Armchair BEA! Day 4: Non-fiction

Armchair BEA is for those people who cannot visit Book Expo America but still want to join in the fun.
Today the topic for discussion is g non-fiction books.This includes things like autobiographies/biographies,books on history to travel books and other thing that I'm probably missing.So i'm not really big a huge fan of non-fictionbut on ocassion I do enjoy reading a good non-fic book.So I'm going to share the two of last  non-fiction books I've read and two that I want to read..Enjoy! :)

 

The Girl`Who Loved the Sswastika Maria Anne

You can read about Maria Anne Hirschmann's amazing life in Nazi occupied Czechoslovakia, her blind devotion to Hitler and the atheistic Nazi system. Her story will take you through the horror of World War II, her escape from the Communists, her chance at romance, and the reawakening of her love for Jesus Christ. See the United States with Maria's eyes when she immigrates to this country with her small family. Through it all, you will see the hand of God. This commemorative edition includes a new chapter updating Hansi's life as well as photos not included in the first editions. Go with her to Belarus as she finds a new calling from God.



I picked this book up and borrowed it from a friend on a whim and as soon as i started reading it I couldn't put it down.I have always found Nazi history interesting.I would highly recommend this book to anyone.

GI Jews Deborah dash Moore

Whether they came from Sioux Falls or the Bronx, over half a million Jews entered the U.S. armed forces during the Second World War. Uprooted from their working- and middle-class neighborhoods, they joined every branch of the military and saw action on all fronts. Deborah Dash Moore offers an unprecedented view of the struggles these GI Jews faced, having to battle not only the enemy but also the prejudices of their fellow soldiers.
Through memoirs, oral histories, and letters, Moore charts the lives of fifteen young Jewish men as they faced military service and tried to make sense of its demands. From confronting pork chops to enduring front-line combat, from the temporary solace of Jewish worship to harrowing encounters with death camp survivors, we come to understand how these soldiers wrestled with what it meant to be an American and a Jew.
This books was assigned for class and I didn't think I'd like it but I really enjoyed it and leaning about what Jewish soldiers went though at that time.

On The Road Jack Kerouac
On the Road chronicles Jack Kerouac's years traveling the North American continent with his friend Neal Cassady, "a sideburned hero of the snowy West." As "Sal Paradise" and "Dean Moriarty," the two roam the country in a quest for self-knowledge and experience. Kerouac's love of America, his compassion for humanity, and his sense of language as jazz combine to make On the Road an inspirational work of lasting importance.

So I have yet to read this book it's just hanging out on my book shelf and honestly I'm not really sure sure if this is non-fiction.Is it?Or not?

An eloquent memoir of a young man's life transformed by literature.

In A Jane Austen Education, Austen scholar William Deresiewicz turns to the author's novels to reveal the remarkable life lessons hidden within. With humor and candor, Deresiewicz employs his own experiences to demonstrate the enduring power of Austen's teachings. Progressing from his days as an immature student to a happily married man, Deresiewicz's A Jane Austen Education is the story of one man's discovery of the world outside himself.

If you have checked out my Classics post you know I have yet to read any thing by Austen so I think after I've read a few of her books this would be a great book to read.

Waiting on Wednesday(30)

 Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by Jill from Breaking the Spine, and specifically spotlights upcoming novels we can't wait to read. As always, there are some amazing upcoming books, but this week I'm particularly excited for...

Title:Invisble

Author: Marni Bates
Realease Date:August 1,2013
Publisher: K-Teen

Jane Smith has survived three years of high school without making a single enemy, all by keeping a low profile. Not even her three best friends, Kenzie, Corey and Isobel, can say the same. But with Corey dating the lead singer from ReadySet and Kenzie in a relationship too, being invisible tends to be lonely. 

But now she's written an article for her school newspaper that has accidentally snagged the attention of some celebrities. Turns out, people get really upset when their innermost secrets are splashed all over the front page. And new her well-ordered life is being blasted to hell, with results that are wildly unexpected

I adored Awkward and can't wait to get my hand on this book.

So that's what I'm waiting.How about you?  Leave a link and let me know. :) 

Armchair BEA Day 1 :Classics!

Armchair BEA is for those people who cannot visit Book Expo America but still want to join in the fun. I really wish I was in NYC with my fellow bloggers who are attending BEA (Book Expo America), but sadly I can't. It all good though I’m more than happy to be a part of Armchair BEA! Over the next few days I will be joining in with this event and their daily blog post topic suggestions.

 So as an English major you'd think that I've read a lot of classics and as a self proclaimed book nerd you'd come to the assumption that I've thoroughly enjoyed the classics I've read..Right? Well in a way you'd be slightly wrong.I've read the classics assigned for class and a few picked on my own but honestly it's not my thing.*Gasp* I know some may say blasphemy but it's true.Now I'm not trash talking the classics because I do enjoy the old school books on occasion  it's a once in a blue moon type of thing.

There are so many classic books that I think I would enjoy I just have yet to sit down and read them.I've seen so many Jane Austen adaptions but I have yet to read any thing by her.Tragic I know..Just like how I've seen many Jane Austan adaptions I've seen many adaptions about the character Sherlock and feel like the books/short stories would be an excellent read.

