2019 Books I'm Ridiculously Excited For

Hello again!! I'm still not sure if anyone is reading this but ah well.  So I have recently realized that there are several books coming out this year that I'm super excited about.  so here we go.

1. Within These Lines by Stephanie Morrill
I am so ridiculously excited for this book, and I only found out about it yesterday! About two years ago I read The Lost Girl of Astor Street also by Stephanie Morrill and loved it so I am very intrigued by this book.  Especially because the main character has the same last name as Mariano from TLGOATS so I'm wondering if they are related.  But this also looks amazing in it's own right, it checks all my genres, romance, historical, war, I hope it is as amazing as it sounds!

2. The Fountains of Silence by Ruta Sepetys
Another one of my favourite YA historical fiction authors has finally written another book!! I read all of Ruta Sepetys' books about two years ago and I loved them.  They didn't gloss over the hard bits of history like some books do, they told it with all the grit and uglyness.  I loved them and so was very disappointed when I had read them all but now there is finally another one!  THe only downside is it doesn't come out until October.

3. The Starless Sea by Erin Morgenstern
This is another books that took far to long to be announced.  I read The Night Circus last year and it is one of the best books I've ever read so I have very high expectations of this one, it looks amazing.  The title and cover are also amazing! who wouldn't be intrigued?

4. Harbor for the Nightingale by Kathleen Baldwin
This is the fourth book in the Stranje House series and I have been waiting for it, though I will admit I haven't read the third one yet.  But I loved the first two!  so this one I'm looking forward to.
P.S. there is no cover for this one yet so no picture.

5. The Girl the Sea Gave Back by Adrienne Young
I read Adrienne Young's other book Sky in the Deep in about two days so I am very excited for this one. It's a wonder I actually liked this because usually I hate YA fantasy but this one was really good.  I'm always amazed at the titles these authors manage to come up with, they speak to my soul.

6. Across a Broken Shore by Amy Trueblood (This one doesn't have a cover yet either)
This book sounds so good, its historical and it has a strong female character, how could it go wrong?  Especially because her last book, Nothing But Sky, was amazing! Talk about strong female characters!  and the authors last name is just cool! I mean come on, Trueblood? it sound like something directly out of a novel!

7. The Golden Tresses of the Dead by Alan Bradley
I love these books.  If you haven't read Flavia De Luce you have missed out! she is the coolest, most brilliant kid ever!  This book is technically already out but I haven't been able to read it yet! This is another series with amazing titles!

8. The Beautiful by Renee Ahdieh
well then.  I literally just googled this author ADN found that she has a new book coming out! I have read both her other series, I loved The Wrath and the Dawn series but Flame in the Mist didn't do as much for me. This one seems different though, it is the first one not set in an ancient civilization it in New Orleans 200 years ago, and there are vampires which should be interesting, I don't think I've ever read a vampire book, we shall see!

Well these are all the books I could find! I hope someone else is as excited as I am about all of these.  Until next time!
-Lindsey

Late Valentines Post | my nine favourite fictional couples

Well hello!  I just thought of doing this so I figured that since it is February break here in Saskatchewan and I have nothing else to do I should do this! So here goes!  and of course spoilers if you haven't read/watched these. Also these are in no particular order and there are many more I could mention.
1. Mary and Matthew-Downton Abbey

*swoon* I mean these two, come on.  They were destined to be together, through all there misunderstanding and heart ache and Lavinia (who I did feel sorry for her) and Sir Richard (who I have a great deal of distaste for) when they finally got together it was beautiful.  One of my favourite scenes of these two was the one in Season 2 when they all think Matthew is missing and then he comes in while Mary is singing "If You Were The Only Girl In The World" and then he join in.  I love it! The episode where you-know-what happens to Matthew was the worst ever, excuse me while I go cry.

2. Lizzie Bennet and William Darcy-Lizzie Bennet Diaries

I do think Pride and Prejudice is great and this really can't compare but these two are way too cute to ignore.  I watched this series very fast and every time Darcy showed up it was amazing.  As I said before they are so freaking CUTE!!!!!!! And I mean the "I thought you were Chinese", so good.
3. Emma and Mr. Knightley-Emma

I love all the versions of Emma but this one is by far the best.  And the dance scene is beautiful.  I prefer Romola Garai's Emma to any other.  And the ending when Knightly takes her on the surprise honeymoon to the seaside, gah I love it!!!
4. Valancy and Barney-The Blue Castle

Sadly there is no movie version of this so this is the only pic I could find.

 Barney and Valancy, out of all of L. M. Montgomery's couple they could be my favourite. One of my favourite parts is how they are truly friends beofre they fall in love (yes I know Valancy already loved him but she didn't get to express it).  And the ending when she almost gets hit by the train and he is so worried, ah the best *dreamy sigh*.
5. Shahrzad and Khalid-The Wrath and the Dawn series

I did not make this or the last one either. 

