Blogmas Day 5: Ultimate Book Tag

Happy BLOGMAS day 5!

I don’t know who created this, but I found it @ The Book Nut: A Book Lover’s Guide

I tag: Krystyna @ Turning the Pages

Emer @ A Little Haze Book Blog

No pressure to participate, and if you want to participate, then just do it!

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Do you get sick while reading in the car?

I don’t, but I never really try to read in the car. 

Which author’s writing style is unique to you and why?

This could be taken in a couple of different ways. I think A.S. King’s writing style is unique. 

Harry Potter Series or the Twilight Saga?

Harry Potter. Is that even a question?

Do you carry a book bag? (If so, what is in it?)

I don’t carry a book bag. My purse is big enough to hold 2-3 books.

Do you smell your books?

Not typically, no. 

Books with or without little illustrations?

I love books with illustrations.

What book did you love while reading but discovered later that it wasn’t quality writing? 

Unpopular opinion time; Red, White & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston. The story was okay, but the writing wasn’t anything special either. 

Do you have any funny stories involving books from your childhood?

I don’t really have any funny stories. I used to sit outside in my bathing suit during the summer, and my Grandma would read Clifford the Big Red Dog to me. I even have a picture.

What is the thinnest book on your shelf?

Sea Prayer by Khaled Hosseini.

What is the thickest book on your shelf?

It by Stephen King.

Do you write as well as read? Do you see yourself in the future as being an author?

I think it would be cool to be a writer, but no, to both of those questions.

When did you get into reading?

I became an avid reader just a couple of years ago. I’ve read books here and there throughout the years. 

What is your favorite classic book?

The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho but I also enjoyed Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck. 

In school, was your best subject Language Arts/English?

English was never my best subject. I always passed with at least a B, but extracurricular was always my best—art class, philosophy, choir, drama, etc. 

If you were given a book as a present that you’ve read and hated before…what would you do?

Let them know I appreciate it and maybe use it as a giveaway at some point in the future. 

What is a lesser known series that you know of that is similar to Harry Potter or The Hunger Games?

I don’t really pay attention to whether or not books are compared to Harry Potter or The Hunger Games. 

What is a bad habit (besides rambling) you always do while blogging?

I tend to start a bunch of blog posts and never…actually…post them. Oops. 

What is your favorite word? 

I saw this word the other day, and it’s my new favorite: lackadaisical. Like, what? Who decided to put those letters together? Also, the definition is me lol.

Are you a nerd, dork, or a dweeb? Or all of the above?

Dork, probably. 

Vampires or fairies? Why?

Vampires = sexy. That’s the only reason I have for either of these. 

Shapeshifters or Angels? Why?

Neither.

Zombies or Vampires? Why?

Vampires.

Love triangle or forbidden love?

Forbidden love, baby. I hate love triangles. 

And finally: Full on romance books or action-packed books with a few love scenes mixed in?

I have become a romance girl. If it’s not romance I enjoy thrillers/contemporaries/historical fiction. I don’t read a lot of action-packed novels.

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N.E.W.T.s Magical Readathon

I have never participated in OWLs or NEWTs, but I wanted to give it a whirl this year. NEWTs is going to take place August 1-31. The creator, Book Roast, created this incredible readathon, and there is no way I am not participating every year from here on out. It is inspired by Harry Potter, but you do not need to read the books/watch the movies to participate! This readathon will also give me a reason to read some of the ARCs I have on Netgalley.

Link to the NEWTs video! Link to the explanation of the readathon. She has all of the extra links in the description of her video to the career guidebook and the prompts. There is also a forbidden book that the participants can group read.

This is going to be a very, very rough draft of what I’ll be reading for each prompt. I will have multiple options for each one. Things can always change, but these are all book I really want to read!

Healer

Confidence – Problem Solving – Toughness

As a healer I have to receive an E in all of the required classes. That means I have to read two books for each one. There is Herbology, Charms, Defence Against the Dark Arts, Potions, and Transfiguration.

– Herbology –

A: Mandrake! Quick put your headphones on! Listen to an audiobook (if not – green cover.)

• Wildflower by Drew Barrymore – 288 pages (~7 hours)
• Waiting for Tom Hanks by Kerry Winfrey – (~8 hrs 33 mins)

E: Read a book between 350-390 pages

• Turn of the Key by Ruth Ware – 384 pages *Digital ARC from Netgalley / Gallery, Pocket Books*
• Trophy Life by Lea Geller – 364 pages
• One Night Gone by Tara Laskowski – 352 pages *Digital ARC from Netgalley / Harlequin – Graydon House Books*

– Charms –

A: Read a book you think has a gorgeous cover

• The Flatshare by Beth O’Leary – 400 pages
• The Water Dancer by Ta-Nehisi Coates – 256 pages *Digital ARC from Netgalley / Random House*
• Ellie and the Harpmaker by Hazel Prior – 336 pages *DIgital ARC from Netgalley / Berkley

E: Read a coming/graphic novel/manga (or book under 150 pages)

• Paper Girls Vol. 2 by Brian K. Vaughan – 128 pages
• The Tea Dragon Society by Katie O’Neill – 72 pages

– Defense Against the Dark Arts – 

A: A book that is black under the dust jacket

• No Exit by Taylor Adams – 336 pages
• The Little Friend by Donna Tartt – 576

E: Gilderoy’s memory charm – Grab a pen! First book you just remembered from your TBR

• The Night Tiger by Yangsze Choo – 384 pages

– Potions –

A: Pollyjuice Potion: Read your friend’s favorite book! 

