Top Ten Tuesday {12}: Character Names I Love

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It’s Top Ten Tuesday, hosted by The Broke and the Bookish! This week’s theme is…

Top Ten Character Names I Love

One Good Earl Deserves a Lover by Sarah MacLean

1. CrossOne Good Earl Deserves a Lover (The Rules of Scoundrels #2) by Sarah MacLean

Pippa’s breath caught as the man emerged, tall and lanky and unshaven. He was in his shirtsleeves, cuffs rolled up, and her gaze flew to those long, lean forearms, where muscle curved and rippled over bone. Her mouth went dry. She’d never thought of the forearm as being particularly interesting, but then it was not every day that she saw such a fine specimen.

Unravel Me by Tahereh Mafi

2. Warner – Unravel Me (Shatter Me #2) by Tahereh Mafi (Psst, I love Warner’s first name too!)

He looks immaculate.
Flawless, especially as he stands here among the dirt and destruction, surrounded by the bleakest colors this landscape has to offer. He’s a vision of emerald and onyx, silhouetted in the sunlight in the most deceiving way. He could be glowing. That could be a halo around his head. This could be the world’s way of making an example out of irony. Because Warner is beautiful in ways even Adam isn’t.

Losing Hope by Colleen Hoover

3. Dean Holder – Losing Hope (Hopeless #2) by Colleen Hoover

But I’m not falling in love with her piece by piece anymore. I’m in love with the whole girl. Every single piece of her.

The Fault in Our Stars by John Green

4. Augustus Waters – The Fault in Our Stars by John Green

“It’s just that most really good-looking people are stupid, so I exceed expectations.’
‘Right, it’s primarily his hotness,’ I said.
‘It can be sort of blinding,’ he said.
‘It actually did blind our friend Isaac,’ I said.
‘Terrible tragedy, that. But can I help my own deadly beauty?’
‘You cannot.’
‘It is my burden, this beautiful face.’
‘Not to mention your body.’
‘Seriously, don’t even get me started on my hot bod. You don’t want to see me naked, Dave. Seeing me naked actually took Hazel Grace’s breath away,’ he said, nodding toward the oxygen tank.”

Sea of Tranquility by Katja Millay

5. Josh BennettThe Sea of Tranquility by Katja Millay

The world should be full of Josh Bennetts. But it’s not. I had the only one. And I threw him away.

Beautiful Disaster by Jamie McGuire

6. Travis MaddoxBeautiful Disaster (Beautiful #2) by Jamie McGuire

“To douchebags!” he said, gesturing to Brad. “And to girls that break your heart,” he bowed his head to me. His eyes lost focus. “And to the absolute fucking horror of losing your best friend because you were stupid enough to fall in love with her.”

Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins

7. Étienne St. ClairAnna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins

French name, English accent, American school. Anna confused.

Crash by Nicole Williams

8. Jude RyderCrash (Crash #1) by Nicole Williams

“The name’s Jude Ryder, since I know you’re all but salivating like a rabid dog to know, and I don’t do girlfriends, relationships, flowers or regular phone calls. If that works for you, I think we could work out something special.”

Divergent by Veronica Roth

9. FourDivergent (Divergent #1) by Veronica Roth

Who is he when he isn’t Dauntless, isn’t an instructor, isn’t Four, isn’t anything in particular?
Whoever he is, I like him. It’s easier to admit that to myself now, in the dark, after all that just happened. He is not sweet or gentle or particularly kind. But he is smart and brave, and even though he saved me, he treated me like I was strong. That is all I need to know.

Slammed by Colleen Hoover

10. Will CooperSlammed (Slammed #1) by Colleen Hoover

“So you keep your ocean, I’ll take the Lake.”

Yes, I KNOW these are all guy characters’ names, but I just can’t help loving them and their names! What are your favorite character names?

lacey

Top Ten Tuesday {8}: Books That You Wish Were Taught In Schools

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It’s Top Ten Tuesday, hosted by The Broke and the Bookish! This week’s theme is …

Top Ten Books That You Wish Were Taught In Schools

  1. The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
  2. Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher
  3. The Fault in Our Stars by John Green
  4. Saving Francesca by Melina Marchetta
  5. The Piper’s Son by Melina Marchetta
  6. The Divergent series by Veronica Roth
  7. Jellicoe Road by Melina Marchetta
  8. The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky
  9. Looking for Alaska by John Green
  10. The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho (I’m actually not sure if this is taught in schools or not, but since it wasn’t taught at my school, I’m adding it!)

Most of these books I fell absolutely in love with, but even if I didn’t love them, these books would still make it into my list. Because these 10 books really changed my outlook in life. They truly spoke to my heart, and they’ll always have a special significance to me. And it would be incredible if they were taught in schools, so other students could also fall in love with them.

What about you? What books do you wish were taught in schools?

lacey

Top Ten Tuesday {6}: Favorite Beginnings/Endings In Books

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It’s Top Ten Tuesday again, hosted by The Broke and the Bookish! This week’s theme is…

 Top Ten Favorite Beginnings/Endings In Books

The ones we chose for the best endings MAY HAVE SPOILERS, so read at your own risk!

