Murder is Bad Manners

I first found the Wells and Wong Series (by Robin Stevens) sometime last spring--sometime around when I discovered the Charlotte Holmes series. Probably because of my search history. And probably because the Wells and Wong series is another sort of Sherlock Holmes fanfiction-type series. 

Daisy Wells is your Sherlock Holmes: very serious, very down-to-business, too smart for her own good, secretly emotional, and loves a good murder.

Hazel Wong is our beloved Dr. Watson: very emotional, the more 'human' of the two, a little bit of an outcast, the writer and dedicated documenter.

The series starts with "Murder is Bad Manners" (I love these titles). Daisy and Hazel start up their own detective agency at Deepdean School for Girls , but they struggle with finding a good mystery...until Hazel finds the dead body of their science teacher. 

How will they handle their first real mystery? Can they solve it before the police? Will their friendship stand the test?

Yes, Deepdean School for Girls is a finishing school, but its 1934, so go with it. Besides, Stevens gives us a very nice feminist twist to it all with Daisy and Hazel being so independent and stubborn and runners of their own agency. Where they aren't given proper respect, they take it, like proper girls--women.

Each book has a new setting (The Wells estate, the Orient Express, etc.). Each book has a new murder. Each book Daisy and Hazel kick ass.

I'm only halfway through the series right now, but I can't get enough of these two amazing girls.

They might be 14. They might be females in a male-dominated world. They might be ... well a lot of things. In the real world, this would probably never happen. But neither would Nancy Drew or Scooby Doo. Suspend your disbelief, roll with it, thank me later.

(1) Murder is Bad Manners

(2) Poison is Not Polite

(3) First Class Murder

(4) Jolly Foul Play

(4) Mistletoe and Murder

#murderisbadmanners #poisonisnotpolite #firstclassmurder #jollyfoulplay #mistletoeandmurder

#robinstevens #sirarthurconandoyle #sherlockholmes #sherlock #bookstagram #books #bookphotography #ilovebooks

Goodbye January

Well, it's somehow the end of January already. February is here. Which is....wow.

Part of the reason I started this blog/IG account was to keep myself accountable. So here I am, checking in with my resolutions:

(1) Keep learning

(2) Write [almost] every day

(3) Don't stop reading

(4) Complete something (e.g. a manuscript)

(5) Get [a little] professional 

(1) No real "evidence" of this to share. Though living life counts as learning, right?

(2) For a while, I was writing short, short stories in a prompt book. Two a day. But that has sort of fallen out of rhythm with me working on resolution #4. But I've still been writing almost every day, and it feels good to be back in a writing rhythm.

(3) Oh, I haven't stopped. If anything, I accelerated. In January, I've read a total of 13 books. If I keep this up, I'm set to break my total yearly record from 2018. Here's to hoping my February count doesn't fall too short. *fingers crossed*

I'm not even going to attempt to tell you all the books I purchased this month. Mostly because it was a lot (like an obnoxious amount), but also because I can't remember. 

(4) Obviously, I haven't finished a manuscript yet. But I have three work in progresses. I'm working really hard (as hard as one can as a full-time employee and reading 13 books). I'm excited about it. Trying not to focus on the negatives this early in the game. I have ~76 pages done, and though they look more like a screenplay than a novel, I'm really happy with it.

(5) I've loved this blog/IG account. It's helped me share my love of reading. I'm gotten to get back into photography, even if its only of books.  So far, I have 30 posts--and counting (that includes this one, but not any else I might or might not post this evening). 

All and all really successful, in my opinion. 

I'm going to (try) to do this at the end of every month, or close to it (that is, if I remember, and my life isn't too too crazy at that time).

How are your resolutions holding up?

What are your big February reads? Anything I should check out?

As we say at the daycare I work at during circle time:

"Goodbye, January!"

"Hello, February!"

It sounds silly, but just imagine 6-10 two year olds repeating that after you. It could make almost anyone smile.

#newyearsresolutions #keeplearning #writeeveryday #dontstopreading #completesomething #getprofessional #goodbyejanuary #hellofebruary #bookstagram #books #bookphotography #ilovebooks

Gilded Wolves

My lasted Uppercasebox book was "Gilded Wolves" by Roshani Chokshi.

The plot (and characters (a bit) (more on them later)) reminded me a lot of "Six of Crows"....except if you add in 1889 Parisian beauty, the wonders of the industrial revolution, and magic.

We get to visit all the exciting places in the city of love: lavish gardens, extravagant palaces, the newly installed Eiffel Tower, the haunted underground catacombs. 

Séverin Montagnet-Alarie owns the hotel L'Eden. Besides that wealthy title, he's a treasure-hunter, secret-collector, and ambitious group leader. When a powerful societal organization, the Order of Babel, seek his help, Séverin bargins for the one thing, the one treasure, the one right he never imagined he could achieve: his true inheritance. 

So naturally, despite the threat of a slow, tortious death, Séverin forms a team of experts to help him do the impossible. 

My favorite part of this novel was the characters. Oh the characters. When the plot was failing to pull my in (just in the beginning (and mostly because I was sidetracked)), the characters and their personalities and the witty banter kept me.

Séverin loves his friends almost more than anything. He protects them with everything he can, no matter how difficult or stubborn they might be. He gives them asylum in his hotel, gives them a home even when he hadn't had one of his own in years. 

Lailia can touch objects and read their history. Her alter-ego is the city's famous dancer, a gift from her long-lost home in India that keeps her in the public eye, pulling secrets from heirs and politicians alike (to give them to Séverin, of course). But baking is her passion. Baking and being the mother hen.The only thing holding her back is a dark, sinister past.

Zofia is an engineering genius. Always covered in soot, her nickname is "the Phoenix." She's brilliant but a little (a lot) socially inept. Math and fire she gets. People and jokes? Not so much. She hopes this mission will finally pay off her debt so she can be free once again.

