July Wrap Up – Quite a few books along with quite a few changes

Did anyone else feel like July dragged?

As in, dragged along like a rock tied around a snail shell while the little creature treks it’s way across a mile long field while avoiding circling birds.

Because I sure do.

As always, this is going to be a long post, so get comfy and enjoy!

PS. It’s really rather difficult to hold this many books. They’re heavy and slide around, you know!

So in the month of July I read 8 books – considering I usually read one book a week and TWO of the books I read were really quite large, I’m quite chuffed with that! 

Never Fade

by Alexandra Bracken

Rated 2/5 stars – [Review]

Well, I’ve been going off a lot of the series I used to love lately, and this is proof of it. Before christmas I reread the first book in this series and rated it 4.5/5 I think, but now…I just don’t really like dystopian any more, it seems. Or at least not this series. I didn’t really like reading it, but you know. It had that many “plot twists” it became predictable and seemed to be trying too hard.
Amazon | Goodreads 

Wuthering Heights

by Emily Bronte

Rated 4.5/5 stars – [Review]

This really surprised me.

I’m always hesitant when it comes to classics, because they take me so much longer to read, but this one…I loved it! It was easy to understand (apart from one character’s accent, but there were notes to help) and the Victorian drama kept me amused. I love how words used to mean so much more back then.
Amazon | Goodreads 

To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before

by Jenny Han

Rated 4/5 stars – [Review]

Surprisingly, I read this book in a day. As I’m always mentioning, I’m a really slow reader so that doesn’t happen often.

But this was a light hearted, cute and fluffy read. While I didn’t agree with Lara Jean’s choices, it was entertaining to read about, and I loved the family dynamic!

Amazon | Goodreads

The Next Together

by Lauren James

Rated 3.5/5 stars – [Review]

Finally, I’m getting through the books I’ve been meaning to read for months! So, this one was a real mystery to me, and I really enjoyed the “reincarnation” aspect of the story. It’s got history, it’s got romance, it’s got a lot of question-inducing events. The only thing that bothered me was the fact that NONE of my question were answered. AARRGGGHHH!

Amazon | Goodreads 

Replica

by Lauren Oliver

Rated ??? /5 – [Review will be up closer to publication]

Hodder & Stoughton very kindly sent me an ARC of Replica, a book that had been on my radar the second I learnt about the “flip book” formatting.

Well, the intrigue didn’t let me down and I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I only had one issue with some of the relationships formed, but that’ll be explained more in my review. The review will be up in September, so stay tuned!
Amazon | Goodreads

A Monster Calls

by Patrick Ness

Rated 3.5/5 stars – [Review]

Ahh, another quick read.  I got this book not long ago, wanting a quick read and a sort of graphic novel. I DID enjoy the book very much, and adored the art inside. But for me, it really wasn’t what I was expecting and the atmosphere created by the art didn’t seem to match the story all that well. I think I’ll end up rereading it in the future though, and maybe I’ll be more invested then.
Amazon | Goodreads

Beneath Wandering Stars

by Ashlee Cowles

Rated 3/5 stars – [Review]

Well, it’s safe to say I had mixed feelings about this one. I liked it, but it was a very different reading for me…about a pilgrimage. There’s no action, it’s just a journey and a lot of life lessons. But enjoyable. A short book, but a long read.

See what I mean about mixed feelings?

I adore the cover though, so there’s that *shrugs*
Amazon | Goodreads

Dragonfly In Amber

by Diana Gabaldon

Rated ???/5 stars – [Review will be up soon!]

By far my longest book of this month, I managed to finish this one yesterday, just in time for Harry Potter and the Cursed Child.

I really enjoyed this one, but not quite as much as the first book, which is a bit of a shame. Obviously, I’ll explain more in my review, which will be up in the next few days!
Amazon | Goodreads

I preordered Harry Potter and the Cursed Child a while ago, and since it’s the release day tomorrow I’ll be down there as soon as the bookstore opens (they DID say they’ll text me when I can come and pick it up, but I’ll be going, text or no).

