hello everybody.
I never published my February wrap up. I started drafting it in the beginning of March, but didn’t finish writing it, and then coronavirus showed up and suddenly it felt irrelevant.
February was so long ago I was a different person. But now March is over so might as well combine Feb and March and see how these insane past two months have been.
there is a clear change in my tone from peppy happy feb to sad angsty motivation gone march lmao so here it is
Reading — February
1. To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before ★★★★★ // After rereading PSISLY at the end of January I decided what the heck and reread the whole series… I’ve now read this book FIVE TIMES in a little over two years and have no regrets
2. Always And Forever, Lara Jean (reread) ★★★★★ // I’ve read this book three times now, once while younger than Lara Jean (junior in hs), once while almost her age (first semester senior), and once while just older than her (freshman in college) and… wow each time it hits different and just when I think I can’t love it more… I can ❤
3. The Gentleman’s Guide To Vice And Virtue ★★★★☆ // I swear everyone and their mother was talking about this two years ago and… I finally got on the hype train!! It’s pretty good!
4. The Lady’s Guide To Petticoats And Piracy ★★★★☆ // This one was great, I liked it even more than the first one!!
Reading — March
1. Flavor ★★★★☆ // I read this actually starting in January and just finished it in March for my bio neuroscience/flavor seminar it was pretty interesting.
2. The Downstairs Girl ★★★★☆ // This was also pretty good yay historical fiction Asian rep.
3. The Lightning Thief ★★★★★ // I loved rereading this, so magical and made me feel like a kid again
4. The Sea Of Monsters ★★★★☆ // This was great too, loved seeing Percy on the sea
5. The Titan’s Curse ★★★★★ // I loved this dam book
6. The Battle of the Labyrinth ★★★★★ // My favorite in the PJO series, I loved seeing Percy really unlock his power
7. The Last Olympian ★★★★★ // Such a thrilling amazing conclusion!
8. The Lost Hero ★★★★☆ // Still really good but I miss Percy’s sass and also Percy in general
9. The Son of Neptune ★★★★☆ // Loved getting Percy back, and also the Roman mythology!
10. The Mark of Athena ★★★★★ // WOW. THAT ENDING. My favorite of the HOO series!
11. The House of Hades ★★★★★ // So dark but so amazing
12. The Blood of Olympus ★★★★☆ // A pretty good book but an anticlimactic ending and I miss Percy
13. Tweet Cute ★★★★☆ // This was adorable, full of cheesiness haha.
My reading was very sporadic. February was a pretty average college reading month for me, with about one book per week. The first half of March I read one book because first I was stressed about finals (lmao wish that was my biggest stressor now) then I was stressed and sad over coronavirus, and then I wanted to escape the world and reread the entire PJO and read the entire HOO series in one week.
I call this being a mood reader.
Blogging
I posted six times in February !! I’m pretty proud of the posts I put out! Especially my PS I Still Love You Review… lots of gifs, and it’s spoiler and non spoiler so everyone can read it so pls validate me because I put a lot of time into it and it didn’t do as well as I’d hoped lmao
I posted four times in March, including mini reviews for all 10 PJO and HOO books so can we count that as 10 reviews/posts?
Reviews:
- The Upside of Unrequited Review // A Cute But Unmemorable Contemporary
- PS I Still Love You Movie Spoiler & Non Spoiler Reviews // ft. incoherent squealing and excessive use of lara jean gifs
- The Language Of Thorns Review // An Incredible, Enchanting, Beautiful Masterpiece
- Harley In The Sky ARC Review // An AMAZING Whimsical Circus Book With Multiracial And Mental Health Rep
- Percy Jackson Series Mini Reviews & 50 Favorite Moments // Squealing Over Sword Fighting, Tidal Waves, And Percabeth
- The Heroes of Olympus Series Mini Reviews & 50 Favorite Moments, And My Numerous Complaints // Being Percabeth Trash (but i wanted more), Loving Nico And Leo, And sCREAMING over Tartarus
Other Posts:
- January 2020 Monthly Wrap Up // New Beginnings, Amazing Rereads, And A New Library!
