Throwback Thursday -- A Look into my Bookish Past

So I have been blogging for a little over 5 years now.  I started because I wanted to share my love of books with the world.  When I first started out, I would get books to review from Blogging for Books, which is no longer around.  Then I joined NetGalley and started getting ARCs (Advanced Reader Copies) of books from new authors I had never heard of before.  I went a little crazy when I first joined and requested a lot of books and downloaded a lot more that were Read Now.  Needless to say, I was just very interested in sharing with the world.  Now, five years later and I can't even remember when I last requested a book from NetGalley.  I have been getting widgets and books sent to me from publisher's without me even having to request them. My list of books to review that I have received is nearly four pages long.   Looking back on photos the other day, I came across one of the first books I received in the manner, Behind Closed Doors by B.A. Paris. (click the link to read my review) The publishers would send me little things leading up to the release date, I was so excited.  Check out these pictures from three years ago.

Since then, I've read everything that B.A. Paris has written.  I get excited when I get book in the mail, especially when I wasn't expecting it.  

The past couple of months have been rough on my blogging life, but I'm determined to turn that around for the rest of the year and going into 2020.  Even though, I've been doing this for the past five years, each year I'm trying to improve my content and attract more readers.  

I thank all of the people that have stuck with me throughout the years and I hope that you will be with me for as long as I'm able to do this.  Tell me something exciting from your bookish past.

Happy Reading!!

 

I've Reached 1000+ Views!!

First of all, I want to thank all of you who have taken a few minutes to check out my blog.  Whether you have liked it or hated it, at least you took the time.  My intentions when I started was to post a lot more than I have thus far, but there is this little thing called life that gets in the way sometimes.

I know that my reviews may not be the most interesting, but I try to tell everyone exactly how I feel.  I'm thankful to all of the authors who have given me their books in exchange for my review and who have allowed me to share their books with my audience.  Those authors include, but aren't limited to: Vince Milam, Jenni Boyd, Russell Brooks, Ty Patterson, Story Cartel, and Blogging for Books.  You all have helped to expand my bookshelf and my mind.  For those of you, who I did not include, please know, it's not for lack of appreciation, these are just the most recent authors I have read.  I also want to think my other book bloggers as many of you have provided me with the inspiration to keep this going even though you may not know it.

Reading and writing are my favorite things to do, and it has always been my dream to be a book reviewer.  Whether or not, I'm good at it, I really enjoy it and that makes it much more enjoyable for me.  I hope to be able to post more non-review posts this year and hopefully gain a bigger audience.   I've tried the blog thing before, but this is the first time I've actually done what I wanted to do with it.

The blog has been active for less than a year, and so far I'm very happy with how it's come along and how I've been able to keep up.  My most view post was my review of Ruby by Cynthia Bond  I read it last summer, and now it has been selected as Oprah's 2.0 Book Club selection.

Again, I thank you all for listening/reading!!  I hope you will share this blog with others and that I will continue to grow.

Review - The Opposite of Maybe by Maddie Dawson

The Opposite of Maybe by Maddie Dawson
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Rosie and Jonathan have been together for 15 years.  They never married or had kids even though everyone around them were.  They were content with their lives the way they were, or at least that is what Rosie thought.  One morning, when birth control goes out the window all because of a strange name on the caller ID, Rosie is about to find out exactly who and what it is she wants in life.

This story was really very interesting.  Jonathan doesn't seem like the kind of guy that any woman would want to date.  He is all about himself and doesn't really seem to notice or care what is going on around him.  He used to be an artist until he wasn't anymore and then he started to collect teacups.  When he gets the opportunity to be a part of a museum for the precious teacups, he jumps at the chance.  Rosie isn't quite as eager as he is and he promises marriage as a way to get her on board.

Rosie has a lot going on in her life, but then Jonathan shows his true colors just days before the wedding and it makes quite an impact.  Finally, Rosie decides to do something that is going to be best for herself instead of going along with what Jonathan wants.   In making this decision to stay and take care of her grandmother and settle things, she discovers something amazing about her life.

Too many women in this world put their lives on hold to do what is best for the family.  Following their military spouse all around the world, giving up a career for children, leaving behind family to pursue a dream.  If we don't we are labeled as unsupportive and when we do we are also given grief about leaving our own wishes and desires to support someone else.  You're damned if you do and damned if you don't.

Rosie learns a lot about her life through this book and is a testament to others about doing what is best for yourself.  
I received this book for free from Blogging for Books for this review.


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