A day in the life | Rory Gilmore edition

I have recently restarted the Gilmore Girls TV show, and I am absolutely in love. I would have liked so much to be leaving in Star Hallow. Considering it’s the weekend, and that I have a lot of reading and studying to do considering I have just started university, what better time to have a day than Rory Gilmore considering she loves both to read and to learn.

I currently am still in self-isolation, as I have decided to do considering I moved from an orange area, so I, unfortunately, can’t go out at all, but I will try to recreate all the Gilmore activities indoors including one Luke’s inspired lunch and a movie junk food night. I am hoping I will do another post like this either leaving as Gilmore Girls or maybe another fictional character. Let me know what you think of this idea in the comments or by liking this post.

5:30 am

I indeed woke up at 5:30am, and the only thing I could think of when I tried to get out of bed was how desperately I could use a cup of coffee, and how I feel cold. So I made the not-so-smart choice of staying in bed, under the warm covers, and reading. Not an intelligent thing to do in such a full-packed day as I fell back asleep at around 6:30 and woke up again later than 8. So I made a giant coffee (triple shot of espresso), which to me is a very Lorelai fashion, and I hope I’ll manage the energy to get everything done for the day.

12:03 pm

I did some studying for a while and now I am caught up on most of my courses. I am going to make lunch and read a bit, maybe watch a Gilmore Girls episode while I eat, and then in a very Rory-like fashion, I have to plan next week’s study sessions. For lunch, I am making Mac’n Cheese.

1:00 pm

Lunch is done. I’m seating down to eat and start planning my week.

Planning is done, now I can just sit back, enjoy my lunch and watch an episode of Gilmore Girls. After that, I have to clean the kitchen and get back to studying.

4:00 pm

It is 4, and I feel my head is about to explode. I am doing my best to catch up on my programming course, but with very little success. I am going to try to update something on my computer, so it works better for the practical part of this course. I will see how I feel afterward. Honestly, I don’t think I could have studied this hard on this course and caught up with everything else I had to do today without a playlist of the music from Gilmore Girls, I found on YouTube.

5:30 pm

After a study session and another great episode of Gilmore Girls, I am ready to finish what I had left to study for the day, catch up a bit with my friend and family, read, and watch some movies.

8:30 pm

My studying for the day is done. I am going to get some food catch up with a friend for a bit and watch a movie.

The next day

Last night I ended up Skypeing my parents. Also, I ended up watching “Dirty Dancing” for the very first time, and I have absolutely loved it. I read some more until I fell asleep.
The book I started and highly enjoyed is “Rekindled Prophecy” by KC Freeman. I got to 15% into the book, and I am immensely enjoying it so far. I found the plot to be original and keep you at the edge of your seat, I fell in love with the writing style. So far, I think this book might become one of my favorites of the year. I can’t wait to make an in-depth review of this book.

24h Reading Experience - 2020

 I am currently in the hassle of finishing my application to University, finding accommodation and trying to manage multiple projects such as this blog while I am in a horrible reading slump. Therefore my content for the blog is well behind and while I'm trying to catch up life is happening and it's not slowing down. I was inspired by a Booktuber, Ciara Foster, who posted a video called Reading like Rory Gilmore for a day. I love the Gilmore Girls, I always wanted to try a 24-h readathon, so I decided to adapt it to work for myself. As fascinating as it is to read books from Rory Gilmore's reading list, and as much as I love classics, due to my lack of motivation to read I decided to pick, more modern books. And as I know how bad my body reacts to coffee, I will switch between coffee and tea throughout the readathon.

My TBR for this readathon:

I am not going to lie; I am maybe the biggest mood reader there is. Therefore I will pick more books than I can read just so I have what to choose from.

I started this book last night, I read a chapter from it before falling asleep and I really enjoyed it. I don't know how well developed the plot will be, but I do like the romance story so far.

I never read a book by Taylor Brent, but I do like TV shows about lawyers, and I think it's high time I give a book on this theme a try. I don't have any expectations whatsoever as I know very little about the plot, but everyone needs a short read every now and then. This will be my novella for this readathon.

7:45 PM - the first day

My first drink of the readathon is Sencha Green tea by Basilur. I think it's ok, perhaps one of the best green tea I have read. I do still prefer black tea anytime.

