Book Spotlight - Who Put This Song On? by Morgan Parker + Giveaway

 

Photo Credit - Amazon

WHO PUT THIS SONG ON? ASSETS

About the Book:

Title: WHO PUT THIS SONG ON?

Author: Morgan Parker

Pub. Date: September 24, 2018

Publisher: Delacorte Press

Formats: Hardcover, eBook, Audiobook

Pages: 336

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

In the vein of powerful reads like The Hate U Give and Girl in Pieces, comes poet Morgan Parker's pitch-perfect novel about a black teenage girl searching for her identity when the world around her views her depression as a lack of faith and blackness as something to be politely ignored.

Trapped in sunny, stifling, small-town suburbia, seventeen-year-old Morgan knows why she's in therapy. She can't count the number of times she's been the only non-white person at the sleepover, been teased for her "weird" outfits, and been told she's not "really" black. Also, she's spent most of her summer crying in bed. So there's that, too.

Lately, it feels like the whole world is listening to the same terrible track on repeat--and it's telling them how to feel, who to vote for, what to believe. Morgan wonders, when can she turn this song off and begin living for herself?

Life may be a never-ending hamster wheel of agony, but Morgan finds her crew of fellow outcasts, blasts music like there's no tomorrow, discovers what being black means to her, and finally puts her mental health first. She decides that, no matter what, she will always be intense, ridiculous, passionate, and sometimes hilarious. After all, darkness doesn't have to be a bad thing. Darkness is just real.

Loosely based on her own teenage life and diaries, this incredible debut by award-winning poet Morgan Parker will make readers stand up and cheer for a girl brave enough to live life on her own terms--and for themselves.

About Morgan:

Morgan Parker is the author of the poetry collections Magical Negro (Tin House 2019), There Are More Beautiful Things Than Beyoncé (Tin House 2017), and Other People’s Comfort Keeps Me Up At Night (Switchback Books 2015). Her debut young adult novel Who Put This Song On? will be released by Delacorte Press on September 24, 2019. A debut book of nonfiction is forthcoming from One World/ Random House. Parker received her Bachelors in Anthropology and Creative Writing from Columbia University and her MFA in Poetry from NYU. She is the recipient of a 2017 National Endowment for the Arts Literature Fellowship, winner of a 2016 Pushcart Prize, and a Cave Canem graduate fellow. Parker is the creator and host of Reparations, Live! at the Ace Hotel. With Tommy Pico, she co-curates the Poets With Attitude (PWA) reading series, and with Angel Nafis, she is The Other Black Girl Collective. Morgan is a Sagittarius, and she lives in Los Angeles.

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Goodreads

Giveaway Details:

3 winners will receive finished copies of WHO PUT THIS SONG ON?, US Only.

Rafflecopter link:

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/e2389ba2977/?

Tour Schedule:

Week One:

9/2/2019- Becky on Books- Excerpt

9/3/2019- A Dream Within A Dream- Excerpt

9/4/2019- Lifestyle Of Me- Review

9/5/2019- Life of a Simple Reader- Excerpt

9/6/2019- jade writes books- Review

Week Two:

9/9/2019- Kait Plus Books- Excerpt

9/10/2019- Here's to Happy Endings- Review

9/11/2019- Jena Brown Writes- Review

9/12/2019- Country Road Reviews- Excerpt

9/13/2019- Paper Reader- Review

Week Three:

9/16/2019- Eli to the nth- Review

9/17/2019- Book-Keeping- Review

9/18/2019- The Layaway Dragon- Review

9/19/2019- Wishful Endings- Excerpt

9/20/2019- Kati's Bookaholic Rambling Reviews- Excerpt

Week Four:

9/23/2019- BookHounds YA- Review

9/24/2019- Confessions of a YA Reader- Excerpt

9/25/2019- dwantstoread- Excerpt

9/26/2019- Two Chicks on Books- Excerpt

9/27/2019- two points of interest- Review

Week Five:

9/30/2019- Bookish Rantings- Excerpt

Book Review - Hall-O-Ween! by Tia Perkin + Giveaway

Photo Credit - Amazon

My favorite day of the year is coming soon! Hall-O-ween is almost here! And what better way to celebrate than to read a spooky book under a blanket surrounded by sweet treats. The book is filled with fun rhymes and beautiful illustrations. It's the perfect treat for your little ghoul!

