Book Review – Intangible – C.A. Gray

My Rating – 4/5 Stars

eBook, provided for review from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

 

Here is the Synopsis off of goodreads “Peter Stewart grew up on a unique version of the Arthurian legends taught him by his father, a harebrained quantum physicist who asserts that anything is possible. But Peter disbelieves anything which cannot be scientifically explained, despite a nagging sense that there is more to the world than meets the eye.

Lily Portman is an orphan with a secret: she can see creatures that are invisible to everyone else. These creatures control every human being she has ever met to varying degrees… until she meets Peter and his father.

When a mysterious stranger stages an accident which nearly costs Peter and Lily their lives, suddenly Lily learns that she is not crazy after all, and Peter discovers the truth of his father’s stories… including the existence of Arthur’s ancient nemesis, one who calls himself the Shadow Lord, and a prophecy with implications so profound that it will alter not only the course of their lives, but potentially the fate of the world.”

 

As soon as I read “unique version of Arthurian Legends” I knew I had to read this book. I love anything that involves Arthurian Legend. And I am super glad that I requested this book and got it. I recommend this book to anyone who like Arthurian Legend, retellings, and awesome fantasy novels.. this is for you.

Peter is a geeky kid.. and science nerd. Peter does a twist on an experiment, something all his own and it gets him in to trouble. While Peter is high school age his classes are beneath him, the Headmaster wants him moved to the University where his father is a Professor.

Lily sees things that no one else can see. After her and Peter’s first meeting, she can tell there is something different about him.

The novel really picks up, and takes you on a wild ride with an epic prophecy, taking magic and science rooted in the real world, and using centuries old Arthurian Legend to create the first book in a wonderful new series.

The science was not difficult to understand, and the writing was well done. I loved Lily. I can’t wait to see where this series goes with the next book.

If you’re interested, you should definitely head on over to CA Gray’s website.. There is a very interesting Q&A with her. She said it took her 3 years to write Intangible, because of all the research and plotting out the novel.

I believe it was really well done.

 

Ombre Book Tag!

This tag was going around Instagram and I wanted to see if I could find a decent ombre that wasn’t blue because I just realized how many blue books I actually have!
This was fun, just find a few books of the same colour but varying hues/shades to create an ombre effect.

May The Book Be With You
Brianne – xox.

Top 5 Wednesday – Top 5 Hardbacks Without Dust Jacket – ( #T5WFamily )

Welcome to another installment of Top 5 Wednesday!

This week is, Top 5 Naked Books… meaning Hardbacks without Dust Jackets! So my pictures will include the naked book, with the dust jacket beside it for comparison. I specifically used books that had a different hardback than what was printed on the dust jacket.

Let us be off! (These aren’t in the order I like most, but by size of books..)

1) Geek Wisdom – The Sacred Teachings of Nerd Culture by Stephen H. Segal

I got this as a gift from a friend, and he was making up a little bag full of stuff he thought described me or had a particular meaning about me that he thought up.. and also included note explaining what each was.. This was one of the most personal gifts I have been given. I didn’t give him any ideas.. I had no idea what to expect and I hold this gift close to my heart.

2) To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before – Jenny Han

I am not a pink girl.. I did not know what the book itself looked like.. the dust jacket is quite girly.. and I was surprised, but more so by how much I liked the shade of pink used.

3) The Glass Sentence – S.E. Grove

This book just.. the dust jacket is made of this super thin material.. but both the dust jacket and naked book are beautiful.

4) The Shadowhunter’s Codex – Cassandra Clare and Joshua Lewis

Man.. this hardback is the weirdest material I have ever felt on a book.. I don’t even know how to describe it. But I loved the shading and the Mortal Cup. There are pictures on the inside covers as well that are beautiful.

5) Frankenstein – Mary Shelley, Illustrated by Gris Grimly

I just love Gris Grimly’s illustrations in this book. They are haunting, and beautifully done. I thought the cover was actually really cool.

Here are the spines of the books.. because they need some love too..

And for extra credit.. This book doesn’t have a dust jacket but it is extremely beautiful..

