Tag: monthly favourites

Blog Posts I Loved This Month – July & August

September 29, 2021

Hello, I’M BACK! I took a much-needed break last month but I’m happy to be back to blogging and catching up with everyone (and my GIANT TBR). A lot has happened over the last three months, and it’s funny how things can change in an instant. Last month I was the happiest I’d been in a long time, but the universe had other the plans and threw me a curve ball!

Ironically, it was during this heartbreak that I learned how much I was loved. I have the most incredible network of friends, family and co-workers who showered me with love and who continue to make me smile even when I’m at my lowest. It truly surprised me and I never expected so many people to care and I’ll be forever grateful for everyone who made me laugh through the tears and for all the cuddles!

As many of you know I also started a bookstagram earlier this month and again the love and support I’ve received since starting my account is incredibly overwhelming! Everyone has been so nice and welcoming and it’s easily one of the best decisions I’ve made all year! I just can’t believe its taken me this long!

Although my confidence has been knocked massively, I’m happy to say that things are getting better and I’m excited to see what the rest of the year has in store for me! Reading and the blogging community has always been my escape and I’m ready to start investing in myself and some much needed ‘me time’!

Anyway, my point in all of this is the importance of love. Writing these monthly posts are my way of spreading a little bit of appreciation because everyone needs a little bit of love in their lives and it’s my way of giving back to a community that has shown me endless support. I missed last months post so I’ve gone a bit mad with my recommendations, I just couldn’t help myself, so I hope you all enjoy and that you find some more incredible blogs to follow!

I love it when bloggers share extracts from their WIP’s, I get so excited and I’m constantly in awe at the work and creativity they share. J @Midnight Book Blog shared a beautifully haunting extract that gave me chills and now I need more!

Alice @Love for Words is creating a bookish box full of surprises for their best friend and I think is such a wonderful idea that I might have to do myself!

I’ve been in and out of a reading slump for a couple of months now and the wonderful Zoe @Reading by the Moonlight came to my rescue by sharing some great tips that have really helped, so thanks you! It’s nice to know that I’m not the only one who struggling through a long reading slump!

One of my favourite series to watch on YouTube is Vogue’s 73 Questions, so when Kristin @Kristin Kraves Books posted her answers I knew I was going to love reading it and enjoy getting to know her a little more! I also have Simply the Best by Noah Reid on repeat most of the time, and would love an invite to the her dream dinner party with Jane Austen, Tiffany D. Jackson, and Kate Winslet!

I can always rely on April Lee @Booked till Midnight to write incredibly creative and fun posts that never fail to make me smile! She shared a great on post on how likely characters from her recent reads were to be eaten by lions, and if you looking for a good laugh then check this one out!

I spend an unhealthy amount of time watching TikTok and Reels, and I’ve found so many new book recommendations from them. Elli @Ace Reader read some of TikTok’s most recommended romances and shared some great mini reviews too!

I’ve been blogging for over six years now and I’ve definitely learned a few things but at the same time I’m constantly learning new things every day! @The Passive Bookworm just hit her one year blogging anniversary (yay!) and shared some great lessons she’s learned whilst running a book blog!

I’ve just scheduled a Netflix Book Recs blog post (so keep your eyes peeled for that), but if you can’t wait then definitely check out Maddie @Inking and Thinking book recs based on popular TV shows and movies series! Her recommendations are spot on and perfect is you’re looking for your next read.

Another one of my favourite posts this month was Cherelle @A Bolt out of the Book Marvel movie book recs! I’m obsessed with the Marvel-verse and reading so this post was the perfect combination of the two!

Surprisingly I didn’t take any books with me when I moved to university because I knew I’d would be buying lots of them for my degree and I’m always curious to see what books people bring with them! Taylor @Planty of Pages has the best taste when I comes to picking books, and I’m a little jealous at how perfect this TBR is!

Jade City by Fonda Lee has been on my TBR for wayyy too long, and I’m constantly hearing good things about this series! @Book A Fiction shared their glowing review and it’s convinced me to finally start reading!

My TBR for the rest of 2021 is INTENSE! Nikaarika @Clouded Galaxy Reads also shared 21 books they want to read before the end of 2021 and it was nice to see a few favourites on that list too!

I love a good old rant and @Words on Fleek made my day with their post about things YA authors do that just irks us! This was such a fun read that had me nodding in agreement and dying with laughter, so be sure to check this post out if you need something to brighten your day!

I’m currently planning a trip to Cambridge and the lovely Aisling @Aisling Hamill Books has very kindly provided me with a detailed list of some of her favourite bookshops, a list that will be the perfect guide for my upcoming trip!

Trying to juggle a full time job whilst applying for other jobs and maintaining a healthy social life and a consistent blogging schedule is a bit overwhelming, so any advice is always welcome! Andrea @Andrea’s Book Corner shared some great and really helpful tips on how to be a book blogger when you have no time, and this post was exactly what I needed!

It sounds bizarre but I regally think about what books I’d bring with me if I was stuck on a desert island and the lovely Becky @Becky’s Book Blog shared her list of book she’d want to bring is she was ever stuck!

Morgan Matson is one of my go-to favourite authors, her books are always so adorable and fun! If you’re trying to decide which one of her books to pick up then definitely check out Christy and Claire @I’m All Booked Up post where they ranked all of her books! Although I agree with most of their ranking but I do think that Amy and Roger deserves a higher place on that this, that book is a classic!

I love a good-old roadtrip, and recently took one up to Scotland! Rachel @A Bookworms Paradise got really creative and compared some recent reads to roadtrips, and I’m so in love with this idea! This was such a fun and unique post, and all of Rachel’s comparisons were spot on!

I’m very happy that I won’t be duelling Erin @Reading on a Star anytime soon, as we both luckily share the same excellent taste when it comes to bookish tropes! Like Erin I’m a sucker for a pirate trope so any recommendations would be wonderful!

A post that made me smile (and very hungry) was Jessica @ The Awkward Book Blogger post where she replaced weapons on book covers with food! I’m still howling at ‘Queen of Kebabs’ and ‘A Gathering of Corn Dogs’!

I’ve been meaning to read some more classics and Ellie @Eleanor Sophie Writes shared 10 Classics to Try if you Like SFF! This post was exactly what I needed and it was nice to see some favourites like Frankenstein and Flowers for Algernon on the list!

As I mentioned previosuly my reading this year hasn’t been great, and reading everyone’s wrap ups from the first half of 2021 has definitely given me so much needed enouragement to get back into reading. Sophie @Me and Ink shared her wrap up and I loved how she structured this list into tiers!

I’ve recently fallen in love with audiobooks, and I’m always on the lookout for recommendations! Lotus @Pages of Starlight must have heard me and shared a great list of 6 worthy audiobooks to listen to and I couldn’t help but add a few of these of my TBR!

It was only since last year that I completed my first re-read for personal enjoyment (rather than for university exams!) and I loved the whole reading experience. There are some books that I’m too scared to read again because I’m worried that I won’t love them as much, Line @First Line Readers shared the books she’s scared to re-read so be sure to check this post out too!

I’m always on the lookout for book recommendations, and Em @Em and Her Books shared a great list of suggestions for romance readers! I’ve been on a bit of a romance kick recently so this post was exactly what I was looking for, thank you Em!

Another post I really enjoyed was Alli @The Book Giraffe’s list of 30 books they want to read in the 30 months before they turn 30! I am obsessed with this idea and this post has inspired me to create my own list of books I want to read before I turn 25!

