My Best Reads of 2013

A collection of my most favorite reads this year. 

Of course, some of these books weren't released in '13, but I enjoyed reading them so much that I couldn't help but put them on the list.

My first book of the year is...

Clockwork Princess by Cassandra Clare

 

This book was released in March of this year, but I didn't pick it up until July or August. I was a little later to the Infernal Devices trilogy but when I started it, I found myself in love. Clockwork Princess tied up the loose ends and was a beautiful ending to such a wonderful trilogy.

The Fault in Our Stars by John Green

I can't express how very much I love this book. It was such an impactful, beautiful, funny, and heart breaking read. If you haven't read it, you must! It's in my top three favorite books.

This is also the year that I finally read Game of Thrones by George R.R. Martin.

This is such an epic fantasy series and since finishing A Game of Thrones in May, I've also read the second book in the series. I'm enjoying it immensely, and I can't wait to begin the third.   

The Immortal Rules by Julie Kagawa was such a great dystopian/vampire novel.

 

It's the first book in the Blood of Eden series. Enjoyed it so much!

Cloud Atlas by David Mitchell was incredible!

I had watched the film before reading the book, and I'm glad that I did. The book is slightly complex but having seen the movie, it was much easier to follow. I loved both the book and the movie.

2013 wasn't my best literary year, but I definitely enjoyed many books. These were some of my favorites. 

The coming year I hope to read many more YA (dystopian, steampunk, fantasy), high fantasy, mystery, and classic novels.

5 Favorite Childhood Books

My love for reading really grew when I was in fourth grade. I remember that my teacher gave us 'reading time' each day. We were able to pick a book, sit in the floor, and read for 30 minutes. I always looked forward to it.

As a very small child, my mother read to me quite often. I still have a few of the Little Golden Books that we read together.

On to my list...

1. The Wind in the Willows

I cannot tell you how much I loved this book! It was probably the first book that I had read by myself that was over a hundred pages. I fell in love with the characters: Mole, Rat, Badger, and Toad. I even convinced my Mom to buy the animated movie for me on VHS. It will forever be my favorite childhood book. 

2. Little Women

Little Women was such an enjoyable read, and I've read it at least four times in my life. My favorite character was Jo, who had such a feisty personality. 

3. Catherine Called Birdy

I read this book over and over again. I loved it! I still do. It was such a great read. It is the diary of a 13th century girl, whose father is set on marrying off to the richest suitor. 


4. The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe

I read The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe for the first time during a snow storm. I remember sitting near the window while the snow came down, reading it. It will always remind me of a beautiful, snowy winter. 


5. Mrs. Fish, Ape, and Me, The Dump Queen

I loved this book, and I think that I read it twice. I found it in the school library. I remember feeling emotional during it, as the main character is teased quite a bit. 

It wasn't very difficult to come up with a list of five. I think that these books have stuck with me well into adulthood.

Today I...

Picked up a copy of Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier. I'm so thrilled! Happy sigh's all around. I have the hard bound copy. It's such a beautiful book. 

I also got these awesome, new glasses.

books, television, & movies

I  finished reading The Immortal Rules by Julie Kagawa. It was a really enjoyable read, and not quite what I had expected it to be. It isn't a traditional 'vampire' story. Allison Sekemoto was such a great protagonist. I'm looking forward to picking up the second book in the Blood Eden series called The Eternity Cure. 

I recently began Once Upon a Time again. I had only watched the first 3 episodes of the television series. I'm now on episode 8 of the first season. I'm so hooked! I love, love, love the story-line and how it meshes with the 'fairy tale' world. Wonderfully done!

Saw Catching Fire this past weekend! Completely loved it. It brought back every memory of reading the book. Jennifer Lawrence does an insanely perfect job of bringing Katniss Everdeen to life. It was so exciting!

What I'm Reading

"Just know that, whatever you choose, you will die today. The manner of your death, however, is up to you."

Taken from Goodreads: Allison Sekemoto survives in the Fringe, the outermost circle of a walled-in city. By day, she and her crew scavenge for food. By night, any one of them could be eaten. Some days, all that drives Allie is her hatred of them—the vampires who keep humans as blood cattle. Until the night Allie herself dies and becomes one of the monsters.

