Hello friends, happy Friday and happy… JANUARY? Wait, what??! Once again, I wish you all a very happy new year, filled with love and books!
Are you ready for the wrap-up of the last month of 2017? Let’s go!
I mentioned last month that I really hate winter and Christmas season… okay. I don’t hate it, it’s a pretty strong word, but… I do live in a VERY touristic place around Christmas. Want to know why? Here’s why:
I know. It’s really pretty and I feel super lucky – also my hometown is in the New York Times for the best Christmas market of ever. Or was last year. ANYWAY. It’s also REALLY EXHAUSTING and the time of the year where I really embrace the hermit that I am.
I didn’t buy anything in November, remember? I was SO proud. In December, I bought, like…. aerm… 5 books and got 5 books as well. Ooops. Told you I wouldn’t hold on for so long with no books.
I had a more diverse month in terms of genres I read. Bye bye contemporary and hello fantasy! I got out of my comfort zone and it was a lot of fun, but also sometimes a bit disappointing. I will read my contemporaries again soon because I MISS IT okay.
Also, Kat was like, my official sponsor for last month’s reads. Seriously. Thank you hahaha.
Books I read
It was sweet, it was heartbreaking, it made me smile and almost cry. You can already read my full review here.
This was very, very out of my comfort zone, but I enjoyed it?? You can read my full review here.
My Lady Jane was so, so, very hyped. I’m not usually a fan of historical settings, but that one was a lot of fun. Full review coming soon!
My first Laini Taylor book! I wasn’t blown away by it, unfortunately, but the world-building was really interesting and it made me want to read more from the author! Ful review coming soon!
I am currently reading this one as I am drafting this post. So far, so good and this is my first Holly Bourne book. SO EXCITED. Full review coming soon!
I really, reaaaaally hope I won’t get rid of this section anytime soon, but the past few months, I had absolutely nothing to say here. Nothing happened, absolutely nothing and I feel really bad… let’s leave it at that, okay?
FRIENDS, if you want to win books, a little reminder that my three years of blogging giveaway runs until the end of this week! It’s international (I will be sending the book through Book Depository) and or the book of your choice. Don’t forget to ENTER HERE!
Otherwise… to be honest, this month has been really weird when it comes to blogging. It probably hasn’t shown, but I have been feeling strangely insecure and with tons of ups and downs. Probably because of the end of the year. Anyway, I’m on a bit of a semi-hiatus as you’re reading this and I don’t know as I am writing this, but I am sure it will feel good to have a little break.
Book reviews
Click on the book covers to be redirected to my reviews.
Discussions
- 2017, the year in books : favorites and recommendations
- What I learned about my reading in 2017
- Blogging, reading, writing : all my resolutions for 2018!
Book Blogging
- Celebrating three years of blogging: FAVORITES + A GIVEAWAY!
- 3 years of blogging: Q&A
- On ARC insecurity
Writing
Nyx’s Corner
I always want to try and share the love for so many bloggers, which often results in me not keeping track at all of the blog posts I read and feeling bad. I read a ton of blog posts every single day and sometimes my memory fails me. Here are some bloggers I loved reading posts from – but I do love EVERYONE.
- Trang @ Bookidote spilled our secrets and told us all about the secret life of book bloggers.
- Ilona @ Dragon Waffles shared some tropes we love, hate and love to hate.
- Jeann @ Happy Indulgence Books shared her goals and it was such a great post.
- Evelina @ Avalinah’s Books told us international bloggers NOT to give up. Inspirational.
- Marta @ The Cursed Books also talked about the deal with Goodreads, NetGalley and international bloggers.
- Ayla @Books and Babbles explains us how to take control of our Goodreads TBR. SO USEFUL.
- Krysta @ Pages Unbound told us it’s important to take charge of our blog before IT takes charge of us. Inspirational.
- Savannah @ The Book Prophet shares the expectations of a book blogger and… #truestory.
- Dani @ Perspective of a Writer wrote a very interesting post about being a power influencer.
- Kat @ Life & Other Disasters shared her best… TV shows of 2017. Because sometimes we need to binge watch TV as well. New resolutions: watch at least one or two TV shows of this list as soon as I can.
How was December for you? Did you end the year on a good note? I hope so!
What was your favorite book this month? Are you ready for a new year, new goals and new times blogging? Let’s chat in comments!
I really want to read Words in Deep Blue and My Lady Jane as well! I’m glad you enjoyed them! Have a wonderful week and happy reading!
