It has been many months since I last shared about what I've been reading, but I'm sure you can quickly guess why that is.

Oops!

I usually aim to read two books a month, and I'm already on my seconds so... well, I finished the book I had been reading since August. This counts right?

There is something so satisfying about purchasing books, and organising them onto my bookshelves, and styling them so beautifully. I have promised myself I'm not allowed to buy any more books until I have finished a huge stash I have - all the books in this post.

P.S. I STILL LOVE YOU + ALWAYS AND FOREVER, LARA JEAN by JENNY HAN

I think what got me through reading my "eight-month-long" book from last year was how much I wanted to continue reading from this series of books. Don't get me wrong, I was really enjoying what I was reading, but I needed to know what was going to happen next with Lara Jean. I absolutely loved reading the first book (To All The Boys I've Loved Before), and have become quite a frequent viewer of the Netflix movie too, so there is no doubt how much I was dying to get started reading the next two. Who else agrees with me that the movie is rated quite high in their book to movie adaptations genre? I have only started reading the next book, but after seeing a few spoilers on social media, I know it's something that I'm going to get through very fast. All I know is that Lara Jean may get a new love interest which is completely heartbreaking, (for me as much as them) as Peter and she are just so adorable. I actually haven't read anything about the last book (boo!) in the series as I don't want it to give away any more spoilers, but I'm sure LJ is still at it writing her letters.

THE PROBLEM WITH FOREVER by JENNIFER L. ARMENTROUT

The Problem With Forever tells the story of Mallory "Mouse" Dodge, who had spent much of her early life going from foster family to foster family. Finally reaching a point of stability in her life with her loving adoptive parents, it's time for her to spend her senior year being taught at a traditional high school instead of being homeschooled like she had previously. This is where she sees Rider Stark, a friend she hasn't seen since her childhood. Well, I guess you could describe him more than a friend, he was also her protector too. Mallory got the nickname "Mouse" as she realised that saying nothing is sometimes the better option, but will she learn to speak out and let the truth be heard when she realises that Rider's life is spiralling out of control.

This novel is a combination of all the things I enjoy; a raw young adult romance, with a little bit of mystery. I don't tend to read mystery books, as it's something I prefer to watch depicted in a movie. I'm not completely sure why, but I think I just get more into books that pull at my heartstrings, and when watching a mystery movie, I can spend all my time working out what is actually going on. From reading keywords, the synopsis, and short reviews from those who have read and loved the book, I feel like I'm going to get emotionally invested with these two characters, and I'm going to find it hard to put it down until I find out the secrets that Mallory and Rider are too afraid to share.

THE PRINCESS SAVES HERSELF IN THIS ONE + THE WITCH DOESN'T BURN IN THIS ONE by AMANDA LOVELACE

I used to stay far, far away from poetry. As someone who struggles with reading, it wasn't something I could comprehend well. I've probably read more books in the last 4 years than I have in my entire life, and it has definitely helped improve how I translate and understand words, which is why I am feeling more comfortable with embracing new forms of literature - poetry being one of those.

I would always pick up Amanda Lovelace poetry books whenever I saw them and read a brand new page; they're so easy to spot with their solid bold monochrome covers. I received both the books as gifts, (I guess it was noticeable about how many times I would pick them up), so I can read and enjoy them both. The first in the "women are some kind of magic" series is The Princess Saves Herself In This One, which is full of beautiful short poems exploring the themes and stages of love, loss, grief, healing, and empowerment. The book is split into four sections, the princess, the damsel, the queen, and you, which piece together Lovelace's life and leaves the last part as a note to you, the reader. The Witch Doesn't Burn In This One follows the same four section layout with the trial, the burning, the firestorm, and the ashes. These sets of poems inspire you to become resilient and take control of your own story and to not feel overpowered by judgement or our enemies. I'm looking forward to taking my time and embracing both these sets of poetry.

MADE YOU UP by FRANCESCA ZAPPIA

Made You Up is a story of a high school senior called Alex who is doing her very best to try and feel "normal." She wants to get through her senior year at a brand new school and finally make it to college without any major problems. Nobody knows about her past, she is unknown to those around her, everything is going fine. That is until she sees Miles. Miles is someone she made up, right? Alex has a slight inability to separate her delusions from her reality, but will she let her guard down completely just to feel "normal?"

This is going to be such a fascinating read. This book was a gift (which I hadn't preapproved), but the synopsis of the story is making my head come up with different conclusions and outcomes - just the kind of book I love. This reminds me slightly of the book Dreamology, but instead of her meeting someone she had only seen in her dreams, Alex finds it hard to isolate her delusions from her reality. I have tried my very hardest not to read too much about what other people have said about this book as I don't want it to give away even the smallest bit of information. One of the lines I loved of the summary is "Can she trust herself? Can we trust her?" making it seem like maybe "we" as readers shouldn't trust everything we are reading, or do they mean "we" as in the people around her. Either way, I'm excited to start reading. I have read through the first couple of pages of the book so I do know a little more about the protagonist, but I'm going to keep that to myself for now.

After I finish all these books, I'll definitely be treating myself to some new reads. Leave your recommendations below, and let me know what you're currently reading.