Tag: wrap up

How Do I Create Bookish Content & Why I Love to Blog – 500th Post!

December 2, 2021

How do you start your 500th post? I keep re-writing this introduction hoping, that something profound and perfect would manifest, but it looks like the pressure is getting to me! Even after seven years, 293,989 words and, 2358 cups of tea, I still struggle to accept that this little blog has grown into something I can confidently say I’m proud of.

My blog has journeyed around the world, pushed me out of my comfort zone and introduced me to so many incredibly supportive people who continue to support me, even when it takes me weeks (and sometimes months) to reply to your comments! Whoops!

Not only has this blog grown, but I’ve grown with it. Seven years ago, sixteen-year-old Amy and her best friend Eleanor started sharing their bookish thoughts with the world, and it’s been one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. I’ll be forever grateful to those two teens, and I don’t think they’d ever expected this site to grow into the platform(s) it is today. I occasionally read some of my old reviews and cringe at all the cliches, but I don’t have the heart to remove them. They’re full of the same bookish enthusiasm and genuine passion that I still embody and see throughout the blogging community daily.

My confidence, creativity, and writing have evolved massively, and over these past twelve months, I’ve witnessed myself becoming an entirely different person (in a good way!). I’m writing posts that I enjoy writing, exploring unique concepts and letting my creativity run wild, and I honestly couldn’t be happier with my progress. Admittedly this journey hasn’t been all sunshine and rainbows, I’ve had to prioritise my mental health and take a much-needed step back, but I’m like a boomerang, I’ll always come back!

This blogging journey started as a hobby but has grown into something that feels like a second job. It’s hard work but worth every second. Every notification, like, comment, tag fills me with so much joy, and it’s heartwarming to know that someone enjoyed the content I produced. It’s exhausting, and I’ll regularly come home and jump straight onto my laptop to start writing, but without this creative outlet, I’d be lost. One of the most important lesson’s I’ve learned from my experiences is that it’s okay to miss an upload. No one is going to unfollow or forget about me! I used to post just for the sake of posting, worried that if I didn’t stick to my schedule that I would fail. It’s clear to me when I re-read those posts that my heart wasn’t truly in it and that something was missing.

In all honesty, it wasn’t until I sat down to start writing that I noticed this would be my 500th post, but fate has a funny way of bringing things together. As many of you know, I’m a strong believer that everything happens for a reason, so here’s me telling you to GO FOR IT!

It’s been nearly two months since I posted on this platform, and I will admit there was a second that I contemplated letting this blog go, but then I asked myself what I loved about blogging? I love that I combine my creativity and imagination with one of my biggest passions, as well as connecting with a group of like-minded people who share my love for books. It sounds cliche, but blogging is the perfect escape. I’m able to let my thoughts roam free, and it’s a platform that fuels my creativity and confidence.

My biggest piece of advice for creating content is to let your creativity run wild and to write about what you want to write about, not what you think others would enjoy or what would be ‘popular’. I love it when I read a post and, you can feel the enthusiasm and passion transcend through the page. Those are the posts that gift me with the best reading experiences. And I know it’s cliché, but just being yourself is the key to an incredible blogging experience, have fun with it and let your imagination free.

This time last year, I completely changed the way I looked at blogging, I discovered my blogging identity and found a new sense of energy for this platform. I have my ‘Reading Like a Fictional Character’ series to thank for this renewed love for blogging. I wanted to try something different, so I combined two of my loves; read-a-thons and Gilmore Girls. That post unlocked something within me and the way I blog. I don’t think I’ve written a single book review this year, and that’s perfectly fine! My blogging style has changed, and although I don’t read as much as I used to, that doesn’t stop me from sharing my thoughts and getting involved with the bookish community.

I know I am the worst person in the world at replying to comments, but it doesn’t mean that I don’t see them. Every notification fills me with so much joy and never fails to bring a smile to my face. I can’t praise the blogging community enough, everyone is incredibly supportive, and I still find it crazy that even though we’ve never met we’ve all established a friendship that I cherish. I know I say it a lot, but thank you to every single one of you, for your love, support and endless enthusiasm.

Blogmas 2021 Announcement

December 1, 2021

I can’t believe it’s already December?

