Tag: jk rowling

Top 10 Tuesday

Top Ten Tuesday

A Morrow

Top 10 Tuesday was created by The Broke and The Bookish in June 2010 and was moved to That Artsy Reader Girl in January 2018. It was born of a love of lists, a love of books, and a desire to bring bookish friends together.

This week’s topic asks us to list our “Book Characters that I’d love to be besties with!”

Haha this was an interesting question! After all, not every character I would love to be friends with would be open to being friends with me too. I might get stabbed! (I do love stabby characters.) Instead, I tried to pick characters that might mesh well with my personality or vice versa, characters that I could “realistically” see getting along with. This was so much fun.

Harry Dresden

From Jim Butcher’s The Dresden Files, and my favorite series, it makes me happy to think that we actually have a lot in common. We’re both introverts who prefer paperbacks over parties, we both love our animals and treat them like members of the family, and we both value our friends above all else, loyal to a fault. I don’t know how much help I’d be with all of the crazy things he gets himself into, but I’d definitely be there to commiserate and buy him a beer at Mac’s.

Rhysand and The Inner Circle

From A Court of Mist and Fury by Sarah J Maas, I loved the vibe of this misfit group of friends. I would love to be a part of it. The intense loyalty and love they have for each other, the diversity in backgrounds and experiences, the lack of judgement, the acceptance of all oddities, these are only some of the wonderful things I feel this friend group offers. They may all be misfits, they may all be a little bit broken, but- hey, so are we all, right? I feel like I would fit right in.

Hermione Granger

I feel like my girl Hermione is going to make a lot of lists this week! From Harry Potter by JK Rowling, I had to include her. We have too much in common. Love to read, love homework, compulsively takes too many classes, loves her friends fiercely- we’d have a lot to bond over. I feel like she could also use a few more gal pals to balance out the boys too.

Ginny Weasely

I almost included Ginny and Hermione on the same point, since they’re from the same book, but I didn’t. I would also love to be friends with Ginny, but I feel like we would have a very different relationship. Ginny is bolder, says what she wants and means, feels loudly and isn’t afraid to confront a problem. I feel like she could teach me a lot and challenge me in ways that friends are supposed to challenge each other. Plus, I could go watch all of her Quidditch games!

Ian & Jenny Fraser

Hahaha this one would be so interesting. From the Outlander series by Diana Gabaldon, Ian and Jenny have been book “friends” of mine for a long time and definitely made this list easy. Though I do have to say that I think it would be much easier to befriend Ian than Jenny, but hopefully if I start there he’ll put in a good word for me. I would love to visit Lallybroch and see their family and way of life, be taken care of in the firm, matter-of-fact way that Jenny does. Their relationship dynamic is somehow so soothing to me and I can imagine a lot of happy moments in their home as a friend.

Warren Smith & Kyle Brooks

From one of my favorite series of books, The Mercy Thompson series by Patricia Briggs, Warren and Kyle are #relationshipgoals. They are one of my favorite couples to ship and I would love to go hang out with the two of them. Warren is warm and calming, while Kyle is provocative and sarcastic, and I love them both. Every time I read that scene in Blood Bound where they’re watching Queen of the Damned with Stefan and Mercy, I just want to hop into the scene and join them. Weekly movie nights at Warren and Kyle’s house!

Anna Cornick

Another character from Patricia Briggs, this time from the companion series to Mercy Thompson, the Alpha and Omega series. Anna is musical, creative, kind, introverted, and works hard to soothe, comfort, and support her friends. I think we have a lot in common and I would love to have a friend like her.

Leah Burke

From Leah On the Offbeat by Becky Albertalli, I feel like we would have a lot to talk about. She’s a grumpy, overweight, bisexual teen and my HS self would have had so much to talk about with Leah. AND she could bring her adorable girlfriend, Abby (who I totally ship), to hang out with us. We have a lot of common and a lot that is different but that might work in our favor. As a bonus, I feel like I could give Leah some social tips that might help her come off less…prickly. She gets so withdrawn and surly when she’s upset and I’ve been there, I feel like we could help each other and have a lot of fun along the way.

