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Top Ten Tuesday

Top Ten Tuesday for October 27: Halloween Freebie

I’ve got to be entirely honest, here, and say that I had NO idea what my freebie was going to be! I considered books with orange covers, horror titles, books with pumpkins, or titles that started with O or H (for October or Halloween), but nothing really fell into place.

Lol, apparently I own very few orange books and even fewer that you could consider horror!

So, instead, I went through my “To Read” list and found ten nonfiction books that I want to read or think people should consider reading…


Always a Soldier: Service, Sacrifice, and Coming Out as America’s Favorite Black, Gay Republican by Rob Smith. On my list because it was suggested to me by the wife of a serviceman.

Make Your Bed: Little Things That Can Change Your Life… And Maybe the World by Admiral William H. McRaven. Ever since I saw his speech at the University of Texas, I’ve been interested in what Admiral McRaven has to say. He’s got a good head on his shoulders and solid advice for how to take responsibility for your life by starting with the small things.

Why Meadow Died: The People and Policies That Created The Parkland Shooter and Endanger America’s Students by Andrew Pollack. School shootings are one of the hottest topics in America and, if the description and title are to believed, this book digs into the reasons why these tragedies occur.

Gifted Hands by Ben Carson. While I have no interest in joining the medical field myself, I enjoy reading biographies of those in said field. This was such a good read and one of the more inspirational auto-biographies I’ve read.

12 Rules for Life: An Antidote to Chaos by Jordan Peterson. Have not been able to get my hands on a copy of this book, but if it is as well-thought out and articulated as his speeches or debates, it is sure to satisfy. The first time I saw Jordan Peterson on YouTube, I was absolutely shocked. Never before had I seen someone so calm and capable of putting thoughts into spoken words. While I don’t always agree with his positions, I am more than willing to allow his voice at the table (as it were).


Negroes and the Gun: The Black Tradition of Arms by Nicholas Johnson. This is a topic I don’t know much about, to be entirely honest, but when it was suggested to me by a co-worker that gave me all the more reason to add it to the list!

The Parasitic Mind: How Infectious Ideas Are Killing Common Sense by Gad Saad. Probably the next non-fiction title on my to be read list, The Parasitic Mind discusses the very relevant topic of just how dangerous ‘infectious ideas’ are to critical thinking.

Man’s Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl. All I can say is if you read no other book on this list, read this one.

The Power of the Positive Woman by Phyllis Schlafly. Suggested to me by a friend. I had never before heard of Phyllis Schlafly, but it appears that she was one of the conservative voices against feminism. As I enjoy learning about differing points of view from all walks of life, this should be an interesting read indeed (look I rhymed!).

Heroes and Heroines of Memphis: Or Reminiscences of the Yellow Fever Epidemics That Afflicted the City of Memphis During the Autumn Months of 1873, 1878, and 1879 by D.A. Quinn. As a Memphis transplantee, I enjoy learning about the history of the area and city. A dear friend of mine enjoyed this title enough to rate it 5/5 stars, so it gets an instant “add” to my list. ;D


Is there a non-fiction title
you think everyone should read?
If so, what is it?

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Top Ten Tuesday

Top Ten Tuesday for September 29: Favorite Book Quotes (these could be quotes from books you love, or bookish quotes in general)

I spent an awful lot of time thinking about these quotes… I knew I wanted to share the ones that have particular meaning and which have stuck with me through the years, in addition to some newer ones. Hopefully, you enjoy these quotes as much as I have and, perhaps, they inspire you to read some of these titles (if you haven’t done already, lol).


