TAG: Vine Book Tag

Hello Reader,

Today, I am going to be doing the Vine Book TAG which has been created by Emma on EmmaBooks on Youtube. I love Emma and her channel which I highly recommend checking out.

1. “I Want To Be Famous”: A book that is underrated but deserves more hype

I 100% believe that the Graceling Realm series by Kristen Cashore deserves more hype than it gets. I know it is an older fantasy series but it is SOO GOOD!
2. “Hzzuhk”: A plot twist caught you off guard

Reconstructing Amelia by Kimberly McCreight. I do not want to say the plot twist because obviously, any plot twist is a spoiler.
3. “I Didn’t Get No Sleep ‘Cause of Y’all”: A book you lost sleep over

Flame in the Mist by Renee Ahdieh mainly because I read this for the Biannual Bibliothon. This was the group book and I stayed up most of the first night to finish it.
4. “So No Head?”: A book that makes you PISSED OFF (an event makes you angry or you’re angry you wasted time and money on this book)

The Unexpected Everything by Morgan Matson, don’t get me wrong I did like this book, however, there are some scenes that happen at the end of the book that makes me VERY unhappy.
5. “Can I Get A Waffle?”: A sequel/spin-off that you are begging your favorite author for

I think I have said this multiple times now but I cannot wait for the second Warcross Book by Marie Lu
6. “Wow”: A book you were unimpressed by

A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L’Engle  I have a full review for this book if you would like to check it out here.
7. “What The F*ck Is Up Kyle”: A character you want to fight

Nolan Sorrento from Ready Player One by Ernest Cline. He is just a horrible person.
8. “HoOAOAOOAOAH”: A new release you are knocking on your local bookstore’s door for

Like I said before I REALLY want the second Warcross book but I am also very curious about this second Ready Player One book. I am not sure if it is confirmed or not but I have heard from multiple people that Ernest Cline is writing a book two. I don’t think the story needs one but I do want to see how he does this.

Happy Reading,
Bubbles ❤

Book Review: Winner Take All by Laurie Devore

Publisher: Imprint
Date Published: January 30th 2018
Pages: 336
Format: Hardcover
Genre: YA Contemporary Romance
My Rating: 3.5/4 out of 5 bubbles
Goodreads Description: For Nell Becker, life is a competition she needs to win. For Jackson Hart, everyone is a pawn in his own game.
They both have everything to lose.
Nell wants to succeed at everything—school, sports, life. And victory is sweeter when it means beating Jackson Hart, the rich, privileged, undisputed king of Cedar Woods Prep Academy. Yet no matter how hard she tries, Jackson is somehow one step ahead. They’re a match made in hell, but opposites do attract.
Drawn to each other by their rivalry, Nell and Jackson fall into a whirlwind romance that consumes everything in their lives. But when a devastating secret exposes their relationship as just another game, how far will Nell go to win?
Visceral and whip-smart, Laurie Devore’s Winner Take All paints an unflinching portrait of obsessive love, toxic competition, and the drive for perfection.

Non-Spoiler Review:

I mentioned in my update and haul that I bought both of Laurie Devores’ books because I loved the covers so much which is true. Fun fact: I originally only bought How to Break a Boy because it was paperback and much cheaper than Winner Take All. The next day I was back at Barnes and Noble “studying.” While procrastinating I decided to just sit down and start reading Winner Take All  I ended up reading almost 100 pages and knew I had to buy it. If you couldn’t tell I have been in a HUGE reading slump! For the lack of a better term, I just wanted a “trashy” YA romance novel. I wanted one of those guilty pleasure drama novels, which is exactly what Winner Take All was for me. Was it my favorite book of the year? No, but I never thought it was going to be, I read it purely for entertainment. I would overall recommend if you are into romance dramas.

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*** SPOILER REVIEW****

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Like I said above I just wanted a drama-filled romance book which is exactly what I got but damn PLOT TWIST! The entire affair I did not see coming and I also what was with the pregnancy thing? I felt like that was not necessary and just cliche. One thing that did make me happy was Lia and Nell became friends again near the end even if they weren’t as close as before they were still friends. One of my biggest pet peeves in books is when friendships are lost. Of course, this was after Nell grew and admitted her mistakes to try to be a better friend. Overall enjoyed this read just for fun.

Happy Reading,
Bubbles ❤

Where the heck have I been?