  • Beginning: The Book Thief by Markus Zusak: Honestly, this entire book is amazing, but what really stood out to me in the beginning of the book was that at first, you’re not sure who the narrator is, but then later on, you realize it’s Death. The beginning just hooked me in and I couldn’t stop reading.
  • Beginning: Unspoken by Sarah Rees Brennan: Loved the beginning, but hated the ending because the ending totally ripped and gutted my heart. Technically, the scene that I love isn’t actually at the very beginning, but it’s close, so I’ll just count that. It’s the scene where Kami and Jared are meeting for the first time in the elevator and they freak because they finally realize the voice in their heads are real and each other.
  • Ending: The Sea of Tranquility by Katja Millay: I honestly had no idea that the ending was going to connect with the whole Sea of Tranquility thing, but OH MY GOD, Katja Millay, you are a genius. (Cathy’s side note: And remember when she first ran to Josh’s house and thought it looked familiar? IT ALL ADDS UP. AHHH!! <3)

And if my Sea of Tranquility were real, it would be this place, here, with him.
I don’t say anything right away, because I just want one minute to look at him before I give him my last secret.
And then I tell him.
“Your garage.”

“My name is Edith Prior,” she says. “And there is much I am happy to forget.” Then the screaming begins.

NOW THAT’S A CLIFFHANGER. 😉

  • Ending: The Fault in Our Stars by John Green: Augustus’s letter in the end was just… *sniffles* It was so beautiful and emotional, and I loved that we got to hear from Augustus one last time even after he was gone.

The Book Thief by Markus ZusakUnspoken by Sarah Rees Brennansea of tranquility 1Insurgent by Veronica RothThe Fault in Our Stars by John Green

  • Ending: This Girl by Colleen Hoover: PERFECTION. Just utter perfection, this book. The very last slam, about their baby girl, was just beautiful.
  • Ending: Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell: Even though there wasn’t a definitive Happily Ever After, I still adored the ending. I thought it was the perfect way to end Eleanor and Park’s story, because even though it doesn’t explicitly say what happens for them at the end, you know that they’ll find a way to get their HEA for sure.
  • Ending: With All My Soul by Rachel Vincent: This ending was absolutely epic, and so not how I ever expected the series to end. Kaylee’s story definitely ends with a bang, but I’m so sad that the series is over.
  • Ending: If I Stay by Gayle Forman: If this isn’t perfect and heartbreaking and beautiful, then I don’t know what is:

“If you stay, I’ll do whatever you want. I’ll quit the band, go with you to New York. But if you need me to go away, I’ll do that, too. I was talking to Liz and she said maybe coming back to your old life would be too painful, that maybe it’d be easier for you to erase us. And that would suck, but I’d do it. I can lose you like that if I don’t lose you today. I’ll let you go. If you stay.”

  • Ending: Clockwork Princess by Cassandra Clare: I can’t think of another book that made me bawl my eyes out as much as Clockwork Princess (maybe Losing Hope, actually). I just loved the entire ending. It was both happy and heartbreaking, since it’s the last book of the trilogy, but I couldn’t have hoped for a better ending.

This Girl by Colleen Hoovereleanor & parkwith all my soulIf I Stay by Gayle FormanClockwork Princess by Cassandra Clare

Top Ten Tuesday {3}: Books Featuring Travel In Some Way

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Today’s Top Ten Tuesday, hosted by The Broke and the Bookish, is about…

Top Ten Books Featuring Travel In Some Way

Amy and Rogers Epic Detour

 

Amy & Roger’s Epic Detour was the FIRST book that popped into my head when I saw what this TTT’s theme was. Because the entire book is a road trip! I love this book. It’s so entertaining yet heartfelt, and it’s one of my favorite books. Definitely recommend this to fans of road trips or books in general.

 

 

Anna and the French Kiss

 

Anna and the French Kiss is one of my FAVORITE books of all time, so it’s definitely gotta be here. This book takes place in PARIS! Or as they say, Pah-ree. Yeah, whatever, I’m a dork, but go read this book! It’s cute, fun, and just plain awesome.

 

 

meant to be

 

Meant to Be is probably one of the most adorable books we (Shirley and I) have ever read. The characters take a school trip to London (which I have always wanted to go to, sigh) and it’s so great that London is as big of a part of the book as the characters are. They visit so many places there that it made me want to visit London so bad!

 

 

Paper Towns by John Green

 

Paper Towns. Just freaking hilarious. The road trip part takes place in the last third of the book, and that part by far is my absolute favorite. It’s hilarious (um, hello, a black dude wearing a Confederate t-shirt?) and just so freaking fun. The boys in the book are absolutely crazy on their road trip, and it made me love them so much.