I will start by reading "Legally Seduced" by Taylor Brent as it is the shortest and I would love to finish at least one book tonight. I will check in again later when I have any updates to make on this book. It shouldn't get me too long to get through it.

10:10 PM - the first day

It is a Gilmore Girls inspired readathon that doesn't have the end goal of reading books on the Rory Gilmore reading list but to devour and enjoy as many books as possible just as Rory would do. In honour of my love for the TV show Gilmore Girls, I have done some related quizzes on BuzzFeed and on Quotev.

On BuzzFeed, I did the Which "Gilmore Girls" Character Matches Your Personality During Quarantine? and the results said I am like Rory. It's true that I have been trying to keep organised and have some sort of a structure during quarantine too, so it isn't all that different from normality. On Quotev, I did Which Gilmore Girls Character Are You? in which I identified with Lorelai Gilmore.

As for reading, I am currently 30% in "Legally Seduced" by Taylor Brent and I like it so far. It isn't plot-heavy, but more like romance-driven, being exactly what I seem to need right now. I have been alternating between reading, writing posts and watching Harry Potter with my family, so my attention was a little divided between activities, all of which were very enjoyable.

6:00 PM - the second day

My second drink of the readathon is Earl Gray, one of my favourite teas. I just love it! You can never go wrong with Earl Gray.

After a long day of running back and forth and running errands, I have managed to finish reading the first book of this readathon. "Legally Seduced" by Taylor Brent was an ok book. It was a sexy time kind of read where the plot was only a means of trying to add something to the relationship. I would overall give it 3 stars, and I will post a more in-depth review soon. I will try to read some more of "Russian Bad Boy's Princess" by Bella Rose, which seems to be up for a great start.

7:45 PM and conclusions

I managed to get to 10% in my second book and so far, so good. The plot it's slow, but I am enjoying it. Do I have any chance of finishing this book tonight? Definitely no.
This readathon got me the chance to realise that I am far from being able to have a Rory Gilmore reading day. I could improve on my reading speed and the number of books I can finish in a day. However, today I read more than I have in the last weeks, so I consider it a win. Will I have another reading day like this? For sure, I will. I also want to participate in the Reading Rush, so another reading experience post will come quite soon. Maybe a whole week focused on reading will help me to catch up with my Goodreads Goal and take a couple books off my TBR. Would you be interested in me announcing and hosting a readathon like this on Twitter? We could have reading sprints, and I could create some printables for it. Let me know in the comments or by messaging us.

Book Review | Take a Chance by Abbie Glines

Title: Take a Chance (Rosemary Beach #7)

Author: Abbi Glines

Date of publication: February 2014

Publisher: Atria Books

Print length: Paperback, 276 pages

Genre: New- Adult, Romance, Contemporary

Rating: ★★★★☆ - Character Development 7/10, Atmosphere 9/10, Writing Quality 9/10, Plot 9/10, Intrigue 7/10, Logic 10/10, Enjoyment 9/10, Overall 8.57/10 which is 4/5 stars.

You can buy this book from Amazon

P.S.: For rating, I am using the CAWPILE system created by Book Roast on Booktube. Watch her video on how to use this rating system.

I have liked the first six books in this series. The ending of the sixth one was so emotional that I didn’t see how the series could get better, so I didn’t want to continue reading for a while. Two years later and I am back into this same universe of Rosemary Beach. In this book, we get to know Harlow, who barely appeared in previous books and her romantic interest Grant Carter. He is the step-brother of Rush, the hero of the first four novels, who wasn’t much in the spotlight either. I must confess that time didn’t make me change my mind about this book not being as good as the former six. So, trust me when I say it has been a bumpy road!

Almost the first third of the book was hard to get through. Maybe it was due to the time I have spent away from this world or because, at first, I didn’t find Harlow’s character likeable and Grant seemed to appear too little at first. In the beginning, the best part from my point of view were the flashbacks of how Grant and Harlow got to know each other, but I found those not developed enough. I would have liked them to be more, to give more as I think the two of them have great chemistry together. I would have wanted to discover more about how Grant convinced Harlow to trust him. What we get to see in the story is Grant trying to make up for his mistakes and a misunderstanding that if you were to ask me was not his fault. Despite my reluctance, I didn't stop reading and about halfway through, my world turned upside down. Not only Harlow grew on me, but I got to see more of Grant’s perspective. Abbi Glines is a genius when it comes to writing love stories and by saying that, I don’t mean just the central romance unfolding under our eyes, but also those of side characters, both from present and past. It has been hard to revisit some characters that played important roles in the last books, especially in the sixth one, so I now can see why the author decided to “take a break” from the same characters we have known so well and grew to love.