Anyway, this is my 12 Days of Blogmas 2020 announcement! The plan is to post festive and fun content every other day in the lead up to the big day! I’d love to publish something every day, but working in retail during one of the busiest time of the year makes that almost impossible! I’ll be channelling my inner Christmas elf, running around selling presents and working throughout the night making sure that everything is stocked up and perfect. But not to worry, I’ve got the spreadsheet ready and have got some really fun and Christmassy posts coming your way so keep your eyes peeled!

I completed blogmas last year, and had so much fun with it that I thought I’d challenge myself again! I’ve been a bit absent recently and I hoping that blogmas will get me back into the blogging spirit and more involved with the blogging community! These past couple of months I’ve take a step back to focus on myself and I’m now in a position where I feel more confident and excited about the future and what’s to come! I’ve also been using this time to focus on my bookstragram (@afangirlsopinion), it’s certainly been a learning curve but one that’s taught me so much and got me involved with another wonderful community! My plan is to do something similar and festive over on bookstagram, so feel free to follow along!

My two biggest tips for anyone participating in blogmas is to first get organised! Blogmas can be hard-work, but the challenge is definitely worth it! One way to make it easier is to plan out your ideas, I’m a sucker for spreadsheets or a good old to-do list, anything that helps me stay on top of all my posts! And the second tip is to ENJOY it, its called the most wonderful time of the year for a reason! Don’t worry if you miss a day, the whole point of blogmas is to help get each other in the Christmas spirit and to have a bit of fun!

If you’re also participating in blogmas then please leave a link to your blog in the comments below, as I love following along and reading other peoples blogmas posts!

Happy Blogging Everyone!

The Crying Book Tag

October 5, 2021

I’m not exaggerating when I say I cry at everything, from Christmas adverts to heartfelt goodbyes, I just can’t help it! So when the lovely Jessica @ The Awkward Book Blogger tagged me in this book tag, I knew it was one I had to do ASAP! I haven’t done a book tag in ages so I will admit that I added a few additional prompts of my own, the excitement and creativity was just too much for me to handle! One day I’ll write my own original book tag but right now I’ll just stick to adding the odd question here and there.

The Rules:

✦ Answer all the prompts with a book that made you tearful (on the inside counts)
✦ Link back to the original post
✦ Tag as many people as you want
✦ Drink some water

Foreign Film Cry: A book that was both beautiful and sad

The House in the Cerulean Sea by T.J Klune. This was more of a happy-sad tears! This book is beautiful and really pulled on my heartstrings. These characters take you by the hand and whisk you away on a journey of self-discovery and an adventure filled with new friendships and childhood fun! This book deserves all the hype so be sure to add this one to your TBR if you haven’t already!

Grief-Stricken Howl: A book character that didn’t need to die (Spoiler Alert, duh)

Where do I start? Sirius Black, Leslie Burke, Finnick Odair, Beth March, Matthias Helvar. These deaths destroyed me the most and left me with a hole in my heart!

Horrified Wail: A book where everything went wrong just when things were going right

Hmmm, I wonder which book Amy’s going to pick? Of course I have to pick The Mistborn Trilogy by Brandon Sanderson! That book and its characters are total chaos, one moment things are going to plan and then on the next page Sanderson has thrown a major unexpected plot twist into the mix that causes mayhem!

Dry-eyed Shock: An ending that didn’t give you the closure you needed

I really struggled with this one, and spent a while starring at my bookshelves hoping that something would stand out! I hate endings. 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.

Childhood Wound: A book that related to events in your life

I see myself in both Nesta (ACOSF by Sarah J Maas) and Chloe Brown (Get a Life Chloe Brown by Talia Hibbert), both of them go through journeys of self discovery and development, and it’s these struggles that mould them into better versions of themselves. Nesta has taught me that it’s okay to show weakness and Chloe Brown has given me push I needed to make my own ‘get a life’ list!

Exhausted Tears: A book you were hyped about that you ended up hating

Realm Breaker by Victoria Aveyard. I blame myself for this one! As soon as I read the synopsis my expectations shot up and I convinced myself that this book was written for readers like me, it ticked every fantasy box! The world building in Realm Breaker was so intense that I felt that sometimes it overshadowed the characters and the storyline, I ended up getting so caught up with place names and all the different kingdoms that I wasn’t able to connect enough with everything going on. Nevertheless, I am in love with this band of characters and I’m utterly obsessed with Erida, she is such a complex and unique character and I’m curious to see where the story takes her.

