Rainy Days With Amanda

Hello everyone! It rained last night here in Texas, which is nice because we really needed it. Some quick updates before I begin today's topic: My book is being proofread as we speak (keep up with updates by subscribing to my author website )! I have also become a Shutterstock Contributor , so check out the few photos I have right now of Japan's countryside. Other than that, things have been kind of crazy, but not too bad. So today I'm going to talk about Airbnb ! I recently started using Airbnb and I thought it might be helpful for those of you out there wanting to know how Airbnb works and if it's a good option for your next trip. Why I first used Airbnb  I first decided to use Airbnb when my husband and I were planning our trip to Japan. I was in charge of getting our room and I remember seeing Airbnb commercials recently and was hearing more and more of my friends using this service. I quickly looked through the Airbnb's in Japan and compared th...

So, things in life are happening, so we'll see if this month I'll get back on my usual schedule. But until then, I have a new book review just for you! (and you, and you, and you!). As some of you may or may not know, I am currently writing my book. Actually, it's almost done. I just ordered my draft copy last week, so we'll see how that goes. If you would like to keep up with that new or like to see pictures of cats, quotes, nature and some of the weird and pretty things I find, then subscribe to my author page ! So, have any of you ever thought of writing a book? Well, I can tell you reading a book about writing a book was not my first reading choice, but it was a good choice and I'm glad my friend gifted it to me for my birthday. Here is my review of What's Your Story? A Young Person's Guide to Writing Fiction by Marion Baurer . A Little Bit of Background  Let's take a quick look at author Marion Bauer. Bauer has been writing since the high s...

I was on a good schedule, (one week book review, one week rainy thoughts and one week author review). But this month has been hectic! One, I got married! Two, I was in Japan for a whole week! So I'm a little off schedule, but I really wanted to do a blog post about Japan. It was my husband and I's first time out of the country. It was crazy, it was weird, it was hectic and it was the best time of our lives! I'm going to try to go as smoothly as possible, but be warned! This is blog post may be long! (with video at the end). So here are the different categories I will be discussing, in case you are planning a trip to Japan: Getting there Day 1 Food Culture Disney Tokyo Sea Akihabara Mount Fuji/Kawaguchiko Love Letter To Japan Getting There Getting to Japan felt like the longest day 2 days of our lives! First off, we actually booked our flight out of a city we were currently living in, about 5 hours away. We booked the flight before my fiance found a good j...

I was meaning to post this yesterday so that it would be part of April, but I ended up getting all the stuff for my self-publish book out for review! And heads up, you might not hear from me for the month of May, for I'm getting married and going to Japan! But I'll try to post at least once and go back to regular schedule. Anyways, onto the review of Erin Morgenstern 's #1 National Bestseller, The Night Circus . SPOILER ALERT! A Little Bit of Background Erin Morgenstern is a best-selling author, who is most famous for the book we are currently reviewing. She actually wrote The Night Circus during the span of 3 NaNoWriMos . She never thought of herself as a writer growing up, but did enjoy writing little random things here and there. She does not have any formal writing training, but that doesn't stop her from doing what she is passionate about.  As for the story, The Night Circus takes place in the late 1800's to early 1900's. It is definitely about ...

So, there was a thunderstorm not too long ago, but since then, not a cloud in the sky. Wish the rain would come a little, but at the same time, I would like for it to be sunny so I can tan, but then again, I don't want it to be too hot the wedding. But now I'm just blabbing on. Anyways, speaking of wedding, I have to try my hardest to stay healthy and let me tell you, it's not easy, but it is doable. Going to the Gym Needs Motivation I love going to the gym. I feel like I'm getting stronger, I''m healthier and the gym can you feel like you did a great job. The thing about going to the gym is that you have to keep motivated. some days, I'm hyped and ready for the gym. Other days, I just want to stay on the couch watching Judge Judy or continue playing The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild.  What I do to help me stay motivated for the gym is to remind myself why I'm doing this in the first. Of course, I want to look good on my wedding da...

Hello! I hope you all had a wonderful Holiday weekend! I was so excited when I got an email back from Janet's assistant about answering my interview questions! I wish we would have had a more personal conversation, but I know she is probably a busy lady. I'm just glad she was able to take the time answer some questions that I had, she is my favourite author after all! Read the full interview below and enjoy. Photo Courtesy from Jerrilynnledford.com How did you get into writing? After I got a college degree in art, I discovered that I was allergic to the pigments in paint, so there went that idea.  I'd been making up stories ever since I was a child.  When my kids were little, I decided to see if I could write a book.  It took me three manuscripts and 10 years before I finally got published. Who would you say is your favorite character you have ever written, so far? I would have to say it would be Grandma Mazur, who, by the way, was inspired by my own Aunt Len...

Hello everyone! Just trying to settle into my new townhome. But everything is almost up and I feel more zen (I think that's the word). I just feel better writing when everything is in its place. Do you guys ever feel like that? Anyways, I was so excited to read this book! I actually read my first book from Roz Chast last year, when one of my former professors assigned it to our Image/Text class. You can read that review here . I was very happy to pick up this book that Chast recently published last year. I loved visiting New York and I love Roz Chast, so it's the perfect combo! And with that said, onto the review of Going into Town: A Love Letter to New York ! SPOILER ALERT! A Little Bit of Background Roz Chast  is a published author who grew up in Brooklyn and went to college at the Rhode Island School of Design. She  published this book in 2017. Before this book, she illustrated many other books and has had her cartoons appear in the New Yorker since 1978. She conti...