REVIEW:: Starstruck: A Memoir of Astrophysics and Finding Light in the Dark by Sarafina El-Badry Nance

CONTENT WARNING: Anxiety, PTSD, Abuse, Grief, Death of a family member, sexism, racism, cancer.

Sarafina is an Egyptian American in the science field, The seclusion of being able to do things because of skin color, and gender is completely ridiculous, to start with. Having to deal with these things at a young age is absolutely unfair. Her journey is heartbreaking and inspiring. I don’t want to give much away so not to spoil it but I plowed through this book, I could not put it down. I borrowed this from the library and when it was too dark to read the book, i popped on the audiobook through spotify. I’m so proud of her for making it through everything that life threw at here and still proved she can do anything she sets her mind to.

In her moments of anxiety, I felt that with her, for her. In her relationship with Ahmed and the abuse, I have been in a slightly similar situation in the past and I felt that with her, for her. Shutting down and out to not feel anything because everything is too much at the time. I felt that with her and for her as well. I have been there. Losing a grandparent, one that you are close with, is earth shattering. And I FELT THAT, with her and for her.

This book was relatable and home in ways that really helped to inspire me. We are so tiny, in this universe. So what makes a difference right now and what doesn’t really matter at all.

I was worried that the science of this book was going to be too heavy cause nonfiction can sometimes be that for me. But I was wrong and I am soooo glad I picked this up. Its the first book I have finished this year and it is hands down 5 starts.

Have you read this?

Lets chat~

Happy Reading

Janurary TBR 2024

Here is a lisr of books that I am working my through this month.

1. Scarred by Emily McIntire
2. Realm Breaker by B+Victorica Aveyard
3. Dark Age by Pierce Brown
4. Rogue Dragon by James A Hunter (ARC)
5. The woman in me by Britney Spears
6. Clash of Kings by George R.R Martin
7. Four Seasons in Rome by Anthony Doerr
8. King of Scars by Leigh Bardugo
9. Swamp Santa by Jana DeLeon

This is a little ambitious cause some of these are big books, but those I expect will carry over a couple months or so. I have some other little reads for in between as lighter reads or palate cleansers to keep the momentum going.

My reading goal on goodreads this year I set to 80 books. Last year I read 98 so that should be fairly easy to do depending on.. well.. life. lol. My book light stopped working so anything I can get on my kindle is a bonus.

Happy Reading

December Wrap up 2023

I had a small list of books that I had wanted to get to in December.
I did finish Lore Olympus Vol 5 by Rachel Smythe, and I am less then 100 page from finishing Game of Thrones by George R.R Martin, with 10 days from the first at time of this being posted. I have started The Midwife of Auschwitz by Anna Stuart and I am not sure what progress is going to made with it by the end of the month. The last book I had listed was Swamp Santa by Jana DeLeon and thats a relatively short read so I could get it done in the next few days and will see what happens.

I have been a bit distracted with life and been absorbed in a couple of games on my switch. My husband got me Fae Farm for my birthday and then Palia came out on switch and I love them both. Music has always been a big thing for me and I have spent a fair amount of time with that too.

Happy holidays my friends and see you next year!

December TBR 2023

The last month of the year and there is a couple of books I want to squeeze in before the new year.

Lore Olympus Vol 5 by Rachel Smythe
I am loving this webtoon series so much. The next book will come out in 2024 and I can’t wait.

Game of Thrones by George R.R Martin
I understand that this series will never be finished so I will have to read and get a conclusion from the show I guess. I have only 200 pages left as of the time of this post and I would like to finish it this month so I can start on Clash of KIngs next year.

Swamp Santa by Jana Deleon
This is book 16 in the miss fortune series and I have been waiting for this time of year to get it read. A prompt for next year is read a book thats number 24 in the series, and this is the closest in a series that I am to that so the plan is to get through the rest of the series next year cause there is 25 books to the time of this post.

The Midwife of Auschwitz by Anna Stuart
This is a historical fiction during wwii that I will be doing as a buddy read but I am not sure how to tag that friend in this post yet, hopefully I will figure it out soon.

Anything I get in also besides this is a bonus.

Happy reading and Happy Holidays

A List of 2?! (part 2)

My last post was on the books I had read this year up to June. This post will have books I have read from July to October and then I will add in a final post about Nov. and December if I manage to get in any reading with the holidays.

