Would You Rather Book Tag

I have been away from the blogging world for a few days, and now I am back to my normal schedule. I got a small piece of poetry done today and now I am going to do a book tag. I was nominated by Abi from Life As A Homeschooled Teen, go check out her blog and see her answers for this tag.

 

  1.  Would you rather only read trilogies or only read standalone? ~ Trilogies. I like to see character development. Although there are some great classics that are standalone novels.
  2. Would you rather only read male or female authors? ~ Most of my books have been written by females. I don’t really have a preference.
  3. Would you rather shop at Barnes and Noble or Amazon? ~ 
    I like to look at the books in person. I love Barnes and Noble, and while Amazon is awesome, you can’t beat the smell of books. .
  4. Would you rather books were made into TV shows or movies? ~ 
    Oh this is hard… because my favorites are mini series. So I guess I may have to go with TV though I have some favorite movie adaptations.
  5. Would you rather read only 5 pages per day or 5 books per week? ~
    If I could, 5 books per week!
  6.  Would you rather be a professional author or reviewer? ~ I may have to go with professional author. I like writing and telling stories.
  7. Would you rather be a librarian or a bookseller? ~ Bookseller. I would love to open a bookstore/coffee shop. I think it would be a lot of fun.
  8. Would you rather read only your favorite genre or every other genre but your favorite? ~ I would rather read my favorite genre(s).
  9. Would you rather only read e-books or physical books? ~
    Nothing beats the feel and the smell of a real book. I prefer physical books.
  10. Would you rather read a love-at-first-sight romance or an intense love triangle romance? ~
    .This one is tough. Because it depends on the story and who it works in the actual story. I thought that for Passenger the love at first sight worked for the story, while The Infernal Devices the love triangle worked.

 

So there you have it. Thanks Abi for nominating me!

I nominate anyone of you reading this to do this tag, whether you blog it or put your answers in the comment section!

Till next time!

~ Brandy

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A Prayer Walk

  
The cold air wrapping it’s icy fingers around me as the rain hit my face like little needles. My mouth moving in prayer. “Lord I look to you in all my seasons”

Numb and soaked with cloud tears The sound of my sneakers hitting the pavement. I pray ” I look to you with all my heart, Lord”

The leaves pale on the trees add color to my walk. The sound of the creek brings me comfort. I pray “Everything I need, you provide”

The vast fields, the wide road ahead. I pray ” I look to you in joy and in tears. In heartache you heal me here and now”

As I conclude my walk, I am at peace. I thank “Everything I need, You provide”

~ Brandy

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Seeker: Book Review

  
Well, I finally finished this book! I am not going to lie to you, the story wasn’t gripping me in it’s pages. I haven’t heard anything about about this book so I thought that I would try it.

Seeker by Arwen Elys Dayton is a fantasy with a touch of sci-fi following Quin, John and Shinobu. Seekers are basically assassins. There was betrayal, murder and an airship. Everything that Quin and Shinobu believed about being Seekers was a lie and we see the struggle that they have after they take their oaths. 

The story isn’t bad. I really tried to step out of my normal reading zone and I think that played a huge factor in my feelings. I didn’t hate it, but didn’t love it. I had a hard time picturing the world and I think that is on me. I didn’t contect with any of the characters. The cover is beautiful and I liked the writing style. It is suppose to be made into a movie and that will be interesting. 

I know this is a short review. I gave the book 3 stars. I couldn’t finish it because honestly I wasn’t in it. Maybe after some time I will pick it up and try again. 

Till my next review!

~Brandy

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25 Bookish Facts About Me

I have missed blogging. Life has been crazy, and I haven’t had time to sit and write. I haven’t even had a ton of time to read either. Which sucks, cause last month I slayed my reading goal for the month of January. I will be lucky to get the two books done by the end of the month.

So quick book update is that I made a separate account on Instagram for my book obsession you can find me at “thereadinglass” if your interested! I like having a separate account for the bookstagram community and keep my regular instagram just for everyday life. Okay, moving on….

I saw YouTubers doing the 25 bookish facts about me tag and thought it looked interesting. I tag anyone who wants to do this tag, DO IT! Then let me know when you do so I can check it out! Here are my 25 bookish facts.