Hello Readers,
I am aware I have been gone for a couple of months, but it just had to be done. I was basically working close to full-time hours and also going to school full-time. I have decided to take the spring and summer semester off from school so hopefully, I will have some time to read and blog again.

Today, I thought I would give you a little reading update and a little haul. It breaks my heart to admit this, but I have only read 5 books this year so far. However, I hope to read a lot this summer. Since my last haul and wrap up I have bought four books and finished reading two.

Book Haul:

1. They Both Die At The End by Adam Silvera
2. Winner Take All by Laurie Devore
3. How to Break a Boy by Laurie Devore
4. Warcross by Marie Lu

I am going to be completely honest Winner Take All and How to Break a Boy were total cover buys. However, one day when I was in Barnes and Noble studying I sat down and read like 100 pages of Winner Take All while procrastinating homework so I just had to buy it. Also, I finally purchased my own copy of Warcross because I just couldn’t help myself.

My very sad little wrap up:

1. My Beloved World by Sonia Sotomayor
   My Rating: 4 out of 5 bubbles
   My Mini Review: I liked this book a lot for being a memoir, however, I felt very bored at times. This could be because I was reading this books for my English class, but I still enjoyed it a lot.
2. Winner Take All by Laurie Devore
   My Rating: 4 out of 5 bubbles
   Review to come!

Goodreads Goal: 5/32
CR: Love, Hate & Other Filters by Samira Ahmed, Across the Universe by Beth Revis, The Golden Compass by Philip Pullman

If you would like to check out some of the music I have been recently listening too; Feel free to check out my Spotify playlist here!

I have been really enjoying watching Lost in Space on Netflix and I have also been watching Bob’s Burgers as they come onto Hulu! Also if you had been reading my blog at any time in the past year you have probably seen me talk about Ready Player One at some point. Yes, I did go see the movie and I actually LOVED it. HOWEVER, it was VERY different from the book, but I still loved the story that was being told. I would recommend going to the movie because I think it is amazing. Just keep in mind that the book and movie are two different things and they are going to be different.

Lastly, While I was on my hiatus it was my blog birthday! I want to say thank you to everyone who has stayed with me even when I take my breaks you guys mean everything to me. Thank you so much for being supporters of my blog and nerdiness.

Happy Reading,
Bubbles ❤

 

TAG: Make-up & Books

Hello Readers, Today I am going to be trying something a little different. I am going to be doing the Makeup Book TAG. I am going to be doing it a little different as I am going to be doing more of makeup routine post with the TAG questions. I will try to add links to the products if I can find all of them. I do want to add that I am not a professional and it has taken me a long time to build up my makeup collection. I did post a makeup book TAG back in 2015 which if you would like you can check out here. I am going to try to describe my favorite eyeshadow look, however, it is kind of difficult to explain with words. I hope you enjoy none the less.

1. Primer: A book that left a lasting impression on you
Book: Ready Player One by Ernest Cline, This was my favorite book I read last year it was amazing. It might just because the movie is coming out soon but I just can’t stop thinking about it.
Products: E.L.F. Cosmetics Eye Refresh
Physician’s Formula #InstaReady Face Primer
Bare Minerals Prime Time Eyelid Primer

2. Foundation: Your favorite first book in a series
Book: Graceling by Kristin Cashore, I loved this series as a whole it was amazing,
Products: Rimmel Stay Matte Pressed Powder

3.  Concealer: Some characters you wish didn’t exist
Book: I believe that most books you even if I hate the character if you got rid of that said character the story wouldn’t be the same. However, one character that I absolutely hate is Dolores Umbridge from the Harry Potter Series.
Products: Tarte Shape Tape

4. Powder: Your favorite last book in a series
Book: To be honest, I have talked about this before, but I haven’t finished most of the series that I have started so my options are very limited. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by J.K. Rowling would probably have to be favorite wrap up of a series that I can think of right now. I LOVED that there was an epilogue because I always want to know what happens after the story ends.
Products: NYX Studio Finishing Powder (I don’t often use this powder as I use a powder foundation. Sometimes if I try cream or liquid foundation I will use this powder though)

5. Blush: A book with a cringe-worthy romance
Book: Honestly, I love most romances in books. I am a hopeless romantic so I am not going to pick any couple for this question.
Products: Bare Minerals Pressed Blush in Elation (I cannot find a link to this and I think it is because I got this in a gift set for Christmas)

6. Highlighter: A book that brightens your day
Book: I am going to pick When Dimple Met Rishi by Sandhya Menon because I just loved it so much.
Products: Bare Minerals Illuminating Mineral Veil (I use this when I want a subtle highlight if I want a more glittery highlight I will use my Swamp Queen Palette)

