So I’ve decided to change up my Sunday posts a little bit. From now on, they’ll be centered on what I’ve been reading! Since I don’t post as many book reviews anymore, but still keep reading a lot of stuff, I find that I want to share more about the books themselves rather than my personal news (which I can never remember anyway!) I imagine the post format will be changing a little bit, but here goes!
~ What I’ve Been Reading ~
This month not only marks the month of my two year blogiversary (which was actually last week, and I forgot!), but also basically the first time in my life when I’ve been ready 11 books at once, steady. Or possibly even more, but I’ve lost count. I’ve always been a multiple book reader, all at once, but now? I don’t even know how it got this chaotic. I’m not sure it’s ever been this many! I’ve had to start making a list of what I’m currently reading, cause I legit forget. But I don’t forget the stories if I pick it back up. Ridiculous, huh. So I’ll share a few of these that might be new to you!
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You might have seen What Would Boudicca Do? on my second Instagram @avalinahsbookbites, because I just got it as a review copy from Faber&Faber, who are amazing for sending it to an international blogger! ❤️ This is truly a interesting book, because it’s not one of those you’ll read all at once – it’s more of a “sit down and grab it” kind of book, because it’s made up of short several page stories about strong women of their times who have stood up against hardship and oppression. It’s something I wish I had when I was growing up! It’s good to have around if you have young females in the house. And also, look at that cover. It’s good to just show it off 😂
[ Goodreads link ]
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Another book I absolutely have to talk about is The List of 13. It’s an indie pub book, and I am IN LOVE WITH IT. It’s not due to publish until December, so you’ll still hear me go on and on about it, but it’s just such a wonderful book. Sadly, it has one of those “uhm what happened here” covers that I’m sure will deter a lot of readers from actually picking it up (the photo has the first leaf, not the cover). But I’m telling you now, ignore the cover you see on Goodreads – mark this book as to-read because IT’S GREAT. It’s written incredibly well, it’s honest and sometimes deep, sometimes amusing. It’s about two women who make a bucket list, because one of them is dying. And they happen to both die in an accident, and they go to the underworld. And they have to figure their own way out of there to heaven. It’s a big adventure during which they learn a lot about themselves. And yes, it’s Christian – but not overwhelmingly so, because the underworld has a lot of different cultures from other religions. And while they’re presented as “of human making”, they’re still given the respect they should be given – it’s basically just the author painting a world the way they believe it is, without shitting on everyone else’s beliefs either. The book is very sincere, and I’m enjoying every page. I’m kind of sad I’m almost at the end! Huge thanks to the author for the review copy.
[ Goodreads link ]
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I know I already talked about this one! But I will not miss my chance to talk again. This scifi adventure is funny, amusing and touching at the same time. And incredibly imaginative! Reads well and fast, and it has some truly interesting ideas. It’s a comedy and it will pick your spirits all the way up. The good thing is that it’s already released, so if you head to Goodreads, you can just read the blurb and grab it, if you like the sound of it. I can truly recommend it. Thanks to Prelude Books for the review copy.
[ Goodreads link ]
Another book that I must tell you about is the sequel of Spinning Silk! I have actually not started the review copy myself, but I enjoyed the first book, so I was very excited to see that the second book has been released. If you liked Spinning Silk (my review here), you might enjoy this one, and right now it’s on sale and should cost only $0.99 (but please check the price before you buy!) Thanks to the author for the review copy.
[ Goodreads | Buy links for multiple platforms ]
And another quite interesting book I’ve been reading is called Polyamorous – so you’ve probably guessed what it’s about! So far, it’s been a very interesting peek into the world of different relationships than I’m used to. Heading into this with an open mind with the goal to learn about people who are different has been a rewarding experience, because there’s a lot of stuff I didn’t know that I’m learning about. The book explains a lot of dynamics, the why’s and how’s with understanding and respect – quite understandably, because it’s written by a person who is herself in a poly relationship. If you want to read some interesting nonfiction about a topic that isn’t much talked about, then you’ve got your chance. Thanks to Dundurn for the review copy.
