I feel like my monthly recaps always sound like this:
“Hi everyone! I made dessert, had a life crisis, acquired more books than I read and started screaming internally and never stopped! How are you doing?!”
— quote by me at any given time
I think I make desserts to cope. An interesting theory.
ANYWAY. February is always a ridiculous month because it’s too short, ergo it’s fake. I know we got that extra leap year day which I think just exists so all the babies born then will be a running joke for the rest of their lives. (“Aw honey! You just turned 5 not 20!!”) I also like to think the extra day means books bought on the 29th don’t count. You can argue with me about this but I won’t listen ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Things I’ve Been Up To:
- Last month I told you all how sick Atticus (my dog!) had been with pancreatitis…but he’s making SUCH a good recovery. He’ll be on a lowfat strict diet forever (he is displeased) but he’s off almost all his meds and starting little walks again 🥺 he’s even bake to being a brat and snobbing me. Bless his little heart.
- I honestly feel like I did NOTHING in February.
- N O T H I N G.
- I read a lot and felt like I accomplished zilch. I rearranged my room and realised I have a lot of books. More than five. Probably more than five hundred. 😂
- I had the worst insomnia flare up, by which I mean I just d i d n o t s l e e p for weeks and look after a while of that you get a bit hysterical. Coupled that with a few new blows in the author life, and it was a pretty crappy time all round. But I rallied, and I’ve been mentally plotting a new book I’m hyped for.
- I also hit 64K on instagram!
- And I don’t know about you but I’m so so excited for the Grisha Netflix series…!!! If you haven’t seen their instagram content, GO DO SO.
- And look, I usually keep my mouth shut about this stuff, but I just want to say I’m deeply disgusted with Book Twitter at the moment. Just the pile on hate from authors to reviewers, the out-of-context accusations, the way people snark at creators like they’re not real people with feelings …🙃 I’m honestly over it. I keep posting my memes and such, but when I go to talk about my books (you know, my LIVELIHOOD) I get crickets. So at this point, I’m not sure why I bother with twitter. I like making people laugh but holy wow the bitterness and attacking is at ridiculous levels.
- And I blogged like 3 times this month. I have no excuse, just that I do have posts planned for March! Watch out world. 😚
I am planning for March to be all for WRITING. The existential crisis, the doubts, the rejections, the way my soul resembles a demoralised potato — none of that has changed. But I’m trying to work anyway. Gently, though. I used to write a book in 3 days, but now I take 3 days to think about writing. 😂And it’s okay! I’m coming to terms with things being different after your health takes a beating. I haven’t written since November so I’ve absolutely forgotten how to write. But here we go.
- will be working on a thriller/dark contemporary 👀 my pinterest aesthetic is here.
- I also have been back to plotting a pirate fantasy I want to maaaaybe try after this.
- And I was gifted Bird By Bird by my amazing friend, @anovelescape, so I think I want to try reading more writing books?! For encouragement and also advice.
I feel really positive about my reading habits lately! I lowered my usually yearly reading goal from 200 to 150 and I’M NOT STRESSING. I mean, I am stressing about my TBR pile 😂 but less about numbers! I take 2 days to read a book sometimes and feel fine about it instead of guilty. A CONCEPT. Just ENJOYING the process!!!!
(all covers link to goodreads)
BOOKS BOUGHT…
From library
FOR REVIEW…
Vote and help meeeee!
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Here are my reading highlights of February!
The Ruin Of Kings // easily my favourite read of the month. SO EPIC. And so freaking satisfying to finish a 700 page book (well, I listened to the audio) and just bask in the depth of the world-building, the scope of the magic system, the sheer magnitude of this epic and twisted story. I’m in looooove. Also Khirin is a Gryffindor dumbass but I still love him.
When You Get The Chance // a super Quiet Contemporary YA that was just…lovely. Two queer cousins are stuck cleaning out their grandma’s cabin, but they sneak off to Pride in Toronto. It has a lot of growth about learning your own privilege too, but also just heartbreak and moving on and connecting and cute moments!! (Didn’t love Mark though oops. LOVED Talia.)
Spellhacker // sci-fi! It was fun and had an intriguing magic-system and a total queer dysfunctional found-family squad that you can’t help but adore.
Break the Fall // contemporary set in the Olympics!! It’s about the #MeToo movement as well, and speaking up and believing survivors. And just lots of quality GYMNASTIC CONTENT. It was very stressful to read though with Audrey competing despite a back injury. Look, if I strain my book, I just lie around and die for several days. Audrey goes and does backflips still. Ugh.
