Since the prompt was so blatantly for those (lucky) humans who are nosediving into summer…I’m going to rebel. Quietly and majestically, of course, because that’s just who I am. It’s winter in Australia, although where I live doesn’t have snow. But I’m a gargantuan wimp. Is it 10 degrees Celsius (50 F)? “I HAVE FROSTBITE AND MY EYEBALLS ARE FROZEN AND I MAY DIE.” No, really, that’s how I am. It’s woeful.
But there are some very fantastic frosty books that I’m going to blog about today. You are so welcome for this brief hug from Jack Frost. And if you’re curious as to why there’s an onslaught of photos instead of just Goodreads covers…well. I just bought my own camera. We are in love.
\\ OH. And before you go, do you know what what tomorrow is?! DO YOU? Ohhhh, my bacchanalian blogglings, it will be my bloversary! Paper Fury is turning four years old. **gasp** And I’m having a party with voluminous giveaways. And cake. So BE THERE. //
This Week’s Prompt: Ten Books I Plan To Have In My Beach Bag This Summer WINTER IS COMING
I really feel I’ve slacked off in absolutely shrieking about how wonderful and fantastic and unbelievably brilliant Maggie Stiefvater’s writing is. SO. MAGGIE STIEFVATER IS MARVELLOUS. Gosh, it feels good to let that out. NOW! Shiver is full of a) shivering, b) hot chocolates, c) werewolves who are really adorable soft-hearted chaps who fold origami, and d) lyrically beautiful prose. I wouldn’t say it’s the “best” Stiefvater book, but it has Sam and that makes up for just about everything.
I had to pick The Impossible Knife of Memory for obvious reasons (aka the cover is like a frozen stream). I read this one nearly two years ago now and can’t for the life of me remember if it was actually snowing in the book. All I know is that the barefoot cover model is getting hypothermia.
Can you believe it took me 20 years to get around to reading The Golden Compass?! I KNOW. Disgraceful. Yet with enough subtle glares from Emily, I finally read it and basically loved it. I want a daemon. And if you ever complain that your family is messed up? HA H AH AHA. You got nothing.
I actually loathed Winterspell…which saddens me greatly because it was a) a Nutcracker retelling and that is so freakishly awesome, and b) it has a gorgeous cover. So I’m going to pretend we had a good time together and tell you to read it anyway because NUTCRACKER. Haven’t we read enough Cinderellas?! Where are our ballet retellings?! Someone petition with me!
Now I’m going to tell you a very closeted secret. Are you ready for it? Are you? There’s SO MUCH SNOW in Snow Like Ashes. (Bet you didn’t see that coming, right!?) The Winterians are like the children of Elsa…just with less magical powers and (sadly) no musical numbers. I loved this book with all the depths of my chilled, frigid heart.
When we first met Feyre from A Court of Thorns and Roses she’s trekking through the snow murdering things. What a darling. And I hope you notice how prickly my photo is with that thorn/twig. Appreciate it. I actually had to leave the house to go get that stick. THE HORROR. I am back, safely, in the warm darkness with my books, thanks for asking.
I confess: sometimes I forget I’m supposedly an adult and I dive back into Middle-Grade books where it’s perfectly acceptable for evil witches to lock kids in museums for centuries. It’s calming to read about this stuff. Ophelia and the Marvellous Boy is particularly excellent because a) it’s a Snow Queen retelling, and b) Ophelia is such a cool name, and b) it’s by an Australian! Of course that does lend one to problem of MARVELLOUS or MARVELOUS?
I freaking LOVE Sturmhond, LOVE HIM. He’s nearly made me go back and change my 4-stars to 5-stars on Siege and Storm, because I can’t get this book out of my head. It is simply hilarious. Is it bad that I secretly want a Leviathan to eat Mal so I can ship Sturmhond and Alisa quietly and happily? Please say “It’s perfectly acceptable, Cait, and you’re not a malicious evil crazy.”
“I have so many good qualities,” Sturmhond said. “It can be hard to choose.”SIEGE AND STORM by Leigh Bardugo
A lot of the reason I love The Coldest Girl in Coldtown is because it starts off each chapter with a creepy death quote. BUT I HAVE OTHER REASONS TOO, I PROMISE. Like — it’s the most interesting vampire book ever. And Gavriel is an insane and adorable puppy with vampire fangs that accidentally kills people. And Holly Black wrote it so obviously it’s amazing.
Black Ice is the only book on my list I haven’t read! It’s been sitting on my TBR since I won a (signed!!) copy last year and while I actually enjoyed Hush, Hush, I haven’t felt motivated for this one yet. WHY?! Am I missing out greatly? You need to tell me if it’s a good one, okay? Either way it looks nefariously cold and icy and I’m sure even Loki would need a warm hug from Thor to thaw out after this one.
Forgive me. I couldn’t find Thor hugging Loki, but this is a fine replacement.
-~-
The weather is actually getting warmer..although it’s raining so much everyone is hoping school will be canceled. (Fingers crossed for tomorrow so I won’t have to do that biology test!)
Anyway, out of all the books listed above, my favorite is probably The Coldest Girl in Coldtown. You? 🙂
You . . . you had to LEAVE THE HOUSE? Oh, my! *faints*
Dude. We both have the same camera. DOESN’T IT ROCK!? I love it dearly.
I loooooooved Snow Like Ashes. I have a very pretty ARC edition sitting on my shelf and on occasion I take it out and stroke it. Which sounds a lot creepier than it actually is, I swear. But yeah. That’s the PERFECT winter read. ^_^ I also really want to read Winterspell as soon as I can (which is not very soon by the looks of all the books I must read.)
