Hey ladies and fellows! I hope you’re doing all right 🙂
This post comes a day late, I know. But I wasn’t really feeling it yesterday so I decided to skip… You’ll see why.
As for my readathon stats, I’ve managed to read only 6 out of 22 books this week, which was pretty meh but it is what it is. The show must go on, as they say!
(click the image for full size)
The links below will take you to the reviews:
-
- Poisoned Apples: Poems for You, My Pretty by Christine Heppermann ~
- In Real Life by Cory Doctorow ~
- A Vector Alphabet of Interstellar Travel by Yoon Ha Lee ~
- The Smallest Dragonboy by Anne McCaffrey ~
(used to be Rocket Ship to Hell by Jeffrey Ford but I swapped it)
- Morrighan by Mary E. Pearson ~
- The Sleeper and the Spindle by Neil Gaiman ~
What went right…
Nothing much, to be honest!
Well, not entirely true. I’m not terribly behind on schedule (yet).
And I absolutely loved The Smallest Dragonboy, which introduced me to Anne McCaffrey and her wonderful dragon world – one I shall revisit many, many times in the future.
What went wrong…
Mostly everything?
For one, I got sick and was feeling like hell. I got massive headaches from staring at screens for too long, so I didn’t read much. I could have, of course, gone for physical books but they also managed to make me super drowsy and exhausted.
Secondly, I think I have finally caught up with what book people like to call “burnout”. Or “slump”. But in this case, I’ll go with burnout because that’s exactly how I felt this week and because I know it has to do with the readathon specifically.
It’s true that I had a great first two weeks but I was sort of expecting it not to last. The same thing happened (kind of) with the O.W.L.s and this one was way more demanding so it was only a matter of time.
I struggled to finish pretty much all of the books this week, and wasn’t keen on half of them. I’m pretty sure I’ll like them more some other time, just not right now. And that sucks! I mean, even those I knew I would love didn’t get 5 stars.
If that’s not a bad sign, I don’t know what is.
Books I’m currently reading…
Still reading blasted Magic Dreams because I. Simply. Cannot. Get. Into. It.
I also started Astonishing X-Men: Ultimate Collection and Mortals and Immortals of Greek Mythology. I’m not feeling them, though, so I might either swap them or just not bother at all.
But hey, I finished Monstress, Vol. 1: Awakening today! That’s something, right? (No, it wasn’t amazing, unfortunately…)
Conclusion
I might not pick up a single book this week.
I’m not joking. I feel like I need a time out to just do something else and forget about reading for a while… I don’t feel like it AT ALL. I just want to binge watch Netflix, bake and sleep.
Anyway, as always, don’t forget to check out the rest of my N.E.W.T.s squad below! 😊
Steph | Melissa | Lily
And sorry this post was such a downer but cross your fingers for me this week? Pretty please? ❤ I might post something else if I make no progress with the readathon. But I'm still hoping I will!
I’m sorry you got sick but yeah, staring at screens for too long will give you headaches. I’ve been through it but honestly I always finish a kindle book much faster than a physical book. So if I ever want to read a big book, I would prefer reading it in my Kindle. They’re more comfortable to hod it in my hands than a tome. I’m sorry you didn’t liked Monstress! I loved it especially the art!
Anyway, I hope you enjoy rest of the books!
Goodluck and Happy reading! 🙂
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I think so too! And the little progress thingy works really well with me as I like to know exactly how close I am to the ending (though there’s always a lot of non-book like credits and stuff to throw me off hahaha) The best part is my arms not feeling like jelly afterwards too xD
I’m not sure I was in the right mindset for Monstress – I think I’d probably loved it some other time! So I’ll try it again in the future 🙂
Thank you so much, Raven! And to you ❤
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I’m so sorry you got sick.
It’s ok if your readalong isn’t working out as you expected. As long as you are taking care of you and feeling better.
Hope you have a lovely week ahead. 💋 xoxo
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Thank you for the kind wishes, Helena! ❤ I'm feeling much better now and I think I might have gotten some reading spirit back… At least I'll be able to finish with a few O's in my classes 😉
Hope you have a lovely week as well!
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slumps or burnouts are the worst! I hope you feel like reading again soon! But Netflix and baking sounds like a lovely break!
