Top 5 Wednesday – November 4th, 2015

Posted in Top 5 Wednesday by TheQuirkyBookNerd

Top 5 Wednesday was created by Lainey at Gingerreadslainey. Every week, book reviewers all over the world are given a bookish topic and respond with their top 5 books (or elements of books) that relate to that topic. Click here for the Goodreads group if you would like to learn more about Top 5 Wednesday and join in!

This week’s Top 5 Wednesday topic is your top five favorite series novellas. I have read a few series novellas, enough to create this list. However, I am afraid that there isn’t going to be a whole lot of variety in series or author because many of them are from the same one, namely Marissa Meyer and The Lunar Chronicles. I absolutely love short stories, and I am definitely a huge fan of series novellas in general. I do have others I intend to read at some point, but I have not begun any of those series yet. In the meantime, here are my top five favorites so far!

5. The Queen’s Army by Marissa Meyer

This is the third series novella that Marissa Meyer wrote for The Lunar Chronicles, and it falls between the first novel, Cinder, and second novel, Scarlet. It functions as a bit of a bridge story and prequel to Scarlet, and introduces one of the new main characters of that novel.

I read this recently since I am preparing to jump into Scarlet very soon and, though this is my least favorite of the novellas so far, I still really loved reading it. It is a very short read but sufficiently captivating and intense, and it gives great insight into both this new character and the inner workings of the Lunars that we have not previously seen. I am even more excited about reading the next novel and seeing where these plot points lead!

4. The Map by William Ritter

This is the first series novella that William Ritter wrote for the Jackaby series and it falls between the first and second novels. The Map is a standalone adventure starring the main characters from the series. It tells the tale of what happens when Jackaby plans a celebration for his assistant, Abigail Rook’s, birthday.

I really enjoyed this novella; it was such a fun read and wonderful to have while I was eagerly awaiting the next full novel. It was lovely to be back in this world with these loveable characters and to follow them on another one of their wacky exploits. This was just as hilarious and entertaining as the full novels themselves, and reading it made me all the more excited about Beastly Bones!

3. Glitches by Marissa Meyer

This is the first series novella that Marissa Meyer wrote for The Lunar Chronicles and is the prequel to the first novel, Cinder. It was actually my first experience with her writing, as I decided to read it prior to reading Cinder; and I’m glad that I did.

Though Cinder would still have been enjoyable if I had not read this first, this prequel offers much more insight into Cinder’s past and fills in some of the gaps in that area that are present in the novel. It also gives you a chance to connect with her before diving into the main action of the plot, and I found that this made me love her as a character even more. On top of all that, I completely fell in love with Marissa Meyer’s writing style, which made me all the more excited to dive into the series. This is a great prequel story and I would highly recommend it if you are planning on starting The Lunar Chronicles or already have and have not read this novella yet!

2. Gilded Ashes by Rosamund Hodge

Gilded Ashes is a Cinderella retelling that takes place in the same world as Rosamund Hodge’s first novel, Cruel Beauty. It is a standalone story and can be read without any knowledge about her other novel. Reading this was my first experience with her work and I was quite impressed.

This was very well written, and a surprisingly detailed story for the length that it was. I wasn’t quite sure how I would feel about it, as I tend to be fairly picky with retellings, but I ended up really loving it. There was just the right balance of sadness, heart-warming moments, and dark twists, and I thought it was a great reimagining of Cinderella. Along with that, I absolutely loved Rosamund Hodge’s writing style and I am looking forward to reading her full novels!

1. The Little Android by Marissa Meyer

This is technically the second series novella in The Lunar Chronicles, though it doesn’t have much to do with the actual series itself; it is more of a standalone. As the title suggests, it is essentially a retelling of The Little Mermaid (the original tale, not the Disney version) with an android twist.

This story was absolutely fantastic! It is incredibly detailed and well rounded for the short amount of pages that it consists of. It is adorable and emotional and just a beautiful rendition of this classic tale. I would very highly recommend giving this a read even if you haven’t read the other books in the series, particularly if you are a fan of retellings.

