February Wrap Up: The Month of 100% Ratio

So yet another month has passed us by, but at least this one went reasonably fast unlike January. February was a hectic month for me: I read quite a few amount of books – although no where near as many as I did in January – I participated in a lot of tags, I started my final year of Masters, I participated in blog tours, and I managed to finish all of the ARCs on my TBR 😱.

Look at that feedback ratio on Netgalley!! 

Books Read

15 books = 10 books, 2 graphic novels, 1 comic, 1 webtoon, 1 fanfic

 

Books Reviewed 

Contour by Meg Harding: A heartwarming m/m romance between a genderfluid YouTube makeup artist and a bisexual Instagram model. I had a huge smile on my face from start to finish. Read my ARC review. ★★★★★ 

White Rabbit by Caleb Roehrig: An unputdownable YA thriller about a boy whose sister is embroiled in a murder and he has to figure out a way to help her, all the while dealing with his ex boyfriend who he still has feelings for. Takes place over the course of one night and left me on the edge of my seat. Read my ARC review. ★★★★★

Tempests and Slaughter by Tamora Pierce: A magical prequel to the story about a well-beloved character from a reigning YA queen. This was my first venture into Pierce’s Tortall universe, and it won’t be my last. Read my ARC review. ★★★★.5

Point of Contact by Melanie Hansen: One of the most amazing m/m romances I’ve ever read. I loved everything about this novel, particularly the realism and the slow development of the love interests’ relationship from someone they can each talk to about grief, to friends, to lovers. It was beautiful. TW: death, depictions of violence, depictions of war/war zone life, suicidal ideation, grief, PTSD, depression, survivor’s guilt, internalised homophobia, alcoholism. Please be wary if you do pick up this novel – it is very heavy and very, very sad, but ultimately hopeful and happy at the end. Read my ARC review on Goodreads. ★★★★★

Undiscovered Affinity by Jane Hardee: A sweet f/f novel that was fluffy and important. The book includes fat rep and non-monogamous characters. Short, but good if you’re looking for something fun and quick. Read my ARC review on Goodreads. ★★★

Syncopation by Anna Zabo: Such an amazing m/m novel, I can’t stop thinking about it! It’s about a gay rock singer, Ray, and a pansexual, aromantic drummer, Zavier, who have a history, and become friends with benefits when Zavier joins Ray’s band. I loved the development of their friendship and I especially loved how understanding and considerate Ray was of Zavier’s aromanticism. Read my ARC review on Goodreads. ★★★★★

A Heart To Call Home by Jeannie Levig: A gorgeous, slow-burn f/f novel about two women who seem to be strangers but who actually have much more in common than they – or one – thought. This novel is a little tragic, quite sad, but definitely beautiful. Read my ARC review on Goodreads. ★★★★.5

The Lost Path by Amélie Fléchais: A cute, fantastical graphic novel – it’s funny, charming, easy to read, and the art is simply gorgeous. Read my mini ARC review on Goodreads. ★★★★

Kim Reaper Volume 1 by Sarah Graley: An adorable graphic novel about a college baker who gets swept up in her crush’s drama with her job as a grim reaper. Read my mini ARC review on Goodreads. ★★★

Life in Outer Space by Melissa Keil: A fun, nerdy and sophisticated #LoveOzYA novel. This contemporary quickly burrowed its way into my heart within the first few chapters, and, by the end of the novel, became a favourite. Read my review. ★★★★.5 

The Bible: An Anthology of Personal Essays about Bisexuality by Laurent Nickodemus and Ellen Desmond: I supported this project on Kinkstarter and went through hell to get it to me because the project didn’t send to Australia, so I had to create an American address, and yeah, it took a while, but I’m so glad I did. This collection of essays about bisexuality is so intensely personal and I really connected to it. Definitely read it. Read my mini review on Goodreads.

Book of the Month

For the first time ever, I have THREE books of the month! All of these books were incredible in their own individual way, and I’ll definitely be rereading them in the near future.

Monthly Disappointment

Nothing! Everything I read this month was great!

Tags, Awards and Book Memes

Tags: 
Book Blogger Insider Tag
3 Days, 3 Quotes: Day 1
3 Days, 3 Quotes: Day 2
3 Days, 3 Quotes: Day 3

Awards:
The Blogger Recognition Award 2.0

Book Memes:
Down the TBR Hole #2
T5W: Favourite m/m couples
T5W: Favourite f/f couples

Take a look at my tags and awards posts to see my answers and see who I nominated in turn!

