February 1, 2022 – Life and Other Disasters

January has finally come to an end. This month felt like a year in itself somehow, but I don’t want to complain too much. I actually had a really good reading month, with ~~most of~~ all the books ending up in the 4-5 star region and me getting done with most of the personal reading I wanted to take time for at the beginning of this year. I have A LOT of reading experiments planned, so I just wanted to make sure I got some stories in that I chose myself, before I embarked on journey’s chosen by other people for me. Anyway, let’s take a look at what I read:

The Roughest Draft by Emily Wibberley/Austin Siegemund-Broka (4 stars)
Seven Days in June by Tia Williams (5 stars)
Open Water by Caleb Azumah Nelson (4 stars)
Every Heart a Doorway by Seanan McGuire (4 stars)
I might still write a review for this one, but mostly I’m just so torn. I always knew I was going to like this series, even though it’s much darker than I anticipated, and I really, really do like it. I adore how short the books are but how the world(s) still pull you in. I’d love to read more in the series, but they’re SO freaking expensive! The prices are ridiculous … I got lucky with the first one being on sale.

As per usual, click on the covers to get re-directed to Goodreads, where you are always welcome to add me as a reading buddy! OR find me on Storygraph, where I’m more active this year. My own reviews you’re able to find by clicking on the titles in the list above if there are posts for them.

With me trying to regularly update Storygraph, I thought I’d also share my reading challenges (which maybe aren’t as exciting or thrilling as those of others) and my progress throughout the year. Generally, I’m doing a good job with the number of books, but I’m kind of behind in terms of pages. Possibly, maybe I shot a little too high for that one? I’m currently reading Take Me Home Tonight by Morgan Matson and if I don’t procrastinate on it much longer, it should actually help me catch up on the pages goal.

In terms of life updates, I’m afraid there isn’t much I can offer. I don’t leave the house that much, the weather is super dreary and I’ve been working from home in my one-room-apartment since mid-November. It’s not exactly a party over here, but I hope that things will change for the better in spring. I miss being a regular at certain coffeeshops or bars and just having places to go to. For my own sanity, I plan to get an annual pass for the zoo though to visit this bird I like (it’s a Southern ground hornbill, if you want to look it up), which makes sense, since I live like 20 minutes away from the place and it’s an easy and affordable trip.

Other than that, it’s been quiet on my end? There’s been some inner turmoil with a lot of family stuff, new tasks at work and my visa for Canada running out in less than a week, but there’s so very little to do about it. I’ve just had way too much time to think all on my own and it has led to some unpleasant spirals, but some things just aren’t meant to be. I believe that Sunday (which is the day my entry letter for Canada expires) will be tough. Never once would I have thought that I’d have to mourn possibilities forever lost going into the third year of this global “situation”, yet here we are. It’s strange, because it’s fine, while it’s not fine at all. But, this too shall pass … I gotta believe that’s true, because otherwise, what’s the point? My ever optimistic side has not let me down yet and I trust that I am where I’m supposed to be when I’m supposed to be.

MOST POPULAR POSTS OF JANUARY 2022

I feel like blogging is sometimes this very ambiguous thing, especially with a lot of people moving to other (often flashier) platforms. So, in an attempt to be more transparent, I want to show you which posts had the most clicks, because it’s fascinating to me. Blogging is a medium that lasts much longer, which is proven by the following most popular January posts:

The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V.E. Schwab (Book Review)
(originally posted in December 2020)
This review just gets more and more views with each month. I don’t know where it was shared or how it is ranked high up on search engines, but people are looking at it every single day … (and I didn’t even like the book)
Are Sebastian Stan and I compatible (readers)?
(originally posted August 2021)
As I’ve said many times, these compatibility tests are popular! The guys do switch around in the ranking, but they’re always in the top tier.
All My 2022 Goals!
This is the ONLY new post! I wrote it at the beginning of the year and am glad people were interested in my plans!
Something Different: Duskwood (Game)
(originally posted June 2020)
This online chat-based game is the best! I don’t see nearly enough people talking about it, even though it only has one more chapter until the end.
Are Chris Evans and I compatible (readers)?
(originally posted July 2021)
I’m not going to repeat what I said above.

MY FAVORITES OF THE MONTH

Not a lot of people will agree with me on this … in fact, I wouldn’t be surprised if I got trolled hard for this choice, but my favorite thing of January 2022 is the release of How I Met Your Father. Was I burned by the final season of HIMYM like everyone else? Absolutely! Do I have some slight trust issues? Yep. But I still love this new show. I appreciate the references to the OG material, but I don’t constantly compare them and I love the cast and characters and I do find it funny. People constantly say it’s overacted (which HIMYM was too – 100%, you cannot convince me otherwise) and that the jokes don’t land, but they do with me. I snort-laughed at something every single episode. So .. let me have this, alright?

Also, if anyone knows where to find Sophie’s necklace, hit me up! I’m still looking for it!

ELSEWHERE ON THE BLOGOSPHERE

Not all posts might have been in January, but I still want to highlight the good work of other people! This is a community after all, so please do give them a visit if a topic sparks your interest.