These two may not be the most well known but their story is gorgeous. It is a good old hate to love relationship and I love it.  Their relationship is passionate and deep and all consuming, I mean what's not to love!
6. Rose and Jack-Titanic

I just realized that Rose is the same age as me in this movie, freaky.  But back to these two.  I always swore I would hate this movie because it was a Blockbuster and I had a thing against popular culture but I was wrong.  I loved this movie, I just loved there relationship.  And yes I know rich girl poor boy cheesy but it's so good.  And the scene in the water is so sad!
7. Ella and Kit-Cinderella

This is by far the best version of Cinderella mostly because Ella and Kit don't just fall in love by dancing one night in a ballroom.  They have actual chemistry and I love it.  Also him dressing up as a soldier to find her is so good.
8. Anne and Phillip-The Greatest Showman

  I mean who doesn't love these two? Come on "Rewrite the Stars" is the most beautiful scene in this movie.  It is a heartwarming love story about breaking barriers.  And Zac Efron being incredibly attractive doesn't hurt.
9.  Marco and Celia-The Night Cirucs

Another incredibly unknown couple but they are a magical couple. The love is deep and powerful and world changing.  I love this story.  They overcome everything to be together and yet they don't forget themselves.

Tom and Barbara❤

Well that was that.  I hope you love some of the same couples I do.  And if I said "I love" way to many times I'm sorry.  See you again.
                                                                                                                                        〜Lindsey

Books I Think Everyone Should Read

Hello again!  I don't know why I am writing this, especially since I should be doing homework but oh well!  I can't concentrate right now so I though I would do this and tell you all what you should read😊. 

1. To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
THIS BOOK!! it is amazing.  TKAM is the story of a young girl growing up Alabama during the depression.  It is powerful and moving and I love it so much.
"Until I feared I would lose it, I never loved to read."

2. Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte
This book is something else.  I have a very love hate relationship with it and I'm still not sure which one wins out even though I read it three years ago.  This book is about a governess who goes to work for the rich Mr. Rochester and of course falls in love with him.  it is dark but I like it.
“I am no bird; and no net ensnares me: I am a free human being with an independent will.”

3. Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
CLASSIC! (as all the guys in my school say about everything).  This book is wonderful, who can't love Mr. Darcy.  I feel like no one needs a premise of this one, it classic.
“It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife.”

4. All the Lights We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr
This is a beautifully written story,  it takes an interesting format and I like the story.   This book is told form two people's perspectives set during WWII.
“A real diamond is never perfect.” 

5. The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern
THISBOOKISBEAUTIFUL!!!!!!!  I love it so much.  it is magic written down.  Who doesn't love a story about two battling magicians, a mysterious circus and a love story for eternity. 
“The circus arrives without warning. No announcements precede it. It is simply there, when yesterday it was not.” 
“Most maidens are perfectly capable of rescuing themselves in my experience, at least the ones worth something, in any case.”
I had to add the second one because it is so dang true.

6. Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte
This book is mysterious and creepy.  I like it for the pure mysteriousness and the mystery on whether the ghosts are real or not.  Wuthering Heights tells the story of Catherine Earnshaw and her relationship with the the possibly insane Heathcliff.
"Whatever our souls are made of, his and mine are the same.”

7. The Blue Castle by L. M. Montgomery
This could very well be my favourite book on this list.  I mean who doesn't love Barney? This is the story of Valancy, a 29 year old unmarried women who learns she has a year to live and then decides to live her life for the first time ever. 
“If you can sit in silence with a person for half an hour and yet be entirely comfortable, you and that person can be friends. If you cannot, friends you'll never be and you need not waste time in trying.”

8. Remembrance by Theresa Breslin
I read this book like three years ago and I don't remember a lot about it other than it had a powerful message about war and a sweet love story. 
“What makes a human being want to kill another who has done him no personal harm?"

9. Between Shades of Grey by Ruta Sepetys
This book taught me about a side of WWII I never knew existed.  I'll admit I almost cried during this book.  It is the powerful story of a 15 year old girl living in Lithuania and how her and her family are deported by Stalin.
“Whether love of friend, love of country, love of God, or even love of enemy—love reveals to us the truly miraculous nature of the human spirit.”

10.  The Chosen by Chaim Potok
This story.  My dad gave me this book and said I should read it.  It took me awhile to read but in the end I loved it, I may or may not have stayed up until 11pm on a school night to finish it.  To give a very brief preface this is the story it is about a Jewish boy in New York and his unlikely friendship with another boy name Danny. 
“Two people who are true friends are like two bodies with one soul.”

11. Rilla of Ingleside L. M. Montgomery
I read this book when I was 13, and I loved it.  And if you haven't read it yet and find Rilla annoying in the beginning, give her a chance she grows up a lot.  Rilla is the coming of age story of a girl and her struggles through WWI. 
“The body grows slowly and steadily but the soul grows by leaps and bounds. It may come to its full stature in an hour.”

12. The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows
I already did a much more detailed review of this book that you can find here.

13. The Horse and His Boy by C. S. Lewis
Ah, this book.  Who doesn't love Narnia and this one is way underrated.  The book is about the friendship for a horse, and his boy😉.
“Onward and Upward! To Narnia and the North!”

