Top Ten Tuesday - Top Ten Fictional Crushes

Top Ten Tuesday is hosted at The Broke and the Bookish.

This week's topic is Top Ten Fictional Crushes.  (I actually did a similar post for Top Ten Picks, which you can see here.  It's been a while, though, and I've read more books, so I thought I'd update my list.)

10. Howl from Howl's Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones

9. Frederick Garland from The Ruby in the Smoke and The Shadow in the North by Philip Pullman

8. Argul from the Claidi Journals by Tanith Lee

7. Henry DeTamble from The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger

6. Daniel from My Name is Memory by Ann Brashares

5. Tom from Fire and Hemlock by Diana Wynne Jones

4. the prince from The Light Princess by George MacDonald

3. Farhad from Tiger Moon by Antonia Michaelis

2. Gale from The Hunger Games trilogy by Suzanne Collins

1. Gen from The Thief by Megan Whalen Turner

Top Ten Picks: Fictional Places

Top Ten Picks is hosted by Jillian at Random Ramblings. This week, the topic is "Fictional Places".

So for this week, the topic is on ten fictional places that stand out to you in the world of literature. These are the wonderful settings that either made your jaw drop in awe or simply terrified you. Either they are good or not-so-pleasant places, they have inspired your imagination to take a journey somewhere you've never been.

Here are my picks (in no particular order):

Fictional Places I'd Love to Visit

10. The Hundred Acre Wood
from Winnie-the-Pooh by A. A. Milne

Who wouldn't want to hang out with a bunch of talking animals in a lovely English forest? Winnie-the-Pooh was one of the first books I ever owned. It still holds a special place in my heart. Mostly, I'd want to hang out in the Hundred Acre Wood because of all the wonderful critters who live there.

9. Sounis, Eddis, and Attolia
from The Thief by Megan Whalen Turner

The countries of Sounis, Eddis, and Attolia come to life on the pages of The Thief. Though the geography seems similar to Greece, with its olive groves and rolling hills, the cultures of these countries would make any one of them a fascinating travel destination.

8. the alternate dimension
from The Willowmere Chronicles by Alison Baird

Years before Alyson Noël gave us Summerland in her Immortals series, Alison Baird gave us a very similar alternate dimension, where reality could be manipulated just by thinking about it. I can't recall at the moment if this place had a name, but the basics were much the same as Summerland. (I can't say I'm surprised, though; the Immortals series is one of the most unoriginal and derivative I've ever read.) I'd love to visit this place and see my thoughts and dreams manifest almost instantaneously. How much fun would that be? I'd never want to leave.

7. the castle
from I Capture the Castle by Dodie Smith

When I read this book, one of the reasons I loved it so much was because of the idea of living in a ruined castle. There are so many nooks and crannies in which to hide, and plenty of space so that you're not tripping over your family members. Living in an abode with so much history would be interesting, as well.

6. Misselthwaite Manor
from The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett

I must admit that I never really fell in love with Misselthwaite Manor until the 1993 movie came out. And then... oh, my gosh. I just wanted to pack up my bags and move there! Too bad it doesn't actually exist. From the maze of hallways to the secret passages to the gorgeous gardens, Misselthwaite is definitely a location that would be on my "must-see fictional places" itinerary.

5. Ancelstierre and the Old Kingdom
from Sabriel by Garth Nix

It's the contrast between the ancient and the modern that I found intriguing in Garth Nix's wonderful story. Can you imagine living in a fairly modern country... with a land of old magic right next door? I'd be hopping the border to explore...

4. Opium
from The House of the Scorpion by Nancy Farmer

This is one of those places that I would -- yet wouldn't -- want to visit. I'd love to see the landscape and the fields of poppies. But I don't think I'd want to live there. The ethics of the place don't really mesh with my own.

3. Hogwarts
from the Harry Potter series by J. K. Rowling

I've always liked castles, but Hogwarts takes the cake. It's just so cool! Ceilings that are enchanted to replicate the night sky, staircases that move, paintings that talk, secret chambers (or Chambers of Secrets)... There would be so much to explore that I'd probably be there for months (if not years).

Fictional Places I'd Never Want to Visit

2. the Forest
from The Forest of Hands and Teeth by Carrie Ryan

I didn't really like this book, but I have to admit that the Forest made an impression on me. There's something utterly creepy about a forest where nothing lives (except zombies... and their living is questionable), and the only way through this forest is a series of fenced paths of unknown origin. Had more been explained, I probably would have liked the story more than I did. But the forest is still creepy enough to make my list of places I'd never want to visit.

1. the Forest
from The Book of Lost Things by John Connolly

This forest is even creepier than the last. There are things that live there that you wouldn't want to even think about, much less encounter. You couldn't pay me to visit this place (but it makes for a delightfully creepy setting for the events in this book).

