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Top Ten Tuesday:Top Ten favorite beginnings/ending in Books 

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Jeni's Picks:

1.Flipped by Wendelin Van Draanen: This is a book for 5th graders but I loved it. The

beginning and end are both cute. The movie follows closely to the book and is adorable. I recommend this book to anyone that knows a 10-14 year old girl. 

2. The Thief by Megan Whalen Turner: I have mentioned this book before but it is one of my favorite reads. The ending to this book is so fantastic. The whole series is great and I highly recommend them.

3. Persuasion by Jane Austen: The love letter at the end of this book is one of the best I have ever read. So romantic. Loved, loved, Loved it. 

4. Spell Bound by Rachel Hawkins: This book is the final book in the Hex Hall series. Lately, I haven't been happy with endings to popular trilogies but this series had an ending I was happy with. Rachel Hawkins is an awesome author to meet in person, so if she ever comes to a town near you definitely go. 

5. The Hourglass Door by Lisa Mangum: This is the first book in a trilogy. I finished this book while camping and was like NOOOO. I couldn't wait to find out what happened next so I had my husband drive me into town to buy the next book. This is another series that I really liked the ending too. Lisa Mangum is also a fabulous author to meet in person

Emily's Picks:

6. A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens. Who can ever forget the first line in this book? It stands out simply because everyone remembers that first line.."it was the best of times, it was the worst of times.." and of course  you have to read on to figure out why. Mr. Dickens books are heavy, both in words and length but this beginning sure is one you won't forget.

7. The Elfstones of Shannara by Terry Brooks. This book is one my favorite in the original Shannara trilogy.  And the ending, which I won't give away, was sad and yet fitting.  I really like this series and have started reading the entire series starting in chronological order this time, with the Knight of the Word books.  Terry Brooks writes High Fanasty at its best. (Although the old covers could use some work, thank you for updating!)

8. The Runaway Jury by John Grisham.  This isn't my favorite John Grisham novel, I like the Pelican Brief.  But in terms of best ending or beginning, this book has the best ending.  I liked how Ncholas and Marlee work together  and get Rankin Fitch in the end because of his own greed and need to win.  

9. Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins.  This book was not my favorite in the Hunger Games trilogy.  But I liked the ending.  And yes, I picked a side, and I liked Peeta,.  There it's out in the open.

10. Enclave by Amm Aguirre. I saw this book on Amazon and decided to give it a try.  It was interesting.  I was actually surprised on how much I liked it to be honest.  It is yet another book that is going to be a trilogy and honestly, I liked how the book ended and where the characters were when the book ended, so I could be happy leaving them where they were and would more than likely not read the rest of the trilogy.  Unless someone can convince me that it really is worth my time to read yet another YA trilogy love triangle. 

Waiting on Wednesday: The Governess of Highland Hall

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

Book: The Governess of Highland Hall

Author: Carrie Turanksky

Release Date: October 15, 2013

From Goodreads:

Missionary Julia Foster loves working alongside her parents, ministering and caring for young girls in India. But when the family must return to England due to illness, she readily accepts the burden for her parents’ financial support. Taking on a job at Highland Hall as governess, she quickly finds that teaching her four privileged, ill-mannered charges at a grand estate is more challenging than expected, and she isn’t sure what to make of the estate’s preoccupied master, Sir William Ramsey. 

Widowed and left to care for his two young children and his deceased cousin Randolph’s two teenage girls, William is consumed with saving the estate from the financial ruin. The last thing he needs is any distraction coming from the kindhearted-yet-determined governess who seems to be quietly transforming his household with her persuasive personality, vibrant prayer life, and strong faith. 

While both are tending past wounds and guarding fragile secrets, Julia and William are determined to do what it takes to save their families—common ground that proves fertile for unexpected feelings. But will William choose Julia’s steadfast heart and faith over the wealth and power he needs to secure Highland Hall’s future?

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Top Ten Tuesday: Topics that make you not pick up a book

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Jen's Picks:

1. Erotica: Just not into it.

2. Western: Marcia Lynn McClure is probably the only author that has ever interested me in westerns.  I really loved her book Weathered to Young.  But other than that, I haven't read any other westerns. 

3. SciFi: I can sometimes be persuaded to read this genre. I read Across the Universe and loved it, but I would never pick this genre up on my own. 

4. Horror: The older I get the less daring I am. I'm sure I would've been able to handle this genre as a teenager but as an adult I know that reading a horror book would lead to nightmares. I prefer to have my dreams nightmare free. 

