C.C.Ballard

A book that disappointed you:

This book had a lot going for it when I read the synopsis. Libraries, magic, old books, romance, history! I couldn’t wait to get started. But from the very beginning it seemed to drag. I found myself reading only a page or two here and there when usually I devour entire novels in a single sitting. Still, I stuck with it hoping something would catch my attention. Nothing ever did, really. Even the characters were a little bit of a dud to me. So overall, very disappointing. :(

30 day book challenge Day 17

Favorite quote:

“People who’ve never read fairy tales [the professor said] have a harder time coping in life than the people who have. They don’t have access to all the lessons that can be learned from the journeys through the dark woods and the kindness of strangers treated decently, the knowledge that can be gained from the company and example of Donkeyskins and cats wearing boots and steadfast tin soldiers. I’m not talking about in-your-face lessons, but more subtle ones. The kind that seep up from your subconscious and give you moral and humane structures for your life. That teach you how to prevail, and trust. And maybe even to love.”

- Charles de Lint, The Onion Girl

30 Day Book Challenge Day 16

Favorite female character.

Oh, I have so many. Anne Shirley would be one, but I’ve talked about her so much already. I really like Thursday Next, she’s a cool character, and Becky Sharp. Scarlett O’hara is also someone who is fabulously well written. But overall I think I’m going to go with Marmee, from Little Women.

I think Marmee is one of the most underrated characters in literature. She is strong and independent, raising four girls basically by herself during a time when society didn’t even recognize women as equals and there was a war on too. Not only did she manage to hold her family together but she did it exceptionally well, having each of her girls grow into strong and capable women. She also told them exactly how the world would treat them, as women, but that they should go after their dreams anyway. I love me some Marmee.

30 Day Book challenge Day 15

Your favorite male character.

Another difficult one. Hmm. So many amazing characters come to mind. Poor Bilbo, being dragged off on an adventure he doesn’t want. Snape, tortured, lonely, and brave. Rhett Butler… fascinating, handsome, rich. Guy Montag, confused and hopeful. Honestly, how does one pick a favorite when there are so many to choose from?

I thought about it and it came down to two characters that have always stuck with me. The first is Gilbert Blythe, Anne’s childhood nemesis in the Green Gable days. I always thought their relationship was beautiful, starting with Gilbert’s early fascination with Anne’s carrot hair and Anne’s inability to see how much Gilbert really cared about her until it was nearly too late. He never gave up on her, though did he? He was just as stubborn as Anne, in his own way.

The other man is Mr. Knightley from Emma. Mr. Darcy may be dashing and proud, but he’s like a night in Paris. Beautiful and perfect and an adventure never to be forgotten, but Mr. Knightley is a cozy spot by the fireplace and all the comforts of home. He’s the best friend always there to keep Emma from making mistakes but ready to forgive her when she does. He knows her better than she knows herself and helps make her a better person. I always go into swoon mode when Mr. Knightley shows up. :)

So those are my picks, even though I fall in love with fictional characters on a daily basis. Gilbert and George. Well written characters who made me want to keep reading and dream about someday finding a real life man just like them. And I did. :)

30 Day Book Challenge Day 14

~~Favorite book by your favorite writer.~~

Since I didn’t really answer the favorite writer question, I don’t think I’ll answer this one either. If I keep going with that, it’ll just end up being a list of all the books I love. It’s just too difficult to come up with a favorite writer, let alone a favorite book. So instead I’m going to recommend a really good read.

Read this. You won’t be disappointed, especially if you love mystery and fantasy and adventure and romance. :)

30 Day book Challenge Day 13

Your favorite writer.

This one makes me laugh because really? Just one? That’s not going to happen.

Favorite classic writer: Alexandre Dumas or Jane Austen

Favorite contemporary writer: Neil Gaiman

Favorite romance writer: Nora Roberts (specifically her later work) or Jude Deveraux (specifically her earlier work)

Favorite fantasy writer: Robert Jordan

Favorite science fiction writer: Orson Scott Card

Favorite adventure writer: Clive Cussler

Favorite young adult writer: Nancy Werlin

Favorite mystery/suspense writer: Sidney Sheldon

Favorite comic writer: Fannie Flagg

This is not a complete list by any means and it changes all the time, but this is how it is at the moment. This book challenge is getting more difficult. :)

30 Day Book Challenge Day 12

A book you used to love but don’t anymore.

I used to read this series all the time when I was in middle school. They were my gateway books to pioneer and western novels. I don’t hate these books now, but when I look back over them and read passages I see that the writing is a little juvenile, even though these are written for adults. The stories are sweet and the characters likeable. The problem with these books (and most Christian based fiction) is that the characters are all very moral and perfect. There are times when they break out of these molds but they always feel so guilty and go right back to being perfect. I understand that’s the point; these were written to be good examples of what a Christian will face in life. I guess I’ve just moved on from needing a nice clean example of life to wanting something more… real, if that makes sense. I keep these books on hand because I remember how very much I loved them growing up but it’s more for nostalgia than content.

30 Day Book Challenge Day 11

A book you hated.

Oh man, I really didn’t want to do this one. I don’t like picking on books. It feels like a personal attack against the person who wrote it. All books are loved by someone and people are pretty passionate about one of the books I’m going to list here. That’s why I put it off for a couple of days. I read a lot of books, guys. I’m not picky at all. I read romance novels, classics, young adult, horror, mysteries. I like them all. If the story is good and the writing is clear (if not always well articulated) then I’ll say I liked it. If I say I loved a book, you better believe that I did. I use neither love nor hate offhandedly. Usually I say “I liked this book.” Or “I didn’t like that one so much.” When it comes to the word hate… only two books come to mind. One is a well loved classic. The other was on the Oprah book club list and when I finished I thought it was a pretty big pile of garbage. Granted, I read both of these books when I was young so I might see them in a different light now. I probably won’t try though. Anyway, I’m not posting a picture of either one. I’ll just tell you. Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger and She’s Come Undone by Wally Lamb. There. Now you know. Unpleasant task is done and I’m moving on.

30 Day Book Challenge Day 10

Favorite Classic Book.

I really don’t think I need to explain this one. It’s so freaking good.

30 Day book challenge day 8

A book you thought you wouldn’t like but ended up loving:

At the time this book came out everyone was excited because our hometown boy had made big. All I could hear about on the news was this book. I don’t know whether that influenced my feeling that I wouldn’t like it or not, but I do know I was a little tired of all the press. (Kind of like when Lauren Alaina was on American Idol. We are a small community. We are easily amused.) Anyway, everyone was reading this book and I hesitantly picked it up. I was so pleasantly surprised at how much I loved it! Definitely worth all the attention it got.