Tag: bibliophile

Book Review: Beach Read by Emily Henry 📖🏖🖊

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Imagine a dare is born out of a college-nemesis/complicated past feelings relationship, that results in two bestselling writers crafting stories from genres they despise. The winner has to poach their novel to publishers, get the biggest book deal and the highest paying advance. 

Enter January and Gus. 

January has just made the worst discovery of her life. After her Dad’s recent passing, a letter he left her explained that he had been in love with another woman and had built a life with her all in a small beach town. January is confused as he was always the most loving father and their connection was strong. He has left the house that he shared in his double life to January. Not only is she thrown for six but her writing jué jué is off and the timeline on her next book is closing in. 

Gus has never forgotten the frustratingly talented writer from college who never failed to make every writing assignment into a happy ending. He much prefers to research for years, uncover and pull apart the pieces of people that we sometimes never see. Seeing January in the house next door on the summer evening of his birthday was not what he had on his Bingo card for this year. But will it turn out to be his, and her, best year of writing yet?

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (5/5)

Fun times and Neon signs 💡

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February has been a month of fun times, event busy-ness and new experiences.

This past month, Riverina Readers Festival had a whopping success of an event and I was so proud to see the love, care and time that all those involved put towards the event being a smash hit. I think for me, when we deliver a successful event it’s important to celebrate. So this past week, I’ve not gone so hard on the emails, festival strategy work and planning. I took a breath and relished in our teamwork and passion towards a common goal.

I’ve also had some fun times in my new working gal role. This month I started a new job where I get to combine my passions for local community, service/program opportunity and event planning + delivery. I recognise that I am so privileged to say that I attend a workplace where work does not feel like work. I’m currently getting paid to train, work on and deliver something I’m super passionate about and I just smile every time I think about that! I truly hope each and every one of you get to experience this feeling one day because if I could bottle it up, I’d give it to every single person I meet.

When I’m feeling good and in a healthy headspace, I’m also more open to creative projects, experimenting with ideas and dreaming towards my own long term goals. I’ve let myself lean into that this week and sometimes the result is fantastic, sometimes it’s just a “I’ll tuck this away for later” (and proceed to create another folder on my laptop with images, dot points and unfinished documents) 🤣

But all in all, I think breathing in new experiences, celebrating the wins and letting your mind dream is so important. Especially when we can lead busy lives majority of the time. I’d recommend you try it and see what creative ideas or plans spring to mind 💖🧠

Comment below a win you’ve had this month 💭

Reading Journals & why they’re a bookish hobby you should try 🎨

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I’ve recently discovered the joy and creative expression of a Reading Journal and I have to say … I think I’m a changed reader. I’m already onto my 5th book for 2024! Who even am I?!

A reading journal is either a blank, lined or dot grid journal that you use to log a variety of bookish things. For example, you could log:

– your reading goals for the year

– track the genre of books you read each month

– log your favourite anticipated releases

– collected stats on your star ratings

Basically, reading journals are a great way to motivate you into reading more, reflect back on your month & year of reading and patting yourself on the back as you move through the months by ticking different pages or reading challenges off.

Now, I’m all new to this and it’s something that I felt motivated to do as I wanted a creative ‘down-time’ hobby that I could also turn into a workshop next year.

I promise you, I’m no artist and I guarantee you don’t have to be either.

I’ve started with some very basic felt tip pens from Ekersley’s, a dot journal and alphabet stencil from Big W.

I think the main take away from reading journals is that you feel fulfilled by your own creative abilities and take the time to look back on small (or big) successes throughout the year.

I will be using my reading journal to also write personal journal entries. I’ll dedicate pages to write about experiences I’ve had throughout the year or if a book I’ve read reminds me of a memory or experience I’ve had. I think the double whammy of reading reflection and personal reflection will be a nice token for future Mel 💝

+ a beautiful friend of mine encouraged me to be dynamic with my reading journal and really make it my own!

Here are a few YouTube videos that helped kick off my reading journal journey (say that 3 times fast 😉)

Rachel Catherine is an Aussie BookTuber that a dear friend of mine introduced me too 💖
Destiny is a BookTuber that Rachel Catherine refers too often

4 Books to Begin my 2024

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It’s been a hot minute since I’ve written a good ol’ fashioned bookish blog post! So here you are my friends – I’m going to fill you in on the 4 books I’ve already whipped through in 2024 📖