 

 

The Fault in Our Stars by John Green

 

Yes, of course I would put The Fault in Our Stars here! Hazel and my love Augustus travel to Amsterdam, and their entire trip was just the sweetest thing. Although… it ended up turning bittersweet after, didn’t it…. But no matter! TFiOS is an absolute favorite, so it’s in my top ten!

 

 

Perfect Scoundrels by Ally Carter

 

I’m just putting Perfect Scoundrels here, but basically, the entire Heist Society series is full of travels. Kat and the gang end up going all over Europe, from England to Italy to France, and then going back to the US. All thanks to Hale and his private jet, of course. Oh, and can’t forget to mention Ally Carter’s other series, the Gallagher Girls series, that also features a lot of traveling!

 

 

The Statistical Probability of Love at First SIght

 

Although not an absolute favorite, The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight was nice to read, and it also has another trip to London. It belongs here in my top ten though, because I think it’s just so adorable that she meets this wonderful guy at an airport and they end up on the same plane going to the same place!

 

 

The Edge of Never

 

The Edge of Never is insanely popular on Goodreads, and although I never loved it as much as many others, I really enjoyed reading the road trip aspect of the book. It starts off as a trip on a bus to anywhere, but then the characters take matters into their own hands and create their own fun road trip.

 

 

book for blog

 

This is Cathy’s choice! In Carpe Diem, Vassar Spore’s life is turned upside down when her aunt forces her to on a quest through SE Asia where she has crazy adventures and falls in love with a cowboy!

 

 

 

Don't Stop Now

 

Although I didn’t like the book, Shirley loved Don’t Stop Now.
I (Shirley) loved this book so so much! It’s obviously not everyone’s taste (as seen above -_-), but personally I thought it was a really fun read and I loved that it was contemporary too! Like okay come on. She’s going on a road trip to track down her missing friend with her best guy friend who she’s in love with. HOW CAN YOU NOT LOVE THAT.

So here are our Top Ten! Let us know some of your favorite books featuring travels, road trips, etc!

Review: The Fault in Our Stars by John Green

The Fault in Our Stars by John Green

The Fault in Our Stars by John Green
Series: Standalone
Publication Date: January 10th 2012
Purchase: Ebook • Hardcover • Paperback

Diagnosed with Stage IV thyroid cancer at 13, Hazel was prepared to die until, at 14, a medical miracle shrunk the tumours in her lungs… for now.

Two years post-miracle, sixteen-year-old Hazel is post-everything else, too; post-high school, post-friends and post-normalcy. And even though she could live for a long time (whatever that means), Hazel lives tethered to an oxygen tank, the tumours tenuously kept at bay with a constant chemical assault.

Enter Augustus Waters. A match made at cancer kid support group, Augustus is gorgeous, in remission, and shockingly to her, interested in Hazel. Being with Augustus is both an unexpected destination and a long-needed journey, pushing Hazel to re-examine how sickness and health, life and death, will define her and the legacy that everyone leaves behind.

The Fault in Our Stars is one of my top three favorite books! (Right after Harry Potter and before Divergent.) (:

I’ve read this book 1.5 times, and it is amazing! (I read it halfway through the second time because it was just SO INCREDIBLY SAD that I could not handle it. But I will reread it again one day!) (=

So TFiOS is about two star-crossed lovers, Hazel Grace and Augustus Waters, who both have to deal with this terrible disease we all know and hate called cancer. Now, if you really don’t know anything about TFiOS, don’t brush this book off as merely, “another cancer book.” It’s incredibly touching, deep, and unique from any other “cancer” book you have read or will ever read, I personally guarantee it! (=

TFiOS is narrated by Hazel, whose dark sense of humor and oddities make her immediately likeable to the reader. Well, that’s an understatement. All the characters in TFiOS, Hazel, Gus, Isaac (Gus and Hazel’s friend), even the parents, are extremely loveable! Gus’ pretentious, grandiose personality is a perfect compliment to Hazel’s sarcastic and witty personality as well. Their conversations in themselves are interesting, and a lot of the times, even eye-opening, although they seem to not make sense half the time. While reading the book, I formed an extreme (maybe a bit excessive) emotional attachment to the characters. O_o

Another reason why I love this book so much, is that John Green was able to expose a side to cancer that most of us (as long as we’re fortunate enough to not have to experience cancer ourselves or through loved ones) don’t get to see. As discussed in the book, when most cancer victims pass away, we always say, “They fought a brave battle against cancer, and never wavered in spirit.” But John Green also revealed the dark side to cancer, when it exposes vulnerability within the family to the cancer patients themselves. Of course those with cancer fight the disease with everything within their power, because what other way would you fight it? Yet it’s nearly impossible to be strong all the time, so I believe John Green balanced the good and bad times that cancer patients must go through well.

Overall, The Fault in Our Stars is an incredible book because it tugs at your heart throughout the story. The characters are so funny and instantly loveable. Even after reading the book, the story itself sticks in your head, causing you to rethink what life in general is about. And to quote from the book,  “Live your best life today.” ❤

OF COURSE THIS BOOK IS FIVE HEARTS!

5 hearts
Cathy