No Tears Left to Cry: A book that destroyed you emotionally

Out of Love by Hazel Hayes. Hazel manages to capture the essence of a break-up and those final stages of a relationship beautifully, the entire novel is a treasure trove of powerfully meaningful quotes. Each turning off the page uncovers another delicate layer of intimacy, as we delve further not only into our protagonists relationships but our own. The first chapter will break your heart, and then you’ll spend the rest of the novel, alongside our narrator, tentatively putting ourselves back together and remising on the highs and lows of love. 

Crying with Laughter: A character that had you in fits of giggles

Mark Watney from The Martian by Andy Weir. What’s funny about a man stranded on Mars? Nothing, but our protagonist Mark Watney makes the best out of a bad situation and will have you cracking up at every page. Every bit of his dialogue is hilarious, he always finds the most surprising and inappropriate thing to say, even in the direst situations!

The Illuminae Files by Amie Kaufman also had me in fits of giggles! Amie Kaufman is a mastermind when it comes to creating lighthearted and effortless back and forth banter! Again, I didn’t expect to laugh this much! I’m OBSESSED with both Kady/Ezra and Hannah/Nik and they’ve earned a spot on my favourite fictional couples list.

The Chris Pine Oscar Worthy Tear: The perfect book that deserves a standing ovation

I couldn’t help myself and had to include this GIF, just look at that perfect single tear! I’m currently reading These Violent Delights by Chloe Gong and I’m OBSESSED! It sounds cliche but even after the first page I knew this was a book I was going to love, the writing is beautiful and these characters already mean the world to me!

September Wrap Up and October TBR

October 2, 2021

October is my favourite month of the entire year; I love cosy jumpers, pumpkin spice lattes and all of the autumnal vibes, plus it’s my birthday month, so that’s an added bonus! I’ve got a lot to look forward to this month, not only have a booked a cheeky weekend down in London but I’m also going back to EDINBURGH! Edinburgh is one of my favourite places in the entire world and I can’t wait to spend a couple of days exploring more of this beautiful city! One day I’ll live there, but right now I’ll just have to settle for a couple of days here and there!

I start every month with a promise that the next month would be better, that I’d finally sort my routine and break out of this horrible cycle of disappointment, and so far I’ve yet to keep that promise! Whoops! BUT this month will be different! I turn 24 this much and it’s about time I sort my life out and start focusing my energy back into myself. I’ve made a monthly to-do list and at the top of that list is to ‘get back into blogging’, it’s something that I’ve really missed and I can’t wait to bring some of my post ideas to life!

I want to say a HUGE thank you to all my followers (new and old!) for welcoming back into this community. I took a couple of months off for my metal health and it truly felt like a piece of me was missing. I find it crazy to think that I’ve never met any of you, but I consider you all some of you as great friends who always make me smile with your kind and lovely comments and positive energy! I wish I could give you all a huge cuddle, so here a virtual hug!

September Wrap Up

I didn’t read much this month, but what I did read completely blew me away and gifted me with a reading experience like no other.

The House on the Cerulean Sea by T.J Klune – This book is like a warm hug, it’s wonderful. It completely surpassed my expectations and filled me with so much love and joy. Thank you to everyone who recommended this book, it’s quickly become one of my favourite reads of the year and if you still haven’t read it yet then I HIGHLY recommend you do, it’s beautiful.

October TBR

I love read-a-thons and one of my favourite things about them is picking my TBR based on the different prompts, so I think each month I’m going to set myself a few challenges rather than a selection of books I probably won’t read! I’m very much a mood reader with a huge TBR who also struggles with making decisions (that’s the Libra in me), so it’s no surprise that I don’t ever stick to structured monthly TBR’s! I’m ready to change things up and try something a little different! I’m also really behind in my Goodread’s reading challenge (12 books to be exact!) so I’ve got a lot of catching up to do!

Read something spooky: It’s spooky season! It wouldn’t be an October TBR without a few frightening reads!

