June 2019 Reading Wrap Up + Mini Reviews

Okay, guys!

I've read so many freaking books this month. It's honestly so bizarre that I've done so much reading the past two months. Perks of working part-time and having the summer off from school I suppose. I really really love the books that I read this month. It was just such a fun reading month. Let's jump into it! 

Reading Stats:

Total Number of Books/Things Read: 20

Number of Novellas:2 

Number of Rereads: 6

Number of Graphic Novels: 6

Adult: 3

YA: 9

Middle Grade: 5

DNFs: 1

Circe by Madeline Miller

4.75 stars 

read physically and through Audible

This was such a fantastic book. It's definitely going to be one of my favorites of the year. This is the sort of feminist novel that I didn't know that I needed. Circe is such a fascinating, strong, and powerful character. Her development throughout the book was so addicting to watch and I just love her so much. The focus on her growth, her story, and her power was just so fabulous. When she first had her child, the focus and narration surrounding her first two years of motherhood were just so spot on. I'm not a mother -- full disclosure. However, I'm the eldest sibling (kind of, my sister is 1 minute older -- so whatever), so I understand how hard being a mother is. When my mom first started working full time, I had to pick up the slack of helping with the kiddos. 

This book is just so phenomenal. Click {here} for my review!

Fangirl & Carry On by Rainbow Rowell

5 stars

read physically

Two of my all time favorites! These books are just automatic five stars. I was honestly so scared that I wouldn't enjoy these as much, but they absolutely lived up to the hype. 

I'll have a re-read review up soon!

Here are my original reviews!

{Fangirl}

{Carry On}

Sorcery of Thorns by Margaret Rogerson

4.9 stars

read physically

Another new favorite! Margaret Rogerson did not disappoint! This was so freaking magical and beautiful. I honestly want to reread it and tab it up. It was honestly just so phenomenal and well done. I love Margaret Rogerson's books so much!

Full review to come!

Made You Up by Francesca Zappia

4 stars

read physically

This was the only book that I managed to read for the Buzzword-A-Thon, but I'm really happy that I read it. Francesca Zappia is such a wonderful writer and I absolutely adore this story. The main character, Alex, struggles with schizophrenia and the hallucinations that result from her disorder. With her schizophrenia, Alex's perception causes her to be an unreliable narrator. I really loved that perspective. She's so scattered and confused and scared -- while I feel terrible that she has to deal with those experiences, it allows me to learn something new and empathize with her more easily. This book was so good. I cannot wait to read more from Zappia. 

Full review to come.

Click {here} for my review for Eliza and Her Monsters.

Courtney's review for Made You Up {click}

Saga #54 by Fiona Staples and Brian K. Vaughan

5 stars

read through Hoopla 

One day during the middle of the month, I decided that I wanted to torture myself and read the last bit of the Saga series because I missed the series. Instead, I made myself cry and I almost threw my phone across the room. This series is phenomenal and I cannot wait for more to come out. I need it.

Volume 1

Volume 2

Volume 3

Volumes 4-9 

Cress (The Lunar Chronicles #3) by Marissa Meyer

4.8 stars

read via audio through Hoopla 

Aaaaah! Cress is probably one of my favorite additions to the Lunar Chronicles series. Before I did this series reread, it was my favorite. I'll discuss more of that once my series review is up. 

Fairest (The Lunar Chronicles #3.5) by Marissa Meyer

4.5 stars

read via audio through Hoopla 

Of all of the Lunar Chronicles books, this was one that I hadn't read. I'm really glad that I read it though. It was awesome to get some back story on Levana, Winter, and Selene. It definitely added to the story and gave it an extra layer of depth. 

How To Read by Kwame Alexander and Melissa Sweet

 3 stars

e-ARC provided via publisher

This was such a lovely picture book. I loved the poetry and how the art contributed to the story that the poem told. This is going to be a favorite amongst the young children of the world. This is so great for kids.

{DNF} The Wedding Date by Jasmine Guillory

no rating

read physically

I just really could not get into this book. I didn't like the characters, the plot, the conflict. I just wasn't a fan at all. I DNF'd this around 145 pages in.

