Top Ten Tuesday

Hosted by The Broke and the Bookish

Top Ten Words/Topics That Instantly Make Me Buy/Pick Up A Book

-    Dragons:  If the book has dragons, I'll most likely read it!

-    Fairy Tale Re-Tellings:  This is one of my favorite genres, and I'll read almost everything that is a re-telling!

-    Classics:  For some reason, I really want to read classic books. Books from authors like Jane Austen, Charles Dickens, etc. I want to read the oldies but goodies!

-   Mythology:  I love all the mythology based books coming out! I've always been fascinated with Greek and Roman mythology. I've kinda gotten into Egyptian and Norse mythology lately. I love all the books that include this topic. 

-    Zombies:  If the book has zombies, I'll probably pick it up!

-   Comic Books:  I want to read anything Marvel and Batman. If it has Marvel heroes or Batman in it! It's pretty much a done deal.

-    Books made into movies:  If was made into a movie I liked, I want to read the book!

-    Books mentioned in movies:  If a  book is mentioned in a movie I like, I want to read it. For instance, the shoe books like Ballet Shoes, Skating Shoes, etc. They are mentioned in You've Got Mail by Meg Ryan's character, and I want to read those books now. 

-    Clarinet:  If there is a clarinet on the cover, or the book is about band/clarinet players. I'll read it! No matter how cheesy, I'll read it.

-    Manga:  I enjoy reading certain mangas.  If I find a manga I love, I can't get my hands on the next  volume fast enough!

Magician: Apprentice

Goodreads Synopsis:    To the forest on the shore of the Kingdom of the Isles, the orphan Pug came to study with the master magician Kulgan. But though his courage won him a place at court and the heart of a lovely Princess, he was ill at ease with the normal ways of wizardry. Yet Pug's strange sort of magic would one day change forever the fates of two worlds. For dark beings from another world had opened a rift in the fabric of spacetime to being again the age-old battle between the forces of Order and Chaos.









My Thoughts:

-    This is one of my favorite authors of all time! I love his stories, world, characters, and writing.

-    There are a lot of characters in this book, but it is very easy to keep track of who is who and their station.

-    This book has everything! Magic, knights, romance, princes and princesses, aliens, action, chase scenes, pirates, battles, elves, dwarves, and more! It is epic!

-    I love how the characters grow and develop. This book takes place over several years, and the characters mature as they grow up. I love that!

-    There is so much going on in the story, but it flows really well. I don't get confused or anything. All the pieces just fit, and it is fun to see each character and their journey.

-    The ending is especially exciting. The battle at Crydee is so fun to read.

-    The story is not finished. There are so many things left to wonder about, but the ending is not a killer cliffhanger.

-    The enemy in this book is so interesting. Their different culture and the way they think really intrigues me.

-    I feel like my ramblings just don't do this book justice! This is a must read for all fantasy lovers!! 

Bernie

My Thoughts:

-    I was at the library browsing through the movies, and I saw this one. I've never heard of it, but it had a great cast line up, so I checked it out.

-    This was such a weird movie.

-    I thought this would be a dramatic comedy, and in a way I guess it was, but it was a documentary type movie, like Best in Show. I was definitely not expecting that.

-    I wonder if any of the people were real people from the town.

-    This was such a different role for Jack Black. Instead of a goofball, he plays a very conservative, neighborly, and Christian nice guy.  He did such a great job though! His body language, the way he talked, and the way he walked was so in character. 

-    Bernie singing in the car at the beginning cracked me up.

-    I can't believe this is a true story! It is crazy!

-    Shirley MacLaine was perfect for her role. She was fabulous!

-    I thought Mathew McConaughey would play a larger role than he did, and he doesn't appear until farther into the story, but he did a good job. 

-    It takes place in Texas, and I just couldn't understand half of what some people said.

-    Overall, I thought this was weird, but it was very entertaining. It was good. 

Hubby's Thought:

-    It felt like I was back in Oklahoma.

Tyson's Thoughts:

-    I thought this was a pretty good movie. I was surprised!

-    I liked all the Southern sayings.

-    I liked all the mortuary stuff. 

