Top Ten Tuesday - BOOK COVERS!

Top Ten Tuesday - sponsored by The Broke and the Bookish.  This wee is favorite book covers of books I've read.

I confess, I confess - I am one of those people who will pick up and buy a book based only on the book cover.   I'm not even going to count children picture books, that's just not fair.  These 5 ( I know I'm a rebel only doing five) are not only fantastic book covers, but it turns out they CAN be judged by their cover.. hehe.

Foundling by DM Cornish (Monster Blood Tattoo Series) This cover just enchanted me.  It is so beautiful, and mysterious. I actually snatched it up with out even reading what it was about.  Then as I read it i discovered the illustrations.  So stunning.  Best part, the book was awesome.  Book 2 & 3 just as good.

Leviathan by Scott Westerfield illustrated by Keith Thompson.  Another one I may have bought on pretty pictures alone.  It didn't hurt that I am an already fan of Westerfield, add a little steampunk and Ah-Mah-Zing illustrations.  Winner!

Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs.  How can you not be intrigued by a creepy little girl on the cover, and the title being 'Home for Peculiar Children'.  I've heard mixed reviews on this one, but I still find it darlingly creepy.  I like creepy.  I promise I am still a nice girl though.  I found out that the author Ransom is a photo collector.  He goes to swap meets and collects random photos.  He started finding a bunch of really, um peculiar photos.  And now they are incorporated into the book.  So cool.  I like it when people are so creative and inventive and just cool like that.  I cant wait till I figure out something cool like that.  The book is full of his photos. Oh and the story is fun too.

Flavia de Luce - Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie by Alan Bradley  The cover that grabbed me was the green one with the crow and stamp.  But all these others are so awesome too I had to include them. I love Flavia.  I want to be Flavia.  This is the kind of book that you just want to hug and hold close.

A Brief History of Mountmaray by Michelle Cooper  A castle on an island. Sold!  And a super cute story, plus some WWII history. The story is told by Sophie and her journal entries.

Bonus: Ella Minnow Pea by Mark Dunn.  If you read the book, the picture title is prrrrrrrfect

“Until I feared I would lose it, I never loved to read. One does not love breathing.” - TKAMB

I am a sucker for mockingbirds, ravens, rooks, mockingjays, blackbirds.  They usually have such cool symbolism and I'm always excited when an author is able to weave them into the story in a magical (literally and figuratively) way. So I'll be honest that had a lot to do with why I picked this one up.  Also because  about a secret society at a school that took over policing and discipline where the school administration failed to take up the task.   What I didn't realize was that the main subject of the book was about date rape.  While a bit darker than I first imagined, it was still quite engaging and impressive.  The Mockingbird name comes from 'To Kill a Mockingbird", and most of their secret message and conduct comes from referencing the book.
I thought it was interesting how they integrated Harper Lee's book, the way the secret (judicial) society worked, how the school - students and teachers alike - reacted to it, and how the aftereffects of the rape were lain out (the victim, the accused, the friends, the student body).  I actually really enjoyed this book.

The author had experienced date rape when she was younger, and I was very impressed how she chose to raise the issue to help others becomes aware.


"Hush, little students, we'll say the word,
Mama's gonna buy you a mockingbird.
And if that mockingbird won't sing,
Mama's gonna write down everything.
And so that book won't look the same,
Mama's gonna add a brand-new name.”

“I was exactly the person I am not.” 

“Standing up for what's right is a huge burden to bear. It's normal to have some doubt.” 

“In this moment I'm not defined by the other things, the things that happened to me, the things I didn't choose. This is the part of me that defines for all time, for always. The thing I choose completely.” 

Something Old, Something New.........

Well let’s face it, I’ll never be able to say 'something borrowed'.  Addicts can’t borrow They. Must. Buy.

I’m desperate to re-read some of my favorite books of past, it remind me why I loved them so much,  but I think I have as many books in my ‘to read’ list as I do on my ‘re-read’ list, it’s a little anxiety inducing.

But who am I to shy away from a challenge.  First challenge I need to re-read Princess Academy before I could read Palace of Stone.  I love reading books together like that.  I swear I read HP1 seven times!

