T5W: Fictional Jobs You'd Want to Have

For this week's Top 5 Wednesday (more infor on the GoodReads page) the subject is what fictional jobs you would want to have.

I had a lot of trouble coming up with this list because most of my dream jobs are ... from Harry Potter.

Just give me magic and I'm a happy girl!

But anyway, I diversified a bit and here we go!

T5W: Books to Battle Reading Slump

Sometimes, reading is hard. You want to read, but the motivation is lacking and you end up not reading anything.

This is a reading slump. Slumps are hard to overcome because you want to read, but just aren't and it feels like a vicious cycle. 

But this week on Top 5 Wednesday, we are looking at books that can help overcome a reading slump!

In no particular order:

Number 1!

An old favorite:

One way to get out of a slump is to go for a book that you already know you love. 

Grabbing a book that gives you all the happy feels and nostalgia can reignite the passion for reading and create new interest in reading more!

For me, an old favorite that helps me un-slump myself is:

The Harry Potter Series by JK Rowling

Number 2!

A new suspenseful mystery:

Reading a suspense story is a great way to read more as well. 

If it's well done, just reading a few pages can introduce mysteries and secrets you want to know the end of. 

So you read more trying to find the answers! 

Much win.

My choice of suspense:

The Rhetoric of Death by Judith Rock

Number 3!

A sequel:

If you want to read, but can't find the passion, pick up that sequel you never got to! 

You already know the characters and the world, but new adventures can make you remember why you kept that book around. 

And remember the other interesting world to explore on your TBR.

My choice:

Magic Steps by Tamora Pierce

(not a sequel in itself, but the first book in a second quartet after Circle of Magic)

Number 4!

A super simple read:

Get back into the reading game easy by picking up a book that is quick, and doesn't require much brain power.

This can be a book for a younger audience, or something that you know isn't going to be hard to understand.

For me, I would read:

Girl Online by Zoe Sugg

Number 5!

A book to movie adaptation, 

when you've seen the movie but never read the book:

If you're like me, a lot of reading slumps are aided by Netflix.

I watch a lot of movies and TV when otherwise I would be reading.

So take advantage! Find a movie based on a book you haven't read yet and enjoy!

Then pick up the book and compare. You can get a lot of the story from the film, but the book is so much richer.

For me, one of my favorite movies is Rise of the Guardians which is based on the series, Guardians of Childhood by William Joyce.

Check out the first book in the series:

Nicholas St. North and the Battle of the Nightmare King by William Joyce

That's my suggestions for getting out of a reading slump. Now to take some of my own advice...

Thoughts? Comments?

Check out the T5W group on GoodReads as well!

T5W: Favorite Non-Written Books

Everybody loves a good story. Sometimes that story does not come as a novel or a mostly text-based vehicle. 

That's why this week in Top 5 Wednesday (check it out on GoodReads), everyone is talking about their favorite Non-"Written" books. 

So things like comics and graphic novels, as well as audiobooks and more!

In no particular order:

Number 1!

Locke and Key by Joe Hill, on audiobook

I got this audiobook free from audible in October of 2015, when it was a special for Halloween and dear god I could not stop listening.

Because Locke and Key is originally a graphic novel, I was unsure how it would be translated into an audiobook.

Some genius made the choice to make this a full cast recording and create a unique soundtrack to convey the images without adding too much narration.

Brilliant portrayal of a graphic novel in audio - love love love love love!!!

Number 2!

Justice League/Power Rangers 2017
Written by Tom Taylor; Art by Stephen Byrne, a comic

I saw this last month while I was browsing DC for Rebirth comics and had to do a double take.

Justice League and Power Rangers? YASSSS!

I'm a bit ambivalent about the Justice League as a whole, but  love Batman and the Bat-fam.

I just freakin' love Power Rangers, especially the original team as seen here.

There are only 2 issues out as of now, but seriously already in love. 

New editions every month! I can't wait!

