Hello friends, happy Sunday! How are you? I can’t believe it is (finally and already, at the same time) the beginning of August. This year’s flying almost as fast as all the books I am devouring lately…That’s crazy. And here comes another time to share my monthly wrap-up of happenings…Get ready.
This month has both been good and bad in so many ways. I was grateful to have a long weekend off work to spend with my loved ones, moments that came and went by way too quickly, as always. I might have bought too many books this month and my sister hates me because her TBR is the size of, well…TONS OF BOOKS. That’s scary, right? Regrets, you ask? I have absolutely NONE.
On the other end, I have been having a troubled month at work. I’m just tired of things I guess. It shall pass.
To spice things up for this quite boring part and since I’m guessing some of you are a teensy tiny bit curious to take a peek at my life (are you not?), I have decided to share my instagram pictures of the month…I’ve got three but that’s SOMETHING.
Also, after this, I am thinking that you will DROWN in pictures in my next month wrap-up. I shall have a diabolical laugh and make you all wait until Sunday’s blog post now.
I’m still on track with my reading challenge as I am 12 books ahead of schedule on Goodreads…So that’s good I guess. I have been reading slightly less this month, but well, just one book so it’s really not much. Also, compared to my contemporary-filled June, I’ve read fantasy, contemporary, dystopia and even thriller YA books. So…GO, me?
Books I read
A surprising ya thriller, slightly creepy but ultimately good.
Read my full review here.
An interesting retelling of beauty & the beast, mixed up with mythological elements and magic.
Set in the 1950’s in the US, a powerful take on segregation from two girls’ POV.
A magical and suspenseful adventure, a teensy bit less good than the hype said it would be, for me.
This was a re-read and I’m always in love with this series.
I would sum up this month of writing with four words: I’m trying, okay? Some days are harder than others, especially since I’ve been working on this for so long now, I don’t even know what else to do but push harder to finally finish this. I still love my story so, very much, but sometimes I’m just feeling lost or, like, because I don’t have enough time to dedicate to this story, that I’m not doing okay as a writer. #sillywriterthoughts
Also, going through with this idea of pushing myself harder, I have decided that I might share teensy snippets of my writing here….
When nothing goes right, go blog. Seriously that’s my motto at times. A lot of the time. Also I’m being overdramatic here so don’t pay attention to me too much haha. Blogging has always been some sort of a safe space, though, someplace where I feel like I can express myself and my bookish love and…it’s a nice escape. That’s what it’s been this month, really. I’m SO grateful for all of your lovely feedback on my blog post the past month, it’s been even greater than ever.
Book reviews
- Mini reviews: Queens of Geek, Jen Wilde & Gena/Finn,
- The Color Project, Sierra Abrams
- Always and forever, Lara Jean, Jenny Han
- Feel me fall, James Morris
Discussions
- The struggles of being an international book blogger
- How to: write a great blog post
- My book blogger bucket list
- On book cover lust
Bookish tags & recommendations
Nyx’s Corner
How was your month? How many books did you read, and which one was your favorite? What’s one positive thing that happened to you this July?
Let’s chat in comments!
I’m glad you enjoyed Caraval! I really need to read it to make up my own feelings about it because I’ve heard so many mixed things!? I’ve also really wanted to read Delirium for a while! Those pictures are gorgeous <3 Love them! I would love to see snippets of your writing and don't worry all writers have breakdowns sometimes <3
I hope you’ll read it, I would love to know your thoughts about Caraval. It was a good book, even if I didn’t fall in love with it.
YES please, I hope you’ll read Delirium someday – it is one of my favorite book of all times and I feel like it’s a bit underrated. It makes me sad 🙁
Thank you so much for your sweet comment and your support <3 <3 <3 <3
I’m sorry things haven’t been great at work for you, Marie! Sending you all the good vibes ?. Your photos are all so pretty?!!! I really need to read Delirium. It’s been on my shelf for SO long. I’ve been wanting to read more of Lauren Oliver’s book ever since I finished Replica. Hopefully I can soon!!
