Friday Favorites: Edna St. Vincent Millay

On Fridays I post a little shout out to one of my favorite books and explain why I love it so much. It gives me the chance to fangirl over books I never reviewed on this blog and lets me post about some not-necessarily-YA books I love.

Which book?
Edna St. Vincent Millay: Selected Poems

Genre?
Poetry

When did I first read it?
Two years ago.

Why did I first read it?
Growing up, we had a poetry anthology that I loved called “A Child’s Anthology of Poetry.” It had Millay’s short poem “First Fig” in it, and even when I was fairly young, that poem drew me with its devil-may-care attitude. So when I saw a Millay anthology on sale at the bookstore, I picked it up.

What did I think about it then?
As is the case with me and most poetry anthologies of a single poet’s work, Millay’s poetry was a bit hit or miss for me. But those poems that I liked—which was a fair number of them—I adored. She writes quite a bit about all the different ways love is lost, and those are the poems of hers that tended to click most with me. Her poems about nature and what not . . . not so much. But I just loved how spot on she is about so many emotions and how well she conveys a variety of tones, from regretful to reflective to defiant and beyond.

What do I think about it now?
I pick up my Millay anthology fairly frequently to reread a poem or two that have been on my mind. Does that happen to anyone else?—getting poetry stuck in your head? “First Fig,” the poem that initially got me started on Millay, gets in my head fairly often, as does one of her unnamed poems (a sonnet, I think?) from her collection, “The Harp-Weaver and Other Poems.” I’ll copy them here so you can get a taste of what Millay’s poems are like:

First Fig

My candle burns at both ends;
It will not last the night;
But ah, my foes, and oh, my friends—
It gives a lovely light.

And her untitled one:

I, being born a woman and distressed
By all the needs and notions of my kind,
Am urged by your propinquity to find
Your person fair, and feel a certain zest
To bear your body's weight upon my breast:
So subtly is the fume of life designed,
To clarify the pulse and cloud the mind,
And leave me once again undone, possessed.
Think not for this, however, the poor treason
Of my stout blood against my staggering brain,
I shall remember you with love, or season
My scorn wtih pity,—let me make it plain:
I find this frenzy insufficient reason
For conversation when we meet again.

Have you read anything by Millay? What did you think?

Friday Favorites: Paranormalcy

On Fridays I post a little shout out to one of my favorite books and explain why I love it so much. It gives me the chance to fangirl over books I never reviewed on this blog and lets me post about some not-necessarily-YA books I love.

Which book?
Paranormalcy, by Kiersten White

Genre?
YA paranormal

Summary? (from GoodReads)
Evie's always thought of herself as a normal teenager, even though she works for the International Paranormal Containment Agency, her ex-boyfriend is a faerie, she's falling for a shape-shifter, and she's the only person who can see through paranormals' glamours.

But Evie's about to realize that she may very well be at the center of a dark faerie prophecy promising destruction to all paranormal creatures.

When did I first read it?
2010, I believe.

Why did I first read it?
I don’t specifically remember, but probably because everyone was blogging about how much they loved it.

What did I think about it then?
You can read my original review here, but basically I loved Evie. I loved how hilarious she was and how down-to-earth. I really liked that she didn’t run off and do stupid stuff all the time like girls in YA paranormals tend to do. I also adored Lend. He wasn’t all dark and brooding—he was just so nice.

What do I think about it now?
YA paranormal is not my favorite genre. As a result, when I first read Paranormalcy, I went into it with really, really low expectations. So I was beyond happy that the book was actually a lot of fun. It became my favorite YA paranormal, and it still remains my favorite. I didn’t like the sequel, Supernaturally, as much so I haven’t picked up the third one (Endlessly) yet. But I fully intend to sometime. I feel like I owe it to Evie to finish her story since she was the one to show me I could enjoy the occasional YA paranormal.

Have you read this book? What did you think?

Friday Favorites: Dealing with Dragons

On Fridays I post a little shout out to one of my favorite books and explain why I love it so much. It gives me the chance to fangirl over books I never reviewed on this blog and lets me post about some not-necessarily-YA books I love.

Which book?
Dealing with Dragons, by Patricia Wrede

Genre?
Middle-grade (maybe?) fantasy.

Summary? (from GoodReads)
Take one bored princess. Make her the seventh daughter in a very proper royal family. Have her run away.

Add one powerful, fascinating, dangerous dragon.

Princess Cimorene has never met anyone (or anything) like the dragon Kazul. But then, she's never met a witch, a jinn, a death-dealing talking bird, or a stone prince either.

Princess Cimorene ran away to find some excitement.

She's found plenty.

When did I first read it?
Elementary school sometime.

Why did I first read it?
My older sister read the last book in this series (Talking to Dragons) out loud to my younger siblings and me. I loved that story and thought it was hilarious, so I decided to read the whole series from the beginning.

