Top 10 Books I Wouldn't Mind Santa Bringing Me | Top Ten Tuesday (written on Wednesday, because why not?)

 Top Ten Tuesday was creacted by lovely The Broke and the Bookish (thank you, ladies) and this week's theme was calling to me. So why not start with it?

1. The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey Chronicles: Art & Design


Yeah... I always put this book back on my Wish List when I'm buying books, but I still want it!!! 

I love the Hobbit and this gorgeous book is a gem for me (wish it was a little cheaper though...).

Oh, and here you can watch the video of some lovely person leafing-through this awesomeness (in case you haven't seen or own this book already).





2. The Encyclopedia of Early Earth.

 Every since I saw this book for the first time I added it to my To-buy List. But it's too expansive for me at the moment. Santa?

3. An astronaut's Guide to Life on Earth

I just want this book, Okay? Okay. (Wow! High five to Dr John).

4. Blue is the Warmest Color 

This graphic novel is gorgeous! And I'd love to see it under my Christmas tree... Please.




5. House of Leaves
I'm intrigued by the premise of this book and really like to know if I be creeped out by it. :)


6. Chicken Soup for the Soul: Christmas Magic: 101 Holiday Tales of Inspiration, Love, and Wonder

Maybe Santa will bring me this Christmas book? (*.*)




7. Wonderstruck
Just like Hugo! I'd like to see it on my shelf near the first Selznick's diamond.


8. Relish: My Life in the Kitchen
Well, I've heard only good things about it and also "yay!" to graphic memoirs! I would be quick and easy read during the holiday season. :)
 

9. The Thorn and the Blossom: A Two-Sided Love Story
Beautiful book is beautiful. Right? And I love-love-love the typography!
 
(photo sourse)

And the final one
10. Letters from Father Christmas
I've already read this book as an audiobook (and loved it), but I'd love to re-read it every year in a Christmas period.


Yes, that's my first TTT. Not really bad, I think.:)

Hope you're doing great and received all the books you've wanted. Keep reading and DFTBA!

Oh, and what book(s) do you want for Christmas? If you posted your list I'd love to see it, so links!

P.S. I haven't include new Harry Potter box set despite the fact that I really want it, because a) it's expensive, b) it's heavy! And I don't want to hurt Santa in any way (kids need him more than me!!!).

Merry Christmas to those who celebrate!!! Have a wonderful year!

Thoughts on not finishing books (with examples) | Bla-bla-bla

 O.K., 2013 can officialy become The Year og Unfinished Books and Series for me. I've never put aside as many books before... 
Let's talk about "why have this happened?"

 I have some thoughts on this subject:
1. I start too many books at the same time. 
 Yes, this is definetely a problem. My reading mood changes almost everyday and I can't help myself and start a lot of new books. Then they're just piling up at my bedside and collecting dust. I know, I know... It's horrible. 
 But I'm to change this thing. One of my goal for 2014 is reading maximum 2 books at the same time. And also, not buying whole series, before I read the first book. And not buying the physical copy until I read a sample online.
 My TBR is already huge, so I don't think that following this simple rules will be a problem.
2. Plots/writing/characters don't meet my expectations.
 Well, I don't think I have to explain that. It's one of the top reasons why I don't finish books (this happened with Outlander, Graceling, Gourmet Rhapsody, etc., etc.) and I don't think it's just me. I cherish my time and don't want to waste in on books that I don't like when there're some many more great ones around. Because even when I give such books another go, it just isn't working out. And I think the worst thing is reading a book that takes a lot of your time when you don't care about it at all.
3. I just don't feeling this book at the moment, but will finish it when I'm in the right mood. 
 It happens less frequent, but still happens, like with Life of Pi, The Host, Infinite Sky, 100-year old man that... and some more.
 Sometimes you're reading awesome book, that you can appreciate and know you'll love it at the end, but still you don't want to read it right now, at this exact moment. Well, at least that's my case, because I can't tell from multiple perspectives. I really liked the beginnings of all those books mentioned above, but stuff happened. And I just put them aside for a while. I remember those plots very well, so I don't think it's a huge problem. 
 And also, I'm not soo many pages inside those books, so I can re-read them if I need it.
4. (Rare one) When I started a book on my e-reader as a sample, or someone else's and just forgot about it, or can't buy it right now (libraries and used books stores are the option in my city, because the selection in firsts are awful and we don't have seconds in my city, like at all... I know, it's weird).
 That can be my excuse, but not that often. It happened a few times, but (as the title suggest) I forgot about those books...

Yeah... It's not a good thing, but it's true. Some of my books will stay unread/unfinished or will be gifted to someone or donated to library, or sold. We'll see.

