January was a month of quality reads for me. I don’t think I’ve ever had a month where every book I read, I loved. One thing is clear though, I am really enjoying Diverse reads and being able to relate to some of the characters. I am also still on a mission to lower my arc pile with the help of my handy spreadsheet lol & making progress. This however, has not stopped me from acquiring new books cuzzzz i’m a helpless bookworm who can’t resist good deals & steals ๐๐๐ annnnnd let’s face it, February doesn’t look like it’s going to be a slow month in the book world either. Yet still, I do plan on mostly picking up those books that I’ve already read & loved in arc form in order to support the authors & cuz If I loved them so much, i’d like to own them ๐ค๐๐ค๐
I’m very happy that The Bear and the Nightingale & Gilded Cage are solid starters for series. I get to go back to these worlds/characters and see what they’ve been up to & I can’t wait! I also hope to see more from all of these debut authors, they were all seriously noteworthy for many different reasons. I’ve reviewed all and attached the links ๐
January also saw me host my very 1st giveaway (see here) and I am happy with the outcome. The winner of the Owlcrate giveaway was Naz @ย ReadDiverseBooks, check out his wonderfully diverse blog for all things diverse reads! The next giveaway will most likely be in May to celebrate my 1 year blogoversary and there will be 1st, 2nd, & 3rd place prizes ๐
ย Gilded Cage (Dark Gifts #1) by Vic Jamesย โ โ โ โ โ (5 STARS)
ย American Street by Ibi Zoboiย ย โ โ โ โ (4STARS)
The Bear and the Nightingale by Katherine Arden ย ย โ โ โ โ โ (5 STARS)
The Education of Margot Sanchezย โ โ โ โ (4.5 STARS)
The Hate U Give by Angie Thomasย ย โ โ โ โ โ (5 STARS)
*These 3 were Goodreads wins, your girl was a bit lucky this month (thank the Book Gods)
Under Rose-Tainted Skies by Louise Gornallย
The Story Of ย New Name (Theย Neapolitan Novels #2) by Elena Ferranteย
The Lost Daughter by Elena Ferranteย
The Bear and the Nightingale (the Bear and the Nightingale #1) by Katherine Arden
Lillian Boxfish Takes A Walk by Kathleen Rooneyย
Wires and Nerve (Wires and Nerve #1) by Marissa Meyer
City Of Saints & Thieves by Natalie C. Anderson
The You I’ve Never Known by Ellen Hopkins
Arabella of Mars (The Adventures Of Arabella Ashby #1) by David D. Levine
Frost Blood (Frostblood Saga #1) by Elly Blake
History Is All You Left Me by Adam Silvera
January’s Book Of The Month, I went with Lillian Boxfish Takes A Walk and added Good As Gone for $9.99. BOTM gifted their subbies Gillian Flynn’s The Grownup ๐
I purchased these two lovely Book Biff’s from Breanne over at BizzyLittleB, she was very sweet & filled my custom order very quickly. Currently she isn’t taking custom orders due to starting a new school semester but she’ll be back & i’m keeping an eye out for when she does ๐
I managed to squeeze in a movie with the hubby this month. We went to see Underworld Blood Wars & although it was enjoyable we felt it wasn’t the strongest film in the franchise. That’s tough to say cuz I’m a HUGE Underworldย & Kate Beckinsale fan. I’m still not giving up on Underworld & hope that the next one is re-vamped (hehe see what I did there smh).
On the TV front, i’ve admittedly fallen behindย on a lot of my shows since they returned from Winter break but the DVR is working over time saving them for me. However, I have returned to one of my faves Vikings Season 4ย (link to IMDB) & i’m once again hooked. Team Lagertha all the way & I really hope they don’t kill off my boo lol ๐ค๐ผ๐ค๐ผ๐ค๐ผ
As has been the case these past couple of months, I’m a bit late with this book haul/wrap-up but i’ve been catching up with some of yours. Seems like for the most part, January was all aboutย getting back in the swing of things. Love seeing how your January went & wish all my bookish peeps happy reading in February <3’s!
LairOfBooks 
What a great reading month you had! It’s always great when you enjoy all the books you read that month. ๐ You also have a GREAT haul. Under Rose-Tainted Skies is one of my favorites!! And I’m reading Homegoing right now (hoping to finish it today) and I really like it!
