Author: Jana

Top Ten YA Characters I’d Love An Update On (Now That They’re Adults!)

Posted November 22, 2021 by Jana in Top Ten Tuesday / 9 Comments

Welcome to another TTT! This week’s topic is “Characters I’d Love An Update On.” Many of you know that I started out a a YA book blogger just over 10 years ago here on That Artsy Reader Girl. I pretty much only read YA at that time and devoured it. My tastes have changed and I shifted to adult books when I realized I was struggling to connect with YA characters anymore, but I still look back on my old favorites sitting on my shelves and remember how much I loved the characters and the stories. So today I’m putting a bit of a spin on the topic and focusing on YA characters that I’d love to catch up with and hear what they’ve been up to since they left their teen lives behind.

1. Zorrie from Starry Eyes by Jenn Bennett
Did her love of astronomy stay with her into college? What’s she doing for work now?

2. Lina from Love & Gelato by Jenna Evans Welch
Is she still living in Italy? How’s her dad (I LOVED him)?

3. Jesse and Lucy from Love, Lucy by April Lindner
Are they still together?? I hope so!

4. The entire gang from the Lunar Chronicles by Marissa Meyer
I love this crew, and I just want to know what they’re all doing now and if anyone has had babies.

5. Bennett from Time Between Us by Tamara Ireland Stone
I just love him.

6. Sophie from Pizza, Love, and Other Stuff That Made Me Famous by Kathryn Williams
Is she still cooking? Is she a famous, food blogging influencer now?

7. Clementine from Unbreak My Heart by Melissa Walker
Are she and James still a thing? Does she have a really amazing friend group now?

8. Bria from Wanderlove by Kirsten Hubbard
Did she find a career in the arts? Is she still traveling?

9. Anna from Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins
I just want to know what’s happening with her!

10. Sarah from My Ridiculous, Romantic Obsessions by Becca Wilhite
Did she get the love story she’d always read about?

Which characters would you love to catch up with?

Top Ten Memorable Things Book Characters Have Said

Posted November 8, 2021 by Jana in Top Ten Tuesday / 11 Comments

Welcome to another TTT! It’s good to be back after a very busy beginning of the week last week, with #TBTBSanta pairings. This week’s topic is Top Ten Memorable Things Book Characters Have Said. You know those quotes from characters that just stick with you long after you finish the book? Some of them are romantic, some are insightful/inspirational/profound, and some are just hilarious. I’ve tried to pick a variety to share today (and I don’t always remember who said them, so oops!)!

1. Rowan from Wanderlove by Kirsten Hubbard

“I guess I work in small ways. It’s kind of like this story someone told me, about a guy on the beach in Mexico throwing starfish in the sea. Thousands had washed ashore. Someone asked him why – ‘Why are you wasting your time, when there are so many? You can’t possibly make a difference.'”

“I know that story! The man threw another one back, and said -”

“‘Made a difference to that one!'” Rowan finishes.”

2. Thomas from Hunting Prince Dracula by Kerri Maniscalco

‘The world is neither kind nor is it cruel. It simply exists. We have the ability to view it however we choose.”

3. Enjoy the View by Sarah Morgenthaler

“You don’t always know where you’ll end up in life. All that matters is that you’re next to the right person for the journey.”

4. You Deserve Each Other by Sarah Hogle

“Give yourself permission to put yourself first.”

5. Adam from The Love Hypothesis by Ali Hazelwood

“I wish you could see yourself the way I see you”

6. The Wallflower Wager by Tessa Dare

“Wounded male pride has caused the world more destruction than the Black Death and the Great Flood put together.”

7. The Unhoneymooners by Christina Lauren

“Despite things being insane and hard and messy, I don’t think I’ve ever liked myself more than I do now. It’s the strangest feeling to be proud simply because I’m taking care of me and mine. Is this what it’s like to grow up?”

8. Feyre and Rhys from A Court of Mist and Fury by Sarah J. Maas

“To the people who look at the stars and wish, Rhys.”
Rhys clinked his glass against mine. “To the stars who listen— and the dreams that are answered.”

9. A Court of Mist and Fury by Sarah J. Maas

“There are good days and hard days for me—even now. Don’t let the hard days win.”

10. The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

“And may the odds be ever in your favor.”

What are some of you favorite memorable quotes from book characters?

