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Tuesday, February 12, 2013

Top Ten Tuesday

Viva d'amore!!!
 
I have to say that while I have a romantic soul, I'm not overly fond of the present state of merchandising for the holiday of love.
I do not want a stuffed frog with big red lips and a pillow saying "Kiss me" or any diamond themed jewelry from Kay jewelers.
Love for me is not in the sickening sweet professions of love that overburden the sales shelves and our wallets.
Unfortunately, you can't get away from the sentiments...anywhere.
Love for me is found in all the little things my hubby does that can melt my heart.  Like when he cooks dinner when I've had a crap day, or he'll come home from the store with a surprise which turns out to be Dr Who Build-a-character package, or he'll just look at me for a moment before he tells me he loves me, or the fact that he doesn't make fun of me because of the types of books I read or that he encouraged me when I told him I was going to start a blog and he has been supportive ever since.
It's not the over the top grand gestures, it is in the every day little things.
Of course, we all celebrate love in our own ways and there is no wrong way to do it.
Whatever your profession of choice, take time every day to let your honey know how much you love him.  It doesn't have to be just one day.

Top Ten Romances In Books

 
 
Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme from the ladies over at The Broke and the Bookish.
 
I have to say, I had a very hard time with this list. How to limit the list to just 10? And how to interpret? There are so many romances that I have fallen in love with that I couldn't list them all. And I know I will have a "no dah" moment when I read some of the other lists, but my criteria is that it is a book or series I have read more than once because I just can't get enough.
 
So without further ado, here is my list for this week:
 
  1. Outlander by Diana Gabaldon - Scotsman in a kilt. Need I say more?
  2. Princess Diaries Series by Meg Cabot - Mia and Michael are still my ideal couple
  3. My Invisible Boyfriend by Susie Day - Ever make up a boyfriend just so you don't feel left out?
  4. Megan Mead’s Guide to the McGowan Boys - An insider's guide to the inner workings of the male mind - Not for the faint of heart
  5. Wildwood Dancing by Juliet Marillier - Fairytale beautifully told set in Romania
  6. Falling in Love with English Boys by Melissa Jensen - Love, English boys. Does it get any better than that?
  7. Georgia Nicholson Diaries by Louise Rennison - Hi-larious
  8. Nevermore by Kelly Creagh - Dark and haunting tale about love found when it's already too late
  9. Pants on Fire by Meg Cabot - I could actually put all Meg Cabot books together, but I particularly love this one. Guys leaves town a nerd and comes back a hottie seemingly bent on revenge.
  10. Time Between Us by Tamara Ireland Stone - Another haunting tale, beautifully written involving time jumping
 
I thought I might make a list of my favorite manga as well, but that proved much more challenging. I was in pain trying to narrow it down to 10 titles, so I cheated and made some entries an author.
 
  1. Fruits Basket by Natsuki Takaya
  2. Yuu Watase: Absolute Boyfriend, Alice 19th, Ceres, Fushigi Yugi, Imadoki! Nowadays
  3. Rumiko Takahashi: Inu Yasha, Ranma 1 ½, Maison Ikkoku
  4. Mars by Fuyumi Soryo
  5. Hot Gimmick by Miki Aihara
  6. Hana-Kimi by Hisaya Nakajo
  7. Skip Beat by Yoshiki Nakamura
  8. Banri Hidaki: V.B. Rose, Tears of a Lamb, I Hate You More Than Anyone
  9. Tenshi Ja Nai! (I’m no Angel)by Takako Shigematsu
  10. Haruka, Beyond the Stream of Time by Tohko Mizuno

4 comments:

  1. Great list! Can never go wrong with a Scot in a kilt! And love all the little ways that hubby shows you he loves you. Too romantic! *sigh*

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    1. You never can go wrong with a Sctsman in a kilt. Too bad Cameron wasn't wearing his. I had a perfect Valentine's Day in my opinion. We popped down to our favorite pub and had some beer. How did you spend your day?

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  2. Not a great fan of romances so I couldn't possibly comment on this and, would you believe it, I have never read anything vaguely 'Manga' though its on my to do list.

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    1. Romances are not for everyone. I used to read a greater variety of books. A lot of Celtic history and Arthurian legends, some classics, though mostly Jane Austen, Eastern Philosophy, supposedly true ghost accounts, adult fantasy, some sci fi, all along with the romance. Now I find with all the stress I have on the job, I want to give my brain some relaxation time, so I tend towards things that are not so heavy. Manga is really great for that and so are the romances. I don't read the adult serialized romances though. They are just a tad bit too cookie cutter for me.

      There are lots of different types of manga out there, so perhaps you'll find a type you like and give it a try. They don't take long to read and they are good books to disengage the brain with.

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