Where the heck has February gone?
February was an okay month. Not really bad or good, somewhere in between! It snowed and I was so HAPPY but I got behind on replying to messages.*sigh*
I don’t have much to say in this introduction apart from the fact that 1) February is short WHY and 2) wow I forgot what I was gonna say, go me!
I read 8 books!I think that’s a good amount, I did want to read 9 books this month and I was only one away but I guess that’s okay?
The Company of Ghosts by Berlie Doherty ★☆☆☆☆ // what why doesn’t middle grade make any sense. so boring.
To Kill a Kingdom by Alexandra Christo ★★★★☆ // Hate to love romance! Evil sirens! Betrayal! Queens! I really enjoyed this, super entertaining! [read my review here]
The Language of Thorns by Leigh Bardugo★★★★☆ // I really loved it. I mean it was by the queen and it was super powerful and magical! [read my review here]
The Wicked Deep By Shea Ernshaw ★★★★☆ // I LOVED THE PLOT TWISTS SO MUCH AGHHHH. Really magical and capturing! [read my review here]
I Am Thunder by Muhammad Khan ★★★★★ // First read of the month and it was powerful, amazing and representation I didn’t personally connect to but still amazing! [read my review here]
Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo ★★★★☆ // I LOVE THE DARKLING SO MUCH OMG!!!! THE DARKLING I AM TRASH FOR HIM. FRICK. [read my review here]
Not If I Save You First by Ally Carter ★☆☆☆☆ // Really disappointing. I was so excited but it was not what I signed up for. [read my review here]
I got back to posting! I post whenever I can, to be honest and I have ideas and plans and I have so many ARC reviews to catch up on. OH. MY. GOSH.
- I made a Curious Cat because Ju forced me to. You can ask me questions on there anonymously if you want!! HAVE FUN.
- There’s this amazing ZINE I found and you guys SHOULD TOTALLY CHECK IT OUT. The next theme is “self-love” and submissions open on June 1st. Please give it a try?
- I won a Goodreads giveaway of Witchsign! It sounded really good, and it was the first GR Giveaway I had won AND IT WAS SO PRETTY, but I traded it for a feminist book I really want to read, Girls Made of Snow and Glass which is probably a book I WILL ACTUALLY READ.
- The Irons came second in the #ShadowGang. Right now, it’s the last and third round of the whole thing, and I’m determined to Win. HAHAHHAHAHAH.
- Honestly, not much happened online? This was a pretty calm month haha.
BLOGS
- The Lamb @ Lu Reads talks about internet anxiety!!
- Nandini @ Unputdownable Books writes about some Very Important Things. ^^
- Analee @ Book Snack reveals the sneaky secrets of book bloggers! #exposed
- Joce TALKS ABOUT HYPE and does it ruin your experience??
- Ioana, aka my FAVOURITE, @ Dragon Waffles posts an AMAZING book haul!!
- The Duck @ Paper Blots lists the types of bookstgram accounts.
- The Sweetest @ Drizzle and Hurricane talks about her WIP!! IM SCREAMING.
- Girls are Cute @ Forever and Everly talks about how to appreciate bloggers!!
- Mikaela gives us some blogging hacks!!
- The Smol Who Calls Me Lettuce reviews Children of Blood and Bone and it’s such a good review DAMN!
- AND SO MANY OTHER GOOD POSTS BUT I DIDN’T BOOKMARK ANYTHING BC IM RUBBISH IM SORRY
BLOG OF THE MONTH
I totally forgot I made this feature. I LOVE SO MANY BLOGS, and I will try my best to feature all of them, okay?? But this month it goes to…
JU @ PAPER BLOTS
I mean, most of you know her as Julianna and SHE’S JUST HILARIOUS OKAY?!? Also, she changed the design and name of her blog so I thought I’d give her some promotion because I’m an amazing friend. Anyways, Ju is a marshmallow and you should CHECK HER AMAZING NEW BLOG OUT!! She has some amazing posts up this month!!
- I WENT TO A WRITERS OF COLOUR EVENT!! It was AMAZING guys! I wanted/still do to write a post about it because it meant so MUCH TO ME so let me know if your interested in that! But 1) THERE WAS FREE CAKES 2) WE TRASHED J.K ROWLING and 3) I JUST…felt so happy!
- That was like the first event think I’ve been too concerning writing and IT WAS AMAZING. I’m still buzzing, to be honest.
- I also got I am Thunder signed by Muhammad Khan at the event!! He was SO sweet honestly and he kind of found out about my blog and I actually really loved the book as well!
- It SNOWED. Honestly, English weather is CRAZY?? It’s supposed to be nearing spring and we can a WEEK OF SNOW. Not that I’m complaining. I LOVED THE SNOW!! I had like 10 snowball fights with my friends, in the streets, playing and snow just makes me so happy!!
