SLIDER

In Publicity & In Privacy

Apr 13, 2015


The Royal We by Heather Cocks & Jessica Morgan

Release Date: April 7, 2015
Publisher: Hachette | Grand Central
Pages: 464 pages
Source & Format: NetGalley; e-ARC
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 Summary (from Goodreads)
American Rebecca Porter was never one for fairy tales. Her twin sister, Lacey, has always been the romantic who fantasized about glamour and royalty, fame and fortune. Yet it's Bex who seeks adventure at Oxford and finds herself living down the hall from Prince Nicholas, Great Britain's future king. And when Bex can't resist falling for Nick, the person behind the prince, it propels her into a world she did not expect to inhabit, under a spotlight she is not prepared to face.

Dating Nick immerses Bex in ritzy society, dazzling ski trips, and dinners at Kensington Palace with him and his charming, troublesome brother, Freddie. But the relationship also comes with unimaginable baggage: hysterical tabloids, Nick's sparkling and far more suitable ex-girlfriends, and a royal family whose private life is much thornier and more tragic than anyone on the outside knows. The pressures are almost too much to bear, as Bex struggles to reconcile the man she loves with the monarch he's fated to become.

Which is how she gets into trouble.

Now, on the eve of the wedding of the century, Bex is faced with whether everything she's sacrificed for love-her career, her home, her family, maybe even herself-will have been for nothing.

Thoughts on The Royal We
One of my co-workers introduced me to Go Fug Yourself a few years ago, and I've loved reading it ever since. My favorite posts are, unsurprisingly, their hilarious TV recaps (I read every single one for Lindsay on OWN, despite never watching the show) and anything they post about royalty. When I found out they had an adult novel being published, I was excited. But when I discovered it was basically inspired by William and Kate? I think my reaction went beyond excited and crossed into OMG I WANT IT NOW!

The Royal We opens with a wedding. American Rebecca Porter is about to marry the love of her life: Prince Nicholas, Great Britain's future king. Something has happened, but you're not quite what it is before you're whisked back in time. Looking for adventure - and attracted to the idea of stepping out of her sister's shadow - Bex decides to study abroad at Oxford. But she has no idea she'll end up living right down the hall from Prince Nicholas! The more she gets to know Nick, "the person behind the prince," the more she falls for him. Dating him might seem glamorous, but it's not without its complications. Thrust into the spotlight, Bex and Nick will face enormous pressure - from their families, their friends and the country he'll one day lead. And Bex must decide what she's prepared to sacrifice for love...

I started this book on a Thursday night, and it was all I could think about at work on Friday. I wanted to sneak chapters under my desk and spend my lunch break reading in my car so no one could distract me! I chatted with my husband for a bit when I finally got home, and then I retreated to our bedroom to read for hours. I wasn't going anywhere until I finished this delightful story! I'd been in the middle of a reading slump, too, so it was a relief to have that "GO AWAY I'M READING" feeling again.

The Royal We is set in a world that's familiar - but slightly different. You are experiencing a version of William and Kate's romance, so you'll likely anticipate many of the events and characters that populate this story. You'll get to meet the impish younger brother, Freddie, and the sister who frequently finds herself in the spotlight, Lacey. There's the stiff and detached father, Prince Richard, and a whole host of other somewhat familiar faces. But that just added to the fun for me! The authors don't stop there though. You'll also meet Bex and Nick's friends, and they quickly became some of my favorite characters. None of the characters are one-dimensional or stereotypical. Each is complex and realistic, which takes the story from fan fiction to a well-developed and layered book. The fascinating premise is elevated by the talented writing!

It may be inspired by real people and their relationship, but it stands on its own merit. The authors have written about the research they did for this book, and it absolutely shows! They immersed themselves in Great Britain, which allowed them to bring the world to life in the pages of this book. I felt like I was back in Oxford (where I studied abroad during college) - and it made me long for an extended trip so I can explore every nook and cranny of England! If you're an Anglophile, you're going to want to read this book.

