I got through six books in September, which was a pretty big deal for me because I felt like I had a ton going on. I only read one stand-alone, and the rest were part of the Three Dark Crowns series (see below). I just wish I could get through six books each month. Reading's felt so slow for me this year, so I'm hoping to pump out some great months to end 2019.



The Best of Crimes* by K.C. Maher ★★★☆☆
Popsugar 2019 Reading Challenge Prompt: N/A

Brief synopsis: Walter is a bit of a prodigy. A child genius, if you will. Before turning 20, he'd earned two doctorates and had a job in the legal big league. Within years, married with a daughter. His childhood had flashed right before his eyes, so watching his daughter and her best friend, the neighbor girl, grow up became a pleasant experience for him. But his relationship with his daughter's best friend begins to grow and blossom in a way he never expected. Which could mean trouble for him.

Overall thoughts: I was not a fan of this book. I thought it was creepy and weird. The writing was great - easy to understand, which I really like. And while I typically enjoy books with controversial topics, this one was just a bit too out of range for me.  Full review here.






Three Dark Crowns (complete series) by Kendare Blake ★★★★☆
Three Dark Crowns, One Dark Throne, Queens of Fennbirn, Two Dark Reigns, Five Dark Fates*
Popsugar 2019 Reading Challenge Prompt: A book with a plant in the title or on the cover (book one), A book written by an author from Asia, Africa, and South America (book two)

Brief synopsis: The four-novel series focuses on three triplet queens, born to rule and on their sixteenth birthday, two must die so the other can rule. Each sister possesses a gift - Mirabella is an elemental, Arsinoe is the naturalist, and Katharine is a poisoner. For the past several generations, poisoners have ruled. But the rule is not just given. The sisters must fight for the crown. They must fight to the death. The two novellas (both combined to make Queens of Fennbirn) within the series are prequels - The Young Queens focuses on the sisters as children, before they were taken to their adoptive families. The Oracle Queen tells the tale of Queen Elsabet, the oracle queen who killed three whole families based only on a vision.

Overall thoughts: I didn't expect to love these books so much. They all started off slow, but the character development was out-of-this-world. I become so connected to each of the characters and just had to know what was going to happen next. The worlds created were so imaginative, but easy to envision. I definitely recommend this series. Full review here.




















* denotes book was received free in exchange of an honest review. All opinions, as always, are 100% my own. 

PopSugar 2019 Reading Challenge Prompt: A book with a plant in the title or on the cover (book one), A book written by an author from Asia, Africa, and South America (book two)


TW: Abuse, violence, death of animals, abduction, murder



As part of the Booksparks YA Fall Reading Challenge (#YAfrc2019), I was provided with a complimentary copy of the newest and final Three Dark Crowns novel, Five Dark Fates. I'd wanted to read the series for a while, but had never gotten around to it. So it was the perfect opportunity to pick up the others in the series. September was basically just reading the Dark Crowns series.



The four-novel series focuses on three triplet queens, born to rule and on their sixteenth birthday, two must die so the other can rule. Each sister possesses a gift - Mirabella is an elemental, Arsinoe is the naturalist, and Katharine is a poisoner. For the past several generations, poisoners have ruled. But the rule is not just given. The sisters must fight for the crown. They must fight to the death.

The two novellas (both combined to make Queens of Fennbirn) within the series are prequels - The Young Queens focuses on the sisters as children, before they were taken to their adoptive families. The Oracle Queen tells the tale of Queen Elsabet, the oracle queen who killed three whole families based only on a vision.





First thing's first - the order of the novels. I was really confused about this because they aren't in the order of the numbers in titles, and there aren't five novels (four novels plus two novellas). So here's the order to read them in:

1. Three Dark Crowns
2. One Dark Throne
3. Queens of Fennbirn (The Young Queens, The Oracle Queen) - I read this between novels 4 and 5, but I would recommend it here. Novel four ends on a cliff hanger and you'll want to jump straight into the final novel. Do not read this prior to books one and two if you do not want major spoilers!
4. Two Dark Reigns
5. Five Dark Fates



For the most part, each of these novels starts off slow. These are truly slow-burn fantasy novels and will not jump straight into action and excitement. Character development is central to the plot. If I'm being totally honest, each of the novels is slow for at least half the book. It took me a good bit to actually get into book one (Three Dark Crowns), but once I was in it, I was freaking in it, okay? Then I was so hooked to the characters, I had to dive into the other books.

So there are three sisters, right? Three triplets. Three queens. And while you spend pretty equal time with each of this, I took a liking to one of them right away and stuck with her throughout. She was hands down my favorite, and while it may have been unintentional, she was the protagonist of the book. The other sisters are just as much protagonists, I'm sure, but I had a deep connection with this one in particular, and I'm curious if everyone else felt the same?

