T5W: Anticipated Reads Through End of 2018

Top 5 Wednesday is a great Goodreads group with a new topic each week. Check out my original post for more information! This week's Top 5 Wednesday is Books You Want to Read Before the End of the Year. Halfway through the year, and it's time to evaluate our reading goals and take a look at our TBRs for the second half of the year!

1. Obsidio (The Illuminae Files #3) by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff
   I have owned this book for quite some time now, but I haven't been in the mood for this genre. I hope to get to it by the end of 2018.
2. Us Against You (Bear Town #2) by Fredrik Backman
   I absolutely loved Bear Town so I am excited to get my hands on the second book and see where the characters and the town end up.
3. The Wedding Date by Jasmine Guillory
   I am getting married this year, so anything to do with weddings is on my list. I have hears so many great reviews on this one.
4. Undead Girl Gang by Lily Anderson
   This sounds so interesting to me. I know it's extremely popular right now and I usually wait for the hype to die down so I don't go into books with extremely high expectations.
5. The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid
   Another very popular book. This one sounds so different than anything I have read.

What books are you anticipating to read for the rest of 2018? Leave some suggestions down below. I'd love to check out your favorites!


Adventure On,
Amanda

T5W: 2018 Reading Resolutions

Happy New Year! I know I have been completely MIA for the last part of 2017 and I really have no excuse except I haven't been reading a ton. I have lots of goals for 2018 including reading, personal, and business goals. You can check out my business goals on my other blog Amanda's Krafty Korner. So, all this being said lets move onto the Top 5 Wednesday topic for the first week of January 2018.

Top 5 Wednesday is a Goodreads group with a new topic each week. This weeks Top 5 Wednesday topic is 2018 Reading Resolutions - Self explanatory. Let us know 5 of your reading goals for the year.

This is a great topic to kick off 2018. I am also including my reading blog goals. Here are my top 5 reading/blogging goals for the year!

1. Complete my Goodreads challenge of 60 Books. 

Last year I read 54 which was more than the 32 the year before, so I have high hopes for this year. 

2. Complete at least 50% of the POPSUGAR Reading Challenge. 

I posted my list and the first book I completed on the tab labeled 2018 Reading Challenge up above. Are you doing a reading challenge this year?

3. Read and attend some of my local libraries book club reads. 

I have been wanting to do this, but just never have. I am trying to decide if I attend the adult or young adult book club. I really want to go to the YA one, but what if I am the "old lady" of the group?!

4. Review at least 1 out of 3 books that I read. 

This is more of a blogging goal, but I really want to step up my reviewing this year. Even a short paragraph on Goodreads and linked here would be more than what I have been doing.

5. Participate in #T5W at least 2 times per month. 

I really want to put out a top five list each week, but I can't commit to that. Some lists I am not a fan of and others I just can't think of anything! 


I have so many business goals this year as well, so I hope I can stay on top of my reading and blogging here. What are your goals for 2018? 

T5W: Nostalgic Book Boyfriend/Girlfriend

Top 5 Wednesday is a great Goodreads group with a new topic each week. Check out my original post for more information! This week's Top 5 Wednesday is Nostalgic Book Boyfriends/Girlfriends. Characters you swooned over when you were younger. This was a topic from our suggestion board.

I struggled with this one as I never really had crushes on characters and thought that they were "my boyfriend", but it was fun to put this list together.

1. Finnick Odair – Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
While everyone was swooning over Gale and Peeta, I was hooked on Finnick. His confidence was so amazing. The way he stuck with everyone was admirable.

2. Jacob Black – Twilight by Stephanie Meyer
Yes, I was #TeamJacob.

3. Percy Jackson – Percy Jackson and the Olympians by Rick Riordan
I loved how Percy handled himself as he stumbled through his new life.

4. Hermione Granger – Harry Potter by J.K. Rowling
So I know most people will have Harry, Ron, the twins, Cedric, or even Draco, but I absolutely LOVE Hermione. She is amazing.

5. Erik Night – House of Night by P.C. Cast
Zoey’s “other” boyfriend was one of my favorite boys in the House of Night series when I first read them many moons ago. I understand more now about the possessive side of him, but he was such a geeky and hot.

