Sometimes reading is just NOT ENOUGH.
I see these characters with their fabulous hair and their fabulous wit committing fabulous acts and I either get (A) enormously jealous because I can’t even make unburnt toast and here they are conquering the kingdom, or (B) I get enormously inspired to go and do ALL THE THINGS LIKE THEY DID IN THE BOOKS. Just because it’s a book doesn’t mean it’s not real. Books are inspiring. Books changes lives.
Reason #39839 why reading is super dangerous. IT CAN INSPIRE YOU TO GREATNESS.
Now obviously dragon riding and kingdom conquering are my ultimate goals in life — but it’s hard to get that done and be home for dinner. Because #priorities. But regardless of that, today’s list is about books that have seriously inspired me to do things. I will also let you know if I acted on this inspiration or not. Because hahahhaha, usually no. I mean experiencing life is great and all that if you’re into disease and sunburn and nature, but I like my dark hobbit hole.
Today’s Top Ten Tuesday prompt is “Top Ten Things Books Have Made Me Want To Do or Learn About After Reading Them“ which will be ever so fun, because you can see just how UNORIGINAL MY LIFE IS because 96% of things I do I got the idea from a book anyway. Seriously. My dream career is writing. Where did I get that idea? FROM A BOOK.
1. THIS SAVAGE SONG BY V.E. SCHWAB
I seriously cannot wait for my order of this to arrive, because I’m dying for it for BOOKSTAGRAM REASONS. As you do. But moving forward! This Savage Song actually inspired me to get back into music. Sure the music in this book is a violin played by a monster who uses the music to EAT YOUR SOUL. It just made me feel really incompetent about my own music abilities. All I’ve ever managed to do with my violining is make ears bleed.
Regardless, it’s been like 4 years since I quit the violin, and 12 months since I stopped playing cello/piano. I CONFESS I MISS IT. Thanks for reminding me, This Savage Song.
2. THE SCORPIO RACES BY MAGGIE STIEFVATER
I finished my re-read of this a few weeks ago and (A) remembered how ridiculously in love I am with the island of Thisby; (B) plus how ridiculously in love I am with Sean Kendrick, (C) OH AND ALSO the fact that I really really want to ride a horse.
I mean, I think I rode a pony when I was 8 at a market. You know those little tiny horses they sit you on and lead you around in a few circles and 8-year-old-you feels downright epic? MEEEEEEEE.
I would really really love to ride an actual horse. See, I’d even leave my hobbit hole for this. THIS IS KINDA BIG DEAL.
Also, fun fact: during my re-read of The Scorpio Races last month, I startlingly came across Sean Kendrick using the phrase “I’m tolerable” which is a phrase I utter at least NINE TIMES A DAY. Because it’s classier than saying “meh”. Needless to say I didn’t realise I’d inherited this from Sean Kendrick. Nothing in my life is original. I am 97.9% a book.
3. I’LL GIVE YOU THE SUN BY JANDY NELSON
This book 100% inspired me to ART. And I actually did act on this a little and got enthused about my zentangling habits! And promptly dumped my zentangling habits because I’m also super lazy and a perfectionist and if I can’t do it perfectly the first time, I WON’T DO IT, BOB.
But seriously, this book is so suffocatingly arty I dare you to read it and ignore the feeling that you must PAINT THE MONA LISA BEFORE DAWN.
If you want to see my zentangles, look here on my instagram.
4. NARNIA BY C.S. LEWIS
Okay! I admit! Growing up reading The Chronicles of Narnia (and by “reading” I mean “re-reading each book at least 93839 times per month) I was definitely inspired to check my wardrobe for Narnia. I…I did not find it. #fail
While we’re on this topic, also, Edmund is my spirit animal.
5. A DARKER SHADE OF MAGIC BY V.E. SCHWAB
“Cait why is your list drowning in Schwab books?” you ask politely.
IT’S BECAUSE I HAVE NO OTHER CHOICE.
Also I’m aware I’m talking about Book 1: A Darker Shade of Magic, and the photo is of Book 2: A Gathering of Shadows. This is because I DON’T OWN BOOK 1. And this is a great life tragedy and I shed tears generally on Monday to Thursday about it.
Moving forward. ADSOM absolutely inspired me to write adult fantasy. I know this book gets marketed as YA a lot…but it’s actually adult. The protagonists are in their early 20s. Which could be considered New Adult, but is that actually a category OR JUST A JOKE? Who can know. But regardless: I am frequently told that my YA fantasy is too violent and I really want to write DARK FANTASY. So. I shall. This series reminded me you can write fantasy with a YA style, but age up the characters, cut the school themes, and smite everyone most bloodily. Good times.
And for all that are interested, here’s the pinterest board for this adult fantasy I’m plotting. I’M HALFWAY THROUGH THE OUTLINE NOW. It’s all very exciting. And very serious as you can see from this tweet.
6. THE FAULT IN OUR STARS BY JOHN GREEN
Not only did this book encourage me to increase my levels of fangirling (because I mean Level Fangirling: Augustus Waters Over Books is the ultimate aim) but it gave me the most dastardly brilliant idea to end a book in the middle of a sentence someday! Which I’m sure is not the idea John Green was putting forth! But nevertheless! Here I am!
Because honestly, this is an accurate and legit relaying of how it happened:
Augustus: Tell me this book does not end in the middle of a sentence.
Hazel: I know right?! It’s so wrong!
Augustus: It should be illegal!
Hazel: It isn’t fair to the readers.
Me: OMG THIS IS A BRILLIANT IDEA, I AM ABSOLUTELY 1000% DOING THIS, THANKYOU. WOW, WHERE IS MY TO-DO LIST?
Hazel & Augustus: No.
Oops.
7. CINDER BY MARISSA MEYER
Raising her fist, she thunked the android hard on the side of its head, barely catching it before it toppled over onto the table. The prince jumped.
Cinder set the android back on its treads and jabbed the power button but nothing happened. “You’d be surprised at how often that works.”
The prince let out a single, awkward chuckle. “Are you sure you’re Linh Cinder? The mechanic?”
Reading about Cinder’s mechanical capabilities which involved whacking computers to get them working again is honestly my life’s inspiration. I have done this. I attest to it working. I frequently pummel my clock so it continues telling time. Cinder is an inspiration to us all.
And again, GOSH, I do not own Cinder. I literally own the entire series (MISMATCHED THOUGH #SOBBING) but not Cinder. What is my life. What are my choices.
8. THE WRATH AND THE DAWN BY RENEE AHDIEH
This inspired me to want to eat all the Persian food of ever. Which is a big deal because I’m not really one for curries. And when I say “not really” I mean I have the palette of a sensitive flower and if you suggest some strange food to me I will wither and die. BUT C’MON. READ THIS:
…setting plates of food in front of each guest — aromatic rice with fresh dill and split fava beans, lamb simmered in sauce of turmeric and caramelized onions, skewers of chicken and roasted tomatoes, fresh vegetables garnished with mint and chopped parsley, olives marinated in fine oil, lavash bread with rounds of goat cheese and seemingly endless sweet preserves…
9. A GAME OF THRONES BY GEORGE RR MARTIN
Well this has obviously inspired me to hatch a dragon and take the entire world for my own.
Obviously, I haven’t done it yet, but probably tomorrow. Or the weekend because I have library books due and I don’t want fines. I am an evil overlord with respect for library rules, okay?
10. BOOKS IN GENERAL
I just find the whole concept of imagining wild and epic worlds and then mixing up 26 letters in the alphabet to end up with hundreds and thousands of words to tell a story about something that never even happened and that’s printed on the skin of dead trees VERY VERY COOL. Books in general are just freakishly inspiring. And they make me want to be a writer. Ever since I was 12, I’ve dreamed of walking into a bookshop and seeing my books shelved neatly around James Dashner and Susan Dennard.
Just reading any book is inspiring. Like “HELLO, I too have a wild imagination where I create imaginary friends and kill them and this is a legit career please sign me up immediately!” #goals
HA!
I KNEW GAME OF THRONES HAD SOMETHING TO DO WITH YOUR NEED FOR WORLD DOMINATION.
(Also, I loved this post and after reading The Hunger Games stood outside a bakery, smelling bread for hours. And I too Arted afyer reading I’ll Give You The Sun. I live being pressured by books to do thibgs.)
