Behind the Books: January ’18
Life is a bit crazy at the moment, that’s for sure. For the first time in months, I actually struggled writing this post. So much has happened and I don’t really know where to start! I started at my new job, of course, and I finally managed to get some new books. Oh, right! There was also Christmas and New Year’s Eve… I have so much to talk about! Let’s just dive straight into the post.
The Blog
The launch of the International Bookworms meme didn’t really work out according to plan because I was quite busy at the time and forgot about my own post… (HOW?! Oops…) Basically I struggle a bit combining work and blogging. The weather influences that too, though. I mean, it’s so dark most of the time I can’t take proper pictures and without pictures I don’t really have blog posts! All of it together just has me struggling a bit, but I’m still publishing things, which is a good sign! It’s a good thing I still have plenty of free time, I guess! I’ve also tried picking up my Reading Vlogs again! I don’t think I’ll be able to share the video today, but I’ll try my best.
My favourite post of the month is my Bookish 2017 in Stats post. It’s a really different from what I did before and it was lots of fun figuring out what my reading statistics were and then putting the info into pie charts! If you haven’t checked it out yet, please do!
A Personal Update
I’m liking my new job! I’ve learned so many things from it already and I quite enjoy working in a store. I’m still trying to get used to this new situation and it’s definitely not all rainbows and unicorns. The first few weeks were incredibly difficult and I was anxious a lot. I still am sometimes, and I’m quite easily panicked or uncomfortable or upset. I’ve had some really bad days, but also quite a few good and fun ones! I had to work one time when the shop was closed and I actually had a fun time! I’ll all get much easier once I finally fully adjust, I think, but it’s going alright for now. I still have free time as well, which is nice for blogging and reading! By some miracle, I managed to read a 100 books in 2017! Basically the past month has been a whirlwind of emotions both good and bad and I’m just really not sure what this year is going to be like.
I’ve been playing much less Animal Crossing: New Leaf on my 3DS this past month and even thought I recently got a new Fire Emblem game, I haven’t picked it up at all. I think it has mostly got to do with the fact that my free time is so much more limited than before. I can’t really get out of bed and play for hours because I need to spend that time on my blog! My AC:NL town is also the biggest mess ever so I’m kinda not in the mood to play? Haha! I’ve been listening to Dua Lipa quite a lot recently and I actually like her album! New Rules wasn’t really “my thing” at first, but I’m really loving it now although I’m a bit late to the party. I’ve been reading a bit less because I’ve been (re)watching Nikita season 1 this past week or so! I hadn’t really watched any of my shows before I put my DVD in my MacBook CD-drive but I’m enjoying it so much! It used to be my favourite TV show, and now I remember why!
December/January Book Haul
My mom gifted me the illustrated edition of Harry Potter & the Philosopher’s Stone and An Enchantment of Ravens by Margaret Rogerson for Christmas, and I’ve read them both already! They’re both such wonderful books, and Harry Potter was just perfect for Christmas! A few days after Christmas I got myself a paperback edition of Harry Potter & the Half-Blood Prince from the money I got for Christmas and that was the last book I read in 2017! With my first salary, I got Harry Potter & the Deathly Hallows, because I just cannot wait to finish the series! (Although I don’t really wanted it to end. Ever.) I was also just in time to get a three month subscription to Audible for the price of one month! My first book is Everless by Sara Holland and I’m thinking Reign of the Fallen might be my next!
Currently Reading
I started reading Harry Potter & the Deathly Hallows last night, which I’m so SO EXCITED about! I literally was like “I don’t want to start this. Oh my god. I don’t want it to end!” but I’ve read two chapters and I’m loving it! I’m also listening to Everless by Sara Holland. It’s such an incredible audiobook, narrated by Eileen Stevens, who’s also narrated my favourite audiobook Geekerella. I’m about 2,5 hours away from finishing it, I think!
What have you been up to this past month? Did you enjoy the holidays? Did you get any books from your Christmas wishlist?
6 Comments
Fanna
As a HP enthusiast, I’m so so happy you’re loving Harry Potter, like yayy! <3 100 books in a year must've been so much fun, I mean that's a lot of books 😀 Can't wait to hear your thoughts about Everless and have I already told you how much I love you blog post photos?
Ayla
THANK YOU! Blog photos can be my worst enemy sometimes so it means a lot hearing that you love them! 🖤 100 books was definitely A LOT of fun, but I have to admit there were so books that were like reeeeally bad, hehe! Although I’ve discovered a few new favourites as well! 😉 I really can’t wait to continue Harry Potter but I’ll be so sad once I finish it! 🙈
dominique_x
Ah it is so nice to hear that you are enjoying your new job <3 100 books is so much, good job 🙂 I can't wait to read your review about Everless, I recently saw it's available on Storytel as well! My past month was quite boring to be honest, I had a lot to do for college and I spent some time with my family.
Ayla
I might try to do a blog review of Everless if you’d like to read it! I usually don’t really review audiobooks as I take so long finish them and usually don’t take notes on the plot and characters and stuff, but I have a pretty clear opinion on it already so I might try! I’m definitely writing a (short) Goodreads review on it, though! I usually mention those in my wrap ups. 😉
College definitely isn’t the nicest thing that happens in life, but I hope you learned something valuable and had a wonderful time with your family! 💕
Signourney
Sounds like you had a busy but good month. Some great presents too I see haha. I started the animal crossing app game. Why is that so addicting…?
Ayla
Hahah, I definitely got some great presents! 😉
I’ve stopped playing Pocket Camp a while ago… haha! There’s new features now so maybe that makes it more fun, but it’s basically a simplified version of the Nintendo console games and I don’t really like it? Like, I got quite bored with it early on and played during Christmas because of this special event thing, but other than that… I’m bored with it, hehe!