Harlow’s brother, Mase, newly appeared in the story, was likeable and well developed. At times I much prefered him over Harlow. I would love for him to get his own story in the next novels. Abbi Glines's characters are always dynamic, round and complex. Harlow is a good girl, that has been protected from life. Grant on the other side is a bad boy, a sweet talker, making girls fall head over hills for his good looks. What I have loved most about Abbi's books is they always come in layers. You never completely know what turn the story will take, even if you’re way ahead into a series.

The story is full of drama, action and suspense, not allowing you to get bored while reading. From my experience, this novel, just like the series has been so far, is addicting. You will not be able to put it down. It reads effortlessly, even for a non-native English speaker like me, makes it feasible to complete it fast. Do I regret taking so long to read this book? Well, not exactly. While I can still see what held me back from picking it up, and I admit I will do my best not to repeat this mistake, I am glad I got to return to reading this series with fresh eyes and a more mature perspective.

Book Review | Don't worry, life is easy by Agnès Martin-Lugand

Title: A Discovery of Witches (All Souls Trilogy #1)

Author: Deborah Harkness

Date of publication: February 2011

Publisher: Viking Penguin

Print length: Paperback, 579 pages

Genre: Fantasy, Fiction, Romance

Rating: ★★★★★ - Character Development 9/10, Atmosphere 10/10, Writing Quality 8/10, Plot 10/10, Intrigue 10/10, Logic 10/10, Enjoyment 10/10, Overall 9.57/10. 

You can buy this book from Amazon

The much-anticipated, bestselling sequel to the international phenomenon Happy People Read and Drink Coffee.

Diane needs to start over again. After returning from Ireland and turning the page on her stormy relationship with Edward, the brooding Irish photographer, she is determined to rebuild her life in Paris with help from her best friend Félix. She focuses solely on getting her literary café back on track-until she meets Olivier.

He is kind and thoughtful, and she may have a future with him...until she stumbles across her former love at a photography exhibit. What is Edward doing in Paris? Why didn't he reach out? Faced with a hail of questions, her old flame remains cold and unresponsive. Apparently, he, too, has moved on.

In order to put the past behind her, Diane must go back over her tracks. Ireland saved her before. Can she get answers there and find peace again?

I am not going to lie, but I went into this book with low expectations. I had mixed feeling about the first novel in this duet, as I have found the main character to be very annoying. The story itself wasn't bad, but it had nothing extraordinary. However, my mom liked these books, so I decided to give the second book a well-deserved chance. I was pleasantly surprised! It's been a while since I last cried while reading and this book had that effect on me. In my opinion, this was a story of development, change and moving forward.

Characters were round and well developed. The action takes place one year after the events from the first book and you can easily see changes in the behaviour of the main character. It was pleasant to meet new characters from which Declan has been my favourite. It was also hard to part ways with old characters.

This book is set partially in Murlanny, Irland and partially in Paris, France. My favourite parts took place in Irland with the beach near and incredible landscapes. That's where Diane has most revelations and where she found herself. In Paris is where her coffee shop. I loved to read about her work and to get to see her dynamic with Felix and her being strong enough to visit Collin and Clara's grave.

The plot is fast-paced without it being overwhelming. The actions take place chronologically so they are easy to follow.

I can see why this book isn't for everyone, but I highly suggest to everyone give this series a chance. It deals with different stages of grieve and different perspectives on how life is impacted by the people we meet and spend time with. For me, that was the key element that made reading these books worth it. I am someone who gets attached easily and I value memories probably more than I should. I've been struggling with the idea that some people aren't meant to be around forever and I find it hard to realise who is worth my time and attention and who isn't and to me, the worst is having unfinished business when someone gets outside of my life. I am certain I am not the only one who feels this way, so that's why I recommend this series. Right now it occupies an important place in my life and if I had not read this second book at this time, I don't think I would have fully appreciated the plot.