TO BE FAIR THOUGH…my world domination started before I ate Game of Thrones. *nods sagely* It just…fuelled the fire. With no regrets. :’)
Also omg yes The Hunger Games inspires me to eat EVERY TIME.
Books can force such peer pressure on us omg. How dare they.
I can list on about one hand the amount of books that have actually inspired stuff for me. Radio Silence, because I now do a blog series partly inspired by the idea of Aled’s podcast, although I don’t have the actual equipment to do a podcast so I do a blog series instead. The Shadow of the Wind, because it taught me about what it means to actually hold a book in your hands instead of just having an ereader. Yep, that’s all I can think of. It takes a really deep, personal book to actually inspire me to do something.
Omg I really really want to read Radio Silence. BADLY. (Although I heard it was really centred on uni and I haven’t been so…I was nervous about that aspect.) Ahem. I get inspired by books a lot, but rarely actually act on it.😂
AGH YES CINDER. Totally. My watch is constantly dying and I have to pound it against the floor before it works again. Cinder is my technological inspiration. 😀
Jane Farrelly recently posted…The Tag of Description
Cinder is an INSPIRATION TO US ALL.
I so do the Cinder thing! If something does not work then start by giving it a few thumps! I don’t own it either, I have the middle two books…. Books really do inspire you to do a lot of things. They also sometimes inspire me to draw fan art. And write my own book, because occasionally I find a book so terrible the only consolation is I could write something better, which is sometimes more inspiring than reading the most amazingly written book ever.
Clare Farrelly recently posted…Why Do I Read?
It’s AMAZING how thumping things works so well. :’) Cinder is an inspiration to us ALL. (And I often only start collecting series after I know I like the first book.😂 So I have ALL these series that are missing the first one in my bookshelves omg.)
Ohh, being inspired to fanart is such a cool thing! I haven’t…yet.😂 Just because of lack of artisticness. BUT IT IS GOALS SOMEDAY.
I can’t think of anything specific, but OH MY GODDDD, the food in THE WRATH AND THE DAWN was utterly glorious. I’ve never wanted to try foods so badly, haha! And basically every fantasy book EVER with dragons has made me want one. Because, come on, who doesn’t!?
kara @ Diary of a Teen Writer recently posted…Putting the Fiction in Science-Fiction (+ Book Haul!)
WASN’T IT JUST?!? I practically ate the book. I think they should publish a cookbook to go with that because that would be life, basically. But basically books + food = I end up wanting to eat it.😂
And omg YES. If people don’t like dragons then there is something wrong with them, clearly.
YES. Books are so inspiring. When I was younger, I made Turkish Delight because of the Chronicles of Narnia. (It was very good, though I may have boiled it a tad bit too long.) I also built a fort in my closet it and read it in every day until my cat decided to oust me.
I had the same thought when reading The Fault in Our Stars. *evil laugh* It would be so fun.
Also, yes, hitting things to make them work again is 10000% effective. That’s how I fixed our TV for several weeks before we were able to get a new one. I consider myself a mechanic now, tbh.
I too have been inspired to hatch dragons and rule the world. I see where this may cause problems. Perhaps, if it pleases you highness, might I challenge you to a duel of dragons?
Liz Brooks recently posted…The Ben & Jerry’s Book Tag
Omg I want to make Turkish Delight one day!! I’ve bought some specifically to channel my inner Edmund. And I’d totally sell my family out for some. #priorities
WE SHOULD TOTALLY DO THE TFIOS-ANTI-ENDING THOUGH. I’m absolutely going to. I’m sure everyone will murder me but I WILL DO IT.
Pfft, my dragon will eat your dragon because my dragon is fuelled on cake. AND ALSO I HAVE AN ARMY. I WILL WIN THE WORLD HERE.
Man this is difficult. Isn’t everything? Inspired by some form of reading? Although I don’t always remember which book caused which…
I started reading Franz Kafka because the character Kafka on Murakami’s Kafka on the Shore liked his books.
There was a period where I liked walking around barefoot cause some damn character is some damn book liked walking around barefoot. Don’t remember which book though…
Same dude on Kafka on the Shore lived in a library… that sounds cool, no?
There are ma y more that I can’t remember off the top of my head… and the o my ones I can think of right now are too embarrassing mention here…
But yes, I’m definitely influenced by characters in books… I’m also influenced by character personalities… like… every now and then I start to emulate certain characters without even knowing it…
Yeah…
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Omg I have actually read a book because another book talked about it.😂 That’s like bookish-inception-recommending, right??!
And I definitely accidentally emulate characters too.😂 We can’t help that we want to be FABULOUS LIKE THEM WHEN WE GROW UP, RIGHT?!?? (Well, #awkward for me since I’m older than most of the YA protagonists I read about ahhahha. Ahem.)
Yay, I love this post! I find it very inspiring :).
When I was thirteen The Princess Diaries books inspired me to start writing my own diary, and I still write in it till this day! Although not as often or as articulate as princess Mia :P.
Omg, that is so so awesome!! Diary/journalling is really honestly the coolest, and I wish I had the perseverance for it.😂
Okay none of these have inspired me to do the things you’ve mentioned is there something wrong with me or do books just inspire me to read MORE BOOKS is the question here…
DEFINITELY SOMETHING WRONG WITH YOU IF YOU DON’T EVEN WANT TO RIDE A DRAGON AND BURN DOWN THE WORLD.😂
I looove your list! The Scorpio Races is definitely inspires horse riding! And OMG to all the food in The Wrath & the Dawn! I probably wouldn’t even like it, but it sounds so good! Dates! Yum. 🙂
Lori recently posted…Top Ten Things Books Have Made Me Want To Do After Reading Them
I JUST WANT TO EAT THE ENTIRE THE WRATH AND THE DAWN BOOK OMG. It’s totally unfair to make a book so delicious basically. (I wonder if book 2 will be so hunger inducing…😂)
Amazing post! Books really are inspirational little (big) things aren’t they? 🙂
I love the hatching a dragon and world domination one. Definitely a life goal!
And yes, The Wrath and the Dawn also made me want to try Persian food. It sounds so delicious!
Lindsey @ Lindsey Reads recently posted…Ten Things Books Made Me Want To Do {Top Ten Tuesday}
Ohhhh SO inspirational! They practically tell me what to do with my life, which is very convenient. Thank you, books.
I just wanted to DEVOUR EVERY PAGE of TW&TD…which reminds me I need to read the sequel. Like yesterday, oops.
YES books are sooo inspiring. Although a lot of the time, books make me want to do crazy/illegal things before I realise nah I would never pull it off. Probably because most of the books I read are sci-fi or epic fantasies. There was a time in my life I was seriously considering becoming a spy (bless Ally Carter). Oooh the whole espionage thing in these type of books also got me started on coding. OMG whenever books describe food, all I can think about is making food and eating, or just have the food provided ready for me to eat. Ahhh I so want to do horse riding. And of course books always make me want to read more books 😀 Love the post Cait!!
Emily @ theBookishLounge recently posted…The Rise of Nine by Pitticus Lore // Book Reviews
Mostly I’m too LAZY to even attempt anything aahahhaha. I mean, why do it when I can just read about it and not leave my comfy bed? Ultimate lazy bookworm RIGHT HERE.😂
Ally Carter is definitely inspiring for the spy life. :’) Basically any espionage/spy/crime/heist book makes me rethink my life choices as a bookworm, sheesh. Maybe I could take up, you know, stealing paintings in Europe like they do in Heist Society to cover my rabid bookish appetite??? #priorities
This has nothing to do with the post, but I checked out your Instagram and WOW you are insanely popular. Like Jesus Cait, when were you planning on telling me you were extremely famous????
Also not really related to the post, but I adore the dress in the photo of point #3. Like literally, it looks like it would be amazing. I love dresses. And evidently I love writing comments not relevant to the actual post.
Anyway, I love how you’ve been inspired to listen to music again, eat Persian food, and finish books halfway through a sentence. Yes. Brilliant.
Amy;
Little Moon Elephant
AHHHHHH. *dances in a happy circle* 😂 Well, you know, I DO keep saying “I’m queen of all” because it’s happening aaaany day now, obviously. My instagram is proof of my army.
