Book Talk: March Wrap Up

So much for taking advantage of my spring break... I mean, I did, just not for reading. Prioritizing is hard. And now there aren't any breaks until Memorial Day. Looks like I'll just have to make a greater point of carving out time in my day. One day I'll restore my reading life to its former glory, but today is, unfortunately, not that day.

Book Talk: February Wrap Up

Another month, another Wrap Up. So soon? I don't even feel like I've read anything this month. Obviously I read some, otherwise we wouldn't be here right now. I'm going to chalk up my poor performance to the lack of 29th, 30th, and 31st days. How could I possibly read all the books I want in a month that's two to three whole days shorter than all the others?!

Book Talk: January Wrap Up

You know when you get off the freeway and you're itching to move faster because you suddenly have to drive at half the speed you were just going a second ago? Technically I wouldn't really know since I don't drive and I've only gotten off the freeway once (behind the wheel) while in driver's ed, but I'm telling you that is how this reading month felt. I went from 24 books in 31 days to 5 in 31. Quite the reduction, but I'm not mad about it.

Book Talk: 2016 Wrap Up & Top 10 of 2016

When I signed up for Goodreads in May of 2012, I set my reading challenge for 50 books. I figured I was already a quarter of the way through the year so 50 books may be a challenge. Not the case. I demolished that goal. Since then I have been working my way up to my ultimate goal of reading 100 books in a single year. I got really close last year with 92 books, but at that point, I was just worrying about getting past my 90 book goal. It is with great pleasure and sense of accomplishment that I can say 2016 was the year I read 💯 books! Now I have to tackle the real challenge: whittling down the 100 to my top 10 favorite. Oh boy, here we go.

Book Talk: December Wrap Up

Talk about a fourth quarter comeback! For the past couple months I've been whining about my dismal reading months but I have turned that around so hard I should probably get checked for whiplash. This is the best reading month of my life based on the numbers. Obviously not every book is going to be a home run when you're reading this many, but I really branched out and picked up a lot of different genres, including ones that I don't usually get to amid my fantasy and contemporary reads. I'm forewarning you right now that this is a really long post so I'm going to stop the intro here and let you get on to the books!

Book Talk: November Wrap Up

Oof. My reading months are looking worse for wear. Despite reading fewer books in November, I'm not feeling as meh about this month as I did about October, maybe because I was very excited about and loved every single book I read this month. It really picked me up out of my not-slump. Having some time off of school reinvigorated me. It's much needed energy as well considering I am currently so far away from completing my Goodreads Reading Challenge...

Book Talk: October Wrap Up

If you were to ask me to sum up my reading month in one word, I would choose the word pitiful. I've fallen so far behind my Goodreads Reading Challenge it's embarrassing and it's not even because I'm in a reading slump! I crave to be reading all the time but my schoolwork and exhaustion doesn't allow it.

Book Talk: September Wrap Up

Are you ready for a sad Wrap Up? Not sad because of the books I read or anything, but because I only read six books... and two of them didn't even hit 300 pages. It's the price you have to pay to travel, though, so I can't complain. I'll just have to work extra hard in the next three months to make up for lost time and catch up to my Goodreads Reading Challenge. There's still hope!

Book Talk: August Wrap Up

Between the Olympics and my trip, I didn't think I would get to as many books as I did. Somehow I managed to find time for a rather heavy reading load. I guess it helped that I had the last of my summer class in the first half of the month so that freed up some much needed time to catch up. Usually I'm able to keep four or five books ahead of my Goodreads Reading Challenge but I've been in the red all year. It's a little discouraging. It averages to about two books a week though I think if I'm smart and choose my books wisely, I can make it happen.

Book Talk: July Wrap Up

This past month I've felt like I've been in a reading slump but you wouldn't know that based on my book count. Just imagine all the books I could've read if I were on top of my game. Sigh... I think it didn't help that some of the books I read this month were just meh. I enjoyed every book I read, but there weren't as many books that made me squeal or feel strong as I like to read. I guess you'll have to read more about it under the cut!

Book Talk: June Wrap Up

I am warning you now: grab some snacks or a drink and warm up your scrolling fingers because this is a long post. Situate yourself in a comfy chair and keep your library card in reach in case any of the books I read in June strike your fancy. There are a couple really good ones in here. I actually read more stories than books this month, which may sound strange, but totally possible. Click that "read more" to see what I'm going on about!

