Halloween Book Covers Tag

Here’s a tag I saw on Kristin Kraves Books and I think it’s the perfect book tag to celebrate Halloween. So I thought I’d try it out too! The tag was originally created by Kit @ Metaphors and Moonlight.

Skull/Skeleton/Bones:

Pumpkin:

I don’t read books with pumpkin covers apparently! Had to google this one.

Blood:

I Still love this book cover and how subtle the blood was to me at first glance. I just loved the pink cover!

Spider, Bats, or other Creepy Creatures:

I like moths but I feel like they are used a lot in creepy book covers – maybe because of Silence of the Lambs? We do have this huge month in Hawaii that is huge(2 hand spans huge) and when it’s late at night and you see them hanging out on the ceiling of your porch – it can be frightening! lol…in filipino culture we always say it’s the spirit of a deceased loved one that is visiting us if you see one.

Something Witchy:

Love the musical but I didn’t read this book. I remember when it was so popular though!

Severed Body Part:

I can’t find a severed body part book cover for the life of me! So I’m going with Anatomy since it’s a book about medicine and they were doing surgery and cutting open bodies for science!

Full Moon:

Cemetery:

A book I still need to finish reading!

Haunted house:

This has a very haunted house in it!

Ghost:

Another book I’ve never read but always wanted to.

Classic Monster (vampire, werewolf, mummy, etc.):

I’m working on reading this one – I’m barely through chapter one. It seems like going to be an epic story though.

Candy:

I read this book, but I do not remember this being one of the covers for it! The one I read had a paper heart on it! But this works for this book tag.

Someone in a Costume/Mask:

This isn’t a mask or costume but it totally could be!

Orange and Black:

I heard mixed reviews about this one but the cover looks creepy and the closest to orange and black that I could find.

Something Creepy:

This cover looks pretty creepy with those hands on her face.

I hope everyone has a Happy Halloween if you celebrate! What’s your favorite Halloween candy? For me it’s been Snickers and Twix. 🤷🏻‍♀️

Happy Halloween! Purple and Orange Book Covers

Happy Halloween to those that celebrate! We’re going to do our annual trick or treating and then pass out candy at our house. I think we are going to get a lot of trick or treaters this year. How about you?

Purple and Orange Book Covers

Tokyo Ever After by. Emiko Jean | Book Review

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

Title: Tokyo Ever After (#1)

Format: ebook (kindle unlimited)

Author: Emiko Jean

Pages: 336

Publication Date: 5/17/21

Categories: Young Adult, Romance, Japanese Royalty, Contemporary, Teen

Izumi Tanaka has never really felt like she fit in—it isn’t easy being Japanese American in her small, mostly white, northern California town. Raised by a single mother, it’s always been Izumi—or Izzy, because “It’s easier this way”—and her mom against the world. But then Izzy discovers a clue to her previously unknown father’s identity… and he’s none other than the Crown Prince of Japan. Which means outspoken, irreverent Izzy is literally a princess.

In a whirlwind, Izzy travels to Japan to meet the father she never knew and discover the country she always dreamed of. But being a princess isn’t all ball gowns and tiaras. There are conniving cousins, a hungry press, a scowling but handsome bodyguard who just might be her soulmate, and thousands of years of tradition and customs to learn practically overnight.

Izzy soon finds herself caught between worlds, and between versions of herself—back home, she was never “American” enough, and in Japan, she must prove she’s “Japanese” enough. Will Izumi crumble under the weight of the crown, or will she live out her fairytale, happily ever after?

Content Warning:

I found this on kindle unlimited and thought I could use something different from my fantasy books. This totally reminded me of the movie “What a Girl Wants” with Colin Firth and Amanda Bynes! Do you remember it? American girl finds out her dad is like a wealthy guy in England and she goes to meet him? Anyway here’s what I thought about Tokyo Ever After:

+ It’s a fun trope – girl finds out she’s actually daughter of the Crown Prince of Japan! So she goes to finally meet him and learn about royalty life and try to get know her dad.

