Whenever I go for a vacation, books are a travelling necessity. Often I take both physical and electronic copies to keep me company. How would I be a complete book nerd if I didn't? Kidding.

This year I'm going to the United States for my vacation. Visiting New York, Connecticut and Atlantic City. Basically city to small town to beach resort so it's really hard to do a theme read which I'm not a fan of either way. Instead I'm going to compile a list of books that I'm dying to read and will probably dig into on the ride there.

Gilded Ashes - Rosamund Hodge

I got this one from the library so I have to read it soon or the ebook will expire. I think this is a good starter read as it will be light and quick. Also, I adored Cruel Beauty! Update: I actually read and loved this one, review to come.

Crash Into You - Katie McGarry

Another follow up for a book I loved. I actually read Pushing the Limits, Dare You To, skipped this one and read Take Me On. Now I want to give this one a go.

Game of Thrones - George R.R. Martin

I've been slowly reading this one for year. I'm almost done the latest season but have yet to build up the courage and make up my mind to finish this.

Looking For Alaska - John Green

(MID-VACATION ADDITION)

I actually bought this one a few days ago and am dying to have a John Green book under my reading belt!

I have my Kobo Ereader with me for the vacation so I might find something else to read if my mood asks for it. Generally, I don't read a lot on vacation because I like to be doing a lot of stuff but I'll try to read through some of these.

What's on or was on your vacation tbr?

While you tell me about your vacation lists, why don't you also help me out. All four look amazing but which to you guys recommend I read first? Leave a comment and vote on the poll. Thanks you!

Which do you recommend?

Gilded Ashes

Game of Thrones

Crash Into You

Looking For Alaska

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-MARI

Game of Thrones is one of my favourite tv shows. It is horrifically violent, and I don't know what it says about me that I like a show like that. But I'm not the only one, so if there's something wrong with me, there's something wrong with a lot of society.

Game of Thrones is well known for destroying the hearts of its fans, and killing off its characters in the most tragic ways possible. And it doesn't just kill some minor characters: it will repeatedly kill off main characters in order to move the plot forward. Frankly, it's terrifying.

It's also refreshing. I read so many books and watch many movies, and at some point my mind has ideas mapped out of how stories should go. I can read situations and say this should happen. My favourite part of Game of Thrones is that I'm never sure of what can happen next.

I don't read the books. I just tune into the show not knowing if my favourite character will be killed off (again). It's not all so tragic though. When I tell non-watchers that Game of Thrones has such a high body count, they always say, "What's the point of watching if everyone is always miserable and will die?"

And somehow, despite the death, Game of Thrones has so far maintained the right balance of hope. The allure of Game of Thrones comes from the fact that there are awful scenes where favourite characters will die in the most horrible ways. But there are also some of the most empowering, uplifting scenes that make you believe in the world.

The show crushes you.

And lifts you up.

The rollercoaster of The Game of Thrones

It's a glorious cycle because there was one episode where, after having already experienced all the weddings, I knew this lesson. And yet, I was sure the good guy would win. I believed it. And the good guy was winning. It was uplifting and perfect.

And then, it all went horribly wrong.

I suppose I should have seen it coming. I read a quote by George R. R. Martin after the Red Wedding, where they asked why he killed off certain characters. To paraphrase, he said because it was too obvious if this character lived. It was too much of a story.

This is something that came to my mind again after watching another one of my favourites die. It was so horrible and what was weird was that I was certain this character would survive. I was absolutely certain the "good guy" would win, and when they didn't, it blindsided me. Again.

And that is the allure of Game of Thrones: I haven't figured it out. It's a trap. It makes you love characters, and the allure is that you don't know if who you love will die or live on. Game of Thrones feels so fresh to me after all the storylines I've read throughout my life, and I hope it continues to surprise me.

I would end this post with a little prayer to the universe to save my favourite characters, but you know what, no. If there's one thing I have learned from this show is that characters die, and life goes on. Shit happens and you deal with it. Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose. It's all about balance.

-P.E.

I'm sure we have all been intrigued by a book but have been scared to pick it up for any reason. It can be because of its rating, the hype, the length or just the feeling that it might disappoint.

