Waiting on Wednesday:

The Dating Plan
by Sara Desai

Expected Publication: March 16th 2021
by Berkley Books

Even with a step-by-step plan, these fake fiances might accidentally fall for each other in this hilarious, heartfelt romantic comedy from the author of The Marriage Game.

Daisy Patel is a software engineer who understands lists and logic better than bosses and boyfriends. With her life all planned out, and no interest in love, the one thing she can't give her family is the marriage they expect. Left with few options, she asks her childhood crush to be her decoy fiance.

Liam Murphy is a venture capitalist with something to prove. When he learns that his inheritance is contingent on being married, he realizes his best friend's little sister has the perfect solution to his problem. A marriage of convenience will get Daisy's matchmaking relatives off her back and fulfill the terms of his late grandfather's will. If only he hadn't broken her tender teenage heart nine years ago...

Sparks fly when Daisy and Liam go on a series of dates to legitimize their fake relationship. Too late, they realize that very little is convenient about their arrangement. History and chemistry aren't about to follow the rules of this engagement.

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A Pho Love Story
by Loan Le

Expected Publication: February 9th 2021
by Simon Schuster Books for Young Readers

When Dimple Met Rishi meets Ugly Delicious in this funny, smart romantic comedy, in which two Vietnamese-American teens fall in love and must navigate their newfound relationship amid their families’ age-old feud about their competing, neighboring restaurants.

If Bao Nguyen had to describe himself, he’d say he was a rock. Steady and strong, but not particularly interesting. His grades are average, his social status unremarkable. He works at his parents’ pho restaurant, and even there, he is his parents’ fifth favorite employee. Not ideal.

If Linh Mai had to describe herself, she’d say she was a firecracker. Stable when unlit, but full of potential for joy and fire. She loves art and dreams pursuing a career in it. The only problem? Her parents rely on her in ways they’re not willing to admit, including working practically full-time at her family’s pho restaurant.

For years, the Mais and the Nguyens have been at odds, having owned competing, neighboring pho restaurants. Bao and Linh, who’ve avoided each other for most of their lives, both suspect that the feud stems from feelings much deeper than friendly competition.

But then a chance encounter brings Linh and Bao in the same vicinity despite their best efforts and sparks fly, leading them both to wonder what took so long for them to connect. But then, of course, they immediately remember.

Can Linh and Bao find love in the midst of feuding families and complicated histories?

Add to Goodreads

•     •     •

Do these books sound adorable, or what?? Contemporary/romances are the books that are getting my through this crazy time, and I am looking forward to reading as many of them as I can this year. I can't wait to read both of these!

**"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking The Spine,
that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.**

Re-Readables: Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen

Pride and Prejudice
by Jane Austen

Publication Date: February 22nd 2016
** (First published January 28th 1813)
Publisher: Arcturus Publishing Limited
Pages: 352
ISBN: 9781785996191
Genre: Classic / Fiction / Romance
Source: Own

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Available for Purchase:
Amazon | Barnes & Noble | The Book Depository

First published in 1813, "Pride and Prejudice," Jane Austen's witty comedy of manners - one of the most popular novels of all time - tells the story of Mr and Mrs Bennet's five unmarried daughters after the rich and eligible Mr Bingley and his status-conscious friend, Mr Darcy, have moved into their neighbourhood. "It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune must be in want of a wife." So begins the novel, that features splendidly civilized sparring between the proud Mr. Darcy and the prejudiced Elizabeth Bennet as they play out their spirited courtship in a series of eighteenth-century drawing-room intrigues. (Goodreads)

Re-readables is a newish feature that I started in 2020, then promptly forgot about. I am hoping to bring it back this year to share my thoughts on the books that I am currently re-reading. (I LOVE re-reading books!)

Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen is hands down my most favorite book ever. I originally read the book back in 2009 and immediately fell in love with the story. I wasn’t much of a re-reader at the time, (what was I thinking?!), but I have since re-read this book quite a few times over the years, and I also started a tradition to make this my first read of the year, every year. (It definitely takes the pressure off of trying to pick the perfect first read of the year, and it helps to start the year with a book I know I am going to love.)

