One Year Bookstagram Anniversary Giveaway!

Would you like to win a free book and bonus prizes? Well you are in luck because in honor of my One Year Anniversary on Instagram, I will be giving away a copy of one of my favorite books from last year - To Sleep in a Sea of Stars by Christopher Paolini. Not only am I giving away a copy of this best selling book, but I also have a TON of bonus prizes to share. Please be sure to check out Instagram giveaway post for a full list of all bonus prizes included in this giveaway. As always, my goal is to share the love of reading and I hope that this giveaway will make someone’s day and encourage them to read! All the bonus prizes that I picked out are also some of my personal favorite things. Please be sure to follow the rules of the giveaway below, as incomplete entries will not be eligible.

The Rules:

1. Must be following @Kris_Reviews on Instagram

2. Must leave a comment on the Giveaway post (Instagram), and let me know what one of your favorite books is. Any book that brings you joy and makes you happy!

3. This giveaway to open to U.S. and INTERNATIONAL participants.

The contest opens today, Sunday, June 13th, 2021 and will close on midnight (EST) on Saturday June 19th, 2021. The winner will be announced on Sunday June 20th, 2021 on the Kris Reviews Instagram pages. Please note that Instagram is not a sponsor of this contest and by entering you release Instagram from any and all liability related to this contest.

After the Winner is announced they will have 5 days to claim their prize. Winners can claim their prize by emailing their mailing address to ReviewsByKris@gmail.com, or via Instagram Messenger. If the Winner does not claim their prize within the allotted time (5 days), a second chance winner will be chosen.

Good luck Readers!

Ways to avoid a Book Buying Bans!

If you are a reader, then at some point in your life you’ve probably asked yourself “Do I really need this book?” Or in my case, “Do I really need these 10 books?” Well I am here to tell you that the answer…. is YES! Yes, you need those books in your life, and you should not feel bad about buying them.

The biggest problem with book buying bans, is that if you break it, you’re probably going to feel bad, and no one should ever feel bad about buying a book. If you promise your parents or partner that you won’t buy any more books, should you then have to try and hide the new book you saw that you really wanted? No matter what reason you or someone in your life has for putting you on a book buying ban, I’m here to give you some tips on how to avoid a ban, and have all the books you want in your life.

You spend too much money on books

Let’s be honest… books can be expensive! A brand new hardcover can be anywhere from 15 to 30 dollars (USD). Trying to stay up to date to all the new books that come out every month can put a pretty hefty dent in your wallet. Lucky for you, you don’t have to spend hundreds of dollars a month to get new books. There are so many many options to buy books without breaking your bank account.

1. Buy used books online - Buying used books is a great way to spend less money on books. Depending on where you buy your used books, you can pay half price, or even less, to get the books you want in your life. There are so many websites that sell used books - Amazon, eBay, even Poshmark and Mercari. Instead of buying 1 book for 20 dollars, wouldn’t you like to bring home 10 books for the same price?

2. Library Sales - Check out local libraries in your area and chances are, they may have used book sales, or even a used book store that you didn’t know about. Libraries often sell books for as little as 25 cents a book, so you can bring home tons of books at very cheap prices. Some libraries near me even have a “free book” table… and what’s better than free books?

3. Used Book Stores - Do a quick internet search to see if there are any used book stores in your area. All across the US there are huge used book stores, and it’s really fun to plan a day trip and visit one of them. Just make sure you bring a list to help you find what you’re looking for, otherwise you’ll end up like me, getting 5 copies of a book you already have!

4. Tag Sales/Garage Sales - Other people are always getting rid of their books. Books take up a lot of space, and can be very heavy if you’re trying to move. So if you see a sign that someone is having a tag sale, garage sale, estate sale, etc. stop and check it out. You never know what you may find. I’ve had some great tag sale finds over the years, and because people are trying to get rid of their stuff, they are usually willing to sell books for pretty cheap.

5. Audio Books & eBooks - For the most part, audio books and eBooks are less expensive than actual hardcover books. Plus, wherever you get your audio or eBooks from, chances are that they are going to have sales. For example, eBooks on Amazon Kindle go on sale all the time. Sometimes you can even set a notification for when the price drops for a book that you want. So skip those pricey hardcovers, and try going digital instead.

You don’t have room for any more books

Books can take up a lot of space, and unless you live in Beast’s Castle, you may have limited shelf space in which to display your books. So what do you do when you run out of space for all your new books? Get creative! You have options. You can bring new books into your home and not have to worry about where you’re going to put them, by using some of the suggestions below

1. Rearrange your shelves - I know it’s nice to be able to see each books’s spine, but sometimes you need to need to make room for more. Laying books flat, and stacking them on top of each other can actually help make space for more books on your selves. It’s true you won’t be able to see all the pretty covers, but if you need more room, you need to make more room.

2. Add new types of shelves - Shelves for books don’t need to be huge 5 tier book towers that take up a whole wall. There are so many types of shelves out there that take up minimal space, and can be used for books. For example, floating book shelves. If you haven’t heard of this…. google it, you will not be disappointed. You can have has many shelves as you want, for as much wall as you have. That’s just one example though, the possibilities for different types of shelving are endless.

3. Book Carts - Book carts are another great way to store books without having to add another tall bookshelf to your room. You can stack books on a cart, and roll that cart into a closet, or anywhere else it fits to put it out of the way. Book carts come in all different shapes, sizes, and colors, so you should have no problem finding one that matches the ambiance of your room.

4. Audio Books & eBooks - The easiest way to not have to worry about where to put your books, is to buy eBooks or audio books. You can store endless books on your electronic devices that won’t take up any physical space at all.

5. Library Books - No one is telling you that you have to keep the books that you read. Renting books from your local library is a great way to read the books you want, and simply return them when you’re done. That way, no books have to take up any space on your shelves.

6. Donate - What better way to make room for new books than to get rid of some of the books you have. A quick call to a local library, school, used book stores, or even a shelter, and you should have no problem finding a place to take your old books off your hands. Not only will it make you feel good to donate your old books, but some places will give you a tax credit for your donation (in the US anyway).