Thank you so much, Lauren, that’s so sweet of you <3 <3
Ohh YES, please do read more of Lauren Oliver's books, they are all incredible – Delirium is my favorite of all 🙂 <3
Your hometown is beautiful and that food looks so delicious!
I hope everything at work improves this month!
I have heard so many mixed things about Caraval so I am reluctant to pick it up!
OH thank you so much, Kristin, for your sweet words and your support, it means so much to me <3
I hope you'll want to pick up Caraval anyway someday. It was an entertaining book and I loved the concept, unfortunately I didn't quite connect with the characters to fall in love with it…but maybe you will! 🙂
My jaw literally DROPPED when you said you’ve decided to share some snippets!!! I’M SO EXCITED! Maybe it’ll help you feel a little less lost with your novel? <3
WHAT POST IS ON SUNDAY IS IT A TRAVEL POST??? WAIT YOU'RE GOING ON VACATION SO IN THE NEXT WRAP-UP YOU'LL INCLUDE PICS OF THAT RIGHT???
And 12 books ahead of schedule is awesome! I keep getting 1 ahead of schedule… and then back on track. 😛 I hope you'll feel better with work this month (especially if you're taking a vacation!). <3
I hope so ahah, I’m all nerves but well, I’ll share some snippets in the upcoming weeks maybe – I need to break out of this shell and do something ahah 🙂 <3
Hahaha, I love seeing all of these all caps, May 😛 And you'll know soon enough but YES there will be TONS of pictures on my next wrap up, that's for sure 😀
Well you are on track, so that's AWESOME, yay! 😀 Thank you so much for your sweet words and support, May <3 <3 <3
“upcoming weeks”: AAAGAGAHAH !!!
Ooh, I’m excited to see what you’ve got up your sleeve! 😛
That’s great that you’re branching out and reading different genres – I’ve been trying to do that, too! I agree, Caraval was not as good as I hoped it would be.
It’s good once in a while to discover something new – it’s even greater when we find out that we like the new things we try 😀
Oh I’m glad I’m not the only one feeling a bit “meh” about Caraval. I thought it would be incredible and I was a bit disappointed :/
Thank you so much, Angela, I hope you’ll have a great month! <3 <3
I love your Instagram pictures! I hope that work gets better for you. I really need to read Caraval. I bought it on release day, but it’s still of course sitting on my bookshelf unread ughh. I buy so many books, which leaves me TBR huuuuuuuge, sigh. haha.
Ohhh thank you, Ashley! <3
Ahah, there are just SO many books to read and so little time, I get the feeling. I hope you'll read it soon, I'd be curious to hear your thoughts about that one 🙂
Have an amazing month! <3 <3
I think I read many books this month, thanks to 24in48 and booktubeathon. Glad you had a lovely month too. One of my favourite reads of July was Six of crows. I had a doubt if it was over hyped but I ended up loving it. So totally worth the hype
Ohhh that’s great! It seems like these months are THE months of all the reading challenges.
I’m so happy you loved Six of Crows! I haven’t read that one yet – I’ll admit it, mainly because of ALL the hype, I’m a bit nervous. I’m so happy to hear you loved it 🙂 Thank you so much for your sweet comment, hope you’ll have a great month! <3
I’d love to read your writing! I also hope to read Lies We Tell and Caraval soon. Have an epic August!
Oh thank you, Elizabeth! <3 <3 I hope you'll read and love Lies We Tell Ourselves and Caraval:)
Have a great month! <3
First of all, let’s hug the hell out of the end of July *huuuuuuuuug*
Good and bad things, well, I wish only good things would happen to my Frenchie <3 I hope things improve at work. You've rocked blogging and reading, and hey, dear writer, keep trying 🙂 You're winning as long as you do it! xxx
Thank you so much my Sweechie, you are so very sweet <3 <3 I hope so, I'm glad to have a break coming soon 🙂 (also I quite need to talk to you about some place I'm going to…!!)
