January Whispers // I’m back from a small hiatus (!!), lots of stress + PENGUINS!!

Posted on by ilsa

January was a load ball of stress and anxiety for me.

Maybe because it was the beginning of the year? It wasn’t a good month for many reasons and there was a lot of pressure, starting off my Goodreads challenge and being behind, not feeling like blogging, and just generally life-stuff. So I’m hoping February will be better.

And! I’m back from my smol hiatus. It wasn’t a massive break where I went inactive on twitter and stuff. It was mainly me not posting, or stressing about blogging and it was really, really nice. I’m sure most of you didn’t even miss my posts so whatever.

BOOKS

…I read 6 books. I’m kind of disappointed in myself? I was aiming high for 150 books! And I started off the year…with 6 books? It wasn’t a great reading month for me, sadly. Here is what i did manage to read!

Screenshot 2018-02-03 at 11.56.24.png

The Epic Crush of Genie Lo by F.C Yee ★☆☆☆☆ // ew this was utter crap and so boring i hated it. [read my review here]

The Wren Hunt by Mary Watson ★★★★☆ // Magic! Dark! Creepy! Atmospheric! IT WAS DIVINE I AM IN LOVE. [read my review here]

Everless by Sara Holland ★★★☆☆ // WHY WAS THIS HYPED THO? I enjoyed it but it was nothing special in my opinion.[read my review here]

Forever Geek By Holly Smale ★★★☆☆ // Another three stars from me. It was a good closure to the series though!

Caraval by Stephanie Garber ★★★★★ // FINALLY, a five stars! I LOVE CARAVAL SO MUCH YOU DON’T UNDERSTAND I NEED LEGENDARY NOW. [read my review here]

The Carnivorous Carnival by Lemony Snicket ★★★★☆  // I approve of this.

BOOK HAUL

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I received 10 books this month! Thanks to Kelly and YA Booker for Wonder Woman and Children of Blood and Bone (FOR FREE!). Thanks to Rachel Caine’s assistant for Honor Among Thieves! Thanks to Rachel for Shadow and Bone and The Cruel Prince. Thanks to Zulfa for the Astonishing Colour of After. Thanks to Hot Key Books for To Kill A Kingdom.

BLOGGING

I went on a small hiatus and no one even realised. It was not really a hiatus as I said before just me-not-posting and it was great! I still didn’t manage to read that much which is sad.

I have no inspiration for blog posts and I need to WORK ON THAT. like someone give me ideas on what to post?

online

I reduced my reading goal from 150 to 100. The city of Brass PUT ME IN THE BIGGEST SLUMP EVER and I think 150 was WAYYY to high so I bought it down to 100 books. I think it’s achievable even though I’m 2 books behind schedule.

Amanda Foody followed me on Twitter! MY QUEEN, MY IDOL, LKHSKJFHSKJAHKJSAHFK I JUST?!!?! She’s one of my FAVOURITE AUTHORS EVER so this makes me EXTREMELY HAPPY aghhh.

The Shadow Gang Games BEGAN and I’m 100% sure Irons are winning at this point muahahah. I can’t WAIT to see the results and I had to make a facebook to be part of the whole thing which I was quite sad about.

I got back into blog hopping! I kind of stopped towards the end of January but its been so nice to reconnect with all your posts and I definitely missed them.

I started watching booktube. It’s actually really good guys?? EMMA BOOKS VIDEOS LIGHTEN UP MY FREAKING DAY. So funny and light and happy and ahhh guys if you ever need a laugh watch Micheal and Emma they make me HOWL. Oh gosh, Sprinkled Page is also super enjoyable as well. I’m not TOO immersed in the community and I don’t want to get addicted but do give me recommendations! SHOUT ME YOUR CHANNELS!

I stopped…posting on Twitter? Like I put up some things but like, nothing real? It’s SUPER weird like I used to be writing “WHAT BOOKWORMS…” every 2 seconds and now I just scroll through my Twitter feed and be dead haha.

Elm sent me a screaming video of her reading Eliza and Her Monsters and crying and CAN I JUST SAY SHE HAS AN AWESOME POSH VOICE and I recommended her the book?? because I am evil?? HAHAHHA.

Um…nothing really happened this month online? I got tagged for a lot of awards, I came back from my Netgalley hiatus and requested 2 books, I got accepted for more physical ARCs so yeah…I hope more happens next month so I have more to put here?

blogoshphere

BLOGS

blog of the monthBLOG OF THE MONTH

I’m introducing a new feature where I think a blogger has been producing some AMAZING content and I link to So many of my favourites of that month. This month it without a doubt goes to…

LU @ LU READS

Her posts were SO fabulous this month I cannot even. She DESERVES THIS SO MUCH!! Some of my favourites from her blog:

LIFE

Oh life, that thing.

