Booktubing VS Book Blogging & Why I Will Never Booktube...Yet

Booktube. It's been getting pretty popular these days. Why? I dunno, maybe that you can actually see personality and actually know who's making these videos, whereas in book blogging, you're more behind the scenes, and being secretive. Which is the better deal? Booktubing or Book Blogging? 

I love watching videos, I'll tell you that. I'm subscribed to a crap ton of booktubers, while I only follow a few book bloggers. But what makes us really enjoy booktube videos better than blog posts? 
One of the reasons is visual interpretation. You get to actually see the booktuber talk and hold up books and fangirl and whatnot, whereas in blogging, you have to resort to images from Goodreads/Instagram, and ASLKDF;AKSJL;FLKASD;JF; J OMFG is probably the best thing you'll get to fangirling. 

Another reason why I love watching booktube is that it's more interactive. Most booktubers have various sorts of social medias to interact with their viewers/subscribers. Yes, we do have social media, but it's just not the same, because some of us don't show our faces while using social media, so we feel less connected with our followers. 

Finally, booktube is usually done on YouTube, which is has a large platform of viewers. Therefore, people are more likely to stumble upon a booktube video, rather than stumble upon a website about books. I mean, who's going to search "The Winner's Book Thief" on Google? No one. We bloggers have to find different ways to increase our views and followers. Some good ways are Twitter, BlogLovin, and Goodreads. Just so you know :D 

However, booktube does have its cons. If you really want to increase your audience, a good quality camera and tripod do cost a lot of money. Not to mention a fancy lens. It takes a big commitment to buying those things. In book blogging, all you need is a computer, website, and a creative mind. 

It takes lots of time to get ready to film a video, time to edit it, and time to upload it. Dude, I could have finished two rough drafts of a blog post by the time one video uploads itself onto YouTube. Talk about wasting time!

Book bloggers are more behind the scenes, not showing their faces in profile pictures (usually), not giving too much of their lives on the internet, while in booktube, you should look good on camera. Heck, if I was wearing pajamas while typing this post, you wouldn't know, but if you were wearing pajamas on screen...that might been seen as weird. No judgment though. And for the record, I'm not wearing pajamas while typing this. Just so you know.

Which is better?  
Ehhh, honestly depends on your approach. As a book blogger, I'm hella scared to show my face on the internet, but...

Finally-
I'm going to recommend you some booktubers, if you don't know where to start. Seven, to be specific. A few are quite well known in the booktube community, a few, not so much. 


Jesse from jessethereader: Jesse is so adorable, and we have similar book tastes. Also, his videos are hilarious, and pun-tastic...

Jenny from Jellafy: Jenny has this sarcastic tone that's so funny, and she reads a lot of historical fiction, which is something I rarely reach for, so if I need a rec, I'll go to her. She's also really underrated, which is bad, because her videos are really well done.

Regan from PeruseProject: Regan...is the queen of derp faces. I mean, seriously. Also, this girl has really good fashion taste and historical fiction recs. 

  

Yep. Derp faces on fleek. Like usual. 

Sophia from The Book Basement: Sophia used to be a book blogger as well, apparently. I discovered her because she was chosen to be one of the people who read the clues for The Blood of Olympus release thingy? Yeah, remember? Yeah. I found out she had a blog, and she inspired me to create on of my own. Also, she's so amazing and smart and supa supa nice and I love her glasses. Also, she's underrated so go subscribeeeee. OH AND SHE LOVES IMAGINE DRAGONS <3333333

Maureen from MaureenKeavy: Maureen reads so quickly, and she reads a variety of books, and loves Morgan Matson and is underrated, go subscribe. Also she's really sweet and yeah. 

Catriona from The Little Book Owl: Catriona, or Caz also reads a variety of books, and was technically the first booktuber I ever discovered. I love her accent so so SO much. 

Finally, save the best for last...

Christine from PolandBananasBooks: Christine has INFECTIOUS energy, and she's so amazing. And she loves Percy aksdkjf;aksd;falksd;flkja;sdlkjf;lkj and she makes a variety of vids and her sketches/comedy videos are absolutely HILARIOUS and she makes things so unique and I just love her so so so much. She's also the mother of booktubing, which makes her even more fab :D

♡ Beatrice

Book Review | The Girl at Midnight by Melissa Grey

The Girl at Midnight (The Girl at Midnight #1)

Author: Melissa Grey
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Publisher: Delacorte Press 

Page Number: 357

Genre: Fantasy
Publication Date: April 28, 2015

Synopsis from Goodreads:
Beneath the streets of New York City live the Avicen, an ancient race of people with feathers for hair and magic running through their veins. Age-old enchantments keep them hidden from humans. All but one. Echo is a runaway pickpocket who survives by selling stolen treasures on the black market, and the Avicen are the only family she's ever known.