7. Get Creative - Every home is different, and you need to find something that works for you. If none of the options above work, then get creative. A simple internet search will show you that people use books for all sorts of things. You can use books to build an end table, you can stack books underneath or against your stairs. You can stack books behind your couch or on your windowsills. Take a moment to search the internet for inspiration and you’ll be surprised what some people do with their books.

You need to read the books you already have

Us readers are no strangers to the problem of the endless TBR (to be read) pile. It’s easy to pick up books on sale, or when you see a good deal, and end up with more books than you can possibly read. It’s hard for non-readers to understand why you would want to get more books, and not read the books you already have. Whether you want to get through your TBR faster, or just want to collect more because you love books, here are some counter arguments that you can share when people try to shame you for not reading the books you already have:

1. Books are art - I’m here to tell you that it’s ok to have books that you will never read! Shocking I know… but some books are better to look at than to actually read. Hotels and other businesses have books out on tables on all the time, so why can’t you? We’ve all felt the allure of a book with a beautiful cover. I say get that book, display is proudly, and don’t worry about whether you’ve actually going to read it or not. No one needs to know!

2. Support your favorite authors - It doesn’t matter if it’s a 200 page book or a 1,000 page book, the fact is, someone put a lot of time and energy into creating that work. Not only is the author responsible for that book, someone designed the cover, there was probably an editor, the book had to be printed, someone had to drive that book to a store, and a sales person had to unpack and put that book on display. The amount of people a book touches, between when it’s written, and when it gets into your hands, is many more than you might think. So buying any book not only supports your favorite author, it supports the whole bookish industry. Regardless of whether you read that book or not, you can feel good knowing that your money is being spent to help multiple people keep their jobs.

3. Audio Books - When you read a physical book or an eBook, typically you need to sit down and focus on reading and can’t do much else. But with audio books, you’re hands are left free to do anything you want. You can listen to books while you cook and clean, while you drive (safely of course), basically while you’re doing anything. You’d be surprised how many more books you can get through when you’re listening to them while you do other activities.

At the end of the day, no one needs to understand your obsession with collecting and reading books except for you. You should always do what makes you happy, and never let anyone diminish your joy of reading, or collecting books. I’ve seen the term “stack of shame” thrown around… but I’m telling you to not be ashamed, be proud! That stack of books you haven’t read in the corner, is a bunch of beautiful adventures you just haven’t taken yet. So, instead of going on a book buying ban, make some simple changes, and don’t deny yourself the pleasure of adding more books to your life.

When’s the last book buying ban you went on? What other suggestions do you have to avoid book buying bans? Leave a comment below, or come join the conversation over on Bookstagram (Instagram) now.

5 Tips For Writing Romance

The best stories have a little bit of everything… action, adventure, heart, humor, and romance. Yes, romance. Romance can do so many things for a story, and it provides a really great way for readers to connect with the characters. Romance can provide an extra layer of depth to a character, romance can add tension or excitement to a plot and romance can help create a world that the reader wants to live in. When a reader connects with a character, they can feel sadness when that character’s heart is broken, and can feel joy when they finally find love. We all experience some type of romance in our lives, so having characters experience romance as well is a great way to form an emotional connection. But writing romance, or adding romance to your story is not always easy. There are so many different types of romance, and everyone has different experiences when it comes to love and attraction. No matter what the story is though, there are some things that are common across all romances. So, here is my list of the 5 tips to help you write a successful romance.

1. Likable Characters

   This sounds simple enough right? If we don’t like the characters we’re reading about, why would we care if they find love or not? A story needs to have characters that readers can connect with, in order to become invested in any sort of romance. So, before a character even has a romance, you should develop their own unique characteristics and qualities. In other words, romance can’t be the only thing a character has going for them. If a young girl doesn’t care about anything else other than the boy she’s in love with… that’s not interesting. Characters should have their own wants, needs, and desires that are separate from love. We should be able to like the character on their own, regardless of any romance or not. Not every character even needs to start out likable. It is possible for characters to change and grow over time, and maybe they become more likable when they find some romance. Love can make someone happy, or cause them pain. No matter what direction the story goes in, the characters should be relatable, and likable enough to get readers invested in their romance.

2. Physical Attraction

   In general, when two people fall in love, there is at least something that they find physically attractive about the other person. For example, a lot of people say they notice eyes first, but it could be someone’s hair, the way their nose is shaped, or even the way that they move. You don’t have to spend pages and pages detailing exactly how someone looks though. Instead, pick out one feature and focus on that. It’s also important to turn physical attraction into emotional attraction. Don’t just talk about how someone looks, write about how they make you feel. For example, instead of saying “They’re eyes were blue and soulful”, say “Looking into their blue eyes touched something in my soul”. The feeling you get associated with a physical feature is what can really connect with readers.

3. Room to Grow

   Real romance doesn’t happen overnight. Sure, it is possible to have love at first sight, but even then, that romance will change over time. Love always changes and grows over time. The love you have when you’re 12 years old, is quite different from the love you have when you’re 30. So, no matter where love happens in your story, there needs to be space for that love to grow and change into something different than what it started as. For example, friendship can grow into romantic love, or high-school sweethearts can grow into mature adult relationships. No matter what the situation, the story needs to allow space for the relationship to grow and change. No relationship stays the same forever. Plus, allowing room to grow allows readers more chances to connect with the romance… because even if they don’t connect with one aspect of the relationship, they may connect with where it ends up.

4. Conflict

   No relationship is perfect. Whether it’s internal, or external forces, having some sort of conflict make romance more interesting for a reader. Think of your classic love triangle… or the “Will they/won’t they” troupe, or enemies to lovers…. those are all based on conflict. The reason why those troupes are used over and over again, is because they work! No matter if it’s a big issue, or just a small one, having characters overcome conflict in their relationships is a great way to make them more relatable to readers. Plus, overcoming conflict is yet another great way to get your readers invested in the romance. If you have likable characters, who have a romance that has grown over the course of the story, how can the reader not celebrate when their romantic conflict is overcome. Conflict and tension are a must to make any romance interesting. No one wants a boring romance.

