The Reader Confession Tag

September 12, 2016 ~ Cheyenne Raphael ~ 6 Comments

Hey bookworms! At long last, (after I remembered that I forgot to add this to the todo list), I bring you the reader confession tag! Much thanks to The Quirky Book Nerd for tagging me! You guys should really go check out her blog because she is awesome, and I am sorry for forgetting to add this to a todo list so I’d actually remember to do it in a timely manor… School ruins everything!!! 😤

Anyway… It is now time to spill all of my bookish confessions onto a screen for the entire internet to see! Well… Ok… So in actuality it’ll only be the tiny corner of the internet that reads this blog, but it was a lot funner, (more fun???), to write the first time!

1. Have you ever damaged a book?

Not that I can remember… I read mostly eBooks, so those are kinda hard to damage! 😄

2. Have you ever damaged a borrowed book?

I am absolutely sure that I have never damaged a borrowed book!

3. How long does it take you to read a book?

Umm… It depends on the book, my schedule, what’s around to distract me, and whether we’re talking about actually reading a book or listening to it… I’m blind as a bat and read braille, so reading that way I can finish a 350-500 page book in 3 or 4 days if I really enjoy it. Now… By the end of the school day, I am usually SO sick of the feeling of braille dots, and my fingers and arms are tired from moving across a display and being raised up on my desk that the idea of touching my BrailleSense to read one more word makes me want to scream. Therefore, I have mostly been listening to audio books or having Voice Dream Reader read stuff to me. When I do that, I can finish a 350-500 page book in 2 days or so.

4. Books that you haven’t finished?

Twilight

Vampire academy

I’m sure some of you are screaming at me right now, but I didn’t make it through the first Twilight book, and I will NOT be finishing the Vampire Academy series. I think I made it to the third book in that one before I decided I just couldn’t take it any longer. I’m sure there are a couple other books that I haven’t finished, but those two are the ones that stand out.

5. Hyped/popular books you didn’t like?

Red Queen

You mean other than Twilight? Cause I reeeeeally cannot stand Twilight! I guess Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard is the most recent. I’ll be reviewing that series soon so you can see all my wonderful thoughts!

6. Is there a book you wouldn’t tell anyone you were reading?

I will read whatever I wanna read, and if you’ve got a problem with it, you can just get over it! I do NOT value your opinion of what I’m reading, unless you wanna talk bookworm stuff! Then feel free to express your opinion! 😜

How many books to you own?

Well my Kindle library says 550, but I’ve got WAY more than that in other eBook formats that don’t show me a nice statistics screen.

Are you a fast reader or a slow reader?

I’m really fast among braille readers, but I have no idea how that stacks up in sightling terms! I keep up with my sighted classmates ok, so I’m just gonna say I’m a fast reader and call it good…. 😆

Do you like to buddy read?

Umm… Read this post! I’m thinking about starting a “Bloggers Bookclub,” so click the link above for my rambling and more details and drop me a line if your interested! And to actually answer the question for those who won’t click the link, (I know there are some of you crazy people), I LOVE to buddy read!

10. Do you read better in your head or out loud?

I read waaaaaaay better in my head! Like you DO NOT want to hear me read anything lengthy out loud!

11. If you were only allowed to own one book, what would it be and why?

The raven boys

Ok first of all, this is a horrible question and will probably give me nightmares tonight! Harry Potter was the first thing that came to mind, but that answer is probably way over used… So I’m going with The Raven Boys by Maggie Stiefvater! It’s my current obsession, (review coming shortly), and I think I could read it again and again and still get something new out of it every time!

I Tag:

•Michelle @ The Writing Hufflepuff

•Emma @ Emma The Book Lover

•Anyone else who wants to do it

*If you’ve already done this or just don’t wanna do it, don’t feel obligated! But if you do decide to do it, drop me a link so I can see your answers!

Let’s Start A Discussion!

What did you think of my answers? Would you answer anything differently? What book would you choose to own if you could have only one, and what books have you not finished? Also, let me know if you’re interested in a bloggers bookclub because I think it really needs to happen! Let’s chat in comments!

Goodbye Summer; Hello No More Free Time!

August 15, 2016 ~ Cheyenne Raphael ~ 1 Comment

Hi guys! It is officially my last day of Summer… That’s right… I start my Junior year of high school tomorrow… Oh my gosh… I’m gonna be a junior! Anyway, no matter how much I try to will it out of happening, school is happening. And so in one last effort to cling onto this Summer, I’ve decided to do the Summer book tag… No one actually tagged me for this, but I’ve seen it floating around the internet, and so here it is!

