Monday, May 30, 2022

Book Review - What's Inside a Flower? by Rachel Ignotofsky

 


The beautifully illustrated book depicts the science behind flowers. It goes into details about the different animals, types of flowers and other scientific question behind flowers. The book gave very basic building blocks to encourage kids to explore and learn more. I thought the book was beautifully drawn and informative. I think its a good basic book to get kids interested in science.



Saturday, May 28, 2022

Book Review - The Confession Club (Mason, #3) by Elizabeth Berg


 A group of friends in Mason, Missouri, decide to start a monthly supper club. They plan to spend the evening eating and sharing among friends. However, things take a turn when one woman decides to share an intimate secret. The supper club becomes the Confession Club as the women gather weekly to share dinner and embarrassing secrets, insecurities, and regrets.

 Iris Winters and Maddy Harris are the two latest newcomers to the group. Iris has feelings for a man who is charming but, troubled. Maddy moved back to escape from a problem in New York. They both are excited to join the group because they need support from each other to help them make a decision.

 I thought the novel was a quick and easy cozy read. I did feel that the book had too many characters at one point and it made it hard to keep track of everyone. A few times, some of the characters just blended together. Some of the situations and the characters did feel a bit unrealistic. However, I did enjoy reading the novel and felt it was a nice palate cleanser from books I normally read.

Friday, May 27, 2022

Book Spotlight - Ballad & Dagger (Outlaw Saints, #1) by Daniel José Older + Giveaway

 

About The Book:

Title: BALLAD & DAGGER (Outlaw Saints #1)

Author: Daniel José Older

Pub. Date: May 3, 2022

Publisher: Rick Riordan Presents

Formats: Hardcover, eBook, Audiobook

Pages: 384

Find it: GoodreadsAmazon, Kindle, Audible, B&NiBooks, KoboTBD, Bookshop.org

Best-selling author Rick Riordan presents Daniel José Older's music-and-magic-filled YA urban fantasy about two teens who discover each other and their powers during a political battle within a unique diaspora community.

Almost sixteen years ago, Mateo Matisse's island homeland disappeared into the sea. Weary and hopeless, the survivors of San Madrigal's sinking escaped to New York.

While the rest of his tight-knit Brooklyn diaspora community dreams of someday finding a way back home, Mateo--now a high school junior and piano prodigy living with his two aunts (one who's alive, the other not so much)--is focused on one thing: getting the attention of locally-grown musical legend Gerval. Mateo finally gets his chance on the night of the Grand Fete, an annual party celebrating the blended culture of pirates, Cuban Santeros, and Sephardic Jews that created San Madrigal all those centuries ago.

But the evil that sank their island has finally caught up with them, and on the night of the celebration, Mateo's life is forever changed when he witnesses a brutal murder by a person he thought he knew.

Suddenly Mateo is thrust into an ancient battle that spans years and oceans. Deadly secrets are unraveled and Mateo awakens a power within himself--a power that not only links him to the killer but could also hold the key to unlocking the dark mystery behind his lost homeland.

From the author of the award-winning Shadowshaper Cypher series comes the first novel in the Outlaw Saints duology--a brilliant story that will transport readers to a world where magic, myth, and gods reign over the streets of Brooklyn.

 

 

About Daniel José Older:

Daniel José Older is a New York Times best-selling author and story architect. He has published fourteen novels and numerous short stories and essays, and he is a regular comics writer for Star Wars: The High Republic Adventures and Marvel. He won the International Latino Book Award and has been a finalist for the Kirkus Prize, the Mythopoeic Award, the Locus Award, the Andre Norton Award, and the World Fantasy Award. You can find his thoughts on writing, read dispatches from his decade-long career as an NYC paramedic, and hear his music at http://danieljoseolder.net, as well as on YouTube, @djolder on Twitter, @danieljose1 on Instagram, and @danieljoseolder on TikTok. He and his family live in New Orleans.