5. Healthy Relationships

   This is a personal request to all writers out there… it’s time to get away from unhealthy relationships. Relationships where one side controls the other, or is overbearing and obsessive, is no longer acceptable. Instead, writers should focus on promoting healthy relationships. Whenever you are writing… think about the people you love in your life, and if you would want them in that kind of relationship. Think of 50 Shades of Grey… sure, it sounds great to have a hot rich guy so obsessed with you he follows you everywhere and does everything for you. But that’s not realistic… because it’s NOT Healthy! It’s ok for people to change and grow in a relationship, but it’s not ok for someone to want to change another person for their benefit. Think about the nerdy girl or guy who “suddenly” becomes cute when she or he gets a hair cut…. Just no. Those days are over, move on, and come up for more creative ways to write your romance. Real romance is about partnership, and accepting others for who they are, as they are.

I could go on and on about all the things that I like to read in my romance stories. But, every story is different, and every romance is different. Everything from the Mark, Cristina, Kerian thruple in The Dark Artifices series, to Edward and Bella from Twilight, and everything in-between. There are sweet and innocent romances, or sexy spicy romances. Stories that are all about romance, and stories where romance is only the secondary story-line. No matter what type of romance you’re writing, or where you’re putting romance in your story, the above tips are applicable to all types of romance. So those are my 5 tips for writing romance. I would love to hear from you, and hear what you think every romance writer should do. Leave a comment below, or come join the conversation over on Instagram. Happy Valentine’s Day, and Happy reading!

What Makes A Good Book-Ending Cliffhanger?

Ever read a book that ends on a really bad cliffhanger? Do you even like books that end on a cliffhanger? Some readers say they love them, some readers say they hate them. I fall somewhere in the middle... I am not opposed to a cliffhanger, but ONLY if it’s done right. When done right, a cliffhanger is a great tool to leave readers on edge and excited for what comes next. When done wrong, readers can be left frustrated, annoyed, and even angry. Which begs the question, how do you know if a cliffhanger has been done right? I’ve spent a lot of time thinking about the cliffhangers I’ve read that I actually liked, the ones I didn’t like at all, and what all the good cliffhangers had in common. There is a lot that goes into creating a good cliffhanger, so of course the below points don’t cover everything. However, they are the things I felt came up most often with all the good cliffhangers I experienced. So, if you are a writer, or hope to be a writer in the future, I hope these points will help you when you are writing your next great cliffhanger!

1. Where

   The whole point of a cliffhanger at the end of a book is to get the reader excited for the next book. So, it’s safe to say that a cliffhanger will only happen when there are multiple books in a series. It wouldn’t really make sense to end a standalone book on a cliffhanger right? No matter if you have 3 books in your series, or 30, it’s not a good idea for Book One to end with a major cliffhanger. If I’ve said it once, I’ve said it 1,000 times… you should always tell the best story you can up front, and the best stories typically have a clear beginning, middle, and end. If you have a new series, and the intent is to have multiple books, you need to hook readers with great world-building, deep characters, and an engaging plot. You only get one chance to make a good first impression. When you end the first book in a series on a cliffhanger, you’re basically telling the reader that it doesn’t matter what they think of your first book, if they want to find out what happens, they need to buy the next book. Now I don’t know about you, but I don’t like being told what to do. I should be able to make up my own mind on whether or not I want to continue reading the series after book one.

2. Resolution

   It’s pretty common for stories to have multiple plot lines. Usually there is a main story or “A” story-line, and a sub-story or “B” story-line. Unless you are just completely stopping your book, some of these plot lines should be resolved by the end of the story. Again, having a clear beginning, middle, and end helps to make a good story. It is possible have a clear ending, and a cliffhanger at the same time. Your “A” story-line can be resolved, and one of your “B” story-lines can have a cliffhanger that gets the reader excited for the next volume, or vice versa. Your entire story can be resolved, and then a cliffhanger leaves an exciting opening for the next book. There are so many ways to provide resolution to your readers, but still get them excited for the next chapter. A book that just totally stops, with no resolution of anything, is not a good reading experience. It makes you feel like you are missing a piece of the puzzle. If I’m paying my money for a book, I want to be able to read a complete story.

3. Build Up

   Everything that happens in a book prior to the ending, should help to support that ending. In order for a cliffhanger to have any impact, it should not just come out of nowhere. Introducing new characters or items, etc. might seem exciting, but it may leave readers confused unless there has been proper buildup. Proper buildup happens when the author takes the time to do proper world-building, has deep and complex characters, and an engaging plot. For example, if the cliffhanger involved a certain character, that character should be an important part of the story. The more time the author spends building up their current story, the more us readers will be invested in the ending of the book. Cliffhangers that come out of nowhere, may leave readers feeling confused at best, and angry at worst.

4. Consequences

   A good cliffhanger needs to mean something. That means, there need to be real consequences to the characters involved, or to the overall story. When I think of the good cliffhangers I’ve read, I think about things like shocking character deaths, an important secret that gets revealed, or something that is achieved, but not in the way that the characters think it will be. So say you have a shocking character death, that death won’t mean anything or have any impact unless that character was either important to the plot, or important to another main character. If the cliffhanger is an event, that event needs to have real consequences to the characters involved. Maybe it will cause a big change for a character - could be physical or emotional. All the best endings, in general, not just cliffhangers, have real weight and mean something. That becomes even more important when you have a cliffhanger. Whatever emotion you want to reader to have, should be the same emotion that the characters in the book are experiencing. (unless it’s a secret that only the reader knows, or something like that)

5. Emotions

   The best stories, in my opinion, are the ones that make you feel something. I’m not going to lie… I do like a story with a happy ending, and where everything gets tied up with a nice little bow. Having said that, I’ve also read some books with great cliffhangers that have left me shocked, excited, and dying to read the next book in the series. A good cliffhanger should make you feel something. The options are endless on how a good cliffhanger can make you feel - happy that a surprise character returns, shocked at a death, intrigued at a piece of information revealed. The one emotion that you should not feel, when reading a cliffhanger, is anger. The way that you feel at the end of a book, is the emotion that will stick with you whenever you think about that book. Just like you only have once chance to make a good first impression, you also only have one chance to leave your readers with a certain emotion. So everything that I mentioned prior, should help guide readers into feeling a certain way about the cliffhanger.

