Weekly Wrap-Up: 6/16 – 6/22

I’m a little bit late this week, but I’m not that late. It’s not like I’m doing this on Wednesday or even Thursday or something. Let’s do this.

Like last week, I didn’t really get any reading done, which I’m annoyed about, but it is what it is. I did do a decent amount of posting on the blog though, which I am happy about.

Anyway, without further ado, let’s get on with the weekly wrap-up!

Tuesday 6/17: May Reading 2025

Last Tuesday, I posted my Monthly Reading Wrap-Up for May 2025. It was posted later than I’d have liked, but with all the stuff at the beginning of this month, I’m not surprised or too disappointed it took this long. For those who don’t know, monthly wrap-ups are when I go over the books I read over the past month, as well as my stats over on The StoryGraph.

Monthly Wrap-Up: May Reading 2025

Wednesday 6/18: Can’t-Wait Wednesday

On Wednesday, I did another Can’t-Wait Wednesday for the first time in a couple of weeks. The new books coming out that I’m intrigued by are amping up again.

Can’t-Wait Wednesday is a weekly meme currently hosted by Tressa @ Wishful Endings. It focuses on books you’re looking forward to reading, usually new releases.

Can’t-Wait Wednesday: A Far Better Thing

Saturday 6/21: Birthstone Book Covers

This past Saturday, I participated in Birthstone Book Covers. Birthstone Book Covers is a fun little post created and hosted by Leslie @ Books Are the New Black.

Each month, for the post, you feature book covers that are either the same color of the month’s birthstone or include the color in the title. This month was June, and its birthstones are alexandrite, moonstone and pearl. So the color of the month was really varied – from teal to white to rainbow or iridescent.

Birthstone Book Covers: June 2025

Books I Read Last Week

💖🎁 Wrapping It All Up 💖🎁

So yeah, last week wasn’t quite what I hoped it would be, but that’s just how things happened. I want to do better this week, so we’ll see how that ends up going.

Regarding my blog activity for this coming week, I want to participate in a couple of the usual weekly posts, but also maybe do a Bewitching Book Covers. It’s been a few weeks since I’ve done that one. I’d also like to do another book review, so here’s hoping I finish another book in the next few days.

For books, I’m pretty sure that I’m gonna read A Spell for Change by Nicole Jarvis next. Then, I want to read a new release from June 2025. We’ll see what happens though. The whimsy with which my immediate TBR changes is ridiculous sometimes.

As for life outside books and blogging, not much has changed. I’m still watching what I eat. Other than that, my spouse and I have been rewatching Avatar: The Last Airbender together. We’ve both seen it and loved it before – them around five times and me once or twice. But it’s been a long time since we last saw it for both of us, and we’ve never watched it together, so we thought it would be fun. And it has been. We’re almost halfway through the series now.

Anyway, as always thank you for reading, and I hope you have a wonderful day/night!

See ya ~Mar

Birthstone Book Covers: June 2025

It’s a bit later in the month than I usually get to it, but I’m here again participating in another Birthstone Book Covers!

Birthstone Book Covers is a fun monthly post created by Leslie @ Books Are the New Black. Each month, she features book covers that are either the same color of that month’s birthstone or include the color in the title.

June has three birthstones – Alexandrite, Moonstone, and Pearl.

June is one of the harder ones for me, for whatever reason, even though you can do a lot of different things with June birthstone colors. There’s teal of course, for alexandrite, and there’s also white for moonstone. But pearls are also iridescent, so they’re kind of rainbow. So yeah, lots of options. I’m basically going the pearl route this time around, so it’ll be colorful covers galore.

Rules:

📚 Mention the creator (Leslie @ Books Are The New Black) and link back to her so she can check out your post.
📚 Pick 5+ book covers that match the current month’s Birthstone.
📚 HAVE FUN!
📚 Nominate people if you want!

**The Bridge Kingdom** **by Danielle L. Jensen**

**A Thousand Nights** **by E.K. Johnston**

**The Gilded Mirror** **by K.E. Barden**

**A Letter to the Luminous Deep** **by Sylvie Cathrall**

**The Book That Broke the World** **by Mark Lawrence**

What are your favorite books with teal, white or iridescent/rainbow/colorful book covers? If you participated in Birthstone Books, which books did you choose this June?