  • I have been at school and doing homework. To be honest, I think its been an okay month study-wise. I have exams coming up and I have few exams done which I didn’t do too bad on.
  • It’s cold and I have a cold and I don’t like it. At all. All these sniffles and coats and rain and umbrellas and ITS SO MUCH EFFORT AND NO
  • Sick Blow GIF by Rabbids
  • I reorganised my bookshelf and honestly, it was one of the best life decisions I have ever made. I..I just love it so much and I need a bigger bookshelf but for now, I have managed to fit everything on my shelf so like, i have basically created my own Tardis.
  • bookshelf.JPG
  • I entered a very tiny writing competition and the prize is £10 and maybe I will win WHO KNOWS.
  • I failed my Bullet Journal and don’t even want to do one anymore because it’s so much effort and Google Keep suffices to be honest
  • Half term is coming up and I want to go to at least one place in London which is exciting does anyone have some recommendations for a bookworm like me
  • Oh but School was rubbish for one reason and all I can say is I ended up hating 2 teachers and was blamed for something (I didn’t do) but aha everyone thinks Im a liar and yay!!
  • Oh um what else happened
  • I started re-plotting my WIP and some stuff actually makes sense now but I’ve basically shifted the plot onto something else so every blurb you have read IS A LIE.
  • I became a prefect! Which is honestly very cool and I’m going to get all this mentoring and stuff and I’m actually kinda excited??
  • I AM A LIBRARIAN @ MY SCHOOL TOO! It’s so much fun sorting books out and scanning books and being surrounded by books and HONESTLY, Books!
  • AND!! This penguin video gives me life and you all need to watch it, ITS SO BEAUTIFUL!
  • https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nFAK8Vj62WM
  • And have you seen teenage penguins? THEY’RE SO CUTE OMFG AHHHHHHH.
  • Image result for teenage penguins

NEXT MONTH

PLEASE POST MORE ILSA AND DONT DROWN. Top tip for me next month: BE. MOTIVATED. I still have a tiny secret writing thing but I’m still not telling anyone so…yeah? Next month are holidays so hopefully lots of READING TO BE DONE!! Anyways my goals are down below, i don’t really have a plan for posting next month?  OOPS.

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GOALS

{goals from last month}

  • Bullet journal consistently (at least every 2 days)❌❌ (ahahhaha)
  • Start a reading spreadsheet ❌❌ (GOD DAMN IT)
  • do homeworks as soon as i get them (the same day)✔ (OMG IM SO PROUD OF MYSELF)
  • try not to procrastinate ✔❌
  • start mini edits on my novel ✔❌ (i started re-plotting?)
  • share my poems with you (?) ✔✔ (they were trash)
  • start talking about mini secret writing thing maybe (?) ❌❌❌❌❌
  • smash the ace of shades street team and win everyone else ✔ (results for the first month haven’t been announced yet)
  • read 12 books ❌❌ (i only read 6)
  • watch season 2 of stranger things ✔✔✔ (IT WAS FABULOUS OMIGOSH I NEED SEASON 3)
  • buddy read city of brass with may ✔ (but I DNFed it so…)
  • Reach 800 followers on twitter! ✔✔ (WITH 801 FOLLOWERS YA GIRL IS SLAYING)

{goals for this month}

  • Read 3 physical ARCs
  • Reply to comments on posts
  • Do homeworks as soon as possible
  • Buddy read Forest of A thousand Lanterns with May
  • Read 7 books
  • START A READING SPREADSHEET
  • Work on my WIP
  • Blog hop!!
  • get back to consistent posting!!
  • Consider…a…bookstagram (GASP I KNOW)
  • WIN THE FIRST ROUND OF THE SHADOW GANG (com’on IRONS!)
  • Request 2 more ARCs (physical)

Let's Whisper

How was your first month of the year? Are you finding 2018 a good year so far? Have you already forgotten your new year resolutions? What books have you been reading and reviewing? What are some things you are looking forward to in February? Link me to your recaps!

Ilsa - Edited

92 thoughts on “January Whispers // I’m back from a small hiatus (!!), lots of stress + PENGUINS!!”

  1. Yasssssssss, I’m first to comment! I love your new layout for your bookcase, especially with the variations in horizontal and vertical books. Also, how do you find writing competitions to enter? The only ones I have seen are in my local Waterstones which are the only ones I have entered.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Ahhh congrats on first comment!! Yeah, I’m in love with my bookshelf too (even tho compared to other book bloggers..my bookshelf is a dwarf) Ohh I just search in “UK writing compeititons” if I’m actively lookin but sometimes i just see it on twitter?

      Liked by 1 person

  2. hELLO ILSA I HOPE YOU’RE FEELING BETTER NOW ❤ ❤

    stranger things is pretty freaking great isn't it??? i haven't finished season 2 yet but jesus christ do i want to do it soon, it's so good so far but i don't have time to watch it :((

    MY READING GOAL IS STILL 150 AND I THINK I MIGHT DROWN BUT IT'S OK?? i don't even expect to reach 150 yet but i read 10 books so far this year .-.

    tbh it feels like january 74th or something

    Liked by 1 person

    1. AWW THANK YOU ARIS!!

      STRANGER THINGS IS SO GOOD ARIS WHAT ARE YOU DOING FINISH UGHAHAHAHH IM TRASH FOR THAT SHOWWWW. I am eleven.

      GoOD LUCK ON 150 I AM WEAK and changed it ahah!! and 10 books IS AWESOME!!

      AnD YES JANUARY WAS SO SLOW ARE WE IN 2019 ALREADY

      Liked by 1 person

  5. SO GLAD THAT YOU’RE BACKKK?? OMG YES CARAVALLLLL IM SO GLAD THAT YOU FINALLY READ IT AND OMG CANT WAIT FOR THE NEXT ONE.

    I have no idea what to post either?? #HELP@THEWORLD. I really need to start blog hopping too??I THINK IT’S SO COOL YOU BLOG HOP. Like, I think that I need to be better at commenting?? I DO. THIS ISN’T A QUESTION.

