words of coffee

 'Meant For More Than This', by Rha Arayal [BOOK REVIEW] Thank you to the author for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.  'Meant For More Than This ' is the new collection of poetry by Rha Arayal . It comes out on the 25th May . The author explores a myriad of topics and delves into them in depth : identity , self-love and life itself. I'd like to highlight it also exposes a bit and represents what life is for women, the sharp edges that haunts us for just being women. I love that the author talks about these topics and give it exposure. It also explores the experience of living between two different cultures, and its marvels - and how love and care is an universal language. I found these poems effervescently and beautifully well written .  This poetry is woven and captured with detailed imagery - it pictures vivid descriptions of a wide variety of scenarios that encompass the author's life.  It is a portrayal of the search for your own identity . Wh...

 'Love Languages' by James Albon [BOOK REVIEW] Thank you to the author James Albon, the publisher IDW Publishing and Netgalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review. A comtemporary slow-burn love story between two foreigners that meet in Paris and slowly develop a friendship that would change into love. Sarah is from England and Ping is from Hong Kong . Sarah speaks English and is still learning French, and stopped her Cantonese lessons. Ping speaks Cantonese and English, which still is trying to learn more about, as well as French. They are each other's anchor and support.  What I found more lovely and beautifully woven is the relationship and the romantic attraction that blooms between them and how the invisible strings work in their favour to unite them once again against all odds. Laced with emotional, romantic and humour doses , this story shaped in the form of a vibrant, detailed graphic novel is quick-paced and is perfect for reading it in one-sitting. Thi...

 '31 Days Of Spooky' by Harper [BOOK REVIEW] Thank you to the publisher Harper and Netgalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review. '31 Days of Spooky' is an anthology of short slightly scary horror tales and stories along with one or two illustrations accompanying the scary tale.  I enjoyed the book overall. Ghostly appearances, mysterious figures, and some emotional stories.  Each tale is quite different from one another: an old house that belonged to a newly wed couple, a mother in the road with her baby, two friends playing hide-and-seek in a forest and a cemetery, unsolved or hidden murders at a house or a hotel,... Many different topics and plots are embedded in this collection of short horror stories.  It is beautifully illustrated painting and embodying the image, or the essence or a scene, of the story itself. It is a quick, fun read.  #31DaysOfSpooky #Netgalley

 'I Hated You In High School' by Kathleen Gros Thank you to the author Kathleen Gros, the publisher Andrews McMeel Publishing and Netgalley for this e-ARC in exchange for an honest review. In this contemporary, romance graphic novel Tessa is a struggling twenty-something artist that is struggling with her creative career at the same time she is fired from her job as a barista in Vancouver. After the cofee shop she works in closes abruptly she decides to visit her parents and sister for the first time in years. A bitter surprise awaits for her when she arrives at her parents' house, as she discovers that they're renting the basement apartment to her high school bully: Olive. Unhealed wounds and complicated feelings resurface as they attempt to keep their distances from each other and be cordial and nice, until they get trapped together in the attic while searching for something for the upcoming anniversary party for Tessa's parents. I'd love to highlight the...

 'Bloody Mary: A Graphic Biography of Mary Tudor' by Kristina Gehrmann  Thank you to the author Kristina Gehrmann, the publisher Andrews McMeel Publishing and Netgalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.  A beautifully illustrated in a comic style biography of Mary Tudor, or more widely known as Mary I Queen of England, or "Bloody Mary". The first child and daughter of Henry VIII with Catherine of Aragon of Spain.  It was a quick, fresh read and enjoyable for any History enthusiast. The illustrations are stunning and I loved the style. It narrates Mary I's life since she was born in 1516 until her death in 1558 . Her upbringing, what happened to her mother Catherine of Aragon, her complicated dynamic with her father because of their difference and different religious beliefs - she was Catholic; he, a protestant that defied the Catholic Church and the Pope and the Vatican by divorcing his first wife (Mary's mother) and created the Church of Engla...

