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board"},{"term":"inspirational"},{"term":"menu"},{"term":"musicals"},{"term":"organization"},{"term":"party menu"},{"term":"photos"},{"term":"picture book review"},{"term":"poetry"},{"term":"puzzles"},{"term":"quarterly recap"},{"term":"readalong"},{"term":"reading recs"},{"term":"self-help"},{"term":"shaved ice"},{"term":"shopping"},{"term":"shopping haul"},{"term":"snowboarding"},{"term":"southern gothic"},{"term":"spreadsheets"},{"term":"spring shopping"},{"term":"spring survival kit"},{"term":"summer bucket list"},{"term":"summer essentials"},{"term":"summer memories"},{"term":"suspense"},{"term":"top 2017 moments"},{"term":"top 2017 movies"},{"term":"top 2017 music"},{"term":"top 2017 reads"},{"term":"top 2017 songs"},{"term":"top 2017 tv shows"},{"term":"top 2018 movies"},{"term":"top 2018 music"},{"term":"top 2018 reads"},{"term":"top 2018 tv shows"},{"term":"top 2019 movies"},{"term":"top 2019 music"},{"term":"top 2019 reads"},{"term":"top 2019 tv shows"},{"term":"top 2020 anime"},{"term":"top 2020 movies"},{"term":"top 2020 music"},{"term":"top 2020 tv shows"},{"term":"top reads"},{"term":"top song"},{"term":"top tv shows"},{"term":"tours"},{"term":"tv show review"},{"term":"video game recommendations"},{"term":"video games"},{"term":"wardrobe"},{"term":"winter solstice"},{"term":"yearly word"},{"term":"zoo"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Alexa Loves Books"},"subtitle":{"type":"html","$t":"A blog written by a Filipino-American gal in NY that's part bookish journal and part real life diary."},"link":[{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#feed","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.alexalovesbooks.com\/feeds\/posts\/default"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/5335649676143335614\/posts\/default\/-\/book+review?alt=json-in-script"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.alexalovesbooks.com\/search\/label\/book%20review"},{"rel":"hub","href":"http://pubsubhubbub.appspot.com/"},{"rel":"next","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/5335649676143335614\/posts\/default\/-\/book+review\/-\/book+review?alt=json-in-script\u0026start-index=26\u0026max-results=25"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Alexa S."},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/13185723439360170259"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"32","height":"32","src":"\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-KohY3rNrdBc\/VkucJOMSAyI\/AAAAAAAANwg\/r0rDFwxix1Q\/s113\/IMG_0120.JPG"}}],"generator":{"version":"7.00","uri":"http://www.blogger.com","$t":"Blogger"},"openSearch$totalResults":{"$t":"1268"},"openSearch$startIndex":{"$t":"1"},"openSearch$itemsPerPage":{"$t":"25"},"entry":[{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5335649676143335614.post-4041376280923659611"},"published":{"$t":"2021-10-11T08:00:00.001-04:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2021-10-11T08:00:00.226-04:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"adult fiction"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Alcatraz vs. The Evil Librarians"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"book review"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Brandon Sanderson"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"By Alexa"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Dianna Wynne Jones"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"fantasy"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Howl's Moving Castle"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"middle grade fiction"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"The Stormlight Archive"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"The Way of Kings"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Abbreviations #141: Alcatraz vs. the Evil Librarians, The Way of Kings + Howl's Moving Castle"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-sTQBX-f8kX4\/YV5FvkdqMoI\/AAAAAAAAZBo\/eaUecutZMj4Kpj3v1Qhr0gJN7lMi5RVKwCLcBGAsYHQ\/s1600\/abb141.png\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"787\" data-original-width=\"1400\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-sTQBX-f8kX4\/YV5FvkdqMoI\/AAAAAAAAZBo\/eaUecutZMj4Kpj3v1Qhr0gJN7lMi5RVKwCLcBGAsYHQ\/w640-h360\/abb141.png\" width=\"640\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-qURqYVnAso4\/YV5F0UHxIrI\/AAAAAAAAZBs\/6Kq50K-rqGILouB5C6RDk2q2KOFkpLFEACLcBGAsYHQ\/s1600\/a-3.jpeg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"475\" data-original-width=\"314\" height=\"320\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-qURqYVnAso4\/YV5F0UHxIrI\/AAAAAAAAZBs\/6Kq50K-rqGILouB5C6RDk2q2KOFkpLFEACLcBGAsYHQ\/s320\/a-3.jpeg\" style=\"margin-left: 15px;\" width=\"212\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003EI’ll point you in the direction of \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.alexalovesbooks.com\/2018\/03\/in-which-macky-reads-alcatraz-vs-evil.html\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EMacky’s clever review for the series\u003C\/a\u003E, but I felt like it would still be appropriate to give you my personal thoughts on \u003Cb\u003EAlcatraz vs. the Evil Librarians\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/b\u003Etoo. This middle grade series starter centers around Alcatraz Smedry, who finds out on his thirteenth birthday that everything he knows about himself and the world around him is, in fact, a lie. Because the evil Librarians are out to take over the world by spreading lies and misinformation, and it’s up to Alcatraz and his up-until-this-point unknown family to help stop that from happening. As you might know if you’ve read my blog for a while now, I generally prefer to be able to connect with the characters I read about. That, unfortunately, did not happen when I read this book, simply because the characters felt crossed the line between real person and caricature for me. However, that didn’t stop me from enjoying this read! This is one of those rare instances where I was fully content to be dragged along by the plot (which is shenanigans piled on top of other shenanigans and shoved into a close with, you guessed it, more shenanigans) as it played out. I also enjoyed the humor of this story, which runs the spectrum from really out there zany to being patently sarcastic and witty (which Macky basically embodies). And the narration style, which might not work for everyone with the tongue in cheek remarks and the allusions to future plots, ended up working quite well for this book too! While I’m not really rushing to pick up the next in the series, I do eventually plan to because I so enjoyed my time with this book.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.goodreads.com\/book\/show\/25403108\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EAlcatraz vs. the Evil Librarians\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E\u0026nbsp;(Alcatraz vs. the Evil Librarians #1) by Brandon Sanderson\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003EPub Info:\u003C\/b\u003E\u0026nbsp;February 16, 2016 (or. October 2007) by Starscape\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-wFQ2KTrNNMY\/YV5F4DBVDtI\/AAAAAAAAZBw\/LM3DtOOxrMgxp4txmT2XZlmubc7kzBNIACLcBGAsYHQ\/s1600\/A-2.jpeg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"475\" data-original-width=\"314\" height=\"320\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-wFQ2KTrNNMY\/YV5F4DBVDtI\/AAAAAAAAZBw\/LM3DtOOxrMgxp4txmT2XZlmubc7kzBNIACLcBGAsYHQ\/s320\/A-2.jpeg\" style=\"margin-right: 15px;\" width=\"212\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003EEven though I’ve now read quite a few adult fantasy books, I still found the idea of starting \u003Ci\u003EThe Stormlight Archive series\u003C\/i\u003E very intimidating. After all, \u003Cb\u003EThe Way of Kings\u003C\/b\u003E is just about thousand pages long – and the rest of the books that have been released in the series so far equal or surpass it in length. But I couldn’t help being curious after seeing so many folks I follow on BookTube rave about it (and even more curious after my friend \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.merrilykristin.com\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EKristin\u003C\/a\u003E told me how much she loved it), and so, I finally took the plunge. \u003Cb\u003EThe Way of Kings\u003C\/b\u003E introduces us to three narrators: Dalinar, a decorated general in the King’s army beset by unexplained visions; Kaladin, a slave who works as a member of a warlord’s bridge crew despairing over the curse that causes him to fail all those he wants to protect; and Shallan, a young woman who aims to be apprenticed to a master scholar in order to steal the relic that the master possesses in order to save her family. Each of their perspectives is distinct from the others, and the lengthy page count ensured that there was ample time for the formation of a solid character-reader relationship with each of the three. I never once felt lost or bored no matter who I happened to be following at any given moment as well! I also appreciated how each main character (and a couple of other secondary characters too, specifically in the interludes) offered a different view of the world, and that contributed to the world-building right alongside actual descriptions and the insertion of sketches and maps. In terms of plot, while I normally do not gravitate towards war stories, it worked really well here. It’s probably got a lot to do with Sanderson’s writing and the way he gave human faces to people involved in the conflict. I’m glad I finally picked this tome up because I really enjoyed the time I spent reading it, and I’m looking forward to the next installment.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.goodreads.com\/book\/show\/7235533-the-way-of-kings\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EThe Way of Kings\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E\u0026nbsp;(The Stormlight Archive #1) by \u003Cb\u003EBrandon Sanderson\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003EPub Info:\u003C\/b\u003E\u0026nbsp;August 31, 2010 by Tor Books\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/--TE4s7dBCB8\/YV5F8Cwo2SI\/AAAAAAAAZB0\/aJqJbVRxZ6Ml1fofIdBNZi_gHUUx7zikgCLcBGAsYHQ\/s1600\/a-1.jpeg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"447\" data-original-width=\"300\" height=\"320\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/--TE4s7dBCB8\/YV5F8Cwo2SI\/AAAAAAAAZB0\/aJqJbVRxZ6Ml1fofIdBNZi_gHUUx7zikgCLcBGAsYHQ\/s320\/a-1.jpeg\" style=\"margin-left: 15px;\" width=\"215\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003EMy original experience with \u003Cb\u003EHowl's Moving Castle\u003C\/b\u003E\u0026nbsp;was, of course, the iconic Studio Ghibli film (which I enjoyed, though it's actually not one of my Ghibli favorites). I'd heard from many folks over the years that the novel that was the source material for this whimsical tale was equally incredible, and I'd been curious about it for ages so I finally took the plunge and read it this year. And friends, this book was so enjoyable! In \u003Cb\u003EHowl's Moving Castle\u003C\/b\u003E, Sophie finds herself cursed by the Witch of the Wastes. She decides to make her way to the moving castle owned by the wizard Howl in order to find a way to break her curse, only to find herself swept up in a series of adventures with Howl, his apprentice Michael and the fire demon Calcifer. It was fun to pinpoint the details that made an appearance in the film, but it was equally entertaining (and a wonderful surprise) to discover that there was more to this story. I really enjoyed being swept up in this adventure with Sophie, Howl and the rest of the cast of characters, though I did feel like I wasn't as connected to it in a personal way as I would've liked. Still, I was entertained, charmed and engaged completely from start to end, and if that's not the sign of a good read, I don't know what is. I'd definitely recommend reading \u003Cb\u003EHowl's Moving Castle \u003C\/b\u003E(and if you haven't yet, you should totally watch the film too)!\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.goodreads.com\/book\/show\/2294528\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EHowl's Moving Castle\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E\u0026nbsp;(Howl's Moving Castle #1) by \u003Cb\u003EDiana Wynne Jones\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003EPub Info: \u003C\/b\u003EApril 22, 2008 (or. April 1946) by Greenwillow Books\u003C\/div\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.alexalovesbooks.com\/feeds\/4041376280923659611\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.alexalovesbooks.com\/2021\/10\/abbreviations-141-alcatraz-vs-evil.html#comment-form","title":"14 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/5335649676143335614\/posts\/default\/4041376280923659611"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/5335649676143335614\/posts\/default\/4041376280923659611"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.alexalovesbooks.com\/2021\/10\/abbreviations-141-alcatraz-vs-evil.html","title":"Abbreviations #141: Alcatraz vs. the Evil Librarians, The Way of Kings + Howl's Moving Castle"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Alexa S."},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/13185723439360170259"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"32","height":"32","src":"\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-KohY3rNrdBc\/VkucJOMSAyI\/AAAAAAAANwg\/r0rDFwxix1Q\/s113\/IMG_0120.JPG"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-sTQBX-f8kX4\/YV5FvkdqMoI\/AAAAAAAAZBo\/eaUecutZMj4Kpj3v1Qhr0gJN7lMi5RVKwCLcBGAsYHQ\/s72-w640-h360-c\/abb141.png","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"14"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5335649676143335614.post-1425916821088361888"},"published":{"$t":"2021-10-08T08:00:00.025-04:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2021-10-21T22:12:32.186-04:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"book review"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"By Alexa"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"fantasy"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Iron Widow"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"science fiction"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Xiran Jay Zhao"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"young adult fiction"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Book Review: Iron Widow"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-DQqU7DMOibU\/YVzhZRu0eFI\/AAAAAAAAZBg\/2ejTj-U_CZkSenZm_tofxA70DfH57Vf6gCLcBGAsYHQ\/s2048\/iw.png\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"2048\" data-original-width=\"2048\" height=\"640\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-DQqU7DMOibU\/YVzhZRu0eFI\/AAAAAAAAZBg\/2ejTj-U_CZkSenZm_tofxA70DfH57Vf6gCLcBGAsYHQ\/w640-h640\/iw.png\" width=\"640\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003EIn Huaxia, boys and girls are paired to pilot Chrysalises, the giant robots that make up their country's main defensive force against the mecha aliens beyond the Great Wall. Zetian offers herself up as a pilot concubine, not for glory or honor, but for the chance to assassinate the pilot who was responsible for her sister's death -- and she succeeds at her mission of vengeance by killing him through the psychic link while in the Chrysalis and emerging from the cockpit unscathed. Dubbed the Iron Widow for what she's accomplished, Zetian is paired with the strongest, most controversial male pilot in the force, Li Shimin. There are many who would see them both dead despite the unquestionable asset they happen to be in the war. But driven by her determination to understand and overturn the misogynist pilot system and prevent the needless deaths of more girls, Zetian won't go down without a fight.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003EI had an inkling that I would, at the very least, enjoy \u003Cb\u003EIron Widow\u003C\/b\u003E. (And I say that as someone who rarely, if ever, reads sci-fi.) As it turns out, it's so, so good, and very much unlike anything I've read previously despite some familiar elements and tropes! I'm rarely able to just sit back, relax (or stress, depending on what the characters are going through) and let the author lead me where she will with her words, so this was a pleasant surprise. With her debut novel, Xiran Jay Zhao has done something really interesting here; she's taken a historical figure (Wu Zetian, the only female emperor in Chinese history), planted them in unique circumstances and let her imagination run wild with how it all comes together. The plot is the main driving force behind \u003Cb\u003EIron Widow\u003C\/b\u003E, and while I normally prefer more character-driven tales, I didn't mind it at all in this case.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003EThere are, however, a few elements of \u003Cb\u003EIron Widow\u003C\/b\u003E that could have used a little bit more development (though I anticipate that happening as the series continues). Like the world, though it's understandably limited considering the position Zetian is in and the heavy focus on the war effort. And the characters, who we only get a limited perspective on and usually through the lens of limitations or trauma. (And yes, this includes Zetian, who readers will mostly identify as an angry young woman who is reckless after losing the person who matters most to her; someone who will do whatever it takes to keep herself and her own safe.) And the character relationships too, especially the romance that blossoms in this story (though I'll definitely give it props for surprising me in a good way).\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003EThe thing is, however, that despite my reservations, I really enjoyed \u003Cb\u003EIron Widow\u003C\/b\u003E. The beginning hooked me immediately, the story was compelling and refreshingly different from anything I've recently read and it totally gave me anime vibes (which is always a good thing in my book). I'm so glad that I ended up reading it and I'm very much looking forward to the sequel!\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.goodreads.com\/book\/show\/52459864-iron-widow\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EIron Widow\u003C\/a\u003E \u003C\/b\u003Eby \u003Cb\u003EXiran Jay Zhao\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003EPub Info: \u003C\/b\u003ESeptember 21, 2021 by Penguin Teen\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003ESource: \u003C\/b\u003Ee-galley received from publisher via NetGalley\u003C\/div\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.alexalovesbooks.com\/feeds\/1425916821088361888\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.alexalovesbooks.com\/2021\/10\/book-review-iron-widow.html#comment-form","title":"4 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/5335649676143335614\/posts\/default\/1425916821088361888"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/5335649676143335614\/posts\/default\/1425916821088361888"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.alexalovesbooks.com\/2021\/10\/book-review-iron-widow.html","title":"Book Review: Iron Widow"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Alexa S."},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/13185723439360170259"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"32","height":"32","src":"\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-KohY3rNrdBc\/VkucJOMSAyI\/AAAAAAAANwg\/r0rDFwxix1Q\/s113\/IMG_0120.JPG"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-DQqU7DMOibU\/YVzhZRu0eFI\/AAAAAAAAZBg\/2ejTj-U_CZkSenZm_tofxA70DfH57Vf6gCLcBGAsYHQ\/s72-w640-h640-c\/iw.png","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"4"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5335649676143335614.post-3149549166980298255"},"published":{"$t":"2021-10-07T08:00:00.015-04:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2021-10-07T08:00:00.240-04:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"book review"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"By Alexa"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"fantasy"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Jade Fire  Gold"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"June C.L. Tan"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"young adult fiction"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Book Review: Jade Fire Gold"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-AGi7WPnqWV4\/YVzf0njlxYI\/AAAAAAAAZBY\/vK3e1jBKNFwxVUW-wuhgWyvZjHqhwTXDwCLcBGAsYHQ\/s2048\/jfg.png\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"2048\" data-original-width=\"2048\" height=\"640\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-AGi7WPnqWV4\/YVzf0njlxYI\/AAAAAAAAZBY\/vK3e1jBKNFwxVUW-wuhgWyvZjHqhwTXDwCLcBGAsYHQ\/w640-h640\/jfg.png\" width=\"640\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003EJade Fire Gold\u003C\/b\u003E was guaranteed a spot on my TBR after I saw the cover, the character art the author commissioned and the mentions of said characters being reminiscent of Zuko and Katara from Avatar: The Last Airbender. This YA fantasy twines together the stories of two characters: Ahn, a girl with no past or family but in possession of powerful magical abilities; and Altan, a lost heir hellbent on exacting vengeance and reclaiming his throne. Their respective paths start out seemingly straightforward, but soon discover that things might be more complicated than they could ever have foreseen.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003EI genuinely enjoyed parts of \u003Cb\u003EJade Fire Gold\u003C\/b\u003E, including the story lore, the characters (they were archetypes I like in general) and the banter that made an occasional appearance. These were the things that kept me turning the pages of this novel, the three elements that kept my interest piqued and my hope that I would eventually really click with the story alive all the way until the end. But the truth is that the novel fell short for me in, coincidentally, three specific ways that affected my overall feelings. First, the plot (plots, really) had one too many different strings to follow. It felt messier and less developed than I would have liked, and there were certainly moments that felt unearned (especially at the conclusion, which felt like it was trying to lead into a potential sequel). This also lead to, second, the pacing being all over the place; there was a rather large lull to me in the middle of the book. And lastly, while I wanted to love the romance (seriously, it should have been precisely my cup of tea), I ended up feeling a little cheated and less invested than I'd hoped. Unfortunately, while there are details of merit to this book and while I'm sure it could potentially appeal to other readers, I did feel a little let down by \u003Cb\u003EJade Fire Gold\u003C\/b\u003E by the time I reached the end of the book.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.goodreads.com\/book\/show\/56645963-jade-fire-gold\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EJade Fire Gold\u003C\/a\u003E \u003C\/b\u003Eby \u003Cb\u003EJune C.L. Tan\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003EPub Info: \u003C\/b\u003EOctober 12, 2021 by HarperTEEN\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003ESource: \u003C\/b\u003Ee-galley received from the publisher through Edelweiss\u003C\/div\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.alexalovesbooks.com\/feeds\/3149549166980298255\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.alexalovesbooks.com\/2021\/10\/book-review-jade-fire-gold.html#comment-form","title":"4 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/5335649676143335614\/posts\/default\/3149549166980298255"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/5335649676143335614\/posts\/default\/3149549166980298255"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.alexalovesbooks.com\/2021\/10\/book-review-jade-fire-gold.html","title":"Book Review: Jade Fire Gold"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Alexa S."},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/13185723439360170259"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"32","height":"32","src":"\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-KohY3rNrdBc\/VkucJOMSAyI\/AAAAAAAANwg\/r0rDFwxix1Q\/s113\/IMG_0120.JPG"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-AGi7WPnqWV4\/YVzf0njlxYI\/AAAAAAAAZBY\/vK3e1jBKNFwxVUW-wuhgWyvZjHqhwTXDwCLcBGAsYHQ\/s72-w640-h640-c\/jfg.png","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"4"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5335649676143335614.post-83736091991325832"},"published":{"$t":"2021-10-06T08:00:00.035-04:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2021-10-06T08:00:00.301-04:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Abbreviations"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Antiracism and You"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"book review"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Charlotte Cho"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Ibram X. Kendi"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Jason Reynolds"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"non-fiction"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Ruth Reichl"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Save Me the Plums"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Stamped: Racism"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"The Little Book of Skincare"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Abbreviations #140: Stamped: Racism, Antiracism and You, The Little Book of Skin Care + Save Me the Plums"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-7qGHFiI2gbM\/YVuaStD9_VI\/AAAAAAAAZA8\/CGnxJjVkYoYnTeGEBQ7hZeRE2D2YstZyACLcBGAsYHQ\/s1600\/abb140.png\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"787\" data-original-width=\"1400\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-7qGHFiI2gbM\/YVuaStD9_VI\/AAAAAAAAZA8\/CGnxJjVkYoYnTeGEBQ7hZeRE2D2YstZyACLcBGAsYHQ\/w640-h360\/abb140.png\" width=\"640\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cb\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-E5-GrSFCeVs\/YVuajENDQLI\/AAAAAAAAZBI\/mqlGis4ZjIE1ZcuRfKXJVJoGQGV-O80jQCLcBGAsYHQ\/s1600\/52220686._SX318_SY475_.jpg\" style=\"clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"475\" data-original-width=\"314\" height=\"320\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-E5-GrSFCeVs\/YVuajENDQLI\/AAAAAAAAZBI\/mqlGis4ZjIE1ZcuRfKXJVJoGQGV-O80jQCLcBGAsYHQ\/s320\/52220686._SX318_SY475_.jpg\" style=\"margin-left: 15px;\" width=\"212\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/div\u003EStamped: Racism, Antiracism and You \u003C\/b\u003Eis the young adult adaptation of the original work \u003Ci\u003EStamped from the Beginning\u003C\/i\u003E, and it's done by Jason Reynolds in conjunction with author Ibram X. Kendi. And it's brilliant. It takes the detailed information provided in its adult counterpart and distills it into something that was, personally, a little easier to comprehend. (This is especially true for me, as I didn’t grow up learning a lot about American history.) Reynolds uses an easy, approachable tone to relay the facts in straightforward manner; this will, in my opinion, really help this nonfiction YA reach the audience it was intended for and hold their attention. It was a clever idea to adapt the original work (which I certainly also feel is worth the read) to broaden its audience. It’s very good, and worth reading for sure. I would definitely recommend picking up this one for the teens and young adults in your life (or for yourself, if you want a starting point that’s less intimidating than the original Kendi tome).