What did I think about it then?
I was happy to discover that I liked Dealing with Dragons even more than I did Talking to Dragons. Cimorene is just so stinkin’ awesome. I loved how she took matters into her own hands and didn’t need saving by any prince. She’s very much her own person, and I just wanted to BE Cimorene. Plus, the whole being a dragon’s princess totally appealed to me, as did the adventures, magic, and throwing soapy water at wizards.

What do I think about it now?
I love this whole series. Dealing with Dragons is my favorite of them, but all the books are so well done. And funny. I don’t think I’ve accurately conveyed how clever and amusing these books are. I thought they were funny when I was in elementary school, and I still think they’re hilarious now, which says something about their quality, I think.

Have you read this book? What did you think?

Friday Favorites: Much Ado About Nothing

On Fridays I post a little shout out to one of my favorite books and explain why I love it so much. It gives me the chance to fangirl over books I never reviewed on this blog and lets me post about some not-necessarily-YA books I love.

Which book?
Much Ado About Nothing, by William Shakespeare

Genre?
Play

Summary? (from GoodReads)
"Much Ado About Nothing" is the story of Leonato, an Italian nobleman, his daughter, Hero, and his niece, Beatrice. Following a war Leonato welcomes into his house Don Pedro, his good friend; fellow soldiers of Don Pedro, Claudio and Benedick; as well as Don Pedro's illegitimate brother, Don John. Quickly amorous relations develop between Claudio and Hero and later between Benedick and Beatrice. As wedding plans are being made for Claudio and Hero, Don John tricks Claudio into believing that Hero has been unfaithful. The wedding bliss is briefly interrupted until the truth is finally discovered and the play ends in a joyful double wedding.

When did I first read it?
High school.

Why did I first read it?
Honestly, the only reason I first read it is because I loved the movie with Kenneth Branagh and Emma Thompson so much.

What did I think about it then?
I was not (and still am not) a big fan of Shakespeare, but my adoration for the movie opened the door to my adoration for the play. It was just so funny and witty, and I liked being able to catch all the little things that were in the play that weren’t in the movie. I hated Claudio, of course—he’s so annoying—but I loved Beatrice and Benedict from the beginning, so they overpowered my distaste for Claudio.

What do I think about it now?
I love to pick up this play and reread my favorite bits. Those bits all involve Beatrice and Benedict, of course. Those two remain one of my favorite couples of all time. And despite their banter and poking fun at each other, they have some really romantic moments together, which gives their relationship a nice balance, I think.

Have you read this play? What did you think?

Friday Favorites: The Scorpio Races

On Fridays I post a little shout out to one of my favorite books and explain why I love it so much. It gives me the chance to fangirl over books I never reviewed on this blog and lets me post about some not-necessarily-YA books I love.

Which book?
The Scorpio Races, by Maggie Stiefvater

Genre?
YA fantasy

Summary? (from GoodReads)
It happens at the start of every November: the Scorpio Races. Riders attempt to keep hold of their water horses long enough to make it to the finish line. Some riders live. Others die.

At age nineteen, Sean Kendrick is the returning champion. He is a young man of few words, and if he has any fears, he keeps them buried deep, where no one else can see them.

Puck Connolly is different. She never meant to ride in the Scorpio Races. But fate hasn’t given her much of a chance. So she enters the competition--the first girl ever to do so. She is in no way prepared for what is going to happen.

When did I first read it?
Almost exactly a year ago.

Why did I first read it?
The buzz. Some bloggers I trust loved it, so that was all I needed.

What did I think about it then?
You can read my original review here, but basically I fell head over heels for this book. I’m a sucker for horse books anyway, but Kate and Sean are fantastic protagonists and the language is beautiful to boot.

What do I think about it now?
Though I’ve read some really good books this last year, “The Scorpio Races” is hands down my favorite of those. It’s indisputably earned a place toward the top of my favorite-books list. It’s just . . . so good. And beautiful. A little slower and more reflective than most YAs, but I wouldn’t change a thing about it. Maggie Stiefvater nails the narrative style in this one. And Sean . . . I think he’s number 2 on my list of swooniest YA boys. I'll be rereading this book in November for sure.

Have you read this book? What did you think?

Friday Favorites: The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society

On Fridays I post a little shout out to one of my favorite books and explain why I love it so much. It gives me the chance to fangirl over books I never reviewed on this blog and lets me post about some not-necessarily-YA books I love.

Which book?
The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society, by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows

Genre?
Historical fiction

Summary? (from GoodReads)
January 1946: London is emerging from the shadow of the Second World War, and writer Juliet Ashton is looking for her next book subject. Who could imagine that she would find it in a letter from a man she’s never met, a native of the island of Guernsey, who has come across her name written inside a book by Charles Lamb….