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Thanks Kourtni! ๐ I can’t wait to get to these reads, especially Homegoing since I waited a month to get my copy from the Bookdepository smh lol. I look forward to your review, thank you for stopping by <3!
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“Iโm still not giving up on Underworld & hope that the next one is re-vamped (hehe see what I did there smh)” I literally giggled when I read this!!!
I am so happy you had a great start to your year, I hope the rest of the year continues this way. Congrats on winning three books, look at you Ms. Giveaway Winner lmaoooo (see what I did there). I can hear you now “Gretchen Stop!!!” lol.
I love your haul and the range of colors. I’m excited to pick up City of Saints and Thieves. I might actually get to that one sooner than I thought since I’m already in this “dark thievery read” with Pennies.
Look forward to your reviews and bookish post for February โค
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Thank you twin!!! This will be a big year for you, I just know it! Smh lmaoooo @ Ms. Giveaway Winner ๐คฆ๐ปโโ๏ธ I thought the range of colors worked out well too & I wasn’t even planning on it lmaoooo! I would love to hear your thoughts on Saints & Thieves as well as the Pennies trilogy. I know we’ll voice note/FT about those though ๐ happy February twin!!!๐
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Eeeeeek!!! And you know we will most definitely be sending one another VN’s like we always do!!
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Wowwww you read so many books I can’t wait to get my hands on! Very impressive wrap up ๐
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Thank you! I hope you enjoy these reads when you get around to them ๐
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Wow you got some really good books this month! I’m really interesting in reading some of the books you just finished. Glad you enjoyed them!
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Thanks Cate! ๐ I hope you enjoy them as much as I did when you get around to them ๐
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Thanks! ๐
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Awesome post! I’m glad that you loved so many of the books that you read this month. I love when that happens. ๐ I hope you get a chance to post reviews of some of them – I can’t wait to see what made them awesome. Again, great post!
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Thank you ๐ I reviewed all of them actually (titles have links to my reviews๐)๐
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Ooh perfect! I’ll definitely check them out ๐
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I’m so glad your 2017 has started out wonderfully in the book department! You had such a great book haul and I seriously want to read all the books you read. They sound phenomenal and I love that you’re placing a greater focus on diversity! I love the Underworld series, too, but I haven’t got around to the newest one just yet. I’m happy you enjoyed it ๐ Hopefully the next one (if there IS another one) is going to be much better. And I’ve always wanted to start Vikings but haven’t had the time. It sounds like an amazing show! Hope February goes just as well for you!
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Thank you Azia! starting 2017 on such a strong reading note is good for a change lol. I do believe that including diverse reads has made a big difference in my reading experience. I’m also hoping that the next Underworld movie sees improvement *fingers crossed* Vikings is AMAZING! love that they have strong female leads. Thank you for stopping by & happy reading ๐
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I second the above comments, you’ve had an excellent reading month! I’m so pleased that you enjoyed all your January reads ๐ That’s always a bonus! I hope your February is just as awesome ๐
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Thank you Jazz! I hoe you have a wonderful reading month in February as well ๐
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American Street and The Hate U Give are both in my TBR pile – I can’t wait to read them! Glad you gave them such good reviews – I’ve only been hearing good things!
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Oh goodness! two of my faves! I’m actually planning to re-read THUG when it’s released, with my hubby since I couldn’t stop talking about it to him. I can’t wait to go & pick up a copy & I’m keeping my ears open for any news on the movie’s production. Thank you for stopping by & happy reading ๐
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I hope you enjoy Under Rose Tinted Skies when you get round to it. I suffer with anxiety and I found it to be really accurate in it’s representation ๐
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Thank you Kirsty, as a person who suffers from anxiety as well, I am really looking forward to Under Rose Tainted Skies. I’ve heard nothing but positive reviews in regards to representation & you’ve now confirmed it for me ๐ Thank you for stopping by & happy reading in February <3!
