Review: Unthinkable by Helen Thomson

A book that was chosen for me to read for my August TBR that I never got around too because it was shipped so late, became a read for my nonfiction November TBR and I liked it a lot. It was recommended to me by my friend Nicchi who has her own Booktube channel and she hit the nail on the head with this one.

One of the rules I have for myself is that I will not pick up a nonfiction book if I do not have interest in the topic of the book. I broke the rule for this book because I know there were a bunch of mental illnesses and abilities that people have and I did not want to be confused by all the scientific brain talk. I broke the rule because of the cover and also it was recommended to me not once but twice by two different people.

How this book was formatted and how each person that the author interviewed and shared their story was given their own sections that solely focused on them and the history of their condition. Some of the stories were sad, others were just downright non believable. At one point, I wanted to go have an MRI, CAT and PET scan done on myself so I could know how my brain was functioning.

I give this a 4 out of 5 stars because while reading, sometimes I started drifting off when the author was detailing the parts of the brain and the names of certain parts functioned with these certain parts, I was dazed and confused. I wish that the author would have put some diagrams of the brain as she was discussing each condition. Also I believe this book would make a great documentary.

REVIEW: The Walking Dead: The Fall of The Governor Pt. 1 & 2 *SPOILERS*

The Fall of The Governor Pt. 1

This is the third book in the The Walking Dead novels. In the second book we were introduced to some new characters and I am happy that one of those characters, Lily is still the main POV along with the Governor.

It has been a good time between the events of the second book and the beginning of this book. Lily is going on runs and trying to push away a guy who has his sights set on her. To be honest, Lily is a complete idiot in this novel and not very conscious of her actions. I think that this certain plot point wasn't necessary and stupid.

We finally get to see Rick, Michonne and Glenn arrive in Woodbury. It is not the same as the show, but the same as the comics and we get the Governor's point of view as he is torturing Michonne and his thoughts after he does the brutal things to her. We also get more into detail about the torture that she inflicts upon him.


The Fall of the Governor Pt. 2

This part mainly focuses on Lily and Austin's relationship and the war that the Governor start with the Rick Grimes group. Also something that didn't make since in this part was the complete mount of trust that the Governor seem to put on Lily. Like the time she tried to cause a mutiny was forgotten and didn't seem like a big deal.

I liked this part better than the first because there was more action and blood and gore and emotions all wrapped up in this one and the ending was great. I can't wait to read book 5 and how Woodbury prospers under new leadership.

I also was kind of hoping that the baby that was "killed" wasn't really and it would have made for an amazing plot twist.

BE HERE

MARCH 2019 OWLCRATE AND OWLCRATE JR UNBOXING

I know this is super late, but the Owlcrate Jr box book pick is the best middle grade book I have read this year. I absolutely loved it. It is a blend of the movies Rio and Paulie. Also this was the first month where I subscribed to Owlcrate and didn't have to buy the box from the past shop.

Owlcrate Jr: Birds Of a Feather

• The Simple Art of Flying by Cory Leonardo
• Tropical Birds Scented Scratch Stickers (Ooly)
• 4" Plush Mini Owl (Fiesta Toy)
• Flamingo Gel Pen
• Ultimate Explorer Field Guide: Birds (National Geographic Kids)
• Exclusive OwlCrate Jr "Bird" Button (design by Melanie Demmer)
• Exclusive Author Letter, signed bookplate and parrot keychain.
• OwlCrate Jr Magazine Issue #7 (designed by Michelle Gray) 

Owlcrate: Murder and Mayhem

• Four Dead Queens by Astrid Scholte (signed, exclusive OwlCrate Edition)
• Three Dark Crowns-inspired Sticker Decal (designed by Jamila Mehio)
• Game of Thrones-inspired Wood Bookmark (Ink and Wonder Designs)
• This Savage Song-inspired Candle (In The Wick of Time)
• Nevernight-inspired Ceramic Travel Mug (designed by Catarina Book Designs)
• Drawstring Backpack (designed by Michelle Gray)
• Exclusive OwlCrate "Quadrant Compass" Enamel Pin (designed by Iron and Ink Designs)
• Exclusive Four Dead Queens Author Letter, Art Print and Pencil. 

OCTOBER 2019 READING WRAP UP

For the month of October, I had a spooky TBR planned and I read a couple of books off my list of books chosen. I really enjoyed every book that I read this month. I finished a series, I started two new series. I am crossing my fingers that one will get a sequel because it was hilarious. One I almost DNF'ed because it brought back memories and made me cry like a baby in front of my children. 

1. Nevermoor: The Trials of Morrigan Crow by Jessica Townsend

2. Winter War Awakening by Rosalyn Eves

3. Misery by Stephen King

4. The Walking Dead book 13

5. Pi in the Sky by Wendy Mass

6. The Walking Dead Book 14

7. House of Salt and Sorrows by Erin A Craig

8. Shipwreckers by Scott Peterson and Joshua Pruitt

9. Stalking Jack the Ripper by Kerri Maniscalco

Review: The Bling Ring by Nancy Jo Sales

A book off of my TBR and it was not a great one. I was expecting to read why these kids decided to steal from celebrities and all it was was shady interviews from only two of the suspects, Alexis Neiers and Nick Prugo. This book also contained a bunch of name drops constantly and stats about the porn industry which I skimmed over because I do not give a shit about that. This book seemed to go in circles. The guy obviously confessed to get attention along with the rest of them. 

The Bling Ring consisted of well off teenagers who stole from celebrities and called it Missions or Going Shopping. There have been two movies made about this infamous gang and I have not seen either of them. What got me interested in the first place is that the 2013 movie was the first that I had seen an actor from the Harry Potter series do anything else and I was intrigued. I thought it was just a made up Hollywood story because who in there right mind would steal from celebrities. Obviously a bunch of drug addict, fame obsessed, no common sense teenagers with shitty parents.

I will be watching both movies. I would not waste your time reading this book unless you want a major headache and to read the same sentences and arguments and the words "like", "no comment" and "shut up" over and over again.

BLOG TOUR: The Light at the Bottom of the World by London Shah *updated 1/16/2020*

Title: THE LIGHT AT THE BOTTOM OF THE WORLD (The Light at the Bottom of the World #1)

Author: London Shah

Pub. Date: October 29, 2019

Publisher: Freeform

Formats: Hardcover, eBook, Audiobook

Pages: 320

Find it: Goodreads, Amazon, Kindle, Audible, B&N, iBooks, Kobo, TBD

Hope had abandoned them to the wrath of all the waters.

At the end of the twenty-first century, the world has changed dramatically, but life continues one thousand feet below the ocean's surface. In Great Britain, sea creatures swim among the ruins of Big Ben and the Tower of London, and citizens waver between fear and hope; fear of what lurks in the abyss, and hope that humanity will soon discover a way to reclaim the Earth.

Meanwhile, sixteen-year-old Leyla McQueen has her own problems to deal with. Her father's been arrested, accused of taking advantage of victims of the Seasickness-a debilitating malaise that consumes people,often claiming their lives. But Leyla knows he's innocent, and all she's interested in is getting him back so that their lives can return to normal.

When she's picked to race in the action-packed London Submersible Marathon, Leyla gets the chance to secure his freedom; the Prime Minister promises the champion whatever their heart desires. The race takes an unexpected turn, though, and presents her with an opportunity she never wanted: Leyla must venture outside of London for the first time in her life, to find and rescue her father herself.

Now, she'll have to brave the unfathomable waters and defy a corrupt government determined to keep its secrets, all the while dealing with a secretive, hotheaded companion she never asked for in the first place. If she fails, or falls prey to her own fears, she risks capture–and her father might be lost forever.

Summary: This was a great dystopian that I have read in a while. The world is completely underwater, so I highly recommend that this NOT be read by people with fear of water, deep dark abysses, ocean creatures or drowning.

This takes place in London, England. The year is 2099, and they are entering the 22nd century. The British Government is hosting the London Marathon which has been converted into a submersible obstacle course. The main character Leyla, has just turned of age where she can enter. The winner gets the ultimate prize which is anything of their choosing. She gets chosen last and her goal is to free her father who was arrested by the government. He is guilty of aiding people committing suicide due to seasickness.

I was entranced from the very beginning and I was reminded of some aspects from The Hunger Games and the pod races from Star Wars. The one thing that I wasn't a fan of was the enemy to lover trope and how instant it was. She basically fell in love with his looks. I can not wait for the sequel.

“A work of fathomless imagination.”

——Samantha Shannon, New York Times best-selling author of The Bone Season and The Priory of the Orange Tree

“Riveting and exciting, The Light at the Bottom of the World is a heart-racing adventure that reveals compelling and necessary truths about several critical issues of our times, while delivering all the thrills and twists of an epic quest. A stand-out, must-read book that engulfed me in its enthralling world and characters. Leyla McQueen is queen of the (under)seas!”

——S. K. Ali, author of 2018 Morris finalist Saints and Misfits and Love from A to Z

"The Light at the Bottom of the World is a wonderfully refreshing epic adventure, with dynamite worldbuilding and a crafty heroine. Leyla's determination and talent will keep you hooked in her story, and you will be begging for Shah's next book before you've even finished this one."

——Rachel Strolle: Teen Librarian, Glenside Public Library District

"Shah's debut is a fast-paced masterpiece from start to finish. Readers will fall in love with passionate, persistent Leyla as well as her secretive, swoon-worthy companion, Ari. While the tropes of dystopian fiction—corrupt government, fear of the unknown—will be easily recognizable by fans of the genre, Shah has skillfully shaped a gorgeous world unlike any those fans have seen before. But be forewarned: the book ends on a jaw-dropping cliff-hanger. Highly recommended."

——School Library Journal

London Shah is a British-born Muslim of Pashtun ethnicity. She has lived in Britain's capital for most of her life, via England's beautiful North. When she's not busy re-imagining the past, plotting an alternate present or dreaming up a surreal future, she's most likely drinking copious amounts of tea, eating all the sweets and cakes, strolling through Richmond Park or along the Thames, getting lost on an evening in the city's older, darker alleyways—preferably just after it's rained—listening to punk rock, or losing herself in a fab SFF book or film. If she could have only one super power, it would be to breathe underwater of course!

