Hello beautiful people!
Firstly … yes … reposting since I forgot to update two sections … it’s just been that kind of month …
You know how I was saying not to wish time away … that I was glad that February was over? Well … APPARENTLY I need to just appreciate the moments. I honestly NEVER thought the world would end up as it is currently.
With everything, I found my will to read as really declined … it’s a serious STRUGGLE to find any joy in reading at the moment. But with some fun challenges coming up in April and with some new books coming my way, I think I’m going to find that again!
I hope you are all doing well, staying safe and healthy, and making sure to keep your mental health in check. Please let me know if you are struggling and need someone to just talk to … I’m always here to help!
Books I Read
Book Reviews
Stalking Jack the Ripper (Book #1) by Kerri Maniscalco
Rating: 
Brief Thoughts: “Maniscalco’s Stalking Jack the Ripper is a thrilling and exciting read, drawing readers into an amazing young adult horror story! From adding images of the Victorian era to properly researching the events of the time, Maniscalco does an excellent job at portraying an accurate and authentic version of London during the Victorian era. There’s such a wealth of memorable characters in this story, I was sad to see it end. Thank goodness there’s a sequel! I honestly cannot wait to find out what adventures lie ahead for Thomas and Audrey Rose in Hunting Prince Dracula!”
A Collection of Light: Poetry and Prose by Neeme
Rating:
Brief Thoughts: “A Collection of Light contains a wealth of beautifully written poetry, describing the multiple yet real complex emotions so many of us experience. From feelings of discrimination to falling in-love, Neeme explores a number of feelings that allow for every reader to relate to at least one (if not MANY) of her works. Her balance of addressing darker and more sensitive issues with a larger focus on healing and recovery makes this a much easier read for those with mental health struggles and anxiety; naming her collection A Collection of Light is such an appropriate title.”
Favourite Posts of the Month
With everything going on in the world and with my work schedule right now, I simply have not had time to focus on blogging. There are a few posts I remembered to bookmark, but I unfortunately did not have as much time this month:
Hayley E. Frerichs || Bullet Journal Blogging Spreads // Planning and Growth Tracker
Bookish Wanderess || If You Liked This Movie, You Should Read This Book!
CallMeJaneBond || 5 Things That Kill the Joy of Travelling While Black [Infographic]
Goodreads Reading Challenge
So I’m CURRENTLY 3 books behind … honestly, I haven’t been in a reading mood. Hopefully this will change soon!
Bookmark Your Thoughts Blog Updates
For the month of April, I’ve decided to take place in the Magical Readathon part one — the O.W.L.s Readathon! It was a lot of fun last year, so I’m hoping it’ll get me out of my reading rut!
I’ve also been asked by a business owner to be a rep for her bookish merchandise, which I will update you as soon as possible! I’m really excited, especially since I’ve been focusing a lot more on my Bookstagram as of late!
Personal Life Updates
Well … I feel like we all know where life is at the moment … a very surreal and weird spot.
I’m going to be completely open and honest here, because I feel like I can be … BUT THIS WHOLE SITUATION IS SO STRANGE! Honestly, I feel like I’m in a movie or a book, waiting to wake-up to reality. My SO and I have been self-isolating together, which has really helped with my anxiety. Now on just over the week two part … it’s getting both easier and harder. We both miss friends, going for coffee, bouldering, going physically into work … but we’ve also acknowledged how blessed we are. We still can work from home and we have one another to raise each other up when we’re feeling low.
Reading as ACTUALLY been such a struggle … it’s like I don’t have the mental strength to read. Hopefully this goes away soon though. Video chatting with friends and playing Sims 4 has been super great for my anxiety.
I really hope you are all doing well … it’s some crazy times, but …”this too shall pass”. My thoughts are with you all, sending lots of love from Canada!
31 thoughts on “March 2020 || Monthly Wrap Up”
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Waouh I looked into your blog and it is inspiring Jenna! Thank you for making my post one of your favorites, it means a lot as someone who started blogging 2 weeks ago!
I also heard that you’re learning French… well I speak French (native speaker) much better than I speak English so you know where to find me if you need any help 🇫🇷 👯♀️
PS: Love Gelato has been on my list so thanks for the reminder I will finally get to it!
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Awe thank you!! ❤ And thanks!!!! Seriously, that'd be so awesome! I get so embarrassed when I talk … I butcher such a beautiful language!!
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Looks like quite a good reading month! I hope April is even better!
(www.evelynreads.com)
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Thank you! I hope so too … I’ve been in quite the reading rut …
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I feel you — the feeling that everything is a bit surreal; not being in the right place mentally to read. It’ll be better with time! … slowly, but it will!
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I hope so … here’s to us both! I’m hoping I get that urge to read again!
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The current situation completely feels like something from a movie. It’s a strange and really sad thing to put things into perspective, and I understand how hard it can be to continue reading and blogging during these times. I hope you and your loved ones continue to safe and well (or as well as you can be), Jenna 🙂!