The True Love Experiment by Christina Lauren was the first book I completed in 2024. I zipped through this in about 3 days because it’s addictive plot line and characters were just divine. The True Love Experiment is about a US best selling romance author going on a reality dating tv show, much like ‘The Bachelorette’ or ‘Love at First Sight’ here in Australia. However, the set up for this reality show is that each guy introduced to our eligible bachelorette needs to be inspired by a romance novel trope, such as ‘the bad boy’, ‘the one that got away’, ‘the nerd’ etc. And of course, our beautiful, kind hearted producer (😉) can see this is a fabulous idea and will help make the tv network the money it needs for him to go back to producing animal documentaries. That is, until he also becomes incredibly invested in the show … and our main character. This book was laugh out loud funny, had great angst and hot moments, but also sweet and down to earth moments. I find Christina Lauren’s books a great palate cleanser ⭐️⭐️⭐️ (3/5 stars)

Darling Girls by Sally Hepworth was my next completed novel. Admittedly, I started this in December of 2023 but just didn’t get around to finishing it until the hustle and bustle of Christmas and New Year was over. This story follows 3 women as they’re thrown into an investigation of the foster home they all lived in as children. A child’s body has been found under the house in present day and all 3 woman are suspects as the police try to put the timeline together. The flashbacks of each woman’s perspective shed light on what actually took place in the house/at this time/who this child could be. Due to the manipulative, abusive and influential experiences all 3 girls had at that house, they consider themselves sisters and are determined to see the woman behind their abusive childhood found guilty. I enjoyed this book. I would say that I saw some of the ending coming but there were other parts that I didn’t! Overall, enjoyable and I would like to try more of Sally Hepworth’s books this year. ⭐️⭐️⭐️ (3/5 stars)

Weyward by Emilia Hart was picked up at the perfect time for me! I wanted the feel of magic/fantasy but didn’t want drudge through the whole world-building chapters, not understanding peoples roles and having no clue what peoples names are – you know? 🤣 So Weyward was more magical realism and I found it the perfect slice for my craving. Following 3 quite extended generations of Weyward women, all 3 are guided by their connection to nature, ability to intuitively speak with animals, and also grow their gifts. A strong plot line that I was not expecting in this book is domestic violence and intergenerational trauma. Each woman has either been exposed to and/or experienced domestic abuse, with the male figure being the perpetrator, first hand. This abuse is actually the start of their spark in magic as it is used as both a coping mechanism and also a form of protection or revenge. One woman is in the 1600’s and she is on trial for witchcraft. Another woman is in the 1950’s and she has lost her mother, has a poor relationship with her father and her cousin unexpectedly comes to stay following his time serving in the War. Another woman is in present day, and she is on the run from her husband after just finding out she’s pregnant. This novel certainly hits some cautionary points and has quite descriptive scenes at times. I didn’t find this a bad thing, if anything it made me more passionate about seeing these women through to then end. ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 (3.5/stars)

Love, Just in by Natalie Murray has been my fourth completed book and I just NEEDED to pick this up because, girl – is she getting some hype (totally worth it I might add)! Love, Just In is a friends to lovers but there is also some high school chasing and then present day heartache. Josie and Zac have been best friends since the moment they bonded over music in high school, but as the years went by, poor timing, dating other people and after Zac experiences a tragic accident, resulting in the loss of someone significant in his life, they’ve drifted. Zac fled Sydney 2 years ago following the tragic accident and since then, him and Josie have barely been in touch. Josie has been offered an opportunity to help progress her news reading/tv presenter career, and it just happens to be in the city Zac fled to – Newcastle. Instantly, their friendship is starting to mend but Josie is seeing Zac in a different light; an attractive light; a more than friends light; a HOT light. Zac & Josie’s story had perfectly timed reveals, angst, funny moments and tender heart moments. The perfect Sunday morning/afternoon read! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (4/5 stars)

How are you guys starting your 2024? New books? New hobbies underway? 🙈📖 Comment below 💭

Thursday Real Talk: That 4am Brain

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How is it that my 4am brain conjures up thoughts that have not taken up space in my thinking for anywhere between 4 – 6 months. It’s like all of a sudden, everything is quiet and the gust of meddling thoughts circulating is so strong that anything will come to the forefront.

Such as;

Why did I respond that way in that conversation?

What if they felt a certain way because of the way you responded in that conversation, that you had 3 months ago, with that person who is practically a stranger AND whom you’ll probably never see again?!

Why didn’t I cook something else for dinner tonight?

I need to call that person back. I hope something isn’t wrong.

I wonder what the weather will be like tomorrow.

The amount of tabs I have open in my brain at 4am is ridiculous. They ebb and flow between pretty harmless thoughts, to worries, to genuine concern that then results in me staying up longer to try and resolve the hypothetic issue my own brain created.