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OH I hope you will read both of these and love them 🙂
thank you so much, Lynn! Hope you’ll have a lovely week as well 🙂
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MARIE I HAVE BEEN SO BAD AT COMMENTING ON YOUR BLOG. WHY DOES THIS ALWAYS HAPPEN TO ME?! Its like I read your post and then…forget to comment? I am horrible I know.
I AM excited for Words In Deep Blue! I MEAN I actually never realised it was books on the cover? I thought it was like tiles or something XD OMG CHRISTMAS IS BEAUTIFUL IN FRANCE but i get it! As a fellow hermit, i think the festive season is great but also super tiring! Everyone seems to love Holly Bourne’s books? BUT I MEAN IT’s contemporary. Which I am always hesitant with. My library seems pretty stocked up with her books so I’ll have to try them out soon! Looking forward to your reviews. I’m so sad Daughter of Smoke & Bone was disappointing. PLEASE READ STRANGE THE DREAMER THOUGH, it’s fabulous and wonderful and I JUST LOVE IT SM.
My favourite book of December has to be Batman: Nightwalker though I had a few quibbles or Paper Butterflies by lisa Heathfield. I hope 2018 brings you happiness and lots of other things like BOOKS!
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AHH what you are NOT horrible, don’t ever say that, you are amazing!! ❤ ❤
Words in Deep Blue was so, SO good, I hope you will read it someday and love it!
I agree – I mean, I know I'm really lucky to live in such a gorgeous place when Christmas comes around, but… there are just too many people, it's tiring haha. I am glad it's over.
It only happens in the movies was my first Holly Bourne book and I LOVED IT. I get what the fuss is all about: it was just… SO accurate. I mean, some contemporaries have this fluffy image, romance etc etc, but that one was just so ON POINT and realistic. If all her books are like that, I understand why everyone loves her. You should try one of her books someday 🙂
THANK YOU so much!! ❤ ❤ ❤
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Hahaha you are very welcome for the recommendations, I am sure I can come up with more if you ever need any 😛 Also, thanks so much for the TV rec shout out! Which shows would you be most interested in watching? I think we talked about it before, but my brain is Swiss cheese and I keep forgetting haha
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You’re so welcome!! I’m not sure, for now as you already know, I started watching Dynasty and I LOVE THE GOOD PLACE 😛
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I think you’d really like Imposters and maybe This Is Us if you aren’t watching it already.
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Well, you know me – I don’t watch tons of tv shows so I am not watching these – will check them out, thank you!! 😀
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Happy new year! Oh my goodness, your town is so pretty!! It makes me miss Europe. You read MLJ! I’m so glad, I loved that one! I agree about DoSaB – it was OK but not super spectacular.
Best of luck on the writing, Marie! I agree it can be super hard.
I hope you have a lovely January!
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AHHH come back, Lenna, you can come to France and we’ll travel together and it’d be amaziiiiiiiing 😛
Thank you so much!! I hope you’ll have a great January as well xx
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Your hometown is soo pretty ❤ I understand why it'd get annoying to always have tourists there during the holiday season. You shared some of my favorite posts as well, and thanks for sharing mine 🙂
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Oh thank you so much 🙂 And you’re welcome, I loved your post! xx
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it’s so uplifting to see a blogger just being there for other bloggers!!! 🙂 Setting the tone for 2018 ❤ ❤ ❤
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Aww that’s so sweet, thank you! 🙂 I hope you’ll have a lovely 2018!! 🙂
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I’m looking forward to the reviews you have coming up; those are some books I’m considering reading, so I’d love to hear your thoughts first!
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Oh that’s so sweet of you to say ❤ ❤ I have some reviews coming up very soon 😀
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Your town is so pretty! I also live in quite a touristy place; it was so busy during Christmas it was awful!
I love Holly Bourne’s books! Am I Normal Yet? is incredible.
I hope you have a wonderful month! 💖
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Oh I’m glad you understand it haha, it’s so crazy around Christmas time. I’m glad it’s a bit calmer now 😛
I need to read Am I Normal Yet? now, I can’t wait 😀
Thank you so much, Kyra! I hope you’ll have a wonderful month as well xx
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AHHH, LOVE ALL THE CHRISTMAS PICTURES! I need to visit around Christmas time, haha. I love Christmas decorations. I still need to read all of these books that you read in December! I own This Savage Song, My Lady Jane, and Daughter of Smoke and Bone…so I really need to get to reading them!
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YES YOU DO, I have a feeling you’d love it there, Ashley! 😀 I hope you’ll be able to someday ❤
I can't wait to hear your thoughts on all of these books 😀 Have a great month! xx
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(SQUEEK thank you for linking to my post!! I’m always so so excited when somebody does that IT’S THE BEST FEELING ❤!!)
