatraman was so much more than I expected and a very lovely, beautiful and inspiring story of a girl who has her leg amputated refinding what passion is and what spirituality and courage is, in trying to get back to dancing her traditional indian dance.
The library at Mount Char by Scott Hawkins for starting as any fantasy story and turning into this really surreal, creepy one. Also questions of god, but in a completely different way. It got like Haruki Murakami surrealism, but with horror and supernatural elements.
Bonus: You find out the world ends tomorrow; what do you do?
Try to stop it? If I’m not near the hero of a novel – there’s not much to do, is there? I would honestly go on with my life, a week would maybe give me enough time to like travel to somewhere I want with my family. I really like routine and if I didn’t have it the day before the world ends, I would just break down the entire time. Now, a zombie apocalypse on the other hand –
My questions
Which book would you recommend people to read immediately?
What’s the song you listened to most recently?
Fav character trope?
What’s a hobby of yours outside of reading?
Recommend me some book blogs you follow!
I Nominate …
Elena at Hidden Gems – Dora at Swift Coffee – Chaz at Life of Chaz – Brooke at Stacks and Snacks – Bree at In Love and Words – Leslie at Books are the New Black – Luana at Inkstained Forest – Shannon at The Spellbound Librarian – Andy at Andy Winder – Siobhan at Siobhan’s Novelties
No pressure, but it would be fun to see your answers!
These last two weeks have gone both too quickly and too slowly. Which means I was feeling really bad, so I have not done much, but also stressing over how little is being done. So I’m kind of in a reading slump, but one caused by having too much else to do. Thankfully I’d scheduled some posts –
The truth about keeping secrets by Savannah Brown (currently reading, unfortunately not loving it yet)
Added to TBR:
Utopia for realists by Bregman Rutger – added after he was on Trevor Noah’s The daily show and I really wanted to read more of some out-there new ideas
Salt, fat, acid, heat by Samin Nosrat was one of Rhiannon McGavin’s fav books of 2018 and I really love cookbooks done in a different way, so hopefully I’ll pick this up when I have time to try some recipes
The raven’s tale by Cat Winter
The cold in her bones by Peternelle van Arsdale
A lot of polar fantasy books, because I didn’t know that was a thing before this week
Posts I recommend by other blogs:
Art Journal by Ink Stained Forest is such lovely watercolor paintings! The hobbit door is especially mind-blowing. I recently got the Winsor & Newton pocket box watercolors she has, dreaming about being able to paint while travelling, but I haven’t gotten a chance yet. This is really inspiring and lovely
10 Book retellings by Jenacidebybibliophile. A great list of book retellings which I’d never heard of before, including some new releases. Who doesn’t need a Medusa retelling.
Books with the best writing by Ally Writes Things. I really need to read more of the books on this list, because I agree with several of these authors and love the attention to language they all have
The Dysasters by P. C. and Kristin Cast by Books, bones & buffy is a great review about a book I probably won’t read, but I was really interested to see what those authors were up to nowadays
Let’s make these three things youtube videos again, because the only thing on my mind right now is having to learn all of my physics syllabus in five days, before a five hour test that decides whether I get in at uni. Ahhh.
I like Troye, but wasn’t a big fan of “I’m so tired”. Before THIS VERSION, it’s perfect.
John Green’s “Looking for Alaska” is being made into a movie, and here’s the first look at the Miles and Alaska, during a visit to the campus where John wrote the book.
My ABSOLUTELY FAV DANCER Koharu Sugawara was back at Urban Dance Camp and they released this dance video, she and Yuki Shibuya always seem to have so much fun. Watching Koharu’s dances always brings a smile to my face.
Thank you so much to Siobhan at Siobhan’s Novelties for nominating me. The questions you chose were more difficult than I first thought, but oh so interesting as well!
The Rules
Answer the 11 questions you’ve been asked
Nominate 11 other bloggers
Ask your nominees 11 questions
Let them know you’ve nominated them
Siobhan’s questions
Which book would you die to get your hands on?
Patrick Rothfuss looks like how I imagined authors as a child
Like not yet released book? The third of the kingkiller trilogy by Patrick Rothfuss. It’s been seven years this far and I’m not sure the third book exists yet, but I’m also of the very controversial opinion that we as readers aren’t to harass or complain about when the next book will come out, because that’s just really shitty done and unproductive in situations like this. I am very excited for it though, as it’s my favourite fantasy series.
