Get To Know Ya Tag

I watched Alliembooks‘s video for this tag and really wanted to do it as well, but in blog form! Y’all should check out her video as well!

Favorite book of all time?

Queens of Geek by Jen Wilde!!!

Queens of Geek is about three friends who go to a new country for their first convention and to support their friend in her new movie. It is a fan’s playground. There are so many references to different things in pop culture that are so fun to spot while really capturing the feel of what it means and feels like to be a fan. Also, the writing is different from the way most books are written in my opinion. Its in first person, switching between two POVs, but it feels REAL. Like I’m in an actual teenager’s head not like most books where it still feels real but it still feels like a book. They may just be how I read it and how invested I was in the story and the characters, but it is one of the reasons I loved this book so much.

This book means the entire world to me! It has such a truly powerful and meaningful representation of anxiety that really reflected my own in a way that I had never seen before or thought that other people even experienced. This book is the only book to make me cry from start to finish because of the importance of it’s content to me. I truly can’t express how much this book means to me.

Favorite book five years ago?

Five years ago I was 12(yikes!) and my favorite book was probably Masque of the Red Death by Bethany Griffen.

I read this duology so many times! I would get bored or have nothing to read and would just pick it up and start reading, whether it was the first or second book it didn’t matter much to me, I loved both so much. It was exciting and mysterious and had such a fascinating atmosphere around it and always had me on my toes. It is such a suspenseful and romantic story based off of Edger Allen Poe’s story “Masque of the Red Death”. The books are just a really fun and entertaining read that’s cloaked with a unique atmosphere. I haven’t read it in years unfortunately, but they will forever be books I love.

Favorite duology/trilogy/series?

Six of Crows duology by Leigh Bardugo or the Percy Jackson and the Olympians series by Rick Riordan

I love these two collections of books!! I read the Percy Jackson series first and I reread it every summer before I go back to school. The series means the world to me because of how happy it makes me and how I can always go back to that world and feel at home and loved within the pages.

For the Six of Crows duology, I found those books during a certain time in my life that kind of matched what I was going through at the time and left such a huge impression on me. Not only was it extremely meaningful, the writing was beautiful and the story was completely different from everything I’ve read before. I was consistently on the edge of my seat, desperate to know what happened next and became completely invested in all of the characters’ stories. This duology set a new standard for a lot of books I read, it was that good to me.

Last book you read?

Reign of the Fallen by Sarah Glenn Marsh

This book was AMAZING. I’m currently on a queer girl main character book streak and it has been my happiest reading experience ever. The book follows a bisexual girl who is a necromancer and raises the dead so people can live longer with their loved ones and the king can continue the his reign of 200 years and prevent any change within his kingdom’s borders. That is until the Dead start getting turned into monsters and killing the innocent people of the kingdom. It was defiantly one of the heavier fantasy books based on the content such as drug addiction, dealing with the loss of loved ones and finding yourself, but was truly a fantastic read.

*note I originally wrote this in April and its now July and I have read more books since then but I like my commentary on this so I’m going to leave it. The last book I actually read was Fruits Basket Another by Matsuki Takaya which was 5/5 stars*

Last book of poetry you read?

I have never read a book of poems I don’t think, actually, so I cant really answer this question.

What book most influenced your life?

A Court of Mist and Fury by Sarah J. Maas

I first read this book while I was suffering through a depressive episode and just came out of an abusive relationship; I found solace in the Feyre’s story. I could see myself in her character and her struggle, and how it is possible to overcome the dark thoughts and traumatizing experiences one’s gone through. Through my love for Feyre and the whole story, I finally joined bookish communities on Instagram and Tumblr based off of our mutual love for this book, which lead to me meeting one of my best friends who I love and appreciate so much, as well as taking more chances and opportunities within the community as a whole. Without this book, I probably wouldn’t have found the courage or motivation to even write this post.

Although, I am greatly aware of the flaws within this trilogy and the author’s approach towards certain topics, this book will forever have an important place in my heart.

Book that made you ugly cry?

More Happy Than Not by Adam Silvera or literally any other book (I cry way too easily when I read)

Pro tip: don’t read two Adam Silvera books within three days if you’re not prepared to sob indefinitely

I vividly remember finishing this book because I had just started it that day and had just come home from Menard’s with my mom. It was spring and school was almost over and I was on my last legs of barely getting through the rest of the school year. I was completely exhausted physically and emotionally. It was night when I finished and I just remember sitting on my floor sobbing my eyes out, streaking my face with ruined mascara.

