Hope for the Future

Quintana of Charyn by Melina Marchetta

Release Date: April 2013 (US)
Pages: 516 pages
Source & Format: NetGalley / Bought; Paperback
Amazon | Goodreads

Summary (from Goodreads)
There's a babe in my belly that whispers the valley, Froi. I follow the whispers and come to the road...

Separated from the girl he loves and has sworn to protect, Froi must travel through Charyn to search for Quintana, the mother of Charyn's unborn king, and protect her against those who will do anything to gain power. But what happens when loyalty to family and country conflict? When the forces marshalled in Charyn's war gather and threaten to involve the whole of the land, including Lumatere, only Froi can set things right, with the help of those he loves.

Thoughts on Quintana of Charyn
After being somewhat disappointed by Finnikin of the Rock and then enjoying Froi of the Exiles a little more, I was really curious about how I'd feel after reading Quintana of Charyn. Would it make me love the series more or less? In some cases, the final book in a trilogy can make really fall in love with a series. Once I see everything tied together, I sometimes have more positive feelings about previous books (if I hadn't loved them). In other cases, the third book can leave a bad taste in my mouth about the entire series. Thankfully, Quintana of Charyn was BY FAR my favorite book of this trilogy.

There was just so much to love in this final book! Froi of the Exiles ended with so many loose ends. I don't want to call it a cliffhanger ending, but it definitely leaves you wanting to immediately pick up the next book so you can find out what happens next. When I started Quintana of Charyn, I was excited to see how all of the different stories would be resolved since these books involve so many characters.

One of my biggest complaints about the first two books was the romance aspect. I thought the romances in both were underdeveloped and a little lackluster. There was something about them that rang a little hollow - it's like I couldn't understand why the characters liked each other. One of my favorite things about Quintana was the way this element was developed and expanded. The final book delivered exactly what I was looking for from Finnikin and Froi! Although I wanted more information about Trevanion and Beatriss, I did love the developments between some of the other couples in this series.

I thought the pacing and length were perfect. There were several times when I thought the previous books got too bogged down in the fantasy or political elements of the story. What made me love Quintana of Charyn so much was that Marchetta really focused on relationships. The heart of the book was the characters - and that has always been my favorite aspect of her stories. Marchetta can write some incredibly memorable characters, and that was really evident in this conclusion.

There was a lot of darkness and sadness in the first two Lumatere Chronicles books, so I was really surprised by how everything ended with this series. It's definitely got a happier ending than I'd expected! Some may find it a little too perfect, but I loved it nonetheless. I smiled a little as I turned the last page and closed the book. Although we didn't get off to the best start, I really did enjoy the time I spent in Lumatere. Quintana of Charyn was the best kind of farewell.

So Quotable
And through all the misery, she said that some of us in this lifetime experience a moment of beauty beyond reckoning. I asked her what that was, and she said, "If you're one of the lucky ones, you'll know it when you see it. You'll understand why the gods have made you suffer. Because that moment's reward will make your knees weak and everything you've suffered in life will pale in comparison."

Remember the Past

Froi of the Exiles by Melina Marchetta

Release Date: October 2011
Pages: 593 pages
Source & Format: Bought; Paperback
Amazon | Goodreads

Summary (from Goodreads)
Blood sings to blood, Froi . . .
Those born last will make the first . . .
For Charyn will be barren no more. 

Three years after the curse on Lumatere was lifted, Froi has found his home... Or so he believes...

Fiercely loyal to the Queen and Finnikin, Froi has been trained roughly and lovingly by the Guard sworn to protect the royal family, and has learned to control his quick temper. But when he is sent on a secretive mission to the kingdom of Charyn, nothing could have prepared him for what he finds. Here he encounters a damaged people who are not who they seem, and must unravel both the dark bonds of kinship and the mysteries of a half-mad Princess.

And in this barren and mysterious place, he will discover that there is a song sleeping in his blood, and though Froi would rather not, the time has come to listen.

