30 Days of Books :: Day 2

Hello, my lovelies! I'm back for more bookish fun. Yay! :) I like this meme, even if I have trouble narrowing my choice down to one book. Let's see how I do today, yes?

{joining Jenni}

Day 2 :: A book you've read more than three times

Aaaaahhhh! Okay, seriously, HOW am I supposed to only pick one?! Jenni, did you make these questions hard on purpose? *sigh* I keep trying to be reasonable and logical, but I'm a reader. I reread a lot. It's why I have my own library basically, so I can reread all the bookish goodness to my hearts content. Therefore, asking me to pick only ONE that I've reread more than three times....I don't wanna choose! Humph. Okay, okay, let me think on it.....

So I'm going to go with Splitting Harriet by Tamara Leigh. I have reread this one countless times. I'm not sure what it is about Harri that I connect with, her life has been way different than mine. But I do understand her fears and how staying safe and comfortable is so much easier than being bold and stepping out in faith! And her antics always make me laugh. I think the reason I reread this one so often is because it's simply a feel good story. The drama is quite understated and the romance is pretty adorable. It simply makes me smile every time I read it, which is exactly what I need sometimes. (Maybe a lot of times...)

But just so you know, I totally coulda chosen at least three or four more books! I'll just save them for another post, but still...! ;)

What book(s) have you read more than three times? Or do you reread at all? (I know some people don't.)

30 Days of Books :: Day 1

Jenni hosted 30 Days of Books back in May and June, when I wasn't doing much blogging. But now that I'm back, I thought it sounded fun! So I'm going to try it. I should warn you that I probably won't keep up with 30 days all in a row, but I'll keep going as I'm able. Anyhoo! On to the fun stuff! :)

Day 1 :: The best book you read last year

Oh boy. I have to pick only one?! How am I supposed to do that???? I don't think that's possible. So I'm going to cheat, sorry. I'm picking three (well....technically I guess I'm picking five, but three are a series so...)

So! My favorite reads of 2015 are as follows:

The Scorpio Races by Maggie Stiefvater {Which is simply amazing, y'all! The writing swept me into the story immediately, plus Puck and Sean are so worth meeting. This book! Seriously such a great read.}

Winter by Marissa Meyer {Y'all know I'd been waiting for years for this final book! It's an epic ending to an amazing series.}



The Lord of the Rings trilogy by JRR Tolkien {SO glad I finally listened to the audio for this series! Tolkien is a master storyteller, he really is.}


I don't know how everybody else was able to choose only one, but anyway. There you have it! Or should I say 'them' not 'it'? *shrugs* What's the best book you read last year?

Review: The Lord of the Rings trilogy by JRR Tolkien

So I'm going to do something a bit different with this review. I suppose technically these will be more bite-sized than full on regular reviews, but it's been so long since I read them that I forget a lot of the particulars. I listened to the audiobooks as well, so that doesn't help my memory either. I do remember really enjoying all three books though! And I remember all the FEELS I had once I finished. Bear with me as I try to put words around my love for this wonderful trilogy...okay? :)

{Check out Jamie's discussion posts of this series (here, here, and here), as well as Hamlette's read-along. Because these two ladies single-handedly convinced me that I needed to read this series ASAP!}

The Fellowship of the Ring
The friendships are my absolute favorite part of this series! I knew coming into book one, having already seen the movies, that I was going to love Sam. But I did not realize all the other hobbits were going to make me love them too! As well as Legolas, Gimli, Aragorn, and Gandalf. Even Boromir! I wasn't so sure about him, but he grew on me. I love this whole world that Tolkien has created, but his characters are what kept me reading. The epic scale of this adventure for Frodo, which begins so quietly, builds and builds as the book progresses. What you think of as a pretty simple task (although you realize it is anything but simple) soon becomes life threatening and perilous. And each character's reasons for making their choices is so fascinating. I admit I was surprised at how long it took for the fellowship to actually come together, but I didn't mind it. Tolkien clearly loves his descriptions and we get complete visuals of each place that gets visited, as well as the myriad of characters (both good and bad) that we meet. I loved that each main character gets described slowly and lingeringly, and my impressions of them changed a lot because it takes time to truly get to know each one and their motivations. Definitely an excellent read and I was very glad to be able to dive into book two pretty quick after finishing this one! :)

The Two Towers

Okay first off? Shelob = just NO. I will absolutely admit to skimming that part really, really quickly! And as always, Sam continues to show his awesomeness. All the hobbits do actually! There was so much I'd forgotten from the movies (probably things that were even changed as well), so I kept being surprised with how things happened, when, and with who. I didn't like Frodo and Sam going off on their own, even though I understood it. I'm glad Sam convinced Frodo to let him come! Frodo can make some really dumb decisions sometimes, just sayin', so it's a good thing Sam was there! And I was sad that Pippen and Merry got separated as well. But the Ents? The Ents are awesome! And I loved how Aragorn, Legolas, and Gimli determined to go rescue Pippen and Merry. The friendship between those three is so wonderful, especially Legolas and Gimli, who have the biggest prejudices against each other to get over. They added so many funny moments, which just made me love them more! :) The hobbits continue to prove how phenomenal they are, and how everybody keeps underestimating them, which they should totally not do! And once again, I am in awe of how Tolkien manages to create all these separate stories going on for the One Big Cause and bring them all together, even while the characters themselves may be separated. Seriously! The epicness of this series continues to amaze me! But that cliffhanger? So not nice! At all.

