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I was going to write a life update post and then decided to just tell you guys about what I've been reading and watching instead. Life is lemons and I've been making some nice lemonade. I'm cold, I'm installing boundaries for myself, and as a part of those boundaries, I've been really putting self-care at the forefront. I just hope to get back into the swing of journalling. (I think I'm burn out? I don't even know anymore.)
Anyway.
*
What I've read:
Grishaverse!
* Shadow and Bone: I did not like this book at all. I was ready to dump it, but someone I rp with encouraged me to stick it out and I somehow slugged through it. The worldbuilding was interesting but I didn't find Alina very compelling, and the writing was dull. I love Mal. I am probably his only fan, and I am okay with this.
* Siege and Storm: I felt this started off strong and then the writing and pacing came apart. I kind of wish we spent more time hunting the Sea Whip and pulling apart how fucked up amplifiers really are. Again, I loved Mal. Nikolai was honestly the saving grace of this book.
* Ruin and Rising: This one was my favourite out of the Alina books. I felt the stakes were higher, the writing and pacing was slightly better, and Zoya was featured more heavily in it despite her shallow characterisation. I still felt it could've been shorter. This book worked better for me as it felt more like an ensemble book told from Alina's restrictive POV.
The one thing I did like about the Alina series was how it finished with Darklina being a toxic relationship. I didn't enjoy the journey, but I'm really vibing with how Darklina was not endgame and was, in fact, called toxic because that's what it was. Alina didn't allow him to suffocate her while he suffocated himself with his desire to possess her. I really liked that end note because that's why I find the ship so fascinating. I can't explain that, but I loved that.
* King of Scars: I adored this book, except for the Nina and Hanne plot. I found the worldbuilding to be intriguing. I absolutely love Nikolai and Zoya as a duo. I really loved seeing Genya and David developed as characters. I wish there had been more romance between Zoya and Nikolai on the page, but I still really enjoyed it. I finished this book in 10 days. I never finish books of this size in such a timeframe unless I enjoy it.
What I'm reading:
* Rule of Wolves: I'm currently reading this, and I feel that it's a bit too bloated with the POVs. I'm only interested in Zoya, Nikolai and another POV. Zoya is one of my favourite characters, and I like that I can see myself in her when it comes to her discomfort in being vulnerable. Nikolai remains incredibly charismatic. I think I'm going to finish it at the end of this week! I feel it could've been shorter and tighter plot-wise, though. This doesn't feel like a Nikolai book because of the bloated POVs/plots.
What I plan to read next:
* The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes by Suzanne Collins in preparation for the movie. I wouldn't be surprised if I reread The Hunger Games and Catching Fire next (none for Mockingjay) since I did rewatch those movies.
* Scarlet Witch by Steve Orlando once the next issue is out. It's been fun and the last issue wasn't as much of a letdown as the previous ones.
*
What I've watched:
* Game Night: As part of Friday movie night with Dad, I picked this movie and it was one of the funniest movies I have ever seen. The acting was fantastic. The plot was so much fun. I really love Rachel McAdams and this movie was so great at capturing her comedic acting chops.
We watched other movies after this one, but none worth noting imo. Before this one, we did watch Uncharted, which I found really fun.
I'm currently watching Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest when I ride my bike. It's still one of my favourite movies and still one of the best sequels I've ever seen.
* Firefly Lane: Katherine Heigl stole the show. I found it to be a fun show about female friendship (although very codependent). It tells the story in flashbacks and present moments, which can get very confusing if you're not paying attention to hairstyles. It was fun and campy.
* The Witcher: Season 3, Part 1 is solid imo. I really enjoyed how Yennefer was front and centre, and how Geralt, Ciri and Yennefer formed a great family. Yennefer's outfits are a huge letdown, though—and Anya's wig is distracting at times because I think it's too thick and heavy and makes her face look very, very thin. She looks gaunt at times, which doesn't feel very complimentary of Anya. Episode 5 is honestly one of the best of the entire series and I will say no more on it.
* American Gods: I watched this because of rp and I cannot tell you a damn thing that happens except that it's pretty, there's a lot of nudity and hardly any dick. I really enjoyed Sweeney and Laura's bits (which were the easiest to follow) and their dynamic/chemistry the most. I'm not happy with how season 2 ended and I'm not sure if I'll continue with season 3. It's a fun show but a bit convoluted for me in terms of how it delves out lore.
I'm currently rewatching WandaVision and am really enjoying noticing things again, remembering all the theories we had as a fandom, and the disappointments we felt at some of the things that fell flat.
What I plan to watch next:
¯\_(ツ)_/¯ NO CLUE.
* I'm rewatching American Gods now that I've seen it in its entirety to see if I can understand it, but I'm honestly on the lookout for something new to sink my teeth into.
* BARBIE! Getting my Kenergy on, baby!
*
Podcasts I've listened to:
* Jessica Rowe with John Edward. This was very insightful and I felt the content was in line with a lot of what I've been researching and trying to instil in my life. John speaks about boundaries and energies, and it's something I felt resonated with me. If you're not interested in psychic-like stuff, I don't think this is the episode for you.
* Abby Medcalf's Relationships Made Easy has been a huge changer for me. I've wanted to find a psychologist on podcasts who gives tools you can use, and I really appreciate how she outlines the problems, how they can show up in and for you, and the various ways you can combat them. I think she's a fantastic resource. Not all of her episodes are relevant to me, but the ones that are have been worth a listen. I've been taking notes whenever I listen to her so I can refer back to the lessons, and I've found them incredibly helpful in my day-to-day.
*
I've really enjoyed taking time out in my afternoon to sit and read a book for thirty minutes (and then again by bedtime). It's been so good, and I've been looking forward to these moments during the day.
