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

Thursday, August 25, 2016

The Ruler of Books Tag


I was nominated by the lovely Cloe at Mornings and Epilogues to do this tag so thank you Cloe!! If you'd like to check out her answers click HERE

1. What book would you make everyone read?
I will not say TFIOS...I won't.
It Ends With Us by Colleen Hoover.
Oh...and TFIOS.

2. What would you abolish from book construction?
I don't like when chapters are 18,000 pages long. I'm a big fan of short chapters because I read more of the book. I know it may sound silly but it's just how I roll.

3. What author would you commission to write every book ever? OR what author would you commission to write a book for you?
Gosh this tag is going to be all Colleen Hoover but I've gotta go with her. Her books are unbelievably good so I feel like I have to pick her.

4. What book would you demote to the library basement to make room for new books?
Oh goodness I could never demote any books. That's just so mean to do to my old books and they deserve better than that. ;)

5. What cover artist would you commission to paint a beautiful mural?
Whoever did the cover art for The Selection could definitely paint a mural for me.

6. What characters face would you put on a coin?
Adrian from the Bloodlines series. He just sounds so pretty and I'd like looking at his face on a coin. 

7. What book would you give the Ruler of Books award of 2016 to?
It Ends With Us by Colleen Hoover. It is hands down the best book I have read all year and even though it's only August I'm confident in saying it's my favorite book of 2016.

Tuesday, August 23, 2016

Top Ten Tuesday: August 23, 2016

Ten Books That Have Been On Your Shelf (Or TBR) From Before You Started Blogging That You STILL Haven't Read Yet

10. Beautiful Darkness by Kami Garcia and Maragret Stohl
I read Beautiful Creatures soooo long ago and as soon as I finished it I had to buy the next books. I bought Beautiful Darkness seconds after I finished the first book and then found the third book at my library for like 50 cents. I had the best of intentions on reading them but...haven't.

9. Bewitching by Alex Flinn
Now this one I think I actually bought right after I started blogging but only by a couple months. I loved Beastly and other work by Alex Flinn and since this is supposed to be about Kendra - I think that's her name - from Beastly I really wanted to pick it up. I bought it...haven't read it.

8. Interview With A Vampire by Anne Rice
I picked up this book at a used book place and I couldn't wait to get home and read it. But then I didn't.

7. The Monstrumologist by Rick Yancey
The Readables on YouTube talked about this book a very very long time ago and I had to pick it up. I did try to read it but I just wasn't in the mood I guess because I never finished it.

6. The Choice by Nicholas Sparks
I actually have a few Nicholas Sparks books that I haven't picked up. I have this weird habit of buying his books whenever I find them. At one time I had about 4 copies of The Lucky One. It's a weird habit, I know. Anyway I just haven't gotten around to reading this one yet but I would like to...eventually.

5. Cocktails for Three by Madeleine Wickham
I bought this because it's Sophie Kinsella and we all know I love her. For some reason I just never read it.

4. The Lying Game by Sara Shepard
I bought this one off of ThriftBooks.com oh so long ago but I didn't ever read it. I think it's because I'm not a huge fan of the Pretty Little Liars books so it kind of made me not want to read this.

3. The Red Queen by Philippa Gregory
I read The White Queen and really enjoyed it so I had to pick up this one asap. The thing is these books - while great - are different from what I usually read so it takes me a bit longer to get through them. With that being said I've never been in the mood to put the fort in to read this. I hope I'll want to someday soon..ish.

2. Wicked Lovely by Marissa Marr
I remember watching the ChapterChicks on YouTube, they were actually one of the first bookish channels I subscribed to. They had this series and I remember loving the cover of this one. Barnes and Noble had a sale one day and this was under $4 so I got it of course. Then I lost all desire to read it.

1. Harry Potter by J.K. Rowling
Yep. 

Thursday, August 18, 2016

Rock My TBR Tag

I'm having a really hard time picking up a book after It Ends With Us by Colleen Hoover so I'm hoping this tag might spark something.
I read it on Spine and Covers blog and you can check it out HERE
Enjoy!!

1. Smells Like Teen Spirit by Nirvana

A contemporary I want to read
After You by Jojo Moyes. I bought it in July and I haven't picked it up yet.

2. Shut Up and Dance by Walk The Moon
Most anticipated book you have
Origin by Jennifer L. Armentrout.

3. Centuries (remix) by Fall Out Boy
A twist on a classic or fairy tale
I heard A Court of Thorns & Roses by Sarah J, Mass is supposed to be like Beauty & The Beast so if that's true then I pick that one.

4. Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robot by The Flaming Lips
A science fiction book or a book set in the future
I still haven't read Across the Universe and I kinda want to.

