Book Spotlight - A Little Closer to Home: How I Found the Calm After the Storm by Ginger Zee

 

About The Book:

Title: A LITTLE CLOSER TO HOME

Author: Ginger Zee

Pub. Date: January 11, 2022

Publisher: Hyperion Avenue

Formats: Hardcover, eBook, audiobook

Pages: 288

Find it: Goodreads, Amazon, Kindle,  Audible, B&N, iBooks, Kobo, TBD, Bookshop.org

In Ginger Zee's follow-up to the bestselling Natural Disaster, the ABC chief meteorologist takes readers on a much deeper journey of self discovery.

When Ginger Zee opened her life to readers in Natural Disaster, the response was enormous. She put a very relatable if surprising face on depression and has helped lessen the stigma surrounding mental health issues. But Ginger tells us, Natural Disaster was "Ginger Lite" and only scratched the surface.

In this moving follow-up, Ginger shares her truest self. She spent most of her life shielding her vulnerabilities from the world all while being a professional people pleaser. Her stormy childhood, her ongoing struggles with crippling depression, her suicide attempts, and many other life experiences will resonate with readers who are likely to see themselves along the way.

In spite of its serious subject matter, Ginger's positive, life-affirming outlook comes through loud and clear. Written with great heart and quite a bit of humor, Ginger normalizes issues and challenges millions of people face every day. A Little Closer to Home will broaden the conversation around mental health at a time we need it more than ever.

Grab Ginger's first book Natural Disaster now!

 

About Ginger Zee:

Ginger Zee is the Chief Meteorologist for ABC News, forecasting for and reporting on the nation's weather from Good Morning America to World News Tonight. Zee has been on the ground before, during and after almost every major weather event and dozens of historic storms including Hurricane Katrina. She watched as the eye of Superstorm Sandy passed over Atlantic City and then covered the devastated Jersey Shore; she was there for the 2020 California wildfires and for the unprecedented number of hurricanes on the Gulf Coast. Zee’s dedication to science began at an early age, watching powerful thunderstorms rush across Lake Michigan. Her passion for meteorology brought her to stormchase in college at Valparaiso University where she earned her bachelor of science in meteorology. 

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

 

Giveaway Details:

3 winners will receive a finished copy of A LITTLE CLOSER TO HOME, US Only.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Tour Schedule:

Week One:

1/1/2022

Two Chicks on Books

Excerpt

Week Two:

1/2/2022	BookHounds YA	Excerpt
1/3/2022	Mythical Books	Excerpt
1/4/2022	Book-Keeping	Excerpt
1/5/2022	Pick a good book	Review
1/6/2022	@coffeesipsandreads	Review
1/7/2022	Drunk On Pop	Excerpt
1/8/2022	Ashleyreads13	Review

Week Three:

1/9/2022	Two Points of Interest	Review
1/10/2022	The Book Review Crew	Review
1/11/2022	perusewithcoffee	Review
1/12/2022	Rajiv's Reviews	Review
1/13/2022	One More Exclamation	Review
1/14/2022	The Girl Who Reads	Review
1/15/2022	Lexijava	Review

Week Four:

1/16/2022	Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers	Excerpt
1/17/2022	The Momma Spot	Excerpt
1/18/2022	_BookBound_	Review
1/19/2022	YA Books Central	Excerpt
1/20/2022	mall3tg1rl	Review
1/21/2022	#BRVL Book Review Virginia Lee Blog	Excerpt
1/22/2022	Phannie the ginger bookworm	Review

Week Five:

1/23/2022	Nerdophiles	Review
1/24/2022	More Books Please blog	Review
1/25/2022	GivernyReads	Review
1/26/2022	Coffee and Wander Book Reviews	Review
1/27/2022	@curlygrannylovestoread	Review
1/28/2022	Living For Literature	Review
1/29/2022	Books a Plenty Book Reviews	Review

Week Six:

1/30/2022	Fire and Ice	Review
1/31/2022	@jypsylynn	Review

Book Review - Tiger Honor (Thousand Worlds, #2) by Yoon Ha Lee + Giveaway

 

Sebin is a young tiger spirit from the Juhwang Clan.  They want nothing more than to join the Thousand World Space Forces like their role model, Uncle Hwan. Their uncle Hwan is a captain of a battle cruiser and Sebin wants to be just like him. When Sebin finally receives an acceptance letter to join the Space Forces, it becomes tainted when they finds out news about that Hwan. Hwan has been declared a traitor. Apparently, Hwan abandoned his duty to the Space Forces to steal a magical artifact, the Dragon Pearl, and his whereabouts are still unknown. Sebin hopes that they can help clear up Hwan's name and restore honor to the clan.