Confession time: I only came for Thor hugging Loki, but this is a fine replacement. 😀
I WILL BE AT YOUR BLOGOVERSARY AND I WILL BRING CAKE.
50F here is a dream for winter. We routinely are 30F and below, wind, snow and dreary days. OK it’s not ALWAYS like that but those are the memories stuck in my head. Now we go into the sticky hot summer (YUCK). I like spring and fall. ANYWAYS….what wonderful pictures! You two really are in love!
Haha oh my god this was a such a great idea and list! You go rebel! I loved that you picked books which have a wintery name or just chilly looking cover – such a fun idea 🙂
YAY THANKS!! It was super fun finding cold looking books. xD
I live in a tropical country. If it’s hot, then it’s freaking HOT. Not really cold… but wet. Yes, WET on typhoon seasons.
Happy birthday, PaperFury!
TROPICS. AH YES. I used to live in tropics. The weather is a bit crazy but the sunshine is glorious. Wheeen there is sunshine. *curses wet seasons*
I saw The coldest girl in cold town t my local bookstore, and I begged and begged my parents to buy it for me (I am sadly broke, from what? buying books of course!) and I didn’t get it sadly -___- BUT I will get it one day, haha!
I have been dying to read Snow like ashes since it came out, and I still haven’t gotten my hands on it -___-
I really love your rebellious TTT post! XD
Happy Reading! 🙂
I HOPE YoU GET COLDEST GIRL EVENTUALLY. Being broke sucks. Geesh. I need to fall down a gold mine.
This would have been perfect if Winds of Winter was published. Oh well, in another couple dozen years I guess! *cheery* Yeah, but you see, Lyra’s family is pretty damn cool even if they’re messed up. I’m never going to stop shipping Asriel/Marisa Coulter.
Oh, I HAVE to write a Nutcracker retelling sometime. But just yesterday I had the idea for a Mulan + Swan Lake retelling all at once and everyone pressured me into making it a thing on Twitter, so it has a Pinterest board now. BALLET FOR THE WIN.
I haven’t read Siege and Storm (the first book just put me off?) but I didn’t like Mal much anyways, so I’ll go and conclude you’re perfectly sane. Besides, that comeback was the best.
ERK. I nearly mentioned Game of Thrones anyway, because Winter Is Coming but I feel like all I do is talk about GoT. xD So I resisted. heehe.
ZOMG I WANT YOUR NUTCRAKCER BOOK. YOUR BOARD IS SO BEAUTIFUL. I love beautiful pinterest boards. I stalk them so much…heh. Ballet! YES!
(I wasn’t such a fan of Shadow & Bone either. Well I liked it, but it took me over a year to try the second one. TOTALLY blew my mind and changed me to love that series. xD)
Sturmhond! <3 I have always shipped Sturmhond and Alina (I was never big fan of Mal or Darkling). Sturmhond was my favorite character in whole series 🙂
And it is spring in Prague, my favorite season 🙂
The Darkling is weeeeeird and scary. I like a good cute psycho BUT NOT HIM. It’s Sturmhond all the way. <3
LOL thank you for going outside for the stick! I’ve not read The Coldest Girl In Coldtown… I can’t decide if the adorable puppy with vampire fangs makes me want to read it more or less!! x
I regret to say, though, that…the stick didn’t make it. MY DOG IS A MURDERER OF STICKS.
I DEFINITELY NEED TO READ SNOW LIKE ASHES. I still haven’t got around to it. And I kind of forgot about ACOTAR’s wintry-ness.
Also, go us doing the same rebellious topic 😉
*hi fives* WE ARE GREAT AUSSIE REBELS. I was just going to do a winter-TBR but that’s a prompt later in June, so I resisted getting ahead of myself. XD I ought to get an award for that. At the very least, much cake.
That’s horrible! It reminds me of the time that Winter was starting at work and because of the skills of our brilliant management team, they started playing SUMMER music over the loudspeakers. The CD started with “six pack summer,” the first words of which are “winter sure was long and miserable..”
All I could think was, “gee. thanks for telling me what I have to look forward to.”
I ALSO won’t be participating in this week’s top ten Tuesday, due to the fact that I’ve already had my beach “vacation” (touched upon briefly here: http://dannimae.com/2015/05/16/read-a-thon-flop-a-thon/) and I am NOT interested in having another.
Also, what are the odds! I was JUST thinking about The Golden Compass last night at work and how I had to give it a try! It’s like we’re synched. (Don’t find that creepy, please.)
Also, (on the subject of creepiness) I’ll be stalking you until your blogaversary post comes out! Cheers!
It’s summer for me. I mean, technically it’s still spring for another month, but it has felt like summer since March and April. I kind of miss the snow and the cold, but then again, I don’t like it when it’s too cold. I need a happy medium, but that’s pretty much impossible to find. *sighs* I think you have some great picks on this list! I agree that Snow Like Ashes was a fabulous book, and I loved how for once, Winter was not the villain. If I was writing this list I would definitely also include The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. Even though it’s kind of cliche, it’s still a classic winter book. It’s perfect for reading while downing way too much hot chocolate.
Awesome post Cait……sorry that we are going into summer while you head into winter, saying that though in the UK there isn’t really any difference at all between the two seasons as both are just rain, rain and more rain…..meh!
Well, even though I live in America, it isn’t quite summer here yet–at least where I am. In fact, my state just got some snow this weekend, which I am not pleased about. 🙁 (But hey, at least winter for you means an excuse for more hot chocolate, right?)
