Top Ten Tuesday: Books on My Fall List 2013

I am not the kind of person who chooses ahead of time what to read. These days my TBR list is so long, I have lists instead of a list. And the buying list is even longer. So for me, I just read the book as I buy them or just start a random one from my TBR list. But I do have some of the books that I tend to look forward to reading them more than the others.

Top Ten Books On My Fall List 2013

1.Cuckoo's Calling by J.K.Rowling:
When the news of J.K.Rowling writing under a pen name broke out, I was thrilled. I did not really like The Casual Vacancy but I am really looking forward to reading this. Besides its a murder mystery written by J.K.Rowling. Double the awesomeness in one book.





2.And The Mountains Echoed by Khalid Hosseni:
I don't really read books the minute they are released if they are not a series book. So this time I was like I will try to read the latest releases a little earlier. Lets see how that goes. And I just love the cover of this book.






3. Outlander series by Diana Gabaldon:

I recently found out about the Outlander series and they sound awesome. It has a total of 8 books out of which 7 are already out. I hate reding a series and than waiting for the next book to come. So this is perfect for me.

4. The Three Musketeers by Alexander Dumas:
This has been on my TBR for so long that I cannot even remember. But somehow every time I pick it up, I end up putting it back. And its from one of my favourite authors. I have high expectations for this book because I have seen the movie and it was excellent. I love Orlando Bloom.








5.Inferno by Dan Brown:
This has been the book that I have waited the most for. I love Dan Brown and his books. But I want to buy it and then read it. Unfortunately, its sold out where I live. So I have to wait for the stock to come.









6.Gemma Doyle Trilogy by Libba Bray:

I really want to read this or at least one of Libba Bray's books this fall. The plot sounds really good and I have heard great things about it.

7.The Fiery Heart by Richelle Meade: (Bloodlines Book 4)
Adrian and Sydney ! Ofcourse. Who does not want to read about them ? When Richelle Mead released the first two chapters of the book, I went all gaga and I was swooning over Adrian. Besides this summer I have read heart wrenching book, I am in dire need of Adrian and his witty handsome self.

...SAP...

Top Ten Tuesday: Books I Would Love To See As A Movie/TV Show

When it comes to books made into movies and TV shows, I do not have a good experience. Ofcourse, they cannot capture every minute detail in a 2 hour movie. And the best example of this disaster is none other than Harry Potter. But like any other Bibliophile, I still have hope that someday all the movies will be made like I want. It will have the cast as I visione it and everything from the clothes to the props to locations will be of my choice. That has not happened yet but you never know. 

Top Ten Books I Would Love To See As A Movie/TV Show (set in a perfect world...in which movies don't butcher the books we love.) 

1.Looking For Alaska by John Green:

The main reason I want to see this as a movie is because of all the awesome pranks they do. I love pranks and have done my share of them in middle school. I really want to see the last prank that they do in the book, being done in real life. I think that was the best part about this book. 

2. The Girl Who Played With Fire by Steig Larson:

I watched The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo first and than read the book. I loved the movie, so I did contemplate whether to read the book or not. But ofcourse I read it. And I have to say, it is the first book that has been made into a perfect movie. There are literally no changes, not a single word or scene. So I really am looking forward to watching the rest of the movies as well. 

3. I am the messenger by Markus Zusak:

If the essence of this book is portrayed on screen, than this will be a perfect movie. It is different than your average romantic or comedy or action movies. 

4. Amar Bail by Umera Ahmad:

Being  a huge Umera Ahmad fan, I obviously want this to be turned into a television show. But I want it to be perfect with the dream cast who can actually create magic like Umera does in the book. And this is almost impossible. But I do hope that it happens.

5. The Thief Lord by Cornelia Funke:

This book was in my brothers books. I just picked it up to read it at the dinner table but I have to say, I ended up falling in love. The story is so awesome. This book made me want to have a gang of my own and be a thief. And till today, I had no idea that it has a movie as well. I haven't watched it yet but I hope it is upto my expectations. 

6. Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen:

This is one book that is never made into a movie right. Something is amiss in the movie. And I hate that. Although I did sort of get the perfect version through the Lizzie Bennet Diaries which is almost perfect. But I do want a movie. 

7. Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn:

I just heard that a movie is being made and Ben Afflick has been cast as Nick. I think he will do a good job. But I want the movie to be like the book. I want to decide between good and bad on every scene of the movie. This book has very strong and complicated characters and the movie will be nothing if the actors don't do a good job. 

My movie watching strategy is that I do not go for movies made on books. I watch the movie regardless of whether it is a book or not. But now I have to keep track, so I don't end up watching the movie before the book. And as far as movies are concerned, I am an action person. So my movies and books, thankfully, rarely cross paths. 

...SAP...

Top Ten Books I Wish Were Taught in Schools

This is actually very ironic. I remember reading What Katy Did, Oliver Twist, Robinson Crusoe, etc in middle school but when I moved to Qatar in 6th grade, class reading changed drastically. There was no concept of reading novels as part of a syllabus. Our books had excerpts from different classics which was very boring. So obviously, for me I would have loved to be taught books in school. Because I know how much fun it is, reading and having book discussions over a book. These are some of the books that I would have loved to read in class with the amazing English teacher I had.

