Top Ten Favourite Book Covers Of Books I've Read

'Top Ten Tuesday' is a weekly meme hosted by The Broke and Bookish. This week's topic is 'Top Ten Favourite Book Covers of Books I've Read'.

(the entire series of covers for the Harry Potter and A Series of Unfortunate Events Collections)

I'm not exactly sure what it is about these 10 book covers that I love, but they are definitely amongst my favourites. From quirky to simplistic, adorable to beautiful and illustrative to repulsing, I feel that these covers capture the stories that they contain. It's also funny that almost half of them are the UK/European covers of the novel. I'm note sure why but I almost always like the UK/European covers of books more then their North American counterparts ... 

What's your favourite book cover? Does anyone else like another county's cover of a novel more than the copy they own? 

Top Ten Bookish Goals for 2013

'Top Ten Tuesday' is a weekly meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish. This week's topic is 'Top Ten Bookish Goals for 2013'.

1. BUY LESS BOOKS. Oh my goodness! I bought so many books in 2012. Some of which I still haven't even read. That's why I am resolving to buy a maximum of 24 books in 2013 (2 a month). And, I must read them right away. No more of this "buy now, read later" crap. Seriously. YOU HAVE A PROBLEM CASSANDRA. 

2. Read more books that I already own. My 'To-Read' pile is enormous. In 2013, 50% of the books that I will read will be those that I already own.

3. Read more non-fiction books. I really enjoyed Let's Pretend this Never Happened by Jenny Lawson in 2012, and have enjoyed memoir type books in the past. I would really like to explore this category of books more in 2013.

4. In a similar vain, I vow to read more widely in 2013. This especially includes adult novels and "classic" novels. I tend to typically shy away from these books because of their lack of 'instant gratification', that can usually be found in YA novels. Nevertheless, when I do read books that are adult fiction and/or classics I tend to really enjoy them. That's why in 2013 I want at least 50% of the books that I read to fall into one of these two categories. And, at least 10 books I read will be "classics".

5. Blog more. More reviews. More lists. More everything. I feel like I've been really neglecting this blog (especially over the exam/holiday period) and I'm going to rectify this situation. In 2013 I will blog AT LEAST 3 times a month. 

6. Organize my books better. Right now a significant number of my books are  out of order on my book shelves. Additionally, I would like to catalogue my books in some sort of excel spreadsheet type list, and clean-up my goodreads shelves.

7. Finally, I want to use my public library more (both online with ebooks and the physical location). I know that I buy books that I don't typically need, and that I would be just as happy checking them out of my local library. Plus, my bookshelves are overflowing at the moment, so using the library might delay the impending book takeover of my room. 

Book Review: Showtime

Title: Showtime (Marvelle Circus #1)
Author: Chloe Kayne 
Genre: Young Adult, Historical Fiction
Publication Date: September 21, 2012

Synopsis: The grandeur of the travelling circus is at its peak in the early 1920s when sixteen-year-old Laila Vilonia is searching for an escape from her bleak future. Behind the gates of the legendary Marvelle Circus, she is thrust into a mysterious world she never knew existed—a paradise populated with outcasts. It’s in this glamorous new home that Laila sparks a controversial romance with notorious sideshow performer, "The Disappearing Man," and learns just how dangerous her new life can be. Read more ...

Review:  I was able to read and review Showtime (for free) courtesy of the author, Chloe Kayne, in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!

I really enjoyed reading Showtime, so much so that I finished it in 2 days. The story was captivating and the characters were fantastically developed. Both the plot and setting were equally intriguing. And, although the writing and descriptions felt a bit awkward and forced in the beginning, the writing quickly began to flow smoothly and I became lost in the novel. Kayne paints a lovely, yet dark story about life in a circus, the difficulties of family, first love, the bond of friendship and ultimately finding where one belongs.  

