EmmaTheBookLover is now on Bookstagram?!

Yes it’s true folks, I made an Instagram for my blog!

I’ve had a bookstagram before so it’s not like I’m completely new to it but I’ve just made one under the same name as my blog to hopefully widen the audience of my blog, and also because I like to take pictures of my pretty books hehe.

SO many people have told me to make a Twitter for my blog but honestly I (might a mention, a millennial) don’t even know how to tweet off my personal Twitter so I thought bookstagram would be a better way to go.

If you guys have bookstagrams as well follow me if you want @ EmmaTheBookLover ❤

Thanks so much, and if you have a bookstagram leave your @ below and I’ll follow you!

Caraval Book Review: A promising but overall unsatisfying read :(

Title: Caraval

Author: Stephanie Garber

Rating: ★★★

Goodreads Synopsis: 

Whatever you’ve heard about Caraval, it doesn’t compare to the reality. It’s more than just a game or a performance. It’s the closest you’ll ever find to magic in this world . . .

Welcome, welcome to Caraval―Stephanie Garber’s sweeping tale of two sisters who escape their ruthless father when they enter the dangerous intrigue of a legendary game.

Scarlett has never left the tiny island where she and her beloved sister, Tella, live with their powerful, and cruel, father. Now Scarlett’s father has arranged a marriage for her, and Scarlett thinks her dreams of seeing Caraval, the far-away, once-a-year performance where the audience participates in the show, are over.

But this year, Scarlett’s long-dreamt of invitation finally arrives. With the help of a mysterious sailor, Tella whisks Scarlett away to the show. Only, as soon as they arrive, Tella is kidnapped by Caraval’s mastermind organizer, Legend. It turns out that this season’s Caraval revolves around Tella, and whoever finds her first is the winner.

Scarlett has been told that everything that happens during Caraval is only an elaborate performance. But she nevertheless becomes enmeshed in a game of love, heartbreak, and magic with the other players in the game. And whether Caraval is real or not, she must find Tella before the five nights of the game are over, a dangerous domino effect of consequences is set off, and her sister disappears forever.

My Thoughts (spoiler free):

From the synopsis of this book I was hooked but I cannot say the same for the first few chapters. Caraval was a book with promise that just fell flat for me and I’m bummed to say that. It has immense hype surrounding it and was even compared to The Night Circus but I guess my hopes were just too high.

The characters made me feel nothing. Tella and Scarlett’s bond wasn’t one where I thought “Wow me and my sister are just as close as them!” I also didn’t like Julian at all throughout the novel. The only time he didn’t annoy me was during the last chapter. I didn’t ship Julian and Scarlett  at all which was a bit of an issue when it came to enjoying the book. I felt as though Scarlett was just infatuated by him during the game and their “love” was a bit in the moment.

The world was so unique and the game, Caraval, was so interesting but other than the initial introduction there wasn’t much world building after that. I just wanted more. 

It was such an interesting concept and like I said before, had so much promise. The mystery and magic was overshadowed by the romance and the big reveal at the end just made me feel like my emotions had been cheated on many times throughout the novel. Overall the lack of world building and admiration for the characters left me unsatisfied but I still enjoyed my time whilst reading it. I’m hoping that the sequel will impress me because I do plan on picking it up when it comes out.

If you are going into this with the thought of it being like The Night Circus I would push that thought away because I think you’ll be disappointed but if you are just interested in the book I would still recommend it, hopefully you’ll connect with the characters more than I did because sometimes that’s what makes or breaks it for a novel. 

Let me know in the comments, have you read Caraval? What were your thoughts?

Also if you want to add me on goodreads and keep up with what I’m reading click here.

Spontaneous Post Of Excitement!

I am screaming. 

No but seriously when my mom came home from work and having checked the mail with a package for me in her hands I almost screamed.

We all know my undying love for the A Darker Shade Of Magic series I’ve had for the past two weeks since reading them and I obviously preordered A Conjuring Of Light and guess what?

In the package was A Conjuring Of Light.

And hey, I might be making this more dramatic than it really is but its like time went in slow motion as I opened the box and got my hand on the book, might I add, early. It’s huge and I’m so excited to inhale every second of it.

Also it’s a long weekend for me, I have Monday off from school, so I just have to finish Caraval tonight or tomorrow and then I’ll spend the rest of the weekend reading the ending to a series that’s completely blown my mind.