Number 3!

Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro, on audiobook

I loved listening to this book. I think the reader is really great at conveying all the conflicting emotions in this story.

Honestly, I don't think I would have read this without being able to listen to it. It started rather slow, but is really interesting as an exploration of humanity.

I had this book for so long, but avoided it because I had been spoiled about something rather major in the book beforehand. 

My advice for this book is to go into it completely blind. It's well written and deserves attention if you like literary fiction. 

Just go for it. 

Reviews = Spoilers almost all the time for this book.

Number 4!

On Writing by Stephen King, on audiobook

I read this book years ago, in about 2012 while traveling in China, on audiobook, and it has stuck with me.

I always loved Stephen King's books and this book was like a window into his life and how he got to be where he is as a writer. 

It is really interesting and encouraging. The fact that it's read by the author is also one of my favorite things about audiobooks.

Number 5!

Dragon Knights by Mineko Ohkami, a manga

This is a less common manga in that I don't see many people talking about it, but I read the first 3 books in about middle school, and I love them!

This series is a ridiculous farce of an adventure with 3 magical knights who only sort of get along and make a lot of hysterical life choices. 

I read these books for a good laugh anytime I feel down because it's just good fun!

There is my list of favorite non-written books! Agree? Disagree? 

Any thoughts and comments at all, let me know!

T5W: Tired Book Trends

How many times have you picked up a book and something about it - on the cover, in the genre, something deep inside that you only find after you've been reading for a while - something makes you go, "Ugh, again?"

That's the topic for this weeks Top 5 Wednesday!

Top 5 Wednesday: Non-Book Favorites

Top 5 Wednesday is usually about your top 5 books in a category - but not this week!

This week we are listing non-book favorites of the moment and I'm really excited about it!

Le'go!

5. Rogue NASA twitter account

I am constantly reading all the terrible things going on since Trump took office and this account (and all the others like it) just brings me joy in this resistance. There has been fundraising, general protest information, and science facts! 

Personally, I am horrible at science, but I am grateful to all the people who contribute to making the world better and more knowledgeable!

@RogueNASA

4. My Fitbit

I got myself and my family Fitbits for Christmas and I really love mine. It's glitchy as hell, but it's a fun challenge to get me up and moving every day. Also, getting badges for things like how many steps you get in a day or how many miles you've walked since getting the fitbit!
It's fun!

3. My Planner!

I've watched a bunch of planning videos on YouTube, and last year I got a Happy Planner, which I loved. It was fun to decorate and useful for tracking what I do on a given day. This year I have a Recollections Planner from Michaels, and I use it almost everyday.
It makes me feel productive!

2.Lipstick Queen - Frog Prince

Another purchase from last year, but one I love so so much - Frog Prince lipstick from Lipstick Queen. I bought this with some credits I got from reviewing items from Birchbox last year and I have never loved a lip color as much as I love this one. 

If you've never heard of the Frog Prince lipstick, it's a bit of a gimmicky product where the lipstick itself looks green, but when you put it on it turns pick and the exact shade is based on your PH levels. 

I love the color on me, but I also love how smooth and hydrating the lipstick is itself. I often just leave this in my purse and frequently use it when I forget to pocket my chapstick before I leave the house. Total 5 out of 5. Absolutely love!

1. VOLTRON: LEGENDARY DEFENDER!!!!

Finally, my number one is the Netflix original animation - Voltron: Lengendary Defender.

Aliens! Space Robots! Character Development!

This show has been on my radar since it came out in June (I think) because one of the voice actors is Bex Taylor-Klaus, who I love from shows like Arrow and MTV's Scream. But despite my interest, I only watched it a few weeks ago when season 2 came out and man ... I love this show!

The characters are complex, the writing is funny, and the action scenes are cool. I never watched the original '80s cartoon and probably never will, but Legendary Defender has my heart and soul. I am totally addicted, and the fanart is brilliant! I could probably gush about this forever without actually saying anything except "Oh my god!" "So cute!" "Gahhhhh!"

