May Whispers // Lots of reading (!!), lots of studying (!!), lots of speaking out (!!) but not much book mail, oops.

May was a “meh” month for me.

Nothing particularly GOOD happened. But nothing REALLY bad happened?! I think it’s like May was a prequel novel to the REAL novel, June. I did a lot this month in preparation for next month so I feel like June will be so much more eventful!?

I did read a lot of books though! And I did some super scary things. Buuuuut let’s get into the recap.

I read 10 books!! Which is AMAZING considering 1) I was in a slump at the beginning of the month and 2) I had exams and was stressing + this month was SO busy. I’m incredibly proud of myself for reading so much!

3.45 was my average rating for this month and I think that says it all. Some books were REALLY good and some were trash and that’s the tea 🙂

Bone Gap (x2) by Laura Ruby ★★★★★ // I read this in one day and then re-read it the next day. OOPS. It was amazing and magical!! [review to come]

A Girl Like That by Tanaz Bhathena ★★★☆☆ // Really good messages about rape culture in Middle Eastern Countries but a horrible portrayal of Muslims (apparently we are all evil and messed up ) [read my review here]

The Hazel Wood by Melissa Albert ★★★☆☆ // This was cool and creepy but we were THRUST into the fantasy world and so I was overwhelmed?! [review to come]

The Summer of Us by Cecilia Vinesse ★★★★.5 // UH I ACTUALLY LIKED A FLUFFY CONTEMPORARY. WAS UP WAY TOO LATE READING THIS BUT CUTE!! [read my review here]

I Have Lost My Way by Gayle Forman ★★☆☆☆ // Really excited for this BUT GUESS WHAT!??! There was a disgusting, stereotypical representation of the Muslim family AND the ending was annoying. It was kinda entertaining tho. [review to come]

Wonder by R.J Placio ★★★.5 //  Really good!! but the ending was unrealistic in my opinion…[read my review here]

Monday’s Not Coming by Tiffany D. Jackson ★☆☆☆☆ // WHAT THE FRICK WAS THAT ENDING. I’m kinda annoyed I read this 400 paged book and we get some half-baked plot twist.  [read my review here]

Crooked Kingdom by Leigh Bardugo ★★★★★ // This was a re-read and I CRIED IT WAS SO GOOD PERFECTION I LOVE IT

Girl Made of Stars by Ashley Herring Blake rating to come // i…?! Re-read this to see if I would like it the second time round but I’m not sure still so?!?!? [read my review here]

OOPS, I only got 1 book this month!? It’s kinda sad…haha. Last month, I got loads of books and now I just got one from a book box (WHICH I WILL UNBOX SOON!!) and it looks pretty cool. But yes, that’s all the book mail I got. not that i am ungrateful or anything!! i know 1 book can be a big thing for some people!! i am grateful for the book mail i get!!

Netgalley

 

Click on the covers to go the GR page.

I got granted for my wish for LOTO and I was really happy but then I heard some ?%??^&£%!£$%^&*&^%)(*%$£ things about it so I’m not sure when I’ll read it now. I was really excited for Not The Girls You’re Looking For but I started it and I’m not liking it, oops. I’m on a blog tour for it though so I will be picking it up soon. I love the vibrant covers of both of these!!

I only posted twice but that’s okay. I really liked the two posts I put up and I’m actually planning a lot more posts for June (which is only like four but it is progress!!) I know I’ve said this previously BUT I LOVE BEING MORE RELAXED ABOUT BLOGGING 10/10 recommend.

BLOGS

I ACTUALLY BLOG HOPPED THIS MONTH YAY IM SUCH A HAPPY BEAN.

• May @ Forever and Everly talks about the pressure that comes with “ownvoices” and it is an amazing + detailed post, go check it out
• Olivia @ Purely Olivia has a super fun post about her summer TBR.
• Ju @ Paper Blots talks about overused discussion posts
• Ioana @ Dragon Waffles writes a super fun Q&A to celebrate her blogiversary!!
• Nadia @ Headscarves and Hardbacks shares some books by Muslim authors
• Haadiya @ The Starlit Reader comes back from her hiatus
• Ruby @ Ruby Rae reads tells us her 5-star predictions.
• May @ Forever and Everly shares Asian YA recommendations which you should all look at.
• Joanna @ starburnt readers posts a magical review of Summer of Salt.

NEWS

• Cait @ Paper fury is PUBLISHING A SECOND BOOK CALLED THE BOY WHO STEALS HOUSES.
• Leigh Bardugo ANNOUNCED A THIRD SIX OF CROWS BOOK I AM SCREAMING!!
• 
• SOMEONE HOLD ME!!! I also flailed on Goodreads about this book WHICH I NEED.
• Those are the literal only 2 pieces of news I’m excited about book-wise?!? Let me know if anything else exciting happened.
• OH WAIT KING OF FOOLS GOT A BLURB AND THERE IS GONNA BE GIRL GANGS. I REPEAT. GIRL GANGS.

