August 2024 Wrap-Up + Haul

Another month gone in 2024. What a month it was! Lots of great things happened, including a lot of financial wins and some exciting purchases as well as fun events and moments. In between everything happening in real life, I also read 12 books! I read a new series, reread a favorite series, and started another. I got a new favorite book in it all and everything I read was, at the very least, an enjoyable read. There wasn't anything too complex or full of depth, but with how my reading mood has been this year that's okay. 

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1. 

Title: Belladonna

Author: Adalyn Grace

Rating: 4.25 // 5 stars

Review TK

2. 

Title: The Never King

Author: Nikki St. Crowe

Rating: 3.5 // 5 stars

3. 

Title: The Dark One

Author: Nikki St. Crowe

Rating: 3.5 // 5 stars

4.

Title: Their Vicious Darling

Author: Nikki St. Crowe

Rating: 3.5 // 5 stars

5.

Title: The Fae Princes

Author: Nikki St. Crowe

Rating: 3 // 5 stars

6.

Title: Just Drop Out
Author: J. Bree
Rating: 5 // 5 stars

Review

-reread-

7. 

Title: Make Your Move
Author: J. Bree
Rating: 5 // 5 stars

Review

-reread-

8. 

Title: Play the Game
Author: J. Bree
Rating: 5 // 5 stars

Review

-reread-

9. 

Title: To the End
Author: J. Bree
Rating: 5 // 5 stars

Review

-reread-

10. 

Title: Blood of Hercules

Author: Jasmine Mas

Rating: 5 // 5 stars

Review TK

11. 

Title: Psycho Shifters

Author: Jasmine Mas

Rating: 3.5 // 5 stars 

12. 

Title: Psycho Fae 

Author: Jasmine Mas

Rating: 3.5 // 5 stars

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July 2024 Wrap-Up + Book Haul

Book Review: "Leather & Lark" by Brynne Weaver

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I hauled only three books this month. I feel like that's a pretty good number as it means I appreciate them more. I also got a lot of non-bookish items this month so, if anything, I feel like I've over-hauled this month in all areas. Of the three books I got, I bought one for myself on preorder and the other two were birthday presents. I'm excited about all of them!

Up first is Apprentice to the Villain by Hannah Nicole Maehrer. This is the sequel to Assistant to the Villain, which I read last year and thoroughly enjoyed. To me, this book feels like the fantasy romance equivalent of a Hallmark movie. Addicting and fun, but not overly complex. The first book ended on a cliffhanger so I am very much anticipating diving into this sequel after I do a reread of the first. 

Then I got Stamped from the Beginning by Ibram X Kendi. I had a copy of this that I sadly had to leave behind when I moved back from the UK. I knew I wanted to replace it though and continue reading it. I feel it's an important part of history that often gets toned down or completely erased. As an American and white person, I feel it's even more important to read and learn these things to be able to properly understand a lot of how the country and society has been impacted by this history.

Lastly, I got Broken Bonds by J. Bree. This is a book I've read multiple times but have not been able to get a physical copy of yet. I love this series and I want to slowly start getting the paperbacks to add to my bookshelves. My plan is to turn my bookshelves into a space where only my absolute favorite books get to live. And this series definitely deserves a spot. I can't wait to reread this one and give it a nice, thorough annotation while I do so. 

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Thanks for reading!

xoxo

Lauren

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August 2022 Wrap-Up

What a month. August was an insane month for me in so many ways. My family came to visit and we spent a week being tourists in our own city, I finished and turned in my postgraduate dissertation, and we've begun the search for a new apartment. All that said, I didn't get much reading done. I read three books this month and they were all finished in the first few days of August, meaning it's been about a month since I've actually read anything. I enjoyed all of them, though, and have a new all-time favorite. 

I'm hopeful that now that September (and fall!) is here and my dissertation is finished that I'll be able to focus on reading more. I have an extensive witchy TBR for the next two months leading up to Halloween that I hope to get through in between moving logistics and increase in work at my job. Either way, I'll recap that in a month but for now let's discuss August! 

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1. 

