The Secret Life of a Book Blogger Tag

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I stumbled upon this awesome tag on SepiaReads‘s blog and decided to give it a go.

How long have you’ve been blogging?

❀I’ve been blogging for over 10 years, from when Xanga was around, to when I jumped ship on blogger, then tumblr, and now here I am at wordpress. I’ve been more consistent with blogging the last five years though.

At what point do you think you’ll stop blogging?

❀Probably when i can’t anymore.

What is the best thing about blogging?

❀The best thing about blogging is being able to share my thoughts on books that I love, or that are a buzz around social media. I basically love sharing my passions with everyone.

What is the worst thing? What do you do to make it okay?

❀One of the worst things of blogging would have to be the popularity contests. Smaller bloggers deserve love too man! Besides a lot of times not everyone can get a domain or be able to design their websites for themselves or pay someone else at the very moment like a lot of bloggers have. Doesn’t make those blogger’s websites any less worthy than those who are popular. When things like this happen, usually I keep doing what I love doing…which is reviewing books and reading them. Numbers don’t faze me…being genuine is.

How long does it take you to make/find pictures to use?

❀Depending on what type of post it is it can take me a few minutes to an hour or more.

Who is your book crush?

❀Don’t have one lol.

What author would you like to have on your blog?

❀Even though I know my blog would never get to that level, I would love to have Stephen King and pick his brain for a bit.

What do you wear when you write your blog posts?

❀I usually blog at night, so that would have to be my pajamas.

How long does it take you to prepare?

❀Usually it takes me a day to prepare my blog posts. I usually like to write a hard copy first before I actually type it up.

How do you feel about the blogging community?

❀I think it’s beautiful that we’re all united by our passion of books and writing. Now can we stop making it a competition please?

What do you think one should do to create a successful blog?

❀Consistency for sure, interaction, creative ideas (change it up a bit), and an overall love and passion for what you do.

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WW Wednesday- June 19,2019

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I saw this awesome idea for this meme that takes place every Wednesday, where the w’s happen. This is hosted by Sam of Taking on a World of Words

What are you currently reading?


What did you recently finish reading?

What do you think you’ll read next?

I think I will be picking up something that I have to read for my book club and read an ARC from net galley at the same time too. I’ve been in the habit of reading multiple books at the same time now, but i’ve been managing them really well.

Girls of Paper and Fire- Natasha Ngan

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Title: Girls of Paper and Fire

Author: Natasha Ngan

Publisher: Jimmy Patterson Books

Pages: 385

Rating: 5/5

TW: Multiple rape attempts and brief animal abuse

Girls of paper and fire is a amazing fantasy tale that at times makes you cringe because of the strong content it has, however there’s moments that bring a little bright light to make us feel better. Especially with a beautiful f/f romance that commenced in the most beautiful of ways. Ngan has a way of describing things which in turn makes you think you’re witnessing it in front of you. 

Each year the demon king selects eight paper caste girls (lowest class and all human form) to become his concubines. The families of these girls prepare them all year for the “event”. Then there’s other girls who are taken against their will for selection. The families of the chosen girls are showered with gifts and wealth. But, this year there’s an exception…instead of eight girls, there will a ninth one…one that’s unique…the girl with the golden eyes. 

Lei was stolen from her family’s herbal shop because word has it that she’s had something intriguing about her….her golden eyes. Lei is taken to the kingdom and immediately gets aquatinted with the other paper girls. Preparations begin for the girls. They’re taught how to act, dress, and seduce through lessons given to them. Every night the girls wonder whose turn it will be to get into the king’s bed. Ngan does a great job showing the cattiness and competition amongst the girls. Every girl doing her best to make the king happy. When it’s lei’s turn to accompany the king….she instantly regrets it. Her defenses go up. She quickly realizes she doesn’t care for the king, another man, or men period. Her heart belonged to only one person….Wren. The relationship that develops between these two beautiful women tests the bond between two friends and together they form an alliance to set the paper girls fee from slavery and take revenge on the king. 

I want to thank my book amazing book club Pages and Prose for this June read. I really enjoyed it.

Lost You- Haylen Beck

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Title: Lost You

Author: Haylen Beck

Publisher: Crown Publishing Group

Pages: 320

Rating: 5/5

I’ve never read any of Stuart Neville’s books, but this book was absolutely amazing and mind blowing. I’ve actually become such a fan of thrillers lately. This book takes you on a emotional rollercoaster that will have you asking what’s going to happen next. Beck takes you into the lives of two women who fall into the dark world of motherhood, surrogacy, and a very shady agency. Libby longs for a baby, but her fertility issues are making that all impossible. She gets lost in the anticipation of receiving her baby and commits unspeakable acts to become the mother she always wanted. Anna is in desperate need of some money, and when she’s presented with the opportunity to make some money by becoming a surrogate she immediately jumps at the opportunity. Even though she has signed a contract….she can’t help but start having second thoughts….and her feelings start getting in the way. Throughout this story you will see a lot of going back and fourth, but it’s so essential to the story. 

Libby is a single mother whose marriage didn’t work out. However, she has her little man Ethan by her side to make her happy. Life hasn’t been easy, but now that her novel is going to get published, Libby will embark on a new journey as a published writer. So she takes a mini trip with Ethan to celebrate. Even though she’s ‘s on this trip, libby is overly anxious and very protective of Ethan. Ethan, like every young child is curious and even though it was only a split second, he makes a mad dash for the elevator when Libby was distracted and before she has a chance to react…he vanished! The hotel security and police immediately begin a search for the boy and utilize their security surveillance system….and they come across something shocking. Libby is brought in and right before her eyes, she’s sees a woman….her…taking Ethan.