\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.goodreads.com\/book\/show\/52220686-stamped\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EStamped: Racism, Antiracism and You\u003C\/a\u003E \u003C\/b\u003Eby \u003Cb\u003EJason Reynolds \u0026amp; Ibram X. Kendi\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003EPub Info: \u003C\/b\u003EMarch 10, 2020 by Little, Brown Books for Young Readers\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-LBsHEH9jOzM\/YVuao17aQvI\/AAAAAAAAZBM\/TcCTvnPJnhE6TB1e6FaM1Ej3Zugo4ME5wCLcBGAsYHQ\/s1600\/25066118.jpeg\" style=\"clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"364\" data-original-width=\"318\" height=\"320\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-LBsHEH9jOzM\/YVuao17aQvI\/AAAAAAAAZBM\/TcCTvnPJnhE6TB1e6FaM1Ej3Zugo4ME5wCLcBGAsYHQ\/s320\/25066118.jpeg\" style=\"margin-right: 15px;\" width=\"280\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003EI’ve been determined to start taking better care of myself this year, and part of that includes taking better habits when it comes to taking care of my skin. Korean skincare has always interested me, and a couple of years ago, one of my college roomies recommended I pick up \u003Cb\u003EThe Little Book of Skin Care\u003C\/b\u003E to help me understand the basics. I should’ve listened to her then and there, but instead, I waited years before picking this one up (which I’m regretting now). While I did know the basics about Korean skincare (thanks to the internet and friends who have incorporated it into their own routines), this book provided me with a fresh perspective. I appreciated the way that it delved a little deeper into the aspects of a normal skincare routine, including the reasoning and benefits to be gained from each. I liked the practical, friendly tone Cho uses in this book, as it feels like you’re learning from a relative or a friend. I also liked that this wasn’t just focused on what products you need to acquire (which can often be overwhelming, and I’ll admit that it still is since both you and the product offerings are changing constantly); it talks about better habits that will also contribute to overall better skin. I definitely tabbed a lot of pages, and will be referring to this one as I embark on a journey to figure out my new skincare habits and routine!\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.goodreads.com\/book\/show\/25066118-the-little-book-of-skin-care\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EThe Little Book of Skin Care: Korean Beauty Secrets for Healthy, Glowing Skin\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E\u0026nbsp;by \u003Cb\u003ECharlotte Cho\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003EPub Info: \u003C\/b\u003ENovember 10, 2015 by William Morrow\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-5PUrnNggsp0\/YVuaxQgo-YI\/AAAAAAAAZBQ\/5NB1qpFhlHc8syfLKGPZWvs7qiWSco_1ACLcBGAsYHQ\/s1600\/51716260.jpeg\" style=\"clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"400\" data-original-width=\"260\" height=\"320\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-5PUrnNggsp0\/YVuaxQgo-YI\/AAAAAAAAZBQ\/5NB1qpFhlHc8syfLKGPZWvs7qiWSco_1ACLcBGAsYHQ\/s320\/51716260.jpeg\" style=\"margin-left: 15px;\" width=\"208\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EI probably wouldn't have had \u003Cb\u003ESave Me the Plums: My Gourmet Memoir\u003C\/b\u003E\u0026nbsp;on my radar were it not for my friend \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.merrilykristin.com\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EKristin\u003C\/a\u003E, who read, enjoyed and recommended this title after she devoured it last year. Ruth Reichl is a well-known American food writer, restaurant critic and former editor-in-chief of the magazine Gourmet. She's released a number of memoirs, but this one in particular centers around the ups and downs of her life when she was in charge of the magazine. I didn't know anything at all about this author before picking up the memoir, so everything revealed within its pages was new to me. It's clear that Reichl loves food in many capacities; she enjoys consuming, creating and writing about it. And it was pretty interesting to see her at various points in her life and career, especially when it came to being a big player in the magazine industry. I liked it overall, but it did take me longer to read than I'd anticipated since there were portions of the story that didn't hold my attention well.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.goodreads.com\/book\/show\/51716260-save-me-the-plums\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ESave Me the Plums: My Gourmet Memoir\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E\u0026nbsp;by \u003Cb\u003ERuth Reichl\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003EPub Info: \u003C\/b\u003EApril 2, 2019 by Random House\u003C\/div\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.alexalovesbooks.com\/feeds\/83736091991325832\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.alexalovesbooks.com\/2021\/10\/abbreviations-140-stamped-racism.html#comment-form","title":"8 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/5335649676143335614\/posts\/default\/83736091991325832"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/5335649676143335614\/posts\/default\/83736091991325832"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.alexalovesbooks.com\/2021\/10\/abbreviations-140-stamped-racism.html","title":"Abbreviations #140: Stamped: Racism, Antiracism and You, The Little Book of Skin Care + Save Me the Plums"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Alexa S."},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/13185723439360170259"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"32","height":"32","src":"\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-KohY3rNrdBc\/VkucJOMSAyI\/AAAAAAAANwg\/r0rDFwxix1Q\/s113\/IMG_0120.JPG"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-7qGHFiI2gbM\/YVuaStD9_VI\/AAAAAAAAZA8\/CGnxJjVkYoYnTeGEBQ7hZeRE2D2YstZyACLcBGAsYHQ\/s72-w640-h360-c\/abb140.png","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"8"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5335649676143335614.post-4902849961017209579"},"published":{"$t":"2021-10-05T08:00:00.007-04:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2021-10-05T08:00:00.275-04:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"book review"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"By Alexa"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"contemporary"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"From Little Tokyo With Love"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Sarah Kuhn"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"young adult fiction"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Book Review: From Little Tokyo, With Love"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-Y9X3RhT64Ig\/YVuTwMVeRFI\/AAAAAAAAZAo\/m-WW2OLCOPgsXLPyxuTGM02DZQfTdpXUwCLcBGAsYHQ\/s2048\/fltwl.png\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"2048\" data-original-width=\"2048\" height=\"640\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-Y9X3RhT64Ig\/YVuTwMVeRFI\/AAAAAAAAZAo\/m-WW2OLCOPgsXLPyxuTGM02DZQfTdpXUwCLcBGAsYHQ\/w640-h640\/fltwl.png\" width=\"640\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003EFrom Little Tokyo, With Love\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/b\u003Ewas my first foray into Sarah Kuhn’s work, and it certainly won’t be my last! It’s a modern-day fairytale set against the backdrop of Los Angeles, with a large part happening within the boundaries of Little Tokyo. The main character is Rika, who has never really felt like she belonged with her family or among her neighbors; she often likens herself to the monsters and not the princesses in a fairytale. But when Hollywood actress Grace Kimura indicates that she knows Rika and just might be the mother she never knew before disappearing without a trace, Rika is determined to track her down to get the truth with the aid of one of Grace’s recent costars.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003ETruthfully, I expected \u003Cb\u003EFrom Little Tokyo, With Love\u003C\/b\u003E to be a lighthearted fluff read. But I wound up getting much more than I’d bargained for as it was a surprisingly emotional read! While it does have lighter moments that made me laugh and swoon, it also tugs on the heartstrings. Readers eventually realize that what Rika is searching for throughout the story is a place to belong, for someone to belong with, and that’s the kind of journey that I feel like any reader could relate to. Throw in a dash of movie magic (what I call those moments in films where everything aligns so that the plot moves forward), a hint of romance and an ending that feels like what “happily ever after” could look like in real life, and you’ve got this book. I absolutely loved reading this one, and look forward to checking out more stories from this author!\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.goodreads.com\/book\/show\/55115173-from-little-tokyo-with-love\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EFrom Little Tokyo, With Love\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E\u0026nbsp;by \u003Cb\u003ESarah Kuhn\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003EPub Info: \u003C\/b\u003EMay 11, 2021 by Viking Books for Young Readers\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003ESource: \u003C\/b\u003Ee-galley received from the publisher via NetGalley\u003C\/div\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.alexalovesbooks.com\/feeds\/4902849961017209579\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.alexalovesbooks.com\/2021\/10\/book-review-from-little-tokyo-with-love.html#comment-form","title":"3 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/5335649676143335614\/posts\/default\/4902849961017209579"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/5335649676143335614\/posts\/default\/4902849961017209579"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.alexalovesbooks.com\/2021\/10\/book-review-from-little-tokyo-with-love.html","title":"Book Review: From Little Tokyo, With Love"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Alexa S."},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/13185723439360170259"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"32","height":"32","src":"\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-KohY3rNrdBc\/VkucJOMSAyI\/AAAAAAAANwg\/r0rDFwxix1Q\/s113\/IMG_0120.JPG"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-Y9X3RhT64Ig\/YVuTwMVeRFI\/AAAAAAAAZAo\/m-WW2OLCOPgsXLPyxuTGM02DZQfTdpXUwCLcBGAsYHQ\/s72-w640-h640-c\/fltwl.png","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"3"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5335649676143335614.post-2953905946411025228"},"published":{"$t":"2021-09-27T09:37:00.000-04:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2021-09-27T09:37:00.466-04:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"book review"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"By Alexa"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"fantasy"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Margaret Rogerson"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Vespertine"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"young adult fiction"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Book Review: Vespertine"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-s5OxhzF2IHU\/YVHILj_EqQI\/AAAAAAAAY_g\/rotnVqJHpnoZGdw8GfLYH8s8AOFqgSg4QCLcBGAsYHQ\/s2048\/Vespertine.png\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"2048\" data-original-width=\"2048\" height=\"640\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-s5OxhzF2IHU\/YVHILj_EqQI\/AAAAAAAAY_g\/rotnVqJHpnoZGdw8GfLYH8s8AOFqgSg4QCLcBGAsYHQ\/w640-h640\/Vespertine.png\" width=\"640\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003EI'm always low key interested in novels that feature necromancy, or any sort of magic tied to death. And because I've had pretty positive experiences with Margaret Rogerson's work, I was excited when \u003Cb\u003EVespertine\u003C\/b\u003E\u0026nbsp;was announced. In the book, Artemisia is a novice training to become one of the Gray Sisters - nuns who cleanse the bodies of the deceased so that their souls can pass on instead of rising as spirits who hunger for the living. When her convent is attacked by possessed soldiers, Artemisia winds up awakening a revenant, a powerful ancient spirit bound to a saint's relic, and wielding its power to defend her home. But the death and destruction don't end there, and Artemisia soon finds herself knee deep in a mystery involving secrets, saints and dark magic.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003EThe first couple of chapters of \u003Cb\u003EVespertine\u003C\/b\u003E\u0026nbsp;threw me off a bit with how much information is conveyed with regards to the world and the lore. Now, I'm not necessarily completely opposed to 'info dumps', especially in fantasy books that are set in unique worlds. But I worried that this would set the tone for the book as a series starter and I'd find it to be slower paced than I normally like my books to be. Luckily, this didn't end up being the case! The pacing certainly picks up a bit as the situations Artemisia finds herself in escalate, and I ended up flying through the rest of the story with an eagerness to find out what would happen next and how things would wrap up. (That said, there's a repetitiveness to the plot that did frustrate me just a touch a time or two, but since I was curious about where it was all going to go, I had no trouble just moving on past that mild irritation.)\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003EI enjoyed the lore that Rogerson crafted for her story, particularly the details about the origin and abilities of spirits and the history of the Loraille. It's kept fairly simple, and there are a lot of familiarities sprinkled all throughout that mirror other stories featuring spirits, death and that particular brand of dark magic. But everything about the setting, history and magic just felt wholly formed and real to me as a reader; it helped the reading experience be incredibly immersive, which is always something I want out of a fantasy read.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003EI liked our cast of characters well enough, though I have a clear favorite (and we'll get to that in a minute). There are a whole host of secondary characters that charmed, frustrated or angered me in turn, depending on what their role was in Artemisia's life and this story. They were developed just enough to feel like real individuals, but because their page time was pretty limited, I didn't feel a particularly strong attachment to any of them. (Also, for all my pals looking for reads without romance - this might just be the book for you!)\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003EAs you might have guessed, Artemisia and the revenant are the two characters readers spend the most time with since a large chunk of the novel consists of their private interactions and experiences. It took me time to really warm up to Artemisia. But it's pretty clear from the start that she's a good, loyal individual who simply wants to be left to her own comfortable devices, and her unveiled history eventually explains a lot of her choices, thoughts and tendency to keep to herself. While I didn't always find it easy to be in her head, I was rooting for her triumph. As for the revenant, it was a case of meeting a character I instantly liked. The sass! The pushy nurturing! The occasional moments of vulnerability! Despite the fact that the revenant was all about constant threats and insults, and even though there was that constant question of whether they'd betray Artemisia at the back of my mind, I couldn't help but enjoy the revenant.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003EDespite my minor apprehensions at the beginning, \u003Cb\u003EVespertine\u003C\/b\u003E\u0026nbsp;wound up being a compelling YA fantasy (and one that I find especially fitting for the autumnal spooky season). I really liked this first installment, and I'm certainly looking forward to seeing what happens next.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.goodreads.com\/book\/show\/56980403-vespertine\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EVespertine\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E\u0026nbsp;(Vespertine #1) by \u003Cb\u003EMargaret Rogerson\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003EPub Info: \u003C\/b\u003EOctober 5, 2021 by Margaret K. McElderry Books\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003ESource: \u003C\/b\u003EARC received from the publisher for review\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-U7GSIn8OMG4\/YVHIlC1wX3I\/AAAAAAAAY_s\/LgoXxEnj_VIUdqhur_jv7STXg5dr7ChgACLcBGAsYHQ\/s500\/Margaret%2BRogerson%2BHigh%2BResolution%2B%25281%2529.jpg\" style=\"clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"500\" data-original-width=\"500\" height=\"200\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-U7GSIn8OMG4\/YVHIlC1wX3I\/AAAAAAAAY_s\/LgoXxEnj_VIUdqhur_jv7STXg5dr7ChgACLcBGAsYHQ\/w200-h200\/Margaret%2BRogerson%2BHigh%2BResolution%2B%25281%2529.jpg\" style=\"margin-right: 15px;\" width=\"200\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003EMargaret Rogerson is the author of the New York Times bestsellers An Enchantment of Ravens and Sorcery of Thorns. She has a bachelor’s degree in cultural anthropology from Miami University. When not reading or writing she enjoys sketching, gaming, making pudding, and watching more documentaries than is socially acceptable (according to some). She lives near Cincinnati, Ohio, beside a garden full of hummingbirds and roses. (\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.blogger.com\/#\"\u003EWebsite\u003C\/a\u003E | \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.blogger.com\/#\"\u003EInstagram\u003C\/a\u003E | \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.blogger.com\/#\"\u003ETwitter\u003C\/a\u003E)\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-8uSTUQGFpBU\/YVHHmCD5bZI\/AAAAAAAAY_U\/8CYCJHUPxIINnWXT0-AWbfOYzcRjkg1WQCLcBGAsYHQ\/s1080\/9.24.21%2BUpdates%2B83164-Vespertine-EventGraphics-1080x1080-3%2B%25281%2529.jpg\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1080\" data-original-width=\"1080\" height=\"640\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-8uSTUQGFpBU\/YVHHmCD5bZI\/AAAAAAAAY_U\/8CYCJHUPxIINnWXT0-AWbfOYzcRjkg1WQCLcBGAsYHQ\/w640-h640\/9.24.21%2BUpdates%2B83164-Vespertine-EventGraphics-1080x1080-3%2B%25281%2529.jpg\" width=\"640\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.alexalovesbooks.com\/feeds\/2953905946411025228\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.alexalovesbooks.com\/2021\/09\/book-review-vespertine.html#comment-form","title":"3 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/5335649676143335614\/posts\/default\/2953905946411025228"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/5335649676143335614\/posts\/default\/2953905946411025228"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.alexalovesbooks.com\/2021\/09\/book-review-vespertine.html","title":"Book Review: Vespertine"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Alexa S."},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/13185723439360170259"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"32","height":"32","src":"\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-KohY3rNrdBc\/VkucJOMSAyI\/AAAAAAAANwg\/r0rDFwxix1Q\/s113\/IMG_0120.JPG"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-s5OxhzF2IHU\/YVHILj_EqQI\/AAAAAAAAY_g\/rotnVqJHpnoZGdw8GfLYH8s8AOFqgSg4QCLcBGAsYHQ\/s72-w640-h640-c\/Vespertine.png","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"3"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5335649676143335614.post-4634881343795470319"},"published":{"$t":"2021-09-24T09:00:00.000-04:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2021-09-24T09:00:00.304-04:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Abby Jimenez"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"adult fiction"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Austin Siegemund-Broka"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"book review"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"By Alexa"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"contemporary"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Emily Wibberley"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Gena Showalter"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"romance"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"urban fantasy"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"young adult fiction"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Abbreviations #139: Life's Too Short, Time of Our Lives + The Darkest Night"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-wvShEFqhKAs\/YUe7wYfdsoI\/AAAAAAAAY-g\/auD1bve9hsEybXRFA9TdNSzDsnra2-oewCLcBGAsYHQ\/s1600\/abb139.png\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"945\" data-original-width=\"1680\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-wvShEFqhKAs\/YUe7wYfdsoI\/AAAAAAAAY-g\/auD1bve9hsEybXRFA9TdNSzDsnra2-oewCLcBGAsYHQ\/w640-h360\/abb139.png\" width=\"640\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-ycFUaEKB598\/YUe72t9CLvI\/AAAAAAAAY-k\/6YMsKf0Fqn4mgpVkBNI7m8CC08KvMSDvACLcBGAsYHQ\/s1600\/a1.jpg\" style=\"clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"475\" data-original-width=\"312\" height=\"320\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-ycFUaEKB598\/YUe72t9CLvI\/AAAAAAAAY-k\/6YMsKf0Fqn4mgpVkBNI7m8CC08KvMSDvACLcBGAsYHQ\/s320\/a1.jpg\" style=\"margin-left: 15px;\" width=\"210\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003EIn \u003Cb\u003ELife’s Too Short\u003C\/b\u003E, the third novel in Abby Jimenez’s companion novel romance series \u003Ci\u003EThe Friend Zone\u003C\/i\u003E, readers are introduced to hotshot lawyer Adrian (cousin to Josh, who you may remember from \u003Ci\u003EThe Friend Zone\u003C\/i\u003E) and his next-door neighbor and YouTube personality Vanessa. Their relationship begins on a night when Adrian and his then-girlfriend are awoken from slumber by the wails of a baby which prompts Adrian to knock at Vanessa’s door to find out what’s going on and to lend a hand. As he continues to care for Vanessa and her niece (who is currently in her custody), their relationship transforms from neighbors to friends to something more. But both Adrian and Vanessa have big, tough life circumstances to make peace with before they can find their way to a happily ever after… \u003Cb\u003ELife’s Too Short \u003C\/b\u003Ewas as lovely and fun to read as I’d anticipated. It contains the same charming blend of humor and romance as Jimenez’s previous work, and it was absurdly easy to fall in love with our main couple and root for their happy ending. This novel also made me realize that one of the aspects of Jimenez’s works that I truly enjoy is how her couples often end up in very isolated situations together; it allows them to really get to know each other and form a foundational relationship that transcends beyond that time. This novel does touch on heavier topics like anxiety, complicated familial situations, and ALS, and there were many parts that made me emotional. But there’s enough lightheartedness and swoon (including a cameo) to balance that out perfectly! Jimenez did an excellent job crafting another believable, thoughtful romance in \u003Cb\u003ELife’s Too Short\u003C\/b\u003E (and yes, that’s including the resolution that feels straight out of a movie). I’ve consistently enjoyed Jimenez’s work, and I’m very much looking forward to whatever she’ll write next!\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.goodreads.com\/book\/show\/54377375-life-s-too-short\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ELife's Too Short\u003C\/a\u003E \u003C\/b\u003E(The Friend Zone #3) \u003Cb\u003Eby Abby Jimenez\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003EPrevious Books in the Series: \u003C\/b\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.alexalovesbooks.com\/2019\/09\/abbreviations-89-twice-in-blue-moon.html\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EThe Friend Zone\u003C\/a\u003E, \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.alexalovesbooks.com\/2020\/11\/book-review-happy-ever-after-playlist.html\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EThe Happy Ever After Playlist\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003EPub Info: \u003C\/b\u003EApril 6, 2021 by Forever\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-oH57LtTDFuY\/YUe76CXlCII\/AAAAAAAAY-o\/QwPrjgoAK4seLaaEwlDE4giZrF64rqDzQCLcBGAsYHQ\/s1600\/a2.jpeg\" style=\"clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"475\" data-original-width=\"314\" height=\"320\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-oH57LtTDFuY\/YUe76CXlCII\/AAAAAAAAY-o\/QwPrjgoAK4seLaaEwlDE4giZrF64rqDzQCLcBGAsYHQ\/s320\/a2.jpeg\" style=\"margin-right: 15px;\" width=\"212\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003EI was really interested in reading \u003Cb\u003ETime of Our Lives\u003C\/b\u003E, partly because I’ve read two novels before from this author duo and partly because of the premise. This YA contemporary is about two teens: Fitz Holton, who is set on attending a college nearby so that he can be there for his mom who is suffering early-onset Alzheimer’s, and Juniper Ramirez, who is set on going as far away as possible for college to escape the confines of living with a large and tight-knit family. The pair meet while they’re each on a college tour and their chance encounter(s) might just inspire them to revisit their plans for the future and their perspectives on their present situations.  