Book Review: Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda by Becky Albertalli

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If you do not own this book yet – go buy it. Like, NOW! You will want to own it and it will sit on the top shelf with all your other favorite books. And then go see the movie. You can thank me later. No really, you will.

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Publish Date: April 7, 2015 by Balzer + Bray
Pre-order/Purchase: Amazon, Barnes & Noble
Category: Young Adult, Contemporary, LGBT
William C. Morris Award Winner: Best Young Adult Debut of the Year * National Book Award Longlist

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Unique Blogger Award

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Beautiful graphic designed by Ginger Mom & the Kindle Quest!

I was nominated by the terriluvsbooks Blog for the Unique Blogger Award. If you haven’t checked her out before, you are in for a treat! Between her pop-up interviews (which are so fun, its like you are eavesdropping on a coffee klatch…well not eavesdropping because you’re obviously invited!) or Facebook Friday Nooner’s, she is a pro at creating ‘all things books’ videos. She offers a wide variety of book reviews for all readers and posts content on the regular. I aspire to brand my blog as well as she does hers! So, if you haven’t checked her out yet, do it! For this tag, I nominate:

1. Katiria @ Kati’s Bookaholic Rambling Reviews – we are both members of an FB group for Book Bloggers and she is one of the most supportive bloggers I know. She takes the time to connect and engage with all her followers and runs a sister site, La Jersey Chika Reads Indie Books, that showcases Indie Authors. She keeps her content fresh and consistent and I always look forward to see what she is reading next.

2. Alison @ BusyCollegeBookworm – we recently did a buddy read together and it was wonderful having someone to read along with (especially since the story was super scary!). On her bookstagram account she is always making it a point to shout-out her followers and often shares her favorite photos from their pages. She is just lovely.

3. Kathryn @ Nose Stuck in a Book – she was one of my first followers and just the nicest and most supportive fellow book blogger. She is super artistic and very creative when it comes to her photos and reviews. Her realness shines through her posts.

Here are the questions you need to answer and then keep the fun going by tagging other bloggers.

  1. If you could interview ANY author (famous / not, Indie / traditional published), who would it be and why?
  2. What is your favorite part of blogging?
  3. What is one of your biggest goals for your blog?
  4. Do you have a blogger who inspires you to keep blogging? If so, who? And what about them inspires you?
  5. What was your favorite book as a child?


Now, for the main event: my answers!


Well hopefully you are still interested in reading further, I promise to inject as much humor as possible to keep you engaged. I am not a comedian, but I do believe I am #10outof10 (inside joke with friends, but hopefully you get the point, hehe).

Sit back, relax, and enjoy the SNR show!


1.  If you could interview ANY author (famous / not, Indie / traditional published), who would it be and why?

greatest-peter-pan-quotesWhat a question, I had to really think about this one if I was only to pick one. I chose J. M. Barrie, who wrote ‘Peter Pan’. I have a huge respect for Peter Pan, as I like to quite frequently say I suffer from Peter Pan syndrome. On my list of ‘deadly afraid of’ is heights, snakes, sharks, and growing up. Time feels like its moving faster and faster and I don’t like it! Whoa cowboy, hold your horses: there is no need to be in a rush (unless you are commuting in NYC then hustle people!).

2.  What is your favorite part of blogging?

Being able to throw my thoughts out into the universe and have people listen. Sometimes I feel like I may be talking to myself but when you hear from someone that they bought a book you recommended or have been inspired to read more, it makes all the effort so worth it. Plus, you meet so many cool people, I have read so many books I would never have picked up or even heard of without coming across my blogger friends’ reviews.

3.  What is one of your biggest goals for your blog?

At first I thought it would be to gain as many followers as I can, but I quickly discovered its not about numbers: engagement and conversation is where its at! My goal this year is to make my readers laugh and want to check in with me without getting that email alert that I posted a new post, but that they look out for what I am up to.

4.  Do you have a blogger who inspires you to keep blogging? If so, who? And what about them inspires you?

Everyone in my Facebook Book Bloggers Group! I am so lucky to have stumbled upon this group, I wouldn’t be having as much fun without them. Everyone supports everyone, regardless of preferred reading genre and I have learned so much about blogging in general – and still learning – from all of them. XO. Are you a book blogger too? Join us!