99 Percent Mine by Sally Thorne

3 stars

read physically 

This just wasn't it. I've been anticipating Sally Thorne's sophomore novel ever since I read The Hating Game. I even pre-ordered it. However, this story was just so bland and boring. I was semi-entertained for the majority of the time, but I hardly liked Darcy, Tom was just bleh, and their romance was just so forced and annoying. I liked the concept and the themes surrounding family, change, and sibling relationships -- but it just wasn't done well. This was just so scattered. I feel like the pressure was too intense for Thorne. This was kind of a flop.

Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) by Marissa Meyer

4.8

read via audio through Hoopla

Another Lunar Chronicles reread. This was so much fun to listen to. I loved being with these characters and seeing the story wrap up. Marissa Meyer is so wondeful.

Steven Universe and the Crystal Gems #1-4 by Josceline Fenton, Rebecca Sugar, and Chrystin Garland

4.5 stars

read digitally through Hoopla

I loved this little volume. Steven Universe is one of my favorite shows and reading these graphic novels brings me so much joy. 

Wundersmith the Trials of Morrigan Crowe (Nevermoor #2) by Jessica Townsend

4.8 stars

AAAAH THIS BOOK! I'm still recovering from the wonderfulness of this story. I cannot wait for book 3. I need it! I'll have more cohesive thoughts in a review. Stay tuned!

Memento by Jay Kristoff and Amie Kaufman 

5 stars

This was perfect and everything I needed from an Illuminae Files and AIDEN back story. I cannot wait to get back to Obsideo.

Steven Universe: The Ultimate Dough Down by Talya Perpa, Rebecca Sugar, Meg Omac, and Lorena Alvarez Gomez

4.75 stars

read digitally through Hoopla

This was so cute. I love Steven Universe so much and this was just so wholesome and wonderful. I love the focus on Sadie's character and her feelings surrounding Lars' absence. 

Steven Universe: Camp Pining Play by Rebecca Sugar

5 stars

read digitally through Hoopla

This was so much fun. This volume focused on Peridot and Lapis and their relationship. I just need more wholesome stories about them. I love them so much.

Steven Universe and the Crystal Gems (#1-4) by Josceline Fenton, Rebecca Sugar, and Chrystin Garland

4 stars

read digitally through Hoopla

I'm such a massive fan of SU and this volume was just so wholesome and great. I honestly don't know what order to read these comics (thank you Goodreads). If you love the show, you'll love the comics.

The Tea Dragon Festival by Katie O'Neill

5 stars

e-ARC provided via NetGalley

This was such a lovely and perfect little story. I absolutely adore everything about this story, the art style, the plot, and the characters. The representation in this book was so freaking wonderful! Wonderfully done! I loved learning more and more about the world of dragons and tea dragons. I'm so in love with this world. I hardcore recommend this book to anyone who loves whimsical, lovely, soft stories. Everything by Katie O'Neill is perfect so far.

Letters to the Lost by Brigid Kemmerer

4.5 stars

More Than We Can Tell by Brigid Kemmerer

4.75 stars

Letters to the Lost was such a freaking fantastic contemporary romance. Declan and Juliet are such fascinating characters and I loved their love story and I couldn't put this book down. Kemmerer has a way of creating a cast of characters that you absolutely root for and hope for. This book was so addicting and I wish that I had more from these characters. I'm so freaking glad that Brigid wrote More Than We Can Tell. SO GOOD!

More Than We Can Tell is one of the best contemporaries I've read all year. I didn't think it could live up to the awesomeness that was Letters To the Lost, but oh my gosh it did. Rev is such a wonderful, complex, soft boy. His story was so compelling and I couldn't put it down. Emma was just wow. So realistic, so smart, so complex...I love her. As their stories intertwined, I just fell in love. I have so many feelings that aren't fully manageable. This book was so emotional and perfect. 

Go the Fuck to Sleep by Adam Mansbach (narrated by Samuel L. Jackson)

3 stars

the reading is 4 stars

read via audio through YouTube

Alex pulled this up on his phone on a quick little car ride and I was completely shook. The audiobook is narrated by Samuel L. Jackson and he just hit every line perfectly. This book is definitely not for kids, but it's a satirical play on the classic bed time stories that they love so much. This is a really fun book for parents and siblings of younger siblings.

