A Write Review

For fans of Grace Helbig and Alexa Chung comes a fresh, hilarious guide to growing up your way from social media influencer and lifestyle vlogger Arden Rose.

In Almost Adulting — perfect for budding adults, failing adults, and eaters of microwave mug brownies — Arden tells you how to survive your future adulthood. Topics include:

-Making internet friends who are cool and not murderers

-Flirting with someone in a way to make them think you are cool and not a murderer

-Being in an actual relationship where you talk about your feelings in a healthy manner??? To the other person???????

-Eating enough protein

-Assembling a somewhat acceptable adult wardrobe when you have zero dollars

-Going on adventures without starting to smell

-How sex is supposed to feel, but, like, actually though

By the end of the book — a mash-up of essays, lists, and artwork — you'll have learned not only how to dress yourself, how to travel alone, how to talk to strangers online, and how to date strangers (in PERSON!), but also how to pass as a real, functioning, appropriately socialized adult.

REVIEW

Here's the thing... I don't like self-help books.

I'm not hating on the entire genre, especially since I have literally seen people change because of these helpful books. But, we're all different and these books just aren't for me. That being said, this opening statement doesn't mean I didn't enjoy this quirky little gem - specifically designed for young adults approaching the big 'grown up' stage. I was surprised by how fast I sped through Almost Adulting, blaming it on the easy style of writing and relatable stories. Made up of essays, list and funny little drawings, this successfully grabbed my attention for a solid few hours.

Arden tackles many issues plaguing young adults today, including body image, mental health and sex. She doesn't have any medical degree behind her that could back everything she's saying. Instead, the famous YouTuber relies on her own experiences to deliver wisdom. I appreciated her attempt at discussing mental illness, especially now that the world is evolving and the stigma surrounding these illnesses are still staying firm. Relating to her battles and reading about how she came out of that dark time helps anyone realize that there is a way to overcome your struggles. These heavy topics, which could place anyone in a dark mood for hours, were delivered in a funny way that helped lighten the mood and place you in great spirits.

"Just do whatever it is that you’re second-guessing. Unless the thing you are contemplating doing is meth. Don’t do meth.”

Even though I laughed, had multiple "that's so me" moments and applauded Arden for her blatant honesty when it came to sex, I don't regard this as a self-help book. I would call this a memoir instead, something that Arden's fans could appreciate more. The book mostly revolved around Arden telling us about HER life and what SHE experienced. She then tells you what she thinks you should take from her stories but as soon as you start to understand what she's trying to say... she ends it off with 'but you do you'. There were so many contradictions within her writing. At one point she would give you advice and tell you what to never do but she'll turn around real quick and sort of wash her hands clean by saying something around the lines of 'it's your life, so make your own choices'.

I also felt like this book was a love letter to her boyfriend Will, another YouTube sensation apparently. She documents their everyday life, how they met and all the little cute things they do together. I'm all for love but there were times she unnecessarily dragged Will into a chapter that had nothing to do with him. These would usually be about how having him saved her and he helped her through her hard times and his so supported and and and... But, here is my issue: what about the girls that don't have a Will? There are a lot of girls that could read this book and think that they need a guy to save them and help them through a tough time. If you're going to write a self-help book then you need to teach somehow how they can survive without the aid of a boyfriend/girlfriend.

These minor issues bugged me but I still had a great time reading this book. Her personality bounced off every page, making the book personal in many ways. I enjoyed her kind wisdom and the issues she addressed are part of the stark reality we have all come to know as 'normal'. She taught me new ways to address mental illness and encouraged me to judge less. During October, also known as Mental Awareness Month, I want to spread this advice and inspire all my readers to educate yourself on the various illnesses. Not only for yourself, but for your friends, family, co-workers and neighbours.

- Tina

Book was sent to me by Jonathan Ball Publishers in-exchange for an honest review.

