TGIF: Most Valuable Book

THE QUESTION: 
From your personal collection of books, which ones hold the most value to you?

When I read this question, a few books instantly jumped to mind, so those are going to serve as my answer. I've got quite a few signed books and author moments from over the years (and especially over the past year) that are all cherished, but these are the books I couldn't help but think of...

01. My copy of THE PERKS OF BEING A WALLFLOWER from when I was a teen. I got it as a new book at my local bookstore (after seeing a commercial on MTV -- haha). It's been read many times and has all sorts of writing, highlights, and underlining in it from that time in my life. Back then, I even bought a second copy for loaning out, because I loved the book so much, but didn't want anyone to mess up my special copy or read all of my little notes. (Click here, here, or here for more on my love of Perks.)

02. My Collector's Edition copy of The Tales of Beedle Bard -- It's a reproduction of one of the seven copies of the book handwritten by J.K. Rowling featuring the stories referenced in the Harry Potter series. Amazon bought the 7th copy (for a few million!) to reproduce it in a limited run. They made (up to) 100,000 copies and it cost $99, with the proceeds going to charity. Go here for Wired's detailed look at the big book (case), the drawings, and the little book itself. There are copies for sale on Amazon, but it looks like they're going for $250 right now.

03. Every Jane Austen and Jane Austen-related book I own. And there are a lot. I buy her books every time I see one with a cover I love. Or with extra details that I don't want to miss. And I buy books about her just as much. They take up more than a standard shelf on my bookcase now, so it's certainly my largest collection by/about one author. As far as I can tell, anyone who is a reader, but not a huge Austen fan, just hasn't had the right reading experience of any of her books yet (or old timey, snarky humor flies right over their head). She was witty and brilliant and calling people out on their crappy behavior before  it was cool. (Once you get into her style, I recommend Persuasion. It is a masterpiece of inner monologue.)

04. My signed Delirium! I went to see Lauren Oliver at a bookstore nearby last year and had my best ever author-chat-at-a-signing-table experience. (I also really enjoyed the part before the signing. She's a fantastic storyteller and answers questions honestly.) The note is because we talked about our nail polish. She recommended the shellac, since I like colors on all the time, and is the reason I finally tried it and got totally hooked for months & months.  

What's your most valuable?

#$%

If you're into taking a tiny peek at my living room (seriously -- sofa, ottoman, pillow) or looking at the most delicious fish tacos of my life (with links to recipes), swing by my personal blog and take a peek. (Living room is here. Fish tacos are here.) 

What have you been up to this week? Catch me on Twitter! I basically live-tweeted my reading of MY LIFE NEXT DOOR last night, if you're interested... spoiler free, and full of tons of crazy, fangirling love. (I saved my spoilery freak outs for Ginger.)

TGIF is a weekly feature hosted by Ginger at GReads. 

TGIF: Becoming a Book Blogger

THE QUESTION: 
What made you decide to start your very own book blog?

One of the only hobbies I've had longer than blogging/generally posting things on the internet is reading. I've had personal blogs for years & years.

Last May (almost to the day!), I had been posting a few book posts here and there on my personal blog when I realized I wanted a separate blog for discussing books. (My other blog is mostly about life, especially when I lived outside of the states, family/beagle/immigration, pop culture, food, and home decor... there wasn't really room or an audience for constant talk of YA.) Thus, Storybound Girl was born.

Almost instantly, I met a fantastic group of other local book bloggers, and found a whole world of fellow book lovers I wouldn't have known about otherwise. I'm so happy I took the leap... It meant new friends and no longer being the only adult in love with YA in my life.

What about you? I'd love links to book blogs, personal blogs, and any other sort of blogs. I'm always looking for new daily reads!

TGIF is a weekly feature hosted by Ginger at GReads. 

TGIF #05

TGIF is a weekly feature hosted by Ginger at GReads. Each week, we re-cap the week's posts and answer a question.

THE QUESTION: 
Making a Difference: Which book(s) would you put in the hands of today's teenagers in hopes of making a difference in their lives?

THE PERKS OF BEING A WALLFLOWER by Stephen Chbosky - I read this book as an impressionable 16-year-old when it came out way back in 1999, after seeing an ad on MTV. I read it over and over and over throughout the next few years. I have two copies now. My original one is full of highlighted sections and little notes that instantly remind me of who I was and how I felt when I go back and re-read them, and the other is the one I loan out. I haven't read it in years (and am hesitant to read it now, at 29, in fear of losing the magic), but it's one book that stands out in my mind as being very important to me as a teen. Same goes for my sister.

SPEAK by Laurie Halse Anderson - This book is important for anyone looking for a way to find their voice and stand up for themselves or anyone who may have to in the future. It's raw and a tough read, but so very important.

THE CATCHER IN THE RYE by J.D. Salinger - This book should be given a real chance, and I think it resonates best with people who read it for the first time as a teenager. Watch John Green's videos (like here, here, and here) for spot-on analysis and ah-ha moments.

THE GREAT GATSBY by F. Scott Fitzgerald - Another American classic. (Love the setting!) John Green made this the most recent book he video-analyzed (see: here) and he is your best bet at understanding and loving the book, if you might not otherwise.

