Lifestyle – Page 18 – Adventures in Polishland

Category: Lifestyle

Book Review | The Revolution of Ivy (The Book of Ivy #2) by Amy Engel

Posted on November 12, 2015November 9, 2015 by Adventures in Polishland

This review is of the second book in a series, and contains spoilers for the first book. Please only read this review if you have read The Book of Ivy by Amy Engel.

The Revolution of Ivy (The Book of Ivy #2) by Amy Engel

Published by Entangled Teen on November 3, 2015

Genres: Young Adult, Fiction, Dystopian, Romance

Format: eARC

Pages: 290

Source: NetGalley

Goodreads: ★★★★

Ivy Westfall is beyond the fence and she is alone. Abandoned by her family and separated from Bishop Lattimer, Ivy must find a way to survive on her own in a land filled with countless dangers, both human and natural. She has traded a more civilized type of cruelty — forced

marriages and murder plots — for the bare-knuckled brutality required to survive outside

Westfall’s borders.

But there is hope beyond the fence, as well. And when Bishop reappears in Ivy’s life, she must

decide if returning to Westfall to take a final stand for what she believes is right is worth losing everything she’s fought for.

REVIEW

The Revolution of Ivy was one of my most anticipated releases of the year, and I am so excited to be a part of a Blog Tour to celebrate the book’s release. I absolutely loved the first book in this young adult duology, and was anxious to see how Ivy’s story would end. This book begins just where The Book of Ivy ends, with Ivy waking up beyond the fence after being put out of Westfall. I did have some issues remembering the details of the first book, but thankfully was able to jump right back into the story rather quickly. That being said, I definitely see a reread of this series in the future!

As with the first book, The Revolution of Ivy is exceptionally well-written. Ivy is an excellent first-person narrator. She speaks in a dreamlike manner, but she is always easy to follow. I also really liked the addition of new characters Caleb and Ash. They were added to the story seamlessly, and were developed well throughout the book. The pacing of the novel was well done, too – Engel knows when to share details, and when to jump forward.

That being said, I did find the story to be a bit predictable, especially to a reader who is no stranger to the dystopian genre. There were definitely some big plot twists and unexpected scenes, so I deducted a half star from my rating for the touch of predictability. There were also a few moments in the book that I didn’t find fully convincing, so I decided to settle on a solid four star rating for that reason.

Nonetheless, I really enjoyed The Revolution of Ivy. I cannot give much away in this review, as the story is so action-packed even the slightest hint of the plot will give a lot away in advance. The story is very emotional in more ways than one, and I can really connect with Ivy and feel for her in terms of what she experiences. I don’t necessarily agree with all of Ivy’s choices, but I still absolutely loved how this duology concluded.

Overall, I highly recommend picking up The Revolution of Ivy if you read The Book of Ivy. This duology is really incredible, and I am looking forward to the next book Engel writes. I know I will be reading this series again in the future. I’ve fallen in love with these characters, and will need to return to them throughout my reading life!

BUY THE BOOK

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo Books | iTunes | Google Books

GIVEAWAY

Enter to win a signed copy of The Revolution of Ivy and a necklace! This giveaway is open to US residents only, and is hosted by the publisher. Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

This blog post is a stop on a Blog Tour hosted by YA Bound Book Tours. All opinions are my own. Giveaway is hosted by the publisher, Entangled Teen, and I am not responsible for choosing or contacting the winner.

The Pumpkin Batch Unboxing | Wicked Good Pumpkin for October 2015

Posted on November 10, 2015November 4, 2015 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Tuesday! It’s no secret that I am a huge pumpkin lover, so when I heard about The Pumpkin Batch I couldn’t believe such amazingness existed. The Pumpkin Batch is a monthly subscription box that features all pumpkin goodies. That’s right, this box is filled with 4-6 items that feature pumpkin in some way. I was lucky enough to receive the October box for review, and am excited to share it with you today. Make sure you stay tuned to the end of this blog post, as I have a coupon code for all of you!

I filmed an unboxing video so you can see how The Pumpkin Batch arrives, and all of the goodies in person. I will also have photos and more information of each individual product below for you.

As I mentioned in the unboxing video, The Pumpkin Batch includes items that are made in America. I love learning about new-to-me small businesses, and I think it’s amazing that The Pumpkin Batch does all the work in finding them for me. Let’s take a closer look at each product in the Wicked Good Pumpkin box!

