Month: May 2016

  • May Uppercase Box Unboxing

    Hey peeps, I’m here with another Uppercase Box unboxing for you! If you don’t know what Uppercase is, as it says on the website, it’s “a young adult book-of-the-month subscription box. Simply put: You sign up and receive a recently published YA book and awesome book-related items every month! Plus you’ll access exclusive book content and a one-of-a-kind reading experience to dive deeper into each story.”

    This month’s box included some cute things that I’m excited to use, so here is what was in it:

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    Lots of nifty things this month:

    I’m really excited to use the postcards and the drink the tea. Oh man, so exciting!

    The book also sounds interesting because it’s about a girl who has the worst luck ever, but she meets this guy who plays tennis who says he can break her unlucky streak. Of course, things are much more complicated than that, but it sounds interesting!

    I can’t wait to see what next month’s box will bring!

    Let’s Chat! ≧◡≦

    Have you read the book yet? What were your thoughts? Do you like to drink tea? What about writing postcards – have you ever done it?

  • #WritersLife Tag

    Hey peeps, I’m here with another tag post as I haven’t done one in a while and I thought this one was really fun. I found it on Cait @ Paper Fury’s blog, but it’s been floating around and I don’t know who made the original (so if you know, please tell me!). It’s a tag that focuses on some fun things in a writer’s life, so… here we go!

    Write Fuel: What do you eat/drink while writing?

    Whatever I’m in the mood for, but if I’m in the zone I’ll go for a long period of time without even being really hungry or thirsty. I like that distraction because then I don’t eat because I’m bored – I’m usually quite distracted!

    Write Sounds: What do you listen to while writing?

    I like to listen to Lindsey Stirling as the violin without someone singing to them helps me to focus. Even songs that have singing don’t bother me much if I’m in the zone enough. But otherwise I prefer the quiet – it’s easier to think in and I usually get a lot done that way.

    Write Vice: What’s your most debilitating distraction?

    Have you met my friend, Internet? He’s a pretty big, distracting fellow, and I think that he’s kind of awesome, but also really annoying at the same time. But, I love him, so I guess I’ll keep him around.

    Write Horror: What’s the worst thing that’s ever happened to you while writing?

    Hmm… I think perhaps I’ve had whole files just up and disappear on me before. I honestly don’t know. I try to block out bad memories as much as possible.

    Write Joy: What’s the best thing that’s ever happened to you while writing OR how do you celebrate small victories?

    I’m going to do the thing Cait did and split this into two different answers:

    Best Thing: I think the first time I completed NaNoWriMo was amazing. It was the first time I ever wrote a novel to completion. It was a huge feat for me and I’m really happy that I accomplished it.

    Celebrate: I buy books! Because, I mean, what else am I supposed to do? Sometimes I’ll buy chocolate or binge watch shows, but mostly I just get books.

    Write Crew: Who do you communicate with or not communicate with while writing?

    I usually follow the hashtag #amwriting on Twitter and just post general updates, problems I’m having, funny things, and my progress. But otherwise, I don’t really talk to anyone about what I’m writing. I have a hard enough time summarizing what my story is about; I don’t know how I’d hold full conversations about writing with people.

    Write Secret: What’s your writing secret to success or hidden flaw?

    More double questions! So…

    Writing Secret: Write the story you want! Honestly, if you want to write about a space pirate who falls in love with an alien and they make their home on Mars, surrounded by their pet rocks from Earth, then you do you, boo boo! If you’re really into contemporary, then write it! If you’re into fantasy – write it!

    Hidden Flaw: I always compare myself to others and I KNOW I SHOULDN’T DO THAT. But I think every writer does it, no matter what stage of the game they’re in. I get it in my head that my writing isn’t good enough, or my story sounds too much like one I’ve read, or that no one will like it, but really… how do I know those things? I don’t! And I shouldn’t compare myself, and neither should you.

    Write-spiration: What always makes you productive?

    What is this “productivity” you speak of? I’m seriously horrible at sticking to writing, and I shouldn’t make excuses, but working full time tires out my brain and makes me want to watch anime for hours on end.

    Write Peeve: What’s one thing that writers do (or you do) that’s annoying?

    Hmm… I can’t think of one?

    Write Words: Share one sentence from a project, past or present.