Thanks for reading, and I hope you have the most amazing day/night!

See ya ~Mar

Weekly Wrap-Up: 5/12 – 5/18

I’m on time this week! Yay!

Not much to say this time. I posted three times which I’m fine with, even though I did do a book review. I’ll do that ASAP. I finished another book though, which is always a good thing. Especially since I seem to be in an on-and-off slump this year so far.

Anyway, without further ado, let’s get on with the weekly wrap-up!

Tuesday 5/13: Top Ten Tuesday

Last Tuesday, I participated in a Top Ten Tuesday for the first time in a few weeks. Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly post currently hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl. It celebrates lovely lists, wonderful books and the bookish community. The prompt for last week was Ways in Which My Blogging and/or Review Style Has Changed.

Top Ten Tuesday: Ways in Which My Blogging and Review Styles Have Changed

Wednesday 5/14: Can’t-Wait Wednesday

On Wednesday, I did another Can’t-Wait Wednesday. Two weeks in a row, baybay! So many new interesting looking books lately.

Can’t-Wait Wednesday is a weekly meme currently hosted by Tressa @ Wishful Endings. It focuses on books you’re looking forward to reading, usually new releases.

Can’t-Wait Wednesday: Behooved

Saturday 5/17: Birthstone Book Covers

Last Saturday, I participated in Birthstone Book Covers. Birthstone Book Covers is a fun little post created and hosted by Leslie @ Books Are the New Black.

Each month, for the post, you feature book covers that are either the same color of the month’s birthstone or include the color in the title. This month was May, and its birthstone is emerald. So the color of the month was green.

Birthstone Book Covers: May 2025

Books I Read Last Week

💖🎁 Wrapping It All Up 💖🎁

So yeah, last week was pretty good all around, though I think it could have been better. I’m happy with it though.

This week I wanna do a couple of my usual weekly posts, but I especially want to get my review out for Impossible Creatures. I’m hoping to do that in the next couple days. I also want to read either Behooved or finally start The Ashfire King. (Regardless, I’m planning on reading The Ashfire King before the month is out.)

Outside of my diet, nothing else has really been going on the past week with my life outside the blog and books. The weather has been really nice throughout the last week, though.

Anyway, as always thank you for reading, and I hope you have a wonderful day/night!

See ya ~Mar

Birthstone Book Covers: May 2025

Hey everybody, it’s been a few days. Happy Saturday – I hope everyone’s enjoying their weekend so far! It’s that time of the month again!

Leslie @ Books Are the New Black created a fun monthly post called Birthstone Book Covers. Each month, she features book covers that are either the same color of that month’s birthstone or include the color in the title.

May use one birthstone – Emerald. So the color of the month is green!

Rules:
📚 Mention the creator (Leslie @ Books Are The New Black ) and link back to her so she can check out your post.
📚 Pick 5+ book covers that match the current month’s Birthstone.
📚 HAVE FUN!
📚 Nominate people if you want!

**The Lightning Thief** **by Rick Riordan**

**The Runaway King** **by Jennifer A. Nielsen**

**The Inheritance Games** **by Jennifer Lynn Barnes**

**The Sunbearer Trials** **by Aiden Thomas**

**The Iron Trial** **by Holly Black & Cassandra Clare**

What are your favorite books with green book covers? If you participated in Birthstone Books, which books did you choose this May?

Thanks for reading, and I hope you have the most amazing day/night!

See ya ~Mar

Weekly Wrap-Up: 4/14 – 4/20

So the Weekly Wrap-Up is a little late this week (as in: not posted on Monday like it should have been), but I’m still okay with it. What with Sunday being Easter and me being sick last week, I needed a bit of a break.

Last week, my blog activity and my reading were both up. So I’m very happy with that. I would’ve liked to do one more blog post – and have it be a book review at that – but with the holiday and busy weekend I’m okay with how everything turned out.

Anyway, I’ll shut up now. Without further ado, let’s get on with the weekly wrap-up!

