Consider This Classic: Judith Recommends

Consider This Classic: Judith Recommends

Aug 21, 2014

Consider This Classic is a monthly feature where bloggers highlight and recommend their favorite classic. They'll tell you when they first read it, why they love it and where to go from there. If you'd like to participate in Consider This Classic, click here to sign up.

I was so excited when I saw that Judith from Paper Riot was going to recommend a classic for this feature. Judith is so insanely talented. Y'all, I'm constantly in awe of her design skills. Even more important, she's sweet, thoughtful and such a delight to know. She's a rockstar whose personality shines through in everything she posts - whether it's on Twitter or her blog - and I'm so excited to highlight her classic pick today!

The Princess Bride by William Goldman

Publication Date: 1973
Originally Published In: United States
Amazon | Goodreads

Summary (from Goodreads)

A tale of true love and high adventure, pirates, princesses, giants, miracles, fencing, and a frightening assortment of wild beasts - The Princess Bride is a modern storytelling classic. 

As Florin and Guilder teeter on the verge of war, the reluctant Princess Buttercup is devastated by the loss of her true love, kidnapped by a mercenary and his henchmen, rescued by a pirate, forced to marry Prince Humperdinck, and rescued once again by the very crew who absconded with her in the first place. In the course of this dazzling adventure, she'll meet Vizzini - the criminal philosopher who'll do anything for a bag of gold; Fezzik - the gentle giant; Inigo - the Spaniard whose steel thirsts for revenge; and Count Rugen - the evil mastermind behind it all. Foiling all their plans and jumping into their stories is Westley, Princess Buttercup's one true love and a very good friend of a very dangerous pirate.

This is the only story I remember seeing before reading. The Princess Bride is a movie my dad made me watch first when I was sick as a kid, just like the little boy in the story first hears the story when he is sick. The story is crazy over the top, and if you're not open for it, I don't think you will love it. But I fell in love with it at the first "as you wish" and my love didn't end with the "best kiss ever". It's still one of my favorite stories, and I could never get enough of Westley and Buttercup (and my favorite: Inigo Montoya). Admittedly, I like the movie better than the book, which never happens for me. Maybe because I read the book later in life, but probably because the movie is just the most perfect adaptation. But I love both.

"Fencing, fighting, torture, revenge, giants, monsters, chases, escapes, True Love, miracles", The Princess Bride has it all. It's all very dramatic and over the top, but this story just has a special place in my heart and I can't remember not loving it. I think The Princess Bride is the ultimate fairy tale, with princes and princesses, kidnapping, monsters, etc. For me, it's also something I share with my dad, which adds a personal aspect to this story. And of course, it's also just so amazingly quotable: 

"My name is Inigo Montoya, you killed my father, prepare to die." 

"He didn’t fall?! Inconceivable!"

"You keep using that word. I do not think it means what you think it means." 

"Life is pain, highness. Anyone who says differently is selling something." 

"We’ll never survive!" 

"Nonsense. You’re only saying that because no one ever has." 

"I've been saying it so long to you, you just wouldn't listen. Every time you said "Farm Boy do this", you thought I was answering "As you wish" but that's only because you were hearing wrong. "I love you" was what it was, but you never heard."

This is actually difficult, because I think The Princess Bride is such a unique story. There really is nothing like it. One story it reminds me of is Ella Enchanted by Gail Carson Levine, which also deals with true love, monsters and epic journeys. I can't say for sure, though, because I've only ever seen the movie. (I'm planning on fixing this, I promise!) I have heard it also compares to the Song of the Lioness series by Tamora Pierce and Stardust by Neil Gaiman, but I don't know for sure.

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The Little Pieces of a Life

The Little Pieces of a Life

Aug 20, 2014

The Miniaturist by Jessie Burton

Release Date: August 26, 2014
Publisher: HarperCollins | Ecco
Pages: 416 pages
Source & Format: Publisher at BEA; ARC
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Summary (from Goodreads)

On a brisk autumn day in 1686, eighteen-year-old Nella Oortman arrives in Amsterdam to begin a new life as the wife of illustrious merchant trader Johannes Brandt. But her new home, while splendorous, is not welcoming. Johannes is kind yet distant, always locked in his study or at his warehouse office-leaving Nella alone with his sister, the sharp-tongued and forbidding Marin.

