Showing posts with label fairy tales. Show all posts
Showing posts with label fairy tales. Show all posts

Thursday, January 24, 2019

Why I Don't Have A Favorite Genre

Happy Thursday!

 Today I decided to do a different post than what I have done before. I always get the question posed to me of what my favorite genre is, and I honestly have to say I love every type of genre. I love reading YA, Romance, Historical Fiction, Biography, Memoirs, Sci-Fi, Fantasy, Fiction, True Crime, Mystery, recently getting more into poetry, and lots more categories. I know that some people do have a favorite genre, and honestly that is okay. I have learned that a lot of people only like to read certain books, and that is fine. As long as you love what your reading, and your reading than there is nothing wrong with it. My grandfather for example loves reading classics and biographies.It's just that I am slightly more different in deciding what I am going to read.

The first thing that draws me to a book is honestly the cover. When I see a cover that draws me in, I pick up the book and read the description. If the description seems really interesting to me than I will buy the book. However, even through a book does have a pretty cover, after reading the description my attention isn't caught than I won't buy the book, and will place it back on the shelf. I have also started to download samples of books on my Kindle that I maybe on the fence about, so I can see if it's a story that will capture my attention, before I spend the money to buy the book.

I also have to be in the mood to read a certain type of book, which I have learned is okay, because I know when the mood strikes I will have the chance to enjoy it. By doing this I have actually discovered many books that I have absolutely fallen in love with, and some I haven't really liked. I also love recommendations that are provided to me by co-workers and friends, which have also led me to authors that I have fallen in love with, and continue to read them when they put new books out.

Now granted, when I read biographies, they are normally on topics that I am interested in, however I am open to reading other one's it's just that I know these books will catch my attention more. It is also in my opinion that if I would have settled only on one genre than I would have missed so many amazing books and I would have missed so many amazing adventures that I have been on.

If you are like me and read any book that grabs your attention, no matter what genre it is, know that it is okay not to have a favorite, and it is okay to tell people I like every genre. When you love every genre, you get to go on so many adventures, and learn things you never knew before. Reading is a journey to various places with no end, and allows you to escape reality with each turn of the page. As long as we have books, and people love what they read, then no judgement should be passed on people who chose to live several lives. Never be embarrassed  by what you are reading. If you love it than you go ahead and read until your little heart is content. Don't afraid to be who you are and to read what you want, because you may just find your reading soulmate!

Enjoy the various journeys my friends!

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Friday, January 18, 2019

The Frog Prince Review

Hey guys it's Friday!

 I figured that I would finish the week off with a retelling of a classic fairy tale. The Frog Prince by Jenni James is a wonderful retake of the classic Frog Prince that we have all came to know and love. This book gives the reader an interesting twist on how a prince turned himself into a frog, in order to discover who his betrothed really is.

The description was taken from the Goodreads website:

 "A prince disguises himself to find true love—

Prince Nolan has had enough of Princess Blythe—the woman to whom he has been betrothed since infancy—and her simpering letters. Does the princess truly not have a brain in her head? Never before has he communicated with someone who seemed so childish and spoiled. It was time he met her for himself, to decide if he could actually follow through with this marriage. But to do it right, she must not see how handsome he is. He needs a disguise—something that would show him her true nature.

Nolan asks an old herb woman to transform him into a creature that is disgusting to any female—a frog. The spell will last thirty days unless the princess does the impossible and kisses him. Now the true test begins. Will Blythe prove to be as monstrously annoying as he believes she is, or will he learn to see past his judgments and find a loving princess waiting for him?"

Prince Nolan decides that he wants to meet the woman he married to see what exactly he is getting himself into. He decides that he needs to be turned into a frog, because it would give him the advantage to see just how Princess Blythe really is. When he gets turned into a frog and finds the Princess, he realizes that he got more than he bargained for, and is willing to see it to the end. Will Prince Nolan get his happily ever after or will he be forced to remain a frog forever?