I’m happy to report that I did end up enjoying \u003Cb\u003ETime of Our Lives\u003C\/b\u003E (which I actually read in one sitting)! This novel is, more than anything, a slice-of-life tale that focuses primarily on the characters and their internal journey, though there are some great external moments that occur along the way. I really liked both Juniper and Fitz off the bat, and could totally relate to aspects of each of their experiences as they make college plans (though funnily enough, I’ve never gone on a college tour). Following the emotional thruline for their stories was really what ended up making it such an enjoyable experience, and what made reading this book feel a lot like the dream-like experience of a mostly feel-good film. The novel isn’t perfect, of course; the ending is a little abrupt following a rushed lead-up, and there are moments where you’ll simply have to suspend your disbelief.  But it did really end up tugging on my heartstrings, and for that alone, \u003Cb\u003ETime of Our Lives\u003C\/b\u003E was worth the read to me.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.goodreads.com\/book\/show\/40076537-time-of-our-lives\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ETime of Our Lives\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E\u0026nbsp;by \u003Cb\u003EEmily Wibberley \u0026amp; Austin Siegemund-Broka\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003EPub Info: \u003C\/b\u003EApril 21, 2020 by Viking Books for Young Readers\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003ESource: \u003C\/b\u003EHardcover received from the publisher\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-WWH8pdJPNO0\/YUe797J7sXI\/AAAAAAAAY-s\/f_L_KR2xzR4SItmZJgAzLYyejJmgYXd_gCLcBGAsYHQ\/s1600\/a3.jpeg\" style=\"clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"346\" data-original-width=\"219\" height=\"320\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-WWH8pdJPNO0\/YUe797J7sXI\/AAAAAAAAY-s\/f_L_KR2xzR4SItmZJgAzLYyejJmgYXd_gCLcBGAsYHQ\/s320\/a3.jpeg\" style=\"margin-left: 15px;\" width=\"203\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003EThe Darkest Night \u003C\/b\u003Eis the first novel in the \u003Ci\u003ELords of the Underworld series\u003C\/i\u003E, where Ashlyn Darrow (a young woman who can hear all sorts of voices from the past) has decided to seek a cure for this ability by finding a group of men in Budapest noted for having supernatural powers. She inadvertently crosses paths with Maddox, one of the most powerful in the group, and an instant attraction springs up between them. But will they be able overcome all the obstacles in their path in order to guarantee their happy ending? Unfortunately, \u003Cb\u003EThe Darkest Night\u003C\/b\u003E was not for me as a reader. Whenever I pick up a new adult urban fantasy\/paranormal romance series, I usually look for a few key things: 1) characters to fall in love with, 2) a compelling story and lore outside of 3) a romance to root for. \u003Cb\u003EThe Darkest Night \u003C\/b\u003Eonly gave me one of these three; I appreciated the lore and plot, and that was the primary reason I felt incentivized to keep going until the end of the book. I didn’t, however, come to love the characters all that much (and having had time away from the book, I can already tell you that I’ve forgotten most of them). And I really didn’t care for the romance at all! While I don’t regret giving this series starter a shot, I genuinely am disappointed that I didn’t enjoy it more and that I see no reason to continue with the series.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.goodreads.com\/book\/show\/476543.The_Darkest_Night\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EThe Darkest Night\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E\u0026nbsp;(Lords of the Underworld #1) by \u003Cb\u003EGena Showalter\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003EPub Info: \u003C\/b\u003EMay 3, 2008 by Harlequin\u003C\/div\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.alexalovesbooks.com\/feeds\/4634881343795470319\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.alexalovesbooks.com\/2021\/09\/abbreviations-139-lifes-too-short-time.html#comment-form","title":"3 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/5335649676143335614\/posts\/default\/4634881343795470319"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/5335649676143335614\/posts\/default\/4634881343795470319"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.alexalovesbooks.com\/2021\/09\/abbreviations-139-lifes-too-short-time.html","title":"Abbreviations #139: Life's Too Short, Time of Our Lives + The Darkest Night"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Alexa S."},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/13185723439360170259"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"32","height":"32","src":"\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-KohY3rNrdBc\/VkucJOMSAyI\/AAAAAAAANwg\/r0rDFwxix1Q\/s113\/IMG_0120.JPG"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-wvShEFqhKAs\/YUe7wYfdsoI\/AAAAAAAAY-g\/auD1bve9hsEybXRFA9TdNSzDsnra2-oewCLcBGAsYHQ\/s72-w640-h360-c\/abb139.png","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"3"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5335649676143335614.post-3304703261173384204"},"published":{"$t":"2021-09-20T09:00:00.000-04:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2021-09-20T09:00:00.304-04:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Adrienne Young"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"book review"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"By Alexa"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"fantasy"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"The Last Legacy"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"young adult fiction"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Book Review: The Last Legacy"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-Bi8ZfEsdEo4\/YUewCkxIm6I\/AAAAAAAAY9w\/ffOhEbYaB1w29Yv4WpftQAh5RQpUd2keACLcBGAsYHQ\/s2048\/TLL.png\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"2048\" data-original-width=\"2048\" height=\"640\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-Bi8ZfEsdEo4\/YUewCkxIm6I\/AAAAAAAAY9w\/ffOhEbYaB1w29Yv4WpftQAh5RQpUd2keACLcBGAsYHQ\/w640-h640\/TLL.png\" width=\"640\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003EI fell completely in love with the world Adrienne Young brought to life in her \u003Ci\u003EFable series\u003C\/i\u003E, which is unsurprising since I’ve always been partial to stories about sea adventures. When it was announced that she’d be returning to this world one more time (as of right now, anyway) in \u003Cb\u003EThe Last Legacy\u003C\/b\u003E, I immediately added this standalone novel to my TBR. Unlike the duology, this book is set solely on Bastian and centers around the Roth family. Eighteen-year-old Bryn Roth receives a letter from her uncle summoning her back to the island to finally take her place with the Roths. But it doesn’t take long for her to realize that she’ll need to fight for her place among the rest of her family, and that it might cost her more than she’s willing to give.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cb style=\"font-weight: bold;\"\u003EThe Last Legacy\u003C\/b\u003E\u0026nbsp;offers a fresh view on the world brought to life in the \u003Ci\u003EFable series\u003C\/i\u003E, specifically zeroing in on the Roth family with the use of one of its members as the narrative perspective. It was really fascinating to read about Bryn's opinions and experiences of life as a Roth on the island of Bastian, especially as the novel itself feels a touch darker in tone than the original duology. Bryn herself is a character who immediately piqued my interest; she's clever, courageous and determined to figure out how to make her own fate and future. I'm generally a sucker for female heroines who want \u003Ci\u003Emore\u003C\/i\u003E\u0026nbsp;for their lives, especially if they're willing to do whatever it takes... which Bryn certainly is. She's not the only interesting player on the page, however, as it was also cool to learn more about the rest of the Roth family and their allies and enemies.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003EAs has always been my experience with her work, Young's writing is incredibly readable. She really knows how to tell a tale, and when she nails a great moment, she really nails it. (And there were certainly some excellent moments in this one!) Unfortunately, there were aspects of the story that didn't quite work for me personally. The romance, while I did \u003Ci\u003Ewant\u003C\/i\u003E\u0026nbsp;it to blossom, felt underdeveloped. There were also events that felt too contrived, and the pacing was a touch choppy too. And the ending also felt more abrupt and less earned than I would have liked it to feel (which was likely due to the wrap-up chapters feeling a bit rushed).\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003EStill, I overall enjoyed reading \u003Cb\u003EThe Last Legacy\u003C\/b\u003E. It builds on the world that Young brought to life in her most recent duology, while also being an entirely separate story that has a very different vibe to it. Anyone who enjoyed the \u003Ci\u003EFable series\u003C\/i\u003E\u0026nbsp;will likely enjoy checking out this addition to the world as well, especially if they were already previously curious about the Roth family.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.goodreads.com\/book\/show\/56269227-the-last-legacy\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EThe Last Legacy\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E\u0026nbsp;by \u003Cb\u003EAdrienne Young\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003ERelated Books: \u003C\/b\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.alexalovesbooks.com\/2020\/09\/friends-with-arcs-fable-shine.html\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EFable\u003C\/a\u003E, \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.alexalovesbooks.com\/2021\/03\/abbreviations-125-dating-plan-down.html\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ENamesake\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003EPub Info: \u003C\/b\u003ESeptember 7, 2021 by Wednesday Books\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003ESource: \u003C\/b\u003Ee-ARC received from the publisher via NetGalley\u003C\/div\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.alexalovesbooks.com\/feeds\/3304703261173384204\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.alexalovesbooks.com\/2021\/09\/book-review-last-legacy.html#comment-form","title":"2 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/5335649676143335614\/posts\/default\/3304703261173384204"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/5335649676143335614\/posts\/default\/3304703261173384204"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.alexalovesbooks.com\/2021\/09\/book-review-last-legacy.html","title":"Book Review: The Last Legacy"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Alexa S."},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/13185723439360170259"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"32","height":"32","src":"\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-KohY3rNrdBc\/VkucJOMSAyI\/AAAAAAAANwg\/r0rDFwxix1Q\/s113\/IMG_0120.JPG"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-Bi8ZfEsdEo4\/YUewCkxIm6I\/AAAAAAAAY9w\/ffOhEbYaB1w29Yv4WpftQAh5RQpUd2keACLcBGAsYHQ\/s72-w640-h640-c\/TLL.png","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"2"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5335649676143335614.post-1601599763063770088"},"published":{"$t":"2021-09-19T09:00:00.004-04:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2021-09-19T09:00:00.251-04:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"blog tour"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"book review"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"By Alexa"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"fantasy"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Once Upon a Broken Heart"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Q\u0026A"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Stephanie Garber"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"young adult fiction"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Book Review: Once Upon a Broken Heart (+ Blog Tour Q\u0026A)"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-x2KQfs2rKgw\/YUcyGdkJ3gI\/AAAAAAAAY9o\/TzAe9Cin1E8exZ7H_1mi58ieVY1nO77dACLcBGAsYHQ\/s2048\/ouabh.png\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"2048\" data-original-width=\"2048\" height=\"640\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-x2KQfs2rKgw\/YUcyGdkJ3gI\/AAAAAAAAY9o\/TzAe9Cin1E8exZ7H_1mi58ieVY1nO77dACLcBGAsYHQ\/w640-h640\/ouabh.png\" width=\"640\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003EI was excited when it was announced that Stephanie Garber would be returning to the universe that she dreamed up in her \u003Ci\u003ECaraval series\u003C\/i\u003E. There’s so much unexplored potential when it comes to the lore and the setting, so I was eager to see how it would take shape in her brand-new series starter \u003Cb\u003EOnce Upon a Broken Heart\u003C\/b\u003E. This novel centers around Evangeline Fox, a young woman who grew up on a steady diet of fantastical tales and surrounded by magical curiosities. She strikes a deal with the Prince of Hearts, a Fate known for his mythic powers and deadly kiss, when she learns that the love of her life is set to marry someone else. The Prince only asks for three kisses in exchange for stopping the wedding, which seems harmless… until Evangeline discovers that his plans for her are beyond anything she could have imagined.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003EOnce Upon a Broken Heart\u003C\/b\u003E\u0026nbsp;feels like a modern fairytale. While there are recognizable tropes integrated into the plot (a girl who asks tricksy powerful beings for aid, prophecies and stories that may have been buried or misunderstood, political maneuverings and magical events), the way Garber wove them all together felt unique to this tale. In fact, I got swept away by the flow of the story and was content to simply let the story unfold with every chapter. Despite my best efforts, only the most minimal of my guesses about where things would go were right; I was surprised more than once by what did occur.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003EThe whimsical setting of the \u003Ci\u003ECaraval series\u003C\/i\u003E\u0026nbsp;has always been one of my favorite things about it; that's still true of \u003Cb\u003EOnce Upon a Broken Heart\u003C\/b\u003E. It was nice to have the familiarity of settings and people that were introduced previously, while also getting an entirely new set of faces, places and magical lore woven into this tale. (Personally, I just might have loved this setting even more -- it \u003Ci\u003Eis\u003C\/i\u003E\u0026nbsp;the Magnificent North for a reason.) The whimsy of this world that Garber has dreamed up is delightful and chaotic in turn, and I thoroughly enjoyed immersing myself in it completely.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003EWhat did cement my enjoyment of \u003Cb\u003EOnce Upon a Broken Heart\u003C\/b\u003E, however, is our heroine Evangeline (who has tied with Tella for my favorite). She feels so much like a girl I could be friends with, as well as a girl I could \u003Ci\u003Ebe\u003C\/i\u003E, and that level of personal relatability really worked for me. Evangeline believes in magic and in love; she's brave and stubborn; she may not always make the right choices but she learns from her mistakes; she usually tries to do the right thing. It was really lovely to tag along and see how her story plays out (especially as it wasn't exactly what I anticipated, and I really loved that). I was genuinely rooting for her from start to finish!\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003EI can't forget to mention that I also enjoyed Jacks. Which I never ever thought would happen since he didn't happen to sway my emotions at all when I was reading the \u003Ci\u003ECaraval series. \u003C\/i\u003EBut for some reason, in this particular book, I had stronger feelings about him -- \u003Ci\u003Econfusing\u003C\/i\u003E\u0026nbsp;feelings (since they're very contradictory), but stronger nonetheless. Strong enough, in fact, that I also care about the outcome of his story and what he's been trying to do.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003EOnce Upon a Broken Heart\u003C\/b\u003E\u0026nbsp;was a wonderful, imaginative new novel from Stephanie Garber. While grounding readers with the use of familiar elements from her previous trilogy, she also concocted an entirely brand new story from setting to characters to plot. I really enjoyed myself, though I couldn't have anticipated just how much! It was a really good read, and I'm definitely looking forward to the sequel (and anything else Garber puts out, really).\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.goodreads.com\/book\/show\/55987278-once-upon-a-broken-heart\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EOnce Upon a Broken Heart\u003C\/a\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/b\u003E(Once Upon a Broken Heart #1) by \u003Cb\u003EStephanie Garber\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003EPub Info: \u003C\/b\u003ESeptember 28, 2021 by Flatiron Books\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003ESource: \u003C\/b\u003EARC received from the publisher\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-sb6n-gzQgeo\/VblonHDu8UI\/AAAAAAAAMOc\/WIFNlPNYHuc\/s673-Ic42\/alb-divider.png\" style=\"clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"25\" data-original-width=\"673\" height=\"22\" src=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-sb6n-gzQgeo\/VblonHDu8UI\/AAAAAAAAMOc\/WIFNlPNYHuc\/s673-Ic42\/alb-divider.png\" width=\"640\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003EI was lucky enough to be asked to be a part of the blog tour for\u0026nbsp;\u003Cb\u003EOnce Upon a Broken Heart\u003C\/b\u003E! Not only did I receive the ARC for review, but I (along with a few other bloggers) got the chance to ask Stephanie a question. I'm including my question, as well as the ones from the other participating bloggers below.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003EYour books always read like fairytales (at least for me)! What are your favorite fairytales?\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/b\u003E\u003Cb\u003E– \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.blogger.com\/#\"\u003Ewww.alexalovesbooks.com\u003C\/a\u003E (That's me!)\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003EStephanie Garber: Thank you so much! I love fairytales and I have so many favorites. My very favorite is anything that’s Beauty and the Beast inspired. I love stories that involve truly unlikeable beast-like characters changing as they fall in love, and I’m always sucker for the kidnapped\/captive girl trope.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003EWe know the Prince of Hearts, Jacks, plays a leading role in Once Upon A Broken Heart. Can readers expect any other familiar faces from the Caraval series?\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/b\u003E\u003Cb\u003E– \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.blogger.com\/#\"\u003Ewww.TreatYoShelf.blog\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003ESG: I usually try not to answer this question—I like it when people don’t know what to expect. So, I won’t say if there will be any other familiar faces in Once Upon A Broken Heart. But I will say that readers might meet one or two characters who were mentioned in the Caraval series but didn’t actually get any page time.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003EWhy do you love Evangeline and the Prince of Hearts and why should readers root for them?\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/b\u003E\u003Cb\u003E– \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.blogger.com\/#\"\u003Ewww.eleventhirteenpm.com\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003ESG: This is such a funny question, and I feel as if I shouldn’t confess the answer to this because I actually wrote Once Upon A Broken Heart with the hope that readers would feel as if Evangeline should run far away from Jacks, but at the same time really want them to kiss each other.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003EI love Jacks because he’s pretty much the worst. He says terrible things and he does terrible things—which is why Evangeline should stay away from him. However, I love Evangeline because she’s such an optimist—I love that she believes in love at first sight and happily ever after, and even though she should probably run away from Jacks, I think she’s just the type of girl he needs in his life.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003EIf you could be transported into the world of ONCE UPON A BROKEN HEART, what kind of character do you think you would be and would you be easily swayed to make a deal with a Fate? – \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.blogger.com\/#\"\u003EACourtofCoffeeandBooks.com\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003ESG: Ooh, this is such a fun question. I want to say that I’d make a deal with a Fate because I think it would be interesting and exciting. But, I probably wouldn’t actually make a deal with a Fate because I know it never ends well. I’d most likely stay away from all things Fate and spend time seeing the wonders of the Magnificent North. I’d eat dragon roasted apples, hunt for enchanted books, look for mermaids in the ocean, and hopefully get in a little magical trouble, but not the kind that involves Fates.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003EWhich one of your characters do you relate to the most and why? Are there pieces of yourself in both Evangeline and Jacks? – \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.blogger.com\/#\"\u003Ewww.mermaidreadsbookblog.wordpress.com\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003ESG: There are always pieces of me in my heroines. I think Evangeline has a lot of my positivity and my optimism. I’m hopefully not like Jacks, but I will admit that I do relate to his character. I tend to hold onto things from the past, especially heartbreak, which is something that I have in common with the Prince of Hearts.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003EHope you enjoyed the Q\u0026amp;A \u0026amp; don't forget to add\u0026nbsp;Once Upon a Broken Heart to your TBR!\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.alexalovesbooks.com\/feeds\/1601599763063770088\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.alexalovesbooks.com\/2021\/09\/book-review-once-upon-broken-heart-blog.html#comment-form","title":"6 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/5335649676143335614\/posts\/default\/1601599763063770088"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/5335649676143335614\/posts\/default\/1601599763063770088"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.alexalovesbooks.com\/2021\/09\/book-review-once-upon-broken-heart-blog.html","title":"Book Review: Once Upon a Broken Heart (+ Blog Tour Q\u0026A)"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Alexa S."},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/13185723439360170259"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"32","height":"32","src":"\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-KohY3rNrdBc\/VkucJOMSAyI\/AAAAAAAANwg\/r0rDFwxix1Q\/s113\/IMG_0120.JPG"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-x2KQfs2rKgw\/YUcyGdkJ3gI\/AAAAAAAAY9o\/TzAe9Cin1E8exZ7H_1mi58ieVY1nO77dACLcBGAsYHQ\/s72-w640-h640-c\/ouabh.png","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"6"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5335649676143335614.post-6625741566813828501"},"published":{"$t":"2021-09-17T08:00:00.016-04:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2021-09-17T08:00:00.314-04:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Abbreviations"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"adult fiction"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"America is in the Heart"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"book review"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"By Alexa"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Carlos Bulosan"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Crying in H Mart"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Michelle Zauner"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"non-fiction"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Paul Kalanithi"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"When Breath Becomes Air"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Abbreviations #138: America is in the Heart, When Breath Becomes Air + Crying in H Mart"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-veIHgyy6eBk\/YT5OsxbQIYI\/AAAAAAAAY84\/dZ0oS83w0acMieNK_aNapfqeQHHvRqrhACLcBGAsYHQ\/s1600\/abb138.png\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"945\" data-original-width=\"1680\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-veIHgyy6eBk\/YT5OsxbQIYI\/AAAAAAAAY84\/dZ0oS83w0acMieNK_aNapfqeQHHvRqrhACLcBGAsYHQ\/w640-h360\/abb138.png\" width=\"640\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-nzAJr4Fskv8\/YT5Oz4CQkfI\/AAAAAAAAY88\/uaGyrfeg3TIv46ta2ql8Adz6ks8bVncuACLcBGAsYHQ\/s1600\/22758734.jpeg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"475\" data-original-width=\"308\" height=\"320\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-nzAJr4Fskv8\/YT5Oz4CQkfI\/AAAAAAAAY88\/uaGyrfeg3TIv46ta2ql8Adz6ks8bVncuACLcBGAsYHQ\/s320\/22758734.jpeg\" style=\"margin-left: 15px;\" width=\"207\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003ECarlos Bulosan is a name I’ve heard mentioned many times, but it was only this year that I finally took the plunge and picked up \u003Cb\u003EAmerica is in the Heart\u003C\/b\u003E. In this memoir, which is often considered a cornerstone of Filipino-American literature, Bulosan shares his life story. He begins by describing his childhood in the Philippines but goes on to detail his experience as a Filipino immigrant in the United States. His life, truthfully, sheds light on a part of Filipino (specifically Filipino-American, I suppose) history that I’ve never really learned about before. And it was definitely an eye-opening experience! Bulosan’s words paint a picture that seems just a touch idealized (cleaned up might, perhaps be a better term, and that made it feel much closer to fictional and dreamlike at times). It was impossible not to feel the raw emotions brimming within these pages, and it feels utterly intimate to be reading such a personal tale. There are many tragedies and momentary triumphs depicted; it invites readers to feel for what Bulosan, his family and his companions went through. It certainly wasn’t the easiest thing to read, as the tale includes racism, violence, abuse and difficulties. I felt, however, that it was important for me to get some insight into this particular era that I’d known nothing about, even just through the lens of one individual’s well-written story. So, even though it was always pleasant or fun, I’m ultimately glad I decided to finally read it this year.