Brittney Kristina Books

ZOMBIE BOOKS! 🧟‍♂️ How do you feel about them? I absolutely love zombie books, as well as films and games. It’s interesting, though, because my worst fear, excluding heights of course, is the zombie apocalypse. And no, I’m not joking—when I was young, and to this day, I will occasionally peak outside my window before bed and look for any limping person in the distance. Once, I saw someone staggering in the shadows, then disappearing, and I panic-searched the web for any signs of zombies. Also, thanks CDC for heightening my fear for about a month!! :D But, I cannot get enough of them! I think it’s some sort of weird, subconscious, exposure therapy? Who knows! I recently devoured Warm Bodies by Issac Marion, and while it had some issues, as does the movie, I was obsessed with it. I loved delving into R’s mind, or the mind of a conscious zombie, and catching a glimpse of the apocalypse through his eyes. Also, it was immensely emotional, existential, and introspective, sharing wisdom on humanity, love, and how we view “monsters”. Anyway, it was better than the movie, in my opinion, and will go down as another 5-star read from me! ~ ~ #zombie#zombiebooks#warmbodies#issacmarion#books#bookish#booklover#bookreview#booksandnature#bookstagram#reader#readersofinstagram

Not pictured: me having a minor breakdown just before these photos when the trail got steep due to my unavoidable fear of heights, and so my mom and I took the opportunity to snap some cute photos while the rest of the group continued. Regardless, I can never get enough of being in nature. 🌿🥰 (Also, I couldn’t decide on just one photo so enjoy... well, all of them, haha!) #hiking#nature#adventurer#earthy

Perfectly imperfect. 🌿 This is my debut novel, Forsaken. I wrote it at 14, published it at 16. It’s not perfect. I find grammatical errors nearly each time I sift through, discover formatting mistakes from time to time, oftentimes slip deep in my mind and think of everything I could have done better, should have added, would have adjusted if I were to wait, write it later in life. At one point, I remember almost taking it down, rewriting it, sinking inward when people told me they bought it, were planning to read it, worried they’d hate it rather than enjoy it. But, I realized that having a perfect book isn’t the point, now is it? Because books will never be perfect, will never be finished, will always have errors in some way or another. No piece of art will ever be perfect—whether in the eyes of the creator, or the consumer, there will be something wrong. And, if I did take Forsaken down, rewrite it, who’s to say I won’t want to rewrite it 5 years from now, and again, and again? When I wrote Forsaken, I was beyond joyful, immensely fulfilled, pouring this vast world into the pages every day for hours, never growing bored. I loved every part of it, Skylar Vail was my best friend, this world was my home. Why would I ever want to take this away from my younger self, change it without her willlingness? I’m not sure if this is making since, but overtime, especially as I watch others craft and edit their own stories, I’ve understood the importance of accepting that your work will always be perfectly, imperfect. It is beautiful as it is, as it was published, as it was presented, because at that time, it was everything to you. Don’t ever feel ashamed for the work you’ve done, feel PROUD, that you did it! I love Forsaken, for all that it is, exactly. While that little girl with a dream has grown up now, has learned a lot since, Forsaken will always be the imperfect beginning to this winding journey to come. I couldn’t be more proud of that little girl who didn’t give up, kept on writing, and did it, fearlessly, with passion. 📖 ~ ~ #author#bookstagram#bookish#forsaken#forsakenbook#brittneykristina#books#booksofinstagram#writersofinstagram#writing#amwriting

Finished Damsel by Elana K. Arnold today and—I have no words. I am stunned. The premise is: To become King, a Prince must slay a dragon and rescue a damsel, who will then become his Queen. Ama, the damsel, awakens with no recollection of her past, how she was captured by the dragon, how Emory, the Prince, slayed the dragon, etc.. While awaiting the wedding, she asks questions, trying to find the the answers that claw at her. But, in a male-dominated world, she has trouble leaving her chambers and even speaking up at all. The twist, at the very end, when Ama finally uncovers the truth, is jaw-dropping. At least, for me. I have never read a book quite like this. While at times hard to read, the writing is simply gorgeous and the story demands to be read. My goodness, this was a 5-star read from me, easily. 📖🐉🔥 ~ ~ #books#bookish#bookstagram#reader#reading#amreading#damsel#elanakarnold#fantasybooks#feminstbooks#coffeeandbooks#cozy#bookreview#bookrecommendations

Why, hello there! ☕️ What are some of your plans/goals this week? In all honesty, I may or may not have partied too hard this past weekend. 🤭 Oh, and I might have gotten in fender bender on the highway... to say the least, this past week/weekend has been absolutely crazy, in both wonderful and simply aggravating ways. Therefore, this week, I am diving back into life mindfully. I plan to begin a consistent exercise schedule (something I lost during finals week and never really picked up again), finish edits on a secret project I’m working on, figure out my goal for my blog/start writing more consistent posts, and set more boundaries to create more mindfulness in my days. I don’t know about you, but I tend to overpack my days—but not this week! Oh, and I plan to spends lots of time reading, as I have some pretty large books to tackle this summer! 📖 But of course, our lives won’t naturally fall back into place. It starts with small, mindful habits. Some of mine this week include daily movement, daily meditation, and waking up a tiny bit earlier to plan my days and set my mind straight. Anyways, I hope you had a lovely Monday and start of your week. 🥰 ~ ~ #bookish#bookagram#reading#currentlyreading#booksandcoffee#crazyweekend#booksandcoffee#blogger

