Time to Map It Out

Time to Map It Out

Nov 18, 2014

One of my favorite elements of fantasy: the setting. I used to think that it would be hard to fall in love with an imaginary world... and then I found Hogwarts. I saw just how wrong I'd been, and now I love discovering different complex and vivid worlds. I'd never realized how much work goes into creating a setting from scratch. There are so many things an author has to consider to make the place come alive and feel real! 

I love special details in books, especially maps. What a nice surprise when I find one hiding in the first few pages of a new read! I don't typically refer to them while I'm reading, but I love knowing it's there. Since maps and fantasy go hand-in-hand, Alexa and I created our own "maps" and are sharing what defines our worlds.

(1) Work

Last year, the company I work for moved into a brand-new building. We'd previously been spread out on a campus with lots of buildings, so it was a welcome and wonderful change! I have my own office, too. And yes, I've totally decorated it. What did you expect? I like the area where I work - it's not far from a great bookstore! 

(2) Restaurant

There are a ton of amazing restaurants in Atlanta, but I've never been a big foodie. Thankfully, there are also some great local places not far from me. One of my favorites is Los Hermanos, a Mexican restaurant I love to visit on my lunch break. It's not far from work, and you can't go wrong with anything on the menu. Yum!

(3) Shopping

There's a great mall pretty close to me, but I don't go there too often. It's just so busy! If I do, you're definitely going to find me in Barnes & Noble or Sephora. But honestly, I'd prefer to wander around the Target or Ulta right across the street! I wish I cared more about clothes, but I'm definitely more of a makeup addict.

(4) Bookstore

So, I cheated a little - I marked my library instead of bookstore. I have two chain bookstores near me, but I'm not crazy about either one. The only local one is a used bookstore, which I like but don't love. I'm more likely to get my books at the library because my county has an amazing system. They usually have all the books I want!

(5) Home

Nick and I bought a house two and a half years ago, and it definitely feels like home. It helps that I've been on a decorating kick recently. I forget how much that changes the way you feel about where you live! We're in a great neighborhood, and I think we're both so happy about becoming homeowners. About the yard though...

(6) Bonus

I wasn't sure what to pick for my "bonus" place and finally decided on my favorite city in Georgia. Amazing places to eat, fun places to shop, my favorite indie bookstore, my alma mater... The Classic City has it all! I love returning for football games, concerts or even a trip down memory lane. 

And now I've got to share one of my favorite fantasy maps! This beauty is from Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo, which is a fantastic read. Isn't Ravka, as drawn by Keith Thompson, seriously gorgeous?

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Do you like maps in books?

What's your favorite fantasy map?

What places would be on your personal map?

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SOS! Seriously Need These Sequels!

SOS! Seriously Need These Sequels!

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly feature hosted by The Broke and The Bookish. Every week they post a new topic/top ten list and invite everyone to share their own answers. I'm so obsessed with lists - so it makes perfect sense that I'd love this feature!

Top Ten Sequels I Can't Wait to Get

1. Fairest by Marissa Meyer | Coming: January 2015  

While I didn't love Cinder, I was hooked on this series after Scarlet. I never got around to reviewing Cress (oops!), but I'm so excited to get more information about Queen Levana! I hate that it's pushed Winter back farther, but I guess I'll live... | My Thoughts on Scarlet

2. The Ruby Circle by Richelle Mead | Coming: February 2015

I read and adored Silver Shadows when it came out a few months ago, and my review will be up in a few weeks. I was shocked by several events of the book, but in a good way! I can't wait to see where Mead takes these characters next. Adrian and Sydney are one of my favorite couples. | My Thoughts on The Fiery Heart

3. Mr. Kiss and Tell by Rob Thomas & Jennifer Graham | Coming: January 2015

Although the show will always be better, I really enjoyed the first Veronica Mars spin-off book! My one complaint? I needed more Logan! I'm hoping that will be remedied in this book, but either way I look forward to seeing what Veronica solves next. | My Thoughts on The Thousand-Dollar Tan Line

4. Throne of Glass #4 by Sarah J. Maas | Coming: September 2015

I WOULD TRADE EVERY SINGLE BOOK ON THIS LIST IN ORDER TO GET MY HANDS ON THE NEXT BOOK IN THIS SERIES. That's how much I love these characters, this world, this story... All of it. I WANT IT NOW. I can't even form coherent thoughts on it, and September seems so far away. Wahhh! | My Thoughts on Heir of Fire

5. Six Impossible Things by Fiona Wood | Coming: August 2015

Technically, this book comes before Wildlife. I'm not really sure why the US publisher decided to reverse it, but I guess I'll have to get over it. I'd even tried to find an Australian copy of this book before I realized it would be published here! I loved Wood's writing and am dying for more. | My Thoughts on Wildlife

6. P.S. I Still Love You by Jenny Han | Coming: April 2015

I had never read anything by Jenny Han before To All the Boys I've Loved Before, and I was surprised by just how charming I found it! This sweet contemporary read just hit the spot for me. I can't wait to see what will develop in P.S. I Still Love You. | My Thoughts on To All the Boys I've Loved Before