Enrique loves history. That's what he is best at. Studying objects, researching topics, and correcting people. He is part of this group, but doesn't feel he's part of society because of his skin color. He hopes this adventure will give him a family with the other Filipinos in the city, or at least allow him to go home again. 

Tristan lives for flowers. That's his power. Forging, creating, growing flowers. Flowers and his giant pet tarantula named Goliath. Tristan's the cinnamon roll of the group, too soft and pure for his own good. And that might be his ultimate downfall, the fact that he might care too much.

There's a host of other lovable (and detestable) characters, but I fear that by describing them, or even mentioning them, I'll accidentally spoil something. :/

And like a few of the other Uppercasebox books I fell in love with (I'm looking to you "The Dance of Theives"; "Ink, Iron, Glass"; and "Ignite the Stars"), it ended in a bit of a cliffhanger. "A bit" depends of your definition of cliffhanger and your ability to gauge the unraveling of upcoming plot lines. But according to my quick Google searches, there is talk of a sequel.

What's your favorite aspect of a good book? Characters, plot, setting, genre, etc.? 

#gildedwolves #roshanichokshi #uppercasebox #bookstagram #books #bookphotography #ilovebooks

Uppercasebox Books

I discovered the Uppercasebox last summer. My first box arrived in July 2018. I've loved, loved, loved each and every book/box.

Each box comes with a bunch of goodies. You get: a signed, new, first edition, hardback book; a bookmark with links to author videos and behind-the-scenes info; a personalized note from the author; and 2-3 high-quality, bookish items.

And it's only $23 a month. I mean, seriously, just the book itself would cost you almost $20. This book box is a steal.

The first picture has all of the books I've gotten since then (plus a few more older book boxes I got on a special discount). 

"Starry Eyes" by Jenn Bennet

"Save The Date" by Morgan Matson

"The Dance of Thieves" by Mary E. Pearson

"Ink, Iron, Glass" by Gwendolyn Clare

"Spinning Silver" by Naomi Novik

"Ignite the Stars" by Maura Milan

"Blonca and Roja" by Anna-Marie McLemore

"The Assassin's Guide to Love and Treason" by Virginia Boecker

"Amber and Dusk" by Lyra Selene

"Gilded Wolves" by Roshani Chokshi

The second picture has all of the contents from the January book box. We got a signed copy of "Gilded Wolves" by Roshani Chokshi, a "Gilded Wolves" character card, a Quidditch notebook, and Winter Court Loose Leaf Tea from Wick and Fable. 

I'll be posting a review of "Gilded Wolves" very soon.

Again, please, please, please go and sign yourself up to Uppercasebox. Trust me, you won't regret it. I haven't. And I mean, I'm just going to shamelessly plug this book box subscription until you all sign up, so you might as well do it now.

Keep a look out for individual book reviews on some (a lot) of these titles, if I hadn't done them already. They're all just that good.

#StarryEyes #JennBennet #SaveTheDate #MorganMatson #TheDanceofThieves #MaryEPearson #InkIronGlass #GwendolynClare #Spinning Silver# #NaomiNovik #IgnitetheStars #MauraMilan #BloncaandRoja #AnnaMarieMcLemore #TheAssassinsGuidetoLoveandTreason #VirginiaBoecker #AmberandDusk #LyraSelene #GildedWolves #RoshaniChokshi #uppercasebox #bookstagram #books #bookphotography #ilovebooks

A Study in Charlotte

BBC's modern adaptation of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's short stories/novels made me fall in love with Sherlock Holmes. Okay, so Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman helped a bit. 

After reading all of Doyle's original work, I stumbled upon "A Study in Charlotte" by Brittany Cavallaro.  Cavallaro is a huge Sherlock fan, as can be told from her very detailed YA series (the details are semi-hidden. huge fans of doyle or cumberbatch will totally notice them.).

"A Study in Charlotte" follows Jamie Watson, the great-great-great-grandson of Dr. John Watching, and Charlotte Holmes, the great-great-great-granddaughter of Sherlock Holmes. Yes, there is (a bit) of a love plot line, but it's not overly done or cliched. 

The last thing Jamie wants or needs is a ruby scholarship (he's kind of rubbish) to Sherringford (a prep school in Connecticut, close to his estranged father). The only plus-side: Charlotte Holmes goes to Sherringford. And Jamie has always secretly dreamed of sharing the high-stakes adventures that their ancestors were famous for.

Charlotte Holmes, like all of her family members, has inherited Sherlock's famous genius skills of deduction but also his volatile temperament. 

From the moment they meet, the energy is tense. It seems they're more destined to be enemies than friends. 

That is...until a fellow student dies, and Jamie is being framed for it. 

The only person out there that can help is is the only person he doesn't want anything to do it...until she's everything he ever wants (okay, that was a bit dramatic, my bad).

Charlotte's big brother, Milo, is overbearing and basically runs of the British government. Just like Jamie is almost the exact reincarnation of John and Charlotte is the lost soul of Sherlock, Milo is pretty much exactly Mycroft Holmes (aka Mark Gatiss).

The second novel is "The Last Of August" which includes the great-great-great-grandson of Professor James Moriarty (yes, the bad guy, aka Andrew Scott) (as Charlotte's best friend and ex-almost-boyfriend) and takes place in and through Europe. Very good as well. Though it is a little confusing at the end, then again, I read it really, really fast.

The third novel is "A Case For Jamie". It's one of my current reads. I'll try to keep you updated on that one. 

The fourth novel is yet to be released. "A Question of Holmes" debuts on March 5th. Preorder yours now (I did).

I love these books. They're adorable and cute. They're also filled with adventure and murder (what else could a girl want?). They give me that extra big of Sherlock Holmes obsession that I don't really need.

Also, did you know that some of the very first fanfiction was Sherlock Holmes? And guess who the author was? Okay, you'll (probably) never get it. J.M. Barrie. Yes, the Scot who wrote "Peter Pan." Barrie and Doyle where friends, best friends. And writing buddies. Crazy, right? But soooo freaking cool.

