Top 10 Tuesday: Best Halloween Reads

Top 10 Tuesday is hosted by the fancy folk at The Broke and The Bookish

I had a lot of trouble narrowing this list down from 10,000 to 10. I thought about making it a least to most scary reads list, but ended up struggling with that since I gravitate to the scariest books possible. What I landed on though was 10 books which encompass various levels of scariness and focus on different nightmarish topics, and all are favourite reads of mine. There are vampires (3 actually), good vs evil epics, exorcisms, nihilistic dystopians, creative graphic novels, and violet-eyed witches. They're all fantastic well-written, well constructed and edge-of-your-seat reads. Some will break your heart, others will make you reevaluate your beliefs, and all will demand your full attention. Happy Halloween reading!

I Am Legend - Richard Matheson

The Stand - Stephen King

The Exorcist - William Peter Blatty

Let the Right One In - John Ajvide Lindqvist

The Road - Cormac McCarthy

Dracula - Bram Stoker

The Graveyard Book - Neil Gaiman

Locke and Key - Joe Hill and Gabriel Rodriguez (graphic novel series)

Misery - Stephen King

The Witches - Roald Dahl

TTT: Writers who Deserve More Recognition

Hosted by The Broke and the Bookish

In the age of uber-celebrity writers like Stephenie Meyer and E.L. James, I get a little angry that mentions of favourite books and authors are met with "huh?" "who?" "never heard of it/him" by anyone outside of the book blogging community. If it doesn't involve an abusive relationship between a dull brunette and an aggressive but super-omg-hot guy with copper highlights, or if it isn't linked to a successful film or TV franchise, then it's not worth reading.

So of course I'm taking part in TTT this week, I'm going to share the author love and before long my favourite authors will take over the world and I will be SO HAPPY. This isn't just a list of new authors, or authors who have never been heard of except in the most obscure of readers circles, it's just a bunch of authors that I love and think should receive as much attention as possible.

1.
Author: Ben Templesmith
Genre: graphic novels/horror
Read if you like: Warren Ellis, dark humour, supernatural themes.
Why you should read him: I was introduced to Templesmith's art through the 30 Days of Night graphic novel series and I was absolutely delighted when he turned his hand to writing as well. His art is phenomenal, there's something very HP Lovecraft-y about his style (I think it might be the prevalence of tentacles) and the way he colours is just...I can't even describe it. His writing is much the same. He gravitates to horror and the supernatural, and manages to blend humour, nihilism, tortured protagonists and tentacle beasts in a way that isn't just completely derivative or hack.




2. 
Author: Layton Green
Genre: Thriller/Mystery
Read if you like: Dan Brown, cults and the paranormal, cat and mouse investigations
Why you should read him:  Layton Green's Dominic Grey series, is addictive reading. It follows in the vein of Dan Brown's supernatural/phenomenon investigative style, but I find these books so much more interesting and fulfilling. They weave fact with fiction brilliantly, inspiring mid-read wikipedia and google searches, and frequently leading to conspiracy theory websites which is about the most ridiculous and hilarious thing you can ever do (seriously, people are cray). Maybe that sort of thing isn't your cup of tea, but I actually really love when a book inspires me to do a little investigating of my own, rather than just take their information as fact (or knowing it's 100% fiction).

3. 
Author: Richard Matheson
Genre: Horror/sci-fi
Read if you like: The Twilight Zone,  Stephen King, nihilistic protagonists
Why you should read him:  He's just really, really good alright. I Am Legend is one of my favourite books, if not my MOST favourite book, and I just find the way he crafts stories mind-blowing. He is genre fiction, he's an influential player in just about every element of horror and science fiction, an honour usually withheld for anyone except the earliest adopters of a genre. And yet people who aren't actively involved in those genres don't usually know anything about him, or rather, they don't realise that a lot of those tv shows and movies they love are based on his writing, or that he wrote anything other than I Am Legend. He passed away a few weeks ago, so I think it's even more important to get people talking about him.


4.
Author: Diana Wynne Jones
Genre: fantasy/childrens/YA
Read if you like: Magic, eccentricity, Harry Potter, colourful characters, Miyazaki films
Why you should read her: It wouldn't be a TTT post without a mention of DWJ, but seriously, how do you even survive childhood without this being required reading? The worlds created by DWJ are so vibrant, creative and wonderfully visual. The characters trip through parallel universes, use seven-league boots, are cursed by witches, and have multiple lives which they lose quite regularly (occasionally by cricket bat to the head). They're a lot of fun, but like any good children's story, they're full of morals and lessons imparted in the least didactic and most wonderful ways possible.

5. 
Author: Ernest Cline
Genre: Sci-fi
Read if you like: popular culture, video games, Dungeons and Dragons, John Hughes films
Why you should read him:  Ready Player One is his first novel and it is one of my favourite reads of 2013. It's a brilliant mash of popular culture, science fiction, social commentary and RPGs. If he manages to bring this much love and excitement to the rest of his books then i'm pretty sure he's going to have a long and incredibly fun career ahead of him. But seriously, everyone loves this book, regardless of whether they spent their childhoods geeking over the same things as Cline.







6. 
Author: Rainbow Rowell
Genre: YA/NA, general fiction
Read if you like: Nora Ephron romantic comedies, quick wit, popular culture references.
Why you should read her: Full disclosure, I've only read one Rainbow Rowell book. That's only because I loved Attachments so much I'm trying to spread the rest out so I don't die of sadness when there are no new books to read (by the by, she has a new book due out next year!). But yes, read Rowell's books. She's smart, funny and her stories will make your stomach do flips of happiness (that's a thing right? Just me?). Her characters are so realistic and lovable and I just can't put into words how happy and content I was when I finished Attachments. 

 7.
Author: Joe Hill
Genre: horror/sci-fi
Read if you like: Stephen King, HP Lovecraft,
Why you should read him:  Joe Hill gets me excited to read. He's the son of Stephen King, the mastermind of the phenomenal Locke and Key graphic novel series, and his book Horns is about to come out as a film starring Daniel Radcliffe (I needed any excuse to post that picture of Daniel Radcliffe from the film because, reasons). He's about to explode and you know you want to be riding that wave so that you can cockily say "yeah, I read him before he was huge" to all your less well-informed friends. But also, he's a really neat writer. He manages to reinvigorate staid genres or tropes (check out his short story The Cape), bring characters to life and write satisfying conclusions (something papa King isn't always the best at). He flops between fiction and graphic novels with an ease that just isn't fair, and his twitter is both hilarious and introspective. Just read him already OK?



