Summer 2016 Reading Challenge

One of my favorite times to read is during summer. It's the perfect way to relax and avoid the heat. So, I have compiled a list of topics to challenge myself to read about this summer. This heat has been brutal and it's only the second day of summer. Stay cool with me by reading fun, summer-inspired books! 

I've already picked out a few books that work with the topics I've listed below. Alice's Summer Road Trip by Cameron Glenn, 20 Best Summer Drink Recipes by Betty Crocker and A Fine Summer's Day (Inspector Ian Rutledge #17) by Charles Todd. 

Happy Reading! 

Breanna 

Eligible - A Modern Pride And Prejudice

What a refreshing and unique take on a Jane Austen classic! I instantly fell in love with Curtis Sittenfeld's ability to create a modern retelling of my favorite Austen story - Pride and Prejudice. 

Just the first few chapters alone instantly had me hooked and intrigued. Giving modern day meaning to an old way of life was so refreshing. Never in my wildest dreams did I ever picture Mr. Bingley a contestant of a reality dating show but Sittenfeld made it work perfectly. I loved that he found a new voice for the same witty, smart and beautiful characters I've read about over and over for most of my life. 

I am not one for change or remakes but the accuracy, new voice, and corporation of olden ways into a modern-age story left me so taken and blown away by the novel. I was pleasantly surprised by how quickly I fell in love with it and didn't want it to end. 

Sittenfeld did an amazing job of transitioning the old English wording to modern day while still managing to incorporate words like besmirching, hither and whence, to name a few. Our beloved Elizabeth, or Lizzy, still holds her quirky, stubborn wit and Mrs. Bennet still held the same hilarious temperament that we grew to love and hate in the original. It was so interesting to read the sisters dealing with modern day problems like job searches, feminism, reality television, sexual preferences, coffee shops and Crossfit etc. The romance and flirting carries over and you'll cheer for and scold them the same as you do in the original. Of course, the drama continues to the very end. This is an Austen influenced novel, afterall. 

I think this is a perfect way for those who don't like reading old English or about late 18th century ways of life to be introduced to Austen's brilliance and how she influenced and transcended literature and the writing profession. 

I'm excited that this is just the beginning of modern remakes of Austen's novels. The Austen Project is a collection of authors who, like Sittenfeld, rewrote a classic Austen novel to fit into today's standard of life. I haven't been this excited about a collection of books since Harry Potter. 

To learn more about the Austen Project you can look on their Facebook page or on Goodreads at this link: https://www.goodreads.com/series/113943-the-austen-project. 

Happy Reading! 

Breanna

All About Mothers and Daughters

In celebration of Mother's Day, I have compiled a list of books I feel perfectly depict the bond between a mother and her children. 

Some stories are sad, some intensely complicated and a few are inspiring and fun. Either way, I think we can all agree that there is nothing quite like a relationship between mom and daughter. We often claim we don't want to end up like our mothers but they can be the most inspiring, motivating and encouraging people in our lives. They teach us valuable life lessons that shape us into who we become as adults. I can proudly say as I've gotten older my mom is just as needed in my twenties as she was when I was 10. And, in my humble opinion, you never truly stop needing your mother. It's great to see that they can become not only a great encourager as an adult but a friend as well. The bond transforms over the years and while the story is different for everyone, a mother's love always remains an important part of our lives. I love stories about mothers who have changed into better people and moms, mothers who have righted wrongdoings and mothers who have always remained consistent and true. Every book I list below made me want to call my mom and say a big thank you to her for her sacrifice, hard work and willingness to do what had to be done to make my life a good one. These are great literary examples of the different types of mothers and their love, sacrifice and hard work. 

Little Women - Louisa May Alcott

The Joy Luck Club - Amy Tan 

When We Fall - Emily Liebert

The Nest - Cynthia D'Apriz Sweeney

Where'd You Go, Bernadette - Maria Semple

White Oleander - Janet Fitch 

Where We Belong Emily Giffin 

Each of these books are powerful, moving, emotional and sentimental. I didn't want to stop reading them. These are definitely books I'll go back to often. I cried, I laughed and I was inspired. These mothers have so much strength and courage. While I have no children of my own it is clear to see raising children is no easy feat. So a big thank you to all the hard working moms out there, who do all they can to raise strong children, who do it tirelessly and sometimes alone! You are all fearless and appreciated! 

