The Month of July and Inspiration ~ A Wrap-Up

Hello my inspriring friends!!
I have a monthly wrap up for you guys, and lots of things to share with you!

But first one quick question, What was most inspiring to you this month?





~ Blogger Buddies + Shoutouts ~

Thank you Addison so very much for the gifts you sent and the shoutout! (I've been putting the coffee to good use, Lol!)

Thank you Tessa @ Crazy 4 YA for nominating me, and for your sweet comments and support!

Thank you Desara @ D. Books and Reviews for nominating me as well, and for Buddy Reading with me and co-hosting a readathon with me as well! It was lots of fun!

Thank you Elle @ Keep on Reading for your comments, support, and awesomeness!

And Lindsi @ Do You Dog-Ear? for being awesome as well!

Thank you A. J. @ Read All The Things!

And Sophia @ Bookwyrming Thoughts

 Also thank you Eve @ Tea, Chocolate and Books

Thank you each so much!!





~ Weather + Books I Collected this Month ~

Melting heat, with rain at random times describes the past month rather well. I hope all of you are doing well, I know weather can be very chaotic at times!

For me it was more like this: ''Oh it's lovely outside- I should stay inside and write!''


The books I got this month include:


Guarded Wish by Addison Carmichael

Guarded Heart by Addison Carmichael

My Warrior by Glynnis Campbell

Annabel Lee by Mike Nappa

Fullmetal Alchemist Vol. 1 Special Edition 

Yona of the Dawn Vol. 10

Yona of the Dawn Vol. 12

The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield

Ready Player One by Ernest Cline

The Midnight Palace by Carlos Ruiz Zafón

The Watcher In The Shadows by Carlos Ruiz Zafón 

Death Comes To Pemberly by P. D. James





~ Anyone Been Baking Recently? ~

I love to bake, which means I'm obsessed with Pinterest! Though I actually tend to just take the treats that I spent hours baking around the neighborhood. (I bake too much, so who else will eat them except my neighbors?)

Here's the treats that I baked this month! (The link will take you to the recipe, which is not mine!)



Strawberry Chocolate Chip Cookies

Apple Fritter Muffins

Raspberry Swirl Sweet Rolls

Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars





~ How's My Novel Going? ~

So near the beginning of the month, I did the COVER REVEAL for my scifi novel.

What was most inspiring for me this month?
That all of you were so sweet, and supportive of me writing and hoping to selfpublish a book!

I am officially halfway through my revision draft! I've been going out of my mind with revising, editing, and preparing for when my Beta Readers give me feedback. (Coffee has been a must, Lol.)

But I did participate in my friend's UnicornWriteAThon, I'd set a goal of writing 10,000 words for it. And I wrote 11,656 words!





~ I have a YouTube Channel ~

So this may come as a suprise to most of you, but I am a Booktuber as well as a Bookblogger!
Here's the videos that I've uploaded this month:


Double Book Talk: The Empress + Warcross

Double Book Talk: Wintersong + The Assassin Game

I Should Have Stopped Buying Books A Long Time Ago Book Haul

Music Genre Tag!






~ What Books Did I Consume in July? ~

This month I read (or consumed) this month:

[4.5 stars] Review here

I Buddy Read this with Desara on July 10th

[3.5 stars]

The Book of the Month for a book club my friend started. Though I ended up reading this book for the readathon I was in because I didn't get it until halfway through the month :(

[2.5 tars] Review here

[3.5 stars] Review here

I recieved an ARC to review for you guys!

[3 stars]
The only Marie Lu book that took me longer than 3 days to finish, Lol!

[3 stars]

[4 stars] Review coming soon!

[5 stars] Review coming soon

Read for the HufflepuffReadAThon as well.

[3.5 stars]

[3 stars] Review coming soon

Also read for the Hufflepuff read-a-thon

[3 stars] Review coming soon









I will be doing a seperate post for my August TBR, but it should be up soon!


What did you guys think? How was your July?! How many books did you get to read?


Thanks for reading!!
~Books with Noel

#HufflepuffReadAThon Wrap-Up

Hey guys! So the Hufflepuff ReadAThon ended today, and as always I recorded my progress to share with you guys :D


I co-hosted this readathon with my friend Desara, in honor of our Hogwarts House!  The challenges were based off the Hufflepuff traits, and some were combined so that there were only 5 challenges to complete.




The challenges were:


1.  Read a book with flowers on the cover

The Hufflepuff house is associated with the element of earth, so why not read a book with flowers or plants on it?  

2. Read a book that you waited forever to get your hands on

As Hufflepuffs value patience, why don't you read a book you've been very patient for? You deserve it!  

