Hi friends! ☀️ Happy September everyone!
August has been… okay, for the most part, I guess? I had a lovely time on holidays with my sister at the beginning of the month heading to Frankfurt (Germany) to spend a couple of days there exploring and just, chill out a little bit, too. (well. as much as I can. I’m a workaholic. someone help me)
OF COURSE necessary disclaimer, this little trip away has been respectful of the rules set in place in my own country (France) and in Germany, I don’t live far away from Germany and Frankfurt at all. Wear your masks (ON THE NOSE TOO god) and keep your distance and be respectful, friends.
Otherwise, it’s been a long month spent at work, trying not to stress out too much and failing and just, doing my best.
? Here are some great resources to check out: get informed carrd & current info carrd. Never forget to take the time to educate yourself on world’s current events and to do your part. Take care of yourselves, friends.
This month has been really nice, reading-wise! I had a lot of fun reading these books and even found a new favorite, so yay!
? Books I read
DATING MAKES PERFECT ☂️ I enjoyed that one a lot ! I loved the main character, the fake-dating with a childhood friend and the siblings relationships so, so much. » read nyx’s amazing full review.
MISS METEOR ☂️ I ADORE THIS BOOK JUST READ IT OKAY. One of my new favorites ever, I loved the characters, the writing, the beauty pageant, the mischiefs and small town vibes and everything.
LOOK ☂️ I’m a little more on the fence about that one. It was a good read overall, but it took some time for me to really get into it. I liked the discussions on social media, your own image and reclaiming your own self, too.
ANNA K. ☂️ ALL . THE. DRAMA. I’m so fond of these kind of books. Anna K. was addictive, I really liked the characters and Gossip Girl vibes I got from this!!
MEAT MARKET ☂️ Uhhhhh I’m a little obsessed with this?? It’s about a teenager going into modeling and all about the dark sides of the fashion industry and I loved this so much.
- Goodreads Challenge: 42/60 books ? Still ahead!
- Year of The Asian Reading Challenge: 5/10 books
? Currently reading
I’m very nervous to get back into this series, but also very excited to finally read book 3! I ADORE The Reader’s series and just read it okay thank you!!
I haven’t done much in August when it comes to writing and, in another way, I have done a lot.
I’ve announced it on Twitter so I guess I might as well do it right here, too: I’m planning on entering Pitch Wars (the mentoring program) this September with my WIP. This WIP I’ve been writing for over 6 years now, aerm. I’m terrified, my query and synopsis are ready, I’ve read it all again and again and yep, I’m very much scared but well, I’m doing this because why not. Let’s give this a try, right?
So I don’t talk about my writing often, but… hi. I’m Marie and I’m prepping for #pitchwars with my YA contemporary ?✨
— Marie ☀️ (@dh_books) August 21, 2020
I want to run away screaming, someone help.
I’ve also been taking back one of my projects I’ve been working on earlier in the summer: this WIP I started co-writing with my sister. It’s a dual POV contemporary and, even if I haven’t written a lot of it, I’ve been having fun getting back to it.
My hope, really, for the upcoming month and the rest of the year, is to continue focusing on my writing.
- Words written : 284 for Pitch Wars prep – 1 141 for new contemporary WIP
August has been… okay, blogging-wise, I guess? I’ve been inspired, but also taking it slower some times too and it has been nice. We’re neck deep into preparing the blog post with the winners for the 2020 Book Blogger Awards and this has taken a little chunk of my time to do it all, too, but I’m hoping you’ll enjoy it when it releases THIS! SUNDAY! Also hoping you’ll continue forever and always to support book bloggers‘ incredible work.
Actually, I feel like my little burn-out showed in this month’s blog posts? I’ve been talking about things that annoyed me this month, such as fake engagement and book bloggers’ unrecognized, gigantic amount of work, too. It’s been good to pour my heart out into posts again, but also… a little draining.
THAT BEING SAID, I do have some projects in the works for September for the blog, so… I’m very nervous and very excited and very nervous. That’s it.