But Nella's world changes when Johannes presents her with an extraordinary wedding gift: a cabinet-sized replica of their home. To furnish her gift, Nella engages the services of a miniaturist-an elusive and enigmatic artist whose tiny creations mirror their real-life counterparts in eerie and unexpected ways...

Johannes' gift helps Nella to pierce the closed world of the Brandt household. But as she uncovers its unusual secrets, she begins to understand-and fear-the escalating dangers that await them all. In this repressively pious society where gold is worshipped second only to God, to be different is a threat to the moral fabric of society, and not even a man as rich as Johannes is safe. Only one person seems to see the fate that awaits them. Is the miniaturist the key to their salvation... or the architect of their destruction?

Thoughts on The Miniaturist

When I was looking into what books would be available at BEA, I came across The Miniaturist. It was a BEA Buzz book - an adult title chosen by a panel as a featured book for the event. There seemed to be a pretty limited quantity of the book at BEA, and I actually missed the drop for it because it conflicted with something else on my schedule. But, in a twist that turned into one of my favorite moments from BEA, a lovely publicist from HarperCollins grabbed a copy for me on Saturday after we commiserated over the craziness of the crowd.

As a historical fiction lover, I was immediately intrigued by the summary and gorgeous cover. Then, I realized how much hype it was getting. That only made me more excited for this read! I took it with me on my beach vacation, and it was a nice change of pace from some of the other reads I'd brought with me. Unfortunately, I'm not sure if my expectations were too high or I'd just heard too much hype, but I wasn't totally in love with The Miniaturist. I'd read something that compared it to Burial Rites - one of my all-time favorite reads from last year - so I was really hoping I'd have that kind of connection to the characters and story.

As with Burial Rites, the setting in The Miniaturist ended up being one of my favorite parts of the book. Set in Amsterdam in 1686, this book focused on a time period and place that I've never really read about before. Sure, I've read a few books with scenes taking place in Amsterdam - but nothing in this time where God and gold are worshipped above all else. The setting is almost like a character in this book, which I definitely loved. It made me crave more of this city's rich history!

The writing was also lovely. I loved Burton's way with words and phrasing of certain things. It's very descriptive, which I thought added to the setting and spirit of the place. For me, the setting and writing itself were the two strongest parts of this book.

However, I really struggled to connect with or understand the characters. The characters never felt real to me - and their actions and motivations didn't always seem to align. Nella, the protagonist, swings from unsure and shy to confident and authoritative. As a big fan of historical fiction, I found Nella way too modern at times! I found it hard to believe that she would think and behave the way that she did in this book once she uncovers some of the household's secrets. Her relationship with the other characters also felt very undefined to me. I didn't understand why she cared about the strangers she was now living with because there wasn't enough development there. It seemed like there was no emotion behind the characters and their relationships with one another.

The plot was interesting - I did want to keep reading - but it was also pretty predictable. I wasn't surprised by any of the revelations, but the book overall was engaging enough that I wanted to finished and find out how it would end. However, this might be nitpicky but I found the title frustrating in light of the miniaturist's actual role in the novel. It was so intriguing at first, but almost none of the questions surrounding the miniaturist are answered by the end of the book. Talk about promising storyline that was ultimately very unfulfilling!

Overall, The Miniaturist was a bit of a mixed bag for me: the setting was so unique and writing style was lovely, but the characters were undeveloped and plot was too predictable. It didn't live up to the hype for me, but I did like it while I was reading it. Parts of it were so impressive, but I was left wanting more in the end. I don't regret reading The Miniaturist and I'll be curious about what Burton writes next, but I won't be revisiting this book in the future.

So Quotable

"The surface of Amsterdam thrives on these mutual acts of surveillance, the neighborly smothering of a person's spirit."

