Top Ten Tuesday: Top Ten Characters I Want To Be BFF's With!

As you all know, over at my other blog, The Broke and the Bookish, we do a weekly meme called Top Ten Tuesday. It's a meme where we think of different topics every week and make a list out of it! If you'd like to participate, head on over to The Broke and the Bookish by clicking HERE, and fill out Mister Linky! Don't forget to link back to our blog as well! Enjoy!

TOP THEN CHARACTERS I WANT TO BE BFF'S WITH!

Before I get started, I usually don't put them in order of "favorite", but this time, my number one is by far the first person I'd choose from!!!

1.) Baily Flanigain from the Baxter Series- Baily is the most down to earth, laid back, Christian, friendly person you'd ever meet... in real life, AND in a book! She's all about being that true friend no matter what, she never leaves your side, and she supports you in every thing. I've never really had a friend like that, and to think that Bailey could be that true friend is so awesome! Plus, she's a HUGE fan of Jesus, which is a plus for me! 

2.) Lula and Stephanie Plum from the Stephanie Plum series - I had to put both of these on here because they're my top two favorite characters from this series. I'd love to be friends with Lula because she's so hilarious!! She's an plus sized woman trying to fit into junior sized clothes, she is loud, has wild hair and isn't afraid of anyone, or anything! And who wouldn't want to be friends with Stephanie? She gets herself in the most daring, crazy, scary, mixed up situations... car bombings, body parts showing up in the mail.. It'd never be a dull moment being her friend! Not to mention her close ties with the sexy Ranger and Joe Morelli! 

3.) Katniss Everdeen from The Hunger Games series- I had to think about this one. But, I came to the conclusion that it would be fun to be her friend, just in the sense that she's the type of person to not care what other people think of her. She knows who she is, what she likes, and other peoples opinions don't matter. I feel like I could learn a lot from her. Especially from watching her in the games, even though it'd be hard to watch my BFF in such a situation! 

4.) Melinda Sordino from Speak - I know this may surprise some of you, but I'd like to be friends with her so I can BE there for this poor girl! Even when I first read this book, I found myself screaming at her so-called "friends" who left her to deal with what she did on her own. And in my eyes, this girl had every right to bust that party up! More power to her! 

I thought of four of them off of the top of my head! I'm running out of time at the moment, but I will add some more later!!! 

Who are some of the people you picked? Do you agree with any of mine? I'm excited to see what some of you said! 

Reading Slump!

So, I am in the BIGGEST reading slump right now! Ugh! Do you ever get that way, after either reading a fantastic book, and you're afraid the next book you pick up just won't be good enough to top the one you just finished, so then you aren't interested in reading? Or maybe you went through 5 books and read them all quickly, and now you just can't get into the feel of reading? I really hate it when that happens! I WANT to read, and I've got the books available, but I just can't seem to bring myself out of this slump!!! 


So, I'm writing this post to ask all of YOU what you do when you're in a reading slump! How do you get out of it? Are there any "special" tricks to it? What are your suggestions for me to do (activities, hobbies) that will get me back into reading? Or maybe their are some books that you can read to get out of a slump you can suggest?


I will take ANY suggestions!!! I WANT OUT OF THIS SLUMP NOW!! 

Bookish Jobs for Bookish People! NEW FEATURE!

Hey Everyone!!! The other blog that I participate in, The Broke and the Bookish, has started a new feature called, Bookish Jobs for Bookish People! It's a feature where there will be an interview done with someone who has a bookish job!

So, Erica Barmash, who is the marketing manager at Harper Perennial is the first person to be interviewed for this awesome feature! Head on over to The Broke and Bookish by clicking here to read the interview!!!

Thanks Everyone!

The Life You've Imagined by Kristina Riggle

Title: The Life You've Imagined 

Author: Kristina Riggle

Where I got it: Library

Why I read it: I was browsing the new books section and came across it.

Rating: B

GOOD READS DESCRIPTION: 

Is the life you're living all you imagined?

Have you ever asked yourself, "What if??" Here, four women face the decisions of their lifetimes in this stirring and unforgettable novel of love, loss, friendship, and family.

Anna Geneva, a Chicago attorney coping with the death of a cherished friend, returns to her "speck on the map" hometown of Haven to finally come to terms with her mother, the man she left behind, and the road she did not take.

Cami Drayton, Anna's dearest friend from high school, is coming home too, forced by circumstance to move in with her alcoholic father . . . and to confront a dark family secret.

Maeve, Anna's mother, never left Haven, firmly rooted there by her sadness over her abandonment by the husband she desperately loved and the hope that someday he will return to her.

And Amy Rickart—thin, beautiful, and striving for perfection—faces a future with the perfect man . . . but is haunted by the memory of what she used to be.

Kristina Riggle's The Life You've Imagined takes a provocative look at the choices we make—and the courage we must have to change. 

