Do you listen to music when you read? Books, influence on your Music, Playlists, and more...

   I personally am one of those people that don't listen to music often when I read. I mean I can read with music, but it has to be in the background or else I can't focus on reading because I'll be too busy listening to the song! (especially if its one of my favorites and I can't stop myself from singing along) But I know that some readers out there totally love to listen to music when they read and actually prefer it to reading with no music.

 So I guess my question is do you listen to music when you read? What kind of music to you listen to when you read? Does the book your reading impact what music your listening to? Like does the music have to set the mood and/or tone of the book?

I've always wondered if for some readers music helps them to get the whole experience while reading. If it helps them imagine the world and the characters better, almost in a way that makes them feel like their there. Because don't get me wrong I've totally had moments were a song reminds me so much of a character I stop and wonder if the author was thinking the same thing when they heard that song and then it inspired the character in the book I'm reading at that moment. Also is it easier to concentrate if the songs don't have words (such as classical or just your favorite songs but the instrumental versions) or does it not matter?

  Also sort of tying into a previous post about the books you read and the seasons, got me thinking about how my music preference changes around the time of year. Typically the music I play has a lot to do with what mood I'm in. If I'm in more of an upbeat mood but want something new that I haven't heard before I'll play Todays top hits, or if I'm in a good mood but want something I can sing along to I'll play my favorite pop love songs from the 90's, 00's, and today. Those are the days when I just want music to make me feel like,

But I have my days were I'm more moody.... In those cases I don't want anyone to talk to me expect the lyrics in my head buds. 

 We've all had those moments when we just need our space and time to chill out with Coldplay and no one else. 

 Lets Chat!

Let me know if you're the type to listen to music while reading. Do you prefer a certain genre? Does the type of music you listen to change for each book you read? Let me know in the comments below!

-BubblyBooks 

Mini Reviews: A Darker Shade of Magic by V.E. Schwab and Jackaby by William Ritter

A Darker Shade of Magic
 By: V.E. Schwab

Rating: 5/5 stars

Summary: Kell is one of the last Antari—magicians with a rare, coveted ability to travel between parallel Londons; Red, Grey, White, and, once upon a time, Black. 

Kell was raised in Arnes—Red London—and officially serves the Maresh Empire as an ambassador, traveling between the frequent bloody regime changes in White London and the court of George III in the dullest of Londons, the one without any magic left to see.

Unofficially, Kell is a smuggler, servicing people willing to pay for even the smallest glimpses of a world they'll never see. It's a defiant hobby with dangerous consequences, which Kell is now seeing firsthand.

After an exchange goes awry, Kell escapes to Grey London and runs into Delilah Bard, a cut-purse with lofty aspirations. She first robs him, then saves him from a deadly enemy, and finally forces Kell to spirit her to another world for a proper adventure.

Now perilous magic is afoot, and treachery lurks at every turn. To save all of the worlds, they'll first need to stay alive.

This book was AMAZING!!! I seriously loved it so much I cannot even form words right now! First off the book centers around three different londons all from different worlds (I love this idea so much it was like this book was made for me :)) Also the writing was INCREDIBLE! It felt like I could just melt into the different worlds. Not to mention there was also thieving, backstabbing, and dark magic so whats not to love? 

This book stole my heart in so many ways but I can describe it all in four letters:

KELL

I absolutely,  totally, and completely fell in LOVE with Kell! He is the most interesting and unique character I have read about in quite some time (although I was practically dying from the lack of YA fantasy I've been reading lately) Luckily this book saved me from giving up on reading (the last few books I've read just haven't done it for me lately) Kell restored my faith in YA and was able to bring me back to life. He is just so fascinating, and I am completely intranced by the fact that he has two different color eyes, one black and one blue, I just think that is the perfect small detail too add. This book was able to keep surprising me in really unexpected ways. All the characters were really not what you expected and thats what made me love them!

“He would see her again. He knew he would. Magic bent the world. Pulled it into shape. There were fixed points. Most of the time they were places. But sometimes, rarely, they were people. For someone who never stood still, Lila felt like a pin in Kell's world. One he was sure to snag on.” 

