Book Spotlight - Like Other Girls by Britta Lundin + Giveaway

  

About the Book

Title: LIKE OTHER GIRLS

Author: Britta Lundin

Pub. Date: August 3, 2021

Publisher: Disney-Hyperion

Formats: Hardcover, eBook, Audiobook

Pages: 384

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

"What if I played football?" I ask. As soon as it's out of my mouth, I feel stupid. Even suggesting it feels like I've overstepped some kind of invisible line we've all agreed not to discuss. We don't talk about how Mara is different from other girls. We don't talk about how Mara is gay but no one says so. But when I do stuff like this, I worry it gets harder for us all to ignore what's right in front of us. I direct my gaze to Quinn. "What do you think?"

"I think it's frickin' genius," he says.

After getting kicked off the basketball team for a fight that was absolutely totally not her fault (okay maybe a little her fault), Mara is dying to find a new sport to play to prove to her coach that she can be a team player. A lifelong football fan, Mara decides to hit the gridiron with her brother, Noah, and best friend, Quinn-and she turns out to be a natural. But joining the team sets off a chain of events in her small Oregon town-and within her family-that she never could have predicted.

Inspired by what they see as Mara's political statement, four other girls join the team. Now Mara's lumped in as one of the girls-one of the girls who can't throw, can't kick, and doesn't know a fullback from a linebacker. Complicating matters is the fact that Valentina, Mara's crush, is one of the new players, as is Carly, Mara's nemesis-the girl Mara fought with when she was kicked off the basketball team. What results is a coming-of-age story that is at once tear-jerking and funny, thought-provoking and real, as Mara's preconceived notions about gender, sports, sexuality, and friendship are turned upside down.

Britta Lundin's sophomore novel will give readers all the feels, and make them stand up and cheer.

Events

Tuesday, August 3
Like Other Girls 🎉 Launch Signing
Skylight Books
7-8:30pm
more details

Saturday, August 7
Like Other Girls 🎉Virtual Event
Britta Lundin in conversation with Carly Usdin (filmmaker, author The Avant Guards)
noon PT/3pm ET
register here to get the link

 

 

About Britta Lundin:

Britta Lundin is a TV writer and author.

She’s written for shows such as Riverdale, Betty, and The Big Leap and is the author of the young adult novels Like Other Girls (out August 2021) and Ship It.

Originally from the Pacific Northwest, she lives with her wife, kid, and dog in Los Angeles.

 

Website | Twitter | Instagram | Tumblr | Goodreads | Amazon

 

Giveaway Details:

3 winners will receive a finished copy of LIKE OTHER GIRLS, US Only.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Tour Schedule:

Week One:

8/1/2021	Tween 2 Teen Book Reviews	Review
8/2/2021	BookHounds YA	Excerpt
8/3/2021	Rajiv's Reviews	Review
8/4/2021	Kait Plus Books	Excerpt
8/5/2021	Lifestyle of Me	Review
8/6/2021	onemused	Review
8/7/2021	booksaremagictoo	Review

Week Two:

8/8/2021	EveryonesLibrarian	Review
8/9/2021	@curlygrannylovestoread	Review
8/10/2021	BRITTREADSALATTEBOOKS	IG Post
8/11/2021	A Bookish Dream	Review
8/12/2021	Nonbinary Knight Reads	Review
8/13/2021	Unconventional Quirky Bibliophile	Review
8/14/2021	Fyrekatz Blog	Review

Week Three:

8/15/2021	@coffeebooksandmascara	Review
8/16/2021	Midnightbooklover	IG Post
8/17/2021	A Gingerly Review	Excerpt/IG post
8/18/2021	The Bookwyrm's Den	Review
8/19/2021	@drewsim12	Review
8/20/2021	Adrianna.reads	Review
8/21/2021	Mallory Books	Review

Week Four:

8/22/2021	GivernyReads	Review
8/23/2021	popthebutterfly	Review
8/24/2021	@pagesofyellow	Review
8/25/2021	My Fictional Oasis	Review
8/26/2021	Perusewithcoffee	Review
8/27/2021	The Phantom Paragrapher	Review
8/28/2021	Eli to the nth	Review