What are your top five favorite series novellas? Which ones would you recommend the most? Let me know in the comments!

-Ariana

28Oct2015

Top 5 Wednesday – October 28th, 2015

Posted in Top 5 Wednesday by TheQuirkyBookNerd

This week’s Top 5 Wednesday topic is your top five Halloween book recommendations. Since this list is for Halloween, I was trying to think up some good ghost stories to put on here. However, as I was picking books for this topic, I was shocked to realize that I haven’t actually read all that many ghost/monster stories. This is insane because I absolutely love a good, creepy and otherworldly tale. So, since I am severely lacking in the ghost story department, I simply picked five generally creepy novels or stories that I’ve read.

I am a huge thriller/horror fan. I have read a lot of mysteries and psychological thrillers, and I love watching any spooky or thriller type movies. Many of the stories I write usually fall somewhere in the realm of horror as well. I’ve never really gotten scared by any books or movies so far, however, these are all novels that definitely sent a shiver down my spine! Though the books on this list do not all involve a supernatural storyline, they are all still perfect for this spooky time of year.

5. Through the Woods by Emily Carroll

I read this graphic novel around this time last year and enjoyed it so much. It is a collection of five eerie and enthralling horror stories. Emily Carroll has crafted a wonderful collection of ghostly tales that feel sort of likes myths or legends that people might pass around. The artwork, matching the tone of the stories perfectly, is hauntingly beautiful; out of all the graphic novels I’ve read, this had one of my favorite art styles. Through the Woods was such an enjoyable read, and I would highly recommend giving it a try. These dark and chilling tales will definitely put you in the Halloween mood.

4. And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie

I tried to change things up and pick novels for this list that weren’t on my list yesterday, but this is one that I just had to mention again. It is a classic thriller novel, one of the best for all time in my opinion, and is bone-chilling without the use of ghosts and monsters. In fact, stories like this one, where the true monster is human, can make for the most compelling and frightening reads of all.

3. The Complete Works of Edgar Allan Poe

Basically anything by Edgar Allan Poe makes for a perfect Halloween read. Poe is a master at crafting beautifully written and thoroughly haunting tales that will stay with you long after you read them. My personal favorite stories of his are The Cask of Amontillado, The Pit and the Pendulum, The Masque of the Red Death, and The Tell-Tale Heart.

2. Coraline by Neil Gaiman

Back when Coraline first came out, a family member of mine gave it to me as a gift. My mom read it before I did, and it creeped her out so much that she actually hid the book from me. And of course, me being me, I subsequently snuck into her room, found it, and read it anyway without my parents knowing…but that’s beside the point! This is one of the most disturbing and unique books I have ever read, and I absolutely adore it. It is the book that first made me a fan of Neil Gaiman, who has been a huge inspiration to me in my own writing. His stories are quite strange and they are probably not going to be everyone’s cup of tea, but I think that they are just fantastic and definitely perfect for Halloween!

1. The Shining by Stephen King

What Halloween reads list would be complete without one of the best horror novels of all time? This hair-raising and unsettling horror classic, written by one of the masters of the genre, is an absolute must-read. The Shining is genuinely terrifying, by far the scariest book that I’ve ever read, and it is one of my long-time favorites. I cannot recommend it highly enough! Though I do enjoy the original film as well, I would highly suggest, if you want to watch a production of this novel, watching the miniseries version from the 90’s with Steven Weber. Stephen King played a much bigger role in the making of this adaptation, so it is a lot closer to the actual novel itself.

What are your top favorite Halloween reads? Do you have any scary/spooky novels or short stories that you would recommend? Let me know in the comments!

