Changing Tides & Weyes Blood: Feburary 2020 Wrap-Up

Another month bites the dust. Do you ever just wish that life would just stop? At very least, slow down a little? February passed in such an emotional rush. My parents were holidaying in the Whitsunday Islands and, despite living alone, I missed them. And then, when they came home, they had some unsuspecting news.

Once again, I find myself standing on the precipice of change: my parents are moving two states over and 3000 km away. In five weeks. Gulp.

Now, I’m living ever-so-slightly in denial, bracing for impact and that inevitable moment when I have to say goodbye. They tell me it’s an adventure – a chance to spread my wings and yet, I can’t help myself from feeling that this is the end of an era.

The tides are changing and I’m already stretching my arm out towards that beckoning green light on the dock. Boat against the current.

February wasn’t all melancholy and change though. I started the month with a seriously anticipated buddy-read of Well Met with bookish bestie, Carly. We both adored the enemies-to-lovers rom com – especially the renaissance faire atmosphere. Other highlights include eating my weight in pasta with my best friend [#stillnoregrets], bingeing Virgin River on Netflix and hitting the town with my work crew for a cocktail infused Girls Night Out™.

But the real moment of the month was seeing Weyes Blood perform with her five piece band live from the halls of the Melbourne Recital Center.

For Weyes Blood virgins, Weyes Blood [pronounced Wise Blood not Ways Blood] is the stage name of Californian singer-songwriter Natalie Mering. Weyes Blood has a unique, almost surreal 70’s sound reminiscent of Karen Carpenter, hauntingly nostalgic and futuristic all at once.

Titanic Rising, Natalie’s acclaimed third album, is a sorrowful expression of the emotional effects of climate change – the evident iceberg facing Earth. A good metaphor except for the fact that, you know, the icebergs are MELTING. Anyway, adorned in her iconic white suit, in a concert very in-tune with the moment, Natalie sang passionate, sweeping renditions of Andromeda, A Lot’s Gonna Change and a three-song-encore featuring an impromptu cover of Forever Young.

During said cover of Forever Young [which could single handedly save 2020] we waved our lit phones in a swaying tribute as Natalie breathed “Oh wow”. It was a fitting end to a very emotional month.

A big thank you to Curio Willoughby for capturing the amazing moment from the balcony and sharing it with us.

Well Met by Jen DeLuca | ★★★★½ | Well Met made me want to pack my bags and run away to Maryland to join the Renaissance Faire. Well Met is a charmingly wholesome story about home, family and finding your feet with a atmospheric setting and a delicious in-character affair.

The Hating Game by Sally Thorne | ★★★★★ |  A read-read, The Hating Game deliciously sexy and sinfully addictive and my favorite Rom Com ever. If you love quirky Rom Coms that make you feel and enemies-to-lovers then The Hating Game has your name plastered all over it.

Nexus by Sasha Alsberg & Lindsay Cummings |★★☆☆☆ |  I knew this book was never going to be mind-blowing but I still expected an improvement from Zenith. All I got from Nexus was an insufferably dragged-out-plot with little to no character development and zero space pirate action. Basically, Nexus didn’t live up to Zenith’s potential.

The Cruel Prince by Holly Black  |★★★★½| I have a complex relationship with The Cruel Prince. Originally, I read it and felt…nothing? Now, here I am swallowing my pride and admitting I love The Cruel Prince. Holly Black – I’m sorry I ever doubted these complex characters. Man did I eat my words.

The Wicked King by Holly Black |★★★★☆| This is not a relaxing book, okay? There’s angst, there’s plenty of scheming and plotting and Jude is constantly undermined by literally everyone.  You could basically cut each scene with a knife and I was LIVING for it.

The Queen of Nothing by Holly Black |★★★★½| I am reeling, I am screaming – I am OBSESSED. This freaking book you guys! The Folk of the Air grew on me like a weed and I’m so glad I gave it that second chance. This conclusion was soul-shattering – a new favorite.

Journey to the River Sea by Eva Ibbotson|★★★★★| A charming and vivid adventure up the Amazon jungle’s lush River Sea, I loved every moment of Eva Ibbotson’s modern classic. I loved the sweeping plot, the eccentric cast of characters and the understated, almost no-nonsense voice.

Review: The Queen of Nothing by Holly Black

Throne of Glass Book Tag

Review: The Wicked King by Holly Black

Review: The Cruel Prince by Holly Black

A Definitive List of my OTP’s, Ships and Animated Couples

Review: Nexus by Sasha Alsberg and Lindsay Cummings

Review: Well Met by Jen DeLuca

Birthday Surprises and Pocahontas Vibes: January 2020 Wrap-Up

At the end of it, I survived another month of anxiousness and change, learning that life will never not throw you a curve. And if anything, I’ve got Titanic Rising as my soundtrack for the apocalypse.

Next up I’ve got another big month ahead with so many of the years major books publishing. First up, and probably my most anticipated read of 2020, is Sarah J. Maas’s new adult fantasy Crescent City: House of Earth and Blood. You just know that I’ll be reading Crescent City the day it drops because I am basically trash for Sarah’s intricately woven fantasy worlds. And let’s face it – her male characters and love interests are sinfully delicious.

Then we have some highly anticipated YA fantasy releases. High on my TBR is Havenfall and Bone Crier’s Moon. You just know you’re girl has already pre-ordered both. New releases aside, I’m still waiting on my copy of All the Stars and Teeth [which I was supposed to read this month – thanks Booktopia] and, if I get the time, I’d love to give in to my newest obsession and read Virgin River.

But how did your reading month go? Are you a Weyes Blood stan like me? Have you found a new book to rave about? I’d love to hear from you! Happy reading x

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