- I started re-plotting my novel! It honestly makes me so happy when I can figure things out and I managed to do that this month and I’ve already started editing my WIP. SO EXCITED GUYS!!
- I think I will be doing Camp Nano in April! It sounds super fun and tiring but I think it’s exactly what i need to boost my novel!
Wel it IS already March and MARCH IS STARTING OFF GOOD. Honestly, March’s recap is going to feature International Woman’s day, World Book Day and SO MANY OTHER THINGS. Basically, it will be MORE EXCITING!! *screams*
{goals from last 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!)❌ 😦 came second though!
Request 2 more ARCs (physical)
{goals for this month}
- Read 3 Physical ARCs
- Update Netgalley reviews
- Buddy read Simon Vs The Homo Sapien Agenda
- Read 8 books
- Upload all the ARC reviews I need to upload (help)
- Upload regularly on my BOOKSTAGRAM!!
- Reply to some comments
- ENJOY YOURSELF PLEASE AND THANKS
- Drink water bottles!
- Blog…sometimes?
SIMON VS. THE. HOMO. SAPIENS. AGENDA. GURRRLLL YOU BETTER
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READING IT RIGHT NOW GURL
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[…] Ilsa […]
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I’m glad you had an okay month and… it’s never too late for a recap, if you ask me 🙂 You also read some amazing books, you’re so lucky you got to read Cait’s book already AND TWICE???! I can’t wait to read it myself, it sounds fantastic. I also reaaaaaally want to read To Kill a Kingdom and Wicked Deep, I’m so glad you enjoyed both 🙂
It’s amazing that you are getting so many books and WOW for that Starfish package, it is absolutely gorgeous and I’m glad they sent you one. I haven’t read the book just yet, waiting for it to be able on paperback so I can actually buy it, otherwise it’s a bit expensive but ahhhhhhgh I am dying to read that one.
Thank you so much for sharing my post!! ❤ I hope you're having an amazing month so far ❤
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Ahah thank you!! AND I KNOW I REALLY AM LUCKY TO BE HOLDING ATPN IN MY VERY OWN SWEATY HANDS HAHA!! To Kill a Kingdom and The Wicked Deep both have very similar themes, I hope you enjoy them!! !!! I really hope you enjoy Starfish !!
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Wow, sounds like February was a great month! You read lots of books which is AWESOME (teach me to read that much, haha). And aww, your e-mail is so cute and I’m glad you loved that book! Good luck with your March goals!
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thanks so much!! Thanks you Kat
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WHY DID U HAVE SUCH A GOOD FEBRUARY I JUST CRIED BC OF CRAMPS AND ATE TOO MUCH DISCOUNT VALENTINE’S DAY CHOCOLATE
i’m jealous of your starfish package too xD
~Sammy ❤
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CHOCOLATE THOUGH TOTALLY WOrth ITTTT
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I LOVE JU.
I LOVE YOU.
SO MANY BOOKS SO NICE IN LOVE ❤ ❤ The starfish package ❤ ❤ ❤ *heart eyes*
You’re back blogging????
(this is a short comment but shbshfgb)
LOVE YOU AND THANK YOU FOR LINKING TO MY BLOG U GEM ❤ ❤
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THE QUESTION IS WHO DO YOU LOVE ME!!
(and yeah im back to bloggin YOUR LATE)
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YESS!! I!! DO!! NEVER!! DOUBT!!
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AHHHHHH ILSA THANK YOU FOR FEATURING MY BLOG YOU ACTUAL POTATO I LOVE YOU
also wow 8 books is so little im diSappointed (jk)
also your bookstagram is so so pretty i can’t are you gonna do like a,,, page-showing type of theme?
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“YOU ACTUAL POTATO” THANKS JU
(are you really kidding though it was so proud of ma self)
and no my bookstagram is ugly and i have no themeeee !!
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Omg you’re so lucky to have gotten a chance to read A Thousand Perfect Notes! I can’t wait to get my hands on that lol. The snow in London was awesome! I was so happy that we got snow this year for the first time in so long 😀 (even tho it came weirdly late?)
I followed your bookstagram by the way!
Andrea / indigoskysblog.blogspot.co.uk
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I am sooo lucky, hope you enjoy it when it comes out!! SNOOOOWWWWWW (even tho it is years late i agree) Thanks so much!!
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We got snow too though not as bad as the UK did.
It’s great that you got Starfish like that. I don’t think you should feel guilty about it. Your email was very honest and they still send it to you. 🙂
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thank you so much, makes me feel better haha.