    OMG YASSSSSS BOOKTUBE. EMMAAAA I LOVE HER. ALSO PLEASE WATCH JESSE’S CHANNEL.

    I also recced Elm the book and jfngjkfdngkjfng THE FACT THAT SHE LOVED IT MAKES ME SO HAPPY I CANNOT. SO MANY FEELS FROM THAT BOOK. GKNGF

    OMG THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR CHOOSING ME AS YOUR BLOGGER OF THE MONTH???? *flails*

    YOU’RE LITERALLY SO NICE I CANNOT EVEN *flailssomemore*

    Good luck on your writing competition!!!!!!!!!!!! I HOPE THAT YOU WINNN. YOU WILL YOU’RE AWESOME.

    I HOPE THAT YOU HAVE A BRILLIANT FEBRUARY!!! AND I WILL STOP FANGIRLING OVER YOUR POST NOW BYEEEEE

    Like

    1. I NEED LEGENDARY NOW I REQUESTED AN ARC OF IT AND I HOPEFULLY I GET IT BECAUSE I AM DESPERATE.

      HSJHSAHDAHD I HAVE THIS THINK I DO WITH SOME BLOGGER FRIENDS AND WE DO “BLOG HOP WARS” and basically we have to comment on loads of blogs in a specific amount of time and see who comments on most posts?? If you ever wanna do that hmu

      I WATCHED ONE OF JESSE’S VIDEOs but didnt really like it? I just found ir boring.

      I KNOW ELM WAS LITERALLY SOBBING AND ELM IS BASICALLY ELIZA AMIRITE

      but YOU POSTED SO MANY GOOD POSTS THIS MONTH I HAD TO MAKE YOU BLOG OF THE MONTH YOU QUEEN.

      NOO NEVER STOP FANGIRLING YOU DESERVE THE BEST FEBRAURY!!

      Liked by 1 person

      1. OMG I HOPE THAT YOU GET IT!!!!!!!

        OMG CAN WE BLOG HOP WAR SOMETIME? that sounds so cool!!!!!!!! I need to get more into it!!

        Ahh I get what you mean!! Sometimes I’m just not really in the mood for his videos!

        AWWW ELM IS SO ADORABLE I LOVE HER.

        AW THANK YOU SO MUCH ILSA. YOU’RE A GEM ❤ ❤

        Liked by 1 person

  6. I’m glad that you feel better, Ilsa ♥ I hope that break took some stress off your shoulders. I missed having you around, but it’s totally awesome that that break was revitalizing for you ♥ I can’t wait to see the rest of your posts throughout this year. You blog is absolutely fantastic!! Why wouldn’t anyone ever NOT miss your avid fangirl and bookish posts??

    Whhhaat?? 6 books is bad?? GIRL, THAT’S AWESOME!! Honestly, even picking up a book some days feels like a struggle, it’s great that you managed to read six books when you were going through so much

    I tag you for the unpopular opinions book tag. I haven’t done mine yet cause I haven’t found the time. Maybe you’ve already done this?? IDK!!

    Here are the questions if you want to do it.

    {{What is a popular book or series that you didn’t like?
    What is a popular book or series that everyone else seems to hate but you love?
    What is a love triangle in a book or series where the main character ended up with the person you did not want them to end up with?
    What is a popular book genre that you hardly reach for?
    What is a popular or beloved character that you do not like?
    Who is a popular author that you can’t seem to get into?
    What is a popular book trope that you are tired of seeing?
    What is a popular book or series that you have no interest in reading?
    What is a movie or TV show adaption of a book or series that you like more than the book/s?}}

    Take a look at PolandBananaBooks and Tashapolis. CHRISTINE IS HILARIOUS AND TASHA IS SO FLIPPING GORGEOUS!! Also, I’m just waiting in anticipation for when they post their BookCon 2018 videos!!

    ELIZA AND HER MONSTERS WAS SOOOO GOOD!! AHHH, I CAN’T BELIEVE THAT YOU DID THAT TO ELM!!

    I really love that you do the blogosphere. It helps me find new bloggers to check out. Thanks!! Maybe I should do that as well??

    LU IS AWESOME!! Definitely deserves the award!! I’ve gotten to know her a little better throughout this month and she’s been awesome and always there whenever I need to chat on twitter 🙂

    Your shelf is so cute and ENVY!! I want a shelf like that!!
    Good luck on the writing contest!! I’m about to enter one too and I probably won’t win because there are better writers and the prize is $1k and for second and third place it’s $500 but I’m not putting my hopes up, but I’ll still enter it when I finish writing my piece because I WANT TO TAKE CHANCES THIS YEAR AND DO ALL THE CRAZY THINGS!!

    LUCKY LUCKY YOU GETTING TO BE A LIBRARIAN!! I WISH THAT COULD BE ME BUT I’M JUST HAVE TOO MUCH GOING ON TO ADD MORE STUFF, EVEN THOUGH I WOULD LOVE TO BE SURROUNDED BY BOOKS!!

    My first month of the year was a roller coaster that went up and down and up and down and now it’s up again. Basically, my emotions have went through a lot but I might actually post about that on my blog since you’ve inspired me to do a monthly recap.

    Like

    1. HOLY HECK THIS COMMENT IS LONG. Here goes!

      Thank you Han! I’m glad everyone is so understanding of me needing a break. AND AHH OMG IM SO GLAD YOU LIKE MY POSTS ❤ ❤

      And ahah I was hoping to read a lot more books but YEAH THANKS ANYWAYS I should still be proud of 6 books??!?!?