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I knoooow! I’m doing a bit better but still not as pumped as I was in the beginning, which I think is to be expected. But oh well, Netflix and baking have certainly helped! 🙂 ❤
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You got to take care of yourself! Reading when sick is tough when I have a migraine sometimes it actually makes it worse. You still have great list going there… but Netflix does have some awesome content right now. Rest and enjoy yourself!
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It was a tough week but this one’s been better, definitely. Reading does strain my eyes a lot and that’s not helpful at all if you’re trying to read xD I would have persisted if it was just that but I really didn’t feel like reading anyway so no point in pushing it.
I’ve been devouring some of Netflix new shows and movies lately! I can’t wait to get more Christmas goodness 🙂 What are some of your favourites?
Thank you lovely! ❤
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Ah that sucks you got sick and have burn out, but understandable. I know if I overdo the reading/staring at screens I can feel similar. Maybe you just need a few days break to recover and give your eyes a rest – fingers crossed that things look up soon!
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Yeah I was not surprised at all… But still bummed it happened xD I think that’s exactly what I needed, yeah, as I’m feeling much better now! Just finished two more books from my readathon and might be able to finish one more before it’s over. We’ll see! 🙂
Thanks so much for the lovely wishes, Nicola – they worked a charm ❤
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I still think six out of twenty-two books is great going Sophie, especially when I consider that I read exactly zero books last week (I could blame the fact that I’m taking part in NaNoWriMo this month but I think I’m dealing with a slight reading slump).
I’m sorry you weren’t feeling well last week, I’m hoping you’re feeling a little better now but if lazing around binge watching Netflix is what you want to do this week then go for it. If you don’t feel like reading then there’s no point pushing yourself because you won’t enjoy it and the main reason we read is to enjoy ourselves right?
I’ll wish you good luck for this week and next, but I just hope you end up feeling better and manage to finish Magic Dreams! 😀 ❤
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Oh yeah, NaNoWriMo has got to be getting exciting (and nerve-wrecking) now that you’re almost reaching the end!! I keep forgetting how busy everyone is with it (though I kind of wish I’d participated this year as well, looks so much fun 😀 ) I do hope your reading slump gets fixed soon… It’s so annoying >.>
I do feel much better now, thank you ❤ I had to take a bit of a break from both reading and blogging the past few days but I'll try to make up for it the rest of the week 🙂 It certainly helps to just relax and not push ourselves to do anything we're not feeling like it – even if it's reading!
Thank you so much, Beth! ❤ ❤ And I did end up finishing it, yay!!! I just need to write the review now and hope to finish Neil Gaiman's graphic novel (The Dream Hunters) as my final readathon goal. I absolutely cannot squeeze anything more in my schedule hahaha But that'll be enough of a challenge as it is 🙂
Hope you've had a lovely week!
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I didn’t manage to get anywhere near my goal for NaNo, I kind of gave up halfway through the month, but my November has still been pretty jam packed and I’m still looking forwards to NaNo next year! 😀
I know the feeling, I took a bit of a break from everything (reading, blogging and writing) and sometimes you just need to get away from it all right?! I’m glad you’re feeling better now. We need to make sure we look after ourselves first rather than worrying too much about everything else. 🙂
That’s all right, and well fingers crossed you’ll manage to keep up with your schedule for reading and this readathon too. I have faith you’ll manage it! 😀
Thanks, I hope you’ve had a good week too. 🙂 ❤️ ❤️
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Oh, I’m sorry to hear that! But still, you’ve managed to write A LOT so I’d say that was an achievement in itself :O Great job, Beth!!
Yeah definitely… Sometimes it just gets a bit too overwhelming, especially when social media’s involved!
Thank you, lovely! Your faith in me gives me the extra push to continue doing better and just enjoy/relax as much as possible but still be *mildly* productive 😛
❤️❤️❤️
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Thanks Sophie, and yeah I’m definitely pleased with what I wrote this month because anything is an achievement isn’t it? 🙂
It’s important to take a step back when we need to.
That’s all right, and that’s good to hear too. 🙂 ❤
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sometimes its good to take a break and do something else….baking is a good way to go!!
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Absolutely! I’m enjoying baking sooo much as it’s almost Christmas and I love all the Christmas recipes ❤ (including gingerbread houses – yum and fun!)