I found Princess Academy by accident on a blissful stroll through Powell’s one day.  I loved it so much I went back and bout a copy for each of my sisters and my mom.  Now Shannon Hale is a familiar name in our family.  Re-reading it was like visiting an old friend.  Miri with her spunky attitude and determination.  All the Villagers on Mount Eskal with such enduring personas.  My favorite was Doter, Peder and Esa’s mother.  All the best quotes come from her.  (side note, there is a blog called ‘Princess Academy’ and it has the same back ground as my blog)

"Unhappiness can’t stick in a person’s soul when it is slick with tears" - Doter
"I keep thinking about a tale my nurse used to read to me about a bird who’s wings are pinned to the ground.  In the end, when he finally frees himself, he flies so high he becomes a star.  My nurse said the story was about how we all have something that keeps us down". - Britta

"Truth is when your mind and gut agree." - Doter

"Look no further than your hand, make a choice and take a stand."

Palace of Stone: Where in the Princess Academy girls get to go to the lowlands.  I’ll be honest it started out a little slow for me, maybe like Miri I missed the enchanted mountain.  But as she settled in to the city more so did I.   I was jealous of her thirst for knowledge and I felt as she did desiring change for the kingdom.  (so I insert myself.. sue me)  I really enjoyed it, but don’t want to spoil it.  I think the Princess Academy could have stood on its own, but Palace of Stone did nothing to diminish the power of the Mount Eskal girls!

No small thing, a bee’s sting
When it enters the heart
Not so benign, the growing vine
When it tears stone apart

"My ma says a rock lasts forever, but people don’t and that’s what makes them more precious" - Doter

"My ma says You can’t unspill a stew
She also says undoing a wrong is greater than doing a right
You know, ma is very good at saying two things at once." – Peder and Miri quoting Doter

"Some say we are what we do, not where we come from.  I say we are both, because I will always be a Mount Eskel girl." - Miri

"A person can be more than one thing" - Miri

PS - I read another book, it was a little different than the books I usually read and I probably wouldn't recommend it but it had some brilliant quotes I want to share and also keep.

"Great minds discuss ideas, average minds discuss events, and small minds discuss people"

"Those of us that must rise above our circumstances know that we're made of deep down.  Don't you let anybody make you forget what you're made of, sweetheart."

Referring to a phoenix:
"It comes from Greek Mythology, but I've given the symbol my own twist.  In my experience, sometimes the only way folks can manage to become the person they're meant, is to have destiny fling them straight into the fire"

"Remember who you are Blaze, Fire is a powerful element.  No matter how beaten down or how stuck you may feel, you have the power to rise anew"

Top Ten Tuesday...errr Wednesday

Again I’m going rouge.  That’s how I roll.  To see the actual TTT please see The Broke and the Bookish web page.

I wanted to talk about book, or fictional, BFF’s.   Someone who you’ve read so much, you probably know more about them than they do.  Some you would probably actually be BFF’s in real life, some you only WISH would be your BFF in real life, and some you are just relieved they are fictional so you can pretend you are totally connected.  Funny side note, I had a dream the other day where I was like Thursday Next and could travel into pages and I wandered into Clive Cussler territory and I had to be the one to explain to Dirk Pitt that he was fictional and not real.  I even had the cheek to say to him ‘Come on Dirk, do you really thing that all the bad guys in the world are doing their evil deeds in a marine or water environment?  And do you really think it not suspicious that you alone can save the world, and it must be done at least once a year?’  Yeah that was my dream…  but fictional or not Dirk is my first and best BFF.

1 – Dirk Pitt introduced in novels by Clive Cussler.  Ok there are like 50+ Clive Cussler novels.  I only read the ones that were written ‘only’ by Clive and ‘only’ Dirk novels. * I think that is like 18 of them*  But I know Dirk so well by now I know his little habits and quirks and I know he would be nothing w/o his close comrade Al Giordino.   After 18 books I think I know most of the characters pretty well. And while I love Rudi, Hiram and Slandecker,  my moistest favorite, after Dirk of course, is St. Julien Perlmutter, the dude lives in a marine library for heaven sakes, and he is brilliant!  I WANT *ahem* LOVE YOU DIRK!

