Books That Should Be On Your List If You Are A Non-Fiction Reader // Top Ten Tuesday

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Today's topic is: Top Ten Books For Every X To Read 

Jamie's Picks

1. For every creative -- Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear by Elizabeth Gilbert: I really think anyone who writes or blogs or is creative in any way should read this for some inspiration!

2. For people who have trouble keeping their space free from clutter -- The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up by Marie Kondo: Okay so some of this book is a little too out there for my mind but I really enjoyed it for the most part. It's a good book for someone like me who has struggled to keep my space clean/organized/free from clutter for my whole life. Sometimes she's a little extreme and I wasn't as strict about getting rid of everything that didn't spark me joy but it really did help me in  little ways or reframe some of the stuff I held on to and why I did.
Jana seconds this!

3. For the person who loves inspirational memoir type books -- The Last Lecture by Randy Pausch: I read this at a time where I was pretty down and it was really inspiring and thought-provoking as this man faces certain death from an illness imparts some life lessons.

4. For people who like learning about random stuff (and like quirky nonfiction) -- Stiff: The Curious Life of Human Cadavers by Mary Roach: Seriously one of my favorite non-fiction books ever. SO SO fascinating! I just really love learning random stuff and Mary Roach is so engaging!

Bridget's Pick

 5. For the introvert or the person who is just interested in psychology -- Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking, by Susan Cain: Many of our readers will relate to the struggles of living as an introvert in a world that seems to only value extroversion. This book, though frustrating in many ways, also opened my eyes to just how much extroversion is praised at the expense of introversion, and explained why so many "normal" situations always made me uncomfortable. And don't just read this if you're an introvert; it can also help extroverts understand a little bit more of why their introverted peers act, think, and interact the way they do.


Lauren's Picks

For someone who is unfamiliar with the global abuses of women and their fight for survival --

6. Tears of the Desert: A Memoir of Survival in Darfur by Halima Bashir and Damien Lewis: This was the first memoir written by a woman caught up in the war in Darfur. Halima is the kind of individual that can change the world, and that she did. This is not a novel full of sadness, but a call to action with a person who spoke out about the abuses in her homeland without thought of self preservation. 

7. Do They Hear You When You Cry by Fauziya Kassindia: You remember year ago seeing an article or two, or maybe just remembering the words, "female genital mutilation" mentioned in the news? An entire movement to stop the ritual that encompasses those words may have actually been started because of Fauziya and her determination to stand up for women everywhere. This is a powerful novel, and it will not disappoint.



Jana's Picks

8. For someone who enjoys reading survival stories -- 438 Days: An Extraordinary True Story of Survival at Sea by Jonathan Franklin: Remember hearing about this guy in the news? Just over two years ago, he was rescued after living adrift for 438 days. This man’s story is unfathomable, and inspiring. There are really no words that can accurately describe what he went through. I don't want to say too much, but I will mention the whale shark that hung out with him for a few days. Amazing.

9. For the travel-lover -- 501 Must-Visit Destinations
This book is 544 pages of dream vacations, and I would love to visit every single one of them. I am really annoyed that the book did not come with plane tickets and travel accommodations for each of these destinations.

Tahleen's Picks

10. For anyone who likes funny books, memoirs, and a little bit of history -- The Life and Times of the Thunderbold Kid by Bill Bryson: Some of you might know about my slight obsession with Bryson's work. This is one of my favorites, his memoir about growing up in the 1950s. It's so funny, and I love how he kind of gives us a history of that time as well. Bonus points if you listen to Bryson narrate it himself. If you like this one, I highly recommend listening to his other books too, especially I'm a Stranger Here Myself and really any of his travelogues.

Tell us your favorite non-fiction books!

Ten Bookish Accounts To Follow On Social Media

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Today we are talking about all our favorite bookish accounts to follow. 

YouTube

* Jamie recommends The Readables: Before Booktube was ~Booktube~ she was one of the few bookish vloggers I followed after she did my End of Year Reading survey way back when in one of the first years I did it. She's super creative and honest and reads a variety of books and I enjoy her thoughtful discussions and the way she talks about books.

