Reader Uniform: Gymshark Dupes? Part II

Hello! In my last Reader Uniform post I went over the Aoxjox dupes for the Gymshark Vital Seamless Shorts. You can check that review out here. In my search for some workout clothes that were less silky smooth than my yoga clothes and more strength training friendly I started looking into cheaper alternatives to the new gym standard of Gymshark. Luckily Amazon has some pretty great finds. This week I am going to be talking about the dupe that I found on Amazon for the Gymshark Camo Seamless leggings.

These are some of the more iconic leggings/sets from Gymshark. You can check out the originals here. As with most things from Gymshark, these are often sold out in most sizes but come in berry red, light green, pink, sage green, black, lilac, and lavender grey. Their sizing runs from XS to XL. They are advertised as seamless, squat proof, flattering with a high waist, and enhancing with ruched detailing along the rear. All of that doesn't necessarily come cheap though. These seamless leggings will run you $60.00. If you want the matching bra or long sleeve crop top (which are very cute) it'll be $45.00 each.

While the look is definitely cute, I wasn't super willing to spend $105.00-$150.00 on a single gym set. So I went onto Amazon and found a plethora of dupes. Check out my review below for the WodoWei Camo Seamless.

Brand: WodoWei
Style: Women's High Waisted Camo Seamless Leggings 7/8 Length Workout Yoga Pants
Size: Small
Color: Lavender Grey

Just like the Aoxjox shorts, the style name is super long for these. Here you can see the Amazon
listing, which also just like the Aoxjox shorts uses the same photos as the Gymshark site to advertise. The range of sizes is a bit more narrow and only includes small, medium, and large. On the upside they are definitely wallet friendly and range from $18.99 to $24.99 depending on the color and size your order. Last I checked the lavender grey in large was the only pair at $18.99. The matching bra is $17.98-$22.98 and the matching cropped top is $18.99-$22.98. Meaning you could potentially get the entire set for the price of the Gymshark leggings. But is it worth it?

First, let's talk comfortability. I've worn these lounging around with family and for a sweatier gym day. They are perfectly comfortable for curling up on a couch with a movie and are reader uniform worthy. While I would classify them as compressive there is plenty of give to them that you can bend and lounge as you please without any pinching. One thing to note is that the compression in the waistband ends just below your belly button so if you are uncomfortable with your lower stomach there could be a slight bulge visible. It was not overly obvious but it was there. Now part of the lounging was outdoors when the temperature was well over 100 degrees Fahrenheit. They weren't awful in the heat but I would recommend them as more of a fall and winter legging.

When working out in them they held up nicely and I felt supported doing lunges and squats but also didn't feel like they were going to rip when I was doing yoga. The fabric is thicker which had me worrying about potential issues with sweat. Surprisingly, these never got gross. The sweat dried quickly and I did not have any issues with sweat marks, though the camouflage pattern would disguise that fairly well regardless. The waistband stayed put and was quite high while the ankles didn't really budge.

Next up is coverage. These are fairly underwear line friendly with being a thicker fabric and and the pattern. When squatting in bright light and sunlight there were no obvious issues with them not being squat proof. As far as camel toe goes there is an extended gusset that stretches more sideways (from across your body rather than front to back) that does a good job of preventing any uncomfortable visuals. But, this gusset was a bit uncomfortable at times with it pulling more on my thighs than I probably would have liked. If I pulled up the legs a bit I noticed the sensation go away. The lack of a front seam should also help prevent any visual issues.

One feature of the camo seamless I was apprehensive about was the ruching along the rear. It is
meant to prevent the uni-cheek that can occur when leggings are overly compressive while also enhancing the natural curves that you have. If you are less gifted in the glute area it probably would have done this. A lot of other reviewers and myself noticed that if you are not smaller in that area it just stretches out the ruching and you have a slight line along the crack. It is not overly noticeable and it is not uncomfortable. However, if you prefer a cleaner look to the back of your leggings these might not be for you.

These leggings are short girl approved with their 7/8 length. When I first opened the package I was a little worried that they were going to be child sized with how small they looked but luckily they are pretty stretchy and I was able to get them on. At 5'3" these hit at my ankle, nearly a full length without any bunching. The small ankle cuff does not dig in and is actually pretty comfortable. If you are taller these would probably hit right above the ankle, while on other petite girls they will probably be full length.

The WodoWei leggings are composed of 90% nylon and 10% spandex. Comparing this with the listing for the Gymshark leggings is a bit different. The Camo Seamless Gymshark leggings are 65% nylon, 27% polyester, and 8% elastane. Most reviewers that had experience with the original Gymshark leggings said that these dupes look pretty much identical and feel the same. I did not see anyone saying that they feel substantially different based off of the fabric.

Where the biggest difference for most people was the absence of logos. If you spring for the real deal you will have "Gymshark" across your left hip in large letters that blend in with the camouflage design as well as a small shark head logo on the right ankle. With the dupes there are no logos whatsoever, which could be a benefit for someone looking for a cleaner look.

These overall are a solid choice for the gym that is cute while also being functional. Order your usual size.

The Lost Queen by Signe Pike

Title: The Lost Queen

Author: Signe Pike

Page Count: 515

Rating: C

Format Read: Paperback

Genre: Historical Fiction

Keywords: Merlin, Camelot, Christianity

Kid Appropriate: Teens and older

Languoreth is the rebellious daughter of a king in Scotland as Christianity creeps into the lands. We follow her free spirited nature triumph in the face of loss and grow with her as she goes from a little girl desperately trying to make her own way to a mighty queen that history would forget. She is also the twin of a young man named Lailoken. Or, as the tales would remember him, Merlin.