Tuesday 4/15: Top Ten Tuesday

Top Ten Tuesday: My Unpopular Bookish Opinions

Thursday 4/17: Birthstone Book Covers

On Thursday, I participated in Birthstone Book Covers. Birthstone Book Covers is a fun little post created and hosted by Leslie @ Books Are the New Black.

Each month, for the post, you feature book covers that are either the same color of the month’s birthstone or include the color in the title. This month was April, and its birthstone is diamond. So the color generally used for this month is white.

Birthstone Book Covers: April 2025

Friday 4/18: First Line Friday

Last Friday, I participated in First Line Fridays for the first time in a few weeks. First Line Fridays is a weekly feature for book lovers (formerly) hosted by Wandering Words.

First Line Friday: 4/18

Sunday 4/20: Easter Sunday

On Sunday, I actually didn’t post anything on the blog. But it was Easter. So to those who celebrate, Happy Easter!! 🐇🐤🧺🥚 We had a nice afternoon spending time with family – for us it’s one of the few times of the year when everyone is able to get together, so it’s important to me for pretty much that reason alone. There was also a lot of good food for dinner and some wonderful desserts.

Books I Read Last Week

💖🎁 Wrapping It All Up 💖🎁

So yeah, this past week was better in regards to both blog activity and reading books. I would’ve liked to have been able to post a book review, but with the holiday weekend, I’m not surprised nor am I that disappointed about it.

Concerning what I wanna do this coming week with reading and the blog… Well, I want to read The Ashfire King by Chelsea Abdullah. And for the blog, I want to do a few of my usual weekly posts, as well as a book review.

Regarding stuff outside of books and the blog… This week is cleaning week. It was supposed to be last week, but since I got sick I wasn’t able to make it happen. But this week I will! I’m also still doing the diet, so I’m hoping that that continues to go well.

Anyway, I’ve talked more than enough here. As always thank you for reading, and I hope you have a wonderful day/night!

See ya ~Mar

Birthstone Book Covers: April 2025

Hi everyone, hope you’re all having a good week so far! Mine has been really… meh, I suppose. Like, it hasn’t been even close to the worst week I’ve ever had, but my allergies have been acting up the past few days, which has sucked. But other than that, this week’s been fine.

Anyway, Leslie @ Books Are the New Black created a fun monthly post called Birthstone Book Covers. Each month, she features book covers that are either the same color of that month’s birthstone or include the color in the title.

April has one birthstone – Diamond. Which is a precious stone that’s generally colorless on its own (though there are variations). Because of this, the general consensus for book cover color this month is white.

This also tends to be one of the harder months to do, but I honestly haven’t struggled with it yet. Famous last words, I know. So! Book covers that are mostly white, here we go!

**The Silvered Serpents** **by Roshani Chokshi**

What are your favorite books with white or mostly white book covers? If you participated in Birthstone Books, which books did you choose this April?

Thanks for reading, and I hope you have the most amazing day/night!

See ya ~Mar

Weekly Wrap-Up: 3/17 – 3/23

Ugh, late again with this one. Oh well. Anyway, hi everyone!

So I’m mostly happy with everything I did last week. I would’ve liked to do one more blog post, and I almost did before I lost track of time on Thursday and Friday last week. I also would’ve liked to have read more books, but well… I’ll explain that a little later.

Anyway, I’ll shut up now. Without further ado, let’s get on with the weekly wrap-up!

Monday 3/17: St. Patrick’s Day / The River Has Roots Review

Last Monday was St. Patrick’s Day!! ☘️🍻🍀🪙 Yay! We didn’t really do anything to celebrate, though. Except eat some St. Pat’s themed donuts, I guess.

I also posted my review for The River Has Roots by Amal El-Mohtar. It’s a new fantasy novella that came out a couple weeks ago. I ended up giving it ★★★✯☆.

The River Has Roots Review

Tuesday 3/18: Top Ten Tuesday

On Tuesday, I participated in a Top Ten Tuesday for the first time in a few weeks. Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly post currently hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl. It celebrates lovely lists, wonderful books and the bookish community. The prompt for last week was Spring TBR.

