Runs on Coffee and Cream

The sun is shining, windows are open, Lana Del Rey is playing out of my stereo, iced tea is in hand. I really love this time of year. May has been going by quickly; a little too quickly for my liking. I'm ready to live out in the sunshine and go on adventures.

I found some great book finds at Value Village earlier this month. They were also in perfect condition.

A lovely online friend sent me some extra comics she had. It was a lovely surprise to find these in my mailbox since I forgot about them. I'm so pumped to have new issues to read!

When there's green apple and watermelon frozen yogurt you must add all the popping bobas and nerds!

I had to represent the Rebel Princess on May the 4th!

When I saw My Cat Is People was releasing a limited edition pin for Canada's 150th birthday I knew it was the purrfect time to buy one of their coffee pins!

I made myself an oversized pouch to hold all my planner stickers and washi tape. It's been handy to carry around.

We have some fun plans for the rest of May and some fun things coming up in June so I'm definitely enjoying life right now!

xo Jen

March is almost over and I couldn't be more excited for April. April means spring weather, Easter celebrations and Adam's birthday. All things I enjoy and it means I have a month of baking ahead of me!

Our last bit of snow that we got hit with while going for a walk downtown. We found a pretty cool wall mural hiding in an alleyway though.

My new favourite mug.

I finally pulled out my Tony Moly Pokemon makeup to use. The Jigglypuff colour suits my porcelain skin perfectly.

I knew I had to buy a bag as soon as I saw them in the Easter candy aisle: Carrot Cake Hershey Kisses! They're delicious with a cup of coffee.

Logan is enjoying the fresh air on one of the odd days I opened the windows in the house.

Seymore has been doing his best to find all the sunny spots in the house. I catch him almost daily lounging in a sunny area in the living room.

I started the month reading Bee and Puppycat.

Have you ever come across a comic, manga, or novel that you cannot put down?! I love finding reading material that grabs my attention and won't let go. Even at 2 o'clock in the morning. This leads to the first comic book I'm recommending today.

Snotgirl
"WHO IS LOTTIE PERSON? Is she a gorgeous, fun-loving social media star with a perfect life or a gross, allergy-ridden mess? Enter a world of snot, blood, and tears in this new ongoing series from New York Times Best Seller BRYAN LEE O'MALLEY (Scott Pilgrim) and dazzling newcomer LESLIE HUNG!"


I was introduced to this series from Instagram (thank you social media!) because a good chunk of the ladies I follow were sharing photos of the Snotgirl issues. I headed over to Comixology and saw there were 5 issues to read so I wasn't too far behind. Well, those 5 issues were consumed in one sitting. Well, lying in bed actually, until the wee hours of the morning because I just couldn't stop reading it. 

The art is gorgeous. I just want to re-read it to stare at the images. And the story is fun and real and also mysterious. I'm so incredibly upset that I have to wait for more issues!

Next up to read is Motor Crush!

Over the last few months I've been reading a lot of the same comic book titles which has been enjoyable since there are some really great comics out there right now. Recently I decided to check out a couple of new-to-me comics that I ended up really liking.

Archie
"Change is coming to Riverdale in this all-new reimagining of an American icon! Familiar faces return in new and unexpected ways. As the new school year approaches, you'd think Archie Andrews would be looking forward to classes and fun -- but nothing is as it seems in the little town of Riverdale. But is this a one-off or a sign of bigger changes awaiting for America's favorite teens -- and the entire town?"

Archie is definitely not new to comics. He's easily one of the longest running comic titles. But when they decided to bring out a new fresh look for Archie, I was intrigued. Not until recently did I actually pick up the first trade to read. The updated story and art style is fun and I'm really enjoying it. I plan on sticking with this series and catching up, as well as checking out the new Jughead and Betty and Veronica titles too.

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Spell on Wheels
"Three young witches are robbed of their magical items, and they'll have to hit the road to track down the mysterious thief before he does any damage to, or with, their possessions. Supernatural meets Buffy and The Craft!"