And your comments are WONDERFUL. I am just sayin’! Although what I’m wearing in #3 is actually a shirt.😂 But like one of those longish shirt? I need summer to come back so I can wear it again. <3
I've inspired myself to eat Persian food omg. Actually just to eat food. Why do I blog and make myself so hungry?? gah.
I used to ride horses all the time when I was a kid. I quit when I was 13 because it’s expensive, and I was losing interest in it. Now that I’m an adult, I wish all the time that I could go back to riding. It’s too expensive, though.
Aj @ Read All The Things! recently posted…Review: Nimona – Noelle Stevenson
Oh I can imagine it’d be expensive!! All the fun stuff is GAH. Like music?! Erk so expensive. Reading is expensive. THE WORLD IS SO EXPENSIVE SOMEONE GET ME A GOLD MINE IMMEDIATELY SO I CAN LIVE MY DREAMS.
Sigh. I do not have any comment. I just want to hover here a bit and take in your fabulous post. Hail to the Cait – she who would be queen here after.
Omg, THIS MAKES ME PLEASED. This is a FABULOUS comment, btw. The best of ever basically. *crowns self and rules majestically*
YOU SHOULD GO RIDE A HORSE AND THEN TELL US ALL ABOUT IT. I’ve actually only ever ridden mule type animals who are carrying our bags while we walk and cross high passes (dragged along by enthusiastic parents, long story episodes, and a LOT of gummy worms) and at this camp thing I’ve been to about four times (and some of the riding wasn’t that interesting). But I love it and I want a horse and I love riding so so much omg. How can you not like curry? It’s so tasty and amazing and has so many versions. Just…go and eat some plain die or something, then you’ll realise curry’s necessity (probably. Unless you like plain rice. bleurgh). And I totally agree about ADSOM being adult. Currently in the middle of AGOS and I’m just in need of read it (dangit statistics homework) *goes to said homework with much reluctance*
shar@Virtually Read recently posted…The Memory of Light
OKAY I WILL DO THAT SOMEDAY. It’s on my list of to-dos naturally. I mean, once I get the dragon/world-domination thing done too. Priorities after all.
I like mild curry!! I just think that’s probably cheating because I like curry with no…curry.😂 And I totally like plain rice! hahah SORRY. I was in China for a month and honestly my favourite dishes were always just the bowls of plain rice. >_> Whoops.
Harry Potter inspired me to become a witch. Half Lost inspired me to avoid becoming a witch at all costs.
On a more serious note, I’ll Give You the Sun made me take up drawing again.
Rain @ Ivyclad Ideas recently posted…Series Review: The Hollow Earth Trilogy by Carole E. Barrowman and John Barrowman
Harry Potter and the Half Bad series are definitely at war on the whole witch topic. Like is it good? Is it going to get you murdered?? Gee. LIFE IS SO HARD WHEN YOU’RE MAGICAL APPARENTLY.
OOOOH! Art! I’m in Art School (Well, Visual Communication) but I have about three hours of art per day and IT IS AWESOME! I love that college is all about going there and CREATING AWESOME THINGS. #GoAwayMath.
Also, I used to play the piano until last year, but I don’t think I’m going back to it soon:P
I love this post!! Awesome once again, Cait.
Aditi recently posted…Top Ten Things Books Have Made Me Want To Master (Or Want) (Top Ten Tuesday #11)
OH LUCKY YOU, TALENTED ARTIST!! *flings artistic confetti at you* I kind of dream of being artistic a LOT. Am I? Nope.😂 And math is evil. I’m sure someone’s done a study on that, but it’s DEFINITELY LEGIT THAT MATH IS EVIL.
I really need to read This Savage Song! I’ve been reading a lot of Schwab lately–and I just got Vicious from the library. Next time someone I know goes to the US maybe? Speaking of music, I’m helping a music teacher teach kids violin and today was their first lesson and MY EARS MAY NEVER RECOVER. But I love music! Percy Jackson inspired me to be more sassy (not that I really ever needed help with that) and all the YA heroines every showed me through their behaviour that lying is A CONSISTENTLY DUMB IDEA. And Maggie Stiefvater inspired me to use all-five-senses-writing. And Mando (an Indian short story writer we’re reading in my INdian lit class) taught me that sometimes lack of context/explanation can be very powerful and very creepy.
Shanti recently posted…The Memory of Light
AHHHAHAHHAH VIOLIN BEGINNERS ARE THE WORST.😂 Like seriously, I started at 13 and I think my family wished me dead. Whoops. My sister wants to start my 5yo nephew on violin and I just laugh and then cry and then ask to leave the country. (I’m super subtle and kind, yes.)
Maggie Stiefvater is one of the most inspiring authors in the UNIVERSE for me. :’) I mean, of course. haha, I et that surprised no one.
Books are inspiring! Wonderful list; like you, some books definitely leave me wanting to draw or create some art, but often times it definitely leaves me inspired to maybe write a different genre or try a different theme or something (now if only I could get back to a regular schedule of writing)…
Lianne @ eclectictales.com recently posted…Top Ten Tuesdays
Ahh writing is tricky to fit into one’s schedule.😂 BUT WORTH IT FOR SURE. And omg I love when books are inspiring. I think they have more of an impact on one that way. :’)
That’s the beauty of reading, I must say. Haha. And oh, have I told you that I love how you always pair each post with your beautiful pictures? And even better, all of them are related to the post you’re telling. I can’t imagine how much effort you’ve spent.
That list was awesome and so fun to read! My TTT is lame by comparison. I also have much love for V. E. Schwab and I really want to read This Savage Song! Thanks for sharing 🙂
Pfft, I don’t think anyone’s posts are “lame”. We all are different! And YAY for mutual VE Schwab love!
I envy your bookshelves. Seriously, I am drooling. Okay, not exactly…who am I kidding? about to drool.
Go out there and do things inspired by books! 😀
And now I really want Indian food. Actual drooling. Need to protect keyboard… Have a great day.
Omg thankyou.😂 I am very proud of my collection that’s for sure, hhah.
INDIAN FOOD THOUGH. I have an intense craving after just searching for that quote…
I LOVE THIS LIST. #4 is me, always. Every time there’s a huge-ass wardrobe, I gotta take that chance. And #8! ALL THE FOOD. Fortunately, my cuisine is quite close to Persian, so I’m pretty good in that department. And #9?! YAAAS. #10 is so freaking true as well. Ugh. BOOKS. Why do you make us want to do things. Anyway (lol), great list! Love the photography as well–your bookstagram skills are on point <3
We have our wardrobe-searching-priorities in order, I see. *hi fives* JUST GOTTA FIND THAT RIGHT WARDROBE. And omg Persian food (or anything close😂) just sounds all so divine and you’re very lucky!
AHH BOOKS. We love them, but they are so manipulative and full of peer-pressure. :’)
One time I read a book about a seamstress, and it made me really want to get better at sewing.
Oh that is really cool!! I used to sew but I haven’t for years because lazy.😂
Hahaha that horse gif is hilarious! I don’t know if I’d ever be able to talk myself into riding a horse, or any animal! I just picture getting bucked off, like Paris Hilton on an episode of The Simple Life. No Thanks! 😉 Great Top Ten! 😀
Oh I would probably definitely fall off a horse too.😂 I have the coordination of a lettuce leaf. BUT STILL. #GOALS
There are lot of books that inspire me. OMG! I don’t know where to start..
Definitely agree with your statement,: Books in general are just freakishly inspiring. 😀
hmmm…
Well, The last book I read that inspires is Me and Earl and the Dying Girl 😀 It made me want to write, to be brave & not care what everyone else thinking about my writing.. But I don’t know why I feel those ways after reading Me and Earl and the Dying Girl. hahahaha
Does comic counts? The last comic that inspires me is bakuman vol 15. It made me feel it is okay to be myself, have different dreams and path with everyone else (have sucess definition of my own) and be brave to pursue it 😀
Hana Bilqisthi recently posted…Wishful Wednesday #1
Books are just so so inspiring it is GLORIOUS!! *flings confetti* I love that they’re not just words on page, but can actually get into one’s soul and change lives. :’)
Oh Me and Earl is HILARIOUS!! I love that book. And not caring what other people think about your writing is a grand place to start. 😉 I feel like if someone writes firstly for themselves, they’re on a good path to writing what they’re passionate about!
