Tag: book

Table For One by Laura Ashley Laraque Mini Poetry Review

chicnerdreads2 Comments

Title: Table for One
Author: Laura Ashley Laraque
Genre: Poetry
Publisher: CreateSpace
Format: Paperback
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

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Synopsis from Goodreads:

This book talks about a female who has experienced what many have, heart break. In the midst of her pain, she takes on a journey to learn to love herself. Also, expressing emotions and looking back on memories that although left scars, have led her to sit at her table alone. Finding yourself is crucial and she explains how she accomplishes this day by day.

This was an amazing and beautiful debut collection. It was filled with honesty and raw emotion. The author takes the reader through a journey of a toxic relationship, realizations, and self-love. The book is divided into different sections with titles like “Your Appetizer” and “Three-Course Emotions to Healing” just to name a few.

I loved how the author expresses herself through poetry, rhyme, and prose. Giving us different styles but still laying her heart out to us. Laura Ashley definitely takes you on a ride of emotions where she talks about the ups and down of a relationship. She tells us what she went through mentally and emotionally through her writing and the toll that us humans take when being involved deeply with another human.

She even has poems mentioning her religion and believing in God. I liked that because Laura shows us all of her! I would definitely recommend this to anyone who’s experienced lost love and needs to find some strength. Laura will give you that !

some of my favorites:

Selfish

I always thought being selfish had negativity involved
Until I experienced situations that made my sanity dissolved

Being selfish if appropriate depending on the context
When you realize all your energy and emotions are put to the
test

Instead of investing and attaching yourself to please others
Take your own soul and provide what it needs to recover

You used me

You confused me

You abused me

Even bruised me

Only to excuse me

Fatal Attraction

You dig and I crawl.
I love and I fall.

You watch and I stare.
While you bury my heart, it’s unfair.

I gave it all and you received.
You promised me the same but I was deceived.

I thought it was love and it was real.
But you played around like it was no big deal.

I’d cry and I’d hurt,
While you craved and you flirt.

Not for me, not with me,
But with the fish swimming amongst the sea.

It’s okay, you murdered my being with no remorse.
Because, honestly, the heart you buried took a different
course.

No, you won’t mourn who used to love you with all her might.
It’s the new girl who she became and escaped into the
night.

Table for One is currently on sale for 99¢ via Kindle in USA and the UK!
click here for the direct link

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Twitter: @ChicNerdReads
Goodreads: Gretchen (ChicNerdReads)

my poetry book is on sale!

chicnerdreads5 Comments

 

IMG_0594hey everyone! i hope you are all having a wonderful day and weekend to come! just wanted to let you all know that while i’m at BookCon, the paperback version of my poetry book is officially on sale for $6.38 via Amazon for the next few days. it’s also on sale on other parts of the world via Amazon. if they ship to you, check it out! be aware that my poetry book has mature content. and if you aren’t into paperbacks, i also have an ebook version with kindle unlimited as well! below are the links!

Goodreads | Amazon USA | Amazon UK

synopsis:
one day i met a guy
who stole my heart,
we created a world
for ourselves.
and another day
he broke my heart
and shattered
my soul.

i took the tattered
pieces of this
broken soul and
became anew.

– here lies the hurting, the healing, and the learning

if you’ve read my book already, i would love it if you left a rating and small review on Amazon! it would help me a great deal. thank you! ❤

Instagram: @chicnerdreads
Twitter: @ChicNerdReads
Goodreads: Gretchen (ChicNerdReads)

The Seafarer’s Kiss by Julia Ember Spoiler Free Book Review

chicnerdreads38 Comments

Title: The Seafarer’s Kiss
Author: Julia Ember
Genre: YA Fantasy, Retelling, LGBTQ+(Bi)
Publisher: Duet Books
Format: Paperwork
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Synopsis from Goodreads:

Having long-wondered what lives beyond the ice shelf, nineteen-year-old mermaid Ersel learns of the life she wants when she rescues and befriends Ragna, a shield-maiden stranded on the mermen’s glacier. But when Ersel’s childhood friend and suitor catches them together, he gives Ersel a choice: say goodbye to Ragna or face justice at the hands of the glacier’s brutal king.

