"What do you want to be?" "Happy," she says with a smile. - Colleen Hoover

Tuesday, May 31, 2016

I'm A Duff: Brittany

Todays DUFF story belongs to my new friend Brittany who is a fellow blogger. Check out her blog Space Between The Spines here!!
When I asked Brittany if she'd care to share her story she did so without hesitation and that means so much to me.
While I was reading her story I started to tear up because we've all been in her shoes.
I think what she has written is beautiful and inspiring and I'm positive that you all will agree with me.
This girl is beautiful inside and out and I'm so happy she's shared her DUFF story with all of us.
Enjoy!!
________________

I’ll be honest – I’ve never really felt much of a need to read The DUFF. I mean, why would I want to read a book about a set of friends who admit to having a Designated Ugly Fat Friend? But I’ve learned that it’s actually a pretty decent book and, if we were all honest with ourselves, there is at least one point in our lives in which we felt inferior and like a lesser person than another, whether it was someone in your family or social circle. So, when I was approached to participate in this lovely series, I thought it would be nice to share my own little story.
Unlike others who have been featured before, rather than just have one specific moment in which I felt like a DUFF, I felt like I /lived/ the title. Growing up, I had always been a quiet, reserved girl and highly intelligent. As such, I guess it was hard for other kids to approach me and, when they did, it was usually to tease me or to use me in some way. I can’t tell you the number of times when I was in middle school that I had someone pretend to be my friend – or had guys pretend to like me – just so that I would “help” them with homework or projects. “Help” by which they wrote down every answer I had word for word. It hurt, thinking that I was making friends, only to have them use me, then toss me to the wayside. In some instances, I’d even hear them whisper about me in the hallways and snicker as I walked past. Eventually, I just grew more reserved. I read. I wrote. I minded my own business. I became the weird, smart girl that didn’t want anything to do with those around me or even with school, seeing as I was so often unchallenged in class. There were times I remembered begging my mom to let me stay home from school simply because I didn’t want to endure the teasing or because I was so bored with school. Why go and be babysat for eight hours a day when I could stay home and read or write my novel?
(As much as I stayed to myself and was teased, though, I managed to make a few good friends, all of which have proven to be true friends and have stuck by me unconditionally over the years. Of course, they all were like me in a sense, in that we were smart, creative types that often stuck to ourselves.)
My behavior really came to a head in high school. While my family had known that I had trouble with people and with accepting myself (I had always been hard on myself, particularly concerning my grades. I was a perfectionist to a fault.), it wasn’t until my sophomore year in high school that my anxiety and depression hit full force. I was very critical of myself. I wasn’t fashionable as the rest of the girls in my class. I wasn’t as skinny or as bubbly or as popular. I was largely overlooked and the anonymity with which I had taken solace in in middle school started to get to me, too. No one really knew the real me, save for my own good friend I’d met my freshman year. Even worse, to my teenage self, it felt like any assignment in which I got less than an A was a failure. After all, GPA was important. A good GPA meant a good selection of colleges and/or scholarships, which meant a better education, which meant a better job, which meant a more successful life, right? I’ve learned – after years of therapy – that this polarized thinking as well as isolating behavior was detrimental to my health, rather than helpful.
Long story short, I spent the majority of my high school career hating myself and who I was. I wished to be someone else, but never really had the courage to change myself or to embrace the real me. Fortunately, with medication and therapy, I grew to love myself. Sure, there will always be aspects of myself that I don’t like – and everyone likely feels the same way – but I learned that I don’t have to live my life to please others or go out of my way to be accepted. I am me, take it or leave it.
I guess if there is anything that I want someone to take away from this is that life is far too short to spend berating yourself, of being critical of the real, unique you. If other people don’t like you, that’s their problem, not yours, and you don’t need such toxic people in your life anyway. You’re beautiful, you bring a spark and joy to this world that no one else can. It took me nearly ten years to learn this.
If there is one thing that I find most valuable in myself, it would be the compassion and empathy I have for others. Having gone through depression and anxiety, having lived that nightmare, I know how hard life can feel at times. I’m always willing to lend a shoulder or listen ear to those in need and don’t hesitate to share love. Sure, I might get used on occasion like I did as a child, but to know that I made at least one positive impact on another – especially when they were feeling low – is satisfying. And as for my best physical feature, I have /adorable/ dimples.
I’ve come to see Rachel Platten’s hit single “Fight Song” as my personal anthem – it’s all about not giving up and being heard but seeing as SOMEONE already used that in a DUFF post (Kayleigh =P), I feel that Sugarland’s “Little Miss” accurately portrays me, too. It’s a song about quiet strength, about being more than we ever realize we are.
 