Happy Reading (& Happy Mother's Day!), 

Breanna 

The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones/Shadowhunters

Despite what critics and other reviewers have said over the years, I love The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones by Cassandra Clare. Today it was announced that the spin off Freeform series, Shadowhunters, has been renewed for season 2. I was excited to share my love, respect and excitement for the series and characters. 

I have to say that out of the three: book, movie and tv show, the movie starring Lily Collins is my favorite. The book is amazing. And, the tv show has been equally impressive. But, the movie was my first chance to see the world come to life. The places and people I had imagined in my head mirrored what was shown in the movie and I loved that it was exactly as I had pictured Clary, the Shadowhunters and the Downworld to be. 

Cassandra Clare has created such a fun, enticing, and interesting world full of demons, vampires and other creatures alternating realms and fighting the battles of good verses evil. 

If you've read my previous posts, you know I have a love and fascination with vampires. So, of course, I was drawn to this series. I love that they have unique personalities and aren't just blood-thirsty half dead beings running around. A lot of people argued that the storyline is bland, forgettable or boring but I think the opposite. It's a fresh, new and modern take on mythological characters that have been in stories for centuries. It is geared for young adults and I think captures the voice of today's generation while incorporating the beloved aspects of fantasy and the supernatural. 

I'm grateful for the tv series because it is keeping this great novel/series alive and I feel more people are getting to see how amazing it is. Of course the novel, movie and tv show all portray things a little differently but the important aspects remain true. 

If you haven't taken the time to read and watch each of these, I highly encourage you to ignore the reviews and take a chance on this story. I'm so grateful I took the time to check it out, it is one of my favorite storylines of all time. I'm excited that a new installment was just released in the Shadowhunter Chronicles entitled The Dark Artifices: Lady Midnight and look forward to picking up a copy. By the way, how cool is Cassandra Clare's website? I love it. 

www.cassandraclare.com

Happy reading (& watching)! 

Breanna 

(Photos were taken off of the official websites, I did not create these.) 

Thank you Meg Cabot and Ann Brashares

For today's generation there is the Divergent, Mortal Instruments, and Hunger Games series just to name a few. But, for me, while I was growing up it was all about The Princess Diaries and Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants. 

I'll be forever grateful to the authors of these books for creating stories and characters that helped me, inspired me and made me feel like I wasn't alone. 

There are 10 amazing books to read written by Meg Cabot to follow Mia on her amazing journey. We read as she deals with the every day pressures of high school, crushes, long-lost relatives, friendships and then the ultimate discovery-- she's actually a princess. I love everything about Mia. Her quirkiness, sarcasm and the fact that while she tries to keep to herself she still marches to the beat of her own drum. I related to her in so many ways growing up. Reading these in high school helped me feel like I wasn't alone. I always imagined I was secretly a princess and lived vicariously through Mia in her adventures. I also appreciate the fact that there are so many books in the series. We get to watch her grow, evolve and take on the role of princess and queen. It's inspiring to read about a normal girl taking on an abnormal role and not only finding strength but discovering parts of herself she never knew of along the way. It shows the importance of taking risks and chances in life. I can read this series over and over. 

Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants by Ann Brashares is another adolescent favorite of mine. Nothing compares to a story about genuine long-lasting friendship and sisterhood between four girls. It is proof you don't need to have the same parents or be blood related to be sisters. I related to each girl: Lena, Tibby, Bridget and Carmen, in different ways. I loved reading about their adventures together. Their  camaraderie and belief in the magic of the pants during their summer adventures made me cherish my own friendships. I enjoyed watching them grow up and take on new challenges together and while apart. It wasn't just a story about pants. It's a series about how hard it is to discover yourself but how amazing it can feel when you do. Life is full of change and unexpected challenges. But, if you can face it holding the hand or hands of people you love and who love you in return then you are the wealthiest person there is. Friendship, sisterhood and love are worth working for, fighting for and preserving. Another series I'll always cherish for the comfort and guidance it gave while I was growing up. 

These are two prime examples of why I love books so much. Authors can create these characters that speak to your heart, open up your mind and encourage self-growth and realization. After awhile you forget you're reading at all and it feels as if you truly know these characters in real life. It feels amazing to know you aren't alone -- even if it is fictitious. I plan to share these stories with my children one day. If you haven't read these books or haven't for a long time I encourage you to! 

