Month: January 2017

Book Review: The Weight of Feathers

Magical realism and I don’t particularly get along very well. Basically, I just don’t understand it. Is the magic real? Is it symbolism? Is it in the character’s head? I don’t know! However, I decided to try it again with The Weight of Feathers by Anna-Marie McLemore.

For twenty years, the Palomas and the Corbeaus have been rivals and enemies, locked in an escalating feud for over a generation. Both families make their living as traveling performers in competing shows—the Palomas swimming in mermaid exhibitions, the Corbeaus, former tightrope walkers, performing in the tallest trees they can find.

Lace Paloma may be new to her family’s show, but she knows as well as anyone that the Corbeaus are pure magia negra, black magic from the devil himself. Simply touching one could mean death, and she’s been taught from birth to keep away. But when disaster strikes the small town where both families are performing, it’s a Corbeau boy, Cluck, who saves Lace’s life. And his touch immerses her in the world of the Corbeaus, where falling for him could turn his own family against him, and one misstep can be just as dangerous on the ground as it is in the trees.

The Good

  • The Writing (holy moly!) – Seriously, it’s just really good. McLemore has the ability to write so fluidly, but at the same time able to completely bring to the story to life. I had no trouble being able to picture the characters and the setting in my mind. I had heard great things about her writing and they were all true!
  • My Adorable Little Characters – I adored all of the characters in this book. Lace was so sweet and kind. I loved watching her interact with her family and try to become the best mermaid. It was endearing how much she wanted to win the approval of her family. And Cluck…. I loved how he chose to wore his Grandfather’s clothes from when he was young, trying to be just like him. He was different and unique, with just a touch of mystery about him. It also broke my heart to see the way his family treated him for no good reason. I will never understand how people can be so terrible. I swear, if someone treated me like that, they’d get their ass kicked – family or not.
  • A Better Romeo & Juliet – I’ve never been the biggest fan or Romeo and Julet, mostly because they do some of the most irritatingly ridiculous things ever. However, I’ve always enjoyed modern retellings of their story. Writers are able to take the main parts of that story and turn them into something better than the original. Yes, the characters still make completely stupid decisions but usually to a lesser degree (which doesn’t usually end in death!). And here, McLemore was able to completely retell this story into such a unique setting. It was magical, it was whimsical, and completely engrossing. Honestly, I think circuses just make awesome settings for novels. Right?!

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The Bad

  • Family Portrayal – While I get that this is a retelling of Romeo & Juliet, I just didn’t really like the way the Paloma and Corbeau families were portrayed. I think families in general aren’t portrayed very well in YA for the most part. They tend to be nonexistent, awful, uncaring, etc. And this is just another example of that. I understand that not every family is perfect in reality, but I do feel that that type is wayyyy overrepresented in YA. I get so happy when I come across a book that has a close-knit or loving family. And eriously, I shouldn’t have to get all excited about that!

Overall, I loved this book. I loved the characters, the story, the writing, all of it. Do I wish the families had been a bit nicer? Yes, I do. However, I was kind of expecting that based on the synopsis and everything. I was pleasantly surprised to enjoy a novel with magical realism. I’m not sure if I will start to pick this genre up more often, as I still don’t know if it’s real or not, but I do think I will be less likely to pass one over. I’ve already got my eye on McLemore’s more recent releases!

Final Verdict: 5/5 Stars

Have you read The Weight of Feathers? What did you think of the book? Do you enjoy magical realism novels? Can you please tell me if the magic is real not? HAHA!

Teaser Tuesday – January 31st, 2017

Teaser Tuesday is a weekly meme currently being hosted by Ambrosia @ The Purple Booker. All are welcome to participate!

Rules:

  • Grab your current read.
  • Open to a random page.
  • Share two ‘teaser’ sentences from somewhere on that page.
  • BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! You don’t want to give too much away so as to not ruin the book for others!
  • Share the title and author so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR lists if they like your teasers.

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“At the audition I sat alone, apart from the other girls, and snarfed down the cheese from my bag. Then I stood up and shook out my limbs and cracked my neck and cracked my knuckles and tried not to think of her, didn’t let myself think of her, got my number called, took my spot, didn’t think of her, did the combination, did it spot-on, did it with every step precise, didn’t think of her. Didn’t think of anything.”