'Rivals To Lovers' , by Elise Wayland [BOOK REVIEW] Thank you to the author Elise Wayland, the publisher Alcove Press and Netgalley for this e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.  Rivals to Lovers is a contemporary romance standalone with bits of comedy and filled with literary conversations and rivalry that sets the main characters to compete for one book publishing deal . One classic novel, two authors. Just one adaptation. Mo Denton and Wes Spencer has been working on their respective books, two different reimagined versions of the famed feminist classic 'The Proud and The Lost'. Only one will be approved to publish their book - if Estelle Morgan, the author's only daughter, gives it the green light to do so.  Estelle invites them over to the Hill, her house, to get to know both in a more informal way, and to pick - or not - the manuscript that will make it to be published and adapted . She seeks for them to tell her more about their manuscripts, to get to th...

'365 Days of Gutsy Women' , by Rosemary Roenfaz Title: 365 Days of Gutsy Women Author: Rosemary Roenfaz Genre (s): Biography, Nonfiction Language: English Publisher: Self-published Publication Date: 12th September 2021 Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ /5 Link to buy it! Thank you to the author for sending me a physical copy of '365 Days of Gutsy Women' in exchange for an honest review. I loved that it was personalized signed! I find this detail so lovely! A delightful, must-read biography book centered on women , this book talks about activists and rebels, educators and philosophers, scientists and innovators, authors and poets, leaders, artists and musicians, and goddesses. All women.  I loved this book a lot! If you have read a few book reviews of mine before, you can know that I love reading and learning more about women. I do believe it is so important to educate ourselves and to learn more about the women that have preceded us, and even the actual ones.  The dynamic in this bo...

'Age of Shadows' , by R. E. Palmer Title: Age of Shadows Author: R. E. Palmer Genre (s): Fantasy, Epic Fantasy, Fiction Language: English Publisher: FrontRunner Publications Publication Date: 24th January 2022 Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ /5 Link to buy it! Thank you to the author for this e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.  Age of Shadows is the second installment in the epic, adult fantasy book series about politics , magic and ancient myths coming to life once again stronger.  Synopsis: As Elodi strives to defend her realm against a new enemy threatening the north, Toryn discovers the dark secret that plunged Hope into despair, destined to live under a shadow of her own making. But as both struggle in the face of overwhelming forces, the Archon demands all who can bear arms, rally to his cause. It is an addictive , action-packed book filled with beautiful descriptions, well-driven plots and storylines, so perfectly written, to my view. I really loved the way the storyline of...

'The Astronomer Who Questioned Everything: The Story of Maria Mitchell' , by Laura Alary and Ellen Rooney  Title: The Astronomer Who Questioned Everything: The Story of Maria Mitchell Writer: Laura Alary Illustrator: Ellen Rooney Genre (s): Picture Book, Astronomy, Non-fiction Language: English Publisher: Kids Can Press Publication Date: 3rd May 2022 Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ /5 Link to buy the book! Thank you to Netgalley and Kids Can Press for this e-ARC in exchange for an honest review. The Astronomer Who Questioned Everything: The Story of Maria Mitchell is a lovely, fascinating picture book about women and astronomy . It talks about women's rights , desires and dreams and aspirations; bonds Maria had with her family; the environment she grew up in,... This book is written by Laura Alary , and is illustrated by Ellen Rooney . Maria Mitchell was an American astronomer that grew up believing she did not need someone else 一of authority一 to think for her, or telling her what to ...

'Postcards Beyond Reality: The Selected Poems of Michael Daniels' , by Bernard Jan Title: Postcards from Beyond Reality: The Selected Poems of Michael Daniels Author: Bernard Jan Genre: Poetry Language: English Publisher: Self-published Publication Date: 20 March 2022 Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ /4 Link to buy the book! Thank you to the author for this e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.  'Postcards Beyond Reality: The Selected Poems of Michael Daniels' is a poetry book written by Bernard Jan. This book talks about Michael Daniels, the main character in the author's Cruel Summer book. In this book, 'Postcards Beyond Reality: The Selected Poems by Michael Daniels' , we can read how Michael feels and experiences some things that have happened to him during his life. "If I send you a postcard will you thank me for it?" I was genuinely bewitched by the author's writing. I found it fascinating, so descriptive and so symbolic. (This book is filled with s...

