December Wrap-Up and My Favorite Books of 2015

    I hope everyone had a great holiday break!  Christmas in New England was a bit warmer than I would have liked, (I'm pretty sure it hit 60 degrees), but it was still nice to spend time with family.  Today we finally got some snow, so it actually feels like December.  Not only did I make bank in Barnes and Noble gift cards, but I scored some of my favorite books as well!  Unfortunately, since starting my new job and preparing for Christmas, I barely had time to read this month.  I only read three books you guys, which to me is really disappointing.  I thoroughly misjudged how much time I could spend reading, so I'm going to take that into consideration for next month and be a little more modest with my reading list.  That being said, since I'm only reviewing three books, I thought I would talk about my favorite books I read in 2015 before we close out the year.

Reviews

(goodreads.com)

    Flamecaster by Cinda Williams Chima:  This book was an ARC, (Advanced Reader Copy), given to me by the staff at the bookstore when I worked there a month ago.  I had mentioned that I had read and loved Chima's Seven Realms series, so they thought I would like this new series of hers, which takes place a generation after the events of The Crimson Crown.  They were totally right!  The setting is the same, but the royal family is ravaged by war and assassination threats.  I also thought that Delphi reminded me a lot of District 12 from The Hunger Games series with the poverty and the mines.  Within the first two chapters I was crying...  I decided that I probably shouldn't have read this book directly after reading the last book in the original series.  I liked Adrian, ("Ash), but he's nowhere near as witty and dangerous as his father Han.  There were a lot of nods to original characters, like Amon Byrne and Fire Dancer, which I liked.  Another thing I liked about this book is the introduction of dragons and also potentially dragon half-breeds, which would be very interesting.  The only thing I thought wasn't right about this book was the fact that Ash left home without passing along his father's message to his mother Raisa.  I know from the other books that Raisa would want to know that her son is OK, so it struck me as odd that he would leave without saying anything to her.  I can't wait to read the next book in the series, but since this book isn't even coming out until April next year, I think I'll have to wait a really long time for the second book.  Oh well!  I gave this one a solid 4 out of 5 stars.  Thanks for breaking my heart Cinda...

(goodreads.com)

    Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo:  Honestly, I was expecting more from this book.  I had heard mixed reviews and people either loved it or hated it, but I'm really in neither camp at this point.  I had trouble pronouncing almost every word in this book, which made it a bit harder to get into.  I understood the story line, but wasn't very interested or invested in any of the characters.  The Darkling was the only character I was really drawn to because he stood out the most to me.  There wasn't as much world building as other books I've read either.  There was also almost no action outside of The Fold, mostly just court drama, which I enjoy to a point, but there really wasn't much going on inside the castle either.  I really like Genya as well because she had a bit of spunk to her.  Overall, I don't know if I'll continue with this series or not, but I have heard better things about Bardugo's Six of Crows, so I may pick that up and give it a try instead.  I gave this book 3.5 out of 5 stars.

(goodreads.com)

    Froi of the Exiles by Melina Marchetta:  I thoroughly enjoyed this book and in comparison to the first one, Finnikin of the Rock, I'd say it's better.  The story was a lot more intense and there was much more character development on Froi's end.  I didn't understand Froi's purpose as a character in the first book, but now he seems more important than Finnikin or Isaboe are.  I loved hearing his story from that perspective and dropping by Lumatere every once in awhile to see how everyone else is doing.  Charyn was an interesting setting, although I had trouble picturing it at times.  Quintana was also a very interesting character, although I had trouble understanding her until the middle of the book.  The entire book was action-packed and full of inner turmoil, but the ending is where everything went to hell in a hand basket...  All of it just fell apart and people died and got shot and kidnapped and everything.  Poor Froi!  I will most likely be reading the next and final book in this series, Quintana of Charyn, to see where this all ends.  I gave this book 4.5 out of 5 stars.