Here's what I loved so much about this entire series - it's woman-driven. Even though women are killing each other, and the Queen's rule ends once she has triplets that she never gets to raise, it is Queens who rule - not men. Even the warriors are mostly women. Male characters play more minor roles, and there are few male "sidekicks," but these stories focus on girls and I loved it.

There were some parts that were confusing at times, and I felt the language was a bit inconsistent. I wasn't sure for the longest time what the time period/setting was. I thought it was current-day, then ultimately ended up believing it was more medieval. And at times, the language would reflect an older time period, while at other times it seemed modernized. It was a weird combination of both that I wish had felt more consistent - but that was my biggest complaint.






These books are so cool - they're basically a female-driven Game of Thrones for a much younger crowd. There is death and war. There are familiars and magic. Three sisters fight to become the Queen of the island - it's a queendom, not a kingdom. It was also very fun and shocking and intriguing. I would definitely recommend.





Goodreads rating: ★★★★☆














*I received Five Dark Fates free in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are entirely my own.

Interested in the book pocket tote? Get from Book of the Month.


I get asked a lot how I read so much. I work full-time, I just graduated grad school in May, I started a new job, not to mention spending time with the hubby, running this blog, and just living life in general. The fact of the matter is - I love to read. I make it a priority. And while I may not be out there reading 20 books a month like some folks, I still read a lot. "They" try to say millennials are out here killing everything, but we've brought books back to life and kept independent bookstores alive. Here are six tips to try to incorporate more reading into your life and read just as much as I do (if not more).



1. Carry Books With You

This is my number one tip for how to read more. I carry a big purse and there is always a book inside. And if I'm close to finishing that book, I tote a second one just in case. I read when I get to work early, I read on lunch. I absolutely always take my book for errands and appointments, like the doctor's office or car services. Plus, I always read at least a chapter before I go to sleep every night.



2. Pick Stories You Enjoy

Trying to power through a story you don’t enjoy is a waste of time. Whenever you realize you don’t like a book, you should put it down. While some people may call you a quitter, giving up a novel you're hating simply means you have time to read one you'll actually like. Reading shouldn’t be a chore, so don’t make it one. You have no obligation to spend time on any book you don’t want to. (Even though I almost never DNF a book, so maybe I should take my own advice.)



3. Make Quiet Reading Spaces

For many people, myself included, reading needs concentration and focus. Because of this, it may be best to read in quiet spaces. Consider making a place you're comfortable in by closing the door, turning off the phone, and grabbing a blanket. You can even gather snacks and drinks. Sweet treats and a mug of coffee (or tea) go well with a book, so click here for the best chocolate peanut butter cookies. I tend to try to eliminate every possible distraction.



4. Read Many Different Books

This strategy doesn’t work for everyone, but reading multiple books at once can help the right type of person. I tend to only read one book at a time - I struggle to balance multiple stories at once. But if it works for you, what it does is keep the mind and thoughts fresh, so you don’t get bored quickly. You could keep different books in different locations- maybe a biography in the bedroom, a thriller downstairs, and a romance on-hand.



5. Join A Book Club

Like attending a fitness group, joining a book club can hold you accountable to actually finish a book you've started. If you’re the only one that doesn’t read that month’s novel, you’ll probably feel bad about it. While different book clubs have their own processes, most of the time being in a book club would motivate you to read more. Not only will you get suggestions from other avid readers, but you’re given a chance to discuss those books with them too. You may even want to consider an online book club, or online buddy reads, if fitting book club meetings into your schedule doesn't work. There are tons on Facebook or Instagram to choose from.



6. Give Yourself A Deadline

We tend to read library books much faster than those we own. This is because those books have a due date, whereas those you’ve paid for don’t. Because of this, setting yourself a deadline when you begin a new novel could encourage you to get it read. Alternatively, you could take part in a reading challenge. I participate in the Popsugar Reading Challenges every year because there's flexibility, but it's also incredibly motivating for me. Reading challenges also encourage you to read new stories.





















*This is a collaborative post. 

I received free product in exchange for this post. All opinions are my own.



 

Since moving in together over nine years ago, hubby and I have mostly only collected larger pieces of furniture from thrift stores or hand-me-downs. I mean, we've bought bookshelves and some tables, but couches and bedroom furniture, we've never really taken the plunge to make a big purchase of furniture on our own. At this point, we're probably on our third or fourth living room set, but all had been used and therefore weren't typically in the best of shape when we got them.

To be clear, I hate our current living room furniture. I think the set is hideous, but it was handed down to us and we've been appreciative of having the set. We're hoping to purchase a home very soon, so we're holding off on making any furniture purchases (or really even housewares purchases) until we know where we're moving. Of course, we want to make furniture purchases that mesh well with the look of our new home. But every single day, I think about how much I truly dislike our sofa and loveseat.

So when a representative from The Slipcover Company reached out to see if I'd be willing to review some slipcovers, I jumped at the chance. It was an opportunity for a fun little refresh without having to purchase all new furniture.