Puurbody Flickering Wick Pumpkin Spice Soy Candle – $6 [BUY]

I’m not a candle person, but this one smells absolutely divine. I have it sitting in my bedroom, and even though it’s not lit I can smell it faintly in the background. This candle makes an excellent gift, and I love that it is made of 100% pure soy wax with no additives. I can tell this is a handmade item because the wax is a bit messy on the top of the jar, but because I’m keeping this for myself I don’t mind it one bit.

Wicked Whoopie Pumpkin Whoopie Pie – $3 [BUY]

I shared this whoopie pie with my mom because she is a whoopie pie aficionado. She said it was really delicious, and almost as good as the fresh bakeries in our community. I love that The Pumpkin Batch includes a fresh baked good in each box, but this one did contain a very long ingredients list with preservatives. It was also a huge splurge calorie-wise. Nonetheless, it is definitely a yummy treat!

Ravens Creek Pumpkin Spice Sugar Scrub – $12 [BUY]

I am so excited about this sugar scrub! Not only does it smell amazing, but I use sugar scrubs in my regular skincare routine so I know I will get use out of this. This is the one product I haven’t tried yet, simply because I just opened another scrub in the shower. I will be sure to report back and let you know my thoughts on it!

The Poisoned Applies Handmade Pumpkin Caramel – $7 [BUY]

Okay, it’s time to let you know about my favorite treat in the box! I cannot stress to you how delicious these caramels were! I may have accidentally eaten both in one sitting (oops). I don’t recommend you do that, though – they are so rich! While these are a bit expensive to buy normally, I highly recommend them as a special treat or gift. I’m still dreaming about them!

Kraken & Claw Kraken Corn in Harvest Brew – $5 [BUY]

The last item in the October box is this delicious popcorn. I also really, really enjoyed this! I’m a popcorn fan, so this made a great nighttime treat. This would also make an awesome gift during the holidays! I am going to have to browse through the Kraken & Claw shop to see what else they offer!

MY THOUGHTS ON THE BOX + SUBSCRIPTION OPTIONS

Overall, I really enjoyed the October box from The Pumpkin Batch! While this is not a box I would get all year round, I think it makes an amazing fall time treat. There are three different subscription options for The Pumpkin Batch. A monthly subscription is $29.99 per month, but you can save money with a longer commitment. A three-month subscription is $26.99 per month, and a full year is $24.99 per month. You can also give The Pumpkin Batch as a gift, which I highly recommend for the pumpkin lover in your life this holiday season! One gift box is $34.99, and a yearly gift is $299.99.

The Pumpkin Batch has provided all of you with a coupon code for 15% off your first box in any monthly or quarterly subscription. Enter polishpumpkin15 at checkout HERE. This coupon expires on November 30, 2015, so make sure you act fast if you want to save!

What do you think of The Pumpkin Batch? Let me know in the comments!

Follow The Pumpkin Batch on Social Media

Facebook | Twitter | YouTube | Pinterest | Instagram

The product in this post was provided for my unbiased review. All opinions are my own. See my Disclosure Policy for more information.

Book Review | Carrie by Stephen King

Posted on November 5, 2015November 2, 2015 by Adventures in Polishland

Carrie by Stephen King

Published by Doubleday on April 5, 1974

Genres: Adult, Fiction, Horror, Fantasy

Format: Paperback

Pages: 245

Source: Purchased

Goodreads: ★★★ 1/2

Carrie knew she should not use the terrifying power she possessed… But one night at her senior prom, Carrie was scorned and humiliated just one time too many, and in a fit of uncontrollable fury she turned her clandestine game into a weapon of horror and destruction…

REVIEW

One of my lifelong goals is to read Stephen King’s work in publishing order, and I finally began my quest with Carrie upon finding a vintage and battered copy at a library book sale. While I knew the general story of Carrie already, I was still interested in reading the book. Carrie is a very quick and easy read, as the novel is under 300 pages. The story is immediately captivating. I really liked how the book is written. The story is written in the third person, and follows Carrie and her high school classmates. At the same time, the story is intermixed with fictional books and news articles that look back upon Carrie and her life. It makes the story feel real, and I wished I could go and read more from those fictional secondary sources.

