The Month of September and Dramatics | A Monthly Wrap-Up

I know that some of you are probably wondering why in the world I put dramatics for the month of September, well...

  I can be a very dramatic person when I want to be, and that happened to describe how I felt most of the month. To put it simply I had a lot of ''life things'' going on and let's just say that sometimes, we have every right to be dramatic about at least one thing if it matters to us.
  Such as when writing a novel -cough, cough- one can become very dramatic and protective over her first draft when someone tries to read it. *Hint hint*


So while we go over the usual topics for my wrap ups, think about something dramatic that you experienced this month and remember that we all have our moments when we go feral like a wild animal- in which I discovered myself this month.

ANYWAYS- Onto the post!!

~ Oh, For The Love Of Baking ~

A baked treat for you, a baked treat for me!
  I was so surprised in my first Wrap-Up how many of you loved to bake or loved baked treats, so I enjoy sharing new recipes I try each month! It's not a secret by now that baking is something I love and actually is something that I'll throw myself into when I'm stressed or tired.

Just got off a 7-hour work shift? *Throws self into 4 different baking recipes at 8pm at night.*


So here's what I baked the past month!


Upside-Down Pineapple Cake (My little brother and mother have decided this is their new favorite of mine.)

Reeses' Cookie Brownies (I just put a layer of cookie dough in a pan, then placed Reeses' cups, and then brownie batter- and baked!)

Banana Bread (A recipe my grandmother gave me!)






~ Blogger Buddies!! ~

Around the blogsphere, what were some of my favorite posts this month my friends did? I'll pick my top favorite posts from new bloggers I discovered and my blogger friends! :D


Trema @ A Novel Experience did a Book List of Witches, Magic, and Superstitions!

Desara @ D. Books and Reviews did a Book Review for Beautiful Creatures by Kami Garcia and Margeret Stohl.

Over at Abby's Reading Corner there were several awesome posts, but my favorite was the To All The Boys I've Loved Before Book Tag!

Andrea's Bookish Thoughts gave her 5 Star Predictions.

BiteIntoBooks did some fantastically magical Harry Potter posts this month (it was also her birthday!) my favorite was her Harry Potter Spells BookTag though!

As always Do You Dog-ear? had lots of wonderful posts to pick from, so I settled on her Book Review for Rule!

Exploration of Creation had great tags, book hauls, more- but my absolute favorite post is one I hope to do next month as well, The Fall Books Tag!

My friend @ Keep on Reading is having a Giveaway!

Paperback Princess gave her TV Show Pet Peeve: Lazy Writing.

~~ My Guilty Obsession~~ had several awesome book reviews, but my favorite was probably Kill The Queen by Jennifer Estep (it's quickly rising to popularitiy!)

What Makes A Good Book gave her Book Review for War Storm by Victoria Aveyard.

Crazy 4 YA did an amazing post on the Pros of Being in a Reading Slump (seriously check it out!)

September's New Releases was a blog post Books of Amber did for us!

Read All The Things had an awesome batch of posts to pick from this month, but my personal favorite was definitely I'd Love To Read About: Abandoned Places.

Bookwyrming Thoughts had another fangirl-worthy post Fandom Friday: Captain Marvel + Space Jam 2







~ BookTube/YouTube Updates ~

I also do bookish videos on YouTube! Here's the videos I did this month! (I tried a certain theme, do you see it?)


Alice In Wonderland Book Tag

Shawn Mendes Book Tag

Alice + Zombies!!!

Wonderland By Emory R. Frie | Book Review





~ A Writer's Life ~

*sighs* Writing, how I've missed you...

So don't panic yet, I am still writing my novel and revising- it's publication has just been delayed until next year sometime.
I am being a Beta Reader for a friend, and my own Beta Readers have been helping me so so much and I couldn't be more grateful to them!

I will continue to keep you guys updated on my writing life, but there's not much to tell right now.





~ Weather + New Books! <3 ~

It's official that humidity can kill you. I feel like I'm going to die when I walk outside at certain times, whereas at others it just feels like a nice breeze. What the crap is wrong with my weather?