 
Follow Brittany on Social Media:
Blog
Goodreads
Twitter

Tuesday, May 24, 2016

Top Ten Tuesday: May 24, 2016

Ten Books I Feel Differently About After Time Has Passed

10. Hush Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick

I remember LOVING this book when I first read it. Well now it's been like 5 years and I'm not sure it was as good as I thought. I may have to pick it up again to see.

9. City of Bones by Cassandra Clare
I didn't love this book - to be honest I almost didn't carry on with the series. Now it holds a special place because I LOVE the series.
 
8. An Abundance of Katherines by John Green
I loved this when I read it - it was my first John Green book - but now that I've read others by him I don't feel as impressed. Still wonderful just not as good.
 
7. Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins
I felt mixed about this book and now that it's been years I feel...content.
 
6. Sarah Dessen books
I know I loved them...but I can't really remember why.
 
5. The Vincent Boys by Abbi Glines
I wasn't a huge fan of this book - what?! - yep there is no typo there. This was the first Abbi Glines book I read and I didn't think it was all that great. Since then I've read almost all of her other books and now I'm wondering if I gave it a fair chance.
 
4. The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky
The more time goes on the more I love this book. When I first read it I didn't appreciate it the way I should have.
 
3. The Vampire Diaries by LJ Smith
I remember thinking the book sucked because it was nothing like the show and I was already used to things being that way. However now I don't really remember why I didn't like it.
 
2. Dear John by Nicholas Sparks
The more and more I think about reading this book the more bummed I get. I didn't enjoy the ending. Through time it's gotten worse, I now don't even want to look at the book.
 
1. Divergent by Veronica Roth
I remember loving this book at the time I read it but I really don't like the way the story goes so it kind of makes me lose my love for it...just a little.

Thursday, May 19, 2016

Infinity Dreams Award

Thank you to my friend Caroline from Just Another Bookish Blog for tagging me for the Infinity Dreams Award!!
I love getting the chance to be a part of tags like these so I really appreciate it. Caroline has a gorgeous blog and always includes me in things like this so go show her some love!!
 
 
Alright so here we go!!
 
 
Rules:
1. Give 11 Facts about yourself
2. Answer the 11 questions set by the one who nominated you
3. Nominate 11 bloggers to get this award
4. Ask the bloggers you've nominated to answer your own 11 questions

 
11 Facts About Me:
1. I have the best baby boy in the world
2. I could literally live off of donuts
3. Cher is my hero
4. I've seen Boyz II Men in concert
5. Beauty & The Beast is my favorite Disney movie
6. I used to work in an ice cream shop where I had to sample all of the ice creams and sundae's
7. Johnny Depp is my favorite actor
8. I love orange Vitamin Water
9. Clue is my favorite board game
10. I used to dress like Cher from Clueless
11. I named my car Molly
 
Questions For Me:
1. Chocolate and what?
Ice cream.

2. What's your favorite club at school/university?
I wasn't in any clubs in school unfortunately.

3. Do you bake? What do you like baking?
Yes I do, I love to bake!! Cupcakes are probably my favorite.

4. Favorite ARC you've received?
November 9 by Colleen Hoover, hands down!!
 
5. Favorite color?
Raspberry pink and white.

Uhh ohh there's no number 6!!
 
7. Sparkly water or still water?
Cold water.

8. If you could be anywhere right now, where would it be?
I'm with my family right now so I wouldn't choose to be anywhere else.

9. Favorite line of the last movie/episode you watched of ____?
Hmm...I just watched Anastasia so it's probably the part where the bat says, "I'd give her a ha and hi-ya and a hoo ah. And then I kick her sir." So funny.

10. Outside or inside?
Outside as long as there aren't bugs. I detest bugs.

11. Do you know what a blue raspberry Jolly Rancher is? If not what do you think it is.
I love blue raspberry Jolly Ranchers!!

I Tag:
Claire @ Reading in Moccasins

My Questions:
1. What's the first book you remember fan girling over?
2. If you could date any book character who would it be?
3. Favorite flavor of ice cream?
4. If you could go on a paid vacation anywhere in the world where would you go?
5. If you could interview any author who would you choose?
6. Would you rather do the Whisper Challenge or Musical Impersonations on Jimmy Fallon?
7. Coffee or tea?
8. Would you rather present at the Oscars or the Grammys?
9. What's your favorite type of music?
10. What's your dream car?
11. If you could go to lunch with any author who would you choose?