Book that made you laugh?

The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan

There is not a single Rick Riordan book that hasn’t made me laugh, but The Lighting Thief probably takes the cake because it was from Percy’s pov of just learning about this whole other world he’s apart of and dealing with it through side handed remarks and responses. This book probably makes me laugh because of how happy it makes me in general too.

(Magnus Chase is a very close second)

Character you’d like to be for a day?

Annabeth Chase

I would be a DEMIGOD for a day!! Its like a one day free trail to be a demigod, hopefully without all the death and danger involved. I would finally be involved in a world I’ve adored for years. I already have similar qualities to Annabeth, therefore I wouldn’t really even be changing that much, simply enhancing what I already have. Also, I’d be friends with Percy, Grover, Leo and Hazel with Magnus as a cousin so that’s a huge plus right there. Annabeth Chase is a character I admire so much and to be able to step into her shoes for a day would be considered a huge honor to me.

Book so good you dreamt about it?

Percy Jackson and the Olympians by Rick Riordan

Can ya’ll tell I really love the Percy Jackson series?

I honestly cant remember what the dream was about exactly but I know for a fact I have had multiple Percy Jackson dreams while I was rereading the series for the fifteenth million time.

Book you DNFd?

I don’t think I’ve ever officially DNFd a book. Usually if I stop reading a book its because I got interested in something else and forgot about the original book I was reading.

What book are you most excited to read?

Blanca y Roja by Anna Marie McLemore!!!!! And What If It’s Us by Adam Silvera and Becky Albertalli!!!

I couldn’t be more excited to read these books by my favorite authors!!! I’ve been internally screaming (and tweeting) about these books since they were announced and October cannot come fast enough! First, they’re by my favorite authors. Second, Blanca y Roja is a Swan Lake retelling that’s queer! Third, Adam Silvera AND Becky Albertalli??? Better start digging my grave now because I know I won’t be able to survive that combination. Fourth, honestly their both queer books and yeah that’s it.

I hope you found this at least somewhat interesting! For anyone who is interested in the tag please go ahead and do it and you can say I tagged you if you’d like.

Queens of Geek Review (Spoiler Free)

Queens of Geek by Jen Wilde

Rating: 5/5 stars

Synopsis:

Charlie likes to stand out. She’s a vlogger and actress promoting her first movie at SupaCon, and this is her chance to show fans she’s over her public breakup with co-star Reese Ryan. When internet-famous cool-girl actress Alyssa Huntington arrives as a surprise guest, it seems Charlie’s long-time crush on her isn’t as one-sided as she thought.

Taylor likes to blend in. Her brain is wired differently, making her fear change. And there’s one thing in her life she knows will never change: her friendship with her best guy friend Jamie―no matter how much she may secretly want it to. But when she hears about a fan contest for her favorite fandom, she starts to rethink her rules on playing it safe.

Content warning for: biphobia, fatphobia, sexism and racism (all challenged)

I have sooo much to say about this book, I love it so much! This is truly my favorite book of all time and the only book to make me cry from start to finish because of how represented I felt within the pages and characters of this novel!

The novel follows two girls: Charlie, who has anxiety and autism and is a true fangirl down to her core. And Taylor, a bisexual Chinese-Australian girl who is an up and coming Youtuber and actress. Both girls are so well-developed and dynamic characters who are figuring out their place in the world and who they are. They share such an amazing friendship, which was so refreshing since friendships often gets pushed to the side in most books.

The anxiety rep is spot on! It is so hard to find well-written and authentic anxiety in most books, but this book blows all that out of the water. I have never seen my anxiety written in any book before, I don’t think, and it was like the author plucked every thought and feeling I have from my brain and put it into words I’ve never been able to do myself. One quote that really stood out to me was: “My anxiety is invisible to others, but often it’s the focal point of my mind. Everything that happens on a day-to-day basis is filtered through a lens colored by anxiety” (51). This is honestly what life is like living with anxiety for me. Of course this representation of anxiety may not be accurate to everyone, but if you don’t have anxiety or know someone with anxiety and would like to step into the shoes of someone who knows what its like to have this experience, I highly recommend reading this book. I felt truly seen in this book, in a way I never have before and for that alone I will forever treasure this book.

