Top Ten Worlds I Wouldn't Want to Live in

This week's installment of Top Ten Tuesday hosted by the BrokeandtheBookish includes the book worlds that we would NOT want to live in!

Eleanor:

1. Partials, by Dan Wells. A deadly, weaponised virus is around and a baby hasn't been born immune to it for a very long time. (The youngest human is 14 years old!) So basically, once you reach the age of 16/17 it is law that you must become pregnant. Problem is, no baby has survived once born for 14 years...

2. Wool, by Hugh Howey. The world outside has become deadly and toxic and so mankind are forced to live underground in silos. It's quite honestly absolutely terrifying.

3. Inkheart, by Cornelia Funke. Imagine that when you read aloud you (or whoever you're reading to) enter the story. "Sounds great" you may say. Now imagine entering one of the places on this Top Ten list.

Bronte:

4. Divergent, Veronica Roth - unless my whole family was in Amity with me and there wasn't a war on.

5. Fallen, by Lauren Kate - a prison like school with random evil angels disguised as humans that appear in creepy grave yards - no thank you!

6. Wicked Lovely, Melissa Marr - Faeries in this world seem to mess with you and trick as they are clever and mischievous creatures which don't sound great, particularly for me as I am quite gullible.

Izzy:

7. Uglies, by Scott Westerfield- The operation makes you beautiful and stupid. So everyone looks the same and no-one is smart or witty. It sounds like absolute hell.

8. Harry Potter by J.K Rowling-  OKAY. I know what you're thinking, but hear me out. I would clearly be Harry Potter's girlfriend and I am not brave enough to do any of that defeating of the Dark Lord stuff. But if the Voldy was dead by the time I lived there, that would be fine.

9. Stargirl, by Jerry Spinelli- So everyone has to stick to the status quo or else they get horrendously bullied and ostracized? It sounds like High School Musical without the fun singing, co-ordinated dance moves or the Zac Efron.

Agreed on:

10. The Hunger Games, honestly who would want to live here? If I had to fight to death I would lose because I wouldn't want to kill anyone. And I couldn't possibly survive by sleeping in trees and eating wild game, that I'd killed. Its just a lose-lose situation.

What book worlds would you hate living in?

Stargirl, Jerry Spinelli

Stargirl by Jerry Spinelli reviewed by Izzy

Author: Website

Publisher: Scholastic

Pages: 186

Buy this book: Amazon

Rating: 4 Stars

What is this book about?

From the day she arrives at quiet Mica High in a burst of color and sound, hallways hum “Stargirl.” She captures Leo Borlock’s heart with one smile. She sparks a school-spirit revolution with one cheer. The students of Mica High are enchanted. Until they are not. Leo urges her to become the very thing that can destroy her - normal (Goodreads)

Who should read this book?

12+

How long is this book?

186 pages

1. Would you like to have tea with the protagonist? (Stargirl)

YES

2. Would you fall for the main love interest? (Leo)

No, unfortunately Leo was not for me.

3. Would you want to "strain" the main antagonist? (Hillari)

Meh. She was unpleasant but I wouldn't strain her.

4. Were the characters three dimensional?

Interesting question with this book. I'm going to say no. 

5. Would you like to have tea in a cafe in Mica High?

Ugh, definitely not. It is a high school that celebrates conformity.

6. Do you like this authors flavour of writing?

Yes

7. Was this writing strong or weak?

Medium. Not beautiful, but fine.

8. Was the ending to your taste?

Yes

9. If this cover were tea, would you drink it?

YES- so pretty. 

10. Favourite Quote?

"Live today. Not yesterday. Not tomorrow. Just today. Inhabit your moments. Don’t rent them out to tomorrow. Do you know what you’re doing when you spend a moment wondering how things are going to turn out with Perry?

