August 2019 Wrap Up

On October 30, 2019October 29, 2019 By AllieS.In Book Review, Wrap UpLeave a comment

As I mentioned in other post I’m currently catching up on all the post the should have gone up earlier this year. However, the past couple of months have just been very busy and not all that great either so I just didn’t want to work on this blog. These things in my personal life have also meant until recently that I wasn’t reading very much.

Sometimes, I also review video games, movies, and TV shows. Lately, I haven’t finished any video games and have only been watching ghost hunting shows and documentaries. Mostly things that I don’t have to think about much while watching.

In August I read three books, two coffee table type and one audio book.

36068753._SX318_ The first book I read was Harry Potter: A Journey Through A History of Magic. This book gives information on the history of magic in our real world and things that inspired J K Rowling. It beautifully illustrated and includes some new and interesting information that I didn’t know. However, this book specifically feels more geared to younger readers and includes activities for kids.

39983687._SX318_ The next was Harry Potter: A History of Magic which is almost the same book as A Journey Through A History of Magic. However, this one is written for a older audience as there is more general information. Its better organized with wonderful photos and artwork to add to the experience of the book. Both of these books are more coffee table books designed for their aesthetics more than the information contained within. However, they are wonderful books for any Harry Potter fan.

reid_9781524798628_jkt_all_r1.indd The last book I read in August was Daisy Jones and The Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid. I read this as an audio book which is not my preferred format for reading but works very well with this story. Daisy Jones and The Six is setup in an oral history/interview style of writing and follows the story of the rise of the band The Six and their album with Daisy Jones. Beautifully written the story feels like a real band from the 70’s and all the things associated with being in a rock band. The interview style allows the reader to get both the general information and story as well as deep insight of each of the band members feelings and how everyone perceives events differently. Daisy Jones is both an amazing and tragic character and I loved her interactions with the rest of the characters especially Billy Dunne and Karen. 5_Star_Rating_System_4_stars

August 2019 Owl Crate

On October 28, 2019October 27, 2019 By AllieS.In OwlCrateLeave a comment

Owl Crate is a young adult book subscription box where every month you receive one new hardcover book and an assortment of bookish goodies connected to the monthly theme. Some of these items are very practical and some are better suited as decor or for a pin/builtin board. August’s theme is Storms and Seas.

Each box includes different bookish goodies that fit the theme of the month and are connected to other books.This months bookish items include bath salts inspired by the Little Mermaid, a wooden tassel bookmark inspired by Daughter of the Pirate King, a tea light candle lantern, a metal pencil case inspired by The Scorpio Races, and some loose leaf tea inspired by the Sea Witch.

Every month Owl Crate has a new young adult hardback book that has an exclusive cover, is signed and comes with a letter from the author. The enamel pin the is in every box is also inspired by that months book.The book this month is House of Salt and Sorrows by Erin A Craig. Flowing a family living in a manor by the sea when several of the families daughters die the rest of the family feels like they are cursed. House of Salt and Sorrows is a retelling of the Twelve Dancing Princess fairy tale that add in a ghost story and murder mystery elements. Our main character Annaleigh is starting to believe that the deaths of her sisters were not accidents and she must find out truth before the darkness of her family claims her. This month a matching book mark was also included.

September’s theme is Fear the Night.

Artemis by Andy Weir

On October 25, 2019October 24, 2019 By AllieS.In Book ReviewLeave a comment

34928122 Artemis by Andy Weir is a science fiction novel where Jasmine (Jazz) lives on Artemis, Earth’s first and only lunar colony. When her get rich quick plan falls apart she learns how the colony is truly run and what she has to due to try to save her friends and family while also not getting crested. An interesting story on how a lunar colony would be run though not as funny as the Martian its entertaining.

Jazz doesn’t feel like a very realistic character but her personality and the high jinks she is involved with are very entertaining. The blurb on the book makes it seem like the heist would be the main focus of the story but it happens about half way though the book and the rest of the story is Jazz dealing with the fallout and things not going to plan. I don’t think Artemis would work as a real city as there is no real police force just Rudy who gets to beat people up or whatever he wants to keep everyone in line and everything running like it should.

I like Andy Weir’s witting connecting both science fiction with science fact but at times it felt far more technical that it needed to be which lead parts of the book to be boring. I personally liked the premise of the story more than the story that is told. The main thing that I didn’t like which caused me to rate the book lower is the fact that Jazz begins and ends the story at the exact same place and there is not much character growth.

July 2019 Wrap Up

On October 23, 2019October 20, 2019 By AllieS.In Wrap UpLeave a comment

So the last couple of months have been very busy and I haven’t had the time or energy to work on this blog even when I’ve had things to post. Because of this I have a long list of post that should have been posted way before now which will be appearing in the next several weeks or months.

In July I read 3 books, two graphic novels and a coffee table book.

Saga volumes 4 and 5 by Brian K Vaughan and Fiona Staples continues the story of Marko, Alana, and Hazel as they try to live as a family on the run. These volumes are rereads for me but I don’t remember how I felt about these issues when I first read them. Volume 4 is my least favorite so far mostly because of the conflict in the issue and the issues Marko and Alana are having in their marriage. I understand why the marriage issues was added in but the story just felt like filler. Volume 5 is better as I like where the main story is going that is the main focus of the issue. Though I do think that some of the sexual content is more for shock value then to add to the story.

42281686._SX318_ The Nice and Accurate Good Omens TV Companion by Matt Whyman is a coffee table book about the Good Omens TV show created by Amazon. This book includes interviews with the cast and crew, pictures, and behind the scenes information about the series. I feel like the book helps show case how unique and special this TV show is and is something that anyone interested in the show should look into.

July 2019 Owl Crate

On October 21, 2019October 20, 2019 By AllieS.In OwlCrateLeave a comment

Owl Crate is a young adult book subscription box where every month you receive one new hardcover book and an assortment of bookish goodies connected to the monthly theme. Some of these items are very practical and others are better suited as decor or for a pin/builtin board. July’s theme is Tournaments and Trials.

Each box includes different bookish goodies that fit the theme of the month and are connected to other books. This months goodies were a lanyard inspired by The Selection, a canvas coin purse inspired by the Hunger Games, a 300 piece puzzle with a quote and images form the Night Circus, there is also an art print with the same image as the puzzle, and a deck of playing cards with art work inspired by A Gathering of Shadows which showcases multiple artists.

The best and the biggest item for the month is the next Harry Potter mug form Cara Kozik who has done Harry Potter mugs for OwlCrate in different boxes.

The book this month is Spin the Dawn by Elizabeth Lim which I have heard described as Mulan meets Project Runway though I don’t know if that is true. The story follows Maia, the daughter of a once famous tailor, who in a bid to become the next tailor for the emperor disguises herself as a boy to compete in a tournament. However, if she is discovered her life would be forfeit. All OwlCrate books are signed, come with exclusive covers, and a letter from the author. This month a matching bookmark was also included. Also the enamel pin that is included every month is inspired by the book.