Determined to forge a different fate, Ersel seeks help from Loki. But such deals are never as one expects, and the outcome sees her exiled from the only home and protection she’s known. To save herself from perishing in the barren, underwater wasteland and be reunited with the human she’s come to love, Ersel must try to outsmart the God of Lies.

Finally!!! A mermaid book that’s definitely worth the read! After reading many amazing reviews, I had very high expectations and was not the least disappointed.

This book is only 212 pages, therefore this review will be short. The Seafarer’s Kiss was a wonderful read filled with action and self-acceptance. We meet Ersel right on the first page with her fondness of human goods that lay deep in the ocean. She collects these things in secret and holds them dear to her heart. I have read that this is The Little Mermaid retelling and although it holds true in some aspects, I loved The Seafarer’s Kiss for it’s own beauty of the characters and world. I also loved how Norse Gods (trickster Loki) and pirates were incorporated within this book and again, although short, the book was definitely to the point.

Ersel is trying to get away from a fertility grading that happens every year and when escaping, she meets Ragna the shield-maiden who so happens to be human. Ragna who was left to fend for herself now has Ersel’s help, to save not only herself but something else. However, when Ersel’s long time best friend sees Ragna and Ersel together, things start to unfold. When these things unfold, that’s where the trickster God, Loki, comes into play and you will be left on the edge of your seat for the rest of the book.

My only tad bit of a problem with this beautiful book was that I wish it was longer and extended some of the scenes more. I loved how each and every character played an important role in Ersel’s life. And not only was this an f/f retelling but it was also about personal growth. Julia Ember delivered an important message throughout the book and was inclusive with sexuality, gender, and body. Now, the reason why I am being so vague here is because I feel like the synopsis tells a lot of the story and the events.

I feel like this book can be a series for sure!

Credit for this aesthetic goes to author, click here.

have you read this book or plan on it?
let’s talk in the comments!

Instagram: @chicnerdreads
Twitter: @ChicNerdReads
Goodreads: Gretchen (ChicNerdReads)

Q&A Part 2 – continuing the celebration of my one year blogiversary!

chicnerdreads38 Comments

Hi everyone!!! Today I will be continuing the questions and answers for my one year blogiversary! I still cannot believe that my blog has turned one year old. whoooaaaaa!! to check part one, click here =)

Beth @ Reading Every Night

Q: What is your favourite poem that you’ve written; be it part of your love & you collection or not? 
A: ‘dear pretty little thing’ which was first featured on my blog and then became a part of my poetry book love, and you. i literally wrote that out of nowhere one night and didn’t even realize what i had written till i read it.

Q: What is your favourite poem by another author?
A: ooooo this one is hard but I’m going to go with a classic which is Alone by Edgar Allan Poe.

Q: Other than publishing your book and reaching your one year blogiversary what has been the high point of your year?
A: My high point of the year has been accepting my unapologetic self with whoever was or is around me.

Q: If you could recommend one book to everyone, what would it be?
A: Beth!!! You are killing me softly with these questions lol. I’m going to go with the first book that came to mind and that is Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo.

Q: Do you have any exciting blogging plans for next year?
A: I have some ideas but I haven’t thrown it out there because I get the worst luck when I speak out loud what I want to do lol. Therefore, I will work on it and see how it goes =D

Q: What would you say is your life goal, and have you achieved it yet?
A: My life goal was to publish a book and yes I definitely achieved it!! *starts dancing*

Azia @ The Uncharted Word

Q: When did you start writing poetry and what inspired you?
A: I started writing poetry at about 11 years old. Inspiration is a little weird here, so let me explain lol. I sing and song write, so poetry feels pretty much the same. I would say that music inspired my poetry and learning poetry from school as well.

Meghan @ Whimsically Meghan

Q: How has blogging rocked your world? 
A: BLOGGING IS AMAZING!! Honestly, blogging has helped me a lot with my anxiety. I am a very anxious person, add to that a lot of other mental instabilities that I have…I’m just overall not mentally okay half the time. So blogging has definitely helped me calm down and focus on more positive things rather than the negative. ALSO!!!! Blogging has made me discover sooooooo many different books out there and I also love how diverse the community is too. Meeting people from all around the world with our love for books and writing is so freaking awesome. I cannot express how much I love the community.

