thebookkat

Happy Monday bookworms! . Unsurprisingly, launching @debut.books meant that my reading in May took a hit! All but one book had queer characters and really, I should have saved them all for June! . 👑 I reread Queendom of the Seven Lakes and Kingdom of the Seven Lakes by @alicejaneboere and I love them even more! They’re wonderful and Alice is rereleasing them on July 1 as a single edition! I highly encourage you to read them! 🍆 Invisible Boys by @holdensheppard hit me hard and I haven’t stopped thinking about it. It is a challenging and brilliant read and one that I believe everyone should read. More to come on this one. ⛷ Peta Lyre’s Rating Normal by @annawhateley_writer was great. I read it straight after Please Don’t Hug Me and really appreciated the difference of experience and voice. 🍩 Please Don’t Hug Me by @kaykerr_ was absolutely wonderful. Read this book! 🧜🏻‍♀️ In an Absent Dream and Come Tumbling Down by @seananmcguire was a delicious conclusion to the series so far. I am so glad I discovered these books and really, really hope there are more to come! 🧙🏼‍♀️ This Coven Won’t Break by @isa_sterling was perfect. Loved it!! 🐉 @patricknessbooks is my one of my all time favourite authors and Burn is f*#king brilliant. Read it. 📚 The three graphic novels - The Backstagers Vol 1, Smooth Criminals Vol 2 and The Avant-Guards Vol 2 - were a joy and an escape. 👩🏻 @womankindmag is the best magazine and I always seem to read it at a moment when I need it. There is always a lesson to be learned, and always appreciated. . #maywrapup #wrapup #loveozya #ausbookishfeatures #ausyabloggers #yabooks #yalit #yalover #bookobsession #booksbooksbooks #bookstagram #alwaysreading #becauseofbooks #diversereads #fullybooked #igreads #bookworm #alwaysreading #pridereads #lgbtqia #queerbooks #ausbookstagram #pridemonth (at Melbourne, Victoria, Australia) https://www.instagram.com/p/CBKlJPMgnaa/?igshid=16xqaikep3a41

Happy Sunday bookworms! It has been a wonderful and relaxing weekend which is exactly what I needed. There has been many Scrabble and Bananagrams games and we have just devoured the pasta we made from SCRATCH today! Our first time doing so and I think we exceeded all expectations! A day of joy! . As I walked past my bookcase before, I caught sight of the small frame on one of the shelves. The print says ‘Remember Why you started’. With 10 days to go until the business pre-launch, my poor brain is in overdrive as there is still so much to do, for the launch and beyond. This pile of INCREDIBLE #loveozya is a reminder of why I’m doing this and where I’m headed. The excitement and fear co-exist but damn, what a journey it is going to be! I hope you’ll join me on this crazy ride! I really can’t wait to finally share with you what I’ve been working on #comingsoon 🥰 . #happymothersday #sundayfunday #ausbookishfeatures #ausqueerya #ausyabloggers #yabooks #yalit #yalover #bookobsession #booksbooksbooks #bookstagram #alwaysreading #becauseofbooks #diversereads #fullybooked #igreads #bookworm #alwaysreading #rainbowbooks #bookishrainbow #bookshelfie #bookstack #rainbowstack (at Melbourne, Victoria, Australia) https://www.instagram.com/p/CAAX0zdg96t/?igshid=int07pbowwf0

My April wrap up... I am reading lots but not posting as I’m swamped with getting the business ready for launch and beyond #girlboss . 🧜🏻‍♀️ Neverland by @project_lectito was a reread and gets better every time I read it. I adore this book and gives me Melina Marchetta feels. ✨Nevermoor and Wundersmith by @digressica are pure joy. Enough said. 🇦🇺It is always a pleasure to read books by @lililiwilkinson @vikkiwakefield @elizahenryjones . Thank you for your stories. 🚪The Wayward Children series by @seananmcguire is the best fantasy I’ve read in a loooong time. I’ve devoured them all and feel bereft. Hopefully there are more to come (hint hint) 🔮I thoroughly enjoyed The Bone Season but I’m strangely okay with reading book one as a standalone and not reading the rest of the series... no idea why 🤷🏻‍♀️ 🎙My Story by @juliagillard left me with a lot to think about. Fascinating, empowering and at times scary. . #aprilwrapup #wrapup #loveozya #ausbookishfeatures #ausyabloggers #yabooks #yalit #yalover #mentalhealth #bookobsession #booksbooksbooks #bookstagram #alwaysreading #becauseofbooks #diversereads #fullybooked #igreads #bookworm #alwaysreading (at Melbourne, Victoria, Australia) https://www.instagram.com/p/B_6mEf5A84p/?igshid=1wp8jrjrcb3tn