Beck did an amazing job keeping me at the edge of my seat. When i thought I finally figured something out, he goes and does a total plot twist on you. Fast paced and in your face. I promise this will not disappoint.

Huge thanks to NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. I definitely will be getting a physical copy.

April +May Wrap-Up

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It’s that time again! April was a really slow reading month as I was still in school, but I finally took time off of school because I’m really just not feeling it anymore. I want to focus on my career with books. May was a great book month for me, and I’m super hyped too because I finally joined a bookclub online, and honestly it’s an amazing place with amazing people. Here are my reads for April and May.

April:

A non-stop packed thriller that will have you on the edge of your seat. I promise you’ll hate the male character 😉

May:

A inspiring story of a woman who volunteered in two correctional facilities to bring the magic of literature to prisoners.
A story about a woman and her struggles with being raised in a mormon household, and how living with her tyrant father pushed her to get the education she needed.
A collection of 20 essays from amazing people suffering from Mental Illness.
A beautiful story of true love, and the obstacles two people went through to be together.
Murder, Lies, Deceit. What does life have in store for Misty? (ARC)
A remarkable, witty, and horrifying story of our beloved Roald Dahl

So there you have it kids, my reads for these two months. I have more time now and I am definitely going to devour more books. I’m also trying to evolve and pick up other genres I’d otherwise ignore. How did you guys do?

Working Stiff- Judy Jelinek and T.J. Mitchell

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Title: Working Stiff

Author: Judy Jelinek and T.J. Mitchell

Publisher: Scribner

Pages: 258

Rating: 5/5

Working Stiff is an amazing (yet gross) memoir of Dr. Judy Melinek and her training as a Forensic Pathologist (aka Medical Examiner) in New York City. While T. J (her husband) and Daniel (her son) are home, Judy goes out there everyday to deal with the deceased. She was in charge of performing autopsies as well as doing investigations at crime scenes. While some think what Judy does is “cool”, it’s actually a very emotionally, mentally, and physically draining. I remember one instance in the book where Judy worked 100+ hours in only ONE week! She was told to go home and rest for 12 hours because she had passed out from dehydration and fatigue. I’m a fan of CSI, but I am also aware of what’s real life and what’s fiction, and it’s a bit more complicated than they portray it in television. I truly admire Judy’s dedication to her job and family; it was admirable. She always carried herself with such a level of professionalism, even when she had impossible and hard-headed family members from the deceased. 
While the book was very informative and gave you the inside glimpse behind the medical examiners door, the stories are intense and gross, and they are triggering, especially when Judy begins to get into her experience helping out when 9-11 happened. This book is raw, inspiring, riveting, and full of dark humor. I highly recommend it. 

A to Z Booktag

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I came across this LONG yet amazing book tag from Rita @https://bookishr.wordpress.com . Let’s get to it.

A- Author You’ve Read the Most Books From:

I believe that would have to be a tie between James Patterson, Danielle Steel, and Debbie Macomber

James Patterson
Danielle Steel
Debbie Macomber

B- Best Sequel Ever:

In my opinion that would have to be “Harry Potter and The Prisoner of Azkaban”. I loved the relationship Harry had with Serius.

C- Currently Reading:

D- Drink of Choice While Reading:

E- E-reader or Physical Copy:

Personally I always prefer a physical copy of a book, but most of the ARC’s I have are e-books So I have to share the love. lol.

F- Fictional Character You Would Have Dated in High School?:

From my recent read “The Girl He Used to Know” , it would have to be Jonathan. He was a supportive and caring boyfriend.

G- Glad You Gave This book a Chance:

This book was simply beautiful and magical, from the outside cover to the magical words written inside.

H- Hidden Gem Book:

This book is about a amazing artist who creates beautiful drawings and illustrations. Also at the end of the book, she gives a chance to create your own artwork challenges (i.e. colored pencils challenge, eye challenge, create a fruit challenge, nail art challenge etc.)

I- Important Moment in Your Reading Life:

One of the most important moments in my reading life, is when I e-mailed author Danielle Steel and I got an actual response back. I was elated, and this was before twitter took off.

J- Just Finished:

K- Kind of Books you Won’t Read:

Some of the books I won’t read just because they don’t interest me are: westerns, sci-fi, philosophy, and certain historical books.

L- Longest Book You’ve Read:

M- Major Book Hangover Because Of:

Life Changing Book. I didn’t want it to end.

N- Number of Bookcases You Own:

Three for the moment.

O- One Book You’ve Read Multiple Times:

P- Preferred Place to Read:

My bedroom with nature sounds playing in the background.

Q- Quote That Inspires You:

” A room without books is like a body without a soul” Marcus Tullius Cicero

R- Reading Regret:

S- Series You Started and Need to Finish:

It would have to be The Women’s Murder Club by James Patterson.

T- Three of Your All Time Favorite Books:

U- Unapologetic Fangirl:

Does Harry Potter count? I’ve been a fan since it was first introduced and I was a teen and I am 31 years old now.

V- Very Excited For This Release:

W- Worst Book Habit:

Buying more books than I can read.

X- X Marks The Spot: Start At the Top of Your Shelf and Pick The 27th Book:

Y- Your Last Book Purchase:

Z- ZzZzZ Snatcher (The last book that kept you up way too late)