Happy Sunday!

So I've been staring at this laptop screen for about two hours now, trying to figure out what to write. None of the blog post ideas I have seem right for today, and I'm just left with a blank screen and a tired mind and no legitimate ideas.

The laptop battery is draining fast. Hypothetically, that should spur me on to figuring out this post. But instead it doesn't give any motivation.

You know what? Today will be a Random Post, where I just spew all my ramblings and thoughts down onto a blog document. Let's go.


You know that harmony in "Carrying the Banner" (from Newsies) when they go, "Cause it's two for a penny, if I take too many Weasel just makes me eat 'em after"? Because that gives me chills every time I listen to it.

On that note I watched Newsies the movie in my Journalism class and we NEVER FINISHED IT. We were five minutes away from the credits. *tears*


Some days I feel like mimicking Spotify ads in a very sarcastic tone, and other days I feel like criticizing them. Honestly, I wonder how people thought some of these ads were a good idea.

And then there are the ads that are like, "Life's better when there's nothing stopping you," and I just have to roll my eyes because NOPE.




So apparently not everyone has a running mental commentary??? I forget where I saw that - maybe Instagram, I don't know, but I guess some people think in full sentences (aka me), and others don't. For me, my mind is like a radio that's tuned in to a talk show and a Broadway Hits station at the same time.

For those of you who don't think in sentences . . . what is it like? I genuinely cannot imagine it. But it's so cool that everyone thinks differently.


100 Days of Sunlight is hands-down the best contemporary novel I have ever read. 10/10 recommend.


and EXCUSE ME WE'RE GETTING SOME KEEFE POV IN THE SPECIAL KEEPER BOOK THIS YEAR??? *screaming* That makes up for the fact that book 9 won't come out this year! Which does make me sad, but I trust Shannon Messenger's judgment. :D




Commenting back on my posts has been really hard lately. I don't really have an explanation as to why, but every time I think of commenting back, my mind just crashes.

So if I accidentally don't end up responding to the previous weeks' comments, I do sincerely apologize. I read every single one of them and smile. <3 But starting this week, I WILL be responding to comments as soon as I see them.


And I almost forgot, but my second blogoversary is next month! I've been having trouble deciding what to do for it. I know I want to make another video, but the contents of that video are a mystery.

What do you guys want to see? I came up with some options, and there should be a Google Form below for you guys to vote. I'll announce the results next week!



(and here's the link, in case the embedding didn't work XD)

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*deep breath* Okay, that's enough randomness for one week.

I guess I'll see you in the comment section this time! XD And next week will be February's wrap-up (although it might be quick, seeing as this was kind of a wrap-up in itself...).

And ha, I finished this post before the laptop died. *pumps fist*

-Nicole <3

Happy Sunday!

So, seeing as this month is Fantasy Month (cue the wild celebrations in the blogging streets), I wanted to do a post specifically on fantasy novels. No better time than now, right?

We always talk about Lord of the Rings and Narnia and Keeper of the Lost Cities (okay, that one is just me XD), but what about the lesser-known fantasy books? Why do we always talk about the same popular books and overlook some gems?

That's why I'm shedding some light on my favorite, overlooked fantasy stories and shoving them onto your TBR pile telling you why you need to read them.

(I've never done one of these TBR-type posts before - we'll see how this goes, I guess. XD)
(also I didn't put any of the book covers in this post because my Wrap Text function hates me and it looks terrible. but I did link to the Goodreads pages on all the titles, so if I reference a book cover, you can view it)
(okay let's just do this already)

SEPTIMUS HEAP

This is by far the most underrated middle-grade series ever. No one talks about it, which is so sad, because I thoroughly enjoyed these when I was in fifth and sixth grade - and I still like them! At first glance, the plot seems very basic and overdone, but trust me, the plot Takes Some Turns.