**Disclosure - I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest opinion. This post may contain affiliate links which means I earn advertising and/or referral fees if you purchase an item through my link. Please note, there will be no extra charges to you. Thank you for your support.**

On Tour with Prism Book Tours

Hall-O-Ween!

By Tia Perkin

Children's Picture Book

Paperback & ebook, 38 Pages

October 1st 2018

"Hall-O-Ween!" is a spooky little rhyming book about all the sweet bites and fun frights on Halloween day and night.

(Affiliate link included.)

Goodreads│Amazon

About the Author

Tia Perkin is a three-time Emmy-Nominated Graphic Artist turned stay-at-home mom and freelancer. Her first children's book, "Two!", was written for her now seven-year-old twin sons - partially as a gift and partially as a coping mechanism for a double-helping of toddler hijinx! She is continuing on the series and has most recently released "Hall-O-Ween!".

Amazon│Goodreads│Facebook│Instagram

Tour Schedule

Tour Giveaway

One winner will receive a Halloween Trick-Or-Treat Tote Bag filled with the following "Hall-O-Ween!" goodies (US only):

- "Hall-O-Ween!" Button

- "Hall-O-Ween!" Color & Activity Book

- Set of 10 Crayola Markers

- "Hall-O-Ween!" Sticker

- "Hall-O-Ween!" Bookmark

- "Hall-O-Ween!" Postcard

- "Hall-O-Ween!" Kid's T-Shirt (Size Small)

- Green and Black Striped Kid's Halloween Socks

Ends October 2, 2019

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Book Review - Circus Mirandus by Cassie Beasley + Listicle - Circus Character Names

Photo Credit - Amazon

Micah Tuttle knows magic is real. He needs to believe in magic if he is going to save his dying Grandpa Ephraim. When his grandfather takes a turn for the worst, his great-aunt Gertrudis steps in to help take care of Micah and Grandpa Ephraim. Micah believes the stories of the magical Circus Mirandus of the invisible tiger protecting the circus, a woman who flies with birds, and the Man Who Bends Light. One day, Grandpa Ephraim lets Micah on a secret, the Circus is real! And the Lightbender owes Grandpa Ephraim a miracle. Micah believes the miracle will save his grandfather except, the Lightbender doesn't want to keep his promise. With the help of his friend Jenny Mendoza, Micah will need the Lightbender to keep his word.

Ah, this book...I loved it! I love books with themes of magic and circuses. It just makes me feel even though the world is crumbling around you, believing in something will make it better. Most of the characters were lovable though flawed. There was a scene that was slightly disturbing about a child having their belief questioned and then they got hurt. However, I found the book enjoyable and can't wait for the sequel!

Topic - Fun Circus Names -

I thought it would be a fun treat to create a few imaginary circus names! After all, who doesn't love a fun + silly name?! Leave your favorites in the comments!

- Ivy Flowers
- Snow Melt
- Tsumani
- Fire Eater
- Whirlwind
- Creepy Curlie Charlie
- Reptile Ralph
- Flaming Aces
- Hairy Albert
- Gwen the Gnome
- Vesper the Sand Maker
- Fierce Bob


  **Disclosure - I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest opinion. This post may contain affiliate links which means I earn advertising and/or referral fees if you purchase an item through my link. Please note, there will be no extra charges to you. Thank you for your support.**

Book Review - Cilka's Journey by Heather Morris

Photo Credit - Amazon

Sixteen-year-old Cilka is taken to Auschwitz-Birkenau Concentration Camp in 1942. There a commandant is taken by her beauty and she is separated from the other women prisoners.  Cilka quickly realizes that any bit of power she has will help her survive. When the war is over, Cilka is charged as a collaborator for sleeping with the enemy. As a result, she is taken to a Siberian prison camp. 

