Category: Features

Summer Reading Challenges

Posted June 5, 2025 / Book Lists, Features, TBR Lists / 0 Comments

I’m a sucker for a reading challenge, as you’ve come to know over the years, but I’m an even bigger sucker for a summer-themed one. Anything to bring me back to the school days! lol. I’ve now written multiple summer bookish posts for 2025: bucket list and TBR, summery reads, and upcoming 2025 summer releases I’m excited about. I think another TTT will be coming in a few weeks too! In any case, I’m signing myself up for two summer reading challenges this year and thought I’d share them for those interested! The Book Clurb 2025 Summer Reading Challenge is hosted by some friends from high school! They have an in-person book club that they’ve extended online with a fun reading challenge for others to join. I did so on the Storygraph challenges page. I did a lot of scientific analysis to perfectly match books already on my summer TBR to various prompts and make sure I check them all off. Set during summer: I just finished DEAD OF SUMMER this week and it certainly meets the prompt in a few ways. Really enjoyed it overall. Less than 250 pages: Pretty easy choice here is to read SAGA vol. 12 since it came out recently and is a graphic novel in the 200 page range. I like to keep up with these every time a new one comes out. Sports romance: I wasn’t sure what book I was going to do for this since I’m kind of out of my hockey romance […]

Bookmark Lit Bulletin | May 2025

Posted June 2, 2025 / Bookmark Lit Bulletin, Features, Wrap-Ups / 0 Comments

The Bookmark Lit Bulletin wraps up the last month in reading and what was on the blog, as well as what’s coming up next. You can check out my book haul, books read, posts shared, challenge updates, etc. You can read past bulletins here. If you’re looking for more personal updates, you can check out my Lauren Lately feature; it highlights my life events and non-bookish fun from the previous 30 days. Thrilled to announce that I busted my reading slump! I read double the amount of books in May than I did in April, and I’m feeling so relieved. I was in the mood to read way more often and prioritized it as well. I don’t expect to read this much going forward as we get busier with moving and stuff, but hopefully close! 10 books in May 10 read • 0 reread • 0 DNF Formats: 7 mixed format, 2 egalley, 1 hardcover Status/source: 3 purchased, 2 preordered, 2 review, 2 library, 1 owned Age Target: 10 adult Here are all the books I read this month with ratings! 25 in 25: 40% 52 Book Club: 60% Buzzword Reading Challenge: 58% Buzzword Cover Challenge: 75% Breakdown: 7 hardcovers | 6 paperbacks | 3 egalleys | 2 ebooks | 0 audiobooks All review copies were provided for free in exchange for an honest review. Physical Books Preordered: One Golden Summer by Fortune, The Missing Half by Flowers, Saga vol. 12 by Vaughan Book Drop Subscription: Time Loops & Meet Cutes by […]

June TBR

Posted May 30, 2025 / Book Lists, Features, TBR Lists / 1 Comment

My monthly TBR feature here shows my progress based on last month’s TBR, my plans for this month, and anything else I might be thinking about from a reading perspective. Sometimes I feature a little poll at the bottom so you guys can help me figure out a certain title I should read from a group of books. June TBR We’re back in business, folks! I killed it in May, reading way more books than usual with 12. I don’t know what it was but I was just in the mood to read a lot more and actually dedicated some time to it. I got through a few review copies and managed to read ahead a little too. Here’s what’s cooking for June! Review Copies I did an okay job on egalleys in May and also prioritized reading a later-summer book or two to get ahead. I have MAINE CHARACTERS, THE THRASHERS, and IT’S A LOVE STORY carrying over from May. As for June and beyond, I plan to read LOVE AT FIRST SIGHTING for a future blog tour, NIGHT WATCHER, and ALL’S FAIR IN LOVE AND PICKLEBALL. Preorders & New Releases I was really thinking I’d read NO ONE WAS SUPPOSED TO DIE AT THIS WEDDING immediately when it released but I got sidetracked trying to plan for all the format/genre balancing I was doing in May. I plan to read it immediately as my physical read for June, I think. There are some exciting new […]

Summer TBR and Bucket List – 2025

Posted May 28, 2025 / Book Lists, Features, Goals & Planning, Personal / Information / Etc., TBR Lists / 3 Comments