Echo is clever and daring, and at times she can be brash, but above all else she's fiercely loyal. So when a centuries-old war crests on the borders of her home, she decides it's time to act.

Legend has it that there is a way to end the conflict once and for all: find the Firebird, a mythical entity believed to possess power the likes of which the world has never seen. It will be no easy task, though if life as a thief has taught Echo anything, it's how to hunt down what she wants . . . and how to take it.

But some jobs aren't as straightforward as they seem. And this one might just set the world on fire.

Goodreads | Book Depository | Amazon | Barnes and Nobles 

My Review:
I've seen many similarities between this, DoSaB (Daughter of Smoke and Bone) and The Mortal Instruments. However, since I haven't read DoSaB (I know, I know xD), this was a pretty solid fantasy for me. If you want the honest truth, this felt like a Percy Jackson novel. I know. Why? I don't know, really. It just had that sort of vibe. Except, obviously, PJO is much, much, MUCH better. Sorry :D

"Run when I have to, and fight to the end." -Echo, pg. 357

The blurb left me so confused, yet so intrigued. 
From the very beginning, I thought that the enemy to the Avicen were humans. Blame my poor comprehension skills, but honestly. 

"Are you flirting with me? Because you're cute enough, but you're not really my type."

I didn't like Echo. 
Echo didn't work, for me. She was really reckless, and hated when anyone called her a little kid, when seriously, she acted just like one. Honestly, grow up. Her sarcastic tongue came up at the most RANDOM fucking moments. Sometime they would just make me lol out loud because they were just so hilarious. Also, she was the literal ONLY one who cussed. Which, I wouldn't care about if the other characters did it too, but Echo was literally the only one and the least mature. 

HOWEVER. Books. Libraries. That's all I have to say. 

"Finders, keepers, asshole." -Echo, pg. 128

Caius. 
Everyone likes Caius. I find myself disliking most of the male leads these days. He was too quiet, and yes, he was brave, but dude, fucking STAND UP to your goddamned sister. And open your eyes. He literally could NOT tell that obvious crush that ____ had on him (read the book and find out). It was seriously so obvious, even I, the least romantic person ever, noticed. I also couldn't imagine Caius as being hot. I mean, that doesn't matter. But, I like to imagine these dudes before fangirling. I really must imagined Caius as a human with scales. And I imagine the Avicen as humans with feathers and black pupils, but that's what they are, right? 

Secondary Characters.
I really would have appreciated more backstory on Ivy, or Echo's relationship with her boyfriend. Grey really only focused on Echo, and developing her as a character, leaving the rest of the characters boring and bland.  

Pacing. 
The pacing of this book was all over the place. The first half, I understand, was to develop the setting and characters and whatnot, but the second half. WHOA. The second half was freaking bomb. The action finally started happening. This might have made the book a bit rushed at the ending for me, but I enjoyed it. Thank god the ending wasn't a huge cliffhanger. Yeah, Grey leaves room for questioning, but she wrapped up the first book rather well, which I appreciated. 

If you enjoy a good, solid fantasy, and you haven't read DoSaB, or don't care about originality, The Girl at Midnight would be a pretty good read. 

Final Rating: 

❄❄❄❄

♡ Beatrice

Top Ten Tuesday | Top Ten Authors I've Read The Most Books From

Top Ten Tuesday is a meme held by the ladies at The Broke and Bookish.

This week's theme is: Top Ten Authors I've Read The Most Books From

Well, I have a confession- I've never done a Top Ten Tuesday before. I know, *gasp*. But today seemed like a fun topic, so I decided, why not? BUT...I have a problem...I have, like, lots of ties. So I don't know what I'm going to do xD.  