Pride and Prejudice is definitely my most favorite read by Jane Austen. I absolutely adore Elizabeth Bennet and her crazy huge family, and she is definitely one of my most favorite characters ever. I also love Mr. Darcy, because he’s one of those characters you really don’t like at first, but then he grows, and grows, and GROWS on you throughout the book. He’s seriously the best, and ‘watching’ the relationship grown between him and Elizabeth is the best. There is a reason why this book is one of my most favorites ever. If you haven’t read it, you definitely should.

One of my reading goals for 2021 is to read more classics, and I am so excited to re-read the rest of Jane’s books in the upcoming months. I am also hoping to read some of the other popular classics like Wuthering Heights and Jane Eyre, but I am the most excited to just read all of Jane’s books again.

Overall; I really enjoyed reading this book again! I think it’s my 5th or 6th time reading it, and I already can’t wait to read it again. It really is fantastic, so check if you haven’t already!

Waiting on Wednesday: Act Your Age, Eve Brown & Make Up Break Up

Act Your Age, Eve Brown
(The Brown Sisters #3)
by Talia Hibbert

Expected publication: March 9th 2021 by Avon Books

In Act Your Age, Eve Brown the flightiest Brown sister crashes into the life of an uptight B&B owner and has him falling hard—literally.

Eve Brown is a certified hot mess. No matter how hard she strives to do right, her life always goes horribly wrong—so she’s given up trying. But when her personal brand of chaos ruins an expensive wedding (someone had to liberate those poor doves), her parents draw the line. It's time for Eve to grow up and prove herself—even though she's not entirely sure how…

Jacob Wayne is in control. Always. The bed and breakfast owner’s on a mission to dominate the hospitality industry—and he expects nothing less than perfection. So when a purple-haired tornado of a woman turns up out of the blue to interview for his open chef position, he tells her the brutal truth: not a chance in hell. Then she hits him with her car—supposedly by accident. Yeah, right.

Now his arm is broken, his B&B is understaffed, and the dangerously unpredictable Eve is fluttering around, trying to help. Before long, she’s infiltrated his work, his kitchen—and his spare bedroom. Jacob hates everything about it. Or rather, he should. Sunny, chaotic Eve is his natural-born nemesis, but the longer these two enemies spend in close quarters, the more their animosity turns into something else. Like Eve, the heat between them is impossible to ignore—and it’s melting Jacob’s frosty exterior.

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Make Up Break Up
by Lily Menon

Love, romance, second chances, fairy-tale endings…these are the things Annika Dev believes in. Her app, Make Up, has been called the “Google Translate for failing relationships.”

High efficiency break-ups, flashy start-ups, penthouses, fast cars…these are the things Hudson Craft believes in. His app, Break Up, is known as the “Uber for break-ups.” It’s wildly successful—and anathema to Annika’s life philosophy.

Which wouldn’t be a problem if they’d gone their separate ways after that summer fling in Las Vegas, never to see each other again. Unfortunately for Annika, Hudson’s moving not just into her office building, but into the office right next to hers. And he’ll be competing at the prestigious EPIC investment pitch contest: A contest Annika needs to win if she wants to keep Make Up afloat. As if it’s not bad enough seeing his irritatingly perfect face on magazine covers when her own business is failing. As if knowing he stole her idea and twisted it into something vile—and monumentally more successful—didn’t already make her stomach churn.

As the two rival app developers clash again and again—and again—Annika finds herself drawn into Hudson Craft’s fast-paced, high velocity, utterly shallow world. Only, from up close, he doesn’t seem all that shallow. Could it be that everything she thought about Hudson is completely wrong? Could the creator of Break Up teach her what true love’s really about?

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•     •     •

I am super excited for these two upcoming romances!

The Brown Sisters series by Talia Hibbert has quickly become one of my most favorite romance series yet. I loved both Chloe and Dani's stories, and I am really excited to finally read Eve's!

I'm also really excited for this brand new adult novel by Lily Menon! I have read a lot of the young adult books (Sandhya Menon), and they are so good. I can't wait to check out this new book by her!