Overview: Stargirl Caraway is the ultimate Manic Pixie Dream Girl. She is beautiful and wonderful, but I don't believe her. Spinelli was trying to personify the antithesis of conformity which he did extremely well in Stargirl. Can we relate to her? No. Does this stop the book being enjoyable? No. I'd heard so many good things about this book and I would echo them. I can't promise it will be to everyone's taste but if you are in High School right now, this book is perfect. Spinelli has truly created a modern classic.

The Iron King, Julie Kagawa

The Iron King by Julie Kagawa, reviewed by Eleanor

Author: Website/Blog
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Pages: 363
Buy this book: Amazon
Rating: 4 STARS
What is this book about?

Meghan Chase has a secret destiny—one she could never have imagined...Something has always felt slightly off in Meghan's life, ever since her father disappeared before her eyes when she was six. She has never quite fit in at school...or at home. When a dark stranger begins watching her from afar, and her prankster best friend becomes strangely protective of her, Meghan senses that everything she's known is about to change. But she could never have guessed the truth— that she is the daughter of a mythical
faery king and is a pawn in a deadly war. (amazon)
Who should read this book?

If you like YA paranormal romance, this book is for you.

1. Would you like to have tea with the protagonist? Yeah, why not. She doesn't annoy me (surprisingly!)

2. Would you fall for the main love interest? Maybe. If he was a little less icy.

3. Would you want to strain the main antagonist? When I think of the main antagonist, I think of the Iron King and, to be honest, he seemed like an alright guy. So no.

4. Were the characters three dimensional? Yes, these characters are very believable.

5. Would you like to have tea in a cafe in Faeryland? No, who knows what spells and other concoctions they would put into tea they were serving to a mortal. Too risky.

6. Do you like this author's flavour of writing? I love it.

7. Was this writing strong or weak? Strong. In a good way.

8. Was the ending to your taste? Yes. (But then, I literally started reading the second book as if it was just the next chapter of the first book book!)

9. If this cover were tea, would you drink it? I wouldn't go as far as drinking it. But I do like it.

10. Favourite Quote?

“No, no. We can kill each other later.” 

Overview: Aaaah. This book is incredible. I obsess over books a lot but it is actually pretty hard to get me to give a book 4 stars (and this very nearly got 5, nearly) The story is brilliant, a fantasy book about faeries, which intertwines A Midsummer Night's Dream fey and other 'well-known' faeries and this makes it particularly interesting. Although Meghan is a bit of a damsel at the beginning and Ash is a little too cold towards everyone, all the characters are very likable -especially Grimalkin the cat, who I love dearly! I will definitely be reading the whole series and recommending it to everyone!

Top Ten Things on my Reading Wishlist

Top Ten Things on my Wishlist (hosted by TheBrokeandtheBookish) could consist of things we want an author to write about, or a specific plot or time frame, or maybe even particular characteristic we like to see in an antagonist or other character.

Eleanor:

1. More mythological fiction. I love love love the Percy Jackson series but they are getting a teeny bit young for me now and I'd love to read some YA fiction that includes some mythology.

2. More love triangles. I used to really dislike love triangles while reading books containing them as they did get a bit old and samey. But, in the past few years, I feel as though they've faded away a huge amount and so, naturally, I now miss them.

3. More likable characters to love. (I know, I know, this is really general!) I hate it when the main character annoys me. Obviously everyone hates that. But in particular it makes me really dislike a book. If the protagonist does stupid things that no one would ever EVER do, never listens to anyone's advice or even take it into account or even if they are a bit too 'damsel-y' I enjoy the book less.

Bronte:

4. Victorian period setting. I really like modernly written novels set in the Victorian era because I really like that period of history and find it really fascinating: so more novels set there please!

5. I love books written about Faeries- no werewolves or vampires, I feel they have been over used in books and Faery Land is such a cool place! I am about to start reading The Iron King, which Eleanor has recommended.

6. Books to have more serious dimensions. I really like the characters from the Fault in Our Stars and I think the ending was so much more moving because of the fact the two lovers were terminally ill. Don't get me wrong, I don't like the fact they were terminally ill, but maybe an illness for a character would give a book more dimensions and make it more emotional and maybe more realistic of the present day - like 'everything isn't always perfect' as it is in most cases in books.

