ARC Review: Fatty Fatty Boom Boom- Rabia Chaudry

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Title: Fatty Fatty Boom Boom

Author: Rabia Chaudry

Publisher: Algonquin Books

Pages: 352

Type/Format: Paperback (ARC) (Owned)

Rating: 5/5

I was intrigued when I saw this title pop up on a blog tour I was doing. The cover, the blurb, and the genre were definitely a draw as well. As someone who grew up around many ethnicities, I immediately took the chance to read this amazing book.

The author started off by giving us some history and background on Pakistan. Something I appreciated and made me understand more about the culture. The author grew up in a huge family, multiple generations all living under one roof. Like any family, they had their up’s and down’s. They definitely had no qualms about putting their two cents in Rabia’s life. Often times being mean, rude, and overall disrespectful. I often found myself being angry at them for the emotional and mental abuse they put Rabia through. I did however appreciate her family trying to show her their traditions. From weddings, to home cooked meals, to beautiful and colorful attire. 

When Rabia and her family moved to America, that’s when Rabia’s weight started to spiral out of control. Where her insecurities really started and her consciousness took over. Being a single mother, going through law school. While also making time for her family and taking on the case of Adnan Sayed. All this and more was taking a toll on her. Food of course brought her comfort. With all the national exposure she was receiving because of the case she took on, and also the TV series filming based on said case…she decided she was going to get healthier. At the same time she was also reaching a point of self-acceptance. 

I want to thank Algonquin Books and Rabia Chaudry for the opportunity of reviewing this book in exchange for an honest review. This book was well written. I loved how descriptive Rabia was with her words, especially when she would describe all the yummy food. I admire Rabia for her tenacity, willpower, and determination. I’d recommend this book 100x over. 

Book Review: Fake It Till You Bake It- Jaime Wesley

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Title: Fake It Till You Bake It

Author: Jaime Wesley

Publisher: St. Martin’s Griffin

Pages: 328

Type/Format: Paperback (owned)

Rating: 5/5

I originally saw ‘Fake It Till You Bake It’ on social media and immediately knew I needed to read it. I mean who can resist a cute, vibrant, and yummy cover? It was a couple months before I came across it at a local bookshop I visited. An independent Black/Spanish owned bookstore in The Bronx (make sure you check out The Lit Bar). I snatched it up with a quickness.

Jada Townsend-Matthews is trying to make a comeback from the humiliating experience she had on a reality dating show. She declined the proposal from “Dr. John” and as a result the public wants to crucify her. After being cooped up in her apartment, Jada decides to accompany her friend, Olivia to get a cupcake at San Diego’s Latest and best cupcakery, Sugar Blitz. As soon as she arrives, Jada does what Jada dos best…speak her mind. She expresses her distaste for the ambience, and adds fuel to the fire by insulting the cupcakes. What she doesn’t know is that the owner, Donovan Dell )football player for The San Diego Knights) isn’t too far away and overhears everything she said. What makes this all interesting is that Jada has not idea that Donovan is one of the players of the team her grandmother (Mrs. T, as she’s affectionately called) owns. Mrs. T and Donovan came to a compromise of Jada working for 6 months to secure her trust fund. After Jada finds out about this, she feels embarrassed. She wanted to figure this out on her own. Not have her grandmother do it. Mrs. T. however, gave no effs. She took matters into her own hands.Donovan and Jada start working together, and even though Donovan is more by the book and Jada is chaotic, their chemistry is amazing. The balancing eventually begins after a few hiccups in the beginning. With Jada’s creative mind and hands on approach to opportunities, she booms business for Sugar Blitz. Who knew faking a relationship could help his company flourish? What was supposed to be a phone turned into Jada and Donovan realizing they needed each other. 

I absolutely loved this book. I enjoy a good black romance novel. They don’t get enough praise, exposure, and marketing. I’m definitely putting Jaime on my auto buy list. The only thing that frustrated me about the book was the ending. It felt a bit rushed and ended in a cliff hanger. But, I’m glad to see it does have a continuation. 

Book Review: The Sentinels: Fortunes of War- Gordon Zuckerman

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Title: The Sentinels: Fortunes of War

Author: Gordon Zuckerman

Publisher: Self Publish

Pages: 300

Normally I do not pick up historical fiction books. I decided to give this one a chance because the blurb sounded interesting.
In the midst of a financial downfall in the 1930’s, a group of graduates from an elite program at University of California, Berkeley determined to dismantle Hitler’s reign of terror come up with a plan against a group of greedy German businessmen who are looking to hoard millions of dollars in illegal war profits.