Week Five:

8/29/2021	@fictitious.fox	Review
8/30/2021	Bibliosini	Review
8/31/2021	Two Points of Interest	Review

Book Spotlight - Paola Santiago and the Forest of Nightmares by Tehlor Kay Mejia + Giveaway

 
 

About the Book

Title: PAOLA SANTIAGO AND THE FOREST OF NIGHTMARES (Paola Santiago #2)

Author: Tehlor Kay Mejia

Pub. Date: August 3, 2021

Publisher: Rick Riordan Presents

Formats: Hardcover, eBook, Audiobook

Pages: 336

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

Best-selling author Rick Riordan presents the sequel to Tehlor Kay Mejia's critically acclaimed own-voices novel about science-obsessed Paola Santiago.

Six months after Paola Santiago confronted the legendary La Llorona, life is nothing like she'd expected it to be. She is barely speaking to her best friends, Dante and Emma, and what's worse, her mom has a totally annoying boyfriend. Even with her chupacabra puppy, Bruto, around, Pao can't escape the feeling that she's all alone in the world.

Pao has no one to tell that she's having nightmares again, this time set in a terrifying forest. Even more troubling? At their center is her estranged father, an enigma of a man she barely remembers. And when Dante's abuela falls mysteriously ill, it seems that the dad Pao never knew just might be the key to healing the eccentric old woman.

Pao's search for her father will send her far from home, where she will encounter new monsters and ghosts, a devastating betrayal, and finally, the forest of her nightmares. Will the truths her father has been hiding save the people Pao loves, or destroy them?

Once again Tehlor Kay Mejia draws on her Mexican heritage to tell a wild and wondrous story that combines creatures from folklore with modern-day challenges.

 

Grab book 1 PAOLA SANTIAGO AND THE RIVER OF TEARS NOW!

 

About Tehlor Kay Mejia:

Tehlor Kay Mejia is an Oregon native in love with the alpine meadows and evergreen forests of her home state, where she lives with her daughter. When she's not writing, you can find her plucking at her guitar, stealing rosemary sprigs from overgrown gardens, or trying to make the perfect vegan tamale. She is the author of Paola Santiago and the River of Tears and the YA fantasy novels We Set the Dark on Fire and We Unleash the Merciless Storm. Follow her on Twitter @tehlorkay.

Website | Twitter | Instagram | Goodreads | Amazon

 

Giveaway Details:

3 winners will receive a finished copy of PAOLA SANTIAGO AND THE FOREST OF NIGHTMARES, US Only.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Tour Schedule:

Week One:

8/1/2021	Log Cabin Library	Excerpt
8/2/2021	Kait Plus Books	Excerpt
8/3/2021	Mocha Girls Read	Excerpt
8/4/2021	Rajiv's Reviews	Review
8/5/2021	Feed Your Fiction Addiction	Review
8/6/2021	The Bookwyrm's Den	Review
8/7/2021	@drewsim12	Review

Week Two:

8/8/2021	Lifestyle of Me	Review
8/9/2021	booksaremagictoo	Review
8/10/2021	Emelie's Books	Review
8/11/2021	More Books Please blog	Review
8/12/2021	Books a Plenty Book Reviews	Review
8/13/2021	BookHounds YA	Excerpt
8/14/2021	Locks, Hooks and Books	Review

Week Three:

8/15/2021	Fyrekatz Blog	Review
8/16/2021	Adrianna.reads	Review
8/17/2021	Don't Judge, Read	Review
8/18/2021	A Gingerly Review	Excerpt/IG post
8/19/2021	Midnightbooklover	IG Post
8/20/2021	Discover Elysian	Review
8/21/2021	Abellafairytale	Review

Week Four:

8/22/2021	Little Red Readz	Review
8/23/2021	@pagesofyellow	Review
8/24/2021	popthebutterfly	Review
8/25/2021	#BRVL Book Review Virginia Lee Blog	Excerpt
8/26/2021	The Momma Spot	Review
8/27/2021	Addicted to Media	Excerpt
8/28/2021	@fictitious.fox	Review

