Hi friends! ☀️ It’s finally February, ugh.
Serious question: why does January always lasts, like, 6 months??? I feel like this month is always one dragging on and on and on and… well, it tires me a little bit, I’ll admit it.
I don’t really have much to say in this part of my blog post, this month. January started with the new year and a couple days off work to finish the christmas/new years’ holidays, which is always nice. The month continued in a mix of stress, anxiety and seasonal depression that dragged on even more because of work being annoying and the month being a gazillion years.
But it’s finally FEBRUARY so yay! The days are getting longer, minute by minute and I’m looking forward to things in February and in the upcoming months, too, so yay!
I had a pretty good reading month to start the year, I’d say! I read 6 books, which is wonderful for me and given the time to read that I have, too, I’m trying to be proud of myself. I also discovered some lovely reads, so yay!
? Books I read
LAYOVERLAND ☂️ This book was so original and unique, I really had so much fun reading it. If you like The Good Place, witty main characters and overall are looking for a fun read, I definitely recommend it. » read my full review.
SUMMER OF SALT☂️ Okay so after that, I’m going to need more of Katrina Leno’s books. The atmosphere, the writing, the siblings vibes, I’m soft. » read my full review.
CASTLE IN THE CLOUDS ☂️ A fun, wintery kind of read that was quite entertaining, but a little confusing, at times. » read my full review.
WE USED TO BE FRIENDS ☂️ A BOOK centered on friendships and friendships break ups and yes yes yes. I loved this SO much read this please thank you very much. » read my full review.
LITTLE WHITE LIES ☂️ I’m always here for all the drama. This book gave me Gossip Girl, Pretty Little Liars vibes set in the high society and I really had fun with it!
THE ELECTRIC HEIR ☂️ I’m a mess of emotions and this is such a fantastic duology and you all should read it okay.
- Goodreads Challenge: 6/60 books ?I haven’t set my reading challenges too high this year, so I’m already ahead so… YAY! This does wonders for my mood and makes me feel a little less stressed out haha.
- Year of The Asian Reading Challenge: 0/10 books, for now.
? Currently reading
I kind of feel… okay with my writing progress, given everything.
Would I like to finish my 4th draft like, tomorrow and let my imagination go wild on other stories, instead of this one I’ve been working on for over 5 YEARS now? Yes, I’m not going to lie.
But all things considered, I still want to make this story the best it can be, so I’m not giving up. I have a little more than half of my manuscript to edit… but I can do this before this summer, right?
- Words written: 14 950
I dont know if it’s the start of a new year, but I’ve been really content with my blogging this month. I’ve been inspired to write blog posts and I’ve been happy with the work I put out, as well as the conversations I’ve had with bloggers.
I’ve been, most of it all, happy to give myself a break, too. I haven’t been blog hopping like I used to, and some days, it stresses me out, but… I’m trying to learn self care and to put myself first and my mental health, even if it means I’m less present or it takes me a little bit of time to answer to you all. I hope you understand. ❤️
? Book reviews
Click on the book covers to be redirected to my reviews.
? Book discussions & tags
? Book blogging
Well… I don’t have as many posts as usual to share and I’m sorry for slacking so much! I hope that you’ll find some interesting posts in my little selection here, friends.
? Books & Reading
- Sam @ We Live and Breathe Books: talks about continuing series and some authors’ work : Discussion: Why Punish Yourself?
- Holly @ Nut Free Nerd shared some Helpful Bookish Hacks Discovered in 2019
? Book Blogging
- Michelle @ Blonde that Babbles is back to blogging and I love her and you al should say hello: Hello 2020 || Let’s talk re-branding, life update & bookish goals
- Caitlin @ Caitlin Althea is back at it with awesome tips and tricks for your blogs:
- WordPress Tips & Tricks Part TWO // ft. Making Post Titles Bold, Centering Multiple Images & more
- Kat @ Novels & Waffles has her wonderful branding series back on her blog and she has AMAZING posts, like one about How to Spice Up Your Blog.
