Hello everyone! March was a super busy month for me and I went into a bit of a slump. Uni has been kicking my ass lately and I have a lot of essays to read for that, so haven’t read much outside of uni stuff. I only managed to finish two books, sadly.
The first book was Salvage the Bones by Jesmyn Ward (audiobook)
This was for my climate change fiction module in uni. I liked it more than the previous novel I read by this author (Sing, Unburied, Sing) but I still didn’t love it. I think this will be the last book I read by Ward.
Lastly I listened to *Act Your Age, Eve Brown by Talia Hibbert (audiobook)
Oh my godddd. This was just amazing! I was so excited to see this on Libro.fm’s ALCs for March. I loved every moment. The whole series is just incredible. I’ll have a review up for this soon. *gifted
Hey bookworms! Is it just me or did Feb fly by?! I can’t believe it’s March already. Let’s hope this March is a good one…
Anyway, I had a really good month in Feb! Despite starting back at uni, I still managed to read a lot! I read a total of 8 books!
*The Girls I’ve Been by Tess Sharpe – Rating: 4 Stars Ice by Anna Kavan – Read for uni/ No rating Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte (reread) – Read for uni but have previously read. Rating: 5 Stars The Year of the Flood by Margaret Atwood – Read for uni/ No rating
Dat’s Love by Leonora Brito – Read for research/ Rating: 2.5 Stars A Darker Shade of Magic by V.E Schwab – Rating: 3 Stars (review coming soon) Parable of the Sower by Octavia E. Butler – Read for uni, but this was on my tbr already/ Rating: 3 Stars Instant Karma by Marissa Meyer (audiobook) – Rating: 4 Stars (review coming soon)
How was your reading in February? Any new favourites?
Happy February! I don’t know about anyone else, but I felt like January was the lost month ever. I didn’t read much in Jan, I had a lot going on, I didn’t expect to read much anyway. I’ve been dealing with personal issues on top on uni deadlines. It has been a chaotic month and I’m glad it’s over! I did manage to read 3 books, which I’m happy with:
Graceling by Kristin Cashore (reread)
I kick started the year with a reread. I want to reread this series before diving into the new book, which was released in Jan. I was super worried I wouldn’t like this book upon rereading, it had been 4 years or so since I first read it. I ended up really loving it! Review here // Rating: 5 Stars
The Invisible Life of Addie Larue by V.E. Schwab
Next, I finally read Addie Larue. Which I meant to read last year, but didn’t get around to it. Oh wow. I have so many thoughts on this. I have a full review coming soon (it’s quite a lengthy one). I have so many feelings on this book. I started off thinking I wouldn’t like it, by the end I loved it. Rating: 4 Stars
The Midnight Library by Matt Haig
Lastly, I read another book I didn’t get to last year. I really wanted to love this, but I just didn’t. I’ll discuss it more in my review. Rating: 3 Stars
How many books did you read in Jan? Any new favourites?
I thought I’d combine my wrap ups into one post for ease. I didn’t get to everything on my TBR but I did pretty well! In December I read a total of 5 books
How the King of Elfhame Learned to Hate Storiesby Holly Black – 4/5 Stars Queenie by Candice Carty-Williams – 4/5 Stars Wrapped Up in You by Talia Hibbert – 2/5 Stars Dance of Thieves by Mary E Pearson – 3/5 Stars A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens – 3/5 Stars
(I’m behind with reviews, I’ll try to have them up asap)
2020 Wrap Up
My goal for 2020 was to read 40 books, I ended up reading 53! Books per month: January – 5 books February – 3 books March – 4 books April – 4 books May – 3 books June – 4 books July – 5 books August – 2 books September – 3 books October – 9 books November – 6 books December – 5 books
Best month was October / Worst month was August
Even though summertime is free for me being a student, it’s always the time I go into a slump. How typical. That’s why August was my worst reading month, I was in a really bad slump for most of the year, honestly.
One of my goals was to read one book a month by a Black author, I ended up exceeded this and reading a total of 18 books. Which I’m very happy with!
How was your reading in 2020? Did you achieve your goals?
Hey guys! Happy December! I literally cannot believe we’re in December. This has been such a fast year yet has also dragged?! Such an odd year. I’ll be doing 12 days of Blogmas, so I’ll be posting every other day up until christmas eve!