This book was my boyfriend's first pick for our long distance book club. It sounded promising with many comparisons to Outlander and The Mists of Avalon. We are both fans of the lore surrounding Camelot and looked forward to what seemed to be the perfect blend of my love of fantasy and his for historical fiction. It was close, but did not quite live up to my expectations. I ended up giving this book three stars while my boyfriend gave it four.

Languoreth seems at first like she will be the typical stubborn child who's life is equally touched by tragedy and privilege. To a degree she is. She experiences loss and love and comfort in equal parts. Where I had trouble connecting to her is that for much of the time we know her she is not a queen yet. Instead she is a headstrong child that can often come across as spoiled and entitled. Her love life is also an exhausting mess that I had a hard time rooting for. She is an adult only for a very small portion of the novel.

Large portions of this books seemed entirely unnecessary, dragging on and on. If you go in expecting a historical fiction novel largely about one girl from childhood on, then I do not think you will be disappointed. Where I struggled is I was expecting more of a focus on the druids and magic in the world. Languoreth is not allowed to practice the arts the way that her brother is. This means we see very little of either. And as far as warfare goes, we see almost none. This is again due to the limitations of our heroine. For me this made the book frustrating and slow. Just when things pick up, the book ends abruptly.

Despite the points I was not a fan of, I did like parts of this book. First, if you are a fan of Camelot type books then this one is not terrible. As the reader we are exposed to typical life for a woman in the era that would appeal to fans of The Mists of Avalon without being quite as long and heavy. The struggle between Christianity and paganism is also explored with both friendly relations and violent.

It seems that I was correct when I felt that the story ended too abruptly. When I was rereading the synopsis on Amazon for this review I stumbled across the listing for The Forgotten Kingdom being released September 15th. This will apparently be the second book in a now planned trilogy. Perhaps there is time for the series to redeem itself.

Check out my video review below. Happy reading!

eReaders Throughout the Years-Kindle Fire

My Kindle Fire

If you're new here, check out my first post about this series where I explain what I am working on this month here. Today's post is going to be going over the Kindle Fire, Amazon's tablet. For starters this tablet was called the "Kindle Fire" when I was gifted the first generation. Now if you look for it on Amazon it is simply referred to as "Fire". Today's review will be looking at how this machine holds up to reading and why it'll always hold a place in my heart.

I was gifted the very first generation Kindle Fire tablet in 2011 for Christmas by my wonderful mother. This was easily one of my
favorite presents that year and I immediately loaded it up with books, excited to finally make the venture into being a part of the Kindle family. I loved the sheer size of the Kindle book store and that I could access it straight from the device. My older Sony reader had no WIFI capabilities and the limited books available had to be downloaded to a computer then saved onto your reader. Today, on my third Kindle, I still love the Kindle store. It's convenient, has a great selection, and of course because I have been using it for 9 years the recommendations are pretty spot on.

I used my Kindle consistently for approximately six years. My primary uses were to read novels and watch Amazon Prime videos. It worked well for both but where it had a clear advantage over my later Kindles was that I was able to easily read comics and magazines. The screen is bright and crisp, and unlike the Kindle, Kindle Paperwhite, or Kindle Oasis it is in color. This bright color screen is definitely a disadvantage though if you are looking to use this anywhere that is particularly bright. I could not read outdoors or when traveling in a plane or car by day without dealing with a large amount of glare on the screen. This is ultimately what would drive me to consider other Kindles years later.

The Fire of today is a different beast and advertised more heavily as a tablet since it dropped the

Image from Amazon's site

"Kindle" aspect of its name. My grandparents each have one that they use daily to play puzzles on and keep mentally sharp while my eight year old cousin has the kid's edition that she plays various games on and occasionally reads on. They all still love their tablets.

When I was gifted my tablet there really was only one option: a black 7" tablet. Now there are five models available to include the Fire 7, Fire HD 8, Fire HD Plus 8, Fire HD 10, and of course the Fire HD 8 kids edition. Each offers a variety of speakers, screen size, battery life, colors, operating capabilities, and of course price points. They range from $49.99 to $149.99 with frequent sales that allow you to get them cheaper.

What do I like about the newer models? I do like the sudden increase in options. If you're primarily into reading full page comics or watching movies, you're going to want the bigger Fire with better speakers. If you see that as a secondary focus and are planning on reading more books then you can go for the smaller, more budget friendly option. If your kids want to read and play games you can go for the Fire that has a super protective case and parental controls. There is also an increased sense of individuality that I have seen with a greater color selection. Rather than just black you can now select

Colors from Amazon's site

from black, white, twilight blue, plum, and in some models slate.

The screen is obviously still going to be an issue for reading outdoors or in a very bright location. If reading is going to be your primary focus and you need something you can use in all locations, this isn't going to be it. Another consideration is the battery life. I have known multiple people that within a few years have to replace their Fire tablets due to the battery failing. For the price, that is not too terrible and most people I have talked to don't mind having to replace it after a couple of years, but if you are looking for something with a longer life I would read some reviews and forums on the battery issue to see if it is isolated to a few generations or a bug that has been worked out. My Fire is almost a decade old and has not had any such issues.

Despite these flaws, the Fire is still a solid choice for the more casual reader who wants a multipurpose device. If you want to watch movies, play games, have apps, but also be within the Amazon family of devices I think this is a pretty solid device. It has worked well for me and the line seems to be improving.