Week Five:

8/29/2021	Two Chicks on Books	Excerpt
8/30/2021	Two Points of Interest	Review
8/31/2021	@lexijava_bookish	Excerpt

Book Review - Under the Bayou Moon by Valerie Fraser Luesse

 

Ellie Fields wants more out of life than what her Alabama home is willing to offer. She decides to accept a teaching job in a tiny town of Bernadette, Louisiana deep in bayou country.  The inhabitants are suspicious of outsiders because their language and culture are being threatened. However, Ellie ends up teaching the people and help them feel appreciated. She struggles to deal with opposition from the school board and the politician with ulterior motives while keeping the trust of the bayou people.

As Ellie learns to live in the bayou country, she crosses path with a lonely Cajun fisherman, Raphe, who she finds intriguing. He introduces her into the rich tapestry of Cajun culture including, showing her the legendary white alligator. As Raphe and Ellie begin to trust each other, their is a huge bounty being offered for the elusive gator that will test their love for each other.

I enjoyed reading this book and found Ellie to be a delightful character. I thought the scenes with the trio (Ellie, Raphe, and Heywood) to be my favorite. I appreciated and loved the rich details that the author gave but, felt like some of the story line lacked depth. For example, a character goes missing and we are lead to believe that he might be doing something but, then we find out what happened to him in passing.  I wonder if its because the author had too many plot lines and she wasn't sure how to tie them all in together as some plot lines were solved "off screen" with a few sentence to wrap it up. Overall,  it was a great book and I look forward to reading more by the author.

Book Review - The Lion's Den by Katherine St. John

 

 

 Belle likes to believe that she is immune to the charms of wealth. However, when her best friend, Summer, invites her to a birthday bash on a yacht owned by her billionaire boyfriend, Belle has hard time saying no. She is in a desperate need for a vacation after her acting career has stalled and her waitress job leaves her drained. Once she sets foot on the beautiful Lion's Den, she realizes the vacation isn't what she expected.

The dream vacation has quickly descend to a nightmare when they realize they don't have much freedom or privilege on the yacht. They find their host to be terrifyingly controlling and everything has to go his way. On the trip, Belle finally realizes what kind of person Summer really is and that Summer will stop at nothing to get what she wants. Belle realizes that she might be a prisoner onboard the yacht but, she must keep her wits about her if she wants to escape.

I wasn't sure what I was expecting when I first picked up this but, I thought it was probably going to be a trashy beach read. The first few pages started off fine but, then it descended into a full on over the top soap opera drama style story. I felt like it was very hard to be believable. There was a few times I was over the story because I am thinking what kind of person would put themselves in this situation and just kind of sit back  and take being treated terribly. The ending of the novel was quite predictable and could be seen miles away. It was an okay read but, I wouldn't be reaching for any of the author's book any time soon.

August 2021 Haul Part 2!

 

I am happy to say that August is out of the door along with it's hot weather. I am really looking forward to the Fall and the amazing cool weather. I didn't go too crazy this haul because I haven't been finishing too much stuff. And I am really trying super hard to de-clutter my apartment but, yet I still order more things every.single.day!

I got quite a few samples from orders I did and with GWP. I am really excited to try the Playa shampoo and conditioner set along with Davines samples. I already owned the full size of the Davines but, I enjoy the Oi line. I love Cake Beauty and so when I saw their Milk Made hand cream on sale, I had to get another. Their products have a decadent sweet taste that reminds me of...well..cake :) They smell so delicious it's hard not try and lick your hand.

I got two new products from Green Rhapsody that I am super excited to try. I got a marine hydrator and the bottle looks so cute. I am curious what is floating in the bottle. The Good Earth is a clay mask and I love me a good clay mask. I got this new serum from Somme Institute and I am excited because I love trying new serums. I thought the minimalist packaging was interesting because they don't  write the brand's name on the bottle but only the small copyright available.

I got this new jelly mask by Acure that I am really excited to use it. It has a pretty pink color. I got this lip flip from Estee Lauder from Turn Down. I got this new lip mousse from this brand called Absolute in Pin Up. I heard many great things about this affordable brand and I am super excited they opened a store in NYC.