-Ariana

21Oct2015

Top 5 Wednesday – October 21st, 2015

Posted in Top 5 Wednesday by TheQuirkyBookNerd

This week’s Top 5 Wednesday topic is your top five favorite authors you discovered this year. This was surprisingly tricky for me to put together because I have discovered a lot of new authors that I would like to read novels by, but I’ve only begun on a small amount of them. However, I have found a few that I have really enjoyed, and I am looking forward to reading more of their work in the future.

5. Victoria Aveyard

This may be a strange choice given the fact that I was not actually a huge fan of her debut novel, Red Queen. I enjoy reading debut authors every year, and I primarily chose her novel due to all the hype surrounding it. And while the overall idea was a unique and intriguing one, I felt that the execution of the plot was rather weak and cliché. Despite all of this, I ended up absolutely loving her writing style, and this is why I would place her on this list. While I didn’t like the story itself, I thought she was a wonderfully descriptive writer, and I am very intrigued to read more of her work.

My full review: Red Queen

4. Noelle Stevenson

I first discovered Noelle Stevenson a few months ago through Booktube, and I am so glad that I did. She writes and illustrates her own graphic novels, which instantly intrigued me. Nimona was one of my most recent reads, and it was absolutely fantastic. The story was hilarious and heartwarming, and the characters were interesting and endearing. On top of that, I completely adored her art style; it was colorful and comical, and it perfectly fit the overall tone of the novel. The entire graphic novel was solidly constructed and made for an incredibly entertaining reading experience. I have become a major fan of her work and I am eager for more of it.

3. Benjamin Alire Saenz

Technically, Benjamin Alire Saenz is an author that I first discovered last year; however, I did not get a chance to read any of his work until a few months ago. I had been hearing people raving about his novel, Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe, so I had to pick it up and give it a try; and this was one of those books that completely lived up to the hype. Benjamin Alire Saenz created an inspiring and touching story with rich characters that are very easy to connect with and care about. On top of this, his writing is beautifully poetic. He definitely makes it onto my favorites list for the year.

2. Marissa Meyer

Marissa Meyer is another author that I first heard about last year. I began reading The Lunar Chronicles series earlier this year though, and I completely fell in love with it right from the start. She has a very captivating storytelling style that pulled me in and held me until the end. She also has a knack for creating unique and engaging characters, and bringing to life well-known tales in fresh ways. Overall, I truly enjoyed the world that she created and am looking forward to continuing on and seeing where the series heads. I’m also quite interested to read her future work outside of this series. Marissa Meyer easily makes this list.

1. Gillian Flynn

I believe that I have made it abundantly clear in recent posts just how much I adore Gillian Flynn’s writing. But I don’t think I will ever stop raving about her work! I’ve been hearing about her novels for a number of years now; however, I only just gave them a try a few months back. So far, I’ve only read Gone Girl, but I am planning on reading her other books as soon as possible. Gillian Flynn is a brilliant writer and a genius at constructing complex, twisted mysteries and characters. She has become one of my all-time favorite authors and is, by far, my favorite author I have discovered this year.

My full review: Gone Girl

Who are your favorite newly discovered authors? Do you have any recommendations? Let me know in the comments!

-Ariana

14Oct2015

Top 5 Wednesday – October 14th, 2015

Posted in Top 5 Wednesday by TheQuirkyBookNerd

This week’s Top 5 Wednesday topic is your top five favorite diverse characters. These can be characters that are diverse in race, in sexual orientation, who have disabilities or are struggling with mental illness, etc. Basically, any character that is not seen as often as the typical straight, white, mentally and physically healthy male or female characters that too frequently take center stage in literature.

Having books filled with diverse characters, particularly main characters, is essential because that more accurately reflects the incredibly diverse world that we live in. Every single person in this world is different from each other in some way; no two people are the same. That is something that should be celebrated and represented throughout all literature, but unfortunately, ends up being something that many books out there lack. Thankfully, we are starting to see an increase in character diversity in literature these days.

For my list, I tried to mix things up and pick characters that are each diverse for different reasons. These characters also play important roles in the novels they are from. Here are five of my favorites!