+ The setting of Japan and learning Japanese culture is wonderful. I love the mentions of the royal family, the food, different cities like Tokyo and Kyoto – Izumi gets a whirlwind introduction to her homeland plus learning princess duties on top of that. Mind you she’s only there for 2 weeks – so a lot happens.

+ Another fun trope in the book: princess falling for her bodyguard. Swoon! I thought their romance was so sweet as he starts off grumpy and she’s new to the country. They get to know each other more because of close proximity, but it moves fast and we get some stolen kisses and even a scandal in the story.

+~ Izumi is a teenager and when she leaves American to visit Japan, she tries to figure where she belongs. She doesn’t feel American enough in America, and doesn’t feel Japanese enough in Japan. So she really does her best, trying to figure those things and I think she does great. She has a great group of girlfriends who is always keeping her grounded.

~+ It’s a book definitely that will appeal to teens. Don’t know if it will appeal to older readers but I enjoyed it a lot, and I’m way older.

~ Whirlwind romance in two weeks means it’s insta-love but I don’t mind it. Just noting it for those who don’t like insta-love.

Tropes: girl learns she is a princess, princess falls for bodyguard, girl tries fitting in

Spice Level:

Why you should read it:

lots of enjoyable tropes
light-hearted, fluffy story – reminds me of the movie “What a Girl Wants” or “Princess Diaries” but with Japanese culture
cute insta-love story

Why you might not want to read it:

insta-love
more appealing for teens

My Thoughts:

I thought this story was entertaining and fun. I love the trope where the girl finds out she’s a princess! There are other fun tropes in this book as well. I’ll definitely read the next book!

Book Links:

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Weekly Wrap Up | 10/30/22

Aloha friends!

Well the week started off good! We went to a Halloween party my cousin was throwing at her condo – or the area behind her condo. My kids had some fun time with their cousins and ran all over the place. My cousin bought like all the Halloween games and kid activities from Target! We had a blast.

But then my daughter’s cold…came back. Day after the party she was congested and had a runny nose and then her cough came back. And then her brother got her cold two days after her. So it’s been lots of sneezing, runny nose and coughing again in my house. I’ve actually been lucky to not catch it myself even though my daughter coughs in my face all the time!

So will we actually be going on our East Coast trip in 2 weeks or is she going to have another cold? Seems like she has a cold every two weeks and my son gets it once a month. 🙁 I will say she did better this time around and got better quicker? So I hope her immune system is getting stronger because it’s being bombarded with germs.

In other news my grandma, who lives in the Philippines turned 100 years old! My mom (it’s her mom) and dad left for the PI 2 weeks ago and will be there for another week. They planned a surprise birthday bash for it, which is exciting for all of them. I wish we could’ve gone but I did manage to facetime to wish her a happy birthday and she got to see my kids – even though the connection was bad.

I hope all of you had a good week and a wonderful week ahead of you! Happy Halloween to those who celebrated! 🎃

Blog Posts:

So I fell into a reading slump for a few days – I think it was because my kids were sick again and I just felt tired. Anyway I did manage to finish two books at the end of the week. But I feel like my reading is slowing down as the busiest time of the year approaches.

Books I Read:

Currently Reading:

Shows/Movies I Watched:

House of Dragons (HboMax) – looking forward to next season!
World Series Major League Baseball – because the Phillies are in it and my hubby is from Philadelphia so we have to support them, even though we never watch baseball 😅

How was your week? Did you get a lot done? Watch anything good? Read any amazing books or books you didn’t finish? What are you reading?…Leave me a comment below!

MidnighTS Book Tag Pt. 2 (3am Edition)

Here is part 2 of the MidnighTS Book Tag and it’s the 3am edition – the extra songs that came out at 3am! I found it on Star is All Booked Up! Please check out the link to her blog to see the original book tag and prompts, there is a part 1 and part 2 if you want to try it out. Here is the 3am edition:

The Great War – Love that rises even above the hardest times

Kazi and Jase forever!