As Juliet and her new correspondent exchange letters, Juliet is drawn into the world of this man and his friends—and what a wonderfully eccentric world it is. The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society—born as a spur-of-the-moment alibi when its members were discovered breaking curfew by the Germans occupying their island—boasts a charming, funny, deeply human cast of characters, from pig farmers to phrenologists, literature lovers all.

Juliet begins a remarkable correspondence with the society’s members, learning about their island, their taste in books, and the impact the recent German occupation has had on their lives. Captivated by their stories, she sets sail for Guernsey, and what she finds will change her forever.

When did I first read it?
A year and a half or two years ago, maybe?

Why did I first read it?
My friend and I share a Kindle account, and she bought it, and I thought, “Hmmm. This could be interesting.” So I read it.

What did I think about it then?
I loved Juliet immediately. There are just some characters I love from the first page, and Juliet was one of them. She’s witty and self-deprecating and caring, and reading her letters was like reading letters from a friend. Also, there’s a lot of talk of books and writing in the story, and since those are two of my favorite things, it was an added bonus.

What do I think about it now?
I’ve come to realize since I’ve been doing this Friday Favorites thing, that there are quite a few of my favorite books that I really haven’t read that many times—and some I’ve still only read once. But that is not the case with this book. Even though it hasn’t been that long since I first read it, I’ve reread it at least 4 times. And not just the kind of rereading where I read my favorite parts and skim the rest—I reread every single word of this book. It’s just so well written and engaging. It’s one of those books that I can recommend to practically anyone because there’s something everyone can enjoy in it.

Have you read this book? What did you think?

Friday Favorites: How I Live Now

On Fridays I post a little shout out to one of my favorite books and explain why I love it so much. It gives me the chance to fangirl over books I never reviewed on this blog and lets me post about some not-necessarily-YA books I love.

Which book?
How I Live Now, by Meg Rosoff

Genre?
YA

Summary? (from GoodReads)
Fifteen-year-old Daisy is sent from Manhattan to England to visit her aunt and cousins she’s never met: three boys near her age, and their little sister. Her aunt goes away on business soon after Daisy arrives. The next day bombs go off as London is attacked and occupied by an unnamed enemy.

As power fails, and systems fail, the farm becomes more isolated. Despite the war, it’s a kind of Eden, with no adults in charge and no rules, a place where Daisy’s uncanny bond with her cousins grows into something rare and extraordinary. But the war is everywhere, and Daisy and her cousins must lead each other into a world that is unknown in the scariest, most elemental way.

When did I first read it?
Two years ago?

Why did I first read it?
It was a recommendation off a blog. Plus, that cover. Who could turn down that cover?

What did I think about it then?
“Strangely attracted” are the words that first come to mind. There are a few things going on in this book that would normally turn me off, not the least of which are Daisy’s eating disorder and the fact that she falls in love with her first cousin. But, I don’t know, those things somehow work in this story. They make it what it is. So while I was a little wary when I was reading this book the first time, by the end I was in love with the characters and feeling some intense admiration for how they pull through the hard things that get thrown at them.

What do I think about it now?
This is not a book I've been successful at recommending to other people. Most can’t seem to get past the whole fall-in-love-with-your-cousin bit. But this story is so much more than that. I mean, Piper, the little sister, is all kinds of awesome, and she alone would make this book worth reading. And yes, this isn’t the most perfectly constructed book ever—I think it can get a little rough and messy at times—but who the heck cares? This is one of those miraculous books that somehow manages to add up to more than just the sum of its parts. Not to mention it has one of the most perfectly bittersweet endings that I know of.

Have you read this book? What did you think?

Friday Favorites: Gilead

On Fridays I post a little shout out to one of my favorite books and explain why I love it so much. It gives me the chance to fangirl over books I never reviewed on this blog and lets me post about some not-necessarily-YA books I love.

Which book?
Gilead, by Marilynne Robinson

Genre?
Literary fiction

Summary? (from GoodReads)
Twenty-four years after her first novel, Housekeeping, Marilynne Robinson returns with an intimate tale of three generations from the Civil War to the twentieth century: a story about fathers and sons and the spiritual battles that still rage at America's heart. Writing in the tradition of Emily Dickinson and Walt Whitman, Marilynne Robinson's beautiful, spare, and spiritual prose allows "even the faithless reader to feel the possibility of transcendent order" (Slate). In the luminous and unforgettable voice of Congregationalist minister John Ames, Gilead reveals the human condition and the often unbearable beauty of an ordinary life.

When did I first read it?
Four or so years ago.

Why did I first read it?
I used to read this magazine called the Week, and it had little blurbs about new noteworthy books as well as recommendations from famous people about their favorite books. I don’t remember which of those categories this book fell in, but I do remember reading about it in that magazine and being intrigued enough to check it out from the library.

