Noli's Book Journey

Such a beautiful book❤️

Image by Noluthando Good day bibliophiles   “Why does it say she has three hundred and twenty friends?" Josh asks. "Who has that many friends?” If you had the opportunity to change your future...no wait, control the ultimate outcome of your future because you didn't approve of the cards life had dealt for you, would you do it ? Well the book I just breezed through had a lot to do with that and then some.  The book I am talking about is none other than Jay Asher's &Caroline Mackler's- The Future of Us. This book has an amazing concept, is well written and a real page turner. Asher & Mackler had me at "Emma receives an AOL disc in 1996 from her estranged friend Josh, and they are some how able to log on to Facebook in the era of no social media networks, phones with the cords still attached to them, oh and my favorite, pagers!".  Having the ability to take a peek into their futures, they learn that their actions can ultimate...

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Image taken and edited by Noluthando *Exhale*   Where do I begin? Have you ever been crippled by fear? Have fears or anxiety of any kind hindered you from living your life?    I can tell you that my answer is yes. The funny thing about suffering from fears or anxiety is the opinions that everyone has on how to cure it. Some suggest exposure therapy and my favorite 'just getting over it'. I can tell you  bibliophiles that none of the above assisted me in anyway shape or form. I guess the most important thing is time, I can only speak for myself but I would definitely put time right up there with my coping methods. After all the time I gave myself. . . a year and a half to be exact I came across this book The Power of a Praying through Fear  by Stormie Omartian. I am not really into self help books, I struggled quite a bit to get hooked on the few that I've read, but somehow I am hooked on this one. It is written by a bestselling christian author ...

A good day to you Bibliophiles! today I did something a little different as you can see! I have wondered about my sisters obsession with James Patterson's 'Middle School' books and today I finally got it. We watched Middle School:The Worst Years Of My Life based on one of James Patterson's books, I have to say I thought I would hate it but turns out in a couple of hours I would be blogging about it!  So basically this particular book and movie is about a character named Rafe who has been expelled from two schools, his last option is a middle school that has too many rules that he cant understand or come to terms with. According to my sister and according to the movie he constantly communicates with a guy called Leo. It is Leo's character that caught my attention , at first Leo looks like that friend that's always by your side, helps you make plans and keeps your head in the game. While watching the movie my sister kept complaining about how different ev...

This isn't my regular ' great coffee shop where you can enjoy a book' post . This is a food appreciation post. I went to TJ Billies BBQ for a lunch date and boy! oh boy! was I impressed. I enjoyed the Philly Steak Sandwich and my date enjoyed Pulled Pork from the BBQ platter with a side of  fries and Pork Scratching's. So yummy, excellent service, great ambience, country music playing in the background.  I would go back tonight for dinner if I could. How could I forget the Strawberry Pie and Ice creaaam that we enjoyed for dessert!  Strawberry Pie and Ice Cream Great Meal! Great Day!

An important read 💙

This book💙 "Essays and photos from the suicide-awareness organizations that has helped millions" ;

Image by Noluthando I asked a colleague of mine to sell me a good book that would touch my heart and soul, not only that. . . a book that would make me laugh. He left for all of two minutes and returned with Simon vs The Homo Sapiens Agenda. I looked at the cover and back at him, he then proceeded to tell me that it would meet all my requirements, because it would not only touch my heart and soul but also thrill me in the best of ways. I am pleased to say that he was telling the truth. . . The last amazing young adult fiction novel that focused on a young male trying to navigate his sexuality while pretending to be straight was Openly Straight by Bill Konigsberg . I could read that novel over and over again, I am now pleased to say that I would read this one over and over again. It is far from predictable and each character from Simon to his secret email sending love interest Blue is pretty amazing. It  was one of those "no this cant be the last chapter or page" kind ...