“I vowed I will always be yours” – Taylor Swift, The Great War

Bigger Than the Whole Sky – a book that deals with grief

This book made me cry!

“Did some force take you because I didn’t pray?” – Taylor Swift, Bigger Than the Whole Sky

**my other favorite song**

Paris – favorite escape

Paris is nice, but I’d love to be in Positano eating all the pasta and cheese and enjoying the sun and sea!

“I’m so in love that I might stop breathing” – Taylor Swift, Paris

High Infidelity – love triangle

Such a love triangle between Belly, Conrad and Jeremiah!

“I didn’t know you were keeping count” – Taylor Swift, High Infidelity

Glitch – friends to lovers

A fun friends to lovers story!

” You don’t live in my part of town but maybe I’ll see you out some weekend” – Taylor Swift, Glitch

Would’ve, Could’ve, Should’ve – a book you wish had a different ending/DNFed

I enjoyed this book but damn…why the ending had to be so sad?! 😒

“I could’ve gone on as I was” – Taylor Swift, Would’ve, Could’ve, Should’ve

Dear Reader – a book that taught you something important

I love learning about mythologies from different cultures and this one tells us about the Mami Wata (mermaids) and West African mythology.

“Bend when you can” – Taylor Swift, Dear Reader

My favorites from the 3am edition are:

Bigger Than the Whole Sky
Glitch
Dear Reader

So what did you think of the whole album? And feel free to do this tag and link back to the creator of the book tag!

That Dark Infinity by. Kate Pentecost | Book Review

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

Title: That Dark Infinity

Author: Kate Pentecost

Format: hard cover (own)

Pages: 384

Publication Date: 10/18/21

Categories: Young Adult, Fantasy, Adventure, Lite Horror, Paranormal

By night, the Ankou is a legendary, permanently young mercenary. By day, a witch’s curse leaves him no more than bones. Caught in an unending cycle of death and resurrection, the Ankou wants only to find the death that has been prophesied for him, especially once he begins to rot while he’s still alive….

After the kingdom of Kaer-Ise is sacked, Flora, loyal handmaiden to the princess, is assaulted and left for dead. As the sole survivor of the massacre, Flora wants desperately to find the princess she served. When the Ankou agrees to help her find the princess, and to train her in exchange for her help in breaking his curse, she accepts. But how can she kill an immortal? Especially one whom she is slowly growing to understand—and maybe even to love?

Together, they will solve mysteries, battle monsters, break curses, and race not only against time, but against fate itself.

Content Warning: gory scenes, death, rape, assault, violence

I’ve had this one on my shelf for half the year and wanted to read it during spooky season. Here’s what I thought:

+ My favorite thing about this book was the creative world-building. There are monsters, different kingdoms, an awkward but efficient monster slayer, automatons and even a tiny bit of romance.

+ The characters are great! We have the Ankou, Lazarus, who is cursed to be a monster slayer. I loved how awkward he was outside of monster slaying. Flora has gone through so much – she lost her best friend, her position as a ladies maid and her innocence in one violent event. The friendship she builds with Lazarus is careful – I love how he gives her space and the friendship grows into something more but it’s never the focus of the story. And then there is Antonais who is a lightning mage and helps them on their quest to break Lazarus curse. He is a fun character who is into everything science and engineering.

+ I loved the darkness of the story. I don’t feel like the story itself was dark in a scary way, it just had dark themes but I felt like the writing was light-hearted and lyrical. Lazarus turns into a skeleton every night, which is kinda awesome. A lot of the descriptions got gory but never in a spooky way – hence why I dubbed it lite horror. I also loved all the action of fighting different monsters on their quest, that was fun.

~ Pacing was a bit off at times. For example, Lazarus is going to train Flora to fight and I swear it took one page of training and she was deemed proficient (yes time goes by…but quickly!). Also…there was modern day humor to the dialogue and the characters which was kind of strange but I went with it!

