Hello lovelies! How are you? I hope you’re having a lovely 2019 so far. I know we’re only two weeks into the new year, but I’ve already fallen in love with some wonderful stories and I’m so excited to talk to you guys about them.
…I’m reading: A Very Large Expanse of Sea
I’m reading A Very Large Expanse of Sea by Tahereh Mafi. I don’t usually connect that deeply with YA contemporaries, but I’ve found myself relating to this one in ways I wasn’t expecting. Shirin, a Muslim girl in post 9/11 America faces discrimination and injustices that I never did growing up in Norway, but I still see so much of my teenage self in her and I think anyone who’s ever felt like they’ve been defined by one thing and resented it, who’s let the hurt of it turn their hearts angry and mistrustful will not just see themselves in Shirin, but find comfort in her story.
…I’m watching: Derry Girls
Erin: “Look, I wanted to be an individual but my ma wouldn’t let me.”
Clare: “I am not being individual on my own!”
Set in 1990’s Northern Ireland in the midst of the troubles Derry Girls follows four catholic school girls and one of the girls’ English cousin, who can’t attend the boy’s school cause they’re worried he’ll get beaten up too much. The gang’s always coming up with schemes, which unravel in unexpected and ridiculous ways. Leaving the girls to explain why they started a fire in a chip shop or convince the deeply unimpressed headmistress that they definitely didn’t kill a nun. The humor’s sharp, silly and quick-witted – I haven’t heard this many iconic one-liners since Mean Girls! (Just check out no context derry girls if you don’t believe me)
…I’m listening to: Again by Kehlani
Kehlani’s voice is milk and honey for the soul. This song’s so beautiful and mellow I could listen to it all day.
Can’t wait to hear what you think when you finish A Very Large Expanse of the Sea! I’ve heard so many people say good things about it but I’ve been hesitant to pick it up because I wasn’t the biggest fan of the Shatter Me series.
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I wasn’t a big fan of Shatter Me either, but I’m loving this one. It’s completely different, very real and beautiful. I’d definitley recommend it 😊
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Oh great! I’ll add it to my tbr then 🙂
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I hadn’t heard of Derry Girls but that sounds like something I definitely need to watch!
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It’s hilarious and very Irish. So I think you might enjoy it! It’s also perfect to binge, there’s only 6 20 minutes episodes on Netflix.
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Hilarious and very Irish is right up my alley, I will definitely check it out!!
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I hope you’ll like it!
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Derry Girls keeps popping up in my Netflix recs so I might give it a try after I finish watching Travellers (also on Netflix). I’m putting off Tahereh Mafi’s new book, just because Restore Me was unimpressive, but it’s always in the back of my mind because it seems like such an important read!
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I haven’t heard of Travelers, I’ll have to check it out! Derry Girls is a super quick one to binge, the whole season’s like 3 hours long. A Very Large Expanse of Sea is completely unlike anything else I’ve read my her, so I wouldn’t let that be the reason you put if off 😊 It’s a wonderful book, I hope you enjoy it if you do pick it up!
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I’m glad you’re liking A Very Large Expanse of Sea! I haven’t read it but I’ve heard so many good things which definitely makes me interested in picking it up!
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I keep hearing about how good Derry Girls is! I need to watch it one of these days!
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It’s hilarious! I hope you enjoy it!
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I JUST finished watching Derry Girls! My sister got me hooked on it and it was so good!!!! I was cracking up the whole time and it has so much heart – I want more episodes!
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Right? I couldn’t stop laughing! They’ve already filmed season 2, so fingers crossed we’ll have more episodes soon!
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I didn’t even think to look up if they’ve been filming or not! That’s so exciting!!!!
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Ooh, Derry Girls sounds really good! I might have to check it out! I’m currently re-listening to the Wicked Original Broadway Cast Recording and (finally) reading Sadie by Courtney Summers.
Eleanor | On the Other Side of Reality
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I hope you love it if you do, it’s so funny! I still haven’t read Sadie, but I’ve heard wonderful things. I look forward to hearing your thoughts on it 😊
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A Very Large Expanse of Sea is on my TBR! I love Kehlani’s songs!
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I hope you love it as much as I do ❤️ She’s amazing!
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I haven’t read, watched or listened to any of these, but they’re amazing recommendations! Kehlani’s voice is so addicting! I’m reading J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Silmarillion and listening to The Milk Carton Kids!
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I’m in love with her voice. I’ve been meaning to read The Silmarillion for years, I look forward to hearing your thoughts on it! I’ve never heard of The Milk Carton Kids before, but I’ve just put on Michigan. It’s lovely!
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Oh my goodness how could I get the title wrong! I’m reading Unfinished Tales, and hopefully after this, The Silmarillion. I think I’ve been stalling way too long to read these books that I get muddled whenever thinking about them!
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I actually just finished A Very Large Expanse of Sea!!! It’s really so good, i am glad you are connecting to it as well.
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I’m so happy you loved it too! ❤️
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I need to get my hands on A Very Large Expanse of Sea! It sounds fantastic. I’m a huge fan of humorous TV series, so Derry Girls sounds fun, but I’ve been more into Asian dramas lately! We’ll see, though, if the mood hits! 😉
– Aimee @ Aimee, Always
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I’m not a huge fan of contemporaries either but A Very Large Expanse of Sea sounds like such an important and powerful read. I cannot wait to pick it up!
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It was very powerful and beautiful! I hope you’ll love it 💕
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