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We've now moved! I'm redirecting disqus at the moment, but in another 12 hours or so we should definitely be fully on the other side...



Guess how excited I am?!


This means I'm actually back now! I know I've been super quiet in the past few weeks, but I've honestly just wanted to get the new blog online because I was starting to dread having to format blogger posts... 

Can't wait to go around all your blogs and catch up now that I'm not in trying-to-learn-to-code-so-I-can-do-the-simplest-things-that-honestly-someone-else-would-be-able-to-do-in-about-two-minutes-mode.

(ily all)

The Sunday Post is a weekly meme for sharing our news, and plans for the next week, hosted by the wonderful Kimba @ Caffeinated Book Reviewer.

Hello my bookish narwhal friends!
I'm really very nearly done with the new website - which is why the blog has been so quiet this week!
But in more important news, my mum got a new kitten yesterday! Feast your eyes on the beauty that is this little cuddle bug. (Her name is Evie.)

She has adopted me as her human (or as my mum would put it I've "stolen her kitten." Technically, yes, maybe, but I couldn't help it!)

 When I started typing this, she was asleep. On my foot.
Right now, however...

On the Blog Recently

✦#AZdiverse readathon. Read diverse! + giveaway!
You have until Tuesday night to take part in the readathon, but the giveaway will be open for a few more days after that. Go on over and give us a diverse recommendation even if you don't have the time to take part!

ARC panic!

I've got too many, at the moment, so... want to help me decide which ones to read first? I'm loving polls (because of Ely and Val's Make Me Read It Readathon which is going to be awesome!) so here. Help a girl out, please! ;)


Up Next Week

✦ A review of And I Darken by Kiersten White

How was your week? Did you read anything amazing? (I finally read Simon vs the Homo Sapiens Agenda and absolutely loved it!)

Starting tomorrow (or whenever you're ready!), we're going to be reading diverse, and we would love for you to join us!


We're kind of letting you define 'diverse' for yourself a little bit, but here's a few ideas: LGBTQ+, mental health, people of colour, diverse backgrounds... There's a lot of cool stuff out there that's actually realistic and doesn't just talk about white, straight, cis-gender characters so I know I for one am really excited about reading more of them.

The idea to having this Readathon came from June being Pride month, and from supporting #buydiversebooks which was absolutely fantastic (thank you so much to Kate Brauning and everyone who got involved!) You can check out the post about it here - there are also some good links included that could help you find new diverse reads! (scroll all the way to the bottom of the page for the links.)


the Rules

  1. Anyone with a blog, Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, Tumblr… can take part.
  2. Use the banner above and write an entry post for the #AZDiverse Readathon. (or tweet your list, post it on instagram, whatever you'd like!)
  3. Readathon will start on June 30 and end on July 5, 2016.
  4. You must choose a diverse book to read during the readathon.
  5. You can choose to have your readers vote for the books you will read for the readathon OR you can list books that you want to read.
  6. Leave your link in the linky below!
  7. Tag your posts and updates with #AZDiverse
  8. Sit back, relax, and READ ON!

 Dahlia Adler has an awesome resource for finding good represantion LGBT lit on her website, so you might like to use that as a potential starting point.

What I'm Reading This Week:

 
I'm planning to reread Carry On because I finally read Fangirl! And I'll read as many others as I can, one of the books in the pic, or a Dahlia Adler book. What should I read first?

You can find Ezrah's post here, go take a look at what she's planning to read!
Are you planning on reading during the next week? Make it diverse! ;) Do you have any recommendations? Do you fancy taking part? (There might be some giveaway action coming soon - just putting that out there...)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

The Sunday Post is a weekly meme for sharing our news, and plans for the next week, hosted by the wonderful Kimba @ Caffeinated Book Reviewer.

Hello my lovely little narwhal friends!

I'm currently in London (and heading to Cambridge later today to meet the BFF) so it's basically a mini holiday. I've been a bit quiet this week because politics has been... interesting. And it's unavoidable of course, but there's so much negativity around and it's just not very nice you know? Anyway, although there's not enough gin in England to drown our sorrows, we managed a few drinks last night.

I've also been blogging on my tablet which works well enough but doesn't seem willing to post most images at the moment. This is why I'm changing my blogging platform soonish!

