Category Archives: Books

Paper Towns: Thoughts & Musings

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I once heard it said that Paper Towns was not *as good* as TFiOS or Looking for Alaska, because it doesn’t hold the same level of raw emotion in the characters journey and story plot.

So, I’m in love with this book for these reasons:

1.) Because it brought to light the emotions I have with this idea of “moving on” with my life.

2.) I struggle with leaving specific things of life behind, and moving forward to meeting new people and experiencing new things. Because I haven’t had the experience of living in one place until my teen/young adult years.

3.) Because it made me realize that I really can’t change people, and I try to do that too often.

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Happy National Reading Day: Five Authors I Love.

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Beatrix Potter may be one of the many reasons I own this Rabbit.

Ok. I am a day late, but it is the thought that counts, right? I was too busy reading yesterday!

Let’s talk about another totally awesome thing – reading. Haven’t fond a passion for it yet? You’re reading a blog, so you probably have and just haven’t found the right author. That can be hard. There are some books I have liked and some I have loved, but it doesn’t mean I was jumping-up-and-down excited to read them at first.

My bad. Let me apologize to you right now, that wasn’t too fair. To be honest, some of those original authors maybe the very ones making this list. A lesson I should learn from this: sometimes love must blossom over time.

Here are five authors that really do capture my heart with their writing. I would absolutely recommend picking up a book, but I also know how personal reading is. Find a genre you love, but also find an author who makes you excited. Reading is an awesome passion, we need more reading time in our busy lives.

1.) J.K Rowling: If you grew up around the same time I did, you know who this wonder-women is. You also probably know she wrote some of my favorite books of all time, Harry Potter. I loved these tales growing up, and every time I pick them up again (sign of a great book – you want to re-read it) I pick something new up from the characters and epic tale of wizardry. There is so much to these books. I was a reader before hand, I am a book-nerd afterwards.

To be honest, she inhabited my childhood with her stories, and provided some much needed stability in times where I was moving and not so stable. It was a family activity as well. each summer when the next Harry Potter tale would release, we would all put aside hours each evening to read the book aloud together. My childhood will always have Harry Potter, J.K Rowling, and family reading time intertwined. I think that is awesome.

2.) Tamora Pierce: If Rowling was the first author I loved, she only paved the way for my next fantasy fix. Thanks to a lovely librarian in the town I was living in, the Circle of Magic made it’s way into my living space. A totally different feel from Harry Potter, but one I enjoyed just as much.

The characters were developed over multiple series, the talents they had were cool, and the story kept me up way later then I should have been many nights. It captured my love for Fantasy (started by Harry Potter) and took it to another level, I found a genre I loved at this point, and it was wicked cool. I still pick up her stories and enjoy them, she has a fabulous talent for young adult fantasy books.

3.) Beatrix Potter: These classic treasures are full of tales of furry little creatures, and a garden they like to steal treats from. Adorable. I think this is probably the reason I have a pet rabbit, because I just can’t help to love Peter Rabbit and friends.

You don’t have to be a kid to get full enjoyment out of it, go pick these tales up if you haven’t already. You won’t regret spending some time in the country side.

4.) Robert Munsch: I would love to get inside this man’s head for like, a day. His stories are hilarious, fun, charming, and a delight to read with little kids. Although, don’t let them know this, I think I love them more then all the kids I have ever babysat. ha.

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John Green: One of my new favorite authors.

Seriously. Check him out if you haven’t already. “I have to go!” is a favorite of mine, and you can even hear him read it on his website here.

5.) John Green: I’ve mentioned the fabulous VlogBrothers in a few of my other posts, but I have to admit this is a rather new must-read-author for me. I was privileged to read part of “Waiting For Alaska” at one point, but I never got around to picking up the book again. Bad decision! Because I am totally in love with this man’s writing.

To be honest it has been awhile since I have been truly excited to read a book. I think the last time I had a true nerd moment was with the release of “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows” (which was followed by many, many, tears.) – his latest book “The Fault In Our Stars” broke that rut. The more I heard about the book, the more I was sure I had to have it. Let me assure you, that was a brilliant decision.

