Book Review: Unfu*k Yourself: Get Out of Your Head and into Your Life by Gary John Bishop

 Title: Unfu*k Yourself

Author: Gary John Bishop

Series/Standalone: Standalone

Genre: Adult, Nonfiction, Self-Help

Pages: 221

Publisher: HarperOne

Year Published: 2016

Format: Audiobook

"Have you ever felt like a hamster on a wheel, furiously churning your way through life but somehow going nowhere? It seems like there's a barrage of information surrounding us in our everyday lives with the keys to this thing or that thing, be it wealth, success, happiness or purpose. The truth is, most of it fails to capture what it truly takes to overcome our greatest barrier to a greater life... ourselves. What if everything you ever wanted resided in you like a well of potential, waiting to be expressed? Unfu*k Yourself is the handbook for the resigned and defeated, a manifesto for real change and unleashing your own greatness."

My Rating: 3.75/5

This was an interesting read, and I think that trying to read it to quickly made it hard to apply to the day to day of my life. That being said, I do plan on reading the physical copy and taking notes on different ways to apply this to my day to day life. I think we all can acknowledge that at some points in your life you have had such negative self-talk that has been a self-fulfilling prophecy. This book is a bit of a slap in the face, that you are just bullshiting yourself when you say there are things you can't do, even with setbacks you can get to your goals with a plan, and positive self-talk. No waiting around to get to where you need to go. 

Thanks for reading,

Sidny

Book Review: Dracula by Bram Stoker

 

Title: Dracula

Author: Bram Stoker

Series/Standalone: Standalone

Genre: Classic, Horror

Pages: 488

Publisher: Norton Critical Edition

Year Published: 1897

Format: Audiobook

Please note that this is not the version I read, just the one I had marked to read on Goodreads.

"A rich selection of background and source materials is provided in three areas, Contexts include probably inspirations for Dracula in the earlier works of Jame Malcolm Rymer and Emily Gerard. Also included are a discussion of Stoker's working notes for the novel and 'Dracula's Guest,' the original opening chapter to Dracula. Review and Reactions reprints five early reviews of the novel. 'Dramatic and Film Variations' focuses on the theater and film adaptations of Dracula, two indications of the novel's unwavering appeal. David j. Skal, Gregory A. Waller, and Nina Auerbach offer their varied perspectives. Checklists of both dramatic and film adaptions are included."

My Rating: 4.5/5

I'm very rarely a fan of classics, but maybe I just haven't been delving into the right ones. I think that classical horror is something I'll have to look more into. I think that everyone knows the premise of this book, but what I didn't expect is to have characters that I truly enjoyed reading from. I listened to a full cast version of the book itself and it was very enjoyable. It also kept the horror elements better than I expected. The atmosphere of the story was mysterious and chilling, but still descriptive to the reader. Overall I'm hoping to continue occasionally reading classics and this renewed my hope that I might even enjoy them.

Thanks for reading,

Sidny

Review: Rat Queens: Sass & Sorcery by Kurtis J. Wiebe

 Title: Sass & Sorcery

Author: Kurtis J. Wiebe

Artist(s): Roc Upchurch

Series/Standalone: Rat Queens Collected Volumes (Volume #1)

Genre: Adult, Fantasy, Graphic Novel

Pages: 128

Publisher: Image Comics

Year Published: 2014

Format: Paperback Copy (Borrowed Via Friend)

"Who are the Rat Queens?

They're a pack of booze-guzzling, death-dealing battle maidens-for-hire and they're in the business of killing all the god's creatures for profit. Meet Hannah, the Rockability Elven Mage, Violet the Hipster Dwarven Fighter, Dee the Athiest Human Cleric and Betty the Hippy Smidge Thief. 

This modern spin on an old school genre is a violent, monster-killing epic that is like Buffy meets Tank Girl in a Lord of the Rings world on crack!"

My Rating:4.5/5

I can usually tell if I'm going to enjoy the sequel by the first instalment of a graphic novel series and this was no exception. The story was hilarious, filled with badass women, comedy, role-playing style /fantasy tropes (in the best way) and intrigue. I think that the world was decently fleshed out and I'm certainly curious about the character's lives (current and past). I hope to continue these as soon as possible.