Uneasy Fortunes

Goodreads Synopsis:    Battered by his past, Pete knows he has no business falling for anyone. But when time can’t heal a wound, love steps in to make it right. Based on a true story of the post–Civil War South, this gentle rustic romance will pull you in from the first page and leave you with a renewed hope in the power of real love.












My Thoughts:

-    This was surprisingly good. It wasn't at all what I expected, and I enjoyed it.

-    I love the whole theme of overcoming trials and fear. What June went through was horrific, and I'm sure a lot of women would react the same way she did.

-    I loved June's character. She was strong and courageous but full of fear and doubt. I loved her journey through overcoming her terrible experience. 

-    I also loved the theme of family and how important it is. I want to be part of this family and live a humble and hardworking life.

-    This kinda had a Little House on the Prairie feel.

-    Pete is my new literature heartthrob! He is that strong silent type, that rugged manly man type, and that knight in shining armor that every girl dreams about!

-    The tension between June and Pete towards the end is maddening! This is why I don't read romance books. I hate the miscommunication confusion!

-    I probably wouldn't have given this book a second glance, but since I know the author, I wanted to give it a try, and I'm so glad I did.

-    This wasn't the perfect book, but it was pretty good. It has a great message, and it is pretty entertaining. There were parts where I couldn't put it down, and it left me feeling pretty good about life. 

Top Ten Tuesday

Hosted by The Broke and the Bookish

Top Ten Books I Thought I'd Like More/Less Than I Did

-    Sean Griswold's Head by Lindsey Leavitt:  This book kind of interested me, but I saw it as chick lit, and I'm not a chick lit fan. My friend gave me an extra copy she had, so I read it. I actually really liked it! I was so surprised!

-    Peter Pan by J.M. Barrie:  I thought this classic tale would be fun but it wasn't. It was slow, weird, and I can't believe it is a children's story. I was bit put off by some things, like the fairies having an orgy. 

-    Uneasy Fortunes by Mandi Ellsworth:  I was skeptical of this one. I thought this would be eh or I wouldn't like it, but I actually really enjoyed it! It was very touching.

-    Pandamonium by Lauren Oliver:  I thought I would love this one since Delirium was so good, but I was really disappointed in the last two.

-    Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins:  A lot of people I know love this book, and it got a lot of hype, so I finally read it, and I wasn't too impressed. This book frustrated me.

-    Lemon Tart by Josi S. Kilpack:  I've seen this around a lot, especially since I live in Utah, but I wasn't sure about it. I finally read it, and it was actually a pretty fun murder mystery. 

-    Cyrano de Bergerac by Edmond Rostand:  I don't know why I wanted to read this play, but I did, and I loved it! It was fun and witty! I've decided I enjoy reading plays, and this one started it!

-    The Princess Diaries series by Meg Cabot:  I shouldn't like these. I shouldn't even had read these. I did though, and now I call them my guilty pleasure books. They are light, fluffy, and fun. Don't ask me why I like them so much.

-    The Last Princess by Galaxy Craze:  I thought I would really enjoy this book, but I didn't. I just wasn't impressed.

-    Fablehaven by Brandon Mull:  I thought I would really like these cause I've heard so many good things, and Brandon Mull is a one man party. Sadly, I was disappointed. 

Revolting Rhymes

Goodreads Bit:    Fairy Tales have never been more revolting!

Six of the best-known fairy tales are retold, with some extremely surprising twists, by the master of the comic and bloodcurdling- Roald Dahl.

My Thoughts:

-    I love Roald Dahl's humor. It is so unique!

-    I like Quentin Blake's illustrations, and I think they really fit Dahl's books, but I feel like even I could have do drawings like this.

-    The Cinderella was peculiar. It was a tad barbaric yet funny.

-    Jack and the Beanstalk was hilarious!

-    The evil Queen in Snow White has quite the rack.

-    This was a weird and more modern Snow White story.

-    Why was Snow White blonde?

-    I've always thought Goldilocks was a jerk! I love that The Three Bears poem depicts that!

-    I love what Red Riding hood does to the wolf!

-    The end of The Three Little Pigs is awful!

-    The picture of the wolf licking the pig's tail is a bit weird!

