Madeline Miller – Wonderfilled Reads

Hype or Like Friday – We’re All Beautiful

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 November BOTM is City of Saints & Thieves by Natalie C. Anderson.

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: We’re All Beautiful… What are some of your favorite diverse reads?

These are just a few my favorite diverse reads covering everything from sexual orientation to racial identity and even physical/mental disabilities. I noticed that I haven’t read as many diverse books lately as I would like, but luckily my TBR bookshelf is definitely full of them and I can’t wait to dig into all of them soon!

What are some of your favorite diverse reads? Have you read any of the books on my list? If so, what did you think of them? Leave a link to your Hype or Like Friday post in the comments below!

Hype or Like Friday – A Modern Spin

The August BOTMs are Heartless by Marissa Meyer and/or Hunted by Meagan Spooner.

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: A Modern Spin… What are some of your favorite retellings?

The Weight of Feathers by Anna-Marie McLemore – Romeo & Juliet, REVIEW
Helen of Troy by Margaret George – Trojan War
Dorothy Must Die by Danielle Paige – Wizard of Oz
The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller – Trojan War, REVIEW
Alias Hook by Lisa Jensen – Peter Pan, REVIEW
Asleep by Krystal Wade – Sleeping Beauty, REVIEW
A Million Junes by Emily Henry – Romeo & Juliet, REVIEW
A Court of Thorns and Roses (A Court of Thorns and Roses, #1) by Sarah J. Maas – Beauty and the Beast, REVIEW

What are some of your favorite retellings? What do you look for in retellings – darker story, modern setting, etc.? Leave a link to your Hype or Like Friday post in the comments below!

Hype or Like Friday – Just Can’t Get Enough

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 July BOTM is A Million Junes by Emily Henry.

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: Just Can’t Get Enough… What are some of your favorite retellings of classics?

A Court of Thorns and Roses (A Court of Thorns and Roses, #1) by Sarah J. Maas – Beauty and the Beast retelling
Heartstone by Elle Katharine White – Pride and Prejudice retelling
Alias Hook by Lisa Jensen – Peter Pan retelling
Helen of Troy by Margaret George – Trojan War retelling
The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller – Trojan War retelling
The Weight of Feathers by Anna-Marie McLemore – Romeo and Juliet retelling
Juliet by Anne Fortier – Romeo and Juliet retelling

These are just a few of my favorites that I’ve read the past few years. I’m sure that I’ve forgotten plenty and still have so many sitting on my shelves waiting to be read. Looks like I might need to do a retelling exclusive TBR one month, huh? That might be fun to do this fall!

What are some of your favorite retellings? Have you grown tired of all of the retellings published lately? Have you read any of my favorites?

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

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

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

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

5. The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller

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

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

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

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

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!

The Book Courtship Tag

I was tagged all the way back in April by Hopeless Book Addict (thank you!) and I am finally getting to it! If you’ve tagged me in the past few months, I promise I’ll get to it soon. I will be playing catch up from now until Christmas!

Anyway’s, let’s get to it!

Phase 1: Initial Attraction. A book that you bought because of the cover?

A Passage to Shambhala (The Explorer’s Guild, #1) by Jon Baird and Kevin Costner

This photo doesn’t do justice to the actual cover. It was just so shiny and intriguing when I first saw it at the bookstore that I had to pick it up. If it reminds you of old Victorian classics, then good, it should! This is such a uniquely written story, as it is written in 19th century language and all speaking parts are in graphic novel format! And yes, it is written by THAT Kevin Costner.

Phase 2: First Impressions. A book that you got because of the summary?

A Court of Thorns and Roses (A Court of Thorns and Roses, #1) by Sarah J. Maas

This was the first book I’d ever read by Maas and the only reason that I picked it up was because it was a retelling of Beauty and the Beast. But oh damn, did this book completely become something else entirely! Now I’m completely obsessed and have since moved on to Maas’ first series, Throne of Glass. Also, Rhysand is life and let it be known that I thought so even in the first book!

Phase 3: Sweet Talk. A book with great writing?

Shatter Me (Shatter Me, #1) by Tahereh Mafi

Mafi tends to get really polarizing views when it comes to her writing. But for me, personally, I think it’s amazing and beautiful. And this trilogy is just all kinds of awesome really. Now that I have Furthermore on my bookshelf, I’m really excited to dive back into Mafi’s whimsical styled writing!