And the CHARACTERS! *dies* My personal favorites are Nicko (Jenna's brother), Boy 412 (who is excellent and deserves all the attention), and a certain Apprentice that I really can't say much about because I would spoil everything. XD

In other words, you should read this if you like:

• a healthy sense of humor and lots of Easter eggs in prose
• a large cast of quirky characters
• a unique (and mostly rhyming) magic system
• rats (don't ask)
• a super cool third-person omniscient POV that's done really well
• a long series (there are seven books, and the sixth is the best ;) )

THE APOTHECARY

This was the first historical fantasy book I ever picked up, and OH BOY was it good - I probably read it about seven or eight times in two weeks.

While I do love the characters (Janie, Ben, and Pip are such a fantastic trio <3), the most interesting part of this book was the world and the "magic system." I've never read another book featuring potions that turn people into birds, for instance. And there's also quintessence, which is super cool. (I have a thing for quintessence. XD)

So, you should read this book if you like:

• references to Great Expectations and a lot of other British novels
• cool elixers that do a lot of things
• street urchins
• Traumatized Characters
• PAIN

THE TRIALS OF MORRIGAN CROW

So basically this is Keeper of the Lost Cities meets Alice in Wonderland. The world is so delightfully quirky, you just can't help but smile! You only need to look at the cover to get a glimpse at the world: on the first day of the year, some people jump off a hotel building with umbrellas. It's pretty great. XD

And the characters are just as quirky. Morrigan is an absolute sweetheart. <333 Her guardian Jupiter is the wackiest of the lot - you just gotta love him. And then there's Jack, who's a side character, but who I personally think deserves more page time. (#morrijack4life)

Try this book (and its sequels!) if you enjoy:

• a whimsical world
• an Angsty Boy
• Secrets TM
• adventures inside a crazy hotel
• giant grumpy cats

AMULET

I've already talked about why you should read this book, and you should check out that post. My reasons for loving this graphic novel series have not changed one bit. The world is phenomenally built, with amazing illustrations accompanying it.

And, then, of course, the characters have stolen my heart. Especially Trellis. (but he needed more page time in book 8, just saying)

Basically, you should read this series if you like:

• fantasy graphic novels
• dark Narnia meets Lord of the Rings
• Zuko-esque characters
• beautiful artwork
• cliffhangers XD

A TREASON OF THORNS

I literally know no one who has read this book, so PLEASE READ IT. XD It seems to have gone under the radar in terms of release hype, which is sad, because this book is wonderfully creepy and mysterious!

I'm not going to lie, though - while I did love the aspect of the house as a character, my absolute favorite part of the story was Wyn. He's kind of a major character, but his PERSONALITY IS AMAZING and WHAT HAPPENS AT THE END IS AMAZING and READ IT FOR WYN. PLEASE.

In other words, try this standalone out if you like:

• Angsty Sad Boys who do not deserve the amount of pain they have
• (aka Wyn)
• a really cool and creepy setting
• an Intense Climax
• did I mention Wyn
• because seriously he's 99% of why this book is awesome

THE HYPNOTISTS

Probably one of my favorite books of all time, seriously. I've lost track of how many times I've read this. Yes, it's technically "realistic fantasy" or whatever you call fantasy set in our world, but it hands-down NAILS this genre.

I love Jax so much - you can literally SEE how his mental state is faring as the book progresses. (You'll understand better if you read it. XD) The main villain is super scary and powerful and I sincerely hope that he does not exist in real life. Even though he is an inspiration to every single one of us.

yes that last sentence is a reference. no I don't actually mean it. I'm sorry.

Anyways, you should read this book if you like:

• fantasy set in New York
• hypnotism
• secret societies
• a series opener that also works as a standalone
• middle-grade
• stories in general

And those are all the books I'll shove in your face for today - I think six is enough, especially considering that most of them are beginnings to series.

(and while we're at this outro, I'm sorry - I still haven't responded to comments for last week's post! I promise, I WILL get to them - but this week has been really tiring, both physically and mentally)

-Nicole <3

Happy Sunday! (and happy early Valentine's Day! All the single bloggers can join me in the corner ;) )

Happy Sunday!

As I’ve mentioned a few times, I have an eternally long list of tags I should probably do. It’s a problem.

But when I set about choosing which one to do, do I go with the oldest one?

NO! Going with the one I got a few days ago is clearly the logical option! XD

So lets just get into the #awesomebloggeraward!

