Hi everyone! Today is the second day for the Summer Blogger Promo Tour hosted by Jessica @The Book Bratz. For those who don’t know what it is, every Sunday I will be featuring another blogger on my blog, a different blogger each week for 7 weeks. On the 8th week, I will be posting a recap of my experience. On my blog today, I will be having Valerie from He Said Books or Me! When did you decide to start blogging? I have actually had a personal blog for over 8 years now. It was started mainly to keep in touch with friends and family. However, when it started to become a lot more book focus, my mother in law suggested I start a book blog. So I did and He Said Books or Me came to be in May 2015. Who are some of your favorite bloggers? Jamie at the Perpetual Page Turner and Melissa at MerrylandGirl Why did you decide to start blogging? I love having an outlet to keep track of what I am reading. Once I started getting involved in the book community, it was alot of fun! What do you usually blog about? Mainly bookish related things-reviews, Top Ten Tuesday lists, books I am dreaming and waiting on. I hope to expand to include more discussion posts soon Which challenges/memes are you a part of? I do a lot of them! Probably the best suggestion is to check out my Events page (http://hesaidbooksorme.blogspot.com/p/blog-page.html) Why do you think is important to blog? I like to encourage conversation. I appreciate hearing a diversity of opinions on books! Do you like writing review posts or discussion posts? Why? I have done more review posts so far, but I am hoping to expand. I would love to do both! Who is the most impressive person you’ve worked with? I love working with all of the people I have worked with! :) What’s your opinion on ARCs? I love getting them, who doesn't?! That said, I know that it can cause heartache for some people because they can be exposed to spoilers. I keep my blog 100% spoiler free. What’s your favorite book (as of now)? The Richest Man In Town I hope you all enjoyed this post today and learned something new about Valerie--I know I sure did. Be sure to check out her blog as well because she is also featuring another blogger today.
I am featured on The Book Bratz blog today so you can go over there and read an interview with me so you can find out more about me! Be sure to come back next week to meet another blogger and until then, I will have other reviews and posts up soon! Tell me what you thought about this post in the comments below or find me on social media! ~Brooke
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Why it is okay to not have read Harry Potter: Hi everyone! Today’s post is all about Harry Potter! This is part of the Potterhead July Blog Festival hosted by the lovely Aentee @ Read At Midnight. Now before I actually start, I just wanted to clear a few things up. I have never (yea, you read that right, NEVER) read all 7 of the Harry Potter books nor have I watched the movie. Ok, let that sink in for a moment. Now with that in mind, let’s get started with the post. (This is a bit of a storytelling post but it’s an interesting story, if I do say so myself) It’s perfectly fine to not read Harry Potter. Many people in my life have freaked out and proceeded to yell at me about how uncultured I am for not having read Harry Potter, and honestly, it’s a little scary. Because of this, I was a little hesitant to join this event but took a chance anyway because, what do I have to lose? I have only read the first 2 Harry Potter books yet I own the entire box set as well as another copy of the 4, 5 and 6th book. The 7th book was published in 2007 (nearly 9 years ago), meaning that I was in 2nd grade, during the height of the HP popularity. I didn’t actually discover the books until 4th grade. It felt like everyone was holding a HP book and that I was out of the club (not a rare instance for me back then). Books were (and are) my safe place when everything else in the world may be shattering around me; in that I will always have my place among them and have friends who won’t judge me. The situation wasn’t that I disliked the books, in fact, I liked them so much and I didn’t want to find out what happens to all the characters. Many times, I imagined myself among them, with Hermione especially because she was a brainiac and always knew more than she should, like how I felt during those times. Of course after all the movies came out and everything was done, the buzz about Harry Potter in the regular world died down and it wasn’t that big of a deal that I didn’t read HP. Until... Last year, I went to Universal Studios in Orlando and like any other person, visited the Harry Potter World. Among these die-heart fans, I suddenly felt lost, like I had no place among them. I think it was during this time that sparked my liking for HP again. Of course, with school and everything going on in real life I didn’t have time to go back on that thought and actually do something about it. Until this past winter break, I didn’t even know how the series ended. I know, I’m a disgrace but there was just something about it that I didn’t want to know. Many people talked about it but for me, I feel like the ending was always avoided. I finally got curious over winter break with the buzz about the new book and just spent 2 days going on Wikipedia to research everything there was to know about the books. After that, I read the back half of the 7th book (that book is sooooooooo long). Now with the release of Harry Potter and the Curse Child coming so soon, I’m not sure what I’ll be doing during that time although I’m sure I won’t be left out of anything with everything tweeting and reflecting on it. One of the only reasons that I read the ending (other to find out what happened) was because of the epilogue of years after. I wanted to know what happened to all the beloved characters and since Harry Potter and the Cursed Child follows them 19 years later, there is a pretty good chance that I will be reading it sometime.