I borrowed Shiver from the library a while ago and couldn’t get into it, which made me feel sad. But I was busy and distracted at the time, so maybe I’ll give it another shot. And I really REALLY want to read The Coldest Girl in Cold Town, but I haven’t been able to get my hands on that one yet, so sadness. The Impossible Knife of Memory is also on my TBR.
And since you think 10 degrees C is bad, I won’t tell you about all the times I’ve worn shorts outside in the winter and walked barefoot on the snow for the fun of it.
Wow. I wish we had 10 degree winters over here. 😉 Ironically, I will probably be reading Shiver at the height of summer (in my defence, I bought it in January). That quote from Siege and Storm made my day – is there a lot of sarcasm in it?
You rebel, you!
Are we in the US ever-so-egocentric? If we are having summer, everyone must be having summer!
Here’s mine!
If it makes you feel better, I have not gotten around to the Golden Compass yet either 😀 But it keeps popping up in my life recently, so maybe I’ll take it to the beach too this year…
Thanks for the visit! 🙂 Happy TTT!
First off: HERE ARE SOME BLANKETS AND HOT CHOCOLATE STOP GOING OUTSIDE FOR TWIGS YOU WILL FREEZE.
Second: I love your twist, I think this is awesome and your picks are truly fabulous. Anyone who loves Maggie Stiefvater is AUTOMATICALLY AWESOME. HERE HAVE A BADGE. So there’s that 😛 Plus Holly Black, I love her books and that one is just so fab!
Third: If you haven’t read The Snow Child by Eowyn Ivey, you need to, it is perfect for the crazy cold winter months, plus the hardback is BEAUTIFUL.
Want to swap countries for the next couple of months? 😉 I love the cold and HATE the warm weather! It has warmed up here in the UK and I’m not a happy bunny 🙁 I always wish I could go somewhere cold during the summer.
Well done on braving the cold outside to go get that stick – that’s commitment. Hope you rewarded yourself with a hot chocolate.
I live in Colorado and it’s actually kind of freezing and raining a lot right now, so I sympathizes with ye. lol. Here’s a Jack Skellington mug full of delicious hot chocolate *hands*
I really need to read more Maggie Stiefvater. I read the first book in the Raven Boys series, but I need more! And The Coldest Girl in Coldtown has been been on my TBR list forever. I’m seriously slacking here.
And I will totally be there for your blogoversary!
I really do like your blog! and your photos! and how brave you are to leave the house for the thorn! I appreciate that very much. I don´t like werewolves, but I´m not sure I can resist werewolves who fold origami…
and lyrically beautiful prose. maybe I´ll give Stiefwater a chance? I like the cover, too
Ahh your photos are so nice, Cait! 😀 These all look positively wintry, I’ll have to see if my library has them! Right now it’s cold and rainy in South Africa, so I’m going to go cuddle up with one of my winter reads! ;D
Kyra @ Blog of a Bookaholic
My TTT Post!
Haha i love your list! Its easy to forget that while we’re heading into Summer, your heading into Winter! To be honest thought its still really cold here in the UK (but not as cold as it is there).
I’m so sad to hear you didnt like Winterspell! I got it for Christmas and haven’t read it yet… now i’m a little apprehensive!
I’ve just started A Court of Thorns and Roses and am really enjoying it but I’ll be honest and say I haven’t read any others on your list :-S I definitely feel bad about not reading the Golden Compass 🙁 Will definitely add all of these to my TBR list for later this year
Happy Reading
Rachel @ paein-and-ms4tune.co.uk
I have to say, it certainly hasn’t gotten this cold in my part of Australia, though… I have been mostly cooped inside for the last few days with illness, so perhaps it’s a raging storm outside and I just haven’t felt it. My room was certainly as close to freezing as you can get without actual ice forming on the windows today, so there’s that!
OH. I had that problem for weeks (possibly I still do) after reading Ophelia and the Marvellous Boy. WHICH ONE TO USE. I didn’t even realise there was a choice until my word processor told me that I was spelling it wrong. I choose to rebel against what anything says is the incorrect spelling, though. It works.
Okay, first, A COURT OF THORNS AND ROSES IS THE BESTTTTT *end screaming*
Now that that’s out of the way. I read ‘Black Ice’ a few months ago and while it is a SERIOUSLY cold book (two girls stuck in a snowstorm!) I thought it was only just ‘okay’ – totally read it though, because it had its good parts. I am also displeased that ‘Winterspell’ was not as great as I hoped… let’s totally start that ballet-books petition!
*beats you over the head with Black Ice* CAKE. READ. IT. NOW.
Okay it wasn’t AMAZING BRILLIANT FIVE STARS but it has STAYED WITH ME and I get all happy and excited when I see it. READ IT NOW I TOLD YOU AGES AGO HOW GOOD IT WAS.
Haha, love your twist on this week’s TTT prompt 😉 I haven’t read any of these books but it certainly has left me wishing it was a bit colder again on my end (it’s starting to get a bit muggy here and I’m all “Okay, I’m done with summer now” 😛 )
Yes, Yes and um YES!!!! Love this list and love winter reads.
Love how you’ve rebelled! Out of all those books, I have only read Shiver and The Golden Compass (or Northern Lights as it is called here), and I didn’t like either :/ Don’t hate me too much.
I don’t know if it would be your thing or not, but The Snow Child by Eowyn Ivey is beautiful!
It is… on the cusp of spring/summer here. Its warm today. Other days I still need my coat and scarf. Summer needs to hurry up and get here.