 Like the fact the Deliah Bard completely crushed female stereotypes in book characters (pants over dresses... heck ya!) Leilah was honestly not my favorite in the beginning. Its not that I didn't like her I just didn't think she was all that interesting but that totally changed later on in the book and she was able to change my perspective on her. I also love Rhy who is Kells unofficial brother (who is also the prince of Red london- which is by far the best of all the londons). He is complete charming and he knows it, plus the fact that Kell would do anything for him... melts my heart!

“I apologize for anything I might have done. I was not myself.”
“I apologize for shooting you in the leg.” said Lila. “I was myself entirely.” 

This book was just the most unique and head spinning (not mention Fabulous) book and every page made me love it more than the last! If you get the chance PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE check out this book! (Read it! You just have to read it!) You will not regret it! 

Jackaby

 By: William Ritter 

Rating: 3/5 stars 

Summary: “Miss Rook, I am not an occultist,” Jackaby said. “I have a gift that allows me to see truth where others see the illusion--and there are many illusions. All the world’s a stage, as they say, and I seem to have the only seat in the house with a view behind the curtain.”

Newly arrived in New Fiddleham, New England, 1892, and in need of a job, Abigail Rook meets R. F. Jackaby, an investigator of the unexplained with a keen eye for the extraordinary--including the ability to see supernatural beings. Abigail has a gift for noticing ordinary but important details, which makes her perfect for the position of Jackaby’s assistant. On her first day, Abigail finds herself in the midst of a thrilling case: A serial killer is on the loose. The police are convinced it’s an ordinary villain, but Jackaby is certain it’s a nonhuman creature, whose existence the police--with the exception of a handsome young detective named Charlie Cane--deny.

Doctor Who meets Sherlock in William Ritter’s debut novel, which features a detective of the paranormal as seen through the eyes of his adventurous and intelligent assistant in a tale brimming with cheeky humor and a dose of the macabre. 

  This book had been sitting on my self for quite some time now and I think the only reason I didn't read it sooner was because I wasn't really sure what to expect. I didn't want it to be too stuffy and eighteenth centruryish but I did know there was some element of supernatural activity and I just didn't know what it was (I mean if it said right off the bat that there was vampires or werewolves I would have been sold) But this book actually pleasantly surprised me with how entertaining it was!

“I have ceased concerning myself with how things look to others, Abigail Rook. I suggest you do the same. In my experience, others are generally wrong.” 

 I mean both the characters (especially jackaby) were just so delightfully quirky that it made my eyes jump from page to page! The book starts off with Abigail Rook who dreams of nothing but adventure when she comes to town and stumbles into more than she expected when she meets Jackaby. She starts off as his employer and is naturally shocked to find out all the supernatural craziness he's involved with but him and her actually end up working beautifully together even if she can't make out all of his strange ways.

“Does this smell like paprika or gunpowder to you?” 

Also the whole town is quite interesting. I especially love how the sherif  had it out for Jackaby since the beginning and the two just torment each other constantly  Also the fact that Jackaby's last employee is now a duck and he lives with a ghost was totally fun twist. 

“The most recent gentleman has proven to be far more resilient and a great deal more helpful. He remains with me in a . . . different capacity."

"What capacity?"

Jackaby's step faltered, and he turned his head away slightly. His mumbled reply was nearly lost to the wind. "He is temporarily waterfowl.” 

The writing was also really funny and I found myself laughing out loud at some of the more quirky things just because of how flat out absurd they were! 

Overall this was a sold read and I would recommend it to anyone who wants something unique and interesting but not too heavy. (I'll probably pick up the second book some time soon) A solid three stars! 

My Favorite Fan Art from Six of Crows!

  Six of crows was one of my ultimate favorites reads this year and one of the things I've found most controversial about the book has actually been what the characters look like! Leigh Bardugo did such a good job of creating such a unique set of characters that its no surprise everyone pictured them differently in their heads.

 I mean you have Nina (a waffle lover and one of the most lovable characters of the book), Jesper (who is SO amazing I love him so much and Jesper you can steal my heart any day with your witty banter), Matthias (who I liked but have to admit was a little too "solider boy" for me but him and Nina together- I SHIP THEM!), and of course you have Inej (the most kick butt female character of all time! Plus her and Kaz... MAGIC!!! I absolutely love them! I cannot even form words for how perfect these two characters are together! The romantic tension is just crazy!) and then we have Kaz (my all time favorite love! This boy changed the way I see YA fantasy! Seriously LOVE).  Oops I almost forgot about Wylan! (Love him but he really only becomes relevant in the second book, Crooked Kingdom)

Okay first of all, is this not beautiful? Second of all this is almost spot on for how I imagined Kaz! (he is such a handsome boy indeed!) 

