Friday, March 17, 2017

Quick Update

No new books this week.  I'm in the middle of two books at the moment, Lilac Girls and On Edge.  I'll probably finish them up this weekend and post reviews of them next week.

Going to see Beauty and the Beast tonight!  Can't wait.  <3

Saturday, March 4, 2017

Hidden Figures and All The Missing Girls

Hey look!  TWO book reviews!  And it hasn't been 6 months!  #winning




I chose Hidden Figures because of all of the movie hype.

I was expecting something informational, yet narrative, ala Erik Larson, but got something VERY different.  This book is informational to the core.  It does tell the life stories of the ladies highlighted, starting from early ages and moving through their careers at NACA (and then NASA after the switch).  It was very dense and definitely not an easy read by any means, but the stories of these amazing women are worth the effort.  It is amazing to me that these stories haven't been told before now, but honestly not entirely surprising, considering these were women in a "mens field."

Getting to see just how hard so many of these amazing women fought was inspiring to say the least, and I cannot wait to do more research and learn more about each of them!  I also can't wait to see the movie and see these awesome women come to life on the big screen!

A book by a person of color:  Hidden Figures by Margot Lee Shetterly



So this is a strange situation for me, because I am normally very straightforward when it comes to books.  I either love them or hate them.  With All The Missing Girls I was truly unsure if I even liked it until about ¾ of the way through.  The storytelling style is so unique that it takes you by surprise and draws you in slowly, instead of grabbing you from page one.  

Part One begins with our narrator, Nicolette, getting a strange letter from her father and returning to her hometown.  The day after she arrives, her neighbor, the 23 year old Annalise, goes missing.  


Part Two then jumps ahead 15 days, and going forward you read each day counting backward until you reach day one, the day Annalise disappears.  


The way Megan Miranda is able to reveal just enough in each chapter to feel like the story is moving forward, but never enough to get a real true grip on what is happening is thrilling.  As more and more information comes forth about both Corinne, Nic’s best friend who went missing 10 years ago, and Annalise, the stories intertwine and you get a sense of each of the characters darker secrets.  


This book exposes the lies we tell to save the ones we love in a way no other has before it.  


Definitely a book I would recommend to those looking for a book to keep them on their toes!


A book with an unreliable narrator: All The Missing Girls by Megan Miranda


Currently Reading: Geekerella by Ashley Poston

Sunday, February 26, 2017

PopSugar Reading Challenge

Yikes!  It's been a while!  I'm obviously failing at blogging, but hopefully I can work on improving my track record!

This year I've decided to focus my reading more on quality than on quantity.  In order to do that I've decided to participate in the PopSugar Reading Challenge!

The challenge consists of 40 reading prompts to encourage you to "read outside the box."  And 12 Advanced prompts to add up to a total of 52 books for the year.  I'm not sure if I will complete the advanced prompts, but I definitely want to try to complete all 40 of the original challenge!

I've also decided to read some of the books that have been on my TBR list for WAY too long.  Many of them are classics or books that I feel like I should have read back in school, but either never did, or don't remember reading.


So far this year I've read:
A book that's been on your TBR list for way too long:  The Hobbit by JRR Tolkein
An audiobook:  Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen (read by Rosamund Pike)
A book that is a story within a story:  The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood
A book with a subtitle:  Orange Is The New Black by Piper Kerman
A steampunk novel:  Etiquette and Espionage by Gail Carriger
A book about an interesting woman:  Lab Girl by Hope Jahren

Just for fun books (books that don't fit into the challenge, but I still wanted to read!)
Glass Sword by Victoria Aveyard
Kings Cage by Victoria Aveyard

Currently Reading:
A book by a person of color:  Hidden Figures by Margot Lee Shetterly

I will try to post reviews as I finish each book!

<3 


Tuesday, May 10, 2016

What I'm Reading Wednesday!

Look!  Two weeks in a row!!

