Hi! I'm Dayla F.M. I'm an avid reader, writer, and reviewer. My blog is a collection of upcoming books, my own bookish photography, reblogged photography, book reviews, relatable book posts, and opinions. You can find links to past interviews, reviews, and my FAQ on my links page! Never be afraid to ask me anything!
Happy reading/writing! Disclaimer: Most of the pictures that I post are mine (usually via Instagram). If a picture is not mine, it's because I've reblogged it. Please feel free to tell me if I have sourced your picture incorrectly and I will quickly change it.
I recently went to this book store in my city for the first time called Nowhere Bookshop. It was super cute with a little cafe in the back. I really wish I got some pictures. When you buy a book they ask if you want a stamp inside and of course I said yes!! ✨
essayista Which literary genres do you prefer reading? I personally like classics, (not romance though), feminist fiction, writing and mental health non-fiction, ancient Greek-Roman mythology and thrillers.
I agree with the first re-read review I wrote of this book–both that this is a great example of the prejudices that dominated so much back then (and let’s be honest, still live on in today’s society), and that I hate Bill. He’s such a dick.
I love that SOOKEH meets a new friend in this one and that her adventurous life truly begins. There’s also more smut than I remember.
I don’t have much to say about this one, other than I missed this creative world. Glad I get to re-read these with my friends!
My friend read this a while ago, so it was on my radar when I found the audiobook at the library. While it wasn’t the best MGLit horror I’ve read, it was super entertaining.
I wasn’t expecting to be genuinely creeped out by anything in this book, but this was such an atmospheric read that you can’t help but be completely creeped out. From the mystery, to the ghostly sightings and night time shadows creeping around the corner. Add in the disbelieving adults and you’ve got a recipe for a great summer spookfest.
One of my favourite things about this book, however, is the love that is shown towards books. Especially because of the MC’s aspirations to be a mystery author. There are some pretty great bookish quotes and even a new friend who shares the same love for books as the MC.
I’m curious about a sequel to this book explaining those creepy things living in the woods…
The last time I read a Catherine Hernandez book, I thought it was absolutely incredible. I cried and laughed with SCARBOROUGH. When I read the synopsis for THE STORY OF US, I wasn’t sure how I felt about the story. I didn’t know if it would be one of those books that would have me questioning why I’m reading a story about seemingly…nothing?
But.
But.
I’m so glad I ignored that worry and picked this beautiful and eye-opening book up. Much like with her debut, Hernandez had me laughing, crying, and feeling so many levels of anger.
This was a beautiful and heartbreaking collection of experiences that the MC has throughout her life as a nanny and then a Personal Support Worker. The stories we see and the people we meet through her experiences were a collection of personalities that we might see every day on our commute in the city, or that we might know of in passing or through friends and family. It was such a diverse number of experiences that while one might have had you despairing for the MC’s experiences, another might restore a bit of the hope one can’t help but have in such a situation.
All of these stories are told by the unlikeliest of narrators, which I think added a special level to the story. Especially in certain moments when the recounting of the past is interrupted by the present-day necessities.
I urge everyone to read this book. It’s incredibly eye-opening and a beautiful story about a woman who fights every day to be able to support her family. It’s also a jarring reality of what it means to sacrifice yourself in order to make sure your loved ones are taken care of, and the heartbreak that can follow the decisions made along the way.
Be prepared for incredibly fraught relationships, desperate moments full of fear and powerlessness, and heartwarming moments that remind us that even though we are only human, we can have the capacity for the greatest understanding and love.
While I’ve enjoyed this series for the most part, this one was maybe my least favourite one. It was shorter and I think that led to a little less time to fully invest in the story. There were still some creepy moments, but I do wish we had gotten more from this one–especially if this is potentially the last book in the series.
I did appreciate, however, how Arden shows us the mentality of a child who can’t help but allow her enemy to help her because she knows it’s all part of her survival. One of the things I’ve liked about this series is how self-sufficient the kids are, but also how their age shows in the actions and choices they make.
There was one particularly heart thudding moment and a pretty good mystery. I just wish this was fleshed out a little more. I am of the belief that even just one hundred more pages would give more depth to these stories!
I do recommend this series, however. Especially for anyone who is craving a more modern GOOSEBUMPS style story, or just a fun creepy adventure that follows a small group of precocious and brave children!
I have finally finished this one!!! It has been sitting on my currently reading shelf for months. The end of an era.
First off, I definitely enjoyed this one more than the first book. I loved the chemistry between the characters and how it was a slow build up to it. I remember thinking at one point, “Holy crap, it’s been two years?”
Second, I couldn’t stop trying to picture Rhys because wow, that man sounded very, very attractive. The size of him, plus that age gap? Yes, please.
Third, this one was a hell of a lot more spicy than book one. And that dirty talk? Jesus, I had to fan myself a few times. It was very…um, entertaining. Especially since I did a good chunk of this book through audiobook. Which brings me to the fact that I wasn’t a fan of the voice actor for Bridget–her whispery voice literally made my one ear hurt for a good chunk of the first day I started listening to the audiobook.
And while I loved the story and the spice and chemistry, I’ll admit that this book felt LONG. So much happened and while I enjoyed the twists and the outcome, it sometimes felt exhausting to finally reach those points because I knew there was enough time for shit to hit the fan.
I think if you weren’t the biggest fan of book one, you might like this one more. It has more of a spark, if I’m completely honest.
I received a copy via the publisher because I was the panel host for an event with the author. This did not affect my review at all.
I first became aware of SOMETHING MORE after one of my favourite YA authors commented on it during one of our interviews. She was raving about it and I immediately wanted to check it out. I watched, even more curious, as this beautiful book got an equally beautiful cover and ARCs finally came out into the world.
Khalilieh’s debut follows a fifteen year-old newly diagnosed Autistic girl as she embarks on one of life’s greatest challenges: high school. I love seeing her learn to navigate her world as an Autistic character and appreciated how she viewed the world and how different or similar her experiences were to mine at that age.
Jessie, the main character, was a character who had so many layers and honestly, watching her grow and accept who she is was such a highlight of the story. Yes, she’s in a love triangle between two boys who both cherish her for different reasons, but I like to think that the heart of this book was Jessie and her growth as a character. I applaud Khalilieh for being so honest and upfront about Jessie and who she is. I am grateful that I was able to read a book that so fully embodied what the experience of a 15 year-old Autistic teenager might be like in the dangerous wild that is high school.
I was immediately captured from the beginning of the book and I genuinely couldn’t stop reading until I got to the end where Jessie would, hopefully, pick the boy I was rooting for. I also really enjoyed seeing Jessie’s culture and the family dynamics of her home. Her sibling relationships and complex relationship with a father who has a harder time coming to terms with Jessie’s diagnosis gave the story an even deeper level and a lot more heart. This isn’t just any young adult contemporary novel, this is a map of first experiences, understanding, compassion, and the difficult lessons we sometimes face when we’re still growing into the people we will be one day.
If you want a YA novel with heart, diversity, and characters who jump off the page, then I highly recommend this one!!
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Have you read any of these books? Let me know your thoughts!
