Barkskins by Annie Proulx

So this book was given to me by my French advisor as a gift before my graduation, and I was so excited to start it that I added it to my TBR before using my jar to pick the others. Now while I was excited about this book and wanted to read it...I had no idea that while reading it I would also be hit with one of the biggest reading slumps I've felt in a long time.

I'm going to talk about this book timeline by timeline because I think that will be easier for me. Also I'll red out the text before some spoilers, but others I won't because they're not that big of a spoiler. This is going to be long, but this is probably one of the longest books I've read in a long time, and the longest book I've read that I've reviewed so I will try my best to cut down anything.

1: forêt, hache, famille (1693-1716)

     -René Sel
I really liked René's story and his character. I felt like he was just man trying to have a better life, and Trèpagny was a mean and cruel man who used him (which I'm sure was done a lot in this time periods by seigneurs). While the forced marriage wasn't great, I think by the end of it he and Mari did actually love each other, and I was so sad with how his story ended. I was screaming for justice honestly. WHAT DID HE DO WRONG TO DESERVE A FATE LIKE THAT!?
*add in the whole 'thought of brother while loving on Mari the first time?

2: "...helplessly they stare at his tracks" (1693-1727)

     -Charles Duquet/Duke
Everyone, I am SO GLAD Duquet found the fate that he did. While yes, you did have to be a little ruthless back in the day, he took it too far and was way too conniving and cruel for me to like. It was almost the perfect villain save the sharp cheekbones and deep chuckle. Didn't even love his wife, stole from people who helped him learn and survive in the New France wilderness. Glad he got a good ol' dose of karma at the end. That last sentence was *chef's kiss* delectable.

3: all these woods once ours (1724-1767)

     -René & Mari's kids
Honestly, I felt so bad for all the Sel children because they had both their parents (I know Mari's older children weren't René's but he treated them nicely), both of them taken away, one from a sickness and one from being *spoiler alert* MURDERED AND SCALPED! And then Renardette comes in again to screw them out of their home, have to travel to a new land they only knew from stories their mother told. I really did feel bad for them and wanted them to stay in their home, because after leaving there things just went...to s***. Almost feels like my life a bit with how they can't catch a break.

4: the severed snake (1756-1766)

     - Duquet children
It didn't come as a shock to me that I liked Duquet's children better than him, but I still don't really...like most of his children. I liked Bernard, and that's because of Birgit (and that's also all I can say about that unless I spoil a real big shocker). I do think his son's cared more about the relationships they made with the people around them instead of just going for the pursuit of money, but they still did everything for the sake of money. Also...I almost relate to Outger in a sense. I can't put my finger on it but I feel a strange connection to this man. Maybe it's because I'm locked in my house and he just didn't leave his until the end. Guess I'm Outger/Etdidu Duquet.

5: in the lumber camps (1754-1804)

     - Kuntaw (Achille's son) and his grandchildren
I felt bad for this family. Tommy having had a somewhat difficult childhood with his mother and then not having much luck after he found his father. But at least Tommy's kids (Kuntaw's grandchildren) had a better childhood with their grandparents and uncles & aunt. I wonder what it would be like to grow up with your aunt or niece. My mother did that with a few of her relatives. I thought it was interesting to follow the life in the cutting camps and seeing the danger in them a bit more. But it was also interesting to see how Beatrix tried to bring the Mi'kmaq culture into the family's life even though there was a lot of whiteman influence.

One thing that I really got struck with while reading this was *sorry another spoiler but it's because it's important to me* ...was the death of Beatrix. She had cancer, in the stomach. And she liked horses. So did my best friend Ashley (I called her my Mama Duck because I followed her around places I didn't know). Ashley died in 2016 due to her cancer, and I wish I had more time, and spent more time with her in those last months. Sometimes I regret having gone to college so far away because I wasn't able to see her.

6: "fortune's a right whore" (1808-1826)

     - James Duke (great-grandson of Duquet)
This storyline was interesting to me. James was basically sent away because his mom died in childbirth (a common thing during that period of time) and the father apparently felt bad about it when he died and left him everything. So he went home and then fell in love with the woman he met on the trip home. Even though he thought it was amazing that she cared about his family buisness and all he had to say, I didn't trust her because she seemed shady and abusive. But James was in love with a married woman and needed to find a way to be with her. It was almost too easy for him to get rid of the husband too, to bad he *umm...spoiler* KILLED THE WRONG MAN. But love(?) found its way in the end. Didn't like Posey's father AT ALL and was glad he wasn't allowed near their daughter.

7: broken sticks (1825-1870)

     - Jinot Sel (Tommy's son & Kuntaw's grandson)
I liked following Jinot and his life. I think it was interesting to also see him recovering from his injury with Sillyboy and to then see him go into a life working for an ax company. I was a little worried with how much his boss liked him and why he was always taken along with him. And my worries were answered when he was made to come along to New Zealand. I was sad about it.

