Word Storm: 7 Reasons I Enjoy

Showing posts with label 7 Reasons I Enjoy. Show all posts

Sunday, August 11, 2019

7 Reasons I Enjoy Young Adult Novels

I can’t believe I haven’t written about this yet. I mean, come on, what am I thinking!?

So I know Young Adult (YA) fiction isn’t technically a genre. If we’re going to be technical and all, it’s more of a target audience. (For those unfamiliar with bookish terms, bookworms refer to young adults as those ages 13-18, not 18-24.) I guess you could say I find myself drawn to books for teenagers.

Here are just a few reasons why.

1) YA novels aren’t as dense as some of the other books on my TBR list.

For example, I really, thoroughly enjoy Les Miserables and Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell but my goodness! Why are they so LONG?

Often times, YA novels range between 250-350 pages. Every now and then, one might border on 400, and rarely 800. (I’m looking at you, Inheritance and Order of the Phoenix.) With this length, it’s so much easier to pick shorter books up, carry them around, and read them in one sitting.

Just a few perfectly short novels include but are not limited to:

The Giver by Lois Lowry at 208 pages (arguably middle grade, but I’m lumping it with young adult here)
We Were Liars by E. Lockhart at 242 pages (see book review)
A Thousand Perfect Notes by C. G. Drews at 282 pages (see book review)

2) They’re engaging, easy reads.

Sometimes, I don’t like to work to understand a book. Some days, I just want a story to sweep me away so that I forget I’m reading at all.

For example, when I was walking the Camino, I was torn between reading a sci-fi novel or a YA contemporary. I figured I’d read the first page of each and see which one I preferred. I read then put down the sci-fi novel. Then I picked up the contemporary, and before I knew it, I was on chapter two. For anybody wondering, that book was Kids Like Us, and you can check out my book review here.

3) The themes are more complex in young adult novels than in middle grade ones.

I sense another post coming on…

Until then, I like how in-depth young adult novels can be. From stories about found families to those that confront toxic stereotypes, YA is one of the most dynamic target audiences. While there are still areas that need improving (ease up on the romance, please, I’m begging you!), you don’t have to go far to find great themes.

Just a few YA novels with excellent themes include the following:

Goodbye Days by Jeff Zentner (see book review)
Fawkes by Nadine Brandes (see book review)
The Art of Feeling by Laura Tims

4) Reading YA makes me feel young.

I mean, I’m still young, but technically I “aged out” of being the target audience six years ago. Do you think that’s going to stop me from reading books about high schoolers? Haha, nope. I’ve never fit in with my age group. What makes you think I’m going to start now?

It’s also fun to read YA novels and then ~~force them on~~ recommend them to my sister. Once she reads them, we can geek out together. It’s a lot of fun! And by fun, I mean she just about killed me when she accidentally spoiled Our Dark Duet (Monsters of Verity, book 2) for herself.

5) YA introduced me to so many amazing genres.

If I hadn’t read as much YA as I do, I probably wouldn’t have discovered some amazing books. I started off enjoying fantasy and animal stories. Now, I don’t read as many animal stories, and I still enjoy fantasy, but thanks to YA, I’ve also discovered novels in verse (So. Much. YES!), historical fiction, realistic contemporary, and even some classics.

I could use more YA sci-fi, though. I am now accepting recommendations. Please, and thank you.

6) YA novels can be empowering.

Another thing I like about this category is how it’s so hopeful. That’s not to say that every book is about hope—sometimes it’s downright depressing. But overall, YA is full of characters taking action rather than bemoaning their lives.

You want to change the world? Go do it!

A few YA novels that have empowered me:

A List of Cages by Robin Roe
Audacity by Melanie Crowder (see book review)
Starfish by Akemi Dawn Bowman

7) Reading YA can be addicting.

You know how I mentioned I read two chapters without realizing it? Well, sometimes that happens with books and series too. YA can be really easy to get hooked on.