Haha, I love how we in Australia always have to awkwardly struggle explaining to the world how while they are facing whatever season they’re so SO excited about, we are their exact opposite and lovin’ it (or maybe not, ahem. . . . ). Like, a little confession to make. . . but I freaking LOVE Aussie winters (at least, I love QLD Aussie winters). It’s been a long time since I’ve gone down South during July or August (Brrr, I remember it to be freezing in Sydney!) but up here in Queensland, summer’s are just drab, rainy bleh compared to the cold, icy beauty of winter. Of course, you can’t go swimming or picnicking much or anything adventurous like that (too cold). . . but everything is so icily gorgeous and BLUE sky and chill-with loveliness!
(p.s. autumns are tough though, for me, poor mite. All that hey fever! Help!)
I would dearly love to see snow one day (never did). And Australia *does* have snow. . . just not for most people living on the eastern coast. Just looking at the Snowy Mountains fills me with frozen-awe-inspired chills.
Hmm, and it is sad that I haven’t read any of these books, because they look beautiful (and your photography skills are marvellous. . . (marvelous?)!!!) Sadly, they’re not very much in the genre of books I feel most delighted with (though I might be interested in reading “Ophelia and the Marvellous Boy”, and “Golden Compass” one day!)
Fun post, Cait girl!
Oooh, and HAPPY BLOG-ANNIVERSARY! I’ll never forget that our blog-birthdays are so close together (by like, two weeks difference, haha!), so I am really excited for us, dearie ^_^. Looking forward to the fun giveaways. . . which reminds me. . . you may get an email from you one of these days regarding your crafty paper projects, and a potential giveaway? I will keep you updated!
“Snow Like Ashes” looks pretty amazing too, and is on my TBR 😀
It’s currently very hot outside, thank you very much. Nice to read a cool post on such a day.
I read why you did this post and started laughing. I’m sorry.
Weather’s reached about 60 degrees or so, which means it’s FINALLY warm enough to start swimming. It’s not plankton nor jellyfish season yet, which means the water’s still clear. But at the same time, the water is warming up (it’s like fifty or so degrees), so perfect swimming weather.
I have a theory about MG fiction. I think you can read it as a child or as an adult but not as a teenager because when you’re an adult reading MG it has a nostalgic fantasy quality whereas when you’re a teenager you’re not far enough from your childhood to get that. So reading MG means you’re an adult if you can follow that convoluted logic. I loved Ophelia and the Marvelous Boy. It was such a good retelling. I really hadn’t given any thought to reading Snow Like Ashes but now I’m intrigued. Great list!
I am anxious to read A Court of Thorn and Roses. I have read the most remarkable reviews. I am trying to wait until a couple are released in the series though. Have a wonderful summer of reading.
Oh you little rebel, you. 😉
I actually didn’t like Shiver (*hides*) but the Winter-y feel of it was definitely spot-on! Snow Like Ashes! Loved the snow in that. And the whole book. (Please tell me you’re on Team Mather.) AND YES TO ACOTAR. And I’m so sorry for that stick, being out in the cold all in its lonesome. I haven’t read Siege & Storm yet, but I’ve heard the best things about Strumhond!
I didn’t really enjoy Coldest Girl in Coldtown:P Snow Like Ashes, I need to read that soon! I got an arc of the second one. I need to read A Court of Thorns and Roses soon! Awesome post:D
I love this post! Haha! I’m the same way with winter… That’s why I’m moving to Florida next year! I hope you make it through okay. A Court of Thorns and Roses was amazing! And I actually do want to read Winterspell, so hopefully I like it more than you did. Great list!
Awww I’m sorry you’re still in winter. These are some awesome cold weather picks though!
Love this list! Shiver is the perfect winter read, and we’ll both be reading ACOTAR this season. I can’t recall if it snows in The Impossible Knife of Memory either, but that sure is a wintery cover.
Bundle up and have fun on your wintery bookish adventures!
I like how you’ve tweaked the topic this week. 🙂 So many here I’d like to read – I’ve never read the Golden Compass books either…
I have read Black Ice though…and I wouldn’t really recommend it. If you want to see why check out my review here.
Check out my TTT.
Ooh, I shall check out your Black Ice review ASAP. XD Thank you for that link!
I had to look up “algefacient”. I thought it might have had something to do with promoting the growth of algae. 😛
The weather here in British Columbia is getting warm… so I like your list. All those snowy books could help cool down a reader. The last thing I want to do in the summer is read about deserts and heat! (It’s not that hot yet. The furnace still goes on in the mornings. But the heat is coming…)
Isn’t it an epic word?! I mean, YES, maybe I didn’t use it entirely correctly but pffff it is too awesome of a word not to use ALL THE TIME.
Hi Cait!
Thank you for visiting my blog 😀 I’m glad the Golden Compass is up there. There’s a few up there too that I already have on my TBR list that I really can’t wait to read. Great post 😀
Happy reading,
Amy x
I hope you like it when you try it!!
Haha, I LOVE this list! Merry winter to you — stay warm! I really do need to read Shiver sooner rather than later.
*huddles under blankets with hot chocolate* I WILL SURVIVE.
LOOOOL, your whole post has me cracking up! (In a good way though!) I’m from Canada, where if you so much as sneeze any time after May you’ll have missed summer completely, so 10 degrees celsius to me is pretty much pool party “get out your flip flops and crank on the AC” weather. Some of the books on your list sound super awesome though… but I ain’t reading them in the summer, haha. I’m going to stay as far as away from winter-y things as I can til the real thing rolls back around again. 😛
By the way, I’m a new follower!
Omg, remind me NEVER TO GO TO CANADA. I would be a sad and pathetic little popsicle. *waves wildly* HELLO, THOUGH, AND WELCOME!!
i almost cried when snow like ashes and ACOTAR came on!!!!! Such good books ah
I KNOW RIGHT?!!! *flails* So. much. awesome.
