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July & August 2022: Summer Monthly Wrap-Up
Hold onto your flannel blankets and grab those pumpkin-spiced lattes… Because cozy season is officially upon us! ๐โ๏ธ๐งฃ๐งกโจ
Are you a big fan of fall? I sure am. And I’m very glad it’s finally here! Despite working in schools, summertime is not my favorite time of the year (though I have to admit, I do enjoy the vacation ๐). That most coveted spot is reserved solely for autumn. The beautiful colors, perfect weather for sweaters, pumpkin-flavored everything – what’s a basic girl like me supposed to do? ๐
The fall does bring with it the start of a new school year… And now that I work full-time in the education sector, a whole lot of stress. My role has changed this year – and brought with it some new responsibilities – so I am acutely feeling the ramp-up of work right now. But (I hope) I’m up to the challenge! ๐ช (Check in with me in a few weeks to be certain… ๐)
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But before I get too carried away with pumpkins and leaves and cozy clothing, I have to talk about my summer! ๐ Because something pretty big happened in the past month…
I got ENGAGED!!!! ๐๐
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It was very romantic and very private and so, so, so lovely. ๐ฅฐ
We’re planning for a long-ish engagement, so there won’t be a rush to plan the wedding. But it is definitely something stealing my focus lately! ๐ฐ๐ปโโ๏ธ๐คต๐ปโโ๏ธ๐
So, even though I’ve been a little preoccupied with future-nuptials arranging and back-to-school busyness – not to mention that pesky professional exam I’m still in the midst of preparing for – I’ve still managed to crack open a few novels in my (little) spare time.
I actually managed to convince my girlfriend to listen to an audiobook with me, which was the first time we’ve ever done that and was so. much. fun! We took a road trip this summer, and my girlfriend actually got super into the audiobook I selected for the journey: Hidden Pictures by Jason Rekulak. Neither of us rated it as highly as I had anticipated, but we still had a good time trying to figure out the mysteries before they were revealed. ๐๐
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Books Read:
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The Girl from Widow Hills by Megan Miranda | I enjoyed this one! But I did predict the “twist” quick early and was slightly underwhelmed by how things resolved themselves.
The Wife Upstairs by Rachel Hawkins | My first Rachel Hawkins novel! It was okay, a quick and fun read. I did not, in fact, predict the twister here! But I was still a little disappointed with how things shook out.
Within These Wicked Walls by Lauren Blackwood | The premise for this novel was everything! The execution was not perfect, but I still really enjoyed it. I would have liked it if there had been a bigger focus on world-building and less on romance. To read my review, click the cover below!
Hidden Pictures by Jason Rekulak | An interesting premise… but one I saw through very easily. Like, we were maybe 30% in the audiobook and I guessed the Big Twist. And a little preachy? I felt like the author was trying to make a political statement, but it wasn’t exactly clear what it was supposed to be.
I’m Glad My Mom Died by Jennette McCurdy | McCurdy holds back nothing in this eye-opening and harshly honest memoir. Highly recommended!
Next Month’s TBR:
I am still intending to read both Pachinko and The Priority of the Orange Tree (don’t judge me ๐). But I’m also really excited to pick up A Wilderness of Stars and All That’s Left Unsaid, which I got as ARCs in the mail! (Thank you publishers!! ๐ญ๐) They sound soooo good!
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What did you get up to this summer?
Are you looking forward to anything this September?
Let me know!
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Liza
Liza is a twenty-something book blogger who spends way too much time with her nose in books and feels way too much. She loves cooking, baking, reality tv show watching and, of course, reading. She can be found most often with a cup of tea in one hand and a book in the other. Her blog, Literary Liza, features bookish content like reviews, recommendations, and author interviews.
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