When I finished my M.A. in English Lit, for months on end, I almost read nothing but YA. Since I’ve finished with my degrees for the moment, I’ve gone back to reading more classics and nonfiction, but YA is still my go-to, especially when I step into a bookstore or library.

8) Bonus: I like to write YA.

Apparently, I can’t count.

The best type of research is experience. If you want to know what it’s like to go skydiving, do it. If you want to know what it’s like to be a teenager, use the quantum void to become a teenager again. I mean… um… you know, reading YA fiction helps. So does spending time with young adults.

There you have it! Just a few reasons why I read what I read and why I post so many reviews about YA novels.

Let’s chat! Where are my fellow YA readers? How about YA writers? What are some of your favorite elements of YA? Any that I missed? Have any sci-fi recommendations?

***

Literary references: Victor Hugo’s Les Miserables, Susanna Clarke’s Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell, Christopher Paolini’s Inheritance, J. K. Rowling’s Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, Lois Lowry’s The Giver, E. Lockhart’s We Were Liars, C. G. Drews’ A Thousand Perfect Notes, Hilary Reyl’s Kids Like Us, Jeff Zentner’s Goodbye Days by Jeff Zentner, Nadine Brandes’ Fawkes, Laura Tim’s The Art of Feeling, Victoria Schwab’s Our Dark Duet, Robin Roe’s A List of Cages, Melanie Crowder’s Audacity, and Akemi Dawn Bowman’s Starfish

Sunday, August 27, 2017

7 Reasons I Enjoy Historical Fiction

This post was inspired by a friend who gave me a completely different blogging prompt. But hey, that’s what happens with writing! Not only do you get a million plot bunnies, but when you finally pick one, they also tend to run off on a rabbit trail. So long as you don’t end up down the rabbit hole…

Enough with Alice in Wonderland, though. This post is all about historical fiction! I’m here to talk about another one of my favorite genres, where fact meets fiction.

I’ve been on a historical fiction reading spree lately, particularly when it comes to WWII fiction. I read other historical novels as well, but this has been my latest preference, especially considering my recent travels in Europe. Here are just a couple of reasons I enjoy historical fiction:

1. It’s informative.

I get a better sense of place from historical fiction than from history books. While history books will tell you about dates, historical fiction will tell you what a city might have looked or smelled like and how people may have lived their day-to-day lives.

And let’s face it, reading or watching historical fiction makes us feel smarter. I know it does for me. Don’t deny it.

2. It’s easier to remember a story if I can empathize with the characters/people.

Need I say more? Fact: I can breeze through 300 pages of historical fiction, but it takes longer to get through 50 pages in a history book.

3. Culture!

I’ve touched on this topic before when it comes to 7 Reasons I Enjoy Sci-Fi, but I’m here to tell you about it again. I like culture. Once you take the time to truly understand somebody and where they’re coming from, they’ll be more open to interaction. And there’s nothing like understanding that not everybody lives their lives the way you do. If you can’t travel to a place to understand a certain culture, you can at least read about it. That way, you might even spare yourself the culture shock.

4. Time travel.

Time machines don’t exist… yet. And let’s face it, time travel would be a bit freaky. There are so many different theories about what could possibly go wrong and how such travel would work at all, but of course, that’s for a post on science-fiction not historical fiction. (Problems with time travel: germs vs. antibodies; language differences; spatial differences; the space time continuum; etc.)

But when it comes to books, you can “safely” travel back in time and the most likely dangers you’ll encounter include papercuts, depleted bank accounts, and broken hearts. Okay, I never said you’d make it off easy. Reading is a dangerous game, my friend.

5. Actual travel.*

It’s fascinating to read about a place and then travel there. That’s the problem with fantasy. The closest I’ll ever come to Narnia is the wardrobe in my house or visiting Oxford, which, let’s face it, looks nothing like I imagine Narnia to be. And sure, you can “visit” Middle Earth, but do you get to see Minas Tirith or Lothlorien? Unfortunately, not. (But I still want to go!)

