Musings of a Bookish Kitty: FavoritesMeme

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Monday, October 16, 2017

Tuesday Favorites: A Favorite Book I Want to See Turned Into a Movie & Top Ten Books On My TBR Shelf With Some Sort of Food in the Title

Each week Maureen from Maureen's Books asks participants to share a favorite on the weekly designated topic.

This week's topic is My Favorite Book I Wish They Would Make a Movie Of.

So many of the books I can think of have already been made into movies or will soon be movies. I admit I have a weakness for a well done science fiction movie, and so choosing Ann Leckie's Ancillary Justice seemed like a no-brainer. You can find my review of the novel here or click on the cover to go to its Goodreads page.

Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by the lovely ladies at Broke and Bookish.

This week's Top Ten Tuesday is food related, and when I first sat down to prepare a list, I completely drew a blank. I know I have read a number of books featuring bakeries, restaurants, cafes, and bars, but none of them immediately stood out to me. Suddenly, staring out at me from my bookshelves, however, were several titles that I keep meaning to read with food-type items in the title. And so I am going with that. Here are Ten Books From My Shelves With Food or Food-Type Item In the Title (covers are linked to Goodreads):

1.

The Sugar Queen by Sarah Addison Allen

The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer, Annie Barrows

The Particular Sadness of Lemon Cake by Aimee Bender

The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie by Alan Bradley

Cinnamon and Gunpowder by Eli Brown

Like Water for Chocolate by Laura Esquivel

Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen

Chocolat by Joanne Harris

Baking Cakes in Kigali by Gaile Parkin

10.

Big Cherry Holler by Adriana Trigiani

Have you read any of these? What did you think? What books on your TBR shelf mention a food in the title?

Dessert (and a pumpkin)

© 2017, Wendy Runyon of Musings of a Bookish Kitty. All Rights Reserved. If you're reading this on a site other than Musings of a Bookish Kitty or Wendy's feed, be aware that this post has been stolen and is used without permission.

Thursday, September 21, 2017

Friday Fun: Good Food, Banned/Challenged Books & Authors I'd Like to Meet--or Not

A couple days ago I started reading Teresa Messineo's The Fire by Night for an upcoming book tour. I could not resist this one after reading the blurb.

Snippet from Goodreads Summary:

A powerful and evocative debut novel about two American military nurses during World War II that illuminates the unsung heroism of women who risked their lives in the fight—a riveting saga of friendship, valor, sacrifice, and survival combining the grit and selflessness of Band of Brothers with the emotional resonance of The Nightingale.

A weekly meme in which readers share a random sentence or two from page 56 or 56% of the book they are reading. Hosted by the wonderful Freda of Freda's Voice.

She was cleaning his wound now, patting at it with gauze in the half-light, washing it with the cold water she had boiled earlier, still sitting in its freezing teapot. He kept getting the gun between her and the light. Exasperated, she grabbed the Luger from him--but just to thrust it back into his other hand, pushing both up against her head. "There, fine, shoot me if you have to, but just stay out of my light." [56% from uncorrected proof, e-copy of The Fire by Light]

She certainly has moxie, doesn't she? It may seem a bit reckless on her part to grab the gun away from him and give it back, but given what she's been through and where she is in that moment . . . I would say she doesn't have much to lose. At least, she doesn't think so. As a result, she resorts to the one thing she does have control over. Putting her nursing skills to use.

What do you think? Is this a book you would continue reading?

Each week Maureen from Maureen's Books asks participants to share a favorite on the weekly designated topic.

This week's topic is my favorite restaurant.

I am not really sure I have a favorite restaurant. Red Robin perhaps because I love their Whiskey Barbecue Chicken Wrap. Or it could be Romano's Chicago Pizzeria, whose pizza I have been favoring lately. Even my daughter likes their pizza, which is saying something because she hates almost everything. Then there is Don Jose's (now Rodrigo's, although I haven't been there since they changed their name), when I'm in the mood for some good Mexican food. Joe's Italian Restaurant is a favorite place to take out of town guests who like Italian food. It's on the smaller side and plays the old oldies-- and it is a nice cozyatmosphere.

Do you have a favorite restaurant?

Every Friday Coffee Addicted Writer from Coffee Addicted Writer poses a question which participants respond on their own blogs within the week (Friday through Thursday). They then share their links at the main site and visit other participants blogs.