What I loved most this month was how the international bloggers got tougher!! It was lovely seeing everybody being so supportive and nice in the face of awful news! It feels like we’re a stronger community then ever before and THAT MAKED ME SO HAPPY!
Pft your city looks great ok biased opinion but I loveee winter and the decorations and everything. I hate the people though….yu nu thx 😂. It’s always so busyyy but I have an excuse to stay inside.
Happy new year ❤!
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You are SO welcome, thank YOU for writing awesome posts!! ❤ ❤
I agree about that for sure. Even if things were and are still tough for us, it's incredible to see the community tighten its bounds and just get closer together because of that. I love it ❤
Hahaha you're right, at least this gives us a good excuse to stay inside 😛
Happy new year to you too!! Wishing you all the best this year! ❤ ❤
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Those Christmas pictures are beautiful! Stuff like that always makes the cold weather worth it sometimes lol. I hate winter where I live but luckily it doesn’t last forever. I’m interested to see what you think of Daughter of Smoke and Bone; I love the world and some of the themes she writes, but the romance isn’t quite there for me. I recommend Strange the Dreamer over this trilogy 🙂 hope you had a great new year!
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Oh I agree, I’m not a fan of cold weather either, but… beautiful displays like that make going out worth it ahah 🙂
So many people recommended me Strange The Dreamer and said it’s way better than this trilogy… I think I’ll have to read it soon, then 😀
Thank you so much!! I hope you’ll have an amazing year, all the best wishes ❤
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December was quite intense but very fun. I went to Kuala Lumpur in between India and New Zealand and that was very interesting. I also dyed my hair blue and managed to read lotsss. Like you I hate how busy Christmas is. But it has been nice to see family and stuff. I liked reading Words in Deep Blue and Hit Makers.
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You had such a busy month, Shanti, that’s quite awesome you got to travel like that. I hope you settled well in New Zealand! ❤ ❤
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My December was… busy, mostly, with packing and travelling and a lot of family. I’m so glad you’re reading Holly Bourne! She rocks and I hope you love the book!!!!!!!! Also, Alsace looks freaking gorgeous ❤ I'd love to go to a proper European Christmas market one day.
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I LOVED THE BOOK SO MUCH. Holly Bourne is an amazing author and I now get what all the fuss is about, ahah. I can’t wait to read more from her now 🙂
Aww, you should come and visit someday, I have a feeling you’d love it 🙂
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Those pictures of your hometown are beautiful! I miss going into the city to see the tree and all the store windows. Words in Deep Blue was one of my faves in 2017 and I agree, My Lady Jane was so fun! I adored every second of it.
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Aww thank you! 🙂 I’m so glad you agree about these books. They were so good 🙂
I hope you will have an amazing month! xx
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I love these wrap-up posts so much! I am really intrigued to find out what you thought of It Only Happens in the Movies. It sounds like a book that would be right up my alley. I know exactly how you feel about leaving the comforts of your home and the contemporary genre. I am so curled up under a cozy blanket with all the contemps until summer. I do hope to give a few fantasies a whirl, but who am I kidding? Happy New Year! 🙂
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Oh thank you so much! 🙂 It only happens in the movies was SO great, I loved it. I will write my review next week, but it was such a great book, you HAVE to add it to your TBR 🙂
Happy new year to you too! Wishing you all the best 🙂 xx
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Oh Marie, the area where you live is so pretty! I love the all the lights 🙂 I love the decorations at Christmas but dislike all the craziness that goes along with it…the shopping, the business, the preparation overwhelms me. Also, the cold. I do not like the cold! lol
Congratulations on 3 years of blogging! That’s awesome…I’m off to check out your giveaway (I’m excited!) and thanks for sharing some awesome bloggers. I will check them out too.
Jo-Ann
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Aww thank you so much, Jo-Ann! ❤ I am just like you, I like how pretty cities are around that time, but I'm not a fan of the Christmas-frenzy overall and…THE COLD IS THE WORST. 😛
Thank you so much!! 🙂
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I can see why living in a place with one of the best Christmas markets could get a little tired after a while but your pictures are so pretty Marie and it kind of makes me want to travel there to experience it for myself. 🙂 Then again I love all things Christmas (to the dismay of one of my friends who isn’t as much of a fan of the season) so it could be partly that as well. You got through some great books as well, and it’s great you went a little out of your comfort genre as well (which is something I should try more of). I’m sorry Daughter of Smoke and Bone wasn’t what you’d hoped but I’m still looking forwards to your full review. 😀
Great post, and I hope you have a brilliant January as well. 🙂 ❤
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Oh yes Beth, please do, it would be amazing for you to come here around Christmas time. I’m sure you will love it, especially given that you love all things Christmas 😀
Thank you so much! 🙂
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In that case I may have to. I do have some extra holiday for work this year and your photos really make me want to see it all for myself. 🙂
That’s all right. 😀 ❤
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AHHH that’s amazing. YES please do, and let me know. I’ll be your guide 😀
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In that case I definitely will, thanks Marie! 😀 ❤
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Oh you’re so welcome ❤
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You hometown looks so beautiful! December was quite a busy month for me but I still managed to read seven books and my favorite was the bear and the nightingale by Katherine Arden. It was a beautiful read and I highly recommend it!