 

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | TikTok | Goodreads | Amazon | BookBub

 

Giveaway Details:

1 winner will receive a finished copy of BALLAD & DAGGER, US Only.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Tour Schedule:

Week One:

5/1/2022

YABooksCentral

Excerpt

5/2/2022

celiamcmahonreads

Excerpt/IG Post

5/3/2022

Rajiv's Reviews

Review/IG Post

5/4/2022

Emmiepooh2

IG Review

5/5/2022

@bujos_n_books

IG Review

5/6/2022

The Book View

Review/IG Post

5/7/2022

Nagma | TakeALookAtMyBookshelf

IG Review

Week Two:

5/8/2022

Fire and Ice

Review

5/9/2022

Library of Alexandria Archives

Review/IG Post

5/10/2022

Book-Keeping

Review/IG Post

5/11/2022

Pages_and_Procrastinaton

Review/IG Post

5/12/2022

@drewsim12

IG Review/TikTok Post

5/13/2022

A Court of Coffee and Books

Review/IG Post

5/14/2022

Karen Dee's Book Reviews

IG Review

Week Three:

5/15/2022

The Momma Spot

Review/IG Post

5/16/2022

Bri's Bookish

IG Review

5/17/2022

A Backwards Story

Review/IG Post

5/18/2022

The Clever Reader

Review/IG Post

5/19/2022

Lifestyle of Me

Review

5/20/2022

laura's bookish corner

Review/IG Post

5/21/2022

zaineylaney

Review/IG Post/TikTok Post

Week Four:

5/22/2022

BookHounds YA

Review/IG Post

5/23/2022

Nerdophiles

Review

5/24/2022

The Bookwyrm's Den

Review

5/25/2022

Cocoa With Books

Review/IG Post

5/26/2022

wilted pages

Review/IG Post/TikTok Post

5/27/2022

@lexijava

Review/IG Post

5/28/2022

two points of interest

Review

Week Five:

5/29/2022

The Real World According To Sam

Review/IG Post

5/30/2022

GivernyReads

Review/IG Post

5/31/2022

Kait Plus Books

Review/IG Post/TikTok Post


Thursday, May 26, 2022

May 2022 Haul Part 2!

 

I can't believe May is already finished! The month has gone by and also the year so quickly. I didn't go too crazy with the goodies!

I got a few facial masks that I got on sale from Facetory. I don't have a specific favorite or a mask that I want to try first. I just need to try and use more of the masks instead of buying and having a rather huge stockpile.

I got a few lip products including the Urban Decay Vice lipstick palette. I can't wait to be able to wear lipstick more often in public. I did get a new lip treatment from Hanalei. I believe I have tried it a few years ago but, I can't remember if I loved it or not.

I am excited to try the body wash by Beauty Protector. I have tried their hair products and really enjoy them. II am super excited and intrigued by The Beautiful Factr. probiotic ball cream. It looks like an interesting concept and I hope it keeps my skin feeling soft and hydrated. Before I bought the cleansing oil from Derma E, I used to love the brand. I recently both a few of their products and the last few things I have used have been quite disappointing. However, I am hoping this cleansing oil works wonders.

Book Review - The Honeys by Ryan La Sala

 


Mars always felt that he was the lesser twin. He was always in his sister, Caroline's, shadow. However, when Caroline dies in a horrible accident, Mars is determined to learn more about his twin. The pair were once inseparable but, sister has slowly grown distant from him.

Mars considers himself to be gender fluid. His politically connected family often excludes him from traditions and expectations because of it. He was excluded from attending the prestigious Aspen Conservancy Summer Academy that her sister loved attending. Mars is still trying to cope with her death and insists on attending the academy in her place.

Mars realizes the camp atmosphere and what it stands for isn't for him. The adults and children still follow outdated old fashioned gender roles along with allowing predatory behaviors among the campers. Mars seeks out Caroline's old roommates, a group of girls called the Honeys. They were named after the beehives they maintain near their cabin. Mars feels drawn to them but he is certain that they are connected to Caroline's death.

I found the novel to be an entertaining read. Mars was a delightful character and I love his witty banter with Wyatt.  In the beginning, the description of the Honeys and certain situations pulled in readers and kept them there and left them wanting to know more. However, I felt like some parts of the book stalled and felt a bit disjointed. I did enjoy the story but, I can't put my finger on why I didn't love the story especially, since I liked Mars as a character. I would be open to reading more books by the author though.

