Notable Quotable: Sophie Kinsella (#135)

"I think what I've realized is, life is all about climbing up, slipping down, and picking yourself up again. And it doesn't matter if you slip down. As long as you're kind of heading more or less upwards."
     --Finding Audrey

Harry Potter Moment of the Week (#90)

hosted by Uncorked Thoughts and Lunar Rainbows Reviews.

If you could change one thing from book four, what would it be?

I would change that dumb fight Harry and Ron have because of Ron's jealousy and general lack of self-esteem. I completely understand why it happened and appreciate what it does for his character development in Goblet of Fire and beyond, but it was also really annoying. While reading it the first time, I remember thinking that Ron was being a complete prat. The fact that he didn't believe Harry didn't put his name in the goblet was so irritating to me. And the portrayal is so much worse in the movie, but we'll get to that another day. In the end, I know it made their friendship stronger, but really let's not with the whiny, self-deprecating fourteen year old drama.

Top Ten Tuesday: Fall TBR (2016)

hosted by The Broke and the Bookish.

1. The Beekeeper's Apprentice or On the Segregation of the Queen by Laurie R. King - I've been on a huge Sherlock Holmes kick recently.  This is the first in a series in which, old Sherlock finds a brilliant young woman and decides to make her his apprentice.  I mean really!? This just sounds so freaking good! (Also, it's my book club's pick for October, so...)

2. P.S. I Like You by Kasie West - This came in my Owlcrate in August and I've been eyeing it ever since. I'm looking for some good contemporary books right now and this one sounds like it'll be full of cuteness and miscommunication. I'm looking forward to devouring this shortly. 

3. The Geek's Guide to Unrequited Love Sarvenaz Tash - This book sounds like it's exactly what I'm looking for. ComicCon, cosplay, a guy who's secretly in love with his best friend, oh I cannot wait to read this book!

4. The Unbeatable Squirrel Girl Vol. 1-3 by Ryan North and Erica Henderson - I've recently discovered the existence of Squirrel Girl and now I'm clamoring for the series that's dedicated to her! The first three volumes are out and volume four comes out in December.  The goal is to get these done before that one is released!

5. Trouble Makes a Comeback by Stephanie Tromly - I haven't pre-ordered this yet, but I plan to make it mine very soon. I LOVED Trouble is a Friend of Mine and this sequel is highly anticipated by me. I cannot wait to dive back into the world of Digby and become engrossed by his nonsense!

6. On The Other Side by Carrie Hope Fletcher - I've been watching Carrie on Youtube for many years now, and I love her content. I'm very curious to see if I'll like her writing as well as her videos. Plus, the concept of this book sounds very interesting. 

7. Illuminae by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff - I'm definitely itching to read this book soon.  I've heard so many good things about it and the sequel is coming out soon (or it may already be out. I don't know.) However, I haven't decided if I'm going to listen to it or actually read it because I've been told the audiobook is fantastic.

8. Sway by Kat Spears - I'm really feeling the contemporary genre this fall. I've had my eye on this book for a while now and finally pulled the trigger and bought it. I look forward to reading this Cyrano de Bergerac retelling.

9. Being Sloan Jacobs by Lauren Morrill - The last Morrill book I read, I really enjoyed. It was a nice quick, fun read and I'm hoping this book will be just as good.

10. Billy and Me by Giovanna Fletcher - I got this when I was in London and now it's time to sit down and read this story. I sounds so cute and just the kind of book I love to read.

11. The Rose Society by Marie Lu - I haven't read this sequel yet, and it's kind of surprising seeing as where the Young Elites left us. Now that the third book is out, I'm clamoring to find out what happens to all these characters!

12. Heartless by Marissa Meyer - Marissa Meyer. Queen of Hearts. Alice in Wonderland. I'm don't even need to know any more than that. I'm sold.

13. This Savage Song by Victoria Schwab - I haven't read a Schwab book yet, but I hear they are fantastic. Since I got this one in an Owlcrate box, I figured this would be a good start. Plus, I hear that this YA book does not, I repeat, DOES NOT have any romantic subplots. Hallelujah! It'll be a breathe of fresh air. (Don't get me wrong, I love a good romantic subplot, but there doesn't always have to be one.)

