Monday, September 24, 2018

"They Both Die at the End" by Adam Silvera - Review

 

I loved the book from beginning to end! The story focuses on a gay Puerto Rican and bisexual Cuban character, Mateo and Rufus. The concept of the book is what made me want to read it. Deathcast is a company that calls people to inform them of their last day in order for them to say goodbye to their loved ones and live their day to the fullest and those affected are called Deckers. The company also has an app called Last Friends in which Deckers can connect with others to spend their last day together.

Mateo and Rufus have completely different lives, they connect through the Last Friend app without thinking they would have a great connection at the end. I liked having the perspective from other characters aside from Mateo and Rufus because it connects the story a lot more.

The story shows how aside from the pain and grief one will suffer due to death, there is also opportunities through life to connect with other individuals that have nothing in common with one another. Some Deckers realize how many adventures they want to have and how they want to make every opportunity count since they do not know how they'll die or when.

Mateo and Rufus get to know each other on a deep level through their journey. Mateo gets to realize how much he missed out since he was holding himself back and Rufus gained happiness from the moments they shared together. Rufus says, "That was no way for him to go out. Mateo should've gone out saving someone, because he was such a selfless person,. No, even if he didn't die a hero's death, he died a hero. Mateo Torrez definitely saved me." While Mateo shared a moment with Rufus, he was able to open himself in a way he hadn't before, "And you wouldn't have waited for me to be brave. Maybe  it's better to have gotten it right and been happy for one day instead of living a lifetime of wrongs." They both value their loved ones a lot more knowing it's their last day with them and they also learned from each other, something he didn't think would have happened when they met.

The story is an emotional one as it allows us to realize how we should enjoy every interaction with those we love. Also, to appreciate and give an opportunity to those people that may seem and are different from us as we get to learn from each other. As Rufus' friends the Plutos said, "Entire lives aren't lessons, but there are lessons in lives. You may be born into a family, but you walk into friendships. Some you'll discover you should put behind you. Others are worth every risk." As even Rufus said, "I know I helped Mateo live his life, but he helped me get mine back in shape. I wanna be remembered as who I am right now, not that dumbass mistake I made"

They Both Die at the End is worth reading, you'll get attached to the characters and see how their stories intertwine and also how much we can change or impact someone else's life.

Saturday, September 15, 2018

How My Reading Has Changed This Year

 
As most readers, I have a Goodreads account and I participate in the Reading Challenge. Last year, I wanted to read 10 books and I did but I wanted to motivate myself to read more than that. This year, I decided to change my reading challenge to 20 books. 
 
I found myself thinking I wouldn't be able to reach this goal since I'm not a very fast reader, I like to dive in and take my time to process the stories I am reading. 
 
However, I decided to seek advice from fellow readers. I've been a member of a few book clubs but I have failed to participate in discussions as well as groups reads. I asked them for ideas and tips to be able to read more often and read faster. Through their answers, I realized that participating in the groups reads, starting or joining buddy reads and listening to audiobooks were really great options.
I began to participate in group reads and create a few buddy reads that have motivated me to read more and discuss with fellow readers about our adventure through the story.
 
I also began to get audiobooks from the library through their app (pictured) Overdrive which has helped me read through my books a lot quicker especially those books that intimidated me. So far, I have read 12 books and I have nearly finished with another one while I also have an audiobook for another book. 
 
I have used social media as well, I have joined readathons and I have had the opportunity to document my progress while interacting with other members of the book community. 
 
Overall, being a part of book clubs, buddy reads and readathons have improved my reading while giving me opportunities to expand friendships and be a part of the book community that I enjoy and love so much. When it comes to reading, seek advice within the community, it has made a difference with me.
Astrid

Thursday, September 13, 2018

Cover Reveal of author Nicole French



COVER REVEAL
The Discreet Duet
Author: Nicole French
Publisher: Raglan Publishing
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Cover Design: Raglan Publishing
Photo: Eric McKinney, 6:12 Photography
Models: Roddy Hanson & Jenna Dallender

#1 Discreet – Release Date: October 4, 2018
Fitz Baker was the world’s biggest sex symbol. Until he disappeared.
Fed up with the trappings of fame, he traded his world of Hollywood for a quiet life on Newman
Lake. He was perfectly happy living as an island. Until he met her. 
Returning home with nothing but a failed music career, all Maggie Sharp wants is to rebuild her life.
A life that doesn’t involve the surly, arrogant stranger now living across the lake.
Still, there’s something about Will…Something familiar. Something Maggie can’t quite put her finger
on…
She only wanted the spotlight.
He gave up his life to escape it.
The real question is if they can remain discreet.

GOODREADS LINK: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/40524221-discreet


#2 Indiscreet – Release Date: October 25, 2018
Sexiest man alive.
Playboy movie star.
Reckless actor.
Will Baker, better known as “Fitz,” is back, and the world has questions.
Where did he go?
Why is he back?
Who is Maggie Sharp, the girl who found him?

As Will and Maggie flee her family’s troubles, they return to a world most only dream of, where
privacy belongs to the highest bidders, and loving Will might cost Maggie everything she has.

Secrets mean betrayal, and Will’s are bigger than most.
As he returns to a life of wealth and excess, will he fall back into his old vices too? Or is loving
Maggie Sharp the one thing that will save him?

GOODREADS LINK: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/40524232-indiscreet

AUTHOR BIO
Nicole French is an East Coast/West Coast hybrid creature, Springsteen fanatic, hopeless romantic,
and total bookworm. When not writing fiction or teaching writing classes, she is hanging out with
her family, playing soccer with the rest of the thirty-plus crowd in Seattle, or going on dates with her
husband. In her spare time, she likes to go running with her dog, Greta, or practice the piano, but
never seems to do either one of these things as much as she should.

AUTHOR LINKS
Website: http://www.nicolefrenchromance.com
Newsletter: https://landing.mailerlite.com/webforms/landing/z7i9b7
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authornicolefrench
Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/clandnicromance
Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/authornicolefrench
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/nfrenchauthor
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/nfrenchauthor