Top Ten Tuesday is a meme hosted by 'The Broke and the Bookish'. These weeks theme is required Required Teen Reading.
Now, my own high school reading experience was not my favorite. Reading has always been a fun thing for me, but the books we had to read in english? So.... Boring.... Couldn't.... Stand.... Any.... Of... Them! The list, I kid you not, was the exact same list that my father (who attended the same high school) had to read. And that is the problem with reading in your teens-- most kids only find themselves reading stuffy classics, which then turn them off of reading in general. At least, that's my take on it.
This list was particularly hard!!!!!
Top Ten Five Teen Reads:
1-Enders Game by Orson Scott Card: I'm still surprised when people haven't read this book. It's an amazing story with so many elements that could very easily mirror what we see in society today.
2-Oedipus Rex by Sophocles: Why read this? Because it is a 'classic' that has an interesting story told in a more user friendly style than most Shakespearean tragedies. (No offence to those who actually enjoy Shakespeare intended!)
3-Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury: Such a good story and one with a fantastic message.
4-Luna by Julie Anne Peters: This story is about a transgender male and his sister. It really is quite touching and opens the door to discussions on being okay with who you or others are.
5-The Outsiders by SE Hinton: Just like Enders Game, I'm surprised to hear when people haven't read this novel!
And there's my Top Five Teen Reads. These books are a handful of favorites. They all have some great messages and storywise-- they're spot on!
This week's Top Ten 'Five' Tuesday, hosted by The Broke and the Bookish, is about your favorite book settings. Here are a few of mine!
1- Italy: I've been to Italy and LOVED it. Set a book in Italy and I'll probably take an extra look at it.
2- Hogwarts: The best thing about the Harry Potter books? Hogwarts. I'm notorious for skipping along the bits that don't take place in the castle.
3- Narnia: How can you not want to visit a place where the animals talk?
4- An Animated Disney Musical: How much fun would it be to live in a world where you can break into song and not get stared at?
5- Castles: One day, I want to own a castle. It's one of the reasons I enjoy readings books about them!
This weeks Top Ten Tuesday (hosted by The Broke and the Bookish) is concentrated on Beach Reads! I'm not one who really goes to beaches or reads outside, for that matter, but I do know what I'd bring if I did do that sort of thing...
In general, beach reading for me would include old favorites of the popcorn kind.
1- 'The Grimm Legacy' by Polly Shulman
2- 'The Host' by Stephenie Meyer
3- Old School Star Wars novels (ie: The Courtship of Princess Leia, The Jedi Academy Trilogy, Even some Young Jedi Knights!) by Various authors
4- 'Beauty Shop for Rent' by Laura Bowers
I can't think of anymore, but these books would be a good start to any beach excursion!
Top Ten Tuesdays is a meme started by 'The Broke and the Bookish'. Please head over to their site for more information! This week is 'Top Ten Mean Girls'. (Only five this week, b/c this question is hard!!!)
Top FIVE Mean Girls
1- Rose from the Vampire Academy novels: True, if I tried to slap Rose, she'd probably see it coming a mile away and get me first, but that girl annoyed the heck out of me half the time. This was especially true when it came to book five and six in the series. If you think about it, Rose's whole journey involved using people for her own personal gain. We get hardly any guilt from the girl in regards to that fact. I can't say anymore without spoiling, but ahh, she was a really annoying main character.
2- The White Witch in The Chronicles of Narnia: The White Witch is pretty much the definition of 'mean girl'.
3- Dolores Umbridge from Harry Potter/Order of the Phoenix: Who doesn't love to hate Umbridge? She is one of the meanest characters in Harry Potter. Just thinking of Harry's 'I won't tell lies' situation makes me shudder.
4- Jessica Wakefield from Sweet Valley High/Kids/Confidential: While Elizabeth isn't exactly innocent, Jessica was definitely the bad twin. All the crazy things she did to sabatage others... Not good at all!
5- Alice from Prophecy of the Sisters: Again, not the good twin. Not the good twin at all.
Who are your picks for this week's theme? (And while you're visiting, check out my ebook giveaway! Low entries so far!
Top Ten Tuesdays is a meme started by 'The Broke and the Bookish'. Please head over to their site for more information! This week is a Top Ten Tuesday Rewind, meaning I can choose any topic I'd like! For this week, I'm choosing: Book Characters I'd Name My Kids After...
Book Characters I'd Name My Kids After:
1- Bastian (The Neverending Story): I've always loved this name. It's so different, unexpected. It almost has a regal aire to it. However much I love the name, it also could have some very negative aspects to it when it comes to evil, teasing kids. Regardless, I would totally use this name as a first or middle name for a future child.