I watched a singular episode of The Handmaid’s Tale on Netflix when I thought to myself: I need to read the book first, and NOW. I do this often, because I like to think the books are better, more authentic, and I had a feeling that this was the type of book I’d enjoy. And it was. Other than lagging toward the end, this book was phenomenal, and I especially enjoyed its gorgeous writing style. But also, this story was haunting, and Margaret Artwood wasn’t afraid to hold back. This has certainly made my list for one of my favorite dystopias (not to live in, of course, but to read about, haha). I simply loved all of the relationships between characters, the complex introspection of Offered, the constant curiosity regarding this strange world and what was going on behind the scenes, what had happened that led the world to this state. I was constantly on my toes, entirely engrossed. In the end, I gave this one 4.5 ⭐️ ! If, like me, you’re a lover of dystopia and aren’t afraid to take on the tragic themes, this ones for you! ♥️🥀📇 ~ Next, I will be reading Damsel by Elana K. Arnold! What are you currently reading? 📖 ~ ~ #bookish#bookstagram#books#author#authorsofinstagram#writer#writersofinstagram#reader#readersofinstagram#amreading#thehandmaidstale

A perplexing rarity, in which Brittney didn’t read for the majority of the trip and instead actively participated in late night swims, the haunting tales of the dogfish, being burnt to a crisp, and passing out mid-way through a dungeons and dragons game (sorry Jared). That’s what happens when you’re accompanied with some darn good people. 🏝🤗 (But of course, there was a bit of reading as well. 📖) ~ ~ #summer#summertime#beach#beachread#booksonthebeach#bookstagram

First read of the summer! 🌞 I was drawn to The Love That Split The Earth by Emily Henry due to its fascinating premise; when Natalie’s “Grandmother”, who only comes at night, tells her, “You have three months to save him,” everything changes. Having experiences hallucinations all of her life, they’re immensely heightened, and things shift right before her eyes, and furthermore, she runs into a jock with a dark past named Beau, whom she’s never seen before but who claims he’s lived here his entire life. Love, alternate realities, and theories of time... this book takes you on a mind-bending ride! I will say, however... this book missed it’s mark and I only ended up giving it 3 stars. I discuss it more on my Goodreads, but in short: there was simply too much going on, the romance felt a tad rushed, and I wasn’t emotionally drawn to the story for some reason. Otherwise, if you’re in need of a fresh YA novel with a unique story, check this one out! 📖 Also, I had no idea Henry also wrote Beach Read until halfway through this book.... I can assure you TLTSTW is immensely better than Beach Read... 🤭🤣 ~ What are you planning to read this summer? 🤗 ~ ~ #bookreview#bookstagram#bookish#booklover#reader#amreading#book#thelovethatsplittheworld#firstsummeread#summerread

I normally go through periods of change twice a year, once at the new year, once around my birthday. It’s always the same; the ground beneath me trembles, and not only have I lost all that I’m familiar with, but I’ve lost myself as well. For a few days, all feels unsteady, uncertain, even hopeless. And then, just beyond the darkened corners of my vision, I see light—new relationships, new opportunities, a new version of myself, washed and polished and ready for what’s to come. And, like it was always meant to happen this way, all that I’ve been hoping for falls perfectly into place, and the earth beneath me combines and flattens, and the road paves it’s way before me, and one step at a time, I descend toward the life I’m supposed to be living right NOW, not then. Change is hard, and frightening. But, April showers bring May flowers. And in my experience, it all seems to work out in time, exactly as it’s supposed to. All you need is patience and the inner strength to stand tall against the storm, trusting that what’s to come will be even better. And besides, you can only truly grow within the storms, with the assistance of a little rain, a little introspection. At least, in my experience. 🌿🌺🌻 Anyway. Due to not only finals and my birthday but this inevitable period of harsh change, I haven’t been reading nor writing. But, with this new bloom of not only myself but the changing seasons, the peak of sunlight shining down from between the cloudy skies, I’m ready to make this a marvelous summer. 3rd novel, growing pile of books, and fun blog post ideas, here I come. 📖 I hope your summer goes wonderfully. And if you’re going through a period of change, I hope you emerge out of the rain as a beautiful ray of sunshine. 🌞 ~ ~ #writing#writer#writersofinstagram#writingcommunity#author#authorsofinstagram#summer#change#changeiscoming#changeisgood#hellosummer#cozy#introspection#blogger

I can now officially drink a glass of dry red wine while I read... something I’ve surely never done before! 🍷📖 Truly, I am beyond grateful for my family and friends who helped me celebrate my 21st orbit around the sun. Thank you to everyone who reached out with the kindest of messages! 💞🤗 & swipe to see how it REALLY felt to drink that entire liter of beer 🥵