I don’t exactly consider myself a full-on Potterhead but there are aspects that I do love from the series. I think I am going to try and read the 3rd book in the series sometime this summer because I heard that it was the least devastating one (with the least deaths). Also, just because of this tour, I joined Pottermore and got sorted into my house. I was surprised to find that my house is Gryffindor. I guess that sort of makes sense because as far as I know, I really similar to Hermione and after some research, I have the traits of Gryffindors. (Also I love Hermione because Emma Watson--need I say more?) The book community is especially diverse, and it is one of the things I love about it. Most are so accepting and always willing to recommend books to you. So I guess the moral of this post is, Harry Potter is great and all, but there will always be people who didn’t read them or just blantly disliked them. It’s okay to not have read Harry Potter and it doesn’t mean that you can’t be a Potterhead. So that’s it for this post. It was longer than I anticipated so kudos to you if you made it all the way to the end. Actually, give me a virtual hug :) What’d you think about it? Be sure to check out the other blog posts here: Schedule for PotterHeadJuly Posts and find me on twitter (@BrookeEvans2001) as well as Instagram (@thecozylittlebooknook) and we can talk more about books :P Let me know your thoughts about Harry Potter and if you’re excited for the release of Cursed Child and reasons why I should purchase it. As usual tell me what books I should read next! ~Brooke Royal Dance (The Royals of Monterra) by Rachel Branton Genre: Romance Publication Date: July 9, 2016 Format: I received a e-arc copy from the author in exchange for an honest review. Summary: When Prince Tristano asks Harper Thackery to remodel the interior of his family home, she isn’t sure it’s her design skills he really requires. His primary intent appears to be using their relationship to deflect other women and his matchmaking mother. He knows Harper intends to marry another man, which makes her safe—completely off limits by her own decree. But why does Tristano have to dance so . . . well, like a prince? And why does his gaze turn her insides to liquid fire? Harper finds herself torn between two dreams, the happily-ever-after she always imagined and a fairytale that might not be real. All because of a magical night and a chance meeting with a prince. If only she has the courage to accept one last dance that might change everything. My thoughts: Pulling Princes by Tyne O’Connell Genre: YA Publication date: September 29, 2014 Format: I received a copy from the author in exchange for an honest review. You can purchase the book here: https://www.amazon.com/Pulling-Princes-Calypso-Chronicles-1/dp/1501003712 Summary: Set near Windsor Castle in a exclusive all girl's boarding school & the nearby fictionalised Eton College - as attended by Princes William & Harry - Pulling Princes is based on the author's own children's antics at boarding school. Calypso is an ordinary American teen, plunged into the extraordinary world of the ancient British Boarding School system with all its mad traditions & customs, surrounded by the daughters of international royalty & rock-stars. But after three years of enduring the Terrible Toffs & Horrible Hon.s' treating her like The American Freak, Calypso Kelly is determined to beat them at their own game by tricking them into believing she's dating a hot Hollywood boy. She may be able to rinse the Eades boys at sabre & dazzle the girls with a poster of her "fake Hollywood boyfriend" - but with the paparazzi lurking behind every hedge, her phone confiscated & the not-so-Honourable Honey O'Hare plotting against her, can Calypso manage to pull it off AND pull the Prince? My Thoughts: First, if you did not see my interview with Tyne a couple of days ago, you can go check it out here: Interview. Hey Everyone! I’m here today with another Author Interview!! Today’s guest is...Tyne O’Connell.