Thoughts on Froi of the Exiles
With Finnikin of the Rock, the prologue really set the tone for the rest of the book. In the same way, the prologue for Froi of the Exiles sets up the conflict and revelations that are to come. Despite being only half a page, I found it so interesting just how much Marchetta packed into those few paragraphs.

Lumatere's curse kept the people trapped inside the city's walls, but the Charynite curse keeps its people from reproducing. While Lumatere had hope that one day their people would be reunited and their kingdom restored, Charyn will cease to exist if they cannot have children.

One of my favorite things about Froi of the Exiles is the way Marchetta takes an extremely flawed and dishonorable character and really transforms him. You could see the seeds of Froi's growth as Finnikin of the Rock went along, but this is the book where you finally get to see him blossom. He has been educated, and he feels true remorse for the mistakes of his past.

When Froi is sent to Charyn to meet the Princess Quintana, he sets himself apart from everyone else just through his interactions with her. He wants to do what's right and to please the people who saw him at his worst and believed in his future. I just loved seeing this new side of him! He stole my heart in a way Finnikin never could - just seeing all the tension warring inside him.

There is such a shift in his attitude. Whereas before he cared only for himself and his own survival, he has now learned to care for others. He legitimately cares for the people who need his protection, for those who have been used and abused. It's interesting to see Marchetta really excel with his characterization and to see the way she redeems him from his past.

We also meet two characters, Lucian and Phaedra, who absolutely became my favorite characters of the entire series. While most of that happened in the last book, I love how Marchetta sets up their relationship and its problems in Froi of the Exiles. It was also nice to see a woman character that was admirable. While Evanjalin and Quintana have positive qualities, there are prickly woman. They lie and manipulate to suit their needs and agendas. So it can sometimes be hard to love them - because everything they do kind of pushes you away (as a reader). With quiet and unassuming Phaedra, you get to see a character come into her own. You see her discover her own strength and courage in a way that made me want to give her standing ovation.

As with Finnikin of the Rock, I felt that the love story in this book was its weakest element. There is just SO MUCH going on that the development of the relationship between Froi and Quinanta was lacking. However, I still enjoyed this book more than Finnikin of the Rock. Despite being longer, I thought it moved quicker and was a more gripping read. I had a hard time actually stopping each week for the read-along - I just wanted to keep going.

If you read Finnikin and loved it, you'll obviously want to come back for more. If you read Finnikin and felt a little blah on continuing this series, I'd absolutely recommend picking up this book and sticking with this series. You can truly begin to see Marchetta hitting her fantasy stride in this book. Even better? Just wait for my thoughts on the conclusion to this series!

So Quotable
"'If we forget who we lost,' Lady Abrian would tell Froi and her children, 'then we forget who we once were, and if we forget who we once where, we lost sight of who we are now.'"

Honor the Living

Finnikin of the Rock by Melina Marchetta

Release Date: September 2008
Pages: 416 pages
Source & Format: Bought; Paperback
Amazon | Goodreads

Summary (from Goodreads)
Finnikin of the Rock and his guardian, Sir Topher, have not been home to their beloved Lumatere for ten years. Not since the dark days when the royal family was murdered and the kingdom put under a terrible curse. But then Finnikin is summoned to meet Evanjalin, a young woman with an incredible claim: the heir to the throne of Lumatere, Prince Balthazar, is alive.

Evanjalin is determined to return home and she is the only one who can lead them to the heir. As they journey together, Finnikin is affected by her arrogance . . . and her hope. He begins to believe he will see his childhood friend, Prince Balthazar, again. And that their cursed people will be able to enter Lumatere and be reunited with those trapped inside. He even believes he will find his imprisoned father.

But Evanjalin is not what she seems. And the truth will test not only Finnikin's faith in her... but in himself.

Thoughts on Finnikin of the Rock
I started Finnikin of the Rock with high expectations. After falling in love with Melina Marchetta's writing style, I was excited that an author I loved had tackled a genre I'm not as familiar with. I'm not a huge fantasy reader, but that's slowly begun to change over the last year or so.