7. The Winner's Crime by Marie Rutkoski | Coming: March 2015

I loved, loved, LOVED The Winner's Curse when I read it earlier this year. It quickly became one of my top reads on 2014! I've been anxiously awaiting the release for the second book - it can't get here soon enough. But I don't know how I'll then wait another year for the third book... | My Thoughts on The Winner's Curse

8. This Shattered World by Amie Kaufman & Meagan Spooner | Coming: December 2014

Science fiction? Set in space? I was super skeptical before reading These Broken Stars, but then I just fell in love. I was so happy when the story matched the loveliness of the cover! Lilac and Tarver stole my heart, and I'm hoping the new characters in this companion will too! | My Thoughts on These Broken Stars 

9. The Invasion of the Tearling by Erika Johansen | Coming: June 2015

The Queen of the Tearling wasn't on my radar before BEA, but I'm so glad that I gave it a shot. I ended up being really surprised by how much I loved this book. It was a slower read, but it somehow just worked so well for me. I was invested in this fictional world! | My Thoughts on The Queen of the Tearling

10. Breaking the Rules by Katie McGarry | Coming: December 2014

I'll be honest - Pushing the Limits was my least favorite book of the whole series. But I'm somehow still really intrigued and interested in reading this follow up to it! Noah and Echo may not have completely won me over, but I'm willing to see if they will in this book. | My Thoughts on Pushing the Limits

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The Vile & The Villainous

The Vile & The Villainous

Nov 17, 2014

In fantasy, you've got to have a foe. I mean, how do you become a hero without a bad guy to provide some conflict?! Villains can easily become caricatures - so evil that they don't even seem like real people. But the best ones have layers and dimensions to them... leaving you with moments where you question your feelings for them. Today, Alexa and I are discussing this classic, complicated fantasy character!

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What villain do you love?

SNAPE from HARRY POTTER SERIES | Poor, misunderstood Severus Snape. Well, I can't deny that I loved this villain! Some may argue that he isn't really a villain because he does have some redemption in the end, but I think he still counts. He makes some poor choices and has to suffer the consequences. And, let's be honest, he's pretty awful to Harry. Either way, I still love him. This is a great example of a complex character!

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What villain do you hate?

THIAGO from DAUGHTER OF SMOKE AND BONE SERIES | Oh my goodness, I hated Thiago! Laini Taylor did such a masterful job creating this character. His total power and control was intimidating, as was his utter lack of compassion. He could be charming, but knowing how ruthless he was at his core... terrifying! I listened to this series on audiobook, and my stomach was in knots anytime he was in a scene. What would he do next?!

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What villain do you love to hate?

UMBRIDGE from HARRY POTTER SERIES | Yes, you've read that correctly. I hate Dolores Umbridge more than Lord Voldemort. My level of hate for this character is so strong that I almost love talking about all the reasons why she's THE ABSOLUTE WORST. Whether I'm watching the movies or reading the books, my eyes see red when Umbridge enters. She represents such an abuse of power, and UGH DO NOT EVEN GET ME STARTED.

What villains do YOU love and hate?

And who is the villain you just love to hate?

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The TBR Tag

The TBR Tag

Nov 15, 2014

Thanks to the ladies of Bookish Broads for tagging me!

TBR Tag Created By: Dana Square & A Perfection Called Books 

How do you keep track of your TBR pile?

Goodreads! I have a spreadsheet that I update sporadically, but I consistently use Goodreads to keep track of my TBR. Rather than just use the standard "Want to Read" shelf, I've divided it into several different shelves: To Read (Print Books), Kindle, Review, Consideration and Wishlist. I only consider the first three to be a part of my actual TBR, however, because those are the only shelves with books that I own. The other two shelves have books I'm interested in, but I'm constantly changing what's on them.

Is your TBR mostly print or ebook?

It's mostly print! If I add the review books to print or Kindle, it's 82% print and 18% Kindle. I was surprised by this when I first calculated it! When I first got my Kindle, I bought a lot more books that way. But I've returned to my love of print recently, so I typically default to that now unless the Kindle version is on sale.

How do you determine what to read next?

If I have a review book that I need to read soon, I'll give that priority. If I finish a book in a series, I'll usually continue the series until I'm caught up or have completed it. Otherwise, I usually just pick a book based on what I'm in the mood to read at that moment. I'm not great at following a schedule, but I do create a seasonal TBR list. So, when I can't decide what to read next, I narrow it down by picking a book off that list!

A book that's been on your TBR the longest:

Prior to blogging, I used to be really good about reading everything I owned. In fact, I wouldn't even have understood the concept of a TBR! However, there was one book that just kept hanging out on my shelves unread: Looking for Anne of Green Gables by Irene Gammel. I love anything about L.M. Montgomery, so I bought this book the first time I saw it in stores. And I don't know why, but I just never read it. I can't bring myself to get rid of it because I know that I will at some point. It just doesn't seem that urgent!