This ends the accidental fanfiction-based/fandom-inspired book review posting spree.

#sherlockholmes #astudyincharlotte #astudyinscarlet #astudyinpink #sherlock #thelastofaugust #thecaseforjamie #aquestionofholmes #brittanycavallaro #sirarthurconandoyle #fanfictionwriting #bookstagram #books #bookphotography #ilovebooks

Geekerella

Ashley Poston's novel "Geekerella" follows your typical Cinderella storyline, but with a fandom-based twist.

Elle (I mean, what else would her name be) lives and breathes "Starfeild" (a Startrek/StarWars tv series) after growing up watching it with her now-deceased father. Her parents actually met at a Starfeild comic-con, one her dad founded and ran until the day he died. 

One year, she finds her mother's old cosplay costume and decides she'll fix it up and entire into the cosplay contest, just in time for the new "Starfeild" movie. The prize is a ticket to the comic-con's Cosplay Ball and a meet-and-greet with the actor slated to play Federation Prince Carmindor in the "Starfeild" movie reboot. Elle's determined to win, if her stepsisters don't beat her to it.

Teen actor Darien Freeman used to love comic-cons. Now he's famous and on the other side of the table, other side of the fan-verse. And things aren't as glamorous on the other side.

Playing Carmindor is all he ever wanted, but the fandom is playing him off as just another dumb, teenage heartthrob. He's starting to feel more and more like a fake. Until he meets a fiery fangirl who shows him otherwise.

But then she (Elle (I know, shocking, right?)) disappears at midnight. Will he ever find her again?

So I might have accidentally written part of the description sarcastically, but this book was amazing. I'm a sucker for a good Cinderella story. Besides, who doesn't want to be Cinderella one day? Who doesn't want to be Elle and have a chance to fall in love with her teen actor crush?

What's your favorite Cinderella story, book?

What's your favorite Cinderella story, movie? Mine's "Ever After" with Drew Barrymore. 

And apparently, as I Google the book's description to refresh my memory, I learned that Ashley Poston wrote a semi-sequel/linked-manuscript. "The Princess and the Fangirl" debuts on April 2, 2019 (I already pre-ordered my copy).

#geekerella #theprincessandthefangirl #ashleyposton #fanfictionwriting #fairytales #bookstagram #books #bookphotography #ilovebooks

Ship It

So if "Carry On" by Rainbow Rowell is the fanfiction every Drarry shipper ever wanted, "Ship It" by Britta Lundin is the novel every Destiel shipper ever wanted.

"Demon Heart" is the "Supernatural" equivalent in Claire's world (Smokey=Dean (still a hunter) Heart=Cas (a demon, instead of an angel)). Is Claire obsessed with "Demon Heart"? Yes. Is Smokey!Heart all she thinks about? Pretty much. Does she write Smokey!Heart fanfiction? All the time.

When Claire has a chance to ask a question about this ship at a Q&A panel during a comic-con, she thinks her world will be set. Except, she gets Forest (the dude who plays Smokey) laughs at Claire's assertion that his character might be (is) gay. 

She's devastated, beyond devastated. Her hero turns out to be a closed-minded jerk.

Long-story short (because, let's face it, I can ramble), she joins the cast of "Demon Heart" during their short comic-con tour, assisting in positive press after a video of Forest laughing at Claire's question goes viral.

Along the way, Claire helps Forest understand the fan's perspective. Forest helps Claire open herself up to new opportunities (aka a cute fellow fangirl, Tess).

"Ship It" was colorful, inclusive, funny, tender, and honest. Go forth and read, fan of Supernatural or not, you'll love it.

#shipit #brittalundin #supernatural #destiel #fanfictionwriting #bookstagram #books #bookphotography #ilovebooks

Fangirl

"Fangirl" by Rainbow Rowell...where does one start? Wait, isn't that how I started the captain to "Carry On"? I guess it's fitting, isn't it?

Remember how I said that "Carry On" is a book about a book described/created from another book. "Carry On" is that book (the described/created from one).

Cath is a Simon Snow fan. Okay, yeah, so the entire world is a Simon Snow fan, but Simon Snow is Cath's entire world. It's her life. And she's really good at it.

Cath and her twin sister, Wren, started as die-hard fans when they were little. Now they're starting college and suddenly everything is changing. Wren doesn't want to room with Cath. Wren doesn't want to be an openly die-hard fan anymore. Wren gets a new boyfriend. Cath's roommate is horrible. Their dad, who has never really been alone, gets sick. And the author of the Simon Snow series is about to publish the last book, which means her ride-or-die ship might finally happen, or might never, ever happen.

Cath's solution? Drown herself in Simon Snow, in her widely popular Simon Snow fanfiction ("Carry On" (see the connection now?)). 

Except, therein lies the other problem. Her creative writing teacher--a person she has admired for a while, a subject she plans on majoring in--doesn't believe that fanfiction writing is real writing (and honestly, what does that even mean?).

Oh, and there's a few cute boys that try to warm Cath's sheltered heart.

I first read this book while I was working on my graduate thesis for my creative writing degree. And honest, I was feeling pretty much everything that Cath felt. Did it make me feel any better? No, honestly, it made me feel worse.

Like Cath, I didn't think I could write anything of worth, real worth, if it wasn't fanfiction (I started my passion for writing in fanfiction (Jonas Brothers, if i'm going to be completely, completely honest with you)). And these are not feelings one wants to have during their final semester in grad school, working one of the most important academic assignments of her career. 

But, after some distance and re-evaluation, Cath did help. Okay, okay, okay, and so did reading "Carry On" (twice).

Again I ask, what book changed your life so much?

#fangirl #carryon #rainbowrowell #harrypotter #drarry #fanfictionwriting #bookstagram #books #bookphotography #ilovebooks

Love & Gelato // Love & Luck

Jenna Evan Welch's novels "Love & Gelato" and "Love & Luck" are linked manuscripts (meaning, you don't necessarily need to read the first book (Gelato) to read the second book (Luck), though it is still strongly recommended). 