Finnikin of the Rock opens with a prologue that sets up the story as one that is being told "so they will never forget." I really love when books have a recounting the past for future generations vibe. Add to that a group of friends making a pledge to each other, and you'll really get a feel for the tone of the rest of the book from the first few pages.

It took me a while to hit my stride with this book - mostly because there were so many different names and locations. To be honest, it really slowed down my reading at first. There are several maps in the front of this book, and you'll absolutely want to reference them while reading. There's a lot thrown at your very quickly in this book!

Lumatere has suffered a terrible loss - its royal family murdered, its people trapped within its walls and the ones outside the walls forced to roam and settle in refugee camps. What's so interesting about this book is that there are so many important elements that play a role in the story. You've got politics in the interactions between the different countries. There are supernatural elements with the introduction of curses.

But, at its heart, Finnikin of the Rock is about community and identity. It's about honoring the dead AND the living. It's about hope and finding the courage to go on when everything tells you to give up. It's about who you are, how you define yourself and finding the strength within yourself to survive. The story may be fantasy, but it tackles the questions of everyday life. One of my favorite moments in the book was a conversation where the characters discuss measuring loss:

How does one measure it, Finnikin? Does a man who's lost his family to famine suffer less than one who's lost them to an assassin's knife? Is it worse to die of drowning than to be trampled under the feet of others? If you lose your wife in childbirth, is it better than watching her burn at the stake. Death is death and loss is loss."

For some reason, this really struck a chord with me. It's a question and conversation that isn't bound to the fantasy world of Lumatere. It's just a relevant in the real world - in our own attitudes to others - as it is in this story. Grief and pain are universal, and you can't compare and measure one loss to another.

I will be honest, there were things I didn't love about Finnikin of the Rock. From the occasionally  confusing storyline to the lackluster romance, I did not love this one as much as I expected. I didn't really believe in the love story, and I found the main female character incredibly frustrating. However, I still saw Marchetta in every word and on every page. Her characters are difficult, real and raw. This is no glittery world with happy people. It's a place where things have been torn apart and will be slow to heal.

But it's a rewarding story and one that I'm happy to have read with some lovely ladies for the Lumatere Chronicles Read-Along!

So Quotable
"You list the dead. You tell the stories of the past. You write about the catastrophes and massacres. What about the living, Finnikin? Who honors them?"

Why So Serious?

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly featured 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!

Okay, so I don't think I really read that many books that deal with tough subjects. And the ones that I have will probably make an appearance on everyone else's list today so.... I decided to mix it up and do something unexpected with this prompt. Hope you enjoy!

Top Ten Books Dealing with Tough Subjects

1. A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens - The Reign of Terror, the threat of the guillotine, political prisoners, that girl will never love you... It doesn't get tougher than that!

2. Tess of the D'Urbervilles by Thomas Hardy - Lose your virtue, your baby, the man you love... Let's just say that's serious business back in the day. It's a line you aren't supposed to cross, and it's even sadder when it isn't your choice.

3. Gone With the Wind by Margaret Mitchell - A war, going hungry, no new dresses, can't have the man you want, and your city is burning. In Scarlett's eyes, it doesn't get much worse.

4. A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith - You're poor and your dad's an alcoholic. But at least you've got your imagination (like that's any consolation)!

5. Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte - You thought you found happiness, but what you really found were the skeletons in the closet. Also, your childhood really sucked.

6. Little Women by Louisa May Alcott - You cut off your hair for money, your sister burns your manuscript, and everyone knows you end up with the wrong guy. That's rough.

7. Rebecca by Daphne Du Maurier - You basically live in a haunted house. Woo! It's Halloween every day at Manderly.

8. Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy - You hate your husband, so you have an affair. And at what point did you think that was going to end well?

9. Persuasion by Jane Austen - You lost your mom, and your dad and one sister don't like you. The other sister is a pain. Oh, you also rejected the only man you ever loved. Regrets? You've got them.

10. The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas - Falsely imprisoned and lose everything. So, is anyone really shocked when you come for your revenge?

P.S. I legit like all of these classics - just  in case my descriptions lead you to think otherwise.