I have a massive backlog of books to read (my bookshelf has gotten worse). One day I will give my library card a workout. One day!
Anyway.
*
What I've read:
Grishaverse!
* Shadow and Bone: I did not like this book at all. I was ready to dump it, but someone I rp with encouraged me to stick it out and I somehow slugged through it. The worldbuilding was interesting but I didn't find Alina very compelling, and the writing was dull. I love Mal. I am probably his only fan, and I am okay with this.
* Siege and Storm: I felt this started off strong and then the writing and pacing came apart. I kind of wish we spent more time hunting the Sea Whip and pulling apart how fucked up amplifiers really are. Again, I loved Mal. Nikolai was honestly the saving grace of this book.
* Ruin and Rising: This one was my favourite out of the Alina books. I felt the stakes were higher, the writing and pacing was slightly better, and Zoya was featured more heavily in it despite her shallow characterisation. I still felt it could've been shorter. This book worked better for me as it felt more like an ensemble book told from Alina's restrictive POV.
The one thing I did like about the Alina series was how it finished with Darklina being a toxic relationship. I didn't enjoy the journey, but I'm really vibing with how Darklina was not endgame and was, in fact, called toxic because that's what it was. Alina didn't allow him to suffocate her while he suffocated himself with his desire to possess her. I really liked that end note because that's why I find the ship so fascinating. I can't explain that, but I loved that.
* King of Scars: I adored this book, except for the Nina and Hanne plot. I found the worldbuilding to be intriguing. I absolutely love Nikolai and Zoya as a duo. I really loved seeing Genya and David developed as characters. I wish there had been more romance between Zoya and Nikolai on the page, but I still really enjoyed it. I finished this book in 10 days. I never finish books of this size in such a timeframe unless I enjoy it.
What I'm reading:
* Rule of Wolves: I'm currently reading this, and I feel that it's a bit too bloated with the POVs. I'm only interested in Zoya, Nikolai and another POV. Zoya is one of my favourite characters, and I like that I can see myself in her when it comes to her discomfort in being vulnerable. Nikolai remains incredibly charismatic. I think I'm going to finish it at the end of this week! I feel it could've been shorter and tighter plot-wise, though. This doesn't feel like a Nikolai book because of the bloated POVs/plots.
What I plan to read next:
* The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes by Suzanne Collins in preparation for the movie. I wouldn't be surprised if I reread The Hunger Games and Catching Fire next (none for Mockingjay) since I did rewatch those movies.
* Scarlet Witch by Steve Orlando once the next issue is out. It's been fun and the last issue wasn't as much of a letdown as the previous ones.
*
What I've watched:
* Game Night: As part of Friday movie night with Dad, I picked this movie and it was one of the funniest movies I have ever seen. The acting was fantastic. The plot was so much fun. I really love Rachel McAdams and this movie was so great at capturing her comedic acting chops.
We watched other movies after this one, but none worth noting imo. Before this one, we did watch Uncharted, which I found really fun.
I'm currently watching Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest when I ride my bike. It's still one of my favourite movies and still one of the best sequels I've ever seen.
* Firefly Lane: Katherine Heigl stole the show. I found it to be a fun show about female friendship (although very codependent). It tells the story in flashbacks and present moments, which can get very confusing if you're not paying attention to hairstyles. It was fun and campy.
* The Witcher: Season 3, Part 1 is solid imo. I really enjoyed how Yennefer was front and centre, and how Geralt, Ciri and Yennefer formed a great family. Yennefer's outfits are a huge letdown, though—and Anya's wig is distracting at times because I think it's too thick and heavy and makes her face look very, very thin. She looks gaunt at times, which doesn't feel very complimentary of Anya. Episode 5 is honestly one of the best of the entire series and I will say no more on it.
* American Gods: I watched this because of rp and I cannot tell you a damn thing that happens except that it's pretty, there's a lot of nudity and hardly any dick. I really enjoyed Sweeney and Laura's bits (which were the easiest to follow) and their dynamic/chemistry the most. I'm not happy with how season 2 ended and I'm not sure if I'll continue with season 3. It's a fun show but a bit convoluted for me in terms of how it delves out lore.
I'm currently rewatching WandaVision and am really enjoying noticing things again, remembering all the theories we had as a fandom, and the disappointments we felt at some of the things that fell flat.
What I plan to watch next:
¯\_(ツ)_/¯ NO CLUE.
* I'm rewatching American Gods now that I've seen it in its entirety to see if I can understand it, but I'm honestly on the lookout for something new to sink my teeth into.
* BARBIE! Getting my Kenergy on, baby!
*
Podcasts I've listened to:
* Jessica Rowe with John Edward. This was very insightful and I felt the content was in line with a lot of what I've been researching and trying to instil in my life. John speaks about boundaries and energies, and it's something I felt resonated with me. If you're not interested in psychic-like stuff, I don't think this is the episode for you.
* Abby Medcalf's Relationships Made Easy has been a huge changer for me. I've wanted to find a psychologist on podcasts who gives tools you can use, and I really appreciate how she outlines the problems, how they can show up in and for you, and the various ways you can combat them. I think she's a fantastic resource. Not all of her episodes are relevant to me, but the ones that are have been worth a listen. I've been taking notes whenever I listen to her so I can refer back to the lessons, and I've found them incredibly helpful in my day-to-day.
*
I've really enjoyed taking time out in my afternoon to sit and read a book for thirty minutes (and then again by bedtime). It's been so good, and I've been looking forward to these moments during the day.
I have a massive backlog of books to read (my bookshelf has gotten worse). One day I will give my library card a workout. One day!