~ Also, Lazarus wants to break his curse, and Flora wants to know what happened to her best friend Beth and if she escaped the massacre. Flora’s goal kind of gets pushed aside – maybe because their goals were intertwined but I felt like we could have gotten more of Flora’s thoughts. She suffered through a lot. I just felt like she forgot she was looking for Beth at times. Maybe I just needed more of her perspective.

~+ There isn’t much to the romance – it’s barely there which is a good thing if you are there for the quest and action scenes. The romance happens basically at the ending and I did love how they went from companions to friends to lovers. It’s very sweet when you think about it.

Tropes: quest, monster slayer, girl who overcomes trauma, found family

Spice Level:

Why you should read it:

there is a quest and lots of actions scenes battling monsters
Lazarus is the most reluctant monster slayer but he’s so good at it and he’s funny and awkward at times. Love him!
great world building, creative and unique

Why you might not want to read it:

pacing is a bit off at times – at times rushed, maybe because it’s a standalone?

My Thoughts:

This was the perfect read for spooky season! The story is about a monster slayer who basically hates his job but is so good at it – he wants the curse to be over. Then there is Flora who has been seriously traumatized by a horrific event and has lost everything but she gains back strength, and love. There is a quest, lots of adventure and monster slaying and a happy ending. Only thing that threw me off at times was the pacing but overall and enjoyable story!

Book Links:

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

MidnighTS Book Tag (pt.1)

Are you listening to the new Taylor Swift album that just came out? I was curious to see if a blogger out there was fast enough to create a book tag related to the Midnights album and sure enough I found it on Star is All Booked Up! Please check out the link to her blog to see the original book tag and prompts, there is a part 1 and part 2 if you want to try it out. For now this is part 1 because I really gotta think about this lol….let’s start:

Lavender Haze- a book you will always love and defend

I will always love and defend this book!

“I’m damned if I do give a damn what people say” – Taylor Swift, Lavender Haze

Maroon- a spicy book

Spicy and sweet, just how I like it!

“I feel you, no matter what” – Taylor Swift, Maroon

Anti-Hero-unreliable narrator

I think Anti-Hero and think of Violet.

“It’s me, hi

I’m the problem, it’s me” – Taylor Swift, Anti-Hero

**this is one of my favorite songs on the album**

Snow on the Beach- an unexpected surprise

This book was such an unexpected surprise and kinda strange and sweet like snow on the beach.

“You wanting me tonight, feels impossible” – Taylor Swift, Snow on the Beach

**my other favorite song**

You’re on Your Own Kid- a character that really needs a hug

Lila seriously needed a hug after everything she was going through.

” ‘Cause there were pages turned with the bridges burned” – Taylor Swift, You’re On Your Own, Kid

**another favorite song**

Midnight Rain- star-crossed lovers

I was thinking star-crossed lovers like Romeo and Juliet and thought about These Violent Delights but then thought about Only a Monster because of how Nick was human and Joan learns she’s a monster, which makes them very star-crossed.

“He stayed the same

All of me changed

Like Midnight” – Taylor Swift, Midnight Rain

**love this one too!*

Question…?- grumpy x sunshine (or neurodivergent rep)

Knox is such a grump! And Naomi rolls with the punches.

“I just may like some explanations” – Taylor Swift, Question…?

Vigilante shit- favorite character out for revenge

All Zetian wants is REVENGE.

“Don’t get sad, get even” – Taylor Swift, Vigilante Shit

Bejeweled- strong character development

Freya really rises above after she is jilted before her wedding! But she goes to everyone else’s wedding and keeps on having fun with her friends as best as she can – she really grows from her experience.

“I polish up nice” – Taylor Swift, Bejeweled

Labyrinth- second chance romance

The title says it all! Clementine loses her memory and her ex comes back into her life, and she asks him what happened between them so she can’t remember. Talk about second chances!

“Lost in the labyrinth of my mind” – Taylor Swift, Labyrinth

Karma- favorite full circle moments or parallels

After everything they go through…it’s a sweet, full circle ending!