    Alrighty, this is from the story I started in Camp NaNoWriMo last year and I’ve been sharing bits of one of my characters, Abby, in a few of the Beautiful People posts.

    And instead of one sentence, I’m going to share a small excerpt from Abby’s point of view:

    Her pack slammed against her leg as she didn’t hesitate as she lifted her foot up to the stirrup of the Colonel’s horse’s saddle and swung her leg over, kicking the stable boy’s hand from the reigns and grabbing them as she kicked the horse’s sides and urged the horse on. The beast instantly broke into a fast canter and drove her out and away from the men.

    The wind tore through her hair and the fast pace of the horse just didn’t feel fast enough. She continuously urged the horse on, pushing him into a gallop, the only sound filling her ears the rushing of the wind and the gallop of the hooves on the hard ground.

    She didn’t bother looking back as her pulse continued to race through her veins and a smile spread across her face. She laughed and sang as she made her way down the path and over the bridge that overlooked the river. She felt free. For the first time in her whole life, she felt what it was truly like to be free.

    And there you have it! A sneak peek at a part of my unedited first draft! Woo! Even I didn’t remember this scene! (It’s seriously been 5ever. Like… I really need to finish writing the first draft.)

    And that’s all for the tag! If you want to join in and do this tag, please do!

    Let’s Chat! ≧◡≦

    What are some of your writerly flaws? How do you celebrate the small victories? Do you need peace and quiet to write, or are you comfortable with noise?

  • Armchair BEA 2016 Wrap Up & Giveaway Winner

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    Made by Amber
    Well friends, Armchair BEA has come to a close along with Book Expo America and BookCon. So sad, but it was just as fun as last year. I had a good time at the Twitter parties, discussing bookish topics, and overall seeing a small chunk of the community come together for something like this.

    I definitely had fun talking about the fictional worlds I’d want to survive in and the ones I’d want to live in. Reality kind of sucks sometimes, so it’s always fun to imagine living in a different world – though I’m sure that, too, would suck after a while if there was a lot of chaos going on there. But I’d cope somehow!

    I also enjoy talking about the importance of diversity in books and how there’s just not enough of it out there. Yes, some strides are being made – which is always a plus – but it’s not enough and I think the publishing industry needs to grow and expand and understand that we, as readers, as people, need it.

    And then talking about other forms of reading, such as manga! I think that it’s a fun medium to read from and that it really can capture the emotions and the heart of a story.

    And now the giveaway winner!

    Thank you to everyone who participated! I’ll be sure to have another giveaway in a couple of months, but for now, here is the winner:

    Congratulations to…

    MONICA @ MONICA FASTENAU

    I will send you an email regarding your win and choice of book from The Book Depository.

    Let’s Chat! ≧◡≦

    Did you participate in Armchair BEA? What were your favorite parts? Did you attend BEA or BookCon? Tell me all the things!

  • Armchair BEA Day 4: Surviving Fictional Worlds & Giveaway

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    Made by Amber

    Today’s talk is all about surviving fictional worlds: ones we love, hate, and everything in between. Fictional worlds can be dangerous, but that’s not going to stop us from dreaming of living there with the other characters we love, right? So today’s chat is all about that. And I’m pretty excited because OH MAN. THE FEELS.

     

    Some of the questions we were asked to think about were: Which fictional worlds would you want to live in? Which worlds do you never want to dive into? Which worlds are you content to stay behind the glass, so to speak, rather than wishing to dive through the page? And once you get there, what would you do?

    Let’s start with the easy one: which fictional worlds would you want to live in?

    My blanket answer: any that Sarah J. Maas writes.

    I KNOW. But guys, the worlds she writes are large and expansive and beautiful, even if they are dangerous. I’d particularly want to stay in Prythian in the Night Court from A Court of Mist and Fury for several reasons…

    Other worlds I’d want to live in:

    • Truthwitch‘s world & I’d want to be a threadwitch. Even if I can’t see my own connections to people, I think I’d like seeing others connections.
    • Eretz from Daughter of Smoke & Bone because WOW. Chimera and angels and all sorts of interesting things to see! I just hope I wouldn’t, you know, get killed.
    • Kingdoms of the Remnant from The Kiss of Deception. Particularly Venda because that part of the world just seems so mysterious and wild. Plus, my bae, Kaden, lives there.
    • And, you know, Hogwarts. Because duh.

