Poems and Poets

Publication Date: April 5th 2016 Genre: Historical Fiction My Goodreads Rating: 5/5 Source: Borrowed Caroline Ferriday works at the New York French Consulate. Well, she doesn't work there really, she doesn't get paid, but she puts her heart and soul into ensuring the welfare of French immigrants. When Hitler invades Poland and sets his sights on France, her life turns upside down. Of course, Kasia Kuzmerick's life takes an even worse turn when Hitler invades her home country, but she works with the Polish underground to retain some sense of independence. In a neighborhood surrounded by hopeful Poles and resentful Germans, one slip can lead to death. Herta Oberheuser sees a sign for a government medical position and recognizes it as a great way to show that she can be as good as a male doctor. Unfortunately, she finds herself stuck in a Nazi camp working with even more dominating males. All their lives are about to change forever, when Kasia's sent to Rav...

Hey guys! I'm linking up with Kathryn @ Book Date to participate in IMWAYR again. I know I'm not very consistent with these posts- but I figured that since I had some things to update you on, I might as well participate. School just ended, so I'm going to have a lot more time to read (and blog!), which is why I'm hoping to be more consistent with these posts. Okay, here goes: This week I finished reading Lilac Girls by Martha Hall Kelly, a fabulous book about World War II. It's the story of 3 ladies (Polish, German and American ) that intertwine into a great novel. Look out for my review soon- and pick up this book! I also finished reading "Origin" by Dan Brown. The latest installment in his "Robert Langdon" series, this one knocked my socks off! I finished the book in less than 24 hours- not usual for a 400+ pages novel- and desperately wanted more! I should have a review out sometime next week.  I am currently reading "Thi...

Hello! I'm back with more pictures from our trip to Russia! Last time, I shared pictures of a ballet we watched in St. Petersburg. This week, I'll be sharing some images of the Peterhoff Palace and Gardens, also in St. Petersburg. Unfortunately, we weren't allowed to take pictures inside the palace, so I'll only be showing you some pictures of the gardens. I'm participating in Saturday Snapshot, a weekly  meme hosted by Melinda @Westmetromommyreads It had just begun raining when we took this picture!

Publication Date: August 15th, 2017 Genre: Young-Adult Contemporary My Goodreads Rating: 3/5 Source: Own Copy Emma's life had forever revolved around the actions of her elder sister, Henri. This wasn't some sort of eternal punishment or trap she couldn't escape- Emma simply adored Henri to the extent that she worshiped her every step and molded her life to fit Henri's. While this may seem like an unhealthy relationship to some, Emma and Henri had perfected their routine- sharing a seamless experience together for all their teen years. Suddenly, after a devastating fight (left a mystery to the audience), the siblings find themselves awash on an island after a boating trip gone wrong, with only a fellow teen to guide them. They must find their way back to each other to find their way home- but with their shattered past, can the sisters shape a new future?

Hey guys! I'm back with another Saturday Snapshot- I know it's been a while since I posted my last one. Today, I'll be sharing more pictures of my trip to Russia this year. I'm linking up with Melinda @ West Metro Mommy Reads for this post. Curtain call  Beautiful theater with stage curtains Have you ever been to St. Petersburg? Perhaps you're a fan of ballets? Let me know in the comments below!

Packaged and shipped,  To another world entirely, With the promise of a fonder heart,  Once she returns  Can that be promised? That alleged increase in love? The absence does not determine love, Only hinders its natural process  Return, she does, to a fonder heart, As well as to broken ties,  Between relations, unfortunately  That she can no longer call hers  What a gamble they take, For an increase in love, Love that cannot grow,  For it was always infinite  "Absence makes the heart grow fonder", So they say, but is there truth  To the saying that does nothing,  But encourage the gamble? Gamble, if you must With the materialistic clutter That you so often are regaled with Risk, if you must The lavish glory of your excess, That you often revel in Speculate not, Of the increase in emotions, So undefinable, so fleeting "Absence makes the heart grow fonder" So they say, but...