So, I loved the characters and the setting... and it was kind of a given that I was going to love the writing. I mean, I'm already a fan of the authors' blog! The story is engaging, and I thought the pacing was just perfect. It's a long book, but it never felt long to me. In fact, I'm dying for a sequel so I can spend more time with Nick and Bex - and get an update on Freddie, too, of course. But you know what I had no idea that I'd love about The Royal We? The way it made me think! It's a smart read, and it explores the press and public spotlight in a way I found incredibly moving. The publisher provided me with a Q&A with the authors, and one question discussed the inspiration for the book. Here's what stood out to me in their answer:
We were interviewing potential new agents, and got into a long discussion about Kate Middleton with a woman named Brettne Bloom with whom we'd eventually be lucky enough to sign. We were digging into what a surreal experience this must be for Kate Middleton, and how her private life is probably so different than any of us imagine, and what it must have cost her to live the public life that she now does. And Brettne basically was like, "That's a book that needs to be written. Someone has to write it," and Jess and I effectively raised our hands and started salivating. The gaps in public and private life for royal family members seem like they must be larger than with a lot of other people. Being a movie star with a clean image is one thing, but being the sovereign of a nation and all that entails... that is a whole other kind of facade.
While I've briefly thought about what a sovereign has to sacrifice, I'd really never considered what it would be like to grow up with that kind of weight on your shoulders... or to marry into it without having been prepared for the role. There were moments when I wondered if it was worth it. Could I give up my privacy - my Saturdays in pajamas watching Netflix - just to be with the person I love? Could I spend the rest of my life with the public watching my every move? William and Kate have always seemed like a fairy-tale romance, but this is the first time I stopped and thought about pressure and responsibility that goes along with it. For that reason alone, I think this book is worth reading!

But you know what's great? That's not the only reason to read The Royal We. This is the kind of adult fiction I crave! It's a book I'd love to read on the beach but would be equally comfortable discussing with a book club. It's proof that a book can be entertaining and thought provoking. I'll be pushing this one on my reading friends and my non-reader but royalty-loving friends. I had a feeling I'd enjoy this one, but I'm happy to say that I absolutely loved it. It's one that I want on my shelves and plan to re-read!

So Quotable
"I fell in love with a person, not a prince; the rest is just circumstance."
*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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Guide to Faux Doris: The Inserts

Apr 10, 2015


Are you ready to put stuff inside your faux dori? Today's post is for you! Yesterday I shared the basics of faux doris - what it is, how you can customize it, and how you put stuff in it. But I've been most looking forward to today's post because I get to share ways you could use a faux dori, where to buy inserts and how you can decorate them. I've got a ton of resources to share, but this is still won't cover all the options available.

I have one more post planned for next week. In the process of decorating my inserts, I bought some fun extras that you don't need but might want. It's for people who are ready to go from interest in a faux dori to full-on obsession mode. Don't say I didn't warn you!


HOW DO YOU USE IT?
In my original post, I showed you the Foxy Dori that I use for blogging. But there are SO many other ways you could use one! What's so nice about the idea of multiple notebooks is that you can bring together lots of different things - your daily schedule, blog planning, expense tracking, etc. - into one place! If you want a faux dori but aren't sure how you'd use it, here are some ideas to get you started:

BLOG / Brainstorming, planning, to do

CALENDAR / Daily, weekly, monthly for work, blogging, family

FAMILY / Letters to kids, memories (quotes and/or milestones), pregnancy journal, gift ideas, medical care