8: glory days (1836-1870)

     -family of James Duke
Now during this I liked Lavinia. She knew what she wanted and didn't stop until she got it and more. I also did like the Breitsprecher cousins and how much they liked to save trees. I was shocked how after some years the families joined in marriage but...there was money on both sides as well so *shrug*. I did give an eye-roll to naming the child Charles but that's also because I didn't like his character haha.

9: the shadow in the cup (1844-1960s)

     -Aaron Sel after father dies, as well as later generations
     -HAS A CHAPTER TITLED BARKSKINS
Aaron tried to live with his Mi'kmaw family but didn't fully feel like he belonged, then went on a strange ship voyage. On his return he finds that his family loves his and welcomes him with open arms and they all work together to help other Mi'kmaw and live together on reserves since the whiteman had taken most of their lands. Kuntaw makes a great reference to how he 'tried to be a whiteman, but his Mi'kmaw oil (whiteman was water) came up to the top'. They had to take up axes again and some even traveled into the west. Lost limbs and lives both at home and abroad.

Descendent of both Duke and Sel families is Lobert who has a child called Egga, who is abused at a boarding-esque school and runs away. He does not return on St. Anne's day each year like other Sel family members.

my thoughts:

10: sliding into darkness (1886-2013)

     - Begins with the children of Dieter and ends with the grandchildren of Lobert, so a mix of both families
Duke company going bankrupt after runaway employees (I did kind of laughed at this), and the anger caused Lavinia to go back on her word and cut more trees to the distress of New Zealanders and Dieter. Their son Charley dreams of the preservation of trees even more than Dieter and after a very bad...incident *an assault* he is moved to the tropics where he studies the trees and writes it all down on notebooks later used to destroy those trees after his death. The family started to research the history of the company and relearns the search of the heir and freaks, however then sells the company except for the Seedling Business which does well.

Egga had tried to keep his Mi'kmaw heritage away from his children because of his past but they begged him to spill. Had two strong-willed daughters, one of who goes into the eco-world and becomes well known. Cousins Felix and Jeanne join her and a small team to replant, research, and monitor new trees and try to begin growing the mystic forests once again. Though Egga's daughter, Sapatisia didn't know if they could ever save it.

my thoughts:


So the basic plot of this story was about two barkskins (woodcutters) Rene and Charles and following their two families the Sels - who more or less cared for the forest and family all together and had many troubles and trials all through life, and the Duquets/Dukes - who as a whole only cared about the business and money and thought clearing the forests than preserving it as well. Though the family lines did cross at one point and I really would have liked to see the Sel family come in and take over the company at one point. I think it would have been fun!


I give Barkskins 4 stars because I really liked the story, the Franco aspects, and the Sel family. However I really just disliked the Duke family and I think it's because they were more vain and stuff but I applaud Annie for writing them in a way that I can dislike them the same way I dislike real life people like them.

It's also turning into a TV series that is premiering today (May 25th) so now I have a new show to watch now!

Are you excited about the TV series on Nat Geo? Or have you read this book too? I'd love to talk all about it because I surprisingly really liked this.

Sorry this was so long I tried to cut it down I promise, I just had a lot to say and wanted to get the book out. If you've made it this far I applaud you and thank you as well. 

À bientôt!

Photo/Gif creds: my photo of book, Barkskins logo,

One Year Post Grad

my grad cap design

A year ago I graduated college with two bachelor degrees, one in French and the other in Media Studies Communication. It was a whirlwind four years and I miss them so much. The experiences I had, the skills and knowledge I gained, and the life-long friends that I made along the way.

I had actually wanted to post this post the actual day of my graduation but things happened so instead I am posting on the year anniversary of my graduation party that happened a week later. I also didn't know if a post like this was something that should really be posted, due to the situations surrounding all high school and college/university graduations across the globe at the moment. But I really wanted to talk about my experiences since I left Plymouth State and some of my thoughts as well.

To the class of 2020, I do say this: I am so sorry that you have had your graduations derailed due to this whole pandemic. I wish we could have stopped this in time to let you guys have that special moment of walking across a stage and receiving your diploma. And if you feel this post may not be comfortable for you to read with me talking about my own graduation, please feel free to exit the post. I will not mind, and I understand not reading things that make you feel sad or hurt. And I hope you can all make the most out of this time and what the world has given you and will give you in the future.

Friends and I at convocation

As for me, I remember working so hard towards that goal of walking across the stage. Then it finally came, and I was so nervous, scared, and sad all at the same time. I didn't want my time in college to end and I also wanted to go forward into the future. I knew I had the skills and the know-how to get through life, but was also scared that maybe I didn't know as much as I could have. What if I had missed something and that was the missing link? But I had to swallow those little fears and get my cap and gown. I went to convocation and got the award from the Communication department and got the award as the Distinguished Senior of the Media Studies degree, and even got a gift from my French advisor (with a book that I'm currently reading now!). Things seemed to be going good and I was happy with where I was.

The language department and
my French advisor, Kate.