I hope you have a great month and Happy reading! 🙂
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Oh thank you, Raven! 🙂 I am so glad to hear you loved this book, everyone has been talking about it lately, ahah 🙂
Have a lovely month! ❤
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Ooh now I’m really inspired to read My Lady Jane because it sounds AMAZING! Also you really got me interested in wanting to read the forbidden wish and now I don’t know which one to read next! Love this post! Its always interesting to see what different bloggers accomplish every month.
Happy reading 🙂
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Let me make this easier for you: READ THE FORBIDDEN WISH 😛 I am such a huge fan of this book, it deserves to be read by everyone. I’d recommend My Lady Jane as well, if you’re looking for a fun read, but… the forbidden wish first 😛
Thank you so much for your sweet comment, Jamie! 🙂
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I loved It Only Happens in the Movies very much! I felt empowered as I read it, and I can’t wait for your review!
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I loved this book so, SO much as well. It was one of the most realistic contemporaries I’ve read when it comes to relationships ❤ Thank you! ❤ ❤
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I loved the Christmas markets in Germany growing up (I can’t remember how to spell the real name 😭) though I understand the difficulty with it in your backyard. I love that you are taking a break with some fantasies! I know contemporaries are your love but hopefully you’ll start to see what you like in fantasy too so you can become an expert picker with them like you are with contemporaries! ♥️😉
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Oh! And thanks for shouting out my post! You were one of the power influencers I was talkin about! 😍🤩
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awwww you’re way too sweet, I’m honored!! ❤ You're so welcome, thank you for writing such a great post!
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OH yes, well, living right next to Germany has its perks, the Christmas markets are pretty amazing here too 🙂 It’s just hard, with ALL THE TOURISTS 😛
It’s my ultimate goal, being able to find everything I love in the blink of an eye, ahah 🙂 Thank you, Dani!! ❤ ❤
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I don’t like christmas either but only because everybody goes crazy that time of the year. On the roads, in the stores, with decorations. It’s just frustrating as hell.
Also the savage song is on my TBR since it came out along everything else V.E. Schwab wrote, I didn’t read anything from her yet and I don’t know why.
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Hahaha, yes, everybody goes CRAZY around that time of the year, I hate it. Glad it’s over for now 🙂
I hope you will read some of Schwab’s books soon – she is an incredible writer! 🙂
Thank you so much for your comment! 🙂
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I’m not the biggest fan of Christmas time either, so I completely get that. Though it’s always nice to spend some time with family. 🙂 It’s too bad that you weren’t blown away by Daughter of Smoke and Bone, I have heard so many amazing things about it and it’s definitely a book I plan on picking up. I will look forward to your review of it! 😀
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It is great to have some family time, probably one of the rare things I like about this season 🙂
Thank you, Anna! 🙂
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Ah, the town you live in looks gorgeous!! 😍 I love winter, personally, because it gets COLDER, and as someone who hates heat and faces it pretty much all the time in Texas, that’s great. 😂
Ahh I feel you with the nothing in the writing section!! It’s almost a week into January, and I’ve done NOTHING with my novel, despite making it a goal to do something. I knoe I want to create a better plot, but thinking of rewrites makes me so incredibly tired. 😭😭
Hope you have an amazing rest of your January, Marie!! 💜
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Haha oh well if you are used to a very hot weather, I can understand that you’re looking forward to some cold and winter time 😛 We face here really cold winters and damn hot summers… we have it all 😂😂
Same here, May, same here. We can support each other and try and get back into it slowly. Maybe you could try and re-read the whole thing, once you took some time away from it all, and then start really re-plotting everything? ❤ ❤
Thank you, I hope you'll have a wonderful month as well! ❤ ❤
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Hey girl!!!! Ugh I’ve missed so much around here since being on my hiatus. Time for some catch up 🙂
I hope you enjoyed your holiday season inside away from all the tourists lol I’ve never really thought about what it must be like to live somewhere that is very populated during the holidays… I can see why it would be exhausting.
