Happy Friday! The first work week of the year is very nearly over and I’m so glad! I’ve had some serious trouble adjusting from Holiday Justine back into Real Person Justine. Holiday Justine eats lots of food, sleeps all day, and stays up all night. Holiday Justine doesn’t really interact with other humans.
My reading has been really thrown off this week! I pushed myself to read as much as humanely possible until the end of 2017, and I haven’t read much in the new year. I have, however, been playing an alarming amount of Minecraft. Now that I’ve given myself a bit of a break, it’s time to dive back in.
Books I read
The Elite by Kiera Cass
I wanted to kick-start the year with something fluffy and ridiculous to get me back into the swing of reading. Now, these books aren’t what I would call “good”, but they’re exactly what I want and need when I pick one up. They’re like the book equivalent of that trashy TV show you shout at with a glass of wine. Perfection.

Books I am currently reading
Paris Adrift by E. J. Swift
Gardens of the Moon by Steven Erikson
These two books are high priorities for January. I was lucky enough to be sent an advance copy of Paris Adrift and will be participating in their blog tour! I’m loving this book so far (and loving that cover) — it’s a fascinating take on time travel. I’m not very far yet, but it’s a compelling read!
Gardens of the Moon is my fantasy book club’s pick for January and I have a couple of weeks left to read it. I have been warned about this crazy book series for years and was really nervous to start. It features a sprawling world and huge cast of characters. The author throws you straight in without explaining much. I was told this was advanced fantasy — only the strong survive. But honestly? It’s just a book. I’m not finding it any more or less difficult than any other complex fantasy. Maybe that will change as I get further along?
Books I bought
Nothing! Look at me! Such willpower! I’m hoping to keep this trend going.
On a related note, I’m bringing back my reading vlogs! Life and the holidays got in the way toward the end of the year, so I just didn’t have time to keep up with filming every single day. But! I’m going to do my best to keep up with my reading and vlogging, despite the fact that the next couple of months should be absolutely crazy. Keep an eye on my channel for those!

Recovered from the holidays, for now, haha since I’m back at work. I just have to catch up on some blog posts.
Currently, I’m reading Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets. It’s the first time I’ve read the HP series and so far, I’m enjoying it. 🙂
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The first time??? Oh my goodness! I hope you love the series and it isn’t overhyped for you. I grew up with it — I was the same age as Harry and the gang when it came out — so it’s very special to me 😊
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So far, it’s not too badly hyped. I’m really enjoying it but I’m only on book 2. I know a lot of people count Prisoner of Azkaban as one of their least faves if I remember right haha
Awww, that’s so awesome. It makes me wish I was into it when I was growing up!
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Amazing post, Justine! And good for you for sticking to your bookban (if it is a bookban)!
Paris Adrift’s cover is just beautiful ❤ I wouldn't need to read anything else before picking it off a shelf and bringing it home hahaha
Also, your cats are so adorable! I'm not sure whether it's love or hate but hey, they're cats. Isn't the feeling almost exactly the same? xD
Have a wonderful 2018!
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Where did you get the tub tray? I need one of those!
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Amazon! It was a Christmas present, but I’ve tracked it down because a lot of people have asked me about it 😀 It’s a game changer for tub time
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I may have to snag me one! Does it have a particular name?
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Oh, I’m not sure! But I think it’s bamboo, which should help narrow the search 🙂
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Nice! Thanks! ❤
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