5. Self-help: I just think these books look boring. I don't need anybody else telling me how I should act. My mom did a pretty good job of raising me and most of her advice has been great. So if i need help I'll ask her and if not what are friends for. 

Emily's Picks

6. Chick-lit: I have a hard time reading this genre, and unless the book comes highly recommended, I avoid these books.

7. Steam punk: usually I avoid these books because they are usually a little too punk and weird for me, with the some exceptions.  I would highly recommend Chris Wooding.

8. Steven King. I like ghost stories, I like atmosphere and being scared, to the point of hiding in my covers, however, I do not like being freaked out to the point where I can't sleep. And his books do that to me.  And his picture on the back of his books?  His picture alone creeps me out.

9. Cheesy Fantasy Novel covers.  You know the ones I am talking about, right?  The covers are horrific, and the characters look like they are one step away from being on a comic book?  And the women all look like guys fantasy art?  There are a lot of really good fantasy novels out there, and fantasy gets a lot of bad rap because of the cover art. ENOUGH SAID.

10. Angels. Now, don't get me wrong, there are some angel books out there that are pretty decent, but suddenly it's the new thing since Vampires started sparkling. But it's not my favorite thing to read about.  How many times can I read about Half Angels?  And I don't buy the whole genre. Because my idea of an Angel and this genre just aren't meshing well.

Waiting On Wednesday: World After

Book: World After

Author: Susan Ee

Release Date: November 19th, 2013

From Goodreads:

     In this sequel to the bestselling fantasy thriller, Angelfall, the survivors of the angel apocalypse begin to scrape back together what's left of the modern world.

     When a group of people capture Penryn's sister Paige, thinking she's a monster, the situation ends in a massacre. Paige disappears. Humans are terrified. Mom is heartbroken.

     Penryn drives through the sttreets of San Francisco looking for Paige. Why are the streets so empty? Where is everybody? Her search leads her into the heart of the angel's secret plans where she catches a glimpse of their motivations, and learns the horrifying extent to which the angels are willing to go. 

     Meanwhile, Raffe hunts for his wings. Without them, he can't rejoin the angels, can't take his rightful place as one of their leaders. When faced with recapturing his wings or helping Penryn survive, which will he choose? 

Why I'm waiting: 

I enjoyed the first book and am anxious to see what happens next. It has been a long wait but the release date is getting closer. 

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Top Ten Tuesday: Top Ten best/worst book to movie adaptations. 

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Jeni's Picks:

 1. The Bourne Identity: This is one movie I loved better then the book. The book was boring. The movie was awesome.  I was skeptical about Matt Damon being Jason Bourne but his performance was mouth watering. 

 2. Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Lightning Thief: I was so mad at the casting of this movie. The actors were to old for what I imagined. This movies just didn't do it for me. The book was so much better.

 3. Kiss the Girls. This one was a toss up for me. I liked both. I loved Morgan Freeman and Ashley Judd in the movie. I thought the book was more suspenseful but still this pick is a toss up.

     

 4. The Client: Another toss up for me. I loved both the book and the movie. I've watched the movie a couple of times but I've only read the book once. So maybe the movie wins. 

 5. Something Borrowed: The book is the winner here. The movie wasn't horrible but I'll stick with the book. I liked Jennifer Goodwin but Kate Hudson bombed for me. 

Emily's Pick
1. Pride and Prejuidice BBC Adadaption: the BBC has it made. Both adaptations are pretty good, but the eye candy, alla, Colin Firth, helps. They stay true to the book in this adaptation, and you like the characters.  They play them well.

2. Ella Enchanted: I had no idea that this movie was adapted from a book the first time I watched it.  I loved the movie and when I found out it was a book, I read it. The book was nothing like the movie!  I loved both, but come on hollywood!  

3. Les Miserables: So, I read this book in high school as part of an english assignment.  My teacher took the time to explain every aspect of this book to us. I had heard the music before, but had never seen the musical.  And then saw the musical at an outside theater where I live and thought..I will just read the book. And then the movie came out recently.  I fell in love with the movie and music.

4. The Host: I had a hard time with both the book and movie, but I hated the movie.  The echoing voice?  Really?  Give your audience some credit. 

5. The Runaway Jury: I enjoyed the book, it was interesting and I liked the twists and turns.  I enjoy courtroom dramas. And I like legal drama reads.  However, the movie?  They changed too much of the plot line, the big bad cigerette company changed to a gun company and it wasn't as intense. I would pick the book over the movie any day.