 

**Disclosure - I received a free copy  of this book in exchange for an honest opinion**

 

Wednesday, May 25, 2022

Book Spotlight - Once Upon a K-Prom by Kat Cho + Giveaway

 

 About The Book:

Title: ONCE UPON A K-PROM

Author: Kat Cho

Pub. Date: May 17, 2022

Publisher: Disney-Hyperion

Formats: Hardcover, eBook, Audiobook

Pages: 336

Find it: GoodreadsAmazon, Kindle, Audible, B&NiBooks, KoboTBD, Bookshop.org


What would you do if the world's biggest K-pop star asked you to prom? Perfect for fans of Jenny Han and Sandhya Menon, this hilarious and heartfelt novel brings the glamour and drama of the K-pop world straight to high school.

Elena Soo has always felt overshadowed. Whether by her more successful older sisters, her more popular twin brother, or her more outgoing best friend, everyone except Elena seems to know exactly who they are and what they want. But she is certain about one thing - she has no interest in going to prom. While the rest of the school is giddy over corsages and dresses, Elena would rather spend her time working to save the local community center, the one place that's always made her feel like she belonged.

So when international K-pop superstar Robbie Choi shows up at her house to ask her to prom, Elena is more confused than ever. Because the one person who always accepted Elena as she is? Her childhood best friend, Robbie Choi. And the one thing she maybe, possibly, secretly wants more than anything? For the two of them to keep the promise they made each other as kids: to go to prom together. But that was seven years ago, and with this new K-pop persona, pink hair, and stylish clothes, Robbie is nothing like the sweet, goofy boy she remembers. The boy she shared all her secrets with. The boy she used to love.

Besides, prom with a guy who comes with hordes of screaming fans, online haters, and relentless paparazzi is the last thing Elena wants - even if she can't stop thinking about Robbie's smile...right?

 

 

About Kat Cho:

Kat Cho used to hide books under the bathroom sink and then sneak in there to read after bedtime. Her parents pretended not to know. This helped when she decided to write a dinosaur time-travel novel at the tender age of nine. Sadly, that book was not published. She currently lives and works in NYC and spends her free time trying to figure out what kind of puppy to adopt. Kat is the internationally bestselling author of the Gumiho duology (Penguin) and Once Upon a K-Prom (Disney).

 

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | TikTok | Goodreads | Amazon | BookBub Write or Die Podcast

 

Giveaway Details:

1 winner will receive a finished copy of ONCE UPON A K-PROM, US Only.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Tour Schedule:

Week One:

5/1/2022

Inside the Wong Mind

Review/IG Post

5/2/2022

My Fictional Oasis

Review/IG Post

5/3/2022

YABooksCentral

Excerpt

5/4/2022

laura's bookish corner

Review/IG Post

5/5/2022

GivernyReads

Review/IG Post

5/6/2022

A Bookish Dream

Review/IG Post

5/7/2022

Tales Of A Bookbug

Review/IG Post

Week Two:

5/8/2022

Quill Tree Fox

Review/IG Post

5/9/2022

@bujos_n_books

IG Review

5/10/2022

The Book View

Review/IG Post

5/11/2022

A Court of Coffee and Books

Review/IG Post

5/12/2022

wilted pages

Review/IG Post/TikTok Post

5/13/2022

Dear Rivarie

Review/IG Post

5/14/2022

Ruei's Reading Corner

Review

Week Three:

5/15/2022

Nagma | TakeALookAtMyBookshelf

IG Review

5/16/2022

onemoreexclamation

Review/IG Post

5/17/2022

Lisa Loves Literature

Review/IG Post

5/18/2022

Fire and Ice

Review

5/19/2022

A Backwards Story

Review/IG Post

5/20/2022

The Clever Reader

Review/IG Post

5/21/2022

Nerdophiles

Review

Week Four:

5/22/2022

Library of Alexandria Archives

Review/IG Post

5/23/2022

The Momma Spot

Review/IG Post

5/24/2022

The Real World According To Sam

Review/IG Post

5/25/2022

two points of interest

Review

5/26/2022

Kait Plus Books

Review/IG Post/TikTok Post

5/27/2022

@drewsim12

IG Review/TikTok Post

5/28/2022

@thebookishfoxwitch

IG Review

Week Five:

5/29/2022

onemused

IG Review

5/30/2022

Eli to the nth

Review/IG Post

5/31/2022

@lexijava

Review/IG Post


Tuesday, May 24, 2022

Book Review - The Last Time I Lied by Riley Sager

 

The girls at Camp Nightingale play a game called "Two Truths and a Lie". Vivian, Natalie, and Allison are all veterans at the camp and Emma Davis is a first time camper and the youngest of the group. All the fun and games end when Emma awakes in the middle of the night to see the others sneak out of the cabin under the cloak of darkness. The last time any of the girls were seen was when Emma saw Vivian closing the door behind her and signalling Emma to keep it a secret.