Did you get anything new this month that you are excited to try this month?

Book Review - The Maidens by Alex Michaelides

 

Mariana Andros is certain that Edward Fosca is a murderer but, he is untouchable. He is a devilishly handsome popular Greek tragedy professor at Cambridge.  He is well adored by staff and students especially by the secret society of female students called The Maidens. 

Mariana works as a group therapist and is fixated on Edward Fosca and the Maidens. She believes that they are responsible for the death of Tara, her niece's friend. Mariana was also once a student at the idyllic school but, she suspects something dark is hiding behind the beautiful facade. 

She remains convinced that Edward is guilty despite his alibi.When another body is found, Mariana's obsession with Fosca spirals out of control. As she falls into the rabbit hole, her reputation and credibility is being questioned. However, Mariana is determined to find and stop the killer even if it might cost her life.

I was very excited to read this book because I loved his previous novel. However, I had a hard time falling in love with this book because I didn't care for Mariana. I felt like she was frustrating and annoying at times. I thought the book moved very slowly in the middle and that the story just plodded along. I felt that ending was unsatisfying as it didn't really give any answers.  I would still be open to reading other books by the author.

Book Review - The End of Her by Shari Lapena

 

Stephanie and Patrick are trying adjusting to life with their colicky twin girls. The babies are a handful and Stephanie struggles with sleep deprivation but, she feels that she has everything she ever wanted.

A woman from Patrick's past, Erica, appears and makes a deadly accusation. She claims that Patrick's first wife didn't die by accident but, Patrick murdered her. Patrick insists that he is innocent and that Erica is only after their money.  As Stephanie interacts with Patrick and Erica, Stephanie begins to suspect that her husband might be a murderer. As Stephanie begins to lose her trust in Patrick, she wonders who is telling the truth?

This book was a devious good read that leaves the reader guessing until the end. I was a little disappointed in the ending where many of the characters had their back against the wall but, we never know what became of them. I didn't care of most of the characters but, I still wanted to know their fates. Overall, it was a good book and I look forward to reading other books by the author.

Book Review - The Bloom Girls by A.J. Pine

 

Gabi Bloom only believes in photographic evidence and things she can view from her camera lens. She certain doesn't believe in signs. She went to Europe to kick off her photography career and see the sights. When she is in Ireland, all of that changes when she locks eyes with a blue eyed American bartender, Ethan. She wasn't prepared for how intense her attraction to him would be or that they would be going together engaged. 

Forty year old, Alissa has a lot on her plate and now she has to worry about her daughter's upcoming marriage. She raised her daughter by herself while Gabi's father, Matt, traveled the globe. As she is dealing with her little girl getting married, Alissa finds out that she is pregnant again. Her ex is the father and he wants to be a part of her life for good. However, Alissa decides to keep it a secret so she can help Gabi plan the perfect wedding.

The book started off interesting as we learn how Gabi meets Ethan but, around the halfway mark I lost interest in the book. I felt like we got snippets on Gabi's relationship but, then the story skips their time together and then starts off on them returning home together. I feel like that didn't give us any insight into their relationship.

I had a hard time bonding or liking any of the characters as we barely got to know their backstory. They felt like cardboard cut outs. The book had a few funny moments but, the story barely moved along. Instead there was pages and pages filled with fluff pieces and different random characters finding out Alissa's secret. I felt that too much time was given to the fluffy parts of the story rather than the interesting bits. I felt like that this book was focusing on too many things and should have just focused on one story line. There was so many teases and hints about character's stories that went nowhere. I like romcoms as much as the next person but, this book was a complete miss for me.

Book Review - Kyle's Little Sister by BonHyung Jeong

 

Grace just started middle school and she wants to be known by her name and not just "Kyle's little sister!" Her older brother is good looking and social while, Grace is the total opposite. She prefers to stay at home and play video games. Grace is desperate for a way to get out of Kyle's shadow and live her own life.