I will admit it took me forever to get into this book because it started way too slow for my liking. I’m just not used to history/war books. The financial lingo takeover turned me off a bit as well. I believe the author could’ve done a bit better delivering the book. The characters were a bit flat, and sound so familiar. Sometimes it was hard to keep track of who was who. A better experience while reading the book is . We were just being told the story, and not making us experience it.

I do appreciate the little bit of romance that was sprinkled in the book. At least it made it feel a bit more realistic, and shows that within chaos, emotions can be felt, and the heart still craves affection.

Thank you to Book Publicity Services for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

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What do you listen to while you work?

I usually listen to soft music or soundtracks of movies. Maybe some nature noises. Right now I’m listening to a 10 hour loop of Aquatic Ambiance from the Donkey Kong game.

ARC Review: Baby Bandage and his first aid family- Laurie Zelinger

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Title: Baby Bandage and his first aid family

Author: Laurie Zelinger

Publisher: Love Healing Press

Pages: 28

Baby Bandage lived on a shelf in a store with his close family. Mom and dad, and his two older siblings in a cardboard box. I’m the same area lived some cousins: Elastic bandage, gauze bandage, sterile gloves, and cotton balls, as well as Uncle Al Cohol and Grandma Betty Dine. Everyone on the shelf had a unique role. As the time went on, Baby bandage realized all his relatives were leaving. He wondered when someone would pick his family. One day, someone finally did. Each member was picked one by one, and Baby bandage wondered when someone would pick him. Need him. Patience. His turn would come.

This book was absolutely adorable, but on top of that, it was a small lesson for children and adults alike. From the basics of first aid, to showing patience to children, as well as dealing with self esteem and separation issues. We live in this world where people forget that children have feelings and want to feel important and included too. This book really nailed all the issues on the head. Huge thanks to Breakeven Books for including me in this tour for this adorable book.

ARC Review: Colton’s Terrible Wonderful Year- Vincent Meis

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Title: Colton’s Terrible Wonderful Year

Author: Vincent Meis

Publisher: Spectrum Books

Format: e-book

Pages: 239

“Colton’s Terrible Wonderful Year” is centered around 14 year old Colton who lives in San Francisco with his two dads. He discovers acceptance, first love, deception, and disappointment all within a year. His trip to Thailand was one of self-discovery for Colton.
Growing up with his two dads Colton always felt a little different, and he felt they didn’t understand what it’s like being a black teenager. Colton starts to question his roots and where he came from. He decides he wants to meet his surrogate mother. Unfortunately, that meeting didn’t go as he planned and he’s left with this hole in his heart and confusion.

Colton has already went through so many emotions this year. From his first kiss with the girl of his dreams, to having to deal with a long distance relationship, to having to deal with racism from one of his family members, to his dad getting sick. It was just all too much for Colton to bear.
“Colton’s Terrible Wonderful Year” is a coming of age story that deals with a lot of issues set in 2020, when the whole world was uncertain for everyone, especially a teenager. Issues such as: racism, the pandemic, and the BLM movement. Just like every teenager, Colton is becoming “woke” and starts to realize everything going on around him.

I really enjoyed this book a lot. I would’ve definitely finished it on one sitting if it wasn’t for my adult responsibilities :). The author did amazing addressing teenage dilemmas, capturing the love amongst Colton and his diverse family, as well as the drama, and navigating relationships. I also enjoyed the trip we took to Thailand through the author’s writing; Beautiful scenery, and temples. I really commend the author for creating such a fun and diverse set of characters, as well as including different sexualities as well.

Overall, this book was excellent. Touching on a lot of important topics. I’m a huge lover of YA so I already knew the intended audience and writing. I will definitely be reading more of Vincent Meis’s books in the future. Special thanks to @bibliophile.nat (Instagram) and @vincentmeisauthor (instagram) for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Book Released: 3-4-2023

Book Review: Over my Dead Body- Greg Melville

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Title: Over my Dead body

Author: Greg Melville

Publisher: Harry N. Abrams

Format: Hardcover (Library)

Pages: 272

Cemeteries have always been a fear of mine. I never liked to walk past them because I thought the dead would become like zombies and come eat me, but I was always really intrigued by them. From very young I was always exposed to death. no matter if it was a family member or a pet or someone I knew. ‘Over My Dead Body’ is an extremely informational book filled with whit and a barrage of dad jokes. 