Les Miserables

From Goodreads:    Victor Hugo’s tale of injustice, heroism and love follows the fortunes of Jean Valjean, an escaped convict determined to put his criminal past behind him. But his attempts to become a respected member of the community are constantly put under threat: by his own conscience, when, owing to a case of mistaken identity, another man is arrested in his place; and by the relentless investigations of the dogged policeman Javert. It is not simply for himself that Valjean must stay free, however, for he has sworn to protect the baby daughter of Fantine, driven to prostitution by poverty. A compelling and compassionate view of the victims of early nineteenth-century French society, Les Misérables is a novel on an epic scale, moving inexorably from the eve of the battle of Waterloo to the July Revolution of 1830.

My Thoughts:

-    It took me 2 weeks, but I did it! I read Les Miserables!!! 896 pages!!! It was an amazing journey! 

-    There are no words to describe the depth and feeling this story holds. I will try to do my best, but there isn't enough time for me write ALL my thoughts for this book.

-    If this is the abridged version, I don't even want to see the original. Can you get an unabridged version of this book in English? 

-    The whole theme of redemption and soul searching is powerful and moving.

-    I thought this would be hard to read and hard to understand, but it wasn't. It was actually a really fun and great read! There were some slow parts mixed in with the exciting and interesting parts, but it wasn't too bad.

-    The story would have gone smoother without a back story of EVERY character. I enjoyed learning the history of a lot of characters, but there were some I just thought tedious. 

-    There was a lot of French politics, and I didn't understand or care about a lot of it.

-    The characters were wonderful! Each one was so well thought out and so complicated. I loved them all! All except Thenardier, I hate that awful awful man!

-    I feel so bad for Javert. He is one of my favorite characters because his personality is so complicated. He isn't a bad guy; he is just doing his job and what he feels is right. He wants to bring justice. He doesn't believe in forgiveness or redemption at all! It is so sad! His confusion at the end is so heart breaking. 

-    Jean Valjean is an amazing man! One can only hope to be a man/ human being to his equal. 

-    I kept singing/hearing the music from the the play in my mind while I read different scenes. 

-    I wish there had been more Eponine. She wasn't in the book very much. I wish we got to see some of the story from her perspective. 

-    The emotions and descriptions were very deep and thorough. I felt so much during this journey, and my heart just ached! I didn't mind how descriptive most things were, but I just didn't care for the politics and other things.

-    If you have the courage and time to read this novel, I highly recommend it!! It was amazing! I thoroughly enjoyed it! It is worth the time!

-    I feel like my thoughts are insufficient for this masterpiece. I really just can't put how I feel about this story into words.  It is a beautiful tale!  

-    I just want to go out into the world and do some good now! 

The X-Men: Volume 2

Goodreads Description:  Celebrate Marvel's 70th anniversary by experiencing the tales of the world's most-famous super heroes from the very beginning! The Marvel Masterworks have brought readers deluxe hardcover collections of Marvel's classics from the Golden Age, Atlas Era, and the mighty Marvel Age, and now you can join in the Masterworks excitement with Marvel's new, monthly Marvel Masterworks trade paperbacks. Born with extraordinary talents and abilities, five teenage mutants gathered together under Professor Xavier to protect a world that fears and hates them. Ever expanding their ranks, these Children of the Atom combat the evils threatening both humans and mutants. They are the strangest super heroes of all - the X-Men! In this second volume, witness some of the earliest appearances of Juggernaut, Magneto, Mimic, and the Sentinels! Collects X-Men #11-21.

My Thoughts:

-    These comics just keep getting better! The geeky side of me is just ecstatic while reading these!

-    I like that Juggernaut is introduced in this volume! He is one of my favorite baddies!

-    I loved that there is some of Professor X's history in these issues. We learn about his family, and how he loses the use of his legs.

-    I don't understand why Johnny Storm was really needed, but it was fun to see him in an X-Men comic.

-    There is still that old 60's humor. It is cheesy, but I still find it funny.

-    I loved that I got to see some of Beast's past. I hope the series continues to show the history of different characters.

-    Magneto's face looks really crazed and different in later issues.

-    Cyclops is such a self righteous baby! He can get annoying!

-    Jean should go after Angel. He is much more swoon worthy.

-    The art is getting better, and the characters are getting more definition.

-    Unus and Magneto's suits are too similar. I don't like it. I wish Unus had his own look.

