Mental Health

My Yoga Journey // Thankful Thursday

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Hello Friends,
Today, I am going to talk about something I am very thankful for, and that is yoga. I do not know if I have ever mentioned this before, but I am a certified yoga instructor, and hopefully one day I will become a yoga therapist. Obviously, I share my love for books on the blog, but yoga is my second passion.

Growing up, I was very overweight and depressed. I had many mental health issues yet to be diagnosed. However, when I started my fitness journey, I began with a treadmill and Wii. Yep, the old game system, had a very popular game called Wii Fit. The yoga portion of the game was fun.

Soon after, I started watching yoga videos on YouTube and even taking some classes. I found that yoga calmed me, and I loved how strong it made me feel. Over the years, I have fallen out of my yoga routine, but I always seem to return to it. So, last year, I decided that it was time I began my yoga career.

I am thankful that yoga has not only made me feel stronger, but it has also helped me with my anxiety and mood. So, when I discovered yoga therapy, I knew that it was something I would love to do because you can teach people how to balance their emotions with yoga.

The practice of yoga can really do wonderful things for the mind and body, and I would love to help others discover its benefits. In the comments, let me know something you are thankful for having discovered. Don’t forget to like this post and follow the blog.

Until The Next Chapter,
Bunny

All The Bright Places // Book Review

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About The Book
Theodore Finch is fascinated by death. Violet Markey lives for the future. When Finch and Violet meet on the ledge of the bell tower at school—six stories above the ground— it’s unclear who saves whom. Soon it’s only with Violet that Finch can be himself. And it’s only with Finch that Violet can forget to count away the days and start living them. But as Violet’s world grows, Finch’s begins to shrink.
Buy The Book: https://amzn.to/3Lrv6Ow

My Rating

I love a good heartbreaking young adult romance, but this book hit me too close to home. In this book, we follow two teenagers. Violet, who is still grieving the death of her sister, and Finch, who is struggling with bipolar disorder. The two have a chance encounter that sets them on a path to self-growth and love.

I knew that this book would be heartbreaking, but as someone who struggles with bipolar disorder and has a spouse with the disease, it was a lot to take in, emotionally. The author did a great job portraying somebody with a mood disorder. And I could definitely relate to Finch’s ups and downs.

I did not have the same connection to Violet, but I could see how these two characters were drawn to one another. I enjoyed watching them grow closer and develop feelings toward one another. Their relationship was very ‘we found love in a hopeless place.’ Both clearly fought their own internal demons and found happiness with each other. It was very sweet and, as the reader, you knew that it was not going to last.

“I can’t promise I won’t pick you apart, piece by piece, until you’re in a thousand pieces, just like me.”

This is a basic contemporary young adult romance. The plot is not complex, but the characters are really what makes up the book. We get inside their minds and watch them as they help each other grow as people. You can tell that Finch really wanted to help Violet let go of her grief. I think that the plot dealt with grief and overcome survivor’s guilt in a good way. In addition, the book does a great job of showcasing the difficulties of loving someone with mental health problems.

Overall, the ending is what made this book gut wrenching. Although I enjoyed the overall plot of the book, I was not a fan of the outcome since I had almost been there with my love before. It was just a little too much for me. Still, I can see why others love the book and love the story that develops.

I know that there is a movie adaptation, but I am not sure that I will be able to bring myself to watch it. In the comments, let me know if you have seen the film. Is it worth watching? Don’t forget to like and share this post with other book lovers. Please support me by following this blog.

Until The Next Chapter,
Bunny

It’s Kind Of A Funny Story // Book Review

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Synopsis
“Ned Vizzini, who himself spent time in a psychiatric hospital, has created a remarkably moving tale about the sometimes unexpected road to happiness.”

This book gives a realistic look at mental illness. The main character, Craig, is relatable and still trying to figure out his mental state. Although he is a teenager, I think even adults can relate to his thoughts and feelings. Dealing with mental illness can be complex and the author does a great job of showcasing that. Like Craig, sometimes we feel fine due to medication, but once we stop taking that medication, we crash.

