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APRIL & MAY RECAP // book mail, reading and essays oh my!
Welp has it been a while, my friends. But hi hello I’m currently using this blog as a form of escape so excuse any unusual activity from me. So as you can see by the title, this is 2 months in 1 as I didn’t get around to a recap last month. Will I do this once a year? Methinks yes. Anyways, let’s dive right into what I’ve been up to these past two months! Kulti by Mariana Zapata {★★★★☆}: it’s the way I went into this thinking I didn’t like age-gap romance for me. But omg it was so great. I think I’ve narrowed down that I love romances between two athletes. I think I’ve said it all in my GR review (also it’s been a while and my memory doesn’t function anymore) so head on over there. But the banter was A+++ and I loved the friendship development. Sal and Rey are literally everything and deserve the world. Need to get my hands on MZ physical copies so I can admire them at random intervals of the day. – Kate In Waiting by Becky Albertalli {★★★★½}: oh gosh did I love this one so much. I participated in…
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KATE IN WAITING BY BECKY ALBERTALLI // blog tour book review: theatre kids ft. wonderful writing & lovable relationships
Hello, there lovely friends! And welcome to my Kate in Waiting tour stop which I’m just SO excited to be part of. My schedule has been crazy lately but I took this delight to the beach with me and simply devoured the whole thing. Big thanks to The Write Reads for inviting me onto this tour, I’m so honoured! Title: Kate In Waiting Author: Becky Albertalli Page count: 400 Date published: 20 April 2021 Genre: Young Adult contemporary romance ✮ Synopsis: [PRINCIPAL CAST LIST] Kate Garfield Anderson Walker Best friends, and contrary to popular belief, not co-dependent. Examples: Carpooling to and from theatre rehearsals? Environmentally sound and efficient. Consulting each other on every single life decision? Basic good judgment. Pining for the same guys from afar? Shared crushes are more fun anyway. But when Kate and Andy’s latest long-distance crush shows up at their school, everything goes off-script. Enter Stage Left: Matt Olsson He is talented and sweet, and Kate likes him. She really likes him. The only problem? So does Anderson. Turns out, communal crushes aren’t so fun when real feelings are involved. This one might even bring the curtains down on Kate and Anderson’s friendship… ✮ ADD TO GOODREADS ✮ Big thanks to…
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FROM LUKOV WITH LOVE BY MARIANA ZAPATA // book talk: somebody needs to cure my obsession ft. figure skating & enemies-to-lovers gloriousness
I know I joke about it frequently but this time I’m being very serious as I ACTUALLY DO NEED HELP! I need to be stopped. When I say that I have been rereading this book over and over since I finished, I do not exaggerate. Some would call it unhealthy, I call it being obsessed and needing ~serotonin~ in my life. Mariana Zapata is just a godsend and I LITERALLY ADORE HER SO MUCH. Now let’s dive into my sanity breakdown. Title: From Lukov with Love Series: [unofficial] Santos Sisters #2 Author: Mariana Zapata Page count: 542 Date published: 1 February 2018 Genre: Adult contemporary romance ❄ Synopsis: If someone were to ask Jasmine Santos to describe the last few years of her life with a single word, it would definitely be a four-letter one. After seventeen years—and countless broken bones and broken promises—she knows her window to compete in figure skating is coming to a close. But when the offer of a lifetime comes in from an arrogant idiot she’s spent the last decade dreaming about pushing in the way of a moving bus, Jasmine might have to reconsider everything. Including Ivan Lukov. ❄ ADD TO GOODREADS ❄ STAR…
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MARCH RECAP // start of 2nd year uni ft. book shopping & a 5-star read
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…
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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…