The Scorpio Races by Maggie Stiefvater
Starting off the month with this audiobook, I thought it was fitting to start reading this on November 1st, since the races happen on that day. I’ve been wanting to read this for a while and I did enjoy it, it’s not a new favourite or anything. Rating: 3.5 Stars
Hey guys! Happy November! I cannot believe I’m saying that. October flew by. I, for once, have had a successful month! I ended up reading 4 books, 4 audiobooks & 1 graphic novel!
Books read: The Fire Next Time by James Baldwin
This was my first read of the month, which was for uni. Very interesting read, I highly recommend anyone who is interested in inequality and the African American experience to this this a read. It’s very short but very informative. It was written in the 60s, but honestly feels like it could’ve been written today, the similarities between the societies is strikingly apparent.
Odd and the Frost Giants by Neil Gaiman (audiobook)
As I was dealing with heavy topics for uni, I decided to get my personal reads light and easy. So, I listen to a few short audiobooks, this being the first. I loved it! It was exactly what I needed. Neil Gaiman’s magical writing never fails to make me feel all warm and fuzzy.
Rating: 3.5 Stars
Chivalry by Neil Gaiman (audiobook)
Again, Neil Gaiman. This one was exceptionally short, literally half hour or so. It’s still a nice read, the story was enjoyable and the acting cast were really great in their roles. Rating: 3.5 Stars
Milk and Honey by Rupi Kaur (audiobook)
This was a huge flop for me. I have a review up if you wish to hear my ranty thoughts on this. Rating: 1 Stars Review here.
Between the World and Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates
Another uni read.
Kindred by Octavia E. Butler
And another uni read. This one was fiction for a change but dealt with heavy topics also. I really liked this one, I finally see the fuss around Octavia Butler’s work. I am glad I finally got to read something by her.
Binti by Nnedi Okorafor
On Halloween, I decided to do a mini readathon on my own, just to cram some final reads into October. I started and finished this audiobook in one sitting. Although it was interesting and very unique, it not what I expected. I’m still unsure of my feelings completely, I will put a review up on my final thoughts soon. Rating: 2.5 Stars
To Be Taught, If Fortunate by Becky Chambers
I started this a while ago, thinking it would be a quick read. I was wrong. I’m quite disappointed in this book, I have to say. I need to collect my thoughts on this one too. I will have a review up soon.
*Mooncakes by Suzanne Walker and Wendy Xu
*Netgalley ARC
Luckily, I ended my readathon and month on a high. This graphic novel was the cutest thing ever! I loved every moment, it was very cutesy and a little spooky – perfect Halloween read. Again, I will be reviewing this one in full soon! (I clearly have a lot of reviews to catch up on)
In addition to getting reading done, I’ve also watch a lot more films lately, mostly for uni but I still wanted to include them in the wrap up!
In order of watch date: Crazy Rich Asians (2018) – This was good but not as good as I expected. I am Not Your Negro (2017) – This was for uni, very informative. I recommend everyone watch this documentary. Psycho (1960) (x2) – Uni. Surprisingly enjoyed this. I had never seen it before but knew a few things about it, obviously, it’s iconic. Love and Monsters (2020) – This was cute, decent watch. Not a new fave or anything, but I’ll watch anything with Dylan O’brien. (What a babe) Rear Window (1954) – Uni Get Out (2017) – Uni Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner (1967) – Uni
I’m currently studying Hitchcock, which is why I watched Psycho twice and Rear Window. I’m also studying a module on African Americans which is why I watched I am Not Your Negro, Get Out and Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner. I was pleasantly surprised, I enjoyed all my set films!
Hello! How fast did September go?! I literally blinked and it was over.
Little life update:
The title of this post is both a pun and actually legit. I was in a car crash in the beginning of September, spent a night waiting in a&e and my boyfriend’s car ended up being irreparable. Luckily, neither of us were seriously injured. We were suffered from bad whiplash and bruising. Since then I haven’t really been reading, my mind couldn’t concentrate on reading. I was on strong pain medication for a bit, which made me sleepy and drained. I really hoped for a good reading month but oh well. I still managed to read 3 books, all at the very end of Sept.
