These days my mom sometimes says, “Time goes by very fast week by week and it’s already a new day/week/month/year.”
I feel like that’s fitting for January because that definitely went by quickly. We’re already in February, the Lunar New Year and the Olympics began this past week…
AND Percy Jackson and the Olympians have officially been greenlighted at Disney+! The biggest book series that I tried to get my hands on as the books released throughout middle school is officially becoming a thing.
(I would absolutely put this under Fandom Assemble but I just want to scream in excitement.)
This Month’s Posts
- [2 Jan] Bookwyrm Breakdown: December 2021 was, quite frankly, rough
- [7 Jan] 2021 Bullet Journal: Reflecting + Some Fav Layouts
- [19 Jan] The Sequel to the Year that Kept Giving: 2021 Highlights + 2022 Goals
- [25 Jan] Tiger Honor by Yoon Ha Lee ★★★★
Books Hoarded
Honestly, the only book I got this month was The Cursebreaker Series: A 3-Book Bundle by Brigid Kemmerer when it went on sale… but I also haven’t been paying attention to other books on my TBR or wishlist that might have gone on sale.
And I definitely ignored the preorder sale that happened at Barnes & Noble about a week ago.
Books Devoured
January reading was definitely less monstrous than in past months that I thought I was heading towards a slump for a hot minute.
And maybe I am, I don’t know. I finally finished Mango’s Bone webtoon after months, though.
- Once Upon a Broken Heart by Stephanie Garber
- Bluebeard and the Outlaw by Tara Grayce
- Carabosse and the Spindle Spell by Sylvia Mercedes
- Dragon Pearl (audiobook reread) and Tiger Honor by Yoon Ha Lee
Fandom Assemble
Media we’ve consumed and enjoyed, or what we’re looking forward to that’s been announced lately.
I honestly don’t think I’ve ever used my Netflix as much as I did for the first few weeks in January, but I guess that’s kind of what happens when you’re isolated in your room anxiously waiting to take a test and dealing with the flu (terrible cold?). At least I made up for whatever months of Netflix I didn’t really use?
(I also had iQiYi VIP temporarily from their Christmas giveaway as well.)
- Enola Holmes – Sherlock Holmes being buff was not on my bingo card.
- Nightbooks
- Rise of the Guardians
- Fall in Love With My Bad Boy – This one could’ve been a drama and I would’ve been completely, 100% invested.
- Autumn Fairy Tale – This was good until the end and now I feel like I wasted 1.5 hours of my life.
January was also full of amazing music that I can hardly keep track of because I would run out of space in my bullet journal.
- Beauty and the Beast by The Rose
- Tattoo by AleXa
- Love Me Like (EP) by Omega X
- Wildfire by Against the Current
- There and Back Again (Album) by Eric Nam – He’s quickly become a favorite in recent months since accidentally stumbling on his discography on Spotify (and maybe a few tweets that somehow ended up on my timeline).
The Breakdown
What catastrophes have the universe handed us throughout the month? Let’s find out. 🧐
Thankfully my getting sick from the last week of December and the first couple weeks of January was a case of the flu on top of a terrible cold and not COVID. I think if I tested positive despite all the precautions I might have rioted (aka cried because that’s my go-to response when stressed) considering I’m probably one of the last people at work who would’ve gotten it. (Really, it probably would’ve come down to just plain old terrible luck.)
Anyways, for the first time in my life, I actually have internet access??? Mostly because I’m working hybrid now with cases increasing, and I can’t exactly rely on a mobile hotspot. I think I spent more time updating my laptop on over a year of updates than anything else; I’m never doing this again. Pretty sure I thought I broke my laptop a few times with the number of times the updating failed because it was missing a different update.
Overall, January has been an interesting month. I got the chance to schedule ahead with my posts again (kind of) and work on replacing old featured images as well (not really), but really, it’s been nice not having to fully blog on my phone. (I do have my iPad and a Bluetooth keyboard, but let’s just say I’m sometimes too lazy to go turn on the hotspot when I’m all cozy in blankets like a little burrito.)
Let’s talk, bookwyrms: how was your January? Did anyone else get hit by the snow storm this past week?
(I know that’s February, but damn. St. Louis got hit hard.)
Sophia started blogging in February 2012 for the hell of it and is surprisingly still around. She has a GIF for nearly everything, probably listens to too much K-Pop and is generally in an existential crisis of sorts (she's trying her best). More of her bookish reviews and K-Pop Roundups can be found at The Arts STL.
If you enjoy her posts or found them helpful, consider tipping on KoFi!
