Top Ten Tuesday: Picture me this

 

Hosted by The Broke and the Bookish

TOP FAVORITE GRAPHIC NOVELS

I discovered Graphic Novels last year and turned into an addict. Oh well!!

Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi

Touching story set during the Islamic Revolution.

Maus by Art Spiegelman

Holocaust account. Considered a classic in the Graphic Novel genre.

Blankets by Craig Thompson

I'm about to review this book. It's well-drawn and retells the pain of a first heartbreak from a dude's point of view.

American Born Chinese by Gene Luen Yang

Growing up means learning how to love yourself no matter where you come from. 

Anya's Ghost by Vera Brosgol

One of my all time favorites. I can't count how many times it has made my top ten. 

Are you my Mother by Alison Bechdel

I was grateful that the writer exposed so much -- past the wound, the hurt, the pain.

YKids Collection

Collection also includes Gandhi, Mother Teresa, Leonardo Da Vinci, Einstein and Marie Curie. Depicts their life from birth to death. Well-illustrated. 

Review: Hollow City

Who's to say a sequel can't be better than the first?

Jacob and the peculiar children find themselves stranded on an island. This time with a quest on their hands: to find a way to bring Miss Peregrine back to her physical form. If Miss Peregrine doesn't change soon, she will remain a bird forever and Jacob will never be able to see his parents again.

Ransom Riggs placed a lot more action into the plot this time, introducing Gypsies and a war; making certain to keep us on our toes. Somewhere along the lines, I didn't really feel the lust between Jacob and Emma. Did their feelings start to fall apart, I wondered? Then I realized their relationship went deeper than that. Even Emma doesn't know what to make of it anymore.

In fact, the chaos of the situation brought a lot of changes to the peculiars. Forcing them to use their powers. To understand just how special they all are.

Looking forward to book number three.

Review: Cloaked

One day my princess will come -- yeah, one can safely say that this a great modern plot twist from the original boy romances girl fairy-tales. Victoriana is beautiful and loaded with royal money. She could have any other boy, but wants shoemaker Johnny to be her savior and search the town for her lost brother who's been turned into a frog. If he succeeds, she will marry him and make him prince of Aloria. Johnny doesn't really want to marry the princess, whom he's never met before, but agrees for the money. And so begins his magical quest. 

I love Alex Flinn for books like Beastly and A Kiss in Time. For her ability to take fantasy fairy-tale elements and give them a modern take. But alas, in this book she took the tales too far. I could barely recognize the human world at all. Even the characters kept changing, developing powers when it suited them, falling in and out of love at will. 

Sadly, kissing a frog would be more entertaining. 

Top Ten Tuesday: This is my confession

 

Hosted by The Broke and the Bookish

TOP AUTHORS I'VE NEVER READ

Nothing personal. I'm certain that one day this post will be old news as I update my to-read list.

    Jane Austen   Dan Brown      Lewis Caroll    J.R.R.Tolkien

  Jennifer L. Armentrout  

Who made your list?

Review: Grim

I'm not one to name drop, but Hawkins, Smith-Ready, Kagawa and Hopkins, are all authors any YA lover would instantly recognize. Grim contains 17 stories in all, each one by a different writer. Although the fairy-tale theme is always present, you will find paranormal, fantasy, sci-fi, horror, romance and even humorous tales throughout the anthology, maintaining a pleasant diversity.

Some stories were very short and lacked the tension and twisted endings the others shared. But most did stand out, such as Key (psychic intuitions), The Raven Princess (transformation), Better (cyborgs), Sharper than a Serpent's Tongue (curses.)

Retelling also took place in The Twelfth Girl, reminiscent of the Twelve Dancing Princesses except this time around they escape to go clubbing and drinking. Hansel and Gretel become Hansen and Greta in Light it Up as the siblings face a torture cabin in the woods. Thinner than Water retells Peau D'Ane with an ending worth reading twice. But the most intriguing retell goes to Julie Kagawa with The Brothers Piggett or as most know them, the three little pigs.