This is crazy cool. I love how the picture matches the colors on the cover and also how this would seriously work as an alternate book cover if you ask me... plus they just look like the dream team (well dream team full of criminals but still) 

This is super fun! And if you look closely you can see that there is quotes from each of the characters next to their heads (LOVE!) 

LOVE this picture of Inej! She looks like she ready to kick some serious butt! 

Okay I know this isn't a drawing but photography technically still count as an art, and also THIS PICTURE OF KAZ! I think I'm falling in love all over again (all this fan art is making me nostalgic! Now I know why people re-read things!!)

OMG Remember this part in the book?!?! REMBER! (I think my heart just melted a thousand times over!) 

Wow I just realized my amount of Kaz and Inej pictures totally outweighs all the other characters (Not that I'm biased or anything...) 

These two are awesome! And that picture of Nina is how I pictured her to a tee!

Okay why does everyone have to been so dang good at art? I mean look at this! Look at this! (I love Wylan) 

  Okay so now I need to re-read Six of Crows and Crooked Kingdom stat! This fan art is giving me all the FEELS! How do you picture the cast of Six of Crows? Do you draw fan art? Admire it from afar like me? 

Lets chat!

-BubblyBooks 

The Best Fairy Tale Retellings

I really love YA fantasy and have to admit it's probably one of my favorite genres of all time. I mean there just so much you can do with fantasy! You have the paranormal (shout out to my vampire and werewolves lovers out there), you have the princesses and castles (never get tired of the elaborate dresses! Can I just borrow your wardrobe's please!), theres also fairies, goblins, dragons, I could go on for centuries but nobody got time for that.
 One of my favorite types of fantasy however, would have to be Fairy Tale Retellings! Theres just something so fun about reading and books and being like.. hey! I recognized that from this fairy tale or I see something going on that I know was in a Disney movie I watched just last week! So today I'm here to rant about some of my all time favorite fairy tale retellings (that if you haven't read.. shame on you! You need to read them now!)

(Do you like my photo taking skills? Some books are just so pretty they need to be captured via phone cameras!) 

Cruel Beauty by Rosamund

Summary: Graceling meets Beauty and the Beast in this sweeping fantasy about one girl's journey to fulfill her destiny and the monster who gets in her way-by stealing her heart.

Based on the classic fairy tale Beauty and the Beast, Cruel Beauty is a dazzling love story about our deepest desires and their power to change our destiny.

Since birth, Nyx has been betrothed to the evil ruler of her kingdom-all because of a foolish bargain struck by her father. And since birth, she has been in training to kill him.

With no choice but to fulfill her duty, Nyx resents her family for never trying to save her and hates herself for wanting to escape her fate. Still, on her seventeenth birthday, Nyx abandons everything she's ever known to marry the all-powerful, immortal Ignifex. Her plan? Seduce him, destroy his enchanted castle, and break the nine-hundred-year-old curse he put on her people.

But Ignifex is not at all what Nyx expected. The strangely charming lord beguiles her, and his castle—a shifting maze of magical rooms—enthralls her.

As Nyx searches for a way to free her homeland by uncovering Ignifex's secrets, she finds herself unwillingly drawn to him. Even if she could bring herself to love her sworn enemy, how can she refuse her duty to kill him? With time running out, Nyx must decide what is more important: the future of her kingdom, or the man she was never supposed to love. 

This book really took me by surprise. It wasn't what I was expecting... but in the best way. I though it would be a more traditional beauty and the beast story but it ended up being way more unexpected. There was more magic, mystery, and confusion than I ever thought there could be. It starts off with Nyx being forced to mary the devil himself... Ignifex. A man she was born to hate, Nyx was destined to marry him, and then kill him. 

“You deserve all that and more. It made me happy to see you suffer. I would do it all over again if I could.' I realized I was shaking as the words tumbled out of me. 'I would do it again and again. Every night I would torment you and laugh. Do you understand? You are never safe with me.' I drew a shuddering breath, trying to will away the sting of tears."