What's your favorite book that you read in June?
Happy reading!
Olivia

~Liv the Book Nerd~

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June 2019 Book Haul

Hey, guys!

Once again, I've acquired SO many books through my wily means. I've bought quite a few, been gifted some, and I've traded quite a few as well (though some aren't here yet). I've also read quite a lot, so don't think I'm just acquiring all of these books just because. I'm so excited about these books!

Here are the books I received, bought, and traded for.

• We Hunt the Flame by Hafsah Faizal
• I bought this through the Book of the Month club! I'm so excited to read this book!
• Aurora Rising by Jay Kristoff and Amie Kaufman
• I purchased this from Good Choice Reading! I'm so excited to have another Kristoff/Kaufman book signed! I cannot wait to read this for the last Biannual Bibliothon Read-a-Thon!
• Sorcery of Thorns by Margaret Rogerson
• I actually acquired 2 copies of this book this month! One was a preorder and the other (which is pictured) is the OwlCrate edition. My regular edition is being lent out to Julia who is reading it for our book club! 
• Sky in the Deep by Adrienne Young 
• Guys! Another OwlCrate edition! This is actually an exclusive new cover, signed, and so pretty! I acquired this through a Twitter trade!
• Beyond the Shadowed Earth by Joanna Ruth Meyer [ARC]
• This was graciously sent to me by Page Street for a review. This lovely book comes out in January! I cannot wait to read it! Joanna is such a fantastic writer! 
• Good Omens by Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman
• Alex and I have been wanting to pick this book up for a while, so while he was away for the week I snagged us two copies from Books A Million. I'm so excited to read this book. It looks phenomenal.
• Call It What You Want by Brigid Kemmerer
• I preordered this gorgeous book soon after finishing A Curse So Dark and Lonely. I plan on reading this in the next few days! I love bingeing Kemmerer's contemporaries!
• Ask Again Yes by Mary Beth Keane
• This is another BOTM pick! It sounds so intriguing! I cannot wait to dive in!
• The Bone Season by Samantha Shannon
• I went to an amazing sale at the beginning of the month and I found this 1st edition hardback for $2! How could I pass that up!?
• How to Walk Away by Katherine Center
• Another BOTM pick! I'm such a sucker for adult romance! This just sounded so fantastic! Not to mention, Taylor Jenkins Reid RAVED about this on the BOTM site!
• The Song of Achilles by Margaret Rogerson
• I actually got to meet Madeline Miller a few days ago! She spoke about her work for about an hour and then signed. I got my copy of Circe signed and then I bought a copy of The Song of Achilles for Alex and me, as well as a copy of Circe for him.
• Famous in a Small Town by Emma Mills [ARC]
• This is also another book I acquired through a Twitter trade! I feel so blessed!
• Eleanor Oliphant is Okay by Gail Honeyman
• I'm so excited to read this! A huge shoutout to the BOTM swap group that has blessed me with so many awesome swaps!
• The Cactus by Sarah Haywood
• This book sounds so good! I cannot wait to get to it in July. Reese Witherspoon actually sold me on this book. It's her book club's June pick! I'm sad that I couldn't fit it into my June reading, but I'm definitely reading it in July.
• The History of Jane Doe by Michael Belanger
• This sounds so fascinating. Thank you Michael Balanger for the copy! Stay tuned for a review, all.
• Waiting for Tom Hanks by Kerry Winfrey
• Thank you, Berkley, for the gifted copy! I had the pleasure of reviewing WFTH through NetGalley and I really enjoyed this book. Don't forget to check out my review! 
• The Grief Keeper by Alexandra Villasante
• I had the pleasure of interviewing Alexandra for a blog post in early June. She and Putnam sent me a complimentary copy to review. I cannot wait to dive into this one. It sounds so freaking good.
• The Moderne Faerie Tales by Holly Black
• Another pre-order! I cannot wait to read these books! I've already started Tithe and I'm honestly iffy. 

Do you buy a lot of books? What has been your favorite of your recent purchases? 

Happy reading!