FOOD / Recipes, grocery lists, meal planning

HEALTH / Calorie tracking, fitness tracking

HOME / Chores, cleaning lists, maintenance, important contacts, decorating

INTERESTS / Sketchbook, writing ideas, quotes, craft projects

LISTS / To buy, to watch, to read, to do, to listen, to visit

MONEY / Budget, expenses, bill/loan payment schedule, account info and passwords

NOTES / Brain dump, address book, password log, journal

PLANNING / Wedding planning, home remodel, projects

REVIEWS / Books, movies, plays, music, restaurants

SCHOOL / Agenda, class notes

SPIRITUAL / Bible study notes, prayer journal, church notes

TRAVEL / Research, planning, itinerary, where you've been, where you want to go

WORK / Meeting notes, project planning, business ideas, job hunt

I've found it's helpful to think about how you want to use your faux dori before you spend a lot of time looking at the different insert options. While browsing may introduce you to an insert that you hadn't considered but would totally use (expenses, in my case), I think it can be overwhelming if you haven't already thought about what purpose you want your inserts to serve. You don't want to order something that you won't end up using! But you can't go wrong with a basic notebook (lined, blank, grid, dot grid) since it works for anything.


WHAT CAN YOU PUT INSIDE?
Now, it's time for the most anticipated portion of this post: inserts and accessories! As I said yesterday, you can put as little or as much inside as you want. Whether you want two books or five books and a folder, the great thing about a faux dori is that the inside is completely up to you! The five most common inserts are: dashboard, folder, business card holder, zip pouch and notebooks. I'll explain each below!


DASHBOARD / A dashboard is basically laminated scrapbook paper. A standard size dashboard is two pieces of paper cut to 8.25 x 4.3 and wide is cut to 8.25 x 5.  It's a lot like a folder - without pockets - that's been laminated! You can wrap one around a notebook that has a plain cover or wrap it around loose, unbound paper so that it becomes the cover. You can attach a pen loop to it, instead of attaching the pen loop to the leather. You can tape photos to it, write on it with a wet erase marker and more. I bought the one with the typewriter and the word "Hello" on the back, but I made the mint one with white words that has black stripes on the back. I'll cover DIY-ing it at the end of this post. Here are some places you can buy them:

FOLDER / Having a folder can really come in handy! I stick receipts, bookmarks, stickers, photos, and more in mine. I've purchased two folders, but I also recently learned how to make my own. The one with horses is one that I purchased, but I made the one with hearts. I'll share the DIY tutorial at the end of this post, but here are some shops to explore if you want to purchase one:

BUSINESS CARD HOLDER / I highlighted the Midori business card holder in my first post, and this is probably one of my favorite accessories! It's a cute way to store smaller items (washi tape, stickers, sticky notes, bookmarks, business cards, etc.), especially if you put scrapbook paper in each of the twelve pockets.


ZIP POUCH / The Midori zip pouch is worth checking out. There's a zip pocket on one side, and an open pocket on the other side. I've found that stuff doesn't stay in the open pocket as well as I hoped, but this is the best option if you want to store larger items in your faux dori.


NOTEBOOKS / The only thing you really need: notebooks! There are a lot of places to buy basic notebooks with blank, lined, grid or dot grid paper. But there are also a number of options if you want the notebooks to serve a specific purpose. Make sure you pay attention to whether you're buying a printable or the actual product. Some shops just sell printables, so you'll have to do some of the work! I've only purchased printed and bound notebooks because I don't want to DIY that aspect. Here are some shops I suggest once you're ready:

HOW DO YOU DECORATE INSERTS?
If you order May Books, you won't need to decorate the cover. But if you order an insert with a plain or kraft paper cover, you have the option to make them unique and personal to you. I had way too much fun with this aspect - and I don't even consider myself that crafty! Here's the insert decorating video I watched:


Here are some things you need for this project:
  • Scrapbook paper 
  • Glue stick
  • Scissors
  • Washi Tape 
  • Packing Tape
  • Journal cards (optional)
  • Stamps and embellishments (optional)
Watch the video for a tutorial, but the books above are my end result! I used a different paper for the front and back of each of my notebooks - though I tried to make sure they all coordinated. I'm not a big embellishment person, so I stuck with a journaling card on one notebook and a single sticker on the other. But I've seen some really eye-catching notebooks on Instagram!