2 – Thursday Next as introduced in novels by Jasper Fford.  I’d like to just put Jasper on my list too, but he’s not fictional so he can’t count.  The guy is a word smithing GENIUS! Everything he writes is magic and mind-blowing.  And Thursday well she is kickin.  Kickin butt and taking names.  She is so funny in a subtle way, she gets to do so many fun an cool things.  She has a pet dodo, she travels into books, she travels in time, she is friendly with Rochester for heaven sakes!  She is mentored by Mss. Havisham, she is a professional croquet player (we’re not talking the dainty lady kind), her uncle Microft is a brother to Sherlock Holmes, and she knows the Cheshire Cat personally.  And that is just the beginning! I probably would never have read the original Jane Eyre if it wasn’t for her. Thanks Thursday!  Thursday is definitely on the I WISH she was my BFF.

3 – Jack Reacher (no not Tom Cruise) REACHER!  As introduced by Lee Childs.  I feel sorry for the world that only knows Reacher through the eyes of Hollywood.  Jack Reacher, like Dirk, would probably never even know me in real life but because they are on page, I am able to be a part of his world – yay to me.  Reacher is ruthless when needed, but he also would do anything to help someone in need. He may be a loner but he is a good man to know. Reacher can tell time w/o ever looking at a clock.  Reacher travels totally, I mean totally off the grid.  Only the money in his wallet, he lives nowhere and owns nothing.  When a shirt gets worn out he takes it off, throws it away and buys another one.  And he is HUGE, you wouldn’t want to meet him in a dark alley.   But you would definitely want him on your side if you were in need of help.  Jack… you da man!

 4 – Sara of These is my Words – I was born in the pioneer days on the planes. I would so want to either be Sara or be her tots bff!  Spunk, Grit, Determination, Heart and Soul, this woman is the woman to be… or be friends with.

5 – Gurnesy Literary and Potato Peal Society – ok I want to BE Juliet so I can be friends with the Gurnsey ladies.  I want to go there.  I want to hug them, talk to them, learn from them.

6 – Kvothe introduced by Patrick Rothfuss.  Ok maybe this should have been men I worship instead of book BFF’s….  no no that’s a whole nuther blog post.  But if Kvothe was my buddy at university HOW COOL WOULD THAT BE!  First of all he is a master wizard, even if he didn’t realize it yet.  He’s good at crafting stuff.  The weekends are basically a talent show at the local pub.  Ok he may be a little in his own world.  But we would have so much fun! plus I could pretend to be his KA sidekick!

7 – Anne Elliot as introduced in Persuasion by Jane Austin.  Admittedly this is my favorite Austin novel.  Mostly because of Anne.  I relate to her so very much.  Could it be that I secretly wish there is a handsome Captain in my past that will come back and swoop me up?  maybe…. Don’t get me wrong, my family is nothing like hers, but me and Anne… we bonded.

8 – Flavia de Luce introduced in Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie (Alan Bradley).  I don’t care that she is only 12.. she is the one to be friends with.  Lives in an old manor in a sleepy English village, has a private island with ruins she plays on, her own private chemistry lab, poisons her sisters lipstick

9 – Pretty much any of the girls from Tortall, as introduced by Tamora Pierce.  Tamora Pierce books are like those ‘one chips’ once you pop.. you can’t
stop.  She even has a club of sorts (which Shannon Hale is a part) called Sheroes.  Dedicated to books with female heroes. My favorite friends are probably Alanna (the woman who started it all), Kel and Bekka.  Though I do love all the Circle of Magic girls.  There are 7 or so series of books, but each one is connected to the other in small ways but mostly that they are in the Tortall universe.  Most of these girls start out trying to learn to be a warrior or spell caster by pretending to be a boy, forcing their way in a boys world or going to a university.  They are all so tough and individual and determined.  You can’t help but cheer them on and hope to have at least a fifth of their courage and heart.  And isn’t that what a friend is?

10 - Libby Riddle - ok  Real Girl.  But she may as well be fictional she is so heroic, brave, superhuman, super powered, and the endurance of a sled dog (she would consider that a compliment).  Libby's story is told through her journals in The Race Across Alaska.   She is the first woman to win the Ididarod.  Yeah.. she did that.  Did you? No I didn't think so.  She loves her dogs more than the world, and has the heart and determination and will power and mental power we all wish we had.  She is definitely someone I could spend a summer with.