Tyne O’Connell is the author of many books, including the Calypso Chronicles. Without further ado, here’s my interview with Tyne: Can you tell me about yourself? I am an author, bed dweller, tea drinker and tiara wearer When and why did you decide to start writing? Ever since at the age of eight, when Mrs Bresser said I would be a great writer one day. I took her seriously. What is your favorite thing about writing? I work from bed. I love waking up and finding I've already arrived at work. Who inspires you the most? What inspired you to write Pulling Princes? My darling daughter was my inspiration and remains my muse to this day. Also my own experience with nuns at school and my children's boarding school experiences. Can you give us an overview of Pulling Princes and the rest of the books in the series? Pulling Princes is the story of Calypso Kelly, an American girl who starts at an all girls British boarding school run by dear old nuns. She has to navigate her way through old-fashioned traditions, anti-girlfriends and one awkward moment after another. Prince Freds who is heir to the British throne is the talk of the school and when things start to heat up between Calypso and Freds at a school fencing match chaos ensues with hilarious consequences. Lots of midnight feasts, lots of fun, lots of pulling. The rest of the series follows Calypso and Freds along with a host of other characters including Calypso's arch anti-girlfriend Honey O'Hare as they grow older, possibly a bit wiser and definitely up for more fun and games. I see that you’ve written 13 books so far. When and how did you decide to write in the YA Genre? My children went to boarding school age 11 and it was a way of staying close to them What has been your favorite part of being a writer? ‘ I can spend half the day reading and half the day writing... and do it all from bed. What advice would you give to aspiring writers? Write everyday for a minimum of four hours whether you are inspired or not. Rapid questions: Favorite food? Steak Tartare or Battenburg cake Favorite subject in school? History and English Literature Favorite books and/or authors? Nancy Mitford, (Love in a Cold Climate), Enid Blyton, Aphra Behn, Agatha Christie (Miss Marple, At Bertram's Hotel) Favorite shape? Crucifix Favorite candy? Jelly Babies Favorite cookie? Garibaldi I hope you enjoyed this interview with Tyne O’Connell. The review for her book, Pulling Princes will be up in a couple of days. In the meantime, go visit Tyne’s site at www.tyneoconnell.co.uk What other authors do you want to see interviews with? Let me know in the comments below or on social media (Twitter: @BrookeEvans2001 &Instagram @thecozylittlebooknook). ~Brooke One Paris Summer by Denise Grover Swank Genre: YA Romance Publication Date: June 7, 2016 Format: I received a review copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. You can purchase the book here: https://www.amazon.com/Paris-Summer-Blink-Denise-Grover-ebook/dp/B01863JMD8/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1466650036&sr=1-1&keywords=one+paris+summer Summary from Amazon: Most teens dream of visiting the City of Lights, but it feels more like a nightmare for Sophie Brooks. She and her brother are sent to Paris to spend the summer with their father, who left home a year ago without any explanation. As if his sudden abandonment weren't betrayal enough, he's about to remarry, and they’re expected to play nice with his soon-to-be wife and stepdaughter. The stepdaughter, Camille, agrees to show them around the city, but she makes it clear that she will do everything in her power to make Sophie miserable. Sophie could deal with all the pain and humiliation if only she could practice piano. Her dream is to become a pianist, and she was supposed to spend the summer preparing for a scholarship competition. Even though her father moved to Paris to pursue his own dream, he clearly doesn't support hers. His promise to provide her with a piano goes unfulfilled. Still, no one is immune to Paris’s charm. After a few encounters with a gorgeous French boy, Sophie finds herself warming to the city, particularly when she discovers that he can help her practice piano. There’s just one hitch—he’s a friend of Camille’s, and Camille hates Sophie. While the summer Sophie dreaded promises to become best summer of her life, one person could ruin it all. Hi everyone! Today is the first day for the Summer Blogger Promo Tour hosted by Jessica @The Book Bratz. For those who don’t know what it is, every Sunday I will be featuring another blogger on my blog, a different blogger each week for 7 weeks. On the 8th week, I will be posting a recap of my experience. I think that’s the basic outline of this and without delaying it any more, here’s Kat from Perks of Being a Book Nerd! So…Hi! I'm Kat. I started my Booktube channel (KatTheBooknerd) - which for those that don’t know, Booktube is basically a section of youtube dedicated to books. I don’t know who came up with the word but oh well - probably a good couple of years ago. but I only really started posting videos last summer. I made it really to compliment my blog, so that I’d have different sorts of material to post. I’m actually impressed with how many subscribers I have because I didn’t expect to get so many. I mean, at the moment i have 61, and that’s fine for me. I was happy with 20. Though it really bugs me when I have so many subscribers but only get like…10 views on a video. I depends on