Angie's Books I'm Thankful For...

One of the first books I remember reading and loving is one that still makes me cry when I read it. I first read this book in sixth grade as part of a class assignment.

It’s called Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Patterson. This book, while one that got to me emotionally, also really captured my imagination. The world that Jesse and Leslie build in the woods (moreso in their minds) was fascinating. I’m thankful for this book because I identified with those kids. With the loneliness and the trouble with bullies and not being understood by my other classmates because I prefered writing to sports and parties. This book taught me that it was okay to be different, and that there was nothing wrong with having a good imagination.

Corina's Top Five Author's I'm Thankful For

Following in this weeks tradition. I've decided to list my top five favorite authors. Each of these authors have a special place in my heart and while I might not like every single book some of them have written, I will forever bask in the awesomeness of the ones that I've read and love.

5. Alyssa Rose Ivy - All of Alyssa's books, at least the ones I've read are amazing. She has a way with words and plot that make an array of emotions whirl through me. I'm thankful for her books because they make me believe in love, which I know sounds silly, but her books always inspire this belief that no matter what happens in life you'll find that person that completes you.

4. Fisher Amelie - I love Fisher's Seven Deadly series. Her books are so real and they touch subjects that a lot of authors don't have the finesse or inclination to touch. I've loved both books so far. Fisher's writing touches me so deeply that it resonates me even days after I've put her books down. I'm thankful for her as an author because she makes me think about the bigger issues in life.

3. Samantha Young - I stumbled on Samantha's books accidentally and I am so very glad that I did. She's an amazingly creative author and so far I've loved every book that I've read by her. She's incredibly talented and the way she weaves together her fictional worlds is truly astounding. She's got a way of describing things that makes the picture in my mind so clear. When I read her books I live them. I'm thankful for her as an author because she is proof that new ideas and creativity isn't dead.

Melissa's Five Authors I'm Thankful For...

I fully intended this post to be about the books that I'm thankful for, but after careful consideration I realized that it isn't exactly the books themselves that deserve the acclaim. Although books are like a constant companion for me- whether I'm carrying it around in my purse "just in case" (in true Rory Gilmore fashion) or reading under the covers late into the night, these books did not just appear by themselves.

Books are the product of hours of hard work and dedication to a craft that can be difficult at the best of times, and it seems only fitting that the authors deserve their time in the "I'm Thankful For" spotlight from me.

Following are five authors who have influenced me in some way. Whether it's because they opened me up to a new genre of reading, introduced fictional characters for me to fall in love with, or have had a greater personal impact on my life, these are the authors I keep going back to again and again.

Corina's Top Ten Books I'm Thankful For...

Everyone has a list of favorite books. But since it's that time of year where we tell each other what we're all thankful for it's only fitting to make a list of the top ten books I'm thankful for. Each book on this list, while it might or might not make my favorites list, has done something to make me thankful that I read it.

10. I Hope They Serve Beer In Hell - This book has to be the funniest thing I've ever read. I don't even know if it's possible to explain how hard I laughed while reading this book. Mind you it is definitely not for the faint of heart. There's swearing, derogatory commentary about women and lots and lots of sex. If you don't want to read a bunch of short, but true stories about sexual exploits with all kinds of women and crazy drinking with a close knit group of college friends then this probably isn't for you. But I will forever be thankful for reading it. After reading all about Tucker Max I can safely say I'm no longer ashamed of things I did when I was a teenager. I'd definitely recommend I Hope They Serve Beer in Hell to anyone looking for a good laugh.

9. A Long Way Gone: Memoirs of a Boy Soldier - This is the very first memoir I ever read. It was brutal, poignant, and filled with the kind of personal strength that I've never seen before. The author is a genuinely down to earth and nice guy and after everything he's been through, well I have so much respect for how well adjusted he is. He took the horrible things that happened to him when he was a child and made something good come from it. He's truly come so far and his story is inspiring. It showed me what kinds of true strength is inside of every person. I'd highly recommend this book to readers 12 and over.

8. In the Forests of the Night (Den of Shadows #1) - As most of you probably know Amelia Atwater Rhodes is one of my all time favorite authors. I'm thankful for this particular book because it was the first book I ever read that wasn't assigned in a classroom. The first one I ever read, just because. I finished it in a few hours and fell madly in love with reading. I think within a week I had read everyone of Amelia books that were out at the time and when I was finished with those I devoured a ton more YA paranormal romance stories. My love for vampires and witches has been around since I was twelve and I first saw Buffy the Vampire Slayer. But I digress. This is the book that made me love reading and for that I will always have a place in my heart for this book. I'd absolutely recommend it and any of her other books to lovers of the YA Paranormal genre.

Thankful For Kickoff Post: The Book Thief

Welcome to Thankful For week here at Pink Fluffy Hearts. We thought it’d be fun to share some of the books, authors and characters that have impacted us over the years. As we take turns posting our lists, we’d love to hear what books you’re thankful for as well.