With historical fiction, you can visit actual sights. And while I’ve been to many, many places in my wanderings, I enjoy and understand a place even more if I’ve read a story about it before. I may even fangirl over a historical sight. I’ve visited Siena, the town where the Betarrini have been. (Okay, so the River of Time books are part fantasy, but they’re historical fiction too!) I’ve been to London, where many famous authors lived and kings and queens ruled.

If you’re into actual travel and fiction, be sure to check out my latest newsletter, River of Books, and subscribe for more below!

*I can tell when an author hasn’t visited the actual historical location or done their research. The setting tends to lack the personal touch that you can only get from visiting a place or talking to somebody who has.

6. Author’s notes.

Once I’ve engaged with a story, I thoroughly enjoy getting a bit more context. Maybe it’s the intellectual in me, but I like to learn the facts about something that’s already fascinating. Elizabeth Wein does a great job of this when it comes to her historical fiction novels. I would seriously like to see where more authors get their historical research from.

And not just historical novels either. I want to know more about the facts and fiction when it comes to stories about people with disabilities or mental illness. A lot of stories just end, and I’m left asking what was real and what was made up. Sometimes, it’s hard to tell. Petition for YA authors to write more author’s notes. Seriously, people. I want to know more!

7. It’s sobering.

Historical fiction reminds us that the world does not revolve around us. There were hundreds of thousands, millions of people who lived before us. Reading historical fiction can help us come in contact with just a few of those lives through stories of actual people or places. It also points out many of the tragedies that have occurred throughout the years and helps teach us what it truly means to be human.

8. Bonus! (And because I can’t count): It helps me connect with my brother.

My older brother is obsessed with history. I often refer to him as a walking encyclopedia. And even though we were pretty close growing up, so much so that we were often mistaken for twins, college has seen us develop different opinions and interests. So I may not have as much in common with my brother as I like, but at least there’s still history.

Having watched BBC’s latest adaptation of Shakespeare’s history plays, The Hollow Crown, has enabled me to talk with my brother about the War of the Roses. Reading novels that include battle strategy is another favorite of mine because my brother could go on and on about the pincer movement or guerilla warfare.

Enjoy historical fiction? If you related to this post, you might enjoy reading the following books: The Boston Girl by Anita Diamant (early 1900s, immigration, USA) All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr (WWII, France and Germany), Inside Out and Back Again by Thanhha Lai (1975, immigration, Vietnam and USA), and Code Name Verity by Elizabeth Wein (WWII, pilots, France and England).

***

Let’s chat! Did I miss any great points about historical fiction? What are some of your favorite genres? How often do you read historical fiction? What is your favorite era to read about?

Sunday, April 2, 2017

7 Reasons I Enjoy Sci-Fi

I’m changing things up a bit this month for several reasons. 1) I haven’t actually written a new poem. Sorry. 2) Easter is coming up, so I’ll be taking the day off from blogging. 3) I’m in the middle of a writing series (Writing Blog Posts!), so I’m not about to skip over that post. As a result, I’m skipping poetry and diving right into books! The rest of my schedule will proceed as normal, with a bonus post on April 30 featuring the five races in Last of the Memory Keepers. Without further ado, today’s post is centered on one of my new favorite genres—science fiction!

I tend to be really picky about my books, even more so when it comes to sci-fi. During my time in Nottingham, when I was studying for my M.A. in English Literature, I took a class on speculative fictions. It was supposed to cover fantasy through sci-fi and ended up being all sci-fi, and all books picked out by one professor. Turns out, the class made me avoid sci-fi stories for nearly a year. Not fun.

But I eventually found a sci-fi book or two that I actually enjoyed. Here are just a few of the reasons I like sci-fi as a genre. (When I say sci-fi, I will mainly be focusing on space opera.)

1) They’re unconventional.

