Why book lovers are mortified with the latest social media challenge.

I'm certain that anyone who spends any time on social media has come across the bookmark challenge that some companies have engaged in. I will say, I'm trying really hard not to lose my temper while writing this post, so cut me some slack. 

There had been an outpouring of outrage from book lovers everywhere in response to this PR stunt at the expense of books. Companies such as Oreo, Vitamin Water and Chex Mix have actively participated and have received blow back from book and literacy advocates around the world. My question is: DO YOU NOT UNDERSTAND WHY PEOPLE ARE PISSED?

Oh, you don't. 

It was just a joke right?

Well, wrong! Here is why I am pissed. 

Books are knowledge. They are priceless contributions to our society that should be praised rather than destroyed. Schools and teachers all over the world struggle to ensure that there are up to date books when teaching OUR children and providing them an education. And you have the balls (or lack thereof) to use books as though they are nothing. That they don't symbolize education, knowledge and privilege. Because being taught to read, having access to books & educational opportunities is a PRIVILEGE that many are not afforded. 

Secondly, respect your elders. Books have been around long before Oreos and social media. They deserve your goddamn respect. In the 1800s books were only allotted to people of wealth and the lower classes were not offered books or how to read. Women fought for the right to obtain a higher education in a time where men were deemed to be a "superior sex". In the 1960s, people of colour fought the right to education in the same way that had been given to white people. So, in my opinion.. when you disrespect books in the way that you have, you are slapping those who fought for the right to read and be educated in the face. You should be ashamed.

In today's society teachers fight for books for their classes. University and College students spend a fortune in books in order to move forward in their education to become a productive member of society. But I guess, negative PR is still PR right? You're still #trending?

But at what price?

Books represent the livelihoods of publishers & authors around the world. Authors pour their imaginations and soul into their works and whether I -as a book reviewer- like it or not doesn't mean I don't respect the process. Books have survived advancements in technology and will stand the test of time because they are history personified. 

This PR stunt has only contributed to a negative response and a negative impact on society. Maybe next time, rather than demonstrate your ignorance, you will use your power to contribute to society in a positive way. Support literacy campaigns. Donate books to schools. Provide some scholarships. But the books should not be victims of your need to promote your brand and stroke your ego. 

And.. *mic drop*

REVIEW: "Things Good Girls Don't Do" 💎💎💎💎

This book highlighted the fact that I am most certainly not a "good girl". I would have taken a baseball bat to the cheating ex's truck long before the middle of the book. Asshat had it coming. 

This is our first book by Codi Gary and it is the first in the series. I originally came to learn of the book from my addiction to the Chapters Interactive Story App. Every time a new story comes out, I just rack up my credit card buying diamonds. Thanks to those guys for turning me on to Codi's novels. 

This book involved a perceived Bad Boy - Chase - and the Good Girl - Katie- and their less than perfect romance in small town Idaho. I've never been to Idaho but I would hope that the character of Mrs. Andrews is not reflective of their population. I will admit that Katie annoyed the shit out of me in the beginning because of her do gooder attitude who let people walk over her. From the first conversation with Mrs. Andrews, I wanted to strangle something. 

Moving on. Chase is your typical sexed up bad boy who likes a roll in the sheets with no commitment. Katie is coming out of a devastating break up after seven years with Jimmy (Grade A Dickwad) who cheated on her. Chase comes across her at the bar after sh had a particularly hard day and she is writing a list of things she wants to do. She's feel rebellious and wants to branch out to do some things she never got to do. Chase gets his hands on the list and decides that he would very much like to help the local good girl turn bad. 

Without spilling to much about the plot, I will say there is a HEA which is absolutely amazing. I love Steph, despite her douchbaggery. She has a quick foul mouth and I love it. There are plenty of opportunities for more stories in the series and I am still on the fence as to whether I want to continue. This is a great quick read for those looking for a feel good book with some badass characters. It touches on bigotry and social norms and I wanted to give a standing ovation at several points. So, it could be a great read. 