- Belle @ Belle Can Read wrote an amazing post about statistics and what you think of them.
? Writing, Lifestyle & Other Posts I Loved
- Anika @ Chapters of May shared a very inspiring post about Finding Inspiration and Celebrating Success in 2020
- Mathieu @ Math Crln wrote amazing posts this month. I loved this one about starting your own blog so much!
Is there a blog post you are particularily proud of this month? Feel free to send it along with your comment!
How was your January? Did you feel like it lasted about a gazillion years, too? Anything exciting happening or anything you’re looking forward to?
What were your favorite books this month? Tell me everything in comments!
Twitter ☂️ Goodreads ☂️ Bloglovin’ ☂️ Support the blog
First of all, thank you so much for the mention! I absolutely love your blog and I didn’t expect to see my name at the end, so an unnatural squeal may have escaped ?
I love the Summer of Salt cover, and the idea of sibiling vibes is too cute. Definitely gonna check that one out. And yay for self-care! Always put your healthy first 🙂
Anika | chaptersofmay.com
So, so sorry for my late answer!
Aww, of course, I really loved your post and your blog is, well, one of my favorites, it’s so beautiful and you have such great content. I’m so happy I could make you happy! 🙂
Thank you so, so much Anika! I hope you’re having a lovely February <3
January has been a long month for me too! But, when I think about how it’s February now it kind of blows my mind lol. One of my goals for the new year is to read more and so far I’ve read…half of Final Girls by Riley Sager. I kind of feel a bit bad for not finishing it by the end of the month but at least I started it, right?
I’m glad I’m not the only one feeling this way! But yay! you read HALF of it already so that’s already progress, you should be proud of that! <3 I hope you can make some more time to read this month, Alex, I'm wishing you all the best and a beautiful February <3
Well you had indeed a pretty great month Marie! And yes we survived January!!! Now I hope this month will be fantastic no less 😉 Going to read that post by Mathieu now thank you <3
YES we did it ahah, let’s hope so 🙂
Thank you, Sophie! Have a fantastic month! <3
Omg January was so long yes yes. At the beginning I was so psyched for the new year and felt very prepared and now that it’s over I’ve become a ball of stress.
On another note, I’m so happy to hear you’re feeling good about writing and blogging and I hope that continues for you in February! ?
right?? i’m so glad i’m not the only one that felt this way. it has been such a long and stressful month. I hope that February will be good to you, Mel, I’m sending you all the love <3 <3
Congrats on reading all of that! I felt as though January went really fast but I think that had more to do with the fact that I spent the first couple of months in a complete slump! Good luck for February!
Oh thank you so much! I’m so sorry you were in a bit of a slump, I hope that February will be good to you! <3
I agree about January always feeling like it drags on and on. I’m so glad it’s over, haha. Happy to hear that you had a good reading month. Looks like you read a lot of great books. I need to add some of these to my TBR! I hope you have a great February. <3
I’m glad I’m not the only one ahah, here comes February and YAY finally! I hope you’ll have a beautiful month, Ashley <3
I also felt like January lasted a billion years, but that’s okay because I’m kind of dreading a work situation in February/March. I hope you have a great February and get lots of reading and writing done!
Oh no, I’m so sorry to hear that. I hope that everything will end up okay, I’m sending you all the positive vibes for the upcoming months <3
Looks like you had a great reading month! I can’t wait to pick up the electric heir!
I hope you have a great February!
(www.evelynreads.com)
Thank you so much! I can’t wait for you to read it, I hope you’ll love it 🙂
Your month looks great. Your Discussion posts were best. Best book I rad in Jan was A cozy Christmas in Cornwall by Jane Linfoot.
