Top Ten Tuesday: Books Which Feature Characters Who _____ (are musically inclined, have lost someone, have depression, who grow up poor, etc.)

brought to you by: the broke and the bookish

Jeni's picks:Travel in Time

1.Ruby Red by Kerstin Gier

I absolutely love this series. My daughter and I read it together and then watched the movie. We don't recommend the movie but we definitely recommend the book. 

2. Waterfall by Lisa Tawn Bergren

Another great YA time travel series. 

3. Timeless by Alexandra Monir

I really enjoyed the first book but haven't read the second. My niece promises me I'll like it. I should probably  re-read this one first. 

4. When you Reach Me by Rebecca Stead

This book is fantastic. I loved it and didn't' want to put it down. Her next book Liar and Spy is also a fun read. 

5. Hourglass by Myra McEntire

I liked this series. 

6. The Rose Garden by Susanna Kearsely

Anything by Susanna Kearsley is great. This is the first book I read by her and after finishing it I went out and bought all her other books. 

7. A Desperate Fortune by Susanna Kearsley 

Her new book. Loved it. I was so excited that our local indie store King's English had signed copies. 

8. Tempus by  Tyra Lynn

I'm not sure if this author will ever finish this series. She hasn't posted anything new on her blog since 2012.  Which is sad because I actually liked this book and was looking forward to reading the next. 

9. The Clay Lion by Amalie Jahn

Fun quick read. 

10. A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens

A Christmas classic. 

Emily's Pick. Characters who can see the dead

1. Loose Ends by Terri Reid

2. The Near Witch by Victoria Schwab.

 If you like Patricia McKillip or Robin McKinley than you will enjoy this book.  It's lyrical and strange and lovely. 

3.A Drowned Maiden's Hair by Laura Amy Schlitz. 

This book is based at the height of the seance craze, when any one whose was any one held one.  And people took advantage of this.  It's a story about a young girl caught in the middle of a con, and what happens when you discover that you care for the people you are trying to swindle.



4. The Body Finder by Kimberly Derting.

I liked the first book in this series, and would recommend this.  I loved how the main character could see the shadow of a dead thing, and how this helps her, but also gets her into trouble.





5. Born at Midnight by C.C. Hunter.

For those looking for a light, and I mean a light read, this is it.  I thought this series was fluff in the best sense, ghosts, vampires, werewolves and crazy immortals, who wouldn't want to read this?





6. A Great and Terrible Beauty by Libba Bray.

 Now, this series wasn't my favorite, but I think it deserves a place on this list.  It was interesting, and I like the fact that it isn't just another love story.  It's about friends, and what happens when friends discover magic and the power it gives them.




7. Shattered Souls by Mary Lindsey.

 I read this a while ago, but I would recommend it to those looking for a YA book with the paranormal in mind.






8. Grave Witch by Kalayna Price.

I just read this book, and while this is on the more um, shall we say mature side of things?  I actually enjoyed the characters and thought this was a great weekend read.





9.  Silence (Queen of the Dead #1) Michelle Sagara.

 This book was ok. It was YA, and it felt YA. I stopped reading it about 50 pages into it. If that gives you any idea on how much I enjoyed it.





10. The Restorer (Graveyard Queen #1) by Amanda Stevens.

 I had this book on my kindle for a long time, and when I say a long time, while it was sitting on my kindle, the author had books 2, and 3 out. Yeah, so I was a little behind.  But, for this being self published I really enjoyed it. And I would recommend it if you like ghost stories. 

Top Ten Tuesday: Favorite Authors

brought to you by: the broke and the bookish

Jeni's Picks: 

1. Sarah M. Eden: The first book I read The Kiss of a Stranger was fantastic. I read it in less than 3 hours and wanted to read it again. I've read every book she has written. 

2. Julie Klassen: The Maid at Fairbourne Hall is my favorite book but I've enjoyed all her others. She has two books coming out this year. Yeah!!!

3. Jennifer A. Nielsen: (Middle grade author)The False Prince, The Runaway King and The Shadow Throne are by far my favorite trilogy. They are even better if you read them aloud. She is always kind to the kids I bring to book signings. She encourages them to write and even stated if they ever get published to let her know so she can read their books too. 