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Thank you! I hope the same for you as well, darlin’! Hopefully the situation gets better soon …
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Reading has been… difficult recently. But we have OWLs to look for!!! Yayyyyy! For me, OWLs start in under 4 hours. Woop! Woop! and I still haven’t finished the other two books I was reading D: I’m sure I can read almost 1000 pages in 4 hours. Easy… Lol
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LMAO! OH MY GOSH! I’m legit in the same boat … I have two books I need to finish and haven’t yet … especially since one of the books is the prequel for one of my books for the OWLs ha-ha!!!
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Stay safe my friend!! ☺️💞
I know exactly how you feel about reading! I’ve said this twice to two of my coworkers today actually, that now that we’re working from home I have had less mental capacity for reading… I’m finding I’m trying to work more because it feels like there’s no separation from work… because work is now at home, and I just feel guilty that I close my laptop at 3:45 every day… when if I was at work I would be shutting down to leave at like 3:20. It’s been crazy! I’m hoping for a more hopeful April!! 🙂
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Thank you, friend! ❤ Oh my gosh … I relate so much! I just can't get into reading … it's like I don't have the mental capacity … my goal at the moment is to just read like a chapter or two a night to get that desire to read again … you know?I don't want to push it. Also going to put my one book on hold for now. I like it but I think I just need to try something new, you know?
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I’ve been watching movies and just doing other things because it takes too much effort to read. I know right?! I was reading Emma but I’m SO not in the mood for a classic so I’m putting it on hold until the O.W.L.S are done. Hopefully my reading groove will come back! I hope it comes back for you too! 🙂
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this situation definitely feels like something from a dystopian novel for me (which, I cannot read dystopian rn it’ll freak me out) it’s so surreal I feel you. I hope you’re staying safe and well 🙂
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Oh gosh yes … I get that feeling … I can’t either. It’s weird … I’ll feel really fine and happy one day, and then I realize the reality when I grocery shop or see something someone posted on FB (which is why I’m avoiding it) … and then I get really down. My partner has really helped me out though, he’s super helpful when I just need cuddles ha-ha 🙂 I hope you are safe and well, too!
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It has been a time full of struggles, hopefully all will get better soon!
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I hope so too! Hopefully you’re doing well!
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Sorry you haven’t been in much of a reading mood, but it’s understandable considering the state of the world. It seems like people either slow down on their reading or they really do a deep dive to escape reality. I’m glad you and your SO have the ability to isolate together and that you can work from home. I wish my fiance and I could do that, but we work factory jobs and are considered essential so we still get up and go into work every weekday. I feel like that has made me more anxious than I would be if work shut down and we just stayed at home. Let’s hope that April gets better. I hope your reading mood returns soon, and that you and your SO are doing well.
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i’m slowly getting that urge to read again … so that’s exciting! and my SO wants to play Madden so that’ll help me not get distracted with Sims 4 ha-ha! that’s really unfortunate — i hope you both are staying safe and still doing good!
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Oh yeah, I get a lot of reading done while my fiance plays games like Borderlands or Dragonball Kakarot or whatever. It’s nice for us to spend time together but also each doing our own thing.
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I’m sorry you have been struggling with readin, Jenna! I have been having trouble concentrating as well and I hae been reading really slowly, so I have started to pick up really short books and it has helped me feel motivated to read. A Collection of Light sounds really good, I need to check it out. Thank you for including my post, I’m really happy you liked it!
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I think that’s what I need to do. I’ve been starting to have the urge to read, so hopefully I can play catch up this weekend! And it’s a beautiful collection — highly recommend. And of course! I loved that post you did!
I hope we both get more into reading and I hope you’re doing well! ❤
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I still need to read Stalking the Ripper series!! and Ik lately its been hard to concentrate and find motivation to get things done, especially now that the days seem to blur together. Hope your staying safe and great wrap up 🙂
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So far, the second book is better in my opinion — even though I haven’t been in a reading mood, I’m still enjoying it 🙂 I hope you’re staying safe too!
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good luck with the owls readathon!! i see so many people enjoying it every year, so i might have to try it next year, though i have to say i’ve seen the complexity of it and it’s almost a little scary (though i completely admire the hosts’ abilities to make it like that!) hope your april treats you well 💓
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Thank you! Oh trust me, it’s super straightforward! I don’t participate in complicated readathons anymore since I get overwhelmed.I hope you’re doing alright darlin’! ❤
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Aw Jenna, I’m sorry to hear reading was harder because of the pandemic we’re in 😦 I personally found reading to be really comforting to me during these times and have found it as a useful distraction method. We all cope in our own ways and I hope you find something that steadies you. I’ve noticed a lot of readers turn to things like puzzles, cross stitching, and painting or coloring to help alleviate anxieties or stresses? Maybe they can also be helpful for you! Either way, I hope the books coming your way are great reads 🙂
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Honestly … I’ve been playing Sims 4 ha-ha! But I’ve actually started getting that “need to read” feeling again … so I think I’m going to pick up a light-contemporary read. Something positive and with a happy ending ha-ha! I’m glad you’ve been able to read more during this time!
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Good luck with the OWLs Readathon, and I hope you catch up to your Goodreads goal soon. Hope April’s a good month for you, and that you and your loved ones stay safe in these strange, strange times. 🙂
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Thank you! I’m hoping it’ll get me back into reading … I hope you are staying safe as well (and your loved ones)! It’s definitely a surreal time … but I’m hoping to make the most of it!
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