Top Ten Tuesday: Most Recommended

Hosted by The Broke and the Bookish, this week's topic: Top Ten Books I Recommend the Most. This list is truly a mixed bag - I hope you enjoy!

1.  The Chaos Walking Trilogy by Patrick Ness - for anyone who wants to feel all the feelings!!

2.  The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller - I just freakin' loved this book...amazing how Miller breathes new life into a well-known tale.

3.  The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss - his amazing storytelling makes this series a true genre-buster.  Even if you're not the biggest fantasy fan I definitely recommend giving Mr. Rothfuss a go!

4.  His Dark Materials Trilogy by Philip Pullman - if you haven't read this amazing YA series go do it!  Now!

5.  Just Kids by Patti Smith - such an interesting time period mixed with powerful writing and a lovely story of friendship.

6.  The Sparrow by Mary Doria Russell - a strange premise but really amazing book.

7.  The Fault in Our Stars by John Green - another emotional rollercoaster of a book...I seem to like these :)

8.  Cloud Atlas by David Mitchell - so unique!

9.  Divergent by Veronica Roth - for all my IRL reader friends looking for the next YA phenom :)

10.  The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafon - just read this one but it will definitely top the list of my most recommended from here on out!

Weekend Miscellany: Intro

Hey folks!  I'm introducing a new segment to the blog "Weekend Miscellany" where I take off my reader glasses and share some non-bookish musings.  Today I thought I'd share the little cleaning schedule I made in a fit of clean house envy.  I must be getting a bit of the spring cleaning bug!

I'm kinda thinking that this is a little too ambitious but I'm not sure.  What do you guys think?  Do-able?

Top Ten Tuesday: Must Buys

Whups...I'm late posting today but here goes!  Hosted by The Broke and the Bookish, this week's topic: Top Ten Books I HAD To Buy...But Are Still Sitting On My Shelf Unread

1.  Silver Sparrow by Tayari Jones...I bought this book based solely upon blogger recommendations but still haven't read it!

2.  Between Shades of Gray by Ruta Sepetys...What the heck?!?! Why haven't I read this highly acclaimed book yet??

3.  In the Night Garden by Catherine M. Valente...this one has been on my TBR for wayyyy too long.

4.  Passion by Jude Morgan

5.  The Good Fairies of New York by Martin Millar

6.  The Lords of Discipline by Pat Conroy...um, if you've read Prince of Tides then you know why I want to continue reading more by this author!!

7.  The 19th Wife by David Ebershoff

8.  The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood...why haven't I read this yet??

9.  A Dirty Job by Christopher Moore...I've only heard great things!

10.  Kindred by Octavia Butler...I've wanted to read anything by this author for ages!

Towering TBR

I think this is going to be a regular(ish) segment on the blog since my desire to read new books vastly outstrips my ability to dwindle down my TBR list...oh, to have more free time!  Anyways, these are some new additions to the good ol' TBR:

Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire Saenz...tons of amazing hype surrounding this book!

Man in the Empty Suit by Sean Ferrell...first time I've ever heard of this but the premise of a time-traveler who finds his future self murdered (when he knows he's supposed to live much longer).  Gotta love a sci-fi mystery!

Etiquette and Espionage by Gail Carriger...new Gail Carriger series - woot!!

The Orchardist by Amanda Coplin...lots of hype AND recommended by my Momma :)

Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Powell...I've read Powell before and really enjoyed her writing AND this book is getting rave reviews (see Asheley's great review from Into the Hall of Books)!

And lastly Ex-Heroes by Peter Clines...I got this recommendation from the Books on the Nightstand Podcast and the premise of superheroes in a post-apocalyptic world sounds interesting.

Latest Review: The Art of Fielding

Goodreads Summary:
At Westish College, a small school on the shore of Lake Michigan, baseball star Henry Skrimshander seems destined for big league stardom. But when a routine throw goes disastrously off course, the fates of five people are upended.

... (spoilery so I omitted this part)

Written with boundless intelligence and filled with the tenderness of youth, The Art of Fielding is an expansive, warmhearted novel about ambition and its limits, about family and friendship and love, and about commitment—to oneself and to others.

My Thoughts:  
This was one of my vacation reads and I absolutely adored this book!  My admiration of The Art of Fielding is largely due to the realistic characters with an authentic storyline.  One way to compare it would be that it is similar to an indie movie (not one of those ones that's trying too hard but one that is trying to be true to life).

I loved the multiple POV format of this book.  When I first started reading, I thought it would all be from Henry's point of view and was afraid the only way the story could be this long (528 pages) is if it were overly dramatic.  Luckily my fears were soon relieved.  I also thought that the over-arching theme of self-doubt was handled really well with this story and was enhanced by the multiple POV format.

If you love Melville, enjoy collegiate settings, or are a baseball fan you will be over-the-moon about this book.  If you aren't, you will still love this book for the clear writing style and amazing characters!

To conclude, I'll leave you with this quote from my favorite character Owen:

“You told me once that a soul isn't something a person is born with but something that must be built, by effort and error, study and love.” 

5/5 stars.  Highly recommended.

Other reviews:
The Book Garden
my books. my life.

Foodie Book Giveaway!!!!!

Woot!  Here it is folks - the annual Foodie Book Giveaway!  This giveaway ends on March 11th so hurry up and add your entry to the Rafflecopter widget at the end of this post!  The winner will receive their choice of one title from my foodie faves:

1. The School of Essential Ingredients by Erica Bauermeister
2. The Dinner Doctor by Anne Byrne
3. The Sugar Queen by Sarah Addison Allen
4. Dinner: A Love Story by Jenny Rosenstrach
5. Vanity Fare by Megan Caldwell

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Top Ten Tuesday: Series I Want to Start

Hosted by The Broke and the Bookish, this week's topic: Top Ten Series I'd Like to Start but Haven't Yet.  I had a hard time with this one because there are so many!!!

1.  Discworld by Terry Pratchett

2.  Amelia Peabody Series by Elizabeth Peters

3.  A Song of Ice and Fire Series by George R. R. Martin...I know, I'm the last person ever to read this series.  Whups!

4.  The Agency by Y.S. Lee

5.  Foundation by Isaac Asimov

6.  The Orphan's Tales by Catherynne M. Valente

7.  The Spiritwalker Trilogy by Kate Elliott

8.  Sevenwaters by Juliet Marillier

9.  Bloody Jack by L.A. Meyer

10.  Flat Earth Series by Tanith Lee