All the best book-ending cliffhangers I’ve read, have the above points in common. In my opinion, a good cliffhanger does not take place at the end of Book One, does provide some resolution to the story, has been built up by the rest of the book, has real consequences in the book world, and makes you feel a certain way. The different ways to put all of the above into one story are endless. There are so many great ways to add a cliffhanger at the end of a book that won’t leave the reader angry. So if you’re an author, or aspiring author, I hope this information helps you create a super awesome cliffhanger for your series!

What else do you like about books that end on a cliffhanger? Leave a comment below, or come join the conversation over on @kris_reviews on Instagram.

1,000 Follower Appreciation Giveaway

UPDATE - This giveaway is now closed, please check @Kris_reviews on Instagram to see if you won!

Would you like to win a free book? Well you are in luck because I will be giving away a copy of V.E. Schwab’s newest book - The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue. Not only am I giving away a copy of this best selling book, but I also have a TON of bonus prizes to share. Please be sure to check out my giveaway video on YouTube for a full list of all bonus prizes included in this giveaway. As always, my goal is to share the love of reading and I hope that this giveaway will make someone’s day and encourage them to read! I also spent a lot of time picking out the bonus prizes, so I do hope that you enjoy them. Please be sure to follow the rules of the giveaway below, as incomplete entries will not be eligible.

The Rules:

1. Must be following @Kris_Reviews on Instagram, and subscribe to Kris Reviews on YouTube.

2. Must leave a comment on the Giveaway post (Instagram or YouTube), and leave a positive comment. Any comment that is uplifting, inspirational, or just spreads some love will all be excepted. If you comment on both Instagram and YouTube, you will be entered twice.

3. OPEN TO US RESIDENTS ONLY (sorry international peeps, but this box is too heavy to ship internationally, but I promise to do an international giveaway in the future)

The contest opens today, October 20th, 2020 and will close on midnight (EST) on Sunday October 25th, 2020. The winner will be announced on October 26th, 2020 on the Kris Reviews Instagram and YouTube pages. Please note that Instagram and YouTube are not sponsors of this contest and by entering you release Instagram and YouTube from any and all liability related to this contest.

After the Winner is announced they will have 5 days to claim their prize. Winners can claim their prize by emailing their mailing address to ReviewsByKris@gmail.com, or via Instagram Messenger. If the Winner does not claim their prize within the allotted time (5 days), a second chance winner will be chosen.

Good luck Readers!

What’s Your Reading Guilty Pleasure?

We all have guilty pleasures... Things that we know we shouldn’t do, that we know may not be good for us, but we just can’t seem to help ourselves. When it comes to reading, we can’t all be reading snobs who only read Shakespeare all the time. (If you are that type of person… prop to you!). No matter how pretentious of a reader someone thinks that they are, I guarantee that when no one is looking, they read trash. By “trash” I don’t necessarily mean reading something bad, but there are books out there that are written for a specific purpose and are not trying to be proclaimed as a great piece of modern literature. We’ve all heard of the “book snob”, someone who claims they only read the classics and other highly esteemed works of literature. And while yes, I do believe that there are many classic stories that everyone should read at least once in their lifetime… I also believe that reading should sometimes just be fun. If reading wasn’t fun, less people would do it, and that would be a bad thing. Here are some of my reading guilty pleasures - books that I read purely for fun and/or interest.

1. Trashy Romance Novels

   First, let me be clear that not all romance novels are trashy. There are plenty of romance novels out there that are beautifully written, have amazing characters, and touching love stories. That is not what I’m talking about here. What I mean, is romance novels that are only written for one thing and one thing only, steamy love scenes! I’m talking corny, poorly written, cheesy, sexy books. Let’s be honest, there’s only one reason to read these types of books, to hopefully get a cheap thrill out of a sexy love scene. These types of books usually tend to be short, and get straight to the point. Who doesn’t love to curl up with a comfy sexy book? Think 50 Shades of Grey…. not a great book by typical standards, but boy oh boy did I enjoy reading it! Did I cringe and roll my eyes and some of the writing? Absolutely! Did I also run out and buy the other 2 books? Heck yeah. Gimme a good trashy sexy romance novel any day!

2. Young Reader Mysteries

   Sometimes, I just want to read something nice and easy. Sometimes, I don’t want to have to think about complex life questions. As an almost 40 year old woman (I won’t tell you how close I am to that lol), books for Young Readers are the perfect escape for me. By “Young Readers” I’m referring to books that are meant for Middle School age children (12 years old). While there are of course a wide range of books for Young Readers, mysteries specifically are the ones that I seek out for my guilty pleasure reading. Just like adult mysteries, young reader mysteries typically have entertaining plots, cute characters, and are just fun! These types of books are the perfect quick escape I sometimes need. I have such fond memories of these types of books that I used to read back when I was that age…. Nancy Drew, Babysitters Club, Goosebumps, etc. Nostalgia might have something to do with it, but mostly these books are just fun, and funny. When I need a laugh, these books are what I go to.

3. Rock Bios

   Full disclosure… I have never actually purchased a Rock Bio….. or any bio really. Reading biographies is just not something that I typically learn towards. BUT… the hubby happens to be a HUGE rock n’ roll fan, so he loves reading books about his favorite rock stars. And sometimes… I do too! Anyone who lives to become a huge rock star must have an interesting story right? The lifestyles of rock stars are basically like real life fantasies, and if you know me at all, you know I love me some fantasy! Rock Bios are just fantasies with more sex, more drugs, and more rock n’ roll. Hearing crazy stories about crazy lifestyles that are actually true? Some of these groups and their members have done awful things with their money and fame, and their stories are crazy fascinating to me. So, every time the hubby says “Here, read this one”, I don’t question it, I sit back and let the crazy world of rock and roll wash over me.

4. Japanese Schoolgirl Manga

   Again, I am not a teenager anymore, so most manga is not really written for my age group. There are however plenty of comic books out there that are specifically targeted to adults, and a lot of them are great! But sometimes, all I want is something nostalgic and nothing is more nostalgic to me than Japanese schoolgirl manga. If you’ve been following me on Instagram, it should come as no surprise that I am a HUGE Sailor Moon fan. Sailor Moon features young high school girls who fight evil, and basically helped to launch the whole pretty girl/schoolgirl genre. Now there are many stories out there about young girls who fight evil and every time I read one it brings me back to my childhood. Whether it’s Sailor Moon, Card Captor Sakura, Oh My Goddess or Magic Knight Rayearth, when I need something nostalgic, this will be the first genre that I’ll go to.

