December 27, 2017

Let's Chat: My Sick Day Essentials

It's that time of year when avoiding a cold is hard to do. I share with you the items that help me be a little less miserable while I'm sick.

1. Comfy clothes, especially if you have any that can put a small smile on your face when you are feeling down, is your first sick day essential. The hoodie pictured is from here.

2. A good book can help pass the time while you are stuck in bed. I recommend An Enchantment of Ravens by Margaret Rogerson because it is a quick fantasy read with a great romance, but any book will do.

3. Some cheesy movies will not only help pass the time, but perhaps make you smile or fall asleep. I like watching romantic comedies or Disney movies.

4. You can't go without a good blanket when you are sick. Sleep is essential to feeling better so having a comfortable blanket is important.

5. Puffs plus lotion is my go-to tissue when I am sick. The lotion really makes it softer and helps me avoid a really sore nose.

6. When sick one must drink water, water, and more water!

7. I find that a humidifier is key to help you sleep when you are feeling under the weather. I love the one pictured that you can find here.

8. Chicken Noodle Soup is the perfect food to consume while you are sick since it is said that it can help ease cold symptoms.

9. The tea in my photo, Traditional Medicinals: Throat Coat, will soothe any sore throat out there. A co-worker gave it to me about a year ago and I have sworn by it ever since.

10. Although research still has no concrete answer as to whether a vitamin c and zinc boost can stop a cold, they do think it may help cut is short. I tried emergen-c for the first time this year and I don't know if it was a mental thing or not, but I swear it helped. It doesn't hurt to try.

11. DayQuil and Nyquil have always been my medicine of choice when I have a bad cold.

BONUS
12. Having someone to take care of you. Although he quarantines me into the bedroom while I am sick, my husband makes sure I have all of my essentials on hand, cooks me chicken noodle soup when I get hungry, and will take care of the dog so I don't have to. I am forever grateful for him.

What do you swear by when you are sick?

5 comments
December 26, 2017

TTT #85: Titles I'm Looking Forward To in 2018


Here are a few books that I can't wait to get my hands on in 2018! I didn't include sequels in this list.

  

1. #murdertrending by Gretchen McNeil
3. A Girl Like That by Tanaz Bhathena

  

4. Pacifica by Kristen Simmons
5. Not if I Save You First by Ally Carter
6. Dread Nation by Justina Ireland

Did any of these books make your list? What are you waiting on?


3 comments
December 18, 2017

Review: Bad Romance by Heather Demetrios

Bad Romance by Heather Demetrios
Length: 368 pages
Genre: Young Adult Contemporary Romance
Publisher: Henry Holt & Company
Source: The library.
Purchase: Barnes & Noble | Amazon | The Book Depository
My Rating:

Goodreads Summary: Grace wants out. Out of her house, where her stepfather wields fear like a weapon and her mother makes her scrub imaginary dirt off the floors. Out of her California town, too small to contain her big city dreams. Out of her life, and into the role of Parisian artist, New York director—anything but scared and alone. Enter Gavin: charming, talented, adored. Controlling. Dangerous. When Grace and Gavin fall in love, Grace is sure it's too good to be true. She has no idea their relationship will become a prison she's unable to escape. Deeply affecting and unflinchingly honest, this is a story about spiraling into darkness—and emerging into the light again.

My Review

Bad Romance in Three Words: Heartbreaking. Scary. Brave.

Bad Romance is a novel I won't soon forget. I think the author handeled the tough subject matter of relationship abuse in a realstic and thought provoking manner. It is an intense read that I would not consider enjoyable, but important and fierce.

Grace has had a crush on Gavin for a long time, but he never paid any attention to her, until he did. Grace and Gavin are a complex pair whose romance starts out strong, and turns rotten. At first glance Gavin is the sweetest boyfriend Grace could ask for, and she clings on to these happy moments while everything else goes up in flames. From what I know, I think Grace and Gavin's relationships truly shows the highs and incredible lows both partners go through in such a "bad romance."

Bad Romance is a well written novel with strong and powerful language and intense characters. The story may have lagged in a few places, but I never lost interest. Although the book focuses on Grace and Gavin's relationship, readers also get to see Grace when she is happy with her friends and when she is trying to break free from her parents.

The Bottom Line: Although incredibly sad and sometimes painful to read, I recommend that you give this one a try. The cover is beautiful in its own way and deserves a spot on your shelf.



5 comments
December 14, 2017

TTT #84: My Favorite Books of 2017


As of today I have read 101 books this year! Here are some of my favorite reads of 2017.

My Favorite Middle Grade Books

  

My Favorite Graphic Novels

  

My Favorite Adult Books

  


My Favorite Young Adult Books

  

  


Did any of the books on my list make it on yours?


4 comments
December 11, 2017

Let's Chat: I Swoon Over Swoon Reads

Have you ever heard of Swoon Reads? It's a publisher that has published some really great books that were chosen by the help of readers! Also, if you are an aspiring young adult author with a manuscript, you can submit it on their website for consideration. I am working on my own and am determined to submit sometime in 2018. Although Swoon Reads originally only published romance books, but they now accept manuscripts from all genres even if there is no romance! Their blog also offers writing tips, an inside look at publishing, cover voting, and all kinds of fun and informational posts. Check out their website HERE

Why am I bringing this to your attention? I believe some of these Swoon Reads titles pass under the radar. They deserve more attention! I hope that after reading this post you will find your TBR pile to have grown some. Swoon Reads is a unique publisher that you should check out!