*I received a copy of this book from the publisher for review consideration. This did not affect my opinion of the book or my review.

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It's Totally a "You" Book!

It's Totally a "You" Book!

Aug 19, 2014

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly feature hosted by The Broke and The Bookish. Every week they post a new topic/top ten list and invite everyone to share their own answers. I'm so obsessed with lists - so it makes perfect sense that I'd love this feature!

Top Ten Books People Have Been Telling Me I Must Read

1. The Pursuit of Happiness by Tara Altebrando | Recommended by: Estelle from Rather Be Reading

2. Those Who Save Us by Jenna Blum | Recommended By: Jamie from The Perpetual Page-Turner

3. Fall On Your Knees by Ann-Marie MacDonald | Recommended By: Melissa from Writer Grrl Reads

4. City of Jasmine by Deanna Raybourn | Recommended By: April from Good Books and Good Wine

5. If You Find Me by Emily Murdoch | Recommended By: Judith from Paper Riot

6. All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr | Recommended By: Leah from The Pretty Good Gatsby

7. Necessary Lies by Diane Chamberlain | Recommended By: Cassie from Books With Cass

8. Take Me On by Katie McGarry | Recommended By: Betty from Book Rock Betty

9. The Bone Season by Samantha Shannon | Recommended By: Kelly from Belle of the Literati

10. Unleashing Mr. Darcy by Teri Wilson | Recommended By: Alexa from Alexa Loves Books

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A Call to Courage

A Call to Courage

Aug 18, 2014

Let's All Be Brave by Annie F. Downs

Release Date: July 15, 2014
Publisher: Zondervan
Pages: 208 pages
Source & Format: Bought; Kindle e-book
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Summary (from Goodreads)

Annie Downs admits she’s not exactly the bravest girl in the world. She still cries sometimes when she leaves her parents’ home in Georgia, she’s never jumped out of a plane, and she only rides roller coasters to impress boys. But Annie knows that courage resides inside each and every one of us, and she’s on a mission to triumph over her own fears while encouraging the reader to do the same.

As a single young woman, writer, speaker, and blogger, Annie Downs shares her journey toward bravery with honesty and humor. Using wonderful stories from her own life, contemporary real-life examples, and fascinating historical and biblical references, Annie encourages readers to grab hold of the brave life that they desperately desire.

How often does fear hold us back from the very things we most want to taste, touch, and experience? The call to be brave isn’t just for one person—it’s for everyone. Let’s All Be Brave is more than a book, it’s a battle cry. Annie challenges us to live boldly, she calls us to step into those places that require courage, and she gives us the help to take the next step forward—even when it’s scary.

This non-fiction, essay-driven book opens the door to many different views of courage—nudging, encouraging, and inspiring readers to be brave whenever given the chance.

Brief Thoughts on Let's All Be Brave

One of my friends from college moved to Nashville after graduation, which is how I first heard about author and speaker Annie Downs (who is active in the Nashville creative community). My friend mentioned Annie's blog (or maybe it was one of her previous books?), and I was intrigued. Annie was on my radar after that, and I knew I was going to read Let's All Be Brave when I saw this post on She Reads Truth.

In the interview, Annie responded to a question with this answer:

"I think it's important to remember that there is no shame in being full of hope. There are times when we feel shame for hoping - for believing that God could do something and move in an area of our lives that we haven't seen movement in so far... It takes guts to hope in the face of disappointment. It takes guts to hope until doors close and THEN go face to face with God about hope unfulfilled. It's easy to give up. Don't do it. Hold on to hope."

Something about her words just resonated with me so deeply. I love the way she frames bravery - that it can be as simple holding on to hope. So, I picked up Let's All Be Brave and dove right in. Annie has written a book that is both challenging and encouraging. Reading it reminded me of sitting down with a close friend, one who knows the real you, and discussing our dreams over coffee. But instead of just idly daydreaming, this friend speaks truth into your life. It's an honest moment, a scary and intimidating thing, to take a hard look at the areas where you need to be brave.