Other Face Products used: Buxom Total Fixation Set & Refresh Gel Face Mist (I also cannot find a link to this and I am not sure where to look for it because I got this as Christmas gift as well)

7. Eyeshadow: A book with your favorite colors on the cover
Book: The Bone Witch by Rin Chupeco. My favorite color of all time is purple and blue and I just really like the purple on this book with the gold details.
Products: Morphe 35F Fall into Frost Palette (One of my favorite looks is red and gold smokey eye I use shade number 1 all over the lightly blending up. I deepen the outer corner into the middle crease with shade number 2, I deepen it even more with shade number 4 focused on the outer corner only. I then use shade number 3 in my inner corner blending it towards the black. I go over shade number 3 with Sassy Bun from the Swamp Queen Palette)
Tarte Swamp Queen Palette (I can not find a link to this product. As I believe it was limited time only. I did also want to mention that Gator Wings is my favorite highlighter ever and on the rare chance I wear bronzer I will wear Sweet Tea)

8. Eyebrows: A book you think everyone should read
Book: Again, I am sorry but I am double dipping. Everyone should read Ready Player One by Ernest Cline. IT IS SO FREAKING GOOD!
Products: Morphe 35F Fall into Frost Palette (I use shade number 5 to fill in my eyebrows and then the clear gel pictured below)

9. Mascara: A long book
Book: I am trying not to pick Harry Potter for every question, however, the last couple books in the series are SOOO long but I love them so much.
Product: Maybelline’s The Falsies Push Up Angel Mascara

10. Eyeliner: A dark and mysterious book
Book: I don’t know why but while I was thinking of a book for this question I kept coming back to The Iron Trial by Holly Black and Cassandra Clare. I think it is because I have so many questions about the story.
Products: NYX Professional Makeup Vinyl Liquid Liner
NYX Professional Makeup Super Fat Eye Marker  (I am most likely not wearing eyeliner, but if I am, I am most likely wearing the Vinyl Liner)

Other Products Pictured:
Maybelline’s Brow Drama Sculpting Brow Mascara (I use this after filling in my brows, I use the clear one which cannot be purchased online. I get mine at the grocery store)

11. Lipstick: Your favorite book kiss
Book: Saint Anything by Sarah Dessen, Sydney and Mac, I ship them so hard!
Products: NARS Satin Lip Pencil in Rikugien
Burts Bees Tinted Lip Balm in Red Dahlia
NYX Liquid Suede Metallic Cream Lipstick in Biker Babe (Lip color in the photo below)
NYX Lip Lingerie Liquid Lipstick in French Maid (I obviously don’t use these all at once but these are some of my favorites)

Final Look:

I hoped you guys liked this slightly different post. I really love to play with makeup and I saw a couple of booktubers bringing this TAG back recently. I thought I would make an updated version! I TAG you if you are into makeup too! Let me know if you guys liked this more lifestyle based post!

Happy Reading,
Bubbles ❤

Book Review: Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda by Becky Albertalli

Publisher: Balzer + Bray
Date Published: April 7th 2015
Pages: 303
Format: Paperback
Genre: Young Adult Contemporary
My Rating: 4 out of 5 Bubbles
Goodreads Description: Sixteen-year-old and not-so-openly gay Simon Spier prefers to save his drama for the school musical. But when an email falls into the wrong hands, his secret is at risk of being thrust into the spotlight. Now Simon is actually being blackmailed: if he doesn’t play wingman for class clown Martin, his sexual identity will become everyone’s business. Worse, the privacy of Blue, the pen name of the boy he’s been emailing, will be compromised.
With some messy dynamics emerging in his once tight-knit group of friends, and his email correspondence with Blue growing more flirtatious every day, Simon’s junior year has suddenly gotten all kinds of complicated. Now, change-averse Simon has to find a way to step out of his comfort zone before he’s pushed out—without alienating his friends, compromising himself, or fumbling a shot at happiness with the most confusing, adorable guy he’s never met.