No comments

Chaol Westfall has always defined himself by his unwavering loyalty, his strength, and his position as the Captain of the Guard. But all of that has changed since the glass castle shattered, since his men were slaughtered, since the King of Adarlan spared him from a killing blow, but left his body broken.

His only shot at recovery lies with the legendary healers of the Torre Cesme in Antica—the stronghold of the southern continent's mighty empire. And with war looming over Dorian and Aelin back home, their survival might lie with Chaol and Nesryn convincing its rulers to ally with them.

But what they discover in Antica will change them both—and be more vital to saving Erilea than they could have imagined.

REVIEW

Well, that was unexpected.

Like many Throne of Glass fans, the news that the final installment would be pushed back by a full year, instead replaced by a novel revolving around Chaol Westfall, broke my heart. And yes, I have not been a Chaol fan since the beginning, after a blue-eyed prince captured my heart and never let go. But, I know the beloved royal guard had a few fans and I too grew irritated when Sarah opted to change Chaol into a jerk, something she accomplished with the character of Tamlin in A Court of Thorns and Roses as well.

Despite this dislike of the main character, I gave in to my growing need to know what has been happening in this world after the ordeal in Empire of Storms and was wonderfully surprised to have enjoyed this beast of a book. The moment I started the second chapter, narrated by my only loved character heading into this book, Nesryn, it felt like coming home. Sarah's writing has always been one of my favourite styles - descriptive, yet beautifully poetic and riveting.

Tower of Dawn took me by surprise because of everything Sarah does so well as a writer. She built a world in this book called Antica, gripping me with every history lesson, every legend told and the cultures introduced. The world of Erilea grew and grew within the span of 660 pages, and I ate every word up. For those of you that believed this book has nothing to do with the main plot, I'm here to let you know that A LOT is uncovered and once all plot twist were revealed, you'll feel even more afraid for our beloved characters. It seemed as if Sarah could not possibly worsen the fate of Aelin and friends but once again we have a great enemy who grows powerful every day, new characters introducing new cultures and new storylines that crowd the plot even more.

I know that Antica and its great armies are needed, but the number of new characters introduced worry me because we already have a host of characters within the Throne of Glass world, each one with a powerful story that all started when Adarlan chose to attack their neighboring countries. So, my question is, how will just ONE final book encapsulate all these characters? I want to know how each story ends and to do this, we'll probably need a book twice the size of Empire of Storms. But, the prospect of that thrills the bookworm within me.

I am struggling to hold back spoilers as I write this review, because there is so much I want to discuss but I know quite a few people have yet to read it. But, I honestly encourage all Sarah fans to read this book. If not to give Chaol a second chance, then do it for Nesryn because my girl is finally getting her happy ending. Do it because this world is beautiful and each character is essential and the various plot twist will leave you staring at the ceiling for a good 20 minutes, wondering HOW Sarah could do this to you. Again.

However, even though I enjoyed this book, there were many faults. This story is at heart a love story, built around redeeming the character of Chaol. The plot twist that will affect the rest of the series merely danced around the true storyline. Even though I was a sucker for the romance dripping off the pages (Nesryn and Sartaq are my everything now), I did think this book was way too long. The back and forth, denial and arguments between our main characters, who you just KNOW are falling in love, was stretched out. I really started to enjoy this book when we reached Part Two, which dealt a lot with Nesryn and her journey to find herself.

The ending literally gave me goosebumps as our lead characters sailed the seas. It only made me want the final book more, because help is on the way and we might just stand a chance with all the revelations revealed in this book.

Also, I couldn't help but love the way Sarah ended the scene with Chaol. It was sort of cheeky, as if she knew once her fans ended this book, they would feel bad for doubting her when she wanted to write about Chaol. I am so happy I chose to give this book a chance, which only solidified Sarah as one of my favourite story-tellers.

What did you guys think about this book?