During Sebin's first day of orientation, they met a special investigator named Yi and Yi's assistant, Min. Yi tells Sebin that they must report to the ship Haetae and wait for further instructions on their special mission. Sebin finds it unusual to break protocol but, they forget all about it when there is an explosion on the ship. Sebin and the other cadets find that the crew is knocked out and the communication system is offline. Sebin and the others are determined to find out who is sabotaging the battle cruiser but, then Sebin is accused of being a traitor and collaborating with the enemy. Can Sebin find a way to stop the threat before it's too late?

I didn't realize this book was a part of a series but, I was able to read and follow the story as a standalone. I felt like there was some nuances that I missed but, overall I was able to follow along. I thought the author did a great job with world-building and being inclusive with an array of characters. I was a bit torn when reading this book. I enjoyed reading about Sebin and their adventure and look forward to reading more. However, I am not so sure I am in love with the ending. It was a bit predictable and I have a feeling it was written like that to allow more book but, I was kind of hoping it went the other way. The book was interesting enough that I would read more books in the series including the one I skipped.

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

 

About The Book:

Title: TIGER HONOR (Thousand Worlds #2)

Author: Yoon Ha Lee

Pub. Date: January 4, 2022

Publisher: Rick Riordan Presents

Formats: Hardcover, eBook, audiobook

Pages: 256

Find it: Goodreads, Amazon, Kindle,  Audible, B&N, iBooks, Kobo, TBD, Bookshop.org

Best-selling author Rick Riordan presents Yoon Ha Lee's companion to the best-selling and award-winning DRAGON PEARL, another space opera inspired by Korean mythology, this time told from the point of view of a nonbinary tiger spirit.

"A zesty mix of Korean folklore, magic, and science fiction that will leave you longing for more adventures in the Thousand Worlds!"--Rick Riordan, intro to DRAGON PEARL

"With crisp dialogue, a winning protagonist and a propulsive plot, this tale is enormously entertaining."--New York Times Book Review of DRAGON PEARL

Sebin, a young tiger spirit from the Juhwang Clan, wants nothing more than to join the Thousand World Space Forces and, like their Uncle Hwan, captain a battle cruiser someday. But when Sebin's acceptance letter finally arrives, it's accompanied by the shocking news that Hwan has been declared a traitor. Apparently the captain abandoned his duty to steal a magical artifact, the Dragon Pearl, and his whereabouts are still unknown. Sebin hopes to help clear their hero's name and restore honor to the clan.

Nothing goes according to plan, however. As soon as Sebin arrives for orientation, they are met by a special investigator named Yi and Yi's assistant, a girl named Min. Yi informs Sebin that they must immediately report to the ship Haetae and await further instructions. Sebin finds this highly unusual, but soon all protocol is forgotten when there's an explosion on the ship, the crew is knocked out, and the communication system goes down. It's up to Sebin, three other cadets, and Yi and Min to determine who is sabotaging the battle cruiser. When Sebin is suddenly accused of collaborating with the enemy, the cadet realizes that Min is the most dangerous foe of all...

Yoon Ha Lee brilliantly turns the tables on DRAGON PEARL in another unputdownable sci-fi adventure about what honor really means.

Grab book 1, DRAGON PEARL NOW!

  

About Yoon Ha Lee:

Yoon Ha Lee (yoonhalee.com) is the New York Times best-selling author of Dragon Pearl, a companion to this book and winner of the Locus Award and the Mythopoeic Award. He has also published several books for adults, including a standalone fantasy entitled Phoenix Extravagant, and the Machineries of Empire space opera trilogy: Ninefox Gambit, Raven Strategem, and Revenant Gun. Yoon draws inspiration from a variety of sources, e.g. Korean history and mythology, fairy tales, higher mathematics, classic moral dilemmas, and genre fiction. His website can be found at yoonhalee.com and his Twitter handle is @deuceofgears.

