Just found this quote and wanted to share.

		Added! view quote Share on Twitter Likes the quote "Words can be like X-rays if you use them properly -- they’ll go through anything. You read and you’re pierced." always post: reviews user statuses
	"Why do I read? I just can't help myself. I read to learn and to grow, to laugh and to be motivated. I read to understand things I've never been exposed to. I read when I'm crabby, when I've just said monumentally dumb things to the people I love. I read for strength to help me when I feel broken, discouraged, and afraid. I read when I'm angry at the whole world. I read when everything is going right. I read to find hope. I read because I'm made up not just of skin and bones, of sights, feelings, and a deep need for chocolate, but I'm also made up of words. Words describe my thoughts and what's hidden in my heart. Words are alive--when I've found a story that I love, I read it again and again, like playing a favorite song over and over. Reading isn't passive--I enter the story with the characters, breathe their air, feel their frustrations, scream at them to stop when they're about to do something stupid, cry with them, laugh with them. Reading for me, is spending time with a friend. A book is a friend. You can never have too many." — Gary Paulsen

The Great Gatsby

Oh F. Scott Fitzgerald.  You make my heart sing for the way you portray your characters.  Vivid details that don't just describe the way a person looks, but the way a person is and wants to be and how that person makes the main character feel.

"He smiled understandingly-much more than understandingly. It was one of those rare smiles with a quality of eternal reassurance in it, that you may come across four or five times in life. It faced--or seemed to face--the whole eternal world for an instant, and then concentrated on you with an irresistible prejudice in your favor. It understood you just as far as you wanted to be understood, believed in you as you would like to believe in yourself, and assured you that it had precisely the impression of you that, at your best, you hoped to convey."

You see what I mean?  Lovely isn't it?  All of those beautiful words just to describe the way a person smiles.

I have to admit, this book moves a little slowly at first, but once I got into it and the real story between Daisy and Gatsby gets going, I had to keep reading.  I actually don't love the main character, through whose thoughts we mingle in through the book, but I was enchanted by the other characters.  Gatsby remains a mystery until the end.  We only get to know him a little bit and yet, I still feel for him.  Not only him, but the other characters were very intriguing.  Even though each character is filtered through the first person narrative of a man I don't particularly care for, they shine!

This is a classic not to be missed.  The writing alone is worth reading!  There were many times I got caught up in how the words fit together that I forgot to read the story too.  

Crush-worthy Part II

Whether or not you're ready for round two, I'm giving it to you!  And, I hope you know that this list will continue to grow until the day I can no longer read.  Since I don't foresee that ever happening, rest easy in knowing I will always have a book to suggest to you.  Take that as you will, and here we go!

Wolves of Mercy Falls by Maggie Stiefvater
Reason for crush: Sam & Cole
Type of love story: Werewolf, Paranormal
Quote: "It wasn't the sort of kiss I'd had with anyone before. This kiss was so soft it was like a memory of a kiss, so careful on my lips that it was like someone running his fingers along them. My mouth parted and stilled; it was so quiet, a whisper, not a shout. Cole's hand touched my neck, thumb pressed into the skin next to my jaw. It wasn't a touch that said I want more. It was a touch that said I want this.
It was all completely soundless. I didn't think either of us was breathing. Cole sat back up, slowly, and I opened my eyes. His expression, as ever, was blank. The face he wore when something mattered.
He said, 'That's how I would kiss you, if I loved you.'"  -From Forever
Gush:  I know, I know, a werewolf story.  This is unlike any other you've read before and I think it completely works.  And, yes, there are two reason to crush on this series.  Sam is a mysterious song-writer who loves unconditionally.  Cole, also a musician, is dangerously attractive and will flat-out break you but keep you coming back for more.  There are times when I can't decide who I crush on more.  But, I do love the musicians.
Books in the series: Shiver, Linger, Forever