- My Favorite & Defining Books Of The Past Decade // Reflecting On The Decade I Grew Up In & YA Books I Loved As An Actual Young Adult
- Harley In The Sky Circus Book Tag // Fantastic Books That Remind Me Of Knife Throwers, Tightrope Walkers, Trapeze Artists, And More!
- Top Ten Tuesday Books With Single-Word Titles // Unique Words That Sum It All Up!
Your Posts
There are a million other amazing posts besides these few that I read this month but I’m such a frazzled sad mess that of course I wasn’t organized enough to save them as I read them and now who can remember a thing IM SORRY
- Ellyn shares her plans while self isolating
- The Orangutan Librarian shares fun, frothy, and fantastical reads for when in need of a distraction
- Rukky discusses banning books
- Holly shares 8 tips for being a student while social distancing
- Marie shares 20 YA books releasing in March, April, and May 2020
- Maha shares 5 things she plans on doing during self isolation
Life
- SO we are in a global pandemic. and it sucks
- I know that so many people have it worse than me, this is bigger than me. I know this is the right thing to do, and I’m absolutely dedicated to staying home. But… I think I’m still allowed to be sad about my personal sacrifices…
- I was sent home from my college dorm three months early and it sucks. I had so many plans for my freshman spring… all gone.
- It was so sudden I didn’t even get to say bye to my roommates (and I’m not living with them next year, so all our fun inside jokes and conversations–gone forever). In fact, despite having so much fun with them, I have zero photos of the three of us. there was a day we were all talking and laughing at midnight for the last time and none of us knew it.
- I was also really sad and in a bad mental place in January, but was much better, making friends and plans, feeling really happy by the beginning of March, and spring was going to be my quarter but then lol nOPE back to feeling sad 24/7
- I’ve just started online classes and I hate them (despite that I genuinely do enjoy doing to class… in person, ya know). I’m so unproductive studying from home I literally can’t concentrate, yay for paying $30k a year for khan academy right?
- I’ve been feeling really, really sad. The first few days back I just sat around and cried all day, and had zero motivation to do anything, even things I love, such as reading or watching Disney movies or baking. I just wanted to wallow in bed and be sad. I didn’t really get out of bed except to eat and then straight back to bed for like a week.
- I’m still sad now, but less sad. After reading nothing for 2 weeks, I tried to bury my sadness reading 10 Percy Jackson books in 1 week and I think it kind of helped? still sad, but at least I’m not in tartarus rn
- I got hired for a summer job!! But not really because they told me when they hired me that it might get cancelled by coronavirus and with each passing day reading the news… yeah I think its gonna be cancelled. so that sucks because my first ever job lol nOPE
Let’s Chat
How has March been treating you? How have online classes been going? Are you making the best of quarantine and enjoying it (and if so pls teach me ur ways) or are you a sad sloth like me? I’d love to chat (seriously, I am, because I am starved for human interaction) in the comments below
Thanks so much for mentioning my post!!
I’m definitely feeling a similar sort of frustration right now. My law school classes are all online for the rest of the semester and I’ve had to move back home from my apartment, which is such a relief because I don’t have to deal with this all on my own (so grateful for that!). But it’s just strange sitting at the same desk ALL DAY… and never leaving.
