Notable Quotable: Ashley Poston (#189)

"Never give up on your dreams, and never let anyone tell you that what you love is inconsequential or useless or a waste of time. Because if you love it? If that OTP or children's card game or abridged series or YA book or animated series make you happy? That is never a waste of time. Because in the end we're all just a bunch of weirdos standing in front of other weirdos, asking for their username."
     --Geekerella 

Harry Potter Moment of the Week #123

hosted by Uncorked Thoughts and Lunar Rainbows Reviews.

What/who would you want J.K. Rowling to write an extra short story about?

Oh there are so many stories I'd love to read! I'd love to see more stories about the Marauders during their time in school and their young adult life (pre-Harry). I know she wrote that one short story for the charity auction and I loved it. But also, I'd take some stories about Snape and Lily as children and growing up at Hogwarts, which I imagine would have Marauders as well.

AND give me some stories about Fred and George post their epic leave from Hogwarts. I want to see them do their hijinks in the real world as they attempt to get their shop off the ground. Oh that would be fun.

Also, young Hagrid making friends with all sort of dangerous animals. I can just see him as like a five-year-old making friends with a raccoon and escalating from there.

OH and give me some young McGonagall! She is one fierce woman and there's got to be some good stories of her in her youth!

Top Ten Tuesday: Series I've Given Up On

The Top Ten Tuesday has a new home. It's hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl.

1. Miss Peregrine's Home or Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs - I tried so hard to read this series and I just couldn't make myself love it as much as the rest of the world seemed to. So I've finally given it up.

2. The Mortal Instruments by Cassandra Clare - I finished the original trilogy and that was good, but it seems so daunting to continue at this point with so many spin offs. So I'm done with this series, at least for now.

3. Vivian Apple at the End of the World by Katie Coyle - The first book was an interesting beginning and it did leave off with a pretty good cliffhanger, but once I had some space I decided that I didn't want to read the conclusion.

4. Me Before You by Jojo Moyes - I really enjoy the first book. And frankly, I have no interest in continuing because it concludes well enough to be satisfied with the characters journey.

5. Nightmares! by Jason Segal - I didn't even know this was a series when I picked up this book.

6. The 5th Wave by Rick Yancy - This was a mildly interesting start to the series, but it didn't hold my attention enough to want to continue with the series.

7. Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Lani Taylor - I actually liked this book quite a bit, but it's been so long since I've read it, I'd have to reread it to continue on with the series and I just don't want to spend my time doing that right now.

8. Dorothy Must Die by Danielle Paige - It's been so long since reading the first that I really don't have any interest continuing.

9. The Storymakers by Betsy Schow - I first book was a fun read, but I'm not invested enough to continue on with this series. I didn't even know there was a continuation of the story when I first read the book.

10. Taken by Erin Bowman - This is one I started reading way too late. I would have loved this in middle school and high school, but now I'm just over it. I didn't even make it all the way through the first book.

Notable Quotable: Maureen Johnson (#188)

"Even though she had been warned, she tripped over the bike. She probably tripped because she'd been warned and was telling herself not to trip over the bike. She did that sometimes. It was often easier not to know what obstacles were in the way. "
     --The Last Little Blue Envelope

Top Ten Tuesday: Summer TBR!

The Top Ten Tuesday has a new home. It's hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl.

It's time for my Summer TBR! I love these lists specifically because I get to think long term about the next several months worth of books I want to read. The Marvel-a-thon is taking place during June and I have a TBR for that here, so I won't be adding any of those books to this list. Let's do this!

1. Blood For Blood by Ryan Graudin - Since reading the Wolf By Wolf earlier this year, I've been really interested in finding out what happens in the conclusion of this story. This summer will be the perfect time for that!

2. Heir of Fire by Sarah J. Maas - I'm continuing the journey through this series with the third book and I can't wait to read more about Chaol and company.

3. The Scarecrow Queen by Melinda Salisbury - There was a jaw dropping cliffhanger at the end of the second book in this trilogy, and I've waited patiently to get my hands on a copy of the audiobook for this book. I can't wait to listen to the conclusion!

4. The Blackhouse by Peter May - I went to Scotland this spring and met someone who appears as a character in this book. He is so full of life, I knew I needed to read this book. This summer will be the perfect time.

5. Atonement by Ian McEwan - This book has been on my shelf for so many years, I've lost count. I'd really like to cross this one off my TBR this year, and what better time than to do it this summer.

6. This Savage Song by Victoria Schwab - This story is about monsters and friendship and rivalries and a little bit of music. It sounds like a really good read.

7. Turtles All the Way Down by John Green - I got this as soon as it was published and it has promptly sat on my book shelf until the mood has struck me to read it. This summer feels like a John Green kind of summer.

8. Mr. Toppit by Charles Elton - This book is about an unsuccessful writer and his struggles to get his work published. I'm not really sure what else goes on in this book but I'm hoping this book will give me inspiration.

9. Breakaway by Kat Spears - Nothing like a fun, light contemporary book to read this summer. I've liked the previous books I've read by Kat Spears so I'm fairly certain I'll enjoy this one too.

10. Liesl & Po by Lauren Oliver - There's always room on my TBR for a middle grade book. This one has been creeping on the outskirts for a little while now. I'm going to finally dive into it this summer.

