30 Days of Books: Day 21 - Favorite Book From Your Childhood

I'm starting to do this again after a little hiatus called vacation.  I originally saw this on Jenni's blog (see her post HERE) and although I don't think the linky is still active, if you'd like, you can still make a post!  Just be sure to link back to Jenni!

Today's topic is: favorite book from your childhood

When I was a kid, I was OBSESSED with this series!  I don't even know how many books are in the series, it's grown so much.  That series is:

The Animal Ark series by Ben M. Baglio

I don't even know how many I've read (a lot) or how many I have (probably like 8-10).  These books are all about this pre-teen girl who would go and save animals and she knew so much about animals because her parents ran a veterinary clinic in their little town.  Whenever I was upset, annoyed, craving reading, or anything else, I would grab one of these and would finish it in half an hour and instantly feel better.

Have you read this series?  What's your favorite childhood book?

30 Days of Books: Day 20 - Your Favorite Romance Book

I'm starting to do this again after a little hiatus called vacation.  I originally saw this on Jenni's blog (see her post HERE) and although I don't think the linky is still active, if you'd like, you can still make a post!  Just be sure to link back to Jenni!

Today's topic is:  your favorite romance book

Because I read so many books with romance, I decided to narrow the field to only books whose sole purpose is romance.  With that, my favorite romance book s (because who can ever pick just one) are

The Last Thing by Briana Gaitan

Hollywood Timelines #1

Goodreads Blurb:

"Plagued by past mistakes in both love and life, Quinn Bardot is in a bad place.  With nowhere else to turn, she escapes to LA clinging to the promise of a fresh start.

Chase Crowley is known for being selfish and unbelievably persistent.  All he's ever wanted is to become a successful actor.  But now that he is about to have it all, he finds that something is still missing.  Money and fame isn't what he expected.

After a fervent encounter, the two of them are thrown into a situation that neither is prepared for.  Can Quinn extinguish her fears and let Chase in?  Can Chase learn to put someone else's needs before his own?

The Last Thing is a novel about love, Hollywood, and accepting what life throws at you even if it is the last thing you want."

Why I love it:

Like the blurb says, this book is all about accepting your life, going with the flow, and finding love.  There are excellent POV's, characters, and plotline.  Just in general, I loved it!  If you'd like more convincing, my review is HERE.

Tomorrow is a Long Time by Tabitha Vohn

Goodreads Blurb:

"Cal Morrison is a Midwestern farmboy who was thrust into fame during the Old Hollywood era.  Now, at eighty-five, he sees his life as wreckage.  At the mere age of twenty-four, Eileen has seemingly little in common with Cal, except that she fell in love with him on screen.

When Cal and Eileen meet by chance, she discovers that her feelings for him are not without merit, and he sees her in a chance for true love and, more importantly, for redemption.

A controversial experiment offers the key to them both.  With the help of a German scientist, Eileen will enter Cal's memory and, together, the two will create an alternate reality within the realm of dreams.  Replacing the memory of his first wife (his leading lady in his most controversial film, The Last Tomorrow), Eileen will step into the 1960's and discover whether love can exist between her and Cal, and whether loving him unconditionally will be powerful enough to alter the course of his destructive future.

But there is one thing that neither has fully considered: what happens once they wake?

Tomorrow is a Long Time asks the question of how powerful one person's influence can be in our lives, the lengths we go to for love, and whether it is worth it."

Why I love it:

This book deals with two characters that vary vastly in age and that's something that I haven't seen in many other books.  While there are some science fiction elements in this book, it is all about the romance.  The age gap is executed perfectly and the flow of the words is a complete joy to read.  Need more convincing?  My review is HERE.

The Vagabond Vicar by Charlotte Brentwood

Goodreads Blurb:

"William Brook is an idealistic young cleric, desperate to escape dreary England for a mission adventure in exotic lands.  It's his worst nightmare come true when he is posted to a parish in a small backwater village, populated with small-minded people and husband-hunting mamas.  He's determined not to form any ties and to escape the country as an independent single man.