      I haven't done the tag and I might do it! THANKS FOR THE QUESTIONS!!

      ELIZA AND HER MONSTERS WAS AMAZING I WANT MORE BOOKS LIKE IT. Have you read Starfish? It's like Elzia but a little more diverse and I LOVE IT!!

      and if you want to do a "blogosphere" thing go for it!!

      LU IS FABULOUS!!! I can't wait to do blog of the month now, its such an exciting feature.

      JSAHHASJHSGHJSFG GOOD LUCK ON THE WRITING CONTEST! I think you *might* be able to do it but I wish you the best of luck!

      YEAH MY SCHOOL LIBRARY IS QUITE SMOL BUT I LOVE THE JOB SO MUCH AHHHH.

      Ahhh okay look forward to ur posts u amazing potato!

      Liked by 1 person

      1. I’ve added Starfish to my TBR, but I probably won’t get around to it till summer BUT IT SOUNDS SOOOOOO GOOD!!

        THANKS FOR THE CONFIDENCE!! I have a little less than a month to write 10 chapters/20k and send it in. I HOPE I CAN DO THIS!! *fingers crossed and fairy dust*

        SMOL LIBRARIES ARE THE CUTEST!!

        AHHH, THANKS ♥♥♥

        Liked by 1 person

  7. I read 10 books, finished the Shades of Magic trilogy. I started my second semester of classes. I only have two books on my February TBR because they are books that I have to read for one of my classes, one of them is an Elephant and Piggy book and the other is a graphic novel. I don’t have any posts planned for this month either, I don’t plan my posts like that. I do sometimes plan my posts on a week to week basis. I don’t blame you for not wanting to do a bullet journal anymore. I don’t do one, never have and never will because they really do seem like so much effort than I have the patience for. I really missed seeing your posts in my feed!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. AHH THE SHADES OF MAGIC TRIOLOGY IS AWESOME?!! Right?? And ahh I have no idea what to post and bullet journals ARE SO DRAINING HONESTLY!! but i love watching other people do theirs ahah. Aww thanks so muchhhh! I hope to more regular with my posts!!

      Like

  8. Doooooooo nooooooot leeeeeave us alone for this long ever again (unless ya know ya need it) I missed you so much ❤❤🌌tell me if you’re drowning I’ll get you a life vest 🎽!! Like yaaaas gurl penguins 🐧!!girl I read one book this month you awesome!!

    Liked by 1 person

  9. OMG THIS POST!!! I love the way you wrote it. And you’re not alone. I failed at bullet journalling as well.
    And I can’t agree more that Lu posted some really great posts in January.
    And don’t put pressure on yourself to read more and more books girl. Reading should be relaxing.
    I hope you have a wonderful February ❤

    Liked by 1 person

  10. Glad you’re back and that you took your time (long or short doesn’t matter) to clear some stuff or just have a little break.
    I’m so glad you like Caraval ❤ I loved it. Maybe the hype's magic worked on me , but I need Legendary too as soon as possibile.
    I feel you about the reading month. I read just five books and I'm already behind by three books with the my goodreads challenge… which I think is set around 120 book or 100. But, yay, I'm already so behind. And I don't want to sound like pure anxiety but already the first four days of Februry are over. I can freak out, right?
    I'm sorry about the school. Me and the penguins will give a virtual hug. Or sending some virtual food if you're not into hug ❤
    I actually never considered to do some bucket list for the month, only a general 2018 one, but maybe I will give it a try because yours inspired me. Wish me luck 😂

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Aww thank you! A small break worked quite well ahaha.
      YES OMG LEGENDARY I NEED IT I KNOW ITS GOING TO BE FABULOUS AHHHHHHH.
      Im behind on my challenge too but I hope to catch up too! YOU HAVE MY PERMISSION TO FREAK OUT. Penguins Are lovely so thank you for the hugs!!! Good luck on goals and the next month!

      Liked by 1 person

  12. HOOOOOOLY FRICK I HAVE SO MUCH TO SAY ABOUT THIS ALFJSLFKAKGJS

    1) I’m so happy you’re back bby, I’m glad that you’re feeling better now after taking that break 💖

    2) also yes I really am running out of post ideas and I’ve only been here for like a year. I have most of February planned?? MOST. ugh I wish someone just like gave me all the post ideas ever.

    3) BRUH I AM INSANELY JEALOUS OF ALL THE BOOKS YOU GOT. 😭😭 ESPECIALLY THE ARCS OMGGGGG. 😭 sometimes I’m sad to be in the US bc all the popular booktubers are here and the ARCs go to them obviously and then there are so many other bloggers here too (but then I remember of course that I am v privileged to live here bc intl readers 1000% have it worse than I do, bc at least I have a CHANCE at getting physical ARCs wow this is a rant)

    4) WHAT NEW ARCS ARE U GETTING OMG I’VE REQUESTED SO MANY BUT ONLY GOT ONE ACCEPTED

    5) I voted for Saints & Misfits bc I really hope you’ll love the rep (since CoB was such a disappointment — btw I DNFed that) and I also want to postpone you from reading ASTONISHING BC I’M GONNA BE SO JEALOUS (I mean I already am) WHEN YOU START HFDJDJSKKF. but you should probably read your ARCs first. 🙂

    6) yes we need to BR FoaTL I have so many BRs planned fjsjdkskgksl

    7) obviously you failed at rearranging your bookshelf bc it doesn’t seem to be rainbow

    8) omg I started watching booktube at the end of December and it was great! I love emmmabooks tho I’m honestly waiting for a REALLY FUNNY booktuber (Christine & Jesse are the only ones that are mildly funny) I need to watch the smaller booktubers tho!!

