Where did this week go? What did I do? And don’t I say this every week? A lot of impossible to answer questions, it seems, but you know what? Let’s try:
- I did not haul books this week o.o
- NO BUT DID YOU HEAR THAT
- I DID NOT HAUL BOOKS!!!!!!
- Regardless, this post will not be completely haul-less, as I didn’t post last week’s haul due to my monthly update last week
- I also had the worst ever teaching experience in class this week. My brain shorted, or whatever happened, and I just NOPED out for most of the class. I hope this never happens again! The most. Awkward. Class. EVER. Ugh.
- I somehow read 3 books though?? My reading speeds have gone nuts.
- My boyfriend should be getting a review copy of a game, and he’s so overjoyed that he keeps asking myself how I manage not to always be hyper when I get approved for books 😀
- I have somewhat returned to the blogosphere
- Although I’m still struggling with visiting you all back, cause every time I log in there’s 100 comments? Miracles!
- We also celebrated my boyfriend’s birthday this week, and it was adorable. We went to this one cafe which is literally just like another country. It’s run by mostly English people, and it was honestly like going on a trip. It was really cute and nostalgic for my boyfriend too, who hasn’t been in his own country (England) for about two years now. We spent like 4 hours there, just sitting, drinking tea and relaxing. Best Friday ever ❤
Here, have a photo from there:
~ Last Week On The Blog ~
Last week I posted two reviews – The Girl in the Blue Shoes and Heart Berries. The first one is a literary thriller/mystery (which is currently free on Amazon, I believe!) with truly amazing writing that I can’t recommend enough, and the second one is an #OwnVoices memoir that touches on growing up as an indigenous person in the wreck of the Western world, going through break ups, PTSD and depression. And, of course, I posted another item in the #NewBloggers 101 series: this time, part 2 of the Organized and Efficient Blogger posts – on Scheduling and writing efficiently.



~ Coming Up Next Week~
Next week I’ll be posting twice, minus the Sunday post – there will be a buddy read review of Snow Flower and the Secret Fan by Lisa See, a book I greatly enjoyed, and the third part of the efficient blogger posts – on scheduling your social media posts and networking. I feel like this is my favorite post of the three! So I invite you to check it out on Friday.


~ Little Book Haul ~
So I didn’t haul anything this week! I don’t think that has EVER happened yet, after I started blogging! Yayyy!! However, I am sharing my haul from last week, as like I said, I didn’t share the books because I had my monthly wrapup post. Have you seen these books around? I grabbed Between Two Thorns because I love Emma Newman’s writing and it was on sale. The Last Astronaut I saw on some newsletter, I think, and I went like WTF, when I saw that cover 😀 then it turned out that it was free, and the reviews were really good – so why not? And Playing to the Gods is a NetGalley grab that I saw on someone’s blog in their updates some time ago. It’s a nonfiction about how the battle between two actresses and their acting styles influenced the way we perceive acting right now. This book isn’t due for ages! But I greatly look forward to reading it.
~ In The Bookish Community ~
Vicky @ Vicky Who Reads shares an awesome post about how a 5 star rating does NOT compensate for a 1 star rating, because MATHS, PEOPLE
Elizabeth @ Redgal Musings shares a discussion about the fact that yes, extroverted bookworms exist!
BookStormGirl @ Book Storm shares a really funny post about what happens when you feed YA quotes to a chatbot
Erica @ Honest Chaotic shares how she saved hundreds on books this year, and YES, some of it works for internationals too!
So how has your week been? And what are you reading? What did you haul?
As usual, I’m linking up with the Sunday post meme at Kimba’s book blog and Stacking The Shelves over at Tynga’s Reviews.
I’m Evelina and I try to blog about books that matter, with a bit of fun there too! Disability and equality will be topics you see a lot, but there’s also a lot of scifi, fantasy and… GIFs. I’m also the proud founder of #ARCsAnonymous.