I swear I’m the only person who hasn’t read Atlas Six yet, and after reading Sanah @Stories & Stardust interview with author Olivie Blake, I knew had to order myself a copy ASAP! I loved this little chat and I look forward to going back and reading more of these questions when I finish reading it! If you’ve already read Atlas Six then I highly recommend you check out Sanah’s incredibly detailed and enjoyable post!

The incredible Sofii @A Book A Thought always gives the BEST book recommendations! I’m a huge fan of magical realism and just magic in general, so Sofii’s post on 5 star worthy magical books was right up my street! This list has something for everyone and I guarantee you’ll find something to add to your TBR!

It sounds weird but I really enjoy reading bad reviews of some of my favourite books, some of them are really funny! Cherry @Letter to the Lost also reacted to one star reviews, and now I really want to read We Hunt the Flame by Hafsah Faizal! That book has been sitting on my shelfs for wayyy too long!

I’m a sucker for a good cover and the lovely Ally @Ally Writes Things shared some beautiful book covers that’s she’s just not interested in reading! I’m constantly drawn to pretty book covers and Ally’s post has inspired me to start a little bookish art project!

I can always rely on the wonderful Stephen @Stephen Writes to share thoughtful and enjoyable discussion posts, his recent one being about the beauty of paratexts! These little bits of gold are usually overlooked but they’re some of my favourite parts of a book!

I love seeing other peoples predicted favourites posts, they’re always so much fun and I enjoy comparing our TBR’s! Beks @The Little Fiction Fox shared 5 books they think will be new favourites and I 100% agree with all their picks especially Jade City and Skyward!

One of my favourite style of posts to read is when other readers share some of their most loved quotes. The wonderful Maria @The Character Study shared some of her favourite quotes, and I had to add a couple of these to my quotes jar!

I would have come for you. And if I couldn’t walk, I’d crawl to you, and no matter how broken we were, we’d fight our way out together—knives drawn, pistols blazing. Because that’s what we do. We never stop fighting.

I always enjoy @Kira Jeanette’s writing updates and they always encourage me to start writing again! I’ve broken out the ideas notebook and all the abandoned files on my laptop and I’m give this whole writing thing another crack!

I recently read We Were Liars in one sitting and there’s just something really satisfying about finishing a book in one go. @Novels and Teacups shared 6 books they read in one sitting and this list has encouraged me to finally start reading All The Light We Cannot See! That book has been sitting on my shelves for years and I think it’s about time I see what all the fuss is about!

Blogging has been a huge part of my life and I’ve discovered so many new favourite books and authors from it. To celebrate 9 years of blogging Emma @Never Judge a Book by its Cover shared 9 favourite books she discovered from blogging! It’s nice to see a few favourites on this list as well as some new books that I couldn’t help but add to my ever-growing TBR!

Another one of my favourite posts from the past two months was Katja @Life and Other Disasters post about whether they were compatible readers with the gorgeous hunk that is Chris Evans!

I can always rely on Birdie @Birdie’s Booktopia for great book recommendations, and she’s shared the perfect list of 2022 diverse YA debuts to anticipate! I couldn’t resist adding all of these books to my TBR and I’m very excited to read these stories soon!

Georgia @Lost in Neverland always has some of the best reviews, and her review of Wendy Darling by A.C.Wise has me hooked! Georgia has loads of lovely book reviews so be sure to check them out!

For the past couple of years I’ve been dying to go to YALC but I haven’t got anyone to go with, and I did try and get involved this year but I just so busy with work! Luckily I was able to live vicariously through Rosina @Lace and Dagger Books who shared her experience with the virtual event!

I’m all about spreading the love and @24 Hour Book Blog has a great list of YA books that deserve more love! There’s definitely a few on this recommendations post that I’ve had to add to my TBR, so be sure to check it out!

Shadow and Bone, Catching Fire and The Mortal Instruments (film not the TV Show) are some of my comfort viewings and the lovely Aarushi @Aarushi Reads shared some adaptions she thinks are pretty good!

Now let’s take a moment to talk about Rukky @Eternity Books heartfelt and honest post about struggling with your identity as a blogger. I don’t think I’ve ever related to a post more, and it’s comforting to know that I’m not alone in my struggles. I love blogging and although it’s taken a back seat over these past couple of months, it’s something that continues to bring me joy and something I love to pour my heart into, but it is a lot of hard work and pressure. There’s never any need to apologise for our absences or hiatuses, we all need to look after ourselves and do what makes us happy. The blogging community is such an incredibly supportive place and will always be there to welcome people back with open arms! There’s so much more I could say about this post, but I think it’s best if you guys check it out yourself and give Rukky some love!

Blog Posts I Loved This Month – June

July 16, 2021

I didn’t expect so many people to relate to my July Wrap Up post, and it breaks my heart to know that I’m not the only one feeling like this. I mentioned in my last post that I felt like I’m constantly climbing a mountain. Every time I catch my breath and get things back on track, I fall and end up right back at the beginning, and it’s exhausting. So, I thought I’d spread a little bit of love and shout out some amazing posts this month!

Things have been a little quiet on my end recently, but that doesn’t mean that I haven’t been reading all of your incredible posts! I say this every month, but I love writing these posts and looking back at all the amazing content you create! The blogging community has always been a place of endless support, and these little posts are just my way of spreading that love and celebrating why I love the blogging community so much.

Anyway, I hope you all have a fabulous month and happy reading!

If you’re a beginner looking for adult sapphic romance recommendations let look no further than Althea @ Althea is Reading’s great list of picks. From novellas to popular tropes, there are so many incredible books on this wonderfully comprehensive list and I apologise in advance to your TBRs!

April Lee @Booked Till Midnight never fails to make me laugh with her posts, and this month she gave us some great book recommendations based on the weird things she’s been asked at the drive thru. Once again I’m obsessed wit this post and as someone who works in retail I can totally relate to some of these weird comments!

Ally @Ally Writes Things always gives the best book recommendations, and her recent post spotlighting Indigenous authors was just what I need! I’ve only read a handful of books on this list and I’m excited to add a few more of these onto my TBR!

Sam @River Moose Reads has combined two of my favourite things, Captain America and books! I loved this post so much and the fact that I’ve now got loads of new books on my TBR! One of my aims for the second half of the year was to do more read-a-thons and now I’m tempted to do a Marvel themed read-a-thon?

One of my favourite discussion posts this month was Phoenix @Books With Wings post about why aro/ace characters are important in books! I loved this post and I always find it rewarding when I learn something as well as getting some more great book recommendations! Representation in books, and seeing yourself reflected in a book, is super important, and can be so validating and empowering, so thank you Phoenix for such a fabulous post!

Another post I loved this month was Birdie @ Birdie’s Booktopia review of Malice by Heather Walter! There was so much passion in this review and I can’t wait to pick this book up soon!

Emily @Frappes and Fiction paired classics with popular YA books with some great recommendations. All of these pairings were spot on, and it was nice to see some favourites on the list!

Rachel @ A Bookworms Paradise shared her list under-hyped books which deserve more love, and I’m obsessed with this little series of themed recommendations! These little gems definitely deserve more hype so be sure to check this post out and gives these book some love!

Another post that taught me something new was Amanda @ Bookish Brews post about Climate Fiction (or Cli-Fi)! Our planet and the environment are two topics I’m very passionate about but I’d never thought to combine it with my reading preferences! I loved this post and all of Amanda’s recommendations, so be sure to check this post out!