If you enjoy my work, you can support me on ko-fi right here if you wish to. I also happen to have an Amazon wishlist. Thank you for supporting my work, this means the world!!
? Book reviews
Click on the book covers to be redirected to our reviews.
? Book blogging
? Book discussions & tags
I think it’s been an okay month, blog-hopping wise? I always feel like I could do more, there are just so many incredible book bloggers out there, but I may need like, 453 more hours every day to do it all. Here’s my little selection of blogs posts of the month!
? Books & Reading
- I loved Kay @ Hammock of Books’ blog post on ownvoices and reviewing books as a biracial reviewer.
- From September 15th to October 15th, it’s the Latinx Heritage Month! To celebrate, Sofia @ Bookish Wanderess is hosting a book bingo and has AN INCREDIBLE list of 170 book recommendations.
- Ruby @ Ruby Rae Reads talked about her history with book reviews in a super interesting blog post!
- I loved Veronika @ Wordy and Whimsical’s blog post recommending books based on Taylor Swift’s Folklore!
- Cait @ Paper Fury wrote a great list for Disability Month this past July with amazing recommendations!
? Book Blogging
- Xandra @ Starry Sky books has a VERY useful post about editing instagram photos to add book covers of books you don’t own!
- Caitlin @ Caitlin Althea does it again with her excellent posts, this time with an intro to book blogs that is both stunning and a must read for everyone. Book Bloggers for the win okay.
- Shealea @ Shut Up Shealea is a LEGEND, really. She’s back to book blogging and already serving us with incredible blog posts. Check out her relaunch blog post (with a giveaway!!), as well as the things she wished she knew before book blogging.
- Pam @ Reverie Society wrote about promoting your blog through social media and I loved this so much!!
- Clo @ Cuppa Clo shared 3 important blogging lessons she’s learned and READ this!
- Malka @ Paper Procrastinators wrote an amazing blog post about discussions and how ideas come to her!
- Louise @ Monstrumology wrote a great blog post about being autistic and how it affects the whole blogging experience.
- Trang @ Bookidote wrote a must-read blog post about blog stats and numbers.
? Lifestyle & Other Blog Posts I enjoyed
- My friend Mathieu @ Math Crln talked about Notion and tells us how it helps him creating and I loved this so much!
- I also loved his post on time being your ally and ugh such a good read.
- Melina @ Melina Elisa wrote about enjoying the reminder to slow down.
Is there a blog post you are particularily proud of this month? Feel free to send it along with your comment!
How was your month? I hope you all are taking care of yourselves, friends!
What were your favorite books this August? Any exciting blogging, writing or personal plans going on? Tell me everything in comments!
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I had a very different idea of what the term “Meat Market” would mean for that book, and it was definitely more along the lines of cannibalism/Not Even Bones types of meat markets. xD Miss Meteor looks so freaking good though!!
Oh god yes, I see it now ? the title really makes sense in the book itself though and I loved that!
Miss Meteor was AMAZING, I recommend it so much!
Thank you for stopping by! <3
My bestie and I were in Frankfurt last October! It’s a really beautiful and nice city! Glad you enjoyed your days there! =) And I’ve been thinking about reading “Miss Meteor” for quite a while but wasn’t sure about it. Thanks for saying it’s awesome. I think I might actually pick it up now. XD
Ahh yay, it really is a beautiful city, I had a fantastic time there! 🙂
I hope you’ll pick up Miss Meteor as soon as possible, I loved it SO much!
Thank you so much for your comment! <3
Amazing Wrap Up, love!! ❤️ I’ve been seeing the more positive things about Anna K, so maybe I’ll give it a chance, I LOVE that it’s compared to Gossip Girl. ??✨
I hope you have a wonderful September ?
Ahh yes yes, you should read it, it’s AMAZING!
Thank you, Sofi, have a lovely month!! <3
It’s nice that you were able to get away to Frankfurt for a while! A change of scenery can be so helpful during these times.