    9) OMG YOU SHOULD TOTALLY DO BOOKSTAGRAM!! tho I feel like rn it would stress you out so maybe wait a little?? (that’s what I’m planning to do with Netgalley, wait till summer 😄)

    10) I hope you have an amazing February and good luck with EVERYTHING

    Liked by 1 person

    1. HOOOOOOLY FRICK THIS IS A LONG COMMENT!!!!

      1)Aww thank you MAy. I’m so glad I’m back tooo ❤

      2) okay DONT KILL ME BUT I'm thinking of re-using some of the ideas from My Bookish life and re-writing them and publishing them on this blog??? and i feel like those "1000 ideas on what to post for book bloggers" are so unhelpful bc 1) i've already used those ideas or 2) the idea is boring or unoriginal. SO LIKe??

      3) AHAHAHAH IM SORRY I JUST…GET ALL THE BOOKS?!?!??!?!?! Yeah I know what you mean about being in the US and it is hard for competition and stuff but then ALSO UR LUCKY to get th chance as well and…HMMM conclusion: BECOME THE FAMOUS booktubers and you will have no problems!! (lol no anxiety what am i saying)

      4) OH UM LEMME THINK DID I GET ACCEPTED FOR ANYMORE OR DID I JUST SAY THAT. ummm oops i dont think i did get accepted for anymore OOPPPPSS

      5) OMG YOUR SO SWEET SAJKHSKJHFKJSH THANK YOU VOTING FOR A BOOK THAT REPS ME. Well, i got Astonishing ARC from a trade so like??? If you get a FC ON publication date I would BR with you but if you get it 6789876 years later then No. BUT HAVE YOU SEEN THE PRE-ORDER GIF FOR ASTONISHING its so pretty!!!!! MAYYYY ITS SO PRETTY. Im in the UK so i cant do it but yeah!!

      6) i have (1) Br planned and thats with u

      7)IM SORRY I… CAN'T DO RAINBOW bc then everything would not be in its proper place..?

      8) MAY I NEED TO LINK YOU TO THE FUNNIEST VIDEO EVER OMG ONE MIN!! (and yes lets get into booktube together)
      9) ASJHSAJFHSKJAHSA YOUR SO THOUGHTFUL. I'm THINKING of it and I have a lot of blog photos so idk? I could do it and then enter all the rep searches muahahhaha.

      10) I hope you have an amazing February and good luck with EVERYTHING…TOO (wow im so lazy i just copy and pasted that)

      Liked by 1 person

  13. So happy to have you back! AhH! OMG, I absolutely adore Stranger Things so much. I just want season three already!!! This month was also a total fail for me as I only read 5 books :/ I finally finished the Six of Crows duology and OMFG I LOVE IT SO MUCH ANJFGYF. I read The Cruel Prince as well and didn’t end up liking it that much… I’m still trying to figure out I feel about the book because on one hand I finished the book in one sitting and could not seem to put it down. But when I finished reading there were a lot a moments throughout the book that I didn’t enjoy and have so many critiques and ahh its so frustrating!!! Anyways good luck on your writing competition and I hope February turns out to be a better reading month for the both of us ❤ 😉

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thank you. I KNOW!! STRANGER THINGS IS FABULOUS AND HAVE YOU MET STEVE HARRINGTON OMIGOSH!?!?! And season 3 is confirmed to only have 8 episodes AND I NEED MORE THAN THAT HONESTLY. OMIGOSH SIX OF CROWS AND AHH MY GOSH KAZ FREAKING BREKKER AND INEJ GHAFA AND EVERY SINGLE ON OF THEM ARE WONDERFUL AND I LOVE THEM SO MUCH ❤ ❤ I REALLY NEED TO RE-READ THEM HONESTLYYY. I really need to read The Cruel Prince I've heard some amazing things about it. I'm sorry u didn't enjoy it as much tho :((( Thanks so much!! I hope this month treats you well ❤

      Like

  14. YAAAAAY ILSA I’M SO HAPPY THAT YOU’RE BACK!!!!! i’m trying to get better at getting to blog post immediately and commenting right away rather than reading it and then going back to it after like 2 months lol I’M THE WORST BLOGGER

    and I’m SOOOO glad you love Caraval!!!! I read it when it first came out so I pretty much forgot everything but it was one of my favourite books of last year and I am sooooo in love with the writing ❤ and I voted for Wonder Woman because I'm interested to see your thoughts!! but also lemme know what you think of The Cruel Prince or Saints and Misfits if you get around to these soonish! (btw I just got Saints and Misfits so we could br if you want???)

