Good morning, good afternoon, good evening friends, happy Saturday! I hope you had a great week and overall a good month. Today I’m back to wrapping up my month with books, life happenings and other fun things. OR not. Keep on reading if you’re curious!
March has been slow and uneventful. I have been tired, depressed, okay again, more tired and overall in a sort of life-slump at times. Well, it’s been, life, I guess.
If March has been a hellish long month, I’m thrilled that we are now entering April. April means spring, light jackets and sunshine and more exciting things planned with my sister’s birthday coming up and a little weekend away to celebrate, discover a new city and bookshops and loads of stuff. SO I AM EXCITED ABOUT IT. Finally fun times are coming.
I should rename this the part where I mention the books I read but failed to review because I am forever oh-so late with all of the reviews. ANYWAY, I would say it has been a pretty good month in terms of reading.
Books I read
Cute, original, realistic.
Read my full review right here.
I.LOVE.IKO.
Gorgeous, breathtaking and magical.
Full review coming this Friday!
Weird, imaginative, a bit creepy?
Mysterious,original, unstoppable.
I think writing has been going, well, just like life has been this past month, so pretty uneventful and kind of boring. I had a massive writing block at the beginning of the month and an overall bleh feeling about my story and where this was going. I think I’m getting slowly out of it and enjoying writing again. I am at 35 K which means I wrote 7 K this month, so about 1 K a week. I think I might be doing very sloooowly but okay.
That month has been a LOT of fun in terms of blogging – I had a blast changing up lots of things with my new domain name and design, I definitely think it was a nice boost. Without further ado, here are the posts you might have missed!
Book reviews
- Optimists Die First, Susin Nielsen
- The Inexplicable Logic of My Life, Benjamin Alire Saenz
- A million worlds with you, Claudia Gray
- Wildly into the dark, Tyler Knott Gregson
- Zenn Diagram, Wendy Brant
Discussions
- Why do characters matter so much?
- How much time do I spend blogging?
- Why I love traveling as much as I love books
- On Blogging Envy
- The series and novellas trend
Bookish tags & other fun posts
Nyx’s Corner
- TV Show Edition : A virgin, some royalty and an unfortunate exchange
Other news & in the next months…
This is kind of an here and there category, but I have a couple of things to share, exciting events that does not fit in the previous categories.
- The first issue of the Stay Bookish Zine, an e-zine entirely dedicated to young adult books, has been released on the 20th of March. I am a writer for this e-zine and a bit in charge of marketing as well. This has been a time-consuming but very exciting project and if you haven’t read it yet, I hope that you will. Obviously I wrote about the two loves of my life, blogging and traveling (and books. OF COURSE).
- My #SFATW feature, where I want to reunite book bloggers and such, will probably be back in the next month if I can make it work – I already prepared a couple of things and hopefully lots of bloggers will want to contribute with a fun blog post to get to know each other better and share the love. More on that later on 😉
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 March?
Let’s chat in comments!
Poulami @ Daydreaming Books says
I’ll be picking up Zenn Diagram this month, I’m so glad you loved it. And I can’t believe I haven’t read A Forbidden Wish yet, I have only heard ravings about this book, I so hope I can pick it up soon enough. And about the writing, you are not alone, I’m moving way too slow but at least we are trying and I think that’s what matters. Hope you have an amazing April! Happy reading! <3
Marie says
Ohh glad to hear it! I hope you’ll love both of these books, and get The Forbidden Wish first, it is FANTASTIC <3
Thank you so much! I hope you'll have a lovely month just as well, and best of luck with your writing 🙂
Poulami @ Daydreaming Books says
Thanks Marie! <3
Shanti says
I had quite a stressful months with lots of panicking over work and crying but I also did some work I’m really proud of. I wrote quite a bit of poetry, but not enough of anything else, and realised that I need to chill more and have lower productivity expectations. Luckily, chilling took the form of baking quite often haha. I’m so glad you loved The Forbidden Wish, it’s such a magical book, and the zine ewas amzing (though I haven’t read it all yet ??) I also love that a new city to you means new bookshops. TRUTH. I read 10 books, and I really enjoyed An Anthropologist on Mars, which was a whole lot of fascinating psychological case studies. I hope you have a great April!
