Top Ten Tuesday: Unfinished Series

Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme created by The Broke and the Bookish.

 

Top Ten Series I Haven't Finished

I am terrible at finishing series. Just terrible. If I don't have access to the next book right away, I get distracted by something shiny and new and before I know it, months, even years have passed and still I haven't read the whole series. There are one or two series I've given up on by choice, but most of my list are just a victim of my poor attention span and I have the best of intentions to finish them. Soon.

10. The Hush, Hush series.

OK, I did say there were one or two I've given up by choice. This is one of them. I enjoyed Hush, Hush in an I-know-I-shouldn't-but-this-is-really-entertaining way. But I thought Crescendo was a confusing mess and the cliffhanger annoyed me. When I heard that Silence was more of the same, with another cliffhanger, I was done.

9. The Gossip Girl series.

Another deliberate drop. I started reading the books because I loved the TV series, but the TV series gave the characters a lot more depth - I couldn't stand them in the books and four books in, I gave them up.

8. The Divergent series.

This will probably shock a lot of lovers of this series, but while I liked Divergent, I wasn't "Oh my god, 5 stars!" about it. I just liked it. And when Insurgent was heavily promoted at the beginning of the year, I wasn't really feeling the hype. I do intend to read it, because I do really like Tris as a heroine, but I'm not in any particular hurry.

7. Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Season 8.

Buffy is my favourite TV show of all time. I read the comic book continuation because I will take the characters and the universe in any way I can get them. But it's been really trying to keep up with the comics and read about much-loved characters acting completely differently or even dying. I'm undecided about continuing; I'm wondering if I'd rather just keep the memories of the TV show.

6. The Sookie Stackhouse series.

Ah, Sookie Stackhouse. To be honest, not finishing the series has nothing to do with the books themselves - I've read 5 and enjoyed them all. It's my waning love for True Blood that's done it. And knowing there's something like 21 books in this series is a bit daunting, because at my speed, it'll take years more to finish. But I'm open to visiting Bon Temps again.

5. The Stephanie Plum series.

I actually love the Stephanie Plum books, but it doesn't take long to see that they're more than a little repetitive. Read too many in a row and they become a blur of Stephanie screwing up, eating junk food, flirting with Morelli and making jokes about Joyce and dogs, Vinnie and goats and how Lula used to be a ho. So you need to take a nice long break between books and only go back when you miss all that stuff. I don't know if I'll ever finish the entire series (will it matter? The characters will still be in the same place, no matter what) but I read one about yearly and I'm happy with that.

4. The Millennium trilogy.

I liked The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, but it wasn't an easy read, in size or in subject matter. I read it because of the hype, but I'm squeamish and Adult Crime is not my genre. I've heard good things about the next two books and I want to read them despite expecting more gruesome killings, but it's hard for me to pick up a book that's 500+ pages, when I know I could read 2 or 3 shorter books in the same time.

3. The Princess Diaries.

When I picked up the first Princess Diaries book, it was honestly one of the best reading experiences I've ever had. I devoured the next few and have read up to Book 5. Of course I want to read everything that happens to Mia but The Princess Diaries fell victim to the distracted-by-the-shiny-and-new thing. It's hard to keep the excitement going over 10 books and 8 years and The Princess Diaries fell down my list of book priorities. But I do want to finish it and I will.

2. The Gemma Doyle trilogy.

I only have the last book left to read, but have put it off because a)it's a massive 700 page-er and b) I've heard about the tree and I'm dreading that story development. I will read it, though; I want to finish this series before I start The Diviners and I want to start The Diviners, like, yesterday.

1. Vampire Academy.

Look, I love VA. I do! And I'm dying to find out what happens after Shadow Kiss. VA has just...gotten away from me somehow. Let's face it, with everybody moving onto Bloodlines, VA has become old news and there have been so many new books since then. But finishing it is my top series priority. Don't worry, Rose and Dimitri, I'm coming back to you!

Top Ten Tuesday: Freebie

Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme created by The Broke and the Bookish.