Nyx is a very strong character and I absolutely loved seeing her challenge Ignifex. She was feisty and not willing to give up but the whole time she was in kind of an inner battle with her feelings. She didn't know what to make of Ignifex, whether or not he was good or bad. 

"He opened his eyes and stared up at me as if I were the door out of Arcadia and back to the true sky. 'That's what makes you my favorite.' He reached up and wiped a tear off my cheek with his thumb. 'Every wicked bit of you.” 

Ignifex of the other hand was a rather confusing character as well, plus theres a really twisted love triangle thrown into the mix the especially messes with your head. Throw in some magic rooms in a twisted and dark castle and you get a mystery that leaves your head spinning until the very end! OMG I just loved this book! Nyx was a character I totally loved because for once the beauty wasn't all innocence and goodness she was able to connect and relate to Ignifex because they both have a darkness in them that they cannot ignore. Loved the romance, the story telling, and most of all how it continued to surpass me an puzzle me almost to a point of confusion. A solid 4 stars Cruel Beauty is not a book to miss. 

The Cinder Series by Marissa Meyer

Omg where do I even begin for this series.... it is flat out other worldly! I'm going to spare you the four summaries of each of the books (especially since some of them may contain spoilers) but these books are a must read if you have not already read them. First off Marissa Meyer gives a futuristic spin to your favorite fair tales (those of which include, Cinderella, Little red ridding hood, Rapunzel, and even Snow White) and creates characters that you will absolutely fall heads over heels in
L-O-V-E with (my favorites being Cress and Thorne because they are just to die for ADORABLE!)

“Captain,” she murmured.
“I think I’m in love with you.”
An eyebrow shot up. She counted six beats of his heart before, suddenly, he laughed.
“Don’t tell me it took you two whole days to realize that. I must be losing my touch.” 

The whole plot focuses around Cinder, a girl who is the futuristic version of cinderella. She has a horrible step mother and two equally despicable step sisters to go along with it. The twist is that Cinder is part Cyborg and has a mechanic leg.

“I'm sure I'll feel much more grateful when I find a guy who thinks complex wiring in a girl is a turn-on.” 

She is also a mechanic in the book which comes in handy more times than one if I might add. This all changes when she meets the prince at her stand and he's looking for assistance fixing a drone. Cinder is careful not to let her robotic foot apparent and has the prince fooled that she is 100% normal. This obviously leads to later problems, but the plot gets even more complicated when the fantasy stories start to intertwine, this begins in Marissa Meyers second installment of the series, Scarlet. Please, please, please read these! You will not be disappointed trust me! It is SO fun realizing how she subtly (and not so subtly) incorporates the fairy tales into these futuristic, knock your socks of  novels (these books will have you yelling at the pages in outrage...not that I do that or anything..) A five star read, please give the Cinder series a chance to blow your mind!

Heartless by Marissa Meyer

Summary: Catherine may be one of the most desired girls in Wonderland and a favorite of the unmarried King, but her interests lie elsewhere. A talented baker, she wants to open a shop and create delectable pastries. But for her mother, such a goal is unthinkable for a woman who could be a queen.

At a royal ball where Cath is expected to receive the King’s marriage proposal, she meets handsome and mysterious Jest. For the first time, she feels the pull of true attraction. At the risk of offending the King and infuriating her parents, she and Jest enter into a secret courtship.

Cath is determined to choose her own destiny. But in a land thriving with magic, madness, and monsters, fate has other plans.
This book melted my heart! It was totally what I expected in some parts (like her spot on world building of Wonderland- it was like I was in Wonderland) but totally unexpected in other places (like the relationship she's build between Catherine and Jest is really not what I expected at all)

“You have my heart, Jest. I don't know if you deserve it or not. I can't tell if you're a hero or a villain, but it doesn't seem to matter. Either way, my heart is yours.” 

The romance was a lot more sweet and quirky rather than dark and mysterious, which is what I was expecting. I still really enjoyed it though. Now we need to take a moment to appreciate the beautiful and seriously spot on Wonderland.

“When pleased, I beat like a drum. When sad, I break like glass. Once stolen, I can never be taken back. What am I?” 