Well Read Women – Samantha Hahn

The portraits in this are watercolour and are stunning.

Well there you have it!

What are some of your guys’ favourite hardbacks without dust jackets?

May The Book Be With You

Brianne – xox.

Here is a complete list of Wednesday Top 5er’s

https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/1608567-complete-list-of-wednesday-ers

Here is Lainey’s booktube channel

https://www.youtube.com/user/gingerreadslainey

Top 5 Wednesday – Top 5 Books You Struggled To Finish – ( #T5WFamily )

Welcome to another edition of Top 5 Wednesday!

This week’s topic is Top 5 Books you Struggled to Finish.

Let’s get this started!!

1) The Swimming Pool – Holly LeCraw

I was sooo looking forward to this book. I waited and waited and waited for it to come out.. I bought it.. and was immensely disappointed. I finished it, but I hated the ending.

2) Chime – Franny Billingsley

I haven’t finished this book… yet. I don’t know if I am going to. Every time I read the synopsis, I am intrigued and I want to read it! So I don’t know what happened when I started reading it March 17, 2011. That’s right, 3 years and I haven’t finished it. Hopefully one day I will.

3) Just One Year – Gayle Foreman

I read Just One Day, the prequel to this.. and I didn’t enjoy it. I did not like the characters. They weren’t believable to me. So I tried to read this book, and I got maybe 20% in, and I can’t bring myself to finish.

4) Obsidian – Jennifer L. Armentrout

This book.. this book, people love it. It has high ratings on goodreads. I know a lot of booktubers, bloggers, and other people who rave about these books.. It took me a month to read the first one and I did not enjoy it. I rolled my eyes a lot. And that is a very specific reason why it took me so long.

5) Outlander – Diana Gabaldon

I have been “reading” this book since November 22 2013. I am enjoying it.. it wouldn’t seem that way but I actually am.. I just always put it aside for something else. I am striving to finish it in June. I really want to.. because Jamie. Yup. I love him.

What are the 5 books that you guys have struggled to finish? Let me know in the comments below!

Brianne – xox.

Ultimate Book Tag!!!!

Hello my lovely readers, I am back and here today to do the Ultimate Book Tag!

 

1) Do you get sick in the car?

Nope, not usually.. unless I start reading while I have a headache and don’t have my glasses on.. Those are my only two issues, when combined that cause car sickness whilst reading. So YAY!

2) Which author’s writing style is completely unique to you and why?

Sarah Addison Allen has beautiful writing. Her worlds are magical realism and her writing really shows that. Also, Laini Taylor has a very beautiful and lyrical writing style. I like how she strings words together.

3) Harry Potter Series or the Twilight Saga? Give 3 points to defend your answer.

HARRY POTTER ALL THE WAY! I’ve read both series.. and I love the HP world. J.K. Rowling created this amazing world filled with quirky, amazing characters.. that millions of people want to live in. I choose Harry Potter because of; The Magic. Wands, spells, charms.. it is fantastic. The “Beasts”.. Dragons, Trestrals, Centaurs, Unicorns, House Elves, 3 Headed Dogs, Giant Squid.. and many more. The Characters. This world is filled with many, many great characters. Even the horrible characters are written well and people still have such strong feelings towards them. For bonus points, the History. I want to own Hogwarts, A History.

4) Do you carry a book bag? If so, what is it in (besides books…)?

I do not carry a book bag.. I do carry a purse and in it is, always a book, gum, my wallet, ipod, phone, glasses, sunglasses, lip stuff, a small brush and ponytail holders, my inhaler, other medication, usually a fruit snack, a notebook and pen, keys.. it is a heavy purse.

5) Do you smell your books?

Not often, but I have before. No shame.

6) Books with or without little illustrations?

Usually without.. but I don’t mind if there are some that add something to the story. And the older a book gets and get reprinted with my illustrations, I like to see the differences.

7) What book did you love while reading but discovered later it wasn’t quality writing?

Well, I didn’t love Twilight.. in fact I did not like it much at all.. and I knew the writing quality wasn’t great because I read it when I was 22.. I can’t really think of any other books.

8) Do you have any funny stories involving books from your childhood? Please share!

