Saturday, July 30, 2022

In My Mailbox #560

Another week gone by. This summer have just flown by, it feels like. How rude. But I have been enjoying it so very much. <3 And this week I read a book! Eee! At last, ha :) After almost two whole months of not reading. Oops. But finally got a book read. Sadly a two star, but it was not that bad. And I know what I'm reading next, and that I'm starting it very soon. I'm excited. Hoping this means I might finally start reading again :) Fingers crossed for me. Yesterday was another hospital visit, a doctor appointment. It went okay. I'm exhausted, though. But doing okay. Health sucks, always, but I'm good. Especially since yesterday was also the day the cards I have been waiting for finally came back in stock, ahhh. And I got to order a bunch. <3 So, so happy :) Now I can be less stressed, haha. Well, once they arrive here, ha :D I have also been busy with playing my animal crossing new horizons. <3 But mostly busy with animal crossing pocket camp. Oops. I play all day, every day. As there are new things every third hour. Ah. I'm playing too much, ha. But loving it so, so much :) And busy with pokemon go too, of course. And my family. Feels like I'm always busy. But I'm good too. Got a bit of pretty mail this week. <3 And two new blog posts, finally, ha :) This week I'm waiting on Dust & Grim :D And I shared my review of The Dream Runners :) I hope you are all doing well and enjoying summer. <3 Feels like it has gone by way too fast. Almost autumn :)

Animal Crossing New Horizons Calendar. I had to get the new one too, ha :D But.. same photos. Rude.
Pop Figures. Pikachu :D Those I was missing. <3 SO cute. And got my non-damaged sitting one, ha :)
Tom Nook. Bought this adorable little animal crossing figure with my pop figures. And he is just so cute.

More Instagram photos here. <3

Thursday, July 28, 2022

Review: The Dream Runners by Shveta Thakrar

This cover was too beautiful for me not to request an ARC of it. And I was lucky enough to be sent one. This was a book I really hoped that I would enjoy, as it sounded pretty incredible. And I did like it. But sadly not enough. And so it ended up being a two star for me. And I have so many thoughts. But I did not hate this.

Which is a plus for me. Though I must admit that I did not read too much about what this book was about before I requested it. Was pretty sure it was a fantasy story. Did not know it was also contemporary. Which is something I don't like much at all. Oops. But I did like the fantasy of this story, for the most part, anyway.

But then there is the writing. And I do not know how to share my thoughts about it all. The writing was not bad. I did like it. But oh, the way this book was written was not for me. Not one bit. Every single thing was described way too much. All the time. It drove me insane. There were so, so many words I had never heard of before, used to describe food and beauty and everything. It was not good. There were way too many things that were described and it never stopped. It gave me a headache and very much made me unable to focus for a lot of the time I read this book. It just was not for me. I do not think it was needed to describe everything that way. It was too much, truly. Because it made me not able to picture anything at all. So many unknown words as well.

I liked that this book was different from what I am used to, with a lot of Hindu mythology and customs. But there was so much I did not know. And so this was not really a book for me. But I found it both beautiful and interesting to read about. And so I enjoyed it a lot. I think the Hindu parts were great. Maybe a bit too little of it all, as there was so much focus on describing everything, haha. I just cannot stop mentioning it. Because it is what I remember most about this book. Sigh. It was not a good thing. It was disappointing.

One thing I did not enjoy was how this book just started without any explanations about the world and the creatures in it. Because I did not know anything about the nagas and such. Until I noticed mentions of a snake tail and fangs and hissing. Just. What. That should have been explained more, right away. As I did not understand it at all. The world was interesting and full of things. But felt like it was not written enough about, because there were so many things unsaid. We learned more about the place, but never enough.

This is a book that tells the story of two humans living in an immortal world full of snakes that can change forms. I guess. It was not explained well enough at all. And I still do not know what the world was. Hmm. It might make more sense for those who know the mythology. Which I did not. But it really should have been explained more and written more about, so that I could understand it too. At least I liked reading about those snakes, haha. Also mentions of their enemy, the eagles. It was all a little silly, to be honest.

Which I probably feel because this book did not make any sense to me. We learn little about the snakes, they can shift into looking human. And shift into all types of snakes. But their regular form seems to be some kind of mix between human and snake, with a huge tail? I honestly have no idea what they looked like, because it was never once described. Only everything around them was always described. Rude. I also found so much of this book to just be silly. Like those meant to be mean and scary. They were not.