Top Ten Tuesday: Spring TBR

Friday 3/21: First Day of Spring

Last Friday was the First Day of Spring!! 🌸🌱🌼🌿 Woohoo! Goodbye winter! I was kind of getting tired of the cold – not to mention March has been really nice so far where I live.

I was also planning on posting something on this day as well, but the time got away during part of last week. I’m a little disappointed about that, but it’s honestly fine.

Saturday 3/22: Birthstone Book Covers

On Saturday, I finally got around to joining in on my favorite Monthly post, Birthstone Book Covers. Birthstone Book Covers is a fun little post created and hosted by Leslie @ Books Are the New Black.

Each month, for the post, you feature book covers that are either the same color of the month’s birthstone or include the color in the title. This month was March, and its birthstone is aquamarine. So the colors are aquamarine and light blue.

Birthstone Book Covers: March 2025

Books I Read Last Week

💖🎁 Wrapping It All Up 💖🎁

So yeah, I’m a bit disappointed with my posting for last week. But only a little – I’m actually pretty okay with the stuff I was able to do on the blog overall. Novel reading on the other hand… yeah that definitely could’ve gone way better. And it already is for this week! I’m making my way through another book, finally!

I’m hoping to at least start another book before the end of the week as well. Not necessarily finish another book, just start one. I’m also hoping to do four blog posts this week in addition to this weekly wrap-up. Fingers crossed.

Also, regarding the reading thing from last week… I was actually stressing myself out a little with trying to finish The Dragon Heir. I just didn’t feel like reading that book and trying to force it was getting me all anxious. I guess it’s still not time for me to read it – at this point, I’m not sure when that time is gonna come. Oh well. A similar thing also sort of happened with The Shattered Realms. I just didn’t want to read that major character death again (I actually DNF-ed Flamecaster about nine years ago, about halfway through). I also know that there’s like eight POVs by the last book in this series and that there’s several loose ends… and I don’t think I’m up for that, honestly. So yeah, that’s why I didn’t read anything last week.

Last week I also did some spring cleaning. The third Wednesday of the month is usually Cleaning Day, and that was also the case with March, so that’s what went on. It was pretty productive this time as well – I cleared out a couple of things I’d been meaning to get to, as well.

For this coming week, I’m planning on finishing the book I’m currently reading – Dragonfall by R.L. Lam – unless I decide it’s not for me and DNF it (though I don’t anticipate that happening). I’m hoping to at least start another book after that as well; right now I’m thinking either The Keeper of Lonely Spirits by E.M. Anderson or A Crown of Ivy and Glass by Claire Legrand. We’ll see what happens.

Anyway, I’ve talked more than enough here. As always thank you for reading, and I hope you have a wonderful day/night!

See ya ~Mar

Birthstone Book Covers: March 2025

Hey everyone, Happy Spring!! 🌸🌱🌼🌿 It’s official – yesterday was March 21st! (I also meant to post something yesterday on the actual first day of spring, but I completely forgot. And it was a Friday post too, so it’s not gonna happen now, lol.)

March has one birthstone – Aquamarine. So the color is… aquamarine. Or light blue. I actually struggled a little bit with this one for whatever reason, which is why it’s later in the month than I normally post it. But I did it!

**The Kiss Quotient** **by Helen Hoang**

**One Tough Cookie** **hy Delise Torres**

What are your favorite books with aquamarine and blue book covers? If you participated in Birthstone Books, which books did you choose this March?

Thanks for reading, and I hope you have the most amazing day/night!

See ya ~Mar

Weekly Wrap-Up: 2/10 – 2/16

So, concerning this past week… It was better than the last one was for me, in regards to my blog posting. Still could’ve been better though – I didn’t get a chance to finish a book, unfortunately.

I was distracted, okay! Sometimes I get hyper fixated on fandoms and just can’t stop reading and searching for (good) fanfiction. I’m really gonna try to be better this week, though. I got a new book I have to read, after all. (Actually, I have several of those, but this one is a new new book, as in a new release.)

Anyway, without further ado, let’s get on with the weekly wrap-up!

Tuesday 2/11: Top Ten Tuesday

Last Tuesday, I participated in Top Ten Tuesday. Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly post currently hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl. It celebrates lovely lists, wonderful books and the bookish community. This week’s prompt was Love Freebie.

