Two Points of Interest

Friday, October 22, 2021

Book Spotlight - The Outlaws Scarlett and Browne by Jonathan Stroud + Giveaway

About the Book:

Title: THE OUTLAWS SCARLETT AND BROWNE (The Outlaws Scarlett and Browne, #1)

Author: Jonathan Stroud

Pub. Date: October 5, 2021

Publisher: Alfred A. Knopf Books for Young Readers

Pages: 432

Formats: Hardcover, Paperback, eBook, Audiobook

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

Action! Humor! Fantasy! This new series opener is a tour de force from international bestseller Jonathan Stroud.

Scarlett McCain is an outlaw, a bank robber and a sharp shooter--a girl of formidable skills. Fueled by a tragic injustice in her past, she travels the broken kingdoms of England alone, carrying out daring heists in the surviving towns and fending off monstrous beasts in the wilds outside their fortified walls. Her life is dangerous, free, and simple--until she finds a wrecked bus on a lonely road. Albert Browne, the sole survivor of the accident, is a seemingly innocent and harmless youth. Against her better judgement, Scarlett agrees to escort him to safety.

This is a mistake. They are soon pursued by men with dogs and guns and explosives. Scarlett is used to running from the law, but these trackers are the most skilled she's ever encountered--and they don't seem to be after her. Just who is this Albert Browne Scarlett must uncover his shocking secrets if either of them are going to survive.

Praise For THE OUTLAWS SCARLETT AND BROWNE:

“The vivid setting, rapid-fire dialogue, and nonstop action will propel readers through this raucous, rousing rumble.” —Kirkus Reviews, starred review

“Thrills and wisecrackery run neck and neck as Stroud establishes a sturdy cast of characters and lays the foundation of a post-apocalyptic . . . setting where adventure fantasy thrives. Add the razor-sharp banter that delights readers of the Bartimaeus series, and you can lay the smart money on another Stroud winner.”—The Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books, starred review

“Fuelled by black humour, this action-packed odyssey grips from the first page.” —The Daily Mail

“Gunslinging action and pitch-black humour meets post-apocalyptic thrill ride in this brilliant new departure for the author of the Lockwood & Co. series.” —The Guardian

“Wanted: a sequel—as fast as you can pull a pistol.” —The Times (London)

“Jonathan Stroud is an exceptional world-builder. A smart and audacious first volume of a new series.”—The Sunday Times

“It’s bold, funny and original.” —The Week Junior

“Stroud’s talent for creating astonishing yet utterly believable literary worlds is well known—and this is another triumph. Starring a pair of charismatic anti-heroes, intensely cinematic action and laced with characteristically dry wit.” —The Bookseller

“Stroud’s writing is a treat; brilliantly crafted world building, taut action scenes, fabulous villains and witty dialogue. A wild ride indeed, and the first in a series.” —The Observer (The New Review)

“This is bleedin’ brilliant from start to finish.” —SFX Magazine

“Stroud is a genius.” —Rick Riordan, bestselling author of the Trials of Apollo

About Jonathan Stroud:

Jonathan Stroud is the author of two internationally bestselling series: the award-winning Bartimaeus Sequence, which has been published in thirty-six languages worldwide, and the critically acclaimed Lockwood & Co., which is currently being adapted by Netflix. His stand-alone titles include Heroes of the Valley, The Last Siege, The Leap, and Buried Fire. Jonathan lives near London with his wife and three children. You can visit him at jonathanstroud.com and follow him on Instagram at @jonathan.stroud and on Twitter at @JonathanAStroud.

Giveaway Details:

3 winners will receive a finished copy of THE OUTLAWS SCARLETT AND BROWNE, US Only.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Tour Schedule:

Week One:

10/1/2021	YA Books Central	Pre Made Post
10/2/2021	Rajiv's Reviews	Review

Week Two:

10/3/2021	More Books Please blog	Review
10/4/2021	Nerdophiles	Review
10/5/2021	A Court of Coffee and Books	Review
10/6/2021	A Bookish Dream	Review
10/7/2021	Celiamcmahonreads	Review
10/8/2021	@jypsylynn	Review
10/9/2021	Phannie the Ginger Bookworm	Review

Week Three:

10/10/2021	Books Are Magic Too	Review
10/11/2021	GivernyReads	Review
10/12/2021	onemused	IG Post
10/13/2021	Bibliosini	Review
10/14/2021	Pagesofyellow	Review
10/15/2021	FyreKatz Blog	Review
10/16/2021	coffeebooksandmascara	Review

Week Four:

10/17/2021	The Momma Spot	Review
10/18/2021	YA Book Nerd	Review
10/19/2021	Zainey Laney	Review
10/20/2021	Kait Plus Books	Review
10/21/2021	Little Red Reads	Review
10/22/2021	Lexijava_Bookish	Review
10/23/2021	What A Nerd Girl Says	Pre Made Post

Week Five:

10/24/2021	Locks, Hooks and Books	Review
10/25/2021	@fictitious.fox	Review
10/26/2021	two points of interest	Review
10/27/2021	BookHounds YA	Excerpt
10/28/2021	Popthebutterfly Reads	Review
10/29/2021	The Bookwyrm's Den	Review
10/30/2021	Books a Plenty Book Reviews	Review

Week Six:

10/31/2021

Lifestyle of Me

Review

Wednesday, October 20, 2021

October 2021 Haul!

