A Classic's Challenge: hosted by November's Autumn

Since the New Year came in, I pondered what I could do to actually accomplish some of my reading goals, and I came across this wonderful challenge hosted by the lovely blog, November's Autumn. I wanted to find a way to get some classic novels onto my reading list, and what better way than to dive right in. For the challenge, each participant must read 7 classics this year, and participate in at least 3 monthly prompts.

Here are my picks for this year:

When I was away at school in the UK (2010), I vowed to finish Pride and Predjudice, as I was the only known English Major to have completely bypassed the novel. I finished the first ten chapters and became so swamped with work that I just veered off. But now I'm back. Back to adore the thrillingly, ecstatic language, manners, and the very unlikeable Darcy. (Sorry Ladies, perhaps my opinion will change but upon first glance, I'm not sure I understand his appeal.). For this one title, I may even resume chronicling my thoughts on my inspiration blog, Forelsket. Stay Tuned.

I've already read her sister, Emily's, grotesque account of love obsessed Cathy and Heathcliff, and thought, Jane Eyre is perhaps the other novel I managed to evade as an English Major (you all must be wondering what, in fact, I did read whilst in school.). I even tried watching the latest film adaptation during a flight home, and though I didn't finish it, it seemed scarier than I thought it was going to be. Looking forward to reading this!

All I think about when I hear the title of this piece, is Estella, and her perhaps, disdainful behavior towards Pip. I remember an adaptation of it set in present day, and have always wanted to get to the bottom of what exactly happens between those two.

There's no one else to blame for this pick but, Leanna Renee Hieber, who just happens to be one of the best historical YA writers, period. She's caused me to have a resurgence of historical fiction, particularly those of the Gothic Victorian persuasion. I have a thing for those Gothic, world steeped in fog, and intriguing heroes swathed in dark shadows, kinda stories.

I actually started reading this around two summers ago, and I remember it starting off very promisingly. Yet another Gothic mystery that I can't wait to restart and actually finish.

I'm guessing by now you see a pattern, :-).

I'm so torn between these two volumes of loveliness! They are two of my favorite films (yes, I know, I see loads of films, and always end up reading the novel later on...), and I have a feeling that each would be a joy to read. I'll either put both choices through a generator, or maybe you guys could help me choose?

These are my picks for the November's Autumn Classic's Challenge. If you're participating, what novels have you chosen?

The Fault In Our Stars by John Green Book Review

Diagnosed with Stage IV thyroid cancer at 12, Hazel was prepared to die until, at 14, a medical miracle shrunk the tumours in her lungs... for now. 

Two years post-miracle, sixteen-year-old Hazel is post-everything else, too; post-high school, post-friends and post-normalcy. And even though she could live for a long time (whatever that means), Hazel lives tethered to an oxygen tank, the tumours tenuously kept at bay with a constant chemical assault. Enter Augustus Waters. A match made at cancer kid support group, Augustus is gorgeous, in remission, and shockingly to her, interested in Hazel. Being with Augustus is both an unexpected destination and a long-needed journey, pushing Hazel to re-examine how sickness and health, life and death, will define her and the legacy that everyone leaves behind.

-GoodReads

"I'm in love with you, and I'm not in the business of denying myself the simple pleasure  of saying true things. I'm in love with you, and I know that love is just a shout into the void, and that oblivion is inevitable , and that we're all doomed and that there will come a day when all our labor has been returned to dust, and I know the sun will swallow the only earth we'll ever have, and I am in love with you."- Augustus Waters

The excitement over The Fault in Our Stars was infectious, and I purchased this novel with high hopes that it would be one of the best novels I've read. Period. Now, in normal circumstances, having such high standards can be a bit dissapointing, but in this case, not at all. In fact, I'm in such awe that I loved it so much, I'm still staring at it like, did that really happen?

I adored mostly everything about this novel. John Green's characters are out of this world, and there's almost no way that Hazel, Augustus, Isaac, and the entire cast aren't living their lives in Indianapolis today. They all felt so real, its like meeting new friends and family. John Green is one of the only novelists I've read in the YA genre to write an intelligent novel that is not in the least pretentious. It awakened my desire to further learn the craft of fiction, and seek out gorgeous classic poetry to read.

I loved Hazel, her thoughts on life, the books she read, and her overall voice. She makes great points about cliched literature featuring cancer patients who are wise beyond knowing, and heroic up until the end of their battle with cancer. This type of literature does not portray accurately what it means to truly battle cancer. It's beautiful to read a novel of this type that doesn't drench itself in heroics, but shows naked human spirit. And Augustus, what can I say? He's one of the best characters I've encountered. He's witty, intelligent, charming in an 'adorkable' way, and challenging. As he and Hazel bond over the novel they read together, reveal their thoughts on living, dying, and fighting, I found myself further pulled in. 

