Top Ten Favorite Heroines From Books                        

                    

brought to you by: the broke and the bookish

Emily's Picks:

1. Kasta from Graceling by Kristin Cashore. I like a girl who can stand on her own and who can show some grit.

2. Tess from Dragonswood by Janet Lee Carey Tess had some issues, but she showed strength and she powered through. Which is what a hero does.

3. Malorie from the Bird Box by Josh Malerman, This was an interesting read, and Malorie would be considered a unique hero.  She had to make horrible decision in order to protect her children.  I would highly recommend this book.

4. Flavia de Luce from Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie by Alan Bradley. What can I say?  This girl is brilliant, funny, and in the end she gets her man. or murderer.  So much fun to read.



5. Katniss Everdeen in the Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins. I had to put her on my list.  I would have to say that the first book is my favorite.  I loved Katniss in the first book, I believe she was her greatest in that one.

Jeni's picks.

1. Tamsin Greene from Once a Witch by Carolyn MacCullough: I loved the Witch duet. 

2. Caroletta Wren from The Body Movers series by Stephanie Bond: I actually liked these books better than the Stephanie Plum series. I have been waiting forever for the 7th book to come out. Supposedly it is coming out on March 17th. 

3. Isra from Of Beast and Beauty by Stacy Jay: This is my favorite retelling of Beauty and the Beast. 

4. Dashti From The Book of A Thousand Days by Shannon Hale: My favorite Shannon Hale story. The beginning is a little long but worth the read. 

5. Cinder from The Lunar Chronicles by Marissa Meyer: These books surprised me. I was worried I wouldn't like them because of all the hype but they are well written and fun to read. 

  

Ten Book Related Problems I Have 

brought to you by: the broke and the bookish

Jeni's Picks

1. Not finishing series: Sometimes its because the sequels aren't out yet or it might be because I like where the first book ended. But mostly it's because I'm not interested in reading anymore about the characters. If I didn't love it, I'm not going to keep reading it just to finish the series. 

2. Reading too many books at the same time: I read 4 books a month for the book clubs I host for my kids plus the books I want to read. It can be a bit confusing at times but kind of fun too.  I always have at least 5 books and my kindle by my bedside at night. 

3. Buying books: My husband doesn't mind to much but I might need to convert a bedroom into a library one day. I also love going to book sales. The library and Scholastic book sales are some of my favorites.  Its a good thing they are only twice a year. 

4. Bending a corner of the page for a bookmark: My dad is the one that taught me this bad habit. I loved reading a book he had read before me because I could see all the pages he stopped on. He also makes a thumbnail imprint on the paragraph he ended on. 

5.  Loaning out my books: I love sharing books but I found if I don't keep track of who has what, books went missing. Now, I have a book journal that people write which books they take and mark it off when they bring it back. I usually have about 35-50 books out at a time. 

6. Not reading all the books I buy: This is probably my worst habit. I'll find a good deal or a book I know is on my TBR list and I'll pick it up but it just sits on my shelf. 

7. Buying books I already own because I like the new cover. When I went to England with my sister I picked up 10 books I already owned because I liked the covers better. 

8. Packing to many books when I go on vacation: I just never know what I'll be in the mood for so I usually pack at least 10 books plus my kindle. 

9. Adding to my TBR list: Any book lover is going to do this. I wish there was enough time to read them all. It's sad knowing I never will. My TBR list is at 952 on goodreads. I only read about 100-120 books a year so it would take over 9 years to catch up:(

10. Reading the ending: If I'm worried I might not like the ending of a book I will read it. I think all of my sisters do this. 

Emily's Picks:
1. Too many books, oh so little time.

2. Getting mad with editing errors. ERG!

3. I can't stand sappy characters

4. Reading the last page of a book to see how the story ends.

5. Finding space for my books, I don't have enough room!

Book Club February 

SKY JUMPERS

by Peggy Eddleman

The girls loved this book. We had a discussion about courage and accepting yourself. Next the girls shared who there favorite character was and why. My mom did a little lesson on kid inventors. We also watched a you tube video from the Ellen Degeneres show about kid inventors. For the next activity we had the girls draw an invention. 

For the treat we ate individual pies. Just like they kids get to eat at the Harvest festival from the book.

Top Ten Things I Like/Dislike When It Comes To Romances In Books 

brought to you by: the broke and the bookish

Jeni's Picks:

Dislikes. 