Few years later, Emma is huge on the art scene. Her massive canvases portray the wilderness covering up ghostly shapes in white dresses. One of her painting catches the attention of Francesca Harris-White, who is the wealthy owner of Camp Nightingale.  Franny asks Emma to return to the newly reopened camp as their painting instructor. Emma is hesitant to return but, she sees this as an opportunity to find out more about her friends and seek closure.

When Emma returns to camp again, she feels like she's transported to the past as she is assigned to the same cabin. She notices that the only security camera on the property is pointed directly at her door. She finds cryptic clues that Vivian had left behind about the camp's twisted origins. As she digs into the past, she finds herself confronted by threats in the present. 

I thought the novel was an interesting read but, I felt like it was moving a bit slower than I would have liked. The reader is taken on a drawn out ride and was given small nuggets at a time to keep you reading. The ending was a surprise but, it left me with a few questions and I am questioning how plausible the plot was. However, I would still be interested in reading other books by the author.

Sunday, May 22, 2022

Book Review - Women in Science: Fearless Pioneers Who Changed the World by Rachel Ignotofsky

 

The illustrated book gives little readers  bite size information about women in science. The book has fun facts about each women's contribution to the field. Personally, I thought this book was just okay. It had some rather useless information such as Jane Goddall bringing her mother with her to the field. I also felt that it wasn't very diverse. I think its a good starting point but, could have been better. Also, I noticed that there are quite a few variations of this book and I am not sure why if they all seem to have the same information.

Saturday, May 21, 2022

Book Review - Heathen: The Complete Series Omnibus by Natasha Alterici + Giveaway

 

 

Aydis is a viking woman warrior but, she is also a heathen and an outcast. She was born into a time of constant wars and suffering along with the being treated as a second class citizen because she was born a female. Aydis was banished from her village after breaking one of their rules. She decides to destroy the god-king Odin to end his tyrannical reign over humans and immortals. As she makes her journey, Aydis crosses paths with many people who take an interest in her journey.

This has been probably one of my favorite graphic novels I have read this month. The story was interesting and captivating and keep me rooting for Aydis. Unlike other graphic novels, I felt like I could easily follow along and that I wasn't missing some backstory or that they made references to something that I didn't quite get. I thought the drawing style was different and thought it was cool for the most part. I liked the appendix with the collection of covers at the end of the book. If you like reading about badass women who rock, you will like this graphic novel.

**Disclosure - I received a free copy of the book in exchange for an honest opinion**

Title: HEATHEN: The Complete Series Omnibus Edition

Author: Natasha Alterici, Ashley A. Woods (Illustrations), Rachel Deering, Morgan Martinez

Pub. Date: May 17, 2022

Publisher: Vault Comics

Formats: Paperback, eBook

Pages: 336

Find it: GoodreadsAmazon, Kindle, B&NiBooks, KoboTBD, Bookshop.org

WOMAN. WARRIOR. VIKING. HEATHEN. OUTCAST. 

THE GODS MUST PAY…

Born into a time of warfare, suffering, and subjugation of women, and exiled from her village for kissing another woman, the lesbian Viking warrior, Aydis, sets out to destroy the god-king Odin and end his oppressive reign. She is a friend to many as she is joined by mermaids, immortals, Valkyries, and the talking horse, Saga. But she is also a fearsome enemy to the demons and fantastic monsters that populate the land. 
Heathen – The Complete Series Omnibus Edition trade paperback collects the entire twelve-issue series.

Soon to be movie directed by Catherine Hardwicke (Twilight, Red Riding Hood, & Lords of Dogtown)

Perfect for fans of Monstress, Helheim, and Northlanders.