Between the magical hats that literally affected how people saw those that wore them, to the crazy tea parties, and elaborate jester performances this book was utterly entrancing and I love every minute of it. Marissa Meyers writing skills have seriously grown and you can see it in this book! So much detail and she was really able to create characters that you could understand and yet were a little unbalanced, much like the world of wonderland itself.

“To be all right implies an impossible phase. We hope for mostly right on the best of our days.” 

She didn't skimp on the danger of the world, nor the intensity, but there was a air of sweetness to the whole tale that added in a another layer and just made the whole story more dynamic and unpredictable. The ending did rip my heart out, though I suppose I should have seen that coming because the books is literally called Heartless. A 4 star read if you are a fan of Marissa Meyer (and you LOVED her Cinder series as much as I did) or you love a good fairytale retelling than I highly recommend you check out Heartless by Marissa Meyer!


Reign of Shadows by Sophie Jordan

Summary: Seventeen years ago, an eclipse cloaked the kingdom of Relhok in perpetual darkness. In the chaos, an evil chancellor murdered the king and queen and seized their throne. Luna, Relhok’s lost princess, has been hiding in a tower ever since. Luna’s survival depends on the world believing she is dead.

But that doesn’t stop Luna from wanting more. When she meets Fowler, a mysterious archer braving the woods outside her tower, Luna is drawn to him despite the risk. When the tower is attacked, Luna and Fowler escape together. But this world of darkness is more treacherous than Luna ever realized.

With every threat stacked against them, Luna and Fowler find solace in each other. But with secrets still unspoken between them, falling in love might be their most dangerous journey yet.

With lush writing and a star–crossed romance, Reign of Shadowsis Sophie Jordan at her best. 

This book is a spin off of Rapunzel and starts off with Luna, a girl who has lived her whole life locked up in a tower. The only time she gets to escape is when she hunts outside, and thats mostly at night, and only on rare occasions due to trying to prevent being caught. 

“The world was a merciless place. Hard and cruel. Except when you found someone to trust and love. Life, however fleeting, possessed meaning then.” 

Her existence is a secret. She has only really known two other people in her life, The two people that swept her away to safety. That all changes when she meets Fowler. Out on a nightly hunt she crosses paths with him, gets a glimpse of his merciful and kind soul and ends up swept into some unexsapable trouble. Together they end up back at Lunas tower, where her caretakers are furious that Luna would think to invite an outsider into their home. Her existence much remain a secret, if anybody would find out about the lost princess her life would become a prize, she would have a price on her head and any of the little freedom she had would disappear. Fowler is taken by surprise by luna and the book gets even more interesting when the secret of Luna's blindness become apparent one night in the tower. Together the two end up on a enviable quest and run for their lives. Everything the two have both known with change, and for the time being they only have each other. If they can even trust one another. 

 This book was a througheloy enjoyable read and the romance is really tender and soft and makes me want to curl up all night and read into the late hours. The romance is a nice break because it doenst make me want to tear my hair out in frustration with how annoyingly aboivous the characters are but rather its nice as you see the warm, loving relationship between the two unfold. 

“I felt her heart pounding against her ribs and directly into me. Or maybe it was my heart. Curled against each other like two locked pieces of a puzzle, I could not tell where I ended and she began. There was just this. Us. One shared heart.” 

They would do anything for one another, so much so that they would put their lives in danger for each other at the drop of a hat. This book is filled with tons of adventure, danger, and a magical realm that will keep you on your toes. With a force of evil wanting Luna dead the two will be battling until the end to keep one another safe. A 3 star rating I highly recommend this book!

Read any good fairy tale retelling? Love Marissa Meyer as much as me? Please let me know in the comments below! 

-BubblyBooks

The Best Books I've Read So Far Continued

The Winners Curse series
By: Marie Rutkoski

Summary: Winning what you want may cost you everything you love... 

As a general’s daughter in a vast empire that revels in war and enslaves those it conquers, seventeen-year-old Kestrel has two choices: she can join the military or get married. But Kestrel has other intentions.

One day, she is startled to find a kindred spirit in a young slave up for auction. Arin’s eyes seem to defy everything and everyone. Following her instinct, Kestrel buys him—with unexpected consequences. It’s not long before she has to hide her growing love for Arin.

But he, too, has a secret, and Kestrel quickly learns that the price she paid for a fellow human is much higher than she ever could have imagined.

