Book Cover Buys

I know every book lover has heard the term “don’t judge a book by its cover”.. right?

Can you honestly sit there and say you have never done it?

We all have, I am pretty sure of that. How can you not, some covers just pull you in with their beauty. Isn’t that what the cover is there for, to give some sort of preview of what’s on the inside.

Although I don’t always believe judging a book by its cover is a bad thing. A lot of books I picked up just for their beautiful covers became some of my all time favourite reads. I have also found new favourite authors this way as well.

I will say there are some types of covers that turn me away from the book, causing me not to pick it up. This I need to get over, who knows what amazing adventures I may be missing out on.

What are some cover buys you picked up? I would love to know, maybe I need to add them to my never-ending… slowly taking over the world list.

And of course thanks for reading

Your Fellow Book Worm

-Nichole

The Field Guide To The North American Teenager by Ben Philippe

Advanced readers copy

Norris Kaplan is an extremely witty black french Canadian teenager. Enjoying his typical teen years in Montreal, Canada. Until he was plucked from his comfortable home of Montreal and moved to hot Austin, Texas.

Already unhappy with having to deal with all the changes of the move and not to mention the heat! Starting at a new high school was no dream either.

Along with Kaplan’s snarky teenager remarks that may get him in trouble, he starts catalogue everyone he meets. Nothing wrong with that… right?….at least he has some entertainment until he gets to run home to good ol’ Canada.

Until one day he meets Aarti, a girl he just can’t seem to place in any category.

Starting to think maybe his new life isn’t that bad. Norris begins to open up to the thought of staying in Austin.

But on prom night Norris makes a huge mistake and realises its time for him to stop hiding behind his sarcastic demeanour and make things right.

“It’s not that you can’t have an opinion. You just need to have less of them. People won’t always know when you’re joking”.

4.5 out of 5 stars

Ben created the perfect high school setting!

I felt as if I was plucked from my adult life and placed right back into the drama that was high school. This is not an easy environment to create, but Ben constructed it perfectly.

Cataloguing characters, groups, seasons, etc. really brought this field guide to life.

I would be lying if I didn’t say there wasn’t times that Norris didn’t drive me crazy. But I mean isn’t that sort of the point when it came to him as the main character?

Without giving names I will confess there is one character that really found a way into my heart. She is a huge reason for me devouring this book!

Oh and the humour!… absolutely hilarious. Constantly giggling to myself to bursting out laughing. Yet also having some truly serious moments, that you can’t take too lightly.

This is a such a fun, quirky read that deserves all the love.

Thank you so incredibly much to HarperCollins Canada for sending this hilarious read my way.

Publisher: Balzer + Bray

Release Date: January 8, 2019

And of course thank you all for reading!

Your Fellow Witty Book Worm

– Nichole

#backofthebookshelfbc

Why have I not thought about sharing this on here?!?!?!….

Mid January I reached out to my fellow Bookstagrammers to see if anyone was interested in taking part in a book club through Bookstagram (Instagram). I had such amazing feedback and now we are one large book club family!

Our name …Back Of The Bookshelf Book Club! — One heck of an awesome group, if I do say so myself.

The first book we chose was for February’s read. Giving everyone a chance to get their hands on the book if they didn’t already own it.

We are currently reading The Poppy War by R.F. Kuang. This incredible read will be completed by the end of February.

Our group breaks the book up by chapters, reading so many chapters each week. Carrying the book throughout the full month. Each week we jump on Bookstagram together and discuss that weeks chapters.

The discussions sure can get heated, in the best way possible. Just shows how passionate we are about what we are reading.

We have already picked our read for March!!!… The Lost Girls of Paris by the amazing Pam Jenoff.

If you are interested in reading along… please do! And please let me know you are, so I can be sure to discuss the book with you as well. If you are interested in joining our group you can find me on Instagram. My handle is nichi.i_readpastmybedtime. You can also use the hashtag #backofthebookshelfbc on Instagram to find us.

Look forward to seeing you! And I will come on here each month and share our next read.

And of course thanks for reading!

Your Fellow Bookworm

-Nichole

Thank you HQN Books

A Huge Thank You to Harlequin Books (HQN Books)

HarperCollins Harlequin team (HQN Books) sent 3 new romance novels my way. That are all coming out so very soon!

*** Please note these are not my official reviews, I have taken the synopsis’ from amazon.ca for the purpose of this post.

Flare Up (Boston Fire) by Shannon Stacey

Published by Carina Press on January 29, 2019

Nursing a broken heart while everybody around him seems to be drowning in happiness has Grant Cutter wondering whether staying with Engine 59—or even Boston Fire—is in his future. It’s tempting as hell to pack up what fits in his Jeep and hit the road. But then a 911 call brings the woman who shattered his heart back into his life, and he knows he won’t ever be able to fully leave her in his rear-view mirror.

For a few months, Wren Everett had thought the nightmare of her past was behind her and she might live happily ever after with Grant. Until she got the phone call letting her know the time her ex had spent in jail for assault hadn’t cooled his temper or determination that she belonged with him. Cutting ties with Grant was the hardest thing she’d ever had to do, but it was also the only way to keep him safe.

Now that Grant is back, he’s not letting Wren push him away again. And even with the trust issues between them, Wren dares to hope she and Grant might have a future together after all…if they’re willing to fight for it.

The Object Of Your Affections by Falguni Kothari

Published by Graydon House on February 19, 2019

Two best friends rewrite the rules of friendship, love and family…and change everything they thought they knew about motherhood

Paris Kahn Fraser has it all—a successful career as an assistant district attorney, a beautiful home in New York City, and a handsome, passionate husband who chose her over having a family of his own. Neal’s dream of fatherhood might have been the only shadow in their otherwise happy life…until Paris’s best friend comes to town.