Thank you so much, you're the best <3 <3 <3
I really need to read the Delirium trilogy, it looks so good! Also: I LOVE those covers! I really want to read Cruel Beauty too as I’ve been in the mood for a Beauty and the Beast retelling.
I totally get you with the writing thing, it’s super hard. I have a WIP that I’m really passionate about because it’s about a girl with an anxiety disorder but I’m struggling to write it as I don’t really know what the plot is going to be and when I try to plan the plot, I don’t have very many ideas for it. I’m hoping I’ll get an idea soon haha!
I read 17 books in August (6 were graphic novels) which I’m SO PROUD OF. I haven’t read that many books in a month in YEARS. My favourites were And I Darken, The Hiding Place and A Darker Shade of Magic – they were incredible.
I hope you have a lovely August and good luck with the writing!
RIGHT? These Delirium covers are absolutely stunning, I love staring at them ahah. I hope you’ll give the series a chance someday soon, I love it so much. I hope you will too 🙂 <3
I haven't read too many Beauty & The Beast retellings, I want to read more after that one for sure! 😀
Ohh, I hope inspiration will strike soon and that you'll have ALL of the ideas. If you have a pretty good idea for the main character already, that's a start. Flesh her out and everything, maybe the ideas and / or what happens to her will come naturally once you've given her some thoughts 😀 <3
WOW, that's SO MANY BOOKS, it is awesome! <3 Also, so happy you loved ADSOM, it was so great, right?! I haven't read And I Darken but everyone's been recommending it. Maybe I should? 🙂
Thank you so much for your sweet comment, Kyra! I hope you'll have a great August! <3
Oh no,you had a bad time at work? I hope it gets better soon! <3
Also, congrats on reading so many books! I only read five, but my favorite was the Epic Crush of Genie Lo, which I was OBSESSED with.
I'M SORRY FOR NOT COMMENTING ON YOUR POSTS ENOUGH. I will do better this month, I was just busy with everything <3
Thank you so much, Julianna, I hope it will too <3 <3
OH I heard FANTASTIC things about the Epic Crush of Genie Lo, I added it to my TBR and I can't WAIT to read it, hopefully I will sometime soon <3
ALSO what is this nonsense?? No need to apologize, you are just SO SWEET always, thank you for taking the time to stop by, whenever you can, and just thinking of me, it is the sweetest thing already. You're the best <3 <3 <3
Yes, the Epic Crush of Genie Lo IS THE BEST AHHHH.
I AM NOT SWEET. I am #mean and the worst. YOU ARE THE MOST SWEETEST THING ARE YOU SILLY????
Well…let’s be mean together hahaha, are you kidding me, YOU ARE THE BEST ❤❤❤
It was a good month for me as well! Great post!
Oh I’m glad to hear it! Thank you so much 🙂
Oh I’m sorry this month has been a bit of a downer, especially when it comes to work and writing. I feel that way about work sometimes, I fantasize about running away and travelling all around the world, but it does pass. Also I’d LOVE to see some of your writing Marie, if you’re up for sharing it that is. 🙂 I hope your writing goes better next month but I think it’s a really positive thing you still love telling the story you’re writing.
You got through some great books too, I’m sorry Caraval wasn’t quite what you’d hoped it would be but I’m glad you really enjoyed your re-read of the Delirium trilogy! 😀
I bet you’re really excited for your holiday now, not long to go, and I hope you have an incredible August! 😀 <3
OH I’m glad I’m not the only one ahah, I fantasize about leaving everything as well at times.
Thank you, Beth! I think I’ll try and share more of my writing later on, it’d be good to rant about that as well ahah 🙂 <3
I am so, SO excited, you can't even imagine ahah 🙂 Thank you so, so much, Beth! <3 <3 <3
The dream would be to have enough money to turn that fantasy into reality right? 🙂
That’s all right, and oh that’s great to hear Marie. I’d love to see your writing, and your rants as well.