Expect a series review before Monday is up!

Also I don’t know if you’ve noticed but I’m had a great month with both reading and blogging and I’m really happy about it.

And I know why, it’s because I had such a hard first semester that I always had to squeeze in blogging and reading, I was always stressed and it wasn’t great.

I feel like February is the first month I’ve actually been able to breathe in since school started back up in September. I’ve actually been able to read every single post that people who I follow have posted and I’ve interacted more in the blogging community in general, it makes me so happy that I have an outlet where I can talk about books with other book lovers.

I’ve posted (counting this one) 7 posts already this month, and read 5 and a half books and there’s still a third of the month to go!

Overall I’m really satisfied with the way the month is going and even more excited to dig into A Conjuring Of Light! AHHHH IM JUST SO HAPPY IT CAME. IT MADE MY LONG WEEKEND BETTER INSTANTLY.

Leave me a comment and let me know, are you excited for A Conjuring Of Light and do you have it preordered? Also, what are you going to spend the weekend doing?

Everything, Everything Trailer Thoughts

Two days ago the trailer was released for the upcoming adaption of the YA contemporary, Everything, Everything by Nicola Yoon (which most of you have probably heard of and/or read). I thought I’d do a little reaction-type post about my thoughts on the trailer, casting etc.

If you haven’t watched the trailer yet click here for it, then come back and we can discuss!

I knew that Everything, Everything was being made into a movie but I didn’t know it was this far into production! I thought they only had Amandla cast as the main charater but then suddenly there was a trailer released!

And as my frequent readers would know from the review I did a while ago on the book, I didn’t hate it and enjoyed the diversity of the story but the insta-love and unrealisticness made it a 3 star read for me and I think that is about where the movie will stand with me too.

I think the casting was perfect, for everyone.

And by the trailer it looks like it’ll be pretty faithful to the book, there’s no big plot changes visible to us so it’ll most likely be a true adaptation. Although her house and bedroom looked very modern and not at all how I pictured it but I guess that is something that comes along with movie adaptations.

My big (well I wouldn’t say big, but what bothered me) problem was I felt as though the trailer spoiled the whole book! And I don’t know if it’s just me but it gave away the whole story I feel like I don’t even need to go see it! It showed her in her house, not being able to leave, meeting Olly, Maria getting fired, leaving and collapsing. That’s the whole damn book except the last bit. 

As I said, I don’t know if it’s just me or if anyone else feels this way too, but let me know in the comments so I don’t feel alone! Also, did you have any other thoughts about the trailer? I’d love to chat about it!

Valentine’s Day Special: Some Book Quotes About Love <3

In honour of the holiday I thought I’d write a short post containing some of my favourite book quotes about none other than what this holiday is all about, love.

Some are short, and some are deeper, I just thought I’d share some of my favourites!

 

“Sometimes people are beautiful not in looks, not in what they say, just in what they are” – The Book Thief

“Cath couldn’t stop thinking about Levi and his ten thousand smiles.” – Fangirl

“Do  not pity the dead, Harry, pity the living. And above all, pity those who live without love” – Harry Potter

“We accept the love we think we deserve.” – The Perks Of Being A Wallflower

“As he read, I fell in love the way you fall asleep: slowly, and then all at once.” – The Fault In Our Stars

“No, I’m not choosing him or you. I’m choosing me.” – The Selection

I hope you enjoyed and I hope that you all had a good Valentine’s Day! My school board does a thing where each school sells carnations and you can send one to anyone who goes to a school in the school board and I got two from my friends from another school (that I dance with) and some cinnamon hearts (my favourite) from my best friend. My mom also surprised me and my sister and brother with little gifts this morning and I got a bath bomb and a Chapters gift card (woohoo bookstore here I come)! Did you get anything for Valentine’s Day?

Let me know in the comments, which book quote about love is your favourite? 

The Princess Saves Herself In This One ARC Review

Title: The Princess Saves Herself In This One

Author: Amanda Lovelace

Rating: ★★★★★

Goodreads Synopsis: 

“Ah, life- the thing that happens to us while we’re off somewhere else blowing on dandelions & wishing ourselves into the pages of our favorite fairy tales.”