5. Religious Apocalypse

   I don’t consider myself a religious person. I was raised Catholic, but I don’t practice anymore in my everyday life. As much as I was raised in the Church, there is still so much I don’t know about Catholic lore. I love learning about the lore of religion, especially different ones. Religious lore does often have a lot in common with fantasy, which is maybe why it seems so interesting to me. If you are at all familiar with the Bible, think about the Book of Revelations… the rapture, the Anti-Christ, end times… like wow… who thought this stuff up? Any book that deals with religious end times I just find super interesting. There are many people out there in the world that really believe in their religion’s lore, and who knows… they might be right. Only time will tell. Until then, I’ll pick up a religious apocalypse story to educate myself more about what other people believe, and what we may have to deal with in the future. If you haven’t read these types of stories before, they are fascinating!

All of the types of books mentioned above are not in my regular reading rotation. My YA and Adult fantasies take up much of my reading time. Every once in a while though, depending on how I’m feeling, one of the guilty pleasures listed above will find it’s way into my reading stack. Sexy, Funny, Crazy, Nostalgic, or Fascinating, and sometimes all of these together, I love reading all of my guilty pleasures. We all have them! What are your reading guilty pleasures? Let me know in the comment section below, and then come follow me on Instagram or Facebook to continue the conversation. As always, Happy Reading!

Why it’s fun to have different versions of the same book!

Think about your favorite book of all time…. like of ALL TIME! Got it? Chances are, it’s not the last book you read, but a book that you read a while ago. A book that you keep coming back to again and again. It may just speak to you on a deep and personal level. It may have been a gift from someone special. Or, maybe it’s something from your childhood that fills you will nostalgia and warmth. Whatever your reasons, if your favorite book has been in print for a while, then that book has probably been reprinted… from hardcover to paperback… in an ebook… in different languages… in special editions… new covers… new material from the author… the list of possible reasons for an updated version of your favorite book are endless. While it may seem crazy to some, true fans will go above and beyond to collect different versions of their favorite books for any number of different reasons. If you have not yet gotten an extra copy of your favorite book, here are just a few reasons on why I have multiple different versions of one of my all time favorites - Harry Potter.

1. Safety

   If you are a book lover like me, chances are you bring a book with you wherever you go - on long car rides, on a plane, to your local coffee shop, on your morning commute to work, etc. Bringing one or multiple books on vacation is basically a given for any dedicated reader. Unfortunately, every time you take a book out of your house, you run the risk of damaging that book in some way. You could trip and drop you book in a puddle, spill coffee on it, get it full of sand and water, warp the pages from too much sun… the different ways in which a book could potentially be damaged are endless. I even ran over a book once because I forgot it was on the roof of my car lol. Keeping a book in perfect condition can become increasingly challenging the more you take it out with you, and the more often you read it. Solution? Buy an extra copy of the book! If you have a favorite book, then keep one pristine copy save on your shelf, and take the extra copy with you wherever you go. You won’t have to worry about damaging your book when you know that you have an extra copy at home safely on your shelf, in perfect condition. Being prepared with an extra copy will save you the heartache of ruining your favorite book.

2. Hardcovers vs. Softcovers

   Let’s face it…. hardcover books are absolutely beautiful in so many ways. They often have gorgeous dust jackets, and equally gorgeous inside covers. Hardcovers always look amazing on your shelves, and they are usually the first format available when the hottest new books are first released. Let’s also face it… hardcover books are heavy! They are not always the easiest to travel with. Besides being heavy, hardcovers can be bulky, and their jackets may be easily dented or damaged. Trying to travel with a box of hardcovers is not an easy task. Solution? Softcovers! Softcovers are much easier to manage, take up less space, and are easily transportable. So once again, if you have a favorite book that’s a hardcover, go out and get yourself a softcover copy. Besides all the safety reasons mentioned above, you’ll be less likely to hurt your back lugging around a bag full of softcovers. Besides, the jacket and cover of your favorite hardcover might just have an equally beautiful softcover cover.

3. Aesthetics

   Are you a visual person? If so, nothing is more aesthetically pleasing than having a bookshelf full of matching book covers and spines. If you are someone who buys every single new book as it is released, this may not be an issue for you… but if you are someone who discovers are particular author or series that has already been out for a few years, chances are that the books in that series have been reprinted. Books can be reprinted for any number of different reasons - hardcover to softcover, extra material from the author, anniversary editions, etc. When new editions are printed, they usually come with a new and updated cover. Say you pick up an old book at a tag sale and you fall in love with it. You may then run to your nearest book store to find more books in that series or by the same author. Chances are that you may not be able to find a new book that matches the old one you found. Nothing is more frustrating than having a series collection that does not match (unless you’re not a visual person in which case it may not bother you :)). So, if you want all of your books to match, you may have to hunt down new reprints, or older versions of the books in order to get them all to match.

4. Special Editions

   Ah… the beloved special edition. As I mentioned above, books can be reprinted for any number of different reasons. Anniversary and other special editions are generally reprinted versions of your favorite books, with extra special features. For example, they could have a specially designed cover, maybe be a large illustrated version, or have specially printed pages that look like gold. Whatever the reason, the most popular books always have beautiful special editions of some kind. Having a special edition of your favorite book is a wonderful experience for any book lover. Do I need an illustrated edition of Harry Potter? No… but oh man do they look amazing on my bookshelves. Again, this could be a visual thing, or it could be just for the love of the book. Whatever your reason, buying another copy of your favorite book is totally worth it for an extra special edition.

5. Support Your Favorite Author

   Do you have a favorite author? If so, then in true fan girl/boy spirit, you may go out of your way to support your favorite author by buying every single book and version that they publish. Especially if that author only has a small number of books, you may want to collect every edition to support your favorite author. The more money they make in sales, the more likely their publisher will push their newest books out to you faster. So, buying hardcovers, softcovers, e-books, and even audio books can really help support your favorite author, and help them bring their stories to the world.