5. She Looks So Perfect by 5 Seconds of Summer
A book with a girl on the cover
The One by Kierra Cass!! I've been wanting to read this for so so long!!

6. Africa by Toto
A book set in a foreign country
You know what it would be kind of fun to reread Anna & The French Kiss again. 

7. Another One Bites the Dust by Queen
A book or books that will complete a series
The Ruby Circle
by Richelle Mead which I bought a while ago and still haven't read. Ugh.

8. Someone New by Hozier
A book by an author you haven't read yet
Red Rising
by Pierce Brown.

9. Hello by Adele
A book you weren't in the mood for at the time
Better When He's Bad by Jay Crownover. I started it right before I had my son...he's now one.

10. Love At First Sight by Kylie Minogue 
A book you bought because of the cover
I honestly don't remember the last book I bought only based on the cover. Sorry.


Tuesday, August 16, 2016

The Art of Blissful Parenting by Sharon Ballantine

I was approached a few months back about this book and whether or not I'd be interested in reviewing it. I was a bit unsure at first if I wanted to only because this isn't the type of book I normally would review on here.
As most of you know I'm a mom to an incredible baby boy - who just turned one by the way - so I was interested.
I was sent the book by FireTalker PR so shout out to them for being awesome and sending me a copy. 
What I really like about this book is the energy. I know that probably sounds crazy but if you pick it up you'll understand exactly what I'm saying.
Basically the overall gist of the book is about following your IGS aka your Internal Guidance System.
The author explains that by following your "gut" you actually make the best choices for yourself. If you listen to what your IGS tells you then you'll go down the right path. She also tells you how to not only follow your own IGS but how to show your kids to follow theirs. 
One of my favorite things she says is, "As a parent, we don't have to create our children's IGS. We must help them recognize and use it wisely." I agree with that because we're born with gut instincts. We just sometimes don't know how to follow them and as a mom I want to encourage my son to listen to himself to make the right decisions.
I also really liked how she talked about "The Law of Attraction" which pretty much says if you send out good vibes then you will get good vibes back.
I 100% agree that the more positivity you put out into the world the better your chances are of getting the things you want. 
I want my son to grow up knowing how to think on the bright side of things and how to be kind to others and to follow his heart.
There are some chapters about teenagers which isn't something I can really use yet since my son is so young but I do find it interesting and I'm sure it will be helpful to others who pick this book up.
The author also shares stories from her life as examples for the things she's trying to explain and I enjoyed that as well.
Overall I think this is an interesting read and it's something I would recommend. 

Buy The Art of Blissful Parenting:

Thursday, August 11, 2016

Summer Lovin' Book Tag

 I saw this tag done by GraceWithABookInHerFace on YouTube and thought it seemed fun. If you want to check out her video click HERE

1. Start of Summer: Pick a book with an attention grabbing first sentence?
Ugh I don't have any books right next to me and my brain is not responding to this question. I'm sorry guys but I have nothing for you. Bad book blogger, bad.

2. To hot to go out: Pick a book for a day in?
I bought After You by Jojo Moyes a couple of weeks back and I've really been wanting to pick it up so I'm going to choose that one.

3. Summer Road Trip: Pick a book you'd take with you on the road?
Amy & Rogers Epic Detour by Morgan Matson because it's a must for a road trip.

4. Iced Tea Goodness: Pick a book with a cold setting?
Rule by Jay Crownover takes place in Denver during winter so yeah I'd say that one works for this question.

5. Nasty Sunburn: A book you really dislike (so far) this year?
To be honest I haven't read any books this year that I really disliked. I haven't read much so that's probably why. ;)

6. Sizzling Read: Recommend one of your favorite books?
I don't really want to recommend a book I've talked to you guys about a million times so I'm going to choose a book I read recently - and have only recommended half a million times - and that's It Ends With Us by Colleen Hoover.

Tuesday, August 9, 2016

Top Ten Tuesday: August 9, 2016

Top Ten Tuesday REWIND
Go back and do a topic you missed over the years or recently or a topic you really want to revisit

Since it's a topic I'd like to do and it's unbelievably hot I'm going to choose "Books I'd Want a Desert Island"

10, The Fault in Our Stars by John Green

Shock. Seriously though I would need this book with me because I love it so so much.

9. Maybe Someday by Colleen Hoover
This is one of Colleens semi lighter books so I'd bring this one along. It's funny and makes me happy so it would keep me in a good mood while I'm...you know...on a desert island.

8. Between The Lines series by Tammara Webber
I read these books when I first started my blog and I loved them. They are light hearted, quick, easy reads and they'd be perfect to bring along.