A poetry collection divided into four different parts: the princess, the damsel, the queen, & you. the princess, the damsel, & the queen piece together the life of the author in three stages, while you serves as a note to the reader & all of humankind. Explores life & all of its love, loss, grief, healing, empowerment, & inspirations.

My Thoughts (spoiler free):

Having fallen in love with poetry in the fall of last year I spent quite a bit of time researching for collections similar to the one that was the sort of start to my love, milk and honey by Rupi Kaur. I came across this one almost immediately but living in Canada it sadly didn’t come out until February 14th, 2017. And you might be thinking “Emma, it still isn’t the 14th, how did you get it?” And the answer is Netgalley! I should have checked there before since now it’s only days away from the 14th but it’s okay, I finally read The Princess Saves Herself In This One and boy oh boy, I’m blown away.

Now having read quite a bit of poetry collections I kind of have a base of what I like and don’t like and let me just say this book surpassed all my criteria. I like when poetry hits me hard to the point where I am crying but happy that I am loving it and that was 100% my experience with this book.

From just the title I thought this was my kind of book. The princess saving herself? Yes please, sign me right up. But the second I read the first poem I knew this was my kind of book.

❝the princess I was born a little bookmad.

I could be found stroking the spines of my books

while I sat locked alone inside my tower bedroom.

All the while, I hoped my books would spill their exquisite words

over the lush green carpet so I could collect them one by one

& savor them like berries inside my mouth.

– forever a collector of words.❞

Like wow are we sure that wasn’t written about me?

But seriously, this was the most relatable piece of literature I’ve ever read. And it’s a hard thing to explain since I don’t want to make this review just a list of all the poems that I related to because then I might as well just copy and paste the whole book into this review.

The Princess Saves Herself In This One is divided into four sections, taking you through three parts of the authors life and then a last part noting the reader. The first part was probably my favourite, (although it’s hard to choose), it was all about the authors love for books and literature and I honestly felt like all the poems were written about me.

The second part was heartbreaking. I didn’t relate as much because I haven’t gone through the same tragedies but the way the poems converted the author’s hardships made me imagine myself in the situation, it was heartbreakingly beautiful.

The third and fourth sections had some poems that were so incredibly powerful. I would read one poem and get goosebumps and then I would read the next poem and I would get goosebumps again and it would just continue like that because every poem was so damn good.

❝once upon

a time,

the princess

rose from the ashes

her dragon lovers

made of her

&

crowned

herself

the

motherf******

queen of

herself.

 -how’s that for happily ever after?❞

Overall, it had a very good message of self love and accepting yourself and not needing anyone to validate you because your happiness comes first for you.

I’m going to call it now, this book will be on my 2017 favourites list.

But I’d seriously consider picking this up, even if you aren’t a poetry fan, if you are a lover of books, girl power, a good cry and/or a powerful message.

Have any of you read The Princess Saves Herself In This One? Did you feel the same way as me? If you haven’t read it, is it on your goodreads tbr? Let me know in the comments, I’d love to chat!

Also, if you want to add me on goodreads, click here!

The Sims Book Tag!

Hey everyone, I’ve been seeing this tag everywhere recently and being an active Sims Freeplay player and former Sims 3 player I was just hoping someone would tag me, and thankfully, Jessica @ The Awkward Book Blogger, tagged me! So thank you to her!

I haven’t done a tag in a year I’m pretty sure so I apologize if I’m a bit rusty but let’s get into the questions!

1. The Original Sims: The best author debut.

For this one I am definitely going with Simon Vs The Homo Sapiens by Becky Albertalli. It is my favourite YA contemporary ever and it’s hard to believe it was Becky’s debut since it was so good! If you haven’t read this already I highly suggest picking it up. It’s quick and fun but also discusses important topics, and the romance is adorable!

2. The Grim Reaper: The saddest character death.

I don’t want to answer this one specifically because I wouldn’t want to spoil anyone, but basically all of the deaths in Harry Potter broke my heart.

3. Sims Getting Stuck: A character that just got in the way.

For this one I’m going to go with Sophia from the Passenger duology. She was bothersome and sarcastic in a rude way, not a funny way. I didn’t enjoy her very much and she always seemed to cause an issue, like Etta time travelling in the first place.

4. Simlish: A book with amazing writing.

Of course for this one I have to go with my favourite book ever, The Book Thief by Marcus Zusak. The second I opened the first page in this book I fell in love. It’s told from the perspective of death (for those of you who don’t know) and the writing is just raw and truthful and absolutely beautiful.