Forced to flee her city, Allie must pass for human as she joins a ragged group of pilgrims seeking a legend—a place that might have a cure for the disease that killed off most of civilization and created the rabids, the bloodthirsty creatures who threaten human and vampire alike. And soon Allie will have to decide what–and who–is worth dying for…again.

This book is phenomenal so far! I'm about 40-50% in. It's difficult to put it down. I can't wait to finish it, and start the next.

insurgent review

#2 in the Divergent Trilogy

Every choice has consequences, and as unrest surges in the factions all around her, Prior must continue trying to save those she loves, and herself, while grappling with haunting questions of grief and forgiveness, identity and loyalty, politics and love.

***

NO SPOILERS

It took me a bit to read Insurgent after finishing Divergent. I wanted to bask in the glow of reading such a great book, and prolong the trilogy. (Okay, maybe I didn't wait that long...a couple of weeks?) The entire time I wasn't reading it, I wanted to read it.

Insurgent picks up immediately following Divergent. Tris and her friends are back to deal with the devastation that occurred, and the balance of power has shifted. 

It's very interesting to see how the characters change and grow, especially after Divergent. We learn so much more about each of them. Tris has gone through so many changes, and we see a side of her in Insurgent that we hadn't before. 

Many people have said that they didn't think Insurgent quite lived up to the amazing quality of Divergent. In my opinion, Divergent was a bit better because it had this wondrous quality, but Insurgent is such a great read. It's a wonderful, action-packed sequel with so much emotion and an amazing plot.


I gave this  book 4 out of 5 stars on Goodreads.

What I'm Reading

Taken from Goodreads:A postmodern visionary who is also a master of styles and genres, David Mitchell combines flat-out adventures, a Nabokovian love of puzzles, a keen eye for character, and a taste for mind-bending philosophical and scientific speculation in the tradition of Umberto Eco and Philip K. Dick. The result is brilliantly original fiction that reveals how disparate people connect, how their fates intertwine, and how their souls drift across time like clouds across the sky.

I'm approximately 15 -  20% in & really excited to finish this book. I absolutely loved the movie. 

classic book haul

I found the following books (used) for a really cheap price. I'm pretty excited. I haven't photographed them, so I tried to find images that matched the books I have as closely as possible.

A Room With a View - E.M. Forster 

Night and Day by Virginia Woolf

The Voyage Out by Virginia Woolf

Bleak House by Charles Dickens 

Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen

an update

I have been so busy that I feel like I haven't spent as much time reading as I would have liked.
My busyness hasn't hindered the fact that I have added more books to my 'currently reading' list. In addition to Unearthly by Cynthia Hand, I'm also reading Insurgent by Veronica Roth (yes!!! preparing for Allegiant) and an Agatha Raisin mystery by M.C. Beaton. 

I have been thinking about books that I would like to read in the future. I want to add more historical nonfiction and American/British classics to my list. I actually picked up a few used classics recently, so hopefully I will get around to reading them in the near future. 

Nanowrimo is going...um just going. I had an original idea, changed it up a bit but left the basic storyline. I've written a bit, and I've met my goal for the majority of the days. It's an interesting concept, and really forces you to pick your brain to improve the original story that you come up with.

Coffee has been my saving grace each day. 

this is not a test review

It’s the end of the world. Six students have taken cover in Cortege High but shelter is little comfort when the dead outside won’t stop pounding on the doors. One bite is all it takes to kill a person and bring them back as a monstrous version of their former self. To Sloane Price, that doesn’t sound so bad. Six months ago, her world collapsed and since then, she’s failed to find a reason to keep going. Now seems like the perfect time to give up. As Sloane eagerly waits for the barricades to fall, she’s forced to witness the apocalypse through the eyes of five people who actually want to live. But as the days crawl by, the motivations for survival change in startling ways and soon the group’s fate is determined less and less by what’s happening outside and more and more by the unpredictable and violent bids for life—death—inside. When everything is gone, what do you hold on to?

***

This is the first book that I've read by Courtney Summers, and I'm really glad that I decided to pick it up. She weaves the intense story of Sloane Price, her desire for death and her life when the dead began to roam. 

The character of Sloane is very well written. It's easy to slip into her skin, and experience what she's feeling as well as what she has been through. She's detached but raw, and she so desperately feels that there is no reason for her to keep going on.