Thanks for reading,

Sidny 

Book Review: The Color Purple by Alice Walker

 

Title: The Color Purple

Author: Alice Walker

Series/Standalone: Standalone

Genre: Classic, Adult Fiction
Pages: 288

Publisher: A Harvest Book/Harcourt, Inc.

Year Published: 1982

Format: Library Copy (Paperback)

"Published to unprecedented acclaim, The Color Purple established Alice Walker as a major voice in modern fiction. This is the story of two sisters-- one a missionary in Africa and the other a child wife living in the South-- who sustain their loyalty to and trust in each other across time, distance, silence. Beautifully imagined and deeply compassionate, this classic novel of American literature is rich with passion, pain, inspiration, and an indomitable love of life."

My Rating: 4.25/5

My best friend and I have started a fun little buddy reading thing with my best friend monthly to motivate us to read physical books and audiobooks. It also gives us an excuse to gab on the phone with a glass of wine in the evenings (this hasn't happened yet, but it's only a matter of time). This was our first choice of a buddy read. What we didn't expect was for this book to immediately start out so dark, so when I discussed it with my mom, she mentioned that she loved the movie, although it started out just as dark. Overall, this book has a lot to offer, and there is a reason it won the Pulitzer Prize. This story, while dark and heart-wrenching, touched on religion in a way I didn't anticipate. The idea that if there is a God, we can see him in the smaller things surrounding us, nature, and sun etc. I also thought the discussion about race issues and how they began was incredibly interesting. Topical, now as things once again come to a head throughout the world. 

I would recommend anyone looking for a different style of classic. There are trigger warnings for sexual assault, physical assault and violence (likely amongst others these are what came to mind upon review). 

Thanks for reading,

Sidny

Book Review: Dear Martin by Nic Stone

 

Title: Dear Martin
Author: Nic Stone
Series/Standalone: Dear Martin Series (Book #1)
Genre: Young Adult, Social Justice, Fiction
Pages: 210
Publisher: Crown Books for Young Readers
Year Published: 2017
Format: Audiobook

"Raw, captivating and undeniably real, Nic Stone joins industry giants Jason Reynolds and Walter Dean Myers as she boldly tackles American race relations in this stunning debut.

Justyce McAllister is top of his class and set for the Ivy Leauge but none of that matters to the police officer who just puts him in handcuffs. And despite leaving his rough neighborhood behind, he can't escape the scorn of his former peers on the ridicule of his new classmates. Justyce looks to the teachings of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. for the answers. But do they hold up anymore? He starts a journal to Dr. King to find out.

Then comes the day Justyce goes driving with his best friend, Manny, windows rolled down, music turned up- way up, sparking the fury of a white off-duty cop beside them. Words fly. Shots are fired. Justyce and Manny are caught in the crosshairs. In the media fallout, it's Justyce who is under attack."

My Rating: 5/5

This book is going to really sit with me. It is no one's responsibility to educate white people on the oppression of people of colour! I think this is an important fact to state. I don't expect that author's who are black to write their books thinking about how it will affect white people. I do hope that this reaches as many black people of colour as possible. Not because they need to be educated, but the ability to be seen in media and pop culture is important!  That being said, I also think this is a great read for everyone to remember what the Black Lives Matter movement is about. It's this story. The idea that while we claim everyone to be equal, we certainly (as a society) do no act like it. This perspective was heartbreak, and unfortunately accurate for many. I'm grateful that I read this book and got to know more about these characters. I am curious about the next book in the series and would STRONGLY recommend.