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.goodreads.com\/book\/show\/253813.America_Is_in_the_Heart\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EAmerica is in the Heart: A Personal History\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E\u0026nbsp;by \u003Cb\u003ECarlos Bulosan\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003EPub Info: \u003C\/b\u003EJune 18, 2019\u0026nbsp;by Blackstone Publishing, audio (or. pub. year 1946)\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-wZipvCnJykc\/YT5O3IyxyRI\/AAAAAAAAY9A\/j0AFGbQuafoagiAtJ5hOlx59m9DN0irOgCLcBGAsYHQ\/s1600\/25899336.jpeg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"470\" data-original-width=\"318\" height=\"320\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-wZipvCnJykc\/YT5O3IyxyRI\/AAAAAAAAY9A\/j0AFGbQuafoagiAtJ5hOlx59m9DN0irOgCLcBGAsYHQ\/s320\/25899336.jpeg\" width=\"217\" style=\"margin-right: 15px;\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003EWhen Breath Becomes Air\u003C\/b\u003E\u0026nbsp;recounts Paul Kalanathi’s life, both the time he spent working to become a surgeon and his eventual battle with lung cancer. I’d heard about this one years ago through A Cup of Jo (blogger Joanna Goddard is the sister of Paul’s widow Lucy), but only finally read it this year because it got picked for the family book club I have with my sisters and cousin. I knew this book would be heartbreaking to read (and it certainly had me in tears by the end). But it was also heartwarming and hopeful. Paul writes very simply, but his words express the honesty and emotion with which he recounts and reflects on his life experiences. I personally liked the conversational tone he opted for; it made me feel like I was hanging out with a friend! It did surprise me a little that I didn’t feel as emotional as I’d anticipated until closer to the end. But it was still a compelling account to read, especially as Paul grapples with the idea of life, death and the choices he had to make leading up to his own death. I’m glad I finally read it, and it was definitely interesting to discuss this one for our book club.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.goodreads.com\/book\/show\/25899336-when-breath-becomes-air\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EWhen Breath Becomes Air\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E\u0026nbsp;by \u003Cb\u003EPaul Kalanithi\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003EPub Info: \u003C\/b\u003EJanuary 12, 2016 by Random House Audio\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-deD0uNYOmTE\/YT5O6mQc9XI\/AAAAAAAAY9E\/_vnt12BnJpguW-dg8losD2taZbLLYGn4ACLcBGAsYHQ\/s1600\/54814676.jpeg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"400\" data-original-width=\"271\" height=\"320\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-deD0uNYOmTE\/YT5O6mQc9XI\/AAAAAAAAY9E\/_vnt12BnJpguW-dg8losD2taZbLLYGn4ACLcBGAsYHQ\/s320\/54814676.jpeg\" width=\"217\" style=\"margin-left: 15px;\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003EI can readily admit that I picked up \u003Cb\u003ECrying in H Mart\u003C\/b\u003E\u0026nbsp;entirely because of the title. (I seriously love H Mart so much, and often visit the branch nearest to our apartment to stock up on goodies.) This memoir is a collection of author Michelle Zauner’s recollections of her relationship with her mother, from the early days of childhood to the later years when her mother was battling cancer. I’m honestly glad to have been enticed into picking this one up! Zauner’s narrative voice is friendly and compelling; once I started reading, I found it hard to put this one down. Though I knew nothing about Zauner prior to reading the novel, I instantly felt a kinship in the way she recounted her memories. She certainly didn’t view her life, choices and relationships with rose-colored glasses, and there’s an honesty to the way she captured her memories on the page. Her writing felt so immersive, especially when it comes to transporting readers to the places and times she’s describing; she also had a knack for weaving food into the narrative (and making me hungry many times in the process). It was a memoir that was heartwarming and heartbreaking all at once, and I personally loved how it was so clear all throughout that mother and daughter love each other that despite their somewhat complicated relationship. It was really good, and quite moving, and I’m glad I read it.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.goodreads.com\/book\/show\/54814676-crying-in-h-mart\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ECrying in H Mart\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E\u0026nbsp;by \u003Cb\u003EMichelle Zauner\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003EPub Info: \u003C\/b\u003EApril 20, 2021 by Knopf Publishing Group\u003C\/div\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.alexalovesbooks.com\/feeds\/6625741566813828501\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.alexalovesbooks.com\/2021\/09\/abbreviations-138-america-is-in-heart.html#comment-form","title":"7 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/5335649676143335614\/posts\/default\/6625741566813828501"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/5335649676143335614\/posts\/default\/6625741566813828501"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.alexalovesbooks.com\/2021\/09\/abbreviations-138-america-is-in-heart.html","title":"Abbreviations #138: America is in the Heart, When Breath Becomes Air + Crying in H Mart"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Alexa S."},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/13185723439360170259"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"32","height":"32","src":"\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-KohY3rNrdBc\/VkucJOMSAyI\/AAAAAAAANwg\/r0rDFwxix1Q\/s113\/IMG_0120.JPG"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-veIHgyy6eBk\/YT5OsxbQIYI\/AAAAAAAAY84\/dZ0oS83w0acMieNK_aNapfqeQHHvRqrhACLcBGAsYHQ\/s72-w640-h360-c\/abb138.png","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"7"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5335649676143335614.post-6044877746469556431"},"published":{"$t":"2021-09-16T08:00:00.028-04:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2021-09-16T08:00:00.278-04:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"adult fiction"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Ali Hazelwood"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"book review"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"contemporary"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"contemporary romance"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Friends with ARCs"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"romance"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"The Love Hypothesis"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Friends with ARCs: The Love Hypothesis"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-hZXnK4Hyheg\/YT5L3UVe5oI\/AAAAAAAAY8w\/qeA6_eBzRr8iDZuKRsf8ljTaLXBbloy0wCLcBGAsYHQ\/s1600\/ACS_1687.JPG\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1512\" data-original-width=\"1512\" height=\"640\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-hZXnK4Hyheg\/YT5L3UVe5oI\/AAAAAAAAY8w\/qeA6_eBzRr8iDZuKRsf8ljTaLXBbloy0wCLcBGAsYHQ\/w640-h640\/ACS_1687.JPG\" width=\"640\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003EOlive Smith is determined to show her best friend that she's moved on from her last romantic relationship. If Anh requires proof, she'll get it - and that's how Olive finds herself in a panic-induced kiss with the first man she sees. The man in question just so happens to be Adam Carlsen,\u0026nbsp; the hot young professor who has a reputation for being an asshole... and the last person Olive ever expected to agree to a proposal for a mutually beneficial fake relationship. As they spend more time together and getting to know each other, it turns out there might be something real between them after all... And that is what \u003Cb\u003EThe Love Hypothesis\u003C\/b\u003E\u0026nbsp;is all about (with an additional element of academia and scientific studies in there too).\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003EAli Hazelwood's debut novel is an enjoyable contemporary romance! I'm always curious to see how I'm going to get on with a debut romance author's writing style, and I'm definitely pleased that Hazelwood is a potential promising new addition to the ranks of authors whose romances I consistently enjoy. Her writing is incredibly readable, and she did a great job weaving humor and heart into her story. (Listen, the shenanigans that Olive finds herself a part of had me positively cackling. And the sweet moments she shares with Adam most definitely made my heart hurt in a good way.) I immediately clicked with Olive and Adam from the start, and that made it all too easy to be rooting for them to actually fall in love and be happy together. (And really, at the core, this is the basic desire I have whenever I start a new romance read: to be rooting for the main couple wholeheartedly.) Throw in the fake dating trope, well-meaning friends, academia and scientific research elements, and it's no surprise that I devoured this one so quickly.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003EEven though there are pretty solid reasons for it happening, I was still frustrated by the deliberate ignorance and lack of communication\/miscommunication between our main couple towards the latter portion of the novel. I'm normally the type to accept these sorts of things in romances, but it just rubbed me the wrong way here and affected my feelings about the book.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003EDespite my misgivings about that particular aspect of the romance, I'm still of the opinion that \u003Cb\u003EThe Love Hypothesis\u003C\/b\u003E\u0026nbsp;is worth the read if you're a contemporary romance fan. It's a strong debut that sets a love story against the backdrop of academia and science, and I'm sure many readers will enjoy seeing the shenanigans that ensue as Olive and Adam figure out their feelings and what to do about them. This novel is Hazelwood's initial offering to the romance world, and after reading it, I'm looking forward to seeing what she writes next.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003EIf you went to grad school, what would you want to major in? \u003C\/b\u003EI likely would have chosen to pursue creative writing, though I'll admit that I entertain the thoughts of studying literature and history.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.goodreads.com\/book\/show\/56732449-the-love-hypothesis\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EThe Love Hypothesis\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E\u0026nbsp;by \u003Cb\u003EAli Hazelwood\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003EPub Info: \u003C\/b\u003ESeptember 14, 2021 by Berkley Books\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003ESource: \u003C\/b\u003EARC received from the publisher for review\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"250\" data-original-width=\"650\" height=\"246\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-88469PkMTJ0\/WrJ76Lb6O7I\/AAAAAAAAU8g\/Ao__v5e6DBQT39id4afih499UKdue6fSQCPcBGAYYCw\/w640-h246\/fwa-banner-alb-2a.png\" style=\"color: #0000ee;\" width=\"640\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.alexalovesbooks.com\/feeds\/6044877746469556431\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.alexalovesbooks.com\/2021\/09\/friends-with-arcs-love-hypothesis.html#comment-form","title":"6 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/5335649676143335614\/posts\/default\/6044877746469556431"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/5335649676143335614\/posts\/default\/6044877746469556431"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.alexalovesbooks.com\/2021\/09\/friends-with-arcs-love-hypothesis.html","title":"Friends with ARCs: The Love Hypothesis"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Alexa S."},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/13185723439360170259"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"32","height":"32","src":"\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-KohY3rNrdBc\/VkucJOMSAyI\/AAAAAAAANwg\/r0rDFwxix1Q\/s113\/IMG_0120.JPG"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-hZXnK4Hyheg\/YT5L3UVe5oI\/AAAAAAAAY8w\/qeA6_eBzRr8iDZuKRsf8ljTaLXBbloy0wCLcBGAsYHQ\/s72-w640-h640-c\/ACS_1687.JPG","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"6"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5335649676143335614.post-6071333351730928831"},"published":{"$t":"2021-09-14T08:05:00.000-04:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2021-09-14T08:04:16.352-04:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"adult fiction"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"book review"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"By Alexa"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Devil in Disguise"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"historical"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"historical romance"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Lisa Kleypas"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"romance"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"The Ravenels"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Book Review: Devil in Disguise"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-s7KD5-c4cg0\/YT43WWxNV8I\/AAAAAAAAY8Y\/AoI9vEcXl7wDbX1qH4JqpGgyBUI_ScbBwCLcBGAsYHQ\/s1600\/devil%2B%25281%2529.png\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"2048\" data-original-width=\"2048\" height=\"640\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-s7KD5-c4cg0\/YT43WWxNV8I\/AAAAAAAAY8Y\/AoI9vEcXl7wDbX1qH4JqpGgyBUI_ScbBwCLcBGAsYHQ\/w640-h640\/devil%2B%25281%2529.png\" width=\"640\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003EI've had an overall positive experience reading \u003Ci\u003EThe\u003C\/i\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003Ci\u003ERavenels\u003C\/i\u003E\u0026nbsp;historical romance series from Lisa Kleypas, but the latest installment \u003Cb\u003EDevil in Disguise\u003C\/b\u003E\u0026nbsp;is by far one of my favorites! In this novel, romance blossoms between Merritt Sterling, a widow who has taken charge of her husband's shipping company, and Keir MacRae, a Scottish whiskey distiller. But before they can properly figure out what to do about their undeniable chemistry, a secret is revealed that puts a target on Keir's back. Will they be able to find a way to overcome the threat and be together?\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003EI really enjoyed \u003Cb\u003EDevil in Disguise\u003C\/b\u003E! I don't read a ton of historical romances these days, but I can always count on Lisa Kleypas to write charming, lovely love stories that are all too easy for me to devour. In this particular case, the main couple played a large part in winning my favor, as I adored both Merritt and Keir. They have such similar personalities: strong-willed individuals who care deeply for those they love and will do what they believe is best to protect them. Merritt's independent nature, stubbornness and charm; Keir's hardworking, kind and outdoorsy nature; both of them were just so \u003Ci\u003Eappealing\u003C\/i\u003E, and it's unsurprising that I was invested in their romance immediately. The actual tale incorporates some typical historical romance tropes, but I didn't mind that all that much! It was still so fun to watch everything play out, and I was certainly entertained from start to finish. Throw in some great character cameos (from both this series and the \u003Ci\u003EWallflowers \u003C\/i\u003Eseries), a touch of banter and flirtation, a moment or two of vulnerability and softness and you'll end up with the perfect combination of what I personally enjoy in a romance.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003EThe one aspect of this book that I didn't love (although I didn't completely dislike it either) came in at the very end. There's a detail to the way things wrap up for our main couple that just didn't feel like it was a necessary addition, and I genuinely could have done without it. Still, because I just wanted Merritt and Keir to be happy, I'm not against it either, so make of that what you will!\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003EDevil in Disguise\u003C\/b\u003E\u0026nbsp;is easily one of the standouts in\u0026nbsp;\u003Ci\u003EThe Ravenels\u003C\/i\u003E\u0026nbsp;series. (Side note, I do find it funny that it's considered part of this series when the main cast doesn't include any Ravenel family members.) It was a great addition to this series (or maybe it's universe at this point, since one might argue that you can consider the \u003Ci\u003ERavenels\u003C\/i\u003E\u0026nbsp;+ the \u003Ci\u003EWallflowers\u003C\/i\u003E\u0026nbsp;as a group). Just thinking about\u0026nbsp;\u003Cb\u003EDevil in Disguise\u003C\/b\u003E\u0026nbsp;puts a smile on my face, and I can definitely recommend picking it up!\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.goodreads.com\/book\/show\/51178326-devil-in-disguise\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EDevil in Disguise\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E\u0026nbsp;by \u003Cb\u003ELisa Kleypas\u003C\/b\u003E\u0026nbsp;| \u003Cb\u003ESeries: \u003C\/b\u003EThe Ravenels #7\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003EPrevious Books in Series: \u003C\/b\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.alexalovesbooks.com\/2015\/11\/abbreviations-17-october-minis.html\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ECold-Hearted Rake\u003C\/a\u003E \/ \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.alexalovesbooks.com\/2016\/12\/abbreviations-30-november-minis.html\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EMarrying Winterborne\u003C\/a\u003E \/ \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.alexalovesbooks.com\/2017\/06\/abbreviations-34.html\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EDevil in Spring\u003C\/a\u003E \/ \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.alexalovesbooks.com\/2018\/03\/i-will-keep-you-safe-hello-stranger.html\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EHello Stranger\u003C\/a\u003E \/ \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.alexalovesbooks.com\/2019\/02\/book-review-devils-daughter-giveaway.html\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EDevil's Daughter\u003C\/a\u003E \/ \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.alexalovesbooks.com\/2020\/02\/book-review-chasing-cassandra.html\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EChasing Cassandra\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003EPublisher: \u003C\/b\u003EAvon | \u003Cb\u003EPublication Date: \u003C\/b\u003EJuly 27, 2021\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003ESource: \u003C\/b\u003Ee-galley received from the publisher via NetGalley\u003C\/div\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.alexalovesbooks.com\/feeds\/6071333351730928831\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.alexalovesbooks.com\/2021\/09\/book-review-devil-in-disguise.html#comment-form","title":"2 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/5335649676143335614\/posts\/default\/6071333351730928831"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/5335649676143335614\/posts\/default\/6071333351730928831"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.alexalovesbooks.com\/2021\/09\/book-review-devil-in-disguise.html","title":"Book Review: Devil in Disguise"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Alexa S."},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/13185723439360170259"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"32","height":"32","src":"\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-KohY3rNrdBc\/VkucJOMSAyI\/AAAAAAAANwg\/r0rDFwxix1Q\/s113\/IMG_0120.JPG"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-s7KD5-c4cg0\/YT43WWxNV8I\/AAAAAAAAY8Y\/AoI9vEcXl7wDbX1qH4JqpGgyBUI_ScbBwCLcBGAsYHQ\/s72-w640-h640-c\/devil%2B%25281%2529.png","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"2"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5335649676143335614.post-3534024559862626130"},"published":{"$t":"2021-09-13T08:00:00.026-04:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2021-09-13T08:00:00.277-04:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"book review"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"By Alexa"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"contemporary"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Friends with ARCs"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Miranda Kenneally"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"young adult fiction"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Friends with ARCs: The Pick-Up"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-FboO-epfwzA\/YT4_9SRxvCI\/AAAAAAAAY8g\/J5juG5a-WqgQ9kjJUL8OGo73sxUop7GdQCLcBGAsYHQ\/s1600\/pick-up.png\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"2048\" data-original-width=\"2048\" height=\"640\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-FboO-epfwzA\/YT4_9SRxvCI\/AAAAAAAAY8g\/J5juG5a-WqgQ9kjJUL8OGo73sxUop7GdQCLcBGAsYHQ\/w640-h640\/pick-up.png\" width=\"640\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003EI've been keeping up with all of Miranda Kenneally's work since I first read her debut \u003Ci\u003ECatching Jordan\u003C\/i\u003E\u0026nbsp;years ago, and I was looking forward to her latest YA contemporary novel \u003Cb\u003EThe Pick-Up\u003C\/b\u003E. The novel follows two teens, Mari and TJ, who first meet when they end up sharing a ride to a music festival. This is the beginning of a whirlwind weekend of music, fun and flirtation, but the pair must figure out how they're going to move forward -- both in their own lives, but also for their potential future together.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003EI liked \u003Cb\u003EThe Pick-Up\u003C\/b\u003E, though the premise itself feels a touch gimmicky. I found it as easy to read as Kenneally's other novels have been and devoured it in a matter of mere hours. And many elements of it were certainly enjoyable, like the music festival, seeing bits of Chicago (which made me want to visit the city one day), the meet cute (and meet again cute) moments. But due to the short length of the actual book \u003Ci\u003Eand\u003C\/i\u003E\u0026nbsp;the short timeline of a three-day weekend in the story, I just didn't feel like we really got the chance to get to know our main characters Mari and TJ intimately. They're each working through some difficult personal situations and complicated feelings (which was a surprise, as I didn't anticipate this being part of the story), and also trying to figure out how they feel about each other. But because I didn't feel fully invested in them or their relationship, the overall emotional impact was greatly diminished.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003EThe Pick-Up \u003C\/b\u003Ewasn't quite what I'd anticipated. It's most definitely a quick contemporary read with a sweet blossoming romantic connection. But it just also happens to dip its toes into more emotional waters along the way, though the lack of further development in this aspect means readers will be mere observers just witnessing a portion of what the characters are going through. It's a shame that it didn't quite hit the emotional beats I would have liked, but even so, it's still overall a decent read that made me smile when I got to the very end.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003EFive artists you'd like to see at a music festival?\u003C\/b\u003E\u0026nbsp;My answers are going to be predictable to anybody who knows my musical tastes, but hey, I like what I like! Taylor Swift, James Bay, Ed Sheeran, Westlife and Maggie Rogers (and I've seen all of these folks in concert before, true, but I would probably perish of happiness if they all did a festival together).\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.goodreads.com\/book\/show\/40944053-the-pick-up\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EThe Pick-Up\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E\u0026nbsp;by \u003Cb\u003EMiranda Kenneally\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003EPublisher: \u003C\/b\u003ESourcebooks Fire | \u003Cb\u003EPublication Date: \u003C\/b\u003ESeptember 7, 2021\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003ESource: \u003C\/b\u003Ee-galley received from the publisher via NetGalley\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"250\" data-original-width=\"650\" height=\"246\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-88469PkMTJ0\/WrJ76Lb6O7I\/AAAAAAAAU8g\/Ao__v5e6DBQT39id4afih499UKdue6fSQCPcBGAYYCw\/w640-h246\/fwa-banner-alb-2a.png\" style=\"color: #0000ee;\" width=\"640\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.alexalovesbooks.com\/feeds\/3534024559862626130\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.alexalovesbooks.com\/2021\/09\/friends-with-arcs-pick-up.html#comment-form","title":"3 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/5335649676143335614\/posts\/default\/3534024559862626130"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/5335649676143335614\/posts\/default\/3534024559862626130"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.alexalovesbooks.com\/2021\/09\/friends-with-arcs-pick-up.html","title":"Friends with ARCs: The Pick-Up"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Alexa S."