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Home Read. Review. Repeat. Genres Travel

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Below you'll find a list of all posts that have been categorized as “Travel”

Review: END OF THE ROPE by Jan Redford

Janelle June 15, 2018 Advance Copy, Book Reviews, Counterpoint Press, From Publisher, Memoir, Nature, Non-Fiction, Travel Leave a Comment

Thank you so much Counterpoint Press for providing my free copy – all opinions are my own. Book Description:  As a teenager, in a fit of rage toward her father, Jan pits herself against a steep rock face near their …

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Blog Tour & Review: AMSTERDAM EXPOSED by David Wienir

Janelle May 13, 2018 Advance Copy, BLOG TOUR, Book Reviews, Memoir, Non-Fiction, Publicist, Smith Publicity Services, Travel Leave a Comment

Book Description: Amsterdam Exposed tells the true one-of-a-kind story of an innocent exchange student who moves to Amsterdam hoping to write a book about the red light district and everything that follows. It’s an American abroad story, and also a …

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| BOOK REVIEW @lackberg’s THE GOLDEN CAGE is a | BOOK REVIEW @lackberg’s THE GOLDEN CAGE is a wild ride of secrets, love, betrayal, and revenge. And that’s not even the half of it. I’ve been really into Nordic thrillers and crime fiction for the past few years (thanks @crimebythebook) so I didn’t hesitate to move this book to the top of my list. WOW, am I glad I did! Faye Adelheim is 34 years old, married, and living it up in Stockholm, Sweden. She has the seemingly perfect life with her husband and daughter, but things aren’t always what they seem. She met Jack in business school and ended up choosing to waitress in order to support his endeavors. Now that Jack is successful, giving up a career to please him hasn’t quite worked out the way she thought it would. Oh did I mention she signed a prenuptial? What is Faye going to do when she figures out Jack isn’t the dreamboat she thought he was? Well, read on book lovers because things get real good from here on out. It’s always refreshing when you happen across a cleverly written thriller and Läckberg has done just that. What’s more perfect for summer reading than a dark, titillating psychological thriller? Nothing tickles my fancy more than a story of revenge executed perfectly. And Readers: I can confirm the cover matches the words inside. THE GOLDEN CAGE is sensational, sexy, and surprising! Someone, anyone, please tell me if you’ve read Camilla Läckberg before because I need to know what book to pick up next! Thank you so much @aaknopf for my #gifted copy. Is this one on your radar?!
| B O O K R E V I E W Hmm...what to say about C | B O O K R E V I E W Hmm...what to say about Chandler Morrison’s DEAD INSIDE? Well, the writing is phenomenal. Top notch, compulsive storytelling, character building, and vivid imagery. Morrison is an untouchable genius writing about a taboo subject, gore, and deplorable characters. There’s imagery that is way over the line and that I can never “unsee” no matter how hard I try. We follow two people that find each other despite their gross idiosyncrasies - so at the heart of it, it’s a love story. Is this book excellent?...YES. If you know anything about me as a reader, you know I can read almost any subject and, as long as the writing is done well, I usually love it. Can I always recommend it?...NO. This is an “enter at your own risk” situation. There are scenes in this story that are crazy disturbing and beyond disgusting. So why did I continue to read it? Again, I tip my hat to the genius of Chandler Morrison. P.S. I now officially own a #paperback copy 💀🌼 . What is the most disturbing book you’ve ever read?
| B O O K S T A C K My schedule is topsy-turvy | B O O K S T A C K My schedule is topsy-turvy right now and my posting is erratic so please bear with me. This lovely stack of books includes some of my purchases for the #blackoutbestsellerlist, the #letsgetstamped readalong, @thestackspod latest pick, the @belletrist current pick, and a 5 star #audiobook (SUCH A FUN AGE - thank you @librofm) Huzaah! How are you all doing this week? Right now, it’s kicking my ass 😆🤦🏼‍♀️
