Top Ten Tuesday: Meta edition

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Top 10 TuesdayI was surprised to discover that this week marks the five-year anniversary of the Top Ten Tuesday meme! In honor of the occasion, this week’s topic is your 10 favorite Top Ten Tuesday topics so far. It was hard for me to pick just 10, and I have to give honorable mention to the seasonal TBRs, the best-of-the-year lists, and the most anticipated new releases of a given year or season. But here are 10 topics that I really enjoyed thinking about and compiling lists for, in no particular order:

1. Top Ten Favorite Authors in [Historical Fiction] Genre — There’s nothing I love more than discovering a new author, so I was happy for the opportunity to recommend some of my favorite authors in a beloved genre, in hopes of giving that thrill of discovery to someone else!

2. Top Ten Books to Get You in the Halloween Spirit — Although I’m too much of a chicken to read horror books, for some reason I still try to read seasonally appropriate things around Halloween. I love the annual Halloween TTT because it yields such a huge variety of recommendations! There’s almost always some great suggestions that even a scaredy-cat like me will enjoy!

3. Top Ten Words/Topics that Will Make Me Pick up a Book — This was one of my very favorite lists to compile, because it really made me think about what makes me tick as a reader. From spies to epistolary novels to slow-burning romance, I now know what to look for as I scan the bookstore (or my own shelves) for my next great read!

4. Top Ten Best/Worst Book-to-Movie Adaptations — I had tons of fun making this list, mostly because I felt compelled to share movie trailers for each of the films I selected. I picked five “best” and five “worst” adaptations, and I had a lot of fun reliving some of my favorite cinematic memories — not to mention ranting about some of my least favorite ones! 🙂

5. Top Ten Book Turnoffs You Encounter While Reading — As a corollary to #3, this list was helpful in thinking about what I should avoid in selecting books! It also helps to know what things trigger a knee-jerk reaction in me, so that I can include a caveat in any negative reviews; what bothers me may not bother another reader.

6. Top Ten Favorite Movies or TV Shows — I loved this topic so much, I couldn’t resist doing two separate lists, one for movies and one for TV! What can I say? I’m a binge-watcher at heart. 🙂

7. Top Ten Things You Like/Dislike about Romances in Books — As is well documented by now, I’m a sucker for a good love story, so it only makes sense that I would love this topic too!

8. Top Ten Favorite Book Quotes — Although I don’t keep a log of my favorite book quotes or anything like that, I do tend to remember sentences or passages that jump out at me. I think the list I made three years ago is still pretty accurate!

9. Top Ten Books that Came Recommended — This topic is great because so many of the books I’ve read and loved have been recommended by bookish friends and fellow bloggers! I’m so grateful to the online bookish community for giving me countless hours of joy in the form of great book recs!

10. Top Ten Favorite Love Stories — See #7. 🙂

Thanks to The Broke and the Bookish for such a fun, popular, and thought-provoking meme! If you’re a fellow participant, what were some of your favorite topics?

Review: Illusions of Fate

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Illusions of FateKiersten White, Illusions of Fate

Jessamin has recently left her sunny island home of Melei to study at the prestigious university in Albion. But she hates the cold Alben weather and the narrow-minded Alben prejudices she is constantly exposed to because of her heritage and skin color. She is determined to endure the next few years and then leave Albion forever, but a chance meeting with a charming nobleman changes the entire course of her life. Finn Ackerley is attractive and wealthy, and he seems to be genuinely interested in Jessamin. He also happens to be an extremely powerful magician, and he possesses secrets that could have dire consequences for both Albion and the entire world. As Finn fights to save his country against the wicked, scheming Lord Downpike, Jessamin is caught in the middle. And when Lord Downpike discovers her relationship with Finn, he doesn’t hesitate to use her as a pawn in his power struggle. Can Jessamin outwit this deadly adversary and help Finn, all while remaining true to herself?

Historical fantasy is a genre I really enjoy, so I was predisposed to like this book, but I was a bit disappointed in the execution. There are a lot of really great ideas in the novel, but I wanted almost all of them to be explored in a lot more depth! For example, even though the book is set in a fictional world, it’s clearly meant to explore the issue of colonialism, but that side of things felt a bit superficial to me. I also loved the magical elements of this world, but in my opinion, the book doesn’t delve deeply enough into the history or the current power struggle with magic. The romance between Jessamin and Finn was adorable, but it also seemed fairly lightweight; I never truly connected with the characters or had particularly strong emotions about them getting together. Finally, the plot is resolved very abruptly in the end. I think all of these issues could have been resolved if the book had been longer, and I feel bad for nitpicking so much because that might have been the publisher’s fault rather than the author’s. And it is a light, enjoyable read; it’s just a bit insubstantial for my taste. But I would certainly try something else by Kiersten White in the future.