3. Finish a book that you meant to a long time ago

How about we show our dedication, hard work, and loyalty through finishing a book we started a long time ago?


4. Read a book with both yellow and black on the cover

The Hufflepuff signature colors! Show our Hufflepuff pride!


5.  Read a book where a animal plays a important role

Well, the Hufflepuff emblematic animal is a Badger... but do you know how hard it would be to find a book that has a badger on it?








DAY 1~ 

July 21st


Started: Three Dark Crowns by Kendare Blake

Progress: 66 pages

(This was also the last day of the WriteAThon my friend hosted, so I did more writing than reading on this day.)







DAY 2~

July 22nd


Continued Reading: Three Dark Crowns 

Progress: Finished




Started: Where the Stars Still Shine by Trish Doller

I had to put this book down, so...I'm going to have to get another book to read in it's place :(








DAY 3~

July 23rd


Started: Heartless by Marissa Meyer

Progress: 72 pages








DAY 4~

July 24th


Continued Reading: Heartless by Marissa Meyer

Progress: Finished



Started: Caraval by Stephanie Garber










DAY 5~

July 25th


Continued Reading: Caraval by Stephanie Garber

Progress: Finished








DAY 6~

July 26th


Started: Champion by Marie Lu

Progress: 3 pages

(I got busy again!! TT)






DAY 7~

July 27th


Started: The Tower by Nicole Campbell

Progress: finished







DAY 8~

July 28th


I did no reading on this day :( I was rather busy again.







Overall:


1. Read a book with flowers on cover [Completed]

Three Dark Crowns by Kendare Blake

2. Read a book you waited forever to get your hands on [Completed]

Heartless by Marissa Meyer

3. Finish a book you meant to read a long time ago [Completed]

Caraval by Stephanie Garber

4. Read a book with yellow and black on the cover [Not Completed]

I ended up reading a different book instead- one that did not have yellow and black on the cover.

5. Read a book where a animal plays a important role [not completed]

I also ended up reading a different book than I had planned for the challenge...




Though I didn't follow all of the challenges, I am just happy I read 4 books!!

How did you guys do?


Thanks for reading!!
~Books with Noel

The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern

Title:  The Night Circus

Author: Erin Morgenstern




Summary:  The circus arrives without warning. No announcements precede it. It is simply there, when yesterday it was not. Within the black-and-white striped canvas tents is an utterly unique experience full of breathtaking amazements. It is called Le Cirque des Rêves, and it is only open at night.

But behind the scenes, a fierce competition is underway—a duel between two young magicians, Celia and Marco, who have been trained since childhood expressly for this purpose by their mercurial instructors. Unbeknownst to them, this is a game in which only one can be left standing, and the circus is but the stage for a remarkable battle of imagination and will. Despite themselves, however, Celia and Marco tumble headfirst into love—a deep, magical love that makes the lights flicker and the room grow warm whenever they so much as brush hands.

True love or not, the game must play out, and the fates of everyone involved, from the cast of extraordinary circus performers to the patrons, hang in the balance, suspended as precariously as the daring acrobats overhead.

Written in rich, seductive prose, this spell-casting novel is a feast for the senses and the heart.



                                      *   *   *   *   *   *

Where was this book when I was going through that circus phase? (Note to self: next time my aunt suggests a book- READ IT.)

*I Buddy Read this with my friend Desara, we started it on July 10th!


There were lots of different povs, but it surprisingly wasn't confusing for me. I really enjoyed the different views, because they were each important to the mysterious and suspenseful feeling the book gave me all the way to the end (and even after).

The plot, the characters, and the romance- was so beautifully entwined that I'm tempted to go reread the book again just to get the experience again.

Celia and Marco were lovely to read about, and then figuring out how Bailey was connected kept me pretty busy from guessing what would happen.
I especially loved the ending!


I think what surprises me the most about this book, was how I felt like I was reading another book just like Pride and Prejudice. It's not a secret that I am a Jane Austen Fanatic, so when I say I loved this book like it's another Pride and Prejudice- that's the biggest complement I can give a book!


I loved the time frame, I loved the descriptions and game, the places that the circus traveled to! Definitely much better than I thought it would be!!

But I feel like this is one of the books that you have to read twice because there is so much to it, and you might have missed something, y'know? That may have just been me, but I would suggest giving this book a try if you haven't read it yet!!




[My Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐] 4.5 stars!



What did you guys think of it? Who was your favorite character? What did you think of the ending??

Thanks for reading!!
~Books with Noel

#UnicornWriteAThon Round 2 Wrap-Up + Writing Updates

The UnicornWriteAThon (hosted by my friend Desara) is now over! It started on July 15th, and ended on July 21st.