Not much longer now right? <3
Not much longer at all, no! 🙂
I’m sorry to hear things aren’t great at work, I’m sure it will pass and that everything will be perfect again in no time ?
That chicken and pasta dish looks so yummy ? I’m glad we had the same feelings about Caraval, it was good but it definitely wasn’t worth the hype!
Hope you have a good August!
Thank you so much, Michelle, I hope so too <3 <3
OH I'm glad I'm not the only one – it felt a bit overhyped for me :/
Hope you'll have a fantastic month as well! <3
Your pictures are so stunning and I look forward to what you have in-store for next month! I think that my sister feels the same way about me and my books. There can never be too many, right? I hope that you have some success with your writing endeavours, and I am glad to hear how much you enjoy blogging because it really is a great escape. 🙂
Oh thank you so much! <3 <3
Haha, you're right, there is no such thing as too many books 🙂
Hope you'll have a great month!
I seriously need to make it a point to come by here more often! i had the pleasure of chatting with your sister after mixing her up with you *for shame* lol. Bring on the Instagram photos, always lovely to see amongst the books 😉 I keep hearing such mixed things about Caraval & so I’ve held off a bit until I’m ready to lower my expectations lol. Happy reading, writing, and living Marie! 🙂
Ahah oh, don’t worry about it – my sister is blogging once a month, and we always try to have our signatures at the end of the post, but people aren’t used to it sometimes ahah 🙂
I’d be really interested to hear your thoughts about Caraval once you’ve read it. I thought it was entertaining, but a bit over-hyped :/
Thank you! Happy reading, and have a great month! <3 <3
I’m so disappointed that after all these years, I STILL haven’t read Lauren Oliver’s Delirium series, omg. It’s been everywhere, and I know it’s a beloved YA classic, but it always keeps slipping my mind. Seems like you had a great month all-in-all, Marie, though I’m sorry to hear about your work struggles. I hope everything works out for the best. <3 Your Instagram photos are so aesthetically pleasing. I hope you have a wonderful August!
~ Aimal @ Bookshelves & Paperbacks
OH, I so hope you’ll want to read the Delirium series someday, Aimal. It is one of my favorites of all times. It’s a bit outdated now, in a community where new and latest releases are always stealing the spotlight, but it’s fantastic 🙂
Thank you so much, hope you’ll have an amazing month as well <3
It seems that you had a great month! 😀 Out of the books you read this month I only read Cruel Beauty and I didn’t like it that much. It just wasn’t the book for me! I’m glad to see that you enjoyed it. Good luck with your writing! 🙂
Oh thank you so much, Anna! <3 I understand your feelings – I liked Cruel Beauty, but sometimes it left me a bit confused as well.
Hope you'll have a great month! <3
? I definitely bought too many books ?
It’s a bummer that work has been hard! I can relate dunce I don’t like my job at all…
I agree Caravan was really good, but it wasn’t my read of the year! I’m glad you liked it ?
Writing IS hard!! I’m having trouble with motivation at the moment too.
You’ll get there!
♥♥
Oh I’m sorry you’re not liking your job, Esther. If you ever need to talk about it or complain or anything, I’m here ahah 🙂 <3
Writing is SO HARD at times, it's also hard to know where you're going or if it's worth it or anything… I'm struggling a lot at times, but I'm hoping to love my story by the time I'm done wih it…let's hope ahah. Best of luck for your writing! Are you writing fantasy? 😛 You can do this <3 <3 <3
CAREFUL haha or you’ll end up listening to me complain all the time XD Thank you for the offer! My apprenticeship there should be over in a few months and then I’ll be GONE thank god haha
Yes I agree writing is definitely not the piece of cake everyone thinks it is!! We work so hard!!! I’m sure you’ll love it when you’re finished! Thank you!! You too of course <3 Yes!! I have only written fantasy so far haha because I seem to be rather narrow minded when it comes to genres hahaha
Ohhh… well you can always rant sometimes if you want to ahah, it always feels good to 😉 and that’s good, just a few more months then! <3
Thank you so much! We can do this – and you're going to be an awesome fantasy writer for sure 😛 <3
LJWEIHFLE You are so sweet!! Thank you!!!