Poulami @ Daydreaming Books

Q: What is the one thing that you love the most about blogging and writing/poetry? 
A: Blogging, I love interacting with people and their opinions on books. Rather it be that they didn’t like it, are interested, or we find ourselves gushing over the book. I love that I can be myself without feeling judged as well. One thing I love most about writing/poetry is simply being myself through my writing and seeing how people interpret my writing. OMG I absolutely love reading the comments of what people thought about a piece and how they interpret the piece. It’s really great.

Hannah @ Mortal Reader

Q: Can I have your dog? I think he will like a summer in the UK?
A: Hannah, I am sorry to say this but no you cannot have my dog lol. He hates summer as well lol.

Q: What was the moment you realized you could make your poetry into a book and outside of your blog? Like was there a moment it hit you like this is going well I would love to try it? (Hope that makes sense)
A: Definitely makes a lot of sense! I hit that realization with ‘love, and you’ when I wrote most of it in one sitting. It really just came to me out of nowhere and I was like “hmm maybe I should make this into a book” and that’s when it unraveled. With my segment of People I Once Knew, which was a part of my blog first, a lot of people had mentioned to me that maybe I should make a book out of it. I took it into consideration and loved the idea so now I am running with it.

Q: What was a book that made you fall in love with reading?
A: The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett!! I remember my mom came with a bag full of free books that she found. I reached into the bag and took that one out, I read it and loved reading ever since.

Q: What’s one piece of advice you would give to your younger self if you could?
A: “people aren’t going to get you. they’re going to think you’re weird as fuck. that’s okay, let them think that way. different is beautiful.” -me

Jackie @ Death by Tsundoku

Q: What is your favorite book to re-read and why?
A: Surprise surprise!! I don’t re-read books *hides face* …I mean I would love to but I honestly don’t have the time and the time I do have, I prefer reading something new lol.

Q: What is the best thing your dog has ever done for you?
A: The best thing my dog has ever done and still does is be there for me the instant he feels me sad, crying, or going through an anxiety attack. He just knows and doesn’t let me go. He has literally licked my tears and hug me.

Q: What are the worlds best pizza toppings?
A: Meat Lovers Supreme by Pizza Hut. I love Chicken BBQ. Or Chicken, Bacon, and Ranch on pizza!

Q: If you could visit anywhere in the world RIGHT NOW where would you go?
A: I’d go to Bora Bora!!! It’s beautiful without the masses of human beings. Still on my bucket list!

Melissa @ Igndrynerdymel

Q: What was your fav book(s) growing up? That kept you going? And today?
A: Favorite growing up: The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett
Favorite Books that kept me going: The Blue Girl by Charles De Lint, and the Uglies Series by Scott Westerfeld.
Today? mmmm I can’t quite say because I read so many that’s hard lol.

Luna @ imaginarymargo

Q: Since releasing your book have you learned anything new about yourself?
A: Yes I have learned that on the days I feel low (emotionally and mentally) to not check how my book is doing cause it bums me out and gives me more anxiety.

Q: Where/What do you draw strength from?
A: Myself, my family, a few friends, and my writing.

Q: Do you believe in the supernatural?
A: Yes I believe in the supernatural.

Amanda @ Cover 2 Cover Mom

Q: If you died tomorrow, what would you want to be written on your tomb stone?
A: “And all I loved, I loved alone.” -Edgar Allan Poe

Q: If you could punch one person in the face (past, present, real, or fictional) who would it be?
A: JUST ONE AMANDA?!?!?! omggggggggg lol. So here’s a semi secret that I’m about to spill, there’s one person that I have always said if I crossed paths with, I wouldn’t think twice to punch in the face.

and that is all for now!!! if you want to discuss any of the questions and answers, feel free to comment! I hope you all have a lovely day ❤

Instagram: @chicnerdreads
Twitter: @ChicNerdReads
Goodreads: Gretchen (ChicNerdReads)

e-book haul!

chicnerdreads42 Comments

I haven’t hauled any books since my December/January Book Haul post!! Therefore, I will be doing different type of book haul post (e-book, poetry, and physical copy). Let’s get started with what I accumulated per month!