Notable Quotable: Marissa Meyer (#187)

"The wounds would become her armor, and a constant reminder of her victory. She might be broken. She might be crazy. But she would never be defeated."
     --Stars Above

Harry Potter Moment of the Week #122

hosted by Uncorked Thoughts and Lunar Rainbows Reviews.

Who was your favorite actor/actress is the movies?

There are so many amazing actors in these movies it's hard to choose just one. However, if I had to, I think I'd choose Dame Maggie Smith. She is one hell of an actor and so versatile too. She portrays McGonagall in to perfection, almost exactly how I pictured her while reading the books. You cannot go wrong with a movie staring Maggie Smith.  I just love this picture of her on the set reading the prop Daily Prophet.

Top Ten Tuesday: Books that Awaken the Travel Bug

The Top Ten Tuesday has a new home. It's hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl.

1. The Shadowy Horses by Susanna Kearsley - This book is set in Scotland and I actually read part of this while I was in Scotland so it's bound to fuel my desire to go back to Scotland.

2. A Darker Shade of Magic by V.E. Schwab - Even though the Londons in this book are fictional, the amount of traveling between the worlds makes me itching to explore new countries in our world.

3. Daughter of the Pirate King by Tricia Levenseller - This book makes me want to take to the high seas and just go sailing for months on end. I'm not sure I would actually enjoy it, but I want to try it nonetheless.

4. The Last of August by Brittany Cavallaro - Aside from it being a Holmes mystery, this book makes me want to go visit Germany and explore. Maybe I'll run into a mystery while I'm there!

5. The Geek's Guide to Unrequited Love by Sarvenaz Tash - This one makes my want to travel to ComicCon and BookCon/BEA and any other conference I'd enjoy. These always take place a decent distance from my state, so it would be a journey.

6. Scarlet by Marissa Meyer - So part of this takes place in France and I'd love to explore France some more, but what I love about this series is that they seem to constantly be moving and traveling and I'd love to travel for an extended period of time.

7. Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel - This book has a traveling acting troop in it  and I love it. What I wouldn't give to be a part of a touring show, that would be fantastic!

8. The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien - When I'm done reading this, I always want to go on an adventure. Let's go travel everywhere! I'm down to grab a bag, stuff it with clothes and take off without a plan.

Notable Quotable: Tricia Levenseller (#186)

"I am me because I choose to be me. I am what I want. Some people say you have to find yourself. Not I. I believe we create ourselves to be what we want."
     --Daughter of the Pirate King

Harry Potter Moment of the Week #121

hosted by Uncorked Thoughts and Lunar Rainbows Reviews.

Which Deathly Hallows would you want to keep for yourself?

I'd want the invisibility cloak. This is probably the safest of the Deathly Hallows. The resurrection stone and the elder wand both have temptations that are almost too hard to resist. I would never use the resurrection stone because I don't want to have the painful reminder. I don't want to own the elder wand either because that always seems to attract the wrong people. I'd rather live a longer life than be murdered for something I own. The invisibility cloak seems to be the Hallow that would do the least amount of damage. 

Top Ten Tuesday: Books I should have DNF'd

The Top Ten Tuesday has a new home. It's hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl.

I didn't use to DNF any books. I would stubbornly finish any book I thought I should read even if I wasn't enjoying it. So here are ten books I should have DNF'd:

1. Reality Boy by A.S. King - I listened to this one, and while the captured my attention at the beginning, it didn't hold it. It took me twice as long to finish this book than it usually does for audiobooks. I loved another book by her, but this one just wasn't my cup of tea.

2. A Madness So Discreet by Mindy, McGinnis - This was a book club read, so I had to finish it. If I had the option, I probably would have DNF'd it. I found this story a bit slow paced and completely different than what I expected.

3. Taken by Erin Bowman - I didn't technically finish this book, I ended up skimming the last 150 pages. I wanted to give this a chance, but I just picked it up too late. Had I picked this book up in high school or when it first came out, I'm sure I'd have loved it.

4. The Gracekeepers by Kirsty Logan - Once again, this was a book club read. It was incredibly strange and not at all what I was expecting.

5. The Sumer We Read Gatsby by Danielle Ganek - I listened to this book on my mom's suggestion. I was fun, but I found the characters a little grating.

6. The Magicians by Lev Grossman - I thought this book was going to be a little bit like a grown-up Harry Potter. It's only similar in that there's magic and a school. I plowed through this audiobook hoping it would get better, but it didn't.

7. Where It Began by Ann Redisch Stampler - Again, this story was very slow paced and I remember being bored. I honestly have no idea what this book was about anymore.

8. Shabanu by Suzanne Fisher Staples - I had to read this book for class and I honestly don't know if I even finished this book. I do I remember thinking I'd gladly put the book down if I didn't have to write a paper on it.

9. Nevermore by James Patterson - I really enjoyed the first couple books in the series, but if I'm being honest, I read the rest of them because I thought I "had" finish the series. This is finally where I stopped thinking like that.

10. Outlander by Diana Gabaldon - I actually did DNF this book, but I read way too much of it before I decided to put it down. It just didn't hold my interest the way I hoped it would.