-page 84

I’ve only got about 100 pages left in this book and I still have no idea how I feel about it. The writing is wonderful and the story is interesting, but I just feel meh when I read it. I’m not really connecting with any of the characters and really just wish it was over with so I can move on to Revenge and the Wild. But maybe the ending will blow me away? Fingers crossed!

On the outside, there’s Violet, an eighteen-year-old dancer days away from the life of her dreams when something threatens to expose the shocking truth of her achievement.

On the inside, within the walls of the Aurora Hills juvenile detention center, there’s Amber, locked up for so long she can’t imagine freedom.

Tying their two worlds together is Orianna, who holds the key to unlocking all the girls’ darkest mysteries…

What really happened on the night Orianna stepped between Violet and her tormentors? What really happened on two strange nights at Aurora Hills? Will Amber and Violet and Orianna ever get the justice they deserve—in this life or in another one?

In prose that sings from line to line, Nova Ren Suma tells a supernatural tale of guilt and of innocence, and of what happens when one is mistaken for the other.

Have you read The Walls Around Us? What did you think of the story? Leave a link to your own Teaser Tuesday post in the comments below!

A Gryffindor Reading List

Here’s to you, brave and daring Gryffindors!

1. Harry Potter Series by J.K. Rowling

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Oh, come on! You know that this series is a given for our Gryffindors!

2. Wolf by Wolf Duology by Ryan Graudin

Yael is one badass chick who isn’t afraid to risk her life in order to take down the most terrible man in the world, Adolf Hitler. Remind you of a famous Gryffindor perhaps?

3. Uprooted by Naomi Novik

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A young girl brave enough to work for a mysterious sorcerer and then willing to brave a dangerous forest in order to save her home? Yup, Agnieszka is a Gryffindor.

4. The Illuminae Files Series by Amie Kaufman & Jay Kristoff

I think all Gryffindors can appreciate and admire the extreme bravery it takes to try and save multiple ships full of refugees from an insane AI, a termination squad, and some crazy man-eating alien snakes.

5. The Gold Seer Trilogy by Rae Carson

It takes a lot of heart and courage to brave a trek across the United States from Georgia to California during the California Gold Rush. It takes even more when you’re a teenage girl doing it alone.

6. The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah

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Vianne and Isabelle are two of the bravest women that I’ve ever read about. I think all Gryffindors would gladly accept them in their House.

7. The Red Rising Trilogy by Pierce Brown

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I think we can all agree that every single thing that Darrow has to go through in order to destroy the Golds, takes a hell of a lot of bravery. He’s also pretty damn chivalrous too, with just a hint of pride (especially when he gives his speeches!). Kind of the perfect Gryffindor combo, wouldn’t you say?

8. The Valiant by Lesley Livingston

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I think just being a gladiator in general takes a lot of balls. I also think that a Gryffindor would pretty much say, bring it on.

9. Throne of Glass Series by Sarah J. Maas

This series is really all about strong women. I think all Gryffindors would be salivating at the chance to go on an adventure with Aelin and her gang.

10. Not if I See You First by Eric Lindstrom

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There are all kinds of bravery, but I think Parker’s is a special kind. Her independence and strength is inspiring to see. And can you imagine watching her interactions with the Weasley twins in the Gryffindor common room? I need it!

Gryffindors, what did you think about your list? Do you agree with my choices? What books would you add to your list?

Hype or Like Friday – January 27th, 2017

Just another Hype or Like Friday! This meme and Goodreads group were created by myself, Jill @ Rant and Rave Books, and Britt @ Geronimo Reads. To join our group and find out more information about what it’s all about, please go to our Goodreads page HERE.

The January BOTM is The Serpent King by Jeff Zentner.

Also, the February BOTM is going to be Truthwitch by Susan Dennard!

RULES:

  • Answer the weekly discussion topic.
  • Optional: Discuss your chosen hyped book of the week.
  • Optional: Talk about your progress on the BOTM.

TOPIC OF THE WEEK:  The Serpent King book review!

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Dill has had to wrestle with vipers his whole life at home, as the only son of a Pentecostal minister who urges him to handle poisonous rattlesnakes, and at school, where he faces down bullies who target him for his father’s extreme faith and very public fall from grace.

The only antidote to all this venom is his friendship with fellow outcasts Travis and Lydia. But as they are starting their senior year, Dill feels the coils of his future tightening around him. Dill’s only escapes are his music and his secret feelings for Lydia, neither of which he is brave enough to share. Graduation feels more like an ending to Dill than a beginning. But even before then, he must cope with another ending- one that will rock his life to the core.