The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin
Reason for crush: Noah
Type of love story: Unexpected, Force-of-Nature
Quote: "I was going to kiss him, and I was going to regret it. But at that moment, I couldn't bring myself to care."
Gush: Noah is completely flawed, arrogant, and he smokes.  So, why on Earth would anyone crush on him?  Because underneath that exterior he's absolutely wonderful and loves as deeply as one could hope for.  One delicious thing about this book is that the two main character both have a somewhat hardened exterior and when their together they neutralize and bring out better qualities in each other.
Books in the series: The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer, The Evolution of Mara Dyer (My guess is there will be a third)


Fallen by Lauren Kate
Reason for crush: Daniel
Type of love story: Fallen angels, Love-that-stands-against-time
Quote: "I’ll love you with all my heart, in every life, through every death. I
will not be bound by anything but my love for you."
Gush: I should probably also say the covers for these books are worth "crushing" on.  Aren't they beautiful?  That was what first led me to Fallen.  Daniel is an angel.  Need I say more?  Well, I'll say a little more: he has loved Lucinda since the beginning and every 17 years he has to watch her leave again.  Despite the odds they always find each other and never give up.
Books in the series: Fallen, Torment, Passion, Rapture




The Host by Stephenie Meyer
Reason for crush: Jared & Ian
Type of love story: Alien/Human, Forbidden
Quote: "What was it that made this human love so much more desirable to me than the love of my own kind? Was it because it was exclusive and capricious? The souls offered love and acceptance to all. Did I crave a greater challenge?...Or was it simply better somehow? Because these humans hate with so much fury, was the other end of the spectrum that they could love with more heart and zeal and fire?"
Gush: Stephenie Meyer?  Yep.  I loved this book.  Nay, I devoured this book and loved every second.  I read it so fast that I really didn't think about the writing.  There are several of you out there who said you couldn't get into this one.  I encourage you to try again.  Even if you can't handle the writing, try it again, because I really love this story.  Jared and Ian are two of my biggest crush-worthy characters.  What Stephenie Meyer lacks in writing I think she makes up for in storytelling.  Let go of the fact that it's science fiction and read it for the love.  Science fiction is supposed to be strange!


Twilight by Stephenie Meyer
Reason for crush: Edward
Type of love story: Vampire/Human, Paranormal, Dangerous
Quote: "Look after my heart - I've left it with you."(I tried.  I really tried to find a good quote, and when comparing it to all of these other crush-worthy books there wasn't one I loved.)
Gush: Admit it.  You've all read it, and you liked it.  In my personal opinion these books were cheapened with hype and the movies.  People now criticize her for warping vampires into what she did, but it was new and no one had ever done it before.  I'm not saying it's my favorite twist on vampires, but it obviously worked.  A writer must keep the intended audience in mind and her audience loved it.  I won't defend the writing, but she created a unique story, and Edward is rather delicious in the books.
Books in the series: Twilight, New Moon, Eclipse, Breaking Dawn

Stay tuned for future crush-worthy books and series!
Happy reading!

Crush-worthy

Spring is here, the sun is shining, (though maybe not at this moment) and everyone seems to be twitterpated.  There's something about the Spring that makes people want to fall in love.  So, I thought this might be a good time to talk about some of my favorite crushworthy books.  You've all heard me talk about some of my favorite male characters in books, and really, what's a book without a little love?  If you're like me and vicariously delve into stories, let me introduce you to some of my very favorite crushes over the years.

Initially, I started rating them from number one on down, but I'm finding that's impossible!  Every love story is different and that doesn't mean that any are better than another.  So I shall just mention them in no particular order.

The Mortal Instruments Series by Cassandra Clare
Reason for crush: Jace
Type of love story: Passionate, Forbidden, Slightly heartbreaking
Quote: “There is no pretending," Jace said with absolute clarity. "I love you, and I will love you until I die, and if there is life after that, I'll love you then.”-From City of Glass
Gush: Yes, I know, I can't help myself!  I have to mention it again.  And yes, I mean the WHOLE series.  Jace is one of my all-time favorite crushes.  He's slightly arrogant, secretly tortured, and makes my heart swim in a sea of gleeful passion.  Have you grasped how much I love these yet?  In case you didn't, let me gush for a second more.  With the love story here, it's all in the little things.  The subtle glances, the almost touches, and so much more.  Just pick it up!  The author couldn't even get enough.  She wrote the first three and then had to write three more.  City of Lost Souls comes out in May!
Books in the series: City of Bones, City of Ashes ,City of Glass, City of Fallen Angels, City of Lost Souls, City of Heavenly Fire

