8.30.2016

Pom Poko [#YearofMiyazaki]





Pom Poko
written and directed by Isao Takahata
originally released in 1994 as Heisei Tanuki Gassen Ponpoko

8.29.2016

Bout of Books 17 Wrap Up





Another round of the Bout of Books readathon is over! I find it hard to believe just how quickly a week can go by when I participate in readathons. Yet again, my week turned out to be crazier than expected and I didn't get a whole lot of reading done. Luckily, I really enjoyed the reading I did do!

Number9 Dream - David Mitchell
Written in a similar vein to works by Haruki Murakami, Number9Dream is the story of a young man's search for his long lost father in the dangerous and fantastical landscape of urban Tokyo. Eiji Miyake lives above a video rental store, works at a train station's lost and found center, and dreams about the waitress at his favorite hotel with a beautiful neck.

Never before have I read a novel my a non-Japanese author that felt so distinctly Japanese, specifically so distinctly Murakami. The actual plot and Miyake's fantasies bleed together into a questionable narrative that moves at just the right pace. At points the book felt like it would never end, which is exactly what I wanted.

Samurai Warriors - David Miller
While I didn't manage to finish this one, Samurai Warriors is a nonfiction book that I have been dipping in and out of for months now. While the information is a little dense, it's broken up into nice small, digestible sections and it is definitely a reference material I will return to again and again. W

And that was the reading I did during the 17th round of Bout of Books! Did you guys participate? What reading did you get done?

8.25.2016

A Life Update






Growing up, we hear a lot of "Be kind to each other." But we all seem to forget that it's important to be kind to ourselves as well! Sometimes, all that really means is being honest about where you are mentally and cutting yourself a break.

8.20.2016

Bout of Books 17 TBR





Time to tackle another Bout of Books Readathon! Despite my utter failure in the last round of Bout of Books, I am really looking forward to another readathon. As always, I wish my life would take a break and just let me read, but as it is I'm planning on cramming as much reading as possible into next week.

Bout of Books


TO BE READ
Unaccustomed Earth / Jhumpa Lahiri
Number9Dream / David Miller
Avenue of Spies / Alex Kershaw
The Visitor / Maeve Brennan
The Travelers / Chris Pavone
Samurai Warriors / David Miller
The Japanese Sword: Soul of the Samurai / Gregory Irvine



The Bout of Books read-a-thon is organized by Amanda @ On a Book Bender and Kelly @ Reading the Paranormal. It is a week long read-a-thon that begins 12:01am Monday, August 22nd and runs through Sunday, August 28th in whatever time zone you are in. Bout of Books is low-pressure. There are challenges, giveaways, and a grand prize, but all of these are completely optional. For all Bout of Books 17 information and updates, be sure to visit the Bout of Books blog.
--From the Bout of Books team


8.19.2016

Who I'm Watching [Booktuber Recommendations]




This is a video I've wanted to make for such a long time and finally, finally got around to! Today I'm going to share with you all four fantastic Booktuber ladies who I've been watching a lot of over the past few months.


1. Whitney / All The Shelves




2. Kate / Kate Howe




3. Maddie / The Maddie Hatter




4. Kathy / another great etc

8.15.2016

June + July Fauxbonichi Flip Through




The last two months have felt a bit crazy, with lots of personal and family struggles creating the majority of my stress. But I feel so fortunate to have such loving and supportive family and friends and August is being a lot kinder to me (so far)!

8.11.2016

Where We Go When All We Were Is Gone | Sequoia Nagamatsu















TITLE / Where We Go When All We Were Is Gone

AUTHOR / Sequoia Nagamatsu

PUBLISHER / Black Lawrence Press

DATE OF PUBLICATION / May 2016

NO. OF PAGES / 175

STARRED RATING / ★★★



8.07.2016

Porco Rosso [#YearofMiyazaki]





Porco Rosso
written and directed by Hayao Miyazaki
originally released in 1992 as Kurenai no Buta

8.01.2016

My Bullet Journal Set Up





























I'm really getting into this bullet journal system. My journal's definitely not as flashy or complex as some others, but it really has helped me be more productive throughout my day and that's all I could really ask for!

If you want some more creative and beautiful bullet journal inspiration, head on over to Boho Berry's YouTube channel.


MATERIALS INFORMATION