Hi dear friends!
Time for a little weekly chit chat about how my week went and what happened on the blog. As usual I will link it up with @CaffeinatedReviewer.
Today I will combine this with my September wrap-up because ….September is already over!!!!
Tomorrow begins the pumpkin, trick or treat season known as Halloween preparation. The time is really flying by!
Personal life first
This week has seen the come back of a seasonal threat for some years now in my country: the electricity shortage!
I kid you not our government is so bad that for several years now our nuclear plants have to shut down for maintenance or repair as our previous and current government were too short sighted to launch a long term energy plan.
Crazy and frightening right?
Each year now I dread winter and this year is even more bad as only one nuclear plant on seven will run in November. Consequence: not enough power for everyone and black out foreseen. Black out as in no electrecity for several hours a day!!!
How do you heat your house as our central heating system needs some electricity to work?
How do you cook or have a hot drink in winter?
How do you light your house?
How do you power your electrical appliances, computer included?
How do you blog? That’s at the bottom of priorities compared with having warmth and eating, yet …
And I am not living in a remote exotic country I am living dang in the middle of Europe in Belgium! Crazy right?
Well that’s the news we got this week and that gives me the chills.
I envision little old me trapped in the train when there is an electricty shortage, forced to sleep with thousands of people on the rails.
Dramatic much? Maybe but what I’m even more mad about is that our government tries to find a culprit! No it’s not the gouvernment it’s the power company. You know what? I don’t care who’s guilty. Act now and put in place a long term plan! Something that will take years to do but that is vital for future generations!
OK that’s all for the rant as the rest of the week was pretty eventless crazy hours on the job aside.
On the blog in September (click on the graphic to read the post)
Book haul: look at the picture below but others are on my Kindle too!
I’ve read 8 books and one sampler in September and reviewed all but one review is scheduled for January. Sadly a very awaited book was a DNF…
What I got is another contemporary magic series with intense character alias The Bargainer and badass yet fragile heroine alias Callie or Callypso. What can I tell about Des The Bargainer if not that he reminded me so much of Rhysand. Yes Rhysand girls and guys! Scream now and get ready to drop your panties or briefs because Des is oozing male pheromones!
He is the bad boy you love in your stories. Handsome, powerful, playful with Callie and first on the “Wanted” supernatural list of criminals!
Sawkill Girls was unfortunately only a sample but was so good that it convinced me to read the whole book!
Sadie is the kind of story that you will remember years after because it is uncompromising, bleak, harsh yet feels so true. It was a very strong 4,5 stars.
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This review is about both books read in September and me waiting for the third now! I think the best review is this quote from Amelia Hutchins about her stories: ” I don’t write love stories: I write fast paced, knock you on your ass, make you sit on the edge of your seat wondering what happens next books. If you’re looking for cookie cutter romance, this isn’t for you. If you can’t handle the ride, un-buckle your seatbelt and get out of the roller-coaster car now. If not, you’ve been warned. If nothing outlined above bothers you, carry on and enjoy the ride! “ 4,5 stars
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This book was complex and dark yet sweet. It broaches many sensitive topics like addiction and mental illness. It’s not for everyone yet it was a 5 stars for me. Love has no expiration date and sometimes you can’t stop loving someone even if you know he will break your heart again and again…
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It was again a 5 stars for Fredrik Backman! Fredrik Backman’s penmanship is indomitable. He writes short chapters from different point of view. With an economy of word he conveys all the feelings and doubts his character carry with them.
The array of characters ensures that you will either recognize yourself, either your neighbor, your friend or your local politician in one of them. The plot is not what’s important in the book. It’s the people. Their feelings. Their reactions. Their joy and their pain. Their secrets. Their love. Their hate. And above all else their resilience.
I finally read it!!!! 4,5 stars for Tower of Dawn. Sarah J Maas once again enthralled me with her writing, perfect blend of action, depiction, plot twists, epic moves, fantastic beasts and fascinating new characters!
Typical Sarah she changed the love interest ….once more! I can’t tell how many times she did it in her series and I believe her every single time! WOW!