I’m currently suffering from a reading slump but Sabrina @ Wordy and Whimsical has come to my rescue with a great list of 22 fast paced books!

I mentioned in my June wrap up post that I wasn’t having a great month, and Leelynn @ Sometimes Leelynn Reads post about books that feel like a much needed hug was exactly what I needed! I still haven’t read The House on the Cerulean Sea but seeing it on Leelynn’s list has definitely encouraged me to FINALLY pick it up!

I’ve been thinking of treating myself to a bookish subscription book and the wonderful Emma James @The Bookworm Girl has shared some of the best UK book subscription boxes! This is such a detailed list and perfect for anyone looking to treat themselves!

It’s no secret that I love Madeline Miller and Carly @ Carly Books and Ramblings shared a wonderful post about her reading experience when reading Circe and Song of Achilles and I couldn’t agree with her more!

June is the month of one of my favourite tags, the Mid Year Book Freak Out Tag! Nadia @ The Journeying Bibliophile and Ali @The Book Giraffe shared their answers and it was nice to see some familiar favourites and new recommendations in their answers!

I’m obsessed with Emma @Emma Elizabeth’s post where she rated Pride and Prejudice characters, and I couldn’t agree with her more! Plus it nice to find someone else who loves Mr Bennett!

The wonderful Maria @The Character Study shared a great list of 10 underrated Queer books that you need to add to your TBR! Maria is another blogger who gives the BEST book recommendations so be sure to check this post out!

I’m someone who loves looking at people’s reading stats, and the lovely Lila @Hardcover Haven shared a fab post where she reviewed her reading for the first half of 2021! Not only is this post is filled with loads of visually pleasing charts and graphs but it’s nice to know I’m not alone in my ‘reading funk’!

One of my aims this month is to read more romance and Thya @Wilted Pages shared the perfect post filled with loads of great recommendations to read this summer! Also can we please take a moment to appreciate how BEAUTIFUL their blog is, it’s stunning!

Vee @ Vee Bookish shared an incredible list of books by Trans and Non-Binary authors and I’m in love! This is such a wonderful project and perfect for anyone looking for some great book recommendations!

Jan @ The Doodle Crafter shared a fun discussion and recommendations post about trends in YA fiction and it was nice to see some different tropes and trends being discussed! I’ve only just realised that I’m a sucker for those individual characters synopsis, I can’t help it I just love a found family trope!

The lovely Ahaana @ Windows to Worlds shared a great post about her top 12 favourite young adult books, and what they mean to her! There’s just something about reader gushing about their favourite books that warms my heart and I couldn’t smiling! This post is filled with so much love, passion and detail and it even got me thinking of some of my personal favourites and what they mean to me!

Once again the wonderful Sofii @ A Book. A Thought shared some great tips for bloggers that were super helpful! It wasn’t until I read Sofii’s post that I realised that I was guilty of a couple of these things and that I needed to stop putting too much pressure on myself!

As an English Lit graduate, I fell utterly in love with Florence @ Miscellany Pages post about the 10 things she learned from studying Literature! What I loved about studying for my degree was the fact that I was surrounded by like-minded people who loved books and reading as much as I did and all the incredible books and authors I discovered. Like Florence, I also fell back in love with poetry and now I’m tempted to go back and do a masters, I just miss it so much!

Sumedha @ The Wordy Habitat also shared a really interesting discussion on whether book reviews were enough for book blogs. I don’t think I’ve posted a single review this year which is mad, but book reviews got me to where I am today and I always enjoying reading about people thoughts and experiences.

Be sure to have your snacks ready for this next one! Kat @Novels & Waffles shared 57 best YA books about food that will make you hungry immediately! I LOVED this post so much, there are so many incredible books on this list and now my TBR is filled with lots of mouthwatering reads!

Ana @ Ana Bookshelves Blog shared 6 YA books inspired by Cinderella and after reading this list it’s clear that I’m going to have to participate in a fairytale read-a-thon! I’m a sucker for fairytale retellings, especially Cinderella! There’s just something magical about this story that fills me with so much joy!

And finally the wonderful Stephen @Stephen Writes hit a blogging milestone with his 500th post and shared another thoughtful and creative discussion on the pro’s and con’s of historical fiction! It’s been a while since I’ve read any historical fiction, but Stephen has convinced me to add a couple more onto my TBR for July/August! Stephen is another one of my go-to bloggers for interesting bookish discussions so be sure to check this post out!

Blog Posts I Loved This Month – May

June 12, 2021

I’ve been a bit absent in the blogging community lately, so I thought I’d make up for it with HUGE monthly favourites post! The creativity and enthusiasm throughout the blogging community is so inspiring and it’s been lovely seeing so many people achieving milestone follower counts! I say this every month, but I love writing these posts and looking back at all the amazing content you create! The blogging community has always been a place of endless support, and these little posts are just my way of spreading that love and celebrating why I love the blogging community so much.

One of my aims this month was to do more blog hopping and to discover more passionate and like-minded bloggers and I’ve done just that! I’ve gone a bit mad with this favourites list but there were so many incredible posts this month that I loved and that made me smile, I couldn’t help it! I’m always on the hunt for new blogs to follow, and I want to spread the love even further, so please leave a link in the comments to a blog I should be following!

I hope you all have a fabulous month filled with sunshine and lots of reading!

May was the month of Eurovision and the wonderful Line @First Line Reader got creative and combined this iconic music competition with some of our favourite fantasy characters, and I’m in love! My ’12 points’ would definitely go to Merry and Pippin (Lord of the Rings), they’d have everyone dancing and their performance would be full of surprises.

Found families and strong friendship groups are some of my all-time favourite bookish tropes. There’s just something so heart-warming about a group of unlikely individuals finding comfort in each other and the wonderful banter that comes with it. Veronika @Wordy and Whimsical shared a great list of books with found family tropes, and I couldn’t help but add all of these books to my TBR, whoops!

Maria @The Character Study is new to the blogging community, but they are KILLING IT with their posts! One of my favourites was their brilliant discussion on bisexual representation in books, and if you haven’t read it yet then be sure to check it out!

May also saw the highly anticipated Friend’s reunion hit our screens, and the fabulous Bryony @The Indecisive Readers got creative and recommended some books to the Friends characters, and I’m in love with all of her picks!

I’ve been toying with the idea of starting a Bookstagram for a while now, and after reading Estelle @The Bookish Garden’s post on how to start a Bookstagram, it’s definitely something I want to try! This post was SUPER helpful and has given me a lot of things to think about, who knew that choosing an aesthetic would be so difficult!

When I’m not falling head over heels for Greek Mythology, I’m obsessing over my zodiac sign! Hal @HD’s Reading Life matched Queer 2021 releases to your zodiac sign, and I am OBSESSED with this post! Hal’s picks were spot on, and I couldn’t be happier with the book recommendation for Libra’s!

If you’re looking for more star sign book recommendations then look no further, Ariel @A Gemini Book Nook shared her answers to the Zodiac Book Tag! I’m a Libra and Ariel recommended Years of Yes by Shonda Rhimes, and as someone who is obsessed with both Grey’s Anatomy and Bridgerton, it’s definitely something I now want to pick up!