What I loved most about this novel is that Green manages to create a highly realistic novel that is moving as it is heartbreaking, whilst also, creating a beautifully rich romance that has all of the qualities of a fairytale (without the cheese). I loved Hazel and Augustus' adventures as they cope with their situations in a proactive and zealous way! Green's writing completely captured the beauty of young love,  Amsterdam, life, really, everything. There are wonderful lessons to ponder. I wanted to underline so many passages, and I feel I might have missed some. There are moments in the novel that are so heartbreaking, but beautiful all the same. It was quite hard to read, and realize how many people live lives like this everyday, and it gave me a greater awareness of what it is like to battle cancer.

The only thing I wasn't very fond of in the novel are the characters sarcastic/disdainful opinions about God, and the church where they attend support group. Although it wasn't often, and it seems plausible that these would be the opinions of teens going through this situation.

Bare in mind: This novel contains profanity and sensuality.

I will have to reread The Fault in Our Stars because I was actually saddened to end it.  I'm happy that although I have three other Green novels, this was the first one I picked up.

I give The Fault In Our Stars by John Green 5 out of 5 cups of Earl Grey with a tray of macaroons, and bubbly like the stars.

Feel free to check out my diary-esque entry about how The Fault In Our Stars effected me and my writing.

Stay With Me by Paul Griffin Book Review

Fifteen-year-olds Cece and Mack didn't expect to fall in love. She's a sensitive A student; he's a high school dropout. But soon they're spending every moment together, bonding over a rescued dog, telling their secrets, making plans for the future. Everything is perfect. Until. Until. Mack makes a horrible mistake, and in just a few minutes, the future they'd planned becomes impossible. In this stark new reality, both of them must find meaning and hope in the memories of what they had, to survive when the person they love can't stay.

From award-winning writer Paul Griffin, Stay with Me is both heartbreaking and uplifting, filled with characters (both dog and human) that will forever change the way you look at the world.

-GoodReads

Stay With Me by Paul Griffin is one of those novels that you never quite see coming, but it's a welcomed surprise!

Mack and Cece are two very intriguing teenagers, each standing on the opposite sides of life. Mack is a hardened young man who's dropped out of high school to take on this world alone. Griffin could have portrayed him as a guy who's a hardened 'bad-boy' type due to previous experiences in his life, but Mack has a sensitivity that makes him the most lovable guy. What redeems him totally is his connection with dogs, particularly pitbulls. In someways, Mack and the pitbull have profound symbolism, in that, pitbulls often have horrible reputations of being rabidly ferocious, but what we overlook is that pitbulls are trained, just like any other dog, to become that way through the treatment they are subjected to. The same is true for Mack, and you can see his sensitivity rising even as the part of him threatening to destroy everything remains. Cece, on the other hand, is a high achiever, trying her hardest to obtain a slot at a prestigious high school. She can hardly believe him when he expresses his awkwardly lovely interest in her. When Cece and Mack come together it's a fusion of intriguing awkwardness, and two people trying their hardest to stay above ground. It was wonderful to observe their discussions for the future, and discoveries.

I think Griffin may have become one of my favorite writers, what with his eye for detail and fluid lyricism. That alone gives this story a beautiful surrealism that is quite fresh. His setting is grounded in a pulsing urban atmosphere, but it's chock full of beauty if your willing to open up and peek in. Each character is wonderfully flawed, and I loved their varying points of view. Great tone and pacing. There are places in this novel that are so heartbreaking, especially as it crescendos towards the end. It's hard for a novel to make me cry, and for once, I wanted to. I wanted to fight for Mack and Cece, fight the powers that persisted in staunching their lives. But, it's a novel that when all is said and done, still has hope despite of all the challenges. I believe I may revisit this title again this year, God Willing.

Bare in mind: It contains depictions of violence, profanity, and sexual content.

I give Stay With Me by Paul Griffin 5 out of 5 cups of Earl Grey, and perhaps a few treats for your pup.

Looking Forward to Reading in 2012

This year is brimming with exciting reads, and I can't wait to get my hands of some of them! My list will also contain titles not released in 2012.

 

Okay...Two awesome reads coming out in the same year? Brilliant. I know that I'm not the only one to have fallen for Lauren Oliver's dystopian romance, Delirium! It surprised and intrigued me. With all the plot twists and turns, one never knows what to expect within this series. In Pandemonium, I'm hoping that it involves our same two lovelies, Lena and Alex, but who can really know. All I know is that it promises to be out of this world! (Did I mention that I had a serendipitously AWESOME meeting with Lauren Oliver while on my internship? Still can't believe it).

