REVIEW: Grace & Style by Grace Helbig

January Book Haul: Christmas, Birthday, & BookOutlet

I have another haul going up soon because I bought more books from BookOutlet!

- Channels Mentioned - 

Marisa: https://www.youtube.com/user/MsJonasTwilight

Whitney: https://www.youtube.com/user/WhittyNovels

Christine: https://www.youtube.com/user/polandbananasBOOKS

Sasha: https://www.youtube.com/user/abookutopia

Sophie: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCvXi3G1LQNB1kAt7pXr9VYA

The novella for THIS IS WHAT HAPPY LOOKS LIKE is called HAPPY AGAIN.

Not CARRY ON.

- Books Hauled -

I lost the footage of THE FOREST of HANDS and TEETH being hauled. Not sure what happened there.... : https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3432478-the-forest-of-hands-and-teeth?from_search=true&search_version=service

CARRY ON: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/23734628-carry-on

GIRL ONLINE ON TOUR: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/23208406-girl-online-on-tour

FANGIRL: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/16068905-fangirl?from_search=true&search_version=service

THE OPPOSITE OF LONELINESS: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18143905-the-opposite-of-loneliness?from_search=true&search_version=service

THIS IS WHAT HAPPY LOOKS LIKE: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/15790873-this-is-what-happy-looks-like?from_search=true&search_version=service

THE GEOGRAPHY OF YOU AND ME: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18295852-the-geography-of-you-and-me

LOVE, ROSIE: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/147865.Love_Rosie?from_search=true&search_version=service

I'LL GIVE YOU THE SUN: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/20820994-i-ll-give-you-the-sun?from_search=true&search_version=service

THE INFINITE SEA: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/16131484-the-infinite-sea?from_search=true&search_version=service

Thanks for watching!

Buying a book? I get a small commission if you use my affiliate link: http://www.bookdepository.com/?a_aid=emily

Fandom merch made by me!: http://www.redbubble.com/people/thelovelybooks

FOLLOW ME ON SOCIAL MEDIA:

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MUSIC: Cloud Patterns (YouTube Audio Library)

This is not a sponsored video, all opinions are my own, and I just really enjoy the products and/or stores I talk so positively about. :)

Throwback Review: DELIRIUM by Lauren Oliver

(Originally posted on my Goodreads page.)

March 8, 2014

I have a video on my channel about the entire Delirium trilogy and my thoughts. I also have a Tumblr blog dedicated to this trilogy.

I picked this book up at Barnes & Noble not knowing exactly what it's about. I basically bought it because I had Before I Fall and I knew Lauren Oliver is an amazing author already.
I absolutely love this book and entire trilogy. Lauren has an original idea, she is such a skilled writer, and I read anything she writes. When I first started the book I wasn't sure if I would be as crazy about it as I am now. The characters are enjoyable and frustrating at the same time. It's great, so if you are wondering if you should read this trilogy, yes. Go read it.

So, the characters are fantastic. It has been said that Lena Haloway is an unlikable heroine, I didn't think that before I read that online. I always understood her in this book and I wasn't ever like, "Ugh, Lena, what are you doing?" I felt like what she would do is probably similar to what I would do. She lives in this world where people are at war with themselves. All love is forbidden and she is confused when she falls for Alex. Alex, on the other hand, I love Alex! He seems so perfect and he reads books and poetry.

I give it 5 out of 5 stars.

BUY THE BOOK
FOLLOW THE AUTHOR

MEETING LAUREN OLIVER (VLOG)
DELIRIUM PILOT REVIEW

Throwback Review: CHOPSTICKS by Jessica Anthony

(Originally posted on my Goodreads page.)

March 25, 2015

I also filmed a BookTalk on my YouTube channel.

This has been on my to-read list for a year now and I finally picked it up at the library. It's a quick read, I read it in one sitting. It's kind of weird to say I read it because it is comprised of all photos and only some text in letters, notes/lists, IMs, and labels. 