A free spirit, Cecilia Grant is perfectly content to remain in her family home in Amberley village - when she's not wandering the countryside at all hours painting.  Marriage options are few, but that won't stop her mother from engineering a match with one of the ruling family's sons.  Cecilia attempts to win the man, but what is it about the new vicar and his brooding ways that is so appealing?  Could he be the only one who has ever really understood her, and can she discover what he is running away from?

As William struggles not to fall in love with the lady's intoxicating beauty and mysterious eccentricity, he finds himself drawn into the lives of the villagers, despite their best efforts to alienate the newcomer.  When he makes it clear he's not sticking around, Cecilia strives to restrain her blossoming feelings for him.  Just when it seems love may triumph, dark secrets are revealed in Amberley and a scandal from William's past may see the end of not only his career, but his chance at finding an everlasting love.

The Vagabond Vicar is an unashamedly romantic historical novel you'll fall in love wth.  If you love Jane Austen and GEorgette Heyer, can't get enough of Downton Abbey or Cranford, or just prefer old-fashioned boy-meets-girl stories, try reading Charlotte Brentwood.

Sensuality level: sweet (only kissing)

Please note, although there is some mention of religious subject matter due to the hero's occupation, this is not an "inspirational" novel."

Why I love it:

If you've been with my blog for a while, you know I love everything historical fiction.  This is just such an adorable book with a sweet romance.  If you'd like more convincing, my review is HERE.

What is your favorite romance book?

30 Days of Books: Day 19 - Favorite Book Turned Into A Movie

I'm starting to do this again after a little hiatus called vacation.  I originally saw this on Jenni's blog (see her post HERE) and although I don't think the linky is still active, if you'd like, you can still make a post!  Just be sure to link back to Jenni!

Today's topic is: favorite book turned into a movie

The Martian by Andy Weir

Goodreads Blurb:

"A mission to Mars.

A freak accident.

One man's struggle to survive.

Six days ago, astronaut Mark Watney became one of the first people to walk on Mars.

Now, he's sure he'll be the first person to die there.

After a dust storm nearly kills him and forces his crew to evacuate the planet while thinking him dead, Mark finds himself stranded on Mars' surface, completely alone, with no way to signal Earth that he's alive.  And even if he could get word out, his supplies would be gone years before a rescue could arrive.

Chances are, though, Mark won't have time to starve to death.  The damaged machinery, unforgiving environment or plain-old "human error" are much more likely to kill him first.

But Mark's not ready to quit.  Armed with nothing but his ingenuity and his engineering skills -- and a gallows sense of humor that proves to be his greatest source of strength -- he embarks on a dogged quest to stay alive, using his botany expertise to grow food and even hatching a mad plan to contact NASA back on Earth.

As he overcomes one seemingly insurmountable obstacle after the next, Mark begins to let himself believe he might make it off the planet alive.

But Mars has plenty of surprises in store for him yet."

In 2015, a movie adaptation was released!

The Martian

PG-13

IMDB Blurb:

"An astronaut becomes stranded on Mars after his team assume him dead, and must rely on his ingenuity to find a way to signal to Earth that he is alive."

Why I love it:

So I actually watched the movie first (I know, terrible) and I really loved it.  Matt Damon does a stellar job as Mark Watney and his humor is hilarious.  I read the book, expecting it to be just as good and it was!  I'm actually glad I watched the movie before because it was so much easier to visualize all of the things Mark was building to escape Mars.  The humor is just as potent in the book and all of the events and nuances are present in the movie adaptation.  If you haven't read the book or watched the movie, I highly recommend it!

What is your favorite book to movie adaptation?

30 Days of Books: Day 18 - A Book That Disappointed You

Because this is me catching up, (see yesterday's post)  I don't believe Jenni has a linky up for this anymore.  However, if you'd like to join in, or get more information, visit Jenni's blog HERE.

Today's topic: a book that disappointed you

This is actually a pretty easy decision.  I'm going with:

The Elite by Kiera Cass

The Selection #2

Goodreads Blurb:

"The Selection began with thirty-five girls.  Now, with the group narrowed down tot he Elite, the competition to win Prince Maxon's heart is fiercer than ever -- and America is still struggling to decide where her own heart truly lies.  Is it with Maxon, who could make her life a fairy tale?  Or with her first love, Aspen, who she always thought was the one?