That looks like a great little cafe! Sometimes it’s nice just to sit and relax and have nowhere you have to be. Glad you guys had a relaxing time! The Girl in the Blue Shoes sounds good, I’ll be checking that one out.
Glad to see the blogger101 posts are still going strong!!
It really was 🙂 thanks! Oh, I hope you like that one if you check it out 🙂
Like, not even a teeny tiny little book, Evelina? That must feel so weird! The ones you got last week look good, though.
And I hope you won’t have another awkward class like the one you had last week… Sounds stressful.
Thanks for sharing so many posts! I am off to check them all out now.
Have a wonderful week ahead and happy reading.
Not even a teeny tiny book! I know, right! I was so surprised, when I looked at my week’s list 😀 but I hauled some this week.. But less than I used to! I’m sort of glad about that. Cause I had been hauling way too many.
Gosh, that cafe sounds divine! Happy birthday to your boyfriend too! Am off to check out the posts listed!
It WAS divine 🙂 we went back to celebrate Valentine’s! Yum.
Great summing up post and thanks for the links. Heading over now.
Thanks for reading, Rosie 🙂
That cafe looks adorable! I didn’t haul any books this week either as I’m on a self-imposed ban until I catch up with my TBR list a little. I empathise with the blanking in class moment, sometimes my brain just randomly freezes as well, always at the worst possible time.
It does, doesn’t it 🙂 oh, self-imposed buying bans are important! But they don’t always work out 😀 well, actually, I wasn’t on any ban, so that’s why I’m super surprised that I didn’t haul stuff 😀
No haul for this week? That’s impressive, even if you do include last weeks. I get what your boyfriend means when you get approved for a book (or game in his case) you can’t help but get a little excited. And the first time it happens? I remember there was bouncing and excitement. That cafe as well? Adorable! I swear, I’ve seen teacups like that at my nan’s or something. You feel fancy when you have a cup and saucer, it’s always that moment of ‘this is how the other half lives’. Glad you both enjoyed it there, a little… Read more »
I actually didn’t think it was so amazing the first time I was approved! Because lol, I wasn’t a blogger back then. My first NetGalley book was won in a giveaway, and I didn’t even know what NG was, I had to register for it. And then I forgot the book xD haha. That cafe was adorable!! So adorable, in fact, that we went there for Valentine’s as well, and it was great. They have this tea menu item where they have English sandwiches, cake, scones and quiche.. It’s just so filling xD we almost exploded lol 😀 but it… Read more »
Snow Flower and the Secret Fan is one of my favourite books. Actually I love all her books, the amount of research Lisa does is breathtaking. Happy birthday to your boyfriend and well done for not hauling books!
That’s cool! I can’t wait to read even more of her amazing books 🙂 have you read The Tea Girl of Hummingbird Lane?
And thank you!
Ohh!! I just bought Snow Flower and the Secret Fan today!! Looking forward to your review!
That’s so cool! Start reading ASAP 😀 it’s a wonderful story. And the review just came out as well 🙂
Little Mavis Cafe looks adorable. *.* I also didn’t haul any books this week. I don’t know how it has happened, but since the year began, I haven’t spent a cent in new books – however, I’ve been received more and more books from Netgalley. =P
Wishes of a great week & Happy readings! 😉
Yay for us not hauling books 🙂 haha, maybe you should keep this up then, with the not-buying? It would be almost like a challenge, to keep it up for x months or weeks 😀 useful for your wallet! I can understand about NetGalley though 😀
And thank you!
That little cafe looks amazing!! How exciting for you guys!
Thanks 🙂 it was amazing! We actually went there again for Valentine’s and it was pure love <3 and a lot of cake 😀
It is good to not haul books every now and then. Sorry for the bad teaching experience but yay for 3 books!!! Have a great week!
Yep 🙂 thank you!