First hearing about this book, I knew I had to check it out because it has so much art in it and Rodrigo Corral is great. The photography was gorgeous and the handwriting style over photos gave it a Tumblr-esque feel, which coming from me is a compliment. I enjoyed this overall and would love to go through it again because of how eye opening it was by the ending. I recommend this to all art lovers and readers who are interested in psychological stories.

Potential and definite spoilers, hidden just to be safe.
(view spoilers)

I love books that make me think, and this one made me think. It's still on my mind and I will never forget this story. So brilliant.
I give this a 4.5 out of 5 stars, but I am more leaning towards "I loved it/amazing" than "I really liked it."

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Throwback Review: THE ARCHIVED by Victoria Schwab

(Originally posted on my Goodreads page.)
March 6, 2015

I also filmed a BookTalk for it on my YouTube channel.

I loved so many things about this book. The characters, the world, the pace of the story.... I enjoy Victoria Schwab's writing style; when I first started this book I felt as though I was stretching, that good feeling you have when you wake up and stretch. She has a gripping way of telling Mackenzie's story and it's through the eyes of the protagonist herself, a smart one, too.

I cannot wait to read The Unbound because I want to see the relationship between Mac and Wesley grow and even their characters as Keepers because they have so much potential. I also really loved the relationship between Mac and Roland. I need to read the next book very soon.

SPOILERS

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December Wrap-Up & January To Be Read // 2016 Reading Goals

So much in this single video! Wrap-ups, TBR, and 2016 goals.

Lettuce be friends on the Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/11284465-emily-gamez

I've also been more active on my blog!: emilygamez.blogspot.com

- Goodreads links to all books mentioned -

GIRL ONLINE: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/22510983-girl-online

COLDEST GIRL IN COLDTOWN: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/12813630-the-coldest-girl-in-coldtown

MISS PEREGRINE'S HOME FOR PECULIAR CHILDREN: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17162156-miss-peregrine-s-home-for-peculiar-children

THE 5TH WAVE: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/16101128-the-5th-wave?from_search=true&search_version=service

THE UNBOUND: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13638131-the-unbound?from_search=true&search_version=service

Thanks for watching!

Buying a book? I get a small commission if you use my affiliate link: http://www.bookdepository.com/?a_aid=emily

Fandom merch made by me!: http://www.redbubble.com/people/thelovelybooks

FOLLOW ME ON SOCIAL MEDIA:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/simonlewistho

Twitter: https://twitter.com/thelovelybooks_

Instagram: https://instagram.com/takingonmonsters

Instagram: https://instagram.com/_thelovelybooks

Tumblr: https://takingonmonsters.tumblr.com/

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/11284465-emily-gamez

Vine: https://vine.co/EmilyGamez

MUSIC: Space Walk (YouTube Audio Library)

This is not a sponsored video, all opinions are my own, and I just really enjoy the products and/or stores I talk so positively about. :)

Throwback Review: THE ISOBEL JOURNAL by Isobel Harrop

(Originally posted on my Goodreads page.)
July 25, 2014

*I got an eBook copy of this from NetGalley to read and to give an honest review.*

The concept of this book and how it was built is what got me interested in reading it. I can relate to Isobel a lot in that we are both 18 and artists, living in a place where nothing ever happens. Our relations made this a fun read, especially with all of the sketches and random facts. As I was reading, I wished I knew Isobel in real life because we share traits as well (art, literature). This journal is the epitome of the teenage mind: The boredom, interests, music, thoughts, moods, etc. 

Not only was this journal a fun, easy, read, it was also a quick read that I very much enjoyed.

Buy the book: Hardcover | Paperback
Follow the author

Throwback Review: CLOCKWORK PRINCESS by Cassandra Clare

(Originally posted on my Goodreads page.)
April 15, 2014

This was the most perfect ending for this trilogy, I think. I was kind of afraid of finishing it because I didn't know what to expect! The Infernal Devices is definitely one of my favorite YA fantasy series because it's original, different, and clever. I don't know how Cassandra Clare does it! She is an amazing author and I am ready for the next Shadowhunter series. 