While the writing is intriguing and flows well at the beginning, the story gets a bit jumbled at the end of the novel. The cadence of the book is upset towards the end, which definitely took away from the reading experience for me. That being said, Carrie is a debut novel, and I think it is a solid debut notwithstanding the disorganized writing.

Moreover, Carrie deals with the real life issue of bullying in a way that I’ve never read. It is so sad to see how Carrie’s classmates terrorize her, and it’s also sad to think that this bulling still occurs today over forty years later. Carrie is such a sympathetic character, and it is truly heart-wrenching to see how she is treated by her peers.

In the same way, Carrie’s mother is also a horrifying character. She is a fundamentalist Christian, and abuses Carrie. It is quite thought-provoking that King surrounds Carrie, the supposed monster, with such terrible people. It makes a great statement about what truly makes one good versus evil.

Overall, I enjoyed Carrie and am glad I decided to read King’s work in publishing order. It will be great to see the evolution of his writing over time. If you haven’t read Carrie I definitely recommend it despite the lackluster writing at the end of the novel. It is, of course, a well-known novel, and the bullying theme is an important one. I look forward to continuing on with King’s novels, and will be sure to share my thoughts on each in the future!

BUY THE BOOK

Amazon | Book Depository | Barnes & Noble

When you shop using the Amazon or Book Depository links above, I earn a small commission through each website’s affiliate program. All opinions are my own. See my Disclosure Policy for more information.

Birthday Haul | What I Got for My Birthday!

Posted on October 27, 2015October 27, 2015 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Tuesday! Haul Week continues with a Birthday Haul today. As I mentioned in yesterday’s post, October is my birthday month. I celebrated 26 this year, which is a bit hard to believe. I feel like my Sweet 16 was just a few years back! Nonetheless, I thought I would share the gifts I got with all of you. Perhaps you’ll want to add some of these to your next wish list! Let me show you what I got for my birthday this year.

My parents got me some practical gifts, and then this awesome blush palette from Benefit Cosmetics! This is the Real Cheeky Party Holiday Blush Palette. It retails for $42, but contains four blushes, the Hoola bronzer, Watt’s Up! highlighter, and two sample sizes of They’re Real! in the eyeliner and mascara. I own one Benefit blush that I absolutely love, and I’ve been wanting to try more. I’m really excited that I now have this in my collection! If you want to get your hands on this, make sure to grab it now. It’s Limited Edition and sure to sell out!

I told you my parents got me some practical gifts! This is the OXO Good Grips 3-Piece Water Bottle Cleaning Set. It is MUCH needed! I always use a reusable water bottle, and those straws can be really hard to clean well. Not all of my water bottles can go in the dishwasher, and I didn’t even have a dishwasher at my last apartment! I first got the idea for this when cleaning my nephew’s baby bottles back in January. Adults need clean bottles, too, and I’m so glad I have this set!

The last gift my parents got me is a Postal Scale from American Weigh Scales. I’ve been wanting one of these for a long time! I send out a lot of packages, and this will help me avoid the lines at the post office and print my own postage at home. I can get the exact weight of all my packages now! That means faster shipping for my giveaways, too. I’m excited to begin using this right away!

Next are the gifts from my brother, sister-in-law, and nephew! First up is Garfield Holiday Collection, which is a DVD of all of the holiday shorts starring Garfield. I mainly wanted this because I love Garfield’s Halloween Adventure, but that almost never airs on TV anymore! Now I get to watch it whenever I want! In fact, I watched it the night I got this gift. I also love Garfield’s Christmas special, so it will be fun to watch that in just a month!

My last gift from my brother’s family is very special. I’ve been a huge Full House fan my entire life, and my brother happened to know someone working on the new TV show Grandfathered. What you see above is a handwritten birthday wish from Bob Saget! I nearly fell on the floor when I opened the card! I really appreciate my brother’s friend going out of her way to ask Bob for this incredible message. And, of course, a huge thank you to Bob Saget for taking the time to write me this note!

All in all, I had a nice birthday that I got to celebrate with my family for the first time in three years! I had my choice meal of Chipotle, and of course a hot pink cake. No celebration is complete without some tasty treats, right?! I hope you liked seeing what I got for my birthday. I’m so thankful for the gifts I received, and wanted to share them. If you are also an October baby, I hope you had a great birthday, too! I’ll see you tomorrow as haul week continues!

