The Power of Choice

 When it comes to reading, being able to choose the book you read is incredibly important. For one thing, you're able to pick the kind of book you like to read. Lets face it, if you like fantasy and you have to read a romance, unless you like that sort of thing, you're probably not going to like it. In school, they force you to read certain books. But if everyone was able to choose the book they wanted to read, more students would probably read. 

Another thing is that readers enjoy the book more. This is because they were interested in this book themselves, so they would probably get more enjoyment from it than other person. There is no feeling quite like reading a book that you truly enjoy. But if you read a book that you didn't pick and don't enjoy it, then what was the point of reading it?

To be able to choose the book you want to read is important. When one doesn't choose the book they read they tend not to enjoy it as much. But at the same time, they could really enjoy it and be pleasantly surprised. But in the end, it's best to choose the book you are going to read to make sure you get full enjoyment from it.

My Favorite Authors

 Many authors were able to touch my heart through their story telling. But there are a few in particular that really inspired me and made me go through an ordeal of emotions. I consider these authors my favorite because they really were able to grab me through their story telling and make me go through a whole ton of feelings. If a book makes you emotionally invested, that means they're a good author, right? Anyway, here's my favorite authors. 

 J.K. Rowling

I would just be an idiot not to put her on this list. The way she's able to weave a story with such amazing characters, a stunning plot, and a mesmerizing setting is truly magical. Not only is she an amazing author, but she has such a kind heart. In all of her interviews, she says such inspirational and sweet things that really make you adore her. She is an inspiration and a great story teller. I adore her work and I adore her period. 

John Green

Not only is he a funny internet celebrity, but an amazing writer as well. His stories put you through a tornado of emotions. From laughing to crying, you just go through so many emotions. His stories make you so emotionally invested not only to the characters but to the plot. Even with his saddest stories he manages to put a few jokes in there, and that's what I love about him. He's able to mix humor with sadness and he's able to do it incredibly. I love his work and I wait to see what else comes from him.

Both of these authors manage to write amazing stories with emotional attachments. They write these stories from their heart and put so much care into creating them. From the characters to the plot, these authors make you emotionally invested with their work. It's hard not to adore these funny, smart and touching authors. 

Amazing book art

The art of a book could make or break the book. Although most people say to not "judge a book by it's cover", but lets face it...we all do it. Being a very visual and artistic type person, I sometimes favor a book that has a good story and a good cover rather than one with a good story and a bad cover. But if the book is truly amazing then the cover doesn't matter at all. In this post, I will describe some of my favorite book covers and why I think they're amazing.

 I know, I know. I have mentioned this book a number of times but you got to admit, this cover is pretty great. It's both simplistic and meaningful. The Black cloud symbolizes cancer and the white cloud symbolizes the innocent people with the "black" cloud hovering over their lives. Also I just love how the recommendations from other sources are placed so awkwardly. It really adds a sense of uniqueness to this novel. Not only that but the chalk like text adds another sense of that some kid just wrote it. To give it that young and quirky feel. I adore this cover, not only for how simple it is, but for how unique it is.

Another book series that has a simple yet meaningful design is the Hunger Games Trilogy. Each book has a mockingjay on it, but notice how by each book something goes missing? Hunger Games, the mocking jay has the circle and an arrow. But by Catching Fire it only has the circle and in Mockingjay it is free. This symbolizes how Katniss becomes free from the captiol, free from Panem. How she becomes one in her own. The mockingjay symbol is also the pin that Katniss acquires early on in the book, not only that but she's known as "The Mockingjay". So I find it incredibly clever how they took the mockingjay pin and made it gradually free from its reigns, just like Katniss. 

All books can only gain from having an amazing cover. It catches the reader's eye and it gives the book a more visual appeal. When cover art is bad, it can turn people off from reading the book. So in conclusion, more books should have amazing cover art. It really adds to the book or series. 

The Books of My Life

                  Many of the books in my life have shaped who I am today. None have affected me quite like the books I have on this list below. So without further ado; here are the books of my life.