Title: Triple-Duty Bodyguards

Author: Lily Gold

Rating: 5 // 5 stars

Review

2. 

Title: Below Zero

Author: Ali Hazelwood

Rating: 4.5 // 5 stars

Series Review

3.

Title: Stuck With You

Author: Ali Hazelwood

Rating: 4.5 // 5 stars

Series Review

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July 2022 Wrap-Up

July 2022 Book Haul

Unboxing: Fairyloot's "Trials & Retribution" (July 2022)

Book Review: "Foul Lady Fortune" by Chloe Gong

The Anti-TBR Book Tag

Series Review: "The STEM-inist Novellas" by Ali Hazelwood

Unboxing: Fairyloot's "Tell Me Lies" (August 2022)

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Thanks for reading!

xoxo

Lauren

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Unboxing: Fairyloot's "Tell Me Lies" (August 2022)

Another month, another amazing Fairyloot box. This is my eighth box since I resubscribed and I absolutely adored it, yet again. This month's theme was "Tell Me Lies" and in the reveal we were told it would also include an item Fairyloot had never included before. I absolutely loved every item and the book they chose so let's just not wait any longer and dive into the unboxing! 

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The first item included was a bookshelf-patterned tote bag designed by @chattynora. This is absolutely stunning. I love useful items in book boxes and this is one that I can see myself actually using, especially for bookish events. The books on the shelves on this tote are actually all books Fairyloot have featured in their boxes or done special editions for in the past, which I thought was pretty cute. 

The next item was a Romeo & Juliet inspired list pad designed by @catarinabookdesigns. The quote they included is also very reminiscent of the R&J retelling, These Violent Delights, that I love. I am a big fan of stationary and I am 100% going to be filling this with meaningless lists and to-dos. The only thing I wish is that there was a sticky bit so that I could stick it to places when I wanted to use it. 

Then is the item that they've never included before: a celestial-themed travel jewelry box designed by @jezhawk. For starters, this is absolutely stunning. It's also fandom-neutral and feels quite sturdy and well put together for a book box item. I will definitely be using this, either for bookish jewelry or for my growing collection of pins. 

The next item was an enamel pin inspired by Gilded by Marissa Meyer and designed by @no0nedesigns. This is a stunning little pin and the design is quite intricate for how small it is. I am very much looking forward to finally reading this book soon, though I'm probably going to wait at least until the sequel is out to dive into it. Marissa Meyer hasn't steered me wrong yet, though. 

The last proper items are the next in the collectible mythology bookmark series designed by @gracezhuart. This month we have Anubis from Egyptian mythology and Apate from Greek mythology. I'm a big fan of this collectible series and I also love that they're including mythologies from around the world (as I originally thought it would only be Greek as that's what their first two were). I find bookmarks to also be a very fun item as a reader can never have enough bookmarks.

This month's tarot cards are from Only A Monster by Vanessa Len. We have Joan as Justice and Nick and Aaron as Wheel of Fortune. I've not yet read this but it's on my list closer to the sequel's release. I also am just really enjoying the tarot card series (mainly because the artwork is completely gorgeous). One of my favorite things is that they are doing tarot cards after the books they include in their boxes. 

The book this month was Violet Made of Thorns by Gina Chen. This edition features an exclusive cover, ombre sprayed edges, artwork printed on the hardcover and endpages designed by @_saintdri, and comes with a signed bookplate. I'm absolutely in love with the cover changes as it created this beautiful sunset imagery that goes well with the sprayed edges. I am very much looking forward to reading this as well. 

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Overall, this was another stunning box from Fairyloot. I know not every month will be a winner but Fairyloot have been smashing for the majority of this year. I will use everything in this box and I think the quality and design are beautiful. I am incredibly excited for September as it's been revealed there is going to be a blanket and I think their blankets are some of the comfiest things ever. 

August was also the last month that included five items. Due to inflation and the rising costs of everything, Fairyloot announced that from September onwards there will only be four items. This is so they can keep the quality high and not have to raise the cost of the box. Honestly, I'm happy with that decision and I look forward to the boxes nonetheless (especially as it feels like the tarot cards and various paper items that come with the book work very well as bonus items). 