Roberta R. says
I like the image of you like a little burrito 😂. Also, I know you chose that Dean Winchester gif just for me…don’t even try to deny it 🤣.
So, Covid scare and all-too-real flu aside, it wasn’t a horrible month, was it?
Sophia says
Not really no – it was much less anxiety inducing if my the breakouts on my face are any indication (usually a sign that I am, in fact, extremely stressed and should absolutely chill the fuck out). I would 100% take it over December.
To be honest, I kind of forgot you were a Supernatural fan, but I feel like my subconscious remembers and chose it just for you. 😆
Lara @ words with lara says
January has actually disappeared SO quickly! I do not know where it’s gone. I did manage to get through a few good books, and I’ve also watched so much netflix (but what’s new hahaha). Here’s to a fab Feb and getting lots of reading/blogging done!
Sophia says
You too! (even though this is terribly late, lol). I’m glad you got through a few books, here’s to hoping February will carry the same reading energy.
chelsea @ your bookish friend says
i’m surprised january went past so quickly! (i think it’s the amount of time we have off haha!)
i’m so looking forward to the new percy jackson series! i really hope they do the books justice.
Sophia says
Good point, haha! I usually don’t have off as much unfortunately (perks of being in retail, even if it’s online), but I can definitely see how that can feel like time passes by quickly for January the most. I’m hoping they’ll do the books justice as well! From the sounds of it based on Riordan’s updates and both him and Becky being involved, I think they’ll definitely give it the justice more than the movies ever did.
Kristina says
Omg im so tired of our snow.. two snowstorm two weekend in a row (both around 45cms).. and we’re getting some MORE tomorrow 🙃. we don’t know where to place them. sure we are a place that gets load of snow but- never this quickly. we are all very tired.
I’ve been the opposite and neglecting my Netflix account, ahah thankfully my parents were using it so erh- it didn’t bothered me too much. I also exploded my record of books read in a month 😅
Yay for internet!!
Hoping that february is being kind to you xx
Sophia says
Oh noooo. I’ve heard about the snow! I hope you and everyone else is safe up there. (I definitely get the feeling not knowing where to put the snow, but apparently Missouri just dumps it in the corner of parking lots where no one really parks? Or so they think.)
I’m happy to hear you broke your record for books ready in a month! Hope February is kind to you as well.
Siya @the dramatic drama says
Ahh Enola Holmes is a great movie! I loved Millie Bobby Brown and Louis Partridge together and their british accent just adding up!! I can’t wait for the part two🤧
And lol trust me, I know how “being absolute buddies with Netflix” feels like😂😂
I like literally watched around 10-12 movies/series in the first half of 2021!!😂
Amazing wrap up, I hope you have an amazing February❤️
Sophia says
They’re making a part two?!?! Ahhhhh yes, I’m glad to hear that because I’m definitely going to watch it when it comes out.
Sumedha says
Oof glad to hear that your sick bout was not COVID. My mom’s been sick on and off for the past 3 weeks (almost) and we’re pretty sure it’s not the thing since we’ve been at home for over a month with almost zero contact with the world but the stress still creeps in.
Also, yay for watching Netflix! Tbh I tend to enjoy the beginning of my reading slumps because I use that time to catch up on shows haha.
Sophia says
Oh noooo – I hope it’s not, but I definitely get the stress that comes in, especially since the symptoms are SO similar to a regular cold.
… that’s not a bad idea and honestly if I actually put that to practice I think I’d catch up on more shows. 🤣
Clo @ Cuppa Clo says
*pikachu surprised face at seeing an against the current song on your list* I’ve been listening to them since I think 2016 or something and I don’t know why but I never thought I’d see them in your wrap up xD I’m glad you’re feeling better though and I appreciate you working hybrid since you get internet access. I’ve missed you bugging me these past few months 💜 The Rose’s beauty and the beast though, what a song, still not over it and I’ll probably play it on loop at some point in feb haha.
Sophia says
omg Clo I’ve only been listening to them a bunch of times in the Bookish Collision Discord server I can’t believe you never knew this? Or that I never told you? Wow, I think I’ve been shoving way too many K-Pop songs at you; I think I need to dial it down a whole five notches at least.
JK, JK, I’m still on my PIXY and Kingdom mission with you. And other groups, of course.
I’ve missed bugging you on a daily basis and I’m happy I get to fully bug you once more.
Tasya @ The Literary Huntress says
Lol Enola Holmes is a great movie but I agree, Sherlock being buff is definitely something I didn’t expected xD