The Monday Mix basically gives me the opportunity to share with all of you the links I loved online from weeks past. This includes everything from great reviews, articles about writing, inspiring posts and perhaps other things too. I've always valued the opportunity to share the great things I've read or seen, and this is my way to share the love with all the bloggers, authors + pubs out there!
Even though today is a Monday, I am in a most GLORIOUS mood. (Read: I have been quoting Frozen - particularly this "The sky's awake. So I'm awake." - all day long.) It has a lot to do with the leftover lovely feelings from this past weekend. Both Saturday and Sunday were warm and sunny, which is the kind of weather I have been anticipating for months. I hung out with my roomies at Sheep Meadow in Central Park for a couple of hours on Saturday afternoon, basking in the sun. We then headed over to my BFF's boyfriend's place for an evening of grilled food (YUM). And on Sunday, I just indulged in absolute laziness, reading my way through quite a few books while I stayed in bed!
These next two weeks are going to be chock full of book events (especially this week!), so I'm looking forward to that. (Though I can say for sure that my wallet isn't!). It's also going to involve starting a 30-day trial at a gym (meep! but there's a swimming pool so...), a couple of days off work and a visit to New Jersey. Plus, one of my high school BFFs is going to be in town this week (with members of my extended family, since we're also second cousins) so there's that to look forward to! But mostly, I'm just excited to say hello to spring!
LINKS TO CHECK OUT
- One of my greatest aspirations in life is to write reviews as gorgeous as Estelle does. Do check out her thoughts on Jennifer E. Smith's latest release (out tomorrow!), The Geography of You and Me.
- I got a chance to see Divergent the week after it came out. While I have lukewarm feelings towards the adaptation overall (and prefer the book, if I'm being honest), I will say that Theo James totally did justice to the role of Four. I'm officially a Theo James fangirl, and obviously, I enjoyed this Epic Reads GIF post that features him.
- You guys already know that I love words. Choosing words (whether in stories or posts or in real life) is always an important thing. Here's a post challenging us all to expand and improve our word choices!
- There's seriously something beautiful and inspiring about posts that challenge you to live life fully. Plus, there are posts that offer some great tips or share experiences too. (Thanks Jamie!)
- Jamie's thoughts on identity in relationships really capture something that I've felt and noticed myself. I love that this was inspired by Since You've Been Gone, a book that I'm super excited to read!
- Honestly, the concept of this post is just So. Much. Fun. Chart-topping hits + awesome reads? You know you want to check it out!
- I may have died a little of feels (okay, maybe a lot) when I saw this Youtube video of one of my favorite Fangirl moments. So well done, so perfect, so wonderful -- so makes me want to read it again!
- Spreading positivity in the blogging community is always something I'd like to do. I love Amber's new project, and you can join in too!
- How epic is this girl’s voice? Seriously. Where was I when all this musical ability was being handed out? (Thanks Kat Zhang!)
- Even though she says she doesn't feel qualified to give it,Marni Bates has shared some writing advice that is spot on indeed. And if you want more writing advice, well here are some thoughts from Natalie Whipple (Thanks Erin!).
- If you're feeling crafty, and like cute things, then you might want to try out this project for your TBR. I'm sorely tempted to, and might just end up doing it when I have a free weekend! (Thanks Brittany!)
- I'm still a little unhappy about the show's finale (and the fact that it's over now). But here are some really great moments from How I Met Your Mother! (You might also be interested in seeing Jason Segel and Neil Patrick Harris - both of whom will be at BEA this year! - sing a mean Les Miserables!)
- Apart from the fact she's written one of my favorite (if not the favorite) debut novels this year, and the fact that she's just adorable, this post gives me yet another reason to adore Emery Lord. There's also this awesome interview she did for Hello Giggles!
- I just think that these photos are pretty darn epic. How in the world they managed to make these happen, I do not know. (Thanks Alyssa!)
- Anytime I feel like giving up on something that I'm afraid will never happen, I might just need to relax and refer to this post of inspiring people.
- I love tea. I love my fandoms. Bringing them together is a dream come true. (Thanks Alyssa!)
- Okay, seriously, I love finding posts with productivity hacks! This one is seriously one of my favorites, and totally doable.
- I'm pretty fascinated by Japanese culture and history! Elena recommended a couple of examples of classic Japanese literature -- and I love it.
- Barnes & Noble is releasing a limited edition version of Ruin & Rising by Leigh Bardugo. The bonus? A prequel Darkling short story. You know you need it.
- My friend Alyssa is pretty darn awesome, and this interview with her just proves it even more. Check it out!
- I'll admit to not having read too many LGBT YA books, but I'm very excited for a bunch of titles on the list Lucy compiled! (Thanks Estelle!)
- Ever found yourself in a book blogging slump? Here are some great questions to ask yourself. (Thanks Brittany!)
- New music from Ed Sheeran (who, as it turns out, wrote a track for the The Fault in Our Stars movie)? YES PLEASE.
- Someone reimagined the Disney princesses as warriors. I adore this so, so much.
- Very helpful tips to keep the peace with whoever you live with, be it family, friends or a significant other. (Thanks Mitali!)
POSTS RECAP
Reviews:
- And We Stay - Jenny Hubbard (grief + poetry + solitude)
- Great - Sara Benincasa (The Great Gatsby + summer + friendship)
- Side Effects May Vary - Julie Murphy (cancer + best friends + offbeat)
- Dear Stranger - Elise K. Ackers (strangers + letters + destiny)
- Dark Triumph - Robin LaFevers (Beast! + so much evil + assassins)
- Don't Call Me Baby - Gwendolyn Heasley (blogging + family + taking a stand)
- The Geography of You and Me - Jennifer E. Smith (long distance + blackout + relationships)
- Tales from My Closet - Jennifer Anne Moses (friends + fashion + drama)
Features/Events:
- A March 2014 Retrospective
- It Runs in the Family: White Hot Kiss - Jennifer L. Armentrout
- An Author a (Mon)day: Lindsay Smith
- It Runs in the Family: Wallbanger - Alice Clayton
Personal Posts:
Don't forget to check out my Tumblr (where I post photos and cover reveals and other fun things), and my sister's blog Snaps for Mel (where she recounts all our adventures)! I also have a Facebook page, where I post random links. You can also subscribe to my Youtube channel, my sister's YouTube channel and the Lit Ladies YouTube channel!
I hope you enjoy reading these posts as much as I did! Now it's YOUR turn - are there any posts (on your blog or other blogs) from last week that I missed out on? Please feel free to share links in the comments and I'll try to check them out.
Haha, I sometimes also quote things from Disney all day long. It drives people around me nuts, but I don't care :D I hope the weather stays nice and warm. We had some good days too, but it's cold again and I hate it. Have fun with all the book events and good luck with the gym!
ReplyDeleteI was literally repeating that to my officemate all day, because that's simply how I felt! I love that lines from Disney movies/songs can do that for me sometimes. And thank you! Gym going has been sporadic, but it has been happening.
DeleteI'm so glad you included Elena's Japanese lit recs on here! I was SO glad when she offered to do that little introduction / round-up of her favorites :)
ReplyDeleteIt's an AMAZING compilation! I have made mental notes to try and check some of them out.
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