“You need discipline most, when it’s hardest to muster.”
~ Nathaniel Fick, One Bullet Away: The Making of a Marine Officer

“Cruelty isn’t a personality trait. Cruelty is a habit.”
~ Rick Yancey, The 5th Wave

“Destroying things is much easier than making them.”
~ Suzanne Collins, The Hunger Games

“If you want to get a good sense of a person’s character, work alongside ’em. A little boring, back-breaking work’ll show you exactly who they are.”
~ Jun Eishima, Final Fantasy XV: The Dawn of the Future

“The most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or touched, they are felt with the heart.”
~ Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, The Little Prince

“If you’re as good as your word, words should be good enough.”
~ Rainbow Rowell, Carry On

“Kick off your shoes. Unburden yourself with song. Tell each other tales. Dance around the table. Leave the cleaning up for the morning. Then go outside and look at the stars.”
~ Noble Smith, The Wisdom of the Shire

“A life worth having is a life worth taking.”
~ V.E. Schwab, A Darker Shade of Magic

“…submitting to the will of another requires trust and humility.”
~ Ann Hood, Knitting Yarns: Writers on Knitting

“Memories were short and history unkind. It was the way of the world.”
~ Deborah Harkness, Shadow of Night


Which of these quotes stood out the most for you?

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Top Ten Tuesday

Top Ten Tuesday for June 23: Top Ten Tuesday Turns 10! Option 2: pick a past TTT topic you wish you’d done, but didn’t get a chance to do (the list of topics is below).

I waffled back and forth, changed my mind so many times about which of the nearly 500 past TTT topics I wanted to cover, and finally told myself to just stick with one! So, I decided to go with one from WAY back in 2011, from Tuesday, April 12, Top Ten Books You Want to See Made Into Movies.


The Library of Lost Things by Matthew Bright is such an interesting and creepy environment. I think it could very easily be turned into a short animated or stop-motion film.

The Rules and Regulations for Mediating Magic by F.T. Lukens would make a sweet, humorous romantic comedy film for the whole family. As the title suggests, it has magic (but not the way you’d expect) and teenage romance (the DRAMA!) and will give you so many warm fuzzy feelings you won’t know what to do with them!

Semiosis by Sue Burke would be such an amazing TV series. This two-part series has science fiction, intrigue, alien life, war and so much more! It’s a unique take on the old ‘humans colonize other worlds’ story and I would love to see it adapted for the screen.

All I will say about adapting Bleeding Earth by Kaitlin Ward is that it would be an amazing horror for Valentine’s day. That’s all I will say.

If The God Engines by John Scalzi EVER became a movie, I would throw SO much money at it. No joke. This is such a short book, but it is so full of details and questions that leave you wanting more. I was actually angry when I discovered that it was a standalone novel and there wasn’t anything else written for this world… I couldn’t even find anything in fandom!

This list would be incomplete, if I didn’t include Ally Blue’s Down. It is such a great horror title, with elements of science fiction and romance that I could not put it down!

Lizard Radio by Pat Schmatz was a bit disappointing to read, but I think it’s mainly because I had a hard time picturing the world and relating to the main character. A film adaptation could do wonders for this title, I think.

Now, I know that most young adult adaptations make it onto the “worst adaptations ever!” list, but Veronica Rossi’s Riders could be amazing as a mini-series. I really loved the characters, the world building was interesting and kept me wanting more, and the romance didn’t feel as forced as the novel’s contemporaries oftentimes are.

I will take an animated series for Antisocial by Heidi Cullinan, please and thank you!

The Chronicles of Nick is the young adult introduction to a much larger series, The Dark-Hunters by Sherrilyn Kenyon. It’s got action and intrigue, great characters and relationships and heartbreak. I keep wondering why this series (or the main one) hasn’t been made into movie or television show, because it could very EASILY be a major hit.

Alrighty then, I’m going a little over my list of ten, but that’s because these next four books are amazing and deserve to be recognized on the big screen!

In the time of Covid-19, I think Orleans would be a gentle reminder of what could happen when the government has too much control during and after an outbreak of unimaginable magnitude. I was, at times, horrified by that the government had chosen to abandon an entire portion of it’s population and in awe of the human spirit and desire to survive.

Carry On would be such a great movie! I love the characters and the story and the world and would love love love to be able to watch it.