What are your favorite classics?
If  I had to pick a favorite it would be The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho Is this even considered a classic? Also I'd say almost all things Shakespeare Hamlet is my favorite from him.
If you could give a list of classics to someone who claims to hate them to make them change their mind, what would be on it?
 If I could give a list of classics to some one who claims to hate them I'd include any thing by Shakespeare.The Great Gatsby,The Scarlet Letter.Les Miserables,The Alchemist,Tom Sawyer,
Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte.I could come up with a few more but  these are the ones i really liked.

How would you convince them to give classics a try?
I'd ask them why the didn't like it and after we discussed it I'd tell them the story of when i read Les Miserables for the first time.I read it in the 7th grade and since it was required reading I skimmed alot and half read the book pretty much just enough to pass.At that point I wasn't big on reading so called old school books.Fast forward to me in high school when I had to read it again and guess what I loved that book.After I gave it a fair shot I realized what a great book it was.

So basically the advice I'd give is just to keep your options open.Just because you read a classic in school and disliked it that doesnt mean you should give it another go.Yeah not all stories turn out like mine sometimes you'll read a book and just not like it.If you don't like one classic don't let it turn you away from all the othe options out there.

The Best American NonRequired Reading 2012

So I'm at the local library and while trolling the stacks I stumbled upon The Best American NonRequired Reading 2012 edited by Dave Eggers,Introduction by Ray Bradbury.I have to say that so far I enjoy this book.The introduction is what really drew me in after the title and cover of course.The few brief pages of the introduction will reminded any one of their love for books.

As I mention I just picked this book of the self so I've barley read what it has to offer.As of right now I'm captivated by this book.As I read on will I still be captivated??Who know.Maybe I'll enjoy every page or maybe I'll dislike a huge chuck of it but regardless of how i'll feel at the end of reading The Best American NonRequired Reading 2012 i'm glad that i've come across this book.

*******************

 The Best American series is the premier annual showcase for the country’s finest short fiction and nonfiction. Each volume’s series editor selects notable works from hundreds of magazines, journals, and websites. A special guest editor, a leading writer in the field, then chooses the best twenty or so pieces to publish. This unique system has made the Best American series the most respected — and most popular — of its kind.

The Best American Nonrequired Reading 2012 includes

Kevin Brockmeier, Judy Budnitz, Junot Díaz, Louise Erdrich,
Nora Krug, Julie Otsuka, Eric Puchner, George Saunders,
Adrian Tomine, Jess Walter, and others

 

 If you've ever be captivated right of the bat by a book comment below 

and let me know what book it was.

Armchair BEA Day 1: Introductions

 

Armchair BEA is for those people who cannot visit Book Expo America but still want to join in the fun. I really wish I was in NYC with my fellow bloggers who are attending BEA (Book Expo America), but sadly I can't. It all good though I’m more than happy to be a part of Armchair BEA!

1.Please tell us a little bit about yourself: Who are you? How long have you been blogging? Why did you get into blogging? 
Hello There fellow blogger and oddball book enthusiasts My name is Melissa,I'm 20 years old and Ive been blogging sporadically since June 2011. I started blogging because of a Blog called The Book Butterfly(The site is now down) I constantly read the post and looked forward to new ones being put up.After being introduced to that blog I started looking at more and more.Eventually I got the idea into my head that creating a blog would be fun.(SN: It definitely is.)
The first blog I started was a personal one on that I posted up poems I created and things like that.After awhile though  I started the Book blog  and the rest, as they say, is history. :)

2.Where in the world are you blogging from? Tell a random fact or something special about your current location. Feel free to share pictures. 
I'm blogging from the south east-side in Chicago and as of this moment my puggle is on my lap being a pest.It raining and my Labrador is freaking out trying to hind behind the couch even though he's obviously too big.Something special about my location is that it almost takes a 12 step program to tell people where I live.

3.If you could eat dinner with any author or character, who would it be and why?  
Alright so if I could have dinner with any author it would be J.K Rowling and I would Politely hound her about all things Harry Potter and her life.
If I had to pick a fictional character to have dinner with it would be Magnus Bane from all the shadowhunter series by Cassandra Clare.. He seems like he'd be a fun time and since he's immortal have tons of stories to share.

4.Have you previously participated in Armchair BEA? What brought you back for another year? If you have not previously participated, what drew you to the event?
No,I have never participated in Armchair BEA and I honestly just found out about it a few hours ago. I decided to participated because of slight BEA envy and I wanted to become more connected out in the blogger community.From what i've seen bloggers are a friendly bunch.

5.Tell us one non-book-related thing that everyone reading your blog may not know about you.
In case you haven't guessed it already I'm a huge dog lover.I have three and each one is like my furry baby.Also I'm partially named after the actress from the little house on the prairie "Melissa Gilbert" My dads name is also Gilbert.