Oh thank you so much, this means SO much, thank you!! <3 <3 <3
I hope you'll have a lovely February 🙂
January went a tiny bit faster than previous years, but in general, it still seemed to drag. I’m so glad that it’s February though – lots of things to look forward to! I really need to get back into my manuscript. I keep going back and forth on what I want to work on. I’ve started on one, but I have another idea that I really love too. Sigh. I need to blog ahead more often though so I have more time for writing and I don’t feel so behind on everything.
-Lauren
http://www.shootingstarsmag.net
I agree with you, January always feels SO long, no matter what year it is ahah 🙂
I hope you’ll be able to get back to writing, that’s so exciting ahh!! I so get that, though. Getting organized with everything and finding what to prioritize is always so hard. I hope you’ll find a right balance for you <3
Have a lovely month, Lauren! <3
I’m sorry to hear that January has been so stressful for you (the month definitely seemed to last for so long) and I hope that February will be a much better month! ? I’m also happy to see that you enjoyed The Electric Heir, I’m hoping to read it this month and I’m already preparing for it to be intense ?
Thank you so, so much Caro, this means a lot <3
I can't wait to hear your thoughts on The Electric Heir, I hope you'll love it 😀
I feel the same way about January being never ending. I felt like February was never going to come and honesty, I’m so glad we are finally in a new month.
Summer of Salt was my favorite book of 2019, I’m so happy you enjoyed it as well!
Agree, SO happy to finally be moving on from January ahah, here’s to hoping February won’t be as long 🙂
AH REALLY this is so great. I loved this book so much, I’m looking forward to reading more from Katrina Leno. have you read anything else by her? 🙂
Thank you so much for your sweet comment <3
I haven’t yet, but I just got my hands on You Must Not Miss. I’ve heard that’s darker and I can’t wait
Oooh, I’m so curious about that one!! I can’t wait to hear your thoughts! 🙂
Sooooo, I’m not the only one that felt like January lasted a WHOLE YEAR. I mean the month was really nice but I really am blown away at how long it was… I’m sad to hear that January has been a little hard on you but thankfully it’s over and I hope February will be nicer!
I’m so happy that you try to self care more (we really need it) and aaaaaah, I think you know that but I’m so so so happy that you progress with your writing ? You’re doing great Marie!!!
Oh and also thank you so much for mentioning my post, I’m so glad you liked it ?
NOT at all, this month lasted a year and we’re now in 2021 ??
Let’s hope so, thank you so much for all of your support and wonderful newsletters warming my heart every week, just as well, you’re amazing ???
Yes, January was LONG. I was sick, and then everyone else got sick. It was awful lol
You had a great month in reading and blogging. I think I would love We Used to Be Friends.
Oh no! I’m so sorry to hear that, I hope you’re feeling better now <3
I hope you'll get a chance to read We Used To Be Friends, it was such a little gem. I loved it <3
Have a lovely month! 🙂
You’ve gotten so much done this month! I’ve been so glad for all of my progress this month as well. I’ve never gotten why January feels so long to people. Even now that I’m out of college, it still passes a little quick to me! But maybe that’s because I’m always looking forward to February and I spend most of January trying to be productive and it makes the days go by.
As a fellow writer, I really need to go through and look at your writing posts. I always see mention of your WIP on wrap-ups, but I haven’t seen what the story itself is about. 5 years is soo long to work on the same piece; that’s so much dedication! I wish you the best on the remaining of your editing!
Thank you so much! <3 I'm happy that January isn't as terrible for you ahah, I just feel like it drags on and on every year, no matter what, when I was in college and even now that I work. It's always LONG ? but I'm glad it's February now 😀
Thank you so much! I've been working on and off with it, in between projects and handling life and college and real life transition, too. I'm just happy I'm not giving up ahha.
Thank you so much for your sweet words! <3
Strangely, this January fly so quickly for me! Maybe because I had so many things to do, with finals and thesis prep 😀 But anyways, you’ve read amazing titles this month. I especially love your review of Layoverland and now I’m super excited to read it too!!