 

I wanted to do a list of my Top Ten Minor/Supporting Characters Ever, but I'm pretty tired after a long weekend trip and the thought of whittling the hundreds of supporting characters I've loved over the years into just ten, makes my brain hurt a little. So I've narrowed it down to my favourite supporting characters in books that have been published this year. These are the guys and gals who aren't the leads, but definitely made the books better.

Top Ten Minor and Supporting Characters of 2012 YA

10. Kanin from The Immortal Rules

As a tall, dark, mysterious vampire, Kanin is something of a cliché. But he is also a total boss, who teaches our heroine, Allie, how to live as a vamp. Extra points for teaching her how to wield a katana.

9. Chris from The Book of Blood and Shadow

The reader learns that Chris will die on the first page and as you read on, you realise it's a real shame, because he is the most likeable of all the characters. A loyal friend, a romantic boyfriend, sweet and funny - Chris was a real gem.

8. Hazel's mother from The Fault in Our Stars

I  can't even imagine the hell this woman goes through every day, knowing her only child could die at any time. But she bears it all with humour, patience and grace. I love that Hazel's mother allows her daughter the freedom to fall in love with a certain Mr Augustus Waters and her line: "I won't be a mom anymore" is one of many from this tear-jerker that broke my heart.

7. Len from When You Were Mine

In real life, girls, you do not want a Romeo, you want a Len. Len is smart enough to see through your façade and know how you're feeling underneath. Len is snarky enough to make you laugh at yourself and realise your problems aren't so big after all. Len is talented enough to inspire you, so you push yourself to become better. And Len's kisses are sweeter because of all that.

6. Starling from Wanderlove

Doesn't everyone want to meet a Starling? That girl who will take charge of your life and make it so much cooler? Our heroine, Bria, is inept at being a backpacker until Starling, the poster girl for such things, takes Bria under her wing and puts her together with everything she needs for the trip of a lifetime: the clothes, the know-how and the boy.

5. The Beast of Waroch from Grave Mercy

Honestly, Grave Mercy is chock-full of awesome supporting characters, so it was an extremely tough task for me to pick favourites. But none is more larger-than-life than the Beast; a man with a terrifying face but a totally kind heart. I have my finger's crossed that he will play a larger role (maybe even a love interest role?) in the sequel.

4. Roar from Under the Never Sky

Every story needs a bit of light relief and Roar provides it in Under the Never Sky. Travelling with main characters Perry and Aria, he's a bit of a third wheel to their budding romance, so he's in an excellent position to observe and say out loud the things that nobody else will. Also, Roar has a tragic backstory of his own and even only hearing about his feelings for Perry's sister, Liv, made me root for him, so I can't wait to see them together in the next book.

3. Diego from The Queen's Lady

Servant to the Lacey family, Diego gives all the Lacey boys a run for their money in looks, smarts and a way with women. Despite some slip-ups - where he insists on offering a herd of cows as payment for his true love, Milly - Diego is a romantic lover and it is so much fun to read about him sweeping Milly off her feet.

2. Sybella from Grave Mercy

Of course I couldn't limit myself to just one character from Grave Mercy. Every assassin nun deserves a spot, but none more so than Sybella, whose madness is as strong as her skill. You cannot not love a girl whose first wish after coming to her senses, is for a poison that will make a man's member shrivel and drop off.

1. Death from Bitterblue

Ah, Death (it rhymes with 'teeth'). Death has the Grace that every book-lover would kill for - he's Graced to read with super-speed and remember perfectly everything he has read. Bitterblue's librarian, he is of a prickly disposition and one of the only characters who will roll his eyes and talk back to the Queen. But inside he is as loyal as they come, honest to a fault and tirelessly works with Bitterblue to preserve the history of her queendom. Oh, and he loves his cat.

Top Ten Tuesday: Summer TBR List

Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme created by The Broke and the Bookish.

 

Top Ten Books on My Summer TBR List

10. The Summer Series by Jenny Han

I read the first book last summer, so the next three months are the perfect time to finish off this series. Jenny Han gives readers the perfect summer fantasy: a house on the beach, with a plethora of hot boys next door.

9. Pizza, Love and Other Stuff That Made Me Famous by Kathryn Williams

This looks so cute. Released in August, the combination of food and reality TV has me looking forward to a quirky read.