I'll just stop now...


What are some of you're favorite things lately?
Anything similar to mine?

Top 5 Wednesday - Underrated Books

Hello again! It's time for another Top 5 Wednesday (find the Goodreads group linked at the bottom of this post for more information and weekly topics and discussion).

This week the topic is: *drum roll*

Underrated Books! These are books that I've read and loved and honestly I think deserve a bit more attention from ... everyone else.

Let's get started!

Book 1!
When Books Went to War: The Stories that Helped Us Win World War II
by Molly Guptill Manning

Not super underrated in that many people have read it - but no one talks about it! This book is so important, especially if you value books which, if you're reading this, I assume you do! It tells the story of how books were specially printed to be accessible to soldiers in the trenches of WWII. A book that fits perfectly in the pocket, printed for the best readability by soldiers in what spare moment they can find. It's a fascinating story of the power books can have on people, especially in keeping spirits up in a time when it would be all to easy to lose hope in everything.

Book 2!

I Never Promised You a Rose Garden 

by Joanne Greenberg

I read this for a psychology class in college and it's really good at providing an alternate perspective of psychosis and schizophrenia. The main character, Deborah, starts as a 16-year-old who is being institutionalized after attempting suicide. The reader sees her journey and her alternative reality over several years, in and out of the asylum. This is not a new book, but it hasn't lost any of it's power over the experience it conveys. I would recommend it to anyone wanting another perspective on mental illness!

Book 3!

So You Want to be a Wizard (Young Wizards Book 1)

by Diane Duane

Honestly, this books series is not underrated... like at all. But no one talks about it! The whole premise of this series is young people finding a book called "So You Want to be a Wizard" with instructions on how to be a wizard! The kids get magic by finding a book, reading it, and applying the knowledge they gain to their lives! This is every bookworm's dream, right? I live for this concept, which I'm actually seeing as a theme in this list. Books are good! Books are great! Books about books are the best! Basically this was just an excuse to fangirl about one of my favorite childhood series. Read it, give it to your kids, read it with your kids! Books books books books books. We could all use more books!

Book 4!

True Notebooks: A Writer's Year in Juvenile Hall

by Mark Salzman

Another book I read in college! (Seriously, my teachers introduced me to some of the best books.) This one was not an immediate favorite, but the story (non-fiction btw) is captivating. Salzman goes into juvie to teach writing to the inmates and opens a conversation about the whole American prison industrial complex and how some of these kids end up being arrested over and over. It's fascinating to see this window into a world I've never experienced, though Salzman's story telling wasn't the greatest. Several times while reading it I literally rolled my eyes at his naivety and what seemed to be a rose-colored view of everyone. Then again - maybe I'm just cynical.

Book 5!

Made of Stars

by Kelley York

Finally, a truly underrated book for this list, with less than 700 ratings on Goodreads I would love for more people to read this book!

This was the first book I read in 2015 and I feel it really kicked off a great reading year for me. This book is about two siblings who are spending the winter with their father as he is recovering from an accident. They meet up with an old friend from when they would spend summers at their father's house and reconnect, but their friend is hiding something from them and the more time they spend with him, the more they uncover. This book is a darkly contemporary YA, with LGBT themes and great storytelling! After finishing this book, I immediatly went onto my e-reader and picked up another book by Kelley York and now I've read almost every book she's ever written (bar one, because I don't think I'm mentally ready for a book called Suicide Watch) and I'm excited that another book is coming out this April. This book made Kelley York one of my favorite authors, and an auto-buy author at that! Spread love for this book, because it really deserves it!

Have you read any of these books? What are you're favorite underrated books?

Let's talk in the comments! I'd love to hear from you.