There’s Someone Inside Your House by Stephanie Perkins, White Smoke by Tiffany D. Jackson, Stalking Jack the Ripper by Kerri Maniscalco, Wilder Girls by Rory Power, The Chalkman by C.J. Tudor

Read a book off my ’25 books challenge’: Alli @The Book Giraffe shared 30 books she wanted to read in the 30 months before she turns 30, so I thought I’d make my own list of book I want to read before I turn 25!

Keep an eye out for a post coming soon!

Read a book about witches: I’ve just started re-watching Merlin and I’m really craving a bit of magic, specifically books that involve witches and sorcerers!

Windwitch by Susan Dennard, Serpent and Dove by Shelby Mahurin, The Bone Witch by Ron Chupeco, The Once and Future Witches by Alix E. Harrow, Cemetery Boys by Aiden Thomas

Read a book off my out-of-control TBR: My TBR is embarrassing and I’m not allowed to buy any more books until I sort it out and get it under control! The problem is that since joining bookstagram I’m constantly seeing great book recommendations that I can’t help but add to my Goodread’s shelves!

All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr, The Starless Sea by Erin Morgenstern, These Violent Delights by Chloe Gong

July Wrap Up and August TBR

August 8, 2021

Seriously, where did that month go? Last month I opened up a bit more in regards to my mental state and I was overwhelmed with all the incredible responses, and it’s comforting to know I’m not alone in my struggles. I wish I could reach out of my screen and give each and every one of you a big hug, all your love and support has helped me through some difficult times and for that I’ll be forever grateful!

This month has been a month of planning! Behind the scenes I’ve been writing lots of blog posts and if you haven’t see already, I also STARTED A BOOKSTAGRAM! This is something I’ve wanted to do for a while now and I’m so excited to get involved with another bookish community! I’m always on the lookout for bookish accounts to follow so if you’ve got a bookstagram account then please leave a link in the comments!

Thank you to everyone who’s been so lovely and welcoming, I wasn’t expecting such an incredible response!

As for my reading, I think I’ve finally made it out of my reading slump and ticked a few more books off my ever-growing TBR! The trick? Audiobooks! I’ve mentioned before that I’ve struggled to get into audiobooks as I find it difficult to focus but I surprised myself when I couldn’t stop listening to The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo! As expected I LOVED this book, and I can’t believe that it’s taken me this long to finally read it.

When it comes to audiobooks, I think it’s best that I just take baby steps and stick with listening to romances and thrillers as I don’t think I’m ready to dive straight into fantasy books with their detailed world building and large cast of characters! I’ve also got a 9 hour family road trip to look forward to this month, so any audiobook recommendations would be wonderful!

Anyway, my aim this month is to get back into blogging and to get more involved with this community! At the beginning of the year I was in a great place but blogging recently has taken a back seat and I miss engaging with all you wonderful people! So, here’s to another great month filled with happiness and lots of reading!

July Wrap Up

Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid – This book deserves ALL the hype! I love all the old Hollywood glamour and I felt like I was right there in Evelyn’s study listening to her incredible life. Thank you to everyone who recommended this book to me, you’re right I loved it!

We Were Liars by E. Lockhart – I’d totally forgotten what happened in this book and I loved experiencing the shock and disbelief all over again! If you’re looking for a quick and easy read for that perfect summers evening then look no further!

The Seven Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle by Stuart Turton – This book kept me up all night because I couldn’t put it down! This fusion of Agatha Christie meets Groundhog Day is brilliant, and Turton does an incredible job at creating an intense and mind-blowing mystery that is full of intricate layers and complex characters.

The Hating Game by Sally Thorne – If you love a classic enemies-to-lovers trope then this book is for you! I’ve got 100 pages left of this book and so far I loved every page!

August TBR

For the first half of this month I will be participating in the Merlin read-a-thon, trying to complete various different reading quests. I’ve wanted to get involved with some more read-a-thons, and then as if by chance I discovered this one! Merlin is one of my comfort shows, I’m obsessed these characters and their adventures and you’ll regularly find me re-watching watching my favourite moments! I’ll be sure to leave a link to TBR here if you’re interested!

The Kiss Quotient by Helen Hoang – I’ve got a 9 hour drive up to Scotland so I need some good audiobooks to keep me entertained! This book has been on my TBR for way too long, and I’m sure it’ll be a romance that will keep me very entertained!