Am I alone in this or is this a common occurrence for those whose body clock decides it’s time to start up your day at 4am?!

Thankfully over time I’ve come to realise the triggers for these 4am wake-ups (stress & wine) and what I need to do to ensure I’m not a total zombie the following day (set my alarm a bit later, give myself a good half an hour+ to drink my morning coffee and wakeup, wash my hair = the ultimate ‘starting fresh’ method).

I’ve come to respect that these 4am wake ups may not be something I can control all the time. So instead, it’s an opportunity to; practice wrangling those open tabs that are sitting there being unhelpful & not loading properly; take a moment to do some deep breathing; tell myself ‘everything will be okay in less than 3 hours’.

Comment below some of your methods during and after your 4am wake up 💬

My Year in Book (2023 edition)

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2023 was an epic year in books for me – in the form of reading, reviewing, talking about books with all you book lovers and also talking with authors about their work!

This year I have:

⭐️ Conducted over 10 in person, online and panel interviews

⭐️ Participated in NaNoWriMo & now have 20,000 words on page

⭐️ Started the Riverina Readers Festival

⭐️ Attended two book festivals

⭐️ Met some seriously talented people!

In 2023 I read a total of 26 books! If you’d like to see & follow my individual ratings for each book, you can jump onto my GoodReads (click here)

  • The 📖 BOOK will indicate that there is a book review of this title on Mel Reviews Her Books
  • The 🎤 MICROPHONE will indicate that there is an Author Talks with this author on Mel Reviews Her Books
  • The 🎥 FILM will indicate that you can watch an Instagram Live Interview with this author on @melreviewsherbooks

Heartstrong by Ellidy Pullin 📖

Words in Deep Blue by Cath Crowley 📖

The Prison Healer by Lynette Noni (2x reread) 📖

The Spice Roads by Maia Ibrihim 📖

Chain of Gold by Cassandra Clare

The Redgum River Retreat by Sandie Docker 🎤

The Dangers of Female Provocation by Zoë Coyle 📖🎤🎥

Five Bush Weddings by Clare Fletcher 📖🎤🎥

The Last Love Note by Emma Grey 📖🎤🎥

How to be Remembered by Michael Thompson 📖🎤🎥

Ascension by Nicholas Binge 📖

The Cheat Sheet by Sarah Adams 📖

A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J Maas (3x reread) 📖

The Whispering by Veronica Lando 📖

Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros 📖

The Hummingbird Effect by Kate Mildenhall 📖🎤🎥

Practice Makes Perfect by Sarah Adams

A Beginner’s Guide to Scandal by Alivia Fleur

Happy Place by Emily Henry

The Wake-Up Call by Beth O’Leary 📖

The Flatshare by Beth O’Leary (3x reread) 📖

Iron Flame by Rebecca Yarros

Icebreaker by Hannah Grace 📖

The Love Contract by Steph Vizard

The Only One Left by Riley Sager 📖

Tom Lake by Ann Patchett 📖

Kill Your Husbands by Jack Heath 📖🎤🎥

Love and Other Scores by Abra Pressler

Here’s to another year full of books, joy and reading 💖

Icebreaker by Hannah Grace

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Okay talk about 24 hour read! Icebreaker by Hannah Grace had me up till 3AM!!

I could not put down this GODDAMN book down, with it’s big puppy dog like golden retriever hockey team players, the ongoing manipulative drama between iceskating partners, and the SPICE 🌶 … the spice 🌶

Let’s just say this story has over 5 open door scenes for all you snoopy readers out there.

The storyline had body and I appreciated that. Anastasia attends Maple Hills College and is training with her partner to become iceskating olympians. Together, in their doubles duo they train hard everyday, restrict their diet, limit socialising outside of their iceskating groups and absolutely DO NOT associate with the other ice rink users, such as the ice hockey team.

Disaster strikes when the hockey teams separate ice rink is damaged due to a prank gone wrong, and our favourite tropes get introduced people! Friends to lovers & forced proximity 👏🏼🙈 Que ongoing arguments, training running over time, longing stares and secret watching/admiring of each other 😉 AND the unstoppable merging of two complete rivals in sports.

Nathan is built up from the beginning as this gentle giant. He is the captain of the hockey team and also a strong father type figure to the younger boys in the group. Nathan comes from a wealthy background but doesn’t flaunt it (too much) and our favourite part – he is genuinely love struck by Anastasia.

A big chuck of the beginning is the two of them in their own lanes, trying their best to not acknowledge the other. But, it’s not long before we’re well and truely into the depths of this ‘I want you but it’s not good to want you’ back and forward.