Here’s hoping that April is at least a bit better!! ❤
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Of course ❤ I feel you–I'm staring to feel like a thousand year old grandma feeling all achy and stiff and sore sitting in the same desk chair all day grinding away…
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I hope April is better for you! I’m glad the Percy Jackson books helped to distract a little bit! 😊 My uni is trying to do everything online too and it’s hard because I study costume design and construction so it’s a lot of practical work but I’ve had to just try my best! 💛
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Thanks 🙂 Yikes that sounds tough to do online, hope it’s going okay! I feel you on practical work though–I was SUPPOSED to be taking a chem lab and… it’s really not possible to do a lab online I’m so sad I feel like I’m missing out on so much not being able to physical do the experiments 😦
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I’m sorry you can’t do the experiments – that must be really frustrating! It’s a difficult situation for a lot of universities I think but we’ll just have to try and make it work! 💛
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Oh sweetie, I really hope April smiles at you. The memories remain, not gone, and lets hope for joyful meetings in the future! I’m already planning all the fun stuff I want to do when this is over. Also, this was a hard reminder to me to enjoy every moment, because we truly never know when will be the last time. Also served me as a reminder not to give things for granted. Some weeks ago, going to store to buy whatever I fancied sounded like a given, a right. Now it feels like a gift I never thanked for. It sucks, but it is also making me realize what truly makes me happy. I send you a bug virtual hug!!! (oh btw, playing video games with friends and having group chats has really helped me)
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Thanks 🙂 Ikr–I used to complain about class but now I would give anything to be back in class… I swear I’ll never complain again lol I’ll savor every moment in those uncomfortable lecture hall chairs
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I definitely relate to being a mood reader! Thank you for sharing how you feel about online classes/social isolation etc., I have been struggling so much with it, and it somehow really helps me to hear that there are other people in the same boat as me! Let’s just hope April is better!
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Glad you relate–both to being a mood reader and to the social distancing struggle ❤
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Kay, I am so sorry this has all happened so fast and escalated so quickly. I understand how sad it is when your plans get changed so quickly without you wanting to. I am sending you all the virtual positive vibes ❤ I hope April smiles on you!
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Thanks 🙂 I hope April is good to you too ❤
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Wow. You read 10 books in A WEEK? I wish I could read that fast haha. Love this post!
-Prutha xoxo
💜💜
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Well it’s definitely vEERRYY abnormal I usually don’t read that much but the world is weird rn haha thanks
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Lol. Ikr the world has gone topsy turvy. Hope you are staying safe.
-Prutha xoxo
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Ah, I’m so sad that the coronavirus has affected you this much 😦 I really hope we finally beat this pandemic! but just know that you can be sad all you like ❤ you have absolutely valid reasons for hating this pandemic!
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Thanks Caitlin ❤
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Aww, Kay. So sorry you’re struggling so much with this! I’m glad you found a little escape with the books. I wish all the best books your way that will bring you to a happy place!! Best wishes for whatever happens next!! I know that’s all up in the air for all of us.
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Thanks ❤
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Aw Kay, I’m sorry to hear it’s been tough for you. I know it’s been really taxing for college students especially. I’m hoping you and your roommates somehow reconnect, either through e-mail or when you’re allowed back onto school grounds. I’m very proud of you for taking it one day at a time, and honestly, in unknown situations like this, that’s really all we can ask of ourselves. So what you’re not reading or using this time to learn a new language: the whole world is undergoing a drastic change, and you’re allowed to wallow or mourn or be productive, do whatever that makes you comfortable. Stay strong, you got this, and let me know if you need anything!
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Yeah hopefully I’ll see them again but I know it won’t ever be the same 😦 thanks for the encouraging message ❤ ❤ hope you're staying safe and well!
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That’s impressive to read that many books in one week. I totally understand wanting to get away though!! I’m sorry that it’s been so tough. I totally understand how this pandemic is just being a big pain in the butt. Maybe there’s a way to chat with your roommates or keep up with them on social media? This is all very isolating and very difficult. I never expected to live through something like this! My baby is 1 in May and his first birthday is cancelled. I know that so many people have it WAY worse but these are experiences that we can NEVER get back. So, I totally understand how upsetting it could be to be sent home from college. Hang in there! ❤
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Thanks 🙂 My reading was super abnormal lmao it’s definitely normally not like that haha. I’m sure I’ll see them again, but it’s just sad that those moments, like talking for hours and making random inside jokes at 1am, will never happen again. I’m sorry you had to cancel that, and I hope you’re doing okay and hanging in there too! ❤ ❤
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Oh yes, I definitely understand. This is all so hard because we are all losing such precious memories! I hope you are staying healthy! ❤ I'm doing okay and hanging in there! I'm hoping this will be past us soon! ❤
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You’ve read such good books on the past months? To all the boys is a personal fave of mine, those are such cozy books (if it makes sense) they make me feel at home somehow. You’re the first one I’ve seen that liked The Lady’s Guide To Petticoats and Piracy more than the first book, so now i’m more intrigued to continue that trilogy!
