Monthly Recaps

MARCH RECAP // start of 2nd year uni ft. book shopping & a 5-star read

April 3, 2021 / 18 Comments

Hello world, no I am not dead.

However, in my mind posting twice in one week gave me the liberty to disappear for two weeks. You know what you signed up for here on this blog. I made no promises.

Or maybe I did, I don’t really know anymore. My brain is kinda numb right now.

I’ll stop rambling because we have much to discuss. So let’s goooo!!!!

The Spanish Love Deception by Elena Armas {★★★☆☆}: Look, I actually did eventually finish this book. Unfortunately, since we last spoke about it, my enjoyment went down. Which is why you haven’t seen that post from me, because I don’t want to give this a really negative review. Because it is not terrible, it’s just not my kind of romance. Which is totally fine. I really enjoyed the writing style, the characters and romance were just not for me. Full GR here < 3

–

Emergency Contact by Mary H.K. Choi {★★★★★}: I,,, wowee literally just finished the book the other day and have still not been able to recover. Also yes, your visual of a 5-star is correct as I LOVED this one. This book was excellent. If you read it and hated it, then you are wrong. I have argued that in my extremely long GR review ~ click here. I am ready to fight you. The characters are messy, annoying, dramatic and immature but have you actually met a teenager?? I have (I am one) and they are. The college setting was A+. Penny and I are the same human. Sam was a smol bean. The writing was perfection, and I laughed out loud on multiple occasions. LOVED the romance. I sound mellow here but I DID LOVE THIS BOOK PLEASE YOU CAN TRUST ME!!!

THE SHOW IS COMING AND I’M RUNNING OUT OF TIME SO PLEASE KEEP ME IN YOUR PRAYERS!!

I actually… forgot that I bought all of these books omg! But they were second hand and the others on sale so I couldn’t not. Also had been wanting them for ages so am very chuffed.

From a second-hand store:

  • The Hunger Games trilogy by Suzanne Collins
  • Nocturna by Maya Motayne

From Bargain Books:

  • Clap When You Land by Elizabeth Acevedo
  • Full Disclosure by Camryn Garrett
  • Loveboat, Taipei by Abigail Hing Wen
  • Emergency Contact by Mary H.K. Choi
  • Run, Rebel by Manjeet Mann
  • Evvie Drake Starts Over by Linda Holmes
  • The Dreamers by Karen Thompson Walker

Big thanks to Penguin Books South Africa for sending me a copy of Super Faker Love Song by David Yoon <3<3

 

Look at the pretty new featured images because I was mayhaps unsatisfied with the old ones,,,

Click to go to the post

I apologise as I’m still behind here so I don’t have as many as I should have. And most of these are February posts because I’m behind again. But I did read some amazing ones so!!!

My mind almost went blank until I remembered that I got invited to a Chaos Walking screening which was THE COOLEST. Here are a couple of snapshots from my Instagram stories:

I also rewatched a fave of mine aka He’s Just Not That Into You. Ugh, forever one of my comfort movies. Would watch it over and over again.

If you didn’t know, Film Studies is one of my uni majors. And the very first film we’re discussing is Love, Actually. I have already seen it so I didn’t watch it again. However, Love & Other Drugs was mentioned in the lecture, which I’ve never seen. So I just tried it for funsies, ya know? And it wasn’t half-bad. Like I was SURPRISED!! First of all, I had been thinking that this starred Chris Pine for the longest time. And I,,, don’t really like him all that much. But um it’s not. It’s Jake Gyllenhall, who I do love. Anyways, I actually really liked this movie. WAY more nudity than I anticipated and idk about the Parkinson’s rep but overall it was really good.

And I… think that’s all that I have to talk about from this section.

In case you missed the announcement: I started a studygram!! And so far, I’m really enjoying this little hobby. Follow for an even more sporadic Ruby.

I also am now a rep for Book Cozi, a super stunning local book sleeve company and I’m so excited to be on the team!