(1) "Love & Gelato": Lina is planning on spending the summer in Tuscany. And no, not to backpack through Europe, not to eat local cuisine, not to bask in the sunshine and fairy-tale landscapes.

Her mother's dying wish was for her to spend time with her father, a man she didn't know about until her mother's cancer took a turn for the worse. 

All Lina wants to do is go home. But a mysterious journal in her mother's handwriting makes her re-evaluate those plans. Instead, with the help of a cute, ever-so-charming by named Ren, she uncovers the magical world of secret romances, art, and hidden bakeries.

Whatever is a girl to do?

(2) "Love & Luck": Addie is in Ireland for her aunt's over-the-top destination wedding, trying desperately to ignore the horrible thing she did that is suddenly threatening her future and her relationship with her brother, Ian (who won't let her forget)

In the B&B's little library, she finds an unusual guidebook, "Ireland For the Heartbroken." Suddenly, their travel plans change as Addie finds herself on a whirlwind tour of the Emerald Isle, trapped in the world's smallest, least-reliable car with Ian and his admittedly cute, Irish-accented friend, Rowan. They explore breathtaking green hills, countless castles, and a number of fairy-tale forests.

Whatever is a girl to do? 

#loveandgelato #loveandluck #jennaevanswelch #tuscany #italy #ireland #bookstagram #books #bookphotography #ilovebooks

Eliza And Her Monsters

"You found me in a constellation."

"Eliza and Her Monsters" by Francesca Zappia is inspiring and monumental. 

Offline, Eliza is shy, quirky, and lonely. Online, she's LadyConstellation, the anonymous creator of the popular webcomic "Monstrous Sea." She has no desire to put too much effort into the real world, no desire to make friends, no desire to try too hard at school. Why should she when her webcomic gave her the best friends she could ever ask for, a bright future, and a secret inflow of money (that's she's saving for college, mind you).

All that changes when a cute, new boy starts at their high school (cliche, but it works, right?). Wallace is possibly even more shy than Eliza. But he opens up to Eliza after she stands up to bullies for him. And she fears that he's "Monstrous Sea's" biggest fanfiction writer, an anonymous guy she's been flirting with online. 

They draw each other out of their perspective shells. They open up to the real world. They start to fall in love.

When Eliza's biggest secret is accidentally shared with the world, she almost loses everything, including her sanity (depression and suicidal thoughts warning here).

Did I mention that it has pictures? Because it does.

#elizaandhermonsters #francescazappia #youfoundmeinaconstellation #bookstagram #books #bookphotography #ilovebooks

To All The Boys I've Loved Before

I first read "To All The Boys I've Loved Before" by Jenny Han after I watched the Netflix movie adaptation. Yeah, yeah, yeah. You should always read the book first. I know. Trust me, I know. But the movie was so cute and adorable that I needed to read the book (and the other two in the series).

"To All The Boys I've Loved Before" follows Lara Jean, who falls in love quickly and consumingly. To help herself get over these crushes, she writes love letters, ones she never intends to send. 

What happens when these five letters disappear and end up in the hands of the boys she had had crushes on in the past: her first kiss, the boy from summer camp, even her sister's ex-boyfriend. 

Besides the Romeo and Juliet troupe, my other favorite cliche is the fake-relationship-turns-into-real-feelings, which "To All The Boys I've Loved Before" follows with some very interesting results.

"PS I Still Love You" is the compelling sequel in which Lara Jean deals with her new boyfriend as well as an old crush that brings up old feelings.

The trilogy caps out with "Always and Forever, Lara Jean" as she deals with relationships, both romantic and familial, senior year excitement, and college acceptance nerves.

The "To All The Boys I've Loved Before" trilogy is a very easy, very compelling read. You won't have any trouble getting through these (I read them all in a single weekend).

#toalltheboysivelovedbefore #psistillloveyou #alwaysandforeverlarajean #jennyhan #bookstagram #books #bookphotography #ilovebooks

Honestly Straight & Honestly Ben

"Openly Straight" by Bill Konigsberg is another very cute, very well written, very up-to-date boys-who-love-boys book.

Rafe has been out and proud since he was in eight grade. His parents took it in stride, and that's putting it mildly. But sometimes he doesn't want to be the "token gay guy", sometimes he wants to be normal.

So when he starts at an all-boys boarding school, he becomes "honestly straight" (aka, back in the closet). And for the first time in years, he's normal, he's one of the guys...

That is until he falls in love with one of his best friends, one of his straight best friends, one of his best friends that doesn't know he's gay.

Unfortunately, "Honestly Straight" doesn't end in a super happy ending. Sure, Rafe learns to re-love himself, learns to once again be okay being openly gay, but will be get the guy?

"Openly Ben" is the sequel everyone needed. Ben, Rafe's best friend (the one he was in love with), is struggling to understand Rafe's confession and struggling to figure out his own sexuality. Can he be straight but enjoy kissing his best friend/in love with his best friend? And what will happen when his conservative, small-town family finds out he's questioning?

Don't even bother buying "Honestly Straight" if you're not going to buy "Honestly Ben". Honestly. If you don't, you'll only be blaming yourself, after all, I warning you about the cliffhanger. 

These books are about boys trying to figure out life and love, sexuality and school. They felt so...honest, so real. The struggles of not knowing, of navigating life (social life, school life, family life).

#honestlystraight #honestlyben #billkonigsberg #bookstagram #books #bookphotography #ilovebooks

Anna-Marie McLemore

I first discovered Anna-Marie McLemore when I was creating a syllabus for an independent study during my final semester at grad school (I focused on YA magical realism, romance). I loved it, loved her, ever since.

"When The Moon Was Ours" was the first book of hers that I read. Roses (literal roses) grow out of Miel's wrists. Rumors say that she spilled out of the water tower when she was five. Sam paints moons and hangs them around down, in trees, on light polls, for her. They're inseparable, in love, holding dark, dark secrets that could change themselves, their relationship, their town, forever. 