[ Goodreads ]
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Then you guys also know I’m reading The Hate U Give, but it’s not like it needs any more help with publicity! So I’ve chosen to talk about lesser known books instead. But so far, I’m really enjoying this legend as well, although I’m taking it slowly, because it’s such an emotional read, and I haven’t been able to handle heavy subjects lately. So I’ve been pacing myself!
~ What I’ve Been Talking About ~
I haven’t been posting a lot lately – instead, I’ve concentrated on quality and creativity, so only just posting when I want to or when I have an idea on what to write. You might be seeing less posts from me, but hopefully they’ll be more interesting to read! So this week, I’ve posted a post I was really happy with, and it’s a discussion – “Guilty Pleasure” Labels: Is It Just Schoolgirl Mentality You Can’t Let Go Of? Read it here:
~ What You’ve Been Talking About ~
First of all, are you aware that Cait @ PaperFury’s posts might have not been reaching your mailbox? She has been having Jetpack issues in the past week or two, which is why I’ll ask you to share her posts like you did for me when my Jetpack was broken! This time I’m sharing two of her discussions, and all the rest are some wonderful posts I came across last time when I was blog hopping!
Cait @ PaperFury talks about how to treat a book blogger in the wild and asks if you follow book blogger trends
Aj @ Read All the Things bakes a cake from PaperFury’s book and teaches me that baking at high altitudes can be so different!
Kat from Novels and Waffles guest posts on Drizzle and Hurricane books about how YA fantasy fails to represent mental illness where it is absolutely necessary and natural
Nandini @ Unputdownable Books gives some great advice on how to balance blogging and your actual life
Sammie @ The Writerly Way wonders whether YA has been getting a little too adult lately
The Queen of Discussion Posts (AKA Clo) @ Book Dragons 24/7 talks about embracing or destroying your inner perfectionist
Jeann @ Happy Indulgence talks about the guilt of not responding to comments in a timely manner, and I can relate to this 120%
~ What I’ve Been Hauling ~
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It’s like the month my blog hit 2 years, books just started flooding my mailbox. I’m international! I can’t believe this is happening! Makes me so happy though. I totally forgot I said yes to The Eleventh Trade, and its arrival was a complete surprise (I actually thought I would only get the electronic version and included my address on a whim just in case!) Thank you Bonnier Zaffre! And the arrival of What Would Boudicca Do? was an incredibly happy surprise as well, cause I didn’t know whether my email would just go to the void or not. But those are not the only books I hauled! I’ve been a little click-happy this month, and I feel lost in all my new books 😅 I’ve already talked about some of them already – the rest I picked up are The Hike which was on sale and I’ve had it on my to-read list for probably a year – it’s got reviews all over the place, so I’m pretty excited to read it. I also picked up Today’s Moment Despite the News – a book about finding positivity in everything and I’m already reading it, trying to boost my own motivation to keep a gratitude journal.
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.
I could never juggle 11 books at once. I guess it’s sort of like watching 11 TV shows, but I get really impatient and want to know how the story ends. Enjoy all your awesome book mail!
Haha, it’s different for me, I guess I can’t stay on one book too long 😀
Thank you!
Wow, 11 books at a time, that’s certainly something! I love to see how many books you’ve recently got, being an international blogger myself I find it really hopeful and inspiring. ❤️
It was 11 at the time, now I’m doing like 20 😀
I don’t get all these books you see as review copies – I actually buy most of the them on the kindle! But I’m glad to hear it’s inspiring 🙂
Congratulations on being an International blogger….quite a feat. As mentioned by the other posters – 11 books – I simply cannot imagine reading 11 books at once. Happy belated 2 year blog-anniversary too.
Thank you!
Eleven books???? Evelina, what sorcery is this!? I saw your IG post for What Would Boudicca Do? and have been interested in it ever since!
Yes 😀 well, that is quite a bit number and I feel like it’s a little too big even for me xD hahaha
And I thinnk you would love that book 🙂
Congratulations on your 2nd blogiversary!
I’m a single book reader, two at the same time is the maximum I can do and I usually don’t switch between them but finish one and then continue the other one.
I really want to read The Hate You Give. Hope you’ll love it!
