January: NonBookish Wrap Up

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Uf, this was such a busy month! On all aspects. Work was crazy, reading was crazy and I am proud to say I finally managed to organize my crochet and sewing projects – on paper!

I’ve decided to stop working on the items that have been standing around unfinished. Some bring sad memories, other just simply remind me of the long time they’ve been sitting around untouched. With this decision in mind, I started a new crochet blanket – I cannot share yet the picture, just in case the person I’ll be gifting it to will see, but I’m adding the yarn colors here. It looks good until now, and I cannot wait to add the finishing details to it.Alize

When it comes to sewing, I was not that productive, but I did manage to do a sketch of the next project and clean up a space around the room to install again my sewing machine. Don’t expect any spectacular items, I’m relearning.

Last weekend I also took a small break with my other half to a near-by city. 2.5 hours drive felt very relaxing. We just walked around the city center, taking pictures and enjoying the view. After the week we had, it was so welcomed.

It feels good to finally have an order, to finally have all my ideas on a TO-DO list. January was more about organizing and starting over. Overall, it was not such a terrible month. Looking forward for February 😊

Happy Anniversary LBW!

Here we are again, one more year has passed. And what a year it’s been. I tried and failed then pushed myself back over and over again. This has been a year of finding balance.

It’s hard to remember the first year of blogging and I am not referring here to the first article or the first e-mail from a publisher or an author, but to the emotional impact, the psychological effect it had. 4 years ago I was undecided, lost and with a mind shattered in a million pieces. So I started doing something that was meant to keep me sane, together. This blog has been my companion through deception, loss, pain (physical or emotional), love and so much more. Reading has been with me through it all.

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Last year, on this day, I knew exactly where I wanted to go with my blog and somehow I got there. Yes, with trial and error, but I can now say I found my balance. I found the maturity I was lacking, the responsibility of creating a review or a simple blog post. And it’s also your contribution. Your support means a lot, the writers mean a lot because they give me my medicine. Because reading is cool and fun and smart and intense, oh, so intense!

After 4 years, I am ready for the next step and I want to take it together with you. Thank you for everything, as little or as much as you did. I am looking forward to spend my 5th anniversary with you guys next year also. Be positive, be happy and be loved! May you have a 2020 with the best emotions out there.

Until next time, Happy Anniversary, LBW!

Happy New Year !

Happy New Year Guys!

2020 has arrived! How did you spend your first hours? I did a little bit of everything, but mostly tried to be in a good mood, with positive thoughts. Lucky, I was also reading an amazing book (I will tell you about it in the following days).

Nothing much for today. I just wanted to wish you all an amazing year! I hope 2020 will be amazing for you all. I hope you will find happiness at every turn and that you will fill every moment with good thoughts and people! Love and be loved, spend time with family and best friends and remember: READ!

Reading is food for the mind and soul, it relaxes muscles. So spend some time with your favorite books, find your favorite one in case you have not done that and live every emotion at maximum. It’s what makes us alive. We laugh, we feel angry or we cry. Then we lift our chins high and laugh again, with the next amazing chapter of our book, or life.

Happy New Year and Happy (New) Reading!

Non-Bookish Resolutions – 2020

Definitely 2019 has not been a good year when it comes to my other activities. I was thinking even that maybe I am involved in too many and that I still have not decided where I want to invest my time. However, when put face to face with the decision of giving up sewing, crocheting or reading, I was not able to choose one and give up the others.

I will not even dare to review if I accomplished one or two of my Non Bookish resolutions that I set up for 2019. I was too ambitious (or too unorganized). For 2020 I have already taken steps in the right direction, so I am confident I will be able to achieve my objectives:

  1. Improve my sewing, knitting and crocheting skills: I still dream of following in my grandmother’s steps and maybe make a living out of it. I know wherever she is she is a bit disappointed I didn’t manage to work more on this in 2019, but I’ll rectify this!