Book Review | Horns by Joe Hill

Posted on October 22, 2015October 15, 2015 by Adventures in Polishland

Horns by Joe Hill

Published by William Morrow on February 16, 2010

Genres: Adult, Fiction, Horror, Fantasy

Format: Paperback

Pages: 397

Source: Purchased

Goodreads: ★★★ 1/2

At first Ig thought the horns were a hallucination, the product of a mind damaged by rage and grief. He had spent the last year in a lonely, private purgatory, following the death of his beloved, Merrin Williams, who was raped and murdered under inexplicable circumstances. A mental breakdown would have been the most natural thing in the world. But there was nothing natural about the horns, which were all too real.

Once the righteous Ig had enjoyed the life of the blessed: born into privilege, the second son of a renowned musician and younger brother of a rising late-night TV star, he had security, wealth, and a place in his community. Ig had it all, and more—he had Merrin and a love founded on shared daydreams, mutual daring, and unlikely midsummer magic.

But Merrin’s death damned all that. The only suspect in the crime, Ig was never charged or tried. And he was never cleared. In the court of public opinion in Gideon, New Hampshire, Ig is and always will be guilty because his rich and connected parents pulled strings to make the investigation go away. Nothing Ig can do, nothing he can say, matters. Everyone, it seems, including God, has abandoned him. Everyone, that is, but the devil inside. . . .

Now Ig is possessed of a terrible new power to go with his terrible new look—a macabre talent he intends to use to find the monster who killed Merrin and destroyed his life. Being good and praying for the best got him nowhere. It’s time for a little revenge. . . . It’s time the devil had his due. . . .

REVIEW

Horns has been on my to read list for about a year now, and when I found a copy at an antique store for just $4.00 I decided to pick it up. I was instantly drawn in by this creepy story. Horns follows twenty-something Ig Perrish a year after his longtime girlfriend Merrin was murdered. Ig wakes up one day with horns on his head that give him devilish powers. He decides to use his new powers to find out who murdered his girlfriend and finally clear his name after being accused of the crime.

Horns is written in a nonlinear fashion. The book begins in the present day, but often flashes back to different times in both Ig’s life and the lives of other characters. While this means the writing was extremely well crafted, it also made the reading process very, very slow. I did really enjoy the flashbacks because they were integral to the story and allowed me as a reader to understand each character’s motives, but I had a very difficult time finishing this book! It was a very weird feeling, because while I was enjoying the book, I felt like it never ended. I really had to push through it.

In the same way, I wish we got to see more of Ig’s new powers in action. The fantastical elements of the story are really cool, and they are interwoven well with an otherwise contemporary setting. However, I thoroughly enjoyed the beginning of Horns, where Ig was just starting to use his powers. I really would have liked more of Ig in the present day using his powers because they were so intriguing!

Moreover, Horns features a good discussion of what makes someone good or evil. It is very interesting that out of all the characters in the book, Ig is the one that wakes up with devil horns. Similarly, Horns makes me wonder about my own life, and what the horns would reveal for me. I think these elements of the book make Horns the perfect book club pick, as there is a lot to discuss!

Overall, while I think Horns is exceptionally written, I’m left a bit underwhelmed because of its slow pace. I also wasn’t a big fan of the ending, which I won’t discuss further as to avoid spoilers. I definitely want to pick up Joe Hill’s other books, especially NOS4A2. If you enjoy creepy and somewhat disturbing books, I do recommend giving Horns a chance. It’s perfect during Halloween, or anytime you’re in the mood for something in the horror genre!

BUY THE BOOK

Amazon | Book Depository | Barnes & Noble

When you buy a book through the Amazon or Book Depository links above, I earn a small commission through each website’s affiliate program. All opinions are my own. See my Disclosure Policy for more information.

Halloween Week | 5 Halloween Costumes in Your Closet

Posted on October 20, 2015October 15, 2015 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Tuesday! Halloween Week continues today with a post all about costumes. I wanted to share with you some ideas for simple costumes that you already own. Whether you are putting together your look last minute, or you want to save money and use what you already have, I have five costume recommendations for you! I opened up my closet to see what I owned that could easily be turned into Halloween costumes. While these costumes may not be unique, they will save you a lot of time and money. Plus, if you head to your local dollar store or craft store you can get plenty of fun accessories to dress up your costume and make it your own. Without further ado, let me share the five Halloween costumes that are in your closet!