Top Ten Tuesday:Freebie (16)

Check out how Top Ten Tuesday works & the future schedule of topics HERE.The Top Ten Tuesday, is hosted by the ever-fabulous The Broke and the Bookish   This  meme was created because they are particularly fond of lists at The Broke and the Bookish.

Top Ten Tuesday Freebie 

So since this weeks Top Ten Tuesday is a freebie I decided to do  Top Ten Favorite Book Quotes

1. “If there is one thing worse than self-pity, it was other people's pity.”
C.J. Duggan, The Boys of Summer

2. “Whatever I decide, I might be making a mistake. But if I'm going to make a mistake I want it to be passionate”
Nina LaCour, The Disenchantments 

I adore this quote because it ring  true. Things change and sometimes you can't help but make mistakes.Sometimes they can have a huge effect on you and other times not so much.It doesn't matter if you make mistakes,it matter if that mistake is wondefully awful and you learn from it.

3.“Luke used to give me butterflies. Noah spawned mutant pterodactyls.”
Katie McGarry, Pushing the Limits  

4.“She will not be simple and sweet.
She will not be what people tell her she should be.”
E. Lockhart, The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks 

Living up too other peoples expectation is tough but trying to exceed peoples expectation is pretty tough too trust me.

5.“You get close to people.You get farther from them.You learn how much you love them, and then you say good-bye believing that you will be together again, someday, when your lives curve back into one another’s." -The Disenchantments  

6. “There are bad people in the world: Murderers and psychopaths and telemarketers who won't take no for an answer.”
Jennifer Lynn Barnes, Raised by Wolves

7.“Books are the ultimate Dumpees: put them down and they’ll wait for you forever; pay attention to them and they always love you back.”
John Green, An Abundance of Katherines

John Green is definitely one of my favorite authors.

8. "I killed him, I thought numbly. I killed him with my awkwardness!"

Marni Bates,Awkward 

This quote petty much sums up the book.Awkward was a hilarious read.

9."Tomorrow will be better.” “But what if it’s not?” I asked. “Then you say it again tomorrow. Because it might be. You never know, right? At some point, tomorrow will be better."

 Morgan Matson Amy and Roger's Epic Detour

 10.‎"The simple truth is that you can understand a town. You can know and love and hate it. You can blame it, resent it, and nothing changes. In the end, you're just another part of it.”
Brenna Yovanoff,The Replacement

If you have ever lived in a small town you can relate to this.

Breaking Up is Easy To Do

 Breaking up is easy to do it's getting over someone that can be tough.

All day Ive been listening to music working on a paper and I keep going back to the song Crossroads (I Guess You Can Say Things Are Getting Pretty Serious) by Forever the Sickest Kids. I've literally just sat here with that song on repeat for the longest so I decided to write a post relating to it.

People do crazy things after a breaking up some girls(and guys) cut off all their hairs,some write long winded letters they never send(a few actually send the letters),and some go temporarily crazy. No matter what you do this books will distract you a little bit and hell maybe give you ideas on how to move on. ; )

Title:Why We Broke Up
Author:Daniel Handler
I'm telling you why we broke up, Ed. I'm writing it in this letter, the whole truth of why it happened.

Min Green and Ed Slaterton are breaking up, so Min is writing Ed a letter and giving him a box. Inside the box is why they broke up. Two bottle caps, a movie ticket, a folded note, a box of matches, a protractor, books, a toy truck, a pair of ugly earrings, a comb from a motel room, and every other item collected over the course of a giddy, intimate, heartbreaking relationship. Item after item is illustrated and accounted for, and then the box, like a girlfriend, will be dumped.

Great book it was such a honest sweet read.Why We Broke up was quirky,sweet and at certain parts made me cry.5/5 At some point i'll write an actual review.Promise.

 Title:instructions for a broken heart
Author:Kim Culbertson
Three days before her drama club's trip to Italy, Jessa Gardner discovers her boyfriend in the costume barn with another girl. Jessa is left with a care package from her best friend titled "Top Twenty Reasons He's a Slimy Jerk Bastard," instructing her to do one un-Jessa-like thing each day of the trip. At turns hilarious and heartwrenching, Instructions for a Broken Heart paints a magical Italy in which Jessa learns she must figure out life-and romance-for herself.

What better way to get over you cheating ex than going to Italy and checking out the culture & maybe the guys.Just finished reading this a few days ago and would highly recommend this book.

Title: Over You
Authors: Emma Mclaughlin & Nicola Kraus
After the grand explosion of her relationship, seventeen-year-old Max Scott developed what every girl in the history of the world has been waiting for: a way to get over being dumped. Now Max is the go-to guru for heartbroken high-school girls all over NYC. But when her ex unexpectedly shows up in her neighborhood, Max’s carefully controlled world starts to unravel. With her clients’ hearts hanging in the balance, Max will have to do the seemingly impossible: get over him once and for all.

 I have yet to read this book but I hear good things.

I get your point,
We're better friends than lovers,
I get it, I got it, I guess that we're moving on,
And if I had a chance, I'd do it all over
 Crossroads Forever the Sickest Kids.
   
So here's the song that inspired this short little list.Enjoy

Please leave a comment below with you favorite breakup related books!