My first book-related post! And other random thoughts...

I had my last exam for the week today. Yay! It was Chemistry, which sucked. I studied for eight whole hours yesterday for it because I was so fucking terrified I knew nothing. Well, I got in the exam today and I think I did alright; I felt like I understood everything, so that's a bonus, I guess. Chemistry's pretty much my worst subject, yeah. Pretty sure I'm just scraping a pass. I'm finding it really hard to juggle my coursework lately - I might just drop out of Chem, you know? I've been told I don't really need it as a prerequisite, so if the exam didn't turn out well, then maybe that's what I'll do. It'll be hard though, because it's like admitting I can't do something, and I hate that feeling more than anything. Maybe it's a byproduct of the way I was raised.

Ha. My brother's being a little prick. He has this new favourite pastime where he repeatedly says "Em? Em? Hey, hey Em?" over and over in a high-pitched voice regardless of whether or not I answer him. The first few times I threw the nearest non-fatal object at him, and he'd just run away and laugh like a little girl. I try to ignore it, but it's hard! Anyone with siblings - you know that feeling where it's like, no matter what they do, your sister or brother's personality just always grates on your nerves? Is that just me? Our relationship is pretty much built on him pissing me off and me screaming at him over it. Call it unhealthy, but eh...

And woah! Look at the tangent I trailed off into! I started this post intending to do a book post. That didn't work out. I waffle on a bit, if you haven't already guessed :-). 

MY TOP FIVE FAVOURITE BOOKS/SERIES OF ALL TIME

The Harry Potter Series by J.K. Rowling

 "You're a wizard, Harry."

Maybe this choice is a typical one, but it is by no means less valid. I love this series so much. When I was a child I didn't really feel connected to anyone. I was pretty much a loner - it got to the point where I literally read the dictionary at lunchtimes during primary school to alleviate the boredom and utter depression of being alone. Harry Potter changed that; here were a group of misfit kids who save the day and perform magic! I loved this world so much that I did projects on it, I would play pretend that I was part of the Harry Potter universe (always Hermione), and I would read the books and watch the movies over and over. These books taught me to love other books, and provided me with my ideals. I owe J.K Rowling so much.

The Mortal Instruments by Cassandra Clare

"At least," she said, "you don't have to worry about rejection, Jace Wayland."
"Not necessarily. I turn myself down occasionally, just to keep it interesting.”

 I will admit that I didn't really think much of the first book until I hit the cliffy at the end - super pissed the movie spoiled a plot device that progressed for half the novels, but super excited about the new TV show coming out soon! I love this series. I know a lot of people thought the last three books were unnecessary and just made the series too long, but I think the last three books really established it in the adult-young-adult market. The whole Jace-Clary-Sebastian thing was pretty interesting. Sick oftentimes, yes, but it broached a sect of society that is definitely not talked about in mainstream entertainment (unless you're Jaime and Cersei Lannister). And the world building - beautiful. I really wanted to be there with them, and I totally have Clary envy. Simon and Jace and Sebastian after her?! The humour lifted the dark tones nicely too, so it wasn't a drag at all. I strongly recommend this series to anyone who hasn't read it - young-adult urban fantasy, I believe.

The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit by J. R. R. Tolkien

“Do you wish me a good morning, or mean that it is a good morning whether I want it or not; or that you feel good this morning; or that it is a morning to be good on?” 

"One Ring to bring them all and in the darkness bind them.
In the Land of Mordor where the Shadows lie.”

It just gives me all the feels. I prefer the extended editions of the movies for Lord of the Rings, but I absolutely adore the novel of The Hobbit. I really love the movies too - they all make me cry like a bitch at the end.The world-building is epic, and I just love everything about. It's another one of those series that just encompasses your entire life. I just love it so much. I love Samwise Gamgee and Bilbo Baggins the most, I think - I always love reading their parts. Love, love, love! Yeah, I love it. :-)

The Inheritance Cycle by Christopher Paolini

“Into the sky to win or die.”

I first read this series when I was ten years old. It took me a week to get through the first two books and I loved them. They were my first dragon series; I've never found any to measure up.

The Inkheart Series by Cornelia Funke

 “Books loved anyone who opened them, they gave you security and friendship and didn't ask for anything in return; they never went away, never, not even when you treated them badly. ”

Probably the series closest to my heart. I shared a bond over this series with my grade 5 teacher; she remains to this day one of my absolute favourite teachers. I fell in love with the concept of the power of words, and the way in which this story portrayed it. I love Meggie, and Dustfinger, and Resa and Mo and Elinor. The entire story was just beautiful and finishing it left me so sad, I have not picked it up to this day. Absolutely beautiful, and I recommend this series absolutely. Go. Read it now.

So, there you go. Get reading people. Next time, then!