Olivia

~Liv the Book Nerd~

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{Mini-Reviews} Young Adult & New Adult Romance Novels!

Hey, guys!

For the past few months, I've been on such a romance kick --especially new adult and adult romance. I've just really enjoyed reading older protagonists. When it comes to new adult, I've really enjoyed reading romance stories about people in their twenties. Sometimes YA romance is just too young and cringy for my taste. Here are some of the lovely romance novels that I've read lately! 

Josh and Hazel's Guide to Not Dating by Christina Lauren 

4.9 stars 

Roomies by Christina Lauren

4.8 stars

The Unhoneymooners by Christina Lauren

4.75 stars

If you've been following my recent reads, you'll know that I'm becoming trash for Christina Lauren's books. They're so engaging and addicting. I always love the characters, the story, the romance -- everything. Those ladies just have the best writing style and the best characters. I'm so glad that I've been reading their work. I cannot wait to read more from them. They're my romance crack books.

If you enjoy slow burn, hate to love, and fake relationships turned real, you'll really love these books. They use such bleh tropes, but really make them fantastic. I particularly enjoy all of them, so they just take all of my money.

The Hating Game by Sally Thorne

5 stars

Another all-time favorite! Ugh! This book is just perfection! This is the perfect example of the hate-to-love trope. I can only praise this book because it's just so freaking wonderful. 

I definitely will be reading this again because I can't get it out of my head.

Alex, Approximately by Jenn Bennett

3 stars

I quite enjoyed this little contemporary, however, I really didn't enjoy the "talking on the internet, meeting irl, having crushes on each other, and allowing confusion to ensue because of the lack of communication" trope. I think that the confusion from that executed trope just added an extra element that wasn't needed. It would have been a much better fluffy romance without it. Overall, it was really cute and I liked the characters. The way that the author handled trauma, teen drug use, and safe and consensual sexual escapades was really nicely done. I love how sex-positive and healthy this romance was. It was also nice to read a hate-to-love romance that was written for teens. I'll definitely have to check out more of Jenn Bennett's work. 

One True Loves by Taylor Jenkins Reid

4.8 stars

I loved this book! Taylor Jenkins Reid did not disappoint! I've read two of her works now and I'm just so freaking impressed with how wonderful they are. They're cheesy in the best way, but so original too. I didn't find myself guessing what would happen next and I really enjoyed the pacing. I also really loved the characters in this book. They were so realistic and so raw. Their emotions are so well done and I cannot believe that Reid did that...SHE DID THAT! I definitely recommend this book. I love it so much. 

Daisy Jones + The Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid

5 stars

Trigger/Content Warnings for: substance abuse/addiction and abortion

Guys! This book! It was so freaking wonderful. I absolutely love love love everything about this book. It's so iconic and memorable. I can't stop thinking about it, and it's almost been a full month and a half since I've finished it. The formatting of the story was so fascinating and the way that Reid connected each character's voice through their perspectives was so masterful. I do not think anyone could write a book like this again. Fantastic! I cannot wait to read more from Taylor Jenkins Reid and I cannot wait to get my hands on the audiobook and reread this book. I need to read it again.

Fight or Flight by Samantha Young

3.5-3.75 stars

Trigger/content warnings for: misogynistic comments about physical appearance, parental abuse, attempted sexual assault, abuse, domestic violence, cheating, talk of miscarriages and abortion, and slut shaming

I'm sort of on the fence when it comes to this book. It was fluffy, it was steamy, it was a bit mindless...but there are an equal amount of pros and cons to this story. I really enjoyed the enemies-to-lovers trope and the FWB aspect, but it was absolutely infuriating at times. I was so annoyed with these characters, but so completely invested in their story. I had to finish. This book could be read as questionable, but I did really enjoy it. 

Erotic Stories for Punjabi Widows by Balli Kaur Jaswal

4 stars

Last year, my boyfriend Alex and I went on a trip to Seattle where I got to present my academic work to a bunch of academic professionals. During our free time, we visited the Amazon Book Store and this was one of the books that we picked up. Alex read it right away and loved it. It took me a bit longer (who's surprised) and I also enjoyed it, though I read it via audiobook.