Naked In Death // definitely not my usual read to try an adult crime book, but I wanted to read something from Nora Roberts SOMEDAY and loooook I did. I enjoyed this! The style wasn’t my fave, but it was murdery, a little bit scifi, and had some intriguing twists. I guessed one. I am Sherlock.
Blood Of Elves // MORE ADULT BOOKS. Who even am. But this is because I have a new resounding obsession with The Witcher 😂I totally loved the show and so had to try the books. This one is set after the events in the show, so Ciri is like training to be a Witcher and Geralt is a good mother. It’s like 80% dialogue, so if you’re scared of fantasy, this is accessible. Also terrifically NOT abusive to women!?? Shocked. And impressed.
Loveboat Taipei // loved this one!! It was such a fun read, fast and super intriguing, as Ever spends 6-weeks in Taiwan to learn Mandarin, and ends up having a super wild time. My ship sank in the love-triangle though. 🥺And this is #ownvoices and hit the bestseller list!
Havenfall // I wasn’t sure if I’d like this one, but it was a fun light fantasy — kind of like A Curse So Dark and Lonely meets The Ten Thousand Doors of January. This inn is the crossroads between worlds, and there are monsters and conspiracies and mysteries to unravel. Maddie didn’t really have a personality, but it was still a fun read. 😂
The Storm Crow // Yay I LOVED this!! The plot was very predictable, but it has a matriarchy, women in positions of power THE WHOLE WAY THROUGH, the main character has depression (it’s talked about in detail!) and I believe the love interest is autistic 😚and it has cool magic massive crows. Totally refreshing read!
Let Me Hear A Rhyme // this was just a total surprise favourite 😍I started the audio on a whim and it was PERFECTION. It’s set in the late ’90s about 3 teens whose best friend is murdered and they decided to make him live on through his music. And his music gets famous fast, but they have to keep up the charade that he’s still alive. It is so so deeply about grief and being black and being proud. I just adored every page and omg the plot twists. 😭
Heartstopper Vol 3 // and this was tHE CUTEST EVER. More anxious than the last ones, and really tackled how coming out isn’t a one time event. Also Nick and Charlie are so pure and wholesome and just don’t want to hurt each other and I 😭💛would die for them and their fears. Protec. I was having a super bad day when I read this but ended up smiling. This book = power.
Other Books I read
| WHAT DO YOU THINK |
what was your best read of February?! do you appreciate a shorter month or feel robbed too? 👀 and let me know your 2020 writing plans!
Yay, I’m so happy to hear that your dog has been recovering! It must’ve been very scary so you must be very relieved 😀
I feel like my month was like yours – i.e. some life crises, buying more books than I read (BUT in my defence, February is the big book sale month in Sweden so IT’S OKAY to buy all the books) and screaming internally – but instead of baking desserts I have realised that baking bread is an exceptional coping mechanism and consequently I have consumed nothing but bread this month. But I love bread so it’s okay.
Also, I’m so happy to hear your dog is doing better!! ❤️
Hello!
So happy to hear about Atticus’ recovery! And congrats for 64k on Instagram!
February felt weird lol like… what am I supposed to do with 29 days? (well, it’s only two days shorter than a regular month But WhAtEver).
2020 Writing plans : I am working on a project with a dark academia aesthetic (in this case it involves running – a lot – in ballet costumes in an old castle) I love this project so much… just gotta write… ahah… *cry*
Love your Pinterest board! Can’t wait to learn more about this story! And YES for a pirate fantasy!!!
I was torn with that triangle in Loveboat, and the resolution was bittersweet? I liked it, but I was sad about the other guy, and probably would have felt the same if it had gone the other way. Good luck with all your writing projects and congratulations on hitting 64K!
idk why i completely forgot you had a blog and then i remember and i was like !! scream, i have posts to catch up on!! i’ve read a grand total of… 1 book this year!! i know, incredible. but to be perfectly honest, exams are just taking a toll on me this year bc they’re really important and i have very little time to read so!! that’s fun. also i’m so glad atticus is recovering well <3 i love seeing him on your insta stories so much!! and 2020 writing plans…uh! i honestly have no idea but in the summer (when exams are OVERRRRRRRRR) i want to write a lot and will smack myself with a book if i dont!! and i also want to lots of reading too. for now, i just have to hang in there and get through these dreaded exams!! also your pinterest boards are TOO aesthetic it's unfair!!
I’m so excited for the Grisha Netflix series as well. It looks like it’s really shaping up!
YES PIRATE FANTASIES ARE THE BEST KIND I’m still working on mine and going nowhere XD but I’m excited for yours!!!