Notable Quotable: Marissa Meyer (#134)

"We have the ability to love each other, no matter our differences. To help each other, no matter our weaknesses."
     --Cinder

Harry Potter Moment of the Week (#89)

hosted by Uncorked Thoughts and Lunar Rainbows Reviews.

Favorite Classroom Memory?

My gut instinct is to choose the time Lockhart let a bunch of doxies loose on a bunch of second years and then asked Harry, Ron, and Hermione to clean up the mess. All this leading to Neville being hung from a light fixture.  While this is funny, it's not my favorite.

I think my favorite classroom memory actually takes place in the staff lounge, rather than the classroom. Professor Lupin brings the practical to Defense Against the Dark Arts. He teaches everyone what to do and then immediately lets them practice on a real boggart. I love this because I'm a hands on learner. You can tell me all day long what to do and how to do it, but until I practice it, I won't be any good at it. Lupin understood the important to practicing magic. This is the moment that made Lupin a favorite for so many of the students.  (Also, it was a very visible beginning to Neville's growth in self confidence.)

I do enjoy the time in potions when Harry uses the Half-blood Prince's book for the first time. It's pretty humorous to see Hermione become incredibly frustrated and annoyed at him.

Top Ten Tuesday: Audiobooks

hosted by The Broke and the Bookish.

I love audiobooks.  I love having someone read to me. However, not all audiobooks are alike. It depends on the story and the person reading. Essentially, every reader has a unique way of making the story seem real. Here's ten of my favorite audiobooks.

1. Harry Potter the series by J.K. Rowling (read by Jim Dale) - The Harry Potter books are truly some of the most magical books I've ever read. Jim Dale takes this story to a hole different level. He has a distinct voice for every different character. His storytelling is absolutely enchanting.

2. The Lunar Chronicles by Marissa Meyer (read by Rebecca Soler) - Rebecca Soler has a way of bringing all of Meyer's dynamic characters to life.

3. Percy Jackson and the Olympians by Rick Riordan (read by Jesse Bernstein) - There have been several narrators for the book series in the Percy Jackson universe. Jesse is by far my favorite; he is  Percy Jackson to me. He has Percy's tone and inflections perfectly and the rest of the characters are quite awesome too!

4. Alice I Have Been by Melanie Benjamin (read by Samantha Eggar) - Samantha Eggar takes this slightly odd fictional history of the girl who inspired Alice in Alice in Wonderland. The mystery and character interaction in this book is heightened by Eggar's performance.

5. Sisters Grimm series by Michael Buckley (read by L.J. Ganser) - This series is enchanting and L.J. Ganser's voice helps add an extra hint of mystery into each case the Sisters Grimm try to solve.

6. The Raven Boys by Maggie Stiefvater (read by Will Patton) - Will Patton has narrated many books that I've enjoyed.  This one makes the list because of the combination of his performance and the story itself. I love the drawl in his voice.

7. Snow Like Ashes by Sara Raasch (read by Kate Rudd) - High fantasy books always seem like they're so much more dense than other books. It's always a bit intimidating for me to read.  This book was great to listen to, because I didn't have to fumble over names and I was able to track the story in my head a bit better. Plus, Kate Rudd's performance was amazing! I loved feeling like I was personally being told a story.

8. The Ascendence trilogy by Jennifer A. Nieslen (read by Charlie McWade) - The main character's snark and mischievous attitude is accentuated by Charlie McWade's reading. It feels very much like he knows more than the readers, and gets to decide when we find out certain information. I definitely spent time just leaning forward, waiting, and wishing I could have all the information right then.

9. Dante and Aristotle Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire Saenz (read by Lin Manuel Miranda) - This book is a treasure in its own right; Lin Manuel Miranda brings it to life with his reading. Each of the boys have a very distinct voice, thoughts and opinions conveyed expertly by Miranda. I loved listening to this book!

10. The Cuckoo's Calling by Robert Galbraith (read by Robert Glenister) - It would have taken me quite a while to read this book, had I not listened to it. I think I would have enjoyed it in the end, but I wouldn't have enjoyed the characters as much. Robert Glenister's portrayal of all characters made this book more compelling.

Notable Quotable: R.J. Palacio (#133)

"I think there should be a rule that everyone in the world should get a standing ovation at least once in their lives."
     --Wonder