Hello Fiction dwellers! This is my first ever February Wrap-Up post. February passed by so fast, not only was the month two days shorter, but I was completely immersed in work with all the bags for the new collection in the coming months that came in like a tsunami. I have seen enough bags in the past month that I would feel repulsed to see them outside of work. Anyway, the reason why I decided to make a monthly wrap-up is because I’ve seen other bloggers such as Your Tita Kate, Book Dragonism, and many other beautiful bloggers I follow posting their wrap-ups and it truly inspired me. In this post I will be sharing everything from books, movies, TV shows, games, anime, manga, music, etc; you name it! This way I can share a bit of my interests beyond just my book reviews. Also, I will be shouting out some of my favorite bookish content creators.
In February, I had a personal goal to read one romance novel, the first two books from the Murderbot Diaries series, and one ARC (Advance Readers Copy). Did I achieve these goals? Yes. Before I share my reads in February, I would like to show my new Kindle (Paperwhite Generation 10, Sage coloured), her name is Herb and she likes eggs (hence the sticker).
Without Herb my eyesight would be destroyed by the light of my mom’s iPad. I am very happy with my investment in adopting Herb. For the longest time I’ve always wanted to read more eBooks / e-ARCs because its much more convenient and to convince myself to stop buying physical books.
Books
feeling all the feels
❁ Heartstopper Vol. 1, 2, 3 by Alice Oseman ❁
Goodreads | Amazon | BookDepository
Publish Date Vol. 1 : April, 10th 2019
Publish Date Vol. 2 : December, 20th 2019
Publish Date Vol. 3 : February, 6th 2020
Heart stopper is a heart warming YA love story about the relationship of Nick and Charlie. Nick is a rugby player that met Charlie when they were partnered together in class. Charlie is the smart band kid that is well known for being the gay kid in school. After a few incidents involving rugby, they started developing feelings for each other beyond their friendship.
I read this graphic novel pretty fast, it took me a day to finish reading all of it. Alice Oseman is one of the most renowned YA authors out there. Oseman’s work is known to have great representations whether it is mental health rep, trans rep, LGBTQIA+ rep, and so on. Nick and Charlie’s journey hit close to home for me, Charlie’s arc especially. As someone that struggled with an eating disorder and depression in highschool, Charlie’s story felt like it could’ve been my own. The core of the story is very heartwarming; it explores love, gender, sexuality, mental health, and so many other things that I wished I could’ve been exposed when I was in highschool.
For readers who are interested in reading Heartstopper, you can read it for FREE on WebToon.
It is the best kind of doom scrolling. Trust me.
❁ Riot Baby by Tochi Onyebuchi ❁
Goodreads | Amazon | BookDepository
Publish Date : January, 21st 2020
Riot Baby is a thought provoking novella with a sci-fi fantasy twist that follows two African-American siblings, Ella and Kev. They both grew up in neighborhoods where violence and police brutality is a everyday occurrence. One day Kev is arrested and then incarcerated, Ella tries to free him by any means necessary. Using her supernatural powers together with the bond she has with her brother, she tries to start a revolution.
Onyebuchi is an author that knows how to create a narrative that is fast paced and full of action. I listened to the audio book that it also self read by Onyebuchi. The way the sentences flow is satisfying to listen to. It took me a while to get used to his writing style, his world building shifts like spit fire jumping from one scene to the next. For a novella Riot Baby really packs a punch that will surely leave an impression on you.
❁ The Unbroken by C. L. Clark ❁
Goodreads | Amazon| BookDepository
Publish Date : March, 23rd 2021
Full review on March, 13th 2021
❁ A Dowry of Blood by S. T. Gibson ❁
Goodreads | Amazon | BookDepository
A stand alone series that will pull at your heart strings, full of wonder and magic, of course, the foundation of all things emotional, LOVE! A book that delves into topics such as the importance of compassion, acceptance, and embracing someone as they are not what they are. The House in the Cerulean Sea is a fantasy novel that packaged all things wonderful that by the end of it you’ll feel all the warmth you need to soften your cold lonely heart.
❁ Rogue Protocol (The Murderbot Diaries #3) by Martha Wells ❁
Goodreads | Amazon | BookDepository
Publish Date : May, 2nd 2017
❁ Exit Strategy (The Murderbot Diaries #4) by Martha Wells ❁
Goodreads | Amazon | BookDepository
Publish Date : May, 8th 2018
The Murderbot Diaries is a scifi story about a security-unit that went rogue. Despite the name Murderbot and I have a lot in common. We both like to binge watch shows, hate contact with others, and are very awkward in social situations. Murderbot’s encounters with both shady and kind humans leads to Murderbot investigating his past and the events leading to him going rogue.