Then the next day came, and it was time to graduate. And I did. It was a lot of stress to make sure I was there on time and made it to the spot where we walked down from. My feet hurt while we waited to go into the auditorium for the actual ceremony, but I was hanging out with the people from both my majors and my advisors so I didn't care all that much. It was a special day and I would be happy about it.

As I walked in I saw my family (my mom, sister, dad, step-mom, and nephew) all there waving STICKS WITH MY FACE ON IT! While at first I was only slightly embarrassed I laugh at it now and the leftover ones (they were many of them made) are now toys that my nephew plays with. I sat with my friend Christine as we listened to all of the speeches, and was also texting my friends about small funny things during the whole ceremony. It was a fun day, even though we were stuffed all close together and it was a decently hot day.

Looking back at the day now, I realize that I have very little photos from it. There were so many people crowding into the fields outside the building doing the same thing, and I also had to go back and take all my things out of my dorm before a certain time. I only have photos with my French advisor, parents, and sister and nephew as real graduation photos. I never got those photos done in my cap and gown while walking around campus or in a pretty local like many others do. This may also be due to the fact that I didn't finish my cap until the thursday before I walked. I get a bit sad and nostalgic for that day, wishing I had had more time to take more pictures with my friends and teachers on that day, but I know there is time still to take photos with those people, just not in the same context. And it's the people that matter the most anyway!

Back home, I gave myself about a week/week and a half before reapplying to my job that I had had for a few summers before at Party City. I needed something to bring in an income while job searching and saving up for loans. There have been many applications sent out, many cover letters written, and so many searches on LinkedIn and Indeed, and so far I have not found a career. Sometimes I wonder if my intelligence and good grades were all a façade and I actually didn't know anything that was taught to me while in school, but I know that I have those skills and knowledge to really set me over the top. My professors were the best at what they do and I'm still working to make them proud of me.

the only selfie I took that day

When this is done I will be doing a mix of reading and job searching still. I have some avenues that I have yet to travel down for job searching and plan to go there, perhaps that will bring me to that dream career that hasn't even been unlocked in my mind yet.

It's weird that it's only a year since I graduated, how did the time fly by so quickly? How will my life differ in just one more year? It's all speculative and I am both excited and scared for the future, but the excitement wins out more. I've had many rejections from jobs (luckily they weren't bad just that I was 'not picked for the position') and many that just didn't respond to me, but that won't stop me. I know I'm worth it. I'm worth a good job and a good life, so as long as I continue to fight for that and for myself, that's perfect in my book.

I've got my whole life ahead of me, and it's nice and bright.

Thank you for reading this very long and nostalgic post, and if you have any questions about my life as a student or post grad, or even want to share your feelings on being a graduate past or present, please comment below!

À bientôt!

Photo/Gif creds: all grad photos taken by me, family, or friends day of grad, kitty kiss, 

My Inside Out World

So I was watching Inside Out because I want my nephew to like all the same movies as me to because the Ultimate Aunt

Now I love this movie so much. From the first time I've seen it to the time that I saw it then, it makes me feel that I learn more about myself, my brain, and my emotions. There are so many things about the movie that I enjoy. I'll list them for you

This movie packs a punch of emotion

• the memories making clicking noises as if they are made of glass is such a wonderful feature to add
• the fact that by the end of the movie it says it's okay to be sad or multiple emotions at one time and you don't always have to be happy and joyful
• showing just how quick depression can come and hit you, and some of the inner workings of how the emotions work inside you
• Bing Bong and his sacrifice makes me CRY EVERY TIME WHY DID THEY DO THAT TO HIM?
• the end credit scene with the cat's emotions because it's so true and I know that it's actually happening in my own cats

Watching this cinematic masterpiece, it got me thinking about what my Inside Out mind would look like. What are my core personality islands? Which emotion is sitting in the center seat at the console? And what strange memories from my childhood are still strong on the shelves and will never go into the pit? I'm honestly excited to delve into my mind and think about it.

My Personality Islands

Similar to Riley, I would have a friendship and family personality islands. the sublevels of the islands would probably be the little niches that my friends and I bond over, like the Twilight and Iron Fey books (I have a whole chat with friends who love the Iron Fey books and everything Kagawa). And with family I feel that I would have a sublevel of each side of the family, and one for 'family friends that are basically family' like my aunt Rachel and my cousins Benny and Christopher.

Another island I feel would be writing and reading. They've been such a big part of my life and such a large passion in my life that why wouldn't there be a whole island in my mind for it. Filled with all the different stories I am working on, the ones that I haven't yet written down, and the stories that have changed and shaped who I am as a person.

Language is also something I love in my life and I remember the joy that I had in my first French class, my first test that I aced, and everything after that. There are so many other languages that I want to learn as well and so my Duolingo account is about to get SWARMED with me learning everything from French (still), Icelandic, to Valyrian.

I don't know why but I feel like color guard would also be an island for me. Like Riley it was my sport of choice (even though I played soccer for 8 years and only did guard for 4). I felt free and in control in color guard. Being on the field with a flag or rifle in my hands was where I wanted to be all the time.