What did I think about it then?
Have you ever found a book that makes your heart ache a little from its sheer beauty? That was me with this book. The writing and even the storyline are quiet and understated and so, so lovely. I immediately fell in love with the way the book was written, and almost as quickly I fell in love with the characters and their . . . ordinariness, I guess. They lead quiet, simple lives, yet they manage to make their lives mean something within their own small sphere. And I thought it was wonderfully bittersweet that the book is set up as a letter from a dying father to his son—it just makes everything in the book feel so much more meaningful.

What do I think about it now?
This is one of those books that I read when I need something to center me or ground me, when I need something that’ll make me think without going over my head. Religion and faith play a big role in this book, and usually that’s something I shy away from in fiction. But for whatever reason, those themes in this book are beautiful and soothing to me, rather than being preachy or grating. I’ve read the sequel, “Home,” and while it’s really good, it doesn’t hold a candle to this one, in my opinion.

Have you read this book? What did you think?

Friday Favorites: Romancing Mr. Bridgerton

On Fridays I post a little shout out to one of my favorite books and explain why I love it so much. It gives me the chance to fangirl over books I never reviewed on this blog and lets me post about some not-necessarily-YA books I love.

Which book?
Romancing Mr. Bridgerton, by Julia Quinn

Genre?
Historical Romance

Summary? (from GoodReads)
Penelope Featherington has secretly adored her best friend's brother for... well, it feels like forever. After half a lifetime of watching Colin Bridgerton from afar, she thinks she knows everything about him, until she stumbles across his deepest secret... and fears she doesn't know him at all.

Colin Bridgerton is tired of being thought nothing but an empty-headed charmer, tired of everyone's preoccupation with the notorious gossip columnist Lady Whistledown, who can't seem to publish an edition without mentioning him in the first paragraph.

But when Colin returns to London from a trip aboard, he discovers nothing in his life is quite the same, especially Penelope Featherington, the girl haunting his dreams!

And when he discovers that Penelope has secrets of her own, this elusive bachelor must decide... is she his biggest threat, or his promise of a happy ending?

When did I first read it?
I’ve been trying and failing to remember. I went through two main phases of romance-novel reading: high school and my sophomore and junior years of college. So it was probably during one of those times.

Why did I first read it?
This is the fourth book in Julia Quinn’s Bridgerton series, and I honestly can’t remember if I had read the ones before this book already and that’s why I picked it up, or if I just read it randomly.

What did I think about it then?
I immediately liked that it was lighthearted and funny. So many historical romance novels tend to be on the overly dramatic side, but “Romancing Mr. Bridgerton” manages to have emotional heft AND humor. Similarly, I loved that Colin wasn’t a dark and brooding hero. He’s a nice, normal guy who’s not perfect but tries his best to be a good person. I also liked that the book wasn’t all about the sexual tension between the two characters. They actually get to know each other and become friends and have meaningful (and witty) conversations. Hallelujah.

What do I think about it now?
This is my favorite romance novel. Ever. I adore all of Julia Quinn’s books, but this is definitely my favorite of hers, and I’ve reread it more times than I can remember. I love the story and the writing style a lot, but more than that, I love Penelope. That girl is my soul sister. I always prefer books where I can relate to the main character, but when it comes to Penelope, I kinda feel like I am her. We’re similar in so many ways it’s ridiculous. So if there was ever a book I could live vicariously through, this is it.

Have you read this book? What did you think?

Friday Favorites: Anna and the French Kiss

On Fridays I post a little shout out to one of my favorite books and explain why I love it so much. It gives me the chance to fangirl over books I never reviewed on this blog and lets me post about some not necessarily YA books I love.

Which book?
Anna and the French Kiss, by Stephanie Perkins

Genre?
YA contemporary

Summary? (from GoodReads)
Anna is looking forward to her senior year in Atlanta, where she has a great job, a loyal best friend, and a crush on the verge of becoming more. Which is why she is less than thrilled about being shipped off to boarding school in Paris - until she meets Etienne St. Clair: perfect, Parisian (and English and American, which makes for a swoon-worthy accent), and utterly irresistible. The only problem is that he's taken, and Anna might be, too, if anything comes of her almost-relationship back home. As winter melts into spring, will a year of romantic near - misses end with the French kiss Anna - and readers - have long awaited?

When did I first read it?
When it first came out, two years ago.

Why did I first read it?
Because all the blogs were raving about it, so I had to investigate.

What did I think about it then?
I loved it, just like everyone else. I found Anna really easy to relate to, and I thought her actions and reactions were totally believable, given her situation. But more than that, it had great romantic tension between Anna and St. Clair. I LOVED them together and thought their relationship felt really natural. I’ve always disliked that he’s dating someone else the whole time, but I like the book enough that I can overlook it.