I used to write these all the time and was inspired to go for it again, so here we are with a somewhat similar post! I really am hoping to read some good seasonal stories this year since I’ve been inspired lately. We have a super busy summer on deck overall, but let’s bring on the beach reads! Summery Books I’m currently reading both ONE GOLDEN SUMMER (preordered) and DEAD OF SUMMER (review copy). They’re shaping up to be good summery reads with completely different vibes! I’m a Cape Cod kid at heart (spent a week or two there every summer as a kid) but SANDWICH passed me by last year! I requested it from the library so hopefully it comes in at some point this summer lol. I also forgot I have a cozy mystery called MURDER ON CAPE COD that I should try to read this summer. Similarly, I’m a big coastal Maine girl as well – I have a review copy of MAINE CHARACTERS to definitely read soon. As for other summery books I own or have egalleys of, I have a review copy of IT’S A LOVE STORY that should be an amazing seasonal read. I’ve been researching more random summer books and my friend started reading UNTIL NEXT SUMMER – I’ve been wanting to read this author and think I may start with this book instead of her 2025 release since this is more summer/beachy-focused. I also wanted to read JACKPOT SUMMER last […]

Reading Life, Habits, and Format Updates

Posted May 9, 2025 / Discussions, Features / 0 Comments

I’m constantly trying to figure out the best way to get my reading done and share the wealth across all of my various platforms and devices. I’ve talked a lot about how I plan my reading and TBRs (and occasionally throw that out the window), as well as the different reading devices I have (primarily Kindle and Boox Palma) and subscriptions I use (Everand, Spotify, etc.). I thought I’d update some of my general reading preferences, book buying habits, reading and listening formats, and more. Reading Formats – When & Why Audiobooks everywhere Audiobooks are my favorite and I do supplement the VAST majority of my reading with them. Spotify’s audiobooks have made this work sooo seamlessly and I’m truly obsessed with the fact that I can access almost any book there and listen to bits and pieces of it. 15 hours is plenty of listening time for me when I only use them in addition to whatever I’m reading physically or digitally. I always check Everand, Libby, and Hoopla for audiobooks though – listening on one of those services/apps is my priority since those don’t count hours like Spotify. Kindle Oasis for egalleys and already-purchased ebooks Like many people, I’m not interested in supporting Amazon any more than I have to. I’ll get into that a little more when I talk about my Boox Palma. I have a Kindle Oasis that I am obsessed with (sorry to my neglected Paperwhite) but I won’t be buying new ebooks from Amazon. […]

Anticipated Upcoming Releases for the Summer

Posted May 5, 2025 / Book Lists, Features / 1 Comment

I know there will be plenty more TBRs for the year and seasonal posts but there are just so many good books coming in the upcoming months that I decided to share some of my most anticipated ones for this summer! Hopefully you can add some to your list. May 6th May 13th May 20th & 27th June 3rd & 10th June 17th June 24th & July 1st July 15th & July 22nd July 29th August 5th August 12th August 26th

Bookmark Lit Bulletin | April 2025

Posted May 2, 2025 / Bookmark Lit Bulletin, Features, Wrap-Ups / 0 Comments

The Bookmark Lit Bulletin wraps up the last month in reading and what was on the blog, as well as what’s coming up next. You can check out my book haul, books read, posts shared, challenge updates, etc. You can read past bulletins here. If you’re looking for more personal updates, you can check out my Lauren Lately feature; it highlights my life events and non-bookish fun from the previous 30 days. My reading slump unfortunately continued into April! Good lord. Instead of forcing myself to read random short things or cookbooks, I just let it happen. My reading calendar is a staggered mess because I didn’t even read a book every single day. My goal for May is to actually pick up a book – even for a few pages or driving with an audiobook – every day. 5 books in April 5 read • 0 reread • 0 DNF Formats: 5 mixed format Status/source: 2 library, 2 preordered, 1 review Age Target: 5 adult Here are all the books I read this month with ratings! 25 in 25: 30% 52 Book Club: 44% Buzzword Reading Challenge: 50% Buzzword Cover Challenge: 67% Breakdown: 5 hardcovers | 1 paperback | 4 egalleys | 2 ebooks | 0 audiobooks All review copies were provided for free in exchange for an honest review. Physical Books From Aardvark: Any Trope But You by Lavine, The Tainted Cup and A Drop of Corruption by Bennett Preordered/release event: Great Big Beautiful Life by Henry, Tell Me […]