In regards of Banned Books Week (www.bannedbooksweek.org/), what are your favourite books that has been banned or challenged?

A few years ago for Banned Book week, I read a novel by Laurie Halse Anderson called Speak. The book had a profound impact on me. I saw myself in the main character Melinda. It was like looking at myself in a mirror, despite our circumstances being somewhat different. Parents over the years have challenged the book, calling it pornography (Melinda is raped) and arguing that it deals with too difficult issues such as bullying, depression, rape, and harassment which they believe aren't suitable for their teens to read about. And yet these are very real issues our kids face. Pretending they don't by not letting them read about it, can have the opposite intended effect. Had this book been around when I was in school, would it have changed anything for me? Maybe not. But at least I would have known I wasn't alone.

On a less serious note (sort of--because trying to ban books is just wrong), I couldn't help but think of the Harry Potter books by J.K. Rowling, which have been accused of glorifying witchcraft. The fear is that these books will lead our children to practice real-world witchcraft. I adore these books. In fact, I love books about magic in general. I have since I was a child. My daughter likes to play pretend and will cast spells and such. Those against Harry Potter would likely call me a bad parent. Let them. I like to cast spells alongside my daughter. This last time, we turned the cats into a prince and princess.

Another favorite, J.R.R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings trilogy, has been banned in multiple places over the years, believed to be anti-religious, anti-Christian, and promoting witchcraft. Anyone who knows Tolkien's history knows how ludicrous this is. The author, in a letter to his friend and fellow writer C.S. Lewis, acknowledged that The Lord of the Rings (and The Hobbit) had elements and themes of Christianity throughout. He himself was a devout Catholic.

It makes me sad and angry that in today's day and age books still face being pulled off the shelf because someone feels threatened by a book that goes against their personal beliefs. It is one thing for a person to choose not to read a book him or herself--or even to make that decision for their own children. It is an entirely different one when someone wants to take that choice away from everyone else.

Next week I will be focusing some on banned books for Banned Book Week, including children's picture books, including one by Dr. Seuss that is a household favorite.

What about you? What are your favorite banned or challenged books?

Everyone has a favorite and then we also have something we dislike. Like a coin, there are two sides to every question. Each week, Carrie at The Butterfly Reads and Laura from Blue Eye Books ask participants to list what they like and don't like about that week's topic.

This week's topic is Author You'd Most/Least Like to Meet

Author I would most like to meet:

I can think of a number of authors I would like to meet: Juliette Cross, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, Neil Gaiman, Sue Grafton, Karen E. Olson, Lisa See, Stephen King, just for starters. But if I have to chose the one I most want to meet, that would likely be J.K. Rowling. Not only has she demonstrated that she is a brilliant story teller in multiple formats, but she also seems like a smart and courageous woman. She has come a long way in her life to make her dream become a reality. She stands up for what she believes and is not afraid to speak her mind. I have a lot of respect for J.K. Rowling, not only as a talented author, but also for the person she is.

Author I Would Least Like to Meet:

Whereas it was hard to narrow down my list of authors I would most like to meet, I found it particularly difficult to come up with ones I would least like to meet. I can think of a few people who have written books on the political spectrum I would like to avoid like the plague, but I really didn't want to go there. So, instead, I am taking the easy way out. The author I would least like to meet (at least for the sake of today): J.D. Salinger. Not just because he is dead and either a) I'd have to be dead to meet him or b) he would be a ghost and there's no telling if he would be a friendly one. No, I simply would not want to meet him because he likely wouldn't want to me. Or anyone for that matter. He was a recluse for a good part of his life. And as such, I would respect his desire for privacy.

Which author would you most like to meet? How about least?

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend! Be sure and tell me what you are reading and are up to!

Monday, September 11, 2017

Tuesday Favorites: My Favorite Bookmark & My Top Ten Books I Loved During My First Year of Blogging

Each week Maureen from Maureen's Books Books asks participants to share a favorite on the weekly designated topic.

This week's topic is my favorite bookmark.

I love bookmarks and have quite a few. I try to rotate through them when I remember, or try to match a book with a particular bookmark if I sense a certain combined theme. I've also been known to use scraps of paper or torn off tissue (from clean ones, of course). Whatever is most handy at the time. Although, I read so many e-books these days my actual bookmarks don't get as much use as they used to.