4. Rosamunde Pilcher: My grandma introduced me to this authors books when I was about 14. I reread them once a year usually right before summer. 

I was devastated when she stated The Winter Soltice would be her last book. 

5. Rachel Hawkins: The Hex Hall trilogy was hilarious. I recommend them to everyone, even if they don't like paranormal books. My next door neighbor's husband even read them, and of course loved them too. 

6. Kerstin Gier: Her Ruby Red trilogy is one of my favorite time travel books. I hate waiting for trilogies to be finished and was tempted to learn German to try and read these before they were translated. 

7. Mary Higgins Clark: I have always loved reading but when I was 16 my grandma gave me Love Music, Loves to Dance, and it was like I fell in love with reading all over again.  It was my first adult mystery and after that I read all her books. I went on to read James Patterson, Vince Flynn and  David Morrell. It's weird I don't really read mystery anymore. 

8. Stephen Lawhead: The King Raven trilogy  and The Dragon King  trilogy were fun to read. My dad and I read them together so we could have a discussion after. 

9. Matthew Kirby: (middle grade author) Everything he writes is so different but just as well written. His Clockwork Three is still my favorite but I really enjoyed Icefall too. 

10. Jessica Day George: I love everything she has written. Her Princess of the Midnight Ball is my favorite retelling of the Twelve Dancing Princesses.  She has quite a few books coming out in the near future. Lucky for us. 

 Emily's Picks

1. Robin McKinley. The Blue Sword and The Hero and The Crown were one of my favorites as a teen and I still read them.  I also love her Beauty story.

2. Jane Austen. Classic books can be a struggle to read at times, their wording can be difficult to read but I love how Jane Austen writes.  Emma is my favorite.

3. Chris Wooding.  The first book I read of his was Poison, and I highly recommend it.  And then I read The Haunting of Alaizbel Cray. Read it.

4. Neil Gaiman. I loved the movie Stardust so I was instantly interested in the book and the author.  I loved the book even better!  And I loved his book Neverwhere. I love that he manages to be creepy, but not.

5. Laurie R King I love her Mary Russell series. I was never a fan of Sherlock Holmes..at least not the books, the show, now that is another matter...but this series is has me rethinking Mr. Holmes.

6. Barbara Michaels. If you are ever in the mood for a good old gothic romance this is your lady. I read her stuff at least once a year.

7 P.D. James. Her book An Unsuitable Job for A Woman was at once funny and serious.

8. Michael Pollan.  He wrote In Defense of Food and The Omnivores Dilemma. If you ever want to read about how and why what we should eat read his books.  I re-read them all the time.

9. Patrica Mckillip.  She writes in this lyrical form that is both beautiful and somewhat frustrating!  But I love her books.  Harpist in the Wind is a must read if you are new to the fantasy genre or if you haven't read any of her books

Top Ten Tuesday: Ten inspiring quotes from books

brought to you by: the broke and the bookish

Jeni's Picks:

1. "Don't think or judge, just listen."-Sarah Dessen, Just Listen

2. "Sometimes you have to be apart from people you love, but that doesn't make you love them any less. Sometimes you love them more." -Nicholas Sparks, The Last Song

3. "There is not always a good guy. Nor is there always a bad one. Most people are somewhere in between." -Patrick Ness, A Monster Calls

4. “A person can be educated and still be stupid, and a wise man can have no education at all.” 

--Jennifer A. Nielsen, The False Prince

5. “Boredom is what happens to people who have no control over their minds.” 

--Rebecca Stead, Liar & Spy

6. “All reality is a blender where hopes and dreams are mixed with fear and despair.” 

―Holly Goldberg, Counting by 7's

7. “Words provide a voice to our deepest feelings. I tell you, words have started and stopped wars. Words have built and lost fortunes. Words have saved and taken lives. Words have won and lost great kingdoms. Even Buddha said, 'Whatever words we utter should be chosen with care, for people will hear them and be influenced by them for good or ill.” 

― Cameron Wright, The Rent Collector 

8.“Some of us get dipped in flat, some in satin, some in gloss...." He turned to me. "But every once in a while, you find someone who's iridescent, and when you do, nothing will ever compare.” 