So, if all goes to plan, I’ll get Cursed Child tomorrow, and then I’ll start reading it in the evening! *whispers* and probably for most of the night.

Amazon | Goodreads (PS. Amazon sell it for half price. Just in case you haven’t ordered it yet!)

Discussions:

Let’s Talk…Readathons. Do They Do Anything For You?

Let’s talk…Genre stereotypes and the clouding of judgement (+ some recommendations!)

Let’s Talk…Slaying my way through YA judgers *cough* possibly a rant *cough*

Let’s Talk:Cursed Child hopes, Fantastic Beasts movie and general wizarding wonders!

Random:

June Wrap Up

Confession: I… am a stereotypical bookworm *and the crowd gasps with horror*

Just a few of the reasons why you should carry a book around with you everywhere you go

Sunday Status: Self inflicted readathons when there’s really just not enough time

Milestones:

400 FOLLOWERS! + Get To Know Me (and a ghost story?)

Just a quick note to say…I’ve changed my blog design!

Just another quick note to say…My Art page is up and running!

Just a quick note to say…I’ve made a bookish snapchat!

So. Life in general.

The only thing I can think of that’s NOT book related is how much worse my panicking has gotten recently. I mean, I worry about things all the time anyway, and lately there seem to have been a lot more things to panic about. Mainly though, it’s job related. I’m trying to find a part-time job, and have been trying for a very long time now. And up until now, I’m failing. But even thinking about the job process scares the living daylights out of me, so naturally, I panic. *sigh* It seems to be a lot worse lately, but…well, I don’t know. This was mainly towards the start of the month, whereas now I haven’t panicked quite so much lately, so there’s that.

Now, onto nicer things.

My blog reached 400 followers! Which is incredible, so thank you all so so much! There’s even more of you now, so who knows when the next milestone will be?

I did some more bookish fan art – this time a “Lady of the Night Court” painting, inspired by A Court of Mist and Fury. You’ve probably already seen this, because it’s on my art page as well as my Twitter, but just in case you haven’t, here’s a close up:

Speaking of my art page, that gives me a VERY nice segway into my next point…

I’ve made quite a few changes lately when it comes to my internet presence. I feel like it’d take WAY TOO LONG to talk through them all, so I’ll bullet point:

◊ Near the start of the month, my blog was redesigned. No doubt you’re all used to this now.

◊ I added an art page to my blog.

◊ I edited my “About” page slightly.

◊ I changed my Twitter username so that it matches my blog name (now @ frolic_fiction)

◊ And the most recent, I made a bookish/blogger snapchat! This one I’m really excited about (probably because it only started on Friday), and so far I’m LOVING IT. It’s mainly book related, as you would have guessed, but there’s also blog updates, random things and my cat. Plus my face and dodgy accent (ahhh, if only I was one of those English people who sounded slightly posh).

If you’re interested, please feel free to add me! I love updating my story and seeing what you guys are up to too 😀  Username “frolic_fiction”

And finally…

I finished my Goodreads Challenge!

I set it at 50 because like I always say, I usually read one book a week, and with there being 52 weeks in a year, it seemed like a great goal for me (one without any pressure).

And then I read a lot more than usual, basically. I’ve just been SLAYING my way through those books recently 😀

Compared to my usual self at least. Other people read wayyyy more than me, but we’ll ignore that fact for now. I’m doing great. 

I’m really intrigued to see what my percentage will be on the reading challenge at the end of the year 😆

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So there we have it! My month of July, all wrapped up!

As always, I applaud you if you managed to make it this far

Have you read any of the books I read in July? What did you think?

How many books did you read this month? Which was your favourite of the month?

Did you buy any new books? How many and which ones? (feel free to link your haul!)

Did any interesting events happen this month for you?

Visit anywhere nice? 

What are you currently reading, going into the month of August?

Let me know in the comments!

Until next time…

Come and visit me!