The Beauty Queen costume is really easy to put together! Grab an old prom dress or formal gown, or pick one up from your local thrift store. Then add flashy accessories! You can also turn yourself into a Zombie Beauty Queen by trashing your dress and adding some fake blood.

FROM MY CLOSET:

Old Prom Dress
Feather Boa

WHAT TO ADD:

Princess Crown
Sash (use ribbon & glitter glue!)
Anything glittery or with rhinestones

One of the easiest Halloween costumes is a Hippie! Almost everyone has a tie dye shirt, and if you don’t it’s easy to make one. Make sure you rock a center part in your hair! You can also add small braids on each side to really get the Hippie vibe.

FROM MY CLOSET:

Tie Dye T-shirt
Beads

WHAT TO ADD:

Bell Bottom Jeans
Round Sunglasses
Headband

Most of us have some sort of leopard print in the closet! Whether it be a dress, blouse, skirt, or even just some shoes, you can base a Leopard costume on whatever you own. I got some cat ears at the drugstore for a couple dollars a few years ago, and they can be reused now!

FROM MY CLOSET:

Leopard Print Dress
Cat Ears
Black Heels

WHAT TO ADD:

Whiskers (use eyeliner!)

With chambray shirts being so trendy in the past few years, Rosie the Riveter becomes a simple costume! Wrap a red bandana or headband on your head and you are ready to go.

FROM MY CLOSET:

Chambray Shirt
Red Hair Band

WHAT TO ADD:

Jeans
Boots
Red Lipstick

If you’re not a Celtics fan, have no fear! You can put together a Superfan costume based on your favorite sports team or musician. Simply wear as much fan gear as you have and show your pride! The more you have, the better.

FROM MY CLOSET:

T-shirt
Hat
Foam Finger

WHAT TO ADD:

Themed Manicure
Face Paint

That brings us to the end of this Halloween Week post! I hope this inspired you to look inside your closet before you go to the Halloween store and drop some major cash on a new costume. You can also ask your friends and family if you can raid their closets. The possibilities are endless!

What is your Halloween costume this year? Let me know in the comments!

The Fall Favorites Tag! | #PolishlandFaves

Posted on October 15, 2015October 14, 2015 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Thursday! It’s no secret that fall is my favorite time of year. Perhaps it’s because I’m an October baby, but fall just makes me feel cozy. I’m always excited for everything that fall brings, and that’s why I’m so glad fellow blogger Carolyn from The Diary of a Tall Girl tagged me in the Fall Favorites Tag. This tag was created by YouTube Beauty Guru Jaclyn Hill. I am a huge fan of Jaclyn, and can’t wait to jump right in and share my fall favorites with all of you!

Favorite Candle

Okay, so I know I’m ‘cheating’ already, but I’m just not a candle person. Instead, I’ll share my favorite fall scent, which also happens to be a candle! I’ve been obsessed with the Sweet Cinnamon Pumpkin shower gel from Bath & Body Works. I love sweet smells, and I’m also a huge pumpkin lover, so this scent is perfect for me. Of course, if you like candles you can grab this at your local Bath & Body Works in candle form!

Favorite Lip Color

One of my go-to lip colors is definitely Berry Soft from the Baby Lips Dr. Rescue line. It gives my lips a sheer wash of a berry color, and also helps to moisturize and heal dry lips. Berry Soft is perfect to wear daily, and you don’t need a mirror to apply it so feel free to toss it in your purse! Even those it’s been three years since I first discovered Baby Lips I’m still a huge fan!

Favorite Drink

Like many, I am all about the pumpkin spice in the fall! My favorite pumpkin drink is the Pumpkin Spice coffee from Dunkin’ Donuts. I love it both iced and hot, and it’s a must have for me because of its sweet taste. I usually buy a bag to brew at home, and Target often has it on sale each year. If you’ve never tried it before, definitely go for it!

FAVORITE BLUSH

When the weather gets cool, my blush gets warmer in tone. My cousin gifted me Pür Minerals Hot Rocks a couple years back, and I am obsessed with it! The color is stunning, the formula is super blendable, and it is 100% worth the high end price tag. I’m showing you a stock photo of this blush because mine is completely destroyed at this point. It still applies beautifully, but we all know what blush packaging turns into after a lot of use. It’s that good!