My March #wrapup... better late than never 😅 . March was an incredible month of reading, probably the best I’ve had in a long time. I was really impressed with the discussion of mental health, in all its forms. A rollercoaster of emotion, and a worthy one. 🐍I waited 7 years for the Cobra Queen by @taramossauthor and it was SO worth it! Thank you Tara! 🦅Call Down the Hawk by @maggie_stiefvater rocked! I love ‘dream’ stories and for me, this topped The Raven Cycle, easy! 👑King of Scars - awesome! I needed book two yesterday! 📚 How Reading Changed My Life - a reread, in a moment when I needed a pick-me-up ❤️ ☁️How It Feels to Float - very intense, very sad, beautifully written. 🌊 P for Pearl - @elizahenryjones is a superstar. I loved it 💙 🌈 Night Swimming - very cute! Kept @stephbowe in my thoughts, whilst reading, and after 💕 💫 The Gravity of Us - also very cute. 💕 It Sounded Better in My Head - 100% brilliant! I related to this book on SO many levels. Love, love, LOVE! 🥟 The Surprising Power of a Good Dumpling - the anthem of LIFE! @onewpc , your book ROCKS! 🙋🏻‍♀️ Queen of Geeks - the book my teenage self needed. Thank you @jenmariewilde 💋 . #marchwrapup #loveozya #ausqueerya #ausbookishfeatures #ausyabloggers #yabooks #yalit #yalover #mentalhealth #bookobsession #booksbooksbooks #bookstagram #alwaysreading #becauseofbooks #diversereads #fullybooked (at Melbourne, Victoria, Australia) https://www.instagram.com/p/B-9fKC0gcIw/?igshid=r336e9x485v8

Happy (belated) Easter! I hope everyone has enjoyed their long weekend... I certainly have! I spent all of Sunday curled up on the couch with The Bone Season by Samantha Shannon (and eating my favourite chocolate eggs)! I thoroughly enjoyed the book however I’m not sure I want to continue with the series... what do you recommend? Have you read beyond book one? . #theboneseason #fantasybook #fantasybooks #lgbtreads #bluebook #flatlaylove #bookobsession #booksbooksbooks #bookstagram #alwaysreading #becauseofbooks #fullybooked #happyeaster #eastereggs #chocolateeggs #cadburyeggs (at Melbourne, Victoria, Australia) https://www.instagram.com/p/B-6pf0yA4vf/?igshid=4htg7tioe0q0

Does anyone have plans for the long weekend? I have a growing pile of #auslit ready to go and a long list of Youtube videos to watch; I’m teaching myself to use Photoshop and it is soooo frustrating! I really dislike not knowing how to do something/ not being good at things 🤷🏻‍♀️ . Speaking of good things (actually bloody brilliant, really), can I suggest The Invisible Libraries series by Genevieve Cogman? I devoured books 2-6 in very quick succession and felt bereft when I came to the end of book six. They are clever, engaging, exciting and SO much fun! Books about books are wonderful! . What is in your #tbrpile this weekend? . #currentlyreading #currentread #weekendvibes #longweekend #invisiblelibraries#genevievecogman #fantasybooks #bookshelfie #shelfie #bookishrainbow #rainbowbooks #bookobsession #booksbooksbooks #bookstagram #alwaysreading #becauseofbooks #fullybooked (at Melbourne, Victoria, Australia) https://www.instagram.com/p/B-wpIdOg9xL/?igshid=146lasapmzsu0

I devoured this duology and was really sad when it ended. I loved everything about it although I confess... I didn’t understamd the ending. I’m not a fan of ambiguous endings and this one really confused me... 🤷🏻‍♀️If you have read this book, please share your thoughts on it below! . #vicious #vengeful #veschwab #bookshelfie #shelfie #bookishrainbow #rainbowbooks #bookobsession #booksbooksbooks #bookstagram #alwaysreading #becauseofbooks #diversereads #fullybooked (at Melbourne, Victoria, Australia) https://www.instagram.com/p/B-rZNs1gl-x/?igshid=1epx6tw1z6kgz

I’ve been talking queer books today (YAY!) and I had to post another wonderful rec! This book has queer witches and really, can you get much better than that? I highly recommend this book and I’m waiting impatiently for book two to release later this year 💜 I’m also really thankful for the conversations today... it has reminded me of how much I love this community 💜 sending love to everyone today 💜 . #bookshelfie #shelfie #lgbtreads #lgbtq #lgbtqiaplus #queerbooks #queerbookstagram #pridereads #bookishrainbow #rainbowbooks #bookobsession #booksbooksbooks #bookstagram #alwaysreading #becauseofbooks #diversereads #thesewitchesdontburn (at Melbourne, Victoria, Australia) https://www.instagram.com/p/B-ovdhNA_K9/?igshid=b2mgpxbhz394

