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Tuesday, 15 September 2020

Top Ten Tuesday: Book Covers with POC & Black Characters

Top Ten Tuesday was created by The Broke and The Bookish in June of 2010 and was moved to That Artsy Reader Girl in January 2018. It was born of a love of lists, a love of books, and a desire to bring bookish friends together.

This week's Top Ten Tuesday is a Cover Freebie, so I wanted to highlight 10 12 (yes I am cheating) beautifully illustrated covers that feature coloured and black characters. I am loving how the book publishing industry is opening up for owned-voice stories and for non-white readers to see representation of them on covers. Covers are linked to Goodreads

Top Ten Book Covers With POC & Black Characters




  


  



There are so many more covers that could go on this list. I had heaps of fun compiling this list. 

What Are Your Favourite Diverse Book Covers? 


Monday, 7 September 2020

Talking Personal: What The Last Five Months Have Looked Like

I'm probably not the only one to say this and most likely you're sick of hearing this, but it's absolutely mind-blowing that we are now in September. 

Since my last Talking Personal, not a lot has happened in my own personal life, but more so the world itself. Especially in Victoria. COVID-19 has really reared it's ugly side and with that brings a whole host of emotions, chaos and whatever else that could be wrong this year. Still, I'm trying not to dwell on the negatives. Even if some days aren't as great as others. So what have I been doing?

Well, I got stood down from work, so I've had 5 months of trying to fill out my days.

I re-found my love for reading. I read and read and read and read. So much reading during the months of April to July. It was so enjoyable and pushed me to reconnect with the book blog and booktube community. There's been some great people I've gotten to know because of it! And of course with reconnecting with booktube it means I've been filming videos again. Something I didn't realise I was missing until I restarted. 

I was able to reflect on myself and my goals, including 2020. Yes, this year hasn't turned out the way anyone has wanted it to be. Yet, to be frank, I lost control of the last 2 years of my life and couldn't see a way out. So being able to sit back and really deep dive on who I am and what I want really allowed me to realise that there are some things that will happen out of my control, but what matters is the actions and behaviours that I exhibit within these restraints that work towards goal progression. I am really proud of myself for being able to tick off each goal, no matter how small, in the last few months. It's shown me that I am capable of achieving what I set out to achieve. 

I watched a lot of Korean dramas for a few months, and started a Korean drama review blog. Unfortunately, it's collecting dust at the moment, as I've now moved over to rewatching Criminal Minds. When it comes to TV shows/movies I really cannot multitask or watch different ones at the same time. In line with Korean dramas or Korean culture I guess, is my attempt at re-learning Korean. It hasn't been as consistent as it should be when you're learning a language but I'm getting there. Slowly. 

Still, there's been a lot of eating, lying around and having a terrible sleeping pattern. Alongside getting dolled up for random photoshoots (don't laugh) and then finally, and the most recently, giving myself a haircut. I took scissors to my hair 2 weeks ago and I loved every moment of it. If anything, it means I've learnt a new skill that'll save me some money in the future!

    

I've been trying to see this as time given back to me. Time, a lot of time honestly, that you wouldn't expect to have until retirement really. I try to ask myself when I'm feeling unmotivated and dejected, how would I feel/what would I think looking back on this time now and how I spent it. Don't get me wrong, this isn't easy, if anything the extension of the lockdown makes it harder to stay positive and motivated. Everyone's feelings are valid. You don't have to be cheerful and energetic everyday. We've been deprived from the things that humans normally thrive on as well as added stressors that make it more difficult. But this is the situation we've found ourselves in. We can only do so much with what we have. It's a matter of what you want to do and how you want to face each day. 

Sending love and good vibes to everyone out there. 



Friday, 4 September 2020

The Animal Crossing Book Tag


Sure enough I have found myself caught up in the ISO phenomenon that is Animal Crossing. I'm definitely new to the game, but have watched my brother play it before the Switch release. Surprisingly, I've come to enjoy it quite a lot although my progress in the game is a lot slower than what I've seen from others. Anyways! I saw Jenna from Happy Indulgence complete the tag and had to jump on board. 



The Rules
  • Please link back to the original creator of the tag, Bookish Things and Tea
  • Answer the following Animal Crossing themed book questions
  • Feel free to use McKenzie's graphics (which I have), but please don't take credit for them 
  • Tag some friends to spread the love!





I've had Anne of Green Gables, both the novel and series (not the Netflix one), on my shelf for awhile now. I keep meaning to read it but have been avoiding it for some reason. The new Netflix adaption has definitely piqued my interest more so it's now moved up on my priority of books to read. 


Such a particular question to ask and honestly, not an easy one to answer but I'd have to go with World After, which is a bit of an older read but the second book to the Angel Fall series. To be fair I haven't actually read the ending to this series yet, but whilst the first book was okay, the second book grabbed my attention straight away and finally got me excited about the entirety of the series. 



It's hard not to go past the Shade of Magic series with this one, as V.E Scwab takes world-building to such an exciting and creative level. She introduces the notion of parallel worlds, London in this case, with a touch of magic, that makes the world's that much more fun to read about. 


I have and will continue to rave about After the Flood, a debut novel from Kassandra Montag that speaks volumes on climate change, the end of the world and what that may mean for us, whilst also exploring themes of sacrifice, loyalty, guilt and family ties. It's a thought-provoking and emotional read. I wrote a full review on it, which you can read here, to know more of what I thought about it. 


Is it too easy to say Harry Potter with this one? If I did have to choose another book then Scatterheart is my next choice. I read Scatterheart in year 7 and can't seem to forget how much I really liked it and what it aimed to deliver to readers. It's a gorgeous story of learning to be strong and finding yourself in the midst of trouble, whilst also having a rather heartwarming romance play out. Also, I appreciated that it was set during the colonisation of Australia, just to highlight Australia's history. 