April: On My Shelves + Recap

Sarah Hearts

Oh, April. For some reason, I just didn't really feel like blogging (or even reading) much this month. I'm finally coming to the realization that I can blog as little or as much as I want. I know it sounds like a given, but it's really easy for me to get caught up in the "I must post every day" frenzy. Yes, sometimes I will have a post for every week day... but not all the time. And sometimes, I may just post once a week. I've decided to fully embrace a more relaxed attitude around here.

One thing I definitely did not take a break from this month? Buying books! I don't know what got into me. Maybe the spring weather got me a little too excited about spending afternoons in the sun with a book in my hand. Either way, I'm so excited to share what was added to my shelves in April!

On My Shelves

Bought on Sale for Kindle: Z: A Novel of Zelda Fitzgerald by Therese Anne Fowler, Scarlet by Marissa Meyer, The Works of L.M. Montgomery by L.M. Montgomery, Clockwork Angel, Clockwork Prince and Clockwork Princess by Cassandra Clare

 

From First Library Visit: A Brief History of Montmaray, The FitzOsbornes In Exile and The FitzOsbornes At War by Michelle Cooper, Gilt by Katherine Longshore, Bloom by Kelle Hampton

From Second Library Visit: The Reading Promise by Alice Ozma, On Rereading by Patricia Meyer Spacks, One for the Books by Joe Queenan, The Colour of Milk by Nell Leyshon

"Brand New & Can't Wait to Read" Purchases: Nowhere But Home by Liza Palmer, The Last Summer by Judith Kinghorn, Dark Triumph by Robin LaFevers, L.M. Montgomery: The Gift of Wings by Mary Henley Rubio

"Already Read But Had to Own" Purchases: Someday, Someday, Maybe by Lauren Graham

Everyone's Favorite Girl Detective for Only $6! (aka Nostalgia-Induced Binge Buying, Part I): The Secret of the Old Clock, The Hidden Staircase, The Bungalow Mystery, The Mystery at Lilac Inn, The Secret of Shadow Ranch, The Secret of Red Gate Farm, The Clue in the Diary, Nancy's Mysterious Letter and The Sign of the Twisted Candles by Carolyn Keene

Something About Maud (aka Nostalgia-Induced Binge Buying, Part II): Betsy-Tacy / Betsy, Tacy and Tib / Betsy and Tacy Go Over the Big Hill / Betsy and Tacy Go Downtown, Heavens to Betsy / Betsy in Spite of Herself, Betsy Was a Junior / Betsy and Joe, Betsy and the Great World / Betsy's Wedding, Carney's House Party / Winona's Pony and Emily of Deep Valley by Maud Hart Lovelace

Life As A Prairie Girl (aka Nostalgia-Induced Binge Buying, Part III): Little House in the Big Woods, Farmer Boy, Little House on the Prairie, On the Banks of Plum Creek, By the Shores of Silver Lake, The Long Winter, Little Town on the Prairie, These Happy Golden Years and The First Four Years by Laura Ingalls Wilder

Books I Read

43. Clockwork Prince - Cassandra Clare

44. Secrets Over Sweet Tea - Denise Hildreth Jones
45. A Noble Groom - Jody Hedlund
46. Bloom - Kelle Hampton
47. The Turncoat - Donna Thorland
48. Anne of Windy Poplars - L.M. Montgomery
49. Anne's House of Dreams - L.M. Montgomery

On The Blog

I reviewed: Bloodlines, The Golden Lily and The Indigo Spell by Richelle Mead, Jennifer by Dee Henderson, Just One Day by Gayle Forman, My Life Next Door by Huntley Fitzpatrick, Cinder by Marissa Meyer, A Noble Groom by Jody Hedlund, Someday, Someday, Maybe by Lauren Graham

I listed the top ten: Characters I Would Crush On If I Was Also A Fictional Character, Childhood Series I Want to Reread, Books I Thought I Would Like Less Than I Did, Words or Topics That Make Me Pick Up A Book

