The Summer I Turned Pretty

Belly measures her life in summers. Everything good, everything magical happens between the months of June and August. Winters are simply a time to count the weeks until the next summer, a place away from the beach house, away from Susannah, and most importantly, away from Jeremiah and Conrad. They are the boys that Belly has known since her very first summer--they have been her brother figures, her crushes, and everything in between. But one summer, one terrible and wonderful summer, the more everything changes, the more it all ends up just the way it should have been all along. 

Suffer Love

I was pretty excited for Suffer Love when I first read the synopsis. Come on, everyone loves a little bit of romance and angst! So, what did I think about it? Well, I thought it was a fabulous read. It stuck to the synopsis and I really liked how the complications of Sam and Hadley's situation put to the whole plot and story. Sam and Hadley's friends were also a really nice addition to this (kind of very complicated) story. Hadley's relationship with her best friend was so great to read about because I love how close they are and how much they support each other. Sam's friend brought a little humor into this very dramatic book. The only problem I had with this book was I thought that beginning of the book was kind of rushed. Other than that, this book was a very fabulous read and if anyone is looking to take a break from cutesy contemporaries with a little angst, Suffer Love is something you should definitely consider!

Hey everyone and welcome to the third Summer Blog Promo Tour post, hosted by the Book Bratz. Today, I have Cheyenne from Once Upon A Time Review and she is going to talk about Mental Illnesses and how that is sometimes portrayed in books. I hope everyone enjoys and starts some discussion based off this post. Enjoy!

My name is Cheyenne and I blog at Once Upon A Time Review and let's talk about Mental Illness. Mental Illnesses are very real and no we aren't faking it. I'm sure there's those people out there who do fake who do it for attention, but there's people who don't fake it. When you fake something that gives people who experience the same thing as you a bad rep. A bookish example is when you read the really bad, poorly written self-published book that makes you not want to read other self-published books. Well, news flash there's a ton of amazing self-published books out there it's just that category of books are often overlooked.

Like everything else in the world everyone is different when it comes to mental illnesses. I think I mentioned this in a post on my blog, but I have anxiety and depression, it runs in my family along with other mental illnesses which I don't have. My anxiety and depression aren't as bad as others I can't speak for other people's severity levels, but I can speak for everyone when I say its not all fun games. It shouldn't be all dolled up because that would be portraying it badly.

When reading books about mental illnesses or seeing something on tv about it sometimes it feels like they doll it up. I think a lot of members in society do this too. Mental illness has come long ways since the times they put people in asylums for having postpartum depression and many other things, but now we have to keep making progress on it. Its all around us and it shouldn't be something controversial as it is.

I feel books are a great way to reach people because if done right it can touch a lot of people. If we educate society then it might not be so looked down on. If you know someone who has a mental illness talk to them and be there for them because that will mean the world to them. There's this website that someone directed me to that has this really well done article. There's also a a goodreads list that have books on it that deal with metal illnesses.

Thanks for reading this article you can find me on twitter @OnceUpo15467743 if you ever want to talk about anything my inbox is always open. Remember to keep looking for your Once Upon A Time.

So tell me: What did you think of Cheyenne's opinions? Do you agree and what are some books that you have read that portray Mental Illness very well?

Tone Deaf

Hello everyone and welcome to the second Summer Blog Promo Tour post! Today, I have my fabulous friend Claire from Blank Slaters here and together, we're going to talk about 6 books that take place on our turf, the Bay Area! (Or San Francisco. Or Northern California.) There aren't many books that take place here so when books do, people like us know. So, here are 6 books that take place in the fabulous Bay Area! Read them all! Experience the glory of our home. Enjoy. :)

6 Books That Take Place in the Bay Area

Claire // Angelfall by Susan Ee
Angelfall by Susan Ee is paranormal romance, post apocalyptic YA novel that takes place in Silicon Valley. Also known as the bay area and San Francisco-ish. I bet you can guess what Angelfall is about. Yep, you guessed, it ANGELS! Only these angels aren’t the fluffy forgiving type, no, the angels in Angelfall are out to destroy the human race. Angelfall by Susan Ee is definitely a light read that is most certainly entertaining. As it does take place in the area Kaitlin and I live, it is also really fun to read about the familiar sights throughout the book.

Kaitlin // Outrun the Moon by Stacey Lee
Stacey Lee is one of my favorite authors and I was really excited for Outrun the Moon when I found out this book takes place in San Francisco. It is definitely a lot different than the other books in this list because of the fact that it takes place about 100 years back. It was interesting to read about historical San Francisco but still be able to identify some places that were in this book. (Streets, parks, neighborhoods ect) And location definitely takes a huge part in this book as the book does surround that 1906 earthquake that only happened in San Francisco. This is definitely a great read for someone who wants to get into historical fiction and explore historic San Fran! And has a POC main character!

