I have been thinking about writing this post for a while for several reasons but mostly because I keep scrolling through Instagram and seeing a certain transphobic author’s books on my timeline and it made me think about all of the people/ readers still promoting them and many other “problematic” authors while I made the choice not to so. This choice doesn’t mean that I think that I’m better than anyone , this post isn’t about cancel culture because it only works for marginlized people and I’m also not saying that just because an author said something problematic that we should stop supporting them altogether, because no one is perfect or 100% “unproblematic”. I am talking about repetitive harmful behaviour that is too big to ignore, or where there are no apologies and why I cannot, in good conscience, support those authors.
Welcome to day 5 of blogmas!! I am very happy with today’s topic because I can see myself coming back to this post throughout the year to check in and see if I’m making progress with my challenge.
First, I’m going to set a yearly reading goal of 80 books; which is ten books more than what I set for this year. I’m actually at 98 out 70 books read this year, which I am incredibly proud of because I used to read 50 books or less (which is still very impressive; reading even one book a year is amazing!) but it was nice to see that it was something that I could do! Reading more books has allowed me to read more diversely and discover new genres and tropes that I didn’t know I liked. I also read more books by Asian authors this year and I realized how much I missed out on. I read a lot of diverse books this year and most of them were actually my favourites but it’s not nearly enough and there are still so many gems out there waiting for me to read them. The following list is a little ambitious but I’m going to try my best and I think it will be fun to see what I managed to achieve by the end of the year! 🥰 So, without further ado, here are my reading goals for 2022.
With this post I’m hoping to convey all the warm, cozy and fluffly atmosphere that I can. Here’s a list of books that make you want to curl up under a blanket on your couch, in front of a crackling fireplace or a window, listening to the rain with cup of hot cocoa. Are you there with me?
Hello lovelies, welcome to day 3 of blogmas! I haven’t done a book tag in a whiel and I forgot how fun they were, especially Christmas-themed ones! The original tag was made by the Booktuber: GirlReading and I tag anyone who wants to do it but especially Kira Jeannette and Books-N-Bullshit since they’re taking part in Blogmas! 🥰
1. A fictional family you would like to spend Christmas dinner with?
Welcome to day 2 of Blogmas! I love reading “season-related books”, ie: spooky books for Halloween, Black stories during black History Month, and Christmas related books during Christmas time! Last year I only read Faking Under The Misteloe which I loved and I’m hoping to find new favourites too! WIthout further ado, here are 5 Christmas books on my TBR!
The Misteloe Motive by Chloe Liese
Synopsis: He loathes the holidays. She loves them. She’s full of festive cheer. He’s brimming with Bah, Humbugs. Besides unreasonably seasonable names, the only thing Jonathan Frost and Gabriella Di Natale have in common is a healthy dose of mutual contempt. Well, that and the same place of employment at the city’s most beloved independent bookstore, Bailey’s Bookshop. But when the store’s owners confess its dire financial state, Jonathan and Gabby discover another unfortunate commonality: the imminent threat of unemployment.
With the Baileys’ requests to minimize expenses, win new customers, and make record sales dancing in their heads, Jonathan and Gabby conclude—barring a financial Christmas miracle—one of them will soon be cut from the payroll. Neither are willing to step down from their position, so they strike a bargain: whoever has more sales in December gets to stay on in the new year; the loser will resign. With a lifetime’s worth of festive tricks up her sleeve, Gabby should easily outsell her nemesis, except the unreadable Mr. Frost’s every move seems purely designed to throw her off her game.
As if that wasn’t bad enough, Gabby’s deceptive ex won’t quit pursuing her, and her anonymous online friend suggests they take a break. Worst of all, as the pressure mounts to save the bookshop and her job, Gabby meets a new, tender side of Jonathan. Is this the same man she’s called her cold-hearted enemy?
Maybe he’s got a motive she just can’t figure out—or maybe Jonathan Frost isn’t as chilly as she once thought. Maybe Jonathan and Gabby already know—and love—each other in ways they never thought possible.
This is an #OwnVoices story for its portrayal of autism by an autistic author.
Why I want to read it: Chloe Liese is one of my favourite romance authors and the synopsis and representation are made for me!
Can you believe we’re going to be in the new year in just a month?? 2021 was a blur. It isn’t over but I can confidently say 2021 has been my best reading ever in terms of number and favourites. I have discovered so many new authors, tropes, genres and i have finally figured out what my reading tastes are. Since I took a hiatus, I thought that a fun way of doing this Wrap-Up would be to do A “Monthly Awards” inspired by Books With Wings with my favourite characters, plots, etc! You can see her amazing posts where she explains the concept here!
Best character: Pippa “Pip” Fitz-Amobi from A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder by Holly Jackson. Pip is a rock star. I love her to bits; I love how unapologetically herself she is; how she is proud of who she is and uses it to her advantage. She’s determined, obsessive, witty and methodical and I really enjoyed reading the book through her eyes.
