The Sunshine Blogger Award

April 9, 2020April 16, 2020 ~ Jai Lynn ~ 11 Comments

So, we can all agree that it feels like the world is ending. What we have to remember though is that we. will. get. through. this. As long as we all do our part. I know it’s also tough to keep your spirits up, anxiety is making a mess of us all, but that is all the more reason why we need to keep up our positivity. Whatever you need to do to relax (as long as it’s not at the expense of others) I’m giving you all the excuses to go do it, no judgement.

In the meantime, I am going to be over here doing what makes me happy! Nothing is happier to me right now than sunshine. Thanks so much to Sophie @ Sophie’s Corner for this nomination! She is a fantastic blogger, writer and human being overall so I really recommend you check out her blog. Now without further ado…

The Rules

Thank the blogger who nominated you in a blog post and link back to their blog.
Answer the 11 questions the blogger asked you.
Nominate 11 new blogs to receive the award and write them 11 new questions.
List the rules and display the Sunshine Blogger Award logo in your post/or on your blog.

If the situation becomes dire and you have to trade away your precious books in exchange for food, and you can only choose 5 books from your TBR to keep, which books would you choose?

Difficult one right off the bat! Probably King of Scars by Leigh Bardugo since I still have my Crooked Kingdom hangover from having finished it in March, then Sorcery of Thorns by Margaret Rogerson because I still can’t believe I haven’t read that yet, The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid for obvious reasons, Call Down the Hawk by Maggie Stiefvater for more obvious reasons and lastly House of Earth and Blood (Crescent City) by Sarah J. Maas.

If you can only choose 5 books to re-read, which books would you choose?

This one is much easier to answer, lol. The Book Thief by Markus Zusak, The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern, Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare, Fire and Hemlock by Diana Wynne Jones and The Dream Thieves by Maggie Stiefvater.

What food can you never get tired of eating?

Easy. Peanut butter, hands down. Also bananas. Preferably, the two together.

What is your favorite thing to do in the comfort of your home, other than reading or blogging?

I love to play video games and, not going to lie, Animal Crossing: New Horizons is my life right now.

What are your thoughts about exercising inside the house?

As being a serial pacer, I’m all for it. When given the opportunity to go outside though ALWAYS go outside. Fresh air does wonders.

If you wake up tomorrow and realize that your life up until now has been a dream, and that you in fact have been living in a different country or fictional world your entire life, what country/fictional world do you want to wake up in?

Hmm… this one is hard. There are so many to choose from! Probably, Shadowhunters. Secretly, I have always wanted to kick demon ass for a living.

Which pet (real or fictional) would you choose to be your self-isolation companion?

I have always wanted a dragon. So I pick that. Can you imagine just casually owning a dragon? Come on, right or wrong, that would be the coolest thing ever?

Takeout or home cooking?

Home cooking all the way. I rarely eat takeout since I, unfortunately, get indigestion super easily.

Favorite social media platform?

Hmmmmmmmmmmm….. I don’t know. Pinterest probably.

TV shows or movies?

TV shows. I only watch movies every once in a while, whereas I watch way too much TV. Like have y’all seen the Tiger King series on Netflix? Omg, crazy stuff.

Do you binge-read books or read a bit at a time?

I read a bit at a time, and I’m such a strong mood reader. I love to savor books because you only ever get to read them for the first time once.

My Questions

If you had to pick one book to re-read for the rest of your life what would it be?
If you could meet any three authors and sit down to dinner with them who would you pick?
Are you pro or against writing in the margins of your books?
If you had to choose between eating vegetables for the rest of your life or fruits for the rest of your life what would you pick?
If the world was in danger and you were picked as one of the chosen ones destined to save it how would you feel?
If you could read any three fictional characters to life who would you pick?
If you had to would you rather be a pirate or a ninja?
If you could only drink one thing for the rest of your life, what would you pick?
If you could have any magic power what would it be?
If you could only live in one season for the rest of your life which would you pick?
If you had the power to save any one fictional character from dying who would you pick and why? Would it change the course of the story they are in?