This story had me laughing, and honestly gave me a new appreciation for The Frog Prince story in general. You will fall in love with Prince Nolan, and you get to see inside Princess Blythe's soul where you will be able to make your own judgement. Jenni takes the reader into a wonderful world and makes this fairy tale perfect for a newer generation. If you love fairy tale retellings, this is one retelling that you won't want to miss.

Go kiss a frog readers (only in your imagination through, don't really kiss a frog)!

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Image taken from the Goodreads website!

Wednesday, January 16, 2019

Fierce Fairytales: Poems and Stories to Stir Your Soul Review

Happy Wednesday!

 I will be the first person to admit that I am not that big on poetry, however when I was walking down the book aisle in Target one day, I came across this book cover that drew me to it. When I picked up the book and read the description, I knew that this book had to come home with me, so that I could read it. And let me tell you, this was one of the best impulsive buys I have made in a while. Fierce Fairytales: Poems and Stories to Stir Your Soul by Nikita Gill, made me feel so empowered, and made me think about my life, and how I was able to relate to some of the stories.

The description was taken from the Goodreads website:

 "Poet, writer, and Instagram sensation Nikita Gill returns with a collection of fairytales poetically retold for a new generation of women.

Traditional fairytales are rife with cliches and gender stereotypes: beautiful, silent princesses; ugly, jealous, and bitter villainesses; girls who need rescuing; and men who take all the glory.

But in this rousing new prose and poetry collection, Nikita Gill gives Once Upon a Time a much-needed modern makeover. Through her gorgeous re-imagining of fairytale classics and spellbinding original tales, she dismantles the old-fashioned tropes that have been ingrained in our minds. In this book, gone are the docile women and male saviors. Instead, lines blur between heroes and villains. You will meet fearless princesses, a new kind of wolf lurking in the concrete jungle, and an independent Gretel who can bring down monsters on her own.

Complete with beautifully hand-drawn illustrations by Gill herself, Fierce Fairytales is an empowering collection of poems and stories for a new generation."

These stories have strong female and male characters in them that will make you see a lot of Fairytales and the world in general in a new light. The poems and stories do deal with some difficult topics, and will have you thinking about some of the Fairytales you know in a different light. This book will make you think about your life, and will help you find your inner strength to face anything the world may throw at you!

For Example, one of the poems in here that spoke to me was titled "Why Tinkerbell Quit Anger Management", which I have provided below from the book:

"I had to give up on their remedies. They kept trying to make me less angry, but I refuse to surrender my rage. Because whole kingdoms have already spent millennia trying to keep women subdued, only to be discarded in old age. My fury gets things done, it has saved lives, it has made the world listen where I could not speak, my anger has screamed. Think Helen of Troy when they took her freedom. Think the Rani of Jhansi leading rebellions. Think Joan of Arc leading armies on what she dreamed. So now I love my tinderbox heart so easy to light up, all it takes is half a spark. A woman's anger can change the world, I know mine can and this is not a gift I will give away. I am small and I am angry, it is how I channel my energy and I like me that way."

If this moved you in some way or lit a spark inside your soul, than go pick up a copy of this amazing book, because I promise they just keep getting better and better!

Go find your inner light readers!

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Image taken from the Goodreads website.

Wednesday, January 9, 2019

The Cold King Review

Happy Wednesday Readers!

 Today I am going to be reviewing The Cold King by Amber Jaeger, which is a different way to look at the story of Beauty and the Beast. This story took me on a wild ride that I had no intention of getting off until I reached the end, which I did lose a lot of sleep reading it, but hey it was 100% worth it.

The description was taken from the Goodreads website:

 "From the author of The Hemlock Bay Series comes a new retelling of an old tale…

… Not every Beast is a prince charming at heart and not every Beauty is a maiden just waiting for love…

Calia Thorn has lived her entire life in a small town sheltered by the Cold King’s mountain. Working day and night to care for her younger siblings, complete her unending chores and please her selfish, lazy mother has left her with few dreams for her own future.