I almost didn’t get any books this week but then my family let me go to Barnes and Noble and that didn’t last. 🙂
You had a busy week, I love that little cafe picture. I wish we had those around here, someplace I can go to and work because sometimes this house is nosy.
I hope you have a great week, Evelina! Happy reading! 🙂
Hahaha, that makes sense, if you go there, you cannot leave empty handed 😀 that would just be sad. Why go at all then xD
Oh, that cute little cafe reminds me of one in a neighboring village, where the china and table settings feel so luxurious! They used to serve high tea, which was fun. Nowadays they don’t. Sigh.
What a great time you had, though.
Enjoy your books…I’m curious about The Girl in the Blue Shoes.
Thanks for sharing…and for visiting my blog.
Aw, that’s so sad that they don’t serve it anymore. I used to also know this really cool tea master of traditional Chinese tea ceremonies, too bad we lost contact – I used to love those.
I’m a graduate student and have had my fair share of embarrassing teaching experiences so don’t feel bad! There was the time when I was lecturing and actually left off the m when I said the word “mass” O.o There’s the time I taught an entire lab with chocolate on my face (luckily it looked like a new freckle). So don’t worry, it happens to everyone!
Also that little cafe looks adorable 🙂
Ugh, teaching experiences, huh 🙂 OMG 😀 loooool… your ‘mass’ story is amazing 😀 chocolate on your face reminds me of this:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G5NYCvVs6vk
xD so I hope you enjoyed that 😀 and your comment certainly cheered me up! 😀
Being from England myself, I just want to say the teapots look adorable and I want them 🙂 I’ve always had a love for tea pots and tea, haha. I’m glad you had a good reading week, I haven’t actually bought any books in ages. I did get a ton from my library though. I swear without my library I’d be lost.
Yes to the teapots! We actually went again today (for Valentine’s) and ther was a different teapot, and I was totally fawning all over it, it was so cute 😀 we are also very big on tea. TEA IS LOVE <3
Oh, I rarely buy too! I mostly just get them from NetGalley though xD xD hahaha
I am glad you are back to the blogosphere and that you survived without buying a book. It gives hope for others. And yay to 100 comments and more on your blog. So happy for you!
Haha, glad it gives hope 😀 aww, thank you 🙂 <3
Well, happy birthday to your boyfriend. A nice relaxing tea sounds wonderful, and that is pretty cool to get a review copy of a video game. Hope he enjoys it!
Thank you! 🙂
No haul, that’s awesome! I hauled entirely too much this week. Also, I got a brand new book today that I hope I can find time to read. I totally forgot to even post my State of the ARC this month. Ugh! I will just post next month and hopefully it won’t be so bad. It’s not looking good for me though.
I am really looking forward to your blogging organization post. I really need more tips on staying orgainized right now.
I hope you have a great week and happy reading!
I guess you compensated for my haul, haha 🙂 oh, no worries, you can always join whenever! This month’s State of the ARC comes out on the 26th 🙂 just a heads up.
Aww, the teaching experience thing sucks! But I’m glad you and your boyfriend had a lot of fun at that café! It sounds like you had an awesome time! Also, thanks for the shoutout! <3
Yeah.. I have another class next week, so I’m truly hoping for a better day on that one. But the cafe was definitely the highlight of the week 🙂
I loved Snow Flower and the Secret Fan Hope you have a great week!
Oh, have you changed your profile pic? Looks different!
And Snow Flower was an amazing read indeed 🙂
That cafe sounds adorable. It definitely sounds like your boyfriend had a good birthday week. That’s exciting that he’s getting a game to review. I hope he enjoys it. 🙂
I hope so too 🙂 thanks!
Yay for no haul, it feels good every once in a while to control yourself, right? This means you can buy more the next time, too 😛
I hope you’ll have a lovely week! xx
It does!! Haha, well, I almost never buy books, cause international yada yada, you know the drill 😀 but the thing about not hauling is that I can finally stand more of a chance of catching up on my review copies and having less commitments 🙂
Cutest little tea set ever 😀 I love finding little cafes like that!