What are your nostalgic book boyfriends/girlfriends?

T5W: Non- Horror Books that Scared You

Top 5 Wednesday is a great Goodreads group with a new topic each week. Check out my original post for more information! This week's Top 5 Wednesday is Non-Horror Books that Scared You. This can be entire books you found frightening or just specific scenes from those books, but discuss books that weren't technically supposed to scare you, but did.

1. The Host – Stephanie Meyer
Maybe more creepy than anything. Species taking over the mind of humans…. NO THANK YOU!

2. The Lovely Bones – Alice Sebold
This is considered YA Mystery, but it seriously scared me. Recounting a murder from the young teens perspective in heaven.

3. The Girl Who Was Supposed to Die – April Henry
I read this after moving to a farm in the middle of nowhere. It’s a YA thriller/mystery so it’s kinda of cheating, but I still think about how much this scares me. Sadly this was loaned out and never returned to me :(

4. Gemina – Amie Kaufman, Jay Kristoff, and Marie Lu
Seriously I only need one word here…. COWS

5. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – J.K. Rowling
OK, let me explain. I was so scared of what J.K. Rowling would do to my beloved characters as it was the final book. I don’t want to spoil anyone who still hasn’t read these, but I was heartbroken to hit the end.

So, I realized that Harry Potter is mentioned A LOT in my Top 5 Wednesdays. Honestly, I should challenge myself to chill on that, but they are one of my favorite set of books! 

Anyways, if you participated this week stick your link in the comments. I’d love to read it!

T5W: Books Featuring Paranormal Creatures

Top 5 Wednesday is a great Goodreads group with a new topic each week. Check out my original post for more information! This week's Top 5 Wednesday is Books Featuring Paranormal Creatures. Here is the previously mentioned paranormal creature topic. This topic will revolve around one type of paranormal creature of your choice. So books featuring vampires, werewolves, shapeshifters, demons, fae, zombies, etc. 

I have changed this weeks up a bit to include paranormal creatures in general as I didn’t do the other topics this month. I have included witches, wizards, supernatural humans, demi-gods, and more!

1. Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo
First, I haven’t finished this book. I love it, but I am just not reading. It’s horrible! But, what I’ve read so far I love the characters in this book and all of their quirky characteristics. This is my first Leigh Bardugo book and I am so hapy I finally picked one up. I had to return this to the library, but once my reading mojo is back I think I will just pick this one up from the bookstore.

2. The Heir Chronicles by Cinda Williams Chima
I have ready book one, The Warrior Heir, so far and love the take on witches, wizards, and the like. The two different sides, Red Rose and White Rose, are so intriguing. I loved the magical tournament idea and look forward to reading the rest of this series.

3. Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard
I don’t want to give much away, so I will stick with what is summarized on Goodreads. Reds are commoners living in a Silver world where they have god-like superpowers. A young red is thrown into the Silver Palace without knowing what’s going to become of her. I really enjoyed this series and recommend it to all those who want to read about a young heroin looking to fix the segregated world.

4. Percy Jackson and the Olympians by Rick Riordan
What list of paranormal creatures would be complete without Percy Jackson and his world of creatures. I love all of Rick’s work and mythology in general. I love the fast paced story line and the young heroes and heroines in these books.

5. House of Night by P.C. Cast
Lastly, I had to include vampires. I think the House of Night is very under-hyped. I think more people would love this series if they were to pick it up. I read this a few years ago and haven’t kept up with the new releases, but in total there are 12 books in the series. This serious shows the challenges of young vampires living in a mixed world of human and vampire. The characters attend a vampire school and deal with their own world of problems.

Honorable mentions, Harry Potter by J.K. Rowling and Vampire Diaries. I figured that Harry Potter was a given and I shouldn’t use it. But I mean who doesn’t love all of the paranormal creatures, witches and wizards in Harry Potter? I didn’t include Vampire Diaries because I haven’t actually read the books, but I have watched the TV series and LOVE it.

What are some of your favorite books featuring paranormal creatures?