I’ve been wanting to read the Percy Jackson books, but i’m kind of intimidated because there’s just too many books. Are they light reads?? I ‘m amazed you got to read 10 in just a week.
I hope you get better soon! I know that with everything that’s been going on things might get kind of tough, but let’s just hope that better days will come 🙂 xo
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Yes I love the to all the boys books ❤ Yess I loved The Lady's Guide I hope you enjoy ❤ Oh gosh there's literally zero reason to be intimidated by the Percy Jackson books you HAVE to read them! I read two connected series, and while the books in the second series, Heroes of Olympus, are kind of long and dense, the first series, Percy Jackson and the Olympians, which I thought was wayyy better than HOO, is written in a really easy to read style, and the books are short and fun! They're middle grade, and I found them really easy to read one in a day 🙂 I definitely recommend reading PJO at least first, and then you can decide if the next 5 books are still too intimidating haha
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I totally understand the sadness and wanting to do nothing. I unfortunately still have to go to work but I’m also sort of glad because I need the money so it’s hard to decide how to feel. I hope April is better for all us. Much love.
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Stay safe out there! So grateful to all the essential workers keeping the world going ❤ hope you have a lovely April!
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Thank you so much for mentioning my post, I’m glad you liked it!
Emotional eating? More like emotional reading? Honestly, reading all of pjo and hoo in a week sounds like something I would do! 😂😂
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Of course ❤ lmao mood
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I’m so sorry that the past month has been so hard on you. This pandemic has really just disturbed EVERYTHING. I hope April is much better for you!💜
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thanks ❤
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I feel like I’m the last person to not have read the Percy Jackson books lol and I really need to make it a priority to get to those sometime soon. Maybe with all of this extra time I have now that we’re all isolating at this point!
I’m so sorry to hear about college! It really does suck how so many normal life things have just been taken away by this horrible illness. And to think that a few weeks ago it was a totally different world. It really is awful, and I’m just hoping we can get our lives back before too long.
Hang in there and be well!
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haha I highly recommend reading them now!
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i’m so sorry to hear that you were struggling this month, kay!! it’s completely understandable to feel sad about this situation and cry about it, but i hope you start to feel better soon 💖💖 but pjo is the perfect way to help distract your mind for a little bit! i’ve been REALLY wanting to reread it (as always) but i’m trying to save it for when i’ll really need it haha. i hope your april treats you a lot better!!!
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❤ ❤ PJO is a lifesaver I hope you have a good April too 🙂
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Oh Kay, I’m so sorry you’ve been feeling down about the current situation. It’s 100% okay to feel frustrated and disappointed about your personal sacrifices. I promise you though, you’re not alone in your sense of sadness.
I think I was being very *unintentionally* blasé about COVID19. I was stressed, but I kept telling myself that it was going to be fine and that we were “all in this together”. Then I lost my job and shit got real. AND isolation – self imposed or not – in so NOT good for my personal anxiety. Anyway, tangents, but what I’m getting at here is that this current situation sucks and if you ever need someone to talk too I’m always around. Literally because now we can’t go anywhere. I mean, we have to laugh, right???
Keep your chin up – sending much love your way ❤ ❤ ❤
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Thank god for internet friends–making me feel comforted since I can’t see my irl friends ❤ So sorry you lost your job, hope it gets better (for all of us lol) soon ❤
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I’m so glad – even if it helped only a little bit. It sucks but hey – now I get unlimited time to blog, read and binge Netflix. We’ve just got to take it one day at a time. ❤
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Ahhh I’m so sorry that March was rough for you 😦 You’re DEFINITELY allowed to be sad about your personal sacrifices! Just because it sucks for everyone doesn’t mean it sucks any less for you, and it’s okay to feel that way. I hope things start looking up for you, and I hope your summer job works out ❤
I’m so glad you enjoyed Gentleman’s Guide and Lady’s Guide!! And rereading books like To All the Boys and Percy Jackson is a great decision 😀 Good luck with April!!
