DECEMBER 2023 RECAP // wrapping up the last reading month of the year ft all the romance, austen addiction, great films & job searching

Once more I am fashionably late but you all know the drill at this point. Let’s jump right in!

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Betting On You by Lynn Painter {★★★★☆}: when she said When Harry Met Sally inspired YA rom-com, suddenly I appeared. Out of nowhere. Can’t explain it. But living my best life and she was cute as heck. Now I just need to catch up on Painter’s previous YA release so I can come out of shameville. Tysm to Simon & Schuster for the eARC via Netgalley. More thoughts in my GR review here <3<3<3

If I Never Met You by Mhairi McFarlane {★★★★☆}: Finally got back into my McFarlane groove and she truly is a genius!!! And men suck hardcore. Whilst this one does not top Mad About You for me, I loved it nonetheless. I related so deeply to Laurie’s insecurities and adored her as a main character. I do think I wanted a bit more from the romance? Read more in GR review here xoxoxo

Persepolis Volume 2 by Marjane Satrapi {★★★★★}: Finally finished this one after having to put it down for thesis writing. Ugh Satrapi is a GENIUS and I have so much appreciation for her. This book is as excellent as everyone says and apparently, she has more stuff so Imma go read that!!!! GR review here

Just Like Magic by Sarah Hogle {★★★★½}: Only took me a year to read this book but yay look at me! I did it! And during Christmas?!?!? Even though I suck, I’m proud of that. Sarah Hogle proves herself as an unhinged writing whizz once more and this book put the biggest smile on my face. I have already written a whole review so read more about my love of this book here!!!! Big thank you to Putnam for the eARC via Netgalley xoxo

Not sure if anyone has noticed (probably not bc who even cares??) but I’ve been sharing any book mail I do get over on Reels & TikTok. And I did post alll the books I received for Christmas over on there so I won’t rehash those. BUT I do have some publisher spoils and I also ~have~ to gush about some stunning finds that I’ve recently added to my collection, so I’ll show you those ones!!

Big thank you to Penguin Random House SA for gifting me with:

• The Burnout by Sophie Kinsella
• The Goodbye Cat by Hiro Arikawa

Found all of these discounted from various places and I weep whenever I look at my shelves:

• Emma by Jane Austen ~ Cantebury classics
• Rosaline Palmer Takes The Cake by Alexis Hall
• Night and Day by Virginia Woolf ~ Alma edition
• The Voyage Out by Virginia Woolf ~ Alma edition
• Love and Friendship by Jane Austen ~ Alma edition
• Lady Susan, Sanditon & The Watsons by Jane Austen ~ Alma edition
• Mansfield Park by Jane Austen ~ Alma edition
• Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen ~ Penguin Clothbound edition
• Emma by Jane Austen ~ Vintage classics
• Doctor Zhivago by Boris Pasternak ~ Vintage classics

These were shared in my Reel but I just HAD to show them here too because I will never not get over Waterstones exclusive editions:

• The Fragile Threads of Power by VE Schwab
• Immortal Longings by Chloe Gong
• Foul Heart Huntsman by Chloe Gong

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Heck if I remember what I saw last month,,,

Lol I have to check Letterboxd every time and apparently, I watched a bunch of good ones. The best had to be May December which made my top of the year and UGH IT’S SO GOOD. Crazy and you’ll probably be confused but the weird editing makes sense as you keep watching!!!

Also saw a bunch of new releases aka Wish, Wonka, Leave The World Behind and Anyone But You which were all kinda average. Unfortunately. I also finally watched Turning Red which was a lot of fun. Also somehow saw Nick and Nora’s Infinite Playlist and Turkey Drop which were both fine,,,

I got into my ~crime~ era and I’ve been watching all the thriller movies lately, started with Prisoners which is EXCELLENT.

Finally, I started (and finished in Jan shhh) Sharp Objects which was SO GOOD OMG!!!!

Not much else happened really. I’ve been taking it easy mostly. Was home for the holidays though I did visit the beach for a bit beforehand.

Otherwise, I’m living the life ~JOB SEARCHING~ cross your fingers for me please,,,

WHAT HAVE YOU BEEN UP TO LATELY? WHAT WAS YOUR LAST READ OF THE YEAR? HAVE YOU READ ANY OF THE ONES I DID? WHAT DID YOU THINK? DID YOU WATCH ANYTHING GOOD? LET ME KNOW!