Next up in this series of eReaders throughout the years I will be covering the Kindle Oasis, Amazon's luxury dedicated reader. Check back next week to see if it's worth the price and happy reading!

Reading Update

Check out my video update below for what I'm reading, Winnie cuteness, upcoming blog posts, and some other updates!

Recursion by Blake Crouch

Title: Recursion

Author: Blake Crouch

Page Count: 366

Rating: F

Format Read: Book of the Month Hardcover

Genre: Science Fiction

Keywords: Time Travel, Memories, Suicide

Kid Appropriate: Teens and older

Barry Sutton is a New York City cop looking into the sudden uptick in people experiencing false memory syndrome. People all of over the world are being plagued by memories of a life that they have never lived but they can feel must be true. The conviction is so strong that some have killed themselves over their perceived loss of spouses and children that don't even exist. His investigation brings him to a neuroscientist who just might have all the answers.

This book won Goodreads Choice 2019 for best science fiction. It was one of the best books of the year by BookRiot, NPR, and Time. It was super hyped. Crouch's previous book Dark Matter was also immensely popular. All signs pointed to this being a solid choice when my boyfriend and I were looking for books to read together in our long distance relationship book club that we were going to start doing together. Surely this book would be a solid choice. It was popular and well liked. It had an interesting premise we could discuss. It had to be good. Boy were we wrong.

Recursion has a solid beginning that draws you in with quick chapters that end on cliff hangers and introduce some truly intriguing ideas. The concept of a legal investigation into a seemingly psychological phenomenon was unique and melded science fiction with mystery nicely. Our characters are also damaged in a way that makes them intriguing and relatable. Barry has lost a daughter and suffers daily. Helena is an ambitious young scientist who has a very personal drive for her research: her mother is losing all of her memories. 

By a third of the way through this book it takes a hard pivot and if it wasn't for the fact that I was reading this for a book club I would have DNF'd it. My favorite quote from my boyfriend's rant about this book when we finished was "It's like someone threw spaghetti at the wall and whatever stuck became the book". In order to like this book you have to really, truly love the question of "what if?". There is no clear story line to follow and the jumping around in time forces you to have to focus. Which is fine and to be expected in some science fiction. But there came a point where all of the jumps and potentialities explored became too much and just seamed ridiculous. There was no point. There was no reason. It felt like it was done just because it could be done. Which is probably the point, but I didn't find it enjoyable. 

Part of me cannot recommend this book. It just wasn't my cup of tea in any way. By the end of the book I had considerably less sympathy for any of the characters, did not particularly care where the story went, and just wanted it to be over. It stands out as one of my least favorite books I have read in recent memory.

But there is also the part of me that thinks this book does have great potential as a book club pick. It is polarizing for one. You cannot simply be meh about this book. You either love or hate how ludicrous it is. And it leads to some pretty great discussions no matter how you feel.

In short, I couldn't stand this book. Neither could my boyfriend. But if you're looking for a book to start some discussions, this might just be the one for you. Check out my short video review below.

Reader Uniform: Gymshark Dupes? Part I

While most of this blog is dedicated to my love of all things books, I also have a love for working out and clothes. Luckily workout clothes are usually super comfy and work perfectly for reading as well.

About two years ago I was going to the gym almost five days a week and was probably the strongest I have ever been. Then life happened and I had to take a break, quit my gym membership and focus on other aspects of my health. Working full time also can put a damper on hours spent lifting weights. But I am finally at a place where I can start working towards my former goals.

Now that I am getting back into longer workouts and trying to get back some of my previous strength I was on the hunt for some new workout clothes. Now I love my yoga leggings. They are silky smooth, you can barely tell you're wearing them, and they fit perfectly. Check out my budget pick here or my Alo review here. But they are almost too soft for when I want to lift weights or do cardio. Which led me down a rabbit hole of YouTube workout clothes hauls and countless articles on gym wear. What did I see over and over and over again? Gymshark.

Gymshark is a UK based activewear brand that had humble beginnings in a garage and is now one of the most popular brands to get reviewed on YouTube constantly by their own athletes and independent reviewers. Their unique contouring and designs also made them a favorite on Instagram. From all the reviews I have seen the stuff is cute and functional, especially for strength training.

Videos from the likes of Ashley Gaita, HopeScope, and Kathryn Mueller introduced me to the wide variety of options available from the gym giant and I was slowly becoming more and more interested. Despite that interest the $50.00 a pair for the leggings wasn't quite fitting into my budget.

So I went in search of dupes and found two contenders. Today I'm going to be talking about the first ones and oh my goodness are they perfection. Check out the review below.

Brand: Aoxjox
Style: High Waisted Vital Seamless Workout Yoga Gym Shorts
Size: Small
Color: Vital Marine Blue Marl

Well that style name is an absolute mouthful and I think the brand is pronounced "ox-jocks" but these shorts are basically a dupe for the Vital Seamless shorts from Gymshark. Check out the originals here and the dupes here. As you can see they use the same photos. Where the difference lies is in the $40.00 vs $26.99 for a pair of shorts.

From one of my videos

I was a little skeptical at first but the Aoxjox really do get great ratings. What convinced me to finally try them is that they had a lightning deal on Amazon that took them from $26.99 to $22.94. Not a massive difference but enough to make me curious. And oh boy am I glad I tried them.