| C U R R E N T L Y R E A D I N G Abby cat is g | C U R R E N T L Y R E A D I N G Abby cat is guarding my current reads. Or maybe she’s irritated with me and wants to go back to sleep? Either way she’s cute. @crystals_library tagged me earlier about #catphotos - I can’t speak for other cats but I’ll tell you about my behind-the-scenes #photo shoots 🐱📸 Basically, I have to work fast! When Abby is settled somewhere, I gently put a book down next to her, then distract her with baby talk while jingling keys. I have about one to five minutes tops before she leaves. I HEART HER. Thank you so much to the tagged publishers for these #gifted books! OMG CHUCK PALAHNIUK. Also, I just finished S.A. Cosby’s #BlacktopWasteland and it’s OUTSTANDING. I am really EXCITED to start @raven_leilani’s #Luster. AND @marykaymcbrayer’s #AmericasFirstFemaleSerialKiller - um she had me at serial killer 🤷🏼‍♀️🤣 All in all, a fun week of reading! What are you reading this week? And do you have a reading buddy?
| H A P P Y P R I D E I would never miss an opp | H A P P Y P R I D E I would never miss an opportunity to participate in a photo challenge by Dennis! He’s the lovely human behind @scaredstraightreads and I adore him. Here are my #PrideStacks 🏳️‍🌈✨ . My inspiration came from newly purchased books and from a fantastic article by @oprahmagazine - Scroll ← to see the info! I always feature a ton of #nonfiction so I mixed it up with #fiction as well. But it’s important to educate ourselves about the history of the #LGBTQIA community, specifically the 1969 #StonewallRiots - there are several books out there, but @nypl’s The Stonewall Reader is a great place to start! 🏳️‍🌈✨ . What is your favorite #book from the stack? Do you need a recommendation?!
So, funny story...I forgot I had myself a mini #se So, funny story...I forgot I had myself a mini #selfie #photography session when I was drunk on Father’s Day. Here is the first of the forgotten 😂 . | B O O K R E V I E W | @cawest329’s SAVING RUBY KING is a powerful look into the dark past of two families, their secrets, domestic abuse, friendship, forgiveness, and racial divide. And with all of that, West brilliantly weaves in a layer of mystery which acts as a catalyst via the murder of Alice King. In the South Side of Chicago we follow the King and Potter families over the span of several decades. The primary focus is on two young women and childhood friends, Ruby King and Layla Potter. Ruby has fallen into a state of hopelessness with her job, her father, and life in general and Layla has made it her purpose to save Ruby before it’s too late. Layla and Ruby are both a product of choices the women in their pasts have made. There is a lot of darkness and many details to uncover but somehow it all works. The multiple perspectives are key to the success of this debut. Although, I enjoyed each perspective, which are so brilliantly written and reveal each detail at exactly the right time, my favorite are the Calvary Church chapters. I cannot tell you how impressed I am with West’s decision to make this essential place a narrator in and of itself. The most powerful scenes are written in these chapters so brace yourself readers! Everything about SAVING RUBY KING is personal to West and it shines through in every page. I read in an interview somewhere that her inspiration and some of the core details were taken from her own life. See THIS is the reason I research the hell out of an author after I finish a book I love. These background details add depth and complexity to my reading experience. YES, this is a story where women are the central characters, but believe me when I say this book is for any reader. Well done Catherine Adel West. Have you read this one yet? —- Thank you so much @parkrowbooks for my #gifted copy ✨✨ #SavingRubyKing #BookReview #BlackBooksMatter
I am such a fan of #JaneAusten movies so when the I am such a fan of #JaneAusten movies so when the new #EMMA #movie directed by @autumndewilde came out I knew I had to see it! And when this gorgeous #picnicbasket showed up with all of this amazingness inside, I was blown away. Needless to say, Marcus and I celebrated our 13 year wedding anniversary with a proper #PicnicWithEmma Inside was everything we needed from plates to wine glasses! AND THE TREATS. The tea and assorted treats from @valerieconfctns were gone in a matter of minutes! The @penguinclassics #clothbound edition goes perfectly on my #bookshelf next to my copies of #PrideAndPrejudice and #SenseAndSensabilty - OH AND let’s not forget the #Bluray movie!!! IT WAS SO GOOD. Anya Taylor-Joy, Johnny Flynn, and Bill Nighy had stellar performances. And honestly anything with #BillNighy is always a delight. So my final review is as follows: SEE THE MOVIE. Available to own on Blu-ray and Digital @emmafilm @focusfeatures #promotion What is the last movie you watched?! 🥂🍇