* Jamie recommends Books and Quills: This bookish vlogger is newer to me but I've been thoroughly enjoying her videos!

Twitter

* Jamie recommends @emerylord: Author Emery Lord, one of my favorite authors btw, has the best Twitter account. She's funny and personable and gives a great ~behind the scenes~ that makes you feel like you know her/want to be best friends with her but she also does a great job promoting her books and other authors. It's just this fun blend. I'm always howling with laughter from her random tweets but also so engaged and nodding my head when she talks about diversity or mental illness. Plus I feel like she's super honest about author life that if I were an aspiring author I'd be listening for sure. Honestly, I wish all authors on Twitter could have the sort of perfect blend that Emery has. It's fun and frivolous, important and relevant and makes me love her all the more. Plus DOG PICS.

* Jana recommends @maureenjohnson: Maureen is absolutely hilarious, just like her books! I love reading what she has to say and I usually can't stop laughing.

Instagram

* Jamie recommends @seelieknight: Her feed is one of my all time faves. It's gorgeous. Just SO GORGEOUS. I love the balance of cozy indoor pics with outdoors scenes that make me want to go exploring.

* Jana recommends @Lisa_LostInLit: Lisa's feed is so bookish and pretty! She posts pictures of books in the prettiest settings, plus all the fun bookish goodies she has.

* Lauren recommends @beautyandthebookshelf: Rachel is the #bookstagrammer you will aspire to be. She is down to earth, offers up real book reviews and will go an extra 10 miles for a great photo. She may be the literary envy of all photographers. Her photos just light up my newsfeed.

* Lauren recommends @thepagemistress: Lindsey is one of those #bookstagrammers who you live vicariously through. Her photos are breathless and she is one hell of a nice girl. 

Snapchat

* Jamie recommends EpicReads: I'm sure everyone loves and knows Epic Reads all over the internet but Margot has really outdone herself (at least I'm assuming it's Margot running their Snapchat) on Snapchat. Hilarious bookish snaps every day.

* Jamie recommends missjennyhan: Author Jenny Han is the best to follow on Snapchat. From desserts to her travels to talking about random things...her snaps always make my day better.

Websites

* Bridget recommends Book Riot: It is a great site for a ton of reasons, but its particular strength is in how it always strives for diversity -- both in who writes for them and what books they feature. If you're looking to get into some diverse books that you might not have thought of before, as well as read some fun generally-bookish posts, Book Riot is the place to do it!

* Lauren recommends Two Chicks on Books: This is old school book blogging at it's finest. Jamie has been blogging at this site for over 5 years and she knows her books. She has evolved from a book blogger to the Publicity & Marketing Director at Month9Books! Talk about hard work paying off! But truly, she has genuine book reviews, giveaways... she is always doing features on new books that you end up adding to your everlasting TBR pile. Jamie is also a host of the Rockstar Book Tours, which is a website where you can sign up to be a part of a book tour that features newly released books. Jamie pretty much does it all and does it well. Kudos, Jamie!

You should totally follow our Facebook Page, which Bridget has taken over and is posting some A+ stuff!

Also, you should follow us individually. Here's where you can find some of us...

Jamie

Tweets @brokeandbookish, which has ended up being mostly a personal bookish account even though it has this namesake and there are TBTB updates // Instagrams @perpetualpageturner // Blogs @ The Perpetual Page-Turner // Snapchats @brokeandbookish

Jana

Tweets @ArtsyReaderGirl // Instagrams @ArtsyReaderGirl // Blogs @ That Artsy Reader Girl (home of the Debut Author Challenge) // Tumblrs @ That Artsy Reader Girl

Daisy

Tweets @DBetweenpages // Instagrams @_daisydebruin (which is mostly pictures of my cat and some bookishness) // Blogs @ Between the Pages

Lauren

Tweets @tattooedbiblio // Instagrams @thetattooedbiblio // Snapchats @tattooedbiblio

Daisy Talks About Bookish Accessories

So this is partly inspired by this post that Jamie had on her blog in August, because it led me to the world of bookish accesories and is pretty awesome all around! :)

I LOVE bookish accessories. Ever since discovering there is such a thing as Society6 and Etsy and basically SO MANY things on Amazon, I've been slowly gathering some stuff to make my life a little more bookish. If all the full shelves and ereader didn't give it away, these things might.

