Read Along: The School for Mirrors by Eva Stachniak Question: What do you think Madame de Pompadour really thinks about her relationship with the King? Do you feel empathy towards her? My Answer: It’s easy to develop feelings with someone you share intimate moments with so I’m thinking she really loves the King. Unfortunately, the King could not offer her more than companionship so she settled on just being a friend and keep the King company instead of being sent away. Can’t wait for the real plot to begin! Thanks for my free copy of the book @penguinrandomca @tandemcollectiveglobal and @estachniak 🔖 #tandemcollective #tandemreadalong #theschoolofmirrors #historicalfiction #schoolofmirrorsreadalong #bookishcanadians #bookblogger #bibliophile #bookstagramphilippines #bookrecommendations #bookstagramfeature #instabook #booksofinstagram #readersofinstagram #bookfeature #booksbooksbooks #bookgram #booknerd #bookcommunity #bookstagrammer #bookreviewersofinstagram #books #readingcommunity #bookloversofinstagram #goodreads (at Versailles, France) https://www.instagram.com/p/CoEAlX2r8Xb/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

Read Along: The School for Mirrors by Eva Stachniak Question: What do you think of the story so far? Do you like the alternating points of view? What do you think of Véronique's mother's decision? My Answer: I love historical fictions especially if it involves kings and queens. I definitely love how the story opens. The alternating POV is a tease that keeps me thinking how the story will unfold for Veronique. I hate her mom’s decision tho but I think it was normal during those days. Definitely need to read more and find out what happens next!! Thanks for my free copy of the book @penguinrandomca @tandemcollectiveglobal and @estachniak 🔖 #tandemcollective #tandemreadalong #theschoolofmirrors #historicalfiction #schoolofmirrorsreadalong #bookishcanadians #bookblogger #bibliophile #bookstagramphilippines #bookrecommendations #bookstagramfeature #instabook #booksofinstagram #readersofinstagram #bookfeature #booksbooksbooks #bookgram #booknerd #bookcommunity #bookstagrammer #bookreviewersofinstagram #books #readingcommunity #bookloversofinstagram #goodreads (at Calgary, Alberta) https://www.instagram.com/p/CoBR9CAPl4R/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

TANDEM COLLECTIVE READALONG ALERT‼️ The School of Mirrors by Eva Stachniak Blurb: During the reign of Louis XV, impoverished but lovely teenage girls from all over France are sent to a discreet villa in the town of Versailles. Overseen by the King's favourite mistress, Madame de Pompadour, they will be trained as potential courtesans for the King. When the time is right, each girl is smuggled into the palace of Versailles, with its legendary Hall of Mirrors. There they meet a mysterious but splendidly dressed man who they're told is merely a Polish count, a cousin of the Queen. Living an indulgent life of silk gowns, delicious meals and soft beds, the students at this "school of mirrors" rarely ask questions, and when Louis tires of them, they are married off to minor aristocrats or allowed to retire to one of the more luxurious nunneries. Beautiful and impressionableVéronique arrives and quickly becomes a favourite of the King. But when she discovers her lover's true identity, she is whisked away, sent to give birth to a daughter in secret, and then to marry a wealthy Breton merchant. This is also the story of the King's daughter by Véronique—Marie-Louise. Well provided for in a comfortable ho has never known her mother, let alone her father. Capable and intelligent, she discovers a passion for healing and science, and becomes an accredited midwife, one of the few reputable careers for women like her. Eventually Véronique comes back into her daughter’s life, bringing with her the secret of Marie-Louise's birth. But it's a volatile time in France . . . and those with royal relatives must mind their step very carefully. Gorgeously written and with a breathless pace, this is the story of a mother and a daughter—at the centre of cataclysmic personal and public turmoil. I’m so excited to start this Readalong with the rest of our amazing hosts! 🥰 Thank you @penguinrandomca @tandemcollectiveglobal and @estachniak for my free copy of the book! 🔖 #theschoolofmirrors #tandemcollectiveglobal #tandemcollectivereadalong #tandemreadalong #bookmail (at Calgary, Alberta) https://www.instagram.com/p/Cn3EG4RLYLN/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

📘 Frog's Mystery Twin 📚 Bored book 2 ✒️ Matt Stanton | @itsmattstantonhere 🖨 @harperkidsau 🌐 @tandemcollectiveglobal 🛒 https://amzn.to/3eSYVL2 AD-PR PRODUCT The series may be titled 'Bored' but these books are anything but boring! In the first book with Milo, we met Frog, who was the new kid in the block (Turtle Place). In this instalment, we got to know Frog a lot better starting with him being the new kid in school. Ooh, I think we all know the pains of being the new kid but Frog is determined that this time, it'd be different. And he absolutely DID (capitals to exaggerate) it. What started as sort of fun though became twisted like an out-of-control roller coaster. It begins as a funny laugh-out-loud type of book but dig deeper and there were so much to unpack and discuss. I love Frog's sense of style and his individuality. I love this group of friends and their generosity for each other. These books have very short and snappy chapters which made the reads go so fast and with the story itself being an absolute attention grabber, an easy pick for kids to love. 💚💚💚💚🐸 Thank you, Tandem Collective, for organising & publisher for the copy of the book Tagging all my buddies in comments 👇 #TandemCollective #TandemCollectiveGlobal #FrogsMysteryTwinReadalong #TandemReadalong #FrogsMysteryTwin #MattStanton #middlegrade #humour #aussiereads #aussieauthors #loveozmg https://www.instagram.com/p/CkezzSOysnB/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