Favorites

    Now it's time to recap my favorite books from this year.  A lot of these are probably going to be repeats that I talk about all the damn time, so I won't go into too much detail.  I read a lot of great books this year, so I narrowed it down to 8 books/series.  These are in the order of when I read them, from January to December.

(goodreads.com)

    The Bone Season series:  This was the first great book I read this year, way back in January.  I loved the world and I loved the story, which involved a criminal underworld of supernatural beings in a Dystopian London as well as alien invasion.  There was even a love story, so how could you go wrong?  The Mime Order was a great follow up to the first novel, which I also read this year.  Focusing more on the criminal underworld of Scion London, this book dove more into government conspiracies and gang-lord hierarchy.  Looking forward to finishing this trilogy next year!

(goodreads.com)

    A Darker Shade of Magic:  Another adult fantasy book that I really enjoyed this year.  Look at that cover!  I love alternative dimensions, so this book, coupled with magic, is right up my alley.  A mysterious magician, one of only two of his kind left in the world, travels between alternative Londons in parallel universes delivering messages and smuggling goods for his employer, the king.  When he meets a girl looking for a way out of her mundane life, all hell breaks loose.  I am very excited to continue with this series next year!

(goodreads.com)

    A Court of Thorns and Roses:  What can I say about this book that I haven't already said?  Easily my favorite book of the year, hands down, just narrowly edging out Clockwork Princess for that spot.  Faeries, Beauty and the Beast trope, witty, confident, huntress leading lady, evil queens, action, romance, etc.  EVERYTHING is well done.  I'm so glad I got this one for Christmas so I can read it again before the sequel comes out next year in May.  THIS BOOK IS SO GOOD.  Read it if you haven't already.  Sarah J. Maas is the best.

(goodreads.com)

    Throne of Glass series:  I had no idea what I was getting myself into when I decided to pick up Throne of Glass this year.  I blew through this series and now it's one of my favorites.  A young female assassin is promised her freedom for participating in a pageant to become the King's Champion.  That competition is the catalyst for all the events in this series so far.  It's grown leaps and bounds from where they started and all the characters have had some serious development, but it's all for the better.  I'm eagerly waiting for the fifth book to come out next year.

(goodreads.com)

    The Infernal Devices series:  Again, what can I say about this series that I haven't already said?  I'm currently rereading it because I got all three of them for Christmas and I CAN'T GET ENOUGH WILL HERONDALE.  Out of all the series I read this year, this one is by far my favorite.  It was hilarious, terrible, heartbreaking, and romantic as hell.  Add some angels and demons and angry robot overlords and you have yourself a fantastic story.  I can honestly say that this series changed my life and how I feel about reading.  I know that's really profound to say, but I haven't felt this way about books since Harry Potter, so I'd say it's a big deal.  Shout out and thank you to my friend Heather for insisting I read these books before reading The Mortal Instruments because it made me love those books that much more.  I wish I could be a Shadowhunter...  Or if I could just have Will that would be great.  Follow me on Instagram for posts of some of the funniest passages from the books!

(goodreads.com)

    The Mortal Instruments series:  I loved this world so much that I decided to immerse myself in it.  This was the fastest I've ever read a series, nine books, (both The Infernal Devices and The Mortal Instruments), in two weeks.  I loved that this series mentioned and paid homage to the prequel series, even though it took place in present day New York.  I am eagerly awaiting January 12th for the Shadowhunters television premiere.

(goodreads.com)

    The Night Circus:  This book was magical and enchanting in all the right ways.  I loved everything about it, from the story to the time period to the characters.  It was beautifully written and heartbreakingly tragic, but in a good way.

(goodreads.com)

    The Seven Realms series:  The last book(s) on my favorites list are by Cinda Williams Chima, who writes a very epic and gripping fantasy story.  Another recommendation by my friend Heather put to good use.  I was invested in the characters from the beginning and I loved watching them grow into themselves throughout the books.  I've already been spoiled with an ARC of the sequel series, so I'll have to wait longer for more of this world, but it'll be worth it.