Some of my favourites that I actually own:

Bag

Pride & Prejudice scarf

Tank Top

Harry Potter mug

Owl Just be Reading mug

I Like To Party mug

Right now I'm still coveting some bookish pillows, the ones that actually look like books, you know? Mostly this one:

Book pillow

But the crafty creator of this also has the best Harry Potter book pillows and I want them ALL. Let's just say that the boyfriend isn't on board with this (yet). And I've seen people wearing awesome necklaces and other types of jewelry and I just love it all!

And also this is the cutest thing ever and I will proceed to buy this for all of my bookish friends when they have kids:

Snuggle This Muggle

So, how about you? Do you like to add bookish accessories to your outfit/home? If so, let me know what your favourite is or what you're currently coveting :)

March Faves & April TBR

Here's what we loved in March and what is on the top of the TBR pile for April!

March Favorites

Lauren's Pick

Beacon 23 by Hugh Howey

I'm pretty sure all the regular blog readers by now know of my undying love for Hugh Howey. But really, Hugh? REALLY? He just keeps blowing me away with everything he writes and this collection of five novellas that can be read separately or together is now just another favorite to add to the collection. 

Julia's Pick

Say Yes to the Marquess by Tessa Dare

I just really liked this one. I think Dare is the best author I have found recently. Or at least really started to read recently. This book was adorable. I really like the Castle's Ever After series. I can't wait to read the next one... see below.

April TBR

Lauren's Pick

The Night Sister by Jennifer McMahon

I read one of the author's other novels, The Winter People, which was honestly an impulse buy from Target. It turned out to be a 4 star impulse buy, so I'm not complaining. I think you know where this is heading... I saw another novel by her at Target again and yes, I bought it. I'm cracking this one open this weekend and it's going to be creepy as hell! I can't wait. Can you see my goosebumps?!

Julia's Pick

When a Scott Ties the Knot by Tessa Dare

Yeah this is the next in the series. I want to read it. I've already got it checked out. :)

Jana's Pick

Stars Above by Marissa Meyer

Not sure how I haven't read this one yet, but it's happening this month!

Tell us your March favorites and what is on the top of your TBR pile!

Lauren Reviews Beacon 23: The Complete Novel by Hugh Howey

Beacon 23: The Complete Novel by Hugh Howey
Published: August 2015 by CreatespaceSource: PurchasedRating: 5+ Stars

For centuries, men and women have manned lighthouses to ensure the safe passage of ships. It is a lonely job, and a thankless one for the most part. Until something goes wrong. Until a ship is in distress. In the 23rd century, this job has moved into outer space. A network of beacons allows ships to travel across the Milky Way at many times the speed of light. These beacons are built to be robust. They never break down. They never fail. At least, they aren't supposed to. 

So we all already know Lauren is a Hugh Howey fan... but c'mon now. It seems that everything I read by him is golden. Maybe he's my soulmate? Shhh... don't tell my significant other. 

We've got a male main character who is a lighthouse keeper... in space. You know how in Star Wars and every space movie or TV show ever how spaceships go into hyperspace and ZOOM... they're light years away. Well there are lighthouses (aka beacons) that are in different sections of space that let spaceships know where they can and can't hyperspace jump to. For example, if a certain beacon went down and a spaceship is about to hyperspace jump to that sector, that spaceship could end up smack in the middle of an asteroid or heck, another planet! 

Our main character has had a pretty interesting past. One I definitely would not like to have lived, but hey... we don't always have choices. His attitude is extremely relatable to me as I might be a bit of a smart ass, but he has his weak moments as well... just as we all do. 

This is one of those easily spoiled books (well a collection of novellas) where I'm just going to write yet another vague review. You can call it lazy, you can call it a teaser. Either way, I loved this book and I know anyone who frequents the science fiction genre, especially pertaining to space, will love this one as well. 

