We’re back with another Sundays in Bed With… meme! This meme dares to ask you what book has been in your bed this morning and is hosted by Midnight Book Girl. Come share what book you’ve spent your time curled up reading in bed with or which book you wish you had time to read today!

I’ll be wrapping up my Sunday in bed still reading The Poppy War by R.F. Kuang. This is a pretty slow-going re-read for me simply because work has taken over my life and I have zero brain cells and energy for anything else? 😭 I’m very behind on my buddy read and I feel terrible about it!
📖 SYNOPSIS
A brilliantly imaginative talent makes her exciting debut with this epic historical military fantasy, inspired by the bloody history of China’s twentieth century and filled with treachery and magic, in the tradition of Ken Liu’s Grace of Kings and N.K. Jemisin’s Inheritance Trilogy.
When Rin aced the Keju—the Empire-wide test to find the most talented youth to learn at the Academies—it was a shock to everyone: to the test officials, who couldn’t believe a war orphan from Rooster Province could pass without cheating; to Rin’s guardians, who believed they’d finally be able to marry her off and further their criminal enterprise; and to Rin herself, who realized she was finally free of the servitude and despair that had made up her daily existence. That she got into Sinegard—the most elite military school in Nikan—was even more surprising.
But surprises aren’t always good.
Because being a dark-skinned peasant girl from the south is not an easy thing at Sinegard. Targeted from the outset by rival classmates for her color, poverty, and gender, Rin discovers she possesses a lethal, unearthly power—an aptitude for the nearly-mythical art of shamanism. Exploring the depths of her gift with the help of a seemingly insane teacher and psychoactive substances, Rin learns that gods long thought dead are very much alive—and that mastering control over those powers could mean more than just surviving school.
For while the Nikara Empire is at peace, the Federation of Mugen still lurks across a narrow sea. The militarily advanced Federation occupied Nikan for decades after the First Poppy War, and only barely lost the continent in the Second. And while most of the people are complacent to go about their lives, a few are aware that a Third Poppy War is just a spark away…
Rin’s shamanic powers may be the only way to save her people. But as she finds out more about the god that has chosen her, the vengeful Phoenix, she fears that winning the war may cost her humanity… and that it may already be too late.
What are you currently reading?

What weekend doesn’t pass by in a blur? It definitely wasn’t this one. I ended up doing nothing but reading on Saturday and I kinda regret it cos I had plans to do more but I think I also needed the reset because my brain was pooped by the time the week ended and I had zero capacity for anything more than lifting my Kindle. I had a bit more energy today, read the books I needed to catch up on and ended up taking a nice late afternoon walk with my dad. It was nice to just spend time with him talking about life and it was a great way to end my weekend! 💜

On books: I picked up a backlist romance on a whim yesterday after surprisingly seeing it on KU. I’ve been wanting to read this romance since it was released last year and though it wasn’t terrible, it wasn’t what I expected and I didn’t end up fully enjoying it. Did I finish it anyway? Yuh, I did. 🙃 Oh well, it happens, right? Lol.
On blogging: I broke my posting streak yesterday cos I didn’t prepare a post and I had no energy to think about looking through my drafts and polishing off a post from there. I’m a little annoyed but again, it is what it is. I needed the break! I’m hoping to be a little bit more organised next week though! On a different note, I’m trying out a new background on my bl
ICYMI, here’s what I posted on the blog this week:
- Let’s Talk Bookish: Collecting Books
- Spotify Wrapped Book Tag
- #WWWWednesday: 18 January 2023
- #TopTenTuesday: 10 Backlist Books I WILL Read in 2023!
- ARC Review: Moonrise Over New Jessup by Jamila Minnicks


flowers – lauren spencer-smith
“If there’s anything I’ve learned, it’s you should watch yourself
If it’s hurting you, then leave and go and get some help”
I hope you’re all doing okay and treating yourself with care. Let’s have a great week ahead! 💜