One thing I want to start doing this year is to take note of some of my favourite quotes and turn them into some creative project. Kaya @A Fictional Bookworm shared 10 quotes from her favourite books and now I’m tempted to re-read The Selection series! I’m currently reading the Clockwork series as well, and I just keep highlighting quotes

I really enjoyed Malka @Paper Procrastinators discussion on whether you need a blogging scheduled or not, and I loved reading through all the comments and learning more about other bloggers preferences. I’m someone who swears by their blogging schedule, my beautiful colour-coded spreadsheet keeps me organised and I don’t know where I’d be without it

As an English Lit graduate, I’ve read my fair share of classics but there have been a few that I’ve struggled to finish and didn’t enjoy! Jan @The Doodle Crafter shared her list of classics she didn’t finish and it’s nice to know that I wasn’t the only person who didn’t enjoy Great Expectations, however it breaks my heart to know she didn’t enjoy Little Women!

Earlier this year I fell in love with Nature of Witches by Rachel Griffin and it’s great seeing other readers falling in love with this story and these characters. Katie @Melting Pages shared her brilliant review so be sure to check that out!

Kristin @Kristin Kraves Books shared some great bookish Podcast recommendations, and I can’t believe I haven’t listened to them sooner! The chances are that you’ll always find me with my headphones in, so this list is perfect and I’m excited to start listening!

Recently I’ve struggled to keep up with my TBR, I’ve got so many books that I want to read but I don’t know where to start! Mehek @The Critiques of a Fangirl shared a great discussion on whether to TBR or not to TBR, and it’s nice to know that I’m not the only one struggling! I agree with Mehek and have concluded that I’m 100% a TBR mood reader!

It’s almost SUMMER! The UK has been fortunate enough to have had some beautiful weather recently and it’s getting my all excited for the next couple of months! Aarushi @aarushireads shared some seasonal book recommendations for summer and I couldn’t help but add a few of these to my TBR!

I love my little book club with my friends, and Bianca @Your Words My Ink shared a great post on how to start your own digital bookclub! Bookclubs are the perfect opportunity to connect with other readers around the world and you never know you might find your next favourite read!

Rosina @Lace and Dagger Books is another blogger who is SMASHING it this month, I found it difficult to pick just one of her posts! I’m very tempted to start Bookstagram but I had no idea where to start! Luckily Rosina came to my rescue and shared some great Bookstagram tips and tricks that were all super helpful, so thank you!

I can’t believe that we’re almost half way through the year?! Emily @Frappes and Fiction shared her favourite books of the year so far and it was nice to see some of my favourite on the list too!

If you know me then you’ll know that I’m hopelessly and utterly obsessed with Greek Mythology so it’s no surprise that I loved Siena @Booksophobia post about Greek Myth Retellings you need to read! Ariadne by Jennifer Saint is on my June TBR and it looks like a re-read of Song of Achilles might be on the cards too!

If you’re looking for your next read then look no further! Joy @Books With Joy shared the ultimate enemies to lovers booklist and I couldn’t help but add a few of these to my ever-growing TBR! I don’t know about you but I’m a sucker for an enemies to lovers trope, so this list is perfect!

Hands down my favourite post of the entire month was April Lee @Booked Till Midnight post where she replaced snakes on YA book covers With Milo the goat! This was GENIUS and had me dying with laughter, even now I can’t help but smile when I think about it!

I want to say a HUGE congratulations to Ashmita @The Fictional Journal for hitting 1000 followers! This is such an incredible achievement and they truly deserve it! If you don’t already follow Ashmita then please do, she is such a lovely person and is always posting fabulous content that I know you will all enjoy!

One of my favourite discussion posts this month was Rania @Rania’s Ramblings beautifully thoughtful post about Down Syndrome and Autistic Representation in YA Books. This is a topic I know many of us hold close to our hearts and it’s clear that we need more #ownvoices neurodivergent and accurate representation in literature. I LOVED this post so much, so be sure to check it out!

I’m an emotional wreck and it doesn’t take much to turn me into a blubbering mess (I’m that person who cries at the John Lewis Christmas advert) but it’s been a while since I cried over a book! The lovely Amber @Bibliomavens and Jessica @The Awkward Book Blogger shared their picks that are guaranteed to make you cry, so be sure to have the tissues at the ready! When I saw the Hero of Ages on Jessica’s list, a wave of emotion hit me, it’s been years since I finished that series and I don’t think I’ve ever recovered!

May was AAPI (Asian-American and Pacific Islander) Heritage month, and both Madeline @ The Bookish Mutant and Julia @Stormy Reads gave us some great book recommendations by Asian authors! A lot of these are already on my TBR but there were a few new ones that I can’t wait to start!

I’m enjoying Zoe @Reading by the Moonlight’s author spotlight series, this month she focused on Slyvia Plath and it was really interesting to learn more about her and her work! I studied a little of Plath at University but she’s someone I want to explore more!

Maya @Pretty Little Scribbles shared some of her favourite sibling relationships in books and on-screen, and I couldn’t agree more with her choices! The relationship between the March sisters, the Pevensie siblings and Annie and Hallie from the Parent Trap will always be some of my favourites!

Another book that completely skipped my radar was Sunkissed by Katie West! I’m a sucker for a bit of Kasie West and had no idea that she’d written another book so when Georgia @Lost in Neverland shared her review, I knew it was something I had to add to my TBR straight away!

One Last Stop by Casey McQuiston is one of my most anticipated reads of 2021, this magical big-hearted romance sounds super adorable and it’s lovely seeing so many readers fall in love with this story! The wonderful Ahaana @Windows to Worlds shared her review and now I’m even more excited to read it!

Blog Posts I Loved This Month | April

May 11, 2021

First things first, I want to say a HUGE thank you to everyone who left a lovely comments on my April Wrap Up and May TBR post, I wasn’t expecting to receive so many kind and heartwarming messages of support and I even got a little emotional. The love and support that the blogging community continues to spread never fails to make me smile and all those amazing comments have given me a massive and much-needed confidence boost, so thank you again! All of you continue to make my blogging experience one that is filled with so much joy, kindness and friendship, and for that I’ll be forever grateful! 

I wanted to continue spreading the love and support and celebrate some wonderful bloggers and posts that I loved this month. I always have so fun much writing these posts and they just keep getting longer and longer, I can’t help it!

Anyway, enough about me, let’s celebrate some of the AMAZING posts I read in April!

Ari @Read With Ari combined two of my favourite things and gave us some book recommendations based on some of her favourite songs! I thought this was such a fun and creative idea and I look forward to more of her recommendations!

I’ve heard so many amazing things about Manga and it’s a style that I’ve wanted to explore for a while now! @24HrYABookBlog shared the perfect starter kit and recommendations for any reader looking to read more Manga and I’m excited to add a few of these to my TBR.

If you’re looking for your next read then look no further! Sahi @My World of Books shared a brilliant compilation post of some amazing books by Asian authors and I couldn’t help but add a few off these to my ever-growing TBR!

There’s something special and magical about atmospheric books and the wonderful Veronika @Wordy and Whimsical shared some of her favourites. These books take you by the hand and guide you to incredible worlds filled with magic, mystery and wonder!

When it comes to memoirs my mind instantly jumps to Joan Didion, her books continue to destroy me emotionally but I can’t help it they’re just so beautiful and I love learning more and more about her life. The lovely Ally @Ally Writes Things shared 10 Memoir recommendations and I’ve taken this as a sign to branch out and read something different!

Sofii @A Book. A Thought shared a beautiful list of perfect books for transitioning between seasons and I’m in love with all of her picks, they’re so good and capture the mood of each season perfectly!

Growing up I loved learning French and reading French literature, but over the years my learning has taken a backseat. Alienor @A Fox’s Wanderings shared 10 French classics I need to re-read and it’s encouraged me to add a few more French classics onto my TBR!