Those are my WOW picks for this week! Check them out if you think they sound good as well!

**"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking The Spine,
that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.**

Top Ten Tuesday: Most Anticipated Releases for the First Half of 2021

January 5: Most Anticipated Releases for the First Half of 2021

Happy Tuesday, Bookworms!

Ok, today's photo prompt was HARD! There are so many awesome books coming out this year, and I had the hardest time trying to choose just 10 of them. :)

Sooo... here are just a few of the books I am excited for in the first half of 2021!!

A Vow So Bold and Deadly by Brigid Kemmerer
We Free the Stars by Hafsah Faizal



The Iron Raven by Julie Kagawa
Chain of Iron by Cassandra Clare



Rule of Wolves by Leigh Bardugo
Bridge of Souls by Victoria Schwab



Act Your Age, Eve Brown by Talia Hibbert
Second First Impressions by Sally Thorne



Aru Shah and the City of Gold by Roshani Chokshi
Realm Breaker by Victoria Aveyard

•     •     •

Like I said... this was HARD! There are so many great books coming out in 2021, and I can't wait to read them all.

What books are you excited for??

What I'm Reading • Week 1

Happy Monday, Bookworms!

Welcome to my very first ever What I'm Reading post. I had this idea that if I shared my TBR for the week here on the blog, I might be more motivated to actually read the books I set out to read. I'm not sure if it's going to work on not, but I definitely want to give it a shot.

:)

Here's what I hope to read this week!

•     •     •

Last Read:

Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen

Pride and Prejudice is always my first read of the year. I like to go into a new year reading a book that I know I will love, and this book always makes me happy. I am hoping to re-read ALL of Jane's books this year, and some more classics as well.

•     •     •

Current Reads:

Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo

Today I am officially starting my re-read of The Shadow and Bone trilogy, and I'm really excited to dive back into this world. I am hoping to read all the books in the series, as well as the Six of Crows books, AND King of Scars before the series adaptation and Rule of Wolves are released.

The Duke and I by Julia Quinn

I am also hoping to start this one this week as well! I am definitely intrigued by the Netflix adaptation, and it's been on my tbr for a while now. It sounds interesting!

•     •     •

Next Reads:

A Heart So Fierce and Broken
by Brigid Kemmerer

My re-read of A Heart So Fierce and Broken is next up on my tbr... I am hoping that I can finish with it before A Vow So Bold and Deadly is released later this month.

We Hunt the Flame
by Hafsah Faizal

And I'm also planning to re-read We Hunt the Flame before We Free the Stars is released later this month! I definitely meant to get to this book last month, but didn't have the chance. Hopefully I can read it again this month!

•     •     •

Those are a few of the reads I am hoping to tackle this week and beyond. Wish me luck!

January 2021 Reading Goals & Resolutions

A brand new year means brand new challenges and resolutions! Do you have any bookish goals or resolutions for 2021? I have a few, and I can't wait to get started on them.

One of my most favorite things to do at the beginning of a new year is set my Goodreads Challenge Goal. I love doing this challenge because it really motivates me to read more. (Unless it's a really bad year, like 2020.) This year I have set my Goodreads goal to read 100 books, and I'm hoping to read that and more!

2021 Reading Challenge

Christy (TheReaderBee) has read 1 book toward her goal of 100 books.

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1 of 100 (1%)

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I also have a few resolutions as well...

• Finish some series that I started but never finished.

• Read all the series that I bought but haven't read.

• Read more books that I own.

• Read more Classics, Non-Fiction, and try some other genres.

•  Try a Readathon

• And/or a Buddy Read

•     •     •

Those are my reading goals and resolutions! I am definitely trying to keep it simple for 2021, and I want nothing more than to just have a good reading year. (And a good year in general would be nice as well.)

:)

What about you guys? Do you have any reading challenges or goals for 2021??