 

  1. Start planning: the best way to stay organized is to plan ahead (I did my research on Google – rolling eyes). So I have started a planner for my blog that also includes a line or two about my non-bookish activities.

 

  1. Be better, care less sometimes: professionally, 2019 has been challenging. Toward the end of the year I became disappointed and it affected my health. Well, I plan to be more firm in my decisions and care less. In this way I will have more feelings involved in the activities that do make me feel good. I know, it’s vague…

 

  1. Organize my workspace: in 2019 I was supposed to move into a new home but this hasn’t happened yet. I trust the first months of 2020 will find me there. In my new “activities room” I will have my corner of sewing and reading and I hope it will motive and inspire me to create beautiful things (oh, the idea is also to keep that space organized properly)

 

  1. Start a YouTube channel: this is big. I’ve been having this idea of starting a crochet channel for a while now, but I never stopped to work on video ideas. It’s time.

 

  1. Post more on my Instagram account for crochet (@hookedonthread, if you want to follow): I must

 

  1. Have one non-bookish article a month on my blog: just to take a break from all the books, chapters and pages

7 items I need to follow don’t seem that many. I do intend to take them more seriously than last year and I really need these guide lines. In 2019 I lost myself into so many actions that did not make me happy or that pushed me away from my goals. As per item 3 in the above list, I intend to change this.

Let me know if you have some non-bookish resolutions of your own or just your plans in general in the comments below 🙂 until next time, Happy Reading!

Merry Christmas!

It’s that time of the year we celebrate. It’s the time to let the light it, to fill our souls with love, compassion and faith.

I do wish you all a Merry Merry Christmas and I hope Santa brings you all your heart desires! Love and be loved, cherish and be cherished!

Merry Christmas, from my small book world!WhatsApp Image 2019-12-25 at 11.00.04

 

…Or just me, trying to get my…self together

It all started with my terrible fail at achieving my March Resolutions. From here, things went only South and the worst thing is that I cannot even blame it on something or someone. It’s hard to describe where I am when it comes to my state. It feels like chaos, like a socks drawer with all the pairs mixed up! I am well, I am healthy, just a big mess of unorganized thoughts, plans and ideas.  Time away, focusing on something else seemed like a good idea at the time so decided to take a much deserved vacation, hence my lack of activity for the past months. Result: A massive slump.

I forced myself into reviewing, writing articles, subscribing to more and more blog tours. It was a major fail. Time away did not solve much. However, I kept reading, but only books that I really wanted to and only books I knew could pick me up and slap me with an ending! But let me give you a bit of detail.

March was crazy at work and April started the same. I had little to no hope of sticking to my plans but I did not expect such a complete disaster. Consequence? Blogging slump! So I stayed away, annoyed at my constant struggle to form a coherent review. I cannot begin to imagine what authors feel in these situations. I mean, I am just a silly blogger, trying to say “I loved this book” in 250 words (more or less) and I still get stuck. It’s a though world this one. Still, I did not stay away from books. I read around 7 books, joined a readathon and finished 3 beta reading projects.

Spending 6 hours in an airport and another 6 flying, resulted in me finishing one book and starting another. Nights in Poland, missing home, were spent with Morgan Matson and her “Save the Date” story – that still lies unfinished on my bedside. Erls and Ladies from “Rogue Hearts” series by Donna Hatch ensured the romantic atmosphere. I tried to figure out the cure behind a necklace with Marlene M. Bell and her “Stolen Obsession”.  I let loose the feminist in me with HmH and “Last Woman Standing” by Amy Gentry.  Scribd was my faithful companion, as well as the nice admins from Fairytale Read-Along Goodreads Group. Oh, and I bought 2 books 🙂

Booktube brought Romanceopoly. 🙂 Yup, the readathon I was mentioning earlier. It’s such an interesting challenge! I will get to it these days with a more in depth explanation, but I got such an appetite for Romance readathons! There are very few out there! I will compile a list and have it up my blog for reference. Because Romance books are awesome!