Welp, I do not kid when I tell you my brain is a little dead today. Mainly because I got some kind of stomach bug the other day and it threw my whole week off.

Anyways, I guess I can tell you that I went back to university. Just in case you missed that. So far, it’s been going quite well I think. I redesigned my Notion so that I’m way more organised and I think it’s helped me stay on top of everything. It also helps that I’ve narrowed all of my courses down to ones I actually want to take haha.

Apart from that, nothing much. In hand with my new studygram, I have a new desk setup that I super love. Stay tuned to the account to see what it looks like. I also got a new phone, which may or may not be interesting to you. She’s been great.

That is all. I should go and read or study now!

WHAT DID YOU GET UP TO IN MARCH? HOW MANY BOOKS DID YOU READ? WHAT WAS YOUR FAVOURITE READ? OR DID YOU WATCH ANYTHING FUN? WHAT ELSE DID YOU GET UP TO? I’D LOVE TO KNOW!

YOUTUBE // INSTAGRAM // GOODREADS // TWITTER

PINTEREST // LETTERBOXD // KO-FI // studygram

You May Also Like

Review: THE DREAM THIEVES

December 2, 2017

GET A LIFE, CHLOE BROWN BY TALIA HIBBERT // spoiler-free book review: how my first venture into adult romance went

April 29, 2020

ONE OF US IS LYING SEASON 1 & 2 // spoiler-free tv show review: a perfect teen mystery you will binge in two days ft. drama, cute romance and all the fun

November 4, 2022

18 Comments

  • Kayla @ The Book Loving Beaut

    April 3, 2021 at 11:31 pm Reply

    AHHHHH I am the same and I need to read the Shadow and Bone series before the show comes out! I also need to read Emergency Contact it sounds to good I am all about good romances and college.
    I am glad you are feeling better and I hope that your school year goes well!
    I hope you an amazing April Ruby!

    • Ruby Rae Reads

      April 20, 2021 at 1:09 pm Reply

      Agh Kayla, apologies for this late reply! But ahh glad I’m not alone. It’s out in a few days but agh I STILL haven’t read it yet. Indeed I’m already walking the walk of shame over here haha

      But also yes you DO need to read Emergency Contact because it is SPECTACULAR!!! Ugh I love it so much *insert heart eyes*

      Thank you for your kind words and lots of love to you xoxo

  • trufflereads

    April 4, 2021 at 11:24 am Reply

    congrats on starting a studygram and so happy you enjoyed emergency contact too!! Ah I feel about being a sporadic blogger but it makes me feel better that we’re both doing so well despite hectic schedules – I’m always gonna support you! <3 ily xx

    • Ruby Rae Reads

      April 20, 2021 at 1:16 pm Reply

      ahhh Tracy, so sorry about this late reply! But thank you so much for stopping by xoxo

      Oof Emergency Contact was just SO GOOD OMG. And my new account has been so much fun (even though it’s been a hot minute since I posted hehe).

      Lmao glad I’m not alone but also LOOK AT US GO. Multi-tasking is a superior skill *wink wink*

      love ya moreeeee <3<3<3<3<3

  • Sumedha

    April 4, 2021 at 4:23 pm Reply

    Aah I totally understand brain being numb haha. Also, time just goes by and it feels like you never have enough energy even if you have the time?? I feel 80 years old at times, ngl. And I mean the 80yo who has no energy, not the super healthy ones who do marathons.
    I hope you have a much better April!
    (And thanks for linking my post! Glad you liked it!)

    • Ruby Rae Reads

      April 20, 2021 at 1:33 pm Reply

      Oof Sumedha, apologies for this incredibly late reply! My brain is still numb haha but glad I’m not the only who has experienced the feeling lmao. BUT OMG ME TOO! I feel like a grandma most days. Wish I could be doing those marathons,,,

      Anyways, hope you are having a wonderful April (I’m doing a bit better btw) and lots of love to ya xoxo

  • aria @ matcha and memoirs

    April 5, 2021 at 6:10 pm Reply

    Ruby!! I truly enjoyed reading this post :)) I saw your review (loved reading it as well!) on Goodreads the other day about Emergency Contact and it 100% convinced me to put it on my tbr list. oh goodness, sending you all the vibes and energy for reading the Grishaverse books! Can I also send some of your favourite snacks in virtual form as support? We can scream together when the show gets released 😭 The official trailer was definitely a sign for me to finally read Shadow and Bone after an unknown amount of time of it sitting in my tbr.

