Are we really, officially, in 2019 now?! I just don’t know what happened with 2018, but well, let’s roll with it.
This is my very first post of 2019 and I want to start it by wishing you a wonderfully happy new year! May 2019 bring you all the happiness in the world and, obviously, all the books in your lives, too. I can’t wait to spend another year with you on the blogosphere!
It’s time for my monthly wrap-up in the last month of 2018…. So let’s get started, shall we.
December wasn’t the best month overall, but then again that happens often during the winter season. I finally got back to work after months on sick leave and, let’s just say getting back into the rhythm was a little complicated and tiring and obviously I got sick, because why not.
I’m feeling a little better as I’m writing this physically, though mentally I’m not quite there yet, but well, I guess that’s just life. On the positive side, I’ve been getting some holidays to celebrate Christmas and the New Year so that’s been pretty nice. I’m eating too much food (as you should during that season), spending too much time obsessing about stupid things (because anxiety), sleeping more, re-watching all of the Harry Potter movies and failing at trying to get off social media because it sucks for my mental health.
Honestly, I’m not a winter person at all and I just can’t wait for spring to come around again.
Once again, I have read a little bit less than usual this month, mainly because my first and last books of the month were quite long and also with Christmas celebrations and… well, when I’m on holidays I take more time to blog and do other things, too. Oops.
Strangely, December has been an ARC-reading month? I’m so very happy and forever stunned and grateful about this, because I got the chance to read some fabulous books you really, really should add to your TBRs, because they’re incredible.
? Books I read
I started reading Crazy Rich Asians in November and finished it early December. While I felt a bit lost with the characters at times, I digged the drama so very much. Full review here!
This was my first Rachel Lynn Solomon book and…. it packed a punch of emotions, amazing characters and friendships/love and complex feelings and my heart. I loved it. Full review coming next week!
What a stunning, incredible ride and THESE CHARACTERS, I loved them all SO much?? Full review soon!
Small Town Hearts is a book made for contemporary trash, marshmallows like me and it made me VERY happy and add it to your TBRs. Full review here!
I am currently reading this gorgeous-looking book and… feeling a bit conflicted about it overall. If I really like the setting and ideas overall, something is lacking in the execution so far, I’m missing that thrilling feeling while I read? Full review soon!
I can wrap-up my December and the 2018 year by saying that I officially succeeded at my goodreads challenge, by reading 73 books, which is, so far, my record of books read in a year, so, YAY!
I can also wrap-up that part on books just to scream that my sister bought me one of these books I’ve been ranting on and on and on for months and years (it worked, apparently) for Christmas. This book is, drumrolls… The Reader and I am way too excited to read it in the new year!!
Last month, I mentioned that I was supposed to write about 900 words every day to get through my current draft of my WIP. Obviously, with getting back to work full time, getting sick, not making writing a priority as I did during NaNoWriMo and everything else, that did not happen at all.
I wrote about 2K this month and I’m disappointed in myself, I’m not going to lie. It is one of my resolutions to finish editing this draft though and I am planning on finishing it hopefully in the next couple of months, as I can see the end of it all soon, maybe, hopefully?
It has been a pretty ordinary month on the blog, with the usual reviews and discussion posts, though I had a fantastic time hyping up my 2019 most anticipated releases this month, too. I also tweaked my side-bar a little tiny bit, though I don’t expect anyone to really notice or care, I feel a little happier with it overall.
2019 and January will bring on hopefully new kind of blog posts and new projects for the blog, I’m hoping, to kick off the year and to keep on going, growing and having fun. Fingers crossed!
? Book reviews
Click on the book covers to be redirected to my reviews.
? Book blogging
? Book discussions
? Book Tags & Awards
I feel like I have been lacking this month in blog-hopping and most importantly, keeping the blog posts I appreciated and I’m so sorry about that. I hope you’ll enjoy my little selection!
Books & Reading
- Lais wrote about the best teenage movies she watched this 2018. She is also one of my favorite person and blogger and back to blogging and please check out her blog and shower her with all the love, she deserves it!
Book Blogging
- Beth wrote an interesting discussion about Why Are Reviews So Hard to Write and So Unpopular in the Blogging Community?