Review: Rook

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RookSharon Cameron, Rook

Centuries after a shift in the Earth’s magnetic poles triggered an apocalyptic event, civilization has been rebuilt, but almost every form of technology is regarded with grave suspicion. In the Sunken City (formerly known as Paris), a revolution has established an oppressive new regime, and everyone who opposes it is ruthlessly executed. But one person dares to flout the authority of this new regime by stealing political prisoners away from their very jail cells: the Red Rook, who boldly leaves a crow’s feather tipped in red in the place of each escapee. No one suspects that the Red Rook is a teenage girl, Sophia Bellamy, who lives in the neighboring Commonwealth. With the help of her brother Tom, her friend Spear, and a small band of loyal friends, Sophia hopes to rescue as many doomed people from the Sunken City as she can. But her plans are complicated by her betrothal to the empty-headed social butterfly René Hasard. Despite her distrust of him, however, Sophia can’t help being attracted — especially when she discovers that his foppish persona might be an act. When a mission goes awry and Tom is captured, Sophia is forced to ask for René’s help, but can she really trust him?

Obviously, this book is an homage to one of my very favorite books, The Scarlet Pimpernel, but I was pleased to discover that it’s very much its own story. The basic idea of a daring rescuer with a secret identity is the same, but the plot diverges very significantly from the original story. I wouldn’t have minded a stricter retelling, but I’m glad this book was able to be inspired by the Pimpernel without simply copying it. I’m not sure how I feel about the science fiction elements; technically we’re in a post-apocalyptic world, but that doesn’t really seem to be necessary to the story, and it sometimes felt distracting. On the other hand, there are a few fun moments where the characters speak reverently about little bits of neon plastic, which are great treasures in this anti-technological world. Overall, I enjoyed both the action-filled plot and the romance, although the latter was a bit TOO romance-y for me (a little too much russet hair and piercing blue eyes and whatnot). I also think René’s true nature could have been left in a little more doubt, which would have increased the dramatic tension. But I did like this book a lot, and Pimpernel fans should definitely check it out!

Review: The Truth According to Us

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Truth According to Us, TheAnnie Barrows, The Truth According to Us

Though the U.S. in the 1930s is sunk in a depression, senator’s daughter Layla Beck doesn’t have much firsthand experience of deprivation — until she refuses to marry the man her parents have picked out for her, and they cut her off, forcing her to get a job. Her father’s connections get her a position with the Federal Writers’ Project, which gives her the assignment of writing a local history for the town of Macedonia, West Virginia. At first, Layla is extremely resistant to the idea of burying herself in such a tiny town, and she tries to get out of the assignment, but since there’s no other work to be had, she must eventually give in. When she arrives in Macedonia, she stays with the eccentric Romeyn family, which includes the dashing Felix, his strong-minded sister Jottie, and his precocious daughter Willa. Layla can’t help but be drawn to Felix, but the closer she becomes to him, the more she realizes that the Romeyns are hiding a decades-old secret that could shake Macedonia to its core. Meanwhile, 12-year-old Willa is just beginning to observe the strange behavior of the adults around her — and to take the first steps towards growing up herself.

Since Annie Barrows co-authored one of my favorite books, The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society, I had high hopes for this new novel, and I’m happy to say I enjoyed it very much. First of all, I loved the depiction of Macedonia, West Virginia, and its inhabitants. I honestly felt like I was living in this book — I could almost feel the summer heat bearing down on me. I also especially enjoyed the chapters written from Willa’s point of view. I loved her sharp yet childlike observations of the people around her, and how she slowly changes as she begins to realize that the adults in her life have interior lives and secrets of their own. It’s been a long time since I read To Kill a Mockingbird, but her voice made me think of Scout Finch quite a bit. I also loved Jottie, an intelligent, loving woman who has experienced tragedy but hasn’t let it break her. And although Layla is a bit snooty in the beginning of the book, her experiences in Macedonia definitely change her for the better as well. My one complaint is that the book is a little long; I think it probably could have been edited a bit more thoroughly. But overall, I liked this book a lot and would definitely recommend it to fans of historical fiction and/or literature about the South.