Our set is not a sofa with basic cushions - instead the back of the sofa set is covered in a multitude of pillows. So a slipcover isn't necessarily the perfect solution, but adding those covers has really updated the look and comfort of our living room set.

I chose the gray twill two piece set for the sofa and the loveseat, but maybe I should've went with khaki or natural? That was an error on my end. The gray still is fine, but the more beige-tone colors would've likely fit better with the pillows on our living room set, but the gray is still a great neutral. Either way, I'm glad to have the majority of the hideous set covered. The twill is also a bit nicer to sit on than the original fabric, whatever it is. It was beginning to get a bit torn and ragged (having a cat scratching at it throughout the night wasn't a big help in that area).

The descriptions for the slipcovers claim the sofa slipcover works for sofas 84"-96" and the loveseat works for 30"-42". I will say I did not measure my sofas, and let me say... big mistake. I was able to get the slipcovers on, but wasn't able to get the straps connected in the back for that seamless look. We decided to stick with the covers, because it still looks better than the couches originally looked. But we were a bit disappointed by the covers not fitting perfectly. So I definitely encourage you to measure before you buy. What's interesting about the set we got is that it buckles in back, kind of like a belt, which holds it all in place and gives it a fitted look. Unfortunately, the slipcover buckles had about as much luck as me trying to buckle an extra-small belt around my hips. I don't think you can really tell though. And Courage is having a blast playing with those buckles on the back of the couch!


Check out our before and after pictures below. My hopes are this will discourage Courage from scratching the furniture apart anymore. Maybe now she'll just stick to the slipcover buckles. We'll see.


Before (without slipcovers)







After (with slipcovers)

*This is a collaborative sponsored guest post.
 




As hubby and I are in all the throes of trying to purchase our first home, we've been trying to learn as much as possible about the process while not losing our minds. And let me tell you - my mind is about gone. Hopefully this post will also be one that is useful if you're in the same boat.





Buying a home is one of the biggest purchases you can make as a couple or individual. As scary as it can be to do this, there are a few things you should also do when it comes to buying a home. Don’t worry- they are all pretty easy and will help you in the long run.


Educate Yourself
When speaking with a few friends who purchased homes before me, they offered a lot of great advice. While it may seem easy to find the home of your dreams and purchase it, you should really educate yourself on the entire process no matter what is happening. Two ways you can do this and know that you are ready to buy a home is feeling confident about your decision making. Sometimes when you are ready to buy a home, things can move a lot quicker then you think and you have to make a very big decision within a few hours. If you do your homework and understand the various steps of the mortgage process, you’ll feel confident on the decision no matter what happens. Another good point is looking for programs that make it easier for you to afford a home. An example is a Fannie Mae’s Home Ready mortgage that lets you put down as little as 3 percent as long as you take one of their education courses.



Budget
When it comes to buying a home, it can be easy to think you can afford the biggest and the best. Your bottom line is actually more about what you are truly comfortable and what you can truly afford rather than what a lender will give you. Sometimes we’ve learned that these numbers can be surprisingly different. Have a long hard talk about what you feel is a good number and never go above that number. Of course with a very competitive market and multiple offers being presented (sometimes even a biding war), it can be tempting to spend more than you really should. Really take a good hard look at your numbers so you don’t get in over your head and become more ‘house poor’ then you originally thought.



Wish List
The home of your dreams may not be the first home you purchase. That being said, it’s good to have a top five wish list of items that you don’t want to settle on when it comes to purchasing your home. This can be anything from a two-car garage, four bedrooms, and an open concept. Think of all of these must have items when looking at home.





Another good point is when touring homes, see if there is anything you can do yourself to help save money. For example, as an avid reader, I would love to have a gorgeous bookshelf to display all my books but not many homes offered this option. A girlfriend suggested I try doing it myself which wouldn’t that be difficult because my husband is such a handyman. He has wood tools to create the bookshelf I’ve been dreaming of and found many of his tools at a local shop called Saw Trax. They offer cutting solutions for several customers in the Atlanta area. From specialized hand cutting tools, saw kits, and their most popular product the vertical panel saw, you can find anything you need to help your projects come to life. They also offer a new lineup of carts such as dolly max, panel express, and scoop dollys to help us move our projects into our home! I really appreciate all the innovation products that normally are not seen in the material handling marketplace, plus their customer service is extremely helpful when asking the experts on what items to use for a particular project.



Look At Credit Score
Did you know that without having a healthy credit score it can be extremely difficult to qualify to meet most mortgage loans. Having a high score can earn a lower interest rate which, besides saving thousands of dollars over the life of your loan, it helps you qualify for a larger loan. Having a little extra can come in handy when the market can be so tight. A score of 800 or above is considered to be excellent, but most scores fall between 600-750.




Hopefully these four home buying tips will help you create a well thought out decisions for your first home. This is such an exciting time for you, your family, and your future so you want to make sure your decision is one that you are excited about, affordable, and will be happy with for the next few years to come.