-    Stan Lee is such a goober! His little notes on some of the frames crack me up.

Previous X-Men Volume

(click on the cover to see my thoughts)

Top Ten Tuesday

Hosted by The Broke and the Bookish

Top Ten Books That Make You Think

-    Animal Farm by George Orwell:  This book has so many things to ponder about. Just to name a few: politics, social orders, mob psychology, oppression, etc. This book is amazing to read, but it kinda of scares me as well. It also makes me feel so sad.

-    The Book Thief by Markus Zusak:  I still ponder back to this book here and there. There is just so much emotion and topics of humanity! There are parts of the book that I just wonder "what if".

-    Les Miserables by Victor Hugo:  I'm reading this right now, and there is a lot to stomach and think about! The topic that really hits me is redemption. There is a lot to think about there.

-    The Giver by Lois Lowry:  The society and everything Jonas has to go through just baffles me. I often ask why? and how? during this story. Whenever I read this, I always stop and ponder about stuff afterwards.

-    Between Shades of Gray by Ruta Sepetys:  I read this a year ago, and my friends and I still talk about it! I learned so much from this book, and it makes me really appreciate my country and family.

-    Aesop's Fables:  These are fun little stories about life, human reasoning, and other life lessons. I had to really stop and think about a lot these fables and how they apply to us in how we behave.

-    The Chosen One by Carol Lynch Williams:  This made me really think about what is going on in parts of our country and with certain religions. It made me want to hug my daughter and protect her. 

-    Life As We Knew It by Susan Beth Pfeffer:  This made me really think about what I have, and it made me grateful for all I have. It also made me think about my food storage and what I would do in a crisis. 

-    Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien:  There are so many lessons to learn from these books. Things like giving into despair, enduring, friendship, compassion, courage, and more! I love just thinking about each character and what they have to offer, what sacrifices they made, and what they learned. These are awesome and thought provoking.

-    A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens:  There is so much to ponder in this little story. I love the ending! It makes me want to live my life to fullest!

I'm Reading a Long Book

I have finally decided to tackle Les Miserables, but it is HUGE! I hope to finish it within a week or so, but until then, posting will be scarce. There might be a movie review here or there, or I might get a game review up, but other than that I shan't be posting much. 

Thus far I am thoroughly enjoying Les Miserables. It is very intriguing and full of all sorts of deep emotion. I look forward to sharing my thoughts with you in the near future! You can track my progress on Goodreads.

In the meantime, feel free to peruse older posts! 

Thanks friends!

Top Ten Tuesday

Hosted by The Broke and the Bookish

Books I Read Before I was a Blogger

Since I've only been blogging for a year, this should be easy. I've always been a bookaholic. The challenge will be to stop at 10.

-    Harry Potter by J.K. Rowling:  I discovered these in Jr. High, and since I kinda grew up with these, they have become a lifetime favorite.

-    The Chronicles of Prydain by Lloyd Alexander:  These books helped start my love of reading. Lloyd Alexander will forever be one of my favorite authors. His stories will stay with me forever! I use to have a tradition of reading this series once a year. I should start that again.

-    Anne of Green Gables by L. M. Montgomery:  Another childhood favorite! Gilbert was my first literature Heartthrob! *sigh*

-    The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien:  I grew up with this book, and I will always have a special place in my heart for Bilbo. My brother read this to me when I was about 6, and I read it for myself when I was 10.

-    The Study series by Maria V. Snyder:  These are AWESOME! 

-    The Riftwar Saga by Raymond E. Feist:  Feist is another favorite author! I will read anything he writes! His characters are some of my favorite! 

-    A Series of Unfortunate Events by Lemony Snicket:  Yes, I read these. I enjoyed them, but I still want answers to my questions!!

-    Enchanted Forest Chronicles by Patricia C. Wrede:  This inflamed my love for dragon books.

-    The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis:  Honestly, who hasn't read these?

-    All of Jessica Day George's books:  I love her books!

Slipper and the Rose

(I couldn't find a trailer)

My Thoughts:

-    This is one of my favorite Cinderella movies. It might be the favorite actually.

-    I love the music and the songs!

-    Some songs seem so out of place, but they fit.

