Little Red's Reading Blog

1. Initial Attraction: A book you bought because of the cover- City of Bones. It was December 28th 2007, I got a gift card to Chapters for Christmas.  Since I got the books I asked for as presents, I was looking for something new. I saw the cover for City of Bones and I was drawn in by the design (*cough* and maybe the bare chest). I absolutely loved it and I have been hooked by Cassandra Clare ever since. 

2. First Impressions: A book that you got because of the summary- Cinder. I had gone to my local bookstore looking for a book to take my mind off things (my childhood dog had passed away and my boyfriend had broken up with me). One of the employees of the store asked if they could help me and I said I was looking for something new and she suggested Cinder. I read the summary and I was very interested and the book was amazing. Immediately when I was finished I gave it to my sister to read.  I've got to spread the love!

3. Sweet Talk: A book with great writing- Jane Eyre. I am a big period drama fan. I have watched every film/television version of Pride and Prejudice, and the rest of Jane Austen’s classics, and I have a ranking of which I like best. I also love the Brontes as much as I love Austen. After watching the BBC’s latest Jane Eyre adaptation (the 2006 miniseries with Toby Stephens and Ruth Wilson) I was so in love with the story I went to the library to get the book for even more intimate scenes between Jane and Mr. Rochester.  Jane Eyre is beautifully written I just love it. I even have a Jane Eyre journal I have filled with my favourite quotes from the book and sketches of the characters. 

4. First Date: A first book of a series which made you want to pursue the rest of the series- Wicked Lovely. Really I could use my answers above, that my initial liking for City of Bones made me a fan of the Mortal Instruments (and Infernal Devices and Dark Artifcaes!) and Cinder made me a fan of the Lunar Chronicles. Here I will say that Wicked Lovely started me off with Melissa Marr’s series of the same name. I have always loved books about faeries and this series has become a favourite of mine. When I started the series I was in art class and did a series of paintings based on the books. 

5. Always on my mind: A book that you could not stop thinking about- Harry Potter. Harry Potter and the Philospher’s Stone was the book that got me interested in reading when I was 11 years old and the series has remained my absolute favourite book series of all 16 years later. Whenever my friends and family are in doubt of what t get me for my birthday or Christmas they will resort to a Harry Potter themed present (which I always love! Last Christmas my sister gave me handmade Harry Potter ornaments). Harry Potter has had a big influence on my life and it will always be on my mind! 

6. Getting physical: A book in which you love the way it feels- Alanna the First Adventure. As much as I love the way hardcovers look, nothing beats the feel of a paperback you can easily carry in your purse or under your arm. The summer I discovered Tamora Pierce I was 12 and I had one of her paperback books under my arm constantly. 

7. Meeting the parents: A book you would recommend to your friends and family- Wild Magic. I always make a point of recommending Tamora Pierce’s books to my friends and they always love them. Although Wild Magic is not the first of her books set in Tortall, it is the first in the Immortals Quartet and it still introduces the readers to Alanna and her friends. 

8. Thinking about the future: A book or series that you know you will reread many times in the future- Again Harry Potter. I have reread the series numerous times and I plan to continue doing so! Especially now that Harry Potter and the Cursed Child is coming out so soon. I am making plans to go to one of the midnight release parties with some friends. 

After finally accepting the weight of her identity and her destiny, Aelin Ashryver Galathynius returns to Rifthold to seek out her old master in an attempt to retrieve the amulet of Orynth, the third Wyrdkey. When she learns that her cousin, Aedion, is to be executed on Prince Dorian’s birthday, she must join forces with the man who betrayed her and sent her to die in Endovier. While Aelin had been away and Aedion imprisoned, Chaol took up the mantle as the leader of the resistance. When his former lover returns Chaol struggles to find anything of Celaena in the fierce Aelin. But they work together in an effort to free Dorian from his new prison. Manon, now the wing leader, is faced with a difficult choice. Obey the orders of her grandmother and betray every value instilled in the Ironteeth witches by prostrating themselves to mortal men, or side with the Thirteen and protect the witches and their precious offspring from the rot of the King of Adarlan and Duke Perrington. 

