AMAZING Photographer Bella Kotak!!! (a sensational look)

If you've noticed our background picture, I’m sure you love it as much as we do! The amazing fairytale photographer Bella Kotak let us use it! How awesome is that!?!

So let's talk about Bella and her photography!

Ms. Kotak is a fashion, fine art, and portrait photographer who is based in the UK and the US! She's always known she's wanted to work in the creative industry, and photography called to her. She's inspired by fairytales and nature, and reminds us to find the magic and beauty in every place and face.

She's an ambassador for Phase One, SmugMug, Canson Paper, and Vanguard! Her photography has been exhibited in London, New York, and Paris!

She beautifully hands us a beautiful way to escape the mundane moments of life!

Though I love everything Bella does, my favorite was the "Labyrinth" photoshoot:

Thank you, Bella! You're the best!

XOXO,

Alexis

"Royally Lost" by Angie Stanton (a princely review)

Summary: "Dragged on a family trip to Europe’s ancient cities, Becca wants nothing more than to go home. Trapped with her emotionally distant father, over-eager stepmother, and a brother who only wants to hook up with European hotties, Becca is miserable. That is until she meets Nikolai, a guy as mysterious as he is handsome. And she unknowingly finds herself with a runaway prince.

Nikolai has everything a guy could ask for-he's crown prince, heir to the throne, and girls adore him. But the one thing he doesn't have...is freedom. Staging a coup, he flees his kingdom and goes undercover on his own European tour.

When Nikolai and Becca meet, it’s their differences that draw them together. Sparks fly as they share a whirlwind of adventures, all the while dodging his royal guard. But Becca's family vacation ends in a matter of days. Will Nikolai and Becca be forced to say goodbye forever, will his destiny catch up to him, or will they change history forever?" (Thanks, Goodreads!)

This book is such a fun adventure that I read and reread it! Every summer and spring, I pull this book out and read away, letting it take me away. I love that there's a runaway prince, a fun escapade, and a cruise. I mean, what's better than that for a beach read? I think the characters are great, and the story feels like an update of "Roman Holiday," which I adore.

Verdict: Read if you need a happy lift, and want to run away with a prince.

Rating: 5/5 maps

"The Angels Trilogy" by Lurlene McDaniel (an old-world review)

Summary: "Leah is not happy about being stuck in the hospital for the holidays while her mother is thousands of miles away on a honeymoon with husband number five. Until she meets her hospital roommate, Rebekah, and her big family. Cynical 16-year-old Leah has never known people like this before. From Rebekah’s handsome brother, Ethan, who can barely look Leah in the eye, to her kind older sister, Charity, the Amish family captivates Leah with its simple, loving ways. When Leah receives frightening information about her condition, her new friends show her that miracles can happen. And that sometimes angels appear in the most unexpected places." (Thanks, Goodreads!)

So these books I first read as a tween, and they touched my heart so much that I still reread them, and I got my mom to as well. Lurlene McDaniel is known for writing novels with terminally ill people in them, and making you sob so hard, your book's text gets smudged. These books will make you tear up, but the romance between Leah and Ethan will make you hold on while the plot takes some unexpected twists and turns in this trilogy. It's great for people who love reading and learning about the Amish, and for anybody who loves a good romance and a great storyline.

Rating: 4/4 Amish buggies

Top 5 Korean Dramas for Readers (a K-tastic blog post)

Hey y'all!

There are great American shows out there for readers (which we'll explore in a future post), but sometimes shows from other countries surpass our expectations. Korean dramas tell a story in about 18 or so episodes, and then ends. The whole story is told, and there are no stupid filler episodes. I love them so very much! Here are my top 5...

1.) Goong (Princess Hours)

A girl ends up in an arranged marriage to the prince everybody but her is drooling over. Then there's his handsome cousin. Who will she end up with, and how the heck is she going to reconcile a royal life when she grew up normal?

2.) Boys Over Flowers

A teen gets into a prestigious school after rescuing one of the students, and ends up facing the F4. Better than this description, I promise. lol

3.) Full House

A woman goes on vacation and her friends sell her house. When she gets back home, a celeb is occupying it. In order to have somewhere to live, she starts working for him as the maid. How will they stand each other?

4.) Love Rain

Seo In Ha and Kim Yoon Hee fall in love in the 70s while they're in college, but, of course, it's ill-fated. Then their kids fall in love in today's world. Are they going to be ill-fated as well, or will their love conquer all?