“Ask me what I learned from all those tears” – Taylor Swift, Karma

Sweet Nothing- favorite fluffy/cozy read

It’s a Christmas story that includes a cat cafe and so many different cats. It’s very cozy!

“I find myself running home to your sweet nothings” – Taylor Swift, Sweet Nothings

Mastermind- perfect world building and storytelling

I love this story so much, it’s perfectly told and I love the world building.

“Checkmate, I couldn’t lose” – Taylor Swift, Mastermind

And that’s the Midnights album before she release the extra songs hours later lol…so I will be doing part 2 in another post because it took me some time to do this one!

What are your favorite songs from this album? So far my top ones are:

Maroon
Anti-Hero
Snow on the Beach
You’re on Your Own Kid
Midnight Rain

I actually love a lot of the extra songs too…but I’ll rank let you know which ones in part 2!

Trick or Treatin’ Book Tag | Book Tag

Hi friends! I saw this book tag on Wildwood Reads and thought it would be a fun one to do for October. Not sure who the original creator is.

I’m lucky I have young kids who still go trick or treating lol…it’s still so much fun but Hawaii is so hot and humid still that after going around the block just once we are sweating and our feet hurt. But it’s fun to see all the decorations!

Creepy House on the Corner of the Street: A book with a creepy cover

There is something about black and white photos with the person looking straight at me that I find very creepy. It could be the most simple cover but it’s the eyes.

Light’s Out (Party Poopers): A book you want to read when you want to escape

Any SJM book is escapism for me!

The House That Gives Out the Cheap Candy: Guilty pleasure book

It’s one of those series I wish I could go back and read for the first time all over again. I haven’t read it in ages, but I still remember it so clearly. And yes I still want to watch the new series (gonna binge it once it’s all out).

The House with the Best Decorations on the Block: Best haunting/Halloween themed cover

The House that Gives Out the Best Candy: #1 Halloween recommendation

I think The Hacienda was pretty creepy, especially the night scenes!

Speed Round
Corn Maze or Haunted House?

I don’t think I’ve ever done a corn maze 🤔 so Haunted House

Classic or Unique Costume?

Both!

Sexy or Scary Costume?

Scary

Comedy or Horror Halloween Film?

I was much braver when I was younger lol…so comedy!

Chocolate or Sour Candy?

Chocolate!

And that’s the tag! Feel free to try this book tag out and thanks for reading!

Happy Book Birthday | New Releases | 10/25/22

Happy book birthday to these new releases! Check out this list today:

“DESTINY IS A CHOICE”

The Atlas Paradox is the long-awaited sequel to dark academic sensation The Atlas Six—guaranteed to have even more yearning, backstabbing, betrayal, and chaos.

Six magicians. Two rivalries. One researcher. And a man who can walk through dreams. All must pick a side: do they wish to preserve the world—or destroy it? In this electric sequel to the viral sensation, The Atlas Six, the society of Alexandrians is revealed for what it is: a secret society with raw, world-changing power, headed by a man whose plans to change life as we know it are already under way. But the cost of knowledge is steep, and as the price of power demands each character choose a side, which alliances will hold and which will see their enmity deepen?

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

A darkly humorous, surprisingly poignant, and utterly gripping debut novel about a guy who works in Hell (literally) and is on the cusp of a big promotion if only he can get one more member of the wealthy Harrison family to sell their soul.

Peyote Trip has a pretty good gig in the deals department on the fifth floor of Hell. Sure, none of the pens work, the coffee machine has been out of order for a century, and the only drink on offer is Jägermeister, but Pey has a plan—and all he needs is one last member of the Harrison family to sell their soul.

When the Harrisons retreat to the family lake house for the summer, with their daughter Mickey’s precocious new friend, Ruth, in tow, the opportunity Pey has waited a millennium for might finally be in his grasp. And with the help of his charismatic coworker Calamity, he sets a plan in motion.

But things aren’t always as they seem, on Earth or in Hell. And as old secrets and new dangers scrape away at the Harrisons’ shiny surface, revealing the darkness beneath, everyone must face the consequences of their choices.