Good Day or Evening Bibliophiles. . .depending on where you are in the world. Today i'll be talking about The Start of Me and You by Emery Lord, I've had this book for a month! I started reading it about a month ago, then found the Jodi Picoult-Small Great Things and kind of had to put it down. . .I explained in a previous post that this is a bad habit I have.  Any way lets start with the blurb shall we. . . CAN YOU PLAN HAPPINESS? It's been a year since Paige's first boyfriend died in a swimming accident and its time she rejoined the real world. So she makes a plan 1. Date a boy (long-standing crush Ryan Chase seems like the perfect choice) 2.Attend parties (with best friends by your side: doable 3.Join a club (simple enough, right 4.Travel (Might as well dream big 5.Swim   But when she meets Ryan's sweet (but so nerdy) cousin, Max, he opens up her world and Paige's plans start to change. . . Is it too late or a second chanc...

Book wisdom from my current read - The Start of Me and You - Emery Lord

Project Semicolon~ Your Story Isn't Over - Amy Bleuel The Start of Me and You -Emery Lord

Good Day Bibliophiles🎵♫🎜 After reading When Breathe Becomes Air , I mentioned in my blog post that I listened to music while reading the first and last pages of this book. Thing is I love music just as much as I love books; I've found that I do enjoy listening to music while reading my book most of the time. This got me thinking about all the other books I have read and what song best suited the book at the time. I thought its only fair that I share my playlist so far. When Breathe Becomes Air-Paul Kalanithi *Amber Run-I found *Sun EL Musicain ft Samthing Soweto-Akanamali The Sun Is Also A star-Nicola Yoon *Cheat Codes ft Demi Lovato-No Promises    Everything Everything-Nicola Yoon * Jessie Ware-Till The End  A Man Called Ove-Fredrik Backman *Ed Sheeran-Castle On The Hill Paper Butterflies-Lisa Heathfield  * Tracy Chapman-Crossroads  Francine Rivers-Redeeming Love  *Hillsongs- What A Beautiful Name  *H...

Small great things! Smaaalll Great things! Oh Jodi Picoult. I must admit that it  took me some time to finish this book. I would say the reason for this would be the contents of this book; there's a lot of information to digest, to understand, to sympathize with . . . and even relate to? Blurb "When a newborn baby dies after a routine hospital procedure, there is no doubt about who will be held responsible: the nurse who had been banned from looking after him by his father.  What the nurse , her lawyer and the father of the child cannot know is how death will irrevocably change all of their lives , in ways both expected and not.  Small Great Things is about prejudice and power; it is about that which divides us and unites us." This book tackles prejudice and racism,homophobia in the most phenomenal ways. Three characters Ruth Jefferson an African American nurse, Turk Bauer the white supremacist and Kennedy, Ruths lawyer and baby Davis....

I love Unicorns which is quite obvious with the title of my blog and all. . .anyway here's a picture of a cute mug my sister bought me for my birthday! So magical 🌸🌸🌸

Image by Noluthando Hey Bibliophiles! Thought I would talk to you about something a little different today. . . so not to long ago I found my mother engrossed in an adult coloring book. I kept thinking what the obsession was about, then a couple of days later I found myself colouring in a page or two. . . I think I'm going on five pages. . . five whole pages in a couple of days.  In the featured picture I have a new book that I started reading a week ago. Its titled " The Start of Me and You "; so why haven't I finished this book you ask? Well I have this bad habit of starting with a new book then somehow somewhere the universe pulls together and I find myself finding a new, equally amazing book that steals all of my attention. Fear not I will complete The Start of Me and You ; just as soon as I finish reading Small Great Things by Jodi Picoult and maybe, one more page of colouring. What do we love about Adult Colouring in Books? That it is extremel...