It's really interesting to visualize how people change when the world is in chaos, and how they react to one another.

This isn't your typical zombie novel. It's very thoughtful and really plays on your emotions. It isn't as hard, crass, or gory as some novels of the same genre I've read. The book tells a genuinely great story without making it cheesy.

I rated this book 4 out of 5 stars on Goodreads. 

halloween

At first I wanted to dress as Anne Boleyn or Amy Winehouse (would that even be appropriate now?), but instead I decided to do something simple.

Sugar skull makeup, black lace top, skirt, and sky high heels (I actually managed to walk in them without any issues). 

***

Since Halloween is so near, I've been reading "This is Not a Test" by Courtney Summers. Zombies have taken over the world, and Sloane Price and a group of teenagers have holed themselves up inside of a high school. I'm about 65% in, and I'm really enjoying it.

Happy Halloween!

the book of lost things review

High in his attic bedroom, twelve-year-old David mourns the death of his mother, with only the books on his shelf for company. But those books have begun to whisper to him in the darkness. Angry and alone, he takes refuge in his imagination and soon finds that reality and fantasy have begun to meld. While his family falls apart around him, David is violently propelled into a world that is a strange reflection of his own -- populated by heroes and monsters and ruled by a faded king who keeps his secrets in a mysterious book, The Book of Lost Things.

***

The Book of Lost Things was very promising, but I found that I didn't like it very much.
The struggle that David faces when his mother dies was heartbreaking, but I didn't find the rest of the book held my attention for very long. 

The characters lack the depth and feeling that normally draw me into a story. However, I did enjoy how the book incorporated fairy tales and folklore into the plot. 


I gave this book 2 out of 5 stars on Goodreads

book haul (again)

I'm a new book fanatic, and absolutely love adding them to my to-read list.
Picked up the following today:

Death Comes to Pemberley by P.D. James

The Wicked Girls by Alex Marwood

Unearthly by Cynthia Hand (Unearthly #1)

Beauty Queens by Libba Bray

divergent review

 

 

 

In Beatrice Prior's dystopian Chicago world, society is divided into five factions, each dedicated to the cultivation of a particular virtue--Candor (the honest), Abnegation (the selfless), Dauntless (the brave), Amity (the peaceful), and Erudite (the intelligent). On an appointed day of every year, all sixteen-year-olds must select the faction to which they will devote the rest of their lives. For Beatrice, the decision is between staying with her family and being who she really is--she can't have both. So she makes a choice that surprises everyone, including herself.

***

 

In a distant, dystopian future sat in Chicago the world has been ravaged by greed, ignorance, lies, and aggression. A society forms to rid themselves of these problems. Five factions are created: Candor (those who believed lies destroyed society, and tell only the truth), Amity (who thrive on peacefulness), Abnegation (the selfless who serve others before themselves), Erudite (the intelligent), and Dauntless (the brave who are trained to battle and protect). Each faction was created to alleviate the problems which ultimately had destroyed society. However, each faction tends to keep to themselves, and there are feuds between them.

 

Beatrice was born into the Abnegation faction, and leads a very simple life. She watches as her father, mother, and brother are completely selfless and attend to others needs before their own. She doesn't feel as if she quite belongs with them, because she doesn't always feel selfless.When she turns sixteen and the appointed day arrives she must choose which faction she will devote the rest of her life to serving. For Beatrice it isn't an easy choice, and she will have to deal with the consequences that occur.

 

Beatrice or Tris is an excellent character who I quickly fell in love with. It was great to be able to follow along with her as she grew and changed. There's so much conflict within her, but she manages to continue on her journey. She's brave, witty, and sometimes she's ruthless but I think those things are what make her so likable.

I loved the idea of the factions that arose from the destruction of society, but also it's obvious that such factions can't work if they're separate. You cannot have someone who is wholly peaceful or wholly selfless without the other attributes.

 

Divergent is Veronica Roth's first novel and she has written such a spectacular book. It's a generally quick read, but very thought provoking. It forces you to take a closer look at society and yourself. It's a really fun read.

 

I gave this book 5 out of 5 stars on Goodreads

 

book haul

Recently picked up the following books:

Divergent by Veronica Roth: I've wanted to read this for a while. I decided to read it first.