There's shocking no other major events in my life that I would think could become a core personality island. These are the only ones I can think of right now, and I think that's okay. I don't need to have too many.

Emotion-in-Charge

I feel like I took a similar journey as Riley in my head with Sadness becoming a more prominent role in my mind. I moved a lot in my middle school and high school years and my family went through money problems. I also got diagnosed with anxiety and depression during that time as well.

For me it seems that it's possible that either Sadness or Fear runs my head or they co-run my brain. Because fear is also a very big part of my everyday life. I want to stretch myself and my content and I get worried that no one will like it, it won't be perfect (which is the worst fear for content creators), and it just stops me from doing things that I am a bit passionate about.

I know that my own Joy is in there, and she does get her share of the control panel. I have a lot of good days and wonderful memories. But having the bad days that I do, I can't think that Sadness doesn't have a staring role inside there. 

Memories I Can't Forget

A lot of my memories are fun ones, or ones that are like deep-rooted in fear, like some of my nightmares I had as a child that would wake me up and have me crying. I remember then to this day and they still sometimes send a chill down my spine. Also regrets and mistakes of my past. They're always going to remain solid in my mind.

The things you regret the most, the things you always wonder 'if I had done something different' will always stay in your mind. I think it's a way for the brain to hurt us and also send us forward. Be better, do better, become someone better and stronger. While it is annoying that my brain sends those memories up a lot, it helps me know that I'm only human.

A funny memory that I will always remember is when I was younger and my mother accidentally (or so she says) left me at Hannafords after buying things for my birthday party. People always tell me if I go into stand-up comedy that I should always tell that story because I tell it well.

What is your version of Inside Out? Which islands/memories are the core of you?  I'd love to see how everyone else differs just like in the movie.

À bientôt!

Photo/Gif creds: emotions, core islands, long term memory, bing bong,

Illuminae by Amie Kaufman & Jay Kristoff

This book was on my TBR for so long. I had heard so many good things about it from friends and others in the book community. I also was interested in it for the sole reason that the cover was ORANGE. I know it's a weird reason to like a book but I'm a weird person so *shrugs*

I posted a photo of it on my bookstagram and my friend and college roommate Lindsey messaged me saying that she also had the book in her collection gathering a bit of dust. So we decided to read it together. She was going to be home for spring break soon and I was just working and job hunting myself so we had some time on our hands. We planned a reading schedule and I made story templates to use and a post for us each to share on our accounts (and I only realized during the last week of the reading that I messed up the reading schedule on it).

Now granted before starting this book, I straight up had NO CLUE what it was about. I read the Goodreads summary and was like: sci-fi, killer AI, plague - cool. So neither her nor I really realized we would be reading a book with a killer plague/pathogen during a VIRAL QUARANTINE. But at least Phobos is nothing like Covid-19, so it makes it a little easier (in my opinion) to get through those parts. It's more like a zombie plague tbh.

One thing I did know about the book before starting this was that the format of the story was nothing like I had ever read/seen before. Files, text chats, and AI comms instead of regular prose and chapters. I didn't know how I would like it at all, or if it would be confusing to read for my brain. Luckily, that's not what happened. The format was so unique and gripping. It was easy for me to picture in my head what was going on, just as easy as with other books and maybe easier because there was less description so my mind could be a little creative.

I found myself flying through the pages and engrossed in the story. I stopped myself from reading ahead of what my friend and I were doing. I wanted to give myself time to process it as well. And give me time to read my other book.

And like I said before I really did like the format of the story as AI files and text exchanges, as well as AIDAN's own internal dialogue (which sometimes REALLY freaked me out). I also really liked the characters.

With Kady I loved her bravery and stubbornness with everything that she did while on the ship and how she would literally break into any system or room and it was nothing to her. Ezra, on the other hand, was like a chaotic mess who was given A SHIP WITH GUNS ON IT. But I really liked his love for Kady and his dedication to her first and foremost. He was also brave and stuff, but his main thing was his love and feelings for Kady and how much her being safe and sound was important to him.

Think it's also important to talk about what is probably the third main character of this book: AIDAN, the AI on the Alexander. Now, I've had AI's that I really liked - Jarvis from Marvel as an example and then Friday - but AIDAN began as the type of AI that makes me want to throw most of my technology into the damn sea! But then at the end, he acted a little like Jarvis/Vision by caring more about humans and not just being a machine.

While reading this book I jumped through like, every emotion I've ever known and then some, and I'm pretty sure I went through the five stages of grief at one point. At first it was interesting and I was really intrigued with the story and where it was going to go, then I started to get scared with the Phobos (the fear might have also been helped with my own anxiety from Covid-19), and then sadness when things started happening to everyone as well as people Kady and Ezra cared about.

End of the story, BLEW MY MIND. I was shocked and even went back a few pages and tried to figure out how I had missed the twist and all the clues that pointed to it. I knew they were there, and my brain was so engrossed in the saving of the day that I didn't see it at all!. But that's good story-writing to me, to write something so great and put those little breadcrumbs in, yet still shock the reader at the end and make the ending as dynamic as the climax of the story.