Izzy:

7. More well developed characters in a dystopian setting. I think we can all agree that apart from Katniss many characters in dystopian fiction are left less well rounded due to an author's fixation to having a fast moving plot. As much as I love Divergent and I liked Uglies I felt their characters were lacking.

8. More "real" female characters Female characters are driving me insane at the moment. I feel they are either mean and popular, sweet and demure, feisty and intelligent or a MPDG. Why can't a female character be all these things?

9. Another Harper Lee novel. Haha- all though I'm kind of kidding I'm also really not. Why would she just give us To Kill A Mockingbird and nothing more? Why would she give us one of the world's greatest novels and never publish another novel? You're killing me Harper, killing me. 

All agree on:

10. More believable romances. We think there is a fine line here. Love at first sight annoys us to no end, because UberFacts can say it exists as much as they like, but it's not real. However obviously perfect relationships are boring to read about. Basically, we're asking for perfection. So if someone could just deliver that would be great. (The Fault in Our Stars was pretty close but then the ending was brutal..)

You Had Me At Hello, Mhairi McFarlane

You Had Me At Hello by Mhairi McFarlane reviewed by Izzy

What is this book about?

Rachel and Ben. Ben and Rachel. It was them against the world. Until it all fell apart. It’s been a decade since they last spoke, but when Rachel bumps into Ben one rainy day, the years melt away.

They’d been partners in crime and the best of friends. But life has moved on: Ben is married. Rachel is not. Yet in that split second, Rachel feels the old friendship return. And along with it, the broken heart she’s never been able to mend. (Harper Collins)

Who should read this book?

This book has been doing really well in the adult market in England, however it's great for anyone over the age of thirteen. Nothing explicit but I think it's a bit slow moving for anyone under the age of 13.

How long is this book?

 436 pages

Marks
Story Line:  5/10
Well written:  4/5
Enjoyablilty:  3/5
Overall:   12/20

Star Rating: 3 stars

Question 1. What character would you most like to have tea with?

Rachel's best friend was called Mindy and although she was a bit of an airhead, for a secondary character McFarlane made her very real and brilliantly enjoyable. Plus, she was just hilarious, probably with some of the best one liners in the whole novel.

Question 2. What character would you most like to throw tea at?
  
SIMON. SIMON. SIMON. I'm not a fan at all and I knew his true colours from the beginning.

Question 3. What do you think of the cover?

It's okay, but for such a great book I think it's not doing the storyline complete justice. But hey, no photo. Wohoo! Fist pump!

Question 4. What do you think of the title do you think there is an alternative?

It reminds me so much of my favourite line in one of my favourite romantic comedies, Jerry Maguire. Completely brilliant. So cute and lovely.

Question 5. Favourite quote!

“It's pathetic, I knew I did from that first moment we met. It was...not love at first sight exactly, but - familiarity. Like: oh, hello, it's you. It's going to be you. Game over."


Overall: This book was SO much better than I expected, and I absolutely loved it. So enjoyable, though slow moving in parts. The ending reached a pretty sharp conclusion, but I still really enjoyed. A sparkling, debut by someone who really knew her setting. I'm certain this isn't the last time McFarlane will be topping the Kindle charts.

Before I Die, Jenny Downham

Before I Die by Jenny Downham, reviewed by Eleanor

Author:

Publisher: David Fickling Books

Pages: 327

Buy this book: Amazon

Rating: 4 stars

What is this book about?

Tessa has just a few months to live. Fighting back against hospital visits, endless tests and drugs with excruciating side-effects, Tessa compiles a list. It's her Before I Die list. And number one is sex. Starting tonight. Released from the constraints of 'normal' life, Tessa tastes new experiences to make her feel alive while her failing body struggles to keep up. Her feelings, her relationships with her father and brother, her estranged mother, her best friend, and the powerful, bittersweet first love she finds with the boy next door - all are painfully yet beautifully crystallized in the precious weeks before Tessa's time finally runs out. (goodreads)

Who should read this book?

