Tag: acosf

How to Get Over A Book Hangover?

March 7, 2021

The simple answer is that you don’t. Well, not fully anyway. Book hangovers aren’t like regular hangovers, they’re not simply cured by a full English breakfast, a heck of a lot of caffeine and an afternoon nap. No, instead, you are left feeling emotionally empty, endlessly awestruck and completely and utterly lost. For those of you who are lucky enough to have never experienced a book hangover or have no idea what I’m talking about, a book hangover is a condition in which attachment to a book or series that has ended causes the reader emotional distress and longing.

Now you may be thinking, poor Amy, who did this to you? Who hurt you like this? The answer is simply the masterpiece that was A Court of Silver Flames by Sarah J Maas. Once again, Sarah has crafted an emotionally intense and beautifully perfect book that has gifted me with a reading experience like no other. These characters mean the world to me, so being able to join them again on another adventure was the ideal escape and one which I wish would never end. If you’re interested, I’ll leave a link to my review here, and I’d love to hear your thoughts too!

Only one other book has ever made me feel this way, and that was The Hero of Ages by Brandon Sanderson. That ending left me broken, and I remember sitting in silence for five minutes whilst I processed everything that had just happened. For days that ending stuck with me, and I can’t help but feel that familiar pang in my chest whenever I think about it. My problem is that I get too emotionally attached and invested with these characters and the worlds in which they exist, so when I finish that final page, I can’t help but feel lost and empty. I become apart of the story as it’s an easy and comforting escape from reality.

I’m probably not the only one who struggles with this attachment, and if you do, then here are some of the tips that have helped me overcome my emotions!

Fan-fiction – If you’re not ready to leave a fictional world or craving more character interactions then fan-fiction is the way to go! There are so many different stories that will help fill that void. But if fan fiction isn’t your thing, then trying looking up fan-art, graphics or playlists, the book community is so creative, and I guarantee you’ll find something! There’s always been this stigma around fan fiction and is a platform that is constantly looked down upon. But believe it or not, a lot of our favourite books have started as fan-fiction! I’ve got a whole Wattpad library filled with some of my favourite fan-fics, and I’m constantly blown away by how incredible the writing is.

Watch something light-hearted – When I experience a book hangover, it shatters my emotions, and usually, I need something fun and light-hearted to take my mind off things! Whether it be an episode of Schitt’s Creek or New Girl, I just need something that’s going to make me smile and forget.

Take a break – I’ve been on such a reading rush recently, and I think I’ve burnt myself out. Sometimes it’s healthy to take a step back and focus on other hobbies and let your mind rest. I feel like sometimes there’s this pressure to always be reading something, but there’s nothing wrong with taking time off and enjoying other things.

Channel that emotion into a review – When I finished A Court of Silver Flames, I had no one to talk to, but I needed to get all of my thoughts out of my head and onto paper, so I stayed up late and channelled all that emotion into my review. After a couple of days, after the hangover had settled, I went back to it and put my thoughts into full sentences rather than leaving it as an emotional rant. This is hands down my favourite way to express my feelings, and it really does help.

Talk to someone – One of my favourite things to do is fangirl with another reader! Fellow readers are the only people who will understand your emotions when it comes to fictional characters and will happily discuss anything that involves their favourite fandoms and authors. But make sure they’ve finished the book before you go blurt out spoilers!

Find an Old Favourite/Comfort Read – Many of us have that list of books that you can re-read a hundred times and still fall in love with, they’re like a warm hug, and that’s exactly what you need when suffering from a book hangover. These books fill you with love and remind you of the joy reading brings us!

Put on some good music and have a dance! – Now, this one may sound silly, but sometimes we need some feel-good endorphins and one of the best ways to do that is to have a dance. So turn on that playlist and get moving!

February Wrap Up and March TBR

March 1, 2021

This month has been a whirlwind. The month started with lots of lighthearted and adorable romantic reads and then A Court of Silver Flames was released and I died. Every time I read Sarah’s books, I give my heart to these characters, and they return it broken, battered and yet filled with more love and wonder than before. Words will never express how much I adore this series and escape that it has granted me. If you want to hear more of my thoughts then I’ll leave a link to my review here!

I loved this book so much but it left me with one of the biggest book hangovers I’ve ever experienced, I was completely and utterly broken and emotionally exhausted. So to distract myself, I finished the month with another character inspired read-a-thon and based my weekly TBR around the fashion icon that is Blair Waldorf. Again this was another really fun and lighthearted reading experience but I think I need to take a couple of weeks off from reading and focus on my own mental health. I’ve discovered that I use reading as an escape and a distraction from my own problems and it’s time to take steps towards overcoming these struggles and facing them head on.