Laila, and the other characters found in Showtime were all brought to life by Kayne. Additionally, the relationships between the characters did not seem forced. Unlike some other YA novels, the romance between Laila and "The Disappearing Man" built over the course of the novel.  It was wonderful to see this romantic relationship, as well as the relationships between Laila and the other characters develop over time. For a first novel, Kayne does a wonderful job of showing and not telling the reader.   
My only major dislike of this novel was that when reading it I did not feel like I was in the early 1920s. Although it did read well researched, the conversations between the characters (especially the teens) felt very much of this century. When I first started reading the novel I even had to verify that it was set in the 1920s, as I instantly felt that it was present-day. Nevertheless, the plot, setting and characters hold this novel up so well, that this tiny detail barely affected my pleasure of reading Showtime. 

Also, I feel incline to mention how much reading Showtime reminded me of reading the Harry Potter books, in a totally good way. Although the plot, setting and characters are very different, something in the tone, pace and/or mysterious and darker elements of Showtime made me think of the Harry Potter books. I'm not sure exactly what it was, but there was something that evoked the writing style of J.K. Rowling to me, during my reading. Did anyone else find this? Or, as I am likely to believe, am I totally crazy? 

I really enjoyed Showtime and am definitely looking forward to the next instalment in  the Mavelle Circus series. Those who loved The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern and Water for Elephants by Sarah Gruen will adore this YA equivalent. And, although I received this book for free, it is totally worth its less than a dollar (!) ebook price tag.    

What to look forward to from Chloe Kayne: Spotlight (Marvelle Circus #2) in 2014

My Rating: 4.0/5.0

Top 10 Books of 2012

So clearly this post is a tad late, nevertheless, in no particular order .... my Top 10 Books of 2012:

1. The Silver Linings Playbook by Matthew Quick 

A great novel and a great film adaptation. Wonderfully written with flawed but loveable characters. 

2. Let's Pretend this Never Happened: A Mostly True Memoir by Jenny Lawson 

One word: Hilarious. Read my review here. 

3. Amy and Roger's Epic Detour by Morgan Matson

Super fun summer read. Read my review here. 

4. Daughter of Smoke & Bone by Laini Taylor 

Amazing. Laini Taylor is a phenomenal story-teller with an incredible imagination. Read my review here. 

5. The Fault in Our Stars by John Green 

Perfection. The Fault in Our Stars can be found on almost any "Best Books of 2012" list and it deserves its place there. 

6. Insurgent by Veronica Roth 

Excellent sequel to Divergent. Lived up to my anticipation and expectations. 

7. Wanderlove by Kristen Hubbard 

Such a wonderful YA novel. Realistic, inspirational and well written. 

8. Winter's Bone by Daniel Woodrell 

Loved this realistic, gritty novel with an incredible heroine.  

9. Room by Emma Donoghue 

This novel took me by surprise. Fell in love with the narration. Was an uplifting and empowering read.  

10. My Life Next Door by Huntley Fitzpatrick 

Another wonderful contemporary YA read. Fitzpatrick writes well of family, first loves and tough decisions. 

Books Read in 2012

January

1. The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo - Stieg Larson 
2. Ashfall - Mike Mullin 
3. Bridge to Terabithia - Katherine Paterson
4. The Fault in our Stars - John Green
5. The Maze Runner - James Dashner
6. The Importance of Being Earnest - Oscar Wilde 

February

7. The Statistical Probably of Love at First Sight – Jennifer E. Smith
8. Anna and the French Kiss – Stephanie Perkins
9. The Fine Art of Truth or Dare – Melissa Jensen
10. Forbidden – Tabitha Suzuma
11. Stargirl – Jerry Spinelli