- Elizabeth talked about Responding to Book Drama and I 200% agree and love this post.
- Angela asked us: How Do You Define Success As A Book Blogger? and that’s a GREAT post really making me think about success and what’s worth it.
- Vicky wrote a very, very important post you should all read about The Double Standard Applied to POC in the Book Community
- Trang shared her Top 5 Blogging Tips
- Tiffany talked about the eternal Struggle of Balancing Book Blogging and School
- Ilsa wrote a super interesting post that made me think a whole lot :“Do people think I’m genuine in my reviews?”
Is there a blog post you are particularily proud of this month? Feel free to send it along with your comment!
How was December for you? Did you have a lovely Christmas, if you celebrate it?
What was your favorite book this month? How did you do with your yearly challenges and goals? Tell me everything in comments!
I hope you’ll feel a lot better soon! I’m so happy to see you loved Our Year of Maybe, I’m planning on picking it up soon and I’m super excited. And I’m also so, so excited to see you’ll be picking up The Reader! I love that book a whole lot.
Thank you so much Laura, that means a lot, I hope so too ❤ you’re too sweet!
I can’t wait to hear your thoughts on Our Year of Maybe, I really liked it! And I am SO impatient for The Reader, I hope you won’t mind if I update you when I read it, I just can’t wait for it and part of it is because of how much you love it ❤
I hope you’ll have an amazing January and awesome 2019! ❤
Congratulations on meeting your goodreads goal!
Thank you so much!! 🙂
Happy New Year! I spent New Year’s Eve re-watching Harry Potter movies because there was a snowstorm, and I couldn’t go anywhere. Congratulations on reaching your Goodreads goal! Have a great January.
Happy new year to you too, hope it will be a GREAT one ❤ and yay for rewatching harry potter haha, I’m all for that, love these movies ❤
I hope you’ll have a great january too and thank you so much!
I am sorry that December wasn’t that great for you. But we survived, right? 😀 4 books a month is still great. I read only one 😛
I am not a winter person either. We don’t have winters like you otherwise I don’t know how I would have survived 😀
I am glad that you are fine now and joined the work again. Going back to work after a break is definitely not easy. I am glad your 2018 was amazing overall. Happy New year and I wish 2019 is even better for you 🙂
Yes we survived and that’s what matters haha, here’s to a better January and year overall ❤ ❤
Thank you so, so much Sim!! ❤
I really enjoyed The Reader (although I still need to read the rest of the trilogy…), I hope reading it goes well for you! And I hope 2019 brings less sickness.
I’m glad you enjoyed it, I can’t wait to read it! ❤
Thank you so much, I hope you’ll have a lovely 2019 as well 🙂
Thank you for the shout-out, Marie! Winter is not my favorite season, either, I hate being stuck indoors. Can’t wait to read your review of The Gilded Wolves!
You’re so welcome Angela! ❤
Let’s hope spring and warm weather will come back soon 🙂 have a lovely january!! ❤
Thank you for sharing the blog posts and good luck with your WIP!
Thank you so much! 🙂
Happy January, Marie!❤️(That sounds strange to say instead of “happy 2019.” XD) I’m so sorry to hear that you’ve been sick, I hope you’re feeling better! But I’m really glad you’re able to relax over your holidays.
I just recently added Small Town Hearts to my TBR, and I’m so happy to see you enjoyed it, because it looks like just my kind of book. (THE COVER!)
I hope you have an amazing month!
Thank you so much Olivia, I am feeling better now ❤
I can’t wait for you to read Small Town Hearts, it was such a lovely read, I had such a good time with it and that cover is amazing ❤
thank you so much, I hope you’ll have a wonderful month, too!
I read a little less than I hoped to in December as well. The holidays are just a busier time, I guess. That’s awesome that you were able to finish your Goodreads challenge. I love the book cover for The Reader. I hope you enjoy it.
I guess so, we’re all a bit busier this time of the year 🙂
Thank you so much Ashley!! Hope you’ll have a great month <3
Happy New Year, Marie! I’m sorry December wasn’t the best month for you but it looks like you had a good reading month. I recently read Gilded Wolves and really enjoyed it but it wasn’t my favorite.