1. I'm tired of Love Trilogies. They have been over done. I had to take a break from YA for awhile just because I felt every book I read had one. 

2. I can't be with you type of love story. Books like Fallen by Lauren Kate or Starcrossed by Josephine Angelini.  The instant hate, love later  just doesn't work for me. 

Likes: 

3. The she likes him but is oblivious to him liking her. Example: Edenbrooke by Julianne Donadlson. I love, love, love this book. I've read it many times. 

4. The sweet love story: Corbin and Clara's story from As You Are by Sarah M. Eden is a great example of this. The shy guy wins the girl of his dreams. 

5. The slow to develop love: The love story isn't the main focus of the book but it builds over time. The Only Alien on the Planet is a good example of what I'm talking about. Also The Maid at Fairbourne Hall by Julie Klassen. 

Emily's Picks
Dislikes:
1. when the character;'s describe their love interest over and over and over again.. with the same type of descriptive words. We get it, they are attracted to each other, move on. 

2. Controlling relationships. UM, twilight anyone?

3. YA Authors taking their love interests to the edge..and then something happens, like a fight, or they no longer like each other, or another love interest comes into play. example, The Body Finder.  ANNOYING. 

Likes:

4. Humor.  I love humor in love stories.  My favorite by far are written by Rosamunde Pilcher.  

5. Devotion.  I love when the love interests are invested in each other, when they care for each other.  Which is why I am a Peta Fan.   And why Mr. Darcy will forever be the man women want. Am I right? Of course I am. And it helps that he was easy oh, so easy on the eyes...yes? 

Re-Read: Poison Study

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

Genre: fantasy 

Publisher: Mira

Pages: 409

Publication Date: October 1, 2005

Source: bought 

Goodreads

From Goodreads: 

About to be executed for murder, Yelena is offered an extraordinary reprieve. She'll eat the best meals, have rooms in the palace—and risk assassination by anyone trying to kill the Commander of Ixia.

And so Yelena chooses to become a food taster. But the chief of security, leaving nothing to chance, deliberately feeds her Butterfly's Dust—and only by appearing for her daily antidote will she delay an agonizing death from the poison.

As Yelena tries to escape her new dilemma, disasters keep mounting. Rebels plot to seize Ixia and Yelena develops magical powers she can't control. Her life is threatened again and choices must be made. But this time the outcomes aren't so clear...

When I First Read

September 2011

What I Remember

Bits and pieces of when she is testing the poison and when she finally realizes who she is in love with. The ending  worked for me which I know a lot of people were unhappy with. 

Why I wanted to Re-Read

Three years ago I didn't feel like I wanted to keep reading  Yelena's story. My niece couldn't believe that I didn't finish the series and begged me to re-read. 

How I Felt After Re-Reading

 Not as enjoyable as the first time. Valek didn't have quite the same appeal. Some re-reads for me fly by and this one seemed to drag on. 

Would I Re-Read Again

No I would not re-read this again. Especially after reading the second book Magic Study. I was so disappointed.  Valek ends up becoming more of a side kick and Yelena's "I know better than everybody else" attitude drove me up a wall. 

Top Ten Tuesday: Top Ten Books I Can't Believe I Haven't/Want To Read From X Genre 

brought to you by: the broke and the bookish

Jeni's Picks: 

Middle Grade Books: 

1. Harry Potter by J.K. Rawling:  It's hard to believe I haven't read these well loved popular books. My family has been trying for years to get me to read them. Maybe one day is all I can say. 

2.Number the Stars by Lois Lowry: Friends have been recommending her books for awhile and I finally read The Giver last year. I want to read this book but just haven't yet. 

3. The Heroes of Olympus Series by Rick Riordan: I loved Percy Jackson and I want to read this series now that it's finished. 

4.Coraline by Neil Gaiman: I love Neil Gaiman but the movie was so creepy, I'm not sure I could read the book. 

5. The Westing Game by Ellen Raskin: This book has been on my TBR list for some time. I just need to pick it up and read it. 

Emily's Picks:
Fantasy
1. Thief Covenant by Ari Marmell

2. Dragon Bones by Patricia Briggs

3. The Rose and the Ring by William Thackary

4. Jacob of Avondale by Craig Packer

5. Blackveil by Kristen Britain