In Defense of Libraries!

Y'all, libraries have been getting a lot of hate lately - and I just don't get it! 

 

Libraries are full of books!  Not just books - FREE BOOKS! 

Now, listen here - I know that when you check out books from the library, you get to read the book for free.  That means the author doesn't get royalties for every person who reads it.  But, let's think about some stuff here:

1. Libraries do pay money to buy books, which means that for every library that buys even just one copy of a book, the author gets royalties for all those books.  So, if 100 libraries buy each buy even just ONE copy of, say, Grim Lovelies, then the author gets royalties from 100 books.

2. Not everyone has the money to buy every book they want to read.  I have a reading list a mile long.  I love books so much. BUT, I work in human services as my day job.  That means I don't have a ton of expendable income.  I can afford to buy some of the books I want to read.  But not all of them.  There are people who make less money than me, and may not be able to buy any books at all.  So, there only option may be to get books from the library.  If you love books, and you get them from the library that should be seen as a good thing, because it means you are reading.  To say that people should only read if they buy the book is incredibly classist and elitist.  If you believe that, then you are saying if poor people can't buy books, they shouldn't be able to read.  That's wrong.  Everyone deserves access to books, even if that means they are getting them for free from their local library.


Libraries also have magazines, movies, games for kids to play, story time for young children, and computers that people can use.  If you have kids, take them to the library to have people read to them - it can increase their love of books!  Go sit at a computer and write your own book.  Do a puzzle.  HAVE FUN!

Librarians are also pretty cool - they have a lot of knowledge about books, and can probably give you a good recommendation based on other things you've read. 

So, really, libraries are pretty awesome.  Get to one and check some stuff out.

My Favorite Bookish Villains

Hey reader friends!  Let's talk VILLAINS!  Who doesn't love a good villain? 

Here are my favorite bookish villians:

1. Bellatrix LeStrange.  

She's crazy, and I mean, she did try to kill Ginny.  BUT I LOVE HER.  I do love how badass she is, really.  It's more like the person I love to hate.

2. The Darkling.  

Creepy, old, excellent at manipulation.  He's just the kind of creepy villain that I can't help but love sometimes.

3. Pennywise.  

 You'll float, too!  

4. Javert.

 Javert is nasty and cold hearted, but I admire his determination to hunt down Jean ValJean. 

5. The White Witch.  

Let's face it - Edmund never stood a chance in Narnia after he met the White Witch.  She is crafty and cunning.  

Dating Profile Firday: Kaz Brekker

Name: Kaz Brekker
Age: 17
Likes: Stalking the barrel.  Revenge.
Dislikes: People who disobey me.  I will send the Dregs after them.

About me:  I am the leader of the Dregs.  I know my way around the Barrel, and I know how to get my revenge on those who try to best me.  I've turned around the Crow club around, and I will do whatever I have to do to make sure it continues as a success. 

I'm not interested in engaging with anyone long term.  Casual is the way I play, and I'll keep it that way. 

I like a woman who can handle herself.  I don't have time to play babysitter.  If you can find your way around the Barrel on your own and follow an order, we'll get along just fine.

Dewey's 24 Hour Readathon!

Hey reader friends!  This weekend marks another round of the Dewey's 24 Hour Readathon!  That's right - it's time for another bout of reading for 24 hours in one weekend.  This readathon just happens to fall on my weekend off.  SO, I am going to do the Dewey again.  It's been a few years since I've participated, and I figure now is a good time to jump back in. 

Now, I can't promise that I will stay awake the entire 24 hours - but I will try!  No matter how much I do read, at least I will have fun! 

 So, my {tentative reading list} is: 

 

Want to follow my updates during the readathon?  Come hang out on the social media:

Twitter: http://twitter.com/maggiereadsya
Facebook: http://facebook.com/booknerdlover
THIS BLOG! 

I might post one or two things on the instagram as well.  Here: http://instagram.com/magglepie1981

Are you doing the Dewey?  Share your blogs, twitters, books, etc, with me! 

The Gentleman's Guide to Vice and Virtue - Mackenzi Lee

Title: The Gentleman's Guide to Vice and Virtue
Author: Mackenzi Lee
Format: Hardcover
Rating: 5 Stars

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Henry “Monty” Montague was born and bred to be a gentleman, but he was never one to be tamed. The finest boarding schools in England and the constant disapproval of his father haven’t been able to curb any of his roguish passions—not for gambling halls, late nights spent with a bottle of spirits, or waking up in the arms of women or men.

But as Monty embarks on his Grand Tour of Europe, his quest for a life filled with pleasure and vice is in danger of coming to an end. Not only does his father expect him to take over the family’s estate upon his return, but Monty is also nursing an impossible crush on his best friend and traveling companion, Percy.

Still it isn’t in Monty’s nature to give up. Even with his younger sister, Felicity, in tow, he vows to make this yearlong escapade one last hedonistic hurrah and flirt with Percy from Paris to Rome. But when one of Monty’s reckless decisions turns their trip abroad into a harrowing manhunt that spans across Europe, it calls into question everything he knows, including his relationship with the boy he adores.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

There is nothing I don't love about this book!  Every single page of this book is pure gold. 

The story itself has pirates, highwaymen, thievery, and love - so much love! 