February:

March:

April:

i also accumulated some poetry e-books but i will be placing them in the poetry book haul. stay tuned for more hauls! have you read any of these books? let’s talk in the comments!

Instagram: @chicnerdreads
Twitter: @ChicNerdReads
Goodreads: Gretchen (ChicNerdReads)

Mini Non Spoiler Review: We Are Okay by Nina Lacour

chicnerdreads29 Comments

Title: We Are Okay
Author: Nina Lacour
Genre: YA Contemporary, LGBTQ+
Publisher: Dutton Books for Young Readers
Format: Hardcover
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

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Synopsis from Goodreads:

You go through life thinking there’s so much you need…

Until you leave with only your phone, your wallet, and a picture of your mother.

Marin hasn’t spoken to anyone from her old life since the day she left everything behind. No one knows the truth about those final weeks. Not even her best friend, Mabel. But even thousands of miles away from the California coast, at college in New York, Marin still feels the pull of the life and tragedy she’s tried to outrun. Now, months later, alone in an emptied dorm for winter break, Marin waits. Mabel is coming to visit, and Marin will be forced to face everything that’s been left unsaid and finally confront the loneliness that has made a home in her heart.

 

I usually separate my reviews with summary/plot, writing, characters, and thoughts. However, this book is really short and I feel like I would give everything away by going into detail.

This is my first Nina Lacour book and I have to say that I now want to read everything by this author. Her writing is phenomenal. But!!!! I have to slow down on my book buying and read the ones I have on my shelf first lol. So maybe by Fall, I’ll buy her other books.

We Are Okay is very melancholic. The tone is set from the very first page till the last page. I had tears in my eyes! This story is about a girl, Marin, who one day leaves everything from her old life behind. Till her best friend from her old life, Mabel, comes to visit. And Mabel isn’t coming over to just check on her but also to confront her (not in a bad way at all).

This book is told in alternating chapters of present and past time. The setting also takes a big role with the tone. Winter snowstorm in a big university campus that Marin happens to be alone because everyone is on Christmas/New Year vacation (present chapters). Summer with Marin who is a completely different person, happier (past chapters). With each page turned, I was filled with more questions of what had happened to Marin. Why did she up and leave? Slowly but surely everything started clicking and making sense.

This story is about loss, tragedy, and grief. About the hard parts in life that shape you. About how sometimes you end up abandoning yourself when something bad happens to you. I loved how raw this book is. And the profound message Nina Lacour had hidden within the conversations of Marin and Mabel. That’s what made this book an instant fave. I’ve said this a million times before but I love when books make you think.

This book is not entirely plot driven but more character driven. I also loved how we have queer characters and WoC but it wasn’t used as plot device, it wasn’t even spoken about. The story is an everyday story and I appreciate that so much. As a WoC and part of the LGTBQ+ spectrum, THANK YOU NINA!!

I loved both Marin and Mabel oh so much. Best friends since young and the relationship they have with one another is so beautiful, raw, and honest. We also get to meet Mabel’s parents and they’re amazing as well. I love how Mabel’s parents were very active in their daughters life whereas in other YA novels, I feel like we don’t see that too often.

This is a simple, gorgeous, sad read but I would highly recommend it to everyone.

have you read this? thoughts? let’s chat in the comments!

Instagram: @chicnerdreads
Twitter: @ChicNerdReads
Goodreads: Gretchen (ChicNerdReads)

something in regards to my poetry book

chicnerdreads21 Comments

it is now available via
KINDLE UNLIMITED!!!!

yes, you read that right!! amazon kindle unlimited!
which means if you have this feature it is free. whoop whoop!
once again thank you to everyone who’s been supporting me
and just being there for me with positivity. it means the world ❤

kindle
Synopsis:

one day i met a guy
who stole my heart,
we created a world
for ourselves.
and another day
he broke my heart
and shattered
my soul.

i took the tattered
pieces of this
broken soul and
became anew.

– here lies the hurting, the healing, and the learning

 

 

you can add it on goodreads here =)

my book is available via worldwide amazon platforms, barnes & noble, book depository, and createspace as well. stay tuned for some freebies in a very near future hehehe!!!