Its hot and spicy where it needs to be. But also emotional and complex when it comes to the hard things. I loved everything about it and like any good book it was emotional in all the places and continues to hold my attention. 

Four Diamonds from us: 💎💎💎💎

5 Books Turned Into Movies (Did They Live Up To The Hype?)

✻✻✻✻✻✻✻✻✻✻✻✻✻✻✻✻✻✻✻✻✻✻✻✻✻✻✻✻✻✻✻✻✻✻✻✻✻✻✻✻✻✻✻✻✻✻✻✻✻

1. Twillight

I will admit that I was super pumped for the film version of the series. After reading the series I was entrenched with the chemistry and the dynamics at play. With the exception of New Moon which, I found to be a bit dry at times, I thought the books were a great young adult supernatural romance. I saw the movies out of dedication to the books and to see how the actors portrayed characters that we had become so deeply attached. Twilight is a film that had a lot of potential if it had different actors. Kristen Stewart would not have been my pick for Bella. Many people have also noted this. But Bella in the novels was such a complex and emotional character that I found Kristen's limited ability to demonstrate emotions to be a downfall. The movies did not live up to the hype of the books and I would read the books again before watching the films. 

✻✻✻✻✻✻✻✻✻✻✻✻✻✻✻✻✻✻✻✻✻✻✻✻✻✻✻✻✻✻✻✻✻✻✻✻✻✻✻✻✻✻✻✻✻✻✻✻✻

2. Vampire Academy

Firstly, I actually watched the movie before I got into the books. I actually thought that the film was okay and I easily swooned over Dimitri and the actor that played him. The man has talent in the form of muscles that don't exist. After the film, I read the series and was devastated to find out that there wasn't a lot of promotional work done for the low budget movie. As a result the sequel was not expected. The film had a lot of potential to continue to grow; however it also came at a time when Twilight and the vampire mojo was let loose on society. I'd much prefer this film over Twilight any day.

✻✻✻✻✻✻✻✻✻✻✻✻✻✻✻✻✻✻✻✻✻✻✻✻✻✻✻✻✻✻✻✻✻✻✻✻✻✻✻✻✻✻✻✻✻✻✻✻✻

3. Divergent

Alright.. Alright.. Settle down. I read the book and watched the movies which were fine. But I cannot un break my heart from the ending and it has completely thrown me. Tris should not die and I was hoping Ms. Roth would come back with an alternative ending. I so wanted a HEA for Tris and Four because.. god damnit they deserved it. They saved the whole fucking society. I think they should get to grow old and have hot little mini versions of themselves. I liked the books. I liked the movies. But my soul has not recovered from the ending. 

✻✻✻✻✻✻✻✻✻✻✻✻✻✻✻✻✻✻✻✻✻✻✻✻✻✻✻✻✻✻✻✻✻✻✻✻✻✻✻✻✻✻✻✻✻✻✻✻✻

4. 50 Shades of Grey

I'm going to be fair is saying that I DNF the books or the movies because there was so much about the first glimpse that just made me feel icky. I tried.. I really really did. But I couldn't. I am a firm believer that Romance books are not porn for women as some people may say. I also am a strong advocate that women are sexual beings and there is nothing wrong with us expressing that. But I really didn't see much of a plot in this series. Throw in some issues around consent (I mean whats the point of a safe word if you ignore it) and some poor acting and you're really killing it. 

✻✻✻✻✻✻✻✻✻✻✻✻✻✻✻✻✻✻✻✻✻✻✻✻✻✻✻✻✻✻✻✻✻✻✻✻✻✻✻✻✻✻✻✻✻✻✻✻✻

5. The Lovely Bones

This book is not a romance. SURPRISE! But it is a thrilling book about a young child who was abducted and murdered. The book tells the story as though she is omnipresent and witnessing the events after her disappearance. I fell in love with the book and I thought it was inspired and imaginative. I saw the movie and felt that it did not live up to the standard of the book. There were things that the directors could not include in the movie because they only have so much time to work with. The movie was still a good film, but it didn't accurately portray the book in the way I had envisioned it.