As for new books...


Unspoken by Sarah Rees Brennan

Flame in the Mist by Renée Ahdieh

 Edgar Allen Poe's Complete Collection

The Death Cure by James Dashner





~ What Did I Read This Month? ~

[3 stars] Review here

[3.5 stars] Review here

[? stars] Review Coming Soon

[3 stars]

[3 stars]

[3 stars]

[3.5 stars]

Discussion will be happenning soon

[3.5 stars]

Oh buddy, steampunk/sherlock holmes' neice/ Bram Stoker's sister










~ Up Next? ~


What's up next on my blog? What's up next on my TBR?

Well, as always I wait until the last minute to randomly decide- which is right now. In the month of October I will be doing Fall-related posts!


Blog posts to expect:


The Fall Books Tag (introduced to me by my friend Katie @ Exploration of Creation)

Fall's Hidden Gems (A reading update that I will do about halfway through the month)

And of course book reviews! Orion's Awakening and Gaurded Crown are next on my list to review!





YouTube videos to expect:


Hidden Gems Books (My favorite hiden gems/ undiscovered books)

 My October TBR & September's TBR (posted at the same time as this blog post)

And more that I will randomly decide later!




Books that I plan to read:


I hope to read (and review):


Guarded Crown by Addison Carmichael

 Fire and Ice: The Lost Dreamer by Erin Forbes

Olivia Twist by Lorie Langdon

Thunderhead by Neal Shusterman

The Kissing Booth by Beth Reekles

The Nightmare Charade by Mindee Arnett




Geez that was a lot, but that covers my past month!! How was your September? Did you have a Dramatic Month as well (Lol)?

What's your TBR for October?


Thanks for reading Loves! 
~Noel <3

The Realms Series by Emory R. Frie | Wonderland and Neverland

I tend to go through Book Phases, and I usually want something specific. 
Something to do with the plot, characters, or even a certain kind of retelling. Think Robin Hood and Maid Marian retellings, or more recently I went through the Alice in Wonderland and Zombies phase. (It was an interesting book phase to say the least.) I'll have a video about that phase on YouTube soon BTW!


Awhile ago, I wanted a fairytale mix-up. I wanted to read a book with Alice and the Mad Hatter, and Peter Pan and Wendy. I specifically wanted to read a book where fairytale characters met each other or got mixed up. (Harder to find than you would think.)


Well, I found a selfpublished author that was releasing the first book in a fantasy series a few years ago. A series that was fairytale retellings. 


Do any of you wonder what books are in my profile picture?

Well the blue covered book, is Wonderland (Book 1 in the Realms Series) by Emory R. Frie.
This book popped up, and was the exact thing I was looking for! (It was crazy!)

The other book on the right side in the picture, is Neverland (Book 2 in the Realms Series) by Emory R. Frie.

Wonderland by Emory R. Frie

Synopsis:  They think she's mad. 
They're right. 
 After returning from Wonderland again, Alice Liddell has been sent to the Facility-an asylum specially designed for others like her. Such fantasies are no longer suitable for a girl of seventeen, or so they tell her. Everyone around her demands she be sensible. Her story has been twisted for the entertainment of children. 
 But Alice knows the truth. She won't be moved to sensibility. And she's not the only one. Along with her new friends, Alice is thrust into a journey to save the Mad Hatter from the Queen of Hearts. But things are never so easy. Alice quickly discovers her fate is tied closer to her fellow Facility escapees than any of them could've imagined. 
 Stories weave together in unexpected ways as Alice and her friends find themselves deep in something that effects far more than just Wonderland. This is just the beginning.



 First, this book is definitely an all-time favorite of mine now (and I'm sure the whole series will be).

I loved the characters, and I was not disappointed at all. Though they are fairytale characters that we all know and love, there was a lot more to them in this story and more to love as well.  I've fallen in love with all the main characters (and sadly some side ones that don't get a lot of mentioning), and the story literally had me bouncing in my seat I was so excited.

The plot was hard to see at first, but the settings and backstory and action kept you wanting to read more. And the romance :) Too cute!

