TMST: Comfort Zones

Tell Me Something Tuesday is a weekly discussion post where bloggers discuss a wide range of topics from books and blogging to life in general. Weigh in and join the conversation by adding your thoughts in the comments. If you want to do your own post, grab the question and answer it on your blog. Feel free to leave your links in the comments if you are participating.

3/11: Have you ever ventured out of your comfort zone and ended up having a nice experience?

Books? Yes. I'm always willing to try something new. It doesn't always work out for me, but....yeah sometimes it does. 

Life? Sure, I guess you could say that. 

For one, I started this blog years ago and I've loved it. I may not have the biggest following or whatnot, but I love the community I have found. Plus, I love the work of writing up my reviews. 

Also, I've recently (well slightly over a year) have started streaming on Twitch. I play video games talk. Sometimes (with the right crowd) I talk about current books I'm reading. It has been a great experience and I'm so glad I was talked into trying it out. I love the community there. If you're interested, you can find me at: https://www.twitch.tv/carole_rae

Wordless Wednesday

 

Book Review: Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen

Author: Jane Austen

Title: Pride and Prejudice

Genre: Classic, Romance

Format: Hardcover

Pages: 400

Published: January 28, 1813

Where I Got It: My shelf (Amazon)

Summary: 

Pride and Prejudice has charmed generations of readers for more than two centuries. Jane Austen's much-adapted novel is famed for its witty, spirited heroine, sensational romances, and deft remarks on the triumphs and pitfalls of social convention. Author Jane Austen (1775-1817) was an English novelist whose works of social realism achieved unprecedented critical and popular success, though Austen herself remained an anonymous writer throughout her life.

Review:

I was given the honors of volunteering at the Whaley House. I was allowed to dress up and sit in the library. I bought this bad boy to take with me. I needed a new copy since my old version was literally being held by tape. Perfect chance to buy a new and pretty copy! This picture doesn't do any justice. 

We all know the story of pride and prejudice. 

This is for sure a classic and timeless. I love the story so much. This is my 2nd favorite of Jane Austen but I could read this over and over. 

100% recommendation from me. 

5 stars. 

ONE WORD SUMMARY: Timeless

Wordless Wednesday (It's Been a minute)

 

Movie Review: Taylor Swift - The Eras Tour (2023)

Title: Taylor Swift - The Eras Tour

Length: 2h 49m

Released: 2023

Genre:  Music
Rating: PG-13
Where I Got It: Theater 

SUMMARY:

Experience the breathtaking Eras Tour concert, performed by the one and only Taylor Swift.

Trailer

REVIEW:

So....I didn't get to go to the actual concert (damn) but this really was the next best and cheaper option!

I am so excited they did this for people who couldn't afford or just simply couldn't get their hands on the tickets. Now, the movie did cut like 5 or so songs. I'm sure for the "full experience" they will include it on the DVD. Marketing bebe!! *cough* I'll be buying it *cough*

This was so much fun and what a wild experience. A lot of people were dancing and singing and clapping and cheering. Loudest movie experience I have ever had and I loved every second. And noooo, I didn't get out of my seat to dance but I did a lot of singing and clapping and seat dancing.

Tay Tay knows how to put on a show FOR sure. A couple of my friends were able to snag tickets to the show and they said Taylor Live is a sight to behold. Seeing this movie I can def see it. She is great with the crowds and she can SING. As far as I could tell no lip-singing. On top of that, she can play SOOOO many instruments. Taylor is popular for a reason. 

I am sad there was one song that I absolutely adore that was cut from the movie, but I'm glad my top two songs were featured.

I'm going to be honest here....and you can't judge me.....when my number one fave song 'Love Story' came on....tears started streaming down my face. I can't explain why, but damn. I had liked her first album, but 'Love Story' was the song that had me go "Well....that's someone I can listen to for life." I remember daydreaming to that song and hoping I would have my own love story one day. 

All-in-all, I can't wait for this to go on DVD. I would bet any money they will include all the songs as a way to get you to buy it. And trust me....I will buy it. I'm a sucker. I've had my ups and downs with this singer and I have questioned her sincerity in her personal life, BUT I have ALWAYS enjoyed her music. Anyone can connect with it. THIS concert will make you feel all the feelings. She can put on one hell of a show. 5 stars from me.

Instead of the 5 stamp...enjoy this pic of me posing with the poster and the mini-poster they gave us. 

Mid-Year Reading Challenge Update

Slightly late on providing these reading challenge updates! It's July...slightly over halfway!

Reading Challenges

- Goodreads challenge: I'm slightly behind....dang wedding in May ;) 

- ROMANCE READING CHALLENGE: Nearly done!! Only 4 left!