The book’s main plot centers on Craig being committed to the hospital’s adult psych ward. There, we are introduced to all sorts of characters, who are struggling with different mental health issues. It truly shows that everyone is facing their own battle. And mental Illnesses doesn’t look the same for everyone. On the outside, Craig seemed like an average teenager. But inside, he was crumbling. Some people are tied together with a smile.

There were many funny moments, which is nice to have in a book that deals with such a heavy topic. It was good to see Craig bonding with other patients. He learned a lot about their lives and struggles. But, there was also the notion that what happens in inpatient, should stay in inpatient.

There are many messages through the book. One being that you can’t truly understand mental health issues, even if you deal with them yourself. No two mental illnesses look the same. There will be people who think they have you figured out, but they don’t, and this was the case for Craig.

“I didn’t want to wake up. I was having a much better time asleep. And that’s really sad. It was almost like a reverse nightmare, like when you wake up from a nightmare you’re so relieved. I woke up into a nightmare.”

You never need to explain yourself to others, and that was something Craig struggled with in the story. His friends were toxic, and don’t even get me started on Nina, his crush. Craig had a lot of personal development in the book, and learned that it is better to be friendless than to be friends with all the wrong people.

One of my favorite things about this book was that it mentions “finding your anchor”. It is so important for us to find something that fills us with joy. That one things that tethers us to life. It shouldn’t be a person, but something that we enjoy. And the book made a point to talk about how we all should look for some type of anchor.

As you can tell, the book hits on some heavy topics. Obviously, mental health is the main focus in the book but there is talk about self harm, somewhat slut shaming, and the underlying mention of sexual abuse. If these are subjects you are sensitive to, please be aware before you pick this book up.

Overall, this is one of my favorite books. I connect with it, and love the view that all we can do is try to manage our lives. And to live the best life for ourselves. Please like and share this post, and follow my blog.

Until The Next Chapter,
Bunny

Horrid // Book Review

- Bunny 5 Comments

Author: Katrina Leno
Published: 2020
Genre: YA/Thriller
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Synopsis
From the author of ‘You Must Not Miss’ comes a haunting contemporary horror novel that explores themes of mental illness, rage, and grief, twisted with spine-chilling elements of Stephen King and Agatha Christie.

This book was creepy, interesting, and shocking, all at the same time. The cover makes you think that it’s a horror read, but it is on the tame side. I pictured it being an ‘Are You Afraid Of The Dark’ tale. So, instead of YA, I’d classify it as an older middle grade.

I was captivated write from the beginning. The first chapter was so interesting that I just had to know where the story was going next. All I am saying is – eating books. If that doesn’t intrigue you, then this book probably isn’t for you.

The main character, Jane, has so many layers to her. She was an unreliable narrator, and it made for the most interesting parts of the stories. She is going through a lot, like losing her father, and moving to a new city. All the while, she was discovering hidden secrets about her family.

The book gets progressively better, and the storyline is very fast paced. I loved the writing style, and how the book wasn’t too long. It’s a great pick when you are looking for a quick read to help get you out of a reading slump.

“Three little girls all eating things they weren’t supposed to eat. Three little girls all eating things in order to fill their bodies with something other than the anger, the rage, that would otherwise consume them.”

The mystery aspect was wild and throws you for a loop. At one point, I thought I had everything figured out, but than I end up being wrong. Then by the end of the book I realize I was right all long. The story is a roller coaster ride, and one I was happy to be on. There was a lot of reference to Agatha Christie, which I thought was great. I could see throughout the story how the author might have been inspired by Christie’s work.

This book deals with grief quite a bit. It can also make you regret the things you didn’t do with a loved you’ve lost. If you are sensitive to books featuring the death of a family member, then I would think twice before reading this book. That being said, it isn’t a sad book at all, so keep that in mind as well.

Overall, I am very pleased with this story. It was spooky and engaging. I’m happy that I gave it a read! Let me know your thoughts on the book in the comments below, and please follow my blog to get notifications whenever I post.