These last three all have the same reason... I think one out of the three could take a hesitant reader and turn them into a person searching for their next great read.

The Disreputable History of Franke Landau-Banks by E. Lockhart
Lola and the Boy Next Door by Stephanie Perkins
The Truth About Forever by Sarah Dessen

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THIS WEEK'S REVIEW REMINDER:

SWEETLY by Jackson Pearce

Thanks for stopping by! Can't wait to go read all of the other answers and add some books to my TBR pile!

TGIF #04

TGIF is a weekly feature hosted by Ginger at GReads. Each week, we re-cap the week's posts and answer a question.

THE QUESTION: If you could be one character from a book, who would you choose & why?

Lola Nolan from LOLA AND THE BOY NEXT DOOR - I read this last week and it became an instant favorite. I'd love to be Lola! Quirky costumes, lives in a fantastic city in a great house, and... oh yeah, THE BOY NEXT DOOR.

Elizabeth Bennet from PRIDE AND PREJUDICE - She's not afraid to be herself and she ends up with Mr. Darcy. Enough said.

Hermione Granger from HARRY POTTER - She takes my fantasy of having gone to boarding school and ADDS MAGIC. If only!

REVIEWS POSTED SINCE I LAST PARTICIPATED IN TGIF:

ASHES by Ilsa J. Bick

LOVE STORY by Jennifer Echols

SOMETIMES IT HAPPENS by Lauren Barnholdt

THE SUMMER I LOST IT by Natalie Kath

YOU WISH by Mandy Hubbard

Thanks for stopping by! I'm off to read everyone's answers...

TGIF #03

TGIF is a weekly feature hosted by Ginger at GReads. Each week, we re-cap the week's posts and answer a question.

THE QUESTION: Who are your favorite book couples?

Sadly, I don't have time to answer this question today, as I've got a whole truckload of homework to finish before midnight and another hour stuck at work. But! You should really, really go take a peek at all of the other answers. There are some great couples out there and fantastic books to add to your TBR pile! (And I'm pretty sure I'm going to have to answer this question on my own one day in what will probably turn out to be the longest, most rambling post known to humankind!)

THIS WEEK AT STORYBOUND GIRL:

You've got until July 3 to enter to win a SIGNED copy of Sarah Dessen's WHAT HAPPENED TO GOODBYE. Go here to see the rules & enter.

Reviewed:
WHAT HAPPENED TO GOODBYE by Sarah Dessen
WATERFALL by Lisa T. Bergren

Plus a (mac & cheesy) Cover Crush, In My Mailbox #03, Tune in Tuesday #03, Waiting on Wednesday #04, and the post for this week's PRETTY LITTLE LIARS (#3!) will be up late tonight!

Thanks for stopping by!

TGIF #02

TGIF is a weekly feature hosted by Ginger at GReads. Each week, we re-cap the week's posts and answer a question.

THE QUESTION: Where is your ideal place to take a summer vacation & get lost in a book?

There are too many amazing places I'd love to be for the summer, so I'll narrow it down and share one place I could be if I hopped in my car and drove a while... West Texas! Some secluded cabin close enough to my favorite small town, Marfa, so I could visit when I need to get out.

{ West Texas, August 2008. Photo taken by me. }

THIS WEEK AT STORYBOUND GIRL:

Reviewed:
IMAGINARY GIRLS by Nova Ren Suma

Plus a In My Mailbox #02, Tune in Tuesday #02, Waiting on Wednesday #03, and thoughts on PRETTY LITTLE LIARS "The Goodbye Look" (S02E02).

TGIF #01

TGIF is a weekly feature hosted by Ginger at GReads. Each week, we re-cap the week's posts and answer a question.

THE QUESTION: What are some of your favorite book quotes?

"If our school ever performed a play about the French Revolution, she could play the guillotine."
     -- Audrey, Wait! by Robin Benway


"A moment of reserve. "That was it? The whole story?"
"Yes. God, you're right. That was pants."
I sidestep another aggressive couscous vendor. "Pants?"
"Rubbish. Crap. Shite."
Pants. Oh heavens, that's cute."
     -- Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins


"You want to take me to a movie?" I asked.
"Well, not really," he said. "What I really want is for you to be my girlfriend. But I thought saying that might scare you off."
     -- What Happened to Goodbye by Sarah Dessen


"It is better to be alone, she figures, than to be with someone who can't see who you are. It is better to lead than to follow. It is better to speak up than stay silent. It is better to open doors than to shut them on people.
She will not be simple and sweet. She will not be what people tell her to be."
     -- The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks by E. Lockhart

THIS WEEK AT STORYBOUND GIRL:

Reviews:
MY LIFE UNDECIDED by Jessica Brody
THE LIAR SOCIETY by Lisa & Laura Roecker

Plus a Cover Crush, In My Mailbox #01, Tune in Tuesday #01, Waiting on Wednesday #02, and thoughts on PRETTY LITTLE LIARS "It's Alive" (S02E01).

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Does reading any of those quotes make anyone else want to re-read all of those books as much as me?!