Unfortunately, Timid by Devney Perry was a DNF. I loved her books so far but this one seemed “flat” with characters I never connected with. Things were too convenient and Jackson seemed like a jackass. Maybe I outgrew this series or this author? She has published 8 books in 18 months a writing machine!
And my September winner is
.
You won’t find the review yet as the publisher asked to review closer to the publishing date (January 2019) but already know that this is another extraordinary book written by Brigid Kemmerer. I can’t recommend this one enough! Just buy it.
September has been a really productive and fun month where my inspiration was running at full speed!
Not only did I write two discussion posts that I hope you will find funny (see below)
This one was so fun to write and is a compilation of all the characters and physical traits that we can usually find in YA male characters 😉
This was my presonal list of most wanted books till the end of 2018!
But I also really laughed when writing some prompts for the weekly memes Top 5 Tuesday and I Heart Characters. Find below my favorites of the month. PLEASE READ THEM! I promise a lot of fun 😀
This was the “101 guide to pop your fantasy cherry and enjoy your first time…Top 5 or more fantasy reads”
This was the ” Are you a Pumpkin Spice Latte or Warm Wine or …drinker? Because I can totally predict the best book for you this autumn based on your drink preferences! Top 5 cozy fall reads..“
And I promised to answer for plain coffee or tea drinkers so today Ari and Vanessa, here are your portrait and books!
If you love coffee you like things straight. You go straight to the point, don’t like to make a big drama and are a no-nonsense kind of girl or boy. You are strong and can shoulder many responsibilities. What you hate most is hypocrisy. No bullsh@tting you here! You go straigth to the jugular!
You would love The Black Dagger Brotherhood ” by JR Ward or many good MC series like “Nine Minutes” by Beth Flynn.
If you love tea you are a balanced person. You keep your cool in every circumstances and irony is your favorite weapon when things go south. You bend but don’t break. You love yoga for its flexibility and balance yet also love team sports like hockey or volleyball or … You work really well in a team as you have a strong team spirit.
You would love “The Wall of Winnipeg and Me” by Mariana Zapatta or “The Winner’s Curse” by Marie Rutkoski.
In this “I Heart Characters” the topic was mental illness and I chose books to illustrate every category of mental illness.
The week after, it was about Stephen King and I chose to delve into the reader’s psyche and write why we do like to read or watch horror ….or not! Link here: https://bewareofthereader.com/do-you-prefer-atticus-crazy-dog-or-cujo-in-other-words-why-do-you-read-horror-stories-or-not-i-heart-characters-september-27th/
Now that Calendar Girl is back I chose my favorite story set in school!
After all the fun I had a rant. Yes I was furious when I discovered that people rated 1 stars for books they had never read and had the audacity to tweet about it, destroying an author’s work!
September is also the month where I got back to my pencils and began drawing again, something I hadn’t done in 30 years!!! I used to draw all the time, fantasy girls, animals etc. Then Life got in the way and … Well it all began with bookstagram as the cover of Sadie was really compelling and I wanted to illustrate my picture with Sadie’s drawing.
Then with Kingdom of Ash coming next month I went all fanart and tried to draw Aelin. I had to do it twice as the first time did not work properly but the second time made me happy. Judge by yourself here below! You have my original drawing with grey pencil then I made a copy and colored the second one.
On the blogosphere this week…
Shruti is giving us other precious advices on how to “sell” our blog. Read her post!
https://thisislitblog.com/2018/09/26/6-tips-to-write-a-headline-thatll-make-your-blog-post-irresistible/
I’d like to conclude by a big THANK YOU because this month was fantastic comments wise and I had so much fun reading your comments and replying! I try to reply within 2 days depending on how late I am coming back from work. Please, keep going you are the fuel to my drive!
Now do tell me all about your week.
Thanks for reading!
Sophie
Seems like you had an amazing month, Sophie 🙂 So sorry to hear about the power problem in your country. I can imagine how difficult it is to live without electricity. I hope your government does something about it though 🙁
You read some amazing books. I can’t wait to read Sadie. I have heard only good things about it and can’t wait to start it. I am happy that your blogging month was productive too and you got lots of engagement 🙂
Your drawings are beautiful, Sophie 🙂 I used to draw in my young age too but now it is just a lost hobby.