So, let's just be honest here: Monty is potentially unlikable at best. He is a cad and rather selfish.  He drinks too much (he's an alcoholic.  Let's just call a spade a spade.) and the only person he seems to truly care about other than himself is Percy.  Despite his feelings towards and love for Percy, he's still very selfish even in that relationship.  That being said, Monty is an essential part of the main trio in this book.  And I do love him because I feel like he does change and grow a bit by the end of the book (if you disagree, I'd love to here why.)  I think he still has a lot of growing up to do, but I do see him making an effort. 

Percy is just so amazing!  Percy and Felicity are tied as my two favorite characters in this book.  Percy deals with a lot shit because he's black.  He was born in England, but it's the 1700's so of course everyone assumes he's from Africa.  (Of course, people still make those assumptions in 2018 - and we need to stop that!)  So, Percy deals with a lot of racism because of his skin color.  And he deals with it in such a classy manner - Percy is the true definition of a gentleman.  He also deals with having epilepsy, and with people thinking he's like possessed or that there is something wrong with him.  I like that the author included this!

AND FELICITY!  She is so, so amazing.  She is fierce, and she wants to be a doctor - which I am sure you know was impossible for women at that time.  Felicity is a feminist, in a time when people probably didn't even use that word.  She is so kind as well.  She stands up for what is right, and she doesn't allow other people to tell her she can't dream! 

I love that the trio deals with so much and comes out on the other side stronger and more sure of who they are.  They lose their bear-leader, get hijacked by highwaymen, stowaway on ship and get napped by pirates, and so much more. 

The story is so well-developed and well written as well.  It's fun, and funny at times.  I have heard that some people are describing this book as fluffy - don't believe a word of that!  There may be moments of smush, but this is not a fluffy book. 

If you haven't read this book yet - get out to the bookstore or library and get a copy right now!

ARC Haul!

HI READERS!  I won some ARC's through a little contest on the twitter!  SO, I wanted to share them with you here. 

This is What It Feels Like - Rebecca Farrow: This coming of age book revolves around friendship and music - three girls who used to be in a band together but broke up due to issues with one member.   This looks like a fun book!  I will leave a review for y'all as soon as I finish.

Release Date: November 6, 2018

 Twelve Steps to Normal - Farrah Penn: This book is about a girl who's dad is an alcoholic.  He is trying to get sober (again!) and Kira is trying to accept that and live a normal life, even if she doesn't believe her dad will stay sober.

Release Date: March 13, 2018

 Kingdom of the Blazing Phoenix - Julie C. Dao: This book is the sequel to Forest of a Thousand Lanterns.  It is a fairy tale retelling set in a mystical land based on the far east.  I am super excited to read this book!  Keep your eyes out for a review.  


Release Date: November 6, 2018

 Girls of Paper and Fire - Natasha Ngan: Lei lives in a country called Ikhara, where there are different casts.  Eight girls from the paper caste are chosen to live with the king, be trained in grace and charm to be the king's consorts.  Lei isn't like the other girls though - for one, she's the NINTH of 8 girls.  I think this book holds some surprises - and I can't wait to discover them!

Release Date: November 6, 2018

 

 Tell Me Everything - Sarah Enni: Ivy is an artist, and best friend to Harold.  She learns about a new art sharing app called Veil.  People start posting their art, and Ivy realizes that other people in her school have serious personal life issues, so she does some nice things to make them feel better.  But things spiral, as we know they will. This sounds like an intriguing read! 

Release Date: February 2019 (Actual release coming soon I am sure!)

 

 Odd One Out - Nic Stone: This book sounds like a three way love triangle. That's all I can really say!  It sounds interesting, and I can't wait to dive in.

Release Date: October 9, 2018

 Empress of all Seasons - Emiko Jean: Competition!!!!!!!!  Mari is trying to win the competition to become the next empress of Honoku, but she's also hiding a secret. This book sounds awesome!

Release Date: November 6, 2018





I also got these three cute awesome stickers that I am totally going to stick all over my bujo! 

My {Favorite} Banned Books

1. The Harry Potter series: Magic, witches and wizards, a three-headed dog (oh my god a three headed dog!)  What's not to love about this entire series.  (Plus - y'all banning this book know that witches and wizards aren't actually real, right?!)

2. The Hunger Games: The entire idea of kids killing kids is abhorrent, but the anti war sentiment is something I am totally on board with!

3. To Kill a Mockingbird: If you've read this book and didn't love it, you need to read it again!  And again.  And again!  I mean, that Atticus Finch - AMAZING!

4. His Dark Materials series: These books are just so amazing!  There isn't a thing I don't love about these books.



Join in now - tell me in the comments what your favorite banned books are!

The Best {Spooky-ish Reads} For October!

Hi readers!  Do you love October?  Do you love reading spooky, haunting, or downright scary books this month?  Here are some spooky books I would totally recommend all month long!

The Harry Potter Series - I know these aren't technically horror books. But there's enough spooky action in them to make these books perfect October reads!

The Bone Witch - Any of Rin Chupeco's books are perfect for October!

The Peculiar Children series - Creepy and weird, these are the perfect books to read during October.

Survive The Night - this is outright horror.  Do you really need a better reason to read this book in October?

 The Merciless Series - Again, outright horror.  Need I go on?!

The Monstrumologist Series - Horror, creepy, wendigos, death, maggots in a man's stomach - the list goes on.  These are great October reads!

Slasher Girls and Monster Boys - This book is filled with great scary stories that will creep you out!

The Dead Girls of Hysteria Hall - Dead girls, ghosts, absent family - it's all here and it's all creepy!


What are your favorite spooky/scary books to read during the month of October?