Before I start rambling about anything else, let me just tell you Cait that your PHOTOGRAPHY GAME IS STRONG. LOVING THESE.
Now to the weather. It’s crap. It’s supposed to start to look like summer here and all it does is rain. Knowing myself though and my fondness for complaining, I would probably find something negative to say about a summery weather as well. So its easiest just to say the weather is crap and go with that.
I desperately want to read Winterspell because that cover is amazing and it sounds so good! But everyone I know who has read it hasn’t liked it. So I have a strong feeling I probably won’t either…. Argghhh. Frustration to the maximum.
ERMAGERSH, THANK YOU, MILKA. DAY = MADE. xDXD
Rain is very sucky. It rained for a week straight earlier this month and I got such bad cabin fever. >.> I like my OUTDOORS and my walks and my sunshine!
If cake’s involved, I will definitely be there. Hooray for excuses to eat cake!
Your pictures are gorgeous. There’s nothing like the first few weeks after getting a new camera. 🙂
I spent part of a winter in Australia one year, and it was COLD. Even though the winters where I live get much, much colder, I still freeze at 10 degrees Celsius. Right now, it’s pouring. I think I live in the state with the flip-floppiest weather. It will go from the high 80s (F) one day to 50 (F) the next. It’s very confusing and makes it hard to tell whether summer has actually started. (Let’s not even talk about spring. I think we had a total of two spring-like days this year.)
HUZZAH FOR CAKE!! *eats some in preparation* Oh oh oh I take like 100+ photos a day and it’s a bit ridiculous (considering they’re all of books, I guess, that’s weird?) but HEY. I like. I’m having fun. xD
Okay, waoh, that is a crazy temperature swing! I like weather to stay on ONE side, like either be freezing or hot. The middle weather really bugs me. >_<
NOT WEIRD. They’re books. Books are the best, along with cake. I think you should take more pictures of cake. Anyway, keep taking pictures. You have at least one person who won’t get tired of seeing them. 🙂
Yeah, it’s really hard when the weather does this, because my body never has a chance to adjust. And the plants! I pity them. At least I can put on a sweater.
STILL NO COMMENT NOTIFICATIONS. I don’t know what happened. =(
WHAT. I DON’T UNDERSTAND WORDPRESS RIGHT NOW. Gaaah. Are the replies going to your spam? Do you need to check any boxes underneath the comment to get replies? Erk. I have no idea, I’m totally floundering (and glaring) at WP here. Boo. -_-
Okay, I got this notification (FIRST time I’ve ever gotten one for a reply to a reply), but I didn’t get the one for your original reply. It seems like I’m only getting 50% of them, and they definitely aren’t going into spam. The only boxes to check are “commentluv” and “notify me of new posts,” neither of which sounds appropriate for comment notifications.
I’m sorry to be the one to always bring up bad news, but I figure it’s better that you know?
Ohhhhh The Impossible Knife of Memory is one of my favorites. *cuddles it* I don’t remember there being a ton of snow, but hey, if there isn’t that cover is misleading. xD
The more I think about it the more I think there wasn’t snow. xD GAH. But we shall just embrace the cover and ignore the details, right?!
I’m very excited that you asked about the weather. The one British stereotype that is true, is our love for talking about the weather. It’s amazing that we can find so much to say about our weather.
The weather in my corner of the universe is typically English. By that I mean, it’s grey, about 10C, but it warms up slightly and goes all sunny and blue-skied at about 6PM just to wind you up.
But the weather is actually kind of interesting to talk about. Because it’s so weird and fickle too. For instance, it’s barely even cold today. WHAT IS THIS, WINTER? WHAT ARE YOU DOING?! *glares at Australia* I’m more of a fan of the heat, but I hate weather that bops around and can’t stay warm or cold. I can’t believe 10C is your summer. I. would. die.
Okay , you are hilarious . Your list is great and your little commentaries brought a smile to my face , you went outside to get the twig ? That’s commitment!
I KNOW. I’m so glad you appreciate it. IT WAS REALLY TOUGH AND YET RISKY OF ME.
I live in the UK, so although the following months are known as Summer I very much doubt that I will be getting any summer weather! You’ve got some great books on your list (you have reminded me of a few that I have been wanting to read but totally forgot about!) Snow Like Ashes has been sat on the shelf in my room for AGES, and I am super excited to get my hands on a copy of A Court of Thorns and Roses. I read The Golden Compass a few years ago and LOVED it, you should definitely read the rest of the trilogy if you haven’t already! Great choices, happy reading! 🙂
I haven’t finished the Golden Compass books BUT I WILL. I kind of want to get the audios since I listened to the first on audio, so just need tiiiiime. (And to finish my current audio.) hehe
Haha, I love that you subverted the topic 😉
I was really surprised when I saw Holly Black’s book on your list – because I have it at home and haven’t read it yet but completely missed the fact that she’s also the Holly Black of White Cat which I just read and loved. I have to get to Coldest Girl soon! You make it sound amazing.
I also have to finish the Mercy Falls books – I have the last one already on my shelf but haven’t gotten to it yet. I’m terrible at finishing series!
Oh White Cat is INCREDIBLE. I’d say that’s the better series, but Coldest Girl is still incredible. It wriggled a 5-stars out of me and everything. 😉 I’m awful at finishing series too SO I HEAR YA. Have you read Sinner?? Don’t forget Sinner!!
Ugh, it’s summer now and I have to say that I would HAPPILY trade weathers with you. (I love my winters, okay?!) Anyway, I haven’t read any of these books yet (le sigh) but I’ve been looking to try a Maggie Stiefvater book for a while now. Would you recommend reading Shiver or The Raven Boys first?