When I heard of this series I knew I had to read it. The fact that it was being compared to Supernatural, Buffy, and The Craft, plus Kate Leth is part of the team behind it, makes it an instant read for me. I've read the first 3 issues and it does not disappoint. The 3 main characters are awesome and I want to be friends with them. I'd love to see this series continue on.

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As I've stated in numerous posts, I LOVE Goodreads. If you're an avid reader, you need an account. The app is my favourite since I can add books I want to read on the go or when a friend recommends a book to me. It also has a wide range of comic books listed too so you can also keep track of comics through your account.

My reading goal for 2016 was to read 30 books. I did it! I actually read 41 books since I was counting comic trades along with novels and audio books.


Some of my favourite books that I read in 2016 were:

• Every Day by David Levithan
• The Nest by Cynthia D'Aprix Sweeney
• Lady Killer Graphic Novel
• I'll Give You The Sun by Jandy Nelson
• Harry Potter and The Cursed Child by J.K. Rowling, John Tiffany, and Jack Thorne

Did you do a reading challenge last year? Are you doing one for 2017?
xo Jen

I wish I had more time to read. There are so many fantastic books out there that I have on my never ending to-read list. And there's new books being released constantly that sound so good.

I have found myself surrounded by so many amazing comic books recently. Everywhere I turn I see trades on sale, whether second-hand or at conventions, and I can't turn them down! Then there's all the new series that have been released in the last few months that have been getting rave reviews! My to-read pile has grown massive in the last couple of months. You know what that means? I have a Summer of reading ahead of me! There's a couple of comic book series that have stood out recently. 

Goldie Vance
"What's to Love: From Nancy Drew to Veronica Mars, we really dig girl detectives! Hope Larson (A Wrinkle in Time: The Graphic Novel) and Brittney Williams (Patsy Walker, A.K.A Hellcat!) present the newest gal sleuth on the block with Goldie Vance, an exciting, whodunnit? adventure that mixes the fun of Eloise with the charm of Lumberjanes. What It Is: In a timeless story, 16-year-old Marigold "Goldie" Vance lives at a Florida resort with her dad, who manages the place. Her mom, who divorced her dad years ago, works as a live mermaid at a club downtown. Goldie has an insatiable curiosity, which explains her dream to one day become the hotel's in-house detective. When Charles, the current detective, encounters a case he can't crack, he agrees to mentor Goldie in exchange for her help solving the mystery utilizing her smarts, random skills, and connections with the hotel staff and various folks in town."

I've only read the first two issues (the third one came out last week) and I know I'm already going to love this series. It's adorable and fun and I really enjoy the setting. It's pretty much the perfect comic to read this Summer since it has a Summer-vibe, taking place at a Florida resort. 

I've stated in previous posts my love for Goodreads. The Goodreads app on my phone is the best because I can add books to my to-read list right on the spot when I'm in a book store or a friend recommends something to me in conversation.

This year I challenged myself to read 30 books. But since I'm counting graphic novels and comic book trades, I think I might have underestimated the books I could read.

Right now I'm sitting at 18 books finished.

2016 Reading Challenge

Jen has read 18 books toward their goal of 30 books.

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18 of 30 (60%)

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This past month I was introduced to two comic book series. I'm so in love with them and I need to share!

Alex + Ada
"From JONATHAN LUNA (GIRLS, THE SWORD, Spider-Woman, ULTRA) and SARAH VAUGHN (Sparkshooter) comes ALEX + ADA, a sci-fi drama set in the near future. The last thing in the world Alex wanted was an X5, the latest in realistic androids. But when Ada is dropped into his life, will Alex keep her? This will be JONATHAN LUNA's return to comics after three years off since the end of THE SWORD!"
This comic book series was recommended to me numerous times by a friend and it's like it kept following me around because I kept hearing about it. So I finally got my hands on volume 1 and, oh man, I couldn't stop reading. I read through the first volume in one sitting (which I typically don't do) and I had to get Vol. 2 and 3 right away to finish off the series. It's amazing and heartbreaking and real and I cannot suggest this title enough!

*All quotes are from comiXology, where all these comics are available in digital format*