World Book Day

Today is World Book Day!

What is World Book Day?

World Book and Copyright Day (also known as International Day of the Book or World Book Day) is observed on April 23, 2015. The annually celebrated day is organized by UNESCO to promote reading, publishing and copyright. It was first celebrated in 1995. [Source]

As a bibliophile, writer and English teacher, I couldn't not post about it. So, a colleague and I made up this little survey for you! 

1. Top 5 Favourite Authors?

2. Top 5 Favourite Book Series?

3. Top 5 Favourite Fiction Books (NOT part of a series)?

4. Least Favourite Book?

5. Favourite Genre/s?

6. Least Favourite Genre/s?

7. Favourite Childhood Book?

8. Top 5 Female Characters From Books?

9. Top 5 Male Characters From Books?

10. Book City/Country/World you’d like to visit/live?

11. Action Of A Fictional Character You Still Can’t Forgive?

12. “Classic” Book You Think Is Overrated?

13. Your Favourite Book To Film/Mini-Series Adaptation?

14. Guilty Pleasure Book/Author?

15. Favourite Non-Fiction Book/s?

16. First Fictional Character You Had A Crush On?

17. The Fictional Character You Most Hate?

18. Death In A Book You Will Never Be Over?

19. Book I Am Now Reading:

20. Book You Recommend Everyone Should Read:

My Answers:

1. JK Rowling- Jodi Picoult- Rainbow Rowell- Cecelia Ahern- Nicholas Sparks
2. Harry Potter- Anne of Green Gables- Lord of the Rings- Trixie Belden- Percy Jackson
3. The Book Thief (Marcus Zusak)- Rebecca (Daphne Du Maurier)- Pride and Prejudice (Jane Austen)- Fangirl (Rainbow Rowell)- PS I Love You (Cecelia Ahern) 
4. Brave New World (Aldous Huxley)
5. Romance, Drama, Historical
6. Science Fiction
7. First one I remember hearing about is Cinderella. According to my mum, I could find it in the dark. 
8. Hermione Granger (Harry Potter), Anne Shirley (Anne of Green Gables), Elizabeth Bennet (Pride and Prejudice), Jo March (Little Women), Professor McGonagall (Harry Potter)
9. Gilbert Blythe (Anne of Green Gables), Harry Potter (Harry Potter), Mr Darcy (Pride and Prejudice), Colonel Brandon (Sense and Sensibility), Sirius Black (Harry Potter)
10. The Wizarding World in Harry Potter. (This won over Avonlea. And Middle Earth. It was close though).
11. In Little Women when Amy burned Jo's manuscript. 
12. Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte. I've never been able to finish it.
13. Anne of Green Gables movies in 1985 and 1987 (you can't really count the third because it doesn't follow the books). And Alfred Hitchcock's Rebecca in 1940. 
14. Danielle Steel. 
15. The Diary of Anne Frank. 
16. Gilbert Blythe, Anne of Green Gables. 
17. Dolores Umbridge, Harry Potter. 
18. Sirius Black, Harry Potter. 
19. Briar Rose, by Jane Yolen 
20. Fangirl, Rainbow Rowell. 

[PERSONAL NOTE: For those who know me, no- Elphaba, Fiyero and Wicked is NOT on the list. Because whilst it started as a book, I prefer the characters in their musicalverse forms. I made myself stick to book forms/characters only.]

Books

So, I wanted to just put this up for everyone who read chapter 22 of Come What May. Because, yes this book does exist.

You know what else is fun? Sticking pins in your eyes. 

And while we're on the subject of books, I thought I'd share this. So, I took this photo a month ago when I was in Melbourne. I had had about 4 hours sleep, and I was exhausted and killing time at the airport. From a distance, in my sleep deprived state, I saw this book and thought the title said 'Killing Frex'

I can think of many people who would actually read a book about the murder of Frex. LOL. Hmm... fanfic?

Literary heroines

So, last week I saw a post on one of my favourite websites about literary heroines. It was all about those heroines in literature that we adore, for whatever reason. For me, it's usually because I can relate to them or they are everything I want to be.

And of course, this is a topic that draws me in immediately. I commented, but wanted to share my list here too. So here is my list, copied and pasted from my original comment on the post:

My Literary Heroines

Anne Shirley- I have literally grown up with Anne and every time I re-read them, I relate to her more at a different time in her life. I'm just waiting for my Gilbert Blythe! (AN. I will also accept a Fiyero. I'm not picky). 

Elizabeth Bennet- I love Lizzie! Enough said. Does anyone else watch the Lizzie Bennet Diaries on YouTube? I recommend them to all P&P fans!!

Jo March- again, a character I relate so much to and have grown with. Actually, there's been times I've related to all the March girls- except for Amy, for some reason.

Hermione Granger- to a 10 year old girl with buck teeth and who loved reading and school and never really had any friends, Hermione became my best friend. I loved watching her grow into this brilliant, confident young woman and witch!

Also- (maybe crossing a line here!) I'm going to add my #1 heroine- Elphaba Thropp. But I want to go with the musical version of Elphaba, not the book! But I'm claiming her! LOL. (AN. I can't not have Elphaba on my list, even though I am going with the musical not the book. There's no one I idolise more than Elphaba). 

The heroine from Rebecca- although she's never named and we learn so little about her, I could easily relate to her insecure nature and low self-esteem and my heart went out to her as she struggled to find her feet and taking Rebecca's place.

Ellie Linton- from John Marsden's Tomorrow series. Ellie's so strong and she goes through so much and I love these books.

And last but not least (until I think of more and kick myself for forgetting them earlier)- Trixie Belden. I read and loved both Trixie and Nancy Drew, but preferred Trixie just because Nancy was always so perfect! Trixie hated maths, had a temper, fought with her siblings and had a not-so-secret crush on her best friend's brother. LOL

Anyone else have someone they want to add?

Official Harry Potter Ranking List:

So, this past weekend I had a Harry Potter movie marathon, and it was awesome.

I've always known that Prisoner of Azkaban is my favourite novel in the series, but I've always had a hard time deciding my favourite movie.

I decided this was the perfect opportunity to decide once and for all! Without further ado, here is the list (I've also listed the books in case anyone's interested):

HARRY POTTER BOOKS:

1. Prisoner of Azkaban
2. Goblet of Fire
3. Philosopher's Stone
4. Half-Blood Prince
5. Deathly Hallows
6. Order of the Phoenix
7. Chamber of Secrets

HARRY POTTER MOVIES:

1. Goblet of Fire
2. Prisoner of Azkaban
3. Half-Blood Prince
4. Philosopher's Stone
5. Deathly Hallows (Part 2)
6. Order of the Phoenix (AN. This would be further down the list, but it has lots of Sirius in it, so it gets bonus points)
7. Chamber of Secrets
8. Deathly Hallows (Part 1)

I'm happy to hear anyone else's own favourites if you want to share!