 

Website | Twitter | Instagram | Goodreads | Amazon | BookBub

 

Giveaway Details:

3 winners will receive a finished copy of TIGER HONOR, US Only.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Tour Schedule:

Week One:

1/1/2022

BookHounds YA

Excerpt

Week Two:

1/2/2022	YA Books Central	Excerpt
1/3/2022	Kait Plus Books	Excerpt
1/4/2022	Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers	Review
1/5/2022	Celia's Reads-blog	Review
1/6/2022	The Momma Spot	Review
1/7/2022	Nerdophiles	Review
1/8/2022	Lifestyle of Me	Review

Week Three:

1/9/2022	Nonbinary Knight Reads	Review
1/10/2022	Wilted Pages	Review
1/11/2022	Okie Dreams	Review
1/12/2022	Bri's Book Nook	Review
1/13/2022	Books Are Magic Too	Review
1/14/2022	The Bookwyrm's Den	Review
1/15/2022	The Book Review Crew	Review

Week Four:

1/16/2022	Eye-Rolling Demigod's Book Blog	Review
1/17/2022	onemused	Review
1/18/2022	bookbriefs	Review
1/19/2022	A Backwards Story	Review
1/20/2022	Feed Your Fiction Addiction	Review
1/21/2022	Utopia State of Mind	Review
1/22/2022	Rajiv's Reviews	Review

Week Five:

1/23/2022	Lexijava_Bookish	Review
1/24/2022	Two Points of Interest	Review
1/25/2022	Bookwyrming Thoughts	Review
1/26/2022	More Books Please blog	Review
1/27/2022	popthebutterfly	Review
1/28/2022	@drewsim12	Review
1/29/2022	@thebookishfoxwitch	Review

Week Six:

1/30/2022	Reading Wordsmith	Review
1/31/2022	Everyone’s Librarian	Review

Januarry 2022 Empties!

My first empties post for the new year! I can't believe it! I didn't really finish a lot of stuff other than a few face masks and tons of shampoo/conditioner apparently. The funny thing is I went several days where I couldn't even remember the last time I washed my hair.

Most of the items were repurchased stuff but, there were a few noteworthy things. I finished quite a few masks and I did enjoy a few of them. I have a few products from Sweet Chef but, they are mostly moisturizers. I did enjoy this sheet mask and thought it left my skin hydrated. I didn't notice a scent which was disappointing because I usually expect most food-centered mask to have a scent. The Aippo Soothing Expert Soothing Mask had a nice luxurious feeling and my skin felt so hydrated after using. I have always liked the Detoskin brand when I used one of their mask so, I was excited to try their Puer Tea-Time Mask. This one didn't disappoint either. My skin felt and looked so hydrated. I didn't like the
Yes to Cucumbers Soothing Calming Paper Mask at all. Well, more like when I tried to use the mask there was no serum, the entire mask was all dried up! I am not sure if I got an old product or if that's how the mask is but, it ended up going into the trash.

I used to love the brand Sumbody so, I got some of their items. Their soaps are okay, they have a strong clay scent but, I am disappointed on how tiny they are for the prices. I do like they use easy to read ingredients and they are not filled with chemicals. I did like the Lollia Wish Sugared Pastille Perfumed Soap. It had a soft delicate scent but, it didn't last on my skin.

Did you finish anything this month that you liked?

 

Book Review - One Night Gone by Tara Laskowski

 

Maureen Haddaway wants to start over and have a new life. She decides to join the traveling circus and feels that her destiny is calling to her at the wealthy town of Opal Beach. She finds herself lured by the prospect of having new friends, falling in love, and an exciting social scene. Her new life sounds just too good to be true because by the end of the summer, she disappears without a trace.

Years later, Allison Simpson is offered a once in a lifetime opportunity to house-sit a home during the off-season. Allison feels this is the perfect chance for her to get her life back in order after a messy divorce. However, she feels herself drawn to a mysterious disappearance of a young woman thirty years prior. She realizes that someone is hiding a dark secret and they are willing to stop at nothing to keep it a secret.