What do I think about it now?
I still need to reread this one all the way through, but I’ve reread my favorite parts a bunch of times. I just really love that scene where they sleep in the same bed—it’s completely awkward and uncomfortable but so perfectly full of romantic tension. I adore it.

Have you read this book? What did you think?

Friday Favorites: Junie B. Jones Series

On Fridays I post a little shout out to one of my favorite books and explain why I love it so much. It gives me the chance to fangirl over books I never reviewed on this blog and lets me post about some not necessarily YA books I love.

Which book?
The Junie B. Jones books, by Barbara Park

Genre?
Children's

Summary?
These short books follow the misadventures and escapades of elementary-school student Junie B. Jones.

When did I first read it?
Possibly middle school, but I think high school.

Why did I first read it?
My mom let us order books from the Scholastic book club sheets, and I think one of my little sisters chose to order a book from the series.

What did I think about it then?
I thought they were hilarious. Junie B. Jones is such a spunky little girl, and she gets into all sorts of scrapes and trouble. My little sisters and I got really into this series, and I think we eventually ordered almost all the books from Junie’s kindergarten years.

What do I think about it now?
I’m really not much of one for children’s books, but I love this series. Like I said before, they’re just so funny. I know some parents criticize the books for Junie’s imperfect grammar, but I think it adds to her character and makes her that much more loveable. My favorite in the series is “Junie B. Jones and the Mushy Gushy Valentine.”

Have you read any of these books? What did you think?

Friday Favorites: The Sky Is Everywhere

On Fridays I post a little shout out to one of my favorite books and explain why I love it so much. It gives me the chance to fangirl over books I never reviewed on this blog and lets me post about some not necessarily YA books I love.

Which book?
The Sky Is Everywhere, by Jandy Nelson

Genre?
YA contemporary

Summary? (from GoodReads)
Seventeen-year-old Lennie Walker, bookworm and band geek, plays second clarinet and spends her time tucked safely and happily in the shadow of her fiery older sister, Bailey. But when Bailey dies abruptly, Lennie is catapulted to center stage of her own life - and, despite her nonexistent history with boys, suddenly finds herself struggling to balance two. Toby was Bailey's boyfriend; his grief mirrors Lennie's own. Joe is the new boy in town, a transplant from Paris whose nearly magical grin is matched only by his musical talent. For Lennie, they're the sun and the moon; one boy takes her out of her sorrow, the other comforts her in it. But just like their celestial counterparts, they can't collide without the whole wide world exploding.

When did I first read it?
A couple years ago (read my original review here)

Why did I first read it?
It was a recommendation from a blog, I believe.

What did I think about it then?
I immediately fell in love with how beautifully written the book was. Honestly, if this book were written in any other style and voice, I doubt I would like it as much as I do. Something about the author’s way with words pulls the whole story together and captured my attention. Plus, Joe just makes me happy. He’s no dark and brooding love interest. He’s happy and exuberant and uncomplicated—not unlike Cricket from Lola and the Boy Next Door.

What do I think about it now?
Sometimes I feel like I’m the only person I know who absolutely adores this book. Everyone I recommend it to is always like, “It was good, but…” and then usually they mention how much they disliked the love triangle. I’ll admit that it’s a little weird that Lennie, the main character, is making out with her dead sister’s boyfriend when she knows she’s interested Joe, but because of the way the book’s written, it’s never bothered me. Lennie’s confusion and sense of loss are practically palpable, and it’s so obvious that she’s spending time with Toby as a way to try to stay connected to her sister. So I can understand her actions, even if I don’t agree with them.

Have you read this book? What did you think?

Friday Favorites: Robin McKinley

On Fridays I post a little shout out to one of my favorite books and explain why I love it so much. It gives me the chance to fangirl over books I never reviewed on this blog and lets me post about some not necessarily YA books I love.

Which book?
Everything ever written by Robin McKinley

Genre?
Fantasy

Summary?
Her books are (in no particular order)
-Beauty
-Rose Daughter
-Spindle’s End
-Deerskin
-The Outlaws of Sherwood
-Chalice
-Pegasus
-The Blue Sword
-The Hero and the Crown
-Sunshine
-Dragonhaven
And four short story collections (at least that I can remember)

When did I first read it?
The first of her books that I read was “Beauty,” a Beauty and the Beast retelling, and I read it around age 12 or so.

Why did I first read it?
My older sister bought me “Beauty” for my birthday, and I’ve never been one to turn up my nose at a free book. The rest of the books I read because I knew how freaking talented Robin McKinley is and didn’t want to miss anything she’s written.

What did I think about it then?
I loved “Beauty” right away. The main character is so down-to-earth and easy to relate to. Plus, who doesn’t love a good Beauty and the Beast story? I liked it so much, I read “Rose Daughter” next, which is her other Beauty and the Beast retelling (and seriously, it takes a ridiculously amazing author to essentially write the same story twice and make both of them fantastic). As I read through the rest of McKinley’s books, there were never any that I didn’t like. Yes, there were some I liked more than others, but I’ve reread all of them at least twice (seriously, I had to tape the binding together on some of my favorites), and the more I read them the more they grow on me.