Hey Bibliophiles! I haven't read a good biography in the longest time, and I can honestly say it has been long overdue. "At the age of thirty-six, on the verge of completing a decade's training as a neurosurgeon ,Paul Kalanithi was diagnosed with inoperable lung cancer. One day he was a doctor treating the dying, the next he was a patient struggling to live.  When Breath Becomes Air chronicles Kalanithi's transformation from a medical student in search of what makes a virtuous and meaningful life into a neurosurgeon working in the core of human identity-the brain- and finally into a patient and a new father."  When I started reading When Breath Becomes Air three days ago, a sad song happened to be playing in the background and when I came to the last pages of this book, a sad song happened to be playing from my playlist. I would like to blame the music on my heightened emotions or instant connection to this book; however it is the author. Paul Kal...

This happens to be me. . .everyday. . .lol

Image by Noluthando Nicola Yoon has done it again! She has stolen my heart a second time with this amazing book. Its not often that you find a fictional book that makes you take a second look, a real good look at reality. This is a book about the Universe and how it pulls things together so that Daniel, (a poet, favoured son, American by birth but Korean at heart) and Natasha (Jamaican by birth, American at heart, firm believer in science) together. Somehow these two characters make decisions that ultimately lead them to one another for 12 hours, I know only 12 .  What do we Love about this book   Tragedy, Tragedy, Tragedy! After some serious introspection I have noticed a pattern in my choice of books! I cant take the heartache but I also cannot live without it! my heart seems to yearn for it. The amazing thing about this book is it makes you aware of a butterfly effect not only with Daniel and Natasha but also with the people that they come into contact with thr...

Fun fact: I am in love with old people, everyone who knows me will verify this information and probably tell you about my desires to eat them all up [insert Gasp]! Okay at this point I have elaborate on my desires to gobble old people up. It's not some crazy canabilistic desire, I just think the elderly are amazing human beings, kind hearted,full of wisdom, full of life. . .because they've lived most of it♥. I just want to squeeeeze them and have tea and share jam biscuits and talk about their lives😊. Anyway getting back to why we're here! I read this beautiful book called "A Man Called Ove" by Fredrik Backman . This book is about a grumpy old man called Ove who loses his will to live after his wife dies. Everyday is a good day to die for him which obviously broke my heart. I really can't tell you more because I'll be giving too much away and I don't think that's fair because this is a beautiful book that will have your heart breaking...

"I will try to be honest and tell everything as it was, but I will not swear, because my mum hated swearing. I hope you'll understand. I'll write something beautiful instead. I'll write [butterfly]. For my mum." When you think of an apocalypse you think of Zombies, an asteroid. . . a giant wave? How about killer rain?! This book has a lot of character, the author wants to avoid the use of profanity soooo a butterfly is used in its place. It tends to drag a little but I'd be lying if I said I didn't really enjoy it. Well take this journey with Ruby Morris and let me know what you think.

The artist is the creator of beautiful things - Oscar Wilde In your opionion what criteria does a book need to fall under in order to be classified or qualify as a classic?

I know some who are constantly drunk on books as other men are drunk on whiskey. -H.L. Mencken

" June's life at home with her stepmother and stepsister is a dark one-and a secret one. Not even her dad knows the truth. Shes trapped like a butterfly in a jar, Then June meets Blister, a boy in the woods. In him, she finds a glimmer of hope that perhaps she can find a way to fly far, far away.  But freedom comes at a price. . ." Hey Bibliophiles, I've read many of tragedies in my life, but this takes the cup❤! June is living a Cinderella-esque type of life with her stepmother and her step sister, but on a much greater scale. Her stepmother over feeds her, plates her dinner on the floor, chokes her. . .among other brutal abusive acts. June is crying out for help and quietly hoping that her teachers, school nurses or doctors will ask her if everything is okay at home, so that they can set her free; unfortunately no one really notices. Thankfully fellow Bibliophiles things look up when she meets Blister. As always I don't want to give too much away. ...