July
49. The Princess saves herself in this one- Amanda Lovelace
50. The Witch doesn’t burn in this one- Amanda Lovelace
51. The mermaids voice returns in this one- Amanda Lovelace
52. Morning Star – Pierce Brown
53. Break your glass slippers- Amanda Lovelace
54. Hooked – Emily McIntire
55. After Hours – Robin Renee
56. Pies and Tarts with Hearts- Dynise Balcavage

August
57. Ariadne- Jennifer Saint
58. Adella’s Enemy- Jacqui Nelson
59. Project Semi-Colon- Amy Bluel
60. Modified- Kat Stiles
61. Difficult People- Ryan Cooper
62. Finlay Donovan Knocks ’em Dead- Elle Cosimano
63. Fibromyalgia diet- Samantha Wells
64. Finlay Donovan Jumps the Gun- Elle Cosimano
65. Honor and Shadows- Jessie Mihalik
66. Lore Olympus Vol. 1- Rachel Smythe
67. The Bookstore Sisters- Alice Hoffman
68. Flowers, Crowns, and Fearsome things- Amanda Lovelace
69. Shine your Icy Crown- Amanda Lovelace

September
70. Lore Olympus Vol 2- Rachel Smythe
71. The Book of Lost names- Kristin Harmel
72. Black Vault- Alma Katsu
73. In the Green Grass Fields- Seanan McGuire
74. A Berry Good Dream- Michael Yu
75. Meowloween- Diane Muldrow
76. Jasmine: The Missing Coin- Sarah Nathan
77. Night Flyer- Tyan Wyss
78. Lore Olympus Vol 3- Rachel Smythe
79. Demon in the Woods (Graphic Novel)- Leigh Bardugo
80. Pines- Blake Crouch

October
81. Won’t You be my Neighbor- Fred Rogers
82. Horrid Henry- Fransesca SImone
83. Lore Olympus Vol. 4- Rachel Smythe
84. Boo! Katie Woo- Fran Manushkin
85. The Happy Heinous Halloween of Classroom 13- Honest Lee
86. Ignited Melodies- E. L Summers
87. Force of Will- Jack Volante

Have you read any of these? Let’s chat! ❤

Happy Reading

A list or two??

I have been keeping track of my reading on my kindle but I have been LOUSY at writing reviews, and wrap ups. So what I am looking to do is playing catch up, and I hope you stick around to check it out and maybe we have read some of the same books and can discuss them.
I have a lot of catching up to do across the board honestly so stay with me and lets get through this together. ❤

This is no small task. I have read over 80 books so far this year and am very behind on updating. so. without any further delay, lets get to it.

Janurary 2023

1. Baking all year round- Rosanna Pansino
2. The Nerdy Nummies- Rosanna Pansino
3. Red Rising – Pierce Brown
4. Cajun Fried Felony – Jana DeLeon
5. A Lot like Adios – Alexis Daria
6. Paper Girls Vol. 1- Brian Vaughan
7. My Story – Elizabeth Smart
8. Paper Girls Vol. 2- Brian Vaughan
9. Upgrade – Blake Crouch
10. Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets – J.K Rowling (listened to my daughter read it to me.)

Of these books, I really have enjoyed my re-read of Red Rising, and Cajun Fried Felony was a funny addition to the Miss Fortune which I highly recommend. My story by Elizabeth Smart was powerful in its own way. She is from my state and so it wasn’t anything that I hadn’t heard already other then her time in the woods away from the media.

February

11. A Spark within the Forge- Sabaa Tahir
12. A Stolen Life- Jaycee Dugard

Like “My story” by Elizabeth Smart, Jaycee Dugard was also kidnapped but didn’t escape for 10 years. Her story was sad and powerful at the same time. I had a really slow month but life happens.

March

13. It’s A Wonderful Midlife Crisis- Robyn Peterman
14. Speech Therapy- The Captain
15. Finding My Dance- Ria Thundercloud

Another slow month..

April

16. Pusheen the cat- Claire Belton
17. Many Lives of Pusheen the cat- Claire Belton
18. Six of Crows- Leigh Bardugo
19. Golden Son- Pierce Brown
20. Batcat- Meggie Ramm
21. Crooked Kingdon- Leigh Bardugo
22. More then Friends- Aria Grace
23. Rainbow Revolutionaries- Sarah Proger
24. Heartstopper Vol 1.- Alice Oseman
25. Bridge of Souls – Victoria Schwab

May

26. Snowflake Kisses- Jordan Greene
27. Harry Potter and the Azkaban- J.K Rowling
28. Body Talk- Katie Sturino
29. The Magician- Rebecca Serle
30. Untold Stories (steve’s quest)- Mark Mulle
31. Poetic Colors- Angelia Richhart
32. Poppy’s Story- Kristina McMorris
33. All the Things I Never Said- Kylie Corob
34. Chef’s Kiss- Jarrett Melendez
35. Deluge- Charmaine Wilkerson

Amazon Originals had a few short stories available, I think for the spirit of Mother Day, and so I picked up all of them and they were alright. Body talk by Katie Sturino was probably my favorite of the month. It had some really good positive body image advice and how she was able to build up self confidence in a society that body shames.’

