Readathon Mini Reviews: Her Royal Highness, Heretics Anonymous, Love Songs & Other Lies

In case you didn’t know, I’ve participated in some readathons over the past few weeks.

The first wasn’t too fancy, just some challenges Mia and I created for ourselves. The second readathon I joined in on was Summerathon, and I ended up reading four books in the past weeks!

After reading, these were some of the books that I wanted to review and I thought to make it easier for everyone, I’d put all of my thoughts into one post in (slightly) more concise form.

Summerathon TBR | 5 Books, 1 Week

I love readathons with all of my heart.

Not only because they motivate me to read more (which they absolutely do), but also because I love interacting with people online while we’re all working towards the same goal.

This week I’ll be participating in Summerathon, which starts on Friday, June 21st (today! A.k.a the summer solstice!) and ends on Thursday, June 27th. Check out this video if you want some more information!

Here is my TBR for it! I’m going to try to fill all the challenges, which, if I do, will mean I’ve read five books in less than a week, which I haven’t done in at least a year.

Summer Cleaning: Books I’m Finally Unhauling

Today, I’m cleansing my bookshelves.

I have one bookshelf in my room, and it’s starting to really fill up. As such, it’s time for another unhaul.

I’ve talked about some tips to unhauling your books on my blog before, but it’s been a while since I’ve practiced what I’ve been preaching. So, I figured I’d use some common excuses us bookworms make for keeping a book to pick apart my shelves a little bit. For each excuse, I inserted a book from my shelf that fits under that category that I am finally saying goodbye to.

I’m not saying you have to an unhaul the books that fit into these categories, but it might be a good idea to re-evaluate whether you really need it, especially if you’re already looking to free up some bookshelf real estate.

A Rare June TBR

I’m not a huge TBR person.

It’s the mood reader in me. When I make a TBR, I’m probably less likely to read any of the books on there, you know, in the spirit of rebelling against the system.

However, this month will be an exception for two reasons:

1. I’m doing a little readathon with Mia @ Pen and Parchment with specific prompts from Monday, June 3, to Sunday, June 9, so that will help keep me on a TBR!
2. Since it’s Pride month, I want to work on reading some of the LGBTQ+ books on my shelf.

So without further ado, let’s get right into it! I’ll start with Mia and I’s readathon TBR.

Tales of a Brief Hiatus and Reading Break | Book Discussion

May hit me like a truck, you guys.

This year, I’ve managed to be pretty active on this blog, which I’m really proud of. For the most part, I’ve kept to a blogging schedule, even during the busy weeks, and managed to post consistently.

Unfortunately, all of that came to a screeching halt this month.

April 2019 | Wrap-Up

What a month, folks.

It feels like it’s been forever since I’ve been on here, but I have actually been semi-active with my posting this month, all things considered (even if most of that was scheduled posting and my head was buried in an art history textbook while it was happening).

Gotta say though, while April was busy and stressful, and I barely got any reading done, I still enjoyed it! And, without further ado, here is the breakdown of it.

My Top 6 Audiobook Recommendations

Audiobooks are my secret reading weapon.

I understand that they’re not for everyone (although, I’m hoping some of the books on here will change that), but they have been so helpful to me over the last few months in getting me to read more. As a reader, consuming a book in the same format over and over can start to feel boring.

Sometimes your eyes just don’t feel like cooperating. Sometimes your hands are tired of holding the book. Sometimes, you just want to sit in the dark with your eyes closed and relax, while still absorbing a story.

The solution? Audiobooks. Yup. It’s that simple.

So if you’ve felt hesitant to give the little oral novels (only synonym I could think of for audiobooks) a try, then direct your attention to this post. Immediately! I cannot allow you to go on another moment without giving one of these fantastic books on tape (ah, another!) a try.

Why Branching Out in Reading is Important ft. The Cruel Prince | Book Discussion

As readers, and as humans, we can become creatures of habit.

I myself am extremely guilty of this. A few months ago, I started to admire how lately, I seem to know exactly which books I’ll like, and I pick those up so that I can have a blissful reading experience. I’m not always right, but I often am, leading to a lot of high ratings on my Goodreads shelf.

Don’t get me wrong, this is a great place to be! Being able to recognize what kind of story will make you feel good is great. But, I would argue, so is picking up something that you usually wouldn’t, that you’re maybe not positive will become a favorite.

March 2019 | Wrap Up

My birthday month (AKA the best month of the year) is over.

Yes, that’s right, I turned 17 this month! OUTRAGEOUS. I’m at, like, the ideal YA age right now, but I haven’t received a letter, met my new mentor, or had to save the world. Oh, well. I have an entire year to catch up!

Other then having a great birthday, March was just an all-around good month!

You’d Be Mine by Erin Hahn: Charming, Musical, and Soulful | ARC Review

Title: You’d Be Mine

Author: Erin Hahn

Genre: YA Contemporary

Publisher: Wednesday Books

Published: April 2, 2019

Format: ARC

Annie Mathers is America’s sweetheart and heir to a country music legacy full of all the things her Gran warned her about. Superstar Clay Coolidge is most definitely going to end up one of those things. 

But unfortunately for Clay, if he can’t convince Annie to join his summer tour, his music label is going to drop him. That’s what happens when your bad boy image turns into bad boy reality. Annie has been avoiding the spotlight after her parents’ tragic death, except on her skyrocketing YouTube channel. Clay’s label wants to land Annie, and Clay has to make it happen. 

Swayed by Clay’s undeniable charm and good looks, Annie and her band agree to join the tour. From the start fans want them to be more than just tour mates, and Annie and Clay can’t help but wonder if the fans are right. But if there’s one part of fame Annie wants nothing to do with, it’s a high-profile relationship. She had a front row seat to her parents’ volatile marriage and isn’t interested in repeating history. If only she could convince her heart that Clay, with his painful past and head over heels inducing tenor, isn’t worth the risk.