When I love a book....

The other day I got to thinking, after having read book

 #1298047555478927895 at this point in my 

life, what criteria must a book have in order for me to personally
give a rating of 5 owls for a review here or 5 stars on Goodreads? 

 I know most literary hot-shots wouldn't agree with me, but

here's a list of clues that tell me if I LOVE a book or not:

1. 24 hours or less!

Basically.  And I also have a minor obsession with e-cards.

If I pick up a flippin' book at the beginning and I'm so consumed by the story that I'm done reading within 24 hours or less, I know I loved the book.  I'll miss sleep, miss meals, forget about whatever chores need to be done in the house, all because I cannot stop thinking about this book and the need to finish it.  I know all of you bookworms have been there, and I also know that at least one of those books that have had a similar impact on you has just popped into your head.  Correct me if I'm wrong, but that book is probably considered one of your favorites.  

2. The Book Hangover

The beloved and equally dreaded Book Hangover.  This one goes right along with the first.  It's that empty yet full feeling you get once you finish a book. You feel full because you've taken in everything that was written from cover to cover and you feel like your life was forever changed by the book.  Then there's the empty feeling of wishing you could take it all back and read the book over again just to experience all those emotions that you felt.

I know I've clutched a book while having that same look on my face.

3. I become demanding

I immediately demand that my book buddies read the same book I loved so we can swap thoughts.

This is me while waiting for a friend to read a book I loved.  Creepy?  Yes.  But they still love me.

I'm always ready to gush about whatever book I fell in love with, and I can be such a whiner when no one else has read it.  Plus, I can also be a fairly impatient person when waiting for a friend to finish a book I loved.  Are these negative qualities to have?  Negatron, my friend.

 4. Must. Read. The. Sequel.

I need to read the sequel.  NOW.

 If there is a sequel to the book, I'll forget about whatever book I had next on my reading list and place the sequel on hold at the library to read next.  For example: the Twilight books, Harry Potter, Hunger Games, The Bronze Horseman, The Moral Instruments, these are all books I greedily devoured once I started reading the first book in the series.  I know there's more, those were just the ones that popped into my mah head first.  

5. Was the connection there?

One of the most important aspects of any book that every reader looks for is that connection you feel with the characters and the story.  You know the one, the connection that makes you feel as if you've literally jumped into the pages of the book and you're living out the story yourself.  Call me crazy, but when I feel that super connection I almost believe the characters are real because you want them to BE real.   

Exactly my point.

There are probably more that could be added to my list, these are

just the first examples that came to me when I decided
 to write this post.  I'm sure I'll be kicking meself in the
arse later because I forgot to add one.

Whatevs.

So, what do you do when you read a book you love?

How do you feel?

How does a book make the cut for your favorites list?

Comment below and share them with me!

Stop lurky lurkin' and comment!

Please.

From one book lover to another,

Top Ten Tuesday!

This week's Top Ten Tuesday list hosted by The Broke and the Bookish

is all about the Top Ten Words/Topics That Instantly 

Make Me Buy/Pick Up A Book

1. Young Adult - Of course I couldn't make this list without first including YA!  Whether it be a bookstore or the library, that's usually the section in which you'll find me browsing through the books. 
2. Dystopia - Obsessed doesn't quite cover it.  I'm a dystopian genre nut!  What does that say about me?  The fact that I can never turn down a dark and gloomy, end-of-the-world kind of book?  I enjoy dark stuff, it keeps me thinking. 
3. Paranormal Romance - Ever since I was a little girl, the signs have always been there.  While most girls favored Disney movies like Cinderella and Sleeping Beauty, mine were Little Mermaid and Beauty and the Beast.  I've always taken a liking to romance stories with a twist, or better yet, romance stories where one of the characters isn't completely human.  Now as an adult, I almost always choose a paranormal romance novel over a regular romance novel.  Again, what does that say about me?  Not sure, but I'm happy with it.
   