Wow, the weather is totally topsy turvy. One minute, it's hot another its freezing cold. I was looking forward to the cooler weather but, it went from 80 degrees to like 45 degrees in a span of a day. What happened to cool weather like in the 70s?!

I got a quite a few things this month because it's my birth month! Woot! No better way then to treat myself with stuff I don't need. Well on to the goodies!

I got a new lip mask gel from Kaleido cosmetics. My skin gets really dry during the winter and it feels unpleasant. I am hoping this helps with the dryness. I love Bite Beauty and got a new lip stain in Sangria Slush that I am excited to try. I thought it would look more purple in color but, it actually looks more red. I have few items from Kosas and I am excited to try their lip balm in Rush. The packaging looks cool and slick.

I have mixed opinions on glow recipe but, I really like how nice their products smell. I got the papaya sorbet cleansing balm and it smells amazing. I got a new hand mask from Bling Pop. During the colder months, my hands usually get dry and cracks. I hope these provide lasting relief. I did get the Doctor Rogers Restore healing balm. I heard this balm is like hydrating gold for skin. I am definitely looking forward to using it on my dry spots.

Is there anything you got this month that you are excited to try?

Monday, October 18, 2021

Book Review - Frankie & Bug by Gayle Forman + Giveaway

Ten-year-old Bug wants to spend her summer going to the beach with her older brother and hang out with the people on the boardwalk. However, Danny wants space and hang out with his own friends and Bug's mom is busy at work. So, Bug gets stuck with their neighbor Philip’s nephew, Frankie.

Bug rather hang out with her brother than Frankie, who she doesn't know anything about. As the summer unfolds, they realize they have much more in common than they knew. They find themselves leaning on each other to learn important lessons about themselves and others.

Together they learn what it means to be an ally for others and family can be related to, but they are also people you chose to be around you. And sometimes, life is just unfair but, you have to roll with the punches and try to make it more just.

I thought this was an emotional and heartwarming read. I thought this book was going to be a more kid-friendly book because of the cartoon-ish cover. However, I was surprised that the author talked about LGBT issues, along with a serial killer being on the prowl, and the sense of belonging. But it was an enjoyable novel and I like reading about Frankie and Bug and hope they have more adventures together.

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

About the Book:

Title: FRANKIE & BUG

Author: Gayle Forman

Pub. Date: October 12, 2021

Publisher: Aladdin

Formats: Hardcover, eBook, Audiobook

Pages: 288

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

In the debut middle grade novel from #1 New York Times bestselling author Gayle Forman comes a poignant and powerful coming-of-age story that follows a young girl and her new friend as they learn about family, friendship, allyship, and finding your way in a complicated world.

It’s the summer of 1987, and all ten-year-old Bug wants to do is go to the beach with her older brother and hang out with the locals on the boardwalk. But Danny wants to be with his own friends, and Bug’s mom is too busy, so Bug is stuck with their neighbor Philip’s nephew, Frankie.

Bug’s not too excited about hanging out with a kid she’s never met, but they soon find some common ground. And as the summer unfolds, they find themselves learning some important lessons about each other, and the world.

Like what it means to be your true self and how to be a good ally for others. That family can be the people you’re related to, but also the people you choose to have around you. And that even though life isn’t always fair, we can all do our part to make it more just.

Praise for The FRANKIE & BUG:
"I knew I would like Frankie and Bug from the moment I started reading it. What I didn’t know is how much I would end up loving it (a realization that hit me about halfway through the book, when it took a turn I didn't see coming). This joyful, occasionally heartbreaking, deeply moving thrill ride through the 80s has it all: a mystery to solve, boy bands, and the tender surprise of new friendships. I didn’t want it to end.” (R. J. Palacio, bestselling author of WONDER )

"This wonderful, bighearted book has everything a bored eleven-year-old could ask for: from ice cream and roller-skating to tabloid murders and family secrets. After you spend the summer with Frankie and Bug and their colorful costars, you'll want to go back to Venice Beach every year. Gayle Forman, please make me another!" (Raphael Simon, a/k/a NYT Bestelling author Pseudonymous Bosch )

"A beautiful and tender story about the discovery of a powerful friendship, starring two fantastic kids and one extraordinary family." (Newbery Award-winning author Rebecca Stead)

* "Through Bug’s innocent perspective, Forman illuminates the pains and injustices suffered by so many, and readers will avidly watch this young girl stand up to skinheads and relatives, discovering that “family” are those who have your back, loving you without conditions, and allowing you to be who you are. The characterizations, setting, and messaging are genuine and heart-tugging, making this a must-read." (BOOKLIST, starred review)

"During a summer of change and big realizations, Bug learns vital and sometimes painful lessons about the power of embracing her true self and meeting people where they are. Forman (We Are Inevitable) tenderly depicts a girl whose understanding—of identity, sexuality, and prejudice—is rapidly expanding, and whose chosen family provides a safe, loving space in which to navigate her experiences and learn to show up as an ally." (Publishers Weekly)

"Readers interested in complex emotional development and relationships will appreciate each character's subtle nuances. Superb storytelling." (Kirkus Reviews)

About Gayle Forman:

Gayle Forman is an award-winning author and journalist whose articles have appeared in numerous publications, including Seventeen, Cosmopolitan, and Elle in the US. Gayle Forman’s novel, If I Stay, was released as a blockbuster movie starring Chloë Grace Moretz in 2014. Her most recent YA novel is We Are Inevitable. Gayle lives in Brooklyn, New York with her family.