    That's it for me today.  Did any of your favorite books from this year make my list?  What are your favorite reads from 2015?  Let me know in the comments below.  Thursday I'll be talking about my most anticipated books of 2016!  Until next time, I remain your faithful correspondent.

Carpe Diem

    Hey everyone.  Sorry I didn't post yesterday, but we ended up having a family emergency, so I really didn't have time.  One of my childhood dogs passed away yesterday.  He was 14 years old and it was devastating for our family.  We've had him since I was eleven, so I grew up with him.  I'm glad I was there with him during his final moments, but it was still difficult to accept.  It still is.  It's going to take some time for me to cope with his loss, but eventually I think I'll be alright.  I gave some extra love to all my other animals just because.  I'll miss you bud <3

    Despite the fact that I'm still grieving, I'd like to perk up my spirits a bit by giving you my list of five movies that you should watch to get in the mood for the fall season.  Fall is by far my favorite season.  There's almost nothing I hate about it, (except Halloween, but I don't "hate" Halloween as much as it just makes me uncomfortable...I HATE being scared).  So as August slowly comes to a close, (seriously, could this month move ANY slower?!!? I've been dying here on the East Coast with all this heat and humidity!), I'd like to review and recommend some movies I will be watching, not only to help me feel better, but also to help me prepare for this wonderful Fall season.

(amazon.com)

    Who doesn't love a good Disney movie?!  Pocahontas is one of my favorites and it was one of the first to portray a strong, independent female leading character, (which seems to be very "in" right now).  If you live under a rock or refused to pay attention in history class, Pocahontas is about a group of English settlers coming over to the New World to colonize, where one of them meets a native woman who teaches him about the land and about humanity.  This Disney version tweaks the historical facts a bit, (as in John Smith and Pocahontas had no relationship and she ended up marrying Kocuom and then got captured by the English and sent to live among them where she fell in love again with John Rolfe, who was in the second Disney adaptation, among other inconsistencies).  Regardless of the historical inaccuracies, the movie screams Fall with all the colored Virginia foliage and the harvesting of food.  This Native American and English settler interaction is also reminiscent of the Thanksgiving feast between the two peoples, that may or may not have actually happened.  It's just a really great Disney movie, ok?  Go watch it, it's on Netflix.

(nickelodeon.wikia.com)

    This is definitely not the horrible remake "Blog Wars" that I had the unfortunate opportunity to witness.  This, my friends, is the original 1996 Nickelodeon movie Harriet the Spy, featuring Michelle Trachtenberg, in her film debut, and Rosie O'Donnell as the admirable Golly.  As an owner of the original VHS, I can say that possessing this orange tape was one of the crowning achievements of my childhood.  This is my favorite movie of all time, no question.  I've been watching this movie since I was five years old and have been more than influenced by the main character Harriet as she described the world from her perspective inside her "Private" composition notebook.  I have about 20 notebooks myself, having adopted her knack for discovery and her investigative tendencies.  I was obsessed with this movie, to put it lightly, so it's no wonder why it's on my list of fall favorites.  This movie takes place during the beginning of the school year in New York City I believe, (they never actually say, but you can make inferences from the setting), and follows a young spy named Harriet M. Welsch along with her friends Janie and Sport as they enter 6th grade.  Harriet writes about all of her classmates and everyone else she meets in her notebook, including those lucky few on her "spy route" throughout her neighborhood.  Eventually the notebook catches up to Harriet and gets exposed, forcing her to deal with the consequences.  This movie tackles a lot of heavy issues, including poverty, neglect, mental instability, friendship, acceptance, and coming of age, just to name a few.  I can quote this movie verbatim and I would highly recommend it if you're into quirky, coming-of-age movies dealing with a young writer and her quest for the truth.  Not to mention the gorgeous setting of NYC in the fall with the parks and inner-city gardens, etc.  I can't say enough about this movie!