The Return of the King
So many things happen in this one! Well, I suppose that's true for all three books, but still. There's so much going on and I don't see how Tolkien keeps track of everything and never lets the reader get confused! He's a master storyteller for sure. Once again, the characters are all such a mix of good and bad (or at least they sometimes make wrong choices, even if they're not inherently bad) and they each make me love them for differing reasons. I mean, Eowyn! And Sam! And Pippen! And Merry! And Aragorn! And Legolas! And Gimli! And Faramir! And everybody! My list could go on, but suffice it to say I love these characters. But my absolute favorites? Are the hobbits. Their loyalty in friendship, their fierceness in battle, their courage no matter the odds stacked against them, I ended this series with a heart that belonged to the hobbits. I feel like this is one giant of a story all about teaching the people of Middle Earth just how amazing the hobbits are. And how everybody needs to seriously stop underestimating them! Because they are awesome, okay?! :) I was not expecting the final battle at the end of the book, but it made sense once I thought about it. And I loved that once again, the hobbits proved how smart they are. I will admit that Frodo frustrated me several times during this series, but I still like him overall. He was just really blessed with an incredible friend in Sam and I surely wish he'd figured that out a whole lot sooner than he did. I could try and express how epic and awesome this book (and entire series) is, but I could never do it justice, so I'll stop here. But trust me, if you haven't read this, then please do. Because these characters and their journey of heroism and friendship is so worth reading. It inspired me and I aim to revisit this adventure again someday. Maybe several times as it's definitely worth a reread or ten! :)

Jane Austen Would You Rather...

So I found this Jane Austen tag over here and here, I thought it looked like fun so I decided to join in! I mean, anything Austen related is always fun, right? (Of course I'm right!! :)

Anyhoo, it's pretty self-explanatory, so onwards to the questions, shall we?


Who would you rather have act as your matchmaker, Lady Russell or Mrs. Jennings?

Mrs. Jennings for sure! I think she'd maybe make me laugh while cringing in embarrassment. And she seems to tease about crushes that are pretty obvious. Lady Russell, on the other hand, doesn't seem to really see people's hearts, she only sees what they want you to notice.

Who would you like as a pen pal from Jane Austen's works?

How about Captain Wentworth? I wouldn't turn down a swoony letter from him, I gotta admit! :D Or maybe Catherine Morland because I think her letters would amuse me. Although she might only write sickenly lovesick letters after she's married, so maybe I'd write her before she's married...hmm...

Who would you rather go on a walk with, Colonel Fitzwilliam or Captain Benwick?

Colonel Fitzwilliam!! I imagine he would be a good conversationalist. As I'm not much knowledgeable about poetry, I don't think I could endure a convo with Captain Benwick.

Who would you rather have to befriend, Mrs. Elton or Lucy Steele?

Definitely Lucy Steele, she doesn't seem nearly as mean for means sake as Mrs. Elton. And this is only if I have to befriend her! Hopefully I wouldn't have to be around her terribly much.

Who would you rather have as a sibling, John Knightley or Mary Musgrove?

John Knightley. This is based on the adaptation versions of him as I haven't read his book yet, but I think Mary would drive me batty.

Who would you rather dance with? 

Mr. Tilney of course! He'd be fun to dance with, whatwith making me laugh and just generally having a good time.

Who would you rather refuse, Mr. Collins or Mr. Elton?

Hmmmm....how about neither? What, that's a cop out? Well humph. If I have to answer, I'll go with.......Mr. Elton. Because hopefully he'd take my rejection and leave me alone from there on out. Mr. Collins I'm not so sure understands the word no. Like at all.

Who would you rather match-make for, Miss Bates or Mary Bennet?

Mary Bennet. I'm not sure why, but I've a soft spot for Mary and I'd love to spend some time with her and see if I could get beyond her stiff outer shell. I'm betting she's got a soft heart she's hiding and I'd love to chat with her to try and figure out a way to find her someone special. Although I'd probably pick the wrong guy because I do not see myself as a matchmaker at all!

Who would you rather have as a best friend?

Anne Elliot, I think we have several things in common and I'd love a chance to truly get to know her. I mean, all the characters, aside from her horrid family naturally, that meet her in the novel really enjoy being around her, so that has to say something, right? :)

Who would you rather argue with? (Mrs. Bennet, Lady Catherine, Emma Woodhouse, Mr. Woodhouse, Mr. Palmer, Mrs. Jennings, Fanny Dashwood, Captain Wentworth, Mr. Darcy, ect.)

Oh gracious, I don't know. How about I just watch an argument between Lizzy and Darcy? I think their battles of wit would be greatly amusing to listen to, especially after they're married!

Would you rather wander the grounds of Pemberley and risk being 'discovered' or wander over the downs surrounding Barton Cottage in the rain and twist an ankle?

I'd rather risk being discovered! A little embarrassment could be gotten over a whole lot faster than a twisted ankle. I don't like pain. Not even if it meant having a handsome gentleman rescue me. (Plus that handsome gentleman has a high risk of being flighty and only after money, soooo....yeah.)

Where would you live in Austen's works?

Maybe at Barton Cottage because I think it might be fun to live with Elinor and Marianne. Although I'm kind of partial to the comfortable feel of the Morland's home (I'm forgetting the name of it now...). I think any of the other houses have certain people who would make me crazy. Actually, they probably all do for that matter. But Barton Cottage and the Morland's home seem to be the least craziest. Sorta. :)