I finished Beta Projects 6, 7 and 8. #6 was difficult, with issues I had to approach wisely. I did an acceptable job, I think. Beta Project #7 was a book with vampires and I felt right back at home 🙂 following 7, I have started Beta Project 8 which is part of the same series as Beta Project   7. I have just submitted my report for Beta #9. It’s going better and better, I am improving. I am not at the level I would have expected, but on the way there.

I do have to apologize formally to all the blog tour organizers that I let down during my time! Until I get a grip on my schedule, I’ll have to limit my participation and stick to what I can accomplish. I am really sorry and I do hope to make it up to you at some point!

Lessons learned? Damn, too many to mention, but enough to put in practice. The two most important? Organize your time and space and do not sign up for more than you can handle. Baby steps Lilly, baby steps! Step one: vacation’s over, back to blogging!

P.S.: If you’ve reached the end of the article, you’re awesome and thank you! 🙂

 

2019 Non-Bookish Resolutions

Again, because in 2018 I did such an awful job of sticking to these small guidelines, I decided to try again with the non-bookish resolutions. Even if third time’s a charm, maybe I’ll get lucky (luckier) with the second try.

I want to do so many things and time is such a rare commodity these days. I want to improve, to grow, to excel even. But without investing time, it’s not possible and if it’s anything I’ve learned from the past year is that priorities and being organized are key items.

Buy a planner and organize my activities: I am so bad at managing my time. I want to do so much and I forget I have only a very limited amount of time available after my job and that it needs to be spent with my loved ones as well. So I need to plan everything (and stick to the plan)

Finish all my started crochet projects: because in 2018 I didn’t do that and I even started more (and not finished, of course, why would I?!) (feeling angry!!)

Finish all my started sewing projects: see item 2 (the feeling persists)

Crochet more (and finish what I start): because I love it and I need to improve

Sew more: my grandmother was a seamstress and I want to be better at it so that she can be proud, wherever she is now.

Be more organized in my home and craft room: with a little hope, 2019 will bring a new home and with a little disciple, I will be able to keep everything organized and clean

Post one non-bookish article a month: just to show you guys progress and relax a little from all these books and pages and stories.

(Maybe… Start thinking about a sewing business – seriously thinking, if I manage to improve my skills)

These are the last of my resolutions for 2019. Hopefully I will manage to stick by them and just do better 🙂 let me know what your plans are for the next year and what is the most challenging of them 🙂 Until next time, Happy Reading and Happy New Year!

Life Updates

Well, things have not gone according to my planning when it comes to my book blogging activity. Unfortunately, I have not managed to keep up with any of my TBRs for the last couple of months. I would like to say I was in a reading slump and blame it all on that. But I had the busiest time. My job kept me away from a lot of the things I liked and I felt so tired and stressed, I was not in the mood for anything.  I didn’t manage to find my balance for a good amount of time.

So I am behind with my reading, with answering e-mails, writing reviews, even sleeping! I missed blog tours and commitments with authors and publishers. The only thing I managed to do was listening to audiobooks. This was easy to do between driving (or flying) from here to there or to move my thoughts from excel files to love stories.

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Now it’s time to get back on track. I’ve opened my e-mail and started typing my replies (mostly my apologies) and make lists of the reviews I must post (even if later – or much later – than agreed).

In short, I am really sorry if I missed a blog tour or if I didn’t manage to review your book in time. I’ll do that as soon as possible. I’ll keep all my engagements and bring myself up to date this month.

Thank you to all that have remained by my side (and blog) through this absence!

Updates

Hey guys,

Lately I have received a lot of review requests, so for June and July I am fully into reading and reviewing. And that’s a good thing!! I just wanted to thank you all, for my readers for your constant support and to the authors, marketing companies or publishing houses for your confidence in my reviews! I take the commitment of not letting you down.

So I finally managed to update my blog a little bit. The A-Z Books by Author page is now up to date! I cannot believe since I started this blog  in January I’ve reviewed 70 books! Go ahead and check them out if you have some time.