I found the book to be an enjoyable read. I was able to predict some of the twists but, not the last one at the very end. I thought the book moved at a good speed and had enough to keep the reader entertained. I also liked that Allison had common sense because when she didn't feel comfortable with something, she avoided that person or scenario.  However, there were times that I didn't like either of the main characters. Overall, it was a good read and I look forward to reading other books by the author.

Book Review - Hello, Transcriber by Hannah Morrissey

 

Hazel Greenlee works as a transcriber at the Black Harbor police department. Every night she hears gruesome secrets from detectives as she transcribes their notes. Black Harbor is Wisconsin's prolific crime city and it ensures that Hazel will always have work. Hazel is an aspiring writer and believes its her only ticket out of the city. Her plan becomes derailed when her neighbor confesses to hiding the body of an overdose victim in a dumpster.

The police believe the death is related to a notorious drug dealer called Candy Man. Hazel finds herself entranced by the case, especially, the lead detective, Nikolai Kole. She decides to help Kole as she finds herself captivated by him and she can gain information for her book.Will Kole and Hazel be able to find Candy Man before it's too late?

The novel started off good and started rapidly becoming a dull read.The novel billed itself as a mystery but, I felt like it took a backseat to Kole and Hazel's relationship. The mystery behind Candy Man seemed to solve itself while Kole and Hazel spent more time with each other. I can't say that I actually like any of the characters especially, Hazel. She comes across information that made Kole seem like a killer and she didn't even care. She still continued to pursue a romantic relationship with him. I also felt that the author was very heavy on the description and there wasn't really much of a story. The author spends paragraphs to describe things but, only a few sentences is dedicated to moving the story along.

Book Review - Sunrise (Sky King Ranch, #1) by Susan May Warren

 

Pilot Dodge Kingston was meant to be the heir to Sky King Ranch but, after a terrible family fight he left home to become a pararescue jumper. He returns home a decade later after a troubling family accident. He knows that everything he left behind is waiting for him including, his childhood best friends and ex-girlfriend, Echo Yazzie.

Echo is a true Alaskan woman, she is a homesteader and a dogsledder while being an outdoor guide. Dodge  feels that her lifestyle could get her hurt or worse, killed. He is worried that one day she will get lost in the woods again, and he won't be there to help her.

While on a nature expedition, one of Echo's fellow researcher goes missing. Echo is desperate to find her even though there is an ongoing blizzard and a rogue grizzling terrorizing the woods. Will Echo be able to find her before the storm kicks in?

The novel had beautiful and lush descriptions of Alaska but, sometimes there was too many details. I also felt overwhelmed by the amount of people that was introduced in the beginning and many of them didn't really add to the story. It took awhile before I found myself getting interested into the story only to find out that the story ends with several cliffhangers. It was an okay read but, I thought that the author could have cut down the length of the book.

Book Review - The Secrets of Lily Graves by Sarah Strohmeyer

 

Lily Graves comes from a long line of morticians. She knows that everyone keeps buried secrets. When senior class president Erin Donohue turns up dead, Lily believes its her job to uncover the truth. Erin is a pillar of the community and known for her ethnics. However, Lily has a crush on Erin's ex-boyfriend, Matt, which complicates matters and makes them both suspects. As Lily's world comes crushing down, she will have to figure out who she can trust before the killer strikes again.

I had picked up this book on a whim and I should have read reviews before getting it. The book is geared towards young adults and I feel like it's a romance novel with some mystery components to it. The plot was very predictable and I was able to guess the direction of the novel fairly quickly. I felt that story moved along very slowly and some of the character interactions felt forced.  I think the title of the book is very misleading because even after reading the book, I still don't know any of Lily's secrets. The novel might be a good read for young readers who want a book with a light mystery with a heavy high school romance theme.

January 2022 Haul!

 

I can't believe it's already 2022! Last year went by in a blur and honestly, I can't even remember what I did in 2020 - 2021 other than buying way more makeup/skincare than I used. 