Book Talk: May Wrap Up

I've experienced a lot this past month, whether it be fictional or in real life, and while I feel like I could've read more, I'm not unhappy with my progress. I do need to be more proactive on checking off some books off my Popsugar Reading Challenge. From the looks of my bookshelf and my holds coming in from the library, I'm looking at at least two books crossed off the list! Until then, we can talk about the books I read in the month of May!

Book Talk: April Wrap Up

Happy Star Wars Day! I've got a busy day today but that doesn't mean I won't make time to talk about the books I read this month! I've been in a bit of a slump (but not severe enough to sound the alarms) so there aren't as many books as I'd like in this post, but it's definitely not my worst showing. I think the trick at this point is to get read books with some quality romance. This time of year is when I start jonesing for some cutesy contemporary novels. While I didn't get to any contemporary novels in April, click the read more to see what I did end up reading this past month!

Book Talk: March Wrap Up

What a month. My March was broken up into two distinct parts. The first half seems like years ago and the second half was a turbulent combination of finals week and spring break. Personally, I feel like I branched out a little bit this month. I mean, they're all books I was already planning on reading, but a couple of them are not the genre I typically reach for. Regardless of genre, I enjoyed reading every single book in this post. I got to revisit some familiar worlds as well as introduce myself to some new ones.

Book Talk: February Wrap Up

In retrospect, February felt long. It did feel a little slow during the month, but looking back, it's as if the books I read at the beginning of the month were books I read a year ago. I've been so immersed in all these adventures that it feels as though I've lived all their lives. Collectively, that's a lot of lifetimes. I am very happy with the books I chose to pick up this month. I think I got a good mix of everything and every book hit its mark. If you want to find out more about these fantastic books, keep on reading!

Book Talk: January Wrap Up

I've had a surprisingly productive reading month considering school has started up again. This quarter's day-to-day schedule gives me plenty of opportunity to get the me-time I need to function as a human being in society. It just so happens that my me-time consists entirely of reading. It's been refreshing being able to indulge myself in so many worlds. I'm already doing better than last year especially considering none of these books were read for class, unlike last January. On top of all the time I've had to read, every single book I read this month was good. There was a little disappointment mixed in but that was my own fault for having high expectations. Ready to get to the books I read this month? Click the read more!

Book Talk: Top 15 Books of 2015 & 2015 Wrap Up

I read a lot this year. Like, a lot. I'm gradually working my way up to reading 100 books in one year. That's a tall order. I'm taking it easy and setting realistic goals but I'm still pushing myself. The goal I set at the beginning of 2015 was 80 books but when I completed that in November, I extended it ten more books. I just barely made it, which makes me even prouder of my accomplishment. If you're curious to see what my Year in Books looked like, you can click that link because Goodreads so graciously put it together for me. Now what are you waiting for?! There's a lot to get to under the read more!

Book Talk: December Wrap Up

Happy New Year! I hope you had a fun and safe celebration. It's 2016! It's hard to believe this is my twelfth monthly wrap up and I'm really glad I started xo, Yvette and used it as a way to keep track of my reading. Now I'll be able to remember why I liked the books I did. I also hope you're able to use this as a reference if you need some recommendations or wanted to know what I thought of a book. This was a very successful year for me in terms of my Goodreads 2015 Reading Challenge because I reached my goal of 80, bumped it up ten more books, and reached that goal too! Will 2016 be the year I finally read 100 books?! I guess I'll have to read and see. For now, check out what I read in the final month of 2015 under the read more!

Book Talk: November Wrap Up

As I wrap up the month and finish up this blog post, the books I read at the beginning of November seem so far away. I didn't get to read as much as I would've liked to, especially since I increased my Goodreads Reading Challenge from 80 to 90 books for the year, but it is not a bad number at all. I'm confident that I'll be able to complete this new goal by the end of the year.

Book Talk: October Wrap Up

I felt like I hardly got through any books (probably because of some of the books I read this month were slow-going) but I actually did pretty well for myself. Granted, I only actually read two novels but I'll take anything I can get. I did not realize how close I was to completing my Goodreads Reading Challenge for the year. I'm considering extending it from 80 to... 85? 90? What do you think? Thank goodness those productive summer months provided a cushion for the busy school year.