Ten Halloween Things I’ve Never Done

Posted October 25, 2021 by Jana in About Me, Top Ten Tuesday / 43 Comments

Welcome to another TTT, and Happy Halloween this weekend! I love the fall vibes and the spooky atmosphere during this time of year, but I don’t love Halloween for many of the normal reasons most people do. I don’t like orange and black together. I don’t like paranormal or supernatural things. I don’t like blood or spiders or the undead. Instead, I love watching old thrillers, reading gothic novels, eating candy, and seeing the cute kids in costumes when they come trick-or-treating to my house. So for today’s Halloween freebie I thought I’d share with you some totally Halloween things I’ve never done or experienced before.

1. I’ve never seen a Tim Burton movie.
Seriously. No Nightmare Before Christmas. No Corpse Bride. They’re just not my thing!

2. I’ve never gone to a haunted house (or haunted anything).
I’d probably die if a went to a haunted house, haunted corn maze, haunted hay ride, etc. I almost died on the Haunted Mansion ride at Disneyland, so it’s just never going to happen.

3. I’ve never carved a jack-o’-lantern by myself.
Yeah, this is weird even to me. I’ve just never carved my own pumpkin! I remember carving one with a date a few years ago, but I’ve never been to a pumpkin patch as an adult and when I do end up with pumpkins from the grocery store I just put them by my door uncarved.

4. I’ve never baked Halloween treats.
It’s true. I’ve never made Halloween frosted sugar cookies or hot dogs that look like severed fingers.

5. I’ve never had a pumpkin spice flavored beverage.
So, I don’t drink coffee so it’s not like I’m against the PSL because it’s pumpkin spice. I actually love pumpkin spice, just only in baked goods.

6. I’ve never done themed costumes with friends.
I had friends in college who all dressed as a Spice Girl or a different Power Ranger or a Disney princess. Me? Not interested.

7. I’ve never read a horror novel.
I mean, I’ve read scary books, but my threshold for scary reads is so below average that pretty much nobody I know would think I’ve read a scary book.

8. I’ve never told ghost stories by flashlight.
It will just never happen. Ghost stories keep me up at night no matter how outlandish they might sound.

9. I’ve never participated in a séance or used a Ouija Board.
It’s too scary! I won’t even look in the mirror in the dark because I’m scared Bloody Mary will show up uninvited.

10. I’ve never gone on a ghost hunt or ghost tour.
Pretty sure this comes as no surprise and requires no further explanation.

So basically, I’m a major chicken. I’m scared of my own shadow or if the toast pops up out of the toaster before I’m ready. I’m scared of little noises. I’m scared of no noises. I’m really just here to find out when I can start decorating for Christmas.

Ok, so give it to me. I’m excited to hear who is just like me and who thinks
I haven’t actually lived yet without doing some of these things!

What is your number one favorite thing to do at Halloween?

Top Ten Online Resources for Book Lovers

Posted October 18, 2021 by Jana in Top Ten Tuesday / 13 Comments

Welcome to another TTT! This week’s topic invites you to share your favorite online resources for book lovers! These could be blogs, apps, websites, podcasts, YouTube or TikTok channels, you name it. I love discovering new people to follow and resources to bookmark, so I’m excited to see what you share!

1. Hoopla
Check out digital books, audibooks, and music with your library card (provided your library participates)!

2. Goodreads (duh)
I would be lost without Goodreads. I keep track of everything in my personal library on there, along with all the books I’ve read and want to read.

3. Chirp
This place requires no subscription at all, and has amazing discounts on audiobooks (up to 95% off). I get an email every day with deals in genres I like. And these are not obscure titles either. These are NYT bestsellers and books from popular authors. Fluffy by Julia Kent is .99 today! Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen is $1.99. Chirp has an app you can download, and it’s really easy to use. You can also listen on your computer or Alexa devices. If you like audiobooks, this is your place!

4. Scribd
This is an online digital library that you subscribe to for $9.99 a month. You can check out audiobooks, ebooks, magazines, podcasts, and more. I’ve got a free trial right now, and their selection is huge!

5. BookBub
I love getting an email of free and discounted ebooks sent to me everyday. You even get to choose the genres you love.

6. What Should I Read Next?
This fun website has you entire the title of a book you loved. The website analyzes your pick and then spits out the title of another book you’ll probably love, too.

7. Etsy
You can probably find handmade merch from any bookish fandom on here, plus bookish gifts of all sorts.

8. Recaptains
The creators of this blog recap previous books in series so that when the next book comes out, you can read what happened in the previous one and not feel lost. It’s usually a short, detailed refresh of everything important that happened. They focus primarily on YA books, but I have needed them a time or two in my life!

9. Trigger Warning Database
You can search by title/author or trigger, and it’s so helpful to know going in to a story that it will be a pleasant reading experience.

10. Hot Dudes Reading
Need I say more?