What is your new favourite book character?
I just realized of all the books I’ve read this year, I haven’t liked any character more than average. The plots have been good, but I really miss good characters
For whatever reason, what upcoming book are you afraid to read?
The third book in the kingkiller chronicles by Patrick Rothfuss, again. But also “Again, but better” by Christine Riccio because I like Christine as a youtuber, and have watched some of her progress through her writing videos. But I haven’t actually read anything by her, which I have from Savannah Brown which is also coming out with a debut novel. And the reviews I’ve skimmed through (trying not to get spoiled) haven’t been great?
What reading trait do you wish to break? Why?
I don’t have any. I did find it really frustrating that I can’t read fiction, or especially non-fiction really, when I know I had school work or studying to do (which is most times). But I can’t change that because I found out it’s because – like me binging tv series – if I come across a good book I’m not able to put it down. My brain can suddenly decide to live in the story or get obsessed with an idea from the story that applies to real life, and then it’s over for being productive in other ways. So when I do read I read a couple books in a couple more relaxing days, when I’ve got time for it.
What is your guilty pleasure read?
Fanfictions when I was younger, I guess? I don’t read that much fanfiction anymore, because I haven’t found or been looking for good ones. I have a character type that I feel a bit guilty about liking – the mysterious (usually) guy who has a bit of anger issues and is also really good at fighting, with some complex background, and a strange moral sense (aka doesn’t care about most of the world).
Which literary world would you love to visit?
As a kid I always wanted to be a part of Percy Jackson’s Half-Blood Camp, especially in the earlier books, when people were learning to fight and being good friends, along with greek gods existing (and alluding that other types of gods existed).
Is there an upcoming or a recent post you are or were afraid of posting?
Yes! There’s this post that I delayed twice right after each other. The first time because it was just hastily written. Currently it’s named “Kids should read more than young adult books”. I mostly hesitated because the post started out as one thing and turned into another, which the rewrite made better, but it’s still too long. As I write this I just published the post, but it’s already gotten less likes than I regularly get, so I don’t think it’s going to do very well.
If you could save any fictional character, who would it be?
Kaladin in “The Stormlight Archive” by Brandon Sanderson. He definitely wasn’t the type I was thinking of when describing guilty pleasure character, but he certainly fits. This guy has gone through the worst I’ve ever seen a single character go through in a book/series.He loses himself sometimes, he loses so many others, he’s tossed around in people’s struggle for power, but he also gets back on his feet every time and saves those lives he can in brilliant ways. Please let him survive all this with some sanity left, Sanderson.
What is the longest reading slump you’ve ever been in?
The biggest period of time I didn’t read at all was before and during this summer, as I was unable to because I grew really ill, and it was made more frustrating as you have a lot of downtime in hospitals. A month and a half went by without me reading, according to goodreads.
Which book do you think people should read immediately?
I go down to the shore in the morning and depending on the hour the waves are rolling in or moving out, and I say, oh, I am miserable, what shall— what should I do? And the sea says in its lovely voice: Excuse me, I have work to do.”
Mary Oliver, A Thousand Mornings
“A Thousand Mornings” by Mary Oliver. It was the book that made me fall in love with poetry for real, it’s easy to read unlike what many thinks of as poetry. I usually pitch it to friends like “subtly critizing society and people through beautiful and life-like descriptions of nature and our connection to it”. Mary Oliver just died, 83 years old, having been a widow since her wife passed away and I teared up the moment I heard (which was a surprise to everyone around me). One of my favourite all time writers.
Which is your favourite female villain?
I’ve been struggling with finding one in novels. If we go the tv route it’s Azula in Avatar: the last airbender.
My questions
Which book would you recommend people to read immediately?
What keeps you blogging?
An upcoming release you’re very excited about
Do you like to write and if so, why? (Doesn’t have to be writing as in a big project like a novel)
What’s your favourite genre and why?
What is a book in your favourite genre that you haven’t seen getting enough love lately?
One character trope you like and one you hate
How many books is on your TBR list and do you wish it was fewer?
What kinds of books were you reading as a 12 year old?
aquapages 