Book Review: The Darkest Minds by Alexandra Bracken

Genre: YA, Dystopia

My Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

The darkest minds tend to hide behind the most unlikely faces.

This book totally reminded me of Eleven’s story from Stranger Things. I really enjoyed this read and found it highly addictive, but there were a couple things that kinda bugged me which made it a 4 star, rather than a full 5.

What bothered me..

While I loved getting to know Ruby and what she was capable of, I also hated that she kept referring to herself as dangerous and a monster. There wasn’t anything she did throughout the book that made me feel like she was badass or particularly “dangerous”.

Yes, she had special abilities, but she was definitely no Jean Gray! You know..from X-men?? If anything, I thought Zu was more dangerous and powerful than her.

For someone deemed orange, I hated that Ruby was very self-loathing and weak-minded. I found it a bit annoying at times.

What I enjoyed..

The overall storyline was great. I really enjoyed the whole journey and action throughout the book.

Zu was so adorable! She was one of fave characters, along with Liam & Chubs.

Have you read it? Or seen the movie?

Add it to your TBR: Goodreads

In the Spotlight: Will You Marry Me by Unee

Book blurb:

Just when Crista thought her life couldn’t get any worse, a stranger asks her to marry him!

Anxious and anorexic Crista spends most of her time alone watching TV in her basement suite. One day at work she has a panic attack and is taken to the hospital by a stranger. When he keeps glancing at his wristwatch but doesn’t leave the emergency room, Crista asks him what he wants, only to hear him say, Will you marry me?

Then he shows up at her doorstep. Crista resorts to acting as her imaginary twin sister to hide from him. Megan, her landlord’s niece, thinks he’s a sexual predator and encourages Crista to teach him a lesson. Crista ends up acting as triplets, trying to hide behind the walls she had built around herself. But the stranger persistently knocks at her door—until one day he suddenly stops. As the silence in her basement suite begins to suffocate her, Crista decides to break down her walls to find out what he had really meant when he asked her to marry him.

Will You Marry Me is a heartwarming and haunting story about two lost souls transforming their lives by embracing each other’s troubled past.

Purchase links:

Amazon:
https://www.amazon.com/Will-You-Marry-Me-Unee-ebook/dp/B07KB6RY1J/ref=sr_1_7?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1544926996&sr=1-7&keywords=will+you+marry+me

Barnes & Noble:
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/will-you-marry-me-unee/1129886571?ean=9781999393700

Kobo:
https://www.kobo.com/ca/en/ebook/will-you-marry-me-10

Unee has a poor sense of direction and doesn’t know how to drive, so she stays home most of the time writing about lost, lonely souls. After publishing her first novel at the age of eighteen, Unee went on to study literature in university, where she won literary prizes. When she’s not writing, she dreams of overcoming her chronic procrastination and depression. She is currently working on her next novel set in Paris.
Author links:

Amazon:
https://www.amazon.com/Unee/e/B07KCZ7D79/ref=dp_byline_cont_ebooks_1

Goodreads:
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/18607948.Unee

Instagram:
@juleaudete (my publishing brand)
@uneesque (my private account)

Currently working on my website:

http://leaudete.com

Netflix: Riverdale Season 3 hangover

**Spoiler Alert**

I went on a serious Riverdale binge the last 3 days. I had stopped at season 2 at the beginning of the year, and somehow got distracted until now. 😜

I don’t know about you, but this season has been a favourite of mine. Last season with the black hood was really good too, but to be honest, I knew who it was pretty early on.

I still have a hangover from episode 8: Outbreak with questions looming over my head:

1. Who is the Gargoyle King??

At first I thought it might be Warden Norton, and then I thought it was Hiram. But at the end of the episode, we see him sharing a drink with the Gargoyle King. If it’s not Hiram, then who is it?!! Tom Keller? The mysterious Edgar from the Farm?

2. Is Penny Peabody dead?

We see Gladys wiping her blade and bloody hands, but we don’t see Penny’s body, nor are we told for sure that she’s dead. We only have Gladys’ assurance that Penny won’t be coming back.

3. Where are FP & Jughead going to go?

When FP and Jughead return to Riverdale, they’re stopped at the town’s border by a bunch of armed guards and told they can’t enter.

Riverdale is in a state of quarantine (thanks to Hiram’s master plan), and no one can leave or enter.

So what does that mean for poor Juggie & FP? Will they bunk with Gladys & JB??

4. Reggie & Veronica: possible ship?

V and Reggie spent ALOT of time together this season, which begs the question of whether or not something will happen between the two.

I have to say, I developed an appreciation for Reggie his season. 🙂

5. What’s next for Ethel?

We all loved Barb in Stranger Things, and were sad to lose her. But Ethel..she isn’t one of my faves.