I hope you’ll have a lovely February! <3
I’m happy that it went by quickly and hope everything went well with your finals!! <3
Thank you so, so much! <3 <3
I am happy for you that the days are getting longer, the sun peaks out of the clouds every now and then and you generally hopefully soon will have more spring than winter like weather. I know it’s been hard on you.
Castle in the Clouds being a very mediocre read kind of confirms my opinion of the author, although I in no way want to bash her. It’s just, as you mentioned in your mini review, that it’s not really unforgettable, even when it’s entertaining in parts. Still, the Ruby Red movies are kinda nice haha
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, but I am really proud of you for sticking with your writing. It really doesn’t matter how long it takes. It’s just important that you keep at it. Although there is a point you should consider not doing any more drafts of the same project haha you can edit something to death.
Thank you, Kat! Days getting a bit longer already helps a lot, plus February has some happy things coming hopefully, so I have things to look forward to, that always helps ? thank you!! ?
Oh yes I’m definitely not going to be doing 6 drafts of edits, don’t worry about that ? this is like, my first editing with beta readers comments. To be honest, I’m glad to see the story grows, but after this draft I’ll see what I do. I might just make @nyxcorner read it and hope she enjoys it. That’s my goal for now ?
THANK YOU, for always being here, it means so much <3
I bet she will enjoy it!! And if you are ever ready, feel free to send it to me as well 😀 I’d love to take a look at some point.
Aww, will do when it’s not a mess of edits ? you’re so sweet, I hope you’ll like it!!
I am sure I will!
girl, I totally get what you mean by january feeling like foreverrrr. I don’t usually feel that way, or maybe i do? I just felt like January of 2020 has been the length of 2 months in one. I’m so happy that january is finally over, and I really truly hope that february is much better for us both! Glad you read so many amazing sounding books! xxx
Melina | http://www.melinaelisa.com
I’m so happy I’m not the only one feeling this way and I hope that February will be better and brighter to you, Melina! sending you all the love <3
You definitely aren’t the only one! I honestly think everyone a lot of people were struggling in january, but I agree, I hope february is better for both of us 🙂 x
I’m taking longer to get round to blog hopping too (as I’m sure you can tell). But I just wanted to say that I still love your content, even if I’m slower to read it! <3 Happy February, lovely!
Oh thank you, Alex, you’re wonderful and this means so, so much <3 <3 <3 I hope you'll have a wonderful February! <3
Thank you so much for mentioning my post, Marie! <3 Hope you have a lovely day!!
Of course, it was a lovely post! <3 I hope you'll have a wonderful month, Holly <3
My January was over too soon, February means deadlines and school starting, can we swap I’m keen for January to feel like six months haha.
OH yes gladly ahha. I hope that February will be good to you, I’m sending you all the positive vibes ! <3 <3
January definitely felt long, but when I look back and think that Christmas was well over 30 days ago, it seems…fast? Time is so WEIRD. I took reading very slowly this month; I’m only at 3/60, but I’m not worried. Happy for you that the days are lengthening 😉 <3
Oh yes ahah time is weird indeed! I hope you’ll be able to read more and most of it all, that you’ll enjoy your reads 🙂
Thank you so much, Macey!! <3
I’m sorry to hear that January wasn’t the best month for you. I hope your February will be amazing! <3
I have heard so many amazing things about Summer of Salt and I definitely plan on picking that book up in the future. I'm happy to see that you enjoyed it! 🙂 Good luck with your writing! I'm sure that you can accomplish your goal! <3
Thank you so, so much Anna, let’s hope so 🙂 <3
I can't wait for you to read Summer of Salt, it was a lovely read <3
i adored Only Mostly Devastated, so I hope you love it! And the Fever King duology broke my heart and made me whole again, it’s so good.
And I totally believe in you and your story! Editing takes such a while but it’s worth it. Also your blogging has been AMAZING the last month ✨
I recently finished reading it and it was such a great read, I love it so much! and YES The Fever king duology was incredible. Such a great read <3
Thank you so, so much, Liz, this means so much ??
