Shouting at the Rain Blog Tour

Welcome to my itsy-bitsy corner of the web, I am super excited because I am apart of penguin’s Shouting at The Rain Blog tour! I cannot wait to share this wonderful book with you all!

lets get started

Shouting at The Rain

Author: Lynda Mullaly Hunt

Publisher: Penguin Middle Grade

Publication date: May 7th, 2019

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From the author of the New York Times bestseller Fish in a Tree comes a compelling story about perspective and learning to love the family you have.

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Book Description

From the author of the New York Times bestseller Fish in a Tree comes a compelling story about perspective and learning to love the family you have.

Delsie loves tracking the weather–lately, though, it seems the squalls are in her own life. She’s always lived with her kindhearted Grammy, but now she’s looking at their life with new eyes and wishing she could have a “regular family.” Delsie observes other changes in the air, too–the most painful being a friend who’s outgrown her. Luckily, she has neighbors with strong shoulders to support her, and Ronan, a new friend who is caring and courageous but also troubled by the losses he’s endured. As Ronan and Delsie traipse around Cape Cod on their adventures, they both learn what it means to be angry versus sad, broken versus whole, and abandoned versus loved. And that, together, they can weather any storm.

                                                            Check it Out on:

amazon Related image Goodreads

Author Bios

Lynda Mullaly Hunt is the author of New York Times bestseller Fish in a Tree and Bank Street Best Book One for the Murphys. She’s a former teacher and holds writers retreats for the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators. She lives in Connecticut with her husband, two children, impetuous beagle, and beagle-loathing cat.

Before I start the review, I just want to thank Penguin for giving me the opportunity to read this amazing book!

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The Review

disclaimer: I received a physical copy from the publishers for free. This has in no way influenced my review. Everything that I am stating is my honest opinion.

I really loved this book! It is one of the most well written middle-grade books I have read! Hunt expresses feelings and emotions so vividly and it is so amazing.

One of the first things I loved about this book was the cover and the title. I am usually someone who judges a book by a cover and this cover is exceptional. It’s so beautiful and poetic. The colors on the cover match perfectly and look amazing. The art is really pretty and I think it really relates to the book.

I also was really shocked while reading this book because I wasn’t expecting it to be this great! Writing a book from a Middle-Graders perspective can be really hard because they are no longer kids but they also aren’t quite yet full-fledged teenagers.  Especially if its a contemporary book. Most middle-grade books I have read have been huge disappointments, so it was refreshing to finally find a contemporary Middle-Grade book that represents its characters the right way.

Around the middle-grade age range, kids go through lots of changes and feelings, and sometimes books don’t represent it in the best way, it’s either a stereotypical ‘tween’ whos moody and has a bad attitude or a kid with no feelings at all, But Hunt finds the perfect in-between and its really awesome to see that.

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Delsie: Delsie is a sweet girl that is obsessed with tracking weather, going barefoot and making fairy houses with her best friend. But then her bestie decides to stop being friends with Des to fit in with another girl. We live in a society where girls (and boys, but especially girls) feel like they need to ‘grow up’ so fast. And by growing up they don’t mean physically, but looking grown up and feeling like they should have a right to do more “grown-up” things. Like dating and stuff. I love Delsie because she doesn’t let her friends change her and make her ‘grow up’ instead, she stays true to herself and her personality. 

I also love that Delsie lives with her Grandma. I never really see that in modern books and It’s really interesting and probably nice for kids that live with there grandparents. In the beginning, Delsie feels like an orphan and wishes she had a real family, but in the end, she realizes that she has all the family she needs, her grandmother, her caring neighbors, and her new found friends, and even though her family may be different, she still is loved.

Ronan: Ronan, a well-known trouble maker in Cape Cod, also is somewhat orphaned, His mom left and he is now struggling to adapt to living without her. When Delsie’s friends ditch her, Ronan helps Del and becomes her friend.

I really love Romans personality and how he overcomes being judged in the past and becomes a new person who is not always causing trouble.

Amiee: Amiee is Delsie’s theatre obsessed friend who just got cast as Annie in her theatre’s play, which causes her to not be around for Delsie that much. With her bubbly personality, she always finds a way to cheer someone up.