America is desperate for more time.  But the rest of the Elite know exactly what they want -- and America's chance to choose is about to slip away."

I actually really liked The Selection!  I loved the pretty dresses, the idea, the plot, the romance, everything!  Except, when we went to the next book, it felt like filler and I just couldn't get behind America's attitude anymore.  To see my review, click HERE.

What book disappointed you?

Under Construction!

Hello everyone!  I'll be doing a bit of blog maintenance over the next couple of days and the layout and colors and everything of this blog will be changing!  I'm already semi-solid on my new design but I'm thinking of tweaking a few more things.  I'll recap all the changes when I'm satisfied with the final product!

30 Days of Books: Day 17 - Favorite Quotes From My Favorite Books

I'm starting to do this again after a little hiatus called vacation.  I originally saw this on Jenni's blog (see her post HERE) and although I don't think the linky is still active, if you'd like, you can still make a post!  Just be sure to link back to Jenni!

Today's topic is: favorite quotes from my favorite books

If you've been on my Goodreads page, you'll know that I have SO many saved quotes.  I don't really want to do yet another Throne of Glass appreciation post, so I'm going to do a different kind of favorite book.  Actually, I'm going to do many favorite books :D

The Rose Society by Marie Lu

The Young Elites #2

"In the silence, I sit along on my throne and wait eagerly for all the satisfaction and triumph to hit me.  I wait, and wait, and wait.

But it doesn't come."

A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas

A Court of Thorns and Roses #1

"Pity those who don't feel anything at all."

The Martian by Andy Weir

"Yes, of course duct tape works in a near-vacuum.  Duct tape works anywhere.  Duct tape is magic and should be worshiped."

"'He's stuck out there.  He thinks he's totally alone and that we all gave up on him.  What kind of effect does that have on a man's psychology?'

He turned back to Venkat.

'I wonder what he's thinking right now.'

LOG ENTRY: Sol 61 How come Aquaman can control whales?  They're mammals!  Makes no sense."

"Maybe I'll post a consumer review.  'Brought product to surface of Mars.  It stopped working. 0/10"

"Also, I have duct tape.  Ordinary duct tape, like you buy at a hardware store.  Turns out even NASA can't improve on duct tape."

All The Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr

"Open your eyes and see what you can with them before they close forever."

Do you have any favorite quotes?

30 Days of Books (continued): Day 16 - Favorite Female Character

Check out my first post (HERE) for a whole explanation on this!  Jenni is hosting this round and she has a linky set up if you'd like to join in!  Check out her blog HERE.

So you may remember that I was taking part in this a while ago and I suddenly disappeared in the middle.  Well, this is me picking it back up again!  The linky isn't active anymore but if you'd like to do a post, just link back to Jenni's blog!

Today's topic is: favorite female character

This isn't even a choice for me!  Hands down my choice is Aelin Ashryver Galathynius (AKA Celeana Sardothien).  She's such a strong character and undergoes so much character development and really finds herself throughout the course of the series.

Aelin is a character is Sarah J. Maas'

Throne of Glass series

Throne of Glass (#1) Blurb:
"After serving out a year of hard labor in the salt mines of Endovier for her crimes, 18-year-old assassin Celaena Sardothien is dragged before the Crown Prince.  Prince Dorian offers her her freedom on one condition: she must act as his champion in a competition to find a new royal assassin.

Her opponents are men - thieves and assassins and warriors from across the empire, each sponsored by a member of the king's council.  If she beats her opponents in a series of eliminations, she'll serve the kingdom for four years and then be granted her freedom.  Celaena finds her training sessions with the captain of the guard, Westfall, challenging and exhilarating.  But she's bored stiff by court life.  Things get a little more interesting when the prince starts to show interest in her ... but it's the gruff Captain Westfall who seems to understand her best.

Then one of the other contestants turns up dead ... quickly followed by another.  Can Celaena figure out who the killer is before she becomes a victim?  As the young assassin investigates her search leads her to discover a greater destiny than she could possibly have imagined."

Who is your favorite female character?