There are some scenes of a certain nature in this book, making it very much young adult and not a pre-teen book. But a very good young adult book.

1. Would you like to have tea with the protagonist? No.

2. Would you fall for the main love interest? Hmm, no.

3. Would you want to strain the main antagonist? YES. I'm going to go all metaphorical and say that I take Tessa's leukemia as the antagonist. Straining it would be great.

4. Were the characters three dimensional? Yes.

5. Would you like to have tea in a cafe in England? Sure.

6. Do you like this author's flavour of writing? Yes.

7. Was this writing strong or weak? It's strong writing. Short sentences are used to show the message of the story -our lives are a series of moments.

8. Was the ending to your taste? I don't want to ruin the ending (although it is rather obvious!) but I will say that yes the end is sad. But it's perfect too.

9. If this cover were tea, would you drink it? No.

10. Favourite Quote?
"Life is made up of a series of moments, each one a journey to the end."

Overview

It may just seem like another cancer book, but Before I Die isn't just 'like another' anything. It's emotional and thought provoking and real. You start and cannot put it down until you have reached the last page and can barely read it through tears. And that's all there is to say. This book is beautiful.

Classic Corner: The French Lieutenants Woman

The French Lieutenants Woman by John Fowels, reviewed by Bronte

Author: Website

Publisher: Vintage

Pages: 448

Buy this book: Amazon

Rating: 2 Stars

What is this book about?

In this contemporary, Victorian-style novel Charles Smithson, a nineteenth-century gentleman with glimmerings of twentieth-century perceptions, falls in love with enigmatic Sarah Woodruff, who has been jilted by a French lover.

Who should read this book?

People who like love stories and who enjoy Victorian Classics. 15+

1. Would you like to have tea with the protagonist?

No, probably not.

2. Would you fall for the main love interest?

Charles? I don't think so.

3. Would you want to strain the main antagonist?

Yes.

4. Were the characters three dimensional?

Yes, I think so.

5. Would you like to have tea in a cafe in Victorian England?

Yes in Victorian England, but not so much in Lyme.

6. Do you like this authors flavour of writing?

It is very unusual and a bit odd, but I would say that I did enjoy it.

7. Was this writing strong or weak?

Strong.

8. Was the ending to your taste?

The first one, yes.

9. If this cover were tea, would you drink it?

No.

10. Favourite Quote?

'I am infinitely strange to myself'

Overview:

I only read this book because I had to, for school. If it hadn't of been for school there is no way I would have picked up this book, actually I had never even heard of it before. But, on reflection, it wasn't that bad. I mean, I always have this prejudice idea that all books written before the turn of the century are boring and written in a confusing way that I struggle to understand. But I didn't mind this book, I understood it, liked some of the characters and the unusual writing of the author, however I don't think I could go as far as saying it was amazing.

Top Ten Debuts EVER!!

Another Top Ten Tuesday hosted by The Broke and Bookish. However, the three of us discussed it and realised that we don't know much about the world of 2014 debuts! So we are instead listing:

Top Ten Debuts EVER!!

Eleanor:

1. Angelfall by Susan Ee
2. Pushing the Limits by Katie McGarry
3. City of Bones by Cassandra Clare

Bronte

4. Send Me a Sign by Tiffany Schmidt
5. If I Stay by Gayle Forman
6. The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

Izzy:

7. Looking for Alaska by John Green
8. Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone by J.K Rowling
9. The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky

All Agreed On:

10. Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins

So, what are your favourite debuts? Let us know in the comments... x

The Beginning of Everything, Robyn Schneider

The Beginning of Everything by Robyn Schneider reviewed by Izzy

What is this book about?

Golden boy Ezra Faulkner believes everyone has a tragedy waiting for them—a single encounter after which everything that really matters will happen. His particular tragedy waited until he was primed to lose it all: in one spectacular night, a reckless driver shatters Ezra’s knee, his athletic career, and his social life.