I really enjoyed the multicultural aspects of this story and I really loved the characters that developed throughout the story. The stories that the widows wrote were so hilarious and so steamy. Some of them were really shocking.

I definitely recommend this book to anyone. It touches on some important issues and concepts. I cannot wait to read more from Balli Kaur Jaswal.

What are your favorite romance reads? Let's discuss in the comments!

Happy reading!
Olivia

~Liv the Book Nerd~

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{Review} Circe by Madeline Miller

Page Count: 393

Published On: April 10, 2018

Published By: Little Brown & Company

Genre(s): Fantasy, Fiction, Mythology, Historical Fiction, Retelling

Source: audiobook via Audible & hardback purchased through Book of the Month

Where To Find It: Amazon // Book Depository 

My Rating: 4.75 stars

Goodreads synopsis:

In the house of Helios, god of the sun and mightiest of the Titans, a daughter is born. But Circe is a strange child—not powerful, like her father, nor viciously alluring like her mother. Turning to the world of mortals for companionship, she discovers that she does possess power—the power of witchcraft, which can transform rivals into monsters and menace the gods themselves.

Threatened, Zeus banishes her to a deserted island, where she hones her occult craft, tames wild beasts and crosses paths with many of the most famous figures in all of mythology, including the Minotaur, Daedalus and his doomed son Icarus, the murderous Medea, and, of course, wily Odysseus.