A fast and amusing read.

Feature and Follow Friday: The End

Parajunkee / Alison Can Read

FEATURE & FOLLOW FRIDAY

Once you answer be sure to leave me your link so I can follow you back

Q: Change the plot. If you could, what book would you change the ending or a plot thread?

Hello, Requiem!

I would tear this book apart. Give Hannah a different role. The surgery would seem fine at first, but then she'd find herself in places without knowing how she got there. She'd have no other choice than to act against her husband's evil plans before her brain would stop functioning completely O_O

And I'd provide an ending to the novel. No series should be left open to speculation, right?

Review: Daughter of Smoke and Bone

Daughter of Smoke and Bone captures its readers interest with an orphan girl named Karou, whose cheating ex-boyfriend tries to win her back by posing nude in her life drawing class. As if this wasn't enough of a jolt, Karou's adoptive family is chimaera -- mythical creatures from various animals parts -- making Karou's background even more of a blurr. Is she ... human?

A lot of information was thrown into the book: portals to different worlds, an instalove relationship, a war between angels and demons, dentistry, magical power to fly, past lives... Every time I figured out where the story was going, Laini Taylor would shake her finger at me, and twist the plot the other way around. 

Perhaps now that the characters are set, Days of Blood and Starlight (book2), will be easier to follow.

Top Ten Tuesday: Best Picture

 

Hosted by The Broke and the Bookish

TOP FAVORITE BOOK/FILM ADAPTATION

NOMINATED FOR BEST PICTURE 

With so many book to film adaptations it would have been extremely difficult for me to choose without limits. The 86th Academy Awards will be hosted this Sunday, so what a better way to praise them for all the recognition they have provided artists over the years. 

10. The Godfather (1972) adapted from Mario Puzo's novel of the same name.

Not as good as the sequel, but the tone of the film was beautifully dark. I also have a thing for scripts written by the original writer himself.

9. The Wizard of Oz (1939) adapted from L.Frank Baum The Wonderful Wizard of Oz.

Following a yellow brick road is a lot easier that following simple arrows. The book might be different than the movie, but the film still packs lots of punch and a great musical score.

8. Terms of Endearment (1983) adapted from Larry McMurtry's novel of the same name.

Loved Shirley in Steel Magnolias, though this film takes the cake. The characters were well crafted, complimenting each other in surprising ways. One of the best Mom/Daughter bond seen on film.

7. Beauty and the Beast (1991) adapted from Jeanne-Marie Leprince de Beaumont's story of the same name.

Awkward thing is Jeanne-Marie married a Beast in real life, who took all her dowry money to please his selfish needs until he contracted a disease due to his "party lifestyle" thus releasing her from her duties.

6. The Exorcist (1973) adapted from William Peter Blatty's novel of the same name.

Still recovering from major nightmares.

5. A Streetcar Named Desire (1951) adapted from Tennessee Williams' play of the same name.

"Stella!!" "Stella!!"

4. The Color Purple (1985) adapted from Alice Walker's novel of the same name.

Amazing Script. I dare say that, for me, Oprah stole the show.

3. Hugo (2011) adapted from Brian Selznick's The Invention of Hugo Cabret

I've said it before and I'll say it again, Selznick is a talented genius. His illustrations are meant to be hung on walls.

2. Mary Poppins (1964) adapted from P.L.Travers' series

Need to pick up one of the series' book soon. I'm so very curious. Apparently, the movie doesn't resemble the books at all. Sigh!

1. Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001) adapted from J. R. R. Tolkien's novel of the same name.

Saw the movie, loved it, found it quite long. One day I shall challenge myself to read the series.

Feature and Follow Friday: Let's Clean up the Streets

Parajunkee / Alison Can Read

FEATURE & FOLLOW FRIDAY

Once you answer be sure to leave me your link so I can follow you back

Q: What was the last book that made you cry?

Yes! I admit it, The Girl in Red -- a picture book -- by Aaron Frisch and Roberto Innoncenti made me cry.