6. Collectors

   I consider myself a bit of a collector. Do I need copies of Harry Potter from different countries around the world? Not really…. but do I WANT different copies of Harry Potter on my shelf? Heck yes! It is so much fun to collect different versions of this book. Whenever someone asks what they should bring me back from their travels, I have an easy answer for them… pick me up a copy of Harry Potter. No one needs a reason to become a collector. Everyone has something that they love to do, love to collect, it just happens to be Harry Potter books for me. Your pure fandom joy, and pure love of reading are enough to get you started searching out different versions for your favorite book. One word of caution… once you start, you may not be able to stop!

At the end of the day, it’s true that some people will think you’re crazy for buying multiple copies of the same book. It’s also true that no one may ever understand your special love for a particular author, book, or series. That’s OK! Whatever your reasons, whether it’s one I listed above, or something else, there is nothing wrong with owning multiple copies of the same book. In the reading community, I actually think it’s a point of pride to see how many different versions of the same book you can get. My record is probably SUPER small compared to some, but so far I have 6 copies of the first Harry Potter book:

• Hardcover - Harry Potter and the Sorcerers Stone (American version)

• Hardcover - Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone (UK version)

• Softcover - Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone (Chinese version)

• Softcover - Harry Potter and the Sorcerers Stone (perfect condition)

• Softcover - Harry Potter and the Sorcerers Stone (“travel” condition)

• Hardcover - Harry Potter and the Sorcerers Stone - Illustrated Edition

What’s your record? How many different versions do you have of your favorite book? Come follow @Kris_Reviews on Instagram or Facebook, and let me know why you have multiple copies of your favorite books.

Happy Reading!!!

How to Organize Your Bookshelves

Organizing your bookshelves can sometimes be an overwhelming project. You may only have a few books, or you may have way too many and don’t know what to do with them all. Depending on the size and shape of your bookshelves, the different ways that you can organize your books are endless. Do you want your books to be easy to locate? Or do you just want your bookshelves to look pretty? Even “looking pretty” can mean different things to different people. If you are feeling stuck, here are just a few ways that you can organize your bookshelves:

Alphabetical Order - By Title

The simplest and most easy way to organize your books is by alphabetical order. Just like in your elementary school library, alphabetical order can be a great way to easily organize your books. Then, whenever you’re looking for a book, you should be able to easily find whatever you’re looking for. If you have a lot of books that are different shapes and sizes, this type of organizing can give a great asymmetrical aesthetic look to your bookshelves. The only con would be that as you collect more and more books, you may be forced to constantly re-organize your shelves to make room for new books. In other words, if you get a new book that starts with “C”, then all other books will need to be shifted to make room for that new book. If you have a large collection, this could become cumbersome. If you are someone who likes to consistently reorganize your bookshelves, then this might actually be a great exercise for you to do.

Example: Cinder - The Thief Lord

Alphabetical Order - By Author

Once you’ve read a book that you really like, you may start to collect other books written by the same author. If you’re like me, you may try and hunt down everything that a particular author has ever written. Once you have a nice collection of multiple books by multiple authors, you may choose to organize your books by Author. Typically, this means organizing your books alphabetically, by the last name of the author. For example, anything written by Stephen King, would come before anything written by J.K. Rowling. This is a great way to organize your books and feature your favorite authors. There can be a sense of pride and/or accomplishment once you’ve collected everything from a particular author. It will be easy to find a book on your shelf if you know who the author was. The only con here is that authors can sometimes write books of different genres, and all different shapes and sizes so if you are a visual person, this type of organization may not be as aesthetically pleasing.

Example: Tomi Adeyemi - Laini Taylor

By Genre

If you are an avid reader like myself, then chances are you do actually read different types of book. Of course you will always have your favorite genre (ex. mine is young adult fantasy), but you may occasionally read other genres like fiction or romance. By grouping together books by genre, this can give a really nice aesthetic to a particular room. For example, maybe you have a single bookshelf in your bedroom, and you fill it with your favorite Harry Potter and other YA Fantasy books. Maybe you have a family room or den that has a bookshelf in a dark corner and you fill if with Stephen King and other thrillers. Maybe you have a bookshelf near your extra comfy couch and want to fill it with romance novels. Whatever your choice, organizing books in this way is a great way to put your person touch in a particular room or space. The only con would be again, if you are a visual person, having books of all different sizes and shapes may not be as visually pleasing to you, and you will need to remember what books you put where.

Example: Adult Fantasy on the left, YA Fantasy on the right

By Shape & Size

If you are a visual person, then organizing your books by size and shape may be the best option for you. In general, this usually involves grouping your books by Hardcover, and then by Paperback. Organizing your books this way can give your bookshelves a more uniform look. You can actually use this organization technique in conjunction with one of the others. In order words, you can group all your hardcovers together and then arrange them alphabetically. Or, you can group all your small softcover together and then group them by genre. There are a lot more options to mix and match when using this type of organizing. The only issue you may run into is that you may have to separate books by the same author. If you need to find a book in your shelves, you will need to remember if it was a hardcover or softcover in order to find it. This might sound like not a big deal if you don’t have that many books, but as your collection starts to grow you might be surprised to find how easy it is to lose a book in your shelves.

Example: Hardcovers on left, softcovers on right

By Color

Finally, you may choose to organize your books by color. This is something that become popular a few years ago, with people arranging their books by the colors of the rainbow (red, orange, yellow, etc.). If you are not a visual person, then it probably doesn’t matter much to you how your books look on your shelves. If you are a visual person, then organizing your books by color is the best way to make an aesthetically pleasing bookshelf for your space. You can put specific colors in specific rooms, or you can turn your books into a rainbow. The more books you have, the more possible color combinations you have available to you. The color possibilities are endless, and creating a rainbow bookshelf can be absolutely beautiful. The only con here is that it will get increasingly difficult to rearrange your books, and keep the same aesthetic, if you are continuously adding books to your collection. If you have a lot of books, you will need to remember what color it was to figure out where you put it in the rainbow. Depending on your needs, this may not be the best option, even though it may be the most colorful.