Image by Noluthando Readers are introduced to June Nealon who has just been in a horrific car accident that claims her husbands life but leaves her daughter Elizabeth without a scratch. A policeman named Kurt pulls both victims out of the wreckage, attends all court hearings and later becomes the husband of June and stepfather to Elizabeth. June speaks of the unshakable bond that her daughter and Kurt have, even goes as far as saying that she often feels as though she is 'intruding'. However Shay Bourne, their carpenter with bipolar disorder  causes devastation and heartache when he shoots and kills both Kurt and Elizabeth in what seemed to be an attempted sexual assault. Shay Bourne has taken the world from June Nealon but tries to repair it by donating his heart to the daughter that was left behind. What choice will she make? Will she save her daughters life by taking the heart of the man that ended hers? What did I love about this book? Absolutely everything, I took ...

A good friend of mine insisted that I read this book two years ago but I never got around to reading it. If I'm completely honest with myself part of the reason for not reading this book when it was referred to me two years ago was the overwhelming feeling of doubt in the contents of Christian novels. Don't get me wrong it's not that I'm not a believer, I just couldn't believe that one could get a good fictional book which also happens to be Christian in nature. So I do believe that on the day that finally I decided to read through the first ten pages of Redeeming love, that it was not by chance. I believe that I read this book at the "right time". If I had read it when it was first referred to me I dont think that it would have had the profound effect that it had on me when I read it at the beginning of this year. Redeeming love was first published in 1991 and is written by Francine Rivers. Redeeming Love is the story of a young girl named Sarah who r...

When I think of Jodi Picoult's writing, the word "poetic" comes to mind! I am currently reading "Change Of Heart ", I have to force myself to close this book so I can go to bed most days. I'm taking my time with this one! Review will follow in a few days♥.

So many books, So little time - Frank Zappa

I have been known to "dance it out" thanks to Grey's Anatomy ♥ and have religiously watched episodes of How To Get Away With Murder 👐. Naturally I could not miss out on the opportunity to read Shonda Rhimes Biography! Love love love iiiiit!!!! One of my favorite pages is an excerpt from Shonda Rhimes Dartmouth Commencement Speech on page 91 it is a part reads: "(And this is really the only lesson you'll ever need to know.) You take it in. You breathe this rare air. You feel alive. You are your self. You are truly finally always yourself. . ."

1. A person devoted to reading. . . In my opinion the most important detail or rule to keep in mind is to "never disturb a booklover as the results may be fatal!" Don't we know it! This glasses case and change or earphone holder is on my list as a great gift idea for Booklovers ♥

I've always secretly obsessed over the idea of getting a bonsai, but never got around to getting one. . .in the mean time, I've been reading up on their upkeep and the different types of bonsai that one can get. This DK publication may have made my obsession a little worse ❤. Where's a good place to get a Bonsai in Guateng?     

I recently started watching American Gods and after four episodes I couldn't bring myself to stop watching and go back and read Neil Gaimans book! I just felt like I was in too deep. . .hooked even? Anyway three months ago, I watched " The Giver ", a beautiful movie based on the book by Lois Lowry . The movie was so moving, the message and imagery so powerful! I enjoyed it so much that I'm currently reading the book. It's strange, usually after watching a movie I have no real desire to read the book, my mindset is pretty much: "I mean when you know the plot and ending why go back and read the book ". However " The Giver " changed that for me! Imagine a world with no colour, where everything is black and white? Imagine a world with no animals? A world where everyone's the same so as to avoid every social, economic, environmental and political problem that plagues the world today. This book and the movie is one that will change the way you...

After watching Me Before You, I just had to know what happened to "Louisa Clark" after Will Traynors death. This novel is not just a romance novel; It is filled with surprises and definitely worth the read!

Good Evening Bibliophiles! This week I read "Who Moved my Cheese" by Dr Spencer Johnson, and I have to say it is currently my favorite read and I am pretty sure I'll be reading this book over and over again! I don't want to give too much away, so what I will tell you is that Sniff, Scurry, Hem and Haw's story is a great a model on how one can deal with change in one's work or personal life. Through reading this book I found myself identifying with each character, from the two Mice Sniff and Scurry and the little human people Hem and Haw! This book is a quick and meaningful read! I'll leave you with three of my favorite quotes from this book.  “The quicker you let go of old cheese, the sooner you find new cheese. “What would you do if you weren't afraid?”   “What you are afraid of is never as bad as what you imagine.    