Top Ten Books I Wish Were Taught In Schools:

1. The Count of Monte Cristo :



This is a perfect high school book. It is a classic. So all the teachers who are more into literature and classics will not oppose this. It is a story of revenge, betrayal, trust, integrity, patience, everything that one would want in a book. It took me about a week to read it and it is 1600 pages long. But it is worth the read. And this is my most favourite book.





2. Hunger Games:

Or any good dystopian novel. High school is like playing Hunger Games. Instead of districts, there are different groups from the most popular to geeks, drama queens etc. Its all about surviving in those four most important years of your life where you have to enjoy your teenage life while making a future for yourself. Reading such a book gives you the satisfaction that you are not alone in this fight of yours with the world. And it is not boring.

3. 19 Minutes:

This is such a perfect book. I read it after I finished High School this year and I truly understood what bullying does to a person. It breaks you. It destroys a person. This should be taught so students would know how it feels to be bullied. I know that not everyone is attentive in school, but even if you get the message across one person, that is all that matters.



4. Paper Towns:

When I finished reading this book, I so badly wanted to discuss it with
my English teacher. There were so many things I had a problem with and I thought to myself, damn, I wish I was taught this in school. It has a lot philosophy in it which needs class discussions and a teacher to make you go into the depth of things. I understood the story but I know I would have gotten much more out of it.





5. I Am the Messenger:

Aaaaahhhh. Markus Zusak. What should I say ? The message of this book is beautiful. At first you might not be into the book but it leaves a life lasting impact on you. After reading this book, Zusak shot up on my Best Author list. This is for all the lazy asses out there who instead of doing something in life, just lie around waiting for things to work out by magic.





6. Little Women:

I read this book when I was very young and I loved it. It is my mothers favourite book and I think this was the first classic she bought me. Its such a great story of love, family, friendships and so much more. Jo and Larry are my favourite characters and I was devastated when Jo says no to him. That was the first time I wanted to have a sister, looking at the fun that Jo, Meg, Amy and Beth have. I have read this book countless times, so obviously I know their names by heart.



7. The Book Thief:

Teachers want their students to learn something new everyday. What is a better way of learning what Nazi Germany was like than reading about it from a very different perspective ? I have read a lot about the era of Hitler and Nazism but this was such a different read on a very common topic. And its a book about a girls love for books and words. Nothing can be better for me.

...SAP...

Top Ten Tuesdays: Most Memorable Secondary Characters

I read about Top Ten Tuesdays on Pretty Books blog. But initially, this idea was started by The Broke and the Bookish. Both of these blogs are very awesome. I love reading other peoples "Top Ten Tuesday". It is so much fun. So I figured that I should do one as well. But the thing is I have read so many books that I do not remember each and every character even from the ones that I love. This actually makes it very hard because you are reminded of so many more things afterwards. So all the things I have written about are either from the books I have read recently or are things that have struck out for some reason. 

Top Ten Most Memorable Secondary Characters 

1. Hana tate, Delirium
I just finished reading the Delirium trilogy and that is the first one I remembered. I really liked her character. Especially her friendship with Lena. I loved her carefree spirit towards life and how she looses it. 

2. Jane Bennet, Pride and Prejudice: 
Who does not love Pride and Prejudice ? But I loved Jane. Not more than Lizzy ofcourse. But I realized that being prim and proper does not always makes you a stuck up. She was so beautiful in her own way, like a delicate flower. And you do not have to be defiant or different to have a story. 

3. Frank Kennedy, Gone With the Wind:
For some reason, he always remained in my head. Probably because I hated the way he was used by Scarlette. And I hate when someone takes advantage of you. And Scarlette did that on her sisters cost which was pathetic.

4. Hans Hubermann, The Book Thief:
He is one dedicated and honest man. And an amazing father. He showed the world how you achieve fatherhood in perfection even in the middle of a war.  Salute !

5. Magnus Bane, The Mortal Instruments:
I am actually reading this series right now and Magnus is the only character that is actually interesting and has some personality.  

6. Tarquin, Confessions of a Shopaholic
He was one weird character and the sole reason he stuck out. He called water "twitchy". Yup ! It was like he spoke baby language in adult form. And the weird thing is that he was a millionaire and one of the most sought out bachelours in his city despite wearing oddly shaped jumpers. 

7. Ejaz Ansar, Pir-e-Kamil

I read Urdu books as well. But now Pir-e-Kamil also has an English translation. Anyway, Ansar was one guy I doubt I will ever forget. There is nothing I despise more than hypocrites and double faced people. It is because of such people that the culture or things we believe in, tend to have a bad name. 

8. Rue and Finn, The Hunger Games

There is not a single person who would have cried for these characters. Both of them are so different yet so memorable in their own way. I still cannot get Rue's mocking jay song out of my head. It is beautiful, just like her.

These are the only people I could remember right now. My apologies for not being more sufficient but I am sure I will be more vigilant, once I get the hang of it. Fingers crossed.

...SAP...