Check out the Goodreads page for Top 5 Wednesday for more topics and information!

https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/118368-top-5-wednesday 

Top 5 Wednesday: Favorite Polarizing Books

This week's topic for Top 5 Wednesday is Polarizing Books, books that people love or hate. Honestly I tend to fall more towards the hate end of the spectrum in this category so I had a really hard time finding 5 books that I love (or even like) that a lot of people consider polarizing. Some of these may be a stretch, but whatever! Enjoy!

(*Beware of spoilers. I tried to be vague, but often failed.*)

Book Number 1: Harry Potter and the Cursed Child by Jack Thorne and John Tiffany. 

It seemed to me that a lot of people were ... upset that this is a play script and therefore it doesn't have the prose that JK Rowling's books had. A lot of criticism also said it felt like fanfiction, people didn't like Ron's characterization, the focus on Cedric -- there was just a lot of complaining. Honestly, I had no problem with the plot, or the time travel, I loved Ron and the variability of Cedric's character. I loved reading this script, but I really want to see it because I know it will be such a great experience (as all plays should be experienced, not just read).

Number 2: The Wave by Todd Strasser

A short book from long ago, The Wave is a story of high school social experiment that went to the extreme attempting to explain how the Nazi's gained fervent followers in Germany. I haven't read this book in years, but when I did read it I thought the story was interesting and worth the 150 or so pages to read. Looking at the book now, do I think it's well written? No. Do I still like the book? Yes, but I think it's more of an introduction to the topic for young readers. Still, I love the book for nostalgia if nothing else, and, as I said, I'm stretching myself here.

Number 3: The Memory of Earth by Orson Scott Card
Before starting on this one, I just want to be clear that there is a shit ton of badness surrounding Orson Scott Card and, though I don't know all the details of his shitiness, I know and acknowledge him as a shitty person. I know that he doesn't support LGBT rights and marriage, and politically I disagree with just about all of his opinions. That said, I read this book series from the library of my middle school and never knew anything about the author other than that I really liked the alien worlds he created. I loved the story and the writing was just really good and looking back I still enjoy it. I no longer support him by buying his books, but I will occasionally still read his works from the library because he really served to introduce me to science fiction and therefore this book made the list.

Number 4: Beatrice and Virgil by Yann Martel
Honestly I don't know if a lot of people hate this book, but I have a love/hate relationship with this book so I figured it counts! This book is so mentally strange. It's about a writer with writer's block (totally relateable) finding a taxidermist who has written a novel about two of his taxidermy animals, Beatrice the donkey and Virgil the monkey. I spent most of this book wondering what was going on but intrigued by the general direction of the characters, and the end of the book with my eyes wide and my mouth hanging open with "WTF WTF WTF" running on repeat through my head. I finished this book and immediately gave it to a friend to read so I would have someone to talk about it too. I honestly enjoyed the strangeness of sensation I got from the novel, but I also kind of hated it and it freaked me out. But yeah, I recommend it!


And finally: Number 5: Red Hood and the Outlaws by Scott Lobdell and Kenneth Rocafort

So many people, especially Starfire fans, hated this reboot - and with good reason! Starfire was almost unrecognizable from her previous incarnations, wore much more skimpy clothing and was totally sexually liberal. She'd slept with both of her male teammates within, probably the first issue. I read this while already knowing all that, and I expected to kind of hate it. But I didn't. I honestly had no problem with Starfire being completely sexualized and without inhibitions (though I was a bit bothered by the way she almost immediately forgets any human she loses consistent contact with). But overall, I loved Red Hood and Arsenal as anti-heroes with the tragic past and Starfire fit in with them really well. This was the first DC title I read with any consistently. Before this I had read specific story arcs, but I just devoured this title (though I didn't finish it because I got caught up in writing my MA thesis and I haven't gone back yet).


That makes up my top 5 polarizing books! What are yours? Any thing I love that you hate? Let's chat in the comments, I am always down for civil disagreements!

T5W is a huge group of book bloggers and youtubers congregating on the GoodReads page at: https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/118368-top-5-wednesday