May 2015: Recap + On My Shelves
Jun 1, 2015
I think May might have been my favorite month so far this year. From going on an incredible trip to finally finding my reading mojo, so many great things happened! I hope the trend continues through summer.
1-2. BFF + Beach Trip - I almost combined these into one thing I loved, but I think they each deserve their own picture. My best friend lives in a different state, so we don't get to see each other as often as we'd like. So at the beginning of May, we ditched our husbands and went to the beach. Spending time with her was just what I needed! We stayed at Tranquility Bay Resort, which was absolutely gorgeous. The beach was so quiet, and the grounds were so lush. I haven't been to the Keys before, but I'd definitely go back if I could stay here again.
3. Sarah & Susan Signing - Sarah J. Maas came to Atlanta for her A Court of Thorns and Roses tour, and I was thrilled to be able to attend! I was able to meet Sarah at BEA last year, but that environment isn't conducive to flailing so the signing was such a treat. And Susan Dennard made a surprise appearance, which was so fun!
4. Happy Hunger Games - I definitely didn't need to order more bookmarks, but you know I can't resist anything related to The Hunger Games. When I saw this adorable set from Happy Hello on Etsy, I decided that they had to be mine. And they're even cuter in person than they looked online! Should I be cut off from bookmarks now?
Read 18 Books | Favorites:
Happiness for Beginners by Katherine Center
Breathe, Annie, Breathe by Miranda Kenneally
P.S. I Still Love You by Jenny Han
Faithful Place by Tana French
Challenge Progress:
3 Fantasy for Flights of Fantasy Challenge
2 Re-Reads for The Re-Read Challenge
4 Diverse Read for Dive into Diversity
3 Series for Series a Month
"But the things we remember are what we hold on to,
and what we hold on to becomes the story of our lives.
and what we hold on to becomes the story of our lives.
We only get one story. And I am determined to make mine a good one."
Happiness for Beginners by Katherine Center
"My soul sees its equal in you."
The Wrath and the Dawn by Renee Ahdieh
"There’s a Korean word my grandma taught me. It’s called jung.
It’s the connection between two people that can’t be severed, even when love turns to hate.
You still have those old feelings for them; you can’t ever completely shake them loose of you;
you will always have tenderness in your heart for them."
P.S. I Still Love You by Jenny Han
[Most Popular]
Overall: When You Find a Friend
Review: Happiness for Beginners by Katherine Center
Discussion/Feature: Buy the Book / No. 3
[Personal Favorite]
Overall: All About Audrey Event
Review: The Scarlet Trilogy by A.C. Gaughen
Discussion/Feature: Tune in Tonight: Alias
1. ACOTAR Blog Tour: Masquerade Ball by Kelly from Belle of the Literati - You better believe I bookmarked this post, and not just because it's got hot guys in it. I loved Kelly's casting choices for Tamlin and Lucien, and it was so much fun helping her come up with the perfect Rhysand. I think we nailed it! Don't you agree?!
2. If the Books On My Shelves Were People by Gillian from Writer of Wrongs - Gillian's post made me laugh, nod in agreement, and smile at her creativity. This post is exactly why I enjoy her blog so much - she writes things that I don't see anywhere else! And then I started imagining the books on my shelves as people...
3. Reading from the Backlist by Asheley from Into the Hall of Books - This post totally aligns with what Alexa and I are trying to accomplish with the Picky Pledge! By choosing to read fewer reviews books and doing less book shopping, I'm gravitating more towards "older" books. So, I loved Asheley's thoughts on backlist reading!
4. {Bookish} Style Files: Met Gala 2015 Edition by Alexa from Alexa Loves Books - This is one of my favorite posts from Alexa! I loved when she paired characters + gowns last year, and I was so excited when she decided to do it again this year. She let me see the post early and contribute some pairings! Which combo is your favorite?
Favorite Song: "Livewire" by Oh Wonder on Livewire (Single)
I discovered Oh Wonder while listening to Spotify's New Music Tuesday playlist.
I've loved all of their music so far, but this song is my favorite. I can't get it out of my head!
Far from the Madding Crowd (2015) starring Carey Mulligan and Matthias Schoenaerts - This movie had been on my radar for months. I couldn't get that haunting trailer out of my mind! I beelined it to the theater in May, and it was even better than I'd hoped - gorgeous cinematography, perfect casting and a lovely score.
Alias, Season One - If you saw my Tune in Tonight post last week, you may already know that I recently binge re-watched this show! It was my first TV show obsession, and it's remained one of my all-time favorites. I'm currently on the second season now, and I'm already dreading the moment I reach the series finale.
Adult: Happiness for Beginners by Katherine Center, Taken by Dee Henderson, Voyager by Diana Gabaldon and Drums of Autumn by Diana Gabaldon
YA: The Summer I Turned Pretty Trilogy by Jenny Han, P.S. I Still Love You by Jenny Han, Lion Heart by A.C. Gaughen, Scarlet by A.C. Gaughen and The Wrath and the Dawn by Renee Ahdieh
Signed: A Court of Thorns & Roses by Sarah J. Maas and Something Strange & Deadly by Susan Dennard
From Alexa: All the Truth That's In Me by Julie Berry
From Estelle: Prom and Prejudice by Elizabeth Eulberg
Traded with Kristina: Black Dove, White Raven by Elizabeth Wein
Traded with Holly: Kiss of Deception by Mary E. Pearson
From Oxford Classics: Victorian Fairy Tales by Michael Newton
From William Morrow Paperbacks: Hotel Moscow by Talia Carner and Newport by Jill Morrow
From Harper Design: Audrey at Home by Lucca Dotti
For Review: The Immortal Heights by Sherry Thomas, Circling the Sun by Paula McLain, My Grandmother Asked Me to Tell You She's Sorry by Frederick Backman, The Lake Season by Hannah McKinnon and The Readers of Broken Wheel Recommend by Katarina Bivald
Bought for Kindle: The Witch of Blackbird Pond by Elizabeth George Speare
