How did we get to March? I’ve been in a reading slump and have had lots going on in life at the moment. We’re still intermittently looking to buy a house and it’s been way too stressful, so we’re on a break from that at the moment. I’m hoping it calms down soon, because I’ve been quite stressed lately. Hopefully I’ll be able to read and blog more when things calm down a bit, but all I want to do when I get home from work is lie in bed!
I’m also hosting the #AusYAChallenge on Instagram, showcasing Aussie YA books for the month. It’s been great getting recommendations so far and sharing some amazing Aussie reads. We really do have some talented authors! Check it out here.
OZYAY Radio Segment
Last week, I had my 2nd radio segment which was lots of fun! Seeing as I’ve met the girls already, this time we had more of a laidback discussion with each other about the books which was good. It’s lots of fun chatting about books and I still can’t believe that I get to be on air! If you missed it, you can catch up on below.
The next segment is on the 3rd of April, and we’ll be covering You’re the Kind of Girl I Write Songs About by Daniel Herborn, and Yellow by Megan Jacobsen! Check back for more details!
February Wrap Up Video
In my monthly wrap up video, I talk about the 7.5 books I read during the month, with mini reviews on everything. Would you believe that I still haven’t gotten the hang of booktubing? This is actually my third take of the video, I moved from my living room where I kept on getting psyched out by random neighbours walking past to the study where the lighting wasn’t great. Anyway, I finally got there in the end. Hope you enjoy!
Books I read during February
The Diabolical Miss Hyde by Viola Carr – Review
Lady Helen and the Dark Days Club by Alison Goodman – Discussion Review
My Sister Rosa by Justine Larbalestier
Akarnae by Lynette Noni
Strings by David Estes – Review
P.S. I Still Love You by Jenny Han
Passenger by Alexandra Bracken
Firstlife by Gena Showalter – Review
Book Haul
I had a pretty decent haul during February, the review books started flowing in and I bought a few goodies, plus got some gifts too. Can’t wait to read all of them!
What about Aila and Jenna?
Jenna had a bit of a slump too, but she still managed to read heaps of books!
Aila had another stressful February but she read some awesome books!
How was your February?
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[…] My February recap video and update […]
Oh, no! I didn't know you were in a reading sump, Jeann D: That is the worst. And I''m sorry that things have been stressful for you. I hope everything starts to pick up for you soon <3
I'm glad that the second radio segment was more laid back for you! I can imagine the first time would have been pretty scary, so I think you will get better all the time 😀
That is A MASSIVE book haul *.* Good luck with reading them all!
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I have no idea how you guys manage to have individual blogs and also blog here! I can hardly keep up as it is and I have two co-bloggers 🙂
House hunting can be stressful for sure! I'm glad I don't have to move any time soon. Congrats on the radio show and happy reading!
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I am glad you had a pretty good book month! I am still nervous about Passenger. I am just afraid of it being a bit too… wordy. Or draggy. I don't know. But I did love her characters in The Darkest Minds, so fingers crossed. I feel you with Peter in PSISLY! He was making me MAD- though it was probably pretty accurate to what a young guy would behave like hahha.
I am so bummed about Firstlife. I have NOT heard good things. I knew you DNFed, but I still haven't read much in the way of positive either- and have seen even more DNFs. Sad.
And I spy your camo Hunger Games, don't think I don't 😉 I'd be jealous if I could see mine too 😀 I hope Morning Star is great! And I have heard really good things about My Sister Rosa (and of course, Summer Skin haha). Oh, and I loved Thanks for the Trouble and really liked Rebel of the Sands, so I hope you do too!
And I hope your stress calms down for you! I shall listen to your latest podcast at not-3am 😀
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Thank you Shannon! You're exactly right about Passenger, it is pretty wordy and draggy unfortunately. But there were a few elements I liked in it. Oh man, Peter was just so frustrating. I'm like she's too good for you!
Firstlife was really frustrating, I'm glad I DNF'ed it now. I hope you get yours soon!! My Sister Rosa was so creepy. Glad to hear you liked Thanks for the Trouble, I'm really unsure about that one!
Great haul! I enjoyed the radio show! I love listening to your accents too. 😀
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Thank you so much for listening Christy! <3
The OzYAY show has been amazing so far! The novelty hasn't worn off and when I hear your voice come on air, I'm literally like jumping up and down haha. Can't wait for the next segment, even though one of the books was a snooze for me………
Thank you so much Jenna, I'm so thankful that you and Aila are still enjoying it! It's still pretty surreal for me!
Yaaay, it looks like you've had a great reading month!! Good luck with searching for a house–I can imagine that would be stressful. And woooooow, look at those books! Do you know if STARS ABOVE has/will be released in AUS in paperback? I haven't seen it around in bookstore… and I just thought that was odd. Have a lovely month, guys!! 🙂
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Thanks Kara, Stars Above will be released in pb by Pan Macmillan 🙂
So basically, what you're telling me Jeann…is that I know someone famous O__O!
I think I've [finally] gotten past that initial phase of cover-lusting over Firstlife and have come to my senses via the helpful word of all of you telling me it's not worth it to read — so thanks for taking the bullet for me, LOL.
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Lol maybe one day Joey! Yeah, Firstlife is just not worth it at all.
I wouldn't be surprised if they develop a show for you, Jeann!
Keep up the great work and happy reading!
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Maybe one day lol! Thank you Braine!
I am sorry to hear about your reading slump, I hope you'll get out of it soon. House searching can be quite stressful, so I can understand why you took a break from that. I hope you'll find something good eventually.