   
4. New - You know when you're happily walking through the library in search of your next read and you pass the shelves holding the books that have those colorful, eye-catching labels slapped across the spine labeling those books as "New"?  That's exactly what I'm talking about.  I return home from the library toting AT LEAST one of those new novels 85%-90% of the time.  There's something about the possibility of me being the first person to read that particular copy that makes me want to read it even more.  And besides, who doesn't love a NEW book?
5. The name of any author of any book I've read before and loved - This one mostly pertains to me actually buying a book, especially right now with me living in Brokeville.  I'm more inclined to buy a book of an author I really like, just because I know I'm taking less of a chance with my money  Don't get me wrong, I love reading books by debuting authors!  *points to #4* That one says it all.  When you get right down to it, once you find an author that you feel you have a connection with, it's always easier to buy one of their books over and over again.
6. Cover Art - Y'all know you've read a book based on the cover.  Of course you're taking a major chance, but I'm a sucker for a book with an amazing cover.  For example:
   
   I bought these two books about three years ago, I think the reason why is.... *coughcough* obvious.  Funny thing is, I still have yet to read them.  They have been taking up the same space on my bookshelf ever since I bought them, only because I fear that the story inside won't do the cover justice.  I need to quit being preoccupied by other books and finally read them!
7. Ireland - I enjoy reading novels based in Ireland.  Ireland is beautiful and I hope to visit someday!  Plus, I love daydreaming about those cute Irish boys in the books. *wink*
8. Beach/ocean - Especially in YA novels, my curiosity is piqued if the beach is portrayed in the cover art. 
9. Mystery - I love when I'm kept on the edge of my seat while reading a good mystery!
10. Dark - While I'm a sucker for some sappy romance, I also like to occasionally take a walk on the wild side and read a dark novel that lacks a happy ending.

Do you have any words or topics of your own?
Please do share if you do!

 Lots of bookish love,

Top Ten Books I Thought I'd Like More/Less Than I Did

Top 10 Tuesday is a weekly meme that's hosted by 

The Broke and the Bookish that consists of different

Top 10 book-related lists each week.

This week's Top 10 Tuesday list is all about

books you've read in which you actually like more 

than you thought you would, or the books you liked less 

than you thought you would. 

I'm trying to put this one together last minute today while it's still

Tuesday since I was introduced to this lovely little gem of a meme 

this morning.  I've had many books that either

surprised me, or books that have disappointed me.

I figured I'd share.

 So here it goes!

Books that I thought I'd like more than I actually did

1. Mockingjay

I actually gave this one 5 stars on Goodreads simply

because I absolutely adore the Hunger Games series

as a whole.  But I was sadly disappointed with Mockingjay.

I might get some backlash for this one.

2. Shiver

So many of my lovely friends absolutely adored this

book.  Myself?  Not so much.  I was bored throughout

the whole book.

3. Beautiful Creatures

Another one I might receive some backlash for.

*blows kisses to my book-lover besties*

Don't get me wrong, there were some parts of the book

I did enjoy, but to be honest?  I don't remember

much of the book AT ALL. 

Although, I do plan on seeing the movie!

4. The Woods

 I'm a HUGE Harlan Coben fan.  The man

has a knack for writing mysteries that keep

you on the edge of your seat.  I've read many of his

books, so I immediately bought The Woods when it came out.  

Yeah, well, I kinda wish I could get my money back for this one. 

I guess every great writer has their mediocre novels.

5. Evermore

 I had friends that loved this book and others

that didn't so much.  I figured I'd give it a chance.

I had hope that I'd be on the side of liking it.

Again, I was disappointed.  I never

even read the other books in the series.

6. I Am Legend

Because I liked the movie, and because

the movie scared the bajeesus outta me to

the point where I actually had nightmares,

I had hopes for the book. 

Let me tell ya, the book is nothing like the movie.

I wish I could actually take this one back, as

in, never having read it.  EVER.

7. Extras

I actually feel like weeping for this one!

I dove right into the Uglies books.  I was

obsessed with them for a week or two. 

The first three were just that darn good.

Then Extras came along and ruined it all for me.

Such a sad, horrible shame.

Read the first three books, however, they are amazing!

8. The Enemy

I love zombies as much as the next zombie freak,

but steer clear of this one.  Trust me.

9. Blue Bloods

Highly disappointed, but these books are still like crack.

I didn't like them much, but I still wanted more.  I've 

read most of them.  I know, it's weird.  I'm weird.  Whatevs.

10. We'll Always Have Summer

And to think I was so excited to read this one when 

I picked a copy up at Barnes & Noble.

Can I get my money back?  Maybe?

Please?