I know right! I love those too 🙂 and I think this week I will have more photos from there 😀 cause we went again 🙂
This cafe looks really lovely I wish I had something that cool near me as well 🙂
I’m also very much looking forward to your upcoming Social Media/Networking post, because I definitely am in need of some tips and tricks 😀
The cafe is a real dream <3 hey, maybe you do have something so cool nearby! The smallest cafes are always so elusive, I also didn't know of this one for a long time 😀
Oh, I'm glad! I'm also super excited for that post, and I hope you like it 🙂
It really look amazing ♥ I definitely have to check and went I go back to my flat for university, I will certainly be on the lookout for a cool cafe 🙂 We do have one that’s a bit expensive but makes delicious paninis ♥
I certainly will 🙂
Sounds like there’s hope 😀 🙂
You had a fantastic week Evelina and… you are my blogger shoutout for this Sunday Post 😉 Thank you for all what you’re doing!
Thank you! 🙂 I dodn’t even catch the shoutout, probably, cause I’m totally zoned out 😀 big thank you! I’ll go check 🙂
I want to go to a cafe for coffee. But, they probably prefer their clients don’t arrive in fuzzy slippers and pajamas. LOL No haul weeks are nice every now and then.
Lol haha yes, I believe they probably don’t!! 😀 well, but I definitely approve of fuzzy slippers and pyjamas. I don’t have fuzzy slippers (that’s so cool), but PJs are DEFINITELY my work outfit.
Vilnius?? We had a fab week there about 15 years ago. The first holiday my OH & I took together 🙂 Maybe if I’d looked further than what books you read, I would already know where you live!!
Fingers crossed new books are forthcoming next werk? It would be scary to Run Out!
Yep, I live in Vilnius 🙂 haha, well – I don’t often talk about where I live! But, you might also want to know that my boyfriend is an ‘imported’ Englishman 😀 I’ve never been in the UK, but he’s come down here to be with me. So we’ve got some ties to the UK 🙂 OH SHIT. YOU ARE FROM TORQUAY. GUESS WHERE MY BOYFRIEND IS FROM. GUESS WHERE I WILL DEFINITELY BE VISITING SOMETIME IN THIS OR THE NEXT YEAR. 15 years ago though! Back then it was a completely different place, very different from today. We weren’t… Read more »
He’s from Torquay?? That’s mad!! Sometimes this planet is just too spookily small!!
I know right! It’s so awesome, I’m already thrilled that I might possibly meet AT LEAST ONE PERSON from this amazing blogsphere one day 😀 although I bet I could visit more bloggers in the UK, cause once you’re there.. 😀
NO BOOKS??!! I can’t even imagine, though I probably should have a few of those weeks myself. I need to stop impulse-buying but, well, I can’t. Love the cafe photo too. I have been lucky enough to visit Scotland, England, and Ireland and I especially miss Scotland terribly. I wish I could have brought a piece of Scotland back with me to tide me over until I can go back again. Happy Reading!
Yeah! NO BOOKS! 😀
I actually don’t impulse buy a lot, BUT… I impulse request xD or at least, I used to.
Thanks!
Sometimes the weeks where you don’t haul the books are the best because it gives you some time to catch up. Not that I ever will, but it’s a nice thought, right? The café looks awesome. Happy reading!
Yeah, it’s just how I feel 🙂 I mean, provided that you keep reading on a week like that 😀
Awww that place that you went to with tour boyfriend looks so adorable and quaint, it makes me want to go for a high tea somewhere! Also yay for not hauling any books this week, I always to try control how many books I buy, as my own tbr to reading ratio is ridiculous! I hope you have a great week! 🙂
It does, doesn’t it 🙂 high tea is awesome. Thank you 🙂
Kuddos to you for not hauling anything this week! The cover of Between Two Thorns is gorgeous by the way. And that cafe just looks lovely. Happy reading!
