Sunday Post #40 - Back to blogging & reading

The Sunday post was created by Caffeinated Book Reviewer this is a post where we recap on the going on's on the blog the week previous and the week coming up as well as the awesome books we have received, bought or been gifted for review!

I am back blogging. This week I am was back blogging after not blogging much over the last few months that which was due to a book slump to end all book slumps. Thankfully I am slowly but surely coming out of my slump as well as getting back into blogging. So much so that I spent most of yesterday scheduling posts right up till the end of the month. Here is what has been happening on my blog this week:

Hello World

OK So Booksically Book Tag

Booktube Videos I have been loving

Discussion: Books that have been calling to me lately

Movies on my radar lately

Review: The Protector by Jodi Ellen Malpas

Coming this week:

Discussion: 2017 releases I really wanna read but haven't

Goodreads Book Tag

Author Feature: Musings on popularity by Marnie Lamb & Giveaway

Feature: Itty Bitty Books & Giveaway 

Review: The Wright Boss by K.A. Linde 

I just wanna say I have been loving Harry Styles new album. I love Sweet Creature, Carolina, Only Angel but my fave is Two Ghosts.

How has your week been? Leave me a link to a post that you want me to check out.

#Review The Protector by Jodi Ellen Malpas

Today I have a review of The Protector by Jodi Ellen Malpas one of my auto buy authors. This is an author I highly recommend if you love sexy adult romances.

Book: The Protector

Author: Jodi Ellen Malpas

Rating: 4stars

Goodreads

Synopsis

People think they have Camille Logan nailed: daddy's girl; beautiful, spoiled young woman with her father's bank balance to fund her lifestyle. But Camille is determined to have a life free from his strings. Out on her own, she's made mistakes, including one that found her clawing her way back after a stint in rehab and plenty of bad press. Now, after fighting so hard to be independent and happy, she finds her life threatened as a result of her father's ruthless business dealings. Caught between resentment and fear, Camille prepares herself for the measures her father will take to protect her. But nothing could prepare her for the ex-SAS sniper who crashes into her life.

Jake Sharp resides in his own personal hell. He was distracted from duty once before, and the consequences were devastating--both personally and professionally. He vowed never to let that happen again. Accepting the job of bodyguard to Camille Logan isn't the kind of distraction from his demons he should take. Women and Jake don't mix well, yet protecting the heiress seems the lesser of two evils. But Jake soon discovers that she isn't the woman she's perceived to be. She's warm, compassionate, her presence settling, and his duty to protect her soon goes deeper than a well-paid job, no matter how hard he fights it. He needs absolution. He comes to need Camille. But he knows he can't have both.

A bit of story time before my review. Last year I picked up Jodi's This Man and One Night Trilogy and devoured them and I just knew she would be an auto buy author for me. I picked up The Protector last year and didn't finish it. Yea I know I think I must have lost my mind for a while as I picked it up again and really enjoyed it giving it 4 stars.  

The protector by Jodi Ellen Malpas is a adult romance that is steamy but less steamy than her other works but it definitely didn't deter from how good it was. I think the first time I struggled with this it was because it's told in duel POV between our leading lady and main man and I always struggle with male POV but this time I really enjoyed it and I think I liked Jake's POV more than Camilles. 

What I love about Jodi's books is the the twists and turns and I swear you think you know what's going on and you really don't. Shock after shock. Jake is hired as Camilles bodyguard and you dont really know why but the reason WTF. Jake's back story really intrigued me he's ex army and I love seeing his struggle which may sound terrible but it made him feel more human and his past another WTF. 

Camille as our leading lady I liked but she isn't my favourite leading lady from Jodi's books. We definitely struggled to connect at the start but in the end I ended up liking her. 

Overall I really enjoyed The Protector and can't wait for Jodi's next book which is out this summer!

Have you read The Protector? Do you want to read it? Let me know your thoughts below!

Movies on my radar lately!

I love a good movie and lately I have seen so many awesome trailers that I had to share them with you. I see the majority of  the trailers on Movieclips Trailers on YouTube. You should check them out.

I have six movie trailers for you in different genres. There will be age restrictions on some.

First up is The Dark Tower based on a Stephen King novel. It's not rated yet so be aware going into it. It has violence and is an action adventure fantasy/western so a little of everything but it looks so good. It has a August 2017 release.

Next up is The Big Sick which looks funny, heart-warming, and though provoking based on a real life story. It sounds like the perfect rom-com. It's restricted R rating and its about a couple from two different cultures dealing with their cultural differences as their relationship grows. It has a summer release.