We were having a rather nice and mild winter but, it actually started getting colder just the other day. I am actually glad that I will be staying indoors and I stocked up on some bath salts. I got two bottles of mint eucalyptus salts. I got these from the Dollar Tree, I hope these salts will stay $1 when the price change comes into play. These smell great and are a great affordable everyday treat. I did get two bath bombs from Charmed Aroma that were around $20 each but, they include a piece of jewelry. I had gotten a shark one for my friend on her birthday and she enjoyed it so, I decided to get two try them out. And they smell so amazing, I left one on my counter and it scented the entire room up.

I got a few face masks from Facetory as I been making good progress on depleting my stash and with colder months, my skin needs extra hydration. I got a nail mask from Bling Pop that seems exciting but, I usually don't have much luck with hand masks. I got another mask from Detoskin and Needly. These are two new brands I recently tried. I had loved the other masks I tried from them previously. They are jammed pack with serum and they feel so nice against my skin.

I got a new jar of Needly Daily toner pad. This seems cool because I usually just pat on toner but, I also feels like its wasteful because I am throwing away the pad when it's finished. It also reminds me of the acne pads I would use when I was in high school. I got a new mask from Tbg. in lava and it smells amazing. It reminds me of Toostie Rolls and the jar is so beautifully designed. I got a new serum from Rodial in Pink Diamond. I had another one of their serums but, for the life of me I can't find where I left it. Maybe that should be my hint to stop buying new products ;)

Is there anything new this month you are excited to try?

Book Review - Malibu Rising by Taylor Jenkins Reid

 

In August 1983, it's the day of Nina Riva's annual end-of-the-summer party. It is the party of the year and everyone who is someone is there. The Riva siblings are famous and everyone wants to be around them. Nina is a supermodel and surfer, Jay is a championship surfer, Hud is a famous photographer along with their baby sister, Kit. The siblings are famous and a source of fascination because their dad is the famous singer, Mick Riva.

Nina isn't excited about the party and hates being the center of attention. She was also just publicly dumped by her famous pro tennis player husband. Hud is keeping a secret from his beloved brother and he knows that it might break their bond. Jay is excited to be reunited with his dream girl. He can't stop thinking about her and hopes that she shows up to the party. Kit is keeping a few secrets of her own, including, inviting a guest to the party that would turn everyone's world upside down.

I read this book after reading Daisy Jones and The Six and felt there was quite a few similarities. It was like one book was the "what if" for the other. I thought the book was an interesting read but, at times it felt overwhelming with the amount of  characters. Similar to Daisy Jones, I felt like the novel lacked an actual story and was filled with a lot of trivial details. I did like that a few characters did make appearances in this book and the author's other books. I look forward to reading more books by the author.

Book Review - The Rebel and the Rake by Emily Sullivan

 

Rafe Davies is known for being a charismatic rake. However, in reality he is working for the crown as one of their most valuable agents. Rafe is both relentless and reckless and there isn't a mission that he couldn't complete before. But then he meets lady's companion Miss Sylvia Sparrow while on assignment and Rafe finds himself distracted by her beauty.

Most women throw themselves at Rafe's feet but, Sylvia had enough of those type of men. She once trusted a man and she paid dearly for her mistake. Sylvia is determined to ignore Rafe but, during a few chance encounters, she is surprised by Rafe's personality and finds herself attracted to him. She realizes that Rafe might be keeping a few secrets of his own.

I thought the book was an easy and enjoyable read. I did find that the middle of the book was a bit slow and I thought the ending took forever. When they figured out the bad guy behind the blackmailing scheme the novel still had around 75 or so additional pages from the end. If you like steamy romance novels then you will enjoy this book.

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

Book Review - The Hen Who Dreamed She Could Fly by Sun-mi Hwang

Sprout is a hen that is no longer happy with her current life. She doesn't want to lay eggs on command and have them taken away from her. She sees other animal roam free and she wants to live in the wild like all the other animals. She hatches a plan to escape into a wild and to hatch an egg of her own.

The book was a thought provoking and heart breaking read. There were many themes that were explored like motherhood, individuality, belonging, having a purpose, acceptance, family bonds, and being free. The book was a quick read but left me thinking for hours afterwards. If you enjoy reading stories about animals, you will enjoy this book.