Example: a simple red through pink

These are just a few different ways that you can organize your bookshelves. If you’re like me, you might even consider using a couple different combinations of styles - by author, genre, size and shape. At the end of the day, you need to decide what is most important to you and your book collection. Is the way that the books look on your shelf most important? Or is it more important to be able to quickly and easily find your favorite books? You should also consider how many new books you may be getting in the future, so that you can plan for space and eliminate the need to constantly reorganize (unless that’s your thing). For me, my goal is just to fit as many books on my shelves as possible. This becomes increasingly difficult as my book collection grows, so I’m always looking for new ways to reorganize, and make the best use of my space.

How do you organize your bookshelves? Come follow Kris Reviews on Facebook, Instagram, or Pinterest and let me know which method you use, or if you do something completely different.

Should you read the last page of a book first?

You may be thinking to yourself… that’s nuts, who would want to read the end of a book first? After all, reading the end of a book could mean discovering huge spoilers, and thereby ruin the experience of reading. Why read an entire book if you already know how it ends? I would argue that knowing the end of a book would not actually ruin your experience, but might actually enhance your reading experience. It might sound crazy to you now, but give me a chance to explain. Here are some of the reasons why I like to read the end of a book first:

1. Is the end really the end?

   Have you ever come to the end of a book only to find out that there wasn’t a “real” ending? That the story in fact will continue in another volume? To me, there is nothing worse that enjoying reading a book, only to find out that the story is not complete. This especially comes into play when you are reading multiple books in a series. If the author has not shared exactly how many books may be in that series, or that there will even be a series, then you have no way of knowing if it will be the last book or not until you get to the end. I can vividly remember reading a book I was looking forward to, the third in a series which I thought was going to be a trilogy. I remember how excited I was when that third book came out. I was really looking forward to finding out how the series ended. After I brought that book home, I stayed up all night reading it. Then, I got to the end of the book, and got the big black letters, “To Be Continued”… There was going to be a fourth book! I was so furious that I literally threw this book across my room, and it was a hardcover! Now, I always check to make sure that I won’t be surprised or disappointed if there’s going to be a sequel to the book I’m reading. There is nothing wrong with being prepared, and knowing that not everything will be wrapped up at the end of the current book.

2. The journey is better than the destination

   We all love getting to wherever it is we’re trying to go. Sometimes, it can even be a challenge to get to your destination or goal, but then you look back and think about the adventure it took to get you there, and what could possibly be better than that? Knowing the end of a book doesn’t change the fact that you’re still going to have to read the entire book to find out how that ending happened. If it’s a really shocking ending, even better! Wondering how the heck something happened may make your reading experience even more exciting as you try to piece together the possible steps that need to be taken in order to get to that ending. It can be like putting together the pieces of a puzzle, and I do love a good puzzle. Reading the end of a book can turn any book, no matter what genre, into a mystery. The thought of getting to find out how that ending happened, can be more enjoyable than just reading the book straight through.

3. Is reading this book worth your time?

   Sitting down to read a book can be a commitment. Even if you read every day, deciding what book to give your precious time to can be a tough decision. This is especially true if you’re thinking about starting an extra long book, or maybe trying out a new genre or series. Before you commit, wouldn’t it be great to know if the time you spend reading will be worthwhile? Sure, you can read summaries and/or reviews and that may be helpful, but ultimately the decision is yours. Knowing how a book ends might be just the information you need in order to make your decision. If you need a happy ending in your life, make sure no one dies at the end before picking up a piece of dramatic fiction. If you have a favorite character in a series and are anxious for their fate, isn’t it better to know than to be left surprised and angry after putting time and energy into reading a story? Sure, you will find out the ending of the book eventually (assuming you read it till the end), but there’s nothing wrong with being prepared, and getting all the information you need in order to make a decision on what to read.

4. It’s a compulsion

   Full disclosure… I’ve been doing this for a long time, so I don’t think I can stop now. If I’m reading a series where I’m familiar with the characters and general plot, flipping to the last page may be the first thing I do when I get another book from that series. If I’m reading a new story, I may wait a few chapters, or even halfway through the book before deciding to flip to the end one day. Inevitably, at some point I will flip to the back of any book I pick up because I just can’t help myself. At this point, it would feel strange not to, like something was missing. I have actually actively tried not looking at the last page of a book, but then I end up thinking about it so much, that I need to do it in order to be able to enjoy the rest of my reading experience. Once you start, you may not be able to stop as well.

Do I have issues? Probably. But for all the reasons I shared above, this is why I always flip to the last page of my books first. Have I convinced you to give this a try? What are your reasons for flipping to the back of the book? Or do you still think that’s crazy? Come find the Kris Reviews page on Facebook, or @Kris_Reviews on Instagram and share your reasons why or why not.

Cataloging my bookshelves on Pinterest

Greetings Readers,

I’m currently in the process of cataloging my bookshelves on Pinterest. I have so many books, some I’ve never even read, that I think it’s time to go through my stack and figure out what I should keep, and what I should bring down to the local library. Let’s face it, books can take up A LOT of space. Between me, my husband and my step-daughter, we have about 10 bookshelves throughout our tiny 2 bedroom apartment. As we are currently still sheltering-in-place here in New York, I thought it would be the perfect time to do this. I can’t wait to get back out there and do some bargain book shopping!

Until then, you can follow my cataloging process on Pinterest:

https://www.pinterest.com/KrisReviews/

Have any suggestions for my collection? Let me know!

What should you read while Sheltering in Place?

Stuck at home with nothing else to do? Why not give reading a try? With so many different types of things that people can read - Books, Newspapers, Comic Books, etc. - there is something out there for everyone. Even though you can’t run out to Barnes and Noble at the moment, you can still order books online. Or, the next time you’re picking up essentials at Walmart, Target or even the Dollar Store, take a glance at the book section, and try something new. This is the perfect time to revisit a beloved classic, or try out something new. Whatever you are looking for, here are some recommendations on what to read while you are sheltering in place:

1. Read a new fantasy novel

   Now is a great time to try reading a new fantasy novel. If you want to read every day, but not spend all day reading, make sure you select a book that is large enough to last you a month or two, but not too long that you will get bogged down with world-building and lore. Try and find something that is a standalone book, so that you will have a complete story from beginning to end. For this type of book, try checking out Starless, by Jacqueline Carey. Released in the summer of 2018, this sweeping epic is the tale of a young boy on a hero’s journey to fulfill his destiny. Set in a rich world of gods, desert shamans and crippled princesses, this tale will give you plenty to sink your teeth into everyday while you shelter in place.