Swoon Reads Titles I Have Read

Spoiler: I have enjoyed every single title on this list! All titles are linked to my reviews or Goodreads.


Velvet by Temple West
These Vicious Masks by Tarun Shanker & Kelly Zekas
Love, Lies, and Spies by Cindy Anstey
You Don't Know My Name by Kristen Orlando


All the Feels by Danika Stone
Traveler by L.E. Delano
Queens of Geek by Jen Wilde
Duels & Deception by Cindy Anstey


These Ruthless Deeds by Tarun Shanker & Kelly Zekas

Sequels to my Favorites That Can't Come Soon Enough


These Vengeful Souls by Tarun Shanker & Kelly Zekas
Dreamer by L.E. Delano
You Won't Know I'm Gone by Kristen Orlando
Suitors and Sabotage by Cindy Anstey

More Swoon Reads Titles on My TBR Pile


Bound to You by Alyssa Brandon
Finding You by Lydia Albano
Wesley James Ruined My Life by Jennifer Honeybourn
Love Scene, Take Two by Alex Evansley


Internet Famous by Danika Stone
The Supervillain and Me by Danielle Banas
The Boyfriend Bracket by Kate Evangelista


The Struggle is Real by Maggie Ann Martin

Have you read any of these Swoon Reads titles?



2 comments
November 30, 2017

Mini Review: Plague Land by Alex Scarrow

Plague Land by Alex Scarrow (Dec. 5, 2017)
Length: 384 pages
Genre: Young Adult Horror/Survival
Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire
Purchase: Barnes & Noble | Amazon
Source: I received a free eARC from the publisher through Edelweiss. This did NOT affect my honest review. Thanks Sourcebooks!
My Rating:
Goodreads Summary: Leon and his younger sister Grace have just moved to London from New York when news of an unidentified plague begins to fill the news. Within a week the virus hits London. People in the streets turn to liquid before their eyes, and what follows is a frantic hunt for a safety which may no longer exist. A new gripping series from Alex Scarrow.

My Review

Plague Land in Three Words: Gore. Survival. Family.

Leon notices a plauge mentioned on tv, yet no one except him is giving it second thought. Leon finds this odd, if not a little unsettling. When shortly after the world comes crashing down around him and his family, he can't say he is that surprised. Leon must step up and help his family survive the plague. This horror novel is unique, gruesome, unexpected, and a little frightening.

The Bottom Line: An interesting read worth checking out at your local library, or perhaps even purcahsing if gory/horror/survivor books are your thing.

1 comments
November 28, 2017

TTT #83: Winter TBR Pile


I have one month between my fall and spring semester of grad school and I want to read as much as I can! Next semester I will be in reading heavy classes and won't have time to read for fun, so I am goingt to read my little heart out during my break. I chose a wide variety of books for my reading marathon. **Titles are linked to Goodreads.

 

1. Warcross by Marie Lu
2. Without Merit by Colleen Hoover
3. Renegades by Marissa Meyer

  

4. Year One by Nora Roberts
5. Meet Cute by Various Authors
6. Lucky in Love by Kasie West

  

7. You Won't Know I'm Gone by Kristen Orlando
8. Deadly Sweet by Lola Dodge
9. Wicked Soul by Nora Ash
10. The Borden Murders by Sarah Miller

Did any of my picks make your list?



3 comments
November 20, 2017

The One Where I Rank Friends Thanksgiving Episodes

As many of you already know, I am a Friends fan for life. Thanksgiving is only a few days away and that means a Friends Thanksgiving episode marathon is in my near future. Is there a better way to celebrate Thanksgiving than sharing my ranking of all of the Friends Thanksgiving episodes? This was harder than I thought it would be. I love them all, but here is my ranking of episodes from my least favorite to my most favorite.

10. The One Where Chandler Doesn't Like Dogs (Season 7)
Reason: Not only is it sad that Chandler doesn't like dogs, but I would much rather watch The Holiday Armadillo episode from this season. The best part of this episode is the gif below.



9. The One With the List (Season 2)
Reason: "She's not Rachem." I barely even consider this a Thanksgiving episode.



8. The One With Rachel's Other Sister
Reason: The plates!



7. The One With the Late Thanksgiving (Season 10)
Reason: Chandler and Monica are getting a baby!


6. The One With the Rumor (Season 8)
Reason: The I Hate Rachel Green Club



5. The One Where Underdog Gets Away (Season 1)
Reason: The first ever Thanksgiving episode!



4. The One With All the Thanksgivings (Season 5)
Reason: Chandler proclaims his love.



3. The One with Chandler in a Box (Season 4)
Reason: It's threefold.



2. The One Where Ross Got High (Season 6)
Reason: "Custard? Good. Jam? Good. Beef? Good."



1. The One with the Football (Season 3)
Reason: Two words, Gellar Cup.


I had way too much fun making this list! What is your favorite FRIENDS Thanksgiving episode?




1 comments
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