Some books you can read and forget about after a few months, but there are others that stay with you for a long time afterwards. There are also those books that will always stick with you, no matter what, and have affected your life in some way. Here are a few of mine:
Jessie Hearts NYC by Keris Stainton
I love books for a wide range of reasons, but one of the main ones is because they’re always there when I need them most. When I was 12, a few months before I started my blog, my granddad died and it was something that affected me hugely, us being so close and me being so young. During the months after, I turned to books to help me through and one of these books was Jessie Hearts NYC. For this reason, it’s a book I’ve recommended a lot and Keris’s books, like Jessie Hearts NYC and Emma Hearts LA, are a great place to start for readers who are starting to read YA.
I can’t believe I got to read this book. When I finished reading The Princess Diaries series OVER THREE YEARS AGO, I never imagined I’d be reading about Adult Mia’s life. It was all my dreams come true when I found out there would be a new Princess Diaries book!!!
The Princess Diaries series was the first YA book series I ever read, so they mean a lot to me and they’re a favourite of mine. The latest instalment, Royal Wedding, was equally as amazing as the rest and, after finishing, I was left screaming, “MORE!” I don’t think I’ll ever be ready to let Mia go.
We all know the likes of Cinderella, Elsa and Snow White, but they do not compare in any way to Mia. I loved seeing her all grown up and, although she hasn’t changed since her teenage years, she has matured in a way that is recognisable to diehard Princess Diaries fans.
I think one of the things that makes me laugh most in the books is the mentions of the films of Mia’s life. We all know the actual Princess Diaries adaptations weren’t exactly faithful to the books (I will never get over Nice Grandmere, however much I love Julie Andrews), so for Meg Cabot to mention them in the books is hilarious.
I feel as if Mia and Michael are my children who just happen to be older than me. That’s not weird, is it? I’ve grown up with them and they are the epitome of RELATIONSHIP GOALS. I just want to smoosh them and hug them.
Royal Wedding was so perfect and I can’t stop reading it over and over again. If you’ve read it, please rave with me about how good it is. I need a Royal Wedding support group.
Have you read Royal Wedding? Did you love it just as much as I did?
If I were to have a long list of every single book I’ve ever read, I’d like to think that each one has changed me in some way. Personally, I see reading as an experience. I want to be shaped by the books I’ve read and when I’ve finished I want to feel as if I’ve changed in some way.
Perhaps the books that have shaped me the most are the Stonewylde series by Kit Berry, which I return to again and again. I first read them when I was eleven years old and, unlike many of you, I never had Harry Potter to read growing up (I read them much later on!), so these books were my own version. Stonewylde is my safe haven, the place I go when I want to escape.
The first YA books I ever read were the Princess Diaries series by Meg Cabot and, alongside Carmen Reid’s St. Judes books, they taught me what it was like to grow up as a teenage girl. I learnt so much from them, and I love revisiting them once in a while to rediscover just why I fell in love.
Other notable mentions are the Ashbury-Brookfield books by Jaclyn Moriarty, which taught me a lot about Australian culture and also gave me hours worth of laughs. I love these books!
I think books are a bit like horcruxes. Opposite horcruxes, though. With each one I read, a tiny part of the book’s soul joins with my soul, and I honestly believe that each part changes me. I’m a better person for reading, for experiencing life through the eyes of so many others. This is why I love reading. I wouldn’t be who I am today without books.
I decided I’d have a bit of fun today and pull out my wand and owl for some Harry Potter-related madness.
I’ve had this post written for a very long time, but am only finally posting it. Maybe because I realise I’m probably not a very good Sorting Hat (it’s actually extremely nerve-wracking!), and the actual Sorting Hat can keep its job. It won’t be replaced easily anyway!
Let’s get started!
First up is Gryffindor and with all her spy work Cammie Morgan will be kicking ass all the way to the common rooms. I can also imagine her as an amazing Quidditch player, right?
– The Gallagher Girls books by Ally Carter
Whilst Celaena might be on the verge of Slytherin (boo!), she does have some good in her and is incredibly brave so I’m sure she’ll be in Gryffindor.
– Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas
Kit Blackthorn is very action-driven and proud, which I think makes her a perfect Gryffindor match.
– Banished by Liz de Jager
Then we have Ravenclaw, the best of the houses, if I do say so myself.
Harriet Manners is perhaps one of my favourite geeky characters and would always be able to guess the password to enter Ravenclaw Tower.
– Geek Girl by Holly Smale
Lilly Moscovitz, I think, would take over from Hermione and run S.P.E.W. It would be awesome!
– The Princess Diaries by Meg Cabot
Most likely found in the library, I think Cather Avery would be one of the quiet Ravenclaws, not as self-assured and pompous as some of the others can be.
– Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell
Hufflepuffs! The second best of all the houses, not that they care!
Levi Stewart, who I’m sure I’ve talked about enough of this blog, would definitely be Hufflepuff. He epitomises Hufflepuff, and I don’t even need to think twice about it.
– Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell
I absolutely love Kenji Kishimoto and he is just such a loveable person. Hufflepuff, definitely!
– Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi
Slytherin, home to the absolutely gorgeous Draco Malfoy. I just love him, okay?
Warner would definitely be Slytherin. An irresistible Slytherin. Need I say any more?
– Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi
I think it’s obviously that Cersei Lannister would be a Death Eater Slytherin. I don’t want to hate on Slytherin and say they’re all Death Eaters, but Cersei Lannister would be the exception. EVIL!
– A Song of Ice and Fire by George R. R. Martin
Mara Dyer just fits into Slytherin in my mind. She’s not exactly what I’d call a good person, but I really like her nevertheless.
– The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin
Which Hogwarts house are you in? Which house would your favourite book character be in?
Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish. Every week, a new topic is chosen and people are allowed to make their own lists.
This week the topic is the top ten most memorable secondary characters. I had lots of fun, but also found it really hard, choosing the characters to feature on today’s list.
1) Iko from Cinder by Marissa Meyer
Iko was the first character that popped into my head when I was thinking of this list. I love Marissa Meyer’s books and Iko is a very strong secondary character, one who is instantly memorable.
2) Isaac from The Fault in Our Stars by John Green
I really loved the scenes with Isaac in them because he’s just so funny and cheery, even when he was going through some really tough stuff.
3) Kenji from Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi
Kenji is so funny and never fails to put a smile on my face. I love this guy!
4) Tiny Cooper from Will Grayson, Will Grayson by John Green & David Levithan
I seem to have a thing for funny characters, and Tiny Cooper is no exception! He made me laugh throughout and is such a great character.
5) Luna Lovegood from the Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling
Luna is such a unique character and, in my opinion, very inspirational. She’s eccentric and quirky and not to afraid to be herself.
6) Lulu from Airhead by Meg Cabot
I LOVE this series and Lulu is hilarious!
7) Toby from Geek Girl by Holly Smale
I love this little stalker guy! *strangle hugs*
8) Finnick Odair from The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
Finnick is so much better than the main characters, in my opinion. I want a spin-off all about him!
9) Park’s mum from Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell
Park’s mum is so likable and she really stood out as a character for me.
Have you read any of the books? What did you think? Link me back to your own posts!