I’ve checked my wardrobe countless times too. Still nothing there yet. I’m sure if I look into it enough times, Mr Tumnus will come and say hello.
Oh, when you do conquer the world with your dragons, please remember us!
Jamie @ Watch Game Read recently posted…Things I Want to do After Reading about Them
Maybe our wardrobes are broken??? Clearly we need to find new wardrobes. *nods*
And of COURSE I’ll remember you after my dragons have finished eating the world. You will all be my nation to rule over. It’ll be glorious. I’ll make public holidays for reading. :’)
You inspired me to make the first post on my new blog a Top Ten Tuesday and it finally went live today! So… thanks for inspiring me without even knowing it!
Unfortunately I didn’t set my sights high enough for world denomination, but I’m right there with you when it comes to Narnia! I’m still looking for just the right wardrobe.
OMG THIS PLEASES ME IMMENSELY. *beams* I shall go check out yours. And omg, me? Inspiring? Hahahhah. 😂 THAT MAKES MY DAY.
And that’s okay about the world domination since there can only be one, and clearly that one is me. But we can find Narnia together. *packs Turkish delight for the road*
I concede world denomination to you. But if I find Narnia, and we both share in wonderful adventures, I think that discovery warrants a small planet at least, don’t you? 😉
YES I CONCEDE THAT YOU’D BE REWARDED IMMENSELY FOR FINDING NARNIA.
I’ve never been good with music ç_ç
But I know hot t ride an horse U_U When I was ten I was pretty good until a horse decided I was a little shit, so she tossed mt on the ground. Result? Pain in my back, legs and arms for a longo month. That was an evil horse.
And yes, please write *.* I also write. Currently checking my book before trying my luck with publishers. Anyway, if you publish something, I will read it.
Music is soooo awesome but I really am not great at it either.😂 Hence I quit without too much regrets. haha. BUT I DO WANT TO GET BACK INTO IT EVENTUALLY. and improve?! #dreaming
Omg, that sounds horrible about your horse experience. :O
Aww, thank you, Amelia! And I do write copiously.😂 Hopefully I’ll be published someday and OMG GOOD LUCK TO YOU TOO!!
I used to play the piano and stopped and have been missing it recently too. I actually put ‘write a song’ on my list this week so it’s probably going to require me to start playing again too.
Yes! Horse riding! I’ve always wanted to ride a horse. I rode a donkey when I was a kid but I guess it’s not really the same thing!
If I ever read a book that ends in the middle of a sentence I think I will cry buckets of tears. Please give me ample warning if you ever do it!
How did I know that one of your things on your list this week would be food related?! Haha. I’ve never eaten Persian food before, but I have to agree with you that that description made my mouth water 🙂
I love the way you describe books, it’s so true 🙂 It’s always so nice to be able to visit someones blog and have them describe the exact same feeling you feel every time you read a book as something that they feel too. I love my fellow book nerds 🙂
Oh writing songs is cool!! My sister does that (she writes like whole orchestral pieces…I … I have no idea how😂) but I’m SO hopeless at that kind of stuff. I can improvise on the piano though, which is fun.
And omg I will DEFINITELY end a book in a middle of a sentence mwahahh be ye warned and watch out for all my writing hereafter. 😉
AND OF COURSE THERE IS FOOD ON THIS LIST. I’m actually proud of myself for not just listing 10 books with food I want to eat.😂
Persian food is so yummy! And I still check closets for Narnia. ONE DAY I WILL FIND IT! 🙂
My TTT
Clearly our previous closets have just been broken right?!? ONE DAY THEY SHALL WORK.
Books are the most inspiring things EVER. Where would we be without books?! One of the main things books inspire me to do is behave like the characters. Not in a literal sense, I’m not that cool, but in they way that when I do something I’m always thinking along the lines of ‘oooh what would *insert character name here* do in this situation?!’.
Then I might walk up to a tree and pet it because I’m secretly Blue Sargent. Seriously though, I already cared about trees but Blue has inspired my tree caring to REACH NEW HEIGHTS. 😉
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Ohhh that IS COOL. Although my literary heroes tend to be evil and when it’s like “what would [insert scary character] do here?” it’s usually “stab someone” or “burn down the continent” so I think perhaps my roll models aren’t so great. BUT I’M NOT CHANGING.
I WANT TO BE BLUE WHEN I GROW UP.
I haven’t played violin in a literal decade. A DECADE. So I feel confident that you can probably still get back to it, especially if you did celloing and such last year.
Also, I suspect that Daenerys may be single handedly responsible for the dreams of everyone everywhere that involve riding dragons and being queen. Because it’s confusing to me that those things wouldn’t be someone’s goal. I’m afraid of heights and it’s my goal. If only just to sit on top of them with your hair blowing in the wind like “just try and be more badass than this right now.”
The food in the Wrath and the Dawn are serious goals though. I keep meaning to attempt to make something from the book but alas
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I would probably get back into celloing before violining, honestly, because the cello is easier. You don’t have to hold it up. ahhah.😂 AHEM. But in order to do that I have to buy new strings and argh argh expensive. I would rather buy books. MUSIC IS SUCH A DIFFICULT THING.
And yes, it IS confusing when people’s goals don’t involve dragons/world-rulership. ALTHOUGH, obviously I called it first and there can only be one. So it’s probably wise if people don’t want to rule. Mine. *collects the world and keeps it for self forever*
If you ever journey to the States and make it to my part of Iowa, I will gladly allow you to ride my horse, Jezebel.
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WELL THAT IS KIND OF YOU. Although I’m a little concerned about her name.😂 Is she secretly a man-eating waterhorse?!? ehehehh
Ending a book in the middle of a sentence would be 49% cruel, and 51% ENCHANTINGLY AND POETICALLY GENIUS. I’m super glad I’ll Give You the Sun inspired you to art *praises*. (I’m definitely purchasing your entire array).
P.S: your photos are all so gorgeous it’s unfair. *shakes head* please let me absorb your talent.
P.S.S: good luck with your world domination! (but more importantly, I hope you make those library deadlines! AT LEAST YOU HAVE SOME SORT OF LINE. I mean, an evil leader with an utter disrespect of library rules would be downright awful.)
IT WOULD BE BEAUTIFUL, DON’T EVEN DENY IT. Everyone would hate me and I would be monstrously happy. Emphasis on the “monstrously” probably. :’)
Omg, you’re SO NICE TO ME. <33 Taking bookish photos is my favourite thing in the universe probably.
And yes, I am evil with standards. I don't kick puppies and I return my library books on time, but you know, mass destruction of other planets is on my agenda. #priorities
Yes to all of the Narnia! I’ve never actually checked my wardrobe (wait, runs…) but there’s gotta be some way to get there. Ah, if only. I love that cover by the way, with the map on the front. One of my favorites. And that Wrath and the Dawn food! I thought Martin was the foodie descriptor guy, but that’s… just yummy.
And yeah… books in general. That’s pretty much it. Going to live in an imaginary world for a while amd that’s perfectly okay. Awesome!
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One must ALWAYS check their wardrobe!! Mine is clearly broken though, dangit. And eep, it is a nice edition of Narnia isn’t it?! Although really awkward to read with them all in together. BUT STILL. MAP APPRECIATION.
And omg GRRM’s food descriptions should be illegal. I want to devour them. There’s a Game of Thrones cookbook isn’t there?! NEED.
This is such a great list, and it’s amazing how many things you’ve actually accomplished off of your list! That in itself is pretty inspiring haha. Also, I’m very excited to see how you’re going to end a book in the middle of a sentence – it’s probably going to be really painful LOL.
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Omg thankyou!😂 I just need to find Narnia, hatch a dragon, and become a fabulous artist while riding horseback. SIMPLE. I’LL DO THAT TOMORROW.
And omg I know right?!? Readers would hate me. It will be glorious.
Yes! Yes! YES! I am with you on I’ll Give You The Sun. I felt so artsy after I read that. I read that book as a library book and when I finished, on the back end paper was a sticky note. It must have been from the previous person who read it, but the sticky note said “Life is beautiful.” It was in beautiful cursive, and sooooo pretty. The book Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell made me want to read fan fiction. I was obsessed with Grey’s Anatomy fan fiction for like a week, after I read Fangirl.