I kept track of my progress to update you guys, but also don't forget the #HufflepuffReadAThon started July 21st as well, so...to say July is a busy month would be a bit of an understatement ;)







DAY 1 ~

July 15th


Progress: 2,783 words






DAY  2 ~

July 16th


Progress: 970 words







DAY 3 ~

July 17th


Progress: 1,324 words






 

DAY 4 ~

July 18th


Progress:  0 words

(I got no writing done this day, as I was very busy.)








 

DAY 5 ~

July 19th


Progress: 2,305 words







 



DAY 6 ~

 July 20th


Progress: 1,743 words







 
DAY 7 ~

July 21st


Progress: 2,531 words

 





 


And that was my week of writing!

My goal was 10,000 words, and I wrote 11,656 words!




*  *  *   *  *


I also have some Writing Updates for you guys! 
Last time, I told you guys how I am revising and editing my novel at the moment- and I still am- but that it is coming along smoothly (at least when I have coffee).


Well, I gave the first 8 chapters of my revised draft to one of my Beta Readers and asked her some questions about the beginning. I've seen it so many times, that I feel like I need a fresh pair of eyes- someone else's- to look at it and tell me their honest thoughts on if it's a strong beginning, etc.

Now once I finish my revised draft fully (hopefully two months tops), I will send it all out to all of my Beta Readers and then see what I need to fix. I've found a writer friend that is willing to help with some of the editing, other than that my only other plan for editing right now is with Grammarly. (But we'll see.)
  BUT, as of today I have half of my revised draft done! I will have more drafts after this one of course, but I'm so close!!


So far, everyone that knows me in real life has become annoyed with me because I have to write everyday and sometimes for long amounts of time. Or that I have too much caffeine (is that even possible?), and will hiss at them if they try to read over my shoulder as I type.

Don't ask why I hiss at them, it's a long story- but no, I am not part cat. At least, I don't think so...





But I wanted to thank you guys for all of your kind words and encouragement for my writing! It means so much to me!! 


Thank you for reading!!
~Books with Noel

Mystery Blogger Award

This tag was originally created by Okoto Oke Enigma on her lifestyle blog  in order to discover new blogs and spread the love throughout the entire blogging community. 

I was tagged and nominated for this award by my awesome friend Tessa @ Crazy for YA! I had seen the blogger award around, but never thought about it (because who's crazy enough to nominate me for something?)
 It's crazy and exciting to feel like you were nominated for something by a friend, so thank you Tessa very much!!



~ Rules ~

1. Put the award logo/image on your blog
2. List the rules.
3. Thank whoever nominated you and provide a link to their blog.
4. Mention the creator of the award and provide a link as well
5. Tell your readers 3 things about yourself
6. You have to nominate 10 – 20 people
7. Notify your nominees by commenting on their blog
8. Ask your nominees any 5 questions of your choice; with one weird or funny question (specify)
9. Share a link to your best post(s)

~ Facts about me ~


(Is there anything I haven't told you guys yet?)

1.  I'm a Jane Austen fanatic- but-not-really. The only works of Jane Austen that I like are Pride and Prejudice, Emma, and Sense and Sensibility. I have seen and read every version that there is of those three. Anything else by Jane Austen? No. 


2. I'm a pug-lover. I am on my third pug right now, and I love them so much! One day I want a herd of pugs!

3. I have an obsession with coffee cups. I have to drink everything out of a coffee cup when I'm at my home- not anywhere else! Just my house where I can be as weird as I want.






~ Tessa's Questions ~ 


1. What's your favorite thing about your blog?

Um... I'm not sure. I love writing posts, commenting on my friends blogs, and pretty much everything about having a blog.


2. If there was one book that you could rewrite the ending of which book would it be, why, and how would you change it?


Allegiant!! Allegiant!! Need I say how I would change that ending? I would bring a *certain* someone back to freaking life. 


3. What is one book that everyone should read in their lifetime?
 The Bible.


4. What accomplishment are you the most proud of so far this year?

  Of getting to revise my novel, and hopefully selfpublish! Also this is my first year doing Book reviews, a blog, or even a booktube channel!


5. Who is your favorite music artist? What is your favorite song?

Skillet, Nickleback, Green Day, Taylor swift, I've got a list... 
Probably Waiting for Superman by Daughtry.




~ My Nominees ~


Desara @ D. Books and Reviws

Elle @ Keep on Reading

Lindsi @ Do You Dog-ear?

paperback princess @ Paperback Princess

Abby @ Abby's Reading Corner

A. J. @ Read All The Things!





~ My Questions ~


1. Coffee or tea?

2. What's your least favorite color?

3.  Marvel or DC?

4. If you could change places with one fictional character, who would it be?

5. What's some books that you've been really wanting to read in 2018?

Hufflepuff ReadAThon announcement + TBR

Hey guys, so in honor of my Hogwarts house, I'm going to co-host a readathon with my friend Desara! 
But anyone can join, you don't have to be a Hufflepuff to participate! :)



To participate, just use the tag #HufflepuffReadAThon

And make sure to have fun!