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Related imageHunts writing style, it’s really amazing.

Related imageDel’s quirky neighbors

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Related image Delsie and Ronan’s duo! I loved how they were just friends and the author didn’t push them being in a relationship.

Related imageThe town- All the shop names and restaurants sounded really cool

Related image the cover and the title

Related imageDel being obsessed with the weather, It’s a really unique and great character detail.

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Honestly, there wasn’t really anything I didn’t like!

I love the characters and would love to have a sequel which is set in the same town with the same characters but the main character is like a different person from the town.

Final Thoughts

This was a unique and incredibly written book and I am so happy I had the chance to read it!

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I was able to make a mood board for the book!

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I love how this turned out! It’s so cute!

Thanks for reading! Make sure that you check out this incredible book!

Bye for now,

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becoming a book hunter// how I bought my favorite books for only 25 cents!

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Welcome to my itsy-bitsy corner of the web! I am so excited about today’s post because I am going to share with you all how I was able to buy some of my favorite books for little to no money!

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Books are one of my favorite things! But buying books can be quite expensive and sometimes I want to keep books on my shelf longer than how long the library tells me to! So I recently started visiting my library’s book store and hunting for books that I love.

After a few unsuccessful visits, I found The Mysterious Benedict Society Book 2 in the free basket. Yes, THE FREE BASKET! I was soo happy and I realized that I may end up finding books I want at the book store after all.

Recently, after searching the Library’s Bookstore’s YA section I stumbled across Scarlet. YES SCARLET FROM THE LUNAR CHRONICLES! It was the full hardcover edition.

For only 25 cents.

I screamed in the bookstore. ( if you are interested in buying scarlet you can use my affiliate link 🙂 click mee)

This is why learning how to become a book hunter is one of the most important things to learn if you are a bookworm. It teaches you how to have a sharp eye for good books at thrift stores, yard sales, library bookstores, ANYWHERE!

So let’s begin my very important training on how to become A BOOK HUNTER.

Lesson One: Free First

The first lesson to learn is to always check the free section. I have found many great books in the free section (LIKE THE MYSTERIOUS BENEDICT socIETY) so ALWAYS CHECK IT.

Lesson Two: speed is the key

Ya snooze, ya lose. Race right over to the section of books you are looking for and make sure you get there before everyone else. ( Just kidding, be respectful kiddos) Make sure you grab all the books you are considering and keep them close, anyone can steal.

Lesson Three: Always bring money

One time I went into the bookstore and I saw a sparkling hardcover edition of Six of Crows. I haven’t read the book yet, but I hear about it everywhere and It looks so pretty. I sadly left my money at home so I couldn’t buy it. The next time I came to the bookstore it was gone 😩

Lesson four: don’t use your eyes only

At Museums, people might say eyes only. At bookstores its the opposite. Use your hands to search through the books. You can’t always tell a book by its spine.

Lesson five: Don’t Overbuy

Don’t buy books that you won’t ever read. They will only take up space in your book shelf

aND THOSE ARE THE BOOK HUNTER SECRETS

Use these lessons as a guide to becoming a book hunter! Have fun on your journey!

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I hope you guys liked this post! Hopefully, these book hunting tips help you!

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Have you ever gone book hunting? What are your favorite book finds?

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darius the great is not okay and neither am i// book review

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Welcome to my itsy-bitsy corner of the web! Before we get started on today’s post, I just want to thank you all for 245 followers! It means a whole lot!

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So today I am going to talk about this awesome book I read. Its called; Darius The Great is Not Okay. IT IS SO SWEET AND JUST O MI GOODNESS. It is such an amazing book.

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genre: YA, Mental Health, Coming of Age, Bildungsroman, Travel

RATING: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

“It’s okay not to be okay.”

The first thing you should know about Darius the Great is Not Okay is that it actually made me cry.  This book is a touching story about friendship, family, and learning that being not okay is okay. The characters, the settings, the feels. I felt as if I was right there with Darius.

my favorite characters

Darius-  a smol tea loving boy that struggles with depression and anxiety. I loved Darius so much, he is such a relatable boyo and I just want to give him a whole bunch of hugs. His personality is just incredible and HE TALKS ABOUT TEA ALL THE TIME ITS SO CUTE ADSKSJS.