One of my favourite posts I read last month was Amy @Golden Books Girl post on Recommending Books to Lion King Characters! I’m fully obsessed with this post and how accurate these book recommendations are, and I can’t wait for more posts in this series!

One of my favourite discussion posts this month was the incredible Ahaana @Windows to Worlds post about diversity, inclusivity and representation in YA fantasy. This was such a well-written, thought provoking and insightful post that I can’t praise enough! Ahaana also shared 13 recommendations for #OwnVoices, and Diverse SFF, so be sure to add some of these to your TBR!

Rums @Rums the Reader only read romance books for a week and I’m in love with this idea! I’m a hopeless romantic and someone who has a huge pile of romance books on her TBR, so I think it’s about time that I take a page out of Rums book dedicate an entire week of reading to romance!

Last month I only managed to read one book, so Rosina @Lace and Dagger Books post on how to read more was exactly what I needed! These tips were super helpful and this might be the month that I give audiobooks a second chance!

Another post I loved this month was Rachel @A Bookworms Paradise discussion on what makes a good book title and why they matter. I don’t know about you but I love it when a character mentions the name of the book, it’s a clever little nod to the reader and the perfect way to tie everything together.

When you play the game of thrones, you win or you die. There is no middle ground.

I’m a big foodie so Elizabeth @An Attic Full of Paper post about the best food references in novels was the perfect post and one which made me feel a little peckish!

Naemi @A Book Owls Corner shared her fantastic review of the Shadow and Bone TV adaptation and I couldn’t agree with her more!! I’m still having trouble putting all of my thoughts and praises into coherent sentences rather than emotional ramblings and it’s been great to see so many people fall in love with this show!

One thing I really want to start doing this year is to take note of some of my favourite quotes and turn them into some creative project. Michaela @Journey into Books shared some of her favourite quotes from The Black Flamingo by Dean Atta and they make me want to re-read this book again!

“This book is a fairy tale in which I am the prince and the princess. I am the king and the queen. I am my own wicked  witch and fairy godmother. This book is a fairy tale in which I’m cursed and blessed by others. But, finally, I am the fairy finding my own magic.”

Huge congratulations to Susana @Susana Loves Books who celebrated hitting 100 Follows with a Q&A! I loved reading all her answers and getting to know her a little better!

In other exciting news, the lovely Joy @ohsrslybooks revealed her beautiful bookmark and notepad designs! It makes me so happy to see her chasing her dreams and I wish her all the best with all of her projects!

I don’t think I’ll be travelling anywhere soon so it looks like I’ll just have to settle with some of my favourite fictional worlds! April Lee @BookedTillMidnight shared 8 fictional worlds she wants to travel to and my bags are packed and ready to go with her!

Another series I’m really enjoying is Catarina @Pages and Plots Under the Radar feature that highlights little-known YA books turning one year that week. I love reading books little-known books, there’s just something intimate and secret about reading book that not many others have read!

Another post that I LOVED last month was Katie @Melting Pages discussion about blogger burnout. I am no stranger to a creative burnout and at times blogging can be overwhelming, and it’s comforting to know that I’m not alone in my struggles. I related to this post so much and it’s sparked a really important conversation on why I blog and my blogging journey in general. I always find that taking a break helps me and I want to let everyone know that my DM’s are always open to anyone who is struggling!

Shadow and Bone dominated my April, and it got me thinking about all the other books that I want to see adapted! The lovely Amber @Bibliomavens clearly read my mind and shared her list of fantasy books that also need to be adapted and I agree with every single one of her picks! I’ve got all my fingers and toes crossed that hopefully one day we’ll get at least one of these adaptations.

Zoe @Reading by the Moonlight shared what she loves about blogging and it reminded me of why I love too blog too! The blogging community and the love everyone continues to spread is hands down my favourite part of blogging and it’s one of my biggest motivators!

One of my favourite book tags this month was The Spring Cleaning Book Tag! Alexa @Writing The Universe shared her answers and also gave me an amazing book recommendation that I really excited to read!

Two of my favourite things are books and tarot cards, and the lovely Robin @Paperbacks and Planners has combined the two to create tarot book recommendations. I love this idea so much and the recommendations are always spot on!

I love tracking my reading and and various bookish apps like Goodreads and The Storygraph, so when I saw that Angele @Adominiquereads had done the Goodreads Was Wrong Book Tag, I had to check it out! I I loved this book tag and I really enjoyed reading Angele’s answers, we’ve got very similar opinions when it comes to Cruel Beauty by Rosamund Hodge and Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard!

April Wrap Up and May TBR

May 6, 2021

I said this last month but what happened to April? This month has once again been a whirlwind and I feel like I’m constantly playing catch up! I had so many plans for April but in typical Amy fashion everything ended up being bit chaotic and pushed aside.

As many of you know already, I’m one of thousands of publishing hopefuls who are trying their hardest to break into a highly competitive industry and the constant rejection or lack of response is heartbreaking. I like to think of myself as an optimistic and positive person but recently it’s been a struggle trying to remain hopeful and confident in my abilities. It’s been almost two years now since I graduated from University with a degree in English Literature, and although this past year has had its set backs, I’m still at square one and just a little less optimistic than before. At this moment in time I’m fortunate enough to have a job working in retail with wonderful group of ladies who I absolutely adore, however I hoped for more. I don’t plan on giving up on my dreams anytime soon, and I hope that the universe has something epic in store for me soon!

Last month was emotionally, physically and mentally exhausting but I’ve started this month with a new mindset and goal orientated attitude and I’m confident that I’m going to make it a memorable one! My personal aim for May is to find a routine and get myself a little more organised. I’ve been juggling so many different things that I’ve lost track of what’s on my to-do list and what day it is, whoops!

April finally saw the re-opening of lots of non-essential shops including bookshops (I’d argue that books are essential) and I’ve never been so excited to experience a bit of retail-therapy. My poor bank account has taken a bit of a beating this month, but if you can’t treat yourself now, when can you?

The highlight of my month was hands-down the Shadow and Bone adaptation, IT WAS PERFECT! I’m currently on my third re-watch and I think I fall in love with it a little more every time I watch it! I’ve got a dedicated post going up next week where I gush about all of my feelings and how wonderful the entire show was, I can’t stop raving about it and if Netflix doesn’t renew it for more seasons then I quit!

What You Might Have Missed Last Month:

My Favourite Books With Pink Covers | Spring Edition

7 Thing I Want to See in the Shadow and Bone TV Show

Book Recommendations Based Off Your Star Sign

This or That: Book Lovers Edition

April Wrap Up

As for reading, it’s no surprise that I only managed to read ONE book this month! Luckily I’m on track with my reading goals and I hope to have a really productive May.

King of Scars by Leigh Bardugo – Nikolai is one of my all-time favourite characters so the chance to spend more time with him and join him on another adventure with some other great characters was perfect! AND that ending, it’s a good thing that I’ve got Rule of Wolves ready and waiting on my bookshelf!

May TBR

When it comes to reading, I’m the bookworm of the family but occasionally my sister will fall into the magical world of reading and go into full-on reader mode! Seriously that girl can read, she managed to read the first two books in the Blood and Ash Series by Jennifer L Armentrout in TWO days and I’ve never been prouder! So I thought I’d take advantage of her whilst she’s on this reading sprint and get her to choose my TBR for next month! I’ve brought so many new books recently and I don’t know what to read next, so it’s been great getting an outsiders opinion!

Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare – This is my sisters all time favourite series and I’ve lost track at how many times I’ve promised her that I’ll read. I really enjoy reading about the vast Shadowhunter world and I’m excited to see what all the fuss is about!

From Blood and Ash by Jennifer L Armentrout – As I mentioned previously, my sister managed to read the first two books in two days and now she needs someone who she can talk about it with and I’m more than happy to fill that role. Everyone has been raving about this series and I feel little bit left out so it’s about time I jumped on the bandwagon!

The Bone Season by Samantha Shannon – My sister knows me far too well and told me to pick the book that’s been sitting on my TBR pile for the longest! I received an excerpt of this book years ago and loved it so excited to continue with the rest of the story!

Realm Breaker by Victoria Aveyard – I’ve been going on about this book for weeks so there was no way that I wasn’t going to put this book on my TBR for May.

Blog Posts I Loved This Month | March

April 7, 2021

These lists just keep getting longer and longer, but I couldn’t resist including all these wonderful posts and celebrating some content that made me smile. As I mentioned in my wrap up post, last month I was struggling with my blogging motivation and creativity but after reading all these incredible posts, I’ve now got long list of bookish themed posts that I’m excited to write.

I also just want to say a HUGE thank you to the blogging community! Your love and support recently has been overwhelming and I wish I could every one of you a big socially distanced hug! All of you continue to make my blogging experience one that is filled with so much joy, kindness and friendship, and for that I’ll be forever grateful!

Anyway, enough about me, let’s celebrate some of the AMAZING posts I read in March!

This month I discovered so many new blogs and that is thanks to the ray of sunshine that is Sofii @A Book, A Thought! Sofii has been hard at work creating the Definitive Book Blogger List so be sure to go and support her and this wonderful project!

Cossette @TeaTimeLit shared 10 book recommendations based on your favourite musical and I couldn’t help but add a few more books to my TBR! I thought this was such a fun and creative post and if you’re a musical lover then be sure to check this post out!

I’m always looking for more book recommendations and lovely Katie @Whispering Pages has given me some great contemporaries to read this Spring! Katie has convinced me to read The Boy Who Steals Houses, the way in which she describes it is so beautiful and it sounds like something I’m going to love.

Caro @Book Cheshire Cat also shared some amazing recommendations for Women’s History Month! I loved this post so much and it’s no surprise that over half of these books have ended up on my endless TBR!

I don’t need any more books on my TBR, but I can’t help it! Birdie @Birdie’s Booktopia went on a little book hunt and shared a list of her most anticipated April releases and what an exciting month April is!

If you’ve been following me for a while then you’ll know that I’m utterly obsessed with anything related to mythology, so when I saw Tasya @The Literary Huntress’ post about books based on Irish/Celtic Myth, I couldn’t click fast enough! I know I’m not alone in my love for mythology, so if you’re like me then be sure to check this post out.

Felicia @Felicia Sue Lynn Reviews started a new book meme, Blind Date a Book! This is such a creative idea and I love trying to guess which book is being described!

March was the month of Book Tags! Ally @Ally Writes Things created The Book Recommendations Book Tag! I had so much fun going through my bookshelves and Goodreads to find the perfect answer to these questions. I also really enjoyed her recent post where she compared our Goodreads shelves and I’ve made it my mission to add more books to my very empty shelves! Since then I’ve added a few more books and our comparative score has gone up to 81%!

The wonderful Amber and Samantha @Bibliomavens created the Meet the Book Blogger Tag! I loved this tag so much, all the questions really made me thing and I’m really enjoying seeing other bloggers join in and learning more about everyone!

I don’t know about you, but I’m obsessed with zodiac signs so when I saw that Becky @Becky’s Book Blog had done the Zodiac Book Tag, I could click on it quick enough! This was such a fun tag and I loved reading all of her answers!

Ross @The Royal Bookshelf created the Drag Race UK Season 2 Book Tag and it was the perfect way to end a perfect season! All of the Queen themed questions were brilliant and so creative, I loved it!

Zoe @Reading By The Moonlight shared a wonderful post about the pressure of liking popular books and the importance of removing internal and external pressures when reading a book. I related to this post massively, so be sure to go and check it out!

Another post I loved this month was Stephen @Stephen Writes thought-provoking discussion post about to what extent should we compare books. This was a topic that I hadn’t thought about, but after reading his post, it was something I was very conscious of and could identify in my reading habits. I agree with Stephen 100%, comparing books is inevitable, and that it is important that they are judged individually and for their merits!

We’re all used to talking about our favourite character traits, but Vera @Wordy and Whimsical shared some traits that can make us dislike a character! I don’t know about you but I hate it when a character is perfect at everything or when they have just one personality trait that defines them, give me more complexity!

I’ve been thinking about treating myself to a book sleeve for a while now, so when I saw Beth @Divine World of Books’ post about her book sleeve collection, I knew it was a sign and that I had to have one! I’m in love with all of the Shades of Magic sleeves, they’re stunning!

Kristin @Kristin Kraves Books has the most beautiful collection of books! In a recent post, she shared her Great Gatsby collection, and I’m very jealous!

Em @Em and Her Books is once again tempting me with lots of lovely bookish items with a list of her favourite bookish shops! Like her I’ve now filled my basket with lots of goodies and I’m just waiting for the right opportunity to treat myself. I love to support small businesses (especially when they’re book related) so make sure that you treat yourself too!

We had lots to celebrate in March, one of which was International Women’s Day! In honour of such a wonderful day, Georgia @Lost In Neverland shared her favourite female characters, and I could agree with her list more!

Heather @Nine Bookish Lives shared her list of books that need to be turned into a film/TV show and I now I can’t stop thinking about an In a Holidaze adaptation! That book needs to be turned into a festive rom-com ASAP!

I’ve just finished re-reading The Shadow and Bone trilogy and I’ve managed to put myself in another book hangover, but luckily I’ve got Six of Crows and King of Scars on my TBR and Julie @One More Book’s list of swoon-worthy lines from the entire series. I’m fully obsessed with this post, and I’ve spent way too much time re-reading some of these quotes, they’re all so beautiful especially that David and Genya quote! If you’re a fan of the series then I highly recommend you check this post out!

Another post I really enjoyed this month was Alienor @A Fox’s Wanderings list of 5 Romance Tropes I Love…And 5 I Loathe! Alienor and I share the same thoughts when it comes to romance tropes, we both love good-old slow-burn enemies to lovers plot and hate a cliche ‘love at first sight trope, just no!

I love reading about how different readers review books, and the lovely Susana @Susana Loves Books shared what elements make a 5-star book! I totally agree with everything listed, especially the point about the importance of characters and character diversity!

I swear I’m in a permanent state of writer’s block but Kira @Kira Jeanette’s post about writer’s block was super helpful and has encouraged me to stop procrastinating and to just write! I’m loving these writing updates and I look forward to reading more of them soon! Also best of luck with CampNaNoWriMo!

One of my favourite posts of the month was Line @First Line Reader’s Funny Book Titles (With a Twist). I haven’t laughed so hard at a blog post for a long time and it honestly made my day! I’d love to read all these alternative plots, and I particularly loved the adapted plot for Passenger, who wouldn’t want to drive around with a Taylor Swift obsessed ghost!

Blog Posts I Loved This Month | February

March 4, 2021

February is a month dedicated to love and romance, so it’s no surprise that I fell in love with so many amazing posts, books and new blogs this month! Everyone’s got their creative juices flowing because the quality of posts again this month has been fabulous and I’ve enjoyed reading every single one of them. This is my longest list of favourites ever but I couldn’t resist including all these wonderful posts and celebrating some content that made me smile.