T5W: Books to Read Without the Synopsis

Top 5 Wednesday is a great Goodreads group with a new topic each week. Check out my original post for more information!

This weeks topic is Books to Read Without the Synopsis. We all know that some synopsis writers spoil events that happen halfway through the book or have heard reviewers say "its best to go into this one blind." Discuss those books.

This was incredibly hard for me for two reasons. First, I usually read books I have heard about around the book community. Second, my memory is horrible! But here are 5 books to just dive in and read. I won't be putting any information for these, because well, you should just go read them! I do want to add that any and all sequels should be on this list.

1. Ready Player One by Ernest Cline
2. The Sun is Also a Star by Nicola Yoon
3. The Maze Runner by James Dashner
4. A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman
5. The Warrior Heir by Cinda Williams Chima

What books would you add? Did you post a T5W, link below!

T5W: Classes Based on Books/Characters

Top 5 Wednesday is a great Goodreads group with a new topic each week. Check out my original post for more information!

This weeks topic for Top 5 Wednesday is Classes Based on Books/Characters

It's back to school season, so let's discuss some classes you'd like to take either based on books or based on characters' skills. I ENCOURAGE YOU TO NOT USE HARRY POTTER, because that is too easy. You are supposed to make up your own classes. For example, you could use How to Dismantle a Dystopian Regime for The Hunger Games or Archery 101 with Katniss.

1. The Hacker Life 101 – Illuminae by Amie Kaufman
Professor: Kady Grant
Take a trip on a ship to evacuate the planet and learn how to hack into the web of data to find the truth. Learn to use friends and enemies to find the answers you seek.

2. How Not to Start a Hiking Trip – Wild by Cheryl Strayed
Professor: Cheryl Strayed
Learn how to take your crumbling life and learn about yourself while hiking the PCT. This course will show what not to do when you start hiking for the first time in your life. Learn from real life experiences.

3. Love Triangle: The Basics – Twilight by Stephanie Meyer
Professor: Bella Swan
Interested in two completely different men? Want to have both? Learn how to split your attention and keep both men waiting for you.

4. Hosting a Tea Party – Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll
Professor: Mad Hatter
How to have a mad and thrilling tea party. Enough said.

5. Surviving Social Awkwardness – The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion
Professor: Don Tillman
Are you a socially awkward individual? Do you wish you could fall in love? Join this course to understand what people expect you to say and not say.

What an interesting school this would be! 

T5W: Books from Before You Joined

Top 5 Wednesday is a great Goodreads group with a new topic each week. Check out my original post for more information!

This weeks topic for Top 5 Wednesday is Books from Before you Joined________. These are some of your favorite books from before you joined the online book community, whether that be booktube, goodreads, blogs, bookstagram, twitter, tumblr, etc.

1. Harry Potter Series by J.K. Rowling – This is a given. I have grown up with Harry Potter. The first book, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone was published in 1997 when I was 9. I remember reading each book as they were published. I grew with the characters and have very fond memories reading them. Then, going to every movie with my dad when they came out in theaters. Even the last few when I was moved out of the house, we made it a date to go together.

2. 1984 by George Orwell – This was a required reading in high-school. I think I've re-read the book 3 or 4 times since then.

3. Percy Jackson Series by Rick Riordan – I loved Rick’s first books in the world with Camp Half-Blood. I didn’t join the book community until 2013 and not actively until the past year or so.

4. Twilight Series by Stephanie Meyer – I have to say these books and the House of Night series got me back into reading after college destroyed my love for it.

5. Berenstain Bears by Stan and Jan Berenstain – Yes, these were my favorite children's books. I think we had them all! I loved reading these with my sister and brother. We used to play school and I read them as a teacher.

What is on your list? Comment below!

T5W: Character's Fitness Routines You Want

Top 5 Wednesday is a great Goodreads group with a new topic each week. Check out my original post for more information! 

This week's topic is Character's Fitness Routines You Want! Think super powers, adventures, and athleticism. Here are my top 5. 