Yeah, I picked what is possibly one of the saddest stories in the entire Valdemar universe, but Brightly Burning is also one of the most inspiring ones. This is a story about overcoming bullying and abuse, finding family and acceptance, and sacrificing everything to protect those you love.

The Adrien English books would make such a cute, quirky mystery series! I love how Josh Lanyon writes characters and creates the world they live in and can easily imagine this being adapted for television. 😀


What are some titles YOU would like to see
made into a movie or television show?

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Top Ten Tuesday

Top Ten Tuesday for May 26: Opening Lines (Best, favorite, funny, unique, shocking, gripping, lines that grabbed you immediately, etc.)


In a hole in the ground there lived a hobbit.

The Hobbit, J.R.R. Tolkien

The great fish moved silently through the night water.

Jaws, Peter Benchley

From where I sit, the story of Arthur Less is not so bad.

Less, Andrew Sean Greer

It was a pleasure to burn.

Fahrenheit 451, Ray Bradbury

Mr. and Mrs. Dursley, of number four Privet Drive, were proud to say that they were perfectly normal, thank you very much.

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, J.K. Rowling

There was a hand in the darkness, and it held a knife.

The Graveyard Book, Neil Gaiman

In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.

Genesis 1:1 (KJV)

There was a boy called Eustace Clarence Scrubb, and he almost deserved it.

The Voyage of the Dawn Treader, C.S. Lewis

As Gregor Samsa awoke one morning from uneasy dreams he found himself transformed in his bed into a gigantic insect.

The Metamorphosis, Franz Kafka

Marley was dead: to begin with.

A Christmas Carol, Charles Dickens
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The Dreamy Book Cover Book Tag

Today is a day to celebrate! I was tagged by name for the very first time for a book tag! Whoohoo!

Thank you SO much to Evelyn over @Evelyn Reads! I’m so excited to participate. 😀

Rules:

  • Thank the person who tagged you
  • Link back to the original creator @The book raven
  • Use the original tag image in your post (you can add to it, if you’d like)
  • Tag at least 1 other blogger to join in the fun

Tagging:


Questions:

“No Ideas But in Things”
A book cover that perfectly expresses the novel inside it

The cover of Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell is exactly how fangirls are in real life…

We have this amazing ability to completely forget about the world around us all while being utterly focused on the imaginary places and people we are head-over-heels fannish for. 😀

Fangirls FTW!


“Dark and Lovely”
A book cover that is so creepalicious you just want to eat it up

The Gardener be S.A. Bodeen has such an amazingly creepy cover that, years later, I still want to re-read it! I’ve got chills and they are multiplying.


“Sugary Sweet”
A cute cover that is so fluffy you want to give it a hug

How could you NOT want to cuddle up with the two characters on the cover of Madeline Finn and the Library Dog by Lisa Papp?

He just looks so calm and fluffy and Madeline is absolutely comfortable with him! Ach, my heart! The feels!


“The Simple Aesthetic”
A book cover that stuns with the most minimalist of design

Yeah, I knew that Morte by Robert Repino was going to be perfect for the minimalist cover.

Honestly, the cover is a little deceiving in that it’s almost too simple for what the novel actually contains… which is an amazing story about an intelligent race of ants (yes, I said “ants”) looking to destroy mankind for good and the four-leggers who are trying to stop them.


“Cover Envy”
A book cover you wish you had on your shelves, but don’t yet

The cover for Dark Eden by Chris Beckett is so entrancing! I love the forest and the colors and what looks like snow and I really, truly cannot wait to see this on my bookshelves.


“Traveling Abroad”
A beautiful book cover featuring a country outside of your own

The Whale Rider by Witi Ihimaera is such a magical, heart-wrenching story about a young Maori girl who is trying to prove her worth to her family, to her friends, and to herself.

Kahu is such a great character and her story is one I believe everyone should read.


“The Color Wheel”
A cover that showcases one of your favorite colors

So, if you weren’t aware, I’ve consistently been sorted into Slytherin house since sorting quizzes became a thing… which is nice, because I love all things green.