Instagram: @chicnerdreads
Twitter: @ChicNerdReads
Goodreads: Gretchen (ChicNerdReads)

Mini Book Review: Hummingbird by Sophia Elaine Hanson

chicnerdreads9 Comments

Title: Hummingbird
Author: Sophia Elaine Hanson
Genre: Poetry
Publisher: CreateSpace
Format: Paperback
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

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Synopsis from Goodreads:
Sophia Elaine Hanson is the author of the #1 Amazon Bestselling young adult novel, Vinyl: Book One of the Vinyl Trilogy. She resides in New York City and loves pigeons and Star Wars. Hummingbird is her first collection of poetry to come to print. It tells a story of love, loss, and rebirth.

 

 

 

 

 

I read this beautiful collection while on my way home from work. This poetry book can be read in less than an hour. I loved all of this and it resonated with me. Even the illustrations gave this book an added touch to the amazing writing.

Hummingbird is about a relationship that fell apart and how Sophia found herself anew. She talks about her feelings and thought process through and after the relationship. Some of the poems mentions experiences that she went through and didn’t think of till she met this person. And it was so relatable because as humans, we sometimes don’t completely grasp something till we’ve been through it ourselves.

I felt like I was going through the motions with her. I found myself longing and being positive in the end.

This one is added to my favorites list for 2017.

Here are some of my faves:

When I was fifteen, I got
sick. No cure, only
treatment. When I was
sixten I was assaulted. I
used to joke that at least
I got the bad stuff out of
the way early, as if there
was a cap on how much pain
a person could endure over
the course of their life.

– Obviously, I had never
been in love

if you are interested in maybe buying
this poetry collection, please click here.

thoughts on this collection? would love to chat in the comments!!

Instagram: @chicnerdreads
Twitter: @ChicNerdReads
Goodreads: Gretchen (ChicNerdReads)

 

Walking Through the Forest by Elizabeth Ann Spoiler Free Book Review

chicnerdreads10 Comments

Title: Walking Through the First: love, loss and other tall trees
Author: Elizabeth Ann
Genre: Poetry
Publisher: Library and Archives Canada
Format: Paperback
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

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Synopsis from Goodreads:

love, loss, pain, healing, poetry.

Elizabeth shares her experience with heartache and grief by embracing acceptance and self-love in a collection of poetry written with straight forward vulnerability.

Join her walk through the forest, surrounded by love, loss, and other tall trees.

I have the honor of personally knowing this lovely author. Not in real life but we have created in online friendship. We started this process of writing our poetry books together. Sharing excitement, jitters, and our debut babies. It’s been so cool to know her and just talk on a more personal level.

Elizabeth Ann released her poetry book on April 3rd and I just needed to get my hands on it immediately. Once the book was delivered to my house, I found myself opening up the book and reading all of it at once.

Lizzy (as I call her) writes about heartbreak, loss, and learning through a failed marriage. She expresses her pain, heartache, disappointment, hopes, self-love, and other things through each poem. Taking a punch to my emotions with each page I turned.

Walking through the Forest is a collection for all people but I would highly recommend it for those who feel in despair. Trust me, Lizzy will make you feel connected through it. She writes about things that she learned through her relationship which made her stronger and I applaud her for that. Lizzy talks about how she lost herself in someone but found herself instead.

Some of my favorite poems:

I have learned far too much
about myself in this forest
to turn around now.

I am no longer a vessel
to be used only for
a man’s satisfaction
and then thrown to the side,

easily abused,
easily ignored,
easily neglected.

-this wildflower has bloomed

Take stock of the damage.
Breathe.
With hand on heart, feel it
beat and pulse.
There may be damage,
but Heart is beating.

Beating Heart means Healing Heart.
Honor painful moments.
Cry when necessary.
Be brave.
Be kind to self.
Be kind to others.
Step by step,
Walk Yourself Through.

You got this, girl

-instructions give on self-love

I would love to hear your thoughts in the comments!
If you are interested in purchasing, please check out Amazon!

I hope you are all having a lovely day =)

Instagram: @chicnerdreads
Twitter: @ChicNerdReads
Goodreads: Gretchen (ChicNerdReads)