Thankful Thursday

November 11, 2021November 23, 2022 - Bunny Leave a comment

Hi Friends,
As a reader, I have read some amazing books – ones that have changed my life. I think that every book lover can relate to this. At least, I hope you have experienced this during your reading. I wanted to share these books I am thankful for, with you, in this post.

‘It’s Kind Of A Funny Story’ by Ned Vizzini: This was one of the first mental-health related books I had ever read. I was going through a rough time in my life, and reading this helped me get through it. It wasn’t until a few years later that I was diagnosed with bipolar, depression, OCD, and anxiety. It took me a long time to realize, and accept, that even when I think I am fine, I still need to take my medicine and continue with my coping techniques. I will never be perfect (or normal) because those people don’t exist. We are all flawed, and fighting our own battles. One of my favorite lines in the book is “Life can’t be cured, but it can be managed”. This line stuck with me, and is forever tattooed on my heart.

‘The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants’ by Ann Brashares: I mentioned in a tag that this was the book series that got me into reading. Although that’s probably the main reason I am thankful for this book, it also taught me something big. This book showed me how impactful a written story can be. When we watch a movie or TV show, we get to see the actors’ emotions and reactions. But books are different. We have to imagine how the character looks, and the emotions in their eyes. This story was happy, and sad at times. I think that helped my imagination open up and feel for people I couldn’t even see.

‘A Christmas Carol’ by Charles Dickens: If you saw my ‘Coffee Meets Books’ post, then you know that this is my favorite book. I am so very thankful for this story because it tells us that people can change. This isn’t to say that all people are good – not in the slightest. But by showing someone all the things and people that they had overlooked, they could have a change of heart. Scrooge didn’t have to change. His life was in his own hands, but he chose to live each day with a grateful heart. For the first time, he saw all that he was missing, and vowed to be different because he wanted to. To me, the story proves that everyone has the opportunity to change and open their hearts to love if they want to. I will forever be grateful for the powerful story that Charles Dickens created.

‘Between Shades of Gray’ by Ruta Sepetys: This book is very hard hitting, and also sad. So if you aren’t a fan of sad historical fictions, I wouldn’t recommend this one. I hadn’t read many historical fictions before picking this book up. So it shocked me as to how much of an impact the story left on me. It made me incredibly thankful for my life. The characters in the books went through so many tragic events that many real people had to deal with during that time. It made me reevaluated all my problems and struggles, and realized how small they were in comparison. It helped me remember how blessed I truly am.

There you have a few of the books I am thankful for. I have read some amazing books in my life, but only a handful have touched my heart in a special way. Let me know the books you are thankful for in the comments.

Until The Next Chapter,
Bunny

Coffee Meets Books // Holiday Edition

November 8, 2021 - Bunny 2 Comments

Hi Friends,
Do you love coffee? And the holidays? Then you’re in luck! Starbucks holiday drinks were released on November 4th! I’m not sure if they launched worldwide, but let me know in the comments if they did. Seeing as I am a holiday, coffee, and book lover, I thought I would recommend books based on some Starbucks holiday drinks.

Peppermint Mocha
For this drink, I wanted to recommend a classic story, since peppermint is a timeless holiday flavor. The Nutcracker is a classic children’s holiday story that tells the tale of a little girl who journeys to the Land of Sweets on Christmas Eve. This story, like this drink, can be enjoyed by everyone. Peppermint is a flavor that never gets old, and neither does The Nutcracker.

Caramel Brulée Latte
This drink is sweet, without being to sugary. It made me think of a collection of holiday short stories; ‘My True Love Gave To Me’, edited by Stephanie Perkins. When we think of holiday movies and books, we instantly think of cheesy, lovey-dovey stories. However, this book contains a mix of both love and other unique stories. Just like this drink, these stories aren’t all sugar.