When I was little and my mom would read to me, she would be tired and tried to skip a couple pages and I would say “MOMMY YOU MISSED A PART.. THAT’S NOT HOW IT GOES! GO BACK!” and she would have to start over again..

9) What is the thinnest book on your shelf?

The Glass Menagerie – Tennessee Williams at 105 pages.

10) What is the thickest book on your shelf?

A Storm of Swords – George R. R. Martin at 1177 pages.

11) Do you write as well as read? Do you see yourself in the future as being an author?

I do not write.. I used to write little short stories when I was younger.. and my dad always asks me when I am going to write my own novel.. I would really love to one day. Here‘s to hoping.

12) When did you get into reading?

For as long as I can remember, I have loved reading.

13) What is your favorite classic book?

The Old Man and the Sea – Ernest Hemingway. I read this book every summer. I love it.

14) In school was your best subject Language Arts/English?

English, and Foods class were my two best and favourite classes.. they are the two things I love to do.. read and bake (and cook)

15) If you were given a book as a present that you had read before and hated…what would you do?

I don’t really get books as presents unless I specifically ask for them.. or they are on my Christmas wish list so people know what to get. My friends and family never really attempt to buy me books because I have so many.. I know this doesn’t really answer the question but I can’t think of what I would do. Probably politely say something.

16) What is a lesser known series that you know of that is similar to Harry Potter or the Hunger Games?

The Magicians – Lev Grossman has been said to be like Harry Potter. I started reading it, I haven’t finished it yet but I don’t like that comparison. I can’t think of anything else right now though.

17) What is a bad habit you always do (besides rambling) while blogging?

I am trying to “…” less in my posts. I know I do it a lot.

18) What is your favorite word?

Zazzy, it is my best friends and my word for each other. I call my sister Sassafras, just because it is a cool word. I like the world alright.. I know it isn’t glamorous or anything but I like it.

19) Are you a nerd, dork, or dweeb? Or all of the above?

I don’t like labels.. But my friends and family call me a nerd all the time. Especially when I start spurting out randoms facts and tidbits of information.

20) Vampires or Fairies? Why?

Vampires.. because they are children of the night and cool. If the mythology and lore behind the Vampire stories is done in a cool way.. (i.e. not sparkly in the sun – that is lame) then Vampires are badass. I have tried to read Fairie books and just can’t get in to them.. BUT I love fairie mythology.. I have a lot of books (non-fiction) on Fairie lore. Sooooo Fairies I guess!

21) Shapeshifters or Angels? Why?

Shapeshifters!!! They are so cool, just being able to turn in to something or something else.

22) Spirits or Werewolves? Why?

Umm… Spirits. They can be bad.. or good.. there is just so much to do there. Werewolves are super cool though.

23) Zombies or Vampires?

I made my case for Vampires above and they lost.. and I think they win but only slightly against Zombies. I just need to read more Zombie books maybe.

24) Love Triangle or Forbidden Love

Neither. I would be perfectly okay without either. I HATE love triangles, especially pointless ones. ugh. Forbidden Love can be pretty saucy I guess 😉

25) Full on romance books or action-packed with a few love scenes mixed in?

Action-packed with a few love scenes mixed in. I own both type of books, but I get bored with full on romance. I need more!

Well! There it is. It was long. It was fun. I hope you enjoyed reading this, and I hope you made it to the end!

What are your guys’ picks?

I do not know who is the original person whom created the tag.. but TAG! you’re all it! and if you do this tag, tag me in it because I’d love to know what you say!

Brianne – xox.

May Wrap Up! Looking Forward to June!

Well Hello There, My Book Friends!

May has come to an end.. It went by so fast! I had quite the good month, reading wise. I read eight books in total.. almost all of which I enjoyed immensely. I will get in to some pictures and reviews. Six of the books were in paperback/hardcover, and two were ebooks. This is done in the order that I read the books. I will include a brief synopsis in my own words, and a little bit of what I thought of the book, so there might be spoilers. I would also like to wish my wonderful, amazing sister Caitlyn, a very Happy 26th Birthday!!! Love you Crazy Ninja.