Annie talks about holding on, letting go, saying yes, and saying no. She shares how the people around you, the words and talents inside you and the places you find yourself can help you make the next move. Whether it's identifying the dreams you've buried or finally moving toward that dream, there's bravery in every single step along the way.

I loved how Annie weaves in Scripture and biblical truth. It's not about doing things in your own strength, and she absolutely makes that clear throughout Let's All Be Brave. My favorite aspect was the way Annie highlights that courage can cause a chain reaction and that "the bravest among us do not stand alone." What an encouraging reminder!

Let's All Be Brave was exactly what I needed - a bright spot of truth and joy. It's written in a memoir style and filled with stories from Annie's personal life. This aspect of the book made it occasionally choppy, and some stories resonated more than others, but I really did enjoy the book overall. If you're looking for some encouragement to chase your dreams, this might be just the thing!

So Quotable

"Maybe today is a good day to figure out who loves you. Their love will give you courage. Maybe today is a good day to tell the ones you love that you love them. Your love will give them courage, like a deposit in the bank of the heart. I don't know how it works, the science and math of it all, but I know that love given is courage gained."

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The Facts About Non-Fiction

The Facts About Non-Fiction

Aug 15, 2014

As I was reading Kelly's post, I found myself nodding along in agreement as she described how she loves to learn, to be challenged and to have new experiences. I love all those same things - and it's a huge reason I love reading! I was the nerd who genuinely enjoyed school (although I certainly didn't love every subject). So, it probably comes as no surprise that I really enjoy reading non-fiction. 

Fiction will always hold the first place in my heart, but I like to explore the whole bookstore or library... I rarely limit myself to just one section! When I wrote my post about cultivating a curiosity for stories, I was partly motivated by the fact that categories can be helpful - but they can also be limiting. And I think that happens sometimes with non-fiction.

There's one "fact" about fiction that just so happens to be true with non-fiction, too: it's so enjoyable if you find the right books for you. It's totally okay if non-fiction is just not for you, but I thought I'd highlight how I choose what non-fiction I want to read. My goal is to help you find the non-fiction that's perfect for you!

You could: Read books about things that you're obsessed with.

Listen, I cannot resist anything about Jane Austen or L.M. Montgomery. I won't lie: a huge part of my non-fiction library is dedicated to these two authors. It's probably fitting since Austen and Montgomery are also the authors I own the most books from (hello, gazillion editions!). I'll read anything I can get my hands on about their lives, their books, the world they lived in... 

A great place to start when choosing a non-fiction read is to start with whatever it is that you already love. It's probably a no-brainer, but it's way easier to become invested in a non-fiction book if it's about something that you are naturally interested in. Those books may overlap with the other things I describe below, but it's still the first thing I would consider if you're new to non-fiction - or even just rediscovering it.

You could: Read books about time periods that fascinate you.

I'll admit that I've always been a history nerd. Historical fiction is my favorite genre, and I'd watch a costume drama over any other kind of movie. If you really dislike history, this may not be the category for you. But if there is a certain time period that intrigues you? See if there are any books about it that appeal to you.

When I'm looking for books about a certain time period, Goodreads can be really helpful. Using their Listopia section, I can usually find at least one list dedicated to the time period I'm searching for and can then narrow it down to a few books that look promising. From there, I use average ratings and reviews to help me make a (somewhat) informed decision about what book I'll read.

You could: Read books about things that entertain you.

Yes, I'm totally the person who buys books about movies and TV shows. You can laugh at me if you want, but I love getting a behind-the-scenes look at the things I watch onscreen. For you, it might be sports, comedians, music... just to name a few examples. When I find something entertaining, I tend to be curious about the details involved in it. So, what is it that you find entertaining? 

You could: Read books that can teach you a skill you want to learn. 

I remember when I was in elementary school and had to teach the class how to do something as a presentation/project. Since I was totally obsessed with horses, I taught the class how to clean tack and the steps involved in taking care of a horse before and after riding. Yep, I was that girl. All that to say - learning a new skill can be cool!