The flowers are pretty. It’s good to let yourself have the time you need even if you had other plans. I never try to plan too much because I know I need that down time on weekends. And quality time with loved ones is always time well spent
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Thanks, Sam! I try not to plan too much most of the time as well so when I finally do plan something it’s kind of annoying when it doesn’t happen. But I did need the break so it’s okay 🙂 I hope you’re having a lovely week so far!
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I like the flowers! They’re pretty. The only way I could think of making it stand out more would be a black border around the post section.
I’m exhausted this weekend as well. Don’t let the missing the post thing bug you. Streaks are meant to be broken. 😉
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Thanks, Deanna! I was looking for something nice and purple 🙂 I use WordPress and not the self-hosted one so I’m not sure how to make a black border around the post section. I don’t think it’s possible but I’ll keep that in mind to try and see if I can figure it out! I hope you’re having a good and less-exhausting week so far 🌻
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I wouldn’t know how to do a black border either! Don’t even worry about it. I was just thinking it would make the purple and your posts stand out. Not worth wasting time on.
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You’re right though, it would look nice 😊
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That’s so nice that you were able to spend some time with your dad, Dini! I hope this week will be a little less stressful for you!
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Thanks, Julie! I hope you’re having a good week so far
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I love the flower background you added! It’s so pleasant and it makes me happy. ^_^ I hope you get a break from the busy-ness that you seem to be keeping up with at work!
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Thanks, Celeste! I think I’m slowly getting used to it and liking it more now. 😃 Work is going to be super hectic until at least March but that’s OK. I guess it’s better than being bored? I do miss my reading time though. 😂 I hope you’re having a good week so far!
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I really love the flower background, it is so pretty and I love the abundance of purple! 💜 Sometimes we all need a break to just relax without thinking about what else we should be doing. It sounds like Saturday was needed! I hope this week is less stressful for you!
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Thanks, Sophie! I’m liking it more now that I’ve had time to get used to it, haha. I love purple so I’m all about more purple! 😍 Saturday was definitely needed and I can’t wait for another Saturday. I hope you’re having a great week so far! 💜
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It’s great to take a day where you do nothing but read. We all need those kind of breaks to recharge. And it’s so lovely that you enjoy walks with your dad. I know he loves them too!
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Yeah, as much as I wanted to be productive, a day of doing nothing but read was definitely needed! He did enjoy it and we’re going to try to make it a weekly thing now 🙂 I hope you’re having a great week, Tessa!
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I feel like I have had minimal energy too haha. I am only 63% through The Poppy War but will hopefully make a dent in it today.
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I hope that it’s just the January blues or whatever, haha. I need more energy to get through this year! 😂 I just finished TPW today (Thurs) and I already can’t wait until we pick up the next one. I feel like March is gonna come quick. I hope you’re having a great week, Joanna!
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It definitely will! The year is already going quick haha.
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Omg, right? I hope it slows down a little at some point, it feels like break neck speed right now haha
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My weekend and yours sound similar, except for the walk with dad (I miss mine, can I borrow yours?) I hope you have a great week.
Pam @ Read! Bake! Create!
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Sending hugs! Thanks, Pam. I hope you’re having a great week so far! 🌻
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The walk with your dad sounds nice. I really hope work gets better for you soon!!
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It was very lovely 🙂 Thanks, Ali! I hope you’re having a great week so far 💜
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I love the flower background, Dini! Some weekends you indeed just need a reset. I hope your week is a little easier now!
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Thanks, Lindsey! A weekend of doing nothing was definitely much needed. I can’t wait for the next one to come 😂 I hope you’re having a great week so far!
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Sometimes you just need a day to do nothing. Maybe this Saturday you’ll feel like being super productive. 🙂 Too bad that backlist title on KU didn’t work out. Hopefully your next read is/was a winner.
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Tomorrow is my sister’s bday so it’s definitely gonna be a bit more active than last week! I hope you’re having a great week so far and have an awesome weekend, Tanya!
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I’m so sorry that I’m insanely behind on blog hopping. I’m going to try and be better. LOL. I really hope you have a wonderful week and that work isn’t too crazy. Love ya, girlie!!
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Haha, that’s OK cos SAME! My exposure on Twitter has dipped SO much though, I hardly get any engagement on there anymore and I have no idea why, lol. But anyway, it is what it is 😂 I hope you’re having a good week too and have a great weekend, Leslie! 💜 Lots of love xx
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Haha, I totally know I’ve neglected things, which I’m okay. I have a good excuse! haha. I’m sure it will only get worse as I grow & when baby gets here. At least, I’m still reading some. With Oliver, I did zero reading the whole time!! haha.
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