No comments

Adrift after her sister Bailey's sudden death, Lennie finds herself torn between quiet, seductive Toby—Bailey's boyfriend who shares her grief—and Joe, the new boy in town who bursts with life and musical genius. Each offers Lennie something she desperately needs... though she knows if the two of them collide her whole world will explode.

Join Lennie on this heartbreaking and hilarious journey of profound sorrow and mad love, as she makes colossal mistakes and colossal discoveries, as she traipses through band rooms and forest bedrooms and ultimately right into your heart.

As much a celebration of love as a poignant portrait of loss, Lennie's struggle to sort her own melody out of the noise around her is always honest, often uproarious, and absolutely unforgettable.

REVIEW

Lennie finds herself lost, after the sudden death of her sister Bailey. Having nobody to turn to, it feels as though she’s drowning in her own sorrow. Desperate to have someone to talk to, who understands her sorrow, Lennie forms an unlikely bond with someone we’re least expecting OR maybe not that unexpected) …

This was Jandy Nelson’s debut into the Young Adult scene? Talk about making an entrance! Her writing was lyrical and full of emotion. She spent time describing scenes and sensations, which further helped to transport me into her world. Her descriptions were used as a way to link you to what is happening and tug at your heart strings.

“In photographs of us together, she is always looking at the camera, and I am always looking at her.”

Being Bailey’s sister was what Lennie thought of herself. She was the dusty old coin, while Bailey was the shiny gold coin that everyone wanted to have or at least say they’ve touched. Having an absent mother, meant that the sisters only had each other. Suddenly, and without warning, it’s just Lennie. This is what made me fall in love with this book. While grieving, you don’t people to feel sorry for you, to pity you and suddenly speak to you because they feel obligated to.

“I wonder why bereaved people even bother with mourning clothes when the grief itself provides such an unmistakable wardrobe.”

So, to protect yourself from their stares, you pretend that you’re fine because it’s easier that way. Lennie’s hurting but she doesn’t want to have to explain this hurt to the world because it still doesn’t make sense.

“Who wants to know that the person you love and need the most can just vanish forever”.

Not really knowing what to do after the death of her sister, Lennie acts on impulse. She does things without thinking them through and considering the repercussions. For some, she is reckless and selfish. But to me, she was sad, lost and confused, and she just wanted to feel. Anything.

“When I’m with him, there is someone with me in my house of grief, someone who knows its architecture as I do, who can walk with me, from room to sorrowful room, making the whole rambling structure of wind and emptiness not quite as scary, as lonely as it was before”.

This is a love that was doomed from the start. But with each turning page, you can understand why she’s desperately latching onto him because he’s the only one that really understands. Together, their broken hearts become one.

“… and the cloak of being fine that I wear with everyone else slips right off my shoulders”

The Sky is Everywhere is beautifully written, with wonderful character developments and flaws that make them human. All the characters existed within their own right, but added to the richness of the story. We have the bereaved Toby, the swoon worthy and new boy in town Joe, her estranged best friend, her quirky grandmother Gram who has an affinity for flowers and reading people and her larger than life uncle Big. I loved this book because we experienced Lennie’s grief with her, how everything spiralled and how she tried to save herself from her grief, her love, her loss and ultimately, herself.

Lennie’s life in one sentence: “I wish my shadow would get up and walk beside me.”

- Christine

Side Note: I, Tina, reviewed this book a while back on my previous blog, making it clear I wasn't a fan. But, when I gave the book to Christine a few months ago, she LOVED it. I was taken back to see the huge amount of encouragement and joy this book filled her with and decided that perhaps she should write her own review regarding how she felt.

This experience only proves that we are all different and we all like certain elements of books. Be open to other opinions and respect everyone's love for a book that they will treasure forever.

No comments

Welcome to the world of the Grisha.

After pulling off a seemingly impossible heist in the notorious Ice Court, criminal prodigy Kaz Brekker feels unstoppable. But life is about to take a dangerous turn—and with friends who are among the deadliest outcasts in Ketterdam city, Kaz is going to need more than luck to survive in this unforgiving underworld.