Until The Next Chapter,
Bunny

Stuck In Park // Mental Health Struggles

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Hi Friends,
Depression has struck again! Does anyone ever feel like a car stuck in park or is that just me? My whole life I have wanted to do something amazing. If you don’t know when I was 14 years old I started an Online Magazine called ‘Sparkling Stars‘. It is actually still up if you want to check it out. It was fairly successful and I worked with many brands. However, it wasn’t a money making career choice. Sadly, money makes the world go around. 

I did have a successful YouTube beauty channel from 2007 to 2011, but than my mental health took a turn for the worst. I have started and failed at many things. I’ve had multiple blogs, released a poetry book and even started an Etsy shop. Honestly, this little book blog blog of mine is one of the longest things I’ve stuck with, which is pretty sad. 

I just want more. Not to say I want to be this big time influencer, but I have always wanted to do something that not only I loved but also brought me joy. I have a pretty complex life currently. My husband is disabled so I have to take care of him. I struggle with my bipolar, anxiety and as you can tell depression. Also, I would love to be a mom one day, but I don’t ever feel like I am good enough to be a mom. 

I was never good at school, and because of my husbands disability it would be hard to have a 9 to 5 job. For clarification, i would never blame my huasband for my life not being where I want it to be. He is my best friend and i love him unconditionally. That being said, I just feel so lost and confused. I don’t know what the point of this post is only to say if you are feeling like a failure or lonely, lost and have no idea where your life is going just know that I hear and I understand. 

I do want to stress that I am in no way suicidal or have thoughts of harming myself. If you have those thoughts please reach out to someone or call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (800-273-8255). The provide 24/7 support to enough in need. Please leave a comment letting me know that I am not alone in how I am feeling.

Until The Next Chapter,
Bunny

All This Time // Book Review

- Bunny 2 Comments

Author: Mikki Daughtry and Rachael Lippincott
Published: 2020
Genre: Young Adult/Romance/Mental Health
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Synopsis
Kyle and Kimberly have been the perfect couple all through high school, but when Kimberly breaks up with him on the night of their graduation party, Kyle’s entire world upends – literally. Their car crashes and when he awakes, he has a brain injury. Kimberly is dead. And no one in his life could possibly understand. Until Marley. Marley is suffering from her own loss, a loss she thinks was her fault. As Kyle and Marley work to heal each other’s wounds, their feelings for each other grow stronger. But Kyle can’t shake the sense that he’s headed for another crashing moment that will blow up his life as soon as he’s started to put it back together. And he’s right.

I was very excited to read this book, since I was a huge fan of ‘Five Feet Apart’ by this author duo. The only thing I knew about this story was that it was going to be a hard-hitting contemporary. Or so I thought. The story has a very interesting concept, with a few twist and turns.

The plot is less about death and grief, more about life and healing. One of the most interesting factors was that for the first half of the book, you think you are reading one story, but the second half is a completely different story.

The twists were somewhat shocking, but I figured out one of them pretty early. For me, that isn’t necessarily a con, but I know some people would prefer more of a surprise.

“That’s the first thing you said to me, remember? Once upon a time.”

I thought that I was going to bawl my eyes out, as I did with ‘Five Feet Apart’, but that wasn’t the case. I’m not going to say that the book wasn’t touching. Still, I didn’t find it too hard-hitting. In my opinion, if you aren’t into heartbreaking books, then you should be safe reading this one.

The ending was nice, and wrapped up the story well. We should always remember the ones we love, and how they made us feel. Keep their memory alive in our hearts. But there does come a point when the grieving should end. We shouldn’t let loss consume us.

The writing was great. I find the authors to be great storytellers, and I will for sure be picking up more of their books. Let me know in the comments if you have read, or are planning on reading, this book. You can always follow the blog, which really helps it to grow!

Until The Next Chapter,
Bunny

Radio Silence // Book Review

- Bunny 2 Comments

Author: Alice Oseman
Published: 2016
Genre: Young Adult/Contemporary/Mental Health
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Synopsis
Engaging with themes of identity, diversity and the freedom to choose, Radio Silence is a tour de force by the most exciting writer of her generation.