Top Ten Picks: Favorite Books Of All Time

Top Ten Picks is hosted by Jillian at Random Ramblings. This week, the topic is "Favorite Books Of All Time". It took a while for me to come up with a list. I'm not even 100% sure about some of my picks, because I read them a long time ago. They might not still be my favourites. But if I'm going on memory and nostalgia and the "OMG, I loved this book!" feeling I had when I read them, I have to include at least a few of the titles on the following list:

10. The Neverending Story
by Michael Ende



I saw the movie years before I ever got the book out of the library. I just happened to get the awesome edition with alternating green and red type (one for Bastian's "real life" point of view, one for the events he's reading about in Fantastica). I was surprised to find that the book actually encompasses the stories of the first and second movies. It's so imaginative (and it deals with imagination), so it's right up my alley. I don't think I've read anything quite like it before or since.

9. Wren to the Rescue
by Sherwood Smith



This middle-grade book was one of my favourites when I was younger. It's been a long time since I read it, but I remember being completely captivated by the adventures of Wren and her friends. I think I checked this one out of the library numerous times! There are a few sequels, which I haven't read; I enjoyed the first book so much that I'm afraid the sequels might not live up to my high expectations. I hate when that happens (see The Thief, below).

8. The Time Traveler's Wife
by Audrey Niffenegger



I don't read a lot of adult fiction, but this one just sounded so interesting that I couldn't help myself. I loved the story. The book is so much better than the movie; if you were at all intrigued by the movie, you must read the book. Henry and Clare are unforgettable.

7. Jane Eyre
by Charlotte Brontë



I probably wouldn't have read this book if it hadn't been assigned in my first-year university English class. But I was so pleasantly surprised! It's not the stilted, boring classic you might expect it to be. Jane's voice is fresh and interesting, and it's one heck of a good story. And as far as relationships go, Jane and Rochester will always be one of the most memorable.

6. I Capture the Castle
by Dodie Smith



I adored this book when I first read it. I identified so much with Cassandra, and I loved the setting. A ruined castle in the English countryside? How can you top that? Plus, there are some great characters in this one. Stephen is such a sweetheart.

5. The Light Princess
by George MacDonald



I got this one from the library (and it's also available for free online), but I really would like my own copy to read and enjoy again. As far as fairy tales go, this is one of my favourites. There's nothing like a self-sacrificing hero to make a girl swoon.

4. A Certain Slant of Light
by Laura Whitcomb



I was captivated by this book from the very first page. Aside from the imaginative and gripping story, this book has some of the greatest writing I've seen in years. Seriously. If you want an example of how to make your story and characters come alive on the page, you must read this book!

3. Trader
by Charles de Lint



I fell in love with this book because of the characters... especially Max. Like many of de Lint's novels, this one veers into a sort of alternate/dreamtime universe. It was one of the first books by this author that I had read, though, so the premise was fresh for me.

2. The Thief
by Megan Whalen Turner



Oh, gosh. What can I say about this one? I love Gen, and I love The Thief. I reread this book a few times (which is something I rarely do; it was that good). I know I'm not the only one to gush over this book (and Gen), which makes it all the more peculiar that the author basically did away with the character in the subsequent books. (Not that she killed him off. He's still there, but he's not the same Eugenides that we all knew and loved.)

1. Fire and Hemlock
by Diana Wynne Jones



Sure, there's an older man and a younger girl (and I give authors a lot of flack for that), but this book was written back when every other YA novel didn't have that same theme. I read it about 9 years ago during my bus commute to work. Let's just say that I wished that the bus ride had been longer! I loved the story and the characters and the blossoming romance. I also loved how the author took an old story (the ballad of Tam Lin) and wrote a modern-day fairy tale around it. (I didn't realize that when I read it, but I guess the fact that the guy's name was Thomas Lynn should have been my first clue!) Anyway, if you like modern retellings of old stories, you might like this one. And you can't really go wrong with Diana Wynne Jones.

Top Ten Picks: Favorite Male Literary Characters

Top Ten Picks is hosted by Jillian at Random Ramblings. This week, the topic is "Favorite Male Literary Characters". (I'm going to try to pick some different guys so my list doesn't look exactly the same as my list of literary crushes!)

10. Patch from Hush, Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick



He's a big fat jerk and I'd never want to date him, but I couldn't help but want to see more of this guy. It helps when the leading lady is fairly stupid and always walking into trouble... and you don't know if Patch is going to save her or make things worse. I'm not attracted to the bad boy type, but I do think they have their place in literature, which is why Patch makes the list.

9. Lucius from Jessica's Guide to Dating on the Dark Side by Beth Fantaskey



Lucius Vladescu is probably one of my favourite vampire characters. He's not mopey and emo like some vampires (*cough*EdwardCullen*cough*). He's actually pretty funny, although I don't think he ever meant to be. If I remember nothing else from JGTDOTDS, it will be Lucius's amusing letters to his family back in Romania, complaining about (of all things) lentils.

8. Kent from Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver



Like most of the characters in this book, Kent was someone who seemed to come alive on the page. It's refreshing to see a "nice guy" as the romantic interest in a YA book; too often (for my taste, anyway) a guy isn't interesting unless he's a bad boy. Kent proves that nice guys don't have to finish last (at least from a favourite-character standpoint).