Top Ten Tuesday: Love Freebie

Thursday 2/13: Birthstone Book Covers

On Wednesday, I participated in my favorite monthly post, Birthstone Book Covers. Birthstone Book Covers is a fun little post created and hosted by Leslie @ Books Are the New Black.

Each month, for the post, you feature book covers that are either the same color of the month’s birthstone or include the color in the title. This month was February, and its birthstone is garnet. So the colors are all different shades of purple.

Birthstone Book Covers: February 2025

Friday 2/14: Valentine’s Day / First Line Fridays

Last Friday was Valentine’s Day! 💝🌹💌🌷🍫💐 We didn’t really do anything, because places are usually busy, but it was still Heart Day. (We always celebrate our Valentine’s Day on one of the days surrounding it instead, cuz of the busy-ness.)

I also participated in First Line Fridays for the first time in a few weeks. First Line Fridays is a weekly feature for book lovers (formerly) hosted by Wandering Words.

First Line Friday: 2/14

Books I Read Last Week

💖🎁 Wrapping It All Up 💖🎁

So yeah, last week definitely could’ve been better, but it was an improvement on the week before, at least concerning the blog. I’m hoping to do at least four posts this week though; two or three additional blog posts aside from the Weekly Wrap-Up just never feels like enough.

This week I’m definitely going to finish the new Emily Wilde book and review it. Hopefully I’ll start reading another book as well, as I’ve got so many new ones to read, what with my moderately recent hauls.

Regarding stuff outside the blog… Last week was Valentine’s Day. It was pretty enjoyable – my spouse and I had a good time doing our usual things. Concerning this coming week… I’m hoping to do some stuff around the house.

Anyway, as always thank you for reading, and I hope you have a wonderful day/night!

See ya ~Mar

Birthstone Book Covers: February 2025

It’s earlier in the month than I’ve done it lately – which I’m very happy about – but here’s another Birthstone Book Covers post.

February has one birthstone – Amythest. It’s purple time! Woohoo!

**The Beasts We Bury** **by D.L. Taylor**

**The Starlight Heir** **by Amalie Howard**

**The Color Purple** **by Alice Walker**

What are your favorite books with purple book covers? If you participated in Birthstone Books, which books did you choose this February?

Thanks for reading, and I hope you have the most amazing day/night!

See ya ~Mar

The Blog That Nobody Knows

birthstone book covers

Weekly Wrap-Up: 6/16 – 6/22

Tuesday 6/17: May Reading 2025

Wednesday 6/18: Can’t-Wait Wednesday

Saturday 6/21: Birthstone Book Covers

Books I Read Last Week

💖🎁 Wrapping It All Up 💖🎁

Birthstone Book Covers: June 2025

Rules:

Weekly Wrap-Up: 5/12 – 5/18

Tuesday 5/13: Top Ten Tuesday

Wednesday 5/14: Can’t-Wait Wednesday

Saturday 5/17: Birthstone Book Covers

Books I Read Last Week

💖🎁 Wrapping It All Up 💖🎁

Birthstone Book Covers: May 2025

Weekly Wrap-Up: 4/14 – 4/20

Tuesday 4/15: Top Ten Tuesday

Thursday 4/17: Birthstone Book Covers

Friday 4/18: First Line Friday

Sunday 4/20: Easter Sunday

Books I Read Last Week

💖🎁 Wrapping It All Up 💖🎁

Birthstone Book Covers: April 2025

Weekly Wrap-Up: 3/17 – 3/23

Monday 3/17: St. Patrick’s Day / The River Has Roots Review

Tuesday 3/18: Top Ten Tuesday

Friday 3/21: First Day of Spring

Saturday 3/22: Birthstone Book Covers

Books I Read Last Week

💖🎁 Wrapping It All Up 💖🎁

Weekly Wrap-Up: 2/10 – 2/16

Tuesday 2/11: Top Ten Tuesday

Thursday 2/13: Birthstone Book Covers

Friday 2/14: Valentine’s Day / First Line Fridays

Books I Read Last Week

💖🎁 Wrapping It All Up 💖🎁

Birthstone Book Covers: February 2025