Sunday Post #66

The Sunday Post is a weekly meme hosted here @ Caffeinated Book Reviewer (image above belongs to @ Caffeinated Book Reviewer). It’s a chance to share news ~ A post to recap the past week on your blog and showcase books and things we have received. Share news about what is coming up on our blog for the week ahead. 

Life

So, I did end up having a bronchitis and laryngitis (still not over) which in turn infected my vocal chords which made me unable to speak and teach for two days. It's quite awful to be ill while you are substituting another ill teacher. It's not a good impression I've made.

In other news, I voted today! Although, looking at the results that are slowly coming in, it looks like we'll have another a pitch-black Sunday today :(

Blog and books

I have posted my review of The Number of Love this week, really enjoyed it!

Read Lincoln in the Bardo while I was ill and I can't say I enjoyed that book. It's a little too weird and I didn't really get the point. I think I would have preferred a story about Lincoln's life more. Have you read it?

Movies and TV Shows

I watched Doctor Strange for the first time, I enjoyed it but it was strange and the humour was not my cup of tea.

After that I watched Guardians of the Galaxy because that's one of my favourite Marvel movies! Still need to catch up on a lot of others before I can watch Avengers. By the way, Groot is the best!

What did you read or watch recently?

As always please leave some recommendations on what I should read or watch next! 

If you enjoyed this review, please follow me on Bloglovin', Twitter, Instagram, TVShowTime and Goodreads! I would really appreciate it!

Have a wonderful day everyone!

Review: The Number of Love (Codebreakers #1) by Roseanna M. White

Three years into the Great War, England’s greatest asset is their intelligence network—field agents risking their lives to gather information, and codebreakers able to crack every German telegram. Margot De Wilde thrives in the environment of the secretive Room 40, where she spends her days deciphering intercepted messages. But when her world is turned upside down by an unexpected loss, for the first time in her life numbers aren’t enough.

Drake Elton returns wounded from the field, followed by an enemy that just won’t give up. He’s smitten quickly by the too-intelligent Margot, but how to convince a girl who lives entirely in her mind that sometimes life’s answers lie in the heart?

Amidst biological warfare, encrypted letters, and a German spy who wants to destroy not just them, but others they love, Margot and Drake will have to work together to save them all from the very secrets that brought them together.

-- Goodreads.com description --

First of all, I want to thank Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with an e-arc of this book in exchange for an honest review. I was drawn to this book because codebreaker stories intrigue me. I loved The Bletchley Circle and the movie adaptations about Enigma.

The Number of Love is however set during the First World War. The story is told from three perspectives, Margot De Wilde, a Belgian refugee working as a codebreaker, Drake Elton an English spy in Spain and a German spy who threatens them on a personal level.

As I am Belgian myself (although I'm Flemish and not from Wallonia) I loved reading about a Belgian character, which is a rare opportunity for me. Margot views the world through numbers, loves her family and despite avoiding many social interactions with others, is able to strike up a meaningful friendship with Elton's sister. I did irk me at times that she is always described as incredible smart or the smartest person they know and only being 18 years old. Before the war started she already attended university.

Elton's perspective was interesting to read from as I like reading about spies. The romance between Margot and Elton was very slow-paced (my favourite kind!) and well-developed. Despite their many differences they always respect the feelings and wishes of the other.

The German perspective added some tension to the story and while I enjoyed this, I would also have enjoyed a book that focused on the first two perspectives alone as well.

All in all, I had a wonderful time reading this book. I liked the setting (I love Spain, England and actually live in Belgium) and the period. The characters were interesting and well-developed as was the slow burning romance. I highly recommend this book and gave it 4,5 stars! 

I haven't read any other books by Roseanna M. White but I'm looking forward to checking them out. I'm now highly anticipating the second codebreakers book which focuses on a secondary character from The Number of Love.


Have you read this book or are you planning to? Leave your thoughts down below! 

If you enjoyed this review, please follow me on Bloglovin', Twitter, Instagram, TVShowTime and Goodreads! I would really appreciate it!

Have a wonderful week!

Sunday Post #65

The Sunday Post is a weekly meme hosted here @ Caffeinated Book Reviewer (image above belongs to @ Caffeinated Book Reviewer). It’s a chance to share news ~ A post to recap the past week on your blog and showcase books and things we have received. Share news about what is coming up on our blog for the week ahead. 

Life

I have to be at school quite a bit more this week because of a couple of meetings that take place hours apart. On top of that I have a throat ache again which is my weakness and usually evolves into a laryngitis. Hope to avoid this or will simply have to go to work like that.

Blog and books

I'm quite happy with what I read this week, I finished The Number of Love, a Netgalley e-arc and loved it! Yesterday I also read My Sister, the Serial Killer which I enjoyed as well!

I'm hoping to post my review of The Number of Love soon!

Movies and TV Shows

I only watched Game of Thrones this week and I didn't like the direction the show has taken. Hopefully the final episode will be better?