And I read Jane Anonymous yesterday and it’s a hard hitting book but so amazing ahh
I’m glad Atticus is back to his smol bean self!
I hope you have the March of your dreams!
I agree about Twitter. I start to become more active there, then I get disgusted and pull back. Pretty much nobody clicks on the links to my blog posts. I guess that’s why I love Pinterest. It’s full of pretty things and minimal human interaction. I hope you have a good March.
I TOTALLY get the existential writing crisis – writing has been SO slowgoing around here, too, mostly because I’ve been so busy with other things – but I agree, getting back to the enjoyment of why we were writing or reading to begin with is MUCH more important than crunching numbers! (By the way, I sent you an email about new projects… 😉 …) And, YES, taking care of yourself is ALWAYS more vital than hitting a quota!
And I’m SO glad poor little Atticus is more or less back to normal! Sick pets is never fun! :/
Yeah, in the last few months, I’ve done a fair amount of muting or just scrolling on past when really toxic discussions start to pop up. Part of me really wishes I was more committed to fixing my Instagram account and getting on there, because a lot of the positivity seems to have run in that direction…and while I’m very blessed not to have gotten too much crap on Twitter, I know other people are fed up with what they’ve experienced. I had noticed you weren’t on very much, and you’re not alone when it comes to writers, I’ve observed. I also find myself being less and less willing to discuss anything I’m trying to work on…though I can’t even put my finger on why. 😛 I do still feel like my Twitter tribe is worth sticking with, and luckily most of what I see from them is encouraging and humorous and supportive. But it also hurts my heart when this isn’t the case for people!
My “best read of February” is TECHNICALLY more like my “only read of February and I’m still reading it but WHATEVER” but !!!! It’s Eliza and Her Monsters, and I am actually really enjoying it so far. I love the fandom-y-ness of it, but I don’t think I’m far enough in to tell if it’s going to be a favorite or not…
Oh goodness, I’m so sorry Life is treating you so poorly right now, Cait!!! Twitter is …. honestly it’s annoying me right now, as well, so I can totally understand that aspect of it. But DUDE!!!! I AM SO IMPOSSIBLY EXCITED FOR THIS NEW PROJECT OF YOURS!!! A thriller/dark contempirary???? PIRATE FANTASY????? I neeeeeeeed!
I’m also so so happy to hear that your puppy is doing better!!! 💛💛💛
Way to get back on the horse and keep writing! You have an amazing voice that so many of us love to read so keep at it! I love the idea of a dark thriller/contemporary!!
I’m so happy to hear about your dog! Good luck writing! A pirate fantasy sounds so FUN.
You absolutely 100% have not forgotten how to write, please let me reassure you of that! You may feel a little rusty when you come to writing again after taking a break but believe me, you’ll be surprised at how quick you’ll get back into it. Sometimes taking a break is needed and sometimes when a break is forced upon us we just have to roll with it.
I’m sorry to hear that February was hard, for such a short month it sure can pack a punch when it wants to!
I have yet to join twitter because it just seems like a terrifying place and I’d rather live in the troll-less places thank you very much!
Loving those puddings though…. massive envy.
Wow, you’re on a roll reading-wise! So glad to hear that your furbaby is recovering nicely! Happy March!
So glad to know Atticus is doing better! xxx
Books bought on the 29th totally don’t count XD I am so happy your dog is doing better! And I’m also super super pumped for the Grisha Netflix show!! I made desserts this month too: coconut pecan pralines, Valentine’s chocolates, and also just dipped a bunch of random things in chocolate (pretzels, oreos, strawberries) because chocolate is never a bad idea. 😉 think my favorite read of February was Tweet Cute, maybe? I read a lot of good books this month- I also loved The Gospel Comes With A House Key and What Is A Girl Worth. OH, also, I read the Raven Cycle (and Call Down the Hawk) for the first time this month! I thought about you 🙂 I loved them!
Ooh I definitely recommend Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert for writing/creative life books! It’s SO stinkin good. It gives me life
I am so happy to hear that Atticus is doing so much better!
And I’m also really happy that you tried a Nora Roberts book! I think something from the In Death series was probably the best choice for you and understand that it’s not your norm, but breaking out of the comfort zone is good every so often. If you ever think about trying anything else, you might enjoy The Chronicles of the One trilogy {Year One, Of Blood and Bone, The Rise of Magicks}, they’re a little more fantasy, and a little less romancey {except the last one}. Of course Nora is one of my faves, so I may be a little biased.
If I had to describe my February it would go something like this: Ate desserts, skipped work, stayed in pajamas and read in the car. And my favorite read from February was The Rise of Magicks.