- Audiobook  Challenge: I think I'm on schedule (if anything a touch behind)? I am currently at 29 out of 75+.

(TBR) Pile Challenge - I've read 4 of the 12. I'm behind on this one too. I really need to get reading more of these. 

• The Scarlet Lion (William Marshal #3) by Elizabeth Chadwick
• Love Medicine (Love Medicine #1) by Louise Erdrich
• Jasmine Nights by Julia Gregson
• Beautiful Assassin by Michael C. White
• Cruel Beauty (Cruel Beauty Universe) by Rosamund Hodge
• The Queen of Subtleties: A Novel of Anne Boleyn by Suzannah Dunn
• A Golden Age (Bangla Desh #1) by Tahmima Anam  
• That Summer by Lauren Willig
• As Old as Time by Liz Braswell
• Mrs. Shakespeare by Robert Nye 
• Bad Boys in Kilts (Chisholm Brothers #1) by Donna Kauffman
• The Loch (Loch #1) by Steve Alten

Wordless Wednesday

HAMILTON in Wharton Center

 

Hi all!

At the beginning of April, my soon-to-be hubby, some friends, and I went to see the play 'Hamilton' live at Wharton Center! We bought the tickets months ago gambling on how COVID would play out. We got lucky and COVID has been pretty calm around us and Lansing. 

It is not the original cast, but I did enjoy this cast. They played their roles well and added their own charm and twists. 

I was so happy to see they had the revolving stage! I was nervous because I couldn't tell from my seat, but when the play got running and the stage moved...I was excited. The revolving stage idea is fantastic for musicals that have a large cast and it can be used for so many things. The symbolism is strong!!!!

Watching the play on Disney+ with the original cast will always hold a special place in my heart, but the play at Wharton made me re-love the play all over again. I wish I could go see it again and again and again. Plus...seeing this LIVE was a special experience and I am so glad we could make it.  

TMST: Old TBR

Tell Me Something Tuesday is a weekly discussion post where bloggers discuss a wide range of topics from books and blogging to life in general. Weigh in and join the conversation by adding your thoughts in the comments. If you want to do your own post, grab the question and answer it on your blog. Feel free to leave your links in the comments if you are participating.

4/12/2022 What book has been sitting on your TBR pile the longest?

Ooooo this is a tough one! I have SOOOOO many books on my TBR list. Like every book lover I know...we collect and collect and can never keep up on what we have. I recently just bought another bookshelf for my office/library ;) 

I'll say I have some William Shakespeare still sitting on my shelf glaring at me. I really need to continue and read more. I've read a lot, but there are still some works I need to read. 

I also have a million (okay not a million) ebooks I have downloaded. 

Ah, yes, I also have dozens of audiobooks I still need to listen to that I was gifted a couple of Xmases ago. 

Happy St. Patrick's Day (Irish Day!)

Happy St.Patrick's Day! AKA Irish Day. 

Enjoy these cute Shamrock Gnomes I have! Literally obsessed with Gnomes lately. I have been slowly collecting a set for holidays!

 

TMST: Book Disappointments

Tell Me Something Tuesday is a weekly discussion post where bloggers discuss a wide range of topics from books and blogging to life in general. Weigh in and join the conversation by adding your thoughts in the comments. If you want to do your own post, grab the question and answer it on your blog. Feel free to leave your links in the comments if you are participating.

February 22nd: Has a book by your favorite author ever disappointed you badly?

Yessss. It happens! Not every book can be a winner...especially a series. Some are bad. Some are good. Some authors bat 50/50 for me and that is okay. :) 

Also, sometimes it is okay to be disappointed in the direction of a series that your previously loved. The one that still hurts my heart is the Anita Blake series. I LOVED that series and that author. It was fantastic....but then the author started going in a direction I wasn't a fan of so I stopped reading. I still someday plan on reading the next one just to see, but I just haven't had the time. Someday!!  

Books or authors may disappoint you. It simply happens. And that is okay! 

~*~*~*~*~

Did a free winter edition for my Engagement photos! Here is a mini collage I made with some of our favorites! 

Book Review: House of Leaves by Mark Z. Danielewski

Author: Mark Z. Danielewski

Title: House of Leaves

Genre: Horror, Mystery, Fantasy, Thriller

Format: Paperback

Pages: 709 

Published: March 7th 2000

Where I Got It: Borrowed from friend

Summary: 

The story remains unchanged, focusing on a young family that moves into a small home on Ash Tree Lane where they discover something is terribly wrong: their house is bigger on the inside than it is on the outside.