CAN YOU DO IT YOURSELF?
Yes! There are tutorials that explain how to make pretty much everything I've highlighted in this post. As I mentioned, I've started making my own dashboards and folders. I'm not even that crafty, but I've found it's easy to make a lot of this yourself if you have the right supplies. In fact, some people even make their own faux dori cover! I prefer to leave that to the experts, but it is possible. Here's just a handful of tutorials:
Want to buy a few more fun things?
I've got you covered in next week's post.
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Guide to Faux Doris: The Cover

Apr 9, 2015


A few weeks ago, I shared a post about my Foxy Dori and other favorite planning tools. I was excited to talk about and hoped others would interested in reading about it... but I never expected the reaction I got! I can't tell you how many people have bought one or told me they're planning to get one soon. I didn't discover traveler's notebooks, but I'm thrilled that I got to introduce the book blogging world to them!

After buying two more, I figured I'd do a follow-up post to share additional uses for a traveler's notebook. When I realized there were still some general questions about them, I decided to expand it into three parts:

Part One: The Cover
Part Two: The Inserts
Part Three: The Extras

In today's post, I'll cover the basics - what it is, how you can customize it, and how you put stuff in it. Tomorrow, I'll focus on how you could use it, including what goes inside! I'll share insert options and other fun accessories that you could include in yours. And next week, I'll share some fun extras that you don't need but might want.


WHAT IS IT?
Although it seems a little confusing, a faux dori is just a leather (or cloth) notebook cover. When you buy one, you're purchasing what you see above - the cover with elastics inside and an elastic closure. You'll then buy whatever notebooks (inserts) or other accessories (folders, etc.) that you want inside. It's almost like when you get a three-ring binder! You'd get the binder, and then you'd buy notebook paper, dividers and more.

IS IT CUSTOMIZABLE?
It depends on the brand! The Midori brand is not really customizable, but many of the faux dori brands do allow for customization. Here are some of the things you can choose with Foxy Doris (the following photos come from the current Foxy Fix Etsy listings, but the colors/options are subject to change):


LEATHER / There are three Foxy Dori leather options: Custom Color, Bay Leather and Wanderlust. As I explained in my first post, they differ in thickness, texture and flexibility. My Wanderlust (black one in top picture) is the thickest, most textured and most flexible. The custom colors (blue and tan above) are thinner but also stiffer.

SIZE / The size you get depends on the size of your inserts and how many of them you want inside:
  • The smallest sizes fit 3.5 in. x 5.5 in. notebooks: Pocket Slim (1-3 notebooks) and Pocket (3-6). 
  • The medium sizes fit 4.5 in. x 8.5 in. notebooks ("standard"): Regular (1-4) and Regular Extra Room (4-6). 
  • The larger sizes fit 4.5 in. x 8.25 in notebooks (May Books): Slim (1-2), Wide (3-6, but I don't like more than 4 in mine) and Extra Wide (6+ or 1-3 A5 notebooks). 
COLOR / There are seventeen color choices for your cover! I have Paradise (10) and Sand Dollar (17).

ELASTIC / With Foxy Doris, you get to choose the elastic color. There are seventeen options! I have the black elastic (Q) on two of mine, and the mint elastic (N) on one.
BINDING / There are three options for the inside binding: single strand, double strand and quadruple strand. I have one with a double strand, and two with a quadruple strand. You can fit more notebooks/inserts than the number of strands inside, but I would take the number of notebooks you want to have inside into consideration.


STRAP / You can choose to have either one or two straps to close your Foxy Dori. I only have one strap on all of my Foxy Doris. The elastic is run through a hole is in the middle of the back cover. Some people prefer two if they have a ton of stuff inside though, but that's up to you!


STAMP / There's also the option to have a stamp and monogram on the cover. None of mine have a stamp, but lots of people get one. Browse #FoxyDori or #FoxyFix on Instagram to see pictures!