Thanks for reading,

Sidny

Book Review: The Unseen World by Liz Moore

 

Title: The Unseen World

Author: Liz Moore

Series/Standalone: Standalone

Genre: Contemporary, Fiction, Adult

Pages: 464

Publisher: W.W. Norton Company

Year Published: 2016

Format: Audiobook

"Ada Sibelius is raised by David, her brilliant, eccentric, socially inept single father, who directs a computer science lab in 1980s-era Boston. Home-schooled, Ada accompanies David to work every day; by twelve, she is a painfully shy prodigy. The lab begins to gain acclaim at the same time that David's mysterious history comes into question. When his mind begins to falter, leaving Ada virtually an orphan, she is taken in by one of David's colleagues. Soon she embarks on a mission to uncover her father's secrets: a process that carries her from childhood to adulthood. What Ada discovers on her journey into a virtual universe will keep the reader riveted until The Unseen World's heart-stopping, fascinating conclusion."

My Rating: 4/5

This is not a story that I anticipated going this way. I thought that it would be more mystery based, based on the shelves that I saw it on on Goodreads. I would personally classify this as a contemporary story with a hint of a mystery, and a hint of sci-fi. But overall it's about the characters, their growth, and the way they choose to live their lives. I enjoyed the concept and was intrigued about the past of some of our main characters. I also enjoyed watching the growth in confidence that Ada and Gregory went through throughout their life. I appreciate what the author did with the story, but at some points found that the writing style seemed to drag out for me. Enjoyable, not an all-time favourite but left me with warm feelings.

Thanks for reading,

Sidny

Book Review: Allegedly by Tiffany D. Jackson

Title: Allegedly
Author: Tiffany D. Jackson
Series/Standalone: Standalone
Genre: Young Adult, Mystery, Contemporary
Pages: 390
Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books
Year Published: 2017
Format: Audiobook (Own the Physical Copy)

"Mary B. Addison killed a baby. 

Allegedly. She didn't say much in that first interview with detectives, and the media filled in the only blanks that mattered: A white baby had died while under the care of a churchgoing black woman and her nine-year-old daughter. The public convicted Mary and the jury made it official. But did she do it? She wouldn't say.

Mary survived six years in baby jail before being dumped in a group home. The house isn't really 'home'- no place where you fear for your life can be considered a home. Home is Ted, who she meets on assignment at a nursing home.

There wasn't a point to setting the record straight before, but now she's got Ted- and their unborn child- to think about. When the state threatens to take her baby, Mary must find the voice to fight her past. And her fate lies in the hands of the one person she distrusts the most: her Momma. No one knows the real Momma. But who really knows the real Mary?"

My Rating: 4.5/5

This author's writing is truly out of this world! It constantly amazes me with the twists, turns and the writing is all remarkable. I just wished that there had been some different writing at the start to hook me into the plot earlier on. That being said by a quarter of the way through the book I was incredibly excited to continue on and was unsure of where the plotline was going. I think that the characters in both of the Tiffany D. Jackson books I've read have been intricately written, but also incredibly unreliable. I look forward to reading more of work and would strongly recommend them to lovers of mystery. 

Thanks for, reading,

Sidny

Book Review: The Everlasting Rose

Title: The Everlasting Rose

Author: Dhonielle Clayton

Series/Standalone: The Belles Series (Book #2)

Genre: Fantasy, Young Adult

Pages: 344

Publisher: Freeform

Year Published: 2019

Format: Audiobook

"In this sequel to the instant New York Times bestseller, Camille, her sister Edel, and her guard and new love Remy must race against time to find Princess Charlotte. Sophia's Imperial forces will stop at nothing to keep the rebels from returning Charlotte to the castle and her rightful place as queen. With the help of an underground resistance movement called The Iron Ladies- a society that rejects beauty treatments entirely- and the backing of alternative newspaper The Spider's Web, Camille uses her powers, her connections and her cunning to outwit her greatest nemesis, Sophia, and restore peace to Orleans."

My Rating:  4/5

I don't know what it is about second books that just don't always do it for me. I know that it's been mentioned in the past that there will only be 2 books, for now. So I think for the time being this will remain a duology. It wrapped up in a way that could be taken to another level or left regardless. I appreciate that. That being said I wanted a bit more detail about the Iron Ladies and how they began.I was curious about how Princess Sophia became the way she did. I'm also curious about how the young belles acted and what seeing them born would be like. I still love the characters and the world. I think that the idea is unique and the world is so well throughout! I will be reading more work from Dhonielle Clayton in the future!