Books I read in September:
Firstly, I read An Enchantment of Ravens by Margaret Rogerson
This book was disappointing to say the least. It was just an overall flop for me, unfortunately. I have a full ranty review up if you wish to see my full thoughts. (Spoiler free, of course!) Rating: 2.5 Stars // Review here
Next, I listened to the audiobook of *All Along You Were Blooming by Morgan Harper Nichols
I listened to this because it was super short and I wanted something easy to listen to. I’ve also been trying (and failing) to get into poetry. This really wasn’t my cup of tea. I didn’t feel connected to the poetry at all. I didn’t think the poems were anything amazing or interesting. I think this book is probably better off read physically. The physical book has illustrations which probably helps tell the story. Rating: 2 Stars
Finally, on the last day of September, I decided to try and squeeze in another book. I picked *The Voting Booth by Brandy Colbert.
Which ended up being my favourite read of the month! I’ll have a review up soon with all my thoughts but I think this book seriously needs more hype. I have never seen anyone mention this book! I only know about it through Libro.fm as it was part of their ALCs for a month.
Rating: 4 Stars
What did you read in September? What was your favourite?
Hello book friends!
Happy August!
This has been the slowest yet longest year ever?! Anyone else feel that way? Such an odd year. I’ve been in a reading slump basically all year but finally (!!) I’ve had a decent reading month. I somehow managed to read all great books! Not a single bad read in sight!
Clap When You Land by Elizabeth Acevedo (audiobook)
Hey guys!
Happy July! Damn June went fast, I can’t believe it!
June was kind of a bad month for me, I was in such a bad slump. By June 17th I hadn’t finish a book since May 18th-ish and was struggling to find motivation to read. Considering I read basically nothing for the first half of the month I’m surprised I managed 4 in the second half!
Why I’m No Longer Talking to White People About Race by Reni Eddo-lodge (audiobook)
This was super informative and interesting. It is a MUST read, in my opinion.
I have tried to write a review but I have no words to express everything. I’ll try and get a discussion post on this book, maybe?
Rating: 4 Stars
Let Me Hear a Rhyme by Tiffany D. Jackson (audiobook)
This was a surprised. I borrowed from my library on a whim and I actually really enjoyed it. I love the 90s setting and the music theme, it was so cool to listen to. Full review here.
Rating: 4 Stars
House of Earth and Blood by Sarah J Maas
And here is the cause of my reading slump. It took me a MONTH to read this. Most of it is pretty boring. I was disappointed in this book. I have full ranty review on this, you can check out here. I have A LOT of feelings about this book.
Rating: 3 Stars
Take a Hint, Dani Brown by Talia Hibbert
Finally, this book saved my sanity. After reading HOEAB I need something fun, quick and lighthearted. This was ADORABLE!
I will have a review up soon!
May wasn’t the best reading month for me, I had finals and my mental health was suffering. I didn’t manage to read as much as I wanted but I still read a few. I’ll keep the wrap up portion pretty short, I won’t discuss each book in this post, I will link my reviews if you wish to know my thoughts!
Firstly, I listened to the audiobook of Sofia Khan is Not Obliged by Ayisha Malik
Here’s hoping I finally get out of my reading slump in June.
I will be posting my TBR soon, keep an eye out for that!
Currently reading: House of Earth and Blood by Sarah J Maas – After having to put this down for over a week I want to get back into this and finish it.
June TBR
With everything going on with the #BlackLivesMatter movement, I’ve decided to prioritise Black authors this month so I can promote their books as much as possible. I have loads of books by Black authors I haven’t read so I will be trying to get through as many as possible this month!
Definite reads:
Let Me Hear a Rhyme by Tiffany D. Jackson
(Audiobook)
I’d never heard of this book before seeing it on my library’s app; it was available right away so I borrowed it. The premise sounds intriguing and it is by a Black author, so perfect!
Clap When You Land by Elizabeth Acevedo
Another audiobook from my library. I requested this when it first came out last month and I’m still waiting for it to be available but it estimates June 24th, so hopefully, I’ll manage to finish it before June ends!
I am blessed that I have a NetGalley arc of this! I LOVED the first one (which I kinda wanna reread it before this?!) I cannot wait to read this one! This is one of my highly anticipated reads of 2020. I know it’s going to be a goodie!
(Plus, hello faking dating trope!)
Full Disclosure by Camryn Garrett
This is LGBT+ – perfect for pride month!
It features a HIV positive character, which I’ve never read about before, I’m looking forward to learning more about it.
Some other Black authored books I own that are potential reads:
I’d never heard of this book before seeing it on my library’s app; it was available right away so I borrowed it. The premise sounds intriguing and it is by a Black author, so perfect!