              My most favorite book of my childhood was definitely "Chrysanthemum"  by Kevin Henkes. I was a feisty and sassy little kid, just like Chrysanthemum. So my Mom would ALWAYS read this book to me, and I ALWAYS loved it. Chrysanthemum is about a little mouse with the same name, who is dealing with the hardships of not always being the center of attention. Although I wasn't as troublesome as Chrysanthemum, I definitely felt as though I related to her growing up. She had a large imagination and a lot to say, just like me. So I guess I found always comfort in this book because I related to the character and my mother always used to read it to me.

             A book that inspired me greatly was "The Great Gatsby" by F.Scott Fitzgerald. I have no idea what it was about this book but it really inspired me. F. Scott Fitzgerald has such a beautiful way of writing. Every description is like poetry. Although I didn't exactly adore the plot of this novel, the imagery and descriptive story telling in it really painted a picture in my head. Since I'm an artist, I'm a very visual person, so I always find it really inspiring when a book is able to really give me a visual of what's going on. I guess the meaning of the story inspired me as well, that everyone is born the same. Gatsby really had a beautiful meaning behind all the plot. I guess that's what I find so inspiring about this story.

                A book that made me cry was "The Fault in our Stars" by John Green. But really, you have to have no heart NOT to cry at this book. Since this book is about two teens who have cancer falling in love, you can already predict tears strolling down your face. This book is really an emotional roller coaster, because it makes you laugh at some parts and relentlessly cry at others. This book was sad but fun and heart warming. Not only that but it's my favorite book to date. So I guess it's pretty obvious that this would be the book that made me cry.

            There is no one that can make me laugh quite like Tina Fey. So when her book "Bossypants" came out, I knew I had to read it immediately. This book is so hilarious, it made me cry I was laughing so hard. Tina Fey's witty and stupid sense of humor is exactly what I wanna see when I want to laugh. I love her, her comedy and of course, her book. If you are truly feeling down, this is definitely the book that will bring you up again. 

        My favorite coming of age story is of course, the "Harry Potter" series by J.K. Rowling. As most people, I adore these books. Not only are they fun, magical, and exciting, but they tell the story of a kid growing up. This book perfectly portrays how a young kid grows into a teen, who grows into a young adult, (albeit in a magical world but still). I enjoyed everything about these novels and movies while I was growing up as well, so I could not think of a more perfect coming of age story than Harry Potter. 

         Although I respect and admire Tina Fey, another celebrity I adore is Ross Matthews. I was so excited when my Mom came home with a signed copy of his book "Man Up". Although his story is side splitting funny, I also found it very charming and inspirational. He was a fat, homosexual, squeaky voiced person growing up in a world that can't accept all those things. Ross Matthews went beyond that and became the success he is today. Not only do I love him on TV but now I love him on paper. So of course I chose this as a Memoir I admire. I love Ross Matthews and no matter how many D-list celebrities he sucks up to, I will still love him nonetheless.

        I would've never expected to love all of Shakespeare's' works. They are classics and I would've never thought I'd like them as much as I did. Even though I loved "The Great Gatsby", all of Shakespeare's books have got to be my definite favorite books I've read in school. They're charming, action packed, and touching. I mean, a story wouldn't be around for so long if it wasn't good right? We read many Shakespeare's books, but if I had to pick one it would be "Much Ado about Nothing". I found it sweet and adorable and I loved every page of it. Maybe I don't always understand what he's saying, but I do really enjoy his stories. 

Hello! My name is Nina and I enjoy a large variety of books. I like books from romance to comedy, from comedy to fantasy and much much more. Some of my favorite book are (of course) Harry Potter. The entire series is just pure gold but if I were to pick one book I would pick The Prisoner of Azkaban. I also love "The Fault in Our Stars". It's an adorable romance story that makes you cry your guts out by the end. Some books I truly hated were "A Separate Piece" and "Catcher in the Rye". I lump them together because they kind of have the same premise. I hated them so so soo much. Everything's a phony, and it as a whole is just a book about nothing but a rebellious kid complaining. As was A Separate Piece.