2. Read an easy Series

   If you think you may need more than just one book, now would be a great time to jump into a new series. Reading a series of books allows you to spend more time with characters you love and build more mythology within the world of the story. Sometimes looking for the next book in a series can be like a treasure hunt, especially now when more people are doing online shopping. If you are looking for a series that is easy enough to get through, and contains multiple book, try giving The Diviners a chance. This 4 book series by Libba Bray just had the last book of the series (The King of Crows) released this past February. Set in 1920’s New York City, this series has a very diverse cast of young people struggling with their individual and unique powers, while trying to save the world from an ultimate evil. The setting of this book brings a fascinating new angle to the trope of kids with powers. Often described as an American ghost story, this series sheds a startling light on America’s past, both the good and the bad. From the young poet from Harlem who can heal people, to the disabled Asian girl who can walk in dreams, this series has something for everyone.

3. Read and Explore

   Want something with a little more heft? Now would be a great time to pick up an epic classic or series. There are so many wonderful fantasy series out there that are full of multiple books and even more extra materials. Not only can you spend time reading this book or books, but you can then enhance your experience by going online and checking out all the extra material out there. From wiki pages to You Tube videos, these types of books and series will give you enough extra material to look through that you will never be bored. If you haven’t read it yet, now would be a good time to give Dune a try. Written by Frank Herbert, this 800+ page sweeping epic is enough to keep anyone busy forever! Reading this book on it’s own can be a chore, so supplement your reading with all of the wonderful material out there for you on the internet. A quick google search of “Dune” will give you endless opportunities to learn more about the world of Dune and enrich your experience. If you are looking to dive deep and loose yourself, then Dune may be the right choice for you.

4. Read and Binge

   Want to enhance your reading experience? Sheltering in Place is a great time to read a book, and then watch a movie or series based on the book (or visa versa depending on your preference). There are a lot of great book series out there, that also have multiple seasons available for you to binge on your favorite streaming service. For example, now would be a great time to read The Magicians, by Lev Grossman. Whether you want to read one, or all books in this series, you can follow up your reading experience by binging all 4 seasons that are currently available for streaming on Netflix. The 5th season just finished airing, so expect this to come to Netflix soon. Sometimes called “the adult Harry Potter” this series has all the fun of Magic School, but with sex, drugs and more adult content thrown in. Looking for something more romantic? Then Outlander may be for you. Written by Diana Gabaldon, this romantic fantasy has multiple books, and multiple seasons currently available on Netflix. A story about a woman who mysteriously travels back in time to the Scottish highlands, will leave you begging for more. Who doesn’t love a sexy Scot?

I hope that the above suggestions will give you some ideas on where to start. What are you currently reading while Sheltering in Place? Come share your recommendations on our Facebook Page - Kris Reviews, or on Instagram @Kris_Reviews and let’s spread the love of reading!

How Anyone can Become a Reader

The great thing about reading, is that there are so many different types of things that you can read. Whether it’s the morning paper, steamy romance novels, true crime mysteries, or young adult series, everyone can find something that they can enjoy reading. Reading is a great way to work the muscles in your brain. You’d be surprised how much information your mind will retain after you read something. The more you read, the information you will have, and information is power. If you want to try reading, but aren’t sure where to start, here are some tips to help you get started:

1. What are you passionate about?

   Everyone has something that makes them happy… whether it be a certain color, type of food, movies, dance, family, friends, the list can go on and on. Pick a few things that you know you love (example - chocolate) and find a book, short story or article that is related to that topic. If food makes you happy, try picking up a new cookbook. If you enjoy streaming true crime documentaries, maybe a mystery novel or magazine article might be for you. Finding what you actually would be interested in reading about, is an important first step in becoming a reader.

2. Decide why you want to read

   This may come as a surprise, but everyone has a different reason why they want to read. For me, I read because I think it’s fun. I love to get lost in a book and learn about new people, places and things. Some people read to relax and unwind at the end of the day. Some people read for entertainment. Some people read to educate themselves. You need to think about what it is you want to accomplish when you read. If you are thinking “Well I just want to read for something to do”, doing something is an accomplishment. Just think about it… you could be doing nothing, but if you are choosing to read, you are choosing to do something. Figuring out why you want to read, and what you want to read about it, should put you in a good place to actually pick up that book/magazine/newspaper etc.

3. Start small

   No matter how much you may want to impress your family, friends or new partner, do not pick up that 800+ page Dune novel unless you are ready! Just like any other activity, you need to start small, and work you way up to longer and lengthier reading. No one can just lift 100 pounds right off the bat, you need to start small and work at it. Once you’ve found something that you’re interested in, try reading an article in a newspaper or magazine. Then, try reading a children’s book, maybe then a lengthier young adult novel. Finally, go for the gold and grab the biggest book you can find! (not really) Again, start small - Any reading is good reading!

4. Make time to read

   Yes, it can be hard sometimes to find the time to read. Especially if you are someone who has been lucky enough to be employed during this time. I challenge you though…. If you know why you want to read, and you know what you want to read about, you can spend 5 - 10 minutes reading something small at anytime throughout you day. Some people like to read in the morning, some people like to read at night. Maybe you like to read during your lunch break. Whatever your time is, pick a time slot, and commit to using that time every week, every day, or whatever time works for you.

5. Have something ready to read

   When you pick out something to read, you DO NOT have to read it right away. Some of you, like me, probably have tons of books sitting on shelves just waiting to be picked up. But, the thought of picking up and actually opening a book can be daunting. So, once you pick out a book that you think you want to try, put it aside, somewhere easily accessible, set your reading time (ex. later that day, the next morning, etc.) When you finally settle down for your reading time, the perfect book will be there waiting for you.

By taking the steps above, you will be prepared to read something that you actually want to read, and will actually have time to read. It’s amazing how a little preparation can go a long way. Once you start, you will be able to make reading a part of your everyday life. There is no end to the worlds you can discover, information you can learn, and stories you can fall in love with when you read. So don’t wait, start your list of passions now while you have the time.

Happy Reading!