My Oma used to make me spaëtzles (I miss them and her).
Ohhh. I love spaëtlzes so much. Hope you’ll get to eat some again someday soon 🙂 <3 Thank you for your sweet comment <3
You had a great reading and blogging month, Marie! I’m sorry things at work aren’t going well right now. I can relate since I’ve been having some problems too but I’m sure it’ll get better soon for the both of us <3
Also, YES to sharing some of your writing. I would absolutely love to read it!
Thank you, Lauren! <3 I'm sorry to hear you've been having problems as well. If you ever need to talk, let it all out or anything, I'm always here <3 <3
Oh thank you! I'll try and talk about and share more of my writing, hopefully. When I'm not so nervous about it ahha.
Thank you, Marie. That’s so nice of you. The same goes for you. If you ever want to talk about it, I’m here too 🙂 <3
Haha, I understand being nervous. I'm always terrified when I let someone read my writing BUT it's the best feeling in the world when they like it (even if it's just one of the characters or one sentence even) 🙂
Thank you, Lauren, that’s so sweet <3 <3
I bet it is the best feeling! It's actually one of the reasons why I want to try and share more about it, to feel reassured and everything!
Then you should do it (when you’re ready) 🙂 We’ll give you all the love and support <3
Thank you, Lauren, that means so much to me <3
I’m sorry to hear you’re having a rough time at work. I really hope that things start to look up for you soon.
Lies We Tell Ourselves is such a fantastic book! I ADORED it. I loved the way that the chapter headings started with the lies. And the ending! Omg. Haha, fangirling. I just really loved that book.
And, finally, don’t be down on yourself about your writing! With the blog as well, you’re doing so much writing, and it all counts. That said I am all for you posting up chapters of your story. I would love to read them 🙂
Thank you so much! I hope so just as well. It will be good to have some holidays and take a break from it all for sure.
OH YES! It makes me so happy to hear you loved Lies We Tell Ourselves. Such a great, powerful book. I loved the lies at each chapter as well, such a smart way to introduce things everytime.
Thank you! I’ll try and talk more about my writing…I think, sometime soon 🙂 <3
I hope you’re enjoying the holiday and that it’s making you feel better. From insta it looks very nice 🙂 x
Thank you so much, I am enjoying it! (Also breaking my little hiatus from time to time because I am weaak ahah). Feels good to get away a bit 🙂
Your pictures are gorgeous! I really want to go there one day. Glad July was a good reading month for you. Hope August is another good one 🙂
Ohh thank you so much! <3 I hope you'll have a great reading month as well 🙂
I loved Caraval and I’m so glad you read it and enjoyed it. I haven’t read Cruel Beauty yet so I’ll definitely look forward to your thoughts on it. I haven’t read delirium trilogy but it sounds pretty amazing.
I hope you have a great month! 🙂
Oh the Delirium trilogy is amazing, I hope you’ll want to read it 😀
Thank you so much, hope you’ll have a lovely month as well <3
I really liked the Delirium series when I was a bit younger, but I haven’t reread it. (fun fact: I laughed when you said you were in love with this series because…well, that’s what the books are about). Also, I could never decide which boy’s side I was on. I think Julian though. (that was his name, right?). Also, Lies We Tell Ourselves looks really interesting! I’ll have to check that out. My month was okay. It’s weird because my sibling started school again and I didn’t, but I read a lot of books and planned travel as well (more on that later) Yay!
Haha, I’m glad you noticed, I was trying to make a bad pun or something haha. I’m leaning more towards Julian, but…I don’t know, Alex got something. I always had trouble deciding, even after my re-read!