    SPEAKING OF BUDDY READS, I STILL HAVE AN ARC OF FOATL SO IF YOU AND MAY ARE WILLING TO LET ME JOIN…… I'LL GLADLY DO IT BECAUSE I'VE HAD IT FOR LIKE 5 MONTHS NOW AND I'M THE WORST AND NEED TO READ IT

    i'm jealous of your book haul ahhhh I want all of these books but i don't wanna dwell on it so LET'S TALK ABOUT SOMETHING ELSE.

    umm emmabooks is actually one of the few booktubers i really dislike DGHFDKGD there's something about her I can't stand OOPS but I loooovvveeeee Reagan from PeruseProject she's so COOL and Jesse and Christine are really fun, umm what else, I also love LilyCReads but she posts very inconsistently and she also swears a lot which i find very funny and relatable but idk if you'll like that lmao annnndddd idk suddenly I forgot all the booktubers I watch LOL ASK ME AGAIN TOMORROW

    i wanted to say something else but I FORGOT SORRRYYYY ANYWAY I'M GLAD YOU'RE BACK ILY

    Liked by 1 person

    1. IM HAPPY IM BACK TOOO (mostly lmao) YEAH!! I read so many blog posts and then find it so hard to REMEMBER to comment and ahhhh. AND NO U AREN’T THE WORSTTT.

      I loved Carval so much I WANT THE NEXT BOOK SO MUCH AND YES THE WRITING IS GORGEOUS!!!!!!!! And ahh I hope I like Wonder Woman!!!!!! It seems so bad-ass. (and yes if you wanna BR Saints and Misfits LMK im reading it this month)

      OMG YES ILL ASK MAY ON HANGOUTS K? apparently its really slow :(((((((((((((((((((((((((

      what the heck? can you try emmabooks AGAIN just one of her videos (ill give you a link to one my fave videos of her) AND UMM THANKS FOR OVERLOADING ME WITH CHANNELS!! I tried Jesse and din’t like the videos they were so boring :((((((

      Liked by 1 person

  15. what do you mean we haven’t noticed your hiatus, I HAVE AND I MISSED YOUR POSTS.
    You’re buddy-reading Forest of a Thousand Lanterns with May? LET ME KNOW everything, I want to know what you think of this book so, so badly. Hope you’ll love it 🙂
    I’m probably the only one voting for the Book of Dust in your little poll above, but I hope you will be able to read it this month, I can’t wait to hear what you think of that one 🙂
    Congratulations on getting ALL of these amazing books, wow, that’s SO incredible. I will be waiting for your thoughts on the Astonishing Color of After especially, damn, I am sooo anticipating that one. I’ll be waiting on your every thought on every book though, so, sorry if I’m annoying hahaha. Also, reading 6 books is GREAT, you should be proud of yourself, I can never ever read more than 6 books in a month haha. You are doing great.
    SO happy you’re back!! All the best for February!! ❤ ❤

    Liked by 1 person

    1. OMG MARIE I THINK YOU ARE ONLY REAL FAN HEREEE!! ❤ ❤ THis is why ur the best tbh.

      I HOPE I LIKE IT but some people say its really slow,,,, SO LIKE OOPS!?! I hope I enjoy it too!! I'm not sure If I'll make the Book of Dust this month but I hope I do! I've heard its fabulous and im so excited to return to Pullman's works.

      IM SO EXCITED TO READ THE ASTONISHING COLOUR OF AFTER ITS SO PRETTY AND LARGE AND THANK YOU I THINK I SHOULD BE OKAY WITH 6 books. I hope u have an amazing month!!

      Liked by 1 person

  16. Hooray! I’m glad to see you’re back 😄. I was a ball of anxiety in the last few month of 2017 and taking a hiatus was the best decision I made. Looking forward to see your posts again!

    Liked by 1 person

  17. Well you read more than me… and your goal is higher 🙈 I’ve had the same and then some days so many posts flow out if me. OMG AMANDA FOODY FOLLOWED YOU 😱 so awesome (i really want to read her books) !! EMMA IS ONE MY FAVES omg! (You should try A Clockwork Reader, polandbananasbooks, ReadbyZoe and PeytonReads) Elm had a good reason for screaming bc IT’S THAT GOOD. Glad you’re back xx

    Liked by 1 person

  18. YOU ARE GOING TO LONDON WE SHOULD FIND A COOL PLACE LIKE A MUSEUM OR BOOKSHOP AND GO THERE YESSS
    And I LOVEEEE this post 😀 Thanks for the mention and I KNOWWW you evil human! Also Lu’s posts give me LIFE her unfollowing post decreased my panic so much!!! Also, school is grim and don’t let people call you a liar and spread crap about you.
    Love you muchly!!

    Liked by 1 person

  20. Oh my goshhhh penguinsssss!! I love how you’ve re-ordered your bookshelf – it looks so neat and tidy 🙂 Also, well done on keeping on top of your homeworks!!! Man, that’s a struggle!

    Liked by 1 person

  21. did i miss your posts? yes. duh. am i even more glad you took a much-needed hiatus and now feel at least somewhat better? even mORE yes, even more duh.

    HELL YES A SERIES OF UNFORTUNATE EVENTS. BEST SERIES IN THE WORLD. i cannot wait for march, when i plan on binge reading books 5-13. feasible? who knows, but i’m excited about it. i am planning on reading a thousand splendid suns soonish (as in probably never but eventually) so you should read that one and, like, pave the way for me so i know whether it’s good or not.

    outside of stranger things viewing (WHICH IS THE BEST) sounds like kind of a rough month 😦 i hate that, i hope february is muuuuch better. and warmer. even though it’s still winter. january was p good for me but february will probably be bad so we’ll see i guess!!!!

    very pleasant to be reading a post of yours again, etc etc

    Liked by 1 person

    1. ahahah thank you so much emma!