7. Anna & The French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins
It's a light happy book and sure to keep me happy also.

6. Me Before You by Jojo Moyes 
Now you may think that's a strange choice but this book makes me laugh and get a wee emotional so I think it's a good choice.

5. Twilight by Stephenie Meyer
Guys come on, if I'm on a desert island for who knows how long I need Twilight.

4. The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
Just to remind me that things could be much worse.

3. Wake by Amanda Hocking
Water. Sirens.

2. Faking It by Cora Carmack
This book made me laugh out loud and I think it would be a fantastic choice to bring with me.

1.The Rosemary Beach series by Abbi Glines
It takes place on a beach...um it's kinda perfect. 

Thursday, August 4, 2016

Rapid Fire Book Tag

I adore book tags that are quick and to the point. Okay I love book tags that are long too. Alright alright, I love book tags.
Check out the original tag by clicking HERE

E-book or Physical Book?
Eh..Um..Physical..no e-book...no...uh...both. 

Paperback or Hardback?
Paperback.

Online or in store book shopping?
In store.

Trilogies or Series?
Ugh. I don't know. Trilo...eries.

Heroes or Villains?
I believe in good so heroes.

A book you want everyone to read?
I just finished It Ends With Us by Colleen Hoover and it was absolutely fantastic so that one.

Recommend an underrated book?
To Love Jason Thorne by Ella Maise, go read it!!

The last book you finished?
It Ends With Us by Colleen Hoover.

The last book you bought?

After You by Jojo Moyes.

Weirdest thing you've used as a bookmark?
I don't know if I've ever used anything "weird" for a bookmark. I've used receipts, scrap paper, actual bookmarks...

Used books: Yes or no?
Duh, yes.

Top three favorite genres?

New Adult
Contemporary
Paranormal

Borrow or buy?
I prefer to buy but I did go to the library yesterday and it was wonderful.

Characters or plot?
What? This is silly.

Long or short books?
Honestly depends on my mood.

Long or short chapters?

SHORT. It's easier for me to read more if the chapters are short, I don't know why but it is.

Name the first book you think of...

Twilight.

Books that make you laugh or cry?
It Ends With Us (cry and a little laughter)
TFIOS (equal parts cry and laugh)
Shopaholic series (laugh)

Our world or fictional worlds?
I like to get lost in fictional worlds but I think our world can be pretty great too.

Audiobooks: Yes or no?
Not for me.

Do you ever judge a book by its cover?
Ha. Yep.

Book to movie or book to TV adaptations?

I love Vampire Diaries, Army Wives, and Gossip Girl and those are the only TV adaptations I can think of so movie.

A movie or TV show you preferred to its book?
Vampire Diaries hands down, I don't like the books at all.

Series or standalones?
Again it all depends on my mood.

Tuesday, August 2, 2016

It Ends With Us by Colleen Hoover

Normally this is where I would tell you that I was sent this book for review and OMG Colleen Hoover is a genius. While that is all true I have to tell you guys that I'm stunned into silence by this book.
I'm not really sure how I'm going to write this review but I'm going to start typing and see where it goes.
Like I said I was sent this book for review and I was incredibly excited. I adore Colleen Hoover and her books so I knew that this would be an easy read and that I'd love it.
I did love this but it was not an easy read. This book was so deep and heartbreaking that it actually has made an impact on my life.
I've read a lot of books in my 26 years but the only book I ever remember making me feel this way was The Fault in Our Stars.
I went into this book completely blind and this is partly why it's hard for me to write this review. I want so badly to tell you all about the plot and some of the things that happened but I truly think you should go into this without knowing anything about it.
I started It Ends With Us on a Tuesday night at like midnight and finished it Thursday. When I wasn't reading it I was thinking about it and wishing I could be reading it. I couldn't stop thinking about the characters and what was going to happen next. I was completely sucked into this story so much so that I actually started feeling like everything was happening to me.
The characters in this are some of the best that Colleen has ever written. Lilly our main character is simply amazing and I feel like I know her. I feel like a lot of us can see ourselves in her, in good ways and bad.
It Ends With Us is by far the best book that I've read all year and I'm confident in saying that it's my favorite of 2016.
Everyone says "Oh the feels" when they read heavy books but you guys have no idea. I can't begin to describe the range of emotions I felt while reading this.
I feel terrible because this review isn't one of my finest but I just can't find the words to tell you how stunning It Ends With Us actually is.
I 100% recommend you read this book but please please go into it without reading the plot. Just pick it up and let yourself get sucked into the story like I did.

Buy It Ends With Us Here:
Amazon
Barnes & Noble
Kobo

Listen to my playlist for It Ends With Us on Spotify by clicking HERE