On the Blog Recently

✦ Bookish Confessions: I can't get rid of books!
Let us know whether you're able to part with your books or not :)

Reviews


Up Next Week

✦ A review of And I Darken by Kiersten White
✦ A new Readathon focusing on diverse books for the end of June by Ezrah and myself!

We're getting to ready to host a readathon, so take a look around and find something with a diverse theme to read! I'll post an announcement about it tomorrow, and will include my own picks for the weeklong readathon!

Synopsis

Lizzie Brandt was valedictorian of her high school class, but at Radleigh University, all she's acing are partying and hooking up with the wrong guys. But all that changes when her parents are killed in a tragic accident, making her guardian to her two younger brothers. To keep them out of foster care, she'll have to fix up her image, her life, and her GPA—fast. Too bad the only person on campus she can go to for help is her humorless, pedantic Byzantine History TA, Connor Lawson, who isn't exactly Lizzie's biggest fan.

But Connor surprises her. Not only is he a great tutor, but he’s also a pretty great babysitter. And chauffeur. And listener. And he understands exactly what it’s like to be on your own before you're ready. Before long, Lizzie realizes having a responsible-adult type around has its perks... and that she'd like to do some rather irresponsible (but considerably adult) things with him as well. Good thing he's not the kind of guy who'd ever reciprocate.

Until he does.

Until they turn into far more than teacher and student.

Until the relationship that helped put their lives back together threatens everything they both have left.

Details

✱ Pages: 414 (ebook)
✱ Publication date: December 2014
✱ Series: Raleigh University #1

 

First Impressions

 
I've been following Dahlia Adler on twitter for ages (because she is obviously very awesome), but it took me a while to get around to reading her books. I know what I was missing now!
Also the cover is gorgeous but I can't get the image to upload right now because I'm blogging on my tablet (which sucks) on the train wifi (which is marginally better). Check it out on goodreads though, it's really pretty!
 

My Review


The premise is that Lizzie ends up responsible for her younger brothers very suddenly, and has to straighten out her own life as a result. Juggling family and university isn't easy though - and I think that's what really resonated with me when reading this. Lizzie was trying so hard to be a parent, and it was wonderful to see her grow up, in a way - she puts her family first and gets on with things and it just makes her a genuinely likeable character, despite her party girl start.
 
There's so much emotional honesty to be found in this book, in these characters. They have their flaws, they may say or do stupid things, and they're wonderfully real and human. And Connor, the Byzantine history TA Lizzie gets involved with is just delicious - so there. That's another reason for you to pick up this book right now. Honestly, I read it in one go. In the middle of the night. Couldn't stop. I was in a romance/contemporary/NA mood, so Last Will and Testament was just perfect!
 
And did I mention the steamy scenes? No? They were steamy. Extra steaminess here if that's what you like. (Obviously I did.)

Quick Recap and Rating

Last Will and Testament is a pretty hot, addictive contemporary NA story. Dahlia's books are also really affordable for your kindle so you have no excuse!
Do you read a lot of NA? I need recommendations! (If not - what are you reading right now?)


I should get rid of my books?! What kind of suggestion is that?! You monster!
My mum had a friend visiting last week and we were all having coffee and chatting, and somehow (okay, because I was present) talk turned to books. My sister who was also there and my mum and her friend all agreed that it's pointless to own loads of books because what are you going to do with them, really?

I would like to point out that they all have loads of DVDs at home. *ahem* What's the point of - ? Okay, no, I shouldn't go there ;)


But it got me thinking. Are we - the bookish people of the world - really that different from everyone else in this respect? I thought everyone liked to own books!

(Obviously Irrefutable Awesome) Reasons Why I Absolutely Cannot Bear to Part with My Darlings Books


 Rereading! I can't get rid of books unless I'm very certain I will never want to read it again. (Not a lot of books on my shelf  that this applies to.)

 I AM THE LIBRARY. It's a powerful feeling. I'm basically an institution. I really like having friends over and basically forcing them to grab a book with them when they leave.

 The covers are so pretty...! How could I get rid of something that looks like this?!

 Books are how I decorate. I have no - I don't know what normal people have in their houses! - paintings, vases, flowers, other decorative things that have no function (I'm not being judgy or making fun! I just don't need them.), I don't even have a TV. I have bookshelves and I think they make everything beautiful! (I probably really should put something else up on the walls too though...)

Edit: I tried packing yesterday. I refuse to get rid of any of these. I refuse, I tell you!
 