#Bookstagram fail today. I had a whole other post #Bookstagram fail today. I had a whole other post scheduled, but it ended up not working out SO here are some adorable #cat photos. Leave it to Abby to save my beeping ass. This little creature has no idea how important she is #ILoveHerSoMuch. If you have any doubt of her cuteness, scroll to the last photo for proof. Aren’t pets the best? Thank you @doubledaybooks for sending this gorgeous copy of Stephanie Scott’s #WhatsLeftOfMeIsYours my way! I am #currentlyreading this now and I am obsessed. In case any of you #bookworms are interested I’ll leave the synopsis in the comments. For the rest of the evening I plan on answering all of your beautiful comments from my last couple of posts. Thank you for being patient with me. So what are you up to this beeping evening?! 😹😽
Apparently I missed #NationalSelfieDay 🤦🏼‍ Apparently I missed #NationalSelfieDay 🤦🏼‍♀️ Also, I planned to participate in @melanatedreader’s #LetsGetStamped challenge the minute my copy arrives! Since I’m always fashionably late, here is my #selfie #photo Ever since I heard @franzencomesalive mention #WalterMosely on @bookriot’s #AllTheBooks #podcast I have wanted to pick up one of his books. Liberty recommended #TroubleIsWhatIDo which was already a #coverbuy but I wanted #toread an earlier #book first. I think it was @john.fram on @suspensethrill’s Insta live interview who recommended #DownTheRiverUntoTheSea so I immediately purchased it! I think John said this is one of the best #crimefiction books he’s ever read (confession: all I remember hearing is “sea” so hopefully I picked the right book 🤣). So if you want to support a #BlackAuthor while reading one of my favorite genres, grab this book and #read with me! Anywhoodles...Happy Monday y’all! What are you #currentlyreading this week?!
Happy Sunday #Shelfie day! I am still working on m Happy Sunday #Shelfie day! I am still working on my #library but here’s what progress looks like! So many #booksbooksbooks 😉 . HAPPY FATHER’S DAY to all the amazing dads out there! Hope you are having a lovely day with your adorable kids 😘 . My parents are here for a BBQ and it is HOT outside! But don’t worry we are following COVID-19 precautions 😷 . How is your Sunday going?!
#MeetTheBookstagrammer ... #JANELLE I was named af #MeetTheBookstagrammer ... #JANELLE I was named after 1977’s Miss Universe, Janelle Commissiong, so now you know my age 🤦🏼‍♀️. Fav #glasses are a small pair of #cateye #style w/ clear plastic frames (Abby approves). MY LOVE OF CHEESE IS REAL. Also tacos, sushi, pizza. #pescatarian🐟🥬. ANIMALS and CLIMATE CHANGE are my causes - since I was a wee child. Been w/ my husband 21 yrs. My 2 best friends are named Kim. I’ve been to a million concerts. My favorite musician is DAVID BOWIE - I feel that loss👩🏻‍🎤💔 Obsessed with #art in any form and love Egyptian history esp Cleopatra. Also, BEER and dirty martinis, cheers! #CAT 🐱 I love Abby WAY too much. She’s sweet, makes funny little noises that sound like chatter, and she plays w/ water. She’s part tiger 🐯 Sleeps on my left shoulder (yes left). Has the tiniest paws and plays for about .0001 second then goes to sleep. A master at cuddling, blankets, and lap time. Hates taking photos. #READER #FastReader Still working to perfect my rhythm of reading fast/writing slow 😂 I’ll read any #genre but my favs are #lit #fiction, horror, classics, #thriller, poetry, and #nonfiction - includes #truecrime. I #read character-driven, plot-driven, ambiguous endings, neat endings, big books, short books, trilogies, unnamed narrators, etc - my only criteria is the writing has to be good. By good, I don’t mean perfect. #REVIEWS #Positive I emphasize the positive, then end with why something didn’t work. I respect the fact that this is somebody’s blood, sweat and tears. I am a DNF 👑! So if it’s not grabbing me by a 100 pages, I’m out 💁🏼‍♀️. If it’s a book I agreed to review for a publication, I will finish/drag the shit out of it because I am HONEST. #BUDDYREADSTODIEFOR @wherethereadergrows @jessicamap and I run a #buddyread #bookclub and are super awesome friends #readwithus #HORROR I am a proud @night_worms reviewer. I love to write about #horror, so it’s a dream gig. But then add the best group of people I’ve come across in this #community and my BLACK HEART FILLS WITH JOY. I am a #writer at @tornightfire - I literally thank my lucky stars to have this opportunity #promotehorror #micdrop Tell me something about you?