DUDE. yOU ARE CRAZY. Summer means beaches and ice cream! Okay, but I do love snuggling up with a hot chocolate and a book and a fuzzy blanket, so there’s that. THE RAVEN BOYS. *nods* Definitely. Or better yet The Scorpio Races, because that one is epic and a standalone.
I LOVE Maggie Steifvater’s books with a burning passion! She just has such atmospheric, lyrical writing. Have you read The Raven Boys? I may actually prefer that series to The Wolves of Mercy Falls, though I am only on The Dream Thieves.
I want to read A Court of Thorns and Roses over the summer, since it’s summer here in the UK.
My TTT: https://jjbookblog.wordpress.com/2015/05/26/top-ten-tuesday-6/
Fair enough. I usually read books out of season but for once ACTOAR fit with my weather! YAY.
I don’t really read based on season, just on whatever I’m interested in at the time.
It’s cooler weather here in sunny California :). I loved the Golden Compass as a kid! Ophelia and the Marvellous sounds like a good read
YAY FOR SUN!! *covets your sunshine*
LOVE YOUR PICTURES. ( Wait… I always love your pictures.) 🙂 It’s actually about to turn summer here. Or I think it already is summer? Huh. IDk. But anyway, I’ve heard mixed reviews abut Black Ice and have been hesitant to read it as well. It sounds like it should be good though. 🙂
ZOMG. THANK YOU. I LOVE MY CAMERA. *hugs camera* Black Ice kind of scares me, but I guess there’s nothing for it but to take the plunge?! heh. ONE DAY. *glares at TBR*
These books sound amazing, and your pictures are gorgeous as always! And lol it’s winter in Australia? It’s summer in Canada (well, almost) and I’m SWELTERING. The humidity. THE HUMIDITY!! Augh, the air is wet.
Anyway, I know you’re a busy little bee, but I tagged you in a….a tag….about tv characters! Its not book characters I know, though I’m sure you could change up the tag if you were so inclined. X) Anyway, I tagged you in that if you’re interested. No pressure at all! ^.^
Also, yes, that last gif is a pretty fine replacement. XD
ENJOY YOUR SUMMER. I shall be being moody here in Oz because I way prefer the heat. -_- Aww, thanks for that tag! I shall go check it out ASAP!
Well, it’s so summery around here that I had a dream about moving to Greenland (and having wings and singing but let’s not get into that) Yes, Sturmhond is the best forever and ever and also I’m in love. YOU’RE NOT THE ONLY MALICIOUS ONE CAIT. And I’m currently reading ACoTaR, which is all right so far except feyre is typical. I like Lucien though. SNOW LIKE ASHES IS GOLD *dies of waiting for ice like fire*. And another book with lots of winter and glaciers is Lirael by Garth Nix which you should totally read *hint hint nudge nudge*
OMG. I WANT WINGS TOO. I never have cool dreams. I basically have White Rabbit dreams in that I’m always looking at the clock and late for everything. Very boring. I want wings. *grumbles copiously* Have you read Rise and Ruin?! (Or whatever it’s called. I think that’s the name, but I’m not 100% sure?) BECAUSE I HAVEN’T AND I REALLY WANT TO. AHh, Garth Nix. Yes. Someday I will get to his books. 😉
I’m basically here for SIEGE AND STOOORM. I somehow have not managed to read any of the other books on this list. Shame on me. But S&S definitely belongs here, and YES it is totally acceptable to adore Sturmhond so much that you want Mal to leave/die/whatever. (This is me, basically. It is also half the fandom, basically.)
OMG though some of these other ones look amazing, too. I can’t wait to get my hands on ACOTAR, Ophelia, and Coldtown—as soon as I read through your comments on those I was like OKAY SIGN ME UP. Anyway, great post, and wonderful subversion of the prompt as usual!
OMG YES AND YES TO STURMHOND HE IS AN ADORABLE DARLING. I’m really desperate for the final book but my library doesn’t have it **gasp** so it’s on the to-buy list which MAY TAKE A WHILE TO GET TO. *cries because Sturmhond* I hope the fandom love wins for this triangle, I relaly really do. Mal is so whiny.
Oh, that’s right! I forgot that Australia is in Winter now. Good on you for rebelling.
I always though the Shiver romance was really weird. You fall for the wolf and then the boy??? Weird order. I probably need to reread this do because I didn’t really give it a chance after that.
I didn’t know Ophelia and the Marvellous Boy was a retelling! I need to put that on my top to reads and fast. Retellings are my thing.
It’s steamingly hot over here on some days. It’s usually hotter than I think especially since I spend about five seconds to five minutes at a time outside until I get to go to the beach and burn myself for fun. I feel like beach lovers are masochists and I don’t mind being a part of that list 😛
Ah, yes, it is a bit odd when you put it that way…since she was definitely infatuated with Same-the-Wolf before Sam-the-Boy. BUT SOMEHOW I STILL SHIP IT. XD And yes! Ophelia is so underrated! It’s MG, but the story is quite intense and I really loved it, plus talk about coooover love. xD
Gosh Cait, what a rebel you are! But yes, it’s getting so cold in Australia and getting out of bed in the morning at 6am is getting less and less fun. Hahah yeah I hated Winterspell as well <.<
I know, right? *flips hair* I belong in District 13 to be honest. ANYWAY. Yes. My 6:30 mornings are dark and misty. :O
CAIT, CAN I JUST COME STAY WITH YOU UNTIL SEPTEMBER? IT’S HOT HERE, WHICH MEANS TORNADO SEASONS. AND THOSE ARE SCARY. SO I’VE HEARD.
Also.