And because I'm lazy I'm going to end my list here, but if you have any recommendations then let me know in the comments!

TTT: Books That Intimidate Me

Top 10 Books you find intimidating (or; proof that I over think everything)
Hosted by The Broke and the Bookish

1. Anything Russian ever. 

I really want to read the big Russian novels, and the ones I have read I (mostly) love, but holy crap they are intimidating. Partly because of their size, partly because of the names (seriously Russian authors, give a girl a break) and partly because of their status among readers and critics.

2. The Phantom of the Opera by Gaston Leroux

I started reading this last year, but either the ebook I got was a terrible translation or the book itself is terrible. I had to give up and hope that I could find a better edition, but now I'm holding back because I want this to be one of the good ones damn it!

3. Ulysses by James Joyce

I really want to read James Joyce, any James Joyce really. But his reputation as a confusing and highly technical writer precedes him and I don't want to be one of those readers who just doesn't get it. One day I'll tear of the Joyce bandaid...it just won't be today.

4. Les Miserables by Victor Hugo

I am slowly making my way through this monster of a book, but the size really makes it hard to commit to it 100%. As much as I love reading about a kindly priest and how many chairs he has, I also have a life and career to get on with as well!

5. Infinite Jest by David Foster Wallace

This book is sitting on my shelf at home and I am definitely going to read it, but again, the size and the critical praise makes it hard to pick it over others. I'm always terrified of books failing to live up to the hype.

6. Out of the Silent Planet by C.S. Lewis

I've heard wonderful things about Lewis outside of the Chronicles of Narnia, but I've never gotten past buying the books and putting them on my shelf. Narnia was a beloved series of mine as a kid, so I think perhaps the intimidation is linked to these books retroactively impacting on my fondness of Narnia if they don't meet my standards. 

7. The Casual Vacancy by J.K Rowling

I love Harry Potter ("what?!" I hear regular readers shout) so, like with Lewis and Narnia, I think I'm worried that if I don't like this I'll suddenly stop liking HP. I know how ridiculous that is, and yet...

8. IQ84 by Haruki Murakami

I got a copy for this the year it came for Christmas, and I have another two Murakami books waiting patiently in my shelf but for whatever reason Murakami intimidates the hell out of me. From every review I'd imagine this is exactly the type of story I'd like to read, but again (I sound like a broken record) the size and public praise holds me back.

9. 19th Century Classics

I'm pretty contemporary when it comes to picking reads, but I also love a lot of the classics I do get around it reading. For some reason though, books from the 19th century intimidate me more than any other classic. It might be because I've liked a lot less of these books (ahem, I'm looking at you Brontes and Austen) or *shrugs* who knows, but I do tend to avoid these books where possible.

10. Eleanor and Park by Rainbow Rowell

I loved Attachments so much, and I immediately signed up to the Rainbow Rowell fan club and bought E&P. But I still haven't read it because I'm scared I won't love it. What if I hate it?! What if I never like another Rainbow Rowell again? I just can't live with that reality guys, I really can't. 

Top 10 Tuesday: light and fun reads

Top 10 Tuesday is hosted by the fancy folk over at The Broke and the Bookish. This week's prompt is: 10 books when you need a light and fun read.


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1. Ready Player One by Ernest Cline (review)
This book you guys, this book has it all. It's super fun, and full of 80s trivia and virtual reality awesomeness. If you haven't read this yet then you need to get onto it PRONTO.

2. Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins 
I just finished this last week (review up later today) and loooooved it. It was a quick read and incredibly fun, a little silly and OMG so much talk about good hair!

3. Death: A Life by George Pendle (review)
This isn't the greatest book, but the concept is hard to pass up. For the first time we hear Death's life story, forget the rumours and the gossip, Death is going to set the story straight. It's darkly funny and a little bizarre.

4. Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone by J.K Rowling
From Hagrid's big entrance (har har har PUN!), to Harry's first trip to Diagon Alley, and his first flight on a broom, this book is fun squared. The series starts to get dark pretty quickly after this, but this first book is such a classic adventure quest and only gets better with age.

5. The Uncommon Reader by Alan Bennett (review)
This little novella is charming. Utterly, utterly charming. It's about the Queen of England discovering reading late in life after years and years of following orders and waving regally from carriages. It's a beautiful little ode to reading, and it'll make you smile like a lunatic.

6.The Dark Tower series by Stephen King (review)
I'm halfway through the second book and while these are in no way light reading (although they aren't particularly heavy/dark either, at least not yet) they are THE BEST THINGS EVER. That's not even an exaggeration,  it's scientific fact. I am having so much fun reading this book, and I can not wait to get onto book 3.

7. The Five Fists of Science by Matt Fraction and Steven Sanders (review)
This graphic novel is a bunch of fun. It's a re-imagining of the feud between Tesla (yay!) and Edison (booo!) with giant robots, science, and Victorian aesthetics. Even if you don't read many graphic novels you're sure to find this one a treat!

8. Charmed Life (Chrestomanci #1) by Diana Wynne Jones
Another TTT, another recommendation to read the Chrestomanci series. These are perhaps the most fun books I ever read as a kid. And as an adult. They're just super full of win. The main character, Christopher Chant, is basically a young Dumbledore with multiple lives. He's wise, and smart-alecky, and wears super neat clothes and goes on these amazing adventures and just read it already OK?

9. Locke and Key by Joe Hill and Gabriel Rodriguez (review)
Another graphic novel but this time a series. Joe Hill is Stephen King's son, and you can tell. There's horror aesthetics, a love of Lovecraft (so much so that the town they live is called Lovecraft) and an amazing story that unfolds in the most satisfying way possible. The art style is phenomenal, and the characters are realistic and brilliant. It's probably my favourite series at the moment.

10. Bridget Jones's Diary by Helen Fielding 
I haven't read this book in years, but I still remember it as being ridiculously funny. And is there anything lighter than diary entries? No? No.

Top 10 Tuesday: Favourite books from before blogging

Top 10 Tuesday is hosted by the fancy folk over at The Broke and the Bookish. This week's prompt is: 10 books you loved before you started blogging.