You know those books with neat little paragraphs and chapter-by-chapter structure? Forget it. While a lot of books still have conventional format, you might end up with a book that’s set up like a record of chat room conversations and video surveillance records.

You prefer all your characters to be human? Too bad. Sci-fi is peppered with talking raccoons, time travel, and tribbles. I’m still waiting for a story with space dragons. Come on! (Anybody have any recommendations?) After all, why not? As a writer, that’s one of my favorite questions to ask.

Why not? What if?

Unconventional is just another word for possibility. Sci-fi may not exactly be the easiest to read, but part of it is because…

2) Sci-fi stories are full of potential.

There’s something about the opening speech in Star Trek that makes me excited.

“Space: the final frontier…”

Sci-fi just goes to show that there’s so much that we don’t know about, so much left to explore in the universe through…

3) Space travel!

One of my favorite things to do is go for bike rides, and each time, I like to see new places, pushing the boundaries of where I went last. Sci-fi offers that kind of travel. But through many, many different varieties. Whether it be faster than light travel, worm holes, or teleportation, there are plenty of ways to get to other planets or even solar systems.

4) Sci-fi shares some characteristics with fantasy.

Science fiction is not a completely new genre. In fact, it stems from a long tradition of fantastical elements, which gradually morphed into stories that we know today, thanks to authors like Jules Verne and H. G. Wells. Like fantasy, sci-fi has foreign aspects from non-human races, strange plants, and animals, and of course travel.

Sci-fi even includes a little bit—okay a lot—of social critique. While fantasy often critiques the past, sci-fi critiques our expectations of the future because of the decisions we make in the present. Though I may not be a fan of the plot, I really like the world building in Avatar, especially with Hometree and the Hallelujah Mountains. I also really like the concept for a character living a dual-life in their sleeping vs. waking life. There should be a word for that.

Then there are those confusing stories that you don’t know if they’re fantasy or sci-fi like Star Wars or Thor. This only results in the ever-confusing shelving issue I have. I go to look for a fantasy novel and wind up with sci-fi. There may be some overlap, but they are not the same.

5) Science!

Half the time, I don’t know what some scientists or mechanics are talking about in sci-fi, but it sure is fascinating. I like that a lot of the technology is built on fact, so there’s all this potential.

The only thing is, with science developing so rapidly, some of the technology either becomes real, or the principles become obsolete. Other times, the facts are faulty. I’ve always wondered how people could travel faster than light, and still end up in the same time. After all, according to Einstein’s theory of relativity, faster-than-light travel would result in a jump into the future.

Then again the Earth did turn out to be round when, for thousands of years, it was believed to be flat.

6) Sci-fi is packed full with culture.

I don’t actually like the way alien races tend to be portrayed. Please, enough with The War of the Worlds and Independence Day. While these stories may have been groundbreaking during their time, it’s getting tiresome. “All aliens want to kill us.” Oh, please.

Rather, give me the cultural aspects that come with different races. Sure, there are definitely misunderstandings and even hostile meetings, but there are discoveries too. There are languages barriers to overcome, customs to learn, foods and new atmospheres to experience. In fact, I’d like to see more sci-fi with cultural aspects, including culture shock. The only ones I’ve read with it thus far has been The Left Hand of Darkness and A Princess of Mars.

7) Space is awesome.

I’ve always been fascinated with astronomy. When I was a kid, my dad would drive my brother and me out to the middle of nowhere, and we’d sit on the hood of his car to watch a meteor shower. When I was a teenager, he’d set up the telescope, and we’d admire the rings around Saturn and see if we could spot Jupiter’s moons. And one day, I may even find Andromeda, the only galaxy visible to the naked eye, with our telescope.

Sure, space is also really creepy. Bone’s sums it up pretty well when he says, “Space is disease and danger wrapped in darkness and silence.” And while I’m pretty terrified of the idea of endless nothingness, it’s still fascinating. There are countless galaxies, nebulas, and black holes out there. Is it bad that I find black holes fascinating?