What did you read or watch recently?

As always please leave some recommendations on what I should read or watch next! 

If you enjoyed this review, please follow me on Bloglovin', Twitter, Instagram, TVShowTime and Goodreads! I would really appreciate it!

Have a wonderful day everyone!

Can't Wait Wednesday: The Number of Love (Codebreakers #1) by Roseanna M. White

Can't-Wait Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted at Wishful Endings, to spotlight and talk about the books we're excited about that we have yet to read. It's based on Waiting On Wednesday hosted at Breaking the Spine.

Three years into the Great War, England’s greatest asset is their intelligence network—field agents risking their lives to gather information, and codebreakers able to crack every German telegram. Margot De Wilde thrives in the environment of the secretive Room 40, where she spends her days deciphering intercepted messages. But when her world is turned upside down by an unexpected loss, for the first time in her life numbers aren’t enough.

Drake Elton returns wounded from the field, followed by an enemy that just won’t give up. He’s smitten quickly by the too-intelligent Margot, but how to convince a girl who lives entirely in her mind that sometimes life’s answers lie in the heart?

Amidst biological warfare, encrypted letters, and a German spy who wants to destroy not just them, but others they love, Margot and Drake will have to work together to save them all from the very secrets that brought them together. 

-- Goodreads.com description --

I saw this book on the blog Wishful Endings a couple of weeks ago and I was immediately intrigued! I decided to request this on Netgalley and amazingly, I got approved!
Currently reading this, haven't read that much yet, but really enjoying it! I love this period in time!

Which books are you excited to read? Recommendations are always welcome!

If you enjoyed this post, please follow me on Bloglovin', Twitter, Instagram and Goodreads! I would really appreciate it!

Have a wonderful day everyone!

Review: Croquette & Empanada: The Book Romeo Would Have Given Juliet by Ana Oncina

A classic love story: doughy appetizer boy meets doughy appetizer girl. Together they exist in a world cohabited by humans.

Croquette is looking for love—his sweet, silly other half.  Empanada hopes she can find someone who accepts her for who she is. It’s a match made in tasty, tasty heaven. Internationally bestselling author Ana Oncina’s Croquette & Empanada explores modern love and domesticity with charming comics. Enjoy the antics of this adorable, culinary couple as they navigate romance and cohabitation, from deciding to move in together to purchasing their first pet. 

-- Goodreads.com description --

First of all, I want to thank Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with an e-arc of this book in exchange for an honest review. I was drawn to this comic because the author is Spanish and really want to read more books by Spanish authors. I would like to reread this in Spanish.

This comic is about the relationship of Croquette and Empanada and all the little things that you can love or annoy you about living together and being a couple.

I quite enjoyed this collection but I still don't really understand why Croquette and Empanada are portrayed that way while the rest of the world is normal and populated with humans. That said, I really liked the art style, it is cute and quirky, exactly what I love in these types of comics. 

Some comics were really funny, relatable and so, so cute! Spain is my favourite country and I love eating tapas (especially patatas bravas and croquetas) when I'm there. I do wish there were more Spanish influences in the story but I guess this makes it more universal.

I recommend this book to everyone who want to read a fun, short collection of comics about little moments in a relationship. 3 stars! Will read more by Ana Oncina in the future!


Have you read this book or are you planning to? Leave your thoughts down below! 

If you enjoyed this review, please follow me on Bloglovin', Twitter, Instagram, TVShowTime and Goodreads! I would really appreciate it!

Have a wonderful week!

Review: Queen of the Sea by Dylan Meconis

Cult graphic novelist Dylan Meconis offers a rich reimagining of history in this hybrid novel loosely based on the exile of Queen Elizabeth I by her sister, Queen Mary.

When her sister seizes the throne, Queen Eleanor of Albion is banished to a tiny island off the coast of her kingdom, where the nuns of the convent spend their days peacefully praying, sewing, and gardening. But the island is also home to Margaret, a mysterious young orphan girl whose life is upturned when the cold, regal stranger arrives. As Margaret grows closer to Eleanor, she grapples with the revelation of the island’s sinister true purpose as well as the truth of her own past. When Eleanor’s life is threatened, Margaret is faced with a perilous choice between helping Eleanor and protecting herself. 

-- Goodreads.com description --

First of all, I want to thank Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with an e-arc of this book in exchange for an honest review. This graphic novel intrigued me from the start because it was a reimagining of the exile of Queen Elizabeth I. As I have a master's degree in English literature I was immediately drawn to this synopsis. 

The story centres around Margaret who has spent most of her life on the island being raised by nuns. She slowly starts to discover everything about the island, the people who live there and the people who arrive.

Margaret's budding friendships were fun to read about and her loyalty knows no bounds. Her character was well developed but I often thought it was too convenient to have Margaret think of all the best solutions.

The art style is rather simplistic but it fits the story wonderfully. I would have preferred it if the story was either as historically correct as it can be or not based on history at all. I often found the characters resembling the royal family jarring because they acted and looked more or less the same but had completely different names.