Do you find it easy to get rid of books? Or do you hoard them like me? Do you have any of your own reasons why you don't want to get rid of books?


Synopsis

Her mission is to get close to him for inside information.
 
His mission is to kidnap her for a supernatural militant group.
 
Recruited in her teens for a life of espionage, Julia Caldwell, now 19, is the youngest CIA agent on record. Her mission is simple: get close to Cole Thomas for intel on his father, a known and dangerous weapons dealer. As she grows closer to Cole, something is off. He might not be who she thinks he is. And worse, his mission will put an end to hers.
 
Always believing the government’s story that her purpose in life was to keep the world safe, Julia doesn’t know who to trust or who to believe. But now, THE SWAY has a different story—a different purpose for her—that goes well beyond all she ever imagined.

Details

✱ Pages: 186 (ebook)
✱ Publication date: 17 May 2016
✱ Series: Classified #1
✱ Provided by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review
 
 

First Impressions

A 19 year-old CIA agent? Two teenagers whose missions practically force them into being each other's romantic interest? Okay, I'll bite!
 

My Review

Mixed opinions

I'm pretty torn over this one. I wanted to like the characters more, but the plot is supported by a pretty great insta-love. It's not always a huge problem for me, but it does make me feel like I don't quite know the characters - because the focus is so largely on the fast-growing relationship. To be fair, that does seem to be the way the story's set up, so much so that you can probably get that much from the blurb.
 
The Sway still ended up being a pretty enjoyable, quick-paced story.  There are some interesting (vaguely supernatural) ideas and abilities and a plot that ties in nicely with the usual questions about identity and growing up that are so important in YA.
 
Still, I had difficulty feeling the threat to the world that was present in the story, and I guess I wanted someone to really hate but they never popped up in the story. But again, this is a pretty short book (less than 200 pages!) so I can kind of understand why I feel like there's not quite enough... something, for me. The next book in the series might work for me a bit better!
 

Why you might just like it anyway, regardless of my ~It was Okay~ review:

  • The story is very fast-paced. If you enjoy a quick read, this is a safe bet.
  • There is romance. It does tend to make you invested in a story because we all want to see love blooming, taking hold, and then hopefully going strong and never ending.
  • The CIA. If you're prone to indulging conspiracy theories, you might want to read the Sway
 

Quick Recap and Rating

Really interesting ideas, some very likeable characters, plus supernatural abilities? Overall an interesting read. I guess I just wanted a little bit more.

How do you feel about books where the romance is there, almost instantly? Does it get in the way of plot or character development?

The Sunday Post is a weekly meme for sharing our news, and plans for the next week, hosted by the wonderful Kimba @ Caffeinated Book Reviewer.

Hello my lovelies!

My little sister is currently visiting, and her baby - my little nephew whom we call Simba - is now two weeks (and a few days) old. It's so relaxing to just hold a sleeping baby for an hour. It's been especially nice since my health has been a bit worse and I had a panic attack a few days ago. At least babies always make us happy, right?



Cool Stuff in the Blogosphere

✦ Kristen @ Metaphors and Moonlight writes about why negative reads can be a positive thing - I've been linking this to everyone, it's a wonderful discussion!
✦ You can still get involved with The Make Me Read It Readathon by Ely @ Tea and Titles and Val @ the Innocent Smiley. It takes place in July and it's going to be really fun!
Liselle @ the Lunch-Time Librarian has a wonderful discussion post up about writing diverse as a person of colour.

On the Blog Recently

✦ Bookish Confessions: I'm too old for YA?!
Discussion on that Guardian article and YA
✦ The Blog Squad Tag
Who I need with me if the zombie apocalypse actually arrives...
✦ Conversations: Real life vs Online friendships

Reviews

 

Up Next Week

✦ A review of the Sway by Ruby Knight
✦ A review of Dahlia Adler's Right of Last Will and Testament
✦  A Bookish Confessions post
✦ A new Readathon focusing on diverse books for the end of June by Ezrah and myself!

How are you? Would you be up for doing some diverse reading in honour of Pride month, and inspired by the #buydiversebooks giveaway that happened during the week?

Conversations is an awesome meme you should be taking part in! There's a new topic every two weeks, and as always you can check out the Conversation meme over at Corralling Books!


Today's question is:

Are real life friendships different from the ones you have online?




✱ Simple answer: yes.