Toasted White Mocha
This drink reminds me of Christmas! It has a subtle sweetness, with all the flavors of the holidays. For this reason, I paired (in my opinion) the best holiday book with it. I chose ‘A Christmas Carol’ by Charles Dickens. I believe I’ve mentioned before that this is my favorite book ever. You probably already know the plot, so I won’t even bother explaining it. But it is also the quintessential holiday story. If you haven’t read it yet, I recommend it to everyone, even non-classic readers.

This post was so much fun to put together, and a bit challenging. If you have any book recommendations based on holiday drinks, or cocktails leave them in the comments. Please like, share and follow the blog for all things bookish.

Until The Next Chapter,
Bunny

The Dark Descent of Elizabeth Frankenstein // Book Review

November 5, 2021May 28, 2022 - Bunny Leave a comment

Title: The Dark Descent of Elizabeth Frankenstein
Author: Kiersten White
Published: 2018
Genre: YA/Gothic/Retelling
Rating:

Synopsis
A stunning and dark reimagining of Frankenstein told from the point-of-view of Elizabeth Lavenza, who is taken in by the Frankenstein family. As the years pass, Elizabeth’s survival depends on managing Victor’s dangerous temper and entertaining his every whim, no matter how depraved. Behind her blue eyes and sweet smile lies the calculating heart of a girl determined to stay alive no matter the cost…as the world she knows is consumed by darkness.

I heard mixed things about this book; some people thoroughly enjoyed it, while others didn’t care for it. I’m not particularly well versed in Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, so I was going in completely unbiased. However, I will admit there were a few times throughout the book that I looked up cliff-notes on ‘Frankenstein.’ I found the book very easy to read and follow. The plot was straightforward, and even the ‘flashback’ moments were incorporated well.

It wasn’t a book that I was dying to finish, at first. But once we got into the meat of the story, I wanted to keep reading. The plot was captivating enough to keep me invested in what was going to happen next. I wouldn’t say that I couldn’t put it down, but I did want to know out how the story would end.

Elizabeth was a complex character, with lots of worries and insecurities that she kept hidden. Before meeting the Frankenstein family, her childhood was depressing, and she thought that she came from nothing. She wanted to have a place in society and desired to fit in. She was smart, and crafted plans that would keep her out of the poor house.

I think that Elizabeth’s best quality was her heart. She had a sensible and tough exterior, but would do anything for her loved ones. This did get her in trouble at times. Especially when it came to her devotion to Victor. I am unaware of the ‘original’ Elizabeth’s personality, but I still liked White’s take on the character. She seems like a simple girl, yet there are many layers underneath.

“Death is never allowed to touch you.”

Personally, I enjoyed the slower pace of the story. I think that a more atmospheric telling worked well in this case. However, I understand how some people would consider the book to be boring. The story was primarily character driven while still being plot focused. There were secondary characters that played big roles throughout the story, but the focus and storyteller was Elizabeth herself.

It wasn’t a scary story, which I believe is unlike ’Frankenstein.’ It is more of a sad story about protecting the people we love versus seeing the real them. Elizabeth could only ignore the truth for so long before it came crashing down on her. It was frightening to see the situations that Elizabeth, Justine, and Henry ended up in. Elizabeth’s predicament was the most unsettling, since it was something many women in 19th century faced. Men would silence women through manipulation, which is horrifying and despicable.

As for Kiersten White writing style, it was very familiar to me. She wrote with such class, almost melodic, if that makes any sense. It was almost as if this book was actually written back in the 1800’s. Her writing was poetic, but still plain. I don’t mean plain as an insult by any means, because I quite liked the writing. But I can see that she drew a lot of inspiration from Mary Shelley and the 1800’s era.

I don’t know if I will ever read Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, but the fact that she wrote it on a dare is inspiring. Women back than were seen as subservient, but she freed herself from the box society put her in. White took a classic novel and made it her own, while still writing it in the image of the original story. Amazing.

Let me know if you have read this book, or the original ‘Frankenstein’. Which do you prefer? Like and share this post with all your friends, family, pets, etc. And follow the blog if you want to get notifications for all my posts.