5.) My Holo Love

A woman who has face-blindness gets to know a human hologram modeled after its creator. She finds him to be the perfect companion.

Have fun watching these! Give them a try! You'll love them!

XOXO,

Lexi

National Fandom Day!!! (a shipping post)

Hey y'all!

Today is National Fandom Day! Yes, fandoms are strong and those in them can be strongly opinionated, but let's not forget that we're in these together. We're supposed to band together over OTPs and feels, and so let's not argue or say they can't be a fan because they haven't seen every movie/episode/book there is.

Okay, that said, I'll proudly declare my fandoms... I am a Whovian, Sherlockian, Loki-lover, Potterhead, Mad Hatter fan, Instant Star girl, etc.

Blast these videos, and let's ship our favorite couples, drool over our favorite Doctors, and celebrate!!!

XOXO,

Lexi

"Jenny Green's Killer Junior Year" by Amy Belasen (a murderous review)

Summary: "Hell hath no fury...

Jenny Green is a spoiled teen "princess" and the newest junior at Montreal's Molson Academy. Jenny wants a fresh start in her new school, and she's curious to see what Montreal has to offer, most especially in the boy department. Beautiful, charming, and sharp-witted, Jenny has no trouble getting the boys to fall for her.

But when she discovers just how despicable the male gender can be -- with the lying, the cheating, and the utter disrespect -- she decides to make them pay...with their lives." (Thanks, Goodreads!)

There is so much to this novel: a girl who murders jerks, yet you kind of root for her. I've read this book a few times, and it never gets less entertaining. As Jenny's "superhero" side takes over, this girl kicks ass, but then goes a little overboard, but somehow also keeps her cool afterwards and carries on life as normal, which is eerie.

Rating: 5/5 Knives

10 Songs Perfect for Readers, Female Artist Edition (a musical Sunday post)

Hello to all who ended up on this page of mine!

Okay, so, as readers, we love a great story. The imagination, the movie we picture in our heads, etc. I've noticed throughout my life that people know the lyrics to songs, but barely get the message or the story. This spans from country to jazz to rock to rap to anything. So hopefully I can change that up a little.

So here are some songs that tell a good story from all around different genres. (P.S. This list is based upon the lyrics, but I'll be posting about music videos that tell the best stories soon!)

Here's your music lyric history lesson for today:

1.) "You & I" by Lady Gaga

This is one of my faves. She goes back to a bartender/owner she can't get out of her head. Any little thing reminds her of him, from muscle cars to jokes. Now she goes to him, ready to taste the whiskey on his tongue.

2.) "everything i wanted" by Billie Eilish

LOVE this girl! So, Billie has a dream where she gets absolutely everything she wanted. But she says that it's not what she expected, and, after she wakes up, she realizes it was actually a nightmare.

3.) "Me & Bobby McGee" by Janis Joplin

First loves are the hardest. Janis meets a guy and hitchhikes with him in trains and trucks and everything. She knows that he's a free spirit, and he's not going to stay with him forever, but she treasures the time she has with him, living completely in the moment with him.

4.) "Valerie" by Amy Winehouse

This song is so fun and catchy, omg! It's about a woman who's pining for another woman, named Valerie. She talks about how she made her feel when she was there by her side, and how her longing is not only mentally, but how she truly aches for her.

5.) "All I Wanna Do" by Heart

This song is shocking when you pay attention to the lyrics. A woman finds a man in the rain, alone, needing a ride. She drives him to a motel, no words exchanged, and they have a one-night stand. Then, years later, they run into each other, her with a stroller and a baby whose eyes are his. She explains that she was married but they couldn't have kids, so she slept with him to become a mother. Really messed up of that chick, but I love singing it nonetheless.

6.) "Fancy" by Reba McEntire

I've sung this song loudly since I was a little kid. Then I understood the lyrics. And still sung it out as loud as I could. Reba really tells great stories in her songs, and this is no different. A woman's mother sent her away to be a prostitute as a teenager because she couldn't afford to take care of her, and they were just so poor she didn't know what else to do. Then that girl grows up, building her life up till she is famous and rich. And Fancy was her name!

7.) "Case of the Ex" by Mya

Mya sings to her boyfriend, asking him why he's still talking to his ex when there's no reason to. No kids, no mutual friends, and the girl's turning tricks since '96. She demands to know the answer. Great beat!