Arthur “Boo” Radley from To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee

Diversity: Mental Illness

To Kill a Mockingbird is filled with diverse characters because diversity and the acceptance (or lack thereof) of that diversity is one of the main themes in the novel. Though there are a number of people that would fit into this list, I decided to go with Boo Radley for an example of a character struggling with mental illness. Due to a childhood of being tormented by his father, Boo has become a recluse, never being seen outside his house. But in the end, he proves to be a kind soul and a true hero despite the toll life has taken on his mind.

Tyrion Lannister from A Game of Thrones by George R. R. Martin

Diversity: Genetic Condition

This is a bit of a cheat for me since I’ve actually not yet read A Game of Thrones, but I do watch the show and Tyrion is one of my absolute favorite characters. He is an intelligent man with a sharp mind and an equally sharp wit. This is another book with a sizable amount of diverse characters, but he is one that definitely stands out among the rest. Tyrion is a dwarf, so he is a great example of a diverse character with a physical, genetic condition.

June Iparis from Legend by Marie Lu

Diversity: Ethnicity

Those of you who have read Legend already know what a fantastic and tough character June is. Her incredibly intelligent and attentive mind, strength, and selflessness make her an intriguing, lovable, and kickass heroine. June is a diverse character because she is described as being of mixed ethnicity (Caucasian/Native American).

Cinder from Cinder (The Lunar Chronicles) by Marissa Meyer

Diversity: Cyborg/Ethnicity

After reading this book a few months ago, I have completely fallen in love with Cinder and her story. She falls into the category of diverse characters for a few reasons. Cinder is a cyborg (which in itself is fairly diverse) living in a society that looks down on and harshly discriminates against them. She is also ethnically diverse because, as Marissa Meyer describes her, she is of mixed ethnicity (Asian/Caucasian). The entire novel takes place in a fictionalized version of China, so there is a fair amount of character diversity in general throughout this book.

Aristotle and Dante from Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire Saenz

Diversity: Ethnicity/Sexual Orientation

I just recently read Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe and Ari and Dante have quickly risen up my list of top favorite characters; I couldn’t pick one over the other, so I decided to go with both of them. They both fall into the category of ethnically diverse characters because they are both Mexican. They are also both gay, so they are diverse characters due to their sexual orientations as well.

Which diverse characters are your favorites? Let me know in the comments!

-Ariana

7Oct2015

Top 5 Wednesday – October 7th, 2015

Posted in Top 5 Wednesday by TheQuirkyBookNerd

This week’s Top 5 Wednesday topic is your top five favorite graphic novels. I have been a massive fan of superheroes/super villains, particularly those of Marvel, ever since I was a little kid (I blame my dad!). So, over the years, I have read my fair share of comic books. Graphic novels, on the other hand, I’ve only just begun to read in the last year or so. However, in that short time, I have already read some absolutely stellar ones that have made me very excited to delve further into the world of graphic novels.

As both a writer and an artist, I have a huge appreciation for all aspects of comics and graphic novels and the work that goes into creating a good visual narrative. Here are the top five graphic novels I have read so far that I feel have a fantastic combination of textual and visual story.

The Homeland Directive by Robert Venditti and Mike Huddleston

I haven’t heard a lot about this graphic novel and, going into it, I wasn’t quite sure what to expect. However, I ended up really loving this story. The synopsis led me to believe that it would be your typical zombie story, but it turned out to be so much more than that. It’s a thriller about biology and government conspiracies, and is full of twists and turns that keep you on your toes until the end. Along with the great plotline, the artwork had a beautiful color scheme and was masterfully drawn, fitting the tone of the story perfectly.

The Gigantic Beard That Was Evil by Stephen Collins

This is another one that I was extremely surprised by. To be honest, I picked it up solely because of the title. And while that is not always the best way to choose something to read, I was not disappointed. It was so weird and unique, and I truly enjoyed it. While it is a very humorous story, there is a more serious and thought-provoking underlying message that I had not expected to get from the novel. Collins’s black and white, cartoon-like art style was very fitting as well. Overall, this ended up being a lovely read.