Hey everyone! Today, I'll be starting a new mini-series for Saturday Snapshot*, about our trip to Russia this year. This post has some pictures of the Red Square and St Basil's Cathedral in Moscow. We didn't get to see the full square, because Moscow was celebrating its birthday and a large part of it was being used for the festivities. *This meme is hosted by Melinda @ West Metro Mommy Reads St. Basil's Cathedral  A mall near the Red Square 

Publication Date: October 3rd, 2017 Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary My Goodreads Rating: 5/5 Source: Publisher (Through Edelweiss) This is the story of three siblings who didn't know they could rely on each other. Joaquin has been in the foster system for 17 years. He's lived the hard life, trying to rid himself of emotions. Finding out that he's an older brother is not what he needs, specially not when his younger sisters want to bond over their biological mother. Grace is an only child, adopted at birth- or so she thought. Now she finds out that she's a middle child, in a family that doesn't want to get closer to one another. Maya is the sarcastic younger sibling, who always thought she was the older child. Adopted at birth by a well-to-do family of red-heads, her younger sister was the miracle birth that came after her adoption. The siblings struggle to form memorable connections, share secrets with each other, or even communicate like regular si...

I'm back with a Top Ten Tuesday Post-after a really long time! My list this week is "Top Ten Books that feature characters that are LGBTQ". I'm linking up with The Broke and the Bookish for this post. Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire Saenz  I'll Give You the Sun by Jandy Nelson  Nowhere Near You by Leah Thomas  This Adventure Ends by Emma Mills  The Gallery of Unfinished Girls by Lauren Karcz  You're Welcome Universe by Whitney Gardner  The Loose Ends List by Carrie Firestone  This is Where it Ends by Marieke Nijkamp  Unbecoming by Jenny Downham  Any other titles you think should be on this list? Let me know in the comments below!

I only signed up for 3 challenges this year- and unfortunately I'm not doing so well with any of them! I signed up for the "Travelling the World with Books" Challenge, hosted by Mom's Small Victories. The book encourages you to read books set in different countries. So far, I've read books set in 12 countries. (All links go back to my reviews) Mali : Blood and Ink by Stephen Davies Italy: The Loose Ends List by Carrie Firestone Heist Society by Ally Carter The 12 Dares of Christa by Marissa Burt Australia: Saving Francesca by Melina Marchetta Germany: Nowhere Near You by Leah Thomas Smoke and Ashes by Barbara Rogasky Brazil: The Loose Ends List by Carrie Firestone United States of America: Back Home by Michelle Magorian Far From the Tree by Robin Benway Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire Saenz Everything, Everything by Nicola Yoon I'll Give You the Sun by Jandy Nelson The Escape Artist by Di...

Publication Date: September 26, 2017 Genre: Middle Grade My Goodreads Rating: 4/5 Source: Publisher (Through Edelweiss) Christa loves Christmas. The holiday season is her favorite season of all time- it's just so perfect! Unfortunately, this year, the holidays are stained by her parents separation. She can't imagine spending the vacations without her father, even when her mom tells her she'll be joining her on a trip across Europe for the winter. A cautious, play-it-safe kind of girl, Christa isn't really looking forward to the crowds and new foods. When she gets to her hotel though, there's a package from her father awaiting her. The first of 12, the letter dares to her complete a task she normally wouldn't. As Christa works to finish the dares and make new friends within her mom's acting troop, her father shapes her into a more confident girl, from halfway across the world!

Hey guys! I'm back with my last few pictures of our family trip to Meghalaya this summer! Don't worry though- I have some more exciting pictures to share with you from other trips we've taken over the years. I'm linking up with Melinda @ WMMR to share these pictures with you guys! Nohkalikai Falls- Cherrapunji View from hotel room Seven sister falls- Cherrapuji Have any of you visited Meghalaya? Perhaps you've visited another similar state in India? Let me know in the comments below and have a great weekend!

Last week, I shared some pictures of our family trip to Meghalaya this summer. Today, I'll be sharing some more pictures of our trip, this time of some natural formations around the state. In case you hadn't figured this out already, I'm participating in Saturday Snapshot, hosted by Melinda @ West Metro Mommy Reads. A bridge made out of living roots near Mawlynnong village A cave in Mawsynram, the second wettest place on Earth A Shiv Ling inside the cave Hope you guys enjoy all your weekends! Leave a link to your blogs, and I'll be sure to come check them out.

Publication Date: September 19th 2017 Genre: Young Adult, Realistic Fiction My Goodreads Rating: 4/5 Source: Publisher (Through Edelweiss) Kadi is a young girl in modern-day Timbuktu. Daughter of a scripture librarian. A fan of literature, music and art, she hopes one day to become the esteemed guardian of the scriptures her father currently looks after. Ali is a small-town boy from the villages of Mali. He's joined the Defenders of Faith, a branch of Al Qaeda and is an important player in the take of Timbuktu. As life changes drastically in Timbuktu, Ali and Kadi meet. They hate each other instantly- but something about their natures encourages them to interact with one another. Opening up to each other was a huge mistake- or was it?