Still from one of my videos

These fit just like the pictures without any weird defects or strange features I wasn't expecting and they are absolutely true to size. The inseam is approximately 4 inches which means that they are shorter shorts but definitely not booty shorts. Somewhere in between bikers and volleyball style shorts. I felt comfortable being in public in these whereas my Under Armour HeatGear shorts I wear under tennis skirts I would never leave the house in solo. If you're looking for longer shorts check out my biker shorts recommendations here. The seams that ran along the bottom of each leg were pushed into my thighs a little bit but did not create any bulges and they stayed put through lounging, weight training, and yoga.

The waistband is very high and on my 5'3" frame it hits right at the bottom of my ribs when I sit down and slightly above my natural waist when standing. It is a compressive waistband that hugs you in while wearing without overly squeezing. If you are self conscious about your lower stomach or are bloating do be aware that these shorts do not hide that very well. The compression stops just below my bellybutton which means that there can be a slight bulge where your lower abdominals are not being compressed. Usually this is not a problem or overly noticeable but it could become an issue. Another slight concern is that the waistband can fold over ever so slightly at the top the longer you wear them. This didn't bother me but could bother some.

As far as movability these are fantastic. I was worried that the fabric would be stiff and scratchy since

Label

seamless leggings typically look like they are a thicker material than the silkier yoga leggings I am used to. They are actually incredibly soft and stretch well. I did a lot of bending and twisting in them while doing yoga and never felt any resistance or like they were going to tear. Think of the fabric being like a favorite stretchy t-shirt. It is composed of 54% nylon, 34% polyester, and 12% elastane. The Gymshark Vital Seamless shorts are 55% nylon, 33% polyester, and 12% elastane. So very similar there.

When it comes to coverage these are pretty flawless. They are squat proof for one. There were no visible shadows or coloring showing through in various levels of light. I would read the reviews on different colors though. Aoxjox even puts in the product pictures which pairs are not particularly squat proof. These are also some of the more underwear line friendly shorts I have tried and they are barely visible if at all. Despite the elongated gusset and no front seam, there can be some issues with camel toe.

Back of shorts w/ raised seam

Contouring can be a tricky thing in activewear, especially depending on your comfort level. If done correctly it can subtly enhance your curves and add to your confidence. Sometimes it can be a bit much. The Gymshark Flex collection is quite obvious in its lighter colors as it tries to shape and enhance your bum. While this may be cute on others, it's a bit much for me personally. These Vital shorts do have subtle contouring through slightly darker dots in the fabric to enhance and it actually works nicely without being obvious. So if you're looking for subtlety these will do the job.

Front of shorts

I have already washed these once. On a cold gentle cycle and accidentally threw them in the dryer on high heat. The shorts look fine and did not shrink at all. They held their shape well and the color did not fade. I did notice the long tag in the back looked a little frayed but I may cut that out anyways.

Overall these are a solid pair of shorts great for working out or
lounging in and come at a pretty descent price.

Small Spaces by Katherine Arden

Title: Small Spaces

Author: Katherine Arden

Page Count: 218

Rating: A

Format Read: B&N Exclusive Paperback

Genre: Middle Grade Fiction

Keywords: Friends, Scarecrows, Curses

Kid Appropriate: Yes, middle grade

Ollie is an 11 year old girl who is dealing with the loss of her mother when she encounters a crazy woman trying to destroy a book. Being a lover of books, Ollie takes it and runs. Inside is the story of a girl named Beth, a story that she becomes obsessed with. The next day she goes on a field trip to the local farm, Smoke Hollow. It's the farm that Beth lived on. When the haunting story becomes a real tale of horror Ollie must work with her friends Brian and Coco to save their classmates and get back to their families.

This is Arden's middle grade debut after she wrote the absolutely stunning The Bear and the Nightingale, an adult fantasy novel taking place in rural Russia. You can read my review for that one here. With that in mind I had high expectations for this book. She did not disappoint.

Ollie is an peculiar little girl but doesn't feel completely unreal. Her interactions with other kids felt real as did her feelings about the passing of her mother. It was also nice that Coco and Brian weren't identical to all the other kids. Coco is the new girl who gets bullied and is a bit soft while Brian is the popular jock boy. Each kid is unique. 

The concept of a ghost story coming to life might be scary for some kids but I would say that the horror elements aren't too scary by any means for younger readers. It really depends on their preferences. My cousin is apprehensive if something even seems like it might be scary so I would steer her clear of this one. But for kiddos that like fall and spooky stories this one is a real winner. Less scary than The Dreadful Tale of Prosper Redding and would pair nicely with City of Ghosts by Victoria Schwab. Per Amazon it is recommended for grades 5-6 or ages 10-12.

If you're not a kid? This is still a really fun fall time book to pick up and fly through. I definitely recommend this one as we get closer to Spooky Season. Happy reading!

Check out my spoiler free video review below.

The 7 1/2 Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle by Stuart Turton

Title: The 7 1/2 Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle

Author: Stuart Turton

Page Count: 432

Rating: A+

Format Read: Advanced Reader Copy

Genre: Fiction

Keywords: Groundhog Day, Mystery, Murder

Kid Appropriate: Teens and older

A man wakes up in the woods with no memory of who he is or what he has done. All he knows is that there is a girl fighting for her life and he wants to save her. Aiden Bishop is dropped into a game that has deadly consequences. He has eight days in eight different lives to figure out who killed Evelyn Hardcastle. If he can solve the mystery he saves the girl and can break free of the cycle.

I was provided an ebook copy of this by the publisher through NetGalley to write an honest review. All of the opinions below are my own. 