OMG GOOD THAT IT WAS YOU TOO!! I literally wanted to go paint and sculpt and just draw everything. Did I? NO. But I HAD A WISH! But hey that’s so cool to find a note in a book!! I’ve actually always kind of dreamed of doing that.😂 But I chicken out.
And omg Fangirl made me consider fanfic too actually!! I didn’t end up doing anything about that either, hahha, buuuuut it made me appreciate fanfiction more!
I love your post! So many creative ideas that were inspired by books! I’ve never played an instrument (well I tried piano but that only lasted a month. :P) And the only artsy thing I’ve ever been good at was photography (I love film!) since I took a film photo class in college. I’m also with you on the horses, although I have ridden trail rides, the horses are old and all you have to do is stay on! So I don’t really count that, but I would love to learn how to really ride ^.^
I have also failed to find Narnia, despite years of searching. I’m hoping to find that dragon egg I seem to have misplaced as well…o.O Best of luck! XD
Aww, thanks, Stephanie! *flails happily* OH PIANO IS GREAT! although hard.😂 I played for about 6 years before taking time off, but I’d like to get back into it. :’)
And I could totally deal with an old horse, I think. A new one would probably kill me. I’m about as athletic as old porridge, but still I HAV EGOALS HERE.
It’s possible our wardrobes are broken, right?! *weeps*
I loved piano, but had to choose between piano and photo, and I was a photo major, so I had to give it up. I would love to try to take it up again, but haven’t gotten around to it yet. I also love Cello and my little brother started taking lessons for violin.
Haha yeah, I have rode once on a horse that refused to move, and another wanted to race. I preferred the racer, but as they were both old, even the one who wanted to lead didn’t go very fast, he was just more excited to move, his fastest was a swift trot, and he was easy to slow down if I needed too. I agree I would be afraid to ride a younger horse too. XD
Maybe…I thought I was just opening the door wrong O.o but perhaps you’re right ;D
What a fun topic! Books often do make me wish I could do things more – like being artistic and the like!
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IT WOULD BE SO NICE TO BE ARTISTIC. 😀 I mean, if I practised I could probably improve but ahhaha….who has time for that when there are BOOKS TO EAT?!?
The Kingkiller Chronicle by Patrick Rothfuss actually made ME want to get back into music. Not in the same way as This Savage Song, but … you know, music in a book equals cool things.
Isn’t it just the most frustrating thing in the world to NOT have the first book in a series?! I have at least a half dozen series that ARE MISSING THE FIRST BOOK and it just isn’t fair. Even more frustrating is knowing that I at one point HAD said first books, but they have since gone missing … Hmmm >.>
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Ohhhh I’ve just ordered a Patrick Rothfuss audiobook! I’M SO EXCITED FOR IT TO GET HERE. Music is awesome. :’) It’s especially more awesome when someone else is doing all the hard work ahahahha. Ahem.
OMG I KNOW RIGHT?!? I tend to buy and collect books once I know I like the series. But it ends up with a shelf full of books missing book 1. *cries* And I can’t look up quotes in them or pet them or take photos of them. #tragedy
I’m still looking for Narnia in wardrobes but haven’t found it yet. I’ll get in touch if I ever do. I’ve never even read Wrath and the Dawn and your description is making me hungry! Also I have book envy over those beautiful editions. Great list and gorgeous pics!
My TTT
Oh good. Definitely tell me your secrets when you find it. I THINK MY WARDROBE IS BROKEN HONESTLY. *stamps foot* I need to Narnia.
THANKYOU!
Riding is so much fun, I hope you get the chance to try it one day.
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Well technically I tried it. LITTLE pONY WHEN I WAS 8 YES? 😂
That is awesome!!!
You play the violin/cello? O: I already thought you were the coolest person of ever, but you just got 20,000 times cooler. And yes, you should definitely ride horses and hatch dragons and take over the world. I’d want to live in that world.
I’m thinking of trying photography even though I am the most not-visual person in the world because I read The Tension of Opposites by Kristina McBride, and she makes photography sound really, really cool. Also, I think that if I paid a little more attention to the world around me, I might be able to write better descriptions for my novels.
Keep blogging!
Omg my levels of coolest awesome just went up? MY DAY IS MADE. And yup! I played violin from 13 to about 17 and then I switched to the cello (I tried to do both??? But it’s too confusing hahha) and I’ve been playing piano since I was 12. :’) NOW I READ A LOT THOUGH, so that’s why I kind of don’t really play.😂
Omg photography would be AMAZING to get into! I dream of actually understanding my camera.😂
When I was little, I read about the tin-can stilts in one of the Ramona books (I can’t remember which one now), so I had to have my own pair. This is really showing my age. I don’t even think you can buy juice in those great big cans anymore… Okay, so way back in the 1980s, you could buy juice in great big tin cans. You had to punch the lids with a special punch, which left triangle-shaped holes that you poured from. And you had to do at least two holes, otherwise the juice wouldn’t come out. The cans turned out to be a great size to make the stilts, which you did by stringing a piece of string through the top of each and tying it in a loop, which you held while you stood on top of the cans. It took a bit of coordination to get going, but once you did, it was pretty fun.
Oh, and after reading Matilda I was kind of inspired to learn telekinesis. Easier said than done, though. 😉
I’ve never been horse obsessed like a lot of girls, but I have ridden horses. I did so at camp, twice. Going fast is pretty fun. The second year, I got a kind of lazy horse that stopped whenever she had to pee, and then we’d get behind all the others (I’m sitting there digging my heels into her side, and she’s like, “Nope. I’ll go when I’m ready.”). We did some trail riding, which was highly questionable, now that I think back on it, because if we’d fallen off those horses, we basically would’ve fallen down the side of a mountain. Also, the first year, as we were giving our horses a break in a field, I got too close to mine… and it stood on my foot. Doesn’t sound like a big deal, but, holy crap. Horses are heavy. I actually had the imprint from the lettering on its shoe stamped onto my foot for the next week or so. I’m lucky it didn’t break the bones!
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Ohhh I loved Ramona as a kid! Although, well, that wasn’t that long ago for me.😂 hahahahh. AHEM. But that’s still cool that Ramona inspired you! :’) And you actually DID stuff because of books. Like that in itself is the best. The most bookish thing I did as a kid was insist I eat Turkish Delight because EDMUND APPRECIATION. (I mean, it was okay??? But I probably wouldn’t sell my soul for it.)
I was inspired by Matilda to read my whole library! I … have not done that yet. Tomorrow, maybe.
omg I can actually imagine a horse standing on your foot would be awful. :O And I was never overly horsey as a kid either. Although I DID spend my 15th year writing about man-eating horses because why not apparently.
Oh, the power of books! I knew Game of Thrones would appear on your list, Cait. 😉 Books have inspired me so much too, especially to pursue a writing career – which is why I am studying writing in uni now, woo!
OF COURSE. 😂 I can’t even help myself and my rabid obsessions hahaah. Ahem. OMG YOU’RE STUDYING WRITING AT UNI!! AHHH!!!!! That is so epic. 😀
You know, when I was little when it came to The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe I always wanted to try turkish delight. For some reason, checking my closet for Narnia just wasn’t the same as going through an actual wardrobe. If anything storage related, it made me want to have a wardrobe if anything. 🙂
I need to get back into my music, too. I used to play trombone, until mine got damaged when it was sent in for a cleaning (and then the shop went out of business and refused to do anything about it!!) several years back. I wish trombones weren’t so pricey…
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Did you ever get to try Turkish Delight?!? I DID. I was at like this market or festival or something and I absolutely BEGGED for Turkish Delight to just, you know…embrace my inner Edmund.😂 It was good! But I probably wouldn’t sell my soul for it. Might sell a sister or two though. When you have so many of them, eh, what’s selling one or two for desserts?