Have a lovely October.
Thank you so much Sim!!!
That is super scary about your electricity!! Especially with winter coming up!! I hope you don’t get too many blackouts and they don’t last too long!! I love your drawings! They are awesome <3
Thank you Brittany!!!
Great posts this week Sophie! I don’t know what we would do without electricity, that is so scary! Our wifi, phone, and cable went out for 2 whole weeks a few years ago, and the withdrawal from it all was terrible! We just sat around and stared at each other when we weren’t living at Starbucks (free wifi) – totally miserable!
Hahaha yes the Starbucks is a great idea Daisy!!
Oh poop, Sophie! That sucks about the blackouts…I’d pull my hair out, LOL! And I didn’t realize you had to DNF Devney Perry’s latest, I hate it when that happens…hope you have a fantastic week!
Thank you Trisy and yes Timid was a DNF!
We had a hurricane in North Carolina in September and I was stressed out we would lose power.
I really enjoyed Phoenix Unbound by Grace Draven and I am working my way thru the Sarah J Maas books. Enjoy! Anne – Books of My Heart
Hi Anne I am happy to know you made it and that Florence was not too bad on you. Good luck with Sarah J Maas books 😉
Sorry about the black outs. That would be annoying. Occasionally I go camping for a few weeks in places that don’t have electricity. I couldn’t live like that for a whole winter. Sometimes I really need my electronics to work!
Well yes electronics need to work AJ. I have NEVER been without electricity!!!
Oh no, sounds like a long winter for you. I do hope they’ll find a plan eventually, though, because one can’t live without being able to provide food or stay warm. I’m also loving the art!
I never really understood why one would rate one stars on books they don’t read, even for a reason (I mean, I get why usually), but I’m not the type who would personally do it. I WILL, however, mark it as never will read though.
Thank you so much Sophia!!!
I didn’t even realize electricity shortages like that were a thing in some places. That’s terrible to have to go hours w/o power each day, especially during cold weather! You’re right, they really do need to get a longterm plan in place :-/
Well yes Kristen! That’s what happens when you sell your electricty company to three independent companies ….
I love reading your posts!!! ❤️❤️❤️
I hope that your government comes up with a plan to provide y’all with electricity! Those cold winter months would be a complete dread with blackouts!
Also, how dare people give a book a 1 star rating when they haven’t read it! I haven’t seen the tweet but if I do, I would like to give my two cents to that person. Outrageous!
Firts thank you ERK!!! And yes it’s outrageaous!
Glad Tower of dawn was good! And I see Red Sonja again on your Instagram haha- always nice to see her make an appearance. Did you know they made a “bloody” Red Sonja Funko too? Apparently she has blood spatters on her- I kid you not.
Electricity blackouts? Yikes! I hope they’re not too bad! Although really any blackouts are bad in that they’re going to affect SOMEONE.
Love your coffee/ tea recs. 🙂
No a bloody red Sonja???? Wow but so true to the character LOL Thank you Greg!
I don’t think I could go with electricity for more than a couple days, I’m not sure how you all do it. I still need to find time to read Sarah J Maas, I have the books but I just haven’t been interested. So far I’ve read all of Mariana Zapata books and loved all except one, hopefully she’ll have another release soon. Love your drawings.
Thank you Jovita and I don’t know how we’ll do it either!!
What in hell ?? in WINTEr ?!
hopefully you guys don’t get to -40°c like we do, because major yikes !! that’s insane.. why ?? what?? Not only needed for warmt and food .. but, I assume many workplace will close too eh? like- no lights? no cash register? sure ONE will be working.. but I don’t imagine all the stores, trainstations and etc. are all in that ONE powerplant radius. and IF you cannot work on thoses hours, one cannot make money – even more insane.
