The Sunshine Blogger Award

Hey readers! I was tagged by Shyla Fairfax-Owen to do The Sunshine Blogger Award tag! Thank you for the nomination (tag), Shyla!

How does it work?

• Thank the blogger(s) who nominated you in a blog post and link back to their blog.
• Answer the 11 questions sent by the person who nominated you.
• Nominate 11 new blogs to receive the award and write them 11 new questions.
• List the rules and display the Sunshine Blogger Award logo in your post and/or on your blog.

Let’s jump in to the questions!

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Name one thing that you’re obsessing over / geeking out about these days!

I’ve honestly been needing out over One Direction again. When I was in high school, I was obsessed with them and when they split up, I kind of stopped listening to their music for no particular reason and I just recently started listening to their music (even from their first album). I’ve been listening to their solo music and I’m just so proud of them!

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What’s a more appealing reading experience to you, series or standalone?

STANDALONES. I love standalones for many reasons.

• you don’t have to wait a whole year or more to get the sequel
• you don’t have to re-read every book in the series before the upcoming sequel to remember the world/characters
• if you didn’t like the book, you don’t have to guilt trip yourself into reading the rest of the series to wonder if it ever got better
  

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  Show off your latest book haul (purchase, gift, what have you)!

My husband and I went to a used book store called 2nd & Charles and I found this UK edition of I’ll Give You The Sun by Jandy Nelson. I’ve never owned a UK edition of any book before up until a week ago.

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You’ve had a rough day, how are you going to spend your evening?

I’m going to either watch some reading vlogs and sip on some hot coco while sitting on my big, comfy couch or I’d take a hot bath with a bath bomb, get ice cold water, a snack, and a book and read in the tub

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Morning person or night owl?

I used to be a night owl before I had my son, but now that I have him and he’s a year old now, I’ve learned/got forced in to being a morning person. Sometimes I just want to roll over and sleep longer, but mommy duties!

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Are you pickier about food or books?

I’m definitely pickier about food, but fortunately I’ve started to try new things and I’ve recently discovered my love for Brussels sprouts, asparagus and broccoli! When I say I’m picky, I seriously mean that I am a picky eater so for me to say I love those vegetables is a huge step up.

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Name one bucket list item!

This one item has been on my bucket list since I was 8 years old and it’s to visit and explore Ireland! Traveling in general is on my bucket list, but I feel like everyone wants to travel and explore part of the world that we’ve never been on, but I really want to go to Ireland.

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If you could invent one thing, anything at all, what would it be?

Because it’s 11:13 p.m. and my brain is lacking any creative juice I’ve ever had, all I can think of is an app for any readathons we want to participate in, sort of like Goodreads, but only for readathons. An app would be cool to be able to track our TBRs, daily page count, and statistics.

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If you were starting University/College tomorrow, what would you major in?

Realistically, Medical Coding because my mom is a coder and she makes pretty good money and I would love to major in something that’ll get me a good paying job to help support my family.

My dream major would be pre-med or biology and go to medical school to be an OB/GYN. I’ve wanted to be a doctor since I was young but I really just feel like I’m not smart enough to even try. I would definitely love to though.

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If you could travel to one book world, which would you choose?

I would without a doubt travel to the world of Caraval and participate in a game. Caraval is such a magical game and hopefully the prize would be something special and awesome! I’d love to meet Scarlet, Tella, Julian, and Legend.

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Who would you cast as the lead in a screen adaptation of your favorite book (whether or not it already exists)?

One of my favorite reads of 2019 was With the Fire on High by Elizabeth Acevedo.

I would cast Madeleine Matock as Emoni because she is Puerto Rican, she has the curly hair, and she is just as beautiful as I would imagine Emoni to be.

