January Wrap-Up |Ask me Q’s for my Q + A

Hey everyone!!

We have been in 2020 for one whole month and yet it somehow feels like it has only been a week but also that it has been months. How?!? You ask. Well, I have no idea.

I thought I would do a Q + A for my birthday so please ask me any questions you’ve ever had. It can be about blogging, reading, writing, life, my dog, food, literally anything. ASK away.

It will be posted on my birthday in February and the closing date for questions is the 8th of February.

It is my 21st birthday so it is a pretty big one and if I get 21 questions that would be perfect. Only joking, I would appreciate just one question being asked.

This was a weird reading month, none of the books were my usual and most of them were really hard to rate.

Total Read: 6

Total Pages Read: 1,325

Favourite Read of the Month: Last Night I Sang To The Monster by Benjamin Alire Sáenz

Favourite Quote: “Okay is just a word I use so I won’t have talk about what’s inside.” – Last Night I Sang To The Monster by Benjamin Alire Sáenz

Last Night I Sang To The Monster by Benjamin Alire Sáenz/⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

I really loved this story, it was hard to read (I’ve included trigger warnings in my review) and very emotional. But it was about recovery and I think it was really realistically written. I could connect to the characters and Sáenz did it again with the beautiful writing.

Superior by Jessica Lack/📱/⭐⭐⭐⭐

Thank you to Amy @ Bookish Heights I found out I could read this for free on the publisher’s website so I did and I really enjoyed it. It is a very short story following an intern for the city’s hero focusing on a blossoming relationship with the villain’s apprentice. It was a lot of fun.

Why I’m No Longer Talking To White People About Race by Reni Eddo-Lodge/🎧/⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

This was an important and well-delivered book. I really enjoyed listening to it and understanding the experience more. I would definitely recommend this to so many people because it just NEEDS to be heard.

The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry/🎧/⭐⭐⭐

This was a short read and I liked the overall theme and feel of the story but I didn’t love it like I was expecting to. I just didn’t get invested in the story. I’m glad I tried it out though.

Toffee by Sarah Crossan/🎧/📱/⭐⭐⭐

I don’t know what to think about this one really. I think it was unique as it was told in verse which I enjoyed as it made it a very quick, easy read. I think it conveyed a lot with few words which shows the talent of the writer. It was different and I’m glad I experienced it but overall it was nothing special for me.

Reasons to Stay Alive by Matt Haig/🎧/⭐⭐⭐.5

I definitely think this is an important book as it really delves into depression and what it is like. Again I enjoyed Matt Haig’s writing and how he really covers a lot of aspects and most importantly, the hope and message this book provided. I didn’t love it as much as I wanted but I’m glad I’ve read it.

I’m doing a quick-fire round-up of the things I’ve watched over December and January.

TOY STORY 4// Honestly slightly disappointing, it felt unnecessary and for me, Toy Story 3 was the better conclusion. It wasn’t terrible but I just felt very ‘meh’ about it.

THE WITCHER SEASON 1// Henry Cavill was amazing. He was the reason I watched it and the reason I loved it. The whole show had a lot to offer and it was just the start.

STAR WARS: THE RISE OF SKYWALKER// This trilogy has been my least favourite in terms of plot but it had moments I enjoyed. Overall I wasn’t in love with it though.

GREY’S ANATOMY SEASON 15// Every time I watch Grey’s I’m reminded how good this show is and sink right into it. So much is going on so you never get bored.

PARKS AND RECREATION SEASON 1-3// This definitely has the same vibe as The Office and it makes me laugh. I love Ron Swanson.

SEX EDUCATION SEASON 2//I loved it. All the characters are wonderful and I think it is one of the best teen shows EVER.

GOOD OMENS// I’m only on episode two at the minute but I’m not getting the hype just yet. I like moments but overall it had just been ‘meh’ for me, I’m sorry.

What I’ve been doing: 

A lot of posts with years in the titles.