Thanks for reading,

Sidny

Book Review: The Girl You Left Behind by Jojo Moyes

Title: The Girl You Left Behind

Author: Jojo Moyes

Series/Standalone: Standalone

Genre:  Historical Fiction, Adult, Romance

Pages: 480

Publisher: Penguin Books

Year Published: 2012

Format: Audiobook

"From the New York Times bestselling author of The Giver of Stars, a sweeping bestseller of love and loss, deftly weaving two journeys from World War I France to present day London.

Paris, World War I. Sophie Lefevre must keep her family safe while her adored husband, Edouard, fights at the front. When their town falls to the Germans, Sophie is forced to serve them every evening at her hotel. From the moment the new Kommandant sets eyes on Sophie's portrait- painted by her artist husband- a dangerous obsession is born.

Almost a century later in London, Sophie's portrait hangs in the home of Liv Halston, a wedding gift from her young husband before his sudden death. After a chance encounter reveals the portrait's true worth, a battle begins over its troubled history and Liv's world is turned upside all over again."

My Rating: 2.5/5

I remember hearing about this book from someone, and to be honest I'm not even sure where I heard about it. The concept interested me. The idea of a painting that has travelled and how it got where it is interesting to me. The problem for me was that the characters just weren't fleshed out enough. I felt that they were made intentionally sad, which is fine, but I was more told to feel sad for them then truly shown their suffering in any way. There just wasn't enough connection for me. I felt like the character of Sophie was the character that I connected the most with and even then that wasn't until closer to the end of the story. Overall, I found that this book was just ok. I wouldn't really recommend it unless you're really pulled in by plot lines alone. 

Thanks for reading,

Sidny

Book Review: Final Girls by Riley Sager

Title: Final Girls

Author: Riley Sager

Series/Standalone: Standalone

Genre: Mystery, Thriller, Adult

Pages: 342

Publisher: Dutton

Year Published: 2017

Format: Audiobook

"Ten years ago, college student Quincy Carpenter went on vacation with five friends and came back alone, the only survivor of a horror movie-scale massacre. In an instant, she became a member of a club no one wants to belong to- a group of similar survivors known in the press as the Final Girls. Lisa, who lost nine sorority sisters to a college dropout's knife; Sam, who went up against the Sack Man during her shift at the Nightlight Inn; and now Quincy, who ran bleeding through the woods to escape Pine Cottage and the man she refers to only as Him. The three girls are all attempting to put their nightmares behind them, and with that, one another. Despite the media's attempts, they never meet.

Now, Quincy is doing well- maybe even great, thanks to her Xanax prescription. She has a caring almost-fiance, Jeff; a popular baking blog; a beautiful apartment; and a therapeutic presence in Coop, the police officer who saved her life all those years ago. Her memory won't even allow her to recall the events of that night; the past is in the past.

That is, until Lisa, the first Final Girl is found dead in her bathtub, wrists slit, and Sam, the second, appears on Quincy's doorstep. Blowing through Quincy's life like a whirlwind, Sam seems intent on making Quincy relive the past, with increasingly dire consequences, all of which makes Quincy question why Sam is really seeking her out. And when new details about Lisa's death come to light, Quincy's life becomes a race against time as she tries to unravel Sam's truths from her lies, evade the police and hungry reporters, and most crucially, remember what really happened at Pine Cottage, before what was started ten years ago is finished."

My Rating: 4/5

I'm so glad that I've finally read my first Riley Sager book because I've been meaning to read some of his work forever. I thought that starting with his debut (I think) and working my way up would interest me. Overall, this book was really good. I loved the premise, I thought that the idea of it was super intriguing and I was curious throughout. That being said, I definitely thought I knew where it was going. I did not. I was super impressed with the twists and turns throughout the book, the ability to write gruesome scenes with such detail, but without going over the top was incredible. The different time changes helped to draw out the story and held my interest. The only reason that I gave it 4 stars rather than 5 stars was because it seemed to lull a little bit in the middle for me. I look forward to reading more of this author's work and would strongly recommend the audiobook. 

Thanks for reading,

Sidny