I mentioned in my wrap up post that I was struggling with my mental health last month, but the blogging community has always been such a comforting and lovely place to escape too. Sometimes what you need to do, is make yourself a big-old cup of tea and switch off by reading lots of different bookish posts and surround yourself with a community that is full of so much love and support. So go and get yourself all cosy and enjoy some of the posts I loved last month!

This month love was in the air and lots of bloggers shared some of their favourite romance reads and books that made their hearts flutter:

I loved Priyasha’s @Books and Co. list of 12 romance novels that are better than a candlelit dinner, because there’s nothing better than curling up with a good book!

It’s been a month and I’m still obsessed with Bridgerton. @Two Night Stands shared a great list of romance reads that are perfect for fans of Bridgerton and I could help but add a couple of these to my TBR!

I love book quotes, and this year I want to start writing some of my favourites down and keeping a note of all of them so I can look back on them when I’m having a bad day. Becky @Becky’s Book Blog shared some book quotes that will make you swoon and I’m obsessed with all of them!

Have you ever seen or picked up a book that you’ve instantly fallen in love with? I know I have! Kathryn @The Artsy Bookworm shared her list of books that were love at first sight.

Margaret @Weird Zeal shared 5 romance book recommendations based on sitcom couples! This was such a creative and fun idea and combined two of my favourite things!

We all have that list of books that got us into reading and without them this wonderful blogging and reading journey wouldn’t have happened. Amber and Samantha @Bibliomavens shared their list of 10 books that made them fall in love with reading and it got me feeling all nostalgic, I loved it!

I love it when book recommendations are organised by their tropes and the wonderful Pilar @The Bookworm Shelf did just that and shared 24 amazing, modern, standalone romance novels recommendations!

Love isn’t always romantic and usually takes the form of friendship. Kat @The Lily Cafe shared her list of books that have fabulous friendships and it’s so refreshing to find book recommendations that celebrates the strong bond friendship, instead of the classic friends-to-lovers trope. Ive yet to read any of the books on Kat’s list but there’s definitely a few new ones on my TBR!

Lots of bloggers also shared their lists of bookish things that every book lover needs. I don’t need anymore books or bookish items but these posts have convinced me that it’s good to treat yourself now and then and to get creative:

Em @EmandHerBooks made a list 10 things every book lover needs, and although I already have a couple of things off this list, I need more! I’ve been looking at getting a nice book sleeve for while and maybe this is a sign to treat myself!

Emma @The Bookworm Girl shared a great list of gifts to buy a book lover and I need them all! I’m a big tea drinker so the bookish mug is right up my street and I’m constantly using old tatty bookmarks so it might be time to invest in a fancy new personalised one!

Georgia @Lost in Neverland has inspired me to make my own book quotes jar and I’m obsessed! This is such a wonderfully creative idea that is perfect for keeping track of some of your favourite quotes and it’s lovely to look back on them when you’re having a bad day!

Kristin @Kristin Kraves Books shared her STUNNING Pride and Prejudice collection and it’s fair to say that I’m jealous! I didn’t think I needed any more copies of Austen’s classic but Kristin has convinced me that I have to have the Penguin Clothbound Edition on my shelf!

As many of you know I’m obsessed with The Storygraph, and I’m always on the lookout for some good bookish apps! Estelle @The Bookish Garden shared some of her favourite apps that every bookworm needs on their phone/tablet and I’ve found some great new apps that I’m looking forward to trying soon!

The blogging community is a great place to find book recommendations and you never know whey you’re going to find your next favourite read:

I don’t know about you but I love reading underrated books on Goodreads, it’s like having your own little secret story that only a couple of other readers have experienced. Ally @Ally Writes Things shared her list of books with fewer than 5000 ratings on Goodreads that you should read, and I couldn’t resist adding a few of these to my TBR!

Alison @Alison in Bookland shared a great list of lesser know series by popular authors you need to read ASAP! I don’t need anymore books on my endless TBR, but I couldn’t help myself! Whoops! Anyway, she includes some great series, so be sure to check it out!

Caro @Book Cheshire Cat shared her list of books she’s put and hold and wants to pick up again soon! We’re all guilty of it and it’s encouraged me to take a look at my own list, and hopefully next month I’ll be able to tick a few off!

February 2021 will forever be know as the month A Court of Silver Flames DESTROYED me! So I had to share some reviews and celebrate this book a little more:

Becca @Toastie Books and Katie @Melting Pages shared their review on A Court of Silver Flames and I agree with everything they said! These are both great reviews and highly recommend you check them out!

I love it when people read ACOTAR and fall in love with it! Chiara @Heavenly Bookish shared her thoughts on A Court of Mist and Fury and even shared a few of her favourite fan-art pieces which I loved!

This month I also read some great discussion posts and features that I just couldn’t help but share:

Another feature I’m really enjoying recently is Riddhi @Whispering Stories blogger interviews, this is such a fun and unique idea and the perfect opportunity to discover more about the blogging community! When I’m reading these interviews I feel like I’m right there with them and a part of the conversation, I love it!

Bertie @Lumionsity Library always writes some of the best discussion posts and their recent post about women who write about gay men is brilliant. If you haven’t read it yet then I highly recommend that you do and also check out the comments for some great recommendations.

As an English Literature graduate classics have played a huge part in my life, and I loved reading about Zoë’s @Reading by the Moonlight developing relationship with them. It’s easy to fall out of love with classics and to be intimidated by them, but once you overcome that hurdle it opens up a world of beautiful and powerful stories!

And finally, lots of bloggers shared some super helpful reading and blogging tips that I had to share:

Shannen @Rekindled Bibliophile started a new series called ‘Breaking into Books’ that focuses on giving tips and advice to new readers or readers that have recently returned to books after a long break. I think this is a great idea and I look forward to following along!

It’s no secret that my TBR is way too long and needs cutting down ASAP. And I’m sure I’m not the only one who has an endless list of unread books! Chana and Malka @Paper Procrastinators shared a brilliant post on how to cut down your TBR that is guaranteed to make you smile and laugh out loud.

As I’ve mentioned earlier that I’m a big fan of classics but they can be intimidating. Shaniah @Books and Baking shared her top 10 tips on reading classics that are super helpful and perfect for anyone looking to dive into the wonderful world that is classic literature!

And finally the wonderful Sofii @ A Book. A Thought shared her tips on how to stay motivated as a reader & book blogger. I loved this post and I related to it massively! It’s only in the past couple of months that I’ve really found my blogging identity and passion and creativity for blogging again! Sometimes you just need to take a step back and focus on what you love and to keep it fun! 

Blog Posts I Loved This Month | January

February 5, 2021

It’s clear that everyone is starting 2021 off with a bang because the quality of posts recently has been epic and I’ve enjoyed reading every single one of them! I’m trying to spend more time each evening relaxing and reading different blog posts, instead of scrolling endlessly through social media, and it’s easily been one of the best decisions I’ve made this year. The blogging community is the perfect place to escape to, especially now with everything going on, and I can guarantee that’ll you’ll always find something fun, thoughtful and creative to read.

Anyway, here’s a few posts I loved last month! Enjoy!

Here in the UK we’ve been getting a lot of snow (and rain) recently, so Kate @ Whispering Pages list of book recommendations for a cold winter’s night was the perfect read and full of new and heartwarming reads that I had to add to my TBR!