• 2020: Old Goals and New Goals
• 2019 in Books: 3 Word Challenge
• Out of Your Comfort Zone 2020 Reading Challenge | announcement and potential TBR
• 2020 Year of the Asian Reading Challenge | announcement and potential TBR
• 2019: A ‘Stat’ely Review Ft. Captain Ray Holt
• The Sunshine Blogger Award Part 1 | naming pets, co-writing and bookish creatures.
• The Sunshine Blogger Award Part 2 | fictional food, villains dinner party and turning a book into a musical?!?
• Introducing ‘The Nook’ aka my sister’s blogging area

The Latest News: I reached 500 followers on my blog!! Ahh… I can’t believe it, this feels like such a huge milestone and thank you all so much. It means a lot and I couldn’t have done it without any of you so thank you, thank you.

I have dialled down on posting (January was busy though as I had end-of-the-year posts) and blog hopping slightly. It feels weird but I like having more time for more things. I would like to schedule some posts though as I am so behind on everything and sorry for the late replies.

Also, I had my first technical problem when uploading my statistics post so that was a drama!!

Blog Posts I’ve Loved:

Sophie @ Sophie’s Corner did a post on writing achievements and lessons learned and I loved hearing about her amazing progress. Plus all her lessons were great and so important.

Ash @ The Diamond Village shared how to learn the basics of modern calligraphy which was so easy to follow and definitely inspired me to try learning because I’ve always wanted to look fancy.

Lauren @ Twenty Seven Letters shared If you like musicals, try this book and I loved hearing about the different musicals and books. Plus it is great to see how passionate she was about it all.

Olivia @ Purely Olivia wrote a post all about how to blog without spending money which was wonderful to read as it has lots of great advice and I liked that is focused on ways that don’t require money as it is accessible to a wider audience.

Marie @ Drizzle and Hurricane Books shared a post all about why she will and won’t read your blog which was full of SO much great advice to make your blog the best it can be and attract readers.

Sabrina @ Wordy and Whimsical wrote about why she loves her favourite books which I agreed with every reason and I loved hearing about the different aspects she loves in books.

Margaret @ Weird Zeal shared a post about why she doesn’t buy books from amazon which was so great to read. It is a really important post and so informative. Please read it!!

Kerys @ The Everlasting Library shared her experience with her first audiobook which was a really fun read. Then she talked about the pros and cons of audiobooks which I really agreed with.

Sahi @ My World of Books wrote a review for The Mythic Dream anthology which was a wonderful read and I loved hearing about the different stories.

Fadwa @ Word Wonders did an interview to learn about how the cover for ‘A Phoenix First Must Burn’ was made which was fabulous and I adored seeing the in-depth process.

Becky @ Moth of the Day shared a post about her thoughts on the different Arthurian characters which was SO fun to read and definitely inspired me to what to learn more about these characters.

Favourite songs of the month:

Babel by Mumford and Sons// “I ain’t ever lived a year better spent in love”// This is an old album but I’ve loved listening to it again this month.

Green Light by Lorde// “I whisper things, the city sings them back to you”// Lais said I should listen to more Lorde and I’ve loved it so much (thank you)

Why am I like this? by Orla Gartland// “Never in the moment, never giving enough, Let’s go out and shout the words we never said” // I have been addicted to this song. Her voice and her lyrics. YES. 10/10.

You Will Be Found by Dear Evan Hanson Cast// “Maybe there’s a reason to believe you’ll be okay”// I’ve listened to this before and never loved it but now I’m obsessed. I love the message and how it is written with the different voices and everything. It’s a masterpiece!!

She Used To Be Mine by Sara Bareilles// “She’s imperfect, but she tries”// The vocals are so good in this song and the lyrics are emotional. I LOVE IT!!

Plot twist of the month: I got really organised with my bank and it felt so good. Go adulting.

Cutest thing my dog did this month: I moved her bed and she hated it, she wouldn’t even go in it so I put it back in its original spot and she was so happy. She ran around me in circles.

Also, she got a massive snake for Christmas and she loves to continuously squeak it. *pained smile*

Funniest thing of the month: I mixed up the words ‘dude’ and ‘bro’ to say ‘brude’ accidentally and it made me laugh WAY too much!

Stupidest thing I did this month: See above.

Writing update of the month: Well I finished writing my first book EVER and AHH!! More on this coming soon!!

How was your January? What has been your favourite read of 2020 so far?

Have you watched The Witcher? Have you watched Sex Education?