5. Expansion Packs: A series where the books kept getting better.

I absolutely fell in love with A Court Of Thorns And Roses when I read it and then A Court Of Mist And Fury came out a monthish after that and I was blown away. Having not read any Sarah J. Maas before that I was so thrilled with the series and I’m so excited for A Court Of Wings And Ruin to come out, I hope it continues the trend of the books getting better each time.

6. Sims Romance: The worst case of insta love.

This is a bit of an unpopular opinion but I found Everything, Everything by Nicola Yoon extremely insta-lovey. 😦

7. Cheats: A book that was entirely unrealistic.

I feel like I cannot even answer this one because besides contemporaries, almost all the books I read are unrealistic because they are fantasy!

8. Needs Fulfillment: A character who made all the wrong decisions.

I’m going with Eadlyn from The Heir/Crown. She was annoying and made unintelligent decisions throughout her two books.

9. Error Code 12: A series that started off great but went downhill from there.

One word: Divergent.

10. The Sims Vortex: A book/series that completely engrossed you.

And last but not least, I am going to pick my current book obsession, V.E. Schwab’s, A Darker Shade Of Magic series.  I obtained the first two books in this series in the summer and never ended up reading them then, but now months later I fell through ADSOM in one night and the sequel in only a few days. The captivating worlds and characters had my eyes locked on the pages of these books at all times and I thoroughly enjoyed them both. I’ve pre-ordered the third books and I’m dying waiting for it, I cannot image how everyone who had to wait a whole year for it feels!

That’s all the questions! I hope you all enjoyed this post, I tried to talk about my favourites as well as some books I don’t normally mention on here!

And for the last step, I tag:

May @ Forever & Everly

Anna @ My Bookish Dream

Marta @ The Book Mermaid 

Reads & Reels

And everyone else who plays sim, I highly encourage you do this tag!

And even if you guys don’t play Sims, it’s still a fun tag! Also if you’ve done the tag already, oops!

And lastly, let me know in the comments, do you play sims? And have you read any of the books I mentioned in this post?

500 Followers?!

I don’t even know what to say, but I couldn’t not acknowlage the fact that I’ve surpassed 500 WordPress followers!

Thank you, thank you, thank you, I don’t know what else to say.

I just love writing and talking about books with everyone on here that it’s incredible to know that people are actually reading an enjoying my posts. WordPress is such an amazing platform for us readers to talk about what we love and I’m happy that I get to share my posts and love with so many people. Thank you. ❤

January Wrap Up & Book Haul

And just like that January is over and I’m here with a quite underwhelming wrap up and book haul. January was crazy for me. It was the last three weeks of the semester and then exams so I’m actually surprised to have read 2 whole books! I was drowning in schoolwork all through the month and then studying for exams through the end of the month so coming out having actually read a bit is good. Also first semester was my hard semester, and now it’s over (finally) so I’m finally going to have the time to read loads and write many more posts.

What I Read:

My True Love Gave To Me by Various Authors – ★★★

I actually wrote a separate review for this book (click here for it) but basically to sum it up, I wasn’t a huge fan but I’m glad I read it. I just never connect to the charaters in short stories. But it was still a nice read for around Christmas time & winter. If you are someone who does like short stories and doesn’t mind the briefness of them, I would definitely recommend picking this up.

Wayfarer by Alexandra Bracken –  ★★★★.5

I read Passenger mid-December last year and absolutely fell in love with it, so when I saw this at the end of last month on shelves early at my local bookstore I snatched it so quick. And although I do think that I loved the first book (which I gave 5 stars to) better, Wayfarer definitely didn’t disappoint and was an extremely satisfying ending to the duology. If you are a fan of time travel or history, the Passenger duology is definitely for you, check it out!

What I Bought:

And surprisingly, I bought no books this month! Wow self control, am I right? Ahahaha I’m kidding, I just bought so many right after Christmas with all my gift cards and was so busy with school that I simply didn’t even have time to go to the bookstore. But I do have my eye on a few books right now that I think I’ll order online tonight. 😉

That’s it for my wrap up and haul (or lack there of a haul), I hope this post wasn’t too pointless.

How was your reading month? What was the best book you read this month and what is the book you bought that you are most excited to read? Let me know in a comment!