This book was amazing from start to finish. There were more than a few instances in which I shrieked aloud “No no no” or even “yes" the action leading up to the conflict between Aelin and her enemy the King of Adarlan was very satisfying. The addition of the character Lysandra, who was once a rival in Celaena/Aelin’s past who becomes a powerful ally, was welcome. I found their friendship to be one of my favourite parts of the book. But my favourite scenes in the book involved  Manon and her Thirteen. Their own story arc was given momentum by the addition of a new character, Elide, who’s own POV drove some of the action. This book answered many questions readers have been asking since they picked up the first book in the series, and promises more action and intrigue in the upcoming books. 

In a desperate attempt to keep her safe, Chaol influences the king to send Celaena to Wendlyn on another mission. But he did not know that Wendlyn was housing Maeve, the fae queen, and only person who can give Celaena information about the Wyrdkeys. But Maeve will not yield her knowledge to Celaena until she is able to fully control her powers. Maeve appoints Rowan as her instructor. The two are as different as ice and fire but they must overcome their initial dislike in order for Celaena to not only master her powers, but to come to grips with her destiny. Meanwhile, in Rifthold, to assuage his guilt Chaol seeks out Aelin Ashryer Galathynius’ only kin Aedion Ashryer. Together they work with the rebels to garner support for the missing queen. Dorian makes an unlikely ally in the palace who not only helps him to control his own growing powers, but also helps him finally get over Celaena. 

I could not put this book down. I read late into the night, utterly entranced with the third book in the Throne of Glass series by Sarah J. Maas. Celaena’s journey to forgive herself for the sins of her past was particularly moving. In addition to the POVs of the three main characters of Rowan, Chaol and Dorian, the POVs of a few other characters are introduced. Sorscha is a palace healer who lends her knowledge to help Dorian hide his magic and to heal his heart. Aedion, Aelin’s volatile cousin, teams up with Chaol. The most delightful new character for me is the witch Manon Blackbeak. In my Crown of Midnight review I wrote how my favourite scene was the fight between Celaena and the witch Baba Yellowlegs. The aftermath of this fight brings the three witch clans to the mountains to train the wyvern steeds the king of Adarlan had bred for them in return for their support. Manon is a heartless and vicious witch who vies with the other witch heirs for the largest, most fierce wyvern  as her steed. But she is drawn to another wyvern, one the covens see as weak and useless but Manon recognizes his fierce intelligence and will to survive. The lengths Manon goes to to train her steed and the bond that inevitably forms between them was one of my favourite parts about this book. 

Celaena Sardothien is now the King of Adarlan’s Champion. She reluctantly completes the missions his assigns her, but when he orders her to kill someone she once knew, Celaena is forced to deal with the ghosts of her past. Ghosts she prefers to remain dead and buried. Along with coming to grips with the betrayal that sent her to Endovier, Celaena tries to make sense of the destiny that Queen Elena has laid out for her. Prince Dorian struggles with his feelings for his father’s champion while he fights against the power growing within him. And Chaol unknowingly destroys a bond through his thoughtless loyalty to a ruthless king. 

I have read this book once before, two years ago, during the second semester of grad school. Since I was so busy with my classes I didn’t read the book that closely so this time around I paid more attention. The second book in the Throne of Glass series, Crown of Midnight, is just as exciting as the first. Maas has added to her cast of characters with the likes of Roland, Dorian’s questionable cousin, the courtesan Archer, and my favourite the iron toothed witch Baba Yellowlegs. There were parts of this book I remembered vividly, the romance with a certain character  and the death of another character, but I had completely forgot about the conflict with the witch- it was a highlight of the book for me. I also forgot about the effect a certain passage of the book had on me two years ago. At the time I had been single for two years and was content. I had come out of a bad relationship and my attempt at dating afterward had also gone badly so I had sworn off men for years. And this passage, describing  Celaena’s reaction to her inevitable kiss with one of her love interests, it made me realize that I was ready to get back out there and try to find someone. And luckily for me, that someone was in my classes. We fell in love and now we are living together. When I read the passage we were sitting together and I looked up at him and said “Oh my gosh I forgot all about this!” I told him how this particular part of the book played a role in us going out and he wasn’t that thrilled that a book persuaded me to go out with him (lol). I love how  reading certain books can  help you relive certain emotions and remember certain things. 

 I really enjoyed rereading this book, anticipating the parts I remembered and delighting in the parts I had forgotten. 