But then even those meager hopes are taken from her when the Cold King comes down from his mountain to demand a new servant. Ungraceful, unladylike, undesired and unwanted by even her own family, Calia is chosen to be sent to the palace.

The Cold King has lived for three hundred years under a curse imposed by his own father. With no hope of ever breaking it, he settles for keeping his heart frozen against any pain— or hope.

When his new servant arrives, she challenges him in ways no one ever has and sparks fly. But not every Beast is a prince charming at heart and not every beauty is a maiden just waiting for love.

Sometimes happily ever after isn’t so easy… "

All Calia wants to do is make sure her younger siblings are taken care of, because her mother is too lazy and self absorbed to take care of them herself. Calia doesn't feel appreciated by her family, and it seems that her mother is always trying to get rid of her. When the chance comes to send a new servant to the Cold Kings castle, Calia's mom jumps at the chance for riches, and to get rid of her daughter. When Calia is deposited at the castle, she sees it as a new challenge to escape the life she previously had. However as she gets to know the Cold King she starts to learn that not everything is as it seems, and that just maybe he is as stuck as she is. With both of them in a situation they never wanted or asked for can they help each other survive or be stuck in their unwanted situations forever?

This book is so beautifully written by Amber that the reader is brought on a wild adventure, and with the detailed description, you will be transported into the castle with Calia. What I really loved about this book is it took the story of Beauty and the Beast, and put a spin on it, while keeping to the spirit of the original story. Any lover of Beauty and the Beast  needs to read this amazing story, and get lost in the Cold King's castle.

Happy enchanted adventures my friends!

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Image taken from the Goodreads website.

Monday, December 24, 2018

Wolves and Roses Review

Happy Christmas Eve Everyone!

 The book I am reviewing today is Wolves and Roses by Christina Bauer. This book focuses on people who live fairy tale templates, and are supposed to follow them. You get to meet Sleeping Beauty, Cinderella, Red Riding Hood, and other fairy tale characters that you have come to love!

The description was taken from the Goodreads website:

 "Seventeen-year-old Bryar Rose has a problem. She’s descended from one of the three magical races—shifters, fairies, or witches. That makes her one of the Magicorum, and Magicorum always follow a fairy tale life template. In Bryar’s case, that template should be Sleeping Beauty.

Should being the key word.

Trouble is, Bryar is nowhere near the sleeping beauty life template. Not even close. She doesn’t like birds or woodland creatures. She can’t sing. And she certainly can’t stand Prince Philpot, the so-called “His Highness of Hedge Funds” that her aunties want her to marry. Even worse, Bryar’s having recurring dreams of a bad boy hottie and is obsessed with finding papyri from ancient Egypt. What’s up with that?

All Bryar wants is to attend a regular high school with normal humans and forget all about shifters, fairies, witches, and the curse that Colonel Mallory the Magnificent placed on her. And she might be able to do just that--if only she can just keep her head down until her eighteenth birthday when the spell that’s ruined her life goes buh-bye.

But that plan gets turned upside down when Bryar Rose meets Knox, the bad boy who’s literally from her dreams. Knox is a powerful werewolf, and his presence in her life changes everything, and not just because he makes her knees turn into Jell-O. If Bryar can’t figure out who—or what—she really is, it might cost both her and Knox their lives… as well as jeopardize the very nature of magic itself."

I don't want to expand more on the book from the description, because I don't want to give anything away. But if you love fairy tales, sexy shape shifters, witches, mystery, ancient Egypt, and a story that will leave you on the edge of your seat, then this book is for you. I am currently reading the sequal to this book now called Shifters and Glyphs, and I have to tell you I can't put it down. I will probably actually be done with it tonight!

I hope everyone has a great and safe holiday!

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Image taken from Goodreads website.