No longer a front-runner for Homecoming King, Ezra finds himself at the table of misfits, where he encounters new girl Cassidy Thorpe. Cassidy is unlike anyone Ezra’s ever met, achingly effortless, fiercely intelligent, and determined to bring Ezra along on her endless adventures.

Who should read this book?

13+

How long is this book?

335 pages

5 STARS

1. Would you like to have tea with the protagonist? (Cassidy Thorpe)

Yes

2. Would you fall for the main love interest? (Ezra Faulkner)

Hahahaha. Only a crazy person would answer this with no.

3. Would you want to strain the main antagonist?

N/A

4. Were the characters three dimensional?

Yes, make it to the end before you write Cassie off as a MPDG.

5. Would you like to have tea in a cafe in Eastwood?

Yes- it sounds like every American high school film they showed us Brits. I just want to experience that.

6. Do you like this authors flavour of writing?

Yes, yes, yes, yes. 

7. Was this writing strong or weak?

Strong.

8. Was the ending to your taste?

It was the perfect ending.

9. If this cover were tea, would you drink it?

It's okay, I prefer the European cover that I have. (Severed Heads, Broken Hearts)

10. Favourite Quote?

"You have this maddening little smile sometimes, like you've just thought of something incredibly witty but are afraid to say it in case no one gets the joke." 

Overview: I have fallen in love with Robyn Schneider. This book is the perfect young adult read. It has a beautiful by flawed narrator, who falls for a beautiful but flawed girl. This book has the characteristics of just another love story, but with Schneider's wit, and awesome character description this book has an edge. It has an ending you don't expect and instead of being just another MPDG, Cassie fights against the image and Schneider turns the concept on its head. For that I give Schneider a standing ovation, a place on my bookshelf next to John Green and the invitation to Google Hangout with me whenever she wants.

So, We've had a Makeover!

blue. Blue BLUE. BLUE!!

Titles and Teacups is...BLUE!!!

We have had a New Year Makeover, if you like. A change of scenery for a one year old blog that has some new and exciting ideas and features for the year ahead. Starting with the BLUE!

On reflection we never actually celebrated Titles and Teacups' birthday! How awful of us, to forget the birth of our lovely blog. Well, consider this a birthday present Titles and Teacups. You are now BLUE!

Blue.

Blog Lovers Undoubtably Excellent.

We love it, so we hope you do too.

~Love The Tea Trio

Top Ten Goals for 2014

This year Titles & Teacups will be taking part in the weekly meme 'Top Ten Tuesday' hosted by The Broke and the Bookish. I'm sure we will probably soon create our own colourful 'TOP TEN' title but that hasn't happened yet!

Top Ten Goals for 2014!

Blog Goals

1. We stopped blogging at the end of last year and although we did have a fairly good excuse we will excuse ourselves no longer. Each week we want to be publishing at least TWO posts for you lovely readers to enjoy.

2. We want to reach the 100th post and do something extra amazing for you lovely lot, making sure that the 100th post is actually the 100th, not the 101st!

3. We want to become a "proper" part of this blogging community, by reading more posts by other bloggers and commenting on all of them!

4. We'd like to, maybe, possibly, make this blog a bit more visual. More pictures and colour instead of just essays.

***

Eleanor

5. This year I am going to read, read, read. Last year was a really poor year for reading for me and I'm going to change that this year!

6. I usually read lots of the same books but I am going to try to branch out a bit this year and read some different genres.

***

Bronte

7. Some people don't like re-reading books, but I would like to re-read my favourite series' and then read the concluding book, which I have yet to read - Like Allegiant and Love Reborn to name a few.

8. This maybe a long shot, but I actually want to finish Pride and Prejudice rather than read the same 5 chapters over and over and then just stop. 2014 will be the year, hopefully!

***

Izzy

9.  Everyone has mentioned this, but due to the stress of exams, 2013 was not my best year of reading, I want to read much more.

10. While Eleanor and Bronte have just talked about books I would like to become much healthier in 2014. You know, fruit, vegetables that kind of thing. If you met me you would know why this was a necessary step in my life.