Once upon a time in Venice is up next and it looks hilarious. It stars Bruce Willis and Jason Momoa. It's about a policeman who's dog is taken in a robbery and he has to get his dog back from the person who stole it, a drug Lord who sends him on a mission in return for his dog and hilarity soon ensues. It doesn't have rating so for but I would say R rating. It also has a summer release.

We then have It Comes At Night which I don't know whether I love the trailer or am freaked out. It's a horror film and I hate horror films but I think I might be able to handle this one as it seems to be pushing toward the psychological thriller aspect. It has an R Rating and a summer release. Watch at your own risk :)

Next up we have 2.22 which is a thriller about a man who keeps seeing patterns of events that repeat themselves every day in the same exact manner and ending at the same time of day 2.22. It gives the vibes of Final Destination and Knowing. It has a Pg13 rating and has a summer release date.

Finally we have Rough Night a comedy starring Scarlett Johanson as her and her friends go on her bachelorette party in Miami and a male stripper ends up dead. Drama and comedy ensues. It looks so funny and all kinda wrong I love it. R rating and is another summer release.

That is it. Do you want to see any of these movies? What movies are on your radar? Leave me a comment below.

Discussion: Books that have been calling to me lately

Lately as I have been coming out of my reading slump I have had certain books "call out to me" What I mean by this is I keep seeing certain books around and there making me want to buy them and read them. Some are older books and some are new releases. 

There is currently five books calling to me. And also a 're read that I has been calling to me. Let's go! All books linked to Goodreads!

1) Simon Vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda by Becky Albertalli

I have been seeing this book everywhere it's a 2015 book and I feel everyone has read it apart from me. It's a YA GLBT Romance which is supposed to be adorable. It's being made into a movie I need to pick it up!

2) Geekerella by Ashley Poston

This is one that has also been everywhere lately as it's a new release. I have heard nothing but great things about it. Its a Cinderella retelling and even though I don't usually like 're telling's this sounds so good. It has a ton of geek-ness and its set in a con. I need it! 

3) A Court Of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J Mass

I know, I really know why haven't I read this. I don't really have an excuse I own it in ebook format and I have a signed copy of ACOMAF so I need to get on that. But I do want to buy a paperback of ACOTAR first.

4) The lightening Thief by Rick Riordan

This has been calling to me for a few years but particularly the last year. I know loads of people love it and I think I will as well. I need to buy a copy ASAP.

5) Royce Rolls by Margaret Stohl

This is another newer release. It's been on every social media platform I have seen and I wanna read it. It's supposed to be like a reality TV show like the Kardashians and it's a tongue in cheek look at Hollywood. Am down for that.

Finally the 're read that has been calling to me is Harry Potter. I haven't read it in a few years but with the house cover editions of The Philosopher's Stone releasing next month I want to give it a 're read. 

Is there any books that have been calling to you lately. Let me know in the comments below.

Book tube videos I have been loving

Even though I havent been reading much due to the book slump to end all book slumps (See here) I have been watching a lot of book tube videos. It's one of my favourite things to do so I thought I would do a post sharing some recent favourite videos from some of my favourite booktubers.

First up is some videos from Emma @ Emmma books who is I can say truthfully my favourite booktuber. I love all her videos but I recently loved her 13 reasons why series discussion which you can check out below.

Next I found this video in the suggestions bit of my fed and when I started watching it I couldn't stop. It's a 25 minute video with the title of This is literally the worst book I have ever read and Lily C the creator was amazing. The book sounds terrible but it's Lily that kept me there. Check it out.

I have discovered a couple of new channels in the last while and am not one for subbing to new bookish channels but I have two.

First up is Epic Reads this is a channel from Harper Collins and its there YA section Epic Reads. I follow them on all other social media platforms but didn't on YouTube I don't know why. One of there videos I really enjoyed was The Siren by Keira Cass told with dolls, it was hilarious. Check it out.

Finally I discovered Kristin @ Super Space Chick. when I find a new channel I love I go and watch all there videos from the beginning. I know I lead such an exciting life, it does take me ages but I love bookish videos so I know I always have some in back up when I need a fix. One of Kristins latest videos that I enjoyed was a book haul. Who doesn't love a no haul?

What are some booktubers you love? Any I should check out. Leave me a comment below!

Okay So Booksically Tag

It's time for another book tag. This one I am excited to do as the questions are different than the usual questions you get in tags. This tag was created by Andrew @ OK So Booksically on YouTube. Let's go!