On another note, wow congrats !! what a productive month 🙂 and also your drawings are so good, im jelly !! Loved that little addition of rec for plain coffee/tea drinker, as I had my first day of work earlier today in a coffee shop !
Thank you Kristina!! And yes I saw you got the job! Congrats ;-)))
Power black outs in Belgium?! I would never have guessed that in a thousand years.
I love your blog. You have a lot of interesting posts! And your drawings are fantastic! I hope you keep picking up those pencils.
Oh thank you so much!!!!
How can an energy crisis happen in a country as advanced as Belgium!?! What on earth? And you totally nailed my preference as a coffee drinker. And I hate tea and also hate slow burn romance!
I’m super excited for The Queen of Air and Darkness as well. Is it December yet?!?
Exactly what I am thinking Samantha!!!
I remember brown outs and rolling black outs when I was younger (I grew up in NYC), but we don’t experience power outages much, except in cases of severe weather. That’s crazy!
Exactly Sam!
Great wrap up, Sophie! I’m sorry to hear about power shortages! That really sucks! I hope they find a better alternative soon.
Hope you have a wonderful October! 🙂
Thank you Raven!
Wow, I’m so sorry to hear about that electricity issue, that really sucks 🙁 🙁
Thank you for answering that famous tea question haha, your description is quite good and I guess that means I should go on with the winner’s curse series, then? 😛
Have a fantastic week!! 🙂
Thank you Marie!!
That electricity situation would scare and frustrate me as well. I hope they find a long-term solution to that soon.
Looks like you had a great reading month and your drawings are beautiful. You’re very talented.
Thank you so much Suzanne!!!
Oh I’m so sorry to hear about Belgium’s power shortages, Sophie! How unprepared can a government be not to be ably to supply electricity to everyone? That’s awful! I hope you won’t have to go through any of that, especially on the train 🙁
On a bright note, it seems you had quite the busy reading month so yay! Thanks so much for all the wonderful suggestions you came up with, I will certainly make good use of them very soon 🙂 <3
You are welcome and thank you so much Sophie!!!
Thank you so much for your answer regarding tea drinkers! I totally fit the profile, except for the yoga part haha
I actually have The Winner’s Curse and The Winner’s Crime so I’ll make sure to move them towards the top of my TBR – I’ll let you know if you were right when I read them!
Oh man, that sucks about your power supply situation! That’s the kind of thing that should not be happening by now… it’s not the 19th century anymore
Also, your drawings are pretty dang great, you’re very good!
Best of luck with your Belgian winter, happy reading
Thank you so much Vanessa!!!
I am sorry about the power! That really is awful. I hope it’s not to bad for you all this year but I understand your frustration.
I have the Sawkill Girls and need to get on reading it. I have heard it’s a good read.
Have a great week, Sophia! Happy Reading!
Happy reading sawkill Girl Michelle!
Ah man, that electricity issue sounds like hell and an unnecessary stress on you! I do wish there was an easy alternative for you. Maybe move on over to Canada? 😀 😀 😀 Just kidding! I do hope October will prove to be a stress-free month for you though. Happy reading! 😉
Well why not moving to Canada indeed! My daughter plans to live there so maybe one day 😉
Wow, why couldn’t they work on the plants, one at a time, and in the summer when it’s not as necessary! Is frozen water lines another concern? I imagine it is 🙁
That’s horrible.
Sending positive thoughts your way.
Second, your artwork is amazing!
Thank you so much Jacquie!
Wow, I really love your artwork! I used to draw all the time. In fact, I just recently found some sketch books buried in one of my closets. I’m thinking I’ll try it again. Lots of inspiration out there. That’s insane about your power. I hope it’s a mild winter for you, Sophie
My Sunday Post!
Thank you Laura and now …I am dying to see your drawings!
What a week, Sophie! Ok, first things first, I am in shock about your power situation. Is it “just” in November or even further into the winter? I am so sorry!
You’ve had some great reads, and I LOVE your drawings, especially the one of Sadie. Your review of that is perfection. I hope you’ll keep drawing! ♥️
Thank you for the praise Jennifer!! And so far it’s November that is the worst …