What do I think about it now?
I always shy away from the question of who’s my favorite author, but I have the sneaking suspicion that if forced to answer, I’d say Robin McKinley. I love her narrative voice and writing style A LOT, and she has this dry, sneaky humor that never fails to make me smile. Plus her heroines are all strong and amazing while still being totally relatable. It’s hard for me to pick my favorites of her books, but I think I’d have to go with “The Blue Sword” and “Spindle’s End,” with a tie between “The Hero and the Crown” and “Chalice” for third. But really, it’s impossible to go wrong with one of her books. And, she also writes a hilarious blog. Oh, and she once responded to an email I wrote her, which even more firmly cemented my admiration for her.

Have you read any of these books? What did you think?

Friday Favorites: The Sevenwaters Trilogy

On Fridays I post a little shout out to one of my favorite books and explain why I love it so much. It gives me the chance to fangirl over books I never reviewed on this blog and lets me post about some not necessarily YA books I love.

Which book?
The Sevenwaters Trilogy, by Juliet Marillier

Genre?
Fantasy

Summary?
It’s a trilogy that’s morphed into 5 books and a novella, all about different generations of this family who lives in old Ireland (I think). They intermittently interact with the faeries and other fae, have adventures, and fall in love.

The books in the series are
-Daughter of the Forest
-Son of the Shadows
-Child of the Prophesy
-Heir to Sevenwaters
-Seer of Sevenwaters
-Twixt Firelight and Water

When did I first read it?
About two years ago.

Why did I first read it?
I was reading a different book by the same author that my sister had recommended to me. One of my co-works saw me with it and asked if I had read this series. When I said I hadn’t, she lent me them, for which I will be forever grateful. I downed the whole series (or at least the books that were out at that point) in two weeks.

What did I think about it then?
These aren’t short books. In paperback, they’re 500-600 pages of fairly small text. And usually that’s the kind of thing that turns me off. But from the very first book, these sucked me in. The fantasy aspect with all the faeries and old gods and whatnot is great, but what I really loved were the layered characters and how the author managed to include romances that were plenty swoony without taking over the story.

What do I think about it now?
My favorite in the series is the fourth book, Heir to Sevenwaters, but they’re all pretty great. Even my least favorites, Child of the Prophecy and Seer of Sevenwaters, are still fairly fantastic. There are some parts of the books that I love rereading, just because they’re so wonderful. Actually, I read Heir to Sevenwaters before I read Iron King, by Julie Kagawa, (which has a fairly similar storyline) and I couldn’t even finish Iron King because it didn’t come close to stacking up to Heir to Sevenwaters.

Have you read this series? What did you think?

Friday Favorites: Jellicoe Road (!!!)

On Fridays I post a little shout out to one of my favorite books and explain why I love it so much. It gives me the chance to fangirl over books I never reviewed on this blog and lets me post about some not necessarily YA books I love.

Which book?
Jellicoe Road, by Melina Marchetta

Genre?
YA Contemporary

Summary? (From GoodReads)
Taylor is the leader of the boarders at the Jellicoe School. She has to keep the upper hand in the territory wars and deal with Jonah Griggs - the enigmatic leader of the cadets, and someone she thought she would never see again.

And now Hannah, the person Taylor had come to rely on, has disappeared. Taylor's only clue is a manuscript about five kids who lived in Jellicoe eighteen years ago. She needs to find out more, but this means confronting her own story, making sense of her strange, recurring dream, and finding her mother - who abandoned her on the Jellicoe Road.

When did I first read it?
March 2010

Why did I first read it?
I think this was another recommendation off someone or other’s blog.

What did I think about it then?
I’ll admit that at first I wasn’t blown away. I liked the writing, but I was just so confused about what was going on that I was about to give up. BUT. Then I decided to keep reading, and about the time I hit chapter 6, I was a goner. I was irrevocably sucked into the story and invested in the characters. And really, how could I not love a book with JONAH GRIGGS in it? That boy is the epitome of YA swooniness.

What do I think about it now?
Um, how should I phrase this? . . . I FREAKING LOVE THIS BOOK. It’s hands down my favorite YA book. It’s just so perfect in every single possible way. Melina Marchetta is always a genius, but this one will always be my favorite of her books (I’m assuming—since I’m not psychic I can’t actually know for sure). I don’t even know how to adequately express my love for this book. I mean, did I mention it has JONAH GRIGGS in it? And Taylor’s not too shabby of a character herself. Just go read it—seriously though.

Have you read this book? What did you think?