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That was such a fun book tag! I am nominating The Bookworm Chronicles, Scribbles & Wanderlust, The Book Corps, A Little Haze Book Blog, A Book A Thought, The Book Of Jess , The Book Mermaid, The Little Red Reviewer, Book Escape, Jenniely & Adventures Of A Bibliophile

My questions for you all will be:

1. What book that hasn’t been adapted yet do you really want to be adapted?

2. Which book character would you bring back to life?

3. Tea or coffee?

4. Most Anticipated 2020 release?

5. What is your current goal? It doesn’t have to be book related and can be a small goal or big goal!

6. Hobby besides reading?

7. Road trips or plane rides?

8. Any pets or animals you just find really interesting?

9. Booktube or Bookstagram?

10. If you could write a book or are writing one, what would the genre be and why?

11. Which book is your favorite read from 2019?

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Lottie Sparkles’ Magical Discovery Review

 

Lottie Sparkles’ Magical Discovery

Who wouldn’t like a magical jacket?

Lottie Sparkles is a little girl who loves everything sparkly, mainly clothes. Anything plain or dirty is a disgrace in Lottie s mind! When Lottie is sent to spend time with her lovely grandparents in the countryside, she is furious because that essentially means smelly animals, lots of puddles and hard work! But what she certainly didn’t count on was coming face to face with a magical object.

I was kindly sent an ARC of Lottie Sparkles’ Magical Discovery in exchange of a review from Rachel’s Random Resources. I unfortunately did not like the book and only rated this 1 star. In my personal opinion, I don’t think a children’s book should show kids who only care about the way they look or how expensive their clothes are. Children’s books should teach kids that it doesn’t matter what clothes you wear because some families can’t afford nice things. I didn’t really like this book because of that fact. I also don’t like how Lottie acted when she found out she was going away to visit her grandparents. Children’s books should teach value of family and this book did the exact opposite. She only became happy when she found a sparkly jacket. Lottie is the definition of spoiled. Maybe I’m being too critical of a children’s book. If you would like to read it and chat with me about it, I will leave all the links to get the book!

Amazon UK

Amazon US

Book Depository

Goodreads

Author Bio – The author loves everything sparkly and glittery but hopefully,she says, she is not a diva like Lottie from her book. Aside from all the glitz and glamour,she is a collector of magical books, tea sets, movies and a huge fan of chocolate. She has two little girls also known as “The Little Book-Fairies” with a BIG imagination.

Social Media Links –

Twitter

Instagram

Facebook Page

Giveaway to Win 1 x signed copy of Lotties Sparkles Magical Adventure (UK / Europe Only)*

Terms and Conditions – UK / Europe entries welcome. Please enter using this Rafflecopter link. The winner will be selected at random via Rafflecopter from all valid entries and will be notified by Twitter and/or email. If no response is received within 7 days, then Rachel’s Random Resources reserves the right to select an alternative winner. Open to all entrants aged 18 or over.Any personal data given as part of the competition entry is used for this purpose only and will not be shared with third parties, with the exception of the winners’ information. This will passed to the giveaway organizer and used only for fulfillment of the prize, after which time Rachel’s Random Resources will delete the data. I am not responsible for despatch or delivery of the prize.

 

SIX GOODBYES WE NEVER SAID by Candace Ganger – REVIEW

I was kindly sent an E-Arc of Six Goodbyes We Never Said by Candace Ganger from Sarah Bonamino in exchange for an honest review.

Representation: fat rep, bi/pan rep and mental illness rep

Trigger Warning: Character who was suicidal, death, parents dying

Six Goodbyes We Never Said is set in Ivy Springs, Indiana. The story is told from the point of view of two characters, Naima Rodriguez and Andrew Brickman. Naima is a seventeen year old girl grieving the loss of her father – a fallen Marine. Naima was and still is very angry at her father, Staff Sergeant Raymond K. Rodriguez, for getting deployed when he promised he would stay with her. While Raymond was deployed, he would leave Naima voicemails and write her letters that she wouldn’t listen to or read. Naima became suicidal and went to a treatment facility to help with her mental illness. While she was getting treated, Raymond died in Afghanistan during his sixth tour. Naima’s step-mother, Penelope, tries to be there for her, but Naima wants nothing to do with her.