I genuinely liked having so much of the book about them figuring out their relationship status. I think it helped to draw out each of their personalities and fears of committing to a relationships in college (or university). Things change at the end of every year, people move away and careers begin to take a forward step.

However, this is a romance people so let’s remember that they’re always going to end up back in each others arms! 🙈

Purchase your own copy of Icebreaker by clicking HERE ✅

💫 Mini Review 💫

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This book had me in with both hands and both eyes – unblinking 😉 I COULD NOT put this DOWN 👏🏼

Now, I know this has had varying reviews, most saying that too much happens towards the end and it all a bit extravagant. And yes, I agree that there is a lot that happens and it is a bit extravagant but for me, that was the BEST PART!

This is my first gothic thriller/mystery novel I’ve read and it will not be my last. And definitely not my last read from Riley Sager.

In The Only One Left we follow Kit, who takes on the new role as caregiver/home nurse to Lenora Hope, the unconvicted murderer of her father, mother and older sister when she was a teenager. Lenora has suffered a stroke in later years, and now an old woman now has limited movement in her body, and is harmless. Or so Kit is told.

Mysteriously, Lenora’s previous caregiver left unannounced. She has introduced a typewriter as something to assist in communicating with a non-verbal Lenora. Lenora and Kit slowly develop a friendship/relationship through writing back and forward about Lenora’s life and her past. Slowly, Lenora begins to share her story and Kit begins unravelling the pieces of what really happened that night.

Who was really there and who saw what? Did Lenora really do it and if she did, what made her commit such a hideous crime?

This dark, moody and addictive chapter cliffhangers, I had this finished in 3 days! If you’re looking for a novel with a stream of suspects, unforgettable twists and turns, and the need to be up way past midnight reading – try this!

Book Review: ‘Fourth Wing’ by Rebecca Yarros

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Where do I even start with this book? I mean – readers have been SO divisive that I’m a little scared to even share my thoughts but … here we go … I LOVED THIS BOOK! Holy s**t!! I loved this book!

I cannot thank my dearest reading friend Anna enough for this recommendation! She knows me well and she continually spoke so highly of this fantasy romance. I 100% see why ⭐️

Now I’m going to break this down a little differently to other reviews I’ve done. I want to take you through some pivotal aspects of this book but I’m only going to give you breadcrumbs. I really enjoyed not knowing a lot about Fourth Wing and it just being handed to me with a statement, “Read it. Just read it.” I want you to have that experience too, so here we go ⏬

Dragons: Yes, Dragons you say. Would I ever have thought I’d be recommending a book about dragons, dragon riding, dragons bonding with riders, dragon telepathy and dragon fighting? Heck no! But was this an epic aspect of Fourth Wing? Heck yes! I absolutely adored the relationship that Violet had with her dragon 😉 (if you know you know) and I could immediately feel how essential this relationship and bond was going to be throughout the book – and throughout the soon to be series.

Xaden Riorson: You, my friend, are one spicy main love interest 🌶 Xaden is a character that I think was perfectly placed to challenge Violet’s beliefs of herself, the world around her and the past that she’d so willingly accepted. He also encouraged her to have this wonderful self-belief that I think a partner should be able to do and hold space for. His title, knowledge of the dragon riders that have come before him and what it takes to be a good leader, is everything and more that I think makes him the perfectly imperfect spark in her story. He is witty, protective and a good liar. But does he keep these secrets from Violet to protect her? … read to find out

Basgiath War College: This place is brutal! There are characters dying left, right and centre – and you don’t even see it coming! I mean, one moment they’re there, the next they’ve been burnt to a crisp by whichever dragon sees them as weak. I mean, ruthless. I enjoyed reading how Violet’s intelligence from originally training to become a Scribe, assisted in keeping her alive at the most deadly of times. Her building up of mental, physical and emotional strength was something that progressed really well I thought. There was also a core group of other riders who became her close friends, helping with training, relationship advice and on missions. Rhiannon was a great best friend figure, as was Liam – oh Liam 🥺

Violet (or Violence as Xaden calls her): I am left with so many unanswered questions and feeling when it comes too Violet. Why is her hair silver? Why does she have physical weakness when her sister and mother do not? What happened to her Father? How were her Mother and Father even compatible when they seem so incredibly different? What does her sister know? Did she know about everything (what happens at the end)? Why is Violet the ‘chosen one’ ? What will truely happen between Violet and Xaden when they and their dragons are apart? … so many questions.

Book 2 called Iron Flame comes out on the 8th of November and you can bet your bottom dollar, I will be at a bookstore grabbing a copy in my hot little hands that afternoon!!