FAVORITE CLOTHING ITEM

While I love boots, scarves, and sweaters, this year I have been wearing my new Wren sneakers from Sole Society every single day! They go with every outfit, and are comfortable and stylish at the same time. I’m so glad slip-on sneakers are on trend right now. I used to wear them back in my high school days! If you’re not a Sole Society member yet, use my referral code HERE to snag 20% off your first purchase!

FAVORITE FALL MOVIE

Hocus Pocus is, of course, my favorite fall movie! I remember the first time I saw it back in second grade nearly 20 years ago now. I thought it was scary back then, and now it’s just a ton of fun. I watch it every time it’s on TV even though I own the DVD. I know I’m not alone in loving Hocus Pocus! Share your favorite quote from the movie in the comments!

FAVORITE FALL TV SHOW

One of my favorite TV shows of all time is The Big Bang Theory! It is so funny, and I love Sheldon Cooper’s character. I’ll admit that the new episodes this season haven’t been my favorite, but I hope they’ll get better soon! I also watch this show a lot in reruns, so there is always a funny episode to see. I can’t wait to find out what happens to the characters next!

FAVORITE THANKSGIVING FOOD

I don’t have a picture to share, but my favorite Thanksgiving food is stuffing! Thanksgiving is extremely ritualized in my family. We eat the same hors d’oeuvres, main dishes, and desserts every year. I used to love turkey, but as a vegetarian I, of course, don’t eat it anymore. That being said, I tried stuffing for the first time at my brother’s wedding five years ago, and I’ve been hooked ever since! Thankfully, my family makes vegetarian stuffing because there are three of us who don’t eat meat. I don’t eat stuffing often, and that’s what makes it a fun Thanksgiving food!

FAVORITE HALLOWEEN COSTUME

I’ve also had a lot of great Halloween costumes over the years, and it’s difficult to pick one favorite to share! I’ve dressed up as Minnie Mouse, a 50s Sock-Hop Girl (complete with a handmade Poodle Skirt), Stephanie from Full House, Maureen from RENT, and the list goes on! The costume that I am the most proud of is one that my friend and I created in high school. We were both dancers our entire lives, so we decided to take pieces from all of our costumes over the years and layer them together in a crazy outfit. We called ourselves Confused Dancers, and it was a lot of fun!

That brings us to the end of the Fall Favorites tag! I hope you enjoyed learning a bit more about me and my fall loves. I would love to see your answers to these questions! Either leave them in the comments, or create your own blog post! I will officially tag all of you who celebrate a birthday in October.

This post contains some affiliate links. All opinions are my own. See my Disclosure Policy for more information.

Library Book Sale Haul | Book Shopping on a Budget!

Posted on October 13, 2015September 21, 2015 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Tuesday! Today I am excited to share with you a mega awesome book haul! As you know, Adventures in Polishland is your guide to a fabulous and affordable life. I’ve often shared how to save on beauty products, but today we are changing gears to talk about books! I’ve been a reader my entire life, and as much as I love ebooks, I still prefer reading physical books. Books can be really expensive, though, so I’m always on the hunt for a good deal. I love to check out used book stores, but the best and most affordable shopping is a good old library book sale! My local library always has a sale going on, but once a year there is a huge book sale where you can fill a bag for just $1.00. I recently went to this sale and picked up seven books, and had to share them with you! Let me show you what I picked up, and give you some library book sale tips along the way.

I’ve gone to many library book sales in the past and often felt overwhelmed with the vast number of books. This is often because the books are not organized, and there is so much to look at, at once. Plus, these book sales can be swimming with lots of people all vying for the hot titles. This time I came prepared – I only bought books that I was looking to own. In other words, I didn’t pick up any books simply because they looked interesting. I bought books that were on my wish list. My main goal was to find books that completed series. I also brought my own reusable tote to the book sale. It allowed me to pick up more books because it was bigger than the grocery bags the library offered!

Here are the first four books I got at the sale. I was so excited to find these, because they helped to complete two series on my bookshelf! These books are all sequels that I’ve been wanting to read. Specials and Extras by Scott Westerfeld are the last two books in the Uglies series, and I already own the first two. Frostbite by Richelle Mead is the second book in the Vampire Academy series (I own the first one). Finally, Little Altars Everywhere by Rebecca Wells is the second book in the Ya-Yas trilogy. I own the first and third books already, but was missing this one. I seriously couldn’t believe my luck with these finds! I love to read all of the books in a series back-to-back, so now I can do that with the Uglies and Ya-Yas series!