Andrew Brickman is an orphan. His parents died in a car crash. He was adopted by Stella and Thomas. Andrew goes by Dew and is a sixteen year old sophomore in high school. Dew struggles with panic attacks and he only gets them when he’s in a situation that makes him think of his family or mother. The only thing that helps Dew get through them is August Moon, a band his mother used to sing to him. One summer, he meets Raymond Rogriguez and hears all about who Naima is. He’s determined to meet her. He meets Joelle, Naima’s grandmother and hears her playing August Moon. From then on, he believes that Naima is his soulmate. When he finally meets Naima, he wants so desperately to be with her and to know more about her. 

I gave Six Goodbyes We Never Said 2.5 stars. This book unfortunately wasn’t for me.

Naima was incredibly rude to her step-mother and literally named her plant Penelope Smellope. Naima lets Penelope know how much she doesn’t like her and how she wished her father never married her even though she secretly likes her. Naima always had an attitude. She just wanted to be left alone.

I personally have a step-father and I would never treat or talk to him the way Naima was with Penelope. I understand wanting to be left alone but I didn’t like how Naima treated people or the way she talked to people. She wasn’t a likable character in my opinion.

Dew on the other hand was very respectful and outgoing, but he was also very creepy at one point. Dew hadn’t even met Naima yet and he already believed that Naima was his soulmate. He didn’t consider Naima’s feelings and the possibility of Naima not wanting to be with Dew. He pursued her and kept trying to be with her even after she made it clear that she didn’t like him. He also recorded around Naima often making her uncomfortable, which is a hard situation because though it helps Dew combat his panic attacks, you should have the person’s consent, and if you don’t and they specifically tell you to not record them, you should listen to them, but he kept recording their conversations.

Both characters had many flaws and could have been improved. There was only one character that I actually liked and that was Violet, Dew’s co-worker at Baked & Caffeinated. Violet is outgoing and is not afraid to tell you her thoughts and opinions. Violet is a strong character and is also very funny. Violet is also bi/pan. I’m not sure exactly what she identifies as since she doesn’t label herself as anything, but I wish we got more of her in the book.

Another character I didn’t care for was Faith, Dew’s sister. She’s a very angry and aggressive person. She doesn’t care who you are, she’ll tell you how she feels, even if it hurts your feelings and I don’t like those types of characters. They’re hard to read about and they make me want to stop reading. I rolled my eyes many times with Faith. She’s portrayed as misunderstood and just an angry person. I would’ve liked to read less of her to be completely honest.

What was interesting about the book is the way it’s formatted. We get to read the transcription betas of voicemails Naima’s father sent to her. We get to read emails that Naima never sent her father. We also get to read Dew’s tape recordings. There’s a lot going on in the book and I think it made it that much more unique. While on the subject of Six Goodbyes We Never Said being unique, you don’t usually see a whole lot of contemporary young adult novels including the U.S. military in it’s books. I appreciated the subject of military being pretty much the whole of this book. Coming from a former military wife, this book shows what could happen to a family of someone who is serving and not everyone realizes the real sacrifice people make for our country and its citizens.

Another unique thing was that Naima and Dew ended up becoming friends and nothing more. Young adult contemporary novels don’t always have to be about falling in love. In my opinion, the novels about friendship are always better than the novels that are only centered on the love interests and relationships. Violet and Dew end up remaining friends as well, but I wish that Dew never looked for love in this book. It was too confusing to have a “love triangle” when nothing happens in the end.

There were amazing quotes that I would love to share:

“Sometimes starting over is the only way to stop looking back.” – Dr. Rose 

I love this quote and it actually made me reflect on my life and I’m now determined to live by it. It’s a good reminder to not feel bad about starting over. Sometimes, starting over is just the thing we need.