Top Ten Tuesday: Summer reading list

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Top 10 TuesdayThe seasonal TBR lists are some of my favorite Top Ten Tuesday topics. I love seeing what other people are reading! And normally it’s easy for me to come up with 10 books I’m planning to read within the next few months, since I tend to schedule my reading pretty far in advance. This year, though, I’ve been taking a less structured approach to reading, so I couldn’t come up with 10 strong contenders for my summer TBR list! Still, I did manage to decide on the following eight possibilities, in no particular order:

1. Kate Bolick, Spinster: Making a Life of One’s Own — I don’t read much nonfiction, but I’m intrigued by this book, which is supposed to be “a revelatory and slyly erudite look at the pleasures and possibilities of remaining single.”

2. Jane Austen, Sense and Sensibility — This year I’m rereading all six of Austen’s major novels, and it’s been years since I’ve read S&S, so I’m really looking forward to revisiting it!

3. John Buchan, The Thirty-Nine Steps — Since I started doing the Vintage Mystery Challenge a few years ago, I’m always on the lookout for interesting mysteries and thrillers published before 1960. This one fits the bill (published in 1915!), it’s short, and Hitchcock made it into a movie, so why not?

4. Lauren Willig, The Lure of the Moonflower — I can’t WAIT for this book to come out in August! I’m dying to read Jane’s story, which will hopefully be the best Pink Carnation book of all!

5. Jennifer Salvato Doktorski, How My Summer Went Up in Flames — My OTSP secret sister gave me this book, which looks like an adorable summer read! I’m in a bit of a reading slump lately, so it’ll be nice to rejuvenate with some brain candy!

6. Deanna Raybourn, A Spear of Summer Grass — I’ve had this book for years and somehow never got around to reading it. But I really liked the first few Lady Julia Grey novels, so I’m sure I’ll enjoy this one too!

7. Mary Stewart, The Gabriel Hounds — I love Mary Stewart’s novels of romantic suspense, and this is one I haven’t read yet. It’s set in and around Damascus, which should be really interesting to read about!

8. Jean Webster, Dear Enemy — I LOVED Daddy-Long-Legs when I read it a few years ago, and this is the sequel, featuring Judy’s good friend Sallie.

What books are you desperate to read this summer? Which books should I add to my list?

Review: Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? (And Other Concerns)

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Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me?Mindy Kaling, Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? (And Other Concerns)

This book is Mindy Kaling’s memoir of her journey from a chubby, awkward kid who adored SNL and Monty Python to a famous TV writer and actress (and, later, showrunner, although this book came out before “The Mindy Project” got going). She writes about being a relatively unpopular child whose friends’ interests didn’t quite align with her own, about moving to New York City and finding unexpected success with her Off-Broadway play “Matt & Ben,” about meeting Greg Daniels and landing her role as Kelly Kapoor on “The Office,” about her hatred of comedy roasts and her self-described uselessness as a writer (for a brief period) on SNL, and about her funny and frustrating experiences in Hollywood. There’s a little bit about romance, but mostly in the abstract; this book is not a tell-all, by any means. And while Kaling does address her identity as an Indian American, as well as her totally-normal-but-big-for-Hollywood size, these aren’t the focus of her book, and nor should they be. Instead, this memoir offers a fun, lighthearted look at Kaling’s life and career in television.

This book is exactly what you’d expect it to be if you’re familiar with Mindy Kaling’s persona and style of comedy. It’s as if your good friend, the one whose crazy escapades you like to live vicariously though, is chatting to you after a late night of drinking wine and watching romantic comedies. It’s very light and very funny, and I enjoyed it immensely; it would make excellent plane reading. One of my favorite sections was the chapter on “Types of Women in Romantic Comedies Who Are Not Real,” which debunks the myth of the beautiful klutz. (Because seriously, “klutzy” seems to be the go-to flaw for writers who still want their heroines to be cool and witty and gorgeous and without actual flaws. Do any of us really know smart, hot women who fall down the stairs on a regular basis?) I also loved the list of possible Hollywood movies coming to theaters soon, including “Crest Whitestrips,” “Untitled Jennifer Lopez Sonia Sotomayor Project,” “Street Smart,” and “Street Stupid” (“Street Smart” sequel). Some of them do sound frighteningly plausible! So, bottom line: this is a funny, enjoyable book by a woman who is both successful and relatable. If you like Mindy Kaling, you should definitely check it out!

