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.
“She read her way around the library, hungry for journeys, adventures, laughter and passion. She took each new book to bed like a lover, savouring every chapter, going too far some nights until the letters danced like insects and she was groggy next day at work. But still she’d sneak away for lunchtime trysts, her eager fingers fumbling for the bookmark.”
The one, the only, Shakespeare & Co bookstore in Paris in an English language bookstore that dates back to 1919. The original bookstore was a haven for Lost Generation figures like Gertrude Stein, F Scott Fitzgerald, and Ernest Hemingway. The current bookstore allows young writers to live and work on the premises.
This place is definitely my favorite bookstore in LA. It’s one of the very few remaining independent bookstores left, I guess that’s why it’s named “The Last Bookstore”. Inside, you’ll find a wide variety of books from Classics to Children’s books.
But upstairs is where things really get interesting. Up at the “Labyrinth”, not only will you find a massive amount of books, but you will also see interesting pieces made out of books, such as the book tunnel! The best part is that every book that’s up at the Labyrinth is only $1! The books are placed in no particular order so it’s really fun to see what you’ll find. It’s almost like heaven for all of us bookworms!
The Last Bookstore is a hidden gem in the busy streets of LA. So if ever you’re in the area, be sure to check this place out.
While CREEP FROM THE DEEP was such an incredibly silly read, it was so much fun and possibly my favourite Goosebumps read so far!
It probably helped that I listened to the audiobook and the production level was incredible. I highly, highly recommend listening to this one. There are sound effects and the voice acting was great!
This book also has a short story at the end that was also fun and one of those spooky reads that I just know nine year-old me would be reading with the blankets up to my eyes.
Okay, I’m invested in this series now. I must know how they end up winning because seriously, they have to, right? It would be criminal for these kids to go through hell only to end up not winning….right?
I find it fascinating that each of these books are written by different authors. I’m curious to see how this will affect it!
This was a fun addition to the series–I sort of liked it more than the first one, but I think because I liked the setting and the mystery more than the first book.
I have been running away from this book for a while because the hype that followed it was both terrifying and intimidating. But after finishing FOURTH WING, I was in desperate need of a great fantasy read featuring a bad ass main character and some adventure. So, after having DNFed three or four books, this one finally gripped me.
While there were a couple of things I wasn’t the biggest fan of, I loved the dynamics between the characters and how they all worked together. I’ll admit it took me a sec to fall into the romance, but it came together so great that honestly, I wouldn’t want it any other way.
The MC was a bad ass who took zero shit from anyone. I loved their determination and their ability to overcome the gender roles that society is trying so hard to place on all of the women. One of my favourite things about this book was the gender discourse and how applicable it is to our non-fictional world. I loved that the MC themself is constantly questioning the roles and is actively trying to overcome them.
I will say, however, that while I appreciated the MC’s strong will, I found it frustrating at times. I understand needing to be strong and not show empathy in such a cruel system, but I wonder if somethings its a fine line that is being walked on when you’re in such a dangerous environment. I AM glad, though, that the MC grows and we finally start seeing those connections form. But I see that this personality trait might carry into book two and I don’t know how I’ll deal with it until it comes out. Characters like that sometimes turn me extremely off of stories (I’ve seen it in some of the popular Fantasy novels that I’ve DNFed), so I’m crossing my fingers that the next book isn’t as side-eye worthy (for me) as the last bit of the book showcased the MC to be.
Finally, my last comment will be about the fight scenes and the robotic animals they control with their chi. These scenes were both cool and kind of confusing, aha. My friend mentioned that she would have loved to have a more visual representation of the machines and I agree–I think that was the main thing that kind of stopped the whole image from forming in my head. And the fight sequences–I don’t know if I fully understood how they were able to control the machines, but I enjoyed the ride!
The epilogue 100% makes me want to read the sequel, so I will be looking forward to that!
I’d recommend this for anyone who is looking for a high-action, high-attitude, and zero fucks given fantasy with a memorable MC, poly romance, and disability rep! Sometimes it’s okay to let the hype train run you over.
I have continued my reading of this series and I have officially read a book I hadn’t read yet in the series! I enjoyed this so much–it was full of adventure and non-stop action. I think one of the reasons that so many people loved this series when it was first coming out was because of how unputdownable it was. There were always high stakes and something else was always coming.
