Top Ten Most Unique Books We've Read

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This week we're sharing some of the most unique books we've ever read! And it'll jue be five since we weren't super on top of things this week! Whoops!

Lauren's Picks

The Ocean at the End of the Lane by Neil Gaiman
This little gem was a fairy tale, a mystery, and a fantasy novel all rolled together. It was cute and made me so curious, I just flew through this book! 

The Devil Crept In by Ania Ahlborn
I know I always fangirl over all of Ahlborn's books, but this one stood out from the rest for me. It still embodied everything creepy and tragic, but it intrigued me more than I expected. This is a must read for any horror fan!

Kimberly's Picks

Magonia by Maria Dahvana Headley 
I was warned going into this that it was "weird". But was also told it was for fans of Neil Gaiman, which instantly drew my attention. This book is so fun and so intriguing. The world building is fantastic. I loved every minute of it!

Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman
I love all of his books!! He's one of my favorite authors, and honestly, any of his books could go on this list. Neverwhere was my first by him and holds a place in my heart for that reason.

Jana's Pick

Stolen by Lucy Christopher
It's written like a letter and I got Stockholm Syndrome. What the crap?

What are some of the most unique books you've ever read?

Top Ten Fandoms We're a Part Of

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This week you get to show off your inner (or outer, because let's be honest here...) nerd with a fandom freebie! We decided to tell you what fandoms we belong to! 

Jana's Picks

The Sound of Music: Ok, so I'm not sure if there's an official fandom or not, but I've made one and I'm all over this movie. It has been my favorite since I was a little girl. I love the music, the scenery, the story, Julie Andrews, and Christopher Plummer. 

Saved By the Bell: Yeah... I own all the funkos, I own all the seasons (even The College Years), and I own the movies (Hawaiian Style and Wedding in Las Vegas). When I was a kid I learned the I'm So Excited dance routine and the exercise routine for the girls' music video. I wanted to be Kelly, I wanted to date Zack. So much nostalgia here. 

Friends: I'm kind of a diehard. I was late to the Friends bandwagon (like... the complete series boxed set was available on DVD WAY before I even watched one episode), but I have made up for lost time! I've watched the series from beginning to end probably 15 times now.

A Court of Thorns and Roses Series by Sarah J. Maas: I've never been so passionate about a book series in my life, but there you have it. 

Mary Poppins: Again, is there such a thing? I love the movie (I think I'm in the Julie Andrews fandom, too), the music, the Broadway show (I saw it in NYC at Christmas--major bucket list item), and the cute little funko sitting on my shelf! 

Veronica Mars: Another fandom I'm late to (I just watched this series for the fist time a couple years ago), but I'm a marshmallow!

Julia's Picks

Game of Throne/A Song of Ice and Fire: This is probably the most active fandom that I am in at the moment. I read theories and anxiously await any new information the show or the book can give us. 

Disney: Yeah I guess this is a weird one, and I would say I am full out fandom, but I do follow all the new additions coming to the parks, the new live action movie news, the musicals and where they are coming (I literally had a freak out moment last night when I saw that The Hunchback of Notre Dame is going to be performed in Cleveland this fall). So I am going to count this. 

Westworld: I was definitely on the edge of fandom when this show was one. Holy cow was there so much to theorize about. I hadn't had that much fandom thinking/scheming fun since the days I was really into Lost. Great show. Great season. I can't wait to see where they go. So many possibilities!!

His Dark Materials: So this I am not currently involved in, but I am thinking about diving back in after my current reread. Ever since they announced the next book finally coming out this fall, I've wanted to dive back into the world, find some active discussions, reread my old fanfic... I am so happy this is finally a thing again. 

Let's talk fandoms!!!

11 Authors That Were On Jamie's Author Bucket List To Meet & She Actually Got To Meet Them

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This week's topic is all about authors you want to meet or favorite authors you've been lucky to meet!

I've honestly been so lucky to meet so many great authors that I love between events that happened in Philly or when I went to Book Expo of America 4 or 5 times. I've slowed down the number of author events I've gone to recently (also think they've slowed up locally and I didn't go to the past two years of BEA) but I am quite pleased with how many personal bucket list authors I've met!