I have some really wonderful, close friendships in real life. I can also say the same thing about my online friendships. But there is a difference: I feel like people in real life (apart from my besties) don't know the side of me that you see here on the blog or on twitter, at all. Which I guess actually means that you guys probably know me better than some of my real life friends. Funny, huh?

✱ Sometimes it's easier to talk to people you don't see every day (or ever).

Speaking about things like my mental health isn't easy for me, but since I know my online friends are nice and supportive and all kinds of wonderful, I try to be more open about it. Every time I open up about it a bit more, you guys support me. You're making me brave in tackling topics that are really close to my heart, and I appreciate that so much! At the same time, I don't feel like I can do that in real life. Partially because social anxiety... but also because I'm afraid of being judged. I'm getting better at it though, and that is very much thanks to all of you being so lovely!

✱ Wishing online friendships were real life ones

Do you ever get that? Wish you lived closer to your online friends so you could meet them? I keep thinking I need to travel more so I can meet *all* of you but sadly I'm a poor student. Some day!

What about you? Are your online friendships different from real life ones?

What apocalypse, you ask? Well, my little narwhal friend...
(Disclaimer: I'm making this a lot more ridiculous than Ely intended this tag to be, I think. But that's just me and my personality! Sorry.)
...The zombie apocalypse, of course. At least that's what I'm choosing to believe. Also all the plans I've made are based on the expectation that zombies will be a threat. People will of course be the more imminent threat because have you seen what happens to society when zombies attack?!

Anyway, this is totally off-topic. Ely never specified how the world is ending, but it just is, and since I was tagged, it's my job to pick a team of able-minded people to help all of us stay alive as we battle hordes of zombies try to find drinkable water when it's all gone or something.

 What did I do to figure out this dilemma? I did what any reasonable human being would and put out a kind of casting call/job advertisement on twitter, of course:

Meet my team! 

Nicole Lynn @ PopCrunchBoom!Books.

Nicole Lynn said she has street smarts and some basic fighting skills. Exactly what we need, right? Also she's willing to kill off zombies even without compensation. Perfect! (Plus, if we still have books at this point, I think she would agree to be our librarian. Because priorities.) Also she is such a sweetheart!

Anna @ Adventures with a Book Nerd.

She would be awesome because she's promised to help us clear out all the zombies! But... apparently if people start disappearing the reason is probably that she's hungry and is going after us. I told her it was okay though, because she's so lovely. We'll just watch our backs ;)
(It was actually just Anna's first blogiversary, and she's got a giveaway going at the moment! Go say congrats!)
We haven't known each other long, but I have a good feeling about Sophia. We're both short and we might need some help killing the tallest zombies. (and reaching the cookie jar.) Sophia would kick ass in an end-of-the-world scenario though - I just have this feeling she would.

Ezrah @ I Heart Romance & YA.

She totally volunteered for this position because she's so brave. The plan is she'll get her brains eaten bitten early on and then she'll become the nice zombie. (Zeee the Veggie Zombie.) Forever on the side of good. (Writing this makes me think of the power puff girls for some reason.) Ezrah also loves romance, so I feel like she'd keep our morale high and ensure that we still believe in happily ever afters even in these dark zombie times.


Cee @ the Novel Hermit.

I obviously wanted Cee on this team so we came to the conclusion that she's the Chosen One. (All hail Queen Cee/Raise a Glass to Ceedom.) Soooo we need to keep her alive because she's the cure to the zombie plague or whatever we decide to call it. Also she's so lovely and smart and always sympathetic. So really, if it was an apocalypse kind of situation, why wouldn't you want Cee there?!

Katelynn @ Books and Bottles.

She didn't actually volunteer for this position, but Katelynn has all the alcohol recommendations so obviously, she's included. I don't know what we'll be drinking but I'm sure we can find some old bottles somewhere and she can... test them for us? It's an important job. Alcohol in a post-apocalyptic world. Important? Yep, probably. Also - she is just the sweetest, and I think she'd either be this calming presence in our midst OR she'd be all over the whole chopping off zombie heads thing. I'm not sure which scenario is more likely.

Sky @ Bookish Night.

Actually I think they might only be in this for the wine I promised but... Sky also loves Intisar Khanani's writing! I think that's a brilliant reason to include them in this squad. Also also also I think the first discussion we had was about how to make friends. So obviously by now we'll be awesome at making friends (while being awkward?) and we'll keep the entire group together! Sky's the glue! Or the linchpin? You pick!