Good day Bibliophiles! I went away for the weekend to Magaliesburg and, before I could take in the beauty of the cottage this cute little detail grabbed my attention! Its the little things❤!

If you're looking for a quick, witty, fun loving romance Paris for One is the perfect book for you! Nell plans a weekend away with her boyfriend to Paris as she has never seen the city of love. However when her boyfriend doesn't show up for their holiday she decides to make the most of her trip, and meets a handsome Fabien! I don't want to give too much away. . .so get yourself a copy!

Cody thought she knew her best friend Meg so well! So how could  it be that she did not pick up on her best friends unhappiness? How was she not aware that her friend was going to commit suicide? To add to Cody's questions is Megs suicide note. . . This book follows Cody's journey into trying to understand and come to terms with Meg's suicide which ultimately leads her on a journey into heart breaking discoveries and heart racing ones too. Did Meg act alone in taking her decision to kill herself, can Cody get the answers she needs? Get yourself a copy and let me know what you think!

Image by Noluthando So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

I think you may have guessed that I have a thing for pancakes. . . well you're right , when I am not thinking about books, I am definitely thinking about the soft delicate cloud of goodness that encompasses pancakes. "Mugg & bean" is definitely right up there on my list of choices as the best place to take your book out for a date while treating yourself to a bottomless Hot chocolate  and pancakes of course!

Image by Noluthando Refilwe-Zukiswa Wanner "Refilwe Refilwe Let down your locks so I can climb up the scraggy rocks"! This African retelling of the story of Rapunzel in isiZulu brings a huge smile to my face for a number of reasons. One of them being the beautiful retelling of this story in a vernacular language and the second reason has to be this beautiful image of Rapunzel with beautiful dreadlocks!!! As a young girl I remember my granny telling me many different short stories, about hippos, leopards, zebras and the reasons they had their spots, stripes or tusks. It was quite an exciting time and cannot have imagined my childhood without it! I think its important that this book is available for all the young girls like me who remember tying towels around their heads trying to be like Rapunzel, now they can aspire to be as beautiful as Refilwe with her beautiful African locks!.

The Service Station in Melville not only has the yummiest pancakes, and great cappuccinos, it's also a great environment to take your book out for a date ❤. 

Picture this. . . waking up in a taxi hours away from home in your pajamas. Taxi driver informs you that you have arrived at the location that you requested which just happens to be a suicide hotspot. You feel as though you have been drugged, you have a suicide note in your pocket which has been written in your own handwriting. The trouble is you only remember going to bed the night before. Bibliophiles after reading the first three pages of this book I knew that I had to figure out who was trying to stage Sally Hilman's "Sal" suicide. I continuously questioned myself about Sal's motives for trying to kill herself, if she was really trying to kill herself and most importantly why she could not recall this elaborate plan. If you're looking for thrills I would suggest reading this book, there were many times where I was most certain that I knew the plot; ie why Sal would want to kill herself? who would have the motive to possibly want to kill her? Still the endin...

I have read many books in my life but none quite like The Shack , which not only shook the core beliefs or ideals of the main character Mackenzie Allen Phillips also known as "Mack", but quite honestly my own. The Shack starts pre-tragedy where Mack takes his three children on a camping trip, on this camping trip certain events lead to the abduction of his youngest daughter Missy by the " Little LadyKiller ". Four years later Mack has sunken into what he describes as " The Great Sadness ", in this time he finds a letter in his post box from "Papa", a name that his wife uses to refer to God, inviting him to come to the Shack. The Shack is of great significance as this is where they found his daughters bloodied clothing.  He immediately assumes that this letter must come from the Little LadyKiller , however at the same time cannot understand how the serial killer would know to sign it with the words "Papa". Without giving away too man...