Happy Sunday bookworms! Here are some QUEER delights for your reading pleasure! All but Little & Lion were #gifted but I highly recommend them all 🏳️‍🌈 . I’m always on the hunt for more LGBTQIA+ recommendations so please hit me up with your favourites below! . #lgbtreads #lgbtq #lgbtqiaplus #queerbooks #queerbookstagram #pridereads #bookishrainbow #rainbowbooks #flatlaylove #bookobsession #booksbooksbooks #bookstagram #alwaysreading #becauseofbooks #diversereads (at Melbourne, Victoria, Australia) https://www.instagram.com/p/B-lQi9CAtEL/?igshid=1uqtdhdth8np5

Happy Saturday bookworms! I’m ‘at’ the @newcastlewritersfestival today with clean hair and a fresh outfit and feeling very thankful that the arts community has been so adaptable at this time of crisis to bring us so much joy and connection. Thank you @newcastlewritersfestival for moving online and pushing ahead! ❤️ . I have spoken many times of my love for the Object Lessons series by @bloomsburypublishing. These short books reveal the hidden lives of ordinary things. Pill, Potato and High Heel are three that released last year and each book was fascinating it its own way. The humble potato has a wealth of history and meaning… not just a tasty meal! Pill discusses the way in which modern medicine is transforming not just our minds but our bodies too. They have increasingly extraordinary powers that are determining our human identities… an unsettling yet interesting read! As for High Heel (previously reviewed), it still remains on my top titles for 2019! Check out my raving review further back on the grid! . Sending everyone big warm hugs ❤️ . #gifted #stayhome #booksofinstagram #booksofig #bookish #bookworm #igreads #covid19 #australiareads #australiareadsathome #bookreview #bookblogger #nwfstoriestoyou #weekendreads #bookishly #bookish #highheels #bibliophile #objectlessons (at Melbourne, Victoria, Australia) https://www.instagram.com/p/B-ihJ17gGmC/?igshid=9jkpf5c4mxv2

What a reading spot! It has been a very bookish weekend and I have to admit, they’re the best kind! I had a wonderful time yesterday meeting some of the local bookstagrammers and am excited for all future meet ups! A gorgeous group of people! . I made two book purchases yesterday which have been added to my #tbrpile but I’ve read 10 books (or more) off it since I’ve been home - I’m really pleased with that! For once it is shrinking faster than I’m adding to it! A first for me! 😂 The Surprising Power of a Good Dumpling by Wai Chim (@onewpc ) was the first book I purchased when I returned from the UK and I’m really looking forward to starting it! . What are you reading today? . #sundayfunday #book #loveozya #aussiereads #bookobsessed #fullybooked #coverlove #bookstagrammer #bookstagram #instabooks #weekendreads #yabook #yabooks #bookish #yalife #aussiebookgroup #yareader #surprisingpowerofagooddumpling (at Melbourne, Victoria, Australia) https://www.instagram.com/p/B9cyxy7g9Kt/?igshid=sx1gm7ccve8f

Happy publication day to @menna.vanpraag and The Sisters Grimm! I loved this book and am so thankful for the #gifted proof. I loved everything about this book, especially the world building and the mythology. It is a joy to read! Congrats @menna.vanpraag . Totally unrelated, my football team also plays their first game tonight!! It has been a loooong time coming! Good luck @richmondwomens 🐯#gotiges 🐯 . #sistersgrimm #openthegates #bookproof #fullybooked #booksbooksbooks #booklover #booklove #booknerd #booknerdigans #bookcoverlove #bookstagrammers #bookish #instabooks #instareads #instadaily #instagood #tbrpile #currentlyreading (at Melbourne, Victoria, Australia) https://www.instagram.com/p/B8QmvxngL3T/?igshid=13bri0mfkwn2h

Happy Sunday bookworms! What a week! I have been glued to my computer, working on something really big and scary. It means opening up, being incredibly vulnerable, and putting my heart on the line for a 2020 project that I want to work SO badly! It is scary, I won’t lie! #couragedearheart 💗 . This artwork came from @noods_creative and she speaks about vulnerability and courage in her original post. When I saw it, I knew I needed to have this print! The perfect peace of inspiration 💗 . What was the last think you needed some courage for? . #bebrave #noodscreative #noods #sundayshelfie #shelfiesunday #bookshelfie #bookshelves #bookshelf #bookstagrammers #bookish #shelfie #rainbowshelves #instabooks #instareads #instadaily #instagood #nookandburrow #fairybread https://www.instagram.com/p/B8D3Ka5Axob/?igshid=jvz195jzkvpp