"The Weight of Feathers" is another Romeo and Juliet troupe, and yet, it's still such a perfect storyline. Lace's family swims like mermaids. Cluck's family floats in the trees like birds. How does a bird love a fish? Well, its hard and almost impossible, and their families completely forbid it (naturally). Will love prevail a long, stubborn family rivalry and dark secrets?

"Blanca and Roja" was one of my UppercaseBox books (did I mention how amazing that subscription is?). The del Cisne girls known from when they were born that they will be seperated one day, that the swans will pick one of them to join their bevy. It's been a curse for decades, but Blanca and Roja are determined to change things. But will two local boys are sucked into their lives, how will this change everything?

"Wild Beauty" is potentially my favorite of McLemore's books. For decades, the Nomeolvides women have tended the grounds at La Pradera, creating flowers out of thin air, weaving magic out of colored petals. Unfortunately, with a gift comes a curse. Each and every time the Nomeolvides women fall in love, their lover eventually vanish. But what happens when a past lover that no one remembers returns? Is the curse over? Or is their trouble just beginning??

McLemore is great at creating worlds, at weaving mysteries, at dueling out curses. Her books are strongly female led (at least the last two are). Romance also reigns as a common theme among her novels. 

Go and read her. Cry, tell me "you're welcome." 

What is your favorite genre?

#whenthemoonwasours #theweightoffeathers #blancaandroja #wildbeauty #annamariemclemore #magicalrealism #uppercasebox #bookstagram #books #bookphotography #ilovebooks

The Gentleman's Guide & The Lady's Guide

"The Gentleman's Guide to Vice and Virtue" by Mackenzie Lee is a masterpiece of gay, historical fiction, and coming of age. 

Henry "Monty" Montague was born to take over his father's estate. Boarding schools, constant disapproval from his father, all the money he can dream of. If only he didn't spend it on gambling, alcohol, and nights of passion (men or women, doesn't matter to him).

Now he's going on his Grand Tour of Europe (aka the 1800s version of backpacking across Europe before college0 with his little sister and best friend in tow.

If only he wasn't in love with Percy (best friend), if only he hadn't stolen that box from Versailles, if only they weren't being hunted down by men after said box.

"The Gentleman's Guide" as gay thoughts, sassy sisters and helpful pirates. What more could you want?

A sequel?! Exactly!!

"The Lady's Guide to Petticoats and Piracy" (also by Mackenzie Lee) follows Felicity. She runs away from home after a harrowing year abroad, trying to keep her brother from accidentally getting them killed.

She wants nothing more than to be a doctor. But she's a woman. She doesn't see a problem with that, but society does.

Feminism, female relationships (basing the Bechdel Test), more pirates, more gay, and secret dragon nests. "The Lady's Guide" is everything you didn't know you needed in this thrilling sequel.

#thegentlemansguidetoviseandvirtue #thegentlemansguide #theladysguidetopetticoatsandpiracy #theladysguide #mackenzielee #neverthelessshepersisted #bookstagram #books #bookphotography #ilovebooks

Captive Prince Serires

"The Captive Prince" by C.S. Pacat starts off this amazing trilogy, and I can promise you, you won't be able to put the series down until you've finished the whole thing. 

In "The Captive Prince" (#1), Prince Damen of Akielos, war-hero and crown-prince, is attacked in the castle, taken prisoner, and stripped of his identiy. He is sent to the rival country Vere as a a gift, a personal slave, to Prince Laurent. 

Damen must fight his way to freedom and escape back home to save the throne and his kingdom from his backstabbing step-brother.

Laurent is beautiful, calculating, manipulative, and deadly. He's fighting for control in a web of lies and series of deceits, where nothing is as it seems.

For Damen, Laurent is someone he would usually try to court, if he wasn't in this situation. If he wasn't hiding his identity at all costs, especially from the one person who hates him the most (aka Laurent, if I wasn't clear with that).

For the "The Prince's Gambit" (#2) I'll give a quick summary, not spoiling anything. Brink of war, escaping assassinations, continuing to fall in love, etc. 

"The King's Rising" (#3): fighting for what they rightly deserve, and more importantly, want they most desire.

"The Summer Palace" (and other short stories) was a little gift to the fans. It has four short stories that take place during and after the trilogy, giving a little hint at secondary characters and the love plot line.

I was obsessed with these books, still am. I keep forcing myself not to reread them (which was my exact thought the second I finished the third book). Pacat wove so many details and secret storylines that resurfaced at the most perfect moments, forcing readers to flip back to when she (aka Laurent, if we're going to be honest with our chess master's skills) set it all up. After reading the short stories earlier today, I wanted nothing more than to reread these, but my #TBR list is sooooo long...

The romance plot lot (the reason I first bought the books) is slow burn, soooo incredibly slow burn. Just a warning. It's a little frustrating. But when it does happen, its incredibly satisfying. 

Please go read these, Please, for me, for them, for me, for the babies that need protecting (yes, I called grown-ass men, heirs to their respective thrones, to-be-kings, babies). Go read, and let me know what you think.

Also, again, if I wasn't clear, this book is anothter boys-who-love-boys book.

Trigger Warnings: rape, war, suicide

#captiveprince #princesgambit #kingsrising #summerpalace #cspacat #bookstagram #books #bookphotography #ilovebooks

Carry On

"Carry On" by Rainbow Rowell....how does a rabid (RABID) fan of this book even begin to describe it?

"Carry On" is a book about a book (aka "Harry Potter") dreamed up from another book ("Fan Girl" (also by Rainbow Rowell)). In this book ("Carry On"), two rivals (Simon Snow (aka Harry Potter) and Tyrannus "Baz" Bastilon Pitch (aka Draco Malfoy) are the two main characters/main narrators. It's filled with magic and a great big bad villain (The Insidious Humdrum (aka Voldemort)) and angst and love and ancient magical families. Oh! And they all go to a magical boarding school: Watford (aka Hogwarts). 