Thank you! Ah, I wouldn’t be able to survive reading only one book at a time 😀 I would be in a constant reading slump! 🙂
Congrats on the two year blogiversary! And 11 books at the same time? Wow! That’s intense. I have trouble with reading two books at the same time. LOL!.
Have a great week and happy reading!
Yeah, I’ve always been a multiple book reader, but 11 is intense even for me 😀
What a lovely lot of books, Evelina! Battlestar Suburbia is the one that’s caught my eye – I really like the sound of that one:). And huge congratulations on getting some international books come your way! Have a great week.
Thank you! Yes, I think you would enjoy that one 🙂
Ooooo thanks for sharing my post and also, *hugs you* QUEEN OF DISCUSSION POSTS GURL YOU ARE TOO KIND BUT I NEED THIS AS A BADGE CAUSE I’M LOVING THAT TITLE hehe.
Also off to blog hop to all these wonderful posts you shared! But I’m loving the new format for your wrap ups, I’ve been thinking about maybe adding on monthly wrap ups next year haha, not sure though. Hope you have a great week!
My pleasure! Hahah lol that’s sweet 😀 but you truly are the Queen of Discussions! You post so many 🙂
I can’t wait to check out What Would Boudicca Do!
I hope you like it 🙂
I don’t know if I can read that many books at once. I think four is my limit. Like one on my nightstand. One I carry with me. One I have in a reading spot and an audiobook. So, four for me is fine. I wouldn’t want to get the stories confused in my head. Have a great week.
Mary
Yes, I will admit that reading like ten is kind of challenging for me – but that’s why I only really do it when I’m in a slump! (Better than not reading anything, right?)
I don’t know why, but I somehow don’t get the stories confused though 🙂
You got a book from Faber & Faber???? Wow! I will ask you one day to share what you wrote in your letter to them as I feel so clumsy trying to ask for books 😉 Thanks for all the links above Evelina!
Yes! Well, by now you’ve probably seen the template on my publicist post – that’s roughly what I wrote. If you want, I can share the email address I wrote them to – and you should definitely request!
Im so glad you have started receiving more books from publishers. I know how hard it can be for International book bloggers. The eleventh trade looks interesting. Im reading like three different books right now and slowly feeling myself entering a book slump. So weird.
Thank you! The Eleventh Trade was WONDERFUL 🙂
Thanks for sharing! What lovely books you are reading. Enjoy, and here are MY WEEKLY UPDATES
And thanks for reading 🙂
I have no idea how you manage to juggle between SO many books at once, wow, that’s.. well, that’s pretty amazing haha 🙂 I hope you’ll enjoy them all 🙂
And happy blogoversary, yay!! Here’s to many more years of blogging and fun 🙂
Thank you so, so much for sharing one of the guest posts I had on my blog for Shattering Stigmas, Kat’s post was amazing 🙂
I guess it’s just my way, haha 😀 yes, I have actually enjoyed most of them, so that’s good!
Thank you 🙂 and I really enjoyed Shattering Stigmas on your blog! There was some amazing content.
Congratulations on your two year blogiversary Evelina 🙂 I don’t know how you do it with multiple books at one time, if I read more than two I get all the characters mixed up. Have a lovely week ahead and enjoy all your new reads.
Thank you! Haha, I sometimes read like ten books at a time 😀 no lie. I don’t know, it’s kind of like changing a channel on TV for me, really.
Happy anniversary! And I am so happy for all the book mail you got recently! I hope you enjoy them all (and I love reading all about them on your casual Instagram). I am currently reading Shin (of course I am!).
Thank you! 🙂 ah, yes, I enjoy my casual Instagram so much too, cause I get to catch up with you all 🙂
Ooh! And how are you enjoying Shin? I just scheduled a review for next week 🙂
Eleven books at once? Wow. And I thought I was reading a lot at once when I hit seven!
Have a great week! 🙂
Yes, I do batch read a lot! Although it gets confusing with the 11 books. Although to be honest, for at least half of them it’s more like “I’m basically DNFing this with the intention to come back later when I have nothing better to read” xD
What Would Boudicca Do? looks wonderful; I wish they had kept that title and cover in the US. Here, it looks like it will be published as What Would Cleopatra Do?, probably because they don’t think US readers will know who Boudicca was. I don’t like the cover as much either. But the content sounds about the same, and the authors are identical, so I’m pretty sure the books are essentially the same.
