#GiftGuide The Best in Books and Music in 2019

Posted on December 11, 2019 by The Smart Cookie

Christmas is two weeks away. I planned to have my annual gift guide up much earlier but it did not work out. Without further ado, here are the books and music items I recommend you get the bibliophiles and cineophiles in your life.

P!nk’s Beautiful Trauma Emotional, raw, and vulnerable with P!nk’s signature belt-like vocals
Love and Gelato: A fun YA centered around a girl who just lost her mom ventures to Italy to meet her father and learns that Italy is a romantic place and their gelato is one of a kind.
Out of the Dark by Mandisa Did you just go through a dark period where you weren’t sure if the light would trickle in ever again? Are you currently in one? Listening to this will shine a light so bright in whatever darkness or trial you are facing that you will live to see another day.
Meaning of Life by Kelly Clarkson: Emotional but dancy Clarkson came back strong with this one.
#MusicMonday: Panic At The Disco’s Pray For The Wicked will take you to the church of rock and roll
#GivingTuesdaySeries: Why I Chose The Christina Grimmie Foundation From Socks that benefit the Christina Grimmie Foundation, beach towels, and leggings, it’s pretty clear you should always espresso yourself and rock your socks off! with each and every moment you have.
#MusicMonday: Happiness Begins 2019 saw the return of The Jonas Brothers. Rock out to their comeback album like they haven’t been gone for 10 years.
Your Heart is The Sea by Nikita Gill Since this was released, she has come out with a new one but this one was helpful in the healing, realizing, and processing part of coming out a traumatic experience or experiences.
Loved Mars, Hated The Food by Willie Handler Satire is a genre I never thought I was a fan of until I read both of Willie’s works. This year he released this second novel about a Toms River, NJ chef who gets stuck on Mars. It is equal parts funny and delicious.
Mania by Fall Out Boy: Their seventh studio album doesn’t have one bad song on it. Despite much criticism for the new sound, they still rock n roll like legends.
After Laughter by Paramore: Released in 2017 but since I’ve always been a fan I listened to this new work from the alternative rock band as they welcomed back their bassist and lead singer Hayley used this album to tell the story of her battle with depression.
What You See Is What You Get by Luke Combs Following the success of his debut album, Combs releases the second that is a definite country music banger from start to finish. You witness the maturing of Combs’s sound and lyrics as he celebrates his recent engagement and winning a CMA this year for Beautiful, Crazy.
Albert The Albatross by Oscar Redden IV A children’s book that teaches the importance of a good attitude. Beautiful colorful illustrations accompany Albert’s journey as he shares wisdom with the young and the old.
#GivingTuesdaySeries: Why I Chose Project Semicolon (New Merch Product Reveal) #EndTheStigma: Recently released on December 3 2019, this backpack 100% supports Project Semicolon, a charity that benefits people who struggle with mental health issues especially suicide prevention.

There you have it, another year in books and music. If I missed your favorite, share it in the comments below. As always you are welcome to find gift suggestions in both my merch shop and support any of my lovely affiliates.

Here is 2020 being the year you choose to ESPRESSO YOURSELF!

Happy Holidays!

and Merry Christmas!

#GiftGuide: Best Music Albums in 2017

Posted on December 14, 2017 by The Smart Cookie

There were too many earworms in 2017 that I decided to narrow down my musical fangirling to an album only list of the Top Ten. The great thing about music is that it’s subjective so your favorite may not be here. If I missed one, comment below. Maybe I’ll make a playlist for 2018.

10. Ryan Follese by Ryan Follese

The lead singer of Hot Chelle Rae goes solo and heads back to his country roots with his first pop country solo album. Croon along to One Thing Right or jam out to Roots, either way you’ll fall in love with Ryan’s singer-songwriting talent and musicality.

To read the full review, feel free to float your boat.

9. Alessia Cara’s Know It All

This Canadian pop rocker will have you realizing your beautiful and not alone at that party you didn’t want to go to but are now stuck at.

To join our Wild Things Club, visit here

8. Tomorrow We Live by KB

Tampa native and Reach Records rapper KB just released a new album October 20 but to here the one that had my haters looking at me sideways and believing we will win, check out the rapper’s second album.

I won’t play anymore games, I’mma just do it.

7. Identity by Colton Dixon

How do you identify? Well with one listen of Colton Dixon’s third studio album I was renewed in my faith as a believer in Jesus Christ and realized why each of us is marked with his fingerprint because he designed us with a unique call and purpose. To find out more about the brand new life and how love came down, check out Colton’s newest album.

For all that matters, visit here.

6. All is Vanity by Christina Grimmie

Her final musical project is her debut album. Post-humanous and with her signature supernatural vocal range, Grimmie shares song that showcase her r&b musicality and lyrics that showcase her huge heart and that she was okay with having standards.

For full review and to read my memorial post, join Team Grimmie

5. Lifer by Mercy Me

Christian rock supergroup is back with a project even i couldn’t imagine. Every song on it is repeat-worthy and will have you happy dancing even if your answer doesn’t come right away.

To join Team life, visit here.