 

Insurgent by Veronica Roth: I was sure that I would love Divergent, so I picked up the next book also. 

 

 

 

 

Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn: I had wanted to get this book before, but hadn't. I think it will be an interesting read.

 

 

 

The Hypnotist by Lars Kepler: I honestly haven't read very much about this book, and got it because I thought that it looked interesting.

 

 

The Book of Lost Things by John Connolly: Again this is a book that I haven't really heard very much about, but thought it may be a good read.

 

 

 

 

That wraps up the book haul. As I mentioned, I am reading Divergent first. After that I think I will try The Book of Lost Things. Pretty excited to add new books to the collection!



a clash of kings review

 

 

A Song of Ice and Fire #2

A Clash of Kings transports us into a magnificent, forgotten land of revelry and revenge, wizardry and wartime. It is a tale in which maidens cavort with madmen, brother plots against brother, and the dead rise to walk in the night. Here a princess masquerades as an orphan boy; a knight of the mind prepares a poison for a treacherous sorceress; and wild men descend from the Mountains of the Moon to ravage the countryside.
Against a backdrop of incest and fratricide, alchemy and murder, the price of glory may be measured in blood. And the spoils of victory may just go to the men and women possessed of the coldest steel...and the coldest hearts. For when rulers clash, all of the land feels the tremors.

***

 

George R.R. Martin has created a world that I've completely fallen in love with. He writes such wonderful high fantasy. A Clash of Kings picks up where A Game of Thrones leaves off, and it doesn't disappoint. It is a rather large book at over 1,000 pages. However, the story is so seamless and enticing that you'll find yourself flying through it.

 

In this book we encounter our old favorites with the story moving steadily on. I must admit that Daenerys Targaryen and Tyrion Lannister are my favorites. I fell in love with them in the first book, and I think that their stories are progressing wonderfully. Daenerys or Dany, is known as 'The Mother of Dragons'. She is so appealing to a female reader, because she has amazing strength and determination. Tyrion is a favorite because he is extremely witty, and most can't look past his physical deformities to the incredible mind. The other characters: Bran, Jon Snow, Arya, Sansa, Cersei, etc. aren't lacking in the least. Each as a really strong story.

 

Thus far (I can't really speak about the others until I read them) this series is full of adventure, passion, suspense, and truly amazing characters. I never felt as if it were tedious or boring to read. In fact, I can't wait to pick up A Storm of Swords. This is definitely a must read for anyone who loves fantasy!

 

I rated this book 5 out of 5 stars on Goodreads.

currently

I'm making a boat load of things for Etsy.

(unfinished)

 

I'm also reading A Clash of Kings by George R.R. Martin. It's the second book in the Song of Ice and Fire series (Game of Thrones). I'm approximately 80% into it, and it's spectacular. It really is such a wonderful series. I may do a review after I'm finished.



acrylic

Good news, I can actually feel textures with my thumb now. The numbness is almost completely gone.
To celebrate I bought some acrylic paints (I hadn't used it in quite a while), paper, canvases, and brushes.
I played around today & this was the result:

 

 

I'm really looking forward to getting back into painting. It's pretty exciting.

I also purchased quite a bit of crafting materials for my Etsy store.

 



the fault in our stars review

 

 

 

Despite the tumor-shrinking medical miracle that has bought her a few years, Hazel has never been anything but terminal, her final chapter inscribed upon diagnosis. But when a gorgeous plot twist named Augustus Waters suddenly appears at Cancer Kid Support Group, Hazel’s story is about to be completely rewritten.

 

*** 

 

To say this book was a profound read is such an understatement. It is magic. John Green created such a beautiful, heart wrenching, and raw world. It is easily in my top three favorite books ever. I'm so glad that I dusted it off of my to-read list. I haven't cried so much while reading a book in a very long time.

The story centers around terminally ill Hazel Grace and a boy that she meets named Augustus Waters. Both are extraordinary characters with incredible depth, feeling, and wit. Despite having cancer that has ravaged her body, Hazel is amazing. Just amazing. Throughout the book we see inside of her head, how she grows, and how she becomes her own person. Augustus Waters was my favorite character. He was incredible, and so philosophically beautiful.

