Seven on Saturday

Seven on Sunday is where I will put a list of seven bookish things (e.g. My seven favourite book couples), with a new topic each week.

 The topic I choose this week was the seven books that I would want with me if I ever got stranded on a deserted island. I did cheat a little and count series as one book.
So the seven books I would want with me are:

1. Harry Potter by J.K. Rowling series - I tend to reread this series at least once a year, so this would definitely be a must have for me. Plus it would take me a little while to get through it.
2. Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis - As with the Harry Potter series, Chronicles of Narnia is a reread. I have reread this series a couple of times and each time it captures my imagination. 
3. Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien  - This is again here for the same reasons as above. I love this story and I always manage to pick up something new each time I read it. Again it is a fairly large read and will take me a little while to get through.
4. Obernewtyn Chronicles by Isobelle Carmody - See the past three reasons.
5. Les Miserables by Victor Hugo - I haven't read this yet but I really want to and it is a massive book that would keep me occupied for a while.
6. Vampire Academy series by Richelle Mead - This is a series that I have started but that I haven't finished yet, but I really want to. I really enjoyed the first two books and it would be good to finish the series.
7. The Lumatere Chronicles by Melina Marchetta - This is for the same reason as the Vampire Academy series. I loved the first book and I really want to read Quintana of Charyn to know how everything is resolved!

What books would you want with you?

Mel.

Up next: Wrap-up/Preview

Seven on Saturday: Book Worlds that I want to live in!

This weeks topic on Seven on Saturday was the top seven book worlds that I wanted to live, so in no particular order, they are:

1. Hogwarts (Harry Potter series)

Ever since I first read Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, I really wanted to go to Hogwarts and be sorted into a house. I wanted to learn magic and play quidditch.

2. Narnia (Chronicles of Narnia)

I would love to live in Narnia, especially the Narnia when the Pevensies ruled after The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. I would love to talk to animals and be friends with Mr. Tumnus and see the stone table.

3. Camp Half Blood (Percy Jackson and the Olympians series)

I would love to live at Camp-Half Blood. I would love to have a cabin to live in and cabin mates that were my brothers and sisters. I would love to play capture the flag and sit by the bonfire.

4. Alagaesia (Inheritance Cycle)

Probably the main reason why I would want to live in Alagaesia would be for the dragons. I would love to be a dragon rider and be connected to a dragon. I would also love to see the dwarves in Farthen Dur and the elves in Ellesmera.

5. Araluen (Ranger's Apprentice series)

The thing I loved the most about Araluen was the medieval feel. I would love to live at Castle Redmont or visit Malcolm in Grimsdell forest.

6. Keltor (Legendsong series)

Despite all the political turmoil happening in Keltor, I really feel like it would be such a magical and vibrant place to live.

7. Lumatere (The Lumatere Chronicles)

I would love to live in the Lumatere that is ruled by Isaboe and Finnikin. I think that it sounds like a beautiful place to live, even if it wouldn't be the easiest life. I would also love to have Isaboe as my Queen!

What book worlds would you like to live in?

Mel.

Bout of Books Update

Current read: Froi of the Exiles by Melina Marchetta

Pages read of current read: 186

Total pages read: 667

Books read: 2

Goal: 4

Up next: Wrap-up/Preview

Seven on Saturday - Favourite Male Characters

Seven on Sunday is where I will put a list of seven bookish things (e.g. My seven favourite book couples), with a new topic each week.

 For the topic this week I picked my seven favourite male characters. Let's face it, basically this is my top book boyfriends.
Here are my seven:

1. Finnick Odair (The Hunger Games)

I have a confession to make. When we first met Finnick in Catching Fire I didn't really like him all that much, but as we got to know him and his story better, I couldn't help but love him.

2. Rushton Seraphim (Obernewtyn Chronicles)

Rushton is such a strong and determined character. I also love how he treats Elspeth.

3. Gilan (Ranger's Apprentice)

I like quite a few of the male characters in this book but Gilan made it onto this list because of his loyalty, humour and his ability to fight with both sword and bow.

4. Chaol Westfall (Throne of Glass)

I loved how honourable Chaol was. I also loved his loyalty do Dorian and how he was willing to open up more with Celaena.

5. Percy Jackson (Percy Jackson and the Olympians)

Percy is just so witty and really cool. He is so brave and even though this can be to the point of stupidity I still love him.

6. Sirius Black (Harry Potter)

What can I say about Sirius? I love how he treats Harry and how he is a rock to Harry. I love how bad-ass he can be and how loyal he is to his friends.

7. Legolas (Lord of the Rings)

I think Legolas was my first book boyfriend before I even knew what the term meant. I love his loyalty to Aragorn and, let's face it, I love how he can use a bow.

I have to say that this was really hard to do because I had trouble keeping it down to just seven. If there is anyone who you would add or if you agree with any of mine let me know in the comments!

Mel.

