T5W - Favourite Fictional Cities

Yah, I'm actually getting a topic posted on a Wednesday!  This hasn't happened in quite a while, so I will enjoy the buzz while it lasts.

This week we are delving into our bookshelves to find out top fictional cities (or towns).  I found this a tad tricky as most of my books take place in either an alternate history/parallel world, or are set in actual places.  So, after much contemplation - and only a little bit of crazed panic - here are my top 5 fictional cities.

"A sprawling city of marble and glass spread out in every direction; its elegant lines exquisite under the razor-sharp burn of the sun.  Dark-leafed trees provided soothing patches of green on both sides of the gorge that cut a massive divide through the city, while snow-capped mountains ruled the skyline.  There were no roads, no high-rises, nothing to disturb the otherworldly grace of it."

 As soon as I read this description of the Refuge, I just wanted to visit.  It sounds so beautiful, full of ancient buildings, and artworks.  It appears in the second book in the Guild Hunter series by Nalini Singh, and is a wonderful introduction to the secret stronghold of the angelic race.

Welcome to St. Mary Mead, home of the deceptively benign Miss Jane Marple.  I do love a good English murder mystery, and have been in love with this quaint little village since the 80's when I used to watch the Joan Hickson movies with my mother.  Since it such a treasured childhood memory, I couldn't not include St. Mary Mead in a T5W list somewhere.

PS - Don't eat or drink anything during your time in St. Mary Mead... just to be sure ;-D

Follow the yellow brick road... follow the yellow brick road... follow, follow follow....

Okay, got a bit carried away there.  Such happy memories as I've read the book, and watched the 1939 movie more than a few times ;-D  Loved the Emerald City, and after watching the most recent adaptation, OZ Great and Powerful, their interpretations of the Emerald City are amazing.   

Ah, the Green Dragon

Who would pass up an opportunity to visit any of the places from The Lord of the Rings/Hobbit world?  I picked out Hobbiton and Rivendell because they are the places that I find the most interesting - as well as appeal to me because I have trouble visiting big, loud, noisy, smelly cities (allergies).  I loved the Peter Jackson sets, and if I ever get the chance, I'm going to go over and visit the Hobbiton set ;-D

Perhaps the most amazing, and imaginative world after Middle-Earth.  I am only a recent convert to the Discworld series, but having grown up in a household where there were more than a few books in the series floating around, I was no stranger to it.  Ankh-Morpork sounds so interesting, and crazy, that I'm always fascinated whenever I watch the DVD's {Hogfather, Going Postal, Colour of Magic}, and I love the Dickensian feel to the Discworld. 

Can't believe that there is going to be no new Discworld adventures.

And on that slightly depressing note, thank you for checking out my T5W post for this week.  Did I include your favourite fictional city in my list?  Let me know in the comments ;-D

T5W was created by the lovely Lainey over at GINGERREADSLAINEY and I'll include a link to the Goodreads group {HERE} if you would also like to participate. 

Until next time,

T5W - Favourite Maps

Sorry that I haven't been able to update regularly.  Having carpal tunnel in both wrists really sucks and puts a limit on what you can do.  But, I'm determined to get some of August's T5W topics up so here goes nothing ;-D

Looking at maps can often be a disappointing experience.  Most of the time, it's just a boring old layout, with nothing to distinguish it from any other map in a book.  But sometimes you stumble across a gem, or two...

Yes, this is just a standard line map that can be found in nearly any fantasy book, but one of the reasons this map made it into my top 5, was the adorable wolf pair located in the top left corner (next to a very small compass).  Very simple to understand, and contains all the relevant locations from the book.  Not too daunting to take in.  Maps very similar in the following 5 books in the series, but alter due to characters movements.

Had to include this map for obvious reasons - and this naked cover map is hiding underneath a very sweet dust jacket for the second book in the Theodosia Throckmorton series, Theodosia and the Staff of Osiris.  Love the antique quality of the map, and the limited colour palette.  Reflects the era that the books are set in.  Find myself trying to find places from other books on this map.

Yes, another cover map, but this is quite different from the above map.  I love the way that the designer has used typography to form the map.  So intricate, and would be amazingly time consuming to make.  Would love a large version to put up on my wall.  The limited colour palette works very well, and having the Thames River is red, like blood, makes this very eye-catching indeed.

Source: http://www.harrypotterplatform934.com/products/marauders-map (via Google Images)

This would have been my ultimate map if only a copy of this awesome map had come with the book! The movies showed such a beautiful rendition that I think we wish all maps were like this.  But since the movie map is the only one we have {but you can purchase a copy online Own the Marauder's Map!}, then I have no choice but to put the Marauder's Map in second place.

What more can I say about this.  The maps in The Hobbit are just gorgeous.  I love the hand drawn quality, and the multiple languages used.  It looks amazing, and you just want to grab it and go in search for the Lonely Mountain yourself ;-D

As always, T5W was created by the lovely Lainey over at GINGERREADSLAINEY and I'll include a link to the Goodreads group {HERE} if you would also like to participate. 

