Birthday Surprises & Pocahontas Vibes: January 2020 Wrap-Up

So first thing on the agenda – I need to apologize for my unexpected, totally unplanned hiatus this week. Yes, that’s right – I’m back.

Basically January has been a solid month. [and what a month indeed]. The only reason I’ve had the chance to catch my breath the past few days is because I’ve been suffering through a bad viral infection and had to take a few days off work. Just imagine me coped up in bed, read nose and all, drowning in a sea of tissues. Not attractive.

But, my complete and utter run-down-ness aside, January has brought some pretty unexpected adventures. So let’s get into my reading month…

So my twenty-twenty started off a little unexpectedly.

On New Years Day a bush fire was started behind my house. Allegedly, said bush fire was caused by illegal fireworks [yet to be confirmed]. As the blaze burned out of control we were placed on high alert. It was a very stressful and confronting situation but luckily for us, the fire was under control the next day. It sure does put things into perspective though.

I hit the coast for a few days to celebrate my twenty-third birthday [Whoever said birthdays need only last a day?]. I finally go the chance to live out my Xanadu fantasies disco roller skating [#stillwaitingonmySonny], ate my weight in gumbo at Pistol Pete’s Food N Blues and felt all the Pocahontas vibes cannoning up the Anglesea River. It was perfect.

After my interlude on the Great Ocean Rd I went back to work and reality set in. With the Australian summer in full force, most of the staff were taking leave so I was picking up shifts. I still managed to squeeze in some summer blockbusters. Spoiler alert: I saw Little Women twice.

I left January behind on a high note, spending Australia Day with my family. My Step-Dad had been away for most of the summer, volunteering at the fires cooking for the firefighters and it was good to have him back for the weekend. We spent the night cruising the bay on a party boat, dancing on the waves and drinking way too much. #noregrets.

Love & Gelato by Jenna Evans Welch | ★★★★☆ | Say hello to your new favorite Rom-Com. Love & Gelato was a surprisingly emotional story with a focus on self-discovery and family set against the backdrop of Florence Italy. Was it predictable? Yes. But I loved every minuet.

Love & Luck by Jenna Evans Welch | ★★★★½ |  Love & Luck is a stronger, mature follow-up to Love & Gelato. It’s an emotional and uplifting story in the style of Amy & Rodger’s Epic Detour that will leave you feeling inspired and empowered. Oh, and there’s a side serving of love and adventure because what more could you need?

To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before by Jenny Han |★★★★☆ | The first will always been my favorite – To All The Boys is the epitome of cute and quirky with a beautiful aesthetic. This series is extremely easy to read and the perfect binge-worthy material.

P.S. I Still Love You by Jenny Han  |★★★½☆| I love this book, okay? I do – I just have some issues with it. Mainly being Peter Kavinsky. I mean the boy seriously pisses me off in this one. I wanted to slap him. Hard. Then there’s John Ambrose Mcclaren. All I’m saying is John saved this book. #stillsalty.

Always and Forever, Lara Jean by Jenny Han |★★★★☆| I honestly felt like we were just jumping from one situation to the next. I loved it but there’s no plot? Regardless, Always and Forever left me feeling all nostalgic and bitter sweet. Also I officially bought my ticket for the Peter Express.

Again, But Better by Christine Riccio |★★★½☆| I actually don’t know why I re-read Again, But Better. I was just in a Rom-Com kind of mood. My opinions this time didn’t really change but at least I was better prepared for that out of left field mid-point plot twist. This book is good but it isn’t great.

Zenith by Sasha Alsberg & Lindsay Cummings|★★★ ½☆| We all know I didn’t hate Zenith – it really doesn’t deserve all the backlash and hate. The plot has potential and the characters are fun but I still needed to jog my memory before Nexus. Again, my opinions didn’t change but the obvious flaws are a little more evident on the second read through.

The Quick Fire Fantasy Tag

The Back List: Series I Need To Finish in 2020

Review: Love & Luck by Jenna Evans Welch

Review: Love & Gelato by Jenna Evan Welch 

The Back List: Books on my Radar for 2020

Setting Goals: 2020 Bookish Resolutions 

Tidings of Comfort and Joy: December Wrap-Up

All in all, I feel like January was a pretty productive month considering life got in the way of blogging. I read a decent amount, putting a good dent in my 2020 Back List. Let’s hope this momentum can carry me through Feburary too!

Speaking of February, next month is already shaping up to be full-on. I’m currently in talks for a promotion at work, I’ll be hitting up the Weyes Blood Australian Tour and I’m hoping to squeeze in a beach day with my squad.

As for reading? I’m scheduled to kick off the month of love [or Singles Awareness *cries*] with a buddy read of Well Met with my girl Carly. I want to finish Nexus thereby the Androma Saga and I’m anticipating the release of All the Stars and Teeth. I mean, a pirate adventure on the high seas??? Your girl is so there!

How did you kick off the first month of 2020? Did you go on an adventure? Have you got a new book to rave about? I’d love to hear from you. Happy reading!

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