This one is a long time favorite, which I have put to good use over the years. I received from my husband before we were married. He even wrote me a little note on the back.

Another extra special one to me is the one my daughter made for me a couple years ago for Mother's Day (which I haven't used, I admit).

Oh, and I just love this one! I'm not usually one for bling, but isn't it adorable?

Do you have a favorite bookmark?

Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by the lovely ladies at Broke and Bookish.

This week's Top Ten Tuesday is Throwback Freebie: My Ten Books I Loved During My First Year of Blogging. I am cheating and copying and pasting my Top Ten list which I posted at the end of 2006, the year I first began blogging. I've added the covers because, well, I like cover art, and evidently hadn't thought to include them in my original post. So, without further ado, here is my Top Ten list of books read in 2006:

10. Lincoln Lawyer by Michael Connelly ~ This was a funny suspenseful thriller that had me up reading into the wee hours of the morning. I thoroughly enjoyed it and found the main character to be an interesting one.

9. In Cold Blood by Truman Capote ~ This true crime novel, frequently toted as the first of its kind, is beautifully written. Mr. Capote was able to produce empathy for the murderers in the way he told their stories, although not taking away the desire for the reader to see them face the consequences of their actions.

8. The Murder of Roger Ackroyd by Agatha Christie ~ A delightful mystery! Agatha Christie was my designated favorite mystery writer when I was growing up and she is still among my favorites.

7. Labyrinth by Kate Mosse ~ I found the story mesmerizing, full of suspense as well as drama. I loved the historical aspect of the novel most of all.

6. Tales From the Child of the Enemy by Ursula Duba ~ Although simple in its presentation (in poetry form), Ms. Duba’s book is thought provoking and conscious raising.

5. The Devil of Nanking by Mo Hayder ~ Books that balance historical events with the present seem to be among my favorites most often, I've discovered. This novel offered that and so much more. It was one of the best suspense/thriller novels I've read.

4. The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho ~ Stealing a line directly from my review: Upon finishing the book, I understand what the publisher Harper Collins meant when it referred to the book as being like “getting up at dawn and seeing the sun rise while the rest of the world sleeps.” That’s truly what it feels like.

3. The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield ~ I was so tempted to put it in the top spot. Alas, two other books consumed me just a little more and so The Thirteenth Tale finds its place as #3 on my list. It was well written, intriguing, and spoke to me, sometimes the voice sounding a little like mine.

2. The Historian by Elizabeth Kostova ~ I was lost in the prose as soon as I began reading and held in suspense with each chapter. I was transported directly into Kostova's world as I read, held captive even when I was not reading the book.

1. Snow Flower and the Secret Fan by Lisa See ~ Snow Flower and The Secret Fan left a deep impression on me and is still one of my all-time favorite books.

What were some of your favorite books the year you began blogging?

Monday, September 04, 2017

Tuesday Favorites: Favorite Fantasy Novel & My Top Ten Books That Were a Chore to Get Through

Each week Maureen from Maureen's Books asks participants to share a favorite on the weekly designated topic.

This week's topic is my favorite fantasy novel.

It is really hard to list just one favorite fantasy novel as I have read several that have stuck with me and are among my favorites: J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter series, A Game of Thrones by R.R. Martin, and The Mists of Avalon by Marion Zimmer Bradley, among them.

If I had to pick just one favorite . . . I still can't do it. It would be a tie.

More often than not, I prefer to read the book before seeing the movie, but it doesn't always work out that way. I am not even sure I knew about the book before my husband made me watch his favorite movie, The Princess Bride. I thought it was on the silly side, and not especially good. But the movie grew on me with each watching, and now I love it. Reading the book helped with that as well as it made me appreciate the movie even more.

My husband talked me into finally reading the book in 2004, and it was love at first page. Author William Goldman charmed me from the beginning of the introduction, and I loved every word of his book. I laughed out loud. I held my breath. I cried--both out of sadness and out of joy. It's one of my all time favorite books.