Thanks again for stopping by, and let me know below what your favourite bookish map is.  Did it make my list?  Let me know ;-D

Until next time,

T5W || Multiple POVs

Bonjour!, and welcome to another T5W.  This week we were set the trickier task of finding books with mulitple POVs.  It took me forever to find five books with more than 2 or 3 characters through which we follow the story.

After much scouring of my shelves - and a little help from Goodreads - I finally came up with a list.

 

5.  Throne of Glass was the first - or final - book on my list.  We follow multiple characters, but I didn't enjoy it as much as I did the following books.

4.  While it doesn't happen very often, during this series Meg, Simon, Henry, sometimes Tess, Vlad and even the police characters get a scene of two.

3.  Had to add this book, but it's still on my TBR pile.  I know we follow multiple characters, and that was good enough for me.

2.  Great fantasy series.  Love that we follow the story through about 5 characters.  Jaenelle, Saetan, Daemon, Yaslana and occasionally a snippet from other characters.  So good ;-D

1.  One of the ultimate POV books.  Follow Frodo, Sam, Merry, Pippin and Aragorn, plus others as you journey through Middle Earth.

I hope you enjoyed my Top 5 list.  Next week's should be easier to compile... I hope ;-D  Let me know if you agree with my list - or what books you would add instead - in the comment section below.

And, as always, T5W was created by the lovely Lainey at GINGERREADSLAINEY and I'll include a link to the Goodreads group {HERE} if you would also like to participate. 

Until next time,

 

T5W || Debut Novels

Hello Gals and Pals ;-D

This weeks topic is Debut Novels.  

While most first novels are published without a ripple in the literary world, there are some that cause a tidal wave of hype.  This can simple be for the content.  Is it risqué?  Very violent, too taboo, heartbreaking or poignant?  Will we wet out pants laughing?  Is it the best kids book out since Harry Potter?  Or perhaps word has gotten out about their style of writing.  Is it lyrical?  Free-form?  Are they the next Jane Austen, Bronte, Hemingway or Steinbeck?

Whatever the reason - "Congratulations!" you have bought this debut novel and supported an author ;-D

Now after that small little rant, or was it a rave?... thing, I'd better get to the point and show you my top 5 choices for debut novel.  So without further ado, here they are;

ta da!

Out of all the books I could have chosen, I thought that these were a broad representation of my bookshelves.   As you can see there are fantasy, urban fantasy, children's (fantasy) literature as well as a modern (fantasy) classic.  Hmmm, I'm sensing a theme here... ;-D

Let me know in the comment section what you thought of these books.  Have you read them, do you plan to read them?  I need to know, people! ;-D

As always, T5W was created by the lovely Lainey at GINGERREADSLAINEY and I'll include a link to the Goodreads group {here} if you would also like to participate. 

Until next time,

Top 5 Wednesday - Top Spines

It's amazing to see that with all the effort put into cover art these days, that more often than not the spines are forgotten.  When this topic was picked as this weeks Top 5, I went to my bookshelves to find my favourite covers, thinking that their spines would be great too.  Wrong!  Then it became the mad dash to ransack my shelves so I could find 5 very beautiful - or interesting - spines.  It was tough, but I give you my Top Spines (in no particular order) ;-D

A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness

I love the simple colours, the Bodleian Library picture is awesome, and the seal and smoke all add that air of mystery that surrounds the story.  It is very representative of the first book in the trilogy.

Seraphina by Rachel Hartman

While not on my all-time-favourites list, the spine of the book is very self explanatory.  You have fantasy and dragons.  Enough said.  Love the aged red with the golden eye at the top just staring at you.  Even the dragon down the bottom is gorgeous.

The Bone Season by Samantha Shannon

Just bought this book yesterday so while I haven't read it yet, the spine is as gorgeous as the cover.  Love the blue, gold and red colour scheme that includes those touches of white in the font.  Not sure if it is in line with the story, but definitely looks great on my shelves.

The Lily Bard Mysteries Omnibus by Charlaine Harris

What can I say about this spine?  I love cover art that runs from front to back cover.  This is one of the few hardcovers that I own that does that.  I love the blue tones, and the fact that the dumbbell and feather duster are the symbols that represent Lily Bard.  Thankfully having all five stories bound in one large omnibus has allowed for the cover designer to do the series justice.  Love it!

The Hobbit (Anniversary Edition) by J.R.R. Tolkien

My favourite would have to be The Hobbit.  While not the most colourful, the wrap-around cover makes the most stylized of artwork.  In regards to the spine, I love the simple colour scheme, and the gold embossing used for both the publishers logo, and Tolkien's stylized mark.  From the forrest path to the entrance to the Lonely Mt, this spine shows you the journey that must be taken.  

 

So those are the Top 5 Spines I have in my collection to date.  I hope you've enjoyed this post, and if you leave a link to your Top 5 post in the comment section down below I'd love to see what your favourite spines were.  If you want further information on Top 5 Wednesday - started by the wonderful gingerreadslainey - then head on over to Goodreads {here}.

Until next time,