},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/13185723439360170259"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"32","height":"32","src":"\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-KohY3rNrdBc\/VkucJOMSAyI\/AAAAAAAANwg\/r0rDFwxix1Q\/s113\/IMG_0120.JPG"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-FboO-epfwzA\/YT4_9SRxvCI\/AAAAAAAAY8g\/J5juG5a-WqgQ9kjJUL8OGo73sxUop7GdQCLcBGAsYHQ\/s72-w640-h640-c\/pick-up.png","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"3"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5335649676143335614.post-7459919509368452453"},"published":{"$t":"2021-09-06T08:00:00.063-04:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2021-09-06T08:00:00.249-04:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Abbreviations"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"adult fiction"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"book review"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"By Alexa"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"F.C. Yee"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"fantasy"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Leigh Bardugo"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Rule of Wolves"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"T.J. Klune"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"The House in the Cerulean Sea"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"The Shadow of Kyoshi"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"young adult fiction"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Abbreviations #137: Rule of Wolves, The House in the Cerulean Sea + The Shadow of Kyoshi"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-DeslGHD97Zo\/YTDT7U5UONI\/AAAAAAAAY7c\/c7B-mMCZhUIfwRv4AoVa-edeIaSkFtDcwCLcBGAsYHQ\/s1680\/abb137.png\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"945\" data-original-width=\"1680\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-DeslGHD97Zo\/YTDT7U5UONI\/AAAAAAAAY7c\/c7B-mMCZhUIfwRv4AoVa-edeIaSkFtDcwCLcBGAsYHQ\/w640-h360\/abb137.png\" width=\"640\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-750H7jI1VWA\/YTDUA7YpIkI\/AAAAAAAAY7g\/GcEx5hjt7PYcLpMKg1j9D3mlKgfdOYgSQCLcBGAsYHQ\/s1600\/45047384._SY475_.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"475\" data-original-width=\"317\" height=\"320\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-750H7jI1VWA\/YTDUA7YpIkI\/AAAAAAAAY7g\/GcEx5hjt7PYcLpMKg1j9D3mlKgfdOYgSQCLcBGAsYHQ\/w214-h320\/45047384._SY475_.jpg\" width=\"214\" style=\"margin-left: 15px;\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003EI’m always nervous about picking up a title that is extremely hyped up by the online book community I’m a part of, and \u003Cb\u003EThe House in the Cerulean Sea \u003C\/b\u003Ewas no exception. This adult fantasy standalone from TJ Klune had earned a lot of love and praise from readers, with particular emphasis on how wholesome and heartwarming it was. And, after reading it for our family book club, I can confirm both of those things are true. Our central character is Linus, a man in his mid-forties who leads a rather unremarkable, solitary life with only his cat, his records and his job to keep him preoccupied. He’s summoned by Extremely Upper Management out of the blue to take on a highly classified assignment: a visit to the Marsyas Island Orphanage to assess the well-being of the unusual children who live there and to report back on their home and caretaker. This slice-of-life-with-a-dash-of-magic tale is wonderful, and calls to mind the nostalgic, warm fuzzy feelings I often get when viewing a Pixar or a Miyazaki film. While it might seem odd considering how things begin, I, for one, was immediately captivated from the minute we’re introduced to Linus. And his character journey was a wonderful one to be along for the ride especially as we see him slowly change during the time he spends on this ‘special’ assignment of his. Throw in a delightful cast of characters (I was particularly partial to Chauncey, Theodore and Lucy, though I have so much love for this cast on the whole), sprinkles of whimsy and magic, a vivid setting, and a whole lot of heart-tugging feels, and you’ll understand even more what makes this book so special! The only nitpicky thing I can really comment on is the jarring direct delivery of the themes in this tale; it was a touch clunky, but because I was liking everything else so much, it was easy enough to let it slide. I don’t think I ended up falling head over heels in love with \u003Cb\u003EThe House in the Cerulean Sea\u003C\/b\u003E the way so many others have, but it was delightful to read.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.goodreads.com\/book\/show\/45047384-the-house-in-the-cerulean-sea\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EThe House in the Cerulean Sea\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E\u0026nbsp;by \u003Cb\u003ET.J. Klune\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003EPublisher: \u003C\/b\u003ETor Books | \u003Cb\u003EPublication Date: \u003C\/b\u003EMarch 17, 2020\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Ci\u003EPlease be advised that the next two novels are second books in their respective series, so there may be spoilers for the previous book in the series in my thoughts below.\u003C\/i\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-urn3PExMsgw\/YTDUF8Zet0I\/AAAAAAAAY7k\/Pi9ao9mrwqMXX06o-uU8lqy8O-AJWNMrwCLcBGAsYHQ\/s1600\/36307674._SY475_.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"475\" data-original-width=\"317\" height=\"320\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-urn3PExMsgw\/YTDUF8Zet0I\/AAAAAAAAY7k\/Pi9ao9mrwqMXX06o-uU8lqy8O-AJWNMrwCLcBGAsYHQ\/s320\/36307674._SY475_.jpg\" width=\"214\" style=\"margin-right: 15px;\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003EThe temptation to simply yell incoherently (asdkfjghihgdagdjig) or to simply shove\u0026nbsp;\u003Cb\u003ERule of Wolves\u003C\/b\u003E\u0026nbsp;at other readers is very high. I went into it without any expectations, considering that was what affected my first read of its predecessor\u0026nbsp;\u003Ci\u003EKing of Scars\u003C\/i\u003E\u0026nbsp;(which, by the way, I totally enjoyed more on my second read).\u0026nbsp;\u003Cb\u003ERule of Wolves\u003C\/b\u003E\u0026nbsp;takes off where right King of Scars ends, and essentially, it has our main trio - Nina Zenik, Zoya Nazyalensky and Nikolai Lantsov - scrambling to find a way to change the Fjerdan perception of Grisha, win the war for Ravka on all fronts and keep the throne secure… all while dealing with their own personal struggles. To sum it all up, I loved it. I was genuinely impressed with Bardugo’s ability to weave so many threads together to tell an epic tale that brings this particular era in the Grishaverse to a close. It’s not simply the plot that worked well for me; it’s the characters that we follow, especially our main three. Where in \u003Ci\u003EKing of Scars\u003C\/i\u003E, I’d been lukewarm on Nina’s storyline, I actually found I liked it more here (though the ending is still something I’m 50\/50 on). And, of course, it’s unsurprising that I loved Nikolai’s storyline, because I’ve always loved him and I am always down to witness him make the best out of every situation in order to do what’s best for the country he’s decided to fight for. But the real surprise was Zoya, who has now won my whole heart with the continued insight into who she is and what she’s capable of. My emotional investment in the wellbeing of these three (and many other characters who get page time) was really intense and that, I’m sure, made all the difference in my reading experience. (Also, did I mention that we get cameos? Because we get cameos, and it’s all sorts of delightful when they happen.) Even though it’s clear that I really adored this, I can honestly say it’s not perfect. There were aspects of the story that felt underutilized and a bit convenient, and I’m still unsure how I feel about all the parts of the end. But I still found it to be an ultimately fulfilling conclusion to the duology! For that alone (and for the way it really hit my sweet spot emotionally), I would certainly recommend picking up \u003Cb\u003ERule of Wolves\u003C\/b\u003E.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.goodreads.com\/book\/show\/36307674-rule-of-wolves\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ERule of Wolves\u003C\/a\u003E \u003C\/b\u003E(King of Scars #2) by \u003Cb\u003ELeigh Bardugo\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003EPublisher: \u003C\/b\u003EImprint | \u003Cb\u003EPublication Date: \u003C\/b\u003EMarch 30, 2021\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003EIf you want to hear me, Macky and our friend Danica discuss this one, check out these podcast eps:\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/anchor.fm\/fandombuzzz\/episodes\/S02E07-Bookish-Breakdowns-5--Part-One-Rule-of-Wolves-e10msnq\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ES2E07: Bookish Breakdowns #5.1 - Rule of Wolves\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/anchor.fm\/fandombuzzz\/episodes\/S02E08-Bookish-Breakdowns-5--Part-Two-Rule-of-Wolves-e10mta1\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ES2E08: Bookish Breakdowns #5.2 - Rule of Wolves\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-UUtF_J8VzlY\/YTDUJstigcI\/AAAAAAAAY7o\/ZhPzrOE1eXUy30tuzHBB9q4tAywj3GfVQCLcBGAsYHQ\/s1600\/50158990.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1505\" data-original-width=\"1000\" height=\"320\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-UUtF_J8VzlY\/YTDUJstigcI\/AAAAAAAAY7o\/ZhPzrOE1eXUy30tuzHBB9q4tAywj3GfVQCLcBGAsYHQ\/s320\/50158990.jpg\" width=\"213\" style=\"margin-left: 15px;\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003EFans of the Avatar: The Last Airbender franchise, specifically those of us who have read and enjoyed \u003Ci\u003EThe Rise of Kyoshi\u003C\/i\u003E, will also equally enjoy getting more of Kyoshi’s tale in \u003Cb\u003EThe Shadow of Kyoshi\u003C\/b\u003E. F.C. Yee (with help from Michael Dante DiMartino) continues revealing more of Kyoshi’s personal history through a narrative that combines the cascading effects from Kyoshi’s choices, her struggle to come to terms with being the Avatar, and the new enemies that have made themselves known. Much like the previous book, the heart of this story (and, arguably, the heart of all Avatar’s stories) is Kyoshi’s attempt to reconcile herself and her role against the backdrop of the world. It’s incredibly fascinating to see another Avatar’s experiences, especially with her unusual beginnings, and that’s definitely been my favorite part of the series overall. The hallmarks of the world and the lore are ever present, as are the inevitable group of companions (new and familiar) that surround the Avatar; both aspects made this reading experience extra enjoyable despite the plot being solid but ultimately nothing too new. While I do think this story would have been even better if it had been animated, this new addition to what we know of Avatar Kyoshi’s life was a satisfying reading experience overall and I’d highly recommend both of the books in this duology to ATLA fans craving more of the franchise.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.goodreads.com\/book\/show\/50158990-the-shadow-of-kyoshi\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EThe Shadow of Kyoshi\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E\u0026nbsp;(The Kyoshi Novels #2) by F.C. Yee\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003EPublisher: \u003C\/b\u003EAmulet Books | \u003Cb\u003EPublication Date: \u003C\/b\u003EJuly 21, 2020\u003C\/div\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.alexalovesbooks.com\/feeds\/7459919509368452453\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.alexalovesbooks.com\/2021\/09\/abbreviations-137-rule-of-wolves-house.html#comment-form","title":"6 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/5335649676143335614\/posts\/default\/7459919509368452453"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/5335649676143335614\/posts\/default\/7459919509368452453"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.alexalovesbooks.com\/2021\/09\/abbreviations-137-rule-of-wolves-house.html","title":"Abbreviations #137: Rule of Wolves, The House in the Cerulean Sea + The Shadow of Kyoshi"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Alexa S."},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/13185723439360170259"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"32","height":"32","src":"\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-KohY3rNrdBc\/VkucJOMSAyI\/AAAAAAAANwg\/r0rDFwxix1Q\/s113\/IMG_0120.JPG"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-DeslGHD97Zo\/YTDT7U5UONI\/AAAAAAAAY7c\/c7B-mMCZhUIfwRv4AoVa-edeIaSkFtDcwCLcBGAsYHQ\/s72-w640-h360-c\/abb137.png","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"6"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5335649676143335614.post-6894861911762409942"},"published":{"$t":"2021-09-03T08:00:00.028-04:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2021-09-03T08:00:00.326-04:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"A Psalm for the Wild-Built"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"adult fiction"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Becky Chambers"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"book review"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"By Alexa"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Monk and Robot"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"science fiction"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Book Review: A Psalm for the Wild-Built"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-O5UHfHS_JJg\/YTDM61pXP5I\/AAAAAAAAY7U\/3j_DVoe8efIWjtiQcNdWidXYTGrSFR1UQCLcBGAsYHQ\/s1600\/psalm.png\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1080\" data-original-width=\"1080\" height=\"640\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-O5UHfHS_JJg\/YTDM61pXP5I\/AAAAAAAAY7U\/3j_DVoe8efIWjtiQcNdWidXYTGrSFR1UQCLcBGAsYHQ\/w640-h640\/psalm.png\" width=\"640\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003EWhile I've heard a lot about Becky Chambers (particularly the novel \u003Ci\u003EA Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet\u003C\/i\u003E), her newest release \u003Cb\u003EA Psalm for the Wild-Built\u003C\/b\u003E is my first experience with her work... and it certainly won't be my last! This sci-fi story is about a tea monk who sets out on a journey without really knowing what it is they are truly in search of, and the robot he encounters who has been assigned the task of checking in on the humans centuries after robots gained self-awareness and wandered into the wilderness. This slice-of-life novel follows the pair, who wind up on a journey together as they try to make sense of themselves and the world around them.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003EThe first word that comes to mind when I think of \u003Cb\u003EA Psalm for the Wild-Built\u003C\/b\u003E is cozy. While most of the story is set in the wilds (locations that are either abandoned or ruined or very much in the outdoors with no civilization), there's a warmth permeating the entire tale that invites the reader to sit down and stay until the story draws to a close. The next word I can think of to describe this story is dreamy. The way this is written feels a little like wandering into a modern fairytale, and the world that comes to life with the author's words feels quite fantastical. The third word that comes to mind as a descriptor is meandering. The pacing is specifically what I'm thinking of, and I do think it serves the story well. The reader gets to spend time immersed in learning about the world, as well as really sitting with the reflections and questions sprinkled all throughout. It's also a treat to spend so much time with Sibling Dex, the non-binary tea monk who sets out on a spontaneous journey, and Mosscap, the robot who they meet along the way.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003EChambers managed to hit my sweet spot with her well-written novel, as I really enjoyed \u003Cb\u003EA Psalm for the Wild-Built\u003C\/b\u003E. It's not quite like anything I've ever read before! I picked up this book at just the right time too, as it fulfilled my desire for a simple, thoughtful, immersive tale. I'm really happy I ended up picking up this book and I can't wait to read more in this series! (And I fully intend to try Chambers' Wayfarers series as well.)\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.goodreads.com\/book\/show\/55077657-a-psalm-for-the-wild-built\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EA Psalm for the Wild-Built\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E\u0026nbsp;(Monk and Robot #1) by \u003Cb\u003EBecky Chambers\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003EPublisher: \u003C\/b\u003ETor.com | \u003Cb\u003EPublication Date: \u003C\/b\u003EJuly 13, 2021\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003ESource: \u003C\/b\u003Ee-galley received from the publisher via NetGalley\u003C\/div\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.alexalovesbooks.com\/feeds\/6894861911762409942\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.alexalovesbooks.com\/2021\/09\/book-review-psalm-for-wild-built.html#comment-form","title":"1 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/5335649676143335614\/posts\/default\/6894861911762409942"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/5335649676143335614\/posts\/default\/6894861911762409942"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.alexalovesbooks.com\/2021\/09\/book-review-psalm-for-wild-built.html","title":"Book Review: A Psalm for the Wild-Built"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Alexa S."},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/13185723439360170259"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"32","height":"32","src":"\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-KohY3rNrdBc\/VkucJOMSAyI\/AAAAAAAANwg\/r0rDFwxix1Q\/s113\/IMG_0120.JPG"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-O5UHfHS_JJg\/YTDM61pXP5I\/AAAAAAAAY7U\/3j_DVoe8efIWjtiQcNdWidXYTGrSFR1UQCLcBGAsYHQ\/s72-w640-h640-c\/psalm.png","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"1"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5335649676143335614.post-6656466875717085536"},"published":{"$t":"2021-09-02T08:00:00.018-04:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2021-09-02T08:00:00.293-04:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"book review"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"By Alexa"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Eiko Kadono"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"fantasy"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Kiki's Delivery Service"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"middle grade fiction"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Book Review: Kiki's Delivery Service"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-4Un4SfL3qSE\/YS_KDdO6PAI\/AAAAAAAAY7I\/OnpWt8a8hXw6EixW-6kp4u2NJoFWw1qkACLcBGAsYHQ\/s1600\/ACS_1665.JPG\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1512\" data-original-width=\"1512\" height=\"640\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-4Un4SfL3qSE\/YS_KDdO6PAI\/AAAAAAAAY7I\/OnpWt8a8hXw6EixW-6kp4u2NJoFWw1qkACLcBGAsYHQ\/w640-h640\/ACS_1665.JPG\" width=\"640\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003EI love \u003Cb\u003EKiki's Delivery Service\u003C\/b\u003E. This is no surprise to longtime readers of the blog, I'm sure, as I've likely mentioned my love for the Studio Ghibli film adaptation more than once before. The lovely animation style brings this charming slice of life story about a young witch to life beautifully, and I love it even more each time I do a rewatch. I've been curious about the novel it's based on for years, and when I saw the repackaged 2020 version with a stunning cover illustration, I knew I had to take the plunge and acquire a copy. \u003Cb\u003EKiki's Delivery Service\u003C\/b\u003E, for anyone who is unfamiliar with the title, is about young half-witch Kiki, who turns thirteen and is ready to set off on an adventure following the witch's tradition of choosing a new town to call her home for a year. She settles in the town of Koriko, confident that she'll be able to carve out a place for herself... except that things turn out to be more difficult than anticipated. But with the help of new friends, and despite the obstacles she has to face, Kiki eventually does find her way.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003EI loved reading \u003Cb\u003EKiki's Delivery Service\u003C\/b\u003E so much! (Listening, that is, as I actually wound up going the audiobook route for it. The narrator brought the story to life really well.) It was wonderful to immerse myself in this story, and I fell even more in love with Kiki and her adventures. It was delightful to recognize details that Miyazaki pulled directly from Kadono's work to incorporate into his film, almost like having an insider's perspective to the tale. It had just enough familiarity to inspire the warm coziness I feel whenever I watch the film, that's for sure! But it also had a few elements that are unique to the novel, and those were a very welcome surprise. Truthfully, however, Kiki herself is the star of the show! I loved getting to hang out with this sassy and clever young witch (and I definitely cackled quite a few times due to her antics or remarks). But I also found myself getting emotional over and resonating with Kiki's journey of self-discovery, particularly as she tries to figure out where she belongs and what she can do.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003EKiki's Delivery Service\u003C\/b\u003E was excellent! That's really not too much of a surprise considering how much I love the film, which is a pretty spot on adaptation of this magical middle grade tale. I'm really glad that I finally read it (and yes, I totally did a rewatch of the film after I finished), and would certainly recommend checking it out regardless of whether you've seen the film. (And I obviously also recommend checking the film out too!)\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.goodreads.com\/book\/show\/53029302-kiki-s-delivery-service\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EKiki's Delivery Service\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E\u0026nbsp;by \u003Cb\u003EEiko Kadono\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003EPublished: \u003C\/b\u003EJuly 7, 2020 (original pub. 1985) | \u003Cb\u003EPublisher: \u003C\/b\u003EDelacorte Press\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003ESource:\u003C\/b\u003E\u0026nbsp;e-galley received from the publisher via NetGalley for review\u003C\/div\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.alexalovesbooks.com\/feeds\/6656466875717085536\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.alexalovesbooks.com\/2021\/09\/book-review-kikis-delivery-service.html#comment-form","title":"1 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/5335649676143335614\/posts\/default\/6656466875717085536"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/5335649676143335614\/posts\/default\/6656466875717085536"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.alexalovesbooks.com\/2021\/09\/book-review-kikis-delivery-service.html","title":"Book Review: Kiki's Delivery Service"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Alexa S."},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/13185723439360170259"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"32","height":"32","src":"\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-KohY3rNrdBc\/VkucJOMSAyI\/AAAAAAAANwg\/r0rDFwxix1Q\/s113\/IMG_0120.JPG"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-4Un4SfL3qSE\/YS_KDdO6PAI\/AAAAAAAAY7I\/OnpWt8a8hXw6EixW-6kp4u2NJoFWw1qkACLcBGAsYHQ\/s72-w640-h640-c\/ACS_1665.JPG","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"1"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5335649676143335614.post-2981492928951760091"},"published":{"$t":"2021-08-30T09:00:00.006-04:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2021-08-31T08:54:49.530-04:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"book review"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"By Alexa"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"contemporary"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Helen Hoang"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"romance"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"The Heart Principle"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"The Kiss Quotient"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Book Review: The Heart Principle"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-jVe1iivuv90\/YSzUXuQCmkI\/AAAAAAAAY50\/Jrx3aOzq1wIaFd8HjUdeGYUfva6vBLWRgCLcBGAsYHQ\/s1600\/thp.png\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1080\" data-original-width=\"1080\" height=\"640\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-jVe1iivuv90\/YSzUXuQCmkI\/AAAAAAAAY50\/Jrx3aOzq1wIaFd8HjUdeGYUfva6vBLWRgCLcBGAsYHQ\/w640-h640\/thp.png\" width=\"640\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003EI basically started reading \u003Cb\u003EThe Heart Principle\u003C\/b\u003E the very instant that I was granted access to an early electronic review copy because I’ve been dying to get my hands on the third installment of \u003Ci\u003EThe Kiss Quotient series\u003C\/i\u003E for quite some time now. I’m pleased to report that, while it hasn’t quite dethroned \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.alexalovesbooks.com\/2018\/06\/not-all-according-to-plan-kiss-quotient.html\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EThe Kiss Quotient\u003C\/a\u003E as my favorite, it was a really, really, really excellent addition to the series.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003EOur heroine Anna Sun is a gifted violinist whose career took off considerably after a video of one of her performances goes viral on YouTube. But now she’s dealing with the anxiety and burnout of her many attempts to play the music with the connection and passion she once felt. On top of her career woes, Anna’s boyfriend decides he wants them to try an open relationship before they commit to marriage. And so, angry, hurt, stressed but still determined to put her best foot forward, Anna decides that she’ll be open to one-night stands. Cue her app match-up with Quan Diep, a handsome tattooed motorcyclist who has insecurities of his own. Their original plans fall apart more than once, but their blossoming relationship opens Anna up to a world of unconditional acceptance and care. But when Anna is called upon to help out in a time of great crisis, will the familial expectations end up tearing her and their budding relationship apart?\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003ELet’s get one thing out of the way: \u003Cb\u003EThe Heart Principle\u003C\/b\u003E is different from the other books in this series. While all three books share Hoang’s authorial style when it comes to character development and relationships (romantic, familial, etc), as well as plot progression, this novel feels heavier. (And upon further reflection, that has a lot to do with the emotional weightlifting readers do with Anna and Quan all throughout.) There’s a very raw honesty that permeates the narrative; it goes so far as to feel quite melancholy and stressful at certain points. Despite the difference in overall feel, \u003Cb\u003EThe Heart Principle\u003C\/b\u003E was still captivating (as proven by the fact that I read it all in one night since I was driven by the need to see how it would all turn out!