I don’t want to spoil any of these books, so let me bottle up some of the reasons for my excitement, spoiler free:

  • His books and characters are unbelievably touching, and yet I love the hint of satire in some of the paragraphs written.
  • The thoughts and actions of the characters are described in a unique, and rather humorous way. You can’t help but to love many of them.
  • Each time I pick up another novel by John Green, I am impressed by his command of the English Language. Seriously. His vocabulary is amazing, but it also flows so naturally off the pages, there is no struggle to understand the story he is telling.
  • The Style in which he writes keeps you coming back for more. His books are just paced well in general, and I lose track of time reading. This is also a good sign.

To summarize: please just pick these up if you have an interest in the novels, I don’t think you will be disappointed. The stories in general are just a great read. I am fresh off many of these stories, and I am struggling to keep it Spoiler free.

I can not recommend his books enough, they have brought the passion I had for reading right back to the surface. Thank you for bringing that passion back.

Seriously, why are you still reading this? Go! Pick up a book, immerse yourself in the imagination of another and enjoy the freedom of a good novel.

Happy Reading!

My Latest Advice: Pick Up This Book.

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John Green - writes in the style of awesome.

I want to introduce you all to my newest friend. I actually do not know this person in a traditional way, he is my latest “author friend” and I am totally embarrassed we did not meet earlier in my reading days.

(for those of you who do not know–author friends are the writers you continuously read and fill your time with their gifts of writing. They are like warm compassionate friends who share with you big pieces of their heart, hopes, and dreams. Love.)

I have a few writers & authors which I consider to be awesome, like I will follow these people into the highest points of our world, simply to retrieve their latest book. John Green is the latest to be added to that category. Simply put – he is awesome.

In a matter of days, he has managed to stir the pot in my head. Because I needed to desperately reshuffle my “favorite books” list in house. I have found a new book which rocked my world, and yes, I think it over took “The Goblet of Fire.”

This is earth shattering people. My favorite book hasn’t changed in years, and I was beginning to doubt that it ever would. The Fault In Our Stars was the one book I believe has took it’s place at the very top. 

First of all, let me beg you not to seek out spoilers of this book. Because it will ruin the experience.  I know it is difficult to do at times, but part of the enchantment of this story is to really experience it from beginning to end–spoiler free.

I should also warn you that from this point on, I will be providing a spoiler-free-verbal-diarrhea-blog-post about how much I loved this book. I’m not expert book reviewer-and-lover, I simply love to read.

This book has captured my heart. It is one of those books you devour. You will not want to put it down, and yet the emotions are so raw (and real) that a part of you is just begging for a break. You realize it would be the sensible thing to do, you have run out of tissues, but it is  unrealistic to release yourself from the story taking place. I think this is because you–by this point–feel invested in what is going on. I seriously love these characters.

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Signed with the Hanklerfish. Me = excited.

Hazel (the “heroine”) is witty, realistic, and someone you can relate to–at least to some degree. I think I fell in love with the narrative this character provides when she mentioned one of her closet friends is an author she has never meant.  I get that.

It’s sarcastic, depressing, uplifting, hopeful, inspiring, and above all full of love.  There is love between two people; love between friends; love between siblings; and love of parents and children.

I can not help to come away from the book full of a feeling of true, uncomplicated, and amazing love.  You wouldn’t think a Cancer book could make you experience such raw love, but you get in some ways a glimpse into what love most families must possess for each other.  Even in the worst of times. Or maybe what we should all aim to have for each other.

There comes a point when you will sacrifice any other activity to finish this book. I made a mad dash through hundreds of pages toward the finish, tears streaming down my face, sobbing all the way to the end.

Honestly, I feel like so much love was put into this story. You can’t help to feel humbled by the opportunity to read it. The care that has gone into this book to craft it is obvious. It feels  like a true work of love.

I wish to share a lot more with you all about the book, discuss with people, show to people. But I also do not want to ruin a beautiful experience and journey through emotions and sacrifice. I’m really struggling with what to share about the book, because it really all connects too well in the end.  I apologize in advance for so few details, but it will be worth it if you do read it.

Please don’t let the idea of tissues and tears stop you from picking it up. I can’t hide the fact that this is a powerful book, and yes, it is heartbreaking. But it is worth it, because it is beautiful.

I would recommend this book to anyone, as I simply can not get it out of my head. I will treasure this book for a long time, and the story that was crafted by the fabulous John Green.

Do yourself a favor, please pick this book up.