Woah, really? :O yes, I guess it’s because not many people would know that in the US. Oh well, at least it’s getting published though. I just checked the cover. Ah, yes, it’s totally meh :/ they could have made a cover with the same style! I can never understand such publishing decisions. Oh well 🙂
Happy blogiversary! How can you read so many books at once? I’d be overwhelmed. I hope you enjoy them all. Thanks for giving my post a shout out.
Thank you! And I don’t know, I’ve just always been this way, I guess? 😀
I like your mix of genres. And Battlestar Suburbia and List Of 13 caught my eye. Happy reading!
Those two are so very recommended! I’m sure you’d like List of 13 at least, if not both of them. Maybe you can get a review copy, I can put you through to the author, if you want 🙂
You always read such interesting books.
Thanks, Anne 🙂
Happy blogoversary! And yay for tweaking your Sunday Post your way. I like your idea of not reviewing as much- heck I’ve read a few books lately that I didn’t bother to review, and not because I didn’t like them, but just because I don’t have to review EVERYTHING. It was kind of a revelation lol.
Yes, it was a revelation for me too 😀 thank you!
Thank you so so much for shouting out my blog issues. I appreciate it ahhhh. (Still no progress on fixing bleh. Ooh I think I owe you a DM actually.) And YAY FOR READING UPDATES! I always love these types of posts! And THUG is amazing, but definitely emotional, and I’ve never seen that cover before. It’s only just over a year old and it seems to have like 3989 different covers haha.
(also again…*sending you all the cake* HAPPY BLOGVERSARY YOU WONDERFUL THING.)
I just hoped it could help a little 🙂 hey, did you try updating WordPress? There’s a new version, and maybe that could fix the issues with the Jetpack plugin. And yes, that is a weird cover 😀 but I also got it at an airport, so 😀
How could you read 11 books at a time while I can’t even read two I just finished One True Loves by Taylor Jenkins Reed it was so goo, I haven’t picked any book yet. I’ve heard great things about Eleventh Trade, hope you like it!
I don’t know, I have just always read this way, haha xD it’s kind of like changing the channel on the TV, though? 🙂 and yes, I absolutely loved The Eleventh Trade! Can recommend it with all my heart 🙂
Yay for book mail!!!! Always a great feeling when book mail arrives
I cannot even imagine reading more than a book at a time! I have never tried it. I may start doing it tho because I have a huge backlog of books to read
Loved the new post format! Those are some great books.
I would never get anything read if I didn’t read many books at a time 😀 I guess it’s just my character 🙂 but for me, it’s kind of like changing the TV channel 🙂
Thanks!
Wow, those are some amazing looking books. I really want to read Battlestar Suburbia after seeing it here. Hope you have a wonderful books and 11 at once! I’m impressed.
Haha, that’s great to hear – and it’s really a book worth checking out 🙂 and thank you!
Congratulations on your 2 year blog anniversary <3
Thank you!!!
Fantastic post. Congrats on being international too 🙂 getting physical copies of books is always so nice……. love the smell lol.
Thank you! 🙂
Thank you so much for the shout out for my guest post! It means a lot. And I love that you are highlighting some lesser known/talked about books here. I haven’t heard of a lot of them, and I think that’s too bad! Battlestar Suburbia sounds hilarious and like something I would totally enjoy. Thanks for adding to my TBR and for another wonderful post 🙂
It’s my pleasure 🙂 Battlestar Suburbia is hilarious and awesome! You should totally try it 🙂
[…] [Evelina @Avalinah’s Books] […]
Love the new format for your weekly post! 11 books at once is my kind of a nightmare.
Thanks 🙂 I am also enjoying the new format.
I hope you enjoy The Hate U Give! It’s so powerful and emotional, but worth the read. I like your new Sunday post layout! Have a great week!
I am still “currently reading” it 😀 it’s such a painful book to read.. I think I will be slow going 🙂