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HOW TO MANAGE SCHOOL AND READING // bookish advice: tips for juggling reading, blogging & studies with a busy schedule ft. starting a studygram
Hey hey friends Welp, I’ve started my second year of university today. I’m excited and not excited at the same time. Love that for me. Wishing all of my other fellow and struggling students out there the best of luck. Anyways, in honour of that, I thought I’d revamp a post I made about 2 years ago. You can click here to check that one out if you’d like, though I don’t want to scar your eyes so maybe don’t. This one is much better haha. Now, I am aware that in the northern hemisphere, schools have already started. So I guess whoops but I’m always late so it’s not unexpected. I’ve put together a list of tips that I, myself, have used in the past to help manage my studies and reading. Disclaimer: I’m not an expert and I definitely do not have everything figured out. I’m still not great at time management so do with that information what you will. Also, keep in mind that this advice is what I personally have found useful and it may not work for you. ✎ Are you a student? Are you struggling to make time to read? Or is your daily…
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ALWAYS ONLY YOU BY CHLOE LIESE // spoiler-free book review: my first 5-star of 2021 aka this delightfully diverse sports romance
Yes, you read that right. I’ve finally read another 5 star and YOU ALL NEED TO READ IT! This is just going to be screaming and admiring this book and author for 1000 words straight and I’m not sorry. Buckle up, folks. Also idk who I am right now with all these reviews but I also honestly don’t care. Enjoy *wink wink* Title: Always Only You Series: Bergman Brothers #2 Author: Chloe Liese Page count: 355 Date published: 4 August 2020 Genre: Adult contemporary romance ❆ Synopsis: Get ready for an emotional ride filled with laughter, longing, and a sweet slow-burn in this sports romance about love’s power not in spite of difference, but because of it. Ren The moment I met her, I knew Frankie Zeferino was someone worth waiting for. Deadpan delivery, secret heart of gold, and a rare one-dimpled smile that makes my knees weak, Frankie has been forbidden since the day she and I became coworkers, meaning waiting has been the name of my game—besides, hockey, that is. I’m a player on the team, she’s on staff, and as long as we work together, dating is off-limits. But patience has always been my virtue. Frankie won’t…
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STARFISH BY AKEMI DAWN BOWMAN // spoiler-free book review: stunning writing & brilliant social anxiety representation
Hello, my friends LOOK WHO FINALLY READ THIS BOOK!! It is I. The biggest failure of tbr followers. Lmao, what did I even say?? Anyways, yes I finally got around to reading this book which was been on many a tbr and though I didn’t ~love~ it as much as I expected to, I enjoyed it nonetheless. Let’s get into this review. Which is smol but I wanted to chat with you anyways. Title: Starfish Author: Akemi Dawn Bowman Page count: 352 Date published: 5 April 2018 Genre: Young Adult contemporary ✧ Synopsis: A half-Japanese teen grapples with social anxiety and her narcissist mother in the wake of a crushing rejection from art school in this debut novel. Kiko Himura has always had a hard time saying exactly what she’s thinking. With a mother who makes her feel unremarkable and a half-Japanese heritage she doesn’t quite understand, Kiko prefers to keep her head down, certain that once she makes it into her dream art school, Prism, her real-life will begin. But then Kiko doesn’t get into Prism, at the same time her abusive uncle moves back in with her family. So when she receives an invitation from her childhood friend…
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VALENTINE’S DAY ROMANCE BOOK RECOMMENDATIONS // 10 romantic reads to make you smile, yearn, laugh and cry (in no particular order)
I refuse to take notice of the fact that I’m listening to driver’s license amongst other songs that are considered “sad” this weekend, so do with that what you will. Yes, I was being dramatic but also I am kinda only in the mood for sad music. Truly no idea why. Who else has been streaming driver’s license and acts indifferent but is also very invested in that drama? Okay, I’ll stop now because we are here for happy books and smiles. Happy Valentine’s Day everyone. I mean, it’s technically tomorrow (in my time zone) but I’m trying to be slightly on time. Before we start, wanted to let ya know I was going to make this part of the Distracting Yourself series however idk if it fits, but I would like to say that social distancing is still a thing my friends. I hope you’re listening and adhering to guidelines. Now that that’s out of the way, I wanted to do something fun for a Valentine’s Day post, and whilst this isn’t unique or anything, you may have noticed that I’ve been reading quite a lot of romance lately. Idk did you pick up on that? So I may have…
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THE MORE THAN 21 TOP BOOKS ON MY 2021 TBR // a very long list of backlist, 2019 and 2020 titles I’ve neglected (pray for me!!) ft. worst books of 2020
Yes, you did just read the title correctly. This list is going to be extremely long and I am already scared. Welcome to the second-last post of my end of year posts. Though the list is very long, this post is going to be rather short because there are just TOO many books to talk about them all *nervous laughter* If you didn’t know, 2020 was a failure of a year in terms of reading books on my physical tbr, among a plethora of other reasons. I say that with no exaggeration on the behalf of the entire world. But I did want to do this post again so I can have a list to look back on. I’m putting no pressure on myself as I clearly failed at the last one but having this list out in the universe might urge me just a smidge. Trying not to jinx it here folks. I’m dividing this up into a few sections because… well honestly I don’t know why I just feel like it. No surprise there. Let’s get into it!! TOP 21 BOOKS TO READ IN 2021 My priority list hasn’t changed since last year apart from one other which…