But there is danger, too, for a woman who stands alone, and Circe unwittingly draws the wrath of both men and gods, ultimately finding herself pitted against one of the most terrifying and vengeful of the Olympians. To protect what she loves most, Circe must summon all her strength and choose, once and for all, whether she belongs with the gods she is born from, or the mortals she has come to love.

~~~

Hey, guys!

I've been really meaning to read this book for the longest time. I've been a fan of Madeline Miller's prose and style for such a long time. Back in April of 2018, I picked up Circe fully intending to read it right away, but in the true Liv the Book Nerd fashion, it didn't happen! Who's surprised? (No one.)

I also read her short story, Galatea, back in January and I was instantly hooked. It's truly a masterful short story. I read it free through my library and Hoopla. If your library provides the Hoopla service, I definitely recommend Galatea. However, I did use my free trial for Audible to read Circe because it was not available through Hoopla.

Here is my review of Galatea: {click here}

Here is my BOTM book haul that features Circe: {click here}

This novel contains some themes and scenes that may trigger other readers. 

TW/CW: violence, gore, torture, physical/emotional/child abuse, suicidal thoughts, (brief scene) self harm, graphic childbirth, (mentions of) bestiality, (mention of) incest, animal sacrifice, death of siblings, death of child/ren, death, rape, adultery, and war themes and scenes

The standalone novel, Circe, follows the nymph, goddess, and witch Circe throughout her life -- from her creation and birth until the end of her life. Over the course of her life, Circe goes through many life-changing experiences that change her as a being and help her to realize her full worth and potential. This book is about love, healing, family, motherhood, and self-love. It's about finding your truth, your true chosen family, and *magic*. 

I've always been such a big nerd for mythology -- especially Greek, Roman, and Norse mythology. My love for mythology and storytelling stems from stories like The Illiad, The Odyssey, anything by Rick Riordan, Hans Christian Anderson, Peter Christen Asbjørnsen, and so many more. Stories have always been such an impactful part of my childhood and have impacted what I've chosen to do with my life. Even now, I'm writing my own story that is influenced and inspired by Norse mythology. Mythology, to me, is very important because we can learn from the lessons that the characters have experienced and try to understand the struggles of others. 

Circe is known for her role as the enchantress in The Odyssey. Odysseus and his men come to her island and attempt to take advantage of her hospitality -- stealing from her, attacking her, and just generally being pigs. So, she turns them into what they are -- she turns them into stinky swine. However, Odysseus convinces her to keep him for herself and they become lovers. He also is immune to her magic because of the aid of Hermes. He becomes distracted from his quest and he stays with Circe for a year as her lover. They eventually leave, but many believe that his stay with Circe was to teach him and others who read/listen to his tale that women are irresistible seductresses who manipulate men and are threats to men's morality and lead them astray. (Which is bullshit.)

Reading Circe was such a lovely experience. I actually listened to 90% of the book and read about 10% physically. I personally enjoyed listening to it much more than reading it physically. Circe is not a speedy quick book. You can't just pick it up and read it in a day. (However, if you did do this, more power to you. This is my personal opinion and I could never read a Madeline Miller novel in one sitting.) This story is slow, but still quite fast paced. If you enjoy slower books, but they are a bit of a drag for you to physically read, I definitely recommend the audiobook. The narrator, Perdita Weeks, was PHENOMENAL! I love her work.

So much happens in this story. So many things are shown to the reader that honestly made me have to stop and put down the book/pause the audiobook. Circe goes through so many traumatic and terrifying things that I just had to sit and THINK. While this is a really great retelling of The Odyssey, it's not just a retelling! It's Circe's story! The Odyssey plays a small part in her story -- as does Odysseus -- but this is all Circe. The Odyssey is just a small part of Circe's journey to self-fulfillment and growth. 

Circe is probably one of my new favorite protagonists -- well, she's not new, but she's new to me! She's strong, she's driven, she's flawed, she's a feminist boss ass chick! I just absolutely adore her journey and I wish that I could have more from her. I aspire to be as strong, confident, magical, and independent as Circe. I love her.

Throughout the story, readers realize that any story will be told differently by whoever tells it, but it will especially be told differently if a man tells the story. Ballads and epics will always be told to favor the hero, not the heroine. Women in the stories are witches, sorceresses, and enchantresses that need to be stopped, defeated, tamed, subdued, ended, killed. Circe is like no other hero that I've heard before. She's not a hero! She's a witch, she's an enchantress, a goddess -- she's a woman! She fights for her independence and autonomy. This is a story of a woman who is fighting for her worth. 

“They do not care if you are good. They barely care if you are wicked. The only thing that makes them listen is power.”

If you are unfamiliar with Madeline Miller's writing, I definitely recommend her work. She is a true queen of mythology and retellings. With her background in classic literature, history, languages, and her immense talents in writing, you won't be disappointed.

If you haven't already gone to put your copy on hold at the library, bought it, ordered it, etc. PLEASE DO! READ THIS BOOK!

You can order a signed and personalized copy of Madeline Miller's books {here}.

I will be going to a discussion and signing for Madeline Miller toward the end of June. I am so excited! Pictures and gushes to come to my Twitter and Instagram!

Other Retellings You Would Love:

• The Penelopiad by Margaret Atwood ~ The Odyssey from Penelope and the servant's perspective 
• Grendel by John Gardner ~ Beowulf from Grendel's perspective
• Uprooted by Naomi Novik ~ a sort of Beauty and the Beast retelling

Happy reading!

Olivia

~ Liv the Book Nerd ~

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{Author Guest Post} Q&A with Alexandra Villasante for the Release of The Grief Keeper

Hey, guys!

I was contacted by the lovely people over at Penguin/Putnam for the awesome blog tour for The Grief Keeper by Alexandra Villasante! While I'm only a few pages into the story, I'm really enjoying it so far. The concepts that Villasante touches on through her work is so fascinating and I'm so excited to continue my journey through this book. If you're interested in picking up this book, feel free to follow the links down below! This book came out on the 11th! Thank you Penguin/Putnam for gifting a copy to me!

I'm so excited to share the Q&A that I did with Alexandra Villasante! She's honestly so freaking cool and I'm already in love with her writing style. 

Page Count: 320

Published by: G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers 

Published on: June 11, 2019

Pages: 320 

Format: Hardcover 

Source: Copy provided by publisher for review 

Goodreads // Amazon // Book Depository

Goodreads synopsis:

Seventeen-year-old Marisol has always dreamed of being American, learning what Americans and the US are like from television and Mrs. Rosen, an elderly expat who had employed Marisol's mother as a maid. When she pictured an American life for herself, she dreamed of a life like Aimee and Amber's, the title characters of her favorite American TV show. She never pictured fleeing her home in El Salvador under threat of death and stealing across the US border as "an illegal", but after her brother is murdered and her younger sister, Gabi's, life is also placed in equal jeopardy, she has no choice, especially because she knows everything is her fault. If she had never fallen for the charms of a beautiful girl named Liliana, Pablo might still be alive, her mother wouldn't be in hiding and she and Gabi wouldn't have been caught crossing the border.

But they have been caught and their asylum request will most certainly be denied. With truly no options remaining, Marisol jumps at an unusual opportunity to stay in the United States. She's asked to become a grief keeper, taking the grief of another into her own body to save a life. It's a risky, experimental study, but if it means Marisol can keep her sister safe, she will risk anything. She just never imagined one of the risks would be falling in love, a love that may even be powerful enough to finally help her face her own crushing grief.

The Grief Keeper is a tender tale that explores the heartbreak and consequences of when both love and human beings are branded illegal.

