Top Ten Tuesday : Characters that Remind Me of Myself

Visual Description: Simple, clear font writing. 'top ten' (in pink, no caps). "TUESDAY" (all caps, bolded, colors alternating between yellow, orange, and pink). "www.ThatArtsyReaderGirl.com" (smaller font, in pink, at bottom).

Anne Shirley of Green Gables

Visual Description: A fiery red head tween girl with very messy braids and a messy flower crown on her head turns around and lifts a basket to someone and smiles a enthusiastic toothy smile. She is outside and wearing a plain brown dress. (Note: this is from the Netflix Anne series)

I was reading Anne of Green Gables books since I was probably...I want to say eight. I was a fast reader and voraciously devoured the books. She was an expression of my inner self and the vast imagination that I held inside my heart. She was the version of myself that I didn't feel comfortable or accepted in being in my real life. She was and is my literary kindred spirit. 

Jane Eyre

Visual Description: Screenshot from Jane Eyre 2011. Jane is standing in a golden field, its dreary but clear out, behind her is a stone estate home. She is wearing a blue cloak with her hands holding the hood in place over her head. She is wearing a somber, modest but expensive gown.

Jane Eyre, oh Jane Eyre. She is a part of me. She really is. Here are two quotes that convinced me that I have been a Jane Eyre in a previous life: 

“’I am not an angel,’ I asserted; ‘and I will not be one till I die: I will be myself. Mr. Rochester, you must neither expect nor exact anything celestial of me–for you will not get it, any more than I shall get it of you: which I do not at all anticipate.’”

“No sight so sad as that of a naughty child," he began, "especially a naughty little girl. Do you know where the wicked go after death?"
"They go to hell," was my ready and orthodox answer.
"And what is hell? Can you tell me that?"
"A pit full of fire."
"And should you like to fall into that pit, and to be burning there for ever?"
"No, sir."
"What must you do to avoid it?"
I deliberated a moment: my answer, when it did come was objectionable: "I must keep in good health and not die.”

Emma

Visual Description: Emma (portrayed by Gwenyth Paltrow). A thin, golden haired beauty is sitting in a parlor (top half visible). She is wearing a pale sea green regency gown. She takes a sip from a teacup while turning her head to the left. It portrays a bit of sass and attitude. 

Ok so hilariously? I don't quite like Emma as much. She has always been one of least favorite of the Austen heroines. And, alas, according to the woman who gave birth to me and my very best friend - I am quite like her. Why? Because I'm a bit...bossy? Not bossy. No, never bossy. Just...I like to fix things and I express my opinions on how to accomplish the fixing of things very well. I also care a lot and I'm convinced that if my sisters just LISTENED to me then they would never have an issue. I'm also very independent and have a very close relationship with my father. 

Cath from Fangirl

Visual Description: Illustrated cartoon image. Salmon pink background. A redhead young woman in a green cardigan, red hair tied back in a bun, and glasses is typing on a laptop with the image of two cartoon men on its screen. One has long dark hair and the other has light hair. Hearts are around them. 

Cath is a introvert, a fandom lover, a fanfic writer who dreams of being published someday, and she and I have a lot in common. She can be taken out of herself but only by the best kind of people. Again, she's close to her Dad. Like I am. And she and I have very similar social anxieties. Kudos to my best friend Madie for pointing her out for this list. 

Jo March

Visual Description: Jo March (portrayed by Maya Hawke Thurman) is sitting on the floor of an attic. Dressed in a white nineteenth century gown, her messy light brown hair is pinned back at the nape of her neck, she is looking upwards and grinning at someone. 

Many times have my sister and I considered which March girl we were. I've always firmly believed she was a cross between Meg and Amy while I was a cross between Jo and Beth. However, over the years, I've become increasingly more Jo than anything else. Her feelings are my feelings, her desires are often my desires. So when I'm asked 'Which March Sister Are You?' - it's always Jo March. 

Caris Weaver from A World Without End

Visual Description: A long dark haired woman, her hair flowing down her sides, is strolling through a medieval market. She is wearing a plain off-white gown with a beige over-apron with flowers pressed into the fabric. A leather satchel is over her shoulder in a casual manner and a apple is in her hands and held in front of her. 