Yay for you for reading outside your comfort zone! I read This Savage Song this year too. It wasn’t my favorite Schwab book, but feel it is probably a pretty good book to dip your toes into fantasy. I like Schwab’s adult fantasy books more.
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OH AMANDA!! I have missed chatting with you so much, it has been a while! ❤ I hope you're doing well ❤ ❤
I only read the ADSOM series from Schwab, aside from this Savage Song, and my preference goes to ADSOM, I think 🙂 Did you read other books by her? 🙂
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Happy New Year, Marie 🌸 I hope 2018 is the best year EVER and that all your dreams will come true!
Fantasy is out of my comfort zone too, but I’m so happy to see you enjoyed This Savage Song, it’s definitely on my TBR for 2018. I’m also really interested in reading Words In Deep Blue.
Sorry your writing has been a bit off. I’m sure you’ll come back to it this year 💖 Also those pictures of your town is stunning, I absolutely love the Christmas tree 😍
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AWw happy new year to you Michelle! ❤ I hope you will have an amazing year ❤ ❤
I have a feeling you could love Words in Deep Blue, I hope you will read it soon 😀
Thank you so much! It really is pretty and quite magical around Christmas time, even if the tourists makes it a bit… tiring, haha 🙂
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Hello Marie ❤
Glad to hear that you enjoyed most of the books that you’ve read in December! I am interested in My Lady Jane since I am looking to read more historical fiction (though, like you, this usually isn’t my favorite genre). Looking forward to seeing your review 🙂
I am also relieved that the holidays were over haha :’) It was fun, but pretty exhausting!
Blogging takes a lot of time and energy- sometimes a good break is all we need! 🙂
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I don’t read historical fiction much, but that one… well I didn’t feel like it was a historical fiction. It felt more of a mix of historical-fun-a bit of magic kind of book, and it was a really good mix 😀
I hope that you had a good beginning of the year, Sophie! Thank you so much ❤ ❤
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Hmm I might give this book a try then! I think a pure historical fiction might be too much for me to handle right now haha, maybe I will ease into it by reading a book like this. Seems interesting that there is some magic in this book! 🙂
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If you’re looking for something fun to read, this will be the book for you 🙂
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I am a quarter of the way through My Lady Jane now! It is hilarious so far 😀 😀
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Yay!! I’m so glad you are enjoying it 😀
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Wow your town does look pretty, even if it brings out your inner hermit 😉 (I figure winter’s a good time to stay in and read books anyway) And now I want to hear about all the books you got 😉 Awesome wrap up- and I loved Kat’s and Dani’s posts 🙂
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Ahah yes, definitely a good time to stay in and read books 🙂
Thank you!! ❤
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You’re welcome! ❤
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Hello, Marie!
Ok, so I’ve been totally absent on the blogosphere for the last eight months, so I was completely unaware of the whole international readers vs. Netgalley issue, but I’m sure to read the posts you recommended and catch up on it. I’m afraid I’ll be mad after it, though.
Now I have to say I also hate Christmas, hahah. Not because of the same reasons, but I always feel like it’s an overhyped season. I never do much on this time of the year, and there’s somehow this pressure to be around your family, even if you don’t feel like it. I spent this Christmas on Netflix for the day, and even though there’s a tradition in my country to wait until Midnight to have dinner and celebrate it, I went to bed at 10pm, hahah.
Anyway, I totally missed blogging, but I don’t feel like I’ll be back at it, unfortunately, since this year is even more hectic at school for me. But I hope to be going back here and there, to read some posts and catch up. And, by the way, happy 3rd anniversary! I hope you’re having a fantastic 2018 so far!
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AHHHHH LAIS???!! I am so happy to hear from you, I could cry. I hope you have been well? I hope you’re having a fantastic 2018 so far as well, I miss chatting with you a whole lot. I don’t know if you are more over on twitter or anything – I haven’t seen you around there either. LET ME KNOW if you want to chat. I’m always here and I miss you. Hope everything has been well ❤ ❤
I agree with you about Christmas, it is quite a over-hyped season for me as well. I'm always glad when it's over, haha 🙂
Sending you ALL the love ❤ ❤
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*pretends not to be totally emotional bc you still remember me* hahaha
i really don’t like twitter tbh, but i really do plan on commenting more often and checking up on other people’s blogs, so i’ll definitely be around!
once again, thank you sososo much for your kind words, marie! i do miss chatting with you too! again, you were one of the first people who approached me when i was new book blogging and i’ll always be thankful! ❤
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OF COURSE I remember you, how could I forget you? ❤ ❤
This makes me so happy, I hope we will be able to chat more then! I always loved our conversations ❤ ❤
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