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Thanks for reading!

xoxo

Lauren

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August & September 2021 Wrap-Up + Haul

Hello everyone! It has been quite a long time since I was here on my blog and a lot has happened in that time. I moved to London, I started my postgraduate degree, and I read some books. I haven't read as many books as I would have liked, but I am also happy with the fact I wasn't forcing myself to read when I wasn't feeling it. 

The months of August and September saw me read very few books, hence why I put these two months together for this backdated wrap-up and haul. I did haul quite a few more books than I read (which wasn't hard to do). However, with how upended my life was in those two months, I think it's pretty explainable why I only managed to read two books but haul quite a few more. I hauled almost twenty-eight books in August and September, but we'll get into that after we discuss what books I actually managed to read.

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I only managed to read two books in August and September, and both of them were actually at the very beginning of August. Then I fell into a reading slump that lasted over two months. However, I did enjoy the two books I read in this time (which I knew I would seeing as they were rereads). 

1. 

Title: A Life of Shadows

Author: Kristen Banet

Rating: 4.5/5 stars 

Review

-reread-

2. 

Title: A Heart of Shame

Author: Kristen Banet

Rating: 4.5 // 5 stars

Review

-reread-

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In comparison to how many books I read in August and September, the number of books I hauled absolutely blows them out of the water. I hauled twenty-eight books in the two months, though I do have a good explanation for those. The first is that it was my birthday in August (woo) and the second is that I had been ordering books to my boyfriend in London for over a year but didn't actively haul them until I got back this September. Eight of the books I got were ordered a long time ago. After that, the breakdown is three in August and seventeen in September. This is still a large number but I'm happy with that as many of them were on sale for very cheap (as in 1/4 of the usual price). 

Anyway, I am not going to be getting into every single book as that would take way too much time and energy that I do not have. Instead, I'm going to list them by month with the title, author, and any special attributes to them. Enjoy! 

August

1. Pushing the Limits by Katie McGarry (paperback)
2. Destined by P.C. Cast and Kristin Cast (hardcover)
3. Magnus Chase and the Ship of the Dead by Rick Riordan (hardcover--for an amazing thrifted price!) 

September

1. These Violent Delights by Chloe Gong (UK hardcover)
2. Girls of Storm and Shadow by Natasha Ngan (UK hardcover)
   
3. Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor (UK paperback)
4. Days of Blood and Starlight by Laini Taylor (UK paperback)
5. Dreams of Gods and Monsters by Laini Taylor (UK paperback)
6. Witchshadow by Susan Dennard (UK hardcover)
7. The Prison Healer by Lynette Noni (Fairyloot Exclusive hardcover)
8. A Court of Silver Flames by Sarah J. Maas (international paperback)
9. The Unhoneymooners by Christina Lauren (UK paperback)
10. Graceling by Kristin Cashore (UK paperback)
11. Fire by Kristin Cashore (UK paperback)
12. This Mortal Coil by Emily Suvada (Waterstones paperback)
13. This Cruel Design by Emily Suvada (Waterstones paperback)
14. This Vicious Cure by Emily Suvada (Waterstones paperback)
15. The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller (10th Anniversary Edition)
16. Incendiary by Zoraida Córdova (UK paperback)
17. Illusionary by Zoraida Córdova (US advance reader's copy)

Pre-Arrival to London

1. These Violent Delights by Chloe Gong (Fairyloot Exclusive hardcover)
2. House of Earth and Blood by Sarah J. Maas (Waterstones paperback)
3. Girls of Paper and Fire by Natasha Ngan (UK hardcover)
   
4. Lore by Alexandra Bracken (UK paperback)
   
5. Skyward by Brandon Sanderson (UK hardcover)
6. Teen Wolf: Bite Me Comics #1-3
7. Incendiary by Zoraida Córdova (UK hardcover)
8. Illusionary by Zoraida Córdova (Fairyloot Exclusive hardcover)

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Thanks for reading!

xoxo

Lauren

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August 2020 Book Haul

Okay so where I didn't read very many books in August, I did haul a bunch of them. I got 16 books in August, which is one of my bigger hauls of the past year. However, considering last summer I had a haul with over 30 books in it, I'm not too ashamed at this number.