Marie says
Oh I’m sorry to hear this has been a tough month – I have LOADS of productivity expectations just as well, and end up being mad at myself when I can’t meet them, which happens a lot of the time. I hope you’ll manage to relax and everything, and I’m always here if you need to talk about everything <3
I hope you'll have a wonderful April just as well, Shanti! <3
Jirah Merizz says
I love your monthly wrap-ups! And one positive thing that happened to me this March is I managed to have 300 followers by exactly March 31! Right exactly when the month’s ending…Lol! Have a good day! ❤
Marie says
Oh thank you so much! And congratulations!! This is so great 🙂 I hope you’ll have a lovely month!
Jirah Merizz says
Thank you!!! ❤
May @ Forever and Everly says
Aww, I’m sorry that March wasn’t as good as a month for you! And oh yes, Iko is amazing! I’m so glad that a bit of TLC is being continued with W&N. And wow, 7K is still a lot of words! I’m planning on getting my writing done this month for Camp NaNo. XD
Marie says
Oh yay, that’s awesome! Best of luck for Camp NaNo, may you write ALL of the woooords and have lots of fun 😀
May @ Forever and Everly says
Thank you, dear!
Kat Impossible says
Marie, you wrote waaaay more than 1K per week. March didn’t have 7 weeks 😛 You did so well, don’t diminish your progress! Btw, I meant to tell you that our writing sessions are helping me like crazy, even if the word count seems small sometimes, the story is going on and that’s all that counts. <3
Marie says
Jeez. That’s when you realize I am definitely not good at math or anything dealing with numbers hahahaha. Let’s pretend that did not happen, right? 😛
Oh thank you, and I am so happy this helps you, it helps me A LOT just as well to get into writing mood and force myself to go on with it, which sometimes it so hard when you’re doing it alone. <3
Kat Impossible says
Hahaha I think you divided it by seven thinking of days instead of weeks. It doesn’t matter anyway, you wrote a lot and that’s great 😀
I am glad it helps you too! <3 It's such a motivational boost!
Marie says
Yes I think that’s it haha. It really is. I wish I had time to do this every daaaaaay, all the time ahah. <3
tanazmasaba says
I am sorry to hear March has been tough for you. Hopefully April will bring more sunshine and happy days your way <3
And whoa girl congrats on writing so much! 1k per week is still A LOT esp if you've been busy with life. We all understand how are daily life gets in the way of blogging and writing–which is why I too am always late with posting my reviews XD Looking forward to your new feature.
Also I tagged you for this https://bookishfreaks.wordpress.com/2017/04/02/bookish-identity-tag/#more-4720 🙂
Marie says
Thank you so much, I hope so just as well <3 <3
Haha, it is sometimes annoying how life can get in the way of blogging and writing when all you really want to do is..well, blog and write ahah. Thank you so much! <3
Kelly says
“Mysterious,original, unstoppable.” there’s the review I’ll be eagerly awaiting!
Marie says
Ohh yay! I’m glad I made you curious about this book. It was such a great surprise.
SERIESous Book Reviews says
Seems like everyone had a blah March. Mine wasn’t that fabulous either.
Good job on the writing though! I told myself I would start it up again in March and I think I got 1000 words down. I’m going to take April to regroup–work on the world building, etc–and coming up with a solid outline so I have a little more direction.
Marie says
Haha well at least we are not alone. Let’s hope April will bring better things to us, sunshine and rainbows and lots of fun 🙂 <3
I hope you'll be able to write more this month just as well, best of luck for your story! <3 <3
April McLauren says
7K WOOT THAT IS AMAZING!! WOOHOO!