Anyway. This book was about Tanvi and Venkat. Tanvi is a dream runner. A mortal girl stolen away into this other world or whatever, having her memory of her life taken away, so they could use her to steal other humans dreams. This was interesting to read about, but this book did focus way too little about the actual part of being a dream runner. We only see her do this in the beginning. I wanted to know more. Tanvi is supposed to only focus on this, she's not really there anymore. Until she starts remembering.

Which is all that this book is about. Tanvi remembering her life, before she was taken away at age ten. And this is the part that I did not like much about this book. Because I did not care. I did not care one bit about Tanvi and her twin sister that she had left behind. We have to read so much about it. About what happened the night Tanvi ran away, how mean her sister had been. I did not like her at all. And this book was focused way too much about all of that. Sure, parts of this were interesting. But not nearly enough.

Then there was Venkat, the other human living in this place. He was not able to be a dream runner, as he had some other type of powers that made him able to edit dreams or something. I'm not sure. His powers were kind of exciting, but was also focused too little on. Venkat was a very sensitive boy full of feelings. Which I normally like. But it got to be too much and I just could not bring myself to love him. He was too boring. Tanvi too. A tiny bit of romance, and it honestly made no sense, because this story was so weird.

I tried my best with this book. There were a few stories included, folklore. I do not know if they are real or not. But they were a little messed up, ha. I did not like them. I just. I do not know what to say about this book. Two stars. I read it, I liked it mostly, but I did not care for it at all. It was too boring and nothing truly happened. Huge thank you to Harper360YA for sending me a free review copy of this book to read and review. I'm glad that I gave this book a chance, as I did like it, despite not loving it. You should try it too.


Wednesday, July 27, 2022

Waiting on Wednesday #562

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

DUST & GRIM BY CHUCK WENDIG

Goodreads Description:

Now available in paperback, Miss Peregrine meets The Graveyard Book in this middle grade adventure about rival siblings running a monster mortuary.

Thirteen-year-old Molly doesn't know how she got the short end of the stick—being raised by her neglectful father—while Dustin, the older brother she's never met, got their mother and the keys to the family estate. But now the siblings are both orphaned, she's come home for her inheritance, and if Dustin won't welcome her into the family business, then she'll happily take her half in cash.

There's just one problem: the family business is a mortuary for monsters, and Molly's not sure she's ready to deal with mysterious doors, talking wolves, a rogue devourer of magic, and a secret cemetery. It's going to take all of Dustin's stuffy supernatural knowledge and Molly's most heroic cosplay (plus a little help from non-human friends) for the siblings to figure it out and save the day...if only they can get along for five minutes.

Bestselling author Chuck Wendig's middle grade debut is equal parts spooky, funny, and heartfelt—perfect for Halloween and year-round reading!

Paperback, 384 pages
Expected publication: September 27th 2022 by Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Pre-Order: Book Depository
and Amazon #ad

Ohh. Looks like this book came out last year, and this fall this paperback is coming out :D But I had not heard about it until now. And now I very much need it. And this version, because this cover is all kinds of awesome. I just love it. And I think the story sounds great too, so I must buy this, ha :D Hope to love it. <3
What are you waiting for on this spooky Wednesday?

Saturday, July 23, 2022

In My Mailbox #559

Gosh. Too tired to write a long update this week. Just do not know where the time has gone. Oops. Got pretty much nothing done. I have so little energy and everything just hurts. Which sucks. I am waiting to feel better.. hopefully soon. Fingers crossed. I do want to read again. Just.. not ready yet. Ack. What I did do this week: start playing animal crossing pocket camp on my phone. Ahh. And now I can't stop playing. Doing it for hours each day. Oops. But I love it so much, so I don't mind :) It was needed, now that I feel so poorly. I did get some lovely mail, though. <3 All awesome. This week I'm waiting on Seasparrow :D

FINAL CHANCE! GIVEAWAY! Five funko pop figures. International. Ends July 27th. ENTER HERE.

The Last to Vanish. Finally a new book by Megan :D Eee! I'm excited about this one. Hope to read soon.
City of Bones. New UK collector's edition, yay :D I think it looks stunning. <3 And I had to have it, ha :D
The Scorpio Races. I know, I own all the copies, haha :D But this is the new UK edition, which I love. <3
All These Bodies. Paperback edition is out :D Of course I had to own it, ha. <3 A huge fan of Kendare :)
Pop Figure. This.. was not the version of Eve I ordered. What. Rude. Hope they'll send me the right one.
Swag. From Beth. <3 Love the tarot card and the small note about it :D It is stunning. Love her emails. <3
Nintendo Switch. Was a little sale. Bought three new games. Oops :D + A charger I can use more easily.