Stella Lane

From The Kiss Quotient by Helen Hoang. Stella probably has better things to do than hang out with me, her fancy job, sexy boyfriend, and meticulous routine, but we also have so much in common. I would love to hang out with her late at night with a bottle of wine, talking about our struggles and victories with dating and relationships and sensory issues. I feel like she could also help me organize my closet. Where are you, Stella??

Theodora Sanderson/Crain

From The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson, Theodora is a sarcastic, takes-no-shit, badass and I could definitely use a friend like her. She isn’t afraid of haunted houses or ghosts, she says what she means, and she enjoys an adventure. I think she would be a good influence on me haha. I will say, I love the book and the show, and either Theo would be a fantastic friend. In my mind they’ve just merged into one amazing multi-Theo.

This was a hard one!

Who are some characters you’d like to be friends with?? Any on the list here?

If you participated in TTT this week too, drop a link in the comments below!

WWW

It’s “What are you reading?” Wednesday!

A Morrow

I’ve seen a lot of bookish memes and list ideas here on the book-blogging circuit, and I wish I could do all of them! One of my favorites has been a trend of bloggers posting their current reads on Wednesdays.

This week I’ll be taking inspiration from Taking On a World of Words, and trying out their “WWW Wednesday!”

The Three Ws are:

What are you currently reading?
What did you recently finish reading?
What do you think you’ll read next?

What I’m currently reading:

The Last Time I Lied by Riley Sager

I’ve had such a fun Riley Sager Summer with Lock Every Door releasing this month. I caught the itch. I’ve read the first two of Sager’s novels before, Final Girls and now The Last Time I Lied, but I’m so excited to read them again and review them this time. And I’m in such a thriller mood right now, so this is hitting all the right notes. I’ll be reviewing this soon and definitely recommend for anyone looking for a creepy read.

Midnight in Chernobyl by Adam Higgenbotham

I just started this but I’m really enjoying and looking forward to the rest. I loved the Chernobyl mini-series on HBO, which I finished recently, and even though it was hard to watch at times, I found it moving and very well-done. I saw that it was somewhat informed by this Non-Fiction title and since I enjoy some NF now and then, I thought I’d dive in a little further. I’ll report back when I’m finished! This has some great reviews.

Spinning by Tilly Walden

I bumped into this title without knowing much about it at my library but I’m so glad I did. I’m not very far into this story, but so far it is sweet and a little bit sad and so relatable. This Graphic Novel is a coming of age story about the author’s life growing up through all sorts of life’s questions and I’m really enjoying it so far.

What I’ve recently finished:

Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows by J.K. Rowling

I LOVED rereading this series. I had such a fun, emotional, fulfilling time and these stories totally held up over the years. I can’t believe its over honestly, reading it again after all that time made all the thrills feel new and the nuances feel extra-special.

Three Dark Crowns by Kendare Blake

I finally finished it! Haha I don’t know why but this was the book that was always on my TBR and never read. I got it done though! I read this for Reading Rush this year and I enjoyed it a lot. The intrigue, the drama, the twists, I’ll definitely be checking out the rest of this YA fantasy series.

Mother Knows Best by Kira Peikoff

This was good, and I expected it to just be okay. Super happy. This science thriller came to me by way of BookishFirst and I enjoyed it a lot. It was fast-paced, complex, thrilling and multi-layered, all the things I love in a good thriller. This one hits shelves in September and I’ll be reviewing it fully before then, so keep an eye out!

What I think I’ll read next:

I’m in the mood for something thrilling!!