I have seen Dating Makes Perfect everywhere and I need to read it! It seems like a book that is right up my alley. I’m happy to see so many people featuring it.
It really is, it feels nice to have a little change of scenery <3 thank you!
I hope you'll love Dating Makes Perfect, it's such a great read 🙂
Ah thank you for sharing my post Marie! I can’t wait for the BBA post this sunday eeeep and I didn’t finish any books in August 🙁 I did manage to post some good blog posts though, that people seemed to really like which makes me happy haha even if I’m still really unsure at times with my content *sniffs* I’m hoping to start working on my WIP again this month, so we’ll see since I’m also back to work this month and I’m already feeling overwhelmed and drained again. Sending you all the love and I hope you have a wonderful September! <3
Of course, I loved it so much!! <3
I'm so sorry you've been struggling with your content, I'm a little late on reading it but I've been loving everything you put out lately, really. You're doing amazing, just write when you're feeling inspired and with your heart! <3 <3
Best of luck with work and I am here for you always if you need to rant <3
It looks like you had a nice month! I hadn’t heard about a lot of books you’ve mentioned here. I’ll check them out. The only I’ve heard a lot about is Anna K. I hope I’ll pick it up soon.
August for me was good in terms of reading(at least).
It was nice to visit your blog.
Take care!
Ahh I hope you’ll add them to your to-read list, they were lovely! Anna K. was so good! 🙂
Thank you so much for stopping by! Have a lovely month!
Little trips should be allowed, I went to Czech Republic for a week or so and it was great to be away for a while.
The Netherlands has very strict rules since a week and people need to go in quarantine for 2 weeks if they visit “orange labeled” countries.
So I’ll just stick to The Netherlands for now….
Hope September will be a good month for you!
Ahh yay! I’m happy you could get away a little bit, it’s nice to have a little change of scenery 🙂
I hope September will be kind to you, stay safe! <3
Frankfurt looks so pretty ? I really wanna read Anna K too!
It was!! I hope you’ll be able to read it soon, it’s so good 🙂
Oh wow you’re entering on Pitch Wars, congrats!!! I wish you all the best for this!
thank you so, so much!! ??
Looks like you had great month. My favourite book in August was The Night Swim by Megan Goldin. I’m moving to my hometown this weekend and going to buy house so it is going to be exciting and busy month. Happy reading!
Oooh how exciting!! I hope September will be wonderful! 😀
Good luck with pitching your WIP!! I can only hope to get to that stage one day, so I am full of admiration ?
And I’m glad you enjoyed your time in Frankfurt! I mostly associate the city with stressful train experiences (honestly, I think I’ve never had longer delays anywhere ?), so I’m glad you managed to relax and have fun!
Oh thank you so, so much!! ? (just a side note, I am not pitching for #pitmad on twitter, I’m entering Pitch Wars, the mentoring program, so it’s a bit different? just thought I’d clarify!)
Oh god I’m used to train experiences ??, but the trip was worth it! Thank you!! <3
Glad you enjoyed your vacation!
And it looks like you had a good reading month! I hope September is just as good!
(www.evelynreads.com)
Thank you so much!! 🙂
Wowwowwowow that is SO AMAZING that you are preparing to pitch your story, Marie! I’m so excited for you! Here’s wishing you the very best of luck and success!
Ahh thank you Kat! ?? (just a side note: I’m not pitching for #pitmad, I’m applying to the pitch wars mentoring program, it’s a bit different! just for the clarification ?) but thank you so much, here’s to hoping!! ?
Ooopssss I guess I misread that; sorry! But still, that’s really really exciting! I hope one day I’ll be able to read your book ?
Ahh no worries at all, people (I know I, too, at first) often don’t make the difference between the two events! Thank you, oh that would be so wonderful ??
You visited Frankfurt?! Woah, that’s so cool. ? I actually live not too far away from the city and even considered going to uni there. I hope you had a good time in Frankfurt. ? August was a pretty tough month for me. I had to make a lot of decisions – the kind of future/life changing ones and I am both happy and I have doubts. But oh well, let’s see how things turn out. ?