If we're talking characters, then Neil Gaiman's American Gods is a standout for its eclectic group of gods that the story involves. They each have such different characteristics that jump out at you and remain memorable, especially Mr. Wednesday and the god who is represented as a baby gangster. 


This is such a controversial selection but Sarah J Maas' A Court of Mist and Fury, the whole series really, I could go without and did honestly. I never finished ACOMF because of the direction it was heading and how much it bothered me. Even now I wouldn't think to revisit it. I still like her A Throne of Glass series though so don't @ me just yet. 


Where do I even start with this? If we're talking Adult historical fiction, I will always recommend The Other Boleyn Girl because that was the first historical book that introduced me to the genre and made me fall in love with it. I do acknowledge it's dramatisation, based on a lot of speculation, but it made for a rather thrilling read. If we're looking more at YA historical fiction, if you could call it that, then there is The Book Thief, an absolutely beautiful read. 

I'm not sure I know enough bloggers who haven't done this to tag them, but please, if you're interested definitely go ahead and share with me! I would love to read your answers. 

Quick note: I wrote this post a few months back but for some reason never shared it!

Friday, 28 August 2020

The Waiting List: 10 September Releases To Look Out For

The Waiting List is a feature hosted by PrintedWords&, to highlight some of the new, exciting releases for the upcoming month!

September Waiting List




1. Punching the Air by Ibi Zoboi & Yusef Salaam
Genre: YA Contemporary/Poetry
Release Date: September 1st, 2020
This is probably one of my most anticipated releases for this year. I recently discovered Zoboi through American Street and have fallen in love with the way she tells her stories. I am really looking forward to reading's Zoboi and Salaam story and what they have to share with the world. 

2. Skyhunter (Skyhunter #1) by Marie Lu 
Genre: YA Sci-Fi
Release Date: September 29th, 2020
I will be honest and say I haven't read a Marie Lu book yet, but this sounds like it could be great fun to read. Lu creates a dystopian world in which the Karensa Federation only has the country Mara left to conquer. Except Talin Kanami, a member of Mara's elite fighting force, isn't ready to give up so easily. 

3. Grown by Tiffany D. Jackson
Genre: YA Mystery/Thriller
Release Date: September 15th, 2020

Enchanted Jones, an aspiring singer, gains the attention of R&B artist Korey Fields at her audition. She thinks she's about to make her dreams become a reality. Then one day she wakes up with blood on her hands and Korey Fields is dead. Who killed Korey?

4. Watch Over Me by Nina LaCour
Genre: YA Contemporary/LGBQT+
Release Date: September 15th, 2020
Mila agrees to move to an isolated farm, enjoying beingalone. What she didn't expect is the ghosts from previous residents at the farm, still consumed by the trauma of their past. 

5. To Sleep in a Sea of Stars by Christopher Paolini 
Genre: Science Fiction
Release Date: September 15th, 2020
Many readers will know of Paolini and the famous Inheritance Cycle series. This time he returns with a Sci-Fi novel, in which Kira Navarez is thrust into a war amongst the stars, something she never expected to happen. 


6. When No One is Watching by Alyssa Cole
Genre: Thriller/Mystery
Release Date: September 1st, 2020
Sydney starts to notice many of her neighbours in Brooklyn are disappearing, with For Sale signs placed overnight at a rapid rate. Sydney and her neighbour Theo starts to do some digging, beginning to learn of the secrets around their neighbourhood including what gentrification can do and what other conspiracies lie in wait. 

7. Who I Was With Her by Nita Tyndall 
Genre: YA Contemporary & LGBQT+
Release Date: September 15th, 2020
This hits maybe a little too close to home, and I guess that's why it's on my list. I've found myself leaning more towards books with situations I may have experienced or have some similarities, only to see how the characters react and respond to these situations. I guess it's more for me to learn and reflect on my own behaviours and emotions. 

8. We Are Not Free by Traci Chee 
Genre: YA Historical Fiction 
Release Date: September 1st, 2020 
This also made my most anticipated releases for the last half of 2020. Fourteen young teens are rounded up amongst 100,000 other people with Japanese ancestry and sent to incarceration camps. They work together to bring down the injustices and racism that have placed them in this dangerous situation.  I expect this to be an impactful and thought-provoking read. 

9. Early Departure by Justin A. Reynolds
Genre: YA Contemporary & Fantasy 
Release Date: September 22nd, 2020
Early Departure combines fantasy with contemporary to deliver a story about friendship, interwoven with loss, grief and love.

10. Blood & Honey (Serpent & Dove #2) by Shelby Mahurin
Genre: YA Fantasy 
Release Date: September 1st, 2020
The second instalment to the Serpent & Dove series, which I'm sure many people are excited for. Personally, I do have the first book but haven't read it just yet. Maybe knowing that this is coming out soon will push me too.

What Are You Excited To Read In September?


Monday, 3 August 2020

Monthly Wrap Up | July Absolutely Flew By

July really did fly by in a blink of an eye and all of a sudden it's August. Honestly, I can't say anything exciting happened in July, so much that I almost forgot I even read any books. To my surprise I did have a somewhat great reading month, which I go in in my wrap up video!

On The Blog

PrintedWords& turned 8! I celebrated by sharing "What Blogging Means To Me Now" and hosting an international giveaway. 
It ends in a weeks time so definitely enter. Good luck!

"The Waiting List"
Five new July releases I am excited for. 

Reading Wrap Up



Reviews

The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes (Hunger Games #0) by Suzanne Collins
Parachutes by Kelly Yang
American Street by Ibi Zoboi

Monthly Book Haul


I definitely bought more books than I read this month, oops.


What Books Did You Read In July?