I was very immersed in the story line, the characters, the events taking place. I loved the character development (one of my favorite things in literature). From Clockwork Angel to Clockwork Princess, so much happens and it is evident that it affects them, they learn so much and it's just beautiful.

Picking this book up, I knew there would be tear shed. It's the finale of a fantastic series with these characters I feel I got to know in such a short amount of time since I read the first book. I went from shock, to laughing at the charm and wit of Will Herondale, to crying because I felt his pain.

I found myself crying because of this book a lot and I don't usually cry when I read books (i.e. Mockingjay . . . I know, but trust me, I have a heart). I think it's Cassie's writing, to be honest. She is insanely talented and creative and the last book I remember crying at was City of Lost Souls.
On the ending: (view spoiler)

5 out of 5 stars because this is probably my favorite finale to a book series so far.

Buy the book

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Christmas Vacation and #CramAThon TBR

Christmas has come so fast this year and I am so amazed at how fast one year can go by. I have fallen behind on my 2015 reading goal of 50 books, so I hope to catch up and meet my goal once again. #CramAThon is coming back around for Christmas this year, which will hopefully help me get some reading done before the end of the year. I am currently 7 books behind schedule, currently reading 5.

Here are the books I want to get to this month and the ones I plan to read for the readathon hosted by Whitney of WhittyNovels. 

For more information on the readathon, if you want to participate, here is the announcement video with the challenges! Be sure to follow the official #CramAThon Twitter account for reading sprints and more @CramAThon.

CramAThon starts December 19th and ends December 27th. 

NaNoWriMo 2015 Wrap-Up

This was my second year participating in NaNoWriMo, National Novel Writing Month, and although I didn't get as far I did last year, I feel like it was a better year for me. I chose to revamp my unfinished novel that I started developing in December 2013, the same story I wrote for 2014's NaNoWriMo. I made some changes to it that I like better than the original. Here is the link for the first video I made discussing my novel and what I used to write it.

In the middle of the month I got sick and lost my strength to write for about a week. I attempted to make up for lost time and I wrote as much I could for a couple of days, but finals also took place at the end of November and I was not motivated to catch up anymore. I will still continue writing and developing my novel even though NaNo is over. There's always next year!

Below is my wrap-up video from my channel. Add me as a buddy on the official NaNoWriMo site here. You can also see my past two years of the challenge there.

What I Made in 3D Design

For the fall quarter of my sophomore year of college, I decided to take an art course that intimidated me because I wanted to get it checked off of my major prerequisites and also because I didn't want to take the course for over 10 weeks if I had the choice. Next year my university is switching back to the semester system, which means in this last year of quarters I want to get as many prereqs and classes I know won't be my favorite over with now rather than later. 3D Design seemed intimidating for me because I knew it would be a lot of sculpting and making something out of metal, wood, or clay.

It got me out of my comfort zone, though, and it made me more confident to try knew things, like ceramics. I discovered my love for the clay/sculpting room, and I made a few new friends who helped me with the basics and taught me what they know. I went into the class not knowing anything about ceramics and left it wishing I could keep making a bunch of ceramic projects for fun. I do plan on hanging out there in my free time next quarter because one of my friends won't be taking any of the same classes as me and it's just one of my favorite things to do right now. I also may have a few projects to pick up after they are fired.

In the above video, I show my finished pieces and an unfinished piece I will keep you updated on by filming the painting of the head you see me holding in the thumbnail. There will most definitely be a video on my channel so you can see more art over there because that's something I want to include on my channel a lot more now.

I am more of a 2D design type of person, but I also dabble in a little digital design for bookish merch. Check out my Redbubble page to see some of that.