Mystery Blogger Award ♥️// I Talk About Blogging and Show Appreciation!

A while back I was nominated for the Mystery Blogger Award by two bloggers! I am so grateful, happy, and excited. I was nominated by Brittney @Stories Have Power and Rose @Stuck in Fiction. You should go visit their blog! Thank you so much Brittney and Rose!

Rules

Thank whoever nominated you and include a link to their blog

Tell you readers three things about yourself

Nominate 10-20 bloggers you feel deserve the award.

Notify your nominees by commenting on their blog.

Ask your nominees 5 questions of your choice with one weird or funny one.

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Okay, let’s get started!

Three Things About Me

1. I’m a extrovert. I love to meet new people and talk with others. I love public speaking and sharing my thoughts with others.

2. I can speak Mandarin and English fluently.

3. My all time favourite subject in school is French. I love learning new languages and I think French is a beautiful and elegant language. I’ve never been to Paris but I hope to one day. Since I love languages, English is a close second favourite!

Brittney’s Questions

1. What is one thing you wish you knew before starting a blog/site? I wish I knew how kind and amazing everyone in the blogging community is! Does that count as one thing? 😂 Aside from that, a piece of advice I wish I knew is that interacting with other blogs is very important. See my answer to the next question!

2. What helpful advice would you give to a new blogger? Read and comment on other bloggers posts! Interacting with others blogs is very important in order to grow your blog. It helps you grow your blog’s following, give you more perspective and critical thinking skills, and allows you to be inspired! It means a lot to me when I receive comments on my posts because I am so happy that someone took their time to read what I have to say. I love hearing other people’s thoughts and opinions. I’m sure this is true for many other bloggers as well!

3. What is a book you read that surprised you with how much you enjoyed it? We Were Liars by e. Lockhart. I went into the book not knowing much because most reviews I read tried to not reveal much. So I didn’t know enough about the book, but wow! I was so surprised at that plot twist 😱🙌

Also Geekerella by Ashley Poston! Most reviews said that the book focuses on fandom and that there were Star Wars (or Star Trek) references. I was worried that I wouldn’t relate as much but I was wrong! This book was a great read and the characters even better!

4. What is your favorite animal? I like dolphins! They’re really smart animals and move beautifully in the water.

5. What is a book you read that fell out of your usual reading genre that you fell in love with? I really loved A Series of Unfortunate Events although I haven’t read the last book of the series yet. I read this series in elementary school so it was my childhood read! The genre is mystery and goth satire which is very unique.

Rose’s Questions

1. What’s your current favourite TV show? Gilmore Girls will always be my favourite Tv show ♥️ (I have a post on this here)

Brooklyn Nine Nine and The Good Doctor are amazing shows too. I’m currently watching Quantico and Heartland which are two pretty great shows as well. Haha I just listed all the shows I love, oops 😂

2. Favourite quote? I don’t really have a favourite quote at this moment. But I like this one: “Share your smile with the world.”

3. How do you like to arrange your books on your shelves? I don’t really have a specific way but it’s kind of by genre, then by author and series’.

4. Have you ever been to an author’s signing or to a book convention? No but I really want to go to an author signing one day!

5. What’s one book you bought because of its cover? I don’t usually buy a book before I’ve heard about it from others so this is a hard question. But one book I bought mostly because of the cover and gorgeous pages is The Beauty and the Beast!

My Questions

What is one thing you love about the blogging community?

Do you have an unique talent?

Favourite author?

Dream vacation?

Favourite place to read?

I nominate…

• Libby
• Angelica
• Hamad
• Hanna
• Justine
• Kay
• Becky
• Hannah
• Kelly
• Olivia
• Catherine
• Lily
• Marie
• Shanah
• Kristin
• Azu

These are some of my favourite blogs to read and interact with. These bloggers are amazing and I wanted to appreciate them! If I tagged you, please don’t feel obligated to do this tag, I just wanted to appreciate you! ❤️

Ps. I just came home from vacation 😍 I went to an Animal Safari and one of Canada’s national parks named Point Pelee National Park.

Thank you so much for reading,

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Top 5 Tuesday: Character Driven Books// Some of My Favourite Stories

Hi everyone! It’s time for another Top 5 Tuesday. Top 5 Tuesday is a weekly meme created and hosted by Shanah @Bionic Book Worm. Today’s topic is character driven books. I’m really love these five books on my list and I would consider some of them my favourite stories!

A Man Called Ove By Fredrik Backman

Review 5/5 stars

This story was incredible but the characters was what stood out to me the most. The characters compliment each other so well and this created such a wonderful balance in the story. Ove, a grumpy old man didn’t seem like a character I would like but as the book progressed Ove became so well rounded and lovable. In addition, Parvaneh was another amazing character and my favourite in the book. She is kind, loving, and has a great sense of humor. These characters together form a story that will make you cry and laugh.