I DISTINCTLY REMEMBER, YOUR BLOGOVERSARY WAS LAST YEAR!
I agree with the disgraceful.
Rejected! Publicly Humiliated! Why, it’s more than you can bear…
Oh noooo. Winterspell was a Nutcracker retelling? I WANT MORE BALLET RETELLINGS. MORE! And I don’t just mean Sleeping Beauty which was actually based off the fairytale…
Snow Like Ashes! I’ve heard that ones really good! And yay! There’s actually snow!
I APPRECIATE YOU VENTURING OUT INTO THE DARKNESS AND THE UNKNOWN TO OBTAIN THAT STICK. WHAT IF A BEAUTY AND THE BEAST WAS JUST PULLED ON YOU AND SOME BEAST CAME OUT AND HE WAS LIKE “THAT’S MY STICK, NOW YOU’RE MY PRISONER”. YOU WOULD BE SCARED TO DEATH RIGHT?
You get it? You get it? Because…ACOTAR is a Beauty and The Beast retelling of sorts. That reference I did up there *points above* is a reference to the Disney movie. True story. B&TB is my favorite.
That girl on the left of the cover of Ophelia and The Marvellous Boy reminds me of Anna from Frozen! That’s one gorgeous cover.
So…I still need to read Grisha and The Coldest Girl In Coldtown, but when I do, I’ll let you know for sure!
I don’t like what I’ve heard about Black Ice at all. AT ALL. BACK AWAY CAIT, BACK AWAY FROM THAT BOOK.
i already told you what it’s like here! IT’S TORNADO SEASON. I’M SCARED. And it’s ridiculously hot and it’s not even that hot. 🙁
THAT’S THE FUNNY THING ABOUT BLOGVERSARIES. THEY’RE KINDA AN ANNUAL THING. *hopes you were quoting Tangled because am quoting Tangled now* XD XD
YES COME STAY WITH ME TILL SEPTEMBER. I SHALL PROTECT YOU FROM THE TORNADOS. We have cyclones here, but mostly in January. *nods* I’ll try not to let the ginormous snakes and bloodthirsty wallabies eat you, but, ya know…no promises.
YES I GET THAT REFERENCE. Maybe I would’ve just poked the beast in the eye with said stick and run into my house screaming? I won’t lie: I wouldn’t be good in captivity with no internet. I neeeeed my internet, my darkness, my books. *cuddles them*
hi,
Great list! Some of these I want to read. I love the photos!!! Thanks for stopping by my blog!
Eep! Thank you!! XD
I actually expected As White As SNOW by Salla Simukka and WINTER by Marissa Meyer (even though it hasn’t been published yet. Dang it.) but still these books are cool! (har har har) And when I initially thought that Neil Gaiman was saying “we have dork(i)ness” which I find fitter than “we have darkness” XD
It’s summer, but WE’RE FINALLY GETTING SOME RAIN. DANCE WITH ME.
And happy blogiversary 🙂 . I can’t believe another year has passed… I still remember last year you held a Alice in Wonderland party!
Would you believe that As White as Snow doesn’t actually have….snow in it?!! It’s about summer in Prague. >_< But I nearly photographed it for cover looks anyway (since the Impossible Knife got in and I still don't think it has snow >_< ) And I HAVEN'T READ WINTER YET, COME ON. I CAN'T CHEAT. hehe. I'd have put Game of Thrones with all their "winter is coming” quips up there but I feel like I blog about them too much, heh.
*dances in the rain with you*
Okay, first of all, can I say that I love how you use words like algefacient? I mean, who does that? Cool people, that’s who.
Also, I just read Snow Like Ashes for the first time and OH. MY. GOD. It was SO GOOD!!
*flips hair* WELL THANK YOU. It is such an epic word, right?! If Maleficent grew algae in her hair it’d be = algefacient.
ISN’T IT JUST INCREDIBLE?!! I’m dyyying for book 2. I loved Theron. :’)
Excellent way to take on this theme! And some lovely photography work there, wow.
Aw, thanks, Nikki!!! I HAD FUN. XD
1) The Golden Compass is a brilliant book. And I want a daemon too. 2) STURMHOND. I love him so much! Gah. 3) THANK YOU I HAVE FOUND ANOTHER COLDEST GIRL IN COLDTOWN LOVER! This book is awesome, and such an original vampire story.
FAJDLKS YAAAAY!!!! I HAVE LITERALLY NOT MET ANYONE WHO LOVES THAT BOOK LIKE I DO. We shall be Cold vampire lovers together. Wasn’t it just so unique?!! It renewed my faith in vampires completely. XD
Oh, it’s absolutely freezing. Like peeing ice cubes kind of cold.
The stick! The stick is clearly the star here. I’d like to hear more about the stick, seeing quite a few of these I haven’t actually read. Where did you find the stick, and why did you choose that particular stick, and say, not a stick that was near that stick? Have you removed the stick from a family of sticks? Where is the stick now?
How is Atticus and the stick getting along? I can imagine that he and the stick aren’t getting along at all.
Is the stick available for children’s parties, and do you plan to change your blog name to include, now with added stick?
See, this is what happens when I start commenting at 5am.
I really ought to dedicate an entire POST to the stick. Why doesn’t it have it’s own instagram yet? WHY DOES IT NOT HAVE A TWITTER? So many questions. *shakes head sadly* I cannot deprive you guys of the Stick’s history for much longer.
Atticus ate the stick promptly after the photoshoot. So there’s that. RIP, sticky.
But, question: why are you up at 5am? I AM AN EARLY RISER AND YET THAT IS TOO EARLY FOR ME.