1) To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before – Jenny Han

Hardcover

3/5 Stars.

Lara Jean has a hatbox full of love letters. Not to a boy she is dating, but to the boys she has loved, and has resolved to not love. She writes these letters to “let them go”. Lara Jean is a middle child, of a single parent house. Her mother died years before, and her older sister Margot is going of to college, in Scotland. This leaves (pretty much clueless) Lara Jean to take care of her younger sister Kitty and their dad. One day, one of the boys Lara Jean wrote a letter to, has it. Her hatbox is missing. The letters are gone. Every boy, except one (because he moved), has read her intimate thoughts. Overall I thought this was a cute contemporary. I read it in one day. Lara Jean was a little immature for me. She calls her dad, Daddy. All three of the sisters do.. and for some reason it really bugged me. I cringed whenever I read the word Daddy. The story was cute and I did quite like Peter.. and I am going to read P.S. I Still Love You, book 2 in the duology when it comes out.

2) The Archived – Victoria Schwab

Hardcover

5 / 5 stars.

This book.. man.. this book. It was a bit weird at the beginning, but once I got in to the book (which did not take long at all) I absolutely loved it. I just have not read anything like it before. The premise was amazing. The characters were badass.

Wesley Ayers is my new fictional boyfriend.

Mackenzie Bishop is a keeper. A person entrusted to keeping Histories (people who have died) in the Archive. Histories are kept on shelves like books. If a History wakes up, they get to the narrows where Keepers are charged with getting them back. Keepers have Archive Paper which Librarians can get in touch with any keeper in an instant. This is how keepers are alerted to escaped Histories.. names and ages. We are introduced to Mackenzie and Da, who passed on his job to Mackenzie. We learn about his teaching through “flashbacks” were it isn’t just Mackenzie reminiscing (because she can’t tell anyone what she does) but actually a glimpse in to the past. Mackenzie’s family moves because of a death in family and her new area just keeps filling up with new Histories. Is someone waking them up intentionally? Why are there so many? and why does one of them have a weapon? This book kept me on edge. I loved it.

3) Attachments – Rainbow Rowell

Trade Paperback

4/5 Stars.

BookSplosion Book of May!!! Lincoln works as an internet security guard at t newspaper company. He reads peoples emails for a living. If employees are emailing back and forth to each other, and they use inappropriate words, that email gets flagged and goes to Lincoln. He should send the flagged person a notice of this. But Lincoln has been drawn in to the lives of Beth and Jennifer. He can’t bring himself to report them. Hilarity ensues. This book was set in the 90’s guys.. THE 90’S!!! I absolutely loved that this book was set in the 90’s, right before Y2K. I enjoyed the back and forth between chapters – Lincoln’s perspective and then Beth and Jennifer’s emails. I just wish that we had more Beth and Lincoln at the end. They were adorable. This was another book I read in a day. Actually I read this book in one sitting.. in about 4 hours. That is how much I enjoyed this book.

4) The Unbound – Victoria Schwab

Hardcover

5/5 Stars.

The sequel to The Archived. We are back with Mackenzie and Wesley. We learn more about the Archive. Mackenzie starts a new school! But she finds that people she has interacted with, go missing. And a strange guy is following her. AND she does not sleep anymore.. She has nightmares from the events that happened at the end of Book 1. Except her nightmares do not stay in her head. They become real. Her world is even more dangerous than it has ever been. And this was a rollercoaster of a ride. Plus! We learn more about Wesley. I love Wesley even more. I can’t wait for Book 3. Seriously guys, read this series. I have never read something so unique and interesting. Victoria Schwab is Queen.

5) Obsidian – Jennifer L. Armentrout

ebook

3/5 Stars.

Kat moves to a new town.. she is a little antisocial. Hot guy lives next door… with a twin sister who loves Kat. No parents. Turns out, new hot neighbor Damien and sister Dee are aliens. But they are not little green men. Their alien-ness is actually really cool.. but if they use their powers in front of a human, said human is “light up” with their strange “alien mojo”. This book.. it just wasn’t anything special for me.. even though so many people love it.. and the ratings on goodreads are phenomenal. Damien is hot though.. but he is an ass. I don’t have too many thoughts on this book.. it took me a while to get through..

