(Belated) Weekly Wrap-Up March 12th-25th

These past two weeks I read eleven books. Five physical books and six e-books. Two being novella's/short stories. Three being re-reads. Two being e-ARCs.

Sustained(The Legal Briefs #2) by Emma Chase ****.5(re-read)
Re-read because a surprise new book is on its way about these two. YAY!!!


Half Bad(Half Bad #1) by Sally Green ****(re-read)
With the last book almost here, I of course needed to re-read so I can finish the trilogy.


Kindred Spirits by Rainbow Rowell ****
This is such a fun story that any nerd can relate to. Obviously it's super relevant with Star Wars being life(even more so) now and for many years to come. But mostly I loved it because I would totally love to relive some historic events that I wasn't alive for or way to young. Or brings me back to the Harry Potter and Lord of the Rings years. As is usual with Rowell, any short story she writes is amazing and all I want is it to become a full novel!

Collide(Blackcreek #1) by Riley Hart ***
Okay, Collide for the most part was a cute friends to lovers story. You know, my favourite kind. Although it was nothing special and the details are getting weaker by the day. I did have a problem with the amount of times faggot was dropped. And also the amount of intolerant men in the book. I know we are far from living in a world where everyone minds their own damn business, but come on, pretty much everyone in Cooper's life is using faggot for no reason except because they can. It was too much. And just made me angry. Besides that it was enjoyable.

Wicked Heart(Starcrossed #3) by Leisa Rayven *****
Review to come closer to release.

Half Wild(Half Bad #2) by Sally Green ****
I really think that this series deserves so much more love. It's clever and dark and really relevant to what's happening in the world, just with witches instead. Nathan is my little cuddle shark. Seriously I want to hug him for life well setting him on the world. And Gabriel, kind caring Gabriel. I'm so scared what Half Lost is going to do to these two. So bloody scared.

Welcome to Shadowhunter Academy(Tales from the Shadowhunter Academy #1) by Cassandra Clare **
Boring. Terrible. What was the point? The big problem with this is that wasn't Simon. There is no way another author is going to be able to write someone else's character like the original character. And this is case and point. This was a humourless personality lacking Simon. 

Pucked(Pucked #1) by Helena Hunting ****(re-read)
Ready for the wedding of MC and Beaver? HAHAHA


Out of Frame(Out of Focus #3) by Megan Erickson ****
Erickson's Out of Focus series is a bunch of really good emotional and fun romances. Super swoony boys getting it on. What more could I ask for? Seriously. J.R. really stole the show in this one though. It's so hard to read about a person not able to be themselves because the world is an asshole. Poor guy hiding his sexuality from the public is just sad. But also adds a really strong element to the story. And Quinn is a super cutey. So highly recommend this series.


Dance With Me by Heidi Cullinan ****
Cullinan is another underrated author. Her stories are compelling and emotional and lovely. Dance With Me is no different. Ed and Laurie have a lot going on emotionally. Life changes are a coming. And what makes those scary moments better is finding each other and realizing that love can really sweeten the deal. I love Ed and Laurie. They're tender and adorable and human. Both guys aren't afraid to be themselves it's just getting there and being secure that really hit home. Apparently there is a novella to come and I cannot wait for even a tiny glimpse into their future.


Eight Ways to Ecstasy(Art of Passion #2) by Jeanette Grey **
Again, there's nothing inherently wrong with this book. In fact the writing is really good for a romance book even when the dialogue can get on the cheesy and eye rolly side. I just can't deal with Rylan or Kate. First off the insta-love is insane. In the first book she was thinking it after three days. Noooo. That's not love, that's lust. But this book just continues on the unrealistic love they feel for each other. There's also the fact that both of them use sex for the answer to everything. So needless to say that there was too much of it, which lead to me just skipping most the sex scenes. Than there's these two idiot characters. Kate is a hypocritical naive indecisive moron. Really nothing appealing about her. Rylan is a spoiled rich douche who gets frustrated over everything Kate says or when she doesn't accept his apologies right away. But no worries, sex will fix it, not you know talking like mature adults. I really could point out all his faults but really I'll just leave this with a few quotes and you'll get the point.

"It'd take more than a few orgasms for her to forgive me." loc 99

"I won't let it happen again." His finger slipped a little deeper beneath the cotton. "I'll eat you out every night and every day if you want me to." loc 192

"Please tell me I haven't fucked this up so bad you won't let me be inside you." loc 252

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Okay, all caught up on my wrap-ups. Phew.
What else you guys been up to?

Happy reading!

Brittany

(Belated)Weekly Wrap-Up March 5th-11th

This week I manged to read five books. Well technically six... Three physical books; one an ARC. One audio And one e-book.


When We Collided by Emery Lord ****

I'm pretty sure that I won't get around to writing a full review for this one. Anyhow, When We Collided is a bit different than Lord's previous books. This one deals with mental illness and grief. I think I might have an unpopular opinion here, but(and I feel awful for feeling this way) I couldn't feel for Vivi. I know she's manic and it's hard to read about. But her larger than life and reckless attitude was too much for me. Josh I love. His grief is so real. And the strain of taking care of his younger siblings well his mother drowns in her heartbreak is both admirable and sad. I can see Vivi adds something new and different to his life, and she does help him start to heal. It's just that she also adds more worry to his life and I hated seeing that. Guys, I so feel for Vivi. It's not fair that anyone goes through that, it just doesn't mean I have to like her. When We Collided obviously comes from Lord's personal experience, it truly shows that she knows just how Vivi realistically feels.

Us(Him #2) by Sarina Bowen & Elle Kennedy *****

Jamie and Wes are my life. Seriously. This book is everything. And also what I meant when I said I technically read six books because I read this one twice in a week. Well actually it might have been three times. I just couldn't deal when I finished the book. I need constant Jamie and Wes in my life. It was everything to see how their relationship had progressed since Him. It was interesting to see how there was a bit of roll reversal between the two of them and how they were feeling. Also I cried because of things. I have the paperback on its way to me now, so no doubt I'll be reading that baby when it shows up.

The Devil You Know by Trish Doller ****

Really decent YA thriller. I knew where it was going from page one. But that still didn't hinder my enjoyment in the story. 

Daughter of Smoke and Bone(DoSaB #1) by Laini Taylor ****.5

I really need to read the last book, but first I need to re-read the first two books. Which I'm doing via audio and smart decision on my part. The narrator is AMAZING. Which I think has made me love the book a lot more this time around. 

Better off Friends by Elizabeth Eulberg ***.5
Cute best friends romance story. It did a really good job of showing teenage thinking; that self centered yet unsure way. Both characters did a great job of learning and growing. Ultimately though the story won't be remembered. 

A photo posted by Brittany (@britsreadinglife) on Mar 6, 2016 at 9:28am PST

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A photo posted by Brittany (@britsreadinglife) on Mar 10, 2016 at 2:02pm PST

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What did you guys read this week?

Happy reading!

Brittany

Showcase Sunday #100

Showcase Sunday is a weekly meme held by Books, Biscuits and Tea. It allows fellow bloggers to show off any books or bookish things they've compiled over the week.

So yea, took a bit of an unexpected break here. Not like I've been posting a lot this year anyhow. But like I mentioned before, my brain is currently unmotivated mush, which lead to a blogging slump. But I'm really wanting to get my ass back in to gear next month. Also figured I better post a haul before I drown in unhauled books. Although there's really not that many for a pile up of about a month. 

I know I missed about three Weekly Wrap-Ups. So I think I'm just going to go ahead and post those this coming week and than try and get some reviews written. I'm not really good at discussions, but if there's anything you guys would want to see from me, just let me know. I'm really trying to think of a new bi-weekly or monthly feature to do. But I've yet to come up with something. Gotta get my creative juices flowing.

Purchased

The Start of Me and You by Emery Lord| Dragonfly in Amber by Diana Gabaldon
Yes I already own both of these in other editions. But TSoMaY has extra content(and is pretty). And Jamie is pretty. Sooooo

The Haters by Jesse Andrews| Amulet #7: Firelight by Kazu Kibuishi
Found The Haters out super early. I loved Me and Early and the Dying Girl, so let's hope I love this one too. I read/have the ARC of Amulet, so just needed the finish product.

Kindred Spirits by Rainbow Rowell| Geek Drama by Holly Smale

Technically I received 50 copies of Kindred Spirits(long story). So if you want to pay for shipping I have a few copies to spare. Found Geek Drama at Chapters which was so surprising. Obviously I had to grab it up.

Wink Poppy Midnight by April Genevieve Tucholke| Yellow Brick War by Danielle Paige
Grabbed WPM for the signing I'm going to on Monday. But also I do want to read it. TBW was supposed to be the last book in the trilogy so I was excited to finally continue on. But of course I found out it's now going to be a series. :|

Rebel of the Sands by Alywn Hamilton
Also grabbed this for the signing on Monday. I'm also super excited to read it.

E-Books Purchased

Netgalley

Gifted

The Wrong Side of Right by Jenn Marie Thorne
Early birthday present from my brother and his girlfriend, Jessie. They also gave me lots of tea from David's Tea. Thanks guys.

What did you guys get these past few weeks?

Happy reading!

Brittany

Of Orchids and Oranges

One day when my son was younger, he was eating a sliced orange and out of nowhere he said, “Seeing an orange like this convinces me there is a God.”

I was a bit shocked, in a pleasant way, by his observation. I told him I agreed, but we didn’t go on to have a deep philosophical or religious discussion. There was no need to. He had captured one of life’s little miracles and that was that.

I thought about that comment this morning as I stared into the heart of my pink orchid, which finally bloomed a day ago. I love the very center of the flower.

I marvel at its mysterious structure. To me, it looks as though the orchid has two curved “arms” that reach right out of the blossom, offering up the flower’s unique beauty and architecture.

So here  I have written 139 words trying to capture the flower’s miracle whereas my son did the same thing with the orange in eleven.

Enough said.

What a Mensch Merrick Garland Is!

Is anyone else awed by Merrick Garland -- the man President Obama has nominated to fill the  Supreme Court vacancy left by the death of Antonin Scalia?

I listened to NPR 's coverage while driving to the airport yesterday morning. The President's description of Judge Garland's record and accomplishments was so impressive.

Such a brilliant mind. Such an amazing career. Such a devoted husband and father.

Oh, yeah and what else? For 20 years, Judge Garland has managed to find time to tutor second, third and fourth graders in Northeast DC in reading and math!

Judge Garland is also a man who can freely share his heart and soul in public.

After Obama's introduction, when Garland began speaking, it was clear to me from his gravelly voice that he was barely able to hold it together.

When he said that his mother was sitting at home watching TV and crying her eyes out, I got all choked up. And when he said "I only wish that we hadn't taught my older daughter to be so adventurous that she would be hiking in the mountains, out of cell-service range, when the President called," I imagined Garland answering Obama's phone call. That's when goosebumps shivered up my arms and legs. (OK, OK, I know very well that I am what my husband calls a "smush." :)

Whatever the outcome of the nomination process (and I sadly expect that the Republicans will do what they have promised and sit on their fat a----s refusing to act on the nomination), I am so happy that the President chose to introduce us to this wonderful man, who is both a highly respected judge AND the kind of guy you would love to invite over to a backyard barbecue or a Friday night Shabbat dinner. 

In Yiddish, there is a word for a person who is good and honorable and special in all sorts of big and little ways. We call that person a "mensch," and Judge Garland, that moniker fits you to a T. Now, if only we could work some magic on your behalf and see you sitting where you belong, there on the Supreme Court bench!

   

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Hillary, Come Meditate With Me!!

This may sound crazy but I think Hillary Clinton needs to meditate.

Watching her speak last night after winning Mississippi, it occurred to me for about the 200th time that she talks and talks and talks but never catches fire the way Bernie does. It's gotten to the point that when she is giving a speech on TV, I close my eyes. I can't stand to see how prune-faced she can look. I can't bear to see her as she was last night, with a kind of schoolmarm attitude, not smiling at all, practically scowling while she spoke.

What Hillary needs is a crash course in authenticity. She needs to step onto that stage and demonstrate both how vulnerable she is, but also how incredibly strong and capable she is (and she is both!) She needs to speak from the heart and really sound like she is doing it! She needs to smile (the way she does off-stage.) She needs to demonstrate that kind of Bill and Barack passion that grabs you and won't let you go. (Yeah, so, we know, Bernie has a lot to teach her.)

Back in 2000 when she was running for the U.S. Senate from New York, I met her at a press conference on prescription drug prices that she was holding with seniors in NYC.  I'll never forget: she wore a bright sunflower power suit,

and after the press conference she stood speaking to a cluster of seniors. Two things amazed me: how warm a person she is when you are one-on-one with her. And two, how she was able within just a few minutes to memorize all of the seniors' first names! She spoke to them with great passion about an issue which was very close to the seniors' hearts.

Fast forward 16 years. She still cares about seniors. She still has the right positions on so many of the issues. But can she convince us that her presidency won't be business as usual? Can we be convinced that she won't balance her convictions against the whopping influences of corporations donating to her election campaigns?

Ok so why should Hillary meditate? Because it is in meditation

that I have gotten some of my most profound insights. It is in meditation that  practitioners often receive insights and inspirations that percolate from deep in the subconsciousness.  I bet if she took an entire day (better yet, a week) to meditate, she might find her soul speaking in a whole new way. She might be able to tap into a whole new source of authentic power that meditation often gives you.

And maybe too, in meditation -- slowing down, breathing deep, over and over again -- she might keep from making costly mistakes. Mistakes like the gaffe attacking Bernie for not supporting the auto industry bailout in Detroit. That was just plain dumb, and she should have thought before she spoke. Maybe meditation will make her a bit more self-reflective. Finally, maybe by meditating she lets go of just a smidge of her GIANT PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE EGO. She will come to see that it is our ego that separates us; it is our ego that makes fearful and grasping and proud and swaggering.

Maybe she will see that what draws people to Bernie is in part because he isn't thrusting himself forward; his is a campaign that steams ahead collecting the energy of revved up crowds invested in "revolution."

Well, so I know a lot of great meditation teachers, and should the impossible happen (she would read this and agree), I would  be delighted to make the connection. But no, I won't expect a phone call, a text message or a tweet. Maybe I will just meditate it on the idea.

P.S. If you watched last night's Democratic debate in Miami, Hillary was smiling and looking more relaxed. Hey, so maybe she DID meditate! When asked how she felt about the fact that 37 percent of Americans don't think she's honest, she replied: 

“Obviously, it’s painful for me to hear that. I am not a natural politician, in case you haven’t noticed, like my husband or President Obama,” she added. “I just have to do the best I can” and “hope that people see that I am fighting for them.” A great answer. Honest. Forthright. Speaking from the heart! She is showing both her vulnerability and her determination to do the right thing!

Top Ten Tuesday: Characters Everyone Loves But I Want to Throat Punch

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme held by The Broke and the Bookish.

This weeks topic is: Top ten characters everyone loves but I definitely do not. 

I have a very strong opinion about a lot of popular characters. I can guarantee there will be a lot of strong words used in the next few sentences to tell you why I do not like these characters.

Jace from The Mortal Instruments: What an asshole. He's cocky, self absorbed and gives absolutely no thought for anyone except himself. He thinks his sad past is more depressing than anyone else's could be, thus his past and making his future right is all that matters. Extremely unattractive in every way.
Clary from The Mortal Instruments: The idiot. I've yet to come across another character that continually makes the stupid and wrong decision in every situation. She absolutely never learns from her mistakes. She's super selfish. And the worst friend in the world. How Simon is still her friend is just beyond me.
Hardin from After: Dirt of the earth. He is the worst character I have ever come across. Absolutely disgusting. He abuses people in every sense of the word. I cannot fathom how readers feel anything positive towards him. If this was real life he would rot in jail for life.
Tessa from After: Judgmental, whiny bitch. I can't even. Honestly, her and Hardin deserve each other. They are both terrible terrible people.

Jason from The Heroes of Olympus series: I don't hate him, he's just useless. He's supposed to be a powerful demigod but spends the whole series getting in the way and getting himself hurt. What is his point?

Aelin from Queen of Shadows: This still hurts my heart, as Celaena is one of my most favourite characters. But all trace of that character is gone come Queen of Shadows. She is truly Aelin; a fire breathing bitch queen. She's rude, selfish and secretive. I miss Celaena soooo much. I hate you, Aelin.
Maxon from The Selection series: I do not get the attraction here. To be fair I don't like this series or any character in it. But Maxon is not a prince to fall for. He is the cowardly lion. His jealous, immaturity and rash decisions will get his future kingdom destroyed. If you're looking for a Prince Harry than look elsewhere.
Willow Dean from Dumplin': For a book that is supposed to be all about body positivity and a fat girl that is comfortable in her skin I did not get that for the most part. She judges EVERYBODY. Her thoughts and comments are just rude. She fat shames, she shames skinnier girls. Nope, very little positive about Willow Dean.

Zayne from The Dark Elements Series: Here's a case of that's mine. Zayne was fine in the first book. The second book is where it went down hill when he was brought into the mix of being Layla's love interest. I like myself a best friend to love story, except here. The only reason Zayne decided he had feelings for Layla is because she finally was moving on from crushing on him. He turned into a down right douchebag and despicable friend.
Mal from The Grisha Trilogy: Ugh. I mean I call him fuckface, so that should speak volumes. He's another character that let's his immature jealously rule him. Alina is a kick ass lady, but way to leave your best friend worrying about you when she's supposed to be saving the world. You are a shitty friend, Mal who is envious of her strength, when you are so very weak in many ways. I'm sure you can guess how I felt about the end of R&R.

Agree? Disagree? Hook up your TTT down below. 

Happy reading!

Brittany

Showcase Sunday #99

Showcase Sunday is a weekly meme held by Books, Biscuits and Tea. It allows fellow bloggers to show off any books or bookish things they've compiled over the week.

Hello. How's it going? I know it's been really slow around here and it sucks. Here's the deal, I'm still unemployed, and yes that should give plenty of time to blog, but really I don't have any motivation or words. My brain is very lethargic. I owe you guys and publishers reviews. I've been reading, that's not a problem. The problem is actually wanting to write some with any sort of intelligence afterwards. Hopefully I will get a few of these done today. Wish me luck!
It's been three weeks since I've posted a haul, so of course there's a bit of a pile up. The good news is quite a few of these are books I had previously read(or needed more editions; Carry On) or more recently read. 

Purchased

Silver Bay by Jojo Moyes| Carry On by Rainbow Rowell

The Power(Titan #2) by Jennifer L Armentrout| Percy Jackson's Greek Gods by Rick Riordan

How to Repair a Mechanical Heart by J.C. Lillis| The Five Stages of Andrew Brawley by Shaun David Hutchinson

Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte| Titans by Victoria Scott

Space Dumplins by Craig Thompson| Robot Dreams by Sara Varon

E-Books Purchased

Netgalley

Review

Summer Days and Summer Nights: Twelve Love Stories edited by Stephanie Perkins
**Thanks to Raincoast for sending this my way**

Gifted

When We Collided by Emery Lord
**Thanks so much to Jen @Tangled in Books**

Won

The Smell of Other People's Houses by Bonnie-Sue Hitchcock| The Girl From Everywere by Heidi Heilig

Breathe, Annie, Breathe by Miranda Kenneally

What did you guys get this week?

Happy reading!

Brittany