Friday Favorites: To Kill a Mockingbird

On Fridays I post a little shout out to one of my favorite books and explain why I love it so much. It gives me the chance to fangirl over books I never reviewed on this blog and lets me post about some not necessarily YA books I love.

Which book?
To Kill a Mockingbird, by Harper Lee

Genre?
Fiction

Summary? (From GoodReads)
Harper Lee's Pulitzer Prize-winning masterwork of honor and injustice in the deep South--and the heroism of one man in the face of blind and violent hatred.

One of the best-loved stories of all time, To Kill a Mockingbird has been translated into more than forty languages, sold more than thirty million copies worldwide, served as the basis of an enormously popular motion picture, and was voted one of the best novels of the twentieth century by librarians across the country.

A gripping, heart-wrenching, and wholly remarkable tale of coming-of-age in a South poisoned by virulent prejudice, it views a world of great beauty and savage inequities through the eyes of a young girl, as her father--a crusading local lawyer--risks everything to defend a black man unjustly accused of a terrible crime.

When did I first read it?
Five years ago, I think.

Why did I first read it?
It was always one of those books that I’d heard about other people reading for school, but I was never assigned it, so I never read it in high school. But then I figured that I should see what all the hype was about, so in college I checked it out from the library. And discovered that all the hype is entirely, 100 percent merited.

What did I think about it then?
I fell in love with Scout immediately. She’s such a plucky little girl, so full of spunk, and I just loved her narrative voice. Then, as I got further and further into the story, I came to appreciate the plot too, and the message it was trying to get across. I was expecting the book to be all about racism, so I was intrigued to find that it’s also about growing up, family, friendship, and figuring out what you believe then standing up for it.

What do I think about it now?
I still adore this book so much, and I’ve reread it quite a few times. I just never get tired of Scout. And of course, there’s Atticus Finch, that epitome of a good man. I’m glad, though, that I read it when I was older and not when everyone else was being forced to read it for school. I think being forced to read this one would’ve ruined it for me—it would’ve taken away the wonder and the joy of discovering that this book was so much more than I anticipated.

Have you read this book? What did you think?

Friday Favorites: The Book of Bright Ideas

On Fridays I post a little shout out to one of my favorite books and explain why I love it so much. It gives me the chance to fangirl over books I never reviewed on this blog and lets me post about some not necessarily YA books I love.

Which book?
The Book of Bright Ideas, by Sandra Kring

Genre?
Fiction

Summary? (From GoodReads)
Wisconsin, 1961. Evelyn “Button” Peters is nine the summer Winnalee and her fiery-spirited older sister, Freeda, blow into her small town–and from the moment she sees them, Button knows this will be a summer unlike any other.

Much to her mother’s dismay, Button is fascinated by the Malone sisters, especially Winnalee, a feisty scrap of a thing who carries around a shiny silver urn containing her mother’s ashes and a tome she calls “The Book of Bright Ideas.” It is here, Winnalee tells Button, that she records everything she learns: her answers to the mysteries of life. But sometimes those mysteries conceal a truth better left buried. And when a devastating secret is suddenly revealed, dividing loyalties and uprooting lives, no one–from Winnalee and her sister to Button and her family–will ever be the same.

When did I first read it?
Three years ago

Why did I first read it?
In my fiction editing class, we had to pick some books that we wouldn’t usually read. The girl sitting next to me picked this one and liked it, so I decided to give it a try.

What did I think about it then?
I immediately loved the narrator—9-year-old Button. She reminded me a little of how I was as a child—quiet, reserved, shy—so I connected with her. But I think what I liked the most about the book was that it had a happy ending. I wasn’t at all sure through most of the book that everything was going to work out, so when it did, I was so relieved. I also really loved watching Button’s parents fall in love with each other again—it was so sweet.

What do I think about it now?
This is one of those books that I can honestly say changed my life. There’s a line in it that goes, “Don’t judge people for what they’re doing until you know why they’re doing it,” and that completely altered the way I interact with people. When I get frustrated with people, that quote inevitably pops into my head and reminds me that I don’t know everything.

Have you read this book? What did you think?

Friday Favorites: The Poisonwood Bible

On Fridays I post a little shout out to one of my favorite books and explain why I love it so much. It gives me the chance to fangirl over books I never reviewed on this blog and lets me post about some not necessarily YA books I love.

Which book?
The Poisonwood Bible, by Barbara Kingsolver

Genre?
Fiction

Summary? (From GoodReads)
Told by the wife and four daughters of Nathan Price, a fierce evangelical Baptist who takes his family and mission to the Belgian Congo in 1959,The Poisonwood Bible is the story of one family's tragic undoing and remarkable reconstruction over the course of three decades in postcolonial Africa. They carry with them all they believe they will need from home, but soon find that all of it - from garden seeds to Scripture - is calamitously transformed on African soil.

