Tag: top ten tuesday

Top Ten Tuesday: Inspirational/Thought-Provoking Book Quotes

GoodeyReads9 Comments

Howdy y’all! Happy Top Ten Tuesday to all.

Okay, I’m not a reader that writes out a lot of quotes or remembers them for that matter. The way I came up with these quotes today was in all honesty, remembering books I enjoyed. The only book quote I religiously remember is the first one from, A Court of Mist and Fury. The following are quotes I looked up from Goodreads that stood out to me from some of my favorite books.

“There are good days and bad days for me — even now. Don’t let the hard days win.”

– A Court of Mist and Fury (ACOTAR #2) by Sarah J. Maas

“If you give up what you want most for what you think you should want more, you’ll end up miserable.”

– The Hero of Ages (Mistborn #3) by Brandon Sanderson

“Vulnerability sounds like truth and feels like courage. Truth and courage aren’t always comfortable, but they’re never weakness.”

– Daring Greatly by Brené Brown

“The dark does not destroy the light; it defines it. It’s our fear of the dark that casts our joy into the shadows.”

– The Gifts of Imperfection by Brené Brown (I’m clearly a big fan of hers)

“Don’t think of introversion as something that needs to be cured.”

– Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking by Susan Cain

“Each scar marks me as a survivor. A warrior of the wild.”

– Warrior of the Wild by Tricia Levenseller

“Unknowing ignorance is preferable to informed stupidity.”

– Warbreaker (Warbreaker #1) by Brandon Sanderson

“You don’t have to be fast. But you’d better be fearless.”

– Born to Run by Christopher McDougall

“We turn memories into stories, and if we don’t, we lose them. If the stories are gone, then the people are gone too.”

– What the Wind Knows by Amy Harmon

“But maybe it’s better to go after something, and not get it, than to not even try.”

– The Crimson Crown (Seven Realms #4) by Cinda Williams Chima

And this is only a small portion of the quotes I could have chosen. Isn’t it amazing how words from all of these books we read affect us? Going back and doing this was actually really enlightening. Like remembering dear friends who hold wise words.

Do you like any of these quotes? What is one of your favorite though-provoking quotes?

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Top Ten Tuesday: The First Ten Books I Reviewed

GoodeyReads8 Comments

Once upon a time, before I started a blog and an Instagram, I began writing tiny reviews for books I had read.

And thus, my obsession began.

I scrolled back through my Goodreads to find these baby reviews and thought it’d be funny to show them along with the Top Ten Tuesday’s theme.

Dark Matter by Blake Crouch

My review: ☆☆☆☆

I liked this book! Definitely one of those “finish in a day” types. I thought the story was inventive and it took me awhile to grasp what exactly was going on. Not something I would normally choose, but glad I did for a change of pace. Would definitely recommend to a friend.

Little Women (Little Women #1) by Lousia May Alcott

My review: ☆☆☆

** spoiler alert ** I can’t get over the fact that I felt it should have been Jo and Laurie who ultimately ended up together. I didn’t think this book was anything spectacular. I enjoyed some of the funny quirks from the author through different characters, but I grew tired of the randomness of the stories and chapter and chapter of how they’ll do better next time!

A Different Blue by Amy Harmon

My review: ☆☆☆

While I LOVE all of the other Amy Harmon books I’ve read, I felt this one was almost too much drama. It was one thing after another and I could see each one coming. I’ll still read her books, but for this one I definitely wasn’t as big of a fan as I have been of her others!

Our Dark Duet (Monsters of Verity #2) by Victoria Schwab

My review: ☆☆☆☆

If there’s one thing you can count on from Schwab, it’s that she has no problem killing off characters. Which I actually like because it’s different from how most authors write. Now, I wouldn’t want it this way ALL the time, but it’s nice when there’s a dark side. 😉

I enjoyed this book and thought it was a good ending to the duology. I will definitely continue to read Schwab’s books! It was evil, and filled with internal struggles that gave the characters more depth from the first book.