7. Max from Trader by Charles de Lint



Max was a character that I loved almost from the beginning of his story, when he wakes up in another man's body. The fact that such a nice guy had to deal with such an unpleasant situation really earned this character some sympathy points; I wanted things to work out for him.

6. Matt from The House of the Scorpion by Nancy Farmer



Matt was the protagonist of this dystopian novel, and he was a very interesting character with a unique reason for being. It's one of those books that makes you wonder what you would do and how you would feel if you were faced with a similar situation. And when you think like that, you can't help but relate to Matt and his plight.

5. Edward Ferrars from Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen



I love a character with a real conflict. Poor Edward has to choose between his heart and his loyalty... and being the gentleman that he is, loyalty wins out. That's not necessarily good for Elinor, but we all know that everything works out in the end, right?

4. Daniel from My Name is Memory by Ann Brashares



Okay, I'll admit, I haven't actually finished this book yet. But Daniel is just plain awesome. Complex, intelligent, compassionate, and handsome (though that's just a bonus; I'd probably like him even if he were ugly), he's a lot of fun to read about.

3. Roald Dahl from Boy - Tales of Childhood and Going Solo by Roald Dahl





So this isn't actually a fictional character, but the way Dahl writes, he might as well be. I read these autobiographies years ago, and enjoyed them so much. There's plenty of adventure, and you can really see how some of his experiences influenced his novels.

2. Eugenides from The Thief by Megan Whalen Turner



Yes, Gen made both lists. I couldn't help myself. He's just made of awesomeness.

1. Nick from The Witches of Willowmere, The Warding of Willowmere, and The Wyrd of Willowmere by Allison Baird







There's really no way to satisfactorily explain why I like this character without giving away some major plot points, so if you really want to know, you'll have to read the books yourself.

Top Ten Picks: Favorite Books to Movies

Top Ten Picks is hosted by Jillian at Random Ramblings. This week, the topic is "Favorite Books to Movies".

10. Jurassic Park (1993)



This movie was a huge deal when it came out. It was also pretty darn good. If I remember correctly, I read the book after I saw the movie. I liked both. Unfortunately, I can't say the same about the sequel; the book was way better. Oh, well... you win some, you lose some, right?


9. The Little Princess (1939)



Just once, I wish someone would make an adaptation of this story that's true to the book. I do like the characters and most of the story, though. Sara Crewe is a pretty cool kid. And while I like the look of the 1995 version better, Shirley Temple's perkiness is a lot easier to take than Liesel Matthews' breathless, cloying style.


8. The Time Traveler's Wife (2009)



I read this book years ago and loved it. And then I heard that Brad Pitt and Jennifer Aniston had bought the movie rights... and then they broke up. Years later, the movie finally got made. And I think it turned out pretty good. I was worried that all the time travel might be confusing, but it wasn't.


7. Lantern Hill (1990)



I absolutely adored this made-for-TV movie when it came out. The settings and costumes were just gorgeous (I can't recall when the book was set, but the movie was set in the 1920s or 1930s). When I read the book years later, I was surprised at the differences (the lion incident never made it into the movie... and I think that's probably a good thing). This is a tricky movie to find, but it's a great screen adaptation of one of L. M. Montgomery's works.


6. Ella Enchanted (2004)



I'm probably the only adult who likes the movie version of this book. I saw the movie first, and was then very surprised when I read the book. Aside from the characters' names and Ella's curse of obedience, the two are nothing alike. As a straight adaptation, the movie fails. But if we just say the movie was "inspired by" the book, then both are winners!


5. Matilda (1996)



I honestly can't remember whether I was exposed to the book or the movie first. No matter. They're both excellent, brimming with Dahl's wonderful sense of humour and empathy for children. The movie version gave us Pam Ferris as Miss Trunchbull... a truly unforgettable villain.


4. The NeverEnding Story (1984)



This was one of those movies that I watched over and over again as a child. It wasn't until years later that I finally read the book, and I absolutely loved it. Plus, I finally got to find out what Bastian's mother's name was (I spent years thinking it was something like "Mariah").


3. The Princess Bride (1987)



Like The Neverending Story, I never read The Princess Bride until years after I saw the movie. I never knew what I'd been missing! It's pretty funny, and I wish I had been able to read it first. It would have been awesome to see how nicely it was adapted.


2. Sense and Sensibility (2008)



I was never that crazy about the 1995 version of Sense and Sensibility. Emma Thompson, while an excellent actress, was just too darn old to play Elinor. It brought up some disturbing questions and hinted at a very dark few years for the Dashwood family (back then, there wasn't usually that much of an age difference between siblings unless quite a few had died)! Essentially, Sense and Sensibility is a story about two teenage girls... and I thought this version conveyed that much better. Plus, the guy who played Edward is hot.


1. The Secret Garden (1993)



While this probably isn't my favourite book of all time, it was made into one of my favourite movies of all time. I just love the look of it: the juxtaposition between the cold manor and the garden brimming with life... the costumes... the garden itself. I could sit and watch this movie many times... and I have! It's by far my favourite adaptation of this beloved story.