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I’m totally interested in hearing about the event! 😄
I’m glad you’re excited about your WIP! I love being excited about writing; right now, though, I’m stuck in my rewriting because I have to choose between two ways I could rewrite… and I like both ideas… *facepalm*
You want a link to my recap? Okie.
http://juliascreativecorner.com/how-is-my-blog-performing-in-february/
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Thanks so much Julia, definitely considering writing a post now haha! Will check out your recap soon!
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I WANT TO READ A THOUSAND PAPER NOTES SO BADLY YOU’RE SO LUCKYYYY 😭😭😭 and you better like simon or i will come for you except not really because you live far away. also THANK YOU FOR THE SHOUTOUT!! YOU’RE AMAZING 💞
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I AM VERY LUCKY AHHAHA. I did like simon, 4 stars though ahaha. LOVE YOU
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i will cut you how could you only give it four stars it’s clearly worth all five and then some I MEAN i’m so happy you liked it bc it’s my fAVE!!
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i feel like the hype ruined it for me, also contemporary books take so much for me to like it and a lot of it was “mehhh” and like typical BUT SIMON AND BLUE WERE SO CUTE OMFG!!!!
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OH GOOD YOU AGREE THAT THE BEST CANON COUPLE EVER WRITTEN IS CUTE
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Okay wait kinda weird question but how do you receive physical ARCS of books? Do you have to email the publisher directly and ask or do they contact you? I get some eARCS through NetGalley but physical ARCS would be exciting too.
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I’ll email you. Very detailed answer ahah
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aw you’re the best 🙂
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Don’t hate yourself! Way to get out there and do it!! I’m so proud. I emailed Lin Manuel director of Hamilton the musical about fund raising and not only did he put my singing video on his twitter but he sent me a HAND WRITTEN THANK YOU CARD!! I CRIED SM THAT DAY AHHHH. Way to go girl ask and you shall receive.
-Artsyteen @ hearwhatsup
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Thank you so much!! WOW THATS AMAZING!! Goes to show what you can get just by asking, so happy for you ❤
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Ahhh it’s so cool that you got the starfish package, it must have been so nervewracking to write that email!
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Yeah very nervewracking haha WHY DO I DO THIS TO MYSELFF??
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Great post, Ilsa!
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Thanks Bella
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No problem!
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Happy March! I’m glad February went pretty well for you. 🙂 Ahh, I hope you get around to writing a post about the writing event you went to, that would be awesome to read! Also, don’t feel bad about getting Starfish- your email was so honest, and I’m sure the publishers want to give out as many books as possible. I hope your March goes wonderfully!
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Thank you!! I think I will write a post soon so look out for that!! Thank you so much that makes me feel a lot better about the whole situation ❤
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I SEE MY GF UP THERE AYYYYYY
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YOU GUYS ARE SO CUTE
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Good luck with the request! 😀
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I LOVE YOUR BOOKSTAGRAM.
Also *screams softly because of ATPN and all the emotions I’m having which just can be summed up as ajfdksald* And like you had a wildly up and down reading month there didn’t you?! Either super love or hate.😂 Such fun.
YAY for the writers’ event you went to, that is SO amazing and I’m so glad you had a good time! *cheers for you* Also SNOW. I want to see snow. I’d probably not like it due to not liking being cold or wet, but hey one has to see snow before they can make an opinion right?! Also much luck for Camp NaNo! I usually join in but holy heck I’ve done NOTHING this year and I’m so behind on everything.😂 I do have some outlines waiting though so maaaaybe…
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CAIT!! *cries* THANK YOU SO MUCH!!
ATPN WAS AMAZING LETS JUST AGREE ON THIS CAN WE?? And yeahh a verry strange reading month for me!!
THANK YOU!! I felt so great at that writer’s event I can’t wait to go to more. Cait, Snow is amazing you should really try it out sometime haha (though yes afterwards you are literally an iceicle and wish you had never been born haha)
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Thank you so much for mentioning my post!!!! Starfish looks so amazing and i honestly want to read it so badly i’m jealous…sounds like most of the books you read this month you enjoyed!! Too bad aboutNot if i save you first, i thought that had looked good but sad you didn’t like it
Have a great March!
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Your welcome!! Starfish….AGH YOU NEED TO READ IT HONESTLY!! Not if Save you first was okay, entertaining at least I guess but really nothing special! Thanks, Hope you have a good March too
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We got snow up in my end of the country too (I’m in the North East of England)! I didn’t mind it too much because I barely leave the house but snow means that I can’t hug my dog when he comes back inside from a walk because he ends up all gross and wet 😂
Ooohh, I’m so jealous that you got to read A Thousand Perfect Notes! I can’t wait for it to come out, I’m so impatient.
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Snow is awesome though!! And aww, a dog!! I love dogs. A Thousand Perfect Notes is amazing. Hope you love it when it comes out!
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