Well, number ten. A seven way tie. I've read four books from each of these authors. Some of these are my absolute favorites....like Marie Lu and Marissa Meyer :D

Kiera Cass // Author of the Selection Trilogy
I've read the original Selection trilogy, plus one of the novella bind ups. Does that count?? Yeah, too late.The Selection trilogy is one of the most freaking addicting books ever. I guess that's good....?
Instagram | Tumblr | Twitter | YouTube | Goodreads

Michael Scott // Author of the The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel Series
I've read the first four books, and until recently, I thought there were only four books. However, I found out there were six recently...and sorta lost interest. I read these books in elementary school, but they are still good.
Facebook | YouTube | Pinterest | Twitter | Goodreads

Veronica Roth // Author of the Divergent Trilogy
I've read the Divergent Trilogy, of course, and Four, the bind up. Apparently she's writing a new book about Star Wars...even though Allegiant wasn't that well written, I'm really intrigued about what she's doing next!
Twitter | Tumblr | Goodreads

Marissa Meyer // Author of the Lunar Chronicles Series
Oh my gods, oh my gods, oh my gods. I've read the first three books, plus Fairest. Marissa Meyer is an AUTO-BUY author. I love her books so so much, and I can't even express my feelings for Winter. aklsdf;akjds;lfakjlsd;fkja;lsdkj SO EXCITED ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh.
Twitter | Facebook | Pinterest | Goodreads | Youtube | Wattpad

Tahereh Mafi // Author of the Shatter Me Trilogy
I've read the Shatter Me trilogy, and the novella. Can I just be the 10238401928341824th to say that her writing is gorgeous? Because seriously, it's just hella beautiful. She's writing a new book, and I'm really really excited. :D Plus, Ranhereh is just goals AF.
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Marie Lu // Author of the Legend Trilogy and the Young Elites Trilogy
AUTO-BUY. Anything Marie writes, I'll buy. I've read the Legend trilogy, and the first book in the Young Elites trilogy. I love love love her soooo sooo much. I love Day and June, and admire her for taking a new route with Adelina, traveling to the dark way. alskd;falksd;falk  I LOVE HER SO MUCH. plus she's Asian. we need more Asian authors.
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Lois Lowry // Author of the Giver Quartet
I didn't pick up a Lois Lowry book until recently, but I just love her stories. I read Number the Stars (I was about to write Counting Stars... ONE REPUBLIC <3) in elementary school, and that story touched me in so many ways. During winter break, I binge-read the Giver Quartet, and I loved it just as much.  
Goodreads

 EIGHTTTTTTTTTTTT YAYYY. :D

Pittacus Lore // Pseudonym of the Author of the Lorien Legacies series
This series has an interesting take to it, even though it's really easy to figure out what's going to happen next, they are so addicting.
Goodreads | Twitter | Youtube | Facebook

Sarah J. Maas // Author of the Throne of Glass Series / Princess of Fantasy
Must I say more? JK Rowling's apprentice, the princess of fantasy. I'm so hella excited to see a new generation of amazing fantasy. F*ck yeah!
Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Blog | Pinterest | Tumblr | Goodreads

Number Seven. These two authors wrote some of my late elementary school favorites <3 They deserve some love! MIDDLE GRADE DESERVES MORE LOVE <3 <3 <3

Angie Sage // Author of the Septimus Heap Series

My non-reader friend actually introduced me to this series, and I freaking read two in a day. I don't even know how. I had, like, lots of time. These books were fantastic and high fantasy and satisfied that fantasy that I missed when reading Mother Daughter Book Club.

Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads

Heather Vogel Frederick // Author of the Mother Daughter Book Club Series and Once Upon a Frog

Ugh, so sorry for the typo on the graphic. The Mother Daughter Book Club encouraged me to pick up more classics, and I just love the simple drama and loving environment all the characters live in. I related to all the characters in some sort of way, and even though they weren't realistic, I just enjoyed that aspect of the series. And she's writing a seventh book? I still reread this series. GIMME. Goodreads | Twitter | Facebook | Blog

 Three? Three.

JK Rowling // Author of the Harry Potter Series / Queen of Fantasy
Need I say more? I've read the Harry Potter series, and they created my love for reading. I have to thank Jo for she's done, because I'd never be that hyperactive fangirl without her. 
Twitter | Goodreads | Facebook

Ally Carter // Author of the Gallagher Girls Series
Everything Ally Carter writes, I'll probably read. She's writes the most interesting mysteries, a genre I don't really read. Also, her writing and stories are so fun and mysterioussssssssss....
Twitter | Goodreads | Facebook | Instagram | Tumblr | Blog


John Flanagan // Author of the Brotherband Chronicles and the Ranger's Apprentice Epic
Yes, I realize he's middle grade. I've only read the first five books of the Ranger's Apprentice, and the first four books in Brotherband, but his fantasies are so interesting, about pirates and ships and yayyyy! :D
Goodreads | Facebook
  

 Ahhhh...the very last two.