    Wow, so happy for you that you were invited to the screening, and hope you enjoyed your time there! Definitely will check out your studygram – love your profile photo, you have a lovely smile <33 Oh no, hope you are feeling better now! Those are an absolute headache. I'm the same as you, paper over digital is easier for me. I've seen a lot about Notion and have been unsure whether to use it or not. How are you liking it?

    Apologies for this long comment, this was a lovely wrap-up post 💕 Wishing you a fulfilling April xx

    • Ruby Rae Reads

      April 20, 2021 at 3:52 pm Reply

      Aria!! Ah apologies for this incredibly late response but THANK YOUUUU <3<3<3 making me cry!

      Omg SO glad that I convinced you because it's honestly so good and people are far too harsh. And oops it's out this week and I still haven't gotten around to those books yet *hides*

      Yes, snacks appreciated. Thank you ma'am!! (pssst hope you also can get around to the books)

      The screening was so much eeep! Have you seen the film? And AGH STOP YOU ARE TOO KIND!!! xoxo

      And definitely do not apologise about long comments, literally me all the time. Lots of love to you and I hope you're having an amazing April!!!!!

  • Marie

    April 6, 2021 at 1:11 pm Reply

    Ah I’m SO HAPPY you loved Emergency Contact so much ahh it’s one of my favorite books ever just as well <3 I hope you'll have a lovely April, take care of yourself always <3

  • Sara * Lyrical Reads

    April 6, 2021 at 5:57 pm Reply

    Love this wrap up!! I keep remembering that I really need to read Emergency Contact and Yolk soon👀 rip my TBR lol otherwise, I read 26 books in March! I really have no idea how because March truly did not exist!! Some of my favorites were The Ones We’re Meant to Find, the Track series, A Mind Spread Out on the Ground (memoir), Clues to the Universe, and Pie in the Sky! Watching-wise, my life has been consumed by this Chinese reality show called Youth With You🙈 music and friendships? Yes, please, and that pretty much sums up my taste haha

    • Ruby Rae Reads

      April 20, 2021 at 4:07 pm Reply

      Agh Sara, apolgies for this very late reply! But yes omg you MUST read Emergency Contact, it’s SO GOOD. I was nervous about it but honestly I think everyone was just too harsh. Even more excited to read Yolk now also haha

      26 BOOKS??!?!?! OMG THAT IS LITERALLY AMAZING GO QUEEN!!!!! Definitely adding ALL of those to my tbr now also (yv show included!!) *insert heart eyes*

      Lots of love to ya <3<3<3

  • Caro @ bookcheshirecat

    April 9, 2021 at 5:37 pm Reply

    VERY excited for the Shadoe and Bone show as well!! I’m planning on rereading the entire Grishaverse (and Rule of Wolves is out now as well 👀) though it’ll not happen before the show 😂 I’m not planning on reading the Chaos Walking books, but I hope to see the movie – it’s honestly so cool that you got to go to a screening!! Also thank you so much for featuring my post! ❤

    • Ruby Rae Reads

      April 20, 2021 at 4:10 pm Reply

      Agh Caro, so sorry for this late reply but thank you so much for stopping by!! And oof I STILL haven’t gotten around to the books and the show is almost out because this comment is so late *hides in shame*

      Also ah yes, I haven’t read the books either and not sure if I will. Though I do really want to read something by Patrick Ness, not sure what yet?? But the movie was super fun : )

      Why of course! Loved that post. And lots of love to you <3<3<3

Leave a Reply

Skip to content