The plot of Queen of the Sea moved quite slowly but this is fitting because time on the island would have moved slowly as well.

All in all, I did enjoy this graphic novel but if you are looking for a Queen Elizabeth I graphic novel you might be disappointed. If you are looking for a graphic novel set in a historical time period with new characters you might enjoy this a lot more. I gave Queen of the Sea 3 stars.


Have you read this book or are you planning to? Leave your thoughts down below! 

If you enjoyed this review, please follow me on Bloglovin', Twitter, Instagram, TVShowTime and Goodreads! I would really appreciate it!

Have a wonderful week!

Sunday Post #64

The Sunday Post is a weekly meme hosted here @ Caffeinated Book Reviewer (image above belongs to @ Caffeinated Book Reviewer). It’s a chance to share news ~ A post to recap the past week on your blog and showcase books and things we have received. Share news about what is coming up on our blog for the week ahead. 

Life

One of my teaching jobs has been extended to the end of May and I'm so happy it did (and not only because I have every Monday off :) ). After some events this year, I'm finally feel better about teaching and I actually enjoy going to work again!

Blog and books

I finished one of my Netgalley e-arcs, Queen of the Sea, which I will be reviewing next week. I also started reading The Umbrella Academy comic, and I didn't know the lead singer of My Chemical Romance was the author until I read the introduction. I'm really enjoying the first volume and I hope to finish it today!

Movies and TV Shows

I watched Game of Thrones this week and I was more annoyed than anything else. Also watched A Star Is Born which I enjoyed! Will probably watch Dead to Me on Netflix next.

What did you read or watch recently?

As always please leave some recommendations on what I should read or watch next! 

If you enjoyed this review, please follow me on Bloglovin', Twitter, Instagram, TVShowTime and Goodreads! I would really appreciate it!

Have a wonderful day everyone!

Sunday Post #63

The Sunday Post is a weekly meme hosted here @ Caffeinated Book Reviewer (image above belongs to @ Caffeinated Book Reviewer). It’s a chance to share news ~ A post to recap the past week on your blog and showcase books and things we have received. Share news about what is coming up on our blog for the week ahead. 

Life

I started teaching more than fulltime again last week and the next week as well, not sure what the rest of my month will look like but I have some interesting prospects that still need to be confirmed.

I also met up with a friend this weekend and we ended up playing the boardgame Targi which was a lot of fun. Highly recommend this game!

Do you have any favourites boardgames?

Also went to see a local play this weekend, which I enjoyed, I really need to go to plays more often.

Blog and books

I finished Where the Crawdads Sing this week and I'm still struggling with my feelings about this book. Might write a review about it. I also started reading Daisy Jones and Six but I'm not sure if I'm in the right mood right now, we'll see.

Movies and TV Shows

I thought I read a spoiler about Game of Thrones on Monday which immediately made me watch the last episode. Thankfully the spoiler wasn't true and my favourite character is still alive :)

Also watched Tracks yesterday which I really liked, although some parts were a little too slow.

What did you read or watch recently?

As always please leave some recommendations on what I should read or watch next! 

If you enjoyed this review, please follow me on Bloglovin', Twitter, Instagram, TVShowTime and Goodreads! I would really appreciate it!

Have a wonderful day everyone!

Can't Wait Wednesday: The Bride Test (The Kiss Quotient #2) by Helen Hoang

Can't-Wait Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted at Wishful Endings, to spotlight and talk about the books we're excited about that we have yet to read. It's based on Waiting On Wednesday hosted at Breaking the Spine.

Khai Diep has no feelings. Well, he feels irritation when people move his things or contentment when ledgers balance down to the penny, but not big, important emotions—like grief. And love. He thinks he’s defective. His family knows better—that his autism means he just processes emotions differently. When he steadfastly avoids relationships, his mother takes matters into her own hands and returns to Vietnam to find him the perfect bride.

As a mixed-race girl living in the slums of Ho Chi Minh City, Esme Tran has always felt out of place. When the opportunity arises to come to America and meet a potential husband, she can’t turn it down, thinking this could be the break her family needs. Seducing Khai, however, doesn’t go as planned. Esme’s lessons in love seem to be working…but only on herself. She’s hopelessly smitten with a man who’s convinced he can never return her affection.

With Esme’s time in the United States dwindling, Khai is forced to understand he’s been wrong all along. And there’s more than one way to love.

-- Goodreads.com description --

I really enjoyed The Kiss Quotient and I'm looking forward to reading Khai's story!
I actually decided to splurge last month and pre-ordered a signed copy. I have never done that before and though the shipping rate is steep, I'm really excited to get it!

Have you read this book or are you planning to? Leave your thoughts down below!

Which books are you excited to read? Recommendations are always welcome!

If you enjoyed this post, please follow me on Bloglovin', Twitter, Instagram and Goodreads! I would really appreciate it!

Have a wonderful day everyone!