ARE THERE MORE COVER OPTIONS?
As I said in my first post, these leather notebook covers were first created by a company called Midori. If you buy anything else, they're typically called "faux doris." I've highlighted Foxy Doris because that's what I have (and love!), but there are more options. I've included some below! If you decide to purchase a Foxy Dori, keep in mind that her shop currently restocks every morning at 8 a.m. ET.



HOW DO YOU PUT INSERTS IN?
That depends on how many inserts and strands you have inside! If you have the same number of strands as you have notebooks, it's super simple. You just open the book to the middle (where you can see the thread or staples depending on how the insert is bound) and wrap it around the elastic. Boom! You're done.

But what if you have more inserts than strands? That's not a problem! You will need some type of rubber band (I have the Midori refill bands), but these file bands are a cheaper option if you can find them.

I'm going to use my Paradise Foxy to show you how this works! In this example, here's what I want inside: four notebooks, a folder, a business card holder and a dashboard. (I'll explain these terms tomorrow!)


I opened the first notebook to the middle, opened the second notebook to the middle and slid a rubber band around both. The two notebooks are now hooked together. Then, I slid the two attached books around an elastic. In the second picture, you see the back of one book and the front cover of the second book. You should be able to see the black elastic in between the two.


Next, I take the third notebook and open it to the middle. It wraps around the elastic - just like you do when you're just using one notebook per elastic. As you see in the second picture, you've now got three notebooks wrapped around one elastic! I want this in the "back" of my Foxy, so I put it on the second strand. 


Everything else will go on the first strand! Aside from the fourth notebook, everything else I want to put inside is very thin. Instead of using rubber bands, all of these items can basically wrap around each other. If you're looking at the second picture, you'll notice the notebook at the very center. I've then wrapped the folder (horses) around the notebook, the business card holder around those two things, and the dashboard around all of it. The first elastic strand will be in the center of the notebook.


You can see everything I've got inside in the first picture! You can hopefully see the two "main" elastic strands, as well as the rubber band holding two books together. And when you close it all, it's not even stuffed. There are lots of people who decide to put even more notebooks inside, but that's up to you!

IS IT COMPLICATED?
NO! The most difficult part is probably deciding on the color! It's a lot of options, but most are simple decisions depending solely on your preferences.  Remember: you can put as little or as much inside as you want. For example, you could easily put just two books inside - and nothing else! There's no reason you have to stuff yours with inserts and accessories. And if you still need help, this video is a great resource for getting started.

You know what's even better? You can change your mind as often as you like with this type of notebook. If you find you're not using a certain insert, you can just take it out. Tired of a folder? Swap it out for a different one. Not working for blog planning? Use it for life stuff instead. It's that simple.

Ready to put stuff inside your faux dori?
Tomorrow's post is for you!
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A-Z on the Oregon Trail

Apr 8, 2015

Under a Painted Sky by Stacey Lee

Release Date: April 17, 2015
Publisher: Penguin | Putnam BFYR
Pages: 384 pages
Source & Format: Bought; Hardcover
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Summary (from Goodreads)
Missouri, 1849: Samantha dreams of moving back to New York to be a professional musician—not an easy thing if you’re a girl, and harder still if you’re Chinese. But a tragic accident dashes any hopes of fulfilling her dream, and instead, leaves her fearing for her life. With the help of a runaway slave named Annamae, Samantha flees town for the unknown frontier. But life on the Oregon Trail is unsafe for two girls, so they disguise themselves as Sammy and Andy, two boys headed for the California gold rush. Sammy and Andy forge a powerful bond as they each search for a link to their past, and struggle to avoid any unwanted attention. But when they cross paths with a band of cowboys, the light-hearted troupe turn out to be unexpected allies. With the law closing in on them and new setbacks coming each day, the girls quickly learn that there are not many places to hide on the open trail. 

This beautifully written debut is an exciting adventure and heart-wrenching survival tale. But above all else, it’s a story about perseverance and trust that will restore your faith in the power of friendship.