Tuesday, May 17, 2016

Top Ten Tuesday: May 17, 2016

Ten Books I Picked Up On A Whim
10. Anna & The French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins
9. The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
8. City of Bones by Cassandra Clare
7. Roommates by Erin Leigh
6. Forever My Girl by Heidi McLaughlin
5. Wake by Amanda Hocking
4. Forgive My Fins by Tera Lynn Childs
3. Slammed by Colleen Hoover
2. Rush Too Far by Abbi Glines
1. Rule by Jay Crownover

Thursday, May 12, 2016

White Girl Problems by A.E. Watson

If Mean Girls, The Prince & Me, and A Cinderella Story had a baby this is what it would be.
Obviously the title and cover captured my attention and I'm so glad it did.
I really liked this book!!
I haven't read a lot of YA contemporary lately so it was a lot of fun to get back into it with this.
Our main character is a girl named Finley Roze who is your basic pumpkin spice lovin', legging wearing basic "white girl".
One day she wakes up in a hospital with drugs in her system and cuts on her arm and her father sends her to Canada to basically get her head out of her butt and grow up.
While in Canada Finley stays with a friend of the family named Hattie who gives her a job working with older people. It's there she meets the oh so wonderful Aiden. The cute boy with the English accent who is her total opposite.
Probably about halfway through the book we find out that Aiden is keeping a big secret and Finley doesn't know how to handle it.
Through out the book we get to watch their relationship grow and we get to see Finley become a better version of herself.
This book made me laugh out loud in parts and I found myself rereading some pieces just because they made me smile. Also the writing is really fun and easy to read.
I will say that while most of the time I thought Finley was really cool there were quite a few times she got on my nerves. I liked her most when she was in Canada to be honest. Her friends and her sister grow on me - her sister was actually one of my favorites - but I liked her when she was with her group of old ladies.
I would recommend this book if you're looking for a light romance that will make you giggle. However if the use of the word "totes" like totally gets on your like nerves then I'd like stay away. But if you can get past it then I think you'll really like it ;)
I give this book 3 1/2 out of 5 donuts!!
 
Buy White Girl Problems Here:

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Listen to my playlist for White Girl Problems on Spotify by clicking HERE

Tuesday, May 10, 2016

Get To Know Me Tag

I was tagged to do this by the lovely Cloe over at Mornings and Epilogues
I'm going to tag:
 Brittany from Space Between The Spines 
Caroline from Just Another Bookish Blog
Patricia from Patricia Lynne

The Basics:
Name:
Kayleigh.
Nicknames: My parents call me Lucy and my family calls me Kayleigh Bug :)
Birthday: March 9th.
Star Sign: I'm a Pisces.
Occupation: Full time mommy, blogger and freelance writer.

What I Look Like:
Hair color: Dark brown.
Hair length: Hmm maybe 4 or so inches past my shoulders...I'm thinking about going shorter though.
Eye color: My eyes change color depending on my clothes.
Best feature: I would say my eyes are my favorite.
Braces: Nope, though I've considered them.
Piercings: 6.
Tattoos: 11.
Right or left handed: Right handed!
 
First:
Best friend:
Heather and Abby and yes we're still friends today :)
Award: Oh shoot I honestly don't know.
Sport: Hahaha how cute.
Real vacation: That I remember? Canada and it was AWESOME!!
Concert: Miss Kelly Clarkson the year she won Idol, I was 11.
 
Favorites:
Film: Perks of Being a Wallflower and Almost Famous.
TV show: Friends and One Tree Hill.
Color: Raspberry pink and white.
Song: Can't Take My Eyes off of You by Frankie Valli. It's the song that was playing the first time I felt my son kick.
Restaurant: Bob Evans yuuum.
Store: I love Forever 21, Target and TJ Maxx.
Books: Ha. The Fault in Our Stars.

Currently:
Feeling: Loved.
Single or taken: Single.
Eating: ...a donut.
Thinking about: How much I love donuts.
Watching: I have Army Wives on pause.
Wearing: Clothes duh.
 
Future:
Children: I already have the sweetest boy but I'd like to give him some brothers and sisters someday. I want a big family <3
Marriage: I would love to be married someday.
Careers: Author and super successful blogger :)
Where to live: Either where I am or Green Bay, Wisconsin. I love it there!!
 
Do You Believe In:
God: Yes.
Miracles: Absolutely.
Love at first sight: I did when I saw my son for the first time.
Ghosts: Oh yes.
Aliens: Sure, why not?
Soul mates: I believe soul mates are your best friends so I've already found mine and her name is Alli.
Heaven/hell: Yes.
Kissing on a first date: Maybe.
Yourself: I do now that I'm 26.