I genuinely enjoyed the audiobook for both of these novellas. The story is short, full of adventure and has many relatable lines. Murderbot is so much fun to follow, his personality really shines through for a sec-unit. The relationship that Murderbot develops with all the other characters is well fleshed out and believable. I can’t wait to read more of Murderbot’s adventures in the sequels.
❁ The Well of Ascension (Mistborn #2) by Brandon Sanderson ❁
Goodreads | Amazon | BookDepository
Publish Date : August, 21st 2007
Full Mistborn series review coming soon!
❁ The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid ❁
Goodreads | Amazon | BookDepository
Publish Date : September, 1st 2017
Calling Evelyn Hugo a bombshell is an understatement. The woman deserves everything and nothing. Such complexity, depth, and sacrifice. I give Evelyn Hugo (the character) no praise but I praise Taylor Jenkins Reid for writing her into the existence within these pages. I will never forget Evelyn, Harry, Celia, Connor, or John, for they are fictional characters, in the 2 days I’ve listened to the audiobook they are not. And I want to keep it that way.
Blogging
In February, I only posted twice. The first one was a long awaited review of The Fires of Vengeance By Evan Winter and the second is a spur of the movement kind of review of The House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune. In March, I hope to post more reviews of ARCs I’m currently reading!
Bookish Content Creator Shout Out !
☾ Victoria from Cornelia Street Reads posted a fantastic review of The Ones We’re Meant to Find by Joan He. I love reading reviews of ARCs that I want to read. Vic’s reviews also feature a whole playlist of songs inspired by the book to really help set the mood. Lucky enough, this week the book is available to read now on NetGalley.
☾ The Reader Republic, a book club dedicated to SFF stories from BIPOC + Queer creators is now on Discord. Check out their March picks and flagship book choice.
☾ Cube from The Geometry of Stories shares her oh-so-awesome drawing of Shae from the Green Bone Saga series by Fonda Lee. They are available for print on her redbubble store here.
☾ Blake shared his Best of 2020 books. I always love watching Blake’s videos. My personal favorite is his Rhythm of War video, if you don’t know him please check out his videos. Like and subscribe to his channel!
Music
Here is a playlist of songs I’ve been listening to in the month of February. I’ve been listening to a mix of indie and K-Hop (Korean Hip Hop). Wonstein and BIBI has been a constant presence in my everyday car drive to work. I slipped a Indonesian song in there, C.H.R.I.S.Y.E by Disko Ria, Laleilmanino and Eva Celia, the song has a disco-esque vibe to it and it is a great song that highlights some of the best lines from songs by the Indonesian singing legend Chrisye.
March ?
I am very happy with my reading progress in February. This early into 2021 I’ve already read a good number of books. With work being work I hope to blog more this month, with many more reviews and posts to come.
For March, I only have one mission : READ MORE ARCs. I have a huge back log of ARCs I need to conquer. Here are top three ARCs I’m planning to read :
This is a hefty post, I hope you all enjoy this sorta chaotic post of all the things I loved in February. Tell me what you think in the comments below.
How was your February? Which book are you excited to read? Do you have a Spotify playlist I can listen to? Let me know!
Lots of love,
Lia
I love wrap ups. You can find so much in there about a person. 🙂
Hi Anne! I agree 🙂 Wrap ups are my favorite kind of post and making them is so much fun!! <3
Hi! Please don’t shorten my name to Anne. I really hate it haha. But yes wrap ups are too much fun.
I’m sorry and thank you for letting me know Annemieke 🙂
yay im glad you decided to make a wrap-up post it looks really good! herb looks very cute too. i hope you’re having a great month so far <3
Thank you Rain! Your post really inspired me! Mine is slightly more chaotic tho hahahaha :’)
Herb is my new sidekick now, I can’t leave the house without her! I hope this month treats you well and best wishes on your course work <3
I love the content creator section (and not just because I’m in it 😉), I think I’m going to try it out in my next wrap up! Amazing post ❤️
Thank you Vic! ILY <3 Yeah I wanted to feature more of my moots on there since I'm making it my mission to hype up everyone's content hahaha 😀
Can't wait to see your March Wrap-Up Vic!! Very excited!
Lovely post, Kak Lia 😍 It’s cute that you included a music playlist! I can’t wait to hear what you have to say about She Who Became the Sun because it’s on my TBR list ✨
AHH Shannon! Thank you so much for the kind comment <3 Glad you like the playlist!! It's been a long anticipation for me to read SWBTS!! Will let you know how it goes 😀