I simply wanted to wish you all a merry Christmas (Eve) and happy holidays!! I know it’s hard to feel festive this year and so many people have lost loved ones and are in a difficult situation so my heart goes out to you.
It has been a true joy to come here everyday for blogmas and share my posts with all of you. You have made my December better and I thank you all for your kind words and your support throughout the month.
Christmas is not always a happy time for my family and I but this year we’re all just very happy to be safe and together. I send all my love to you. Be safe, eat well and get some well-deserved rest.
I hope you’re all well and that you manage to feel festive and merry in these very weird times. Since Christmas is three days away, I thought I would share my bookish Christmas list and give a shoutout to some shops on Etsy. Enjoy!
Booksleeves
I have wanted to buy a booksleeve for the longest time. The problem was finding a good and pretty one with decent shipping fees to France. Luckily I found some beautiful booksleves that ship to France.
The ones that I personally want are from THEBookSleeve on Etsy. Two designs caught my eye:
The Van Gogh one because he’s one of my favourite painters (yes, I’m basic) and it’s inspired by a Doctor Who episode with Van Gogh which is one of my all-time favourites.
I also like the Flamengo one because pink is one of my favourite colours and I think if I were in a reading slump, seeing this bright booksleeve would probably make me want to pick up the book more.
Bookmarks
I’m calling myself out on this but I actually dog-ear my books…yes, I’m a heathen and I’m so sorry. But I’m trying to do better and so I asked for bookmarks this year. I discovered the beautiful Etsy shop that is Museumcurio on Instagram and even asked for a custom bookmark. Sarah makes the most beautiful resin bookmarks (and other bookish stuff) such as this one inspired by Strange The Dreamer by Laini Taylor.
Books, duh
I obviously asked for books this Christmas and some books that I asked for are the following:
I hope my sister reads my blog and sees the multiple hints I’m not so subty throwing at her.
Bookish candles
I love love love candles and some great shops that I previously ordered on closed this year so I have been looking for new shops.
The first candle is from ruthlessheroines and the second one is from CozyCharmingCandles! Sadly these also have very high shipping fees to France but I can’t find French bookish candles boutiques on Etsy with a large selection. My favourite scents are cinnamon, pine, vanilla, citrus and wind (if that makes sense). Still looking for my perfect candle.
Bookish stickers
I usually buy my stickers on RedBubble inspired by my favourite characters. I want to start a reading journal in 2021 so these stickers might come in handy!
(You can click on each picture to be directed to the link of the shop.)
What have you asked for this Christmas? I’m curious! Let me know in the comments!
Welcome to Day #21 of blogmas! Christmas is only three days away! So exciting! 🎶 It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas…🎶
Happy Winter solstice everyone! We’re in winter, also known as for my favourite season! I can’t wait to feel the cold wind on my face, wear heavy and comfy coats and snuggle in my bed with a cup of hot cocoa. Fate decided that I would be born in winter so I always felt a closeness to the season.
The winter solstice also means that it is Feyre darling’s birthday! Feyre Archeron is one of my all-time favourite characters. She is resilient, strong, loving and clever. I love the way she cares for her loved ones and how she watches out for them. I love how she puts people first but still takes care of herself. She is wonderful and inspiring because she went through traumatic events and still thrived. She deserves all the love and support and I wish her a very happy birthday. You can see Feyre’s magnificence in the A Court of Thorns and Roses series written by the wonderful Sarah J. Maas. I would like to thank the author for writing characters like Feyre who inspire me. My favourite book of the series is A Court of Mist and Fury where you can see Feyre’s growth and maturity.
“I was not a pet, not a doll, not an animal. I was a survivor, and I was strong. I would not be weak, or helpless again I would not, could not be broken. Tamed.”
“You are my salvation, Feyre.”
“No one was my master— but I might be master of everything, if I wished. If I dared.”
— Sarah J. Maas
Art by Charlie Bowater
Have you read the series? Let me know in the comments!
I thought that if I posted next week’s TBR here, I would hold myself accountable and feel ashamed that I didn’t fulfill my promises. So this post is basically me trying to force myself to read.
I have been reading Empire of Storms, Finale and Opposition for weeks now and I’m hoping to finally finish them this week! I’m halfway through Empire of Storms and I love the book so far but I haven’t been able to pick up a physical books for a while now. I hope I’ll manage to do that next week! I’m reading the audiobook of Finale and I have 4h7mn left! My reading pace is 1.8x though, so I might finish it sooner than that. Can’t wait to see how everything ends.I’m 70% done with Opposition and I might finish reading it tonight or tomorrow morning so I’m quite hopeful. I was a little disappointed with the beginning of the story but I’m really enjoying the latter part of the story.
When (if) I manage to pick up a physical book, I would love to start reading The Poppy War!
I want to read Faking Under the Mistletoe before Christmas to put me in the Christmas mood. I have been watching Christmas movies (I watched Love Actually again today!) and I realized that I like Christmas related stuff. Better late than never?
What are you hoping to read next week? Let me know in the comments!
Anotherbookworm 