Until The Next Chapter,
Bunny

Pay It Forward // Thankful Thursday 2021

November 4, 2021November 4, 2021 - Bunny 4 Comments

Hi Friends,
Today, I am going to be starting a small, ‘mini-post’ series on the blog. This month, I will be doing something called ‘Thankful Thursday.’ I got this idea from another blogger on Twitter (thank you Lit Lemon Books). I try to remember how grateful I am throughout the year, but I think it would be nice to share some thankful thoughts with you all. It is Thanksgiving month, after all, so what better time to give thanks?

In this post, I am going to tell you guys about times when strangers have shown kindness to me. Also, I wanted to share some ways that you can pay it forward. There have been a few times at Starbucks that the person in front of me at the drive-thru has paid for my order. I always pay-it-forward by paying for the person behind me. One of the most surprising times a stranger showed their generosity was at Old Navy of all places. A kind person in front of me paid for my things while I was checking out. I was stunned, but very grateful.

A few simple ways you can show kindness to others:
Paying For Someones Order: This doesn’t only apply to coffee, but all drive-thrus. You can pay for the person behind you at Starbucks, Taco Bell, McDonald’s and the list goes on. It might seem small, but it can really brighten someones day.

Donating: This doesn’t require any money at all. Giving to your local charity/donation center helps people that can’t afford basic things. Go through your clothes, kids toys, old electronics, and give them a new home by donating them. Somebody in need might be really grateful for your donation.

Sending A Gift: Make a friend, relative, or even an internet friend smile by sending them a small gift. If you can see the persons Amazon wishlist, send them something from it with a special note. You’ll be surprised how much one package can do.

Lending A Hand: Giving up a few hours in a day to help your mom, grandparents, co-worker, anyone at all, is a simple gesture. Not everyone has people in their lives to help them when needed. You offering assistance could really ease their stress.

A Quick Note Or Email: I’m not going to lie, I know that technology is the norm right now. But I still enjoy handwritten notes. Sending a note to someone is a nice way to reconnect with them and give them your best wishes! If you are more on the modern day side of things, a kind email is a good alternative.

Those are all my tips to help you spread cheer to others. Share your pay it forward stories in the comments below. Follow the blog to get notified about all my ‘Thankful Thursdays’ (and other cool posts).

Until The Next Chapter,
Bunny

To Be Read // November 2021

November 3, 2021May 25, 2022 - Bunny 4 Comments

Hi Friends,
It is tbr time again! I am very excited for this month of reading, since it is holiday themed. I wanted to keep my tbr short of sweet. I only have 4 books picked out for the month, which is plenty.

“I’ve left some clues for you. If you want them, turn the page. If you don’t, put the book back on the shelf, please.”I have been wanting to read this holiday YA contemporary since 2013, so I am excited to finally get to it.

“Two rival coworkers with two very big secrets.”I don’t know much about the plot to this book, but it seems like a young adult holiday enemies-to-lovers. I am always down to read a good friends-to-lovers story.

“Let It Snow meets Dash and Lily’s Book of Dares in this new small-town Christmas romance.”This holiday story takes place in Christmas, Oklahoma, which may or may not hit close to home for me.

“A feel-good, holiday rom-com about identical twins who swap lives twelve days before Christmas.”I am obsessed with twin/look-a-likes swapping places stories, so a Christmas one is music to my ears.

There you have my November tbr! I know it is short, but this month I wanted to focus more on spending time with family. It is the holiday season after all. Let me know what you will be reading in the comments below?

Until The Next Chapter,
Bunny

The Halloween Tag

October 31, 2021May 28, 2022 - Bunny Leave a comment

Happy Halloween Friends!
I cannot believe that this is the last day of Spooktober 2021. I had a lot of fun creating 13 days of spooky content for you all. But I must say that I am a tiny bit happy we are on the final day. It was a good time, and I’ll probably do it again next year, but I need a blogging break. Don’t worry, my November TBR will still go up this coming week. Anyhow, for the last day of Spooktober I am doing the Halloween tag! This tag was created on YouTube, so I don’t know who originally created it. Before reading any further, don’t forget to enter my Halloween giveaway!