6) Tiger Lily – Jodi Lynn Anderson

Trade Paperback

3/5 stars.

  

Peter Pan gets a new mythology! I was prepared to love this book. I loved that the book was told from TinkerBell’s pov. It was so interesting that way! Strictly being an observer. Peter Pan was Tiger Lily’s before he was Wendy’s. We are on the Island of Neverland.. there are different clans that live throughout the island.. including Peter Pan and his Lost Boys.. and Pirates. Tiger Lily was strong.. and I loved her dearly. We learn about her culture.. and how she came to meet and fall in love with Peter Pan and the Lost Boys. Then, along came the Wendy Bird. I did not like her at all. This is when the book went way downhill for me. I hated the ending. *MAJOR SPOILERS* Don’t get me wrong, I didn’t mind Tiger Lily and Pine Sap being together.. the thing that bothered me was Peter Pan, and The Lost Boys leaving Neverland and living in England. Peter Pan being someone completely different, living with Wendy and being grown up. It just was not believable for me.

7) Wedding Night – Sophie Kinsella

Trade Paperback

3/5 Stars

Fliss and Lottie are sisters. Fliss is going through a divorce and trying to not become bitter. Lottie thinks her boyfriend is going to propose but doesn’t. She goes through what Fliss calls “Unfortunate Choices”.. but this could be the biggest and worst UC yet. Lottie meets up with an old boyfriend.. and they decide to get married! Fliss tries to talk Lottie out of the wedding.. meets the Best Man, Lorcan.. and he is trying to stop the wedding as well. Lottie and Ben decide to honeymoon on Iconos, where they first met.. and Fliss is trying everything to make sure they do not consummate the marriage. It was unbelievable.. and mean. I agreed wholeheartedly with Richard (Lottie’s ex) and Lorcan when they call Fliss out on her behaviour. I would be pissed if someone did to me, what Fliss did to Lottie. At first I thought it was funny.. then it just became to over the top. This is my least favourite of Sophie Kinsella’s books. I own them all.. and I love them all. Except this one. It just didn’t work for me. However, if you’re a fan of the author, I would still suggest reading this.

8) Paradigm – Ceri A. Lowe

ebook

4/5 Stars

Are you tired of the dystopian genre? Is it played out for you? Well before you give up, I suggest you try Paradigm when is comes out June 10th. I received a copy of this book via Netgalley in exchange for my honest review. The world suffers Storms. crazy bad, horrible Storms. Alice watches it all unfold. Carter is alive 87 years after this happens. The world has changed. Carter is put in a frozen stasis for 15 years and wakes up believing he is the future. Past and Future are entwined in the new world. Alternating pov’s between Alice (past) and Carter (future) really pull you in to this world. Alice is strong. I don’t know how I would do if I was put in her shoes. I never had a problem discerning whose chapter I was in. I can’t wait for Book 2! Thanks again to Netgalley and the publishers.

There you have it booklovers! All the books I read in May!

I think it was a good month. I hope you guys pick up some of these books.

In June, I hope to read more great books! I have already started Rebel Belle – Rachel Hawkins. I can’t really say what my June TBR is going to be, because I kind of just pick books on a whim, whatever I feel like reading at the moment.

What were you books that you read in May? What do you want to read in June? Leave me your thoughts in the comments!

I will be posting a May Book Haul very soon!

Brianne – xox.

Top 5 Wednesday – Top 5 Books You Devoured – ( #T5WFamily )

Hello Hello Book Lovers!

Today is another Top 5 Wednesday! This is a fun one. There are many, many books that I have devoured. So let us jump on in!

5) Gone Girl – Gillian Flynn

This book… man this book. It is a crazy upside down twisty roller-coaster ride. I just needed to know what was going to happen next. I read it at the lake, the summer it came out and I sunburned my legs because they were sticking out from under my umbrella.. because I wasn’t paying attention. I love Gillian Flynn’s writing. Man, can she write suspense. I am eagerly waiting the movie to come out.