March 

12. Love, Stargirl – Jerry Spinelli
13. Delirium – Lauren Oliver
14. Pandemonium – Lauren Oliver

April

15. Epic Fail – Claire LaZebnik
16. Hana – Lauren Oliver
17. Free Four: Tobias Tells the Story - Veronica Roth

May

18. Divergent – Veronica Roth
19. The Hunger Games – Suzanne Collins
20. Insurgent – Veronica Roth
21. Plague – Michael Grant
22. Freakonomics: A Rogue Economist Explores the Hidden Side of Everything                          Steven D. Levitt and Stephen J. Dubner
23. Fear – Michael Grant

June 

24.The Hunger Games: Official Illustrated Movie Companion – Kate Egan
25. The Selection – Kiera Cass
26. The Hitchhicker’s Guide to the Galaxy – Douglas Adams
27. The Miseducation of Cameron Post – Emily M. Danforth
28. This Is How: Proven Aid in Overcoming Shyness, Molestation, Fatness,   Spinsterhood, Grief, Disease, Lushery, Decrepitude & More. For Young and Old Alike – Augusten Burroughs
29. The Summer I Turned Pretty – Jenny Han 
30. The Great Gatsby – F. Scott Fitzgerald

July

31. It’s Kind of a Funny Story – Ned Vizzini
32. Winter’s Bone – Daniel Woodrell
33. Watership Down – Richard Adams
34. It’s Not Summer Without You – Jenny Han
35. We’ll Always Have Summer – Jenny Han
36. Pride and Prejudice – Jane Austen
37. Catching Jordan – Miranda Kenneally
38. The Long Walk – Stephen King 
39. Between the Lines - Jodi Picoult and Samantha van Leer 

August

40. The Stone Diaries - Carol Shields 
41. Amy and Roger's Epic Detour - Morgan Matson
42. The Book Thief - Markus Zusak
43. Birthmarked - Caragh M. O'Brien
43. The Hunger Games - Suzanne Collins
44. Catching Fire - Suzanne Collins
45. Mockingjay - Suzanne Collins

September

46. Daughter of Smoke and Bone - Laini Taylor
47. Dark Inside - Jeyn Roberts
48. Life as We Knew It - Susan Beth Pfeffer
49. My Life Next Door - Huntley Fitzpatrick 
50. Unwind - Neal Shusterman 
51. Gone Girl - Gillian Flynn 

October

52. Let's Pretend this Never Happened: A Mostly True Memoir - Jenny Lawson
53. Between the Lines -Tammara Webber
54. Where You Are - Tammara Webber
55. Playing for Keeps - R.L. Mathewson 
56. Perfection - R.L. Mathewson

November

57. Anabelle - Kathleen Winter
58. Meant to Be - Lauren Morill
59. Kitchen - Banana Yoshimoto 
60. Sam Cruz's Infallible Guide to Getting Girls - Tellulah Darling 
61. The Silver Linings Playbook - Matthew Quick
62. Checkmate - R.L. Mathewson
63. Looking for Alaska - John Green 

December

64. Room - Emma Donoghue 
65. Snowed Over - Angie Stanton 
66. Wanderlove - Kirsten Hubbard
67. Showtime - Chloe Kayne 
68. Good For You - Tammara Webber
69. Easy - Tammara Webber

Top Ten Favorite Kick-Ass Heroines

'Top Ten Tuesday' is a weekly meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish. This week's topic is 'Top Ten Favorite Kick-Ass Heroines'.

1. Hermione Granger from the Harry Potter Series ... Hello? She is completely kiss-ass! Breaking rules, taking down the Ministry of Magic (i.e. Umbridge), her bookish tendencies, and ALWAYS sticking with Harry. Hermione Granger totally deserves to be on this list. 

2. Katniss Everdeen from The Hunger Games Trilogy … Need I say more?

3. Tris Prior from the Divergent Trilogy ... Total Kick-Ass Heroine. SHE JUMPS FROM MOVING TRAINS. And all that other super bad-ass stuff. Simply awesome.  

4. Pippi Longstocking ... Okay, so not a normal choice, but come on. She lives on her own in Villa Villaculla (?), rides around on a horse, is ridiculously strong and does not give a &^$* about what people think of her style decisions.  