Phase 4: First Date. A first book of a series which made you want to pick up the rest of the series?

Red Rising (Red Rising, #1) by Pierce Brown

If you’ve been following my blog for a while, then you’ll know just how much I am obsessed with this series. It very much might be sharing the number 1 spot in my heart with Harry Potter – yes, yes you did read that right. I cannot say enough great things about this book. And if the first book doesn’t completely hook you (which I don’t know how that’s even possible), then just continue to Golden Son and watch your mind be blown. Simply amazing.

Phase 5: Late Night Phone Calls. A book that kept you up all night?

The Rose Society (The Young Elites, #2) by Marie Lu

This series is just really great all-around, but the second book left me reeling. I couldn’t put it down and I had to know what was going to happen next. This series took a turn in this book that I just wasn’t expecting. Then that ending!!!!! I have barely been able to contain my excitement for The Midnight Star to be released, but I was finally able to snag the last copy of it yesterday at the bookstore. Now it is just staring at me from my bookshelf as I try to hurry up and finish Heir of Fire.

Phase 6: Always on my mind. A book you could not stop thinking about?

The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah

You could make the case that almost every WWII book will stick with you, but none has affected me more than this one. Everything about this story is just absolutely beautiful and that ending completely wrecked me. I still tear up when I think about it. All of the feels!

Phase 7: Getting Physical. A book which you love the way it feels?

The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller

My copy is one of those floppy paperbacks and I just love those kind of paperbacks. Me and Regan at Peruse Project share a love for them. They’re just comfortable to hold and easy on your hands. Because if you’re like me, then you know all about how holding books open can lead to hand cramps haha!

Phase 8: Meeting the parents. A book which you would recommend to your family and friends?

Outlander (Outlander, #1) by Diana Gabaldon

Now, this one was a little hard to think of. You have to take into account the other person’s age/gender/tastes before you just go around recommending books to them. I’m obviously not going to recommend my brother, who reads pretty much only science fiction, Pride and Prejudice. However, if I was meeting a guy’s mother for the first time and she was asking for a book, I’d almost definitely recommend Outlander. I mean, what woman in her right mind wouldn’t fall in love with James Alexander Malcolm McKenzie Fraser?

Phase 9: Thinking about the future. A book or series you know you will re read many times in the future?

Harry Potter by J.K. Rowling

Yeah, that’s right, I did go with the cliché answer and I don’t regret it one bit.

Phase 10: Share the love. Who do you tag?

If you’ve already done this tag or just don’t want to, then please don’t feel like you need to! Also, if anyone else wants to do this tag then I tag you as well! 🙂

What do you think of my list? See any books that you agree with? What books would you choose for these questions?

Book Review: The Song of Achilles

Let’s start a new thing – any book that you’ve read on Ancient Mythology and History, just go ahead and send it to me. I WANT THEM ALL. I’m kind of a little mythology nerd, it’s my thing. Which is why as soon as I heard about Madeline Miller’s The Song of Achilles, I had to get my hands on it.

Greece in the age of heroes. Patroclus, an awkward young prince, has been exiled to the court of King Peleus and his perfect son Achilles. Despite their difference, Achilles befriends the shamed prince, and as they grow into young men skilled in the arts of war and medicine, their bond blossoms into something deeper – despite the displeasure of Achilles’ mother Thetis, a cruel sea goddess.

But when word comes that Helen of Sparta has been kidnapped, Achilles must go to war in distant Troy and fulfill his destiny. Torn between love and fear for his friend, Patroclus goes with him, little knowing that the years that follow will test everything they hold dear.

The Good

Amazing writing – For this being Miller’s debut novel, wow, just wow. You would never know that this was her first book.
Such a beautiful relationship between Patroclus and Achilles. You really felt the growth between them and it came across very believable and natural.
Woohoo for YA diversity!
I enjoyed seeing the Trojan War from a different perspective than is usually portrayed. Patroclus was a wonderful narrator and it was nice to see him fleshed out as the main character and not his typical minor role.
GREEK MYTHOLOGY!!!!

The Bad

Pacing was off for me. I felt the buildup to the War for the first 200 pages was a little too long and seemed to drag in parts. Then the actual Trojan War seemed to speed through so fast and was over leaving you not appreciating the fact it had last for 10 years.
I agree with my friend Jill from Rant and Rave About Books that some of the major players in the War weren’t fleshed out very well – namely Hector and some of the other Trojans, as well as some of the Greeks.
I didn’t like Miller’s portrayal of Odysseus. She kind of turned him into a condescending asshole, which I have never gotten the impression of him being. He’s supposed to be the quiet, logical, and clever anti-warrior who is the complete opposite to the other Trojan War heroes.