Hey guys! This week I'll be linking up with Melinda @ Westmetro Mommy Reads to share some pictures of our summer trip to Meghalaya this year. Meghalaya is a state in North-East India. These are some pictures we took on the drive up to Shillong. Have any of you ever been to Meghalaya- or anywhere else in India? Let me know in the comments below! Hope you guys all have a great week!

Publication Date: September 12th 2017 Genre: Young Adult Fiction My Goodreads Rating: 4/5 Source: Publisher (Through Edelweiss) Wendy's dad was a police officer in Chicago. She always thought he resembled the heroes in movies. That is, until he was arrested. Her life turns upside down when she is ostracized for her last name. To make things worse, she gets threatened on the way back from a party one night. Finally, Wendy meets exactly the right kind of girl to help her build up a defense system. Kenzie is mean, popular, and an alpha. Along with two other girls, Wendy has become part of the school's most popular clique- where no one can touch her. This "toxic friendship" begins to drain Wendy. She knows bullying others to protect herself is wrong. She knows that Kenzie is possibly one of the worst people she has met. But is she so addicted to the safety and power that she should compromise her values?

I'm back with my last post about Italy (2012). I know I've said that before- but this time I honestly think that I don't have any other Italian pictures to share with you! Here are some last pictures of Venetian buildings and cathedrals. This meme is hosted by Melinda @ Westmetromommyreads . St Mark's Basilica

Willing to plunge into ice-water, Watering my empty seed, Sowing seeds of forgiveness, Capable of forgiving life Willing to race across fire, Flaming, my heart will beat, Constant beats of joy, Capable of giving life happiness Willing to fly among smoke, Choked, my lungs will try to breathe, Breathe out my expressions, Capable of giving life meaning Willing to pound through wood, My wooden, numb arms moving, Rudimentary human movements, Capable of giving life purpose Willing to burn and freeze If only it would offer a purpose, A meaning, a hidden value Capable of destruction, If only it would offer a happiness, A forgiving nature To all of what was expressed

 Publication Date: September 5th 2017 Genre: Young Adult My Goodreads Rating: 4/5 Source: Publisher (Through Edelweiss) Leo and Caleb aren't best friends. Then again, most siblings have complex relationships. When Caleb's angry though, his outbursts literally send Leo running. This violent behavior forces the family to relocate, to a new setting where Leo and Caleb both hope to prosper. Over time, Leo develops the ability to run fast and think ahead. He joins the cross-country and track teams at his new school, and even befriends a state champion. Learning from the best runner his age, Leo improves his skills and even meets a girl he has a crush on. Yet Caleb still hasn't managed to settle down in his new life. Leo's newfound peace won't last long, because Caleb's jealousy will soon start to show in violent beatings and scary behavior.

This will be the second-to-last post in my series on Italy ( this time for sure)! Today I'm sharing the interiors of some cathedrals in Venice- most likely the St. Mark's Basilica. I'm linking up with Melinda @ Westmetromommyreads for this weekly meme. She writes great book reviews so you should go check her out!

Publication Date: September 5th 2017 Genre: Young Adult Contemporary My Goodreads Rating: 2/5 Source: Publisher (Through Edelweiss) Charlotte and Frankie are ordinary, boring high schoolers who live with their almost-normal parents. They don't have a perfect body, or a soulmate (except maybe each other). They haven't had the perfect romance, the best adventure or the wildest party. They are just teenagers. Until Charlotte decides to document their lives in a book to prove how boring they are. Sophomore year is just the same as freshman year, her friends are still the same and she's the kid she always was. Or is she?

Hey guys- today's list is a bit of a freebie. Over at The Broke and the Bookish the only guideline we've been given is "Back to School". I've been wanting to do this list for a while- because my school began over a month ago! Today I'm listing my Top Ten Historical Fictions to Complement History Lessons. *All links are to my reviews (World War II and The Holocaust) 1. All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr 2. Code Name Verity and Rose Under Fire by Elizabeth Wein 3. Sarah's Key by Tatiana de Rosnay 4. Annexed by Sharon Dogar 5. No Stars at the Circus by Mary Finn 6. The Siege by Helen Dunmore (Post-War Fiction) 7. Back Home by Michelle Magorian  (Non-Fiction) 7. Anne Frank- The Diary of a Young Girl 8. Smoke and Ashes- The Story of the Holocaust by Barbara Rogasky (Indian History) 9. Empire of the Moghul Series by Alex Rutherford Hope you guys check out these books if...