A book you recently added to your TBR:

The Sevenwaters Series by Juliet Marillier! I read Daughter of the Forest for the Fall Into Fantasy event that I'm currently hosting with Alexa, and I fell head over heels in love. I immediately grabbed the second from the library, and that one was just as good as the first. So, now I'm completely obsessed and bought the entire series... and will probably binge them all before the end of the month. These won't be on my TBR for long!

A book on your TBR because of it's beautiful cover:

I buy way too many books because I love their covers, but I know that The House of the Spirits by Isabel Allende is only on my TBR because the cover caught my eye. I bought it randomly with a birthday gift card because I just couldn't resist it when I saw it at the bookstore. It's just so lovely. I can't even remember what it's about... but I did think that the summary at least sounded interesting!

A book on your TBR you never plan on reading:

Honestly, I'm not sure if there is anything on my TBR that I never plan on reading. I cull my shelves, and even my Kindle, pretty frequently. I can be quite ruthless. If I know I'm not going to read something or don't want to read it anymore (even if I did when I bought it / was gifted it), I have no problem giving rid of it. I've even deleted Kindle books permanently before! The only book that has a good chance of going unread is Requiem by Lauren Oliver. This one may not last much longer on my TBR!

An unpublished book on your TBR that you're excited for:

Earlier this year, I read and loved These Broken Stars by Amie Kaufman and Meagan Spooner. Before starting it, I was nervous about the space setting because I didn't think it would work for me. Thankfully, I was pleasantly surprised! So, I've got This Shattered World is at the top of my list of unpublished books that I can't wait to read!

A book on your TBR that basically everyone's read but you:

I know not everyone has read these books, but I feel like I'm behind the times because I haven't read The Chronicles of Narnia Series by C.S. Lewis. I've only read one book from this series, and I keep meaning to finally read the rest! I don't know why I never read them when I was younger. I wasn't a big fantasy reader then, but it's a classic children's series and that would have been right up my alley as a kid.

A book on your TBR that everyone recommends to you:

My reading taste is so eclectic that I never feel like everyone is recommending the same book to me! But I have had a handful of people tell me that I really need to hurry up and read Life After Life by Kate Atkinson. I got it for Christmas last year and keep intending to read it. Just writing about it has made me want to go pull it off my shelf and add it to the pile on my nightstand. I've got to make time for it!

A book on your TBR you're dying to read:

This was a recent addition to my shelves, but I can't wait to read Every Breath by Ellie Marney. I won it in a giveaway from the lovely ladies at Bookish Broads and danced around like a crazy person when I found out it was mine all mine! I'd been hearing so many amazing things about it and knew that I was going to have to get a copy. Just say the word banter, and I'm sold! When I finish my current series binge, I'll be reading this book.

How many books are on your Goodreads TBR shelf?

Well, I only consider my TBR to be books that I have in my possession... not just books I'm interested in reading. So, 169 Print + 35 Kindle + 7 Review = 211 books total. Eek! If I add in the 77 Consideration and 51 Wishlist, it comes out to 339 books. But, like I said, those last two shelves change frequently. It's not completely awful, but I'm still pretty embarrassed by how many unread books I own.

I'm not going to tag anyone, but please share

your own responses to the TBR Tag if you're inspired!

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Fantastic Beasts & Where to Find Them

Fantastic Beasts & Where to Find Them

Nov 14, 2014

One thing that always made me scared to read fantasy? The magical creatures! I don't know why, but that was one reason I hesitated to try the genre. I didn't think I would be able to visualize make-believe creatures. And trust me, there are creatures galore in fantasy. Thankfully, I've found that I actually enjoy seeing what authors will come up with next! So today, Alexa and I are talking about this fantasy staple.

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What magical creature is your favorite?

WYVERYN | I fell in love with Abraxos in Heir of Fire, and then the wyvern in the Fairyland series sealed the deal. This winged creature with a dragon's head and wings, a reptilians body, legs and a tail is fierce and absolutely ferocious. But as I found in some of the books that I've read, they can be fearless and so loyal. They've quickly become my favorite - and most memorable - creature! (My Review)

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What magical creature would you most like to be?

MERMAID | I'd absolutely want to be a mermaid. As a kid, I spent a lot of time pretending to be one in the pool. It was one of my favorite games! They call the ocean their home, and I'd move to the beach in a heartbeat. I get to keep a human upper body (yes, please) and have long, flowing hair. And sometimes mermaids are mean... I could totally channel that attitude. But I don't think I've read any mermaid books!

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What magical creature would you like to own?

HIPPOGRIFF | This eagle and horse combo was created in Harry Potter, of course. I love that there is a proper way to approach a hippogriff, and since it involves bowing, I think it's pretty obvious hippogriffs are refined and courteous creatures. I can't lie - I also love that they fly! They're loyal and protective if you earn their trust, which I totally would. I spoil my puppy, and I'm sure I'd do the same with my hippogriff. And doesn't Hannah and Her Hippogriff sound like a children's book?

What's your favorite creature?

What creature would you want to be?

And what creature would you want to own?

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