Take a Hint Dani Brown by Talia Hibbert – I LOVED the first book and I’m eager to have some more fun with the Brown Sisters! I’m 100% sure that Hibbert will capture my heart again with another charming romantic comedy about a young woman who agrees to fake date her friend after a video of him “rescuing” her from their office building goes viral!

I’ve Started a Bookstagram!

August 2, 2021

FINALLY! This has been one of my goals for a while now and believe it or not, but it was my Dad who finally convinced me to step out of my comfort zone and go for it! I follow so many wonderful accounts that post stunning pictures, and I’ve been eager to try it myself, so here goes nothing! Yay!

As many of you know, I am quite an organised person, and have spent the past couple of weeks taking lots of pictures and trying my best to make reels all ready for the big day! I’ve already seen growth and change in the way I take pictures, and it’s been such a fun learning process, so I’m excited for what the rest of this journey has in store! I’m so proud of some of the content I’ve created, and I can’t wait to share it with everyone and to get involved with another wonderful community!

I want to say a HUGE thank you to my Mum and Dad for encouraging me to try something new, and for letting me go mad picking flowers from the garden to help bring these posts to life! I also want to say thank you to my sister and her endless supply of cosy blankets, and finally to my copy of Atonement by Ian McEwan whose pages I had to destroy to get the perfect shot!

It was a no brainer when it came to choosing the name, I’ve built a mini brand around my blog, and I want my bookstagram to be an extension of this platform, so I’ve gone with the classic @afangirlsopinion! This is another exciting step in my blogging and bookish journey, and if anyone’s got any tips for new bookstragramers and how to balance multiple platforms then please let me know!

My first post just went live, and it’s a little introductory post about me and my reading habits, and it would mean the world if you guys checked it out! I’m always searching for new bookish accounts to follow, so if you’ve got a bookstagram then please leave your username in the comments below, or if you want to then head over to Instagram and give me a follow, I’ll be sure to follow you all back!

So many of you have already been so supportive, and I wish I could reach out of my screen and give you all a big hug! All your kind words and love have been my motivation over the past couple of months, and I can’t express how grateful I am to be a part of such an incredible community!

Anyway, here’s to another adventure!

Amy X

Reading and Blogging Goals Check In & New Goals For 2021

July 18, 2021

At the beginning of the year, I set myself some blogging and reading goals that I wanted to achieve and I thought now would be the perfect time to reflect on my progress so far! Once again this year has been far from normal, but there’s a light at the end of the tunnel and I’m positive that things will start getting better soon! So far this year has been the best blogging year ever, not only have my views and engagement increased massively but I’m more confident and passionate about the content I love to create. I’ve become apart of such a loving and supportive community and I wouldn’t be where I am without any of you, so thank you. Anyway, here is my updated reading and blogging goals for the rest of 2021!

Current Goals

Goodreads Goal of 52 Books – At the beginning of the year I was smashing this goal, and although I’m still on track my reading has definitely taken a backseat. I think the problem is that I keep throwing myself into epic and intense fantasy worlds that are sometimes overwhelming so, and I cant believe I’m saying this, I think I need to take a break from fantasy books! I’ve just treated myself to a few romance books and I can’t wait to download some dating apps and wish for a romance of my own! If you want to follow along with my reading be sure to follow me on Goodreads @ Amy (A Fangirls Opinion).

Read Something Each Month that’s not ‘YA/NA Fantasy’ – I’ve tried but I just love fantasy so much! I am falling in love with romance books again, and I really want to star reading more memoirs/biographies so any recommendations would be wonderful!

Sort Out My TBR – Here’s the problem, I did clear out my TBR but like many other readers, I can’t resist buying new books and now we’re back at square one! One of my new goals for the second half of 2021, is to read all the unread physical books on my bookshelf before buying any more!

Post at Least Once a Week – I’ve had a few wobbles now and then but overall I’m really pleased that I’ve managed to stick to some sort of schedule! Having a dedicated and colourful spreadsheet has been a huge help, it keeps me organised and it helps me visualise my plans for the month, without it I don’t know where I’d be! I still need to find some sort of routine when it comes to balancing work, blogging and applying for jobs but for now I’m happy!

Invest in a Domain Name – Yes! It may sound silly but being able to type www.afangirlsopinion.com into my web browser will never fail to make me smile. These past 9 months have been some of the best months of my entire blogging journey, and I hope to bring that energy and creativity with me into the second half of 2021! Over the past months I’ve discovered my ‘blog identity’ and the style of posts that not only I enjoyed writing but others enjoyed reading and I once again feel proud of the content I’m sharing.