I confessed: Payday Presents

I hosted: Froi of the Exiles Read-Along - Week Five

Good Things Grow

Attachments by Rainbow Rowell

Release Date: April 2011
Pages: 323 pages
Source & Format: Bought; Kindle e-book
Amazon | Goodreads

Summary (from Amazon)
"Hi, I'm the guy who reads your e-mail, and also, I love you . . . "

Beth Fremont and Jennifer Scribner-Snyder know that somebody is monitoring their work e-mail. (Everybody in the newsroom knows. It's company policy.) But they can't quite bring themselves to take it seriously. They go on sending each other endless and endlessly hilarious e-mails, discussing every aspect of their personal lives.

Meanwhile, Lincoln O'Neill can't believe this is his job now- reading other people's e-mail. When he applied to be "internet security officer," he pictured himself building firewalls and crushing hackers- not writing up a report every time a sports reporter forwards a dirty joke.

When Lincoln comes across Beth's and Jennifer's messages, he knows he should turn them in. But he can't help being entertained-and captivated-by their stories.

By the time Lincoln realizes he's falling for Beth, it's way too late to introduce himself.

What would he say...?

Thoughts on Attachments
I first heard about Attachments when two smart ladies, Estelle from Rather Be Reading and Elena from Novel Sounds, recommended it to me. When they BOTH told me to read it, I knew that I had to listen up and put this one on my TBR.

As soon as I started reading it, I absolutely couldn't put it down. I was flying through, flipping pages frantically, and alternating between smiling and sighing over it. I cannot begin to tell you how refreshing this book was for me! 

So, here is a list of five reasons you should drop everything and read this book:

1. The Format.
Attachments has a really unique format that alternates from chapter-to-chapter. About half of the chapters are email exchanges between friends, Beth and Jennifer, while they are at work. The other chapters focus on Lincoln, whose job as an "internet security monitor" requires him to read all emails that are flagged due to certain criteria.

I'm going to be honest and say that I typically hate when books have emails or text message conversations included. I think it's because I often feel that it breaks up the flow while I'm reading and they feel like they're just thrown in with no purpose. What I loved about Attachments, however, is that the email concept was central to the story and made sense. I legitimately looked forward to reading Beth and Jennifer's conversations - but I also couldn't wait to spend more time with Lincoln! It wasn't like I preferred one over the other, which was so nice.

2. The Friendship
As I mentioned in the previous bullet point, Jennifer and Beth's emails to each other are a huge part of this story. Because of that, we really get to know them. I was so invested in their friendship! And I absolutely loved the way they joked with each other but were there for each other in the serious moments, too. 

So many books that involve female friendship make me sad because they show the bad side - cattiness, gossip, etc. I just adored how you could just see how much they cared for one another just by reading what they typed back and forth.

Even Lincoln recognized the depth of their friendship:

He may as well admit that, to himself. He was never going to send them a warning. Because he liked them. Because he thought they were nice and smart and funny. Really funny— sometimes they made him laugh out loud at his desk. He liked how they teased each other and looked out for each other. He wished that he had a friend at work he could talk to like that.

Don't we all want to have at least one friend like that? I just loved this aspect of Rowell's book!

3. The Fella.
Here's the thing - Lincoln is a nerd. He's still living at home, and he lets his mom make his lunch. When he's not reading comics or wasting time, he plays Dungeons & Dragons. He had his heart broken by the only girl he ever loved, and it's like he never quite recovered after that. He's stuck in a state of limbo, and just needs that extra push. Lincoln is the heart and soul of Attachments - and it's one I found myself cheering for over and over again!

When he finally starts making progress, he admits to his sister that he's overwhelmed by how far he has left to go. I just loved her advice:

“So, what if, instead of thinking about solving your whole life, you just think about adding additional good things. One at a time. Just let your pile of good things grow.” 

And that's exactly what he does. His pile of good things starts growing, and he absolutely steals your heart in the process. As he starts caring about these girls he's never met, you can't help but sit on the edge of your seat just waiting for what comes next. He may not be your typical swoony romantic lead, but he's the kind that feels things deeply and quietly wins your heart. Just trust me. You want to get to know him.

