Tag Archives: book-blog

March Reading Check-In

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I can’t believe we’re already done with Q1. March went by quicker than I expected! I had a good reading month, with romance dominating the charts, which wasn’t surprising.

I finished all of Rachel Reid’s backlist, which feels bittersweet. I enjoyed each of her books, but I’m sad I don’t have anything new from her to read until Unrivaled releases next year. I do want to reread Heated Rivalry and The Long Game at some point this year, but I’m not sure when since there are so many great new releases coming out.

The Long Game beat out Heated Rivalry for the number one spot in the series and ended up being my favorite read of March. I really loved how Rachel explores a more vulnerable side of Ilya, and I’m curious how that will translate in the show next year.

With the announcement of ACOTAR 6 and 7, I finally decided to take the plunge into the Throne of Glass series by SJM. Once I finish, I’ll be caught up with her backlist. I’ve read the prequel and the first two books so far, and they’ve definitely held my interest.

March ended up being a month where I stayed in familiar spaces and let that guide my reading. I found myself reaching for romance consistently, especially within series or authors I already knew I enjoyed. Instead of jumping between too many different books, staying immersed in a few worlds made reading feel more natural and steady.

I also noticed that I’ve become more honest with my reading. Not everything worked for me this month, but I didn’t feel the need to push through or rate things higher than they deserved, which made the overall experience feel more aligned with what I actually enjoy.

Overall, March felt steady and consistent. I’m still figuring out what rhythm works best for me, but leaning into what feels familiar and engaging continues to make reading feel more enjoyable and sustainable.

Going into April, I’m planning to stay intentional with my reading by focusing on new releases that interest me while keeping up with the ARCs I’ve been approved for.

January Reading Check-In

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January ended up being a month where I leaned fully into being a mood reader and threw out any plans or expectations. That shift was liberating and it made a noticeable difference in how much I enjoyed what I picked up and how willing I was to put books down when they were not working. 

I read some really engaging reads this month. Giving myself permission to mood read and DNF without guilt resulted in some five-star and four-star reads. I was no longer pushing through books out of obligation and that alone changed the entire experience. Reading was  lighter and more enjoyable because I trusted myself to move on when something was not clicking.

One of the biggest highlights of the month came from revisiting a familiar favorite. Over winter break, I rewatched Avatar: The Last Airbender and discovered that the story continues through graphic novels. I ended up reading all six of the main books and it was such a satisfying way to embrace mood reading. Returning to a world I already loved reminded me that reading joy does not always come from chasing something brand new. Sometimes it comes from sinking deeper into stories that already mean something and are brand new to you.

January also helped pull me out of a thriller slump. I picked up The Perfect Marriage followed by The Perfect Divorce, and both reminded me why I gravitate toward thrillers when I need momentum. They were the kind of reads that kept me turning pages and helped reestablish my reading rhythm without overthinking it.

Overall, January reinforced something I already suspected. When I allow my reading habits to stay flexible, I enjoy books more and engage with them more fully. This approach seems sustainable, and for now, that is exactly what I want.