I give Illuminae 5 stars.

All in all, I really loved this book. I had a great time reading it, and now I'm trying to figure how to add Gemina & Obsidio to my purchase list for this year with my limited budget for it. I thought the concept and format was unique and the characters were wonderfully written. I can't wait to see what happens next.

What are your thoughts on Illuminae? Did you like it or not? How did AIDAN make you feel?

If you need me I'll be zooming away to read more!

À bientôt!

Photo/Gif creds: my photo of the book (edited for vibrance), millenium falcon, joey tribbiani, 

Where should I take my blog?

This question is going to like...two different directions. And it's going to be long but it's full of brain ramblings that I can no longer cut down from when I started. Please bear with me!

1. What other types of content should I have on my blog other than book reviews a few life updates.
AND
2. I know I want to move my blog off of Blogger (sorry blogger) but don't know where to take it.

I know I made a post about this before, but it was a while ago and I never did anything about it then, and with a quarantine and state lockdown keeping me from going to work, I think it's time to expand myself.

Let's start with the second topic first as that will be smaller

Where should I move my blog?

I have talk to numerous people I trust, looked at different blogs of people that I follow, and have also read a bunch of articles and watched youtube videos on which of the two site builders I'm looking at is best for me. Wix or Wordpress.

Many people I know and many blogs I follow are on Wordpress, and I know a lot of websites use it as well, so that's why I've always thought about moving my blog to there. But then I remembered about Wix and decided to see where they differed and if it would be the same.

Wix seems easier to use, many temples, I don't really have to know HTML to use it (though I've always wanted to learn it for some reason) and is a bit cheaper. Whereas Wordpress has uses (or more encourages) HTML knowledge and has so many widgets/plugins that I would want. I wasn't able to see what kind of plugins and add-ons Wix would have had.

I know it's weird for me to want a website rather than a blog but...I am also wanted to expand myself. I would want a place to showcase the things I have done. My books, pieces I create, and more. So more of a personal website than just having a blog is what I'm going for. So for something like that, where I could have different tabs/pages for my books, my blog, an about me page, and contact page; maybe even a shop page should I ever make things to sell or get famous enough for merchandise.

For ease I think Wix would be best for me, but I know Wordpress from friends and from my university. I had my professional portfolio on Wordpress for school and perhaps I could add that as well to my website.

I'm really at a loss here. Because while I was dead-set on starting out on Wordpress, now I'm not so sure. It's possible that because COVID-19 is swarming (STAY HOME UNLESS YOU REALLY CAN'T!!) my depression is getting...a little bad....and I am scared of making a decision and scared to put myself out there more.

*as I wrote this I got an add trash talking Wordpress...it was for Duda, and then another for fiverr...but I have never heard of them before in my life so I don't think I'm going to even think about those.

Now let's move on to the next topic

What type of content should I create/add to my blog?

So, at the moment on this blog I have life updates, book reviews, and other bookish topics. And I love these posts as well, so I won't be taking them away, but I want to know (so this is more of a suggestions question) what stuff would you want to see?

I've also had, and still do have, so many different interests. Other things that I like are colorguard and sewing (I've just started but I plan to do more soon), also YouTube videos and stuff.

Speaking of YouTube, I've made videos on there before, and I loved making them whether they were for school or personal, and wanted to make more. So that's another thing that's pulling me in a weird direction. There have always been so many things I wanted to create and do, but a fear of putting them and myself out there. One of my big follows on YouTube are game videos. And I've even (at the time of writing this) have recorded and started working on editing a video of me playing Webkinz while a little intoxicated. And while there's a little sound problems in it...I'll probably still post it.

Ever since I left high school I wanted to make videos of colorguard routines and the like, but I didn't think my skill was enough. Granted I also know that the more I work at something the better I become...so I really think it's only fear that's stopping me. It's like I have too many interests and I can't pin one down. I know it's okay to have multiple interests...but sometimes I feel like I have too many.

I wonder what else I could do on YouTube because I've always wanted to do just everything and anything, as my account currently is with a mix of personal and educational videos. And I want to continue with that. And my Monica Abroad/Monica Travels series is something I 100% still want to pursue.

Maybe my main issue is I need to get different tools to make videos and better graphics for this blog.



I guess a question I have for all of you that have read this all, or know me personally:

What advice or suggestions do you possibly have for me and where do you think I should head towards with my blog (Wordpress or Wix)?


Thank you all for reading this and suffering through my ramblings. I have a few reviews coming up soon so if you like those from me get ready! If anything I wrote up in this post confuses you, please let me know and I can restate it/reword it to the best of my ability!

À bientôt!

Photo/Gif creds: Tom Hanks,

My First Big Sewing Project

For Christmas I was given two different beginner sewing kits and a handheld sewing machine. I've been wanting to start sewing. To both mend things that I owned as well as create a few things if I ever wanted to (and I do want). I was so excited to start using the different tools and items in my kits. I had so many different colors of thread and a cute little pin cushion to use.

