Sunday, January 31, 2016

THE BEACONS ARE LIT AND I CALL FOR AID FROM THE BOOKWORM NATION


The beacons are lit, Aragorn is a wonderful human being, and I have decided I need to read more books this year - and I need your help!

Once upon a time, Mini-Caroline averaged 20-30 books EVERY MONTH.  Now, I can't honestly say whether or not I even read 30 in the whole of 2015.  That is tragic to me.



I guess I've just gotten so busy and all that I've let it slip away too much.  I don't get pulled into books so much like I used to, and reading isn't the thing that I instantly turn to as soon as I'm finished with a chore.  (Anyone in the same boat?)  This has to change!  

I want to live in those worlds, be intoxicated by that beautiful book-smell, and take in words till my eyes get that dizzy feeling - you know, where you finally look up from a book and you see the walls of your house and you're like, wait, I don't live in a house - where's my hobbit hole? OMG TOTO I DON'T THINK WE'RE IN KANSAS ANYMORE (which is ironic 'cause I actually do live in Kansas).  And when you finally realize that Middle Earth isn't actually your native land of birth and the current President's last name isn't Snow....you just open that book again and keep reading 'cause the truth hurts too much.  

I want more books on the menu, more towers of books besides my already-overflowing shelves...


Actually, no - not want:


Basically, this is me and my reading diet at the moment:


Aaaaaaaand my optimum state of bookworm-ness:


What I'd like an average day to look like:


Now, I realize that it's not possible to read every single book at my library TODAY.  (That's why we have "tomorrow", right?)  But still, I think it's time to get back into the habit of trying.

AND HERE COMES THE CALLING FOR AID PART

I need a longer TBR (to be read) list.  

I read fantasy, mystery, sci-fi, contemporary, dystopia and some classics, for the most part.  Mostly PG-13, if books were rated (that should be a thing), not heavy on sexual or mature content.  ;)  

Right now, I'm in the middle of this wonderful book by Kate Morton, The Lake House.  



Past favorites have included the Hunger Games, The Mysterious Benedict Society, The Westing Game, anything by Agatha Cristie, Paper Towns (JUST JOHN GREEN IN GENERAL), Harry Potter, The Name of the Wind, Eragon, Jane Eyre, and so on....

Right now, I want something that will hook me, hard.  Stuff that's not terribly hard to read, due to my busyness.  The old greats.  The new greats.  Books that have impacted you, inspired you.  Especially books that make you laugh or cry.  I can count on one hand the books that have made me cry, so bonus points to you if you find another!  

NOW: HIT ME WITH SOME BOOK RECOMMENDATIONS!


Many thanks, my beautiful worms.
 (...that sounds slightly weirder when it's not 'bookworms')

Can you relate to my reading crisis?  What's the last book that made you cry?  How many books do you average a month/year?  Do you ever get a strong urge to take buy baby carrots in bulk tape them in geometric shapes to your door? (I don't, but I've always wanted to put a totally random question in here to see if anyone reads this...) and lastly, FOR GOODNESS SAKES, WHAT SHOULD I READ?


12 comments:

  1. Howl's Moving Castle (I recommend this to everyone. It's just delightful)
    The House of the Scorpion (My favorite dystopian novel)
    Lockwood and Co. (Snarky British ghost hunters/detectives)
    The Bartimaeus Trilogy (By the same author as Lockwood and Co. Very funny, but the ending made me sob grotesquely, and that's a big deal)
    Rilla of Ingleside (About Anne Shirley's daughter growing up during WWI. One of my favorite hisfics)

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    1. Ooooh. *sucks in breath* These sound amazing. I haven't read any of them! And about crying - yeah, only 2 books have ever made me cry. I'd definitely like that to happen more often. Thankssss!

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    2. *whispers* yessssss Jonathan Stroud is amazinggggggggg and you should definitely read Lockwood and Co.

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  2. Oh, and the Goose Girl by Shannon Hale

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  3. Dude. DUDE. Books are the best and I could talk about them for HOURS but I think I'll just message you on Facebook. *nods quickly*

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  4. Everything Everything by Nicola Yoon. Its a great book. And I feel the way about reading all the time. I miss the smell, the way I just hold a book and get lost in it. Its always been fascinating to me. Now another easy read would be The Boy Who Couldn't Die by William Sleator and for a nice thrill I recommend, Virals by Kathy Reichs. Wither by DeStefano. Even Everyday by David Levitham was good. I miss you and yes, my urge is as strong as the force with Yoda. I really want to buy baby carrots, bulk them with duck tape, shape them into geometric shapes and put them on my door. Lol. Hope I have helped a little. (personal favorites, Dust Lands by Moira Young. Really good books anf also the Shatter Me series by Tahereh Mafi.) P. S. The Bunker Diary by Kevin Brooks made me mad at the end, I forgot the book that made me cry. Sorry. -Sophia Bales

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  5. Have Spacesuit Will Travel by Robert A. Heinlein
    The Firebird Trilogy by Kathy Tyers
    A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle

    :D

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    1. Thanks! I've read L'Engle's, but never heard of the others! :)

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    2. Yeeeesss. Robert A. Heinlein rocks. I love Have Spacesuit Will Travel and The Rolling Stones (one of my favorite funny books, as well as a great sci fi and a family story). You should look into the audiobook versions by Full Cast Audio.

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  6. OMG I RELATE. I was reading at least 25 books per month last year...trying for 30?! And this year I only am aiming for 20 and THAT'S STILL A LOT I KNOW. But it's hard for me to be doing less. D: And I just feel rushed and pressed for time when reading and that ain't fun. *heavy sigh* SO YEAH. I love it when books are just everything and I have tons of time for them. :')

    Have you read All the Bright Places? IT MADE ME CRY. IT'S SO SO SOSOSOSO GOOD. And by "good: I mean "heartbreaking"

    Also you mentioned John Green!! *flails*

    Thanks for stopping by @ Paper Fury!

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