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It's actually kinda hard to work out which books came before blogging because there have been SO MANY since I started this a couple of years ago. But I think I managed to whittle down a list which all came before blogging, but aren't entirely made up of books I read as a kid. Actually, this list has made me realise how badly I want to reread some of these books, and I really should since they're all so wonderful. Next challenge: reread all of the books on this list and write full reviews for them all. Yeah!

1. Harry Potter by J.K Rowling

This was the first series that I desperately hung out waiting for the next installment. When I look back JKR was pretty killer at getting the books out quickly, but for a 14 year old it felt like FOREVER. Lucky for her the books are so amazing they're worth twice the wait.

2. The Dangerous Lives of Alter Boys by Chris Fuhrman

Probably one of my most beloved books, my copy is so tattered and sad but I will never throw it away. It's full of heart, and the characters are brilliant and man, I cry like a newborn EVERY TIME I read it.

3. The Chrestomanci Series by Diana Wynne Jones

Another childhood favourite series. It's a blend of fairytales, wizardry, alternative timelines and a dude with multiple lives. Awesome.

4. The Stand by Stephen King

I read a lot of Stephen King books before this and a bunch after, but The Stand is probably my favourite of the lot. It is epic, but so well crafted and the story never gets away from him. It's HUGE, but it's so great I felt like I read the whole thing in 5 minutes.

5. The Rum Diary by Hunter S. Thompson

I could probably list any of a number of HST's books here, but The Rum Diary is one I always come back to. It's a little less crazy and intense than his usual books, and I just find the story of the American journalist in Cuba to be captivating. Plus HST can write, oh my stars can he write.

6. And the Hippos were Boiled in their Tanks by Jack Kerouac and William S. Burroughs

I loooooove Jack Kerouac, but I also find the stream of conscious writing a little exhausting. And the Hippos is written with William S. Burroughs and it jumps between chapters written by the two. It's a nice way into Kerouac's unique way of writing and viewing life without jumping in the deep end.

7. Let the Right One In by John Ajvide Lindqvist

Just when I thought vampires were dead (thanks Twilight) I found this book and I couldn't put it down. It is the most amazing story of vampires and love/friendship and it beats the crap out of EVERYTHING else in the genre.

8. Four Fires by Bryce Courtenay

I went through a huge Bryce Courtenay phase, and Four Fires was always my favourite. It spans multiple generations in an Irish-Australian family and deals with things like adolescent pregnancy, PTSD and homosexuality in the 1950s-1960s. It's phenomenal.

9. Seven Little Australians by Ethel Turner

This is like the Australian version of Little Women except 1000 times better. When publishers were demanding Australian children's books be English kids in a harsh and unforgiving landscape facing the terrifying natives (yeah, real winners those British publishers) Ethel Turner told them to shove it and wrote a story about the awesomeness that is Australian children. What we get are a rag-tag group of kids who are completely different but all love each other and the land they live on. It's great. Go read it already!

10. The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams

Oh man, this series is so enjoyable. It's almost too enjoyable. No, that's nonsense, there's no such thing and even if there were this wouldn't be it.  It's hilarious, bizarre, the characters are delightful....just yes.

Top 10 Tuesday: Dear Santa...

Top 10 Tuesday is hosted over at The Broke and The Bookish.

This week: 10 books I wouldn't mind santa leaving under the tree.




Guys, I love Christmas. There's a growing malaise amongst my friends where it just isn't cool to be over excited about gifts and biscuits and roast dinner and santa hats and tacky Christmas music.

Me too Doctor, me too!

Bah Humbug, I say!! Christmas is wonderful, and while I love giving gifts (finding that perfect gift is one of the best feelings) I don't mind receiving a  present or two either! So here's my list - mum, dad, Tom -- are you guys paying attention?


1. Bring Up the Bodies - Hilary Mantel
A month or so ago I read the huuuuuge Wolf Hall which proceeds this new release and loved it. This one isn't quite as terrifying in size, so I highly doubt it'll take me a full year to get to this one if I am lucky enough to be gifted it.

2. Cloud Atlas - David Mitchell
The conceit of a book spanning multiple generations and centuries and intersecting stories is right up my alley.

3. Animal Farm - George Orwell
Hi, my name is Kayleigh, I'm a book blogger and I've never read Animal Farm. *Hi Kayleigh* It's about time I rectify this issue right?

4. The Casual Vacancy - J.K Rowling
Because duh, J.K Rowling!

5. Book of Lost Things - John Connolly
I was captured by the cover of this book at the bookstore a year or so ago, but I've never gotten around to buying myself a copy. Santa, please?

6. The Sea is my Brother - Jack Kerouac
As a Kerouac fan it's a real embarrassment that I never picked this one up, no time like the present though right? (see what a did there, heyyy hey!!)

7. Big Fish - Daniel Wallace
I fell in love with the film adaptation (hello Ewan McGregor!!) and didn't discover it was based off of a book until a couple of years ago. I can't wait to read the magic that the film produced.

8. Skag Boys - Irvine Welsh
I've read Trainspotting, I've read Porno, and I loved them both. It's time to round out the trilogy.

9. Pnin - Vladimir Nabokov
I've always wanted to read more Nabokov, and Pnin always caught my eye. A beautiful old edition would be a welcome addition until my Christmas tree.

10. The Left Hand of Darkness - Ursula Le Guin
I've always loved science fiction and fantasy, but I've never really explored the genres at length. Le Guin seems to be almost a god amongst fans, so I think it's remiss of me to not have read her so far.

And if I can get in a sneaky number 11, I'd ask Santa for a slightly larger, non-book present under my Christmas tree...

Because...why not?!

Top 10 Tuesday: Books I Can't Believe I Haven't Read

Top 10 Books I can't believe I haven't read yet, but are sitting on my bookshelf waiting to be read. (hosted by The Broke and The Bookish)



1.
 IQ84 by Haruki Murakami
This was on the top of my list last year when my mum asked me about books I wanted for Christmas, but I still haven't taken it down to read. I think it's the size of it that's put me off. Considering how little time I have for reading at the moment, a book that momentous would take me months. I think I need to  just jump in and give it a go - anyone have any tips to help me out here?