Marie says
Thank you April!! I’m glad I’m able to write a bit! I hope you’ll have a lovely month! <3
theorangutanlibrarian says
Ahh I’m always so late on reviews too!! Looking forward to your thoughts on these! Awesome post!! 😀
theorangutanlibrarian says
Also, hopefully I’ll be able to participate again if you do SFATW!!! I love that feature <3
Marie says
Ohh thank you – it means so, so much to me that you enjoy this feature <3
theorangutanlibrarian says
You’re welcome!! <3
Marie says
Thank you so much! Haha I’m glad to hear I’m not the only one haha.
theorangutanlibrarian says
You’re welcome!!
amortalreader1 says
So sorry you’ve had a bit of a long month and felt depressed. I hope you’re doing ok now and remember i’m here if you ever need someone to talk to/rant to/ send crying gifs too!
6 books is great! I’ve not read any of them on your list but you know me and how behind I am with new books!
I’ve seen the Forbidden Wish before but never picked it up myself yet. So I can’t wait to read your review to see what it’s actually about and how you found it 🙂
Marie says
Thank you so much Hannah, this means so much to me <3
I hope you'll be able to read some of these books, maybe The Forbidden Wish before anything else – I am not over how great that book was, and I went it with so little expectations. I love a good retelling like that 🙂
Melissa @ BookNerdMomo says
Aww I’m sorry March wasn’t such a great month for you, Marie. Here’s to hoping April is a million times better! ? I’m glad to hear you enjoyed Note Worthy. I swear I’ve yet to see one negative thing about that book and it makes me wish I had requested it from NetGalley. I nearly did but then I was like “No, Melissa you need to slow it down and take a break from the ARCs for a while.” ? That is one book I will definitely have to get my hands on and read at some point this year. As for my March, it was pretty relaxing. I didn’t read as much as I was hoping but I did read ADSOM and it was so good! ?
Marie says
Thank you Melissa, I hope so! <3
Hahhaa, I get it, I had the same thought at the time but couldn't resist and I requested it anyway – I'm glad I did, it was worth it for sure 🙂
YAY for ADSOM! Are you reading the rest of the series this month, then? 🙂
Melissa @ BookNerdMomo says
You’re welcome!! ?
I kind of wish I would have now. But at the same time it’s been nice reading without a deadline lol.
Yep! I’m on AGOS right now and loving it so far. ?
Marie says
Oh yes, having the deadline makes reading a bit stressful at times :/
SO HAPPY to hear it 😀
Beth (Reading Every Night) says
Great recap for this month Marie. I’m sorry to hear March was a bad month for you, but I’ll be keeping my fingers cross April is better, hopefully the spring weather we’re now getting will help. I always feel a little happier when it’s bright and warm and sunny outside. 🙂
You read some amazing books as well, I really can’t wait to see your full reviews for Wires and Nerve and Every Heart a Doorway, did you enjoy both of them overall?
It seems like you have a lot going on next month, but I will be eagerly awaiting you e-zine and the #SFATW features!
I hope you have an amazing April Marie, happy reading! 😀 <3
Marie says
Thank you so much, Beth! <3 I guess yes the weather will help me feel a bit better and counting down days until days off and summer and traveling and other fun things will hopefully cheer me up 😀
I really enjoyed Wires and Nerves A LOT, it felt so good to get back into this world. I expected to love Every Heart a Doorway a lot more than I did – I think I didn't expect it to be so…on the "horror" side, so I was a bit creeped out at times haha.
Thankk you so much 😀
Beth (Reading Every Night) says
That’s all right, and yeah I’m counting down the days until Summer and travelling and everything that comes with the two. Never fails to cheer me up.
Oh that’s great about Wires and Nerve, it’s an amazing book isn’t it? And a shame about Every Heart a Doorway but yeah I get what you mean about that one. From the cover and the sound of the blurb you don’t really expect it to be so “horror” do you.
