Archive | June 2014

Expression

Cinebarre, Issaquah, WA. 2014.

Currently reading: Dorothy Must Die

Hi everyone!

I wanted to share a lovely book that came in the post this week!

Many thanks to HarperCollins UK for sending me Dorothy Must Die to review! I’ve seen this title all over Tumblr and I can’t wait to start it and share with you! If you also have this title, let’s read it together!

Happy reading!

Washington State Bookstores Tour: Riverwalk Books

Jun25

There is a lovely town a few hours away from Seattle that is a home to a beautiful lake, mountains and wine country.

This is Chelan, Washington.

There is also an amazing bookstore known as Riverwalk Books.

The space is warm and welcoming.

The upstairs children’s section is like a bookcase entryway into adventure!

Not to mention the little accents that only independent bookstores have.

I’m jealous that my own hometown doesn’t have such a wonderful space for books. Granted, I am close to a major city, so there are plenty of indie’s around. Still, the owner is kind and helpful. I picked up Marissa Meyer’s Cinder, prepping for opportunity to get her entire series signed since she’s local to Washington.

I look forward to more adventures browsing Riverwalk Books!

The Memory of You

Jun23

Waterfront, Kirkland, WA. 2014.

Book Review: Loss by Jackie Morse Kessler

Jun20

Please note this is the third book in the Riders of the Apocalypse series and may contain spoilers.

For my review on the first book Hunger.

For my review on the second book Rage.

Billy Ballard is the one kid at school that everyone either picks on or ignores. You know the kind. He can’t stick up for himself and doesn’t stand out in a good way. Poor Billy. Even the teachers and adults prefer to turn a blind eye. With a mother trying to support him and a grandfather with Alzheimer’s, well, home is no better place than school.

My heart went out to Billy. It seems that everyone nowadays is wrapped up with his or her own troubles and people choose to look the other way than to offer help or assistance. Then the white rider appears and Billy is giving his chance to fight for a life he doesn’t want to continue on with. Pestilence has gone insane and Billy is quested with finding him or taking his place.

This beautiful blend of Billy’s adventure as Pestilence to find the real white rider is a grieving, frightening and heart-beating ride. You feel the anguish; you feel Billy’s despair.

Yet, you want Billy to succeed. For once in his life you want this character to stop hiding against the wall and stand his ground! The character’s evolution will bring you to tears.

Epic Reads Summer Story Crush Tour

Jun18

If you’re familiar with Epic Reads at all, you’ll know they periodically hold Story Crush tours throughout the year! It’s a wonderful time when amazing YA authors tour the US promoting their latest books!

Seattle was fortunate enough to be a part of this Summer’s Story Crush Tour. As the last destination at our oldest independent bookstore – University Bookstore!

The lineup was to die for!

Tease’s amazing Amanda Maciel, Seattle’s own Kevin Emerson with Exile and…

KIERA CASS OF THE SELECTION SERIES promoting the finale – THE ONE! *Fangirls all over the place*

The bookstore was packed with people, many of them teens and preteens dressed with tiaras for Cass. It was adorable. They seriously knew EVERYTHING about her! I was filled with emotions and excitement for myself at the event, but to hear these young girls squealing with excitement at meeting this author…there are no words at the joy it caused my heart to swell.

This is why YA is important. Maciel, Emerson and Cass stand as fantastic role models for these young readers and the non reading part of society need to understand that this genre is more than just romance.

Anyways, there was a lovely talk from the authors, about their books, what they’re about, why they wrote them and what they are hoping for the future of the industry. *diversity* – well said by Maciel (She also loved my dress! Sisters in pink unite!). There were also some selfies. Emerson even brought his guitar and played us a song that was in his book! This evening had everything!

University Bookstore ran the event exceptionally well. There were prizes being given, and once the signing was under way it was organised and professional.

It was brilliant to hear this diverse range of authors speak. I of course bought all of their books to have signed, Emerson’s isn’t one I would normally pick up and that is why I’m such a big supporter of these events. You should always read books that are outside of your comfort zone! You might find a new favorite author!

Meeting Cass was definitely the highlight of the evening. She is like my role model for life. Her energy, wit and humor made me gush like the preteens behind me. She is down to Earth, kind and smart! I adore her and if I ever got a wish from a genie I’d totally wish to be a real life friend of hers!