1. Gayle Forman: The first time I met Gayle Forman I almost cried. Then I got lucky and she came to Philly quite a few times for events and I got to see her at events in NYC. Every time I get to see Gayle is a good day. ALSO, that time I got to celebrate my birthday with Gayle. She is so so wonderful and interesting to talk to -- I could talk to her for hours!

2. Megan McCafferty: DUDE...getting to meet THE MEGAN MCCAFFERTY...author of the Jessica Darling series? AMAZING. Honestly it was even more amazing to watch my bff, Anna, get to meet her because she was the one who got me to read them and she nearly lost her shit. It was pretty epic and the mutual love between the two of them made me cry. Megan was just as happy to meet Anna as Anna was to meet her because Anna was pretty vocal about her love for all things Jessica Darling and Marcus Flutie. Megan is seriously HILARIOUS, too! The next time I saw her and Anna wasn't there she sang Barry Manilow into my phone for her.

3. Sarah Dessen: Meeting Sarah was LEGENDARY. She is so down to earth and wonderful and it was really awesome because my first time meeting her coincided with an interview I got to do with her. She was so candid and passionate and interesting -- I came out adoring her even more!

4. RL Stine: It was a happy coincidence when I got to meet my childhood idol. I happened to be at the right place (his publisher's booth) at the right time (when a publicist I knew could introduce me to him) and he was sooooo cool and humble...he's like CALL ME BOB. OKAY BOB????

5. Morgan Matson: Morgan's books had always hit me so personally and we had chatted over the years and I just really adored her. So it was just THE BEST when I got to meet her during BEA 2014 finally after all those years and chat for a bit.

6. Jenny Han: Jenny Han is every bit as fabulous as you can imagine she is IRL! Was so happy to finally meet her at an event her publisher threw. She had THE BEST shoes on and honestly...every time I've seen her since she's just literally the most stylish person in the room.

7. Stephanie Perkins: I adooooore Stephanie and her books and I HAD to take the train when I found out she was going to be in NYC because I had no idea if she ever would come to Philly (she did end up coming years later). She was so lovely and complimented my outfit which was the best because she is so stylish and dresses adorably.

8. Rainbow Rowell: I've been lucky enough to get to meet Rainbow a few times between events she did in Philly and BEA stuff. She's so great!!

9. Jandy Nelson: It took yeaaaaaars for this to happen and I acted like a complete crazy fangirl but I was so excited to finally meet the author of two of my most FAVORITE books ever.

10. John Green: I had been a John Green fan well before I started blogging and it was soooo cool to finally get to meet him even if briefly at the National Book Fest a few years ago. He was really kind and stayed longer than the allotted two hours so that everyone in line could get their books signed. I had stood in line trying to think what I would say to him and I was like HI OMG I LOVE YOUR BOOKS AND USED A QUOTE FROM ONE OF THEM IN MY WEDDING. He looked up and very genuinely was like...that's really awesome!

11. Tahereh Mafi: I was soooo excited to meet her. She is the sweetest and I want to raid her closet.  It was a really fun group event she was on so I got to meet Veronica Rossi which was exciting too!

I feel like that is such a small slice of the authors I've gotten to meet but they were pretty high at the top of my bucket list of authors!

Some authors I'm still dying to meet: JK Rowling (obvi), Melina Marchetta, Jessi Kirby (she might not be a big name but I am DYING to meet her bc her books are so special to me), Emery Lord, Ruta Sepetys....honestly this list is long!

Tell us all about the authors you are hoping to meet or that you've met!

Lori and Yoga with Adriene

Behind the scenes at The Broke and the Bookish, we've been talking about making some changes, by way of writing posts about other things of interest to us.  This is one of those posts.

Since I was a teenager, I've been interested in yoga as a physical and mental exercise.  I've never gotten into meditation, but I love being in my head, in the zone, while I'm practicing.  For a period of time, I was able to go to classes a few times a week.  Then life throws you some curveballs.  That's OK.  We live in a wonderful age in which you can find just about everything you are looking for on the internet.

That's how I found Yoga with Adriene.