That’s all right! 😀 <3
Marie says
Oh yes, that’s exactly it – I didn’t expect it to be horror, I expected mostly fantasy ahah. It still was a very interesting book 🙂
Beth (Reading Every Night) says
Well I’m glad you found it interesting at least! 🙂
Jessica says
I just wanted to say I love your blog and the theme! It’s so adorable.
Marie says
Ohhh thank you so, so much Jessica, that’s so sweet of you to say 🙂
Lashaan and Trang (Bookidote) says
I do hope your tiredness, stresses and depression will all go… POOF in April! You’ve read some really nice books (even a GRAPHIC NOVEL girl!), that’s definitely a nice little upside! 😀 Hope April will be pretty darn awesome, with the little time away with your sis too! 😉
– Lashaan
Marie says
Thank you so much, and yes a graphic novel, can you imagine that ahah, I am pretty proud of myself 😀 Thank you! <3 <3
shar says
I LOVED the Stay Bookish Zine! I didn’t read all of it, but I read both your features and Shanti’s and some others XD XD XD. Good job! I really want to read Wires and Nerve. It just sounds amazing but I don’t know how to get my hands on it. Also, I missed some of your really great looking discussion posts this week 🙁 #SFATW sounds really fun so I hope that happens this month!
Marie says
Oh thank you! <3 I hope you'll be able to read Wires and Nerves soon, it was such a great book <3 <3
And thank you, I will be doing my best to make it happen this month 🙂
mypaperinfinity says
I’m sorry to hear March hasn’t been the best month for you. Writing-wise, 7K is still pretty great though 🙂
And I’m with you on the Stay Bookish Zine. I wrote a column for the zine, but I haven’t actually gotten around to reading it yet. (Boo me!) I’ve skimmed through it very quickly and it looks absolutely stunning so I’ll just have to find the time to read it soon 🙂
March was a good month for me. I read a lot of great books, including History Is All You Left me which I think will be one of my all-time favourites.
Marie says
OH thank you 🙂 Ohhh what did you write on the zine?! That’s awesome 🙂
Also, yay for History if All You Left Me. I have yet to read that book but heard wonderful things about it 🙂
mypaperinfinity says
I wrote the advice column for adults 🙂 It was a lot of fun but I’m not sure I’ll be able to contribute something for the next issue though. I’m so busy lately ?
Marie says
Oh that’s so great! 😀
I get it, it’s so hard to try and do all the things we want, sometimes we just can’t because, well…we need sleep haha :/
katreadssph says
Same with you, I have been slacking off with the reviews I need to post. I’m trying, though, really really trying! Haha. And yes, March has been a good month for my blog too! Reading-wise, not so; but blogging-wise? Definitely good! Anyway! I can’t wait for you discussion posts this coming month! I always loved them! 🙂 And yes to the the e-zine! Such a good project by Hazel! Congratulations for a very successful first issue! <3 xo, Kat
Marie says
Haha, it is so hard to keep up with reviews, I can’t doooo it haha.
Thank you so, so much Kat! I hope you’ll have a lovely month <3 <3
Fadwa @ Word Wonders says
I’m sorry this month was kind of bleh for you, Twinnie ❤ I hope April treats you better !! And I’m SO HAPPY you loved both The Forbidden Wish and Noteworthy, both of those are very special to me.
And I can’t wait what the next #SFATW will bring, I’m sure it’ll be awesome !
Marie says
Thank you so much my twinnie, I hope so too <3 <3
tasya @ the literary huntress says
I’m sorry that March is such a stressful month for you. I’m going to read Noteworthy this month, and I’ve heard amazing things so I’m excited! Have an amazing April, Marie! <3
Marie says
I hope you’ll love Noteworthy, Tasya! Thank you so much, have a lovely month just as well! <3
Jane the Raincity Librarian says
I really struggle with the winter months, I find the constant grey to really do a number on my mood, my energy, and my overall mental health. February and March both really stunk, so I’m more than happy to kick them both out the door and welcome April and it’s potential for sunshine with open arms! Sometimes I feel like I’m part plant – I need sunshine to grow and thrive!!