When did I first read it?
High school

Why did I first read it?
I don’t really remember. I think someone lent it to me? Or maybe I read it for a book club?

What did I think about it then?
I fell completely and totally in love with the writing. Obviously I’d read stuff by female authors before, but Kingsolver was the one who really brought it home to me that women could write just as well as the men we were studying in my English class. And could write better than them, actually. Plus, the setting was just so breathtakingly vivid—1960s Belgian Congo. I didn’t know the country even existed, let alone what went on there, so this book opened my eyes to a whole new world and made me realize that there's more to history than what I read in my history textbook.

What do I think about it now?
Even after reading most of Kingsolver’s other books, The Poisonwood Bible is still my favorite. I don’t know—it just grabs me by the heart every single time I read it. It’s one of those books that I can’t reread too often, because of the emotional wringer it puts me through, but every time I finish it, I’m reminded of just how worth it it is.

Have you read this book? What did you think?

Friday Favorites: With This Ring

On Fridays I post a little shout out to one of my favorite books and explain why I love it so much. It gives me the chance to fangirl over books I never reviewed on this blog and lets me post about some not necessarily YA books I love.

Which book?
With This Ring, by Carla Kelly

Genre?
Regency Romance

Summary? (From GoodReads)
It was clear to Lydia Perkins from the first that she was courting scandal when she became involved with Major Samuel Reed. This outrageously impudent officer kept deplorable company in dismal surroundings beyond the boundaries of polite society. Even worse, he was shamelessly, sinfully penniless. — To keep him company would ruin Lydia's already slim chances in the marriage mart. To listen to the shocking proposal he made to her would spell ruin to her good name. To run away with him in a mockery of marriage on a honeymoon journey through the wilds of England was the ultimate folly for a young lady whose family demanded she wed both wisely and well. Could Lydia say "I do" and accept the Major for better or for worse, or would she risk losing the only man who had ever captured her heart?

When did I first read it?
Um…eight years ago probably? Sometime in high school.

Why did I first read it?
There was a box of regency romances out in our garage, and so I read my way through them.

What did I think about it then?
I think regency romances are a lot of fun—clean and light—but they tend to lack any major depth. The characters tend to flirt and go to balls and go for rides in Hyde Park and that’s it. But “With This Ring” is more grounded—its characters deal with real issues, and there is definite character growth going on. Plus, it is really, really funny. So reading “With This Ring” after a bunch of fluffier books was just so refreshing.

What do I think about it now?
I love this book A LOT. It is hands down one of my top two favorite romances. I’ve reread it a ton of times, and I never get tired of it. I just admire the characters so much and kinda look up to them in a way because they’re such strong people. And I like how the author makes the two characters’ relationship feel so real without having to be explicit about what goes on in the bedroom. I feel like this book completely disproves all those people who think romance novels can’t have substance and are only about sex.

Have you read this book? What did you think?

Friday Favorites: The Winter Sea

On Fridays I post a little shout out to one of my favorite books and explain why I love it so much. It gives me the chance to fangirl over books I never reviewed on this blog and lets me post about some not necessarily YA books I love.

Which book?
The Winter Sea, by Susanna Kearsley

Genre?
Historical Fiction

Summary? (From GoodReads)
It is 2008 and Carrie McClelland can't hit the right note for her next novel, but an unplanned detour in Scotland, and a stop at the castle that inspired Count Dracula, sets her on a different path; a path that took her back in time exactly 300 years, to that same castle, and to a rebellion doomed to failure. Alternating between the contemporary setting and the past, The Winter Sea takes us at every turn into little known worlds; historical footnotes writ large, a history of Scotland and the Jacobite rebellion of 1708 and the possibility of genetic memory. Historical fiction at its best and Susanna Kearsley at hers, The Winter Sea evokes the writing of Thomas Raddall, Daphne Du Maurier, and Mary Stewart.

When did I first read it?
About a year ago.

Why did I first read it?
I think I saw it recommended on someone’s blog. I must have, actually, because it’s not really the type of book I’d usually pick up without a recommendation.

What did I think about it then?
I didn’t know what to expect going in, seeing as how I’m not habitually a fan of historical fiction. But I got sucked in almost from the start—mostly because there are two stories (one that takes place modernly and one that takes place in 18th century Scotland) and BOTH of them have totally hot Scottish guys in them. Seriously, what else would I have needed to love this book? But I think what really pushed this book into the favorites category for me was the ending of the historical storyline. I literally squealed when I read it because it was unexpected but so totally perfect.

What do I think about it now?
Admittedly, I haven’t had time to reread this one yet, but I swear I have every intention of doing so. It’s a fairly long book, so it takes a little more of a time commitment than I’m used to. But even though I haven’t reread it all the way through yet, I HAVE reread my favorite bits—because there are some parts of this book that are so perfectly wonderful I couldn't stay away.

Have you read this book? What did you think?