~~~

About Alexandra Villasante

Alexandra Villasante has always loved telling stories—though not always with words. She has a BFA in Painting and an MA in Combined Media (that’s art school speak for making work out of anything). Born in New Jersey to immigrant parents, Alex has the privilegio of dreaming in both English and Spanish. 

When she’s not writing, painting or chasing chickens around the yard, Alexandra plans conferences and fundraisers for non-profits. She lives with her family in the semi-wilds of Pennsylvania. You can find Alexandra on Twitter and Instagram at @magpiewrites.

~~~

Thank you so much, Alexandra for answering my questions! Enjoy, everyone!

1. What inspired you to write The Grief Keeper?

I’m something of a science-geek, despite the Fine Art degrees. I like to read articles about developing science and technology, especially if there’s a speculative aspect. I read an article about a wearable device that was being developed to alleviate some of the symptoms of PTSD—fear, anxiety, grief— in soldiers coming back from war.

Separately, I’d been thinking about my parents, who were immigrants. Though they are naturalized now and retired, they worked and sacrificed and suffered loneliness when they first came to this country. Still, they would have done almost anything to give my sister and I the best life they could.

Those two ideas collided when I asked myself: What if there were a way to erase those terrible emotions of fear, anxiety and grief? Then, thinking of how energy cannot be created or destroyed, I thought about how those emotions had to go somewhere. That’s when it came together as an idea for a book. Undesirable burdens are something we as a society place upon immigrants on a daily basis. It wasn't much of a stretch to imagine replacing physically arduous jobs like cleaning and farming with an emotionally arduous job like absorbing someone else’s grief.

2.   In your bio, you say that you’re the daughter of immigrant parents. How did your family’s culture impact your writing journey and your story in the end?

I’d started writing The Grief Keeper before the 2016 election (spoiler alert: publishing is a slo-o-ow business!) and, even though the immigrant experience has always been part of my family’s story, the results of the election, and the ensuing crack down on immigrants and asylum seekers, made me think about how differently things could have turned out for us had politics been different in my parent’s day. Headline stories of families like mine suffering separation and loss only intensified the feelings I already had about these topics. Marisol and Gabi’s story became more fraught, and their sibling love for each other became stronger through their adversity. The whole book took on more intensity, just like real life did.

3.           What does diversity in literature mean to you?

I’m on the event committee of an incredible conference called The Color of Children’s Literature. This year, the closing keynote was a conversation between Dr. Rudine Sims Bishop and Jacqueline Woodson. Needless to say, it was a privilege to listen to the wisdom and passion of these women. When it comes to diversity, Dr. Sims Bishop’s maxim of creating windows where the reader can see other cultures, races, religions and abilities along with mirrors so readers can see themselves and their experiences reflected back to them, is critical in children’s literature. It’s not a nice to have; it’s not a trend or phase. Diversity is an imperative.

4.      What is your favorite way to creatively express yourself and why?

It’s definitely writing. But I also paint and draw – sometimes when I’ve got writer’s block, I’ll sketch character or scene until I push through the block. I unashamedly love karaoke and have just this week started playing D&D for the first time. I think I’m a half-elf necromantic wizard? But I could be wrong about that…

5.   In The Grief Keeper, there seems to be a heavy focus surrounding important topics that are so relevant in our political climate. Human rights and kindness are so freaking important. I was wonder if you had a message that you would like to put out to those who will read this Q&A?

The message I have is that Marisol and Rey deserve to love and be loved and they deserve to live without fear of their lives. Everyone deserves that, whether they are seeking asylum in this country, mired in poverty or struggling with mental illness. If you read The Grief Keeper and want those things for Marisol and Rey, then hopefully, you’ll want them for people in real life who are, right now being persecuted in one way or another for who they are and who they love.