I have Winterspell and Shiver in my TBR – the covers are so gorgeous though! Black Ice was an okay read, so you’re not missing out on much – the concept as a whole was just cliche. Maybe you might like it better? Love the bookish photography!
ACK. I really ought to try Black Ice because it’s going to bother me…it’s just that non-enthusiastic-feeling. WAH. 😉 Zomg, thank you so much! I love taking pictures!!
Oh, Sturmhond is just a-maz-ing! That’s like the only book I know so it’s all I can say, but I love him a lot. That is all.
He is GLORIOUS. I need the last book because of his gloriousness.
Oh my goodness, Cait! You went out in 50 F (10 C) for a twig? A TWIG?! You’re definitely a dedicated photographer. That Neil Gaiman gif is so perfect! (That is Gaiman, right? Maybe I just embarrassed myself.) I love going outdoors (unless it’s freezing, then I’m a total wimp), but the bit about- “We have keyboards. We have darkness.” YES WE DO!
Sorry. It seems I’ve an all caps twitch today.
I haven’t read any of these books. But I love the photography! (The stick does look good, by of way.) It’s amazing! I like it better than the Goodreads covers (hint, hint- are we going to have more awesome photos!? :D). I did try “Shiver,” but then the romance got heavy and kinda, maybe chased me away. If it’s romance and the cold, I turn chicken.
So which one of these do you recommend that I must, must read?
As for the weather, we’re getting a ton of rain, especially for Texas. Lots of uncharacteristic flooding. And I’m sitting in a McDonalds where they have the climate so cold I’m shivering in my seat wishing I could be Elsa. THE COLD NEVER BOTHERED ME ANYWAYS! But, alas, I am not Elsa, and I think I’ve had too much sugar.
IT IS GAIMAN. He is incredible, possibly my hero. That gif though…he represents writers everywhere. :’) Pfft, why are you apologising for all caps? I LIVE in all caps. Ah, I do understand about Shiver. It is very in the paranormal romance era where everything was very romantic and angsty. I think I’m just forever bound to love all things but Stiefvater, but YUS, I understand.
I’m not Elsa either. *sniffles* We’ll just be Annas together, yes?
Its freezing here, gurl!! Its been -0 here. Great fun waking up in the morning *cries*
But anyway, thanks for these suggestions! I’ll definitely read some of these book during this freezing season.
Also, that Loki GIF is AMAZING!!!
OMG. MINUSES?!! I would die. No, literally. I would be a little cocooned popsicle and it would not be fun.
You could proooobably rename this post Books Emily Hasn’t Read But Really Wants To.
Shiver – GIVE ME STIEFVATER. I have this, but have of yet not fed my Raven Boys obsession with more Stiefvater. But soon. Really soon.
Snow Like Ashes – I want
Siege and Storm – I neeeed the Grisha trilogy (that is what it’s called, right?) in my life!
Oh, and I’d read anything by Laurie Halse Anderson.
I love this post!
OH I’m so jealous of you southern hemisphere-ers. I miss winter so badly! Summer in the UK is not a great season… we mostly have clouds and drizzle and sticky, heavy air – AND I’m allergic to suncream, AND I burn like a mad burny thing. I spent an hour out in the garden having a team meeting at work in APRIL (WEARING A JUMPER) and my back still got sunburned. I’m off to Tunisia soon… I’m just going to resemble a chargrilled tomato the whole time I’m there.
Anyway, I digress. I’m jealous of you for having winter, but I LOVE THIS LIST! I’ve actually read a few of these, and completely agree with you. Shiver just encapsulates winter for me… there’s a bittersweet tone to the whole book that really sums up the tone of winter… (I’m reading this back and that makes no sense, but I can’t find a better way to say it.) Also, Winterspell. I loved that book!
Beth x
I love your take on the topic this week.
I’ve only read The Golden Compass so far but I definitely want to read A Court of Thorns and Roses soon.
Thanks for visiting my blog.
The weather in my corner is unpredictable, as usual. We don’t have any seasons here in Sri Lanka. It’s only either rainy or sunny days.
I really want to read Shiver! I’ve fallen in love with Maggie Stiefvater’s writing, and I have a huge soft spot for werewolves!
*whispers* I still haven’t read Golden Compass. But I am planning to do so soon, along with a couple of “must read” iconic books I haven’t read yet.
I’m pretty sure I’ve never read a single one of those books! I’m not sure about The Golden Compass because my YA Literature professor read one of his books to us as a way of starting class. I just don’t remember which one.
Personally, I would kill for 50°F days. I’m not exactly the biggest fan of summer because I hate heat and sunshine. There… I said it. Oops. I just have really, really light blue eyes, and the sun hurts them. And I have really fair skin. It’s just not good for being outside in the summer.
Shiver, Winterspell and Snow Like Ashes? Throw any of those books at me at any time and I would be happy to read them! It might be approaching summer over here, but I don’t mind ^^ And I liked how you turned this prompt around for you. :3
I totally love it when people forget about our opposite seasons! Good on you for rebelling! One day, I’m gonna share a recipe, ‘forget’ to mention what the temperature would be in Fahrenheit and then make sure all them imperial users undercook their food. Although I need to figure out a way to rebel against the Northern Hemisphere metric users. Any ideas? I really really want to read The Coldest Girl in Coldtown. I’ve been wanting to read a YA Holly Black book for the longest time now. Lovely list Cait!
OH YOU ARE EVIL. Do it.
And Holly Black is a wonderful creeptastic genius…I LOVE ALL HER BOOKS. Well. I’ve read 5 and a half of them (the “half” is that one she co-wrote with Cassandra Clare!) and I’m about to launch into her faerie trilogy. SO YEAH. She is incredible. :’)
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