4. The Funnies.
There were so many moments in this book that had me laughing out loud. While it's certainly a book with heart, it's also got a great sense of humor. To support my case, here is one of my favorite email exchanges from the very beginning of the book.

< < Jennifer to Beth > > It’s here. Return to your usual programming.
< < Beth to Jennifer > > It?
< < Jennifer to Beth > > You know  … it, the thing that tells you you’re not pregnant.
< < Beth to Jennifer > > It? Do you mean your period? Your monthly? Did your aunt Ruby arrive for a five-to seven-day visit? Is it … that time? Why are you talking like you’re in a feminine napkin commercial?
< < Jennifer to Beth > > I’m trying to be more careful. I don’t want to trigger one of those red flags and send some company watchdog computer into a frenzy, just because I sent an e-mail about it.
< < Beth to Jennifer > > I can’t imagine that any of the company’s red-flag words involve menstruation.
< < Jennifer to Beth > > So you’re not worried about it?
< < Beth to Jennifer > > About your period?
< < Jennifer to Beth > > No, about that note we got. The one that warned us not to send personal e-mails. The one that said we could be fired for improper use of our computers.
< < Beth to Jennifer > > Am I worried that the bad guys from Tron are reading our e-mail? Uh, no. All this security stuff isn’t aimed at people like us. They’re trying to catch the pervs. The online porn addicts, the Internet blackjack players, the corporate spies  …
< < Jennifer to Beth > > Those are probably all red-flag words. Pervs. Porn. Spies. I bet red flag is a red flag.
< < Beth to Jennifer > > I don’t care if they are reading our mail. Bring it on, Tron! I dare you. Try to take away my freedom of expression. I’m a journalist. A free-speech warrior. I serve in the Army of the First Amendment. I didn’t take this job for the bad money and the regressive health care coverage. I’m here for the truth, the sunshine, the casting open of closed doors!

I know, right? You better be dying to read it now!

5. The Feelings.
Finally, this book has some serious feelings. I don't even want to tell you too much, but I want you to know they exist. Honestly, I was hardcore gripping the edge of my Kindle while reading at one point. I had legit bookish anxiety about the ending - I didn't even know how my nerves were going to take it if certain things didn't happen in the end. I'll say no more. Just read this book!

So Quotable
"There are moments when you can’t believe something wonderful is happening. And there are moments when your entire consciousness is filled with knowing absolutely that something wonderful is happening. Lincoln felt like he’d dunked his head into a sink full of Pop Rocks and turned on the water."

Word Nerd

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly featured 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!

Top Ten Words/Topics That Instantly Make Me Pick Up a Book

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1. Movies & TV Shows
Okay, so this doesn't technically apply to books about ALL movies or TV shows. It's really only when the books are about movies and shows that I like already. But still! I'm a total sucker for books that give you the "official" behind-the-scenes look from the creator's perspective and the "unofficial" analyzing of every aspect from a fan's perspective. I have a number books on my shelves that I've bought on a whim because of this, as well as some that I've specifically sought out and ordered.

Some books I've read because of this:

The Making Of Pride & Prejudice / Uncovering Alias / The World Of Downton Abbey / The Gilmore Girls Companion

amazing print from OrganicBird on etsy!

2. L.M. Montgomery & Jane Austen

These two authors are my kryptonite! I basically buy anything that has their name on it - biographies, tributes, literary analyses, spin-offs, prequels, sequels, etc. If it says Austen or Montgomery somewhere on it, chances are that I realllyyyyy want to add it to my personal library. I don't know what it is about these two (lie: it's that they are my favorite authors), but I can't help wanting to read everything about their lives, their impact, their books and their characters.