2. 
Portrait of a Serial Killer: Jack the Ripper - Case Closed by Patricia Cornwell
True crime is a bit of a guilty pleasure of mine, and anything that deals with conspiracy theories is 1000x better. Jack the Ripper is a case that intrigues me, and the fact that we'll never truly know one way or another strangely makes me want to read even more on the subject. This book had been on my TBR list for months before I came across a copy in my local second hand bookstore, but since then I haven't submerged myself into the dark and grimy underworld of Victorian era England.

3. 
Wolf Hall by Hilary Mantel
Another big-ass book that's intimidating to the time conscious. This historical fiction novel has received some amazing reviews by some of my favourite bloggers, and one day I'll get to read about a childless Henry VIII, Cardinal Wolsey and the ambitious Thomas Cromwell but this day doesn't appear to be on the horizon just yet.

4. 
Nerd Do Well by Simon Pegg
When I heard that Simon Pegg (of Shaun of the Dead, Spaced and Star Trek fame) had written a book about his life as a nerd I knew I had to have it. Soon after buying it I picked it up with the intent of reading it but it just didn't happen. This is the kind of book I really have to be in the mood for, and at the time I just couldn't get into it. Eventually though, I'm sure, the time will be right for a nerdy autobiography.

5. 
Battle Royale by Koushun Takami
When I read The Hunger Games earlier this year I couldn't help but notice the parallels between it and one of my favourite Japanese films, Battle Royale. I'd known the film was based on a book, but until I read THG I really didn't have the necessary motivation to get myself a copy of the book. I did start this book, but like Nerd Do Well, I just wasn't in the groove for it and stopped around page 15. I will definitely get back to it, what I read I liked, but it's a big book and smaller books are just so much more appetising when there's so little time to spend reading!

6.
Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy
I desperately want to read this book before the film (starring Keira Knightly and Jude Law) comes out, but the size and Russian-ness of it intimidates me something crazy. I once picked up Crime and Punishment at a library and tried to read it, but I think the amount of names (and similarities of said names) means I'd probably have to read with a pen and paper beside me in order to keep my head above water!

7. 
Alone in Berlin by Hans Fallada
Writing about life in Berlin under the Nazis, Hans Fallada's Alone in Berlin was suggested to me as a must read when I finished The Book Thief. I bought it immediately after reading some of the reviews on Amazon and Goodreads and then...nothing. I don't know if I was burnt out after reading The Book Thief (so sad!!), or if I just wasn't in the right frame of mind for what is definitely going to be a devastating and dark book (it is about the Nazis after all) but I haven't yet gathered up the courage I need to give it a shot. I will though, I've heard it's absolutely amazing.

8. 
The Midwich Cuckoos by John Wyndham
I love a good science fiction/fantasy/horror and if there is one person who is sure to write one of the best science fiction/fantasy/horror novels around, it's John Wyndham. In The Midwich Cuckoos a strange object appears in a village, knocks everyone unconscious, and then disappears...after leaving all of the females pregnant. Furthermore, this is supposed to be a sort-of-origin story for the phenomenal Warren Ellis graphic novel series Freak Angels.

9. 
Under the Dome by Stephen King
To be fair, I have about 10 Stephen King books in my shelf that I can't believe I haven't read yet, but most of them are second hand copies of his lesser known novels. Under the Dome was bought new with the intention of reading it immediately. Since I bought it I think I've read 4 or 5 King novels...maybe it'll be next?

10. 
Book of Lost Things by John Connolly
I'm not sure how I came across this one, but the synopsis captured my attention and broke my heart a little. Dealing with the loss of his mother, a young boy turns to his books for comfort. Part fairy tale, part coming of age story, part emotional roller-coaster this book has a bit of everything and I know that when I find the time to read it I'll absolutely love it. Or at least, I hope so!

Top 10 Tuesday: Books to remember!

Top Ten "Older" Books You Don't Want People To Forget About... Or 8 Books you need to remember (and read!) and 2 that it's really ok to just forget about. Seriously, just let them go. (Hosted by The Broke and The Bookish)



1. 
The Chrestomanci Series by Diana Wynne Jones
Because of the powerful love people have for Harry Potter (understandably), The Hunger Games (understandably) and Twilight (not so understandably!) I feel like very few people are likely to find this series unless handed to them directly. The first in the series, Charmed Life, was first published in the late 1970s so they're a little older than the examples above, but they're phenomenal YA fantasy novels filled with magic, alternate worlds, dragons, multiple lives and darling characters without being too fantasy.

2. 
Transmetropolitan by Warren Ellis
Things move fast in the comic world, and it doesn't take long for a phenomenal series to be knocked off it's perch by another fantastic series. Transmetropolitan is outrageous, gratuitous, dangerously honest and kicks complete ass. The protagonist, Spider Jerusalem, is a futuristic and slightly more outrageous (if that's even possible) version of famed writer Hunter S. Thompson and it really celebrates that gonzo style of journalism. It will blow your mind.

3. 
The Rum Diary by Hunter S. Thompson
After the failure of a movie I feel like it's important to stand by the book and let you all know that it's fantastic, and interesting, and well-written, and funny and insightful and outrageous and basically everything the movie didn't quite manage to be. The Rum Diary follows journalist Paul Kemp (one of HST's alter-egos) through a debaucherous alcohol fueled adventure in Puerto Rico during the 1950s.

4.
And the Hippos Were Boiled in Their Tanks by Jack Kerouac and William S. Burroughs
Both Burroughs and Kerouac are (rightly) known for some prolific books, but this collaboration is possibly my favourite book from both of them. Alternating chapters, the book is loosely based on an unfortunate series of events that lead to one of their friends killing another of their friends. This book came before the momentous books they would eventually write and it provides a unique look into two young men as they try and find their writing styles.

5. 
Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro
This book is, hands down, one of my favourites, and it's possible that if the movie hadn't come out last year I never would have found out that it existed! It's beautiful and sad and tells an impossibly good tale of three friends growing up together. I won't say more for fear of spoiling it (it's the kind of book that is best when you know very little) but I can't emphasise enough how important it is TO READ THIS BOOK!