I think that when you read something that has such a profound effect on you it's difficult to put into words, so I've had this review sitting in my drafts for a few weeks. I had absolutely no idea how I wanted to write it without giving spoilers. Just trust me when I say that if you haven't read it, you must!

I gave this book 5 out of 5 stars on Goodreads.

 

 



clockwork princess review

 

The final book in the Infernal Devices Trilogy



Tessa Gray should be happy – aren’t all brides happy?
Yet as she prepares for her wedding, a net of shadows begins to tighten around the Shadowhunters of the London Institute.
A new demon appears, one linked by blood and secrecy to Mortmain, the man who plans to use his army of pitiless automatons, the Infernal Devices, to destroy the Shadowhunters. Mortmain needs only one last item to complete his plan. He needs Tessa. And Jem and Will, the boys who lay equal claim to Tessa’s heart, will do anything to save her.

***

 

 

Warning: This review may contain spoilers.

 

 

***

 

 

Cassandra Clare wrapped up the trilogy very nicely. In fact, I believe that she couldn't have written it any better. I wasn't sure if I could write a review that would do justice to how wonderful this book was to read. I felt as if I had a 'book hangover' after finishing it. It was quite possibly the best of the trilogy.

Every issue that had been left unresolved was cleared up. I was very happy with the way the author handled the love triangle of Tess, Will, and Jem. It was beautiful and heartbreaking.
The entire book (as well as the others) was an emotional rollercoaster. The epilogue in particular wrenched at my heart, and left me in tears.

Each character grew so much throughout the books, especially Will. I honestly fell in love with  him and even more so in this book. He became such an amazing and indepth character. We saw his passion, gentleness, determination, and heartache. He was so real and raw.

The Mortmain storyline within the book is also concluded very nicely. I strongly disliked him (as well as most everyone who has read the books probably does). I'm glad that there was a definite resolution.

Overall, as I said before the book is absolutely amazing. I would highly recommend it. This trilogy made me fall in love with steampunk/fantasy novels. I'm sad to see it end, but I'm excited to start The Mortal Instruments series.

I rated this book 5 out 5 stars on Goodreads.

 

a to z: a bookish survey

I stole this survey from Anna Reads.

Author you've read the most books from:
There are a few: Alan Bradley, Charlaine Harris, M.C. Beaton, J.K. Rowling, & honestly that's all that comes to mind. Although I'm sure there are more. (I couldn't pick just one!)

Best Sequel Ever:
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets.

Currently Reading:
The Girl in the Steel Corset by Kady Cross & The Lady Elizabeth by Alison Weir.

Drink of Choice While Reading:
A grande White Chocolate Mocha Espresso from Starbucks, or a really strong, good cup of black tea.

E-reader or Physical Book?
This is always such a difficult question for me to answer. I love my Kindle & the iPad reading apps, but I also really love physical books. I would say that I'm slightly more partial to physical.

Fictional Character You Probably Would Have Actually Dated in High School:Will Herondale from the Infernal Devices Trilogy by Cassandra Clare.

Glad You Gave This Book A Chance:

The Girl in the Steel Corset. The cover threw me off (the saying is true - don't judge until you've read), but so far it's an excellent read! 

Hidden Gem Book:
The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie by Alan Bradley. (The first book in the Flavia De Luce series)

Important Moment in your Reading Life:
I think a big defining moment for me was when I read Jane Eyre and Wuthering Heights for the first time when I was about 12. Starting this blog and reviewing books has been a pretty big defining moment also.

Just Finished:
The Knife of Never Letting Go by Patrick Ness. It was an alright read.

Kinds of Books You Won’t Read:
I don't enjoy romances or hardcore scifi. I wouldn't really read those two genres.

Longest Book You’ve Read:
Probably The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest by Stieg Larsson. It's 832 pages long. 

Major book hangover because of:
Clockwork Prince by Cassandra Clare. Oh my god I can't wait to read Clockwork Princess. 

Number of Bookcases You Own:

Two, and I desperately need more.

One Book You Have Read Multiple Times:
Wuthering Heights.

Preferred Place To Read:

Bed, outside on the deck, in a hot bubble bath, curled up on the couch, Starbucks, at the park...practically any place. 

Quote that inspires you/gives you all the feels from a book you’ve read:
“She burned too bright for this world.” Emily Bronte - Wuthering Heights

Reading Regret:
I regret reading some books that were really terribly written. I also regret not reading a few books before watching the movie. 