Rules of Civility by Amor Towles

My review: ☆☆☆☆

I really enjoyed this book! It as a good historical fiction novel. Kinda Great Gatsby-esque. I loved the way it was narrated (after I got use to it, haha). The characters were intriguing and unique.

Outliers: The Story of Success

My review: ☆☆☆☆☆

Phenomenal book! My husband and I both enjoyed reading this over the weekend and discussing all of the topics. It really makes you think.

The Book Thief by Markus Zusak

My review: ☆☆☆☆☆

I had originally shelved this book as ‘eh, I’ll read that eventually, but I’m not really feeling it right now…”. I’m so glad I finally picked it up because it was SO GOOD. It was heartbreaking, yes, but also told beautifully. I actually enjoyed the way it was narrated, it added an additional layer to the story. All should read!

Daring Greatly: How the Courage to Be Vulnerable Transforms the Way We Live, Love, Parent, and Lead by Brenè Brown

My review:☆☆☆☆☆

I love reading Brene Brown’s books! I always think they’re insightful and current. She keeps me interested by adding stories to the data that helps drive the point home. I often think ‘oh goodness, that IS me!’ over and over when I’m reading. Definitely recommend!

The Marsh King’s Daughter by Karen Dionne

My review:☆☆☆

I really just couldn’t get into this book. I did finish it still because I was intrigued enough to know what happens at the end, but I felt there were a lot of flaws. It drove me batty that she kept going back and forth incessantly about whether or not she loved her father. I get the author was trying to convey the struggle, but it just came off annoying to me. There’s more reasons I could list, but I definitely think I should have just borrowed this book rather than bought it. Oh well, on to the next!

Flame in the Mist (Flame in the Mist #1) by Renèe Ahdieh

My review:☆☆☆☆☆

SUCH A GOOD BOOK. I love a good plot twist. Why do I have to wait for the sequel!?!?

There ya have it! The first 10 books I reviewed. Wow, how time (and practice) can make things better! Have you read any of these? Lets talk in the comments!

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Top Ten Tuesday: Rainy Day Reads

GoodeyReads13 Comments

Alright, after the week break we are right back at it with another Top Ten Tuesday!

I’ll be the first to admit, I’m not even sure what qualifies for a rainy day read. Whenever it rains I want to read in general. Doesn’t really matter, whatever book I’m currently reading is the one I want.

So in light of that struggle, I instead have decided to twirl this as Top Ten Tuesday: Books I Want to Read Soon, If it’s Raining That Day, AWESOME (which, because of where I live it rains a few times a week).

All weather is good weather to read. My only rule is that these books have to be out already so I could theoretically pick them up immediately.

The Traitor’s Ruin (The Traitor’s Circle #1) by Erin Beaty

Y’all, I LOVED the first book. Can’t help it. So I need book two, STAT. It had some elements that I absolutely adore in YA romance/fantasy books. I have high hopes for the series.

The Boy Who Steals Houses by C.G. Drews

I’ve been impatiently waiting for this book to make it to me from Australia. COME ON BOOK DEPOSITORY. YOU CAN DO THIS.

The Way of Kings (The Stormlight Archive #1) by Brandon Sanderson

This is going to be my next audible pick! I’m really into everything Sanderson does this year. My goal is to finish most of them by the end of 2019.

The Name of the Wind (Kingkiller Chronicles #1) by Patrick Rothfuss

I’m listening to this actually as I type. Y’all, this book is taking a bit to get into, but I’ve heard such good things so I’m going to keep going. I need to catch up with my husband who’s a couple hours ahead of me.

The Simple Wild by K.A. Tucker

Adventurous, wild romance in Alaska? YOU BETCHA I BOUGHT THIS. It was also on sale for 6 bucks. I can’t pass that up.

Kingdom of Exiles (The Beast Charmer #1) by Maxym M. Martineau

My next Netgalley read! I really want to read this. I might have to make it my very next read. It sounds so interesting.