Marie says
Haha I feel the exact same way, I’m in such a life-slump in the winter and when spring is back again, I feel ALIVE hahaha.
ravenblake99 says
You had an amazing month! I have Forbidden Wish in my tbr shelf for a long time but I haven’t gotten around to read it yet. I’ll definitely look forward to your review on it.
Hope you have a great bookish month in april! 🙂
Marie says
Ohh, well I hope you’ll put it at the very top of your TBR, it was such a fantastic story 🙂 Thank you ,I hope you’ll have a wonderful April 🙂
Summer @ Xingsings says
Aww Marie! I’m so sorry to hear that you didn’t have the best month in March. Make sure to take care of yourself and rest loads!
Haha, I guess you already know by now that I’ve been pretty occupied with school (hence my absence). Sigh, I cannot wait until summer vacation begins (early May-which isn’t that much longer!).
Anyhow, I hope you have a restful April! And that you and your sister have fun during her birthday weekend. 🙂
Marie says
Thank you so much, Summer, I will <3
Ohhh early May, this is SO soon, that's great! 😀 I wish you best of luck for the latest weeks of classes 😀
Lauren @ Wonderless Reviews says
I loved Noteworthy SO much!! Every Heart A Doorway is another all time favourite of mine too. It was definitely a bit weird and creepy, but I think that’s why I loved it so much ? I hope you have a lovely weekend away and a fantastic April in general ♥
Marie says
Thank you so, so much Lauren! Noteworthy was just SO good, I loved it so much. Also, Every Heart a Doorway was a bit creepy in a way I did not expect haha I guess that’s why I was surprised. I expected more fantasy and not that horror side too much.
I hope you’ll have a wonderful April as well <3
Donna says
I’m sorry that March was a more of a slump but it looks like you have plenty to keep busy! You indeed read a lot and have that amazing e-zine project, wow, congrats! I had only heard about this once earlier in March and I had no idea what it was, so I’m curious to discover it!!
Congrats on making progress with your writing, slow steps or not, you’re not giving up, and that’s what matters, I’m proud of you!
I hope April brings you fun and sunshine, my Sweechie!!! xxx
Marie says
Thank you so, so much my Sweechie, all of your support means the world to me <3 < 3I hope you'll have a fantastic April just as well <3
Lais says
I am so excited SFATW might me back next month! I already expressed countless times how much I love this feature, but I really enjoy getting to know other people’s countries and cultures. I’m also excited to read the first issue you wrote for Stay Bookish; I’m sure it will be just as intelligent as anything you write, hahah.
The reason I’m the most excited for April is the opposite from yours: the weather is getting cooler, which means I will be able to stay at home during cloudy afternoons, reading under the blankets. I’m super excited! I hope you have a fantastic April, Marie!
Marie says
Oh thank you so, so much Lais, this makes me so happy <3 I've always been a bit unsure about this feature as it comes and goes, and it makes me the happiest <3
Ohhh right, I hope you'll have a wonderful April! <3
MetalPhantasmReads says
Hello! I just found your blog and I love how you format your posts 🙂 I love you break everything up effortlessly! I also loved The Forbidden Wish 😀 Keep going on that writing too. I need a kick to get me going again lol
Marie says
Oh thank you so much! 🙂 I’m so glad you loved The Forbidden Wish just as well, what a beautiful book 🙂
Thank you!! <3
whataredreamsmadeofblog says
Your blog is really helpful. I’m super new and its hard to stay motivated already but by follow some tips I know it will get easier. Thanks for the reading
Marie says
You’re welcome, I’m so happy this could be helpful 🙂