The graphic novel was a cute read. It was predictable and I have read similar stories before. I wish there was a bit more humor as the graphic novel was a bit straightforward. I would be interested in reading other graphic novels by the author.

August 2021 Empties!

 

Ah August is here which means summer is almost finished! I can't wait for the cooler weather. I am super proud of myself with all the things I managed to finish this month. I think this is the most I ever finished.

I love using nose strips because its just so satisfying to remove the strip and seeing all the gunk adhere to the strip. The Me Factory 3 step mask I bought was fun to use but some part of the strip didn't stick properly and it didn't work very well. I had bought the strips for $1 and thought that was a fair price. 

Usually, I only take warm baths during the cooler months but I been enjoying a nice warm bath here and there when the weather has been tolerant. I recently re-discovered my love for Burt's Bees Milk baths. They have two - one "herbal" for adults and "buttermilk" for babies. They both have a pleasant scent that disappears quickly but, my skin is left feeling so soft.

I liked the Glo Renew Serum. It had a nice scent and when I applied this after applying a sheet mask, my skin was glowing the next day. I liked the ThisWorks Sleep body lotion. It felt relaxing to put on and made my skin softer when I woke up. However, I am not sure if its worth the $$$ price tag.

Is there anything you finished this month that you adored?

Here is everything I finished this month -

Me Factory 3 Step Pore Cleansing Strips

Burt's Bees Herbal Milk Bath

Midflower Clarifying Black Mask

MediHeal Warming Eye Mask

Honey Jarret Super Beau'Tea Mask Rose

Coscodi Propolis Blanc Cell Mask

Yadah Ba-Fu Facial Mask

Dewytree Skin-Derma Aqua Mask

Burt's Bees Baby Bee Buttermilk Bath

Murad Environmental Shield Essential C Cleanser

Nature Queen Premium Herbal Shampoo

Julep Nail Polish - Quinn

Glo Skin Beauty Solution Clear Renew Serum

Sabon Tropic Sorbet

Erno Laszlo The Famous Black Soap

Clio Gelpresso Eye Liner

Georgette Klinger Collagen & Elastin Mask

Murad Blackhead Remover

Thisworks Deep Sleep Body Cocoon

Coastal Salt + Soul Heavenly Hand Cream Blue Watermint

Yadah Cactus Toner

Neuma reNu Scalp Therapy

Rahua Clasic Conditioner

SkinCeuticals Glycolic Renewal Cleanser Gel

h20+ Hydration Oasis Refreshing Gel Moisturizer

It's a 10 Miracle Leave - In Product

Book Review - The Residence by Andrew Pyper

 

In 1853, President Franklin Pierce and his family are traveling to Washington, DC when a tragic accident occurs. Their train runs off the rails and the passengers are violently thrown around in the cabin. When the train finally settles, the only casualty is Bennie, the beloved son of the President. Franklin's presidency is tainted with sorrow and grief.

When Franklin arrives to the White House, he notices weird occurrences. There are strange noises coming from the walls and ceilings along with visions of spirits that perished in the White House. The First Lady Jane Pierce decides to bring in the noted Spiritualists, the Fox Sisters, for a séance. During the séance, the barrier between this world and the next is broken causing something dangerous to come through and take residence in the mansion. Franklin and Jane are overcome with grief but, they know they need to banish the dark presence before it takes over the White House.

The book had an interesting premise but, I think it lacked in execution. The author slowly built up the story but, it went nowhere. I quickly lost interest when I was seventy percent finished because the author was introducing creepy elements that didn't seem to have a purpose. I found the novel to be incredibly boring and couldn't be bothered to finish the rest of it.

Book Review - Little Disasters by Sarah Vaughan

 

Jess is a stay-at-home mother of three. Many see her as the perfect mother and a role model. Liz admires the mother Jess has become after being friends for a decade. Then everything Liz knows is shattered when Jess's baby, Betsey, is admitted to the hospital with a head injury. Jess offers vague reasons behind Betsey's accident.

I thought the book was going in a different direction based on the cover of the book. I felt like the book was a bit slow. I didn't think that the book needed to be that long. I am not sure why this was considered a thriller as the only twist was at the very end.