✨ REVIEW ✨ . After devouring book one, THE MAG ✨ REVIEW ✨ . After devouring book one, THE MAGPIE COFFIN, the #NightWormsBookParty moved on to the second #splatterwestern in the series, HUNGER ON THE CHISHOLM TRAIL by M. Ennenbach. Can I say that I am officially a splatter western fan? The guts and gore of horror set in a western setting gives me all the tingles. Set in the late 1800s, we follow cattle-drivers making their way on a trail from Kansas to the town of Duncan to rest before their final destination in Texas. Along the way, they encounter a savage mythical creature called Wendigo. The town of Duncan is waiting for their guests to arrive but instead the town is greeted by carnage and mayhem. My reading enjoyment always goes up a notch when a flesh-eating creature stars in the story. Ennenbach wrote fully fleshed out, fantastic characters, including my favorite, Karl Beck. When we meet Karl Beck, we find out he is a monster hunter who was arrested for attempting to summon a demon. Now that’s just hardcore awesomeness. I love the style in which the story is told, especially the combination of humor mixed with gore. He also wrote the perfect depiction of the old west complete with saloons, dusty plains, and horses. If you’re in the mood for an action-packed western adventure, give this a try. Thank you to @deathsheadpress and the @night_worms for my #review copy.
✨ RANDOM STACK ✨ . On Wednesdays we talk about ✨ RANDOM STACK ✨ . On Wednesdays we talk about #bookrecommendations - I’m making that a thing 😉 . I’m #currentlyreading @cawest329’s SAVING RUBY KING for the blog tour and my oh my is it good. Highly suggest you put it on your #TBR ✨ . Oh and did you hear?! @oprahsbookclub chose James McBride’s DEACON KING KONG. Isn’t that awesome?!! . AND I couldn’t wait for this GEM to come out in the US so I ordered the UK copy of LIFE AS A UNICORN. This is a memoir you NEED to read to celebrate #PRIDEMONTH ✨ . ALSO, thanks to @thestackspod I’m finally going to read SAVAGE APPETITES. Thanks for selecting this one Traci! . Do any of these tickle your fancy?!!
✨ B O O K S P O T L I G H T ✨ . Here is the d ✨ B O O K S P O T L I G H T ✨ . Here is the description of Emily Temple’s THE LIGHTNESS that caught my eye: . “A stylish, stunningly precise, and suspenseful meditation on adolescent desire, female friendship, and the female body that shimmers with rage, wit, and fierce longing—an audacious, darkly observant, and mordantly funny literary debut for fans of Emma Cline, Ottessa Moshfegh, and Jenny Offill.” . I mean WOW. I cannot wait to dive into this one! Thank you so much @williammorrowbooks for this beautiful #gifted copy. . So how is your Tuesday going?! ✨
✨ S T E P H E N K I N G ✨ —- “Films are e ✨ S T E P H E N K I N G ✨ —- “Films are ephemeral, while books—the good ones—are eternal, or close to it.” —- Where are my Stephen King fans?! Talk about a prolific author - is there a genre he can’t write? IF IT BLEEDS is an excellent short story collection. There’s a reason why they call him the master of short stories. #KeeperofKing Speaking of short stories... I finally got my copy of Tananarive Due’s GHOST SUMMER in the mail and I am HOOKED. Thank you @mother.horror for hosting a readalong. —- “The human brain is finite—no more than a sponge of tissue inside a cage of bone—but the mind within the brain is infinite. Its storage capacity is colossal, its imaginative reach beyond our ability to comprehend. I think when a man or woman dies, a whole world falls to ruin—the world that person knew and believed in. Think of that, kiddo—billions of people on earth, and each one of those billions with a world inside. The earth their minds have conceived.” #StephenKing —- What’s your favorite Stephen King book?! 🐱🐀
✨ B O O K M A I L ✨ —- Well, hello there! He ✨ B O O K M A I L ✨ —- Well, hello there! Here is some #bookmail I’ve been meaning to share. Thank you to all the amazing tagged publishers for these #gifted books. Which one are YOU most excited to read? But more importantly, what are YOU eating today? HA! —- Psst...swipe ⇦ to get a closer look at the titles ✨