“I would have come for you. And if I couldn't walk, I'd crawl to you, and no matter how broken we were, we'd fight our way out together-knives drawn, pistols blazing. Because that's what we do. We never stop fighting.”

REVIEW

Once the final chapters approached and the ultimate heist/devious plan was hatched, I realized that I had been holding my breath throughout the final part. I'm not sure I can accurately describe how brilliant, thoughtful and amazing this book was. I became a fan of Leigh Bardugo when I read Six of Crows, namely because of her stunning style of writing, her rich world-setting and the characters, who made the long nights and early mornings worth it. My heart was thoroughly pummeled as the pages stretched on and when I received Crooked Kingdom, I knew that I was in for a better adrenaline filled ride. Each chapter was filled to the brim with action-packed storylines, causing your heart rate to constantly bounce around.

There were moments I had to force myself to take a break because I couldn't handle the suspense and betrayal dripping off the pages. Everything was beautifully interconnected, something most writers fail to get the hang of. I've read books before that promise a storyline with backstabbing, betrayal and intrigue but Leigh was the first to get it right. I noticed her flare for plot twist in Six of Crows, which caused me to doubt everything in this final installment- something that added to the tension and I loved it. I loved that Crooked Kingdom was a BEAST and yet, it was everything I needed it to be. The betrayals and clever plans were genius but as always, Leigh wins me over with her characters.

Have you ever read books with characters that attach themselves to your heart and never leave? Well, it happened to me because WOW. Each character had a history, a past that formed them into the thugs and gang members they are today. Ketterdam isn't for the weak and to read about how each character ended up there was what this book needed. In Six of Crows, we got to know the characters and all their dark history. I realized, once I finished Crooked Kingdom, that the first installment was only grazing the surface. This time around, Leigh went deeper and explored everyone's weakness, dreams and aspirations. She managed to add layers to characters that were already interesting.

The infamous Kaz Brekker was undoubtedly my favourite. I know, too expected right? Usually the main character pales compared to the other characters but Kaz, and his heart-breaking history, kept dragging me back. This seemingly heartless boss was so much more than what he showed the world, with the exception of one brave and unrelenting powerhouse by the name of Inej. Part of me expected their romance to evolve but when I read the ending, I realized Leigh had taken the realistic approach. The mental, physical and psychological damage done to these two have embedded themselves into their very being and changing that in one book, for the sake of swoon worthy moments, would just be too much, too fast. Their pace was how it should have been and the ending was what this book deserved.

“Crows remember human faces. They remember the people who feed them, who are kind to them. And the people who wrong them too. They don’t forget. They tell each other who to look after and who to watch out for.”

It caused us to want more and need more but since this is the final book, we will eternally be left with that feeling of longing. I could not believe that this was the last time I would read anything about Kaz and all our beloved characters. I'll miss every single one of them but I'm content with the journey each of them are on. I would like to know more about Nina but I have a feeling we'll be reading about her soon in Leigh's next book, King of Scars, which takes everyone back to Ravka.

I haven't read the Grisha Trilogy and after Six of Crows, I knew I would attempt the famous trilogy but after Crooked Kingdom, I am more than ready to get back into this beautiful world.

What did you guys think of the ending?

- Tina

Book was sent to me by Pan MacMillan Publishers in exchange for an honest review.

No comments

Juliet Young always writes letters to her mother, a world-traveling photojournalist. Even after her mother's death, she leaves letters at her grave. It's the only way Juliet can cope.

Declan Murphy isn't the sort of guy you want to cross. In the midst of his court-ordered community service at the local cemetery, he's trying to escape the demons of his past.

When Declan reads a haunting letter left beside a grave, he can't resist writing back. Soon, he's opening up to a perfect stranger, and their connection is immediate. But neither Declan nor Juliet knows that they're not actually strangers. When life at school interferes with their secret life of letters, sparks will fly as Juliet and Declan discover truths that might tear them apart.