1. Quidditch - Harry Potter by J.K. Rowling: I would want to be a Seeker! Or any player of a Quidditch team to be honest. I mean who wouldn’t love flying around on a broom chasing a ball? Yes please!!

2. Camp and Battles - Percy Jackson by Rick Riordan: I’d love to workout at Camp Half Blood. Learning to battle, capture the flag, and all the other camp sports. How fun?!

3. Workout Sitting - Ready Player One by Ernest Cline: Sit in a chair and workout in a video game. That would be the lazy way out, but I would enjoy it. P.S. Movie adaptation is coming out next year!

4. Hiking - Wild by Cheryl Strayed: It would be such an adventure to walk the Pacific Crest Trail. I’d make sure I had the right shoes though. (If you've read it you know what I mean)

5. Running - Maze Runner by James Dashner: The runners are amazing! They run through the maze all day long without tiring. Like seriously, I can’t even run a block. 

Do you have any other fitness routines that you would want to have? Post them below. Also, link up your post for T5W in the comments.

T5W: Favorite Minor Characters

For this week's Top 5 Wednesday topic is Favorite Minor Characters. Minor characters are less than a sidekick or a side character (but not in our hearts!) Everyone will have a different definition of what makes a minor vs. a side character.


These are those characters that I wish had more part in their stories...

1. Rue - Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins: Rue was only in the series for the first book, but was one of my favorite characters. She was everyone's sister. I loved all that she stood for and the way her and Katniss developed their relationship.
2. Daito and Shoto - Ready Player One by Ernest Cline: Brothers in the book, both Daito and Shoto assist in finding the keys to the Halliday's easter egg. I loved their quirkiness and involvement throughout the book. I am beyond excited for the movie that comes out on March 30, 2018.
3. Emmitt Cullen - Twilight Series by Stephenie Meyer: Emmitt is such a great brother character. Always joking with everyone and being there for everyone really showed how much of a family man he was. He always watched out for everyone else and seemed to be a big teddy bear of sorts.
4. Luna Lovegood - Harry Potter by J.K. Rowling: Luna is such a fun and goofy character. I loved her individuality throughout the book. Although we don't see her a lot through the series, I feel her role is pretty important to the overall story.
5. Julian Jacos - Red Queen Trilogy by Victoria Aveyard: Julian was a beloved father figure for Mare. I enjoyed his kindness and loving nature, even with his apparent hidden messages. I'd love to see more characters like him.

For more information on Top 5 Wednesday, please see my original post.


If you posted a T5W please share below. If you didn't, comment your favorite minor characters below.

T5W - Books as Event Themes

This week's #T5W topic is Books as Event Themes. It's party season, whether that is high school prom, weddings, or summer holiday events. What books would make a good party/event theme??

For more information on Top 5 Wednesdays, see my original post.

1. Harry Potter - J.K. Rowling : I think any party with a HP theme would be amazing. I plan to do this with a child I have, when I get to that point in my life haha.
2. Where the Wild Things Are - Maurice Sendak : Always a classic children's book. This would make a wonderful children's birthday party theme!
3. The Selection - Kiera Cass : Now this might sound strange, but when I read this series I thought of wedding gowns being worn all of the time. So more so just the idea of wedding gowns.
4. Inheart - Cornelia Funke : Of course the love of books makes me want to have a party about books! I love the idea of reading characters out of the book. I think a birthday party with all different characters and books everywhere would be splendid.
5. Chronicles of Narnia - C.S. Lewis : I love the world of Narnia! This would be so fun to host a party/gathering or a birthday party. I would really rather find Narnia myself sometime!  

#T5W: Goals (01/04/2017)

Today’s Top 5 Wednesday topic is Goals. These do not need to be reading goals specifically, they can be any goals you want to talk about. Reading goals, blog/channel/instagram goals, personal goals...anything!

This year I have many goals I want to accomplish in my life. I have book goals, lifestyle goals, and career goals, below are just a few.