Verdi by Janell Cannon is one of my favorite picture books both because the story is great AND that the art is amazing! From the cover to the last page, you will be absolutely entranced!


“Switching Gears”
A cover change you absolutely adore

Ender’s Game by Orson Scott Card so desperately needed an update and what better time than when the movie was set to be released? I enjoyed both the book and the movie, but I have to say that the movie cover is MUCH better than the original. 😛


“Oldie but Goodie”
A favorite cover of your favorite classic

Walter Farley’s The Black Stallion is probably my most favorite classic ever.

The story is one that my young, horse-loving heart couldn’t get enough of as a kid. Both the cover art and the illustrations within created in me a lifelong love of not only Arabian horses in particular, but of all horse breeds!


“And the Winner is…”
Which book cover mentioned above is your favorite?

For sheer creep-factor, The Gardener wins my favorite cover (of this post ;P)

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Blog | The Netflix Book Tag

Blair, over at Feed the Crime, shared this lovely book tag awhile back and I thought it sounded like fun. I know it’s a lot late, but here are my answers and if you like, join in and keep this game of tag going!

These kinds of blog posts are always a welcome challenge for me. They get me thinking about what I’m reading and what I could be reading… opening my eyes to new and interesting genres.


Recently Watched: The last book you finished reading.

I re-read this for my 2020 O.W.L.’s and it was just as good as I remembered it being. I love the world-building, the characters, and the romance.

Just an all-around entertaining read!

Top Picks: A book/books that have been recommended to you based on book you have previously read.

Recently Added: The last book you bought

I found The Radium Girls by Kate Moore on sale in a used book store for an absolute steal of less than $5.

Such an interesting tale of a really disturbing part of history. It’s really interesting how, at the time, people had no idea how dangerous radium was and how enamored the whole world was with this new discovery.

Popular on Netflix: Books that everyone knows about that I have no interest in…

Comedies: A funny book

The Soul of an Octopus was such a pleasant surprise! I listened to the audio book and it’s amazing.

Honestly, I thought it would be kind of a dry, scientific book about the intelligence of octopuses. In reality, it’s an entertaining story about the author’s relationship with various octopuses and the lessons she learned from them.

Dramas: A character who is a drama queen/king.

Animated: A book with cartoons on the cover

The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry is such an interesting little book. It really makes you think about life and how adults and children perceive things in entirely different ways.

Action and Adventure: An action packed book

Watch it again:
A book/book series that you want to re-read

I’d absolutely love to get back into the Valdemar universe and just roll around in it. Along with the Dragonriders of Pern, this was one of my favorite book series as a young adult. With brilliant world building, characters you’d love to hang out with, and adventures galore, the Valdemar series will hook you immediately!

New Releases: A book that just came out or will be coming out soon that you can’t wait to read.

Documentaries:
A non-fiction book you’d recommend to everyone

Once Upon a Flock by Lauren Scheuer is probably one of my favorite non-fiction / autobiographies EVER! It’s a super cute, fun, and endearing tale of Lauren’s life with her chickens.

This is probably the book I suggest most to people.

Max: Tag some people

If you’re reading this post and think this would be fun to do, I encourage YOU to join in this game of Netflix Book Tag!

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Top Ten Tuesday

Top Ten Tuesday for April 28: Books I Wish I Had Read As a Child…

I have read a handful of these titles since becoming an adult, but not all of them, and I truly wish I could have read them as a child so that I could re-experience them as an adult. But they are all amazing books in their own unique ways and I would highly suggest each and every one, if you’re looking for something to dive into. 🙂

The Little Prince by Antione de Saint-Exupery

The Thornthwaite Inheritance by Gareth P. Jones

Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery

The Giver by Lois Lowry

The House with a Clock in Its Walls by John Bellairs

The Phantom Tollbooth by Norton Juster

Coraline by Neil Gaiman

Howl’s Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones

This Is Not My Hat by Jon Klassen

The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton