Friday Finds #90

Friday Finds is a book meme hosted by Jenn at A Daily Rhythm. Friday Finds is a chance to share and show off the books you discovered during the week and would like to add to your reading list... 

Or a place to simply feature the books you've actually purchased throughout the week and have added to your to be read pile!

Here's the books I've added to my ever growing reading pile this week:

1. Bel Canto by Ann Patchett
2. Nowhere to Hide by John Dylena
3. Heartbeats by Lucia Jordan
4. Scraps of Paper by Kathryn Meyer Griffith
5. Unbeautiful by Jessica Sorensen
6. The Cannibal's Daughter by Mitchell Nelson
7. Insanity by Cameron Jace
8. The Antique Love by Helena Fairfax
9. Gods & Monsters by V. R. Christensen
10. Knitting For Beginners by Christie Anderson

Which books have you added to your reading pile or reading wishlist?

Bookish Quote of the Day!!!

Discover the Perfect Book for 8 Unique Types of Readers!!

I always find it intriguing when I come across articles like the following one I discovered on the Flavorwire website titled The Perfect Book for 8 Unique Types of Readers by Sarah Seltzer... I truly wonder if I take the personality test offered, will I truly find the 'perfect book' for my own unique reading type?

So, out of sheer curiosity, I took the simple three question personality test to find my unique three letter combination, which was AUS and stands for Audiences, Uplifting, Story... From there, I learned that the 'perfect  book' recommended for me is How To Build A Girl by Caitlin Moran. I haven't read How To Build A Girl by Caitlin Moran, so I am curious to see if it would be a fit for me. I'll add this title to my ever growing reading wishlist. If and when I get around to reading How To Build A Girl by Caitlin Moran, I'll let my readers know how it goes.

Click on the top link to discover your own unique reading personality and see which book is recommended for you!

Until my next post, happy reading!!

29 Pictures Avid Readers Will Definitely Understand!

I came across an article on BuzzFeed titled 29 Pictures Only Book Lovers Will Understand by Jamie Jones. I truly enjoyed reading this article as I could relate to many of the pictures/scenarios presented in it like the fact that I'm in the middle of reading too many books or that I have no space for new books, but I keep buying more books... Or that fact that I have so many books in my collection that I want to read, but can't decide which one to read next!! These are just a few of the things I can relate to in the above article. 

Click on the link above to read the full article!!

Book and Drink Pairings

I read an article on Bustle titled 19 Books To Read Based On Your Drink Of Choice — Because There's More To Pairings Than Wine And Cheese by Kristian Wilson. In the article, Kristian Wilson writes the following:

Whether you’re waking up with the news and a cup of coffee, or tucked into bed with a light novel and some hot tea, drinking and reading go hand in hand. But drinking alcohol with a favorite book is also a habit steeped in literary tradition. Writers like C.S. Lewis, Norman Mailer, and Ernest Hemingway were known to frequent particular watering holes, many of which have become famous attractions for book nerd tourists. The link between books and booze is so strong that book- and writer-themed bars crop up everywhere, even in places the authors never lived. Today, you can visit Poe’s Tavern on Sullivan’s Island, The Hobbit Cafe in Houston, and Hemingway’s Lounge in Hollywood.

Click on the top link to read the full article. Happy reading!! 

Bookish Quote of the Day!!

Coloring Books For Adults

I have noticed that coloring books for adults has become a huge trend these days and a big time seller. In fact, I came across and read an article from The New Yorker titled Why Adults Are Buying Coloring Books (for Themselves) by Adrienne Raphel. In the article, Adrienne Raphel writes the following:

The trend has been fuelled to some degree by social media—colorists post their elaborate creations on Facebook and Pinterest, garnering fans and offering pro tips on things like Prismacolor versus gel pens, or how to make that tricky owl in the corner pop—and by marketing that associates them with such therapeutic ends as anxiety- and stress-reduction. But it is also part of a larger and more pervasive fashion among adults for childhood objects and experiences. This “Peter Pan market” has roots in publishing, beyond coloring books (the growth in sales of children’s and young-adult books to much older readers has been well documented), but it is far from confined to that arena.

I'm curious how many people out there (who are adults) are buying and using coloring books for adults and why you enjoy using them? 

I haven't purchased any coloring books meant for adults for myself. I simply don't have any interest in them at all. The article suggests, in the quote I shared above, that adult coloring books have "such therapeutic ends as anxiety- and stress-reduction." This may be true, but for me, I'd rather participate in some other activity like reading, knitting, walking, meditating, or some other activity to reduce anxiety or stress.

Bookish Quote of the Day!!

Bookish Quote of the Day!!

Blair (Daughter of Darkness Series Book 1) by Chrissy Peebles

I recently read Blair (Daughter of Darkness Series Book 1) by Chrissy Peebles. It is a novella approximately 58 pages in length that I downloaded to my Kindle for FREE from Amazon.com. Below is my honest review of Blair (Daughter of Darkness Series Book 1) by Chrissy Peebles.

Blair (Daughter of Darkness Series Book 1) is the first thing I've ever read by Chrissy Peebles. Frankly, I don't think I've ever heard of Chrissy Peebles before reading this novella. So, I was quite surprised at how well I enjoyed reading Blair (Daughter of Darkness Series Book 1) as I wasn't expecting much from the writing of an unknown author, but Chrissy Peebles' writing delivers... And this says a lot as I am not usually into vampire and paranormal romance books. 

I thought the writing style, story and characters were a fun mix. I look forward to reading the rest of the stories in the Daughter of Darkness series... I just hope the three other authors writing the different books in the Daughter of Darkness series are just as good at writing as Chrissy Peebles is at her craft.

The following is the plot summary for Blair (Daughter of Darkness Series Book 1) by Chrissy Peebles from the Amazon website:

4 authors will each take a different daughter born from the Prince of Darkness, Vlad Montour. (Also known as Vlad the Impaler, an evil villain from history)

Blair – Chrissy Peebles
Jezebel – Kristen Middleton
Victoria – W.J. May
Lotus – C.J. Pinard

Blair is half witch and half vampire. She lives with a coven of witches and hasn't had any contact with her vampire heritage. Blair is living the perfect life until one day, everything crashes down around her. She is forced to leave everything she knows and loves, and must go on the run to save her life.

This is Blair's story by Chrissy Peebles. This is a novella. As a courtesy, the author wishes to inform you this novella does end with a cliffhanger. The next book coming out in early July (or sooner) will continue the story.

***This is an adult book series and this series does contain scenes for readers that are 18+***

I am giving  Blair (Daughter of Darkness Series Book 1) by Chrissy Peebles a rating of 3.5 stars out of 5 stars.

Until my next post, happy reading!!

Top Ten Tuesday --- Last Ten Books That Came Into My Possession

Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme created here at The Broke and the Bookish. This feature was created because we are particularly fond of lists here at The Broke and the Bookish. We'd love to share our lists with other bookish folks and would LOVE to see your top ten lists!

Each week we will post a new Top Ten list that one of our bloggers here at The Broke and the Bookish will answer. Everyone is welcome to join. All we ask is that you link back to The Broke and the Bookish on your own Top Ten Tuesday post AND add your name to the Linky widget so that everyone can check out other bloggers lists! If you don't have a blog, just post your answers as a comment. Have fun with it! It's a fun way to get to know your fellow bloggers.

I'm kind of bad about keeping track of order in which I buy books.... So, hopefully the following ten books are the Last Ten Books That Came Into My Possession:

Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret by Judy Blume
Starring Sally J. Freedman as Herself by Judy Blume
Wicked White by Michelle A. Valentine
The Beautiful Bureaucrat by Helen Phillips
Neil Armstrong: A Life of Flight by Jay Barbree
Reunited in Japan by Chera Zade
Mom & Me & Mom by Maya Angelou
Letter to My Daughter by Maya Angelou
Romeow & Juliet by Kathi Daley
Sinner by Katheryn Kiden

So which books have you recently acquired??

Murder In Wonderland by Leslie Leigh

I recently read Murder In Wonderland (An Allie Griffin Mysteries) by Leslie Leigh. This is the first novel in a cozy mystery series and is approximately 134 pages in length. I was able to download this book to my Kindle for FREE from Amazon. Below is my honest review of Murder In Wonderland by Leslie Leigh.

I thought that Murder In Wonderland was a good first novel in a series. Even though I didn't personally enjoy reading Alice's Adventure In Wonderland & Through The Looking Glass by Lewis Carroll, I did like how Leslie Leigh makes many references to both Lewis Carroll novels in her novel. 

The start of Murder In Wonderland felt a bit bit bumpy to me, but soon the rhythm and flow of this novel picked up and became an entertaining novel through to the end. I did like the leading character of Allie Griffin and felt she made a very good amateur sleuth... I also enjoyed the storyline and other characters in Murder In Wonderland too.

The following is summary of Murder In Wonderland by Leslie Leigh from the Amazon website:

It's the 150th anniversary of the publication of Alice's Adventures in Wonderland and Allie Griffin, a middle-aged widow with a little too much time on her hands, is hosting a book club to celebrate. Things go worse than she could possibly imagine when, at the very first meeting, wealthy socialite Victoria Cardinal drops stone dead onto the floor – poisoned.

Allie immediately sets out to find out whodunit and why. Meanwhile, standing in her way is a motley assortment of characters, all residents of tiny Verdenier, Vermont, a quaint little town that holds a great deal of secrets. Also hindering her progress is Detective Harry Tomlin, a hard-nosed cop who has his eye on Allie as suspect number one.

Could the answer to the mystery lie within the pages of her beloved Alice? Join smart, sassy Allie Griffin as she dons her sleuth hat for the first time, determined to solve the case, and save her good name.

I am giving Murder In Wonderland by Leslie Leigh a rating of 3 stars out of 5 stars. I hope you have the chance to read this cozy mystery novel and enjoy reading it too.

Until my next post, happy reading!!

Bookish Quote of the Day!!!

Want To Protect Your eReader From The Sand & Water?

I have a Kindle, but I never think about bring it with me to the beach or while spending time by the pool. Instead, I prefer to bring along a paperback novel with me to read instead of reading a book on my Kindle. 

By leaving my Kindle at home, I don't have to worry about my Kindle accidentally getting wet, damaged by sand grains, or accidentally dropping my Kindle onto a hard surface. Let alone having my Kindle potentially overheat in hotter weather or anything else that could potentially go wrong by bringing my Kindle with me outdoors.

For those of you who have no qualms about bringing your eReaders with you to the beach or the pool, there are several options in protecting your eReader from water and sand! Check out the article I read on the Washington Post website titled How to protect your e-reader from the sand and surf by Hayley Tsukayama. In her article, Hayley Tsukayama writes:

Regardless of the case you choose, if waterproofing is your primary need, test your case before you head to the beach. The best way to do this is to put a piece of paper in the case and seal it up tight. Then dunk the whole thing under water. If you make it through that test without any wet spots, you’re in good shape.

None of these cases, though, will protect you against the perils of heat and direct sunlight. Heat can cause serious, if often temporary, damage to your devices. This is a greater risk for tablet-like e-readers (and phones, for that matter), but overheating is bad for all electronics. 

Keeping your device in the shade is the best defense. Even keeping it under a dry towel or beach chair will help. Or bring an extra cooler with no ice or water in it. If your device overheats, take the case off and let it cool back to room temperature before you fiddle with it again. 

And a final tip: No matter what you decide, put your e-reader in its case before you get to the beach. Better yet, do it at home, before you pack and while you’re on dry, solid land.

I personally thought most of the cases mentioned in Hayley Tsukayma's article were way too expensive for my taste. Especially when I do not spend that much time at the beach or by the pool these days. So, I'd rather leave my Kindle at home while spending time outdoors.

Until my next post, happy reading!!

Friday Finds #89

Friday Finds is a book meme hosted by Jenn at A Daily Rhythm. Friday Finds is a chance to share and show off the books you discovered during the week and would like to add to your reading list... 

Or a place to simply feature the books you've actually purchased throughout the week and have added to your to be read pile!

Here's the books I've added to my ever growing reading pile this week:

Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret by Judy Blume
Starring Sally J. Freedman as Herself by Judy Blume
Wicked White by Michelle A. Valentine
The Beautiful Bureaucrat by Helen Phillips
Neil Armstrong: A Life of Flight by Jay Barbree

Learn to Arm Knit by Leisure Arts

Paperback Pamphlet

I am a fairly new knitter and I purchased Learn To Arm Knit by Leisure Arts through Joann Fabrics and Craft Stores website for 40% off the cover price earlier this year. This book seems more of a pamphlet than a book and is 32 pages in length. This book is for beginners and also offers an online video tutorial on how to arm knit as well. 

I've made several arm knitted scarves so far and given some of them away as gifts earlier this year. Arm knitted scarves are fun, fast, and easy to make. They look very fashionable too and are warm!! I am now an avid arm knitter and loving promoting this wonderful knitting technique.

Arm knitting is also a great way to teach kids how to knit as you don't have to worry about them poking themselves or others accidentally with knitting needles.

Learn to Arm Knit by Leisure Arts also offers a photo gallery with various arm knitted scarves in different colors and an index of which yarns were used to make each scarf using the technique outlined in the book.

I also enjoyed reading the instructions on how to make a very cute looking scarf using a finger crocheting technique, which I haven't tried doing yet.

Even though, I enjoyed reading Learn to Arm Knit by Leisure Arts and adding it to my permanent collection of books, I am glad I didn't pay full price for it. I felt that there wasn't anything revolutionary in it that couldn't have been found for free by watching a YouTube video on how to arm knit. In fact, I had already learned how to arm knit by watching a YouTube video prior to buying this book online. 

I guess the redeeming feature of Learn to Arm Knit by Leisure Arts for me was the photo gallery showcasing various arm knitted scarves and the index that followed stating which yarns were used. I also think that that the finger crochet scarf is worthwhile and I look forward to making it in the future as well.

For all of you knitters or those of you interested in learning about my personal knitting journey, please check out my new knitting blog at My Knitting Journey, One Stitch At A Time!

Bookish Quote of the Day!!

Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme created here at The Broke and the Bookish. This feature was created because we are particularly fond of lists here at The Broke and the Bookish. We'd love to share our lists with other bookish folks and would LOVE to see your top ten lists!

Each week we will post a new Top Ten list that one of our bloggers here at The Broke and the Bookish will answer. Everyone is welcome to join. All we ask is that you link back to The Broke and the Bookish on your own Top Ten Tuesday post AND add your name to the Linky widget so that everyone can check out other bloggers lists! If you don't have a blog, just post your answers as a comment. Have fun with it! It's a fun way to get to know your fellow bloggers.

Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme created here at The Broke and the Bookish. This feature was created because we are particularly fond of lists here at The Broke and the Bookish. We'd love to share our lists with other bookish folks and would LOVE to see your top ten lists!

Each week we will post a new Top Ten list that one of our bloggers here at The Broke and the Bookish will answer. Everyone is welcome to join. All we ask is that you link back to The Broke and the Bookish on your own Top Ten Tuesday post AND add your name to the Linky widget so that everyone can check out other bloggers lists! If you don't have a blog, just post your answers as a comment. Have fun with it! It's a fun way to get to know your fellow bloggers.

The following is my list of top ten hyped books that I have never read, but are books on my reading wishlist! 

1. Beauty Queens by Libby Bray

2. Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell

3. Splintered by A. G. Howard

4. The Coldest Girl In Coldtown by Holly Black

5. Daughter of Smoke & Bone by Laini Taylor

6. These Broken Stars by Amie Kaufman

7. Heist Society by Ally Carter

8. Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? by Mindy Kaling

9. Bossypants by Tiny Fey

10. The Martian by Andy Weir

Which books made your top ten hyped books you've never read?

Top Ten Tuesday --- Top Ten Hyped Books I've Never Read

Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme created here at The Broke and the Bookish. This feature was created because we are particularly fond of lists here at The Broke and the Bookish. We'd love to share our lists with other bookish folks and would LOVE to see your top ten lists!

Each week we will post a new Top Ten list that one of our bloggers here at The Broke and the Bookish will answer. Everyone is welcome to join. All we ask is that you link back to The Broke and the Bookish on your own Top Ten Tuesday post AND add your name to the Linky widget so that everyone can check out other bloggers lists! If you don't have a blog, just post your answers as a comment. Have fun with it! It's a fun way to get to know your fellow bloggers.

Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme created here at The Broke and the Bookish. This feature was created because we are particularly fond of lists here at The Broke and the Bookish. We'd love to share our lists with other bookish folks and would LOVE to see your top ten lists!

Each week we will post a new Top Ten list that one of our bloggers here at The Broke and the Bookish will answer. Everyone is welcome to join. All we ask is that you link back to The Broke and the Bookish on your own Top Ten Tuesday post AND add your name to the Linky widget so that everyone can check out other bloggers lists! If you don't have a blog, just post your answers as a comment. Have fun with it! It's a fun way to get to know your fellow bloggers.

The following is my list of top ten hyped books that I have never read, but are books on my reading wishlist! 

1. Beauty Queens by Libby Bray

2. Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell

3. Splintered by A. G. Howard

4. The Coldest Girl In Coldtown by Holly Black

5. Daughter of Smoke & Bone by Laini Taylor

6. These Broken Stars by Amie Kaufman

7. Heist Society by Ally Carter

8. Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? by Mindy Kaling

9. Bossypants by Tiny Fey

10. The Martian by Andy Weir

Which books made your top ten hyped books you've never read?

Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret by Judy Blume

I finally read my very first Judy Blume novel ever!! I can hardly believe it myself quite frankly. I remember way back in the late 1970s/early 1980s, when I was still in elementary school, Judy Blume novels were hugely popular with kids my age. But I never read any Judy Blume novels back then and I'm not really sure why as I've loved reading for as long as I can remember.

So, after seeing Judy Blume speak live at a special engagement at the Bay Area Book Festival in Berkeley, California last month, I decided to finally read one of her young adult novels. 

I chose to read Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret by Judy Blume this past weekend. I loved this novel!! It's a fabulous read as it captures the angst of being a young girl going through puberty and also trying to find her own religious identity. 

Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret was written in 1970 and I am impressed with how well it has stood up to the test of time. It's still very relevant today. I loved Margaret's character and also the character of Margaret's grandmother, Sylvia.

I also learned that Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret by Judy Blume has frequently been a banned/challenged book! Apparently, this novel has been deemed “sexually offensive and amoral.” as well as containing "anti-Christian behavior”. See Banned Books Awareness: “Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret” article on the World.edu website. 

I personally didn't find Are You There God? It's me, Margaret sexually offensive, amoral or containing anti-Christian behavior. 

Here's a summary for Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret by Judy Blume from Amazon's website:

Margaret shares her secrets and her spirituality in this iconic Judy Blume novel, beloved by millions, that now has a fresh new look.

Margaret Simon, almost twelve, likes long hair, tuna fish, the smell of rain, and things that are pink. She’s just moved from New York City to Farbook, New Jersey, and is anxious to fit in with her new friends—Nancy, Gretchen, and Janie. When they form a secret club to talk about private subjects like boys, bras, and getting their first periods, Margaret is happy to belong.

But none of them can believe Margaret doesn’t have religion, and that she isn’t going to the Y or the Jewish Community Center. What they don’t know is Margaret has her own very special relationship with God. She can talk to God about everything—family, friends, even Moose Freed, her secret crush.

Margaret is funny and real, and her thoughts and feelings are oh-so-relatable—you’ll feel like she’s talking right to you, sharing her secrets with a friend.

As I already mentioned earlier in my post, I enjoyed reading Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret by Judy Blume and am giving it a rating of 5 stars out of 5 stars.

Until my next post, happy reading!!

Friday Finds #88

Friday Finds is a book meme hosted by Jenn at A Daily Rhythm. Friday Finds is a chance to share and show off the books you discovered during the week and would like to add to your reading list... 

Or a place to simply feature the books you've actually purchased throughout the week and have added to your to be read pile!

Here's the books I've added to my ever growing reading pile this week:

Reunited in Japan by Chera Zade (eBook)
Mom & Me & Mom by Maya Angelou (Hardback)
Letter to My Daughter by Maya Angelou (Hardback)
The Messenger by Daniel Silva (Audiobook)
Cover of Night by Linda Howard (Audiobook)
Something Stolen by Ruth Prescott (Paperback)
The Women's Devotional Guide to the Bible by Jean E Syswerda (Hardback)

Which books have you added to your reading pile or reading wishlist?

Danielle Steel's Books Aren't Just Beach Reads

I love reading author interviews as it is a way to learn more about them and their writing style among other fun things.

I read an article today on the Washington Post website titled Danielle Steel: ‘My books are more than a beach read’ by Nora Krug. In the article, Ms. Krug writes:

Since the publication of her first novel, “Going Home” in 1972, Danielle Steel has become a staple of the beach bag, as indispensable and reliable as a bottle of Coppertone. Her tales of love, loss and family life have captivated millions of book buyers — about 800 million, in fact, a sales figure that approaches that of Dr. Seuss and Shakespeare.

Some of this, of course, has to do with how many books she has written — 142 and counting — and how quickly she produces them. Her latest book, “Country,” is one of four she plans to publish this year. Over the course of her long, bountiful career, Steel also has written poetry, children’s books and lyrics — all while mothering nine children (and marrying and divorcing five times).

In an interview by e-mail from her home in Paris, Steel talked about her rise to popularity and why people shouldn’t call her books “beach reads” — or ask her for relationship advice.

Click on the top link to read Krug's interview with Danielle Steel. I found it fascinating to discover that Ms. Steele felling to writing books by accident. Her childhood dream was to become a fashion designer and she even attended to Parsons School of Design.

Truthful admission here... I've never really gravitated towards Danielle's Steel's novels. In fact, I've always shrank away from them. I've always had the preconceived notion that the books written by Ms. Steele were filled with romantic 'fluff'... And that her novels contained stories filled with sappy characters and had predictable endings. My preconceived notion dates back to my high school days in the 1980s when I assumed mainly older women were the primary readers of Danielle Steele's novels. In all fairness, I haven't given Danielle Steel's novels a chance to speak for themselves. 

I now think it would be fun to read one or more of Danielle Steele's novels simply to see if there is more to her novels than I previously thought. Ms. Steele must be doing something right, as she's been a bestselling writer for 40+ years!

Do you enjoy reading Danielle Steele's novels?? Which ones would you recommend reading?

Bookish Quote of the Day!!