Non-Spoiler Review:

I do have to say it took me a really long time to finish this book, however, this had nothing to do with the book itself. It took me such a long time to read because I was reading other things for my English class which was higher up on my priorities. It is kind of a funny story on how I finished it though. I mentioned in my wrap-up I usually go to Barnes and Noble after class while I wait for my mom to get out of work. I found myself all caught up on my homework for once and found a copy of Simon. I started reading and just pushed through I read more than a 100 pages. The next day I was at school waiting between classes in the library and found their copy. I started reading again; I had maybe 5 pages left in the book but I couldn’t finish as I already was going to have to run to class. When I got home I finished it right away. So while reading this book I read 3 different copies! I am sorry for that really long story I just wanted to share it with you. On to the real review, I really enjoyed this book. I don’t know if you could tell but I am trying to read more diverse books and I am having great luck with them. As I said before I did really enjoy it, but also when it came to rating it I kept going back and forth between 3.5 and 4 bubbles. I finally decide on 4 because I just thought the story was really cute. One of the reasons I almost gave it 3.5 bubbles was because I thought Simon was kind of a bad friend, don’t get me wrong I know he realized and fixed this. However, I think it was kind of just brushed over with like one sorry and everything was fine again. I wish there was a little building. I also thought some things happened very quickly and them some dragged on and on. Overall I did enjoy the story and would recommend to you. The biggest reason I picked up this book was because Love Simon is coming out next week and I cannot wait to see it.

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***MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS***

I do want to say that I had 2 guesses for who Blue was, I quickly crossed out my first guess and my second one was right! I was so excited!

Happy Reading,
Bubbles ❤

TAG: I am The Reader

Hello Readers, Today I am going to be doing a TAG Penguin publishing company created a while ago to promote one of their new books.
Question One: What’s the very first book you fell in love with?
I have no idea why, but when I was younger I was OBSESSED with Every Soul a Star by Wendy Mass. I haven’t read it in a long time, but I would like to reread it sometime soon

 Question Two: Hardcover or paperback?
I don’t love one over the other. I like them both for different reasons. I like to collect hardcovers, I think they look better on the shelf. However, I like the price of paperbacks.

Question Three: How has reading shaped your identity?
I believe being a reader has impacted my identity greatly, but I feel like it is hard to put into words. There are physical things like at school I was known as the book nerd, I ran a little library out of my locker as I had more popular books than our school library did. Then there is the way I think. I believe being a reader has changed the way I think and interact with other people. I think I have more empathy for other people.

Question Four: What book do you read when you need to be comforted?
I don’t really ever go back to one book and reread it. I usually just look at my shelf and see what book really speaks to me. I do have a feeling that I am going to reread Harry Potter more though.

Question Five: Who taught you to be a reader? (Or did you do it all on your own?)
I don’t really thank anyone “taught” me to be a reader, however, I do need to give credit to my beautiful mother. She has been a very avid reader my entire life and I wanted to be just like her. I started reading with her and didn’t stop. We often read together, have book discussions, and take book related vacations together.
Question Six: Describe your dream reading lounge.
An entire room completely filled with bookshelves on every wall, comfy seating, and all my nerdy trinkets.
Question Seven: What book changed the way you act or see the world?
I believe every book I have read has some sort of effect on the way I act or see the world. I think that is the beauty of reading, you discover things you never would without books.

Happy Reading,
Bubbles ❤

February Haul and Wrap-Up + Update

Hello Readers, I know this is weird, I haven’t posted in a month. I mentioned in my January Wrap-Up that my work and school schedule has been crazy I wasn’t kidding. For almost all of February anytime I was not at work I was at school or doing homework. I decided to take this month off. I am going to try to pick up reading and blogging again in the upcoming month. On the days I drive to school I usually go to Barnes and Noble to study while I wait for my mom to get out of work. Because of this, I have had some impulse book buys that I am not ashamed of.

Book Haul:

1. When Dimple Met Rishi by Sandhya Menon
2. The Librarian of Auschwitz by Antonio Iturbe Translated by Lilit Thwaites
3. Love, Hate, and Other Filters by Samira Ahmed (I actually bought this book in January and forgot to add it in my haul last month)

Music I am Loving:

I switched to Spotify this month and here is my monthly Playlist

What I am watching on Netflix and Hulu:

1. Bobs Burgers (All Caught Up)
2. Greenhouse Academy

Reading Wrap-up:

1. Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda by Becky Albertalli
   My Rating: 4 out of 5 bubbles
   Pages: 303
   My Review to Come

Total Monthly Page Count: 303
Goodreads Goal: 3/32
CR: Love, Hate, and Other Filters by Samira Ahmed, Across the Universe by Beth Revis, The Golden Compass by Philip Pullman, and My Beloved World by Sonia Sotomayor