I hope you have a wonderful January! 🙂
Thank you so much, Raven! I’m happy you liked The Gilded Wolves, it was a great book! 😀
I hope you’ll have a lovely month as well 🙂
I’m so happy you enjoyed The Gilded Wolves so much! It’s one of my most anticipated releases and I’m so excited to fall in love with all the characters! I hope you feel better soon! Happy new year! ❤️
Ahh, I can’t wait for you to read it and I really hope you’ll love it 🙂
Happy new year to you too! Hope it will be a great one <3
Marie, thank you so so so so much for the shoutout! You have no idea how much that made me smile!
Back in November, I was feeling torn about returning to the book blogging community. I knew I would have a lot more time, and I know how much positivity I get from the community overall, and that would be helpful mental-health wise. On the other hand, I’ve always felt a bit out of place in the community; being an international blogger and especially reading mostly in Portuguese than in English, it has always felt like I should be putting more effort to be a “regular” blogger. But everytime I was conflicted with these thoughts, I’d remember about your blog. You are also an international blogger, whose first language is not English, and yet you have a phenomenal blog, with an amazing and supportive audience. You inspire me so much! Thank you, again, for always being the kindest person, and for providing so much content so that the international blogger community feels more at peace. Your work is absolutely stunning! ?
Hope you have an amazing January!
Okay so I might have shed a tear or two while reading this comment ? Lais you’re honestly way too sweet and I am so thrilled that you came back to blogging and hope you’ll find your rhythm and enjoy yourself again. It is complicated to be an international blogger and struggles as bloggers are there, always, too, but the community and amazing friendships are so, so worth it. <3
Thank you for being here, you're honestly the sweetest ?
I hope you'll have an incredible January! <3
I am sorry December wasn’t the greatest of months for you either 🙁 I so feel you on that whole physical and mental exhaustion thing. I haven’t been in the best of states either, but we made it to the new year. So many new possibilities ahead of us 😉 we can rock 2019!
Yes, I guess we can look at it that way, new year, new possibilities 🙂 Let’s hope so! I hope your year will be incredible, Kat <3 <3
I wish I could come up with as many discussion posts as you! You had a great month Marie 😉
Aww you’re too sweet, I guess I was very inspired haha 🙂
I hope you’ll have a lovely January! 🙂
Ahhh I’m sorry to hear you’ve been sick 🙁 !!! I hope some good spring vibes come your way to make you feel better! And wow your ability to write coherent good posts while sick is honestly a superpower!
The Gilded Wolves is getting so much hype recently? I think it’s climbing up on my Most Anticipated list. Can’t wait to read your review!
Thank you so much, I hope so, I’ve been feeling a bit better so, fingers crossed 🙂
Aw you’re too sweet ? this honestly comes from a LOT of stubborness on my part, too, to be honest haha. thank you!! <3
I hope you'll enjoy The Gilded Wolves, can't wait to share my review, it was such a good book 🙂
I hope you'll have a great January!! <3
aww omg! thank you so much for linking up my post, Marie!!
and ugh, sorry you didn’t have the greatest month! I definitely did not reach my word count goal either–wanna keep each other accountable? I want to write 30k this month, but I also know that requires serious dedication ahahah
You’re so, so welcome, thank YOU for writing so many amazing and important posts always, Vicky <3
I'd LOVE that so much, I think that would help me a lot, too! I need to write about 30K or maybe a bit less, too, to finish my draft, but I've been slacking soooo much haha.
omg ok i’m going to dm you and we’re going to HOLD EACH OTHER ACCOUNTABLE (i’m at around 26k left to go)
AHH you wrote already a bit I AM SO PROUD. Yes feel free to DM me, I NEED to get back to writing soon, I’m failing so badly hahaha.