4) All books by Sarah Addison Allen

I can’t narrow this down because after I read The Girl Who Chased The Moon, and loved it.. I immediately bought The Peach Keeper, The Sugar Queen, and Garden Spells. I even tried to pace myself.. spread the books out over a period of time. It didn’t work so well. Sarah Addison Allen writes beautiful magical realism. I believe in her worlds, and root for her characters.

3) The Infernal Devices trilogy – Cassandra Clare

I bough these books.. I had them sit on my bookshelf for a little while. Then.. well I started to read Clockwork Angel, and I was pulled in to the world of Shadowhunters again. I love this world. I loved… love.. Jem Carstairs and Will Herondale. So swoony. Then immediately after finishing that book, I started on Clockwork Prince, then right on to Clockwork Princess. I laughed, I smiled, I guffawed, I let out sighs of relief and anger.. and I cried. A lot.

2) Graceling Realm – Kristin Cashore

While I was in California in Oct ’13, I brought a few books for when I was in the hotel or at the pool.. and well, I didn’t read too much. Disneyland, California Adventure, Universal Studios, and LA Kings hockey game.. Oh and it was my birthday. But as soon as I got home, I read Graceling, and I just was soo immersed. I already had the next two on my bookshelf so I had to read them right after. I loved Fire even more than Graceling. Bitterblue was great too. These go down as some of my favourite books ever.

1) Harry Potter – J.K. Rowling

I am about to admit something.. this time last year, I hadn’t read any of the Harry Potter books. I made a deal with myself.. because I had loved the movies (I saw most of them as midnight viewings..).. and enjoyed the fandom. So from May 22 – September 10, I read all the Harry Potter books.. and after reading the book, I would watch the movie. I know that 4 months is a long span.. but between books 3 and 4, I needed a little break.. about a month of a break actually. But I was so in love with this world, these characters. I invested a lot in to them. Now besides owning the 7 books in 1st edition hardcovers, I own Fantastic Beasts and Where To Find Them, Quidditch Through The Ages, The Tales of Beedle the Bard, Page to Screen, Film Wizardry, The Psychology of Harry Potter: An Unauthorized Examination Of The Boy Who Lived, The Sorcerer’s Companion: A Guide to the Magical World of Harry Potter, The Wisdom of Harry Potter: What Our Favorite Hero Teaches Us About Moral Choices, Harry, a History: The True Story of a Boy Wizard, His Fans, and Life Inside the Harry Potter Phenomenon, and Mugglenet.com’s Harry Potter Should Have Died: Controversial Views from the #1 Fan Site. I basically buy every book I can find relating to Harry Potter. I read trivia and bought Lego Harry Potter for my wii. We had a Harry Potter exhibition at the science centre here in my city and I went 3 three times. I made little chibi type polymer clay Harry, Ron, Hermione, Dobby, and Luna figurines. I am addicted to everything Harry Potter. I even knew information that my sisters, who had read all the books as they came out did not know yet. I would text her at all hours of the day and night asking if she knew that such and such happened. She called me crazy. And for this reason I had to make Harry Potter my #1.

Honourable Mentions

The Fault in Our Stars – John Green ~ Read this book in four hours straight and loved it. I recommend it to every one. I cried a lot.

The Archived series – Victoria Schwab ~ I just read the first two books in this series and I need more. I want more. Such a cool concept. More in my May Wrap Up!

The Hunger Games Trilogy – Suzanne Collins ~ I binge read these books.

I know this post was long and I am so glad you guys have stuck through it with me. I just had soo many thoughts.

What books have you guys devoured? Any thoughts on my books?

Brianne – xox.

Here is a complete list of Wednesday Top 5er’s

https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/1608567-complete-list-of-wednesday-ers

Here is Lainey’s booktube channel

https://www.youtube.com/user/gingerreadslainey

Top 5 Wednesday – Top Magical Items – ( #T5WFamily )

Hello Booklovers!!!

I am sorry this post is a day late..

But I was super excited to see this as a topic for Top 5 Wednesday! This post is all related to Young Adult novels and series.