I love Follet's Kingsbridge Trilogy. Caris is a main character in the second one and she is so independent and driven. She is forced to become a Nun or be burned a witch and instead of giving up on her dreams she uses it to fulfill her goal to open up a hospital. Years later she defies everything and gives up the cloth to be with her one true love. Her legacy lives on the city. I might not be as fierce as she is nor as clever - I definitely am inspired by her and hope to have a small part of her tenacity inside of me. 

Agnieska from Uprooted 

Visual Description: A cropped and expanded picture taken from the cover of the book. A brown haired young woman with her eyes closed is leaning over a golden rose with vines growing from it. She has strong but gentle features and looks at peace. On either side of her are shelves. One has two green dragons poking their heads through. One has a open book with pages flying out. One has a hawk. And another had a golden haired lady in a white medieval gown with an outstretched hand towards her. 

Agnieska! One of my favorites! Her clumsy and emotionally based way of weaving magic and finding her way through dangerous ordeals with practical determination and intuition vibes with my own. She rather be comfortable than expensively clothed. She is the one person no one thinks would be chosen by the dragon or to have magic in her. But she is and she finds that she has a unique way of magic that ends of saving her home. And, while, I don't have a special kind of magic weaving ability inside of me - I do understand the way she sees and feels things out instead of subscribing to every letter and rule in the instructions. I work best that way too. 

This isn't ten but it's super late and I'm rather tired. So I'll leave it here. I can't wait to see what other people come up with! 

Until next time, 

Jess

Top Ten Tuesday : Longest Reads

It's been a while since I've done a Top Ten Tuesday! Top Ten Tuesday is weekly meme that was created by the Broke and Bookish and is now hosted by The Artsy Reader Girl. I was feeling extra blog-y this week and figured this was the week to jump back in! The topic this week is :

Longest Books I've Ever Read

So without further a-do...

The Kingsbridge Series by Ken Follett

Pillars of the Earth - 355,830 words

World without End - 309, 270 words

A Column of Fire - 283, 040 words

My DAD was the one that turned me onto this series. He drives trucks for a living and has been listening to audiobooks in the cab for years and Follett is one of his favorites. I recently wrapped it up with Column of Fire (Thanks Dad, for lending me your Kindle!). He's got great taste, my Dad, Follett is the master of winding out a epic historical. These are...incredibly extravagant reads. Absolutely worth the time it takes to truly and thoroughly read them. *ends mini-review here* 

Mary Queen of Scots and The Isles by Margaret George

265,350 words (estimated)

This book found its way to my bookshelf about ten years after I read it in H.S. for...err...fun. And because my sister and I are weird brain clones of each other I discovered she too read this exact book back when she was a teenager for...errr....fun. We grew up in different homes, with a state between us, so it was especially interesting that we both just naturally got super obsessed with Mary Queen of Scots and read a 870 page novel featuring every single detail of her life when we were like fifteen. I honestly don't know if I could do it again. I was such a voracious little reader back then. Now, I'm like...ugh, its so long - does my library have the audio??? lol.

A Song of Fire and Ice (Game of Thrones #1) by George R.R. Martin

292,727 words

I will always stay firm in that...I will not read past the first book of A Song of Fire and Ice until he actually finishes the series. So, that is why A Game of Thrones pops up on this list versus his other longer additions to that series. IF ONLY HE'D FINISH!!!!

Outlander by Diana Gabaldon

259, 250 words

As I was eyeing my bookshelves for the fattest books my eyes fell on this beautiful, blue beauty. The new opening for the upcoming season of the Outlander Tv Series recently came out and it has me all nostalgic for Claire and Jamie in their first story. I've only read this and the next couple in the series and I didn't compare page count. Each ones are quite thick and go through a lot of material and plot and history. 

Eldest (The Inheritance Cycle #2) by Christopher Paolini

205,175 words

Remember this series? My brother and I both read it back in the day. Which is a feat because my brother hates reading. I still have the first book on my shelf (Eldest is longer, I checked! lol). It's so heavy that I had to read it sitting up, with it propped up on something!

Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens 

185,440 words

I'm running out of ideas of where to find my longest reads! When comparing my two favorite Dickens I discovered that Oliver Twist is longer. So, here it is. I love Dickens. I need to read more of his stuff before I kick it, for sure. I believe, that Bleak House is his longest work. But, don't quote me on it! 

A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness

209,090 words 

I just finished this and its so fresh in my mind. It might not be the longest book on this list but it was a lot to get through. Some books have a density about them that (isn't a deterrent, by any means) makes them 'thicker' than other works of the same page or word count. If you're going with vampire fiction - 200 pgs of Harkness versus Meyer (Twilight)...one is going to be heavier than the other - even if their weight is technically the same. I'm preparing myself to start her next book in the series which is a doozy looking one. She's a historian (the author...and the main character too, lol) and REALLY loves history and it shows. It's something I enjoy (hence my first four picks on this list) so I'm up for it!

Fin! 

I couldn't think of another, every one that I thought of wasn't as long as I thought it would be! Honorable mention to the Iliad and the Oddysey that I read back in the day. Because technically those aren't the same piece of work and I read them separately.

In the construction of this list I realized that...

1. I love epic historical fiction. 

2. I will probably never be able to finish anything larger than a 400,000 word count book. Especially not in 'one go'!

3. I'm more willing to go the length if it's been on screen or been a suggestion or I just am obsessed with the genre/topic. 

4. I want to re-read most of these. 

What did you learn? I can't wait to see what everyone else put on their list and how they calculated length. I did mine via word count through this site (and google): https://www.readinglength.com/. 

Until next time, 

Jess

Top Ten Tuesday : Audiobooks!

It's fortunate that this topic came up now and not last year because the past few months I've been getting into audiobooks. I haven't listened to many, so I might not make it to ten...but here are my top picks! 

Uprooted written by Naomi Novak, performed by Julia Emelin

The Wonderful Wizard of Oz written by L. Frank Baum, performed by Anne Hathaway

Alice's Adventure's in Wonderland written by Lewis Carrol, performed by Scarlett Johansson

Jane Eyre written by Charlotte Bronte, performed by Thandie Newton

Classic Love Poems performed by Richard Armitage

The Seventh Bride written by T. Kingfisher, performed by Kaylin Heath

You're Never Weird on the Internet written and performed by Felicia Day

And that's a wrap! I've got some distractions distracting me this week so I can't add my thoughts below each pick like I normally do. My choices this week was based on the quality of the audio - the performer, the sound, the pace. Of course, all of the actual books being read are recommendations. :) 

What do you like to listen to?

Until next week, 

Jess

P.S. Honorary mention to Harry Potter series performed by Jim Dale!

Top Ten Tuesday : All Time Favorites...Chick Lit!

So, this week is ALL TIME FAVORITES in X Genre. The challenge is - I often pull out my top favorites in my most read genres and I like to keep my lists semi-fresh. Historical fiction? Fantasy? I usually like romance but I don't read it often. It's mostly secondary to the plot. Ok, not always...oh! I know! Chick Lit! 

Definition (as found on Wikipedia) -  “consists of heroine-centered narratives that focus on the trials and tribulations of their individual protagonists.” The genre often addresses issues of modern womanhood – from romantic relationships to female friendships to matters in the workplace – in humorous and lighthearted ways.

Julia's Chocolates by Cathy Lamb

Ah, my first introduction to Cathy Lamb. I remember being grabbed by the first scene of the book where the main character throws her emotionally (and physically) oppressive wedding dress up into a tree branch and going at it like it was war because the damn thing kept falling back onto her face. It made me laugh, cry, and all that good stuff. And absolutely chock full of female power and more importantly - friendship. Romance happens but the journey of the character comes first. 

Such a Pretty Face by Cathy Lamb

My second favorite Lamb! The backstory really squeezes the heart. I have this on my bookshef actually. (Recently re-organized my books and re-acquainted myself with my old and constant friendlies). 