The Good

I’m just going to be straight up honest right now on how I felt about this novel… It was simply amazing. EVERYTHING WAS AMAZING. Y’all know that I’m not the biggest fan of contemporary. I hardly ever pick them up because they just don’t interest me a whole lot. I like to truly lose myself in a story and contemporaries usually just don’t have that ability to draw me in that way. However, if you want to know just how deeply absorbed in this story I was, then you should know that I read it within 24 hours. It’s true! The writing was beautiful, the storyline was flawless, and the characters truly feel alive. I loved them all, including snobbish Lydia. But I have to admit that sweet Travis was my absolute favorite, just because he’s such a cute little cupcake.

Seriously though, I cannot recommend this book enough. It will make you laugh, cry, and break your heart then put it back together again. I promise that you won’t regret picking up this award-winning novel!

The Bad

There’s really nothing bad about this book for me. I would have enjoyed getting to see more of Dill’s relationship with his family, but in the end it wasn’t enough to detract my overall enjoyment of the story.

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Have you read The Serpent King by Jeff Zentner? What did you think of it? Leave a link to your own Hype or Like Friday post in the comments below!

Book Review: The Architect of Song (Haunted Hearts Legacy, #1)

I’m a huge fan of A.G. Howard. I loved her Splintered Trilogy and ever since I read it, she was automatically put on my auto-buy list. And boy, did she write another grand slam with The Architect of Song (Haunted Hearts Legacy, #1)!

A lady imprisoned by deafness, an architect imprisoned by his past, and a ghost imprisoned within the petals of a flower – intertwine in this love story that transcends life and death.

For most of her life, nineteen-year-old Juliet Emerline has subsisted – isolated by deafness – making hats in the solitude of her home. Now, she’s at risk to lose her sanctuary to Lord Nicolas Thornton, a twenty-seven-year-old mysterious and eccentric architect with designs on her humble estate. When she secretly witnesses him raging beside a grave, Juliet investigates, finding the name “Hawk” on the headstone and an unusual flower at the base. The moment Juliet touches the petals, a young English nobleman appears in ghostly form, singing a song only her deaf ears can hear. The ghost remembers nothing of his identity or death, other than the one name that haunts his afterlife: Thornton.

To avenge her ghostly companion and save her estate, Juliet pushes aside her fear of society and travels to Lord Thornton’s secluded holiday resort, posing as a hat maker in one of his boutiques. There, she finds herself questioning who to trust: the architect of flesh and bones who can relate to her through romantic gestures, heartfelt notes, and sensual touches … or the specter who serenades her with beautiful songs and ardent words, touching her mind and soul like no other man ever can. As sinister truths behind Lord Thornton’s interest in her estate and his tie to Hawk come to light, Juliet is lured into a web of secrets. But it’s too late for escape, and the tragic love taking seed in her heart will alter her silent world forever.

The Good

  • The Writing – Howard’s writing in this book was beautiful and haunting. I truly felt that the prose matched the time period in which this story is set, which I really enjoyed. The descriptions were so vivid that you really felt as though you were watching it all unfold right in front of you.
  • Tragic Romance – Since this is basically a gothic romance story, you just expect it to be beautiful and heartbreaking. I LOVED IT. Yes, it is ultimately a love triangle, but it’s so well-written that you can’t find any fault for it. I also felt that it was much more organic than most love triangles. It progressed naturally and made complete sense as to how Juliet could fall in love with both men. Yes, I might be biased as I tend to enjoy love triangles (and no I’m not ashamed to admit that!), but I really do feel that this one will appeal to most people. It’s just sooooo swoonworthy!
  • The Men, YUMMM… – Y’all, I can’t even with the guys in this book. They were both perfectly flawed with such tragic histories that you can’t help but want to just snuggle up beside them both and whisper how much you love them in their ear. Seriously, both Hawk and Thornton were the kind of lovers you love to read about. One is mysterious, stoic, and kind. Then you have the other one who is mischievous, passionate, and sensual. It’s really not fair that Juliet is able to snag both of them and I’m over here like, fictional boyfriends are so much better than guys in real life.
  • Let’s Solve A Mystery! – I reallyyyy enjoyed the creepy mystery aspect of this book. I could never figure out what was going to happen next and I always appreciate that in a book. It was interesting to see how all of the different pieces of the puzzle came together in the end. If you enjoy your books to have a little mystery and intrigue, then you’ll definitely appreciate that aspect to this plot.