What is your favorite Halloween movie?
Is there any answer besides Hocus Pocus? It is a classic Halloween family film that never gets old. I do like other films, like Halloweentown and Halloween H20, but Hocus Pocus will always be #1 on my Halloween movie list.

What is your favorite Halloween costume you’ve worn?
When I was in third grade, I went as the Statue of Liberty. Funny enough, my teacher dressed up as the Statue of Liberty as well. However, my little elementary school self was very embarrassed by that. Also, I could argue that I looked more like a leftover than anything else. Thinking back on it, I would say it is my most memorable and probably favorite costume.

What is your fondest Halloween memory?
My wedding! I didn’t have an actual wedding, but last Halloween my husband and I got married. It was special, and spectacular.

Have you always been a Halloween lover?
Yes and no. I like the idea of Halloween, and have nothing against the holiday. But I wouldn’t classify myself as a die-hard ‘Halloween lover’.

What was the first scary movie you remember watching?
I remember watching the movie Faculty at a pretty young age, but I don’t know if it was my first scary movie. I know that me and my older sister went behind my moms back when I was like 10 years old to watch Wes Craven’s Cursed. Between the two, Faculty was way more scary.

What is your favorite Halloween song?
Calling All The Monsters by China Anne McClain! If only we had more pumpkin carols, (points if you understood that) then my answer would probably be more original. Still, if you are looking for a good Halloween party song, then this is it.

How do you get into the Halloween spirit?
By watching horror and thriller movies. But this year I read spooky books more than I watched movies, so I guess it would be reading the thriller genre.

Favorite Halloween decorations?
I have a little candy dish that looks like a skeleton’s hand is wrapped around it. Simple, but it still resembles Halloween, which I enjoy.

Favorite Halloween/Fall scent?
This year it has been anything apple and pumpkin. Usually, I love Leaves from Bath and Body Works, but it hasn’t smelled the same lately. I have gotten a lot of apple/pumpkin scents that give off those crisp autumn vibes.

What is your favorite Halloween candy?
Reese’s and Sour Patch Kids!

Vampires or zombies?
I have never been a big fan of zombies, and I just don’t get their appeal. Although, I do like the movie Zombieland, vampires are iconic. ‘Interview with a Vampire,’ ‘Twilight,’ ‘The Vampire Diaries’ – need I go on? They never get old, and can be kind of creepy. Come on, they can manipulate you and suck your blood. Talk about having someone for dinner.

What is your weird/odd fear?
Roller coasters! I don’t know if that’s a ‘weird’ fear, but roller coasters freak me out! I hate that I don’t have control on the roller coaster. Anything can happen during the ride, and there is nothing anyone can do. I blame Final Destination 3 for this one.

Favorite Halloween book?
I liked Pumpkinheads by Rainbow Rowell. It is a cute friends-to-lovers contemporary graphic novel that takes place on Halloween night. It is set at a pumpkin patch filled with games, a corn maze, food, and more. I know that Rowell is a controversial author, though I must admit I am not sure about the reasoning behind the negativity towards Rowell.

What are you going to go as for Halloween this year?
Me! In all honesty, I probably will be wearing my comfiest Halloween PJs.

What are you doing for Halloween this year?
Staying in with some yummy treats and watching Halloween movies. It will be my one year wedding anniversary, so I will spend the evening with my love.

And just like that, Spooktober is done! Leave your Halloween plans in the comments. Remember to enter my giveaway before you leave, and follow the blog.