I've finished All The Light We Cannot See. I loved it!  It was fantastic!  So unexpected and riveting. I wasn't sure it was going to be for me, but it sucked me in and I loved it.

I just finished The Crown. What a strong finish to a wonderful series. I was sad to see it end.

I'm now reading The Trials of Apollo. I love the Percy Jackson universe, so this should be a quick read!

Wednesday, May 4, 2016

What I'm Reading Wednesday!

Happy Star Wars Day!

I'm currently finishing up the book All The Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr.  It is about a young blind french girl Marie-Laure and a young German boy Werner and when their paths cross during the German occupation of France during WWII.  

The perspective switches between the two young people and the story unfolds beginning with their childhoods and leading up to when they both have to survive the devastation of WWII in the small town of Saint-Malo.  

According to Amazon: 
Doerr’s “stunning sense of physical detail and gorgeous metaphors” (San Francisco Chronicle) are dazzling. Deftly interweaving the lives of Marie-Laure and Werner, he illuminates the ways, against all odds, people try to be good to one another. Ten years in the writing, a National Book Award finalist, All the Light We Cannot See is a magnificent, deeply moving novel from a writer “whose sentences never fail to thrill” (Los Angeles Times).



After a couple of "meh" books recently, this one has definitely brought me back!  

Once I finish I'll give it a rating!  And I'm looking forward to writing a few more of these blog posts since I received 3 pre-ordered books yesterday!

Wednesday, December 31, 2014

Frosty VoxBox Reviews! Part 1

Here is the start of my Frosty VoxBox Reviews!


My EcoTool's Hairbrush is now a daily part of my hair routine!  (If you can call waking up and brushing my hair a routine....)  I really like it a lot.  

The Brush I received is the Styler and Smoother.  It gets the tangles out, without pulling.  It's also supposed to dry hair 20% faster.  Not sure how true that is, but I still like it!


Next up is the Rimmel ScandalEyes eyeliner.  Holy love story Batman!  This is my new favorite thing.  I'm a total eyeliner junkie, so this is totally my jam.  It lasts FOREVER.  It also goes on in a nice smooth line.  There is some bleeding throughout the day, but it really isn't bad, and it wears pretty naturally.
After a full day of wear.  Inner lids (upper and lower) lined only.

After a full day of wear.  Inner lids (upper and lower) lined only.
VERY happy with this product.  It will probably be the only eyeliner I buy from now on.  

And to go along with the eyeliner, I also received the Rimmel Makeup Remover.  I also love this!  I'm TERRIBLE at removing my makeup.  Like, I never do it.  BUT, in an effort to be a better person, I've been trying to do that.  And with this super awesome eyeliner that doesn't come off, the makeup remover is perfect!  It's also very gentle and doesn't bother my sensitive skin.  

So overall so far, 3 products from the FrostyVoxBox are a WIN.  Love them all!

- Jen


**I received these products free from Influenster to try and review**



Monday, December 29, 2014

Frosty VoxBox

I love mail!  I especially love mail when it contains free products to try and review!

Have you heard of Influenster?  If not, you should check it out- Influenster

Influenster is a site that allows you to see real reviews, questions and answers from REAL people.  A great way to check out products before investing in them.

I've received a few VoxBoxes from them, and I love them.  It's a fun way to try new things and get to share them with the world!

I was recently chosen to receive the Frosty VoxBox!

Check out all of that awesome stuff!
Inside the FrostyVoxBox I found the following things!

An EcoTools Hairbrush
FruitVines Bites in Cherry
Celestial Seasonings Tea in Candy Cane Lane
McCormick Gourmet Thyme
NYC Expert Last Lip Color in Sugar Plum
Rimmel London Scandaleyes Eyeliner
Rimmel London Gentle Makeup Remover
Boots No 7 Protect and Perfect

I'll be reviewing each throughout the next week!

Oh, and check out my YouTube unboxing video!
(Please excuse the fact that it's my first youtube video ever!)



- Jen