THE RULES

1. Thank the person who nominated you. Sarah nominated me for this award - thank you so much! (Seriously, guys, if you aren’t following her, YOU NEED TO.)

2. Tag your post with #awesomebloggeraward. . . . Is it okay if I just put it in the title? XD

3. Answer the questions you were asked. Well, that’s the hope . . .

4. Nominate at least 5 bloggers and inform them of their nominations. Right, let’s get this out of the way now. *drumroll please*

Isabel @ Chasing Fantasia
Merie @ Imperial Scribis
Lila @ The Red-Hooded Writer
Catherine @ The Rebelling Muse
Emily @ The Ones That Really Matter

And if any of you like to do your tags in an orderly fashion, this gives you a great excuse to break from that habit and do them all out of order! ;)

5. Give them 10 new questions to answer. That’ll be at the bottom of the post. For now, let’s just get into it!

THE TAG

At what level of exhaustion are you capable of functioning at before you have to give up?
This is a really interesting question! Sadly, I have some experience in this, and I can tell you that with basic exhaustion, I can manage to do homework or other things with due dates.

When I stop functioning is when I have more than 2 nights in a row with less than three hours of sleep. Or I don’t eat properly for an entire day (aka skipping lunch). Or when I do a lot of super-stressful things at once. THAT'S when I stop trying to do stuff. XD

Oh, goodness, I’d have to think on that one! I like a loooot of soundtracks.

*one eternity later*

I don’t HATE this soundtrack, but the Matrix's soundtrack is only so-so. There’s one or two songs I like, but the rest of them are just eh. That’s the closest I can get to a least favorite soundtrack. XD

The Bible? ;)

Ummmm, Emotional Virtue by Sarah Swafford is also a really good book that handles the life of dating and relationships and all that good stuff in a very thoughtful and insightful way. 10/10 recommend.

ALL OF THEM. SERIOUSLY.

Okay, but the most impactful one I can think of right now is a certain one in the first Mistborn book. I’m not spoiling, because YOU NEED TO READ THIS BOOK, but there’s a death that has prevented me from finishing my reread. It was rough. XD


Okay, so my number 1 tip right now is to GET SOMEONE TO HOLD YOU ACCOUNTABLE. I actually got an accountability partner a few weeks ago, and she has been a LIFESAVER. <333

Probably The Finisher by David Baldacci. I could not explain half of the worldbuilding to you, because IT IS NOT EXPLAINED. XD There’s a random river of blood, and magic that is never explained, and a bunch of other weird stuff.

*information has been censored* ;)


Peace Sign by NateWantsToBattle (or its original Japanese version). It's SUCH A GOOD SONG. LISTEN TO IT.

Also "Weight of the World" by NerdOut is an incredible and inspiring Avatar: The Last Airbender-based song that you all need to listen to ASAP.

A golden Labrador retriever. They're so cute!!!! <3

Geez, Sarah, you expect me to remember that??? XD

Ummmmm

Here, I’ll just give you my most recent one, since I actually cannot remember my first DNF. I stopped reading the second book of the Spill Zone because it got super Weird and Creepy and had Unexplained Dimensions and What the Actual Heck Was Going On?

Oh, look, I found another answer for the weirdest book I’ve ever read. XD

THE QUESTIONS

To my unlucky tagged, here are the questions to answer, if you so desire:

1. What’s your preferred method of planning (bullet journaling, Google Calendar, etc.)?
2. Favorite type of chocolate?
3. What’s a trope that’s very overused, but you still like? (Your guilty pleasure, if you will.)
4. If you won $10,000, what's the first thing you would spend it on?
5. Who's your favorite YouTuber to watch?
6. Least favorite emoji?
7. Who was your first fictional crush?
8. What’s your MBTI personality type, and do you think it fits you?
9. Noodles or rice?
10. What is your opinion of the rating system of Goodreads?

I hoped you enjoyed this rendition of Nicole Tries to Conquer Her Tags and Almost Dies in the Process. XD If any of you want to steal this and therefore become #awesomebloggers, go right ahead! I’d love to read your answers.

-Nicole <3