Also I’m proud to say that I’ve teamed up with Kari Anders from http://www.freeebokcovers.com. Check my side bar for a link to her page. She has some amazing options for you and a wide variety of services she can provide.

I’m proud to say I’ve been listed by TheIndieView and BookBloggerList. I must say that most of my review request recently came from one of these sources.

Since I do a lot of reviews for different online marketing companies, I added a new page on my blog to list the ones for which I’m a frequent reviewer (if I can consider at least 2 articles a month as frequent). One-timers don’t count here, so don’t be mad! Find Partners in my Menu bar and check them out!

I’m trying to develop a plan to to improve my page and my writing skills. At the same time try to promote it as best as I can – here is where I need your help! If you don’t mind sharing it with your Facebook friends or other social media friends, I’d be highly in debt! This would also benefit the authors who ask me for reviews and I can offer them a better free promotion.

Ok, that’s it for now! Back to my books. I have two new reviews coming up today so stay close!

 

LIEBSTER AWARD nomination

Hey guys,

Almost a week ago I was nominated for the Liebster award by Jemima from The Bookaholic ! Thank you very much for your trust and your support ! She is a very lovely person and her blog inspired me in more than one way. Her writing is positive and has a great vibe 🙂 Check out her blog !

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There are some basic rules for the nomination:

  • Acknowledge the blog that nominated you and display the award.
  • Answer 11 questions that the blog gives you.
  • Give 11 random facts about yourself.
  • Nominate 5-11 blogs you think are deserving of the award that have less than 200 followers.
  • Let the blogs know you have nominated them.
  • Give them 11 questions to answer.

 

Here are my answers to Jemima’s questions:

  1. How many pages do you read in a day?

Hm.. depends. Weekday around 30 per day. In weekends, I can get up to 200.

  1. How do you start your day?

Lately, with some Pepsi, while checking my e-mails.

  1. What popular book (or series) have you (shamefully) never read?

How to Kill a Mocking Bird, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. I know, I know…

  1. Who is your book crush?

I am unable to answer this question. I like too many (oops!). Maybe Josh from The Sea of Tranquility. Oh, there’s Jared from Bully, oh and Daniel from Fallen…

  1. Who is your favorite artist?

Salvador Dali

  1. What is your favorite meal?

French fries

  1. What is the last thing you do before you sleep?

Read J

  1. What is your favorite bookshop?

Every bookshop is my favorite. They have books J

  1. Where do you want to travel?

Ireland or Amsterdam

  1. What is your favorite place to read?

On a terrace, with a lovely bench and some flowers around. Can’t have that, so I settle with bed or sofa J

  1. What do you like most about blogging?

I like sharing my passion for books with other fellow book lovers, I like the idea of promoting a good book via book tours.

 

11 Random facts about me:

  1. I like to dye my hair red, but I’m never satisfied of the shade I get.
  2. I hate American Pie
  3. I love autumn
  4. When I was little, I imagined myself as the Water Princess
  5. I want to give more to the people in need
  6. Even if I dye my hair red, I hate the color. I don’t own more than 3 red items in my closet (and there were gifts)
  7. I don’t like gold, I like silver
  8. I love Sailor Moon
  9. I played volleyball for 6 years
  10. I love flowers, thought I forget to water them
  11. I love Bachata and Salsa

These are my questions:

  1. What is your childhood nickname?
  2. What’s your favorite superhero?
  3. Do you own a pet?
  4. If you were to be part of a story in a book you’ve read, which one would it be?
  5. What’s your favorite TV series?
  6. How do you see yourself 50 years from now?
  7. What’s your favorite music band?
  8. What’s your favorite fruit?
  9. If you could change something in the world, what would that be?
  10. If you could live on another planet, what would that be?
  11. Do you think your blog inspires people and how?

 

Congratulations to my nominees:

Gel from geelinlovesconan

Wendy from The Bookish Journal

Christine from Tine’s Reviews

The Books Are Everywhere

Marieke from Marieke Mills

Happy reading !