 
If you love Alice in Wonderland retellings and like mixed-fairy tales, this book is definitely for you. 

There are 5 main characters: Kai (from The Snow Queen), Red (Little Red Riding Hood), Jack (Jack and the Beanstalk), Wendy Darling (Peter Pan), and Alice (Alice in Wonderland). You get all of their povs, but more of Alice's backstory in this book. 



{My Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐} 

 Neverland by Emory R. Frie

Synopsis: Never Forget.
Never Grow Up.
In Neverland, it's difficult if not impossible to do both. Dreams come true. Time is irregular. But to remain frozen in mind, memories must fade. For Wendy Darling, she never grew up.
That doesn't mean she never grew old.
When Wendy returns to Neverland, her friends in tow, it becomes apparent that the Island has other plans before she can return to the Lost Boys. But things have changed since she's been gone, things that should've never been possible.
And in hunting for a mysterious power threatening the realms, Wendy and her friends find that some things are not as they seem.
Are they ready for what comes next?
 




I literally cannot pick a favorite between this book and book 1 now!

We were introduced to so many new characters, and dived in with old ones- you think you know the fairytales? Guess again.


In Neverland we still get all 5 main characters' pov, plus a few new characters, but this time we get more of Wendy's backstory. Though all throughout we discover more about each character- even the side ones!


I have been looking foreward to Peter and Wendy's reunion forever now, and it definitely exceeded my expectations. I now love Peter and Wendy, and Remus and Alice. <3 (My ships!!)
I'm also now looking foreward to Gerta and Kai's reunion as well.


I can. Not. Wait. To read book 3! (Book 4's cover has been revealed as well!)


I think I should just go ahead and rate this whole series 5 stars... Making me fall inlove with everything- even the villains (except for the Queen of Hearts, I still don't like her).



{My Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐}





Have any of you heard of this series? Please comment and let me know if what you think of it!






Thanks for reading!!
~Books with Noel

Starfall by R. M. Anderson

 *I recieved a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Title: Starfall

Author: R. M. Anderson

Series: Book one in the Starfall Chronicles

Published: July 10th, 2018

Genre: Fantasy



[My Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ 3.5 Stars]




  Synopsis:  Radianne Timblebrooke has grown bored with life as she knows it and aches for something more: Adventure, a path of her own, and... maybe... even true love?

On one fateful evening, a blinding light falls into her world and changes it all, bringing the adventure she longed for and much more.

In a race against time to the stars, Radianne discovers beauty, love, strength, and a force that threatens to cover her world in shadows. Little does she know that adventure comes at a cost... a cost that will bring her to the brink of losing everything.





  Holy Macoroni- the world was so amazing. If you want a fantasy and adventure- this book is what you want. Giant ladybugs, dangerous terrains that were so unique, and characters that infuriated each other but also grew because of each other! Like a mix of Gregor the Overlandor by Suzanne Collins and The Watcher of the Night Sky by Rachel Pudsey.


The Writing was beautiful and creative, the first chapter was so wonderfully worded and poetic it hit me like a ton of bricks (don't ask me why, but apparently I'm a sucker for beautifully worded things). It almost felt like I was reading a poem or short story in the first chapter- that would set up the rest of the story. And that's exactly what it was.


The Characters, oh buddy, the characters.
  So I really wanted to like Radianne at first (and through most of the book) but it was hard the first part of the book. She was a naive thing that just wanted to have an adventure and got mad at someone that wanted to help her because she felt he was taking away her adventure.
 But! That did change and I was so happy with her character development, as well as all the others' growth. Like I said, the characters all infuriated each other- but they also helped each other grow.

Blink however, will always be a perfect cinnamon roll to me :)



Bottom Line: A book that is definitely worth giving a try.


You can check out the book here.




Thanks for reading, Have a lovely day!! <3<3<3
~Noel

Favorite Writing Memes | A Writer's Paradise

Okay, so I know a lot of people that love to write and are also writing a novel/book series.
Now I personally love to look at writing memes (when I'm not writing or reading), and a lot of them are true for me. Like very, uncomfortably true.