5.  What was your favorite book as a child?

Ok, this one was hard for me to think of. As a child I was more into watching old Disney movies and don’t remember that one favorite book. I loved Shel Silverstein ‘Where the Sidewalk Ends’ and read practically every Disney Little Golden Book, but not one majorly stands out. My new self is very disappointed in my old self, but I think I have more than made up for my fair share of lost reading in my youth.  


If you read this far, well THANK YOU! If I could I would give you two gold stars. XO

I also wanted to thank Cassandra over at The Bibliophagist who nominated me for a Versatile Blogger Award! It is lovely to be recognized by peers you admire, and if you haven’t checked out her Versatile Blogger post – you must!


You may also follow my funniest self here:

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Book Review: Not That I Could Tell by Jessica Strawser

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Publish Date: March 27, 2018 by St. Martins Press
Pre-order/Purchase: Amazon, Barnes & Noble, BOTM $9.99 add-on
Category: Fiction, Suspense, Mystery

In a quiet neighborhood, a group of five friends (some more acquaintances), enjoyed a ladies night around the fire-pit: involving a few too many glasses of wine. The next morning one of them, along with her two small children, are missing. When the detectives roll around the ladies don’t remember much of the night (oops, too much wine), nor do they really know much of their neighbor outside of a superficial relationship (what was her marriage really like?). You can imagine the gossip within the small town: did the estranged husband have something to do with it or is he a victim?

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Buddy Read with BusyCollegeBookworm: Sinner by Christopher Graves

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Sinner
by Christopher Graves
Check out the Book Trailer
Publish Date: April 5, 2018 by OP Media
Category: Horror, Thriller, Suspense

In 2018, I read my first horror book and probably my last. This is not at the discredit of the author, who did a fine job of invading my dreams and turning them into nightmares. I haven’t been this freaked out since Season 4 of Dexter and the Trinity Killer: holy moly my senses are on overdrive; paranoia being the top dog here. By the way, thanks a lot John Lithgow, you have officially ruined my fond memories of Harry and the Henderson’s.
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Book Review: Paris by the Book by Liam Callanan

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3.5 disco balls

Publish Date: April 3, 2018 by Dutton
Pre-order/Purchase: Amazon, Barnes & Noble
Category: Fiction, Mystery

I recently joined Penguin’s First to Read program: a free membership that gives you access to request upcoming new releases before they hit the shelves. Paris by the Book, by Liam Callanan, was my first selection – of course, due to my obsession with all things Paris. Paris is on the bucket list!

Is Leah a widow? For almost a year, she is unsure. Her husband, Robert, vanishes and I don’t say suddenly, because it is like him to take a break from the family from time to time: this time, he doesn’t leave a note and does not return. Is he leaving her clues to his whereabouts? Conflicted with her emotions, Leah and her daughters, Ellie and Daphne, take a trip to Paris in hopes of finding their father; if he is still alive.Read More »

Book Review: Hot Mess by Emily Belden

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Publish Date: March 20, 2018 by Graydon House
Pre-order/Purchase: Amazon, Barnes & Noble
Category: Women’s Fiction, Chick-lit

Twenty-five year old Allie Simon has a good head on her shoulders, a good job, good friends and supportive family. She becomes consumed by a charming, bad boy celeb chef named Benji Zane and her simple life as she knows it, well isn’t very simple anymore.

Benji is a recovering addict who – only 3 months sober – asks Allie to invest her entire life savings in “their” future (to partner in opening a restaurant with Benji at the helm, sold alongside the future image of them married with kids in a brownstone yada yada yada).

Guess what? You probably guessed right: only a month before opening, Benji relapses and goes off the grid leaving Allie to unwillingly step into his place; in order to not lose her investment. The rest of the story is Allie maneuvering the foodie scene in a high-end area of Chicago: friends, critics and social media not always on her side and often waiting to see her fail. It’s a cute story and I enjoyed watching Allie come into her own.Read More »

St. Patrick’s Day Giveaway

Win your very own Saturday Nite Reader starter kit!