―Wendelin Van Draanen, Flipped

9.“The best remedy for those who are afraid, lonely or unhappy is to go outside, somewhere where they can be quite alone with the heavens, nature and God. Because only then does one feel that all is as it should be and that God wishes to see people happy, amidst the simple beauty of nature. As longs as this exists, and it certainly always will, I know that then there will always be comfort for every sorrow, whatever the circumstances may be. And I firmly believe that nature brings solace in all troubles.” 

―Anne Frank, The Diary of a Young Girl

10. “Worry does not empty tomorrow of its sorrow, it empties today of its strength.” 

―Corrie Ten Boom, Clipping from my Notebook

Re-Read The Merchant's Daughter by Melanie Dickerson

hosted by:  Belle of the Literati and So Obsessed With.

Genre: Historical Fiction, Christian Fiction

Publisher: Zondervan

Publication: December 4, 2011

Source: Kindle

From Goodreads:

An unthinkable danger. An unexpected choice. Annabel, once the daughter of a wealthy merchant, is trapped in indentured servitude to Lord Ranulf, a recluse who is rumored to be both terrifying and beastly. Her circumstances are made even worse by the proximity of Lord Ranulf s bailiff a revolting man who has made unwelcome advances on Annabel in the past. Believing that life in a nunnery is the best way to escape the escalation of the bailiff s vile behavior and to preserve the faith that sustains her, Annabel is surprised to discover a sense of security and joy in her encounters with Lord Ranulf. As Annabel struggles to confront her feelings, she is involved in a situation that could place Ranulf in grave danger. Ranulf s future, and possibly his heart, may rest in her hands, and Annabel must decide whether to follow the plans she has cherished or the calling God has placed on her heart." 

When I first Read

February 2012

What I Remember

I enjoyed it. I love fairy tale retellings and Beauty and the Beast is one of my favorites. 

Why I wanted to Re-Read

I've been on a  re-reading binge of historical/christian novels and I remember liking this one. I know it was a fast read and it would entertain me on the four hour flight to New York.  

How I felt after Re-Reading

I think I actually enjoyed the book more this time. I still hate her brothers and wish something horrible would've happened to them. 

Would  I Re-Read Again

Yes, definitely. I think this is my favorite Melanie Dickerson book. 

 Top Ten Tuesday: Characters We Wish We Could Check in With

brought to you by: the broke and the bookish

Jeni's Picks: 

1. Katie, Jospeh and Tavish from Hope Springs by Sarah M. Eden: I loved this book but I wish we could see what happens to the boy that wasn't chosen. The author has hinted that his book is coming. 

2. Carley Connors from One for the Murphy's by Lynda Mullaly Hunt: I would love to know how the rest of her life plays out. 

3. Juli and Bryce from Flipped by Wendelin Van Draanen: I would love to see a glimpse of these characters in their high school years or maybe even college. Do they stay life long friends or do they marry? 

4. Zoe from Heavenly by Jennifer Laurens: I loved the ending of this book but there were so many unanswered questions. 

5. Jesse from Tuck Everlasting by Natalie Babbitt: What ever happens to him? Does he ever find love?

Emily's Picks

1. Luthe from the Hero and The Crown and The Blue Sword by Robin Mckinley. I loved his character and I would love a book where it was all about him, in the hopes that he finds love again.

2. Skeeter and Aibileen from The Help by Kathryn Stockett. Actually, I would like a whole book about all the women in the Help to see how they were doing.

3. Draco Malfoy from Harry Potter Series by J.K. Rowling. We have all read Harry's story.  It would be interesting to hear Darco's side of the story don't you think?  He really wasn't all that bad, he had his moments of almost goodness.

4. Mary Margaret from Flecks of Gold by Alicia Buck.  This was a surprise hit for me, and I would like to see this character and this world again.

5. Deirdre Monaghan by Maggie Stiefvater. I loved this book, I liked almost more than Wondrous Strange. And although there is a 2nd book it follows her friend.  But I wish she would go back and follow Deirdre again.  I want her story to continue.  Which is almost odd for more, because sometimes I hate reading a series..um think The Immortal Instruments .....(7 books when it could end at four easily?)