1) Harry Potter Universe

I know this is cheating because there are way more that 5 things from the Harry Potter universe that I would pick.. A wand, Hermione’s bag, the Invisibility cloak, the Time-Turner, the Pensieve, the Marauder’s Map, the Weasley Family Clock, Godric Gryffindor’s Sword, The Goblet of Fire, Mirror of Erised, Two Way Mirrors, .. it goes on and on! I couldn’t narrow it down.

2) Stele – The Mortal Instruments / The Infernal Devices – Cassandra Clare

Of course, this is if I could handle the process of runes being put on me.. but Stele’s are amazing. Rune’s are amazing.

3) The Archive Paper – The Archived / The Unbound – Victoria Schwab

These little pieces of paper are super cool and super handy when trying to write messages to someone… I loved the thought and imagination behind the rings, keys, and paper in this amazing duology. The paper is used by The Archive when they need to communicate with Keepers of

4) The Wardrobe – Chronicles of Narnia – C.S. Lewis

Super convenient (when it works).. and I mean.. how cool is it to be able to walk through a wardrobe and be magically transported to Narnia. I always wanted one growing up. There is even a post going around on pinterest, tumblr, twitter, we ❤ this, and the like showing a door that goes in to a child’s play area but dressed up to resemble the wardrobe.. I think it is brilliant.

5) Wishes – Daughter of Smoke and Bone trilogy – Laini Taylor

There are many different sizes of wishes.. Scuppy, Shing, Lucknow, Gavriel, and Bruxis. Scuppy being the least important and smallest of wished and Bruxis being the biggest and most valuable. Even though the wishes have their limits and you’ll know immediately when a wish won’t work. The wishes work like currency and where available form Brimstone in exchange for teeth.

What magical items do you guys love? Am I horrible for not being able to narrow down my Harry Potter list?

Brianne – xox.

Top 5 Wednesday – Top Actor/Actress Portrayals of Characters (book to movie/book to tv) ( #T5WFamily )

Hello Booklovers!

Another top 5 Wednesday for you guys.. and this weeks topic is Top Actor/Actress Portrayals of Characters (book to movie/book to tv)… Very interesting. This was really hard for me to pick because there are more than 5!

So let’s get rolling.

5) Stanley Tucci as Caesar Flickerman – The Hunger Games / Catching Fire

When this casting was announced.. I just was extremely happy. I love Stanley Tucci. He is a fantastic actor and the bravado he brings to the role of Caesar is just.. yay! hahah. He is over the top and how he acts with Katniss and Peeta is totally fangirling with the rest of us.

4) Alexander Skarsgård as Eric Northman – The Southern Vampire Mysteries ~ True Blood 

Since the moment Eric Northman walked.. (well sat gloriously in his throne at Fangtasia) I have just loved him. Alexander Skarsgård brings even more brooding goodness to the role. And It doesn’t hurt that he is gorgeous. Eric Northman has had some unsavory storylines here and there but I will always love him. Then after I started reading the novels, I could just picture Alexander Skarsgård as Eric Northman.. in the most amazing way. Also worth mentioning is his relationship with Pam, who is also casted perfectly.

3) Evanna Lynch as Luna Lovegood – Harry Potter and The Order of the Phoenix and on

Evanna Lynch brought the dreamy doe eyed personality of Luna alive. J.K. Rowling writes amazing characters and Luna is one of my all time favourite characters and so I am extremely glad that Evanna Lynch was picked to portray Luna on the big screen. And Evanna’s story – how she came to get the role – is amazing.

2) Colin Firth – Mr. Darcy – Pride and Prejudice

My all time favourite film/TV version of Pride and Prejudice is hands down BBC’s. Colin Firth can be cold, and stand offish. He can portray such emotion. And he is beautiful. Working with Jennifer Ehle as Elizabeth Bennet.. I just loved their chemistry. I can’t even think of what else to say. I am going to go watch the lake scene now and revel in the perfectness.