14. Code Name Verity by Elizabeth Wein
I love this book.  The friendship reminded me so much of me and my best friend. It is a story of strength, love and friendship during WWII.  And in case you hadn't noticed I love war books, which is interesting considering I'm Mennonite and as a result a pacifist.
“It's like being in love, discovering your best friend.”

15. A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle
I usually do not like sci-fi but this one is amazing.  It is the story of three kids who must head into the unknown to find their father. 
“We can't take any credit for our talents. It's how we use them that counts.”

16. A Handful of Time by Kit Pearson
This is great, I love books with time travel and mystery.  And it being by a Canadian author it just added to the bestestness.  This girl turns back time with an old pocket watch she found in her grandparents cottage, and learns many secrets about her mothers past. And this books is totally G rated just so you know. I unfortunately couldn't find a quote for this one. 

17. Sarah, Plain and Tall by Patricia MacLachlan
Ah Sarah, Plain and Tall, my childhood encompassed in a novel.  It may be short but who doesn't love the story?  I mean come on Sarah and her sea pencils?  This book is a masterpiece. 
“There is always something to miss, no matter where you are.” 

Well that is that.  I hope that someone has some of these in common with myself.  I hope to be back soon!
                                                                                                                       -Lindsey

The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society-book review

Hello! One of the reason I decided to start this blog was to write reviews of books or movies so I could share my views with people.  One of my favourite books is The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows which I read about a year ago.  *SPOILER ALERT* this post will contain spoilers, if you want  a spoilers free review just read until the first image.  

So Guernsey as I like to call it is the story of a young female writer set in the early years after World War II.  The book is about Juliet Ashton, a writer who lives in London but is having trouble coming up with inspiration for her next book.  She feels she need something serious to write about but can't find a subject.  This all changes when she receives a letter from a man living on the island of Guernsey.   The man is one Dawsey Adams and through their continued correspondence, first over books and then later over the story of the German occupation for Guernsey they form a bond and she begins to correspond with other from the island.  As she learns these peoples stories she has a deep wish to meet them which prompts her to go to the island of Guernsey.  It is a delightful book and if you do not want spoilers I would like suggest you quit reading here. 

So now for the really good bit.  I was going to do an interview depth summery but if you really care you can go to Wikipedia, I have decided instead to give you my opinions.  One of the reasons I love this book is because it is written completely in a series of letters (I know there is a word for this but it is escaping me now).  It allows you to clearly see how the characters relationships change because there writing does as well.  Another reason I love it is the vivid characters.  Dawsey is shy and kind and wonderful; Isola is quirky and giving and meddlesome; Juliet is strong and resilient and maybe not the best judge of men but we can't all be; and of course Kit is adorable. 

The thing that makes this book is all the reading quotes, and how much I relate to them!

I mean come on they are all brilliant! 

The other reason, aside from the entire story, that I love this book Juliet and Dawsey.  THEY ARE THE BEST!!!! 

  I mean, come on, look at this, and yes I know it's from the movie but I loved the movie and it captured the spirit of the book.  I mean you can't help but love the ending when she asks him to marry her and he doesn't hesitate in saying yes.  Ugh, they are wonderful. 

I recommend this book to anyone who is looking for a happy book with a spring like vibe.  Well there is my first ever written review, I don't know how well it went but there.  Well until next time!
                                                                                                            - Lindsey

Getting to know me

Hello again, I have no idea if anyone is actually reading this but I'll try my best anyway.  I decided today would be a good time to tell you a bit about my interests and what fiction makes my heart beat faster, so without further ado.
Favourite books:
-  The Blue Castle by L. M. Montgomery (obviously;))
-  To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
-  Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
- The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Annie Barrows and Mary Ann Shaffer
- Salt to the Sea by Ruta Sepetys
- Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte

Favourite Movies:
-  The Man from Snowy River & Return to Snowy River
- Belle (2013)
- The Greatest Showman
- Lord of the Rings
- Titanic
- Basically any cheesy rom-com with a happy ending.

Favourite Mini-Series:
- Cranford
- North and South
- Emma
- Sense and Sensibility
- Wives and Daughters

Yes, I realize this is very un-period drama like😆

Favourite TV Shows:
- MacGyver
- Downton Abbey
- Call the Midwife
- Murdoch Mysteries (earlier season)
- F.R.I.E.N.D.S

 

Favourite Music:
- Hamilton soundtrack
- Dear Evan Hanson soundtrack
- Scott Helman
- The Beatles
- Orchestral soundtracks (Call the Midwife, Snowy River, Star Wars, Leap Year, etc.)

So that is a little more about my interests.  This is not a comprehensive list but it will suffice.  If someone is actually reading this I'd love a comment so I know people are actually reading. 

                                                                                                                     - Miss Blythe

Introduction

Hello people.  I'm new at this so please forgive me for any errors.  I'm not really Miss Blythe but I have always had a fear of the internet and privacy.  Just know that I am a teenage girl who loves books and romance and period movies.  I don't know how to introduce myself beyond that so goodnight fair people.