Thoughts on Under a Painted Sky
I've started taking notes on a book as soon as I finish reading it (a habit I should have developed long ago), and my initial reaction to Under a Painted Sky was - HOLY. COW. I was hoping I'd enjoy this book, but I had no idea that it was going to become a forever favorite for me. This was such an incredible read - and so deserving of all the praise it's received so far! Honestly, I'm just excited I get to join the chorus telling you to READ IT.

I could write a normal review where I explained in a handful of paragraphs all the reasons you need to pick up Under a Painted Sky... but that's not what I'm going to do. Instead, I've got 26 things (one for every letter of the alphabet!) you'll find inside this incredible book. If this doesn't convince you, I don't know what will!

Adventure. This was such an exciting read! Samantha (Sammy) and Annamae (Andy) are on the run, and there's no shortage on danger facing them on the trail. A reminder of why I love books from this time period!

Bravery. It takes a lot of courage for a runaway slave and a girl who committed a crime to disguise themselves as boys and flee to California. Whether it's river crossings or outlaws, they tackle each challenge head on!

Cowboys. Samantha and Annamae team up with three cowboys (Cay, Petey and West) while on the trail. At first, I was suspicious. But these cowboys quickly stole my heart and proved to be valuable companions.

Diversity. Samantha is Chinese and French, Annamae is African American, and Petey is Mexican. It was so refreshing to read a book that depicted the diversity of the Oregon Trail in such a meaningful way.

Escape. The characters aren't just running from someone in pursuit of them. In some cases, they're trying to escape their painful memories and their deepest regrets. The longing for freedom is so strong in this book!

Friendship. The friendship between Samantha and Annamae is one of favorite parts of this book. I love how they support and protect one another - but also challenge each other! They become, in many ways, sisters.

Grief. Samantha is grieving a big loss, and it's painful and moving to watch her navigate those emotions. I really loved how the book portrayed family loyalty and love, as well as the damage a bad one can do.

History. I'm a huge fan of historical fiction, and this is the perfect example of why! History came alive in these pages, and now I want to read anything and everything I can get my hands on from this time period.

Injustice. From the way Samantha's father is treated to the things that happened to Annamae's siblings, this book definitely depicts injustice. It's a painful reminder of some of the darkest parts of this nation's past.

Journey. There's a bit of a quest going on which aligns with the coming-of-age aspects of the story. Samantha and Annamae are both searching for different things, and they'll be tested when those are in opposition.

Kindness. There are a number of moments in this book that highlight human kindness. There are many moments that show the worst side of people, so it was really nice to be reminded that there's good in people, too.

Love. There's many different kinds of love in Under a Painted Sky - between friends, between siblings, between a child and their parent, between a boy and a girl... I loved the relationships in all their forms.

Music. Samantha wants to be a professional musician, and I found her passion inspiring. I loved the way it tied to her heritage and the legacy she wanted to leave! It's not a huge aspect, but it's a memorable one.

Narrative. Plain and simple, I love the story being told in this book. It captured my attention and my emotions, which is a winning combination. There's something special about this read!

Outlaws. In addition to cowboys (and the long arm of the law), there are several outlaws in this book. They took the tension to another level, and I was scared of how two scenes in particular were going to end!

Prayer. I love Annamae's faith - and the way she reacted to Samantha's Chinese beliefs. I don't often see faith in YA, so it was nice to have it mentioned. It's not a huge aspect, but it's a part of Annamae's character!

Quotable. I was definitely a fan of the writing in Under a Painted Sky. I was lacking page flags while  reading, so I ended up taking photos of A LOT of pages so I could write the quotes down once I was done!

Rats, rabbits, rattlesnakes... Chinese astrology is important to Samantha, and she thinks about each character's sign and what it says about them. As for rattlesnakes, you'll have to read to find out what they mean to the girls.

Sickness. If you've ever played the Oregon Trail computer game, you know to expect sickness while you're journey west. These heroines can't escape the threat of disease, but can they survive it?

Trust. Samantha and Annamae have to trust one another to keep some pretty huge secrets, and they debate whether they can trust the cowboys with the truth, too. And what will happen if they do?