Reviews:

“These declarations of self from women and queer characters fit so elegantly into the mythology Alterici uses to weave her tale, it reminds us that these narratives belonged there all along.”- The Mary Sue

“I want epics with female leads, and fortunately HEATHEN fulfills that desire in a big way, while also adding its own unique touch with themes that are as contemporary as they are timeless.”- Women Write About Comics

“One look at the cover and I knew this book was right up my alley. If you are into Norse mythology and aching for a lesbian angle, then this book is for you. If you want a love story that is more than a romance, a heroine that is truly honourable and fierce, then I urge you to pick this … up.”- The Lesbian Review

“Natasha Alterici's Heathen, has single-handedly redeemed the disaster that pop culture has been making of Norse mythology. It’s a smart, funny, feminist, queer and sex-positive take on the Viking world; one with a wide cast of diverse and endearing characters. Heathen is a must-read for comics (and mythology) lovers of all sorts and those in quest of superb queer and feminist comics in particular. RATING: 10/10”- Pop Matter

 

About Natasha Alterici:

Natasha Alterici is a writer and artist living in Tulsa, OK who has been working as a freelance artist for over ten years. Works include Heathen (Vault Comics), Dinosaur Project, Gotham Academy: Yearbook, Grayson Annual, The Lez Film Review, Mixed Signals, Lovers and Other Strangers, Transcience, and a number of others. When not drawing, she enjoys watching cooking shows with her wife and their two cats, Cheshire and Louise.

Website | Twitter | Instagram | Goodreads | Amazon

 




About Ashley A. Woods:

Ashley A. Woods is a comic book artist, writer, & creator from Chicago known for her work on the "Niobe", "Ladycastle" and "Tomb Raider" series. She got her start through self-publishing her action-fantasy comic series “Millennia War” which led to her career in comics and TV. After earning her degree in Film and Animation from IADT, she traveled to Kyoto, Japan where she presented her work in a gallery showcase called, “Out Of Sequence”. Recognized for her female illustrations and designs, her most prominent work is "Niobe: She is Life" with Stranger Comics.

Her latest work can be seen on HBO's "Lovecraft Country", DC’s “Wonder Woman Black & Gold 2” and "Jupiter Invincible" with Pulitzer Prize winning author Yusef Komunyakaa which premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival June 2021.

Website | Twitter | Instagram

 

Giveaway Details:

2 winners will receive a finished copy of HEATHEN, US Only.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Tour Schedule:

Week One:

5/1/2022

Never Hollowed By The Stare

Guest Post

5/2/2022

Writer of Wrongs

Guest Post

5/3/2022

Wottaread Blog

Excerpt

5/4/2022

Pages_and_Procrastinaton

Review/IG Post

5/5/2022

The Girl Who Reads

Review/IG Post

5/6/2022

Rajiv's Reviews

Review/IG Post

5/7/2022

@lexijava

Review/IG Post

Week Two:

5/8/2022

Sadie's Spotlight

Guest Post /IG Post

5/9/2022

See Sadie Read

Review/IG Post

5/10/2022

Celia's Reads

Review/IG Post

5/11/2022

Emmiepooh2

IG Review

5/12/2022

Bri's Bookish

IG Review

5/13/2022

Nonbinary Knight Reads

Review/IG Post/TikTok Post

5/14/2022

A Bookish Dream

Review/IG Post

Week Three:

5/15/2022

Lifestyle of Me

Review

5/16/2022

Fyrekatz Blog

Review

5/17/2022

BookHounds YA

Review/IG Post

5/18/2022

The Book View

Review/IG Post

5/19/2022

Nerdophiles

Review

5/20/2022

The Momma Spot

Review/IG Post

5/21/2022

two points of interest

Review

Week Four:

5/22/2022

#BRVL Book Review Virginia Lee Blog

Excerpt

5/23/2022

Two Chicks on Books

Guest Post

5/24/2022

@jaimerockstarbooktours

IG Post

5/25/2022

Nagma | TakeALookAtMyBookshelf

IG Review

5/26/2022

@coffeesipsandreads

IG Review

5/27/2022

Fire and Ice

Review

5/28/2022

Lady Hawkeye

Excerpt/IG Post

Week Five:

5/29/2022

More Books Please blog

Review/IG Post

5/30/2022

@thebookishfoxwitch

IG Review

5/31/2022

@drewsim12

IG Review/TikTok Post