    The Bad

    • Juliet – Okay, she’s not THAT bad, but Juliet did have a little bit of that damsel in distress vibe at times. I also didn’t always agree with some of the choices she made, as they seemed a tad naïve. However, I can’t really fault that too much due to the nature of the times that this story was set in. I felt that miscommunication between her and her uncle was a major factor in how poorly she treated Thornton in the beginning. And y’all know how much I can’t stand the miscommunication trope!

    This book was everything I had hoped it would be and more! Howard has such a whimsical and lyrical quality to all of her stories that keeps me coming back for more. I can’t wait to see what she has coming next in this series, not to mention how excited I am to read RoseBlood! If you’re looking for a gothic historical romance, then I highly recommend you picking up this book!

    Final Verdict: 5/5 Stars

    Have you read The Architect of Song? What did you think about it? Have you read any of A.G. Howard’s other books?

    WWW Wednesday – January 25th, 2017

    Welcome to WWW Wednesday which is currently being hosted by Sam @ Taking On A World of Words. It’s really just a place to do little update on what all you’ve been reading lately. Anyone is welcome to join, just leave a link to your post in the comments and be sure to give the appropriate credit to Sam!

    The Three W’s are:

    • What are you currently reading?
    • What did you recently finish reading?
    • What do you think you’ll read next?

    What are you currently reading?

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    The Coldest Girl in Coldtown by Holly Black

    Y’all just need to read this one, okay?! I promise you won’t regret it.

    Tana lives in a world where walled cities called Coldtowns exist. In them, quarantined monsters and humans mingle in a decadently bloody mix of predator and prey. The only problem is, once you pass through Coldtown’s gates, you can never leave.

    One morning, after a perfectly ordinary party, Tana wakes up surrounded by corpses. The only other survivors of this massacre are her exasperatingly endearing ex-boyfriend, infected and on the edge, and a mysterious boy burdened with a terrible secret. Shaken and determined, Tana enters a race against the clock to save the three of them the only way she knows how: by going straight to the wicked, opulent heart of Coldtown itself.

    The Coldest Girl in Coldtown is a wholly original story of rage and revenge, of guilt and horror, and of love and loathing from bestselling and acclaimed author Holly Black.

    What did you recently finish reading?

    The Architect of Song (Haunted Hearts Legacy, #1) by A.G. Howard

    Do you enjoy beautifully tragic, gothic love stories such as Jane Eyre? Then you will Howard’s first book in a New Adult romance series! But if you’re worried about starting a new series, don’t be, as each book is a standalone.

    A lady imprisoned by deafness, an architect imprisoned by his past, and a ghost imprisoned within the petals of a flower – intertwine in this love story that transcends life and death.

    For most of her life, nineteen-year-old Juliet Emerline has subsisted – isolated by deafness – making hats in the solitude of her home. Now, she’s at risk to lose her sanctuary to Lord Nicolas Thornton, a twenty-seven-year-old mysterious and eccentric architect with designs on her humble estate. When she secretly witnesses him raging beside a grave, Juliet investigates, finding the name “Hawk” on the headstone and an unusual flower at the base. The moment Juliet touches the petals, a young English nobleman appears in ghostly form, singing a song only her deaf ears can hear. The ghost remembers nothing of his identity or death, other than the one name that haunts his afterlife: Thornton.

    To avenge her ghostly companion and save her estate, Juliet pushes aside her fear of society and travels to Lord Thornton’s secluded holiday resort, posing as a hat maker in one of his boutiques. There, she finds herself questioning who to trust: the architect of flesh and bones who can relate to her through romantic gestures, heartfelt notes, and sensual touches … or the specter who serenades her with beautiful songs and ardent words, touching her mind and soul like no other man ever can. As sinister truths behind Lord Thornton’s interest in her estate and his tie to Hawk come to light, Juliet is lured into a web of secrets. But it’s too late for escape, and the tragic love taking seed in her heart will alter her silent world forever.

    The Serpent King by Jeff Zentner

    I wasn’t sure if I was going to enjoy this book when I first picked it up, as I’m not a huge contemporary fan (though I plan to read more in 2017!). However, this book was amazing and wonderful and perfect. And that Travis is such a sweetheart… But seriously, I cannot recommend this book enough.