So far I've played with my handheld machine and practiced just using it on some scrap pieces of fabric that my mother had in the house. After that, I mended the pocket on one of my pairs of work pants. It was in NO MEANS a clean stitch. The thread had gotten knotted multiple times and I wasn't paying attention to both sides of the stitch while doing it. But I've run those pants through the wash twice and the stitching has stayed so I'd say that's a win!

Then a whole month passed and I didn't do anything with my sewing stuff but think about it. Then I had an idea. I had many enamel pins that I wanted to display. Pins that I thought were cute, pins from when I was in the Girl Scouts, and pins that I had been given from my Yiayia's collection. I was going to make a pin hoop to display them all instead of keeping them in a bag.

I went to Walmart, found an orange fabric quarter (I didn't want a patterned fabric for the hoop) and some thicker felt to help support it underneath. Then I looked for a good hoop to use for it. Before I picked on, my sister told me she had a hoop at her house I could use, so I didn't have to buy one (unless I wanted a different size than she had).

Once I had all the materials, I went to work. I laid everything out, cut the fabric and felt to size to match the hoop and only have a little bit out along the edges. Once I made it nice and tight on the hoop, I used a grey thread from my bigger kit and started to weave the thread around the edges of the felt and fabric. To do the technique I wanted, I had to redo the entire threading twice because I didn't do it right, or it just didn't look right to me.

The third time I tried the threading, I would weave it through a few times, and then pull on the thread to attempt to cinch the back a little over the back of the hoop. It worked, but not 100% how I had hoped it would. But I worked so I was happy. After I was happy with the cinching in the hoop, I started to add my pins. I organized them on top first, and then pierced them through.

For my first attempt at a bigger project, I'm happy with how it came out. All I have to do now is hang it on my wall, and get more pins! they're all so cute and I love the ones that I have so far.

I have a few items in need of mending stored where I also keep my sewing supplies so hopefully this week I can find time to finish those as well. I had made a Tik Tok while putting together my hoop and I think I'll make more for the other things I fix and create in the future to further document my progress. If anyone wants to follow that progress (while it may be a bit slow) my account is @/monicalaurette526.

Thanks for reading, and I'd love to hear any suggestions or tips for sewing if anyone has any they'd like to share!

À bientôt!

*photos are mine

The Oedipus Cycle by Sophocles

I don't remember when I got this book, but it hasn't been on my shelf as long as some of the others that I have on my TBR. I had always had a fascination for Greek mythology and am a (not heavily active but want to change that in the future when my life is more stable) hellenic pagan. I've just always loved the stories and drama because people really couldn't get out of their own way to realize RUNNING FROM YOUR FATE WILL ONLY BRING IT SOONER! *enter Merida as a Disney reference*

Like many other people, I have heard of Oedipus, the basic story, and how so many people talk about the Oedipus complex. But, I find the ACTUAL story of Oedipus so far from the 'complex' that most people talk about. He didn't even know it was his mother because no one told him he was adopted/found and given to his 'father'. This caused Oedipus to leave that home he was raised in with the fear of harming the parents that raised him, and in so doing that, fulfilled the destiny that could have been AVOIDED.

Sorry I have feelings about this haha.

But if I just focus on the story that I read, which was Oedipus Rex, Oedipus at Colonus, and Antigone, I can have some calmer opinions.

Oedipus Rex played out exactly as I knew it would, with so much more drama than just reading a two page myth in a high school class, so five stars on that part.

Oedipus at Colonus was honestly...confusing to me. I understood the ending completely, but the beginning was so confusing for me. Why did the villagers both accept him in the forest/grove and also like...begged him to leave? I know part of it was because of his name and his story/curse but I was so confused for a lot of it. So two stars for that one.

Antigone, however, was a banger of a piece. I love her and her bravery/defiance to Creon (who is a little b****** of a man. Glad he got what was coming to him.

I feel that I didn't fully enjoy the reading process of this story because it was a play. Not because it was a play, but because I think I'd rather watch it performed to get the full story that way. Time to look for local playings in my area perhaps!

I give the Oedipus Cycle 3.5 stars (rounded up to four on Goodreads) for the fact that I liked the story, but found Oedipus at Colonus a bit confusing at first and would have rather watched this play out instead of read it.

What do you think of reading plays or of The Oedipus Cycle? I'd love to see your opinions!

À bientôt!


Photo/Gif creds: my photo of book w/mug, Merida, Oedipus play,

Suite Français by Irène Némirovsky

*there will be spoilers and sensitive topics

This book was very different from the normal genre and style of books that I normally read. Normally I read fiction, sci-fi, and fantasy stories as can be seen from my other reviews and Goodreads lists. However when I found this book during one of my $10 library bag sales, I placed it into my bag. The story, both Suite Français and Irène's, interested me and I knew that I'd want to read it someday. The fact that it was originally written in French might have been another reason that I wanted to read this book.

While reading this story, I was filled with a bit of sadness because I knew ahead of time what had happened to the author, and how this story was so similar to the life that she lived in those years as well. Also again I am saddened by the chilling history of our world, the lives that were lost, the families ripped apart. The horrors that people suffered just for being alive.