What do you think about not finishing books? How often do you put your read aside? Some tips on "How to finish this bastard?" :)
(Hope my thoughts weren't too boring). 

Have a great day! Keep reading and DFTBA!

Destination: Ooo. Land of Ooo in Under 20 Snails a Day by Jake Black and Shane L. Johnson | Short Book Review

Mathematical journey to the Land of Ooo! I really enjoyed this short look inside the world of one of my all time favorite shows. 

This guide will be a great read to each and every Adventure Time lover, but may also interest people who have never seen the show, so they'll want to check this bunch of awesomeness out *fingers crossed* ;)

Hope you're intrigued. What time is it? Adventure Time!

* * * *

Outlander. Pt.1 by Diana Gabaldon | Unfinished-book Review

 Sooo, I guess that Outlander series is not working for me. This book made me add "I just can't" shelf here (my DNF/leafed-through-to-finish shelf).

I've expected something more than this when I bought first 3 books (I'll never do it again!), and you should know that ib those Russian editins each book is devided into 2 volumes, soooo... I've basically bought 6 books...:(

Main character, Claire, hasn't met my expectations. I thought I'll get some kick-ass nurse that travelled from post WWII time and will be all that experienced in medicine and maybe teach someone from the past (maybe it'll happen in future, but I just can't make myself reading this book any more) and also be smarter than the one in book. But... She's that type of woman, don't really know how to explain, stereotypical I guess, that ruins the image of modern women. 
She's cheating on her husband and it's not a big deal, her decisions are more often I just don't understand, all the things she's doing are only leading to her escape and she doesn't care about anyone else. O.k. I don't like this character. 
And for me, if I don't like the main character, like at all, and don't care if someone will kill her that's a point, where I don't want to read this book any more. Maybe someday in future, but not now.

As for Jamie, her love interest ot whatever, yes, I can understand his all cool and hot-hot-hot, but for some reason I just don't really like him as well... He's just O.K. for me. Maybe, if I meet someone like him in real life I'd change my opinion, or maybe if I'd continue with this series I'll sympathize him more, but right now I got what I got...

It started really promising, but simply fell from the cliff for me. I've read 394 pages out of 544 and putting this book back on my shelf. For some time.
And yes, I know that lots of you, guys, LOVE Outlander series, but as for me, I realised that historical fiction that revolves around romance only (with only sex-sex-sex) isn't for me.

Hope everyone is having a great day! Keep reading and DFTBA!

* *

Reading Updates | A Quick Bookish Survey # 2

I've been too lazy to write blog post these couple of months. Also I've read or started a lot of meh books in October-November, so there wasn't a lot to write about. But I want to change that. So I started my new bookish blog in Russian (here it is, if someone's interested) and planning to keep writing here in English as well. More than in last 2 months. -fingers crossed-

O.k., here are some updates.

1/ Currently reading

Snow Country by Yasunari Kawabata (for International Reads book club). 
 I've read 65 pages out of 220 so far, but I'm not really enjoying it. I've read only 1 asian novel before ("A Pale View of Hills" by Kadzuo Ishiguro, didn't like it as well), so I'm not an expert. But I'll finish it and let you know what I think).
 I'm reading it in Russian, on my sister's e-reader and on my HTC.







Gourmet Rhapsody by Muriel Barbery. 
 Another meh read. Not liking it, but it's only 160 pages long, so I wanna finish this book (just for the sake of Goodreads chakkenge...:)).
 My copy of this book is also in Russian.








2/ The last book I've finished
 Odd and the Frost Giants (audiobook), written and narrated by Mr Neil Gaiman. 


Neil's voice.... (crush, crush, crush). As for story, this drawing by IslaDelCoco summes everything up perfectly! (AMAZING drawing, by the way!)



3/ The next book I want to read
 Well, I'm not 100% sure, but I think it's time to finish Howl's Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones. I'm half way through, liking it but for some reason too slow to finish this book. 


4/ The last book I bought 
Londoners by Craig Taylor.

 Looking forward to read this book as soon as it comes in my mailbox.









5/ Next book I'm planning to buy (I'm usually buying my books myself (well, I know I'll get one particular book for New Year/Christmas), so I changed this category a little)
 Not that my TBR is tinee-tiny, but you know, plans...

I want to lay may hands on Tokyo on Foot: Travels in the City's Most Colorful Neighborhoods by Florent Chavouet. I've heard a lot of amazing things about it from lovely Estelle @ Audham EnTha and I really really want to read this graphic memoir!!!


 Just look at this picture!!! And it's only one of them, and there're hundreds. Plus the memoir itself. Want, want, want!

 


 O.k., peeps, hope you're having an amazing day. Keep reading and DFTBA!