So if you guys write, like to write, or even if you don't- let's look at some writing memes together!

For those who do write, you'll be surprised how accurate these are.
For those who don't write, you're missing out on coffee addictions and all-nighters in which you try to finish a novel.
(Doesn't that sound so appealing?! I'm being sarcastic by the way...)




So onto those memes!

YEP, this is what it's like going back to look at your old writing or even a chapter you did a couple months ago....

Okay, first I love this series. My whole family does. And whenever someone picks up my first draft I come running and (depending on who they are) I usually body slam them to get it away from their hands.

Spreading the writing fever, maybe it will help with the Writer's Block.

Yes, yes I should. But I'm also a Booktuber, book blogger, and fanfiction writer.... so..... I do actually have to update at least once a week.

Ah, so encouraging.....

Oh, so. freaking. true.
I relate so much to this right now.

This is a accurate desscription of Writer's Block. (I love Colin Morgan!!!!)

And..... now I'm singing it.....





What are some of your favorite writing memes? Are any of these a little too accurate? Were there any you didn't like?

I find a lot of memes accurate about writing a novel, especially in all the different stages of writing a book. But there are a few that weren't accurate for me (not in this post, but ones that I've seen).

Lately I have been having a bit of Writer's slump, so I really wanted to share these writing jokes and such with you.




Let me know!
Thanks for reading!!
~Books with Noel

Back 2 School Book Tag!

Ah, it feels so nice to just sit down for an hour or two with no one to bother me and just update the blog for you guys. Or read, or write- though it'll be gone far too quickly to get more than a few things done I'm sure.

I've got a quick book tag for y'all! I know I could've done it for my BookTube Channel, however I had quite a bit going on and was extremely lucky to get done as many as I did. I also have lots of videos to do still, so it'll be easier to just do a blog post honestly!


Some of us are in school, some of us are in college- or going to be, and some of us are so glad we don't have to do that crap anymore (though sometimes do miss it).
This is going to be the BACK TO SCHOOL BOOK TAG!!



First, I was tagged by the awesome Abigail @ What Makes A Good Book so thank you very much Abigail!



1. Fresh new outfit —Book with best dressed characters

I had to pick the Ruby Red trilogy by Keirsten Gier- it's freaking time travel of course the fashion was awesome!


2. New science partner— new scifi book you want to read

Ready Player One by Ernest Cline- my brother bought the book for us to read but we still haven't read it yet...


3. Fav teacher — book with a great mentor

Ooh too many options! But wasn't Tobias Eaton a mentor for at least a little bit for Tris? (In Divergent.) :D


4. New supplies — favorite new reading or writing accessories

I don't have any of these unless we are counting normal bookshelves...


5. Old friends — book you want to re-read

Ah yes! Caraval by Stephanie Garber,  I also plan to read the sequel, Legendary, once I re-read it.


6. Ready for jumper weather— book featuring cold weather

Hmm, this was actually a hard one to narrow down believe it or not. I settled with Of Enemies and Endings by Shelby Bach (the last book in the Ever Afters series.)


7. Open house— book that made a memorable (good or bad) first impression

The Sisters Grimm by Micheal Buckley. Too good for words.


8. Too early for this — book you would get out of bed for

Basically any of my all-time favorite books/series, but if I had to list at least a major one- Keeper of the Lost Cities by Shannon Messenger. There were several times where I actually set an alarm so I could wake up earlier and read more of one of the books.


9. The textbook costs HOW much?? — Book you spent too much money on

Ready Player One. It was so expensive just to buy a copy that didn't have the stupid movie-adaption covers!


10. Best school in literature you want to attend

I thought about it a lot. Of course we all know the obvious choice, but I like to do more unpopular things instead.
Which fictional school would I attend?
The only answer for me was Ever After School from the Ever Afters series by Shelby Bach. Freaking Fairytale characters in training- epicness all around! (And middle grade too!)



I tag whoever would like to do this tag!


Thanks for reading, have a lovely day my friends!! <3
~Books with Noel