Monthly wrap-up: June 2016

Hi guys! As I've said, and felt, with probably every monthly wrap-up, I can't believe this month is already over. June went by SO freaking fast. May had an excuse: the first two weeks were filled with finals, BEA, and visiting friends and family (which was not an easy feet and I don't understand how I survived), while the last half was adjusting back to life and my summer work schedule (which Rihanna summed up with Work because WERK). June was just June, but apparently it wanted to be a fast June, which was kind of okay with me.
I got back on track with my normal reading schedule this month, read some faaaaaantastic books, listened to some faaaaaaaaantastic music, and just apparently had an all around fantastic time. Let's get into it, shall we?

A Court of Mist and Fury by Sarah J. Maas - 4 stars // Goodreads

The Dreamer by E. J. Mellow - 4.5 stars // Goodreads

Elementals: The Head of Medusa by Michelle Meadow - 3.5 stars // Goodreads

Mosquitoland by David Arnold - 4.5 stars // Goodreads

Blue Lily, Lily Blue by Maggie Stiefvater (reread) // Goodreads

I wont lie: I thought I had read more. But I've been DNF'ing a lot of books lately, so it always seems like I've read more than I actually have. But for only reading five books, they were some kick-ass books, so I guess I would rather read fewer books and enjoy them more, versus reading a lot more and not enjoying all of them. A Court of Mist and Fury and Mosquitoland were both my favorites of this month, ACOMAF because it was fucking ACOMAF and that needs no explanation, while Mosquitoland had bunch of quirky and hilarious characters that pulled at my heartstrings. 

On the blog

I kicked off June with my A Court of Mist and Fury review, then had my usual slew of "Happy Monday!" posts, which are, sadly, being kicked to the curb with some revelations that I had in this blog post. I was a part of two blog tours, The Museum of Heartbreak by Meg Leder and Elementals: The Head of Medusa by Michelle Madow. Next, I talked about my top favorites for the first half of 2016, then did a tag talking about some intimidating books in my TBR. I reviewed The Dreamer (highly suggest for anyone looking for a fun NA fantasy) and Mosquitoland, which I loooooooved. 

Music I've been loving

It's officially summer, which means my love for county music is reemerging. I was a huge fan in high school, but kind of fell out of it when EDM came and kicked its ass to the side. But there's just something about summer time and country music that go so well together, you know? It's probably because most country music revolves around summer time, but still. I can't jam to country in the winter. No. I've also been reeeeeeally into listening to acoustic in the morning when I'm drinking my coffee and checking my emails. It's such a soothing way to start off my day, and it leaves me feeling happy and content. 

Into You by Ariana Grande // Talk by DJ Snake // Guillotine by Jon Bellion // Too Good by Drake // Needed Me by Rihanna // Can't Stop The Feelings by Justin Timberlake // Bartender by Lady Antebellum // Sangria by Blake Shelton // Home Alone Tonight by Luke Bryon // That's My Kind of Night by Luke Bryon // Runaway by Ziggy Alberts // Home by Dotan // Like Real People Do by Hozier // Georgia by Vance Joy

Books I got this month

I went used bookstore hunting and found some good shit, my friends. REAL GOOD SHIT.

Frankenstein by Shelley Mary

A Northern Light by Jennifer Donnelly 

Falling Kingdoms by Morgan Rhodes

World Without End by Ken Follett

I'm a part of the blog tour for Little Black Dresses, Little White Lies by Laura Stampler, then was contacted by Nelou Keramati to read her debut novel, The Fray Theory, which, let me tell you, sounds AMAZING. Then I ordered And I Darken by Kiersten White because I've been wanting this gorgeous novel since I first heard about it.  

Life shenanigans

A lot of exciting things have been happening, especially pertaining to my blog and Instagram. Two publishing companies emailed me saying they loved my Instagram and wanted to add me to their mailing list, while a new book subscription box asked if they could send me a box for free for review. I, naturally, almost died with all of these emails, but the cherry on top was getting asked to be an Ambassador for Lit Without Limits. Lit Without Limits is a non profit organization that sends empowering books to girls in mentoring groups. It's all about being a #girlboss, and I'm so incredibly honored that Haley asked me to join their team. I'll be moving in August to a bigger town, and I plan on going to the local library and asking if I can start a book club in connection with Lit Without Limits. Not only will it be great because I'll be meeting girls who live near me, but it'll bring a strong dose of empowerment to the town, plus I've always wanted to join a book club. So why not start my own? 

If you have any interest in joining, whether that be becoming an Ambassador, volunteering, or even donating, please check out the website for more information! Then email haley@litwithoutlimits.org if you want to jump in on this amazing chance. You don't have to anything crazy or out of your comfort zone. One of the options when becoming an Ambassador was speaking at schools or at a church, and I told Haley right away there was no way I could do that. She replied immediately that I was to do whatever I was comfortable with. I think a book club is a really good start. (Also, if anyone lives near Sacramento, please let me know! I would love it if a fellow book blogger would come to the book club.)