'Daniel' , by Marcin Lechna Title: Daniel Author: Marcin Lechna Genre (s): Sci-fi, Fiction, Psychology, Astrology Language: English Publisher: Labrum Publisher Publication Date: 02/08/2021 Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ / 4 Link to buy the book! Thank you to the author and to the publisher for this e-ARC in exchange for an honest review. Daniel is a sci-fi book that tells the story of Daniel Roark , a cardiologist who ends trapped in a white hall where the laws of physics and logic begin to fail .  But how did he end trapped there? Why? Who? What do they want from him? It is a book packed with many themes , many different feelings and subplots so well structured. It's like an action , mystery , sci-fi all at once movie playing in your head while reading this book. The descriptions are fascinating, the plots so well carried, the characters so complex.  Synopsis Daniel Roark is a cardiologist who finds himself imprisioned in a hall where the laws of physics and logic begin to fail. Daniel...

'Anne of Green Gables: the manga' , by L. M. Montgomery Title: Anne of Green Gables Author: L. M. Montgomery Illustrator, adaptor, and lettering: Kuma Chan, Stacy King, and Daria Rhodes Genre (s): Historical Fiction, Manga  Language: English Publisher: Manga Classics Publication Date: 10th November 2020 Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ /5 Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for this e-ARC in exchange for an honest review. This manga of Anne of Green Gables tells the story of Anne Shirley, an orphan girl that is adopted by the Cuthbert siblings, Marilla and Matthew. Anne is an efferverscent, vivacious redhead girl with a strong, dynamic imagination. I do find this character one of the most human characters I've ever read.  This book has beautiful and sophisticated illustrations that capture the very essence of all the characters and their own stories: Anne, Marilla, Matthew, Gilbert, Diana,... Both heart and feelings , emotions , are captured so well in this book.  In this book, we...

'The Lost Ages, Vol. 1: The Fort on the Moors' , by Jerôme LeGris Title: The Lost Ages I: The Fort on the Moors Author (s): Jerôme LeGris (writer), Didier Poli (illustrator) Genre (s): Fiction, Graphic Novel Language: English Publisher: Europe Comics Publication Date: 21st April 2021 Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ /4 Link to buy it! Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for this e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.  A tale of survival and bloodshed , and rival clans and unchanging cycles. 'The Lost Ages' is a graphic novel that tells a post-apocalyptic story about how the world fell in 999 (or at the beginning of 1000), and how humans are a few thousand years later. They need to relearn and to rebuild everything that was lost. But there are some of them that are not willing to change their way of life.  A powerful, brave female warrior is the main character of this story: Elaine . She loves her people, protects them in the best way she can and to the end. She is loyal and ...

'Touch Is Really Strange' , by Steve Haines Title: Touch Is Really Strange Author: Steve Haines Genre (s):  Non-fiction Language: English Publisher: Jessica Kingsley Publishers Publication Date: 21st April 2021 Rating: ⭐⭐⭐ /3 Link to buy it! Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for this e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.  This is a book about touch , about what effects physical touch and interactions have on us. It is about how we perceive and how we sense touch and social interactions. It has a few simple " exercises " inside to do if we want to feel what the author is talking about. I expected something way different form this book, but it does not mean that I didn't enjoy it. I did it. I did really love , especially, the simple, beautiful illustrations . I strongly believe they were perfect for this kind of book. I did really liked them.  For me, it was just a simple book about touch, honestly. As I've said before, I expected something different...

'Witching Moon' , by K. E. Bonner Title: Witching Moon Author: K. E. Bonner Genre (s): Fantasy Language: English Publisher: Belle Isle Books Publication Date: 27th April 2021 Rating: ⭐⭐⭐ /3 Link to buy it! Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for this e-ARC in exchange for an honest review. I liked a lot this book, I have found in it a great, immersive fantasy reading .  The characters were good, and I liked them. The things that carried the entire book , in my opinion, were Anne - the main character - and the plot, absolutely. The plot is addictive and it makes you want to read more and more.  I highly recommend you this book!  Until the next post! ♡

