Things may be looking up reading and blogging wise.
I read 8 books in January. Not close to my usual 12-20 but I’m reading and reviewing!! And it’s not feeling like a chore so yay for that!
I missed my 52 Lists Friday last week because I had to bring Fonzi back in to the vet but I'm managing to draft several posts a week ahead of time. I think adding a few scheduled features has jump started me and made it easier to get back to things without having to create my own content from scratch.
January Reads:
Loveboat, Taipei by Abigail Hing Wen was my favorite read for the month (review).
Finding Mr. better Than You by Shani Petroff was a fun YA that had the rare – you don’t need a boyfriend to be happy message (mini review).
The Hazel Wood by Melissa Albert (Goodreads) didn’t blow me away but I liked it much more than I thought I would. Review is coming this week.
I liked Love Lettering by Kate Clayborn but probably not as much as my blogger peeps – I was expecting a magical, swoon filled romp through NYC but this was more women’s fiction and kind of a downer for me. It would have been better if I had my expectations in check, I think. (mini review).
The Perfect Cover by K. Sterling (Goodreads) was a KU book and also a DNF – it sounded like a lot of fun – a CIA agent hiding in suburbia and falling for the guy next door – and supposedly has great mental illness rep – but I couldn’t get past the writing style and the fact that one of the guys was very manipulative towards his potential love interest.
Whole Food Asian Instant Pot (Goodreads) was also a KU book and great but uses a lot of ingredients (acidic foods) I can’t have but I rec it if you can.
Sorry I’m Late, I Didn’t Want to Come by Jessica Pan (review) was good but not quite the relatable introvert story I was hoping for.
Hook Shot by Kennedy Ryan (Goodreads) – not as intense as Long Shot but I appreciated two romantically cautious characters slowly coming together, talking and being mature when obstacles – like ex’s, children – are thrown their way.
TBR 2020 Progress:
I scanned all my physical books on to a Goodreads shelf to track my progress. I started with 67 books total and I’m already down to 65 in just 2 weeks. *cheers* 🙌
Reading:
Rafe by Rebekah Weatherspoon (Goodreads) – Rafe is a male nanny helping out a single mom with her twin girls. For now, it’s low drama and SO sweet!!
Dread Nation by Justina Ireland (Goodreads) – Alt-history + zombies! I’m alternating between HC and audio for this one. A bit of a slow start but it seems to be kicking in and I’m enjoying it now!This is also one of my TBR 2020 reads.How was your January reading? What are you reading now or plan on reading for February?
I also enjoyed Loveboat, and am looking forward to continuing that series. I liked Mr. Better-Than-You, but think they need to stop trying to sell it as a romance. I feel the same way about Love Lettering. Don't get me wrong, I really enjoyed it, but as you mentioned, it leaned more women's fiction to me as well. Hook Shot had nothing on its predecessor as far as intensity, but don't worry, Ryan cranks it back up in the next book. Glad you are getting your mojo back and I hope Fonzi is feeling better.
ReplyDeleteI hadn't known anything about Mr. Better Than You but I guess I was expecting more romance because most YA has romance lol
DeleteLove Lettering was very good but sadder than I was expecting. I thought the hidden messages would be a fun thing!
Yay on the TBR progress!
ReplyDeleteWishing you a great reading week
Yay to reading without forcing yourself to 😀 also, love the tbr tracking. might have to do that as well.
ReplyDeleteI've been considering Dread Nation since it came out. I'l probably get to it when the series finally ends.
Have a great week ahead, Karen! 😊
It's the only way I can do it these days lol
DeleteI don't read many series anymore so I get that.
Great job on your reading last month. I really need to get back into blogging ahead more often so I don't feel so stressed about blogging. haha I'm reading The Dark Corners of the Night by Meg Gardiner right now. Not too far in, but it's good so far - it's the third in a series.
ReplyDelete-Lauren
www.shootingstarsmag.net
It's weird because I'm not a blog ahead kind of gal lol But I've been motivated so I take advantage while I can.
Delete"I'm managing to draft several posts a week ahead of time."
ReplyDelete😮😮😮😮😮 LOL. You're definitely out of your funk...but wait until I need to draft in advance myself! You won't have a single post left! 🤣
Is it possible that we...could be productive at the same time??
DeleteYay, it looks like you're on a good streak! I'm in a major slump and can't focus on anything but it'll pass. It has to pass *screams*
ReplyDeleteI'm just happy to be reading at all. 8 isn't great for me but I'm happy about it!
DeleteIt will pass. If mine did then yours will lol
Dread nation, woot, I need to hear your views, I am curious ;)
ReplyDeleteEh...it was good but not WOW. IMO anyway.
DeleteIt makes me so happy to see that you are getting back in the jive of reading and its becoming a pleasure again!!! Lets celebrate!!! I keep hearing such great things about this series by Kennedy Ryan....happy to see you enjoying them.
ReplyDeleteRyan's first book was SUPER intense! This one was more slow burn and chill but still good.
Delete8 books is nice. I'm trying to get my reading on track too. Hope Fonzi is doing well.
ReplyDeleteAsian Instant Pot sounds good. I need chinese lol.
It's better than what I have been reading the past few months lol
DeleteHe's doing better. Finally! The next few days is the big test. He is back on normal food and off his meds after today.
It's good to hear that you are back reading again! Give Fonzi a nice big cuddle for me!
ReplyDeleteIt issssss! It's not what it used to be but at least I'm reading!
DeleteI will hug the fluff ball for you :-)
I'm glad you're getting your reading mojo back again, and I hope that Fonzi is doing ok?
ReplyDeleteIt's nice to be reading again! Fonzi is...I don't know lol he's better then he's not and on we go...
DeleteIf you're reading and reviewing and it isn't feeling like a chore... then you're already winning and doing fantastic!
ReplyDeleteExactly! If it's fun then the #'s don't matter.
DeleteCongrats on reading 8 books! I hope you’re getting lots of reading done in February.
ReplyDeleteAj @ Read All The Things!
I'm at 4 already which isn't too bad since I have a lot going on right now.
DeleteI’m looking forward to starting Love Lettering. Hopefully soon. It’s hard when you have certain expectations going into a book and find out that it’s not that at all. It can definitely change your reading experience and taint your feelings. I really liked Hook Shot. Not my favorite of the series (that will always and forever be Long Shot) but still so, so good. I like the sound of Rafe!
ReplyDeleteRafe is super low key but sexy. I think you would like it. Long Shot was WAY more angsty than I like but I loved it & Love Lettering was definitely a case of expecting something totally different based on reviews.
DeleteYeay! I'm so glad you're getting back into the swing of it and that it's not feeling like a chore! I'm flapping around, failing to get planned posts written in time for posting and generally epically failing at the moment but it's fine... I'll get my grove back at some point. I just need time, lol.
ReplyDeleteI've been so sorry to hear about the resurgence of Fonzi medical issues. :( I hope that once he's over this hurdle that he's good for a good long while! You all could use a nice long break from it!
I still love the title of Finding Mr. Better than you. Ha ha. And I'm glad you didn't totally hate The Hazel Wood. Eight books a month is my norm, so that's a good number in my eyes. ☺
ReplyDelete