Okay, a non-fan description: 

Simon Snow is The Chosen One, destined to destroy the Insidious Humdrum, an evil entity going around Greater Britain creating havoc, killing innocents, and sucking up magic, leaving dead spots in his wake. 

Is Simon good at this? Most will say yes. He'll say "meh". It's not his fault that he can't get his wand to work and half the time he does, he catches something on fire or blows something up. 

Baz'll say no; he's the worse chosen one to ever be chosen (his exact words).

Baz. Baz is Simon's "Sworn Enemy" (Simon's exact words, mind you). And a vampire (yet to be confirmed). And his roommate (and they were roommates...).

Baz's biggest secret? He's hopelessly in love with--

I'm gonna stop there. You're going to have to read it. I mean it. You're going to have to read it.

I've read it at least 3 times. I'm going to reread it here soon again. It's amazing, thrilling, beautiful.

Also, Rowell is coming out with a sequel (A SEQUEL) sometime later this year. Who can't freaking wait? Spoiler: me.

#carryon #simonsnow #snowbaz #drarry

#rainbowrowell #waywardson #bookstagram #books #bookphotography #ilovebooks

Peter Pan Prequels/Sequels

Here are a sampling of the Peter Pan prequels and sequels I've read in the past, following my obsession with J.M. Barrie's original play/novel.

"Peter Pan in Scarlet" by Geraldine McCaughrean is the "official" sequel to J.M. Barrie's Peter Pan. When dreams of Neverland are seeping through into the real world, Wendy and the other Lost Boys, all grown up, must return to Neverland to save it and to save Peter Pan. This novel was cute, but it missed the mark a little bit for me.

"Lost Boy: The True Story of Captain Hook" by Christina Henry has everything I dreamed of a Peter Pan prequel having: a Lost Boy James Hook and a psychopath Peter Pan. James came to Neverland as the first ever Lost Boy. He loved it, the freedom, the silliness, the fun. He loved it until he wasn't allowed to leave, until he realized it wasn't all fun and games. I freaking LOVED this one.

"Peter and the Starcatchers" by Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson is another prequel, following orphan Peter and his friends on their way to an evil King. Along the way, they  meet some other friends, a talking dolphin, and a treasure chest filled with mysterious cargo (spoiler alert, its pixie dust). This novel (which turns into a series) was very cute, and though has its flaws, this novel holding its own against the original canon.

(4) "Never Never" Brianna Shrum is another prerquel all about Captain Hook. All James wants is to grow up. Until he meets Peter Pan. Pan promises him a fun, quick trip to Neverland. When he gets there, however, James isn't allowed to leave. When he starts to grow up, Peter gets angry. When he starts to fall in love with Tiger Lily, Peter gets jealous. When he starts to become Captain Hook, Peter gets excited. Yet another book with psychopath Peter Pan (which, in my opinion, is original canon (again, see my undergrad thesis)).

#peterpaninscarlet #lostboy #peterandthestarcatchers #nevernever #peterpan #captainhook #bookstagram #books #bookphotography #ilovebooks

This Is Kind Of An Epic Love Story

I read "This Is Kind Of An Epic Love Story" by Kheryn Callender in less than 24 hours (it would have been soooo much less if I hadn't had to work yesterday (bah, work)).

This boys-who-love-boys book follows Nathan Bird, a budding screenwriter, if only he could finish a script; Flo, his best-friend-turned-girlfriend-turned-ex-turned-best-friend; and Oliver James, Nate's childhood best friend who moves back to Seattle to shake up their junior year, to dig up only secrets and old emotions.

If Nate wasn't still in love with Flo, the feelings he has for Oliver might make sense. But he is, and they don't. Even when they start to, Nate holds back, pushes away. Ever since his father died when he was little, he's been afraid of a Happy Ending, convince that they don't exist outside of the big screen.

"This Is Kind Of An Epic Love Story" was beautiful, compelling, and all-around a good, gentle read. Yes, it tackles hard topics like college, freedom, death, sex, and more, so be warned. But you'll definitely want to read this cute romance whenever you get the chance, especially since it is by/about/dedicated to #QPOC

#thisiskindofanepiclovestory #kheryncallender #bookstagram #books #bookphotography #ilovebooks

Amber and Dusk

I received "Amber and Dusk" by Lyra Selene about a month ago from my UppercaseBox (more on that later, promise). I kept putting off on reading it, because I'm usually (usually) not one for fantasy reads (at least I don't ignore their entire existence anymore, 'kay?). But "Amber and Dusk" was good, really good.

Slyvie (also known as Mirage) was an orphan living on the very edge of the world of sunlight. She made it her life goal to get to Amber City, to ask the empress for a position in her court, and to live out the rest of her days in the luxury she had been refused for years. And deserved this life she did, she was a Legacy, she had magic. So she fought for place, fought for some power, fought for respect.

"Amber and Dusk" is a novel filled with politics, intrigue, secrets, magic, love, and conspiracies. Selene created an entire world in which to fall in love with as well as a host of unique and easy to love/hate characters.

One of my only critiques was that I would have preferred to have a map of the world (but that could have been a publishers decision, not an author's choice).

As a fellow author, I loved how Selene added the story-time moment in the first chapter to give readers not only a history lesson but a very important aspect of this world; it was essentially an info-dump without feeling like an info-dump whatsoever.

I also loved how strong and stubborn Slyvie was. We need more determined female characters seeking power and belonging in the world. Books like this, characters like this would be an inspiration to women (and men) everywhere.

What other books have you read that have empowering female characters?

As for the UppercaseBox... UppercaseBox is a book delivery service. Once a month, subscribers receive a new signed first edition hardback book, a personalized book from the author, a bookmark with website lookups (that lead to discussion boards and inside notes from the author), and 2-3 bookish items.
I've had mine for months, and I've been in love since the very first one. When my January box comes (any day now),  I'll post some pictures of it for ya'll.

What monthly book delivery boxes do you love?