Now, I tag each and every one of you who read this to the end!

How would you guys answer some of these questions?

Sending good and healthy vibes to each and every one of you! Stay safe and if you can stay home. Please.

Till next time,

I Should Have Read That Book Tag

February 11, 2020February 10, 2020 ~ Jai Lynn ~ 4 Comments

Good golly gosh… where to begin? Reading is one of the loves of my life, so much so that I take my time to savor the storytelling of each book that I read. It’s because of this habit though that it does take me a bit of time to get through one book, and with a never ending TBR pile well… you can imagine how long my list is of books I still have to read! (AND I AM DETERMINED TO GET TO EVERY. SINGLE. ONE.)

Thanks to the lovely Sophie @ Sophie’s Corner for thinking of me for this tag! Now without further ado lets jump in! 😀

The Rules:

Thank the person who tagged you and link back to their post.
Link to the creator’s blog in your post
Answer the questions below
Tag 10 others to take part in the tag
Enjoy the tag!

A book that a certain friend is always telling you to read

I own this book. It’s on the bookshelf right in front of my bed so I see it every morning when I wake up. I have also heard so many good things about this series and when I went to Book Con last year I even won an adorable scythe pin. Those are the top reasons, among many others, of why I got to get my butt in gear and finally read this one!

A book that has been on your TBR forever and yet you still haven’t read it

I know. The Night Circus is one of my favorite books of all time, so I don’t know why it’s taking me so long to get to The Starless Sea. Probably, it’s because I want to wait till I have more time to truly enjoy this book to the fullest. You can only read a book for the first time once, right?

A book in a series you’ve started, but haven’t gotten around to finishing

I JUST FINISHED MY SECOND REREAD OF THIS. I AM GOING TO FINISH THE DUOLOGY. FINALLY. MY BELOVED CROOKED KINGDOM THE TIME HAS FINALLY COME!

A classic you have always liked the sound of, but have never actually read

This is a book I’ve been meaning to read for years. I think if I remember right I even picked it up and started to read it a few years ago but for some reason or another put it back on the shelf because the timing wasn’t right. Hopefully this year it will be!

A popular book that it seems everyone but you has read

I’m embarrassing myself so bad with this tag. I know. I haven’t read this one either yet. I WANT TO! It’s another that has been staring me down from my bookshelf. I have heard numerous beautiful, heartbreaking things about this book and it is about time I read it!

A book that inspired a film/TV adaptation that you really love, but just haven’t picked up yet

I started reading this series years and years ago when I was like twelve. My twelve year old self just got distracted midway through and hasn’t been back since. I’m determined to read this series all the way eventually! {Then tackle Lord of the Rings, but that’s another story 😉 }

A book you see all over Instagram but haven’t picked up yet

I’ve heard this one is a combo of The Infernal Devices and Howl’s Moving Castle which are tops in my Favorite Books of All Time list. I see you Sorcery of Thorns and I AM COMING FOR YOU. (EVENTUALLY.)

Tags

I tag anyone who wants to participate!

Have any of you read the books I mentioned above? Probably, right? Haha! What books are highlights on your TBR piles?

Till next time,

NetGalley Book Tag! // (Or Rather a Modified Tag Because I Don’t Actually Have a NetGalley Account Lol)

August 22, 2019 ~ Jai Lynn ~ 3 Comments

August made me a little lazy, so I’m a little late doing this tag but better late than never! The lovely Sophie @ Sophie’s Corner tagged me for this one (thanks Sophie!), and even though I don’t have a NetGalley account I’m not going to miss the opportunity to have fun with this so I’ll be taking a little liberty with the questions here if you’ll bare with me ;).

The Rules:

Link back to the tag’s creator (Kourtni Reads)
Thank and link back to the person who tagged you
Answer the questions the best you can. If you don’t use NetGalley, you can substitute other sites or places where you get books!
Tag a few people to do this too

Auto-Approved: Who’s one author whose books you automatically want to read, regardless of what they’re about?