Aahh Marie!! I’m really looking forward to hearing your thoughts on Enchantee, since I know it’s French-inspired and I don’t think I’ve seen any French reviewers talk about it yet! And I’m so glad you loved The Gilded Wolves since I’m so looking forward to reading it! Sorry you didn’t reach your writing goal for the month, but 2K is amazing and we’re all cheering for you <3 I hope you feel (mentally) better soon and I'm wishing you the best 2019!! <3
I’m excited to talk about it as well, it’s been so nice to read a book with French setting and history, too! 🙂
I can’t wait for you to read The Gilded Wolves and I hope you’ll love it, I had such a fun time reading it <3
Thank you so, so much for everything, you're so sweet! I wish you all the best for 2019 <3 <3
I’m so sorry to hear that you were sick, and I’m sending you all my love and anti-sickness wishes to feel better and beat the cold! I definitely agree that I get into a weird funk whenever it’s the winter. I much prefer the fall. 🙂 I like how your sidebar looks too! Did you add icons to your most popular posts?
I hope you have a better January, and I’m wishing you all the best for 2019! <3
Thank you so much Tiffany, you’re so sweet, that’s much needed. <3 I'm really a spring and summer person haha 🙂
Aw thank you! It is an option with my blog theme to show the icons like that 🙂
Thank you so much, I hope you're having a lovely month so far and all the best for 2019! <3
I want to wrap you in a blanket of love and hugs <3 It's okay not to be so okay, and you know I'm always here <3
Thank you my sweechie, that means a lot, you’re the best!! <3 <3
Getting sick is the worst! I can totally relate to the whole looking forward to spring thing. It has been a fairly easy winter where I live, but still. I am so happy that you enjoyed Small Town Hearts!!! I think that it looks like a contemporary I will love and I look forward to your review. Happy New Year, Marie! 🙂
Happy New Year to you too! Hope 2019 will treat you well! <3
I can't wait for you to read Small Town Hearts, it was such an adorable book, I had a great time reading it 🙂
Thank you so much!! <3
I enjoyed this greatly, Marie! You alwasy seem to read such interesting books–I’m desperate to get my hands on The gilded Wolves and Our Year of Maybe. I don’t even know how I did with my yearly goals, I’m scared to look back. But I managed to read exactly 3 books a week this year (52 less than last year sadly) and exact averages please me plenty. The best book was definitely Muse of Nightmares, not counting rereads.
Oh thank you shanti, you’re so sweet, I’m so glad you think so! <3
I can't WAIT to hear your thoughts on both the gilded wolves and our year of maybe, both were such good books : D
IT's AMAZING that you got to read so much this year, wow! I need to read more Laini Taylor soon, by the way, haha, I hear amazing things about her stories 🙂
Thank you so much Shanti! I hope you'll have an incredible 2019 <3 <3
Oh Marie, I totally understand the whole not being a winter person. I’m always happiest in spring and summer!
I’m sorry you got sick, and I’m glad you’re feeling better! I was SO ILL in November. I had flu for 2 weeks. It wasn’t fun.
I hope you have a wonderful 2019! <3
I’m glad you understand ahah, let’s hope spring comes around soon 🙂
Thank you so much! I’m glad that you’re not sick anymore and I hope your 2019 is off to a great start! <3 <3
Happy new year!
And i’m with you on hoping for the swift arrival of spring <3 😀
Happy new year to you too!! <3 Fingers crossed we won't have to wait for too long 🙂 x
I hope you’re feeling better now Marie. 🙂 <3 Going back to work after being signed off must have been a struggle, I always find it challenging getting back into work after a day or two off, anything longer than that and my brain is just "NO!" You got through some great books though. I can't wait to see your review for The Gilded Wolves, that one is high on my TBR list, and oh I'm sorry Enchantee isn't all you hoped it would be so far. I read that myself last month too and it was slow going but I put that down to the fact that I was reading it when I was in the middle of a massive slump. :/
I think 2k words on your WIP is still good progress, it's more than I wrote last month, and I'm sure you'll get through it all in no time like you hope.
Thanks so much for featuring my post, great recap and I hope you're having a good 2019 so far too. 🙂 <3
Thank you, Beth! I so get that, every time I get a day or a long weekend off, it’s hard to get back at it so…. going back after so many months was complicated, but I managed, I guess 🙂
I can’t wait to read your review of Enchantée, I wonder if you’ll feel the same way about it than I did. It was a good read, but didn’t manage to… pull me all the way in somehow, I wasn’t captivated at all times :/
Thank you Beth! I hope 2019 has been treating you well so far ❤️
That’s all right, and yeah going back to anything after being off for so long is hard but after being ill I imagine it was even harder.