6. 
April Fool's Day by Bryce Courtenay
I'm not sure how well known Bryce Courtenay is to anyone reading this that isn't from Australia, but he's a hell of a story teller best known for telling epic stories that usually span multiple years, if not generations. April Fool's Day is epic in both in size and scope but unlike his other work this book is non-fiction and focuses on only one life, the life of his young son Damon. Damon was haemophiliac and contracted AIDS through a blood transfusion and died at 24. This book will break your heart, but it's an amazing look into the life of a young man who didn't let his illness define him or hold him back.

7. 
How I became a Famous Novelist by Steve Hely
This book seemed to slip under most people's radar when it was released in 2009, but found a resurgence in popularity last year and rightly so. This book is freaking hilarious, which isn't surprising considering Steve Hely is an American TV writer currently writing for The Office. It's also biting satire of the current state of mainstream and uber popular fiction, and while it isn't perfect I'd love to see it have another spike in popularity.

8. 
A Game of Thrones by George R. R. Martin
I know what you're thinking, this book is EVERYWHERE but that's for a good reason, it's fantastic! I included it in the list, because I'm meeting more and more people who are deciding to watch the show without reading the book, and you really must read the book! The TV show is fantastic but, and I'm sure most of you will agree, it can't quite reach the heights of the book and I doubt it ever will. READ THE BOOK GUYS!

And now for a couple of books that you can put away and forget about!

9. 
Twilight by Stephenie Meyer
I'm sure there are a few of you who would disagree but this is a terrible book and it needs to disappear. Like, right now. It's had its moment in the sun (so to speak!) and it's time to let a decent book get a little bit of the glory. Want to read a love story with vampires? Read Let The Right One In by John Ajvide Lindqvist, it is one of the best books to come out in recent years. Want a YA with heart? Read Harry Potter, The Chrestomanci Series or Looking for Alibrandi. There are so many better options, so why waste your valuable reading time on something that fails to meet the simplest of criteria?

10.
Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte
Perhaps I'll be in the minority with this one too, but ugh, yuk this book is terrible. I didn't like the style or story line, but where it meets the most ire from me is with the characters. They're insufferable, horrible people who never show the slightest speck of love for anyone, let alone each other. I was so close to burning down the entire world after reading this, simply because it would be the most effective way of eliminating this book forever.

Top 10 Tuesday: Bookish secrets!

Hosted by The Broke and The Bookish

1. I'll often read the last line (or last paragraph, or last page) of a book when something tense is happening earlier on. And more than once I've flipped through the book looking for a favourite character's name to know that they aren't going to die. It's a terrible habit, and more than once I've spoiled the entire story...but I can't quit it!

2. I'd rather buy a book than loan it from a library. If I borrow a book (from a library or a friend) I feel obligated to read it, and that usually ruins it for me. If I buy it, then I feel free to take my time and get to it when I get to it. Unfortunately this has resulted in bookshelves that are 40% full of books I haven't read and probably won't, if I'm being honest, ever read.

3. If it has a person's face on the cover, I probably won't buy it. Unless it's a book I need for a class I will avoid these covers like the plague. I'll search for weeks for a typography, abstract or plain coloured cover and even pay more if it means it's faceless! Oh and don't ask me why, I have absolutely no idea where this weird aversion came from!

4. I'm irrationally precious about some books, but others I'll happily annotate, dog-ear and crack the spine. There's no reason for this, they could be expensive, cheap, signed by the author, for a class, new, second hand...some books just seem more...special...than others.

5. I guess my next secret should probably be that I annotate books. Perhaps it's because I'm a researcher and my life would be infinitely more difficult if I couldn't make notes in my books as I go, but sometimes I just HAVE to underline a quote, or note a particular style of writing I like.

6. I'll probably judge you by the book you're reading on the bus/train/bench. I know I shouldn't, but if I see you reading a trashy romance novel, 50 Shades or a book I hated I will instantly judge you (sorry!).

7. I'm a notorious skimmer if I find myself bored. I skimmed all the songs in Lord of the Rings, the first 2 or 3 chapters of Harry Potter (before I fell in love and re-read it over and over!), and dialogue scenes in books that aren't quite doing it for me.

8. I really like the idea of poetry, but I just can't read it. I find it infuriating and boring and the second I see a poem my eyes slip off the page and focus on something (anything) else.

9. I really want to support local sellers, but Amazon and The Book Depository draw me in all the time. Considering they're usually 50-75% the cost of non-second hand booksellers here in Australia, it's really hard to resist their charms. Interestingly though, I will always buy my comics local and never online.

10. A bit similar to the face covers, my series have to match. They can't be a mix of hard and paper back, and they can't be a collection of different editions. I spent 2 hours rummaging through the Lifeline Book Fest tables searching for a complete set of The Lord of the Rings that matched, and I've got two collections of Harry Potter - the child and adult editions!

Top 10 Tuesday: 10 Graphic novels to read if you've never read one before.

Top 10 Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme created here at The Broke and the Bookish. This feature was created because we're particularly of lists here at The Broke and The Bookish. We'd love to share our lists with other bookish folks and would LOVE to see your top 10 lists.





I adore graphic novels, but when I look around the book blogs it seems that more often that not people seem to avoid them. I can understand why, it's a different way of reading, and if you aren't used to it, finding your way through the images and texts can be a little confusing or exhausting. But it's well worth a try. As I said, a  graphic novel is a very different reading experience to simply reading a book. You have to hunt through the pictures for the hints, emotion or subtext, and learn to read between the lines when the text and the image seem to be saying opposite things. It can be a real adventure, and lots of fun. And while creating a world in your head is always magical, sometimes it's nice to see that world in front of you, created by an extremely talented artist who can make you laugh or cry with a single image the size of a postage stamp. My world of imagination has opened up greatly since I've started reading graphic novels, and while I still read novels more often, there are graphic novels that make up some of my favourite reads of all time.

Below is a list of 10 (in no particular order) graphic novels that simply must be read. Most are very accessible for a first time graphic novel reader and several have been adapted from books or by traditional authors making them far easier to read that their comic author counterparts. Hopefully some of the artworks and descriptions below are enough to entice you to step into this wonderful world and experience something new and different from what you typically read. Enjoy!