The HufflepuffReadAThon will start July 21st, and end July 28th.





Onto the Reading Challenges!!





1.  Read a book with flowers on the cover

The Hufflepuff house is associated with the element of earth, so why not read a book with flowers or plants on it?  

2. Read a book that you waited forever to get your hands on

As Hufflepuffs value patience, why don't you read a book you've been very patient for? You deserve it!  

3. Finish a book that you meant to a long time ago

How about we show our dedication, hard work, and loyalty through finishing a book we started a long time ago?


4. Read a book with both yellow and black on the cover

The Hufflepuff signature colors! Show our Hufflepuff pride!


5.  Read a book where a animal plays a important role

Well, the Hufflepuff emblematic animal is a Badger... but do you know how hard it would be to find a book that has a badger on it?






Now for my TBR for the reading challenges!


1. Champion by Marie Lu
I'm pretty sure that's a rose on the cover, but I really need to read this book so I'm going to read it for this challenge.
 
2. Heartless by Marissa Meyer
I have waited literally forever to get my hands on even a library copy of this book, so I am SO excited to read it!
 
3. Three Dark Crowns by Kendare Blake
So I did actually start Three Dark Crowns once, but I only got to page 3...
 
4.Where the Stars Still Shine by Trish Doller
Well...the title is black, and there is both yellow and green on the cover (which is gorgeous BTW).
 
5. Ice by Sarah Beth Durst






What are you going to read? What is your Hogwarts house?



Thanks for reading!! Hope you can join in!
~Books with Noel

The Empress by S. J. Kincaid

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The sequel to The Diabolic by S. J. Kincaid, published in 2017 and just as amazing and touching as the first book.

The first book was a total 5 stars, and I LOVED it to pieces. However as much as I enjoyed this book and also loved it, I rated it 4 stars. (Though I'm thinking of changing that to 4.5 stars.)









  Synopsis: It’s a new day in the Empire. Tyrus has ascended to the throne with Nemesis by his side and now they can find a new way forward—one where they don’t have to hide or scheme or kill. One where creatures like Nemesis will be given worth and recognition, where science and information can be shared with everyone and not just the elite.

But having power isn’t the same thing as keeping it, and change isn’t always welcome. The ruling class, the Grandiloquy, has held control over planets and systems for centuries—and they are plotting to stop this teenage Emperor and Nemesis, who is considered nothing more than a creature and certainly not worthy of being Empress.

Nemesis will protect Tyrus at any cost. He is the love of her life, and they are partners in this new beginning. But she cannot protect him by being the killing machine she once was. She will have to prove the humanity that she’s found inside herself to the whole Empire—or she and Tyrus may lose more than just the throne. But if proving her humanity means that she and Tyrus must do inhuman things, is the fight worth the cost of winning it?




 First, I loved Nemesis a lot more in this book. She is flawed, but you also understand how she thinks and reached certain conclusions. Which just means you cry all the more at certain points. 

As always, I adored Nemesis and Tyrus. And certain side characters I was worried about made another appearance.



If there were any questions left unanswered or anything about the world-building S. J. Kincaid did in the first book, it was definitely answered in this book.

I cried so hard (and still tear up) because of the ending of The Empress. It was very heartfelt, and the author did an amazing job making it reach her readers. 
However, that does not mean I am okay with the ending.
By any means.


Things definietly escalated in this book, and the stakes were raised for our protagonist. And not even the readers will come out without tears or horrified expressions.

After reading this, I literally had to pause- set the book down, and just sit there. The only thing I could think of was,''What the bloody heck just happened?"

Did I really just read that? 

Yes, the anwer is yes. Unless you're still in denial after reading The Empress. I actually just came out of my shell of denial in the first time in a week.


Now I do still feel like The Diabolic ended perfectly, and the only thing holding me back from rating book two with 5 stars, is that heart-wrenching ending scene.

The good news though, is we definitely know we're getting another book. (It's still untitled, but it's scheduled for this year.)

I just don't know if I can let myself hope everything will be alright after reading The Empress.





[MY RATING: 🌟🌟🌟🌟]




Thanks for reading!!
~Books with Noel



P. S. Have you read it yet? Did you like it? Did you like The Diabolic of The Empress better?? 


P. P. S. I had to get this post out quicker than I realized, as I had a YouTube video to upload at the same time as this. The video is two Book Talks in one- Warcross (already reviewed on my blog) and The Empress.