2- Keely (The Big Empty): Who can say they've been friends with a person name Keely? It's a very unique name and, well, a fun name, too.
3- Bran (The Grey King): Before I name a child Bran, I'd need to hear a Welshman pronounce it. In the book, Bran tells Will that his name isn't pronounced like breakfast cereal, but with more of a long 'a' sound. Sounds pretty, right?
4- Nathaniel (Nathaniel Willy Scared Silly): Oh My Goodness... This is my favorite name. When I have my first of three predicted boys, Nathaniel will be the chosen name. I first considered it when I chose picture book 'Nathaniel Willy Scared Silly' as my FCCLA project. I was participating in the storytime competition.
5- Tally (The Uglies): Love this name.
6- Shay (The Uglies): Again, love this name, too. Westerfeld has a way with awesome character names!
7- Vaughn (TV: Strange Days at Blake Holsey High): I'm jumping into other media here, but once I heard the name Vaughn while watching 'Strange Days', I was hooked on it.
8- Ellis or Sutton (TV: Mattel's My Scene movies): Love the name Ellis. Love the name Sutton. Both are from My Scene dolls/movies.
What about you?
Top Ten Tuesdays is a meme started by 'The Broke and the Bookish'. Please head over to their site for more information! I've never participated in a Top Ten Tuesday, but this list is something I was planning on doing anyways, so why not do it along side a large group of bloggers! In no particular order, here are my top 11 books I'd like to see as movies!
1- The Grimm Legacy by Polly Shulman
Reason? This book would be SO easy to adapt into a made for tv movie, tv series, or both. It had a good story, good characters, and a fantastic setting where anything could happen. I'd love to write this screenplay!
2- The Teashop Girls by Laura Schaefer
Reason? Again, this book had a good story, good moral, and good characters. It would play out well as a movie.
3- Beauty Shop for Rent by Laura Bowers
Reason? Good, under appreciated book with a story that would do well as a made for TV movie. It's a coming of age story with a bit of romance, great characters, and a realistic storyline that people could easily relate to today.
4- Vampirates series by Justin Somper
Reason? Oh, My, Gosh. I love this series. It screams movie franchise. Why hasn't anyone picked this up yet?! Better yet, why haven't I hit it big to snag the film/tv film rights to this and everything else on my list!!!
5- The Young Jedi Knights by Kevin J. Anderson and Rebecca Moesta
Reason? There are very few Star Wars books that couldn't be made into movies. The Jedi Academy series got me into reading about these characters I'd only seen on TV. I'd love to see these make their way onto the TV/Movie screen one day. Got that, George?
6- Stravaganza series by Mary Hoffman
Reason? Again, this fantasy series is under-appreciated and would make a great movie franchise. I see some issues in filming it b/c of all the various characters that jump in and out of the books, but if properly scheduled, this series could work really well as a film franchise or mini series. I'd love to see the BBC pick this up and do something like they did with The Chronicles of Narnia years and years ago.
7- The Ghost and the Goth by Stacy Kade
Reason? I could see this and the various sequels being great made for tv movies. The characters are engaging and the ghost/supernatural thing will always be a popular genre in tv/film.
8- Pendragon series by DJ Machale
Reason? So many reasons. A) DJ wrote this book to read like a movie/tv show. B) This series has all the elements you need for a good movie/tv right off the bat. C) I really want to see Bobby Pendragon on the big screen!
9- Knightley Academy by Violet Haberdasher
Reason? Its similarities to the Harry Potter franchise aside, this is a fantastic book that could make a great movie (or set of movies once the sequels come out!). It has the elements that made Harry Potter so sucessful, yet has it's own unique storyline that will draw people in.
10- The Grey King by Susan Cooper
Reason? B/c it's my favorite book ever. I'm calling for the whole series, actually. A re-make of The Dark is Rising would be necessary, too. The Grey King, however, would make such a great movie. I want to see Bran. I want to see Wales. I want to see the darn fire in the mountain. I want to see it all.
11- Tombstone Tea by Joanne Dahme
Reason? I found this story to be... diffrerent... than your normal supernatural tale. The visuals would play out really well on the film screen, I think!
And that's it. If any of these authors would like to discuss giving their film rights to me for a chance to write these screenplays/pilots/whatevers, I would be happy to talk with you. I have prior script writing/producing expirience (though nothings sold yet...) and have pilots that have placed well in various script competitions. I can prepare a detailed outline of what I picture for your book if you request. E-mail me at ashsero(at)gmail(dot)com!!!
See you all later this week! Review of 'Sweet Valley Confidential' is in the works, as well as 'Anna and the French Kiss' and 'Steel'.
