A part of me still finds it hard to believe that June is already over because it means that it’s almost been one month since I’ve come to India! Since I’ve been here, there have been some really great moments but also challenging ones. It’s been so lovely to see one of my closest friends after years of not seeing each other—she has built a successful business for herself and it’s so awesome to see her thrive and be an absolute boss babe. I’ve really pushed myself out of my comfort zone and it’s been fun and nice to have someone to talk to face-to-face to reminisce and to talk about the future!
That said, for years (even pre-pandemic), I’ve been quite “solitary” and haven’t had many people aside from family around me, so the biggest challenge for me has been in adjusting to constantly having someone around. Losing my alone time has been tough at times and even though it’s been great to have company, I’ve also missed the quietness of my own room and having my own space to just be. I feel like I’ve adjusted pretty well so far though but I know that it’ll probably still take us all a bit more time to find our footing!
I managed to read 14 books in June. This was definitely the “slowest” for me in terms of reading and I mean, I shouldn’t be surprised what with all the life changes. I was overly optimistic about how much I’d be able to stick to my ‘usual schedule’ and while I miss my reading time a lot, I know this is probably a healthier balance? 😂 It was a decent month for ratings with the majority being 4-4.5-star range. My favourite reads were definitely Elizabeth O’Roark’s “Devil” books—she practically converted me from being a non-angsty romance reader to loving her angst—but Felix Ever After definitely belongs on the list too! Shirtless men for the win? (jks, kinda, sorta)
**BOOK COVERS are linked to Goodreads. The TITLE TEXT is linked to my review if available!**
5 pandas
4.5 pandas
Our Violent Ends
(ARC) The Devil You Know
4 pandas
(ARC) A Little Bit Country
(ARC) So Not Meant to Be
(ARC) Take the Lead
3.5 pandas
(ARC) Defiant Heart
(ARC) The Kaya Girl
3 pandas
2.5 pandas
2 pandas
Here are a few posts from the book blogging community that I’ve enjoyed reading this past month:
- Rachel @ A Bookworm’s Paradise discusses how Pride & Prejudice does enemies-to-lovers different than modern YA books
- Andge @ Down the Rabbit Hole writes a very introspective review for Portrait of A Thief by Grace Li
- Want to make more bookish friends? Malka @ Paper Procrastinators shares the Top 5 Ways to Gain More Bookish Friends
- Briana and Krysta @ Pages Unbound have recently made a few great posts about BookTok. Briana talks about why a lot of book bloggers aren’t on BookTok and Krysta talks about why she’s not interested in BookTok
- Now that the world is ‘reverting’ to pre-pandemic times, Kate @ Your Tita Kate talks about how return to office affected her bookish life.
- Did you watch the Netflix show ‘First Kill‘ and enjoy it? Julie @ Struck by Stories shares 5+ Sapphic YA Paranormal books to read if you’re as obsessed as she was with it!
- If you’re feeling slumpish, Emily @ Budget Tales Book Blog shares a list of books to pull you out of a reading slump
- After reading this interview with Racquel Marie on Fadwa @ Word Wonders‘ blog, I’ve become more excited to read Ophelia After All asap!
- As book lovers we all love to read—duh! J @ Midnight Book Blog wrote a very relatable post about why she loves to read
- Hayley @ On This I Ponder listed a few Taylor Swift songs that are perfect for The Summer I Turned Pretty. I still haven’t watched the show but I think TS’ vibe does fit it so well!
That’s a wrap for June, friends! What was your favourite read? I know it’s been a rough one for many and my heart hurts for all of you but I hope you were able to find a bit of joy at some point this month. If you ever need an ear, I’m here, so feel free to shoot me a DM anytime. I hope July is a better month for everyone! Happy reading 💜
dinipandareads 
Amazing wrap up, Dini!! I loved your photos btw. They’re beautifully shot and I’m hoping the life adjustments will continue to go well.
Also, I wish I could read as much as you 😂 14 books would be an amazing feat for me in a month. Glad you had some faves you enjoyed in June!
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Thanks so much, Andge! Being in such an aesthetic space definitely makes it easier to get good shots even for an amateur such as myself. 😂 I’m definitely lucky to still have as much time as I do to read but I used to have so much more and I do miss it—it’s an adjustment but I think it’s probably good for me to have a healthier read/life balance 😂 I hope you’re having a great July so far!