1. BLOG! I have been without internet so it makes it difficult to update my blog. I want to get myself to go out to the library or another place with free wi-fi. Such as, Barnes and Noble, where I am now!
2. Read 52 books. In 2016 my goal was to read 24 books (2 per month). I reached that goal by reading 30 books. I was in a rut for the first few months of the year and a couple minor ones throughout. My goal is to keep pushing through those ruts by reading middle grade or other shorter and simpler books. Add me on Goodreads!
3. Kanksbooklife Instagram. I have been lacking on this front as well. I have been traveling the country with my boyfriend in a semi and have only been reading e-books. They aren’t as great to photograph. I hope to spend more time with my physical books now that I am not gone for a month at a time.
4. Health. I want to improve my overall health. Make healthier choices, exercise, and hopefully lose a few pounds. I really want to improve my stamina and mood as well.
5. CTMH. I recently became a Close to my Heart Independent Consultant. I have tons of goals for that alone, but the first and foremost is to keep up with it. I plan to create a blog and already have an Intagram.

For more information on #T5W check out my Introduction to Top5 Wednesday post.

T5W: Books You Want to Finally Read in 2017 (12/07/2016)

This weeks #T5W topic is Books You Want to Finally Read in 2017. These are those books you meant to read in 2016 or 2015 or 2014 and never got around to. Those books that have been sitting on your TBR for a while, and you really want to get to. These aren't upcoming 2017 releases; these are older books that need your love too!

1. City of Bones – Cassandra ClareI am way behind the times on Cassandra Clare as I haven’t read any of her books yet. I have started this book more times than I am willing to admit. I just need to be in the right state of mind to read this book. Hopefully, 2017 is the year to finally read this highly recommended book.
2. Me Before You – JoJo MoyesHere is another, get on the bandwagon book for me. I mean come on, it’s already a movie and I haven’t read the book! I own it, I really have no excuses.
3. Throne of Glass – Sarah J. MaasAlright another well-known book. It’s been on my list for years now, but I just haven’t gotten around to picking it up. I am not 100% sure it’s going to be my style of read. To be honest, I am worried it won’t live up to the hype and I will hate it. Basically, for this reason, I haven’t read it.
4. Miss Peregrine’s Homefor Peculiar Children – Ransom RiggsFunny story on why I haven’t gotten around to this one… I thought it was a horror novel! I mean some 1,100 users have flagged it as horror on Goodreads. Horror and I just don’t mix. I like to read at night and can’t read something that will keep me up. We finally discussed this book at book club one night because Barnes and Noble had a free pack of “photos” from the orphanage. I have the paper copy and look forward to reading it soon!
5. B is for Burglar – Sue GraftonI read the first installment, A is for Alibi in 2014, and have been meaning to continue ever since. It keeps getting put on my TBR for the month, but then I don’t get to it or I am not in the mood for a mystery. I really hope to get to this one and might have to re-read the first. 

For more information on #T5W check out my Introduction to Top5 Wednesday post.

Read On, Kank

T5W: Gateway Books to Your Favorite Genre – Dystopian (09/28/2016)

This week’s T5W topic is Gateway Books to Your Favorite Genre. What books do you think are good to introduce people to your favorite genre? Mine just so happens to be Dystopian. Most of these are widely known to the general public. Let me know if you have read any of these and what you thought!

Share your #T5W link in the comments below... I'd love to check it out! 

Hunger Games – Suzanne Colllins

Now, I am positive you’ve heard of the Hunger Games.The book is all about a game to show why you shouldn’t defy the capital. If you’ve only watched the movies, I highly encourage you to read the series. They are so much more detailed and exciting. The movies did a nice job portraying the story line, but I loved the books.

Divergent – Veronica Roth

This is another one that almost everyone has heard of. This book is about a futuristic world where society has been split into five factions based on human virtues. The world is falling apart and all of these factions are based in Chicago. Also made into movies, however some of the movie plots have been changed from the books.

1984 – George Orwell

This book was a required reading in English in high school. It was all about Big Brother monitoring and taking over the world. The main character does many things to defy Big Brother. It was written in 1949 and has an interesting take on the future. It’s interesting to see how this could have and may still occur or be occurring. A great book to check out if you haven’t yet.

