Books I’m Reading This Month: (Jan. 2019 Reads)

 

Hello, January! As an avid reader, I’m ready to make 2019 one of the best year where I’ve accomplished my reading goal! I struggled last year but this year I’m determined and I will strive (<—- my word of the year) and read 30 books this year. I’ve decide to post the books I plan to read during the month, to keep myself accountable and to share the books I’m looking into diving into. To me it’s always good to have a plan! 

Recently, when I was in Target with my mom, I came across Instastyle by Tessa Barton and I was really intrigued! This book is gorgeous! I’ve been wanted to get better at Instagram so I had to get this book and honestly, I can’t wait to dive in.

My mom has read and recommended The Hate you Give (T.H.U.G.) by Angie Thomas and Dear Martin by Nic Stone, so it was easy to choose these books to read this month. The Hate You Give has recently had a movie made and my mom is dying to watch it with me so, I’m really excited about reading it and comparing the movie. My Nonnie had actually read the book too and watched the movie and she said they are both good!

Lastly, I chose Dumplin’ by Julie Murphy because I’ve heard so much about it and so many people I know right now are watching it on Netflix and lately, when I have nothing going on I’m Netflix and Chillin. I’ve seen the preview of Dumplin several times when I log on to Netflix because they have recommended so, I consider the book a MUST READ! I must figure out if the hype is real!

As I finish reading these books, I will post reviews on them. Please note, that in my reviews I try my hardest not to give away spoilers. I hate reading reviews with spoilers because sometimes after reading them, I’m no longer interested in reading the book. My reviews may touch on the subjects (mainly nothing that the synopsis gives away). I’m not a twist in plots spoiler. 😂 I will sometimes discuss what style writing the author chose to use and if it fit the book. Sometimes, I find, I’m not in love with the writing style but may love the plot. 

(Click book covers for Amazon Purchase info.) 

 

InstaStyle: Curate Your Life, Create Stunning Photos, and Elevate Your Instagram Influence by Tessa Barton

Synopsis: 

Gain Instagram followers, grow your personal brand, and influence others with beautiful photography, fabulous content ideas, the best filters, and the right hashtags.

You have unbeatable taste and killer style that just needs to be unleashed to the world. You’re a creative force who wants to connect with others who will appreciate and be inspired.

Learn how to tell compelling visual stories for every aspect of your charmingly curated life – from a cozy snap of your shabby chic bed, to a candid of your day trip with hubs, to an attractive flat lay of your covetable afternoon-in-the-park outfit. How do people take those aerial shots of breakfast in bed, why do her selfies look so flattering, and how does she have time to capture all those beautiful photos while raising a family? Learn from successful Instagram influencers as they teach you all the exclusive tricks of the trade.

InstaStyle is your visual guide for transforming your feed and showcasing your life, while remaining true to your brand. From the moment you create your handle to get started, this book provides content inspiration, advice on curating shots, and editing instructions to keep your grid captivating and professional.

Whether you prefer vintage and moody, or soft and blush pink, specific guidelines explain how to create an immediately recognizable photo aesthetic with presets and editing. You’ll learn precisely how to drive people to your feed and win a follow so that you ultimately grow your business, and earn money by becoming #sponsored.

 

The Hate U Give (T.H.U.G) by Angie Thomas 

Synopsis: 

Sixteen-year-old Starr Carter moves between two worlds: the poor neighborhood where she lives and the fancy suburban prep school she attends. The uneasy balance between these worlds is shattered when Starr witnesses the fatal shooting of her childhood best friend Khalil at the hands of a police officer. Khalil was unarmed.

Soon afterward, his death is a national headline. Some are calling him a thug, maybe even a drug dealer and a gangbanger. Protesters are taking to the streets in Khalil’s name. Some cops and the local drug lord try to intimidate Starr and her family. What everyone wants to know is: what really went down that night? And the only person alive who can answer that is Starr.

But what Starr does—or does not—say could upend her community. It could also endanger her life.

 

 

Dear Martin by Nic Stone 

Synopsis: 

Justyce McAllister is a good kid, an honor student, and always there to help a friend—but none of that matters to the police officer who just put him in handcuffs. Despite leaving his rough neighborhood behind, he can’t escape the scorn of his former peers or the ridicule of his new classmates.

Justyce looks to the teachings of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. for answers. But do they hold up anymore? He starts a journal to Dr. King to find out.

Then comes the day Justyce goes driving with his best friend, Manny, windows rolled down, music turned up—way up, sparking the fury of a white off-duty cop beside them. Words fly. Shots are fired. Justyce and Manny are caught in the crosshairs. In the media fallout, it’s Justyce who is under attack.

 

Dumplin’ by Julie Murphy 

Synopsis: 

Self-proclaimed fat girl Willowdean Dickson (dubbed “Dumplin’” by her former beauty queen mom) has always been at home in her own skin. Her thoughts on having the ultimate bikini body? Put a bikini on your body.

With her all-American beauty best friend, Ellen, by her side, things have always worked . . . until Will takes a job at Harpy’s, the local fast-food joint. There she meets Private School Bo, a hot former jock. Will isn’t surprised to find herself attracted to Bo. But she is surprised when he seems to like her back.

Instead of finding new heights of self-assurance in her relationship with Bo, Will starts to doubt herself. So she sets out to take back her confidence by doing the most horrifying thing she can imagine: entering the Miss Clover City beauty pageant—along with several other unlikely candidates—to show the world that she deserves to be up there as much as any girl does.

Along the way, she’ll shock the hell out of Clover City—and maybe herself most of all.

 

What are you starting your year off reading?!

~Happy Reading!