8.) "White Lines" by Alexz Johnson

Love. Love. Love love love. It was hard to decide on just one of Alexz's songs, but this one is my favorite. It's about a girl who is pining for a man she's been far away from for awhile. She is finally sure that she wants to have a relationship with him. She's counting the white lines on the road, trying to see how many are left till she's back in his arms.

9.) "It's Not Right (But It's Okay)" by Whitney Houston

Whitney catches her husband cheating, telling the story of the evidence she found. But in the end, she's cool with it because she'll be fine after she kicks his butt out the door. Great power ballad to sing while being the independent heroine of your story that you are!

10.) "Are You That Somebody" by Aaliyah

Cuz She's not just anybody. This song is a woman telling a man she wants him as much as he always has wanted her. She's telling him she wants a late-night tryst with him, but it has to be on the down low because she's a celebrity. 

If there are some you haven't heard before, be sure to click on them to listen and watch the lyric music vids on Youtube! They're all greats!

Lots of love,

Lexi

"The Kingdom" by Jess Rothenberg (an artificial book review)

Summary: "Welcome to the Kingdom... where 'Happily Ever After' isn't just a promise, but a rule.

Glimmering like a jewel behind its gateway, The Kingdom is an immersive fantasy theme park where guests soar on virtual dragons, castles loom like giants, and bioengineered species--formerly extinct--roam free.

Ana is one of seven Fantasists, beautiful "princesses" engineered to make dreams come true. When she meets park employee Owen, Ana begins to experience emotions beyond her programming including, for the first time... love.

But the fairytale becomes a nightmare when Ana is accused of murdering Owen, igniting the trial of the century. Through courtroom testimony, interviews, and Ana's memories of Owen, emerges a tale of love, lies, and cruelty--and what it truly means to be human." (Thank you, Goodreads.)

This book was unlike any book I've read before, and took me by surprise! I loved it! It was interesting, captivating, and unique. The princesses and their enchanting lives are not what people thought they were. I think that AI getting to the point this novel illustrates is thought-provoking and possible. Is it right to use a self-actualizing robot in the ways you want, no thought to their thoughts, minds, personal dreams? Can AIs have dreams in the first place? Here goes my mind! lol. Really, it's Disney World and AI rolled into one book, from the perspective of an AI princess.

This book was just different, and it takes you on this adventure that is fast-paced. It keeps you entertained every page, and you never know what's going to happen next, leaving you completely unprepared for the ending. It leaves you wanting more. I hope that Ms. Rothenberg writes sequels!

Rating: 4/4 tiaras

"The Grace Year" by Kim Liggett (a killer book review)

Summary: "No one speaks of the grace year. It’s forbidden.

In Garner County, girls are told they have the power to lure grown men from their beds, to drive women mad with jealousy. They believe their very skin emits a powerful aphrodisiac, the potent essence of youth, of a girl on the edge of womanhood. That’s why they’re banished for their sixteenth year, to release their magic into the wild so they can return purified and ready for marriage. But not all of them will make it home alive.

Sixteen-year-old Tierney James dreams of a better life—a society that doesn’t pit friend against friend or woman against woman, but as her own grace year draws near, she quickly realizes that it’s not just the brutal elements they must fear. It’s not even the poachers in the woods, men who are waiting for a chance to grab one of the girls in order to make a fortune on the black market. Their greatest threat may very well be each other." (Thank you, Goodreads!)

This book took my breath away. It's been difficult lately to find a book that captivates me enough to read it within a couple days, but this book had me from page one. Kim Liggett came up with the perfect novel to show us what we do to other women all the time. If I tell more, it'll give it away, so I'll leave that there.

The dystopian part was on point. I love dystopian novels that can stand on their own, and this book did it. I think the imagination and raw honesty in the novel were captivating. If you like "Handmaid Tales" (show or novel), you'll fall in love with this book. If you want a wake up call about society, you need this book. If you want to know how women treat other women, read this book.

Really, if you're a woman, a teen girl, a tween -- Hell, if you're a female, please read this book!!!

Rating: 5/5 red ribbons

A Random Sunday! (week celebrations post)

I want Sundays to be random and fun on this blog, and today is all about the official holidays post.

Today is Mother's Day, of course. While I hope you guys are having fun with your mom, mine's currently at work, and I figured I'd take this time to write a post!