Top Ten Of Our Latest 5 Star Reads

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Jamie's Picks

1 -- When We Collided by Emery Lord: 
I have loved all of Emery Lord's books and this latest DEFINITELY did not support! It's such a beautiful book! Emery just keeps solidifying herself as an autobuy author for me!! Must read!!

2 -- The Serpent King by Jeff Zentner

OH THIS BOOK. The setting, the characters, the beautiful writing, the feels. Seriously an amazing debut!

Lauren's Picks

3 -- Beacon 23 by Hugh Howey

4 -- Our Lady of the Ice by Cassandra Rose Clarke

5 -- The Archived by Victoria Schwab

6 -- Lifer by Beck Nicholas

7 -- Brother by Ania Ahlborn



Julia's Picks

8 -- Riveted by Meljean Brook

9 -- Four Nights with the Duke by Eloisa James

10 -- Say Yes to the Marquess by Tessa Dare

Top Ten Books We Love But Feel Like We Haven't Talked About In A While Or Enough

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Jamie's Picks

1. The Sea of Tranquility by Katja Millay: One of my favorites!!! But I find that I don't talk about it enough and I don't even know why!! I think sometimes it's just SO special to me and it was a hard one to talk about how great it was...that I just don't. 

2. The Impossible Knife of Memory by Laurie Halse Anderson: I LOVED this book (even gave it 5 stars) and it was one of the first books I read in 2014 and then I went on to have a great reading year with lots of 5 stars and new faves. I think it got lost when I talked about all my faves because I read it so early in the year that it wasn't as fresh and also I had books that impacted me a lot. But omg I will take this time to say READ ITTTT!

3. Raw Blue by Kirsty Eager: I LOOOOVED this book and shouted all about it when I read it back in 2011. But it's been a while!!! Also, I think I didn't talk about this one as much after because it wasn't available in the US (at least at the time). It's worth ordering from Australia!  

Lori's Picks

4.  My Sunshine Away by M.O. Walsh:  This was a wonderful coming of age story that I just couldn't put down.  I devoured it in about a day and a half.  I refused to go to work or eat until I had finished.  It was that good.  Yet, I feel like it never really got all of the love it deserved from me or from the critics.  Please read!

5.  Under the Tuscan Sun by Frances Mayes:  I read this a while back and I absolutely loved it.  I loved the discussion about remodeling and all of the work that went into that home.  I loved the discussion about food.  I loved the discussion about learning and becoming a part of a new culture.  I definitely need to re-read soon.

6.  Fin & Lady by Cathleen Schine:  This was an interesting story about a boy whose parents die and he goes to live with his exotic, older half-sister.  They have to figure out how to make their way in the world of New York City and it's a toss up over who really raises whom.  But they love each other and make it work.  Ugh.  I need to re-read this one soon too...

7.  East of Eden by John Steinbeck:  Several summers ago I read this one for the first time and it was transformational.  A wonderfully epic re-telling of Cain and Abel.  Full of grand sweeping descriptions of the landscape that only John Steinbeck can pull off.  Fun fact--At the time of my first reading, Jamie and I totally fangirled over this novel.  :)

Julia's Picks

8. The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffennegger:  This is one of the few books that I have loved and read again and still loved. It brings me to tears each time I read it. It just is so good to me, way better than the movie. I haven't read it in at least 5 years. I think it is time for me to break this puppy out again!

9. Snow Flower and the Secret Fan by Lisa See (review): This is another book that I ripped through and just fell in love with. I studied abroad in China so I feel sort of connected to their culture in a way, but this book really transported me back in time to a time where women only really had each other to rely on and were not in control of their own destinies. But despite that distance of time and culture, you can relate to Snow Flower and Lily in so many ways. 

10. The Lords of Discipline by Pat Conroy: I just had to include this one. I was introduced to this book in high school in my Classic and Modern Novels class (best high school class ever. Literally we sat in our seats and read the entire period). This was a wonderful coming of age story and a story about some great friendships. The characters really jumped off the page at me and I was so invested in their lives. This is the only Conroy book that I have read, and I have been meaning to revisit it as well as his other novels. I was so sad to learn that he had passed. His work will always hold a special place in my heart. 

What books have you not talked about in a while or enough but SUPER love? Tell us!!