Old school vs New school image by Noluthando Empirically speaking the presence of all things digital has really impacted on the way in which people interact with the world. There are many reasons that people opt for eBooks or audio-books over printed books. A personal example that I can think of would probably be of my travels to Cape Town last year in December. I took three books with me, they took up a lot of space on their own, but I could not decide on whether to leave "The Picture of Dorian Gray" or "Good me Bad Me". Fast forward to Cape Town, turns out I am not the only person that enjoys reading even when I am on holiday. However I noticed a huge difference between my printed books safely packed in my suitcase, which took up the potential space for an extra T-shirt or two; and the ever so handy Kindle. Now don't get me wrong I am not trying to get you to favor one over the other we all have our preferences for different reasons. I just realized tha...

Trapped-Sam Scarborough image by Noluthando Trapped-Sam Scarborough A Strong Woman's Triumph over Abuse How do you know when you are being verbally and emotionally  abused?  The scary truth is somewhere in the world someone is asking themselves this question. South African Sam Scarborough found herself in this predicament whereby she found love, moved across the world with her daughter based on her trust of the man she fell inlove with. However after arriving in London everything seemed to change, his behavior, lies and then the verbal and emotional abuse . The author could not believe her counter parts sudden change in behavior, even goes far to say that she thought she was imagining it all, so she decided to start documenting the abuse. This is a gripping biography follows the experiences and emotions that the author endured during her time in London. It is extremely gripping, I finished it in a matter of three days. Not many authors can make you feel their pain, co...

Veronica Roth-Carve The Mark. Image by Noluthando The Perfect Book, do you choose it? Or does it choose you? I don't if I am the only one who has literal anxiety when having to decide on what book to buy or choose; mainly for the reason that books are expensive and its imperative that you make the right choice the first time. thus with such tough decision I thought to share my method of making the 'right' choice or finding that 'perfect' book. I must admit that I hardly ever choose to read a book because everyone is ranting and raving about it at certain period of time. I honestly feel, that it is easy to be swept up into the hype of the book and miss what truly makes it amazing because you just want to read it because everyone who is anyone is reading it. This is part of the reason why I have read a lot of popular books some time after their popularity has died down a bit. Let us get back to how I pick my favorite book, it is clearly not based on populari...

Blackhorse Cider Image by Noluthando   The Craft Beer Library   Hello fellow Bibliophiles!, Just a week ago I was in Linden with my boyfriend trying out something new at an eatery called the "Craft Beer Library" situated in Linden. It is known for it's wide variety of craft beers and it's delicious food to pair with it. Now I know you're trying to piece together how this would be a great environment to read a book? Trust me when I say, the thought crossed my mind while sitting at my table, with my pink cider, on how perfect of an environment this would be for my future escapes!. I must add that my judgement could be based on the time of day that I arrived and spent at the CBL, which was around 12 pm to about 2pm during the day; nonetheless it was an amazing environment, beautiful interior and the sun was shining. I cannot end this blog post without giving you a little insight on my meal. I ordered "The Hogshead" which is pulled pork on a crunchy...

How do I know when I have found the perfect book?  Well bibliophiles that's simple. . .when I cannot put it down, when I read it while eating dinner, when I stay up till 3am in the morning to finish it, and most importantly when all the above happens in seven hours. A TRAGIC KIND OF WONDERFUL is that book.  Readers are introduced to Mel Hannigan who struggles with Bipolar disorder, who is also still mourning the death of her brother; whom also struggled with with Bipolar disorder . Other than her family, and her doctor no one else is really aware of her disorder and for this reason she keeps everyone at a distance. This book will take you through a roller coaster of emotions, it touches on various topics, including mental illness and suicide. If anything this book was informative and the ending is purely heart wrenching