Series You Started and Need to Finish (all books are out in series): 
The Wheel of Time series by Robert Jordan and the Crown of Stars series by Kate Elliot.

Three of your All-Time Favorite Books:
Oh wow this is unbelievably hard for me. In no particular order I'm going to say: Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone (because it was the first book in a series that I just completely fell in love with), The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy (phenomenal), and Wuthering Heights (sorry for all of the Wuthering Heights references, lol).

Unapologetic Fangirl For:
Cassandra Clare, Douglas Adams, & JK Rowling.

Very Excited for This Release More Than All the Others:
Dead Ever After (A Sookie Stackhouse novel) by Charlaine Harris.

Worst Bookish Habit:
Reading in a bubble bath & getting the pages spotty with water. Bending spines & pages. 

X Marks The Spot: Start at the top left of your shelf and pick the 27th book:
The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath.

Your latest book purchase:
Clockwork Princess by Cassandra Clare, Bloodlines by Richelle Mead, & Nightshade by Andrea Cremer.

ZZZ-snatcher book (last book that kept you up WAY late):
All Cassandra Clare books that I've read. 

clockwork prince review

Taken from Goodreads: 

In magical Victorian London, orphan Tessa found safety with the Shadowhunters, until traitors betray her to the Magister. He wants to marry her, but so do self-destructive Will and fiercely devoted Jem. Mage Magnus Bane returns to help them. Secrets to her parentage lie with the mist-shrouded Yorkshire Institute's aged manager Alyosius Starkweather.

This book, this trilogy is amazing!

I seriously have little to no issues with any of it. I think that it was superbly written. The setting of a slightly altered Victorian England is interesting and magnificent. The characters feel very real and you develop a relationship with them based on either love or hate.
I found myself completely zoned out while reading it. Zoned out like I didn't realize anyone else was in the room with me. It's truly that captivating. 
I don't want to give any spoilers away, but I will say that I have a new found appreciation for Will. I believe that the first book was written so that we would misjudge him, and Clockwork Prince clarifies some of the reasons why Will is who he is.
We see the relationships between several of the characters tested in different ways. Some prove themselves more worthy than previously thought, and others less.
I can't wait to read Clockwork Princess!

I rated this book 5 out of 5 stars on Goodreads.

book haul

(& a cute photo)

Picked up three new books today! Always exciting. 

First off I have American Gods by Neil Gaiman. Seriously, you can never ever go wrong with Neil Gaiman. He's pretty much up there with Pratchett. He has written fantastic books like Good Omens, The Graveyard Book, and Coraline. I've read reviews for American Gods, and it had sat on my 'to-read' shelf on Goodreads for quite some time. This is the one that I chose to read first.

The second book that I have is The Knife of Never Letting Go by Patrick Ness. Honestly I don't really know very much about this book. I read a brief description in the jacket, and thought that it sounded really interesting. 

Lastly, I couldn't find Clockwork Princess (remedying that by purchasing it on Amazon for my Kindle), so I picked up the first book in the Mortal Instruments series called City of Bones by Cassandra Clare. This will be a later read, after I finish Clockwork Princess.

What books have you picked up recently?

saturday

Spending a relaxing, rainy Saturday afternoon reading Clockwork Prince.

It's fantastic! 

moya

I love, love, love this furry girl! :) 

Thought I would share a photo of her after our nap earlier. She's such a wonderful dog.

gathering blue review

About the book, taken from Goodreads: 

In her strongest work to date, Lois Lowry once again creates a mysterious but plausible future world. It is a society ruled by savagery and deceit that shuns and discards the weak. Left orphaned and physically flawed, young Kira faces a frightening, uncertain future. Blessed with an almost magical talent that keeps her alive, she struggles with ever broadening responsibilities in her quest for truth, discovering things that will change her life forever.
As she did in The Giver, Lowry challenges readers to imagine what our world could become, and what will be considered valuable. Every reader will be taken by Kira's plight and will long ponder her haunting world and the hope for the future.

-

This novel is a companion to an earlier novel written by Lois Lowry called The Giver.

The story centers around Kira, who is left orphaned after her mother dies. Kira was born with a deformed, twisted leg. However, she has the gift of being able to use threads to create amazing and beautifully embroidered pieces.