Ahh really that’s so great! It was a lovely city, I hope you’ll get to visit someday! 🙂
I’m sorry to hear that, these are always so stressful! I’m sure everything will be okay in the end, I’m rooting for you!! <3
<3<3
Your travel pictures are lovely! I’m so glad you got to do a little getaway even with everything going on!
Thank you, Angela! It felt nice to get away a little bit <3
It sounds like you had a lovely month. Your trip looks like it was a lot of fun! It’s always good to get away. My friends and I took a weekend away to a cottage (about an hour away from home) and it was nice to just do nothing. ?
I really hope you enjoy the Storyteller! I loved that trilogy when I read it earlier this year, such a beautiful ending. I can’t wait to read your thoughts! ?
Happy reading in September! ❤️
Thank you so much! I’m so happy you got to get away a little bit, it feels nice, doesn’t it? 😀
I loved The Storyteller so much, it… kind of wrecked me ahah but it was so, so good.
I hope you’ll have a lovely month <3
It felt very nice! It was like a sense of normalcy was brought back into my life (even though when we went out we wore masks and social distanced!)
I’m really glad to hear you loved it, it was sad that it was over, but I really enjoyed the third book!
Thank you, I hope you do as well! ?❤️
I’m glad you got to take a trip. I miss traveling. Because of the virus in my country, it’ll probably be a long time before I can go anywhere. Good luck with Pitch Wars. Have a great September.
Thank you so, so much <3 Have a good September as well and stay safe! <3
Thanks so much for mentioning my post <3 It's so nice you were able to go on holiday, and good luck with pitch wars!! fingers crossed for you!
Thank you so, so much!! <3
*whew!* I am so thankful I found this post – I thought I had forgotten when the reveal post would be for the Book Blogger Awards! I’ve had intense lightning storms kicking me offline for nearly a full fortnight and feel like this first week of September is a chance to get back into everything I left waiting for me. I have notes about the awards and participating in them this year – just waiting for the results to finish that post. I definitely respect needing time and space to blog / read / etc. I’ve had to push through months where I lacked motivation and inspiration but I’m in a better place now – participated in my favourite INSPY readathon in August and it served as a renewing of interest and focus. Something I’m blogging about this week and hope to reveal Thursday but the post was meant for Wednesday.
I’ll be back to see your lovely post and until then, enjoying your updates. Be well.
PS: So that’s a global issue now? People not understanding how to ‘wear’ a mask? I’ve seen it too. #boggling
Oh no you haven’t missed out on the results, they’ll be here in a couple of hours! It takes an incredible amount of time to do it all on the side of school/working for us both, but we’ll announce it everywhere on social media as well once they’re live 😀 thank you for your support of the awards, it means SO much to us! <3
It is a global issue and it is terrible. ??
Thank you so much! Have a lovely month and take care <3
Hallo, Hallo Marie,
Ooh I hadn’t meant to imply to feel rushed – I was more upset with myself in case I had forgotten to check your feeds and/or blog for the update myself. I was quite overcome lately with *life!* – esp with lightning storms, migraines & some medical emergencies with my parents — so it was just something I regretted I had let slip past me and then, I was thankful I hadn’t missed it at all!
Ooh hours away – I need to see if they’ve been revealled!! I can’t wait to write my second post about the awards this year! Bless you for co-hosting and here’s to a wonderful reveal! *big hugs*
Thank you so much for all of your support for the awards!! <3
Same here, I want to focus on my writing in September and get back to the rhythm I had before the virus.
I hope you’ll be able to do that! Happy writing <3
Thank you!