The Swallows by Lisa Lutz

I’ve been meaning and wanting to get to this book for a long time and I’m only now accomplishing it. This is an ARC from Netgalley and its release is quickly approaching! I’ve got until just before August 13th to read and review this little gem and I’m really excited. The Swallows is an adult thriller and I’ve been feeling that call to read something thrilling!

The Killing Gene by E.M. Davey

I’m genuinely looking forward to this. This came to me by way of a review request through my site and when I looked into it- I was very pleased to see that it has some really good reviews. Part science, part action-adventure, part thriller, I’m hoping that The Killing Gene can satisfy my thriller-itch this week. Look for more about this book in a review next week!

The Chain by Adrian McKinty

This looks really crazy and really interesting. I’ve been seeing it everywhere lately! The Chain is essentially about a “chain” of people committing kidnap and blackmail in this twisted cycle and of course all the insanity that comes with, during, and after that. I got to know this author, a Belfast native, when I lived in Belfast and I’ve really enjoyed his other books. I have high expectations! Fingers crossed.

What are you reading this week?

Leave a comment and let me know! See you tomorrow. x — A

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WWW

It’s “What are you reading?” Wednesday!

A Morrow

I’ve seen a lot of bookish memes and list ideas here on the book-blogging circuit, and I wish I could do all of them! One of my favorites has been a trend of bloggers posting their current reads on Wednesdays.

This week I’ll be taking inspiration from Taking On a World of Words, and trying out their “WWW Wednesday!”

The Three Ws are:

What are you currently reading?
What did you recently finish reading?
What do you think you’ll read next?

What I’m currently reading:

The Furies by Katie Lowe

I’ve literally read less than a chapter of this so far but I’m excited about it. One of my favorite booktubers, Becca from Becca and The Books, has spoken so highly of this one so I jumped for it when Netgalley gave me the chance. This YA contemporary “murder mystery” sounds really compelling to me and I can’t wait to tell you all what I think about it when I’m finished. Thanks for the rec, Becca!

Mother Knows Best by Kira Peikoff

I started this yesterday as my first book in Reading Rush 2019. I won this book from BookishFirst and so far it’s really good! I’m only halfway through it, but it’s an adult thriller with a really interesting science angle. It brings up moral and philosophical quandaries about the future and technology, as well as about how far we would go to protect our family. So far so good! This book comes out in September so I’m eager to get it read for review! I’m using this for Reading Rush challenge #4: Read an author’s first book.

The Keeper of the Lost Cities by Shannon Messenger

This is an adorable Middle Grade fantasy that my book club is featuring this month and I’m excited to read it! I’m still in the beginning of this one but I know that it the beginning of a beloved series and I’ve heard a lot about it, especially being someone who doesn’t read a ton of Middle Grade books. Looking forward to the rest of the adventure! I’m going to be reading this for Reading Rush challenge #1: Read a book with purple on the cover.

What I’ve recently finished:

Five Feet Apart by Rachael Lippencott

Aww I really liked this. I wasn’t sure what to expect. I’d heard basically nothing about this from people I know personally, but assumed that it was sort of like A Fault in Our Stars. It was, but also not really? It still felt interesting and fresh and, while it absolutely pulled on all of my heartstrings, I was actually relieved that it didn’t make me ugly cry quite like FiOS did. It was sweet, sad and hopeful all at once. Would recommend. I read this for Reading Rush challenge #2: Read a book in the same spot.

The Beautiful by Renee Ahdieh

I finished six books during the #24in48readathon and I had SO much fun. This was one of the books I read! I also needed to read this book badly for review, since it’s scheduled to come out in just a few months. I won this copy from BookishFirst and was so lucky to get my hands on it, I know it’s a highly anticipated release. And honestly, for good reason! I enjoyed this a lot. It was dark, rich, indulgent, and all the best things about dark YA historical fantasy. I think you’ll enjoy this. Look for my full review soon!