Oh, I totally feel you about the wip! It reminds of me and my WIP I. In the end, I put it on hold and moved to a new project (also easier), because the first one was eating me up.
I’m screaming inside my head to hear about We Used To Be Friends. Losing a dear friend in friendship terms is literally one of my nightmares, but I know that it’s a good book. I feel it. I just need to muster the courage to read it
Ohh I’m glad you’re moving on to something else and that it has been helping you, that’s good! <3 I'm not quite ready to move on just yet, I'm just really damn slow ahah, but still determined to finish this draft ahah 🙂
AHH. Camilla, I really can't wait for you to read this book. It's really a wonderful read, it's bittersweet and it's about growing up and apart and it's so realistic, too. I hope you'll love it <3
I definitely feel you on the January feels! Here’s to hoping that February brings more sunshine, warmer weather, less seasonal depression, good books and great writing sessions! <3
Thank you so, so much, Nicole, let’s hope so! Wishing you a wonderful month <3
YES! January lasted *forever*!!! I don’t know why, but I honestly feel like I lived for 10 years in that one month. How’s Only Mostly Devastated? I got it from Netgalley, and I’ve been meaning to start it soon! I also cannot wait for Electric Heir to come out!! The first book was SO GOOD!
Marie, I think it’s so great that you’ve been taking some time for yourself! Self-care is so important, and I think that part of being a good blogger is knowing when you need to take some time for yourself, even if it might mean that it takes a little bit of time to reply. Hope you have a wonderful February!! ??
RIGHT? I’m so glad you could feel it, too, it was an endless month haha. I loved Only Mostly Devastated! Such a lovely, heartwarming read, I can’t wait to hear what you think of it. and oohh The Electric Heir as well, it was soooo good! 😀
Thank you so, so much Chana, this means a lot <3 I often struggle with taking time for myself like that I hope I can let it go and be easier on myself a little bit. let's hope so <3 Thank you so much, I hope you'll have a wonderful month!! <3
Well done on the word count for your WIP, not too shabby at all 😉
I think self-care and taking a break when needed is possibly the best advice ever, more so than anything else so I would definitely say practice the self care and take whatever breaks you need!
I’ll check out some of those blog links you’ve shared as they look incredibly interesting!
Oh thank you so much, that’s so sweet of you!! <3 I just need to do better with that, I tend to want to do it all and neglect self care, but I'm trying to do better. <3 Thank you so much for your sweet words <3
Thank you SO much for mentioning me and my re-brand. I appreciate it so much ❤
In terms of reading it looked like you had a really good month. You have me so excited to read Layoverland, it sounds like the perfect contemporary novel and something which I’ll definitely also enjoy. Also I can’t wait to get my hands on Tweet Cute, everyone has been raving about this one for months!
I wish I could send some of our sunshine your way! Not long anymore until summer. I hope you have a fantastic February xx
Of course, Michelle, I’m just so happy you’re back to blogging <3
I can't wait for you to read Layoverland and especially Tweet Cute, I ADORE this book so so much <3
Thank you, it's so appreciated, I hope the sunshine reaches me soon ahah <3
Yes!! January is always so long! I always feel like I live three lifetimes during that month ?.
I’m so happy that you’ve been happy with your blog lately, Marie! I’m sure you and your blog are constantly showered with compliments (as you both should be), but it’s special that you personally feel it good about your blog ?.
Also, good luck with your writing! Five years is so long ?! You got this, Marie!
And thank you for mentioning my post! It always means a lot to me when you like any of them ??.
Have a safe and fun February, Marie!
Right? January is always so exhausting. Here’s to hoping the next couple of months will be better <3
Thank you so much, you're so sweet Belle, this means so, so much ? unfortunately that feeling has passed ahah but hopefully it will come back. thank you, this means the world that you enjoy it ❤️
And of course! it was such a fantastic post I loved it SO much. <3
I hope you'll have a beautiful month as well <3