First, let me say that this book is set in the part of Michigan that I am currently living! So, with that said, this books gets a MAJOR kudos! It's set in "Haven", which is actually Grand Haven, Michigan. Kristina Riggle also makes lots of references to Grand Rapids, Michigan, which is where I am currently residing. Kristina is a free-lance author for The Grand Rapids Press, and she mentions Chicago, which is my dream city to live in ( and will be  very soon!) So, as you can tell, this book gets lots of kudos for me! However, I did not realize ANY of this until I started reading the book! Which was pleasant surprise! 

Now, with all of that "petty" stuff aside, the book/story itself was okay. Yes, just okay. It wasn't great, but it wasn't bad either. I felt like a C was too low of a grade, so I went with a B. It was a good story, it kept your attention, but I felt like there wasn't a big enough climax, or enough jaw-dropping surprises to make you go, "WHOA!" or what I usually saying, "Whatttt!?" Hahaha. The other thing that I didn't really like is that the Characters aren't really all that connected. I mean, they are connected, but I felt like at the same time that each person (besides Anna and her mother Maeve) had their own stories in the book. It does tie together to a point where you understand what's going on, but I felt like there should have been more. Does that make sense? 

The sending is a sweet, happy ending. But it could have been more.. what's the word? Shocking? Or rather a, "I didn't see that coming!" Now, don't get me wrong, it's not really a predictable ending, it's just not a surprising one either. 

What I did enjoy about the book/story/plot (aside from what I first mentioned!) is that it does keep your attention, and makes you want to keep turning the pages to see what's going to happen to whom next. You do find yourself routing for the characters, hoping they each get what they're chasing in their lives, and hoping for the best. 

I do recommend the book for a quick, light read if you're trying to get out of a reading slump, or you just want something quick to read. This book is about 300 pages long, however, the chapters are quick so you find yourself literally flying through it. I don't think this book is a go out 5 minutes before the book store closes type book, but it's a book that you may want to look further into and maybe add to your list at a later date. 

My rating:

The Self-Worth Project + A Giveaway

Hello everyone!!! While I was going through some of the blogs I follow, I came across Danielle's page, Every Last Page and noticed she was doing a giveaway. I decided to hop on over to her blog to see what it was all about and I was amazed at what I found!

She was telling all of us in this blog world about her friend, Tommy Corey, who developed this amazing project called The Self-Worth Project. He designed this to help people with their insecurities, fears, and their lack of confidence in themselves and help them make themselves feel better and love them for who they are! She had a description on her entry, which she got from their website that I will share with you as well:

 The Self-Worth project is an ongoing photo documentation of people embracing their deepest and most vulnerable insecurities. It is not meant to be political, religious or related to any race or orientation. It is a positive outlet for everyone, because everyone should be included in sharing how they feel. Unity is power, and through that power, we can change lives.


I instantly fell in love with this idea!! While I was growing up, I frequently had issues with confidence and insecurity and never loved myself for who I am. Knowing that someone took time out of their lives to make this project/group available is absolutely amazing and I applaud you immensely and thank you for it! 


I would like to ask everyone reading this entry to PLEASE visit their Facebook page here and see what it's all about and see the positive impact that it has made. 


As you read in the title of this entry, there is also a giveaway. Danielle at Every Last Page is hosting a $50 Amazon gift card give away to help promote The Self-Worth Project. If you're interesting in learning more, and/or would like to join in this giveaway, please visit her blog entry to learn more!! 


It's going for a great cause, and it's a great give away. You can get lots of entries adding in by doing a blog entry (such as this one), "liking" their Facebook page, writing a Facebook note and/or putting it as your Status, etc. 

So, head on over to Danielle's page here, and read the rules and fill out the form!!! 


GOOD LUCK! 

Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins

Title: Mockingjay 

Author: Suzanne Collins

Where I got it: Library

Why I read it: It's the third book in The Hunger Games series, and I kept hearing about how good it was so I wanted to find out for myself.

Rating: A


Katniss Everdeen, girl on fire, has survived, even though her home has been destroyed. Gale has escaped. Katniss's family is safe. Peeta has been captured by the Capitol. District 13 really does exist. There are rebels. There are new leaders. A revolution is unfolding. 

It is by design that Katniss was rescued from the arena in the cruel and haunting Quarter Quell, and it is by design that she has long been part of the revolution without knowing it. District 13 has come out of the shadows and is plotting to overthrow the Capitol. Everyone, it seems, has had a hand in the carefully laid plans -- except Katniss. 