Hearing the history of Irène's life as well was interesting. She came from a rich life, but during WW1 she had to leave her life because her father's was in danger. Then she and her family found their way to France where she lived a flirtatious and wild life until she met her husband.

I am in awe with how many works she was able to write in a short time in her life. She has about 9 novels, and Suite Français was her last work that was published to the world, done so by her daughter Denise many years after her death.

I'm lucky that I was able to read this book. While it is basically a first draft to the story, it was wonderfully written and filled with wonderfully created characters. I was happy and joyful when the Michauds were able to make it home, and that Charles was hit by a car and died because I really disliked his character and what he did to that young couple while on the road. I felt he got what he deserved.

There was great sorrow in the book too. I was so sad that the Father died, and in such a brutal manner as well by those kids. To be beaten and then basically drown because you got caught under the water. I was scared just reading it if I'm going to be completely honest with you.

For the love in the story, I really wanted Jean-Marie to go back and be with Madeleine because I felt they would have been really nice and cute together, and was sad when she ended up with Benoît, even though that was sort of set in stone before he went off to war. However I also wish I could have seen how Irène wrote how Jean-Marie and Lucile would fall in love. I honestly wanted Jean-Marie to have a good life, but from her notes Irène didn't have the same thoughts.

To know that this was only two parts out of what was going to be a five part story, I can say that it didn't fully feel like anything was missing. With the way Irène wrote Dolce, it was like the real ending. To say if only WW2 didn't happen, we wouldn't even have this book in the first place. I just wish that Irène's life (and so many other millions of lives) could have been spared during this time in history to have the whole story given to us.

I gave Suite Français 5 stars. Partly for the information above, and partly because I am emotional and felt part of my heart in the story because I knew what happened in the end. I honestly recommend this book to anyone who loves historical fiction and non-fiction, as I feel this book has a nice tie between the two.

Let me know what you thought of this book or the story if you've read it. Did you find it as emotional as I did? I've love to hear your thoughts as well.

À bientôt!

Photo/Gif creds: cover photo from Goodreads, Irène's photo,

Gideon the Ninth by Tamsyn Muir

This book was a interesting pick for me. I don't normally shop in this section of the bookstore (maybe I should though) and I was only there because I had asked for some good LGBTQIA+ rep (mainly wlw and bi rep but any will do). I had made a post on instagram where I asked anyone for some recommendations on books that had amazing rep like the kind I had read in Reign of the Fallen, and the author of ROTF, Sarah Glenn Marsh, mentioned this book along with The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet.

Needless to say I went to the bookstore a day or two later with my gift cards to search for those and other books on my list. Sadly I only left with Gideon the Ninth because ALL THE OTHER BOOKS WERE OUT OF STOCK OR ONLINE ONLY...which I took as a personal attack, as any sane person would do as well.

Upon seeing the cover art for this book I knew I would like it. The art and the blurb hooked me and I placed it into my basket with my Etta Candy funko pop. The way Gideon is positioned, as if coming through a battle she single-handedly won, and looking like a badass skeleton won me over.

I also liked how Gideon's attraction to women wasn't a discovery during the book or hinted at to the reader. It was obvious that she was attracted to the other women around her, and to me that was a wonderful thing. To make it just...there and not something that people comment on or question was nice and almost soothing.

Throughout the whole book, I moved back and forth from loving certain characters, so being weary of them, to hating them, and hoping right back to loving them, and I credit that to Tamsyn's wonderful writing. She was able to weave characters that had flaws and hidden motives. Crafting twists and show, after the dust cleared, that those you thought were evil may not have been all along (I mean...they were a little bit but that's how they stayed human).

I gave Gideon the Ninth 4.75 stars out of 5.

I have taken off the .25 due to the fact that at the beginning of the book it was jarring to read and I was confused on how the planet of the Ninth was set up. Certain questions about the world of the Locked Tomb trilogy were coming to mind, but I'm sure with how the next book is set up those will be answered for me.

(Now this next reason might just be me) While reading, I would forget that it was a sci-fi story and that they were on a planet and not just...another country. The shuttles and space travel happened little in the book, but granted it wasn't NEEDED so I understand (yea it's just me being a weirdo).

Now I will read the other books on my 2020 TBR and add Harrow the Ninth (which has an equally beautiful cover BTW, just look at it) and continue this journey and story. I just hope that Harrow pulls some great skeleton dance parties soon in the books. Just for the fun of it honestly. Just like this gif:

Have you read Gideon the Ninth yet? What did you think about it, and are you ready for Harrow the Ninth like me?

À bientôt!

Photo/Gif creds: my photo of book, Harrow the Ninth cover, dancing skeletons,

The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho

This book isn't one that I normally would have picked up. I remember getting it too. I was at a thrift store and saw the cover, it was pretty and looked almost like an old book, and from what I saw online as a summary, I thought it was more of a fiction story that had magic and journey in it.