The book speaks about early cemeteries and graves. The lack of respect for indigenous and African American graves is also talked about in the book in depth. People had their graves disrespected by colonists building over them. One that’s pretty surprising is the African American burial ground that they built over in Central Park (the markers were removed). Another great topic brought up in the book is of funeral costs or the “American Way of Death” as described by Jessica Mitford. How grieving families are taken advantage of in a way. Wanting to upsell “the best” to these families. 

Overall, a great read. Very educative and informative (sometimes that drives me a bit mad lol). The author did great writing this book.

Book Review: All the Living and the Dead- Hayley Campbell

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Title: All the Living and the Dead

Author: Hayley Campbell

Publisher: St. Martin’s Press

Format: Hardcover (Library)

Pages: 288

I picked up this book while visiting my local library. I absolutely am obsessed with books that deal with mortuary science in some way or form. I don’t know why. Maybe it’s because I’m highly fascinated with something that has scared and continues to scare me, which is death. I will admit after losing my grandmother, I’ve become more intrigued about the roles of people who are involved in the business of death. 
The best thing about this book was the fact that there’s a person for every job listed here, and you get to hear the experiences they go through working in these fields. It really isn’t easy and I truly admire what they do. I really enjoyed a few stories more than others, especially: ‘The Executioner’. The fact that these people have to fear for their lives on a daily basis because of other people’s beliefs is insane. However, a lot of the people who’ve taken the role of The Executioner have been known to also stop all together after being consumed by nightmares and death threats….most taking their own lives as well. The process of Freezing your body, grave Digger, and many more! Many think books like these are macabre and dark, but I think it gives great insight into the world of the dead. The people who take care of our loved ones during the death process should be given credit and be spotlighted a swell. It’s not for the faint of heart. The author did an amazing job interviewing these professionals as well as getting an hands-on experience in these fields of work.
I think after reading about some of the cases and what these professionals do, I have even more respect for them. 

Hello!!

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Hello Eeveryone!

Wow. It’s been a REALLLLYYY long time. It’s been about a year (maybe more) since I wrote a blog or a review. I do apologize. I kind of fell out of reading for about a year and a half. It truly wasn’t starting to feel very overwhelming and pressuring. I was struggling keeping up reading ARC’s because I didn’t know how to pace myself at all and just kept requesting and requesting; major burnout.

But I am here for 2023, and absolutely ready to knock out all these books I have to read. Already read my first book of the year. Last year, I was lucky enough to have read the 10 I did. Anywho, I’m so glad to be back and don’t be afraid to say hello. I will be posting my first review of 2023 shortly. Thanks for sticking around!

-Bella

ARC Review: Finding Bryan- Matthew Kesselman

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Title: Finding Bryan

Author: Matthew Kesselman

Publisher: Novel Novels

Pages: 310

Rating: 5/5

TW/CW: homophobic comments, death of a parent, cancer talk, micro aggressions 

Gosh, there’s so much to say about this amazing and well-written contemporary. First of all I will warn you that you will not like Forrest Wilcox. He’s grumpy, self-absorbed, and overall a chaotic person who spends all his time focusing on his failures and what he could’ve done better. Along the way of his chaotic life, Forrest lost his brother Bryan, but not to death. Bryan ran away at the age of 17 in search of a better life. Ever since then, Forrest has felt a little lost. That could be what some of his bitterness comes from.

Now, Forrest is married to his HS sweetheart and they have a daughter named Casey (whose spunky). He also works at his father’s auto shop as a mechanic, but Forrest feels like something is still missing from his life. One day Forrest’s father talks to him and tells him his mom’s cancer is doing worse and she hasn’t got much time to live. That’s when his father says that his mom wants Forrest to find his brother…Bryan. Forrest doesn’t hesitate to go and look for his brother, he even takes his daughter Casey with him despite what anyone was opposed to. As Forrest and Casey travel across the country they come across numerous characters and go through some serious things, but it’s all in the name of Bryan. 

Let me just say that I absolutely loved this book and the southern twang that the author utilized. I loved how raw Kesselman portrayed Forrest. Yes, he was unbearable and a jackass, but at the same time he still was human under that hard exterior. Special thanks to Novel Novels, and the author for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.