1. Maus
If you ask for a graphic novel recommendation from a book fan you'll most likely be told to pick this one up, and for good reason. The story combines the biography of Vladek Spiegelman's survival during WW2 with his later life in America, as told by his writer/artist son Art Spiegelman. The dichotomy between the two time periods makes for an incredibly interesting story that must have been very difficult for Art to tell. Also, it's a little Animal Farm-y, with the Jews depicted as mice while the Germans are cats

2. The Great Gatsby

A graphic retelling of the marvellous Fitzgerald novel by the same name. The art is astounding in this graphic novel, it's made to look like a collection of old photographs collected in a photo album, and that sense of nostalgia is maintained through the entire story. The cast are depicted as sea creatures, which simply seems perfect for this story, don't ask me why. (my review)

3. From Hell 

Actually, just read anything by Alan Moore. He's a master graphic novelist, his other works including V For Vendetta, The League of Extraordinary Gentleman and Swamp Thing. From Hell is the graphic interpretation of the Jack the Ripper conspiracy that it stemmed from a royal cover-up. It's a fantastic tale of the hidden and the covered-up, that is guaranteed to send you on a google search to check the validity of this theory! 

4. 30 Days of Night 
There are actually quite a few of these out now, but the only ones you really want to read are the original three written by Steve Niles and illustrated by Ben Templesmith. The first book (the best) takes place in a small Alaskan town that suffers through 30 days of night each winter. This year they're attacked by a posse of vampires who intend to make the most of the wintery darkness. The artwork is what stands this series apart, Ben Templesmith is one of my favourite artists, his work blends photo-manipulation with intense colour and ethereal illustrations that render everyone slightly manic and monster-ish.

5. Transmetropolitan 
Eleven issues of pure brilliance. This is the graphic novel series of what it'd be like if Hunter S. Thompson was alive and reporting in the very messed up future. However, in Transmetropolitan he's known as Spider Jerusalem, a controversial journalist who hates pretty much everyone. Just as HST told the story in the most honest, hard-hitting, gratuitous and venomous ways possible, so does Spider. Thoroughly entertaining, mercilessly funny, and dangerously good.

6. FreakAngels 

Another brilliant Warren Ellis series, FreakAngels tells the story of a group of slightly strange kids who destroyed England. The illustrations are by the wonderful Paul Duffield, and the entire series is available FREE on the FreakAngels website. So you have no excuse not to go read it! (my review)

7. The Arrival 
There really is truth to the saying "a picture is worth 1000 words". Shaun Tan's beautiful graphic novel/picture book charts an immigrants journey to a new and magical land. Each page bursts with expressive, detailed sepia toned pencil drawings that will literally bring tears to your eyes. There is so much going on in each image that it doesn't matter than not a single word is included, the story is there for anyone to see.

8. The Five Fists of Science

Yes you're seeing right, that is Mark Twain in the picture yelling "SCIENCE!" while a giant robot and monster take up the background. Other characters in this cheeky little comic are Nikola Tesla, Thomas Edison (as the baddy) and many more. It's a fun revision of our history that plays around with real life grudges and personality traits to create a monster of a story. (my review)

9. The Stand 

The Stand is probably my all time favourite Stephen King novel, and this graphic adaptation does it absolute justice. It's almost word for word with King's version, and the illustrations perfectly match up with the way King meticulously describes his characters. I haven't finished this series yet, but so far they've been perfect. They've maintained King's sharp wit, shaped the characters perfectly and done everything possibly to make sure that this series is a knock-out. They've got some talented men and women working on this, and it really shows. 

10. Pyongyang: A Journey to North Korea
Cartoonist Guy Delisle worked in North Korea for several months in 2001. This is the graphic diary he kept while he was there. It's unflinchingly honest of life as a Westerner within the propaganda and weapon rich North Korea, and his insights are frank, to the point and rarely embellished. It's an interesting look into a side of life we rarely see, and it's perspective on propaganda and censorship provides food for thought. (my review)

Top 10 Tuesday: Best of '11

Top 10 Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme created here at The Broke and the Bookish. This feature was created because we're particularly of lists here at The Broke and The Bookish. We'd love to share our lists with other bookish folks and would LOVE to see your top 10 lists.

I haven't read too many books this year that were only published this year, but there certainly were books that I read that rocketed straight up to my 'favourite books of all time' list. Some are from recent-ish, while others are from a completely different era. Not all are my top rated reads from this year (although they're all 4+ out of 5) but all are awesome and should be read by all of you!

1. Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro
So. Damn. Emotional. An amazing book that really sits with you for quite awhile afterwards. It's a beautifully written story with characters that leap off the page with life. My favourite read for the year, and one that'll remain there for awhile I imagine.
read my review here.

2. A Song of Ice and Fire series by George R. R. Martin

I devoured this series this year! I watched the first episode of the television adaptation and was so awe-struck that I dropped everything and got my hands on the first book. I was basically a hermit until I finished these books, they're some of the best fantasy I've ever read. Huge. Amazing. Addictive.
Begin reading my reviews for this series here

.3. Pet Sematary by Stephen King

An amazing mix of supernatural and real horror. I had chills from the earliest pages and it continued to escalate until the very last page. Loved it, can't wait to find the time to re-read it!
read my review here.

4. Crooked Little Vein by Warren Ellis
Crazy good. Warren Ellis is my spirit animal, he's such an intensely good writer. This was my first foray into his fiction (he's usually a comic writer) and he definitely held his own. Not for the faint hearted.
read my review here.

5. Freakangels by Warren Ellis (graphic novel)
My Favourite graphic novel series of the year. The writing and story was captivating, but it was the art that really drew me in with this series. Paul Duffield is incredible, he proves that a picture truly is worth 1000 words.
read my review here.

6. Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? by Philip K. Dick
Short and straight to the point, this book was huge is scope. It tackles some intense themes and concepts, but it does so with such finesse that anyone can read, enjoy and appreciate the story that discusses them. Plus it was the inspiration for one of the greatest films ever, Bladerunner.
read my review here.

7. Good Omens by Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett
A really fun book that tackles the rather weighty subjects of religion and the end of the world. The blending of Gaiman and Pratchett was one cooked up in heaven, we're not worthy of such awesomeness to be honest.
read my review here.

8. American Gods by Neil Gaiman
Of the books I've read this year, this is second only to Never let me go. In one word, this book is EPIC. It's intense and funny and creative and mind-boggling and Neil Gaiman deserves all the awards in all the worlds. So. freaking. good.
read my review here.