Stolen by Lucy Christopher

5/5 stars

 

 

 

 

 

It happened like this. I was stolen from an airport. Taken from everything I knew, everything I was used to. Taken to sand and heat, dirt and danger. And he expected me to love him.
This is my story.
A letter from nowhere.  (Part of the Goodreads Summary)

I read this book two years ago and I still remember this story so vividly. It is a chilling story that is unique from all I’ve read before. The most interesting part is that the book is written in second person point of view! It was the first book I had read that was written in this point of view and I thought it was done beautifully. The pacing of this story was quick and the voice of the main character was so clear and emotional. She had a distinct voice and her descriptions painted such vivid images. I definitely recommend this book!

Geekerella by Ashley Poston

Review 4/5 stars

 

This story is so cute and heartwarming! It is a modern take on Cinderella and it focuses on fandom. I really loved the main character, Elle, because she is a blogger, like me! Elle has a kind heart and as the book progresses she tries more to stand up for what she believes in. I also loved Darien because he was caring and sweet in his conversations with Elle. The majority of the book are text messages between Elle and Darien which was a unique way to express this story. Because of this, the characters were the center focus of this book.

The Lord of the Flies by William Golding

3.5/5 stars

I recently read this classic in school. It is about school boys who get stranded on a deserted island after their plane crashes and it details their evolution on this island. The writing style is very descriptive and at many times the pacing was slow. However, the descriptions allowed Golding to develop the characters. Each character talked, acted and thought in a specific and different way. Through these characters, Golding expresses his dark views of humanity and it gave the story insight and multiple perspectives.

The Sun is Also a Star by Nicola Yoon

Review 4/5 stars

This story is one that is greatly character driven. I loved how this book was written in a dual perspective. There were times where the same event would be told twice, in the perspective of each character. This made the story thought provoking as it showed how we all see things in a different way. Throughout the book there are also pages talking about side characters. They added to the main story and added another layer of depth. The main characters also have a clear voice and good character development.

Let’s Chat!

Have you read any of these books? If so, did you like the characters? What are some books you loved because of the characters?

Thank you so much for reading,

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Geekerella: A Heartwarming and Modern Take on a Beloved Classic

Spoiler Free Review

Genre: Contemporary fiction

Author and publication date:  Written by Ashley Poston, Audiobook read by Eileen Stevens and Tristan Morris, published in 2017

My rating: 4/5 stars

Quote from the Book: “Look to the stars. Aim. Ignite.”

Overall Thoughts

Geekerella is a cute and heartwarming contemporary read. It is a take on the story of Cinderella, and Poston takes an intriguing and modern spin on it. I listened to Geekerella through audiobook and I adored it. It is told in a dual perspective from the characters Elle and Darien Freeman which gave the book more insight and perspective. The story essentially focuses on the power of love (for both people and things), friendships, and fandom. It is an unique twist of Cinderella yet does not stray too far from the original. Throughout the story readers will know things that the characters do not know, making the book more wonderful. I found myself smiling often at the dialogues between characters and not wanting to stop listening to this story.

Goodreads Summary

Geek girl Elle Wittimer lives and breathes Starfield, the classic science-fiction series she grew up watching with her late father. So when she sees a cosplay contest for a new Starfield movie, she has to enter. The prize? An invitation to the ExcelsiCon Cosplay Ball and a meet-and-greet with the actor slated to play Federation Prince Carmindor in the reboot. With savings from her gig at the Magic Pumpkin food truck and her dad’s old costume, Elle’s determined to win – unless her stepsisters get there first.

Teen actor Darien Freeman used to live for cons – before he was famous. Now they’re nothing but autographs and awkward meet-and-greets. Playing Carmindor is all he has ever wanted, but Starfield fandom has written him off as just another dumb heartthrob. As ExcelsiCon draws near, Darien feels more and more like a fake – until he meets a girl who shows him otherwise. But when she disappears at midnight, will he ever be able to find her again?

Part-romance, part-love letter to nerd culture, and all totally adorbs, Geekerella is a fairy tale for anyone who believes in the magic of fandom.

A More In Depth Review (Spoiler Free)

The main character, Elle (which is a smart twist on Cinderella‘s name), is a huge fan of a show called Starfield and has a blog to talk about it. One of the reasons I liked this book is because just like Elle, I have a blog too! Her love for Starfield is similar to my love for reading and in this way I felt a connection to her. Elle’s character is shy yet she becomes more courageous as the book progresses. She has a kind heart and a great sense of humor. I especially enjoyed her character development and the dialogue between her and the other characters.

My favourite parts of this book were the conversations between Elle and Darien. They were funny, cute and witty. They felt genuine. The characters both share common feelings of not being understood by others and it was nice to see them happy when they talked to one another. In addition, throughout the book, there were several references to other TV shows and books which was amazing. This book also has wonderful side characters. Sage is a great friend to Elle. Although their personalities are very different from each other, the two of them work well together. Gail was another one of my favourite characters. She is hardworking, kind and caring. Her care for Darien is clearly evident. I think without Gail, Darien would have been lost.

Overall, Geekerella is a wonderful take on Cinderella and I would definitely recommend it to everyone! You don’t have to be part of a fandom or be a blogger, the story is relatable in so many ways. 

Let’s Talk

Have you read this book? I would love to hear your thoughts.

Thank you so much for reading,

P.S. I designed my website a bit more. Do you like it?