Naira Dalmia never thought she’d be a widow before thirty. Left reeling in the aftermath of her husband’s death, all she wants is to start over. She trades Mumbai for New York, and rigid family expectations for the open acceptance of her best friend. After all, there isn’t anything she and Paris wouldn’t do for each other.

But when Paris asks Naira to be their surrogate, they’ll learn if their friendship has what it takes to defy society, their families and even their own biology as these two best friends embark on a journey that will change their lives forever.

Stroke Of Luck (Sterling’s Montana) by B.J. Daniels

Published by HQN Books on February 19, 2019

He’s hoping to bury the past. She’s ready to settle the score.

The Sterling Ranch’s season opening isn’t going so smoothly. With the ranch’s lodge full of guests and a Montana blizzard threatening, Will Sterling needs help—and he needs it fast. So when his childhood friend Poppy Carmichael agrees to lend a hand, he’s grateful for a second chance…and more enticed by the woman she’s become than he cares to admit.

For Poppy, it was supposed to be a retreat full of horse rides and hoedowns—with a side of showing Will what he’s been missing all these years. But as the snow deepens outside, the guests’ suspicion and mistrust turn sinister inside, catching Will and Poppy in the cross hairs.

Weathering the storm in each other’s arms is all too easy for Will and Poppy, but will a confrontation with a killer mean their reunion is short-lived?

Keep your eyes out for these reads, hitting shelves very soon!

Thank you again to HQN Books for sending these my way.

And of course thank you all for reading.

Your Fellow Book Worm

-Nichole

Stand-alone Books

Oh where or where are you?….

I recently uploaded a Bookish Thoughts video on my BookTube channel talking about stand-alone books.

Now please keep in mind these thoughts you are about to read are just my own. I may be completely off on my opinion. This is all in fun and I am just ranting my head off. Feel free to jump in with your opinion on the subject, perhaps you will make some strong points and will sway my opinion to the better. Maybe you agree?… Perhaps you will think I am crazy and just shake your head at me. It’s all good… as it’s all in fun!

Has anyone else noticed how so many books coming out are the 1st in a new series?… Is anyone else becoming over whelmed with their never-ending, slowly talking over the world TBR list?

I find myself searching more and more for stand-alone books. I don’t see them too often anymore especially when it comes to certain genres, such as Fantasy.

I understand that authors become passionate about the worlds they create and want to carry them on. Yet sometimes I just want to be able to consume a book, capturing the whole entire world and story line in just that one book, then hold it near and dear to my heart.

Now don’t get me wrong there are so many duology’s, trilogy’s and series that I love and can’t get enough of. Then there are some books I think one would have been enough… or why can’t more books that come out be just a stand-alone.

Now I honestly don’t know much of the author world or publishing world. Sometimes seeing so many new series being released makes me wonder if it’s the passion I talked about above with the world an author created or has it become more of a money hungry theme. Are authors pushing out books because they are excited to tell the whole story they have been building up in their head for years?, is it all about more money?, are they feeling pressure from publishing companies to carry on with it?…. Do you know? Because I don’t. Maybe it’s a mix of it all?….. Hmmm.

I also find a lot of books currently on my shelf that are the first in a new series are from book subscription boxes. Getting me hooked and wanting more, knowing I will need to pick up the second book. Where then the company will of course create a special edition box with the second book when it releases.

Just so many series to read!!!!!!…… Oh the anxiety … haha. Boy I sounds so dramatic.

Could it be the book community I am consumed in just doesn’t talk much about stand-alone’s and perhaps there are so many amazing ones out there I am missing out on?… Uh Oh .. I may be adding to that never-ending list again.

Thank you all for taking the time to read my crazy book nerd rant.

Your Fellow Book Worm

-Nichole

https://www.instagram.com/nichi.i_readpastmybedtime/

Belle’s Book Sleeves

What bookworm doesn’t travel with a book at all times?…Well most of the time anyhow.

A book sleeve is one of the best inventions created.

Travelling with your book and knowing it wont get damaged is the best feeling. Especially when you have taken the dust jacket off your hardcover wanting to keep it in great shape but then you worry about the books naked body!

I recently came across this new, up and coming Etsy shop that knows where it’s at when it comes to handmade book sleeves.

“Belle’s Book Sleeves”

Kelly is killing it left and right and selling out fast.

With new gorgeous, vibrant fabric patterns, FUR book sleeves (sooo plush!), liner color option on particular sleeves AND even starting “blind date with a book sleeve”. This is one shop you don’t want to miss out on.

I also can’t get over the theme. I mean correct me if I am wrong but Belle’s Book Sleeves gives me all the Beauty And The Beast vibes.

Shop name Belle and then the fur sleeves … come on that completely makes you think of the Beast… right?

Don’t take my word for it, go and check out her site. All I can say is —STUNNING!

Website:

https://www.etsy.com/ca/shop/BellesBookSleeves?ref=shop_sugg

Instagram Account:

https://www.instagram.com/bellesbooksleeves/

Oh and while making your order.. because let’s be honest we all know your going to buy. You can use my code to save on your order.

Code: NICHI12 …You’re welcome!

And of course, thank you all for reading

Your Fellow Book Worm

-Nichole

***Advanced readers copy***

“It’s not that you can’t have an opinion. You just need to have less of them. People won’t always know when you’re joking”.

A Huge Thank You to Harlequin Books (HQN Books)

Stroke Of Luck (Sterling’s Montana) by B.J. Daniels

Oh where or where are you?….

“Belle’s Book Sleeves”

Advanced readers copy