Happy Friday, everyone!
I know I posted this song last week, but now there’s a video and it’s seriously cute. I suggest you take a gander as Ed Sheeran and Justin Bieber have some fun in front of a green screen.
I feel like there’s a trend of dudes creating music in honor of their significant others. With “Sucker” and now this, it feels like everyone is so happy to be married and in love. Maybe it’s just me, but I love me a good love anthem.
Links I Loved
The best news I heard this week (and the bar was pretty low this week, thanks America) is The Hating Game being turned into a movie! YAY! If you haven’t read The Hating Game, it’s a romcom written by Sally Thorne with an enemies-to-lover storyline. I love me some enemies to lovers and this book is definitely worth the purchase. While I’m not fully on board with the casting,
Riverhead is currently working to get Jacqueline Woodson’s new novel (Red at the Bone) into the hands of #ownvoices readers. Wow. I mean, wow. This is next level of the reader game. Many diverse readers have been slighted recently because of their numbers and books have been given out to a more white audience. This is a bad look especially since #ownvoices reviewers are able to talk to the nuances of a story. I think Riverhead taking the initiative to get a highly-anticipated novel into #ownvoices hands is the future. We should stop worrying about the number of followers someone has and more on how they can provide interesting insight into their reviews.
This recipe for the perfect peanut sauce. I made Pinch of Yum’s peanut sauce earlier this week to make a delicious and quick Pad Thai for lunch. The sauce is so umami with tons of peanut buttery goodness that I’ll be using the sauce to make a curry later this week. It’s definitely great to try unless you have a peanut allergy.
The Bachelorette started this week! I know people aren’t fans of The Bachelorette, but if you look at this as another fictional drama (where you have to admit, some of these personalities are totally put on) then it’s more enjoyable to watch. I love the antics, the drama, and the vying for one person. There was definitely drama in that first day, which is new and surprising. I mean, I know most of those dudes probably has a girl back home waiting in the wings (which is gross), but I hope the one Hannah chooses doesn’t break her heart. I do hope that Hannah B finds love because her message back at the end of The Bachelor was the perfect message for all people looking for love.
Blog Posts of the Week
I posted my thoughts on With the Fire on High this week. Wow, that book was so great. With the Fire on High explores the story of a young woman named Emoni who is just about to start the rest of her life. She’s entering her final year of high school without a clear understanding of what she wants only to emerge from that year more grown up, more mature, and filled with more love. It also explores the teen mother theme, which was interesting because I don’t think I’ve read any YA with a teen mother as the main character. It brings a lot of perspective and insight when you see her try to juggle her work, school, and taking care of her daughter. But you also see a lot of love, which makes me happy too. You can find it here on Amazon.
I got a little silly and posted what my dream library would look like. It’s a little bit of silly blog posting, but I thought it would be nice to daydream a little this week.
My thoughts on The Poppy War are also on the blog. The Poppy War was so good and if you’re into military fantasy or getting started with fantasy, this might be a good place to begin. It’s not too overdone with the magic, the world is easy to follow, and the story moves. You might feel intimidated to start this one, but the story moves quickly especially with its descriptions of its battles and the short-tempered dialogue Rin has with her comrades.
What I’m Reading this Weekend
Ok, this whole month is messed up for me in terms of reading. I’ve been trying to read Asian/Pacific Islander authors, but I’ve also got my work books and I’ve got a whole pile of books I bought recently I want to get into. I’m also doing some book promotions this summer and want to actually read those too.
So I think I’m going to read Miracle Creek by Angie Kim this weekend. I’ve heard this book is mind blowing and definitely worth the read, so I’m going to do it. I’m going to read it, see what all the hype is about and maybe reassess how I choose my books for June. Sheesh.
Simone and Her Books 