Omg that’s terrible about that shop and your trombone! SO WRONG OF THEM ERGH. And yes, good quality instruments are awful with prices/upkeep right? If I want to get back into celloing, I’ll probably have to spend $100+ on new strings and that’s daunting. *runs away to cry*
Your photos are, as always, SUPER BEAUTIFUL. 🙂
I love your choices too! Especially the one about making art! I’ve done art for almost 3 years when I was younger, then when I got to high school and college, I kind of just fell off of it. Now I don’t know if I can still do good ones. 🙁
I agree! Books are always inspiring! We can always apply a thing or two in our daily life. 🙂 Your blog has been one of my inspirations since I started reading it. It’s a happy pill, as well! 🙂 You’re a brilliant creature of Earth, Caiiit! 😀
AND YOU ARE KIND AS ALWAYS, THANKYOU. <3
Ohhh, that is awesome that you at least used to art!😂 I've never really done any? Tbh I never even coloured in colouring-books as a kid hahhaa. OH DEAR. WHAT WAS MY CHILDHOOD.
Awwww, I'm an inspiration? *blushes* THIS MAKES MY DAY.
The Scorpio Races is just a ridiculously good book, really. And I love how I’ll Give You The Sun got you into art! For me it was Me and Earl and the Dying Girl (more of the movie than the book), but making my own artmess is still more of a bucket list thing for me right now.
Omg TSR is just THE BEST. I literally cry over it and I only re-read it like a month ago and already I miss Thisby (aaaand Sean Kendrick. <333) SO YES. Oh I haven't seen Me & Earl the movie yet!! The book was freakishly hilarious.😂
Hah! This is such a fun list! My favorite thing is when books talk about specific songs and then I discover awesome new music because a book talked about it and then I’ll look in the youtube comments for the music video and people are like, “who else was brought here by X book” and I’m like OMG YES THESE ARE MY PEOPLE
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OH THAT IS SUCH A GOD IDEA THOUGH. I always love finding new music to…although the youtube comment section can be so scary hahha. 😂
So I think I have literally LONGED a time or two in my life to run into Narnia in some random cupboard. Portal fantasy is the best and most enticing because it could literally just be through that door. Also I would very much like to be a whiz mechanic and wouldn’t mind if I had to be a cyborg to accomplish that.
I’m sure my wardrobe is just BROKEN because omg why am I not in Narnia yet??? What IS THIS LIFE. *pounds on wardrobe and demands snow and fawns*
I love that you talk about how books make you want to eat, and now that I think about it, it’s definitely true. And books randomly get me into music too, but for me it was This Song Will Save Me Life by Leila Sales. And pretty much anything by Rachel Caine, because most of her books have a playlist at the end, of the songs she listened to when writing. I think checking the closet for a way to Narnia was something everyone who has ever read that book has done!
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Books inspire me to eat ALL THE TIME hahah. I just finished The Boy Most Likely To and I am seriously craving cereal right now omg. Ahem. AND OH I LOVE THIS SONG WILL SAVE MY LIFE!! I read that yeeeears ago but it totally stuck with me. <3 And I love Ink & Bone but that's the only Rachel Caine book I've read so far. #shame I need to get onto more.😂
Books inspire me in general too. They also inspire me with food cravings like I’m reading they are eating pizza in a book then I want pizza.
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SAME. I literally just finished a book where they chronically ate cereal and all I can think of is how much I really really need to eat cereal right now.😂
Hope you get back into music and I have never tried Persian foods before but that would be a new experience,
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I probably will take up piano ago someday.😂 My cello needs re-stringing and omg that’s so expensive! So I don’t know when that’ll happen. BUT YESSS TO PERSIAN FOOD. I want all the bookish food. *eats the book*
We share playing music and riding a horse today~ And yeah ADSOM makes me want to write again. But I suck at plotting, haha. And I’m waiting because with the baby coming I don’t think I’ll have the time to write, blog and read. 😛
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Ahhh plotting is my favourite!! Sometimes I think it’s more fun than writing (less commitment? hahhah 😂) but omg I can’t imagine having a baby AND writing/reading/blogging! So true.
Ahh, you are incredible with taking photos of books! your photos are amazing, giiiirl! <3
Great list and very inspiring! I recently bought I'll give you the sun and I'm super excited to read it! I'm also into drawing little patterns and like you I'm perfectionist..exactly my thoughts on that!! 😀
OMG THANKYOU. *blushes* That’s honestly so nice to hear!! I had fun with this photoshoot.😂 Oh oh and you are in for SUCH a treat with I’ll Give You The Sun. It is such an incredibly writing book. *shrieks*
Oh my lands yes! Books have made me want to do quite a number of things from little things like braiding my hair in two braids to big things like traveling the world. In fact, books have inspired so much of my life that I don’t even know where to begin.
Caving? Check.
Eating? Check.
Writing? Check.
Sitting in a field at the foot of the Swiss Alps? Check.
And the list could probably go on forever.
Aidyl from Noveltea
THIS IS INTENSELY AWESOME. I LOVE IT. :’) I feel like growing up on books has totally influenced like…everything in my life too.😂 Exactly no regrets.
I think if a book I was reading ever ended in the middle of the sentence I’d DIE. omg. or, I’d proper chase the author like the two of them did in Fault inOur Stars because I just haveeeee to know.
Well, never fear, you would die, but the character would probably be dead too for the story to end like that, right? SO AT LEAST YOU WOULDN’T DIE ALONE. #positives 😂
I absolutely love your list! I love the fact that Cinder inspired you to whack computers, because, what is can you really do? I haven’t read all of the books on this list, but I really want to pick up This Savage Song now, it sounds so cool! Especially as a fellow violinist, I can feel it calling to me.
Sometimes thumping technology is ALL that’s left to do in life. :’) And zomg, you MUST try This Savage Song!! I 10000% RECOMMEND IT’S GLORIOUSNESS.
Haha I totally do the Cinder thing too! I also felt quite artsy after I’ll Give You The Sun, but soon realized I’m a perfectionist and I’m too impatient to actually art well. lol. And yes! I didn’t even think about it, but I could totally go for some Persian food now. Also Laura Jean inspired me to want to start baking, but I only ever do that if I’m with my baking extraordinaire friend because I’m an incompetent cook.
Omg, PERFECTIONISTS UNITE! It’s so so hard to practise being arty when I can’t get it perfect the first time hahaha. And I actually didn’t even know To All The Boys featured baking until this week…but now I 10000% NEED IT IN MY LIFE CLEARLY. (Although I’m a horrible cook.😂 But at least that has delicious benefits so I’m willing to practise.)
Hmmm… I can’t think of any specific examples of things books inspired me to do. Books, in general, inspire me to do more with my life. They inspire me to travel and make friends and have adventures (of the non-violent variety). I can see why The Scorpio Races inspired you to go horseback riding. I went once with my dad during winter break and it was so awesome!
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Ohhh, books ARE so inspiring in general I totally agree. :’) And omg YAY for actually riding a horse!! I hope yours wasn’t a flesh-eating one!! But otherwise HUZZAH!!
As usual, Cait, this post and your writing are amazing. Well done. I agree with your opening – all of these characters with their perfect hair and all that jazz. *sigh* How are we to compete with THAT!? 😉 (BTW, you do have the wit thing down.)
We all want to find Narnia. That’s totally normal. 😉
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OMG THIS MAKES ME VERY HAPPY, RISSI, THANK YOU. Also yes, I mean, sheesh, if you have fabulous hair and can still fight zombies and all that…how can we mere mortals even hope to compete???
mm yes i agree I’ll Give You the Sun really MAKE ME WISH I TAKE ART CLASS SERIOUSLY. I really want to paint something after finishing that book! Also TWATD! reading that book make me really hungry xD (I’m always hungry tbh)
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I’m always hungry too.😂 TW&TD was basically just encouragement to EAT ALL THE THINGS OF EVER.
See, I went totally silly with my list. I think you’d approve: one of the list was BEING A DRAGON.
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BUT BEING A DRAGON IS A LEGIT AND POSSIBLE THING TO WISH FOR RIGHT?!?!
Hunger Games actually got me back into archery. I’d quit years ago after an injury and then I read Hunger Games with my daughter and I was like “that doesn’t actually work with shooting” and my daughter was like “what do you know about it *eyerolls the stupid adult*” and then I had to get back into it to prove I did know thank you very much. And I remembered how much I loved it and how zen it was for me and I couldn’t remember why I quit.
Bahahah, that’s hilarious. I’m glad it motivated you to archery again, then!