The most rare and powerful witchery in the Witchlands is that of the Truthwitch, eagerly sought by the most powerful men and women on the continent. Safiya von Hasstrel is an unmarked Truthwitch, unaffiliated from the guilds, but vulnerable. Safiya and her thread sister Iseult,  a Threadwitch, attract much unwanted attention when a heist goes wrong and they become the quarry of a Bloodwitch. To escape his clutches, Safi and Iseult are separated and must fight for their lives.  To escape the Bloodwitch, and even more unwanted trouble, they travel with Prince Merrik, a Windwitch and Admiral of the Nubrevnan navy, who needs to fulfill the contract set out by Safi’s uncle to save his kingdom. As they travel the seas and the barren lands of Nubrevna the three discover that war is imminent and that the two girls may play a large part. 

I picked up Susan Dennard’s Truthwitch because of all the hype I had seen online. I was pleasantly surprised to discover that I absolutely loved it! Each chapter was more exciting and engrossing than the last and I put off finishing the book so I could prolong the experience. Dennard has created a rich world and complex characters that really immerse the reader in the book. I would recommend this book to anyone, it was so entertaining. I am eagerly awaiting January 2017 for the release of the second book Windwitch. 

1. Smells like Teen Spirit (Nirvana)- A Contemporary I want to read:

After you by Jojo Moyes. I read Me Before You in anticipation of the movie coming out this summer and I just loved it. The sad ending left a lot of unanswered questions for me so I am planning to read the sequel to see how Lou and her family are coping after Will. 

2. Shut Up and Dance (Walk to the Moon)- Most Anticipated Book You Have:

The most anticipated book I have yet to finish is Susan Dennard’s Truthwitch. I have been hearing good things about it so I bought it just to see what the big deal was about. I am almost done reading and it is great so far!

3. Centuries  Remix (Fall Out Boy)- A Twist on a Classic or Fairy Tale:

The Lunar Chronicles are based on Cinderella, Little Red Riding Hood, Rapunzel, and Snow White respectively and while I have finished the series I have yet to read Stars Above, which is a collection of stories about the characters from the books. 

4. Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robot (The Flaming Lips)- A Science Fiction book or a book set in the future:

Another book I’ve heard of with a lot of hype is the dystopian book the Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard. I don’t know much about it other than it is dystopian and not fantasy, and that society is divided into two classes, red and silver, based on blood. Should be interesting!

5. She Looks so Perfect (5 Seconds of Summer)- A book with a girl on the cover:

Queen of Shadows by Sarah J. Maas. The latest instalment in the Throne of Glass series which I will read once I am done re-reading the previous books. 

6. Africa (Toto)- A book set in a foreign country:

Passenger by Alexandra Bracken. I am not sure where it is set other than it is a book about time travel. As a classicist, I would like to go back in time just as much as I would like to travel! 

7. Another One Bites the Dust (Queen)- A book or books that will complete a series: 

8. Someone New (Hozier)- A Book by an author you haven’t read yet:

Again I will say Truthwitch by Susan Dennard. I picked up her book based on what I have heard. 

9. Hello (Adele)- A book you weren’t in the mood for at the time:

Again I will say the Throne of Glass series by Sarah J. Maas. It wasn’t that I wasn’t in to them, I just didn’t have enough time to read them through while I was still in grad school. Now that I am done school I will be reading them more closely. 

Louisa Clark has a nice life. She’s lived in the same town since she was born, lived in the same house with her mum and dad and sister, she has a steady boyfriend and a good job. When she is forced to find other work she becomes a care worker for a quadriplegic man named Will. Will is everything Lou is not, he is sullen and quiet to her bright and loud personality. Every offer of friendship Lou makes is brutally ignored. After Lou learns that Will would rather take his own life than live in a wheelchair she decides to devote the time she has with him to make him see that life is worth living. As Will opens up to Lou, and a great bond between the two develops, Will in turn makes Lou see there is more to life than how she is living it and he encourages her to step out of her comfort zone and make her way in the world. The pair found each other when they needed it the most. 

I picked up Me Before You by Jojo Moyes after seeing the trailer for the movie (which comes out today!). I am so glad I did. It is a really beautiful book. It is often described as a romance novel but rather than being a romance between Lou and Will it is more a story of how Lou learns to love herself. In the beginning of the book Lou is very complacent with her life and afraid to take risks. She puts herself in a niche based on how others view her. Her sister Trina is smart, so Lou must be the dumb one. Her dad works hard, she must be lazy. Her mother cares for her aging father and young grandson, so Lou is self-centred. Through working with Will, Lou discovers that she is smart, she is hardworking and she is caring. And with this self-discovery of her own worth, her family comes to appreciate her more, and she them. It is a really gorgeous book that makes you feel Lou’s story as you read it. 

