Hello! I hope you’re well 🤗
I cannot believe February is over already. It’s been a nice month, maybe not as jam-packed as January for me, but a super productive one. I’ve also been super frivolous and treated myself way too much online – mostly on skincare (winter has been hellish on my skin) and my new hobby.
But more on that below, or I’d have nothing there for you haha.
I didn’t get as much reading done this month, but to be honest I’ve noticed that as a trend over the years – that February is very thin on the ground with my reading. This has been one of my better February’s though, I think last year I read 2 books. This year I’ve read 6! Thank you audiobooks.
I did however finally sort through some old boxes (from when I moved in 2020…) and sent some books to my local charity shop. This got me onto a roll, and I started going through my shelves a little too – all in all I unhauled 71 books!? Like, I’ve never even unhauled one in my life! It feels so good and so liberating. I can’t wait to purge some more and have some more decorative shelves by the end (and hopefully a better grasp of my tbr pile).
books finished
◍ Raven Winter – Susanna Bailey // 🎧 // ★★★★ // contemporary middle grade following a young girls quest to find her father, fresh out of prison.
◍ Wintering – Katherine May // 🎧 // ★★★★ // memoir reflecting on the joy of winter during a health scare and other moments.
◍ Year One – Nora Roberts // 🎧 // ★★★☆// first in a trilogy set during a pandemic with magical elements.
◍ Murder at the Museum – Alistair Beckett-King // 📖 // ★★★★★ // debut middle grade murder mystery with Agatha Christie vibes.
◍ Mrs Death Misses Death – Salena Godden // 🎧 // ★★★★ // a story of Death filled with magical realism and poetry.
◍ Silver in the Wood & Drowned Country – Emily Tesh // 🎧 // ★★★★ // duology bind up of two delightful novellas about the inhabitants of green hollow, featuring dryads and some lgbt romance.
books dnf’d
The Colour of Magic by Terry Prachett – this was carried over from January, and I just still haven’t finished it… I’m enjoying it, but something about it isn’t gripping me though… Hopefully I will finally finish it in March.
LOOKING FORWARDS – MAR // readathons and book clubs I’m participating in
◍ Fantasy Fellowship // hoping to take part in Mythology March.
◍ Total Bollix // Hannah @LadetteM is hosting March’s live, the theme is down with the patriarchy.
◍ The Bookwanderers // run by Celine @ StuffCelineDoes // kicking off the books and lattes readathon (I am OBSESSED with this theme).
◍ The Literary Society // run by Celine @ StuffCelineDoes // I did not get to Sense and Sensibility, so I’m hoping to catch up on that one.
◍ Gerbitathon // hosted by Hannah @ LadetteM // The Sims themed year long challenge, I’m still working on the toddler prompts – anyone got a recommendation with clowns?
February has definitely been more subdued compared to January, but somehow has flown by way faster (I know it’s the shortest month, but it’s not *that* short).
I do always love February though – the snowdrops are out in force, the days a little bit brighter, and it’s my birthday! It was on a weekend this year so I tried to make the most of that – I went out for some burgers (that have since been awarded best burger in the UK apparently!), and hit a board game cafe with some friends to celebrate on the Saturday. On the Sunday I had my family round for a massive takeaway, and some homemade cake my partner made earlier that day (cherry jam is ah-maze-ing!!). It was so lovely and chill, the perfect way to celebrate as far as I am concerned.
I didn’t really get out much this month, as the weekends kind of got away from me, but I have been making a bit of an effort to move more at home – using my lunch breaks for some HIIT or yoga when working from home. I’ve felt so good for them (if a bit stiff, I’m so unfit haha – there has been much groaning, creaking, and waddling), but my energy and just overall vibe has been way more motivated and full of oompf. I even started tackling some jobs I’ve been putting off! Such as the massive box of old paperwork I’ve put off literally years (along side the books I mentioned above). I’m really hoping to carry this energy forwards into March.
On the more chill front I finished my first knitting project! I’d started it last month, I’d never knitted before (besides undoing my Nannie’s attempts to teach me when I was little). It is so soothing and weirdly addictive – definitely something I’d recommend if you’re on the fence about trying it, or just looking for something new. Slapping on an audiobook, podcast, or some mindless TV before settling down to work on my scarf, has been one of my favourite things to do! I’m already onto my next project, some matching mittens. I’ve definitely got a new obsession, and have some more wool on its way to me ready for the next thing 🧶 if only it was a bit cheaper as a hobby. I’ve barely done anything and I’ve spent so much on wool!! Haha.
How has your February been? Have you tried anything new yet this year?
The Bookworm's Feast 
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