~~~

BUZZ ABOUT THE GRIEF KEEPER

"Villasante’s engrossing debut about two Salvadoran sisters recently arrived in the U.S. opens with plenty of tension…[she] builds her novel about undocumented immigrants into a suspenseful story with credible relationships, satisfying character development, and elements of science fiction.” 

 —Publishers Weekly

 “In her debut, Villasante captures the pressures of internalized racism in immigrants…Will grip readers and provoke empathy.”

—Kirkus Review

"Villasante's novel is for the reader who wants to get down and dirty with the emotional landscape, who wants a romance that is hard-earned and sweetly won. The Grief Keeper shows us trauma and grief without ever glorifying the pain or wallowing in the tragedy, creating a realistic yet still hopeful world seen through the gaze of an intelligent, curious protagonist.”

—Shelf Awareness

Happy reading!

Olivia

~Liv the Book Nerd~

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{Review} On Dublin Street (Dublin Street #1) by Samantha Young

Page Count: 384

Published On: April 9, 2019

Published By: Forever

Genre(s): Romance, Contemporary, New Adult, Adult, Erotica

Source: ebook 

Where To Find It: Amazon // Book Depository 

My Rating: 2.5 stars

RATED R CONTENT WITHIN












Goodreads synopsis:

Four years ago, Jocelyn left her tragic past behind in the States and started over in Scotland, burying her grief, ignoring her demons, and forging ahead without attachments. Her solitary life is working well—until she moves into a new apartment on Dublin Street where she meets a man who shakes her carefully guarded world to its core.

Braden Carmichael is used to getting what he wants, and he’s determined to get Jocelyn into his bed. Knowing how skittish she is about entering a relationship, Braden proposes an arrangement that will satisfy their intense attraction without any strings attached.

But after an intrigued Jocelyn accepts, she realizes that Braden won’t be satisfied with just mind-blowing passion. The stubborn Scotsman is intent on truly knowing her… down to the very soul.

~~~

Hey, guys!

I picked this up for the 2019 ebook-a-thon and I didn't manage to finish it until a couple days after the readathon ended. Here are my thoughts on this book.

On Dublin Street follows Joss as she moves into a new apartment on Dublin Street. When she meets her roommate's brother, her life will never be the same. They hate each other, but they can't seem to stay away from each other. 

This book was just so meh for me. I originally enjoyed the hate-to-love premise, but the entire story was just too messy for me. This story came straight from the Fifty Shades era because the brooding, controlling dude trope was so prevalent in this story. I hated it. He was constantly getting up in Joss's space, grabbing her without her consent, lies to get his way and test her, and didn't communicate when it meant the most. Their whole relationship stemmed from the "best sex ever" (ew) and manipulation and withholding information from each other. 

Joss was also a nightmare. She was traumatized from a terrible experience in her past, but her trauma was just so cookie-cutter blah and she showed hardly any growth until the last minute because her guy "fixed her"...I just didn't like it at all. She constantly let Bradon walk all over her -- especially when it mattered. She just had no respect for herself (even if she had before). It was just so annoying. Her only personality trait was that she was either horny or emotionally detached. Annoying. 

I had hoped that I would love the side characters more than the main characters, but they were typically annoying too. Ellie -- Bradon's sister and Joss's roommate -- was sweet and adorable. I had the least amount of beef with her, but she also used manipulation and withheld information to get her way. Annoying. Adam was just as annoying and caveman-y too. He got a free pass at the end because he was just "so in love" with another character and I guess that makes up for the shitty actions from the rest of the entire book. ANNOYING!

This book was a bit of a train wreck. I had really enjoyed Samantha Young's other book Fight or Flight, so I had hoped this would be better. It wasn't. RIP.

Happy reading!

Olivia

~LivTheBookNerd~

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