Set in a richly imagined new world, The Winner’s Curse by Marie Rutkoski is a story of deadly games where everything is at stake, and the gamble is whether you will keep your head or lose your heart. 

All three beautiful books in the series:

(I personally like these covers so much better than the knew ones that just came out. There just so much prettier! Look at the dresses! Beautiful!) 

  This book series literally blew my mind! I loved it so much that when I think back on it I smile. I mean how could you not love these books! They are straight up magical. Lets begin with the amazing world building, the story takes place in a mythical country where slavery is still very much alive and well and Kestrel is the daughter of a very wealthy military general. The plot thickens when Kestrel is at a slave auction and meets Arin for the first time. She ends up taking an interest in him because he's rumored to be a beautiful singer but when she asks him about it he promptly denies having a musical ability whatsoever. The relationship that develops between the two is achingly painful, yet tenderly beautiful. Their love is forbidden (which sounds cliche but is actually pulled of tastefully and in a way that gives you all the feels. I seriously could have cried during these books) (sometimes just out of pure frustration!) and I could not tear myself from the pages with the aching way the author described Kestrels past and her fantastic piano playing. This book made me want to listen to classical music stat! Also theres the whole dilemma with political drama between Arin's race and Kestrels race, which leads to many riots and political mind games (many of which Kestrel is the victim of). Kestrel also is forced to train to fight every day of her life. Her father is a military general and as is his way, but Kestrel isn't a fighter at heart and this leads to even more deceptions of her life. I seriously cannot stress to you enough how much I love this book! The layers of complexity is just mind bubbling! You will not expect the plots twists that are to come my friends! (the second book nearly destroyed me on numerous occasions...) Please, please read this seres it is a hidden gem! 

Kiss of Deception series
By: Mary E. Pearson

Summary: A princess must find her place in a reborn world.

She flees on her wedding day.

She steals ancient documents from the Chancellor's secret collection.

She is pursued by bounty hunters sent by her own father.

She is Princess Lia, seventeen, First Daughter of the House of Morrighan.

The Kingdom of Morrighan is steeped in tradition and the stories of a bygone world, but some traditions Lia can't abide. Like having to marry someone she's never met to secure a political alliance.

Fed up and ready for a new life, Lia flees to a distant village on the morning of her wedding. She settles in among the common folk, intrigued when two mysterious and handsome strangers arrive—and unaware that one is the jilted prince and the other an assassin sent to kill her. Deceptions swirl and Lia finds herself on the brink of unlocking perilous secrets—secrets that may unravel her world—even as she feels herself falling in love.

All the Remnant Chronicles books: 

  This series is seriously everything I love about reading bundled all together in a pretty little package! Theres a mythical fantasy world, secret princes, a dark empire threatening to destroy the world, and old dark magic looming beneath all the chaos. Seriously how could I not be obsessed! This book starts out in a seriously cool way because it switches point of view between the three main characters, Lia (who I LOVE because her spunky spirt it amazing!), the Assassin, and the Prince. The catch is that the author doesn't reveal who the prince or the assassin is until the final few chapters of the book, but rather introduces you to two men and has you guessing throughout the book who is who. I've never read a books written like that and it was SO intriguing and mysterious and I loved it. There was world building in this series as well and it was... AMAZING! Not quite as unique or politically puzzling as the Winners Curse series but equally beautiful and described in a way as if you felt you were the there. These books were amazing because they weren't afraid to describe the gruesome or the nitty gritty of their lives. There were times of survival that were equally nail bitting, yet heartbreaking at the same time. The way the characters look after one another is achingly tender, yet tainted with the threat of them turning on one another which constantly keeps you on your toes! 
  I mean this book started with a princess running away from her wedding so I'd say it was written for me! Plus there was a prophecy and intricate tattoos involved ,which is also like a huge draw for me! These books only get better as you keep reading them so please hold out until the end! (the last book is just as fabulous as the rest). I have to admit there is a lot of subtly and slow suspicion in theses books (as well as in the winners curse now that I think about it) which I personally love because I think it allows for the readers to really get to know the characters internal struggles. There was also some political games in this series, especially in the second book (the Heart of Betrayal) where  some heated political arguments take place, and Lia is strong and as fierce as ever! Seriously recommend this series if you haven't read it PLEASE do! It is a must read for anyone looking for novels with a world that will haunt your mind for days, even weeks after!