Overall this was a great story with a unique perspective on the classic story of the Trojan War. It’s very obvious that Miller has done her research on the time period, which I really appreciate. It started off a little boring for me but I’m glad I stuck with it. And that ending was just written so beautifully. Hell, the whole book has a very lyrical flow to the writing. Read it now!

Final Verdict: 4/5 Stars

Have you read The Song of Achilles? What did you think about it? What other Ancient Mythology books would you recommend?

Stand Alone August Wrap-Up: The End is Here!

Well it’s finally September which means fall is just around the corner! I’m so happy we are now officially done with summer and can start heading towards my favorites time of year – cold weather! And yes, I enjoy the cold. It makes me feel all happy and think of Christmas which is basically the best time of year! But anyways, moving on…

Stand-Alone August was my way of trying to move a bunch of single novels off of my TBR to make room for the wayyyyyyy too many series that I have started but never finished. I prefer to binge read series but for some reason, this year I have started some but have yet to finish them (or at least catch up to the most recent book). So I decided to punch through as many of my standalones as possible first, and then proceed with Smashing Series September. This probably makes no sense to some of you, but I am my own kind of crazy and so it makes sense to me. 😉

August started a little slow for me, unfortunately. It took me a while to really find my reading groove, but once I did, BAM! My original plan was to read 13 books and while I didn’t quite achieve that goal, I did get pretty darn close. I finished 10 books which I think is quite commendable. And what’s even better was that for the most part – they were all really good! Unfortunately, I am still trying to catch up on reviews for all of them but I hope to get caught up over the weekend. Be on the lookout!

Finished…

The_Force_Awakens_novelization_final_cover

Star Wars: The Force Awakens by Alan Dean Foster – 3 stars
My Lady Jane by Cynthia Hand, Jodi Meadows, & Brodi Ashton – 5 stars, REVIEW
The Storied Life of AJ Fikry by Gabrielle Zevin – 4 stars,
We Were Liars by E. Lockhart – 4 stars, REVIEW
The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller – 4 stars, REVIEW
Uprooted by Naomi Novik – 5 stars, REVIEW
Forbidden by Tabitha Suzuma – 4 stars
The Darkest Part of the Forest by Holly Black – 5 stars
Da Vinci’s Tiger by L.M. Elliott – 4 stars
Asleep by Krystal Wade (currently finishing up today!)

Didn’t Read…

Yeahhhhh, looks like these babies will have to continue waiting for me to pick them up. Makes me kind of sad, actually. If you’ve read any of these 3 books, please let me know in the comments which ones I’m missing out on!

So what do you think about my Stand-Alone August? Have you read any really good standalone novels lately? Want to join in Smashing Series September?

Stand Alone August, or My-God-I-Have-A-Lot-Of-Books!

I glanced over at my bookshelf the other night (and the two piles of books beside it), and realized that I have a ton of books that I have yet to read. There are literally two and half shelves dedicated to just my TBR, and if I count up the books individually, the total is 57! 57 books, people!!! And that’s not including the 3 that I just ordered from B&N, which would then bring my total to sixty. Sixty books that I have yet to read but spent money on. Now, that’s my fault, I won’t deny it. I just spent the first half of this summer in a reading slump which has put me behind a bit.

Now, I have another dilemma with my TBR shelves -they’re actually pretty full of series. Not even the entire series, but just one or two books from them. I’ve actually started quite a few series this year but I haven’t been able to get back to them. I’m one of those people who like to binge read series, and unfortunately, I haven’t been able to do that recently because I have just way too many books to get through. So, to combat this problem, I have decided to do Stand-Alone August followed by Smashing Series September. This month I will focus on reading as many stand-alone TBR books as possible, so that next month I can focus on binge-reading the series that I have. By reading my stand alone novels first, I will then be able to turn my focus (and money) to completing some pretty amazing series. This won’t make sense to some of you, but trust me, this will make my TBR so much easier to handle. Well, I hope that it does anyways!

Feel free to join in on the fun if you want to – the more, the merrier! You may use my graphic or create your own. Please leave a link to your post in the comments so others may see your awesome book choices, as well!