I also picked up a couple Stephen King books. I’ve been wanting to read his books in publishing order for a while, so when I found this vintage copy of Carrie I decided to pick it up despite it’s disheveled state. I am super excited about this bind-up of The Bachman Books as well! It contains four novels that King wrote under a pseudonym at the beginning of his career, and is very difficult to find because one of the novels is not in print anymore. I’m ready for spooky Halloween reads for sure!

Last but not least, I found a copy of Deception Point by Dan Brown. I’ve read three of his Robert Langdon books, so I figured I would read more by him. I also own a copy of Angels & Demons in this same edition, which is from the UK! I couldn’t pass this up, especially for such a low price.

Those are all of the books I picked up at the library book sale for just $1.00 total! Besides the copy of Carrie, all of the books I got are in great quality and would sell for a few dollars each at used bookstores or online. Definitely make sure to check out your local library to see what books they have on sale. You never know what you’re going to find!

Do you shop at library book sales? Share your tips in the comments!

Buy a copy of one of these books using the Amazon widget below and I will earn a small commission. All opinions are my own. See my Disclosure Policy for more information.

Book Review | Soundless by Richelle Mead

Posted on October 8, 2015August 30, 2015 by Adventures in Polishland

Soundless by Richelle Mead

Published by Razorbill on November 10, 2015

Genres: Middle Grade, Young Adult, Fantasy

Format: ARC

Pages: 272

Source: BEA

Goodreads: ★★★★

From Richelle Mead, the #1 internationally bestselling author of Vampire Academy and Bloodlines, comes a breathtaking new fantasy steeped in Chinese folklore.

For as long as Fei can remember, there has been no sound in her village, where rocky terrain and frequent avalanches prevent residents from self-sustaining. Fei and her people are at the mercy of a zipline that carries food up the treacherous cliffs from Beiguo, a mysterious faraway kingdom.

When villagers begin to lose their sight, deliveries from the zipline shrink and many go hungry. Fei’s home, the people she loves, and her entire existence is plunged into crisis, under threat of darkness and starvation.

But soon Fei is awoken in the night by a searing noise, and sound becomes her weapon.

Richelle Mead takes readers on a triumphant journey from the peak of Fei’s jagged mountain village to the valley of Beiugo, where a startling truth and an unlikely romance will change her life forever…

REVIEW

I’ve been hearing amazing things about Richelle Mead’s books for years now, but haven’t picked one up until receiving Soundless at Book Expo America (“BEA”) this past May. Soundless is a stand alone fantasy novel following Fei, a young artist who lives in a Chinese village in which everyone is deaf. No one is entirely sure why the people in Fei’s village lost their hearing several generations ago, but now members of her community are losing their vision as well. This poses a danger for them, because they are stuck at the top of a mountain, and their only chance at survival comes by way of a zipline connecting the village with the township at the bottom. So long as Fei’s village sends down the precious metals they mine, they receive food in return, but the more they lose their vision, the less food they receive. Things are looking bleak until one day Fei’s hearing suddenly returns. She decides to use this new ability to make the dangerous trek down the mountain with her childhood friend Li Wei in hopes of saving her community.

What follows is a short but incredibly well-written account of what Fei and Li Wei discover at the bottom of the mountain, and what, if anything, they can do to save their people. I found Soundless a very unique and refreshing story, and I really liked that I never knew what was going to happen next. I was especially fond of all the characters in Soundless, and felt a bond with them throughout the story. Fei, in particular, is an incredible heroine. She is brave, self-sufficient, and always does what is best for her community over what may fulfill her own selfish needs. Richelle Mead does an excellent job creating a heroine who is realistic, yet still surprisingly strong.

My only critique of Soundless is with the ending. In order to keep this review spoiler-free, I will generally explain my disappointments. The ending for me was a bit of a cop out, because it turned an otherwise contemporary-feeling read into a fantasy one. While I still enjoyed the ending overall, I do wish it flowed better from the rest of the novel. Similarly, I found that everything in Soundless wrapped up a bit too easily. I recognize that this is a middle grade novel, though, so that is understandable.