We’re in the last question for this Readalong: Dreamland by Nicholas Sparks Swipe left for the question A: honestly didn’t see the twist coming, though my guess from the start was about half correct. I knew that somehow, Beverly’s motherly love would fit in the story. I would have done the same thing Colby did actually, if I were in his shoes I would think that I owe a lot of my childhood from Paige and his aunt. It just happened that Morgan’s and Colby’s love for each other was strong enough to make sacrifices and pull through. I’m so happy for them. Thanks to @tandemcollectiveglobal @doubledayca and @nicholassparks for my copy of the book. I’ll post my review tomorrow as I’m still trying to wrap my head around it. 🔖 #dreamlandnicholassparks #tandemreadalong #bookishcanadians #bookblogger #bibliophile #bookstagramcanada #bookstagramphilippines #bookaddict #instabook #ilovebooks #bookishcommunity #booksofinstagram #bookstagramcommunity #books #bookreviewer #igreads #bookworm #readersofinstagram #booksbooksbooks #bookgram #booklover #goodreads (at Calgary, Alberta) https://www.instagram.com/p/CjA-9IbLF3Y/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

Readalong: Dreamland by Nicholas Sparks Q: In the two parts we’ve read today, we have seen the blossoming love between Colby and Morgan, as well as the mother’s love of Beverly. How do these two different types of love compare and how are they different? Do you think Beverly is at risk from Gary as she believes? What do you think will happen with Colby and Morgan’s relationship? A: I honestly can’t think straight after reading Beverly’s POV. I’m scared for her, and I really feel sad about how her story is looking so far. I haven’t read any Nicholas Sparks book but I hope this resolves in a good ending. I think these two types of love are similar in how fierce they are. And different in what kind of love they give. Both types loves are willing to take risks: Colby’s and Morgan’s take the risk of getting to know a stranger they are clearly attracted to, and Beverly’s love for Tommie makes her willing to leave a comfortable life to keep her son safe from her husband. And yes, I believe Beverly is at risk from Gary. He hurts her and he hurts his kid. I wouldn’t feel safe with a guy like that. I’m not sure what Colby and Morgan’s relationship will come out to be but I’m hoping for the best for both of them. Their story kinda gives me the ‘A Star is Born’ vibe but only the pretty side of it. Thanks to @tandemcollectiveglobal @doubledayca and @nicholassparks for my copy of the book. 🔖 #dreamland #tandemreadalong #bookishcanadians #bookblogger #bibliophile ##bookstagramphilippines #bookrecommendations #bookstagramfeature #instabook #booksofinstagram #readersofinstagram #bookfeature #booksbooksbooks #bookgram #booknerd #bookcommunity #bookstagrammer #bookreviewersofinstagram #books #readingcommunity #bookloversofinstagram #goodreads (at Calgary, Alberta) https://www.instagram.com/p/Ci_3jqTrEAm/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

Another day on the Readalong for Dreamland by Nicholas Sparks Q: Although the circumstances may be different, what do you think of Beverly’s attempts at making the house more homely? Do you have any rituals in a new place? What do you think you would do first? A: Honestly, I think what Beverly’s doing is great. She’s trying to provide a safe place for Tommie as it may have been a shock to him leaving the house he grew up in and moving to an entirely different setting. She’s just trying to personalize the space while also think about what Tommie would think about it. I would do same. I would make the place my home, it should be a safe space where everything is customized to what I like. When I moved to a new house in an entirely different country, the first thing I did was buy wall decors, and made sure that my beddings and curtains matched. I bought a lot of other smaller things like figurines and rearranged my furnitures the way I wanted them to be. Honestly, I’m more interested about Beverly’s story more than Colby and Morgan’s but I can’t wait to see how these two totally different stories would intersect. Thanks to @tandemcollectiveglobal @doubledayca and @nicholassparks for my copy of this book. 🥰 🔖 #tandemreadalong #dreamlandreadalong #nicholassparks #dreamlandnicholassparks #bookishcanadians #bookblogger #bibliophile #bookstagramcanada #bookstagramphilippines #bookaddict #instabook #ilovebooks #bookishcommunity #booksofinstagram #bookstagramcommunity #books #bookreviewer #igreads #bookworm #readersofinstagram #booksbooksbooks #bookgram #booklover #goodreads (at Calgary, Alberta) https://www.instagram.com/p/Ci8-v0uL1qh/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

Catching up on #tandemreadalong for Dreamland by Nicholas Sparks Q: Think back to Morgan’s views in being an influencer, and the pressure that it puts on her. Do you agree with her? Do you think influencers have a duty of care to their followers? My answer: I think Morgan is a very thoughtful person and that she thinks really hard about the consequences of her actions before she acts on it. I believe influencers have to care for their followers, and should be responsible of the content that they share on social media. I can see that the whole trend when it comes to TikTok is other people try to imitate something they saw that went viral or is obviously interesting to a lot of people. With that in mind, I believe it’s the influencer’s responsibility to take a minute and reflect about their content and how it would affect people especially the younger audience. On another note about Morgan, her father is ethnically Chinese who moved to the Philippines and lived there for a long time which is the reason why her family name is Lee. I’m still happy that the Philippines has been given attention to be included in this book, knowing that it’s written by a bestselling author. Thanks to @tandemcollectiveglobal @doubledayca and @nicholassparks for my copy of the book. 🔖 #nicholassparks #dreamlandreadalong #bookishcanadians #bookblogger #bibliophile #bookstagramcanada #bookstagramphilippines #bookaddict #instabook #ilovebooks #bookishcommunity #booksofinstagram #bookstagramcommunity #books #bookreviewer #igreads #bookworm #readersofinstagram #booksbooksbooks #bookgram #booklover #goodreads (at Calgary, Alberta) https://www.instagram.com/p/Ci6j20LrZus/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=