-    I like the Fairy Godmother, and I like how she makes multiple appearances to help Cinderella. This is a unique take on the Fairy Godmother, and I really enjoyed her character.

-    I didn't like the carriage design. It was a little too much.

-    I love that Cinderella's alias is Princess Incognita! HA HA HA!

-    I like the Prince's voice a lot.

-    I like the Prince and John's friendship. It added a whole new dynamic to the story.

-    I really like the transformation down the stairs. I don't know how they pulled if off back then, but it must have taken forever to plan and shoot. I think it is cool.

-    There is a different and sad twist towards the end, and I like how it adds a little more suspense.

-    I love the dog! He is so cute!

-    In this version, politics come into play, and it makes it feel more realistic. 

-    Cinderella has a really sweet voice.

-    This isn't the typical Cinderella story, and I really enjoy it! Those British people did a great job retelling this classic tale!

-    The acting is good, the story is great, the music is awesome! I enjoy this show!

Hubby's Thought:

-    It's pretty light outside for midnight

Tyson's Thoughts:

-    I want a bride finding ball. That is lucky!

-    I fee like that cousin guy would not want a bride finding ball. He'd want another kind of ball.

-    I like how everyone has the George Washington wig. Everyone looks important.

-    Is it sad I find Cinderella more attractive while she's working?

-    Cinderella has a kinky curtsy.

Mind Games

Goodreads Bit:    Fia was born with flawless instincts. Her first impulse, her gut feeling, is always exactly right. Her sister, Annie, is blind to the world around her—except when her mind is gripped by strange visions of the future. 

Trapped in a school that uses girls with extraordinary powers as tools for corporate espionage, Annie and Fia are forced to choose over and over between using their abilities in twisted, unthinkable ways…or risking each other’s lives by refusing to obey.

In a stunning departure from her New York Times bestselling Paranormalcy trilogy, Kiersten White delivers a slick, edgy, heartstoppingly intense psychological thriller about two sisters determined to protect each other—no matter the cost.

My Thoughts:

-    This was a very different book for Kiersten White. I never would have thought she had something like this in her. I was impressed that she was able to shift gears and write something different.

-    I didn't feel like this was a whole book. I felt like this was the middle of a story. It needs a prequel and a sequel. There is a lot of story missing.

-    I couldn't figure out Fia. One minute she is a panicky mess and the next she is calm, in control, and knows exactly what to do.

-    I felt like Fia and Annie made up one person. They didn't seem like two different girls, but more like 2 halves.

-    We really didn't get to meet the "villian", and that bugged me. 

-    I had to make sure I read the chapter titles and descriptions, or I was really confused on who's perspective I was reading and what time frame.

-    I liked how the story jumped from the present to the past, but at the same time, it was kinda confusing, and I didn't like it.

-    I didn't like James at all. I thought his relationship with Fia was inappropriate.

-    To sum it all up, I was kinda confused, kinda weirded out, and I wanted more details/story. 

Book Club

After a lot of contemplation, I decided to put an end to my book club. I didn't really see it going anywhere, and only 2-3 of us showed up each month. I was sad about it, but I realized it was for the best. I didn't want to put a lot of time into something that wasn't going anywhere.

After making this announcement on Twitter, my friend Suey invited me to be a part of her book club. I was super excited and graciously accepted! I feel like this book club will be a better fit for me. I'll get to read a wider variety and more challenging books! An added bonus is that Suey lives pretty close to me! I will also be able to see some of my blogger buddies on a monthly basis instead of the next author event, so I'm way excited about that! 

I think this change is for the best, and I'm excited to meet new people and talk about books.

Everbound

Goodreads Synopsis:    Nikki Beckett could only watch as her boyfriend, Jack, sacrificed himself to save her, taking her place in the Tunnels of the Everneath for eternity — a debt that should’ve been hers. She’s living a borrowed life, and she doesn’t know what to do with the guilt. And every night Jack appears in her dreams, lost and confused and wasting away.

Desperate for answers, Nikki turns to Cole, the immortal bad boy who wants to make her his queen — and the one person least likely to help. But his heart has been touched by everything about Nikki, and he agrees to assist her in the only way he can: by taking her to the Everneath himself.