Some [Austen] books I've read because of this:

Jane Austen: A Life / Jane's Fame / Austenland / A Jane Austen Education

Some [Montgomery] books I've read/bought because of this:

The Lucy Maud Montgomery Album / Before Green Gables / Lucy Maud Montgomery: The Gift of Wings / Looking For Anne Of Green Gables 

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3. Horses

I started horseback riding in the first grade, and I only stopped years later after a random series of events derailed my weekly lessons. And I STILL, to this day, wish I'd never given it up! Because y'all, there is just something about a horse. I may not ride that much anymore (other than occasional opportunities, like on the Welsh coast), but I still consider myself a diehard horse girl. If there's a horse on the cover or horses play a major role in the book, you better believe I'm picking it up as fast as I can get it in my hands.

Some books I've read because of this:

Misty Of Chincoteague / Seabiscuit / Black Beauty / The Scorpio Races

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4. Books & Reading
This has a few meanings for me. First, I love books about books. I love memoirs or non-fiction that focus on the impact books have had on the author's life or some such thing. I'm SOLD and want to read that book bad. But it also applies to fiction where books play a main role and/or ones in which the main character is a reader. I just can't get enough of reading about the power of books and the joy of reading!

Some books I've read because of this:

Judging A Book By Its Lover / The Book Thief / How Reading Changed My Life / The Heroine's Bookshelf

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5. Georgia
I'm a Georgia girl, born and raised, so I absolutely love reading books set in my home state. While I like reading about the South in general, I obviously have a special place in my heart for books that take place in The Peach State. I can't help it! It adds that extra dose of familiarity to the book and makes me love my home all the more.

Some books I've read because of this:

Fireworks Over Toccoa / Gone With The Wind / Savannah From Savannah / The Swan House

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6. Royalty
Yep, I'm one of those girls obsessed with royalty. If I book involves queens/duchesses/princesses/etc. (real or fictional), I'm ALL OVER THAT book. I'm not 100% sure where this love comes from, but I embrace it with all of my reading being.

Some [non-fiction] books I've read because of this:

Queen of Fashion / The Diana Chronicles / We Two / Once Upon A Time

Some [fiction] books I've read because of this:

The Lady Elizabeth / Shadow On The Crown / The Second Duchess / Prisoners In The Palace

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7. Travel & Road Trips
I've been fortunate enough to have had the chance to travel to some pretty cool places in my life, and I only hope that I'll be able to continue to explore the world for the rest of my days. So, I really love books involving traveling. Seeing that word in a blurb will definitely make me want to read a book. I'm also a sucker for road trip books, even though I've never been on one and really have no interest. Look, I like the idea, but I'm pretty sure I don't want to be stuck in a car for weeks. It's one of those things that sounds all romantic and bohemian, but I think it'd actually be stressful and unclean.

Some books I've read because of this:

Just One Day / Amy and Roger's Epic Detour / The Lost Girls / Wanderlove

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8. Sisters
I really love books where sisters play a large role in the novel, even if there is also a love story involved that's the main focus of the book. There's just something about a book that has a good set of sisters - no matter how complicated their relationship - that just draws me in. I just love books that explore this family relationship in particular.

Some books I've read because of this:

Little Women / I Capture The Castle / The Poisonwood Bible / The Penderwicks

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9. World War II
As you may already know, I love historical fiction. It's probably my favorite genre - there's just something that I love about getting lost in another time and hopefully learning a little something about history in the process. What you may not know, however, is that World War II is one of the time periods that will absolutely make me want to pick up a book immediately. There's something so heartbreaking about that time in our past that makes for such compelling and heartbreaking stories.

Some books I've read because of this:

Every Man Dies Alone / Between Shades of Gray / The Soldier's Wife / The House at Tyneford

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10. Based On Real People
Finally, I love fiction based on real people! This is another kind of historical fiction that I always get crazy excited to read - and it doesn't even matter to me if I know anything about the subjects before diving in. There have been so many books that I've picked up because of this premise, and I always find them fascinating. While I have to remember to take everything in them with a grain of salt (it is still fiction), it usually makes me more interested in learning more about the real people depicted in the book.

Some books I've read/bought because of this:

Z: A Novel of Zelda Fitzgerald / Girl In A Blue Dress / The Paris Wife / Romancing Miss Bronte