Day 26 – A book that changed your opinion about something

I'm pretty much having a very Garfield-y reaction to today and thus I'm feeling very angry with the being awake and functioning like a normal person and having conversations and such.  This should really be a great entry, huh?

Actually, it will, because I'm talking about a book that I enjoyed so much!!



Born Wicked by Jessica Spotswood

This story has lots of things that I like- witches and strong female leads and hot boys who read and seriously great writing.  There is also the added bonus of being written by someone I know, which somehow makes me more impressed.  Like, how am I allowed to be friends with such talented people?  And so MANY talented people?  Lucky me!

So what did Born Wicked do to change my opinion about something?  Well... it takes place in the late 1890's, technically making it historical fiction.  And me?  I'm not a big fan of historical fiction.  Not at all.  Even Meg Cabot couldn't get me to enjoy it, which is really saying something.  There's absolutely nothing wrong with it; it's just not usually my cup of tea.

However, if more historical fiction were written like this, I might read a lot more of them.  This is the good stuff, people.  Also, with the War on Women that seems to be happening as of late, this novel has become eerily relevant.  Even Jess thinks so!

Day 24 – A book that you wish more people would’ve read

I'm having a really excellent Saturday, and I hope you are too!  I've got plans to go see The Hunger Games a second time with many members of the DC YA Mafia, and I just finished watching a ridiculously adorable movie that I've wanted to see for YEARS called Little Manhattan.  Yes, it stars Josh Hutcherson, but he's all of about 11 years old.  If you're looking to watch one of the sweetest romantic comedies ever, you should check this out.  I think more people should see this movie.

Just like I think more people should read this book!!

Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi

Now, a lot of people have read this book, but why do I wish more people have read this?  Simply because I love this book SO HARD.  This was actually a huge factor in my becoming a member of the Wastepaper Prose team.  This book came out last October, but there were advanced copies showing up for months before.  I follow Tahereh on Twitter, and she's gut-bustingly hilarious and enormously sweet.  I had heard a bazillion great things about her debut novel, that it had all the best mix of all the best things that I like in books, and I was all grabby hands looking for it.  Susan saw my pleas on Twitter to find it, and she very graciously offered to lend me her copy back in August.  I told her I'd write a review of it, if she wanted.  And the rest is blogger history!

Why do I love this book?  It really does have all the best thing that I like in books.  It's a little bit dystopian, a little bit romance (mucho caliente romance!), a little bit X-men... it's perfect for me.  Plus, the writing is amazing!!  It's very original, and I've never read anything quite like it since.  Tahereh will be in the area next month, so I get to meet her in person and everything!  I hope she doesn't mind a big ole bag o' crazy, because that's what I'll be!

If you're looking for a good book to read post Hunger Games, this is a great pick!

"Holding onto her heart, like a little secret..."

I have listened to "I've Got This Friend" by The Civil Wars 400 times today.  I know it's been recommended to me to listen to The Civil Wars for a while, but I didn't heed this advice until yesterday.  After shouting my love from the Twitter rooftops, Lindsey Roth Culli (fellow member of the DC YA Mafia) heartily agreed and sent me their cover of Smashing Pumpkins' "Disarm" (video included below).

Such an aurally pretty day I have had.  Such a pretty day.