This book. It is trippy and crazy. There are so many twists and turns. It was freaking amazing. As soon as I got started reading there was no putting it down and I devoured it. I read this in November on a trip through Washington and Idaho with my boyfriend and my nose was absolutely glued to my Kindle for every plane ride and car trip. I couldn't stop babbling about it. I was absolutely obsessed.

First, I am beyond impressed with the author's ability to even functionally write this book. Aiden is experiencing the same day as eight different people. And it is not that one day ends and the next begins. He is being thrown from one to the next every single time a character loses consciousness AND he's meeting the other characters he will be in the future. They know things he doesn't and vise versa. As a reader this creates a heightened sense of urgency and propels the reading experience. As a writer? The level of planning this must have taken and outlining is genuinely impressive. What's even better is that it is presented so flawlessly and effortlessly. 

Next point, I love mystery. Especially mysteries of the locked in variety. This one fits the bill perfectly. Aiden cannot leave the grounds of this estate where Evelyn Hardcastle meets her demise. Nor can he leave the day until it is concluded. Our murderer could be anyone at any time and there is no escape. It is a satisfying brainteaser as you try to pick out all the clues while also being just a touch scary.

Each character that Aiden must live as is totally different too. He's a butler, an aristocrat, a doctor, etc. This means that the world is pretty fleshed out as you are seeing it from different social classes and perspectives. Also, Turton doesn't make every single character a likeable or good person. There are some genuinely bad people that Aiden must live as and he has internal struggles with their personalities and impulses competing with his own.

Overall, this is a highly addictive book with a well fleshed out mystery that keeps you guessing until the end with hints of fantasy/science fiction and historical fiction thrown in.

At the time of writing you can read this for free if you have Kindle Unlimited! Check it out here. Happy reading!

eReaders Throughout the Years-Announcing a New Series

Growing collection of readers

I have a couple of thousand books on my shelves. They are double and triple stacked. The shelves are
bowing. It's really quite an addiction. Every book sale or giveaway I am tempted to add to my collection. Years of this behavior means that I am starting to run out of space. Not to mention the issue of being a fantasy fan. Carrying around thousand page tomes is no easy feat. That's where eReaders come into play.

I have had my fair share of readers. My very first I saved up for and got a Sony PRS 500 in 2006. I was in elementary school going into junior high and was beyond excited to have my first eReader where I could read whatever I wanted without having to ask to go to the store. Online shopping wasn't really a thing for me back then. I loaded that reader up with all things Charlaine Harris and binged on some Sookie Stackhouse books. Unfortunately within a couple of years the readers were discontinued, the ebook store was closed, and my trusty reader was very dead.

Next my mom surprised me over Christmas of 2011 with the just released Kindle Fire. Like the original, first generation Kindle Fire. Throughout my college years I used my Kindle Fire regularly and it does have a lot of pros. It's been nine years since it was gifted to me and I can still power it up and read on it. I like to use this if I'll be staying indoors or am reading a comic.

Sometimes I use the reader apps. When I was in classes I usually had my laptop or iPad with me for taking notes and this is what I would read on when waiting for lectures to start. I had the Kindle App with all of my books loaded onto it as well as the Kobo app since the Sony store I had originally used was ported over to Kobo. I even had a few iBooks on my phone and iPad. This worked fairly well but wasn't optimal.

2017 I got my fanciest eReader update in the second generation Kindle Oasis. It was a weird shape, water proof, ergonomic. Fancy. I was really excited for this eReader and I still pick it up but within a few months I started to notice some bugs.

With the pros and cons weighed of the Oasis I felt guilty but I wanted to try the next level down feature wise in the Kindle family. I was very excited when I was gifted the Kindle Paperwhite in Twilight Blue in 2019. She is now my go to everyday reader.

With all of this experience in using eReaders and three of the more popular apps for years, I decided to write a series of posts about the pros and cons of each and overall why I find myself turning more and more towards using eReaders over picking up physical books.

Stay tuned for reviews of the Fire, Oasis, and Paperwhite as well as a look at the pros and cons of eReaders vs. just using an app on your smartphone or computer. Happy reading!

Reading Update and BookTube

Alright, I have a BookTube channel that I haven't been great at upkeeping. While I always enjoyed
making the videos and talking about books there were definitely times it was hard to balance. Especially when you live with roommates and have limited times where the environment is quiet enough to film and you're trying not to inconvenience anyone else. I last posted a video about six months ago and then the world got a little crazy, I was moving, and just plain working a lot. On top of all the external stressors that put video making on the backburner, I just wasn't reading at the same rate I was when I started the channel in 2018. Less reading means less content to review.

But, balance is finally coming back. We have our own place, my book room is fully unpacked and ready to use, and my schedule is leveling out into a manageable place. Now that doesn't mean I am going to have some crazy strict upload schedule that is multiple videos every single week moving forward. I still plan on primarily writing on here, the blog. But in addition to this I would also like to include about one video a week to the channel. Which I can also post on here.

As far as content goes for the channel it will mostly be book reviews and the occasional Tag Tuesday if there is a fun one floating around. I am moving away from buying a lot of books at once which means hauls would be rather boring and since I'm reading less, monthly wrap ups would be short. And I just honestly like doing the book reviews the most. Sharing and recommending the stories I read and loved is just fun.

Now you can check out my update video below where I talk about some upcoming reviews and even give a super short bookshelf tour. Spoiler, the shorts I am wearing are going to be my next activewear review!

Tiny correction for the video: my boyfriend watched this while I was editing and I accidentally called him a "PhD student" when he was upgraded to "PhD Candidate" this year. Oops!

Happy reading!