4. ’91 by Jamie Grace

Jamie Grace is back with her first independent release but third studio album that represents the Christian music from the nineties she grew up on.

To join Team ’91, feel free to get your dance on.

3. All Things Work Together by Lecrae

With his first major label release, Lecrae will inspire and sow hope as he will make all who listen to this album see that he’s no stranger to hip hop music but instead aims to reach higher.

To find hope in all things, visit here.

2. Tell Me You Love Me by Demi Lovato

Six albums later and Demi Lovato is no longer apologizing for who she is. Instead, you’ll catch the singer-songwriter in raw and real vulnerability that will make you fall in love with her artistry.

To meet Lovato and all her daddy issues, visit here.

Waves by Rachel Platten

Some of you may not know this but Rachel Platten was the first major artist to support The Smart Cookie Philes directly and her sophomore album proves she’s not done making waves or putting up a fight, she’s just not going to apologize because she’s not perfect for you.

Love her or leave her alone, she’ll keep dancing on broken glass.

Happy Holidays and I hope 2018 is the year you start #ESPRESSOYOURSELF

#GiftGuide: Best Books I Read in 2017

Posted on December 14, 2017 by The Smart Cookie

New this year, I read 58 books according to Goodreads so I wanted to share some of my absolute faves in a gift guide fit for the smart cookie in your life.

Know someone who loves to read? Wrap one of these or all of these and place it under the Christmas tree to look smart this Christmas.

Without further ado, I will work my way up from 10,

10.

They say what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger…

Calida Jokobi doesn’t see it that way. Surviving an abusive relationship with a sadistic, manipulative man changed her. She has spent the last two years carefully constructing her new persona with two goals in mind: to keep the remaining pieces of her heart safe and her deepest secrets buried. One man puts it all at risk.

Malcolm has been a part of Calida’s life for as long as she can remember. A friend. Her first teenage crush. Now he’s asking for something she swore she’d never give again: her heart.

Calida must decide if she should risk the fragile façade she’s created and give Malcolm the chance he’s asking for.

They say love can heal all wounds…

Malcolm Frankel wants to prove to Calida it’s true. She survived a hell most people couldn’t fathom. He’s been by her side fulfilling whatever role she needs him to play. All except the one he wants most. It took nearly losing her to make Malcolm realize he couldn’t keep denying his feelings.

He knows no one goes through an ordeal like that and comes out unscathed, but the closer they get, the more he learns just how deep Calida’s wounds go.

She’s the only woman he’s ever loved, and Malcolm is ready to put his own heart at risk for a chance at mending hers.

To read my review and for purchase links, visit here.

9. B.S. Incorporated by Jennifer Rock and Michael Voss

If you just finished re-binging The Office on Netflix and need something to fill the gaping whole that remains because they decided not to bring it back for a re-boot, read this equally funny novel about a company that could rival Dunder Mifflin for sure.

For my review and for some share-worthy quotes, please visit my Meryl Streep room.

8. Magician’s Workshop I & II by Christopher Hansen and J. R. Fehr

Chronicles of Narnia meets Harry Potter in this allegorical novel about children that live in a society where their color decides whether they will train with the town’s magician’s in the exclusive workshop.

For my full review of both novels and some pinterest-savvy quotes, visit my wardrobe.

7. The Hundred Lies of Lizzie Lovett by Chelsea Sedoti

This book was one I randomly decided to read on a whim but was glad I made such a rash decision because as an acquaintance solves the mystery of what happened to recently disappeared Lizzie Lovett, town popular girl, you will learn some life lessons that will share more truth than lies.

For my full video review, please visit the mysterious campground.

6. The Door Keeper by Steen Jones

Fantasy isn’t really my genre but that’s why I was as surprised as you are that I completed reading this book in one day!

For full review and the gist of the magic that awaits behind that door over there, here’s the key.

5. Chasing Eveline by Leslie Hauser

A young adult novel equivalent of an earworm it shares the story of how music moves us and keeps us moving.

For full review, feel free to press play.

4. Proof by Ted D. Berner

A science fiction novel based on Genesis 6:4 that exposes all those conspiracy theories you always wanted to know were true or not.

To find out all the secrets, enter at your own risk.

3. Family First by D.D. Bridges

An urban fiction novel following an elite African-American family that takes in a juvenile delinquent who shows the family what it means to be truly misjudged.

For my full video review, court is adjorned.

4. Fairytale by Danielle Steel

I wasn’t a fan of Danielle Steel until I read this book. Now I want to read all her books. She’s the queen of a great plot progression and romantic story line.

To journey to the wine country of Southern California, click here.

The Father Effect by John Finch

Becoming a dad is easy but being a father is harder. See what kind of effect you leave on your children by reading John Finch’s memoir style book.

For full review and to purchase the novel, find encouragement here.

Congrats to all those in my Top Ten list. If you want to see your book in this list in 2018, be sure to contact the Smart Cookie asap at wittywriterpoet26@gmail.com.

Until next year, have a happy holidays and may 2018 be the year you choose to #ESPRESSOYOURSELF

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