After her mother's death Kira is called before the council, and charged by a woman in her village of being useless and worthless. If found guilty Kira would be left for dead.
The council, who have heard that Kira has a gift decides to spare her life if she will agree to sew the damaged robe used for her village's Gathering.
- 

Lois Lowry weaves a story that is beautiful and heartbreaking. The reader is drawn into Kira's world in such a way that it resonates with you for a while after you've read the last page.

I rated this book 4 out of 5 stars on Goodreads.

my girl & i

My girl & I. Our faces look funny. Moya's licking her nose, lol.

Top 10 Favorite Movies That Are Also Books

10. Sense and Sensibility
(Jane Austen)

9. Angela's Ashes
(Frank McCourt)

8. The Great Gatsby (1974 version)
(F. Scott Fitzgerald)

7. The Duchess
(Amanda Foreman)

6. The Other Boleyn Girl
(Philippa Gregory)

5. The Help
(Kathryn Stockett)

4. Wuthering Heights
(Emily Bronte)

3. Marie Antoinette
(called Marie Antoinette: The Journey by Antonia Fraser)

2. Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring
(J.R.R. Tolkien)

1. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone
(JK Rowling)

Book Haul

Today I picked up three new books:

Gathering Blue by Lois Lowry is a companion novel to The Giver. I read The Giver when I was a junior in high school. It was required reading, but I found that it really resonated with me. I've already started to read Gathering Blue, and it seems like it is going to be such an amazing read. 

Clockwork Prince by Cassandra Clare is the second book in the Infernal Devices trilogy. I just finished the first, Clockwork Angel. It was incredible, so I couldn't help myself when I saw the second. I like to give myself a bit of time before reading the next book in a trilogy series, so I've decided to read this one after Gathering Blue (if I can stay committed to that because it's difficult to not want to devour it). I recently did a review of Clockwork Angel on this blog.

I also picked up from Aiden a copy of a book that helps you learn Esperanto. Esperanto is an international language that is spoken by approximately 2 million people. It's an easier language to learn than most. I've studied French and will again, so I think that this will be helpful in learning another language. 

What have you picked up recently?

What I'm Reading

Recently I picked up a copy of "Clockwork Angel" by Cassandra Clare. It is the first book in the Infernal Devices trilogy.
I adore watching book review vlogs or vlogs from readers in general. I found a video on Youtube from a vlogger who was showcasing her bookshelves and giving a brief description of each book. Clockwork Angel was one of those books. It looked insanely interesting to me.

From Amazon:

Magic is dangerous--but love is more dangerous still.

When sixteen-year-old Tessa Gray crosses the ocean to find her brother, her destination is England, the time is the reign of Queen Victoria, and something terrifying is waiting for her in London's Downworld, where vampires, warlocks and other supernatural folk stalk the gaslit streets. Only the Shadowhunters, warriors dedicated to ridding the world of demons, keep order amidst the chaos.

Kidnapped by the mysterious Dark Sisters, members of a secret organization called The Pandemonium Club, Tessa soon learns that she herself is a Downworlder with a rare ability: the power to transform, at will, into another person. What's more, the Magister, the shadowy figure who runs the Club, will stop at nothing to claim Tessa's power for his own.

Friendless and hunted, Tessa takes refuge with the Shadowhunters of the London Institute, who swear to find her brother if she will use her power to help them. She soon finds herself fascinated by--and torn between--two best friends: James, whose fragile beauty hides a deadly secret, and blue-eyed Will, whose caustic wit and volatile moods keep everyone in his life at arm's length...everyone, that is, but Tessa. As their search draws them deep into the heart of an arcane plot that threatens to destroy the Shadowhunters, Tessa realizes that she may need to choose between saving her brother and helping her new friends save the world...and that love may be the most dangerous magic of all. 

This book is truly magical.
The setting, plot, & characters are fantastic. I've fallen in love with Tessa & Jem, & have found myself in a love/hate relationship with Will (mind you I've a little over 50 pages before I finish it).
I have a feeling that this trilogy is going to be one of my favorites.


edit: Finished the book this evening. I absolutely loved it! I'm still a little iffy about Will. I know that so much more is going on with him than meets the eye. This book is a must read!