Running a tad late with this month’s wrap up, but here we are! Just 7 weeks until I jet off for Ibiza, and 20 weeks until Christmas (sorry, not sorry!). I’ve been kept pretty busy with work and my own little side-projects, but I still have high hopes of getting stuck back into some serious blogging… as always!
I’m in the middle of my blog makeover – just going through all my older posts and updating them to the new format. It really does take a while, but I’m getting there! What do you think of the new look?
In other news, I’m taking part in this round of OTSP Secret Sister. I’ve done it twice before (see the goodies and joy given and received in my first round and second round), so I’m looking forward to my third experience.
I did my last BIG exam last month, and it went much better than I was expecting. The course has a less than 30% pass rate, so I don’t know if I got lucky with an easier exam paper, or if I’m still going to fail after getting my hopes up. Either way, my results come out right when I’ll be in the middle of the Balearic Islands, so I’ll be in the perfect place to celebrate or commiserate! What have you been up to? Tell me in the comments!
The Books:
- The Secret Library: This image does not do the gorgeousness of this book justice! I needed to add a book for a couple of pounds to qualify for free shipping (am I the only one who uses that excuse?!) when I was picking up a couple of Christmas pressies (yes, I am that organised) and this was it.
- Essential NLP: I love psychology, and language, and the science of motivation and persuasion, so the next thing on my hit-list is a little something called Neuro-Linguistic Programming. It’s fascinating, and if you can get good at it, it’s an incredibly useful skill to have…
- A King’s Obsession: I received the first book in this series (The True Queen) from the publisher for review, but haven’t gotten around to it just yet. When I spotted the second book, in hardcover, for an amazing price. Of course I picked it up. It helps that these books are beautiful too.
I’ve been pretty active on #booksfortradeuk lately, and here’s what I’ve gotten:
- 1984: Everything about this book means that technically, I should love it.
- In Cold Blood: I’ve never read any Capote, but this one caught my eye, so why not?
- Nothing Tastes As Good: From memory, Hennessy was involved in a little drama not too long ago (responding to negative reviews, maybe?). The idea for this book is super intriguing.
- The Invention of Hugo Cabret: I’ve seen this on BookTube and never considered picking it up until it popped up on #booksfortradeuk. The illustrations are gorgeous.
- Lock In: A couple of BookTubers have talked about this one, and it sounds pretty amazing!
Movies and TV Shows:
I feel like I haven’t been watching many movies or TV shows lately, because when I do get time to myself I either want to read or blog. Because of this, I now have a considerable list of movies I’d like to watch soon, including Logan and Wonder Woman. One thing I did see this month was The Circle (I read the book first) and I have mixed feelings on both. I’m thinking of doing a joint review…
Wrappin’ It Up!
- Jessica @ Breathe and Read thinks Book Buying Bans are a privilege.
- Simon @ Savidge Reads is in The Times with fellow BookTubers Jen Campbell, Sanne, and Lucy. Why everyone is watching the new literary stars of YouTube is free to read if you enter your email address.
- Laura @ Boats Against the Current shares 3 ways to improve your writing, discusses the pros and cons of the Goodreads Reading Challenge, and asks do you have to own the books you love?
- Nick @ Nick & Nereyda’s Infinite Book List wants to know – do you review every book you read?
- Nereyda @ Nick & Nereyda’s Infinite Book List shares her favourite fitness YouTube channels.
- Cristina @ Girl in the Pages talks about book pushing, struggling to find time for longer reads, and unhauling books.
- Holly @ Nut Free Nerd shares tips on how to read more and discusses Matilda as a feminist text.
- Lauren @ Bookmark Lit talks about reading bad books – on purpose.
- Cait @ Paper Fury talks about the bookworm existential crisis and shares 10 improvements she thinks Goodreads should make.
In Case You Missed It:
This month I reviewed Eleanor & Park (3/5*) by Rainbow Rowell and Truth or Dare (3.5/5*) by Non Pratt.