This book gave me ‘Catcher in the Rye’ vibes, since both stories don’t have a ‘true’ plot to them; it’s more of an important message. The whole point of the book was about finding yourself, doing what you love, and not conforming to others’ opinions of you. Life isn’t about making other people happy, but making yourself happy.

The characters were enjoyable to read about. And, there wasn’t a true romance plot, which is different than most YA contemporaries out there. It showcased friendship, and how guys and girls can be just friends. The book featured hardship and conflict, something that we all go through.

There were funny moments that made me laugh out loud. Other times it was sad, and making me feel empathy for the characters. Their emotions were raw and real. The plot wasn’t particularly fast paced, but the slower moving story helped to get the message across better.

“Hello. I hope somebody is listening.”

The underlying theme of everyone wants different things in life was amazing. There was such an element of truth within the story that the author captured well. Even when you think you know your life plan, it might not be as straightforward as you believe it to be. Following your heart is sometimes more important than what others expect from you.

There was a lot of focus on college, and if it is the only path in life. As someone that doesn’t have college degree, I know that school isn’t for everyone. At least it wasn’t for me. I want to mention the trigger warnings in this book, since I want other readers to know what to expect before going into the story. There is the death of a pet, suicidal thoughts, depression, and emotional abuse by a family member.

This book was a whirlwind of emotions, and a powerful story. I think it is best suited for older YA readers, who may understand the point of the story better. Please leave me your thoughts in the comments below. And it would make me smile if you shared and liked this post. Following the blog would make that smile even bigger!

Until The Next Chapter,
Bunny

3 Things That Help Me Cope // Anxiety and Depression

- Bunny Leave a comment

Hi Friends,
Today I wanted to talk about, I guess, a more serious topic – anxiety and depression. I suffer from both of those, along with other mental illnesses. Most days it can be a struggle. I know that a vast majority of people have anxiety in some way, and there isn’t a ‘one size fits all’ way to ease one’s anxiety. But, I thought I’d share the things that help me when my anxiety and depression are running wild.

Reading
This is probably an obvious one, but reading helps me get out of my own mind. I get to follow characters lives and escape the real world, if only, for a little while. Another great thing about reading is that there is something for everyone. Whether you enjoy mysteries or fantasy, or even a cute romance there a tons of genres to choose from that could help free you mind and keep you calm.

A Hug
For me, a hug from someone I love always helps. It might seem like the simplest of things, but when ever I’m feeling sad or anxious, I know that a hug from my husband will help get me through until the feeling passes. Sometimes all you need is to be embraced by a person that loves and cares for you and your happiness.

Exercise
Let’s be honest, nobody really likes working out. Yet, it can be beneficial for not only staying healthy, but while struggling with anxiety and depression. Exercise releases endorphins, which make you happy. After a workout, you will feel energized, stronger, and (hopefully) happier. If nothing else, you will get such a burn and be so exhausted that you forget all about your anxiety and depression.

These are the 3 things that have helped me when dealing with my mental health. Another tip, as taboo as it might be, therapy and medication can really help. Taking care of your mental health is important, and you shouldn’t be afraid to seek help. Don’t let the judgement of others stop you from doing what is best for you and your health.

Until The Next Chapter,
Bunny

Bookish, Blog & More // 2022 Goals

- Bunny 3 Comments

Hi Friends,
In this post, I am going to be sharing my bookish, blog and personal resolutions. I love the start of a New Year because it means new beginnings and adventures. I always like to make resolutions even if I sometimes don’t stick to them.

Blog Goals
– Be More Flexible: I don’t want to be so hard on myself when it comes to a posting schedule. I try to post three times a week, but I don’t want to stress out if that isn’t always possible.
– Branch Out: This is a book blog, and books will forever be the main focus. However, I want to post some lifestyle content every once in a while. I would like to share my other interests outside of books.
– Engage More: I want to read more blogs and engage with other bloggers. I don’t ever seem to make time to read blogs, which is something I hope to change.

