The Book Thief

"He stood waist-deep in the water for a few moments longer before climbing out and handing her the book. His pants clung to him, and he did not stop walking. In truth, I think he was afraid. Rudy Steiner was scared of the book thief's kiss. He must have longed for it so much. He must have loved her so incredibly hard. So hard that he would never ask for her lips again and would go to his grave without them.” 

Road Trip Wednesday

Since I seem I have nothing else to blog about (oh wait, yes I do! But that'll be later) I though I'd answer YA Highway's RTW question!

It isn't surprising that this month's Bookmobile selection, Leigh Bardugo's Shadow and Bone, has sold film rights; the darkly magical world of the Shadow Fold begs for an on-screen translation*! But that got us wondering. We'd like to know, in your opinion, what is it that makes some books seem ideal for a film translation?

For me, when I find out a book I've read is coming out as a movie, I'm very skeptical. For instance, Divergent by Veronica Roth is on the freeway to becoming a movie. There's a director, potential casting, and a release date. I love the book, but I'm very wary of this movie. The book seems so perfect in my head, that I don't want it ruined by some actor who will not live up to the part of Tris, or Four. And the fact that Veronica doesn't have really any say in casting (or much of the production? I'm not sure) makes me wonder if the producers will pick good people.

I was surprised by The Hunger Games though. Jennifer Lawrence did a brilliant job. 

Basically, I just think movies should be original stories. I'll quote John Green here and say, "Books belong to their readers" and I wish it would stay that way.

MY EXCITING NEWS IS THAT, I'm halfway through with The Evolution of Mara Dyer and it's amazing. But, I have friend that's a customer at the Starbucks I work at who knows Michelle Hodkin, the author of said book. So Christina (my friend) tweeted at Michelle today telling her about me fawning over Noah, and then I tweeted saying that was me and MICHELLE TWEETED ME BACK. I mean, I realize that authors are regular people, BUT STILL. IT'S EXCITING. 

It's cool to get to talk to people you admire, okay?

I'm gonna go back to fangirling over Noah Shaw now.

Books That Changed My Life

Over at YA Highway they made a post called, "Books That Shifted Your World" today. It was interesting seeing what their books were, and I thought I'd list mine.


The Bible. This book is still changing my life. I still like exploring it and finding new information. To be honest, I haven't read all of it, but I would like to. It's not a text I can fly through. I have to let the words sink in and analyze them.

The Book Thief. I was lucky and found this book on my own accord. I skipped an assembly one day in high school and headed to my local Barnes & Noble. This book was on the YA shelf and I picked it up just because of the interesting title. From reading the abstract on the back, I was kind of wary, but it had a Printz Award on it, so I thought it should be worth my time. Boy, was I right! This book sucks you in, with the beautiful prose and incredible character development. It will make you cry, laugh, and all of the emotions in between.

Looking for Alaska. No matter what John Green novel you read, it will shift your world. This book I read my first semester of college and it reminded me of why I loved YA in the first place.

Those are the books that I think of first when people ask me my favorite books. They have not only changed my life, but I'm sure they've changed many other lives as well. I'm currently working through Infinite Jest right now (slowly, but surely) and I'm hoping I can add that book to my list, even if it takes me a year and a half.

P.S. Call me cliché, but I love Taylor Swift's new album.