8) Bonus! (And because I’m not good with math.)

Sci-fi can reference literature and made up stories.

Spock (Star Trek) is a Sherlock-esque character and even quotes him. Star Trek: First Contact references Moby-Dick. Illuminae references “O Captain! My Captain!” (Leaves of Grass) and other books yet to be written in that fictional universe.

Whoever said sci-fi couldn’t be literary?

***

Film references: Guardians of the Galaxy, Star Trek, Avatar, Independence Day, Star Wars, and Thor.

Literary references: H. G. Wells’ War of the Worlds and The Time Machine, Ursula K. Le Guin’s The Left Hand of Darkness, Edgar Rice Burroughs’ A Princess of Mars, Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff’s Illuminae, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s Sherlock Holmes collection, Herman Melville’s Moby-Dick, and Walt Whitman’s “O Captain! My Captain!” (Leaves of Grass).

Let’s chat! What is one of your favorite genres? What are some of your favorite characteristics of sci-fi? Did I leave any out?

Sunday, March 12, 2017

7 Reasons I Enjoy Medieval Novels

Last year I wrote a couple posts on genres I liked and didn’t like. Today I’m here to continue and write about the Middle Ages and the qualities I like that tend to pop up in fiction.

1) The Middle Ages was the time of castles.

One of my favorite parts about living in Europe is visiting all the castles. They’re amazing. The ruined castles are especially amazing because they leave many facts up to the imagination. I like exploring the old towers and along the walls, wondering what they may have been like in their prime. From the River of Time series and The Alliance series to The Lord of the Rings, medieval stories offer just a glimpse of such a time.

2) Old-fashioned methods of transportation were prevalent.

I could do without riding in the seat/back of a wagon. But I completely enjoy horseback riding, which was just about as common in the Middle Ages as walking, if one could afford a horse. It’s not as though I like to show off my equestrian knowledge while writing medieval stories. I just like to able to read a story and get it. And horses are awesome.

Other fascinating modes of transportation include sailing and dragon riding (though the latter is more fantasy-related). Although books with sailing are not limited to the medieval stories, they are certainly interesting.

3) Travel!

Let’s face it, folks in medieval stories tend to travel a lot. While they may not experience jet lag like we do, they know the pains of walking all day and the confusion that comes with meeting people of other cultures. Because I’ve traveled so much in my own life, I can relate a lot with characters who travel. I know what it’s like to experience culture shock and feet so tired I just want to lay down on that uncomfortable hotel mattress and fall asleep. I’ve also gone camping a couple of times, so I know what it’s like to sleep on the ground, much like many characters, especially Frodo and Sam.

Sam: “Everywhere I lie there’s a dirty great root sticking into my back.”
Frodo: “Just shut your eyes, and imagine you’re back in your own bed, with a soft mattress and a lovely feather pillow.”
Sam: “It’s not working, Mister Frodo. I’m never going to be able to sleep out here.”
Frodo: “Me neither, Sam.”

4) Carrying around weapons is (generally) socially acceptable.

Oh, you just got a new crossbow or ancient sword from your ancestors, feel free to carry it around. After all, who doesn’t want to sport a battle ax or a couple throwing daggers? You never know when you might need it.

Today, on the other hand, you can have concealed and carry weapons in some countries while only the military or the police carry weapons most of the time. Sure, it’s good that we live in times of relative peace (depending on where you live), but swords are awesome. One of my favorite things about the Ritterspiele in Germany is that not only do people dress up in medieval garb, but they also sport their weapons.

5) Books from the Middle Ages are AMAZING!

I’m not just talking about books about the Middle Ages but books that were written in the Middle Ages. The first and second editions of Le Morte Darthur, Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, the old Bibles. You name it. And they’re so stinking pretty. Scribes had to study handwriting and use their best when writing on parchment. Some books were even gilded, covered in gold for decorative purposes.