And she returns 💗 I’m finally back in Aus after two years away. It has been strange being back, and incredibly emotional. It took less than 24 hours for me to pull my big bookcase apart and unhaul a massive amount of books. For the first time ever, I have gaps. Space. I barely remember what that’s like! I adore my library and love that it is such a calm and happy space. 2020 brings big change, massive challenges and life-changing opportunities. I will slowly return to #bookstagram... I took a much needed break and appreciated the time away. I’m ready to talk books again. . Please stop by, say hello, and share what you’re currently reading! I’m devouring books by @alicejaneboere ... they’re brilliant and I cannot rave about them enough 💗 . #welcomehome #bookshelfie #bookshelves #bookshelf #bookstagrammers #bookish #shelfie #rainbowshelves #instabooks #instareads #instadaily #instagood #unhaul #tbrpile #currentlyreading #library #librarygoals (at Melbourne, Victoria, Australia) https://www.instagram.com/p/B75oJTWAAmr/?igshid=1cpchiiqzw0ne

🎙 Disclaimer! I read this book last January 🤷🏻‍♀️🤦🏻‍♀️💁🏻‍♀️ #bookwormproblems ! It was the first book I read as a part of my personal challenge last year... I am currently in the process of resurrecting it for this year! . I loved everything about this book! I first saw it on @unfinishedbookshelf’s feed and knew that I had to read it! If the title wasn’t enough, the whole book celebrates the joys of connecting with your inner child and how it can vastly improve our adult lives! There is a huge difference between being child-like and childish, the latter not being fun at all. As an adult, we often forget how to view the world as we did as a child, with wonder, curiousity and freedom… freedom from the shame, guilt and pressure that we place on ourselves, and from others! A little play each day helps to relax, laugh and wonder more and find joy in the everyday magic! I will definitely be keeping this book close at hand during 2020 🦸🏻‍♀️ . @laurajaneauthor #icecreamforbreakfast #bookreview #bookreviewer #bookblogger #wellness #wellbeing #booklover #bibliophile #newyearsameme #shelfie (at Liverpool) https://www.instagram.com/p/B63DRKDAKR7/?igshid=1jy65f73qwsjb

Happy New Year bookworms! Welcome to 2020! It is going to be a MASSIVE year and I have so many exciting things to share with you... all in good time!! . All my books are in boxes now so there is no wrap up photo, however I’ve tallied up 2019 and I had a bumper year! I read some spectacular books 🥰 I don’t set myself a reading goal because I prefer to try and read a consistent amount each year. I read a total of 181 in 2019 - my biggest year of reading since I started recording my reads! Wow! I usually read between 110 and 130; my addiction to graphic novels is what spiked my number this year! Broken down, my stats are as follows: ✨Books Read: 181 ✨Fiction: 85 ✨Non-Fiction: 21 ✨Poetry: 12 ✨Graphic Novels: 63 . My general reading intentions for 2020 are: ✨ reduce my TBR ✨ keep reading more NF ✨to wind down on reviewing and stop completely once the review pile is gone! 9 books to go! ✨ focus on reading Australian fiction - I have missed it so much! ✨read more queer stories . What are your bookish intentions for 2020? . #shelfie #bookshelfie #2020 #readinggoals #wrapup #happynewyear #bookworm #booklove #bibliophile #rainbowbooks #bookishrainbow #queerbooks #queerbookstagram #bookstacks (at Liverpool) https://www.instagram.com/p/B60ZrA3A2nm/?igshid=7icrqutrg9jt

Happy Sunday bookworms! Life has been seriously chaotic and emotional as my date to return to Aus looms, and we still have no word on our visa (meaning we don’t know when we will be in the same country, together, again😞). Insta has taken a major backseat as Mel and I pack up our first home together and make the most of every moment we have together ❤️ I won’t be posting much in the next month but I’m still reading heaps and attempting to finish as many books as I can before they all go in boxes for a long time... which is not where they’re meant to be 😫 . What are the last books on your TBR for 2019? I can’t choose between all the exciting titles still on my shelf!! Can you see any here I MUST finish? . #currentlyreading #currentread #tbr #sundayshelfie #shelfiesunday #bookshelfie #bookshelves #bookishrainbow #rainbowbooks #booksfordays #booksbooksbooks #bookworm #bibliophile #bookaddict #bookstacks (at Liverpool) https://www.instagram.com/p/B6YaFzxAmQj/?igshid=v5lbnfww3oyz