5. Ree Dolly from Winter's Bone ... Basically real life Katniss Everdeen (both characters were incidentally played by Jennifer Lawrence in the film adaptations). Family oriented and not afraid to kick some ass.

6. Karou from Daughter of Smoke and Bone ... Karou can literally kick-ass. Super independent, brave and mysterious, she is definitely worthy of this list.

7. Elizabeth Bennet from Pride and Prejudice ... How many girls TODAY would be able to tell off Darcy the way that Elizabeth does ... and then marry him a few months later (it was all just a big misunderstanding right?). Elizabeth has balls, which is not necessarily always a great thing, but she does have them. Thus, Ms. Bennet totally kiss-ass in a non-literal, feminist sort of way.

8. Nancy Drew from the Nancy Drew Books ... Nancy Drew was always taking on CRIMINALS. Hello? Is this safe? NO! When I read these books I'll I could think was 'WHAT ARE YOU THINKING?'. Oh Nancy! I'm surprised your kick-ass-ness did not lead you to your death.

9. Scarlett O'Hara from Gone with the Wind ... So Scarlett is no doubt the most kick-ass heroine. She literally refuses to die (i.e. be boring). Can't get the man that I want? Marry someone else. Morning him is no fun? Dance! No money to fix Tara up? Whore your self out. Oh, that didn't work? Steal your sister's boyfriend. Basically, get your second husband killed? Make-out session with Rhett Butler at the wake! Mess up your whole life, again? Just think about it tomorrow. Oh Scarlett how I love you.

Book Review: Water for Elephants

Title: Water for Elephants

Author: Sara Gruen

Genre: Adult fiction, romance, historical fiction 

Publisher: Algonquin Books of Chapel Hill

Publication date: May 26, 2006

Synopsis: Though he may not speak of them, the memories still dwell inside Jacob Jankowski's ninety-something-year-old mind. Memories of himself as a young man, tossed by fate onto a rickety train that was home to the Benzini Brothers Most Spectacular Show on Earth. Memories of a world filled with freaks and clowns, with wonder and pain and anger and passion; a world with its own narrow, irrational rules, its own way of life, and its own way of death. The world of the circus: to Jacob it was both salvation and a living hell. Read more …

Review: Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen had been getting a lot of attention this spring, due to the movie, so I decided to finally read the copy I had bought a few years ago. I really wanted to love this novel, but just felt that it was too predictable. Throughout the novel I couldn’t help but think that it was a little unrealistic and ended too perfectly.

What I loved about this novel though was all of the circus details. As the reader you could tell that Gruen had spent a significant amount of time on researching the aspects of circus life during the Great Depression, animal treatment and the circus environment in general. I found all of this fascinating and helped to create a wonderful, rich story line. There was so much detail regarding this aspect of the plot and it provided the reader with a historical perspective of the time and setting. I adored this aspect of the novel immensely.

What I didn’t like about this novel was the characters and their relationships. Honestly, I did not connect or care for any of the main characters. Sure, they were okay, but I was not rooting for the success or failure of them particularly. Although I will say that Gruen did a wonderful job with the older Jacob, capturing his frustration and feelings of abandonment, I did not love him either. Additionally I felt that Jacob and Marlena feel in love in two-point-three seconds. Where did this even come from? Maybe it is because I am a slight skeptic when it comes to love, but I am not that big of a fan of inexplicable attraction or love at first sight. I felt that Gruen took a short-cut and instead of building an actual relationship between Jacob and Marlena, she just skipped to the part where they were madly in love. This did not work for me, and although it was sweet, I felt that it was unrealistic.

Bottom line: some aspects of this novel were incredibly interesting, but others were unbearable.

You might also enjoy: The Help by Kathryn Stockett, Sarah’s Key by Tatiana De Rosney, or The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society by Mary Ann Shafer and Annie Barrows.

My Rating: 3.5/5.0