• Assassin’s Apprentice by Robin Hobb – 435 pages

E: House ingredient: Book with a cover in your Hogwarts house color

• Recursion by Blake Crouch – 336 pages
• Meet Cute by Helena Hunting – 384 pages
• I Was Here by Rachel Kadish – 116 pages

– Transfiguration –

A: Read a book with LGBTQA+ Rep

• A Lesson in Thorns by Sierra Simone – 343 pages
• The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet by Becky Chambers – 423 pages

E: Read a book that’s not first in a series

• Finale by Stephanie Garber – 478 pages
• Paper Girls Vol. 3 by Brian K. Vaughan – 128 pages

I have read 10 books in a month before, and there is absolutely no reason I can’t do it again. I do have a few back-up careers planned,  but I am going to work really hard to get this one. If you want to stay updated with what I am reading, then follow me on all of my social media which will be linked below!

– Let me know if you are participating and what career you are shooting for. –

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If you enjoyed this, then give it a like and follow my blog. Be respectful and happy reading! 

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**SPOILERS** Book Review: Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone by J.K. Rowling

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone

J.K. Rowling

ISBN: 9780545582889 (15th year Anniversary Ed.)

Published: August 27, 2013 (Original: June 26, 1997)

Rating: 5/5

Goodreads Synopsis:

Harry Potter has never played a sport while flying on a broomstick. He’s never worn a Cloak of Invisibility, befriended a giant, or helped hatch a dragon. All Harry knows is a miserable life with the Dursleys, his horrible aunt and uncle, and their abominable son, Dudley. Harry’s room is a tiny cupboard under the stairs, and he hasn’t had a birthday party in ten years.

But all that is about to change when a mysterious letter arrives by owl messenger: a letter with an invitation to a wonderful place he never dreamed existed. There he finds not only friends, aerial sports, and magic around every corner, but a great destiny that’s been waiting for him… if Harry can survive the encounter.

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“You know, the Stone was really not such a wonderful thing. As much money and life as you could want! The two things human beings would choose above all – the trouble is, humans do have a knack of choosing precisely those things that are worst for them.”

I’d like to first apologize for saying that I never wanted to read Harry Potter because it is probably over hyped. I am a fan of this series but I will not drag people down for not enjoying it. I never really have been that type of person. We like what we like, and I completely understand that.

Favorite characters: 

Albus Dumbledore

Hermione Granger

Rubeus Hagrid

Ron Weasley

Pros: 

The balance between the characters and the world is incredible. There were never long boring descriptions of the setting and the conversations and characters always kept me turning the pages. I give J.K. Rowling a round of applause for that because I can see how it would be difficult when writing a fantasy novel.

All of the characters had their own personality.

The plot twist at the end actually surprised me. Throughout the novel I had no idea! It never occurred to me that Hagrid getting a dragon egg was bad, that Snape was a jerk for a very important reason, Professor Quirrell was also… well You-Know-Who. Shh! I won’t tell anyone if you won’t. I really wasn’t expecting an ending like that. Instantly I knew that I would continue with the series. There was and still is no doubt in my mind that I will pick up the second book after writing this review!

The friendships in this book are really nice to read about. They all have a sense of humor and boldness to them that I really enjoy. Ron, Hermione and Harry all have a particular skill set that just blends well together. They can get out of any situation as long as they have each other. In other books you often find that friends will sometimes clash when certain situations arise.

I was surprised at how many emotions I felt while reading this. It made me sad when Harry looked into the Mirror of Erised and saw his family. I just wanted to give him a big hug. I also wanted to give Hagrid a hug when he apologized to Harry at the end. He’s such a sweetheart and his intentions are always good. One other weird part that made me sad was just knowing that Nicolas Flamel would die because the Stone was destroyed. I am an emotional person, and things like that just make me sad. Don’t judge me.

I was always angry with Draco Malfoy and his posse Crabbe and Goyle. They were all brats. I hated Snape for how he treated everyone, but now I’m not sure how I feel about him.

I laughed out loud quite a bit throughout the story. I didn’t end up tabbing this book as much as I wanted but when I reread it in the future I will definitely find all of those great moments again.

Cons:

The only bad thing I have to say about this novel is that it takes a bit to get started. This is the first book, and even then it kept me turning those pages.

Pottermore Quiz:

I am a Hufflepuff, and I am not mad about it. I love that the ghost of this house is named Fat Friar. It makes it all worth it. I felt like everyone in the novel was a Gryffindor or Slytherin so I was happy to be a Hufflepuff! *sings black and yellow song by  Wiz Khalifa*

Those were all my thoughts after reading Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone. I’m excited to continue my journey! If you read the first book let me know what you thought of it? I’m sure many of you have. No spoilers for any other books though!

If you enjoyed reading this then give it a like and follow me for future Harry Potter reviews! Be respectful and happy reading.

WWW Wednesday 2/14/18 <3

February has not been a good month for reading or blogging I guess. I’m sorry I haven’t posted in a while. I promise I am still reading! I opened up my laptop today for the first time since my last blog post and decided I will write a WWW Wednesday. The rules for this are down below.

Taking on a World of Words– Definitely go check out the blog that hosts this meme!

Three W’s:

• What are you currently reading?
• What did you recently finish reading?
• What do you think you’ll read next?

Currently Reading: 

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone by J.K. Rowling: 131 pages – I took the Pottermore quiz and I have been sorted into the Hufflepuff house which I am not mad about.

Fellowship of the Ring by J.R.R. Tolkien: 128 pages

Recently Finished: 

Thunderhead by Neal Shusterman: There is no review up for this because I didn’t feel like I needed to write one for this book. I gave it a 3/5 star rating. It wasn’t the greatest but I do still love Shusterman’s writing.

Picking Up: 

The Chamber of Secrets by J.K. Rowling

Scarlet by Marissa Meyer

 

That’s all for this Wednesday. What are you currently reading this Valentine’s Day?

If you enjoyed reading this give it a like and follow me for future blog posts. Be respectful and happy reading!