9. The Exorcist by William Peter Blatty
The book that the hit film was based on. An interesting blend of psychology and religion, that, I'm not afraid to admit, had me so scared at times that I had to switch over to cheery TV to calm myself down.
read my review here.

10. The Goon by Eric Powell (graphic novel)
A really short but really incredible comic. Hugely funny, and not at all serious, anyone who doesn't have some kind of stick up their butt should read and bask in the bizarre hilarity of this book.
read my (mini) review here.

honourable mentions: Trainspotting by Irvine Welsh (re-read), Cell by Stephen King, The Doctor is Sick by Anthony Burgess and The Vagabond King by James Conway.

Top 10 Tuesday: Books I hope Santa brings.

Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme created here at The Broke and the Bookish. This feature was created because we are particularly fond of lists here at The Broke and the Bookish. We'd love to share our lists with other bookish folks and would LOVE to see your top ten lists!

This week: Books I hope Santa brings this Christmas!



1. 1Q84 - Haruki Murakami

2. The Left Hand of Darkness - Ursula K. Le Guin

3. Haroun and the sea of stories - Salman Rushdie

4. Big Fish - Daniel Wallace

5. The Sea is my brother - Jack Kerouac (OH PLEASE SANTA PLEASE!)

6. Pnin- Vladimir Nabokov

7. How it feels - Brendan Cowell

8. Nightmare Japan, Contemporary Japanese Horror Cinema - Jay Mcroy

9. House of leaves - Mark Z. Danielewski

10. The Stand - graphic novel adaptation (minus book 1-3)

Top 10 Tuesday: Childhood Faves

Top 10 Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme created here at The Broke and The Bookish. This feature was created because we're particularly of lists here at The Broke and The Bookish. We'd love to share our lists with other bookish folks and would LOVE to see your top 10 lists!

This week: Top 10 childhood favourites, or, take a look how many series I read as a kid!

1. Harry Potter by J.K Rowling
I'm pretty sure this will be on everyone's list this week, so I doubt I need to expand. I mean...Harry Potter! It's simply the greatest YA ever written!

2. Roald Dahl
I really couldn't pick just one. As a kid I used to read all his books continuously, but the ones on constant rotation were The Twits, James and the Giant Peach, George's Marvelous Medicine, The Witches and The Magic Finger (which was this fantastic 1970s edition handed down by my mum). They were such charming books that bewitched my mind and set my imagination racing.

3. The Hobbit by J.R. R Tolkien
I didn't pick up LOTR until the first film came out because my mum scared me with her description of Gollum (he'd terrified her as a child) but I absolutely adored The Hobbit as a kid. It was my first foray into fantasy and classic literature and I think it made a great introductory text!

4.The Baby-Sitter's Club by Ann. M. Martin
I'm pretty sure I read every single one of these when I was a kid. I always wished I could be as fashionable as Stacy, as creative as Claudia, as free spirited as Damn and as sweet as Mary-Anne. I never really liked Kirsty, she was too brash and abrasive for my tastes, but I did always want to start a business of Baby-Sitters with a group of best friends like them.

5. Goosebumps by R.L. Stine
This was the other mass-produced series that I loved. I actually joined a Goosebumps club which sent out three books, a pack of stickers and some other related toy once a month. I only stopped reading these creepy tales when I found R.L Stine's Fear Street and Christopher Pike's books, which were a little better suited for my 13 year old desire for horror.

6. The Chrestomanci Series by Diana Wynne Jones
An absolutely amazing fantasy series that involves parallel world, men with multiple lives, dream walks, magic, dragons, mermaids etc etc. I received The Lives of Christopher Chant for a birthday present and immediately fell in love with the book's creativity and fun and rushed out to read all the rest in the series and convince all my friend's to read them immediately.

7. The Dangerous Lives of Altar Boys by Chris Fuhrman
One of my all time favourite books, this novel deals with a gang of 13 year olds' last hurrah before they're all shipped off to different high schools. It's set during the 1970s and deals with some pretty tricky and risqué issues like death, sex and incest. The earnestness of the novel absolutely captured my heart as a 12 year old and now, 12 years later I still read it at least once a year and laugh and cry at the same places.

8. His Dark Materials by Philip Pullman
Unlike the other books on this list, I didn't read this series until my first or second year of high school. A friend recommended it and then, by coincidence, I received the first book for my birthday shortly afterwards. While I'm sure much of the religious allegory passed over my head, I absolutely loved the story and the complexity that abounded the narrative. Plus, how awesome would it be to have a daemon that can turn into any animal it wants (for awhile anyway)?!

9. Enid Blyton
As a wee little one my mum used to read to me from a collection of Blyton books she had which included things like The Wishing Chair Again, The Magic Faraway Tree, The Famous Five and The Enchanted Forest. I especially loved The Magic Faraway Tree, I always loved Moonface and the idea of the top of the tree being a new world each time they visit. They also seemed to always be eating the most amazing food, treacle tarts and cream pies. I used to think this was what life was like for everyone in England, I was most envious.

10. Fairy-tales
This isn't any one book in particular, but fairy-tales in general. I had a couple of beautiful books of fairy-tales (which I've had mum store away for the day I have kids of my own) which told the traditional versions of the Disney fairytales and some others which were never turned into Disney movies, but were equally amazing. I also had a book (I wish I could remember it's name) which told a traditional fairy/pixie/elf tale from a variety of countries. Thanks to that book I was introduced to the magical creatures of Ireland, Norway, England, Denmark, Russia and many, many other countries. I think, perhaps more than any other book/series on this list, this early introduction to fantasy and creativity was a huge influence for not only my reading preferences, but my outlook of life and general attitude.

Top 10 Tuesday: Books to read this summer

Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme created here at The Broke and the Bookish. This feature was created because we are particularly fond of lists here at The Broke and the Bookish. We'd love to share our lists with other bookish folks and would LOVE to see your top ten lists!