The Infernal Devices Series by Cassandra Clare
Reason for crush: Will Herondale
Type of love story: Forbidden, Passionate, Hearbreaking
Quote: "She looked up at him with a smile. The smile broke what was left of his resistance--shattered it. He had let the walls down when he'd thought she was gone, and there was no time to build them back up." -From Clockwork Angel
Gush: Same author, same type of story, but this is a prequel series to the Moral Instruments.  I'm equally in love with this series.  I'm a sucker for Will and his blue eyes.  (I'm an even bigger sucker for blue eyes!)  He is also slightly arrogant and tortured.  His torture is actually one thing that keeps you reading.  You, as the reader, wonder what he's hiding from you and you simply must know why he just won't let himself fall in love, even though he already has.
Book in the series: Clockwork Angel, Clockwork Prince, Clockwork Princess


The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
Reason for crush: Gale & Peeta
Type of love story:  Start-out-as-friends, Action
Quote: “He tilts his forehead down to rest against mine and pulls me closer. His skin, his whole being radiates heat from being so near the fire, and I close my eyes, soaking in his warmth. I breathe in the smell of snow-dampened leather and smoke and apples, the smell of all those wintry days we shared before the Games. I don't try to move away. Why should I anyway? His voice drops to a whisper. "I love you." That's why.” -From Catching Fire
Gush:  I probably don't need to say anything here because most of you have read these.  But first I loved Gale.  While reading The Hunger Games I said, "No!  Gale turn away, she doesn't love him.  She'll come back to you!"  Then in Catching Fire I said, "No, Gale, what are you doing here?  Where is Peeta?  Where is Peeta?"  Both are great for different reasons.  If you haven't read them, you are missing out.
Books in the series: The Hunger Games, Catching Fire, Mockingjay


The Goose Girl by Shannon Hale
Reason for crush: Geric
Type of love story: Fairytale
Quote:  “I, Geric-Sinath of Gerhard, declare that you're beautiful and you're perfect and I'll slay any man who tries to take you from my side. Goose girl, may I kiss you?”
Gush:  Every girl should read this book.  Plain and simple.  If you haven't read this, read it.  Geric is one of the best there is. He loves Ani even when he meets her as a lowly goose girl and not as a princess.
Books in the series: There are other books in this series, but each one is about a different character.  So, I'm going to treat this as a stand-alone novel.



Delirium by Lauren Oliver
Reason for crush:  Alex
Type of love story: Forbidden, Secret, Beautiful
Quote:  “And now I know why they invented words for love, why they had to: It's the only thing that can come close to describing what I feel in that moment, the baffling mixture of pain and pleasure and fear and joy, all running sharply through me at once.”-From Delirium
Gush:  This story takes place in a world where the cure for many of the world's most significant social problems is a cure for love.  Alex is wonderful.  I was positively giddy while I read this book.  He's a character that opens your eyes to a new world.
Books in the series: Delirium, Pandemonium, (Not sure what the third will be called yet)


Heist Society by Ally Carter
Reason for crush: W.W. Hale
Type of love story: Fun, Flirty, Can't-stay-friends-for-long
Quote: “Either we're a team or we aren't. Either you trust me or you don't." Hale took a step toward her. "What's it going to be, Kat?"
It is an occupational hazard that anyone who has spent her life learning how to lie eventually becomes bad at telling the truth; in that moment Kat didn't have a clue what to say. I can't do this with out you sounded trite. What they were doing was too big for a simple please.
Hale I-"
You know what? Never mind. Either way, I'm in Kat." He seemed utterly resolved as he slipped on his sunglasses. "I'm all in.”
Gush: I'm in love with Hale.  He's rich, attractive, confident, and knows what's best for our main character.  I think it's safe to say that we insert ourselves as the main character here...  So, he knows what's good for us, right?  I think he also has blue eyes.  He's a great friend and you know it will turn out to be more.
Books in the series: Heist Society, Uncommon Criminals, (There will be more)

More to come soon!