1) Tell us about your blog name and your real name

So my blog is called Readingawaythedays as I like to read away my days *winky face* my sister is actually the one that came up with the name. I am great at making names up for everyone else but I just couldn't make one up for myself. And my real name is Megan.

2) Open Instagram search and chat about the first three images

I love Instagram especially bookstagram photos. Cheeky little plug you can follow me at @ Megan_readingawaythedays

These where the first three images that popped up and of course there bookstagram photos. 

1) The lovely blue books are by The night court bookworm and I love blue book covers. These are so pretty.

2) The photo of the awesome Funko pops is by Pops Hearts Books I love Funko pops and I need more in my life. This account has so many Funko pops am jealous!

3) The photo of the awesome Grisha Trilogy is by Elephant Tales this is a trilogy I really want to read!

3) Your Favourite song to listen to while your reading/writing and how many times you have listened to it

I don't like to listen to music while I read as I need total silence but I do like to while am blogging or just on social media. I have a playlist on YouTube where I have songs that am really into at the time called songs of 2017 it has a list of some new songs am loving as some older songs am into again. I make one every  year and am always updating it. Recently I have been listening to on repeat Fall out Boys lastest song Young and Meanace and Clean Bandit, symphony feat Zara Larrson. You can check it my playlist here

4) Your Favourite book on your bookshelf at the moment

I am cheating a little but probably my Peter Pan collection as there so pretty. And yes I had to take a screen shoot of my own photo as I got a new phone and it didn't  save all my Instagram pics :(

5) Fave bookish thing you love to use as a prop in your pictures or videos 

I am really into cacti and succulents at the minute and I love to use my succulent in my bookstagram photos. It's a fake one from Primark but I do want to get some real ones.

6) Three books you are dying to re-read but probably never will

I love 're reading books but I don't tend to 're read standalone books bar Where rainbows End by Cecilia Ahern which I read every year. So three books that I loved and am dying to 're read but probably never will are;

A little in love by Susan Fletcher which I always call my hidden gem 

The Help by Kathryn Stockett which I loved and the movie was fantastic as well.

All the bright places by Jennifer Niven which you all know broke me.

7) Amazing bookish finds. This can be books, bookish things or bookish moments 

I am going to go for a fave bookish moment and that is any time my favourite author Deborah Harkness likes or replies to any of my tweets or Instagrams. I love social media for the fact that you can interact so easily and to get that small interaction from your favourite author.

8) Finally hottest author (s)/ author crush

I don't usually have any crushes on authors but Pierce Brown is always nice to look at even though I haven't read his books :)

That was such a fun book tag. I am going to tag one of my favourite bloggers , booksagrammers and Booktuber to do the tag:

Blogger: Lisa and Becca from @Lost in lit which is know real surprise as I love these ladies. There Instagram accounts are amazing as well 

Bookstagrammer:  Abi @ The Squeaky Cupboard her photos are goals

Booktuber: Emma from Emmma Books who is my favourite person to watch. I love all get videos 

One question I didn't answer was Open Youtube and talk about the first three videos you see. Feel free to answer it if you wish.

Let me know some of your answers to the questions below

Hello World!

It has been a while since I posted and the reason is I have been in a major book slump and I have some theories on that which I will get to. This year I started out so strong with my reading, reading 11 books in January and then 9 books in February and then the mother of all book slumps hit. I haven't had a book slump like this in years I think since reading All the bright places by Jennifer Niven that left me grieve stricken.

So I said I have some theories of why I was in a book slump and am not sure if it was necessarily one of these but a combination.

Source

1) I read so many books in the first few months of the year and I am usually a slow reader and I just think after reading so many I lost some of my reading power (Yes I have reading powers)

2) I was reading a lot of adult\new adult romance in fact I have only read one YA book this year and it as a novella at that and they all just started to meagre together. I just felt like I was reading the same story over and over again with different character names and setting.

3) And the last reason is I read a book called Royal Affair by Parker Swift and I loved it so much it left me in a slump because I needed the next book. Thankfully I did get an early copy of the second book and did read it last month, that being the only book I did read but when I heard the first book in mid February I just couldn't stop thinking about it.

So that is a few of the reasons I think I was in a slump. Now I am not totally out of it but am getting there. And I hope I continue to start to crawl out of my reading slump cave.

How do you get out of a reading slump? My usual way of reading some of my favourite books did not help!

Books mentioned in this post:

My Review: All the bright places by Jennifer Niven

My Review: Royal Affair by Parker Swift