8. Changeling by Philippa Gregory

Philippa Gregory's books are always great beach reads; I'm hoping her first YA novel is no different.

7. The Dairy Queen trilogy by Catherine Gilbert Murdock

I only recently discovered this fabulous series and plan to finish it in the next few months. They're perfect summer books: Who wouldn't want to spend summer with a great gal like D. J Schwenk?

6. The False Prince by Jennifer Nielsen

I've read great reviews of this and just picked up a copy from the library. Royalty, castles, treasonous plots - I'm looking forward to getting stuck in.

5. When You Were Mine by Rebecca Serle

Surely summer is the time for a love story? I'm a bit apprehensive about this Romeo and Juliet retelling, as I know it turns Juliet into a villain. But a lot of people love it, so I'm willing to give it a try.

4. Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas

How bad-ass does this book look? It's released in August and I can't wait.

3. Girl of Nightmares by Kendare Blake

I really enjoyed Anna Dressed in Blood and the great reviews for the sequel have me counting down the days until the 7th of August.

2. The Miseducation of Cameron Post by Emily M. Danforth

I bought a copy of this a couple of months ago, but it's quite a long book and I've been waiting for the right time when I can take my time with it and enjoy it uninterrupted. I think summer is the right time.

1. For Darkness Shows the Stars by Diana Peterfreund

Diana Peterfreund is one of my favourite current authors and Persuasion, one of my favourite Jane Austen novels. Because I've followed Diana's development of this book on her blog, I feel like I've been waiting a long time for this retelling and am so glad it's finally been released, just in time for summer.

Top Ten Tuesday: Rewind

Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme created by The Broke and the Bookish.

 

Many times I have looked at the great past topics for Top Ten Tuesday and been sad that I discovered blogging and the meme so late and never got to do them. But now Rewind week has come along! This week we can do any past topic we choose and I have chosen:

Top Ten Characters That I'd Name My Children After

I've always thought it would be so cool to be named after a book character and be able to read about the adventures of your namesake. So, of course, I would like to give that coolness to my own children.

10. Daenerys from A Game of Thrones

Do I want to give birth to the Mother of Dragons? Hell yes!

9. Brandon from Sense and Sensibility

It feels like the Mr Darcys and Mr Knightleys are the Austen men who get all the love. Of course, I've swooned over them like any red-blooded female, but if I had to choose only one Austen hero to have in my life, it would be the quietly supportive Colonel Brandon from Sense and Sensibility. 

8. Briony from Atonement and Chime

I love this name - it somehow sounds both soft and sharp. So it's fitting that it's been given to two of the most complex characters I've ever read about. OK, so I hope that no child of mine (or anyone I know) would make as big a mistake as Briony from Atonement does, but as a lover of books, I've always been intrigued by the central idea of Atonement - that stories can take the place of real life, in both good and bad ways. And Briony from Chime? Well, she's convinced she's wicked, but she's really a good egg underneath it all: Intelligent, witty, loyal and kind.

7. Alanna from Song of the Lioness

I've already pledged to give any daughter of mine this as at least a middle name. For what little girl wouldn't want to be Alanna, the fearless girl who competes against every noble boy in the kingdom and bests them all? I can imagine the child now, begging me for amour and a sword.

6. Lucy from The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe

I'm from a family of four: two boys and two girls and when we were kids, we thought it was so great that we matched up perfectly with Pevensie family, so The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe was our favourite game to play together. As the youngest girl, I got to be Lucy. My siblings thought this was very fitting, as I would totally be the one to go exploring round an old house and find a magical wardrobe. So in a way, naming a daughter Lucy would be a cool way to name her after myself.

5. Nalia from The False Princess

Isn't this such a pretty name? But I can't reveal the meaning behind it without revealing the major twist of the book! I'll just say that it's a name that unites people.

4. Cassandra from I Capture the Castle

One of my favourite heroines of all time, I'm sure a daughter of mine would be honoured to bear the name of Cassanda Mortmain. I cannot promise her a castle, though.

3. Jude from Jude the Obscure

Jude is my favourite boy's name, with or without this Thomas Hardy novel. I wouldn't want a son of mine to have the life of unrelenting misery that most Hardy characters do, but I also can't help but love Hardy's protagonists and Jude Fawley is no different.