​Her debut novel, THE LIGHT AT THE BOTTOM OF THE WORLD, a YA sci-fi, is out now. You can read more about it here.

​

You can find her on Twitter, Instagram, and/or get in touch with her here.

Website | Twitter | Instagram | Goodreads 

Giveaway Details:

3 winners will receive a finished copy of THE LIGHT AT THE BOTTOM OF THE WORLD, US Only.

Rafflecopter Link:

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/e2389ba21014/? 

Tour Schedule:

Week One:

11/4/2019	Bookhounds YA	Excerpt
11/5/2019	Geronimo Reads	Excerpt
11/6/2019	Starlight Reads	Review
11/7/2019	Jrsbookreviews	Review
11/8/2019	Wonder Struck	Review

Week Two:

11/11/2019	Nerdophiles	Review
11/12/2019	Here's to Happy Endings	Review
11/13/2019	@fictitious.fox	Review
11/14/2019	Lifestyle Of Me	Review
11/15/2019	A Dream Within A Dream	Review

Week Three:

11/18/2019	THE BOOK NUT	Review
11/19/2019	Savings in Seconds	Review
11/20/2019	Book Briefs	Review
11/21/2019	Do You Dog-ear?	Review
11/22/2019	Treestand Book Reviews	Review

Week Four:

11/25/2019	Confessions of a YA Reader	Excerpt
11/26/2019	Book-Keeping	Review
11/27/2019	Fire and Ice	Review
11/28/2019	Jena Brown Writes	Review
11/29/2019	Two points of interest	Review

Week Five:

12/2/2019

Forever Lost in Literature

Review

Review: Dracula by Bram Stoker

A couple years ago when I started getting more into books, I was surfing the Barnes and Noble site and I found the leather back classics and I was IN LOVE! being a fan of everything Dracula, I had never read the original story that started it all. So Dracula became the first purchase in the leather back Barnes and Noble editions to start off my eventual collection.

Fast forward to 2019 and I still have not read it and made it a priority to read it for Halloween this year. SURPRISE SURPRISE, I did not get to it till November 1st and it is now November 12 and I am just now finishing it. It was a long one and very difficult to get through. It was not what I was expecting and still don't know how to feel about it. The main feeling I can name right off the bat is disappointment.

I am disappointed because I wanted more about Dracula himself and would have loved some of the story to be from his POV. I also found myself getting the characters confusing and mixed up and I had to go back several times to see who's journal entry I was reading. The characters were not differentiated. They all sounded the same and it was boring at times.

While reading this, I also kept thinking about the show Dracula that aired a couple years on NBC that starred Jonathan Rhys Meyers. I loved that show and hated that it was cancelled because it was really freaking good.

I will not go into detail what this book is about because everyone knows what Dracula is.... a VAMPIRE!

OWLCRATE UNBOXING: November & December 2018, January 2019

I realize that I am sharing year old boxes, but I am slowly making my way through my google photos and decluttering and backing up pictures. I will be listing each item from the boxes below along with the creator. 

November 2018:

• Girls of Paper and Fire by Natasha Ngan (signed, exclusive OwlCrate Edition)
• An Ember in the Ashes-inspired pillowcase (designed by Evie Bookish)
• Ceramic Skull Planter (OwlCrate Original)
• Dumbledore & Fawkes-inspired Vinyl Sticker (illustrated by Susanne Draws)
• Exclusive Wax Seal Kit (OwlCrate Original)
• Wish Bracelet Craft Kit (Ann Williams Group)
• Exclusive OwlCrate "Phoenix" Button
• Exclusive Girls of Paper and Fire Author Letter and Sticker Decal. 

December 2018:

• Amber & Dusk by Lyra Selene (signed, exclusive OwlCrate Edition)
• Legendary-inspired Tote Bag (designed by Stella Bookish Art)
• The Night Circus-inspired Magnet (designed by Ink and Wonder Designs)
• Lunar Queen-inspired Candle (Flick The Wick)
• The Crown's Game-inspired Ornament (Juniper and Ivy Designs)
• Exclusive Reading Planner (designed by Blue Star Press)
• Exclusive OwlCrate "Floating Girl" Button
• Exclusive Amber & Dusk Author Letter and Gem Pendant Necklace. 

January 2019:

• The Gilded Wolves by Roshani Chokshi 
• Master of Death Socks (designed by Michelle Gray)
• Grisha Amplifier-inspired Bracelet 
• A Darker Shade of Magic-inspired Zipper Pouch (designed by Stella Bookish Art)
• The Golden Compass-inspired Wall Tapestry (designed by Holly Dunn Designs)
• The Hobbit-inspired Sword Letter Opener (designed by Vector Engraving)
• Exclusive OwlCrate "Wolves Were Everywhere" Enamel Pin (designed by Alchemy and Ink)
• Exclusive The Gilded Wolves Author Letter and Luggage Tag.