Monthly Wrap-Up: January 2024

Just like it does every year, January feels like it lasts a lifetime but not nearly long enough. I can’t believe we’re already bidding the first month of a new year adieu but here we are, rolling into February! January was a pretty low-key month with work picking up speed very slowly and my social life being non-existent, as per usual, lol.

On a more personal front, I did take a big step this month to finally go to the doctor. Due to past medical trauma, I’ve put off seeing a doctor or doing anything that involves taking care of my health for years. I’m not proud of it, especially considering how much I advocate for others to take care of themselves, but a couple of weeks ago, I scrounged up my courage and finally went. That appointment led to me getting a minor day procedure done this past Tuesday, and I came out of the operating theatre floating on a cloud of anaesthesia but already feeling better for the step that I took. I’m spending the rest of this week half-resting, half WFH and just focusing on recovering before going in to find out more about the results next week.

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Birthstone Book Covers: January 2024

Hello friends, it’s been a hot minute since I did a Birthstone Book Covers post but today I finally mustered up some energy to take a picture of some books off my physical shelves! Now without further ado, let’s get to it!

The Rules

  • Mention the creator (Leslie @ Books Are The New Black ) and link back to me so I can see your post!
  • Pick 5+ book covers that match the current monthโ€™s Birthstone.
  • HAVE FUN!
  • Nominate people if you want!
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Sundays in Bed With… #MyWeeklyWrapUp [220]

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 reading in bed or wish you had time to read today!

I’ll be spending my Sunday night reading what I’m ashamed to admit is a very overdue ARC. We’re working through the list (there’s a list!) slowly… I’m about 57% through Down Comes the Night. Saft has been on my radar for a while but this is my first book by her and for the most part, I’m enjoying it! ๐Ÿ˜Š

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Book Review: We Are Okay by Nina LaCour

We Are Okay
Publisher: Penguin Books
Pub Date: 14 February 2017
Genre: Young Adult Contemporary Fiction

Panda Rating:

(3.5 pandas)

๐Ÿ“– SYNOPSIS

You go through life thinking thereโ€™s so much you need…. Until you leave with only your phone, your wallet, and a picture of your mother. Marin hasnโ€™t spoken to anyone from her old life since the day she left everything behind. No one knows the truth about those final weeks. Not even her best friend Mabel. But even thousands of miles away from the California coast, at college in New York, Marin still feels the pull of the life and tragedy sheโ€™s tried to outrun. Now, months later, alone in an emptied dorm for winter break, Marin waits. Mabel is coming to visit and Marin will be forced to face everything thatโ€™s been left unsaid and finally confront the loneliness that has made a home in her heart.

An intimate whisper that packs an indelible punch , We Are Okay is Nina LaCour at her finest. This gorgeously crafted and achingly honest portrayal of grief will leave you urgent to reach across any distance to reconnect with the people you love.

โš ๏ธ CONTENT/TRIGGER WARNINGS

Death of parent, death of a grandfather from drowning, mental illness, grief

I put off reading this forย yearsย because it gave such sad read vibes that I knew I had to be emotionally prepared for it. But seeing as January 2024 seems to have me in my sad reads era, I finally picked it up and yep, we are not okay, Nina LaCour. ๐Ÿฅฒ That is, this book was beautiful, sad, touching and healing and I’m so glad that I finally read it.

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Book Review: Divine Rivals by Rebecca Ross

Divine Rivals (Letters of Enchantment #1)
Publisher: Magpie
Pub Date: 13 April 2023
Genre: Young Adult Romantasy

Panda Rating:

(5 pandas)

๐Ÿ“– SYNOPSIS

NO GOD
NO CREATURE
NO WAR
CAN COME BETWEEN THEM

The latest from the number one SUNDAY TIMES bestseller Rebecca Ross


When two young rival journalists find love through a magical connection, their fate depends on their facing the depths of hellโ€ฆ together.

After centuries of sleep, the gods are warring againโ€ฆ

All eighteen-year-old Iris Winnow wants to do is hold her family together. With a brother on the frontline forced to fight on behalf of the Gods now missing from the frontline and a mother drowning her sorrows, Irisโ€™s best bet is winning the columnist promotion at the Oath Gazette.

But when Irisโ€™s letters to her brother fall into the wrong hands โ€“ that of the handsome but cold Roman Kitt, her rival at the paper โ€“ an unlikely magical connection forms.

Expelled into the middle of a mystical war, magical typewriters in tow, can their bond withstand the fight for the fate of mankind and, most importantly, love?

An epic enemies-to-lovers fantasy novel filled with hope and heartbreak, and the unparalleled power of love.

โš ๏ธ CONTENT/TRIGGER WARNINGS

Death, death of a parent, war scenes, violence, explosions, serious injury, PTSD

TL;DR: This was every bit as amazing as everyone said it would be! The writing was exquisite, the world-building and magic were intriguing and the characters were so easy to love. The romance in particular was passionate, swoontastic, and had my heart soaring! Unsurprisingly, this had me sobbing big bad ugly tears and after that ending, I can’t wait to continue with the second book.

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Book Review: Forged by Magic by Jenna Wolfhart

Forged by Magic (Falling for Fables #1)
Pub Date: 11 July 2023
Genre: Cosy Fantasy Romance

Panda Rating:

(3.5 pandas)

๐Ÿ“– SYNOPSIS

A heartwarming, feel-good fantasy romanceโ€ฆwith a helping of spice and only a pinch of danger.

Trapped in a tower by the emperor who conquered her homeland, Daella yearns for an escape. But as one of the few half-orcs left in the world, she knows sheโ€™ll never be free, much less find her own happily ever after.

Destiny takes an unexpected turn when the emperor offers her a deal. To earn her freedom, she must journey to the mysterious Isles of Fable and track down wielders of outlawed dragon magic. Eager to seize her chance, Daella agrees.

When a brutal storm tosses her ship off course, she washes up on the wrong islandโ€”right at the feet of Rivelin, a gruff but handsome elven blacksmith, who seems more likely to stab her than help her. To her surprise, he offers her shelter until the next ship passes through in six weeksโ€™ time.

Daella soon realizes heโ€™s hiding something big. It could be the very magic sheโ€™s been tasked to hunt downโ€”the key to her long-awaited freedom. But as they bicker over the flames of his forge, her heart kindles with something sheโ€™s never felt before.

When his secrets finally come to light, Daella must decide whatโ€™s more her freedom from the wicked crown or the desires of her heart.

Forged by Magic is a complete, stand-alone fantasy romance novel set in the whimsical world of Falling for Fables.

โš ๏ธ CONTENT/TRIGGER WARNINGS

Captivity, moderate violence, death of family recounted, sex on page

TL;DR: It took me a minute to get into this story but once I was hooked, I didn’t want to put it down! This was action-packed and full of magical adventure and a somewhat literally steamy romance. ๐Ÿ˜‰ Daella and Rivelin were fun characters to root for as you see them go from untrustworthy enemies, and tentative friends to eventual lovers. It was a nice slow burn! Overall, this was a great first cosy-ish fantasy romance at the start of a new series and I can’t wait to continue it soon!

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