Hi Marie. I just found you on here! It looks like you had a great time on your trip. That is refreshing to see right now. I will be checking out some of your blog recommendations. Last month, I found inspiration and blogged more on the blog. I hope you have a good September. 🙂
Thank you so, so much! I’m so happy you found inspiration and hope this keeps on going for you this month <3 have a lovely September! 🙂
Sounds like a very fun reading month! I really want to read Miss Meteor, Dating Makes Perfect, and Anna K they all sound very good! Good luck with the pitching your WIP I hope it goes well and I hope you have a great September❤︎
Ahhh I hope you’ll get to read all of these soon, they’re AMAZING <3
Thank you so much! Have a lovely month <3
That’s nice you got to take a little trip! We haven’t left the house basically at all. With a 9 month old who takes a nap every 2-3 hours, it’s quite difficult lol
Scared to click that 170 book recommendation post from Bookish Wanderess because OH NO my tbr and wallet will probably not be happy with me lol !
I hope September treats you well 🙂
Too many books, I get that ? but it’s a fantastic recommandations’ list! 😀
Thank you so much Molly! Have a lovely September and take care <3
Your travel photos look lovely! I’m a little jealous that your area is handling the virus enough that it’s safe for you to do so, but that’s wonderful that you were able to take some time to relax and visit cool places!
Ahh so glad you enjoyed Anna K! I definitely want to read that one. And GOOD LUCK WITH PITCH WARS! I’m so excited for you <3
Happy September – I hope it’s a wonderful month for you!
Oh thank you so much Margaret! <3
I hope you'll love Anna K., it's such an entertaining read. And thank you so much, fingers crossed <3
Have a beautiful September and take care <3
i’m so glad you liked my post, marie! and i feel you so much about blog hopping ? there are so many amazing blog posts on my reader but with school i just don’t have the time to comment and read them all anymore :(( and AHHH, I’M SO EXCITED FOR YOUR WIP!! i’m sure your pitch and query are amazing, and i’m wishing you all the luck with pitch wars! you deserve to be accepted so much, and i’m just so happy that we might see a published book from you ????
Of course, you always write the BEST posts! <3
I'm right here with you, it's making me so sad, but we only have so much time every day?
thank you so much!!! oh my god i hope so, but it's just a dream and honestly i'd just be grateful for the mentorship and to learn a lot already, if i get the chance ?
thank you so much!! <3
I’m glad you had a good reading month and that you felt okay with blogging and blog hopping. I definitely relate to not having enough time to do as much blog hopping as I’d like – there’s so much great content out there, I want to read all of it! I’m so excited for Miss Meteor ever since I saw you mention it in the post about book hangovers, really hoping I’ll love it too. 😀 I hope September has been a good month for you! ?
Right here with you,I want to read it all but I lack the time to do it all 🙁
I can’t wait for you to read Miss Meteor, hope you will love it 😀
Thank you so much, Veronika, have a beautiful month <3
Best of luck with your WIPs and reading this month!
Thank you so much!! <3
Thanks for sharing my post, Marie! ? I’m glad you had a good month, applying for Pitch Wars is so excited, good luck!!!
Thank YOU for taking the time to write this fantastic post <3 and thank you so much!! Fingers crossed <3
I had a good month! felt like I barely got into the swing of things with uni and was then on holiday again, it’s very intense, but I did some writing for uni that I’m really proud of. Good on you for acknowledging burn out–I’m realising slowly that basically allllll the writing I have to do for university as well as journalism has made it really hard to do more fun writing like blogging or stuff that isn’t getting published for the last few years and I’m trying to figure out how to respond to that. Good luck with Pitchwars! here’s shar and my monthly wrap up if you are interested https://daylightdifferentials.wordpress.com/2020/09/04/1741/
Ahh I’m so happy you had a good month Shanti, yay! <3
I get that burn out feeling so much, I hope you can beat it soon and listen to yourself first and always! <3
Thank you!! <3
It looks like you had a good month and I’m glad you were able to get away to Germany. I took a short break too, and I completely relate to what you say because I find it hard to switch off, too.
Good luck with your writing, and have a lovely September!
Thank you so much Stephen! I’m sorry you’ve having a hard time switching off as well, it’s just sooooo hard haha 🙂
Thank you!! Have a lovely month <3
It’s so nice that you got to take a little trip! Also seems like you read some great books, I’m personally very excited for Miss Meteor as well ?