#amberanddusk #lyraselene #bookstagram #books #bookphotography #ilovebooks #uppercasebox

Peter Pan

A few years ago (around the summer 2012) I read J.M. Barrie's "Peter Pan" for the first time.

And wow...

How had I lived 17+ years without reading that? It would be cliched to say that it changed my life. But it did, cliches be damned.

Since then, I've read "Peter Pan"...huh...at least twenty times? I've lost count to be completely honest. But each time I reread it, I find something else to be fascinated by, to be compelled by, to be curious by.

I ended up writing my undergraduate thesis on this children's novel. "'To Die Would Be An Awfully Big Adventure': A Critical and Creative Analysis of Disability and Character in J.M. Barrie's 'Peter Pan'". It was one of the most important, and life changing (yes, again), academic experiences of my life. I got to combine many of my passions: reading, writing, psychology, and disability studies.

One of my current creative projects is exploring how Captain Hook became Captain Hook. Its a YA, romance manuscript (of sorts) that explores the popular ideas of first loves, disability, and manipulation.

Has a book ever changed your life?

#peterpan #captainhook #neverland #jmbarrie #bookstagram #books #bookphotography #ilovebooks

Harry Potter

The obligatory Harry Potter post...

#harrypotter #jkrowling #bookstagram #books #bookphotography #ilovebooks

The Prince and The Dressmaker

Prince Sebastian likes to wear dresses, but who would want to marry a prince with a secret like that? Frances likes to design dresses, but who would hire a young, female designer? These two unlikely friends are just that, (best) friends. While Prince Sebastian, as Lady Cyrstallia, takes on the fashion captain of the world as aa celebrated fashion icon, Frances begins to feel her dreams come true. But what happens when Sebastian's parents try to marry him off? And what happened when Lady Cyrstallia's secrets keep Frances from reaching the top?

Jen Wang's "The Prince and The Dressmaker" was amazing, simple as that. I've seen it on must read lists from fellow Bookstagramers, to Bustle, to Buzzfeed. Therefore, it was on my to buy list for the longest time, but somehow, it never made it to my shopping cart.

Until the other day.

When I opened my box, I was surprised by the heft of this book, since it's mainly targeted towards children. When I opened my book, I was even more surprised to see that "The Prince and The Dressmaker" was a graphic novel. I read this book in thirty minutes, less if I hadn't been staring at Wang's beautiful illustrations.

The amount of inclusivity in this book was...shocking. Many of Wang's characters (you'll have to read it to find out which ones) almost normalized the idea of a boy, a prince at that, who likes to wear dresses. I fully recommend this book for children and adults alike, if not for the storyline or the message, but for the pictures.

#theprinceandthedressmaker #jenwang #bookstagram #books #bookphotography #ilovebooks

Nikita Gill

I first discovered Nikita Gill's poetry at Target through her collection "Fierce Fairytales". After reading a few of the poems, I quickly logged into Amazon and bought "Wild Embers" as well as "Your Soul is a River".

Gill's poetry is laced with confidence and most importantly inclusive feminism. She explores so many conflicts in today's society while outwardly portraying (and asking her readers to portray) courage, determination, and change. 

I don't read a lot of poetry, mostly because I feel compelled to then fully interpret everything that the author is trying to say in and between the lines. However, Nikita Gill's collections aren't like that. If anything, they make me want to write my own poetry collection.

#fiercefairytales #wildembers #yoursoulisariver

Whatever: Or How Junior Year Became Totally F$@cked

"Whatever: Or How Junior Year Became Totally F$@cked" by S.J. Goslee was the LGBT+ book I was looking for.

Mike thought life was going great, well as great as it can go for a high school student. His easy-going girlfriend breaks up with him, only to inform him that he's probably bi. So no only does Mike have to figure out his geometry homework, he has to figure out his own sexuality. 

"It's like the apocalypse came, only instead of nuclear bombs and zombies, Mike gets school participation, gay thoughts, and mother-effin' cheerleaders."

Walton's book portrayed the questioning aspect of LGBTQIA almost perfectly. The idea of being scared and confused, but not being the sole owner of being scared and confused (that secretly, everyone feels that way). 

Go forth, read this book or #whatever

Anything Could Happen

As I said before, I love to read books about love. So far, I've read a lot of boys-who-love-boys books too (aka LGBT+ books), especially since my MFA thesis was a boys-who-love-boys manuscript. 

"Anything Could Happen" by Will Walton was the first boys-who-love-boys book I've read in months. Walton's book follows the "I'm secretly gay and secretly in love with my best friend" troupe that I adore.

However, I was...only mildly satisfied. The romance aspect was a little lacking. Yes, Tretch, the main character and narrator, learns to love himself and the idea of becoming comfortable in his own skin (yay for self confidence), but I was left wanting more.

#anythingcouldhappen

Rick Riordan and Diversity

I could go on and on and on about how wonderfully diverse Rick Riordan's books are and how wonderful that is for children in today's world to have access to, but I'll just let him to it for me.

To experience this inclusiveness for yourself, buy the books, read the books, feel the love. That is all.

Also note that I have an entire shelf dedicated to the powers, the wonders, the gods that Rick Riordan brought to life. Thank you for that.

 #unclerick #percyjackson #magnuschase #kanechronicles

Six of Crows/Crooked Kingdom

I read "Six of Crows" by Leigh Bardugo (and the naturally "Crooked Kingdom", for obvious reasons) a few weeks ago for the first time. 

Today, I learned that Netflix is picking up a TV series based off the Grishaverse Series (a trilogy that came before the "Six of Crows" duloagy and that is loosely linked (same universe, different characters)). 
Amazingly enough, the Netflix series will include the "Six of Crows" duloagy.

Now, we all know that Netflix is pretty on top of their stuff lately with remakes/original series/movies based on books, so I'm pretty pumped about this.

However, I only read the duloagy, not the trilogy. In all fairness, I discovered "Six of Crows" first and couldn't imagine reading another series related in the same wonderful world without the six cute/precious little murdering/conniving rebel outcasts that I fell in love with.


