It's been quite a while since my last update. The life struggle is real right now. During my unfortunate but necessary hiatus, I've spent a lot of time thinking about my priorities and what can/needs to give in regards to reading and blogging and social media.
One change I think is finally permanent is no more review requests. I've said this in the past but have opened back up once I felt caught up and less committed. I've come to realize that I say yes when things are OK but those commitments come due in the future whether things are OK or not. So moving forward my only review copies will likely be women horror authors and those requests will go through the Ladies of Horror Fiction channels.
This past May I treated myself to a month of only personal reads and it was the best. That's really all I want from here on out.
Posted Since Last Update
Book Review | Blacktop Wasteland by S.A. Cosby
Book Review | Rules for Vanishing by Kate Alice Marshall
Book Review | Benny Rose, the Cannibal King by Hailey Piper
Finished Reading
I finished reading The Bright Lands by John Fram. Unfortunately it didn't really work for me. ⭐⭐★★★
I recently read The Only Good Indians by Stephen Graham Jones. I struggled with this one, too, and I'm really bummed about it. I struggled writing my review, too, because I feel like my current frame of mind may have affected my ability to give this book the attention it needed. ⭐⭐⭐★★
I also read Night of the Mannequins by Stephen Graham Jones. I had more luck with this one! ⭐⭐⭐⭐★
I started reading the Jessica Jones series that ran from 2016-2018. I'm enjoying it.
Currently Reading
I'm currently listening to The Poet X by Elizabeth Acevedo and loving it!
I'm also enjoying the stories in All That's Fair by S.H. Cooper!
I'm starting Dread Nation by Justina Ireland today as a buddy read with the Ladies of Horror Fiction team.
I will try to share the books I've bought and received recently as well as what I've been watching lately in my next update.
So what about you? Let me know what you're reading (or watching) this week or leave me some links!
This post is being shared as part of Book Date's It's Monday! What Are You Reading? and Caffeinated Book Reviewer's The Sunday Post.
The Poet X (all Acevedo's books for that matter) was incredible. I had read the book, but regretted it once I heard she narrated. I watched some of her spoken word and she is amazing. Good for you figuring out what you need as far as blogging. Our needs vary, but it's important to know what works for you.
ReplyDeleteThe narration is amazing! I can't wait to read more by her.
DeleteI'm glad you enjoyed Night of the Mannequins! And bravo for not taking review requests. I wish I could force myself to do that too!
ReplyDeleteIt's a bit of a struggle, but I've done pretty great so far. :)
DeleteI know I could never enjoy the pressure of having to read and review a book, so I'm all for just reading the books you want! No requests for me. ;D
ReplyDeleteYou are soooo smart. It's so hard to resist these amazing books, but I just enjoy them more when someone's not waiting on a review.
DeleteYou have to do what works for you. I enjoy a bunch of requests but I am careful about it. I have cut back on blog tours. I do the I read what I want in December. There are less new releases then too.
ReplyDeleteAnne - Books of My Heart Here is my Sunday Post
December is the perfect time for personal reads!!
DeleteI stopped taking review requests a long time ago too.
ReplyDeleteI'm excited to have much less obligated reads going forward.
DeleteIt’s important to know your limits so you don’t burn out.
ReplyDeleteWishing you a great reading week
Yes. I think the biggest thing for me to realize is I can't know my limits in advance. I have so many things that can't give, it's just not practical for me to make future commitments anymore.
DeleteGood for you on prioritizing, we have to do that sometimes. I'm not taking many review requests either, it just makes more sense for me and less pressure. Blogging and review requests can take over your free time if you let it lolol!
ReplyDeleteJessica Jones looks good.
Thanks! And yes, I'm 100% with you on having less pressure. It does make sense.
DeleteYou and I are on the same page with The Bright Lands and The Only Good Indians. Neither of those were what I expected, but I'm glad you had more luck with Night of the Mannequins!
ReplyDelete~Mogsy @ BiblioSanctum
I'm sorry they didn't work for you either, but honestly, I'm glad to hear it! I've had to let them sit in my brain for a while to make sure how I really feel about them since everyone seems to be praising them so.
DeleteI need to snag a copy of Night of the Mannequins!
ReplyDeleteYes! It's a fun (but disturbing) one!
DeleteI see more & more people within the book community limiting review requests or stopping entirely (myself included), and I think it is good that we are listening to ourselves and our limits. I hope this improves all that you do online, with blogging & social media.
ReplyDeleteSome new to be books featured here. I hope you enjoy all your current reads!
Thank you!! I think it's great that people are getting back to the hobby without the commitments.
DeleteI can definitely relate to the struggle but you know that from visiting my blog. Stormi and I buddy read The Only Good Indians and while I liked it, she struggled with it as well. She'll be glad to hear she isn't the only one. I plan on reading Night of the Mannequins in September.
ReplyDeleteI stopped taking review requests a long time ago. Most of the ones that com aren't even in the genre that I like so why read them?
ReplyDelete