 Overall both these books have very strong female lead characters that are tied in some very complicated relationships with some very unexpected people. Both have to fight through the impossible and use their problem solving skills in order to accommodate a very politically complex and demanding worlds. Visually stunning, incredibly unique, both series will keep you entertained for days on end! Highly recommend both equally as they are some of the best books I have ever read! 

Book Review: P.S. I Still Love You by Jenny Han

P.S. I Still Love You
By: Jenny Han

Summary: Lara Jean didn’t expect to really fall for Peter.
She and Peter were just pretending. Except suddenly they weren’t. Now Lara Jean is more confused than ever.
When another boy from her past returns to her life, Lara Jean’s feelings for him return too. Can a girl be in love with two boys at once?

In this charming and heartfelt sequel to the New York Timesbestseller To All the Boys I've Loved Before, we see first love through the eyes of the unforgettable Lara Jean. Love is never easy, but maybe that’s part of what makes it so amazing.

This book was SO much fun I loved it! Personaly I am a huge fan of Jenny Hans writing style. The way she portrays characters is just so unique! Laura Jean is just incredibly relatable in this book. You also see her grow as a person, yet she doesn't lose sense of herself which is really amazing. 

“Lara Jean, I think you half-fall in love with every person you meet. It’s part of your charm. You’re in love with love.” 

The baking in this book is a reason alone for why I love it so much! I mean not a chapter goes by without Laura jean mentioning how she's buying ingredients for a key lime pie, or baking cherry cookies, or preparing salted carmel chocolate cake! My mouth waters just thinking about all the delicious possibilities! Also her sisters continue to be wonderful as usual. Kitty is particularly sassy in this book and it made me nostalgic because it reminded me of my own little sis (who is equally sassy in comparison). I seriously laughed out loud when they mentioned how kitty watched the Sopranos and was trying to set their dad up on dates! Laura jean also continues to pick up on some cheeky advice, especially when she starts working at Belleview old folks home;

“If this is love, no thanks. I don’t want any part of it. When I’m older, I’m just going to do my own thing. If I like a boy, fine, I’ll date him, but I’m not going to sit at home and cry over him. I cry over important things.” 

Also... PETER in this book book! Ahhh... I sigh just thinking of him! In the beginning he was dream boyfriend material. They were like Ken and Barbie, made for each other. Then of course the dreaded Genevieve has to step in and ruin everything (as is her way). Not to mention the new boy that steps in to Laura Jeans life and may I say the way they describe that boy, he is straight up handsome as can be! (there was even a moment when I was questioning who I liked better Peter or John and I chose John! It was a moment of weakness!)

“He looks at me in such a way that I know for sure-he's never looked at another girl quite like this.
And the I'm in his arms, and we're hugging and kissing, and we're both shaking,because we both know-this is the night we become real.” 

I mean swoon worthy!!! Their relationship in this book is seriously so cute! (also the way peter is with Kitty is completely adorable) I also can totally relate to this book and love it when they play the game assassin because I'm going to be playing that later this year so I was really able to connect with the characters and thought that they were totally relatable (it was like I was reading about people I could meet in real life!) Also when Kitty has her cake walk fair, my little sister does the same thing! (I also have to help her make a cake and she likes to go all out!)

“He kisses like . . . like it could be his job.” Margot giggles and lifts the spoons off her eyes. “Like a male prostitute?” 

Overall reading this book is like snuggling up and eating a warm cookie... comforting and completely addicting ( I mean who only eats one freshly baked cookie?) Reading this book was so enjoyable because it was just so easy to be swept up in the characters simple yet endearing lives. I couldn't put it down! If you have not read this series I highly recommend! They are the perfect books to read if your looking for something light. I was especially in need of a lighter read after being swept up by some intense paranormal series recently and this was the perfect fix! Hope you get a chance to check it out!

-BubblyBooks 

Things I Love about Fall (and hate..) and how the Books I Read Change with the Seasons

2017 Discussion Challenge:
 Hey guys! So I just recently heard about this challenge created by It Starts At Midnight  and Feed your Fiction Addiction where you can post anything you want as long as it promotes discussion amongst fellow books bloggers and readers! Since this is my first time participating I thought I would talk about something I've been meaning to bring up but haven't gotten around to, and that would be..