Nikki and Cole descend into the Everneath, only to discover that their journey will be more difficult than they’d anticipated — and more deadly. But Nikki vows to stop at nothing to save Jack — even if it means making an incredible sacrifice of her own.

In this enthralling sequel to Everneath, Brodi Ashton tests the bonds of destiny and explores the lengths we’ll go to for the ones we love.

My Thoughts:

-    Wow! Another really fun journey.

-    Brodi said she didn't have the world building bone, but I think she did a great job creating the Everneath. It was really cool to see the Everneath in this book.

-    I feel like screaming and celebrating. I'm not sure which, but I might do a bit of both.

-    I like that the story takes place in Utah. I know where all the locations are, and it gives me some pride in my state.

-    I didn't like how Nikki was using Cole the whole time, but at the end, I just didn't know what to think.

-    There are some disturbing/creepy things in this book.

-    I have some major mixed and screwed up feelings about Cole. I don't hate him, but I don't love him. There were times in this book that I really felt for him, and then I just wanted to punch in the face! GAH!

-    Nikki and her emotional roller coaster are very believable. I had so much empathy for her and what she was going through.

-    I figured a love triangle would develop in this series, but this is such a different take on a love triangles that I just don't know what to think.

-    I loved the journey through Everneath. I liked the different stages and the maze aspect. I liked how the different phases tied to a different emotion. It was pretty clever.

-    Nikki's memories of Jack were so vivid and detailed. I don't know if I could conjure such detailed stories about my husband. I feel like I need to try and remember things about our life together!

-    The ending is another killer one! I just can't even describe the horrible cliffhanger I'm left to face while I wait for the next book. I HAVE TO KNOW WHAT HAPPENS NEXT!!!!

Previous Book in the Everneath series

(click on the cover to see my thoughts)

The Total Money Makeover

From Goodreads:    If you will live like no one else, later you can "live" like no one else.

Build up your money muscles with America's favorite finance coach.

Okay, folks, do you want to turn those fat and flabby expenses into a well-toned budget? Do you want to transform your sad and skinny little bank account into a bulked-up cash machine? Then get with the program, people. There's one sure way to whip your finances into shape, and that's with "The Total Money Makeover Revised 3rd Edition"!

By now, you've heard all the nutty get-rich-quick schemes, the fiscal diet fads that leave you with a lot of kooky ideas but not a penny in your pocket. Hey, if you're tired of the lies and sick of the false promises, then take a look at this--it's the simplest, most straight-forward game plan for completely making over your money habits. And it's based on results, not pie-in-the-sky fantasies. With "The Total Money Makeover Revised 3rd Edition, "you'll be able to: " " Design a sure-fire plan for paying off all debt--meaning cars, houses, everything Recognize the 10 most dangerous money myths (these will kill you) Secure a big, fat nest egg for emergencies and retirement!

Where "Financial Peace" gave you the solid saving and investing principles, this book puts those principles into practice. You'll be exercising your financial strength every day and quickly freeing yourself of worry, stress, and debt--and that's a beautiful feeling.

"The Total Money Makeover Revised 3rd Edition"--complete with additional material and new personal success stories--is the one financial workout that guarantees "everything will work out."

My Thoughts:

-    This book is not for the faint of heart. It is brutally honest about money, and the mistakes we are making. 

-    I had a pretty big wake up call while reading this book, and I'm pretty pumped about starting on Baby Step 1!

-    I took several notes on each Baby Step, and I have a pretty great outline and plan for our total money makeover!

-    After reading the first couple chapters, I realized I was in denial, serious denial. I looked in the mirror and decided to change the way I spend money.

-    I am one of those who has more month than money, and I love how he says that we need to tell our money where to go, and not go "where did the money go?"

-    I really love the motto of the book: If you will live like no one else, later you can live like no one else.

-    I really liked the part about not lending money to family or friends. It just hurts your relationship.

-    I love how the book outlines each Baby Step. It is very easy to read and understand.

-    After reading this, I know where to start with my total money makeover, and I know how it will end. I've never had an end in sight, but I do now!

-    I love how Dave talks about giving money when you have it. It is important to be charitable. I really believe that!

-    Dave Ramsey is a really funny guy!

-    I highly recommend this book to anyone who is struggling financially!