Chana @ Paper Procrastinators discusses the way in which female characters tend to be portrayed in fiction and it’s probably one of my favourite reads this month! This is such a wonderful and though provoking post that everyone needs to read! Thank you Chana!

Two of my favourite things are books and tarot cards, and the lovely Robin @ Paperbacks and Planners has combined two to create weekly tarot book recommendations. This it’s such a fabulous and unique idea that I’m obsessed with!

Zoë @ Reading by the Moonlight shared some of her Favourite ASMR Rooms and they are the perfect listening material for when you’re curled up with a book or trying to write that all important scene. I’ve now got a whole playlist dedicated to some of my new favourites and have spent the week at Hogwarts, Rivendell and more.

I’m constantly being intimidated by books (I’m looking at you The Priory of the Orange Tree) and it’s nice to know I’m not the only one who occasionally gets scared by them. The lovely Rosina @ Lace and Dagger Books shared her list of books that she’s intimidated by and it was nice to see some familiar favourites on her list!

Another post I loved this month was Emma @ It’s a Readers Life post about the 5 Things to Do to Start Your Publishing Journey. As a publishing hopeful I found this post super helpful and reassuring to know that I’m not the only one out there. If you’re looking for a career in publishing too then I highly recommend that you go and check out her post!

It’s no a secret that I have fallen head over heels for Bridgerton, so Briana’s @ Pages Unbound post about 5 YA Regency Books to Read If You Like Netflix’s Bridgerton was exactly what I needed! I don’t need any more books on my TBR but I just couldn’t resist.

I also really enjoyed Krysta’s @ Pages Unbound post about the different Publishing Trends We Need to Bring Back! I’m all for bringing back chapter titles, they make things so much more interesting and I didn’t realise how much I missed then until now!

I love it when a reader is so passionate and enthusiastic about a book and/or author and decides to gush about them in a post, it just makes me so happy! Alexis @ The Reading Addict shared her Appreciation for Angie Thomas and it’s clear that I’m missing out on some great stories and that I need to read more of her books soon.

I love the blogging community and I especially love getting to know everyone better! Leyanis @The Blogger and the Geek introduced herself in her Meet the Blogger post, which was so much fun and has prompted me to write my own, however I don’t think mine will be half as interesting!

This year I really want to start listening to audiobooks, as I’m always running around doing something with my headphones on, as well as looking for any opportunity to read! It’s the best of both worlds. @ Cup of Tea with that Book Please shared a great list of audiobooks for pleasant listening and great storytelling and I’m definitely adding a few of these recommendations onto my TBR.

Naemi @ A Book Owl’s Corner shared a few of her childhood writing notebooks and I was so impressed by 10-year-old Naemi’s writing! Her childhood innocence and limitless creativity makes for a great story and wonderful post that got me think about some of my own childhood journals!

If you haven’t yet joined the Storygraph then what have you been doing? I’m constantly raving this platform and if I can’t convince you then go and check out Felicia @ Felicia Sue Lynn Reviews website review! Spoiler Alert, she loves it too!

And finally I had to include Charlotte @ Mug Full of Books post about her adorable little Book Nook, because it made my day! And I’m very tempted to make my own!

Blog Posts I Loved This Month | December 2020

January 6, 2021

What better way to start the New Year off, than by highlighting and celebrating some of my favourite posts from last month! During December many of us, including myself, participated in Blogmas, so there was lots of really good and fun posts to read, but that also made it really difficult to choose which ones I wanted to include this month!

Anyway, here’s a few posts I loved last month! Enjoy!

December is a month of reflection and one of my favourite posts to read is everyones ‘favourite new-to-me authors of that year’ as I love discovering new authors and seeing if any of my favourites have made it on to other readers lists! Both Kristin @ Kristin Kraves Books and Mehek @ The Critiques of a Fangirl shared some of their favourites and I couldn’t resist adding a few authors and books to my TBR!

I’ve just finished Aurora Rising by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff and I’m OBSESSED and am seriously craving some more sci-fi space adventures, so Eliza @ Dusk Angel Reads post about YA Sci-Fi Recommendations was well timed and the perfect read!

As many of you know that I’m in love with everything Sarah J Maas, so when I saw that Marta @ The Monogamist Reader had done The Throne of Glass Book Tag I knew it was tag I had to bookmark for the New Year! I can’t believe that I’ve never heard of this tag! I really enjoyed all the themed questions and reading Marta’s answers, so if your a fan of the series then go check it out!

I also really enjoyed Tilly @ The Biblioshelf’s post on the Six Books She’d Like to Spend the Holidays In! This was such a fun and creative post that got me thinking about which books I’d love to spend the festive season in, and I think I’d have to agree with Tilly and choose either Hogwarts or Narnia!

When buying Christmas presents I made it my aim to try and support small businesses, and even though Christmas is over I still enjoying scrolling through Etsy and discovering independent bookish shops! The lovely Kira @ Kira Jeanette shared some great bookish shops in her post Bookish Small Businesses to Shop From This Christmas and its the perfect read for any book lover! I think I might have to treat myself to a few bits as I don’t think I can resit!

Another book tag I loved this month was The Evermore Book Tag inspired by Taylor Swifts second surprise album! Both Becca @ Toastie Books and Georgia @ Lost in Neverland completed this tag, and as always, I really enjoyed reading their answers.

Last year I discovered the Storygraph and it’s quickly become my go-to website for tracking my reading habits. Siena @ Booksophobia shared her experience with Using The Storygraph vs Goodreads and discusses the pros and cons of using The StoryGraph in comparison to Goodreads. I agree with all of her points and I 100% recommend trying the Storygraph if you’re looking for something a little different!

Fantasy will always be my favourite genre, so when Alex @ PA Reads shared her list of 10 Memorable Fantasy Books You Should Read Today, I knew I had to give it a read! It’s nice to see that some of my go-to favourites (good-old Brandon Sanderson) made it on to her list and I’ve now added Air Awakens by Elise Kova and Daughter of the Pirate King by Tricia Levenseller on to my TBR, as they both some like something I’d love!

There are so many fantasy sub-genres that I’ve yet to fully dive into, and one of my reading goals this year is to explore more fantasy worlds and authors. Jess @ Jessticulates shared a wonderful post about the Desert Fantasy on Her TBR and I couldn’t resist adding pretty much all of the books mentioned on to my TBR! I remember reading The Wrath and the Dawn by Renée Ahdieh a couple of years ago and really enjoying it, so I’m eager to read more similar adventures soon!

On Monday, England announced it was going back into another full lockdown, so it’s fair to say that these next 6 weeks are going to be a bit of a struggle for me. BUT recently Bertie @ Luminosity Library shared 10 Comfort Reads to Beat Those Winter Blues and I definitely plan to add a couple of these feel-good reads to my monthly TBR, and hopefully they’ll help keep my spirits up!

During December there was also lots of exciting announcements!

Lila @ Hardcover Haven announced her Written in the Margins Travelling Book Club, a book club where a chosen book is sent to eleven readers during which the participant reads and annotates the book before sending it to the next person. This is such a fabulous and fun idea and I can’t wait to follow along! For more information be sure to check out Lila’s post!

And finally, Ahaana @ Windows to the Worlds and Becky @ Dusts of Magic announced the After the Story Writing Project, a collaboration of book bloggers that focuses on writing more and building the confidence to write something you enjoy, while having fun! This is such a brilliant and creative project for any aspiring writer or anyone looking for a unique creative outlet! Be sure to check out their posts for more information!