Start a Bookstagram? – This is something that’s been on my mind for a while now and I’m still undecided to whether I’m going to give it a go or not? I follow so many wonderful accounts that post stunning pictures and I’m eager to try it myself, so I might trial it for a month and see how things turn out.

Write at least 150 words a day for a year – A complete and utter FAIL! I don’t think I’ve written a single word this year, whoops! I’ve got a week off work soon and I’m thinking of treating myself to a little writing retreat and really focusing on getting my ideas out of my head and on to paper!

New Goals

Along with my current goals, here are some of things I want to achieve by 2022!

Reach 1000 followers – It’s crazy even setting this goal, and it still blows my mind that there are currently 900 people who follow this little blog! Over the past nine months my follower count has increased massively and I’d like to think that because I see blogging as a passion rather than a ‘job’ and that I’m enthusiastic and proud of the content I create. I love blogging so much, it the perfect platform for me to let my creative juices flow and interact with so many wonderful and like-mined people! So if you like books and bookish inspired posts then join in the fun and follow along!

Be More Active on Social Media – Earlier this year I revamped my social media accounts and joined the wonderfully chaotic community that is booktwt. I tend to overthink my tweets and end up not posting them, so I want to make it my mission to get involved a little more!

Participate in More Read-a-thons – I LOVE read-a-thons, but I just haven’t had enough time to fully participate in them! I love basing my reading around different prompts and challenging myself with ambitious TBR’s! I’m participating in the Merlin read-a-thon at the beginning of August and I don’t think I’ve ever been this excited for a read-a-thon! Merlin is one of my comfort shows, so when I found this read-a-thon on Twitter I knew it was meant to be!

Do More Blog Hopping – One of my favourite things to do in the evening (aside from reading) is blog hopping and catching up on all the blog posts I might have missed. I’ve discovered so many new and amazing blogs recently and met some lovely people along the way, and it’s definitely something I want to dedicate more time to.

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!

June Wrap Up and July TBR

July 6, 2021

I feel 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. There’s been A LOT of tears this month, but I refuse to let this feeling crush my spirit and positivity anymore. I’m a strong believer that everything happens for a reason and think fate is just pushing me out of my comfort zone towards a crossroads of new chapters.

That horrible wave of realisation and panic hit me at the end of June and ended up trapping myself in a dark hole of self-doubt. We’re now halfway through the year, and I’ve yet to make any progress on any of my personal goals. I’m terrified that another year will pass, and I’ll still be in the same place. I’m a dreamer, and I’m constantly envisioning the future I have planned for myself, and it doesn’t help that I compare myself to other people around me. We’re all on our own paths, but I seem to be lost on mine. I’ve touched on this in previous posts, but I’ve reached a point where I’ve become complacent in my routine, and I’m desperate to do something different.

I’ve had my little cry, and I’m now working towards becoming a better version of myself and embracing the fact that life is short. I want to challenge myself with new opportunities and step out of my comfort zone, and there are a few projects (and books!) that I’ve been putting off that I finally want to start!

One of my big goals this month is to get back into my blogging schedule because last month was a bit of a disaster! I haven’t been in the right headspace to sit down and write, so I apologise for my inactivity and lack of responses, but reading everyone’s kind comments and tags have helped. Everyone has been so lovely, and I’m proud to be a part of such a wonderful community that continues to support my love for writing, reading and blogging!

Anyway, that’s enough of me and my metaphors, and here’s to a month filled with love, sunshine and good vibes!

June Wrap Up

Clockwork Prince by Cassandra Clare – I’m kicking myself for not starting this series sooner, because I have fallen utterly in love with these characters. Seriously, if you haven’t read this series then you need to drop everything and pick it up now!

Clockwork Princesse by Cassandra Clare – So much happened in this book, and it left me an emotional wreck! This series had everything I wanted and more, and it deserves all the love and hype. I’m already planning a roadtrip to Cadair Idris with my sister and I’m excited to dive into Chain of Gold next!