After having a quick glimpse (looks down in shame) of Nina La Cour's beautiful novel Hold Still, I knew that I would read The Disenchantments after having only viewed the cover art. All of the cool points are there: band culture, road trips, and perhaps unrequited love. I can't wait to dig into this. I have a feeling it will be one of my novel treasures by the end of the year, God Willing.

Bridge of Scarlet Leaves seems like it will be such an intriguing read! The story is set in 1941, and it chronicles the life of a brilliant violinist who challenges social standards around her when she elopes with a Japanese-American young man the night before Pearl Harbor is bombed. The premise alone draws me in, and I find it might just be the novel that stays with me for the rest of my life.

I bet you guys saw this one coming. Everyone I know brimmed with excited over one of the most highly anticipated releases in 2012. Although I have 3 other novels by John Green, The Fault In Our Stars will be the one that I read first. I was so chuffed to find an autographed copy at The Strand! I've only read the first chapter, but, I've got to tell you, it has the markings of genius! John Green knows how to turn such deep, and at times, inexplicable themes into poignant, comedic, and relatable journeys that you learn so much from. 

Whilst taking a stroll through Barnes & Noble, my eyes automatically fixed on to this extraordinary and disheartening novel, The Watch That Ends The Night. When I was in Middle School, I was drawn to Titanic, from stories of excited passengers gaining the opportunity to board the 'unsinkable' ship, to that dreadful night where lines blended between classes, and all had but one thought: being saved. I cannot wait to get my hands on this wonderful tale. I've heard that it also comes with extras such as morse code messages to decode. 

The Girls of No Return is about four girls who attend a school in the heart of the Frank Church River, and are forced to finally deal with secrets that have haunted their lives. The Good Reads synopsis says that it is Cut meets Hatchet. That alone promises a thrilling/heartwrenching ride.

A lover of most dystopian epics, The Pledge seems like it will be yet another intriguing, suspense filled ride. 

I have recently turned my sights to the wondrous world of Historical fiction, particularly that of the Victorian/Steampunk persuasion. It seems a world filled with romance, and wonders that the imagination can't help but latch on to. After seeing The Girl In The Steel Corset around bookshops, and the blogosphere, I thought that I would try it on for size. If any of you have recommendations, please, I would love to hear them!

I'm looking forward, and hoping to read all of these novels and more this year. What novels are you looking forward to reading this year?

Sugar Cube Reviews: Beautiful Disaster | Cross My Heart | Return to Paradise

Sugar Cube Reviews are a feature on Novel Days where I offer short and sweet reviews on a group of novels. The idea was inspired by Juju of Tales of Whimsy!

Beautiful Disaster by Jaime Mcguire was a very entertaining novel that I enjoyed reading. It was a bit of a guilty pleasure to watch Abby and Travis fall in love, and engage in angsty moments that I'll admit I couldn't stop reading. I will say that at points the relationship seems strained by Travis' behavior, as he became a bit too clingy for my own taste. As I read, I wondered if it would become a story about abuse. Nevertheless, It was an entertaining read, well-written and believable. (Contains: Sensuality, Profanity, Violence)
I give Beautiful Disaster by Jaime Mcguire 4 out of 5 cups of Earl Grey!



Cross My Heart by Katie Klein was such a great read. Klein's portrayal of the good girl/bad boy theme was very well done! I loved watching Jaden and Parkers relationship progress, they, especially Parker, were very intriguing to observe! I also loved watching as Jaden discovers that she no longer needs to live by her 'perfect' persona. Surprise ending, guys! Never saw it coming! (Contains: Profanity, Violence).
I give Cross My Heart by Katie Klein 4 and a 1/2 out of 5 cups of Earl Grey!



Return to Paradise by Simone Elkeles returns to find Caleb protecting a secret that has the power to set him free, and Maggie doing her best to move on. However, once they're forced on a Summer trip, they have no choice but to face everything that both tried to get over. Elkeles paints a wonderful story of redemption, and rekindled love. She gives us the tension needed to keep our eyes glued to every page. I loved the myriad of characters introduced by way of the Summer trip, and Caleb's own friends from the detention center. I will say that I loved Leaving Paradise a bit more, but it's by no means a reason to pass up on this. (Contains: Profanity, Slight Violence, Sensuality)
I give Return to Paradise by Simone Elkeles 4 and a 1/2 out of 5 cups of Ear Grey!