    Those are just a few of the worlds I’d want to visit, even if crap goes down there often.

    Which fictional worlds do you never want to dive into?

    I’d honestly say any dystopian world because there’s a very real chance that our world could turn into something similar one day and I’m just not ready for that.

    Which worlds are you content to stay behind the glass, so to speak, rather than wishing to dive through the page?

    Hmm… I think maybe the Shadowhunter world because although I do enjoy the characters and everything, I don’t know that I’d want a showdown like what happens in the books. That just seems a little too much for me. (And yet I’m willing be in worlds with CHIMERA. Like, what even is my brain?)

    And once you get there, what would you do?

    Probably find one of the characters I’d know and try to become friends with them. It might end horribly, but at least I can try!

    Giveaway

    Oh man guys, when was the last time I did one of these? Feels like forever ago, but we had the option of hosting a giveaway on our own blogs and so, because I love you all, I’m going to do just that!

    So what you’re entering for is a purchase from The Book Depository for a book up to $15USD. If it ships to your country, then you are eligible to win. Meaning, yes, this is international!

    The giveaway will be running from today, May 14th, until May 17th at 12AM EST!

    Click Here for the Rafflecopter Giveaway! Closed!

    WordPress doesn’t let me have the actual widget in posts, unfortunately, so just click the link and be sure to follow the rules!

    Let’s Chat! ≧◡≦

    What kinds of worlds would you most want to avoid? What about ones you’d want to stay in? Would you want to switch lives with a character or live your own life? Let’s talk about all the things!

  • Armchair BEA 2016 Day 3: Beyond the Books & Blog

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    Made by Amber

    Welcome to day 3 of Armchair BEA! If you don’t know what Armchair BEA is, it’s a way for those of us who weren’t able to make it to Book Expo America (BEA) to meet with a lot of other fellow book lovers and talk about a lot of bookish related things!

    Today’s topics are all about looking beyond the traditional format of the media we consume and create. So think about novels: those are pretty traditional. But what about manga, comic books, webcomics, etc? And when it comes to looking beyond the blog, do you participate in book clubs, take classes, meticulously maintain your Goodreads profile? So these are kind of fun topics to think about and talk about, so here’s what I’ve got:

    Some of my favorite alternative forms of novels are manga. I first got into manga back when I was about 11 or 12 years old, my first manga being Tokyo Mew Mew. I loved it and how fast I could read it, plus the art was very lovely. For a while now, manga hasn’t had as much of an impact on my life as it once did, but I do go back on occasion and read some. I love seeing the stories unfold visually and how everything is so detailed.

    Some of my favorite manga:

    I’m very much into the shoujo type of mangas that are targeted toward girls because of the romance. I love romance so reading about it and seeing visuals of it? Oh yes, I’m in love. Plus, manga really influenced my drawing style. I’m not super awesome at it like some people, but I can get by with my chibis.

    Here’s some of my chibis, which you can find more of on my deviantART page:

    kameiko___gaiaonline_by_vampiressamilia-d71bpfbellle___gaiaonline_by_vampiressamilia-d6xe01u

    chaostrooper___gaiaonline_by_vampiressamilia-d6xim6lkid_quality___gaiaonline_by_vampiressamilia-d768cq0

    Honestly, that’s the biggest one that comes to mind. Manga is just one of those things that I think I’ll always cherish, even if I don’t read it all that often anymore.

    As for looking beyond the blog and ways I talk about books outside of this blog is my Booktube channel and my Instagram. I find that these are very awesome ways to talk about books because you can engage visually and orally, or you can take a cool photo and ask questions and find likeminded people that way. I honestly love Bookstagram because it’s so cool to see so many talented people taking pictures of books! And then Booktube is just awesome because it’s an entire community of book lovers creating content on YouTube and it’s just… My heart is filled with happiness.

    Other than that, I don’t really talk about books outside of my blog and Twitter and social media. I don’t really have the outlets to talk to people about them. I think it’s so awesome to have book communities online as they bring so many people together.

    Let’s Chat! ≧◡≦

    What are some different ways you read books, or different types of books? Are you into comics or audiobooks or graphic novels? And as far as talking about books outside of blogging, do you do it anywhere? Bookstagram, Booktube, book clubs, etc? Let me know!