Thursday, May 5, 2016

Roommates by Erin Leigh

I purchased this book for my kindle a couple of months ago, around the same time that I bought To Love Jason Thorn, and The Allure of Julian Lefray. It was all a part of that whole "Customers who bought this also bought this" deal.
I'm not going to lie to you guys, the cover got my attention. I love the colors and the skates got me excited. I love hockey and hockey players ... ahem ... so I had to read the synopsis. After reading the plot I one clicked that mother and added it to my ever growing TBR.
I finally got to it about a week ago and I enjoyed it.
The story follows Natalie and Brady and is told in both of their POV - heck yes. The two end up being roommates after each of their friends bends the truth a little. See Natalie thinks she's moving in with a girl named BJ and Brady thinks he's moving in with a guy named Nate. Nope.
When the two of them meet each other and realize what has happened their exceptionally skeptical. Natalie doesn't want to live with a boy and Brady doesn't want to live with a girl that he finds so attractive.
However after the two of them spend some time together they realize that they get along really well and being roommates won't be that hard- well as long as the put keep pushing the sexual tension to the side.
I can't help it, I had a bit of a crush on Brady. I really loved the way that he treated Natalie and he was usually pretty funny.
I also thought Natalie was pretty cool most of the time and she seemed like a girl that I would be friends with. I also loved that she worked as a designer for book covers - hello, dream job?!
All in all I thought it was a really cute, easy, and fun read but there were some issues that I had.
I did not like that Brady was such a player. He got around A LOT and was pretty descriptive and gross about his conquests and I did NOT like that.
Also Natalie got on my nerves sometimes because it was like she'd become a different character all of a sudden and was kind of annoying.
The word slut was also used a lot in this book and it got on my nerves. I'm not a huge fan of the word so it bugged me by default but then they used it in situations that wasn't fair. Natalie also used a lot of...um...language that got on my nerves.
Aside from those few annoyances though the book was pretty cute and I would recommend it if you're looking for a light and fun read!!
I'm giving this book 3 out of 5 donuts :)

Buy Roommates here:
Amazon
Barnes and Noble

Listen to my playlist for Roommates on Spotify by clicking HERE

Tuesday, May 3, 2016

Bookish Bookin Book Tag

 
I saw Heather from Bookables do this tag and because I love her I had to do it too. If you want to watch her video click  HERE
Also check out the original video made by Bekah AwesomeBookNut by clicking HERE
I would like to tag anyone who wants to do this!! :)

1. What is a well loved book that you hated?
 Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell...don't hate me guys.
 
2. What is a guilty pleasure book?
 Anything by Nicholas Sparks.
 
3. Have you ever spoiled a book for someone? If so, which book?
 When the Twilight movies came out my mom always asked me to give her a heads up on certain things so I did. I think that's really the closest I've come to "spoiling" a book.
 
4. What book made you ugly cry?
Oh come on, do I even need to say it? ...The Fault in Our Stars.
You know what I'm going to give you another answer too, one a bit less predictable. The Last Song by Nicholas Sparks made me ugly cry so much it almost started to hurt.
 
5. What is your latest DNF?
Pardon?
 
6. Which book have you read due to controversy?
Ha, Fifty Shades of Grey.
 
7. Have you read a book where you questioned the authors' sanity?
Yes, at the end of Allegiant.
 
8. What is the most cringe-worthy book you've read?
 Crash Into You by B.D. Rowe...sorry.
 
9. What book have you read solely due to the cover?
Going Vintage by Lindsey Levitt. It's gooooorgeous.
 
10. Name a book you're embarrassed to admit you've read.
I don't think there are any, honestly.
 
11. Name an unknown book you wish more people know of.
I still don't think my beloved Marked Men get enough love. 
 
12. Name a favorite villain.
I really liked Sebastian from The Mortal Instruments.
 
13. Name a book you enjoyed that you read that is outside the norm of genre you usually read.
I read Joey Graceffa's book this year which is an autobiography. I loved it which kind of surprised me because I am not a big fan of autobiographies or biographies.
 
14. Name tropes you actually enjoy reading.
Heather said she likes the whole star crossed lovers thing and I think I'm going to go with the same answer.
 
15. What/who inspired you to join book tube?
I know I'm not on booktube so we're going to switch that to who inspired me to join the book blogging community. I have loved watching booktube videos for a long time now so it was something that I was always interested in. I know I've said this before but it was Sarah Billington who made me believe I could start a blog.