For me, one of those skills is cooking. I'm not totally hopeless at it if I try, but I don't often find the energy to really commit to it. Even still, I really love buying and flipping through cookbooks. I also enjoy reading books about writing, so I'll pick up books about the craft so I can hopefully get better at it.

You can't learn about most skills just by reading about them, since there is also typically "doing" involved, but reading can help you take the first step! There are so many skills that you can begin to learn by reading about them, including crafting, gardening or a even a new language.

You could: Read books about your life and/or what you believe.

Although I don't talk about it much on my blog, my faith is so important to me. I frequently read books that encourage me, convict me and make me take another look at my beliefs and my daily choices. Sometimes I choose them based on the topic and other times it's based on the author (typically because I've read something by them before).

For other people, this may be a place where you look into books that will help you examine your eating habits, your personal relationships, your mindset or your habits. There are so many business and self-help books out there with great insight into behavior and what it takes to make changes that matter.

You could: Read books that can inspire you creatively.

I'm not great at decorating, but I love to look at beautiful homes and the rooms inside them. Decorating books inspire me! I don't have the ability to envision a complete look for a room, but I can certainly appreciate the effort and creativity that goes into designing one.

I want my home to be a place that reflects my taste, feels inviting and yet still inspires me. I can't create it on my own, so I love books that can help me see what it takes to get it to that place. It might not be decorating for you, but there are lots of gorgeous books out there that can inspire you creatively!

You could: Read books about people that you that intrigue you.

The majority of my non-fiction reading is devoted to biographies and memoirs. Even when I'm reading a book about a certain time period or topic, I prefer to view it through the lens of a person or group of people. My favorite kind of non-fiction is when it almost reads like fiction - an individual's compelling story.

So, think about the people that inspire or fascinate you. It could be a historical figure, a celebrity, a politician, a public figure... but it helps to start somewhere! Sometimes, reading a non-fiction book about a specific person will introduce me to another person that I want to find out more about.

And don't forget to just explore! Find the stories that intrigue you. Since books about people (whether memoir or biography) can read the most like fiction, don't be afraid to branch out a little bit. Some of my favorite non-fiction reads have been about previously unknown-to-me people with incredible stories to tell.

You could: Read books about places you've been or want to go.

Finally, you can read books that make you feel like the world is at your fingertips. While nothing can compare to visiting the places themselves, it doesn't mean you can't take a little trip from the comfort of your home. I really enjoy paging through travel books or travel memoirs. I'll never be able to explore every little corner of this Earth, but I love to be reminded of just how big it is and how diverse the people are who inhabit it.

Five Tips to Get Started

1. Make an "I want to know more about..." list. Use the prompts above to brainstorm some non-fiction topics you might enjoy. Once you've got an idea of what you might like, you can start trying to actually find it.

2. Explore online first. Personally, I think it can be easier to find non-fiction online. Bookstores rarely have the best non-fiction selection, but only because there is just so much out there. Exploring a store is great if you know you love non-fiction and are open to new experiences, but start out by researching books online if you want a safer bet. You're more likely to find the book that's just right for you!

3. Take note of the rating / reviews. While reading will always be subjective, I find that I pay more attention to the ratings and reviews for non-fiction books. I think it's because what people dislike in non-fiction usually focuses more on stylistic issues (writing style, accuracy, etc.) than subject matter (themes, characters, etc.).

4. Experiment by visiting the library. It's probably a given, but the library is a great way to try something new. There's no big deal if you don't like a book - you'll just return it and try again!

5. If possible, see it in person before you buy it. This is random, but I like trying to see most non-fiction books in person before I buy it. In some cases, it's because I'm considering reading it on my Kindle and want to see if the hard copy includes photo pages or other cool design details. And other times it has more to do with the content. Do I like the decorating style pictured? Do the recipes contain ingredients I actually like? Are there footnotes that I'll need to be able to reference? There have been numerous occasions where I was really glad I got to see the book before I bought it.

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