Calling All Characters!

March 13, 2013 by Alyssa

Hello readers!

Based on a random text convo between myself and friends, I realized that I really do have adoration for a particular character in literature. Meaning, if he is featured in a novel, I will most likely read it and enjoy it simply because of his existence. That got me thinking…I wonder if there are other bloggers like myself who have a go to character they always enjoy reading about?

So I put the call out on Twitter for a fun blog collaboration for anyone who wanted to participate in this mini project and was happy to find some awesome bloggers who were interested! For those of you who missed my tweet, this post will serve as a call for participation! Here is what I am looking to do…

Next Wednesday, March 20, I am going to feature a “character analysis” of a character from popular (but dated) literature. The post is going to be simple: It will consist of an analysis of the character (background, characteristics, etc.), why I adore this particular character, and where readers can find him in more recent literature.

To get involved all you have to do is write your own post on one of your favorite characters in literature and explain why they were chosen, and where we can find him/her/it in other works. I have had a few questions on how to choose a character and what stipulations there are and the answer is easy, there are none! This can be a fairytale character, someone from classic literature, a mythological god/goddess/being, etc! The possibilities on characters are endless and you can do what you want with the post, it is meant to be simple, informative and most importantly, FUN.

If you feel like joining in (and I really hope that you do) just comment on this post letting me know so I can make sure to link over to your blog, it is up to you if you want to tell us who you are analyzing or to keep it a surprise!

I kind of hate surprises so my character analysis is going to be on Robin Goodfellow aka Puck (most commonly known from Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream)

I hope you will join me!

Blogger Love-a-Thon Mini Challenge (3)

February 23, 2013 by Alyssa

Welcome to Blogger Love-a-Thon! This is a 24 hour event that helps us bloggers take some time to show love to one another! If you are so inclined, head on over to the Announcement Post! This event is hosted by Alexa from Alexa Loves Books and Katelyn from Kate’s Tales of Books & Bands! This Mini Challenge is to create a bookish playlist!

Years ago, I was working at Barnes and Noble and was “lucky” enough to work the midnight party for the launch of Breaking Dawn by Stephenie Meyer. Though I was disgruntled and annoyed at all of the tweens, I was in my glory because I adored the music that we had going on that night. Come to find out, our music manager had found playlists for the books on Stephenie Meyer’s website! I know many of you will be like “um ew…” over 1. Twilight (and I might agree) and 2. some of these songs are a little cheesefest (okay, emo), and there is a lot of Muse (who I just so happen to love). Nonetheless I made you a playlist for The Twilight series with with my own insight and some help from Stephenie Meyer! (Admittedly this playlist could really go for any angsty YA romance novel…ahh love)

I might have had this on repeat for the past few days…

Blogger Love-a-Thon Mini Challenge (2)

February 23, 2013 by Alyssa

Friends, I have to be honest, I recently moved back home and therefore all of my books are packed in boxes and stored in our barn. Since they would take hours to dig out I decided to go through my Goodreads lists and write a little poem based on books from my TBR pile. I hope this isn’t going against the rules and, more importantly, I hope you all enjoy it. Here we go! (Links will take you to Goodreads)

Kleopatra,

Raised by Wolves.

Crave,

Tender Morsels.

Possess,

Monstrous Beauty.

Echo.

Blood Will Tell

The Space Between

Falling Kingdoms.

Fateful,

Queen of Kings.

I had a ridiculous amount of fun “writing” this, my English major brain was in overdrive!! I especially liked the metaphor of Cleopatra being raised by “wolves” and her fateful lifetime, like I said, I am a sucker for these kinds of things! I can’t wait to read everyone’s posts and continue on with our love-a-thon!

Blogger Love-a-Thon Interview Swap

February 23, 2013 by Alyssa

To welcome everyone to the event, bloggers all over have been paired up and have swapped interviews to go live at midnight. I was lucky enough to swap interviews with Lettie from Above Average Below Special! Read our interview, my comments at the end, and come back later in the day to read some really fun posts, including some bookish poetry!

So here we go…

I saw that your blog didn’t start out as a blog dedicated solely to books, what prompted you to start blogging? Why did you decide to change and focus on book reviews?

 I don’t really know why I started blogging I think reading so many blogs encouraged me to start my own! Once I started my mixed blog I found so many book blogs and started doing reviews or memes which was the best part. When I ‘relaunched’ my blog I decided to focus on books because I had the most interaction and fun with my book blogging!

Do you have a literary boyfriend? (Mine changes weekly.)

 I don’t usually do book boyfriends but I think I would love Roar from Under The Never Sky because he is so witty and caring, Adam from If I Stay for his loyalty and talent and Lucas from Easy for his everything!

If you could have dinner with any three people (real or fictitious, dead or alive), which three people would you choose and why?

 I’m going for fictitious otherwise it’s too much choice!  1. Chinky for the Adventures of the Wishing Chair by Enid Blyton, I spent so many years imagining him flying into my room for adventure that he had to make this list!  2. Sirius Black because he must have some brilliant stories to share around the dining table!  3. Last but not least Aria from Under The Never Sky because I really want her to explain her world and tell me all about Perry!

What is the craziest thing you’ve ever done?

 I lived with 6 easily bored boys and 5 wildly fun girls at Uni so life was pretty exciting 24/7! From all night all inclusive parties to going out all out fancy dress style every week to throwing printers out of a 4 storey house to ‘see what would happen’ to walking out of a nightclub as the employees were setting the alarm….. Life with them was full of crazy- my life is so quiet now!

If you could witness any event past, present or future, what would it be? 