I chose Aurora Burning in the poll because I am dying to read it and have to wait until it’s released and available at the library {my hold is already in for it}, so I think everyone else should read it so I can live vicariously through them.
February was kind of a meh month for me in terms of reading, I read quite a few books but none that are new favourites! I’m still reading The King of Crows, the last Diviners book, which I’ve been reading throughout the entirety of February and I’m really enjoying that one, so that’s probably my favourite book that I read in February, even though I haven’t finished it yet! I also really enjoyed Truthwitch, that was a good one, I can’t wait to download the audio for Windwitch. I definitely feel robbed, such a short month is making it feel like my time in South Africa is going too quickly! I don’t necessarily have a lot of writing plans for March, at least not as far as fiction goes. I’m on a Journalism project out here in Cape Town so all of my writing energies are currently going towards that. Maybe when I get home, I will be able to work on my novels more-I’ve got two WIPs currently on the go and I’d really like to finish a first draft of at least one this year.
I’m so glad Atticus is recovering! And wow Cait, I almost snorted in class when you said maybe you have more than 5 books XD
Also oof.,, I hope your insomnia goes away this month and you get some headway with your writing. And omg I’m keeping my fingers crossed for Of Curses and Kisses to win the poll cause I absolutely loved it! Heartstopper Volume 3 is gonna melt my heart I just know it. *sighs*
Loved this blog post! It’s so fun to see what others are doing (especially, if you like me have been doing nothing at all for 29 days 🙂 ) Haha, just kidding… I have been to school! 😉
Anyways, I read six books in February and my favourite (I’m not kidding) was The Boy Who Steals Houses! You tore my heart apart like fifty times, but it was amazing!
I definitely feel robbed when the month is shorter. Like, it doesn’t make sense, does it? Why????
My writing plans for 2020 is definitely to write a short story and a novel. I’m going to write the short story this month (I hope…) and then writing the novel over the summer.
I hope you enjoy the new month!
So glad Atticus is feeling better.
I haven’t blogged much this month either. I’m not very active on Twitter and, even when I am, I just seem to reblog morbid quotes, references, or superhero fanart. That said, I’m going to attempt a blog post about how to engage in no-drama book blogging. It may never get posted, but…
What did you think of A Discovery of Witches? I read that one last year and absolutely loved it (although, I’m having a hard time getting into the second book in the series). The TV adaption of ADOW is fantastic btw. If you haven’t seen it yet, I’d highly recommend it.
I also did not have the greatest month and ended up reading Heartstopper to try to alleviate some of it, and WOW YES IT IS POWER. My week was immediately turned around, and the sun came out!!
Glad to hear that your dog is recovering well! I hope your health start improving soon for you and that writing gets better. I haven’t written since November either, so I feel you there. Also, yeah, book twitter is a mess. I didn’t read a single book last month. I read just a grand total of 77 pages. I’m hoping to change that this month though! I’m so behind on my ARCs! 😂
Awe I’m glad your doggy is ok. 🙂 AND THOSE DESSERTS LOOK AMAZING!!!!!! 😛 <3
And yay for getting back into writing! I just started rereading my WIP and taking notes to make a revision plan and…ohhhh boy it's so bad. XD It's going to be so overwhelming to fix.
My mental health hasn't been great lately either and I'm like 3 books behind in my Goodreads goal but I'm doing a reading challenge this month so hopefully I can catch up!!!
I am glad to hear the pupper is getting better, although boo about the diet. Poor pupper.
Wow what is that chocolate dessert :0 it looks amazing! Also I have ditched gluten. And guess what, it was a lot easier than I expected it would be. Go figure.
But you’ve already read 35 books xD wow! I somehow read so much less in February. More like I started like 18 books all at once and just… I’m going to finish them in a batch as well, but it stalled February somehow. So I’ve read only 19 books so far. But get this – I have not set a goal, STILL xD and somehow I don’t want to right now – it’s even less stress to not set one 😀 I think I will set it later in the year, but right now… Nah!
Glad your dog is doing well!! And wow being ahead on your reading goal like I know your goal is insane each year but also amazing job because I am constantly behind whoops. Dark contemporary/thriller, uhm can I read it like now? I want it so badly ahh!
Ahh I’m so happy your dog is recovering, this is so good to hear <3 <3 and ALL The congratulations on the followers on isntagram, yay! This is so well deserved, your account is so beautiful, I love it so much <3
I hope you'll be able to write a lot this March, don't give up, I know you can do this!!! <3 <3 <3
I wish you a lovely month, Cait, sending you all the love <3