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My girl, I’m so sorry last week wasn’t great for you. I really hope you’re feeling better this week. There’s still plenty of time so if you haven’t read this week I wouldn’t even fret it. You’re doing amazing and I’ve no doubt you’ll smash the readathon no matter what.
Sending you loads of love ❤️
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I am much better, thank you lovely! I’ve managed to read a bit more this week but still only two books… I’m on my third and that will probably be the last one until the readathon ends. But oh well, I got to finish a few classes so I’m quite happy 🙂
Hope you’re smashing it on your end! ❤
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Too bad the week was a bust in so many ways, Sophie. I can see how the pressure to read might lead to some burnout, especially when you hit a few books that don’t click. I hope you have some good ones ahead!
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This week was a lot better. I did get to read a bit and actually enjoyed it! So that was great 🙂
I hope your week is going well too, Diana ❤
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Thanks, Sophie. I just wrapped up NaNo, so I have some blogging and reading to catch up on. 🙂 Happy December!
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Thank you, Diana! And to you ❤
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Well, 6 books aren’t a small accomplishment! But sometimes it happens to feel burn out or worn down by the reading, so I hope you would relax and enjoy yourself with Netflix (this is always a good choice!). Also, I wish your next weeks would be awesome!!! ❤
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It feels like a small accomplishment when compared to my previous one 😂😂😂 But yeah, it wasn’t so bad! Just the feeling of not wanting to read was a bit meh… But thankfully it’s passed for the most part by now and I did have a pretty good week 🙂
Thanks so much, Susy! I hope your week has been going great so far too ❤
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I’m so sorry to hear you’ve been feeling sick and burn-out, Sophie! Taking some time away from reading to watch shows or just do something else for a little while always helps me, personally, or turning back to old favorites, re-reading reviews or book quotes always help me, too. I hope your next weeks will be better Sophie, I’m sending you all the love!! xxx
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I’m feeling much better now, though! And those are definitely great tips, Marie – I can vouch for them as they’ve helped me get my groove back somehow ^^
Thankfully, my slump seems to have passed for now and I’m enjoying my reads again! Which is awesome 😀
Aw thank you so much, lovely ❤ ❤ I hope your week is going amazingly!
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Yay, I’m so happy to hear this! Happy reading Sophie!! ✨
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Thank you so much, lovely! And to you ❤❤
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I totally understand about the burnout/slump. I’ve just not been able to read a lot this month – both because I’ve been super busy, but also because I just don’t feel like it??? Anyways, I hope you are able to recuperate and get out of your slump soon. 🙂
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Yeah I can definitely relate! When I have the time, I don’t feel like, and when I don’t, all I want to do is read?? Like, seriously, brain – wise up, man xD
Anyway, this week’s gone a bit better so I’m hoping it sticks that way 🙂 I hope it’s been going well for you too, Kat! Thanks so much for the lovely comment ❤
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I totally get it! I was sick, which knocked me out of commission. And then I’ve had this weird slump where I just haven’t wanted to pick up a book but was somehow OK with manga. It’s been a weird month and I’ve read a pitiful amount of books for November. I’m right there with you. Hopefully the slump will end soon!
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Yeah I always feel like changing formats helps – I enjoyed reading webtoons and comics/graphic novels for the most part, but for some reason could not focus on a book for more than a few seconds at a time – which drove me crazy xD I guess my attention span was just on a bad week…
My slump seems to be gone for now *knocks on wood* and I hope yours is too! Thanks so much for the lovely wishes ❤ 🙂
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Sorry to hear about the burnout and becoming sick. 😩 I turn to k-dramas and manga when a slump hits. 6 books is great. Some months are like that. Anne MacCaffrey and Neil Gaiman are two favorite authors of mine; I’m glad you are enjoying their books.
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Oh I did watch some K-dramas during that week! My favourite was Strong Girl Bong-Soon, which I’ve finished now *sad, teary eyed, wants to cry*
But there are soooo many on Netflix it won’t be a problem finding some new ones to try out 🙂 What are some of your favourites?
And yay to Gaiman and MacCaffrey! ❤ I've been a fan of his for a while now but this was my first book of hers. I have to say I'm very impressed 🙂
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