Reader Uniform: Make it Lux

I have a fair number of leggings in my collection from various brands. Some are higher end. Check out my Alo airbrush fabric review here. But most of my leggings are classified as bargain finds. I love searching the clearance section at Kohls or checking out what TJMaxx has to offer. Personally, I love watching reviews for more expensive leggings (my personal favorite is HopeScope) and can totally understand paying more for quality but it's hard to break the habit of being a bargain hunter. Luckily I found a favorite legging that won't break the bank.

What do I use my leggings for? I definitely lounge in my leggings most often and they are my favorite go to for reading. However, I am also fairly into fitness and yoga so my pants need to stand up to a variety of activities. Features I look for are no seams on the outside of the leg, a waistband that is comfortable but will actually stay up, a gusset, and smooth fabric. I found all of this when I grabbed a pair of Yogalicious leggings and now I have five pairs.

Yogalicious is a brand of leggings that is very similar to 90 Degree by Reflex and is available on Amazon and at TJMaxx. On Amazon they run around $24.99 and if you find them in store at TJMaxx you can get them for $16.99. Bonus, they come in a ton of colors. I have two shades of pink, a dark green, a black camo, and a purple.

Lux Label

A lot of people call these a dupe for the Lululemon Align pant which is supposed to be a very soft, naked feeling pant loved by all who try it. If you get Aligns they will run you around $98.00. I have never seen a bad review for them, which is exactly why I have never tried them. But if you are looking for a Lulu dupe, I have seen a lot of people compare these due to the fabric feeling weightless, the overall design, and the logo on the back looks similar from a distance.

Now not all Yogalicious pants are the same. There is a major difference that I have learned through trial and error. Yogalicious leggings all look pretty much the same when you pull up their images online and most of the time there is not a clear differentiation when you order them. However, there are two main types of leggings you could be ordering. The standard Yogalicious leggings are a cottony soft fabric that feels a bit thicker and holds its shape well through being stiffer. In these leggings I am true to size at a small. But, there is another option that I have only been able to find in store for sure. These are the Yogalicious Lux leggings. I size down to an extra small. The Lux leggings are much silkier and I don't even notice that I am wearing them. They sit perfectly at my waist and skim over my legs like butter.

Regular Label

With a quick glance there is no clear difference between the two types of leggings and it can be a bit difficult to decipher what you are buying. They have the same cut, same logo, similar colors, and same stitching. Where the difference truly lies is in the fabric composition. The Lux line has more spandex with a composition of 83% polyester and 17% spandex compared to the regular leggings being 86% polyester and 14% spandex.

 Another key difference that I have noticed with the two types is that the regular Yogalicious fit full length on me leaving some scrunching around my ankles while the Lux leggings fit more like a 7/8th fit and hit right at my ankles. For reference I am on the petite side at 5'3".

Longevity wise I have had all five pairs for over a year now and I wash them on a gentle cycle and throw them in the dryer after every wear. The Lux leggings look exactly the same as when I bought them and the regular only look a little duller in the color, but nothing overly noticeable. Neither has pilled and I haven't had any issues with seams or tearing.

Functionality wise they have been great for pretty much everything. I have lounged in them for movie

Lux on the left, Regular on the right

marathons and binge reading. The regular line is a bit cozier if you're cold. I have done yoga in both. The Lux seemed a bit smoother and less restrictive though not by much. Both stood up great to sweatier cardio sessions without any overheating and dried quickly. I could see some of the colors showing sweat marks, especially more so in the regular line.

When it comes to squatting, I would say they are both fairly squat proof with the Lux pulling ahead just slightly. I have not had an issue with patterns or colors showing through at all. However, panty lines are a bit harder to hide. Seamless undergarments should be a safe bet. When it comes to camouflaging things like cellulite I would say stick to the darker colors on both. The lighter colors don't hide much.

Overall, I love these leggings and the Lux have become an autobuy for me.

9 Books for When It's Way Too Hot

It is officially that time of the year in Arizona where it is over 100 degrees Fahrenheit everyday and the humidity is sitting around 30% while cicadas are constantly humming. For my midwestern boyfriend this is totally fine. For me I am hiding from the sun like a vampire and watching my hair get puffier by the day.

In this time of misery I turn to the great past time of escapism: reading. Some people like reading about the season they are actually in...I definitely am not that way. When summer rolls around each year I want something totally different. Usually that involves a whole lot of snow, winter, and Eastern European inspired tales with the occasional space odyssey thrown in for variety.

Check out 9 of my favorites to turn to when it's just too dang hot out. I have each book linked to its Amazon page. Definitely not sponsored and it is just for your reference. Happy reading!

1) Spinning Silver by Naomi Novik

Some people really love Naomi Novik's whimsical and meandering prose that often leave you completely enchanted or beyond confused. I was initially in the latter camp but this icy wonderland eventually had be ensnared.

This fairytale of ice and storms will definitely cool you down as you follow three very different girls
fighting an evil they never expected in this Rumpelstiltskin retelling. Our main character is Miryem the daughter of a moneylender that is quite honestly terrible at his job. When she takes over the collecting so that her family doesn't lose everything, she catches the eye of the Staryk. These fae creatures of ice and wonder are greedy and demand a price, the control of her gift to create gold. When the fate of the kingdoms is drawn into the mix, the stakes are raised and three girls come together to fight off the lurking evil no one suspected. This is a fun fantasy retelling of an old fairytale that throws in some unique twists.