1. Infinite Jest by David Foster Wallace

2. House of Leaves by Mark Z. Danielewski

3.Animal Farm by George Orwell

4. Nerd do Well by Simon Pegg

5. IQ84 by Haruki Murakami

6. Harry Potter 1-7 by J.K. Rowling

7. The Dark Tower by Stephen King (as many as possible)

8. Portrait of a Killer- Jack the Ripper by Patricia Corwell>

9. Out of the Silent Planet by C. S. Lewis

10. Manic Streets of Perth: Anthology by Dave Franklin

These aren't really "summer reads," more like "reads I don't get a chance to attempt when I'll in the middle of a uni semester".There is very little chance I'll make it through even half of these books this summer, but I'll do my best to make a serious dent! Most of these books are the big fat novels I avoid when I'm busy because I like to take significant chunks out of books when I read them, rather than spend two months reading bits and pieces at a time. Others are new (ish) releases or series that I'm desperate to finally get a start on. Harry Potter 1-7 are the only re-reads, and it's a re-read that I do every summer. On average it takes me about 1-2 weeks to read through them and reacquaint myself with my beloved characters and the school I always wished I went to.

I'll be sure to post some pictures of me reclining on the beach in Northern NSW with a book in hand for all of you battling your winter chills!

Top 10 Tuesday: Books growing dust on my shelf

Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme created here at The Broke and the Bookish. This feature was created because we are particularly fond of lists here at The Broke and the Bookish. We'd love to share our lists with other bookish folks and would LOVE to see your top ten lists!

This week: Top 10 books that have been on my shelf for the longest but I've never read.



I have a shameful habit of buying books every time I venture into town, even though there are dozens sitting on my shelf. At the rate I'm going I'll never be able to catch up! The worst culprit though, is the bi-annual Bookfest held in Brisbane. The Brisbane Convention Centre is filled to capacity with books of all shapes and sizes for extremely low, low, low prices. I'd be lying if I told you I ever walked out of there with any less than 10 books, many of which are bought due to their enticing price tag and the beautiful hard covers that have aged over countless decades. Typically I snap up the classic books I tell myself I will get around to one day, or the best-sellers that I can't bring myself to pay full retail for. I don't feel too bad though, since I rarely spend much more than $30-$40 AND it goes to charity! So in honour of this fantastic literary temptation I'm going to list ten books I've bought there yet have never read (so far).


1. A Man in Full by Tom Wolfe

2. The Complete Works of William Shakespeare by William Shakespeare

3. Uncle Tom's Cabin by Harriet Beecher Stowe

4. Rabbit Redux by John Updike

5.Dead Souls by Nikolai Gogol

6. A Burnt Out Case by Graham Greene

7. Ulysses by James Joyce

8. 20, 000 Leagues Under the Sea by Jules Verne

9. The Witches of Eastwick by John Updike

10. The High Window by Raymond Chandler


At the very least a few of these should be read before the year is out thanks to the challenge created by Gabe specifically for this problem so many of us bibliophiles have! How about all of you? Which books on your shelves are gathering dust, and when do you think you'll manage to get around to them?

Top 10 Tuesday: Books outside my comfort zone

 Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme created here at The Broke and the Bookish. This feature was created because we are particularly fond of lists here at The Broke and the Bookish. We'd love to share our lists with other bookish folks and would LOVE to see your top ten lists!



It's been awhile since I've done a TTT and I think I picked a really interesting week to reappear! So in no particular order I present to you ten books that were outside my comfort zone.

1. Lolita by Vladimir Nabokov
Lolita is a story about a grown male who is infatuated by a young girl, and goes to some extraordinary lengths to obtain her. It's really, really heavy going subject wise and more than once I felt incredibly queasy. Nabokov is an amazing writer, but I'm fairly certain this is one book I won't be revisiting.

2. Candy by Luke Davies
This is one of my all time favourite books, and when I get time to re-read it I'll definitely post a review. It's a harrowing and heart-wrenching tale of a couple who are united through their love for one another and for heroin. It's dark and rarely happy but beautifully written. It's been made into a fantastic film starring Geoffrey Rush and Heath Ledger (and a stellar Aussie cast) which you should also check out.

3. Trainspotting by Irvine Welsh
Another favourite book of mine, and once again a not so happy tale of life as a drug addict! It's dark and (god I hate this term) gritty, but what really challenged me was the Scottish dialect it was written in. It was hard-going but so worth it in the end. (you can read my review here)

4. On the Road by Jack Kerouac
If I had to describe my literary style in two words I'd say "beat generation." Not simply for their style of writing (although that's definitely a part of it) but because of the content, language and the oomph of it. However, I really struggled to stay on top of the stream of consciousness in On The Road. How do you stop and pick it back up after a day or two? I was constantly having to retrack my paths or devote huge blocks of time to get through it. But like all the other books, this challenge really added to the experience.

5. Haunted by Chuck Palahniuk
Another book up there with my favourites, this is possibly one of the best books written by Chuck Palahniuk. However the first short story, Guts, was so freaking disgusting (I nearly passed out when I read it on the train) that I had to gather all my courage (and read on an empty stomach) to be able to keep going. For any interested readers, none of the other stories are quite so stomach-churningly gross, so if you make it through Guts it'll be smooth sailing from then on!

6. Pride and Prejudice and Zombies by Jane Austen and Seth Grahame-Smith
I have a real aversion to Jane Austen. I've tried, over and over, to read her books but...I just can't. Ugh, it's so boring and dull and I just want to drill a hole in my head for something to do. Ha, so theatrics aside, I decided to challenge myself to get through the whole thing, but to make it more palatable I decided to take the route that included zombies. I won't be going back to read the original... (read my review here)

7. Powers of Horror: Essays on Abjection by Julia Kristeva
This book was an integral component of my thesis but it was so dense! It's written really beautifully (for a text on psychoanalysis) which seemed to lull me into thinking I understood it when I really had no idea!

8. Sandakan: A Conspiracy of Silence by Lynette Ramsay Silver
This is a non-fiction account of the Sandakan prison camps which were in operation during World War II. During the war there were a huge number of Australian soldiers incarcerated as POWs who were treated in the most inhumane and terrible ways possible. It was one of those eye-opening experiences for me and it hurt me to read about Australian soldiers starving and being tortured to death.

9. Twilight by Stephenie Meyer
I've made no secret of my dislike of this series, I find the writing mediocre and it concerns me that this book (and books like it) promote this idea that intelligent girls need a boy to have some sort of direction or fulfillment in life. It was a real struggle, for me, to make it through the book.

Ok that's all I've got, for now. I'll add a final book if I can think about it. Which books pushed you out of your comfort zone?