    Dill has had to wrestle with vipers his whole life at home, as the only son of a Pentecostal minister who urges him to handle poisonous rattlesnakes, and at school, where he faces down bullies who target him for his father’s extreme faith and very public fall from grace.

    The only antidote to all this venom is his friendship with fellow outcasts Travis and Lydia. But as they are starting their senior year, Dill feels the coils of his future tightening around him. Dill’s only escapes are his music and his secret feelings for Lydia, neither of which he is brave enough to share. Graduation feels more like an ending to Dill than a beginning. But even before then, he must cope with another ending- one that will rock his life to the core.

    What do you think you’ll read next?

    Revenge and the Wild by Michelle Modesto

    I haven’t read any reviews for this book yet, so I’m basically going into it blind. This was a cheap purchase from Book Outlet because ever since I saw that gorgeous cover, I knew I had to have it on my shelf. Not to mention the fact that the synopsis sounds totally badass.

    The two-bit town of Rogue City is a lawless place, full of dark magic and saloon brawls, monsters and six-shooters. But it’s perfect for seventeen-year-old Westie, the notorious adopted daughter of local inventor Nigel Butler.

    Westie was only a child when she lost her arm and her family to cannibals on the wagon trail. Nine years later, Westie may seem fearsome with her foul-mouthed tough exterior and the powerful mechanical arm built for her by Nigel, but the memory of her past still haunts her. She’s determined to make the killers pay for their crimes—and there’s nothing to stop her except her own reckless ways.

    But Westie’s search ceases when a wealthy family comes to town looking to invest in Nigel’s latest invention, a machine that can harvest magic from gold—which Rogue City desperately needs as the magic wards that surround the city start to fail. There’s only one problem: the investors look exactly like the family who murdered Westie’s kin. With the help of Nigel’s handsome but scarred young assistant, Alistair, Westie sets out to prove their guilt. But if she’s not careful, her desire for revenge could cost her the family she has now.

    The Walls Around Us by Nova Ren Suma

    Damn that Book Outlet for always having the prettiest hardcovers available. I can never pass them up! I actually have heard some really good things about this book. I’m thoroughly expecting to be creeped out while reading this one and will probably end up sleeping with the closet light on. Eeeeeeee!!!!

    On the outside, there’s Violet, an eighteen-year-old dancer days away from the life of her dreams when something threatens to expose the shocking truth of her achievement.

    On the inside, within the walls of the Aurora Hills juvenile detention center, there’s Amber, locked up for so long she can’t imagine freedom.

    Tying their two worlds together is Orianna, who holds the key to unlocking all the girls’ darkest mysteries…

    What really happened on the night Orianna stepped between Violet and her tormentors? What really happened on two strange nights at Aurora Hills? Will Amber and Violet and Orianna ever get the justice they deserve—in this life or in another one?

    In prose that sings from line to line, Nova Ren Suma tells a supernatural tale of guilt and of innocence, and of what happens when one is mistaken for the other.

    What books are you currently reading? Have you recently finished reading any good ones? What’s up next on your TBR? Have you read any of the books on my list? Leave a link to your WWW Wednesday in the comments below!

    Teaser Tuesday – January 24th, 2017

    Teaser Tuesday is a weekly meme currently being hosted by Ambrosia @ The Purple Booker. All are welcome to participate!

    Rules:

    • Grab your current read.
    • Open to a random page.
    • Share two ‘teaser’ sentences from somewhere on that page.
    • BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! You don’t want to give too much away so as to not ruin the book for others!
    • Share the title and author so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR lists if they like your teasers.

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    The Coldest Girl in Coldtown by Holly Black

    Tana thought of the Cold girls and boys who had been chained to the walls the night before. At first, when she’d seen the kids in the cages, she’d thought they were a fresh batch and the others were dead. But now, she realized Lucien must keep them for weeks, months, however long he could.

    -page 312

    All I can say is that if you haven’t read this book yet, you need to. I’m loving the world of Coldtown and everything about it. Vampires have been very polarizing book subjects, but Holly Black has done them right in this novel. If you enjoyed the political vampire intrigue in True Blood, then this book is for you!

    What book are you currently reading? Have you read The Coldest Girl in Coldtown? What did you think of it? Leave your own teaser in the comments below!