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

The year is 414 of the Xin Dynasty, and chaos abounds. A puppet empress is on the throne. The realm has fractured into three factions and three warlordesses hoping to claim the continent for themselves.

But Zephyr knows it’s no contest.

Orphaned at a young age, Zephyr took control of her fate by becoming the best strategist of the land and serving under Xin Ren, a warlordess whose loyalty to the empress is double-edged—while Ren’s honor draws Zephyr to her cause, it also jeopardizes their survival in a war where one must betray or be betrayed. When Zephyr is forced to infiltrate an enemy camp to keep Ren’s followers from being slaughtered, she encounters the enigmatic Crow, an opposing strategist who is finally her match. But there are more enemies than one—and not all of them are human.

An epic YA fantasy about found family, rivals, and identity, from New York Times and Indie bestselling author Joan He, inspired by Three Kingdoms, one of the Four Classics of Chinese Literature.

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

In Marlowe Banks, Redesigned, Jacqueline Firkins wonderfully captures the messiness of failure, forgiveness, and embracing a second chance on life and love.

Marlowe Banks’s life has come apart at the seams. Her engagement ended abruptly. Her latest costume design was shredded by critics. Her student loans are overdue. Her parents have never been more disappointed. Desperate to hide from her failures, Marlowe flees New York City to embrace invisibility in Los Angeles as a menial Production Assistant on a popular TV show. While sorting socks and taking care of her boss’ spoiled Weimaraner, no one can confront her poor artistic choices or the end of her engagement, the end her ex refuses to accept.

When a costume mix-up requires Marlowe to step into in a scene, the camera catches a heated look between her and Angus Gordon, the show’s arrogant bad boy, thrusting Marlowe into the spotlight. As the pair is forced together on set, Marlowe learns she’s not the only one hiding. Walls come down for both of them, revealing a life Marlowe isn’t sure she’s ready for, and when her past comes calling, she has to decide if she’s going to stay invisible or if it’s time for a redesign.

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Are you getting any new books this week?

Happy Reading!

Halloween Costume Ideas From Book Covers | TTT | 10/25/22

Top Ten Tuesday was created by The Broke and the Bookish in June of 2010 and was moved to That Artsy Reader Girl in January of 2018. It was born of a love of lists, a love of books, and a desire to bring bookish friends together. Please check out her website for more TTT topics!

This week’s topic is: *freebie*

Halloween Costume Ideas From Book Covers

Since this week’s topic is a Halloween Freebie and I’ve done a bunch of them this month, let’s check out book covers that would make a good idea for a Halloween costume!

Belladonna – I can definitely see a costume with a pretty purple dress, and purple flowers in your hair, maybe some floral paint designs on the face and neck.
The Empress of Time – um yes to being a Death Goddess, or Reaper, which is what Ren was before being a Death Goddess. To be the Reaper, you’d need to have a clock on you.
House of Hunger – this is definitely a look if you are going for hot vampire victim lol

Heartstopper – this would make an easy and cute costume, especially because it’s on Netflix. But a private school uniform and the bags would be such a cute costume.
Daughter of Smoke & Bone – you’d need to get blue hair to be Karou!
For the Wolf – this would be easy and iconic because of the red cloak.

Fevered Star – can you imagine if you had a headdress like that as part of your costume? A star you would be!
Lore – one time I did a Medusa look for Halloween when I was working at a college library. I had small fake rubber snakes in my hair LOL. I’ve always wanted to do a full on Medusa costume.
House of Hollow – I don’t know about the bugs on her face, but I can go with the flowers and maybe drips of blood to make it look horror. Minus the blood then you can just be a gorgeous flower girl.

Devil in Disguise – honestly this is the costume I do want to wear somewhere…like at a Halloween ball or something. I want to be something out of the Bridgerton series on Netflix! lol…maybe the Queen.

Do you dress up for Halloween? And if so, what are you going to be this year?