It was fall 2004 when I discovered that Tamora Pierce would be coming to Toronto once again. This time the book signing would be in the evening and tickets were available by phone. I asked my mum if I could go and to my delight she said yes! She ordered three tickets, one for me and the other two for her and my dad. The event was held at the harbour front and it was quite fancy. Tammy introduced the book she was touring, Trickster’s Queen, she read an excerpt and answered some questions. Then we lined up to meet her. My mum decided to stay seated but my dad waited in line with me. I was very nervous, I was going to meet my hero after all, and I didn’t know how to convey what her books meant to me. Dad tried to ease my nerves by asking me what I would say to her (though this made me even more nervous!). Finally it was my turn. There she sat, with her partner Tim sitting next to her. I must have stared at her a bit because she said “Don’t worry I don’t bite- hard” I laughed nervously and thrust my book out to her. I babbled some questions, would she be writing more about Maura of Dunlath, would Briar, Sandry, Tris and Daja ever meet again after their travels in the Circle Opens. I remember asking the questions but I have no idea what she said in response. At the beginning of the event they said there would not be time to take pictures but while I had my book signed my dad managed to snap a quick picture with his cellphone. I walked away quite dazed but pleased. As we walked towards my seat we passed the table which displayed Tammy’s other books for purchase with a cardboard poster of the event. My dad, bless him, asked the women working there if we could have the poster as a souvenir. At first it seemed like she would refuse, saying, “there aren’t enough for everyone it wouldn’t be fair” but she did indeed give us a poster, although I do not know why she decided to do so. It was a really memorable night for me. I got to meet my favourite author, a woman I aspired to be like. But it was also memorable because I got a night out with my parents to myself. This was a rare experience for me. Being one of five kids it was not often I got my parents to myself and just the three of us went out that evening. We chatted on the drive there about school and when we arrived a little early I had Starbucks for the first time. In all, this night is one of my fondest memories. 

5 book to movie adaptations I would like to see:

5. Graceling by Kristen Cashore

Graceling would be such an amazing movie! It is action packed with a strong female lead and a sinister villain. A live action version be spectacular.  Poppy Drayton would make a great Katsa. 

4. Ella Enchanted

Yes, I realize the book was made into a movie with Anne Hathaway in the early 2000s but for me it was never one of my favourites. Ella Enchanted was a beautiful, touching book and the silly, musical film version ruined it for me. I would like a remake true to the book with a clever Ella who of tends saves prince Char from danger (the scene where she tricks the ogres is so amazing). 

3. The Lives of Christopher Chant by Diana Wynne Jones

Next to J.K. Rowling and Tamora Pierce, Diana Wynne Jones is on top of the list of my favourite authors. I love all of her books but the Chrestomanci series in particular stand apart for me. I think Disney or Dreamworks would do a great job bringing the nine-life enchanter to life. I would start with the Lives of Christopher Chant, the story of how the present Chrestomanci came to be, how he discovered his lives and all the trouble he caused as a boy. A live action version would be great but I have had trouble finding the perfect actor to embody Christopher and think it is easier to draw the ideal than to find him in nature!

2. The  Chronicles of Prydain by Lloyd Alexander

To be fair, there has been a film adaptation of one of these books, Disney’s the Black Cauldron. The movie combines the first book The Book of Three with the second book The Black Cauldron in this animated film. It is a good, if a little obscure, Disney movie and I like it but for me it has one flaw, Eilonwy. The first time my siblings and I watched the movie we were quite young and were terrified by the Horned King but loved Gurgi and the princess. She looks like a standard Disney princess with her long blond hair and pink dress. When I read the Prydain Chronicles for the first time when I was 11 years old, I was delighted to find that Princess Eilonwy was in fact a redhead! While I was growing up princesses were always blonde, sometimes brunettes, but rarely ginger and I felt cheated that Disney chose to depict her as a blonde. Since I was 13 I have been dreaming of a live-action version of the Prydain Chronicles, reminiscent of Peter Jackson’s Lord of the Rings films, with an Eilonwy with fiery red hair that befitted my imagination.  Lately I have been thinking that Eleanor Tomlinson would do a good job. 

1.  All the Tortall books by Tamora Pierce