Most Anticipated January 2021 New Releases

January has arrived, and with it comes a LOT of awesome new releases that I am so excited for! 2021 feels like it's going to be a great year for new books, and I can't wait to read them all. :)

Here are my most anticipated January releases:

A Vow So Bold and Deadly
(Cursebreakers #3)
by Brigid Kemmerer

Face your fears, fight the battle.
Emberfall is crumbling fast, torn between those who believe Rhen is the rightful prince and those who are eager to begin a new era under Grey, the true heir. Grey has agreed to wait two months before attacking Emberfall, and in that time, Rhen has turned away from everyone—even Harper, as she desperately tries to help him find a path to peace.

Fight the battle, save the kingdom.
Meanwhile, Lia Mara struggles to rule Syhl Shallow with a gentler hand than her mother. But after enjoying decades of peace once magic was driven out of their lands, some of her subjects are angry Lia Mara has an enchanted prince and magical scraver by her side. As Grey's deadline draws nearer, Lia Mara questions if she can be the queen her country needs.

As two kingdoms come closer to conflict, loyalties are tested, love is threatened, and an old enemy resurfaces who could destroy them all, in this stunning conclusion to bestselling author Brigid Kemmerer’s Cursebreaker series.

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We Free the Stars
(Sands of Arawiya #2)
by Hafsah Faizal

The battle on Sharr is over. The dark forest has fallen. Altair may be captive, but Zafira, Nasir, and Kifah are bound for Sultan’s Keep, determined to finish the plan he set in motion: restoring the hearts of the Sisters of Old to the minarets of each caliphate, and finally returning magic to all of Arawiya. But they are low on resources and allies alike, and the kingdom teems with fear of the Lion of the Night’s return.

As the zumra plots to overthrow the kingdom’s darkest threat, Nasir fights to command the magic in his blood. He must learn to hone his power into a weapon, to wield not only against the Lion but against his father, trapped under the Lion’s control. Zafira battles a very different darkness festering in her through her bond with the Jawarat—a darkness that hums with voices, pushing her to the brink of her sanity and to the edge of a chaos she dare not unleash. In spite of the darkness enclosing ever faster, Nasir and Zafira find themselves falling into a love they can’t stand to lose…but time is running out to achieve their ends, and if order is to be restored, drastic sacrifices will have to be made.

Lush and striking, hopeful and devastating, We Free the Stars is the masterful conclusion to the Sands of Arawiya duology by New York Times–bestselling author Hafsah Faizal.

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Concrete Rose
(The Hate U Give #0)
by Angie Thomas

nternational phenomenon Angie Thomas revisits Garden Heights seventeen years before the events of The Hate U Give in this searing and poignant exploration of Black boyhood and manhood.

If there’s one thing seventeen-year-old Maverick Carter knows, it’s that a real man takes care of his family. As the son of a former gang legend, Mav does that the only way he knows how: dealing for the King Lords. With this money he can help his mom, who works two jobs while his dad’s in prison.

Life’s not perfect, but with a fly girlfriend and a cousin who always has his back, Mav’s got everything under control.

Until, that is, Maverick finds out he’s a father.

Suddenly he has a baby, Seven, who depends on him for everything. But it’s not so easy to sling dope, finish school, and raise a child. So when he’s offered the chance to go straight, he takes it. In a world where he’s expected to amount to nothing, maybe Mav can prove he’s different.

When King Lord blood runs through your veins, though, you can't just walk away. Loyalty, revenge, and responsibility threaten to tear Mav apart, especially after the brutal murder of a loved one. He’ll have to figure out for himself what it really means to be a man.

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Lore
by Alexandra Bracken

From the #1 New York Times best-selling author of The Darkest Minds comes a sweepingly ambitious, high-octane tale of power, destiny, love and redemption.

Every seven years, the Agon begins. As punishment for a past rebellion, nine Greek gods are forced to walk the earth as mortals, hunted by the descendants of ancient bloodlines, all eager to kill a god and seize their divine power and immortality.
Long ago, Lore Perseous fled that brutal world in the wake of her family's sadistic murder by a rival line, turning her back on the hunt's promises of eternal glory. For years she's pushed away any thought of revenge against the man--now a god--responsible for their deaths.

Yet as the next hunt dawns over New York City, two participants seek out her help: Castor, a childhood friend of Lore believed long dead, and a gravely wounded Athena, among the last of the original gods.