Get A Life Chloe Brown by Talia Hibbert – I LOVED this book so much! It was exactly what I needed to get me out of my reading slump and was a delight to read. Chloe is strong, smart and hilarious and then we have Red who is just so kind and loving, and I’d give anything to see these characters come to life! I think I might take a page out of Chole’s book and make my own ‘get a life’ list and embrace the adventure.

July TBR

Once Upon a Broken Heart by Stephanie Garber – One of my most anticipated reads of 2021 and I was beyond excited when I received the email saying that my request has been approved! I’m beyond excited to dive into back into the wonderful world Stephanie Garber has created and for opportunity to get to know Jacks a little better!

It Ends With Us by Colleen Hoover – After reading Chloe Brown, I’ve really been craving some romance and this has been at the top of my TBR for months. I’ve heard nothing but good things about this book and I’m eager to jump in and see what all the hype is about!

The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid – I swear I’m the only person in the world who hasn’t read this book yet and I’m feel like I’m missing out!

We Were Liars by E. Lockhart – I blame bookstagram for this one! I read this book years ago, but can I remember anything that happened? No! I’ve been in a bit of a reading slump recently and this short and intense story should be a quick and easy read. Plus I’m curious to see whether I still think this book lives up to all the hype!

May Wrap Up and June TBR

June 2, 2021

So much happened this month! Not only did I meet the cast of Shadow and Bone but I also got my first vaccine! I’m very fortunate to have a close friend working at my local surgery who rang me up and asked if I wanted one as they had plenty spare, um yes please! I’d fully accepted that I wasn’t going to get my vaccine for at least another couple of months but I’m very grateful that this opportunity arose.

More restriction have eased here in the UK and I can’t express how nice it was to give someone a HUG! I’m a hugger, so not being able to smother people in love with cuddles has been torture. It’s nice to see things going to back to a new normal but I’m conscious that we’ve still got a way to go, I’m just happy that I can wander around a bookshop, it’s the small things in life!

I slowly getting back into my reading and have started getting into a better routine than last month. You’ll still find me at my desk at 1am writing blog posts or job applications but things don’t feel as chaotic! Last month I got my sister to pick my TBR and it was lovely seeing her getting involved with one of my passions and she’s even persuaded my to try something new, so stay tuned for more.

I know I say this every month but I want to say thank you to all the wonderful people who continue to support me and this little blog, all your kind words makes me so emotional and it warms my heart to know that people enjoy what I create. I wish I could give you all one big giant hug! Anyway, I’ve got high hopes for June and I hope that you all have a wonderful month filled with love and sunshine.

What You Might Have Missed Last Month:

My Favourite Books With Purple Covers

This or That: Bookish Boyfriend Edition

The Last 10 Books Tag & The Vincent Ehindero Blogger Award

Meeting the Cast of Shadow and Bone (Netflix Virtual Fan Event)

May Wrap Up

Realm Breaker by Victoria Aveyard – It’s my own fault but I went into this book with extremely high expectations and I it breaks my heart to admit it but I was a little disappointed. The world building was so intense that I felt that sometimes it overshadowed the characters and the storyline, I ended up getting so caught up with place names and all the different kingdoms that I wasn’t able to connect enough with everything going on. Nevertheless, I am in love with this band of characters and I’m utterly obsessed with Erida, she is such a complex and unique character and I’m curious to see where the story takes her. Also please can we take a moment to appreciate the map of the Ward, its stunning and one of my favourite fictional maps EVER!

Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare – It’s taken me five years and endless pestering from my sister but I’ve finally started the Clockwork series! I’ve been putting of reading Chain of Gold and Queen of Air and Darkness because I conscious that I would appreciate the little links and Easter eggs Clare hides in her novels and how this entire world connects. I was also very excited to meet the trio that is Tessa, Will and Jem, I’ve heard nothing but love and praise for these characters and they didn’t disappoint. I am fully obsessed with this series and I can see why my sister loves it so much!

TBR

Every month I set myself a TBR and I don’t think I’ve stuck to any of them this year, whoops! My problem is that my physical TBR is so big that I get distracted by all the wonderful books I want to read, I swear I spend more time planning my reading than actually reading! Which is why I want you to pick my TBR this month! Below is a list of unread books that have been on my TBR for way too long and I need your help to narrow down my choices! I don’t know why I had thought of this idea sooner, and I can’t wait to see which book you pick.