Top Ten Tuesday: Need books now!

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Top 10 TuesdayAfter several years of writing about books on the Internet, I’ve finally started paying attention to things like release dates. 🙂 I’m not entirely sure this is a good thing, however, since knowing a book’s pub date only increases that impatient, anxious, “NEED BOOK NOW!” feeling. But I can’t seem to help myself, so here are 10 books with 2015 release dates that I can’t wait to get my hot little hands on:

1. Lauren Willig, The Lure of the Moonflower — I’ve been a fan of the Pink Carnation series since the very beginning, and the twelfth and final book is coming out this summer! I can’t wait to (finally!) read Jane’s story! Release date is August 4.

2. Ellie Marney, Every Word — I preordered this sequel pretty much as soon as I finished Every Breath! Mycroft and Watts make a great crime-solving duo, and Mycroft in particular practically leaps off the page! Release date (U.K./Australia version) is August 13; the U.S. hardcover will follow on September 8.

3. Kristan Higgins, If You Only Knew — Kristan Higgins is one of my auto-buy authors, so I definitely won’t be missing her latest romance…although this one looks like it has a healthy dose of family drama as well. I’ll be interested to see how it compares to her previous work! Release date is August 25.

4. Sylvia Izzo Hunter, Lady of Magick — This is the sequel to The Midnight Queen, which I really enjoyed. I hope some of the loose threads from the first book will be resolved here! Release date is September 1.

5. Seanan McGuire, A Red-Rose Chain — This is another series I’ve been following since the beginning, and the last book (The Winter Long) had some pretty huge plot twists, so I can’t wait to see where things go from here! Release date is September 1.

6. Kate Beaton, Step Aside, Pops — I don’t read many webcomics, but I LOVE Kate Beaton, and if you’re not reading Hark! A Vagrant, YOU SHOULD BE. This book is a collection of her comics from the site, probably with a few new ones mixed in. Release date is September 15.

7. William Ritter, Beastly Bones — This is the sequel to Jackaby, which was a very pleasant surprise when I read it last year. I’m definitely looking forward to reading more about the intrepid Abigail Rook and her mysterious employer, R.F. Jackaby. Release date is September 22.

8. Rainbow Rowell, Carry On — It’s no secret that I LOVE Rainbow Rowell, but I’m actually pretty nervous about Carry On. It’s a novel about Simon Snow, the fictional Harry Potter-esque character about whom Cath was writing in Fangirl. I’m concerned — and I will probably post something closer to the release date detailing WHY I’m concerned — but I’m also very curious! So I’ll definitely be reading the book when it comes out; release date is October 6.

9. Emma Mills, First and Then — The Goodreads description of this book calls it “Pride and Prejudice meets Friday Night Lights.” SOLD! Plus, the cover is completely adorable. 🙂 Release date is October 13.

10. Charles Finch, Home by Nightfall — Yet another series installment! I very much enjoy these Victorian-set mysteries featuring gentleman-detective Charles Finch. This latest one will be released on November 10.

Review: The Boy Next Door

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Boy Next Door, TheKatie Van Ark, The Boy Next Door

Maddy and Gabe have been next-door neighbors, best friends, and figure skating partners for basically their entire lives. They’re a talented duo, and Maddy is determined to make it all the way to the Olympics. She’s also determined to make Gabe wake up and realize that they would be perfect partners off the ice as well. But Gabe is a player, hooking up with lots of girls and ditching them after two weeks, often getting Maddy to dump them on his behalf. He cares deeply for Maddy — even more than he wants to admit to himself — but he’s trying to think of her as a sister, because he doesn’t want to mess up the relationship and partnership that they already have. Unfortunately, their skating coach is making them learn a new routine inspired by Romeo and Juliet, which only intensifies their complicated feelings for each other. As Maddy and Gabe struggle with the shifting boundaries of their relationship, they also worry about how a potential romance will affect their chances of success on the ice.