\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003EI really loved this novel. The plot – from romantic developments to individual struggles – was compelling and immersive. The characters – from our main couple to the secondary characters (including individuals making cameos and others I didn’t particularly care for) – felt like real people who leapt off the page. And the relationships – from familial to friendly to romantic – were very much the same. The emotional beats that made me feel so many ways. I laughed. I cried. I got angry. I was afraid. And all those feelings manifested with a rare intensity too.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003EWhat really sticks out to me the most, however, is how I felt connected to Anna herself. I’ve never been in exactly the same situations (I’m not a violinist, and fortunately, I haven’t faced a similar familial crisis). But the emotional upheaval she goes through? The thoughts she grapples with regularly? The way she interacts with the world and other folks? All those things I’ve experienced in a similar form or fashion in my own life. To see them so acutely reflected in fiction was a surprise; to feel seen by their depiction was startling but not an unwelcome response. This had a particular effect on my experience of and my attachment to this novel, that’s for sure.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003EI can’t recommend diving into \u003Cb\u003EThe Heart Principle\u003C\/b\u003E as your first Helen Hoang read (partially because of the foundational quality of the two books before it, and partially because of its overall heaviness and subject matter). But I would say that it’s worth the read for sure, especially if you’re already an established fan of Hoang’s other work. I absolutely devoured \u003Cb\u003EThe Heart Principle\u003C\/b\u003E. It’s the kind of story that really puts your heart through an emotional roller coaster, but leaves you feeling hopeful and heart-full by the end. I loved my time reading it, and it’s definitely cemented Hoang as one of my favorite writers.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E(For your reference, I’m including the same list of content warnings I mentioned in my Goodreads review. I’ve included most of the major ones, but I apologize in advance if I missed any — anxiety and panic attacks, autism, cancer, sterility, toxic family members, family member with severe illness, burnout, autistic burnout, reckless endangerment of self, suicide ideation, ableism.)\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.goodreads.com\/book\/show\/50056075-the-heart-principle\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003EThe Heart Principle\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003Cb\u003E(The Kiss Quotient #3)\u003C\/b\u003E by \u003Cb\u003EHelen Hoang\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003EPrevious Books in the Series: \u003C\/b\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.alexalovesbooks.com\/2018\/06\/not-all-according-to-plan-kiss-quotient.html\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EThe Kiss Quotient\u003C\/a\u003E, \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.alexalovesbooks.com\/2019\/04\/book-review-bride-test.html?m=1\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EThe Bride Test\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003EPublisher: \u003C\/b\u003EBerkley\u0026nbsp;| \u003Cb\u003EPublication Date:\u003C\/b\u003E\u0026nbsp;August 31, 2021\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003ESource: \u003C\/b\u003Ee-galley received from the publisher via NetGalley\u003C\/div\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.alexalovesbooks.com\/feeds\/2981492928951760091\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.alexalovesbooks.com\/2021\/08\/book-review-heart-principle.html#comment-form","title":"1 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/5335649676143335614\/posts\/default\/2981492928951760091"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/5335649676143335614\/posts\/default\/2981492928951760091"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.alexalovesbooks.com\/2021\/08\/book-review-heart-principle.html","title":"Book Review: The Heart Principle"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Alexa S."},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/13185723439360170259"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"32","height":"32","src":"\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-KohY3rNrdBc\/VkucJOMSAyI\/AAAAAAAANwg\/r0rDFwxix1Q\/s113\/IMG_0120.JPG"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-jVe1iivuv90\/YSzUXuQCmkI\/AAAAAAAAY50\/Jrx3aOzq1wIaFd8HjUdeGYUfva6vBLWRgCLcBGAsYHQ\/s72-w640-h640-c\/thp.png","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"1"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5335649676143335614.post-584948744767483918"},"published":{"$t":"2021-07-22T09:17:00.001-04:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2021-07-29T09:25:47.053-04:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Altered"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"book club"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"book club Q\u0026A"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"book review"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"collaborations"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Jennifer Rush"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"paranormal"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Paranormal Book Club"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"young adult fiction"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Paranormal Book Club: Altered"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003EWelcome to another \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.alexalovesbooks.com\/p\/paranormal-book-club.html\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003EParanormal Book Club\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E post! The \u003Cb\u003EParanormal Book Club\u003C\/b\u003E is a casual book club I do with my friends \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.hello-chelly.com\/\"\u003ERachel\u003C\/a\u003E, \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.superspacechick.com\/\"\u003EKristin\u003C\/a\u003E \u0026amp; \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.thislifeinfiction.com\/\"\u003EDJ\u003C\/a\u003E, and it came into being because we decided we wanted to revisit (or experience for the first time) a few older YA paranormal\/fantasy books together. Rachel, DJ \u0026amp; I picked up \u003Cb\u003EAltered\u003C\/b\u003E\u0026nbsp;recently, and I was the only one of us who hadn't ever read this one. I knew the other two absolutely love the book, so I was eager to see how I felt about it.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003ESummary:\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/b\u003EAnna has been helping her father care for and keep an eye on four young men who are basically imprisoned in their basement. The teens have been ‘enhanced’ by a private institution, giving them strengths and capabilities that no regular old human would possess. Before they can be claimed and used by their ‘benefactors’, they stage an escape… with the blessing of Anna’s dad so long as they bring her with them. Pursued by enemies and unable to know who they can trust, the group must figure out the truth about everything before it’s too late.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-fnlvHmsJkt4\/YPluvq2FZKI\/AAAAAAAAY2Y\/KwSNvO6io88limS2oKG99o6KuFSYsuPUgCLcBGAsYHQ\/s1600\/altered.png\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"315\" data-original-width=\"560\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-fnlvHmsJkt4\/YPluvq2FZKI\/AAAAAAAAY2Y\/KwSNvO6io88limS2oKG99o6KuFSYsuPUgCLcBGAsYHQ\/w640-h360\/altered.png\" width=\"640\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003EWhat were your initial thoughts about the book? Were you excited to read it?\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003EIt’s been a hot minute since I’ve read a sci-fi\/dystopian YA book. But I was eager to pick up this series starter from Jennifer Rush for the Paranormal Book Club as I wanted to see if I was going to end up loving the novel as much as my friends Rachel \u0026amp; DJ do. (Spoiler alert: I very much did and proceeded to purchase this book and the rest of the series!) While I fully expected to have fun reading this story, I didn’t anticipate this novel being one of the most compelling stories I’d get to read this year. I flew through this one, simply because I just had to know what would happen next. I found the cast of characters really likable and easy to root for and combining that with a fast-paced plot filled with intrigue and action, well, it was all too easy to get swept up in the tale. Whether it’s due to my minimal experience reading the genre or the fact that it’s been some time since I last dove into a book like it, I couldn’t really predict where the story was going to go either, which kept me on the edge of my seat. It was definitely a pleasant surprise to be so invested in this story and to enjoy it as much as I did! (I also listened to the audiobook for this one, and the format worked very well for this story. The narrator did a great job bringing it to life.)\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E \u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003EWhat was your favorite quote or passage, and why did it resonate with you?\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003EI actually included in the graphic above - \"That's\u0026nbsp;what hope was. Clinging to something you weren't sure would ever be yours. But you had to hold on anyway, because without it, what was the point?” Hope is so, so important to have and keep a hold of, and this quote just mirrors the way I feel.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003EWhat character did you relate to the most, and what was it about them that you connected with?\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003ENick is my favorite character in the series, but he’s the one I have heart eyes for and not the character I relate to the most. That distinction belongs to Anna! I really appreciated that her heart was always in the right place. While she’s not prepared for being on the run with the boys, I did like that she was willing to learn and adapt. And I loved that she was so willing to help them, even with so much at stake. Our girl really rolls with the punches and simply gets back up, and I definitely admired and related to that!\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003EWas there anything you wanted to see more of in the book, like more page time for a secondary character or a plot point you wish was explored more?\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003EI’m pretty content with the reveals we get regarding the plot and lore in this story, especially since I went into this one knowing that it was only the start to a series. We get just enough of an explanation to understand what’s going on, as well as see the potential for future chapters in this story. But I do want more page time with my favorite secondary character Nick, a grumpy stoic dude with a heart of gold (and yes, I know, I have a type).\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003EWhat are your final thoughts? Would you read this book again and\/or continue with the series? Would you read another book written by the same author?\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EI had so much fun reading \u003Cb\u003EAltered\u003C\/b\u003E, and again, it was genuinely such a good surprise to find a series starter that 1) held up really well considering it was written almost a decade ago and 2) really sucked me into the story from start to end. I would definitely reread this in the future, and plan on finishing up the rest of the series as well!\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003EIf you're interested in finding out what the others thought, check out their posts below:\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.thislifeinfiction.com\/2021\/07\/29\/paranormal-book-club-altered-by-jennifer-rush\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ELife in Fiction\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.hello-chelly.com\/2021\/07\/paranormal-book-club-altered.html\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EHello, Chelly\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.alexalovesbooks.com\/feeds\/584948744767483918\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.alexalovesbooks.com\/2021\/07\/paranormal-book-club-altered.html#comment-form","title":"0 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/5335649676143335614\/posts\/default\/584948744767483918"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/5335649676143335614\/posts\/default\/584948744767483918"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.alexalovesbooks.com\/2021\/07\/paranormal-book-club-altered.html","title":"Paranormal Book Club: Altered"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Alexa S."},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/13185723439360170259"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"32","height":"32","src":"\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-KohY3rNrdBc\/VkucJOMSAyI\/AAAAAAAANwg\/r0rDFwxix1Q\/s113\/IMG_0120.JPG"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-fnlvHmsJkt4\/YPluvq2FZKI\/AAAAAAAAY2Y\/KwSNvO6io88limS2oKG99o6KuFSYsuPUgCLcBGAsYHQ\/s72-w640-h360-c\/altered.png","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"0"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5335649676143335614.post-8844069627706182742"},"published":{"$t":"2021-07-08T17:05:00.006-04:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2021-07-08T17:05:48.524-04:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Axie Oh"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"book review"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"By Alexa"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"contemporary"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Friends with ARCs"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"XOXO"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"young adult fiction"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Friends with ARCs: XOXO"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-duZAH1E8w9A\/YOdoO3uHiwI\/AAAAAAAAYzI\/_10-XDwGN7QSqZJKU_5CHEGo1_LBbnd6wCLcBGAsYHQ\/s2048\/ACS_1643.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"2048\" data-original-width=\"2048\" height=\"640\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-duZAH1E8w9A\/YOdoO3uHiwI\/AAAAAAAAYzI\/_10-XDwGN7QSqZJKU_5CHEGo1_LBbnd6wCLcBGAsYHQ\/w640-h640\/ACS_1643.jpg\" width=\"640\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003EXOXO\u003C\/b\u003E\u0026nbsp;is the latest young adult novel from author Axie Oh, and it was an absolute \u003Ci\u003Edelight\u003C\/i\u003E\u0026nbsp;to read. Our heroine Jenny is a cello prodigy who is working hard to achieve her goal of going on to study at a prestigious music conservatory. One night, she encounters the mysterious, handsome Jaewoo in her uncle's LA karaoke bar and the pair end up going on a spontaneous adventure together. Jenny never thought she'd see Jaewoo again, but three months later, when she and her mother travel to South Korea to help out her grandmother, their paths cross at the elite arts academy she'll be attending for the semester. Turns out Jaewoo isn't just a fellow student there; he's also a member of one of the biggest K-pop bands in the world. The pair have an undeniable attraction, but what does that mean for their futures -- together and individually?\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003EXOXO\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/b\u003Echarmed me particularly because it reminded me of the boy band fan fics I used to read and write (though very much leveled up \u003Ci\u003Eand\u003C\/i\u003E\u0026nbsp;better written).\u0026nbsp;I enjoyed the fantasy of a celebrity falling for a \"regular\" girl, especially with how the author allowed readers to see the real Jaewoo outside of the limelight in tandem with his K-pop reputation. Oh dug deep into how celebrity could make a relationship difficult, and the obstacles and difficult choices they were presented with felt quite true to the situation. But even though there were some tough times, the romance between Jenny and Jaewoo was \u003Ci\u003Eso\u003C\/i\u003E\u0026nbsp;good! I love how their relationship developed, and the swoony moments were *chef's kiss*.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003EApart from the romance, I appreciated the setting (seriously, this book is another one that made me want to go to Seoul one day!), the look at the journey towards becoming or being a K-pop celebrity, the friendships (I loved the group of friends Jenny makes while at school, especially her relationship with her roomie), and the familial aspect (especially with her mom and grandma). But the other highlight of this story was how Jenny was challenged to view her future and her life with fresh eyes by her experiences in Seoul and the people she meets along the way. I'm always a sucker for a 'coming of age' type stories, and this one felt uniquely shaped due to the elements incorporated by the author.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003EXOXO \u003C\/b\u003Ewas a light-hearted story that made me laugh, swoon and also tugged at my heartstrings. It's exactly the sort of YA contemporary I gravitate towards, especially in the summer! I definitely think Axie Oh has done a wonderful job bringing the elements of this story together and would highly recommend checking it out for yourself.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E(P.S. If Axie ever felt like writing a story about the other members of the band, especially Nathaniel, I would not be opposed. In fact, I would be thrilled actually!)\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003EWhat was your first experience living with a roommate at school? \u003C\/b\u003EWhen I started my freshman year of college, it was also my first time living away from home \u003Ci\u003Eand\u003C\/i\u003E\u0026nbsp;in a dormitory. I was lucky and ended up rooming with three people: one of my best friends, a schoolmate from my hometown and a girl from a different province. We were roomies until we graduated, and went through so many things together in our four years at school that bonded us for life. We're still very close as adults (even though we live in separate countries\/cities now)!\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E(P.P.S. Axie has this super cute art card that she's sending as a preorder incentive as long as supplies last. I love it so much, so don't forget to \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/docs.google.com\/forms\/d\/e\/1FAIpQLSfI9CBvlJsJFvzZInkbwEqrVaXysd_AfpIj2aQh6eIXCtgD5w\/viewform?vc=0\u0026amp;c=0\u0026amp;w=1\u0026amp;flr=0\u0026amp;gxids=7628\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Esubmit your info here\u003C\/a\u003E.)\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-o1f5rn1JT-c\/YOdojnNn_7I\/AAAAAAAAYzQ\/ji7MjHMC09kAV1f9NREaOIyuWXwEgwxxQCLcBGAsYHQ\/s2048\/ACS_1644.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"2048\" data-original-width=\"2048\" height=\"640\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-o1f5rn1JT-c\/YOdojnNn_7I\/AAAAAAAAYzQ\/ji7MjHMC09kAV1f9NREaOIyuWXwEgwxxQCLcBGAsYHQ\/w640-h640\/ACS_1644.jpg\" width=\"640\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003EPub Info: \u003C\/b\u003EJuly 13, 2021 by HarperTeen | \u003Cb\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.goodreads.com\/book\/show\/55659621-xoxo\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EAdd it on Goodreads\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ci\u003EI received an e-galley from the publisher on Edelweiss for review.\u003C\/i\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ci\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/i\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-88469PkMTJ0\/WrJ76Lb6O7I\/AAAAAAAAU8g\/Ao__v5e6DBQT39id4afih499UKdue6fSQCPcBGAYYCw\/s1600\/fwa-banner-alb-2a.png\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"250\" data-original-width=\"650\" height=\"246\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-88469PkMTJ0\/WrJ76Lb6O7I\/AAAAAAAAU8g\/Ao__v5e6DBQT39id4afih499UKdue6fSQCPcBGAYYCw\/w640-h246\/fwa-banner-alb-2a.png\" width=\"640\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.alexalovesbooks.com\/feeds\/8844069627706182742\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.alexalovesbooks.com\/2021\/07\/friends-with-arcs-xoxo.html#comment-form","title":"1 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/5335649676143335614\/posts\/default\/8844069627706182742"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/5335649676143335614\/posts\/default\/8844069627706182742"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.alexalovesbooks.com\/2021\/07\/friends-with-arcs-xoxo.html","title":"Friends with ARCs: XOXO"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Alexa S."},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/13185723439360170259"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"32","height":"32","src":"\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-KohY3rNrdBc\/VkucJOMSAyI\/AAAAAAAANwg\/r0rDFwxix1Q\/s113\/IMG_0120.JPG"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-duZAH1E8w9A\/YOdoO3uHiwI\/AAAAAAAAYzI\/_10-XDwGN7QSqZJKU_5CHEGo1_LBbnd6wCLcBGAsYHQ\/s72-w640-h640-c\/ACS_1643.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"1"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5335649676143335614.post-3593957428843866140"},"published":{"$t":"2021-06-15T08:30:00.001-04:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2021-06-15T08:30:00.275-04:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Abbreviations"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"adult fiction"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"book review"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"By Alexa"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Ibram X. Kendi"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Mark Manson"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"non-fiction"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Stamped from the Beginning"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Susan Orlean"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"The Library Book"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Abbreviations #136: Stamped from the Beginning, The Library Book + The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-UfCz3q_tSEc\/YMiccjV_r-I\/AAAAAAAAYss\/zk0xMtHfkksh0iut_hrZaGa1nGmofySuwCLcBGAsYHQ\/s1600\/abb136.png\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"315\" data-original-width=\"560\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-UfCz3q_tSEc\/YMiccjV_r-I\/AAAAAAAAYss\/zk0xMtHfkksh0iut_hrZaGa1nGmofySuwCLcBGAsYHQ\/w640-h360\/abb136.png\" width=\"640\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-xx0Q1OwQ0z0\/YMicghK_ykI\/AAAAAAAAYsw\/H3XU-M8_sEIieugdthYyxOoRhz3VV_eiwCLcBGAsYHQ\/s1600\/25898216.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"475\" data-original-width=\"312\" height=\"320\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-xx0Q1OwQ0z0\/YMicghK_ykI\/AAAAAAAAYsw\/H3XU-M8_sEIieugdthYyxOoRhz3VV_eiwCLcBGAsYHQ\/s320\/25898216.jpg\" style=\"margin-left: 15px;\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003EI’ve been waiting for my library hold to come in for \u003Cb\u003EStamped from the Beginning\u003C\/b\u003E since last year. It’s one of those non-fiction reads that intimidated the heck out of me when I first thought about picking it up, but I felt so strongly that it was something I had to read. When it finally came in, I immediately started it - and I’m so glad I finally got to read it. \u003Cb\u003EStamped from the Beginning\u003C\/b\u003E is, essentially, a book that compiles the entire history of anti-Black racist ideas and the role they played in the course of American history. Kendi uses five important historical figures - Cotton Mather, Thomas Jefferson, William Lloyd Garrison, W.E.B. Du Bois and Angela Davis - to illustrate the impact they’ve had in creating, challenging, changing and cementing the variety of racist ideas that exist in America today. As one might expect, the text is quite dense, and if you tested me specifically on dates and details, I’d likely not be able to give you the right answers. But \u003Cb\u003EStamped from the Beginning\u003C\/b\u003E truly feels like it ought to be required reading. It offers readers the chance to educate themselves by providing historical facts, as well as sketching out a timeline of events to trace throughout history. But, more importantly (in my humble opinion), the book offers context and insight into how anti-Black racist ideas and discourse in the US came to be what it is today. It challenges readers to understand the how and the why, and I personally felt like I came away from it both more knowledgeable about and understanding of anti-Black racism in our country. I definitely think \u003Cb\u003EStamped from the Beginning\u003C\/b\u003E is a powerful read, and should be added to your TBR, if it’s not already on there. (I listened to the audiobook for this one, but fully intend to purchase a physical copy to reread. The narrator is good, so any instance when I felt like I needed to rewind was specifically related to the actual contents of this book.)\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003EPub Info: \u003C\/b\u003EApril 12, 2016 by Bold Type Books | \u003Cb\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.goodreads.com\/book\/show\/25898216-stamped-from-the-beginning\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EAdd it on Goodreads\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-NKfEgO7G-ek\/YMicjGoOOTI\/AAAAAAAAYs0\/VyxB8SAiWW8zpJgM4Ft5alttSFYp1G6XQCLcBGAsYHQ\/s1600\/39507318._SY475_.