  1. I get book reccomendations mainly through YouTube and the blogging community. I like to follow people who have similar book tastes and see what their thoughts are for the book I am interested in.
  2. My first “book crush” was on Gilbert Blythe from Anne of Green Gables. Despite all the wonderful book boys I have come to love; Gilbert will always be my number 1.
  3. I either drink tea or coffee while reading. I don’t have a favorite for reading. It all comes down to the book I am reading and the mood I am in.
  4. I have never read Twilight. Even when all my friends were reading them and were begging me to join them, I did not. The story didn’t interest me and I don’t think it is fair to the book if I read it without having any interest. It’s not that I will never read Twilight, I just don’t have any interest at the moment.
  5. I like to listen to music while reading. I even make a set list of songs for a book that I think will go really well with the story and the characters.
  6. It was because of Outlander that I started digging into my family heritage. Turns out I am not just Irish but I have quite a bit of Scottish. I was even able to trace my ancestors to the Highlands. Hello Jamie!!
  7. I only threw a book once. I was really into the story and I loved the couple and then something terrible happened. I was so upset that I threw the book across the room ( OH the horror!!) and sat a cried my eyes out. I picked up the book made sure it was okay and continued reading. Haven’t read it again.
  8. I can read in the car. Most of the people I know can’t but I can.
  9. I watched all the Harry Potter movies before I read the books. I think it helped me separate the movies and books. The books are just wonderful!
  10. I took the Pottermor quiz and I am house Ravenclaw. I always knew I would be Ravenclaw and I am proud!
  11. I love Edgar Allan Poe.
  12. I am also a huge fan of Jane Austen. I have read 2 so far.
  13. I have a really old edition of Little Women by Louisa May Alcott that is in need to be replaced.
  14. I love the classic Nancy Drew books.
  15. I love pretty hardcover books for my self, but prefer to travel with a paperback.
  16. I change my lock screen or home screen to something related to the book I am currently reading.
  17. I like to have Lavender oil diffusing while I read to help me be calm and to focus on the story.
  18. My favorite smell is coffee and books, so going to a Barnes and Noble with a Starbucks is a small slice of heaven.
  19. I have not read the Fault in Our Stars because when I went to see the movie I cried buckets. I can only begin to imagine the emotional mayhem that would breakout if I read the book. The book will end up with tears and smeared ink.
  20. I cried more during the scenes with Jem and Will then the scenes with either of them with Tessa in Clockwork Princess. Love all three but Jem and Will… The feels!
  21. I prefer fiction over nonfiction.
  22. I am highly anticipating Crooked Kingdom the sequel to Six of Crows. I am more then ready to be with the crew again!
  23. My husband and I picked our baby girl name for when the time comes and it comes from a book or maybe I should say books 😉
  24. If I could, I would read ALL DAY. I also wouldn’t mind being able to write all day.
  25. I only follow a small handful of authors on social media. I like to be updated on books that I am waiting for.

 

So there are my 25 bookish facts. What Hogwarts house are you in? Let me know!

Till next time!

~Brandy

 

 

 

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TTC Update

 
It has been almost a week since I have posted. Life gets busy and I have been trying to finish reading a book I started. 

I am overdue for a TTC update. I haven’t shared my heart on this topic in awhile. Mostly because there are moments when it’s the last thing I want to talk about. Unless you have walked the road, you’ll never understand the pain of wanting a baby so much. I have a few people who have been my sounding board to the brutal honesty I don’t always share here. 

I am going to start off by talking about last month:

It was a hard one emotionally. I almost missed the “window” of opportunity. Barely made it and then AF came early. I felt frustrated to be honest. I changed my cycle tracking app called Clue. It has been the easiest app to use and has been for the most part spot on. Which has been super nice. I have been using this app for a few months now and I wish I found it sooner.

Now on to February so far:

This cycle so far has been pretty easy. My one issue has been keeping my coffee to no more then two cups. I try to avoid cup number two.. But you know this girl loves her morning coffee!!

I am approaching my “window” and I think we have finally settled on names. We have gone back and forth with names for awhile. Mostly little girl names. Mainly because none felt right. Little boy names there was one we both loved and knew would be our son’s name. I think though it is safe to say that we feel confident in our baby girl’s name and I have tried it out on our closest family and they LOVED it. I have welcomed the distractions from looking at baby names because I always feel more hopeful afterwards. This month I am holding onto hope alittle tighter. Reminding myself that there is a reason for every season and that everything happens in God’s timing. 

So till my next post! Sending baby dust to those TTCing!

~Brandy 

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Clockwork Princess: Book Review

I have officially finished The Infernal Devices. I have to say that I am sad it ended. Clockwork Princess by Cassandra Clare, was the final book in the series and it plucked at every heartstring like Jem plucking the strings of his violin. All the good books do. The ones that you disappear into it’s pages and their laughter echo’s in the chambers of my book lovers heart. I laughed, I cried, gasped in horror, even muttered ” I knew it.”

I hate spoilers, as you all very well know by now, but I just have to talk about this book. I won’t spill any spoilers. Promise. 😉 Though for those of you who have read and loved these characters, you’ll know what I am talking about.