    Book Review: Red Queen (Red Queen #1)

    I picked up this book thoroughly expecting to hate it, thinking it was nothing but a rip off of a bunch of other books. However, while it did remind me of just about every other popular YA story from the last couple of years, I still was able to enjoy Red Queen (Red Queen #1) by Victoria Aveyard.

    This is a world divided by blood – red or silver.

    The Reds are commoners, ruled by a Silver elite in possession of god-like superpowers. And to Mare Barrow, a seventeen-year-old Red girl from the poverty-stricken Stilts, it seems like nothing will ever change.

    That is, until she finds herself working in the Silver Palace. Here, surrounded by the people she hates the most, Mare discovers that, despite her red blood, she possesses a deadly power of her own. One that threatens to destroy the balance of power.

    Fearful of Mare’s potential, the Silvers hide her in plain view, declaring her a long-lost Silver princess, now engaged to a Silver prince. Despite knowing that one misstep would mean her death, Mare works silently to help the Red Guard, a militant resistance group, and bring down the Silver regime.

    But this is a world of betrayal and lies, and Mare has entered a dangerous dance – Reds against Silvers, prince against prince, and Mare against her own heart.

    The Good

    • Entertaining – For me, a book can be incredibly well-written and full of really great aspects that critics look for in a novel, but if I’m not entertained or thoroughly invested in the story, then I’m not going to enjoy it. I’m just not that good of a book snob, I guess. I prefer entertainment value over pretty much everything else when I’m reading. Lucky for me that Red Queen was able to deliver in that department!
    • Characters – I really liked Mare. She was interesting, had a personality, and was willing to do anything to help and protect her family. There were a few times where I thought she was a bit of an idiot, but I guess you could say that’s typical of any teenager (haha!). Cal was probably my favorite though. You know he wants to do the right thing all of the time but he also wants to become the best king for his kingdom, and sometimes the two don’t mix. I enjoyed watching him struggle with reconciling the two. I also enjoyed Kilorn, but only because I enjoyed disliking him so much. He’s kind of a selfish ass and I am ready for Mare to rip him a new one. I feel it coming and am so ready for it! Also, the Queen is probably one of my favorite villains right now. Like I hate her sooooooooo much and yet I can’t get enough of her. She’s basically the female version of Darth Vader but without any of the redeeming qualities. The perfect someone you love to hate!

    The Bad

    • Originality – I think it’s a well-known fact by now that Red Queen is thoroughly lacking in the plot originality category. I mean it’s basically a mash up of Red Rising, Throne of Glass, and a touch of Divergent. Trust me, you’ll see them all show up in this book.
    • World-Building – I really would like to learn more about this actual world that Mare is living in. I think it’s ours but maybe post-apocalyptic, but there’s not a whole lot of information there. I also don’t understand why some people have powers and some don’t. Aveyard never goes into detail enough about these differences between the Reds and Silvers (and amongst the Silvers themselves), which I think was really needed. I’m hoping that as the series goes on, maybe some of these questions get answered in a bit more detail. I’m also hoping that we get to see more of this world in general, especially the warfront.

    All in all, I found this book to be entertaining. I enjoyed the characters, I was invested in the plot and excited to see where it was going to go. I feel like there was some world-building information that would’ve been beneficial in helping differentiate this world compared to the other YA novels that it’s similar to. I do plan on carrying on with this series to see if all my questions are answered and whether or not the queen gets her ass kicked like she deserves. Here’s hoping, right?

    Final Verdict: 3.5/5 Stars

    What did you think of Red Queen? Have you read the sequel yet? Will you be continuing on with the series?

    A Hufflepuff Reading List

    Hello to all of you amazing Hufflepuffs out there! Today’s post is just for you! We see you for your loyalty, hardwork, and kindness – a few things that this world could use a bit more of, especially right now.

    1. The Half Bad Trilogy by Sally Green

    I don’t really know if I can think of a more loyal and kind person than Gabriel from this series. His commitment and love for Nathan turned this series into more just a paranormal adventure. I think all Hufflepuffs would agree that that’s what being a Hufflepuff is all about.

    2. Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire Sáenz

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    Oh, yes… Just thinking about Ari and Dante’s loyalty to one another is enough to bring tears to my eyes.

    3. Me Before You by JoJo Moyes

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    Louisa’s hard work ethic, kindness, and her ability to stay true to herself is about as Hufflepuff as you can get. I mean, who doesn’t want to be best friends with her?!