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Thanks Margaret ❤ I hope your April goes better too ❤
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I hope April is much much better for you! And thank you so much for linking to my post ❤ I’m so glad you enjoyed The Downstairs Girl!! I loved it so much too! I also just started The Lightning Thief and it’s actually pretty cool, so hopefully I’ll love the series as well!!
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Thanks ❤ PJO is so amazing I hope you adore the series!
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I’m sorry you had a tough time being in a bad mental place, but I hope this month will be a lot better and kinder ❤ Coronavirus definitely ruined so many good things that were supposed to happen this year; I can understand the sadness definitely. I hope you stay safe 🙂 All the books you read were lovely, and I loved those when I was young, especially PJO and HOO.
jillian @ jillian etc.
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Thanks, hope you stay safe too ❤
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you’ve read TATBILB SO MANY TIMES OMG a true STAN!!! we love to see it!! ahh i’m so glad to see you enjoyed the downstairs girl!! i feel like it’s so underrated and i want everyone to read it bc it was so fun and clever and the rep was so fantastic!! i love that wall of PJO books 😍😍 and ahhh tweet cute!! so glad you liked it!!
i’m so sorry you havent been feeling great lately, i hope these sad feelings pass soon and you’re able to get back into a proper schedule and enjoy the things that usually make you happy. sending you lots of love ❤️❤️
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YES I AM ❤ ❤ thanks, sending you love too ❤
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I’m so sorry you’ve been feeling like this – I pray that April will be a much better month for you! ❤
I know, this virus is so crazy. I remember still hearing about it more and more towards the end of January/beginning February when it started to spread to more places, but it felt so distant. Then it started getting closer and closer to the UK…it's crazy how things can change so quickly.
I was supposed to have an interview for a university I applied to but that was cancelled due to the virus. I lost one of my jobs but then fortunately I got it back when the government released a furlough scheme (if you can't work due to the coronavirus the government will pay 80% of your salary). I have another job too that is at an essential shop, but because my mom has underlying health conditions I've asked to self-isolate for longer. I really miss work and I'm also frustrated as I wanted to work as much as possible before university to save, but now I'm unable to.
HOWEVER, I think things are looking up in a lot of places, so here's hoping that life will return to normal (or close to it) soon.
Also yess to rereading the Percy Jackson books. I LOVE them. I reread the entire series a few years back and it was a great a decision on my part lol. Maybe I'll do that again soon!
I hope you have a good April! ❤
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Yeah I remember everyone saying it was fine, it wouldn’t affect us personally…how innocent and naive we were then lol. I’m sorry you’ve been missing work, but hope you’re staying safe that’s most important ❤ PJO is amazing I definitely recommend a reread haha
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So glad tweet cute was good and I love the Lara Jean series 🙂 haha I relate to being a mood reader too 😉
I’m really sorry that you’re having a rough time with everything going on- I feel you- things are pretty sucky at the moment and I reckon we all need to be a bit kinder to ourselves about being sad. It’s a tough time- but we just have to hold onto the fact it’s not going to last forever. Hope you and your family are staying safe and well ❤
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Those are super cute ❤ Thanks, I hope you're staying safe and well too ❤
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Wow, look at all those books! That’s awesome. I’ve never read Percy Jackson and not sure that I will but it’s definitely a popular one! I’m so sorry to hear that March was such a rough month for you — especially with being made to move out and losing touch with your friends. I also totally get the struggle you have studying from home. I love working from home for short periods of time but WFH for 2.5 months is tough. It has been so hard to concentrate! If it’s any consolation or comfort, you’re not in this boat alone! If you need anyone to talk to, my DM is always open. Hope April is a better month for you so far ❤
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It was great reading this, and the fact that you didn’t sugarcoat anything because it’s okay and completely valid to be sad. Looking everywhere on my TL, I think we all had things we were finally looking forward to and now everything’s just not happening. I hope these opportunities are still there for you by the time this is over. 💛
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