FALL!

Autumn is officially here! For those of you who love the colder season this is a blessing that brings all things pumpkin spice, things that are bitter, and weather thats filled with ice. Others who praise the summer season are trying to hide their disappointment under layer after layer of clothing and change the channel every time Hocus Pocus comes on on TV.

 In my opinion I have a love hate relationship with fall. I'm definitely more of a spring baby. I like warm weather. The feeling of the sun on my face, tanning poolside, or just soaking in the sunshine is such a mood booster for me. I mean whats nicer than getting to read a really good book by the beach? I do have to admit that I see the appeal of reading by the fireplace when the weather turns chilly, but bottom line, I would choose surf over skiing any day.

 I truly believe the weather affects your mood. On a sunshiny day I'm instantly more awake and alert. I'm twice as likely to go outside and maybe get in some exercise. When the sun disappears over the horizon or is covered in a thick layer of fog I often feel more sluggish and struggle more to get through the day. This is probably why the spike in the purchasing of pumpkin spice lattes go up, because I know I couldn't survive a fall day without my caffeine! With all these weather changes going on its only natural that the type of books I read change as well!

 I'm WAY more likely to pick up a holiday themed book during christmas time or thanksgiving time. I just feel weird reading about christmas in books when I'm sitting here in the middle of July. (just doesn't feel right you know?) Some of my favorite books I like to curl up to in the winter time are books that take place in the winter season. For me this means plenty of winter weather!

 SNOW! SNOW! AND DID I MENTION MORE SNOW?

It just doesn't feel like a winter book if they don't include loads of snow and/or snowmen! Some of books I've read that do winter justice would have to be:

The Iron King by: Julie Kagawa

This book does some serious justice when it comes to winter. I mean hello? They had a whole icy winter court and everything! Plus it was complete with its own set of dashing royalty, all of which had ice in there hearts (I'm looking at you prince Ash!) This world was magically crafted with ice powers that could stop a person from breathing, thick layers of snow, and mysterious dark powers that could only loom in the season of darkness! If you haven't read this series I highly recommend them they will take up your entire winter break I promise you that.










Frostfire by: Amanda Hocking

I read this book several years ago but I still remember the plot clearly and know that it is about a girl who works for a secret community of elf-like creatures who are on a quest for something. (Ok so maybe I don't remember the plot so clearly, but I remember it being pretty good.) The book was a solid three stars, not the best book I've ever read but entertaining nevertheless. I mean its a total winter book (as you can tell from the beautiful winter themed cover to the left) and takes place in Canada (which I hear is stunning especially in the winter. So much untouched nature out there) Anyways this book is perfect for the Fall and Winter seasons and I highly recommend checking it out.









Frostbite (vampire academy #2) by Marissa Mead

This book is legit winter to a T. It takes place during the schools winter break where they all take a trip up to a ski resort. I'm talking plush fur throws, hot cocoa, and fresh powder to tear up on the slopes! Not to mention all the drama and romance that gets thrown in there (lets just say Dimitri's got some competition now..) Also romantic grand gestures, ski mishaps and more make this a must read winter novel!












 I was trying to come up with some good thanksgiving type of books but really I haven't read many that focus that much on that holiday (although there was a scene in Sweet reckoning, which is the third book in the sweet evil trilogy) And as far as halloween books go there are tons of them crawling out there. I can name like two scenes in some of my favorite books that just so happened to be at a halloween dance:

•  Bloodlines series- Adrian sees Sydney for the first time all dressed up in a sexy grecian goddess costume and OMG this scene is so adorable it will forever melt my heart when I think of it! But of course Sydney had to go with another guy in order to vamp up the amount of lust Adrian has for her (wow I seriously didn't catch the vampire pun by adding in the word vamp but now I'm totally keeping it ;)) 
• Also in the Sweet Evil series when Ana dresses up as the wicked witch of the west and she's literally covered in green paint from head to toe and a sexy black dress to match. Ladies I'm just going to put it out there Kaiden in that scene... very, very hot! 

It seems halloween just brings out the evil in people (and the lust. I mean so many sexy outfits!) Anyways have any fall things you can't live without? More of a summer baby like me? (trust me I feel your pain!) Do your book choices change with the season too? Let me know in the comments below. Thanks for stopping by :)

- BubblyBooks