The Start of Me and You

It’s been a year since it happened—when Paige Hancock’s first boyfriend died in an accident. After shutting out the world for two years, Paige is finally ready for a second chance at high school . . . and she has a plan. First: Get her old crush, Ryan Chase, to date her—the perfect way to convince everyone she’s back to normal. Next: Join a club—simple, it’s high school after all. But when Ryan’s sweet, nerdy cousin, Max, moves to town and recruits Paige for the Quiz Bowl team (of all things!) her perfect plan is thrown for a serious loop. Will Paige be able to face her fears and finally open herself up to the life she was meant to live?

Lol, guess what? So, like last year, this post is late. A week late. So, because this post was already late, I just decided to post the same date as last year, July 7. Been blogging for two years now, you think I had my shit together right? (Spoiler: I don't.)

The Crown's Game

Vika Andreyeva can summon the snow and turn ash into gold. Nikolai Karimov can see through walls and conjure bridges out of thin air. They are enchanters—the only two in Russia—and with the Ottoman Empire and the Kazakhs threatening, the Tsar needs a powerful enchanter by his side. And so he initiates the Crown’s Game, an ancient duel of magical skill—the greatest test an enchanter will ever know. The victor becomes the Imperial Enchanter and the Tsar’s most respected adviser. The defeated is sentenced to death. Raised on tiny Ovchinin Island her whole life, Vika is eager for the chance to show off her talent in the grand capital of Saint Petersburg. But can she kill another enchanter—even when his magic calls to her like nothing else ever has? For Nikolai, an orphan, the Crown’s Game is the chance of a lifetime. But his deadly opponent is a force to be reckoned with—beautiful, whip smart, imaginative—and he can’t stop thinking about her. And when Pasha, Nikolai’s best friend and heir to the throne, also starts to fall for the mysterious enchantress, Nikolai must defeat the girl they both love... or be killed himself. As long-buried secrets emerge, threatening the future of the empire, it becomes dangerously clear... the Crown’s Game is not one to lose. 

Hello everyone and welcome to my post for Potterhead July, a Harry Potter celebration hosted by Aentee at Read at Midnight! Today, I am here to talk about what it is like to re-read the Harry Potter books and the different feelings one may go through while re-reading. I hope everyone enjoys and reads Harry Potter this month!

1. Missing Harry Potter

Well, something has to initiate this Harry Potter re-read marathon! Whether you've just rewatched all the Harry Potter movies or know someone who is reading Harry Potter for the first time, you now miss Harry Potter, which leads you to pick up the first book, open the cover, and start this marathon.

2. Excitement

Being back in the wizarding exciting. I mean, who doesn't want to live in a world with magical creatures, Harry Potter, and being able to summon something from across the room with a small flick of a wand and the word Accio?

3. Nostalgia

Some of us read Harry Potter when we were still kids, some of us only read Harry Potter about 2 years ago. Either way, we haven't read Harry Potter in AGES, so being back in the world brings back so many feels and memories. Remember staying up to read Harry Potter and reading it under the desk during school? Nostalgia.

4. More Nostalgia

You can never stop having the feeling of nostalgia when reading something so dear to your past.

5. Sadness

So many things happen in this series and you're reminded of many things. Like how you'll never get to be apart of the wizarding world, or that this series eventually comes to an end. No one likes watching something they love end.

6. More Sadness

Also, seeing characters who later die be alive is the most bittersweet thing ever.

7. More Nostalgia

The more time you spend in the wizarding world, the deeper you dig yourself into the Harry Potter headspace and the more memories you will get of your past while reading Harry Potter. OH CHILDHOOD HOW I MISS THOSE DAYS.

8. Missing Childhood

^ 'nuff said.

9. Excitement for the Newest Book

When you remember that Harry's story comes to an end, just remind yourself that a new book is coming out! (And soon!) Soon you'll have so much more new Harry Potter content. The Fantastic Beasts movie, the Cursed Child book (and play) and Pottermore is always thriving with new content; like the new story about an American Hogwarts!

10. Satisfaction

Well, the re-read is now over. Yep, you just re-read all seven Harry Potter books, all 3,407 pages, all 1,084,170 words. It feels great to have read all the books. Until the next re-read, when these emotions will come back again! It was nice to be back in the wizarding world, to read about Harry's adventure, to watch him grow up and just be back in your childhood again.

So tell me: Have you read Harry Potter recently and do you relate to any of the emotions I talked about today?