✨ REVIEW || #CATURDAY ✨ —- “Tis strange — but true; for truth is always strange...” Lord Byron —- @britneyking_ knows how to write a compulsive, psychological thriller, so I knew THE BOOK DOCTOR was going to be a wild ride! If there’s anyone that knows how to write a story that messes with your mind, it’s Britney King. —- Bestselling author George Dawson has lost his touch, so his editor hires a “book doctor” to finalize the manuscript. George is determined that his newest book be a success despite his troubled personal life. Well George isn’t too keen on his book doctor, Liam, but it’s Liam to the rescue regardless. —- The book’s format includes Journal Entry chapters interspersed throughout which makes for a stellar reading experience. Also, a big bonus for me is a healthy amount of violence and cringe inducing scenes which I am all about. King brilliantly creates intrigue and confusion all the way to an ending that will surely knock your socks off. —- THE BOOK DOCTOR is a twisty, binge-worthy book that you all definitely need to read. Seriously, if you haven’t picked up a Britney King book yet, there’s no better time than now. —- Do you enjoy psychological thrillers?! 🐱
✨ JUNE READS ✨ —- Happy Friday all! Here are ✨ JUNE READS ✨ —- Happy Friday all! Here are a few books I either read this month or plan to read. See any favorites?!! —- A TANGLED WEB #bookishtruecrime (thanks @bookishmommy for the #truecrimebookclub ) . THE COLOR OF LAW (thank you @layoversandliterature for the #bookrecommendation forever ago) . MISSING PERSON (thank #StephenKing for the recommendation) . THE LUMINARIES (thank you @literaryjo for the #bookrec ) . LATITUDES OF LONGING and THE PRETTIEST STAR ( thank you @franzencomesalive #AlltheBooks @bookriot #riotgrams ) . THE UNDOCUMENTED AMERICANS (thank you @scaredstraightreads) . HERE FOR IT (thank you @booksnblazers) . THE GOOD HOUSE (thank you @gowsy33)
✨✨ AUTHOR SPOTLIGHT ✨✨ —- “Think of br ✨✨ AUTHOR SPOTLIGHT ✨✨ —- “Think of brief insanities that are in you, not just the ones that blossomed as you grew into taller, more sinful versions of yourself, but the ones you were born with, tucked behind your liver. Take us, for instance.” —- There are so many phenomenal authors out there, but there is one in particular I want to highlight today: AKWAEKE EMEZI ✨✨ —- I read #FRESHWATER two years ago and it still haunts me to this day. Here is a quote from my review... —- “Freshwater is a stunning debut and original masterpiece that I cannot stop thinking about. This book is just over two hundred pages, but is so powerful that it will be forever seared into my mind. Every page had me engrossed in the story and I am 100% certain that there is no other book in the world like this. Every exquisite word and every lyrical sentence had me spellbound. I had no idea that when I was drawn to this gorgeous cover months ago that I would get such an amazing piece of literature.” #AkwaekeEmezi *mic drop* —- I don’t normally buy middle grade or YA but when I saw that @azemezi wrote a book called #PET, I bought it without hesitation. And guess what?!...they have a new book called THE DEATH OF VIVEK OJI coming out August 4 from @riverheadbooks so go #preorder a copy right now! Go on, I’ll wait 💁🏼‍♀️ —- Have you read this author before? Tell me your thoughts ☟
Dear Publishers, We’ve seen your statements. We Dear Publishers, We’ve seen your statements. We’ve seen you state you want to “do better.” So this is what we’re asking from you. As part of Readers for Equality, we’ve put together four actionable items you can take to uplift the voices of the many literary content creators of color. We are asking for transparency. We are asking for compensation. We are asking for a seat at the table. . . To everyone else in the literary world, if you stand with us, please help by sharing this graphic in your own feed and in your stories. Together we can effect change. Graphic by @parisperusing #readersforequality
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  • Review: SAVING RUBY KING by Catherine Adel West
  • Blog Tour: THE BOOK DOCTOR by Britney King
  • TO SLEEP IN A SEA OF STARS by Christopher Paolini
  • Review: THE SUN DOWN MOTEL by Simone St. James
  • Review: TRUE CRIME by Samantha Kolesnik

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