GIVEAWAY IS CLOSED! OUR WINNER IS: @readingwhilevegan!

img_0816Enter my Instagram giveaway for your chance to win the newly released paperback of The Heart’s Invisible Furies by Irish novelist John Boyne. My favorite read of 2017!

You got the good book, now all you need is the comfy pj’s (in this case its socks!) and wine (in this case a wine glass for your favorite reading mode beverage). Giveaway winner will be announced on my Instagram stories at noon EST on St. Patrick’s Day (Saturday, March 17th).Read More »

Goodreads Monday: Abraham Lincoln

Goodreads Monday is a weekly meme hosted by Lauren’s Page Turners. To take part, you simply choose a random book from your TBR and show it off. Don’t forget to check out Lauren’s Goodreads Monday blog post to share your Monday selections.

I am currently in Washington, D.C. to attend the 2018 SHRM Employment Law & Legislative Conference (for work) and feeling a bit historical. I thought it would be fun to share books – including a children’s book – about my  favorite president: Abraham Lincoln.

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At the same conference a few years back, our keynote speaker was historian Doris Kearns Goodwin. She wrote a book called Team of Rivals: The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln that I obviously purchased (but, that is still sitting on my TBR…I will get to it this year!).

Team of Rivals: The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln by Doris Kearns Goodwin
Published: October 25, 2005 by Simon Schuster
Purchase: Amazon, Barnes & Noble
Category: History, Nonfiction, Biography, Politics
Winner of the Lincoln Prize, 2016

Goodreads Synopsis:
Acclaimed historian Doris Kearns Goodwin illuminates Lincoln’s political genius in this highly original work, as the one-term congressman and prairie lawyer rises from obscurity to prevail over three gifted rivals of national reputation to become president.Read More »

Book Review: The Woman in the Window by A.J. Finn

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3.5 disco balls

Published: January 2, 2018 by William Morrow
Purchase: Amazon, Barnes & Noble, BOTM $9.99 add-on
Category: Suspense, Thriller, Mystery, Fiction

I really wanted to love this book as I am a big fan of suspense books and the premise of this book was super interesting, but overall it was OK. The ending saved this book for me: and, isn’t that what suspense books are all about (the ending)?Read More »

Book Review: We Are Okay by Nina LaCour

What drew me first to this book was the cover: its absolutely beautiful.

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4 disco balls

Published: February 14, 2017 by Dutton Books
Purchase: Amazon, Barnes & Noble
Category: Young Adult, Contemporary, Fiction

The synopsis on the book jacket is somewhat vague, which I often prefer. It just explains how lead character, Marin, left home with only her wallet, cell phone and a photo. She hasn’t spoken to anyone from her prior life in 3 months; until her best friend shows up to visit for three days.

During this visit we will piece together Marin’s former life and learn why she just picked up and left. Read More »

Talk to Me: Reading Habits

Of course I can read just about anywhere (commuting, waiting on line, in waiting rooms) but if I am being honest I am most comfortable reading when I am at home in my pajamas. I need pjs, fuzzy socks, a blanket, and my cuddly pug Bailey next to me to really be in reading mode. Lounging in jeans: nope, not comfortable enough. Leggings or sweatpants please: a bonus if they are a cute pattern.

The minute I get home from work the first thing I do is change into comfortable clothes. Like I said, lounging in jeans or work pants: no thank you! The thought of it is sending shivers throughout my body. I am suddenly feeling itchy! 😫 I know, sounds weird, but I am all about comfort.

I noticed I have a bookstagram photo of me on my couch reading and I was wearing jeans !?!?! I am not sure what was wrong with me that day. I must not have been feeling like myself (I would never actively choose to lounge in jeans!). 😂

Question: What are your reading habits? Whether its reading with the music blasting, TV on, or the need for total silence. What is something we don’t know about your reading habits or style?

This isn’t really Bailey, but you can be sure that his favorite thing to do is sleep 23hrs a day!