Rick Riordan // Author of the Percy Jackson series, Heroes of Olympus series, Kane Chronicles trilogy / Professional Troll / King of Fantasy
TROLL. TROLL. TROLL. But seriously, I love you, Uncle Rick. I've read 19 books by him. Does that prove I love his books? 
Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Tumblr | Blog | Goodreads

Cassandra Clare // Author of the Mortal Instruments series and Infernal Devices trilogy / Queen of Urban Fantasy
This bada*s lady has the best ideas for fantasy books. Seriously. 12 Books about Shadowhunters and I'm not tired of 'em.
Twitter | Facebook | Blog | Tumblr | Instagram | Goodreads

♡ Yiyi

Mini-ish Book Review | Unearthly by Cynthia Hand

Unearthly (Unearthly #1)

Author: Cynthia Hand
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Publisher: HarperTeen

Page Number: 435

Genre: Paranormal
Publication Date: January 4, 2011

Synopsis from Goodreads: 
In the beginning, there's a boy standing in the trees...
Clara Gardner has recently learned that she's part angel. Having angel blood run through her veins not only makes her smarter, stronger, and faster than humans (a word, she realizes, that no longer applies to her), but it means she has a purpose, something she was put on this earth to do. Figuring out what that is, though, isn't easy.

Her visions of a raging forest fire and an alluring stranger lead her to a new school in a new town. When she meets Christian, who turns out to be the boy of her dreams (literally), everything seems to fall into place and out of place at the same time. Because there's another guy, Tucker, who appeals to Clara's less angelic side.

As Clara tries to find her way in a world she no longer understands, she encounters unseen dangers and choices she never thought she'd have to make between honesty and deceit, love and duty, good and evil. When the fire from her vision finally ignites, will Clara be ready to face her destiny?

Unearthly is a moving tale of love and fate, and the struggle between following the rules and following your heart.

Goodreads | Book Depository | Amazon | Barnes and Nobles 

My Review:
I haven't read many angel books, because all the famous one have such bad reviews, until I stumbled upon Unearthly. Come on. The cover is freaking gorgeous. The story line was pretty interesting, with the the whole dreams thing.  Personally, I really enjoyed Cynthia Hand's writing style, it was simple but nice. 

CHRISTIAN IS SUCH A HERA. When he rejected Clara at prom for KAY I was just like, nope. Automatic no-no. But Tucker is soooo adorable and I love him so much. Tucker and Clara wasn't an instalove, but Christian and Clara was just the most fucking ridiculous instalove ever. The beginning wasn't the fastest past novel, but the ending. Whoa. "Dat ending doe." is what my friends and I say after an amazing ending. xD 

The whole angel premise and types were pretty unique and original, except I won't go into detail because of spoilers ;)

 

Final Rating: 

❄❄❄❄

♡ Beatrice

HAPPY BIRTHDAY CHRISTINE RICCIO (@XTINEMAY)

 

If you don't know who Christine is, I dunno whatcha doing with ya life. But she's GOALS AF, hilarious, and soooo pretty and it's her birthday, so HAPPY BIRTHDAY XTINE!!! <3 <3 <3

Her channel is polandbananasBOOKS. 

♡ Beatrice

Book Review | Tiny Pretty Things by Sona Charaipotra and Dhonielle Clayton

Sorry for the long hiatus, I wasn't reading much, and was feeling in a bit of a review slump. So I've deciding to change it up a bit and do Jen from Books and Other Happy Ever Afters review style (check her The Girl at Midnight book review), by doing a "thoughts on..." review style for books that I don't want to write a full review for. 

Tiny Pretty Things
Authors: Sona Charaipotra and Dhonielle Clayton
Sona: Twitter | Facebook 
Dhonielle:  Twitter | Facebook 
Cake Literacy: Tumblr | Pinterest

Publisher: HarperTeen

Page Number: 448

Genre: Contemporary
Publication Date: May 26, 2015

Synopsis from Goodreads:   
Black Swan meets Pretty Little Liars in this soapy, drama-packed novel featuring diverse characters who will do anything to be the prima at their elite ballet school.

Gigi, Bette, and June, three top students at an exclusive Manhattan ballet school, have seen their fair share of drama. Free-spirited new girl Gigi just wants to dance—but the very act might kill her. Privileged New Yorker Bette's desire to escape the shadow of her ballet star sister brings out a dangerous edge in her. And perfectionist June needs to land a lead role this year or her controlling mother will put an end to her dancing dreams forever. When every dancer is both friend and foe, the girls will sacrifice, manipulate, and backstab to be the best of the best.  

Goodreads | Book Depository | Amazon | Barnes and Nobles 

Final Rating: 

❄❄

♡ Beatrice