 Books I thought I'd like less than I did

1. The Lightning Thief

Here I was thinking I had picked up some silly

kid's book.  Boy was I wrong.  I blew right

through all these books and they're still some of my faves!

The movie, however, not so much.

2. Talyn

 So there I was one day, scanning through

the clearance bin at Barnes & Noble, when

I came across this wonderful book.

I really didn't think I'd like it for only being

$2 at B&N, but oh was I very much mistaken!

I read this book in a day, then turned right around and

read it again.  That's how much I loved this book.

3. The Hobbit

I love, love, LOVE The Lord of the Rings movies.

The books I didn't love so much, only because

there was so much to them and they're hard

to keep up with.  So I was scared to read The Hobbit.

I am so, so unbelievably glad I did.  It's a top favorite of mine.

4. Storm Front

The Dresden Files!!!

I was a bit iffy about this one when a friend

insisted that I read series.

But now I'm insisting that YOU read them.

Go.  Now.  READ.

5. Graceling

This one was a surprise to me.

I came across it at the library and figured, eh, why not?

Big puffy heart these books.

6. Amy & Roger's Epic Detour

 Holy sweetness, Batman, this is such a great read!

I figured I might like it, but I didn't think

I'd love it as much as I do.  This book is perfection.

In fact, I might reread it soon just to relive Amy

and Roger's journey again.

7. Dead Until Dark

 These books really aren't the greatest, by no means.

I love True Blood so of course I wanted to read them.

Yeah, well, I blew through these like a drug addict

trying to find her next fix.  No joke. 

Literary crack.

8. The Bronze Horseman

 I was so pleasantly surprised by this one.

Again, one of my all-time faves.

Such an amazing and emotional read.

9. There'll You'll Find Me

 I just reviewed this one.

It's a super sweet little story that I really

liked much more than I thought I would.

10. Book of the Dead

I picked this one up at a used book store for a 

really cheap price.  I figured because of the price,

I wouldn't have wasted much money if it wasn't good.

Surprise, surprise!

It was actually an all around good read.

So that's my list that I've come up with so far.

Have you read any of these?

What are your thoughts?

Or do you have any books that would would make

your Top Ten?  Do share!

Lots and lots of bookish love,

Me, The Fanatical Bookworm

It’s safe to say that I’m a blogger, not much of a blogger, as I have only blogged some in the past.  And lately, I’ve been thinking about creating my own blog.  My only issue being what to ramble about in said blog.   Thankfully, because of a suggestion from a super special friend who I truly adore, I decided to go with a book blog.  She knows me and my love for books. And honestly, what better subject is there for me to blog about than BOOKS!?

Reading is a passion of mine.  Reading comes before certain things in my life such as bathing at times, eating, and obviously, since I’m a house wife, it comes before cleaning sometimes.  Although it is safe to say that my bathrooms are usually clean.  And my kitchen.  And laundry... when no one has anything to wear.  Meh, you only live once, right?

Just a few days ago I was watching some show on TV about a young mother who had died suddenly.  It was all very, very tragic.   So I got to thinking, what would be my regrets if I passed on too soon?  Obviously the first thing that popped in to my head was an image of my kids, thinking that I’d regret not physically being here for them as they matured into the adults they will someday become.  And the second thought was about all the books I would never have had the chance to read!  I know there should be more to the list.  And I know if I think more about it, not growing old with my husband is somewhere in there.  But since this blog is about books and my love for the literary world, can you imagine the gigantic heavy emptiness I feel in my heart at the thought of never reading a book again?   It makes me want to grab my favorite books and hug them close to me.  Yes, I am that FANATICAL.  Who’s to say, there could be millions upon millions of books placed perfectly on beautiful bookcases past the pearly gates into Heaven -- who knows? Hopefully one day I’ll find out.

So this is me, a book lover through and through if you haven’t already caught onto that fact.  Please feel free to comment on my reviews, opinions, or just plain craziness that I post here.  I do ask that you agree to disagree at times and respect everyone's opinions here, because I do not love every book I have ever read -- I’m sure you can agree, we’ve all been there.  I do, however, WHOLEHEARTEDLY respect every author who decides to take that terrifying leap as they put their stories out there for us to read.

With all that said, welcome to my little piece of the bookish world and happy reading, my fellow book lovers!