However, when I looked up the book again right before starting it, I saw a lot of people talking about how it was a self-help book. I have read a few of them in the past, but none of them really did anything for me. I tried doing the tips each book told me would help me, but nothing came of it. Maybe it was me, or maybe the book just wasn't meant to help someone like me, but I'm sure they've helped others.

Just like how I feel with this book. I read it all, almost decided to DNF it, and honestly couldn't fully grasp what the self-help aspects of the book were. I know it talked a lot about following and listening to your heart, but I feel like there's something larger that I'm missing, and it took away from my enjoyment because I felt that I wasn't paying attention enough or just not understanding the material. I think one of the main reasons I didn't DNF was the illustrations in my edition of the text. They matched what was happening and helped me to visualize better at the story happening.

And I'm not going to blame the translation either, because I know that sometimes meaning can get lost in it, but I feel that the translation I have really kept the feel of the book the same for me. Or maybe that's because I've read stuff both in French and English to know the differences so having translated materials isn't hard for me. Who knows.

My copy of the book had a letter in the back from Paulo Coelho on 'Questions That Have No Answers' and talks about him in the Pyrenees mountains between France and Spain, and how he met a colonel who had a list of questions that from children that have always remained unanswered. I thought the letter would help me understand anything from the book or the messages in it more...but I couldn't find the answers.

About the story though, I liked following the boy's (pretty sure his name is supposed to be Santiago but is called 'the boy' through like 97% of the book) journey through both him home in Spain and his travels through Africa. I know he was in the north of Africa and I can't help but think that the other strange language he didn't know (because he learns to speak Arabic while there) was French since there are French colonies in the North of France, but I'm sure it's just a different Arabic dialect or a local African dialect that their speaking.

I thought Santiago's journey was interesting, and the fact that he would just get up and do something or go somewhere is strangely something I've thought of doing before, but I guess I just don't know what my Personal Legend is, at least not yet. Have you found your Personal Legend yet? I guess I'll have to start listening to my heart more often.

I gave The Alchemist 3 stars. It was almost 2 and a half stars but I decided that it was well written, and while thinking about it, the story was good, but the messages inside of it just didn't speak to me the way it speaks to others, and it's not my fault that that happens to someone.

Yeah understanding it took away a little at my enjoyment, but that doesn't mean I didn't like it. 3 stars to me is more like...neutral ground for a book. I didn't love or like it, but I didn't hate it either. I could have a discussion about the book, but I won't be adding it to my personal bookshelf.

What did you think of this book if you've read it before? What was the self-help message you found in the pages of Santiago's journey? I'd love to hear other people's thoughts on the topic.

À bientôt!

Photo/Gif creds: cover from Goodreads, heart gif, question book,

Legion (Talon #4) by Julie Kagawa

What a whirlwind this book was. Started out with some death, had some fighting, a lot of driving around the country, and then ended with a bang and some dragonfire. Like any good fourth installment should!

I will do my best to write about this book without mentioning any spoilers, but if I happen to talk about one I will make sure to let you know it's coming in case you haven't read it yet!

It was nice that this book started off with everyone I've grown to love back in the same place again, because I missed them while they all did their own thing. I've found that I really like Jade and what she brings to the story. Instead of dragons all looking the same, they all look different depending on the region. Just like how so many different regions and cultures throughout the world have a dragon myth, and they are all different. That's why deep down I know that they must have at least been alive once if so many cultures had a myth of them but didn't communicate with each other. It just makes sense.

...is Talon real? Because I wanna meet a dragon. Julie what secrets do you know about? Share them with me!!!!!

It was interesting having Dante in the mix a little bit and having him seen more in this book, and the twist with him and Ember that we learned. I think something like that crossed my mind once but then it went away because like...nah that couldn't be it, and then it was haha. But it did throw me for a bit of a loop, and then it just got even more...twisted. 

I know that the romance was big in this book, but I came to a realization in this book. As much as I'd love a guy like Garret or Riley to protect me, I'm also the kind of girl to love a guy like Wesley. I know he's described as someone who is scrawny at times and probably pale beyond belief, but I picture him to look more like Dr. Reid and I love him. 

And I felt that the choice that Ember made was very brave of her. She really thought hard, as did her dragon, and they came up with a choice that was best for her and also thought of the others around her. I know some people would probably be upset because of ruining an OTP but I liked how she (and the others) handled the situation. And I think I feel something brewing with Mist so I CAN'T WAIT TO CONTINUE READING!

Now just to purchase the next book. To the bookstore I go!

But until then I will be happily reading other books on my TBR for this year and hopefully enjoying them. However I won't be ashamed if I don't and have to DNR a few of them. Here's to happy reading!

I gave Legion 5 stars, because this book continued with the drama and action of the other books, and left me hanging and waiting for the next one. I can't wait to see how Julie ends this story.

Have you read any of the Talon books? What did you think about the twists during part two? Or the major plot story during part three?

À bientôt!

Photo/Gif creds: legion cover on Goodreads, eastern vs. western, Ken Jeong,