On a rainy morning, I picked up Michelle Garcia’s Cul-De-Sac Angels and I was immediately transported into her vast mind. Thanks to her beautiful way of words and delicate yet raw imagery, and her ability to put difficult feelings and experiences into poems and writings that made my heart clench, I felt not only immersed in her writing but deeply understood in ways that I still cannot put into worlds. It was like I belonged there, nose-deep in the pages. This book is everything I hoped for and more so. I’ve had the pleasure of following Michelle for some time, and was thrilled to be able to hold her book in my palms. By far, this was some of the best writing I’ve ever read. I’m not even the biggest poetry fan, but Michelle writes in a way that presents poetry and creative nonfiction in an entirely knew way, one that only she could manage to do. Read it, y’all. Just read it. ~ ~ #books#bookish#rainyday#bookstagram#bookreview#cozy#cozyvibes#rainyday#culdesacangels#michellegarcia#favoritebooks#reading#amreading#readersofinstagram

Finished Parable of the Sower by Octavia E. Butler today, a lovely (yet creepily realistic and oftentimes uncomfortable in that gruesome actions were normalities) dystopian after a world different from ours, and yet similar in far too many ways. It was the kind of dystopian that made you wonder where humanity will end up. I I had to read this book class, but then again, I didn’t really “have” to, as I’m sure fellow readers can relate to. Also, dystopians have always been one of my favorite genres, and I crave them, yet I’ve never understood why. I like living in worlds far different that my day-to-day life, yet still need something to ground me, make me curious in regards to the future, make me look at my own world in an inverted way. Perhaps that’s why. 📖 Have you read this novel? What did you think? 🔥🐕🩸 Now, time to write my own dystopian... 🍄🌲🐿🌿🚶🏽‍♂️ (only hints you get) ~ #bookish#bookstoread#books#parableofthesower#dystopian#reader#readersofinstagram#writer#writersofinstagram#writerscommunity#bookstagram

Haven’t posted a picture my books in a while... so here they are! 🤗📖 ~ ALSO. I may have spontaneously spent my entire day switching back to WIX and creating a new site.... I know. I know. I can be a mess sometimes. But long story short, especially as I’m dabbling back into writing, I realized I wanted to showcase my works a bit more. Without realizing it, I had boxed myself in again, encouraging myself to write simplistic posts about mental health and simple living. While yes, I enjoy those topics, they’re not... ME. They’re not all of me, and neither is writing, nor books, nor college, etc.. Passions change and fluctuate and that’s okay. So hopefully, with a playful yet professional site that showcases all of the parts of myself... I can finally feel *somewhat* comfortable. At least, more “me”. Also, I uploaded a post: Why NOT blogging for 2 months improved my life, if you want to check out a hot take on the blogging community .... 🤭🤪 ~ ~ #blogging#blogger#author#authorsofinstagram#writer#writersofinstagram#writing#blog#blogpost#mynovels#mybooks#bookstagram#books#bookish#coffeeandbooks#cozy

When someone tells you they finished your book and enjoyed it > BUT > it was much weirder than they expected... Am I the only one who experiences this a lot? 🤭😂 Honestly, I’ve never understood my strange, unique plots and need to make any normal situation psychological in some way or another. But hey, that’s just my writing style, and that’s a-okay! Embrace your weirdness, especially on the page. However, the funniest thing is that people probably expect something light, sweet, “normal” from someone like me, but... if that’s the case, you’re in for a bewildering ride. Just a warning! 🤪 Also, Happy Easter everyone! 🥰🐰💐

“You still can’t do a push-up? What’s wrong with you?” “Why’d you say that? God, you sound so stupid.” “I’m so mad that you ate that ice cream last night. Why’d you eat that ice cream?” “You’re too nice. You smile too much. You’re such a sweetheart. God, I hate it. No one takes you seriously.” “Who are you to write another book? Who do you think you are?” “You’re still too big.” Loving myself hasn’t been easy. Not in the slightest. It’s a tough journey, accepting yourself exactly as you are, understanding that journeys take time, that just because you’re not where you want to be right now, it doesn’t mean it’s impossible. And it doesn’t mean that where you are now is “bad” or “wrong” or even “laziness”. Those angry words in your head... they don’t have to control you. Not if you don’t give them power. In fact, they’re not even real. It takes time, loving yourself. It takes new perspectives. A hard look at yourself in the mirror. Reflection. Self-compassion. “I’m so proud of you for improving your push-ups. I believe in you.” “Sometimes you say weird things, but that just makes you, you. I love your quirkiness.” “That ice cream was absolutely delicious and I loved every spoonful of it.” “Screw it. You like to be kind, but you have depth like everyone else. You are exactly as you’re meant to be.” “I have a story, a voice, so I’m writing another book.” “You are perfect in my eyes, because you have flaws, you have shape, you have jiggle. You were perfect before, and you are perfect now, and in the future, you will be perfect, too.” Just remember: social media skews reality. You are not alone. And, like everyone else, you are perfect, exactly as you are. 💞