Up next: Wrap-up/Preview

Seven on Saturday - Favourite Female Characters

So I was not good at reviewing this week. I didn't get my City of Fallen Angels review up yesterday because  my internet was being painfully slow that it verged on completely not working. I will get that review up next week but for now, onto Seven on Saturday.  

Seven on Sunday is where I will put a list of seven bookish things (e.g. My seven favourite book couples), with a new topic each week.

 This week the topic I chose to do is my favourite female characters, so here they are (in no particular order):

1. Hermione Granger (Harry Potter Series)

2. Luna Lovegood (Harry Potter Series

3. Elspeth Gordie (Obernewtyn Chronicles)

4. Glynn (The Legendsong trilogy)

5. Angela (Inheritance Cycle)

6. Celaena Sardothien (Throne of Glass)

7. Isabelle Lightwood (The Mortal Instruments)

Sorry that this post isn't very long today, but I am not entirely trusting of my internet at the moment. I get back to better internet tomorrow! 

Mel.

Up next: Wrap-up/Preview

Seven on Saturday - Books that I recommend

Seven on Sunday is where I will put a list of seven bookish things (e.g. My seven favourite book couples), with a new topic each week.

This week the topic I chose was books that I recommend. I tried to go for books that I thought were lesser known that I absolutely love. 

1. Obernewtyn Chronicles by Isobelle Carmody

I have already spoken plenty of times about this series before on the blog, but I felt like it really needs to be on this list. I found these books to be original and the characters were easy to connect to. I would recommend this book to anybody who likes dystopian and fantasy, as well as people who like mental abilities.

2. The Legendsong series by Isobelle Carmody

This is another series that I have mentioned on the blog before, but as it is possibly my favourite series, it has to be on this list. This is one of the lesser known of Carmody's series but the originality and complexity of this series is great. It such a beautiful series with some great characters. This is a series for people who love fantasy.

3. Rondo series by Emily Rodda

Deltora Quest is probably the more well known of Rodda's work. I really loved this series. Again, it was original. It really drew me in, and I felt that it was a little more mature than Deltora Quest. This series is again for people who love fantasy.

4. Ranger's Apprentice series by John Flanagan 

This is another favourite serires of mine. It is a great medieval style story of knights, battles and, obviously, rangers. It is a great book for encouraging boys to read. I gave the first one to my 12 year old nephew and he loves it!

5. So Much To Tell You series by John Marsden

This is such an emotional story. I read both books back in high school (so about 5-7 years ago). I remember that I cried heaps, but I really loved it. I recommend it to most people.

6. The Pendragon Cycle by Stephen R. Lawhead

I read this series when I was going through my obsession with Arthurian Legend. I really liked the complexity of the story while still being fairly easy to read. 

7. Looking for Alibrandi by Melina Marchetta

This is another book that I read in high school. I could relate to it so well at that age and I recommend it to most teenagers. 

Mel.

Up next: Wrap-up/Preview

Seven on Saturday - Series that I have yet to finish

Seven on Sunday is where I will put a list of seven bookish things (e.g. My seven favourite book couples), with a new topic each week.

This weeks topic is Series that I have yet to finished, either because I didn't like them, I got sidetracked or for some other reason. I am slightly ashamed at how long this list is, so here are seven of the series I haven't finished. (The pictures are of the books that I have read of each series and clicking them will take you to their Goodreads page.)

1. The Mortal Instruments by Cassandra Clare

I started reading The Mortal Instruments this year and quickly got through City of Bones, City of Ashes and City of Glass. I then took a little break from the series before trying to read City of Fallen Angels. From the beginning of the book Clary was annoying me but as Simon was also narrating parts of it I was managing to get through it okay. Then Simon started annoying me and to prevent myself from throwing my friends book away out of frustration, I stopped reading it. I am planning on trying it again, maybe in audiobook form, because I do want to know what happens.

2. Obernewtyn Chronicles by Isobelle Carmody

This is one of my favourite series yet the reason I haven't finished the series isn't because I am waiting for the last book to come out. The reason why I haven't finished the series is because I didn't finish book number six, The Sending. This is because it had been a little while since I had read the first five books so I was spending my time trying to remember what happened to connect the dots. I will finish The Sending, but I will probably wait for the last book to come out and then reread them all before I do. 

3. Fallen Series by Lauren Kate

I didn't even finish the first book in this series. For me it dragged on a bit and I didn't really get into it. With this series I also plan on at least trying the first book again, because my friends loved it.

4. Hush, Hush series by Becca Fitzpatrick

I really liked the first book of this series, but the second book didn't really excite me much so I didn't read the third and paid no attention to when it was coming out. Then for Christmas I got either the third or the fourth book so now I plan on finishing the series because, although it does seem like it, I prefer to finish every series I start.