Extra Content

I created a reading challenge that will commence March 1 and conclude March 31. It’s called mARCh Madness: An ARC-less Reading Challenge. The goal of the challenge is to not read any ARCs throughout the entire month of March – you have to read those backlist books you’ve had your eye on for a while first.

I created this challenge because I was becoming overwhelmed with the amount of ARCs I had and getting frustrated because all of the books that were being published in the mean time – books I really wanted to read – were pushed aside in favour of an ARC. I have books I meant to read from last August and still haven’t, which is why, throughout February, I read all of my existing ARCs and didn’t request any more.

Click on the image below to read my post about the mARC Madness challenge, and consider participating!

I also wrote up a massive guide to kids cartoon shows! I love watching cartoons because they’re so much fun, but also stimulating. Many of these shows that are considered ‘kids’ shows, feature a dynamic cast, an engaging mystery/plot, and have fantastic animations. Click on the image below to check out my post, and consider watching my favourites! you won’t regret it!

I also participated in three blog tours:

Review Tour: Contour by Meg Harding
Release Blitz: Just Here for the Pain by K.A. Merikan
Release Blitz: Pretty in Pink by Jay Northcote

ARCs

List of ARCs I received this month:

Books I received

Books I received through blog tours:

Fairyloot book and goodies:

Purchased Books

**In Other Lands was actually a gift from a friend for my birthday!

Non-Bookish Stuff

This month, I watched heaps of movies – partly in preparation for the Oscars, and partly because I was anticipating them.

The first movie I watched was Call Me By Your Name which was interesting, to say the least. I was upset by the ending, but for the most part I liked the movie. Don’t know if I’ll read the book, though – especially after THAT scene.

The next movie I watched was The Shape of Water which I can’t tell if I enjoyed this movie or was indifferent. It was definitely weird, but something that will stick in my memory for a long while.

So I have a funny story behind my watching the Fifty Shades films. Years ago, when the first movie was still yet to come out, a close friend of mine came with me to the first book signing my favourite author, C.S. Pacat, had. This was for when she self-published the Captive Prince books. As she’s not a bookish person (aside from enjoying the Fifty Shades books), I promised her I’d go see the film with her. So I did. A year later she came to another of C.S. Pacat’s book signings with me – for when Captive Prince was published under Penguin – and then she came with me to the book signing/release of Kings Rising. So I owed her two more movies and – finally – my debt has been paid. Unless C.S. Pacat does another book signing.

Anyway, the movie is crap. Don’t see it.

The last film I watched was Black Panther and omg you guys, this movie was beyond incredible! The cast were all beautiful, the plot line was badass, and the acting was top notch. Really Marvel at their absolute best! I highly, highly, highly recommend this movie!

My birthday!

February was my birthday month and my friends really spoiled me! They took me out to an incredible restaurant where they serve five-course meals – and because one of my friends knew the owner, it actually ended up being an eight course meal 😋 – and they got me an amazing present: a beautiful tea-for-one set from T2 (an Aussie tea store), the card game Marrying Mr Darcy and a Fenty highlighter! My family got me a Kindle – which I had been hinting *cough less hinting more outright saying* that I wanted 😂.

Looking forward: March

I’m officially back to uni, but my workload has decreased as I’m down to two subjects this semester as I’m in my final year, so I should be able to update my blog as usual. You can expect the following from me (I hope lmao):

Reviews:

1. My Plain Jane by Cynthia Hand, Brodi Ashton and Jodi Meadows
2. Bishop’s Move by Santino Hassell and Piper Vaughn
3. Words in Deep Blue by Cath Crowley
4. The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid

Blog tours:

1. Review Tour: The Left Hand of Calvus by Ann Gallagher
2. Blog Tour: Bishop’s Move by Santino Hassell and Piper Vaughn
3. Release Tour: Curved Horizon by Taylor Brooke

mARCh Madness

March 1 officially commences mARCh Madness and I have a couple of mutuals doing this with me, which yay!

Therefore, March TBR:

How was your February? What books did you read? Which was your favourite? Watch any good movies lately? Let me know!