After being put through detox, and discovering the truth behind Gryphons & Gargoyles, Betty & Ethel successful escape the Sisters of Mercy.

Ethel received quite a bit of screen time this season, does this mean she’ll become part of the gang via Betty?

7. What will Archie do next?

With Archie on the run and a bounty on his head, Archie’s only endgame if he returns to Riverdale is to get rid of Hiram. The question is: what is his plan?

What did you think of Season 3?

Who’s your fave character?

Netflix & Chill: Dumplin #Netflix

My Rating: 8.5⭐’s/10

I’m usually the type that has no desire to read the book, if I watched the movie adaptation first. So it’s a first for me to still wanna read the book, after watching the movie

Dumplin has been on my TBR for a while, but this film just moved it to the top of my list!

Gush worthy parts..

This was such a heart felt story. There were so many times I almost cry!

-I loved the way Bo looked at Will. You could already tell from the beginning that he liked her. 💖

-I also really liked Millie! She was probably my fave character.

Rant worthy part..

I’m sure there are many of you who love Jennifer Anniston and totally watched it because she was cast in it. But I wasn’t feelin it with her. Reese Witherspoon would have been a much better choice in my opinion.

I’m sorry, but Anniston’s Southern accent was not good nor was it believable! I’m not saying she’s a bad actress..she just wasn’t suited for Rosie Dickinson.

Other than that, I loved the storyline and movie!

Have you seen the movie yet? Did you read the book?

First Line Fridays

First Line Fridays is hosted by Hoarding Books where we share the first line or lines of a book we are currently reading or going to start soon.

WHEN THE WHITE NOISE WENT OFF, WE WERE IN THE GARDEN, PULLING WEEDS.

The Darkest Minds by Alexandra Bracken

Genre: YA, Dystopian

I seriously don’t know why I bothered to come up with a reading list this month, cause I haven’t really stuck to it.

I finally decided to read this and enjoy it so far.

Have you read it or seen the movie? What are you reading??

Book Review: The Dinner List by Rebecca Serle @Flatironbooks

Genre: Contemporary Romance, Chick Lit

My Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

I’m surprised I have the ability for words, because this is insane.  Maybe I’m dreaming.  Maybe this is some sort of mental breakdown.

As part of a spirituality exercise back in college, Jessica asks Sabrina to write down 5 people (living or dead) she’d like to have dinner with. Coincidently, the 5 people she lists have all had an impact in her life.

To be honest, I had no idea what to expect. I had seen this cover pop up all over Instagram and after being on the waitlist for a month, I finally got a copy!

This was a story that explores the relationships, love and loss between Sabrina and her dinner guests.

I’m a sucker for true love, so the story of Sabrina and Tobias definitely pulled at my heartstrings.

Find it on Goodreads:

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/36399096-the-dinner-list

 

The Kiddie Corner: Christmas Round Up

Tough Cookie: A Christmas Story by Edward Hemingway

Once upon a time, while Fox was visiting the land of Holiday Treats, a little cookie—still warm from the bakery oven—burst out the front door looking sweet and ready to be devoured. But, as it turns out, Cookie is not as fast as he thinks and when Fox finally catches him, they’re both in for a big surprise: Sugar Cookie does not taste delicious—and he’s certainly not fit to be eaten. What’s an unsavory cookie to do? Is there another option for this not-so-sweet treat?

Munchkin Review: A fun and very cute take on the story of the Gingerbread Man.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Merry Christmas Little Elliot by Mike Curato

Little Elliot the elephant isn’t quite sure what Christmas spirit is, but he suspects he doesn’t have it. Not even a visit to Santa Claus can put Elliot in the right mood. But when chance blows a letter for Santa into Elliot and Mouse’s path, the two friends discover what Christmas is all about–and make a new friend, too. A heartfelt celebration of the season of giving! Perfect for sharing around the holidays.

Munchkin Review: Little Elliot was so adorable. There were some funny moments where it almost seemed like Little Elliot just couldn’t catch a break. But everything works out in the end.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

A Unicorn Named Sparkle’s First Christmas by Amy Young

It’s Sparkle’s first Christmas and Lucy is showing him how to celebrate. Make a snowman. Check. Make a unicorn snowman. Check. Hang stockings, make cookies, and, of course–buy presents! (But don’t eat them.) Check. In pure Sparkle fashion, nothing goes as planned, but Lucy ends up learning that love– not presents– is what Christmas is all about.

Munchkin Review: Who doesn’t like unicorns? I actually liked that Sparkles is not your typical unicorn.

⭐⭐⭐ 1/2