The goddess offers an alliance against their mutual enemy and, at last, a way for Lore to leave the Agon behind forever. But Lore's decision to bind her fate to Athena's and rejoin the hunt will come at a deadly cost--and still may not be enough to stop the rise of a new god with the power to bring humanity to its knees.

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You Have a Match
by Emma Lord

From the beloved author of Tweet Cute comes Emma Lord's You Have a Match, a YA novel of family, friendship, romance and sisterhood…

When Abby signs up for a DNA service, it’s mainly to give her friend and secret love interest, Leo, a nudge. After all, she knows who she is already: Avid photographer. Injury-prone tree climber. Best friend to Leo and Connie…although ever since the B.E.I. (Big Embarrassing Incident) with Leo, things have been awkward on that front.

But she didn’t know she’s a younger sister.

When the DNA service reveals Abby has a secret sister, shimmery-haired Instagram star Savannah Tully, it’s hard to believe they’re from the same planet, never mind the same parents—especially considering Savannah, queen of green smoothies, is only a year and a half older than Abby herself.

The logical course of action? Meet up at summer camp (obviously) and figure out why Abby’s parents gave Savvy up for adoption. But there are complications: Savvy is a rigid rule-follower and total narc. Leo is the camp’s co-chef, putting Abby's growing feelings for him on blast. And her parents have a secret that threatens to unravel everything.

But part of life is showing up, leaning in, and learning to fit all your awkward pieces together. Because sometimes, the hardest things can also be the best ones.

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Winterkeep
(Graceling #4)
by Kristin Cashore

The highly anticipated next book in the New York Times bestselling, award-winning Graceling Realm series, which has sold 1.3 million copies.

Four years after Bitterblue left off, a new land has been discovered to the east: Torla; and the closest nation to Monsea is Winterkeep. Winterkeep is a land of miracles, a democratic republic run by people who like each other, where people speak to telepathic sea creatures, adopt telepathic foxes as pets, and fly across the sky in ships attached to balloons.

But when Bitterblue’s envoys to Winterkeep drown under suspicious circumstances, she and Giddon and her half sister, Hava, set off to discover the truth–putting both Bitterblue’s life and Giddon’s heart to the test when Bitterbue is kidnapped. Giddon believes she has drowned, leaving him and Hava to solve the mystery of what’s wrong in Winterkeep.

Lovisa Cavenda is the teenage daughter of a powerful Scholar and Industrialist (the opposing governing parties) with a fire inside her that is always hungry, always just nearly about to make something happen. She is the key to everything, but only if she can figure out what’s going on before anyone else, and only if she’s willing to transcend the person she’s been all her life.

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The Ex Talk
by Rachel Lynn Solomon

Public radio co-hosts navigate mixed signals in Rachel Lynn Solomon's sparkling romantic comedy debut.

Shay Goldstein has been a producer at her Seattle public radio station for nearly a decade, and she can't imagine working anywhere else. But lately it's been a constant clash between her and her newest colleague, Dominic Yun, who's fresh off a journalism master's program and convinced he knows everything about public radio.

When the struggling station needs a new concept, Shay proposes a show that her boss green-lights with excitement. On The Ex Talk, two exes will deliver relationship advice live, on air. Their boss decides Shay and Dominic are the perfect co-hosts, given how much they already despise each other. Neither loves the idea of lying to listeners, but it's this or unemployment. Their audience gets invested fast, and it's not long before The Ex Talk becomes a must-listen in Seattle and climbs podcast charts.

As the show gets bigger, so does their deception, especially when Shay and Dominic start to fall for each other. In an industry that values truth, getting caught could mean the end of more than just their careers.

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The Wife Upstairs
by Rachel Hawkins

A delicious twist on a Gothic classic, Rachel Hawkins's The Wife Upstairs pairs Southern charm with atmospheric domestic suspense, perfect for fans of B.A. Paris and Megan Miranda.

Meet Jane. Newly arrived to Birmingham, Alabama, Jane is a broke dog-walker in Thornfield Estates––a gated community full of McMansions, shiny SUVs, and bored housewives. The kind of place where no one will notice if Jane lifts the discarded tchotchkes and jewelry off the side tables of her well-heeled clients. Where no one will think to ask if Jane is her real name.