What I think I’ll read next:

Harry Potter and The Half-Blood Prince by J.K. Rowling

Continuing my Harry Potter re-read! Man, things are getting dark and I am so excited. It’d been so long since I’d read these books that I forgot just how much I really enjoy them. I’m also going to be using this for Reading Rush challenge #6: Read a book that has more than five words in the title.

Three Dark Crowns by Kendare Blake

Arghhhhh thiiiiis boooook. I have been trying to read this book, so close to reading this book, for weeks now and somehow I still haven’t started it. How does that happen?! This time it’s going to go down though, cause I’m using it for Reading Rush! This will be challenge #3: Read a book you meant to read last year. Oops!

Sea Witch by Sarah Henning

I know next to nothing about this book, BUT someone said it was a Little Mermaid retelling and I am all about that. I’m particularly in the mood since the awesome casting decision for the new movie, BUT that’s neither here nor there. I’m looking forward to reading this and I hope its good! I’ll also be using this for Reading Rush challenge #5: Read a book with a non-human main character.

Whew! There are literally too many books and literally not enough time.

What did you read this week?

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Challenges

#24in48

A Morrow

Wow. What a whirlwind of a weekend. I had so much fun!

For those of you who aren’t familiar, I participated in a read-a-thon this weekend called 24 in 48. It runs for 48 hours and hundreds of readers all over the world try to read as many hours, up to 24, in just those two days. It’s crazy, insane, totally unadvisable, and it’s really really fun.

This Summer’s 24 in 48 started at midnight on Saturday morning and ended at midnight last night. Whew! I’m beat, honestly. And that means its time for some stats!

Hours read: 20 hours spent reading

Number of books read: Six

Number of pages read: 2,194 pages

Number of breaks taken because the cat needed attention: 8

Number of times I lost my bookmark: Every time I took it out of the book.

Number of times I reset my timer accidentally: Too many.

Missed the updates? Here’s a peek!

I had such a fun time AND I got to put a dent in the stack of books that’s been sitting on my desk to be read this month. What did I read, you ask?

Harry Potter and The Order of the Phoenix by J.K. Rowling

I was a quarter of the way into this book when I started, and I had so much fun rereading it! It’s been years and this book is just as good as it once was.

Sabrina: Season of the Witch by Sarah Rees Brennan

This was fun! I read this in anticipation of a Blog Tour I’m participating in for this title and I enjoyed myself! It’s short, sweet, and a fun homage to the Netflix show, which I’m a fan of. Look for the review and tour on my blog soon!

The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid

Agh, I’ve already gushed about this book enough in my mini-reviews, and I may even write up a full review for it. I loved this. SO much. Taylor Jenkins Reid has proven herself an outstanding storyteller.

Small Spaces by Katherine Arden

This was fun and not at all what I usually read, so even more fun for that fact. This is a Middle Grade novel provided to me through Netgalley and I knew nothing about it going in. Turns out it’s eerie, fun, and a sweet, sweet story.

The Voice of My Mind by T.A. Fish

Eh, I didn’t love this book of poetry. Mostly for personal preference, it just didn’t vibe with me. But it was definitely a nice break in between novels this weekend!

The Beautiful by Renee Ahdieh

I won this ARC from BookishFirst and I was SO EXCITED when I did! I needed to get this read so I could review it and I’m glad that I got the chance this weekend! Even though this is a YA fantasy, its outside the topics I usually gravitate toward (recently, anyway) so I was worried. No reason to be! This was such a lush, rich, fun read.

What did you read this weekend?? Any more #24in48 survivors?? Let me know in the comments!

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WWW

It’s “What are you reading?” Wednesday!

A Morrow

I’ve seen a lot of bookish memes and list ideas here on the book-blogging circuit, and I wish I could do all of them! One of my favorites has been a trend of bloggers posting their current reads on Wednesdays.

This week I’ll be taking inspiration from Taking On a World of Words, and trying out their “WWW Wednesday!”

The Three Ws are:

What are you currently reading?
What did you recently finish reading?
What do you think you’ll read next?