Now this one is a bit difficult to get into initially because it is told from multiple perspectives, but it is not explicitly stated which one you are reading from or that there are different people. Each chapter starts and you have to use context clues to figure out who/where you are. It takes less than a hundred pages to figure it out, but it is still a commitment. So if you are looking for a quick and easy book to get into maybe skip to #4 on this list. Also, if you did not like Novik's Uprooted I would skip this one.

2) The Bronze Horseman by Paullina Simons

This definitely is not the poem by Pushkin. Simons creates a sweeping historical romance set in World War II era Soviet Union, current day Russia. While the broader setting is WWII, this novel heavily leans into its romance roots with shenanigans and lust in abundance. Mix that dramatism with a heavy historical fiction novel and you get The Bronze Horseman about a Russian girl struggling to survive during World War II in Leningrad and fighting feelings for her sister's more than willing boyfriend. You can check out the review I wrote for this one when I first read it in 2014 here.

Drama, Russian history, and some freezing winters make this one a summer winner. I remember instantly being engrossed in the sheer insanity of this book as it spans Tatiana's growth from a girl searching for her future to a young woman struggling to make it a reality as war tears apart her home. Is it grim? At times. Did I cry? Absolutely. Was I completely addicted? For sure.

Check this one out if you're looking for a longer escape. Bonus, it is the start to a trilogy.

3) The Bear and the Nightingale by Katherine Arden

I picked this one up on a whim a couple of years ago, the cover drawing me in. Years of taking Russian as my second language and taking every Russian culture class I could find while in college made me extra giddy to find this gem full of the folklore I'd only every experienced in a classroom. You can check out my review from 2017 where I try not to geek out about it too hard here.


Similar to Spinning Silver, this is a whimsical historical fantasy involving the wintery setting of a Russian village. While I would say that the settings are similar between the two, I would say the writing styles are different. Novik is more of a meandering prose while Arden's reminds me more of a lush, immersive style. I devoured this book so quickly and fervently that there were times I forgot I was even reading.

Naomi Novik from #1 on this list actually blurbed it saying "A beautiful deep-winter story, full of magic and monsters and the sharp edges of growing up." Now this book is absolutely gorgeous. As an added bonus, if you are at all interested in rural Russian culture and folklore this book does an amazing job of including it. I squealed with excitement at seeing all of the various spirits included and even learned a few new ones that weren't covered in my classes. Check this one out to enter a world of ice demons, a rebellious little girl that grows into a headstrong woman, and a domovoi of course. You won't regret it.

4) An Unwanted Guest by Shari Lapena

Shari Lapena is not my all-time favorite author, but I know when I pick up one of her books I am going to be able to read it quickly and be immediately drawn into whatever dramas are wreaking
havoc in her characters' lives. Her pacing and way of writing in the present tense draws you in right away and keeps you leaping ahead until suddenly you have finished half of the book. No joke, I finish her books in a single sitting usually.

This particular novel takes place at a secluded bed and breakfast where our cast of characters all meet, each experiencing some personal problem or issue that is plaguing their pleasant vacation. Before long everyone is snowed in with no way of getting out or of help getting to them. Then the guests begin to die one by one.

There is the fun of a locked in mystery with everyone wandering around as if they are in a game of Clue attempting to figure out whodunnit before they're done in that reminds me of Payment in Blood by Elizabeth George or The 7 1/2 Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle by Stuart Turton. No one can leave and everyone is in danger. It's a fun getaway with a fairly satisfying ending. A great choice if you're looking for a short commitment but a quick getaway.

5) The Shining by Stephen King

Stephen King is crazy talented, no question about it. Whether it is one of his classics or a newer release I love his writing style and know I am going to be entertained. I originally read this one in

junior high and still like to revisit the wintery setting every time the temperatures soar.

Most people know the premise of The Shining: Jack takes his wife and young son to the Overlook Hotel to be its wintertime caregiver and before long things begin to take a sinister twist. It's creepy, sometimes downright scary, and a great time. Why I really like reading this one in summer is because of the snowed in, trapped quality that we also see in An Unwanted Guest.

If you're looking to try out King's works this is a great start.  After having ready quite a few of his books this is still one of my top two from him (the second being Bag of Bones). Even if you have seen the classic movie, there is plenty in the book that did not make it to the screen. Some of my personal favorite scenes are included in that. It will drag you into its insanity and not let go until the last page. Addictive, chilly, and scary.

6) The Cuckoo's Calling by Robert Galbraith

I love mysteries, especially those that take place in London. While I was actually in London over Christmas several years ago the weather was pretty pleasant, chilly but not gloomy. Despite that I still always think of fog and rainy days when I think of London. Which makes the setting perfection for
the current heat and humidity.

Strike is a miserable character. He is working as a private investigator with barely any money, suffers from constant pain caused by his prosthetic leg (he served in Afghanistan and lost it after stepping on a mine), and recently had a messy breakup with his on again off again girlfriend. Things aren't looking up for him to say the least. That is until a lawyer hires him to look into the death of his supermodel sister and Strike hires Robin as a temp secretary. Luckily for him she has a knack for sleuthing and the two set out to figure out whether Lula Landry really killed herself.

This series as a whole is really addictive. Strike is the grumpy rumpled detective and is well balanced by the ambitious and generally speaking softer Robin. Together they get into truly unpredictable mysteries that always surprise me by the end.

7) The entire Harry Potter series by J. K. Rowling

Something about the framework of each book taking place over a school year and the always present snow by Christmas holiday puts me in a state of mind far from the humid desert I actually am in.