Funny enough, another of my all time favorite fantasy novels is one I saw in movie form first as well. At least, the first movie. And that would be The Lord of the Rings Trilogy. I like to tease my husband that he tricked me into reading the books. I was so enamored with the first movie that he told me I should read the book. He had me believing he had read it. And so I did. And then I went on to read the next two books in quick succession. I absolutely love the books--the world J.R. Tolkien has created and I fell in love with all of his characters. So beautiful and rich! I was mesmerized. I love all three movies as well, even in their differences from the books.

What is your favorite fantasy novel?

Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by the lovely ladies at Broke and Bookish.

This week's Top Ten Tuesday is Ten Books That Were A Chore To Get Through. It is not often I give attention to the books that I was less than impressed with. Enjoyment of a book is subjective. A book I love may be a book you hate or vice versa. The books on today's list have earned a lot of love from some people--just not me. This is just a list of the Top Ten books I rated 2 or under in the last five years. It is very rare I rate a book below a 2, simply because those are usually books I end up not finishing (and I don't rate books I do not finish). [Note: A 2 on my rating scale means I found the book to be okay or "meh". An 1 means I didn't like it. I used my Goodreads ratings for the sake of this list.]

1. Ripper by Isabel Allende (Rating: 2 Paws) ~ Described by the publisher as being an "atmospheric, fast-paced mystery involving a brilliant teenage sleuth who must unmask a serial killer in San Francisco." I was so excited to read this as it was my first Isabel Allende novel and a mystery to boot. I do want to give this author another chance as I know her work is well loved. This one just didn't do much for me.

2. Worlds of Ink and Shadow by Lena Coakley (Rating: 2 Paws) ~ Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte being one of my all time favorite novels, I couldn't resist this one about the Bronte siblings and their imaginary world come to life. I loved another of Coakley's novels and so had high hopes for this one. Alas, it was a chore to get through. I was bored most of the way through.

3. The Night Visitor by Dianne Emley (Rating: 2 Paws) ~ I love a good paranormal mystery and this one about a woman possessed who is compelled to uncover a murder. I wanted to like this one, but it just didn't work for me.

4. Under the Skin by Michel Faber (Rating: 2 Paws) ~ I really enjoyed this author's historical fiction novel Crimson Petal in White, and was interested to seeing how he pulled off writing a science fiction novel. Described by the publisher as "a grotesque and comical allegory, Under the Skin takes us on a heart-thumping ride through dangerous territory — our own moral instincts and the boundaries of compassion — to present a surreal representation of contemporary society run amok." I admit my opinion of this book did go up after a book club discussion of it, but it still fell flat for me.

5. Beautiful Creatures by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl (Rating: 2 Paws) ~ This book has gotten a lot of buzz, and I rushed to read it when I heard the movie was coming out. I wanted to like this one. I mean--witches! I love books about witches. Not so much this one though.

6. Kiss of Pride by Sandra Hill (Rating: 2 Paws) ~ Maybe this one was a case of wrong book at the wrong time. I was just beginning to appreciate romance novels again and thought a book about a Viking vampire angel sounded unique. Although there were aspects of this one I liked, ultimately, I finished it feeling disappointed.

7. A Brave New World by Aldous Huxley (Rating: 1 Paw) ~ I just finished listening to the audio of this 1932 Classic after many failed attempts at reading the print version. This time around it was more a matter of me wanting to come out on top by finishing it even though I wasn't especially enjoying it. I don't challenge a book like that very often, but sometimes I can't help myself.

8. A Prayer for Owen Meany by John Irving (Rating: 2 Paws) ~ This well loved modern classic was one I hoped to love. I really tried too. I just did not like the character of Owen Meany very much at all. In fact, I found him rather annoying.

9. Fifty Shades of Grey/Fifty Shades Darker by E.L. James (Rating: 1 Paw) ~ I read the first two books in the trilogy because I wanted to know for myself why there were such polar reactions to this book. Why was my friend at work singing its praises and fawning over Christian? And why were so many of my book blogger friends castigating the trilogy? The sex scenes didn't bother me. The writing did. And I don't think much of the characters, Christian in particular. I ended up laughing my way through these two books more than I was probably meant to. And came away feeling like I didn't need to bother with the third.

10. Holidays on Ice by David Sedaris (Rating: 1 Paw) ~ After being unable to finish another of this author's books, I was given the opportunity to try again with this little gem. Only, it's not the kind of gem I find particularly appealing. I do not find him funny, but rather depressing. I acknowledge now that Sedaris is not for me.