The Sugar Queen by Sarah Addison Allen

Sarah Addison Allen is one of my all time favorite authors and the Sugar Queen is my all time favorite. Mostly because there is a character who has the ability to always have the right book appear to her whenever and whatever she might need. And, the main character, has a secret closet of candies and magazines and wears a magic red sweater. :)

Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell

Before there was Eleanor and Park - there was Fangirl. Fangirl also falls under the category 'New Adult' - a young woman off to college for her first year, she is a well-known fan-fic author, and has to adjust to all that college stuff and finish up her fanfiction while trying to figure out...can she write original work of her own outside of her fandom? Rainbow Rowell for the win, per usual. ;)

Size 12 Is Not Fat by Meg Cabot

It's pretty much a crime against Chick Lit to have a list without Meg Cabot. From Princess Diaries to her Boy Series - I've pretty much read them all. And what's on my bookshelf? A former pop-star turned dorm manager/amateur detective. Don't check into her dorm building but don't be afraid to hire her to solve your case! 

One for the Money (Stephanie Plum #1) by Janet Evanovich

Talk about the mystery solving! I haven't read the entire series (like twenty five books so far) but I have read the first one a couple of times. I love the voice in it, the way Evanovich brings to life the neighborhood characters and the action. 

Where the Heart Is by Billie Letts

Oh, the heart strings be tugging. Where the Heart Is is more than the movie (although that movie is amazing) and reading the book is a must.

Phantom Waltz by Catherine Anderson

It's so very rare to find a healthy, accurately depicted romance featuring a disabled main character. It's mostly tragic tropes (ahem, Me Before You, lol), and inspiration porn. Phantom Waltz features a disabled (paralyzed) woman as the romantic lead. Anderson is completely adorable - it reads like a Hallmark movie - but she did her research and put her heart into bringing an authentic, heart-warming romance to the table. 

Motorcycle Man (Dream Man #4) by Kristen Ashley

Kristen Ashley has been my secret guilty pleasure for a while and it started with the Dream Man series - in particular Motorcycle Man. She rambles quite a bit and the language structure of the characters is unique and takes a little adapting to but she does her genre well. 

Anne of Windy Poplars (Anne #4) by L.M. Montgomery

And, to end this list - Anne Shirley striking it out on her own after University. My favorite of the entire series is Anne of the Island and Anne's House of Dreams. I'm in L.M. Montgomery mode right now. Ever since Netflix announced they were adopting her to adapt into a series. Windy Poplars is so dreamy of a read, I love her exploring what it's like to be on her own away from her friends and her home. :)

And that's a wrap! What do you think, what's your favorite chick lit? 

Until next week, 

Jess

Top Ten Tuesday : Current TV Shows I'm A Fangirl For

This week's TTT is all in honor of Fall's TV and the special time of year we hunker down and start exploring (or continuing) our screen obsessions. Summer has faded, winter is coming, and we have been waiting too long. As usual there's flexibility upon one's interpretation of the weekly theme but I have, alas, been unable to find a creative twist. Mostly because I'm exhausted from Labor Day weekend. I spent four hours at Barnes and Nobles and the morning of going through books and setting up my new bookshelves. Fantastic time. Completely tired.

So I'm going with the tried and true - Current Shows I'm Obsessed With!!! (With a slight leaning towards the less-than obvious choices - such as Game of Thrones)

The 100

MY TOP SHOW. Based on a book series that I never got into (like seriously) this show defeats all the odds. Literally. Some reasons why it just sings to my soul and keeps me up at night - badass women on an un-argued level as their male counterparts, the heartwretching decisions and twists, and the magical way they seem to pull off complex, unique post-nuclear world with a CW budget. Also #Bellarke and #RavenReyes. 

Poldark

I've watched the first season like five times. Probably more. Poldark returns home after being forced to battle it out with those pesky Colonial rebels when he gets in trouble with the law and finds his Dad has kicked it, the estate is in shambles, and his girl has latched onto his cousin. What will a brooding, rebel hero do in such circumstances? Make mining look like the hottest, noblest thing to do since damsels stopped being trapped in towers, seduce the kitchen maid into his marital bed, and routinely stick up for the impoverished working man (while his hair is blowing in the wind). 

iZombie

This show made me LOVE zombies - and I was already a fan of the Walking Dead. In fact, I wouldn't mind being one. If it meant having natural Khaleesi hair and have major bromances without the complications of writer-forced romantic entanglements. (There is romance, of course, but several male-female friendships that untouched by the usual 'forced under-current attraction'). Plus - it's funny. But also serious when it needs to be. Heartstrings are tugged and then you laugh and then you cry and then you text your best friend and spoil it because you always end up watching the episodes first....