The success of the rebellion hinges on Katniss's willingness to be a pawn, to accept responsibility for countless lives, and to change the course of the future of Panem. To do this, she must put aside her feelings of anger and distrust. She must become the rebels' Mockingjay -- no matter what the personal cost. (Summary from Goodreads)




First let me say that I thought this book was WAY better than the first two!!!! I absolutely LOVED this book!! It was entertaining, enjoyable, and I found myself wanting to keep reading to find out what happens next. I found myself with my jaw dropping numerous times through out the book, and those are the type of books that I like to read.


I think that if the first two books were even remotely as good as the third (and final!) book, then I would have enjoyed it a lot more. Just from this book alone, I'd recommend the series to someone so they could see how well this book is. 


The reason I'm giving this book an A is because it was suspenseful, interesting, and jaw dropping. Plus, towards the end of the book, it had me in tears!!! 


The only thing that I didn't like about it was the ending. I felt like the ending could have been detailed a little bit more, and that the Epilogue could have been written better. But, that doesn't make the rest of the book bad!


I do recommend this series, solely based on this third book. It was amazing!!!


My rating:

Top Ten Tuesday: Books That Made Me Cry!

I know, I know, I'm a day late posting this! But I was busy yesterday and didn't have the time (or I was just slacking). But, a day late is better than never!!!!


In case you aren't aware of what Top Ten Tuesday is, here's a brief description: 


Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme created at the other blog that I participate in called  The Broke and the Bookish.

Each week we will post a new Top Ten list complete with one of our bloggers answers. Everyone is welcome to join. All we ask is that you link back to The Broke and the Bookish on your own Top Ten Tuesday post AND sign Mister Linky at the bottom to share with us and all those who are participating. If you don't have a blog, just post your answers as a comment. Don't worry if you can't come up with ten every time..just post what you can! 


So, without further ado, here is my list!

TOP TEN BOOKS THAT MADE ME CRY

1.) Above the Line Series: Take Four by Karen Kingsbury- Almost every single book shes ever written has made me tear up at least once, but this book made me bawl like a little baby. It's the fourth book in this series, but it made me cry harder than any other book in this series, or that she's written.

2.) My Sister's Keeper by Jodi Picoult- Who hasn't cried from reading this book? It was actually the first book I'd ever read by Jodi, and probably the first book to ever make me cry. It's so heartbreaking, yet you just can't turn away. The movie didn't make me cry as hard/as much, only because I had read the book so I knew what was going to happen. But it's definitely a tear-jerker! 

3.) The Weight of Silence by Heather Gudenkauf- This book made me cry so much because I think it scared me. How would you feel to be forced into silence and scared for the rest of your life by someone you're suppose to look up to? Especially at such a young age. I felt for that little girl like I've never felt for a character before! 

4.) Shades of Blue by Karen Kingsbury- I just HAD to add this one on here. It's about a love lost, and trying to find yourself and/or to find that love again.. whether it's with the person you loved in the beginning, or with someone new. My boyfriend (who I was with for 7 years) and I had just broken up and this ENTIRE book was EXACTLY how I was feeling. So, as you can probably guess.. I bawled like a little baby through-out the entire book.

5.) The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger- This wasn't one of my all time favorite books ever read, and in all honesty I probably wouldn't read it again. However, it did make me cry numerous times. How could you live a life like that, especially knowing when certain tragedies were going to happen. I don't think I could be a wife to someone who randomly disappeared, and not know when, or if, they'd return. 

6.) Winter Garden by Kristin Hannah - This book made me cry a couple different times. Mostly just because of the relationship that every character had towards one another, and how much I wished it could be a better one. I don't want to say too much, but I think I can say this... The "cold-hearted" relationship that the mother and daughter had just broke my heart. I can't even begin to imagine having a bad relationship with my mom. It just broke my heart for this daughter. 

7.) Undiscovered Gyrl by Allison Burnett- I'm almost positive that 90% of you have never heard of this book. It was a random book that I had just picked up off of the shelf. This one didn't necessarily make me cry, but my eyes did tear up a few days. It's about a troubled girl trying to find her way through life without a mentor, or some guidance. It makes you wonder just how many people really are like that out there. It was just a sad story. 

8.) IraqiGirl- This was a diary of a teenaged girl in Iraq who was writing in her diary about what it was like living in a war and they turned it into a book. There was multiple times I cried during this book. I mostly cried because it was so heartbreaking to know how you were living in the war, losing friends and family daily. I couldn't do it. 

9.) Wednesday Letters by Jason F. Wright - This is definitely on the list! I cried almost through out this entire book. I don't want to say too much because it'll give the book away. But this book is about a husband who writes his wife letters every Wednesday. It's an amazing book that you MUST read! 

Sadly, I couldn't come up with a 10th one. Maybe I'll think of one and add it to the list later. But, I hope you enjoyed my 9 books that made me cry!!

Don't forget to join in on the fun (even if it's a day or two late!) and head on over to The Broke and the Bookish to sign the linky.

Did you have any of the books I listed, on your list? Please comment and let me know!