The Princesses Read: Belle

Second week, and my Princess series is still going strong – yes, there was a little bit a doubt, because we all know I actually have struggles with sticking to a schedule. D:

Missed what The Princesses Read is all about? Here’s a bit of a refresh:

Each Saturday, I will be showcasing a lovely Disney Princess (or when they run out, some other Disney leading ladies and more) and showcasing what they might be picking up if they were reading YA today. It will be based off their likes, interests, personalities, and their storyline. At the end, I will also feature a book that the Princess would NOT be picking up and a section of books that are based off either the plot or original princess fairytale. Check out more info here on my original post!

Now, I gave a hint of a picture of some beautiful roses last week in Tiana’s post, trying to hint at two possible princesses it could be, and everyone that guesses literally got it right on the first try. So, my hinting is apparently really obvious. Good to know you won’t have to worry about finding out what princess is every week. So, in case, you didn’t guess, this week’s princess is…

BELLE!

That’s right – we’re talking about the official Princess of book lovers and bookworms everywhere! She’s smart, strong, a total book lover – and if you saw the new live-action movie, an epic inventor. Plus, I only wish I could do epic things with my hair like she does. She was the first half hair bun wearer, and I’m so jealous of how good it looks. Also, can we discuss how she was the only brunette Princess before Moana? Anyway, I’m getting so off track. I know Belle is the favorite Princess of many bloggers out there, and she rightly should be since she totally gets how each of us feel about our lovely books.

So, if Belle was around today instead of pre-Revolutionary France, what YA books would she pick up?

Credits to Speak

Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins

I don’t believe it is ever specified in the movies that Beauty and the Beast’s setting is France, but it is – especially before the French Revolution, which will take place a few years later. In Anna and the French Kiss, the setting is the glorious Paris, and Perkins does an amazing job of including a lot of the sites and sounds. In the live-action Beauty and the Beast, Belle wishes so badly to go to Paris as well – well, for totally different reasons than Anna, but still. This book would totally get Belle excited for the setting, but I also feel like she would love the adorable feels as well. Does anyone else feel like Belle is a total closet romance nerd? I feel it.

Credits to Feiwel and Friends

Scarlet by Marissa Meyer

Oh, look, another book with a French setting. I’m so taking the easy way out with this one. XD But, honestly, I picked this book for two other reasons for Belle. 1) Belle would totalllllllllly love Scarlet’s fierceness. She’s sassy, bold, and strong. She stands up to some pretty intense beasties – um, hybrid wolf creatures with pretty sharp teeth – just like Belle does to the Beast. I think Belle would totally fangirl over that. 2) Scarlet ends up falling in love with the big bad wolf – just like Belle does with the Beast. Belle would totally get Scarlet in this aspect as well, and get down with the feels since I imagine Wolf is as fluffy on the inside as Beast.

Roseblood by A. G. Howard

This book is a retelling of the classic story, The Phantom of the Opera. Wait, let me guess, me, IT HAS FRENCH INSPIRATION? Yes, it does, but sooooo not the reason I picked it – although I bet Belle would appreciate it. But it is the classic story that could mirror Belle’s story – Belle falls in love with not the best looking guy (Christine and Erik); there is a clearer, handsomer choice like Gaston (Raoul although he’s the best and not a jerk); roses; and father figures messing things up. I totally imagine Belle would be infatuated with the original story, and totally need to pick up this retelling stat – especially since there is no Raoul figure around.

The Replacement Crush by Lisa Brown Roberts

Okay, raise your hands if you think this one has some French inspiration in it? YOU WOULD BE WRONG, BECAUSE I FINALLY CONTROLLED MYSELF. Also, raise your other hand if you think that if Belle was around today and, you know, real she would be a book blogger? I totally could see her belonging to this community, and truly, I see so much of her in you bloggers! In this book, the lead heroine is a total bookworm and runs her own book blog and book club – two things Belle would totally be doing. The only thing missing was a library – BECAUSE LIBRARIES ARE CLEARLY BELLE’S JAM – but there was an adorable bookstore that plays an integral part. Belle would so sign herself up for this book stat!

By Your Side by Kasie West

Erm…LIBRARIES. That’s all I need to say about this book. XD Belle = lover of libraries. She fangirls so hard once she sees Beast’s libraries – and I mean, who doesn’t? D: IT IS THE PLACE OF DREAMS. This book concerns our heroine getting stuck in a library for a weekend with an adorably troubled young man. Her and Beast spend some swoon-worthy time in the library and totally work on their relationship through books – just like how Dex and Autumn do in this book. Not only would this book bring her the feels, she totally would go back to her own adorable times with Beast. Ah, book love…

A Book Belle Would NOT Pick Up

Credits to Scholastic

Marie Antoinette: Princess of Versailles by Kathryn Lansky

Ugh, I know, not another YA book again. I’m failing. But I’m very sure that Belle would not be picking up this book anytime because you know, Marie Antoinette had some French Revolution issues…you know, the whole let them eat cake thing and then the whole beheading thing. Basically, with the French Revolution, if you were a royal, your head literally might have been on the chopping block…and you know, Beast was a French Prince…just saying. D: D: D: So, Belle would definitely not want to read about anything about that.

Want to read more about Belle? Here are a few YA Retellings:

Hunted by Meagan Spooner, As Old as Time by Liz Braswell, and Lost in a Book by Jennifer Donnelly are just the latest editions to the YA retellings of Beauty and the Beast. Trust me, there are a LOT, though. I haven’t read many of them yet, but I definitely have a tonnnnn on the TBR, though. A Court of Thorns and Roses is one of the very few I have, though. Here is a Goodreads list as well of more Beauty and the Beast retellings. I have a lot more of my Goodreads, so let me know if you want any more!

Now, for a little hint for next week:

These white flowers look like a certain type of flower…which relates to a certain Princess. 😉 Can you guess? Also, why do I keep using flowers as my hints??

So…what do you think? Do you think Belle would be reading these? What other books do you think Belle would or would not be reading? What Princess can’t you wait to see up here? Let’s discuss in the comments below!