Lies We Tell Ourselves was SO good, I feel like you could really love it! 🙂
Ohhh yay for books and traveling! Where are you going?! I can’t wait to hear more about that! 😀
You can do this with writing and work *sends encouragement* Seriously, it’s amazing that you’re still trying to write. I would love to know more about your story. And you’re making me want to reread delirium and I have ENOUGH books to read, thanks a lot haha. I really enjoyed rereading Replica and The STar Touched queen this month, it was nice to read some physical books for a change.
I find myself a bit crazy for holding on to a story that’s maybe worth nothing for so long, but well…I’m hoping someone will like reading it, even if it’s just me 🙂 Thank you for the encouragement! <3
Ohh I haven't read The Star-Touched Queen but heard lovely things about this book 🙂
I have Caravel on my shelf right now. I need to get to it, but hype can scare me away sometimes.
I think all writers feel lost sometimes. 🙂 With my own WIP, I keep alternating between feeling that what I’m working on is amazing and feeling that what I’m working on is an unmarketable mess.
It’s brave of you to consider posting excerpts. I don’t really let people read my work until at least the second draft.
I have thought of posting the first chapters of some of my past works I no longer intend to publish with added annotations. Perhaps including multiple drafts.
OH I get it, hype scares me a lot as well,..which is why I take ageees before reading a hyped book haha. Trying to lessen my expectations for it. It doesn’t always work, but it gives a bit of time for the hype to die down and for everyone NOT to talk about it too much anymore. I don’t know if that made any sense ahah.
Thank you so much, Jacqueline! I hope that your WIP is going well, and I’m sure you’re doing great! I guess if we didn’t have that doubt, we wouldn’t be writers 🙂
And please go ahead, if you want to post your work, I’d love to read it 🙂
Hope you’ll have a great month! <3
Yes, hype brings so much pressure. Especially if you know you’re going to have to tell someone you respect you didn’t care for their favorite book. 🙂
Thank you too!
It’s going very well. My main problem at this point is that it’s ending up much longer than expected. I’d say that’s one of the best problems to have. 🙂
Glad I already have one person who’s interested!
Hope you have a great month too! <3
Oh yes, it’s a pretty good problem to have, I guess 🙂
I’m sorry to hear you had a troubled month at work Marie! ❤ I hope things will be better soon. I read Lies We Tell Ourselves… earlier this year? I don’t even remember I have no sense of time this year haha. Anyway I absolutely loved it! So powerful
Don’t give up on your writing! That gif sums writing up perfectly: it IS hard and I’m sure all of us have these struggles pretty regularly (I know I do!). One day you’ll have finished this and you’ll look back on these worries wondering why you even worried 😛 Good luck ❤
Thank you so much, Michelle <3 <3
I'm not going to give up, it's just a bit hard at times, but all writers have these kind of moments I guess 🙂 Thank you, you're the sweetest <3
I’m sorry things are great at work for you but I hope it’s different from this month onwards. Cruel Beauty has been in my tbr since forever but I still haven’t got the chance to pick it up. Hopefully in the near future. <3
Thank you so much, Poulami! <3 <3
I hope you'll read Cruel Beauty soon, I'd be curious to hear your thoughts about this 🙂
You’re welcome!
Ah we all get like that with writing- just keep going!! I’d be really excited to see your writing on here! Great post 😀
Thank you!! <3 <3
You’re welcome <3
I didn’t know you loved Delirium! I had that on one of my TBR posts and no one said anything about keeping it ? I’ll have to go check and see!
I hope you are able to keep pushing through on your writing. The most important thing is to finish… that is what I tell my own self anyway… writing can always be edited and rewritten but it can’t be sold until it’s complete. Counterintuitively I take a step back sometimes so I CAN keep going. I’m not 17 anymore and am not going to abandon my work so a little distance can bring fresh eyes and a willing attitude.
I hope you have an incredible August ♥️
I must have missed it – please DO KEEP IT on your TBR, I would LOVE to know what you think of it 🙂
Thank you so much for the lovely advice <3 <3