May TBR

Posted May 1, 2025 / Book Lists, Features, TBR Lists / 0 Comments

My monthly TBR feature here shows my progress based on last month’s TBR, my plans for this month, and anything else I might be thinking about from a reading perspective. Sometimes I feature a little poll at the bottom so you guys can help me figure out a certain title I should read from a group of books. May TBR Reading my summary here from the April TBR post was depressing. I wanted to get back to reading more than 8-9 books a month and instead I read half of that. Genuinely so sad. My reading slump continues. I know my life is going to get crazier over the next few months so I should be nice to be myself but I hope I can get back to reading more. Review Copies A couple of holdovers from last month that I didn’t get to thanks to my slump – THE SEVEN O’CLOCK CLUB and A PROPOSAL TO DIE FOR. The rest of these come out in the month of May so I really hope to get on track with my egalleys. I’ve honestly done better in 2025 than other years but April/May being huge release months combined with me not reading much… not a recipe for success. Preorders & New Releases I’ve preordered THE MISSING HALF and ONE GOLDEN SUMMER and those arrive within the next week or two. I plan to buy NO ONE WAS SUPPOSED TO DIE AT THIS WEDDING on or near release day […]

Bookmark Lit Bulletin | March 2025

Posted April 4, 2025 / Bookmark Lit Bulletin, Features, Wrap-Ups / 0 Comments

The Bookmark Lit Bulletin wraps up the last month in reading and what was on the blog, as well as what’s coming up next. You can check out my book haul, books read, posts shared, challenge updates, etc. You can read past bulletins here. If you’re looking for more personal updates, you can check out my Lauren Lately feature; it highlights my life events and non-bookish fun from the previous 30 days. My reading slump unfortunately continued into March. I fell back into some old habits with reading two cookbooks to keep on track lol. I did enjoy a few books but otherwise there were a lot of unfortunate misses. Please cross your fingers April is better. 7 books in March 7 read • 0 reread • 0 DNF Formats: 3 mixed, 2 hardcovers, 1 egalley, 1 Netgalley audiobook Status/source: 3 purchased, 2 review, 2 library Age Target: 7 adult Here are all the books I read this month with ratings! 25 in 25: 20% 52 Book Club: 35% Buzzword Reading Challenge: 42% Buzzword Cover Challenge: 67% Breakdown: 4 hardcovers | 3 paperback | 5 egalleys | 1 ebook | 1 audiobook All review copies were provided for free in exchange for an honest review. Physical Books Purchased: The Official Disney Parks Cookbook and The Official Disney Parks Celebration Cookbook BOTM: Our Infinite Fates by Steven Book Swap: Broken Things by Oliver Purchased: Emily Wilde’s Compendium of Lost Tales by Fawcett [audiobook] Blind Date with a Book then purchased: Mistborn trilogy by […]

April TBR

Posted April 2, 2025 / Book Lists, Features, TBR Lists / 0 Comments

My monthly TBR feature here shows my progress based on last month’s TBR, my plans for this month, and anything else I might be thinking about from a reading perspective. Sometimes I feature a little poll at the bottom so you guys can help me figure out a certain title I should read from a group of books. April TBR March wasn’t bad but I really need to get back into reading 8+ books per month instead of the 6-7 I’ve been reading. I just keep scrolling on my phone instead! I’m hoping with college basketball coming to an end and there being a lull with sports for a few more months, maybe Chris will play video games while I read in the evenings. Review Copies I started SWEPT AWAY this week and am hopeful it’ll go better for me compared to O’Leary’s last release! I’ve also had THE SEVEN O’CLOCK CLUB on my Kindle for months – I’ve been tempted multiple times to read this super early and now release month is actually here. I think it will be a refreshing genre to read in the midst of the others I’ve been reading. And finally, I was recently approved for A PROPOSAL TO DIE FOR and think it’ll be a fun cozy mystery. Library Books & New Releases Believe it or not, I’ve put off both the new Emily Wilde book (it’s the last in the series so I’m sad) and the new book by Libba Bray (it’s […]