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"475\" data-original-width=\"315\" height=\"320\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-NKfEgO7G-ek\/YMicjGoOOTI\/AAAAAAAAYs0\/VyxB8SAiWW8zpJgM4Ft5alttSFYp1G6XQCLcBGAsYHQ\/s320\/39507318._SY475_.jpg\" style=\"margin-right: 15px;\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003EI’d heard a little bit about \u003Cb\u003EThe Library Book\u003C\/b\u003E years before I actually picked it up, and I was curious how I would feel about it. This nonfiction read from Susan Orlean is about the Los Angeles Public Library fire, as well as the case of the suspected arsonist Harry Peak. But it also tackles the role libraries play in the lives of many folks, the history of libraries and a variety of important personalities tied to the library history in the United States. I’ll admit that it took me a couple of false starts (two, to be precise) before I was finally able to get hooked enough to actually properly read this one. Luckily, it wound up being a fairly interesting nonfiction read! While I wouldn’t necessarily revisit this again, I did appreciate learning more about the LAPL fire (which I’d been unaware of until I read this) and library history. But mostly, what stuck with me about this read was how pivotal libraries can be for communities. I’ve always known that libraries were important, but it was great to see the emphasis on how much they really provide. Libraries are not just repositories for information, but also offer programs and communities that can really help uplift many members of the community they serve. It was nice to see the nods to librarians, both past and present, and the work they do as well. I felt a deep sense of gratitude for my current ability to access the library, as well as to all the librarians I know for all they do to help facilitate the distribution of these resources (bookish and otherwise). \u003Cb\u003EThe Library Book\u003C\/b\u003E was definitely not entirely what I anticipated, but it ended up deepening my love and appreciation for libraries and librarians in the end, for which I’m glad. (I listened to this one on audiobook, which was the format that eventually helped me to get engaged in this story. While my attention did wander every now and then so that I had to rewind to hear what I’d missed, that was not due to the narration, but due to the actual words of this book.)\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003EPub Info: \u003C\/b\u003EOctober 16, 2018 by Simon \u0026amp; Schuster | \u003Cb\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.goodreads.com\/book\/show\/39507318-the-library-book\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EAdd it on Goodreads\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-7m7jHTskME0\/YMicl1QrDAI\/AAAAAAAAYs4\/fpahswPMzrURPclxrfCO5BLVPK2COyoNACLcBGAsYHQ\/s1600\/28259130.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"400\" data-original-width=\"267\" height=\"320\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-7m7jHTskME0\/YMicl1QrDAI\/AAAAAAAAYs4\/fpahswPMzrURPclxrfCO5BLVPK2COyoNACLcBGAsYHQ\/s320\/28259130.jpg\" style=\"margin-left: 15px;\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003EMy sister Rachel was the one to suggest some years before that I read \u003Cb\u003EThe Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck\u003C\/b\u003E whenever I got the chance, and I finally did it! This very popular self-help nonfiction read by popular blogger Mark Manson encourages readers to really look at the things in their life that are worth giving a f*ck about, as well as changing their approach to ‘positive thinking’ in order to ensure that we accept and confront the hard stuff in order to really enact change in our lives. While I don’t disagree with some of the concepts Manson tackles, I genuinely had hoped to get more out of reading his book. His anecdotes were entertaining, and certainly provided some color to the concepts that he made his thesis early on. But unlike other self-help nonfiction I’ve read in the past, I finished this one without feeling like I’d learned anything new at all. It didn’t feel like a waste of reading time considering the short length, but this read was ultimately just okay. (I listened to this one on audiobook. Apart from the short length, I also ended up reading this one in its entirety because the narrator was very engaging.)\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003EPub Info: \u003C\/b\u003ESeptember 13, 2016 by Harper | \u003Cb\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.goodreads.com\/book\/show\/28259130-the-subtle-art-of-not-giving-a-f-ck\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EAdd it on Goodreads\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.alexalovesbooks.com\/feeds\/3593957428843866140\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.alexalovesbooks.com\/2021\/06\/abbreviations-136-stamped-from.html#comment-form","title":"2 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/5335649676143335614\/posts\/default\/3593957428843866140"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/5335649676143335614\/posts\/default\/3593957428843866140"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.alexalovesbooks.com\/2021\/06\/abbreviations-136-stamped-from.html","title":"Abbreviations #136: Stamped from the Beginning, The Library Book + The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Alexa S."},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/13185723439360170259"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"32","height":"32","src":"\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-KohY3rNrdBc\/VkucJOMSAyI\/AAAAAAAANwg\/r0rDFwxix1Q\/s113\/IMG_0120.JPG"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-UfCz3q_tSEc\/YMiccjV_r-I\/AAAAAAAAYss\/zk0xMtHfkksh0iut_hrZaGa1nGmofySuwCLcBGAsYHQ\/s72-w640-h360-c\/abb136.png","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"2"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5335649676143335614.post-3860934302156293110"},"published":{"$t":"2021-06-10T08:45:00.001-04:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2021-06-10T08:45:00.276-04:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"adult fiction"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Arsenic and Adobo"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"book review"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"By Alexa"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"cozy mystery"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"event"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Friends with ARCs"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Mabuhay!"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Mia P. Manansala"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Tita Rosie's Kitchen Mystery"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Friends with ARCs: Arsenic and Adobo (+ Q\u0026A with Mia Manansala)"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-sQmT0McgTGY\/Wx1SmeI9IhI\/AAAAAAAAVcE\/LjE4GOlpy4c9DYMmpGkd_Q65FJrz1nqrwCLcBGAs\/s1600\/mabuhay2018-2.png\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"183\" data-original-width=\"650\" height=\"178\" src=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-sQmT0McgTGY\/Wx1SmeI9IhI\/AAAAAAAAVcE\/LjE4GOlpy4c9DYMmpGkd_Q65FJrz1nqrwCLcBGAs\/s1600\/mabuhay2018-2.png\" width=\"640\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003EI'm so excited to bring you this year's posts for \u003Cb\u003EMabuhay! \u003C\/b\u003EMy best friend \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.hello-chelly.com\"\u003ERachel\u003C\/a\u003E\u0026nbsp;and I have done this feature almost every year since 2014, both as a celebration of Filipinos in literature and to share a little bit about Filipino culture just in time for Philippine Independence Day on June 12th. (\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.alexalovesbooks.com\/search\/label\/Mabuhay%21?max-results=6\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EClick here if you're interested in checking out past posts we've done!\u003C\/a\u003E) We're kicking off this year's double post plan by sharing our reviews for Filipino culinary cozy mystery \u003Cb\u003EArsenic and Adobo\u003C\/b\u003E, and a mini Q\u0026amp;A with the author. Don't forget to visit \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.hello-chelly.com\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ERachel's blog\u003C\/a\u003E\u0026nbsp;to see more Q\u0026amp;A goodness and her thoughts on the book!\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-mk8yVXyKpFU\/YMIISD2tU4I\/AAAAAAAAYsU\/m9cWpWj3KaQRiqx2aHQXc9qV355SJ4ssgCLcBGAsYHQ\/s1600\/fwa.png\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1080\" data-original-width=\"1080\" height=\"640\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-mk8yVXyKpFU\/YMIISD2tU4I\/AAAAAAAAYsU\/m9cWpWj3KaQRiqx2aHQXc9qV355SJ4ssgCLcBGAsYHQ\/w640-h640\/fwa.png\" width=\"640\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003EArsenic and Adobo\u003C\/b\u003E is the first novel in the \u003Ci\u003ETita Rosie’s Kitchen Mystery series\u003C\/i\u003E, a brand new culinary cozy mystery from author Mia Manansala. The book’s premise is fairly simple: Lila Macapagal’s daily life of figuring out a way to save her Tita Rosie’s struggling restaurant and dealing with matchmaking titas is upended when a nasty food critic (also her high school ex) drops dead in the restaurant moments after a heated confrontation between them. The Macapagals are now the prime suspects in a murder mystery, and, on top of that, their landlord is just about ready to kick them out and shut down the restaurant for good. It’s up to Lila to figure out what actually happened and who is to blame before it’s too late.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003EI said this in \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.goodreads.com\/review\/show\/3783155385\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Emy Goodreads review\u003C\/a\u003E as well: I’m no cozy mystery connoisseur.\u003Cb\u003E Arsenic and Adobo\u003C\/b\u003E happens to be the first one I’ve ever read and, for a time-time cozy reader, I’d say it was an overall positive experience (though I’m not convinced that this is the genre for me). After some light Googling, I’ve learned that cozies are generally characterized as crime fiction where: 1) sex and violence don’t happen on page, 2) the detective is an amateur sleuth and 3) the setting is usually a small, socially knit community. \u003Cb\u003EArsenic and Adobo\u003C\/b\u003E certainly hit all those marks! I liked getting to know a little bit about this small town and the folks in it. And it was fun following Lila as she tried to unravel the mystery (which felt reminiscent of my younger years reading Nancy Drew), though I didn’t necessarily feel very strongly about the mystery, the details or the resolution. The highlight, though, was seeing a fairly realistic portrayal of the Fil-Am experience integrated into the book, especially when it came to the food (I had cravings while I was reading, thank you) and the familial dynamics (I’m always amazed when authors write relationships in ways that make me think of my own family). In conclusion, I\u0026nbsp;did ultimately find \u003Cb\u003EArsenic and Adobo\u003C\/b\u003E\u0026nbsp;pretty\u0026nbsp;enjoyable while I was reading it!\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003EWhat’s your favorite Filipino dish?\u003C\/b\u003E It’s probably not going to surprise anyone that I picked a dessert dish and not a savory one for my answer! I do enjoy a lot of different Filipino desserts, but I love mais con hielo a lot. It mixes two of my favorite things - sweet corn and milk. Plus, it’s very refreshing, especially in the summer!\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003EPub Info: \u003C\/b\u003EMay 4, 2021 by Berkley | Add it on Goodreads\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ci\u003EI received an e-galley from the publisher via NetGalley. All reviews and opinions are my own.\u003C\/i\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-sb6n-gzQgeo\/VblonHDu8UI\/AAAAAAAAMOc\/WIFNlPNYHuc\/s673-Ic42\/alb-divider.png\" style=\"clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"25\" data-original-width=\"673\" height=\"22\" src=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-sb6n-gzQgeo\/VblonHDu8UI\/AAAAAAAAMOc\/WIFNlPNYHuc\/s673-Ic42\/alb-divider.png\" width=\"640\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003EWe're very lucky to have Mia answering a few questions for our blogs today! \u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Ctable cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" class=\"tr-caption-container\" style=\"float: right;\"\u003E\u003Ctbody\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-7NJhSrLGp8o\/YMIHKW2faFI\/AAAAAAAAYsM\/zLEeaS4VUvYMUmiZXSFi4DqLC4XxZhgTwCLcBGAsYHQ\/s2048\/MiaHS8-2020-0847.jpg\" style=\"clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"2048\" data-original-width=\"1365\" height=\"320\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-7NJhSrLGp8o\/YMIHKW2faFI\/AAAAAAAAYsM\/zLEeaS4VUvYMUmiZXSFi4DqLC4XxZhgTwCLcBGAsYHQ\/s320\/MiaHS8-2020-0847.jpg\" style=\"margin-left: 15px;\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd class=\"tr-caption\" style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: xx-small;\"\u003Ephoto credit: \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.miapmanansala.com\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EMia's website\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003C\/tbody\u003E\u003C\/table\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003EWhat are your three favorite Filipino dishes?\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\/p\u003EJust three? This is tough. Off the top of my head...\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cul style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Cli\u003EKare-kare (with lots of bagoong!)\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003ESisig \u003Ci\u003E(Alexa's Note: I, too, love sisig so\u0026nbsp;much.)\u003C\/i\u003E\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003ESinigang\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003EAll the sweets! (I know that's more than three, but I love our sweets so much.) \u003Ci\u003E(Alexa's Note: Ditto.)\u003C\/i\u003E\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cb\u003EDo you have a go-to local Filipino restaurant?\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003EHonestly, there aren’t many in Chicago that I’m familiar with. My dad was an excellent cook, so we never really got Filipino food when eating out as a kid. And the one that I really liked, Isla Pilipina, closed last year. However, my mom really loves Ruby’s Fast Food, which has homestyle Filipino food served counter-style. Pretty sure she goes there at least once a week.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003EWhat made you decide to write in the cozy mystery genre? \u003C\/b\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003EIt’s one of my favorite genres to read! I love that they provide whodunit logic puzzles with fun, often humorous stories. I also love that food often plays a large role in many cozies since it’s my favorite thing in the world. My mom is the one who got me into cozy mysteries, so I enjoy being able to share this with her.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003EThank you so much to Mia for answering our questions!\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003EDon't forget to check hop on over on\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.hello-chelly.com\" style=\"text-align: justify;\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ERachel's blog\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u0026nbsp;once you've read the Q\u0026amp;A here.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003EAnd we'll be back tomorrow for one more \u003Cb\u003EMabuhay\u003C\/b\u003E! post, so don't forget to come and check it out.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"250\" data-original-width=\"650\" height=\"246\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-88469PkMTJ0\/WrJ76Lb6O7I\/AAAAAAAAU8g\/Ao__v5e6DBQT39id4afih499UKdue6fSQCPcBGAYYCw\/w640-h246\/fwa-banner-alb-2a.png\" style=\"color: #0000ee; text-align: center;\" width=\"640\" \/\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E   \u003C\/div\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.alexalovesbooks.com\/feeds\/3860934302156293110\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.alexalovesbooks.com\/2021\/06\/friends-with-arcs-arsenic-and-adobo-q.html#comment-form","title":"1 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/5335649676143335614\/posts\/default\/3860934302156293110"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/5335649676143335614\/posts\/default\/3860934302156293110"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.alexalovesbooks.com\/2021\/06\/friends-with-arcs-arsenic-and-adobo-q.html","title":"Friends with ARCs: Arsenic and Adobo (+ Q\u0026A with Mia Manansala)"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Alexa S."},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/13185723439360170259"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"32","height":"32","src":"\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-KohY3rNrdBc\/VkucJOMSAyI\/AAAAAAAANwg\/r0rDFwxix1Q\/s113\/IMG_0120.JPG"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-sQmT0McgTGY\/Wx1SmeI9IhI\/AAAAAAAAVcE\/LjE4GOlpy4c9DYMmpGkd_Q65FJrz1nqrwCLcBGAs\/s72-c\/mabuhay2018-2.png","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"1"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5335649676143335614.post-8681502665534132853"},"published":{"$t":"2021-06-03T09:00:00.006-04:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2021-06-03T09:00:00.300-04:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"An Emotion of Great Delight"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"book review"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"By Alexa"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"contemporary"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Friends with ARCs"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Tahereh Mafi"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"young adult fiction"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Friends with ARCs: An Emotion of Great Delight"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-jNwuqP5dZWg\/YLjOWv2NW5I\/AAAAAAAAYrs\/3tVqBnWgEHUQBCaE10LonDCGc6IQW_f8ACLcBGAsYHQ\/s1080\/fwa.png\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1080\" data-original-width=\"1080\" height=\"640\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-jNwuqP5dZWg\/YLjOWv2NW5I\/AAAAAAAAYrs\/3tVqBnWgEHUQBCaE10LonDCGc6IQW_f8ACLcBGAsYHQ\/w640-h640\/fwa.png\" width=\"640\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003EAn Emotion of Great Delight\u003C\/b\u003E invites readers to intimately get to know and walk with main character Shadi. She's struggling to keep her head down in the wake of the harassment and targeting of the Muslim community in the wake of the political climate in the United States after 2001. She's also dealing with personal things, including complicated familial relationships (which are very much colored by grief, anger and blame) and falling in love. It's true that there's a lot on her plate, and Shadi's response is to retreat into herself, to push the pain away and keep it all inside. But there's only so much of that she'll be able to take before she'll have to let it all out...\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003ETahereh Mafi's second YA contemporary novel \u003Cb\u003EAn Emotion of Great Delight \u003C\/b\u003Efeels like the kind of story only she could write. I say this because I typically associate my experiences with stream of consciousness storytelling with her work, both from my experiences with the \u003Ci\u003EShatter Me series \u003C\/i\u003Eand her previous contemporary release \u003Ci\u003EA Very Large Expanse of Sea\u003C\/i\u003E. This slice of life tale drops readers, without warning, into Shadi's story and we're treated to her internal dialogue and running commentary. While this worked to make it feel like readers are experiencing everything with her in real time, it also ended up making our perspective of her life and world a little limited. In keeping with the abruptness of the beginning, the book also ends without definitively showing us how everything wraps up for Shadi and the folks in her life. We do see hints of these resolutions, but no more than that, and it would have been a touch more satisfying for me personally if we'd gotten just a little bit more. Still, \u003Cb\u003EAn Emotion of Great Delight\u003C\/b\u003E\u0026nbsp;was a strong new fictional tale from Mafi. It was immersive, honest and personal, and I could appreciate what it brought to the table.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003ESome content warnings for this title include Islamophobia, death of a family member (prior to start of the story), and secondary character self-harm. Please make sure to double check for any other content warnings I might have missed before you pick this one up.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003EHow do you deal with stress or heavy emotions?\u003C\/b\u003E I tend to find comfort in journaling whenever I'm having a difficult time emotionally. There's something about being able to let all of that out on page that usually helps me work through these things. I also like to talk to my husband Macky or let myself have a nice, long cry.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003EPub Info: \u003C\/b\u003EJune 1, 2021 by Harper Collins | \u003Cb\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.goodreads.com\/book\/show\/52035051-an-emotion-of-great-delight\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EAdd it on Goodreads\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ci\u003EI received an e-galley from the publisher on Edelweiss for review.\u003C\/i\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ci\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/i\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-88469PkMTJ0\/WrJ76Lb6O7I\/AAAAAAAAU8g\/Ao__v5e6DBQT39id4afih499UKdue6fSQCPcBGAYYCw\/s1600\/fwa-banner-alb-2a.png\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"250\" data-original-width=\"650\" height=\"246\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-88469PkMTJ0\/WrJ76Lb6O7I\/AAAAAAAAU8g\/Ao__v5e6DBQT39id4afih499UKdue6fSQCPcBGAYYCw\/w640-h246\/fwa-banner-alb-2a.png\" width=\"640\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.alexalovesbooks.com\/feeds\/8681502665534132853\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.alexalovesbooks.com\/2021\/06\/friends-with-arcs-emotion-of-great.html#comment-form","title":"0 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/5335649676143335614\/posts\/default\/8681502665534132853"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/5335649676143335614\/posts\/default\/8681502665534132853"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.alexalovesbooks.com\/2021\/06\/friends-with-arcs-emotion-of-great.html","title":"Friends with ARCs: An Emotion of Great Delight"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Alexa S."},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/13185723439360170259"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"32","height":"32","src":"\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-KohY3rNrdBc\/VkucJOMSAyI\/AAAAAAAANwg\/r0rDFwxix1Q\/s113\/IMG_0120.JPG"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-jNwuqP5dZWg\/YLjOWv2NW5I\/AAAAAAAAYrs\/3tVqBnWgEHUQBCaE10LonDCGc6IQW_f8ACLcBGAsYHQ\/s72-w640-h640-c\/fwa.png","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"0"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5335649676143335614.post-859841907362928748"},"published":{"$t":"2021-05-25T09:00:00.014-04:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2021-05-25T09:00:00.285-04:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Abbreviations"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"adult fiction"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Austin Siegemund-Broka"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"book review"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"By Alexa"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"contemporary"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Emily Wibberley"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"historical"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Jesse Q. Sutanto"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Stacey Lee"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"young adult fiction"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Abbreviations #135: What's Not to Love, Dial A for Aunties + Luck of the Titanic"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-AKI4z683TU0\/YKzx9LCBHXI\/AAAAAAAAYqs\/3GHQV8ZhCS0c0im36n5TGw5y08_JTQ6RgCLcBGAsYHQ\/s1600\/abb135.png\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"315\" data-original-width=\"560\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-AKI4z683TU0\/YKzx9LCBHXI\/AAAAAAAAYqs\/3GHQV8ZhCS0c0im36n5TGw5y08_JTQ6RgCLcBGAsYHQ\/w640-h360\/abb135.png\" width=\"640\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-Et6cteUYsqM\/YKzyBcRqawI\/AAAAAAAAYqw\/y5HLInBmV4I-JvpIAFY1LEiJWF_UA529gCLcBGAsYHQ\/s1600\/44044099.jpg\" style=\"clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1000\" data-original-width=\"662\" height=\"320\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-Et6cteUYsqM\/YKzyBcRqawI\/AAAAAAAAYqw\/y5HLInBmV4I-JvpIAFY1LEiJWF_UA529gCLcBGAsYHQ\/s320\/44044099.jpg\" style=\"margin-left: 15px;\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003EI picked up \u003Cb\u003EWhat’s Not to Love \u003C\/b\u003Efor two reasons: 1) I’ve enjoyed the other novels from Wibberley and Siegemund-Broka and 2) this is a rivals-to-something-more romance. Alison and Ethan have been competing at everything since high school began, each one determined to outdo the other in all things including garnering the title of valedictorian and getting into Harvard. When they’re assigned the task of co-planning a ten-year reunion for their high school’s alumni with the promise of a potential Harvard recommendation, the rivals agree to take on the job. But spending more time together might just be the thing they need in order to actually understand each other a little better and see past their rivalry. Now, admittedly, this isn’t my favorite Wibbroka read. It dragged a bit in the middle, leaned a bit too heavily into the rivals-to-lovers tropes and Alison was so, so frustrating for a big chunk of the book (I tried to exercise patience, since she is young after all). However, Wibberley and Siegemund-Broka demonstrate their ability, yet again, to take plot tropes and character types and whip them into a readable, relatable story. \u003Cb\u003EWhat’s Not to Love\u003C\/b\u003E, in particular, appealed to my personal nostalgia about my senior year in high school, though my experience was very different from these two. Ultimately, it was a likable read, though is very much my least favorite from these authors so far.