Until The Next Chapter,
Bunny

These Witches Don’t Burn // Book Review

October 30, 2021May 28, 2022 - Bunny Leave a comment

Title: These Witches Don’t Burn
Author: Isabel Sterling
Published: 2019
Genre: Young Adult/Paranormal
Rating:

Synopsis
Isabel Sterling’s delightful, suspenseful debut is equal parts sweet romance and thrilling mystery. With everything she loves on the line, Hannah must confront this murderous villain before her coven—and any chance she has with the new girl—is destroyed.

I must admit, this book didn’t intrigue me that much. Still, I am glad that I gave it a chance. Once I was a few chapters in, I couldn’t put it down. This book follows Hannah, who is an elemental witch in Salem. It is such a cliche, but I love it when witch stories take place in Salem. Hannah’s family is part of a coven of elemental witches, which her ex-girlfriend, Veronica, happens to be in as well.

I thought that the breakup drama was well written. You could tell that they both still had feelings for one another, but Hannah wasn’t going to just forgive and forget. If you are curious about what Veronica did (like I was), apparently she left Hannah in a deadly situation with a blood witch. However, I wish that we got more context to the breakup, and perhaps even a flashback or two.

Throughout the book we see Hannah trying to sort out her complex feelings for her ex, while starting a relationship with the new girl in town, Morgan. Morgan was a sweet character, and didn’t blame Hannah for running off to, unbeknownst to her, deal with this supernatural crisis. Also, it’s hard when your crush still has a close relationship with her ex, but Morgan was very understanding throughout the story.

“And it’s not like Disney ever showed us how to fall for another girl.”

Hannah’s parents and best friend, Jemma were likeable enough supporting characters. Towards the end, Jemma became one of my favorite characters. She added a much-needed comic relief to the story. Also, she was quick to defend Hannah to other people in her life. Hannah’s parents might not have understood their daughter at times, but you could see that they truly loved her.

The main plot is finding out who is responsible for the dark magic being used in Salem. Yet, there were times when we focused on the romance and family side of the story. I wouldn’t classify this as a contemporary. The magic and mystery plot was the backbone of the book. But I did like the times we stepped-away from the main plot to focus on ‘normal’ teenager things, like dating, heartbreak and parental drama.

For the most part, the book kept me interested, and there were some confessions that threw me for a loop. However, the storyline and ending were easy to predict. I am not suggesting that’s a bad thing, because sometimes it is nice to know what to expect. But I would have liked a few more surprising elements. I didn’t foretell some of the sadder moments, and although they hurt my heart, I do think they were needed to push the story forward.

Seeing as this is a duology, I will most likely be picking up the second book. But it may not be until next fall, since I think witchy books make good October reads. Do let me know in the comments if you have read this one, and what your opinions are on it. And before you leave, why don’t you give the blog a follow? It is completely free, and you get to support me and get updates at the same time

Until The Next Chapter,
Bunny

Happy Halloween Giveaway // Spooktober 2021

October 29, 2021May 28, 2022 - Bunny Leave a comment

Hi Friends,
I knew that I wanted to do a Halloween giveaway, and since Halloween is only a few days away, that means that today is the official start of the giveaway! Below you will find all the rules and the prize for the giveaway.

The Deadline
◉ October 31st 11:59 pm

The Rules
◉ Must Be 18 Years Old Or Have Parental Permission
◉ Must Have A Valid Email Address
◉ Must Like This Post
◉ Must Share One Of My Spooktober Posts On Social Media With The Hashtag #BunnySpooktober
◉ Comment Below What You Are Going As For Halloween
◉ Let Me Know What Social Account And You Handle That You Shared A Post On

The Prize
◉ Kobo eGift Card $10

Kobo is an audiobook and ebook site and subscription services. It is similar to Audible and Scribd. Readers pay $10 a months for one credit, which they can redeem towards an ebook or audiobook. This is a small giveaway, but I want to show my readers how much it means to me that they support my blog! If you want to go a step further, please follow me on Twitter and Instagram. I try to stay pretty active on both.

