Talk to Me Tuesday #5

Talk to Me Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by one of my favourite blog I Swim For Oceans where we will discuss anything (and everything) literary-related in an open forum of honesty.  If you are interesting in participating make sure to go I Swim For Oceans and link your post.

This week's discussion is:

Who are your all-time favourite male & female characters and why?

My favourite male character will be no surprise to those of you who regularly stop by my blog.  Of course it is Thomas Mackee from The Piper's Son and  Saving Francesca.

First off he is flawed and believable.  No super powers, he is just a normal guy, someone you could easily know.   He loves his family and friends even if his relationships with both have been rocky.   He is a character that has grown and change for the better in each book and has made me laugh and cry .  What I love the most is the complete HONESTY of Thomas Mackee's character.

Some other notable mentions are: Etienne St Clair from Anna and The French Kiss and Peeta from The Hunger Games.



Picking my favourite female character was a little tougher.  But after careful consideration it has to Katniss from The Hunger Games. 

So many reason why I love her - strong, loyal, smart, determined, fierce and so much heart.  She doesn't need anyone to save her, she is the kind of girl who saves herself and everyone else while she is at it.  And most of all Katniss is an INSPIRING character.  She makes you want to be a better person.

Some other notable mentions are: Carly from Raw Blue and DJ from The Dairy Queen.

I would love to hear who your favourite male and female characters are?  And don't forget to stop by Melissa blog, I Swim For Oceans.

Talk to Me Tuesday #4

Talk to Me Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by one of my favourite blog I Swim For Oceans where we will discuss anything (and everything) literary-related in an open forum of honesty.  If you are interesting in participating make sure to go I Swim For Oceans and link your post.

This weeks discussion is:

What makes a great novel for you?

So many things make a great novel for me.  Here is my list:

• Realistic characters that you get emotional invested in.    
• Unique, interesting and gripping plot.  A book that keeps me up all night wondering what is going to happen next.
• Writing that is effortless to read.  It should just flow so you feel like you are there with the characters rather than being told a story.
• Most importantly a book that when I finished I can't stop thinking about. I love books that get me thinking about the message in the story.  That get me wondering what I would have done in the main characters position.   Would I have chosen the same path.  Book that when you are finished you just want to talk to everyone about. 

 Some novels that I adore:

What makes a great novel for you?

Thanks again to Melissa for hosting this meme.

Talk To Me Tuesday #3

Talk to Me Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by one of my favourite blog I Swim For Oceans where we will discuss anything (and everything) literary-related in an open forum of honesty.  If you are interesting in participating make sure to go I Swim For Oceans and link your post.

This weeks discussion is:  What genre do you read and why?

That is a hard question as I pretty much read all genres.  I think it comes down to being a well written story, full of believable characters together with an interesting plot.  But contemporary and paranormal would be my favourite two (and complete opposites).

My favourite thing about contemporary fiction is the characters.  They tend to be more realistic and my heart tends to get more invested in the story.  While paranormal is a good escape from reality.  I love all the action and adventure.  I find it generally has a faster moving plot making it unputdownable.

Some favourite paranormal titles:

Some favourite contemporary titles:

I struggle most with fantasy and sci-fi.  The world building tends to be heavy and I lose interest quickly.  There are certainly some books in those genres that I enjoy but overall I don't read a lot of them.  So if you have any suggestions that I must try let me know!

What genre do you prefer? What are some of your favourite paranormal and contemporary titles?

Thank you to Melissa at I Swim For Oceans for hosting this meme. 

Talk To Me Tuesday #2

Talk to Me Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by one of my favourite blog I Swim For Oceans where we will discuss anything (and everything) literary-related in an open forum of honesty.  If you are interesting in participating make sure to go I Swim For Oceans and link your post.

This weeks discussion is: Do you prefer reading books with a male MC or a female MC, and why?

Both, I really can't pick between them!  I find books with a female MC easier to relate with but at the same time I love getting inside a guy's head.  The most important thing for me is connecting with the character and finding them likeable, realistic and unforgettable.

The best thing about reading a book with a female MC is that it is easier to understand their actions as you generally have been in many of the same situations.  Some great female MCs:

                                              Meg                                    Carly

The only time I have a problem with a male MC is when it is written by a female author and it feels like what she thinks a male is thinking and not what a guy really thinks like.  Luckily that rarely happens.  My favourite part of a male POV is getting to see what they really think of us girls.  Some of my favourite male MCs are:

Colt                      Dan

But what I love most is dual narration.  When you get inside both character's minds.  When you get to see what the girl is thinking about the guy and guy about the girl in the same situation.  Some authors can really switch points of views seamlessly.  Some of my favourite dual narrations are:

                                            Ed and Lucy                    Alex and Brittany

 So what about you - do you prefer female or male MC?

Thank you to Melissa at I Swim For Oceans for hosting this feature.

Talk To Me Tuesday #1

Talk to Me Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by one of my favourite blog I Swim For Oceans where we will discuss anything (and everything) literary-related in an open forum of honesty.  If you are interesting in participating make sure to go I Swim For Oceans and link your post.

This weeks discussion is:  Do you prefer series or stand-alone novels...and why?

Well that depends on the genre.  When it comes to realistic fiction then it would have to be stand-alone novels.  Because they are generally more character driven novels and they tend to be a lot more of a emotional story (well the one's I pick are) so I need a ending.  I don't want to be waiting and worrying about my favourite character.  Some great examples of favourite stand-alone novels:

When it comes to paranormal/fantasy/dystopia genre, then series.  So much happens plot wise during these genres, that if they tried to wrap everything up it would seem too rushed.  And generally I want more of the plot and the amazing worlds that these authors create.  Although I am not a fan of a giant cliffhanger ending either but somehow I can handle it better.  I want the ending to be some what resolved but with a few unanswered questions that still leave you craving for more.  Some of my favourite series:

Do you prefer series or stand-alone?

Thank you to Melissa at I Swim For Oceans for hosting this meme.