The month of March is not only dedicated to my mental health, but to clearing my bookshelves and reading some of the books that I actually own. I’ve started selling books on Depop but I’ve reached the point where I want them gone, so I’m looking at donating a couple to local charity shops, libraries and friends. These books played a huge part in my teenage years and I want to share their magic with other readers and young people.

I’ve also relaunched my Twitter account and stepped in the wonderfully chaotic world that is #booktwitter! Everyone there is so enthusiastic and lovely, and if you want to follow along then I’ll leave a link to my profile here!

Here in the UK, PM Boris Johnson finally unveiled a roadmap for lifting lockdown restrictions across England, so things are looking hopeful and it’s nice to see a light at the end of this tunnel! Hopefully on 12th April, non-essential shops will re-open and I’ll be able to step foot in a bookstore again, and when I do I’m going to treat myself to a BIG bundle of books! I can’t wait! I know it’ll be a while before things go back to ‘normal’ or if they ever will, but this announcement has been a huge mood booster.

Anyway, this month has been a rollercoaster ride, and although I’ve got a lot planned for March, I’m eager to see what this month brings and to start working towards some exciting goals and posts.

Wrap Up

The Unhoneymooners by Christina Lauren – I’m a sucker for Christina Lauren, her books never fail to make me smile and are all just super adorable! So far I think this is one of my favourites, the enemies-to-lovers and fake dating trope made this such a fun and lighthearted read.

Josh and Hazels Guide to Not Dating by Christina Lauren – I well and truly fell down the Christina Lauren rabbit hole this month and had to read another one of her books ASAP! I loved Hazel, she’s quirky, eccentric and a character you just can’t help but love! If you’re looking for a quick and romantic read, then I suggest you give this one a go!

The Nature of Witches by Rachel Griffin – What makes this book special is the magic system and way in which Griffin communicates through seasonal magic. Her descriptions and the way in which magic connects with these characters is intricately detailed and adds an additional layer of wonder to an already captivating story. There’s something beautifully enchanting and equally destructive about this book and its characters, a balance that results in a powerful narrative that will keep readers hooked.

Illuminae by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff – Everyone’s told me how incredible this series is, and they’re not wrong! Going into it, I was a bit skeptical with format but it ended up being one of my favourite aspects of the entire book! I’m OBSESSED with Kady and Ezra’s relationship and witty back and forth banter they share, I didn’t expect to laugh this much!

A Court of Silver Flames by Sarah J Maas – It’s no surprise that I’ve fallen utterly in love with this book, it was perfect. Once again, Sarah has crafted an emotionally intense and beautifully perfect masterpiece that has gifted me with a reading experience like no other. These characters mean the world to me, so being able to join them again on another adventure was the ideal escape filled with magic and wonder, and one I wished would never end.

Breakfast at Tiffany’s by Truman Capote – I read this as a part of my Blair Waldorf character read-a-thon and you can’t get more Blair Waldorf than Breakfast at Tiffany’s! I really enjoyed this book and it was interesting to get to know a darker and wilder side of Holly Golightly. Capote has a almost lyrical way with words that just make it so easy to read and enjoy!

Play as it Lays by Joan Didion – It’s no secret that I absolutely adore Didion and her writing. I’m slowly making my way through all of her books and read this one as a part of my Blair Waldorf read-a-thon. As expected I loved it and it’s clear why it’s on TIMES list of best novels.

Romancing Mr Bridgerton by Julia Quinn – I finished the month off with bit of Bridgerton! I’m slowly making my way through this series and really enjoyed watching Penelope and Colin’s relationship blossom. The second book will always be my favourite but this was still a lighthearted and romantic read and I can’t wait to hopefully see more of their relationship in season 2!

Mrs Dalloway by Virgina Woolf – When I read To the Lighthouse I thought I was missing something, everyone raved about her writing was but I struggled to connect with it. But then I read Mrs Dalloway and I now I see it. Mrs. Dalloway is a complex, compelling novel that enters into the consciousness and hearts of it’s characters and one that witnesses the battle between sanity and insanity. I loved it!

TBR

Gemina by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff – I don’t plan on reading much this month, but this series is at the top of my TBR! I flew through the first book so I’m fairly confident that devour this one too!

Obsidio by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff – There’s no way I’m not finishing this series this month. I’m too invested and I need to know what happens to these characters.

The Starless Sea by Erin Morgenstern – I’ve really been craving some of Morgenstern’s magic and I think it’s about time I tick this one off the TBR pile! The Night Circus is one of my all time favourite reads, so it’s fair to say that I’m going into this with high expectations.

Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo – After Netflix dropped that trailer for the upcoming series, I knew I had to re-read both Shadow and Bone and Six of Crows! Word’s can’t describe how excited I am for this series to hit our screens, and for these characters and Bardugo’s wonderful Grishaverse to come to life. Transporting this world from page to screen isn’t a small feat but such responsibility has been embraced by executive producers Eric Heisserer and Shawn Levy, with Leigh Bardugo also on board as a producer. I have total and utter faith that this adaptation will stay true to the books and will successfully embody everything we as the fans cherish in this series. 

A Court of Silver Flames by Sarah J Maas – Book Review

February 23, 2021

We’ve been patiently waiting for this book for years, and as soon as I read that first page it felt like I was home.

As I started this series, I thought back to when I first met Sarah at The Hay Festival in 2015. I remember listening intently to Sarah’s passion and love for this series, unbeknownst to the never-ending joy, emotional comfort and magical wonder it would bring me. Fast forward six years, and here I am, once again enamoured and emotionally ruined after experiencing the incredible masterpiece that is A Court of Silver Flames.

There’s something wonderfully familiar and comforting about Sarah’s writing, it takes you by the hand and leads you back into this incredibly detailed and limitless world that many of us readers like to call home. It warmly welcomes you to join these characters on their journeys of love, self-discovery and bravery, and I can’t help but consider them as family. It’s silly, but these characters and the world Sarah has created makes me so emotional and have become apart of my soul. Words will never express how much I adore this series and the wonder and escape that it has granted me. And for that, I will be forever grateful. Thank you, Sarah, truly.

As much as I adore Feyre and Rhys, it was time for them to pass the pen on and for Nesta’s and Cassian’s story to be told. And what a story it was. Nesta is hated and broken. But her journey isn’t about ‘fixing herself’ because, in reality, she isn’t broken, she’s hurt and trapped in her spiral of self-loathing. Sarah explains Nesta’s hostility and fears with grace and understanding. Her character arc isn’t as simple as ‘getting over it’ but is instead one of delicate and powerful determination and acceptance. Her struggle is painful and messy, and it’s not pretty or clear on how she’ll learn to move forward or if she’ll learn to move forward at all. Sarah always portrays trauma and mental health beautifully, she doesn’t sugar coat things instead she shows them as they are which is real, complex and relatable. We see brilliant, vulnerable sides to these characters that we haven’t really explored before, all of which are depicted gracefully from beginning to end. We are not all easily healed. Healing isn’t always a straight journey, it’s a mountain climb, one step forward two steps back and once again Sarah manages to capture that in Nesta’s journey, one which I am honoured to have taken alongside her.

This series has always been about family, and Nesta’s new chosen family and friends are her support system and gives her the strength to fight. She accepts the love she thinks she deserves but, it is through Cassian’s steadfastness and Gwyn and Emerie’s sisterly bond and unified support that helps her tear down the stone barriers from her past to form a loving environment from which she strengthens and blossoms. Like the House of Wind, Nesta finds a home for herself and learns to face the darkness and to focus on what brings her joy, it was a pleasure to witness her grow, and I particularly enjoyed watching her fall back in love with music.

And then we have Nesta’s relationship with Cassian, a relationship that starts with playful and witty remarks and escalates into sexual teasing and mutual wanting. Cassian refuses to give up on Nesta, and it’s his dedication that ignites a relationship that rattles the stars. It’s clear why these two are mates, they are two sides of the same coin and compliment each other beautifully.

The smut. Hot damn. Is it too forward to say that I loved it? I’ve taken my first steps into adulthood alongside this series, and it’s refreshing to see these book mature with its reads and develop into something so much more. Those intimate scenes between Nesta and Cassian are wild and passionate yet controlled and loving, this was different kind of love and one, which I have fallen head over heels for.

I should also mention that addition Azriel chapter, it was EVERYTHING! And I could 100% see him with our little warrior Gwyn. Don’t you just love it when Sarah teases us with new relationships!

As expected, I cried a lot at this book. Every time I read these books, I give my heart to these characters, and they return it broken, battered and yet filled with more love and wonder than before. There were moments, like the Winter Solstice and those final chapters, in which these characters achieve ultimate happiness and found myself crying with joy because everything was perfect. There’s so much more that I want to discuss but I think it’s best if I hold off on the spoilers for now!

Once again, Sarah has crafted an emotionally intense and beautifully perfect masterpiece that has gifted me with a reading experience like no other. These characters mean the world to me, so being able to join them again on another adventure was the ideal escape and one I wished would never end. It was the perfect ending – and new beginning – to Nesta and Cassian’s relationship and a journey that will stay with me forever. I finished the entire book in 24-hours, and I’m honestly considering re-reading it again soon because I loved every page so much. Like us, Nesta has found her way home, and she is a reminder that we all deserved to be loved and to have the courage to go out into the world, face our fears and climb that mountain.