Goodbye February!
It may be the shortest month of the year, but it sure felt like a lifetime to me.
In Real-Life updates
So! A lot happened this month, but also, not so much? Talk about a paradox.
For one, I finally got back to my student apartment, and even if the transition was a bit scary, everything is fine. I got to see my friends again, who I hadn’t seen in a year, of course, while being extra careful of social distancing. I also get to establish a new routine, and while it still needs some work, my mental health got better.
As to my thesis… well, I haven’t done much this month. I have trouble communicating with my director — I spend more time sending emails to remind him to respond to my previous emails than to actually work on my thesis… His ghosting played a part in me losing motivation, and I am starting to question my choices of subject and angles, so I am hoping to talk with him in March and get back on track!
Reading Wrap-up
books read: 4
average rating: 3.5/5
the twelve: 2/12
goodreads reading challenge: 8/50
Ok, so… I had planned to read 8 books this month, I even made a whole weekly planning, and… it killed my motivation. I only read 4 books, and it took me a while to read them, and I am not particularly happy with what I read. I also feel like I’m a bit saturated with books in English — I usually alternate between French and English books, but lately, I only read in English, and it tires me. For March, I am aiming to read more books written in French, to relax a bit!
A Dead Djinn in Cairo: I listened to the audiobook one evening and it was really enjoyable! Being a novella, its pacing was quite fast, and it didn’t took me long to finish it. I really like the world-building in this one, and the main character — a queer woman in a men’s world. I will definitely read the following books!
Lou ! Sonata: Sonata is the ninth volume in this French comic series. I grew up with Lou, a young girl with a vivid imagination, and Sonata now pictures her as a young adult and student — just like me. Reading Sonata was like reconnecting with a childhood friend, and I loved it oh so much. I love that I got to grew up with her, and that even now as an adult, she is still with me, and living the same things as me. I really can’t wait for the next volume!!
Crier’s War: is one of the twelve books I want to read in 2021, and due to the hype it receives, I was so excited to read it! But what a deception… Sadly, I really didn’t like the book, and I thought about DNF’ed it several times. But I sticked around and got the end. It could have been such a great book, the world-building is fantastic, but sadly, I couldn’t bear the characters and they sometimes felt illogical. I understand why so many people love this book, but I wasn’t a book for me (it’s not you, it’s me, but it’s a bit you too).
A Cuban Girl’s Guide To Tea and Tomorrow: I read this book for Tea Time Lit’s book club, and it was a cute book! Unfortunately I think it suffered from me reading Crier’s War at the same time, and I got in a slump because of that. ACGGTTT is nonetheless a cute book to enjoy with a cup of tea and some biscuits, and I really liked how it pictured grief and loss, and how you can grow up from that, while remaining true to yourself.
Blogging Highlights
On Ursa Reads
My reading slump kind of affected my blogging habits, and it spread to a blogging slump as well. Plus, the fact that I didn’t have internet in my flat in February — and still don’t — didn’t really help. Thus, February was a small month for Ursa Reads, be it for published posts or views. But it’s alright! I’m not anxious over it, and I just wish to do better in March and reconnect with all of you!
And here is the top 3 of your favorite posts this month on Ursa Reads:
In the book blogging community
I have received so much support that I want to start a new section where I give back. These posts have been written by amazing book bloggers, and I stumbled upon them while blog-hopping. Check them out!
- Chaima @ BooksWithChaima wrote a marvelous review of The Chosen and The Beautiful by Nghi Vo.
- Tracy @ TruffleReads reviewed one of my favorite book series, The All Soul Trilogy.
- Charlotte @ ReadsRainbow shared some of her favorite books with the « ennemies to lovers » trope.
- Erin @ ReadingOnAStar wrote a great post about inspired and copied content, and what to do if it happens to you.
What have you been up to this month, travelers?
Anything good on your radars?
ursa reads 
I’m so glad you enjoyed A Dead Djinn in Cairo – the audiobook’s great isn’t it! It’s a shame you didn’t like Crier’s War though, I tried to read it last year and just couldn’t get into it 😦 Fingers crossed March is a better reading month for you (I’m looking forward to seeing what French books you read as I’m always looking for recommendations!)
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Yeah it was!! I need to catch up with the following books now 🤭
I’m hoping too! Oh, often, when I read in French it’s translated books, but who knows, I haven’t planned my TBR so I might end up picking up a French book!
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I only read ONE book in Feb. O N E. I have no idea how that happened!!
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february really sucked all of our energy 😔
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This is true.
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okay why does your director keep ghosting you looll how rude? and thank you so much for the mention love💙
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yeaaah seriously i feel like i’ll be way more productive if i just stop trying to reach out to him 🙄
and you’re welcome, i really liked your post!! 🥰
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