June

36. Barb the Berzerker- Dan Abdo
37. Zen for Beginners- Blake Kenji
38. Zendoodle: a complete guide- Cassandra Shaw
39. Zentangle: Inspired Art- Mahe Zehra Husain
40. Yoga: Ultimate Guide- Andy Johnson
41. Mother Country- Etaf Rum
42. Yoga for Beginners- Luisa Turnip
43. Yoga Beginners guide- Shaki Salludin
44. The Road Home- Kristin Harmel
45. A Planned Occasion- Angie Kim
46. The Days Before us- Sejal Badani
47. Zen: Zen for Beginners- William Miyagi
48. Legends and Lattes- Travis Baldree

I had decided to get some books out of the way from my kindle library and so this is what happen haha. I have had some of the books on there for so long but I filtered through Z-A and plucked through and deleted some too. The best book I had read this month was hands down Legends and Lattes by Travis Baldree.

This is where I will stop this list and start with July on the next one.
Let me know if you have read any of theres or want to read any of these.
Happy reading

Reading Update

I have been making some pretty good progress on my reading goal for the year. However, I have not done so well on reviewing and keeping my blog up to date. Things are pretty busy in life, and the only extra thing I really get in is reading whenever I can.

I have a book with me whenever I am waiting somewhere, and if I have time to be on my phone I have time to read, and thats been a mantra for me for a long time.

My reading goal for the year on Goodreads was 50. I wanted something that felt manageable and I also planned on participating in a couple yearly reading challenges this year too. Both of which I have made pretty good marks on. As of today I have read 81 books and am really happy about that.

Currently Reading:

Game of Thrones- George R.R Martin
I am 570/807 pages through Game of Thrones. I have the second book somewhere and for the life of me I can’t seem to find it anywhere. Will hopefully be able to get it through the library or second hand. It bugs me so bad cause I know when I had packed them, I packed them all together. book 3, 4, 5 and fire and blood were all together it just doesn’t make sense. My husband thought maybe I had pulled it out of the box in preparation for starting it and I don’t think I did because this book is taking me so long to get through. I think it has taken me like a year to get this far in. It doesnt take me that long for any other book. I notice it takes me a minute to get back to it once I put it down. I do good with it until I set it down,

Iron Gold-Pierce Brown
This is a re-read for me but I feel like I am reading it for the first time. I don’t remember anything that has happen so far, and I have only made it to chapter 8 this far. I am buddy reading this one and my buddy is also struggling with this one, her first time reading this series at all. The tone has changed from the first 3 books and I think it just takes a little time to get in a flow. I have the hardcover to this, but I like it better on my Kindle Scribe, through my library.

There is a couple other ones I am working on and getting a feel for but nothing to mention as of right now.
Just wanted to share a bit of an update on things in life.

Thanks for stopping by.

Hooked by Emily McIntire

Before reading this book, please check in with trigger warnings via authors website,

Page Length 312
Genre: Dark Romance, Broken Fairytale

I have heard and seen this book all over the place and it was also recommended to by a friend.
I went into this blind other then “Peter Pan”. I have not watched the movies or read any other books related to or in retellings to Peter Pan, so there was not expectations.

The spice in this book was not something I have read before and in my opinion it was refreshing and done well. Some of the other books I have tried with some smut in them was trashy and just quick reads with no plot and nothing really going for them. I enjoyed the plot and character development in this book even if it was huge.

I would recommend this book and just be mindful of the trigger warnings, there is a kidnapping scene that was a little intense.

Looking forward to reading the rest of this series, thanks for stopping by.

(its also on kindle unlimited…)

https://www.emilymcintire.com/content-warnings

Series I won’t be continuing Pt. 4

Here is another round of series I won’t be continuing. I’m sure there are some of you who like these series and I respect that, please do the same.

1. The Broken Earth Saga by TJ Ryan
2. Defiance by CJ Redwine
3. The Forbidden Wish by Jessica Khoury
4. Simonverse by Becky Albertalli
5. Xander King by Bradley Wright

Photos for the eyes, but they are out of order….

Book Recommendation Tag

1. a book you tell people is your favorite

The Archer by Paulo Coelho

2. a book that is your guilty pleasure

I don’t feel guilty about anything I read.

3. a book everyone loved but you didn’t

Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn

4. a book you read the fastest

Red Rising by Pierce Brown

5. a book that deserves more hype

Legends and Lattes by Travis Baldree

6.a book that is becoming a movie/tv show

That i have read..none that I know of

7. a book you have reread the most

Harry Potter and Philosophers Stone by JK Rowling

8. a book from a genre you don’t typically read

hooked by Emily McIntyre

9. a book that deserves all the hype it gets

Finlay Donovan is Killing it by Elle Cosimano

10. a book you usually recommend when asked to give a recommendation

Ghost Boy by Martin Pistorius

11. a book that has your favorite character(s)

Louisiana Longshot by Jana DeLeon

12. a book you wish you could live in

Talon by Julie Kagawa

13. a book you thought you would hate but ended up loving

A wonderful midlife crisis by Robyn Peterman

14. a book that made you cry

The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah

15. a book you wish you could read for the first time

Dark matter by Blake Crouch

Enjoy!