Sohrab- ANOTHER SMOL BOYO THAT NEEDS HUGS. O my goodness they are both just beautiful and pure smol bois that need hugs. I love sorabs bubbly personality he is just such a sweet and caring guy. HE IS ALWAYS SMILING. He is just adorable and positive and just a great character

laleh- she is just such a sweet little sister that needs cookies. SHES SO CUTE SUCH A GOOD LIL SISTEER. I think she is so cute and has such a cute personality.

writing style

the writing style is SO A M A Z I N G! I mean I literally felt every feeling and emotion (did I tell you that I cried?) THE AUTHOR IS SUCH A GOOD WRITER I LOVE HIS STYLE SO MUCH. ITs ASHJDIJKDK I cannot even explain it JUST READ THE BOOK PLEASE.

what I didn’t like

the only thing I really didn’t like was the beginning. I almost didn’t read the book. The beginning makes the book seem horrible but PLEASE KEEP ON READING BECAUSE IT TURNS OUT REALLY GOOD!!

i also did not like the bullies that picked on my smol boyo Darius IF YOU WANNA HURT DARIUS FITE ME FIRST!!

what i did like

basically the whole book

darius and sohrab- THEY ARE MY SMOL BOYOS IF YOU WANT THEM F I T E  M O I

the tea references (THEY WERE SO BOOTIFUL)

the story setting

   literally almost everything

final rating

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

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THIS BOOK WAS SO CUTE AND BEAUTIFUL PLEASE READ IT!! Yes I loved this book so much and I really think you will too!

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Have you read this book before (IF NOT GO READ IT :)) What have you read recently?

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january recap (Fiverr, bookstagram and fave reads)

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Welcome back to my itsy-bitsy corner of the web! I am so shocked by how fast January went. I feel like the whole year will disappear if I blink!

January was a crazy-fast month. It was fun, sometimes stressful and an exciting start to 2019! I am so excited about February and the rest of the year to come!

Also, guys, I am so sorry about not being consistent with blogging. I always plan to write and post my posts on certain days but something always keeps me away from it! So yeah I am sorry I haven’t been blogging as frequently. Life really has been crazy (I feel like I always say that!) 

Anyways, let’s get started!

books I want to read

The Austen Escape by Katherine ReaySpinning Silver by Naomi NovikCinder by Marissa MeyerThe Brontë Plot by Katherine ReayLizzy and Jane by Katherine ReayManga Classics by Stacy King
The Selection by Kiera CassDarius the Great Is Not Okay by Adib KhorramAnne of Green Gables by L.M. MontgomeryThe Mysterious Benedict Society and the Perilous Journey by Trenton Lee StewartThe Mysterious Benedict Society by Trenton Lee StewartThe Mysterious Benedict Society and the Prisoner's Dilemma by Trenton Lee Stewart
The Mysterious Benedict Society by Trenton Lee StewartMy Lady Jane by Cynthia HandLove & War by Melissa de la CruzFront Desk by Kelly YangDear Mr. Knightley by Katherine ReayFull Cicada Moon by Marilyn Hilton
I feel like I read more but yeah!
 My favorite book I read I think is Darius The great is Not okay.
*sobbing* It was such a sweet relatable book! I am definitely going to review it soon! (when I am done crying in the corner)
I am trying to read 150 books this year and according to Goodreads I am five books ahead of schedule, and I think that’s good…?
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Last month I accomplished two things I really wanted to do.
One I started a bookstagram! Yes! I have been wanting to do this ever since I started book blogging and it is so much fun! If you have a bookstagram I would love if you follow me! @elysianartiste
I also have started a fiverr!
Fiverr is an online marketplace for freelance services. I have posted some blog design gigs that I would love for you to purchase. And for a limited time, anyone who signs up to buy on Fiverr, clicking this affiliate link will get 20% off there first purchase! (this will give a small commission to me which I would really appreciate!) I would love if you buy one of my gigs!

I would really appreciate if you support me on both of those platforms!