Undercover. Samantha and Annamae disguise themselves as boys, and it was hilarious to watch them try to keep their identities a secret. I kept waiting for the moment that everything would be revealed!

Vendettas. Samantha and Annamae make a few enemies along the way, and the pace really picks up when you think someone might be closing in on them. I found the tension and suspense quite exciting!

Western. I'm now dying to read more Westerns! For some reason, I didn't think I loved them... but I was totally wrong. I want more covered wagons, dangerous journeys and attractive cowboys, please!

Xenophobia. This is a bit of a stretch, but I'm making it work. Xenophobia is the intense or irrational dislike or fear of people from other countries. You'll see this depicted in the way Samantha and her father are treated.

Yoke. I was having a hard time thinking of a word for Y, so I decided to go with yoke. Samantha and Annamae become yoked together, and Annamae has been hurt by the yoke of slavery.

Zeal. The cowboys display this infectious energy that made them some of my favorite characters! They wormed their way into my heart, and they often provoked laughter and smiles with their antics.

Well, there you have it. The best part? These are 26 things you'll find in Under a Painted Sky, but there's so much more to discover! This book exemplifies why I love reading historical fiction and illustrates my favorite aspects of the genre. I can't wait for more from Lee, and I know I'll be re-reading this book in the meantime!

So Quotable
"Maybe what matters is not so much the path as who walks beside you."
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I'd Like to Follow Up

Apr 7, 2015

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 Characters I'd Like to Check In With


1. Emily from The Opposite of Love - This book's prologue is, in a way, a check in with these characters. But is it terrible that I want to know more? I love the ending and the small peek at the future, but I'd happily spend just a little more time with these characters that stole my heart.

2. Franny from Someday, Someday, Maybe - I read that Lauren Graham is planning on writing a sequel, and I really hope it's true. While I loved the somewhat open ending, I would not turn down the chance to find out what happens next with Franny's career - and her love life! What happens next?!

3. Queenie and Everett from Nowhere but Home - Is it selfish that I want an entire sequel of just Queenie and Everett finally being happy together? I would also welcome updates on Mary Carole, Cal and all the other characters I fell in love with in this book. JUST MORE KISSING, PLEASE.

4. Lauren and Ryan from After I Do - Oh goodness, I adore everything about this book - including the ending. While I don't have to have an update on them, I would love to be able to check in on the next chapter of these characters' lives (provided it was all happy and good, obviously).

5. Lincoln and Beth from Attachments - This wasn't an obvious choice for me, but it grew on me the more I thought about it. I became really attached to Lincoln, and you only get to know Beth through Lincoln's eyes and in her emails. I would love to hear more from her - and see how these two are doing together!


6. Allyson and Willem from Just One Day and Just One Year - I enjoyed the ending of Just One Year, but I absolutely loved the addition of Just One Night. While I think the story ends in a great place, I'm dying to know what happens next for these two characters. Where do they go from that ending?!

7. Samantha and Annamae from Under a Painted Sky - I just recently finished this book, and I'm already wishing there was a sequel. I have my own hopes and dreams for the characters, but I'd rejoice if I found out there was going to be an actual companion book. It doesn't need one, but I want it!

8. Reagan and Matt from Open Road Summer - I think I'd like to check in with these characters a few years down the road, rather than picking up where the book left off. I did love the ending, but I think there's some awesome potential character growth for Reagan and would love to see it happen.

9. Francesca and Her Friends from Saving Francesca and The Piper's Son - I may have shortened it to "friends" for this item, but you better believe I want more Will, Tom, Tara, Justine, Siobhan and Jimmy. I JUST WANT MORE OF THESE LOVELIES. But can you blame me?! They feel like family.

10. Puck and Sean from The Scorpio Races - This is one of the best slow-burn romances ever, but I'd still gladly read a follow-up with more of these characters and this island. I fell in love with Thisby, and I'd even be content with a sequel that checked in with different characters. Just take me back there!
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