In Siberia, Cilka faces similar challenges and does her best to survive including avoiding the unwanted attention of guards. Cilka crosses path with a kind female doctor who takes Cilka under her wing. Cilka begins to help tend to the ill while, avoiding her own brutal living conditions. As Cilka grows into her role, she discovers her own inner strength to help others while opening up herself to love.

The novel was an interesting read but, I felt like it missing something. What that something is, I am not sure. Cilka's story of enduring and surviving harsh and brutal conditions is heart numbing.  I feel like we were just given a very small glimpse into her extraordinary life. I feel like I would have enjoyed the novel more if we knew more about Cilka. Overall, the novel was a good read for fans of the author.

 **Disclosure -  This post may contain affiliate links which means I earn advertising and/or referral fees if you purchase an item through my link. Please note, there will be no extra charges to you. Thank you for your support.**

Book Review - Bring Me Back by B.A. Paris

Photo Credit - Amazon

Finn and Layla are a young couple who went on vacation to celebrate their love. On the way home, Finn decides to use the restroom at a nearby service station. He leaves Layla in the car and locks the doors behind him. When he returns, Layla is gone. That was the story that Finn told the police after Layla's disappearance. However, that isn't the whole story.

Ten years after Layla's disappearance, Finn is engaged to Layla's sister, Ellen.  They share each other's grief over Layla's disappearance. Even though they are engaged, Finn feels that he doesn't know everything about Ellen. There is something about her that he doesn't trust.

After running an ad announcing their engagement, one of Finn's old neighbors claims he saw Layla.  Then a memento from Layla's past shows up on their doorstep. Shortly email comes in claiming to know secrets from Finn's past. Is Layla still alive? What secrets is Finn keeping?

This was my first novel from B.A. Paris and it was quite disappointing. I didn't really care for much of the characters. I thought the ending to be far fetched and some parts were predictable. None of the main characters really appealed to me. I thought most of them to be dull and annoying.  I might give her other books a try but, maybe after the sour taste of this book is gone.

 **Disclosure -  This post may contain affiliate links which means I earn advertising and/or referral fees if you purchase an item through my link. Please note, there will be no extra charges to you. Thank you for your support.**

Book Review - The Babysitters Coven by Kate Williams

Photo Credit - Amazon

Esme Pearl is a seventeen-year-old who has a babysitters club with her best friend. She knows that it's lame to have a club with only two members but, it's her only option other than getting a real job.  However, Esme is going to need all the cash she can get when a series of unfortunate events leaves a path of destruction behind her.

Her new classmate, Cassandra Heaven is supermodel hot. However, she has a rebellious streak and dresses like she found her clothes in the trash. When Cassandra wants to join the babysitters club, Esme is surprised. 

The duo realizes that they have more in common with each other than they imagined. They are about to find out that being a babysitter has a different meaning than they thought. They will discover that they have superpowers that will enable them to save people from monsters. 

The novel started off as a fun read but, quickly went downhill. I found the plot to be very basic and predictable. I didn't find any of the characters likable and some were downright annoyingly extra. Overall, this felt like a gimmicky novel instead of a "serious" read.

 **Disclosure -  This post may contain affiliate links which means I earn advertising and/or referral fees if you purchase an item through my link. Please note, there will be no extra charges to you. Thank you for your support.**

Elemis Pro-Collagen Marine Cream SPF 30

The creamy day cream is packed with ginkgo Biloba, Padina Pavonica and chlorella to help reduce the appearance of wrinkles while improving skin firmness. It promises to tone and hydrate skin with visible results in 14 days. The cream went on smoothly and was absorbed quickly. After a few days, my skin felt softer and looked more even-toned and smoother. Overall, a great cream but, definitely on the pricer end.

Purlisse Watermelon Energizing Face Sheet Mask

The Purlisse watermelon mask is enriched with watermelon, aloe vera, cucumber. The mask fits well and it left my face feeling refreshed and glowy. I sometimes pop these mask in the fridge for an ultra cooling effect that feels like a treat. However, for $5 per mask, it can be a bit pricey and so, I usually get the pack.