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scrunchies- THEY ARE SO CUTE AND JUST 90s 

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clips and barrettes- Okay I am kinda turning into a 90s kid and I love these

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jumper dresses and mum jeans- 

sunflowers

stars

literally anything vintage and aesthetic

oh also I really have become a band and theatre kid. I play clarinet and I like musicals. I am trying to audition for Matilda the musical which sounds adorable because Matilda is basically every bookworm

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January was a great month! I am so excited about what February! Thanks so much for reading!

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What books did you read last month? What are your January favorites? Do you have a bookstagram or fiverr?

Thanks for reading!

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insta  fiverr

 

 

my lady jane-book review

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My Lady Jane

genre: Fantasy, Humor, Historical Fiction, Fractured retelling?

rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ 1/5

“Very funny, my lady. And that reminds me”

—he pointed a finger at her—

“no horse jokes.”

He was making it too easy.

“Ah, my lord, why the long face?”
“That’s it!”

Being Queen can’t be that bad right? Well, it is for sixteen-year-old Lady Jane Grey. Jane prefers books over romance, and would rather be reading then kissing her groom. But little does she know that her groom is a horse. Yes, a horse. And her cousin- the king- is dying and giving the throne to her. Join Jane, her horse and her king on a humorous quest in a medieval world full of shapeshifting people.

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This was probably the funniest book I’ve ever read.

The characters, the plot, EVERYTHING was extraordinarily creative and quite hilarious.

This book is the “true story” of Lady Jane in the Tudor time period. England is divided between Verities and Eðians. Eðians can shapeshift into animals, while Verities cannot and there has been a lot of tension and war between these two. 16-year-old King Edward is dying and gets his cousin, Lady Jane, married to a stranger to secure the throne and keep peace in England. Little do they know that there are people out there plotting against Edward and trying to steal the throne for themselves.

Characters

Edward-the king. Edward is a dying sixteen-year-old king. He would rather be planning his first kiss then who to inherit his crown. I kinda like him, but, uh *cough* He’s not really my favorite. But still has an interesting character design.

Lady Jane is pretty much all of us bookish nerds. She LOVES books and treats them like her children and would rather read a book at her own wedding. I love her feistiness and she IS SO ADORABLEEEE. o my GOODNESS I LOVE HER SO MUCH. She has such a cute character design and she’s so relatable!

Gifford Dudly my horse boi. *squealing* SO GIFFORD (he prefers G) IS AN ARTSY POETIC SWEET SMOL BOY THAT I LOVE SO MUCH. HEEEEEEEELP. he writes adorable little poems. ILYSM G! he’s sad and needs hugs because his dad is mean (FITE GIFFORDS’ DAD) he spends his days in the fields as a horse and stays up at night writing sonnets as a human. please give him cookies and journals so he can keep writing poems

romance

(the whole point of the book)

Jane and G are so cute. At first, they kinda hate each other (because they were forced to marry each other) BUt as the story develops so does there love.  AWWWWWWWWWWW

my favorite quotes

( because there are so many beautiful ones)

“I love you more than I love books.”

(*claps loudly, tears dripping down my face*)

“On everyone’s lap rested a book. Any book. In case the wedding got boring.” 

“Because he was English and that’s what the English do under stress: they drink tea.”

“I’m so hungry I could eat a horse. Oh. Sorry, G. Not you, of course.”

The authors are amazing IM CRYING EVERYTHING IS JUST so funny! I had loud outbursts of laughter while reading.

what I didn’t like

*DUN DUN DUNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNN*

The story was somewhat confusing, and I had to reread certain parts over to understand it.

I didn’t like Edward that much. (IM SORRY). He just kind of…. annoyed me… (again IM SORRY) He was very sexist and boooooooooooriiiiiiiiiing (sorry and sorryyyyy)

what I did like

I loved the world the authors built. I loved how the world was created and like the cool shapeshifting part.

Jane and G. (so ship worthy! should we call it gane?) They were so cute and a perfect couple. Their character designs were amazing and I love G SO MUCH (he’s my smol poetic bean)

overall

This is a funny and great read. If you are a fan of fantasy, historical fiction, retellings or comedy then this book is for you! I recommend it to anyone who likes a fun clean read!

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Have you read My Lady Jane? Do you want to read it? What books have you recently read?

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