zee zee--don't fall asleep just yet!

We've done it--we have reached the final letter in the alphabet.  This one was hard, but I managed to find a favorite story that fits the bill nicely. 

Zorro

Oh come on.  Do you blame me for picking it?  Plus, I am rather smitten with Antonio Banderas. 

It's a rags to riches story, and a redemption story, and a justice story, and a hero story.  And did I mention Banderas?  I really enjoy a fun film (and I am really just talking about the two movies with Banderas, because the old tv show was fun but not a favorite) that engages me on so many levels.  I know, I think too much, and sometimes find lots of things in stories other people don't, and I'm sure for many, this is just a silly movie where swords are brandished with flare.  But for me, it's a rather epic story, with a little romance thrown in (I have to give kudos to Catherine Zeta-Jones, for her fiery portrayal of the love interest). Oh, and did I mention that Anthony Hopkins is in there too?  He is!

So check out The Mask of Zorro and The Legend of Zorro so you can see what I'm talking about.

And thanks for participating in this fun, 26 day journey through some of my favorite stories!  Don't be a stranger, and I'll try to update on a regular basis with my meandering and sojournings and whatnots.

yo yo yodel...

Here we are, with just two letters left!  Want to know what my favorite Y story is?  Keep reading, you are in for a treat!

Yelena

She's the main character of three of my favorite books, The Study Series (Poison Study, Magic Study, and Fire Study), and she is amazing. 

We first meet Yelena as she is given the option to become the food taster for the commander of her country.  And she either accepts the job, or she dies, since she's already in prison for killing someone.  She takes the job.  And from that lovely start, we follow her through many adventures.

Through the course of three books (and some small snippets that the author, Maria V. Snyder has available online), we get to see Yelena as the fully-fleshed out character she is.  She struggles against injustice and her own feeling of disconnectedness.  We see her fall in love without even knowing it, and having to then pick between freedom and love.  Oh, and she has these powers she doesn't understand and that happen to be illegal in the area where she lives.  Nothing like putting pressure on a girl.

Snyder's writing is highly engaging.  I find it hard to put down a book by her.  So far, Yelena is my favorite, but there isn't a single Snyder book that hasn't kept me up way past my bedtime.  If you check her out, read the Study series before the Glass series, as they are connected (I read the first Glass story before the Study series, so I already knew the outcome of some events, which for me, is a bit sad.)

Come back tomorrow for our final letter!

x out of that screen...

Ick, I don't even like that title, as I cringe every time someone says "x" instead of "close."  But it's all I could think of, so it gets to stay.  Let's find out what X story (not rated, come on!) is one of my favorites!

X-Men

I'm not a comic book fan.  But I am a huge fan of the X-Men stories (at least the ones they have made into films).  Maybe it's Hugh Jackman (another favorite!), but I think a lot of it has to do with the way the stories grab me.  It's the epic fight of good vs. evil but also the misfits vs. the accepted.  And when you blend the two together (with the so-called misfits being the good guys) you are going to get drama, and probably an explosion or two, if they have anything to do with it.

In addition to the basic storylines, we get characters that are interesting and many-layered.  I mean, come on, Wolverine has great history.  And so do the rest of them.  Which always makes me think about how every person is a misfit in some way, and yet they are so insanely unique and wonderful, too. 

And a story that can help me see beyond the surface and into the heart of humanity is worthy of being one of my favorites. 

who, what, when, where...and why...

Wow, this has been a fun journey for me--I hope you are enjoying it as we surge towards the final selections. I have to say, this one was a toss up, because there is a Captain out there that I adore, but since he is part of one of my P selections, we'll go with the other choice for this letter. Time for the W--and let me tell you who, what, when and where...the why is up to you to find.

A Wrinkle in Time

I first encountered L'Engle's masterpiece in the fourth grade--and it was the first of the fantasy stories that I'm in love with (preceding both Narnia and Middle Earth).

The story captures me on many levels--I love Meg, I love the traveling around the universe, and how can you not love Mrs. Witch, Mrs. Who, and Mrs. Whatsit?  The story inspired me, letting me know that kids can change the world, too.  It also introduced me to L'Engle, and for that, I am eternally happy.  Her other works are very enjoyable, and her non-fiction Walking on Water: Reflections on Faith and Art has been a life changer for me.

While I love the follow-up books as well, this one has a special place in my heart as the first. 

venturing towards the end...

Wow, we are in the final five!  V is another hard one for me, but it just so happens that there is a lovely favorite that begins with V...

The Voyage of the Dawn Treader

My nickname isn't NarniaPrincess for no reason!  I'm a fan of Narnia, since the first time I heard the story (it was read to us by a teacher) back in the fifth grade.

This is the third in the Narnia series by C.S. Lewis (if you go by publication order, which I do, as that's the correct way :P ).  And it's my favorite largely because of Eustace.  I mean, come on, he's a very awesome character.  His arc is beautiful, even if he starts out overly annoying and YOU want to shove him off the starboard side of the ship, too.

I think what attracts me to this one over the other six is that it's more a quest for honor than a "save Narnia" tale.  War stories tend to bore me after a while, but this is more adventure and restoration.  Plus we meet some fantastic characters along the way.

Come back tomorrow to find out which story makes the cut for W!