Seconds by Bryan Lee O’Malley

I have been working my way through the Scott Pilgrim series, so I’ve read a few of Bryan Lee O’Malley’s graphic novels, but this one has been my favorite by far. This story was so unique and captivating; it has a great mixture of humor and a deeper, more serious message. I love his art style as well; it’s quirky and colorful and so fun to look at. I secretly dream about being able to write and draw my own comic or graphic novel, and his work just inspires me further.

Nimona by Noelle Stevenson

This is one of my most recent reads and is really more of a tie for first place than second place among my favorites because this graphic novel was absolutely fantastic! It is centered on a notorious super villain and his shape-shifting sidekick, so I knew instantly that this would be right up my alley. The story is hilarious, sad, and heartwarming, and a complete joy to read. On top of that, Stevenson’s colorful and whimsical artwork is spot on and fits the feel of the narrative perfectly. She is another author/artist who has become an inspiration for me in my own work. I very highly recommend checking this story out.

Saga by Brian K. Vaughan and Fiona Staples

Solid and engrossing narrative. Absolutely stunning artwork. This graphic novel series really has it all! I had been hearing people rave about this series for a long time, so I was eager to pick it up, and I ended up loving it even more than I thought I would. The art style is beautiful and complements the strong, well-told storyline. It’s full of vivid characters and each volume leaves you needing more. Volume three is my favorite so far, but every single one is an incredible work of art. If you haven’t given this series a try yet, you definitely need to!

What are your favorite graphic novels? Which ones would you recommend checking out? Let me know in the comments!

-Ariana

30Sep2015

Top 5 Wednesday – September 30th, 2015

Posted in Top 5 Wednesday by TheQuirkyBookNerd

Since we are in the middle of Banned Books Week (September 27^th-October 3^rd), this week’s Top 5 Wednesday topic is the top 5 banned books you’ve read. I am extremely grateful to have grown up around people who love reading equally as much as I do, and who always encouraged me to read anything and everything.

And that is exactly what I did! During my childhood, I read any book I could get my hands on, and I still do that to this day. My reading has never been censored; therefore, I have read not only a lot of books in general, but also a lot of banned books. It was a hard list to narrow down, but here are some of my all-time favorite novels.

1984 by George Orwell

Banned/challenged for sexually explicit content and its social and political themes.

Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston

Banned/challenged for sexually explicit content and offensive language.

The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini

Banned/challenged for offensive language and violence.

The Harry Potter Series by J.K. Rowling

Banned/challenged for occult/Satanism, violence, religious views, and for being anti-family.

To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee

Banned/challenged for offensive language and racism.

This is only a very small fraction of the long list of books that have been banned over the years. It is a shame to see so many beautiful and important books being challenged and banned. These are books that educate us and shape our world. These are books that captivate and inspire millions of people. So I encourage all of you to be a book rebel! Go pick up a banned book, this week and any week.

What banned books have you guys read? Let me know some of your favorites in the comments!

-Ariana

23Sep2015

Top 5 Wednesday – September 23rd, 2015

Posted in Top 5 Wednesday by TheQuirkyBookNerd

This week’s Top 5 Wednesday topic is our top five favorite title fonts on book covers. The design of a cover is extremely important because it is the first impression that a potential reader gets, and is what will inspire them to learn more about the actual novel itself. We may not entirely judge a book by its cover, but it definitely plays a significant role in the book selection process of all readers.

As both a reader and an artist, I have always enjoyed every aspect of a novel, from the cover to the layout to the actual text of the story. I will admit, covers are very important to me and I can get pretty picky when choosing what edition I want to buy. I also happen to be a huge typography nerd, so I love covers with unique and beautiful title fonts.

It was tough to chose, but here are a few of the books that I think have both distinctive and gorgeous title fonts!