LEMONADE: Pick a book that started off bitter but then got better.

Girl of nightmares book cover

Girl of Nightmares was SO sad, and… well… tortured I guess is the right word in the beginning, but it had the sweetest, or maybe bitter-sweetest, ending ever! My review will be coming soon, and you can click HERE to read my review of the first book in the series.

GOLDEN SUN: Pick a book that made you smile beyond compare.

The Worst Class Trip Ever

The Worst Class Trip Ever by Dave Berry is possibly the most hilariously funny book I’ve ever read! It’s a middle grade book, but I think anyone can enjoy it. It’s so stupid it’s funny in places, but it’s guaranteed to give you a good laugh! Just don’t read it in some place like school where you need to look somewhat sane cause you will find yourself laughing hysterically!

TROPICAL FLOWERS: Pick a book set in a different country.

The islands at the end of the world coverart

The Islands At The End of the World isn’t set in a different country, but it’s set in a different state, and it felt like a different country because of the difference in culture. It takes place in Hawaii, so there are also lots of tropical flowers! I guess I could have used Girl of Nightmares again because part of it happens in England, but I’m trying not to use anything twice, and I honestly haven’t read much that happens outside of the US this Summer.

TREE SHADE: Pick a book where a mysterious or shady character is introduced.

The Deviners

The Diviners by Libba Bray has several shady characters, but what’s cool about the book is that the reader is always one step ahead of the other characters and knows exactly what is going on at all times! The writing is SO amazing, and I have sO much to learn from it, and there will be a review for that going up soon!

BEACH SAND: Pick a book that was grainy and the plot barely developed.

Vampire Academy Book Cover

Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead needs some serious plot doctoring! It’s an ok book, but that structure needs some tightening! It’s got great characters, but the main plot pretty much fell apart by chapter three because the subplots started taking over everything!

GREEN GRASS: Pick a character that was full of life and made you smile.

The lightning thief

Percy Jackson was the first character who came to mind for this. Lets face it… Who doesn’t love Percy? If you don’t love Percy, then why on earth are you reading this blog?! Just kidding! All book lovers are welcome here, and your certainly welcome to your own opinion, but I’m also sticking to my opinion that Percy is awesome!

WATERMeloN: Pick a book that had some juicy secrets.

Girl of nightmares book cover

Ok… So I’m totally abandoning my rule of not using stuff twice, but Girl of nightmares just has SO many secrets that it’s perfect for this position! And maybe I just love it a little too much…

SUN HAT: Pick a book with a vast/big universe/setting.

Harry potter

Please tell me I don’t have to explain why I picked the Potterverse for this…

BBQ: Pick a book in which a character was portrayed as a hunk.

Vampire Academy Book Cover

Here I am using another book twice, but the hunkiness of one of the main characters is a BIG part of the problem with this book’s plot! I mean seriously… It’s ok to have romance in a book, but don’t trick me into thinking I’m getting an epic fantastical vampire filled adventure and then let that awesome plot get swallowed up by a doomed romance! Sorry… Rant ended… Maybe…

SUMMER FUN: Pass the tag on.

I’m not tagging anybody because I think a lot of people have already done it, but do it if you want! Drop a link in the comments to your post, and tell me what your favorite Summer read has been even if you don’t do the tag. Also, tell me about a book you’ve read that has secrets or shady characters because those are some of my favorite things to read. Good luck if your also starting school tomorrow, or if your starting it sometime soon! I hope you all are more excited about it than I am! I’m signing off now because school is tomorrow like I’ve already said about a zillion times and I told myself I’d be in bed an hour ago! Good night all you bookish and writerly people!

The Harry Potter Book Tag

August 8, 2016 ~ Cheyenne Raphael ~ Leave a comment

Harry potter

Since I’m a total “dumbledork,” and I’m still not over Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, I decided to do the Harry Potter tag in celebration of the eighth story! I promise I’ll try not to fangirl over Cursed Child the whole time… But it’s just SO amazing!!!! You can go HERE to see my Cursed Child review and the rest of my fan-girling, but for now, turn on the HP playlist above, and keep reading to see my answers to these tag questions!

FLAGRATE: writing charm

Vampire Academy Book Cover

A book that you found interesting but would like to rewrite

Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead

I liked Vampire academy. It certainly wasn’t your typical trope-filled vampire book, and it had some very interesting characters. It had an awesome plot in the beginning, but one of the subplots seemed to take over the main plot about three chapters in. I’d still recommend the book for anyone wanting to read something a bit different, but that plot needs fixing!