“…The ones broken by the world, angry and afraid of trusting. You must remind them that they are not alone. Nothing can be lost in trying.” – Andrew’s mother

This quote is a sweet one. It encourages people to not think that they aren’t walking in a situation alone because somewhere out in this messed up world, someone’s going through the exact same thing as they are. Nothing can be lost in trying to me means that there’s nothing to lose, so go after what you want most in life. All you can do is try.

“Hard work reveals who people really are, when the going gets tough, some hide and others rise.” – Andrew’s father (I think)

This quote is true and it makes you want to be one of the few that rise when the going gets tough. 

“Everyone needs that person. The one who sees you stuck between the minute and the hour hands of your most painful moments, and reaches out for you.” – Naima

This made me think of two people: my husband and my mother. My mother and I had a very close relationship and we still do. Growing up, she was the person who reached out to me during my darkest hours. Then came my husband who stuck by my side through fear, happiness, sadness, and even through my postpartum depression. He is now the person who reaches out for me and I’m his person who reaches out for him.

“Rise for something you believe in or fade with those in fear.” – Raymond Rodriguez

This was a wakeup call for me. I don’t want to fade with those in fear. I want to rise!

Overall, Six Goodbyes We Never Said was a good book and is targeted to people who are hurting and grieving or have these mental illnesses and can relate to these characters, but because I’m neither of these people, I just didn’t connect with the characters and I had a hard time understanding why the characters acted the way they did. This book just wasn’t for me and that’s okay. I think it can be an amazing book to someone else who needs to read Candace Ganger’s words. I am very lucky and appreciative to have read this book and some of these words I will keep with me forever.

Caraval by Stephanie Garber

WARNING: THIS REVIEW CONTAINS SPOILERS SO IF YOU HAVEN’T READ IT YET AND DON’T WANT TO GET SPOILED, DO NOT READ FURTHER!!!

My Review:

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5/5 stars

        “Every person has the power to change their fate if they are brave enough to fight for what they desire more than anything.”

          I haven’t read a book like this one in a long time. This was amazing! The writing was beautiful, the character development was done well, the structure of this book was flawless and the plot was interesting. I loved that the book focused more about the sister’s relationship rather than the love interest.I was never bored with this story. Nothing dragged. The pacing of the book was perfect. I didn’t hate any of the side characters. I liked them all.

This review is me basically gushing about Stephanie Garber… whoops!

          At first, I thought this was kind of like The Hunger Games because it’s a game and there’s that possibility of death and of course someone has to be in love with another player in the game. But I was very wrong. I fell in love with Julian, hated him, and fell in love all over again. Him and Scarlet are so cute together!

          The history between Annalise and Legend was sad, and I really hated Legend, but he truly did redeem himself in the end by saving Donatella and Scarlet from their abusive, evil father.When I read Caraval, I envisioned Legend to be older. Maybe in his late 40’s, early 50’s at most because of the love story between Legend and the Dragna sister’s grandmother, Annalise. He might actually be that old or he might be older, but because he’s practically immortal, he seems to be in his early 20’s? I really don’t know how old Legend is supposed to be.

          The currency in Caraval was interesting. You don’t pay with money, but you pay with secrets, lies and other personal information, which was a neat aspect.

          My reaction when I read the end of the book was confused and partially upset. We find out that Donatella being taken was all fake and part of the game. Tella was working with Legend and that made me like Tella less. Thinking about it now, I admire Tella for making Scarlet go. It was her dream since she was a kid to attend Caraval and Tella made it happen. Even if she worked with Legend, Tella stopped Scarlet from marrying a man she hadn’t yet meet and she got her and her sister away from their father.

          My emotions were definitely played with throughout this book and I LOVE it! I was questioning myself and trying to figure it out with Scarlet, but this book was unpredictable (which is a good thing) and it just had me at the edge of my seat! I literally could not stop reading. I definitely will read the next book that comes out soon! The end left me wanting more. I MUST GET MY HANDS ON LEGENDARY!

 

*I wrote this review in 2017*