Ten Books That Celebrate Diversity/Diverse Characters: Characters with Depression

It's time again for The Broke and The Bookish's Top Ten Tuesday.

This week's topic: Ten Books That Celebrate Diversity/Diverse Characters (example: features minority/religious minority, socioeconomic diversity, disabled MC,  neurotypical character, LGBTQ etc etc.)

I decided to go with characters that suffer from some form of depression or are perhaps bipolar.  Both of these are serious conditions that people often feel shameful when suffering from them.I love when characters pop up in books that suffer from these because this brings more light on a serious problem we have in this world that needs to be addressed. I could go on about that for awhile, but instead, I'll just start my list:

1. Pat and Tiffany: Pat seems to be bipolar and Tiffany seems to suffer from depression. Both characters are trying to work through some hard times.

2. Her entire family: After the death of Susie, her entire family grieves in their own way, which of course includes depression.

3. Charlie: Charlie is a freshman in high school and seems to suffer from depression as he suffers through being a freshman in high school.

4. Julian: After a horrific life, Julian clearly suffers from a severe case of depression.

5. Boo: I don't know what exactly Boo suffers from, but it's very clear that he struggles with something.

6. Zelda: Zelda Fitzgerald suffered from schizophrenia long before anyone knew how to treat it.

7. Hannah: The entire book revolves around the suicide of Hannah.

8. Jasper: How would you expect to be after being raised by a serial killer?

9. Eleanor: Struggling with hr home life, Eleanor also struggles with her emotions.

10. Craig: Craig checks himself into a mental institution after feeling so depressed he wanted to kill himself.

Top Ten Hyped Books I've Never Read

It's time again for The Broke and The Bookish's Top Ten Tuesday.

This week's topic: Top Ten Hyped Books I've Never Read

Top Ten Books I've Read So Far In 2015

It's time again for The Broke and The Bookish's Top Ten Tuesday.

This week's topic: Top Ten Books I've Read So Far In 2015

My year so far has been a lot busier than I anticipated, so I way behind on my goals. I have only read 19 books so far this year.  But out of those 19, here are my 10 favorite: 

1. Night by Elie Wiesel: It's definitely a difficult read, but it's eye opening and powerful.
  

2. A Walk in the Woods by Bill Bryson: He was funny and thought-provoking; a wonderful combination. 

3. Stardust by Niel Gaiman: This audiobook was also read by the author and totally worth it. 

4. Coraline by Neil Gaiman: I had heard of the story before, but never read it.  It's a great story. 

5. The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman:  AWESOME!!!!  I even convinced my book club to read it. 

6. Fortunately, the Milk by Neil Gaiman:  Sensing a trend in the books I have read this year???

 7. Wee Free Men by Terry Pratchett: Such a funny read with an awesome main character.

 8. Rosanna by Maj Sjowall:  A murder mystery that is very well done.

 9. The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt: This book was very thought-provoking and interesting.

10. Dirty Chick by Antonia Murphy:  This is a fun read by a hilarious woman who looks at life in a unique way.

Top Ten Most Anticipated Releases For the Rest of 2015

It's time again for The Broke and The Bookish's Top Ten Tuesday.

This week's topic: Top Ten Most Anticipated Releases For the Rest of 2015

I only have five for this week's top ten, since I am really behind on reading and what is coming out.  But here is my list:

1. Go Set A Watchman by Harper Lee:  I love To Kill A Mockingbird so much and was always sad that there were no other Harper Lee books. I hope this one is awesome and I can't wait to read it.

2. Rogue Lawyer by John Grisham: I will read anything he puts out. Seriously, I will read whatever he puts out because I think he is a brilliant writer who is a master of character development.

3. The Wright Brothers by David McCullough: I know very little about the Wright brothers and McCullough has a way of informing and entertaining.

4. Love May Fail by Matthew Quick: His books have been disappointing for me lately, but I am not ready to give up on him yet.

5. Finding Audrey by Sophie Kinsella: She is one of my "guilty pleasure" reads. I just can't do the Shopaholic series so I like when she writes stand alone novels.

Top Ten Books I'd Love To See As Movies/Tv Shows

It's time again for The Broke and The Bookish's Top Ten Tuesday.

This week's topic:  Top Ten Books I'd Love To See As Movies/Tv Shows

I am totally cheating because I did this one before and honestly, my answers are the same. 

1. The Dinner: While this was definitely not my favorite book ever, I found the topic and theme intriguing and think that the medium of film might actually do it justice. As far as the casting, I would suggest perhaps Tom Hiddleston as the main character. He needs to be someone with a dark side but you understand why he has a dark side and feel pity for him, almost cheering for his evil.  We all know Mr. Hiddleston's got that down pat!

2. Boy21: I loved this book. It was all about a young man who is trying to find his way in the world and is suddenly given the responsibility of watching over someone else. That someone else is a troubled young basketball star who recently lost his parents and now believes himself to be an alien. This tale really goes into what some teenagers are forced to deal with and coping with tragedy. As far as casting, I have no idea.

3. Z: A Novel of Zelda Fitzgerald: We hear and read a lot about F. Scott Fitzgerald. There are countless movies about the man.  But what about  from Zelda's perspective?  They were a young couple newly married thrown into fame and somewhat fortune. Scott had his issues with wanting to write the great American novel and alcoholism.  Zelda struggled with loneliness and eventually schizophrenia. In a time when mental illness was treated with electricity, she tried to rise about it all, only to be dragged down. I think a good Zelda Fitzgerald would be Emma Stone. 

4. Calico Joe: Baseball always makes me happy and this tale of the rising star who was humble and sweet is brilliant. I would go with a young Robert Redford for this one (we are in a perfect world, remember?)

5. The Screwtape Letters: Ok, so I am not exactly sure how this one would work, but I love it none the less. I was thinking maybe as a miniseries or TV show.

6. The Count of Monte Cristo: I know what you are thinking. "There are a ton of movies based on this book."  And you are correct. HOWEVER, none of these movies actually follow the book!  Again, this one may not be good for a movie.  A mini-series would be better since there is so much to cover.  But I don't want to see Edmund Dantes happy and smiling at the end!  Did no one read the book?! And as the lead character, hmmmm, that's a tough one. You need someone who can pull off innocence, ruggedness, desperation, and evil. Maybe Jude Law?  What do you think?

7. The Shadow of the Wind: I ADORE this book. I have a mad crush on Julian.  Who could play him?  Hmmm.... I haven't a clue!

8. I've Got Your Number: This one was my guilty pleasure. This would be a stereotypical chick flick.

9. Angels and Demons: Tom Hanks as Robert Langdon?  NO!!!!!!  Let's redo this with someone who is ACTUALLY like the character in the book. I am sorry Tom Hanks, but that's not you.  I am looking for a Daniel Craig, or a Michael Fassbender.

Top Ten Books I Wouldn't Have Read Unless They Were Recommended

It's time again for The Broke and The Bookish's Top Ten Tuesday.


This week we got to pick our own topic, and I decided on books I would have never read if someone didn't recommend them to me. These ten books I ended up loving!


1. The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafon

 2. 1776 by David McCullough

 3. A Walk in the Woods by Bill Bryson

4. The Devil in the White City by Erik Larson

5. The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan

6. Stiff by Mary Roach

7. Wee Free Men by Terry Pratchett

 8. Batman Year One by Frank Miller and David Mazzucchelli

 9. Bel Canto by Ann Pratchett

10. I've Got Your Number by Sophie Kinsella