      SERIES OF UNFORTUNATE EVENTS IS THE BEST AND THE WORST BECUASE BOOK THIRTEEN KILLED ME!! A thousand splending suns sounds so sad BUT THE KITE RUNNER IS FAB!! READ IT!!

      STRANGER THINGS IS AMAZING. i hope u have an awesome feb toooo

      Liked by 1 person

  22. Google keep is the best! I hope school goes better for you… being a librarian is always fun. I never did it officially but one of the librarians was my hindi teacher for a bit so when I needed help I’d get it and help with librarian duties at the same time 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

  23. Here’s to hoping your February is wonderful!❤️Imagine it as a fresh new start of the year! I’m glad you are back from your mini-hiatus, because I always enjoy seeing your posts in my reader. Also, thank you for sharing all the posts you did, I opened them up in new tabs and am about to go read them and hopefully discover some new blogs. 🙂 Good luck with all of your February goals!

    Liked by 1 person

  24. Yay for a bookcase photo! I love seeing how other bookworms organize their collections, it’s always so inspiring and fun/cute/pretty 🙂

    Hopefully, February goes better for you! I personally had a pretty decent January, at least in terms of my writing goals, though I did fall a little behind and I’m going to try reeeally hard not to let that drag this month down. Blah. Anyway, glad to read your posts again! I hope you’re feeling more refreshed!

    Liked by 1 person

  25. Congratulations on becoming a librarian!!! I feel like librarians are basically heroes (which may or may not be due to reading things like “A Series of Unfortunate Events” and “Strange the Dreamer”). And that penguin video is truly life-giving 🙂
    By the way, I tagged you for the Rising Author Tag! If you are interested, the details are here: https://allthingstrivialandinsignificant.wordpress.com/2018/02/04/the-rising-author-tag-featuring-shadows-from-my-dark-past/

    Liked by 1 person

  26. Ooof! Sorry to hear your January was stressful. Mine was too so at least we weren’t the only ones!

    But omg congrats on the free books!! And the physical copy too! That is so awesome!!

    Hailey in Bookland is my absolute FAVORITE booktube channel – the girl is crazy productive like 24/7 it’s incredible. I’m always left feeling super motivated after I watch one of her videos.

    And omg NO you can’t fail at bullet journaling!! Keep goinnnggg! I just started mine! It’s a good way to de-stress haha

    Liked by 1 person

  27. I NOTICED YOU WERE GONE ILSA I WILL ALWAYS NOTICE (that sounds kind of stalkerish lmao)

    1. ily
    2. ily
    3. ily
    4. YOU GOT SO MANY BOOKS I’M JEALOUS BUT ALSO YOU DESERVE IT ❤
    5. now i'm thisnking about teenage penguins and then emo penguisn and then "It'S NOT A PHASE MOM I WANT TO KEEP MY FEATHERS LIKE THIS FOREVER" why am i like this aha
    6. MINI SECRET WRITING THING??? HELLO (if it's a multi person thing i want to join lmao)
    7. I HOPE YOU WIN THE WRITING COMPETITION
    8. it's so cool that you became a librarian omg i would try to be one but i'm pretty sure my school librarian hates me oops

    Liked by 1 person

  28. Ugh I’m sorry January wasn’t good and I hope February is a much much better month for you. I’ve gone back to school last week and haven’t opened my bujo once since then 😂 I’m planning on making my february spreads today though, we shall see if i go through with it. I also think it’s pretty cool you put monthly goals on your blog, i put mine in my bujo but end up forgetting about some of them, oops?
    I’m 150 pages into Children of Blood and Bone and absolutely loving it. I’m also DYING to read The Cruel Prince.
    Happy reading 💖

    Liked by 1 person

    1. FADWA THANK YOU!! I hope February is better too. And haha ive kinda given up on my bujo tbh its seems to drain. Yeah I love monthly goals a lot!! I can’t wait to get started on Children of Blood and Bone and need to start The Cruel Prince soon.

      Like

  29. Sorry to hear January was full with stress and anxiety, I hope February will be a lot better! 2018 has been so weird so far it doesn’t feel like it’s only February it’s like we’re in the Twilight Zone or something (she says without ever having seen The Twilight Zone and knowing anything about it)
    I LOVE PENGUINS THEY’RE SO CUTE AND PRECIOUS AND THE WAY THEY CUDDLE AGAINST EACH OTHER TO KEEP WARM
    Good luck with the writing competition, keeping up with school and trying to get into blogging again, but don’t work yourself too hard ❤

    Liked by 1 person

  30. *sending you all of the hugs and ice cream and encouragement* you’re doing GREAT! Prefect and librarian for your school??? getting homework done when you get it??? Good in my book! That post about feeling pressure to post good quality posts – I felt that ohmygod SO RELATABLE, especially as of late because inspiration has left me. *follows lu without question because i trust your judgement and her blog is pretty* I really like Regen from PeruseProject on BookTube and Whitney from WhittyNovels. I met them both and they’re such genuine honest people. Also, Hannah from A Clockwork Reader has AMAZING videos! She is so well-spoken and I love her to death.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. AWW THANKS SO MUCH SAVANNAH! Thanks for the ice cream and hugs!! Much appreciated ahah! I KNOW IM DOING SO WELL IM PROUD OF ME YES LU IS AMAZING! thanks for the booktube recommendations. I’ll be checking them out soon, maybe, in the future. THIS REMINDS ME I NEED TO TRACK DOWN UR BOOKTUBE CHANNEL MUAHAH