Thanks!
The Cafe looks so cute and peaceful. Happy Birthday to your bf. You have a nice set of books this week and my TBR list is super long. Enjoy your week.
Thank you!
That cafe looks absolutely adorable! You guys sound like you had a great time 🙂 And your week seems to have been quite productive actually!
Thanks! It was absolutely adorable indeed 🙂
Congrats on not taking on new books this week! I really need to have a few weeks like that but at least I have slowed way down on review books coming in. That is the only way to possibly catch up with the backlog. Isn’t it great when your blog starts getting comments regularly? I do know how hard it can be to visit blog and comment back. I would post 7 days a week but I need a day off to catch up on comments and be a bit of a slacker.
Have a great week!
I also seem to have slowed down with my review books, which makes me happy 🙂 but it’s an easy slip to make again xD one is enough for a while… Although I’ve been wondering whether I can somehow find and request books as awesome as I have requested several months ago (reading them now) – where did I even find those gems??
7 days a week!!! Wow, Carole! THAT IS AMAZING! I don’t think I can ever post that much 🙂
I don’t post 7 days a week because I need a day off to catch up with comments. I do post 6 days a week though which is still quite a bit.
Oh my gosh, yes, that’s a lot! I would never manage that.
It doesn’t matter if you don’t have a ‘book’ haul. I like to read what you’re up to and is it any wonder you get so many comments when you comment a lot? It’s only fair 🙂 Anyway, it sounds like your boyfriends birthday was wonderful and I appreciate you sharing regardless. Have a great weekend!
I’m happy I didn’t have a book haul! For once I can actually catch up to my reading, maybe 🙂
Thank you! 🙂
What a lovely cafe and I’m glad you had a great time. Teaching is hard – unlike many jobs, you have to be ON IT all day, every day. So just occasionally it isn’t a surprise if you have a brainfade event. I think we all have had those lessons if we’re honest…:). Blame the weather! I hope you have a good week, Evelina:)
Yeah, teaching IS hard! You just have to give out all of that energy, every time. Well, thankfully, I only have to teach like once every two weeks – I couldn’t do it every day (for starters, mostly because of my voice). But yeah, I guess we all have off days 🙂
Welcome back!! 100 comments is a lot, I don’t think that I would be able to keep up with all of that… lol
I’m so glad that you and your boyfriend had a lovely lunch celebrating his birthday. I’ve never been a fan of big parties or celebrations, so your lunch sounds right up my ally.
Have a good week! 🙂
I’m hardly keeping up with that myself 😀 oh yeah, big parties can be pretty tough 🙂 so a silent cafe is really the way to go 😀
Happy belated birthday to your boyfriend! That’s kind of neat that you didn’t get any books this week – definitely a good thing sometimes, especially for shelf space reasons. 😀 Happy reading!
Have a fantastic week, Evelina. =)
Alyssa @ The Eater of Books!
Thank you! Well, I never haul print books anyway, international problems 🙂 so merely kindle space for me, but in terms of commitments – definitely a benefit 🙂
You had a great reading week! No books hauled? Not bad at all…gives you catch up time. Happy B-Day to your boyfriend. I hope you have a great week!
Yup, no books hauled, imagine that 🙂 thank you!
Aw, that little cafe looks adorable! I love those out of the way spots where you can just sit quietly and read, or people-watch 🙂 It sounds like a great birthday treat.
And look on the bright side: your students probably barely noticed one awkward class or, if they did, were just grateful they got to zone out a little themselves! I know when I was in school, the occasional scatterbrained day was amazing because everyone just agreed to try again tomorrow haha
My students actually noticed xD the girl who manages the school was there, she made a list 😐 which we discussed. AUGHGHAHGHAHAHAHAHHAGAGGGGUUUUUGGGHHHHH
So yes 😀
Don’t want to have another day like that EVER again 😀 or at least anytime soon… xD
Oooh! I love your teacup collection and you seem to have a lovely week!
