Good morning from my side of the world! Today, we’re going to discuss why I’m reading less ‘traditional’ Young Adult books. At first, I thought it was merely a huge reading slump I was in, but as time went on, the more books I picked up, the more distressed I became. Almost every book had a similar plot line, and I no longer felt the rush of exhilaration as the character progressed through the story.
A gorgeous, vivid debut from Isabel Ibañez, Woven in Moonlight is everything you’d ever want in a fantasy novel. Throw in a few ninjas, fierce royals, magic powers, spicy food, cute animals, slow-burn romance, and that’s the book! It was an incredible ride, with multiple plot twists, possible love interests (plural), and huge character development. I love Ximena Rojas so much. Not only is she the Condesa’s decoy, where she plays someone else’s life, but she must also learn who Ximena is and what her place will be in the revolution.
I’m not a fan of contemporary books, but wow, Every Other Weekend went beyond my expectations. Not only does it offer dynamic and unique characters, but it’s also a coming of age story that brings light to issues such as sexual assault and legal alimonies. I’m so proud of Adam and Jolene, both teenagers, who come from unstable households yet they continue to push through, dream big… and eventually, fall for one another.
Title: Every Other Weekend
Author(s): Abigail Johnson
Release Date: January 7th, 2020
Publisher: Inkyard Press
Rating: ★★★★☆ (4.2)
Thank you to FFBC Tours and Inkyard Press for gifting a physical arc in exchange for an honest review.
It’s that wonderful time of the year, where gift unwrapping commences, the smell of baked cookies wafts through the air, and the entire family gathers around the fireplace with a hot chocolate in their hands. Well, was my description accurate? Does it apply to you and your family? You may be surprised… but I don’t celebrate Christmas.
Instagram is a magical place with colorful and beautifully curated photos, especially during summer vacation. It’s the perfect time to post a picture of the beach, a friends’ outing, family nights, tourist attractions, and more.
Many have asked me about my edits and how I manage to keep a theme; well today, I’m hoping to share a few apps and tips to spark up your images! In addition to editing photos, it’s important to add your username at the corner, bottom – basically anywhere on the photo.
As Instagram continues to expand, unfortunately, there are also trolls and imposters behind its magical world, who are willing to steal your photos. It’s easy enough to simply screenshot an image.
Shadow Frost is your typical YA fantasy book, with betrayal, secrets, and more. Written by an award-winning pianist and at 15 years old, Coco Ma brings a tale of Princess Asterin Faelenhart, who must defeat a mysterious demon terrorizing the lands. However, countless others have failed, and Asterin soon unearths an assassination plot, slowly unraveling a web of deceit.
Title: Shadow Frost
Author(s): Coco Ma
Release Date: October 1st, 2019
Publisher: Blackstone Publishing
Rating: 
(3/5)
Thank you to FFBC Tours and Blackstone Publishing for gifting a physical arc in exchange for an honest review.
What would be the word for a wrap-up consisting of 5 months? You see, I’m not sure, and I’m not willing to write a post summarizing almost half my year. To start off, I owe an explanation for my whereabouts this entire summer.
Days after I created my FIRST EVER blogging schedule* on Google Calendar, I caught an awful cold, leading to a sore throat, fever, and all sorts of symptoms! Ever since I recovered, I was thrown into a mess of internships, trainings, a 9-5 job, mini-weekend-vacations, and family reunions. And everyday when I came home, I was exhausted (and so you might’ve seen 1 or 2 blog tours here and there). Don’t get me started on my Bookstagram!
It’s always nice to get caught up in a fantasy novel now and then; Crown of Coral and Pearl is the perfect option. Not only is it easy to read, but it also includes great world-building, good pacing, and beautiful descriptions about the legends and culture of Varenia. I love reading about royalty and good sibling relationships, so I was instantly drawn into Nor and Zadie’s world.
Title: Crown of Coral and Bone
Author(s): Mara Rutherford
Release Date: August 27th, 2019
Publisher: Inkyard Press
Rating: 
(4/5)
Thank you to FFBC Tours and Inkyard Press for gifting an e-arc in exchange for an honest review.
Spin the Dawn is a riveting adventure of magic, power, and sacrifices. It’s about a girl who fights against the patriarchal world, and creates her own legacy with needle and thread. It’s about one’s selflessness in the face of tragedy, the ill costs of magic, and the power of love and family. Lastly, it’s about Maia’s epic journey in becoming the best tailor in all of A’landi.
Title: Spin the Dawn
Author(s): Elizabeth Lim
Release Date: July 9th, 2019
Publisher: Alfred A. Knopf Books for Young Readers
*I finally finished my 2nd book for #YARC2019! 😄
Special thanks to Netgalley and Random House for providing me with a digital review copy in exchange for an honest review.
Summer is a time of having fun, being productive, achieving goals, and most importantly, devoting time to self-care and family. As vacations hit, it’s often difficult to fall back into our regular routines. With plenty of free time, we tend to let our priorities slip.
Now in order to get things done, it’s important to be intentional with our time. As a student in New York City, who runs this blog and tutors kids from home, I’ve learned how to make the most of my time and include the concept of balance. Of course, this will be different for all of us, since everyone has their own unique tasks and hobbies to fulfill.
So many of you have asked me how I manage to make time for blogging, photography, science research, and personal projects, all while maintaining my social life as a teenager. There’s no secret formula to tackle all your responsibilities, but here are ways to combat summer laziness, intentionally use your time, and create balance in your life in the form of weekly goal setting.