Bookish Goals
– GoodReads Goal: As per-usual I would like to achieve my GoodReads goal. I have set it at 50 books, and I think it is doable.
– Read My Shelf: I own a lot of unread books, and that stresses me out. I want to make reading my own books a priority this year.
– Backlist Books: I tend to pick up new releases or hyped books. This year, I want to make an effort of reading older titles that I never got around too.

Personal Goals
– Mental Health: My mental health is very important to me. I want to remember to stay on top of my mental health, and take care of myself.
– Routine: I would like to have more of a set morning and night routine. Something that will put me in a good mood, and help start the day off right. As for night, I want to have a routine that I can look forward to at the end of the day.
– Stay Active: I wouldn’t say that I am not an active person, but I do go weeks without doing any kind of fitness. I would like to consistently be active and healthy.

Those are some of my goals for the year. I have other goals, and one major personal goal. But I thought I would just share a few with you all. Do you make New Year’s resolutions? What are some of yours? Don’t forget to start off the year right by following my blog!

Until The Next Chapter,
Bunny

One Way Or Another // Book Review

- Bunny 1 Comment

Author: Kara McDowell
Published: 2020
Genre: YA/Contemporary/Holiday
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Synopsis
Sliding Doors meets To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before in a sweet, smart holiday romance about a girl who decides to stop letting her anxiety stand in the way of true love.

I saw this book in stores last holiday season, and the cover intrigued me. I went into the book completely blind, since all I knew was that it is a YA contemporary that’s set at Christmas time. But, this book threw me for a loop. We jump straight into the plot from the get go, and learn all about the main character, Paige. She is an extreme worrier, who is paranoid to make a decision. She overthinks every choice, and gets anxiety when thinking about the effects her choices can have on her life.

In the book, we follow Paige as she spend Christmas with her best friend, and long time crush, Fitz. However, we also follow her to New York where she spends the holiday with her mom. The book showcases alternating time lines where the reader gets to see the outcome of both choices. At first, I was completely confused, because she was on a plane to New York. Then suddenly, Fitz was picking her up so she could spend Christmas at his family cabin.

As the book went on, I got use to the dual storylines. It was a cool concept, and with such an indecisive main character, I understood why the author chose to go this route. Still, I didn’t feel like the whole dual timeline works in a book. I have seen movies with this type of plot, and prefer it in films and shows rather than books. Yet, even in live-action, the lines between both paths can become blurry.

This was supposed to be a friends-to-lovers story, which I think got lost along the way. At one point, I was rooting for her to end up with another potential love interest. Paige was way too invested in Fitz, which was slightly annoying. Her crush wasn’t subtle or cute, but obsessive and desperate. She was pining so hard for her best friend, who was a serial dater. We do learn a lot about Fitz and the reason behind his relationship habits, but by then, I already wasn’t a fan of his character.

Something that the author did remarkably well was the mental health representation. Like Paige, I suffer from mental health disorders, anxiety being one of them. I completely understood her thoughts and worries in a way that only someone who also feels that way can. She thought that her brain was broken, and was scared that her illness was a burden to those around her.

“Rabbit holes are my specialty. I live and breathe in them.”

There are many times when I have felt the exact same way. It took me a long time to understand that my brain isn’t broken, but it does work differently than others. If anything, this is a self love story about coming to terms with your mental health struggles, and realizing you don’t have to let them control your life.

As for the two time lines, I’m not sure which one I enjoyed more, but I did find the ending thought provoking. It begs the question that all things will ultimately turn out the way they’re supposed to, no matter the path to you chose. It’s an interesting concept. One really has to wonder if fate does play a big part in our lives and decisions.

As a whole, the characters and plot weren’t my favorite, but I wouldn’t categorize the book as a disappointment. Have you read this book? Do you like alternating timeline plots? If you are a fan of reviews, give this post a like and a share. And make sure to follow the blog for all my post notifications.

Until The Next Chapter,
Bunny