What I’m currently reading:

Harry Potter and The Order of the Phoenix by J.K. Rowling

The re-read continues! I love getting to this part in the series, when things are getting darker and the trio is getting older. Harry is so angsty in this one, not that he doesn’t have a few good reasons why. Agh, this one always gets me too because we lose one of my favorite characters, and my heart breaks every time. Looking forward to it! Haha.

Before I Disappear by Danielle Stinson

This little YA mystery/fantasy has all of my nostalgia feelers activated. It’s been driving me crazy because I remember a story about this town that only existed for a day, or something like that, when I was a kid. It was a book or a movie…? Gah! I can picture it vividly and yet I can’t remember the name of it for the life of me. That’s what this book reminds me of though! Atmospheric and mysterious, full of drama and urgency, Before I Disappear is turning out to be a really fun read. Look for this one touring on my blog soon!

Godsgrave by Jay Kristoff

Okay, I literally started this one today after finishing its prequel at like…three AM, haha. I’m buddy reading this series with two friends from my book club and it is sooo gooood. Damn, I have not read anything like this series so far. I’ll save all my praise for my review, but safe to say that I am already deeply invested and, if you’re a fan of dark, gritty Adult Fantasy, you should check it out too.

What I’ve recently finished:

Harry Potter and The Goblet of Fire by J.K. Rowling

This was my favorite of the Harry Potter books as a kid for a long time and…I think it is now, too. I had so much fun reading this again. Goblet of Fire is one of those books that is full of “did that just happen??” moments and I was hooked as a kid, I remember taking each and every twist and turn as a complete surprise, and they were just as wonderful to appreciate from the other side this time around. Might type up some thoughts about this one for you guys.

Nevernight by Jay Kristoff

I have so much to say about this book! I’ll probably do a review, since I’m buddy reading this series right now in preparation for the release of Darkdawn (the third book in this series) this fall! This ADULT fantasy, and I emphasize that because it is often confused with YA and it contains a lot of things that would never be found in YA, is brutal, dark, manipulative, visceral, and sometimes all too much. But it’s so damn good too, and right up my alley. Check it out and enjoy, but fair warning: this one’s not for the faint of heart.

Daisy Jones & The Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid

I LOVED THIS BOOK. Okay, I’ll stop yelling now, but seriously I loved this book. And I was so surprised that I loved it! I know, it’s gotten amazing reviews and everyone is talking about it, but for some reason I never thought it would be one of my favorites of the year. Told like a VH1 documentary on one of your favorite bands from the 70s, Daisy Jones is part memoir, part family story, part self-discovery, and an absolute celebration of music. Look for my review on this one soon, and in the meantime pick up a copy of your own! You won’t regret it.

What I think I’ll read next:

Meet the Sky by McCall Hoyle

I’m participating in a tour for this one coming up soon and was lucky enough to be able to interview the author! (Look for that on 7/25) This book takes place during a hurricane, as I understand it, and it follows two young people as they try to survive and find each other, in more ways than one. Looking forward to this one being an emotional read!

Sorcery of Thorns by Margaret Rogerson

I’m so excited to read this. I’ve heard so much about it from my book club, from booktube, I’ve seen it all over bookstagram, I get it already! I’ll read it! Fine! But honestly, I’m really looking forward to it. This looks like another fun YA Fantasy but, if you believe the hype, there’s something special and original about it. I can’t wait to find out for myself and report back.

What are you reading this week??

WWW

It’s “What are you reading?” Wednesday!

A Morrow

I’ve seen a lot of bookish memes and list ideas here on the book-blogging circuit, and I wish I could do all of them! One of my favorites has been a trend of bloggers posting their current reads on Wednesdays.

This week I’ll be taking inspiration from Taking On a World of Words, and trying out their “WWW Wednesday!”

The Three Ws are:

What are you currently reading?
What did you recently finish reading?
What do you think you’ll read next?