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003EPub Info: \u003C\/b\u003EApril 20, 2021 by Viking Books for Young Readers | \u003Cb\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.goodreads.com\/book\/show\/44044099-what-s-not-to-love\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EAdd it on Goodreads\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cb\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-OGQ8hZIsFKI\/YKzyEcjyt3I\/AAAAAAAAYq0\/Wsvfp79upcgu6QX7q55ckpxGt7uY7aofgCLcBGAsYHQ\/s1600\/53310061.jpg\" style=\"clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"500\" data-original-width=\"333\" height=\"320\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-OGQ8hZIsFKI\/YKzyEcjyt3I\/AAAAAAAAYq0\/Wsvfp79upcgu6QX7q55ckpxGt7uY7aofgCLcBGAsYHQ\/s320\/53310061.jpg\" style=\"margin-right: 15px;\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003EDial A for Aunties\u003C\/b\u003E\u0026nbsp;follows the story of Meddelin Chan, a young woman who accidentally kills her blind date and winds up soliciting help from her mother and aunties in order to help get rid of the body. It turns out it’s a lot harder to cover up a crime, especially when the dead body is accidentally shipped to an island resort where Meddy and her family are working for the weekend for a big billionaire wedding. Further complicating matters is the appearance of the love of Meddy’s life - her college ex-boyfriend - on site. What’s a girl to do in order to pull off an extravagant wedding, sorting things out with her ex and covering up a crime? Listen, we can all likely agree that\u0026nbsp;\u003Cb\u003EDial A for Aunties\u003C\/b\u003E\u0026nbsp;has an outrageous set of circumstances for a premise. Armed with this knowledge, I simply went into this novel expecting to be entertained… and I totally was! If you’re the type of person who enjoys a story filled with shenanigan after shenanigan with even more shenanigans sprinkled on top (much like myself, and also, I really enjoy that word, if it wasn’t obvious), you’re very much in luck. The circumstances are, to be completely frank, over the top and ridiculous, but Sutanto magically just pulls it all together into a story that is engaging, funny and amusing. The author captures the spirit of a comedy film with her narrative style and plot navigation; she also does well with creating a colorful cast of memorable characters. I appreciated the specifically Asian touches as well, whether it was highlighting specific traditional practices, the multilingual abilities of immigrants, or the lovingly portrayed complications of family dynamics (especially among sisters). (Oh, in case you were wondering, there is a romance, but it’s not a central focus.) Hilarious, heartwarming and all around a good time, I can 100% recommend\u0026nbsp;\u003Cb\u003EDial A for Aunties\u003C\/b\u003E!\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003EPub Info:\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/b\u003EApril 27, 2021 by Berkley |\u0026nbsp;\u003Cb\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.goodreads.com\/book\/show\/53310061-dial-a-for-aunties\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EAdd it on Goodreads\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-TsBKyb-9rAc\/YKzyHR_bqaI\/AAAAAAAAYq4\/vIcxshyL4hUmvNyS5giDd3aytA6E1q7VwCLcBGAsYHQ\/s2048\/54711210.jpg\" style=\"clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"2048\" data-original-width=\"1356\" height=\"320\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-TsBKyb-9rAc\/YKzyHR_bqaI\/AAAAAAAAYq4\/vIcxshyL4hUmvNyS5giDd3aytA6E1q7VwCLcBGAsYHQ\/s320\/54711210.jpg\" style=\"margin-left: 15px;\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003EI’ve always admired how Stacey Lee writes YA historical fiction with Chinese characters centered in the narrative. I was eager to pick up her newest novel \u003Cb\u003ELuck of the Titanic\u003C\/b\u003E! In this particular story, readers are introduced to Valora Luck - a young British-Chinese woman who has stowed away on the Titanic. She has two goals in mind: finding her twin brother Jamie and convincing him that they should pursue a new life together in America, preferably as acrobats in the Ringling Brothers Circus. I’m going to leave the summary at that, as you can likely imagine how the story might end considering it’s set on the Titanic. Anyway, \u003Cb\u003ELuck of the Titanic\u003C\/b\u003E was a great read! It’s been a while since I’ve read a novel set on the Titanic, but I used to find it fascinating (and terrifying) (and sad) at turns. There’s something undeniable about the pull I feel towards this large-scale tragedy; it’s unsurprising that I was eager to pick up a new story that includes it as the setting (and part of the plot). I really love how Lee wove her fictional tale about this headstrong young woman with the actual historical tragedy of the Titanic. It felt very seamless, and felt like a tale that I could fully believe was something that could have actually taken place all those years ago on this remarkable ship. It opened up a new perspective to an event whose key elements I was familiar with, which is always something I appreciate in historical fiction. I also enjoyed getting to know Valora, her brother and the variety of friends and foes she meets during her time aboard the Titanic. \u003Cb\u003ELuck of the Titanic\u003C\/b\u003E was a wonderful addition to Lee’s existing body of work, and I can recommend checking it out!\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003EPub Info: \u003C\/b\u003EMay 4, 2021 by G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers | \u003Cb\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.goodreads.com\/book\/show\/54711210-luck-of-the-titanic\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EAdd it on Goodreads\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.alexalovesbooks.com\/feeds\/859841907362928748\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.alexalovesbooks.com\/2021\/05\/abbreviations-135-whats-not-to-love.html#comment-form","title":"1 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/5335649676143335614\/posts\/default\/859841907362928748"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/5335649676143335614\/posts\/default\/859841907362928748"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.alexalovesbooks.com\/2021\/05\/abbreviations-135-whats-not-to-love.html","title":"Abbreviations #135: What's Not to Love, Dial A for Aunties + Luck of the Titanic"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Alexa S."},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/13185723439360170259"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"32","height":"32","src":"\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-KohY3rNrdBc\/VkucJOMSAyI\/AAAAAAAANwg\/r0rDFwxix1Q\/s113\/IMG_0120.JPG"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-AKI4z683TU0\/YKzx9LCBHXI\/AAAAAAAAYqs\/3GHQV8ZhCS0c0im36n5TGw5y08_JTQ6RgCLcBGAsYHQ\/s72-w640-h360-c\/abb135.png","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"1"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5335649676143335614.post-7434113904184062462"},"published":{"$t":"2021-05-20T09:00:00.005-04:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2021-05-20T09:00:00.285-04:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Abbreviations"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"book review"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"By Alexa"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"contemporary"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Dahlia Adler"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"fantasy"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Laekan Zea Kemp"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Sara Wolf"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"young adult fiction"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Abbreviations #134: Somewhere Between Bitter and Sweet, That Way Madness Lies + Bring Me Their Hearts"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-sSU6Loq4hMQ\/YKZa7O4WOyI\/AAAAAAAAYqM\/WT_R0Cgaob4dG-PAZn8s-MARSb6UOhDWQCLcBGAsYHQ\/s1600\/abb134%2B%25281%2529.png\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"315\" data-original-width=\"560\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-sSU6Loq4hMQ\/YKZa7O4WOyI\/AAAAAAAAYqM\/WT_R0Cgaob4dG-PAZn8s-MARSb6UOhDWQCLcBGAsYHQ\/w640-h360\/abb134%2B%25281%2529.png\" width=\"640\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-Z6tBqyJS1pw\/YKZa_ZlbjxI\/AAAAAAAAYqQ\/c_C8Zf-adF86BbxVtz56AY_LsPCQafCMgCLcBGAsYHQ\/s1600\/51862518._SY475_.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"475\" data-original-width=\"314\" height=\"320\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-Z6tBqyJS1pw\/YKZa_ZlbjxI\/AAAAAAAAYqQ\/c_C8Zf-adF86BbxVtz56AY_LsPCQafCMgCLcBGAsYHQ\/s320\/51862518._SY475_.jpg\" style=\"margin-left: 15px;\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003EBefore I begin telling you more about \u003Cb\u003ESomewhere Between Bitter and Sweet\u003C\/b\u003E, I must give credit where credit is due: I decided to read this one because of my friend \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/utopia-state-of-mind.com\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ELili\u003C\/a\u003E. \u003Cb\u003ESomewhere Between Bitter and Sweet\u003C\/b\u003E is about two main characters: Penelope Prado, a girl who must choose between her parents’ desire for her to pursue a nursing career and her own dream of being a pastry chef and opening her own pasteleria, and Xander Amaro, who has been searching for a home base and the father who left him behind as a child. Their paths meet at Penelope’s father’s restaurant, Nacho’s Tacos, where Penelope basically runs the place and Xander is a new hire. The pair have to navigate growing up, figuring out what they want and finding their place in the community they belong to. It breaks my heart to think that \u003Cb\u003ESomewhere Between Bitter and Sweet \u003C\/b\u003Ewill fly under the radar, so if you are just hearing about it now and are debating reading it, allow me to promptly say it’s a must to add it to your TBR! I was swept up in this tale right from the start, finding it a simple matter to care about Penelope and Xander from the minute we meet them for the first time. The author does an incredible job crafting an immersive, vivid community, as well as characters that pop off the page and feel like real people. Not only are the trimmings for this tale really wonderful, but it’s also the heart of this story that really made it a winner. The way this author capture the emotional ups and downs of both Penelope’s struggle to stand up for herself and her dreams, Xander’s desire to find a place where he truly belongs and their mutual attraction blossoming into a sweet romance (which did move a little too quickly for my tastes, and was one of the few things I can nitpick) is really remarkable. I did think the dramatic moments peppered all throughout could toe the line in feeling a little over the top, but because I loved the other elements of the novel, I was happy to let it slide. Honestly, Somewhere Between Bitter and Sweet was so good and I’d highly recommend it! (I listened to this one on audiobook, thanks to the lovely team at \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/libro.fm\/\"\u003ELibro.FM\u003C\/a\u003E. I really enjoyed the narrators as they did a brilliant job bringing both of these main characters to life.)\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003EPub Info: \u003C\/b\u003EApril 6, 2021 by Little, Brown Books for Young Readers | \u003Cb\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.goodreads.com\/book\/show\/51862518-somewhere-between-bitter-and-sweet\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EAdd it on Goodreads\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-ll-ZAPjgrSo\/YKZbDK6_0ZI\/AAAAAAAAYqU\/HwLs2ZjMyIImCNCId1hQ5X1-1oE7puwfACLcBGAsYHQ\/s1600\/51260768._SY475_.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"475\" data-original-width=\"313\" height=\"320\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-ll-ZAPjgrSo\/YKZbDK6_0ZI\/AAAAAAAAYqU\/HwLs2ZjMyIImCNCId1hQ5X1-1oE7puwfACLcBGAsYHQ\/s320\/51260768._SY475_.jpg\" style=\"margin-right: 15px;\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003EI’d been eager to get my hands on \u003Cb\u003EThat Way Madness Lies\u003C\/b\u003E, a collection of short stories inspired by Shakespearean works written by a variety of YA authors and edited by Dahlia Adler, ever since I’d first stumbled across the book announcement. I’ve likely mentioned it before on the blog, but I really enjoy Shakespeare (though I feel like I need to revisit all his work as an adult to really figure out my feelings) and I’m always excited to see reinterpretations of his work. Overall, I’d consider \u003Cb\u003EThat Way Madness Lies\u003C\/b\u003E a solid collection of short stories. It was really cool to see how all the authors decided to tackle their stories, and especially fun to try and see which elements (characters, settings, dialogue, moments, etc) they pulled from the original inspiration. I didn’t love all the stories; there were some that felt like parts of a story and others that I didn’t know how to feel about once I’d finished. However, I do feel like this would be a great way to dip your toes into Shakespearean plots, as well as to ‘taste test’ the writing of all the authors included, and for that alone, I’d suggest checking it out. (Of the stories, my favorites were ‘Shipwrecked’, ‘Taming of the Soulmate’, and ‘King of the Fairies’ the best!)\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003EPub Info: \u003C\/b\u003EMarch 16, 2021 by Flatiron Books | \u003Cb\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.goodreads.com\/book\/show\/51260768-that-way-madness-lies\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EAdd it on Goodreads\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-8WT2z_S9zVg\/YKZbFjpCHGI\/AAAAAAAAYqY\/KPDrhmKzet8KdBsUqAvvLmpmxcwgUfPbQCLcBGAsYHQ\/s1600\/35144326.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"475\" data-original-width=\"317\" height=\"320\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-8WT2z_S9zVg\/YKZbFjpCHGI\/AAAAAAAAYqY\/KPDrhmKzet8KdBsUqAvvLmpmxcwgUfPbQCLcBGAsYHQ\/s320\/35144326.jpg\" style=\"margin-left: 15px;\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003EI picked up \u003Cb\u003EBring Me Their Hearts\u003C\/b\u003E on the recommendation of my friend \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.merrilykristin.com\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EKristin\u003C\/a\u003E, who read and really enjoyed this book a while back. This YA series starter centers around Zera, a Heartless (an immortal soldier bound to a witch) who longs for her freedom. When she’s offered the opportunity to get her heart back and win the freedom she’s always wanted, Zera doesn’t hesitate. After all, stealing Crown Prince Lucien’s heart should be easy enough… until she meets the prince and discovers there’s more to him than she anticipated and that she likes it. Zera is a fun heroine to follow; she’s capable, sassy and irreverent, and her running commentary, though occasionally over the top, was very entertaining. It certainly made it enjoyable to follow along on her adventure, even when the pacing hit a lull midway through (though it does pick up again towards the end). I did also like the whole lore of the Heartless, as it did feel like something different from my usual fantasy fare. While it’s not a new favorite, \u003Cb\u003EBring Me Their Hearts\u003C\/b\u003E was entertaining to read and I’m certainly curious about where the story goes after the way this installment ends.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003EPub Info: \u003C\/b\u003EJune 5, 2018 by Entangled: Teen | \u003Cb\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.goodreads.com\/book\/show\/35144326-bring-me-their-hearts\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EAdd it on Goodreads\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.alexalovesbooks.com\/feeds\/7434113904184062462\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.alexalovesbooks.com\/2021\/05\/abbreviations-134-somewhere-between.html#comment-form","title":"0 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/5335649676143335614\/posts\/default\/7434113904184062462"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/5335649676143335614\/posts\/default\/7434113904184062462"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.alexalovesbooks.com\/2021\/05\/abbreviations-134-somewhere-between.html","title":"Abbreviations #134: Somewhere Between Bitter and Sweet, That Way Madness Lies + Bring Me Their Hearts"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Alexa S."},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/13185723439360170259"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"32","height":"32","src":"\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-KohY3rNrdBc\/VkucJOMSAyI\/AAAAAAAANwg\/r0rDFwxix1Q\/s113\/IMG_0120.JPG"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-sSU6Loq4hMQ\/YKZa7O4WOyI\/AAAAAAAAYqM\/WT_R0Cgaob4dG-PAZn8s-MARSb6UOhDWQCLcBGAsYHQ\/s72-w640-h360-c\/abb134%2B%25281%2529.png","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"0"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5335649676143335614.post-2424111176661664991"},"published":{"$t":"2021-05-18T12:18:00.004-04:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2021-05-20T08:49:28.363-04:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"A Room with a View"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Abbreviations"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"adult fiction"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"book review"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"By Alexa"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"classics"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"contemporary"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"E.M. Forster"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Elizabeth von Arnim"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Frances Cha"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"If I Had Your Face"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"The Enchanted April"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Abbreviations #133: If I Had Your Face, A Room with a View + The Enchanted April"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-4GvrhsbGPt8\/YKZaxY8Y-8I\/AAAAAAAAYqI\/q1pWziMTlwIZsP3vT_aodFaeBILgs2oHwCLcBGAsYHQ\/s1600\/abb134.png\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"315\" data-original-width=\"560\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-4GvrhsbGPt8\/YKZaxY8Y-8I\/AAAAAAAAYqI\/q1pWziMTlwIZsP3vT_aodFaeBILgs2oHwCLcBGAsYHQ\/w640-h360\/abb134.png\" width=\"640\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E \u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-o5LzQCju2Y4\/YKPn7j4t9tI\/AAAAAAAAYpo\/LF8ELaaBOjUNhotqp4gqCZG78XnZwy_QQCLcBGAsYHQ\/s1600\/A1.jpg\" style=\"clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"475\" data-original-width=\"313\" height=\"320\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-o5LzQCju2Y4\/YKPn7j4t9tI\/AAAAAAAAYpo\/LF8ELaaBOjUNhotqp4gqCZG78XnZwy_QQCLcBGAsYHQ\/s320\/A1.jpg\" style=\"margin-left: 15px;\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003EI’d heard a fair bit about \u003Cb\u003EIf I Had Your Face\u003C\/b\u003E from friends prior to picking it up (though it was \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.merrilykristin.com\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EKristin\u003C\/a\u003E raving about it that finally had me convinced I needed to give it a shot). This debut fiction novel is about four women and their lives in Seoul: lovely Kyuri employed at a room salon who makes an impulsive mistake with a client that might cost her everything, artist Miho who grew up an orphan but ended up studying art in New York on a scholarship, hair stylist Ara who is obsessed with a boy-band pop star and lives with her best friend, and newlywed Wonna who is trying to get pregnant despite not knowing if she and her husband can afford to raise the child. If I Had Your Face is, as I mentioned in my initial Goodreads review, one of those stories where, once I picked it up, I couldn’t stop reading it until I’d finished. My desire to do so stemmed not only from the author’s very readable style, but also from the simple fact that I cared almost immediately about these women and was fascinated (and disturbed at turns). While there isn’t any direct commentary on page, it’s clear that the author is exploring the beauty and cultural standards, as well as the misogyny still prevalent in Korea. While the novel is fictional, it does read as a very honest and unapologetic look at what it might take for someone to survive and thrive in Korean society and it was fascinating. I’m glad that I finally picked up this novel, and I certainly look forward to reading more from Frances Cha. (I actually listened to this one on audiobook! It has four different narrators, one for each character, and it truly helped me keep track of who was who. All the narrators did a brilliant job bringing their characters to life.)\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003EPub Info: \u003C\/b\u003EApril 21, 2020 by Ballantine Books | \u003Cb\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.goodreads.com\/book\/show\/52696537-if-i-had-your-face\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EAdd it on Goodreads\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-e0nfzN7TPPs\/YKPoRbcr59I\/AAAAAAAAYpw\/SAX3IzrvHzkrXZIDuWq0MuU76t6X3rgOwCLcBGAsYHQ\/s1600\/A3.jpeg\" style=\"clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"400\" data-original-width=\"259\" height=\"320\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-e0nfzN7TPPs\/YKPoRbcr59I\/AAAAAAAAYpw\/SAX3IzrvHzkrXZIDuWq0MuU76t6X3rgOwCLcBGAsYHQ\/s320\/A3.jpeg\" style=\"margin-right: 15px;\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003EI genuinely never know how I’m going to feel about a classic whenever I pick one up. But it’s pleasing to be able to report that I genuinely found \u003Cb\u003EA Room with a View\u003C\/b\u003E quite enjoyable! This classic by E.M. Forster centers around Lucy Honeychurch, an English middle class young lady who is on a holiday abroad in Florence that allows her to experience things that change her perceptions and feelings. I genuinely found many of the moments in this story amusing, especially the almost rom-com level shenanigans that occur all throughout. It was a treat to have part of the story set in Italy, including some particularly touristy type activities. But it was also fun to see what happens after the vacation, when Lucy has returned home and now has to decide on the future she wants for herself.  \u003Cb\u003EA Room with a View\u003C\/b\u003E was a fun one to listen to (and isn’t very long at all, which made it a less intimidating classic for me to tackle), and it resolves quite neatly (though a touch too quickly, in my opinion) at the end. I’m glad I finally got around to reading it!\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003EPub Info: \u003C\/b\u003ESeptember 1, 2011 by Hodder \u0026amp; Stoughton | \u003Cb\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.goodreads.com\/book\/show\/11100727-a-room-with-a-view\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EAdd it on Goodreads\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-Zj_zQIEvASk\/YKPoUUFrd0I\/AAAAAAAAYp0\/F1_4pAbU2FoW1pp0RZKuZDHTrVdaRUjEQCLcBGAsYHQ\/s1600\/A2.jpg\" style=\"clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"475\" data-original-width=\"298\" height=\"320\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-Zj_zQIEvASk\/YKPoUUFrd0I\/AAAAAAAAYp0\/F1_4pAbU2FoW1pp0RZKuZDHTrVdaRUjEQCLcBGAsYHQ\/s320\/A2.jpg\" style=\"margin-left: 15px;\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003EI decided that April would be the perfect time to pick up \u003Cb\u003EThe Enchanted April\u003C\/b\u003E, a classic that I’ve had on my bookshelf for a few years now. This short novel is about four women who end up pooling their resources in order to rent a medieval castle on the Italian coast for the month of April. Each woman needs a reprieve for a different reason, and their time at the castle might prove to be just the thing they required. Now, I’m pleased to report that I did like \u003Cb\u003EThe Enchanted April\u003C\/b\u003E. Even though the writing is simple enough to make reading this an easy task, it did take me a couple of chapters before I was hooked. The plot is simple, and it would have been good yet forgettable, were it not for two other elements: the setting and the characters. I appreciated the Italian coast setting, especially the romantic vibe of a castle that’s worn and in slight disrepair, surrounded by flowers and countryside. I felt transported as I read, and that’s what I had been hoping for when I’d originally picked it up. (Also, when am I ever going to be able to go to the Italian countryside?) And I felt affectionate towards the four women who make up our primary cast: the timid Mrs. Wilkins who blossoms immediately upon embarking on their adventure, the respectable Mrs. Arbuthnot who longs to be back in the blissful romance of the early days with her husband, the elderly Mrs. Fisher who is lonely for company and Lady Caroline who simply wants to be left to her own devices to think and not just be noticed for her looks. Everything sped up towards the resolution of this novel, and there was a distinct lack of real investment in any of the character, but I didn’t mind that, as I’d already resigned myself to only getting this tiny glimpse at these characters and their lives pretty much from the start. \u003Cb\u003EThe Enchanted April\u003C\/b\u003E wound up being a lovely slice of life story that captured a very specific mood, and as I was in the right frame of mind for it at the time, it worked out quite well.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003EPub Info: \u003C\/b\u003EAugust 4, 2011 by Virago Press (or. 1922) | \u003Cb\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.goodreads.com\/book\/show\/10929861-the-enchanted-april\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EAdd it on Goodreads\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.alexalovesbooks.com\/feeds\/2424111176661664991\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.alexalovesbooks.com\/2021\/05\/abbreviations-133-if-i-had-your-face.html#comment-form","title":"2 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/5335649676143335614\/posts\/default\/2424111176661664991"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/5335649676143335614\/posts\/default\/2424111176661664991"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.alexalovesbooks.com\/2021\/05\/abbreviations-133-if-i-had-your-face.html","title":"Abbreviations #133: If I Had Your Face, A Room with a View + The Enchanted April"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Alexa S."},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/13185723439360170259"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"32","height":"32","src":"\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-KohY3rNrdBc\/VkucJOMSAyI\/AAAAAAAANwg\/r0rDFwxix1Q\/s113\/IMG_0120.JPG"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-4GvrhsbGPt8\/YKZaxY8Y-8I\/AAAAAAAAYqI\/q1pWziMTlwIZsP3vT_aodFaeBILgs2oHwCLcBGAsYHQ\/s72-w640-h360-c\/abb134.png","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"2"}}]}});