See, I know that COVID-19 has us all inside, and we're slowly creeping out toward the sunshine again. I thought I'd share some holidays to celebrate this week while we are cooped up!

Monday (May 11th)

Eat What You Want Day (Cheese fries from Outback Steakhouse, anyone? Then a horrid stomachache after?)

Twilight Zone Day (DO DO DO DO!)

Tuesday (May 12th)

Limerick Day (Make up some and leave in the comments below or on our facebook page! :) )

Wednesday (May 13th)

Frog Jumping Day

Hummus Day

Leprechaun Day (I thought that was in March.)

Thursday (May 14th)

Dance Like A Chicken Day (IDK how chickens dance though...)

Friday (May 15th)

National Chocolate Chip Day (eat a bag)

National Bike to Work Day (probably because you just ate a bag of chocolate chips)

Saturday (May 16th)

Love A Tree Day

National Sea Monkey Day

Wear Purple for Peace Day

(Send us pics of you in purple, hugging a tree!)

Sunday (May 17th)

Pack Rat Day (Just stuff everything in that big bag-for-life you have and push it in the back of your closet. Not that I do that...)

So go celebrate, y'all, and have fun!

Lots of love!

Lexi

"Cloud 9" by Alex Campbell (a pilltastic book review)

Summary: "If there was a wonder-drug to make you feel happier, would you take it?

With no side effects, Leata is the perfectly safe pick-me-up!

What if everyone you knew had been taking it for years - your teachers, your friends, your family?

Leata - helping the country feel more positive!

What if your dad was dead-set against the drug and the corporation behind it?

Not all questions bring the answers we need!

What if he died? What if you begin to suspect he was killed? What if you've lived your whole life believing in something - only to find out it's a lie?

Life's short. Enjoy it!" (Thank you, Goodreads!)

There's a pill (Leata) in this dystopian novel's world, that can change your mood to happy all day, every day. Most of the world is on it, except for a few rebellious people. It's up to become mandatory, and Tom's father recently died. He refuses to take Leata, just as his father did. However, his ex-bff, Hope, that lives next door practically inhales it. As she looks at the world through rose-colored glasses, Tom is trying to figure out his father's death. Was it really a suicide, or was it a murder? And what's in Leata anyways?

This book was great, and really made me think. As a girl with depression, if there was a happy pill, would I take it, or would I want to feel things other than always so happy? Does depression and sadness serve a purpose in us, or is it true misery that we could do without? Are we weird not feeling happy all the time, or should we truly crave that?

I honestly couldn't put this book down, and read it in about three days. I was also working, or it'd have been faster. The imagery and everything was just great. It was well-written, and I also loved the cover art.

In other words, definitely read this, you guys!

Rating: 7/7 happy pills

The Beginning.

Hello to my new and old readers!

My name is Alexis. I've blogged about books and lit before with a friend, but decided I needed a change of location for a blog of my very own, where I can write about books, funny things, art, Disney, geeky/nerdy stuff, and more. I’m restarting because I want to have all of you more involved, do giveaways, and just take this blog and content to the next level! However, in the past blog tab, you can check out every review I have previously done! :)

First off, let me tell you that I’m in love with reading, finding books, research, movies, music, everything Disney, geekdom, Whovian, etc. I love meeting and discussing authors of these books I read, so please know that interviews and information are all coming. Also know that writing tips and prompts will be coming, from your favorite authors and me!

This blog is going to be a bit different than my last, as I want it to be bigger, more fun, more informative, and easier to follow and subscribe to so that there's not a post every day that you have to keep up with. Instead, the schedule for this blog is going to be 2-3 book reviews a week, and then Sundays are for fun, random, and imaginative posts that I think you'll love!

A bit about me: I learned to read using Dr. Seuss books and my mom's college medical textbooks as a little kid, and have been in love with reading ever since. My favorite genre is YA/teen novels, but I read anything and everything that sounds/looks interesting. Disney has been a large part of my life for my entire life, and it always will be. My favorite princess growing up was Belle, and I always loved watching the movies on repeat all day long when sick. (Waiting for the VHS to rewind was so annoying, lol.) I also love music!

I also love hearing from my readers, so please feel free to contact me at any time about books, recommendations, music, authors, what you want to see/hear, and more.


Have fun exploring the site, and please leave comments galore!


Sincerely, your blogger,
Alexis