Most people know about this series but just in case here is a quick recap: Harry Potter is a ten year
old orphan living with his mother's sister's family. They are not particularly pleasant to him. Some could argue downright awful. On his eleventh birthday he finds out that he is actually a wizard and has been accepted to the prestigious magical school called Hogwarts. There he gets into all manner of mischief and slowly unravels the mystery of what is being hidden in the castle. Each book follows a year at the school.

Whether you're a kid looking at starting this series for the first time, wanting to reread it, or an adult who's never read it I recommend this series for when you're looking for an escape. The structure is comforting enough to be truly escapism while the characters and plot are engaging enough to keep you interested.

8) It by Stephen King

Another King classic, It is massive. The Kindle version clocks in at over 1,000 pages. So be prepared for a commitment if you decide to pick this one up. While a lot of this book does actually take place in summer, the horror aspect and some of the settings are more chilling than expected. You can check out my full review in my Spooky Seasons Recommendations post here. It is the first book mentioned.


Derry, Maine is a small town like most small towns. Except it's plagued by an evil that lurks throughout its history and in its sewers. In 1957, seven misfit preteens come together to solve the mysterious disappearances of their peers and destroy the evil that has been stalking them all summer. In 1984 the evil reappears and the friends must come back together to try and end things once and for all.

I read this partially on my old Sony ereader, a floppy paperback, and in Audible. This is a great audiobook but be prepared to not listen to it in public, or at least wear headphones. There are a lot of racial and homophobic slurs in the sections of the book that take place between 1957 and 1958 and they are often spoken loudly. The racial slurs seem less in the sections between 1984 and 1985 but the homophobic ones still exist. Just be prepared for that.

9) Leviathan Wakes by James S. A. Corey

Space operas are apparently my thing. I discovered this after picking up Leviathan Wakes as an audiobook last year and then immediately diving into Caliban's War and Abaddon's Gate. Now why are these on my summer list? Because space definitely is not warm and the tone of this book is darker and grittier. It is a space opera that mixes a detective investigation with international (intergalactic?) security, zombies, a love story, and fast paced action. It's got everything basically.

Humans have colonized the moon, Mars, and beyond in this novel. Jim Holden is the captain of an ice miner delivering ice to the outer reaches with his crew when they stumble upon a ship filled with secrets that governments are willing to kill for. In another part of the universe, Detective Miller is looking for a missing girl when his investigation leads him to Holden's crew. They must work together to save the world.

At over 500 pages this is another chunky book but it definitely does not feel long. The alternating chapters between Holden and Miller have the pace leaping ahead while the authors' humor keeps the story from being dragged down. Definitely check this out for an engrossing book with a good mystery and a hint of space horror that doesn't wander into cheesy territory. It is also a great audiobook.

Dark Lover (Black Dagger Brotherhood #1) by J. R. Ward

Title: Dark Lover

Author: J. R. Ward

Page Count: 432

Rating: B+

Format Read: Kindle

Genre: Romance/Erotica

Keywords: Vampires, Sex, Love

Kid Appropriate: No

My Review:

I ended up picking up this book after hearing Sarah J. Maas mention how much she loves J. R. Ward's books and that she especially liked the Black Dagger Brotherhood series. When I pulled it up on Amazon I was definitely interested. Wrath is the last pure blooded vampire and he is the leader of the Black Dagger Brotherhood, not to mention king of the vampires. He is brooding and moody and has a bit of a vendetta against the vampire slayers that massacred his entire family when he was a boy. This long haired bad boy is the standard romance male lead. When one of his fighter's dies, he must fulfill his last request: to look after his half human daughter Beth. And of course there is some serious chemistry when he tries to platonically look after her. Another perk? The book is only $2.99 for the ebook.

Now, is this book realistic? Nope. Whether it is the clearly stereotypically attractive men that are all tall, very muscular bad boys or the largely brushed over attempted sexual assault at the beginning of the book this one is not sticking close to reality. Most of the romance books I've read, especially of the paranormal variety, don't set this is a norm anyways so I was not overly surprised. 

Is it a fun, raunchy read? Absolutely. When I pick up a romance heavy book I am mostly looking for an entertaining and fun book. If there are supernatural elements present, then it's even better. This one is fast paced for being 432 pages and ties together a couple of storylines well through action and a lot of intense brooding. There was some humor in this book but if you are looking for a Janet Evanovich style romance that has you cracking up out loud then this probably is not the right pick for you. 

Wrath and the Black Dagger Brotherhood are all intense characters that mix the brotherhood you would expect from a knightly order with the intense, almost fratty at items, persona of vampires. Most of the guys are womanizers to varying degrees and the concept of finding one's mate is more rare for this batch of bachelors. They are definitely "dudes" and Beth's friend detective provides a bit of almost comic relief.

Beth is what I have come to expect from romance novels. She's got every guy drooling with her couldn't care less attitude and curvy physique while also being incredibly sassy and stubbornly independent. That is until she falls in love; then she is a gentle creature that must be protected. There was a massive potential that her tendency to fit the standard mold, as well as the male characters, would become annoying and boring. Despite this I still liked her character and did not dread reading about her. She definitely grows on you.

A lot of the elements of this novel are stereotypical for a paranormal romance novel. They are what I have come to expect from the genre and a lot of the plot was predictable. While some would argue that this makes the book flawed, I think that is one of romance's great strengths. That familiarity from one book to a next guarantees you're going to escape into the world you've picked up. But there was some great groundwork set for a more interesting and fleshed out world in this novel that will likely continue throughout the series, which is nearing 22 books according to Amazon.

If you're into romance, vampires, and brooding then I definitely recommend giving this one a go. Happy reading!