Well not exactly ''tear up'', more like recoil inside, and desperately want to cry because of the impotent horrible feeling that there isn't anything I can do to help children who have passed away in the hands of predators.

Kids are always warned not to talk to strangers, a lesson often accompanied by the Red Riding Hood tale. Well, in this version there is no food starved wolf, Grandma's house is replaced with a trailer, and no one is there to save little red.

Review: Wonderstruck

After watching The Invention of Hugo Cabret, I rose from my chair and applauded the cinematography. Not every director gets to frame shots like that. But then once I read the book, I realized that all the frames had been previously drawn by Selznick. If anything, he deserved a lot more credit. I'm happy to say that the quality of the illustrations are maintained in Wonderstruck.

Having lost his mother, Ben must face his home being sold. While going through his mother's personals, he discovers his father's identity and leaves for NYC alone. Despite being a minor --  a deaf minor. Rose's story on the other hand is told in pictures. She also ran away from home to find her mother. And yes, both stories intertwine with a sentimental ending. Throughout the book, the narration is moving and easy for a middle-grader to follow.

Thank you Selznick for illuminating us again with a sweet message of hope.

Top Ten Tuesday: Restless Temptation

 

Hosted by The Broke and the Bookish

TOP REASONS TO BLOG AND READ 

C.S. Lewis once said: "You can never get a cup of tea large enough or a book long enough to suit me,"  which brings me to my main reasons for reading and blogging:


Reading is Endless

There will always be more books than you can ever read. So many different genres when you need a change. It's versatile.

Blogging Allows you to Connect

Imagine the most amazing flavor of ice cream and not being able to describe it to others because they believe desserts are dull. Blogging allows us readers to interact together and dissect those books we love so much.


Keep Updated

When does the new book from so and so come out...? Is it worth the read...? All topics mentioned through blogging.


ARCS

A.k.a Advance reading copies. Bloggers don't always have to wait for the publishing date to read a book copy.

Caught my arrow #31

Caught my Arrow is a meme similar to In my mailbox and  Stalking the Shelves featuring books that were purchased, borrowed or received that week.

Hope you all had a Happy Valentine's Day!! Actually, everyday should be Valentine's Day -- filled with chocolate and hugs ;) Except when it comes to restaurant reservations. Total drag!

Borrowed from Library

(hehe, couldn't help myself)

For Keeps by Natasha Friend
Golden by Jessi Kirby
Paul has a Summer Job by Michael Rabagliati

What are you reading this week?

Dreams in her Head: Cover Debut & Giveaway

The aliens are back! Clare C. Marshall returns with the sequel to her YA Sci-Fi Stars in her Eyes. In case you haven't read the first book in the series Amazon and Barnes & Noble has the ebook in stock at only $0.99

Open the door.

Step quickly, step through.

Breathe in the darkness,

Until you are its master.

Ingrid Stanley is in more trouble than she knows. Ingrid’s dead friend keeps showing up in her dreams along with mysterious visions that feel all-too real. What’s worse is now the Collective knows that Ingrid is supposed to have superpowers. They’re waiting to pounce the moment Ingrid and her new superpower-wielding friends make a mistake.

When her family is threatened by Professor Jadore, Ingrid decides it’s time to take matters into her own hands. A little student protest can’t go wrong, she thinks. Not when her almost-boyfriend Ethan is fully supporting it. Not when her friends put an innocent student’s life in danger to make it successful.

Not when a powerful alien is waiting for Ingrid to inadvertently summon him into this world.

Everything’s going to be fine. Absolutely no one will get hurt this time.

…right?

Wrong, and wrong again.

Clare Marshall grew up in rural Nova Scotia with very little television and dial up internet, and yet, she turned out okay. She has a combined honours degree in journalism and psychology from the University of King’s College, and is a graduate from Humber College’s Creative Book Publishing Program. She is a full time freelance editor, book designer, and web manager. When she’s not writing, she enjoys playing the fiddle and making silly noises at cats.