Of course, neither Pulitzer Prize-winning photojournalist Will Navidson nor his companion Karen Green was prepared to face the consequences of that impossibility, until the day their two little children wandered off and their voices eerily began to return another story—of creature darkness, of an ever-growing abyss behind a closet door, and of that unholy growl which soon enough would tear through their walls and consume all their dreams.

Review:

A friend of mine really wanted me to read this weird book he found thanks to a YouTuber he likes. The boy never reads (except comics) so when he said he read this and liked it, I knew I had to check it out too.

How do I even sum this up? Okay, I'll try. 

We follow a troubled guy named Johnny who finds this book that was in an apartment of a deceased blind man name Zampano. The book has notations and notes and so forth about this weird documentary called 'The Navidson Records' which was created by Pultizer Prize-winner Will Navidson. This documentary follows Will and his family when they move into a house on Ash Tree Lane. They soon discovery something is very, very wrong. There is a darkness that seems to follow them. The house is getting bigger on the inside. More corridors...more hallways....more stairs. It's all very scary. This ever-growing abyss and an unholy growl seem to haunt them and consume everything. 

By darnit - I will try to not give away any spoilers!!!

I have been sitting on this review since Halloween when I finished the book. I have been mauling this over. I read some reviews. I watched some YouTube reviews. I even discussed a little bit with my friend who recommended it. This is either a love it or hate it book.

My friend and many reviewers encouraged reading this very slowly...which I did. I took SO many notes. The book is littered with sticky notes. I took this journey VERY serious. Hahahaha. 

So what did I think? 

This was creepy. The house was creepy. I tried not to read this before bed since many people advised against that especially when things started happening. I enjoyed this very much. I enjoyed how weirdly formatted this was. I enjoyed watching the characters try to survive. I enjoyed watching the characters unfold. I enjoyed the mystery and the thrill. I loved writing sticky notes and jumping around looking for clues. It was very, very stimulating. *cough* there as some major paper waste though....there are some pages that would have a word or two....it was done to showcase stuff/situations.....but oooo the poor trees *cough*. 

I loved how it ended. It really leaves it up to the readers to interpret and think about. It makes you think and feel. 

My theory?? I'll keep this as spoiler-free as possible. 

After thinking for a couple of days (I finished this dang thing on Halloween) and looking over some of my notes and even re-reading some bits. I have concluded....that Johnny is a liar. This was well established at the beginning. I caught the boy in SO many lies. Even weird things that are weird that do not need lies. But when I say Johnny is telling a big lie, he is being super honest....okay. Confusing, yes, let me explain. 

I truly think that Johnny is Will's son. Johnny didn't "happen across this" in the blind man's apartment. Johnny is telling the story of why he is so messed up. That House ruined him and his family. Mom went nuts. Dad and uncle gone. Sister....who knows. This is his story. However, he is pretending it was not him who went through this. He is unreliable. He has shown this multiple times. He even calls himself out at one point. He flat out created fake journals entries. 

I think The Navidson Records is his story. 

What will drive readers mad is that anyone could be right. That is the true mystery....what...who....why? It is left to you to interpret. Everyone will take something different from this. Much like how the House haunts the people in the story, it will haunt you.

My theory about the House....is not concrete yet and I'm not sure how I fully feel. I will say, though, that I think the house manifests people's fears. It feeds on the guilt...the shame....the bad intentions....it is a Hell of a sorts. Maybe like a purgatory? You can find your way to the light, but it is a maze.  

This is a great book for discussion 100%.

I can ramble about this book for an eon. This is for sure a book that is different. You need the paperback version. Ebook won't cut it. Audio....is there a thing? The formatting is weird. There are a lot of moving parts. You'll find yourself flipping to different pages (there are little hints in the text). Take notes like me. This is about the journey...not a rush to finish. 

There are things I was meh about....yes. Like the waste of paper. I do wish there had been more of a conclusion...but you know me. I have a love-hate with open-ends. It drives me literally mad. Overall, I am so glad I borrowed this and read it. It was certainly different and makes me want to read more. I'll end up giving this 4 stars. 

TMST: Real-life Superpower

10/26/2021 What is your real-life superpower?

Superpower? Real-life?

Being so clumsy and still being alive. Hahahahahahahahaha. 

Joking...kinda. 

Book-wise/Movie-wise, I would have to say I am really good at guessing endings and solving mysteries. There are times there will be a good twist that will get me, but I think I'm really good at solving mysteries. My parents always said I should've been a detective. 

Life-wise.....ummm.....I'm the Queen of I-told-you-so. I'm good at reading people and some situations. Sure I'm not always right, but I can't tell you how many times I give people advise...they ignore me....and then it turns out I was right. Sighs. It's a blessing and a curse because people rarely listen to me.

What about you guys?