It was just over two years ago, shortly after my beloved papa passed away.  I was living with my parents, working retail, trying to figure out what to do with my life.  I wanted to do some yoga, so I did a search for "yoga challenge" or something like that.  The results took me to a YouTube channel--Adriene's.  I started a tentative practice with her videos.  She had recently done a 30 days of yoga for the month of January, which is what I began with.  But she posts new videos every week throughout the year.  Beyond that, she has a members only site through VHX that has a lot of members only content.  It's a great resource.

I've practiced yoga with Adriene on and off since then.  Honestly, more off than on.  Especially lately.  Time--both finding it and making it--has been a major issue.  There's that impulse of if you're going to do something, do it in a big way.  At least that's my impulse.  But that's really not how yoga works.  And that's definitely not how Yoga with Adriene works.  Her tagline is "Find What Feels Good."  Sometimes, occasionally (but not so much for me at home), it works to do that hour long practice--and Adriene has plenty of those.  More often, though, the shorter practices fit better.  That's traditionally where I thrive.

Like I said, I have been more off with the practicing of yoga lately.  As in for the past over a year.  Not much yoga-ing going on.  And I've been feeling like shit the past few months in particular.  Bad moods.  Bad eating habits.  Bad energy level.  Bad everything.  Yoga has been on my mind quite a lot over the past couple of weeks, kind of like the window that's open despite all of the closed doors.

This morning I decided to take a bite.  I logged onto the VHX site for the first time in I don't know how long and began looking around.  There were longer practices to be sure.  But I fought the impulse to attempt to commit to 35 minutes, when I was pretty sure I'd peter out, frustrated and full of self-loathing, after about 15.  I found a set of videos that were flow yoga videos.  Most of Adriene's videos are flow videos, but these were top videos dedicated to flow.  I found one that I had done before and really liked.  It was 18 minutes.  Perfect.  The video is available on YouTube and I've provided a link below for those interested.

I rolled out my yoga mat, sipped some cold water to clear my mind, and hit play.  Sigh.  I am so glad I did.  The practice was short and compact and it had everything.  Funnily enough, the other day I was trying to remember the shoulder/elbow/arm roll she does in this video, but I didn't remember that it was in this video.  Perfect serendipity.

Anyway, now I'm off the mat.  My attitude feels better.  The tightness between my shoulders feels better.  I feel better in this moment.  I plan on going back to the mat to do this video tomorrow and for a few days after that, in the hopes of getting back to something I truly love and know makes a difference for me.  I don't know how many days in a row I'll do this video in particular or yoga in general, but I hope it's a good stretch.

If I can remember that that short, 20 minute practice is enough, maybe I can remember that I am enough.



Note--I was in no way compensated for this post.  I was not approached by anybody about writing this post.  I simply had a great yoga session today and wanted to share some thoughts.

Top Ten Books We Read In a Day

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Jamie's Picks

1. The Shadows We Know By Heart by Jennifer Park: 
That moment when you think a book is not really going to be your thing but you end up reading it in one sitting! This one was so compelling even though it was a little predictable and I was side-eying the Bigfoot premise....but it was so well done.

2. Queens of Geek by Jen Wilde: 
OMG THIS ONE WAS SOOO CUTE. I devoured it!

3. Out on Good Behavior by Dahlia Adler: 
I love this romance series set at a university and I just completely flew through the last installment in one day!

4. Every installment of Saga comic series: 
Every time a new volume comes out I devour it in one day. (Kimberly says yes to this too! Soooo addicting!)

5. A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness: 
I read this one rainy cold Fall afternoon and it was so perfect for this book! I really did enjoy this book...made me BAWL!

 Kimberly's Picks 

6. Confessions of Georgia Nicolson by Louise Rennison: 
These books make me laugh out loud and the audio books are even better. I'd listen to them at work and the day would fly by.

7. The Thousandth Floor by Katharine McGee:
Technically this took me two days, but it was an evening into the next day. I was so hooked on this story! Loved the world building.