While books today are printed to be distributed to a wide audience, books in the Middle Ages were hand-written for a select few. And they were made to last. Paper may be more convenient (and humane) than animal skins, but they don’t last as long.

One of my favorite days from my postgraduate studies when I got to visit the University of Birmingham and view their special collections. We got to transcribe scripts (handwriting) and see illuminated manuscripts. At one point, I even got to touch the pages of a book from the 18^th century, “adding my fingerprints” to its long history. Parchment doesn’t feel much different from paper. It’s stiff, but it’s also quite leathery. It’s hard to describe unless you get the chance to feel it for yourself.

Generally, though, you would never ever, ever touch a manuscript except with gloves and special training. We received special permission for a select few books.

6) Medieval stories are packed full of information.

Not only do you learn how people dyed their clothes or how markets were run (because that’s so helpful today), but you can also learn about history.

But I’m more interested in the random bits of information. Like…

Did you know that in the Middle Ages, spiral staircases tended to circle up to the left for defensive purposes? Most swordsmen were right-handed, so the defenders would have more room to wield their swords while the attackers struggled to maneuver around the center of the staircase.

7) Medieval stories make me appreciate the present even more.

To be fair, I still enjoy living in the present day. As much fun as it would be to send a message via hawk or pigeon, it could take forever. Not to mention, it could get lost. Then there’s hygiene. I would probably die in the Middle Ages. After all, it was also the time of the black plague, and that’s not even mentioning what they did with chamber pots. And I thought horse droppings were bad. But I still like reading about how men and women survived and made lives for themselves.

It’s fascinating!

***

Literary references: Lisa T. Bergren’s River of Time series, L. Nicodemus Lyons’ The Alliance series, J. R. R. Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings and The Fellowship of the Ring (film adaptation), Sir Thomas Malory’s Le Morte Darthur, and Sir Gawain and the Green Knight.

Let’s chat! What are some of your favorite qualities of the Middle Ages? What’s your favorite era to read about?

Sunday, March 13, 2016

7 Reasons I Enjoy Fantasy Novels

Last month I posted 3 Reasons I Don’t Read Romance Novels, and I figured it just wouldn’t be fair to explain why I don’t read a particular genre without expressing why I like another. So here goes! Brace the gates! Just kidding. But no seriously. I like fantasy so much, I’m going to have a hard time limiting myself to only 7 reasons. Perhaps I’ll return with reasons I like medieval fiction.

1) Dragons and other mythological beings.

Any argument is invalid. You could fill a book with all the reasons I like dragons. And they have. From How to Train Your Dragon, The Hobbit, The Voyage of the Dawn Treader, to many more, dragons have been striking fear into the hearts of men. And hobbits. And Vikings. And it’s in the face of danger and great peril that men, women, and hobbits, can show great courage.

Perhaps the two most attractive qualities about dragons (and phoenixes and gryphons) are fire and flight. I mean, other than the surreal might of mountains and waterfalls, what can be more awesome than a fire-breathing dragon or a bird that sets itself on fire? I think I just like fire… And wouldn’t it just be amazing to fly with a dragon? (FYI, I do not condone any attempts to ride a phoenix. If you can even find one big enough to carry you, or you happen to be a dwarf, they still have this nasty habit of setting themselves on fire. Approach at your own risk. On second thought, it might be safer to approach a phoenix than a dragon…) Even before I read Eragon and Dragonspell, one of my childhood dreams was to become a dragon rider, but alas, I may have to resolve to finding a bearded dragon in this magic-less universe.

2) The fantastical races.

Raise your hand if you’ve taken one of those online quizzes for which Tolkien-esque race you would be. I think I got a wizard. Or a hobbit. I can’t remember. I have a particular fondness for dwarves. Despite their usual stubbornness, they can be fiercely loyal. But I also enjoy reading about elves, fawns, centaurs, marsh-wiggles, and the like.