All the very best for pitch wars! I hope your WIP gets selected. Not sure how pitch wars really works so hope that selected is the right term lol.
Thank you so, so, so much Charvi! <3 and yes, let's hope so, thank you!! <3 <3
Omg so excited to see that you visited Frankfurt and could relax a bit!! ? It has been a while since I visited the city but it was always fun for a nice shopping trip! Ahh, so happy to see you reading The Storyteller! I hope you like it! I definitely need to get around to reading it as well ?
All the best luck with Pitch Wars!! Keeping my fingers crossed for you ?
Thank you so much Caro! I can’t WAIT for you to read The Storyteller and please come to me once you did, because… I have lots of emotions ahha.
Thank you so much <3 <3
I absolutely love your pictures of Frankfurt, I didn’t actually manage to visit it while I was in Germany but the smaller cities give all the same vibe and I miss it sooooo much!! I hope you had lots of fun!! 😀 I’m so happy you enjoyed Anna K, it was such an entertaining read, and yes, the DRAMA hahaha And I’m super curious to check out your review of Miss Meteor!! I hope you have a lovely September <3
Thank you so much Marta, I really did <3
I can't wait for you to read Miss Meteor, it's SO GOOD!!!
I wish you all the best with writing and Pitch Wars!! And thank you for sharing with us those beautiful pictures ? It’s been a while since I went out of house just to enjoy the sceneries and all that, and even if the views here are different from where you live, it’s always nice to see how the other side of the world looks like!!
Also I’m not sure if it’s me burning out or not, but for some reasons, I’ve been feeling less enthusiastic about blogging. Like I don’t really have the burning motivation to write blog posts and I’ve been disappearing from WordPress a lot too. Hopefully I can gain back my blogging spirit and start being active again on here!!
Looks like you’ve had a good reading month!! I hope that September will be a better month for you, life, reading, writing and job wise ??
Thank you so, so,so much, I’m so happy I could give you some wanderlust feels 🙂
Oh I’m so sorry to hear that! Sometimes a break can really do you good. Take care of yourself!! <3
I hope you'll have a lovely month, as well! <3
I’m glad you had a great time with your sister on your trip to Germany. I love all of your photos! 🙂
I’m happy to hear that you had a really nice reading month too! I’ve been meaning to order a copy of Meat Market! It sounds so good.
I can’t wait to see the projects that you have for your blog this month, that’s exciting! 🙂
I hope you have an amazing September, Marie! <3
Ahh thank you Ashley! Meat Market was fantastic, I hope you’ll read and will love it! 🙂
Have a wonderful month <3
omg firstly, thank you so much for featuring me as one of your favorite posts of the month! That literally made my day *insert me happy crying here*! Secondly I’m so happy you had an amazing time in Germany! I’m pretty sure I remember you posting a few beautiful photos on your Instagram account! I hope that the start of September is going well 🙂 xx
Melina | http://www.melinaelisa.com
Ahhh of course, I loved it so, so much! <3
I hope September has been kind to you, take care of yourself <3
OMG YES ON THE NOSE!!! I saw this Spongebob meme and now whenever I see people with their masks under the nose I a) get mad and b) think of said meme lmao
Ah Marie, you had such a great month!! Super excited to read Dating Makes Perfect and Anna K. And your wip looks marvellous, love the aesthetics.
Omg thank you for including my post, I adore you and hope you have a lovely September xoxoxoxo
Ahah it’s just SO FRUSTRATING I can’t stand it.
Thank you so, so much, love! I hope September has been kind to you, take care of yourself! <3
Yay for your trip to Germany!! Glad you could travel a little and spend some time r e s t i n g 😉 Oh, I so admire the progress you’ve made in your WIPs! I was making a little progress in August, and then school started and now I haven’t done anything in weeks, oops. Hope your September is amazing xx
Resting… trying to hahaha. Thank you so much <3 I hope September has been kind to you so far <3