Happy Reading, 

Breanna 

A Shade Of Vampire - Bella Forrest

I feel no shame in admitting that I am a Twilight fan and have not only read and watched every book and movie but own my own copy of each. I have always been fascinated by stories of vampires. Dracula by Bram Stoker is one of my favorite novels of all time. The eerie yet alluring nature of these blood sucking half dead creatures have always fascinated me. Once the sizzle and eventual end of the Twilight saga occurred I found myself missing having a vampire to read about. Then I discovered A Shade of Vampire and the plethora of books in The Shade series. There are 24 books to be exact. The 24th installment entitled A Shade of Vampire 24: A Bridge of Stars is available March 15th. But, for now I just want to focus on the first book. 

Bella Forrest is a great writer and these books were a very unexpected find. I got bored one night and began looking through the Kindle Unlimited store and stumbled upon this series. I wanted to find something worthwhile for my next review. I almost kept going but I'm glad I decided to give the book a chance.  

The story follows a seemingly average 17-year-old girl named Sofia and a vampire named Derek who had been asleep 400 years. I'd rather not waste time telling you the synopsis of the book because you can easily read that yourself. Instead I'll tell you how easy of a read it is. The chapters fly by and before you know it you're almost finished with the book. The story is complex, the dialogue intriguing and the characters well rounded and alluring. I loved that the chapters alternated perspectives between Derek and Sofia. I enjoyed experiencing the story walking a mile in both of their shoes. The story incorporated everything you'd want or expect from a teen melodrama centered around vampires. The flirty banter, the dangerous and heroic moments, the blood and temptation and of course the love and romance. I enjoyed it a lot more than I expected but I love being pleasantly surprised by a book. I follow the saying "don't judge a book by it's cover," and it's usually worked in my favor. A sappy title or a poorly designed cover could be hiding a great and memorable story. I definitely think this series is worth checking out -- especially if you are like me and have a guilty pleasure for all things vampire. 

Happy reading! 

Breanna 

Emily Giffin

Occasionally you come across an author, who no matter what they write, you know you'll love what ever they publish. Currently, for me, that author is Emily Giffin. I first heard about her when the movie Something Borrowed starring Kate Hudson and Ginnifer Goodwin came out in 2011. I went out and got the book in anticipation for the movie and fell in love with Giffin's diction, storytelling, and overall vision of love and life. Her characters are so relatable. Whether you're single, married or in love with your best friend's guy-- she provides storylines that are addictive to read. That is why for this Valentine's Day weekend I want to recommend any and all books written by Giffin. 

I currently own and have read four of her books: Something Borrowed, Something Blue, Heart Of The Matter and Where We Belong. I thoroughly enjoyed all of them and would recommend them for anyone looking for something light to read. I laughed, I cried, I reflected and I related. Each of the books offered something different, a new experience, and a great one at that. They are not too long, each ranging about 350-400 pages. These books are perfect for traveling, bus rides, while on vacation, or at home with a tall glass of wine.

Her latest book published was The One & Only, which came out in 2014. I haven't read it yet myself but know others have wonderful things to say about it. Giffin also has a new book, First Comes Love, available for preorder and it releases June  28. I am looking forward to what's in store and will let you know my thoughts when it becomes available later this year! 

Happy reading! 

And, to all you love birds out there, Happy Valentine's Day! 

Breanna 

 

How to begin...

Its always tough knowing where to begin. Beginnings can be scary. There is a lot of uncertainty in the unfamiliar or unknown. I have known for awhile that when I got back into writing regularly again I wanted it to be something I am passionate about, something I wouldn't be tired of in a week. A few things came to mind but one thing stuck -- Books. I love reading.  I haven't written many book reviews during my many years of writing. I typically wrote news articles for my high school and college newspapers. But, I'm excited by the challenge of something new. I read in my spare time as much as I can. I am always trying to add to my collection. I own quite a few books and am anxious to share my thoughts on ones I love, ones I disliked and hopefully get recommendations for something new. I grew up in a household that considered reading a constant means of entertainment. My parents would always take my sister and I to libraries and bookstores. I consider books the gifts that keep giving. I spent last year rereading the Harry Potter series by JK Rowling. I fell in love with each book and character all over again. I found new things within the pages I missed in prior reading or may have forgotten with time. A book is like an old friend, you can go months without seeing each other but when you meet again you pick up right where you left off. Its an amazing feeling. 

So, with that said... lets visit some friends-- old and new. 

Happy Reading!

Breanna