Until The Next Chapter,
Bunny

6 Spooky Book Covers

October 28, 2021May 28, 2022 - Bunny Leave a comment

Hi Friends,
I don’t know about you, but I find some book covers to be a little on the creepy side. However, not everyone agrees on what defines a spooky book cover. So I wanted to share some of the covers that I think are pretty eerie.

So do you finds these covers frightening as well? What book covers sends shivers up your spine? Let me know in the comments. If you want to make my day please like and share this post. And, follow the blog so you never miss a post.

Until The Next Chapter,
Bunny

Two Can Keep A Secret // Book Review

October 27, 2021May 28, 2022 - Bunny Leave a comment

Title: Two Can Keep A Secret
Author: Karen M. McManus
Published: 2019
Genre: Young Adult/Mystery
Rating:

Synopsis
Ellery knows all about secrets. Her mother has them; her grandmother does too. And the longer she’s in Echo Ridge, the clearer it becomes that everyone there is hiding something. The thing is, secrets are dangerous–and most people aren’t good at keeping them. Which is why in Echo Ridge, it’s safest to keep your secrets to yourself.

I didn’t expect this book to blow me away, and for the most part I was right. The plot follows a teenage girl, Ellery. She is sent, with her twin brother, to live with their grandmother in Echo Ridge. Their mother, a small time actress, is doing another stint in rehab, so the twins have to make the best of their new lives. Ellery’s only interest is the murder of the homecoming queen that took place five years prior.

This is a dual perspective narrative, which I didn’t anticipate. We get Ellery’s point of view, but we also get Malcom’s, whose brother was the prime suspect in homecoming murder. I didn’t like one perspective more than the other, which I find is good when it comes to books that alternate narratives. However, I did think that Ellery was always jumping the gun when it came to sharing her theories. She didn’t take the time to think things through fully, and went for the easy suspects.

One thing’s for sure, I couldn’t get behind Ellery and Malcom as a couple. Their relationship started instantly, without any development. I didn’t see the chemistry between the two characters. I was fond of, Mia, who is Malcom’s best friend. And, Ezra, Ellery’s twin brother. It was nice that they were both diverse characters, as Ezra is both biracial and gay. While Mia is a bisexual Korean. I could sense that Mia added some spice to Malcom’s life, while Ezra was more level-headed than Ellery. Also, I cannot get over the fact that his name is ‘Ezra’ and the book is titled ‘Two Can Keep A Secret.’ Pretty Little Liars Easter egg?

“I thought she was your mother.”

Something that I am not a fan of when it comes to books is multiple plots. In this book, we are trying to solve the homecoming murder from five years ago. But than there’s this hit and run accident, absent mother story-line and even some found family side plot. As if that wasn’t enough, Ellery is also trying to uncover what happened to her mother’s twin sister, who disappeared many years ago. All the pieces do come together at the end, but I think that was way too much for one book to handle.

The ending has got to be the best part. I think that somewhere around the last two chapters, you get a sense of whose the killer. Personally, however, I was still shocked at the reveal. The motive was done well, and it was jaw-dropping. At one point, you don’t think the characters are going to make it out of alive. Also, the final page had a major twist that I never saw coming.

Even though the book didn’t wow me like ‘One Of Us Is Lying’ did, Karen M. McManus is still an exceptional author. I probably wouldn’t give this one a reread, but I do wish that it was a bit longer since there was sort of a cliffhanger ending. I needed to know more.

Let me know if you have read this book, tell me your thoughts about it in the comments. Give this post a like and a share, and follow for content updates and more.

Until The Next Chapter,
Bunny

Books With Bunny

Let's Talk Books And More

Books I’m Thankful For // Thankful Thursday

Coffee Meets Books // Holiday Edition

The Dark Descent of Elizabeth Frankenstein // Book Review

Pay It Forward // Thankful Thursday 2021

To Be Read // November 2021

The Halloween Tag

These Witches Don’t Burn // Book Review

Happy Halloween Giveaway // Spooktober 2021

6 Spooky Book Covers

Two Can Keep A Secret // Book Review