But her luck changes when she meets Eddie Rochester. Recently widowed, Eddie is Thornfield Estates’ most mysterious resident. His wife, Bea, drowned in a boating accident with her best friend, their bodies lost to the deep. Jane can’t help but see an opportunity in Eddie––not only is he rich, brooding, and handsome, he could also offer her the kind of protection she’s always yearned for.

Yet as Jane and Eddie fall for each other, Jane is increasingly haunted by the legend of Bea, an ambitious beauty with a rags-to-riches origin story, who launched a wildly successful southern lifestyle brand. How can she, plain Jane, ever measure up? And can she win Eddie’s heart before her past––or his––catches up to her?

With delicious suspense, incisive wit, and a fresh, feminist sensibility, The Wife Upstairs flips the script on a timeless tale of forbidden romance, ill-advised attraction, and a wife who just won’t stay buried. In this vivid reimagining of one of literature’s most twisted love triangles, which Mrs. Rochester will get her happy ending?

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•     •     •

So many great reads! I can't wait to check them out.
Are there any January releases that you're looking forward to reading??

My January 2021 TBR!

Happy First Day of 2021, Bookworms!

Are you ready to start a brand new year of reading? I am, and there are SO many books I want to tackle this year. (fingers crossed)

If you've been a follower here for a while, or follow me on Instagram, then you probably know that 2020 was a rough year for me. We had a lot going on, and it really affected my reading. I pretty much had an on and off relationship with reading slumps all year, and let me tell you, it was the worst.

BUT, things started to get better in December... and I'm finally starting to enjoy reading again. I am hoping I can keep it up, and that I can read ALL the books this year. :)

Here are just a few books that I want to try to tackle this month... There are a LOT more that I want to read, but I am focusing on this first, and possibly mood reading a bit as well. We shall see how it goes!

Shadow and Bone // Seige and Storm by Leigh Bardugo
(Hoping to re-read this series and the Six of Crows series before the show is released!)

The Duke and I by Julia Quinn
(This has been on my TBR for a while, and I'm curious to check it out.)

The Golden Compass by Phillip Pullman
(FINALLY starting this series!)

Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
(My traditional first book of the year!)

Tools of Engagement by Tessa Bailey
(Series I need to finish.)

Scythe by Neal Shusterman
(Series I need to finish.)

Winterwood by Shea Ernshaw
(Since it's winter and all...)

Graceling by Kristin Cashore
(Series I need to finish.)

A Heart So Fierce and Broken by Brigid Kemmerer
(Re-reading to prepare for A Vow So Bold and Deadly!)

The City of Brass by  S.A. Chakraborty
(Determined to start this one!)

•     •     •

Those are just some books I am hoping to tackle this month! I have a nice mix of want-to-reads, series I need to finish, series starters, and re-reads. It should be a fun month!

I'm also looking forward to some upcoming new releases as well:

A Vow So Bold and Deadly by Brigid Kemmerer
Concrete Rose by Angie Thomas
We Free the Stars by Hafsah Faizel
Lore by Alexandra Bracken
The Wife Upstairs by Rachel Hawkins
You Have a Match by Emma Lord
The Ex-Talk by Rachel Lynn Solomon
Winterkeep by Kristin Cashore

•     •     •

Fingers crossed for a good month!

What about you guys? What books are you hoping to read in January??

17 Bookish Blog Post Ideas for January!

Happy First Day of January, Bookworms!!

Are you looking for blog post ideas for January??
If so, look no further... I may have some ideas for you.

:)

For the past few months I have been making these challenges to try to inspire myself to post more. Sometimes they work, sometimes they don't, but I love having some options to choose from. I'm definitely going to try to post more this year, so this will definitely help me. Feel free to use some ideas for yourself!

Also... Some of these ideas were inspired by the January '21 Bookstagram Challenge hosted by @Loriimagination and myself! Check that one out as well if you're looking for post ideas for Bookstagram!

Happy Posting this month!!

Hello, 2021!

Wishing you all a Happy New Year!

HELLO, 2021!