'A Dragonbird in the Fern' , by Lauren Rueckert Title: A Dragonbird in the Fern Author: Laura Rueckert Genre (s): YA Fantasy, Mystery Language: English Publisher: Flux Publication Date: 3rd August 2021 Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Link to buy it! Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for this e-ARC in exchange for an honest review. I absolutely loved this book . I have found the worldbuilding , the characters , the plots , so interesting . Everything. It's hard to find books like this one, in which you love everything. I adored Jiara, it's a character so beautifully human, so well written. The relationship between Jiara and Raffar was so cute and so beautiful to read. I loved them. And Scilla . Her whole story was so emotional and so terrifying in some parts. I loved the way the author wrote it in such a perfect way. The descriptions were so beautifully written. This is a murder mystery , fantasy book about Jiara trying to find out her sister's killer, and trying to live ...

'City of Shattered Light' , by Claire Winn Title: City of Shattered Light Author: Claire Winn Genre (s): Science Fiction, Dystopian Language: English Publisher: Flux Publication Date: 19th October 2021 Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Link to buy it! Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for this e-ARC in exchange for an honest review. 'City of Shattered Light' is a YA dystopian fiction book about Asa Almeida, the main character of the book. She's the heiress to a powerful tech empire. She wants to prove herself, and to save her sister from reprogramming. When her ship lands in Requiem , the only thing that will be of help for her sister will be to join Riven Hawthorne's crew and herself. A spreading virus , expanding like gunpowder. Secrets shattering among the pages. A girl fighting for her life and for her sister's. Enemies to lovers slowly learning from each other, taking its time to reveal their true feelings, and thoughts about each other. Space , planets. I fou...

'Astronomical' , by Tim James Title: Astronomical Author: Tim James Genre (s): Nonfiction, Science, Astronomy Language: English Publisher:  Simon & Schuster Publication Date: 9th November 2021 Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Link to buy it!  Thank you to Edelweiss and Simon & Schuster for this e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.  Astronomical by Tim James is a nonfiction book of astronomy , the science of stars. The book talks about many topics related to, evidently, stars (life and death), black holes , solar systems and what kind of solar systems we can find in space, galaxies (it talks of course about our own galaxy: the Milky Way), etc. It talks about many things related to the science of the cosmos. I have found it a very good reading for me, as I am a lover of this science and I do enjoy reading and learning more about it. It is written in a funny, but scientific and formal way that makes it so easy to read it. It makes funny references to Pirates of the Caribbean...

'The Art of Sidewalking' , by Cole Feldman [BOOK REVIEW] Title: The Art of Sidewalking Author: Cole Feldman Genre (s): Poetry Language: English Publisher: Self-published Publication Date: 25th September 2021 Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Link to buy the book! Thank you to the author for sending me the e-book of The Art of Sidewalking in exchange for an honest review.  The Art of Sidewalking is a collection of poems that talk about our daily life , scattered all over the pages in the shape of a quick and short reading that makes you want to read more.  I really found the writing of the author so beautifully written! There are a few poems that I, personally, absolutely loved.  The book is divided into ten chapters called: Living Room, Kitchen, Neighbor, Bedroom, Street, Sidewalk, Park, Baja, Big Sky, and In my Head. Every chapter has an illustration in the first page, illustrating the chapter and its poems. The way the author interlaces all the chapters and the free poems that live...

'How to Carry What Can't Be Fixed' , by Megan Devine Title: How to Carry What Can't Be Fixed Author: Megan Devine Genre (s): Self-help, Nonfiction Language: English Publisher: Sounds True Publication Date: 18th May 2021 Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Link to buy the book! Thank you to the publisher Sounds True and Netgalley for this e- ARC in exchange for an honest review.  How to Carry What Can't Be Fixed  is a self-help book about grief and loss, and anxiety and fears.   The author talks about how grief  affects us, and how to carry with it, and with loss and anxiety. The book gives us more information to learn more about them. It creates more awareness about them.  I also found it very helpful the exercises that were in the book to calm the mind, how it gives you things to do to calm it : meditation, draw something calming,... I found all of them so helpful!  Also, it gives you space to feel good while reading it in a way so calm and quiet. It lets you express...