    4. The Serpent King by Jeff Zentner

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    Hufflepuffs, read this book and know that you’re with friends.

    5. The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller

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    I think it’s hard to picture Patroclus as anything other than a Hufflepuff. He went to war with Achilles even knowing how it was going to end. His love and loyalty spawned one of the greatest stories in the world.

    6. The Infernal Devices Trilogy by Cassandra Clare

    Some might disagree with me on this one and think that our young heroes and heroine belong in Gryffindor. But I am here to tell you that these three represent the very best Hufflepuff has to offer!

    7. Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen

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    We all love to see the loyalty and strength that families provide. And I find a shining example of that is by the Dashwood sisters of Sense and Sensibility, both Hufflepuffs!

    8. Cold Mountain by Charles Frazier

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    Inman’s love and loyalty to Ada, mixed with hard work and determination, was the thing keeping him alive long enough to return from the War and home to his sweetheart. I think his quiet and resolute nature would be at home in Hufflepuff.

    9. Matilda by Roald Dahl

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    I originally had Matilda as a Ravenclaw, due to her precocious love for books and learning. However, I finally decided that her kindness and truth to self shined too brightly to be ignored.

    10. Forbidden by Tabitha Suzuma

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    Lochan and Maya’s loyalty to their family and all of their hard work in order to keep them together was one of the most beautiful stories that I read last year. There’s no doubt that those qualities as well as their kindness, would have left the Sorting Hat saying, “Hufflepuff!”

    Do you agree with the books on my list? What are some other books that you think belong on here? Do you disagree with any? Let me know in the comments!

    Hype or Like Friday – January 20th, 2017

    Just another Hype or Like Friday! This meme and Goodreads group were created by myself, Jill @ Rant and Rave Books, and Britt @ Geronimo Reads. To join our group and find out more information about what it’s all about, please go to our Goodreads page HERE.

    The January BOTM is The Serpent King by Jeff Zentner.

    RULES:

    • Answer the weekly discussion topic.
    • Optional: Discuss your chosen hyped book of the week.
    • Optional: Talk about your progress on the BOTM.

    TOPIC OF THE WEEK:  New Year’s Resolutions – What goals and resolutions have you set for this upcoming year in regards to reading or blogging? Maybe you’ve decided to try and double your reading goal from last year, maybe you plan to expand your reading horizons into non-fiction, or have planned to write more discussion blog posts?

    Reading Goals

    Last year I didn’t really set any real expectations or goals on myself. However, this year I decided to step up my game a bit and really focus on reaching some different goals that I’ve set in place for myself. And reading-wise…well, there’s a few of them.

    • Read More Non-Fiction – I think this one is fairly self-explanatory. I also see this as being a very strong possibility as I’ve already purchased Carrie Fisher’s memoir, The Princess Diarist. I actually plan to read it next month!
    • Complete My 2017 Reading Challenges – I am currently doing 3 different reading challenges this year – POPSUGAR, Beat the Backlist, and Goodreads. Last year did not go so well but this year, I reallyyyy plan to try and complete them all (or at least 2/3!). You can read about the different challenges in my original post HERE.
    • Finally Finish Middlemarch – Now this one may seem a little strange and random to some, but trust me, it’s a big deal. I’ve had this book now for almost 2 years and have actually started it at least 2 different times but about 10 pages into it, I put it down and picked up something else. It wasn’t that I was bored or anything, it just kind of happened. But this year?! Ohhh no, that baby will finally get read!

    Blogging Goals

    And now to the fun stuff! I don’t have too many blogging goals for this year, as I’m really focused more on just revamping my site. If you have any good tips, send them my way!

    • Redesign The Blog – That’s right, folks! At some point this year, I will be completely redesigning Wonderfilled Reads. I am thinking of hiring a graphic/web designer too, so if you know of any good ones that are reasonably priced or would like to do it free for their portfolio, please let me know!
    • More Discussion Posts – I’m sure y’all get tired of seeing the same meme posts on my site. I try to only stick to ones that deal with what I’m actually reading, but I know we all like to see a bit more variety sometimes. I vow to give you some in 2017!

    Here’s praying that I can do it all!

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    What are some of your reading goals and resolutions for 2017? Do you have any blogging ones, as well? Are you joining us this month in reading The Serpent King? Leave a link to your Hype or Like Friday post in the comments below!