I had this encounter earlier today when I went to Chapters with the sole purpose of buying a specific book, Ink by Amanda Sun. Once I got there and found the book, I started reading through it, getting a feel for things. The longer I looked through it the more anxious I got, until it hit me that it gave off a very twilight feeling. Using that as my excuse I ran out of the store with my tail between my legs.


On this note, I'm going to talk about 3 books that have scared me.




Game of Thrones - George R.R. Martin

This one horrifies me. There is so much to be scared of the length, the hype, the inevitable comparison between it and its tv show. This fear has kept me from finishing the book on the multiple occasions that I borrowed the book from the library and vowed to finish it, each time I came up empty handed. One day I hope I can build up the courage to read this.

Scare Factor: length, hype, comparison

Da Vinci Code - Dan Brown

I heard of this one a few years ago from one of my friends who really enjoyed it and recommend it to me. So one day I bought the book, started reading it, realized I didn't understand half the things that were mentioned and it hasn't left my shelf ever since.

Scare Factor: length, language, hype, genre, age group

Jane Eyre - Charlotte Bronte

This is one of my favourite classics, I've watched multiple movie adaptions and absolutely adored them. I also read a modern retelling called Jane by April Lindner, which I also enjoyed. I also ended up buying the book but until this day it's been sitting on my book case collecting dust.

Scare Factor: length, language/writing, hype, movie, status(classic)

Am I the only one? 
I do this with everything: movies,shows, electronics, clothes you name it. I gather as much information I can before I finally sit down and watch/read it etc.

 

 

P.E. & Mari discuss Multiple POVs in books.

I was considering something I've noticed sometimes. It seems like some people don't like multiple POVs. It's weird. So many of my favourite books like Wicked Lovely by Melissa Marr include multiple POVs. I love exploring different perspectives. It's not just that though- I don't think I've ever had a problem with them. How about you?

Ekk! Alright well, you spoke about people who don't like multiple POVs and its kind of funny because be hold I am one of them. Now saying that I don't mean that I dislike all multiple POVs. Some of my favourite books have been duel narrated but that's the thing, I have a limit. The more narrators in a story makes me a little anxious, as I always find a favourite and hate it when their chapter ends in order to allow space for the other, less appealing character.

No way, I totally asked you that question thinking you were on the same side as me... *whistles* So for you, the issue is that you tend to favour one character over another? What interests me in the multiple POVs is how you can know a character in so many different ways. You can understand them on a personal basis, but you also get to see how others look at them. That's something I've always found fascinating, especially after learning people are different with themselves and others. Especially when the characters have to make hard choices so they're hated by some characters and loved by others. For me, it's just more layers and I love it.

I understand what you're talking about and it does sounds great but the sad truth is, there aren't many book out there who are able to incorporate that into the story. Instead we get a lot of different story-lines playing out with no real scheduling as to when the characters will finally meet. I've been putting off Leviathan by Scott Westerfield because to me character's relationship are very important. It doesn't have to be romantic, it can be anything. Interactions between characters, especially the protagonists, is what keeps me reading so when I hear things like, they don't meet till the second book it automatically becomes less appealing. What can I say I'm a little impatient. In another case we get less development of either stories as the author is too busy trying to build two stories in one book. Personally, I prefer one story and lots of detail and development.

Obviously, I feel differently. I'll give a TV example: The Game of Thrones. We both enjoy that TV show and it follows multiple POVs. Those different perspectives enhance the story because they're all very in-depth and show layers to the story. I understand that this is a purely subjective thing, because I loved Leviathan (awesome illustrations eh?) so maybe it depends on the story and the writing. Do more people accept multiple POVs in genres like fantasy?

I think you brought up a great point with fantasy. I've also noticed that multiple POVs in fantasy don't bother me and I wonder if that has to do with the world building and plot development which has a stronger presence in fantasy than in genres like contemporary. But in the end I think it comes down to the author, their writing and the story. The Game of Thrones is obviously a story which needs multiple POVs to build and develop its plot and it is George R.R. Martin's masterful story telling abilities that make the books and show enjoyable.

I agree. For me, multiple perspectives says the story is so huge, complex, and awesome that you can't confine it to only one character. I've always enjoyed it. 

This Is Our Take On Multiple POVs. 

What Do You Think?