5. Gemma Doyle Series by Libba Bray

I had two attempts at trying to read A Great and Terrible Beauty, and both times I haven't finished it. It isn't that I don't like it, I just have some trouble getting fully immersed into the story and so I get easily distracted by other books. I do plan on at least finishing A Great and Terrible Beauty at some stage.

6. Maximum Ride series by James Patterson

Wow, I just looked this series up on Goodreads and I didn't realise how many books have been released! I have read the first two books and I really liked them. The only reason I haven't read the others is because I have yet to get my hands on a copy of them. 

7. Evernight series by Claudia Gray

I finished the first three of this series, and I own the fourth, so I do plan on finishing them. The reason I stopped reading was because I was waiting for the fourth book to come out but I haven't got around to reading it yet. I also plan to read the spin-off book, Balthazar, as well.

This is just a slight taste of the many series that I have yet to finish. I do plan on finishing all the series that I have on going at some point, because I am the sort of person who needs to know how everything ended, even if I liked the book or not.

Do you have many series you have yet to finish?

Mel.

Next up: Wrap-up/Preview

Seven on Saturday - Books on top of my TBR pile

So Saturday has yet again come around, which means another addition of Seven on Saturday. (Where does all the time go?) In honour of doing the Take Control March challenge I decided that the topic for this weeks Seven on Saturday would be books that are on top of TBR pile at the moment!

So what books are on the top of my TBR pile?

1. Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead.
I am currently reading this book, but I thought I would put it on any way. I am a little late to this series, I just kept putting off reading them, but I have decided now to start.

2. Beautiful Darkness by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl

3. Spellcaster by Claudia Gray

4. Bloodlines by Richelle Mead

5. The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern

6. Beautiful Chaos by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl

7. Beautiful Redemption by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl

Of course, this may not be the order that I read these in, or the next seven books that I might read, but they are currently the top on my TBR pile at the moment.

Mel.

Up next: Wrap-up/Preview

Seven on Saturday - Favourite Villains

Well it is another Saturday, which means Seven on Saturday. This week I am looking at my seven favourite villains.

1. Bellatrix Lestrange from Harry Potter

Bellatrix is the character that I just love to hate. Her character is so delightfully evil and malicious. She is such a well written character and I love that she was so crazy.

2. Ariel from The Obernewtyn Chronicles

Ariel is so sadistic and he makes my skin crawl. I honestly can't stand him, but that is what makes his character so good.

3. President Snow from The Hunger Games

I really do like villains that I can't stand. Snow is has such an evil presence and he is just so creepy. 

4. Sarafine from The Caster Chronicles

I have only read Beautiful Creatures but I love how Sarafine is so twisted and complex. I love her convoluted plans and her evilness. 

5. Umbridge from Harry Potter

Umbridge is a character that I just want to strangle. Her little "hem hem" drives me up the wall, but she is so evil and I felt she just had to be put on this list. 

6. The White Witch from The Chornicles of Narnia

She is such an evil witch, who you can't seem to get rid off. I loved her deception, particularly in The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe!

7. Mr Wickham from Pride and Prejudice

Mr Wickham is such a slimy guy, who "has all the appearance of goodness". Plainly put, he is a womanizer who charms everyone. I think that his character and is perfect for the story.

So who are your favourite villains. Do you agree or disagree with my list?

Mel.

Up next: Wrap-up/Preview

Seven on Saturday - Favourite Series

So I did my favourite books in my first post but I decided to do my favourite series this time. Not all series that will be on this list are completed.

So my seven favourite series are:

1. The Harry Potter Series by J.K. Rowling - These will always be my favourite series I think. I just love them so much and the still capture my imagination each time I read them.

2. The Legendsond Series by Isobelle Carmody - This is such an original series. I loved the complexity of the world that Carmody created. I also love the characters. I can't wait for the final book to come out, whenever that will be.

3. The Obernewtyn Chronicles by Isobelle Carmody - I read this in high school and was hooked within the first couple of chapters. I have loved the following books, and I am eagerly anticipating the last book of this series.

4. The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien - This is another series that will always be one of my favourites. I love the world that Tolkien created and I still love escaping to it.

 

5. The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis - I was a little late coming into this series but I absolutely loved when I did. I loved the world and characters that Lewis created.

6. Percy Jackson and the Olympians series and Heroes of Olympus series by Rick Riordan - I have cheated here and put two series together. I did this because Heroes of Olympus is a follow on from the Percy Jackson series and I thought I could get away with it. I loved this new spin on Greek Mythology and I cannot wait until The House of Hades is released!

7. The Hunger Games Trilogy by Suzanne Collins - I read this last year just before the movie came out and I loved it. It was such a thought provoking story and really captured my imagination.

Some honourable mentions include The Ranger's Apprentice series by John Flanagan, The Inheritance Cycle by Christopher Paolini and Inkworld by Cornelia Funke, among others. Let me know what your favourite series are!

Mel.

Up next: Wrap-up/Preview