ALOHOMORA: unlocking charm

The lightning thief

The first book in a series that got you hooked

The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan

It took me a while to actually start the Percy Jackson series because it sounded to me like it might be a series about a bunch of wannabe super heroes, but I couldn’t have been more wrong! If you haven’t read it, go read it!!! Not reading this series is like not reading Harry Potter! It’s just wrong!

ACCIO: summoning charm

A book that you wish you could have right now

Girl of Nightmares by Kendare Blake

I want it NOW!!! I just finished Anna Dressed in Blood, which is the first book in this series, and it was amazing! I’ll have a review up on that sometime in the near future…

AVADA KEDAVRA: the killing curse

The Deviners

A killer book

The Diviners by Libba Bray

I’m not sure if this question means “killer” as in a good book, or “killer” as in lots of people die, so I picked a book that has both! The Diviners is freaky… Like I mean do not read this at night freaky… But it’s SO good! It’s made even better because I learned a lot about writing multiple POV characters while I was reading it!

CONFUNDO: confusing charm

Things fall apart

A book you find confusing

Things Fall apart by Chinua Achebe

I had to read this book for school last year, (which should tell you something right there), and the only thing I got out of it was that it involved African politics. Seriously… If you’ve read the book, and you can understand it without consulting spark notes, please explain the general plot line to me! As far as I can tell, it doesn’t have one!

EXPECTO PATRONUM: patronus charm

Fangirl Cover

Your spirit animal book

Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell

The first answer that came to mind was Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, or Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, but this tag already shows that I’m a total Potterhead, so I’ll be somewhat original. Fangirl is the first contemporary I’ve read and liked in a long while. As I said in my review, Fangirl didn’t seem to have much of a plot, but I was really able to connect with Cath, the main character. As much as I try not to admit it, I am a lot like her, and that’s why I’m saying it’s my spirit animal book.

SECTUMSEMPRA: dark charm

Anna Dressed in blood

A dark, twisted book

Anna Dressed in Blood by Kendare Blake

I already used the Diviners in this tag, so the dark charm goes to Anna Dressed in Blood. It is definitely dark and twisted! Like we’re talking’ voodoo dark and twisted! It was seriously creepy, perhaps because I was reading it around midnight since I couldn’t sleep, but it was also really sweet. It’s got some of the best characters I’ve seen in a long while, and it almost made me cry at one point. It’s probably made it onto my list of books with the reread ability factor, which is NOT easy to do! I could keep fan-girling, but I’ll save that for my review which should be going up some time tomorrow.

APARECIUM: revealing charm

The Fault in Our Stars

A book that surprised you in a great way

The Fault in Our stars by John Green

I am not a contemporary reader, and i don’t enjoy reading about real-life diseases. I have enough real-life diseases; I don’t need to read about them… That being said, I absolutely LOVE The Fault in Our Stars! I picked it up after about ten people yelled at me for refusing to read it, and I read the thing through in two days. It was SO sad… I mean… One character dies… But at the same time it was beautiful. The characters were so real and open that I was really able to connect with them, which honestly isn’t something I’m usually able to do with a contemporary novel. I’m glad I read it, and I’ll probably end up rereading it!

I’m not sure who has and hasn’t done this tag, or who is and isn’t a Potterhead, so if you wanna do the tag, do the tag! Drop a link to your post in the comments or tweet me @Cheyenne_writes, and I’ll check out your answers!

P.S… I found all those cover images myself, so please forgive me if any of them aren’t what they’re supposed to be! The blind girl finding pictures doesn’t always end well! If it’s anything completely insane, please, I beg of you, clue me in in the comments! I’m trying to keep the blind blunders on this blog to a minimum… 😉

The Handwriting Tag

August 3, 2016 ~ Cheyenne Raphael ~ Leave a comment

I wasn’t officially tagged for this tag, but I’ve seen it around on several blogs and thought it would be a good way for you to get to know me! I won’t tag anyone either, but if you want to do it, feel free to leave a link to your post in the comments.

The Rules:

Write your name.
Write your blog name.
Write your favorite word and it’s definition.
Write something nice.
Write the name of your favorite song right now.
What are you writing with?
Write a fun fact about yourself.
Write/draw your favorite emoticon.
Write a silly message.
Write who you’re tagging.

My Answers:

The Handwriting Tag

Since most of you probably can’t read braille, and if you can read braille, you most likely can’t see well enough to read what’s in that picture, I’ll be a nice person and give you a typed transcript of my answers…

Cheyenne Raphael
Cheyenne Raphael Writes
pelican: An aquatic bird of the tropical or warm water family. (there’s an inside joke there.)
all of you people reading this are awesome!!!
I Am Invincible by Cassadee Pope

A slate and stylus. (That’s a braille thing, so here’s a pic for you sightlings.)