More Than We Can Tell (Letters to the Lost #2) by Brigid Kemmerer

DID YOU KNOW THERE’S A SECOND BOOK? BECAUSE I DIDN’T KNOW. Now I do, now I need to remedy this situation. I absolutely loved Letters to the Lost.

Beartown (Beartown #1) by Fredrik Backman

I have only read A Man Called Ove by Backman but I have heard so many good things about this series that I really want to pick it up soon.

Age of Swords (The Legends of the First Empire #2) by Michael J. Sullivan

Mmmm. High fantasy. ALWAYS GOOD TO READ.

The City of Brass (The Daevabad Trilogy #1) by S.A. Chakraborty

I had to order the UK hardcover because I couldn’t find a US one I was willing to purchase (price + out of stock + wanting hardcover = hard time). So now it’s in my possession and now I need to read this. Getting on that hype train.

Are any of these on your TBR or that you’ve already read? What do you consider a rainy day read?

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Top Ten Tuesday: Outrageous Things I’ve Done for the Love of Books

GoodeyReads9 Comments

Welcome back to Top Ten Tuesday.

On the docket for the day is Outrageous Things I’ve Done for the Love of Books. I feel like I don’t have any crazy things for books, but I’ve done a few ridiculous (totally warranted if you ask me) things because I love all the books.

Check out my list below!

Stayed up all night.

One of the most obvious (I think about every one of us has done this!) is the fact I have pulled many all-nighters because there was no way I was putting the book down. My wake-up now depends on a toddler so things can get dicey with risking any late night binge reads.

Skip school.

You heard it hear first, I have missed school to read. Was it for a class that I could skip that day? Yes. I have too much anxiety to miss a class that had anything important on the radar.

Took a day off of work.

I may or may not have asked for a day off when a book I HAD TO GET that day (i.e. ACOWAR was the last book I did this for haha). Don’t worry, it was way in advance and I truly didn’t take days off.

Hidden from family.

When a book has consumed my time I have been known to disappear. This may be to my closet, or locked in a bathroom. My husband has found me in an odd spot a time or too.

Called in a faraway favor.

My most recent outrageous thing was calling in a favor. My brother in law lives lives literally 2,000 miles away. I saw that Cinda Williams Chima was going to be at a B&N next door. So what did I do? Asked if he would go for me. And what did he do? Y’ALL HE WENT. I NOW HAVE A SIGNED BOOK BY HER (Flamecaster if you’re curious). I’m forever grateful.

Purposely found a reason to keep driving.

I don’t have much of an opportunity to listen to audiobooks when I have my toddler talking to me all day (not complaining, just a fact haha). So when we’re in the car running errands, that’s when I listen. I often will take a slightly longer way home to finish a chapter or listen a little bit longer.

Paid insane shipping to get a bookcase.

I don’t have an IKEA close enough to me to pick up furniture. I am in love with their Billy Bookcases and once I got one, had to have more. Guys, there shipping is CRAZY. I mean, I get it, it’s a large item, but still, holy cow. The shipping is as much as the bookcase. I still paid for it though, because I wanted matching bookcases that badly. WHOOPS.

Prolonged a run.

When I’m hoping to have an easy, simple run, I’ll listen to an audiobook to keep my pace in check (music gets me way too hyped). Like with driving, if I need a little more time, my run can stretch out longer than I originally planned. More endorphins, right?

Planned my day around getting event tickets.

Granted, I’ve only been to one event at this time in my life, BUT STILL, it was chaos getting tickets. I was trying to get SJM Kingdom of Ash Tour tickets. I commandeered my sister (in another state) to get on at the same time to try to get VIP tickets. While that didn’t happen I did get regular tickets!! (Note: this event sold out in 20 minutes, for real).

Make rules for my personal library.

I’m willing to share all of my books, but heaven help me, I have rules before you’re allowed to borrow. I want my books to come back in one piece you know?! I don’t think it’s too much to ask.

Have you done any of these things? What’s the most outrageous things you’ve done for a book? Let’s talk in the comments!

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