I feel like I probably will. It was a good concept but just too slow. I guess I just wanted a little more action.
That’s all right, and yes so far so good. 🙂 <3
Sorry to hear that December wasn’t the best and that you got sick Marie. Hopefully January will be better ❤️ I feel you on waiting for Spring to come around again. I like the aesthetic of Winter (coziness, the outfits, cuddling up on the couch with tea or hot chocolate, christmas tree etc) but in reality? No thank you. It’s cold and has a terrible effect on my mental health.
Also you may be disappointed in yourself for not reaching your writing goal, but I definitely am proud of you because you DID write and 2k at that. That’s still amazing ❤️ I get wanting to finish it, but don’t pressure yourself too much ❤️
Thank you so much Michelle ❤️ I’m the same here, I love being cozy with my blankets, my tea and warm sweaters, but I’m just having a terrible time overall, mentally, around this time of the year somehow. I’m sorry to hear it’s the same for you and I hope that the cold will leave us alone soon and warmth and spring will come around quick ❤️
Thank you, that means a lot! I’m trying not to pressure myself too much, but I’m really just hoping to get back to it someday, too, to at least finish that draft haha. thank you, your support means so much❤️
I’M SO HAPPY YOU LOVED THE GILDED WOLVES!! IT’S BEEN SO HYPED UP AND I REALLY WANT TO READ IT AND THE COVER IS SO GORGEOUSS
It really was SUCH A GOOD BOOK and yes that cover is absolutely stunning, I’m in love. I hope you’ll love it too!! ❤️
I hope January is treating you well so far! ❤️
Happy Belated New Year (again) ❤️
I’m sorry to hear that Winter is sucky and that it’s affecting your mental health – I’m sending virtual hugs and hot chocolates. I also re-watched all of the Harry Potter movies over the festive season because they are the absolute best! I totally get what you mean about social media, I constantly compare my blog/bookstagram with other people on the internet and it sucks.
Crazy Rich Asians and Goodbye, Perfect are both definitely on my TBR for this year. I really want to watch the Crazy Rich Asians movie as well. Enchantee looks really intriguing and I cannot wait to read your thoughts on it once you’ve finished it.
Good luck with your writing for this month. I hope January is an amazing month for you ❤️
Thank you Michelle, you’re way too sweet thank you <3 <3 I'm so happy I'm not the only one re-watching Harry Potter, they're the perfect movies for this time of the year haha <3
I can't wait to hear your thoughts on Crazy Rich Asians and Goodbye, Perfect, I really had fun with both books 🙂
I hope you'll have a wondeful January and thank you so much for everything <3
I am anxiously awaiting spring, too, but it takes forever to get here where I live.???
I have been seeing The Gilded Wolves everywhere, but I’m still.on the fence about taking the time to read it. ?
Happy New Year! ?
Oh same here, same here, I can’t wait. Hopefully it will be there quicker than we think it will, ahah ❤️
Oh, what are you on the fence about? Did you already read something by the author? I personally really liked it and would recommend it if you enjoy a great cast of diverse characters, stories with action set in historical Paris with a bit of fantasy elements to it all ❤️
Happy new year to you too! Hope it will be an amazing one 🙂 and thank you for your comment! ❤️
You’re just like me. While I love the snow and having a warm cup of hot chocolate, Christmas, Christmas lights, and all the good stuff that the winter brings, I honestly miss the Spring, Fall, and Summer wayy more. I hate that it’s dark so early. I never get to see the sun, and my mood is just drastically worse. Looks like you’ve been reading some amazing books though throughout the month of December! I hope January is wayy better for you 🙂 xx
Melina | http://www.melinaelisa.com
I’m glad I’m not the only one in that situation <3 I hope that spring will come around really soon ahah. I hope that your January has been good so far, Melina, sending you tons of love <3
Bit late but happy new year! <3 I hope you're feeling better now! I'm looking forward to spring too. There's definitely a lot of drama in crazy rich asians 😉 Awesome wrap up!
Thank you so much!! I hope you’ve been having a wonderful January so far! <3