Slate And stylus

I got to zip line at night!
The “face with tears of joy” is the one I use the most. 😂
The aardvark ate the anteater’s breakfast! I am now scared of the Flexy Keyboard app because it predicted that correctly….
Since I wasn’t tagged, I won’t tag anyone either, but feel free to do it if you want! And don’t forget to leave a link in the comments so I can see your answers!

The Get to Know Me Tag

July 22, 2016 ~ Cheyenne Raphael ~ 1 Comment

Hi guys! I wasn’t officially tagged for this tag, but I found it over on The Quirky Book Nerd, and I thought it would be a fun way for you to get to know me a little bit so I don’t seem like some random blogger with a robot personality. I won’t tag anyone else since no one exactly tagged me either, but feel free to do it if you want and leave me a link in the comments so I can see your answers.

Vital Stats

Name: Cheyenne

Nicknames: None

Birthday: November 18th

Star Sign: ♏︎

Occupation: High school student and hopefully future author!

Appearance

Hair Color: Brown

Hair Length: Really long… Like almost to my waste long…

Eye Color: Blue

Best feature: Umm… I honestly have no idea what to put here… Are we talking physical features or personality traits??? I’m gonna go with personality traits and say my ability to always crack a blind joke!

Braces: Not anymore!!! I had them for three years in elementary school.

Piercings: just one in each ear.

Tattoos: None, and I don’t ever plan to have any. I’m just not real wild about putting something permanent on my body…

Right Or Left Handed: Right

Firsts

Real Holiday: Umm… I think that would be when I was seven and we went to the beach for a week.

Best Friend: I met my first best friend in Kindergarten, but we have since grown apart.

Award: I’ve been on the honor roll every year in school, so does that count? I’ve also won lots of blue ribbons for my crafts that I’ve entered in the county fair, and I won first place in my state Braille Challenge when I was in sixth grade.

Sport: Does yoga count?

Concert: I played in my school band concert against my will in seventh grade, and that’s the only concert I’ve ever attended either as a player or a spectator.

Favorites

Film: It’s a toss-up between Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban and Mockingjay.

TV Show: I don’t watch a lot of TV, so the last show I really kept up with was the Vampire Diaries.

Color: Purple

Song: How bout five of my favorite songs?

■I Am Invincible by Cassadee Pope

■Warrior by Demi Lovato

■Fight Song by Rachel Platten

■Roots And Wings by Miranda Lambert

■something In The Water by Carrie Underwood

FYI… all of these songs have inspired my current writing project in some way.

Restaurant: Red Lobster, Applebees, or Cracker Barrel

Shop: Barnes & Noble? I usually buy everything online. 😉

Books: That is a terrible question to ask a bookworm like myself! I refuse to answer it because my favorite books change by the week!

Shoes: Yellow Box flip-flops in the Summer/cowboy boots in the Winter

Currently

Feeling: Sleepy…

Single Or Taken: Single

Eating: Nothing right this minute

Thinking About: This blog post and how I can’t wait to spend a week with my awesome friend and fellow blogger, (Macy @ Unicorn Nerdiness!)

Watching: This video:

Wearing: An old worn-out T-shirt and fuzzy pajama pants.

Future

Want Children: Hmmm… If I do have kids, I’ll probably adopt.

Want to be married: Maybe… Ask me in a few years!

Careers in Mind: My dream job is to be a young adult author, but I’m also interested in a career in psychology, preferably as a children’s councilor. Web design is also a possible option, as I’ve been learning HTML coding.

Where you want to live: Hawaii would be nice!!! That’ll probably never happen, but a girl can dream, right?!

Do You Believe In…

God: Absolutely!

Miracles: Yes!

Love at first sight: Umm… No… cracks silent blind joke I think it is possible to have a connection to someone on the first meeting, but I also think love takes time.

Ghosts: Yes

Aliens: Yes, I do believe that there are other levels of existence out there, but I don’t think that aliens are the little green men we see in the movies.

Soul Mates: Yes, definitely!

Heaven: Yes, definitely!

Hell: Not exactly the one we’re taught about…

Kissing on the first date: no, not really…

Yourself: Yes! I got this! 🙂

What Do You Think?

Do you agree with my answers? Would you have answered anything differently? Let me know in the comments, or drop me a link to your own tag post!