Monthly Favourites

February Favourites

07:30

I'm always really sick of February... it's cold, and nothing good usually happens. I think I enjoyed this month loads though! I also gathered quite an impressive book haul... I can't wait to read all the books I bought!

Travelling
This month, I went to Poland with the school, and had one of the best times of my life! We went to Auschwitz-Birkenau, which was a harrowing and really emotional experience, but it was definitely worth it, because it’s so important to learn about history like that. We also did fun things, like have a traditional jewish meal, and listen to a traditional jewish live band. We had some free time in the city of Krakow too, which I really enjoyed!

Clockwise from top left: Engravings done by workers in the salt mine, where they filmed Schindler's List and real old Jewish houses, chairs representing the concentration camp in the same square, a renovated Synagogue (now turned into a museum)

Music
I think this month was a pretty good month for me, in the sense that I discovered a few new bands that I’m pretty much in love with. I’ve really been enjoying Creeper’s music, and I love SWMRS’ new album, Drive North. Also, a band I’ve rediscovered my love for, Catfish and the Bottlemen, finally released some new music. It’s only one song, but I’ll take what I can get! (song featured in the playlist below)


 I met some authors!
In my home city, two of my favourite authors, Juno Dawson and Lisa Williamson, held an event, discussing LGBT+ history month. I was lucky enough to get tickets, and I had an amazing time! I think they’ve both taught me a lot about transgender issues, and I had loads of fun too. They were both really funny!

 I was super pleased to find out they were doing a signing, and meet and greet too. I got Lisa to sign her book, The Art of Being Normal, and Juno to sign her first book, Hollow Pike. It was even personalised, which makes it my first signed and personalised book! I got to take a picture with them, and although I look creepy af a bit odd in all the pictures, it gives me a nice memory of the event. 

 On the blog
I’ve been struggling to post very regularly because I’ve had a lot of schoolwork, but I have manage to schedule some posts for March, so I’m pleased about that! This month I reviewed Blood, Ink & Fire and All of the Above, and discussed the books that have changed me. I also wrapped up January, and did the Reader Confessions Tag!

 Monthly Haul

There was February half term this month, and my Grandma came over, who bought me some books, which was so kind of her. I also won two giveaways!

Bought:
How Hard Can Love Be? by Holly Bourne
The Art of Being Normal by Lisa Williamson
Hollow Pike by Juno Dawson
Cruel Summers by Juno Dawson
Kafka on the Shore by Haruki Murakami

 Won:
Solitaire by Alice Oseman
Dumplin’ by Julie Murphy
Books I Read
This month I read 4 books, and continued reading/started 2. I enjoyed all of the books I’ve read, so even though I didn’t get through many, I think I still had a good reading month! The Books I read are:
The Art of Being Normal
Asking For It
I Call Myself a Feminist

 And the books I’m currently reading are:
The Shining (I WILL finish this in March!!)
Rebel of the Sands
Posts on the blogosphere

How was your February? Did anything exciting happen? ☺

Monthly Favourites

January Favourites

08:00


So waaay back in August, I started a new feature on my blog where I shared my favourite things (?) and events that had happened in that month, but to be honest, I haven’t kept up with it because I didn't feel I had anything worth sharing! Hopefully I’ll be able to share my month more often than I have been doing!


Shadowhunters aired!
I have been waiting for this ever since it was announced one of my favourite series was being made into a TV show. I have been religiously following the casting news, trailers, teasers, and stills, so I was so excited for it to be finally January. Thankfully, it the show disappoint! I have loved every single episode, and I think everything is done so well. I’m so impressed with how well it done... it certainly has lived up to my expectations! I can’t wait to watch even more of the series (MALEC ON TOMORROW!), because I know it’s only going to get better.


Music
One of my favourite bands, Panic! at the Disco, released their latest album, Death of a Bachelor, this month,so I’ve been listening to that a lot. I’m pretty much in love with all the songs, and it was just as magical as I hoped it to be.


I actually had a social life...
This month, I went to Lazer Quest (I think in America it’s called Lazer Tag?) for one of my friend’s birthday. Although I did come last out of everyone playing (#19 out of 19... nothing to be ashamed about!), I had loads of fun! I haven’t been to Lazer Quest in years, so it was nice to go again!
On the blog
I only made some minor changes to my blog’s design this month, but something I did do was add a smooth scrolling feature. I’ve seen this on a few blogs, and I’ve always thought how professional and aesthetically pleasing it looks, so I’m really happy to have it on my own blog!
I also did some reviews:

And shared my bookish resolutions for 2016 (which I haven’t done too well at sticking to... yet!)
Monthly Haul
This month I bought 7 physical books:
Wytches, Vol 1 (graphic novel)
Days of Blood and Starlight (Daughter of Smoke and Bone #2)
Dreams of Gods and Monsters (Daughter of Smoke and Bone #3)
The Next Together
Siege and Storm (The Grisha #2)
Ruin and Rising (The Grisha #3)

1 e-book:
Apprentice (The Black Mage #2)

And 3 pre-orders:
Lady Midnight
Half Lost (Half Bad #3)
Radio Silence

Books I Read
This month I read 6 books, which I’m quite pleased with, considering school started again! I read:
The Perks of Being a Wallflower (re-read)
Daughter of Smoke and Bone
Trouble
All the Rage
Heroes (for school)
My favourite book of the month (excluding re-reads) was definitely Trouble!

I’m also currently reading The Shining and I Call Myself a Feminist.

Posts on the blogosphere

How was your January? Did you do anything exciting? Let me know! ☺