Book Review | A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness

Title: A Discovery of Witches (All Souls Trilogy #1)

Author: Deborah Harkness

Date of publication: February 2011

Publisher: Viking Penguin

Print length: Paperback, 579 pages

Genre: Fantasy, Fiction, Romance

Rating: ★★★★★

You can buy this book from Amazon

What a stunning debut novel! I’m not the biggest fan of fantasy, but reading 'A discovery of witches' might have taken me off the beaten path, introducing me towards this genre. I have found this book to be amazing! I have picked up this book after I had watched the TV show and while the main points of the plot were very similar, the book still is quite different. The plot was well developed and quite unpredictable even though I knew some key events from the TV show. I was, nevertheless, surprised by some aspects of scenery or characters.

In Oxford’s Bodleian Library, Diana Bishop unintentionally calls up a bewitched alchemical manuscript in the course of her research. After the death of her parents, Diana wants nothing to do with sorcery, even though she comes from an ancient, respectable line of witches. After a glance and a few notes, she sends the document back into the library’s archive. Her serendipitous finding has awakened the attention of otherworldly beings, gathering demons, vampires and witches alike back into Oxford. Diana has stumbled upon a bewitched manuscript lost for centuries. She is the only one who can break the spell. Mathew Clairmont, an aged vampire, has a distinct interest for that particular book since he believes it contains the secret of evolution. As the novel progresses, their path intertwine.

The introduction, just like the denouement, was compelling and open to the events about to come. I think this book built up the atmosphere, characters, and possibility of what could be, in my opinion, a remarkable trilogy. There are plenty of plot twists. The action is complex, the tome ends on a cliff-hanger, making the reader fascinated and willing to read more in this world. The progress was neither too rushed, nor too slow, considering the length of the novel. It felt like unity every event falling into place in the puzzle represented by the plot. I can’t say much about the original writing, as I haven’t read it in the original. The translation was well executed and was pleasant to read.

Diana Bishop is the main character in the story. She is a round character that I think portrays many attributes. She has her insecurities while still being a strong-minded persona. Her magical powers are surprisingly strong, even for a witch, making one afraid to provoke her. Mathew Claremont is the love interest of the story. He is quite mysterious and has plenty of charisma. I think he has a complementary personality to that of his love interest. More often than not, I found Mathew to be grounded, with his head on his shoulders. I enjoyed the strangeness around him and his passion for wine. I think he had some memorable lines, being pleasant to decipher his persona. Even though there will be times when you might want to scream at the book for how the events unfold, the result will always be spectacular, revealing sub-plots. The characters are realistic. I think I did like Marcus the most. I wish to discover him further in coming books than in this first novel.

I think that the 'All The Souls' trilogy, having 'A Discovery of Witches' as the first volume, can interest a wide range of readers. To some extent, it gave me the Harry Potter vibes, as I think it will be a very loved series (not only by me but by many other generations), involving a magical world that coexists with that of humans. I highly recommend this book to teenagers and adults alike. I’m looking forward to continuing with the series!

My June 2020 very ambitious TBR

I know I have been gone for a while, dealing with personal problems and life, but I want to make a comeback in June. As I'll still be busy with exams and projects in June, I know for sure I won't be able to finish all the books I'd like to... But that doesn't mean it's not worth putting some effort into it. I will aim for finishing at least the two books in the worst-case scenario. I am very excited about all of these titles. Have you read any? Is there one, in particular, you'd like me to read and hear my opinion on the story?

 1. Lover Eternal by J. R. Ward

2. Tempt Me by Kally Ash  -> review book

3. See Me After Class by Meghan Quinn

4. Master Baker by Pippa Grant

5. The Midas Touch by Rochelle Summers

6. One Hot Italian Summer by Karina Halle -> On someone else's TBR challange prompt

7. Tank by M. Malone -> TBR wheel

This month I want to challenge myself to read at least 30 to 50 pages each day. I should be able to reach that goal on most days and that will help me finish some more books this month, providing content for my blog. If you have any ideas of what type of posts let me know, I'll be happy to make them.