What I’m currently reading:

Wicked Saints by Emily A. Duncan

I’m halfway through this book and I have to say that I am enjoying it a lot. It hasn’t hooked me the way I was hoping it would, yet, but to be fair, my expectations for this book were HIGH. I love the fresh perspective of tying a characters powers and fate to religion and gods and it gives the whole story a new twist that I think is original and so fun to read. I’ll definitely be updating you all when I finish this one.

The Invited by Jennifer McMahon

Ha, I started this one kind of on a whim, but I got lucky. I saw it in a new release display at my library and the synopsis sounded utterly creepy and, dare I say it? SCARY. So, of course, I had to bring it home and read it. I’m really loving this one. Again, I’m about halfway through, maybe a little more, and I had to keep my hall light on last night. I know, I’m 12 years old again, I feel it haha. But seriously! The book isn’t “scary” per se, but it definitely holds some scenes that are keeping me up at night with vivid, tangible imagery, and eerie topics that creep into your head when you’re sitting in a waiting room or trying to fall asleep. I hope that the climax of this book lives up to my very high expectations, but we shall see!

Nevernight by Jay Kristoff

I started this book last week and I’m still reading it! I’ve been having to read in rotation, so I can get everything else I need to read by deadlines read, but I’m also kind of enjoying the way that its forced me to savor every moment of this book. Nevernight is SO DARK and I LOVE IT. Mia is unapologetic and brutally fierce, the story is a complex woven tapestry of a thousand different choices and consequences, and I am thoroughly impressed by this book. I’m already so excited to read the rest of the series.

What I’ve recently finished:

Harry Potter 1-3 by J.K. Rowling

I’m participating in a Harry Potter reread!! I haven’t reread these books in years and I am so. damn. excited. about reading them again now. I flew through the first three in the series, partly because they’re geared younger than the other four and partly because of excitement, but it feels like going home. I read HP for the first time the year that I too turned 11 and the magic of the twists and turns in this series has not been lost. I am falling back in love all over and over again.

I’m also thinking of doing some sort of blog feature as I read the other four! What do you think??

Lock Every Door by Riley Sager

I started this book with the intention of reading as much as I could fit in before the deadline because I’m reviewing it for an exciting book tour tomorrow! (There’s also gonna be a GIVEAWAY! Keep on the look-out!) However, I fell head over heels into this book with no hope of getting out. It was driving, compelling, addicting, and I NEEDED to know the secrets inside the Bartholomew. Oh, and I learned them. I finished this book in one day, you couldn’t pry it out of my hands. I can’t wait to more fully review this book and I’m so excited to be participating! Check back here tomorrow for some exciting Lock Every Door stuff!

What I think I’ll read next:

The Proposal by Jasmine Guillory

I’m really looking forward to this one! I’ve heard the Jasmine Guillory is a hit and I’ve been reading a LOT of fantasy lately, so I think it’ll feel good to take a break with a fun contemporary. This book is about a girl who’s boyfriend (of like- weeks or something ridiculous) proposes to her in on the jumbotron at a baseball game- and the chaos that ensues after. I think it looks fun, fresh, and like a perfect Summer read. Here’s hoping!

Godsgrave by Jay Kristoff

Ahhhh yaaaaay! It’s taken me a while to get through Nevernight, since I’m also trying to continue with my HP read-a-long and books for review, but I am so excited for the next book in the series. And also excited that I discovered these not too long before the third, and final, installment comes out this year. I cannot wait!! This series has hooked me hard.

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire by J.K. Rowling

So excited for this one! I’ve been enjoying my HP reread like no other, but this book was my favorite in the series for a long time and I suspect that it still will be. I’m really looking forward to diving into it again as an adult and seeing what new things pop out at me, and what holds up and doesn’t. This series is so much fun and I’m having the time of my life reliving the nostalgia and love for these books.

What are you reading this week?? Tell me in the comments!