TMST: Paper, Electronic, Audio books

10/12 - paper, electronic, audio… how do you read?

I'll take what I can get! hahaha. 

The last couple of years ebooks and audios have been my main sources. I can give a million reasons why. Money, space, Covid, and ease of access....just to name a few. 

I must thank all my blogging friends...especially Blodeuedd for really getting me into Audio. Not too long ago I was all MEH about that source, but they have gotten me addicted ;) 

I do still love paperbooks but mainly I only get the paper versions if I go to a used book sale, gifties from people, or randomly at the grocery store. 

TMST: Fur-Babies

8/24/2021 Do you have any pets? Tell us about them (past or present)

I have always been a huge animal lover even when I was a wee one. So many pets are waiting for me when I go to Heaven. 

I've had a range of animals...cats, dogs, chickens, turtles, fish, lizard, birds....and that is just what I remember. Sooo many furbabies. This post would be so long if I typed up each one. 

Currently I have three pets, so I'll share some about them: 

Toki - my first chinchilla. He's 7 now. His birthday is in May. We adopted him from a breeder along with his twin brother, Roah. I had always wanted a chinchilla and it felt like a good compromise since we were not ready to pay for a cat or dog. At the time JP (Future-hubby) were in an apartment and it costs an arm or leg! Sadly, his brother, Roah, passed away shortly after we brought them home. The vet believed he had a heart condition. A couple weeks later,  we brought him a brother so he wouldn't be alone. They loved each other. Sadly Rei passed a few months ago. Toki is doing okay alone, but you can tell he's sad still, but he has us and his other furry siblings. 

Mamyia - My darling and bipolar kitty. She's turning 6 this year in October. I call her my Halloween kitty because we saved her on Halloween. She was barely old enough to be away from her mom. She had been left alone (not sure how) and my parents found her shivering on their porch. We took her and raised her as our own. She was a tiny thing and now she is our own Pusheen kitty! She is for sure a mama's girl. She is bipolar I swear and she is super picky on who she likes. Typical cat for sure ;) 

Ralph - Our "newest" additional. He's turning 4 in January. We decided we wanted a dog when we finally bought our own house. We originally had our eyes on a golden lab pup, but that didn't come to be. We found this lil guy at our local Shelter. He was the sweetest thing. They had found him roaming the hills of West Virginia (I think...was it Kentucky? I can't remember now. It was one of those southern states). They shipped him to the shelter by us and there we found him. The name Ralph was what the shelter gave him. They said we could change the name, but we kept it. He is goofy, sweet, and super loving. He loves everyone and everything. He is anxious though and gets scared at the most random times. Love him to bits. 

 

Wordless Wednesday (Showing off the fur babies!)

 

Tell Me Something Tuesday: Blogging and Hobbies/Chores

Does blogging cut into your other hobbies/chores? 

Hahahaha. I love this question, but I feel my answer will be short. 

Chores YES. Any excuse to avoid dishes...."Sorry honey - I have to type up a blog post....can you grab the laundry really quick??" hehehehehe 

Hobbies...no....this is my main hobby. LOLL Plus other hobbies are small and have their time and place. Like painting or gardening or etc...they are for when I am not blogging or reading. 

TMST: Favorite Posts to Write

  

What are your favorite posts to write?

OOOOOooooo. I like this question!

I love writing my reviews OF COURSE. Especially when the book was SUPER good or SUPER bad. It's so fun rambling on and on and getting gifs to really show how I feel. FUN!

However....in my heart of hearts...I think my favorite was when I used to cast some of the books I read. It was so fun digging up some actor/musician/somebody that best represented the character I was seeing in my head. Sighs. Not sure why I let that die out...maybe the amount of time I took and I was in college at the time and I had ZERO time to dedicate? Not sure, but I should bring that post series back. It was so much fun!!

Had to give Mimi the bottom game box in order to keep her out of the treasury money.

Tell Me Something Tuesday: Comfort Foods and Reads

  

Oct 13th: Comfort foods and comfort reads: now that the weather is getting cooler, share some of yours.

Oooo comfort foods and comfort reads?

We'll start with comfort reads that I love reading when the weather is cold. Here is my list (no order):

- Romance novels are a #1

- Scary/Horror novels

- Cozy mysteries

- Xmas books

- Paranormal 

 One of my favorite things especially when the weather is getting cooler. Here is a list of my favorite comfort foods (no order to my list):

- Chocolate

- Pie! 

- Soup of every kind. 

- Crock pot meals!

- Turkey

- Stuffing

- Potatoes of every kind...especially mashed with gravy

- Apple Cider

- Apples

- Donuts

Those are just a few. I can't wait to hit up the nearest Cider Mill. 

Mamyia loves comfort food too ;)