Top Ten: Bookish Confessions

Oh dear, this could get me into trouble...

Source: Someecards

1. I dog-ear pages to mark my place. The worst part is, I have quite a few bookmarks. Somehow I always go back to the dog ears.
2. I read constantly, including while I'm eating. Did I mention I'm not very graceful? My books are full of stains. 
3. I like my books to look well loved (see: 1 & 2), but I would never do that to somebody else's. If I have borrowed a book, I treat it with kid gloves.
4. I judge books by their covers. If a book has a pretty cover, I'm 100 per cent more likely to buy it. If it has a fugly cover, I'll be inclined to pass it over (unless reviews can persuade me otherwise).
5. I love the smell of books. I love the smell of new books. I love the smell of old books. I love the smell of bookstores. I love the smell of libraries... I can't pick up a book without smelling it, it's like a compulsion.
6. When I was 11, I went through a massive V.C. Andrews phase. I still enjoy reading her books as a guilty pleasure.
7. I am literally running out of space for my books, but I can't stop acquiring more. Today, I added 10 to my collection. And that's not counting e-books. I may have a problem.
8. I compulsively re-arrange my books every few months. I can't seem to find the perfect way to organise them. Series? Colour? Alphabetical? Chronological? It changes all the time.
9. I get sad when I don't read, or I feel like I'm reading too slowly. I feel guilty when I'm behind on reviews.
10. My dream is to one day have a library like the real Belle. The chances of this happening are very, very slim. I'd at least like a library with a ladder, so I can do this:

Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by The Broke and the Bookish.

P.S. If you really love bookish confessions, check out this Tumblr.

Top Ten: Books I've Read Since I Began Blogging

Image by Denisa Kadlecova

1. Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro. This was one of the first books I read after I began blogging, and it completely blew me away. I gave it four stars at the time, I think because - although I thought it was amazing - it was such an uncomfortable read and made me feel ALL THE FEELINGS, so I knew I wouldn't revisit it very often (which is how I generally know a book is five stars for me - I want to reread it immediately). I kind of regret not giving it five stars. It definitely left a big impression.

2. The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald. I tried to read this twice before I started blogging, and gave up each time. I just couldn't get into it. When I picked it up for the third time, after creating my blog, I pushed through and ended up absolutely loving it. Perseverance wins!

3. Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins. The whole The Hunger Games trilogy really belongs in this spot, as I read them all together in one blur. But Catching Fire was definitely my favourite in the series.

4. Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins. I probably never would have read this book if I hadn't started blogging. I'm one of those awful people who judge books by covers, and this cover is pretty terrible. Then I read a whole heap of gushing reviews on blogs I respected and my curiosity got the better of me. I'm glad it did, because this is now one of my favourite books. It's just so fun.

5. The Last Unicorn by Peter S. Beagle. I grew up watching the movie, and finally read the book as an adult. It took my breath away with its vivid imagery, lovely language, memorable characters and magical story.

6. Beauty Queens by Libba Bray. This is another one I would never have read if it wasn't for blogging and reading the rave reviews from my fellow bloggers. I wasn't really familiar with Bray's work prior to this so I didn't know what to expect, but I was pleasantly surprised to find a colourful, witty and intelligent story that I absolutely fell in love with.

7. I Came To Say Goodbye by Caroline Overington. This is a beautiful, haunting tale about family, the foster care system, mental illness, feminism, domestic abuse - but most of all, love. It's amazing.

8. The Weight of Water by Sarah Crossan. This was such a surprise for me because I didn't think I enjoyed verse novels, but after glancing at the first couple of pages of The Weight of Water I was completely hooked and couldn't put it down. It totally changed my opinion on verse novels.

9. On the Jellicoe Road by Melina Marchetta. 'Nuff said, really.

10. Jasper Jones by Craig Silvey. I read this pretty recently but I'm already a hardcore fangirl. Everyone should read it. I would say my adoration for this book is almost on par with my love for The Book Thief by Marcus Zusak. Almost.

Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by The Broke and The Bookish.

Top 5: Characters I Love To Hate

For TGIF this week, Ginger at GReads asks: "Love-hate relationships: Which characters do you love to hate?"
 

1. Voldemort from the Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling: Voldemort is one sexy villain. Not literally, of course. He's pretty scary-ugly, in that case. But he's got charm, charisma, intelligence and power that are totally attractive. Shame he's crazy.

2. Soames Forsyte from The Forsyte Saga by John Galsworthy: Soames is such an interesting character. Brought up to believe in the value of possessions in an era when women were seen as exactly that, he just doesn't understand how to treat his forward-thinking, freedom-seeking wife. He loves her dearly, but he can't express that love in healthy ways, driving him to some pretty horrible acts. Still, you can't help but feel for him.

3. Uriah Heep from David Copperfield by Charles Dickens: Ugh, Uriah Heep makes my skin crawl. He is so disgusting and devious, with his "'umbleness". But he's so wonderfully constructed, I really love his character, even though I really, really hate him.

4. Heathcliff from Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte: Pretty much every single character in this book is horrible, but Heathcliff is the worst. He's the "hero" of the novel and yet he's quite evil, using and abusing those around him to suit his own sick schemes. The love that exists between him and Cathy is so twisted, it hurts everyone that comes into contact with them. He's by no means heroic, but he sure is compelling.

5. Captain Hook from Peter Pan by J.M. Barrie: He may be a murdering, thieving pirate, but hey, he's a gentlemen about it. He's a stickler for "form" and enjoys the finer things in life. And really, who could blame the guy for having it in for Peter Pan, the boy who leaves a trail of fairy dust and mischief wherever he flies... not to mention the little incident with Hook's hand. 



Which characters do you love to hate?