1) Peter Dinklage – Tyrion Lannister – A Song of Ice and Fire series ~ Game Of Thrones

Peter Dinklage portrays the imp so perfectly. I can’t think of anyone else who could fill his shoes. His straight forwardness, his mannerisms, everything he does is perfection. He has such amazing dialogue, I could listen to him just talking about banal things and I am sure that he would make it hilarious. Oh and Tyrion’s one liners.. you can’t deny that Peter Dinklage pulls them off.

So there we have it!

Who would you guys pick?

Brianne – xox.

Here is a complete list of Wednesday Top 5er’s

https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/1608567-complete-list-of-wednesday-ers

Here is Lainey’s booktube channel

https://www.youtube.com/user/gingerreadslainey

April Wrap Up – Looking Forward To May

April has come and gone.. we’ve had snow, rain, and some beautiful days…

I read 5 books this April… not horrible but one of them was a short (very short) story.. but I do have an excuse for this.. NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs have started! This is one of my favourite times of the year. I love playoffs. And so I have spent a lot of my usual reading time, building my bracket and watching hockey.

But enough about that.. here is my April Read List.

1) The Hobbit – J.R.R. Tolkien

I reread this book.. for the 3rd time. I love it. It is fun and epic. I love journeying with Bilbo, The Dwarf’s, and Gandalf the Grey. I read this book for the first time when I was about 8 and it was my dads copy.. It is a reliable book that I know I can read and reread whenever I need it. And the riddles between Gollum and Bilbo are amazing. One of my favourite scenes in a book.

4.5 / 5 Stars.

2) Tiger – Tash Aw

I don’t even know what to say about this short story. One day it showed up on my kobo.. I don’t know where it came from but there it was (Kobo partnered up with Tash Aw to write this to give to Kobo’s loyal users.. I appreciate that but not the story.) and so I figured ‘Why Not..?’ and it was not very good. I won’t be recommending it to anyone.. I have heard that Tash Aw is a great story teller.. I just could not get in to this story. Maybe I will try something else of his in the future. But that cover is absolutely beautiful.

2 / 5 Stars

3) Horns – Joe Hill

I sooo badly wanted to love this book. The plot sounded soo interesting. And the fact that the presence of the horns made Ig hear the deepest thoughts of whomever he was around was spectacularly hilarious.. I just did not enjoy this book. I can’t even think of a good reason. The writing was good, the plot was quite interesting.. it just was not for me.

2 / 5 Stars

4) Dreams of Gods and Monsters – Laini Taylor

I LOVED THIS BOOK! Seriously, anyone who hasn’t read the Daughter of Smoke and Bone trilogy (and one novella) by Laini Taylor, should. Right now. Get on it. Her writing is lyrical and dreamy. The world that she made up is stunning. Her characters are flawed but beautiful. I devoured each book in this trilogy.. and the 17 month wait between books 2 and 3 was horrible. I can’t say enough good things about Karou, Akiva, Liraz, Hazael, Zuze, Mik, Ziri.. and the whole gang. This is a fantasy book with a little bit of romance. No love triangle. There is action and adventure.. and CHIMAERA! That was my initial selling point for this book.. Chimaera are awesome.

6 / 5 Stars

5) Scarlet – Marissa Meyer

This is book 2 in the Lunar Chronicles… There are a lot of different retellings of fairy tales.. and this is probably one of my favourites. Book 1 is Cinder.. loosely based upon Cinderella.. but as a cyborg in the future. It sounds out there.. but it works. It really truly does. Book 2, is about Scarlet trying to find her grandmother.. with help from a man named Wolf. There are twists. We still have lots of Cinder in this book (yay!) but lots of Scarlet and Wolf (double yay!). I can’t wait to read book 3 – Cress. I own it.. I am just not there yet. There are a lot of good things about this series.. it is fun, something completely different from anything else I have read, the world is cool.. I like visiting here. I like how Marissa Meyer has intricately weaved her characters together.. their pasts, their presents, and their futures. It is cool. I don’t even know what else to say.

5 / 5 Stars

So overall, I am pleased with my April books. Can’t wait to see what May brings.. what worlds I will be transported to.. I am currently reading

> To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before – Jenny Han

> Obsidian – Jennifer L. Armentrout

What books did you read in April? Did you like them?

Brianne – xox.