I’m pretty sure I have mentioned my love of Leigh Bardugo multiple times already, so what is once more? BRING ON NINTH HOUSE.

Request: What makes you want to request a book that you see on NetGalley?

In general what makes me pick up a book and chose to read it? Definitely the premise must sound intriguing to me. Something fresh, something new, something that might have to do with adventure, romance, fantasy or YA if we’re getting into specifics of what I lean towards. But… I’m pretty open to reading anything and everything. There is something to learn in every book.

Feedback Ratio: Do you review every book you read? If not, how do you decide what books to review?

I definitely don’t review every book I read. Honestly, it has to be a book that I would shout from the high heavens YOU NEED TO READ THIS BOOK to all the people down below. The only books that would fall into that category are stories I know I could read over and over. And over. And then over again. Those special books, ya know? The ones that know the map of your heart and soul. (*cough, cough*) The Book Thief (*cough, cough*)

Badges: If you could create your own badge to display on your blog, what would it be for?

HA HA! Let’s see… Notoriously Slow Reader or Reader of Too Many Books At Once or At Least She Tries Very Hard.

Wish For It: What’s one book that you are absolutely dying to read?

Besides Ninth House, hands down Erin Morgenstern’s A Starless Sea. Take me away…..

Tag:

I tag anyone who wants to try it! ❤

Who is your favorite author that (beyond all doubt) you will read every book they write? What are some books you’re looking forward to reading?

Lots of love,

Top Ten Tuesday: Auto-Buy Authors // The Ones That Keep My Boat Afloat

July 16, 2019 ~ Jai Lynn ~ 3 Comments

I have never participated in a Top Ten Tuesday before but then I figured… why not? It looks like a lot of fun and I like to have fun. 🙂 Top Ten Tuesday is a book blog meme created by The Broke and The Bookish but now hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl. This one seems like a good one to start with because I know my go to authors when the world is drowning and I need my boat to ride through those waves. In other words (metaphors aside), these are the authors whose books I basically pre-order without even reading the description.

1. Erin Morgenstern

The Night Circus is one of my favorite books of all time. It’s so beautifully written and never fails to totally take me away from reality. That’s why I can’t wait for Erin Morgenstern’s next book, The Starless Sea. I can’t wait to be taken away somewhere beautiful and beyond my wildest dreams….

2. Leigh Bardugo

Leigh is a queen. Enough said. She had me sold from the beginning and never disappoints. Nikolai, Nikolai, oh Nikolai…..

3. Cassandra Clare

I enjoyed the Mortal Instruments but the Infernal Devices is really what sold me. I have read the series too many times to count that my copies are scribbled all over and very well read, so much so that the pages will open if they are just touched. Cassie you got me.

4. Maggie Stiefvater

Never has an author really hit a chord with me as much as Maggie. I don’t know what it is but I have a feeling our boats are out on the same sea. I love the way she tells a story and how she phrases things and introduces a character to the reader. Excelsior.

5. Sarah J. Maas

Sarah J. Maas I. Can’t. Even. Really. I’ve read every book in the ACOTAR series and I already have purchased basically every book in the Throne of Glass series that is just sitting on my shelf waiting to be read. Goodness gracious.

6. Diana Wynne Jones

My comfort food. Between Howl’s Moving Castle and Fire and Hemlock my top faves of Diana’s, she just makes me want to read every single book she ever written. And there is a lot of them. Whenever a storm is a brewing on the horizon I go to her and she always makes me feel better.

7. Markus Zusak

The Book Thief was my first absolute beyond all doubt favorite book of all time. I Am the Messenger is also another fantastic book by Zusak which of course I devoured all those years ago after I read The Book Thief, for like, four times in a row.

8. Neil Gaimon

Ahhhh yes. I love Coraline. I know it’s a little creepy, and disconcerting but…. gahhhh I can’t explain it. Neil Gaimon has a gift and American Gods is just waiting on my TBR pile. The Ocean at the End of the Lane was also another great read that I enjoyed by him.

