8 books I’d rescue if my house was burning down

Hello everyone!

I found this post about a months ago on Expresso Reads and I love the idea. So I pick up my phone, check my bookshelves and decided who win and who die in the game of thrones.

I cheated a little, because the original post was the 7 books to rescue, but I added one.

I’m not doing this post only to show my best books, or to create envy. I’m not an arrogant person, at all, I just want to share with you some of the stories behind my beloved books.

So, for the books:

Extinct monsters by Hutchinson: I found this book in a little bookshop in U.K., and now I tell you a secret. I collect old books, the one who attracts me, maybe with a strange title or beautiful illustrations, so most of the times are cheap and forgotten books, but I really love them. And I love dinosaurs too. This is a copy printed in 1893.

Here’s an illustration:

The other old book is on the right: How the plants grow by Gray, it’s a scholastic book from 1853 (american, I suppose) about botanic and plants. I love the illustrations too.

Most of the other books are signed, so they are really precious to me, or they are my fave books.

In the Shadow of Blackbirds by Cat Winters, Boo by Neil Smith and Il vangelo secondo Biff (Lamb) by Christopher Moore are 3 of my fave books of all the time. The first and the second had literally break my heart, the third one is a hilarious and dramatic book.

Yesternight by Cat Winters, 2012 la fine del mondo (2012 the end of the world) by Roberto Giacobbo and The Ocean at the end of the lane by Neil Gaiman are all signed books. I won the first one on a twitter giveaway; I partecipate in a tv show with the author of the second one; and I travelled from Turin, Italy, to Portsmouth, U.k., for the third one. One of the best memories I had.

And that’s all folks!! Have you read this books? What books you will save from your house?

It’s a beautiful quote! #1

Hello to everyone! Today I’m here with a new meme, created by me, where I share a quote that I love.

The title for this meme it’s from a song of Michael Bublè (“It’s a beautiful day”, you can hear it here). I have the same meme on my italian blog, but it’s named “Keeping in my memory” from a song of Linkin Park.

If there is a meme of another blogger with the same title, please tell me!

“This is the very first footage of a giant squid ever taken in which the squid is swimming around in its own enviroment. Imagine this sea-monstery unbelievable thing with eyeballs the size of a person’s head, and a body and tentacles twenty-five feet long. As long as a school bus. Now, realize that no one’s ever seen one moving around down there before. It’s a pretty huge miracle, and if this exists, maybe there are things in Loch Ness too. Maybe there are things everywhere, all over the place. Maybe there’s…hope?

Because every time someone finds a new animal, or a new amazing thing on earth, it means we haven’t broken everything yet.”

 

(Magonia, Maria Dahvana Headley)

The Twistrose Key by Tone Almhjell, review

The Twistrose key (The Twistrose key #1)

Author: Tone Almhjell

Pages: 366

Genres: Middle-grade, Fantasy, Adventure

Rating: 5/5

Add On: Goodreads, Amazon.

Synopsis:

When a mysterious parcel arrives at her family’s new home, eleven-year-old Lin Rosenquist has a curious feeling she’s meant to discover what’s inside.

Much to Lin’s surprise, the ornate key contained in the parcel unlocks a spellbinding world called Sylver, hidden behind the cellar door. Sylver is an enchanting land of eternal winter, inhabited by animals that shared a special connection with children in the real world, either as beloved pets or tamed wild animals. In death, they are delivered to Sylver, where they take on a curiously human-like form and still watch over the children they cherish. While Lin is overjoyed to be reunited with her beloved pet, Rufus, she soon learns that the magic of the Petlings and Wilders is failing, and snow trolls want to claim Sylver for themselves. Lin must discover a way to stop them and save this enchanted world.

Review:

I was walking through a bookstore near the Amsterdam’s Airport, a couple of years ago, when I found this book. I remember the title from goodreads, and when I saw the cover, I immediately buy it.

The Twistrose key is an amazing Middle-grade book. I know that I’m 31 y.o. but I really love Middle grade books with adventures in it. They are easier to me to read. But the greatest thing about this book it’s the setting.

The author (I think it’s the first time I read a fantasy book written by a norvegian author!) has created a wonderful winter world, with some reminescence of Narnia and The golden compass. There’s a little touch of North Europe, a little of U.K. as you can see at each chapter’s illustrations.

I didn’t read The Chronicles of Narnia, but The Golden compass is one of my fave books.

There is a map at the beginning of the book, but also the description, the clothes that all the characters wear, the food (omg the food!!!): all of these things are magical and heartwarming. I would love to visit the Sylver world. Or to live in.

The story is also very adventurous and emotional: every single person(adult or children) who has loved a pet in their life, will be touched by the story of Lin and Rufus.

Me loving Rufus

I love Rufus with all my heart, and the relationship between Rufus and Lin is so pure and touching. Yes, I cried at the end of the book.

And then, I discovered that there’s a second book in the series: Thornghost! I was so happy that I buy immediately a copy, and now I received it!! Omg I can’t wait to read it!!

Also, a special thanks to the author, who has liked and commented my photo of the book on Instagram.

I highly recommend this book to everyone. Obviously I recommend it to children too: I can’t say that are trigger warnings in this book, and there isn’t a cliffhanger. I know I’m not the best at writing positive review, but honestly, this book deserves a lot more love and attention.

The unique Blogger Award

Today I want to thank Ellyn @allonsythornraxx for nominate me!

THE RULES

• Share the link/s of the blogger/s who has/have shown love to you by nominating you.
• Answer their questions.
• In the spirit of spreading the love nominate 8-13 people for the same award.
• Ask them 3 questions.

Ellyn’s questions:

WHAT FILM WOULD YOU WATCH FOR THE REST OF YOUR LIFE?

Oh my, how can I choose? I love a lot of movies, from Men In Black to Shrek, from The Hobbit to The Woman in black!

Probably I’ll choose a funny movie, maybe Madagascar or The Ice Age. I know, I’m 31.

WHO WOULD BE YOUR BEST BOOKISH FRIEND?

This is easy: Levi/Biff from “Lamb, the gospel according to Biff, Christ’s childhood pal” by Christopher Moore. It’s my fave book, and Biff is one of my fave character ever. And a perfect friend.

I nominate:

The Bookish Fairy

Paws and Paperbacks

Perpetual Fangirl

Matilda’s Library

Whit Reads Lit

My questions:

What tv series would you watch for the rest of your life? (sorry Ellyn, I was inspired by you!)

Do you read fanfiction?

What’s the last song you are obsessed with?