Fairy Inc Press is set to publish the book on March 13 2014.  Feel free to check it out on Goodreads. And don't forget to try your luck at the giveaway. 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Review: The Elite

Only six girls are left in the competition to win prince Maxon's heart. 

From what we saw in The Selection, the first book in the series, Maxon prefers the company of America over the other girls. But how long will his interest last when America is not ready to let go of her ex-boyfriend? Worse, what can happen if Maxon finds out he is being betrayed?

Kiera Cass caught the readers interest by mixing dystopia and romance. Thankfully, this book isn't a repetition of the previous. Instead of jealous girls backstabbing one another, Maxon gets to deal with rebels endangering the entire kingdom. What good does it do to win a crown when there will be no throne to sit on? If America is going to stay with Maxon, then she'd better do it out of love. 

Love-o-meter: Sex, betrayal, and pleasurable indiscretions.

The series conclusion comes out in May 2014.

Top Ten Tuesday: Heart Medicine

 

Hosted by The Broke and the Bookish

TOP TEN BOOKS TO SWOON OVER

Valentine's Day is approaching and what a better way to celebrate the month of Love than by sharing these beautiful quotes.

10- Can You Keep a Secret

“It’s the way he had a cup of tea waiting for me when I woke up. It’s the way he turned on his laptop especially for me to look up all my Internet horoscopes and helped me choose the best one. He knows all the crappy, embarrassing bits about me that I normally try to hide from any man for as long as possible… and he loves me anyway.” 

9- The Time Traveler's Wife

“Don't you think it's better to be extremely happy for a short while, even if you lose it, than to be just okay for your whole life?” 

8- The Fault in Our Stars

“You realize that trying to keep your distance from me will not lessen my affection for you. All efforts to save me from you will fail.”

7- Anna and the French Kiss

“I'm saying I'm in love with you! I've been in love with you this whole bleeding year!” 

6- Shiver

“right in this moment, I can´t even remember what unhappy feels like.” 

5- Matched

“But if you were Matched," I say softly, "What do you think she'd be like?"
"You," he says, almost before I've finished. "You.” 

4- If I Stay

“If you stay, I'll do whatever you want. I'll quit the band, go with you to New York. But if you need me to go away, I'll do that, too ... I can lose you like that if I don't lose you today. I'll let you go. If you stay.”

3- Graceling

“I wanted you to go away, because it hurts to be with you when I can't see you." 

2-  City of Fallen Angels

“You don't get to decide," she said, "where I go, or when."
"I know." His voice was ragged. "I've always known that about you. I don't know why I had to fall in love with someone who's more stubborn than I am.” 

1- Ten Things we Did and Probably Shouldn't Have

 “Sometimes you don't need lightning to start a fire. Sometimes, it builds on its own.”

Caught my arrow #30

Caught my Arrow is a meme similar to In my mailbox and  Stalking the Shelves featuring books that were purchased, borrowed or received that week.

Got a pleasant surprise in the mailbox this week!!

Received for review

Far from you by Tess Sharpe
The Geography of You and Me by Jennifer E. Smith
(Thank you HbgCanada)

Received from Netgalley

Don't Even Think About it by Sarah Mlynowski

Borrowed from Library

Unwind by Neil Shusterman
Blankets by Craig Thompson

What are you reading this week?

Review: Luminary

Threatened of extermination due to an emotional personality, Thalli escapes the Scientists who created her and enters our world which she believed to be destroyed. Along with her is Berk, long time friend and love interest. And her best friend Rhen. But as Berk and Rhen begin to spend more time together, Thalli learns that being free to demonstrate emotions can lead to uncertainty and jealousy.

Krista McGee put a lot of effort to keep the action going in this sequel to Anomaly. Adding new characters, like handsome yet secretive prince Alex who brings out a different side in Thalli's character. Same as the previous book, lots of plot twists kept me second guessing the climax to the point where I had to restrain myself from skipping to the ending. 

The series conclusion Revolutionary is set for July 2014.