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Really looking forward to your thoughts ๐
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Great recap for this month Lilly, and wow you managed to get through a fair few diverse books as well! That’s something I need to work on for the next few months because I am seriously behind on that goal on my own blog. Also your book haul looks amazing! Congratulations on winning the Goodreads giveaways, I hope you enjoy those books, and the rest of the that you brought. I’m still waiting for my copy of Wires and Nerve to arrive (it’s been dispatched so it shouldn’t be too much longer) and I can’t wait to get my hands on it. Just seeing it in your picture has made me want it even more! ๐
It looks like you had a great January as I hope you have an even better February! ๐
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Thank you Beth!!! I’m loving the diversity in my book selections this year, they are making for a much more enjoyable reading experience. I got lucky with the giveaways & I’m happy they’re books I’m really looking forward to. Oh, I can’t wait for you to have your copy of Wires and Nerve! The different shades of blue in the artwork are STUNNING! I’m tempted to drop my reads & dive into it but alas, I’m trying to be responsible lol. Happy February Beth & as always thank you for stopping by ๐๐
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That’s all right! And yeah that’s kind of why I need to start getting around to the more diverse books on my to-read list. Still better late than never I guess (which has practically become my motto not gonna lie!)
I’m still waiting for it and it’s agony. Every day I come home expecting it to be there and every day it’s not yet arrived (though to be fair it was only dispatched on Monday so I guess it’s still working it’s way to me).
That’s all right, and thanks Lilly! ๐ โค
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LOL! I understand, I’ve been tracking my Book Of The Month every hour or so like a madwoman smh. Always better late than never ๐
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I do that when my Fairy Loot box is on the way. Normally I know what day it will arrive but I always like to check the progress to see it moving towards me! ๐
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I felt like January was a huge month for you personally. I always love your reviews, but your connection to the more diverse reads has really shown in your writing. Your reviews have been simply eloquent and I have enjoyed every moment of them โค I also really enjoyed seeing you host the giveaway.
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Thank you Danielle! You’ve made my day with this comment ๐โบ๏ธ๐โบ๏ธ January was a fresh start & as the year progresses (after April lol), I’m going to be returning to some of my most favorite genres (Fiction,Adult Fantasy, & anime). I’ll still be reading YA of course but I miss my variety. I’m so happy to be seeing so many diverse books hit the shelves this year, it’s exciting as a reader too ๐ the giveaway was successful in that I learned a few things ๐ the next one will run a bit differently ๐ค๐ผlol. Thanks again Danielle, you’re too sweet ๐
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Oh now I am so curious as to what sirt of things you might have learned haha ๐ but I will not ask on here of course. I am looking forward to April! Yeah, anime and manga! ๐
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HAHA! quite perceptive ๐ I’m seriously going to live vicariously through you when it comes to manga & anime until I can start reading my own lol smh.
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I need to write up another review for Bizeghast very soon. I am so unorganized of late.
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Two of the books that you read are anticipated reads for me!
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It looks like 2017 has been off to a great start in the reading department for you, Lilly! Seriously, looking forward to all of those books even more after having read your reviews for them. And of course I’m so glad that you ended up enjoying Gilded Cage as well. I can’t wait for the sequel! I need to know what happens next so bad!
Lucky you on all of those GR giveaway wins! And look at that gorgeous book haul ๐. I so need to get my hands on History Is All You Left Me and Frostblood ASAP.
I hope you have a great February and that it brings with it a lot of great reads! ๐๐
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I would love to read Bear and the Nightingale. You had a great January!!
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Thank you! The Bear & The Nightingale was such a lush and atmospheric read, I can still imagine the world clearly in my head. I’m looking forward to the sequel ๐
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I had started a big and beautiful spreadsheet at the beginning of January but I keep forgetting to add books and it doesn’t keep track of ARCs the way I wish it would … I wish I had listened during my Excel classes!!!
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aww sorry to hear that, tbh it took me a while before I even came around to using excel. I’m not very savvy with it but I was able to create a spreadsheet that keeps the books in date order automatically as I add. It’s helped a TON with my arc pile, id be lost w/out it lol smh.
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Such fantastic reading month! All 4+ star reads!!! AND that book haul… excuse me while I go pout in a corner from the jealousy. I am working really hard not to buy books this year until I get my NetGalley and physical TBR under control. So far it has been going ok… I only bought 4 books so far this month lol
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Thank you Amanda! I am working on my Netgalley & Edelweiss stacks but I really need to practice more self control with my book buying habits lol. I’ve purchased 2 physical and 3 e-books *hides face* lol smh I am helpless…
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