Happy March, friends🌼 I’m so happy spring season is on its way here in my corner of the world. I truly need it. Let’s take a look at what happened this past February, shall we?
February has been, thankfully, a short month. It’s been yet another really stressful month overall, at work and with my mental health lately, but I’m trying my best.
I got to go on a fun weekend getaway to Paris with my sister the past weekend and it’s been SO good. It just makes me eager to be able to make more travel plans. Hopefully, soon!
I wish I had more exciting news to share, but here it is. Spring, waiting for you!
Monthly Reading Wrap-Up
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A second ago, I thought February wasn’t great, but I realized I forgot a book in my wrap-up. Oops. So, 4 books this past month is pretty good and… they’ve all been 4 stars-reads so, YAY! That being said… I’m sad because I have yet to read a 5-star book this year. Here’s to hoping I’ll find one soon.
ALL THE RIGHT REASONS ☂️ This was a really fun read overall! I loved the Gilmore Girls vibes I got from the mother-daughter relationship and the premise was fun… but I expected a bit more from it, as well. Still, recommending it!
A LESSON IN VENGEANCE ☂️ I was nervous about this book, but I’m thrilled to say I ended up really enjoying it. The spooky, witchy boarding school atmosphere had me hooked. I think I’m finding my love again for these kind of reads.
ONE LAST STOP ☂️ I really liked Red, White and Royal Blue by this author and was so eager to read that one. Happy to say it didn’t disappoint! I especially loved the found family in this, my heart is SO full with them all okay.
OUR WAY BACK TO ALWAYS ☂️ I loved Nina Moreno’s debut, Don’t Date Rosa Santos and this one was a book I was very eagerly anticipating. While I didn’t fall for it as much as Rosa Santos, I still loved the childhood friends trope, the characters and getting back into that little universe, too.
Book Discoveries of The Month
I KISSED SARAH WHEELER ☂️ I had to add this upcoming book after reading One Last Stop. Shara kisses Chloe and then vanishes, leaving Chloe hunting desperately for answers about who Shara really is. This sounds EXACTLY like the kind of book I LOVE.
💧 Find the book on Goodreads
THIS IS NOT A PERSONAL STATEMENT ☂️ This one is about a small town girl swapping bodies with a rich socialite and honestly this just sounds like SO MUCH FUN?
💧 Find the book on Goodreads
Goodreads challenge: 9/50 books
I’m on track so far, so… I’d say it’s going pretty well!
While I didn’t make a lot of progress at the end of the month, the rest of February has been lovely once again when it comes to writing. I think there’s something about knowing I’m just a couple chapters away from typing THE END to this second draft that makes me excited and inspired and… let’s face it: impatient to wrap it up again, as well.
I… don’t know how I feel about blogging, lately. It’s no secret: with other platforms (BookTok, yes looking at you, but also obviously the reign of Bookstagram) rising, it’s tough to find your place or book blogging’s worth, at times. I’ll admit that I’ve been struggling with that, a little bit. With finding my place, feeling like all of my work actually matters and whether it’s worth it, or not. I’ve also been struggling with my presence online, on social media (which is almost non existent) and wondering about that, too.
I’ve been having a hard time coming to terms with the fact that I don’t give back to you all as much as I used to. I also know some of my priorities have changed, and hell, my entire life has changed, too. I’ve been focusing on my writing a lot more, I don’t live in the same place, I don’t have the same life, at all.
A lot of questioning, lately, a lot of wondering, too. That being said, blogging is something I cherish a whole damn lot and I’m hoping that this is just a feeling that will pass and that I’ll keep on finding and re-finding my love for it all and my place in it, too.
I’ve been posting a lot on the blog this month despite everything, with some fun posts and re-launching a couple author interviews I had fun with. I’m still, hoping to, someday, maybe revive my newsletter, so you can always subscribe here:
On the blog this month: book reviews
On the blog this month: blogging, books & more
My sister wrote about feminist books she recommends on the blog this month and I adore this list. I hope you can find some new recommendations here!
I re-launched my author interview series on the blog this month! Starting with Angela Velez, author of Lulu and Milagro’s Search for Clarity, one of my most anticipated reads of the year.
I talked about blogging this month and how it changed the way I read. It’s a reflection I’ve been having for a little while now, and it’s been nice to write it all down!
Another interview this month! This time, with Joy L. Smith, author of Turning, another book I’m really anticipating!
Back with some book lists. I really love writing these posts and I hope you like them, too! I shared some backlist YA books I hope to read in 2022.