Well Tolkien’s books inspired me to write my own books. I say ‘oh my gods’ IRL because of PJO, and ‘yeah” at the end of scentences because of Day from Legend. Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell inspired me to finish my Carmilla fanfic. Theres more, but i’m tired and cant remember lol
Tolkien inspired you? I COULD NOT TELL. 😉 ahaha, ahem. *gives you Middle Earth-ish cake* OH OH FANGIRL IS TOTALLY INSPIRING. I LOVE CATH.
My brother & sis-in-law actually have a horse (she is beautiful!) I don’t ride, but the sis-in-law does. (Look at me, all grown up with a sister-in-law! Now if only we didn’t both look about 14… dammit shortness!)
Also my wardrobe does not have Narnia but looks like it should – it’s a ’50s wardrobe I inherited from my grandfather and it has a key and locks to open the doors. And round metal handles. I never thought I could love furniture this much, but when you lovingly strip something of 50 or 60 years of nicotine staining and then wax it ’til it’s pretty and shiny, and it makes you remember one of the most wonderful people you could’ve ever had in your life… yeah, ok, I love the wardrobe. >.<
Ohhh THAT IS COOL. I don’t know anyone with a horse. I don’t even know anyone with a pet.😂 hahah. Ahem. No wait, my sister has chickens, but I don’t think they’re ridable.
duuuude, you have an actual POTENTIALLY NARNIAN WARDROBE???!!? Lucky. That is my goals in life. Maybe you could, like, set out dishes of Turkish delight and try and lure the doors open???? That should work.
HOW can you not know anyone with a pet?! I don’t know anyone WITHOUT a pet – you have to bring the fluffiness into your life!!!!!
And Turkish Delight… now *there’s* an idea…
Well, I have a pet but I didn’t know if that was counted.😂 I have a dog!!
Yay! Dog! 🙂
Hi, again! (Aren’t I annoying?) How was your day, Cait?
Hmm… I’ve been made to do lots of things due to books. The Shadowhunter novels made me want to pen hundreds of symbols on myself (which I did do before I realised I was still civilised) and the Teardrop series made me pretend to be the queen of water. This caused me to – not very maturely – splash around in a pool willing the each droplet of water to loyally save me from drowning. I ~might’ve~ whispered “I am very grateful to you my, loyal citizens” to the water, earning strange glances.
BUT ALAS, AM I TO BE BLAMED?
The life of a bookworm isn’t a very normal one, or a completely normal one depending on how you look at it.
Happy reading, Cait!
Enjoy your weekend! 😀
You’re not annoying, you’re wonderful.😂 And I think your attempts to rule the water are GLORIOUS and DON’T LET ANYONE TELL YOU THAT YOU CAN’T E QUEEN OF THE OCEAN IF YOU WANT TO. *flips hair majestically* We bookworms will not be stopped.
I love your list! Like you, I loved Narnia as a kid (and I think I might love it more now!) And the Lunar Chronicles are one of my favorite series I’ve read recently. Love your idea to end a book in the middle of a sentence. Think of the way people would analyze it (and be confused by it)! Haha. Thanks for stopping by my TTT earlier 🙂
I kind of want to re-read Narnia and relive those magical feels…I just hope my feelings won’t have changed too much. Bahha. And omg isn’t ending-a-book-in-the-middle-of-a-sentence just GENIUS? So cruel. So perfect. :’)
This was such an entertaining post! If you ever come to the US, I can teach you how to ride a horse! It’s like a life requirement in Texas. 🙂
AH. I SHALL DO THAT, CHARLIE. *adds it to to-do list*
So agree! After reading Cinder, I was so inspired to figure out how computers and machines work. Gave up after first 5 minutes, oops 🙂 OOOh when I read Made You Up, I was so inspired to start keeping a little notebook and writing does the weird facts I learn, and it’s kind of working out. Kind of? Haha 🙂
Bahaha, I GET THAT. I get grand ideas sometimes to do something brilliant because of a book and then I’m like “wait, no, I was not made for this”.😂
YES TO ALL. I can’t wait to read This Savage Song…although since my mum sold the piano I haven’t been piano-ing for a while (or at all, really).
And Daenerys is obviously #goals.
I CANNOT WAIT FOR YOU TO READ THIS SAVAGE SONG. (Or The Scorpio Races…ahem. *nudge nudge*)
Tale of Despereaux inspires me to want to eat soup. And paper. Sometimes I act on the soup inspiration, but I rarely eat paper.
The Book Thief inspired me to write with bold and unconventional imagery.
Ender’s Game inspired me to WANT A BATTLE ROOM. I didn’t act on that inspiration because….. I don’t know how.
Most books (that I love) inspire me to A) READ IT AGAIN, B) Write, C) Get myself stabbed/shot/almost drowned so I can better relate to the characters and accurately write about my own characters D) Wander the house listlessly, mourning for a fortnight.
I have to admit, I think that’s probably wise??? I mean, paper kinda looks okay sometimes…IF YOU WANT TO EAT A TREE I SUPPOSE. (My dog eats paper and we disagree on his life choices a lot.😂)
I’m glad the Book Thief inspired you in a non-thieving way!
And omg ENDER’S GAME BATTLE ROOM = WANT. I need to go to space war school obviously. SIGN ME UP.
Books inspire me all the time, thanks to J.R Tolkien I want to have adventures, and go live with the Elves so I can finish my book.
Ohhh ELVES. Lost of Elven appreciation here too!!
Gee, thanks, Cait. I am no significantly hungry and dinner is still 1+ hours away. Gah!!
Oh, but Edmund is my spirit animal (person? what is this??) as well. And somehow as tiny children, I would play Lucy (though she is obviously the best since she discovered Narnia … but still).
MY WHOLE CHILDHOOD REVOLVED AROUND NARNIA. At age 4/5, only a couple years after the first movie released, a friend (my only friend … yep) introduced us to the movie. BAM. A few years later my sister and I ran a “fan club” at our church, had read (er, listened to all the audiobooks. many times.) the books many times, had all the movies, did role-playing, etc. I BREATHED AND ATE NARNIA.
(Funny story … A few days ago my younger brother and I watched The Lion …. Wardrobe after 1 1/2+ years of not watching it. Lotsa nostalgia. Needless to say, my brother will no longer watch Narnia with me.)
YOU’RE WELCOME. I’m hear to torture! :’)
Edmund is just the most realistic one. <333 That's why we all love him.😂 Plus, I mean, FOOD. Selling your family out for food is totally something I might do...and honestly the White Witch knew what was up by bribing people with food. That's my world domination plan, tbh. ANYWAY I'M GLAD YOU ARE A NARNIA FAN ALSO. Growing up in Narnia is the BEST CHILDHOOD EVER.
I think I could quote all the Narnian movies by this point.😂
Let’s not even get me started on how hungry The Wrath and the Dawn makes me 😭 The food sounds so ridiculously delicious in it!
One day Cait, we will have our dragons. One day 🐲🐲🐲
Also you nearly gave me a heart attack – for a moment I thought you hadn’t put a Stiefvater book on your list!! But it’s okay, I’ve now spotted it. Phew. That would’ve meant something was wrong in the world.
The Wrath and the Dawn should probably be illegal omg. Someone talk to the author about the levels of torture she’s putting us through. I mean, what did we even do to deserve that???
And we WILL have our dragons. It’s certain.
And pfft, if I didn’t put a Stiefvater book on the list it’d be like code for me sending “MY BLOG HAS BEEN HACKED!!” messages or something. Because this is ME we’re talking about. Me = Stiefvaterfan at all times.
I have definitely checked a few closets/wardrobes for Narnia as well. Sadly, I never found it either!
Our wardrobes are just BROKEN. DON’T GIVE UP AMY. We’ll find Narnia eventually!!
Literally, for everything I do it’s like :
Me : Oh this is like in this book OR this other books takes place there OR this word reminds me of this book etc
Mum, Dad, sisters, cat, flower : *sight*
Ohhh we bookworms are ENTIRELY under-appreciated. *sighs long-sufferingly*
I love this list! I think it’s so awesome that you were inspired to dive back into music and write dark fantasy unashamedly and WHACK TECHNOLOGICAL DEVICES WHEN THEY’RE BEING ANGSTY! Also, the TFIOS one. YES! Do it!
And riding horses is awesome by the way.