I also did the Mid Year Book Freakout Tag, and although I technically wrote this in August, I’m going to include it here as this wrap-up ran late – I shared my personal experience with depression and anxiety, as well as my views on the TV show, 13 Reasons Why, in my post 13 Problems With 13 Reasons Why.
My most popular post in July was What Is the Point of Preordering?, and my most popular review in July was Truth or Dare.
What have you been up to lately? What are you hauling and reading? What do you think of my re-design?? Let me know in the comments!
Confessions of a Book Geek 
Oooh I’ve been thinking of watching The Circle because I love Emma Watson, but I haven’t read the book yet. I look forward to hearing your thoughts on them!
Thank so much for mentioning me! ❤
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I had heard of the book for ages, but finally got it when I heard Tom Hanks and Emma Watson were doing the movie. It was enjoyable, but not quite what I was expecting (and scary, because not THAT far removed from reality!). The movie has had a load of bad reviews/bombed in viewings for a variety of reasons, but I actually thought it was a really good adaptation. There were minor changes from the book to movie, which while they didn’t change the overall events, they did change the tone of them, which I thought was interesting. I’d recommend both though. R xx
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I’m glad your big exam went well – congrats!! And I love the new blog look!
I’m not ready for Christmas…let’s not talk about it yet. 😉 xo
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Thank you!! My next/last result (for now) is due in September, and it’s the super hard one. If I get it I’ll be over the moon.
It’s taking ages to update the older posts, but I’m pretty pleased with it overall 🙂
R xx
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I’d never heard of the trading hashtag thing. Must have a look!
I keep hearing people saying Claire was in some drama but I still haven’t managed/bothered to read up on it. Nothing Tastes as Good is absolutely one of my favourite books though.
And thanks for mentioning me! Genuinely chuffed right now, haha.
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Definitely do, there’s lots of great books on there!
To be honest, my memory is hazy on it, but what I do remember is that there was some drama, and she was called out for it too much (that online snowball thing where everyone has an opinion and tweets the person), but I think she did mess up and act inappropriately in the first place. But it seems to have died down now. Looking forward to reading her book.
I thought you did a really good video! It was a point I’d never thought of before, and I think I’m going to do a response post to it 🙂 R xx
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You’ve just terrified me with that Christmas countdown. And how are you buying presents already? I will start shopping maybe in October but probably in November and that is organised enough for me. You’re just putting the rest of us to shame. Glad you’ve got your big exams out the way at least and really, being away is the best time to find out your results. At least you’ll be somewhere nice either way.
I’ve heard some not so great things about The Circle (the film) but I saw the trailer and thought it looked interesting. I know it’s on Netflix so I’m kind of planning on giving it a chance. I’ve seen you’ve done a review so I’ll check that out and see if I’m willing to give either the book or the film a chance.
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I usually start picking a few things up at the end of September, but I happened to spot 2 or 3 things that are perfect for certain people, and couldn’t resist picking them up. When I say I’ve started Christmas shopping, I have like 3 things sitting in a bag, but it is a start! Promotion of Christmas is definitely starting earlier every year, and as much as I like Christmas, I can’t cope with how quickly the years are flying by!
R xx
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Better late than never, right? I seem to always be late these days. A 30% pass rate? That doesn’t sound like an accurate test. I hope you pass!
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It settles me to know I’ve posted a wrap up! Lol the pass rate is ridiculous, right? It’s an independent exam body for the industry, and they seem to make their own rules. Fingers crossed! R xx
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Thanks so much for mentioning my posts! 🙂
I really hope you enjoy those Alison Weir books! I’ve read The True Queen and absolutely loved it, so I’m really looking forward to reading the Anne Boleyn one.
And the blog makeover looks great by the way! I recently redid mine, and still haven’t finished updating all my old posts. It just takes so long doesn’t it?
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No problem, Laura!
I’m looking forward to getting stuck into them at some point, but the TBR is long! Lol
Thanks – I’m still not quite finished the mini makeover (I’m a bit of a perfectionist, so there’s still some old posts I have to reformat and add featured images to!), but I’m definitely happy with the changes I’ve made. Blogging is 100% a labour of love, and anyone who says any different is a liar! Lol R xx
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