The Singular and Extraordinary Tale of Mirror and Goliath by Ishbelle Bee

The Assassin’s Apprentice/Royal Assassin/Assassin’s Quest by Robin Hobb

The First Fifteen Lives of Harry August by Claire North

Jackaby/Beastly Bones by William Ritter

Cinder/Scarlet/Cress/Winter by Marissa Meyer

What are your favorite book title fonts? Let me know in the comments!

-Ariana

2Sep2015

Top 5 Wednesday – September 2nd, 2015

Posted in Top 5 Wednesday by TheQuirkyBookNerd

Hello everyone, and welcome to my blog!

I’ll be putting up a full introduction to the blog and myself within the next few days. However, since today is Wednesday, I thought I would jump right into blogging with a Top 5 Wednesday post. This way, I can also kick things off by sharing a few of my favorite books with you guys. So here’s a little taste of what’s to come on this site!

This week’s topic is Top 5 Fictional Cities. I was finding it a bit hard to come up with locations that were specifically cities, so this is more of a list of my favorite fictional places.

The Capitol (from The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins)

So, this isn’t exactly a place where I’d like to spend a lot of time. But come on, it would be absolutely fascinating to visit The Capitol. The architecture would be beautiful, sleek, and futuristic (I’ve always been completely obsessed with architecture). And the fashion! It would be very interesting, and honestly pretty hilarious, to see the strange clothes and insane hair and makeup. Overall, it would definitely be quite a memorable experience…to say the least.

Luna (from The Lunar Chronicles by Marissa Meyer)

Again, not a place that I would particularly like to spend a lot of time. However, I’d like to go here for pretty much the same reason as The Capitol: the architecture. And let’s not forget about the location. Seeing those buildings against an interstellar backdrop—now that would be truly incredible. So, as long as you observe quietly from the shadows, preferably without being noticed by the Lunar, and keep as far away from Levana as possible, it would be a great place to visit. Also, I may or may not secretly dream of going to space. Possibly.

Dictionopolis (from The Phantom Tollbooth by Norton Juster)

This is the first location that Milo and his friend Tock (part dog, part alarm clock) journey to after Milo enters “The Lands Beyond”. Here, you can find an entire market where people buy and sell letters and words. Basically, it is paradise for a writer such as myself. When I read this book as a kid, this was always the city that I was most enthralled by.

Hogwarts or the Harry Potter world in general (from the Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling)

I definitely feel like this needs the least amount of explaining because, honestly, who wouldn’t want to go live in a giant, magical castle in the UK? Who wouldn’t want to spend time just about anywhere in the Harry Potter world for that matter? Personally, I’d spend all of my time down in Hogsmeade, or maybe in the library at the school. It would also be wonderful to get lost for hours exploring all the secrets the castle holds. I’m still waiting for my acceptance letter—do you think 21 is too old?

Narnia from The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis

Any fan of the series can relate to that feeling of knowing it’s not real, yet still hoping that, one day, you’ll go to grab something from the wardrobe and end up stumbling into this beautiful world. A world of animals that can talk, enchanting mythical creatures, and long expanses of lush forests divided by crystal clear waters. A world where exciting adventures are always just around the corner—a world you want to get lost in. What more can I say? Narnia is pure magic.

So there you have it—my top 5 favorite fictional locations. I hope you all enjoyed this first post; there will be plenty more to come! Let me know in the comments what your top favorite fictional cities/places are.

-Ariana

The Quirky Book Nerd

Tag Archives: Top Five Wednesday

Top 5 Wednesday – November 4th, 2015

5. The Queen’s Army by Marissa Meyer

4. The Map by William Ritter

3. Glitches by Marissa Meyer

2. Gilded Ashes by Rosamund Hodge

1. The Little Android by Marissa Meyer

Top 5 Wednesday – October 21st, 2015

5. Victoria Aveyard

4. Noelle Stevenson

3. Benjamin Alire Saenz

2. Marissa Meyer

1. Gillian Flynn