Fairytales and Tolkien always inspire me to write high fantasy. And The Princess Bride inspires me to write satire and anything that is not serious (aka not high fantasy XD). I guess, outside of writing books don’t inspire me a lot? Although I do want to climb a mountain from reading Peak (although I wanted to mountain climb before that too). And I wish I could fence which comes from every fantasy book ever. I’d love to sail on a tall ship! And furl and unfurl sails all day, but yeah, that probably won’t happen. . .
AHH THANK YOU ASHLEY. It’s an exciting thing to be inspired by dastardly books. THE WORLD KNOWS NO LIMITS. And I thoroughly believe you that horse-riding is awesome. Omg it’s totally on my bucket list.
I seriously want to read The Princess Bride! Isn’t it kind of shameful that I’ve watched the movie 938493 times and not read the book?? Where are my life priorities. What are my choices.
Oh but do you want to Climb Everest?! BECAUSE PEAK WAS EXHAUSTING.😂 I was so so tired after reading that (and you’re like the only person I’ve heard of who’s read that!)
OH MY GOSH I MUST TRY PERSIAN FOOD NOW!!! I’m sorry, but if there is food in a movie or a book that sounds delicious, I will not be at peace until I try it. (e.g. Turkish Delight, and yes, Edmund is fabulous). Oooohh, I need to art and music more… #goals
I’m currently reading Resist by Emily Ann Putzke and it’s inspiring me to illegally speak out against oppressive governments. HELP!!! Books are going to put me in jail!!!
WHY ARE YOU BEING SORRY. I THINK THAT’S A GLORIOUS GOAL.😂 I love food in books! I craved Turkish Delight so bad…and omg reading (and watching!) Charlie and the Chocolate Factory killed me EVERY TIME. I just wanted to devour the whole thing.😂
Have fun in jail! *mails you books*
I am overjoyed that you are getting back to your mysuc!
Hahha, I said I wanted to, I don’t know if I will yet.😂 Maybe though!
The ending for The Fault in Our Stars was painful but GENIUS. I’m actually reading THIS SAVAGE SONG and it makes me wish I knew how to play violin xD There have been so many books that mention food (even in passing) and I’m always like AHHH FOOOOOD! Great post! 🙂
Alise recently posted…July 2016 Wrap Up
Ohhh are you liking This Savage Song? I HOPE SO BECAUSE IT’S GLORIOUS. *shrieks happily* And I’ve actually started a “foodie” shelf on goodreads now to collect all the food-adoring books. #priorities 😂
OMG you play cello & piano?? I have two MC’s that each play one of those too! So basically what I’m saying is you have to read that when I’ve actually written it. Also I love Edmund too! & No luck in my search for Narnia either. Though I think it ate my pajama pants cause they’ve been missing for a week now. #rude
YAAAY WRITE BLOODY FANTASY! Smash my feels some more why don’t you? But I agree. Books are ever so inspiring! 🙂
Bee @ Quite the Novel Idea recently posted…In Which Patrick Ness’s Writing Is Still Amazing
Bahahah, YES. I’m so helpful aren’t I? You’re welcome for future beta-ing.😊 MAybe our wardrobes are just BROKEN THO?? Because it’ weird that Narnia just doesn’t seem to be around. Sheesh. WHAT IS WRONG WITH THIS LIFE.
And my #1 goal in life is to smash ALL THE FEELS. :’) I bet nobody knew that.
Ok It’s my first time on your blog and I am officially addicted! It’s gorgeous and your posts are so fun! I will be back… a lot!! 🙂
What what what, Becca?!? Surely you’ve been here before!😂 We chat on your blog/instagram all the time hahah.
I’m currently reading The Scorpio Races (I hope it’s as good as everyone says it is..). I haven’t read Narnia (I know but I hope I will soon..)
The Fault in Our Stars… I had some mixed feelings about it but I’m not here to spoil your day (despite being a pessimist).
Ugh, I like books set in the Middle East. Man, they know how to cook! A book that changed my way of thinking was A Thousand Splendid Suns (though I preferred Kite Runner). It kinda scarred me, though (but not as much as the Kite Runner).
I SWEAR THAT THE SCORPIO RACES IS THE MOST BEAUTIFUL BOOK TO GRACE THIS UNIVERSE. *collapses fangirling over it* <333 Aw, but I appreciate not hating on TFIOS when you know I like it!😂 That's actually super kind of you hahah. Books are subjective right?!? At least there's something for everyone. :')
I read the graphic novel for The Kite Runner and woaaaah. I REALLY want to read the actual version but also it was so sad.
You are so right that books inspire us to do things we wouldn’t otherwise do! Or things we’ve forgotten about. This is such a great idea for a post!!
Yayy, it was so fun! I love the TTT prompts. Always so creative.😂
That last picture and your amazing lifting prowess!! You may not rule daintily like the khaleesi, but rather like the khal himself!! With actual real live iron fist *and shoulders if you do that lifting on a regular basis*
Made me laugh as usual. You’re hilarious Cait <3
I love A Darker Shade of Magic because I’ve been wanting to read books with characters in their early twenties for fucking AGES and no one but V.E. Schwab or Rainbow Rowell delivers (I also love it because it’s well written, and magical and basically the best of ever, but that’s beside the point). I laughed out loud at your New Adult comment because …pretty much, yeah. I feel like characters in their twenties could even count as YA because, like, they are? But if we have a genre like New Adult, which SOUNDS amazing on first glance, can it please be something other than what it is?? I was so excited when I first heard about it and then I was like yeah…… no.
I get so confused as to where characters in their early 20s fit in!? Like there doesn’t seem to be many books about them? WHAT IS THIS LIFE. WHY ARE WE IGNORING THE 20S. *cries because is in 20s and doesn’t like it here* And VE Scwhab is just magical with her writing abilities. I want to devour all her books at dawn.😍 Oh wait. I ALREADY HAVe. Because sensible.
I feel like I’ve commented on this already, so maybe I have, but I don’t feel like I had this particular thought before, so #rebel I’m COMMENTING ANYWAY. First of all. I NEED TO READ THIS SAVAGE SONG. AS IN NOW. And also…. I love horseback riding. I’ve done it exactly twice, once being last year, and it was just as great as it was when I was eight. SCORE.
Aaaaaaaaand I own Cinder. But not the rest. You and I have similar and yet opposite problems. Sob.
ANY GOOD BOOK INSPIRES ME. If it does not inspire me…. The book is probably a dud. I LIKE THAT WORD.
And finally…. What about looking at books and buying books??? I went to the most awesomest bookstore in the history of ever today and I was literally in heaven and I felt like crying. I didn’t. I bought only two books. I surprised myself and everyone else because WHERE DID THIS SELF CONTROL COME FROM.
Amy recently posted…I LOVE NETFLIX. AS IN, A LOT.
YOU DO NEED THIS SAVAGE SONG. EVERYONE NEEDS IT. *flings monstery confetti in the air* And so clearly our collections complete each other, omg, we must combine our forces. This would solve all of life’s problems, yes? YES.
wooooo! Go you with self-control!😂
YES. YOURE ONLY MAKING ME WANT IT MORE,
Hahaha YES. It really would!
XD
I just ordered A Darker Shade of Magic because I couldn’t take it anymore. It’s in every book blog I visited and I damn love 20 year old people in a fantasy book. Now, I’ll have to wait at least a week since I’m all the way in the Philippines, and my hands and eyes are getting itchy. After I read that book, I will scroll through your reviews again to see what else will make itch.
I SO HOPE YOU LIKE IT WHEN IT ARRIVES. *flings confetti everywhere* It is so good, I promise, omg one of my most favourite books ever. <3
“This series reminded me you can write fantasy with a YA style, but age up the characters, cut the school themes, and smite everyone most bloodily. Good times.”
You know, reading this is strangely liberating. I think I’ll end up writing books like this, too. xD I have several ideas of stories that “feel” YA, but the characters are clearly older in my mind, AND they’re pretty dark sooo….
Yay for adultish literature! *fist pumps*
Brianna da Silva recently posted…I’m Going on a Hiatus… (Plus: Writing Update!)
It IS so liberating omg. Like I literally thought I’d never write adult ever…but now I have 4 books planned for it. I want to keep my YA style/pacing/action/dialogue…but just be a bit more bloody.😂 #winning