      Liked by 1 person

  31. GEEKY LIBRARY BUDDIES!!! I’ve been a librarian at school for like 2 years(??), and I love scanning and filing (I just LOVE filing SOOO much) and pretending to be important and kicking people who I don’t like out!! The only downside is the librarian talksss SOOOO much……

    Liked by 1 person

  33. Oh I like watching Emmmabooks! And I also really like Read by Zoe, she reminds me of a real life grown up version of Emma Hawthorne from The Mother-Daughter Book Club Series. XD But I think my favorite BookTuber right now is Hailey in Bookland. 🙂 She’s so cool and I feel like I have a lot in common with her I guess and I like that she’s obsessed with Alice in Wonderland. 😛 (Hence the name)
    I’m sorry January was so stressful for you. 😥
    My January went pretty good though, I had my 20th birthday (and my blog’s 1st birthday 🙂 ) and I hid some old books around my hometown with my friends for people to find, so that was fun. 😀 And I think my resolutions are going okay, too. Reading and blogging-wise I guess. I kinda forgot about writing and everything else I was going to do. :/ Oh well, as long as I’m ready for Camp Nano in April I’ll be okay, I think. XD.
    And I finally applied to a bookstore job that I have been putting off since November because of life and the holidays and anxiety got in the way. :/ But at least I finally did it! Now I just have to wait.
    So far I think my favorite book I read this year was The Neverland Wars by Audrey Greathouse that I read last month for my blog’s bookclub, The Second Star Society. 🙂 It was pretty good. This month we’re reading Once Upon a Dream by Liz Braswell but I don’t know how I feel about it yet.
    And this month I also started reading Ice Like Fire by Sara Raasch and I really loved the first book so I’m excited. 🙂

    Like

    1. I literally squeal every time Emma posts a new video! I’ll have to check out Read by Zoe, haven’t heard of her. Also, Hailey in Bookland sounds like an amazing channel. YAY FOR TURNING TWENTY!! I hope you got loads of presents! OMG A BOOKSTORE JOB THAT SOUNDS FABULOUS!! I’m so proud fo you!! Looks like you have an exciting reading month ahead of you and don’t worry, we’re probably all failing on our resolutions haha! thanks for the sweet comment and I hope you have a wonderful February!

      Like

  34. YAY SO GLAD YOU’RE BACK!! Hope the hiatus was good for you ❤

    I've want to read Caraval for such a long time and the fact that you loved it and I still haven't read it is killing me. Best of luck for February!

    Like

  35. Finally a new Ilsa post for me to comment on! 😁 (Also, hello, I’m back to stalking your blog.) I totally get the stress part. Work is really hectic for me at the moment and although blogging calms me down, I’m unable to make a lot of time for it. I just realised how much time running a blog like a pro (or at least my idea of a pro) consumes. While it’s still doable, I’m going to need to balance my day job and my hobbies a bit better I guess. Why is time so difficult? 😡
    Anyhow, you seem to have done quite a lot even though it was your “mini-hiatus” month. I just really missed your voice and I loved getting back to being a regular reader on here. If I try and comment on every single section in this, my comment is going to turn into a novella, so I’ll just leave it at this. I hope February treats you better! 🙂

    Like

    1. ahahah and hello stalker 😉 Yeah sometimes blogging can be great but sometimes we need to take a step back. I wish we could just have all the time in the world because it would be awesome to accomplish everything I want to do. Or maybe I’d just procrastinate forever. I would love to read a novella by you to be honest. I hope February is great month for you too!

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Let’s just agree that Time is an evil overlord. 😭 Procrastinating forever sounds just like the sort of thing I’d do. I published my blog post for the day at 11:59 PM in my time zone, so you see what I mean. 🙈
        That is such a high compliment coming from you. Thank you! 😊 But I’m ambitious and want to write a full novel. However, I haven’t written a word since I started my job, not counting May’s writing challenge last year. Work has proven to be way too hectic and I’ve had to shelve all my drafts. I hope to get back to it full force by July, just in time for Camp NaNoWriMo though. Let’s see if that works out! 🙂

        Like

  36. Glad you’re back. I missed you!! I’m not sure how you keep up with such a long list of goals, but don’t feel bad if you don’t reach them. Reading 6 books last month is still a lot (at least for me). 🙂 Have a happy February!

    Like

  37. HahaHA I’VE HAD A BAD MONTH TOO SO YAY FOR FEELING BAD SOLIDARITY HOPEFULY FEBRUARY IS BETTER?? (Though it starts with Valentine’s Days which yu….at least I have an excuse to buy myself some candy because I deserve them after surviving January).

    Stranger Thingssss Stranger Thingsss!!! I HOPE YOU JOIN MY “STEVE IS OUR SON AND HE’S A WONDERFUL MOM TO HIS CHILDREN” FANCLUB! I’ll make you an honorary member. You get medal and your own planet.

    BUT BUT BUT…I HATE CARAVAAAL. ok leave me an my absolutley unpopular opinions aloneee in the cornerrrr. I just didn’t like anything about it mhmm that might have been a tiny reason for my low rating but ya know. Opinionsssss.

    And yesss booktube!! You should definitely start your own channel BECAUSE YOU COULD EDIT CLIPS OF PENGUINS IN ANR IT WOULD BE GLORIOUS. Give the people what they want and need Ilsa. They need adoable penguins.

    Liked by 1 person

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