Enders Game – Orson Scott Card

This was a book club read in 2015. Not something I normally would have picked up and can be classified as a military science fiction novel as well as dystopian. But, was a great book. I loved the characters and the plot. This book is set in the Earth’s future and introduces the idea of an alien species where children must fight the battles. This has also been made into a movie, and I enjoyed both.

The Maze Runner – James Dashner

This book was something so different. The book takes place mostly in the Glade. The main character doesn’t know who he is or who anyone else is as they all appeared in the metal box one day. The group is working to figure out how to leave the Glade and spends time in the maze surrounding it. I was not expecting to enjoy this book as I thought it might be a little too far-fetched for a dystopian, but it was amazing. Also made into a movie (see the theme here haha) I enjoyed both the book and movie. However, I didn’t enjoy the second movie as much.

For more information on #T5W check out my Introduction to Top5 Wednesday post. 

T5W: Characters You WOULDN'T Want to Trade Places With (09/21/2016)

This week’s Top 5 Wednesday topic is Characters You WOULDN’T Want to Trade Places With. We all talk about all the characters we want to swap lives with, but there’s so many I wouldn’t want to swap with. Here is my top 5. Let me know if you agree with any of these or have any other ones you have on your list! 

See more bookish pictures on my Instagram account.

1. Katnis Everdeen - The Hunger Games trilogy by Suzanne Collins
   
   I obviously had to put Katnis on this list. I would like to think that if I was thrown into the situation she is, I would also be amazing! However, I wouldn’t ever want to live in a situation where her life had to be a choice. I would for sure volunteer for my sister though.
   
   
2. Beatrice Prior - Divergent trilogy by Veronica Roth
   
   Once again another character I would like to think I could be as courageous as. However, I wouldn’t want to go through what she does. Having her entire society turning against each other.
   
   
3. Thomas - The Maze Runner series by James Dashner
   
   Thomas was another obvious pick. Being the protagonist of the series, he has so many difficult decisions to make. He has to hold not only himself, but everyone else together. Not a job I would want. I also wouldn’t want to face those Grievers!
   
   
4. Hazel Grace Lancaster - The Fault in Our Stars by John Green
   
   Hazel has such a hard life. She is living with terminal cancer and is struggling to finish her life in a happy manner. I loved the romance throughout the book, but I wouldn’t want to be a 16 year old trying to figure out the last days of my life.
   
   
5. Scout - To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
   
   Scout (Jean Louise Finch) grew up in a very difficult time in history. She had to deal with the different races, not being taught to read or write, and the struggle of society’s expectations. I wouldn’t want to switch places with anyone in the Great Depression.

As you can see, 3/5 of my characters come from dystopian novels. I just wouldn't want to live in those worlds. However, I love to read about them! 

For more information on Top 5 Wednesday check out my Introduction to Top 5 Wednesday post.

 

T5W: Books You Want to See as TV Shows (09/14/2016)

This week’s Top 5 Wednesday topic is Books You Want to See as TV Shows. Some of these were already made into movies, but I would rather see a TV show. Personally, I don’t watch a lot of TV too many books to read! Let me know what books you’d like to see as TV shows!

Ready Player One – Earnest Cline

I would love to see this novel put into a TV show. I think they could do so many creative things with the show. I know there is talk of a movie, but a TV show would be fabulous!

Percy Jackson Series – Rick Riordan

The Percy Jackson series has so much potential to be something great. I was not impressed with the movies that they have created so far. I’d love to see all of Rick’s worlds turned into TV shows.

Rosie Project and Rosie Effect – Graeme Simsion

These books were so hilarious. I thought of Sheldon from Big Bang Theory when listening to the main character. Socially awkward, but incredibly smart.

Hannah Swensen Mysteries – Joanne Fluke

First and second ones are Hallmark Movies, but would love to see the full series in a TV show. This series currently consists of 20 novels from 2000 – 2016. The characters remain the same so it would be fun to see it played out as a TV show.

Selection Series – Kiera Cass

There is currently a TV movie from the first book, but it would be wonderful to see a full TV show that encompasses all of the novels regarding the Selection Series.

For more information on Top 5 Wednesday check out my Introduction to Top 5 Wednesday post.