I also wrote about some YA mystery books on my TBR, a genre I’m getitng more and more into!
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On instagram
I didn’t post much, yet again. I’m struggling to find my groove on instagram, but… I’m trying!
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I have been absolutely TERRIBLE at blog-hopping in the past few weeks and I’m so sorry. Please feel free to drop your favorite blog post, whether it’s one you wrote or one you loved, in comments!
How was your February? Did you find a new favorite read this month?
I’d love to hear from you in the comments!
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I can relate to your feelings about blogging. I see people doing cool things and getting tons of opportunities and attention on BookTok, Bookstagram, etc. Then I wonder why I’m wasting my time. I really enjoy blogging, though, even if no one else cares.
I’m so, so happy to hear that you really enjoy blogging, it’s so important to remember that despite everything. That’s what keeps me going! <3
Looks like you had good reading month. I don’t have TikTok as it is banned in India but I’m not interested in it anyway . Instagram is pretty good in replacing it. Blog won’t go anywhere, there is still people who love blog.
Thank you so much! Yes, I’m so happy and grateful to see people still loving blogs despite everything 🙂
Marie, you are my rock, my bestie, my forever blogging buddy in this venture, so I hope you know how much I cherish your presence (however it may look like) in this community. I hope you don’t stress yourself out about how much you are currently able to engage too much, because you’re still putting out great content for us to enjoy!
It would have been SO hilarious if you and Nyx had run into you know who in Paris, but you can’t plan these things haha
Lastly, I think you know which of my blog posts I’m most proud of – the new installment in the reader compatibility series: https://lifeandotherdisasters.com/2022/02/26/are-lupita-nyongo-and-i-compatible-readers/
I didn’t ask for you to make me cry, KAT 🥺 thank you, for being here and for everything always, I adore you 😭
And oh my god yes it would have been AMAZING ahah I would have loved it, but I guess it wasn’t meant to be 😭
Just saying it as it is, Marie <3
<3 <3 <3
You had a great reading month ❤
Thank you so much, I did! 🙂
Happy March, Marie! 😊 I’m also looking forward to Spring… definitely counting down the days for warmer weather! I’m sorry to hear your questioning blogging. It’s tough sometimes, especially when your stats start to decline (like mine have been 😕) but I’m going to keep pushing on because I like having my own place on the Internet to place my thoughts so even if no one sees it… I can still look back on it! I hope you have a lovely month! 💞😊
Thank you so much! I’m so happy you’re still enjoying it despite everything, keep on going if it makes you happy, that’s what I’m telling myself! <3 I hope you'll have a wonderful month :)
Aww, thank you so much, Marie! ❤️ Yes, we should both keep going if it makes us happy! Have a great month too! 💞😊
That’s nice that you were able to go on a weekend getaway with your sister. I really need to plan some kind of weekend getaway ASAP. I feel like I’ve just been so stuck in the same place since COVID happened and I am dying to go somewhere. It’s starting to affect me just always doing the same things.
I really liked One Last Stop too! I’m pretty sure I gave it four stars as well. I can’t wait to read more from Casey.
I hope you have an amazing March! <3
I hope you can do that sometime soon, Ashley! It feels good just to get away, even if not so far, for a little while. <3
I hope you'll have a wonderful month!! <3
i connect so much with what you talked about with blogging and feeling like you don’t give back enough. i hope you know that i cherish everything you put out, and it’s totally okay for your activity with engagement or posting to fluctuate! i think now is a weird time to be blogging (with what you said about social media) and we just have to adapt to that as best we can <3 but i'm so happy that you were able to make a lot of writing progress and travel with your sister!! i hope march brings you more joys like that <3
Oh May, thank you so, so much, this is so very kind of you to say and it means so much, thank you <3 I hope March has been good to you! <3
I’m sorry to hear personally, your mental health hasn’t been the best. Spring is right around the corner though. On a brighter note, I’m so happy you’re almost done with your second draft of your book! I really hope you release it at some point, so I’ll have the pleasure to read it one day. I also really hope that you fall back in love with blogging. Your book blog is one of my favorites, and I’m glad to have you as one of my blog friends 🙂 I hope March is better for you xx
Melina | http://www.melinaelisa.com
Oh thank you so, so much Melina. I’m so happy spring is coming, it’s a season that always makes me feel happier as well. <3
You're too kind! I hope to release my work someday, hopefully, thank you 🥺🥺 I hope March has been kind to you so far! <3