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Discussion: Why Do You Love Reading?

What is it about books and stories that you love? What effect does reading have on you? I wonder what the answer will be for different people. I wanted to write this post so we can share with each other what we love about reading. It would mean so much if you shared your thoughts with me in the comments.

Why I Love Reading

Gaining New Experiences and Perspectives

Reading is a way for me to become absorbed into a world the author creates. Books are my way of experiencing different things and gaining new perspectives. Through reading, I am able to feel like I am part of the plot and experience what the characters are going through. Whether the characters are going through good or bad times, I always like to gain new insight on how to respond to different situations and circumstances. If it is a happy story, I am able to take share in the happiness the characters feel. If it is a darker story, I am able to see what people feel in these situations and as a result become more open minded. When I read, I am transported into the world and I experience the emotions of the story.

Finding Role Models and Characters I’ll Love Forever

Reading is a way for me to find role models I will forever cherish. Through reading, I have been able to learn a lot of things from book characters. Books often have positive themes such as finding your identity, equality, love, peace, courage, and the list continues. Within most stories there are always characters that exude qualities that readers can learn from. An example is Katniss Everdeen from the Hunger Games series. She demonstrates the qualities of strength, determination, courage and pureness of the heart. She is loving and wants what is fair. As a young girl, I found a role model, and her character got me reading more and more YA books.

A Way to Have Meaningful Discussions with Others

After reading a story, I can be very moved by it or I may not have enjoyed it. However, regardless of whether I liked the book or not, I always look forward to hearing other peoples thoughts on it. That’s one of the main reasons I started a blog, so that I can read about what others think and so that I can share my opinions. When I discuss with others I am able to see things in a different way. I often see new things that I never even thought of when I read it. I love having discussions because that’s what makes reading fun; seeing how different people interpret the same story.

Let’s Talk!

I really loved writing this post. I would love it if you shared why you love reading in the comments below.

Thank you so much for reading,

Sissi ❤

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TTT: Book Covers that Represent My Country’s Flag

Hello everyone! Today I decided to try a Top Ten Tuesday post. Top Ten Tuesday was created by The Broke and the Bookish in June of 2010 and was moved to That Artsy Reader Girl in January of 2018.

This is my first Top Ten Tuesday post and I’m excited! This week’s topic is ‘Book Covers that are Red, White or Blue’ or ‘Book Covers that Represent Your Country’s Flag.’ I chose to do the latter option and I think this topic matches well with the celebration of Canada Day which just took place on July 1st. Here are ten books that have white and/or red book covers:

Let’s get started!

Canada

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets: 4.5/5 stars Even though I’ve only read the first three books of the Harry Potter series, I enjoyed them. Reading these books transported me to a magical world that the author has built so well. The plot of each book is intriguing and in each of the first three books, there is always a mystery the characters work towards solving. The characters in these books are also wonderful.

Code Name Verity: TBR

The One: 4/5 stars A fun and quick read. I finished the trilogy in less than a week because the writing was simple and the plot left you questioning on what would happen next. The trilogy is about 24 girls who compete to marry Prince Maxon and become a princess, told in the perspective of one of the girls, America Singer. Although the writing is a bit too simple in my opinion, I still very much enjoyed this book, which is the last one in the trilogy.

To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before: TBR. This is the book I am REreading very soon. This month for sure. I’ve actually read this book around three years ago but I don’t remember much about it. So since I’ve heard incredible things about this trilogy and a Netflix film is coming soon based on this book, I’m definitely very excited to read this.

The Hate U Give: TBR

Beauty and the Beast: TBR. I’ve flipped through the pages of this story and the inside pages are gorgeous. There are many interactive pages where you can flip things, spin things, open things etc. I bought this book after watching and loving the 2017 Beauty and the Beast movie.

This Side of Home: 4.5/5 stars I’ve read this book twice; once two years ago and once last year. The book is about two twins (who are high school students) who live in a community that is beginning to thrive and develop. The twins are African American and their community’s population is also mostly this demographic, before the community begins to thrive. The twins have different personalities and they react to this change in their community in different ways. It is a powerful book that is a diverse YA, with great characters and plot.

Everything Everything: 3.5/5 stars I have a review of this book here.  Overall, I thought this was a good read. It was a good pace and I liked the characters. However, for me the characters were a little bit underdeveloped and the plot was predictable. I would recommend this book for a quick and enjoyable read but I would definitely recommend Nicola Yoon’s second book, The Sun is Also a Star, which I absolutely loved.

The Elite: 4/5 stars This is the second book in the Selection series. My comments on this book are the same as what I wrote for the book The One.

A Night Divided: 4/5 stars I don’t remember too much about the plot of this book as I read this two years ago, but I remember my experience reading it. I enjoyed this book. I thought the pacing was a little bit slow at times but I remember being impacted by the story. The book is about a family that is divided after the Berlin wall separates the family. It is about a girl’s attempts to reunite with her family. It is a great and emotional historical read.

Let’s Talk!

Have you read any of these books? What are your thoughts on them? What book cover(s) on this list do you like the most? 

Thank you so much for reading,

Sissi ❤

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