3) The suspension of disbelief.

We live in a world where science often dictates the way the world works, or so we’d like to think, but even with science, some things have no explanation. And while we could have endless debates about science and the supernatural, fantasy allows readers to strip away doubts and, if momentarily, believe that anything could be possible.

4) The epic sagas.

Some days I want a stand-alone novel that I can mull over or enjoy on the weekends, but other times, I want to dive into a series of one adventure after another. I’m especially drawn to novels with 500 or more pages. While hefty books may be a deterrent to some people, I find I am more likely to pick such a book up in a library, flip through its pages, and smell the words. You get the picture.

When it comes to reading a book with characters and a world I especially enjoy, I will definitely enjoy a sequel. And another. And another…

Here are just a few of the fantasy books in my collection.

I brought them to college with me for their lovely company.

5) The masterful world building.

Because I enjoy big books, I can also enjoy the details of a well-developed world. This is not to say that I enjoy a fat info dump, and yes, I did get bogged down the first time I tried to read The Fellowship of the Ring. But I can appreciate all the thought an author puts into a story. It makes rereading it even more enjoyable. Sometimes I’ll pick up little things I missed in the first reading.

6) The poetry.

Fantasy and poetry tend to walk hand-in-hand, especially considering the symbolic potential for fantasy in the first place. From prophecy to songs and poems recording the heroic (or not-so-heroic) deeds of past characters, poetry allows readers to delve beyond simple prose and stretch their minds and think metaphorically.

After all, who could forget Tolkien’s famous words:

“One Ring to rule them all, One Ring to find them,

One Ring to bring them all and in the darkness bind them.”

Or the words inscribed on High King Peter’s sword, Rhidon:

“When Aslan Bears his teeth winter meets its death.

When he shakes his mane, we shall have spring again.”

Even the Sorting Hat comes up with a song every year. Yes, even that’s poetry too. I haven’t even mentioned The Faerie Queene, which is written entirely in iambic pentameter. (Ten syllables with a very specific meter. Very tricky to write.)

7) The characters.

Because it’s one of my favorite genres, fantasy has most of my favorite characters. No, I can’t pick one any more than a mother can pick her favorite child, a bookworm his/her favorite book, or you your vital organ. From Puddleglum to Eustice to Reepicheep, from Gimli to Samwise to Faramir to Eowyn, from Hiccup to Toothless, there are many, many characters that I will never forget.

8) Bonus: The soundtracks from the film adaptations.

I know this is technically eight points, but technically this one doesn’t count because it relates to movies. But let’s face it: fantasy soundtracks are AMAZING. There’s nothing quite like the feeling of listening to The Chronicles of Narnia theme song right as it’s reaching its crescendo right before the battle scene and your heart is racing. Don’t tell me you’ve never experienced it! Surely you have your favorite moments in such soundtracks too?

Some of my favorites include but are not limited to The Chronicles of Narnia (obviously), The Hobbit (particularly Misty Mountains Cold, I See Fire, and Last Goodbye) and The Lord of the Rings, How to Train Your Dragon 1 and 2, and Thor. I even have the song of the Rohirm set as my text alert. The only problem, however, with listening to such epic soundtracks is that it often makes me want to watch the movies and read the books instead of just thinking about them.

But another thing that’s really cool is when you’re listening to a soundtrack while reading the book. Unfortunately, this might only last an hour or so, but hey, music is magical too.

So, fantasy fans, what do YOU enjoy about fantasy? Would you add anything to the list?

***

Literary References: Cressida Cowell’s How to Train Your Dragon, J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings, C.S. Lewis’ The Chronicles of Narnia, Christopher Paolini’s Eragon, Donita K. Paul’s Dragonspell, J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter series, and Edmund Spencer’s The Faerie Queene.

Film references: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, Prince Caspian, The Hobbit, The Lord of the Rings, How to Train Your Dragon 1 and 2, and Thor.

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