• I went on an Instagram and Twitter hiatus!! It was for about three weeks and I did got on for about 5 mins on Twitter just so I wasn’t out of the loop.
• Also, Leigh Bardugo casually dropped the news there is gonna be a third SIX OF CROWS BOOK IM SCREAMING. This means the absolute world to me omg. MORE NINA ZENIK AND KANEJ I CANNOT FUNCTION. but she said, “many years down the line” which ?!?! HOW AM I SUPPOSED TO WAIT.
• I did a speech in front of my school about how I struggle to share my writing. There was a public speaking event and so I decided to join. I REGRETTED IT SO MUCH. I stood up in everyone and talked about how I get so anxious about sharing my “work” and then I read out one of my poems. It was one of the scariest things I have ever done ahhh WHY DO I DO THINGS LIKE THIS. I am so glad it’s over haha.  (i did feel REALLY good after i finished my speech tho)
• And even more anxiety with mock interviews. Our school took my class to this place and they talked to us about jobs and careers and such. THEN they interviewed us separately and IT WAS THE SCARIEST THING EVER. I mumbled all my answers and I froze up. It was the worst thing ever. 😦
• I also auditioned for a role in my school play! I want to be the narrator (ha, is this surprising) I ReALLY LOVE ACTING if you didn’t know guys (even though I always get so anxious about it funny how that works) so I’m really excited and I’m gonna find out if I got the part soon!! FINGERS CROSSED.
• I’m on a week break from school right now!! SCHOOL IS TOMORROW AND I DONT WANNA GO BACK FOR ANOTHER SIX WEEKS OH HELL!! But, exams are over so it should be pretty chill…hopefully!?
• It’s Ramadan and I’m fasting and hungry. So basically from the second, I wake up to about 9:00pm I CANT EAT FOOD OR DRINK WATER!! (a tiny bit more complicated than that but search it up) It’s actually not THAT hard once you get used to it but @ 8:00pm I always get SUPER hungry because there’s only 1 hour left. Only 14 days until this is over!
• I’ve also been watching more booktube. Insane reader is hilarious and amazing and you should all check his videos out. I’ve been watching Emma reads, a clockwork reader and Hailey In Bookland too!!
• I had exams and studied like hell. Okay, maybe I DIDN’T study as much as I wanted to but I got a decent amount of revision done for the subjects I cared about! The exams I took aren’t too important but I still wanted to do well!
• look!! THATS HOW MESSY MY DESK AND FLOOR IS WHEN STUDYING. I don’t even know how I keep track of things oops.
• The Royal Wedding happened! I didn’t watch it but TWITTER WENT CRAZY. (and it was hilarious seeing Non-UK People thinking that Harry and Meghan were our “future king and queen” like No. that is not how it works sorry to break it to you sweeties) I think Meghan looked stunning though!
• 

{goals from last month}

• Do homework on time!!✔
• Read Not The Girls You Are Looking For and Leah on The OffBeat ❌❌ (THIS MONTH MAYBE)
• CHARGE YOUR KINDLE✔
• Read 3 physical ARCs✔
• Edit some of my book? ❌❌
• Survive school exams and revise✔
• Request some ARCs (don’t be lazy)✔
• Keep on top of everything ❌
• Don’t get overwhelmed ❌✔
• Try not to get anxious and nervous about something ❌❌❌ (this was the interview but THAT didn’t go to plan 🙂

{goals for june}

• have fun!!
• Read 3 Physical ARCs
• Post at least five times
• READ NOT THE GIRLS YOU ARE LOOKING FOR PLS
• WORK ON YOUR DAMN NOVEL
• Request ARCs
• Post a review on my blog
• Uh that is it literally it haha?! I don’t have much goals.

JUNE TBR

Now, I’m not one for monthly TBR’s but I have been promising people (&myself) I would read certain books and I think writing that out would be very helpful. This is not my complete plan for June but it IS writing down books I MUST READ.

I MUST READ THESE TWO BOOKS NO MATTER WHAT!!! However, the rest of what I read is all up to you! Vote in the poll below of what you think I should prioritise next month

I’m going to hopefully be posting some very exciting reviews and I DO WANT TO WRITE A DISCUSSION BUT IDK WHAT SKJFKFH. Give me all your ideas or tell me posts you’d like to see from me?! I’m all out of inspiration.

• I also have my writing competition FINALS next week and I AM SO SO SOOOO EXCITED!!! I really hope I win even though I kind of know I won’t?! But still, this is going to be one of the HIGHLIGHTS of my month because I know it’s going to be so fun. wish me luck??
• School’s back and I’m sad but hopefully, it won’t be too bad and not that stressful. PEOPLE ARE ALREADY HAVING SUMMER HOLIDAYS HOW IS THIS FAIR. I still have six whole weeks left of hell.
• It’s going to be Eid!! Which is like a really important celebration for me so hopefully I’ll have fun and get loads of money 😉  AND ALSO THAT MEANS I CAN EAT LOADS OF FOOD WHO IS EXCITED?!?
• It’s my birthday this month!! June 10th marks the day of my birth (and no, i am NOT telling you how old i am tho feel free to guess in the comments) but i’m super excited. You can buy me a present (ONLY IF U WANT TO) here!!

How was your May!? Tell me one highlight of your month? And what was your favourite book you read? What book releases are you looking forward to in June (ATPN!!)? And what events are you excited about? Did you go to BookCon? Let me know about your life recently!