More Instagram photos here. <3

Wednesday, July 20, 2022

Waiting on Wednesday #561

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

SEASPARROW (Graceling Realm #5) BY KRISTIN CASHORE

Goodreads Description:

The fifth novel in the bestselling Graceling Realm series is told from the point of view of Hava, Queen Bitterblue’s sister and spy, and chronicles the harrowing journey back to Monsea.

Hava sails across the sea toward Monsea with her sister, the royal entourage, and the world’s only copies of the formulas for the zilfium weapon she saved at the end of Winterkeep. During the crossing, Hava makes an unexpected discovery about one of the ship’s crew, but before she can unravel the mystery, storms drive their ship off course, wrecking them in the ice far north of the Royal Continent. The survivors must endure a harrowing trek across the ice to make it back to Monsea. And while Queen Bitterblue grapples with how to carry the responsibility of a weapon that will change the world, Hava has a few more mysteries to solve —and a decision to make about who she wants to be in the new world Bitterblue will build.

Hardcover, 624 pages
Expected publication: November 1st 2022 by Dutton Books for Young Readers
Pre-Order: Book Depository
and Amazon #ad

EEE! I am SO excited about this book :D I am such a huge fan of the Graceling books. <3 Book one is my favorite one, always. But oh, how badly I love them all. And Winterkeep was such a great new book. This second one sounds so good too. I cannot wait to get to know Hava even more :D So excited. But yeah. I very much hope it will actually have Po and Katsa in it, haha :) I miss them way too much. <3
What are you waiting for on this harrowing Wednesday?

Saturday, July 16, 2022

In My Mailbox #558

Gosh. Another week is over. I have spent most of this week outside in the sun and heat, eee. <3 It's been so lovely. But gosh, I am hurting all over. It has been a bit too much for me and my hurting body. But have loved it too. Today was finally a cold day, haha, so I could relax a bit. Much needed. Sadly not been able to make myself read anything yet. Sigh. But soonish, I hope. Been busy re-watching all my favorite shark movies lately, haha :) I did not get a lot of mail this week, only a couple of pop figures. <3 But might be more next week. Oops. I'm a little sad these days, some issues with orders and such. It is driving me a little insane. Also not sure about my medicine, that I re-started three weeks ago. Works on my stomach, sure. But the rest of me is getting worse. Having trouble sleeping again. And I hate it. Gah. Hoping it will pass. This week I'm waiting on Royal Blood :D Hope you are all doing well and enjoying summer. <3

GIVEAWAY! Five funko pop figures. International. Ends July 27th. ENTER HERE.

Pop Figures. Eee. I could not resist buying these adorable Legally Blonde ones :D Elle is fully awesome.

More Instagram photos here. <3

Wednesday, July 13, 2022

Waiting on Wednesday #560

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

ROYAL BLOOD BY AIMEE CARTER

Goodreads Description:

An American girl becomes the British Monarchy’s greatest nightmare in this thrilling new series where royal scandals just got deadlier.

As the King of England’s illegitimate daughter, 17-year-old Evan Bright knows a thing or two about keeping secrets.

But when she’s forced to spend the summer in London with her father and the royal family, who aren’t exactly thrilled she exists, her identity is mysteriously revealed, and suddenly the world is dying to know every juicy lie the press prints about her.

After a fun night turns deadly and Evan becomes the primary suspect in a murder investigation, the escalating rumors and fallout threaten to tear her life apart. As she fights to uncover the truth about what happened, she discovers royal secrets that are even more scandalous than she imagined – secrets that could change the monarchy forever.

And her own may be next.

Hardcover, 352 pages
Expected publication: March 7th 2023 by Delacorte Press
Pre-Order: Book Depository
and Amazon #ad

I own a whole bunch of books by Aimee, eee :D Yet I have only read one of them so far. Oops? But I loved it. And I must read her other books one day too. She is just such an awesome person too. And because of that I need this book. It looks so great. And I think it sounds amazing too. Hoping to love it :)
What are you waiting for on this juicy Wednesday?

Saturday, July 9, 2022

In My Mailbox #557

Gah. I'm exhausted this week. And not sure what to share about what I have done either, as my memory is currently the worst. Oops. Last week I forgot to mention that I watched the final two episodes of season four of Stranger Things, twice. <3 And it was so perfect and evil, eee :) Tonight I watched The Sea Beast, which was so cute and good. I sadly have not managed to make myself read anything, though. Hopefully soon. Got more medicine this week. Took goddamn forever and I hated how exhausting it was. I suppose the medicine is helping me, but I'm not sure. My joints are hurting more than ever. Rude. Anyway.  I got some pretty mail this week. <3 No books, though. And ended up sharing three photos below, oops, as I was too lazy to get everything together at once, ha :) I have had a pretty stressful week and am feeling a little sad. Hoping to feel better soon, though. Oh! I posted a new giveaway on instagram, five pop figures :D Do enter that. <3 Aaaand. I put on makeup this week and took a new profile photo for everywhere :D And I actually like it too, ha. <3 This week I'm waiting on Poster Girl :) I hope you are all doing well. <3

GIVEAWAY! Five funko pop figures. International. Ends July 27th. ENTER HERE.