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DECEMBER RECAP // lots of reading and vacation for days aka living my best life
Indeed I do find the background of my featured image very funny. I have a weird sense of humour. You know, I honestly need to stop trying to get these out on time and lying to you all. It’s deceitful and I don’t want to be that person. I just,,, oof I need to maybe start working on them earlier in the month BUT I NEVER DO. But at the same time, I’m incredibly shocked that I’m posting two days in a row. I thought that the recap aspect was fitting haha. Anyways, before it becomes February and I combine them. If I get around to it quickly then idk maybe you’ll see my January one quite soon. Who knows? Not even me. An Ember In The Ashes by Sabaa Tahir {★★★★★}: my friends over on Instagram are applauding me right now because THIS BOOK TOOK ME 3 MONTHS TO REREAD!!! I just,,, Sabaa causes me a lot of pain and I honestly don’t need to be going to the hospital right now so I… avoid at all costs. Anyways, this one was just as fantastic. I loved finding all of these hints (I have read like 3/4 of. book…
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2020 READING AND BLOGGING RECAP // checking up on 2020 in stats and goals ft. reading challenge, progress in pie charts & new years resolutions
Hello friends, here’s me trying to get all of my end-of-year posts up on time and not post them in April. Which I DEFINITELY have never done before… *crickets chirping* I should do double *crickets chirping* because I disappeared for 2 weeks again. I explain why later in this post but IM SORRY. I’m ~trying~ to get better at not abandoning you all for weeks on end. Anyways… let us take a minute to THANK THE HEAVENS it is 2021. Even though the year has maybe not been off to the best start already lmao. And just because it’s a new year, it doesn’t mean all of our problems will magically disappear. It’s really just the number that’s changed. But STILL, you all get it. Anyways, I absolutely loved doing my mid-year goals check-in last year so here we are reflecting on 2020 as a whole. Feast your eyes on a couple of pie charts and my 2021 goals. READING STATS AND OVERVIEW So,,, unfortunately, there wasn’t really any drastic change in my reading from the last update. My reading year didn’t improve a ton, I still ended up with a very short list of favourites. I haven’t reread all…
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THESE VIOLENT DELIGHTS BY CHLOE GONG // book talk: finally reviewing my fave book of 2020 ft. tears, stabbiness and yearning
And Happy New Year everybody. Here’s to 2021 being at least a little bit better than the horror that was 2020. But before we move on, I can’t leave behind my favourite book of last year, so I’m here today to share my review of These Violent Delights by the wondrous Chloe Gong. A round of applause is definitely necessary. I have A LOT to say about this beaut, this stunner and the actual love of my life. I also have an author interview up if you’d like to give it a read (click the image): Oh yeah, I also read the Christmas special that was uploaded a week or so ago and I am a wreck. Love to see it. Anyways, without further ado, let us all scream together. Title: These Violent Delights Series: These Violent Delights book #1 Author: Chloe Gong Page count: 464 Date published: 17 November 2020 Genre: Young Adult historical fantasy 🥀🔪 Synopsis: Perfect for fans of The Last Magician and Descendant of the Crane, this heart-stopping debut is an imaginative Romeo and Juliet retelling set in 1920s Shanghai, with rival gangs and a monster in the depths of the Huangpu River. The year is…
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MY FAVOURITE BOOKS OF 2020 // a short top 5 list ft. some honourable mentions
And… Happy New Year’s Eve my friends! As I said last year, indeed I do wait until the last day of the year to post this. Just in case. Even though I haven’t really added a new fave to this list in a while, only a recent read to the honourable mentions. Unfortunately, my TOP FAVES is not very long at all, I tried to make it longer but I just abandoned all of my 2020 tbr, basically no YA, maybe too much adult romance and a couple of series rereads. Love that for me. This year has been terrible, to say the least, but I think I had a couple of good reads. Would’ve loved to have many more though. Alas, not everything you wish for comes true. I hope you all have a better 2021. And hoping my list next year will be more diverse in terms of genre, but I don’t want to jinx it so shhhhhh Related posts: TOP 10 of 2019 Mid Year Book Freak Out Tag 2020 Without further ado, let’s dive right in. As mentioned, I have my top 5 list of favourites, and then a total of 9 honourable mentions (almost had one…
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MOST ANTICIPATED 2021 BOOK RELEASES // apologies in advance for the 60 books I added to your tbr that all sound amazing
I am manifesting that 2021 is going to be a better year for all of us. It has to be. Ruby’s manifested so it shall come true. Hi friends, today we’re kicking off with the first of a thousand end-of-year posts, of which I have quite the few planned and don’t know where I’m going to find the time to do them but oh well. I didn’t realise before doing research for this post that there are SO MANY AMAZING BOOKS COMING OUT NEXT YEAR!! It’s insane. So many of my favourite authors have books coming out and there are some stunner debuts too. Let it be a good year my friends. Anyways, without further let’s increase our insufferable tbrs and you can observe Ruby making terrible attempts at pitching books… JANUARY Lore by Alexandra Bracken (5 January 2021): The cover gods (wow fitting) really blessed us with this one. I honestly have no idea what this is about apart from the fact that it involves Greek mythology but I would sell my soul for Alexandra Bracken and that’s all that matters. Happily Ever Afters by Elise Bryant (5 January 2021): Let’s hope this book isn’t too cute for it’s…