REVIEW

If you've ever lost someone then you're probably aware of the various stages of grief. The typical 'google' search will churn out something about anger, sadness, acceptance etc. But, for people that have experienced a loss close to them, they'd know that those stages are fairly accurate but not entirely. They miss a few steps. Most people don't know that there's the unpredictable stage and the stage where you're not sure if you could smile again because it would be an insult to your dearly beloved. As someone that has felt this sudden and life-altering loss, I could appreciate this book even more.

The thing about Letters to the Lost that made me enjoy it was its relatability. It somehow really resonated with me, an outcome I blame on the actual letters being exchanged. As someone that writes for a living and hobby, I know how therapeutic writing out your thoughts and ideas could be. That allowed me to instantly connect with the character of Juliet. Throw in her love for photography and I was enthralled. Later, when we got to know the real Declan, I fell in love with his character as well. Their story was innocent, at times relatable to an absurd amount and down right cute.

The writing kept me hooked, especially when Brigid dove into the darker side of her writing. It's not out of this world dark but exploring abuse and the ramifications of it was quite entertaining. Although I was a fan of Declan and Juliet, I have to admit that my attention was constantly moving towards the other characters. First off, I loved the character of Juliet's mom. She was complex, driven, beautiful and played a vital role in her daughters life despite her constant travelling. I know that what her mother did was pretty brutal for anyone to learn about but that only added depth to her character. Brigid created this idea of Juliets mother, as if she were an enigma we weren't entirely privy to.

Then there was Rev. My sweet and beloved favourite character. I know his getting a book of his own soon, a fact I was extremely thrilled about because there was no way Brigid could develop this complicated and stunning character and NOT give him a happy ending. Even though the focus of this book was Declan and Juliet, I was drawn to the friendship created between Declan and Rev, the history between families and their sad past. I was drawn into Juliet and her moms relationship, good and bad. It was their stories apart that made me love this book.

I wouldn't say that their romance wasn't enough to hook me, which is partly true. But, the reality is that the storyline behind that romance was better. It was moving faster, developing into a rich story filled with drama and realistic life happenings. If I should judge this book by its romance, something I hope people don't do, then I wouldn't chalk it up to be amazing. There were times their romance was cute but there were also moments it was dragged on too long, causing our leads to go back and forth from should we or shouldn't we? However, that didn't matter to me at all since my focus wasn't transfixed by the two love struck teenagers. This book goes a bit deeper than expected. It explores grief and the weight labels have on children today, as judgement plagues everyone on a daily basis.

Once I was done with this read, I smiled because I knew it had taken me out of my reading slump and immediately pushed me towards my next book. Its a fulfilling and easy read, with just enough to keep the romantics at bay. But, prepare yourself for a roller coaster that's much more deeper and complicated than you think.

Book was sent to me by Jonathan Ball Publishers in exchange for an honest review.

- Tina

No comments

Steffi doesn't talk, but she has so much to say.

Rhys can't hear, but he can listen.

Their love isn't a lightning strike, it's the rumbling roll of thunder.

Steffi has been a selective mute for most of her life - she's been silent for so long that she feels completely invisible. But Rhys, the new boy at school, sees her. He's deaf, and her knowledge of basic sign language means that she's assigned to look after him. To Rhys, it doesn't matter that Steffi doesn't talk, and as they find ways to communicate, Steffi finds that she does have a voice, and that she's falling in love with the one person who makes her feel brave enough to use it.

From the bestselling author of Beautiful Broken Things comes a love story about the times when a whisper is as good as a shout.

REVIEW

When I started this wonderfully sweet book, I was suffering from a severe book-hangover due to my reread of A Court of Mist and Fury. Something that one should just NOT DO. But, I decided to step out of the fictional world and embrace a bit of reality. As someone that is extremely shy when confronted with a lot of people, I could instantly relate to the character of Steffi. Most of us remember those dreaded days spent preparing for a class presentation, sweaty palms and nervous stomach growls included. This was one of the reason I wanted to read about Steffi and Rhysand.