I would have been at the Palace of Versailles for the 1919 Paris Peace Conference, Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee and the Crystal Palace Exhibition. I would have loved to witness every event for ‘Super’ Saturday London 2012. While I’m on a roll I would also love to witness the Roanoke Colony to see what happened to them and to have been in Kenya when Princess Elizabeth became Queen Elizabeth II!I tried to limit myself a bit!

I have yet to read His Dark Materials by Philip Pullman, but it is on my definite TBR for this year! What is your “spirit animal,” or if you could be best friends with a mythological creature, what would it be?

 I’ve tried to read Northern Lights so many times- I’m sure I should love it! I think I would have a lion or a tiger for my spirit animal! Mythological creature would have to be a Sphinx or a Griffin just because they were my childhood favourites!

If you could be any fictional character, who would it be?

 As I’ve just finished Through The Ever Night I have to say Aria, I love the world building and I want to be best friends with Roar!  Other characters I would also love to be would be Hermione Granger, Alanna of Trebond and Lucy Pevensie!

Up until this year I have had a hard time naming a favorite author and I’m still not sure that I can say with conviction that I have one favorite book. Can you name a favorite author and title?

Why are they your favorites? I couldn’t even name one favourite author! At the moment I would have to say my favourites are Veronica Rossi for her amazing world building and Gayle Forman for her beautiful and deep relationships! But it changes every time I read an awesome book!

What is one of your favorite quotes? Is it literary? Why is it your favorite?

Oscar Wilde is the author of loads of my favourite quotes but this one is one of the best! “You can never be overdressed or overeducated.”~ Oscar Wilde. I love this one because it is so true and I am also the overdressed person at gatherings but I’d rather be over dressed than under dressed!

This one was stolen from a friends blog, I saw it and couldn’t resist: “You find yourself in front of seven identical doors, these seven doors lead to seven places: Narnia, Neverland, Wonderland, Hogwarts, Camelot, Middle Earth and Westeros. Which door do you go through? Why that door? What happens?” 

Hogwarts because once I finished school I would be part of the Wizarding world and I could fulfil my childhood dream of becoming a Weasley!

Excellent answers! I recently bought Under the Never Sky and have heard amazing things so I can’t wait to read it! Also after reading your answers it seems like the characters were pretty awesome! Sirius Black would definitely be on my list because I LOVE HIM SO MUCH! He might be one of my literary boyfriends as well! Your time at Uni sounds like it was epic, I bet there was never a dull moment, I can imagine a lot of naps happening during that time! To be honest, as I was thinking of my own answers I still don’t think that I can come up with an event that I would love to witness! How strange! I would definitely go with a feline spirit animal though dragons would be my mythological creature bff, for sure – a Sphinx is also amazing! I have yet to read Gayle Forman but I have heard amazing things, I need to read her books for sure! Finally, who doesn’t have a dream of becoming a Weasley!

Thanks for stopping by, Lettie. I looked forward to learning more about you! Readers, make sure you check back throughout the day, there is sure to be some fun posts!

Happy reading!

Book Hoarders Anonymous (3) December Edition!

December 22, 2012 by Alyssa

I don’t usually do a post about my bookish goodies as, to be honest, I don’t get many! However December has been VERY kind to me and I have a hoard!

First, the beau surprised (and spoiled me) with an early bday present of Krampus by Brom! I had hoped to read and review it by Christmas but I just don’t see that happening! So far it is just as awesome as Brom’s other works and I have already ordered some of his amazing artwork. (Not pictured: The Birthday Fairy also sent me a copy of Bill Willingham’s Fairest: Wide Awake!)

Second, I participated in The Broke and The Bookish Secret Santa this year and it was SO FUN! I was lucky enough to have been picked by my dear friend Amy from Tripping Over Books and she spoiled me to the max!

How awesome is she?! Not only did she get me The Lion of Ireland, Goose Girl, and The Lost Conspiracy but she also got me an AMAZING Slytherin Quidditch shirt (Um, yes, I AM a Slytherin AND PROUD), some DELICIOUS peppermint hot chocolate (already tasted it,) a yummy chocolate treat and WARM, FUZZY SOCKS!! I swear I have the best friends. ❤

Third, Brittany from The Book Addict’s Guide sent me a signed copy of The Evolution of Mara Dyer! AH!

Also, we took our last trip of the year to The Book Barn and I picked up a lot of goodies!

My awesome finds:

Nocturnes and The Book of Lost Things by John Connolly

A Drowned Maiden’s Hair (Found after searching for a copy for Heidi!)

Dragon’s Blood, A Sending of Dragons and Sword of the Rightful King by Jane Yolen (Can you believe I still haven’t read anything by Jane Yolen?)

Woo hoo! I’m back! How was everyone’s holiday? Mine was beautiful AND I got some lovely new books from the loved ones:

Sandman: Volume 1 by Neil Gaiman – SO EXCITED to read this one!!

Fairy Tales From the Brother’s Grimm by Philip Pullman

Werewolves of the Heartland by Bill Willingham – Actually already read this one right after I opened it up and I LOVED it!!

The Brides of Rollrock Island by Margo Lanagan – Finally going to pick this baby up!

The Lost Novels of Bram Stoker (Not pictured) – How amazing is it that there are LOST NOVELS by BRAM STOKER!!??

I also got quite a bit of Barnes and Noble spending money so help me spend it, friends! Suggestions are welcome!!!

Book Art

September 14, 2011 by Alyssa

While casually (obsessively) reading through every “best blog” list I could find on the Internet yesterday I found this awesome article about mysterious paper sculptures being found at multiple libraries! I want to make one! Or even better, find one placed on my library shelves next to The Complete Works of William Shakespeare!