2. Éponine from Les Misérables

What is it with me and hopelessly tragic characters? But I adore Éponine with all my heart. She is just so headstrong and independent and brave and would do anything for the people she loves.

1. Matilda from Matilda

Matilda will always be such a special character for me, as she was the first one I ever recognised myself in, and it was in reading about her, that I discovered I could find a friend in books. I thought Matilda was just like me: a quiet, book-loving misfit and I can't even describe the jubilation I felt to see her become powerful and achieve all her dreams. My child will get a stack of Roald Dahl books to read and I hope that, like me, Matilda will be her favourite. If she manages to develop telekinetic abilities? Well, that could be useful.

Top Ten Tuesday: Books That Should Be Movies

Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme created by The Broke and the Bookish.

 

Top Ten Books I'd Like to See Made into a Movie

There are books that I love that I don't necessarily think will be good movies. This is usually because they'll either require serious CGI that'll probably be too costly (men turning into wolves in Sisters Red) or the book's strength is in the language, something that can't be reproduced on film (Daughter of Smoke and Bone). However, there are some books that I read and while doing so, I can actually see the movie playing in my head and I totally think it will work. These are those books:

10. Olivia Bean, Trivia Queen by Donna Gephart

This could totally be a Disney or Nickelodeon TV movie. It's cute, it's got a nice "follow your dreams!" message and Olivia could easily be an Alex Mack-style heroine for young girls.

9. Something from Tiffany's by Melissa Hill

I actually didn't like this book very much, probably because it was so obviously a movie and not a book. It's a romantic comedy set in New York and London at Christmas. It involves two couples and a Tiffany's engagement ring ending up with the wrong one. As a book, it wasn't really my thing, but cast some funny and likeable actors in the movie, show me lots of scenic shots of two cities that are particular wonderful at Christmastime and give me a lazy afternoon to enjoy it, and I think you have a guilty pleasure rom-com on your hands.

8. Valiant by Holly Black

This is a gritty contemp novel crossed with a fantasy one and I think the contrast between the bleak, dirty world of the teenager runaways and the fairy world would be very striking to depict on screen. Although there is magic in the novel, it's not the kind that would need the budget of the Harry Potter movies; there are only a few moments and I think they could be done inexpensively.

7. When You Reach Me by Rebecca Stead

The main reason I think this should be a movie is because Amandla Stenburg, who played Rue in The Hunger Games, would be a fantastic choice to play Julia and the filmmakers need to get on this now, before she's too old (Julia's not the main character, but she is my favourite one and must be cast right). This movie actually has a number of great roles for young actresses and could seriously launch the stars of tomorrow.

6. The Outcast by Sadie Jones

I've actually heard this is going to be a movie, but no news since then and many of these books get optioned, but nothing comes of it. This has to be a movie because, um, Lewis. It's so wrong to find that messed up kid sexy, yet I do. I needed to fan myself with the pages after his love scenes with several inappropriate woman, including his step-mother. I hope they cast a young actor who looks mature enough that I don't feel too dirty.

5. Uglies by Scott Westerfeld

One of the original YA dystopias and I think the plot and the world are simple enough (at least in the first book) to transfer to film without lots of heavy exposition scenes. Probably the biggest challenge will be finding Hollywood actors that can convincingly be the 'Uglies'.

4. Some Girls Are by Courtney Summers 

 

Mean Girls: Now Even More Hardcore seems like an easy sell to me. Seriously, while I think a movie would inevitably be made lighter than the novel, I think that could be done and still get the central message, of the bully become the bullied, across. Maybe pitched somewhere around the level of The Craft (but without magic).

 

3. The Scorpio Races by Maggie Stiefvater

I'd love it if this became a movie. Stiefvater did such a wonderful job describing the island of Thisby, I could really see it in my mind. I think there are a lot of images from the book that would  look beautiful on screen and don't films about horses always do well?

 

2. The Forest of Hands and Teeth by Carrie Ryan

Are there bad zombie movies? I've never seen one. And it would be great to have a zombie movie with a teen girl leading the beheading. There are a lot of 'made you jump!' moments from the book that I think would be even scarier visually.