9. Madeline Miller

Yes. Yes. Yes. Beautiful. Fantastic. Wonderful. Heartbreaking. Take my money Madeline Miller.

10. Suzanne Collins

I remember in high school devouring this series. It was all everyone was talking about and there’s a reason why. I’m so ready for the prequel next year. My boat shall keep floating till then.

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Who are some of the authors that float your boat? I’d love to chat in the comments below!

Till next time,

The Summer Bucket List Book Tag // All the Summer Vibes

June 19, 2019June 19, 2019 ~ Jai Lynn ~ 3 Comments

Yay!! It’s my first tag ever since I started my website so I’m super excited! Thank you to Sophie @ Sophie’s Corner for thinking of me for this ❤ and also to the original creator Tiffany @ Read By Tiffany for the great idea and tag graphics! Here we go…

First of all, SUMMER IS HERE! It’s my favorite season for so many reasons, almost too many to name. Here’s to endless daylight, ocean waves and ice cream to our heart’s content during these hot days. Not to mention all the fireworks and BBQ’s and just all around good vibes!

The Rules

Link back to the original creator in your post
Feel free to use any of the tag graphics in your post, or create your own!
Tag 5 other people at the end of your post, and let them know you’ve tagged them.

Whenever summer comes rolling in, know the ocean isn’t too far away. Lady Midnight takes place in California where sun, sand and surfers are everywhere you turn. Even though I wasn’t as fond of the rest of the Dark Artifices trilogy, Lady Midnight still holds a special place in my heart. The old school Hollywood, mystery and revenge vibes surf out a great story. Emma, the main character is badass, and I wish I had a best friend just like Julian. It demands to be read with the water in sight.

I will read anything by Sarah J Maas, and ACOMAF is tops when it comes to romance. The way Feyre and Rhys’s relationship changes throughout the whole story can’t help but keep you entranced. There are definite fireworks all over this book.

I took this one a little metaphorically, and picked what I am currently reading now. Little Women isn’t necessarily about a physical road trip but it’s a journey through life and how Meg, Jo, Beth and Amy grow, change and become who they are meant to be. It’s a fantastic read, and I started it because I wanted to read it before the new movie came out. I understand now why it’s a classic!

This book undid me. I loved Madeline Miller’s spin on the Iliad. The retelling was beautiful, and harrowing and there were just too many feelings associated with this book that I can’t even. If you haven’t read it yet, PLEASE PICK IT UP.

This book. This book. This book! So many twists, so many turns and I haven’t even finished it yet but as soon as I finish this post I will be running right back to it. AHHHHH! The world building is fantastic and believable, and the story and characters keep you guessing.

This one is super cute. It takes place in Italy and there’s gelato which is the Italian version of ICE CREAM <3. Not only is the romance spot on and believable but the reader also gets to experience Tuscany through the main character Lina’s eyes as well. It will make you want to just run and jump on the next plane for the perfect summer vacay.

This book will forever have a special place in my heart. I’ve read it a few times which is a big deal for me because most books I only read once. I don’t know what it is exactly but the whole vibe of the story with the race, the water horses, the threat of danger in such a believable realistic way… and not to mention the November cakes is special. Rereading it recently this past autumn I discovered some things I had missed before. Thisby was a breath of fresh air in my lungs.

This book is not for everyone. It faces the very heavy topic of suicide. Murakami’s writing has a very mellow way of going about it. The story really makes you understand what Toru is experiencing around him after losing one of his closest friends and what happens after. It is a coming of age story with Japan as its backdrop.

I have yet to read this one yet but it’s on my TBR pile and I am very excited!! Food, food, food!! I have some dietary restrictions so I’m looking forward to getting my fill of delicious food through this book!

What book is more inspiring for a writer? I’m savoring this book slowly and taking in all of the experiences that Stephan King shares and knows that each and every writer has had or will have. Rejection, acceptance, thinking is this all going to work out?, safety nets, no safety nets, bad times, good times, and eventually success. 🙂 Which to say, it’s very relatable.

Tags

I tag anyone of you who wants to try it!