I can’t wait to start the next book! I’m sure it’ll be more adventure and I have this weird feeling that something dark is going to happen in the next one…
Also, yes, I am listening to this series via the library because I don’t want to give this author money ✌🏽I remember the very justified book drama…
Honestly, this was meh. The characters are kind of forgettable and the parents weren’t the nicest. Also, there were some scenes where the sister would act kind of eh and so would the brother, so I don’t know how they survived.
I know this book is for kids and honestly, I can totally see myself loving this as a kid. But adult me only found this kind of annoying and a time-suck.
Keep in mind, however, that not all Goosebump books are made the same. Some are genuinely a lot of fun! But this one wasn’t it for me.
I knew SWIMMING IN THE DARK was going to break my heart and I knew it was going to haunt me long after it was done.
I had the pleasure of spending an afternoon listening to this and as the hardest parts of the novel started up, I lay in my bed, hoping for the best for our MC. Instead, I was hit with this line from one of the characters:
“You can’t make people love you the way you want them to” (Jedrowski 178).
Ugh. SOB.
Minus the questionable age gap, this gave me similar vibes to CALL ME BY YOUR NAME and that just made the story even more beautiful to me. It explored the intricate and sometimes painful journey of first love and just how messy it can be. And how when it potentially ends, it leaves us with the crushing loss of love and a yearning for hope that there will be more in the future.
Set in a Communist society, the MC and his lover live in a world that is made difficult not just by its bigotry, but by the growing political despair. The increasing lack of food and uprisings to fight against other important needs not being met by the general public helps fuel this love story of two men who are on either side of the political struggle in their country. While one seeks refuge in the Communist agenda, the other is fighting more than just an outside battle, but the internal struggle of being who he is and watching the man he loves slip further and further away from him.
SWIMMING IN THE DARK is honest and heart wrenching and so full of hope that you really, really wish for only the best for the MC. His confusion and fear is palpable and the writing does such a beautiful job of portraying these emotions.
He worries about his grandmother’s health, reflects back on the difficulties and losses he has faced in his young life, and is constantly trying to find a path for his life. We see his internal struggle with doing what he considers is right, while desperately trying to not do what is wrong. We also meet the cast of characters he meets along the way and who will undoubtedly change his life in more ways than one.
By the end of this book, I wanted to listen to Mystery of Love by Sufjan Stevens. It’s that kind of mood.
Ugh, truly. This was such a beautiful and stunning book.
If you listen to one audiobook this year, let it be the one for BIG TREE. The production level, plus Meryl Streep as the narrator? It was pure MAGIC. There were sound effects, music, fantastic voice acting–and all of this to go along with a heartbreaking but somehow hopeful little story about two seed siblings trying to find a new home in an ever changing and tumultuous world.
I think this is one of those books everyone should read. It teaches the reader about the power of grief and the infinite potential we all have when we are still little and our dreams are huge. It also gives life to the struggle of a little tree trying to grow in the perfect place, despite the surrounding dangers.
I wanted to cry while listening to this, but also laugh and feel all different kinds of emotions.
On one hand, I liked the plot of this old and evil magical lady grabbing kids because it is nightmare fuel. Literally while I was listening to this book during a creepy scene, an Indigo delivery came and the guy pounded on the front door and scared the crap out of me. So, spooky vibes? Definitely down.
But this wasn’t a ghost story–not really. So, don’t go in expecting some sort of haunting or demonic creature trying to lure the new home owners down into the basement.
This was also, to be honest, a fascinating exploration of a disintegrating family after a recession, especially a once wealthy family. Seeing the parents fall into pits of despair and, frankly, abusive language and treatment, I’m surprised no one called Child Services. From the bullying the kids get at school, to the disinterest they experience at home, I’m not at all surprised that it was so easy for their youngest to be “took”.
What got me, however, was the events of AFTER the main event of the book. How awful the parents–especially the father–was to the son. I get that they’re in a state of grief, but what a crappy set of parents. I wish I could reach through the pages and smack some sense into them. I’m no parent, but if I ever become one and am put in a similar and unfortunate situation, I hope I don’t blame my child so unabashedly for the loss of the other one. This is why therapists are in such high demand.
I liked the story for the most part, especially, like I said, the spook factor and the way it all leads to pivotal moments, but why is it so normalized to see such crappy parenting in middle grade horror? Is this the only way we can get younger readers to empathize with the MCs?
I’d recommend this for the spooks, but keep the chancla ready for those parents.
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Have you read any of these books? Let me know your thoughts!
Recent visit to my favorite used bookstore in NYC, Westsider Books on the Upper West Side. They sell antique, rare, vintage, and newer used books. I bought some vintage Freud, Stendhal, and Balzac.
ALT