As you’ve probably noticed, I’m not someone who believes that adults should steer clear of young adult books. I read lots of YA, and lots of it is very good. But as I read this book, I couldn’t help feeling that I was a bit too old for this type of romantic angst. Despite Gabe’s initial protests, the romance between him and Maddy heats up very quickly, and by the end of the book, they’re even talking about getting engaged — while still in high school. The novel presents this as romantic, but to me, it made both characters seem so naive and immature. (I apologize if this offends anyone. I certainly do think it’s possible for high-school sweethearts to have healthy, long-lasting marriages. But in this case, let’s just say I wasn’t convinced.) I also think the author missed a few opportunities to add depth to her characters. In particular, it’s clear that Gabe isn’t as motivated to become an Olympic figure skater as Maddy, and at one point he expresses an interest in becoming an architect. Having him struggle more with his life path, and perhaps even having him argue with Maddy about it, would have made his character more interesting. Unfortunately, the book instead reduces both him and Maddy to flat characters who embody all the stereotypes of teen romance. It was a light, fast-moving read, but I was definitely less than impressed.

Review: French Leave

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French LeaveAnna Gavalda, French Leave (trans. Alison Anderson)

This book centers around four adult siblings — Simon, Lola, Garance, and Vincent — who don’t see each other as often as they used to. But when the eldest three reunite for a family wedding, they spontaneously decide to visit Vincent, the baby of the family, who has a job in the French countryside. Garance narrates the story and paints vivid pictures of her siblings. Simon, the eldest child, is the family’s golden boy, the responsible one, who grew up to obtain a good job and a suitable wife, Carine, whom Lola and Garance tease mercilessly. Lola and Garance are best friends despite their differences; as Garance notes, “She’s romantic, I’m pragmatic. She got married, I flitter and flirt. She can’t sleep with a guy unless she’s in love, I can’t sleep with a guy unless there’s a condom.” When they abandon their relative’s wedding to visit Vincent, the four siblings have a charmed weekend, reminiscing about the past and reevaluating some of the choices they’ve made in their lives.

This novella is like a bite of some frothy dessert, short and sweet. I don’t often read books where the main focus is on sibling relationships, but I enjoyed reading about Garance and her brothers and sister — especially because their relationships are generally good and pleasant rather than dysfunctional. I can relate to their situation somewhat: I only have one sibling, and we get along great, but because we are both adults who live far from each other, we don’t stay in touch as well as I’d like. I think this book captures that bittersweet aspect of adult sibling relationships very well. I also liked the evolution of Garance and Lola’s relationship with Carine; they sort of villainize her at first, but eventually they begin to see where she’s coming from and tolerate her a little more. There’s not much of a plot in this book, but it’s such a quick read that it doesn’t need many events to propel it forward. Overall, I found this book a pleasant diversion, and I’d recommend both it and Hunting and Gathering, a full-length novel by the same author.

Review: Every Breath

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Every BreathEllie Marney, Every Breath

Rachel Watts has recently moved with her family from their farm in rural Australia to the big city of Melbourne. Watts hates almost everything about her new home — everything, that is, except her neighbor and best friend, James Mycroft. Mycroft is brilliant but unstable, often conducting dangerous scientific experiments in his bedroom. He’s also alone nearly all the time, since his parents both died years ago, and the aunt with whom he lives is never around. Nevertheless, despite the concerns of Watts’ parents, she and Mycroft are inseparable. So when someone they know — a homeless man named Dave who hangs out near the local zoo — is brutally murdered, they decide to investigate the case together. The police assume it was a random act of violence, but Watts and Mycroft suspect that there may have been a specific motive behind Dave’s death. As they investigate, Watts and Mycroft also grow closer, but they both fear the consequences of changing their relationship.

As you might have guessed from the characters’ names, this book owes more than a little to Sherlock Holmes, and I have to say, I really enjoyed it! Though the hero’s name is Mycroft, he possesses all of the frenetic energy, vividness, and charisma of Sherlock. Obviously he would be a pain to live with in real life, but on the page, he’s an utterly compelling character — I can totally see why Watts is harboring more-than-friendly feelings towards him! I liked Watts a lot, too; she provides a much-needed voice of reason to reel Mycroft in when he goes off the rails. The mystery aspect of the novel is well done, although I suspected the culprit fairly early in the book. And in another nod to Arthur Conan Doyle, there’s a dog who plays an important role in the solution of the crime. While the book’s major plotlines are all resolved in the end, the door is definitely open for a sequel — which I have already pre-ordered! I’m not sure why this book struck me so positively, except to say that I enjoyed spending time with these characters and look forward to reading about their further adventures.