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Dini!!!! It’s still a great month of reading!! Haha. I do hope you start to find your footing soon. Totally hard to let go of not having alone time. Are you planning on staying for a few more months, still? Also, very lovely photos! 😍 I hope you have a fabulous July! 💜💜
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It’s definitely still a great month of reading, I know! 😂 And yes, my ticket back is actually in September now so I’m staying on for a fair while longer 🙈 I’m already really looking forward to going back to my books though! Hahaha… I hope you’re having a fabulous month as well, Leslie 💜
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Oh goodness!! September is so far away! You can do it though and then you can get back to your books and read a ton more. 🙂 I’m sure you are having a good time though!! ❤
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Looks like a great month!
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It was a pretty good month 🙂
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How much longer are you in India? I know getting out of my comfort zone is always rough, so kuddos. Personal growth usually tends to follow during those times, too, though, which make it worth it in the end for me. I hope the trip is full of blessings for you.
I’ve seen several people talking up O’Roark’s books over the past couple weeks. I’m definitely hoping to get to the series at some point soon.
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I’ll be in India until September! It’s definitely been an adjustment being here but I do think that it has been good for me to get a healthier balance in my life, lol. Hopefully some positive life changes will come of this! Thanks so much, Ali 💜 And YES! I would defo recommend O’Roark’s books—I wasn’t a huge fan of the first in the series but 2 & 3 are *chefs kiss!*
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I don’t know how I would adjust to not having my own space. I don’t live alone, but I spend most of my time alone in my room. I can understand that being difficult, though it seems that there are way more pros than cons to your life in India.
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Not having my own space has definitely been challenging but I’m slowly getting used to it. I think! 😂 It’s been great to have a better reading/life balance though!
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Hi! Thanks for mentioning my post on here 🙂 June has gone really quick for me too – actually, the whole year has! Are those your own photos – very aesthetic! Hope July goes well for you 🙂
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It was a fun post, Hayley! The year is definitely speeding by faster than I anticipated but I also feel like I say that every year? 😂 I hope you’re having a good July so far!
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Haha I know what you mean – the years really are flying by! July has been good so far – loving the good weather 😆
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Great job in June! I’m glad you are enjoying India and getting out of your comfort zone. It’s something I need to work on lol. Your food looks amazing. 😍
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Thanks, Joanna! India has definitely been a push out the comfort zone but it’s also giving me a better reading/life balance, I think 😂
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Ooo Felix has been on my TBR for a while, I’m glad you liked it & great post (:
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It was so good and I’m so glad it lived up to the hype! I hope you enjoy it if you do pick it up, J. Have a great July 🙂
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I am such an introvert, I’d be exhausted after a month of hanging out with people. I do live with my partner but he doesn’t count, he’s like part of the furniture 🤣 If I go out and socialise I need a few days of quiet time to recover.
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Omg, Ellie, I’m much the same! It has definitely been a HUGE adjustment for me and I definitely have moments where I just go all quiet and into my mind cave because I’m so peopled out but it’s also been really great to be around one of my closest friends again. I know it’s just until September so I know it’s not going to last forever but the first month has defo been a challenge! 😂
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Great wrap up, friend! I hope your July is fantastic, as you deserve it!
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Thank you, friend! I hope your July is amazing as well 💜
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Hope you’ll be able to adjust to having someone around all the time soon. I’d struggle with that as well, but I hope you’ll get used to it quickly. It’s nice that you got to catch up with your friend. And looks like a nice overall reading month! Hope you’ll have an amazing July!
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It’s definitely been challenging but I think we’re getting there, lol. There are still some days I just want to escape into my mind cave and just be an antisocial bean but it’s also been really good having such a close friend around again. I hope you’re having an amazing July so far too, Lindsey! 😊
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O’ Roark’s books sound great! Love your pics, Dini. 😍 I hope you have a fantastic July!
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Aww, thanks Andie! And YAS, I would defo recommend O’Roark’s books! The first one in the Devil series wasn’t a hit for me but these two? *chefs kiss!* 😍 I hope you have a fantastic July too!
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How long are you staying in India for? I think I missed that in an other update. Its great you get to see your friends again though. And I’m glad you have been adjusting.
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I’ll be here until September 🙂 I’m lucky I have one of my closest friends to stay with while I figure out my next steps cos I have no idea what’s next for me 😂 Thanks, Annemieke!
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