Those are not my teacups, I wish they were! We were visiting a nice cafe 🙂
Careful now. Not having a haul one week might also mean you’ll double your haul the next week!!!! 😀 So cool to hear your reading speed has exploded. I soooo want to know what that is like! Happy reading, Evelina!
I was afraid of that myself, but actually, I think I’ve only hauled like one this week, so far 😀 so unless all the requests come pouring through, I shouldn’t haul too many xD but I certainly know what you mean 😀 and I think my reading speed has increased only due to those text-to-speech books!
It’s nice to not haul books every once in a while. I did that last week and was like “Yay, my TBR didn’t grow!” But then I hauled 4 books this week, lol.
Hope you have a lovely week!
I know right, it truly is 🙂 yeah, lol, I have been warned that an ‘unhauled’ week might actually make the next week a bigger haul :DD
That cafe is so cute!! I have had those moments before in the classroom. I’ve had so many word blunders, my kids just go with it. When we are reading, and I look up to have discourse, and then look back down at the page, they all know to point out to me the spot we left off on when I make “do do do” noises. They love my “rewinds” and redos. I am living proof that it’s OK to be imperfect. It’ll all be water under the bridge, so don’t sweat it too much. I’m struggling right now to… Read more »
It is, isn’t it 🙂 well, my class was adults! So it was harder to go with the fails 😀 I just hope I never have a day like that again…
OH MY GOD, YOU DIDN’T HAUL BOOKS?! YOU DIDN’T HAUL BOOKS!!!
OH MY GOD!!
I’m kidding XD. But seriously don’t worry, a week of you not at least having three book hauls does not mean the end of a world. You need a break too, in terms of hauling.
That Cafe looks amazing. If only I can see the view and experience it myself. Have a great week!
I know right!!! I didn’t haul books! I don’t even know how it happened 😀
And also. Last week I went on NetGalley, browsed like 5 categories, AND LEFT. Did not request. WHAT 😀 I can’t even believe it!
I’m actually really happy I didn’t haul 🙂 I’m going to try and repeat this xD but I’ve already hauled one or two this week, so maybe not this time 😀
I replied to your picture of Facebook, but I’ll say it here. That cafe experience you had sounds lovely. Of course anytime anyone has a relaxing time, that sounds lovely to me. I don’t get many of those.
Thanks! I saw the comment too 🙂 oh yeah, relaxing times seem so far in between and so few in the 21st century. Sometimes you wonder, are we all doing this right, you know? Should life really be all running and hurrying? But then I guess we can’t really slow down when everyone else is in a hurry too.
I love how even a week with no new books still gets a haul. 🙂
That cafe looks lovely and what a treat for your boyfriend.
I know right, it’s so funny about the haul xD
What a wonderful haul. Sounds like you had a great week!!!
Yeah, it was a good one 🙂 thank you!
So crazy that both of us didn’t get any new books last week! LOL I did grab The Girl In The Blue Shoes after reading your review. Guess I’m back on the buying binge.
Oh, that’s great 🙂 I hope you like it!
First time stopping by! Between Two Thorns looks interesting! I’ll have to look into it.
Your boyfriend reviews games? That sounds like fun! I used to own an Xbox in college, but when the husband and I got pregnant, we decided to ditch the electronics. It’s worked out well for us! I’m sure his excitement and anticipation is fun to watch. 🙂
Do You Dog-ear?
Hi! Thank you for stopping by 🙂 I’ll drop by yours later today 🙂
Between Two Thorns is by this amazing author I love – I don’t know nearly ANYTHING about this series, but the author basically told me to read it once so I am doing that xD (mighty Twitter..) But I can truly recommend her other series (Industrial Magic) 🙂
My boyfriend doesn’t review games per se, he just streams them on Twitch. Oh yeah, he was pretty excited, but then the game was late, so.. xD