Pop Figures. Ahh! My latest big pop figure order from EMP. Oops. They had a sale. And so I just had to get a bunch, haha. <3 A few I had pre-ordered from PiaB that still hasn't shipped, so cancelled those. And a few I wanted, ha :) They all look stunning, eee. Most excited about my Mei panda. <3 Beyond adorable.


Funko Nordic. EEE! Thank you so much Emma and Funko Nordic for my newest ambassador gift :D Ahh! They are all so so perfect. <3 Most excited about Tinker Bell :D She is so cute. You guys are the best. <3

Taylor Swift. A few new Taylor Swift swag items, that I ordered a while ago. <3 I just love this swag, ha :) It's so pretty. But gosh, I'm having issues with this order and trying to have it fixed. Ugh. It's very stressful.

More Instagram photos here. <3

Wednesday, July 6, 2022

Waiting on Wednesday #559

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

POSTER GIRL BY VERONICA ROTH

Goodreads Description:

For fans of Anthony Marra and Lauren Beukes, #1 New York Times bestselling author Veronica Roth tells the story of a woman's desperate search for a missing girl after the collapse of the oppressive dystopian regime--and the dark secrets about her family and community she uncovers along the way.

WHAT'S RIGHT IS RIGHT.

Sonya Kantor knows this slogan--she lived by it for most of her life. For decades, everyone in the Seattle-Portland megalopolis lived under it, as well as constant surveillance in the form of the Insight, an ocular implant that tracked every word and every action, rewarding or punishing by a rigid moral code set forth by the Delegation.

Then there was a revolution. The Delegation fell. Its most valuable members were locked in the Aperture, a prison on the outskirts of the city. And everyone else, now free from the Insight's monitoring, went on with their lives.

Sonya, former poster girl for the Delegation, has been imprisoned for ten years when an old enemy comes to her with a deal: find a missing girl who was stolen from her parents by the old regime, and earn her freedom. The path Sonya takes to find the child will lead her through an unfamiliar, crooked post-Delegation world where she finds herself digging deeper into the past--and her family's dark secrets--than she ever wanted to.

With razor sharp prose, Poster Girl is a haunting dystopian mystery that explores the expanding role of surveillance on society--an inescapable reality that we welcome all too easily.

Hardcover, 288 pages
Expected publication: October 18th 2022 by William Morrow & Company
Pre-Order: Book Depository
and Amazon #ad

I am all kinds of excited about this one :D It looks awesome. And sounds great too. I think I will love this one a whole lot. I'm a little behind on reading books by Veronica, but gosh, Divergent was my favorite book for so long. Sigh. So I will of course still buy anything that she writes, ha :D But yeah. So excited.
What are you waiting for on this haunting Wednesday?

Saturday, July 2, 2022

In My Mailbox #556

Gosh. Another week gone by. This week I spent pretty much every day outside in the sun and heat, ahh. We had many days of 30C. Eee. It was awesome. <3 Spent some time in the sea too :) Which was still freezing, lol. But so good to sit outside in the sun. I'm completely exhausted and all of me hurts, though, as it has been a little too much for me. But did my best to enjoy it all :) Today was super hot too. But we are getting colder weather this coming week, so maybe then I will actually get some things done, ha. Will see :) I did get some great mail, though. <3 This week I'm waiting on Riven. <3 I hope you are all doing well and having a great summer :D I'm having the best one; love the heat so much. Most of the time :D

The Art of Encanto. Finally bought this cute book. Own many of these Disney ones. <3 Loved this movie.
Small Favors. Paperback edition is out :D This book was pretty awesome and I just so love that cover :)
Animal Crossing. New soundtrack from Japan :D Love the postcards included. It is just so pretty, eee. <3
The Future Collection + Swag. EEE! Thank you so much Beth for this aaamazing package :D Love it all.
Pop Figures. Ah. Many new ones from Amazon :D Expensive.. but needed them. More Pokemon, eee.
Mario Figures. I bought this set because of how cute Peach looked, haha :) They all look great, though.

More Instagram photos here. <3