*Sigh* But I guess with this Netflix thing coming out, I'll have to read the original Grishaverse trilogy. I mean, force myself to read yet another widely popular, incredibly famous series by a fabulous author? Poor me. #nomorners #nofunerals

And here's the pitch for "Six of Crows" that I feel compelled to add in here because everyone should read it:
"Six of Crows" is a young adult, action-adventure-fantasy novel that reminded me of the movie "Ocean's Eight" (which I've seen at least twice since it came out on DVD).

"Ketterdam: a bustling hub of international trade where anything can be had for the right price—and no one knows that better than criminal prodigy Kaz Brekker. Kaz is offered a chance at a deadly heist that could make him rich beyond his wildest dreams. But he can’t pull it off alone.… A convict with a thirst for revenge. A sharpshooter who can’t walk away from a wager. A runaway with a privileged past. A spy known as the Wraith. A Heartrender using her magic to survive the slums. A thief with a gift for unlikely escapes. Six dangerous outcasts. One impossible heist. Kaz’s crew is the only thing that might stand between the world and destruction–if they don’t kill each other first.

#sixofcrows #crookedkingdom #shadowandbone #siegeandshadow#runandrising #netflixoriginalseries

Five Feet Apart

Coming down from the emotional high (rollercoaster, whatever), naturally, I had to go and pick yet another book I knew would only end in tears.

"Five Feet Apart" by Rachael Lippincott (a Pittsburgh native as I learned) is a YA romance. Stella and Will meet in the hospital. They both have CF. They aren't allowed to get within six feet of each other or they could risk giving each other their bacteria. And what do they do? I'll give you three guesses...

Fall in love, you say? Get closer than six feet, you guess? Risk everything, you ask? All correct.

I picked up this book for five reasons:

     (1) I saw in on a blog my friend runs.

     (2) I saw it in an email from a local bookstore.

     (3) It's about to be a movie.

     (4) Cole Sprouse.

     (5) Cole Sprouse.

I don't want to spoil anything, but this book was awesome. A quick read. A heartwarming read. Hopefully, I really good movie, too (I'll keep you updated on that one).

Quick note: There is a very shocking moment a little over halfway through. While reading, I thought, "huh? If John Green wrote this, how would he proceed?" So I had my theory, I had what I would do as an author, I had what John Green would do...and Rachael Lippincott did just that. Was I mad? Hell no. I was proud. It was a fantastic twist that propelled the plot forward.

Okay, dear readers, another review under the belt. Click the heart, add a comment, read the book.

#fivefeetapart

Call Me By Your Name

Because I read a LOOOOOOOOT of books. Like a lot. Like from December 15, 20187 to December 15, 2018, I read 60+ books, and since December 15, 2018, I've read about 10 more. 

Where was I...oh, yes, because I read a lot of books, I'll just start reviewing the books I have read since January 1st. 

If I have more time or I get a little bored between reading/writing (aka procrastination at its finest), I'll add a few extra posts about my fav, fav, favorite books I've read through the years.

2019 started with "Call Me By Your Name" by André Aciman. Instead of re-writing a new post, I'll just copy and paste what I put on Facebook the moment I finished the book. Feel what I felt in that second:

Just finished reading “Call Me By Your Name”. Knew it was good, heard good things. It was turned into a movie so it must be, right?

Didn’t know how good. How emotional, how moving, how profound. I read a lot of books, and sure this won’t stay my top 10 long (maybe that’s just because I feel so scorned right now), but wow.

It was like watching “The Titanic”, knowing the ship is going to sink and thousands will die, and Jack/Rose will end up like Romeo/Juliet. It was like rereading Harry Potter and wishing that this time maybe, just maybe Sirius won’t die. But the ship sank and they died (the thousands and Jack and Sirius). I knew these characters wouldn’t end up together, their relationship wouldn’t last, but by god did I wish. Until the last heart wrenching, beautifully written word.

So that’s how I ended up sobbing, sobbing, while reading the last 50 pages of this wonder.

And that’s how I started balling again (I swear I thought I was done) while watching the movie trailer (which must wait for another day, because let’s face it, I’m not strong enough for this right now) when Oliver told Elio: “call me by your name, and I’ll call you by yours”.

Stay turned for how this might or might not reflect the rest of how 2019.

Okay, back to present. I've calmed down, and I'm still in love with this books. If I think too much about, I know I'll start crying again. The movie, which I've also seen since, is also amazing. Yes, I cried.

Go forth, read, enjoy, cry. Watch the movie, enjoy, cry. It's a cycle. Have fun.

#callmebyyourname 

_simplygraceless_

I love, love, love reading about love. That is what I do best. Reading and writing about people falling in love...

On December 31, 2018, I told myself that I wasn't going to make resolutions this year, because let's face it, how many people actually stick to those through the end of January. 

Then, of course, a few hours later, I had a list of resolutions. 

     (1) Keep learning

     (2) Write [almost] every day

     (3) Don't stop reading

     (4) Complete something (e.g. a manuscript)

Almost half of the month is over, and I'd like to say that I've been keeping up fairly well. 

However, I've chose to take it all a step further.

     (5) Get [a little] professional.

Don't just read the books, write about them. I've restarted the blog (this ol' thing) I forgot/gave up on over a year ago dedicated to reviewing books. I've started a second Instagram (a Bookstagram (not my term, but very creative)) (@_simplygraceless_) to also help reach out and share my love of reading about love, to support my fellow authors, to take another step towards my dream, and to keep myself accountable. 

Here, I will post reviews on books about love, about romance, about LGBTQIA. Sometimes there will be full-length, publish-worthy reviews. Sometimes the posts will be slightly this side of a literary rant. Most of the books will be young adult with a few new adult books, middle grade books, and poetry collections.

If you have any recommendations for me, please, please, please, reach out.

Also, check out my beautiful bookshelves. God, I love these things. One step closer to my wall-to-wall, floor-to-ceiling library. :D