Orphan Black

The first rule about Clone Club is you don't talk about Clone Club. So click the title link, Sestra! You won't regret it...

Stranger Things

Another I talked about extensively this weekend. This might be an obvious choice because since it recently came out - it's been a huge success. For good reason. Those little guys (and girl) up there? THEY BRING THE FEELS. Winona Ryder is back, people. And the eighties live on in it's unabashed, perfectly executed homage to eighties cinema. Also, watch out for the Demigorgon - he's for real and ate poor Barb. (Sorry, spoiler...maybe?)

Outlander

This might be an obvious choice too - especially since this is a book blog and I've talked extensively about it. Outlander - based on series written by Diana Gabaldon. Scottish Highlands, Time-Travelling World War 2 nurse, two age-less actors, and all the history. Plus sexy times. AND THAT FINALE. I, honestly, wasn't entirely sold on this season. I missed the Highlands and then when they got back there it was so grim (for an obvious reason) and I was disheartened by the looming doom. But, the finale brought it home for me in a big way. I'm beyond excited for the next season. 

Once Upon A Time

For all the ups and downs I've had with this show - I keep going back to it. In the paraphrased words of my best friendly - it's hard to keep up with a show where the whole premise is that they can't/struggle with having a happy ending. It means that they'll never truly be happy until the show ends. lol. That being said - the layers that are brought to the characters, the unique twists on the fairy tales we've grown up with, and the main core family at the heart of the show draws me in everytime. Plus. The creators of Lost are behind it.

Shameless

I will put this show on the background and it'll make me feel right at home. It's what I watch when I want to get in the right headspace. (Even though there's no way I could make some of the life choices in their lives). There is something entirely relatable and universal about the characters. Fiona is my spirit animal. I'm massively in love with Lip. I've stuck with Ian through his up and downs and then gave up when he broke it off with Mickey, lol (Not really but sort of). I'm incredibly concerned about Deb and Carl and Liam. And I want to be tight with Kev and Veronica. I will literally bawl when this show eventually comes to a close. 

General Hospital

Speaking of being shameless...I am completely unashamed about my love for General Hospital. I know, I know - it's a soap opera. But, that's there in lies the magic - anything can happen. Like anything! Mobsters with hearts of gold, ridiculously over the top medical conditions and events, legacy couples forever (until they're forced by the writers to cheat on each other and consider quitting the show and then go back with gusto when they reconcile), and COMING BACK FROM THE DEAD. No character is truly ever dead. THERE'S ALWAYS HOPE. It takes years of commitment when you're a soap fangirl, its not for everyone, but this is a list for my top tv obsessions...and Port Charles (hometown setting) takes a big chunk of my television loving heart. #Jasam. #Lante. #CorinthosClan. #NOSHAME. lololol. ;)  

I'd like to give honorable mention to - Game of Thrones, The Walking Dead, and all things Marvel-Netflix. I didn't list them because they've gotten a lot of coverage in the larger context of social media or I couldn't pick which one to put down (ahem, Marvel-Netflix). 

I want to hear about what you've been watching, what twist did you put on this week's topic, and do you too fangirl for some of the above mentioned???

Until next week!

Jess

Top Ten Tuesday - School Freebie!

Why hello again! This week is a school themed freebie. The books I've been blogging about have been increasingly serious in content. I feel the need to kick up my heels a bit and talk fun. So, this week's theme is 'Top Ten Throwback Books I Read for Fun in School". Books that trended in my library, books that I read over and over again, books that I'm amazed I got into, books that were my THING, etc.