This month was a big book haul month for me for a few different reasons. The first was that it was my birthday and I got a few books and gift cards (that I then spent on books). Additionally, I had a few books that I had to buy for my classes this semester since I don't have access to the school library right now. Lastly, I was sent a couple of these for various promotional reasons. There's quite a few to talk about so let's just dive right in!

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The first book that I got this month was Midnight Sun by Stephenie Meyer. Twelve-year-old Lauren was dying when this book was announced earlier this year. There were a few chapters of this leaked many years ago but I didn't actually read them because it wasn't something I was interested in. However, I was so excited when this was announced. I'm a little over halfway through at the moment and it's not quite as great as I'd hoped, but I'm still enjoying it overall.

Up next I have a physical copy of Boyfriend Material by Alexis Hall. I listened to this book on audio early in August and absolutely fell in love with the characters and story. While listening, I knew that I needed a copy for my shelves. I'm absolutely in love with this story and the paperback is so floppy and just nice to hold and look at. If you want to know my thoughts on this book, you can find my review here.

Then I got the entire Broken Earth trilogy by N.K. Jemisin from my grandmother for my birthday. I was so excited that she got these for me because this trilogy has actually been on my list for a while now and I've heard nothing but amazing things. I would ideally like to read it this year but with school and my internship I don't see that happening, but I know I'm going to make it a priority in 2021!

My grandma also got me the new hardcover edition of A Court of Mist and Fury by Sarah J. Maas. This is my favorite book from the ACOTAR series and I'm really excited to have this new edition in my collection. While I do still prefer the original covers and don't think the new ones match the story very well, I do think that the new covers are pretty. Hopefully I can collect the rest of these over the next few months in time for the fourth book's release!

Then I picked up a copy of the Vampire Academy: Ultimate Guide by Michelle Rowan with Richelle Mead. This is a companion guide to the Vampire Academy series which is one of my favorite series I read when I was younger. I really want to do a reread of the entire series next year but in the meantime I'm excited to learn more about the characters and world from this guide.

The next book I got was sent to me by Random House Kids and Storygram Kids for a tour I did on Instagram a few days ago. The book I got was Millionaires for the Month by Stacy McAnulty and it sounds so cute! It's a middle grade story about two boys who find a billionaire's wallet and are challenged to spend over $5 million in just 30 days. This just sounds like such a fun story and I'm really glad I was able to be on this tour.

Then I snagged a copy of the Archenemies Barnes & Noble Exclusive edition by Marissa Meyer. This is the second book in the Renegades trilogy which is one of my new all-time favorites. I discovered that the B&N edition had an exclusive bonus scene included and I knew that I had to get my hands on it! I saw it on eBay for cheaper than it had originally been sold for and jumped at the chance to add it to my collection.

Up next I got a copy of Jackpot by Nic Stone from my dad for my birthday. You may know Nic Stone from her debut, Dear Martin, but she has a host of other published books that I have on my wishlist. I'm so excited to have Jackpot in my hands because it sounds so good. In just one sentence it's about a girl working at a gas station who has to team up with a guy to find the person who bought a winning lottery ticket so that hopefully she can get a reward.  Hopefully I can read it soon!

 I then was sent hardcover copies of A Fallen Hero and Phantom's Mask by Sara A. Noë. These are the first two books in the Chronicles of Avilseor and I'm so excited to have them! A Fallen Hero was one of my favorite books of 2019 and I am so excited to read Phantom's Mask now that it's finally out! I'm hoping to get reread A Fallen Hero and then dive into Phantom's Mask this month.

Lastly, I got a few other books for school and whatnot: Tess of the D'Urbervilles by Thomas Hardy, the Norton Anthology of English Literature Volume 2, News: The Politics of Illusion, and The Intelligent Investor. Nothing too exciting here, but these are books that I'll be reading soon-ish!

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Thanks for reading! Did you get any exciting books this month? Let me know in the comments!

xx

Lauren

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