Initially, I was worried that Steffi's condition would cause me to grow annoyed easily. There's growing and then there is moving at a snails pace. However, I was pleasantly surprised that Sara didn't opt for this route. Instead she moved Steffi's progress at a decent rate, making this book easy to read. I blew through all 320 pages within one sitting, perfect for taking my mind off my previous hangover. I loved Steffi and Rhysand together, an innocent romance more relatable than most young adult stories these days.

Even though I felt like their relationship was unbelievably sweet and PERFECT, to the point that I was begging them to have a fight, I still enjoyed all the cute moments they spent together. Their story is about growing together, about entering a new relationship and more importantly, about respecting others for all their little quirks.

One of my favourite parts of this book was their first time together. Look, as someone that has read a range of teenage sex scenes, this was by-far the best description of that life altering encounter. Things aren't always filled with fireworks and other word adjectives. If you have read the scene in question, I hope you read what I read, which is a natural and realistic approach to the sometimes controversial 'first time'.

Even though I sped through this book, enjoying the time as the pages flew by, I don't consider this a heavy read at all. It was simple, sweet and adorable. Nothing about this storyline really questioned the way people treat others or how people living with disabilities are treated within society. Don't expect to cry because Rhysand has so many issues, which I actually appreciate. I didn't want Sara to exploit his problems and make him this depressed character who always had a hard time. Rhysand was happy, filled with positivity and love.

If you're looking for a sweet read, encapsulating the modern day relationship and all its troubles, then this easy read is for you.

- Tina

Book was given to me by Pan MacMillan Publishing House in exchange for an honest review.

No comments

Spring is a time for change and new beginnings, and as South Africans embrace the warmer days, I decided to take it a bit further by creating a whole new blog. What better time to release my new and improved blog than now? I know that a lot of my followers noticed my absence online over the past few months, as well as the scarcity of my reviews. For that, I would like to send many apologies.

I would like to blame the online absence on my new job as a journalist. However, that's not entirely true because even though I was drained when I started working full-time, there were other factors that were also to blame. Like the fact that the content I was producing just didn't seem good enough. I wanted to produce quality and it started to feel like I was posting for the sake of posting. Reviewing on a regular basis will unfortunately not be part of this new change, as life and work can get unbelievably overwhelming. But, I have been trying to make a real effort by releasing more content I am truly happy with.

I will also be welcoming guest authors to work with me on my blog. One such fabulous writer is my colleague and book soul mate, Christine Diampovisa. Recently, we established that our opinions are either similar or far-apart and because of this, I decided that from time to time, her thoughts on books and their storyline would be perfect.

I knew coming into this new design and platform that I would lose a few followers, especially since I opted to leave all my old stories and content on my previous site. I took the concept of starting fresh to heart and everything on this blog will be NEW content. I do feel like some books I already reviewed on my previous online space weren't fairly treated, as the review lacked depth and real opinion. Which is why I will be posting a few reviews that I've done before but otherwise, everything will be brand new. I sincerely hope my previous followers click on that 'follow' button once again, as well as welcomed newcomers.

"Without continual growth and progress, such words as improvement, achievement, and success have no meaning." - Benjamin Franklin

I'm prepared to build up your trust again and can't wait to hear what you guys think about my latest work. Thank you to all the loyal followers for staying with me through multiple changes. By now, you must be thinking I'm a perfectionist and maybe a bit OCD. This might be slightly true but all the changes was so that I could grow and show my followers that my content is worth the follow.

Love,
Tina

No comments

Pages

REVIEW

"Without continual growth and progress, such words as improvement, achievement, and success have no meaning." - Benjamin Franklin

- HELLO -

About me

Follow by Email

Follow Us

Instagram

Tweet Tweet

PIN IT

Guest Authors

The Sky is Everywhere by Jandy Nelson

Translate