8. The Only Pirate at the Party by Lindsey Stirling: 
I'm a fan of Lindsey's music, and a big fan of the lady herself. Her book is real, funny, and inspiring. I enjoyed this so much! I devoured it within a few hours and then read parts I'd marked out loud to my husband.

Jana's Picks

9. The Devil You Know by Trish Doller
I read this book on a Sunday afternoon after I got home from church, and I think it's just a mystery thing with this one because I had to know what happened!

10. The Thousand-Dollar Tan Line by Rob ThomasThis is the first Veronica Mars book, and I loved it! I don't think I could have read it in a whole day if I hadn't been on a cruise, but it was amazing and reading it in one day made it even better. It wa like one huge episode of the TV show I love and miss so much.

Top Ten Books on Daisy's Spring TBR List

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So I'm not entirely sure how much this baby will allow me to read (and hopefully she's here by the time you read this --- note from Jamie....SHE IS! CONGRATS DAISY!), but here are the books that are coming out this Spring that I'm hoping to squeeze in between feeding, changing diapers and general babyness.

1. A Court of Wings and Ruin by Sarah J. Maas: OBVIOUSLY this is on my list and probably everyone and their great aunt's list. After the ending of A Court of Mist and Fury I NEED this. Like yesterday. I'm gonna need a babysitter when this lands in my mailbox.

2. The Fallen Kingdom by Elizabeth May: this is also the last in a series that I LOVE. It's one of those underrated gems in my opinion and one of the few books about the fae that I actually like (like the ACOTAR series), I cannot wait to get my hands on this one!

3. Romancing the Throne by Nadine Jolie Courtney: this sounds like it'll be filled with lots of fun and DRAMA and has a prince and just YES.

4. Flame in the Mist by Renée Ahdieh: If you haven't read The Wrath and the Dawn yet, you should get on that and then join me in fangirling over it and going OMG I NEED THIS NEW BOOK over Flame in the Mist. Renée Ahdieh is a genius.

5. Always and Forever, Lara Jean by Jenny Han: I'm a bit torn about this one, because I really liked the first book in the series, but then the second was disappointing and I just need this to be awesome. Fingers crossed!

6. Avenged by Amy Tinera: Ruined was AMAZING and I can't wait for the sequel!

7. The Upside of Unrequited by Becky Albertalli: this is probably also one of those most anticipated books. I was WAY late to the party when it came to Simon (I actually read it a couple of weeks ago), but I'm jumping on the bandwagon and YAY for another book by this wonderful author!

8. Shadowcaster by Cinda Williams Chima: my love for the Seven Realms series knows no bounds and while the first in this series that is set in the same universe kinda broke my heart, it was also amazing and I cannot wait for the next book in this series!

9. A Crown of Wishes by Roshani Chokshi: I really enjoyed The Star-Touched Queen and this one sounds every bit of awesome.

10. Strange the Dreamer by Laini Taylor: confession: I've never actually read anything by Laini Taylor before BUT this sounds AMAZING and I want it!

So, that's it for me, let me know what's on your TBR list and what I should definitely add to mine!

Top Ten Tuesday: Still on Hiatus BUT freebie linkup & upcoming schedule

Hello hello! Jamie here! The hiatus I had planned to get my crap together wasn't as productive as I had hoped and I kind of lost track of time and thus we are not back today like I planned. So much going on in my life!  My apologies for not being back this week!

However maybe you can forgive me because:

1) a linky is down below if you did a freebie top ten tuesday while we are on hiatus (not just from this week -- any week since)

2) I've got the schedule for the next couple weeks and will continue adding to it on the official schedule page this week but wanted to give you guys the next few:

March 14: Top Ten Books On My Spring TBR
March 21: Read In One Sitting Theme: ten of the shortest books I've read, top ten books I read in one sitting, ten books to read when you are short on time, top ten books that will make you read the whole day away, etc.
March 28: Top Ten Authors I'm Dying To Meet / Ten Authors I Can't Believe I've Met  (some other "meeting authors" type spin you want to do)
April 4: Fandom Freebie -- top ten fandoms I'm in, 10 reasons X fandom is the best, must have merchandise for x fandom, etc. etc.


Hope you all are well and ready to get back to list-making with us!

Jamie