Life of Gerk

International Women’s Day

What better book to be (re)reading on a day like this? Featuring a backdrop of three of my favorite female authors. 

Weekend Getaway.

Recent purchases.

Hello friends. I know it’s been a long time since I’ve posted anything. The past few months I’ve been adjusting to my new life on the west coast. Everything about this is new for me: first time really living away from home, first time paying rent, first time living with a significant other, first time working multiple jobs. It’s different and sometimes challenging but overall I have really loved it so far. Things are finally starting to feel a little more normal out here, so I’ve been able to get back a little bit more into my old routines - reading and book photography had taken a backseat with everything else that was going on. I can’t promise that I’ll be posting as much as I used to, but I am going to try to get back into posting more often. I’ve missed it, and all of you! 

Even though I haven’t been reading much lately I have made a few purchases. Three Dark Crowns was one that just sounded so fascinating to me that I couldn’t pass it up, and I’m really enjoying it so far. The Diabolic is one I got to pick up for free thanks to the Target Cartwheel app...yay for free books! Goldenhand I’m incredibly excited for. I just found out it existed a few days ago and had to buy it immediately - the Old Kingdom books are some of my favorites of all time and I would definitely consider it one of my favorite fantasy worlds. 

How has 2017 been treating you so far? What are your most anticipated books for the year? And what are some of your favorite fantasy worlds? Let me know! 

Maybe I’m just uneducated in the whole replies thing but I didn’t know how else to respond so here’s this.

@banana-cupcake-harry It IS a naked-McFly clock! I found it at a market in London years ago. I never ended up putting batteries in it, but damn, it’s so beautiful.

@cassidy-alh No, don’t have Vampire Academy on there but it’s on my to-read/to-buy list! I watched the movie on Netflix and loved it (specifically the character of Rose) and I know that the books are supposed to be 10 times better. 

One last shelfie...

Well, here it is, my whole collection (minus A Darker Shade of Magic, a gift from the boyf who is currently borrowing it because he wanted to read it) one last time before I have to decide what gets to move across the country with me. Why can’t I just take them all???

Read in August

(Not pictured: The Inquisition by Taran Matharu)

Red // Yellow // Blue = Valor // Instinct // Mystic

Strangely, not only am I team Valor but The Last Star ended up being my favorite read of the month (aside from my not-pictured read, The Inquisition, which was amazing). Took me a while to get into it because it had been so long since I read The 5th Wave/The Infinite Sea but it was a great ending to the series; it gave me all the right feels. Not fully sure how I feel about The Cursed Child, it feels very... subpar fanfiction? I don’t know, but at the same time it was kind of nice to revisit that world. Magonia started off slow, but definitely got better as it went (I need to get my hands on Aerie!). None were bad reads! 

Right now I’m still on track with my reading challenge, but we’ll see how it ends up with me moving across the country in a couple weeks. I won’t be bringing my whole library with me, which hurts my poor book-loving heart. 

Also, this is my 600th post! How crazy + exciting! 

Two weeks ago today I arrived in Colorado for vacation, it was an awesome trip and I wish I could go back right now. Colorado is such a beautiful place and I love it very much.  

Read in July

Not pictured: Uprooted by Naomi Novik

July welcomed me back into the reading world with some really spectacular selections. I definitely wasn’t disappointed by any of these, although I do have to admit that I think The Novice was my favorite of them. I love the concept behind it, it’s totally up my alley. I’m really looking forward to getting my hands on The Inquisition! 

What was your favorite read of the month?

Read in June.

It was a pretty slow reading month for me, but considering how much I had going on I’m still proud of what I did manage to get through. July is already looking to be off to a better start, my currently reading has definitely captured my attention. Plus, there’s something about library books, I’m personally offended if I don’t manage to finish what I’ve checked out before it’s due. I guess that’s just the motivation I needed to get back into it. 

Surefire cure for a reading slump is a trip to the library, right? Well, I hope so, seeing as I just walked out with six books and have four more queued when they get returned. Oops? At least three of them are children’s books for my nieces and nephews, so they’re not all just for me? 

Time to get reading again! 

Hello friends, how’s your June going so far? I’ve been busy with weddings and trips, one of which resulted in my first time going to the Skydeck in the Willis Tower (previously the Sears Tower) in Chicago. It was pretty amazing, being able to see a city that I love so much from a whole new perspective. Has anyone else been to the Skydeck? What are some of your favorite cities?

Read in April + May. 

There’s been so much going on in my life lately (we got a new puppy and I’ve been working and traveling a lot) that I just haven’t had time to do consistent book photos, or be on tumblr at all really, but I did want to do at least an end of the month summary to hold myself accountable. I likely won’t have time to post much again until potentially August, maybe later, but just know that I miss you all and getting to see your posts and share posts with you. 

Hope everyone’s summers are off to a great start! And happy reading!

Sorry I've been so inactive lately! I've been a little preoccupied with the new man in my life! Isn't he adorable?

There’s nothing like adding lighting to make a room feel more alive. (Plus I redid the top of my bookshelf - pictured on the right - so I have a little more room on the shelves themselves, yay!) 

-Gerk

One of those kind of nights. 

Guys, I need some help!

I just finished The Assassin’s Blade by Sarah J. Maas tonight, and I don’t know what to read next! My top choices are these two new (to me) beauties I picked up at a used-book store earlier today (Blood Red Road + Ink and Bone) and Ready Player One, which I picked up from the store last week.

Thoughts? I’ve heard good things about all, but I don’t know where to start!

-Gerk