And the bisexual rep! There was an actual bisexual girl represented in this book in a beautifully positive light! It was explained in such a casual way and its just what it is, nothing extravagant or elaborated, just part of Charlie’s identity. Also, her experience in figuring out how she knew she was bi was similar to my experience and how its not as fantastical and magical as most medias portray realizing that you’re queer. Of course those representations can be 100% accurate to many people, it was so nice to see a different portrayal, a different story. There was some biphobia exhibited by Charlie’s ex boyfriend if that is something you do not like to read, however it was immediately challenged.

This book is filled to the brim with so many heavy topics ranging from sexism, racism, fatphobia to characters with autism and the importance of friendship, all without feeling overfilled with so many different things. Charlie is constantly calling out the absurdity of the sexism and racial stereotypes she experiences being a female actor compared to the treatment her male costar gets from the fans, the press and management. Despite all those challenges, she never lets up and is always fighting for herself and her requests to be respected by everyone no matter who they may be. Taylor also bonds with another character over both of them having autism and sharing similar experiences as well as a shared love for superheroes and fantasy novels, leading to the importance that fandom has for so many people. This book truly gets to the meaning of what it means to be a part of a fandom and sharing with people who love the same things that you do and how important those friendships can be. It is also sprinkled with so many pop culture references from books to TV shows and it’s truly every nerds’ playground when it comes to that. One of its biggest messages is how great it is to be weird and for everyone to always embrace their weirdness.

The writing of this book is very natural and overall flows throughout with good pacing between the POV switches and what it is like to be living in this decade of social media. There are some flaws in the writing, as all books have, but overall the main characters  are thoroughly developed and the plot carefully written . There were some parts of action that were questionable when in reality they would be more difficult to accomplish in the real world that made a very slight disconnect in the novel, but the main focal points of the novel were well placed and relatable.

I could go on and on about how great this book it, but I’ll stop here to prevent writing a novel of my own. This book is my favorite book of all time and means the world to me. It is truly a novel of learning your inner strength and who you are independent of others definitions of you. This is at the top of my recommendations list and is a read you will not regret reading.

 

Wonder Woman: Warbringer Spoiler Free Review

Wonder Woman: Warbringer by Leigh Bardugo

Official Synopsis:

She will become one of the world’s greatest heroes: WONDER WOMAN. But first she is Diana, Princess of the Amazons. And her fight is just beginning. . . .

Diana longs to prove herself to her legendary warrior sisters. But when the opportunity finally comes, she throws away her chance at glory and breaks Amazon law—risking exile—to save a mere mortal. Even worse, Alia Keralis is no ordinary girl and with this single brave act, Diana may have doomed the world.

Alia just wanted to escape her overprotective brother with a semester at sea. She doesn’t know she is being hunted. When a bomb detonates aboard her ship, Alia is rescued by a mysterious girl of extraordinary strength and forced to confront a horrible truth: Alia is a Warbringer—a direct descendant of the infamous Helen of Troy, fated to bring about an age of bloodshed and misery.

Together, Diana and Alia will face an army of enemies—mortal and divine—determined to either destroy or possess the Warbringer. If they have any hope of saving both their worlds, they will have to stand side by side against the tide of war.

As I was reading this book I just kept falling in love over and over with the ccharacters. And the plot line was so beautifully written, as Bardugo always manages to do.

The book starts off with Diana trying to find her place with the Amazons, as she was not created like the rest of them, where Alia is trying to break free from the sheltered life she’s lived and find her own place to be who she is. Then, when Diana meets Alia and they set off on their adventure they each grow separately into strong woman and together to form this beautiful friendship.

The other characters, Nim, Theo and Jason are all so excellently written as well. Nim: the spectacular, fat gay girl with a magnificent sense for fashion. Theo: the gangly computer nerd with an unending sense of humor. And Jason: Alia’s extremely protective older brother, the brooding type, with the dream of changing the world for the better. All these characters are executed in such a real way that many characters lack.

Throughout the novel, each of these characters grow and change and adapt to their situation and learn to understand each other better. They’re true heroes.

The plot line was a little slow to start but once it started picking up it never stopped; I never felt bored or wanted to put it down. And the twists and turns of this story was stunning! It was like being on the most amazing roller coaster. There were so many ways Bardugo could have taken Diana and Alia’s story, but the route she took was beautiful and fitting for these characters.
Overall, I’d give this book a 5/5 stars. It was so inspirational and magical. This book filled me with hope and made me feel like I was worth something and could do absolutely anything I set my mind to. It made me feel strong, especially as a young girl in this society. I highly recommend everyone and everyone to read this book, you will not regret your decision to do so.