So there are our goals for 2014, what are yours? Any suggestions for books we should read and review?

2013 Roundup

So hello readers!

I know, it's been a little while. Sorry for being absentee for so long  but all three of us have been getting used to our much more packed schedules now our A-Levels have started. Any of our fellow Brits will tell you that it takes a while to get into the swing of things. But as a trio we have collectively decided we are ready again and want to return to our beautiful, little blog. Thank you for waiting for us!

So what happened this year in the world of books for the three of us? Reminder that not all the books that we pick for this list had to be published in 2013, just that we had to read them in 2013.


1) Favourite female character of 2013?
Izzy: Eleanor from Eleanor and Park by Rainbow Rowell
Bronte: Wander/Melanie from The Host by Stephanie Meyer
Eleanor: Kira from Partials by Dan Wells

2) Favourite male character of 2013?
Izzy: Graham Larkin from This Is What Happy Looks Like by Jennifer E Smith
Bronte: August from Wonder by R.J.Palacio
Eleanor: Callum from Noughts and Crosses by Malorie Blackman

3) Book you enjoyed more than expected?
Izzy: Why We Broke Up by Daniel Handler
Bronte: The Statistical Probability of Love and First Sight, Jennifer E. Smith
Eleanor: The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time, Mark Haddon

4) Book you were most disappointed with?
Izzy: Uglies by Scott Westerfield
Bronte: The Moon and More, Sarah Dessen
Eleanor: Mystic City, Theo Lawrence

5) Most disliked book of 2013?
Izzy: Something, Maybe by Elizabeth Scott

Bronte: Paper Towns, John Green
Eleanor: My Soul to Take, Rachel Vincent


6) Most loved book of 2013?
Izzy: Eleanor and Park by Rainbow Rowell
Bronte: Clockwork Princess, Cassandra Clare
Eleanor: The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time

7) What are you most excited for in 2014 in the book world?

Izzy: Lots and lots of things! I'm very excited about Rainbow Rowell's upcoming release of "Landline". I think Rowell is quickly becoming one of my favourite authors and I am definitely keeping my eye on all of her work. Also, I can not wait for the release of  "Isla and the Happily Ever After" by Stephanie Perkins as well as the highly anticipated film for The Fault in Our Stars. 2014 is shaping up to be an incredible year!

Bronte: 2014 will hopefully be better for me in the world of reading. For some reason after summer, when we went back to school, I stopped reading and decided to sleep instead. But that hasn't worked out too well. I miss reading so I am going to start with two amazing books: 'Allegiant' by Veronica Roth and 'Love Reborn' by Yvonne Woon which are the concluding books from my favourite trilogies. Like Izzy, I am anxiously awaiting Isla and the Happily Ever After which seems to be taking forEVER to arrive and, obviously, the film adaption of The Fault in Our Stars will be a definite highlight even though I will spend an afternoon at the crying at the cinema! Welcome 2014!!

Eleanor: Although I read quite a bit last year, I didn't really find 2013 to be a brilliant year in terms of the books I read. Nothing really stood out for me (except for perhaps The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time) and so this year I am very excited about making time to read a lot more books and find some really good ones. I want to be starting the year with a few of the (fairly) newly released favourites such as The Bone Season by Samantha Shannon and The Universe versus Alex Woods by Gavin Extence, as well as catching up with those books that are sitting on my kindle and making me feel awful every time I realise I haven't read them i.e. Clockwork Princess by Cassandra Clare and If I Should Die by Amy Plum. This year is going to be good!


What's happening to Titles and Teacups in 2014?

We have a couple of changes up our sleeve for expanding our readership of T&T. We are hoping to make the blog much more visual for you all, as well as publishing more and more reviews. We are also trying to expand more into social media, restarting our Goodreads page and creating a Tumblr as well. If you have any thoughts on how you could enjoy Titles and Teacups please let us know.

Happy New Year! From the Tea Drinking Trio xx