 

1. Fire by Kristin Cashore

The world of Monsters is one that I would love to see with my own eyes - humans and animals of bright, vibrant colours will be stunning. OK, so medieval fantasy is an expensive genre to produce on film, which contradicts my original stance on what kind of books should be adapted. But I make an exception for this one, because I want to see the Seven Kingdoms come to life so badly.

Top Ten Tuesday: Tips for New Bloggers

Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme created by The Broke and the Bookish.

 

Top Ten Tips for New Bloggers

This is a Top Ten topic very near and dear to my heart, in that I've been doing a lot of soul-searching the last few months about what it takes to be a blogger and whether I really can/want to do it. I've only been blogging for a year and my blog is still small, so there will be advice much more valuable than mine, but I feel like I can offer a perspective on what it's like to start a blog and how different it is from your expectations.

10. Really think about what you want to achieve with your blog and what you want it to be.

I started my blog very uncertainly - so much so that I didn't even know if I wanted anybody to read it or not! I tried doing lots of different things with my blog, just because I thought it was what I should be doing and I wish I'd had a clear and pragmatic goal from the off. There are already hundreds, if not thousands of book blogs already out there, so you need to think to yourself: What can I bring to the blogosphere? There are bloggers who have huge followings and do a lot to promote books and generate buzz and there are blogs that do thoughtful discussion posts and there a blogs that run events and memes - the variety is huge. Think about what you'd enjoy and be good at and stick to that.

9. Participating in memes is the easiest way to build a following and interact with other bloggers.

When I started writing reviews, I was having a lot of fun getting my thoughts on a book out there. But with no followers, I did begin to wonder if it was enough. I was starting to feel like a madwoman, talking to herself all day. Even if your blog is just for you, nobody likes to feel like nobody else is listening to them, so you should check out other blogs and invite them to visit yours. The easiest way is with memes and they can be a lot of fun and I found they helped me get comfortable with commenting.

8. Don't compare yourself to other bloggers. 

There are bloggers who started out at the same time as me and their blogs became a hundred times more successful than mine. I'd sometimes feel bad about it: Why are they so much better at this than me? But there's no point in getting down; everyone is different and I don't even really want to be as successful as some other blogs, because I've had a glimpse of how much work it takes and I don't think I can do it. Your blog will grow at the pace that is right for you.

7. Make sure you are having fun and don't make your blog a burden.

Yes! You will not be paid to blog, so don't treat it as something you have to do - make sure it's something you want to do. Every blogger experiences burn-out at some point, and realises they have been pushing themselves too hard. Don't start thinking all your followers will desert you if you don't post every day. Relax. They won't.

6. Post what you want to post - don't chase after followers or trends.

I think this rarely works precisely because it is insincere. I haven't done anything too desperate, but I went through a phase where I picked the current popular books to review, because I thought more people would be interested in reading about them and be inclined to comment. But one of the things I actually dislike about the blogosphere is when you see the same books reviewed on every blog - I read blogs to be introduced to new reads! I think this goes back to having fun with your blog - read what you want to read and post what you want to post.

5.  Work on cultivating a few good friendships.

I've thought about deleting my blog many times in the last few months and one of the main things that has stopped me doing so, is how much I enjoy connecting to the small group of people I've met online. I have a few blogs that I regularly read and comment on and the other bloggers return the favour and it's such a nice thing to think there are some people who are interested in what you have to say. I know that I'll always read their posts and they'll read mine and that's actually enough for me.

4. Treat your followers now and again.

I've only hosted two giveaways but I'd love to again. I don't recommend having giveaways to gain followers; I did it because I honestly like making other people happy. Emailing people to tell them they've won is the most fun - you feel like a magical book fairy, granting wishes! 

3.  Join NetGalley.

I've drooled over many an ARC in an IMM, but I know I'm too cowardly to ever approach publishers myself. That's why NetGalley is so great - it was made for cowards! You only have to click a button to ask for something and if you're rejected, well, at least it's not to your face.