Overall, Soundless is a great read, and I highly recommend it if you are looking for a unique and diverse story. I appreciate that Soundless is a stand-alone fantasy book, as I tend to avoid fantasy due to the long series that are often involved. That being said, I am definitely looking forward to picking up Richelle Mead’s other books now that I know I enjoy her writing.

BUY THE BOOK

Amazon | Book Depository | Barnes & Noble

September Favorites | Beauty + Lifestyle Loves!

Posted on October 6, 2015July 14, 2016 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Tuesday! I can’t believe September is already over, and we’re nearly a full week into October. Fall is my favorite season, so I’m glad to be enjoying cooler temperatures, warmer clothing, and, of course, pumpkin mania! I don’t have too many beauty favorites, but I do have a bunch of other goodies to share. Let’s jump right into my September Favorites!

Lip Product

Chosungah 22 Flavlorful Lipstick – Chai Tea [BUY]

I got this really intriguing lip product in one of my last Birchboxes. It’s a Korean lipstick that has lip balm qualities. It doesn’t add any color to the lips, but does have a bit of a gloss to it. I haven’t been wearing any lip colors lately, so this product is perfect. It feels so moisturizing, and I just really love it! It’s a bit pricey at $18.00, but if you’re up for a splurge, I highly recommend it!

LIP CARE

Fresh Sugar Lip Polish [BUY]

I’ve loved the Fresh Sugar Lip Polish for a few years now, but I haven’t used it in such a long time. With the cooler weather, though, I’ve needed to exfoliate my dry lips. I got this small tub of Lip Polish at the Fresh store in Las Vegas for free when I signed up for the Rewards program. I’m so glad to be putting it to use! It’s truly an amazing scrub, and very luxurious.

BODY CARE

Bath & Body Works Shower Gel – Sweet Cinnamon Pumpkin [BUY]

Here is a huge savings tip – make sure you sign up for Bath & Body Works coupons! Every once in a while I get a coupon in the mail for free products with no purchase required. I recently got one for a full size product, and I picked up the Sweet Cinnamon Pumpkin Shower Gel! I love the scent for fall – it is really fragranced and my bathroom smells great even after I’m out of the shower. While I don’t like all of the ingredients in the Bath & Body Works products, I definitely like to use them once in a while.

HAIR CARE

Irresistible Me Diamond Hair Styler [REVIEW] [BUY]

I’ve been completely obsessed with the Diamond since I got it! Make sure you check out my full review with before and after photos if you haven’t already. I’ve stashed my old flat iron away now, and only reach for the Diamond. It’s definitely an investment product, but it’s 100% worth it. My hair has never felt so shiny and glossy, and my straightening time is cut in half. I’m so in love!

BOOK

The Accident Season by Moïra Fowley-Doyla [REVIEW] [BUY]

I’ve been loving creepy books lately, and The Accident Season is an awesome one! This is a young adult book that follows a girl named Cara as she and her family try to survive the month of October. They always experience a lot of accidents in October, and this year seems to be the worst lot of accidents yet. I highly recommend this book if you love magical realism! Check out my full review by clicking the above link.

ETSY SHOP / STICKER SHOP

Oh, Hello Stationery Co. [ETSY] [WEBSITE]

One of my go-to shops for buying planner stickers is Oh, Hello Stationery Co. The brand recently opened up its own website in addition to its Etsy store, and the new site has much more to offer. My favorite thing is the new Poppy Points rewards system that allows you to earn points for every purchase and for referrals! So, if you’d like to get a $5.00 coupon, please sign up using my referral link HERE. This coupon is only for new Oh, Hello shoppers, so if you’ve bought from the store before keep that in mind. I’ve linked one of my recent hauls from Oh, Hello above so you can see the types of stickers I buy from the brand!

FOOD

Dunkin Donuts Pumpkin Coffee

Last but not least, I have to shout out the pumpkin coffee from Dunkin Donuts! I absolute love it and have for years. Step aside Starbucks PSL – I much prefer this sweet concoction. Plus, I’m currently living in Patriots Nation, and every time they win I can get a free coffee. It’s been super successful so far this NFL season! If you haven’t tried pumpkin coffee yet, I highly recommend it.

What were some of you favorites in September? Let me know in the comments!

Some of the products in this post were provided for my unbiased review. This post contains affiliate links. All opinions are my own. See my Disclosure Policy for more information.