First off, wow. Second, Jem and Will. Most of the lumps in my throat, and the tears welling up in my eyes were from the interactions between the two of them. Especially in their moments when they talked about their bond to each other and their bond with Tessa. Jem is a sweet and gentle character and the way he loves is so deep and genuine.

With that being said, I am going to talk about Will for a moment. We really got to see the real Will in this book. He still quoted books and still had his sarcastic sense of humor. I know everybody loves Will Herondale. To be honest so do I. I thought that I would remain unbiased, because I honestly love both Jem and Will and was not going to pit them against the other by shipping Wessa or Jessa. The thing about Will, is that despite falling in love everyday with Tessa, and knowing in his heart that there would be no other for him, he loved seeing her happy despite her being happy in the arms of his best friend. He loved both of them that much. He kept a respectful distance. Then when he left Jem’s side to find their girl… The feels…

Jem… just as much as my heart ached for Will, my heart just as much ached for Jem. He did the most selfless act and I love him for it.

I am really glad that we get to see the conflicting feelings Tessa was sifting through. I mean how confusing is it be in love with two guys at the same time. She was devoted to both of them, loved both of them deeply. Yet I also saw the difference in the two romances. Now we also know where the Herondale scar that Jace has comes from.. 😉

The scene with Starkweather…. I was not a fan of him but now seeing him stand up for Charlotte and offering Tessa a precious gift in the form of accepting her as she is.. Again more feelings!!!

The Lightwoods… they totally grew on me.

The end……….. 😥

I loved this series. I may go as far as to say that I think I enjoyed them a little more then The Mortal Instruments. As much as loved them, I loved the storyline and the plots that The Infernal Devices had in store. I mentioned in my first review that I loved seeing little glimpses of traits that will eventually be inherited by Alec, Isabelle, Jace and Clary. I am excited to reread The Mortal Instruments now. I feel like after reading The Infernal Devices, I understand the bigger picture. In fact if you have never read any of the books, I recommend reading The Infernal Devices first and then The Mortal Instruments.

If you have not read the book, Go!

If you have what are feelings towards Jem and Will?

Till my next review!

~Brandy

 

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Dare To Be 2016

  

Where do I begin?

This is my second time attending Dare To Be. Last year was really good, but this year… Was better. You really could feel the Lords presence in the arena. I also got to attend this event with my mom. 

Coming in, I had a broken heart. I don’t talk to much about my fertility journey, because I never really know how to talk about it. There are never enough words to describe how much each month that doesn’t work out breaks my heart. I have been putting band aid after band aid. Yesterday as I was getting myself ready, I felt the all to familiar cramping and knew that this month was yet another month that the answer was “No.” I took a deep breathe and I was just going to put a band aid on it. Then I heard a voice whisper in my heart to come to Him as I am. Heartbroken, and feeling like a failure, to come to Him in honest worship. To sing from my heart and allow Him to heal the scars. To allow Him to comfort me. The first song we sang last night was ” How Great Thou Art” and as I sang completely exposed before my King, I started to heal. I have been robbing myself of an intimate encounter simply because I felt like I could just bandage it up. 

And just when the walls started crumbling down. I had to face another issue in my life that has been an older friend then unexplained infertility. The theme for the conference was Known. And in the beginning we were giving a card in our program that said “Dare to be Known as..” And towards the end we were asked to fill out the name in which we need to remember God knows us as and not what the enemy knows us as. Charlotte Gambill started listing some lies that we may believe about ourselves. Then she got to the one name that I have believed for many years and it felt like a wreaking ball on my heart. I have spent years believing that I was never enough. For years I have heard comments like: too skinny, goodie, needs new hobbies, reads to much..ect. I struggled with feeling like I was never enough. I have walked around for years feeling though I would never be good enough for anybody, because I allowed myself to claim the name Never Enough, and I identified myself with that name. A name given to me by my enemy. 

So as I stared at that card I wrote that I was going to dare to be known as : enough. That the pain I have been paying into, the enemy is now paying because God looks at me and tells me that I am enough. Not only am I enough but I am beautiful, precious, loved,chosen.. Those names are what we need to know ourselves as. Those are our true names not the ones that the enemy wants us to claim. 

As we sang the chorus of Ever Be after seeing almost every single woman in the building receive Jesus and the rest were recommitting themselves. I sang those words as the name God has been calling. It was a moment of absolute beauty.

A moment that was also filmed and will be in select theaters on March 16,2016. If you couldn’t make it to the conference, go see it in the theater. It was an honor to be able to be a part of an event that will change so many lives. 

Daring to be Known

~ Enough. 

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