Wednesday, September 2, 2015

Pocket Book Reviews + Ipsy Glam Bag {August 2015}

Before we delve into books and make up, I wanted to let you know that I contributed to the first issue of Her Umbrella Magazine! It's a digital lifestyle magazine for "creating a life outside the lines." I wrote a post about 3 Outfits for Autumn. Hope you'll check it out!

Every book I read this month was so vastly different: two YA fantasy novels, a literary graphic novel, a post-apocalyptic book, and a video game adventure novel. It was refreshing jumping from genre to genre. 

A Court of Thorns and Roses (#1)
★★★ (5 out of 5)

Written by Sarah J. Maas; After Feyre kills a wolf in the woods, a beast comes to her home seeking retribution. She must live in the faerie world full of dangerous creatures for the rest of her life or die. It turns out the beast is also a young man named Tamlin and her feelings turn from icy hostility to fiery passion. But something wicked threatens not only the Fae world, but her own. 


This is the first book I've heard by Sarah J. Maas, but you can now call me a fangirl! Her writing is amazing (so much beautiful imagery!) and this story completely drew me in (it's based on Beauty and the Beast!). Feyre is a tough gal; she hunts for her family and leaves them in order to protect them and goes with Tamlin into the Fae world despite the danger. I really like Feyre and Tamlin's understated love for each other and how they make each other better. I've heard a few people say that this is nothing more than softcore erotica, but I don't think that at all. There were two or three passionate scenes, but they weren't graphic. Anyway, I'm excited to read more from Maas!

Add this book to your Goodreads 


Every Day
★★★ (5 out of 5)

Written by David LevithanEvery day a different body. Every day a different life. Every day in love with the same girl. There’s never any warning about where it will be or who it will be. A has made peace with that, even established guidelines by which to live: Never get too attached. Avoid being noticed. Do not interfere.

I read Another Day, the companion novel to Every Day, first, but wanted to read this one since I heard it got better reviews and the people on Goodreads were right. This one is much better and much more interesting. I found Rhiannon (the main character in Another Day) whiney and annoying, but I loved seeing the world from A's point of view. The fact that he/she moves from body to body and must adjust every single day is fascinating, as is his/her view of the world. 

Add this book to your Goodreads


This One Summer
★★★ (3 out of 5)

Written by Mariko Tamki and Jillian Tamaki, This One Summer is about Rose, a tween girl who goes with her parents every summer to a lake house, and has fun summer adventures with her younger friend Windy. But this summer is different: Rose's parents won't stop fighting and she doesn't know why. 

The art in this book is beautiful, simple but effective, and bring to life the emotions and action in this story. Even though it's all blue and white, you start to not notice because you're so drawn in. I really enjoyed the story and especially liked the friendship between Rose and Windy, but there wasn't much to the plot and it goes slowly at times. 

Add this book to your Goodreads


Station Eleven
★★★ (5 out of 5)

Written by Emily St. John Mandel; On a snowy night, a famous actor dies the same night a terrible, highly-contagious flu begins to spread. Fifteen years later, Kristen is an actress with the Traveling Symphony, a troupe that moves between settlements to perform Shakespeare, but in one town they encounter a violent prophet. 

Wow! This book is emotional and thought-provoking and eerie. It really made me think about our society and the things we all take for granted (running water, air conditioning, antibiotics). I thought about it for days afterwards. The story flips back and forth between the past and the present, giving you more insight into the characters living and dead. I think the resolution with the prophet was a little rushed, but I think this story isn't about the confrontation with the prophet, but about how wonderful it is that us humans remain hopeful and resourceful. 

Add this book to your Goodreads


Ready Player One
★★★ (4 out of 5)


Written by Ernest Cline; in the year 2044, Wade Watts really feels alive is when he's jacked into the virtual utopia known as the  OASIS. Wade's devoted his life to studying the puzzles hidden within in order to find the creator's hidden Easter egg that will unlock power and fortune, but when he stumbles across the first clue, he has to get to the end before other players and the infamous IOI Corporation. 


What a fun ride this book takes you on! While I didn't get most of the '80s and video game references because I was born in 1989 and I don't play video games, it was still enjoyable to read because the characters are spunky and the countdown to get to Halliday's egg before IOI gets there is super thrilling. I was on the edge of my seat while I read it. I took away a star because in the middle is a bit slow, but the ending is...whoa!

Add this book to your Goodreads 
♥ ♥ 
School is starting soon (though obviously not for me), so August's Ipsy bag theme is Prep School. I like all of these products in theory, but most of them are simply not things I use all that often, like lip gloss or argan oil or liquid eye liner. 

What I received:
Eco-Beauty 's Good Night Cream {sample $8, full $40}
AILA's Nail Polish in Mister Pookies {full size $17}
Starlooks Longwear Eyeliner {full size $19}
Marc Anthony's Nourishing Argan Oil {price N/A}
Hikari Lip Gloss in Merlot {full size $13}
MINI REVIEWS

Eco-Beauty 's Good Night Cream 


This night cream is very moisturizing while being light and non-greasy, but I don't like the scent. I'm not sure what the scent is, but to me it's not pleasant, which is too bad because it leaves my skin soft. 

AILA's Nail Polish in Mister Pookies 

I was really hoping to get the other nail polish this month because I'm not a fan of this color. It's like a dark smokey purple, but on the nails it's really dark and more like chocolate brown. Sadly, I don't think it looks all that good on me. 

Starlooks Longwear Eyeliner 


This liquid eyeliner is so black and so easy to use. It just glides on and it dries so quickly. I've been using this on days when I want a little more drama and flair. I would definitely recommend this. 

Marc Anthony's Nourishing Argan Oil 


To be honest, I haven't used this yet, but it smells ah-mazing! I can't wait to use this on the ends of my hair. 

Hikari Lip Gloss in Merlot 


I usually hate lip gloss, but this one is more like a liquid lipstick. It's thick and pigmented and the color is beautiful. It really does have that Merlot color with a hint of rose. I wish it had a better scent, but what can you do? I would recommend this. 


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~Sara ♥

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