2.  Don't be afraid to change things up.

Early on in my blogging days, I wrote my reviews up as bullet points, but I quickly realised these didn't work and didn't give a reader a real feel of a book. I also used to participate in memes every week, but I've eased up on that now. I know my first point was to decide what your blog is and stick to it and this may seem contradictory. But what I mean is, don't let yourself be tossed every which way the wind blows because you're indecisive. Make choices you're sure about - and make new choices you're sure about when the time is right.

1. Be aware of how much time, effort, blood, sweat and tears are required to run a successful blog.

I really can't stress this enough. A successful blog takes W-O-R-K. If I had known how much, I probably would have been put off from ever starting one. If you want people to visit your blog and comment, you will have to visit theirs and this takes a lot of time. If you want to attract new readers, being on a number of different social media sites will help and this takes a lot of work. Making your blog attractive and memorable, with an original design may cost some money. Keeping on top of new releases takes effort. Reading enough books so that you can post regular reviews takes time. Coming up with other post topics takes effort. And this is ongoing and continuous - you can't take a day to comment on all the blogs, tweet and read something and think you're done for the month or even week. You have to keep these things up.

If this sounds like too much for you, don't be put off. That's where my number 5. tip comes in. Think small to start off: a small group of blogging friends, a few reviews, a couple of memes and you decide where you go from there.

Top Ten Tuesday: Books That Have Been On My Shelf For The Longest

Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme created by The Broke and the Bookish.

 

Top Ten Books That Have Been On My Shelf For The Longest But I've Never Read

This is the kind of Top Ten list I can create without even having to think about it. The books that have been on my TBR list the longest are always there in the back of mind, making me feel constantly guilty for not having read them.

10. What I Saw and How I Lied by Judy Blundell

Funny (ha ha) fact: I actually derived my blog name from the title of this book. Funnier (weird) fact: I still haven't read this yet.

9. Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell by Susana Clarke

It's the sheer size of this novel that always discourages me from reading it. I look at it and start to panic that it'll take me a year to finish.

8. Confessions of Georgia Nicolson series by Louise Rennison

I was determined to start this series and bought a bumper edition of the first four books. I think it's sat on my shelf unread for nearly 3 years now.

7. Jellicoe Road by Melina Marchetta

I'm positive I will love this book; I know it will be an amazing read. Perhaps I'm so sure that I've got to the point where I don't actually need to read it to prove this to myself? Seriously, my first reading resolution for 2012 is to finally read this book.

6. Princess of the Midnight Ball by Jessica Day George

I've disappointed myself by reading far fewer fairytale retellings than I would like to and thought that I would. I bought this one because The Twelve Dancing Princesses was one of my favourite stories as a child, but for some reason, this has never felt like an urgent must-read.

5. Nobody's Girl by Sarra Manning

I've read a couple of Sarra Manning books and really enjoyed them, so I have no idea why I just stopped dead with this book and never read it and haven't read anything else by the author for a couple of years, either. Why would I stop reading an author I enjoy? It's madness, but I just got distracted by all the other authors.

4. The Enemy by Charlie Higson

I love zombie novels and was eagerly anticipating this one. And yet...it remains on the bookshelf.

3. The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing by M. T. Anderson

I wonder if I'm a little intimidated by books with lots of shiny award medals on the front. I'm sure this is a great book and the premise really interests me. This is getting read soon. Honest.

2. Prep by Curtis Sittenfeld

When I first got back into YA, this was recommended to me as a great 'gateway' book, as it's kind of YA but also kind of adult. I guess I didn't need a gateway, because I went straight into YA and never looked back. I do want to read this, though.

1. Memoirs of a Geisha by Arthur Golden

This book takes pride of place on my bookshelf as the book I have kept the longest without reading it. I'm not even sure if I should read it anymore - 10 years ago, it sparked a trend and interest in geishas here in the West. I remember going to the bookshop and seeing the shelves filled with books about geisha-dom and people like Madonna wearing geisha-inspired fashion and make-up. I wanted to know what the fuss was about, bought the book, but then never read it, which sort of defeated my purpose. Now that geisha fever has come and gone, I wonder if there is any point reading this a decade after everybody else did. I guess I must think so, because I've kept it all the same.