Good luck with the challenge you're hosting, it sounds great! That's fun you got to talk on the radio about books! You got a nice haul of books this month! I've been hearing good things about the Lunar Chronicles series. And passenger has such a pretty cover! I hope you'll enjoy all your new books. And I hope March is a great month for you!
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Thanks Lola! It's a lot of work to host a challenge but lots of fun and makes it worth it! March has been great so far. I hope so too!
I can imagine how stressful house hunting must be, things like that are always suuuuch a pain! xD Hopefully taking a break will be do the trick! I spy Rebel of the Sands in your haul, I hope you love it! It was such a magical read. I even went to buy the HB copy too because I loved it so much haha. Great wrap up!
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Absolutely, especially when we both have very different opinions it\’s kind of hard. I loved Rebel of the Sands, but I probably read it during a time where I couldn\’t concentrate on it but I still gave it 4 stars! Thanks Anissa!
You read a ton in Feb! Sorry to hear about your slump(s) – I was in a bit of slump in January but now I'm on a reading kick. Booktube is hard so no, I'm not surprised your'e still getting the hang of it. So am I! It's definitely hard to juggle both blogging and book tubing, but I'm not ready to give one of them up at this point. So i'm going to continue to struggle to do both – I can only do my best! I try not to get too hung up on it since this is all supposed to be fun anyway 🙂
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I know, I\’m actually surprised given the state I was in during the month! I\’m so glad you\’ve fully picked up off your slump and am reading with gusto. I totally know what you mean, I\’m glad we both decided to booktube because it really is a fun way of sharing our thoughts. I\’m definitely still having fun! BTW i finally picked up TKONLG which I\’m really enjoying <3
I know what you mean, when Bec and I had our channel it felt so awkward when people would walk past the windows xD So many awesome books, I hope you enjoy them all 🙂 Good luck with the house hunt!
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HAHAHA yeah it\’s a bit of stage fright and anxiety LOL! Thank you so much Alise! <3
Hopefully everything works out for you house-wise soon, Jeann! And I'll have to go back and listen to your podcast soon. I always miss the time unfortunately, but it's good that I can listen back. What a haul too! Looks like you'll have lot of interesting reads for next month.
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Thank you Rachel, I just want the stress to be gone haha! Ahh thanks for the support.
so mannny books haha. Thanks for the post.
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No problems Angel, thanks for the comment!
Looking for a house it's tough especially with the housing market over where you are right now (I watch a lot of International House Hunters on HGTV hahahah!). Anyway, I hope you'll find one soon. 🙂
I've thought about participating in your Insta book tags, but I don't own too many Aussie books. And the ones that I do own are quite old. I used to order lots before, but since CDN dollar is sh*t right now, it's just not practical.
I hope you're all having a great March so far, and I wish you the best of luck with your reading slump. Bah. That sucks. <3
LOL good old reality TV shows. Luckily my city isn't as competitive as Sydney or Melbourne! Ahh, those insta book tags can be done without Aussie books! At least it's stronger than the AUD T_T I used to buy so much stuff from overseas but not anymore. Thank you lovely! I think it's picking up.
You're seriously too adorable!! Heading over to watch your video now. 🙂
Sounds like you had a pretty busy month!! Buying a house is SO stressful. Hopefully taking a break from it can relieve some of the stress for you for a bit. Reading slumps are always hard as well. I hope March is less stressful and more enjoyable when it comes to reading! ♥
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Hehe thanks for watching it Lisa! Yeah, we definitely need a break. It's been going on for so long I'm starting to think the stress isn't going to go away until we actually buy the damn thing. Thank you so much for your well wishes, I'm hoping for positive vibes.
I enjoyed watching your video, Jeann! Those books are really so interesting, will definitely keep an eye on them;)
Thank you so much for watching it lovely! <3
7.5 BOOKS?!
OMG, CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!!
Dude, I wish I had read that much. Weirdly enough, it took me so long to power through a few beooks just because of school and all – and maybe because of the internet. THE INTERNET IS SO DAMN DISTRACTING.
That Hunger Games cover is just GORGEOUS, though. I've never seen those covers – they're so much prettier than my ones.
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Thanks Faith, I know what you mean about things being distracting lol. Normally I read more but I dunno, obviously not feeling it. Yeah, these covers are exclusive Aussie releases so we're super lucky!
Looks like another wonderful month, Jeann! The Diabolical Miss Hyde sounds very interesting. Aside from TID, I haven't read much steampunk and I love paranormal. So I'll be checking that out! Psychological thrillers aren't my thing… But Strings sounds super disturbing but probably a miss for me And oh nooooo. That's so disappointing to hear about Firstlife. It's not a priority for me but I do want to try it!
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I don't usually read steampunk so I loved this one because it was so different and engaging. Yeah, it's a shame about Firstlife because I thought I'd enjoy it! Thanks for watching the video!
Ahhhhh good luck with your house-hunting! Taking a break sounds like a good idea, though. You've been looking for a while O_O I'm looking to move out with friends – we haven't even started looking at places so that's a bit daunting. Plus finding someone who will rent to four uni kids should be interesting.
ANYWAY. Looks like you got some awesome books this month and hopefully next time I can listen to your radio segment 🙂
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Thank you Emily, yeah we're being pretty picky about our first house, due to us having wildly different opinions on where it should be located and what it should look like…anyways, that would be amazing moving out with friends! Thank you lovely!