(imdb.com)

    Any excuse to watch Robin Williams is a good one.  Good Will Hunting is one of my favorite Robin Williams films, not to mention Matt Damon isn't bad to look at either!  This movie, written by some of my favorite Bostonians, Ben Affleck and Matt Damon, (who is also the lead in the film), follows a young South Boston man, Will Hunting, as he deals with his unknown future after he assaults a police officer.  He becomes a janitor at MIT and begins seeing a therapist, (Williams), who helps him reevaluate his relationships.  He also begins taking courses with a professor of advanced mathematics, learning that he has a rare gift.  This movie has all sorts of feels, even by just watching the scenes with Robin Williams.  This is easily one of Matt Damon's best performances to date.  Obviously the setting of this movie, collegiate Boston, screams fall.  Just look at the poster!  This movie is a bit heavy on the emotional side, so be prepared to cry during some or all of this film.  This movie is also on Netflix I believe, so if you're in the mood for some foliage, some authentic Boston accents and a good cry, you're in!

(en.wikipedia.org)

    Another Robin Williams flick!  This one has to be my favorite Robin Williams film, obviously because of his incredible performance, but also because of the literary references throughout.  This movie is perfect, not only for those of you who love fall, but also those of you, like me, who are literary junkies.  This movie has poetry, intrigue, romance, rebellion, and a lot more.  I watched this movie with my freshman last fall at the end of their poetry unit and it received great reception, (as it should).  There are also some pretty big names in this movie, besides Robin Williams, including Ethan Hawke as Todd Anderson and Kurtwood Smith of That 70s Show fame playing Mr. Perry, Neil's father.  Dead Poets Society follows a group of prep school boys on track to become lawyers, doctors and such when they meet an extraordinary English teacher named John Keating, who teaches them to leave the boundaries of their education and follow their passions.  This film takes place at a conservative prep school somewhere in the Northeast during the first semester of school, (fall and winter).  The setting alone will increase your need for colored foliage and crisp New England air.  This movie is also on the heavy side toward the end, which scarred my freshman for life I bet, but this movie's message is worth it.  It's also ridiculously quotable and you'll find yourself speaking like Dr. Keating in no time after watching this movie.  "O Captain, My Captain" still makes me tear up a bit...  Easily my second favorite movie to watch to get pumped for the fall season.

(imdb.com)

    This movie is everything!  Another one on my top favorite movies of all time list.  Remember the Titans is literally the perfect movie to watch to get ready for fall!  I know a lot of people like Friday Night Lights, and that's all well and good, but this movie is SO MUCH BETTER because this is based on a true story.  If you enjoy football, the civil rights movement, Denzel Washington, and the late 1960s, you will LOVE this movie!  Remember the Titans follows a high school football team in Virginia during the integration of black and white schools.  T.C. Williams High School head coach Bill Yoast is introduced to Coach Herman Boone, who ends up taking his job solely because he is an African American.  As Coaches Yoast and Boone deal with their new rankings on the football staff, the players have to deal with each other as the integrate during a time of turmoil in the south.  Coach Boone changes the game, (literally), and leads the Titans into a battle for race and the championship.  You can tell this is a Disney film because there are so many good messages in this movie about acceptance, brotherhood and hope.  Denzel Washington has a truly stellar performance as Coach Boone and Ryan Gosling actually makes his film debut as Alan Bosley.  He's hilarious!  I can't say anything bad about this movie and it is completely quotable.  The soundtrack is to die for!  So many great 70s rock hits and soul music to propel the story forward and get you pumped for football season like you've never been before.  I even tried to use one of the lines in the movie during a soccer game, which didn't help, but it got me excited, which was all I needed.  Seriously, it's better than Friday Night Lights.  Go watch it!

    So that's my list of my top five favorite fall movies.  I wanted to do a list that wasn't full of your typical fall movies, but movies I really enjoy watching and hope you do to.  Perhaps there's at least one of these movies you've never seen or heard of before that you'd be willing to try out?  Let me know in the comments what you think!  "Until next time, I remain your faithful correspondent..."(Which one of those movies is this quote from?)