Nancy Drew Series by Carolyn Keene

I am entirely incapable of starting this list on any other note. Nancy Drew was my homegirl, my spirit animal, my secret weapon for all things boring/frustrating/insertchildhoodangsthere. I would like to say that I never got into the newer series/versions of Nancy Drew. Technically Carolyn Keene was many authors. But, I was incredibly partial to the originals. As in those yellow bound, vintage illustrations, and all lined in a row at any library you went to books. ;) 

The Royal Diaries Series by Various Authors

Before there was the likes of Phillipa Gregory and such - there was...The Royal Diaries. They spanned all the cultures, all the eras, all the time periods. AND THEY WERE ALL ABOUT THE LADIES. I learned so much about history, strong female leaders/figures, and world history in general from the pages of these books. I had a special affinity with Queen Elizabeth. Her Dad got married alot, as did mine. lol. 

Heartland Series by Lauren Brooke

HORSES. I went through a huge horse series phase and Heartland was the star of this fascinating, diverse (coughs) phase of my literary ventures. I was about twelve, wanted an ARABIAN horse, and was like so sad that my parents didn't see why this was the best thing that could ever happen to me. Shout-out to the TV show up in Canada (love it) for adapting this series wonderfully. The location might have changed by the characters remain as awesome as ever.

Stargirl by Jerry Spinelli

Stargirl! Everyone ever needs to read this book at least once. Especially when they're in school. It's a must-read. 

The Hollow Kingdom Trilogy by Clare B. Dunkle

I am sure that I've mentioned this one before. If you're a fan of Labyrinth, Beauty and the Beast, and/or maybe The Neverending Story - this is a good pick. Not many people have heard of it so I like to pull it out when I have a chance. Two sisters kidnapped by Goblins! One to be a Queen and the other because she's the sister and doesn't want to part with her sibling. lol. It's charming.

Summers at Castle Auburn by Sharon Shinn

I FORGOT ABOUT SUMMERS AT CASTLE AUBURN! HOW DID I FORGET ABOUT THE BOOK I CHECKED OUT LIKE A DOZEN TIMES?  It was one of my comfort reads in...middle school? Yea, it would have been middle school for sure. 

Rowan Hood by Nancy Springer

Rowan Hood - daughter of Robin that he didn't know because he thought her Mom was a dream - strikes out on her own to find her Dad and starts her own little band while dressed up as a boy. I love, looking back, how her conception was so glossed over. As an adult I'd be like SO HOW DID YOU FORGET HER MAMA, MAN? Well, there's some elven forest-people blood involved or something. lol. 

Daughters of the Moon by Lynne Ewing

Daughters of the Moon trended SO HARD in my HS library. It's no joke. There were like twelve in the series, I think, and if you wanted to read you're way through you better be at the same reading pace as the person before you or you'd be stuck waiting for the next book for a while. I was fast reader. I was pretty much screwed. lol. 

Meg Cabot In All Her Yummy YA Supremeness

Meg Cabot - sang the song of tween/teens in YA back in the day. I do believe she still has a full grasp but I've been mostly invested in her adult books as of late. As I am an adult. Or like to think I am.... Oh! Notice that I didn't put The Princess Diaries cover up there. TPD were and are obviously her most notorious work. I, however, had a fondness for her paranormal fiction. Liza, sister of mine, loved her Mediator series. I was particularily fond of her 1-800-Where-R-U series. And not just because the main character and I shared the same name...

Tiger Eyes by Judy Blume

Yea, I just can't have a list of books from my schoolhood days and not have a Judy Blume shoutout. So this is me. Shouting out. TIGER EYES WAS MY JUDY BLUME NOVEL. If you've read Blume then you have at least one that's 'yours'. Tiger Eyes is mine. 

Bad Kitty by Michele Jaffe

This is hilarious. I got into it because Meg Cabot (I was an avid follower of her blog as a teen) was friendly with the author and did some posts with her or something. Anyway, got the book - died of laughter. And wanted to bedazzle everything. Thankfully I didn't have one - or my wheelchair back then would have had a serious make-over...and probably not as good as I would like to think my bedazzling skills would have provided. lol. 

And that's a wrap! Honorable mention to the Redwall Series by Brian Jacques (with special attention towards Mariel of Redwall, Salamandastron, Triss, and The Long Patrol!) and Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery.

Until next week!

Jess