how I publicise the posts, too. Sometimes if it’s to do with a hashtag or a reading challenge in general, they’ll produce more views. Making videos is haaaaard! It took me months to really get used to talking in front of a camera, and even now, a year later, I get awkward. But really, it just takes practice and I tend not to think too much. If I’m not having a good day or just can’t be bothered, then I don’t film. I don’t force myself, because I’ve learnt that if I do make myself film, I end up disliking what I’ve done. It’s also a tiring process because to come across as enthusiastic and yet not be too fake, I actually become so exhausted afterwards. Even when, to others, I’m not doing anything too much. I’m not shouting or jumping around. I’m not generally a loud person, and I’ve noticed that what I think to be exaggerated movements, etc, aren’t. So I’ll watch myself back and think “but I was being so out there…why doesn’t it look like that?” One time I tried to sort of copy what some other popular you tubers are like, and when I watched it back I cringed, because it looked so fake. To me, at least. So now, I think as time as passed and I’ve slowly begun to become more comfortable talking to nothing (honestly, I’d be fine if the bathtub or my posters had a camera inbuilt, cos I talk to those ALL the time…yeah I’m weird. What of it? :P) it’s gotten easier to find my voice, and to understand my style. If that makes sense. Some of my favourite book tubers…hmm… Well the obvious ones are probably Christine from PolandBananasBooks20, Kelly from Kelly’s BookSpill and Katriona from Little Book Owl. I subscribe to tons of channels, but those three are my main GO TO. Automatically. I also like Jesse (JesseTheReader) and Kat (Katytastic). Though Christine is the one that made me want to do videos just because of how fun she makes it. Then again, I’m no where near as out going as she is on camera, and I wish I was. My first ever book tuber I watched, however, was CassJayTuck. Before I knew about anyone else, she was the one I went to for reviews and discussions. Though back then, I never even thought about doing videos myself. I don’t ever expect to become as popular as these people, but it would be cool, don’t you think? To get to a hundred, or a thousand subscribers? Who knows. Despite what I tell myself, that I should make videos because I want to, there’s ALWAYS a part of me that does it for other people, for others to watch, and when no one does, or I get few views, it makes me sad. But that’s the same with regular blogging, too. I don’t like the idea of working hard on something and it being ignored. Again, that’s something I’m slowly starting to put at the back of my mind. It makes my day when people comment on videos/blog posts, and honestly, it’s the biggest high. Just knowing someone’s taken the time out to watch/read it and take an interest. I think that it’s super interesting to have a booktube but it sounds like a lot of hard work. I am featured on Book Nerds Across America today so if you’re interested, go over there and check it out! Be sure to come back next week to meet another blogger and until then, I will have other reviews and posts up soon! Tell me what you thought about this post in the comments below or find me on social media! ~Brooke Hi everyone! Hopefully you’ve seen my June wrap-up that I posted yesterday. If not, you can go check it out now here. Now onto my goals for this month:
As of currently, I am in Kansas, and I will be in St. Louis, Missouri for this weekend. Collaboration posts: So my first post for the Summer Blogger Promo Tour is going up this Sunday, so be sure to be here to check it out as well as my first post for it on Flo’s blog, which I will have the link for on social media. If you want to say updated, go follow me on Twitter and Instagram because that’s most likely where I will be promoting all of those posts. Then from there on out, I will have a new post as part of this project on my blog every Sunday for the next 7 weeks and I will also be featured on different blogs for each of those weeks. I also am part of the blog tour for #PotterheadJuly hosted by Aentee. My post will be about why it is okay to not have read Harry Potter and still be a fan. That post will be going up on July 9th. THere will be many other HP posts going up around blogs so follow the #PotterheadJuly on twitter to stay updated. My BBCP project is also moving along and my post will be going up sometime this month or in August. It will be a meme which I will be continuing even after BBCP is over this year. My TBR: I have a tentative list of my TBR list for this month but since I’m the smartest person ever (not really) I left my handwritten list at home so I have no access to it at the moment. As soon as I get back home, I will either post a picture of the list or if y’all want me to, I can type it up and post it as a blog post. As always, there are many more reviews coming your way, as well as some interviews with authors. Let me know which books you want me to read and what types of post you want to see on my blog for this month. This is a short post but I’ll wrap it up here for today. I’m sure I left something out of this post but oh well, I’ll figure that out later. ~Brooke |
About me!Brooke's a high schooler who loves to read all sorts of books. She's happy to be able to share all the books she's reading with all of y'all. Archives
June 2020
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